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Lorsque le document est trop grand pour dtre reproduit en un seui clich6, 11 est film6 A partir de I'angle sup^rieur gauche, de gauche A droite, et de haut en has. en prenant le nombre d'images n^cessaire. Les diagrammes suivants illustrent la mithode. 1 2 3 32X 1 2 3 4 5 6 OMDON Til!'. DIKKNCr OF HIAMoND ROCK. I'.iKc 254, . p Ty "NeLsc/s &z\ZjOM3 O h\DO N , Q^ 1 M B U f^G H Csf J \i DiA On .|:» T. Diamond Rock / OR On the right track BY J. MACDONALD OXLEY Author of'Up Among the Ice-Floes," &'C. dr'c. T. NELSON AND SONS London, Fdinhitrjs^h, and A'eiu York 1894 1: t. "Z-n^ 261467 r /\ I . DICK ] ^ II LEARN III THE B. IV. A PLEj* V. A TRIP VI. WORK VII. IN ACT VIII. OVERCO IX. THE TA X. IN THE XI. UNDER XII. SCENES XIII. HUNTING XIV. GOOD F< XV. DIAMONl XVI. A GALLil XVII. AN HON< XVITI. TRAFALG n CONTENTS. -♦♦- I. DICK HOLLAND JOINS HIS SHIP, II. LEARNING THE ROPES, III. THE BAPTISM OF FIRE, IV. A PLEASANT EXPERIENCE, V. A TRIP INLAND, VL WORK AFTER PLAY, VIL IN ACTUAL SERVICE, VIII. OVERCOMING AND BEING OVERCOME, IX. THE TABLES TURNED, X. IN THE HANDS OF THE ENEMY, XI. UNDER THE BRITISH FLAG AGAIN, XII. SCENES ON SHORE, XIIL HUNTING PRIVATEERS, XIV. GOOD FOR EVIL, XV. DIAMOND ROCK, XVI. A GALLANT DEFENCE, XVH. AN HONOURABLE SURRENDER, IXVITT. TRAFALGAR AND HOME AGAIN, 9 2G 43 60 77 93 109 125 188 153 169 185 200 216 234 251 268 285 •^ I DK T T was t -■■ cruisi gracious M a scene of body but a brought ou expedition. The dec fowls for th and biscuiti manteaus, h crew ; not t and relative bye; of tra DIAMOND ROCK. -M- CHAPTER I. DICK HOLLAND JOINS HIS SHIP. IT was the day of her departuve for a three ye«Ts' cruise upon the West Indian station, and his gracious Majesty's stanch frigate Gryphon presented a scene of confusion well calculated to bewilder any- body but a veteran boatswain, accustomed to see order brought out of chaos on shipboard with wonderful expedition. The deck was crowded with sheep, swine, and fowls for the oflScers' table ; with barrels of beef, pork, and biscuits for the sailors' mess ; with trunks, port- manteaus, bags, and boxes, containing the kits of the crew ; not to mention a miscellaneous crowd of friends and relatives come to bid a reluctant, tearful good- bye ; of tradesmen and duns anxiously endeavouring I 10 DKJK irOLLANl) JOrNS FTIS SHIP. to ^'ot payment of unsettled scores ; and of dealers in all sorts of small wares, makin^^ the most of tlieir opportunities ere the connnand would issue to clear the ship. In a corner apart from all this hustle stood a little j^roup that seemed to have thought only for itself, and to be quite oblivious of the turmoil around. It was composed of three persons —a slight, sweet-faced lady dressed in black, whose pale cheeks showed signs of much weeping ; a stout, grizzled, honest- featured man-servant, holding tightly to a bag that looked as if it might contain a goodly store of travellers' comforts ; and, finally, a boy of about fourteen years of age, who, as befits the hero of our story, must have more particular description. There was not much of him to begin with. He stood not more than four feet ten in his' stockings, and his fighting weight could not have much ex- ceeded one hundred pounds all told. Yet one did not need to look at him twice in order to feel convinced that, light and small as he seemed, he might prove himself an antagonist by no means to be despised in a fair fight. His frame was well-knit and symmetrical ; his chest full and deep, so much so that at school he bore the nickname of DICK HOLLAND JOINS lUS Sllir. 11 " |)i('ky-]>ir(l," in allusion to his swi'llin^' bust; Ins IVutuic'S were rc^uhir iiiid cU'ar-ciit ; his iwitumlly fair comiilt'xion was taimod to a li_L;ht olivu ])y con- stunt exposure to the sun; liis hlondc hair curled crisply back from a broad forehead ; and there were stamped upon his countenance, and expressed in every movement of his body, energy, resolution, and sanguine courage to a degree that gave good augury fur his future career. He now, poor little chap, found himself in a sore strait betwixt contending emotions. He felt keenly as any fond son could the parting from his mother, and her own unrestrained grief made it all the harder for him to keep back the tears that ever threatened to flood his smooth cheeks. Yet, at the same time, he fully recognized the dignities and responsibilities of his new position, and it seemed to him that no place had been left upon the programme for crying. So it was a hard struggle between pride and tender- ness of heart, and it may just as well be confessed that neither side had it altogether its own way. Mrs. Holland's grief was not without good excuse. The boy before her was the only son of his mother, and she was a widow. Her husband had been one of the most gallant and faithful captains in his I mil; 12 DICK HOLLAND JOINS HIS SHIP. Majesty's navy, and after a brief but brilliant career had come home invalided, to linger out a year or two in growing weakness until the end came, while he was still comparatively a young man. It was Mrs. Holland's hope and prayer that the boy, who was the joy and solace of her life, would be content to choose some shore-going occupation, when the time came for him to begin life for himself. But destiny had decided otherwise. The love of the sea was born in little Dick as surely 'is it had been in his father before him. To have bound him down to anything else would simply have been to miserably mar his life ; and so it came about that, sacrificing her own desires to her son's, Mrs. Holland sought and obtained for him the appointment to the Gryphon, which rejoiced his heart while it almost broke hers. The command came to "clear the ship" as they were still talking earnestly, Mrs. Holland mingling prayers with motherly injunctions, and Dick promis- ing loyally to do everything she wished. Again and again did the weeping woman press her son to her bosom, and cover his face w^th kisses ; and then at last, not daring to linger any longer, drew the veil over her face, and taking the arm of the man-servant, 1 1 I DICK HOLLAND JOINS HIS SHIP. 13 hastened off the ship, and was soon lost in the crowd that thronged the pier. With a tremendous sigh Dick dashed away the tears that trembled on his cheeks, drew himself up to his full height, and followed his mother with his eyes as long as she was in sight, saying softly, — " Dear, darling mother ; how hard it goes with her to say good-bye to me ! but I'll write her big, lono' letters that will comfort her heart." To Master Dick's credit be it said that although at school he would rather at any time have taken a good whipping than write a composition, he faith- fully carried out his pledge of letter-writing, nc^r letting a week pass without some sort of a scrawl ; and the packets of rather illegible but unmistakably affectionate epistles that at regular intervals reached Brier Cottage, in sunny Kent, brought with them comfort beyond expression to the expectant woman, in whose eyes they were of surpassingly more im- portance than an admiral's despatches. Dick now proceeded to look about him. Although the shore folk had by this time all landed, the con- fusion on board seemed in nowise abated. The ship was slowly gliding out into mid-channel, her huge sails flapping loudly, and blocks creaking noisily as :'. > u DICK HOLLAND JOINS HIS SHIP. I i tlic canvas swelled into the spaces between the yards ; agile sailors were darting hither and thither, up and down, in obedience to the shrill whistling and hoarse shouting of shaggy boatswains ; on the af ter-deek a group of officers in jaunty uniforms had gathered, and not knowing what else to do, Dick made his way towards them. No one noticed him at first as ho stood there (piietly, cap in hand. Then one of the officers did catch sight of him, and surprised at seeing a midshipman on the quarter-deck -without any apparent business to be there, addressed him sharply, — " What arc you doing here, sir ? " Much taken aback at this unexpected question, poor Dick in some confusion was about to explain, when another officer, whose uniform betokened higher rank, overhearing the question, turned to see to whom it was addressed, and realizing the situation at a glance, said in a much kindlier tone, — " One of the new midshipmen, no doubt. — Come forward, sir, and report j^ourself." Dropping his bag, Dick made a low bob, in his best style, and approached this officer, who was no other than Captain Fitewell himself, one of the bravest and n.ost capable commanders in the navy. I DICK HOLLAND JOINS HIS SHIP. 15 -I " Wull, sir, will you Lo good enough to name your- self ? " said the captain. " Richard Holland, if you please, sir," answered Dick, with another bob. " Oh ho ! " exclaimed the captain, his bronzed face relaxing into a genial smile. " So you are little Dick Hollaml. Right well did I know your father, my boy, and many a year we knocked about to- gether. I'm very glad to have you on my ship. H' you've got the same stuti" in you as was in your father, you're bound to make a good officer ; and if you take him for your pattern, you'll always find in me a friend when you need one. Let me shake hands with you." As Dick advanced with outstretched hand, he had the greatest difficulty in keeping from bursting into tears. His feelincjs had been under severe strain all day, and this unexpected warmth of greeting, follow- ing close upon the lieutenant's sharp challenge, all but broke down his last defence. However, by a heroic effort he kept himself under control ; and looking up into Captain Fitewell's kindly face with brimming eyes, returned his hand-clasp with all the vigour of which he was capable. The captain smiled at the ardour of his grip, and I.i\ ; I i 16 DICK HOLLAND JOINS HIS Sllir. tlicn turninu: to the officer who had first addressed Dick, said, — " Lieutenant Wadham, will you be good enough to introduce Midshipman Holland to the gun-room ? " Thus dismissed, Dick made another bob, recovered possession of the bag, and, with his heart in his mouth, followed his guide down the companion-way to the gun-room. He at once found himself in the midst of a very babel. Some ten or twelve lads, ranging in years from fourteen to twenty, were scattered about a long, narrow room, lighted only by three small port-holes, skylarking in the wildest manner. Some of the elders had evidently been indulr'inij: in more wine than was ijood for them, and were disposed to be either provokingly pugnacious or fulsomely affectionate, while the younger boys had to endure their insults or endearments, which were equally unwelcome, as best they might. " Here you are ; make yourself at home," said the lieutenant curtly, and turning on his heel, left poor Dick to find his own way without even so much as an introduction. With a sinking heart but steady countenance Dick stood survevino^ the scene. It was not at all in accordance with his anticipations. The coarse speech spattered with oaths, and the (423) D rougl), M squalid 1 phcro, all (|nalm of thougli h deck aofai one of th doubtfullj) " Hollo here and r Thus ad roturninrr i into the ro and he hm from heac " Come demanded Dick move not knowir The boy; though the; on trial bel the oldest proceeded t " What's ^42.3) DICK HOLLAND JOINS HIS SHIP. 17 rough, witless liorso-play; tlio plain, bare, almost squalid look of tlio room, and the close, rank atmos- phere, all tended to fill him with disgust. A great (jiialm of home-sickness came over him. He felt as though he should sutlbcate if he did not rush up on deck again ; and he was just about to do so, when one of the lads, catching sight of liim as he stood doubtfully in the doorway, shouted out, — " Hollo ! here's the new mid. — Say, just come up here and report yourself." Thus addressed, Dick instantly gave up the idea of returning to the deck, and instead took a step further into the room. By this time all eyes were upon him, and he had to bear their scrutiny, until he was studied from head to heel. " Come here and report yourself, I tell you," was demanded of him again ; and, by way of compliance, Dick moved as far as the table, and then stood still, not knowing what to say or do. The boys ranged themselves on the other side, as though they constituted a board of inquiry and he was on trial before them. Then one, who was apparently the oldest and the most under the influence of wine, proceeded to examine him with drunken gravity, " What's your name ? " '423) 2 18 DTCK HOLLAND JOINS HIS SHIP. ! |i I: ' " llichard Holland/' " Wlio was vonr father ? " " Captain Holland, of H.M.S. Flveflijr This answer evidently made a good impression, for it showed that he came rightfully by his naval aspirations. " How old are you i " " Fourteen last October." There was a murmur of surprise at this, for Dick's shortness of stature had conveyed the impression that he must be a year or two younger. " Does your mother know you're out ? " The question hit poor Dick liardcr than his examiner could have imagined. He had for a moment, in the bewildering novelty of his surroundings, almost for- gotten his mother, and now the picture of her pale, tear-stained face as she tore herself away from him came back with well-nigh overwhelming force. His own face flushed crimson, then blanched again. His lower lip trembled suspiciously, and his eyes became misty. It was only by a tremendous effort that he could control himself suflaciently to answer in a tone scarce audible, — " My mother has just bidden me good-bye." There was something in this answer and the effect it produced upon many of the listeners that went DTOK HOLLAND JOINS II IS SHIP. 19 ni;{unst the grain of tho Mg tVllow who luid appointed liiinsulf Dick's inquisitor ; and witli a sneering laugh lie filled a tumbler from a Lottie that stood near him, and holding it ont to the boy, said in a tone of rough command, — " Here, then; drink her health like a man." Instead of accepting the proffered glass, Dick re- treated a step and put his hands behind his back. He would not comply with this order for two reasons. In the first place, he had been brought up to believe that strong drink in any form was better left alone than trified with, and he had pledged himself to his mother to have nothing to do with it under any circumstances. In the second place, even if he had been wont to take his wine, like many boys of his age, the thought of drinking his mother's health under such circumstances would have filled him with repugnance. He felt as though it w^ould be notliincj short of desecration. Nettled by his hesitation to obey, the other, whose name was Bulstrode, and who was the bully of the gun-room, roared out fiercely, — "Do you hear me? Drink the old woman's health, I say, and no heel-taps, mind you." The disrespectful allusion io his mother stung Dick to the quick. His face flushed again, but this time 20 DICK HOLLAND JOINS HIS SHIP. I I I i it was with an^jor. His fists closed tiglitly. Mo straightened hinisolt' up, and looking his tormentor full in the face, said as quietly as he could, — " I hear you perfectly well, but I have not the slight- est intention of obeying you." A murmur of mingled admiration and apprehension went round the little company at this plucky reply. Bulstrode was accustomed to have it pretty much his own way among the middies, and this frank de- fiance delio-hted them while it enraj^ed him. " You haven't the slightest intention of obeying me, hey ? " he shouted furiously ; " then, by , I'll make you," and with that he threw himself across the table and grasped Dick by the shoulders. Now Dick had no lack of courage, but he also pos- sessed a good share of common-sense. Had he obeyed his first impulse, he would have clinched with Bul- strode, and fought him as best he might. This, how- ever, would have been a very foolish thing to do ; for not only was Bulstrode more than a match for him in every way, but in all probability some of the others would give him assistance, if necessary. Dick thought of this, and although his fists were shut tight, he kept them by his side and looked steadily into his assailant's angry countenance. ■ill ill; DICK HOT.LANI) JOINS HIS SHIP. 21 His composed bearing' rather clisconcertcd the bully, who had expected some sliow of resistance winch would justify further violence. He therefore did no more than give Dick a shake, saying-, — " Are you going to drink that health ? " " I have given you my answer already," Dick replied. " Then I'll give you mine," growled Bulstrode. — " Here, mates," he cried ; " come along, and we'll make this puppy do as he is bid." With evident reluctance, yet lacking the strength of mind to refuse, several of the others approached, and Dick presently found himself stretched upon the table, his arms, legs, and head held fast, while Bul- strode endeavoured to force open his mouth to pour the wine down. Dick kept his teeth clinched in spite of the bully's efforts, and the latter, growing more and more enraged, snatched up a marline-spike that chanced to be at hand, and was just about to thrust the sharp end into Dick's mouth, with the cer- tainty of inflicting hurt, when suddenly there came from the door a voice demanding in tones of author- ity,— " What's all this about ? What mischief are you up to there ? ' 22 DICK HOLLAND JOTXS TTIS SHIP. A Imsli instantly fell upon tlio noisy i^roup. Those who liiid hold of Dick lot jj;o, and drew hack from the tabic in a confused "svay, and IJulstrodo threw the marline-spike hurriedly into a dark corner. The moment he was released Dick sat up, and as his tormentors seemed to have completely lost their tongues, the officer whose appeti,rancc had created such a sensation, and who was no other than the first lieutenant, Mr. M'Kinstry, turned to him for a reply, repeating his question in a much milder tone. Now, indignant as Dick rightfully felt at the rude reception given him, he had no more idea of being an informer than he had of voluntaril}- yielding to Bulstrode's orders. So, getting down on the floor, he made his best bow to the lieutenant, and replied, in as unconcerned a tone as he could muster, — " Oh, it's nothing much, sir ! They were just initiat- ing me ; that's all."' There was a murmur of relief from the bo3\s at this manful response, and a look of warm approval came into Lieutenant M'Kinstry 's face. He liked that kind of sj^irit in a boy, and he was shrewd enough not to spoil the good effect Dick's answer had produced by pressing his inquiry any further ; so, pretending to be quite satisfied, he said in an off-hand way, — DICK HOLLAND .lUlNS HIS SHIP. 2:^ "That's all, lay ? Well, don't carry your skylark- inij too far, you know. Ami, by the way, Mr. JJiil- strodo, a wor'Mil ol" t.li<'. iiinjil. As loi- tlic sIccpiiiL^r .'IC- coninio»t know. No foolisli pride tied his tongue, and as his rnanner was nnifoi'mly respectful, liis inquiries met with a r(!ady response fi'om even the gruflest of the oflicers. T1h!V reco'aiiz(!d thr; sterlinii; stuff thfjt was in the lad, in spite of his diminutive; size;, and deemed him worth encouraging. Among the sailors he grew to he a great favoiu'ite. His frank, unpretentious marnier, liis clieery wliistle, his hearty laugh, .*ind above all his court(;ous way of giving orders, which seemed to imply that the men m Mi' 28 LEARNING THE ROPES. had feelings worth respecting, completely won their honest hearts. They nicknamed him the " Bantam " among themselves, in allusion to his alert springy step and small stature, and it was the general opinion in the forecastle that Mr. Dick Holland would certainly be an admiral in due time, provided he kept out of Davy Jones's locker all right. He was not the only new middy on the Gryphon. The day before he came on board another lad joined the ship, being brought down by his elder brother, who seemed to have little sympathy for the poor lad's evident shrinking from the ordeal before him. This was Arthur Tenderly, a slight, pale, fair-haired lad, with gentle blue eyes and a shy weak face, who had been pitched into the navy sorely against his will, partly because his father did not know what else to do with him, having three or four elder sons to pro- vide for, and partly because it was hoped that the active, hardy, adventurous life might make a man of him. He was utterly unsuited to his novel and try- inq; surroundings, and made little effort to accustom himself to them ; so that, as was inevitable, he became the butt and fag of the gun-room. Among all his companions only one showed him any sympathy or consideration, and that was Dick. LEARNING THE ROPES. 29 This was due in some irieasure to liis looking upon him with a certain fellow-feeling, because they were liotli fresh recruits, and also to the fact that if Dick was small of body he had the heart of a giant, and always sj^npathized with the under dog in the fight. Tenderly soon came to regard Dick as his champion — which seemed somewhat absurd, in view of the fact that he was half a head taller, though only a month or so older — and attached himself to him with a de- votion which pleased Master Dick, even though it rather bored him at times. In allusion to this at- tachment, Arthur was appropriately nicknamed " the Tender," and the last syllable of his name was rarely heard in the gun-room. Tenderly got permission to have his hammock slung alongside of Dick's, and took a great deal of comfort in having his doughty little friend close at hand. For there was plenty of rough horse-play and practical jokes, involving hard knocks, on board the Gryphon, in spite of the efforts of the first lieutenant, who strongly disapproved of such proceedings. One night when neither Dick nor Arthur was on watch, and were able to turn into their hammocks early, the former, for some reason or other, possibly because of an over-indulgence at dinner in the plum-duff, which !i 80 LEARNING THE ROPES. :!.!' happened to be particularly good, could not get to sleep with his usual promptitude. He was lying awake, feeling very cozy and comfortable in his snug- hammock, and listening to the noises on the deck — the shrill whistling of the wind through the maze of rig- ging, the creaking of the blocks, and the gruff shouts of the men — when, by the aid of the lantern swung at the companion-way, which did little more than make darkness visible, he made out a form creeping stealthily in his direction, and at once suspected some trick was about to be played. Half shutting his eyes he carefully watched from under the lids the move- ments of the fio^ure. He at first thouo-ht his hammock was to be attacked, and chuckled inwardly, saying to himself, ^ — " Aha, my boy ! perhaps I'll teach you to let sleep- ino- doGjs lie ! " But instead of comino: to him the fio-ure made for Tenderly, and before Dick could take in the situation there was a sound as of a keen knife cuttino- throu^'h cords, and instantly the sleeping boy's hammock dropped head-foremost to the deck, a dull thud pro- claiming that its occupant was stunned by the fall. With the agility of a monkey Dick sprang from his hammock, and flung himself upon the intruder, who, LEARNING TIIK ROPES. 31 fiiiito unprepared for so sud(".en an assault, was easily tuinltled over. " You sneaking coward ! " hissed Dick, in a fine ex- cess of righteous indignation, " to play such a scurvy trick on poor Tenderly." Just as he spoke he identified his prisoner. It was Bulstrode, who had just conic off his watch on deck, and thought to have a little fun — save the mark ! — at the expense of " the Tender " before turning in. For {I moment the bully had been so bewildered by Dick's swift attack that he made no resistance, but recog- nizing his captor in the next moment he spluttered out, " Lot me up, you yoimg puppy, or I'll break every bone in your body," and put forth his strength to free himself. It was a most unequal struggle. Besides their dis- parity in size and weight, Dick had only his night- clothes on, while Bulstrode was in his pea-jacket, anrl, like the brute he was, he duo- his nails into Dick's unprotected flesh, as they struggled together, so that the latter was fain to cry out, — " All right : I'll let you up, but you're a miserable coward, all the same." Puffing and panting Bulstrode rose to his feet, and looking the very picture of fury, was about to aim a 32 LEARNING THE ROPES. I:' I' heavy bhnv at Dick, who stood up to lihn nnflinch- irif^Hy, wlien tlie voice of the first lieutenant broke in upon them, demandinj,^ - " Hold there ! Mr. BuLstrode, stand to one side.— Mr. Holland, may I ask you the meaning of this dis- turbance ? Dick drew himself up, saluted respectfully, and without speaking pointed to where Tenderly lay just as he had fallen, not having moved since his sudden descent to the deck. Mr. ^I'Kinstry went over at once to the boy, saying, — " H'm ! T can easily guess how this happened." He found Tenderly insensible. His head had struck the dech with cruel force, and the blood from a nasty cut just behind his right car was staining the blankets. The lieutenant's face grew very dark when he saw this. He had no need to ask any questions. The clean-cut rope told its own tale ; and saying sternly to Bulstrode, who was doggedly standing by, " You may go. You will hear further about this in the morning," he turned with a very different counte- nance to Dick. *' May I put Tenderly into your hammock, Mr. Hol- land, until we can get his own reslung ? " he asked. " Why, most certainly," responded Dick, and be- LKAHNixr; Till': kopks. 33 twccn tbcni they lifted tlic still senseless lad ^^ently in; and thi^n Mr. iM'Kinstry went in search of the shi])'s surgeon, in whose hands Tenderly soon reeov- er(,'d his wits, and his wounds were duly plastered up. Then the lieutenant bethought liiniself of Dick, and asked him with some concern, — • " ]]y the way, Holland, were you luirt at all ? IJulstrode liad you very much at a disadvantage." " Nothing to speak of," answered Dick clieerily, although at the time his flesh was quivering with pain in more than one place where Bulstrode's long nails had been making play during their short but severe struggle. "You had better turn in again, then," said ^Ir. ^I'Kinstry. " I feel bound to say that I am very much pleased with the part you have taken in tliis matter, and shall have pleasure in duly reporting it to Captain Fitewell. Good-night." " Good-night, sir," cried Dick, his face radiant at these kind words ; and tumbling into Tenderly 's ham- mock he went to sleep, feeling that he would put up with twice as many bruises for the sake of the first lieutenant's commendation. The next morning Bulstrodc was summoned before Captain Fitewell, and a severe lecture administered to (423) 3 84 LEARNING THE ROPES. J^'i^: 'I;!' 11-: ii iliiH" '!i "\, him, besides orders to do all sorts of disagreeable duty for the following month. With that lack of candid logic characteristic of such natures, he held Dick responsible for getting him into this trouble, quite ignoring his own contemptible action, and hated him with a perverse malignity that boded ill for Dick should it ever be in the other's power to do him serious injury. As for Tenderly, his attachment to Dick became a positive adoration. No dog could love a kind master more unreservedly and unselfishly than he did his little protector. And the day was to come when he would well repay Dick for thus standing by him. In the meantime the good ship Gryphon was making satisfactory progress towards her destination. A fortnin-ht broim-ht her to Madeira, where a short stay was made to lay in fresh fruit and water ; and Dick had a chance to stretch his legs, by trying how far he could ascend the magnificent mountain at whose feet the white town bathed itself in glowing sunshine. Three weeks more, and the frigate was bowling before the trade -winds straight towards Barbadoes, which lovely island was duly reached one line evening, and anchor cast in Carlisle Bay, where Dick had his first glimpse of the New World. LEARNING THE ROPES. 35 What a wonderful land it was to the bright, observant boy ! and what inexhaustible delight he took in the striking scenes about hiiu ! Hit; father liad lived long enough to take him upon his knees and " spin many a yarn " concerning his adventures and experiences among these " summer isles of Eden," lying in their " dark purple spheres of sea ; " and Dick's imagination being very active and his memory retentive, it seemed to him, as he recognized one picture after another, as though he must be revisiting places once familiar. The crystal-clear water as blue as the heavens above, and breaking in frothy billows upon cream-coloured sand ; the bewildering masses of foliacje that clothed the hills at whose base the houses stretched in irregular lines of white, or straggled up the slopes until they lost themselves in the mazes of verdure ; the crowds of picturesquely-dressed people of all grades of colour, from the coal-black of the African negro to the pale ivory of the lately-arrived European, who seemed to have nothing to do but smoke and lounge about with curious eyes and chat- tering tongues, — these and a thousand other sights equally novel kept him in the liveliest state of joyous excitement. He was wild with eagerness to get ashore, but 86 LEARNINO THE ROPES. '■ I being the junior iiiiildy on Itoiird, would have liad to wait sonic time for his turn, had not Lieutenant M'Kinstiy, who was about to go ashore with some despatches, catching sight of liim as he stood near tlic gangway, asked, — " Would you like to accompany me, Holland ? If so, I'll just wait a minute while you get into your shore-going togs." With an explosive " Thank you, sir," Dick darted below, and in a trice reappeared, looking remarkably well in his white duck trousers, trim blue jacket with double row of gilt buttons, and natty gold-banded cap, his dirk hannjinG^ at his side. The lieutenant f]favo him an approving glance. He had a warm apprecia- tion of promptitude and neatness, those precious qualities boys are so apt to lack. They stepped into the stern sheets of the cutter, the sailors bent to their oars, and their oars bent in their sinewy hands, making the boat foam through the sparkling water at a rate that soon brought them to the landing, and into the midst of a crowd of people, who assailed their ears with all sorts of questions and exclamations. It was an old story to the lieutenant, and he pushed his way indifferently through the throng, Dick following in his wake with . !l. learning; Tin: uopes. 87 eyes stretched tu their utmost capacity ; and au they cainc to the admiral's liead(iuarters, where the de- spatches were duly delivered. As the answers would not he ready for some little time, Mr. M'Kinstry said to Dick, — " You can run about for a couple of hours, Holland, and see the town. But mind, be back at the land- ing by noon." "Oh, thank you, sir! I will, sir," exclaimed Dick, delighted at being given his liberty ; and touching his cap, he set off to do the sights. There was no fear of his getting lost, the harbour being always in sight, and the Gryphon riding at anchor amidst a group of smaller ships ; so he felt entirely at his ease as he leisurely strolled through the streets. The negroes interested him immensely. They all seemed so good-humoured and jolly, as though they had not a care or creditCi.' in the world. He smiled upon them right and left, and happening to have some small coins in his pocket, wdienever he came across a particularly merry little darky, he would drop one into his hand, much to the youngster's delight, receiv- ing in reply a beaming grin and, " Buccra gentleman good — very good." Not knowing or caring where he went, he gradu- 88 LKAllXINO Tin: KOPKS. ally strayed from the better piirt of tlie town into a (quarter nuu-li aHectecl by sailoivs' ]o(liL;in!4--liouse keepers, crimps, smugglers, and other .such ill-favoured gentry. When he realized this he quickened his steps in order to get away from so undesiral)l(^ a locality. As lie was hurrying along, the door of one of the many drinking-places was suddenly Hung open, and a biii* nen;ro lui-ched out into tlie street, cominuj into collision with J)ick before the latter had time to avoid him. The shock almost threw the boy down, and drew upon him the attention of the negro, whose anger seemed to be instantly aroused by the sight of the uniform. He was a hideous-looking fellow, broad of shoulder and deep of chest, but puny and misshapen from the waist downwards, the shrunken snanks being absurdly out of proportion to the huge trunk. Close tufts of black wool did duty for moustache and beard, and his hair — if hair it could be called — was twisted into a hundred short plaits, that bristled out like thick porcupine's quills. The livid scar of a terrible sabre- cut adorned his nose and cheek, and two bio- Gfold rings his ears. A dirty linen shirt, a short pair of cotton drawers, and a huge Panama hat constituted his dress. f .-/ /' /;'■ iiixro iiir /ltd iiilo liir s/rtti, nu/iiii:^- into CO. II is ion -oith JiicI;. r,i>,'i! 38. A in never s This s( with a that wo reached and dei dirk an could n matcliin to his G A cro ring abo momen quickly Dick ha( the gooc adept at negro's giving h lesson, and \vat( Straights the ruffi Instead LEARNING THE ROPES. 39 A more repulsive specimen of humanity Dick had never seen before, and he recoiled from him in disgust. This seemed to still further incense the negro, and with a horrid oath he aimed a blow at the boy's head that w^ould have knocked the senses out of him had it reached its mark ; but Dick w^as too quick for him, and deftly dodged it, at the same time drawing his dirk and assuming an attitude of defence — for he could not bring himself to fly even before so over- * matching an opponent. He w^ould rather play David to his Goliath, and take the chances. A crowd had gathered at once, forming a sort of ring about the two, around wdiich they gyrated for a moment, the negro happily being too drunk to turn quickly, and Dick finding it easy to dodge him. Now Dick had been one of the best players in his school at the good old English game of football, and w^as an adept at " hacking." The manifest weakness of the negro's lower limbs suggested to him the idea of giving him a "hack over" that woiild teach him a lesson. Sheathing his dirk he drew himself together and watched for his opportunity. It came very soon. Straightening himself up after an unsuccessful charge, the ruffian again bore down upon the midshipman. Instead of fleeing, Dick darted forward to meet him, 40 LEARNING THE ROPES. ilM l; Uy and before the negro could divine his purpose, admin- istered a kick with all his force upon the bare black shin, a few inclics above the ankle. It was a grand success. With a roar like that of a wounded lion the big brute pitched forward upon his nose, striking the stony street with a force that even his thick skull could not withstand unhurt, amidst exclamations of, " Hurrah for buccra gentleman ! him mighty good little man ! Coromantee crack him skull sure — serve him right too," and so forth from the approving and arhiiiring crowd. The next moment Dick felt himself picked up and placed upon the shoulders of a stalwart mulatto. " Hollo, my good fellow ! " he cried, considerably surprised at this proceeding ; " where away now ? What port are you making for ? " "All right, massa," w^as the reassuring response. " Me take you all safe to landing just same as horse ; you stay still." Nothing loath. Master Dick did stay still ; and thus perched upon his new friend's broad shoulder, and escorted by the crowd that witnessed the overthrow of the negro, he arrived at the landing just as Lieutenant M'Kinstry came down in earnest conversation with another naval officer. The noise of the crowd at- LEAIINING TJIE ROrES. 41 tracted his attention, and catching sight of Dick in his elevated position, a smile broke over his face, and he hailed him with a pleasant — " Hollo, Holland ! This looks like a triumphal procession. What have you been up to now ? " Dick touched his cap, slid doM^n from his human steed, and approaching the lieutenant, made a brief and modest report of the circumstances; whereupon Lieutenant M'Kinstry clapped him on the back, saying heartily, — " Well done, Dick ! You sustained the credit of the service nobly. Come now ; let us hurry on board. I have important news for Captain Fiteweli." As they were rowing back to the ship, the lieu- tenant, his face radiant at the prospect of active service, told Dick what the important news was. " Bony has broken out again," he explained. " The truce of Amiens is over, and we can go at Johnny Crapaud to our hearts' content. There'll be lots of fighting, Dick ; that means quick promotion, you know, for the chops that keep the number of their mess. 5J Dick felt a stranQ-e sense of mino-led elation and trepidation at these words. He had a warrior's heart, and the idea of fighting with his country's hereditary 42 LEARNING THE ROPES. i H enemies, the French, pleased him mightily. At the same time the thought naturally came to him, — " Shall I be one of those who'll keep the number of their mess ? or how will it be ? " The future was full of opportunity and also of peril. God alone knew what it had in store for him. Brought up as he had been to believe implicitly in a Divine providence, ever careful of those who put their faith therein, Dick held different views of the future from any of his companions. They put their trust in what they called " luck," and were willing to take their chances. He placed his trust in God, to whom he daily prayed, and thouglit nothing of luck or chance. CHAPTER III. THE BAPTISM OF FIRE. IN order to get the bearings of this story correctly, it will be necessary for a moment to take a leap from the New World to the Old. That marvellous man — demi-god or devil, according to your point of view — the first Napoleon, had been keeping not only Europe but Asia, Africa, and America alike in constant turmoil. The splendid victories of the English at Alexandria and Copenhagen having taught him that his pace was rather too fast to last, and that he must have a little breathing-space to restore the navy which Nelson had shattered and replenish his other resources, the treaty of Amiens was entered into in the year 1802 between England, France, Spain, and Holland, and the same year saw Bonaparte declared consul for life, witii the emperor's crown coming clearly into view. This treaty wms understood by all parties to be the 44 THE BAPTISM OF FIRE. ! ! ■ liiir: hollowest kind of a truce — merely the interval between the rounds of a tight that was far from finislied ; and accordingly nobody was surprised when a year and a half later the sword once more sjorang from its scabbard, and the stru2fo:le which becjan this time was to know neither treaty nor truce until the cause of all the trouble, defeated and discrowned, went to banishment and death upon the rock of St. Helena. The West India Islands — that necklace of precious pearls strung across the ocean from Florida to Ven- ezuela — were very dear to Napoleon. He considered them to be among his choicest possessions. But the English held a similar opinion, and as they could not agree upon any satisfactory division of the jewels, there was no other alternative than to fight for them. The orders Captain Fitewell received at Barbadoes accordingly were to get ready without delay for active service, it having been determined to strike the first blow at the neiohbourinoj island of St. Lucia. The following week was one of intense activity on board the Gryphon. The frigate had to be put into fighting trim, and this meant plenty of work for everybody. Dick watched the preparations with in- tense interest, and was ever ready to fly about with orders, so that he seemed to have quite as much bus- THE BAPTISM OF FIRE. 45 incss on hand as the first lieutenant himself. Every inch of the rigging was carefully inspected, and all weak spots replaced or strengthened ; the guns with their powder and shot were made ready for immediate use ; the decks and cabins were cleared of everything that could be spared ; the cockpit was fitted up for hospital use ; cutlasses and boarding-pikes were made keen as razors ; and nothing left undone by Captain Fitevvell to get his good ship ready for serious work. It was a beautiful day in June when the expedition sailed. Its fleet comprised three ships-of-the-line, and three frigates of the same type as the GryijUon, besides some smaller craft. In addition to their full crews, each vessel carried a large number of soldiers. One day's easy sail brought them to their destination. Much to the disappointment of the naval part of the expedition, no ships were found to oppose them, and the soldiers having been easily disembarked at Choc Bay, the sailors were reduced to the position of passive spectators. Dick was greatly disappointed at this. He wanted to get his first smell of powder with as little delay as possible. He therefore determined, if possible, to obtain permission to accompany the land forces in their attack. Naturally he made known his mind to 4r> Tuv: nATTisM OF v\nv.. ■ >■ '! I liis lVi(Mnl i]\o lirsl, licutiMiiinl. WImmi Mr. M'Kinstry lus'ird Ins r(M]invsf, Ik^ hurst owl I,'niL;l>iiii^^ Mini (iikiiiuj Inin hv (ho sliouMiu's (uiikmI liim .'irDund us ihouuli ho wmiiIimI to insj ot lum tl\(n'()iiL;l»Iy. " l)l(\ss ni(\ y«)u yomii;" liro-ojiiiM', nvo you in hucIi n hurrv to iivt vnur lirst h*islo of hlood Jis that ? Cjin'i. yoTi wait, until tlio (h\f/})Ii()n\'i turn oonu^H ? It won't ho louix, 1 oaii toll von." Diok hhishod, and IooUimI as thouo'li lie rathcM* ivofivtiod spoaking". Ilo did not wani, to ho thought in a Inu'iy to " tastc^ hlo(^d." Nt)tioiiii;' his coni'usion, ^Ir. M'Kinstry, still snuling', askod, — "And what do you i-n'oi-toso to do. Mastor Ilolliind ? Join (lonoral (ivinliold's stall' and givo him an occa- sional hit of advice ?" " Hardly that, sir," answorod J.Vick ; " but as there won't be anv work for our sliiiis, rrA we've cfot to lie here u.itil the soldiers come back, I thouglit perhaps I might bo allowed to accompany them and liave a look at the lighting." " Not a bad idea, mv bov ; 1 had the very thing in my mind myself. I'll speak to the captain about it ; perhaps he'll let j'ou go witli me." Dick's face beamed with delight. To go under the lieutenant's wincr — what better could he wish ? tin: I'.AnisiM or rii:i]. 47 " I'd a iiiii^lily si^^lil. imUici' lie on ^\v. M'Kinst.ry'H Htnir tl<'"i (Jd rather than confess it. JJulstrode, lounging hy willi a x^ry glum expression of countenance; — for hv had applied to go on sliore hut liad l)ecn refused — gave Dick a glance of mingled jealousy and hate, muttering so that he could liear it, — "Who wouldn't he the lieutenant's poodle? Keep to heel now, doggie, and don't g(;t lost." But Dick was in too radiant a humour to mind even so coarse a taunt, and turning to Tenderly, who also stood near, said gaily, with a meaning glance at Bulstrode, — *' I'd rather be poodle than a hull-dog ; wouldn't you, Arthur ? " 48 THE BAPTISM OF IM PvK. 1' Jkilsfcrodo heard the worrls, and his face grew still darker ; but before he could sny aiiythini;' furthei" ho wan called to another part of the ship, and a few minutes later ])ick was in the cutter beside the lieutenant, gliding swiftly shoreward. It was late in the afternoon when they landed ; but they were in time to see from a distance the first brush with the enemy. This took place before the town of Castries, and was of short duration, the French outposts soon giving way, and the governor-general, Noixues, retirin2!: with his whole force to the stronn; post of Morne Fortune, leaving Castries in the hands of the invaders. A summons to surrender was sent him, which he politely refused, his calculation being that he could stand a siege until the rains came on, and then the British would have to retreat, as nothing could be done during the rains. General Grinfield understood this, and, notwithstanding the difficulty of the enterprise, resolved to attempt an assault. Orders were accord- ingly given that Morne Fortune should be stormed at daybreak. When Dick heard these orders he fairly danced for joy. The storming of a strong fortress was an ideal kind of fight, and it would give everybody a chance. THE BAPTISM OF FIRE. 40 So soon as it was determined npon, the aid of the sailors was called in, and all that night they were busy making rope-ladders and preparing grappling- lines, while the best men on board each ship were picked out to join the soldiers in their difficult venture. At four o'clock in the morning Dick was roused from a sound sleep by the lieutenant, and the dawn of a West Indian midsummer day was breaking in all its ineffable beauty as the two friends made their way to the front. In perfect silence the united forces encircled the fortress, and then suddenly hurled upon it a storm of lead and iron that swept its walls clear, and compelled its defenders to seek shelter behind the embrasures, from which they replied with a persistent though almost harmless fire. So soon as the walls were cleared, the order was given to fix bayonets and charge upon the fort. With a true British cheer that was heard out at the fleet, and made the poor people in Castries tremble, the soldiers, headed by gangs of Jack-tars bearing scaling- ladders, rushed to the attack in admirable order. "Now then, Dick," cried Lieutenant M'Kinstry, " come along, keep close to me, and we won't miss any of the fun." (423) 4 50 THE BAPTISM OF FIRE. " All riglit, sir," chirruped Dick ; " I'll keep along- side it' I can." Like a human avalanche the British forces fell upon Morne Fortune. With wonderful skill and speed the scaling-ladders were fixed at a score of points simultaneously. With admirable courage the garrison sought to repel their assailants ; but as fast as one ladder was thrown down another took its place, and every man they disposed of was replaced by two no less in earnest about getting inside the citadel. The lieutenant and Dick w^ere among the first to obtain a foothold upon the walls, happily without receiving a scratch, and drawing their cutlasses they plunged into the thickest of the fight. It was familiar work enouGjh to the man — for storminf]f a fortress and boarding a ship are very much alike — but entirely new to the boy, and yet he went at it as though he had long served his apprenticeship. " Well done, Dick ! well done, my boy ! " shouted Mr. M'Kinstry, as with a clever blow Dick knocked the pistol out of the hand of a French officer who was aiming at the lieutenant. The very next moment the lieutenant returned the service by cutting down a soldier who proposed to spit Dick on his bayonet. " Turn about's fair play, Dick, eh, my lad ? " he cried. THE BAPTISM OF FIJIE. 51 id 3CI a id. " Come along — keep close — they're giving way. We'll soon clear the rascals out." The lieutenant was right. The garrison had made a irallant stantl. But there was no rL'sistinf:^ the British bayonet. One by one the defences were driven in, and at the end of half-an-hour ^lorno Fortune was taken, with the loss of hardly a hundred men. Exhausted by his exertions, Dick threw himself down in a casemate to get breath. It was the first moment for thought he had had since the attack began, and he felt like one awaking out of a dream. He looked around him at the tokens of the strenuous conflict. Here a man w^as lying, his life-blood fast ebbing out from a terrible gash in the neck ; there was another, already growing cold in death ; swords, bayonets, muskets, and pistols strewed the place ; the air was foul with the reek of powder and the sicken- ing smell of blood, "while the sun, now high in the heavens, poured a flood of scorching heat upon the pitiful scene. The reaction that naturally follow^s strong emotion did not escape Dick. A wave of intense repugnance and a wild desire to flee from so terrible a place came over him. He repented of ever having put 52 THE BAPTISM OF FIRE. I, I, i - 'i ! himself in the way of such an experience. He cov- ered his face with his hands, and his feehngs were near unmanning him, when Lieutenant M'Kinstry came up, and observing his attitude, exclaimed in much concern,— " Hollo, Dick ! what's the matter ? Are you hurt ? " Dick lifted his burning face, and looked at the lieutenant through misty eyes. Then witL a great effort he regained control of himself, and springing to his feet, replied steadily enough,. — " No, sir, not a bit, thank God. But it's that," pointing expressively to the harrowing sight before him. " I'm not used to it yet, sir." The lieutenant did not laugh at him. He remem- bered well how his first fight affected him, and shrewdly guessing the best way of diverting the boy who had just received his baptism of fire, he said sympathetically, — • " I understand you, Dick, and you needn't feel ashamed of it. But look here : since you and I are sound, don't you think we could do something for the poor beggars who ha v^en't been so lucky ? " "Oh yes, sir," cried Dick, forgetting all his own troubles in the thought of rendering assistance to others. " What can we do, sir ? " THE BAPTISM OF FIRE. "Well, if we can only find where the frog-eaters keep their water, we can give the poor fellows a drink, any way." After some searching around they discovered a cistern of water, and filling a couple of jars they went about among the wounded, assuaging their thirst, bathing their wounds, and binding on cold bandages, receiving in return many a grateful " God bless you ! that's better, sir." In his sympathy for the sufferers and eagerness to help them, Dick en- tirely forgot his feelings of nausea at the sickening sight before him. The worse the wound the stronger his desire to alleviate the agony of the patient, and the ships' surgeons paid him more than one compli- ment for his prompt, intelligent assistance. Within an hour after the surrender the British had all their wounded carefully removed to their ships, while the unfortunate dead were buried during the afternoon with appropriate ceremonies. Although not a blow had been struck by them after the French surrendered, the loss of the latter was much heavier than theirs, and over six hundred prisoners were taken in addition. The capture of Morne Fortune decided the fate of the island, all the other ports being given up without 54 THE BAPTISM OF FIRE. i: a struggle. From St. Lucia the British fleet pro- ceeded to Tobago, where the governor, having a feeble garrison of only a couple of hundred sailors, wisely surrendered without making any attempt at resistance. Demerara, Essequibo, and Berbice followed in rapid succession. Indeed, they were only too glad to come once more under British control, as the colonists were more in sympathy with John Bull than with Johnny Crapaud. The Gryphon continued to form part of the con- quering fleet, and Dick w^as in a chronic state of admiration and delight. The smooth sailino^ over these azure summer seas ; the stately advances upon island after island glittering like emeralds in a setting of lapis lazuli and turkois ; the delightful uncer- tainty as to whether the colony would fight or sur- render, which w^ent far to compensate for the missing of the excitement of another fight ; and then, besides all this, the fun there was to be had in exploring the captured territory, the interesting things there were to be seen, delicious fruits that w^ere to be tasted — verily it was the j oiliest kind of a holiday. Every- body, from the admiral down, was in the best of good- humour, and as much liberty w^as allowed as was consistent with a due maintenance of discipline. THE BAPTISM OF FIRE. 65 In the very midst of this triumphal progress orders came to the Gryphon from the admiral that made everybody on board look glum. It was to the effect that he wished to send certain important despatches to Antigua, and the frigate being the best sailer in the fleet, he had selected her for the purpose. Accordingly that afternoon she turned her bow northward, and bowled merrily along before a favour- ing breeze — Captain Fitewell and his merry men grumbling vigorously at having to leave so pleasant a picnic simply to carry despatches. They had no idea w^hat a lively time was just ahead of them, and what an important service they were shortly to render. The month of September had come, and with it some slight mitigation of the intense heat which Dick had found the only cloud upon his enjoyment of the island paradise. It was his custom to spend much of his time when off duty up in the main-top, with Tenderly as his companion, and to sweep the seas with a fine spy -glass given him by an uncle previously to his leaving England. There was plenty of breeze up there, and a grand view of the watery world around. One morning, while thus engaged, his keen eyes made out something far away on the weather- 50 THE BAPTLSIM OF FIUK. bow tliat caused liim to shout down to the deck at the top of his voice, — " Sail, ho ! on the weather-bow ! " Captain Fitewell happened to have just come up on the quarter-deck, and hearing Dick's hail, called eagerly back to him, — " Can you make her out ? What is she ? " " Yes, sir," answered Dick ; " a schooner, sir." Then as the speedy frigate continued onward, he called out again, — " One — two — three ! Why, there's a whole fleet of them, sir, making right across our bows." Instantly all was bustle and excitement on board the Gryphon. Dick's announcement was most wel- come — a lively chase being just the thing everybody hankered after. A cloud of canvas quickly spread along the yards, the decks were cleared for action, the guns shotted, and boats made ready for boarding, while the good ship fairly snored through the white- caps in her eagerness to overtake the schooners — Dick dancing with joy in the main-top at prospect of a brush with the cnem}^ It was soon evident that the approach of the frigate had been perceived, and had created alarm among the schooners. They cracked on every stitch of canvas, THE BAPTISM OF FIRE. r,7 and edging to the eastward did tlicir best to show tlieir pursuers a clean pair of heels. "They've made out thirteen of them," said Captain Fitewell to tlic first lieutenant, in a puzzled tone. " I am at a loss to understand what such a fleet of schooners together can mean. They can't be priva- teers, for birds of that feather don't usually flock together in that way, and it's equally certain they're not merchantmen." "Whatever they are, sir, they'll soon have a chance of explaining," answered the lieutenant, " for we're overhauling them fast, you see." They were indeed overhauling them fast. If the wind only held for another half-hour, they would be right in the midst of the covey. Much to their satis- faction, the wind did hold, bringing the frigote down upon the schooners in great style. " Now for some fun," cried Dick, as the crew beat to quarters, and the Gryphon ran between the two nearmost schooners. Captain Fitewell hailed one, and Lieutenant M'Kinstry the other ; but no response came from either, their crews crowding down behind the low bulwarks as though they expected a storm of shot to burst upon them. 58 THE BAPTISM OF FIRE. I- ! .1 : " Heave to instantly, or I'll sink you," roared the captain, incensed at receiving no reply. Still no answer came, and the order rang out to give them each a broadside. The roar of twelve twenty-four pound carronades stuimed the air, followed close by the crash of splintering wood and the cries of wounded men. The schooners, damaged beyond all chance of escape, fell away from the wind, and lay to in the trough of the sea, all their trim beauty vanished in a moment. " About ship, and send boats on board/' shouted Captain Fitewell. The order was obeyed with wonderful celerity, and no sooner were the boats safely lowered than the frigate stood on her course again in pursuit of the other schooners. Dick was in the bow of one of the boats ; but no attempt was made to repel the boarders, and he did not regret finding that his tongue was the only w^eapon he needed to use. The secret of the fleet of schooners soon revealed itself. They had been sent out by the governor of Guadeloupe for the purpose of destroying the dock- yard at English Harbour, Antigua; and as this im- portant station was then insufficiently garrisoned, the THE BAPTISM OF FIRE. 50 Frenchman's clever scheme vvoukl no doubt have been crowned with brilliant success, but f'oi the timely appearance of the Gri/phon, wiiereby three of the schooners were captured, and the rest sent flying back in dismay to Guadeloupe. Dick was warmly complimented by Captain Fite- well for having been the first to report the schooners, and Lieutenant M'Kinstry's interest in him deepened as he found him giving increasing promise of proving an onr^^ment to the British navy. CHAPTER IV. A PLEASANT EXPERIENCE, THE Antigufx desputciies Laving been duly deliv- ered, the frigate thei sailed for Kingston. Jamaica, there tc await further orders, wliich, in view of the activity shown bj- the French, were sure to be not long in coming. The island was at this time enjoying the very height of prosperity that unhappily has long since departed from it, and the harbour of Kingston, where the whole navy of England could ride commodiously, was a very forest of masts. Dick looked about h'm with intense interest, for he had heard much about the famous station from his shipmates, and felt eager to make its acquaintance. The harbour seemed to him the finest he had ever entered. It was an almost impregnable haven for commerce, the mouth being guarded by a labyrinth of shoals and reefs amongst which the channels were so A PLEAi^ANT EXPERIENCE. 61 narrow and intricate as to be easily blocked, and the entrance at Port Royal defended by very stroni^ works, tlic guns ranging the whole way across, while a little further on the attacking ships would be exposed to a cross fire from the Apostles' Battery. But even if the eneniy's ships should succeed in overcoming these obstacles, before they could pass the narrows and reach the anchorage they would inevitably be blown out of the water by the large cannon on Fort Augustin ; so that the good people had reason to go unconcernedly about their business and sleep soundly in their beds, even thou<]:h the " Corsican O^re " was known to entertain most disturbing designs upon them and their stronghold. They had no lack of business to look after, too ; for the whole of the trade of Terra Firma from Porto Cavello down to Chargres the greater part of the commerce of Cuba and San Domingo, and even that of Lima and San Bias and other ports of the Pacific, carried on across the Isthmus of Darien, centred at Kingston — the result being that a stream of gold and silver to the extent of millions of pounds sterling per annum flowed through the city into England in return for another of British manufactures, and the fortunate Kingston] ans took toll from both, to their great eco- nomical advantage. G2 A PLEASANT EXI'EUIENCE. At the first opportunity Dick obtained leave to go on shore for both himself and Tenderly, and so one fine morning they set oflf "to do the town." They found the hot sandy streets full of bustle. Lon']^ lines of drays were conveying goods from the wharfs to the stores, and from the stores to the Spanish posadas. The merchants of the place, active, sharp-looking men, were seen grouped under the piazzas, chaffering with their Spanish customers, or perched on top of the bales and boxes just landed, awaiting the coming of the dons wdth their trains of negro servants and pockets full of gold coin. The town itself looked very attractive with its low, spacious houses, surrounded by broad piazzas, gaily painted white and green, and formed by the roofs projecting beyond the brick walls. On the ground floor these piazzas were open, and where the houses adjoined each other they formed a continuous covered w^ay that afforded a most grateful shelter from the sun. On the upper floor, however, the balconies were shut in by movable blinds called ''jalousies," like large-bladed Venetian blinds, fixed on frames with glazed sashes at intervals to admit light in bad weather, when the blinds had to be closed. In the upper part of the city the houses stood each A PLEASxVNT EXPEUIENCE. 68 on its own piece of ground, having a garden tilled with vines, fruit-trees, palms, and cocoa-nut trees in front, and a court of negroes' quarters and ollices behind, with a draw-well in the centre, generally over- shadowed by a magnificent wild tamarind — the whole effect being very picturesque, and having an air of exceeding comfort. The two boys, undeterred by the blazing sun, strolled along through street after street, their eyes taking in the novel and entertaining panorama passing before them, and their tongues hard at work exchang- ing comments upon it. They were in the best of humour to enjoy everything, for they had not yet got entirely used to their uniform, and felt themselves to be young persons of considerable importance, and fairly entitled to the respectful interest of the people of the place. " I wish we knew some of the folks about here/' said Dick. " Those gardens look so tempting. I wonder what they'd think of us if we were to ask permission to pick a little fruit. There seems to be a great deal more of it than they can use, for see, it is rotting on the ground." "That's so," responded Arthur, who had a keen appreciation of good things, and whose mouth had G4. A PLEASANT KXPERIENCE. been watcriiiGr for some of tho delicious fruit wliicli abounded on cither liand. " Suppose wo try. They can't do worse than say no, any way." Screwing liis courai^e to the asking-point, Dick, followed close by Arthur, marched up the path to the door of one of the liouses, where the fruit seemed to be in greatest abundance, and gave a very uncertain sort of knock. There was no response, and his resolu- tion having suddenly deserted him, he was about to turn tail and make for the street again, when around the corner of the piazza there appeared a young lady, looking very charming in a wdiitc muslin dress and broad leghorn hat, who quietly came up with a plea- sant smile, and asked, — " Were you knocking without getting any answer ? " " Well — er — yes, ma'am," murmured Dick, blushing furiously, and looking as guilty as if he had been caught helping himself to the fruit without first ask- ing permission. " And was it Mr. Wilson you wanted to see ? " inquired the young lady, evidently anxious to help him out of his embarrassment. " Er — er — no, ma'am," replied Dick, and then realizing that the sooner their presence at the door was explained the better, he blurted out with sudden A PLEASANT EXPEIUENCE. 65 energy, " The fjict is, ma'nin, wo wore passini^^ by yonr r^arden, ami sueiiiLi' sucli a lot of fruit, it made our moutlis water, and wc tliought we'd just ask if wc miiilit have a taste." The smile upon the young lady's face had been growing broader as the true meaning of the boys' action dawned upon her, and entering heartily into tlie spirit of the afl'air, she said, in a tone of unmistak- able warmth, — " Well, I'm very glad you honoured us with the request, and if you'll just come with me now, you may pick and cat to your hearts' content." Quite restored to his wonted self-possession by this courteous speech, Dick touched his cap with a hearty " Thank you, ma'am ; I'm sure you're very kind," and gave Tenderly a triumphant look, as though to say, " See how well I've managed it ; now for a good blow-out." " What we have in front of the house is only for show," said their smiling hostess ; " but if you'll come with me I'll take vou to our back c^arden, of which I don't mind confessing we're rather proud, for we've tried with some success to have in it nearly every kind of fruit that grows on the island." Mentally felicitating themselves upon their wonder- (423) 5 66 A PLEASANT EXPERIENCE. M ful good fortune, the two midshipmen took their places on either side of the young lady as she proceeded around the corner of the house, and along a flagged pathway between U\o hedges, brilliant with convolvuli and passion flowers, into a magnificent garden, the like of which they had never seen in their lives before. Here mingled in apparent confusion, but really according to careful method flourished in prodigal profusion, sufficient tropical fruits t*^ constitute a veritable Garden of Eden. The orange trees were heavy with globes in all stages of progression, from dull green to dropping ripe ; and side by side with theui stood the citron, lemon, and lime trees, each bearing their own balls of juicy richness. Then there were the stately glossy-leaved star-apple, the golden shaddock, and grape fruit, with their slender branches bending under their ponderous j^ellow burden ; the cashew, with its apple like those of the cities of the plciin, fair to look at but acrid to the taste, to which the far-famed nut was appended like a bud ; the avocado, with its enormous pear ; the bread-fruit, with leaf big enough for an apron, and the fruit for all the world in size and shape like a blackamoor's head: while lying closer to the ground w^ere the green, fresh, dew-spangled plantain, always cool in the hottest of -i»3-;SV* «-V ' A PLEASANT EXPERIEXCE. 67 days ; the cocoa root, the yam, and the granadilla, with their long vines twining up the neighbouring trees and shrubs like hop tendrils ; the pine-apple, growing into the hedgerows and forming part of them ; the custard-apple, with its russet bags of cold pudding : and then towering aloft over all were the tall, graceful cocoa-nut, the majestic palm, and the splendid wild cotton-tree. Dick drew a deep breath of wonder and admiration as his eyes took in the details of this glorious garden. " My goodness ! " he exclaimed, " I wish my mother could see this." The young lady turned upon him a quick glance of sympathy. "Your mother?" she queried, in a tone of interest. " She's in England, I suppose. You can't have gardens like this there, can you ? " " Yes, she is in Kent," answered Dick, with a half- smothered sigh ; and then it suddenly occurring to him that it was full time he introduced himself to his fair entertainer, he went on in a somewhat bashful w^ay, " I ought to tell you our names, ma'am. This is Arthur Tenderly, and I am Richard Holland, midship- men of H.M.S. Gryphon r " Mr. Holland and Mr. Tenderly, I am very glad to G.S A PLEASANT EXPERIENCE. ^III! make your acquaintance in this informal way," was the smiling response ; " and after you have put our garden to the proof, I am going to present you to my mother, who has a great liking for naval officers, and is always glad to welcome them to the house. But first of all, I must tell you that my name is ^liss Wilson. And now, won't you try which of the trees has the nicest fruit on it ? " The boys promptly accepted the challenge, and during the next half-hour amidst much laughter and chatter they managed to sample nearly every frnit- bearins: tree and vine in the o-ardcn, not callinc; halt until the incrcasino^ tio'htness of their waist-bands warned them that they had about reached the limit of their stowage capacity for the present. " It's really very kind of you, Miss Wilson," said Dick, " and I'm sure we're ever so much obliged to you — aren't we, Arthur ? " turning to his companion, who bowed an emphatic assent. " But I think we've stayed long enough now, and ought to be getting under way again." " Indeed, you're not going until mother has seen you," responded Miss Wilson. " She would give me a big scolding if I let you run away in that mamier. You must come into the house with me now." A PLEASANT EXPERIENCE. 69 Ihid he consulted his own inclinations, Dick would have begged to be excused ; but after the very great kindness with which their intrusion had been treated, he felt that it would be showing a very ill grace to refuse Miss Wilson's request, so he put himself in her hands, to do as she wished. Conducting the two boys into the drawing-room, which they found most gratefully dim and cool after the glare and heat of the garden, she went off into another paio of the house, promising to return in a few minutes. For the first time since the beginning of their adventure they had a chance to compare notes. " My eye ! " exclaimed Dick, thrusting himself more deeply into the yielding cushions of a luxurious satin- covered lounge, " but we made a great shot this time, didn't we ? I hope the old lady will take the same view of our impertinence as her daughter." " I hope so too," answered Tenderly. " But she can't very well be anything but civil, now that we're in her house by her daughter's invitation, can she ? " Tenderly was of a nervous, apprehensive tempera- ment, and was always looking about for comfort and reassurance when in any situation of real or apparent difficulty. 70 A PLEASANT EXPERTFNCE. " Of course not," responded Dick, witli prompt decision. " She'll be civil enough, without a doubt. What I'm wondering is whether she'll take to us as kindly as the daughter did. It would be jolly to have some friends here, wouldn't it ? " Further speculation on the subject was here brought to an end by the sound of footsteps coming along the hall, and presently Miss Wilson re-entered the room with another lady at her side to whom her resemblance was so striking tliat it did not take very keen eyes to decide their relationship. " Mother, this is Mr. Holland and this is Mr. Ten- derly," said she as the midshipmen rose to their feet and made the best bow they could manage. " I'm very glad indeed to see you both," said Mrs. Wilson, in a tone of great cordiality. " Pray, be seated again and rest yourselves." Thoroughly reassured by her manner no less than her words, the boys resumed their seats, and soon found themselves talking away to the ladies as freely as though they were friends of long standing. Mrs. Wilson was the very picture of comeliness and geniality, her buxom form, bright fresh face, sparkling eyes, and snowy hair giving her a very attractive appearance, which was increased by an expression of A jn^EASANT EXPEliJENCE. 71 sincere kindliness that was habitual with her. She was a woman whose happiness lay chiefly in makinpr others happy, and as she smiled upon Dick he thought licr next to his own mother the most beautiful woman he had ever known, " May I ask, Mr. Holland," ;aid she, after they had been talking together a little, " if you arc any relation to Captain Holland who was on this station some years ago in the Firefly ? " " I am his son," replied Dick simply, colouring up at the thought of his fathei", who was very dear to him, little as they had seen of one another until the latter retired from active service. "You're his son!" cried Mrs. Wilson. "Then you are doubly welcome to this house, for we knew your father well, and many an evening he spent with us. How glad I am that you found us out in this curious way ! It seems quite providential. You must feel perfectly at home here, and come and see us as often as possible." The tears came into Dick's eyes at Mrs. Wilson's kind speech. She had known his father well, and he had often been in her house. How strange it all seemed, and how pleasant for the lad, who often felt desperately homesick still in spite of his innate fond- 72 A ri.lOASANT KXPFJMENCE. ncss for Urn sea and firm resolution to stick to it until lie had risen to the rank of admiral or given his life in fullilment of (Uity. lie found it dilHcult to say anything in reply to jMrs. Wilson, who, with womanly instinct understandini;' his emharrassment, made a diversion by asking hiiu a nund)er of ques- tions about his ship, and liow lie liked the life on board, and so forth, until Dick felt perfectly at case ao'ani. She was very cordial in her invitation for them both to remain to dinner, but this they were not able to do, as their leave was up at one o'clock ; so, after promising to call the very next time they were on shore again, they took their departure, in high spirits at the surprising success of their bold invasion of the tempting fruit-garden. " We came out of that scrape a good deal better than I ever imagined we would, I tell you," said Dick, as they walked rapidly back to the landing, where they would meet the boat to take them off to their ship ; " and what's more, I'm going to take Mrs. Wilson at her word, and pay her as many visits as I can while the Gryphon's in port. She seems just like a mother to me already." " You'll take me \\ith you sometimes, won't you, A PLEASANT EX IVKKl lONCE. T.l Dk'k ? " asked Tenderly, witli a pleading* note in his voice. " Of conrse 1 will, Arthur," responded JVick, \n quite a paironizini;' tone ; for, to tell the truth, he felt a bit pulled up concernini;- his new friends, and intended to boast somewhat about thcni when he got back to the jj-iui-rooni. They were just in time to catch the boat, and to report themselves to the first lieutenant as "Come aboard, sir," befor'v«iM( II i(> ni.'iiiilVsl, Mi|MMi()ril y Ik (lisi>lny»Ml ill l.olli hk^iHmI nn.l physical cNciviscs. niv! liaii^l liini ft' 1 11' M>tlanl\- will) 'IS senior ollicrrs pariioularly (Ik lir^i .'icuiciiaiii. \vli() sliowc.l hi,-K luiicli favour as was con " i(Mii. will as 1 I iX^Mui (llsciplllKV n poiiil o\' i\>xo luilslnulc was il ic s(Miior inidsliin man. ImiI, owiiio- in pari, lo nalural si iP ow iirss ot nniii and 11 1 jvirl lo his sullen, slojhrnl »iis])()sili(ui. I i<> was i'jir holiiiid oi]\ (M's who W(M'(^ s(^V(M-al V(\'irs \()iiii<«(^v as ivoards kiKnvlcdov of ,lnli(vs and drill. Dull as h was. ho had soon r vouiii/,(>d in, Dick a shipiii.-iiiMvhoso rivalry would iiiovilahl y "ocoiiio (k'ino(M-ous \)o\W Ion »v md 1 Hs ono aim was in (ry t,o mako il 10 \o would iai Gryphon so unoomforlaMo \W liim (hai 1 an oarly opportunity of ovttjno- rhanovd int \(^ o somo otl un- ship Now of suoh a thino- Dick liail not, iho sliohtost ncUon. Uc thouo-ht tho ( I ) jfpho)) a splendid slii]>. and 10 in fact sho was one o\' iho tin(\st frio-atos of tl British navy at, tlio time : ho tirmly boliovod Captain Fitowell to ho ono of the most distino-uishod oil ntloat: and in Liontonant M'Kinstry 1 idoal of a sailor, whose too close] V. icors V lie saw^ the I >oau- example he could not imitati \ I'lMASANi i:\n:i:ii;N('i;. 75 TJM triip Mip {i.liini.i|>I re (>[ \\\r fMiti rnom conld (I IiiudPy Im< (!iI|(m| ("M^^Tnini. Iltri' liiil-.f. rode JicM Und <»!' Ir ,,l,'i'Mlii|> l.y (\]\\\, <»t' sIhti" I>iiiI<' fnrrf' morn lliim nnylliinL^ (>Ih'\ r<»i- Iw (Mifninly li"('I<(>i -nioiiry .'ilw.'iys insured Iiiin n, iiiiinhcc .; . ''tt.)- lit CM. ( 'oarsc mid iiioi'.'UK" r.idsl rode Ii;mI :i iciorr Dick's n|i|)(>;n-/iii('<', li(> vv.'is iiincli worse iJicrcari.r'r. lie coidd s(M> Mi.'d/ l)i('iv deiesl.ed oalJis ji.,.i loaJ/ln^d ■li -I si (>\vM n,)i(| stoi'ies, so IM' ItlllK'.eM ,'is man y n|)on liim as li(> cotdd — (lie result liein;^^ that poor l)i('k uas ])radJt'a,lly nderly beini;' f:^r(^atly benefited by Dick's sturdy ind(>pcndenco, the spirit of which lie strove eagerly to catch and share. 01' courses by complaining to the first lieutenant Dick might have had the hardships of Ids lot materi- ■t: ,-\:i : A ri.i;\s,\Nr mxi'mimdnci;. nlly luiiiojiiod, ]ml \:\{\\vy i\\',\]\ Inni " (mHIc (nlr," li(> NvouM liM\(^ (Mxlun^d li\(' limes i\\o ]»(M*m(mmiI ion. In i\'\o1um1 " jMit liin\s(v in limo of wnv. Il<^ IxM'.Mnu* ;\ HMri.'ili. jiihI was (aliooiMl l>v all liis i)lMvn»Ml«>s, n(>\«^r Mjifiin to In* vosU^n^d io iliiMP ('onli(l(M\ot\ Trvinu" as ilw* .siiiiMlion was, Oiok «l(^(«M'n\in(Ml (o li(\Mr it in silence. trnslinM iliat ri\>\ i»lono(^ wonld in «lno (inio niMke {ho loiijili ]>lao(\s smooth. m (JIIAI'TKi:, v A 'riiir iNi.ANi). '"f^lll*] slny (>r Un' (ii'i//>linti i\\, Kiii'^'Ml,(»n was >i A Iwippy liino wilJi l)i('k. VVliilf in ]>ort/, iho (lul.icM (»r M, jmiioi* mi(lMlii|)iiinrj me iiol, lic/ivy ; and lio WJIM }i,lil(> io ohiniii I('av(^ in ^o on sliorc; ncai'ly every (Iny. WIm'm 1m; (li^x 80 A TRIP INLAND. Wilson, controllinGi: with liirlit but firm hand a bcaiiti- ful white niarc ; Dick, dancing about on his livol}- gray ; and a couple of the younger members of the neighbouring family, Alice and Frank Romayne — the one about the same age as Miss Wilson, and the otlier a contemporary of Dick's, each mounted upon their own pony, and ready for a good time, J\lrs, Wilson remained at home, as the long ride would be too severe a tax upon her strength. The day was all that could be desired, and the little cavalcade made good progress along the white dusty road, which w^ound its way through dense masses of tropical foliage that admirably served to shield the traveller from the glare of the sun. It was Dick's first ride in the West Indies, and his quick, observant eyes found a thousand things that called forth his wonder and delight. Now it w^oukl be a beautiful bird, flashing in a frightened way across the road, the sun's rays making it seem a bit of livins: rainbow^ ; and aci^ain it would be a hucfe, hideous lizard, baski]ig luxuriously in the heat, and too lazy to move as they trotted noisily by. Then the wonders of foliage, fruit, and flower called forth his constant admiration, and he was every minute asking Miss Wilson, at whose side he rode, to |)lants. a gemiij more cm him was ness to o' and he 1 He was extent of just in or Mr. Wi roundino's telling hi: of their o tion, liavii on tho isl concern inn The fai .grow the : of the Li live thousf in the wil( " How ^^ SO into sur '"I quizzical A TRIP INLAND. 81 i'0 ]n'(\ss(Ml liis liorsc; into ;i full !:;'all<)p; " wc'xc iioi, a iiioiiiciii, io lose." At top s[)r('tl tlicy (lashed aloivj; tlio road, tlio dust risinijf in •■'n^at clouds, and uliirliiiLr in tlu-ir i'aci's as tlio wind caui^ht it and cari'ii;d it vi])ward. Already tlio sound of tlic rain i'allinL;' in torrents liiglicr u[) the mountain-side could be lieard. "Quicker! quicker !" ci-ied Mr. Wilson, the foain fall inn' from Ins liorsc's moutli as lie iiri^cd it onward. I'hen witli a u'lad sliont of " Here we are '" ho reinc^d up sliort before a break in tlic foi'est wall into whicli lie turned, and another quick run of not moi'c than a liuiMh'cd yards l>rou!j,ht liiui to a laro-c ])uikling, the big doors of whicli liappily stood wide open. AVitli- out waiting to dismount, lie headed straight in, the rest doiiiLi' likewise ; and iust as the rain came down with true ti'opical violence, they all found themselves safely sheltered in a Imge barn or storehouse, with the position of which Mr. Wilson was fortunately familiar. ■' Alia 1 " lie exclaimed, in a tone of gi'eat relief, ii3 h( dismounted i^rom his panting steed. " That was .-> M'vy close shave. Just look what we escaped." Twiii moment the heaviest rain — if I'ain it could ho cal] ])ead(M', " for no donl)t the road lias snllered a, LTood deal of daiuairc." The road had been j'-nllied a i»'ood deal wherin-rr it dip[>ed, and there \vere many pools still slandiiiLi; npon it, so that the pace of the i-idtM-s was a nnieh slower d for the trip; and the sun was still high in the now cloudless sky wlu^n Mi'. Wilson said, — - " Ah, here we are, and I'm right glad of it, for I'm beginning to feel decidedly ]uuigr\', as I've no doubt 3'ou all ari\ eh T' " I think we're all quite rt^ady to enjoy our mnin lu.-id, .'dkI were ])r(>- ('(>c(liiiLr nloiiijf .'111 .'iVfiHK! linnl with loftv trt't's. \)v- yoiid wliic'li tlif (iclds of suLCfir-caiic strctclicil away ill L;i'oat liillows of p)ld and L;ro<'ii. I'rrsciiUy tlicy c'lino to an optMi s])jico carjx'tcd with thick ;j;iass, at tlio fariliri' oiul of which stood a coiiiroita.Mc-luoking liuiisc. " Tliorc you arc, Dick," said Mr. Wilson, poijitinjjj towards tin* liousc. " ^D Kit's TVlani^n-ovc ( *otta^i,^c ; a,nd tliis," ij^iviiii; a semicircular sw('c[) w itli )iis liand, " is tli(^ host-yirlding su^ar-plantation 1 liav-." Dick lookccl ahout him witli deep interest ; and as the thought of tliis lovely place— being only one oi' several ow'n(^ siiininons to (liiin(>r, wliicli presently caiiu; Looiiiiii;^' out liom tlie Ijin- cool (liniiig-rooiii as tlic cook proudly banned a 'j^owj^ iqxm the inantlepiece. Jii Ingli good-liuniour tliey took their places, and amid iiiucli talk and lani;hter sliowed a keen appreciation of tlie good tilings wlucli luid l)een abundantly provided. IJy the time the meal liad been disposed oi' in a leisurely fashion, and Mv. Wilson bad converted a couple of good cigars into smoke and aslics, it wan too dark to go about ; so the lamps were lit, and j\Ir. AVilson sent for some of the best singers in tbo "quarters" to come up and entertain bis guests with their quaint and sweet melodies. In response to the order a dozen or more of both sexes presently made their appearance, all dressed in their holiday garments, and looking radiant at being honoured by a command to appear before " massa and his folks." Then followed a programme of songs and (lances that hugely pleased Dick, to whom it was luorc novel than to any of the others. Although necessarily under considerable restraint from the presence of so many " buccra folk," still there was enough wildncss about both the music and the dancing to make them very striking to the English boy, who iiMAGE EVALUATION TEST TARGET (MT-3) 1.0 I.I [f 1^ IM ■^ 1^ 12.2 ^ 1^ 12.0 11-25 i 1.4 m m ^" p> <^ /2 ^. Photographic Sdences Corporation 23 WEST MAIN STREET WEBSTER, NY. 14580 (716) 873-4503 92 A TllIP INLAND. gave sucli close attention that the others were inclined to poke fun at him. But he took all their jokes good-humouredly, saying, — " You may laugh at me if you like, but you know I've never seen anything just like this before, and I'm enjoying it immensely." CHAPTER VI. WORK AFTER PLAY. THERE was abundant accommodation at the Mangroves for the whole party, and in good time they retired to their rooms, as they would have to make an early start the next morning. It was Dick's first experience of a night ashore in the tropics, and he had rather a disturbed time of it, for with the darkness came a chorus of noises the like of which he had never heard before. It was a com- bination of the buzzing, and chirping, and whistling, and croaking of numberless reptiles and insects on the earth, in the air, and in the water, each variety seeming to be striving to surpass the other in the vigour and persistency of its peculiar utterance ; while as if to accentuate the performance, huge beetles, with bodies as big as a walnut, would every now and then come sailing in through his open window and go cruisinir around the room with a noise like a hum- 94 WORK AFTER PLAY. lii I ming-top, banglnc,^ ai^ainst tlic walls at iiitorvals in appai'cnit endeavours to dash out their brains, " Bless my heart, I wish the creatures would stop that row ! " g'roaned ]3ick, who sorely wanted to get to sleep. "I think I'll shut the window, and see if that will be any better," So saying, he sprang out of bed and started across the room. But hardly had he put his foot to the floor than it was seized in what felt like the grip of red- hot pincers, and l)efore he could restrain himself he let out a shout of alarm that brought young Romaync rushing into the room, followed closely by Mr, Wilson, bearing a light in his hand. They found Dick sit- tiuGC on the edcjc of the bed, and strucf^lino: man- fully to release the big toe of his right foot from the grasp of a big land-crab that had clapper-clawed it with vicious energy, and now hung on like grim death. '■' Oh ho, my boy ! " laughed Mr. Wilson, reassured at finding the matter was not more serious, "is that what startled j^ou ? Well, we'll soon rid you of your new acquaintance who wants to be so unduly in- timate." SeizinGf a stick, IMr. Wilson thrust it into the crack of the crab's jaws and wrenched them open, releasing WORK AFTER RLAY. 95 the captnrod too ; and tlicn deftly snatclnng up the oriistaccan, ho flung it out of the window. " There, Dick," said he; " tliat disposes of the in- truder. And now let us see how severely you're wounded." Fortunately the Lite was not a severe one, the first agony of it having been the worst ; and having bound it up in a cooling bandage, Mr. Wilson bade Dick " good-night " again, with the hope that he would have no further disturbance. Thorougldy tired out by this time, Dick fell asleep almost as soon as his head touched his pillow, despite the gnunblings of his big toe, and it was broad daylight before ho awoke. After an early breakfast the horses were brought to the door, and the party mounted for the homeward journey, which was accomplished without special in- cident before mid-day. The same afternoon, Dick, with many expressions of gratitude for the pleasure lie had been afibrded, returned to the Gvyplton, where Tenderly greeted him as w^armly as if he had been away for a whole month. The fact of the matter was, the poor boy felt utterly alone without Dick. He had no other friend on board the fric^ate, and in Dick's absence mooned about in a depressed way that 96 WOPvK AFTETI PLAY. iricadc the other iniMsliipinen laugh at him nil tlio more, Imt without any eflect upon him. He L,^ren,tly enjoyed Diek's lively aceount of his experiences ashore, and snid in such a longing tone, " O Dick, how I wish I had been with you ! " that Dick promised him that he would eertaiidy ask ]\h\ Wilson to take him if they ever went on such an expedition again. The next day, however, there came word on board the Gryphon which meant that something more serious than pleasant trips ashore would have to l)e considered. All shore-going was stopped, messengers were sent to recall the officers already on leave, and the entire crew was kept busy getting the ship ready to sail at an hour's notice. The reason for this bustle was presently made known. One of the first acts of the French after war with Britain had again broken out w^as to put into commission a number of privateers, swift-sailing schooners of comparatively small size, but capable of doing a vast deal of mischief to unprotected merchant vessels. These parts of the sea were in sore need of severe discipline, and the Gvyplion, as one of the fleetest frigates on the station, had been selected to administer it. WORK AFTER PLAY. 1)7 Captain J^'itewcU would iiuicli have preferred Ixhig sent after more important jj,anie ; but he coniided tliis to no one save his first lieutenant, and seemed as eager to get away as if lie were realizing the desire of his heart. As the result of lively stirring I'ound, the frigate was in readiness to sail the followinof mornini]: ; and when the final orders came from the admiral, she threaded her way out of the harbour, and by mid- day was bowling along before a westerly breeze in the direction of Martinique. Although sorry at being so suddenly separated from his new-found friends, to whom he had already become w^armly attached, Dick was pleased at the prospect of his ship having something to do, and he looked forward with lively expectation to the chasing of the privateers. He had a cordial antipathy to the French — a large part, of course, inherited from his father ; and he firmly believed that the crushing of the power of Buonaparte would be the greatest bless- ing that Britain could confer upon the civilized w^orld. Hence he was full of eagerness to share in anything that would, however remotely, help towards that conclusion. He was far from being of a bloodthirsty disposition. He saw nothing attractive in war of (423) 7 I 98 WOllK AFTER ri.AY. itself. Lilt lie luul a high .sense of duly, and cher- ished an inspiring conviction tluit if he were only faitliful, and prompt to avail himself of the oppor- tunities that presented themselves, lie nn'ght contri- bute sonu^ihing to the result the ultimate certainty of which he never for a juoment doubted. The lirst day out from Kingston was a glorious one — the wind being just right, the sky unclouded, the heat not oppressive, and the Gryphon show'ing to the best advantage as she raced through the white caps that curled away from her fore-foot as if they were glad to make way for her. Dick and Tenderly not being on duty, climbed up to their favourite cyry in the main- top, and were snugly ensconced there enjoy- ing a quiet talk together. " I'm glad we're off again," said Dick, " even if it is only to chase privateers. It's not much fun stay- ing in port, is it, Arthur ? " Arthur did not assent at all promptly or heartily. For his part he much preferred being in port. There was nothing martial in his spirit, and the less he got of active service the better he would be pleased. " Why, Arthur," laughed Dick, looking at him curiously, " I really believe you'd rather stay in port." " Well, I w^ould, Dick, and I don't mind saying so (() y hear "I'm that Di cxpre hut t face t glad open ( his m put Uf "D( contem fellows You're it woul me." It ff have a peal to ''I V said he, "You c choose i WORK AFTKK PI. AY. m to you, altlioiif^^li r wouldn't like any of tljc otlicrs to hear it," cohIV'sschI Ai'tluir, lookini;' very slwiinci'acLMl. "I'm not fond of tigiitini,^ and it's no use pretending that I am." Dick felt a strong inclination to say somotliing expressive of his contempt for such a point of view, but there was something so pathetic in Arthur's pale face that he kept it back, and in a moment was very glad that he did ; for poor Tenderl}^ reading in Ids open countenance something of what w'as passing in his mind and dreading lest the words should come, put up liis hands in a pleading way, saying, — "Don't, Dick^ please. I know you think me a contemptible coward. That's what all the other fellows call me. But please don't you do it too. You're the only one that show\s me any kindness, and it would break my heart if you were to turn against me." It gave Dick a curious feeling of superiority to have a companion older and taller than himself ap- peal to him thus. " I wasn't going to call you a coward, Arthur," said he, putting his hand on the other's shoulder. " You can't help not liking the navy. You didn't choose it for yourself as T did, and it seems too bad i 1(K) WOIJK MTMi; I'LAV. 1Iim(. \o\i liMVt' 1«) sliiy in it. IWil look Ium'o, Arllmr: sinc(» \(»u vAu'l L't'l- u nnist oiiiv liv .'iikI make the Ixvst of it. So you on^lit to l>r.My to (mj<1 to ji'iv(' von strtMii-th nml ('(iin'!i<.i(\"' " I i\o, Dick," iiuinuurtMl Artliur, with n. li.iH' sol). " T pray lik(» that, owvy (k'ly, Imt soincliow or otlur I ilon t sriMii U) i2i»t/ anv l>rav(M'." " Hut you win, Arthur, you will," with a, roiili(l( iicc that, soui ji thrill ol' hojx* through his coinj^anioii. ".lust. k(M>]) on lirayinn" and «loini;' your hcst, and it'll all coiU(» rii;"ht, S(H» il' it ilocsu't." Dit'k had an uui'alforiu!'' faitli in Provi(](>nc(\ HMic privilco'c^ of (livin(^ ])rot(Ttion nud i^iiidanco was as real to liiui as tho discipline^ of the ship. On tlu* lly- Icaf in his l')ihlc his inoth(>r had W'ritt«Mi in her dear linn liand, " t^innnit thy \vav unto the Lord ; trust also in him, and lu^ shall hrin^' it to pass," and this precious text might he said to furnisli the keynote of liis life ; so tliat evcMi though tlie problem 'l\nidei'ly presented was by no means an easy one of solution, Dick entertained not the slightest scepticism about its ricfht solution in due time. As the daA' waned the weather indications q-ycw nnfavonrablo, and the sun set amid a turmoil of an^rv-lookinof clonds that betokened rouoh weather \V(M;k MTiii: n,\v nil W'AY lor (lie iiioirow. The jiioinist', Uh), was niiijily lul- lill('«|, I'or willi (li(> inni'iiini.'; c.'niir a wiM norfli wrslcr lli.it Icstrd (li(> slancli IViL;M,t(!'s sniliii/j; ('n|»)i('ily to (Ii(> iiiiiiosl. Wlini Dick tiinicfl out, In; rmiii'l fliu cloud ol* cniiNaM {]\;\i, liinl covered llic ynrds tlic \)Vi\- ciMliiin' (Imv sMU'dy stored, wliile under a cIoHc^-reeled in;iinto[)-s;iil and recTccI rorcsall, with top-L^/illniit yards, nnd royal niasls, and (^verytliiiijL,^ tliat coidd lie, slruck witli Hnfety in wnv iinie, «|o\vn on deck, the (ii'i/phoih was I'ollini;' ami ])itcliinL;- furiously as slio toi'c h(M' way tln'()uu;h lite hoiliuL;- sea. Wlwifc a splendid sii^lit tlie nol»lo slii]) pi'es( iM'A as sIm; drovo onward hel'oiH.' tli(^ <^'ale with her clear hlack IxMids and hriiilit wldte streak, tlie lonu: tier ol' canvas on tlio inain-ravely she delved through the j^n-eeii suri^^e, one minute rolling and rising on tho curling white crest of a mountainous sea amidst a hissing snow-storm of spray, with her bright copper glancing from stem to stern, and her scanty white canvas sw^elling aloft, and twenty f(3et of her keel forward occasionally hove into the air, * I UVl NNiUHv M ii;i{ n \ \ r\i-I>n)'; («< ImKc w n>'; . '""itl lli»> in\( , -.iuK in;', nlinit'.!, ImII OWS. 'I'Ins >vMs jl)(< mm( of lliin;' llinl hick lirjiilily «Mli«>\('.|. .MUil M'i l\(' '.(ood hi'; W.ilch Upon !' \\\o Nrssrl. like n ridiT r«M«M«Mii«y in (Ix* si>rin!'in" ol' his slcrtl hciinilh liiiii M'- lio !\m1K>j>s on»M' mm r\]'Mnso ol' open «'(nmnt»n. I'ho n.M(l\ >v«vs((>r hh'w sirMthlv nil Ihjii «Imn-. hnl. luothMMlcil oonsjJiMMhlv thninsv (h(> nijdil. so ihMJ I he I't^UowiM';' iutMi\in!'; luoio sMil (MMiid ho cMninl. mikI m s(vMi;;lU(M' otuirsi^ so( \'ov Mi\\i'\n'\y\\u\ 'l\\i\l nl'lcrnnon i\ www l\;\u( Vi^ssr! \v;\s siolihMl nnd hoMnlod. IVmn \\hioli i\\c '\\\\\^'\\\',\\\ou WAS ohlMin(>ri\j\ltMM* so1un>nor i' IhiDinnnr, wliich hjul vlono \\\ovo il;\niM!;'o io r>ri(isli (MMunuMco Ihnn nnv otluM' of ]wv fJMss. liMtl just l' Mnvin in (lu^ Hmv of SI. Ann. I\h'n'iini(|no. rM]^(;\in l''ito\voll ruhhod Ins liands willi i>1,h» on ^tlUli tl ns lu^ws. "Alia!" said bo: "if iho inforniaiion is convct, wovo o'ot tlu^ vorv rascal I'm most ])aviicularly anxions io oai-itniv snn^ly in a ('cn'nor, owl of winch lio won't Livt until wo hrin^r hini." \V(H{K \i ii;i{ I'l.Av Ui'A I t ) Vnli |)|M| M I ;(' In nihr Hm' Iiiii ItMiir. h'w ' " in (|iiin'. I will st'ii'l llif JiiiiiM'lic'i III iMid' r \'»iir ciiiiiiiiniiil, Mini \nii inn y » iMV<< (iM iiinriv MiilotH iumi iiiMiiiH'M MS yl'/hi Mm iK'ccssniy |»i<'|ini nliniiM. Al. Jnyli'-lil, iir\l, mniniii'^^ (Jh- iiiniinlniii', f)l Mnr- liiii(|ii(' Wf'it' ;;c<'ii InniniiiK upnti llic vvcnMi'r Imu'.nnfi (linAvin';- rnpidly iir/Mrr ns Mm IVi/^n.l.'- I)nvvl<. ( )n Itonrd nil was hnsl,!*', nixl rn.nicsl, |ii(|tn,rnii(Ui. TIk'. snilor.s W(;n; }J^<'^^^n'^ lli(» l»nnls rcnily To Inniicli, nrid Mm; ninrincM w(!ro M(M'iii<^ io it Mint Micii* iiiiisk<'l'Si nrifl sworfis wcio in ili(^ ri^HiL coiMlilinii, 'rin'r<'- wns no l/jck f»f c.urrf.r i",\]hVu\i\ivH for {]]('. alL'M'.Uinf }*<,.•• nirir;nf^ f;il,lifr tlio olVuMM's or i]w, men. AFlcr cnnsiillnlion witli tho cn])(}iin, liiruL(;n}int M'Kiiisl,ry (Icc-idcd iluit In; would take sixty si^anicn and ilio sann; niunljor of rnarino.s, and iliat tlio plan of attack wc^dd Ito for tlio former 104. WOHK AFTKll PLAY. ill their boats to uinko for tlio privateer, while the latter were to eiuleavour to suri)i'ise, or in any event to storm Fort ])unkirk, a battery of nine guns on tlic starboard side of tlie harbour. Assisting Lieutenant M'Kinstry were Lieutenants Cole and Furber ; the marines beiiiii* in counnand of Lieutenants Beatie and Boyd. Five of the laruest launches were detailed for the service, twenty-iive men to go in each ; and as they were being made ready Dick found an opportunity to slip up to Lieutenant jM'Kinstry, and ask in his most pleading tone, — " ^[ay I go with you, sir ? " The big olRcer looked down at the little chap be- side him, and beiug very much taken up with the work of getting ready, his first impulse was to give a quick refusal. But there was something so eager and hopeful in the boy's face that he had not the heart to disappoint him, and with a brusque " Oh, j^ou may come along, T suppose, if you'll take good care of vourself," he hastened otl' to Q-ive some further orders. Shortly after this, Bulstrode, who was no less eager io be allowed to go, went up to the lieutenant when he happened to be put out at something that had WORK AFTKH TLAV lo: .) a o£ ler ler }n n;ono ainiss, and preferred tlio same re((uest tliat Dick liad made. J)ut he liad hardly spoken when Lieutenant M'Kinstry snapped him up short. " No," he said, with unmistakable emphasis ; " I've enough midshipmen ah'cady." In high ill-humour Bulstrode descended to the gun-room, and just as lie entered he caught Dick's words, — " Yes ; I'm to go, Arthur. Mr. ^I'Kinstry gave me leave the moment I asked him." This was like adding a handful of powder to the llar^j already burning in Bulstrode's bosom ; and giving Dick a look of jealousy and hate, he blurted out in a sneering tone, — " It pays to be a toady, doesn't it ? " False and unjust as the imputation was it made Dick's blood boil, and he was just about to retort in kind when there flashed across his mind a word of counsel his mother had cjivcn him. » " Don't fight with your tongue, Dick dear," she had said. '' It's a t\vo-edged sw^ord without a hilt, and is apt to cut both ways." With a heroic effort he closed his lips again, and, as though he had not heard, W'Cnt on talking to Tenderly, 100 WORK AFTER PLAY. paying no heed to Bulstrocle's grumbling, thickly strewn with profanity, which he kept up so long as Dick remained in the room. As it was intended to take the French by surprise, the attack was arranged to be made at midnight, and accordingly about eleven o'clock the boats set oft' from the ship v;ith muffled oars, the seamen in one group of four and the marines in another. The night was admirably suited for the purpose in hand, being calm and clear but without moonlight. As the sailors who were to attempt the capture of the privateer had some three miles further up the harbour to go than the marines, whose business it was to prevent the French soldiers from massing on Marin Point, and thus cutting off* the return of the seamen, they were allowed a good head start, in order that the assault upon the fort and the privateer might be as nearly as possible simultaneous. Dick was in the foremost boat, sitting in the stern- sheets beside Lieutenant M'Kinstry, his heart beating like a trip-hammer, as with superb steadiness and almost absolute silence the launch slid through the smooth dark water, propelled by twelve stalwart oarsmen. Not a word was spoken, the lieutenant holding the tiller tight, and peering earnestly into the WORK AFTER PLAY. 107 mysterious gloom ahead, wliich might at any moment he lit up by the lightning-flash of musketry, or its silence split by the roar of cannon. There was no pilot on board the boats. They had to make their way as best they might in the dark- ness, relying upon the skill of their commander, who, happily, had some knowledge of the harbour, having been there on a previous occasion. He seemed as entirely at his ease as though his mission was a pleasant picnic instead of a most daring and dangerous undertaking. Dick could just make out his face in the uncertain light, and its manifest composure filled his heart with admiration. " This is feeling one's way in the dark, isn't it, Dick ? " said he, as they ran into the deep shadow made by a projecting point on the right hand of their course. " We're right into the harbour now, and will soon sight the privateer if my calculations are correct." The oars rose and fell with unfaltering steadiness, although each stroke carried them into graver peril, and still the harbour was as silent as though no living being floated upon its placid bosom. A few scattered lights glimmered about the town, but they revealed nothing to either friend or foe. " Oh ! there she is," exclaimed the lieutenant under lOS WORK AFTER PLAY. his breath, pointing to the riglit. " Can you see her, Dick ? " Looking eagerly in the direction indicated, Dick coukl just discern, dimly outlined against the starlit sky, the two tall masts of the object of their expedi- tion, their stout stays and heavy rigging looking as light as the filaments of a spider's web. He drew a deep breath at the sight, and gathered himself together, for he fully realized into what dan- ger they were going. "I hope they won't see us, sir, until we're aboard," he whispered back. "I hope they won't, Dick," replied Lieutenant M'Kinstry ; " and I hope, too, that the marines are at the fort by this time." That moment, as if the whisj)ured words had been overheard, there came a sharp challenge from the deck of the privateer, to which the boats vouchsafed no answer save to quicken their pace. The next moment there was a flash, and the report of a musket rudely broke the stillness. " Give way, men ! " cried the lieutenant, springing to his feet and waving his cap like a baton ; " give way, my hearties, with all your might." I: CHAPTER VII. ig T IN ACTUAL SERVICE. HROWING off all further attempt at surprise, the seamen in the launches gave a thrilling cheer as the rowers sent the heavy boats surging through the still water ; in response to which there came a scattering volley of musketry from the priva- teer, as her men, most of whom had been suddenly aroused from their bunks, tumbled up on deck, and let fly without stopping to take aim. Not a bullet touched the boats, although some of those on board involuntarily ducked their heads Avhen the leaden messengers w^histled by ; and the only notice Lieutenant M'Kinstry took was to call to his men, — " Give way again ! Hit her up ! We'll be aboard there before they can reload." Dick had by this time lost all sense of nervousness, and in its place had come a burning desire to be one 110 TN ACTUAL SKTJVTrT:. oi' tlio iirst to leap on tlic dock of the enemy. Stand- ing up in the stern, ^\itll liis cutlass in his right hand and his pistol in his left, he felt ('(jual to facing rny foe. Almost in a line the three big boats swept on to the attack, their oarsmen springing from their seats at every strolce, and making the stout ash blades bend like "willow wands with the force of the stroke. They had got witliin twenty yards, and their commander was just about congratulating liimself upon escaping a second hail of bullets, when the comma'' •:! to fire was lieard from the privateer, and the next moment the darkness was lit up as if hy a flash of lightning, and a series of sharp reports told that the French had been more prompt in reloading than was expected. The aim this time was better also, for there came cries of pain from more than one boat, and the lieu- tenant felt constrained to cry out in a cheering tone, — " Never mind that, my men ; it's their last volley. Into them now with all your might." The boats fairly leaped through the remaining space, and at almost the same moment all three crashed aj^^ainst the side of the Harmonic — the men in the bows springing up and over the bulwarks with the litheness of monkeys in spite of the efforts of the crew to repel them. lO' ' iir iiit'it III I he In s/^ri IV^III;^ Up illhl (>r (I III,- /' it(:riir/cs itli I'lr /i/Ihius.s cf iiioiihiY. r.iK"^' 110. IN ACTUAL SERVICE. Ill Tlio others followed close upon their heels, and heforc the French could fairly realize it they had all obtained a footing upon the deck. Then ensued a lijind-to-hand struggle in the darkness that was full of thrilling incidents. Once the assailants were fairly on board, they had tlie advantage over the assaulted that the latter had not yet fully recovered from their surprise at the attack when they had thought them- selves so secure ; and despite the gallant and deter- mined efforts of their officers to organize them properly, they fell into hopeless confusion. Nevertheless, individually they fought with great bravery and resolution ; so much so, indeed, that there were moments when the result of the attack seemed to be somewhat in doubt. Much to Dick's delight, in the thick of the struggle there came an opportunity to justify the lieutenant in allowing him to go. He had followed Mr. M'Kinstry about wherever he went, taking his part in the struggle to the best of his ability, and presently he found himself braced against the butt of the mainmast while the battle raojed fiercely in front of him. The lieutenant had just knocked over a Frenchman with a blow from the handle of his pistol, when a gigantic negro made for him, swinging a broadsword in his mighty grip. 112 IN ACTUAL SERVICE. "Look out, sir!" cried Dick, I'or tlic ofliccr was unconscious of liis dan^'or ; and at the same nionii'iit he sprang at liis assailant with uplifted cutlass, strik- ing him a sharp blow upon the arm just below the biceps. Up to this moment the negro had not seen Dick, and the sudden attack so surprised him that he nearly dropped his sword ; but quickly recovering himself, he roared out a horrid oath, and, disdaining the midshipman, made another furious stroke at the officer. By this time, however, Lieutenant ^I'Kinstry was on his guard, and tremendous as the blow was, he cleverly parried it, and the next moment felled his opponent to the deck, where he lay stunned and power- less for further harm. " Well done, my lad ! " exclaimed Lieutenant M'Kin- stry. " You saved my head that time, and I w^on't forget it, I promise you. Come on ; they're giving w^ay. We'll soon have them beaten." And off' he dashed into the midst of the melee, cheerincf on wdth his rinirinof cries of — " Let them have it, my hearties. Hit hard and quick. They can't hold out much longer." Nor was he mistaken. Taken by surprise as they IN ACTUAL sKinnci:. 11:1 had been, and allowed no time to recover their wits, the defence made by the crew of the privateer, while it did credit to their individual courage, could not long avail against the tremendous energy of the British, and within five minutes after the first seaman had reached the schooner's deck, she was in the com- plete possession of her daring assailants, at the cost on their part of only one man killed and five wounded. By the time the prisoners, some twoscore in num- ber, w^ere duly secured and the roll called to see what had been the casualties, the early dawn was already dissipating the darkness of the night, warning the British that they had not a moment to lose if they would get their prize safely out of the harbour. Sharp and quick w^ere the lieutenant's orders, in obedience to which the rowers resumed their places in the boats, and towing-ropes being attached to the schooner, she presently began to move at good speed down the harbour. The danger w^as not over yet by any means, for, even assuming that the marines had been as successful in storming Fort Dunkirk as the sailors had in board- ing the privateer, there still remained Fort St. Ann on the port side of the harbour to be reckoned with ; and as they had to pass within musket-shot, a well- (423) 8 114 IN ACTUAL SlillVlCE. directed lire from its guns niinjit compel them to retreat with empty hands, and perhaps witli heavy loss. " I'd lilic mightily to know what they're up to behind those walls," said the lieutenant to Diek, as once more tliey sat together in the stern of the lead- ing launch. " They can blow us out of the water if they know how to use their guns." As Dick looked up at the solid stone walls of tlio fort, which the rays of the rising sun were already bathing in golden light, and bringing out with im- pressive distinctness the dark embrasures where the cannon hid, he could not help a shudder of apprehen- sion. The boats seemed to present so fair a mark for the unseen artillery, and they would be so helpless in the event of a cannonade, encumbered as they were with the heavy schooner. " I hope they're not good shots, sir," was his re- sponse. " They can do us a lot of harm if they are." As he spoke a flash leaped from one of the em- brasures, followed by a report that made all in the boats turn their heads to watch anxiously for the missile. With a shrill scream it flew high above them, plunging into the water full (quarter of a mile < aw^ay. JN ACTL'AL SEKVICK li: rc- irc." em- thc tl IG Ibovc in lie "Bah!" sncoroil Licutcnuiit M'Kinstry, "if tliat's a sninpli! of thuir .skill in giinn 'ly we lu'cd not \'vv\ nlarinud. Givo way, men; wo'll suon be out of rango. ' UcassurL'd l>y tlio result of tlio lirst shot, tlio sea- men hent to their oars again, wliile the fort Mazed away at them without succeeding in hitting them onco, the constant movement of the boats ellectually puzzHng tlio gunners, who, indeed, seemed to be in as great a state of perturbation, judging from their marks- manship, as if they themselves were being attacked. Finally despairing of liitting the launches, they tui-ned their guns upon the schooner, no doul)t with the intention of rendering her a valueless prize if the " could possibly do so. In this they were more successful; at all events they managed to hull her a couple of times, and to do some damage to her top hamper, before the boats could get her around a point which offered complete protection from further injury. " The miserable belv, \ljh«Mi«>h r'hMlIt'H'iPil iuiil liii'il npnu l'\ I ln' mi-iiI iiiclw, .MUil prrl»'tll\ ioHtMnnl ol' llii' iimIhh' imkI uiiihImi i\\ i\\t' iioi'pi jl)<>\ h;\(l if rnulcml will), in IIm* mr lik»> HinnntT {]\o\ Iwxl )ni'il\i>"l mh Mlidjnlil. inln iho ItMJ \\ill\ li\t>il )'!! \ itin>j ^. (liiviui; llio jOMniiMU l^i^l'iMt' tMn liKt' n MncK nl' m1|(M>|». mill ('n|M|>f'|liii;f llitMu In \\\ i(H ()UMH<'r. v\I\irl\ \\t\'i iuMJimlly ^rnmltil. No Inno \\i\i lo.;! in tliMiixMinl iiii) innl MpiKiiij^ Um i2\nv^. MJrovJno ||\o rnrrinjMVJ. nn nuMoM'/iiw* ; nil ol' wltich l\iivin}r Ikm^m fMi(M>(V'!'iriill\' Mrmuiplr^lio.l. {\]o nmrincM rt'liriMl iii j-nml ordor willi tir< lUMn. ('M]>iMin l''iitM\«'ll WMM vM'^Mv )>l(MiN(>(l will) Mio iin t]\iMliii«Ml suooo'-iM ol' llu^ (^NptMlii inn. iiml diMJ rilnil<> '>|>(^(M;\11v lUtMHmn l>njl» I .ionlriiMnl. M'KiiiMlr\ .'nnl 1 ,i(Mi<(MK'n\l Ismiif in l»ii nccmnil. nl' H\n {iH'Mir In lli(< ntluur.il. riu> IT. nil'; (NMlinnh- Ikm<1 It(>(M» lii"J)lv NiiliM- I'.itMnvy r^y i\\o cxyiwYo «>!' Jh(^ UiiiDhn) i(\ u liin" srbnnntM' ninindin,"^' (M"hl rwu- nn M»iu' i;| MM I; M l. M)mI|HM|II' \',niiM 1 1( 1 1 I (, llll nllullMllI III*' i':|(llnl'^ (Kill \\i»lll'-i|M rl. I'l II. I'm) I '.I il i ;|| Ml III': W'lii'M I >irl, M I iiiM I \' '^< » vin> Id IIm Im ill' nnnl, lii f iiiii»^ Limwii ill ll|i>iMMl init|ii.l|i> Wir: V^■M I lii I y ' 'iH!', Mi I u In f < ' I |i\ I III I'lo \v liiiMo nilinii )il imi I'li n liinv '|i • 'I i n ;' n l.'(\'»> I li(>ir rii\ V ol' M. iiii'i'^ riiiliiimli^ f 'im|infiiofi , l»iil j'.itl f;|.|(ii|»> niily «(M»\vlri| lii'»l<' l! f;(ivnf/t'l\' nl. "Iliiil Mti';'rnlp|' lilljc vvlii|»|»f r ^n/ij* M'l h\if Milli'ly 'iii lii^: way 11'^ 11 ;iml , wliirli I'Miii'M^ <>[ (I'li'iri. n. mny l.c (;i-.ily iiiifi."itii'il. iMjr liitW rA»'<'('(|iii(f|y || n | h i| ii i In r I'.ilh.lrn'I '■ wn^; ill Miimiiir lii'i «'niM|>/ininiiM, il. (lid ,':<«'iii i;illii r :.l.i;iiifr'' Mint lin .'Jmiild lifivr licrii pi rinill.f'l In iiif|iil((i\ IiIm inn lir^nil.y In lln' i-xli-nl. UimI. Ii«' wn/i. Mild l.linl, I. lie f.lJi* r rnid';|iif» iiii'M did linl, li.'iiid l.n/^'lli'r In ,';ii|»}»r'-: '. Idid. 'Ilifif ili'iM \\i\:\ iml, I, III' cfific dimply illii';l r/ilf d Mi'' Iraill-y f»f' niir |innr liiiiiiati iinliiri'. Ill spill' nl' riicir ndiniiMlinii f'nr lii ; d;iurilK'-.M '-pirih fiiiil JippriM in,; inn nl" lii'i u.Urnci.'wc. rui.l.ni'', l)ick'. jwchh- IIM IN Acri' \i. .Mi;i{\M'i', nifilri nmld nnj. rr mj il, n. rnlMin r<'rliii<' nl' ji'dloimy Ikm'muio i>r j|it> mimir«>4l, I'MNniir w ilJi wliiili lii> wmm I iM'nii It'tl li\ {]]!" KMiinr nllinT 1 , mihI inniir Iu'.'mI « IIx^n !i|t|»i \n(iiiii (i) |M iiuMpli* Mini IVmiiK cniirrM.;!!*!! (iT lii 1 it>li,<;iMii, yrf, H(»in<>I)tt\v or t>(ln>r ll)i'\- I'ttimtl m. miiimII Kiml nl" MdliMrnr rioii in Ji'rinc^ liini l(irnnMil<>il rii<>\' llmn/'ltl \\r av rM'n;iIlv nonlotl lirin;; "liiKi^n ('nnio "loo I'orK \' . " nnd ('onMt><|nt>nll\' 1Ih>\' \\ (MO no|. inoNt'i! lo ImKo llioMc nitMiiniTM |i» pnl nn nnl io I WiInI ro(I(>"M mnliciouM nrlixily wliifli nlJici w i^o liny nn"1)l l).'iV(* «loni\ TIk^v \vrr(^ j>oo<| rnnni-li IVIIowm no( \\ il I>';l ,'nimIII<>m. nml wniiM Ih< nil IIh> l>oi l(M- lor (loin*;' mo. II.Mtl hick o\(M(I';(m! llio ,Mnni(< rcMMoninj' in »(v"nrnonj';Ii linn* oT il MM il wMs, iiul lii:t iol \v.')m ."JtmIU mil ij^M.lctl mo i»\ss hy nick's rri<>ny liis clmmitionsliiit. Al cv(M"v opporlunily lie look 'rcMHJcriy'M pnil.. (>V(MI iluMi-';li llns soiuclinics t| j^cliin!-; inl.(» wni'm wnicr liims(>ir. nnil by liis r\ <»r rcfuly Nyin|)ji.iliy in- slillcd i'ri^sh (^>in'!iL;»' inio lln^ poor \i\A''.\ lic'irl. wlicii 4 IN A("iriAI< KKKVM l: II!) mv VMM lilt' mil tie ) IC "7 rlul nWM |. WMM M( » ilM.fMly r/i';(. il'iWM »!'; In !'<•• I Mini lii". lifi' III IWil Id,' In lie IK) lip. m ii'ii III l(MI \v/i'i ,';r(ii coly vvm III li v idj^. 'I'll' lull nl' nc|,i vil.\' nii'l fKcil' mm nl. lor' Mi'imm on loni'l |Im> (iii/ii/iini 'I'lif ( 'mi ililiinri S'n, I'diily '^wnrnn'l \Nilli I'lfiirli |»ri\n,l<'(('!. I.lio riioMi, »i|' Mm ni .'ivviri ^nilirn^ ■ii'linnmi ') MlliK'fl W'illi IVoiM |,vv< lv<* in I'mii I'lfl'^ tni\'/i' ('iiii'!. mimI niiinn<(| hy ricvv! r''»ni|»(»'!r'(| <,\' ||ic ni'»';l, (|i':|M'i(il<> «'luii Mchi'; nlloiil, n<(n«i("i, riinroori'!, Sptin ijiKl;-!. nniiy. iiikI |iMinM'('l.'<'l,r(| Micrrlinnl, v«";';(l'^ [»n';M ill" liy, I icM.l.iiMf llifir iinrorlimMic fi'-vvM vvilli ".hock irif lull Imrily, >inni|»OMCf| (,\' rnnriy \c;;mc|.m, Mic iiifijorily ol" I, lie ".hip-i heinj.^ ref|ijir'f| in l''iiiio|)C!in wji.l.c.iM l,o li,l, Were on Mi(« Wc.mI, Iiidinn Mtn'tljon lind aliiindarit, vvf ley IN ACTUAL SERVICE. 121 V re gaining fast — tliey'll soon be up to her. 1 wonder will the privateer show fight." The last words were hardly out of his mouth when a series of flashes and a cloud of smoke springing from the schooner's stern showed that her crew had no idea of being taken without a struggle ; and as, judging from the report that came across the water, not only nuisketry but grape was being used, Dick's interest in the chase began to give 'Vriy to concern for his shipmates. " The rascals are blazing away at them with grape," he cried in an indignant tone, as if it was the greatest possible presumption on their part to defend them- selves. " If they get the range of the boats they'll kill some of our fellows, sure." Neither grape nor musketry caused any slacken- ing of the speed with wdiich the barge and pinnace ploughed through the water ; and a few minutes later, with a thrilling cheer they dashed alongside, and their crews swarmed over the bulwarks. Once on board they had it all their own way. The privatcersmcn threw down their arms and begged for quarter, and the rather inaccurately named Fortuiin', mounting two carriage-guns and carrying thirty men, was in the possession of her foes, who had not even so much as one man wounded in the engagement. 122 IN ACTUAL SERVICE. The second capture proved a more difficult piece of work, and in this affair Suh-Licutenant Henderson, the best friend Dick had in the gun-room, particularly distinguisliod himself, greatly to the gratification of Dick, who longed for the time when he would be old enough to be put in command of a boat, and set off to win glory on his own account. The Gryphon had been down as far south as Trinidad, and was cruising about in the vicinity of that island, when a suspicious sail was sighted and immediately chased. As luck would have it, just as the frii^ate ^oi within four miles of the schooner the wind dropped, and it was necessary to continue the chase in the boats. Three cutters were sent out, and the one which Lieutenant Henderson commanded mak- ing much better time than the others, reached the privateer while they were still some distance away. The lieutenant had only sixteen men in his boat, and a heavy fire of musketry and grape was coming from the schooner ; but nothing daunted, he laid the cutter alongside and boarded the enemy, carrying her with a rush that fairly bewildered her crew, receiving a slighu wound himself in the melee. By the time the other two boats came up there was little left for them to do, and their men were much disappointed IN ACTUAL SERVICE. 128 at being thus reduced to the position of spectators of wliat was certainly one of the most brilliant feats of the year — the pi-ize beini;' the stout schooner La Rt'ssource, mounting four guns and cari-3'ing fifty men, which had been a great annoyance to Uritish commerce. Dick was a good deal startled at seeing Ids friend come back with his head bound up, a sti'ay bullet having just missed finding its way into liis brain. But, happily, there was no cause for concern, the wound being comparatively slight — so slight, indeed, that wdien the prize crew to be put on board the captured privateer w^as being made up, Lieutenant Henderson claimed the honour of commanding it, and was allowed to have his ow^n way. So soon as Dick knew this he got all in a flutter of eagerness to accompany him. La Ressource was to be taken to Kingston, there to be fitted up for service under her new owners, and the idea of cjoinc: in her was full of attraction to his adventurous spirit. He lost no time in making known his desire to Lieutenant M'Kinstry, who at first did not seem disposed to accede. " You'll have a very good chance of being taken yoursQlf, my boy," said he, in a tone of kindly persua- i) i- 124 IN ACTUAL SERVICE. sion. " How would you like the idvn of being prisoner in the hands of the French for a wliile ? " " Not a bit, sii-," lauglicd Dick. " Lut you know sonic midshipman has to be sent with ^Ir. Henderson, and none of the otliers are particui irly anxious, and if you don't mind, sir, I'd like very much to be allowed." The first lieutenant looked down into the bright, eager face before him. This was the kind of spirit he delighted to meet with. It was the secret of England's supremacy of the seas, and so long as it failed not, so long would the scepti'e remain in British hands ; only his reluctance to expose his favourite middy to extra danger made him hesitate about granting Dick's request, and when the boy, bringing his hand to the salute, ventured to add in his most imploring tone, " Won't you please let me go, sir ? " it seemed to him that he would not be doing right to allow his personal feelings to decide the matter, so he said, — " Well, Dick, I'll see what the captain says. If he has no objection, I'll not stand in your way." CHAPTER VIII. OVERCOMING AND liKTNC; ()VKrt('0:\I K. ON Dick's request being laid before Captain Fite- well, that officer summoned him into his pres- ence to ask him a few questions. Altliouo-]i lie did not take the same interest in the young* lad that tho first lieutenant did, yet on account of his father, who had been kind to him when he was his junior on the same ship many years before, he felt well disposed toward Dick, and willing- enough to allow him any opportunity of making his way. When Dick presented himself the captain was en- joying an after-dinner glass of sherry, and his first proceeding was to pour out another and invite tho boy to take it. Dick reddened to the roots of his hair. It had been comparatively easy to i-efusc Bulstrode's coarse challenge the day he tried to make him drink his mother's health in the gun-room, but to refuse the captain's invitation, in his own cabin 12G OVEUCOMING AND BKINCI OVERCOME. and in tlio presence of several f)f the officers, was an entirely different matter. Ifo -was so confused that lie stood there, cap in hand, jK'rfectly silent, and the very picture of hewildernient. Captain Fitewell misunderstanding his feeling, and supposing that it was simply bashfulness, held out the glass towards him, repeating his invitation. Dick took the glass from his hand, but instead of putting it to his lips, replaced it on the table, murmuring, in a scarcely audible voice, — " If you please, sir, I'd rather not, sir." Considerably surprised — for in all his experience of midshipmen he had never before known one to refuse a glass of wine in the captain's cabin — Captain Fite- well, with a glance around at the other officers as though to say, "Here's an odd fish for you! What do you think of this ? " looked hard into Dick's flushed face as he exclaimed, — " Not have a glass of wine with me ! Pray, how is that ? '- Never had Dick felt himself to bo in so tight a corner. To explain his refusal might expose him on the one hand to lidicule for being " tied to his mother's apron-strings," and on the other to giving the impres- sion that he did not drink wine because he considered II. OVEIICOMING AND BEING UVEJICOME. 127 ifc wronj,^ and therefore, as a matter of course, con- demned his superior oflicers for doing it. An awk- ward dilennna for a boy to bo placed in certainly, and no wonder if he stood there embarrassed and silent until the captain was stirred to say somewhat testily, — " Well, my boy, what's the matter ? where's your tongue ? " Realizing that he must explain his action, Dick decided, on the spur of the moment, to tell the truth frankly, let the consequences be what they might; so, bringing his hand to the salute, he said, in a clear tone, audible to all in the cabin, — " I promised my mother never to taste Avine, sir. She was afraid I might get too fond of it." Captain Fitewell looked him over from head to heel, and then turning round to the others, said, as ho brought his right hand down upon the table, — " Gentlemen, did you hear that ? Dear old England w^ill never want for Nelson so long as her sons have stuff in them like Midshipman Holland." There w^as a murmur of warm assent and approval from the men seated about the table ; and the chap- lain, wdio dearly loved his glass of wine, might have been observed to give it a peculiar look, as though the 12S ()Vi:ucoMiX(; and liKixc oveijcomi:. cl()iil»fc liaar, iind leaning against a bulkhead, said, in tlie most aggravat- inir tone ho eouhl command, — " What a good little boy lie is, to be sure ! Wouldn't take a glass of wine because his mammy would rather not. '^riie dear little prig, ho ought to be n parson, lie ought." Tn too happy a frame of mind to be easily angered, Dick aflected to take no notice of the insolent fellow, not even lifting his head to look at him. Determined to stir him up to w^rath, Bulstrode continued his monologue, OTOwanc: coarser and coarser as his efforts continued futile, until at last, his evil temper com- pletely carrying him away, ho picked up a dirty swab cloth that happened to be near, and flung it fiercely at Dick, snarling out as he did, — (423) inO OVERCOMTXa AND BEfXO OVERCOME. " You can't hear me, eh ? well, perlmps that will help you." Divining that some missile was on its way to him, Dick threw up his head to catch a sight of it and dodge it. But he was not quick enough, and the slimy, ill-smelling thing struck him full in the face. Stung to fury hy so abominable an insult, Dick, oblivious to all considerations of prudence, sprang at his tormentor like a young tiger, and before the latter could get on his guard, hit him with his whole strength squarely between the eyes, sending him staggering backwards half-a-dozen paces. Uttering a horrid oath, the bully had gathered himself together for a charge upon his plucky little assailant, while Dick threw himself into a posture of defence, when Lieutenant Henderson came suddenly out from the o-un-room, and seeimx that there was something amiss, demanded an explanation. By way of reply Dick picked up the swab, and pointed to his face, upon which its dirty marks were easily visible. Bulstrode, not to be outdone, pointed to his face, in the centre of which a crimson contusion was already revealing itself. The lieutenant took in the situation at a cf lance. " Oh, I understand ! Well, it would seem that wa OVERCOMING AND BETXG OVERCOME. 181 was and I were linted lusion 'e. that lionoiirs are even. Let that be an end of it. — ^Ir. Bulstrode, you had better look after that bruise at once, or you'll have an ugly pair of black eyes. — ]\Ir. Holland, as soon as your packing is finished come to ine in the gun-room." Muttering threats of dire vengeance, Bulstrode took himself off to the surgeon ; while Dick, having washed his face, hastily completed his packing and reported to Mr. Henderson as he had been bidden. V^hen the first flush of passion had passed away, he began to feel somewhat ashamed of himself. To return blow for blow was not the highest kind of conduct, how- ever great the provocation. In giving way to the impulse to strike he had lowered himself to Bulstrode's own level, and even although he felt perfectly confi- dent that there w^as no one on board the Gryphon who on learning the facts would not applaud his action, still in the depths of his own heart there was the conviction that he really deserved condemnation, not applause. So heavily did this feeling bear upon liis mind that at the first opportunity he made his way into the main-top, and there, with the darkness all about him, he looked up to God and pleaded for pardon. Returninix to the deck much comforted and cheered, l.'V2 OVKHCOMINd ANP BI<:iNr, OVKHCOME. lio mot. Li(Mit(Mi,aiit ircMidcvson, wlio told liim to isvt his tilings toijji^'hor, ,'is tlicy wore L!;oinn^ on lumrd iluj ]n izc tliai, iiii;-lit. A (]UMrt(M' of nn liour Inter tlio litih^ pi'i/i^ crow, t'oiisisiiii'^- of liioiitonaiifc I le]ilo\v for his turn in the bunk, he fell asleep, to > His men did not need a second command. With a thrilling cheer they sprang over the bulwarks, and swinging their cutlasses on high, prepared to cut down any one who might dare to oppose their advance. But they found nobody on board in that frame of mind. Stretched upon the deck, groaning with pain, were some half-dozen more or less badly-wounded sailors, while the steersman lay dead beside his wheel. Not another soul was visible. " Look out for some beixc^arlv trick," cried the lieutenant, and directing four of the men to put them- 140 THE TAiiLKs ti;uni:d. selves at tlio fore-liatcli, with pistols and cutlasses Ydiul) for instant aetion, he ranged the othei-s around the cabin in a similar position. Then pointing his own pistol down the open companion-way, he called out in his most commanding tones, — " Ahoy, below there ! Come up on deck at once, or I'll fire into vou." Whether the Frenchmen understood his words or not they certainly did his attitude, for innnediately there was a murmur of voices below and a sound of movement, and then out of the obscurity there ap- peared the head of an officer, quickly followed by that of another, and then by a common sailor, until pres- ently no less than ten men had extricated them- selves from the tiny cabin, and stood upon the deck unarmed and looking ridiculously sheepish. The same process was going on simultaneously at the fore-hatch, wdience five more men had emerged. Counting the wounded, the crew consisted of t^\'enty- one men, or four more than their captors. AVith the exception of the officer in command and those im- mediately under him, they were such an ugly lot of cut-throats that Lieutenant Henderson, turning to Dick, said in an undertone, — " What a villanous-looking gang they are ! It THE TAliLKS TrUNHI). Ill would bi! a good riddauco to Mow tliciu all \ip. Thoy r<' only fit for the ^^allows an}' way." Ono of tlii'ii* ininiljur, ^vllo evidently undei'stood Kn^Tisl), ovorlioarinn* tbo rcniai'ks, L;-ave tlic sjx'uker such a look of niinj^U'd terroi- and liatc, at tlu; sanio time laying liis liand to his dirk, that Dick invohm- tarily shrank hack, and grasped the lieutenant's arm, ■whispering, — " Take care, sir ; they understand what you arc saying." " All the better if they do, Dick," was the laughing reply. " They'll have all the more respect for us if they know we take them to be what they really are." On examination the prize proved to be the priNa- teer La Mlnie, carrying one long eighteen-pound gun on a pivot, and a crew of twenty-one men. llei" cnp- tain was evidently profoundly chagrined at being taken by a smaller force than he commanded. As ho afterwards took the trouble to explain through an interpreter, he had supposed that the English crew would not be less than fifty strong, and had thought it better not to show fight at all, since he could not save himself by flight. Once the excitement of the capture was over, and it became necessary to arrange for the disposition of 142 TTTE TAP.LES TTM^XED. tho pi'izo, TjitMitonmit Ifoinlorson found hinisoU* eon- sulmihly Tioupliisscd, lie did not Wiint to (Kvstroy Lit Millie, Tor tliJit mctiiit a loss of pri/o-nioncy ; and, moreover, slio woidd make an acceptable addition to tho lU'itisli fleet. Yet with the small prize crew lie had he did not feel like dividin^^ it in two, as would he inevitable were the prize to be retained. Fin'ther- morc, who was to command the other schooner ? Into the midst of his deliberations broke Dick, with a proposal that at first well-nigh took his breath away. The boy's quick wit had discerned his superior officer's dilennna, and feai'ful lest he should discover some solution of it other than the one wdiich hnd taken possession of his own mind, he hastened to suggest that a prize crew be placed upon tho La ]\[inie, and that he, Master Hichard Holland, be given command of it ! "You delightful little bantam-cock!" cried the lieutenant, holding him off at arm's length, as though to examine his fighting points. " For sublime self- confidence you certainly are unique. Fifteen years of age, five feet high, one year at sea, and calmly pro- posing to take command of a ship ! — Hi, there, Taf- frail ! " raising his voice and beckoning to the burly boatswain, wdio was a little distance off, " steer this THE TABLES TURNED. U] way a inomciit, if you please." Then as the seaiiuni drew near with n respectful bob, lui adilrd, " Wluit do you think of this, TaflVail ? " and proceeded to tell liim how matters stood ; while Dick, in considernblo uncertainty as to whether the lieutenant was just making game of liini or would s<'riously consider his suggestion, fell back a step, blushing furiously, and eying the boatswain somewhat anxiously to sec how he took it. Vastly to his relief, the grizzled veteran seemed to be quite favourably impressed with the idea. " If I may be so bold, sir," said he, giving his scanty forelock a sharp tug, as though he would pull it out by the roots, "as to have my say, I'm thinking that Mr. Holland's notion is a very good one ; and if you tlnnk " — here he dropped his voice to a hoarse whisper, lest Dick should overhear him and have his feelings touched — " as he's too young, sir, to take charge of the schooner, you might., maybe, send me along too, and I'll do the best I can to help to get her safe to Kingston." The fact of the matter was old Taffrail had a great liking for Dick, whose cheery spirits and constant courtesy had indeed made all the sailors his friends, and quite appreciating the situation, he was anxious 144. THE TABLES TURNED. for tlie enterprising boy to Imve the chance he soiiglit, to show wliat lie could do on hi.s own hook. Lioutcnant Henderson, despite liis good-liumoiuvd raillery, had I'elt I'avourahly (iisposed tovards 11 le plan from the first, but the sending of the boatswain along with Dick had not occurred to hiui. When it was suggested it quite cleared the way, and he no longer hesitated. " Well, Dick," said he, in a very different tone from the banterinrp one in which he had last addressed him, " Taffrail, you see, thinks your idea not a bad one at all, and in fact is quite willing to risk his precious self under your command. So I'll think the matter r areiullv over, and see how it can be carried out." Kiixhlv elated, Dick went off whistlini»' meii-ilv, while the lieutenant and boatswain consulte'i together, with the result thai the following arrangement was decided U]X)n. The prisoners would be divided, twelve being taken on board La Ressource and nine left on La Aflnie, all except the wounded being securely ironed. Then of the prize crew seven, in- cluding Taffrail, would go with Dick, and nine would remain with Lieutenant Henderson. The two vessels would keep as close company as pu.ssible, La Ressource ■'^leading; and all haste would be made for Kingston, THE TABLES TURNED. 145 )eing m- issels nirce kstoii, wliich ought to be reached within two days at tlie furthest. This plan proved satisfactory to everybody, and was carried out so promptly that before tlie night fell the two schooners were bowling merrily along together towards Kingston witli a beam wind, the prisoners safely bestowed in their holds, and every- body else on board in high good-humour at the pros- pect of pocketing a nice little sum of prize-money, for the Admiralty paid good rewards for the capture of privateers. Dick could ha.'dly contain himself for pride and pleasure as he paced the after-deck in all the dignity of his position, ever and anon casting scrutinizing glances at the sails, to make sure that they were drawing properly, and feeling sorely tempted to sug- o'cst some slio-ht alteration in the course beinix sailed, just to show his authority, but restraining himself therefrom lest lie should say the wrong thing, and tliereby expose himself to the disapproval of old Taf- frail, whose good opinion he was most anxious to conserve. So deeply did he feel his responsibility tliat he was loath to leave the deck, and kept his place there until the boatswain respectfully hinted that he would take (453) 10 ' I HC) Tm<: TAiir,Es TuimKD. the first watch, and tliat Dick might tlicreforo as well turn in. The hitt(>r'.s lirst iinpiilse was to resent the suj2:g(\stion, and to indicate to the sailor that he would judge i'or himself in the matter. I')Ut on second thoughts he tc^ok the wiser coui'sc of SM\'ing, — " All right, TadVnil ; I'll go helow and leave yon in charge. Call me at eight bells, will you ?" Then feeling nuich more at case with himself than if he had yielded to tlie weakness, he went down into the cabin, and tui-ned into one of the bunks, which he found a good deal more stutlV than his hammock on the Gri/plion, but wliere he soon fell sound asle(^]i nevertheless. When the boatswain, according to direction, aroused him at midnight, he found it hard to turn out. But he was careful not to say so ; and the old sailor having disappeared for his snooze, Dick took his place at the wheel. The night was a olorious one. Although there was no moon, the stars shone out with such splendour as to make good amends for her absence. A steady breeze blew fi'om the south-east — the liar- binger, maybe, of dirty weather ahead, but very pleasant while it lasted ; and the two schooners, with main-sail, fore-sail, and gaff top-sails spread to make the most of it, cut their way through the weaves, tut: tai'.lks tuhnkd. 147 veil the )uia 5011(1 n in tluin into ill ho •k on ouscd But laving t the longh such iscncc. har- vevy Avith Iniake raves, lying over at every pufl' until the water cnnie rush- ing in through the lee scuppers. La RcsHoiii'ce huj-ned a bright light astern for the guidance of L((, j\fiii/<; ; hut it was hardly necessary, so easily visible was she through the semi-obscurity, and the two vessels being well matched in point of S2)eed, ha]i the ri^'j-in^', snappinij a number of ropes, and plunging- into the sea fifty yards beyond the little ve.ssel's bow. There was no niistakinu' what this meant. The next iron missile would certainly come crashing aboard, and some life would be needlessly lost. " Bring her up into tlio wind, Tattiail," ordered Dick, with a big sob in his voice. Lookmg as mournful as a mute at a funeral, the boatswain obeyed ; and with her sails flapping idly, the trim little schooner awaited the coming of her deliverer from the alien hands that had for a brief time held her in bondacre. ClIAPTEil X. iX THE HANDS OF THE ENE31V. IN glorious stylo tlio frigate came sweeping on until almost in a line with the schooner, and a hnnrlred yards to windward. Then she too went up into the wind, and as soon as her headway stopped^ a hoat was lowered which, fdled with armed men, sped towards the motionless schooner. In grim silence the prize crew awaited its arrival. They would have dearly loved to fight to the very last ; and although those in the boat outnumbered them two to one, had they been their only assailants they would have done so ; but with the big guns of the frigate ready shotted to smash their vessel into splinters, any resistance w^ould have been the most utter folly. So they stood upon the deck in orderly array, their bronzed countenances expressing their feelings with a frankness that was hardly politic, to say the least. 154 IN Tin: HANDS or Till-: KNKMY. The inoin(!iit tlio boat touched tlie schooner's side, a dapper little officer in Ijril limit uniform, Jind with moustaches waxed as thoui;h he were just ready to show himself upon the Boulevards, sprang lightly over the bulwarks, and with a sweeping bow called upon the Englishmen to surrender. Without saying a word, Dick handed him his sword ; and then, unable to control the rush of feeling that swept over him at this unfortunate termination of his enterprise, he turned away, and went towards the cabin. Appreciating the situation with the quick instinct of his race, the French officer gave an expressive shrug of his shoulders, and directed his men, who were all on board by this time, to make a thorough search of the vessel. Great was the joy of the prisoners in the hold when their rescuers appeared amongst them and hastened to knock off the hateful irons. Many of them wept like children, and hugged the men of the frigate with a heartiness that would have made the more stolid Englishmen laugh under any other circumstances. As it was, they were too much engrossed in speculating as to what sort of treat- ment they would receive at the hands of their IN THE HANDS Or" Till: ICNKMV. 155 c:i[)tors to u[)pi't'ciato tho liuuiorousnuss ol' tlio pro- ceed in*^'. ])iek comforted liiinself witli tlie tliou'dit tliat Iwiri'ing the irons, wliieh were jil).s()lutely necessary under tlio circumstances, tlic Frencli i)risoners liad been well enough treated l)y liim, and tliat tlierei'in'O lie and his men had a riglit to expect siiuilar treat- ment in return. Of course lie was not in a position to make any other than an nnconditional surrender, and he would have to trust entirely to the clemency of his enemies, in whoso power he now was. Another boat having been signalled for, the prize crew and their wdiilom prisoners were taken over to the frigate, where the former were received with looks of intense curiosity, and the hitter with shouts of joyous pride. Dick was at once conducted to the captain's cabin, and there found himself in the pres- ence of a richly-uniformed officer of about middle age, with a handsome, kindly countenance, who regarded him with a lool- of minified amusement and interest that certainly had nothing terrifying in it. " Have I the honour of addressing the officer in command ? " he asked, wdth a courteous inclination of his head. Dick bowed low in reply. loO IX TIIK HANDS OF TIIK ENKMV. " rui'dc^n 1110 if T Nfiituro to iiunrn'c ilie ujiiiir of tliG .slii[) to wliic'li you Ijclong," ho coiiiinu('nd the for the French to his Jd soon Not far from the city was an eminence easy of access wliich commanded the whole plain, and upon this the general took his stand. A little to one side, yet so as to have an unbroken view of tlie whole action, Dick drew up his horse, and with strangely- divided feelings awaited the issue. The French had, without exception, treated him so kindly that lie would have been a monster of ingratitude not to feel under deep obligations to wish their success, and moreover, in a struggle between white and black, it seemed but natural to sympathize with those of one's own colour. And yet there were more reasons than one wdiy he should prefer to see them defeated. They were undoubted intruders upon the island, the blacks were only fighting for liberty ; and still more weighty reason, it was much against British interests that the French should retain their hold upon San Dominjxo. The G^reat desire of the British was to drive them out of the West Indies altogether, and to add Martinique and Guadeloupe to the superb chain of island jew^els that stretched from Puerto Rico to South America. But were the French to succeed in establishing themselves upon San Domingo, the en- terprise would be rendered vastly more difficult, if not altogether impossible ; for with such a coin of 1G4 IN THE HANDS OF THE ENEMY. vantage, they would surely be able to hold their own. Upon the whole, therefore, Dick felt that the bal- ance of sympathy was rightfully with the blacks, and as he caught a glimpse of them moving down on to the plain from the hills beyond, he almost uncon- sciously breathed a prayer that they might have the victory. He took no thought of how this might affect himself ; that matter he left in the hands of the gracious providence which had thus far brought him through so many perils unscathed. As the blacks took up their position on the plain, it was seen that in numbers they far surpassed the French ; but this fact did not give the latter any concern, as they took it for granted their superiority in other respects would more than compensate for the deficiency. Fully realizing the advantage of prompt action, General Rochambeau sent his vano^uard an^ainst the blacks before they had time to effect, a proper formation upon the plain. Amidst a whirlwind of cheers and cries the soldiers and sailors dashed across the plain, and flung them- selves with tremendous force upon their opponents' front, which gave way before their impetuous onset like standing wheat before a stampede of cattle. IN TJIE HANDS OF TUK KNKMY. Kir) their e bal- :s, and vvn on uncon- ive the it affect ot* the ht him le plain, rpassed ter any eriority for the prompt aixainst proper soldiers them- )onents' us onset le. " Bravo ! bravo ! " cried the general, chipping his hands as though he were watcliing some brilliant performance in an opera-house. " Is not that niag- niticent ? Ah ! those black scoundrels, they cannot stand before our brave follows. See how they are shattered ! the battle is already won. Is it not so, Monsieur Holland ? " turning exultantly to Dick, who, in his eagerness to watch the charge, had without knowing it moved close to the general's side. " It looks like it, general," replied Dick, bringing his hand to the salute, and .'. on withdrawing a little as he realized that he was in too prominent a position. The blacks certainly seemed put to rout, and the French eagerly following up their advantage, pressed forward in pursuit at a rate of speed that soon had its effect upon their orderly array — the men who were slower of foot finding it impossible to keep up with their fleeter comrades, and falling behind until the order of the attack had changed from a solid body into a disorganized mob. Now, whether Dessalines, the black commander-in- chief, had anticipated something like this, and, with a generalship that did him infinite credit, laid his plans accordingly, or whether he simply took advantage of the opportunity when it presented itself, is not known. I(j() IN TIIIO HANDS OF TIN': ION EM V '!l: Tliis much, ]i. wovar, was Cioar, tliat tlic i-ash conduct of his oppO' jnts was nre at least he would have been safe however the battle fared, ])ick looked round about him. He was one of several hundreds in a similar sti'ait. All were disariiK 1, many were wounded ; and huddled together in a sort of hollow, they were guarded by a detach- ment of the most villanous- looking caricatures of soldiery he had ever beheld in his life. Not one of them had a complete uniform, a chapeau having to suf- fice one, a tunic another, a pair of striped trousers a third, while a fourth had to be content with a belt buckled over his anything but picturesque rags. Their weapons showed no less vari(;ty ; and as they stood about in attitudes that wer intended to be soldier-like, but were simply grotesque parodies of drill, they made so ridiculous a spectacle that, serious as his situ- ation was, Dick could not help being tickled, although he had the discretion to conceal his amusement, lest it should a'ive offence. UM)i:il 'JUL llltlTISIl I'LAC; ACIAiN 171 lent of and to at was nt that oL' hiui , Creole, ivur tlio Tic was \ll ^vero togetlier inp;, su]>- cvi'lcntly mteiiaucc to a <^ti- 110 1 at all and sum- rpretoil to a vivacity ran intcl- t'vcry in- |\at he was man who lid seeming' in thvou,c;'li jr consitler the hlacks h on board UXDEll THE BRITrSTT FLAG AUAIX. 177 What a Ifoniid of joy Dick's licart gave uhen ho understood tliis, and liow fei'vently he gave thanks in his heart to God for so graciously pi-otecting him ! Not oidy was he to sufler no liavm at the hands of tlio hlacks, but he was to he delivered from the French also, and retm'ned to liis own people as soon as possible. Overcome with gratitude he sprajig forward, and seizing the general's hand shook it warmly, exclaim- " God bless you, sir ! How caii I thank you ? " Dessalines laughed as he released his hand, an"Ood to the British. You will be treated like mv own son so long as you are with us." It was true that the British w^ere the friends of the blacks in their struu-o-le for freedom. Thev had supplied them with ammunition on more than one occasion, and iriio'ht liave afforded them more assist- ance had they not been so much occupied in lookini:!^ after their own interests. That niii'ht Dick dined witli the general in state, mid ns, with mind perfectly at ease and a splendid 178 UNDEJl THE lilUTISH FLXC, AGAIN. appotito, lie ,£(tav(^ jin appreciative attention to the feast, he thouglit to liimself, — " Well, ^vhat a wonderl'iil world this is! This time yesterday with the staff of the French j^'eneral as a prisoner of war, and now with the staff of the Mack general as an honoured guest. Won't Tenderly open his eyes when he hears all about it ; and won't old Bulstrode scowl at my having sucli a time ! And mother — my dear, precious mother — how will I ever get the time to tell her all ahout it ? She must he wondering now if I'm still alive, it's so long since I had a chance to send her a letter.'' The feeling of security after his many vicissitudes was most pleasant, and he would have been in quite a happ3^ frame of mind but for thinking of the un- fortunate French prisoners and the dreadful fate that they were perhaps already suffering. Yet he was powerless to help in any way whatever, and could no more than hope that more clemency might be shown them by the blacks than they had shown to- wards their prisoners. The followino' mornina' General Dessalines, now stronixer than ever — for nothinii' succeeds like success — gathered his forces for a combined attack upon the city ; and notwithstanding the very gallant defence UNDKJl TIIIO JilJITISII FLAG AGAIN 17!) to the [lis time •ill as a ic black rly open ,von't ()1*1 ill T ever must 1)0 rf since icissitndes in qnitc f the un- f ate that t he was land could iTiiglit oe ishown to- nnes, now ike success upon the it defence made hy the Frciieli, passed tliron<;-h tlic outer lorti- iicatioiis and lirokc, down ilie. lilockliousos, so tli;it liy niulitiall tlie city itself was nt liis m(>rcv. One moi'c day's ii^ld/niL;" any speaking warmly of General Dessalines and his staff", and of tlic kindness with which they had treated hinr. He also let Captain Bli<>li understand how critical was the situation, and how timely his arrival had been in view of Des- .salincs' expressed determination to shower red-hot shot upon every French vessel remaining in t)ie har- bour at sundown. When Captain Bligh heard this he at once de- termined to intervene in the interests of humanity, and ordering his gig to be launched, tcok two of his chief officers with him as he went to return in per- son the call made by the black commander's envoy upon him. He found Dessalines hard to move at first ; but he was not to be gainsaid, and eventually succeeded in UNI)i:il TIIK IJKITISII FLA(J A(;AIN, ^K^ liglily ! board J lllllL-ll liuuour ill re- nt tlicy h pridu )ains to General ;ss with Captain Jon, and of Des- red-liot the har- once de- unianity, of his 1 in per- r's envoy but he ceeded in gaining a tln-ee days' extension of time, uhich en- a])led the unfortunate Fiencli to pack themselves on board their vessels in some sort of fashion, and get away from the island, whicli would never again be subservient to their sway. This happily accomplished, the Theseus, in her turn, set sail, bound for Kingston, Jamaica, there to report how matters stood in San Domingo, and to await further orders. Dick hailed with delii-ht the idea of ix^ttinL«- back to Kiniiston ; and eager as he was to see his shipmates again, and to learn how it had fared with L(C liessoui'ce, ho also cherished the hope that the Gryphon would not put in an appear- ance for a while, as ho w'anted to sec some more of his delightful friends, who had treated him so kindly before. It is not a loni]: sail from San Domingo to Jamaica, and in spite of a strong south-wester the Theseus made good progress, for she was a speedy ship, and Captain Bliixh knew how to oet the utmost out of her. On the way a suspicious sail wms sighted, and run down after a three hours' chase — with the result that still another was added to the rapidly lengthening list of privateers fitted out at Guadeloupe to wage war upon British commerce. 184 UNDER TTTE BRITTSTT FLAG AGAIN. When the prize crew was being made up, Captain Bligli sent for Dick, and, more in a joke than in earnest, asked him if he wanted to try another trip in a French privateer. But Dick politely declined. He had had (piite enough of that sort of experience for a while, and was altogether too eager to get to Kingston, wliere a week or vwo on shore would be much more to his taste. So he stayed by the IVteseus, and on the evening of the following day had the pleasure of watching, from his favourite eyry in the main-top, the beautiful panorama of Kingston harbour open up before him as the big ship picked her way carefully through the intricacies of the channel, and finally came to anchor just as the shadows of night infolded the citv and shut it from his view. ]!aptain ban in ler trip cclincd. :)ei*ience get to ould be Theseus, had the Y in the harbour her way nel, and 3£ night CHAPTER XII. S(n<:NE8 ON SllOKK. WHEN Dick eanie on duck next morning, tltc first thing he did was to look around for La Ressourcc. At first he could ilnd nothinn- of her, but presently, after diligent hunting with the aid of a glass, he made her out lying at the far end of the mooring-station-, and almost hidden by the bulk of a man-of-war. Satisfied upon this point, and promising himself to pay her a visit as promptly as possible, he next gave his attention to searching for the Gnjphon. He hoped as strongly that he would not find her as that he would find the captured privateer, and once more was his hope fulfilled. The Gryplion, evidently, was not in port, and he could pretty confidently count upon obtaining shore-going leave until she did turn up. As soon as breakfast was despatched he applied to 180 SCKNES OX SUUUE. Captain Bligh for pcriiiissioii to rejoin Jm licssource, which being- i-oadiiy granted, he bade good-bye to his friends on tlie Theseus, hailed one of the boatmen crowding at the foot of the gangway, and had him- self rowed over to the privateer, not forgetting to bring worthy old Tom Talfrail along also. They reached the vessel just as the men were making things ship-shape for the day, Lieutenant Henderson superintending from the poop. Without delaying to ask permission, Dick sprang over the low bulwark, with Taffrail close at his heels, and stood in the midst of their shipmates before the latter realized their arrival. The sensation their sudden appearance created was certainly as profound as they could have desired. Exclaiming, " Dick Holland, by Jove ! How in the name of all the angels did you get here ? " Lieu- tenant Henderson, quite forgetting official dignity, threw himself on Dick and o:ave him a huix that completely squeezed the breath out of him ; while the seamen fairly mobbed Taffrail, wringing his hands, and clapping him on the back, and dancing about him like so many school children. " Bless my eyes, Taffrail ! " cried the lieutenant, as he gi-asped the boatswain's hand, " but it's good to scKNios ON snoin-:. 187 see you safe and sound aujain. \Vi;'(l made up our minds tliat you and Master Dick Mould liavc a taste of the dungeon at (Juadeloupo before you i^ot l»ack. Come into tlio cal)in nnd lit me liave the whole story." It took the best part of the morning for the story to be told, and then Dick got a chance to ask about the Gr^jphon. Much to his satisfaction, lie learned that she was not expected for a week yet, and that he would therefore continue a member of the prize crew of La Ecssutirce until the frigate api)eared. As his duties in this position would be practically nil, he had no hesitation in askinu' for leave to <^o on shore, and to remain for a few days if lie so desired, which Lieutenant Henderson at once granted; and he accordingly made preparations to go that same after- noon. He w^as very eager to see tlie Wilsons again. Their hospitable mansion was like a home to him now ; and since he could not reach his mother to pour into her ears the story of his achievements and of his aml)i- tions, he longed for the sympathy and kindness of Mrs. Wilson, who had taken him into her heart as though her own blood ran in his veins. He took unusual pains with his toilet, and looked IHS SCKXKS ()\ SIKHIK. I I. I: tli(3 very model of a niidsliipinan as ho stepped into the boat in wliich lie was rowed asliore. As it happened, the day was tlie lirst of the Chi'istmas hoHdays, wlien tlio negro carnival is celebrated; and as the boat neared the landing', there grew louder upon Dick's ears the bray of horns and the thunder of drums, mingled with strains of barbarous music, and accentuated by the yelling of excited negroes. He had never heard anything of the like before, and turned in wonder to the steersman for an explanation. The old sailor shrugged his shoulders to iniply that it was nothino; new to him. " The blackies are beginning their high- jinks," said he. " They'll keep it up like that for the best part of a week. Such a precious lot of fools you never saw in your life." His curiosity being aroused, Dick asked a lot of questions ; and the n.ore he heard the more he con- gratulated himself upon having chanced on shore in time to see such strange doings, so that by the time the boat reached the landing his mind was fully made up to lose nothing of the proceedings that w^ould be worth seeinsf. The wharves w^ere already crowded with negroes of both sexes and all sizes, dressed in the best gar- SCENKS OX SIIOHK. 189 ped into As- it lll'istlHUS ied ; and V louder thunder IS music, negroes, iforc, and olanation. iiply that dvs," said st part of icver saw a lot of e he con- shore in the time dly made ^vould be negroes )est gar- ments tliey possessed, and dancing, sinning, anillage. The volunteers presented an excellent n]>pearance as they tramped by in good order headed by a toh^r- ahi(^ band. Some of the companies were composed entirely of whites, others of ])rowns, and others still of "ivory blacks," — all, of course, being free men, as no slaves could be pei-mitted to hold arms. " Bravo, my boys ! " shouted Dick, clapping hi.s hands in token of his adnnration. The exclamation attracted the attention of a group of mounted officers, and on ascertainiufj its source thoy all saluted the middy with their swords, at some risk of losing their seats. Dick responded as gravely as if he had been a commander-in-chief and they were passing before him in review ; and the crow^l observing the incident, regarded him with great respect, since he had been singled out for special honour by the officers. By this time the morning was pretty well gone, to) 13 194 SCENi:S ON SHORE. antfcor tlmt told the doincrs of tliJit (lii'istnwis wook, and slic could not resist the impulse' to express to Mrs. Wilson the <^ratitnde she felt for her kindness to lier son. The days were full of deliii'ht to the liHitdiearted br ^ The cool of the morninui: and of the afternoon was n'iven to lono; rides or drives through the beautiful country surroundinij;; Kingston, and every evening there was a dinner or social gathering of some kind, where Dick found himself the recipient of abundant attention. A boy of ditierent make might have been spoiled by the treatment he received ; for boys' heads are all too easily turned, and conceit is a plant of rapicthcr, he he came V chasers, reached )cked into p into the surrender, doubling, ch a posi- 1 wreck, ^vhich had no- a min- f the third L schooner, which l)y this time had so loni;- a head start that her rapture sci^mod almost out of the (|Uestion. ]lut ho was not a man to be; easily shaken oil'. The wind had now risen into a pretty stifK blow, and the (i I'liplton fairly snored throuLch the water under tlie pressure of a cloud of canvas, the studding-sails swelling' out as though thoy would burst their snowy bosoms, and the royals bending the tips of the masts like fishiui'-rods. Slowly l)ut surely the schooner was overhauled, although in his anxiety to escape her captain carried so much canvas that she went ploughing through the waves instead of 1 if tins: over them, and it seemed every minute as if the main-mast must go by the Ijoard or the sail be blown from the booms. Perched in the main-top, Dick watched the chase with breathless interest. He felt towards these priva- teers as a hunter does towards wolves and panthers. They were the beasts of prey of the seas, and to ho treated accordingly. No questioning as to the rio-htfulness of driving them from the face of the seas ever entered his mind. He could not, of course, show any undue severity to those who manned them as individuals, but taken collectively they were the ob- 20() huntinm; immvatkkks. jocts of his ri^litt'ous iiidi^iuitioii, and lu^ was va'^^vv to givo tlieiii liai'd knocks at uvcry opportunity. Tt was after mid-day lieforc the fi'iiL;ato got witliin range of tli(! schooner, and even tlien tlio latter kept on lier coarse in slieer desperation. Soniewliat i*e- luctantly, therefore — for lie would have preferred cap- turing her uninjureiit tlic aim of tlic il^imiikts was poor, aii(] luyond tlio cuttini^ ul' a few uniin- ])or(ant ropes in tlio uppcM* rin'i^'iiii;', the (iri/j)ho)h suf- i'vvod no daniairc. 'ri\(^ l)rii;- tluMi attoniptod to cross tlio Grijphon')^ hawse a very clever maiKeuvro, and one that would liave L;iven her a i;T(Mit advantaj^e. But Ca})tain Fitewell was an old sailor, and too experience(l a lighter to bo caught napping. Although ten ring along at the rate of fully (>ight knots, he ordered the helm to ho put hard aport, so as to hoard the hrig, and at the same time let fly a broadside from his thirty-two pounders that brought liis opponent's top- hamper of stuihling-sails, top-sails, etc., tumbling upon the deck in a perfect shower of yards and blocks and ropes. "Hurrah! hurrah !" cried Dick again, fairly danc- inof with deliii'ht at the effect of the broadside. " We can teach Master Frenchie how to aim straiiiht. What's he goinii' to do now with his ricfc^inix iu such a mess ? " The connnander of tlic brig seemed at first com- plctely bewildered as to what to do, and the Gnj- i:>Jion\^ boats were just about to be lowered, w^hen the hunting; IMUVATKKliS. 201) tlir(>aten- ■w innm- phoii suf- Gi'jjpliov'f^ hilt would b Captain rh tearing rderod the I the l)vig, 3 from liis ►ncnt's top- hVuv^ upon blocks and lirly danc- Mdc. "^Ve II straip;ht. inix in sncli first com- 1 the Gry- % when the oilier vessel, to tli(^ surprise of those on lionid the rriL,oit(% lulled up, and I'an sti'aJLcht I'or tlie rocks in Jl small l)jiy, strikiiiL,^ the i*eef and her colours at nlniost the same moment. 1'he (ii\>//>/h>ii, following- hai'd after hei", narrowly esca])tMl a similar fat(>, and was oidy sav<'d hy lieaviuLC ill stays. As it was, when, aftei" a few moments of l)reathless suspense, she wore rcMind aud went oil' on the port tack, her stern was nearly in the breakers. " 1)1 ess my eyes! hut that was a close sliave," said Lieutenant Henderson to Dick, as the latter stood beside him, trcMnblinu^ in every limb with the (excite- ment of the moment. " 1 thoui^ht we would sti'ike that time, for sure." J)ick broke into a lauL;h to conceal his perturbation as he answered,- — "So was I, sir; and I was just wonderinu^ what would happen to us if we did go ashore. Perhaps a whole crownl of these privateers would come along and make us surrender while we were stuck here helpless." " It's probably just al»out what would happen, Dick," returned the sub-lieutenant; "for I believe the rascals fairly swarm ai-ound here, and they'd show us small mercy if they did catch us in such a fix." (42:^ 14 210 1 1 u N T I N (J r 1 i I V A r I-: v: us. As tlu! fi'iLi^ato raiiK* .il)oiit she firotl a broadside into tlio l)i*ii]^; for Captain l^'itcwell felt bound to (h- sti'ov her since he could not take her. 'I'o leave lua- ms she was wcndd simply mean that the French would lloat her off at their leisure, and aftcT being repaired she would resume her mission of injury to IJritish connnerce. Presently she hoisted her ensign again, in evident defiance of her assailant, and her boats carried hor men ashore, where they lined the beach, and wei'c ready to pour volleys of musketry upon any boats that miixht venture to board the brief. NeviH'theless Captain Fitewell, piqued at this piece of bravado, determined to show the French that tluy would not piny such pranks with impunity, and ac- cordingly orders were given for the boats to be low- ered at once. The command c'ave Cfrcat deli<>ht on board the Gryphon, and despite the manifest danger from the fire of musketry, both officers and men pressed for- ward, eaq;crlv seekincf to be sent. Dick was amoni.^ the volunteers ; and his friend the sub-lieutenant being given command of one of the largest boats, he begged him for a place. Mr, Henderson was only too glad to have him. TTUNTINO PKTVATHEIJS. 211 hvoiidsido rid to (!<'- IV c lun' as \q\\ would rf repairtMl to Ikitisli in evident carried her and were any l^)Of^t^ t tliis pleco that they lity, and ac- to be low- board tho cr from the pressed i'or- was among ih-licntenant rest boats, he to have him. He liad ah'eady liad experience of liis eonra^-e and coolness, and promptly assented. As it happened, Dick had just gone ofl' to f;et his arms whrn lUdstrcxL; proffered the same re(piest. Now Mr. Henderson had no liking for Ihdstrode, and, moreover, tlu; com})lement for his boat was already made up ; so he jinsw(>red somewhat curtly, " No, Jhdstrode ; 1 have ail tlu^ men I want. I'ry and get into some other boat," and turned away to give his attention to getting ready. Boiling over with rage and envy, Jjulstrode rushed into the gun-room, where he knew Dick was, and without the slightest apparent provocation poured upon him a flood of the coarsest abuse. Dick was a " sneak," a " toady," a " spy," and many other things not less objectionable, each brutal epithet being garnished with oaths to make it still more anjiXravatinfr. In the high state of excitement that Dick was in, this unexpected and unprovoked attack at first bewildered him. Then, as he saw the other middies laughing in an amused way, and evidently enjoying the scene, his anger suddenly rose to white heat. On the floor beside him lay a heavy boot that one of the ollicers had taken off. Stooping down he picked '2V2 IIUNTINM; PinVATKKUS. tins lip, nnd let it- ll_v witli .'ill liis force ,strii,i,«4lit ,'it. r.iilst 1"()(|(* s ace II IS mm was ])t'i IVct, :in< I I lis action so (piick tlini llic ImiIIv, inkcn imawnrcs, 1im,<1 no time to ward oil" llic iiiissilt'. jind tli(> licnx y Ik-cI struck kini full in tlit> I'orcliciid. Willi a rcnrl'iil onlli Iu» stMn'i;'cr('(l Iwick upon n. Itcncli Itcsidc liini, wliilc Pick ll('(l to tlic ii])])(M' (l(>ck, and llic l)o.Mt luMiii;" :ilr'';idy IowcvcmI, Iu* s])ranL;' in, knowini;" well tli.'it llnlslrodc would not dare to follow liiiii tliitl UM- Tlii^ next ininiito tlic l)oat pnllcd oil' for tlit^ l)i"i,L;, ;ind Dick for^'ot cvcrythini;- in tlio excitement oi' tlie enterprise, Tliis was no mere pleasure trip l>y any im\'ins. Altlioiiii,li tlie brig n])peared to bo di\scrted, till' sliore l)(dniid lier was lined witli armed nuMi, wliose muskets l)e«>"an to speak even bcd'ore tlu; boats ca.me witliin rani;e iiid tlie splash of the bullets ai'ound them warned the darimx sailors that they could hardiv (^xiKH't to <>\>t oil' scathless. et on th(y pressed, row in i;' as steadily as 1 practisini;' for a I'ace ; and even when one of the men in the bow was hit, and had to i:;-ive up his oar, another took his place without a word, and the cutt(>r never lost speed. The nearer tliey pit to the stranded vessel the heavier ofrew the fire of musketrv, and it IIUNTINi; nM\ ATllKlfS. 2V\ avy 1i"'^ ;i(lt' ITnn, {\\r lH)}vt vino- well llow hhu • Uu' bnt;'- •iu by any 3 (losortocl, liHOii, whose l)Of\t.s Ciuno lots avoTint^ (mlr ,'i iiiii'aclf that more ol" tlici II WCl'C up his oar, 1,1 the cutter the stranded cetrv, anil it not iiit. I>iit tJic I'Vcncli, lin,|)|)ily, were very \uu)\- marksniun ; anttin^- her olf tlic reef and repaiiini,' her for service imder the union-jack. Wlien this was completed they gathered in a i^'roup hy the main-chains to discuss the situation, the marksmen on the heacli in the meantime keepiniGj up a continuous fusila.de, al- tliouii'h it was nothinuc better than y sheer waste of [)o\vder and hullets. The sublieutenant annoimced the result of , tlie inspection. "It's too bad, my hearties, but I'm afraid we've 214 1UINT1N(; IMM VATEEKS. run the ^^iiuntlut for notliing. There's no cliancc of gettiiiLj tlie brii;' oH'. She's badly hogged, and would sink tlie iiioiiienfc slie got l^ack into deej) water. The best thing we can do is to set her on fire, and get back to our sliip as (juiekly as possible." There were many exclamations of regret at this decision, but no one could question its soun(hiess. If the bri'^ were burned there would of course be no prize-money, and the men wdio had risked their lives to board her must fain be content with the satisfac- tion to be derived from the destruction of a dangerous enemy to British connnerce. It is an easy thing to set a ship on lire, and in a few minutes the flames w^ere leaping from the hold of the brig, and greedily licking the foot of the main- mast. Mr. Henderson shrewdly ordered the boats to stay alongside until the volume of smoke was suffi- cient to materially mask their retreat, and in this way, and by dint of vigorous rowing, they got out of range without any further casualties. Just as they reached the Gryphon the masts of the brig w^ent over the side with a startling crash ; and by the time that the frigate had got v/ell under way there was nothing left but the smoking skeleton of what had only a few hours before been a saucy llUNTixNli IMilVATEEKS. 215 liaiicc of id would er. The , and gut t at this Iness. li* •se be no bhuir lives D satisfac- dangcrous , and in a ;he hold of the niain- le boats to was suffi- ,nd in this oy got out privateer mounting eighteen long eighteen-poundci's, and carrying a crew of a hundred men. Sliortly after Dick returned to the Gryphon he was sent for by Captain Fitewell. Hi.s thoughts being- still engrossed with the privateer and her destruction, he took it for granted that he was to be asked some- tliing in reference to that subject, and was completely taken aback when the captain, regarding him with a look of unwonted sternness, said, — " Mr. Holland, I am informed that just previous to your going off in the cutter wdth Mr. Henderson you threw a heavy boot at Mr. Bulstrode, and injured him severelv in the face. Is that information correct :' " e masts of ding crash; v/ell under in"" skeleton ;en a saucy t -m (^iAPTEll XIV. aooD roll KviL. A 'V tlio cuptain's grave, searcliing (juestion, J)ick •^ ^ lluslit'd crimson. Until that nioinunt JJul- strodo li.id l)een entirely out of liis mind since the cutter puslied off to board tlie privateer. But now the recollection of his rash, reckless act of temper came full upon him, and with it a poignant apprehension that the injury inflicted had been of a far more serious nature than he ever intended or desired. " 1 did, sir," he replied, his countenance, that was over as open as a book, revealing the mingled feelings of contrition for his misdeed and anxiety for its victim which possessed his heart, " and I'm very, very sorry. And oh, sir, is he veiy much hurt ? " " The surgeon says it's quite a nasty cut," re- sponded Captain Fitewell. " Will you be good enough to explain how you came to be guilty of such misconduct ? " (JOOl) FOli KVIL. 217 stion, Dick 3incnt Bul- d since the ;. But now temper caiue ipprehcnsion a far uiore lesire attention of all in tlu^ room liavinii" heen attracted, wliich was just wliat linlstrode (h>sired, and lie liavini"- i-ot Ins wits toiietlicr and thoU'dit out i ' n C" n wliat lie would say, let his book fall slowly into his lap, gave a huL;"e yawn that was made foi- the occa- sion, and aU'ecting a di'awl that was intended to put nioj'e stress into his words, ret>arded Dick with a look of most aiiiiravatini*' insolence as he said, — " The little man is sorry, is he ; and he won't do it ao'ain ? He's found that uood little Christians shouldn't throw big boots at other people's heads." (;n()|) i(H; i:\ii,. 221 (liilV '*^ '^ ■ and «»ll»M' Vi'Solutinll. niulr itsrll' s s'uU', In- jind 1 ^i<'P'' on rciidinu- Dick stood luid ill tl>*' •0(1 Kivinjj; l>t.H'n U« (losirod tl\ou;j,l»t out )\vly into lii^^ (,r the occR- vUiM to put Dick with u saiclr-" iind he won't tie Christians ■lo's heads." TIhii raisinLj Ids voice so as to make il dlslinclK' andiltlr, altlioii''li ill (lie strainrd siltucc ol* (lie looi II not Ji woi-d lie bad s]iok('ii had liccii lost — " 1 )o yf)n hear liiiii, r<'llo\vs :* lie's hrL,rni|,;^r my pardcai, and )roimsinL: no t, t(. li siicli a, nail'. -idv litt: no }' aL;Min. Sluill wc k'ss and Ix- IViiiids i* What do y on sa Tlic words tlicnisclvcs were not so aL^^L;ravatinL( as tlic tone in which they were nttcrcMl, and the hrntal leer tliat accompanied th(! speaker's utterance. A crimson Ihish snil'iised J)ick's I'ace, and Ids liands unconsciously clinch-jd tlieinselves into lists, while his eyes Mashed fiercely and his teisth set tij^htly. Jle dill not hear tlu; murmur of disL,nist that arose from the other midshipmen, noi* the si^iiilicant turnini;' of their ])acks wdiich constituted the only reply they ileiuned to liive to Unlstrodt^'s cliallen: II IS w hol( soul was absorbed in the struL,^L;le to keep hack the huniinn- words tliat seemed to throb witldn him. T\\ lc(5 they almost burst forth, and twice Ijy a heroic effort he held them hack Then, not (larini;' to trust himself any fui-tliei*, Ik; threw back his head as o no more, though to say, " It's no use — I can d and turnine; on his heel left tlie j-un-room amid a decided munmu' of sympathy. I'ulsti'ode hurst into 0')0 (iooi) i-()i{ i:vni. a loud, li.'irsli liuii;li, as if Ik^ tlioni^lifc tJic alljiir an ('XC(>lli>nt j<)l<»\ altlioiiLi^li in liis Ijcart lie i-cnli/tMl \\o. had l)orno liiiiiscir conspicuously ill, anii' associates was con- corned, Dick hcyond all (picstion carried oil' the ad- vantaiie. In a strann'i* tumult of emotion J)ick made his way to liis eyry in tlie main-top, whei'o, secure from all observation, lie could iiive vent to the feelinij^s tliat wonld no longer he controlled, lie was cnt to the heart hy what he considered the hnmiliation he had nnd(M'<2fone, and not even the conviction that in otlerino' the apolooy he had done only what was his simple duty as a Christian 11' tho ad- „(lc li'iH way ro from all cut to tho ,tion l\o had on that hi k'hat ^vas his h comfort, ndcrly came t the whole than Dicl^ ^v until snn- |o to a n-iuch e looked and Ic his appcar- hl events. It Inting tactics; to understand that lie woidd he, waielied thenccfoi'ih, and at i\\() si II;] I test attempt to repeat any ol' tlu'iu would he dis- niisscMl from tlui ship iimiiediately. Knowing- the captain to he a mnn of Ins word, r>nlsti'()d(! took heed to tlu; injunction, and contented hims(ilf with scowlinjij fiercely at Dick anhovt rambled doNvn the main slirouds at a rate tliat was nothing sliort of perilous. lleacliing tlu^ (k>ck, he pickc^l np a coil of: small rope, and rusliing to th(5 laihvarks, tossed one end of it to Tenderly, wlio had followed close upon his licels, wound the otluir end around his left wrist, and then sayinuj, " Keep a good hold, Arthu ', and help dl you can," S2'>rang feet first into the water, wliere i)ulstrode was sinking for the second time, with the sharks gathering close about him, ready to rend liim to pieces. Now Dick was a splendid swimmer, and, aided by the rope, would have found little difficulty in rescuing L'vcn so bulky a fellow as Bulstrode under ordinary circumstances ; but it was a very different matter with a number of man-eating sharks cavorting about ready to devour whatever came within reach of their hor- rible jaws. By this time the bulwarks were lined with officers find men, some shouting directions to Dick, while others with long boat-hooks tried to harpoon the sharks, and others still lowered themselves down the side by ropes, so as to lend assistance at the earliest possible moment. The excitement was intense, yet in the midst of it all there was no one more self-possessed than Dick. U23) 15 22(; (JOOD FOK, EVIL. So cn^'rcsscd was ho in the Ijiisincss of rescue tliat he took no t]ioiiL;"ht for anythiiii,^ else. He succeeded in g'raspini;' lUilstrode at tlie first dive, and rose to the surface witli liini held by the collar. " Keep still now," he cried, as the big fellow striiL;-i;'led and sputtered. " Here, take this rope : " and lie thrust the rope into his hands, which in- stantly closed upon it with a grip which only a drowning man can give. — " Now then, Arthur, pull away ! " he cried, turning his face towards the ship. Half-a-dozen eager pairs of hands laid hold with Arthur, and in a few moments Bulstrode was drawn alongside, where other hands grasped him viid passed him up to the deck. The moment he was relieved of his burden, Dick struck out for the ship on his own account, and for the fii'st time realized into what deadly peril he had sprung. The sharks were all about him, their dor- sal hns cleavini:: the water to riiiht and left, and their white forms o-loamino' throui:'h its translucent O D O green. So bold were they that they seemed to dis- pute his right of way back in spite of the shower of missiles that descended upon them from the excited sailors. Splashing as much as possible, Dick forged ahead 10 tlmt he ^cccdcil in Qj^o to tlio bin- follow to rope;" wliicli iu- Licli only ii \rtluir, puU s the ship. (1 hold with 5 was drawn 1 rnd passed burden, Dick ount, and i'ov peril he had m, their dor- and left, and bs translucent ccmcd to dis- thc show-er of the excited Im k {or!2:eel 1 ahead 'I'dlTrail drorr //ir /.in/', < /< ill- tih So (he Jiilt in llw iiioiiftcf' .< I !'i 1^^ --/ •MUMMMIMAa .lllllllllli GOOD FOl? KVTL. 227 until his hand clasped a rope cleverly thrown l>y Boatswain TaftVail. " Heave ho, my hearties ! " ho cried the moment his fingers closed upon it. The men obeyed with such a will that he was well-nigh lifted clear of the water, and it seemed as if ho would escape scathless after all, when the largest of the sharks, as if determined he should not, made a desperate rush and caught his left foot in its cruel mouth. Poor Dick gave a scream of mingled fright and pain, at which old Taffrail, no longer able to restrain himself, slid down one of thiC ropes with his sheath-knife be- tween his teeth, threw liis left arm around the shai-k's head to steady himself, and then drove the knife clear up to the hilt in the monster's eye. It was magnificently done, and a thrilling cheer went up from the spectators ; for, writhing in agony, the shark let go its hold, and sank back into the water already crimsoned with its blood. The moment Dick was released, those who held the rope drew him up to the deck, which he reached just in time to fall dowm in a dead faint. When he came to himself he was in his own hammock, with the surgeon bending anxiously over 228 GOOD FOR EVIL. him. TTis f(X)t Imrt so mncli tlint involiiiitavil}'' ho put his liand down to it, to feel if it liad hccii torn oil" liy the serrated tectli of tlu^ slini-I\. Undcrstandiun- tlie moveiiient, tlio surgeon sai ^ witli n reassurini; smile, — " Oil, it's tluMH^ still. I^H'tty hadly scraped, to be sure; hut we'll make it all rii^lit n^ain." Miicli comforted, J)ick sank haek .ai^^ain on his pil- low, and after a moment's quiet asked, — "How's lUilstrodc?" " None the worse for his ducking," responded the surgeon, in n tone of decided indill'erence ; "you're the one we're concerned about. You had a close sha\''3 for it, I tell you, Dick. If that brute had caught you a little higher up, I wouldn't like to answer for the consequences." Dick closed his eyes to hide the tears that fd led them. What a horrible death it would have been ! And his mother — surely it would have broken her heart. How thankful he should be to Divine pi'ovi- dence, which oiice more had so signally protected him. And he w^as thankful. He believed with all his heart that God had delivered him, and while his eyes con- tinued closed, his lips moved as he rendered praise to the Lord omnipotent. The surgeon, thinking he was falling asleep, slipped (;()()!) I(M: iiviL. 220 vily ho put torn oiV \-y andinji; the no- smile, — •aped, to be I on lu« pi^- 'sponded the ice; "you're a close shav'i d caught you swer for the rs that fdled 1 have been! c broken her bivine provi- l-)rotected him. [i all his heart his eyes cou- )red praise to asleep, slipped (juit^tly away, and wluii Pick opened Ins eyes Ten- derly stood in liis plne(^ liis tliiii sallow countenance so full of sympathy and concern tliat ])iek could not f()rl)ear a smile, despite the i)anL;s tliat shot up from liis injured foot. At sight of the smile 'J'enderly brightened up amaz- ingly. " Oh, T am so glad ! " lie exclaimed ; " you'll soon be all right, won't you, ])ick ? And oh, J)ick " — hero his lips trend )led and his voice (piivered, while the tears gathered in his palc-bluo eyes — " I was so di-eadfully fiightened when the shark canu; at you, I wanted to jump right in too. But you know I can't swim, and then dear good Taffrail jumped, and I knew he'd pull you out." Dick could not forbear another snnle. The idea of Tenderly jumping into the water to rescue him had something so absurd about it. The boy could not swim a stroke — he disliked the v.ater too much to learn; and as for trying coiielusions \:ith a shark, why, the shark would probably bite him in two before he knew what had happened to him. But of course Dick said nothinof of all this to his friend. He took his hand and pressed it warmly, saying, — i>;i() ({ODD r()l{ KVIL. " YouVo a ^ood fellow, Artliiir, luni you'd «iainl l»y mo {inywluM-o, I know, ^^)l^ll li{iv<» a cluuicc soiiio day to (li.stiiiL;iii.sh yom.si'ir. You ,s(!0 if you don't." 1\'iid(M-ly's fact* L;re\v rjidiaut. "1 do 1jo])(^ I will!" lie (wclainu'd oxcitudly; "1 do so want to , Istrodc siiys ioht too" bo to tlu5 stato- •ankly-Hased ])ick almost s praise, praises of a en overcome, nous service. )ne that Bul- n Llundcring- le hard crust been broken that Avas In |rc in bis life ^msclf, and in ;e be did not licsitat(5 to follow u\) Ills words of Hi>n,titnilt' with a fijudv apology for Ids past nnsconducl ami a fcrvcint recpiest that it nii^lit be forgiven. DieU's I'csponsc was as ])i'onipt and licarty as words and tone conld iiiakc! it, and the two liad (piite a plea- sant chat toLicthcr. Presently Lieutenant M'Kinstry came aloni^^ witli tlie <;o()d news that the (ir>ii>li(>ii was to ]»ut hack to KinLCston, where Dick miijht i) Foil i:vii.. 283 J dock for y installed sed at the for lie was 'ed to talk, xrniting Ids lis company xt week, and seemed to be 1- the sea by ashore. |r cured. He id was very ,oner had his itting a boot Le announced Ifor duty, and not persuade you know, I'm only a nuddy, and I mustn't do any- tldn,L( tliat looks liko sliirkin;^." So witli iiumy promisi's to i-cturn at the tirst oppor- tunity Dick Ijado his kind t'lit'iids good-hye, and went ])ack to th(! friL;atc. As he stepped on hoard lie was met hy I^ieutenant M'Kinstry, whose face brightened at siglit of him, and who immediately said, — "0 Dick, I'm so glad you've turned up! I was hoping you would put in an appearance to-day. llow would you like to go with me to Diamond Rock ? " ttingly ; " I'l^^ me to stay iike a prince, il I feel ; but, CHAPTER XV DIAMOND ROCK. DICK was quite taken abaci by this unexpected question. He knew no more of Diaiiiond ]t<;ck than he did of Timbuctoo, and had not the remotest idea whether the lieutenant was o-oino- Imnting, hshino', or lighting. But, after all, what did it ma,tter ? So long as his friend was going, that was cnouii'li for him. "Diamond Rock, sir?" he answered, after a mc- ment's hesitation. " I don't know anything about it ; but if you want me to go, I'm ready." " Spoken like a man ! " exclaimed the lieutenant, clapping him warmly on the back. " You know almost as much about Diamond Rock as I do, and we'll soon find out the rest. Sit down now, and I'll tell you what's in the wind. This Diamond Rock lies off the south side of Martinique, about three-quarters of a mile from the shore. I've often sailed by it, and DIAMOND HOCK. 235 unexpected ji Diamond lad not the was going all, what did ino\ that was after a uic- in^*" about it ; le lieutenant, "You know as I do, and now, and I'li ,nd Kock lies ihrce-quarters lied by it, and would have taken a good squint at it if I'd ever thought they were going to s\n\) me there. I never saw anybody on it, and thuy do say the sea-crabs and tlie birds were the only garrison it ever had before. It's the admiral's own notion scndinir some men and guns to the rock, and he's full of tlio idea ; says that if all goes well he'll have the island rated on the king's books as a sloop of war, and treated as such. It's no end of a brio-ht scheme, I think mvself ; for with half-a-dozen good guns, a hundred men, and plenty of ammunition, H.]\I.S. Dittmond Rock ought to do a power of damage to j\[onsieur Parlez-vous' vessels, and make it a tough job for them to get in and out of Fort Royal Bay." Dick listened with flashinii,- eves. Here was an adventure fit to stir the spirit of the dullest boy. " Oh, how glad I am, sir, that you've asked me to go with you ! " he burst out, looking up gratefully into the lieutenant's face. " It's going to be splendid fun, I know. How soon shall we go tliere ? " " Just as soon as we can fit out. If there's anj* thing you want on shore, Dick, j'Ou'd better lay it in. It may be months before you get off Diamond Kock, if Bony's ships don't drive you oflV Three days sufficed for the necessary preparations, 36 DIAMUNL) KOCK. Sir Samuel Hood being impatient to carry out his design, and a])Out the middle of November tlie Gryplton sailed upon her curious mission. She had on board for Diamond Rock one hundred men, sixty being- sailors, and tlio rest marines carefully picked from tlie crews of tlie different vessels in port — the Gruphon contributing twenty-five as her share, besides her first lieutenant and one of her midshipmen. Half-a-dozen guns, a large quantity of ammunition, and abimdance of provisions and water in tanks constituted the garrison's equipment. The slant across to Martinique was prosperously made, no sign of French vessels being seen, and in good time the Gryphon slipped past Point Varin, and stood off the mouth of Cul de Sac Marin to reconnoitre. The coast was clear. The secret had been well kept, and no preparation made to give the frigate a hostile reception. " It looks as though we were going to have plain sailing, Dick," said Mr. M'Kinstry, rubbing his hands gleefully together. " We ought to be able to get everything up on the rock in a couple of days if the weather holds fine." " Is that Diamond Rock, sir ? " asked Dick in a surprised tone, pointing to a peak that rose sheer out of the sea before them. " How, under the skies, are .. 1 „ ! DIAMOND ROCK. 287 ry out bis [le Gryphon a on board sixty being cd from tbe he Gryphon ides ber first Half-a-dozen d abundance istituted tbe prosperously a, and in good m, and stood >nnoitre. Tbe kept, and no tile reception, to bave plain no- bis bands able to get )f days if tbe led Dick in a [rose sbeer out tbe skies, are o we to ofet guns up tbero, wben T can't make out any way of getting up ourselves ? " " It'll be a smart job, no doubt, my boy, but wo must manage it somebow. Tl lore's a bit of a beacb on tlie otber side, I bear," answered tbe lieutenant. A smart job it proved indeed. On tbe soutb side tlie island stood up from tbe water as straigbt as a wall; on tbe cast, the frowning cliffs, marked witb gaping caves, dared anybody to approach tbem ; on the north, a steep slope crowned with a grove of fig trees offered no encouragement. On the west side alone conld any hint of a landing-place be discovered, and the narrow beach there had a fringe of foam that said plainly, " Beware of breakers." But, breakers or no breakers, a landing had to be eflfected, and Lieutenant M'Kinstry, accompanied by Dick, jumped into one of the lightest cutters, and with half-a-dozen of the best oarsmen rowed for the shore. When they reached the outer edge of the breakers, the lieutenant, taking a keen glance ahead, gave directions for the perilous passage. " Dick, run forward there, and stand by to jump the moment she beaches, keeping a tight grip on the painter. — Now, my men, head her straight for the shore, and pull for all you're worth. Give way ! " 2^8 DIAMONJ) ROCK. As one man tlio six brawny sailors buried tlicir blades in the water, iiiakinG: the stout .isli bend like willow wands in their grasp. The swift boat shot forward with the dart of a dolphin, and in a few moments the breakers were foamino- and frothino; all about her. " Steady now, steady ! " shouted the lieutenant ; " all together. Hit her up ; hit her up ! " The oarsmen put every ounce of strength they had into the work, looking neither to right nor left, watching only their steersman. Flung from billow to billow like a feather, the cutter still kept on her way, until a huge comber, taking her upon its broad bosom, pitched her high up the weltering beach. " Jump now, Dick, quick ! " cried Mr. M'Kinstry. But before the words reached Dick he had sprung from the boat, painter in hand, and running out its full length dug his heels into the sand and held on ; while the sailors, leaping ashore after him, grasped the gunwale, and ere the next billow had time to charge the cutter was beyond its reach. " Well done all ! " exclaimed the lieutenant. " Kroomcn couldn't have done it better. Have you taken much water ? " Dick was pretty well sprinkled, and the men had DIAMOND ROCK. 239 iricd their bend like , boat shot in a few frothing all lieutenant ; 5th they had lit nor left, from billow kept on her its broad beach. llCinstry. had spruno' ming out its and held on ; him, grasped had time to lieutenant. Have you the men had on their feet wet, but the liot sun would soon repah' that niisclucf, and in high spirits they made the boat snug, and set ofi* to explore the isLuid. They found that in order to climb its precipitous back they must crawl round to the north-west side through narrow crannies and over slippery bouhlers, at no small risk of broken necks, until they reached the slope with the fig trees atop. Then the going became less difhcult, and presently they reached the grove, and wdth vast si^chs of relief threw themselves down to rest in its orateful shade. When they got their breath they completed their survey of the place. It proved to be a mass of rock about a mile in circumference, and rising some six hundred feet above the sea. Caves and grottos, large and small, pitted its face, tenanted by goats, bats, and birds wdtliout number ; serpents and lizards sunned themselves upon the rocks or slid noiselessly through the rank herbage, rabbits hopped in and out of their burrows, marine and tropical birds in endless variety and uncountable numbers cawed and shrieked and chattered their protests against intrusion upon their domain. It was wonderfully interesting to Dick. To live in a big cave on an uninhabited island ; to hunt goats 2A() DIAMOND \Un'K t\Ui\ Itinls i'or aiimstMnciii., jind cMiinoii.'ulc l^'i'ciicli fl(M>ts for l)Msiiu>ss; to IjoM this fortrcvss nujainst. ilu* aitacks tlio KnMicli wiM'(^ bound (t) make' so soon as tlicy found ouf wliat liad l>r»>n done if ihvvo was not suflicicnt of hoih I'oniantM' and advontun^ about tins, wliy, lio didn't know what romance and adv(>n(.un' nioa-nt. "() Mr. M'Kinstry," lio oxckainuM], in tlio fidnoss of his lioart, " lunv glad I am you hrounht mo with vt>u ! T woiddn't wish anythinu;: hotter than to stay on Diamond Uook ; and 1 do hope the Frenchmen will iiivo us plenty to do." i' 1 ft. " Neyer you f(\'ir about that, my fierce little fire- eater," smiled the licnitenant; " once Johnny Crapaud finds us out he will do his best to make it warm for us. But see here, wo nuist look about for some way of getting up our guns and other things. Wo can never bring them through those breakers." A careful survey of the rock was accordingly made, but no practicable mode of effecting their object seemed to present itself, and the lieutenant felt some- what disconcerted, when a happy thought flashed into Dick's bright brain, to which ho gave instant expres- sion. "I have a plan, sir," he said modestly; "perhaps it could be worked." ;t. Uh* aitJU'ks IS tlicy found not suflieicnt this, wliy, lu» (' meant. 1 the fulnoss liilit mo with than to stay Frenchmen •CO Httio flre- umy Crapand it warm for r some way of Wo can never •rdingly made, their object ant felt some- it flashed into nstant expres- (t Wli.-ifc W '.r, SI ill <''"i over tl„>, ^'AMoxD rjocrv. 24X >'u-o it. I I; the i () 'P of II "' '""■■^'in,i.-l.-„.|j ly i\] () ^^'r^^'uia Urn e 1 <'ii hoai'd. '^' I'wk, .-u„| i] "i-hl l„. ii^,,i '''^ i,^"ns Jiove „|, ],y ^, to K! men ^''^"((>nant M'Kinst, lVi>'ll I "'>P, •ind till ■•>^ '^P^-""^^ to Jiis n,,fc '^■<' hnu a I,,,,, ^^. "OWJM"- hi wilj 1 a « n 'y '' orthy ,,r a ) ■^ 'inii.s around i)lck 'ea,r. o\-(' youiiM-sfcr.r," I ins P""^'*'-' T/i.-it's (,1 10 cii,.,l, - / |„.i levo C'lrivd to nie '" ^^-'y <'''in,Lr! mid you re it S( )•( l"'nt of t},e ,)J ">IIU» aloi 'port. A cl P''ic(', and tl '" ""•' '-t us t;tl, gt) hack to the s] never oc len i^'o a o-,,o(I 11 p and ;«cr examination showed ^vas quite feasihle so Ion and in Iiio-h as t] that Dick's sch OHIO S^' spirits they returned ^^' «oa continued cal in. S'^^ttino. a ..^od ; the cuttei ^^"-- ^'n tlio process of I 7/P^Mn, aunci unnr G aptain FitcweJl at ;-ave orders for it '^y- Fifty men once del to be ''I'Pi-ovcl of tl,e plan, an.l ^-•^"■iecl into effect witl.out "vctions to waive their wore .sent ofF to ti.e rock with fn'o-ate care 'f""y edged in as dos ^vay round to the clifK TI 10 tly ; " perhaps | U,.„„ ,,er position i,y anchor, out f ' ■ '"«^ fastened to the shore T " ""'' "" '"" (,„ ^h»>« by means of grapnels DIAMOND UOCK. A lilV-liiic w)is ilu'ii .shot to tliu top oT tlu' I'ock, jnul l)y it ;i lu>n,vior ro]i(' wns «lrawn up, find liiinlly a 'j^wnt (';il)l(', wliicli siTVi'd as a stny. A scoui'o purcliaso was fasti'iKMl to tlio rock, travt'lk'rs wcro cleverly arran^i^cd to ])<'iss upon tlio stay, tlu* l;tjis ^vvrc laslicil 10 th(\so travcHois, and tlieii, witli many a " lIcaNcdio "' antl "All toij'etluM','' tlio licavy masses ol' metal were slowly but su('C(\ssi'ully lioisiiM] up to th(>ir aiiy eni- l)i-asuivs, Captain FitcwcU lookini^' on Avith approving smiles, and rubhini;" his liands witli satisfaction at tlu; prospci-ons proceeding* ot' so daring" and didicult an enterprise. Good fortune attended every step of the \ni(k:r- takin^'. The weather continued most propitious day after day. Not a mishap occurred, perilous thoui;]i most of tho work was; no French man-of-war appeared upon the scene to hiterfcro with the prog- ress of business ; and by the end of the third day Fort Diamond was o-ujuicd, ixairisoned, . -rovisioncd. and read}' for operations oirc^nsivc and defensive. On the queen s birthday thi^ union-jack Ikmg out it- scarlet folds gaily to the breeze from tho topmo>t peak ; tho batteries roared out a royal salute, to whicli tho frigate replied : Diamond Eock was formally put in commission as a sloop of war, to be henceforth rated a^ DTAMOM) nOCK. 2!3 u> rock, n^a oro cli'vcrly - lloave-lio" i' iiu'tal ^vorc UAy airy om- ilh appvoviiv-;' ;fiutiou at V^^' ul dltUcult an such npon tlio Ijooks of i\\v Adminilty ; an«l tlnni with ,'i ])!irlinL;" cliccr tin; (i I'l/plioii. sailed MAvny, U'.'ivin;^ Lu!iiti.'iuint (now (*aptaiii) Mivinstry jukI liis littlo force to tak(i care of tlieiiisclvcs. 'riic armament of the rock bad Ix^en tlnis arranuiid. On tlie norili-west side was tli>^ slope witli tlie grovo of i\attery. Jjctweeri tlu; two l)atteri(\s a ro[)(!-ladder was ilxed by which tlu! garrison passed to the niiddle of the rock, wdiero a third twenty-four pounder constituted Hood's Bat- tery. Thence the ascent to the top wound through shrubs and over ci-ags, and upon the sunnnit were two long eighteen pounders, and a llagstafF defiantly Haunt- ing the union-jack. In the caves, many of wdiich w^cre perfectly dry and clean, were stowed cai-efully away abundance of ani- iiiiinition, provisions, and water, the water on the rock 244 DIA310XD ROCK. having a strong mineral quality which prevented its being used for general purposed. All this was very delightful to Dick. Tt out- stripped anytliing he had ever heard in the way of adventure, and it u Ided much to his enjoyment that he had a companion to whom he could exclaim over and over again how delightful it was ; for Tenderly was with him. When the poor little fellow^ heard of Dick's going to Diamontd l\ock, ho made up his mind that h}'- liook or by crook ho would go too. He told Dick about it, and Dick made known his desire to Mr. M'Ki^x^iry. " Tut ! no," was the response at first. " I don't want him. He's not good for anything. He'd only be in the way." But wdien, after Dick's brilliant solution of the problem of landing the guns, etc., he at Tenderly's solicitation renowned the request and pressed it earnestly, Mr. M'Kinstry relented enough to say, — " Well, 1 don't mind particularly. Suppose you ask the captain about it yourself." Dick promptly took the hint, and preferred his petition at headquarters. Captain Fitcwell was too well pleased with his ingenious little midshipman to DIAMOND ROCK. 24.5 jvcntcd its Tt out- the way of )ymcnt that exclaim over ;or Tenderly Dick's going und that hy Flo told Dick desire to ^Iv. •St. "I ^^0^'^ He'd only tlution of the at Tenderly's c\ pressed it y\\ to say,— fupposc you ask preferred his Itcwell was too Imidshipman to refuse liim any reasonahlo re(|ucst, and as he could easily spare Tenderly, his answer was satisfactory. "Take him along with you hy all means, if you want him. He'll he company for you, and he'll he out of the way of his shipmates, who ilnd so nnich pleasure in roughing him." So, to his unspeakahle joy, Tenderly got permission to accompany his doughty champion ; and thus the two passed out of the reach of Bulstrode's tormenting, and, as it happened, nc\'er came within it again, he hcing transferred to another ship Ijcforc they rejoined the Gryphon. In the course of a couple of days things got pretty well into shape at Diamond Rock, and they were ready to receive visitors. The garrison consisted of sixty sailors, all men in the prime of life, chosen especially for good conduct, and forty marines, equally good in their way — the latter being under command of Lieutenant Watson, a sociable, good-natured fellow and excellent officer, who made the fourth member of a quartette that promised to pull famously together. The ward-room, as they called the cave in which they took up their abode, made quite comfortable quarters, being high in the roof, large in extent, and as free from dampness as a cave in the West Indies »ji(; ni \'\lnM> i;(KK couM 1>(\ Tlu'v IiMil n. ri'spcci.'iMr onllii ol' ImMc; imkI rlu'iirs. mikI iuslt'.'nl ol* slin;<;iii-;' ilirir li.'iiniiiocK'^ \'n)U\ (» roof. Ilu'v h;iil sImikIm for (lirm «'(iiinI iiiclctl whicli \v«M"«» very ('»>nv«Mii(M>l. I'ImcIi iiimu I»io\|"Ii1, liismliiv kil. I'tM' llit'it* \\Ms no kn()\vini>- liow loii!'- Iluir slnv iniL;l»l> lu> ; niul on llic jnl\ ice of Mr. Mi\iiislrv. Pick li.'ul pro\iiI(Ml Iiitiiscir •,]{. I'.Mrlindors uilh Ji i;o()(l shol !^iiu MH(I Inintiiii'' knil'tv r>V (lie lirsi. oi' |)(H'<'nil>rr (lu-y nil rdt iIioron<'liI\ i\i \\o\\u\ '.\\h\ ihc'w (liilirs l)t>iii«;; ('oni]);n';i(i\('Iy Ii,'.",lil, (luM'i^ WMs plcnly of liint' Tor siu'li .'nunscnicnl. jis (lie |il;u*o mIIoviKmI. Dit'k. widi Tciidt riy ul liis side, scl, liinisi^ir iirs(, of nil io o\\)\ ft vi^'our wrestled witli one anotlu^r for elbow-room and sunlight —palms, ceiku's. oaks, and iron-woods intcM'- kicini;' and stranii'linu: eacli otlier witli tluMr wildly- distorted hmhs, whiU^ over and above them all ran the climbin!! lianas like the cordau'e of a i'ull-riii'^vd ship, and the parasites that fattened upon the decay DIAMOND i;n'n- sliiy inslry. !>i»*l^ iilivi-ly li;j;l'*. Murnt. .MS ili'^ , bis si*l(\ srl, , jvuil cvmniy ;cM|H^ from :i' ul !i lhousnn]>'u'-Ml s(/il, vv(>llous ricli- Imi iinnuM»si> H)\V-V001H iiiul -w(1(m1s intov- iheiv wiMly- tluMH nil v;in on the decay (»r llic ininks lln'Y rinlnnci d. |m i IVcl, 1 v|»<'M nl' |tiliI(ir ..iniwil"' ldc very cnrifnl, l)ick luy I'oy," li*; (old liini. "TIhtc jiic l,n' ; nnd ilicn ilic sci'|)('nis <^\\i'. ilicni nil a \vid(> IxM'tli, Tor yon don't- know wlicn you'll conio, ncross a frr-th'-hon'c, nnd if lie ^ivcs yon ilic. in(!r(!.st louch of Ids I'ntiL;', no docior on cnrili can lidp you." ''Thi) f^r-dr.-lit'iicr, !" exclaimed Dick. " Wlmt is il, lil \vil«l<'i(', U) lu> Mirc ! '■ 'riu' lii'i> IVoiii llu' rock was t(>rri''i\' car away, until tl li(Mi' on Iv cl ianc(» w as to keen strMiulit on u>v con M )ass hcNond ran-rc and as iuck wonkl ]\'A\c il, tlic lirc(V(> IVIl bcl'oi'c* tln\v conki all acconi- plisli this, IcaNini;' a !.;,ron]) of tluan ri^lH, iinckM* Mu^ l)a tt lU'lCS. Ill tlic wbok' liistory ol" tlii> licitisli navy tlua\! |ii\>lviMy nc\cr \\as sncli v.n cxti'aordinary iar^'ci Itivu'tit'o ; \'ov altlioULi'h iho sliips n^pliiMl to tlio luvst ol' tlu'ir al)ilit\', they nuLilii just, as well liav** sa\'C(l tlioir annnuuition. Their tormentors were* so hiL;li above ihcin that only mortavs ccndd rt^acli them, anil the tk\^t had no mortars on board. So tlu*y wcm'c fain to eontont thomsolvos with iierco and I'ntilo poundinp; at the foot of tlie clills, wliilo Ca})tain M'Kinstrv and liis merrv mou, saf(dv (Miseonanl above the line of tire, pe^'i^vd away without the distraction of having" to d(x]^j:c an iron liail. After the cannonade had been miinji' on for some time, l^ick's lieart be^'an to rek^nt. Tt didn't see m a A (lAI.LAM' DIll'llNCI-:. 255 I'.'iir li'>li() li.imincriiiL!' like llii.< .'il, vessels \vlii«'li ('onM (l«\sti'uctiv<'. lid not. itrnr str!n,'j,lit on IS iiu'k wouM (1 nil juroiu- lil, uudvv tlio on for some klidii't seeivi ;i iiijike no retinn. So he scr.'Mnitleil down j,]ie n l.'iddcr, ,Mn il ])i'(>(iy l)!id dose nli'e,'i W(>. cnn do tlieui llie hellei-. So haek to your hatteiy, nnd lire away until the. la^t vessel 's out ol" rnnL!"e." 1 1 is nniul reli(;\<'> would come alon^' and re- stock lis with water and anununition, for as sure as my name's Gordon we'll have a siege of it." The union -jack was hoisted upside down in token of distress, and the sea was swept by the glasses day after day, but no sign of a British vessel appeari'd to gladden the eyes of the look-outs. In the mean- time every preparation was lade for a lengthened siege. Yet the weeks passed and the enemy came not. Then one cloudy afternoon a solitary sail was observed beating up from the south against a north- east wind. With wdiat intense eagerness every mov^- men^ of the vessel was w^atched as she tacked to and fro, evidently making for Diamond Rock or Cul de Sac ]\Iarin ! On she came dipping and rising through the white caps, until every sail could be distinguished. Captain M'Kinstry w\as scrutinizing her w^ith beatin^' heart. Suddenly he dropped the telescope and sang out joyfully, — A GArr.AXT PKFEXCE. 257 that ever id Captain i events of " I wish to )x\rf and re- as sure as ^•n in token rrlasses day sol appeared n the niean- lengthcned enemy came iry sail was inst a north- every movc- .cked to and Ik or Cul de ,sing through flistinguished. with beatinp: ,pe and sanii The blessed old (i I'upliov. by Jove ! Huvrah ! w il gc^ ev'.-ry thing wo noLil now." The (ir>Ji>J/(>ii 'j was, come to see what was wnnted at Diamond Iloek, and to i-riiew supplies. I'p under the lee of the I'ock she cleverly tacked, and then hove to ^\ ith a signal flying to come on board. "I will go off to the ship, Dick," said Ca) un ^['Kinstiy, "and leave you in charge until \ a in • hack. Don't let the rock run away with you." Dick lauiihed mei-rily. " No fear of the rock run- ning away with me, sir ; Init please don't you let the Gryphon run away with you, or we'll be in a pretty had fix here," ho answered. There was a hearty welcome on board the (iryphon for the commander of Diamond Rock ; and over a hottle of the captain's best madeira he told the story of the attack upon the allied fleet with great gusto, while the cabin rang with praises of himself and men. In the meantime a su(hl<'n and serious change took place in the weather. The sky darkened and lowered until it seemed as though the heavy clouds were rest- ing upon the peak of the rock, the wind sank into an oniinous calm, and ac;'ain burst forth into o-usts of fitful violence. The air felt nuirky and oppressive. So threatening were the appearances that the officer im) 1 7 A^ '•^'i .1^1 2.58 A GALLANT DKI- lONCIO. oil w.'itc'li took upon liiinsi'ir to send word to Mr, l\I'Kiii.stry that tlu^ wratlior was n-(>ttiii,^' vwy iiL;ly, and ho liad pcrliaps lictior run up on deck and liavti a look at it. Captain M'Kinstry appcNinnl at onco in nvsponso to this sunnnons, and as ho did a fiovQw ]»last of wind rushcMJ Wli(>u tin; captain Itoardcd tlie fiiL;ate, l^ick ascended Sunnnifc J'attcry, and tliere, spy-i;lass in liand, anmsed hiniscdi' looking down on tlu^ d r>//>/i(n}, and tryinuf to make out tlie diU'crent (ii^nn's on hei* is breath. His spirit stirred iiiii^htily within liiin. It was a glori- ous opportunity. lie would take conunand of the sailors, and hi>-lit it out with the i'oreiu'n lleet until the last pound of powder was spent. Springing to his I'eet with a radiant, determined face, he held out his hand to the h'm J^funner. " Wci'll do it, Tom," he cried, as the huge brown paw infolded his, " you and I together ; and let us get to work right away." Lieutenant Watson was not over well pleased when he heard of the arrangement, l-it he had sufficient penetration to perceive that any argument would he worse than useless ; and like a loyal servant of the king, he set himself to perform his part to the best of his ability. He posted his twoscorc marines in the shrubbery that faced the bit of beach, so that they could, without exposing themselves, pour a gall- ing fire upon any Ijoats that might attempt to effect a landing. A dozen sailors, armed with Ijoardinc;- pikes and cutlasses, took up position on either Hank of his force, while the remaining blue-jackets were divided among the batteries. Dick went up to Sum- A c;ai.lant dhfenck. 203 you please, rcath. His /as a glori- land o£ tlio 1 ilcet until determined ner. huge brown •; and let us pleased wben had sufficient lent would he ;crvant oi the rt to the best Ire marines in beach, so that IS, pour a gall- ■cnipt to ett'ect Ivith hoardin.u- ^n either flank A-jackets were ■nt up to Bnni- iiiit Battery, Tenderly was assigned Hood's l-Jattery, Tom TaflVail tlic Queen's ; and tlien ])iamond Kock was ready for action. Tlie hostile fleet presented an imposing appearance as it moved out of the l)ay and invested ])iamond Itock. It consisted of the I'luton and BcrvAclc, stately seventy-fours, towering up like veritable castles ; the Siren, a stout forty-gun frigate ; the Arguf^, a trim l)rig mounting sixteen guns ; Le Fien, a schooner showini'" eiuhteen swivels ; and eleven gunboats, each carrying three guns of small calibre. On board the vessels were fifteen hundred troops, ])rovided wdtli scaling-ladders and every appurtenance for a siege. Nearly three hundred guns and full three thousand men came out to attack one hundred men and five guns. Well was it for the defenders of Diamond Eock that their position w^as as strong as nature could make it, wdiile their assailants had no sort of cover. Completely encircling the isL nd so as to engage all its batteries at once, the French fleet approached within easy range. Then the big IkrcjicL' opened lire, and the other vessels rapidly following her ex- ample, in a few minutes the action was in full swing. What a wonderful scene it made on that biMLiht IMI. A (; A 1,1, \N r i>i;i unci;. M;iV nioinii)"- : (Iii> lil(l(> isljiiiil (linisliiiL! iis incK\' r ;ik lii"li iiiln ;iir, .mikI di'ckcd with (Ir.iiiii ic;; df \i\ii| mir li ((innil, llnshcs o\' li;;li( niii",. rollowcl Ity (ln" icnr nl' (•.•iiiikhi .•mil (1>(* tmIIIc oI' iiiiiskt'lry. (lie liii", fl" slii|>.; I'lhli ill'; liM'lli ll.'inir ;ni(I .Miinkc likr ;.(> iiinnv I'.'ikk'd dr;iL;oii.s ; llu> t'k)u|un';' U|> n li(\ivv lire \'\o\\\ sniidl .-iniis; llic .somid od ;is llu> iron iii(\ss(>n_L;'t"is IVnm I he roi'k cnisluNl in((» llu* Ncsst^Is' sides, or ol' reudiiiL,^ rorks ns (lio l^'riMU'li camu)!! lt;dls sinol(> llic dills nnd Muaslirtl (luMii in(() rra^^nicnls, wliik' llic sulplmrous smoke ioIKmI up in i^TiN'd I'louds \]\;\i, soniciinies liid the sliips iVoiu (lu^ knver l»a(i('k's \ ision was nni)l>s(Mire(k and witli his ei^lilivMi ptumders trained down nniil tliey ]">oin(vHl straiL^hl at tlie iMieniys dec'ks. he did a world o\' daniau'i^ as ho iWcA away as fast as (he lieatiui;" ot' liis L^uns would allow him. lie did nol tail to keep a sharp look-out seaward Ww {ho H I'liftlion, and sliorth' after mid-dav he* eauiilit siiilit oi' hei* risnii:" uit on the 1 u>ri/.on. ■• 'riunik {\o^\ '." lie ejacnlatod, " llitM-e's the Ci'>/- phon. Shell soon lind out what'-s the matter, and A (i\M<,\N'r I)i;i'i;n( i: 2< )•> is rocky iVciUK'Ut ,1" (-munn ij.:; Iiclcll . nclivcly c> clilVs Jiu'l \rlinu'S Wu\ ItscuriM hnui ,l()\vn uu 1, til .S. lU' t |i"nst as tl\»' lllo 'li'l '>•>' .•hi. i>l' l^^^i" U" tl\i' ^''V/- luaitor, am I liiirry oil" Im r.!irl';i/tuiid, |»oint(d licr Itow in llir dii'cclion of r.;it liiidocM, jrid wiit, sciiddini;' oil' hd'oic iJic wind in line style. " Now, Mien, I ninsl, ifo ronnd .'ind tell (Jie (>l,li«;i',s," ■•(id Dick ; " it will dieei- tlieni n So lie ni;ide the ronnds ol' tlic hatteiies, tellinL; them tlie e'ood news that tlie ^//////Ao//, hiid ;^(>n(! oil' tv) lirin;.:; theni nid, .'ind ecttin;^' a hearty cheer from eacn S( ■ctioi 1 ot the littio ejirrison jn retuin. At the (.j)ue(Mrs IJ.'ittery lie I'oimkI 'I'om Inli'iuil \cry niueli troulded. it seeiiKMl that tlnr ii'eiih ndoiis ciiimonaih^ aeainst iho rock, while it diil not (iir(;ctly injure any of iho _i;arris(jii, threai(;ne(l to do >o indi- rectly ; for the iron hail was sniashinj^" the clifls into A GALLANT DEFENCE smithurcens, and sending' (lov>n showers of fragments upon tlio men tliat made tlieir position increasingly dangerous. " I'm afraid we'll have to clear out of here, j\[r. Holland," said Tom, in regretful tones, " There's been three of the men hurt already, and it's getting worse all the time." As he spoke, a broadside from the Berwlch flew over their lieads, making every man duck involun- tarily as it whistled past, and plunging into the cliif sent down a regular avalanche that burst upon the battery, felling several of the men to the ground, dismantling one of the guns, an-and only ninety of us in tigliting trim." CHAPTER XVII. AN HONOURABLE SURRENDER. 1 1 T N wliat forcG the T'Vench had landed it was im- ^ possible to toll, for daricness swiftly followed the sunset ; and there was nothing to do but wait for the morning. Not much sleep had any of the little garrison that night. Dick never closed his eyes. He was possessed with the idea that under cover of favouring darkness the enemjr would manage to clamber up the crags somehow and take them ly surprise. So he kept watch until dawn, picking his way cautiously along the ledges, and listening in- tently for any sound that might betray the near approach of an assailant. But the welcome day broke without any such attempt b(?ing made ; and bidding Tom Taff'rail pay particular attention to those who had landed, he went into the caves and took a short sleep, from which he awoke wonderfully refreshed. AN TIOXOURABLE SUKRENDKU. 2()n R. it was im- ollowccl the it wait for f the littlo LI his eyes, er cover oi; manage to 3 them V)y picking l^i« istening in- y tlie near t any sucli Taffrail pay landed, he sleep, from :e -^PTo was glad to find tliat a strong whul had sprung np, as tills conipclk'ive our whole attention to the beggars below. Have you made out how many there are, Tom ?" " No, sir ; they're hiding so close in the holes and bushes that there's no telling." " Well, look here, Tom. Could we not creep down and get a shot at their boats ? K we can smash them, we'll cut them off' from the ships." "That's a fine notion, sir. If Mv. Watson will Itrinof his redcoats alonix we can try it." Creeping silently down the precipitous sides of the island, they got into range of the boats without meet- 270 AN TTOXOURAP.LE SURRENDER. iiiii; witli tlu! invaders. Tlicrc wore a numlKT of lainiclu's Ivinic nndcr tlio Ico ut' tlio clifts, each liav- ini;" tlirt'o men on lumrd keeping' ifc ofl'-slioro. Tlicy prosL'ii^ "I a pcM'i'cet inaik for tlio iiuiskrts, and tho mariiios pouivd into tliciii so o-alling a iii . tliat in a 1*(!W minutes tlio crews were all shot dead : and the boats beinii' thus lel't to themselves went drii'tiiiL'' olT, sonic in the direction of i\hirtiniquc and others out to sea. So far as could be made out, not a sin«do boat was left. Tlie French were completely cut ott* until reinforcements should arrive. Great was the delight of the o-arrison at this sue- ccssful mana^uvre ; and when their assailants, stunii' to fury by it, came boldly out from their hiding- places and sent volleys up the cliils, the English enjoyed a hearty laugh at their futile firing, and re- turned the compliment with a cascade of rocks that soon sent the others into cover ao;ain. In desultory warfare of this kind the whole day passed — the fleet being so constantly on the move that no further attempt was made to land on the rock, the French who had already landed hunting about eagerly for means to ascend the clifts, and the brave little gari-ison keeping guard over every ledge and crevice, so that not a besieu'er could 'nd a foothold in safetv. .ivT~v AN rTOXOTJT7.\nLK SURT^KXDER. 271 lUinlxT of cacli l»av- .ro. They s, sinlt(m, of course, could not possibly Ihj hack so soon ; l»ut the French niii;ht ho driven to vniso the siege in order to re])air dam- ages, and while tliey wovdd he doing this there would he time for the succouring squadion to reach them. Ho argued with the men very patiently, nnd as if to strengthen his urgings, in the very nndst of the conference the heavens darkened with a thunder- storm, and a heavy downpour of rain followe(l, which seemed like a message of cheer from the heavens. " Quick now ! " cried Dick ; " catch every drop you can." With their minds turned into a new channel, the men set themselves to save all they could of the precious fluid, running about with pans and pails, dipping it up from the hollows in the rocks, and thus o-atherin£i' enough to last them with economy For several days more. This brisk diversion quite heartened them up, and when the rain was over they willingly agreed to liold out for one more dav at least. Another night of anxious watching, yet undis- turbed by an}' actual attempt on the pai't of the (i-2'A) 18 ^, ,.^.. IMAGE EVALUATION TEST TARGET (MT-3) 1.0 I.I UiM2^ |2.5 *- i- UUu III 1.8 1.25 111.4 11.6 ^ // // ^ A ject of deep in- terest to the French ofllcers. Tli- y were greatly tickled at tlie idea of such a mito defying their wliole force as he liad done, and went so far as to express the opinion that if all the oflicers in tlic British navy were made of similar stulK, it was not much use for Buonaparte to contest the supremacy of tlie seas with Kinij: Georw. The following morning the Pluton, ilying a flag of truce at her mast-head, l)ore the garrison off to Barbadocs. A couple of days' good sailing brought her to Carlisle Bay ; and as she rounded to at the anchorage, there lay the G rypJion in full view, fast at the moorinofs — the fact of the matter beino: that Captain Fitcwell found no ships available for the relief of Diamond Rock, and was compelled to await the arrival of the fleet which was daily expected. Right royal was the reception given to Dick and Lieutenant Watson, and Tenderly and Tom Taffi-ail, and all the rest of the brave little band. In the general joy at their safe deliverance and the gallant AN iioNiniKAhLi: sm{I(i:mh<:i{. 28;i cl(»f'('nc(! tlu-y luul iiuulc, rci^rtt at the loss oi' Diamond Uock was I'or tlic ("iiio swallowed up. Evcmi (.'nptain M'Kinstry for^^^ot his keen cha^n*ni at hciiij^ so straii^^^uiy deprived of ilio pleasure of remaining in conniiand until the close of the brilliant strUL;'L;le. A few days later the expected Meet arrived, and who should be the admiral in conniiand but the re- nowncid Lord Nelson himself, who had crness he wrote the f^ood news home to his mother, saying joyfully to himself 2H1. AN ih>N()ii{Amj': sri{iM:MH:u. that slu! couM no loii^^er rc^n-ct liis j^'oin^' intu tliu navy wlicn i)r()ni()tic)n luid conio so rnpidly. In tl»o kind pi'ovidcnt't! of (Jod it canio al)Out tliat J)ick himself followctl not lon^^ behind tho letter; wliicli did indeed hrin^' ufrcat ^^ladness to tlic cotta^^e in Kent, where Mrs. Holland liad already allowed her dread of tho sea to bo subnier^^ed by a keen interest in her son's progress : for Lord Nelson, soon findin*^' out that Napoleon's threat of a concerted attack upon tho British West Indies had been only a ruse to draw him away from the European waters where ho was much more needed, liurried back thither, taking the Gryphon in his ileet. The voyage across the Atlantic was prosperously accomplished, and then some time had to be spent re- fitting and repairing the ships, in preparation for the tremendous struggle before them. This gave Dick an opportunity to obtain a fortnight's furlough, and to betake himself to Kent. He sent no warning of his coming, and, as it chanced, found his mother in the garden, re-reading for the twentieth time his last packet of letters, while the tears filled her eyes, and her lips moved in prayer for the angel of the Lord to encamp round about her darling boy, and to deliver him from the dangers that so thickly beset his life. in^' into thu CTIAPTEIl XVIII. J I'o'^oon ,„otlK.r an,I son / " "''"'"'^ ^- Ho„„„, e,.p ,>,, r;,^^:;:-; ;-; ".«'-> ^ia '"'"' fo'tl. at arm'., ,e„.t,, J ^'''" '^°''"''ff " My darling bo"v ' -y,., „ -;oh W, ^^^ ^^.^ ,^^^ ^^_^_ - yo„ .0 ,ro.,Uo .^^ i 'e two years' separation J,ad wrou.^ht Jitf I , •" Mr. Holland. Tl.e .smooth darl-I V '" -- additional .strealc.s of si, e^'; 'T '^'' P^'-P-^' heen .some deeper linos in t),/ , "'"^ '"'^^ that was a,l. '' '°""='^ countenance, but Diek, on ;i,o otI.er liand, presente,) appearance from what he did" ,'^ 7^ ''^^'^'^"' *"« deck 0. the (.,.,,,;... ^ ^^^^ '''' ''"' -- -- -ty po„nd., h;::;;i:: r: 280 TRAFALGAR AND HOME AGAIN. v^« darker of skin, and ever so many degrees more digni- fied of bearing. In fact, he had completely outgrown all justification of the sohriqurt of " Dicky-hird," and no longer ran any risk of being nicknamed " the Bantam." The mother's fond eyes missed none of these signs of development, and she found in them no slight recompense for the long days of waiting. " Ah, Dick ! " said she, with a sigh of resignation, " I'm afraid I must confess that you made no mistake in choosing the sea. You were born for it, as your father was before you. But God grant you a longer life than fell to his lot." The days of that visit home sped by swiftlj', while Dick talked and walked with his mother, and was proudly exhibited for the admiration of the friends and neighbours. His mother was loath to spare him from her sight for an hour, and Dick, knowing that the call to duty might come at any moment, devoted his whole time to her, being determined to give her all the pleasure that was in his power. It was late in September when the order came to report for active service, and poor Mrs. Holland had once more to endure the pang of parting. This time she had good cause for solicitude. The crisis of the M! [N. iiorc digni- r outgrown -l)ir(l," and amcd "the TRAFALGAR AND HOME AGAIN. 287 these signs Li no slight resignation, 3 no mistake I' it, as your yon a longer jwit'tly. while ,er, and was the friends to spare him nowing that [icnt, devoted oive her all fder came to iHoUand had This time crisis of the struggle for supvemacy between tlie British fleets and the combined naval forces of France and Spain could not 1)0 long delayed. The world w^as awaiting it with anxious expectation. If England failed of vic- tory, the proud title of Mistress of the Seas wovdd be no longer hers. But England had Nelson to com- mand her navy, and in him the king and the people put their trust. When Dick arrived at Portsmouth, he was delighted to learn that instead of rejoining the Gryphon he would go to the Victory, Lord Nelson's own ship, a mamificent vessel carryinu; one hundred cjuns. This signal honour he owed to his services at Diamond Rock, the great admiral having particularly selected him to fill a vacancy in the number of sub-lieutenants. Now the post of sub-lieutenant on a Hag-ship was in every way more desirable than the same rank on a frigate, and sorry as Dick was to part company with the Gryphon, and with Captain Fitew^ell and First Lieutenant M'Kinstry and dear old Taffrail, not to mention poor Tenderly, who looked as though lie could barely keep back a burst of tears when Dick bade him good-bye, still there w^as more than sufficient compensation in the many advantages accruing to his new appointment. 288 TRAFALGAR AND HOME AGAIN. !! " You're a lucky chap, Dick," were Lieutenant M'Kinstry's farewell words. " But I don't grudge you your good fortune ; you've deserved every bit of it richly. Keep right on as you're doing, and you'll get to the top in no time." On board the big Victory there seemed to be al- most as many officers as there had been seamen in the Gryphon, and Dick felt himself to be of little account in such a throng. But the fame of his de- fence of Diamond Rock went with him, and although he was much the youngest sub-lieutenant on board, he found his fellow-officers ready to admit him without question to an equal footing, and to treat him with due consideration from the start. All minds were engrossed with the great struggle so near at hand, and impatient for it to begin. Great, therefore, was the satisfaction of all when on the 15th September the Victory sailed from Ports- mouth, bearing Lord Nelson to take the chief command of the Mediterranean fleet, then under the command of Vice-Admiral Lord Collinofwood. Being joined by the Eiiryalns, Ajax, and Thun- derer, the flag-ship proceeded to meet the fleet, then cruising oflf Cadiz, in which harbour the combined navies of France and Spain had rendezvoused. A lot IN. Lieutenant grudge you y bit of it cl you'll get ;d to be al- 1 seamen in be of little e of bis cle- ind altbougb on board, be bim witbout ^at bim witb crcat struggle it to begin, all wben on from Ports- liief command command of and Tlmn- tbe fleet, tben Itbe combined loused. A lot TRAFALGAR AND HOME AGAIN. 289 of manosuvring for an advantage and otber delays ensued, so that it was the 2Lst of October before the two great fleets fairly faced one another in line of battle off Cape Trafalgar. Lord Nelson's connnand consisted of some thirty- three vessels, ranging in size from the mighty Victory and Royal Sovereign, of one hundred guns each, down to the saucy schooner PicJde, carrying but a single swivel gun. Of the whole number, twenty-seven were ships of the line. The Franco-Spanish fleet comprised forty vessels, the largest being the San- tissima Trinidad, of one hundred and thirty guns, and the command being in the hands of Yice-Admiral Villeneuve, a brave and skilful seaman. Dick's heart thrilled with elation as on that event- ful morning which was to decide his country's fate the hostile fleets bore down upon each other like two flocks of gigantic sea-birds. The breeze, which came from the south-west, was very light, and the studding- sails were set on every ship. Lord Nelson had dis- posed his fleet in three columns, he himself taking the van of the centre column. Considering that the Victory, both as being the front of a column and bearing the flag of the com- mander-in-chief, would draw upon herself the whole (423) 19 200 TRAFALGAR AND HOME AGAIN. weight of the enemy's fire, and thereby doubly en- danger the life of him to whom all looked up for the success of the day, the principal officers took counsel together, and decided to try to persuade the admiral to allow the Temeraire, then close astern, to take the lead, and thus bear the brmit of the fire. When the matter was broached to Lord Nelson, he replied with a significant smile, " Oh yes, let her go ahead," meaning if she could. The Temendre was accordingly hailed to ta,ke her station ahead of the Victory ; but when she ranged up on the Victory's quarter in order to pass her and lead. Lord Nelson hailed her, and speaking, as he always did, with a slight nasal intonation, said, — " I'll thank you. Captain Harvey, to keep in your proper station, which is astern of the Victory." It happened that, just as he spoke, Lieutenant Yule, who commanded on the forecastle, observing that the starboard lower studding-sail was improperly set, or- d^^red it to be taken in for the purpose of setting it afresh. Lord Nelson noticed this instantly, and running forward gave the lieutenant a severe rating for having, as he supposed, begun to shorten sail without the captain's orders. So the studding-sail N. TRAFALGAR AND HOME AGAIN. 291 loubly en- up for the ,ok counsel lie admiral ,0 take the [ Kelson, be , let lier go to take her L she ranged to pass her speaking, as intonation, keep in your \ctory!' utenant Yule, ino- that the ,perly set, or- >se of setting instantly, and severe rating shorten sail studding-sail was promptly replaced, and the Victory, as the gal- lant cliiet' intended, continued to lead the column. Dick was a spectator of all this, and his heart thrilled with admiration at the superb courage of this slight, delicate-looking man, who, although an eye and an arm had already been sacrificed in the service of his country, took no thought of himself however great the peril, but shared it to the full with the humblest sailor in his command. " What a splendid man he is ! " he exclaimed en- thusiastically to another officer standing by. " He's going to take just the same chances as any of us. Who wouldn't do their very best for such an admiral ? " " You may well say so," responded the other. " He's the greatest admiral England's ever had. But look, w^hat's the signal that's being given ? " They both watched with eager interest the flags as they one by one v/ere raised to the mizzen-top- gallant-masthead of the Victory. The numbers were as follows:— 253, 2G9, 863, 261, 471, 958, 220, 370, 4, 21, 19, 24. And as their signification broke upon the fleet there came not only from the crowded decks of the flag-ship, but from all the other ships, round after round of true British cheers, that showed 292 TRAFALGAR AND HOME AGAIN. with what lively enthusiasm the magic message was received. It had come ahout in this way. As the two fleets drew near each other slowly, the thought flashed into Lord Nelson's mind to mve his own men somethinor by way of a fillip. After musing awhile he said, — " Suppose we telegraph that * Nelson expects every man to do his duty.' " The officer he addressed ventured to suggest that it might be better to have it " England expects every man to do his duty." " Certainly, certainly," exclaimed the admiral, warmly adopting the emendation ; and just a little before noon there fluttered out on the breeze the first flag of the famous message that was thereupon to become one of the most renowned in the world's history. At the main-top-gallant-masthead of the Victory floated two flags that formed Lord Nelson's customary signal on going into action. They meant " Engage the enemy more closely " — a command those to whom it was addressed were only too eager to obey. Much to Dick's disappointment, the Victory was not the first ship to go into action. Owing to the for- mation of the line of attack, and the changing posi- m 5^. TllAFALGAll AND HOME AGAIN. 293 ssage was two fleets ashed into somctlung e sakl, — pects every ucrgest that ^pects every [^Q admiral, just a little eeze the first thereupon to the world's the Victory 's customary lant "Engage lose to whom )hey. Victory w^as Ing to the f or- hanging posi- tion of the Franco-Spani.sli fleet, the Royal Sovereign, which led the right cohnnn, first got within range of the enemy, and having reached a position close astern of the Santa Anna, a huge one hundred and twelve bearing the flag of Vice- Admiral Don Mara del Alava, fired into her with guns douhle-shotted, and with such precision as to kill and wound nearly four hun- dred of her crew. Dick was fairly dancing with impatience as the Victory moved steadily and silently on. " Why don't we fire at them ? " he exclaimed to the officer next to him ; " we're near enough to hit them every time." " No doubt we are," the other replied, " but the admiral is never in a hurry to open fire. He always waits until he's got into just the position he thinks best. He's looking for the French admiral now, and will keep the guns cool until he finds him." This was precisely what Lord Nelson was doing. In the centre of the enemy's line lay the Bacentaur, having on board Admiral Villeneuve, and to her he was determined to give his entire attention. Accord- ingly he continued straight on, and although as soon as the Victory got within i-ange the whole van of the French division opened fire upon her simultaneously 204 TRAFALGvVR AND HOME AGAIN. and with destructive effect, no answer came from the British flag-sliip, but she forged steadily on as silent as a spectre. Seeing by the direction of lier course that the Victors/ was about to follow the example of the Royal Sovereign, the French and Spanish ships ahead of the British weather column closed like a forest, and toward this combination Lord Nelson proceeded. Just as the Victory got within about five hundred yards of the larboard beam of the Buceyitaur, her mizzon-top-mast was shot away, about two-thirds of another shot knocked to pieces the w^heel, a third killed eight marines on the poop, and a fourth, that had come throuGj-h a thickness of four hammocks near the port chess-tree, and had carried away a part of the port quarter of the launch as she lay on the booms, struck the fore-brace bits of the quarter-deck, and passed between Lord Nelson and Captain Hardy, a splinter from the bits bruising the left foot of the latter, and tearinn;; the buckles from his shoe. Both men stopped instantly, and looked at each other inquiringly, each supposing the other to have been w^ounded. Then his lordship smiled and said, — " This is too warm work to last long. In all the battles in which I have foua'ht I never witnessed such IN. J fi-oiu the )ii as silent e that the f the lioynl Lhcad of the forest, aiul ;ceded. ivc hundred centauy, her iWO-thirds of iccl, a third fourth, that ^mnlocks near ay a part of lay on the quarter-deck, .ptain Hardy, foot of the jhoe. loked at each ,ther to have d and said, — icr. In all the vitnessed such TKAFALGAll AND HOME AGAIN. 295 splendid courage and coolness as my men are show- ing to-day. I am conlident of winning the victory of my life." No wonder his men weru brave and cool wlien they had so inspiring an example in their own conunander, who so lightly valued personal risk that he would not sufi'er those barriers against the enemy's grape and musketiy, the hannnocks, to be arranged one inch higher than, to facilitate his view of objects around him, they were accustomed to be stowed. So heavy and unremitting had been the fire con- centrated upon the Victory, that she soon began to show serious eflects from it. Every studding-sail boom had been shot off close to the ^-ard-arm, and every sail, especially on the foremast, riddled like a sieve, while on the decks some score of officers and men had been killed and nearly twice as many w^ounded. Although exposed to the same risks as the others in the performance of his duty beside the guns on the quarter-deck, Dick had hitherto escaped injury, and was eagerl^^ awaiting the moment when, the Victory having come to close quarters with one of her huge antagonists, the command to board should be given. 29G TRAFALGAR AND HOME AGAIN. I Not in any fierce lust for otiiers' blood, but in a noble spirit of determination to shed the last drop of his own fighting the enemies of his country, Dick threw himself into the struggle with all the ardour of his fervent nature. He took no chought for his own safety, but again and again exposed himself to the full lire of the Spanish musketeers while endeavour- ing to get a better view of the battle than could bo obtained from his position on the deck. As the Victory slowly moved ahead, her oppor- tunity came to make some return for the merciless caiinonadinc: she had endured. Ranc^ino- close to the Bacentaur, the sixty-eight pounder carronade on the port side of the forecastle, containing the usual charge of one round shot and a keg filled with five hundred musket-balls, was fired right into the cabin windows of the French flag-ship, and then slowly moving ahead, every gun of the remaining fifty in her broad- side, all double and some of them treble shotted, was deliberately discharged in the same raking manner. So close were the ships that the port main ynrd-arms of the British three-decker as she rolled touched the vangs of her opponent's gaff; so close, indeed, were they that had there been wind enough to blow it out, the large French ensign trailing at the Bucentaur's N. TRAFALCJAU AND ITOMK ACJATN. 207 , but in a ,st drop of itry, Dick ) ardour o£ or his own self to tho endeavour- ,n could bo her oppor- le merciless close to the lade on the usual charge ive hundred ,in windows ^vly moving [1 her broad- shotted, was linfr manner, in ynvd-arms [touched the I indeed, were blow it out, Bucentaur's peak nii«,dit have been a trophy in the hands of tho Victory s crew. A ringing cheer, in wliich Dick lieartily joined, rose from the decks of the Victory as the awful de- struction wrought by this broadside became manifest ; for although it was the work of scarcely two minutes, and although not a mast or ynr be made by n and plank- pany with a aining a foot- n a blow from TUAr.M.ijIAU AM) IIOMK Ai;AIN. 2f)f) a lK)ardh\i;-pikt! took liini iiiiawares. Tt caught him full in the forehead, and althon<;]i liappily tlie peak of jjis cap saved his skull from being fractured, he was foiled tc Mie deck insensible, and t'» all appear- ances dead. Fortunately Ids full liad not been uiuioticed. A brother oflicer observed it, and at once ruslicd to pick him up. Seeing at a glance that lie was only stunned, he called to a hi'' boatswain, - " H(;re, liowliue ! carry iMr. IhjUand back to the ship and hand him over to the surgeons." Looking rather reluctant to leave the light, which ho was evidently enjoying heartily, the boatswain picked Dick up with case, and bearing him ba(;k to the Victory, deposited him upon the quarter-deck close by the combings of the cabin ladd r-way, to await his turn at the hands of the overworked suriieons. As Dick lay there senseless there befell a calanuty which gloomed the gladness of that glorious victory. During the whole of the operations that have been outlined, Lord Nelson and Captain Hardy had been walking up and dow^n the promenade built over the hatchway. It was about half-past one o'clock, and the two had just arrived within one pace of the regular turning spot at the cabin ladder-way, when the admiral. \'\\ :,r- 300 TRAFALGAR AND HOME AGAIN. who, regardless of quarter-deck etiquette, was walking on the port side, suddenly faced left about. Captain Hardy, when he had taken the other step, turned also, and as he did so saw Lord Nelson in the act of falling. He was then on his knees trying to support himself by means of the one hand that was leff. him, but this giving way he fell over on his left side, exactly upon the spot where, a little while before, his secretary, Mr. Scott, had been killed by a round shot. Rushing to his chief's side, Captain Hardy said as ho bent to lift him up, — " I hope you are not badly wounded, sir ? " Lord Nelson shook his head sadly. " They have done for me at last, Hardy," he said. " Oh no, I hope not,'' responded the captain re- assuringly. " Yes, they have," was the mournf id response : " my backbone is shot throuo-h." And so it was. A musket-ball fired from the mizzen-top of the liedouhtahle had entered the left shoulder through the front of the epaulet, and descend- ing had lodged in the spine. Calling up several of the men, Captain Hardy had them bear their beloved commander-in-chief below ; !..! xs walking Captain ,cp, turned the act of )ort himself iin, but this xactly upon 3crctary, Mr. barely said as TRAFALGAR AND HOME AGAIN. 801 ir i " he said, captain re- sponse: "niy cd from the icrcd the left and descend- In Hardy had -chief below; and while tlicy were doing so, Lord NeJson, fearing lest his fall should dispirit the crew, took his hand- kercliief from his pocket and covered his face with it, that he nii'^lit not he recoo-ni/iMl. Tlie next one to be borne to the cock-pit was Dick, still silent and motionless. While the great admiral's life was slowly ebbing away, and consciousness was niturning to the boyish sub-lieutenant, the eventful struggle went on, until one by one the French and Spanish ships had either struck their colours or fled in dire confusion, and the British vessels, though cruelly battered and mourning the loss of many a gallant seaman, were left unques- tioned con(pierors. It had been indeed a notable victory. Nine French and nine Spanish sail of the line were captured, and the maritime power of both nations broken for many decades to come. Yet the British people felt that the cost had been all too great, since part of the price was paid by their best-beloved warrior, who breathed his last with the shouts of triumph beating upon his cars. Although the cfTects of the blow were perccptiljle for some time after, Dick resumed duty the following morning ; and, when the lleet went back to England, f 302 TRAFALGAR AND HOME AGAIN. was able to take his part in the proceedings of mingled rejoicing and mourning that marked the return of the victors. Rewards and honours fell thick and fast upon all who had had a share in the historic struggle, and Dick was not overlooked. Despite his youth he was promoted to a full lieutenancy, and then was granted a three months' furlough, to be spent wherever he pleased. Having brought him back once more to that sunny cottage in Kent, this record must bid him farewell, yet not without adding this, that ever keeping on the right tack he sailed steadily forward across the ocean of life, fearing God and loving his neighbour, respected and beloved by all with whom he came in contact, until in due time, though not before an admiral's hat had covered his head, he reached that desired haven whither the right tack surely leads. THE E\D. IN. of mingled turn of the ist upon all ,ruggle, and )utli he was was granted kvherever he that sunny nm farewell, jeping on the OSS the ocean our, respected le in contact, admiral's hat desired haven Our Boys' Select Library. stories of Adventure, Travel, and Discovery. Post 8vo, cloth extra, tiniform hin(Un(j. Price 2s. 6d. each. Beyond the Himalayas. A Book for Boys. By Joiix Gei»dte. F.R.G.S., Author of "The Lake Regions of Central Africa," etc. With 9 Engravings. The Castaways. 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