CHAPTER XXIX.
It is necessary now to shift our scene and to retrace our steps.
Opposite the old Ship of State there stood on the land, a little backfrom the river, an ancient and old-fashioned public-house. It had apicturesque appearance, with its quaint gable ends and mullionedwindows. Its different styles of architecture and its patched walls ledyou step by step from the present to the remote past, for it was anantique hostelry. It was two storied and had two large chambers, and ifthe walls of these could speak, they could many a tale unfold. Whatscenes too they had seen and what noble personages. The old clock thatstood sentinel there had ticked many a brave man to his grave. In thatold public-house the greatness of the old Sea King had been built up,and the spirit of many a brave lad still haunted the place. A largesign-board swung heavily on a beam, projecting from the wall in front,just above the door. The name of the public-house was written in largeletters. It was called the CONSTITUTION; under this there was a scroll,on which was written the Buccaneer's motto, "DIEU ET MON DROIT," and thewhole was surmounted by a crown. This was the favourite resort of bothwatches, and, in fact, of the whole crew of the Ship of State, UpperChamber and all. No more respectable, or better conducted house could befound the whole world over. Many thought the Beggar Woman ought to havebeen the landlady of this ancient establishment, but she was not.
Though well on in the night the Port Watch were still sitting in thesnug parlour of the Constitution, sipping their grog, smoking theirpipes and yarning over things in general; at the head of the table wasthe captain, Bob Mainstay, and by his side his first lieutenant, honestBen Backstay. Many of the other officers were also there, and they weretrying to keep their spirits up by pouring spirits down, but they couldnot do it. Things looked gloomy, and they seemed to see no break in theclouds ahead. But it is said that the longest lane has its turning, andto those that wait all things come. Of one thing they all felt assured,if Bill Dogvane was allowed to keep the helm of the Ship of State muchlonger the Buccaneer would find things at pretty sixes and sevens. Buthow was the helm to be taken out of his hands? That was the question.
Their meditations were interrupted by a gentle knock at the door, and onpermission being given to come in, the door was gently opened, as if theintruder was not certain of the reception. It was the Beggar Woman."Kind gentlemen," she said, "will you assist a poor woman? With wearysteps I have begged from door to door, but no one will assist me or letme in. A crust of bread, good gentlemen, for the love you bear yourcountry, for I am cold and starved with hunger."
"Come in," cried a dozen voices at once. "It is a shame," one added,"that you should be thus neglected; but what can we do, my lass? So longas the Starboard Watch is aboard the old ship there, things will be asthey are."
"Let us have a shift of watches, and then you will see what you willsee," said another.
"Cannot you help us, madam," asked the captain, "to oust old Dogvane andhis lot? He made up to you, courted you, chucked you under the chin, andthen the rascal jilted you. The Port Watch would not have served you soscurvily, you may swear."
"Good gentlemen," replied Patriotism, "the people on shore all turn adeaf ear to my entreaties, or say, anon, anon, good woman, and thenhasten away about other business, or to pay their addresses to my rival,Party."
The Port Watch now took the Beggar Woman in tow, for they hoped that shewould help them. They all set to discussing the state of affairs, andturned over in their minds different plans of action. What they wantedwas a good watchword and a safe cry. When they had been for some timetalking over the matter without any satisfactory results; for they hadpassed in review all their old tactics without deriving very muchsatisfaction, because, as they all said, they had failed before to dishDogvane with them, and in all probability they would fail again.
Just as things seemed to look at their worst, the door burst open, andin rushed Random Jack. He was breathless, dripping wet, and his teethwere chattering with cold.
"Hallo!" cried the captain. "What ducking pool have you fallen foul of,my little lad?"
"Mates!" cried Random Jack as he sank down on one of the seats, first ofall having carefully removed the crimson cushion for fear of wetting it."Give me a tot of grog, and make it hot and strong, for I am drenched tothe skin, and the very marrow in my bones is frozen. Pretty things Ihave to tell."
The landlady of the old Constitution public-house was quite distressedto see the poor little middy in such a sorry plight. She was a buxommotherly woman, and nothing would do but she must get him a shift ofthings, or, as she said, the boy would catch his death of cold. Havingbrought him a suit of clothes which Billy Cheeks, the burly butcher, hadleft behind, Random Jack got into them, and though, as he said, theywere miles too large, they were better than nothing. He tied thetrousers round his neck, thrust his arms through the pockets, and thussaved the necessity of a waistcoat.
"Well, my little man," said the captain. "What is in the wind now?"
Random Jack took a deep draught, and then said: "That is good, and warmsthe cockles of my heart. Mother," he cried, turning to the landlady,"fill me another glass. Now, my mates, the likes of what I have to tell,you've never heard before. It will make your very hair stand on end,that is, of course, those who have any, and for those who haven't, nomatter. Better to follow my example and fortify yourselves with goodstiff glasses, three fingers deep, if you take my advice, and littlewater. No doubt, my mates, you have all read of mutinies, conspiracies,and such like; I have one to tell you about, that will surprise you."
"My goodness!" cried the landlady, as she busied about her orders. "Justhear how the little man talks!"
"Your news, my lad! your news!" came from many, as they one and alleagerly crowded round the little middy.
"Lend all of you, your ears, my mates. Knowing that the governor wasfrom home and that the cunning old fox was with him, I thought I wouldjust stow myself away on board the old ship there, just to see how theypassed the watches of the night. Just to see, mates, if I could catchany of the weasels sleeping. Some of them are wide enough awake, I cantell you." Here he winked at the company.
"Throw it off, my lad!" cried the captain. "Don't go beating about thebush, but come to the point at once. So you were a stowaway." Theycontemplated the little middy with wonder, for most of them had neverseen a stowaway before.
Random Jack, being thus exhorted and encouraged to make a clean breastof it, disclosed the whole of the diabolical conspiracy of the cook'scaboose, and how it was that he had so frightened Billy Cheeks, thebutcher. This part of the proceedings caused no little merriment. BobMainstay, having listened to the story from beginning to end, exclaimed,as he slapped his leg: "Mates, I see land ahead. It strikes me we haveold Bill on the hip at last. Madam!" he said, turning to the BeggarWoman, who had remained a silent listener to the midshipman's story."Madam, with your help I think we shall be able to dish old Dogvane.What with the Church Hulk in danger and old Squire Broadacre on the warpath, and general discontent all round, the devil must be in it if wecannot clear the ship of its present vermin." The Beggar Woman promisedto do her best, for her sympathies were for the most part with the PortWatch; perhaps, because on the whole, they treated her best. She wasgiven an order to get a spic and span new outfit of silks and satins,and she received invitations to many feasts, but frequent adversity madeher bear this turn of fortune with becoming modesty.
The Port Watch were now in high spirits and began talking of what theywould do when they took charge of the ship. The little middy was highlycomplimented; and the captain promised to reward his courage and virtuewith a good billet. He was pretty well sure now of promotion.
"Who laughs now?" cried Random Jack. "I owe one to Master Dogvane and toBilly Cheeks. The cook, he is a Jack-pudding, and I will baste him wellwith his own dripping." These were bold words; but the cook did not hearthem.
"Now, my lads!" exclaimed the captain, "we must work with a will. Wouldthat our master had returned; but we must make things ready for h
im whenhe does. Away some of you on board the old Church Hulk. Wake her crewup, and let your cry be Church in danger. Others of you hasten to theSquire and tell him there are robbers about."
"A toast before we part," cried Random Jack.
"Here is general damnation to old Bill Dogvane, and all his crew!" Alllaughed, and the toast was drunk with enthusiasm, and they were all justabout to separate when some one fired a shell amidst them by saying,"How about the Ojabberaways?"
"To make any compact with them," said the captain, "would be an unholything."
"Any port in a storm," cried Random Jack, who was now, what with thegrog and the flattery he had received, in high feather. "They have theirprice; are they worth it? If we don't buy them old Dogvane will. There'sthe rub."
Here the noise outside of two women wrangling claimed their attention,and one and all ran out to see what was the matter. They found Libertyand the Beggar Woman in angry altercation about a lout of a boy. Indeed,boy he could scarcely be called, for he was approaching nearer tomanhood. It was Demos. "Indeed, madam!" cried Liberty with a sneer, "itdoes not appear from your dress that you are held in very greatestimation amongst my master's people." Patriotism had not yet receivedher new clothing. Then Liberty continued in the same tone: "You aresomewhat old-fashioned methinks! What would you have me do with my boy?Would you have me clap a gag in his mouth, or muzzle him as if he were adog in the dog-days?"
"You need not pamper and pet him," exclaimed the Beggar Woman, "until hebecomes a perfect nuisance to every one. Why don't you teach him to workfor an honest living?"
"Because the boy is not strong; besides, he does not like work, do you,dear?"
"Why should I work," cried Demos, "when others play? Others live andfatten in idleness, why not I?"
"Bread that is buttered too thickly is not wholesome food," was theBeggar Woman's reply.
"The boy is a clever boy," exclaimed Madam Liberty. "He is wonderfullygood at speaking; and he is good at figures; and he shall not be keptback; shall you, dear?"
"Mind he does not turn and bite the hand that has fed and petted him,"replied the Beggar Woman, and the two parted.
The old coxswain, as he watched the retreating steps of Liberty and herboy, said: "There you go with that spoilt brat of yours. A wilful womannever yet wanted for woe, and to spoil a child is to put a rod in picklefor your own back."
A quaint sound was now heard, like the wailing of a pig in pain. Somethought it must be the cook playing a tune in the early morning upon hisbarrel organ; but the sound did not come from the direction of the oldship. It turned out to be the national music of the Ojabberaways, andpresently a voice by no means untuneful, sang, "Come back to Erin,Mavourneen, Mavourneen."
The Ojabberaways were serenading both Liberty and Patriotism, while inthe back ground was the cheap-Jack Jonathan, who provided the dollarsfor the serenade, also for other entertainments which the Ojabberawaysgot up to please themselves and annoy the old Buccaneer.
Opinions varied very much as to whether the Port Watch did, or did not,make a treaty with these people. Such a thing could scarcely beconceivable; but for party purposes either watch, it was said, wouldsell themselves to the devil. Some went so far as to say that RandomJack had had something to do with it; but then, when anyone comes out ofobscurity, there is scarcely a thing that he is not supposed to becapable of doing; and a place is found for his finger in every pie.Happy is the man who never leaves the smooth, broad, and well-beatenpath of mediocrity! He will escape many evils, and even slander willpass him by for the most part with contempt; for her sport is withbigger game. "This only grant me, that my means may lie too low forenvy, for contempt too high." So sang a poet long years ago.
It was generally believed that old Bill Dogvane had a secretunderstanding with these Ojabberaways. There can be no doubt that hesmiled upon the boy Demos, who was showing signs of giving trouble. Hewas becoming intoxicated with the very worst of all things, namely, hisown self-conceit, and the old hands shook their wise heads, and saidthat if the Buccaneer was not very careful this boy would break out anddisturb the peace. This child of Madam Liberty was a difficulty; and howto treat him became a matter of the gravest consideration. Be kind tohim and he would mistake it for weakness, and take advantage of it atonce. Kick him, beat him, or try to drive him, and he became as stubbornas an ass. All agreed that he required a very strong hand, and yet nottoo rough a one. The conspirators of the cook's caboose were one and allon the boy's side; and the cook himself acted the part of an indulgentfoster father to him. Buttering the boy's bread as thick as he possiblycould, and giving him constantly cakes and other sweetmeats; some saidthis was done out of pure contrariness, because Pepper could not behappy if he were as others; but while the cook told the boy that he wasbeing kept out of his just dues by an idle lot of rich drones, andhinting to him that it would be no great crime to put his hand into thepockets of these people, he said not a word about sharing his ownworldly goods with the boy; and the cook had laid up for himself richesupon earth, but he was a wise man, and took good care that no thiefshould break into his house and steal.