Y W'H-G-MNGSTON V. ; HKSfflffiSSiBaa-*-. THE LIBRARY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA LOS ANGELES Lilcc some ocenn volcano, the explosion vessel continued fur a few moments sen linsj upwards its sheets) of flume, while missiles of every description were flying " in showers aruuud. The i'trc Ships. RONALD MORTON; OB, THE FIKE-SHIPS, Storg of tjje Hast $afcai BY WILLIAM H. G. KINGSTON. GEOEGE ROUTLEDGE & SONS, 416 BECOME STREET. College Library AUTHOR'S PREFACE. | HE inhabitants of Shetland have a grievance. It is not that they complain of being badly governed, of being over-taxed, -or of being poor, or of their climate, or of the shortness of the days in winter ; but they say, with justice, that they are shamefully ill- treated by the map-makers, who place their well-loved little group of islands out of the way in some corner of the map, so that not one person in ten of those tolerably well-informed in geographical matters generally, has a correct notion of their bearing from the other portions of the British Isles. Some years ago, however, I made the discovery that they lie due north of Scotland, Orkney intervening ; and as I had a desire to pay them a visit, I took ship and reached Lerwick, their capital, in safety. The kindness I there received will never be erased from my memory. I travelled through all parts of the islands, and visited a number of very interesting scenes. Curious tales were also told me of deeds done in bygone days, when the arm I'll POR J.JJLUUAtJ 4 AUTHOR'S PREFACE. of the law was too short to reach ill-doers at a distance from the centre of government, and when might was looked upon as con- stituting right in those far-off islands. One of the strange legends which I then heard has served as the basis of the following tale. For years its gossamer threads have been floating before my eyes, though it is only now that I have caught and woven them into a tangible form, and connected them with events belonging to history rather than fiction. My aim has been to produce in 'Ronald Morton, or the Fire-ships,' a tale of stirring nautical adventure, and the same time to introduce characters who may add to its interest, and make it a work which will be taken up with pleasure, and not laid down till the end of a winter's evening. The present new Edition which the public have called for, shows that the interest in the ' Fire Ships' is still undiminished. BKKNTWOOD, October 1872. CONTENTS. CHAPTER I. PAGE THE SPANISH MAN-OF-WAR OFF SHETLAND. A CALM. THE ' ST CECILIA ' IN DANGER. THE PILOT. BRASSAY SOUND, . 9 CHAPTER 1 1. LUNNASTING CASTLE. THE STRANGER SHIP. SANDY REDLAND, THE FACTOR. ARCHY EAGLESIIAY. MISS WARDHILL's VISITORS. THE DISAPPEARANCE OF THE HEIR, . . . 21 CHAPTER III. LAWRENCE BRINDISTER VISITS THE SPANISH SHIP. DON HERNAN INVITED TO THE CASTLE. SURLY GRIND, LAWRENCE'S DOG, . 32 CHAPTER IV. HILDA'S FIRST MEETING WITH DON HERNAN. HILDA ON BOARD THE CORVETTE. ROLF MORTON PILOTS THE SHIP. CRUISE IN THE ' ST CECILIA.' HILDA ACCEPTS DON HERNAN, . . .% C II A P T E R V. LAWRENCE'S EXPEDITION. HILDA'S MARRIAGE IN THE OLD CHAPEL. A STORM, 45 CHAPTER VI. ROLF MORTON'S HISTORY. DON HERNAN AND HILDA IN MORTON'S HOUSE. MORTON DISPATCHED TO THE CORVETTE, ... 48 CHAPTER VII. DON HERNAN AND HILDA AT THE CASTLE. THE SPANISH OFFICERS ON SHORE. DON HERNAN ORDERED TO QUIT SHETLAND, . 515 CHAPTER VIII. ROLF MORTON'S EXPEDITION. WATCHES THE CORVETTE. HILDA'S MARRIAGE DISCUSSED. THE STORM. A SHIP SEEN DRIVING TOWARDS SHORE, C8 CHAPTER IX. NAVIE GRIND DESCRIBED. THE WRECK ON SHORE. THE SHIP DASHED TO PIECES. THE RESCUED, 77 CHAPTER X. GUESTS AT THE CASTLE. THE HEIR OF LUNNASTING. LAWRENCE HUINDISTER'S CAVE, 89 6 CONTENTS. CHAPTER XL PAGE FATHER MENDKZ IN SPAIN. THE MARQUIS AND HIS OLD SHIP- MATES. CAPTAIN TACON THE EX-PIRATE, .... 103 CHAPTER XII. A STRANGE SCHOONER APPEARS OFF LUNNASTING. THE CASTLE ATTACKED. THE PIRATES ENTER THE CASTLE. YOUNG HERNAN CARRIED OFF, 117 CHAPTER XIII. ARRIVAL OF SIR MARCUS. HILDA AND HER SISTER. A BRIG OF WAR APPEARS. EDDA's MARRIAGE. ROLF MORTON SAILS ON A LONG VOYAGE, 131 CHAPTER XIV. THE FLEET AT SPITHEAD. ROLF MORTON'S VISIT TO SHETLAND. ROLF TAKES RONALD TO SEA. THE 'THISBE' AND FRENCH FRIGATE. RONALD MORTON'S FIRST BATTLE. THE ENEMY STRIKES, 143 CHAPTER XV. MORNING AFTER THE BATTLE. RONALD PLACED ON QUARTER DECK. RONALD SENT ON BOARD THE PRIZE. A SUSPICIOUS SAIL IN SIGHT. GALLANT DEFENCE OF THE ' THISBE.' NIGHT CLOSES ON THE COMBAT, Ifil CHAPTER XVI. THE 'THISBE'S' CREW PREPARE FOR A FRESH FIGHT, . . .174 CHAPTER XVII. THE 'CONCORDE' RECAPTURED BY THE ' ATALANTE.' THE SHIPS IN A GALE. THE 'ATALANTE' WRECKED. RONALD SWIMS ASHORE. COMMUNICATION ESTABLISHED. THE ENGLISH SHUT UP IN A TOWER 180 CHAPTER XVIII. JOB'S PLAN FOR ESCAPING. A HINT FROM GERARDTN. A ROPE BROUGHT IN A BASKET. DESCENT FROM THE TOWEK. THE GUARD MADE PRISONER. GET ON BOARD A FISHING-BOAT, . 101 CHAPTER XIX. A SAIL IN SIGHT. A GALE COMES ON. REACH THE FRIGATE. RONALD REJOINS THE ' THISBE.' MADE LIEUTENANT, . . 204 CHAPTER XX. RONALD SECOND LIEUTENANT OF THE 'THISBE.' A BALL AT CALCUTTA. RONALD'S GALLANTRY. A CHALLENGE. ins REPLY, 215 CONTENTS. 7 CHAPTER XXI. PAGE PARTY AT MRS EDMONSTONE's. INTRODUCTION TO COLONEL ARMYTAGE. VISIT TO THE ' OSTERLEY.' THE ' THISBE ' ORDERED TO BOMBAY, 229 CHAPTER XXII. 'TIIISBE' IN SEARCH OF THE 'OSTERLEY.' A CHASE. THE 1 OSTERLEY ' OVERTAKEN. FOUND IN POSSESSION OF THE FRENCH. RETAKEN. THE PASSENGERS NOT ON BOARD. MORTON PLACED IN COMMAND OF THE ' OSTEHLEY.' THE UNKNOWN ISLAND. OLD DOULL ACTS AS PILOT, . . . 238 CHAPTER XXIII. WHAT HAD BEFALLEN THE ' OSTERLEY. HAD BEEN TAKEN BY THE ENEMY AND CARRIED INTO PORT. PASSENGERS KEPT PRISONERS ON THE ISLAND, 247 CHAPTER XXIV. THE ' THISBE ' APPROACHES THE ISLAND. OLD DOULL'S REVELA- TIONS AS TO THE ' OSTERLEY'S ' PASSENGERS. THE FRIGATE PUT UNDER FRENCH COLOURS. EXPEDITION IN THE BOATS. ATTACK ON THE FORTS. ' OSTERLEY'S ' PASSENGERS CARRIED OFF, 263 CHAPTER XX Y. DIFFICULTY OF NAVIGATION. AX OLD ENEMY APPEARS. ENEMY CHASES THE ' OSTERLEY.' THE ' THISBE ' APPEARS, . . 27G CHAPTER XXVI. RONALD JOINS LORD CLAYMORE'S SHIP. THE ' PALLAS ' AT SEA. A CHASE. ENEMY'S FLEET IN SIGHT. ' PALLAS ' CHASED BY ENEMY. LORD CLAYMORE'S MANOEUVRE. ESCAPE OF 'PALLAS,' 287 CHAPTER XXVII. LORD CLAYMORE AND THE FIRE SHIPS. ' PALLAS ' ENGAGES BLACK FRIGATE. COLONEL ARMYTAGE IN THE PENINSULA, . . 307 CHAPTER XXVIII. TONALD JOINS THE 'IMPERIOUS.' CHASE OF A FELUCCA. THE MARQUIS DE MEDEA. THE SPANISH PRIEST. RONALD ASTONISHES THE PRIEST, 315 CHAPTER XXIX. RONALD MEETS HIS FATHER. OLD DOULL RECOGNISES ROLF MORTON. MORTON RECOGNISES FATHER MENDEZ. ROLF MORTON'S DIPLOMACY. A FORT ATTACKED. BUTE JACKETS ON SHORE, 330 8 CONTENTS. CHAPTER XXX. PAOB LORD CLAYMORE ON SHORE. MORTON AGAIN MEETS EDDA. RONALD'S NEW FRIEND, DON JOSEF, 342 CHAPTER XXXI. A SFANISH INN. THE SPANIARDS AROUSED TO ARMS. RONALD HEADS A GUERILLA BAND. EDDA RESCUED BY RONALD, . 351 CHAPTER XXXII. COLONEL ARMYTAGE WOUNDED. CROSSING THE BAY OF BISCAY. CHASED DURING A GALE. THE BRIG DISMASTED. CAPTURED, 365 CHAPTER XXXIII. THE ' IMPERIOUS ' HOMEWARD BOUND. THE FIRE-SHIPS ARE PRE- PARED. THE FRENCH FLEET IN BASQUE ROADS. RONALD CONDUCTS A FIRE-SHIP. GENERAL EXPLOSION OF FIRE-SHIPS, 374 CHAPTER XXXIV. EDDA IN GERAHDIN'S POWER. THE FRIGATE STEERS FOR ROCHELLE. CAPTAIN TACON. PEDRO ALVAREZ AND FATHER MENDEZ. TACO.N BETRAYS LORD CLAYMORE'S PLANS, .... 390 CHAPTER XXXV. THE FRIGATE ATTEMPTS TO ESCAPE FROM THE FIRE-SHIP. THE BURNING FRIGATE. DANGER OF THE PASSENGERS. ESC1VPE FROM THE BURNING SHIP. ON BOARD THE ' SCORPION.' - LOUD CLAYMORE ILL SUPPORTED. THE ' SCORPION ' SENT TO THE NORTH SEA, 408 CHAPTER XXXVI. LUNNASTING CASTLE. LAWRENCE BRINDISTER. LAWRENCE'S MYSTERIOUS SAYINGS. UNPLEASANT ANNOUNCEMENT TO SIR MARCUS. ARRIVAL OF THE ' SCORPION.' THE PRIEST'S VISIT TO HILDA, 423 CHAPTER XXXVII. RONALD VISITS LUNNASTING CASTLE. - LEGAL VISITORS ARRIVE AT LUNNASTING. THE RIGHTFUL HEIR DISCOVERED. THE PRINCE HAS GOT HIS AIN AGAIN, 434 CHAPTER XXXVIII. THE PRIEST GOES IN SEARCH OF HERNAN. THE ' SCORPION ' ENGAGES A FRENCH SHIP. THE VICTOR'S RETURN, . . 442 RONALD MORTON. CHAPTER I. THE SPANISH MAN-OF-WAR OFF SHETLAND A CALM THE ' ST CECILIA ' IN DANGER THE PILOT BRASSAY SOUND. I AND ! land on the larboard bow ! ' The cry was uttered in a foreign tongue from the masthead of a corvette of twenty guns, a beautiful long, low, flush-decked craft with dark hull, taunt raking masts, and square yards, which, under all the sails she could carry with a southerly breeze right aft, was gliding rapidly over the now smooth surface of the northern ocean. The haughty flag of old Spain, and the language spoken on board, showed that she belonged to that nation. The crew sat clustered about on the forecastle with their arms folded in a listless, inactive way some asleep others smoking cigarillos or playing games of chance between the guns, while a few were disputing on some trivial points with a vehemence which proved the fiery tempers hidden under those calm exteriors. The officers lolled against the bulwarks, sat on the guns, or paced slowly backwards and forwards ; but rather more etiquette was kept up on the quarter deck than appeared to be the case among the men forward. The captain walked backwards and forwards with his first lieutenant on the 9 10 RONALD MORTON. starboard side ; they crossed occasionally, and lifted their hands to their eyes to watch the land just sighted as the ship ap- proached and glided by it at the distance of two or three miles. The captain's appearance was in his favour. He was tall an 1 graceful, with the clear olive-complexion, the pointed beard, the thin moustache, and the large pensive eyes, so frequently seen in portraits of high-born Spaniards. Still, though his features were handsome and very intelligent, there was an ex- pression in them not altogether satisfactory. His companion was a short, thick- set man, dark and bearded, with a daring look in his countenance and a firmness in his mouth which might raise a suspicion that in cases of emergency he would be likely to take the command in the place of his superior. 'That land out there should be of some interest to us, Alvarez,' said the captain, pointing to the little conical-shaped islets the ship was passing. ' It was there, so history tells us, that one of the grandees of Spain, the great Duke of Medina Sidouia, was wrecked when he sailed in command of that mighty Armada which would have assuredly crushed the? power of England had it not been so completely baffled by the wonderful opposition of the elements. Many of his crew after being saved from the fury of the tempest were cruelly murdered by the barbarous inhabitants, and he and a small remnant only escaped to the main island of Shetland, whither we are bound.' ' Ah ! I have heard say that the people in those parts are little better than cannibals,' answered the lieutenant ; ' we may as well, at all events, keep our guns run out and double-shotted while we lie here, that we may be prepared for them should they attempt to play us any tricks.' ' Oh ! they are tolerably civilized now, I fancy,' answered the captain. ' I myself have some Shetland blood in my veins, so I have been told, though it must be tolerably diluted by this time.' ' You sir ! I thought that in your veins flowed none but the DON HERNAN DE ESCALANTE. 11 purest of Castilian streams,' answered the lieutenant, with a slight sneer in his tone. It was so slight, however, that his captain did not perceive it. ' How came that about, Don Hernan ? ' ' I will tell you,' answered the captain : ' an ancestor of mine in our family tree he appears quite a modern one com- manded one of the ships of the holy Armada. She, like that of the Admiral, was driven north, and ultimately wrecked and totally lost on the land we shall soon make to the northward, called Shetland. He and his crew were kindly treated by the chief of the little island on which they were driven. The crew built a chapel to show their gratitude, and having nearly pro- duced a famine in the district, were conveyed home with honour; while he, to prove his, married the old Udaller's daughter, and thinking it likely that his head might be chopped off as a sacrifice to assuage the rage of our pious monarch Philip, settled on the island, and did not return home till towards the end of a long life. His son, who accompanied him, having recovered his ancestral estates, remained in Spain ; but he, when advanced in years, in consequence of being im- plicated in some political plot, fled the country, and naturally took refuge in that of his mother, where he was cordially wel- comed. He was afterwards joined by his son, who, curiously enough, married a Shetland lady, and thus, even in the days of my father, who was his grandson, a constant communication was kept up with our Norse connections. I, also, have more than once heard of them since my father's death, and have de- termined to become more intimately acquainted with my re- latives during this northern voyage of ours. But where are we getting to ? What with the strong tide, and the favour- able breeze, we positively fly by the land. Send for the chart on deck, Alvarez, and let me have a look at its bearings.' The first lieutenant beckoned to a midshipman, who soon returned with a large sea-chart, which the captain spread out on the capstan head. 12 RONALD MORTON. ' All ! here we have this small rock FAIR ISLAND, I see the natives call it away to the south-west ; and that lofty bluff headland, north by west, now shining so white, as if formed of marble, is FITFIEL HEAD, or the White Mountain, I see by a note not an unfit name either ; and that high point to the south-east again is Sumburgh Head. What bleak and barren hills appear to the northward again ! What a dreadful coast to make during the long nights of winter ! ' The captain shuddered. 'Unless we find the interior more attractive, I shall wonder how my ancestors could have had so much parti- ality for such a country.' ' Summer or winter, in stormy weather it is not a coast a seaman would wish to hug too closely,' observed Lieutenant Alvarez ; the crews of the ships of our great Armada found that to their cost. However, there appear to be some good roadsteads, where, should bad weather come on, we may be secure.' ' Numbers. See what a curious shape has the mainland, observed the captain, pointing to the chart. ' It is fully twenty leagues long, and yet there does not appear to be a point where it is more than a league across from sea to sea. Those voes run up for a league or more, and make it appear like some huge insect. Then what innumerable islands of all shapes and sizes ! The people should be amphibious, who live here, to enable them to visit their neighbours : in a southern clime what a delightful spot it might be ! but in this hyperborean region, existence must be a penalty.' ' As to that, my fancy is for a southern clime,' answered the lieutenant, who, by-the-by, did not clearly comprehend all his captain's remarks ; ' but I suppose as there are some animals, polar bears and arctic foxes, who delight in snow and frost, so there are human beings who are content to live on in this cheerless region.' ' Not a bad notion, Alvarez,' observed the captain, who continuecl walking the deck, and talking much in the same OFF SHETLAND. 13 strain with his officer. The contrast between the two was very considerable. The captain, Don Hernan Escalante, was a re- fined, highly-educated man. His knowledge on most matters was extensive, if not profound ; he spoke several languages, and among them English, with a fluency few Spaniards attain. Few Spaniards indeed of that day were equally accomplished. His first lieutenant, Pedro Alvarez, was every inch a seaman, and like many seamen despised all who were not so. Again the captain stopped before the chart, and placing his finger on it, observed : ' Here I hope we may anchor to-night, opposite the capital, Lerwick. See, there is a long wide sound marked with good anchorage, called Brassay Sound, formed by the mainland and the island of Brassay. I wonder what sort of a city is Lerwick ! It of course has theatres, hotels, billiard- rooms, and balls ; these northern people are fond of dancing, I have read. We shah 1 have ample amusement with the fair islanders.' ' The dances will be something like those of the North American Indians, I suspect,' answered the lieutenant, who might have thought that his captain was laughing at him, when he talked of such amusements iu a country he believed so barbarous. The corvette had got close in with Sumburgh Head, when her sails gave several loud flaps against the masts, bulged out, then again collapsed, and she speedily lost all steerage way. The head of the vessel, instead of pointing, as heretofore, to- wards the north, now began slowly to turn round west, and south, and east, and then, as if some secret power had seized her keel, away she was whirled, now to the westward, and then to the north in the direction of the towering heights of Fitfiel Head. As the ship lay rocking to and fro under this lofty head- laud, which they at length arrived at, the sea-birds flew forth in myriads from the ledges and caverns, where, for ages past, in storm and sunshine, in winter and summer, they have 14 RONALD MORTON. roosted undisturbed, wheeling and circling with discordant cries round the stranger, as if to inquire why she had thus come to intrude on their domain. The Spanish seamen, ac- customed chiefly to southern climes, gazed with superstitious wonder at the frowning cliff and the screeching birds, and fully believed that those winged denizens of the wild sea-coast were evil spirits sent out by the witches of the country to trick and torment them, and perchance to lead them to destruction. ' Shah 1 we anchor, Alvarez ? ' asked the captain, anxiously looking around seaward, and then at the frowning height above their heads. ' Anchor ! ' exclaimed the lieutenant, ' as well anchor in the middle of the Bay of Biscay as in the Roust of Sumburgh with such a current as this, even if the depth would allow. We might get the boats out and tow, and perchance, by gain- ing time, obtain a breeze to carry us free.' ' By all means do so,' was the answer. The boats were lowered, and their crews were soon lustily tugging at their oars with the head of the corvette to the westward, while long sweeps were got out and run through the ports to impel her yet more rapidly through the water. Suddenly, however, she seemed to be once more seized upon and carried completely out of their control. Her head was to the westward, but she herself was swept away as fast as before to the southward ; while so tumbling and breaking was the sea, that it was not without danger of being swamped that the boats were again hoisted in. The crew cast frowning glances towards the shore. ' What are we to do, Alvarez ? ' asked the captain, not at all liking the condition of his ship. ' Let her drive backwards and forwards till a breeze springs up, I suppose,' answered the lieutenant. ' Should a westerly gale catch us before we again get to the southward of Sum- Uirgh Head, and should we fail to weather some of those ugly- looking points, I doubt much whether St Cecilia herself, after whom our pretty craft is called, could prevent every one of us OFF SHETLAND. 15 from sharing the fate which has befallen many a bold seaman before us. However, we'll hope for the best.' * You do not seem to like the prospects of this northern cruise of ours, Alvarez,' observed the captain. ' You have not been in good humour since we entered the British Channel, and have done nothing but predict disaster.' ' Pardon me, captain,' answered the lieutenant, ' I am not now predicting disaster though it requires no seer to foretell the fate of the ship, if not of our lives, should certain not un- likely contingencies occur. However, here comes a breeze, I verily believe from the westward too, and if it will but fill our sails for a short half -hour, we may double yon ugly-looking Sumburgh Head, and getting out of the Roust, the tide will carry us along to our anchorage.' The boats being once more lowered, towed the head of the corvette round to the westward, though all the time several hands were bailing to keep them free of the water, which bubbled and tumbled hissing into them over the sides. The breeze which Pedro Alvarez had observed playing on the surface in the distance, at length filled her sails, and stemming the cur- rent, she again got into smooth water and the influence of the tide, making to the northward. The wind also drew round to the southward, and all sails being made, the corvette, with her wide spread of canvas, glided on as smoothly and majestically as before, till the island of Mousa, with its Pictie tower, bore west on her larboard beam. A signal was flying for a pilot, and a long, light boat, pulling six oars, was seen coining off from Fladbister, a town in reality a little fishing village on the shore. The heads of her crew were visible a long way off, by the bright hues of their long pendant worsted caps. They wore large sheepskin coats, coming down to the knee over their worsted shirts, and high boots of yellow untanued leather. The corvette was about to shorten sail, but they making signals that that was unnecessary, the boat shot alongside, and two of them sprang on board. 16 RONALD MORTON. ' Those fellows would be unpleasant customers if they came as enemies to attack our ship, from the active way in which they leaped up our sides,' observed the captain. ' They would be as difficult to keep out as wild cats.' One of the two pilots was a man advanced in life, the other was very much younger, and habited in the quaint costume which has been described ; his dress, though rough, differed much from the rest, while his easy, unembarrassed manner showed that he was an officer rather than an ordinary seaman. With a brisk step the men came aft, inquiring, as they did so, of the officers if any of them could speak English. They were referred to Don Hernan, who politely returned the salute as they touched their hats to him. ' Well, my men,' said he, ' will you take charge of the ship, and bring her to an anchor in Brassay Sound to-night ? ' ' That will we, captain, right gladly,' answered the younger of the two, glancing aloft with the eye of a seaman. ' She is as pretty a craft as any one has ever seen in these waters, and well worth taking care of. W^hat is her name ? where are you from ? and whither are you bound, captain ? Pardon me for asking, but it is my duty so to do. They are the questions we always put in these waters.' ' As to that, of course you are perfectly right,' answered the captain. ' Her name is the " St Cecilia," her commander Don Hernan de Escalante, and she carries, as you see, twenty guns. We sailed from Cadiz, and have touched at two or three French ports, and the British port of Plymouth ; after visiting Lerwick, we are bound round the north of your island, into the Atlantic again. You see that we have nothing to conceal. The character of this ship is above all suspicion ; and you will find, my friend, that you have lost nothing by navigating her in safety wherever we may wish to go.' ' Very likely, captain,' answered the pilot, looking up into the captain's countenance. ' I entertain no doubt about the matter, and if the provost and bailies of Lerwick are satisfied, THE PILOT. 17 I am sure that I shall be : keep her as she goes now for the Bard of Brassay. The tide will shoot her into the sound rapidly enough as we draw near it.' When in a short time the corvette was off the Bard or Beard of Brassay, as the ragged-looking southern end of that island is called, a turn of the helm to starboard sent the vessel into the Sound, and up she flew with smooth green heights on either side, here and there a few white buildings showing, and numerous rocks visible, till the pilot warned the captain that it was time to shorten sail. At a word the sailors were seen swarming aloft ; studding-sails came in as if by magic, royals and top-gallant sails were handed, topsails clewed up, and with her taunt tapering masts and square yards alone, surrounded by the intricate tracery of their rigging, the beautiful fabric glided up to an anchorage off the town of Lerwick. ' Friend, you brought the ship to an anchor in true seaman- like style,' said Captain Don Hernan, touching the young pilot on the shoulder. ' You have not been a simple pilot all your life.' ' No, indeed, captain,' answered the pilot, ' I have been afloat since my earliest days in southern seas, as well as en- gaged in the Greenland fishery. Lately I have been mate of a whaler, and maybe my next voyage I shall have charge of a ship as master. You have hit the right nail on the head this is the first summer that I ever spent on shore.' ' Can I trust you, then, to take charge of the ship round the coast ? ' asked the captain. ' Perhaps, however, you are not well acquainted with that ? ' The pilot smiled. ' There is not a point or headland, a rock, or shoal, or island, which I have not as clearly mapped down in my memory, as are the lines on yonder chart, and more correctly, too, I doubt not.' ' That will do I will trust you,' said Don Hernan. ' What is your name, friend, that I may send for you when you are wanted 1 ?' B 18 RONALD MORTON. * Rolf Morton,' was the answer ; ' but my home is some way to the northward, on the island of Whalsey. There you have it on your chart. Those who live on it boast that it is the finest of the outlying islands ; and well I know that such a castle as we have is not to be found in all Shetland.' ' Ah, it is your native place,' observed the captain. ' You therefore think so highly of it.' ' Not exactly, though I remember no other spot of earth before I put eyes on Whalsey. I was, so I have been told, picked up, when a child, from a wreck at sea ; and the men I was with called me Rolf Morton, the name which has stuck to me for want of a better. I know nothing more of my history; but I am prating of myself, and shall weary you, captain.' 'Far from it, friend; I delight in a little romance,' an- swered the captain. ' How comes it, though, that you re- mained on shore this summer ? but I need not ask one of your fair islanders, of whom I have heard so much, was your attraction.' ' Yes, in truth,' said the pilot, laughing ; ' she has become my wife, though ; and as I could not bring myself to quit her, I bethought me I would try to gain my livelihood by turning pilot. Yours is one of the first ships I have taken charge of. There I have been frank with you, captain, and tuld you all my history from beginning to end.' * And I thank you for it. I saw at a glance that you were above the ordinary style of a pilot. I wanted to find a man like yourself, who would give me the information I require about the country, the habits and customs of the people. I would wish to win their regard. But you have, I suppose, few good families here ? ' Don Hernan well knew that the islander's pride would tempt him to launch out in a full description of all the families of consequence in the group, and that he should thus easily THE LUNNASTING FAMILY. 19 obtain, without apparently seeking for it, all the information of that description which he required. Morton unsuspectingly answered exactly in the tone for which he was prepared. ' Indeed, captain, you are out of your latitude. We have the Edmonstones of Unst, and the Lord Dundas, and the Mouats, and the Ogilvys, and Scott of Scalloway, and Braces of Sandwick, and also of Symbister ; and Spences, and Dun- cans, and the Nicolson family ; baronets of old date, all hon- ourable men, and of ancient lineage ; besides many others I have not named, standing equally well in the estimation of the country ; and then there is the Lunnasting family of Lunnast- ing Castle, of which I spoke to you. The owner is Sir Marcus Wardhill, who succeeded to his property by right of his wife, the Lady Margaret Brindister ; one of the most ancient of our Shetland families, descended, so it is said, from one of the former chiefs, the Udallers of old. They are very great and important people, at all events when in their own castle, and of course have little communication with a man of my humble rank. Maybe I hear more of them than do others, because my wife's mother was for long the companion of the Lady Margaret, and the nurse to her children. I believe she loved them as her own. Indeed, although but called a nurse in the family, she is nearly akin to the Lady Margaret. But these are matters about which a stranger can have no interest.' ' A stranger might not, but I must not be considered in that light,' answered the captain. ' Strange as it may appear to you, I am connected with that very family of which you are speaking. An ancestress of mine was a Brindister. I must claim relationship with the occupants of Lunnasting. It will, in truth, be pleasant in this remote region to find friends so nearly related to me.' The reserve which the pilot had hitherto maintained seemed to vanish on hearing the assertion made by Don Hernan. * I have no doubt, captain, that they would have given you 20 RONALD MORTON. a warm northern welcome,' he answered. ' But Sir Marcus Wardhill himself, and his second daughter, are in the south, travelling, I have heard, among French and Germans, and it is said that they purpose remaining some time in the big city of London, a place among all my wanderings I have never seen.' ' The Lady Margaret, of whom you speak, and her elder daughter are there, I hope ; or is the castle shut up ? ' asked Don Hernan. 1 The Lady Margaret, as we called her, Lady Wardhill, is dead, but her elder daughter, Miss Hilda Wardhill, lives at Lunnasting, and manages the Shetland estates, they say as well as any man would do.' ' Ho, ho ! I should like to become acquainted with this talented cousin of mine,' said Don Hernan. ' Is she handsome as weh 1 as clever ? ' Thus appealed to, Morton replied with even more hesitation than before. ' As to an eye for the look of a ship aloft, or for her build or trim, I'll yield to no man ; and maybe I like the faces of some women more than others. This I'll say, sir ; it's my belief that there are not many in this world like the Lady Hilda.' ' You have probably heard of the Spanish connection of the family.' ' Yes, once or twice, maybe,' answered Morton ; ' my wife's mother often speaks of them. In her father's time they con- stantly corresponded, and exchanged presents Shetland shawls and stockings for Spanish silks and brocades. It was said that, during his travels, Sir Marcus thought of visiting his connections in Spain.' After some further conversation, the captain observed, ' I would pay my respects to the governor or authorities of tin; town. As you have proved so good a pilot afloat, you shall accompany me as my guide on shore.' CHAPTER II. LUNNASTING CASTLE THE STRANGER SHIP SANDY REDLAND, THE FACTOR ARCHY EAGLESHAY MISS WARDHILI/S VISITORS THE DISAPPEARANCE OF THE HEIR. IUNNASTING- CASTLE stood on a high rocky promontory, washed by the ocean on the south and east, and by a voe which ran up some way in- land on the west. It was a somewhat extensive building- ; but though of a castellated style of architecture it was not really a fortress further than the naturally inaccessible nature of the ground on which it stood made it so. It stood on the site, and was formed partly of such materials as time had left of an old castle of the earls or ancient Udal lords of Shetland, and had been very much increased in size, and orna- mented, as well as rendered a more commodious habitation by the present owner, Sir Marcus Wardhill. The dwelling-house consisted but of two stories, and standing, as it did, elevated some way above the sea, looked lower than it really was. It was surrounded on the north, east, and west, by a high castel- lated wall, flanked with towers, which, if not capable of keep- ing out a mortal enemy, served the purpose for which it was built, to guard the mansion from the assaults of the wintry blasts of the icy ocean. In front, on the south side, that the inhabitants might enjoy the sea view, and that the warm rays of the sun might be admitted, the wall sunk down to the height 21 22 RONALD MORTON. of a mere ornamental parapet, the round towers at either end giving- it some right to claim the title bestowed on it ; especially as on the summit of either tower Sir Marcus had mounted a couple of long six-pounders, capable of considerably annoying any hostile vessel of a size at all likely to venture near that part of a coast so full of dangers that no large ship would willingly approach it. The muzzles of some smaller guns appeared through the embrasure of the parapet wall, which was also flanked by a buttress, or rather a' circular outwork at either end at the foot of the towers, where pivot guns were placed, so that the one on the west could fire directly up the voe or gulf, and served to flank the western wall. The two principal front towers were connected with the dwelling-house, and had small chambers in them, one above the other, which had been fitted up as sitting-rooms or dormitories. In a deep window recess, in the highest chamber of the Avestern tower of Lunnasting Castle, sat Miss Wardhill, Sir Marcus Wardhill's eldest child. Although the window matched in appearance the others in that and the opposite tower, which were mere high, narrow, glazed loop-holes, by an ingenious con- trivance a huge stone was made to turn on an iron axle, and by pressing a spring, it slid in sufficiently to allow the inmate of the room to gaze out conveniently on the surrounding scene. Few scenes, to a romantic temperament, could have been more attractive. The subdued twilight of that northern clime reigned over the face of nature, softening and mellowing all objects, but in no way obscuring them. The light was not so bright as that of the day, and yet it partook in no way of the characteristics of night. It was more like the warm light of the dawn of a summer day in the south, just before the sun rises up from below the horizon in refulgent glory. The water near the land was perfectly smooth, though a breeze could be seen rippling 1 the surface in the offing, the ripple being increased probably by the strong current Avhich nearly at all times sets one way or the other round the islands. THE SOUND. 23 Before the castle, on the right, rose the rocky heights and green swelling undulations of the mainland the Noup of Nest- ing Kirkbuster, Brough and Moul of Eswick, while the high- lands above Lerwick, and the heights of Brassy and Noss, ap- peared blue and indistinct in the far distance. To the east, several green islands, or rather islets, known as Grief Skerries, Rumble, Eastling, and other equally euphonious names, ran out of the dark-blue ocean. The last-named being a mile and a half in length, formed with the main island, along the shore of which it ran parallel, and from which it was little more than a quarter of a mile distant, a sound of some extent, where vessels in all but north-easterly winds could ride safely at anchor. Even in these winds the force of the sea was con- siderably broken by the small island or holm of Isbuster, which lay in the very centre of the northern entrance. Looking eastward, and north from the towers of Lun- nasting, the view extended nearly up the Sound, and com- manded the whole island of Eastling, which perhaps obtained its name from lying east of the chief habitation of the lords of the domain, Eastling being a corruption of Eastlying. Such was the view on which Hilda Wardhill was occasionally turn- ing her gaze, though her eyes were more frequently fixed on the pages of a large volume lying open on a dark oak reading desk fixed in the recess, and so placed that the last rays of that precious sunlight which so soon departs in the long winter season of the North, might fall full upon it. The room was of an octagon shape, with dark oak wainscoting and ceiling ; the chairs were of a suitable character, mostly with high upright backs, rudely carved, as were some book-shelves, which oc- cupied two of the sides, while a massive table, supported by sea monsters, or at all events by creatures of fish-like form, stood in the centre ; another table of similar character stood against the side of the room with writing materials on it, and there was a sofa of antique form, and two large chests of some dark wood, with brass clasps and plates on the lids and sides. 24 RONALD MORTON. so tarnished however by the sea air, as scarcely to be discerned as brass. A second high narrow window, with a lattice, faced towards the west and north, so that persons standing at it could, by leaning forward, look completely up the voe. Thus, from this turret chamber, a view could be obtained on every side, except on that looking inland, or rather over the island. On one of the eight sides there was, however, a small door in the panelling, which opened on a spiral staircase leading to the very summit of the tower, where, as has been said, a gun was placed, and whence a complete view was obtained over every portion of the island, extending far away over the sea beyond, to the Out Skerries, a rocky group so called ; and the distant shores of the large island of Yell. As the roof could only be reached by passing through the chamber below, it was completely private to the fair occupant as long as she chose to close the ingress to her own room. Seldom has a more beautiful picture been portrayed to the mind's eye of the most imaginative of painters, than that which Hilda Wardhill presented as she sat at the window of her turret chamber, either leaning over the volume which oc- cupied her attention, or gazing out on the calm ocean, her thoughts evidently still engaged in the subject of her studies. At length she rose, and was about to close the window, when her eye fell on a vast towering mass of white, gliding slowly from the northward down Eastling Sound. She looked more than once, mistrusting her senses, and inclined to believe that it was some phantom of the deep, described in wild ro- mances, often her study, which she beheld, till another glance assured her, as the object drew nearer that it was a large ship, far larger than had ever been known during her recollection to anchor in the Sound. With speed which seemed like magic, the white canvas disappeared, and the tall masts and the yards and the light tracery of the rigging could only dimly be traced against the clear sky. Whence the stranger had come, or for what object, Hilda THE STRANGER SHIP. 25 could not tell, but still she had a feeling how communicated she did not inquire that the event portended some great change in her own fate. Painful forebodings of evil came crowding like mocking phantoms around her. She tried with the exercise of her own strong will to banish them. In vain she strove the more they seemed to mock her power. She felt as if she could almost have shrieked out in the agony of her mortal struggle, till her proud spirit quailed and trembled with unwonted fears. Again the clock tolled forth a solitary sound, which vibrated strangely on her overwrought nerves, and seemed more sonorous than usual. She pressed her hand upon her brow, then by an effort she seemed by a single gasp to recover herself, and, closing the window, retired to her sleep- ing chamber in that part of the house in the immediate neigh- bourhood of her favourite tower. At an early hour the lady of the castle was on foot. She at once ascended to the summit of her tower, and gazed eagerly up the Sound, half expecting to find that she had been deceived by her imagination on the previous night, and that the ship she had seen was but a creation of the brain. There, however, floated the beautiful fabric, but there was not the slightest movement or sign of life on board. At all events, it seemed improbable that she would soon move from her present position. At length she descended to her boudoir below, where, as usual, her light and frugal meal was brought to her by her own at- tendant, Nanny Clousta. Her meal, at which Nanny stood ready to help her to any- thing she required, being quickly concluded, Miss Wardhill descended to the large hall on the ground-floor, in the centre of the castle. It was a handsome room, with an arched ceiling of dark oak, supported by pillars round the wall. A long table ran down the centre, at one end of which, on a raised platform or dais, she took her seat. Several tenants of the Lunnastius 1 o estate came in to make complaints, to beg for the redress of grievances, to report on the state of the farms, or fisheries, or 26 RONALD MORTON. kelp-collecting ; to all of which the lady listened with the most perfect attention, making notes in a book placed before her. Two or three were told to wait till she had seen the factor, that she might hear his reports before deciding on their claims. She looked round as if the audience was over; and inquired why Alexander, or Sandy Redland, as he was called, the factor, did not make his appearance, when an old man, leaning on a stick, hobbled into the hall. ' I come for justice, my lady. Oh, hear me, hear me ! ' he exclaimed ; as if before entering the hall he had worked him- self up to address her ; ' I am just auld Archy Eagleshay, and as ye ken weel, my leddie, my only son has long gane been awa to sea, and I've been left to struggle on fra ane year to another, till now that I am grown too weak to toil, and the factor, Sandy Eedland, comes down upon me, and makes awfu' threats to distrain and turn me out of my sma' holding if I dinna pay ; and pay I canua', that is truth, my leddie. Have mercy, have pity, my leddie. Ye love justice whatever else ye love.' ' Justice might induce me to expel you from your holding, if you cannot pay your rent, old man,' said Miss Wardhill, in a cold severe tone. ' However I will listen to what Sandy Redlaud, the factor, has to say. Ha ! here he comes. You are late Mr Redland, in your attendance. What has kept you!' The man who entered was a tall, thin person, habited in the grey shepherd's plaid of the north. His features were coarse. He possessed a sharp nose, high cheek bones, and small and grey unpleasantly twinkling eyes. He bowed low, and in a voice which was intended to be soft and insinuating, replied ' It is no fault o' mine when your orders are na implicitly obeyed, Miss Wardhill ; but circumstances militate against the best intentions, as may be clear to you oftentimes, I doubt not. I was delayed by having to make inquiries respecting a strange ship, which anchored, it appears, a few hours back, in the SANDY REDLAND. 27 Sound of Eastling, and which, as I opine, is within your leddy- ship's jurisdiction, I deemed it incumbent on me to ascertain the object of her coming-, and the time it might be proposed for her to stay. As she is a foreigner, it struck me that charge might be made for harbour and light dues, and the chances are that it would not be disputed. Ye see, Miss Wardhill, that I have always your honoured father's interests at heart.' The lady gave a glance towards the factor, which bespoke the most perfect contempt too cold and confirmed to cause much change in her features. ' And what have you learned respecting this stranger ship ?' she asked. ' Nathing, my leddie, nathing,' answered Sandy, shudder- ing. ' What could I tell but that she might be a pirate or an enemy in disguise, or some ill-doer, and that if I, the factor of Lunnasting, was entrapped on board, I might be retained as a hostage in durance vile, till sic times as a heavy sum might be collected for my ransom.' A gleam flitted across Miss Wardhill's countenance, as she replied : ' You estimate yourself somewhat highly, factor. Then, in truth, you know nothing of the ship which has anchored in the Sound?' 'Nathing whatever, my leddie,' was the answer. ' But I await the return of Jock Busta's boat which I despatched as soon as I reached Whalsey this morning from the mainland.' ' Bring me the information as soon as you obtain it,' said Miss Wardhill. ' In the meantime let me hear what answer you have to make to a complaint old Archy Eagleshay brings against you.' The factor gave a variety of reasons for his conduct, to which she listened without replying, and then called up the old man to her end of the table. ' Go home Archy Eagleshay,' she said, in a voice totally different to that in which she had spoken to the factor. ' Rest quiet in your hut. The old and infirm must be sheltered and 28 RONALD MORTON. fed ; of that there is no doubt ; but let the evil-doer and idle beware. On them I shall have no mercy. Sandy Eedland, mark me : I will have no cruelty or oppression remember that. The instant you receive information respecting the strange ship, let me know through Nanny Clousta.' There was a cowed look on the countenance of Sandy Red- land as he bowed, while his young mistress rose to retire. Old Archy lifted up his hands, as if about to address her once more, then he turned slowly round. ' Ha, ha ! ' he mut- tered ; ' if she had yielded to you, cruel factor, I'd have told her all I know, and made e'eii her proud spirit tremble ; but she's been good and kind to an auld man, and I'll say nothing.' On leaving the hall, Hilda Wardhill went at once to the turret chamber, and from thence mounted to the platform on the summit of the tower. Her first glance was up the Sound, where lay the stranger ship. The sails were still closely furled ; the boats were hoisted up ; not a movement of any sort ap- peared to be taking place. The only object stirring was a small boat, which just then was gliding rapidly close under tho headland on which the castle stood. A single rower sat in it, who managed his oars with the skill which long practice gives. He looked up, and seeing Miss Wardhill, flourished his oar as a salute, which she returned with the slightest possible inclina- tion of her head, and then continued pacing up and down, while he pursued his course till he entered the voe, and reached the castle lancling-plao : ' friiid !hc maiijiH, , .jiii'-iK *liu'ur duty, my friend, and now go back to those who sent yon, and inform them that you have delivered your message, but that my avocations prevent me troiu acceding to their demands.' PEDRO ALVAREZ AND THE INQUISITION. 115 The official looked wonderfully astonished, and, without saying another word, drew a pistol from his bosom, and clap- ping it to the seaman's head, told him that he must enforce obedience. ' Must you, friend ? ' exclaimed Pedro, by a sudden move- ment of his arm striking up the pistol ; ' then I must resist by force.' The official pulled the trigger, but the weapon had not often been used, and the powder flashed in the pan. lie was about to draw another, but Pedro's quick eye saw the man's purpose. His own sword lay on the table. He seized it with one hand, while with the other he grasped the barrel of the pistol about to be turned towards him. At that instant the official's foot slipped, and, as he fell heavily forward, the point of the sword entered his throat and pierced through to the spine. Pedro caught him as he fell, but the wound was mortal, and in another minute he was dead. Pedro Alvarez was as bold and brave a seaman as ever stepped ; but he knew full well that killing an official of the Inquisition in the execution of his duty, would make the country too hot for him. The instinct of self-preservation was as strong with him as with most men. He considered how he could avoid the consequences of his act. There was a large cupboard in the room. He dragged the body in, and locking the door put the key in his pocket. The wound had not bled much, and he was able to get rid of the traces with- out much difficulty. It just then occurred to him that the owners of the house would get into trouble when the body should be discovered ; so he wrote on a piece of paper ' This man attempted to kill me, and in self-defence, I, against my wish, slew him. Pedro Alvarez;' and, opening the door of the cupboard, pinned it on the stranger's coat. He then put all the papers belonging to him into his pocket, and deliberately walked down to the quays. His boat was waiting for him. His lu.-uil beat much niuie leguluily than il hud dsjiit fur ilit Uust haii' 116 RONALD MORTON. hour, as he sprang on board and shoved off. His crew gave way, and he soon stepped the deck of his beautiful little brig, the ' Veloz.' The next instant the boats were hoisted in, the anchor was weighed, the topsails were let fall and sheeted home, and the brig, with a fine breeze from the southward, stood out of the harbour. Every sail the brig could carry was pressed on her. The officers and crew were delighted with the way she flew through the water. Her captain turned his spy- glass very often towards the town : he made out, at last, a boat pulling off rapidly towards the brig, and shortly afterwards his signal mid-shipman reported that one of the ships-of-war in the harbour was telegraphing to them. ' You must be mistaken, boy ; it cannot be intended for us shut up your book, we are beyond signalling distance,' he an- swered. ' And so farewell to lovely Spain for ever, perhaps,' he thought to himself. ' It will take more years than I am likely to live to make those wretches forget or forgive the death of their official. From henceforth I am a banished man. For myself I care not ; but for poor young Hernan who is to advocate his cause? Well, I fear for this time the spirit of evil and his imps have got the upper hand of houest folk.' CHAPTER XII. A STRANGE SCHOONER APPEARS OFF LUNNASTING. THE CASTLE ATTACKED. THE PIRATES ENTER THE CASTLE. YOUNG HERNAN CARRIED OFF. HE winds whistled round the towers of Lunnast- ing, and the wild waves, as they were wont, washed the base of the rock on which it stood, and time sped on without any material change taking place among its inhabitants. Hilda spent the greater portion of the day in her turret chamber, gazing out when not engaged in nursing her child on the wide-spread ocean, and thinking of him who slept beneath its surface. Her infant, however, was her constant and only source of interest. The little fatherless infant grew and flourished, and gave every promise of becoming a strong healthy boy. Meantime the health of Bertha Morton became week after week worse and worse, and her mother began to fear, too justly, that her days on earth were numbered. Rolf had been compelled to make a voyage to Greenland, as first mate of a ship ; and he came back only in time to have his little boy put into his arms and to re- ceive the last breath of the wife he so fondly loved. At Hilda's special invitation the young Ronald was carried up to castle that his grandmother might have the entire charge of him. ' He will make a good playmate for my little Hernan, dear Bertha,' observed Hilda; so you see he will amply repay me 117 1 18 RONALD MORTON, for any advantage he may obtain by the arrangement. I trust the boys may be friends through life. They are of kindred blood, and Morton is a person in manners and conduct far above the position he holds. From his appearance it has more than once occurred to me that he must be of gentle blood. lie that is gone, who saw a good deal of him, several times made the same remark.' ' He was brought up by a good, kind, Christian man, and it is on that account, rather than on account of his birth, that he possesses the qualities of which you so kindly speak, my dear mistress,' answered Bertha. Hilda made no reply ; affliction had not taught her to adopt the principles which guided Bertha's conduct. The brief daylight hours of the northern winter had once more begun to increase, when Hilda received a letter from her father, announcing his intention of returning to Lunnasting in the early part of the summer, with Edda. He also spoke of her sister's engagement to a Colonel Armytage, remarking that the marriage would soon take place. It is scarcely possible to describe the varied, but chiefly painful feelings which this information created in Hilda's bosom. Her father had hitherto remained ignorant of her conduct, and she felt that he would be very justly incensed when he heard of it. Still she was too proud and self-willed to meditate for an instant asking his pardon, or seeking for reconciliation, and her whole thoughts were occupied in considering how she could best meet the storm of indignation and anger which she ex- pected to burst on her. For Edda, however, she had as warm an affection as it was in her nature to feel for anybody so totally different as her sister and she were to each other. She could scarcely help despising Edda for her gentleness and her kind and affectionate disposition, as well as for the implicit obedience she yielded to their father's often imperious commands. ' I pray heaven the gentleman our sweet Miss Edda is going to marry is worthy of her good, and generous, and kind or it THE STRANGE SCHOONER. 119 will break her heart,' said nurse Bertha, as they were talking over the subject tog-ether. ' It takes a good deal to break a Wardhill's heart, or mine would have gone long ago,' answered Hilda, with a sigh so deep and sad that it made Bertha's sicken as she heard it. Lawrence Brindister was as little pleased as any one with the report of Sir Marcus Wardhill's intended return. Poor Lawrence had that instinctive dread of his guardian which a cat or a dog has of the person who takes every occasion of giving them a kick or a buffet when they meet. He felt that he was unjustly and tyrannically treated, yet he had no means of breaking away from his thraldom. Sir Marcus had a very simple plan for keeping him within bounds ; he never intrusted him with money ; and as poor Lawrence was known to be of unsound mind, nobody was found willing to lend him their gold to supply his wants, as none of it was ever likely to be repaid. Pending the expected arrival of her father, Hilda was seated as usual at her turret window ; now gazing at her infant, who was sleeping on a pile of cushions at her feet ; now casting a glance across the ocean, over which the sun, now declining towards the west, was casting a rich glow, when her eye was attracted by the white sails of a vessel which, lighted up by his beams, shone like driven snow. There was a light wind from the soTith-east, before which the vessel under all sail was standing in towards the land. Hilda, who from having lived all her life near the sea was well acquainted with the rigs of vessels, recognised the one now approaching as a schooner, and from her wide spread of canvas she judged that she was a large one. On stood the stranger, directly towards Whalsey. At first, from the bold way in which she approached, Hilda thought that she must have a pilot on board, but as she drew in with the channel between the south end of Eastling and the little island known as Grief Skerry, she hauled her wind, and then went about and hovc-to, with her head off shore. 120 RONALD MORTON. ' What can possibly be her errand here ? ' said ITilda to herself. ' Can my father be on board her ? But no, he would have stood on, and brought the vessel to an anchor.' The family retired to rest at the usual hour of ten o'clock, and probably not long after that were wrapped in sound sleep. Not so poor Hilda. The mistress of the mansion slept far less than any of those who obeyed her orders. She invariably re- tired long after the household were in bed, rose early, and probably seldom obtained more than an hour's continuous sleep. On this evening her child had been somewhat fretful, and Bertha insisted on carrying the little fellow off to sleep in her room with her grandson, Ronald Morton. Hilda had re- luctantly consented to the arrangement, and frequently awoke with a start of terror on missing her little companion from her side. At length she had fallen into a comparatively sound sleep, when she was suddenly awakened by a loud, crashing sound. She started up. The noise brought to her recol- lection, with painful clearness, the moment when the ' St Cecilia ' struck on the rocks of Ossa Skerry. She thought she must have been dreaming, but again the sound was renewed. She felt confident that it was caused by heavy blows dealt against a small postern gate which led out on the front terrace overhanging the sea. From the noise, Hilda suspected that this had already partly given way, and she feared that the assailants, whoever they were, would already have gained an entrance before she could summon any of the servants to re- sist them. Besides Lawrence, it was not likely that there were more than five or six men in the house. The bell be- longing to her room led only to the chambers of the women, and she feared that when the} 7 awoke, they would do little more for the defence of the castle than scream ; nor had she much confidence in the valour of old David Cheyne, the butler. Still she herself felt no overwhelming alarm. Throwing some garments round her, she hurried to the hall, where a bell rope communicated with the servants' room. She pulled it vio- LUNNASTING CASTLE ATTACKED. 121 lently, and then hastened on to call Lawrence. She had little confidence, however, in the way he might behave ; still, she had no reason to doubt his courage, and knew that if he com- prehended what was required, he was likely to be of as much value as any other man. He had fire-arms, and so had all the servants, and she hoped, if there was time for them to collect, to give the assailants a warm reception. The door, it was evident, had resisted the first attack made on it, for again there came a succession of thundering blows, which echoed through the castle, and must have aroused the soundest sleepers. Hilda took a turn up and down the hall to relieve her impatience. She felt inclined herself to go to the gate to ascertain how far it had resisted the attacks made on it, but she reflected that this would be folly, because, should she be seized by the enemy, it would make all further resistance use- less. Every moment her impatience increased. ' What ! are the men turned cowards ? ' she exclaimed, when she found that no one appeared ; ' are they skulking in bed, afraid to encounter the unexpected foe ? Oh ! that I were a man, to be able to fight as brave men do ! I thoiight better things of Lawrence. If they would but come, we might yet drive back these marauders. It shall never be said that the castle of Lunnasting was given up without a desperate struggle.' Again she rang such a peal, that Davie Cheyne must have been aroused, had he been twice as sound asleep as he had ever been before. It produced its effect, and with startled looks, his hair on end, with his night-cap in one hand and his coat in the other, the old butler rushed into the hall, followed by the other serving-men, and some farm labourers who slept in the castle. 'Oh my lady! oh Miss Hilda! Oh I beg pardon, Madame Escalante what is the matter ? What is going to happen?' ' That you, lazy-bones, have been snoring in bed, while the 122 RONALD MORTON. castle is bein attacked by a band of robbers or privateers; and that, unless you stir yourselves to defend it, you may all be murdered as you deserve. Quick ! get your arms, and try to defend the place. Where is Mr Lawrence ? Is he as cowardly as the rest of you ? ' ' No, cousin Hilda, he is not,' said Lawrence, who entered at that moment with a musket in one hand, a sword in the other, and a brace of pistols in his belt. ' I have been to take a look at the besiegers. They are taking breath to make a fresh attack, and it's my opinion that we take them on the flank, and if we work our guns well, we shall be able to shoot them down before one of them can return to their boats.' ' Excellent, Lawrence,' exclaimed Hilda, pleased with his unexpected sagacity and promptness. ' Place the men as you think best. What could induce an enemy to attack this place, it is difficult to say, unless from its apparent strength they suppose it contains large stores of plate and jewels. However, I trust to your courage and conduct to disappoint them.' While Hilda was speaking, some of the men were loading their firelocks ; others found that they had forgot their ammu- nition, and ran back to get it ; and Davie Cheyrie was putting on his coat and arranging his garments in a seemly manner, and stuffing a night-cap into his pouch, he armed himself with a huge blunderbuss, which, with its ammunition pouches, hang- over the mantelpiece. 'Give me a musket!' cried Hilda. 'Where there arc not enough men, women must fight. I would sooner lose my life than allow these marauders to enter the castle.' Hilda was speaking while Davie Cheyne was getting down the fire-arm and handing it to her. Not another moment was then lost, and the party, led by Lawrence, were hastening to the eastern tower which commanded the gate, when several of the women rushed with loud shrieks into the hall, exclaiming that the robbers were breaking into the castle, and that they were all going to be murdered. THE DEFENDERS OF LUNNASTING. 123 ' Silence, wenches ! ' cried Hilda, indignantly. ' When I show signs of fear it is time for you to be afraid. Those who have the nerve to load the guns come with me ; the rest go and remain with Bertha Eswick and the children. She will shame you, I doubt not, by her coolness.' Two of the damsels alone were influenced by this address, and followed their mistress, while the rest, every now and then giving way to a shriek, ran up stairs as fast as they could go, to the nursery, where, surrounding Bertha, who was sitting up with the children, they said the mistress had sent them, and pulling away at her, entreated her to tell them what was going to happen. ' Girls, girls ; it is something very dreadful, I doubt not,' she answered, solemnly. ' But shrieking and crying will not ward off the danger. Let us rather silently pray to Him who can alone save us, for protection and the safety of those we best love.' The girls were silent for a short time, but Bertha's address did not seem to have much effect on them ; and the sound of a volley of musketry, which was soon afterwards heard again, set them off shrieking louder than before. The effects of the volley did not appear to have much availed the defenders of the castle, for, almost before it had ceased, the thundering blows on the gate were renewed with greater violence than before, and the crashing noise which fol- lowed showed that it was yielding to them. There were, as Bertha well knew, two small gates, one within the other. The first had, as she suspected, given way to the attack the assailants had first made, the crushing sound of which had awakened her as it had Hilda. The second gate was the one against which they were now directing their efforts. Law- rence had not been aware of this, and he fancied that it was the outer gate alone which had to be defended. On reaching the first storey of the tower, and on looking from the window which commanded the space before this outer gate, he saw a 124 RONALD MORTON. large group of armed men, apparently prepared for attack- ing it. ' There are the enemy ! Have no parley with them ! Fire, boys ! ' he exclaimed, setting the example by discharging his musket. The rest fired likewise, and apparently several of the enemy were hit ; but, instead of taking to flight, they fired in return, and several of the Lunnasting party might have been hit had they not speedily retired from the window. In the chamber below, however, there were several loopholes, and in these they forthwith assembled, and commenced firing away as before. Hilda had not used her musket ; but she in no way felt inclined to shrink from the contest, and her presence won- derfully animated the rest. They soon, however, discovered that the first of their defences had been taken, and that they were not in the slightest degree impeding the progress of the attacking party, who, in spite of the repeated volleys with which their comrades were saluted, continued to batter away at the door with an evident determination to succeed. At tho same time the door was a very solid one, and resisted all their efforts. Several of those outside had been wounded. One or two had been seen to fall. This encouraged Lawrence and Ins followers. ' Could you not make a sally and drive them off?' at length exclaimed Hilda, as the blows on the door became louder and more reiterated. ' If you rushed out suddenly they would not know how many men were following, and might take to flight.' ' They know well enough how many men are inside these walls, or they would not have dared to attack us, my lady,' observed Davie Cheyne. ' With your permission, my lady, we'll fight on till the powder is gone, with the thick stone between us, but there is na use in venturing our lives against six times our number without some such aid.' The firing on both sides now became very warm till two of the servants were hit, and a bullet passed through the sleeve of Lawrence's coat. On discovering this Hilda despatched one LUNNASTING TAKEN. 125 of the girls for bandages, while she endeavoured to staunch the blood of the man who was most hurt with her handkerchief. ' Thank ye, ma'am thank ye, my lady,' said the poor fellow, looking up at her with an expression of gratitude in his countenance ; ' it will not be much harm done, and if ye will let me I'll be at them again.' The girl was absent nearly a minute, and, as she appeared, in a voice of terror she exclaimed, ' the gate is giving way, and they will be into the castle in a moment ! ' The courage of Hilda and her two attendants formed a great contrast to the behaviour of the women who had taken refuge with Bertha. The more constant the firing the louder they shrieked; and, as the sound of the blows on the gate reached them they clung to her gown, entreating her to tell them what to do. At last there came a crash louder than any that had preceded it, followed immediately by shouts and cries, and the report of fire-arms, evidently inside the castle, and the cries and shrieks increased, and then there was the heavy tramp of men's feet, some hurrying along the passages, others ascend- ing the stairs. ' Oh, they are coming here they are coming here !' cried one of the servant girls. ' We shall ah 1 be murdered,' and the castle will be burnt. Oh, Mistress Bertha, where shall we run to ? where shall we hide ? ' ' Close the doors, girls,' said Bertha, calmly. ' Perhaps they will not come here.' The sound of the footsteps drew nearer and nearer. One room after the other was entered, and at last that next to the nursery. A moment afterwards the nursery door was violently shaken. Bertha made a sign to the women to keep silence, but in vain : as a heavy blow was struck against the door, one of them shrieked out. Some words iu a strange language were spoken by men with gruff voices, and the next instant the door was burst open, and a dozen or more armed men, fierce- iookinL:' fello \v, rushed into the i\>om. The lails ilol to the 126 EONALD MORTON. extreme corner, but the pirates for that they were desperadoes of that description, there seemed no doubt took at first but little notice of them, turning all their attention to Bertha and the two children. A tall sinewy fellow, with long moustachios, stalked up to her, and, before she was aware of what he was about, snatched one of the children from her, and scrutinizing its countenance returned it to her, and then seized the other, which he examined still more minutely. He seemed sorely puzzled, and pulled away furiously at liis moustachios, while he talked and gesticulated to his companions. They then commenced an examination of the children, and were so absorbed in the matter, that the serving girls were able to make their escape from the room, while poor Bertha was left alone with the savage-looking baud of strangers. However, the matter was soon decided. The tall man, who Seemed to be the captain, attempted to snatch the one he had first seized from poor Bertha's grasp. In vain she struggled, and entreated him to let it go. Both the little fellows shrieked out with terror, as, hugging them in her arms, she endeavoured to escape from him ; but, teariug the child from her, he held it up to his companions, and seemed to be asking them certain ques- tions. They nodded in return ; and while two of them held back poor Bertha, who was struggling to regain the child, he threw a cloak over it, and, calling to his followers, hurried down stairs. Bertha attempted to follow, in the hopes of re- gaining the child, but. overcome with terror and agitation, she sunk exhausted on the ground. The marauders took their way to the postern gate, by which they had entered the castle. Near it was a room, at the door of which a number of their companions were standing, guarding the defenders of the castle, whom they had overpowered. Leaving them there, he passed on, and, getting over the terrace parapet wall, he descended the cliff with his burden towards the boat which lay at the foot of it, and to which the men who had been wounded had been already conveyed. The little boy v.u.s all the lime shrieking T3ut, tearing the child from her, he hekl it up to his companions, and sscmed ) be asking them certain questions. The Fife Ships. THE STOLEN CHILD. 127 out most lustily, and desiring to be taken back to his mamma. Placing the child in the boat, with strict charges to one of the men who were in her not to let it out of his arms, he climbed the cliff again with the agility of a cat, and rejoined his com- rades. He addressed them in Spanish. ' My men,' he observed, ' we have thus far fulfilled our engagement. Now let us recompense ourselves in case the promised reward should not be forthcoming.' His proposal seemed to meet with the warm approval of all the party. It was necessary, however, to leave some of them to guard the prisoners, at which those who were to be left grumbled much. ' No matter,' he observed ; ' three of you will do, and if any of the prisoners attempt to escape, shoot them. It is the quickest way of disposing of those sort of people.' Bertha had lain thus for some time, still grasping the little child, and in spite of his piteous cries, unconscious of his presence, when she was aroused by her mistress's voice ex- claiming ' Bertha, Bertha ! where is my boy ? where is Heruan ? ' ' Your boy, Hilda ! is he not here ? ' answered Bertha, scarcely yet fully aroused. ' Is he not here here in my arms ? ' ' Here? no ! Where is he ? who has him 1 Give him to me ! ' exclaimed Hilda, in a tone which showed the agony of her terror. ' Oh ! was it not a dream ? Where is he, do you ask I What has happened ? Those men they bore him away,' said Bertha, trying to rouse herself. 'My boy gone? You gave him to them instead of yon- own,' cried Hilda. ' Oh ! woman woman ! Did you not know how precious he was to me ? And you let them take him ! You should have died rather than allow them t. tear him from you.' k You wrong me, dear mistress,' answered Bertha. ' They 128 RONALD MORTON. chose yours they had come on purpose to get him, for they rejected mine. But have they gone ? Let us follow them : a mother's tears may induce them to give him back.' * And I have lost all this time ! ' cried Hilda, putting her hand to her brow, and moving from the room. When the pirates forced their way into the castle, the de- fenders were separated ; Davie Cheyne, with the two serving girls, hurrying off their mistress in one direction, while Law- rence and the men bravely opposed them for some minutes, till they were completely overpowered, and compelled to submit to the enemy. Having provided for their prisoners, the captain of the pirates and his men set off to engage in the pleasant occupa- tion of ransacking the castle. From room to room they went, injuring nothing, and breaking nothing, except the locks of drawers, cabinets, chests, and cupboards. These, as the keys were not forthcoming, they burst open to examine their con- tents. They worked away briskly, but in no undue hurry. They knew that the operation in which they were engaged should not be done slowly, in case of interruption ; at the same time at present, they had no reason to expect any interference with their performances. They were most of them evidently practised hands, for they were choice in their selections, and took only the more valuable articles. Plate, jewels, and orna- ments were quickly transferred to their pockets, or to bags with which they had come prepared ; but, with the exception of a few clothes, to which some of them took a fancy, and a collection of eatables from the housekeeper's store-room, nothing else was carried off. These matters being arranged, the captain ordered a retreat to be soimded. It was time, for daylight was already coming tin, and they could not tell what assistance might be sent to the inhabitants of the castle, as they knew that the sound of their firing must have given notice to the neighbouring population that something unusual was croincr on. With some duisive HILDA'S DISPAIR. 129 expressions, the meaning of which Lawrence alone, of those who heard them, could understand, they left the party in the room, simply turning the key on them, and took their way to their boats. Just as they were shoving off through the twilight, a figure was seen standing on the edge of the cliff, stretching forth her arms, and shrieking out ' My child my child ! Bring back my boy ! Take him not away ! ' In vain she cried, and those fierce men, cruel and callous as they were, had not the barbarity to mock her. Without uttering a word, they pulled rapidly from the shore. Giving vent to her feelings in cries, she uttered shriek after shriek, and would have thrown herself into the water, in her eagerness to follow them, had not Davie Cheyne come behind her, and, seiz- ing her in his arms, drawn her back from the edge of the pre- cipice. She broke from him, and was again rushing forward, when Lawrence and a servant, who burst out of the room where they had been locked in, ran forward and surrounded her. When they saw the boats, two of them, who had secured some muskets which the pirates had overlooked, threatened to fire on them ; but as they levelled their pieces the captain held up the child, and three or four bullets whizzing above their heads, showed them that they would gain nothing by warlike proceedings. Some of the men and so did Lawrence pro- posed manning Sir Marcus's barge, and going in pursuit of the enemy ; but the proposal was wisely overruled by Davie Cheyne. ' How could they expect, with a single boat, and with but few men ill-armed, to capture two boats full of well-armed men, perfectly practised in warfare, and who had already shown their superiority ? ' The argument was unanswerable, and the proposal was withdrawn. It was, meantime, with the greatest difficulty that Hilda was held back from the edge of the cliff. ' My child ! my child ! ' she continued crying out. ' Oh, bring me back my child ! ' 130 RONALD MORTON. The sound of her voice could no longer reach those she addressed. Away pulled the boat towards the schooner in the offing ; and as all hope of recovering her soon vanished, she again sunk senseless into the arms of those surrounding her. When daylight increased, a schooner, which hoisted French colours, was seen standing away to the eastward ; but whence she had come, and where she went to, no one connected with Lunnasting was ever able to discover. CHAPTER XIII. ARRIVAL OF SIR MARCUS. HILDA AND HER SISTER. A BRIG OF WAR APPEARS. EDDA's MARRIAGE. ROLF MORTON SAILS ON A LONG VOYAGE. ]OR many days after the loss of her child, Hilda re- mained in a state of such utter prostration, that Bertha, who would allow no one but herself to watch her, often dreaded that her mind would go altogether. ' Perhaps she would be happier thus unconscious of past griefs, or of the dreary future in store for her,' Bertha fre- quently repeated to herself; but Hilda was not thus to be spared the trials and sorrows sent to purify and correct her nature. Not only did she become fully aware of all that had taken place, but she was made fully alive to events daily occurring, and was able to contemplate what the future might bring forth. On what account her son was carried off, she could form no conjecture, but she always cherished the hope of seeing him again. This hope occupied her thoughts by day arid her dreams by night, and appeared to be the chief means of her restoration to comparative health. At first she could not bear the sight of her child's playmate, Ronald Morton ; but one day she suddenly desired Bertha to bring him to her, and after gazing at him for some moments, she covered him with kisses, and from that moment could scarcely bear him out of her sight. At first the child cried, and evidently regarded her with dread ; 131 132 RONALD MORTON. but Bertha soothed him, and persuaded him to go back to her ; and Hilda, by gentle caresses, which seemed totally foreign to her nature, soon won him over completely, so that he quickly learned to look on her as really his mother. His father had sailed, at the commencement of the year, for Greenland, and there was no probability of his returning till the autumn. In spite of the exciting incidents which had occurred, matters at Lunnastiug returned very much to their usual con- dition. Even poor Lawrence Briudister, who had behaved with courage and a considerable amount of judgment when the castle was attacked, very speedily again became the half- witted creature he generally appeared, and once more resumed his eccentric habits and behaviour. Sir Marcus had before this again put off the time for his return home ; but at length a large cutter a Leith smack was seen standing towards the castle. She dropped her anchor at the entrance of Lunnasting Voe, and a boat contain- ing a lady and gentleman immediately put off from her, and pulled for the landing-place. Hilda soon recognized her father and sister. As she saw them, she felt every nerve in her system trembling with agitation. Bertha entreated her to be calm, and at last, by a violent effort, she gained sufficient com- mand over herself to hurry down to the landing-place to meet them. Her father met her with his usual polite, but cold and indifferent manner ; but Edda herself, blooming with life and health, looked deeply concerned when she saw her altered ap- pearance, for physical suffering and mental anxiety had made sad havoc with those features. Sir Marcus had now to learn, for the first time, of the piratical attack which had been made on his castle, and of the severe loss he had suffered. Every one was anxious to screen Hilda ; and probably, had it not been necessary to account to him for the disappearance of so many articles of property, even that event would not have been told him. Of all others, he was allowed to remain per- fectly ignorant. SIR MARCUS WARDHILL'S RETURN. 133 Thus, strange as it may appear, he heard nothing of the circumstances of the visit of the ' St Cecilia,' of Hilda's mar- riage with Don Hernan, or of the birth of her child. All he heard was, that a foreign ship-of-war had anchored in the Sound, and that, shortly after, she had been wrecked on the west coast of the mainland ; so sure are those who attempt to rule their dependents with severity or injustice, to be deceived or misled by them. Humbled, softened, and weighed down with grief, Hilda could not long keep her secret from her sister ; and Edda heard, with amazement and sorrow, all the strange events which had occurred at Lunnasting during her absence. Once having broken through the ice of reserve which had so long existed, the two sisters were on far more affectionate terms than they had ever before been. Edda did not utter a word of blame. She well knew how little trained Hilda had ever been to bear it, but she gave her sympathy, and treated her with all the tenderness and affection of a loving sister. Meantime, Sir Marcus Wardhill, who was not a man to suffer an injury without attempting to obtain redress, was sending memorial after memorial to the government in Eng- land, to complain of the attack made on his castle, and was also instituting every inquiry to ascertain to what nation the people belonged who had been guilty of the act. All he could learn with regard to the latter point was, that on the day fol- lowing that on which it occurred, a pilot boat and several fish- ing vessels had fallen in with a large schooner of a very rakish appearance, under French colours, steering a course apparently with the intention of running between Shetland and Orkney, into the Atlantic. In the course, however, of his inquiries, information which he little expected came out, and which could not fail to raise his suspicions as to his daughter's discretion. He was, as has been seen, a man wise in the ways of the world, and not at all 134 ROLAND MORTON. liable to give way to sudden bursts of temper, great as might be the provocation. Instead, therefore, of rushing into his daughter's room, and accusing her of her misconduct, he kept his counsel, and said nothing whatever on the subject. It might have occurred to him that he should have been wiser had he remained at home, and looked move narrowly after his establishment. He found that he had been deceived of that there could be no doubt. Information which he naturally ex- pected would have been given to him had been withheld. He knew that this being the case, he was not likely to force it out of his dependents. lie went on, therefore, quietly making in- quiries, now of one, now of the other, and though he did not gain the whole truth, he ascertained enough to assure him that it would be wiser not to push his inquiries much further. Had he become aware of the exact state of the case, he would have undoubtedly been far more satisfied than he was ; but cunning men are often caught in their own snares, and miss the mark at which they are aiming. It was remarked that, after a time, he took far more interest in little Ronald Morton than he had at first done, and seemed not at all surprised at finding the child so constantly with his daughter. He even made some attempts to play with it, but they were not very successful, and the little fellow invariably made his escape from him as soon as he could. The time fixed for Edda's marriage had now arrived, and Colonel Armytage was daily expected. Sir Marcus mentioning this to Hilda, remarked, ' You will let that child remain with Bertha Eswick while Armytage is here. I do not object to your petting him, but it is fit that you should pay all the atten- tion in your power to your intended brother-in-law.' There might have been far more order and regularity in the castle after the master's return, but everybody felt an uncom- fortable sensation of oppression whenever he was present. The only sun which shed any light through the surrounding atmos- phere was his daughter Edda. Full of life and animation, THE BARONET AND BRINDISTER. 135 nothing could quell her spirits, and in most cases she had only to appear to dispel the gloom. Poor Lawrence, even more than any one else, felt the weight of his guardian's presence whenever he was compelled to remain at home ; but he had the resource of which he never failed to avail himself when the weather allowed him of going out in his boat, of wandering about the island on Neogle, with Surly Grind, or of visiting his cavern. Sir Marcus had gained that influence over him which a man of strong mind usually obtains over one of weak intellect, and he was thus often able to make him say the very things which he purposely intended to keep secret. Still Lawrence did not tell him the whole truth, and often thus misled him more than if he had not said a word on the subject. Often, too, he would startle him as he walked away by breaking out, as if uncon- consciously, with ' The prince will hae his am again ! The prince will hae his ain again ! ' ' What do you mean by that, Lawrence ? ' exclaimed the ba- ronet, one day, with greater agitation than he usually exhibited. ' The meaning, coz ? ' said Lawrence, turning round and looking at him hard. ' The true meaning is this : that the king of the land will some day come back, and put his own crown of gold on his head, in spite of the rebels and all the cunning men who try to keep him from it.' A very uncomfortable sensation crept round the baronet's heart. Poor Lawrence went his way, rejoicing under the belief that he had frightened the stern, dignified baronet out of his wits. He little understood the tough materials of which his cousin's mind was composed, or dreamed of the injury the hints he had thrown out would induce him to work against those he might suppose stood in his way. At present it was Sir Marcus's wish to keep everything as smooth and pleasant at Lunnasting, that he might be able to give an agreeable welcome to his intended son-in-law. 136 RONALD MORTON. Colonel Armytage had written word that he had engaged the same cutter which had carried Sir Marcus and his daughter to Shetland. It was very natural, therefore, that Edda should very frequently have her eye at a large telescope Sir Marcus had brought with him, and which he had placed in Hilda's room at the top of the tower. One day, as she was looking through the glass, she exclaimed suddenly to her sister, ' Oh Hilda, Hilda, there is the cutter at last ! ' Hilda looked, but her more practised eye told her that it was no cutter, but a square-rigged vessel, which, with a fair breeze, under all sail, was approaching the island. She was sorry to disappoint Edda, and for sometime she did not tell her of her mistake. She herself went several times to the glass, and was convinced, from the square- ness of the vessel's yards and the whiteness of her canvas, that she was a man-of-war. Painful feelings crowded to her heart, for the vessel approaching reminded her strongly of the ' St Cecilia : ' she stood on boldly, as if those on board were well acquainted with the coast, and in a short time Hilda ascertained, without doubt, that she was a brig-of- war. Poor Edda, with a sigh, discovered that she had been mistaken. The brig-of-war stood on towards Lunnasting till she neared the south end of Eastling Island, when, as she hauled her wind to stand up the Sound, Hilda saw with a thrill that the flag of Spain was flying from her peak. She brought to, at the very spot at which the ' St Cecilia ' had anchored. Be- fore her sails were furled a boat was lowered, and pulled towards the castle. Hilda watched it through the telescope, and, as it passed under the walls, she recognized, in the officer who sat in the stern-sheets, the first-lieutenant of the ' St Cecilia,' Pedro Alvarez. Though eager to learn what cause had brought him to Lunnasting, she was afraid of going down to meet him, lest it should excite suspicion in her father's mind. Trembling with agitation, she sat still, waiting for his CAPTAIN ALVAREZ. 137 appearance, with the hope, though it was full of doubt, that he might bring her tidings of her son. Meantime, Lawrence Brindister had espied him, and hurry- ing to the landing-place, welcomed him cordially. ' But I say, old friend,' he contimied, holding his finger to his nose, ' the cat has come back, and the mice mustn't play any more ; you understand mum's the word ; don't talk of anything that has occurred : let old Grimalkin find out what he can ; I de- light in teasing him.' Although the worthy Pedro did not comprehend all Law- rence said, he understood that he was not to allude to past events in the presence of the lord of the castle. Lawrence hurried him on, talking in his usual rambling way, so that be- fore he had time to make any inquiries, he found himself in the presence of Sir Marcus Wardhill. The baronet received him with all due courtesy, and he was invited to stop and dine at the castle an invitation he at once accepted. Hilda had no opportunity of seeing him till they met before dinner. It was not even then, without great exertion, that she obtained sufficient self-command to speak to him with ordinary calmness. During the meal little Ronald Morton toddled into the room, having escaped from the arms of his nurse. Captain Alvarez gave an inquiring glance at the child, and at first looked puzzled, and then well satisfied. Hilda was able to converse with him in Spanish, and with his broken English and French he managed to make himself very agreeable to Sir Marcus and Edda ; Sir Marcus, indeed, begged that when he could live on shore that he would make his castle his home ; he declined, on the plea that he must sail, probably the next day, for the southward. The attack on the castle had been spoken of, but not a word had been said of the child having been carried off. Hitherto Hilda had been unable to talk to the Spanish captain alone ; fortunately, at length, Sir Marcus left the room ; Ronald was sitting playing on the ground near them. ' He is truly a noble child, though his complexion shows 138 ROLAND MORTON. more of his northern than his southern blood,' observed the captain. ' That child ! oh, you are mistaken ! ' exclaimed Hilda, ' Have you not heard that my own Hernan was carried off ? ' And she told him all that had occurred. 'The atrocious scoundrel!' exclaimed Pedro Alvarez; 'I feared it would be so, and for your sake, lady, and for that of my late brave captain, I will pursue them round the world, and recover the boy.' Hilda looked at him with an expression of the deepest gratitude : ' I was certain that you had come either to bring- me notice of my lost one, or that you would aid me in discovering him,' she exclaimed, taking his hand. ' I trust to you, Captain Alvarez, and I am sure that you will not deceive me.' The captain assured her that he would be faithful to his promise, and explained all he knew of the plot which had been formed to carry off her son, to prevent him from inheriting his title and property. ' But cannot we punish the treacherous marquis and kins- man ? ' she exclaimed. ' Cannot we compel him to tell us where my child has been carried to ? Has the law no power in your country ? ' ' None, lady, in this matter,' answered Pedro. ' I myself am an outlaw ; I can never return as a free man to Spain. I have been guilty of a crime so heinous in the eyes of the law, that should the officers of my own ship discover it, they would be compelled to carry me there in chains. My dread, there- fore, is lest we should fall in with any Spanish ship, from which they may learn what has occurred.' He then briefly told her how he had killed the officer of the Inquisition who had tried to apprehend him. ' But the priest, Father Mendez ; surely he can aid us ? ' said Hilda. ' Unless you can show him that by his aiding you he can COLONEL ARMYTAGE. 139 advance the object for which alone he lives, he will stir neither hand nor foot in the cause,' answered the Spanish captain. ' Besides, I am certain that he believes the child still safe in the castle.' ' Then, Captain Alvarez, I must place all my hope on you,' exclaimed Hilda. ' Place it on the justice of heaven, lady,' he replied, solemnly. Hilda made no reply, but her beautiful features wore an expression of the deepest, the most hopeless distress. Pedro Alvarez having obtained from Lawrence, and others, every particular about the attack on the castle, as well as a description of the child, and even the appearance of the men who carried him off, returned on board his brig-, and the next day sailed for the southward. His coming had thrown Hilda into a painful state of agitation. She had not recovered from it when the smack with Colonel Armytage on board anchored before the castle. Edda's joj^ous countenance formed a great contrast to her melancholy look. Sir Marcus met her, as she was preparing to receive her future brother-in-law, and harshly ordered her to appear more cheerful. ' Those lachrymose features of yours will raise suspicions in his mind which may induce him to make disagreeable in- quiries,' he said, in an angry tone. ' I know his disposition, and fully believe that, should he discover anything to displease him, he is capable of breaking off the match altogether. Should he do so, remember, Hilda, you will be answerable for the consequences.' ' Can you intrust my sister's happiness with such a man ? ' asked Hilda. ' I am the best judge on that point,' was the answer. Colonel Armytage soon came on shore, attended by two servants. He was decidedly handsome and gentlemanly, and though at times his manner was somewhat haughty and re- 140 RONALD MORTON. served, lie was often so courteous and agreeable, that he quickly regained his place in the good graces of those with whom he associated. Hilda, indeed, soon forgot her father's remarks, and felt perfectly satisfied as to the prospect of her sister's happiness. Colonel Armytage was accompanied by two friends, brother officers. Their presence made the castle far more lively than it had wont to be for many a long year ; but all their sallies could not dispel the melancholy which Hilda could not hide even from them. Sir Marcus very narrowly watched Lawrence, who had become intimate with them ; but whether or not he had told them of any of the occurrences which had lately taken place, he could not ascertain. It was a relief to him when, the clay of the wedding having arrived, the castle was filled with the famines of sufficient distinction to be invited to it. Hilda could no" but feel that they generally regarded her with looks of curiosity, and, at the same time, of compassion, excessively annoying- to her feelings. Often as she approached a group she found them whispering, and she observed that their manner was constrained, and that they either became silent, or had evi- dently abruptly commenced a fresh subject of Conversation. Nothing, however, occurred to interrupt the marriage cere- mony. How different did it appear to the unhappy Hilda to that by which she had been united to Don Hernan ! It was not till Colonel Armytage was about to take his departure, with his bride, for the south, that on taking his leave of his father-in-law, he showed that he was aware of what had taken pi; ce. He drew himself up haughtily as he remarked 'My love and esteem for your daughter, and a sense of honour, compelled me to fulfil my engagement with her; but I must ever regard with feelings of distrust and contempt the man who would conceal from me matters of which I ought to have be< 11 informed. \Ve shall probably seldom, perhaps we shall never, meet again our doing so can produce little mutual satisfaction/ ROLF SAILS FOR LEITH. 141 Sir Marcus looked confused, and could make no answer, and in silence lie handed his daughter into the boat which was to convey them on board their vessel. His feelings were not soothed by hearing Lawrence give a loud laugh, and sing as he hopped and skipped up the causeway ' The prince will hae his ain again ! The prince wih 1 hae his ain again ! ' The summer passed away, and business compelled Sir Marcus to visit Scotland. During his absence Rolf Morton re- turned to Shetland. How different was his home to what it had been ! Its chief ornament, its only attraction was gone. He frequently came up to the castle to see his child ; but he was soon convinced that he could not, as usual, spend the winter at home, and he determined to go to Leith to seek for the command of some ship sailing to southern latitudes. A few clays before he took his departure Sir Marcus returned to Lunnasting. They met, and the baronet eyed him with so sinister an expression that an uncomfortable sensation crept over the heart of the bold seaman, and he felt that he was i i the pre- sence of one who would do him an injury if he had the power. Bidding farewell, however, to Bertha Eswick and his boy, he sailed for Leith, behoving that for this time, however, he had escaped the malice of his enemy. He was mistaken. He had not been at Leith many days before he had the offer made him of the command of a fine ship bound round Ope Horn. The preliminary arrangements were soon made, but the usual papers were not yet signed. As he walked through the streets of Leith he more than once observed a man, who, he felt cer- tain, was dodging his steps, and whom he observed watching him as he entered his lodgings. The matter, however, did not make much impression on him. He was on his way to the owner's office to conclude the arrangements for his taking com- mand, when, as he was passing along the quay,-, he was accosted by the individual he had remarked following him, and who now asked him if his name was Kolf Mortou. RONALD MORTON. ' That is my name,' he answered. ' Then you are the very man I want to see,' was the reply. ' Come along 1 under this archway.' Morton unsuspectingly followed his guide, but no sooner had he reached the arch, than a body of seamen rushed out of a door close at hand. He was wondering where they were going, when he found himself surrounded by them, and dragged off to a boat lying at a jetty not far off. He was in the hands of a press-gang. He had no power of making any resistance. He was forced into the boat, which pulled away to a ship-of-war at anchor in the Forth. He ex- plained that he was virtually master of a merchantman, and that the owners would suffer loss should he be detained. He was ordered to exhibit his protection. He had none. His re- monstrances were unheeded. He found that with his will, or against his will, he must serve his Majesty. Many other men had been brought on board in the same way that he had been. ' It matters little, if a man does his duty, in what condition of life he is placed ; he may be equally happy in one as the other,' he said to himself ; ' I shall have fewer cares and re- sponsibilities as a man-of-war's man, than as a master of a ship. Why should I sigh and moan thus over niy lot ? What can't be cured must be endured. Yes, sir, I'll serve his Majesty, and serve him well, I hope,' he exclaimed aloud, turning to the officer who was examining the pressed men. Rolf Morton kept his word, lie was soon known as one of the best men in the ship, and he had not been long on board before he was raised to the rank of a first-class petty officer. He saw much service in various parts of the world. Wherever work was to be done he was foremost in doing it. Had he been younger, he would probably have been placed on the quarter- deck : but he was unambitious, and contented with his lot, though he, at last, was made a warrant officer, and ultimately became boatswain of a dashing frigate, under as gallant u captain as ever took a ship into action. CHAPTER XIV. THE FLEET AT SPITHEAD. EOLF MORTON'S VISIT TO SHETLAND. EOLF TAKES KONALD TO SEA. THE ' THISBfi' AND FRENCH FRIGATE. RONALD MORTON'S FIRST BATTLE. THE ENEMY STRIKES. |NE of the most beautiful sights on the ocean, to the eye of a sailor, is the spectacle presented by a large fleet, when the signal for weighing is seen flying from the flag-ship. The boatswain's whistle sends its shrill sounds along each deck ; the capstan bars are shipped, the merry pipe strikes up, with sturdy tramp round go the men others of the crew swarm upon the yards, the broad folds of canvas are let fall, and, as if by magic, those vast machines, lately so immovable, now looking like tall pyra- mids of snow, begin noiselessly to glide over the blue surface of the water. Such was the sight witnessed by numerous spectators, both on the Isle of Wight shore and that of Portsmouth, when early in the year 179-4 one of England's noble fleets sailed from Spit- head. A fine breeze from the northward enabled the ships to be well out round St Helen's, when hauling their tacks aboard they stood down channel under all sail. In the centre were the heavy line-of-battle ships, exhibiting a dense mass of shin- ing canvas ; while scattered around on either side were the lighter frigates, like skirmishers on the field of battle feeling the way for the main body of the army. Among the fastest, 143 144 RONALD MORTON. the finest, and most dashing of the latter craft, was the thirty- eight gun frigate ' Thisbe.' She had only lately been put in commission, and her captain, officers, and crew, were mostly strangers to each other. Cap- tain Courtney, who commanded her, had the reputation of being brave and enterprising, but his present crew had yet to learn what he was made of. The day was closing; the fleet had made good progress down channel, and the ' Thisbe ' was one of the southernmost look-out frigates ; the crew were enjoying a short relaxation from their duties, which were pretty severe, for when a ship first gets to sea there is much to be done to put her in order, to encounter an enemy or a gale. The captain and two of his lieutenants walked the weather- side of the quarter-deck, while the other gun-room officers and some of the midshipmen, paced the lee side. Captain Courtney's appearance was much in his favour; though his firm mouth and the general expression of his features showed that he was accustomed to command, the pleasant smile occasionally play- ing over his countenance relieved them from too great sternness. The first lieutenant, Mr Strickland, looked like his chief, the perfect officer and gentleman, while the second, well known in the service as Tom Calder, was more of the rough-and-ready school. Tom was broad-shouldered and short, with an open coun- tenance, and a complexion which once had been fair, but was now burnt nearly to a bright copper, but neither winds nor sun had been able to change the rich golden tint of his hair, which clustered in thick curls under his hat, which hat he managed to stick on the very back of his head ; whether cocked hat, or tarpaulin, or sou'-wester, he wore it the same ; it was a puzzle, though, to say how it kept there. But to see Tom as he was, was to catch him at work, with knife and marlin-spike, secured by rope-yarns round his neck, his hands showing inti- mate acquaintance with the tar bucket, while not a job was THE DECK OF THE ' THISBE.' 145 there to be done which he could not show the best way of doing*. Tom Calder, as was said of him, was the man to get work out of a crew, and where he led others were ever ready to follow. Altogether, he was evidently cut out for a good work- ing first lieutenant, and there seemed every prospect of his be- coming one. He had entered the service at the hawse-hole, and worked his way up, by his steadiness and gallantry, to the quarter- deck, a position to which he was well calculated to do credit. On the forecastle the three warrant officers sauntered slowly up and down, stretching their limbs after their day's work was over. They were accompanied by a fine intelligent-looking boy, apparently of about fifteen, who was attentively listening to their conversation. The likeness which the boy bore to one of them, made it pretty evident that they were father and son. The boatswain was Rolf Morton. When once pressed into the navy, by the management of Sir Marcus Wardhill, he had, from want of the energy required to take steps to leave it, remained in the service till a warrant had been almost forced on him. Just before the ' Thisbe ' was commissioned he bad paid a visit to Shetland; he had found his boy Ronald grown and improved beyond his most sanguine expectations. The Lady Hilda, as she was still called, had devoted herself to his education, and treated him as her son ; and in the more im- portant matters which she unhappily was unable to teach him. Bertha Eswick had afforded him instruction. But Ronald had another instructor, though an eccentric one, in Lawrence Briiidister." Not a more daring or expert boatman, a finer swimmer, or a better shot of his age, or much above his age, was to be found in ah! Shetland. Poor Hilda had never heard from Pedro Alvarez, nor had she received tidings of her son, though, hopeless as it might seem, she lived on in the expectation of one day recovering him. Both she and Bertha had so earnestly entreated Rol;' to 140 ftOXALD MORTON. leave Ronald in Shetland, that he would have done so, had he not received a warning, not to be neglected, from Lawrence Brindister, to be off and to take his boy with him. He had often suspected that Sir Marcus Wardhill was his enemy, and now he learned from Lawrence, that he was the enemy of his son also, and would work him ill if he had him in his power. ' Then I will take him out of his power,' observed Rolf ; and before the next morning lie was away to Lerwick. Sir Marcus sent a fast rowing boat after him, but when she reached the capital of Shetland, Rolf and his son had already taken their departure. Sir Marcus Wardhill was reaping where he had sown. From his younger and best-loved daughter he had long been almost totally estranged. Colonel Arrnytage had for years held no direct communication with him, while Edda's letters were very brief, and she, having become the mother of a daughter, offered this as an excuse for not paying a visit to the north. It was not till now that Hilda revealed to him the whole history of her marriage and the loss of her boy. His rage knew no bounds when he discovered that no certificate of this marriage was forthcoming. But one witness, who was forth- coming, survived Bertha Eswick : she, however, had been in a declining state for some time, and but a few days had passed after Rolf and Ronald had quitted Lunnasting before she expired, leaving Hilda more solitary and miserable than ever. Ronald Morton had commenced his life at sea with the greatest zest, and although ho had a few difficulties to contend with, and not a few older boys to fight, he invariably came off victorious, and was altogether a general favourite. Rolf de- votedly loved his son, and though not ambitious for himself, his great desire was to see Ronald on the quarter-deck, and rising in his profession : he certainly looked as if it were more his proper place than was the forecastle where he now was. THE LOOK-OUT FRIGATE. 147 ' Father,' he said, turning his beaming countenance, ' I do long to be in a battle. Are we likely soon to fall in with an enemy ? ' ' No hurry for that, boy,' answered the boatswain, who had been in many a desperate fight, and knew what fighting was ; ' we shall fall in with one before long, depend on that.' ' I hope so, indeed,' exclaimed Ronald ; ' those Frenchmen who have cut off their king's head deserve to be thrashed round and round the globe till not a man of them remains alive.' This sentiment was warmly applauded both by the gunner and carpenter. ' I don't say as how I 'zactly hates the Frenchmen,' ob- served Mr Rammagc, the gunner ; ' but it's my opinion that the sea is not big enough for both of us, and the sooner we drives them off it, the sooner we shall be friends again.' Ronald had not long to wait before he saw, though chiefly at a distance, one of the most important of England's naval battles. The ' Thisbe ' formed one of Lord Howe's fleet, when he gained the glorious victory of the 1st of June which taught the Frenchmen, by a lesson often to be repeated, that they must expect defeat whenever they might venture to contend with England's navy on the ocean. As the 'Thisbe' was employed as a look-out frigate, she took but little part in the action. What she did do, far from damping Ronald's ardour, only made him the more eager to fight again. He had not long to wait. The ' Thisbe,' with the rest of the fleet, returned to Spithead to receive the marks of honour the sovereign and the nation showered on the heads of the gallant chiefs, who had led their ships to victory ; but before long she was again on a cruise down channel. Round- ing Ushant, she steered to the southward, boldly standing along the French coast, and making what the French probably considered a very impertinent examination of their forts and harbours. 1 48 RONALD MORTON. She approached the place to be examined during the night, and at early dawn the required information having been ob- tained, she was again standing off shore, under all sail, before any of the enemy's ships could get under weigh to pursue her. She proceeded as far south as Rochelle. Looking one morning into the harbour of that place, a frigate was discovered in the outer roads, apparently ready for sea. ' She seems about our size ; if we could draw her out, we might take her,' observed Captain Courtney to his first lieute- nant, Mr Strickland. ' No doubt about it, sir,' was the answer ; ' she is, how- ever, I suspect, rather larger, but so much the better. There is little honour in capturing a Frenchman of one's own size. That we are of course expected to do. We should be thankful when we fall in with an antagonist of superior strength.' ' You arc right, Strickland,' exclaimed the captain, warmly. ' Back the maintopsail and fire a gun towards her. The signal of defiance will be understood, and if her captain has a spark of courage, he'll come out and meet us.' With colours flying, the British frigate lay-to off the Frenchman's port. While thus defying the enemy a large schooner was seen standing along shore and apparently making for the harbour. ' We'll take her before their very noses, and if that does not rouse them, I do not know what will,' observed the captain, as he gave the orders to make sail in chase. The schooner, little expecting to be snapped up by an enemy in the very sight of port, endeavoured in vain to escape. The ' Thisbe,' like an eagle towards its prey, flew after her, and in a short time she was a prize. Taking out the prisoners and putting a prize crew on board, Captain Courtney stood back, with the schooner in tow, towards the mouth of the harbour; thy.i again firing another shot of defiance, he bore away to the westward. PREPARING FOR AN ENGAGEMENT. 149 ' The Frenchmen will bear a great deal, but they will not bear that,' observed Morton to his son. ' Before this time to- morrow we shall either be inside that harbour, feeling very much ashamed of ourselves and I don't think that is likely to happen or we shall have that frigate in there for our prize, arid be standing away with her for old England.' The ' Thisbe' had got some eight miles or so away from the land, when the French frigate was seen under sail and standing towards her. Captain Courtney was anxious to draw the enemy as far from the coast as possible, lest, when the hoped-for result of the action should become known, notice might be sent of the event to other ports to the northward, and a superior force despatched to capture him. He accord- ingly hove-to occasionally, and then stood on to entice the enemy after him. When the evening closed in, the Frenchman was in sight about two leagues off, coming up astern. The ' Thisbe,' now casting off the prize, stood towards her. At this time there was no other sail in sight, with the exception of a small boat, apparently a fishing boat, which kept as close as she could to the ' Thisbe,' possibly to watch what was going to take place. Captain Courtney's object was, of course, to obtain the weather gauge ; and in consequence of having to manoeuvre to obtain it, it was not till past midnight that the two ships got within range of each other's guns. Not a man of the ' ThisbeV crew had turned in. The drum beat to quarters. The men flew to then- stations with pistols in their belts and cutlasses by their sides, eager to begin the fight. The ' Thisbe' was on the starboard tack, when the enemy, on the larboard tack, slowly glided past her to windward, looking like some dark phantom stalking over the surface of the deep. Ronald, who stood on the forecastle with his father, watched her with intense eagerness. Presently a sheet of flame burst from her side, followed by the loud thunder of the guns and 1 50 RONALD MORTON. the whizzing of shot. A few came near the English frigate, but none struck her. ' Return the compliment, my lads. Give it them ! ' ex- claimed Captain Courtney. The crew, with a cheer, obeyed the order, the flashes of their guns throwing a ruddy glow on the bulwarks and the figures of the crew, as stern and grim they stood at their quarters. ' Hands about ship ! ' was the next order issued ; and the ' Thisbe,' tacking in the wake of her opponent, stood after her. ' Father,' asked Ronald, as he stood by Morton's side on the forecastle, ' will the Frenchman try to escape us ? ' ' No fear of that, he would not have come out at first if he had intended to play us that trick,' was the answer. ' He has made one slight mistake, though ; lie fancies that he is going to take us ; and it's my firm belief that we are going to take him.' ' I hope so, father,' answered Ronald. ' I would sooner die than be taken by a Frenchman.' ' That is the right spirit, my boy,' exclaimed Rolf, warmly. ' But little fear of what will happen our captain is not a man to throw away a chance of victory.' While they were speaking, the ' Thisbe' was rapidly com- ing up with the enemy ; and as her guns could be brought to bear they were fired in quick succession the French frigate returning them with right good will, though as her shot flew high, the ' Thisbe's' masts and spars suffered more than her hull, and few of her men had hitherto been hit. Morton looked anxiously aloft. ' It will be a bad job if they go,' he muttered to himself. He then sent Ronald aft to ascer- tain the condition of the main and mizemnast, which he believed had been struck. His son soon returned with a very bad report. The masts were already badly wounded. AN ENGAGEMENT AT SEA. 151 Soon after this the ' Thisbe' got within musket-shot of the starboard quarter of her opponent; and the marines opened their fire, while the firing of the great guns became warmer than ever. Captain Courtney had never', for a moment, taken his eye off the French ship, that he might watch for the least indica- tion of any manoeuvre she might be about to perform. Sud- denly he exclaimed, ' Up with the helm ! square away the after yards ! ' Quickly the manoeuvre was executed, though only just in time to prevent the enemy, who wore the instant before, from crossing the ' Thisbe's' bows, and pouring in a raking fire. The two frigates now ran on before the wind, closely engaged, broadside to broadside. Fast came the round shot, crashing on board. Splinters from the torn bulwarks were flying about, from aloft some rattling blocks and shattered spars ; while showers of bullets were raining down death and wounds in every direction. Ronald Morton felt his spirits rise to an unnatural pitch as the fight grew hotter and hotter. Not the remotest thought of death, not a shadow of fear crossed his mind. Others were struck down, but those missiles of destruction were not for him. Others might be hit, but he bore a charmed life. There is something far more terrific and trying to the nerves in a night action than in one fought by day. The dark, mysterious form of the enemy, the flashes of the guns, the irregular glare, the dim light of the fighting lanterns, the cries and groans of the wounded, the uncertainty as to who is hit or what damage has been done, all combine to produce an effect which the most desperate fight by day can scarcely exhibit. The crew of the 'Thisbe' could see that then- shot was producing great effect on their antagonist. Her masts still stood, but several of her spars were shot away, and her rigging appeared a mass of wreck. The English frigate was also much injured aloft, but her masts were still standing. 152 RONALD MORTON. By thia time the ' Thisbe' had shot ahead of her antagonist. ' Starboard the helm ! ' exclaimed Captain Courtney. ' Cease firing, my lads ! Be ready to give her a raking broadside as we cross her hawse.' The frigate luffed up into the wind ; and, as she did so, her larboard guns were discharged in quick succession into the bows of the Frenchman ; but amid the roar of the guns a loud crash was heard, and the mizenmast, unable to bear the addi- tional strain on it, went by the board, but falling to starboard, did not impede the working of the guns. As the crew were running from under it, the tall mainmast was seen to totter, and with all its yards and sails, over it went on the same side. With a groan the boatswain saw what had occurred. lie feared, too. that the enemy might escape, as her masts were still standing; but as the 'Thisbe's' mainmast went, the French frigate ran stern on to her, on her larboard quarter, her bowsprit passing directly across her deck over the capstan. ' She is our own if we can but keep her,' exclaimed the boatswain ; and, followed by Ronald, he hurried aft, calling to some of his mates to assist him. The officers and crew had enough to do at that moment, for the Frenchmen trusting to their number, which appeared to be very great, were swarming on the forecastle, and rush- ing along the bowsprit with the intention of boarding the ' Thisbe.' ' Boarders ! repel boarders ! ' shouted the captain, setting the example in attacking the first Frenchmen who presented themselves as they sprang forward. Now the clash of steel, the sharp report of pistols, inter- mingled with the roar of the great guns those on the quarter and main-decks still continuing to pour a destructive fire into the enemy's starboard bow as they could be brought to bear the Frenchmen, from the position in which their ship was placed, being only able to reply with musketry. Their critical position made them rush on and on again with the greatest THE FIGHT. 153 frenzy, but each time they were driven back with heavy loss, many of them falling overboard from off the bowsprit, or being 1 cut down by the British seamen. Meantime Rolf Morton and his followers were busily engaged in lashing the enemy's bow- sprit to their capstan with such ropes as they could lay hands on. Captain Courtney looked round, and saw how they were engaged. 'Admirably done, Mr Morton,' he cried out. 'Keep her there, and we will give a good account of the Frenchmen in her.' At that moment the enemy, with loud shouts and sacres and other oaths, came rushing forward in greater numbers than before, intending to drop down on the ' Thisbe's ' deck, and hoping to overwhelm her crew by their numbers. Again they felt the effect of British cutlasses. Desperately as they fought, they were once more driven back with diminished numbers to the ship. In vain the Frenchmen endeavoured to free their ship from the position in which they had placed her. The ' Thisbe ' stood on, towing them after her. Scarcely one of their guns could be brought to bear, but the marines, how- ever, kept up a hot and destructive fire of musketry on the deck of the frigate, from the tops as well as from some of her quarter-deck guns which had been run in midships fore and aft. Though the darkness prevented their taking good aim, no sooner was it known that the bowsprit was being made fast to the capstan of the English frigate, than the whole of their fire was turned in that direction. The lashings were not yet completed. Showers of bullets fell around the brave men engaged in the work. Several had fallen. The boatswain did not think of himself, but he dreaded lest his son should be hit. He was considering on what message he should send him to another part of the ship, when he felt a sharp blow, his fingers relaxed from the rope he was grasping, and he fell to the deck. He had the feeling that he had received his death wound. Ronald saw what had happened, and in an instant was on his knees supporting his father's head. 154 RONALD MORTON. What thought he then of the fierce contest raging ? What did he care who gained the victory? All his feelings were concentrated on his father. Was he mortally wounded, or would he recover ? He entreated some of the men to carry him below, but they were at that moment too much occupied to attend to him. Rolf recovered slightly. ' No, no, boy ; let me remain here,' he said in a firm voice. * All hands have work enough to do ; I am but hit in the leg, and if they would set me on my feet again I could still be of use.' But Ronald did not heed him, and continued imploring the men to cany the boatswain below. Just then the lashings were torn away, and the French frigate floated clear of the ' Thisbe.' Cries of disappointment escaped from the English crew, but they redoubled their efforts to cripple their opponent, so as once more to get hold of her. Meantime several of the men, being now at liberty, offered to take the boatswain below, but he desired to be left on deck. ' I'll see the fight out, lads,' he answered. ' Help me up, some of you, and pass this handkerchief round the limb. Cheer up, Ronald, I'm not so badly hurt as you fancy, boy.' ' Hurra, lads ! here she comes again ; we'll have her fast this time,' shouted the captain at this juncluiv. The ' Thisbe,' deprived of her after-sail, paid off before the wind, and thus the French frigate ran directly into her, on the starboard quarter, the enemy's bowsprit hanging over the stump of her mainmast. The opportunity of securing the French ship was not lost, though her crew attempted to rush on board, as before, to prevent the operation. While the captain and most of the superior officers who had escaped wounds or death were engaged in repelling them, Rolf caused himself to be brought nearer to the mainmast, that he might superintend the crew in lashing the bowsprit to it. This time they took care that it should not again break THE FIGHT. 155 away ; and now the ' Thisbe,' running directly off before the wind, dragged the Frenchman after her. The fight had been hot before, but it became hotter still. Again and again the Frenchmen endeavoured to cut away those second lashings, but the English marines kept up so hot a fire, that each time the attempt was frustrated. Still the enemy showed no signs of yielding. Something must be done. Wounded as he was, Morton dragged himself up to where the captain was standing. ' I beg your pardon, Captain Courtney, but if we could get a couple of guns run out abaft on the main-deck, we could silence that fellow pretty quickly,' he said, touching his hat with all due formality. It was somewhat out of rule for the boatswain to offer his advice unasked to the captain, but under the circumstances the irregularity was easily overlooked by such a man as Captain Courtney. ' You are right, Mr Morton,' he answered ; ' send the car- penter and his crew aft, Mr Calder,' to the second lieutenant. ' Get the two after guns on the main-deck ready to run out astern as soon as we have some ports made for them.' Having given this order, the captain descended to the main-deck. Mr Grimbol, the carpenter, soon made his appearance there from below, where he had bee a going his rounds through the wings, to stop any shot-holes which might have been made between wind and water. With, axes and saws he and his crew set to work, but the upper transom beam resisted all their efforts. ' We must blow out some ports,' exclaimed the captain. ' Send the firemen here.' A gang of men with buckets were quickly on the spot. The guns were pointed aft. ' Fire ! ' cried the captain. The two guns went off together, and as the suffocating srnoke blew off, two holes with jagged edges were seen in the stern, but 156 RONALD MORTON. flames were bursting out around them. These, however, the firemen with their buckets quickly extinguished, and the guns, being again loaded, opened their fire through them on the deck" of the Frenchman. The effect produced from this unexpected quarter was terrific. Fore and aft the shot flew crashing be- tween the decks, seldom failing to find some victims, and often- times carrying off the heads of half-a-dozen men, as they stood at their guns, in its course from one end of the ship to the other. Never were guns more rapidly worked than were those two twelve-pounders on board the ' Thisbe.' The captain stood by, encouraging the men. Kolf Morton went about, badly wounded as he was, to ascertain where his services were most required. Ronald fol- lowed his father, dreading every moment to see him fall from the effects of his first wound, or to find that he was again hit. Once more they returned to the upper deck. Their numbers were falling, wounds were being received, and havoc was being made aloft and on every side. The masts of the French ship were still standing, but from the shrieks and cries which pro- ceeded from her decks, there seemed little doubt that she was suffering even more than the ' Thisbe.' Ronald kept watching the enemy. ' See, father ! see ! ' he exclaimed. ' Down, down they come ! ' He pointed at the Frenchman's foremast. It bent on one side, the few ropes which held it gave way, and crash it came down over the side. The mainmast stood, but the inizenmast in an instant afterwards followed the foremast, preventing the crew from working the greater number of the guns. However, with those still unencumbered they continued to fire away with the greatest desperation. The English seamen fought on with the same determined courage as at first. They had made up their minds that they would take the enemy, and there was not a man on board who would have given in till they had done so, or till the ship sunk under them. Half-an-hour passed away. It seemed surprising that either ship could float with the RONALD SAVES THE CAPTAIN'S LIFE. 157 pounding- they gave each other, or that any human beings could survive on their decks amid the storm of shot and bullets rush- ing across them. At length a loud cheer burst from the throats of the English seamen, the Frenchman's last remaining mast was seen to lean over, and down it came with a tremendous crash, crushing many in its fall, and completely preventing the crew from working any of their guns. ' They will give in now, father, to a certainty,' exclaimed Ronald. ' Not so sure, boy ; see, they are going to make a desperate attempt to revenge themselves.' ' Here they come ! ' he answered, and then the cry arose from the English ship of, ' Boarders ! repel boarders !' Once more the Frenchmen came on with the most deter- mined courage. Captain Courtney and some of his officers and men who were aft threw themselves before the enemy, to stem the torrent which threatened to pour down on the ' Thisbe's' decks ; but with such fury and desperation did the Frenchmen come on, that many of the English were driven back, and there seemed no little probability that the former would gain their object. Rolf Morton, on perceiving this, and forgetting his wound, seized a cutlass, and calling on all the men at hand, followed by Ronald, sprang aft to the aid of his captain. His assistance did not come a moment too soon. Captain Courtney was brought to his knee, and a French officer, who had led the boarders, was on the point of cxitting him down, when Ronald sprang to his side, and thrusting his cutlass before him, saved him from the blow intended for his head. Ronald would have had to pay dearly for his gallantry, had not Rolf cut the Frenchman down at the moment he was making, in return, a fierce stroke at his sou. More of the English crew, led by their officers, now came hurrying aft, and the Frenchmen, disheartened by the loss of their leader, again retreated to their ship, leaving eight or ten of their number dead or dying behind them. Still no one cried 158 RONALD MORTON. for quarter ; and though not a gun was discharged, the marines and small-arm men kept up as hot a fire as before. All this time the ' Thisbe's ' two after-guns on the main- deck kept thundering away at them, fearfully diminishing their numbers. And thus the fight continued : they made, however, no signal of yielding. The Frenchmen had scarcely retreated from their daring attempt to board the frigate, when the lashings which secured their bowsprit to her began to give way. The boatswain had, however, got a hawser ready ranged along the deck, and this, in spite of the fire kept up at them, he, with his mates and others of the crew, secured to the gammoning of the French- men's bowsprit. ' Now the lashings may go as soon as they like ! ' he ex- claimed, almost breathless with the exertion ; ' the Frenchmen will gain little by the change.' So it proved : the enemy's ship, when the lashings gave way, dropped astern a few fathoms, and there she hung, towed onwards, as before, by the ' Thisbe,' whose crew Avere thus enabled to rake her decks with more deadly effect. Still the battle raged as at first. At length some voices were heard from the bowsprit of the French frigate. ' Quarter ! quarter ! was the ciy. ' We have struck ! we yield!' ' Cease firing, my lads ! ' shouted the captain ; we have won the night ! ' The order was obeyed. Fcr an instant there was a perfect silence, a contrast to the uproar which had so long continued ; even the wounded restrained the expression of their sufferings ; and then there burst forth one of those hearty cheers, which few but English seamen can give, and which they so well know how to give with effect. And now many of the brave fellows who had hitherto worked away at their guns without flinching, sank down with fatigue. THE BOARDERS. 159 Rolf Morton even then would not go below. * I'll stay on deck and see the enemy secured, and get the ship put to rights a little,' he answered ; ' I am only just show- ing my boy how I wish him to behave. While there is duty to do, and a man has strength to do it, he should not shrink from it, whatever it may cost him.' Ronald listened to what his father was saying. ' That's it, father ; I'll try and stick to that,' he observed, looking up in his father's face. It was now necessary to board the French ship to take pos- session of her, but how that was to be accomplished was the question, for not a boat that could swim remained on board either of the combatants. The second lieutenant one of the few officers unwounded volunteered to work his way along the hawser, and a mid- shipman and several of the men ofi'ered to accompany him ; Ronald begged leave to go also. In those days, strange as it may seem, many seamen could not swim. The boarding-party commenced their somewhat hazardous passage from one ship to the other. The ' Thisbe' had but slight way on her ; the hawser was consequently somewhat slack, and the weight of the people on it brought it down into the water. The lieutenant and several of the men clung on, but the midshipman was by some means or other washed off. Unable to swim, he cried out loudly for help, but no one could afford it, till Ronald let go his own hold of the rope, and swam towards him. Of course to regain the hawser was hopeless, and it was equally difficult to swim back to the ' Thisbe.' Ronald had practised swimming from his childhood, and was as much at home in the water as on shore. He struck out with one hand while he supported the young midshipman with the other. His first fear was that the French ship would run them down, but a lew strokes carried him and his charge clear of that danger. He next attempted to get alongside her. He 160 RONALD MORTON. looked up, and saw her dark hull rising up above him. There were plenty of ropes hanging 1 overboard ; he found one that appeared secure above ; he put it into the midshipman's hands. ' There, Mr Glover,' he exclaimed ; we shall be the first on the enemy's deck after all.' He was not long in finding another rope for himself, and to the surprise of the Frenchmen they found two stranger boys standing on their quarter-deck. ' Have you come to take possession ? ' asked a lieutenant in tolerable English. What ! are all your superior officers killed ? ' Oh, no, monsieur,' answered the midshipman ; they will be on board presently ; but we are somewhat lighter craft, so made quicker work of it.' The second lieutenant of the 'Thisbe' and his companions soon made their appearance, having clambered in ovei- the bows ; and the French frigate, which was found to be the ' Concorde' one of the largest class in the French navy was formally taken possession of. CHAPTER XV. MORNING AFTER THE BATTLE. RONALD PLACED ON QUARTER DECK. RONALD SENT ON BOARD THE PRIZE. A SUSPICIOUS SAIL IN SIGHT. GALLANT DEFENCE OF THE ' THISBE.' NIGHT CLOSES ON THE FIGHT. j S the bright cheerful light of morning broke on the world of waters, there lay the two frigates, which, when the sun went down, looked so gallant and so trim now shorn of their beauty, shattered and blackened wrecks. The foremast of the ' Thisbe' was alone standing, while all the masts of the French frigate, with their sails, and yards, and rigging, hung in masses of wreck and confusion over her sides. The decks covered with blood and gore, and the shattered rem- nants of mortality, presented a horrible and disgusting scene ; while the broken bulwarks, the decks ploughed up, the wheel shot away, and the ruined condition of every part of the ship, showed the desperate nature of the conflict, and told of the bravery of the gallant French crew who had endured so much before they had consented to yield. Onboard the ' Thisbe' the carpenters were busily employed iu patching up some of the boats, so that the prisoners mighi be removed from the prize, while the rest of the crew were engaged in clearing away the wreck of the masts, and in pre- paring to make sail on the ship. 161 L 162 RONALD MOKTON. Ronald was in attendance on his father in his cabin. The boatswain had been more hurt than he supposed ; but he did his utmost to conceal his suffering from his son. The shout was heard : ' All hands on the quarter-deck ! ' The captain was about to address the crew. Rolf Morton tried to rise, but he soon found that he could not. ' Go, Ronald, and hear what the captain has to say. It will be something pleasant, I doubt not,' he said, pressing his boy's hand. ' Come and tell me when you are dismissed.' Ronald sprang up the hatchway. The men were mustering aft. The captain and all the officers stood on the quarter-deck not as usual, in those bright and shining uniforms, but in the dress in which they had fought, most of them still bearing about their persons the marks of the battle. ' My lads, I have called you aft to thank you for the gallant way in which you have fought this ship, and captured an enemy with more men, more guns, and of larger tonnage than our- selves,' he began. ' I do from my heart thank you ; and our king and countrymen will thank you, and you may well be proud of what you have done. I wish that I could reward you as you deserve ; but when all have done their duty it is difficult to pick out any for especial notice. Still there is one man who much helped us in capturing the enemy. That is the boatswain. He caught, and kept him, by lashing his bowsprit to our main- mast, and by his advice we blew open the stern ports which so mainly contributed to our success. His son, too, saved my life, and afterwards saved the life of Mr Glover, and was, with him, the first on board the prize. The boatswain will, I hope, receive his reward hereafter ; but as I have the means of showing my appreciation of his son's gallantry, I gladly do so at once : I have therefore rated him as a midshipman on board this ship. I am sure that no one will think that I have done more for him than he deserves. Come aft, Mr Ronald Morton, and receive the welcome of your new messmates.' Ronald came forward almost with a bound, though per- RONALD MORTON'S PROMOTION. 163 fectly unconscious that he was moving more rapidly than usual. The wish of his heart was accomplished. His coun- tenance beamed with satisfaction, and he frankly put out his hand towards the midshipmen and the other members of their berth. They all in turns took it and shook it warmly ; but none grasped it more heartily than did young Glover. ' I must thank you for myself, Morton,' he exclaimed, in a tone which showed that he spoke from his heart. ' If it had not been for you I should have been among the missing, to a certainty.' Morton's own heart was too full to answer. Numberless emotions were working in his bosom. He felt a proud satis- faction at having obtained the rank for which he was conscious he was fitted ; he sincerely rejoiced at having been the means of saving his captain from a severe wound, if not from death ; and scarcely less so at having prevented Glover from being drowned. All these feelings kept him silent : but his silence was understood ; and perhaps no one felt more pleased at seeing him on the quarter-deck than did Captain Courtney himself. ' Now back to your duty, my lads,' he exclaimed ; ' we have plenty of work before us.' Three hearty cheers burst unpremeditatedly from the throats of the crew and then in high spirits they separated to their respective duties. The work was accomplished, as the captain knew it would be, all the better for this little interruption. Ronald hurried below. He wanted to be the first to tell his father of his good fortune, as he called it. Rolf Morton was less surprised than he expected. ' I was certain it would be so some day, if your life was spared,' ho observed. ' And now, my boy, that your foot is on the first ratline, mount upwards by your own exertions. Be thankful to others who help you, but trust to yourself for success.' Ronald had got his father to select a little fellow called Bobby Doull, as his boy, whom he had, when he first came on board, taken under his protection. 164 RONALD MORTON. Bobby had been sent to sea from a workhouse. If not an orphan he was in the condition of one ; for his father, who was a seaman, had deserted him, and had not, since he was an in- fant, been heard of. Ronald had, at first, frequently to do battle in his cause ; but he at length taught the other boys to respect him, and to let Bobby alone. Bobby did his best to repay the kindness he had received, by his constant attention to the wants of the wounded boat- swain. Ronald had now to mess with the midshipmen. One of his first duties was to visit the prize, as soon as the boats had been got ready to transfer the prisoners to the ' Thisbe.' Glover had insisted on lending him a uniform, jacket, and dirk, till he could obtain a suit of his own. Ronald did not hesitate about accepting the offer ; and, as Doull told the boatswain, he looked every inch a midshipman. Very little had been done when Ronald returned to the prize towards getting her into order ; and as he looked fore and aft along the decks, it seemed scarcely possible that she could ever be put in a condition at sea, to make sail, so as to reach a British port in safety. Some of her crew were already mus- tered on deck, but others were keeping below. lie was ac- cordingly directed to take a party of men round the decks to send them up. As he passed it, he looked into the midship- man's berth, where a boy, whose life he had probably been the means of preserving at the time of boarding, still lay. The French midshipman recognised him immediately. ' Ah ! come in, my friend !' he exclaimed, in broken English : ' I want to recompense you for what you did for me : but they told me that yon were a ship's boy, and now I see that you are of the same rank as myself.' I was a ship's boy when I found you under the masts, but now I am a midshipman,' answered Ronald. ' But tell me your name -I shall be glad to help yon in any way I can.' 'My name ah- -they call nu- Alfonso Gi'-rardin,' answer- THE PRIZE. 165 ed the French midshipman. I am obliged to you for your kindness. A prisoner is little able to requite it. Perhaps I may some day as I should wish to do.' ' I have done nothing to deserve even thanks,' said Ronald. ' But I must not stay. I will come and see you again as soon as I can.' Mr Strickland, the first lieutenant of the ' Thisbe,' being badly wounded, Mr Calder, the second, was directed to take charge of the prize. Robert Rawson, an old master's mate, was ordered to go as his second in command, with Glover and Morton as midship- men, and a master's assistant called Twigg. Ronald wished to have remained to look after his father ; but Rolf would not hear of it. ' You'll be better in another ship, away from me, boy,' he remarked. The doctor and Bobby Doull will look after me. I shall return to my duty in a few days never fear ! ' The peculiar talents of the prize-master of the ' Concorde,' honest Tom Calder, were now brought into full play. Head and hand were busily employed from morning till night, and neither grew weary. Where the hardest work was to be done, there Tom's cheery voice was heard and his helping hand was to be found, and before the two, difficulties, at first deemed in- STirmouutable, vanished like magic. Tom had naturally a strong fellow feeling for Ronald. He remembered his own annoyances under similar circumstances, and he fancied that Ronald would have to undergo the same. He had, hitherto, scarcely spoken to Ronald, but no sooner did he take the command of the ' Concorde,' than he singled him out to superintend any work Requiring more than usual care and judgment. Ronald in no way disappointed him ; everybody, indeed, on board the prize, worked well, and with a will, and in a won- derfully short space of time jury-masts were rigged, and sails were ready for hoisting. 166 RONALD MORTON. It was evening ; the two frigates lay within a few hundred fathoms of each other: the 'Thisbe,' from having her fore- masts standing, had a far wider range of vision than her prize. 'The "Thisbe" is signalling us, sir,' said Morton to Mr Calder. ' Get the signal-book, and see what she is saying,' was the answer. The meaning of the signals was soon ascertained. ' A sail in the south- west,' Morton read ; ' An enemy Prepare for action.' ' That's just like him,' exclaimed Mr Calder ; ' if the stranger was a seventy-four he would prepare to fight her. It is to be hoped, though, that she is only another frigate, and then, in spite of the loss of our masts, we may be able to give a good account of her.' Ronald was ready enough to fight, but could not help thinking that they just then had had enough of it, and there- fore hoped that the stranger might prove a friend. Some time must elapse before the point could be ascer- tained, and during the interval every effort was made to get sail on the two ships, not for the purpose of flying, but to enable them the better to manoeuvre, should fighting be the order of the day. At length Ronald went below to snatch a mouthful of food, and took the opportunity of paying a visit to the wounded midshipman, Alfonse Gerardin. He had been placed in the gun-room with the rest of Ihe French officers ; he lifted up his head as Ronald entered the cabin. After returning the salutation, he remained silent, and then he exclaimed, somewhat bitterly, ' Ah, how different are our lots! you have gained a victory, have come out of the battle unhurt, and have been placed on the first step of the ladder, up which yon may climb to the highest while here I lie, a prisoner badly wounded, and, alas ! have just discovered that I have lost the only friend I had in the world.' A SUSPICIOUS SAIL IN SIGHT. 167 ' Oh, you are mistaken ; I am sure that I have many, and so would you if you proved them,' said Ronald, in a cheerful tone. ' You are wounded and ill ; when you recover you will be in better spirits ; but tell me, who is the friend whose loss you mourn ? ' ' He was the second lieutenant of this ship, and he was killed early in the action with you,' answered young 1 Gerardin, with a sigh. ' He was a brave man. I loved him as a son loves his father, and for long- I thought he was my father. Only just before we were going into action did he tell me that I should find all the particulars about myself in a box, in a house where we lived when we were on shore, near Brest. I thought at first that he was jesting, and asked no questions, and it was only after he was killed that I believed he spoke the truth. Poor dear Pierre Gerardin ! you were always kind and good to me, and I shall never see you again.' The young foreigner gave way to his grief with a vehe- mence which somewhat astonished Ronald, accustomed to the more phlegmatic temperaments of the north. He tried to comfort him, but in vain, and when the surgeon came he inti- mated to Ronald that he had better leave him, as talking to a stranger seemed to agitate him in an extraordinary degree. ' He seems very sorry for the loss of his guardian, but he is an odd fellow, and I don't quite like the look of his counte- nance,' said Ronald to himself, as he left the cabin. As soon as he reached the deck he looked out to ascertain what progress the stranger had made. Her courses were already seen from the deck, appearing above the horizon. The work on board the two frigates was going forward as energeti- cally as ever. Still there was yet much to be done before they could be put in good fighting order. The ' Thisbe' was by far the most advanced of the two, still the bravest on board would rather have avoided than sought a fight just then. On came the stranger. 'Well, Morton, just say what you think of her? ' said Dicky 108 ROXALD MORTON. Glover, handing a telescope to Ronald ; ' there*- a mighty Frenchified look abont those topsails.' ' I have not much experience in the matter,' answered Ronald, modestly ; ' but she looks very like the " Concorde," as she appeared when standing- out toward us.' ' That's what Mr Calder and the rest think,' observed Glover. ' Well, we are ready for the fellow whoever he may be ; and for my part, I'd sooner blow our prize up into the sky than let her be taken from us ; wouldn't you, Morton ? ' Ronald was not quite so sure of that, and he suspected that Dicky himself, if put to the test, might change his mind. The stranger in a short time drew near enough to see the signals which the ' Thisbe ' began to make. Her answers were watched for with intense interest on board both ships. Mr Calder had his signal-book open on deck. 'There goes up the stranger's bunting,' he exclaimed; 'now we shall see what he has got to say for himself.' Again and again his glass was at his eye : at length he shut it up with a loud slap. ' I thought as much,' lie added ; ' he's a Frenchman ; but he will find the "Concorde" a tough morsel if he attempts .to swallow her, after she has belonged to us.' Captain Courtney arrived before long at the same conclusion, and ordered the prize to stand to the northward, under all the sail she could carry. Tom Calder received the order with a very bad grace. ' I thought that he would at least have let us stop to help him to fight it out,' he muttered to himself as he put his hand to his mouth to issue the necessary orders to his scanty crew. Sail was made on the prize, while the ' Thisbe' hauled up her courses, and stood slowly after her to draw the enemy more away from the land before the commencement of their expected contest. Mr Calder felt that he had no right to question his com- mander's judgment ; he could not help seeing, also, that could A THREATENED FIGHT. 169 he effect his escape, he might possibly fall in with another British cruiser, and send her to the ' Thisbe's' assistance. Even with more intense interest than at first, the ap- proach of the stranger was watched from the deck of the ' Concorde.' The prize had got a mile from the ' Thisbe ' when the French surgeon made his appearance on deck, to enjoy a mouthful of fresh air, after his fatiguing duties below. His eager glance, and the sudden lighting up of his eye, showed that he fully comprehended the state of affairs. Among the many accomplishments Ronald had obtained at Lunnasting was a certain amount of French. He could not speak fluently, but he could understand what was said. He could not help asking the surgeon what he thought about the stranger coming up from the southward. ' That she is one of the fastest frigates belonging to our navy,' was the answer. ' We were expecting her here about this time ; you have no chance of escaping her. We were to have cruised together ; perhaps we shall do so now.' ' Ask him what sort of a man is her captain,' said Mr Calder, who saw Ronald talking to the surgeon. Ronald put the question. ' There are two opinions,' said the surgeon, making a face. ' He would be a coward who would refuse to attack our late antagonist in the condition to which we have reduced her.' ' All right,' observed Mr Calder, when he heard the remark ; ' if there are two opinions about a man's courage it is seldom that the favourable one is the right ; we shall see, though.' In accordance with his orders, though much against his inclination, Lieiitenant Calder stood away from the scene of the approaching combat. A flash and a puff of smoke was seen, and soon afterwards a low thundering noise boomed along the waters. The French frigate had fired her first shot at the ' Thisbe.' 170 RONALD MORTON. ' I hope it did not hit her ! ' exclaimed Morton. ' Oh, how I wish we were there to help her ! ' The same sentiment was expressed by all on board. It seemed probable that the first shot did hit, for the Frenchman now luffed up and fired his broadside at the ' Thisbe.' She waited till he bore away again, and then returned the com- pliment. For a few minutes the firing 1 ceased. Probably neither of the combatants had committed as much damage to each other as they expected, and were not desirous of throwing away their shots. Ronald thought all the time of his father, and the danger to which he was exposed, for considering the comparatively defenceless state of the ' Thisbe' he could not help dreading the result. The breeze increased, and the ' Concorde ' got further and further from the scene of contest. Again the firing commenced. All hands knocked off work to watch the progress of the fight. The officers forgot even to recall them to their duty. The French surgeon and several of the wounded prisoners crawled up on deck to watch it also. ' There they go at it ! Well done, " Thisbe" !' exclaimed Tom Caldcr. ' Never saw a more rapidly delivered broadside. If she had all her spars she wouldn't be long in taking that ship, too. Not certain that she won't do it now. Hurra ! there's one of the Frenchman's spars shot away.' ' Hurra for the " Thisbe " ! ' shouted the crew. ' She's the girl to win the day. Hurra ! hurra ! ' ' Not so sure of that,' muttered Rawson, an old mate, who seldom saw things in a pleasant light. No wonder, for he had seen numbers who had come to sea long after him promoted over his head, and were now commanders and post captains, while he remained almost without hope in a subordinate posi- tion. He was pretty certain to be senior of the mess in what- ever ship he sailed, and that was his only consolation, as it THE THISBE' AND FRENCHMAN. 171 gave him some little authority, and full licence to growl to his heart's content. The firing became hotter than ever, though at the distance the ' Concorde' was now from the two combatants it was diffi- cult to observe the changes of the fight. Still all the glasses were kept in that direction. * There ! there ! I said it would be so ! ' exclaimed Rawson, still keeping his eye at the glass. ' What has happened ? ' inquired Ronald, eagerly. ' Why, the Frenchmen have shot away the " Thisbe's" foretopmast, as far as I can make out her jury-masts, too,' answered Rawson. ' The " Thisbe's" done for, I'm afraid.' ' What's that you say, Rawson ? ' exclaimed Lieutenant Calder. ' Done for ! not she ; she's not done firing, at all events.' Rawson said no more ; still it was very evident that the ' Thisbe' was again almost a complete wreck, while the French- man had her rigging comparatively uninjured. The firing on both sides began to decrease. Evening was now drawing on, the wind was increasing, and dark clouds were coming up from the westward. For several minutes not a shot had been heard. Flashes there were, but they were from the clouds, and heaven's artillery now rattled through the sky. The combatants could now scarcely be discerned in the distance. ' The " Thisbe " has struck,' cried Rawson. ' I said it would be so. I knew I should never have such luck as to take a prize like this, and to keep our ship.' ' I don't believe it,' exclaimed Mr Calder. ' Captain Court- ney would never have ghen in to the Frenchman without a harder tussle for it.' ' Perhaps Captain Courtney has been killed,' croaked out poor Rawson, who was very bitter at the prospect of losing his long-looked-for promotion, which he would have obtained as soon as the prize was carried into port. Tom Calder, too, had every reason to wish to escape the enemy, with the same object in view, and he was not a man to throw a chance away. 1 72 RONALD MORTON. The wind was fair, and the coming darkness and the rising gale would favour their escape. He now clapped on every inch of canvas which could possibly be set, and did his utmost to keep up the spirits of his crew, rating Mr Rawson soundly for his expressing his forebodings of ill. The wind increased, and howled through the rigging ; the seas came roaring and hissing up alongside, as the frigate, driven onward by the gale, went surging through the foaming water. Thus on she went for some time. ' If we had but our masts the enemy would have a hard job to come up with us,' observed Dicky Glover to Ronald. ' As it is, I doubt whether she'll find us, after all.' The two midshipmen were standing aft, looking over the taffrail. ' I wish that I thought we should escape her,' answered Ronald ; ' but I say look ! look ! what's that out there ? ' At that moment there was a break in the clouds, and through it a gleam of light fell on the lofty sails of a ship coming up within gunshot astern. ' The French frigate ! I knew it would be so,' said the rough voice of old Rawson. There could be little doubt that he was right. The stranger was supposed by the French officers on board to be the ' Atalante,' a frigate of the same size as the ' Concorde.' What hope then that the latter could successfully resist her? Not many men besides Tom Calder would have had any hope of escaping. ' Never cry out till you are caught,' was his motto on similar occasions. ' That vessel astern has not yet made us out,' he observed to Rawson. ' Though should she prove to be the ' Atalante,' perhaps we may still escape her, or she may be a friend after all.' ' Xot likely that last, sir,' said Rawson, ' but whether friend or foe, here she comes ! She has made us out clearly enough, too, that I'll be sworn.' THE 'CONCORDE' AND ' ATALANTE.' 173 For a short time the clouds had closed in, and the stranger was hidden from view, but they again breaking, she was seen like some huge dark monster, towering up towards the sky, surging onwards on the starboard quarter of the ' Concorde.' ' We shall soon see uow, sir, what she is,' observed Rawson to his superior. The bright flash of a gun, and an eighteen-pound shot, which came crashing into the side of the prize left that point very little in doubt. ' Man the starboard guns ! ' cried Mr Calder. ' We'll show the Frenchmen that though we have lost our wings we have still got our beaks.' With a hearty cheer though, from the paucity of their numbers, not a very loud one the men went to the guus. Could they beat off the enemy I They would try, at all events. Rawson in a moment forgot his forebodings, and was all life and courage. The enemy was seen to be shortening sail, so as not to pass the ' Concorde.' ' Fire ! ' cried Lieutenant Calder. The men obeyed with alacrity, but scarcely had the shot left the mouths of the guns than the enemy replied with a crashing broadside, which shot away several of the stays of the jurymasts, knocked over three or four of the crew, and reduced the frigate almost to the state of wreck in which she had been found when captured. Rawson was the only officer wounded, but still he cheered on the crew. ' We'll not give in lads ! Old England for ever ! ' he ex- claimed, putting his right hand to a gun-tackle, and hauling away. The other arm had been hit. In vain were all the efforts of those gallant men. ' Here she comes ! ' was the cry. ' Boarders ! repel boarders ! ' The enemy gave a sheer to port, and with a loud crash ran alongside the ' Concorde.' Grappling-irons were hove aboard her, and the next instant the Frenchmen, in overpowering num- bers, rushed like a torrent along her deck* CHAPTER XVI. THE ' THISBE'S' CREW PREPARE FOR A. FRESH FIGHT. [HE chief anxiety of Captain Courtney when he ascertained that the approaching ship was an enemy, was to secure the escape of the prize. She would indeed have been of very little use to the ' Thisbe' in repelling an attack, as the French frigate from having all her canvas would have been able to manoeuvre so as to engage each of them singly. ' There she goes, and I'll engage Tom Calder's heart is heavier than any one's aboard here at having to run away ! ' exclaimed Captain Courtney ' Good luck go with him. We'll try and keep the enemy engaged, and wing him, if we can. You'll do your best, I know, my lads.' A cheerful shout was the answer to this appeal, the last part of which was addressed to the crew. The men were now seen fastening their handkerchiefs round their heads, tightening their waistbands, most of them having thrown off their jackets and shirts, standing at their guns with their brawny arms and shoulders bare, like pictures of Hercules prepared for battle ; not a countenance that did not exhibit a cheerful alacrity for the battle. As the captain took a walk round the decks, he felt assured that what men could do they would to maintain the honour of old England's flag. 174 THE CREW OF THE ' THISBE.' 175 Many bore marks of their recent combat, and several still pale from loss of blood, had insisted on rising from their hammocks and going to their guns. Among them stood the boatswain, Rolf Morton ; the captain shook his head at him. ' What ! you could not trust us to fight the ship without you, Mr Morton ? ' he said, in a kind tone of reproof. ' I must let you stay now you are on deck, but I would rather you were snug in your berth.' ' While I've breath for my pipe, and legs to stand on, I'd rather be here, Captain Courtney, thank you, sir,' answered Rolf. ' I would lose an arm rather than let our prize be retaken.' ' So would I, Mr Morton, and we will do our best to help her escape,' said the captain, and he passed on. With like kind words of encouragement both to officers and men, the captain passed along the guns; not a man of the crew who would not have dropped at their quarters, or gone down with the ship, rather than yield as long as their brave chief bade them fight on. . By the time Captain Courtney regained his post on the quarter-deck, the enemy had got within gun-shot, and com- menced firing with her longer pieces at the ' Thisbe,' but the shot fell wide. ' The enemy's gunners want practice,' observed the captain to the third lieutenant, who was doing duty as first, though he himself was severely wounded. We'll reserve our fire till they get a little nearer, and then give it them with a will. They probably expect that we shall haul down our colours after we have satisfied the calls of honour with a few shots.' ' They don't know of whom they have got hold then,' answered Mr Trenane, the lieutenant. In a light wind they might have had too much the advantage of us, but with this breeze, the loss of our masts will matter less, I hope.' The enemy was now coming up rapidly on the ' Thisbe's ' quarter. A shot from her bow chasers whistled through the 176 ROLAND MORTON. latter's rigging ; several others followed as the guns could bo brought to bear. On she came. The ' Thisbe' had not fired. ' Down with the helm and give it them, my lads ! ' suddenly shouted the captain. The English frigate luffed up, and poured her whole broad- side into the bows of the approaching enemy. The Frenchman put down his helm and returned the compliment, and now the two ships stood on for some time exchanging broadsides as rapidly as they could. At length a shot struck the ' ThisbeV fore-topmast ; it had been wounded in the previous engagement. Down it came with a crash, but so eagerly were the crew en- gaged that few discovered what had happened. The master with a few hands flew aloft, and quickly cut away the wreck ; the crew redoubled their efforts. Still the uninjured condition of the enemy's rigging gave her an import- ant advantage ; her shot came crashing on board the ' Thisbe.' Whatever Captain Courtney might have thought, he ap- peared as cheerful and confident as ever. His courage kept up that of the crew. The enemy was frequently hulled. Now one spar was shot away ; now another ; his fire slackened. The British crew cheered lustily. That hearty cheer must have been heard along the Frenchman's decks. It showed him that though his enemy was almost dismantled, the courage of the people was as undaunted as ever. ' We may not take him, but we may prevent his taking us,' observed Morton, as he moved among the crew. Just then the Frenchman's bow was seen to move up closer to the wind ; his tacks were hauled aboard, the breeze was freshening, and away he stood on a bowline under al! the sail he could set, leaving the astonished crew of the British ship rubbing their eyes and wondering what he was about. They, however, did not cease sending their shot after him, as a parling compliment. THE 'ATALANTE' SHEERS OFF. 177 ' She has but hauled off to repair damages,' observed the third lieutenant to the captain. ' Not so sure of that, Trenane,' answered Captain Courtney; ' probably her captain and other superior officers have been killed or wounded, and the rest suspect that we should prove too tough a morsel for them to digest.' Captain Courtney seemed to be right in his conjectures; the French frigate stood on. All hands were instantly set to work to repair damages, to be ready for her in case she should returu. Many an eye cast an anxious glance in the direction in which she was steering. The brave crew would have welcomed her back, but they wished to be ready first to receive her. Again she was observed to alter her course. ' She is coming back ! ' was the cry. ' Hurra, lads, we'll give it her if she does.' They watched her eagerly. She was steering to the north- ward under all sail. There could be little doubt that she was in pursuit of the ' Concorde.' More energetically than ever the crew worked away, in the hopes of being in a condition to go to the aid of their consort ; but every instant the wind was increasing, the sea was getting up, and their task became more difficult. Dark clouds were gathering in the western horizon. It was evident that a gale was brewing, and there were appearances that it would be a severe one. The safety of the ship demanded all the care of the officers and the redoubled exertions of the men. The guns were secured, the shot holes stopped, the rigging knotted and spliced as strongly as time would allow ; everything movcable below was lashed, and the ship's head was brought to the wind to meet the expected blast. Had she had sea room she might have scudded, but, with the land under her lee, that was out of the question. As a brave man girds himself for an inevitable and deadly contest, so was the gallant ship prepnivd for the desperate conflict with the elements. 178 ROXALD MORTON. The British crew had not prepared unnecessarily to meet the gale, although delayed ; down it came at length upon them with even greater fury than was expected. More than once it seemed as if the masts and rigging would give way, and that the frigate would be driven helplessly before its fury. Had a sail gone, had a rope given way, she might have been hurried to destruction; but careful hands had secured the rigging, every rope held, and there she lay nobly breasting the storm. Still she drifted to the eastward, and, should the gale continue long, she after ah 1 could not escape destruction. As the morning approached, the wind blew harder and harder. Daylight exhibited no sign of its abating. All that day it continued, its fury in no way decreased. The weary crew began to faint with their exertions, but the officers went among them, and with cheering words reanimated their spirits. The carpenter had often sounded the well. He now reported that the ship had sprung a leak ; the pumps must be manned ; the demand on the energies of the crew was increased. Still they worked cheerfully. Even some of the wounded insisted on coming up to take their spell at the pumps. Night again came on, but not for a moment during the whole course of it did Captain Courtney leave the deck. Often and often did he look out astern. He had good reason for so doing. The order was given to range the cables. It might be necessary to anchor, to make, at all events, the attempt to bring up the ship before she was driven on the enemy's shores. The morning returned at last, and away to the leeward, amid the thick driving spray, and through the pale cold cheer- less light, a line of coast rose above the tumbling waters. Calm, as if no storm was raging, Captain Courtney walked the deck, his eye now turned astern now nt the rigging 1 of his ship. He .sent Mr Trenane forward to see that the anchors were ready for letting go. The lieutenant reported all ready. ' Then we have done all that men can do to save the ship, and to Providence we must trust the rest,' observed the captah. THE PERIL OF THE ' THISBE.' 179 Few words were exchanged by any on board, the crew were at their stations, ready to perform any duty required of them ; those told off to labour at the pumps were working manfully ; and thus they would have continued till the noble ship had struck on the rocks, or gone down beneath the waves. Hours passed by. Slowly but certainly she drove stern on towards the land. The captain after a time was seen to look frequently over the side, and to watch the land more earnestly. His countenance brightened. ' There is hope for us yet,' he observed to Mr Trenane ; ' the wind is dropping.' Such was the case. Rapidly the gale abated, the ship no longer laboured as before, the leak was easily kept under, the sea quickly went down, the wind got round to the southward, and by nightfall the ' Thisbe,' under ah 1 sail, was steering a course for Ens-land. CHAPTER XVII. THE 'CONCORDE' RECAPTURED BY THE ' ATALANTE'. THE SHIPS IN A GALE. THE ' ATALANTE ' WRECKED. RONALD SWIMS ASHORE. COMMUNICATION ESTABLISHED. THE ENGLISH SHUT UP IN A TOWER. |N vaiu Lieutenant Calder and the prize crew of the ' Concorde' attempted to resist the onslaught of the enemy. Several were killed, others were wounded, and they soon found themselves com- pletely overpowered. No time was lost in conveying them ou board the ship which had captured them, which proved to be the ' Atalaute,' a consort of their hard- won prize. Most of the wounded French prisoners were removed likewise, that they might be under the care of the chief surgeon of the ship, and among them was Alfouse Gerardiu. He had somewhat re- covered his strength and spirits, and now that he found himself no longer a prisoner, he talked away freely as well with the young Frenchmen of his own rank as with the English mid- shipmen. When the transfer uf prisoners had been accomplished, the ' Atalante' took the ' Concorde' in tow and made sail, but the wind increasing, the hawser broke, and both ships had to look out for their safety independently of each other. In consequence of the comparatively .small numlter of the English prisoners they were not very strictly guarded, and the officers were allowed to go about the decks by themselves. 180 THE 'ATALANTE.' 181 The gale increased during the night, and when early in the morning Ronald Morton went on deck, he found the French ship scudding before it under bare poles. There was a good deal of confusion on board; the crew were labouring at the pumps, but in anything but an energetic manner ; some would suddenly knock off, and halloa and bawl at their shipmates to come and help them, but it was often long- before their places were taken. On looking aloft he saw, too, that the masts were wounded in several places, and though the ship was placed in much greater peril by the way she had been knocked about, it was with no little satisfaction that he observed the battering she had received from the ' Thisbe's ' and ' Concorde's ' guns. Before long he encountered Mr Calder, whose eyes were engaged as his had been. ' What do you think, sir, of the state of affairs ? ' he asked. 'That they are as bad, Morton, as well can be,' was the answer. ' Neither captain nor officers know what they are about, and it will be a miracle if they do not cast the ship away.' ' Of course they will,' observed Rawson, who had just then joined them ; ' I said from the first that we should have no good luck, and what I said has come true.' ' But other chaps among us said that we should have good luck,' remarked Twigg, the master's assistant, who was always fond of putting Rawson in the wrong. ' Now, you see, old fellow, it was just heads or tails even, you'll understand and as ill-luck would have it, you happened to win.' ' It's the only thing I ever did win, then,' answered poor Rawson, in a melancholy tone. ' Well, well, Rawson, the next time you prophesy ill, we'll all pray that you may prove a false prophet,' observed Mr Calder. ' But, my lads, it may before long be of very little consequence to most of us who is right and who is wrong; unless these Frenchmen are steering for some shelter, and 182 RONALD MORTON. know the coast perfectly, they will run us hard and fast on it before the world is many hours older.' Ronald on this said he would go and learn what he could from young Gerardin, who would probably be able to ascertain what the Frenchmen proposed doing. Ronald found his way to the sick-bay, where Alfonse was in his cot, able to sit up and talk without difficulty. ' What we are going to do, you demand ? ' he answered. ' Why, let the ship drive and go to destruction, for what I can tell ; all on board seem to have lost their wits, from the captain downwards. They would pitch me out of the ship if they heard my remarks, so do not repeat them.' When Ronald returned on deck he found things hi no way mended. The French crew appeared to be obeying their officers very slowly and unwillingly ; indeed, the ship was already in a state of semi-mutiny. The officers, too, seemed to be issuing 1 contradictory orders. Ronald saw them examining a chart, but it was evident from their gestures that they differed very much in opinion as to the course which should be steered. No decision was arrived at, and the ship drove onwards towards the coast of Finisterre. There were harbours and shelter there in abundance ; but judgment and good pilotage was required to take advantage of them, and these qualities were wanting on board the ' Atalante.' The English officers stood grouped together, affording a strong contrast to their French captors. Mr Calder was cool and collected as ever. ' If the Frenchmen won't let us try and save the ship, we must do our best to save our lives,' he remarked. ' Remember, in the first place, let us all hold together and help each other. We may make a harbour and run no risk of losing our lives, or we may drive on the rocks and have a desperate struggle for them, but in either case, prisoners we shall remain, only in the last we shall have a bettor chance of making our escape THE STORM. 183 hi the end let us keep that in view, whatever happens. Now, lads ! there is the laud ; it won't be long before we become more nearly acquainted with it.' Rawson, Morton, and the rest promised implicitly to follow Mr Calder's directions. It was agreed that the instant the ship struck, Morton and Twigg should hasten down to release their own men below, and to tell them what had been resolved on. There was little doubt, even in the expected extremity, that they would willingly follow Mr Calder's directions. ' In ten minutes we shall know our fate,' said Mr Calder, calmly watching the shore, towards which the helpless ship was rapidly driving. It consisted of a sandy beach, the ground rising a little beyond it, with here and there a low building, and in the centre a ruined mill, or fort, or watchtower it was difficult to sa} 7 \\-hat. The sandy beach might have offered some prospect that their lives would be preserved, but in front of it rose among the foaming breakers a line of dark rocks, and no break was perceived in them through which the ship might force her way. ' Few of those on board this ill-fated craft will see another day,' observed Rawson, as he eyed the threatening coast. But he no longer spoke in a desponding tone ; the moment of action was at hand, and such a prospect always roused him up. ' There's a fresh hand at the bellows, to help us along to our fate,' he added. ' Well, let it do its worst ; Jack Rawsou won't flinch as long as he has a head on his shoulders.' Morton was what is called constitutionally brave, and the calmness of his companions increased his courage. His friend, Dicky Glover, looked at him with admiration ; Morton's bearing gave him confidence. If one who, so short a time before, was a ship's boy, was so cool and brave, of course he who was born a gentleman, and had long been a midshipman, ought to exhibit even more calmness and resolution. So in reality, at this try- ing moment, Glover appeared as much the hero as did Morton. 184 RONALD MORTON. Mr Calder noted both of the lads, and his heart warmed with pride as he marked the courage of his young countrymen, though he grieved at the too great probability of their being cut off. The greater number of the Frenchmen were all this time agitated in the greatest degree, each man following his own devices ; the officers having lost all shadow of control. Some had hurried below to pat on their best clothes, or to secure what valuables they possessed ; others had broken into the spirit-room, and with cans and bottles in their hands, came reeling on deck, insisting on their officers drinking with them. Some were dancing furiously ; others were singing at the top of their voices, but except a very few, no one was preparing for the inevitable catastrophe. More than half were below when it came. ' Secure that coil of rope, and hold on for your lives ! ' shouted Mr Calder. The ship struck, the foremast instantly went by the board ; the seas furiously dashed up the frigate's sides, and washed through her ports and over her deck. Each time she was struck, she shivered as if about to be wrenched asunder. Numbers of the hapless crew were washed away. Men and officers shared the same fate ; some were seen for a time struggling between the beach and the ship, but the cruel seas as they rushed back, carried them off, and hurled them among the dark rocks, where life was speedily crushed and washed out of them. Ronald, Glover, and Twigg, as directed, had instantly the ship struck, hurried below to release their countrymen. The seamen, knowing what had happened, were making desperate efforts to get out of the hold in which they had been battened down. A capstan bar, which Morton and his companions found outside, enabled them to accomplish their object. The English seamen rushed upon deck, for the terrific sounds which reached their ears, and the fierce concussions the ship was receiving, THE ENGLISH PRISONERS. 185 warned that no time was to be lost, if they would preserve their lives. Morton was hurrying up with the rest, when he recollected the wounded midshipman, Alfonse Gerardin. ' His countrymen won't help him, of that I am pretty certain, and I cannot leave the poor fellow to perish,' he ex- claimed to Glover, who was near him. ' I'll help you, whatever you do,' answered Dicky Glover, who was as ready to do a good deed as a mischievous one, if it was suggested to him. ' So will I, Mr Morton,' said a seaman who had kept by the two midshipmen from the moment he had got his liberty, and had moreover possessed himself of the capstan bar, to serve him as a trusty weapon in case of need. ' Thank you, friend Truefitt,' said Morton : ' come along.' Ronald was well pleased to get such an ally as honest Job Truefitt, for there was not among the crew of the 'Thisbe' a better seaman or a more trustworthy, better- hearted fellow. While the rest were rushing on deck, Ronald and his com- panions made their way along the deck to the sick-bay. Many of the wounded were calling on their shipmates to come to their assistance, and uttering imprecations fierce and terrible, when they found that they called in vain. Gerardin was attempting to get up, but his strength failed hun, and he lay back, his countenance betokening a proud resignation to his own fate, and scorn at the terror of the wretches who surrounded him. ' What ! ' he exclaimed, when he saw Morton and Glover with Job Truefitt, ' have you Englishmen found time, amid all this confusion, to come and look after a wounded wretch like me; an enemy too who has been taught with his utmost strength to hate the English ? ' 4 We Englishmen have been taught to help our enemies in distress, mouuseer,' observed Job Truefitt, as, without waiting 186 ROLAND MORTON. a moment to ask leave, he lifted the wounded lad on his should- ers. ' There's no time for palavering. Come along, sirs.' The midshipmen sprang on, helping Job to support his burden, and they soon reached the upper-deck, when the scene of horror and confusion was indescribable ! Not without diffi- culty, and in great danger of being washed off, they made their way to the after part of the quarter-deck, where Mr Calder, with the other Englishmen, were assembled. The ship had driven with her larboard side to the shore, and as she heeled over they were partly sheltered from the force of the seas, which dashed in arches of foam high above her. The English lieutenant and his party had made fast a cask to the end of the line they had secured, and were endeavouring to float it towards the shore, where three or four people stood ready to receive it. In vain they tried. Several times the cask got almost within their reach, and was carried back again with the reflux of the wave. Morton, however, observed to his sa- tisfaction, that just at that part there were no rocks, and that the seas rushed on without any break till they reached the beach. ' If I could but do it,' thought Morton to himself. ' I have swam through some tolerably heavy seas on the Shetland coast.' Pie at once made the proposal to Mr Calder. ' Impossible ! ' was the answer. ' You would be drowned, my boy, to a certainty.' ' But I could do it, and whether I'm drowned or not, it matters little,' exclaimed Job Truefitt. ' Here, who'll take charge of this here young Frenchman ? ' Kawson offered also to make the attempt, but he was known not to be a good swimmer. A thundering crash was heard. It was the fall of tlie remainder of the foremast, and the breaking up of the fore part of the ship. It was a strong hint to the English party to ha.ston whatever they might undertake. ' You'll let me go, Mr Calder?' said Morton again. MORTON AND TRUEFITT. 187 He and Job Traefitt had secured some light line to the cask, which had just been hauled up. It was again lowered, and the lieutenant nodded his head, but his countenance was very sad, as if he had little hopes of the success of the ex- pedition. The instant his permission was gained, Eonald and Job slid down the side of the ship, and were quickly borne on with the cask towards the shore. They both struck out bravely, and soon reached the cask. They had little at first to do, except to keep themselves afloat. All those who anxiously watched them, knew that the trial would come as they neared the beach, and got within the power of the under suck of the receding waves. At first they merely accompanied the cask, and supporting themselves by it, husbanded their strength. ' They will be lost to a certainty, I know,' observed Eaw- soru ' If they don't succeed, I don't know who will. I never saw a finer swimmer than that man Truefitt.' ' Oh, I hope they will ! I hope they will be saved ! ' cried Glover, in an agony of terror for Morton, who had inspired him with the sincerest affection. ' There they go ! bravely they swim ! ' cried Mr Calder. ' They are ahead of the cask they dart forward the under- tow has got them. No ! they are struggling desperately with it they don't lose ground on they go ! No ! ' There was a cry that the sea had carried them back, but the next moment their heads appeared on the top of a foaming sea, and on it rushed towards the beach. Now was the critical moment. Their shipmates on board the wreck held their breath as they watched their progress. One was seen to rise up on the beach from out of a sheet of foam, and to hurry upwards ; but there was only one. He did not stop a moment. Down he dashed again. He had a grasp of a rope, though the other end of which was held by the people on the shore. Without hesitation, he plunged once more into the seething 188 RONALD MORTON. waters ; he did not again appear there was a cry of despair all thought he was lost but no the next instant he was seen, and this time with a companion, and aided by the people, who were on the watch for them, they both together hurried up the beach, and the cask, with the line, was hauled up after them. The great object was accomplished ; a communication was secured with the shore. The passage, however, was still full of danger. More line was procured. A traveller and slings were fitted, and Rawson volunteered to lead the way. Should he succeed, the passage would be somewhat less dangerous. The people on shore now tightened the rope. He took a supply of line with which to haul the next person on shore. A shout from the English seamen proclaimed that he was successful. It was now according to rule, under such circumstances, the privilege of the youngest to proceed. Dicky Glover was ordered into the slings. ' If I must go, may I take the young Frenchman ? ' he asked. ' I know Morton would wish it.' ' Yes, be sharp,' answered Mr Calder, assisting himself to secure them both. Away they went on their perilous passage. It was near sun-down when the ship struck. It was now rapidly getting dark. What a night of horrors was there for those who were compelled to spend it on board the wreck. When Dicky Glover had nearly reached the shore, the surf almost tore young Gerardin from the slings, and the hold he had of him. Almost hopelessly he struggled. In another instant the}' both would have been carried away, when Glover .saw some one making his way through the foaming water towards him. A friendly hand grasped his, and in another minute he and his charge were hauled up out of the power of the sea. Ronald Morton, with a rope round his waist, had been the LEAVING THE WRECK. 189 means of rescuing him and Gerardin from death. Dicky began to thank him. ' Only obeying orders helping each other,' answered Ronald. ' But lend a hand, Glover, we have plenty to do.' Morton and his companions became very anxious for the fate of their gallant superior. Had the frigate been his own ship, he would have been the last to leave the wreck; but now, having seen his own people on shore, he would have no hesitation in coming. Ronald applied to Gerardin, but he could get no infor- mation from his confused countrymen as to what had become of the English lieutenant. The Englishmen, notwithstanding this, continued to assist energetically in hauling the people on shore. Each time a man reached the beach, they hailed him, hoping to find that he was their officer. Suddenly, as they were hauling in on the line made fast to the traveller, the main line became slack : alas ! all communi- cation with the ill-fated ship was cut off. ' Haul on it, lads ! ' shouted Rawson and Morton in con- cert. ' It is heavy ; there is some one on it,' cried the men. ' Steady, lads, steady.' Gradually they hauled in the line. The life of one more fellow-creature might be saved. They hauled away. Yes, a man was there ! was he still alive, though ? They hailed as he neared them. An English voice an- swered, ' All right, lads ! ' It was their own lieutenant. They welcomed him with a joyful shout, which showed that he had won the honest affections of his men, a prize worthy of an officer's aim. ' I had a struggle for it,' he observed, as soon as he was somewhat recovered. ' No sooner w r as I on the rope, than some of the wretches in their madness cut it, and have so lost all means of reaching the shore in safety. Still we will do what we can to help them.' 190 RONALD MORTON. The Englishmen kept to this resolution. With unceasing watchfulness they moved up and down along the beach, saving the lives of many who would otherwise have fallen victims to the waves. The wearied seamen, their labours over, threw themselves on the sands to rest, scarcely allowing the thought to trouble them of what next they should do. They had not enjoyed many minutes' repose before they were roused up by a party of soldiers, who, without much ceremony, marched them all off to a tower in the neighbourhood, which Ronald recollected observ- ing before the ship struck. Here, in spite of all Mr Calder's expostulations, they were locked up in an upper chamber without food or water, and left to their own devices. It is not surprising if their remarks and reflections were not very complimentary to the people on whose shores they had been thrown. |ff CHAPTER XVIII. JOBS PLAN FOR ESCAPING. A HINT FROM GERARDIN. A ROPE BROUGHT IN A BASKET. DESCENT FROM THE TOWER. THE GUARD MADE PRISONER. GET ON BOARD A FISHING-BOAT. I F I'd my way I'd break out of this here hole, knock the monnseers down that stands guard, aud cut and run,' observed Job Truefitt, as he woke up after a sound sleep on some straw, in the afternoon of the day on which he and his companions had been shut up in the tower. ' We might get hold of some fishing craft or other, and make good our escape. I've heard of such things being done afore now.' The sentiment was warmly echoed by the speaker's ship- mates. Mr Calder and the other officers had overheard what was said. It was intended that they should. Probably the same idea was occupying the lieutenant's mind ; he got up and took a survey of the interior of the tower. The upper part was of wood, and through a chink came a ray from the setting sun, and cast a bright light on the opposite wall. It showed the prisoners the direction of the ocean, and the point towards which they must make their way if they could escape from the tower. Mr Calder, with no little exertion, climbed up to the chin]; to look out ; the chamber was without any window ; there 191 192 RONALD MORTON. had been one in the stone wall, but that had been blocked up. From the dome shape of the roof it appeared, too, that the chamber was the highest in the tower. Mr Calder having completed his survey of the surrounding country, as far as his position would allow him, descended to the floor. He said but little ; he was pondering the means of escape. To be kept a prisoner now, almost at the commencement of what everybody said would he a long war, was more than his philosophy would enable him to bear with patience. Morton guessed what was passing in his superior's mind. ' It would, indeed, be terrible to be shut up,' he observed. ' It is only just what I ought to have expected,' said Haw- son. ' My ill-luck will stick to me to the end ; no fear of that going, though everything else leaves me.' His remark produced a laugh among his companions, who, if they even believed in ill-luck, had very little compassion on him when he complained of it ; indeed, it was suspected that he rather liked to be joked on the subject. ' I should like to have a look out too,' said Ronald, climb- ing up by the inequalities in the stone wall and the planks which formed the side of the tower. The sun was just sinking in the ocean, and casting a rich glow over the whole western sky. The storm had completely ceased, though the waves still rolled in with a loud roar, lining the coast with a fringe of foam. The tide was low; a few ribs on the reef, almost abreast of the tower, was the only remnant of this once beautiful frigate, with the addition of the broken timbers and planks which strewed the shore, and which the peasantry had not yet carried off. The appearance of the coast indeed in the immediate neighbourhood of the tower offered no hopes of escape to the Englishmen, even should they succeed in getting out of their prison. To the north, however, Morton observed a high reef of black rocks, nim;i':g out into the sea, and cir- cling round so a? to form a secure harbour. Two or three THE PRISONERS. 193 small craft were floating on the surface of this little haven, either launched after the gale, or which had ridden it out in safety, while several boats, appearing like black dots on the yellow sand, lay drawn up on the beach. Konald was still employed in making his survey, when steps were heard ascending the rickety creaking stairs of the tower, and Mr Calder ordered him down, that he might not excite the suspicion of the Frenchmen that they entertained the idea of escaping. The door opened, and two soldiers entered with a jar of wine, and some bread and cheese and fruit. Placing the provisions before the lieutenant, they made signs that he might divide them among his people. Ronald, thinking it might be politic to get into conversation with them, mustering all his knowledge of French, thanked them warmly for what they had brought. The man answered, somewhat gruffly, that they were only obeying orders, and that they had been directed by a young officer of the marine, who had been wrecked, to bring the pro- visions. ' Pray thank him for us, and say how grateful we feel for his gift,' said Konald. ' We may not see him again,' answered one of the men. ' He is ill in bed, and he will be going away into the interior, as soon as he is able to be removed.' The men said that they did not know the young officer's name. There could be little doubt, however, that Alfonse Gerardin had sent the provisions. Ronald in vain tried to ascertain if the soldiers knew how they, the English prisoners, were to be disposed of, but the Frenchmen only shrugged their shoulders, and replied that that was no business of theirs. It was not likely that they would be kept for ever in the tower, which, as the rats had already deserted it, was very likely to tumble about their ears. ' It is a wonder, then, that it did not come down during the late gale,' observed Ronald. 194 RONALD MORTON. 1 Ah,' said one of the men with a shrug and a wink, ' it is a wonder truly, considering how rotten it is from the top to the bottom. But we must not stop here, talking with you Eng- lishmen, or we shall be suspected of wishing to help you to escape. Adieu, adieu, au revoir. You don't seem much cast down. Perhaps you would be, if you knew the fate prepared for you.' With another wink from the chief speaker, a corporal, by his uniform, the man took his departure. ' I am certain, sir, they had meaning in what they said,' observed Ronald to Mr Calder, explaining the Frenchman's remarks. ' Gerardin is not ungrateful, and wishes to help us to escape.' Rawson laughed at the notion of a Frenchman being grateful, and even Mr Calder seemed to doubt that he, or any one else, had the slightest idea of helping them to escape. ' People are not fond of putting their lives in jeopardy, to help those in whom they have no interest,' he remarked. It seemed too likely that the lieutenant was right, for the night passed, and noon of the following day arrived, and no one came near them. At that time the two soldiers who had before appeared brought in their food, but left it without saying a word, and again hurried down the stairs. Ronald was persuaded that the corporal gave a significant look at him, as he followed his companion out of the door. It was probable that the two men did not trust each other. ' It is all your fancy, Morton,' said Rawson, gloomily. ' Depend on it we shall be marched off to some horrible out of the way fortress, and be shut up for the next ten years of our lives, while our old shipmates are crowning themselves with laurels, or what is better, making no end of prize-money, and rising to the top of their profession. When we get back once more to the shores of old England, there we shall be wretched white-haired old mates and midshipmen, forgotten by our friends, and cared for by nobody. There's one consolation, THE PRISONERS. 195 I'll not learn a word of their beastly lingo, they may depend on that.' Although the picture Eawson had drawn was very melan- choly, and too likely to be true, his latter observation so tickled the fancies of his hearers, that they all burst into a loud laugh, hi which Rawson himself could not help joining. ' Well, my lads, though we may have some difficulty in breaking out of this, and more in making our escape, there's no doubt that the alternative, as Rawson describes it, will be a very unpleasant one,' exclaimed Mr Calder. We must all go, or none ; and yet I would force none to go, for the attempt may cost us our lives.' ' Never fear, Mr Calder, sir ; there'll be no skulkers among us,' exclaimed Job Truefitt, from among the seamen. ' Just you give the word as if you was on the quarter-deck of our own tight little frigate, and there is not a man here who wont obey you as smartly, whatever you thinks fit to order, whether it is to jump off the top of this here tower, or to knock over every Frenchman we meet.' ' Yes, sir, yes, sir, that's it. Job speaks the truth,' exclaimed several of the men simultaneously. The men required no incitement to induce them to attempt escaping, although there was but little fault ;to find with the provisions which had been sent them. There was excellent bread and cheese, and fruit of various sorts, and some fried fish, though certainly there was neither beef nor pork, while the vin du pays was of a somewhat thin and sour description. A few bottles of fiery hot eau de vie would have suited the taste of the honest tars much better. This day, like the former one, passed away, and nobody came near the prisoners ; they all wished that the time was come when they were to make the attempt to escape. The next day, at noon, a much larger supply of provisions was brought to them. Two men accompanied their friend, the cor- poral, to carry them. He also carried a good-sized basket, 196 RONALD MORTON. which he deposited in a corner of the chamber, and then nod- ding, without saying a word, hurried down the steps ; as if their friends outside had divined their wishes, there were half-a- dozen bottles of brandy ! Morton and Rawson were examining the contents of the corporal's basket. ' I thought so,' exclaimed Ronald, joyfully ; and he pulled out a long rope, amply strong enough to support the weight of a man. There was no longer any doubt that they had friends outside, anxious to assist their escape. The weather had now become perfectly serene. A light south-easterly breeze, and smooth water, would enable them to run along the coast just out of sight of those on land, while several small vessels in the harbour would supply them with a craft suited to their purpose. The prospect in view put them all in high spirits, and with infinite relish they discussed the viands which had been brought them. While thus engaged the door of their prison opened, and two persons in naval uniform appeared before them. One Morton at once recognized as Alfonse Gerardin, though he looked even more pale and sickly than when he had been re- scued from the wreck. Ronald sprang up to greet him. His companion, on whose arm he rested, was a strongly-built middle-aged man. Alfonse gave his hand to Ronald. ' I could not bear the thought of your going away without seeing you once more,' he said. ' I could not have obtained leave had it not been for my father, Lieutenant Gerardin, of whom I told you.' ' What you told me was merely that he had been killed,' said Ronald. ' So I thought, but happily I was mistaken. He had been knocked overboard, but he was picked up by a boat, and unable to regain the ship was brought to shore, not far from this, when hearing of the shipwreck he found us out.' ' And you are the young gentleman to whom my dear boy THE ESCAPE. 197 here is indebted for his life,' said Lieutenant Gerardin, in broken English, grasping Konald's hand warmly. ' I am grateful to you. Though my nation is at war with yours, I love your countrymen. I would serve you gladly at the risk of my life. You are to be removed into the interior to-morrow, and a far- off fortress will be your habitation. This night you must make your escape ; I have provided part of the means. There is a fishing-boat in that little harbour to the north ; she pulls fast, and has oars and sails aboard, as also some water and provi- sions, but not sufficient. Carry all you can with you. I have bribed some of the guards, but not all ; you may meet with opposition; you will know how to deal with your enemies. Do not think me a traitor to France ; I owe her no allegiance, and yet I am bound to her. Now farewell ! we may never meet again, but you will at least not think that he whom you so bravely saved from death is ungrateful.' Alfonse Gerardin said but little ; he warmly shook Ronald's and Glover's hands, and then he and his father hurriedly took their departure. The rest of the day was spent by the party in talking over their escape, and the best mode of meeting all possible contin- gencies, and then most of the old hands lay down to sleep, that they might be fresher when the moment of action arrived. No sooner was it dark than Mr Calder set to work to re- move some of the planks above the brickwork. It was, as the corporal had hinted, very rotten, and quickly gave way to their pulls. An aperture of size sufficient to allow a man to force himself through was soon made. Mr Calder then securing the rope, and lowering it to the ground, directing his men to stand in the order they were to descend, told Rawson to bring up the rear, went himself through the hole, and slid down noise- lessly to the ground. The midshipmen followed, and then came the men ; not a word was spoken, but they imitated their leader's example in picking Tip some large stones with which to defend themselves, should they be suddenly attacked. One 198 RONALD MORTON. after the other the men came gliding down in the rapid way none but seamen could have done ; not the slightest noise was made ; their feet, as they touched the ground, made no more sound than those of cats. All had descended except Rawson, when a noise was heard in the room above, as of a door open- ing. There was a scuffle, but no one cried out ; in an instant Job Truefitt was swarming up the rope hand over hand ; Morton, the most active of the party, followed him. What- ever there was to be done was to be effected quickly. With the deepest anxiety the rest of the party waited to ascertain what had happened, while two or three prepared to follow. Job crept in at the hole in the wall, and looked round the prison. At first he could see nothing. At last he fancied that he could distinguish something moving on the other side of the room. He sprang towards the spot, and so did Morton. ' Here we are, Mr Rawson ; here we are, come to help you,' whispered Job. A deep groan was the response. It was soon evident that there were two people on the ground, strug- gling in a deadly embrace but which was friend or foe, was the question. They had tight hold of each other's throats, and were actually throttling each other. ' You catch hold of one, Mr Morton,' whispered Job, who had recognised Ronald. ' I'll take t'other, and then we'll settle with the mounseer, whichever he may be.' , Ronald found by his jacket that he had got hold of Rawson, but it was not without digging his nails into the Frenchman's wrist that he was able to make him relax his hold of Rawsou's throat. Still more difficult was it to induce the latter to take his gripe off his opponent's neck. To bind the legs and arms of the Frenchman, and to gag his mouth, was the work of a few moments. Ronald stumbled against his lantern, at which Rawson must have struck when he entered. ' It may prove of service,' thought Ronald, as he hung it round his neck. Rawsou soon recovered. Two more seamen had come in THE ESCAPE. 199 by this time. Their first care was to barricade the door. At first they thought of leaving the Frenchman in the room, but it was agreed that, as he might make some noise, and give the alarm, it would be better to take him part of the way with them. He was speedily lowered down, much to the astonish- ment of those below, and to his own annoyance. Then Morton and the rest of the party followed. Who their prisoner was it was impossible to ascertain, for fear lest the moment the gag was removed he might cry out. He was a soldier, but not their friend the corporal, as he was a shorter and stouter man. There could be little doubt that the guard was in the room below them, and when their comrade was missed, others pro- bably would go up to look for him. No further time was to be lost. Mr Calder, therefore, ordered the men in a whisper to close up together, carrying their prisoner among them, and to move off in the direction of the harbour. As they began to advance, Morton recollected the rope which they ought to have taken with them, as should it be left behind and recognised, it might betray the friends who had supplied it to them. As the rope was long enough to allow of its being slipped round a beam, and then again to reach the ground, he was on the point of ascending once more to execute his project, hoping quickly to overtake his companions, when a noise in the room imme- diately above him arrested his movements. The guard was on the alert. His delay, contrary to the orders of his superior, might cause the ruin of the whole party. He let go the rope and sprang after his companions. ' It cannot much matter,' he thought ; ' our friends would have warned us to carry off the rope.' The English seamen hurried on till they came to a deep hollow in the sands. Here Mr Calder ordered them to leave their prisoner. ' Remember, mounseer, if you hallo or make any row, we'll be back and blow your brains out for you, whispered Job Truefitt, as he placed him on the ground. 200 RONALD MORTON. A grunt was the only answer. It was doubtful whether the prisoner understood what was said, though he might have guessed the meaning of the remark. The seamen pushed on as fast as they could move. It was no easy matter to find their way, for the night was very dark, and though the sky was clear, there was a slight mist, which concealed all objects, except those close at hand, from view. This was, however, an advantage, as well as a disadvantage, to the fugitives. Though they had, in consequence of the mist, greater difficulty in making their way towards the shore, it assisted to conceal them from any persons who might chance to cross their path. They had made their escape at an early hour, that they might have longer time to get an offing before daylight. Mr Calder strode on ahead, Rawson brought up the rear, Ronald pushed on, and ranged up alongside his lieutenant. lie had a fancy that if there was danger, it would be there, and he wished to be near him. The road lay chiefly over sand-hills, very heavy walking. Now and then they came to rocks, which still further impeded their progress, but there were bits also of hard ground, over which they passed at a run. The wind being from the south, they kept at their backs, while the gentle ripple of the sea on the beach, assisted still further to guide them. At last Mr Calder stopped. ' We ought to be up to the harbour by this time,'' he ob- served in a low voice. ' I see no signs of it.' All the party had now pulled up. As they did so, the sound of voices from no great distance reached their ears. The speakers were to the north of them. It was not likely that they were pursuers. Still, if they passed near, they might discover them. The seamen crouched down to the ground. The voices grew louder and louder. They seemed to be coming towards the very spot where the Englishmen were collected. ' Lads, we must master them, whether many or few,' whis- pered Mr Calder. ' Take care none escape.' THE ESCAPE. 201 Morton had been attentively listening to the speakers. ' They are fishermen just landed,' he said, in a low tone. ' They are on their way to their homes. I doubt, from what they say, if they have landed their fish.' ' Be ready, lads,' said Mr Calder, expecting that the next instant they would be grappling with the Frenchmen. Each of you seize his man, bring him to the ground, and gag him. Take care none get away.' Suddenly the voices ceased. Morton thought that they had been overheard, but once more the fishermen went on talk- ing; their footsteps were heard, but gradually the strength of the sound decreased, their voices became less and less dis- tinct, till they were altogether lost in the distance. The lieu- tenant now led the way rapidly onward. ' If we had been a minute sooner we should have been dis- covered, thought Morton. ' All is for the best.' They had now reached the little harbour. Several boats were drawn up, but all at a considerable distance from the water. It would be difficult to launch one of them without making a noise. A small boat was distinguished a short dis- tance from the shore. Ronald offered to swim off to it, and bring it in. His clothes were off in an instant. ' Stay, I may have to cut the cable,' he observed, putting his clasp knife between his teeth. The water was somewhat cold, bat he did not heed that. Excitement kept his blood in circulation. He soon reached the boat. His knife came into requisition, and though there were no oars, he found a loose bottom board, and managed to paddle in with it to the beach. It was still necessary to be very cautious. Lights were seen in some huts not far off, and the inmates might hear them, and suspect that something was wrong. The boat would not hold the entire party, so Mr Calder and Glover, with some of the men, embarked first, to select the craft most likely to suit them. 202 RONALD MORTON. It was an anxious time for those on shore. The crews might be on board some of the boats, and if one of those was selected, the alarm might be given. ' We shall have to knock some of the fellows on the head if they are, that will be all,' observed Rawson, coolly. The boat, however, returned without any disturbance, and the rest of the seamen got into her, bringing her gunwale al- most flush with the water. Scarcely had they got twenty yards from the shore, when a voice hailed in French, ' Yes, yon were before us ; don't wait bon soz'r,' answered Ronald, promptly, in the same language. They pulled out as fast as they could, and got on board a a large half-decked boat, with her sails on board, and pulling eight oars. The question was now, how to get out of the harbour. Rawson in the punt went ahead, to pilot the way, while the anchor was noiselessly weighed. The oars being got out, the little craft stood after the boat. The month of the harbour was discovered, they were in the open sea. How joyously beats the hearts of all to find them- selves free ! As they drew off the land, the breeze freshened, the punt was cast adrift, and sail was made ; just then there were lights seen on the beach ; shouts were heard. There was a grating sound as of a boat being launched. They were about to be pursued, there could be no doubt about that. Still sharp eyes would be required to see them. Impelled by wind and oars the boat stood out to the westward. The wind was fair, the sea was smooth. Of course in the darkness it was impossible to select the best boat, but they had happily hit upon one which at all events seemed a fine little craft, and they hoped she might prove the fastest. The seamen bent their backs to the oars with right good will ; the water hissed and bubbled under the bows. ' The mounseers must be in a precious hurry to catch us, if they do catch us,' exclaimed Job Truefitt. ' Give way. THE ESCAPE. 203 mates : if we cau't keep ahead of a crew of frog-eaters, we desarves to be caught and shut up in the darkest prison in the land, without e'er a quid o' baccy to chaw, or a glass o' grog to freshen our nip.' The men, however, required no inducement to exert them- selves to the utmost. ' Avast pulling ! ' exclaimed Mr Calder, after they had made good three miles or more from the harbour. There was no sound of oars. The Frenchmen, it was sup- posed, had thought the pursuit useless, and had given it up. Still daylight must find them far away from the coast, and spell and spell throughout the night the undaunted seam on laboured at their oars. CHAPTER XIX. A SAIL IN SIGHT. A GALE COMES ON. REACH THE FRIGATE. RONALD REJOINS THE ' THISBE.' MADE LIEUTENANT. | HEN morning 1 dawned, and hunger reminded the escaped prisoners that it was time for breakfast, they looked about and discovered in the fore- peak a supply of water and provisions, and what was of most consequence, a compass. She was evidently, then, the very craft the Gerardins had intended for their use. ' I hope they won't get into a scrape for what they have done for us,' observed Ronald. Though he is an odd fish iu some respects, I liked that fellow, Alfonse Gerardin ; and from the glimpse I got of his father, I should say he is first-rate.' The health of their friends was therefore drunk in some very fair claret, which was found among the stores, and never has a merrier party floated in an open boat out in the Atlantic. Two days passed, and Mr Calder calculated that they were well into the Chops of the Channel. Several vessels had been seen, but none had been ap- proached. Mr Calder did not care about this ; he hoped to carry the boat into Falmouth or Plymouth harbour in safety. The evening was drawing on. ' A sail on the starboard bow ! ' was tlie cry. She was a ship standing across channel ; unless she or they altered their course, she could not help falling 204 A SAIL IN SIGHT. 205 in with them. From the look of the vessel it was impossible to say whether she was a friend or an enemy. ' If them there to'sels wern't cut by an English sail-maker, I'm ready to pass for a Schiedam drinking big-breeched Dutch- man for the rest of my born days,' observed Job Truefitt, in a decisive tone, as standing up on the forecastle deck, and hold- ing on by the mast, he shaded his eyes with his hand, and took a severe scrutiny of the stranger. ' Maybe I've handed them more than once and again.' ' What do you make her out to be, Truefitt ? ' asked Mr Calder from aft. ' Why, sir, maybe I'm wrong, and maybe I'm right ; but if I'm right, then I take it she's no other than the thirty-two pounder frigate, ' Thetis.' I served aboard her better nor twelve months, so I don't deserve to have eyes in my head if I shouldn't know her again,' answered Job. ' I think that you are very likely to be right, Job, and I'll trust that you are,' said Mr Calder. ' Take a couple of reefs in the mainsail as you hoist it, lads. The sky gives promise of a blowing night, and we shall do well if we can have a stout ship under our feet.' As the lieutenant was speaking, a heavy squall passed over the boat, which, had her sails been set, she would have felt severely. As it was, the spray which it carried drove over her in thick masses, as she drifted before it. Dark clouds were breaking up heavily to the southward, while others drove across the sky, their outer edges glowing, like red-hot coals, with the beams of the setting sun. The squall, however, passed away, sail was made, and the boat sprang briskly over the rising seas towards the frigate. All were now as anxious to be seen by those on board her, as they were before to escape observation. It was very evident that a storm was brewing, and a pretty heavy one such a gale as the French fishing-boat they were in could scarcely weather. Every instant the wind increased, and the seas rose higher and higher. The frigate, it was very 206 RONALD MORTON. probable, was outward bound, for as the wind got round she trimmed sails and steered to the westward. The boat was now close hauled. If not seen by the frigate, it was scarcely to be hoped that she would cut her off on the other tack. The gloom of evening was coming on also, causing the small sails of the boat to be less discernible. * They'll not see us,' sighed Kawsou. ' And as to this wretched little craft living out such a night as we are going to have, that's a sheer impossibility.' ' The craft has carried us thus far in safety, and may carry us into Penzance or Falmouth harbour, I hope, even if we do miss the frigate,' observed Morton. ' We shouldn't so mistrust Providence, I think.' ' You think, you youngster ! ' said Eawson, contemptuously. ' You haven't been tried as I have.' ' But Kawson, suppose we are preserved. What will you say then ? ' ' That we have obtained more than we deserve,' answered the old mate, as if involuntarily. ' The frigate sees us,' shouted Job Truefitt, from forward, making use of a very common nautical figure of speech. ' There's port the helm square away the yards she'll be down to us in a jiffy.' ' Time she was too,' observed Rawson, and he was right, for the gloom was increasing, the rising sea was tumbling and ] (itching the boat about, and even with two reefs down she could scarcely look up to her canvas. The frigate, however, had not shortened sail, and on she came, looming large through the midst as she ploughed her way with irresistible force across the intervening space of tumbling foam-covered seas. Mr Calder gave the necessary orders to prepare for going alongside. It was a work of no little danger. The frigate had now got within a few hundred fathoms of the boat. Her canvas was reduced, and the helm being put down she rounded-to, and there she lay, dipping PICKED UP BY THE ' THETIS.' 207 away heavily into the seas, making it appear to a landsman an utter impossibility to get near her, and even to a seaman a dangerous imdertaking. The boat's sails were lowered, and, if it could have been done, the mast would have been unstepped and pitched overboard ; the oars were got out, and the boat approached the side of the frigate. Numerous friendly hands were ready to heave ropes for their assistance from various parts of the sides, from the chains and ports. ' Now give way, my good lads ! ' shouted Mr Calder, seeing that not a moment was to be lost. The men pulled on, but the ship at the moment plunged forward, and the boat dropped astern. Should this again occur they might lose the chance of getting alongside altogether. With renewed efforts they again pulled up. A rope was hove on board and secured to the bits, and by its assistance they at length got alongside. ' Now, lads, up with you ! ' shouted the lieutenant. The men caught hold of the ropes thrown into their out- stretched hands. The greater number sprang up the side like cats, but Morton, with the right feeling that it is the officer's duty to see his men in safety before seeking his own, hung back. Now the frigate rose on the side of a sea, leaving the boat iu the trotigh far below her, then in another instant down she came striking the boat with a terrific crash. The side was crushed in, and the water rushing over her, down she went. More ropes were hove to those still on board. Morton caught hold of a rope with his left hand, but, at the same time, a spar struck his right a blow which rendered it powerless. He held on with all the energy of despair, for he knew that if he let go he should be lost. A poor fellow, one of his companions, was washed away close to him. His own was an awful position. He had received a second blow from a fragment of the boat. The sea was surging up round him. Should the ship roll over he must be submerged, and would inevitably be torn from his hold. He tried to cry out. The spray rushed into his mouth 208 RONALD MORTON. and almost choked him. Already it was so dark that he feared no one would see him. He believed that his last hour had come. The loud roar of waters was in his ears ; he was losing all consciousness, and in another instant would have let go his hold, when his arm was grasped by a vice-like clutch, and he found himself lifted upwards till he was safely deposited on deck. He looked round to ascertain who had been his pre- server. A tall gaunt ydung man was standing and shaking the water from his jacket, but just then an order was issued for all those who had been rescued from the boat to muster aft. Lanterns were brought, and no sooner did the light of one of them fall on Mr Calder's countenance, than one of the lieu- tenants, who proved to be the first of the ship, stepped forward, and grasped him warmly by the hand. ' What, old ship, is it you? ' he exclaimed, almost wringing his hand off, and speaking rapidly, as if unable to restrain his feelings. ' Where do you come from ? What has happened to you ? Tell me all about it.' This Mr Calder briefly did, and warm and hearty was the reception he met with in the gun-room, to which Rawson was also invited, while the other midshipmen were taken care of in the berth. The gale continued to increase in fury. ' We should have found ourselves in a bad way by this time on board the French fishing-boat,' observed Mr Calder. ' Ah, Rawson ! we have reason to be grateful, man, and we should do well if we left off grumbling for the rest of our lives.' ' You would deprive all poor old mates of the only privilege they possess,' answered Rawson ; ' that would be hard indeed.' The frigate, it was found, was bound out to the North- American station. This was a great disappointment, as Mr Calder, especially, was anxious to rejoin the ' Thisbe' as soon as possible, not to lose his chance of promotion. However, although the gale continued to increase, Captain Markham was not the man to put back into port as long as ho THE MIDSHIPMEN'S QUARTERS. 209 could possibly keep the sea. He had a good deal of the Flying Dutchman spirit about him, without the profanity of that far- fained navigator, which has so justly doomed him to so unen- viable a notoriety. The frigate was rolling and pitching somewhat heavily, as Ronald and his companions found their way into the midship- men's berth. ' Take your seats. You are welcome here, mates,' said the caterer as they entered. ' We shall have food on the table in a jiffy. There's cold beef, and salt pork, and soft tack, and here is some honest Jamaica rum. Not a bad exchange for the Frenchman's wish-wash claret, I suspect.' The reception, altogether, given to the new comers was cordial, if unrefined, and not many minutes had elapsed before they were all perfectly at home. Ronald, less accustomed than the rest to a midshipman's berth, felt more inclined than usual to be silent. He found himself seated next to a midshipman, who differed considerably, both in manners and in many points, from his companions. His appearance was not at the first glance in his favour. He was red-haired, and tall, and thin ; so tall, indeed, that when he stood up his shoulders touched the deck above, and his head and neck formed an arch over the table. He must have been eighteen or nineteen years old at least ; indeed, he might have been older, though he still wore the uniform of a midshipman. Ronald thought that he v,-as rather dogmatical, though his remarks were characterised by shrewd, good sense, not destitiite of humour. It was not till he stood up that Ronald, who had been looking round the berth to discover the person who had just rendered him such essential service, felt sure that he was the one. Ronald sud- denly put out his hand. ' I have to thank you for saving my life just now,' he ex- claimed with genuine warmth. ' If it had not been for you I should be floating away dead astern.' ' It cost me but little to haul you up, so say no more about 210 RONALD MORTON. it,' answered the tall midshipman. ' I happened to be looking over the side, and caught a glimpse of your head as you were hanging on like a codfish just caught by a hook. Besides, I find you come from the far north, and we Scotchmen always help each other.' Ronald had detected a slight Scotch accent in his new friend. ' You must let me be grateful, at all events,' he answered. ' And you won't heave me overboard again when I tell you that I am not a Scotchman, but a Shetlander.' ' I knew that when you began to speak,' observed the tall midshipman ; and they went on to talk about Shetland, and before long the latter had learned several particulars of Eonald's history. ' We must be friends for the future,' he observed, as the master-at-arms appeared at the door of the berth, with the announcement that it was time to douse the glim, and the various members whose watch it was below hurried off to their hammocks with as little concern as if the ship lay snug at her anchors, instead of being exposed to the full fury of a heavy gale. The frigate was kept thrashing at it, in the hopes that she might hold her own till the storm abated. The important result of the first lieutenant's constant care and attention to the fitting of the rigging was now fully exhibited. Not a strand of a rope parted, not a spar was sprung. Ronald soon saw that the tall midshipman was a great favourite with Mr Lawrence, the rough diamond of a first lieutenant, nor was he surprised when he found that he was a lord, and yet the most attentive to his duty, and most eager to master all the details of his profession. Lord Claymore, the tall midshipman, and Ronald soon became fast friends. Ronald admired him especially for the good sense and judgment he displayed in conversation, and the coolness and courage he exhibited in danger. The gale continued, and the frigate lay her course to cross the Atlantic. A GALE. 211 ' She has been making 1 much lee-way,' Ronald heard the master observe to the captain. ' We shall weather Cape Clear for all that,' was the answer ; ' once free we may run before it with a flowing 1 sheet to the banks of Newfoundland.' ' Ay, if we are once free,' muttered the master, who was not at all of the touch-and-go school. On stood the frigate. It was night. The midshipmen who had been rescued from the fishing-boat were allowed, after their fatigues, to remain below without doing duty for some days. Ronald could not sleep. This was very unmidshipman- like ; he knew that it was Claymore's watch on deck, and he thought he would take a turn with him. He dressed and went on deck ; it was not a tempting night ; it was still blowing very hard, and the frigate under close-reefed topsails was heel- ing to the breeze till her leeports were deeply submerged, while the spray in thick showers flew over her. Ronald soon found his tall friend. ' I like this,' observed the latter with enthusiasm, rubbing his hands ; ' the wind is strong enough to blow every inch of canvas out of the bolt ropes, if it wasn't all good and new, or to send the masts over the side if they were not well stayed up. We have the land under our lee, and if anything was to go we should in all probability drive on to it. Now, just con- sider the satisfaction of knowing that everything- is as strong and good as wood, iron, and hemp can be, and of feeling that one has contributed to that end. There isn't a block, or a spar, or a rope, that Jack Lawrence or I haven't overhauled. See the advantage. He sleeps as soundly as if we were in harbour, when most other first lieutenants would have been up and down fifty times to ascertain that all was going right, and not have slept a wink. Take a leaf out of his book, Morton it's what I am doing, and intend continuing to do.' ' Land on the lee-bow ! ' cried one of the looks-out forward. Had any one been drowsy, that sound would have made 212 RONALD MORTON. them rouse up very rapidly. All eyes were directly turned towards the quarter indicated. The clouds had broken away ia that direction, and a gleam of light fell on the threatening headland. The officer of the watch sent a midshipman down to call the captain and master. They were on deck almost as soon as he was. The compass was consulted, and the bearing of the land taken. The master then went below to consult the chart. Claymore begged Morton to go and call the first lieutenant. ' We take things coolly aboard here, but he would not like to be below at this time, and would thank you for summoning him.' Mr Lawrence sprang on deck after Morton. A consulta- tion was held ; it was the general opinion that the land seen was Mizen Head, and that if there were light sufficient, Cape Clear would be seen on their quarter. They might take shelter in Crook Haven ; but under the uncertainty that the point seen was Mizen Head, the master refused to undertake the fearful responsibility. The determination to keep the sea was also more in accordance with the captain's inclinations. ' She has drifted to leeward more than I suspected ; we must yet shake another reef out of the topsails,' he observed. 4 What say you, master do you think she will bear it ? ' ' She must bear it,' was the answer. ' She will bear it,' said Jack Lawrence, positively. The united strength of all the crew was required to perform the operation. 'All hands on deck!' shouted the boatswain, giving em phasis to the summons with his shrill whistle. Directly the order was given one of the first aloft was Claymore ; Morton followed him on to the main-yard ; it was not his duty to go aloft, but he could not resist the impulse which made him do so. It was fearful work, holding on to that yard, up in the darkness, with the fierce gale howling round their heads and the ship pitching furiously, while at the same time she heeled down over the roaring seas. The word was given to let go ; but before the sail could be sheeted home A GALE. 213 it shook and struggled, almost freeing itself from the sturdy crew who were hauling away on the sheet. Morton felt as if he should be shaken off the yard, but a hand with a firm grasp held him, nor let him go till he had reached the top. They descended on deck. ' Thank you, Lord Claymore,' said Morton, warmly ; ' had you not held me I might have lost my life.' ' I don't say you would have deserved it,' said the tall midshipman ; ' but why rush to a post of danger without necessity? stronger and older men are better fitted for the task you attempted. It was my duty, and I went. How- ever, I like your spirit, Morton. If we weather this cape we shall know more of each other ; if our masts go over the side, or we otherwise fail, we may none of us see another sunrise.' He spoke as coolly and calmly as if talking on some ordi- nary topic. Away the ship plunged through the seas more furiously than ever, bending down till it seemed as if her yard-arms literally touched the foaming tops of the seas as they came rolling and hissing by. Every officer was at his post : the captain, with his lips compressed and teeth clenched, stood watching, now the bending masts, now the compass, now the dark threatening land. The frigate drew nearer and nearer to it ; still she flew ahead. A quartermaster and two of the best seaman in the ship were at the helm ; Jack Lawrence stood near them ; they were doing as well as he could desire. ' Keep your luff, lads,' he said once in a quiet tone ; ' steady that will do.' Not another word was spoken by him, or by any one on deck ; all eyes were riveted on the land. The ship seemed to be making no progress, for there it still lay on the lee-bow. Some thought they could hear the roaring of the surges, as with the whole force of a south-westerly gale they were hurled against the cliffs. Still the canvas held the fierce wind, and the well-set-up rigging supported the masts. 214 ROLAND MORTON. ' Morton, the land is drawing abeam,' exclaimed Claymore suddenly ; ' the ship will be saved. I did not think so at one time, though.' He was right : gradually it seemed to rise up more broad on the lee-beam ; but as the ship surged onward amid wildly- leaping waves, the water, lashed into masses of foam, was seen over the lee-quarter leaping over the cliff from which she had so narrowly escaped. Still there were other points and headlands farther to the north, from which she was not alto- gether clear. For another two hours or more the same press of canvas was kept on her. Few breathed freely till the order was being given to take another reef in the topsails ; the order was accomplished without a casualty, and the watch below were allowed to turn in. Some days after this the 'Thetis' fell in with a line-of- battle ship homeward bound: she took Mr Calder and his companions on board. ' We shall meet again, I hope,' said Lord Claymore, as Morton was about to go down the side. ' I should be sorry if I did not think so,' answered Morton, as the young men grasped each other's hands. Westward steered the ' Thetis,' and eastward the huge old 'Thunderer;' the latter reached England, and the officers and men of the 'Thisbe' once more rejoined her, to the satisfaction of most of their friends, who had given them up for lost. The 'Thisbe' finished her commission with considerable credit to her captain, officers, and crew, who had likewise not a small amount of prize-money to boast of. lion aid Morton on his being paid off joined a sloop-of-war in the West Indies ; here he especially distinguished himself, and, to the great delight of his father, obtained his promotion. lie returned home, and was immediately appointed second lieutenant of his old ship, the ' Thisbe,' now commanded by Captain Calder, and bound out to the East Indies. CHAPTER XX. RONALD SECOND LIEUTENANT OF THE 'THISBE.' A BALL AT CALCUTTA. RONALD'S GALLANTRY. A CHALLENGE. HIS REPLY. f,ONALD MORTON had gone through the usual vicissitudes of a midshipman's career, during* the full swing of a hot and somewhat bloody war. He had run a good many chances of being- knocked on the head, but he had done a good many things also to be proud of, though he was not overmuch so, and he had gained a fair amount of credit. Once more he was on board his old ship, the ' Thisbe.' When he first joined he was a ship's boy ; he was now her second lieutenant. The first was Rawson he was a totally changed man. He had performed a very gallant action under the eye of the admiral, had been highly spoken of in the ' Gazette,' had in consequence at once received his promotion, and had been an active, enterprising officer ever since. He seldom or never grumbled now, or talked of his bad luck ; indeed he seemed to think that the world was a very good sort of place for some men to live in, and that the British navy was not a bad profession after all for a fellow to belong to. He and Ronald Morton had not met for some years. They were glad to find themselves once again shipmates. The ' Thisbe ' was commanded by one they both loved and 215 216 RONALD MORTON. respected honest, gallant, fighting Tom Calder. Tom had won his upward way by courage and zeal, rarely surpassed. The Lords of the Admiralty could not refuse him his promotion, had they wished it. The whole navy would have cried out at the injustice. Happily, honest Tom had no one to whisper evil against him. He had not an enemy in the world so, to be sure, it is sometimes said of a goose, but then the goose is his own enemy. Tom, on the contrary, had proved true to himself, and that, in fact, lay at the bottom of his success. Of the old ' Thisbes,' as they were pleased to call them- selves, Dicky Glover was the only officer. He was, however, still a mate. He was senior mate, though he could not help now and then just thinking that it would not be so very unfor- tunate only a merciful dispensation of Providence should they go into action, seeing that somebody must be killed, should a shot happen to knock over the third lieutenant, and give him a chance of promotion not but what Picky had a very kind feeling for the said third lieutenant. He was always ready to do him any service, to lend him his books or money ; the latter the lieutenant was most fond of borrowing : still Dicky and he were very good friends ; Dicky had plenty of money, and Peter Sims, the third lieutenant, had none. How he had got his promotion was surprising to those who knew him, till it was whispered about that he had a very near relative in a high position, who had no difficulty in obtaining it for him. Sims was, however, generally liked ; he was very inoffensive, he never talked about himself or his friends, seemed to wish to be let alone, and to let others alone. He was always ready to do a good-natured action, to take a brother officer's watch, or to give up his own leave to accommodate another. Before the mast there were several hands who had served in the ' Thisbe,' when commanded by Captain Courtney. Two had attached themselves especially to Ronald one was Job Truefitt, and the other Bobby Doull. No men could have been more faithful or attached than they were to him Job regarded A BALL-ROOM IN CALCUTTA. 217 him as his son, and constituted himself his guardian, while Bobby looked up to him as to a superior being whom it was an honour to follow and obey. The frigate was bound out to the land so famed for tigers, and curry, palanquins, pagodas, and prize-money the East Indies ; she had a quick run down Channel, when a northerly breeze carried her almost to the tropics. Rio was visited ; the frigate touched at the Cape, and finally anchored at the mouth of the Hooghly, near the flag-ship of the admiral on the station. The usual compliments passed, the sails were furled, and shore-boats, manned by strange-looking natives, with stranger- looking fruits and vegetables, chattering unknown tongues in- tended to be English, came alongside. The admiral himself was up at Calcutta, and everybody on board the ' Thisbe ' was anxious to pay a visit to the city of palaces. Sims offered to stop, but Rawson bluntly told him that he could not trust the ship to his charge ; so he, pocketing the compliment, accom- panied the captain and Morton, with two or three more of the gun-room officers, and Glover and several of the midshipmen, up to the city. They luckily took their full-dress uniforms with them ; and having lionized the city in palanquins all the day, they found themselves in the evening at a magnificent ball, given by one of the principal officers of the Company's Civil Service. The officers of the ' Thisbe' stopped near the entrance to admire the brilliant spectacle. Superb chandeliers hung from the ceiling or projected from the walls, amid gay coloured banners, and wreaths of exquisite flowers ; while below them moved the fairest of Eve's daughters to be found in the capital of the East, amid numerous military officers in various hand- some uniforms ; and rajahs, and nabobs, and princes, and chiefs of every description, habited in the richest and most picturesque of oriental costumes, with turbans and daggers and sword-hilts sparkling with gold and silver, and gems of fabulous value. 218 RONALD MORTON. The gallant captain of the frigate, and most of the officers who accompanied him, were more accustomed to the quarter- deck, and the battle and the breeze, than to ball-rooms or palaces, and they stood for some time totally entranced, and scarcely able to express their surprise to each other at the gay scene. Morton had in his boyhood learned most of the dances then in vogue, and a quick eye and perfect self-possession enabled him to appear to advantage when at rare intervals he entered a ball-room. Still, feeling himself a stranger among a crowd, he very naturally preferred remaining in a quiet spot, that he might at his leisure watch what was going forward. Captain Calder felt very much as he did, for he was even still less accustomed to ball-rooms, though his true gentlemanly feelings and innate sense of propriety prevented him from committing any solecism in good manners. Sims and Dicky Glover stood together. ' This is very slow work, sir, I think,' observed Dicky to his superior, with whom, bye-the-bye, he felt himself in a ball- room on the most perfect equality. ' I vote we shove forward, and look out for partners. There are lots of pretty girls, and I flatter myself that if they were asked they would prefer us blue-jackets to the red-coats.' ' As to that I am not quite certain,' answered the lieuten- ant. ' You see these soldier officers out here, at all events, are generally matrimonially inclined, while such would be a very inconvenient inclination for us to indulge in ; and so not from superior merit but from the force of circumstances the soldiers are likely to carry the day.' ' That argument of yours is irresistible, but still I don't see that it should make us give up our chance of a dance,' answer- ed Glover, pushing a little more forward. Like riflemen they advanced, skirmishing, one supporting the other. Dicky, however, was the most adventurous; with- out him, probably, Sims would have remained in the back- THE BALL. 219 ground. Sims had some modesty. Glover had the al- lowance with which, for wise ends, midshipmen are usually gifted. ' There's a pretty girl ! she hasn't footed it for a long time ; there's nothing like trying it. I'll go and ask her,' exclaimed Dicky, as if suddenly seized with an irresistible impulse ; and before Sims could make any remark he had crossed the inter- vening space to where the lady at whom he had pointed was sitting, and was bowing and scraping, and smiling with the greatest self-confidence. The young lady looked rather astonished, and not over well pleased, but this did not in any way abash Mr Glover. While he with praiseworthy perseverance was still scraping away, requesting the hand of the lady for a cotillion, a minuette, or a country-dance, a gentleman came up and spoke to her. Glover looked at her earnestly, and spoke a few words ; she put out her hand, he took it, and wrung it till she almost cried out. ' Cousin Susan ! ' he exclaimed. ' Well, I didn't think it was you, and yet I ought to have known you among a thou- sand. But you know you were but a little girl when we last met, and now you are grown up and married. Well but I'm so very glad ! how jolly ! I didn't expect to enjoy this ball ; but now I shah 1 like it very much.' Thus Glover rattled on, and to the surprise of Morton and Sims, and his other shipmates, who had not overheard the conversation, was seen standing up to dance with an air of conscious superiority and perfect self-satisfaction. Sims was rather jealous. Morton was highly amused. Glover flew up and down the room, enjoying the dance to the full. What cared he for the heat. What mattered to him that he trod on the toes of innumerable rajahs and nabobs, who would gladly have stuck their jewel-hilted daggers into him, or given him an embrace with a tiger's claw ; an instrument worthy of Asiatic invention. His cousin, however, had soon introduced Glover to 220 RONALD MORTON. a more active partner, and so engrossed was he at first that ho quite forgot to come back to his friends. While Morton was watching the dancers an officer with a young lady stood tip near him to join them. His eye was attracted to her countenance, and he was struck by its ex- cessively pleasing expression. He looked and looked again : he thought her exquisitely beautiful, and while he looked he could not help half fancying that he had seen that countenance before. Still where it had been he could not discover ; he had seen so few ladies during his sea-life that he was convinced he should, before long, remember. Yet what puzzled him was, that he felt so very familiar with the countenance. Eyes have a remarkable sympathy for each other ; after a time the lady knew that she was observed not with idle, careless admira- tion, but especially noticed. She looked up for a moment and observed a countenance of manly beauty and intelligence not easily forgotten. There were none in that vast assemblage to be compared to it, she thought, and yet she tried not to allow herself to dwell on the thought ; her partner carried her off in the rapid dance. Morton stood watching her with greater interest than he would have allowed even to himself. ' Yes, I must have seen her but where ? In my dreams in my fancy,' he muttered to himself as his eyes continued following the fair young girl. ' Nonsense ! I am allowing my imagination to run away with me. And yet I do know that countenance, I am certain of it.' Perhaps the young lady saw his eyes following hers. She seemed at all events to be paying but very little attention to the observations of her partner. Morton at length noticed him ; he was a young man, and had the air of a person thoroughly well satisfied with himself ; but as Ronald watched him more narrowly he was convinced that ho had taken more wine than his head could bear ; his flushed countenance and unsteady movements after a time THE BALL. 221 showed this. His partner probably had made the same dis- covery ; and though in those days his condition would not have excited the disgust it would at the present in the mind of a well-educated girl, she was evidently, anxious to obtain a seat, and to release herself from his society. Still he held her hand with a look of maudlin admiration, and insisted on forcing her once more down the dance. It was evident that she would have to struggle to escape from him, and rather than attract observation she allowed herself to be dragged once more towards the bottom of the room. Such was the interpretation Morton put on what he witnessed, and he felt strongly inclined to rush forward to assist her. The couple had got close to him, by which time the gentleman had become still more excited and un- steady his foot slipped the fair girl looked up imploringly at Morton's countenance, so he thought her partner fell to the ground, and would have dragged her with him, when Ronald sprang forward and saved her from the threatened catastrophe. ' Thank you thank you ! oh take me to my friend ! ' she exclaimed, her voice trembling with nervousness. Ronald led her through the crowd ; her partner picked him- self up, and uttering an exclamation would have followed them, had not some acquaintance near at hand held him back, and ultimately persuaded him quietly to retire to another room ; leave the ball altogether, he would not. ' To be cut out by a sea- monster, a porpoise, a mere nautilus that will never do!' he hicuppecl out. 'No, no I must have my revenge on the fellow. I'll insult him ; drill a hole in him ; my honour requires it. Couldn't show my face again until I have killed my man.' The young man did not give vent to these expressions until his more sensible acquaintance had retired ; but two or three much of his own character remained, who partly from a love of mischief, utterly regardless of the consequences, persuaded him 222 RONALD MORTON. that he had received so gross an insult that it could be atoned for only by mortal combat. ' We'll settle matters for you,' said Lieutenant Bolton, a chum of Maguire's. ' Go back when you feel a little better ; tread on his toe, or dig your elbow into his ribs, and tell him quietly you intended to do so. It will wonderfully facilitate our arrangements. Meantime Morton totally unconscions of the annoyance preparing for him, and with the fair stranger whom he had rescued resting on his arm, was looking for a vacant seat in which to place her. ' Who is your chaperone ? ' he asked ' Where do you think we can find her ? ' ' Mrs Edmonstoue,' she answered. * Mamma was unwell, and papa could not come till late in the evening, and so she took charge of me. She is one of the few ladies we know well in Calcutta, and whom mamma liked to ask to take her place. Ah, there she comes : she will, I am sure, thank you, as I do, for saving me from so very disagreeable an accident.' ' I rejoice that you escaped it,' answered Morton before he looked up ; when he did so he saw approaching them the very lady with whom Glover seemed to be so well acquainted : she now had his arm. ' That is Mrs Edmoustone,' said Morton's companion. ' There are two seats ; she is going to take one. I am afraid I must sit down. Morton led her to the seat next her friend, and would have retired, though most unwilling so to do, when Glover caught him by the arm, exclaiming, ' Mr Morton, allow me to intro- duce you to my cousin, Mrs Edmonstone she wishes to make your acquaintance ; she knows that if it had not been for you, I should have been food for the sharks long ago.' Dicky had indeed been saying a number of complimentary things about Morton, which he fully deserved. Mrs Edmon- stone held out her hand and said frankly, ' I am indeed glad to THE BALL. 223 have an opportunity of thanking you for saving my cousin's life, and affording him the advantage of your friendship ; your name, and, I may say, your many gallant deeds, have long been familiar to me : all his family are grateful to you.' Morton bowed and felt gratified, for Mrs Edmonstone's manner was so frank and cordial that he experienced none of the oppression which a sensitive person is apt to feel when receiving compliments, however well merited, if not bestowed with tact. She, supposing naturally that he had already been introduced to her younger companion, did not think it neces- sary again to go through that ceremony. Encouraged by her manner, Morton remained talking in an animated way to her and her friend, Glover standing by and occasionally indulging in amusing remarks, which savoured more of the salt ocean than of the ball-room, but had no want of refinement to shock the ears of his auditors. Morton felt himself altogether in a new world ; it was not very strange, but it was very different to anything he had ever before enjoyed ; he put forth powers of conversation which he had not supposed himself to possess. lie also was struck with the lively and intelligent remarks of the younger lady, and at the same time enchanted with the perfect simplicity which they betokened. ' Certainly her manners and conversation do not belie her looks ; she is charming, she is perfect,' he more than once said to himself. Few men can so conceal their feelings, especially if they are not aware what those feelings are, when in conversation with a lady, without her having an idea, undefined and uncer- tain though it may be, of the matter. The party were so interested in each other's conversation that they might have continued talking till supper was announced, entirely regard- less of what was going forward in the rest of the room, had they not been interrupted by the appearance of another person on the stage, who came up to claim the young lady's hand. 224 RONALD MORTON. He was slight and, though not very tall, of a good figure, with handsome features, and a remarkably dark complexion ; he was dressed in a rich semi-oriental military costume, and had a dashing independent air about him, which Morton thought approached very much to a swagger, but perhaps at that mo- ment he was not a very unprejudiced judge. Ronald could not help staring at him in a somewhat marked manner. 1 Extraordinary ! ' he exclaimed to himself, ' that I should come unexpectedly into this ball-room and meet two persons with whose countenances I am so familiar, and yet not have the slightest notion who they are. That young man's face I know perfectly well; I must have met him over and over again, in a very different dress to what he now wears, and under very different circumstances, and I must have known him intimately, of that I am certain.' ' Do you not dance, Mr Morton?' asked Mrs Edmonstone, seeing him look about the room, as he was doing, in an ab- stracted manner, and fancying that he wished probably to be introduced to a partner. The instant her voice recalled his scattered senses, ' Thank you,' he answered ; ' I so seldom have had opportunities of doing so that I can scarcely call myself a dancer ; at present I confess that I feel more amuse- ment in looking on than I should in dancing.' ' Can you tell me,' said Morton, ' who is that young man in the handsome costume, who is dancing with your friend "? ' ' I can indeed say very little about him,' was the answer. ' He is a Captain Gerardo, I understand, a foreigner, that is to say, not English ; either a Frenchman, or Spaniard, or Por- tuguese. He has been attached to one of the native courts in the East I do not know which and has come here on his travels before returning home. He seems to have come with several good introductions, especially to natives of high rank, and must be wealthy, as he is lavish in his expenditure. My husband, however, is not quite satisfied about him, and is milking inquiries to ascertain whether or not lie is an impostor. RONALD AND MRS ARMYTAGE. 225 Numbers come to this country expecting to find a fine field for the exercise of their talents. They now and then, however, have to beat a precipitate retreat. I would not willingly have allowed my sweet friend, Edda, to dance with him, but he has been introduced to her father, who rather affects him, and I could not interfere.' ' Edda ! ' repeated Konald to himself, the name conjuring up a thousand recollections of his far-distant home, for he had there heard it frequently. ' What is your friend's surname ? ' he asked ; ' I did not hear it.' ' She is the daughter of Colonel and Mrs Armytage, who are at present in Calcutta. He is on the staff a somewhat haughty, proud man, and not a favourite of mine, but she is a gentle, amiable woman ; only yields too much to him, I think.' ' How strange ! ' repeated Ronald aloud. ' Do you know them, Mr Morton ? ' she asked. ' If Mrs Armytage is the daughter of Sir Marcus Wardhill, of Lunnasting Castle, in Shetland, I know of them, though I have not seen her since I was a child. I was born on the estate, and brought up by her elder sister, who had lost her own child. Her story is a very romantic and sad one. You pro- bably have heard of it.' ' Something, but I do not recollect all the particulars ; Edda herself knows but little. The families keep up no communica- tion, I fancy.' ' But slight,' said Morton, not liking to enter too minutely into particulars, and yet deeply interested. ' I have news from Shetland occasionally, but I have not been there since I was a boy.' ' Shall I tell Miss Armytage that you know her family v ' asked Mrs Ednionstone, with some hesitation. Konald considered a moment. ' I will beg you not to do so,' he answered. There can be no object gained. She knows nothing of my family, and probably takes but little interest in Shetland itself, while I have reason to know that her father p 226 RONALD MORTON. has not for many years been on good terms with Sir Marcus Wardhill.' ' Probably you are right ; I will do as you wish,' said the lady, and she kept her word. Supper was over, and the guests began to take their departure. Morton and Glover saw Mrs Edmonstone and Miss Armytage to their carriage, and were going back to wait for the rest of their shipmates, when a young man in military uniform stepped up to the former, and, politely bowing, said that he had been deputed by his friend, Lieu- tenant Maguire, to demand the only reparation which one gentle- man could afford another, for an insult he had that evening received. ' Assuredly, sir, you mistake my identity,' answered Mor- ton, calmly. ' I am not acquainted with Lieutenant Maguire, nor have I insulted, intentionally or otherwise, any human being.' ' Some people entertain very different notions to others as to what is an insult,' said the officer, with a sneer, in- tended to excite Morton's anger. ' My friend Maguire is exceedingly sensitive as to his honour. Not to lose time, sir, by any circumlocution in my remarks, you are, sir, I am led to understand, Lieutenant Morton, of his Majesty's frigate ' Thisbe' ? ' ' I am, sir,' said Morton ; ' your information on that point is correct.' ' I knew I was right, sir,' said the young officer, with a bullying air, mistaking a look of astonishment, which Morton could not suppress, for an exhibition of fear. ' Mr Maguire conceives that early this evening you purposely tripped him up, and when you had brought him to the ground, you carried off his partner and laughed at him. Any one of these acts, sir, was an insult, to be washed out only with blood, as any man with a spark of honour in his composition will allow.' Morton, though very much inclined to laugh at this absurd THE CHALLENGE. 227 assertion, felt at the same time it was annoying. The only reply he could give was, that the young man was tipsy, and fell in consequence, and that he had nothing whatever to do with the matter. This answer would not be satisfactory to the gentle- man who had brought the challenge. Still, it seemed too pre- posterous that he should allow himself to be drawn into a quarrel, against his will, by hair-brained young men who had lost the few wits they possessed by drinking. His own high sense of honour had never before been called in question his gallantry had always been conspicuous. ' I cannot reply to you at once,' he answered quietly, turn- ing to Lieutenant Maguire's second. ' Leave me your card and address, and I promise you you shall hear from me. Per- haps, in the meantime, your friend and his advisers may think better of the matter, and, at all events, you can convey him my assurance that I had no intention of insulting him, or of hurt- ing his feelings in any way.' ' Well, sir, I must be content with your reply, though I cannot say that I conceive it to be a very satisfactory one. My name is Bolton, a brother officer of Maguire's. Here is my card and address. I shall expect your friend.' Saying this, the young man, with a pompous air, turned on his heel and walked out of the room. ' This is indeed provoking, to have a quarrel thus pertina- ciously fixed on me,' said Morton, taking Glover's arm. ' I must see the captain, and put the matter into his hands.' Morton told Captain Calder what had occurred. He looked considerably vexed, though he laughed lib lie answered, ' I will act as your friend, as it is called, with all my heart, and go and see these young donkeys, If they insist on fighting, it shall be with cutlasses or boat stretchers. Do they think sailors are accustomed to handle their little pop-guns, and practise to commit murder with a steady hand ? But seriously, my dear Morton, what do you wish?' 228 RONALD MORTON. ' To abide by God's laws, Captain Calder, and to set at nought those of men,' answered the lieutenant. ' Spoken like yourself, Morton, and I have no fear that discredit will be brought on the service if we all so act,' said the captain. And now let us collect our forces, and beat a retreat to our quarters.' CHAPTER XXI. PARTY AT MRS EDMONSTONE's. INTRODUCTION TO COLONEL ARMTTAGE. VISIT TO THE 'OSTERLEY.' THE 'THISBE' ORDERED TO BOMBAY. fORTON had been anticipating a delightful day: he was to have called, with Glover, on Mrs Edmonstone, and he hoped to have met Miss Armytage, who was staying with her ; but his first thought on waking was the disagreeable circumstance which had occurred at the conclusion of the previous evening, and the still more disagreeable events to which it would in all probability give rise. He was well aware how much the line of conduct he in- tended to pursue would be criticised, how the story would be garbled and misrepresented, and how, in all probabilUy, he would be accused of showing the white feather. Under ord in ary cir- cumstances he would have been very indifferent to what was said of him : he could well afford to allow idle tongues to prattle forth slander about him till weary of the occupation, but he could not bear to fancy that Mrs Edmonstone, or rather her friend, should hear anything to his disadvantage which he might not be present to refute ; still, happily, he had not for- gotten Bertha Es wick's remark, impressed on his mind in child- hood ' Do what is right, lad, and never mind what men say of thee.' 229 230 RONALD MORTON. The _ temptation of meeting Miss Armytage was at last too strong to be resisted, and with his captain and brother officers he repaired in the evening to the house of Mrs Edmonstone. Their hostess received them in the most friendly manner, and introduced them to several of her friends, so that they at once felt themselves at home. Morton's eyes ranged round the room in search of Miss Armytage ; she was nowhere to be seen. He longed to ask Mrs Edmonstone where she was, but he was withheld by a feeling of bashfulness very unusual with him. Numberless fears entered his mind. Was she prevented by illness from appearing had her father heard who he was, and kept her away that she might not meet him ; or had Colonel Armytage been suddenly called away to another part of the country, and had his daughter accompanied him ? That the latter suspicion was correct he was convinced by overhearing the disjointed remarks of some people near him : ' Great loss to our society quite unexpected very charming woman sweet girl, the daughter. About him two opinions proud ' The speakers moved on. Morton was convinced that the sweet girl must refer to Miss Armytage surely to no one else. But then came the thought that he was not to see her that evening perhaps he might never again meet her. The pain and disappointment he felt opened his eyes more rapidly than anything else would have done to his own feelings. As to en- joying the evening, that was out of the question. Still it would be a satisfaction to hear something about her. He would inquire where Colonel Armytage had gone. He was looking round for Mrs Edmonstone, as he felt that he could ask her better than any one else, when his heart gave an unwonted bound, for he saw entering the room, and leaning on the arm of a fine military-looking man, whom he had no doubt was her father, Miss Armytage herself. On the other side of her, en- deavouring to engage her in conversation, walked the stranger whom Glover thought so like Alfonso Gerardin. The resem- PARTY AT MRS EDMONSTONE'S. 231 blance struck Morton, as his glance fell on his countenance, as even greater than on the previous evening. Miss Armytage seemed rather annoyed than otherwise with his attentions. As Morton had been walking forward when he first saw the group he could not stop short, so he continued to advance. The young lady put out her hand frankly, though a gentle blush rose on her cheeks as she did so. ' Papa,' she said, ' I must introduce Mr Morton to you. I am sure that you wish to thank him for the service he rendered me yesterday evening.' Colonel Annytage bowed, and assured Mr Morton that he was exceedingly obliged to him ; but he said this in a stiff way, which evidently annoyed his daughter. ' I was fortunate indeed in being at hand ; but I can claim no merit,' replied Morton, in a modest manner. Mrs Edmonstone came up and welcomed her young friend. ' I am so glad you have come back,' she exclaimed, affec- tionately taking her hand. ' I was quite vexed at your having to run away to a dinner-party, lest you should be too tired to dance this evening.' Edda assured her that she was not. She, on this, turned round quickly to Konald. ' You dance, sometimes, Mr Morton, I know.' ' Yes,' he answered quickly, stepping forward and asking- Miss Armytage to dance. She smiled and promised. The young stranger looked very much annoyed. He had fancied himself secure of her hand. Many men of rank and wealth would have been proud of the honour Ronald had ob- tained, though not more proud than he was. That evening was the brightest he had ever spent. But there were clouds in the horizon. He learned that Colonel Armytage had received a high appointment at Bombay, and that they were about at once to sail for that presidency, on board the ' Osterley,' a Company's ship, which was to touch there on her passage home. 232 RONALD M'ORTON. ' We sail in two weeks or so,' said Miss Armytage. ' I shall be truly sorry to leave Calcutta.' ' I had little expected to find it so delightful a place,' an- swered Ronald. Miss Armytage slightly blushed when he said this. Why, she could scarcely tell. Perhaps it was his manner perhaps an unconscious look he gave. Though many sought her hand, she declined dancing again, in consequence of feeling tired, from having danced so much the previous evening. Ronald was constantly by her side ; for whenever he left it, he was quickly again attracted back ; nor was he ever in want of an excuse for returning. Towards the end of the even- ing he observed the eyes of several people glancing towards him. It struck him that he formed the subject of conversation, especially among a group of military men. It was not, how- ever, till he happened to meet Sims that his suspicions were confirmed. ' I knew it would be so,' said his brother lieutenant. ' The fellows here, among the military, have got an idea that yon refused to fight Maguire ; and I believe that donkey, Bolton, has been setting the story afloat. I should like to keel-haul him.' 'Let him alone; it matters little what so insignificant a fellow says or does,' observed Morton. ' The story can hardly last out the usual nine days ; and if we all behave well, we can allow these empty-headed fellows to amuse themselves for that time at our expense.' The ball came to a conclusion without any unusual occur- rence. Morton could not help feeling sure that he stood well in the opinion of Miss Armytage. lie had so little conceit in his composition that it never for a moment occurred to him that he had excited any warmer sentiment. After this he frequently met her at Mrs Edmonstone's, as well as at other houses. She invariably received him in the same friendly manner, and exhibited evident pleasure in his society. THE ' OSTERLEY.' 233 Probably she had not dared to probe her own feelings. Colonel Armytage treated him as he would any other young officer who had proved a credit to his profession. Mrs Edmonstone always treated him with the greatest consideration. ' I have told her all about you, sir,' said Dicky Glover one day. ' That cousin of mine is a first-rate person, and she says she thinks it an honour to know you.' ' I am much obliged to her for her good opinion,' was Morton's reply. His spirits were somewhat low ; the ' Osterley ' was about to sail. He had by chance become acquainted with her com- mander, Captain Winslow. By his invitation he was on board to receive Colonel Armytage and his family. He conducted Mrs and Miss Armytage over the ship. ' I wish that you were to accompany us in the frigate,' said Mrs Armytage. In war time we do not know what enemies we may have to encounter.' ' I should indeed rejoice, if my duty would allow it ; but I trust that you will have no cause for alarm : the ' Osterley' is said to be a fast ship, and report speaks highly of her com- mander, Captain Winslow.' Mrs Armytage had spoken without thought. She had been much pleased with Morton, and it did not occur to her that her daughter might have been so likewise, in a far greater degree, or that he might misinterpret her remark. ' Oh, of course I see that would be out of the question,' she observed ; ' but perhaps the admiral would send your ship to Bombay, and then you could watch us. I do not know how it is, but I have a perfect dread of this voyage.' Ronald Morton did his best to soothe the lady's alarm, hoping also that she would not impart it to her daughter. Colonel Armytage, when he rejoined the party, was con- siderably annoyed at hearing the remarks of his wife. Ronald could not help feeling that his manner on the present occasion was colder than ever, and somewhat supercilious into 234 RONALD MORTON. the bargain. He, by some means or other, introduced the sub- ject of duelling", and spoke of it as the only method by which gentlemen could settle their disputes. ' Military men, of course, hold their lives in their hands, and the man who shirks a duel, or does not insist on having satisfaction for an insult offered him, should, in my opinion, leave the noble profession of arms and turn shopkeeper or shepherd. When I commanded a regi- ment, if any officer showed the white feather in that respect, I took good care that he should not long be one of ours.' Morton could scarcely doubt that the colonel's remarks were aimed at him ; but he thought of his gentle daughter, and re- frained from making any reply. A still higher motive might also have restrained him. A pilot vessel accompanied the Indiaman till she was clear of the river. Morton was therefore able to accept Captain Winslow's invitation to remain on board till the ship was left to pursue her voyage alone. Had Colonel Armytage exhibited towards him, at first, the same temper that he did subsequently, he would have felt him- self compelled, however much against his will, to return on shore. Fortunately the colonel was engaged for the greater part of the day in writing in his cabin, so that Ronald was able to enjoy several hours of uninterrupted intercourse with Miss Armytage ; nor did he, when her father appeared, alter in the slightest degree his tone of conversation or manner towards her. At length the huge Indiaman was fairly out at sea. The pilot announced that he must take his departure. Morton bade farewell to his friends. Mrs Armytage held out her hand frankly, and her daughter followed her example, though there was a softness and perceptible tremor in her voice which made him wish more than ever that he could take Captain Winslow's place, or even that of one of his officers. Colonel Armytage parted with him with a cold shake of the hand and a formal 'Good-bye, sir;' and he was in the boat and soon onboard A STRANGE SAIL. 235 the pilot vessel. The Indiaman's yards were swung round, and under all sail she stood to the southward. No sooner had Morton reached the deck of the pilot vessel than, as he stood astern watching the Indiaman, his eye fell far beyond her, in the horizon, on a sail. He saw that it was a large ship. He pointed her out to the pilot. ' Yes, sir, there's no doubt of it. She is a large ship,' was the answer. ' Maybe she's an Indiaman bound up the Hooghly. Maybe she's the " Rajah," which sailed two days ago, and has been becalmed ; or a China ship looking in for orders ; or one of the men-of-war on the station.' 4 1 care not what she is, provided she is not an enemy's cruiser,' said Morton. ' She seems to have very square yards.' 4 Difficult to make that out, I should think,' muttered the pilot as he walked the deck, and then went forward to give some directions to his native crew. Till the pilot vessel re-entered the Hooghly, and Morton lost sight of the Indiaman, his eye was seldom off her, while his thoughts were even still more constant. Once more he was on board the ' Thisbe.' He felt no in- clination to revisit Calcutta, and he only went up there once to pay his respects to Mrs Edmonstone. She very naturally talked of Miss Armytage, and spoke warmly in her praise. It was a subject of which Morton was not likely to grow tired. ' Admiral Rainer tells me that he has ordered the 4 Thisbe ' to proceed to Bombay, so that you will have an opportunity of renewing your acquaintance with my young friend,' she added. 4 1 think that I shall charge you with a small parcel for her ; some articles which were not ready before she sailed.' This was delightful news for Morton. He had not heard that there was any chance of the frigate being sent round to that presidency. Of course it was not out of the pale of pro- bability that Mrs Edmonstone was likely to know where the 236 RONALD MORTON. ship was to be sent before the officers belonging to her. Two or three days passed before the captain himself had the infor- mation confirmed by the admiral's secretary. ' You are right. Morton,' he said when he came on board. ' We are bound for Bombay, and if we put our best foot fore- most we shall get there as soon as that old tea-chest, the " Osterley." ' Morton got his parcel from Mrs Edmonstone, and three days afterwards the ' Thisbe's' keel was ploughing the waters of the Indian Ocean. During the voyage one pair of eyes, at all events, kept a bright look out for any sail of the appearance of the ' Osterley ' Indiaman. The second lieutenant was con- tinually going aloft, spy-glass in hand, sweeping the horizon. Some of his shipmates might have suspected the cause, but he gave no reason for this practice which he had adopted. It was war time, and he might have been on the look-out for an enemy. ' We shall be much obliged to you, Morton, if you make out a rich prize some day,' observed Sims. 'A Dutchman from Java, or a Spaniard from the Manillas, would be about the thing.' Day after day passed, but neither friend nor foe was seen. At length, however, the ' Thisbe ' touched at Ponte cle Gallc, when she fell in with another frigate direct from England, which had letters on board for her. Ronald got one from his father. lie could not bring himself to live on shore, and having applied for employment, had been appointed boatswain of a line-of-battle ship, the ' Lion,' which, it was expected, would be sent out to the East India station. Ronald Morton loved and honoured his father too well not to feel pleasure at the thoughts of meeting him ; at the same time he wished that he could have retired and remained on shore till he could join him. Without further adventure the frigate came off Bombay. ' The Indiaman you were on the look-out for must have THE ' THISBE ' AT BOMBAY. 237 arrived before us,' observed Captain Calder, pointing to a large ship which lay in the roads. With a beating heart Ronald watched her as they drew near ; but as the ' Thisbe ' dropped her anchor at a short dis- tance off, he saw that he was mistaken. The ' Osterley ' had not arrived, and considerable alarm was expressed by those who had been expecting her. CHAPTER XXII. ; FHISBE* IN SEARCH OF THE ' OSTERLEY.' A CHASE. THE 'OSTERLEY' OVERTAKEN. FOUND IN POSSESSION OF THE FRENCH. RETAKEN. THE PASSENGERS NOT ON BOARD. MORTON PLACED IN COMMAND OF THE ' OSTERLEY.' THE UNKNOWN ISLAND. OLD DOULL ACTS AS PILOT. I HE non-arrival of the ' Osterley ' at Bombay created considerable anxiety in all those who had friends on board, or who were otherwise interested in her in their feelings or purses. At length the fears for her safety became so great that Captain Calder was requested to sail in search of her. No one received with more satisfaction the announcement that the ship was to put to sea than did Ronald Morton ; at all events he would be doing the only thing in which he could now take an interest. His heart had been tortured with a thousand fears as to the fate of one whom he had discovered that he ardently loved. Had nothing- unusual occurred it probably would have taken him much longer to ascertain the true state of his heart : misfortune has a won- derful power of testing the feelings and revealing their con- dition. Neither Rawson nor Sims could make him out, they agreed. ' What can have come over the poor fellow ? ' said the latter. ' The climate does not agree with him ; he should go h me invalided.' THE ' THISBE' IN SEARCH OF THE ' OSTERLEY.' 239 Glover might have suspected the true state of the case, but he kept his counsel to himself . The ' Thisbe ' overhauled every vessel she fell in with, and made inquiries at numerous places as she ran down the coast, but nothing was to be heard of the ' Osterley.' She rounded Ceylon, and stood across the Indian Ocean. Ronald Morton had kept a sharp look-out for any strange sail before, on the passage to Bombay ; he kept a sharper look out now. The frigate had got about a third of the way across the Bay of Bengal, when the second lieutenant, who, much to the surprise of his subordinates, spent many of his spare moments aloft, made out a sail to the southward steering west. She was a large ship, but whether man-of-war or merchantman, friend or foe, it was impossible to say. Ronald came on deck, and all sail was made in chase ; the idea seized him that the ship in sight was the one of which they were in search. ' I am afraid you will be disappointed,' remarked Captain Calder. ' She is probably some homeward-bound Indiaman from China ; this would be her track remember. The chase did not alter her course, but all the sail she could carry was packed on her ; she sailed well, but the frigate sailed better ; there was a fear that she might not overtake her till nightfall. Morton walked the deck with greater im- patience than he had ever before exhibited, now looking out to windward, now at the sails, now at the chase ; as the frigate drew nearer the chase, the opinions were strongly in favour of her being an Indiaman. ' But if she is, why should she run away ? ' observed Glover, who was always inclined to side with Morton. ' An Indiaman she is,' observed Rawson. ' I hope soon we may be near enough to send a shot across her fore-foot.' The chase sailed well, and though the frigate gained on her it was not at a rate to satisfy Morton's impatience. It was getting dusk as they drew near ; his glass had scarcely ever been off the chase. 240 RONALD MORTON. ' That must be the " Osterley ; " and yet it is strange,' he exclaimed. ' What can have happened to her ? ' The frigate at length ranged 'up alongside. By this time it was dark ; lights were seen glimmering through her ports. Captain Calder hailed. ' Wa, wa, wa,' was the only answer he received. ' She must be in the hands of an enemy,' he said. Morton's heart sank within him. ' Heave-to, or we fire ! ' cried the captain. In a little time the creaking of blocks was heard, and the Indiauian's courses being hauled up, she slowly came to the wind. The frigate hove-to to windward of her, a boat was lowered and manned, and Morton leaped into her, followed by Glover. ' Give way, lads ! ' shouted the lieutenant, eagerly. She was soon alongside; her officers and their followers scrambled on board : little help was afforded them to do so ; on the contrary, the expression of the countenances which looked down on them, seen by the glare of the lanterns, showed that if not backed by the guns of the frigate, they would have been received at the points of boarding-pikes and with the muzzles of pistols presented at their heads. The determined looks of the sturdy man-of-war's men made the crew of the Indiaman hold back. Directly Ronald stepped on board he glanced his eye anxiously around ; he had no longer any doubt that she was the ' Osterley,' but with not a face that met his gaze was he acquainted. A rough piratical-looking man, in a naval uniform, stepped forward, sword in hand, and presenting the hilt with an air which none but a Frenchman could assume, said ' Monsieur, the fortune of war places us in your power ; vvt yield ourselves prisoners, and claim your clemency.' ' On what ground do you claim that '? Where are the pas- sengers and crew of this ship who sailed in her from Calcutta?' exclaimed Ronald. THE ' OSTERLEY ' OVERTAKEN. 241 ' The fortune of war threw them into our hands, as we have been thrown into yours,' answered the captain, drawing 1 himself up. ' The courtesy for which our nation is famed has prompted their captors to treat them with courtesy.' ' I trust so,' exclaimed Morton, with a look which the Frenchman could not fail to understand. ' But tell me what commission do you bear? Do you belong to the Imperial marine of France ? ' Morton asked these questions with an agitation he could scarcely conceal, for from the appearance of the captain and his crew he could not help dreading that those in whom he took so deep an interest had fallen into the power of a band of pirates ; all the atrocities of which such ruffians could be guilty occurred to him. ' Speak, man ; tell me what are you ? ' he shouted, for the man seemed to be hesitating about giving a reply. ' What we are you perceive, monsieur,' he answered. ' We are cavaliers and Frenchmen, and are at present prisoners to an honourable enemy ; as such we expect to be treated.' ' How you are ultimately treated depends on your conduct towards those whom you have had in your power,' said Morton. ' Enable us to recover them, and you need have no fear on that score.' The Frenchman shrugged his shoulders, and protested that he had had nothing to do with the capture of the Indiaman ; that he had been put in charge of her by others to carry her home, and, moreover, that he knew nothing- of the passengers, except that he had been assured that they were in safety. When Morton interrogated him as to where he had last come from, he declared that he had been, with his crew, put on board at sea, from a country craft, and the captors of the ship had taken all the passengers out and carried them he knew not where. Ronald would not believe this statement ; but the man per- sisted ia it, and seemed obstinately determined to make no other. 242 RONALD MORTON. Captain Calder directed Morton to take command of the recaptured ' Osterley,' aud Glover went as his lieutenant, with a couple of midshipmen, Job Truefitt, Bob Doull, and about thirty other hands. They not being sufficient to work the Indiaman, some twenty of the prisoners were retained onboard her. It now became a question what course to steer. At length, as the wind was favourable, Captain Calder resolved to return to Calcutta, and should he not hear of the missing pri- soners, to get the admiral to send some other ship in search of them. This determination of the captain was the only consola- tion Morton could obtain. Still the fact of their having fallen in with the Indiaman was of itself considerable encouragement. Two or three days passed by ; the wind was light, and not much way was made. It would be difficult to describe the varied feelings with which Morton visited the cabins which had been occupied by the Armytage family. To calm the agitation of his mind, he went on deck and paced up and down by himself. At length, as he turned to walk forward, he saw Bob Doull coming aft, hat in hand, to the quarter-deck. The young seaman gave the usual hitch to his waistband, with a scrape of his foot, while he swung back his hat, and then waited till his superior looked as if he was ready to listen to him. ' What is it, Doull?' asked Morton. ' Please, sir, I've found among these outlandish chaps for- ward, we took aboard the prize, an old man who says as how lie knows something about me, sir,' said Bob, twisting his hat round and round. 'About you, my man; who can he be?' inquired the lieutenant. ' Why, sir, he says as how he's my daddy,' answered Doull, bluntly. ' lie may be, cause as how my daddy went away to foreign parts many years gone by, and never came back ; but if he is, he's a rum sort of one. I can't say as how I takes much to the old gentleman as vet.' THE ENGLISH PRISONER. 243 * Let me see the man, and hear his story,' said Morton. ' I had no idea that we had an Englishman among the prisoners.' ' Bring him aft at once ; let him speak to no one ; I must question him.' Before long, Bob Doull was seen dragging along a tall, gaunt, grey-headed man, with a long beard and moustache, on whose head it was evident neither scissors nor razors had operated for many a year past. He was dressed like a French sailor, and except for a peculiar gait and certain movement characteristic of a British seaman, he would have been taken for a Frenchman. ' Please, sir, this old man says as how he is my father,' began Bob, handing him aft on the quarter-deck. ' Come, cheer up, and tell Lieutenant Morton all you know.' The old man cast an inquiring, doubtful look at Morton's countenance, but seemingly satisfied with his scrutiny, he exclaimed, ' I want, sir, to make a clean breast of it. For many years of my life I haven't known what happiness is, and don't ever expect to know it again.' ' As to that,' said Morton, interrupting him, ' I'll hear you by-and-by ; but first, I wish to know where you have come from, and where the passengers and crew of this ship are now to be found ? ' ' I was coming to all that presently, 1 persisted the old man. k It's of the past I want to speak.' ' But, man, lately, what have yon done ? what crimes have you committed ? ' exclaimed Morton. ' None that I know of,' answered the seaman. ' I was always a wild blade, from the time I first set foot on a ship's deck. There was no mischief I was not up to, no crime I feared committing. I had done many bad things, but the worst was to come. I was still a lad, and so was my chum, Archy Eagleshay, and another, an older man, and older in crime, too, but he's gone to his account, as we must all go, great and small.' 244 RONALD MORTON. ' You speak truth, my man,' exclaimed Morton, now losing all patience. ' Again I ask you to pass over your early days, and to come to the latter events of your career. How did you happen to be on board this ship, among a set of Frenchmen and ruffians of all nations ? ' ' That was what I was coming to teh 1 you, sir,' giving a peculiar look at Morton, who was doubtful whether it was caused by stupidity or obstinacy. He saw, at all events, that there was no use in attempting to draw forth the information he required before the old man was ready to give it. After a pause, seeing that Morton was not again going to speak, the old man continued : ' Well, as I was saying, sir, he who is gone came to Eagleshay and me, and says he, " Arc you lads ready to gain more golden guineas than you ever set eyes on in your life?" Of course we were. "It's nothing but carrying off a slip of a baby who can do little more than talk, and just leaving him in the plantations." We didn't ask questions, but we went on board a little sloop he owned, and then we waited, cruising about, till one evening he told us to pull on shore, and there we found a nurse and child, and the woman gave us the child. Away we went with it aboard the sloop, and made sail, and never dropped anchor till we reached the port of Dublin. Then our captain sold the sloop, and we all went aboard a ship and sailed for America. We didn't reach it though. We had done a cursed deed, and God's curse was to follow us. Our ship went down, and we were left floating on a raft ; we were well-nigh starved, when :i ship fell in with us, and we were taken on board. The captain was a kind-hearted man, and he said he would take care of the little fellow ; and as our captain he that's gone had got the money for the deed he'd done, he didn't try to keep him ; indeed, he could not have kept him if he'd wished ; and so the good captain drew up a paper from what we'd told him, and he made us put our names to it, and he went and locked it up, and after that he never talked about the matter. THE OLD MAN'S STORY. 245 "We didn't know what he might do, so we ran from the ship at the first port we came to. From that day to this I never set eyes on the youngster, or heard of the good captain again. Well, one bad thing leads to another. We all then went out to the West Indies, and we shipped aboard some strange craft, and strange flags they sailed under. It was difficult to know, when you came on deck, what was flying at the peak. There were many things done which sickened me, and some of my shipmates I saw hung up at Port Royal in a way I didn't like, and at last I got away back to England. I then took a wife. Many years, you'll understand, had passed by. I thought I was going to remain on shore, and be quiet and honest. I'd one little chap born, and I began to be fonder of him than I had been of any living creature before ; but I was short of money, and the old feeling came over me. When I wanted it out in the West Indies then I took it. I now did a thing or two which made me fly the country. From that day to this I have never set foot on the shores of old England.' Morton thought that he might now venture to interrupt the old man. He had been so anxiously waiting for the account he might give of the passengers, that he paid little attention to the first part of the narrative. The old man declared that he knew nothing particular about them. He was on the other side of the island when the Indiaman arrived. He knew that a number of people had been landed, and that huts had been built for them, and that they were living on shore ; but sentries were placed in the neighbourhood of the spot, and no one was allowed to pass to communicate with them. ' But what is the character of the men who have possession of the islands? Are they men-of-war's men, privateers, or pirates ? ' inquired Ronald. The answer the old man gave was not perfectly satis- factory. ' They might be pirates, for they were a rough set ; but then privateers were often rough enough, and little better. 246 RONALD MORTON. Then again some of tho ships which came in wore pennants, and the officers had uniforms ; but it was easy enough for a privateer or a pirate to fly a pennant, and any man could put on a uniform, as he had often seen done by villains who finished their career by being hung up in chains.' Morton took several turns on the deck. Could nothing satisfactory be made out of the old man ? ' Could you find your way back again to those islands you speak of ? ' he asked. ' Maybe I could tell the course we've steered ; for when it has been nay trick at the helm I marked it well it lias always been the same. Five days had passed since we tripped our anchor before you fell in with us. Nor'-west by west, half west ; and we ran between seven and eight knots an hour seldom less, I should say. There, sir, can you make anything out of that ? ' ' I hope so ; and could you pilot us into the harbour from which you sailed ? ' asked the lieutenant. ' That I could, I am bold to say, seeing that I've been fishing over every spot of it for the last ten years, or more,' said the old man. ' That will do, Mr Doull. Stay aft here, with your son, as you say he is ; and I think you are right, for there is a like- ness. I will trust to you, and I will do my best, if you prove true, to get you pardoned for any offence against the laws which you have committed.' Ronald called Glover and signalised the frigate. Both ships hove-to, and he went on board. His consultation witli Captain Calder was soon over, and on his return both ships shaped a course in the direction indicated by the old man. CHAPTER XXIII. WHAT HAD BEFALLEN THE ' OSTERLEY.' HAD BEEN TAKEN BY THE ENEMY AND CARRIED INTO PORT. PASSENGERS KEPT PRISONERS ON THE ISLAND. |HEN the ' Osterley' left Calcutta she stood across the Bay of Bengal, and there appeared to be every prospect of a favourable commencement of the voyage. She had a good many passengers, but not so many as she would have had, probably, had she been going home direct. They were chiefly married ladies, accompanying their children ; or civilians, or military men re- turning after many years' service ; or invalids, hoping to regain their health in the land of their birth. Altogether, Miss Armytage did not expect to find much to interest her among the companions of her voyage, as they, one after the other, made their appearance on the poop-deck of the Indiaman, on which she was seated. It is possible that, while the pilot vessel continued in sight, she might have taken an oc- casional glance to ascertain how the little vessel was performing her voyage, and afterwards it is certain that she was lost in a reverie, from which she was not aroused till her mother had several times addressed her with the inquiry whether she was not excessively hungry, and would go down and get ready for dinner. Mrs Armytage was a very good-natured woman, and not destitute of sense, but she had no romance in her 247 248 RONALD MORTON. composition. She was a great contrast to her unhappy sister, Hilda, Edda aroused herself. ' Yes, mamma ; if it is necessary to appear at dinner, I will go down with you.' ' Of course, dear ; and here is Captain Winslow coming to offer you his arm.' However, he offered it to Mrs Armytage herself, and with his most polite of bows, begged that they would take their seats near him at table. Captain Wiuslow was courteous to all his passengers, but he certainly paid more attention to the Armytage party than to all the rest. After dinner, most of the passengers were collected on the poop, watching two vessels which appeared in the distance. One was evidently a native craft, a Dow or Pattarmar, from her high stern, curiously-projecting bow, and lofty lateen sail. She had apparently communicated with the other stranger, which was a ship of some size, and was now working in to- wards the land. The ship engrossed the chief attention of the passengers. She was a flush-decked vessel or corvette large for that class of craft, with very square yards. Miss Armytage hoped that her mother would not overhear the observations which the ap- pearance of the strange sail called forth. She was looked upon by all as a very suspicious craft. Under what flag she sailed was a question, but it was very evident that she was a man-of-war, a privateer, or a pirate. She was an armed vessel she was not a British man-of-war she might be an English privateer, but she had the look of a foreigner. By degrees the suspicions respecting the character of the stranger increased, till few had any doubt that he was an enemy. Captain, Winslow, however, was not to be intimidated by the appearance of the ship. Captain Winslow had probably made up his own mind as to what he would do, but, under the circumstances of the case, he judged it necessary to cull his officers and the principal passengers together, to ask their CONSULTATION ON BOARD THE INDIAMAN. 249 opinion as to what course should be pursued. Colonel Army- tage was, of course, summoned to the consultation. The captain opened the proceedings. ' No one will doubt that, should the sail in sight prove an enemy for that has not yet been ascertained we should run for it,' he observed. ' There is no disgrace in that ; our busi- ness is to carry passengers and cargo, and we shall do wisely to stick to our business as long as we can ; but the question, gentlemen, which I have to submit to your consideration is, shall we fight and defend our ship, the passengers and pro- perty confided to our care, or shall we yield to what may prove superior force ? ' ' Superior force or not, I say, sir, by the powers ! let us fight it out to the last, and drive off the enemy,' exclaimed the first mate. He spoke out of order, but his opinion was echoed by his brother officers, and by most of the passengers, Colonel Armytage was in favour of fighting to the last. ' Should she prove a privateer, and we take her, we should do well to hang every one of her crew up to the yard-arm as pirates, for they are in no degree better,' he exclaimed, in a tone which showed his annoyance at the prospect of so disagreeable an interruption to their voyage.' ' We shall do well to take the enemy before we decide what is to be done with him,' observed the captain. Some few of the passengers were for temporizing measures; they proposed hoisting a flag of truce, and endeavouring to come to terms with the enemy. ' Not very likely, gentlemen, that if the enemy think they have the power to take the ship, and everything on board her, they will be content with a portion,' answered the captain. ' The majority are decidedly for fighting ; we will prepare the ship for action.' The Indiaman was kept on her course, but all the sail she could possibly carry was set on her. The stranger was at this time to the south-east, her hull just rising above the horizon. 250 RONALD MORTON. The Indiaman was before the wind, so was the stranger, but her courses were brailed up, and she was evidently waiting for some purpose or other ; she certainly, at present, did not look like an object to be dreaded. The alarm of the ladies gradually subsided, till they began to wonder why it should be thought necessary to make such preparations for fighting ; why the shot was got up, the pow- der-tubs filled, and the guns loaded, and boarding nettings made ready for rigging. For some time the stranger did not appear to alter her position. When, however, at length the Indiaman, under all sail, began to put forth her speed, giving evidence that she might be many leagues to the southward by nightfall, the ship in the distance let fall her courses, and her head coming round, she was seen to be steering a course which would intersect that of the ' Osterley.' ' It will come to a fight, sir, I suspect,' observed the captain to Colonel Armytage. ' So much the better, for I suppose that there is but little doubt that we shall beat off the enemy,' answered the colonel. ' We have plenty of men, and some serviceable guns, and I trust your fellows will do their duty like men.' ' I trust so, too, sir ; but probably that ship out there has more men and longer guns than we have,' said the captain, gravely. ' We should not conceal from ourselves that the con- test will be a severe one, at ah 1 events, and the termination doubtful. I would not say this to the crew, or to the passen- gers generally, but in the event of disaster, how are we to protect the helpless beings committed to our charge the ladies and children? Some of these Frenchmen, I have heard, are fiends incarnate in the moment of victory, and if we offer a stout resistance, and are conquered at last, what is to be done? ' ' I should feel inclined to blow up the ship rather than run any risk of the ladies suffering violence,' exclaimed the colonel, pacing the deck in an agitated manner. CAPTAIN WINSLOW AND COLONEL AEMYTAGE. 251 ' That were scarcely right in the sight of God, or wise in that of men,' said the captain, calmly : ' I had to propose that at a signal which the chief officer who survives shall give they all assemble in the main cabin, and that then we rally round them, and refuse to yield till the enemy agree to terms.' ' Your plan is good, but you look at the dark side of things,' remarked Colonel Armytage. 4 1 look at both sides, sir,' was the answer. ' The ' ; Osterley " is a fast ship, and we may run away from our pursuer ; if we are overtaken, we may beat her off, or after all she may prove to be no enemy at all. You see, sir, I turn the state of the case right round ; I like to settle beforehand how, under all circumstances, I shall act.' ' I see, Captain Winslow, you are a man of forethought a useful quality hi your profession,' said Colonel Armytage, though he did not make the remark with the best possible grace. In truth, he was inclined to look down on the sea captain as a person of a very inferior grade to himself, though compelled under peculiar circumstances to associate with him. With one of his formal bows he said that he must go below to make the ladies understand the arrangements contemplated for them. Edda heard of the expected combat with perfect calm- ness. ' How I pity the poor men who may be wounded in the battle ! ' she remarked. Her father sneered. ' May we go on deck and help them ? ' she asked suddenly. ' I am sure that we can be of use.' ' Certainly not,' he answered, sternly. ' We shall have enough to do without being interrupted by the interference of women.' ' Oh, father ! do not say that,' said Edda. ' We would be of all the use in our power ; we would tend the wounded ; we would take food to those who were weary ; we would 252 RONALD MORTON carry up powder and shot if required. I have read of women doing such things. Why should not we ? ' ' Because there are men enough to fight, and it is con- sidered that you will be safer down below,' said Colonel Army- tage, casting a look of involuntary admiration at his daughter. ' Round shots are no respecters of persons, and one might de- stroy you or your mother or the other women as readily as the roughest man on board. In Heaven's name, child, keep out of danger.' A part of the hold was quickly arranged for the accommo- dation of the ladies during the expected action. Two lanterns were hung tip in it below the beams, but notwithstanding all that was done, it was a very dreary, dark abode. Edda en- treated that she and her mother might remain on deck till they were within range of the enemy's guns. Most of the other ladies followed her example, and the deck once more resumed its usual orderly appearance, though there were signs of the expected strife in the warlike costumes of the gentlemen, who walked up and down with swords buckled to their sides, pistols iti their belts, or muskets on their shoulders. The captain had not vainly boasted of the sped of the ship, and, as he now hauled up a little to the westward there ap- peared to be a considerable chance of her running the stranger out of sight during the night. Darkness was now coming on. The stranger was seen on the Ice-quarter continuing the pursuit under all sail. Some of the more timid suggested that part of the cargo should be thrown overboard to lighten the ship, so as to afford them a better chance of escaping, but to this the captain would not consent. Ho was responsible for the property. lie hoped to defend it and every part of it, and even if hove away it could do little to aid their escape. His calmness and determination infused courage into all around him. Night came on. The stranger was still far beyond gunshot. Not a light was allowed to be shown on board the Indiaman. The ladies were indiu-ed to retire to their cabins, many under CHASE. 253 the happy belief that all danger had passed, and that they might look forward to a pleasant continuance of the voyage. None of the officers or crew, however, went below. Many of the passengers also remained on deck. As night closed in, far off was still to be seen the dark outline of the stranger ship. Was she gaining on the ' Osterley ?' Captain Winslow and his officers looked and looked again. There seemed to be little doubt about that. No more canvas could be clapped on the Indiaman. Everything had been done that could be thought of to make her sail fast. A hurricane just then would have been welcome. Clouds were gathering in the sky, and, as the night drew on, the darkness increased. At length the stranger was hid from sight. Some declared that they could still see her, but Captain Wiuslow was of opinion that they were mistaken. Still even he, as he walked the deck, continued to cast many an anxious glance astern. lie called his first officer to him, and they held an earnest con- sultation together. ' We'll try it,' he observed ; and the yards were squared away, and the Indiamau was once more steering to the south- ward dead before the wind ; it was her best point of sailing. It was hoped that the stranger, believing that she was bound for Madras, would continue the chase in that direction. The darkness continued. ' Well, sir, I trust that we have given that suspicious-look- ing gentleman the go-by,' observed the captain to Colonel Array tage. ' Perhaps it might be better to inform the ladies of this, to tranquillize any alarm they may still feel.' ' Have no anxiety on that score. I do not allow my wife and daughter to indulge in idle apprehensions,' answered the- colonel in the supercilious tone in which he frequently spoke. ' This man may be a very important personage, but he is a very disagreeable one,' thought Captain Winslow, as lit- turned away. 254 RONALD MORTON. The worthy captain was well-nigh weariea out, so, sum- moning his first officer to take charge of the deck, he returned to his cabin to endeavour to snatch a short rest, leaving direc- tions to be summoned should any change occur in the present state of things. The first officer had been one of the most anxious to fight. He believed that they might not only beat off the enemy, but take her also, and he now kept a bright look-out, hoping that she might again appear. He was a young man, and thought more of the honour and glory to be gained than of the risk to be run. Over and over again his night-glass swept round in the direction of the eastern horizon. The range of his vision was limited. After taking a long gaze he suddenly exclaimed, ' There she is though ! ' He called an old quartermaster and bade him take the glass. ' Yes, sir, she's the ship, there's no doubt about it. She has been keeping way easily with us,' observed the seaman. ' I'd sooner that craft, Mr Lloyd, were a hundred miles away, or a thousand, for that matter, than where she is : we none of us likes her looks, and she'll prove a rammish customer if she gets alongside of us.' ' Oh, never fear, Davis ; you'll all fight like Britons, and beat her off ; or take her, maybe. But call the captain, and let him know our friend is in sight, away on the larboard beam.' Captain Winslow was on deck in an instant. He had been dreaming of the stranger. There she moved like a dark phan- tom, silently stalking over the waters. There was something peculiarly ominous in her appearance. The very silence with which she glided on through the dark- ness was threatening. She soon came up within range, but not a shot was fired. There she remained gliding on, with her courses brailed up, keeping 1 puce with the Indiainan. It was very evident that she might have come down upon her long before had she chosen. The approach of the stranger quickly became known in the THE STRANGE SAIL. 255 cabin, and the gentlemen passengers were soon congregating on deck, many of them buckling on their swords and examining the locks of their pistols by the light of the binnacle lamp. Various opinions were offered. Some thought that Captain Winslow ought to begin the battle by filing a broadside into the stranger ; but he declined the proposal, and suggested that it would be better to ascertain first whether she was inimically disposed. ' She can scarcely be a friend, or she would not frighten people so horribly,' observed some one, but the speaker was not discovered. The remark produced a laugh, and the spirits of the more timid began to rise. ' Perhaps the gentleman intends to wait till daylight to cummence sport,' observed the previous speaker. Another hour passed by ; Captain Winslow could not help feeling that his ship was completely in the power of the stranger. She evidently sailed two feet to his one ; could shoot ahead and rake him, or could stand off and cannonade him with her long guns, without his being able to return a shot. A sturdy Briton as he was, he almost wished, for the sake of all on board, especially of the females, that it had been determined to yield at once. ' No, no, that would never do,' he muttered soon after to himself ; ' we'll fight, and defend them like men.' The stranger had been edging in nearer and nearer to the Indiaman. The ladies had been assembled and sent to their apartment in the hold. They were told it was only as a pre- cautionary measure in case of an action. They endeavoured to keep up each other's spirits, hoping for the best. Miss Armytage sat by her mother, calm and resigned, endeavouring to read, but her mind often left the page and wandered far away. Some few tried to talk, but they found the effort vain. A few young girls laughed and joked, and tried to persuade 256 RONALD MORTON. themselves that there was nothing to dread, but they too soon became silent, and the whole party sat patiently waiting for the event they dreaded, yet hoped might be avoided. They had no means of ascertaining what was taking place ; Edda offered to go up and learn, but her mother entreated her to remain where she was, reminding her of her father's commands. The time passed slowly by ; many thought that it must be soon day. All hoped that it would be, for they fancied that with the light the stranger would be discovered to be a friend. Not a sound from the deck above reached them. The silence itself was painful. It was suddenly broken by the deep-toned voice of the captain speaking through a trumpet. Then came the concussion and fierce roar of the guns overhead, followed by the thunder of those of their opponent, and the crash of the shot as they tore their way through the sides of the ship. Many of the ladies shrieked loudly, with wild fright, and clung trembling to each other. Yes, the bloody fight had really begun ; how would it terminate ? Next there was a crashing sound as if the ship had struck on a rock, and she trembled in all her timbers, and there was still the roar of the great guns, but added to it the rattle of musketry ; and now followed wild shouts and shrieks, and the clashing of steel as cutlass met cutlass, and men strove desperately for life, and there was the sharp report of pistol shots, and the cries increased ; and there was the tramping 1 of feet, every moment becoming louder, and the clashing of swords, and the shouts and cries growing nearer. And now one of the oflicers rushed down the ladder. His face was pale; there was blood on his arm. ' Ladies, we will defend you to the last,' he exclaimed. ' But come up on the main-deck, and keep together. We have been boarded and overpowered. We have rallied on the after- part of the deck, and hold it still ; but there is no time to be lost.' Miss Armytage and her mother were the first to lead the way. When ihey reached the main-deck they ^nw the gallant THE FIGHT. 257 band of the defenders struggling with overwhelming numbers of the enemy. In the front rank was Colonel Arrnytage. A huge seaman, a negro, had attacked him, and was pressing him hard. He seemed to be already wounded ; others were rushing on. His foot slipped and he fell. His opponent's cutlass was uplifted to give him a blow, which must have proved fatal, when a young officer sprang forward, interposed his own sword, and turned aside the weapon of his enemy. ' Yield, sir,' he exclaimed in French. ' You are a prisoner, and your life shall be respected.' As he spoke, aided by the others, he dragged the colonel, no longer able to resist, out from the melee, and at that moment Edda recognized him as the young stranger whom she had met so frequently at Calcutta. ' All who yield shall have quarter,' cried a voice from among the assailants of the British. ' We are honourable enemies, and seek the lives of none who no longer resist. The ladies shall be protected.' ' It's Hobson's choice,' said one of the passengers : ' let us make terms while we can.' Several others expressed the same opinion. Indeed, it was evident that further resistance was useless. The ship was already in possession of the enemy. The captain was not with them. Where he was, no one knew. Too probably he was wounded ; perhaps killed. Colonel Armytage was a prisoner. The first officer lay desperately wounded in the front rank of the little band, who had so gallantly held out to the last. ' Drop your swords, brave enemies, and the Frenchman who makes another stroke at your head, dies,' said the voice. Although many had but little faith in the promise, they yielded to necessity. The captors, however, kept their word. The captain, a stout middle-aged man, came forward, and taking the swords of the officers, bowed to the group of ladies, and assured them that everything in his power would be done for their accommodation. 258 RONALD MORTON. 'Oh, bring my father, then!' exclaimed Miss Armytage. ' Let us attend to him, should he be hurt.' ' The officer, my lieutenant, took prisoner ? certainly. He shall be placed under your charge, madam,' answered the captain, with a bow. As soon as it was daylight, the English part of the India- man's crew, with the officers, as well as the military men among the passengers, were removed on board her captor, which proved to be ' La Sybille,' a French privateer corvette. Her name had lately become known for the havoc she had committed among the British merchantmen, many of which had been carried off, but what had afterwards become of them it had not been hitherto ascertained. It was a great relief to Edda to receive a visit from Captain Winslow. He was wounded, and having been knocked down and stunned when the Frenchman boarded, he had not re- covered till the ship was completely in their power. Several of the Indiaman's officers and crew had been killed or wounded, but the bloody signs of the conflict had been re- moved when the ladies once more appeared on deck. Strangers navigated the ship, and Edda observed that her Calcutta acquaintance had the command. He approached, however, but seldom, and always with the signs of the most profound respect. Edda sometimes observed him standing' at a distance, watching her, with his arms folded on his bosom, and a melan- choly expression in his countenance. Still, she did not alto- gether like his look, though it would have been difficult for her to determine why. One thing certainly was against him. lie had been acting the part of a spy nt Calcutta, and it at once occurred to her, that it was probably owing to the information he had obtained that the 'Osterley' had been watched for, and fallen into the hands of the enemy. Senor Gerardo, as he had called himself, at the same time paid the greatest attention to Colonel Armytage, and seemed to anticipate all his wants ; indeed, no captors could have behaved with more attention to THE PRIVATEER'S RENDEZVOUS. 259 their prisoners than did the officers of ' La Sybille ' to the passengers of the ' Osterley.' The two ships were now sailing together, to the eastward of south, but where they were going, no one could ascertain. A sentry was stationed at the compass, and though they were allowed to range anywhere else about the ship, when any one drew near that, they were civilly ordered to move away. Ten or more days passed, arid the two ships lay at anchor in a beautiful bay, among a group of islands, some of considerable elevation, and covered with all the varied productions of the tropics. There were few signs of cultivation, but there were numerous huts and tents scattered about, and it was evident that the island had been taken possession of by the French as a rendezvous for their cruisers. Another Indiaman lay at anchor with her masts and spars in a shattered condition, as if she had met with a gale on her passage there, and had not been in a fit condition to send away. On a near inspection a battery was discovered thrown up on each side of the bay, while a strong fort hi the centre commanded the anchorage, and sentries were seen pacing the beach to prevent the possi- bility of any prisoners escaping. The passengers remained on board two days, while work- men were seen on shore, erecting fresh huts. During this time, Lieutenant Gerardo was constant in his attentions to Edda, but they were so delicately offered, and his manners were so gentlemanly and refined, that she was almost angry with herself for not feeling more grateful. At last the whole party were directed by the French captain who came on board, to prepare for going on shore, and informed that they Avere at liberty to take every part of their private property with them. ' We do not war with individuals, and we feel deeply the necessity we are Tinder of placing a restraint on your actions.' The young lieutenant expressed his great regret at no longer being allowed to have charge of them. ' Still I trust, Miss Armytage, that you will allow me occasionally to come RONALD MORTON. and inquire after your health. " La Sybille " requires repairs, and will be detained here some time.' At first Colonel Armytage received him with great cold- ness, naturally looking- on him with contempt, as having played the dishonourable part of a spy during his visit to Calcutta ; but the lieutenant explained the cause of his appearance there so much to the colonel's satisfaction, and his attentions were so unremitting and delicate, that he completely won Ms way into the good graces of the English officer. Gerardo was too acute an observer not to have discovered the authority Colonel Armytage exercised over his family, and he fancied that the most certain way of winning the daughter was first to gain over the father. By degrees also he obtained the good opinion of Mrs Armytage. He never obtruded his services, but he offered them to her in so delicate a manner, and showed so much pleasure in being employed, that it was scarcely possible for her to refuse them. All the fruits and flowers which the islands produced were collected and brought to her and her daughter, often not obtained without difficulty, while numberless objects of interest, evidently taken out of prizes, were offered for their acceptance. Very few of the other officers came near them; indeed, they appeared generally to be of a different stamp to the cap- tain and his first lieutenant. ' We really might be very happy here if we did not wish to be elsewhere,' observed Mrs Armytage to her daughter. ' Yes, certainly,' -remarked another lady. ' But what shall we do when our clothes wear out? It will be shocking not to be able to get any of the new fashions. I am afraid our polite captain and Monsieur Gerardo will not think half as much about us then. ' You don't suppose that we are to be kept here for ever!' exclaimed another lady, in a great state of agitation.' ' Perhaps till the war is over such things are done,' re- marked Mrs Armytage, who, having her husband and daughter THE PRIVATEER'S RENDEZVOUS. 261 with her, was more inclined to be contented with her lot than were most of the party. With most of the captives, however, the days in that de- lightful climate passed pleasantly and rapidly by. Had Eonald Morton wished Edda to be placed in a position where her thoughts would most probably be occupied with him, he could scarcely have selected one more favourable for the purpose than that in which she now found herself. What might have been the effect of the young French lieutenant's devoted attention, it is impossible to say ; but though he was present, the absent Morton ever stepped in to prevent him from making the slightest impression on her affec- tions. The more she thought of Morton, the more vividly did she realize his noble qualities, his manly appearance ; and thinking of him, she naturally taught herself to believe that, in some way or the other, she and her friends would be res- cued from their present trying and anxious position. All the time they could not but feel that they were in the hands of enemies, who, though they behaved well at present, might at any moment change their conduct. Both the French ship and the Indiaman had suffered con- siderably in the action ; and since their arrival they had been undergoing repairs. These were now completed. The priva- teer's men were also refreshed, and eager to go in search of fresh spoil. With heavy hearts the late officers and passengers of the ' Osterley ' saw her under all sail, standing out of the bay. It appeared as if their home the only means of escaping from their bondage was leaving them. Many gave way to tears at the sight, and few looked on unmoved. Two days after- wards the corvette herself put to sea, both her captain and first lieutenant going in her. A small garrison was left in each of the forts, and the seamen remained in prison on board the dismasted prize, under a strong guard. As there were only a few small canoes on the beach, used for fishing, and 262 ROXALD MORTON, none of the prisoners had arms of any description, there was very little chance of their attacking- the garrison, or attempt- ing to make their "escape. An old French military officer, who acted as governor, was a very strict disciplinarian, and was continually going from fort to fort and inspecting his troops, so that neither he nor they were likely to be caught asleep. Indeed, it appeared that nothing was likely to occur to disturb the perfect tranquillity of the island. CHAPTER XXIV. THE 'THISBE' APPROACHES THE ISLAND. OLD DOULL'S REVELA- TIONS AS TO THE ' OSTERLEY'S' PASSENGERS. THE FRIGATE PUT UNDER FRENCH COLOURS. EXPEDITION IN THE BOATS. ATTACK ON THE FORTS. ' OSTERLEY's' PASSENGERS CARRIED OFF. [ return again to the ' Thisbe ' and rescued ' Os- terley.' The frigate and Indiana an were once more hove-to, at a short distance from each other. In the far distance appeared a group of islands like blue hillocks rising out of the shining ocean. Volunteers from the frigate eagerly crowded on board the ' Osterley,' armed to the teeth. Morton had gained sufficient information from the old man to enable him to form a plan for rescuing the prisoners, should they be, as he trusted, still on the island. He had had frequent conversations with the elder Doull. One day the old man again referred to the abduction transaction in which he had been engaged in his youth. The similarity of the account to that Morton had heard of his father's history, struck him. ' Where was it ? from what part of the coast did you take the child 1 ' he asked, eagerly. ' Did I not say from Shetland?' replied the old man. ' And what is strange, Lieutenant Morton, the boy's name was the same as yours ; but maybe you know nothing of Shetland ; 263 264 RONALD MORTON. it's a fine land anyhow, and you are too young to be the child I was speaking of.' ' You are mistaken in one point, Mr Doull,' said Morton. ' I belong to Shetland ; I was born and bred there ; and I feel almost sure that the boy you carried off was my father. He was picked up at sea by a Captain Scarsdale, who brought him up as his son.' ' Scarsdale ! now you speak it, that's the name of the master of the vessel who took us off the raft, and from whose ship we ran. For many a long year I have not thought of it. Yes, Andrew Scarsdale ; and the boy was called Rolf Morton the names come back to me as if I heard them but yesterday. There are not many other names I can remember which I knew at that time.' ' But do you believe that that was the real name of the child ? ' asked Morton, for he had heard his father express his belief that the name he bore was not his true one. * That I do not know,' answered old Doull. ' If it was not, the only one of us who knew the truth was our leader the man who led us to commit the crime that villain, Rolf Yell. It's many a year since I have spoken his name. Now I remember, he gave me a paper to Captain Scarsdale, and put his name to it, and we saw him do it ; and we that is, Archy Eagleshay and I did ; and the captain put his name, and we put ours after that, though we didn't read the paper, but the captain said that it was all right, and that it was what he wanted, and he took it below ; and so I supposed that it would make everything square for the poor boy.' This circumstantial account agreed so exactly with that which Captain Scarsdale had given his father, that Ronald had no doubt that he had found a clue which might lead to the solution of the mystery hanging over his early history. What had become of the important document ? Why had not Captain Scarsdale produced it? Yell, at all events, knew his father's real name, and he must have communicated it to OLD DOULL. 265 Captain Scarsdale. He longed to meet his father, that he might give him the information he had received, and consult with him as to what steps it would be best for them to pursue. Formerly he perhaps would have been very indifferent as to the result ; now he could not help feeling that if it could be proved that he was of gentle blood, it might enable him the better to succeed in realising the bright visions in which he had of late been indulging. There might be a thousand obstacles in his path, but he felt that he could clear them all away by courage and perseverance, as he would a host of enemies with the strokes of his cutlass. Such were the feelings with which Konald Morton pre- pared for the attempt to rescue the passengers and crew of the ' Osterley ' from the hands of the Frenchmen. Old Doull had warned him of the difficulties to be encountered. He had described the dangers of the approach to the bay, the strength of the forts, and the number of the garrison. This of course only increased the anxiety of Morton and his followers to commence the work in hand. While Morton was still forming his plan, old Doull, hat in hand, came aft. ' Captain Morton,' he said, ' my son Bob has been telling me how you have been kind to him, and stood by him ever since he came to sea, and I want to show you that my old heart, though it's pretty well scorched and dried up with the hard life I've led, can still feel thankful for favours done. At first I couldn't make Bob believe that I was his father, and no wonder, for an unnatural one I had been to him all his life ; but I told him so many things about when he was a baby that lie knows it now, and has taken to call me father, and that warms my heart and gives it such a pleasure I can't describe. After having had no one to care for me for better than twenty years, except old Archy Eagleshay and I couldn't trust him over-much, 'specially if a cask of rum was in his wa} r it is a happiness to be called father that it is. sir. I hope as how 266 RONALD MORTON. some day you \vill feel it. Well, sir, as I was saying-, I wns turning 1 in my mind how I might serve you best. Now, I've been thinking that if we were to sail in with the ships, and attempt to take the forts by force, though we might and should succeed in the end, we might hurt some of the English people on shore, and that's what you wouldn't wish to do.' ' No, indeed,' said Konald, shuddering. ' That I would not, of course. But what do you propose ? ' Ronald had discovered the uselessness of attempting to hurry the old man, so he waited patiently for his reply. ' Why, sir, I think if the ship was to run in just before dark under the French flag, the people on shore would fancy that she had been brought back for some reason or other, and very likely wouldn't board her that night. When it is dark I will go on shore and find my way to the huts of the prisoners. I will tell them that you have arrived to bring them off, and I think that I could manage to conduct them down by a path to the shore, so that the French sentries shall not see them. In that way, sir, they may be got on board without danger. Morton was not satisfied with the whole of Doull's plan. ' You forget the risk the prisoners would run of being fired on by the French sentries, if found escaping ; while, before the ship could leave the bay, the forts would open fire on her, and very probably injure some of them. However, I will think over your proposal, and I thank you for your anxiety to serve me.' Morton would rather have run in with both ships, reduced the forts, and carried off the prisoners in triumph, but caution as well as boldness, he knew well, were necessary to insure success. Captain Calder highly approved of the plan he ulti- mately laid before him. All was ready on board the ' Osterley.' The boats were hoisted in ; and while she ran on towards the land the frigate hauled her wind and stood off again. The Indiaman rapidly approached the land. As she drew DOULL AS PILOT OF THE ' OSTERLEY.' 2G7 in with it the French ensign was hoisted at the peak. Job Truefitt looked up at it. ' It's the first time that I minds that I ever sailed under that buntiu', and I would be sorry to see it often hoisted over my head,' he observed to the elder Doull, pointing at it with his thumb half over his shoulder, and a contemptuous sneer on his lips. I never loved them mounseers, and hopes I never may. They are to my mind the nat'ral born enemies, so to speak, of Englishmen, and it's my belief that they'll remain the same to the end of the world.' Doull was now summoned aft to pilot the ship among the reefs which surrounded the group of islands she was approach- ing. The wind had been faithful, and Morton managed so well that it was close upon sunset before the ' Osterley' got inside the reefs. It would have been anxious work to carry a ship, in the uncertain light which still remained, among those nu- merous rocks and shoals, even with a friendly port in which to drop her anchor. Ronald, with the old man by his side, stood conning the ship, while two seamen with sharp eyes were placed at the end of the jib-boom, and others at the fore yard- arms, to give notice of any danger they might discover. ' There'll be no use keeping the lead going, sir,' said Old Doull. ' You may get a cast of twenty fathom, and the next moment have the ship's bows hard and fast.' Ronald knew that this was the case, nor did it decrease his anxiety. Steady hands were at the helm. The seamen were at their stations to trim or shorten sail. The Indiaman glided onward. She was already inside the reefs, and the heaving motion of the ocean was no longer felt. Hills clothed with verdure rose close before them, the shore on either side, fringed with cocoa-nut trees, seen here and there over the yellow beach rising against the deep blue sky. The forts, too, could be made out, though thrown into shade in the centre of the laud- scape, as the ship, boldly guided by the old seaman to a berth, dropped her anchor. The carpenter had been busily employed 208 ROXALD MORTON. nil day in constructing- a canoe. It was forthwith lowered noiselessly into the water, and Doull and his son stepping into it, paddled away to the shore, keeping, however, as far off as possible from the forts. ' That man can be trusted,' observed Ronald to Glover, though the words implied a doubt of the fact. ' At all events we must trust him, sir,' answered the mid- shipman ; ' that is very clear.' After waiting for some time, and no one appearing from the shore, the boats were lowered withoiit noise into the water, and at once manned. By this time the dim outline of the shores of the bay could alone be seen. Morton took command of one, Glover of another, and the boatswain of the frigate of a third. Sims remained on board in charge of the ship. The Indiaman's boats followed with a midshipman in each, so that there were six altogether. There were three forts, and it was arranged that two boats' crews should simultaneously attack each of them. The oars were muffled, and away the flotilla glided from the side of the big ship, as Glover observed to the midshipman with him, like a brood of new-born serpents sallying from their parents' side intent on mischief. Not a sound was heard on shore, not a sound either did the boats make as they glided over the smooth surface of the bay. Men-ton's mind misgave him. It seemed strange that no people from the shore had come off to the ship. ' Surely they must have seen her even through the gloom,' he said to himself. ' Can the Frenchman have left the place, and carried off the prisoners?' The question was soon to be solved, but his impatience would scarcely brook the necessary delay. lie had ascertained from Doull the direction of the huts where the English prisoners were located. Doull had also described the best landing-places under the forts. The boats, in three divisions, proceeded on their separate courses. The centre fort was the strongest. Konald selected that for himself. Ilis heart beat quick as he ATTACK ON THE PRIVATEERS STRONGHOLD. 269 approached it. Who when going into action does not discover that his pulse beats more rapidly, even under ordinary circum- stances ? Ronald felt that the safety of one now dearer to him than life was involved in the success of his undertaking. As the boats drew closer to the shore it was necessary to proceed more carefully, for fear of running on the rocks, which jutted out hi certain parts of the bay. Though the surface of the bay was smooth, there was a slight surf on the shore, the noise of which, as it broke, tended to overpower any sound which the oars made as they dipped into the water. Could the French garrisons be asleep ? No sentry's chal- lenge was heard on the walls. Perhaps, believing that it was unlikely an enemy should discover them, and impossible for one to approach at night, they had all, in fancied security, gone to rest; but then they must have seen the approach of the ship. Ronald had promised to send up a rocket the instant the parapet was gained and the enemy aroused. A few more strokes, and the boats would reach the landing-place. Just then a loud hail came from the walls of the fort. Ronald an- swered, in French, ' People- from the captured Iridiaman.' ' Stay there,' said the sentry, who had, it seemed, either been asleep or just come up to his post. This, however, was an order the English were not very likely to obey, so on they dashed as fast as possible, knowing that in another minute their pur- pose would be discovered. Leaping on shore, several carrying ladders, they rushed to the walls. At the same moment a rocket flew into the night air high above the heads of the com- batants, to give notice to their comrades that the attack was begun. The ladders were placed in position, and up they climbed, in a way British seamen only can climb, each eager to be first, and yet one helping on the other in the noble race of honour. In vain the sentries and a few men left on guard rushed out to oppose the assailants, and shouted and bawled to their comrades to hurry to their assistance. A pistol bullet or 270 RONALD MORTON. the stroke of a cutlass silenced the voice of many a boasting Frenchman for ever. The English had made good their footing in the fort, but before they had time to advance, they found themselves op- posed by the whole garrison, who, though just awakened from sleep, surprised and bewildered, fought with the fury of des- peration. They had, however, seized in the hurry and dark- ness the weapons which first came to hand, and many were but imperfectly armed. Now they were driven back now more of the officers coming among them, they again rallied and stood bravely for a few minutes, but every foot of ground Morton and his followers gained they kept, and onward they fought their way. The pistol shots, and shouts, and cries from the other forts, and high above all, the true hearty English cheers to which the seamen gave vent, showed the enemy that they were attacked by no insignificant force. By whom they were attacked they probably could not tell, till those well- known cheers reached their ears. Still they bravely stood their ground. ' On, lads, on ! ' shouted Morton, laying about him with his cutlass more furiously than ever. He began to be afraid, from the pertinacity of the Frenchmen, that they expected reinforcements. Again the British seamen made a fierce charge ; those of the enemy in the front rank were cut down or driven back upon their companions in the rear. They in their turn gave way, and the whole body of Frenchmen took a hurried ilight across the fort, with the intention of escaping through the gate on the land side. This was what Morton was especially anxious they should not do. He dashed after them like a dog endeavouring to turn a flock of sheep. He and several of his followers reached the gate almost at the same moment, but not in time to stop them. Out dashed the Frenchmen, driving each other forward. The British seamen followed close upon their heels, cutting down those they could overtake, but they in their fall somewhat impeded the pur- THE FIGHT. 271 suers. Morton marked well the way they took. It was towards, he believed, the huts of the prisoners. He guessed what their purpose would be on he went in hot haste. Once some of the fugitives, finding so few of their enemies close at their heels, stopped, and stood at bay. They had cause to repent their temerity. Three were brought to the ground by the edge of Ronald's cutlass, somewhat blunted as it was, while others, with severe wounds, again took to flight. In the dark many of the pursuers and pursued were scat- tered, but Morton followed what he believed to be the main body. Suddenly cries and shrieks arose in front, and men's voices were heard shouting, and he thought he recognised that of old Doull and yes, he was certain that of Colonel Armytage. Among the female voices was one which thrilled through every nerve. Ronald rushing on, shouted to his men to collect them round him; in another instant he found the two Doulls and Colonel Armytage fiercely engaged with a party of the fugitives. His cutlass soon put the latter to flight. ' Where are the ladies ? ' he exclaimed ; but he scarcely waited for an answer. He divined too well what had oc- curred. ' There ! there ! the scoundrels have carried them off towards the woods,' cried Colonel Armytage. In another instant Ronald was among the Frenchmen. Some of the men finding that with their burdens escape was impossible, let them go free, but others continued their flight. The cries of children and the shrieks of women resounded through the woods. Edda Armytage was still in the hands of the enemy. On rushed Morton ; young Doull was by his side. 'There's some people with a lady, sir,' he exclaimed, making a dash towards a path which led down a dell on one side. There were several men, and Ronald at that moment caught sight of a female dress among them. Morton's quick ear recognised Edda's voice. 272 ~ RONALD MORTON. ' Oh, save me ! save me ! ' she cried out. The man who held her boldly came to the front, while his comrades retreated. Ronald's cutlass was upraised to strike, when the Frenchman placed his captive before him as a shield. The rest rallied round him, and Morton, with Doull alone by his side, found himself opposed to a dozen or more desperadoes, while he felt almost unnerved by seeing Miss Armytage in their power. His dread was that some stray shot or the care- less stroke of a cutlass might injure her. All he could do was to keep at bay the rest of the Frenchmen, while he continued to summon his followers. They, however, it appeared, were skirmishing on either side, or rather following the retreating enemy in every direction. Ronald made the most desperate efforts to cut down some of his opponents, but each time that he appeared to be gaining a success the big Frenchman thrust himself before him. He had received one or two severe cuts, and was beginning to despair that help would come in time to prevent the Frenchman from escaping. Edda had from the first recognised his voice, yet she dared not trust herself to address him by name. Still not for n moment did Ronald relax in his exertions. The Frenchmen had the advantage of knowing the ground, and they were evidently, Ronald conjectured, aiming at some particular spot, where they might hold out successfully. The path was steep, and numerous creepers of a tropical vegetation crossed it. In one of these the big Frenchman must have caught his foot; he stumbled, and before he could recover himself young Doull sprung like a tiger on his throat, and held him tight. The ruffian. still attempted to retain his hold on Miss Armytage. ' You look after the others, sir I can settle with this fellow,' snug out the young seaman; but his officer thought more just then of saving the lady than of beating the enemy. While the Frenchman was still paralyzed with the vice- like clulch which Doull had taken of his throat, Ronald cast his arm round Edda, and forced her from his grasp. K maid's cutlass was upraised io strike, v.licn the Frenchman placed his captive THE VICTORY. 273 ' Hurra ! ' shouted Bob Doull, ' I'll soon finish off the villain now.' He was as good as his word, for never for a moment relaxing his hold of the man's throat, he threw himself on him with such force, that he brought him to the ground ; with his knee he kept down one of the man's arms, and with his left hand the other. 'I shall have done for him soon, sir,' he shouted; 'he's giving in, no fear.' What cared Ronald now for wounds, or for the enemies who were attacking him ! Supporting Edda with one arm, he kept them back, and prevented them from rescuing their com- panion. Suddenly Bob Doull sprang to his feet, and laying about him with his cutlass, quickly put the rest of the French- men to flight. ' Oh, Ronald, what happiness to be saved by you ! ' mur- mured Edda, scarcely conscious of what she was saying, as Morton, followed by Bob Doull, who kept a cautious look-out on every side, returned to the huts. Those words revealed to him what he had scarcely dared to hope. He found old Doull severely hurt, while Colonel Armytage had been unable to follow, in consequence of his former wounds. He did not recognise Morton, but he ex- pressed himself full of gratitude to the gallant officer who had been the means of rescuing his daughter. Mrs Armytage was soon afterwards conducted back to the huts ; she, w r ith the other ladies and children who had been carried off, having been rescued by another party of seamen. The remainder who had escaped, and hid themselves, now made their appearance ; husbands and wives looking for each other, and mothers and nurses hunting for their children. Glover and the boatswain now sent two midshipmen from the forts, to announce their capture, and to state that they had secured the garrisons. It was thought advisable, however, to get the ladies on board without delay. 8 274 HONALD MORTON. Captain Win slow and the officers and the crew of the ' Osterley,' who had been hutted at a distance from the rest, on hearing the firing-, had broken through the sentries, and hurried to the spot. Arms were put into their hands, and they were directed to hold the centre fort, while the passengers were once more conve3*ed on board. Ronald would not entrust Edda to the care of any one, but had supported her on his arm till the boats were ready to em- bark the passengers ; he now carefully placed her in one of them, with her mother, and other ladies, under charge of Colonel Armytage. ' I would that I could accompany you on board, but my duty keeps me on shore. 1 know not what number of the enemy may be on the island ; they may rally and attack the forts : it is of the utmost consequence that they should be held by us till the ship is clear of the harbour : you and your companions will be safer on board than even within one of the forts. I trust by dawn to be on board, and to carry you off in safety from the scene of your captivity.' These words, which might have been spoken to any ordi- nary person, were heard by all, but the tone of voice and the gentle pressure of the hand were understood by her to whom they were addressed, and she whispered, that she was sure whatever he did was for the best. As soon as the boats shoved off, Ronald went round to visit the forts. He found Glover and his party standing guard over the prisoners they had captured a ragamuffin crew com- posed of natives of nearly every country in the world, and from their appearance Ronald had strong suspicions that they might deservedly be looked upon as pirates. In the other fort Mr Tarbot, the boatswain, had charge of a similar crew. They were very sulky, and as the light of the lanterns fell on their scowling countenances, Morton thought that they looked cap- able of committing any atrocity, and he felt grateful that Edda and her friends had been rescued from their power. THE ' OSTERLEY' AGAIN PUTS TO SEA. 275 The sound which gave him the most satisfaction through the hours of darkness was the regular striking of the bell on board the Indiaman. It assured him that her people were on the alert, and that all was going on well. It was nearly dawn when, hearing a sentry hail, he hastened to the spot. 'A friend,' was the answer, and he recognized the voice of old Doull ; he directed him to come into the fort, and he soon ap- peared with a companion, whom he introduced as Archy Eagle- shay. The latter was a man very similar in age and appearance to Doull, though his countenance betokened far less acuteness and intelligence. Ronald was much relieved at the return of Doull. On many accounts he was anxious not to lose" sight of him, and for the present it was specially important to have him on board the ' Osterley,' to take her out of the harbour through the intricate passages by which he had piloted her in. At early dawn every one was astir. The former crew of the 'Osterley' were employed in collecting all the property of the passengers, and in carrying it on board the ship, greatly to the satisfaction of its owners. Four seamen had fallen in the attack, and nearly twenty of the enemy. They were all hur- riedly interred, friends and foes sleeping side by side on the shores of that lovely bay. The prisoners were next divided among the boats, and carried on board. Their company would gladly have been dispensed with, but Morton judged that it was the only safe way to break up this nest of hornets. The last thing that was done was to spike all the guns ; some were simply dismounted, and others were tumbled over the parapet among the rocks. There was not time to do more, for Morton was anxious to get to sea and rejoin the frigate. Once more the anchor of the 'Osterley' was weighed, and with the wind off the land she stood out of the bay. CHAPTER XXV. DIFFICULTY OF NAVIGATION. AN OLD ENEMY APPEARS. ENEMY- CHASES THE 'OSTERLEY.' THE ' THISBE ' APPEARS. [HE Indiaman, under the skilful pilotage of old Doull and his companion Eaglcshay, wound her devious way among the shoals and reefs which guarded the entrance to the bay. Many of the ladies were collected on deck Edda was one of them ; she eagerly watched every movement of the young commander of the ship, as he stood in the weather rigging, or sprang on to the hammock nettings that he might obtain a clearer view of objects ahead. What she thought and felt it would be difficult to describe, but other ladies who were watching him too, agreed that he was a noble specimen of a true sailor. Not for a mo- ment, however, did he turn to look at them : now by hand, now by voice, did he direct the men at the helm the course to steer. Rich and deep were the tones in which the words starboard steady hard a-starboard port port hard a-port, and simi- lar orders were issued. Colonel Armytage was assisted on deck. He overheard some of the remarks which were made, and seemed perfectly ready to acknowledge their justice. ' Certainly I have seldom seen a finer young man,' he ob- served with a warmth unusual to him. ' We owe him a debt of gratitude, too, for the gall:iut way in which he rescued us from our disagreeable captivity. By-the-by, to what family of THE PASSENGERS' OBSERVATIONS ON MORTON. 277 Mortons does he belong ? It never before occurred to me to inquire.' Edda heard the question ; it showed her that her father had begun to think of Morton in another light than that of a common acquaintance. He was no longer either disposed to treat him with the supercilious air in which he did on their first acquaintance. , She could have replied, because Ronald had told her that he belonged to Shetland, but she could not bring her- self to speak. Those the colonel addressed hazarded various opinions, but all were agreed that from his manner and appear- ance he must belong to a noble family. Colonel Armytage seemed to have the same impressions. ' Yes, certainly I mistook him at first,' he remarked. ' There were some reports to his disparagement about a foolish duel, but from what I have since seen of him, I have little doubt he was in the right. Such a man would certainly never refuse to fight unless the man with whom he had quarrelled was palpably in the wrong.' This was, for Colonel Armytage, saying a great deal. His companions agreed with him. It did not occur to them that a man might refuse to fight a duel from a higher motive than knowing that he was so clearly right that the world could not help taking his part. The observations she overheard made Edda's heart glow and beat quicker than wont. To every word of praise it warmly responded. ' Yet they know not one-tenth part of his worth ; his nobleness of mind, his generosity, his tenderness,' she said to herself. Edda Armytage might, perhaps, have been inclined to over-estimate his various good qualities, gallaut fellow as he undoubtedly was. The conversation to which she was listening was cut short by a cry from the mast-head of ' A sail in sight.' ' Where away ? ' inquired Sims, who had charge of the deck. 278 RONALD MORTON. ' To the southward,' was the answer. That was not the direction the frigate was expected to appear. The ship was not yet clear of the reefs. Sims went aloft, and came down with an anxious look. He told Glover that he did not like the look of the stranger. ' She is a big ship, with square yards and white canvas : an enemy, I am certain,' he observed. ' If she was to catch us jammed up among these reefs she might handle us in a way which would make us look foolish.' ' We shall be clear, sir, before she can get near us,' answered Glover. Besides, we have some bull-dogs as well as she has.' ' Mere pop-guns to hers, depend on that,' observed Sims. ' What do you say to her being a heavy frigate, capable of blowing this old tea-chest out of the water ? ' Morton was informed of the sail in sight, but he was too much occupied in guiding the ship out of the labyrinth of reefs to make any other reply than the simple one, 'If she is like an enemy get the ship ready for action.' What he felt his countenance did not show. The 'Osterley' continued to thread the narrow passage; the slightest inattention would have brought her iipon the reefs. Those who could employ their eyes kept looking now at the approaching stranger now at the direction where they hoped the frigate would appear. At length old Doull's deep voice was heard exclaiming, ' We are free now, sir, of all dangers ; we may stand away to northward. Ronald sprang down on deck, and the deep sigh which escaped his bosom showed the anxiety he had felt. ' Brace up the yards on the starboard tack!' he cried out, ns he stepped aft, and, calling for his telescope, took a steady xamination of the stranger. lie expressed no opinion as to what she was, but ordered all the sail the ship could carry to l>o set on her. As she had now a large crew this was rapidly done. The stranger must have seen, by the way the ' Oster- AN OLD ENEMY APPEARS. 279 ley' made sail, that she was strongly manned. Captain Winslow and his officers, after a long look at the former, pronounced her to be the very ship which had captured them. Ronald longed to try and turn the tables, and to take her, but a glance at the passengers made him feel that his duty was in this case to do his utmost to escape. A bright look-out was kept for the frigate. ' If the mounseers catches sight of she, they'll be inclined to put the helm down pretty sharp, and go about on t'other tack,' observed Job Trnefitt. As the stranger approached all doubt as to what she was vanished. She had before proved herself a good sailer. She maintained her character, and with a regret almost amounting to anguish, Ronald saw that there was little probability of avoiding a fight. He had brave men under him, but the India- man was badly armed, and the enemy had before found her an easy prey. ' We must, I fear, Winslow, place the ladies and children below, as you did before,' he observed, with a sigh. ' I pray heaven the frigate may heave in sight, for the honest truth is, I never felt so little inclined to fight ; yet, if fight we must, I should never fight more fiercely.' ' Spoke like a brave man, Morton,' answered his friend. ' When I have helpless women and children under my charge, though I would fight to the last gasp to protect them, I would always rather run than fight.' ' Sail ho ! ho o ! ' shouted the man at the mast-head, with a prolonged cadence. ' Where away ? ' asked Morton. ' To the north-west,' was the reply. His heart gave a bound ; it was the quarter in which the frigate was likely to appear. lie kept away a little towards hei-. The ' Thisbe ' showed her number. The ' Osterley ' sig- nalized, ' We have all safe onboard. An enemy to the south- east.' 280 RONALD MORTON. There was no time for further greeting. The frigate made all sail and stood on. The tables were now fairly turned. The Frenchman made her out, and going about, stood away to the southward. ' We shall have Captain Gerardin and his sentimental lieutenant among us again before long,' observed Captain Win slow, rubbing his hands. The corvette showed that she had a remarkably fast pair of heels, and night coming on hid the pursuer, as distance had already hid the pursued, from the sight of those on board the ' Osterley.' Sail was taken off the ' Osterley,' and she was hove-to, that she might wait for the return of the frigate. A very important question now arose as to what port they should steer for. The passengers very naturally begged that they might be carried to Bombay, but Morton conceived that they ought to return to Calcutta. However, that was a point Captain Calder coxild alone decide. Poor Captain Win slow, on his part, wanted to get back the command of his ship ; but that of course, Morton had no power to bestow on him. All were eager for the morning, but never did a night appear to pass by more slowly. Dawn broke at last, and a sail was seen to the southward. She proved to be the ' Thisbe ' the corvette had escaped. ' We'll catch the fellow one of these days, though,' ex- claimed Captain Calder. ' And if he proves to be a pirate, and I believe he is very little better, we'll hang him without com- punction at his own yard-arm.' His captain highly commended Morton for his conduct, and decided that the 'Osterley' should return under his charge to Calcutta, where Admiral Rainier still was, that he might decide how she should be disposed of.' ' She's worth some thousand pounds to us Morton,' he ob- served. ' It will help you to furnish house whenever you set up in that way ashore.' Ronald hoped that it would not be long before he should RONALD AND HIS FATHER. 281 employ his well-gained prize money in the manner his captain suggested. He cared little to which port the ' Osterley ' might be sent, except that he would have preferred the one at the greatest distance, which might have prolonged the voyage. Never had Kouald Morton been so happy. He was irrthe constant enjoyment of the society of Edda Armytage. She no longer concealed her love for him, and his attentions appeared to meet the approval of both her parents. The days thus glided swiftly by. It was with anything but satisfaction to him that the ' Osterley' at length made the mouth of the Hooghly. A line -of -battle ship was at the anchorage. As the ' Thisbe' brought up, the two men-of-war exchanged numbers, and Morton discovered with infinite satisfaction that she was the old ' Lion,' on board of which his father was boatswain. Eonald was unwilling to leave the ' Osterley' even for a short time, so he despatched a boat with a note to his father, to inquire after his health, at the same time giving an account of what had occurred, and promising to visit him as soon as he was at liberty. No reply was sent, but in a short time a boat from the ' Lion' came alongside the ' Osterley,' and Eolf Morton himself stepped on board. Eonald welcomed his father with the affection of a son. He thought not of the subordinate rank he held in the service, nor of the fine lady and gentlemen pas- sengers who might be making inquiries as to who he was. After a short conversation on the quarter-deck, they retired to Eonald's cabin, where a considerable time was spent in giving and listening to accounts of each other's proceedings. ' And let me hear again this strange story you tell me of these old men,' said Eolf. ' I must talk to them, and listen to what they have to say, though I scarcely expect that any good will result to us from it.' Eolf Morton had never been of a sanguine temperament ; he had become still less so as he advanced in life. Eouald, on the contrary, was accustomed to look on the bright side of objects. He believed that he had obtained a clue which would 282 RONALD MORTON. lead to the discovery of a matter now he felt of so much im- portance to his future happiness. The two old men were sent for. They looked at Ronald, and then at his father ; but neither seemed willing to speak. Archie Eagleshay, especially, put on a stupid expression of countenance, as if he had lost all recollection of past events. After a time, however, Doull repeated the account he had already given to Ronald, and the other old man nodded his head to confirm the correctness of the statement. ' Would you swear to all this my friends, in a court of law iu England ? ' asked Ronald. Even Doull hesitated. The idea of a court of law, in con- sequence of his early transgressions, had terrors for him which he could not overcome. As pale a hue as his sunburnt skin would allow came over old Archy's face as he heard the words, p.:id Ronald soon discovered that he had made a mistake by ] tutting the question. ' Well, my friends, we will not ask you to do what you do not like,' he remarked. ' But do not you think that if it was to serve my father and me, and that we would take care that you suffered no injury, you could swear to the truth of the i- fory you have told us ? It is my belief that you see before you the very man you assisted to carry off when a child from his family and his country. He bears you no ill-will in conse- quence. Surely you would wish to do your best to repair the injury you have done him ? ' ' I would do anything to serve you, Captain Morton, that I would, sir, or swear anything you please : and for that matter, so would Archy.' ' No, no, my friends,' exclaimed Ronald, somewhat inclined to laugh ; 'I only wish you to swear the truth, nothing else c:in servo me. However, the time for doing so has not yet arrived. We must get home first.' ' The truth ! ' muttered Rolf Morton. ' Where is that to be found? I doubt that it will serve us anyhow.' RONALD AND HIS FATHER. 283 ' Well, dear father, all is in God's hands,' said Ronald, after he had dismissed the old men ; ' I have always been content and proud to be your son, and to me, therefore, as far as my own feelings are concerned it matters little who was your father, or to what family he belonged, except ah I for an instant forgot others may value family more than I do.' And Ronald told his father of his love for Edda Armytage, and of his belief that his love was returned. Rolf Morton listened earnestly. He had more knowledge of the world than his son, and he was less accustomed to look on the bright side of things. He shook his head. * I doubt not she is all you say, and I am grateful to her mother's sister for instructing you in your boyhood, but I have little cause to love her race. The old Sir Marcus worked me all the ill he could, and from what I have heard of this son-in- law of his, he is a proud and vain man, not likely to have much regard for the feelings of young lovers' hearts. But cheer up, Ronald. You have a noble profession, and the way to its highest rank is open to you.' ' But Edda has promised to be mine, and her father could scarcely wish to make her break her word,' answered Ronald, with a simplicity which would have made a man of the world smile. ' I would not damp your spirits, lad ; but if you would escape having your hopes stranded, don't trust too much to promises.' Ronald thought that his father was taking too desponding a view of matters. ' We'll hope, father, that in this instance you are mistaken as to Colonel Armytage,' he answered, in a cheerful tone. ' I a. in sure that you would like both his wife and daughter.' ' Ronald, my boy, you forget that I am a bo'sun,' said Rolf, rising from his seat. ' Let us go on deck.' They there met Glover, who welcomed Mr Morton with the greatest cordiality. 284 RONALD MORTON. ' I first went to sea with you, Mr Morton, you remember,' lie observed. You taught me more of seamanship than I ever learnt from anybody else. Besides, you know if it hadn't been for your son I should long ago have been food for the fish.' It was now time for Rolf to return on board the ' Lion.' His son and Glover attended him down the side with as much attention as they would have paid to an admiral. A number of the passengers were collected on the poop- deck, waiting for the boats to convey them up to Calcutta. ' Who is that man to whom Mr Morton and Mr Glover arc paying so much attention? ' asked Colonel Armytage, who hap- pened just then to look up from his book. No one could tell him. After he had seen his father off, Ronald joined the party on the poop. He certainly would not have gone, had Edda not been there. The feeling came for- cibly on him that he ought to tell her about his father. It had never occurred to him before. As he was going up to address her, some ladies stopped him, and asked, ' Who is that fine looking, officer-like man who just now left the ship ? ' ' He is my father,' said Ronald, firmly. Edda looked up at him with a surprised expression. ' Why, Mr Morton, if I mistake not, he wears the dress of a boatswain,' said Colonel Annytage, in a cool, deliberate manner. ' Yes, sir he is boatswain of his Majesty's ship the ' Lion.' ' Your father a boatswain ! ' said the colonel in the same slow manner. 'You should have informed me of this before, sir.' ' The question was not asked me,' answered Ronald. ' I was wrong, I feel, in not mentioning it.' At that moment his eye caught Edda's, casting on him a look of such sorrow and pain that he was about to spring to her side, when she suddenly sunk on her seat, and would have fallen on the deck had not Mrs Armytage and another lady at hand caught her in their arms. ' It is of no consequence,' exclaimed Colonel Armytage, in COLONEL ARMYTAGE. 285 .1 peremptory manner ; you have undoubtedly duties to perform about the ship. We will not detain you from them..' Konald felt that Ms only dignified course was to retire. With a heart bursting with indignation, he walked forward. Not long after this the boats arrived to carry the passengers back to Calcutta, where they purposed remaining till the arrangements respecting the ship were concluded. Konald had been directed to retain the command till it could be legally re- stored to Captain Winslow. Miss Armytage had gone below, and was kept out of his sight till she was ready to leave the ship. He came to assist her down the side. She gave him a look full of sorrow, but which he interpreted to mean, ' Do not think that what I have heard can diminish my affection for you ; it were worth little if it did.' But she had scarcely time to falter out a few words before her father stepped up and effectually stopped any further communication. The manner of Colonel Armytage, indeed, was so rude, that Ronald had to recollect who he was, to assist him in com- manding his temper. The passengers in the boats were concealed by the awnings which covered them, but Ronald could not help standing on the deck, watching them with a heavy heart as they took their way up the broad stream of the Hooghly. The next day he received three letters ; two were official, one of them was from his captain, expressing the warm appro- bation of Admiral Rainier for his conduct in the attack on the enemy's forts ; the other was from the officials of the Honour- able East India Company, promising him some substantial proof of their sense of his merit. The third letter was private. He opened it with some misgiving. ' It is as I expected,' he exclaimed bitterly ; my father was right.' The letter was from Colonel Armytage, and was couched in almost offensive terms. RONALD MORTON. ' SIR, You took unwarrantable advantage of the oppev- tunities afforded you of paying attention to Miss Armytage during our late voyage ; and in case you should misunderstand my behaviour towards you while you had command of the ' Osterley,' I feel it necessary to state that, considering your true position in society, I consider your conduct most repre- hensible, and desire that from henceforth all communication between you and any member of my family shall cease. My daughter is too obedient, and has too high a sense of propriety to differ in opinion with me on this subject. I am, sir, your obedient servant, *A. AKMYTAGE.' When Ronald told his father what had occurred, Rolf replied ' You will serve your country the more devotedly, and depend on it she has need of you,' CHAPTER XXVI. UONALD JOINS LORD CLAYMORE'S SHIP. THE ' PALLAS ' AT SEA. A CHASE. ENEMY'S FLEET IN SIGHT. ' PALLAS ' CHASED BY ENEMY. LORD CLAYMORE'S MANOEUVRE. ESCAPE OF ' PALLAS.' ! part of the British coast presents a harbour of beauty equal to that of Plymouth Sound, with its lofty banks covered with trees from the summit to the water's edge, its rocks and head- lands, its numerous bays, inlets, and other indentations, the towers and glittering white buildings of the picturesque town at the northern end, and the lordly castle and waving woods of Mount Edgcombe on the west. On a bright summer morning a frigate was seen gliding slowly up the Sound, and making her way towards ITamoaze. The French flag under that of England proclaimed her to be a prize. She was quickly boarded by boats from the shore, every one in them eager to be on board, for a prize crew are supposed to have their pockets well lined with coin, and to be ready to spend it. She was soon known to be ' La Forte,' captured by the ' Thisbe ' in the East Indies. She at once went into dock, her crew was paid off, and Rawson got con- firmed in his rank of commander ; but Ronald Morton received no further acknowledgment of his services. He had been paid some prize-money, and he might have remained on shore to 288 RONALD MORTON. enjoy some relaxation after the number of years he had been employed; but he had few even of the acquaintance young naval men usually make, and idleness was the very last thing in which he wished just then to indulge. Action, excitement, was what he wanted. He longed once more for the battle and the tempest. In this mood, when the ship was paid off, he went on shore. A tall thin young man, in a post-captain's uniform, met him before he had walked a hundred paces, and after looking at him hard, held out his hand, exclaiming ' Morton, old shipmate, I'm glad to meet you.' ' So am I, you, Lord Claymore,' returned Ronald, happy to encounter one he had known and liked so much. ' Well, you see, Morton, that I have got the two swabs on my shoulders,' said the young lord, laughing. ' I've worked hard for them, let me tell you ; my lords of the Admiralty don't give promotion for nothing to those who don't happen to be born with silver spoons in their mouths ; and I was not, I know. Mine was of wood or iron. I hope that you will get your's soon you deserve it. I met Rawson just now, and he was speaking of you. But, in the meantime, what do you say to taking a berth as my first lieutenant? I've interest enough to obtain that for you. Come along with me for a few yards. You can see the ship I have just commissioned. She is not long off the stocks. I cannot say much for her at pre- sent. She is small and cramped, but she carries thirty-eight guns, and I'll make her do something one of these days.' Ronald at once accepted Lord Claymore's offer. They shortly after fell in with Glover. Lord Claymore told him that he should apply for him as his junior lieutenant. In a week the two old shipmates found themselves appointed to the ' Pallas ' frigate, nominally of thirty-two guns, though in reality mounting thirty-eight. Of course Job Truefitt and Bob Doull followed them. Ronald had been puzzled to know how to dispose of the elder Doull and Archy Eagleshay, when the two old men applied to enter. At first he was inclined to THE ' PALLAS' FRIGATE. 289 laugh at the notion, but when the captain saw them he desired that they might not be refused. ' There is stuff in them yet they will be useful.' They proved that Lord Claymore was right, and he soon rated them as quarter-masters. ' We must be sharp in manning the frigate, Morton,' said his captain. ' Promise largely. We'll redeem our word, de- pend on that.' Bills soon appeared, posted all over Plymouth : ' The ' Pallas,' fitting for sea, in want of a few prime hands. The fastest frigate in the service sure to come back in a few weeks with a full cargo of Spanish pewter and cobs. Plenty of liberty at the end of each trip. Engaged to make more prize- money in three weeks than any other ship in three j T ears.' Lord Claymore was not unknown to fame. Many men joined in consequence of the deeds he had already done, and some, after reading the placards or hearing them read, though they had no great faith in the promises. Still, the ship could not be manned entirely without sending out press-gangs. At length the ' Pallas' was ready for sea. ' I hope we may fulfil all our pledges,' observed Ronald one day, after the frigate had left the shores of England far astern. ' I am determined to do so,' exclaimed the captain. ' Mor- ton, I have lived long enough to know that a man can do nothing without money. That is irresistible, in politics, war, or love rather marriage ; it conquers all opposition. There is but one way by which seamen can make it. We are on that course. We'll take good care that the opportunity does iiot escape us.' Morton thought awhile. For the first time in his life, perhaps, the idea occurred to him that money would aid his cause. ' It may serve to elucidate the mystery of my father's birth ; or why can I not win my way up to fame and fortune ? 1 will show Colonel Armytage that the boatswain's son may T 290 RONALD MORTON. become his superior in rank, and surpass him in wealth, just as much as the boatswain does in all the qualities which make a man truly noble.' Ronald did not allow himself generally to give way to such feelings, but they would arise in spite of him, when he thought of the ungrateful conduct of Colonel Armytage towards him. Lord Claymore, who took an interest in ah 1 serving with him, observed Morton's depressed spirits. He did not, however, inquire directly into the cause. ' By-the-by, Morton, you are a Shetlander, if I recollect rightly,' he exclaimed. ' I have been lately among your people, and a kind-hearted, hospitable race they are. Among other places I visited was Lunnasting Castle, where I made the acquaintance of Sir Marcus Wardhill and his daughter, a handsome person, though no longer young. He is a hale old man, but somewhat eccentric, and rather morose, I suspect ; has a bee in his bonnet that is the case with many of his family. There is a cousin who li ves there ; not quite as old as Sir Marcus a very odd fellow ; indeed, I should say decidedly mad. You may probably know something of them ? ' Ronald told him that he had been brought up in the castle. ' A relative of the family ? ' said the captain. ' I can scarcely be called so,' said Morton humbly. ' A distant one only, on my mother's side. My father was about to take command of a merchantman when he was pressed into the navy. He has remained in the service ever since. He is now but a boatswain, but he is a man of whom any son may be proud.' Ronald then told the captain all he knew of his father's early history, and of the discovery of the two men who had carried him off. ' I understand the whole affair,' exclaimed Lord Claymore, warmly. ' With all my heart I'll help you to clear it up. You will have plenty of employment for your prize-money : the lawyers will take good care of that ; but never mind, we'll LORD CLAYMORE AND RONALD MORTON. 291 have enough for their maws, and to spare. Sharks must be fed as well as other fish, you know. As to that Sir Marcus Wardhill, I like him not. I should have little compunction about sending him on his travels ; but I was interested in his daughter, a stately lady, still bearing the marks of great beauty ; the Lady Hilda, they call her.' ' Yes, I used, as a boy, to think her very lovely,' said Ronald, warmly. ' I may say she is so still,' returned his captain. ' But do you know, Morton, there is something very strange about her ; she talked to me in the oddest way ; inquired if I understood astrology, and would favour her by working out her horoscope, and would inform her when the lost one would return.' ' She has been sorely tried,' observed Ronald. ' Her father and Lawrence Brindister are but sorry companions for one so gifted ; and the death of her husband and loss of her child were blows she has never recovered.' Lord Claymore had not heard the circumstances of the case, and so Ronald gave him the whole story as he had heard it. His captain was much interested. ' What a delightful thread to unravel ! ' he exclaimed. ' I should like to aid in it ; but unless you have a clue, it is not likely that her son will be discovered. ' She lives on in hopes that he may,' answered Ronald. I pray that she may not be disappointed. I owe her a debt of gratitude I can never repay for all the instruction she gave me.' ' Perhaps you may be able to serve her,' remarked Lord Claymore. ' Though it strikes me, from what I can make out, that she was but repaying the debt she owes you.' Ronald did not inquire what his captain meant, for they were both summoned on deck with the pleasant information that a sail was in sight. The frigate was at this time off the Azores. ' What does she look like ? ' was the question hurriedly 292 ROLAND MORTON. put, as the captain himself was buckling- his telescope over his shoulder preparatory to mounting the rigging to take a look at the stranger should the answer be promising. ' A ship, and a big one,' was the reply. In a few seconds Lord Claymore had joined the look-out man aloft. When the captain was thus active it was not likely that the officers and crew would neglect their duty. Lord Claymore took a long steady look at the stranger through his telescope, and returning on deck ordered the ship's course to be altered a couple of points, and all sail to be made in chase. ' Morton, I have a wonderful presentiment that yonder craft is loaded with the pewter and cobs we have been pro- mising our fellows,' he exclaimed, walking the deck with a quick step. ' Her top-gallant-sails and royals have a foreign cut, and the blanched hue of cotton cloth such as the rich galleons of Spain usually carry. They are heavy sailers, too, and the ' Pallas,' as I thought she would, has shown herself light of heel. We shall get up with the chase before an} 1 third party steps in to snap up our prey.' Not only Ronald, but every man and boy in the ship entered fully into the captain's eagerness. All longed for prize-money ; the greater number, probably, that they might spend it us sailors in those days got rid of their hard-earned gains, in wild extravagance and debauchery ; a few might have thought of their old fathers, mothers, and sisters, whose comforts they hoped to increase ; or some one, more romantic than his shipmates, might have had in view some quiet wood- bine-covered cottage, on the sunny slope of a hill, with green lields and a sparkling stream below, a seaman's paradise, with an Eve as a companion. Ronald Morton, in spite of his resolution to the contrary, could not help thinking of Edda Armytage, and the possibility of yet winning her; still, again and again he tried to overcome aspirations which appeared so utterly hopeless. Indeed, why should he ever wish to make her his ? Had she ever attempt- THE CHASE. 293 ed to assure him that she did not share her father's feelings ? Had she not, from what he had heard, been willingly receiving the attentions of Alfonse Gerardin, a mere adventurer, at best, who must have been guilty of the most barefaced falsehoods to have gained so completely, as he appeared to have done, the good opinion of a person generally so acute as Colonel Armytage ? No, he did not want money for himself ; it was to place his father in the position in life to which he was born, should it be, as he had every reason to hope, superior to that he now occupied ; still, as he thought all this, and much more, his captain's remark, ' With money you can do everything,' rang in his ear. Not a man or boy on board that ship who was not thinking at that moment of the same thing money; most of them were talking of it too. With eager eyes they watched the chase as a wild beast does its prey, longing to get possession. The stranger at first did not seem to have understood the character of the frigate. Her people were not keeping so good a look-out as were Lord Claymore's crew ; when they did, all sail was crowded in flight. Away she went before the wind. A stern chase is proverbially a long one ; a tub can sail with the wind aft. Many hours of the day had passed : evening was ap- proaching : should the night prove a dark one, she after all might escape. The captain was becoming anxioits, so was every one on board. The nearer they had got to the chase the more like a Spaniard she appeared. All was done that could be thought of to make the frigate sail ; every inch of canvas she could carry was set on her ; studding-sails on either side hanging down to the very sin-face of the water, which they swept as she glided proudly on, while other light sails were placed even above the royals, till she looked lite a lofty pyramid of snow gliding over the deep. Faster she glided the breeze was increasing ; now she rushed through the water ; the officers looked over her sides and watched with satisfaction 294 RONALD MORTON. the foam which rose on either side and formed a long sparkling frothy line astern. ' We shall do now, Morton,' exclaimed the captain, in high glee. ' Don't you hear the dollars chinking away in her hold ? ' Lord Claymore wanted the money not that he was avaricious far from that ; but he had numberless schemes in view, and he knew full well that without the gold they could not be carried out. As the chase was neared, the Spanish colours were seen flying at the peak. Not a shot did she fire. From the squareness of her yards and the whiteness of her canvas, as seen in the dusk of evening, as the ' Pallas ' got her within range of her guns, it was not altogether certain that she might not prove a man-of-war. ' So much the better,' answered the captain, when Glover and the master gave it as their opinion that she was so. ' We shall have more honour, though less gold. We must look out for the gold another time.' The men were sent to their quarters, and the ship was pre- pared for action. The chances that the chase would escape were small indeed. ' There's many a slip between the cup and the lip,' ob- served Mr Ilarclman, the second lieutenant, who had expe- rienced the truth of the saying in his own person so often that he seldom failed to give expression to it on every opportunity. Though he numbered many more years than either the captain or first lieutenant, he had not been promoted till some time after them. Sometimes when he foretold a slip, he Avas mistaken. ' Ready with a gun forward ! ' exclaimed the captain. The chase was well within range. ' We don't want to injure her more than we can help,' he added. ' Send a shot past her first. Fire ! ' The gloom prevented the shot being seen as it flew on over the surface just free of the chase. The Spaniards thought that the next might come in CAPTURE OF THE ' CAROLINA.' 295 through the stern- windows. Down went her helm ; studding-- sail booms were cracking away on either side ; royal and top- gallant sheets were let fly ; top-sails and courses were clewed or brailed up, and the Spaniard yielded himself to the mercy of his captors. The frigate brought to in a more deliberate way, taking care to be to windward of the prize ; boats were instantly lowered and manned, and Hardnian and Glover hurried off to take possession. Perhaps the captain would have liked to have gone, but it would have been undignified. Glover soon returned with the satisfactory information that she was the ' Carolina,' a large Spanish ship, richly laden from the Havanah to Cadiz. A prize crew was immediately put on board, and the prisoners were removed to the ' Pallas.' They pulled their moustaches, lit their cigars, and resigned themselves to their lot. By dawn the next morning the ' Carolina,' in charge of her new masters, with Glover as commander, was on her way to Plymouth. Lord Claymore's satisfaction was not small when he dis- covered that the ' Carolina ' formed one of a large convoy, and that it was believed the other ships were astern. Sharper than ever was the look-out kept for a strange sail. Day after day passed, however, and no merchantman or other ships appeared. Hardman began to crow, though the loss was his as well as that of the rest : it was an odd amusement, though some men will suffer anything to prove that they are true prophets. A week had passed. ' I told you so, Morton,' he observed. ' There's many a slip between the cup and the lip. The convoy probably stole by us during the night when some of our volunteers, who had been keeping so sharp a look-out during the day, were nodding.' ' Sail ho ! ' was sung out at that moment in a loud cheerful tone from the mast-head. ' Who'll prove right now ? ' exclaimed Morton, as he sprang aloft with his glass at his back. 29fi ROLAND MORTON. Others were looking-out likewise. All sail was instantly made in chase. It was some time, however, before it could be made out whether the stranger was friend or foe, man-of- war or merchantman. At last Hardman condescended to take a look at her. ' Those sails have a decided English cut about them,' he observed, in a tone of satisfaction. ' Depend on it she's not got a dollar on board that will ever enter our pockets.' ' To my mind,' observed Job Truefitt, who with Bob Doull was standing on the fore-top-gallant cross-trees, ' that craft out there looks as if she was come from the land where the gold and silver grows. He looks like a Don, every inch of him. Mark my words, mate, we shall line our pockets with the rhino, and have a pretty handsome sum to take home to our old mothers or sweethearts.' ' Well for those who have them, but I have neither one nor t'other,' answered Bob. ' I've made up my mind to havo a jolly spree on shore, and live like a lord till it's all gone.' ' That won't be long, I suspect,' said Job. The conversation was cut short by a summons on deck. The frigate was nearing the chase. The whole of her hull could now be seen clearly from the deck. As to her character there was little doubt. She was a merchantman of considerable 1 tonnage. However, as yet she showed no ensign at her peak by which her nation might be known. She was pronounced to be Dutch, French, Danish, and Spanish in turn. At last the captain thought of sending for some of the prisoners to give their opinion on the subject. The Spaniards did not take long before they declared their belief that she was one of the convoy to which they belonged, and if they were not mistaken she was very richly laden. A scarcely suppressed shout ran round the decks as the fact became known. ' Ay, but we've not got her yet,' observed Ilarclman. Both captain and crew looked as if they wished they could THE CAPTURE, 297 urge on the frigate by means more potent than the light breeze then blowing. What plans and projects might not even then have been working in that fertile brain ! Still the chase did her best to escape. ' She has something to run for, or she would have given in before this,' observed the captain, rapidly walking up and down the deck, and eyeing his anticipated prize. ' Her violent efforts to escape is a good sign, at all events.' There was now no longer any doubt as to the character of the chase, for she hoisted the Spanish flag, though she still held on. That she could escape seemed impossible, and Lord Claymore was unwilling to fire, for fear of damaging her, not in consequence of tenderness towards her, but because he hoped in a short time that she would become his pro- perty. ' Perhaps she has some notion that she will haul aft her sheets and escape to windward of us,' observed the master. ' Not at all likely 'that she will make so hopeless an at- tempt,' answered Morton. ' No ; but what do you say to the fellows blowing them- selves up,' put in Hardman. ' There's many a slip between the cup and the lip ; it is the only way by which they can disap- point us, unless they heave their cargo overboard, which they may have done already, by-the-by.' His brother officers, as usual, laughed at Hardman's prog- nostications. At length the frigate got the chase directly under her guns, when, instead of making the slightest attempt to escape, she hauled down her flag, and heaving-to, waited to be taken possession of. This was done as soon as a boat could be lowered from the frigate ; Morton went in her, and Evans the mate, who spoke Spanish, accompanied him. He stepped on board the prize. She was a handsome ship, and from her very appearance Morton hoped that she would have a rich cargo. The captain received his captors very politely, and at once produced his invoice. 298 RONALD MORTON. ' That is what you want, gentlemen,' he observed, with a deep sigh ; ' your gain is my loss, I am a ruined man.' ' There are all sorts of valuable things here, sir,' observed Morton's subordinate. ' I only hope they are not all shams.' ' We'll go below and examine,' was the wise reply. The ship was undoubtedly laden with all sorts of West India produce. Then some chests were come to ; they were full of bars of silver. ' Pretty pickings, these,' observed Evans. Some smaller boxes were next examined. ' As I am a gentleman and a Welshman, if I ever oust my eyes on diamonds before, these are diamonds ! ' he exclaimed, holding up a rough-looking but shining stone beween his fingers. They might have been pieces of glass for what Morton could tell. ' These little boxes are worth some thousands, Morton, I can tell you,' exclaimed Hardman, half beside himself with delight. ' A magnificent haul ! ' Suddenly he recollected him- self, ' That is to say, if they ever reach England in safety. But, you know, there's many a slip between the cup and the lip.' Morton was too busy to laugh just then. He had dis- covered some larger chests, containing some large gold candle- sticks, which the captain informed them, were to ornament the church of our Lady of the Conception, in Madrid. There were just three of them, enormous and massive articles, not less than five feet high, besides, a quantity of rich plate of gold and silver. Morton sent back Evans to make a report to the captain. Lord Claymore heard the account with unre- strained delight. ' We'll have it all safe on board, without delay,' he ex- claimod. ' It will not do to let it fall again into the enemy's hands; in the frigate, at all events, we shall be able to fight for it,' The men cheered as they saw the chests hoisted up the side. It was bringing back the good old buccaneering days; THE CAPTURE. 299 such a prize had not been made by any cruiser for a long time. A mate was sent home in charge of her. ' Take care you don't get caught, and clapped into a French prison,' said Hardman, as he shoved off. Scarcely were the chests of treasure stowed below, and the prize out of sight, than another sail was descried from the mast-head chase was made the prisoners confessed that she was one of their convoy, and as the ' Pallas ' came up with her, they stated that she was even more richly laden than the last. She saw that flight was useless. She was speedily boarded, and found to contain more dollars, bars of gold and silver, and other treasure. It took no long time to transfer the whole to the ' Pallas.' ' If we go on at this rate, Morton, we shall have enough of the needful to satisfy all the laud sharks in the kingdom, and to establish your rights, whatever they may be, against all opposition.' Morton's hopes began to rise high. The wealth they were collecting seemed almost fabulous ; though he knew that but a small share would come to him, he thought that it would be ample to carry out his objects. The treasure had not long been stowed away, when the wind got up with a heavy sea, and the ship laboured consider- ably. Hardman, when sitting over his wine with his mess- mates in the gun-room, began to talk of planks starting, and rich argosies going suddenly to the bottom. No one, however, paid much attention to his prognostications of evil. By dawn the next day another sail hove in sight. Chase was made, but the stranger showed that she had a fast pair of heels ; the ' Pallas,' however, had a faster pair, and by noon had gained upon her so much that she was seen to be an armed ship of considerable size. No sooner however did the ' Pallas ' get her under her guns, than she hauled down her flag and hove-to. Though a heavy sea was running, she was immediately boarded and found to be a richly laden Letter of Marque. She also >00 RONALD MORTON. had a chest of dollars ; but as there would have been great danger of losing them in transferring them to the ' Pallas,' they were allowed to remain on board ; Evans was sent in charge of her. ' Take care that you do not slip into a lion's mouth,' said Morton, as his brother officer took his departure. ' If I do, I hope that I shall slip out again before he has time to shut it,' was Evans's reply. Fortune was smiling, it seemed, on the ' Pallas.' Four rich prizes had already been made ; it was difficult to calculate their worth. The sanguine temperament of the captain might have over-estimated it. ' My share alone is little short of a hundred thousand pounds,' he exclaimed, showing Morton a sheet of paper on which he had been making a rough calculation ' a splendid fortune for a man of moderate wishes. I wish that you had a larger share. We captains get the lion's part certainly ; but perhaps it is as well as it is. What a stimulus it is to an officer to exert himself to obtain command in time of war.' ' Yes,' thought Morton ; ' but let men exert themselves to the utmost, how many fail to obtain the desired rank, or if they get that, the coveted wealth ! ' ' Remember, however, Morton,' continued Lord Claymore, ' I have promised to assist you in establishing your claims, or your father's rather, whatever they are. He may be the son of a peasant, or noble. No one cares less for what is called gentle blood than I do ; but it is not the estimate which we set on an article, but at which the world at large holds it, which is its true value. I don't feel happier because I am the possessor of a hundred thousand pounds than I did ten years ago when I was a beggar ; but depend on it, the world will esteem me much more highly than it did.' Morton always listened with pleasure to the remarks which dropped from his captain's lips, always full of shrewdness and good sense. THREE LINE-OF-BATTLE SHIPS SIGHTED. 301 It was now time for the ' Pallas ' to return home. Four prizes had been despatched to England. All were anxious to ascertain that they had arrived there safely. ' Little chance of that,' observed Hardman ; ' plenty of the enemy's cruisers about, to snap them up.' Though homeward bound, as bright a look-out as ever was kept, in the hopes that another prize might be taken. When off the coast of Portugal, at dawn one morning, a light silvery fog lay on the water, bright but sufficiently opaque to conceal all objects even close at hand. The wind at dawn was light, but as the sun rose, so did the breeze, and the royals and top-gallant sails, which had at first been set, were, one after the other, taken off the frigate. ' This fog is, indeed, provoking. We may run by a whole convoy of the enemy's merchantmen without seeing them,' ob- served Morton, who had become as eager as the most avaricious of his shipmates in the pursuit of wealth, by the royal road opened up before them. ' Of course,' answered Hardman : ' very likely at this mo- ment we are passing within hail of some Spanish galleons, whose cargoes would make every man on board independent for life.' The looker-out at the mast-head hailed the deck. ' A ship, sir, close to I see her mast-heads over the fog.' ' What does she look like ? ' asked Morton. ' A large ship, sir, line-of-battle ship, I should say.' The officers were alert in an instant. Hardman flew aloft. Scarcely had he got there, than he shouted, ' There's another ! another ! three of them line-of-battle ships and enemies.' The last words had an electric effect. From the movements of the line-of-battle ships, as they were seen over the fog', there was no doubt that their look-outs had discovered the ' Pallas.' In an instant the captain was on deck ; Morton had already ordered the ship to be kept away, and was again setting top- 302 RONALD MORTON. gallant sails and royals ; he thought the royal masts would scarcely stand. ' Never mind, we must do everything- to preserve our booty and our liberty,' answered Lord Claymore. The breeze increased almost to a gale. The wind soon dispersed the mist, and the three huge line-of-battles ships were seen rushing on towards the frig-ate. A broadside from one of them would have sunk her. Her top-gallant masts bent like willow wands. Every moment it appeared that they must go. Lord Claymore stood watching them, and now and then taking a glance at his enemies, and though cool and collected, seeming positively to revel in the excitement of the scene. The wind was abeam ; and the frigate, which proved herself but a crank ship, heeled over till her hammock-nettings dipped in the seething, foaming waters, which bubbled and hissed up through the lee scuppers. On tore the ' Pallas.' It was a race for liberty and the preservation of the wealth in which they had been rejoicing. ' What will you take for your prize-money in prospect now, Morton ? ' asked the pertinacious Hardman. ' I told you so, old boy there's many a slip between the cup and the lip. It's the great truth I've learned in my life I shall always stick to it.' ' It m;iy apply equally to our enemies astern, though,' ob- served the captain, who had overheard the remark, ' we will see if we cannot make it so.' The liue-of-battle ships were by this time beginning to feel the fury of the gale, which was well nigh carrying her masts out of the frigate, or sending her over on her beam-ends. The more, however, the Spaniards saw her pressed, the less willing they were to shorten sail. She now kept edging more and more away to bring the wind further astern, squaring her yards as she did so, the Spaniards having to do the same. They did not seem to think it worth while to spend much powder and shot on her, as they, of course, felt sure of capturing her in THE CAPTAIN'S MANOEUVRE. 303 the end. It was a grand sight to see the little English frigate dauutlessly doing her utmost to escape from her huge pursuers, the foam iu dense masses flying over her, while, with bending masts, and lee-shrouds bulging out, she dashed through the frantic waves, her side, as she heeled over, half buried beneath them. What hope Avas there of her escaping ? One huge Spaniard was on her weather, another on her lee- beam, while the other was coming up fast astern on her weather quarter. Still Lord Claymore did not despair. He stepped down among the crew and spoke to them. ' My lads, never say die while there's Me. Let every man and boy of you do your best, and we'll yet give the Dons the slip. Be smart, as if your lives depended on it. To your stations now.' Every man stood ready, watching the captain's eye. lie had explained his plan to his officers. All was ready. There was a dead silence the gale roared louder than ever the fri- gate tore through the waves. The Spaniards were close upon her ; angry at her still holding out, they began to fire ; the shots came fast and thick, flying' over and on each side of the frigate, but hitherto none had struck her. At length the Spaniards saw again that filing was of no use they should only be knocking their destined prize to pieces like vast moun- tains of snow they came rushing on. It appeai'ed as if they were about to crush the little frigate with their united weight. ' Ready, lads ! ' shouted the captain of the ' Pallas.' ' Clew up ! Haul down !' Those magic words put ever}- human being on board the frigate in motion. Tacks and sheets were let go. Some hauled away at the brails. Topsails were clewed up, top- gallant sheets were let fly, stay-sails hauled down, and the frigate, which an instant before was under a cloud of canvas, was now reduced to her bare poles. The Spaniards, totally unprepared for such a manoeuvre, at first scarcely comprehended what had happened. On the huge 304 RONALD MORTON. ships sailed in their headlong course. It did not occur to their captains to attempt instantly to shorten sail, but one and all turned their eyes aft to see what their expected prize was about. Lord Claymore watched them for a short time, but only to assure himself that they were well to leeward of him. The frigate had not lost her way through the water. ' Down with the helm ! ' cried the captain, in a cheerful tone, which gave encouragement to all. ' Hoist away ! Flatten aft the sheets ! ' Not an officer, or man, or boy, but put his hand to halliards sheets, braces, or bowlines ; and if the way in which she had been stripped of her canvas had appeared like magic to her pursuers, much more must the style in which sail was again made. Off she flew on a bowline on the other tack, while the three line-of -battle ships were hurrying headlong- miles away to leeward. A loud, hearty cheer burst from the throats of the British seamen as they saw the success of their captain's skilful manoeuvre. ' What do you say now, Mr Hardman ? ' he said, laughing. 4 There's many a slip between the cup and the lip.' ' Yes, my lord ; the Spaniards must confess to the truth of the saying just now,' he answered. ' But we are not altogether clear of them yet.' ' No, by Jove ! the fellows are after us ! ' exclaimed the captain, pointing to leeward, where the three ships were seen under shortened sail, slowly coming up on a wind. ' We must trust to our heels and the shades of night. That trick won't answer twice.' Though not over-well managed, the Spanish ships sailed \\vll, and were once more in hot pursuit of the 'Pallas.' The wind had decreased a little, which was somewhat in her favour, but still, with the pressure of sail upon her, she heeled over as much as before. In smooth water she might have had the ad- THE ' PALLAS ' ARRIVES AT PLYMOUTH. 305 vantage, but, with the heavy sea then running, the Spaniards were evidently coming up with her. They were seen also to bo steering different courses for the purpose of cutting her off. Lord Claymore, however retained his usual composure. ' Night will be down upon us soon, and then we will give the Dons the slip,' he observed calmly, and gave the order to have a lantern fixed on a ballasted cask prepared. This was for some time carried over the stern and then lowered into the water. When this was done, the ship's course was altered, and she stood to the north-east leaving the enemy to follow the false light. After a little time one watch was sent below, and except that the sharpest eyes in the ship were kept on the look-out, everything returned to its usual routine, and many a weary form lay stretched in the hammocks. Dawn came at last. As the first bright streaks appeared in the sky, look-outs were aloft, and as the darkness rolled away towards the far west, they shouted, ' No sail in sight ! ' The captain breathed more freely so did Morton. He had begun to fear that his prospects so lately brightening were again to be blighted. By keeping a constant look-out the ' Pallas ' once more made the Eddystone Lighthouse. ' Now, my lads, we'll show our friends on the shore that we have redeemed our pledges,' cried the captain. ' Have on deck those chests with the golden candlesticks, Mr Nibs,' he added, turning to the purser. The chests were got up, and tackles being made ready to each mast-head, a golden candle- stick was sent up and fixed above the truck. It was no easy work, but sailors can do anything that is possible. Thus with bags of dollars at the yard- arms, and rich brocades pendant from the stays, the frigate sailed up Plymouth Sound. Great was the excitement she caused, though she had already been looked for, as her four prizes, in spite of Hardman's prognosti- cations, had arrived in safety before her. Alt her crew who wished it got leave on shore ; there was no fear of any running from her ; their places would instantly RONALD MORTON have been filled by hundreds of eager applicants ior a berth on board. Fully did Bob Doull cany out his intentions ; and strange, though not very unusual, were the scenes witnessed in Plymouth and its neighbourhood for several days after tho arrival of the ' Pallas.' Coaches-and-four and coaches-and-six were seen driving about Plymouth, laden inside and out with seamen and their sweethearts, decked out in costumes of the most gaudy colours and extravagant fashion. Suppers and dancing closed the day. There was no great variety, perhaps, in the style of their amusements. The great object seemed to be to get rid of their money as rapidly as possible. Ronald Morton, for the first time in his life, found himself possessed of what appeared to him a very large sum of money. ' It will be enough to sift this affair of my father's to the bottom, and if claims he has, to establish them thoroughly,' he observed to his captain. Lord Claymore laughed heartily. ' My dear fellow, you know not what amount a lawyer's maw is capable of swallowing,' he answered. ' It will prove ;i mure soppit if the matter is contested, as undoubtedly it will be. However, we will see about it when we return from sur next cruise. Till your father returns home, you can do nothing.' Once more, her officers and crew having spent all their superfluous cash, the ' Golden Pallas,' as she was now called, put to s?a. CHAPTER XXVII. % LOUD CLAYMOKE AND THK FIRE SHIPS. ' PALLAS ' ENGAGES BLACK FRIGATE. COLONEL ARMYTAGE IN THE PENINSULA. j]0 R T N, we ought to be content with the prizes we have made ; we must now do something in the fighting way, or we shall be looked upon as mere buccaneers, who think of nothing but making money.' This remark was made by Lord Claymore, after the frigate had been for some time in commission had been to America and back, and being now on the French coast, had sent home a few more captures, though not of any very great value. ' That may be very well for a captain who has made the best part of eighty thousand pounds,' thought Morton, ' but for a poor lieutenant, who has made not a twentieth part of that, yet wants it as much, it is a very different affair.' Ronald had begun to find the value of money, and also that it has wings with which to betake itself away. He acquiesced, however, in the propriety of fighting. Aii oppor- tunity was not long wanting. Before many days had passed the frigate was off the Isle d'Aix, on the French coast. She stood in ; the captain and most of the officers with glasses at their eyes watching for the appearance of a French fleet. At length the masts and spars of several line-of -battle ships came in view. Still the frigate 307 308 ROLAND MORTON. stood on till a three-decker an eighty-gun ship three seventy- fours, four frigates, and three brigs were counted. The little English frigate paraded up and down before the roadstead, but none ventured out to attack her. It was the French squadron under Admiral AllemancL ' I have been thinking over a plan which may sound ter- rible to the ears of some, but it is both feasible and right, I fully believe,' said the captain, after taking several turns on deck, and addressing his first lieutenant. ' We might set fire to or blow up into the air, one and all of those ships. I only wish that there were more together. You see they are deep in the water. They have stores on board, and are evidently intended for some expedition or other ; an attack on our West India Islands, or to attack us in some other vulnerable part. They must or should be got rid of : other plans might be adopted; but I hold to that of THE FIRE-SHIPS. I should delight in conducting the enterprise. With a few brave men under me, on whose coolness and judgment I could rely, it would be certain to succeed. Morton, I would select you. Would it not be a glorious work ? ' ' If you selected me, my lord, I would certainly follow you, and do my utmost to carry out your directions,' answered Morton ; ' but the idea of employing fire-ships has never been congenial to my taste. I would rather meet the enemy and destroy him in a general engagement.' 4 That sounds very right and chivalric,' replied Lord Clay- more, smiling ; ' but observe the true state of the case. The object of going to war with an enemy is to sink, burn, and destroy his ships at sea, and to do him all the injury in our power on shore. In a general engagement you attack his fleet with yours, at the cost of some of your ships, perhaps, ;md the loss of many hundreds of your men. If a great vic- tory is gained, a tenth, or at all events a twentieth, part of the enemy are killed and wounded. Now, by my plan the lives of very few of our own people are risked ; perhaps no one may LORD CLAYMORE'S DESIGNS. 309 be lost ; while the ships of the enemy are entirely destroyed ; and though, of course, some of their people are sacrificed, pro- bably not more are lost than in a general engagement, while the chances are that the war in consequence is more speedily brought to a conclusion, and the lives of thousands saved, and people able to return to their peaceful and useful occupations. Morton, I look upon war as a terrible curse. The sooner it can be put an end to the better, but I am very certain that in this instance it can only be by humbling our proud foes to the very dust. Napoleon will bite till every tooth in his head is drawn.' Although Morton's reason was convinced by the reasoning of his enthusiastic captain, his feelings were not entirely satis- fied. He, however, promised to aid him as far as he had the power in carrying out any project of that description which he might conceive. The subject was again and again reverted to during the time the frigate was on the coast, and while he was engaged in the most stirring and often hazardous operations such as cutting out vessels, armed and unarmed, landing and destroying telegraph stations, and storming and blowing up forts. Once more the ' Pallas ' returned to L'Isle d'Aix. The French squadron was still there. ' We must be at those fellows,' exclaimed Lord Claymore, as he walked the deck, looking towards the enemy with a greedy eye. ' We must get them out somehow or other, if we can. It would have a grand moral effect to carry off a prize from before their very noses.' Morton was as eager as his chief. There was a soldier's wind, so that the frigate could stand in or off shore at pleasure. ' This is an opportunity many would rejoice to have ; don't let us throw it away,' continued the captain, watching the French ships through his telescope. They lay at their anchors, seemingly determined not to move in spite of the bold enemy proudly cruising before their eyes. 310 RONALD MORTON. ' Give them a shot or two, Morton,' said the captain ; ' we'll try if that does not excite them to bestir themselves.' In advance of the rest of the squadron was a large frigate, painted black and heavily armed, and near her were three brigs. Still they were all under shelter of the batteries on the island. With a shout of satisfaction the British crew observed the topsails of the black frigate and her three consorts let fall. It was a sign that they were coming out. The sails were sheeted home. Out they all four stood. The canvas of the ' Pallas ' was reduced, and she was hove-to, in the most gallant way, to wait for them. ' We must have him, I am determined,' exclaimed the cap- tain, as the enemy's frigate drew near. Everybody was as eager and sanguine as the captain, except Lieutenant Hardmau. ' We have had all the luck hitherto we must not expect to keep it,' he remarked to Glover. ' Remember what I often have said : There's many a ' A shot from the enemy, which came whizzing close over his head, and the loud shouts of ' Fire ! ' from the captain, cut short his remarks. The crew gave a hearty cheer, and obeyed the order by delivering a rattling broadside at the advancing enemy. More sail was now made on the frigate, so that she might be kept completely under command. The brigs coming up also commenced firing, as did the batteries on the island, but, boldly standing on, the English frigate gallantly engaged them all. The crew required no words of encouragement. Most of the men stood at their guns stripped to the waist, with their handkerchiefs bound round their heads, labouring with that determined energy which was the sure promise of victory. Now, as they could bring their guns to bear, they aimed at the brigs, now again at their larger opponent, the black frigate. As she drew near it was seen that she was greatly superior to the ' Pallas,' both in si/o nnd as to the number of her guns, while probably also her crew were much more numerous, but THE ENGAGEMENT. 311 that hi no way daunted Lord Claymore. On the contrary, he seemed the more eager not to part with her, but to carry her off as his prize. In spite, however, of this superiority, the black frigate, as well as the brigs, showed a disposition to keep at a respectful distance. Several times the ' Pallas' had to tack to avoid the shoals surrounding the island. Besides this, her captain's aim was, by manoeuvring, to get to windward of the black frigate, and also between her and the batteries, so that their shot would be likely to damage friends as well as foes. The brigs, which showed signs of being much cut up in their rigging, seemed inclined to keep at a respectful distance. The shots of the ' Pallas' were, however, aimed chiefly at her more worthy an- tagonist. The guns were admirably served. Again the men cheered. The first step towards victory had been gained. The mizen-mast of the black frigate had been shot away, and over the side it went, with its yards and sails. The ' Pallas ' ceased firing so did the batteries, for they would have hit the French ship had they continued to do so. Once more the British frigate tacked. She had gained a posi- tion directly to windward of her opponents. Once more she opened her fire ; it was with dreadful effect. She, however, was suffering much, both in spars and hull. ' This must be cut short,' observed the captain, calmly. ' Now, master, up with the helm, and carry us alongside the enemy. My men, be ready to board, the cutlass must decide the day.' In gallant style the small English frigate bore down upon an opponent nearly twice her size. The ' Pallas' poured a well-directed broadside into the black frigate, and the instant afterwards there was a fearful concussion. The main-deck guns were driven in by the sides of the French ship, and at the same moment the maintopsail-yard was torn from the mast, and much other damage was done aloft, while the bumpkin, chain plates, cat heads, and bower anchor were carried away. In 312 RONALD MORTON. vain the captain called to his men to aid in lashing the two frigates together. Before they could assemble they had sepa- rated. Ronald, with a boarding party, Avas about to spring- on to the deck of the French frigate, but he was too late to make the attempt. Once more Lord Claymore was about to bear down on the French frigate, when Hardman pointed out to him two more French frigates coming out under all sail to the rescue of their friend. To have remained longer would have been madness. Lord Claymore was not a man to do a foolish rash thing. Wav- ing his hat to the brave captain of the black frigate, who kept his post on a gun watching their proceedings, he ordered the tacks to be hauled aboard, and, without further injuring his opponent, stood out to sea. The guns were run in and secured, and the crew were sent aloft to repair damages. So severe, however, were they, that the ' Pallas ' could scarcely have escaped from her pursuers, had not a sloop of war hove in sight and taken her in tow. The enemy's frigates, disappointed of their expected prey, returned to their anchorage. ' We must be back there some day, Morton, for if life and strength is allowed me, I will not rest till I have carried out my plan for the destruction of this remainder of the Frenchman's fleet.' Lord Claymore spoke, and faithfully he kept his word. When the frigate rejoined the admiral she was found to be in so shattered a condition from her engagement with the Frenchman, that he sent her home to undergo repairs. Morton was once more in England. He found a letter from his father, saying that the ' Lion' had not yet received orders to return home, but he hoped that she soon would. lie added, that this trip had satisfied him ; that if he was allowed once more to set foot on British ground he had determined to take up his abode on shore, and that what with the prize-money he- had made, and the produce of his farm in Shetland, lie should be able to live on shore in a style suited to the rank his sou had gamed, so that he should have a home to offer him when- NEWS OF THE ARMYTAGE FAMILY. 313 ever he was not employed. This was satisfactory news to Ronald. Curiously enough, his father did not once allude to Doull or Eagleshay. He seemed to have forgotten all about the mystery of his birth, and that it might possibly by their means be cleared up. The truth was, that he had always been contented with his lot. He saw his son in the fair way of rising in his profession, and he fancied that no advantage would be gained by ascertaining the truth, even if it were pos- sible to do so. Soon after the letters had been brought on board, Glover came into Ronald's cabin. ' Here, Morton, is news which will interest you ! ' he said, showing an open letter. It is from my cousin, Mrs Edmou- stone she and her husband are in England ; they arrived some time ago. She tells me that they made the voyage with the Armytage family ; Miss Armytage still unmarried, her mamma as amiable as ever, and the colonel as much the reverse as before ; he is supposed to have gained very little advantage by his visit to India ; his extravagance and love of play have ruined him : however, he has interest in high quarters, and soon after his return home, he got an appointment in the army in the Peninsula, and he has gone out there with his wife and daughter. In what part of Portugal or Spain they are, she does not tell me, but I will write and ascertain. There is a bare possibility of our being some day in the neighbourhood ; and, judging of your wishes by mine own, I am sure that you would like to meet Mrs and Miss Armytage again, though you may wish to stand clear of the colonel.' There is a happy familiarity among messmates which seldom exists between other people. Morton thanked Glover, and acknowledged, after a mo- ment's thought, that he should be delighted again to meet Miss Armytage. ' Am L bound to obey her father, who discards me simply because he believes me to be of inferior birth to his daughter ? 314 RONALD MORTON. I feel convinced that I am her equal. I have at all events gained the rank of a gentleman; I may some day obtain the fortune to support it, and to maintain her as well as her father can do. No ; I feel that I am bound by no laws, divine or human, to yield to his unjust demands. If she loves me still, and I can win her, I will.' Glover, who was fully acquainted with his friend'a feelings, and to whom part of these remarks were addressed, highly applauded his resolution, and promised to afford him all the aid in his power. The ' Pallas ' was found to have received so much injury that her repairs would take a long time. Lord Claymore and his officers and crew were accordingly turned over to another frigate, the ' Imperious,' and ordered to proceed forthwith to the Mediterranean. CHAPTER XXVIII. RONALD JOINS THE ' IMPERIOUS.' CHASE OF A FELUCCA. THE MARQUIS DE MEDEA. THE SPANISH PRIEST. RONALD ASTONISHES THE PRIEST. [HE 'Imperious' had been some time in the Medi- terranean. She had not been idle, nor had her crew ; that was not likely under such a captain as Lord Claymore. She had been up the Levant, and cruising among the Ionian Islands, and then back to Gib- raltar, and had returned to Malta; and her blue- jackets and marines had landed on the Spanish and French coasts, and, as they had done before on the Biscay shores, had captured forts, destroyed barracks, and other public buildings, and burnt a town or two, and cut out merchant-men and armed vessels of all sorts ; indeed, had done as much mischief as they possibly could. In all these proceedings Ronald Morton had greatly distinguished himself, and his captain promised him that he would not rest till he had obtained for him his rank as a com- mander. Morton was in better spirits than he had been for a long time. He was as ready as ever for any daring exploit, but he had no desire to throw his life away if he could help it ; he had a fancy that there was something worth living for. The good Lord Collingwood so highly approved of the proceedings of the ' Imperious,' that he sent her back, after her return to Malta, to continue the same sort of employment. 315 316 RONALD MORTON. On the passage, when not far off Minorca, a large felucca was sighted, which, from her manoeuvres, was evidently anxious to avoid the frigate. Lord Claymore had received directions from the admiral to look out for a craft of this de- scription, which was known to be a pirate, and to have com- mitted innumerable atrocities. Chase was instantly made. The felucca on seeing this, and apprehending danger, rigged out her tall tapering lateen sails, wing-a-wing, as it is called, one on each side. She appeared like a graceful sea-bird, and did her utmost to escape. She sailed so well that there seemed a great possibility that she might effect this. The ' Imperious,' like some hugh bird of prey, followed in her wake, resolved on her destruction. As yet the felucca was beyond the range of the frigate's bow-chasers. One shot from those long guns striking her masts or slender spars, would effectually have stopped her flight. Over the blue waters she flew ; the officers and crew of the frigate were watching her. ' She has an evil conscience, or she would not fly so fast,' observed Glover. ' Very likely ; but like other rogues, she will escape the punishment she deserves,' answered Hardman. ' The wind is falling, that is in her favour/ ' Not if it fall altogether ; we may take her with the boats,' remarked Morton. ' There is every sign of :i calm.' She has sweeps, and it is extraordinary the rate at which these craft can pull,' observed the pertinacious Hardman. ' She has every chance of getting away from us.' ' Hardman is a wise fellow. lie is always expecting' blanks that he may enjoy the prizes the more when they turn up,' said the surgeon. ' He loses the pleasure of anticipation, though,' said Mor- ton. ' That is too often greater than the reality.' ' Ah, but 1 am saved the disappointment of the reverse.' answered the second-lieutenant. ' See our courses are hang- ing against the mast, and the felucca has lost the wind alto- THE FELUCCA BOARDED. 317 gether. She has got out her sweeps, and off she goes like a shot.' Just then the captain called Morton. ' We must take that fellow in the boats. Call away the crews of the pinnace and first and second cutters. Do not lose a moment. He will show fight, and it may save bloodshed to overawe him.' The boats were instantly made ready, and in two minutes were pulling away full of armed men, and led by Morton to the attack of the felucca. The crew of that vessel did not for some time discover them, and continued as before urging her on at a rapid rate with their long sweeps, evidently hoping to escape. The boats, however, gained on them fast, and in a short time they were seen to lay in their long sweeps, finding, probably, that escape was hopeless, and to prepare for the attack. As the boats drew near, Ronald ordered them to separate so as to board at different parts of the vessel. Her deck was soon crowded with men, who, from their varied costumes, had a very suspicious appearance. Some were at their guns, others held cutlasses or pistols in their hands, threatening to make a stout resistance. One tall old man in a Spanish dress, with a huge white moustache and a long thin beard, stood on the companion hatch waving his sword, and with loud vociferations culling on his men to fight. As the boats got within hail, Morton rose and ordered the crew of the felucca to throw over- board their weapons and yield, for they showed no flag- which could be hauled down as a sign of surrender. The answer was a round of grape and langrage from three guns, and a volley of musketry. The missels flew, whizzing and whistling close to his head. Happily he was unhurt; but two of his boat's crew were hit, and the side of the boat riddled in several places. The British seamen dashed on, and in another instant were clambering over the low bulwarks of the felucca. ' AVhat ! are we, who have been fighting with honest Frenchmen all our lives, to be dared by a set of cut-throats 318 RONALD MORTOX. like you ? Take that,' exclaimed Job Truefitt, as he dealt a Mow which nearly severed a pirate's head from his shoulder. The man fell dead, and Job and the rest springing" on, the ruffians gave way, and many were driven overboard right across the deck, as a flock of sheep are swept away by a, torrent. The old captain defended himself with all the fierce- ness of despair. He fought with the feeling that a rope was about his neck. Ronald at last reached him, and by a dexte- rous turn sent his sword flying over the side. The old man drew a pistol, but before he could fire it, Bob Doull, had sprung up at him, and, wrenching it from his hand, pulled him down to the deck. In vain he struggled, other seamen surrounded him, and he was secured. Several men of the pirate crew were driven overboard, and the rest leaped down below to avoid the cutlasses of the British. Some in the madness of their rage began to fire up at their captors. Fortunately, none of the latter were killed, or it would have fared ill with the pirates. Truefitt and others on finding this, leaped down among them, and singling out the culprits, bound them hand and foot, and bringing them on deck, threw them down with a kick in their sides, and an order to behave themselves. Soon after the din of battle was over, some cries were heard proceeding from a cabin in the after part of the vessel. Morton at once, knocking off the companion-hatch, followed by a midshipman and several more, leaped below. As the skylight hatch was on, the cabin was very dark, but there was light sufficient to enable him to distinguish two old men and a young- lady struggling in the power of some of the pirate crew, who had apparently forced their way into the cabin from forward. The ruffians were soon hauled off from their intended victims, and secured, with a double allowance of kicks, on deck, while Morton busied himself with rendering what assistance he could to the young lady and her com- panions. They were Spanish he found by their dress and language. One was habited in the costume of an ecclesiastic. PRISONERS RESCUED FROM THE PIRATE. 319 He was a thin, small old man, in whose sallow cheeks it seemed as if the blood could never have mantled, while from his calm exterior it could not have been supposed that he had just been rescued from imminent danger. The young lady, before Morton could reach her, had sunk down on a locker half- fainting. ' Air, air ! ' she murmured out, ' Oh, my father ! see to him.' The old man had sunk on the deck of the cabin. The priest stooped down to raise him up, while Ronald helped to knock off the skylight, and then went to the assistance of the young lady. The stream of fresh air which came from above helped to restore both daughter and father. They were then got upon deck, and the pure atmosphere, with a sight of the British flag, and their late masters bound hand and foot, soon completely restored them. The old gentleman was a fine looking Don of the ancient regime; the daughter, a perfect Spanish beauty, with raven hair and flashing eyes, and dark clear complexion. The old Don was profuse in his expressions of gratitude towards those who had rescued him from the hands of the pirates. He and his daughter, with his father confessor, the priest now present, had been travelling in France, when they heard that Spain was about to throw off the yoke of Bonaparte ; and fearing that they should be de- tained, they got on board a small vessel to return to their own country. On their passage they had been attacked and captured by the felucca. ' That we have escaped with our lives is a mercy, when we reflect what atrocious villains are those into whose hands we fell, and from whom you have so nobly rescued us. That captain the sooner you hang him at your yard-arm the better. He cumbers the earth, It is a disgrace to humanity to allow him to live.' ' We do not execute people in England without a trial ; if the captain of the felucca is found guilty, he will probably be 820 RONALD MORTON. hung,' answered Morton, to whom this remark was made in French, a language the old Don spoke very well. Ronald did not altogether like his manner, or the expression of his countenance. The sweeps of the felucca had been got out, and the boats had also taken her in tow, and she" was now rapidly approach- ing the frigate. During the time, Morton endeavoured to ascertain what he could about his new companions. Thinking that he might very possibly gain the information he wished for most easily from the priest, he took the opportunity of addressing him when out of hearing of the rest. ' You and your friends must have suffered much while in the power of those ruffians/ he remarked. ' That old gentleman has not yet recovered ; he seems from his manner to be a man of rank.' ' Yes ; he is one of the old grandees of Spain,' answered the priest. ' May I ask his name 1 for I wish to address him properly,' said Ronald. 'Certainly,' returned the priest. 'lie is known as the Marquis de Medea.' 'How strange!' exclaimed Morton, involuntarily, for he had heard that name frequently repeated at Lunnasting, and had been taught to consider the possessor of the title certainly not in a favourable light. The priest, as Ronald said this, gave him a glance as if he would look through him to his inmost soul, and yet he spoke softly and blandly as he asked, ' Why so ? Why strange, sir?' ' It is a name I frequently heard in my boyhood,' answered Ronald, not supposing that there was the slightest necessity fur being on his guard with the mild-looking priest. ' That is strange,' repeated the priest. ' Where was your boyhood passed, ma}- I ask ?' said the priest. THE SPANISH PRIEST. 321 Ronald told him, ' Chiefly in the castle of Lunnasting, in Shetland.' Again the priest gave a piercing glance at him. ' May I inquire your name ? ' ' I am called Ronald Morton.' ' You say you are called so. Will it appear impertinent if I ask if you believe that you have the right to bear another ? ' said the priest. ' Why do you put the question ? ' was Ronald's very natural demand. ' You said that you were called Morton. I fancied, from your tone, that you insinuated that you have a right to some other name,' said the priest. ' I may have some such idea ; but at the same time I am perfectly contented with the one I bear.' The priest appeared lost in thought. ' Do you remember your father ? ' he asked, abruptly. ' Certainly ; he is, I trust, alive still. I hope to meet him shortly;' surprised at the way in which the priest continued to cross-question him. Some men would have been much annoyed, and refused to reply ; but Ronald saw that his inter- rogator had some good reasons for putting the questions, and felt no inclination to disappoint him. ' May I ask if you were ever considered like the lady of Lunnasting Castle ? Donna Hilda, I think yon called her,' inquired the priest. ' I have not, that I am aware of, mentioned her name,' an- swered Morton, looking in his turn hard at the priest. ' I will reply to your question, though, before I ask one in return. I have heard that I was like her, and that is not surprising ; my mother was very like her they were cousins. Now I must inquire how comes it that you know anything of the family of Lunnastiug ? Were you ever in Shetland < ' ' There are few parts of the world where I have not been. The members of my order go everywhere, and should know 322 RONALD MORTON. everything that takes place on its surface,' answered the priest, evasively. ' I do not recollect you in Shetland,' said Konald, 4 May I ask your name ? ' ' I am called Father John,' replied the priest, humbly. ' I would yet further ask you, what you know respecting the Marquis de Medea ? ' Ronald considered whether he should reply. ' There can be no harm in speaking the truth, surely,' he said to himself. ' I will tell you,' he answered frankly. ' The marquis is believed, at Lunnasting, at all events, to have in- herited the estates which should rightly have belonged to the son of Don Ileruan Escalante, the husband of the Lady Hilda of Lunnasting, as she is called in Shetland, the daughter of Sir Marcus Wardhill. Moreover, it is believed that, instigated by the present marquis, a pirate crew attacked the castle, and car- ried off the son of Donna Hilda, of whom I speak, the rightful heir to the title and estates of Medea.' Never, probably, had the countenance of the priest exhibited so much astonishment, or indeed, any sentiment, as it did at present. ' By what wonderful means have you become acquainted with what you have told me ? ' he asked. ' By the simplest of all ; by having been told by those who were acquainted with the facts,' answered Ronald. ' But how were they informed of those facts ? ' asked the priest, with increased interest. ' They learned them from a Spanish naval officer, Pedro Alvarez by name, who was the lieutenant of Don Hernan. He had promised to assist his captain's widow and her infant son to the utmost of his power. He returned to Shetland for that purpose, and when he heard that the boy had been carried off, he sailed away in search of the pirate ; he, however, never returned to Shetland, and it is believed that he perished before he accomplished his purpose. The young Escalante has never THE PRIEST'S STORY. 323 been discovered, though the poor Lady Hilda lives on in ex- pectation of recovering her son.' ' No wonder that sacrilegious wretch, Pedro Alvarez, never returned to you. He was guilty of murdering one of the fa- miliars of our most holy Inquisition. Had he ever caught the pirate he could not have returned to Spain, but must have been a wanderer on the face of the earth, with the mark of Cain on his brow.' ' I was a mere infant when he last came to Shetland, so that I have no personal recollection of him, but from what I have heard, he was very much liked by all with whom he asso- ciated,' said Ronald. ' Your heretical countrymen would probably think that kill- ing an officer of the Inquisition was a very venial offence, and not look upon him with any horror on that account ; but depend on it, an avenging Nemesis followed him to his grave, or will follow him, if he still lives,' remarked the priest. ' But we are now close to your ship. I would advise you not to let the marquis know that you are acquainted with that part of his history, which he would desire to keep secret. At first I thought that you were the son of Don Hernan, but I see that I was mistaken.' As soon as the felucca was towed alongside the frigate, the prisoners, as well as the marquis and his daughter, and the priest, were removed on board. After inspecting the felucca, the captain resolved to keep her as a tender to the frigate, believing that she might be made very useful in capturing the enemy's merchantmen, as, from her rig, she might get close to them without being suspected. Lord Claymore highly commended Morton for the gallant way in which he had taken the vessel. ' I scarcely know what to do with the prisoners,' he observed. ' We must not cut their throats, or hang them at the yard-arms, but that would be the simplest way of disposing of them, and they probably will not come to any better end.' 324 RONALD MORTON. Ronald also told his captain all he had heard of the Marquis of Medea. ' The old scoundrel ! ' was the answer. ' However, he is our guest, and he has a lovely daughter ; we must treat him politely.' The most important information, however, was the state- ment made by the marquis, that Spain had at length declared herself independent of France, and formed a league with Eng- land. ' It may be true, but we must not trust to it till we have more certain information,' remarked Lord Claymore. The calm lasted long enough to have the felucca over-hauled, somewhat cleansed, and put in order. Glover was placed in command of her, with two midshipmen and twenty men. The prisoners were secured below on board the frigate, and sentries put over them, while Lord Clay more gave up a cabin to the young lady, and accommodated the marquis and the priest with cots in his own. It was very difficult to please the old marquis, who, notwithstanding the trouble taken to attend to his comfort, grumbled at everything so much so, that Lord Claymore would have sent him on board the felucca to shift for himself, had it not been for his daughter, who showed herself contented and thankful for the kindness she and her father were receiving, while her brilliant smiles and joyous laughter proved that she was sincere in her expressions. The breeze came at last, and the frigate, followed by the little felucca, stood on towards the Spanish coast. In the course of his duty, Morton was going the round of the decks, when he heard a voice from among the prisoners call- ing to him in French: 'A poor dying wretch would speak to you. Have pity, brave Englishman, and hear what he has to say ! ' ' Who are you ? ' asked Morton. ' I was captain of the felucca. I am now a criminal, ex- pecting speedy death,' returned the speaker. DON TACON'S CONFESSION. 325 The master at arms held up the lantern he carried, and as its light fell on the countenance of the person who had address- ed him, Morton recognised the old white-bearded captain who had made so desperate a resistance when his vessel was at- tacked. He had been lying at his length on some straw on the deck. He was now supporting himself on one arm that he might have a better look at the lieutenant as he passed. ' What would you say to me ? ' asked Morton. Many things, if you will listen to me,' answered the old pirate. ' I overheard part of your conversation with the priest. I know more about you than you suppose.' 'What can you know about me?' asked Morton, very much surprised. ' Here are two persons I fall in with unex- pectedly and both assert they know more about me than I do myself,' he thought. ' If you will have me removed out of earshot of my com- rades, I will tell you,' replied the old pirate. ' We cannot speak in a language which some of them do not understand.' Morton ordered the old man to be unshackled, and to be conducted to another part of the deck. After he had gone his rounds, he returned and took a seat on a bucket by his side. ' Thanks, sir, for this kindness,' said the old pirate ; though as he spoke Ronald rather doubted his sincerity. ' It is not thrown away. You see before you a victim to circumstances. I have done many evil deeds many things of which I repent but necessity drove me to commit them ; poverty, that stern task-master, urged me on not inclination, believe me. I say this that you may not look at me with the disgust that you might otherwise do. However, I am not now going to give an account of my life I may some day, if you desire it ; simply I will tell you who I am. You know already who the old man is whom I took prisoner.' ' I should like to know who you are,' said Ronald. ' I am, then, the celebrated Don Annibal Tacon,' said the 326 RONALD MORTON. old man, in a tone of no little conceit. ' I have made my name famous in most parts of the world. For some reason or other, however, my enterprises have not been as successful as they ought, and I have continued in the same state of poverty in which I began life. I say this as an excuse for myself, and to excite your compassion. It is not the matter on which I wish to speak to you. I have, since my early days, been acquainted with the Marquis de Medea. lie, too, led a wild life in his youth ; and there are many things he did which he would not like mentioned. Many years ago, when you were but a child, he encountered me in Cadiz. Promising me a large reward, and giving me a handsome sum as an earnest of his intentions, he engaged me on a hazardous aud daring cnterprize. It was no less than to sail to the North of England to the islands of Shetland aud to carry off from a castle, situated on the shores of one of them, a child, the son of a certain Captain Don Iler- nan Escalaute. I see you are interested in my account ; you may well be so. I heard you speaking of that castle. I ac- complished my errand. I attacked the castle, bore away the child, and purposed to return to Cadiz to receive my reward, and to learn what the noble marquis wished as to the disposal of the boy. I had some idea, indeed, of concealing him, and employing him to wring from the marquis the gold which I might require. My plans were, however, frustrated. I was driven by a gale nearly across the Atlantic, and so many British cruisers swarmed in all directions, that I was continually driven back whenever I attempted to approacli the Spanish coast. At length a Spanish vessel hove in sight. As she drew nearer, I recognized her as a corvette commanded by an officer I knew, Pedro Alvarez by name. I at first thought she was a friend, but, by the way she approached, I suspected she had hostile intentions. I endeavoured to make my escape, for I have always held that men should never fight if they can help it. That is to say, if an enemy has a rich cargo on board, a wise man may fight to capture it ; but if he himself has any- DON TACON'S CONFESSION. 327 thing of value on board, he will fly to preserve it, and only fight when he cannot preserve it by any other means. ' The corvette bore down upon us, and so well did she sail, that I found escape impossible. She ran me aboard ; and Pedro Alvarez and half his crew, leaping down on my decks, drove my people before them ; he fought his way into the cabin there was the infant, on the possession of whom I rested the hopes of my future support. He seized it, and hurrying back to his own vessel, called his people to follow him, and then, casting my craft free, he stood away to the eastward, without firing a shot at my vessel, seeming content with the mischief he had already done me. Believing that he would at once go back to Spain, denounce the marquis, and proclaim me as his tool, I dared not return to Cadiz. I therefore sailed for the West Indies, and employed myself in an occupation which I found tolerably lucrative, seeing that all the transactions were for ready money, though it must be owned that it was somewhat hazardous. Some people might call it piracy. It was not till long afterwards, when I was paying a visit to Cadiz, that I learned that Pedro Alvarez was himself an outlaw, that he had not returned to Cadiz, and that neither he nor his ship had ever again been heard of. ' From the words which reached my ears while you were talking to that wily priest, I have an idea that you are no other than the sou of Don Hernan and the lady of that northern castle. By whatever means you got back there, my evidence will be of value to prove that you are the child I carried off. I have no doubt about it ; I would swear to the fact. Let us be friends, then. You assist to preserve my life ; I will help you to obtain your rights as the Marquis de Medea, and to become the master of the immense estates belonging to the family.' The old villain looked up into the young officer's face, ex- pecting a favourable reply. Ronald was almost inclined to laugh at his outrageous audacity and cunning. ' You are entirely mistaken as to whom I am,' he answered. ' The child you 328 RONALD MORTON. can-led off from Lunnasting was never brought back. I cannot even tell you if he is still alive ; but whether or not, I have no power to make any bargain with you. You must abide by the consequences of your misdeeds.' ' I have always done that,' answered the pirate, with an humble look. ' From my youth up till now I have been an un- fortunate man. I hope some day the tide will turn ; but there is not much time left for that.' Ronald made no reply. He resolved to tell the captain all he had heard ; and on going aft he left directions that the old prisoner should be strictly watched, and not allowed to com- municate with any one. As Ronald could not speak to Lord Claymore in the cabin lest he should be overheard, he waited till he came on deck. ' A pretty set of scoundrels!' was Lord Claymore's remark. ' That cunning priest, too, depend on it, has a finger in the pie. A curious coincidence there is, too, in your own history, and in that of the story you have just told me. You want to find out to what family you belong, and here is a title, estates, and fortune, waiting to be filled by the rightful heir, if he can be found.' Though the captain entertained a considerable amount of contempt for the marquis, for the sake of his daughter he treated him with his usual courtesy. He felt that he should be very glad to get him out of the ship ; still, by keeping him on board, he might possibly gain some information which might prove useful in establishing the claims of Hilda A\ 7 ardhiirs son to the property of his father. The most important object was to discover if that son was alive, and where he was, and what had become of Pedro Alvarez. Lord Claymore and Ronald talked the subject over with such intense eagerness, that the latter almost forgot his own interests in the desire he felt to be of service to one whom he justly looked on as his patroness and the protectress of his youth. The homicide of the familiar of the Inquisition fully HOPES OF FINDING HILDA'S SON. 329 accounted for Pedro's not returning to Spain; while as that country had been for so many years at war with England, he might have found it impossible to send him back to Shetland. He might have written, to be sure, but the letters might have miscarried. Nothing was more probable. It was too likely, however, that both he and the boy were lost. Still Lord Clay- more hoped the contrary, and, perhaps, his anxiety was not a little increased by the satisfaction he anticipated in ousting the rascally old marquis from his estates and rank. The coast of Spain was soon after made, and the active operations in which the ship was engaged allowed the captain or Morton very little time to think of that or any other sub- ject. CHAPTER XXIX. RONALD MEETS HIS FATHER. OLD DOULL RECOGNISES ROLF MORTON. MORTON RECOGNISES FATHER MENDEZ. ROLF MORTON'S DIPLOMACY. A FORT ATTACKED. BLUE JACKETS ON SHORE. FEW days after the ' Imperious' reached the coast, a brig of war hove in sight. The frigate stood towards her, and when the two vessels had hove-to, the commander of the brig came on board, and confirmed the statement made by the marquis and the priest, that Spain had made peace with England, and had determined to throw off the French yoke. ' Much good may our allies do us,' remarked Lord Clay- more who had a profound contempt for the Spaniards. 'A cowardly braggadocio set. I would place no dependence on their support in case of need.' The commander of the brig bowed ; he was not likely to dispute the matter with his lordship. ' By-the-by, I have brought a passenger an old shipmate of mine, whom Mr Morton will at all events be glad to see.' ' And so shall I,' said Lord Claymore, glancing at the gang- way, at which a fine, stout, elderly-looking man appeared, dressed in plain clothes. Ronald sprang aft, and grasped his hand. 330 RONALD MEETS HIS FATHER. 331 'Father, I little expected to see you. Where have you come from ? ' ' From Malta last,' answered Rolf Morton. ' I went out there to look for you. When I arrived home in the old "Lion," and was paid off, I applied for and obtained my discharge from the service. I found that I had made a mistake in going to sea the last time. It did not suit me. I felt, too, that for your sake as well as my own, it would be better for me to live in a private capacity on shore. You are a lieutenant, and may soon be a commander. It would stand in your way in society to have it said that your father was a boatswain ; not that you would be ashamed of me, I am sure, but we cannot make people wiser, we must take them as they are. Besides, I am more at liberty to attend to the subject you wrote to me about. I am not very sanguine of success, but still it would be satis- factory, for your sake, to discover after all that I was of good family, and to find some relations for you.' After Rolf Morton had talked for some time with his son, Lord Claymore sent for him. He had heard from the com- mander of the brig that he had retired from the service. He shook him warmly by the hand. ' It will be pleasant for you to be together, and as the brig has to return immediately, I shall be glad if you like to remain on board. Your son, I doubt not, can put you up.' Rolf Morton thanked the captain for his kindness. It was the very thing he wished. He wanted to be for some time with Ronald, and to talk to old Doull and Eagleshay, to ascertain what they knew about his early days. Most of the prisoners taken in the felucca were sent to Malta, but Captain Tacon was kept on board the frigate, as Lord Claymore considered that he might assist in clearing up the matter in which he was so much interested, and be made useful in other ways, from his knowledge of the coast and of the towns and villages near it. Rolf was naturally eager to see Doull and Eagleshay. The 332 RONALD MORTON. two old men were sent for. Their astonishment was very great when they were told that he was the boy they had carried off from Shetland nearly fifty years before. He assured them that he clearly recollected the circumstance, and that two of the men were tall, like them, and that there was one much older and shorter. They both looked at him very earnestly for some time. At last Doull exclaimed ' I remember well a mark on the laddie's hand ; a spike or a nail had run through it just between the bones of the fore and second finger. It was a curious mark to be in the hand of so small a child, and I mind well thinking that mark will never wear out, and I shall know the boy whenever I meet him again.' While the old man was speaking, Rolf was examining his hand. He held it out with the back up ; there, sure enough, was visible, through the brown, hairy skin, a deep mark, evi- dently produced as Doull had described. ' Father,' there can be no longer any doubt about the mat- ter,' exclaimed Ronald with more excitement than he usually exhibited. ' I am afraid that the evidence will not be considered very strong in a court of law,' observed Rolf. ' However, it leaves no doubt on my mind that these two men assisted to carry me off. But that is all ! they cannot say, more than I can, to what family I belong ; and as for this paper which they say they signed, that of course is irretrievably lost. Ronald, I have made up my mind what I will do I will go back to Whalsey and take possession of my farm. I no longer fear Sir Marcus Wardhill he can do me no harm, and I will try to live at peace with the old man. I will take these two men, Doull and Eagleshay, with me. Lord Claymore will give them their dis- charge. They are no longer fit for duty. They shall be well looked after, for I bear them no ill-will for the injury they did me. All has been for the best, I doubt not : we can but do our duty and trust in Providence. ROLF RECOGNISES FATHER MENDEZ. 333 Ronald heartily entered into his father's plans, though he felt much more sanguine than he did as to the result. He said that he had little doubt but that Lord Claymore would grant a superannuated discharge to the two old men. ' All will be right,' said Rolf, cheerfully. 'I must, how- ever, take a cruise with you first, my lad. It will be time enough to think of going home when we fall in with a ship bound that way.' Rolf had gone into the gun-room soon after his arrival on board, and did not return on deck till the evening. When he made his appearance, the marquis and his daughter and the priest were assembled there. All the officers, and especially Glover, welcomed him cordially, and Lord Claymore came up and spoke to him in the kindest way. Rolf looked across the deck at the Spanish party, and could not help fixing his eyes on the priest. ' I am sure it is him,' he exclaimed. ' I never saw a stronger likeness ; years have only dried him up a little.' And without another word he walked up to the old man, and said ' What, Father Mendez ! it is long since we met ; but don't you know me ? ' The priest cast a calm glance at him, totally free from astonishment, as he answered ' Time changes all people. If it is long since we met, you must excuse me if I do not recol- lect you.' 'I forgot that,' said Rolf, frankly. 'My name is Morton we met in Shetland. Were you not then called Father Mendez ? ' ' I am called Father John,' said the priest in the same calm tone as before. This reply would have irritated many men, but Rolf looked at him, and said quietly ' That may be your present name, but unless my recollection strangely deceives me, you were called Mendez.' 334 ROLAND MORTON. The priest bowed and replied ' I have seen many people in the course of my life. It is possible we have met, but you will understand that the memory of a man, as he advances in life, is not as good as it was in his youth.' ' I have the advantage of you in that respect, certainly,' persisted Rolf, in a manner very different to his usual custom. ' Come, come, Father Mendez ! we were too much together in days gone by for you to have forgotten me any more than I have forgotten you,' continued Morton. ' I do not wish to annoy you, but I wish you to do an act of justice. The son of your former patron and friend, Don Hernan Escalante, was carried off from his mother's house by the crew of a schooner which suddenly appeared before the place. He has never since been heard of : what has become of him ? I ask. His mother has friends in this ship who will insist on knowing the truth. It will be wiser for you to speak it at once.' The priest was more thrown off his guard by this appeal than he probably had ever been before. ' I know nothing of Don Hernan's child,' he answered quickly. ' I did not cany him off, nor was I privy to it. I could not be guilty of such a deed ; the members of my order never employ violence to bring about what they desire. That alone ought to convince you that I am guiltless of the charge you make against me.' Morton was not in the slightest degree more convinced than at first by what the father said. 'Then, at all events, you do not deny that you were in Shetland, and that I knew you as Father Mendez 1 ' said Rolf. The marquis and his daughter were all this time watching the speaker with looks of astonishment. ' There would be no object in denying that such was the case,' answered the priest. ' I was in Shetland rather more than twenty years ago, and I was then known as Father Mendez. I am at present called Father John.' 'I thought so,' observed Rolf, bluntly. 'You'll under- THE PRIEST WON OVER. 335 stand me, sir I am but a rough seaman, and all I want is fair play. You and I were present at the marriage of that unhappy lady of Lunnasting Castle. We are the only sur- viving witnesses, besides Pedro Alvarez, and where he is to be found no one knows. What I ask you is, to help me to see her righted, and to find her lost sou. Now that England and Spain are friends again, her son may be discovered with less difficulty than before ; when discovered, assist in enabling him to regain his father's property in Spain, which was, if I remember rightly, at once taken possession of by his relative, who, from the accounts received in Shetland, was a very great rogue ; the Marquis of Medea he was called. I am not wrong, I fancy.' Father Mendez rapidly thought over the state of the case. The marquis had certainly supported him during the misfor- tunes which their country had suffered by the French invasion, but he had been anything but a generous patron, and it occurred to him that he might make a far better bargain with the rightful heir, if he could be found ; and he believed that Rolf Morton, notwithstanding what he said, had the clue to his discovery, if he did not already know where to place his hand on him. When therefore, Rolf, feeling that he might have been too abrupt and uncourteous in the way he had addressed him, apologised for his roughness, the priest answered blandly ' Do not concern yourself, my friend, on that account. We are old acquaintance. I have good reason to remember your sterling qualities, which far outweigh all others, and I own that it would be with great satisfaction that I found you looked upon me as a friend. I love justice as much as you do, and most anxious I am to attain it for the son of my old and esteemed friend, Don Hernan. Tell me how I can assist you, and I promise you all the aid I can afford.' Rolf Morton was not so completely deceived by this speech as the priest might have supposed. He, however, thanked 336 RONALD MORTON. him, and rejoined Ronald in his quarter-deck walk, which they had to themselves, as the captain and most of the officers had gone below. Very great was Rolf's surprise when he found that the dignified old gentleman on the other side of the deck was the Marquis de Medea, and still more so on hearing that the very man who had carried off the young Heruan Escalante was in irons below. Ronald reported to Lord Claymore the fresh discoveries that had been made. ' All will go right, Morton, in the end, depend on that,' he answered. ' I am very sanguine that the young Hernan, if he is forthcoming, will obtain his rights, and so will your father his ; those two old men were not fallen in with by you in so unlikely a way, except for some object. "Never despair!" has always been my motto, adopt it, there is no safer one.' Lord Claymore would very gladly have landed the dis- agreeable marquis and the priest on the first part of the coast of Spain they made ; but as the French still held numerous ports and towns to the west, they would have found it impos- sible to travel towards Cadiz, to which they expressed their wishes to proceed, and as there was a lady of the party, he could not, without great want of courtesy, have put them on shore. For the sake indeed of Don Josef's daughter, Donna Julia, the captain would very gladly have borne with his haughty and morose manners. The young lady, indeed, con- trived to enchant every one on board ; and those who knew the character of her father, and entertained hopes of dispos- sessing him of his property, could not help feeling compassion for one so young and lovely, who would, should they succeed, be in reality the principal sufferer. The frigate was not to be idle ; numberless were the dash- ing exploits performed by her gallant crew. In most of them Ronald took an active part, and several times his father in- sisted on accompanying him, as he observed, just to make him BLUE JACKETS ON SHORE. 337 feel young 1 again. Numerous vessels were also captured one was a French privateer ; some Spaniards taken in a prize were on board her. From these men Lord Claymore learned that within a day's sail there was a strong and important castle, garrisoned by French troops. This castle commanded a pass on the road by which the chief communication was kept open between the borders of France and the French army on the Ebro. A Spanish force, it was said, had already assembled, and commenced the siege of the place, but with little success. The frigate made a long tack off the coast ; when she again stood in the fort was made out, situated on a commanding elevation, overlooking the road which wound along the shore. The frigate had her guns run out, and the crew stood at their quarters, ready for action. The officers, with their glasses, were examining the coast. The sun shone brightly; the water was blue, still more blue was the sky, shedding a brilliancy over the sand, the rocks, the hill-sides clothed with verdure, showing here and there the darker tints of orange or olive groves, with lighter shades where vineyards clothed the ground. Had it not been for that ominous-looking little fort, with its extended outworks, the landscape would have exhibited a pic- ture of perfect rest and peace. Nearer and nearer approached the frigate, gliding majesti- cally over the smooth sea. Suddenly, emerging from a ravine, appeared a long line moving slowly on. Then dots which might have been mistaken for minute insects separated from it, and here and there puffs of smoke were seen, which were re- plied to by the fort with other puffs, and the faint thunder of cannon was heard on board the frigate. ' Those must be Spaniards attacking the fort,' ex- claimed the captain, mechanically whistling for a breeze to urge on the ship with the rapidity that might satisfy his impatience. In a short time the whole hue was enveloped in smoke, and every gun on the south side of the fortifications commenced 338 RONALD MORTON. filing, forming so dense a cloud that the operations of the assail- ants could no longer be distinguished. ' The Spaniards will have completed the work, and gained all the glory, before we can get there to help them,' cried Glover. ' I wish we had more wind ! ' ' So do the Spaniards, but depend on it they will wait for us. There will be nothing desperate done till we get up to their assistance,' observed Hardman. The marines were now ordered to prepare for landing. The captain had made up his mind to storm the place under cover of the frigate's guns. Morton volunteered to lead the party. The captain was doubtful about letting him go. Rolf declared that if his son went, he would go also as a volunteer. At last the wished-for breeze came, and the frigate rapidly approached the scene of action. The breeze lifted the canopy of smoke which hung over it, and the combatants could now be seen, the Spaniards pushing on in great force and clambering over an out-work, from which the French, still fighting bravely, were retreating-. ' Ay, those Spaniards have many an act of outrage and cruelty to avenge,' observed the captain. ' Their blood is up now ; I never saw them fight so bravely.' The spectacle greatly increased the eagerness of all on board the frigate to take part in the work. The crews of the boats, and those who were to goon the expedition, stood in readiness, with pistols in their belts, and cutlasses at their sides ; the marines drawn up, stiff and prim, ready to step into the boats, offering a strong contrast to the blue-jackets, witJi their rolling, somewhat swaggering movements, while several not told off to go were stealing round in the hopes of being able to slip unnoticed into the boats. The Spaniards, apparently encouraged by the approach of the British ship, and knowing that those they had some reason to suspect were witnesses of their conduct, charged with greater vigour. A FORT STORMED. 339 At length the wished-for moment arrived. The ' Imperious' reached in as close as the depth of water would allow. A spring had been got ready on her cable. The moment the anchor was dropped she opened her broadside on the fort, while the boats collecting on the other, the men sprang into them, and giving way, they pulled with lusty strokes towards the shore. The forts opened fire on them, but the boats were small objects, and though the shots ploughed up the water ahead and astern of them, no one was hit. As they reached the beach some way to the southward of the castle, the marines and blue- jackets sprang on shore, and instantly formed ; then ' Onward ! ' was the word. The Spaniards welcomed them with vivas. There was little tune for Morton to exchange greetings with the Spanish chief. A supply of scaling ladders had been prepared and brought on shore, and Lord Claymore had taken good care that they should be long enough. The seamen carried them, and rushed on, following Ronald and his father. Rolf kept up with the activity of a younger man. On they went ; they soon dis- tanced the Spaniards. The outworks had been secured. Through them they dashed. The scaling ladders were planted against the walls ; the French made some attempt to throw them down, but some of the seamen held them fast at the foot while the others climbed up. Nothing could stop their impetuosity. The Spaniards were now swarming up likewise. The enemy fought with the courage of despair. They well knew that, should they fall into the hands of the Spaniards, their doom would be sealed. A number of Spaniards had made good their footing, when the French charged them with such fury that many were cut down, or hurled back over the wall. Two or three were defending themselves bravely. One of the number fell. Morton, seeing what was taking place, and that they would ah 1 be killed, calling some of his men, made a dash at the enemy. Rolf was by his side, and lifting up the man who had been wounded, bore him out of the fight. More marines and seamen clambered up. 340 RONALD MORTON. The Frenchmen gave way and fled to the citadel. Some were cut down while bravely defending the gate. The rest got in ; the portal was closed, and then a white flag was hung out, as a token that the governor was ready to surrender on terms. His sole proposal was that he and his men might be conveyed on board the British ship-of-war, to save them from the certainty of being cut to pieces by the Spaniards, should they have them in their power. The Spaniard whom Rolf had rescued was full of gratitude. He had been knocked down, but his wound was not dangerous. He was a militia-man ; a brave fellow, as he had proved him- self by the ardour with which he had scaled the walls. He put his house and everything he possessed at the service of those who had preserved his life. He lived, he said, some way to the south. He should now return home, having had fight- ing enough, and a wound to show as a proof of his patriotism. Ronald took the offers at what he believed them worth, and parted from him on the most friendly terms. The prisoners were conveyed on board the frigate ; and as they embarked, the scowling looks the Spaniards cast on them showed what would have been their fate had they remained on shore. Part only of the work to be accomplished was performed. As the French would soon again occupy the fort if it was left without a garrison, and as the Spaniards could not be depended on, it was necessaiy to blow it up. A supply of powder was found in it ; sonic more was landed from the ship. Excava- tions were made under the walls ; the train was laid. One gig only remained. Bob Doull undertook to fire the train. The rest of the crew were in their seats, with oars in hand, ready to pull off. Ronald stood up in the stern-sheets to give the word. Bob applied the match, and stooped down as if to blow it, and was in consequence sent reeling backward, while the fire, like a snake, went hissing along the ground. Ronald shouted to him. He picked himself up, and rushed down to the boat with his hair singed and his face blackened like a negro's. THE FORT BLOWN UP. 341 ' Shove off, my lads ! Give way ! ' cried Konald. Not a moment was to be lost. As it was, they could scarcely hope to get beyond the influence of the explosion. There was a hollow, rumbling sound, and then, in clouds of smoke and flame and dust, up flew the whole of the fortress into the air. The next moment down rushed huge masses of masonry ; it seemed indeed as if the solid rock itself had been rent, and filled up the whole of the road. Some loud splashes astern showed that the boat had but narrowly escaped destruction. ' The French will find it difficult to pass this way again for some time to come,' observed Morton to the midshipman who accompanied him. ' Yes, sir,' observed the youngster, who was somewhat of a philosopher. ' It is wonderful how easy it is to knock a thing to pieces. It must have taken some years to have put all those stones together.' CHAPTER XXX. LORD CLAYMORE ON SHORE. MORTON AGAIN MEETS EDDA. RONALD'S NEW FRIEND, DON JOSEF. [HE frigate continued her cruise further to the south ; she touched at several places, and Lord Claymore or Morton went constantly on shore to urge the Spanish authorities and the people, to take up arms, and to assist in organising their forces. From the information the captain received, he considered it important to communicate with some influential people a short way in fho interior. He gave his instructions to Morton, therefore, and directed him to take two men as a body-guard, and to set off at once. Ronald selected Truefitt and Doull, the first for his steadiness and the other for his cool courage, and having procured a guide and a horse, and two wretched mules which had been too decrepit for the enemy to carry off, proceeded on his mission. Ronald and his guide rode on ahead, the two seamen fol- lowing. Neither of them were better horsemen than are sailors in general, but they were at all events able to stick on, in spite of the kicks and stumbles and flounders their animals occasionally gave ; each was armed with a good thick stick, besides a cutlass by his side and a brace of pistols in his belt. ' This is a pleasanter sort of a cruise, mate, to my notion, than we've had the chance of for many a day,' observed Doiill 342 MORTON SENT INLAND ON A MISSION. 343 ' Keep up on your four legs, you brute, now. The people here, though, seems to me to be an outlandish sot ; did you ever hear such a rum way of speaking as they've got ? they all seem to have got lumps of biscuit or duff, or something of that sort, down their throats.' 'That's the way they have. Different people speak a different lingo, just as different animals make different noises,' answered Job, sententiously. ' I can't say as how I likes these Dons ; they've too stuck up and stand clear a manner about them to please me.' ' That's my notion, too, Job,' said Bob. ' I like the Moun- seers a precious sight better; when one is friends with them, they take to our ways a hundred-fold better than these Dons. They'll talk and laugh away, and drink too, with a fellow, just for all the world as if they were as regular born Christians as we are. That's what a Don will never do ; he won't drink with you, he won't talk to you, he won't laugh or dance, and what's more, he won't fight with you ; and that's what the Mounseers never refuses to do, and that's why I likes them.' Morton enjoyed the change very much, from his usual life on board ship ; he had riot the same objection to the Spaniards as had his followers, and as he had now sufficiently mastered their language to converse with ease, he was never at a loss for amusement, and was able to obtain all the information he required about the country. Three days were consumed in reaching his destination ; the French, he found, had lately been in that part of the country, but had retired northward. The people were anxious to drive the French out of their country, but they wanted arms, and money, and leaders. Eonald was treated with great courtesy wherever he ap- peared, and he felt himself a much more important personage than he had ever before been. He had concluded the work on which he had been sent, and was about to return to his ship, when one of the Spanish officials informed him that he had received notification of the approach of a British commis- 344 RONALD MORTON. sioncr, a military officer, to assist them in organizing their forces. ' He must be a great man, an important person,' observed the Spaniard ; ' for he travels with many attendants, and his wife and family. No Spanish ladies would dream of travelling about the country at a time like this. Morton considered that it would be his duty to communi- cate with the commissioner, and hearing that he was only a day's journey off, he set out to meet him. The village at which he arrived in the afternoon, like most in Spain, consisted of neat, low, white-washed houses, with bright, red-tiled roofs, most of them having massive wooden verandahs and trellis- work in front, forming arbours, over which vines in rich pro- fusion were taught to trail. The interior, at all events, had a neat and clean appearance, but several blackened ruins, loop- hooled walls, the upper part of which were thickly bespattered with bullet-marks, showed that it had been lately the scene of, perhaps, a brief but desperate encounter between the hos- tile forces. The inn where the British commissioner was said to be was pointed out to him. It was a long low building like the rest in the place ; the ground floor being divided into two compartments, one serving as a kitchen and common eating-room, the other as a stable and sleeping-- pi ace for the muleteers ; the upper part consisted of one large room, with dormitories roughly partitioned off round it. An English cavalry soldier was doing duty as sentry at the door. He in- formed Morton that the colonel had gone out with some of the authorities in the neigbourhood, but that the ladies were upstairs. While Ronald was doubting what he should do, another man appeared and begged that he would walk up and remain till the colonel returned. Handing the bridle to his attend- ants with directions to them to wait for him, he threw himself off his horse, and followed the servant through the dark smoky kitchen to the stairs leading to the upper floor. His RONALD MEETS EDDA ARMYTAGE. 345 heart beat more quickly than usual, for he had a hope, though a faint one, that he was about once more to meet Edda Army- tage, yet again he thought it very improbable that Colonel Armytage would bring her and her mother, accustomed as they had been to all the luxuries of life, into a part of the country in which travelling was so inconvenient and dangerous. Still they were in Spain. Of that Mrs Edmonstone had assured Glover. He sprang up the steps. The door was opened. He walked in with more than usual precipitation. At one end of the room were several persons with cloaks over their shoulders, and, hat in hand, sitting silent and solemn, evidently waiting the return of the commissioner. At the further end, in the deep window recess, sat two ladies. The back of one was turned towards him. The other was looking down at a piece of work on which she was engaged. Though jaded and looking very sad, her countenance was, he was certain, that of Mrs Armytage. His quick step roused both the ladies. They turned round. In an instant Edda's hand was placed i)i his. The rich blood mantled in her cheeks, her eyes sparkled with pleasure. She forgot everything but the happiness of again meeting him. Mrs Armytage received him most cor- dially. The Spaniards looked on at what was taki?ig place, and twirled then- moustachios. They thought the young stranger officer a very happy fellow. After the first greetings were over, and Ronald had explained how he came to be at the place, Mrs Armytage told him that Colonel Armytage had met with considerable pecuniary losses, and that when he re- ceived the appointment he now held, he wished her to accom- pany him, and that Edda had insisted on not being left behind. ' We knew that there were inconveniences to be encounter- ed, though we did not suppose that there were any dangers to be feared to which we would not gladly submit for the sake of accompanying Colonel Armytage, who so much requires our care,' observed Mrs Armytage. ' The inconveniences are more 346 RONALD MORTON. ridiculous than disagreeable, and I fully believe Edda enjoys them ; and as to dangers, we have found none hitherto, and rather look for them to add zest to the interest of the journey. Mrs Armytage went on speaking in this strain for some time, when she became very grave. Ronald suspected that, although she might not have been unwilling to come, it was not only her husband's state of health which had induced her to ac- company him. He knew how selfish and tyrannical Colonel Armytage always was, and he suspected that he had not given his wife the choice of remaining behind. Edda, as she watch- ed her mother's countenance, grew silent, and a shade of melan- choly also stole over her features. Mrs Armytage at last spoke. ' We are truly glad to see you again, Mr Morton, and you know how high you stand in both Edda's estimation and mine. Nothing you have ever done has forfeited our regard, but I dread that when Colonel Armytage returns he will not treat you in the way that we would desire. You know that he is irrit- able, and that when he has taken up a prejudice it is difficult to eradicate it. He has not got over the objections which he for- merly expressed to you. Earnestly do I wish that he would. But you are generous and noble-minded ; you will not think unkindly of us because one we are bound to obey treats you unjustly. I know that I describe my daughter's feelings, and I speak thus because I feel that it is due to you to say it.' While her mother was speaking, Edda looked up imploringly at Ronald. He could not help perceiving that her countenance wore an expression of tenderness and love towards him, and it was a sore trial for him to promise compliance with the unjust demands which her father might make on him. Mrs Armytage had spoken as she felt she was bound to do. In her heart she re! >elled against her husband's commands. Edda was old enough both to judge and act for herself, she considered. She had perfect confidence in her sense and discretion. Scarcely con- scious of what she was doing, she rose from her seat and went RONALD MEETS COLONEL ARMYTAGE. 347 to her room, leaving her daughter and Ronald together. The window recess was very deep ; Edda had retired into it, and was thus concealed from the view of the people at the other end of the room. Ronald stood with his back towards them. ' Edda, I have never ceased to think of you, to ground all my expectations of earthly happiness on the hopes of making you mine,' he exclaimed in a low deep voice. ' You require no assurances of my love and my constancy ; then promise me that you will not consent to become another's whatever may occur. I dare not ask you to disobey your father, and marry me against his will ; but for your own sake, for mine, I do entreat you not to yield to his authority so far as to marry one you cannot love. I have hopes, great hopes that his objec- tions to me may be removed ; but till they are so, I dread lest he should' compel you to give your hand to some one else. The promise I ask will give you strength to resist any unjust exercise of authority. No one holds in more respect than I do the duty of the obedience of a child to a parent ; but in this case it would, I am certain, work woe to you, sorrow to your mother, and ultimate regret to your father. You will be firm, Edda ? Promise me.' ' Indeed, indeed I will,' answered Miss Armytage. ' Most faithfully and unreservedly I promise you that.' At that moment there was a commotion among the people at the other end of the room, and a scraping of their feet on the floor as they rose from their seats. They simultaneously began to bow with a formal air ; the noise they had created made Ronald turn his head, and as he did so, he saw an officer in full uniform entering the room, followed by a number of persons in various costumes. A second glance told Ronald that Colonel Armytage was before him. Ronald at once advanced to meet him, and said, ' I am an officer of his Majesty's ship ' Imperious.' I was sent by my captain to communicate with the people in this district, and 348 RONALD MORTON. hearing that you were in the neighbourhood, I considered it my duty to inform you of what I have done.' ' In that light I am perfectly ready to receive you sir,' said the colonel, with a stiff bow. ' But you will have the goodness to proceed at once with your narrative : you see that there are a number of people waiting to transact business with me, and that my time is short. Ronald felt a disagreeable sensation at his heart as the colonel was speaking, but he overcame his feelings, and at once entered on the business which had brought him to the place. The manner of Colonel Armytage was stiff and ungracious in the extreme. Ronald had done everything so well, and gave so clear an account of all the arrangements he had made, that the colonel could not do otherwise than express himself satisfied. At length he rose, and said in a formal way, ' I think now, sir, our business is ended. You will, I conclude, at once return to your ship, and express to Lord Claymore my satisfaction at the arrangements which have been made. His lordship will, however, see the necessity of leaving to me the task which he has hitherto performed so efficiently.' Edda had not dared to stir from her seat, but had continued with her head bent down over some work, only venturing at times to cast a furtive glance at her father and Ronald, to ascertain how they got on together. Mrs Armytage soon afterwards joined her, and continued equally silent, her coun- tenance exhibiting still greater anxiety and nervousness. The colonel ceased speaking, and looked as if he expected the young officer to make his bow and walk straight out at the door, but Ronald felt that he must risk everything rather than take his departure without exchanging another word with Edda. He therefore, as soon as he rose, observing that Colonel Armytage had beckoned to one of the Spaniards to advance, said quietly, ' I will pay my respects to Mrs and Miss Armytage before 1 go.' DON JOSEF. 349 Before the colonel could reply he had crossed the room to them. * Mrs Armytage, whatever happens, I entreat you to think favourably of me,' he said ; and then he took Edda's hand, willingly given him, and he whispered, ' Farewell, dearest ; we shall meet, I trust, ere long, again, when I have hopes that some of the difficulties which now surround us may be sur- mounted. Your promise, though we were interrupted before the whole was given, has afforded joy and contentment to my heart.' ' Oh, but I give it entirely,' Edda exclaimed, eagerly. ' No power shall make me break it, believe me Ronald.' ' You will be benighted, sir, and brigandage is rife,' ex- claimed Colonel Armytage, looking up with an angry glance, which Edda observed, but Ronald did not. ' Go, go ! ' she exclaimed. Heaven protect you ! ' Morton shook hands with Mrs Armytage, bowed to the colonel, and walked with as much dignity as he could command out of the room. He threw himself on his horse, and rather than remain in the place he determined to ride back to a village he had passed on his way there, where he might find refreshment and rest both for man and beast during the night. As Ronald passed the group of Spaniards, he saw one of those who had come in with Colonel Armytage stare very hard at him. It struck him at the moment that he recollected the man's features. He had just mounted his horse, when the person in question rushed down the steps, and grasped him by the hand, ' I am ashamed, my brave friend, that I should not at once have known you ! ' exclaimed the Spaniard. But we both of us look to much greater advantage than we did on the day we stormed the fort, when we were covered with gunpowder and blood. But you must not go ; come to my house, it is nut many leagues off. You ca:i be spared from your ship for a day or two longer.' 350 RONALD MORTON. Ronald thanked his friend Dou Josef very warmly, but assured him that it was his duty to make the best of his way to the coast, as the ship would be standing iii to take him. ' How unfortunate ! ' said the Spaniard. ' I have to see your commissioner he seems a very great man or I would accompany you all the way, and we might stop at the houses of some of my friends. Still I must go a little way w r ith you. Wait a moment ; I will send for my horse : it is a poor animal the only one those thieving French have left me. But a day of retribution is coming, and soon, I hope.' The steed was brought out ; it was a far better animal than Ronald expected to see. The Spaniard mounted, and the cavalcade moved on. The village was soon left behind. Ronald's new friend, however, had not accompanied him more than a league when he said he must return, or he should miss his interview alto- gether with the commissioner. He had given Morton during that time a great deal of information as to the state of the country, and the temper of the people generally. One feeling seemed to pervade all classes the deepest hatred of their late master, and a desire to be free. ' Better times may arrive, the country may be restored to peace, prosperity may be her lot, and then I trust that you will come and visit me at my home, and receive the thanks of my w ife and children for the benefit you conferred on me.' Saying this with the usual complimentary Spanish expres- sions, Don Josef turned his horse's head, and rode back towards the village from which they had started, while Ronald continued his journey. CHAPTER XXXI. A SPANISH INN. THE SPANIARDS AROUSED TO ARMS. RONALD HEADS A GUERILLA BAND. EDDA RESCUED BY RONALD. [HE sun had set some short time when Ronald, with his companions, readied the village where the guide told him ho could obtain shelter and refreshment. The village itself was small and mean, and the only house of entertainment it possessed offered but few attractions to the travellers to remain there. How- ever, as their beasts required rest, they were compelled to dis- mount, and while the guide with the boys of the inn led the animals into the stables, Ronald and the two seamen walked into the common room, which served as dining-hall, kitchen, and apparently the sleeping-place of the family, as well as of a numerous family of fowls. A very unattractive dame, who presided over the culinary department of the establishment, was now engaged in preparing supper for a very mixed and some- what suspicious-looking company, who were seated at a long table, on benches at one side of the room. None of them rose as the strangers entered, and the few who condescended to pay them any attention scowled at them from under their brows, as if resenting their appearance as an intrusion. Ronald was very little moved by the want of courtesy with which he Avas re- ceived, but, walking up to the presiding genius of the place, he inquired, in the best Spanish he could command, whether he 351 352 RONALD MORTON. and his followers could have beds and food. The old woman looked up with a sinister expression without speaking, while she continued stirring the pot boiling on the huge wood tire. Her eyes were bleared with the smoke, and her face was wrinkled and dried, with a few white hairs straggling over her brow, while the long yellow tusks which protruded beyond hei thin lips gave her a peculiarly hag-like look. Ronald repeated his question. ' Food ? yes, and good enough for any one,' she answered in a low croaking voice ; ' but for beds, the enemy carried them off, and everything in the house. There is space enough and to spare, upstairs, for a taller man than you to stretch his legs. You can go and look when you have a mind ; your valise will serve you as a pillow, and a sack with some straw must be your mattress. Mairy a better man has slept in a worse bed.' ' I do not doubt it,' answered Ronald, calmly. ' My men and I will manage well enough, but we are hungry, and shall be glad of food.' ' All in good time, said the old woman, somewhat softening her tone, and pleased at being spoken to in her own language. ' Yon may carry your baggage upstairs, and select any corner you like for your sleeping-place. The girl will be in and gi/e you a light presently. See that there are no holes in the roof above you, in case it should rain. You will find it wanner too if you avoid those in the floor beneath you.' The old woman said this evidently with serious good-will. Ronald thanked her, and directly afterwards a stout buxom girl came from the further end of the hall, with a brass oil lamp in her hand. Taking the advice of the old woman, Ronald went upstairs to select a corner where he and his party might rest a night. The apartment consisted of the entire upper iloor, but as the old woman had warned him, it contained not a particle of furniture, though, from its appearance, there was little doubt that there would be a large number of inhabitants. In several places through the roof he could see the stars shining, while A SPANISH INN. 353 the faint rays of light, and odours anything but faint, which came up through the floor, showed the numerous holes and rents which time had made in the boards. ' This is a rum place for our lieutenant to sleep in,' observed Bob Doull to Job ; ' and as to the gentry below there, they are as cut-throat a crew as I ever set eyes on. I'll not let his valise go out of my hands, for it would be whipped up pretty smartly by one of these fellows, and we should never see more of it. Looking at the land from aboard the frigate, I never should have thought it was such an outlandish sort of a country. Should you, Job ? ' ' Can't say much for their manners. May be they are better than they look,' answered the elder seaman ; ' but if it came to a scrimmage, I can't say but what I wouldn't miud tackling a dozen of them.' These remarks were made while Morton was taking a sur- vey of the unpromising apartment. It had apparently been used as a barrack by the French when, not long ago, they occu- pied the village, and very little trouble had since been taken to clean it out. Morton asked the girl if his surmise was not correct. ' Yes, the demons ! they have been here, and Heaven's curse go with them ! ' she answered, with startling fierceness. ' It was dark when you rode in, or you would have seen the num- ber of houses burnt down, vineyards and orange-groves rooted up for firewood ; but that was not all the harm they did. Woe, unutterable woe, they inflicted on thousands. I had a lover, to whom I was betrothed ; they slew him, and me they ren- dered wretched. But I need not tell my own griefs. Thou- sands have suffered as much as I have. There, senor, that corner you will find the freest from inconvenience. Place your valise and saddle-bags there they will be safe. We are honest, though our accursed foes have made us poor indeed.' The poor girl's dark eyes flashed fire as she spoke. Ronald felt sure that he might trust her entirely. He ordered Bob aud 354 RONALD MORTON. Job, therefore, to deposit his scanty baggnge in the corner in- dicated, and to follow him below. ' What ! does the lieutenant think he'll ever see them again if we does ? ' observed Bob. ' Orders is orders,' answered Job ; ' but just you keep a bright look out on the stair while we're below, and as soon as we've stowed away some grub, we'll take it watch and watch, and go up and sit on 'em. The Dons will find it a hard job to carry them off then, I'll allow.' Satisfied with their arrangements, the two seamen followed their officer. He took his seat at one end of the table, and, as he did so, he fancied the other guests seemed to regard him with more friendly glances than before. Not a minute had elapsed before Maria placed before him a smoking puchero (a dish to be found from one end of Spain to the other, composed of various sorts of meats minced with spices). There was a soup also, of a reddish tinge, from being coloured with saffron, and sausages rather too strong of garlic, and very white bread, and two dishes of vegetables, one of which was of garbanzos, a sort of haricot beans. There was wine also, and brandy ; indeed, the inhabitants must have managed cleverly to hide their stores from their invaders to enable them to produce so good a supply. Job and Bob did not conceal their astonish- ment ; the viands suited their taste, and they did ample justice to them. Though Ronald was in love, and had just cause to be anxious as to its result, and though he had only just parted from his mistress, yet he was a sailor ; he had been a midship- man, and he had always a remarkably good appetite ; and now, much to his surprise (for when he stopped at the door of the inn he had no thoughts of eating), he felt every inclination to do justice to the feast set before him. ' He'll do,' observed Job to Bob, as they sat at a respectful distance from their officer. ' At first I could not tell what had come over him as he got on his horse after he'd been talking UONALD HARANGUES THE SPANIARDS. 355 to that young lady up at the window. Whenever I sees a man able to take his gTub, whatever's the matter with him, I knows it's all right.' Ronald had addressed some of the Spaniards near him. They listened respectfully. He spoke to them of the tyranny to which Spain had been so long subject ; of the sufferings she had endured ; of the only means of freedom the rising of the whole nation, as a man, to throw off the yoke. ' The English will help you, but they can only help, remember. It is you who must do the work,' he added. ' True, true ! the cabaliero speaks well ! ' resounded from all parts of the room. ' It is to urge you to rise in arms, to drive the invaders from your country that I have come among you,' said Ronald. He warmed on the subject. His hearers grew enthusiastic. 4 We have arms ! we have arms ! ' they shouted. ' We will bring them forth ; we have powder and shot. The enemy are not far off. We will go and meet them. We will drive them before us like sheep.' Ronald was satisfied with the effect of his address. He knew perfectly well that in the morning, after they had cleaned I heir arms and filled their pouches with powder, they would stop and consider before they advanced to meet the enemy. Altogether, he felt that the evening had not been ill-spent, and at the end of it the very people who had, when he came among them, cast on him such sinister looks, now regarded him with the greatest respect. It was late before he threw himself down on a sack of straw in a corner of the upper room, wrap- ped up in his cloak. Though the room was occupied by a large portion of the rest of the guests, who kept up a concert of snores all night long 1 , he managed to sleep soundly till daylight. The next morning after breakfast, having bid farewell to his new friends, he continued his journey. Nothing would in- duce his horse to go out of a walk, while the mules refused to proceed at a faster rate than their more noble companions, so 356 RONALD MORTON. that their progress was of necessity slow. As they proceeded the sad traces of warfare were everywhere visible. Whole farmsteads burnt to the ground, houses in ruins, churches un- roofed, groves of orange and olive trees cut down, fences de- stroyed, and fields once fertile returning to a state of nature, and overrun with weeds. The guide looked at them as objects to which he was well accustomed, but now and then he ground his teeth and swore vengeance on the heads of the fell invaders of his country. Job had been remarking where the devastating hand of war had passed, and had counted up the objects destroyed. At length he gave expression to his thoughts. ' Well, to my mind, it's a mortal pity people take to lighting on shore. Why don't they stick to their ships, and always have it out afloat ? that's the sensible thing, and then the only harm's done to the ships and the men who has the fun of the thing, and gets the honour and glory, and that's all natural and right.' Bob heartily joined in with Job's notion. ' If I was a king, I wouldn't let 'em,' he remarked. ' I'd say, just you let the farms, and the gardens, and the women and children, and the churches alone ; and if you wants to fight, by all manner of means fight it out, but keep afloat, and don't come here.' The seamen had been conversing for some time in this strain, when the clatter of a horse's hoof was heard behind them, and turning their heads they saw the same Spaniard who had accompanied them on their way the clay before. They told Morton, who turned his horse's head to meet him. ' Thank heaven that my steed has carried me so well, and that I have come up to you,' exclaimed Don Josef. ' There is work for you ; your aid is wanted ; you will not refuse it, I know ? But come, ride bade with me as fast as your beast's legs will move, and I will tell you. Give him the spur ! spare him not; I may supply yen with a belter soon. The French EDDA IX DANGER. 357 are at no great distance from this ; secure as they fancy them- selves, we have spies among them to inform us of all their movements. After daybreak this morning, one of the spies arrived, and brought me notice that the enemy were advancing, and thnt they having heard that a British commissioner was in the neighbourhood, had resolved to carry him off. On hearing this, I instantly set out to warn your countryman of the danger to which he was exposed, but on my way I met a person who informed me that he and his party had set forth at a very early hour, and were actually advancing in the very direction where they would encounter the enemy. I, on this, instantly sent forth a person to warn him of his danger, and galloped after you, to entreat you to head a party, of strength sufficient to meet the enemy. I directed all the men in the district to assemble in arms ; they want a leader, however, in whom they may have confidence. I have told them that they would find one in you, and they believe me. You will come, will you not?' ' Indeed, I will !' answered Ronald, belabouring his horse, and digging his spurs into his flanks with an energy propor- tioned to his anxiety. So eager was he, that for some time he could scarcely ask questions. One thought alone occupied his mind : Edda was in danger, and there was a possibility that he might preserve her from it. The party soon got back to the village, where, in front of the inn. a large number of men with arms in their hands were assembled. They received Morton as he rode up with loud vivas. He had won their regards the previous evening by the way he had addressed them, and Don Josef had been telling them what a gallant fellow he was. They were, therefore, now prepared to place the most implicit confidence in him, and to hail him as a leader in the enterprise Don Josef had pro- jected. The Spaniard had been giving him an exact account of all the information he had received, and of the plans he had formed. Ronald thought them excellent ; there was, however, no time to be lost. Messengers with the fiery cross at least 358 RONALD MORTON. a message of the same import had been sent round to all the neighbourhood, and armed men were coming in from every direction. When their numbers were counted, Morton found himself at the head of a guerilla band, mustering upwards of three hundred men, cavalry and infantry. They varied more in their arms than in their costume, and though many were somewhat ragged, when massed together and all looking fierce and eager for the fight, they had a very warlike appearance. The great object was to overtake Colonel Armytage before he could reach the spot where the ambush was supposed to be placed ; he travelled with only a small escort of a dozen troopers, merely sufficient for protection against any brigands who might be roving through the country. As to the French, he had fancied that they were at a considerable distance, and had no fear of falling in with them : he ought of course to have been better informed. The truth was, that though formal and dignified, and so far fitted to have intercourse with the Spaniards, his manners were not sufficiently conciliatory to have gained their affections, and they consequently neglected to give him the information on many points which it was most important for him to obtain. Job and Bob exchanged a few passing remarks as they bumped along "in a way to which they were not at all accus- tomed, and which caused their words to come out like shot from guns irregularly served in action, or the pantings of a broken-down steam-engine ; only such an invention was not known in those days. ' I'd sooner be serving my gun aboard the frigate than be on the top of this here brute,' observed Bob. ' But it's no odds, I suppose ; if we catches the Mounseers, and drubs them, we shall ride back on their backs eh, Job ? ' ' Nut so sure of that ; they'll sham lame and refuse to carry us,' answered the other seaman. ' But I say, Bob, what a hurry our lieutenant's in ; to my mind, it's all about that young lady at the window ; mark my words, there'll be a splice THE PURSUIT. 359 some day or other, and good luck to him too ; a finer-hearted fellow never stepped, for all he's a boatswain's son. There's some men born to be officers, and he's one of 'em.' People seldom dream of the way in which they and their acts are discussed by their inferiors. Don Josef now told Eonald that they were approaching the spot where he hoped to overtake Colonel Armytage and his party, but no traces of them could be seen. They must have proceeded faster than Don Josef had calculated. ' On, on ! ' was the cry. They met a peasant, a half-witted fellow ; he had seen such a party a carriage with ladies, a waggon and some horsemen pass an hour before. ' We shall be too late, I fear,' exclaimed Don Josef ; ' but on, my friends ; we may still overtake the enemy.' The party redoubled their speed ; never had Ronald been worked up to such a pitch of anxiety and eagerness. The sound of shots was heard ; the road wound among low broken cliffs, and trees growing thickly together; it was a likely place for an assault ; so frequent were the bends made by the road that seldom was there a direct view of more than a hundred yards. Horse and foot rushed on, till Ronald re- membering that their impetuosity might do more harm than good, halted them ; and begging Don Josef to remain with them and not to advance till summoned, rode on with the two seamen, and six other men, of the best-equipped and best- mounted of the party. Now again he pushed on as rapidly as he could. How his heart beat ! Should he be in time to rescue his friends ? If not, how would they be treated ? His eager- ness prompted him to shout to his men, but he recollected caution was necessary, and restrained himself. Again the rattle of musketry was heard, and dropping shots, and even the shouts of the combatants reached his ears ; he was close to them ; a carriage was the first object which met his view. The mule which dragged it had drawn it against the side of the cliff, against which it lay half upset. Before it were a 360 RONALD MORTON. party of men drawn up across the pass, and bravely contending against a whole host who appeared beyond. It was evident, however, the small band would be quickly overpowered, for men were seen climbing the cliff with muskets in hand, be- longing to the opposite party. By their dress, and the rapidity with which they climbed the cliffs, they seemed to be seamen. Ronald's plans were formed in a moment ; he instantly de- spatched the most trusty of his party to direct Don Josef to send a hundred men up the cliffs, so as to gain a higher level than the French, and to advance with all rapidity with the rest. Putting spurs to his horse, Ronald, with his smalt body of companions, darted on, shouting in English and Spanish, ' To the rescue ! to the rescue ! Do not give way a strong force is at hand ! ' He had neither been heard nor seen by the commissioner's escort : at that moment they wavered and drew back. Once losing ground, the French dashed in among them ; while some of the latter engaged each of them in single combat, a French officer and several others made their way to the carriage ; Ronald and his band galloped on. At that moment only were they discovered. A shriek was heard. The Frenchmen were dragging the ladies from their carriage. Ronald repeated the shouts he had already uttered. Among the French were sailors as well as soldiers. ' We'll tackle them,' cried Job. 4 What business has they to be here ? ' exclaimed Bob. The French officer was in naval uniform, and Ronald, even at that distance, recognised Alfonse Gerardin. Mrs Armytage and her daughter shrieked for help ; they fancied they had been attacked by bandits. They had IKMMI more alarmed for the safety of Colonel Armytage than for their own ; he was nowhere to be seen. ' Fear not. my beloved Edda ; you and your mother are in perfect safety,' said Alfonse Gerardin, who hud thrown himself from his horse. He was now endeavouring to draw her, with THE RESCUE. 361 as little violence as possible, from the carriage. ' I have sought for you through many lands ; I have found you at last, and we will never again part.' These expressions frightened Edda far more than any threats would have done. There was a concentrated energy and determination in the way he spoke them that made her feel that he would keep his word. ' Oh, spare me ! spare me ! ' she exclaimed. ' You are not a brigand ; you do not war with women. Let us go free, and hasten to the assistance of my father. You expressed friend- ship for him. Prove it now.' ' I will, Edda, I swear ; but you cannot remain here. Any moment you may be sacrificed. The shot are falling thickly around. It is hopeless to expect help from any one but me.' At that moment Edda saw him change colour, and then she heard the sound of a voice which she knew full well ' To the rescue ! to the rescue ! ' while Bob and Job shouted, ' Down with the Mounseers ; down with them ! ' Edda saw Ronald coming. She struggled to free herself ; while Alfonse, having leapt on his horse, was attempting to lift her up on the saddle ; but he was not a good horseman, and it seemed doubtful whether he would succeed. While some of his followers were endeavouring to carry off Mrs Armytage, in obedience to his orders, the others were facing about to defend themselves against the approaching enemy. When the French saw the small body of men led by Morton, those who had faced to meet them boldly advanced. Morton dashed forward. His great object was to reach Alfonse Gerardin. He saw nothing else, he thought of no- thing else but Edda Armytage in his power. ' Release her, or you die ! ' he shouted. Truefitt and Doull meantime had each singled out a French seaman, and with hearty good- will were attacking them with their cutlasses. So fierce was their onslaught that they drove them back into the midst of the melee, where Colonel Army- 362 RONALD MORTON. tage's troopers were still holding their own against their foes. The French were, however, pressing them very hard. Alfonse looked round and saw that the way was open to him. In another moment Ronald Morton would be at his side. He stooped down, and throwing his arms round Edda, by a violent effort lifted her off the ground and placed her on his saddle. ' Retreat, men ! ' he shouted, ' Let alone the other lady.' He was galloping off, but Ronald digging his spurs into his horse's flanks, and cutting down a French soldier, who at- tempted to stop him, was in another instant by the side of the young lieutenant. Gerardin saw him coming with uplifted sword. He raised his own weapon to defend himself, while he still held Edda with his left arm. He knew that Ronald would not dare to fire ; he doubted whether he would even venture to strike, for fear of injuring Miss Armytage. Ronald's eye was practised, his nerves were well strung. 'Release her, villain! madman! 'he shouted again. He saw what Alfonse, who had to turn his head to look at him, did not see, Truefitt and Doull springing across the road. Bob seized the horse's head ; the animal reared. Gerardin, in at- tempting to seize the rein, loosened his hold of Edda, and she would have fallen to the ground had not Truefitt caught her. The enemy were gathering thickly around. Bob, seeing what had happened, let go the rein to defend his own head, as well as his shipmate's, from the blows showered on them. Morton, too, was attacked on all sides. He did not seek for revenge. Gerardin's horse sprang 1 forward and saved his rider from the only blow aimed at him by Morton. All these events had passed within a few seconds of time. At that instant the Frenchmen uttered a cry of ' Retreat ! retreat ! Sauve qui pent!' They had good reason for so doing; for the cliffs on either side appeared covered with guerillas, who began firing down upon them, while a strong baud was seen advancing at full speed along the road. ' Ronald Morton, I hate you ! ' exclaimed Gerardin, turning RONALD RESCUES COLONEL ARMYTAGE. 363 round in his saddle, and shaking his clenched fist at the English lieutenant. ' You have foiled me again and again. I know you, and who you are ; you stand between me and my birth- right ; you shall not foil me again. I have before sought your life ; the next time we meet we will not separate till one or the other dies.' These last words were uttered as, surrounded by the sur- vivors of his band, he was galloping off. The advantage of having sent the Spaniards to crown the height was now apparent. They drove the French riflemen down to the main body, and the enemy, not being able to ascertain the number opposed to them, gave way before a very inferior and undis- ciplined force. Ronald did not attempt to follow them till he had placed Edda in safety by the side of her mother, whom he found half fainting in the carriage. Then telling her that he would go in search of Colonel Armytage, he leapt on his horse and joined Don Josef and the surviving troopers who were moving on in pursuit of the enemy. He had not gone far be- fore he fancied that he could distinguish Colonel Armytage mounted on a horse among the French, and drooping as if badly wounded. The road sloped considerably in front. The French were descending the steep. Calling to his companions to charge, he led the way, attacking the rear-guard of the enemy with irre- sistible impetuosity. Down they went before the Spanish blades like corn before the sickle. Those in front endeavoured to fly. Some few turned to withstand their opponents, but they, too, gave way, and Ronald and his followers fought on till they reached the prize the French fancied they had secured : the person to capture whom the expedition had apparently been despatched. The colonel, who had been secured to his horse, was almost insensible, and seemed not at all aware by whom he had been rescued. The French, meantime, when they discovered the small number of the guerilla band opposed to them halted, and seemed about to return ; but Ronald 3G4 RONALD MORTON. showed so bold a front that they apparently thought better of it, arid on finding that they were not again attacked, formed in order, and continued their retreat. Ronald observed, as he rode back, that although there were numbers of dead on the road, there was not a wounded man alive among them. CHAPTER XXXII. Thom COLONEL ARMYTAGE WOUNDED. CROSSING THE BAY OF BISCAY. CHASED DURING A GALE. THE BRIG DISMASTED. CAPTURED. ONALD MORTON'S heart beat high with hope when he rode back, and was able to announce to Mrs Armytage and Edda that he had re- covered Colonel Armytage. h wounded and faint from loss of blood, I trust *_- t that he is not seriously hurt,' he added. He received an ample reward in the look of love and gratitude which Edda gave him. Before the arrival of the colonel, the carriage was got up, the traces were repaired, the mules caught, and everything was in readiness to move. Don Josef, who now came up, in- sisted on their returning to his house. ' Even if the enemy were not iu the neighbourhood,' he observed. ' it would be useless for the commissioner to proceed further, utterly unable as he is to attend to business.' After a time Colonel Armytage yielded an unwilling con- sent to the arrangement. He had learned that Don Josef was Morton's friend, and he was evidently doubting in his mind how he should treat Morton himself. He had just rendered him a great service, and the very man whom he had once favoured as the suitor of his daughter, and who had promised 365 366 RONALD MORTON. to come and claim her when circumstances would allow him, lie had seen in the ranks of the enemy, and he now learned had also attempted to cany off his daughter. These thoughts occupied his mind as the carriage moved on in the centre of the party. Ronald had too correct notions of generalship not to march in true military order. He sent forward an advanced guard, and kept a rear guard at some distance to give timely notice of the approach of an enemy, should they be pursued. He himself was everywhere, seeing that his newly-raised band of guerillas were attending to their duty, though he did not fail, whenever he passed, to make inquiries at the carriage- window as to how Colonel Armytage was bearing his journey. It was dark when the country-house of Don Josef was reached. He literally made his house the home of the foreigners, for he made them occupy all the best rooms, and retired himself to a small chamber remote from all the rest. It was one of those glorious nights which in no part of Europe are seen to greater advantage than in the clear atmosphere of Spain. The moon, in full lustre, shone out from a sky uudim- med by a single cloud, and every object on which its light fell stood out clear and defined, casting the darkest of shadows behind it. When the guerilla band had been refreshed they assembled in the patio, or yard in front of the house, and gave vent to their satisfaction at their victory in patriotic songs. It was great enjoyment to Morton to find himself again by the side of Edda, and to feel that he had just conferred so great a benefit on her father that he could scarcely refuse his consent to their union. He little knew the unyielding nature of the man with whom he had to deal. Both Edda and Ronald referred to the threats they had heard uttered by Alfonso Gerardiu. ' I cannot understand him,' she said, ' who he is, nor what he is. My father certainly favoured his suit in a way I could not fancy he would do that of a person of whom he knew nothing, while he treats you, whom he does know, with evident COLONEL ARMYTAGE WOUNDED. 3(J7 dislike. I cannot conceal it from myself. You know the pain it must give me. Nor can I help owning that my father is acting 1 a cruel and wrong part. Ronald knew how near the enemy were, and would have been anxious for the safety of his friends had not Don Josef assured him that he had sent out scouts to watch their move- ments, and to give the earliest notice of their approach. The next day a surgeon arrived, who pronounced the wounds Colonel Armytage had received to be in no way dan- gerous, but expressed his opinion that he would be unfit for a long time to perform the duties intrusted to him. Of this the colonel himself seemed to be fully aware, and he accordingly at once wrote to beg that he might be superseded. In the afternoon a scout arrived with the information that the French were retreating northward. This was accounted for by the rumour of the approach of a strong Spanish force. Ronald would gladly have remained to watch over the safety of Edda and her parents, and Don Josef did not fail to employ every argument he could think of to persuade him that he would be right in so doing. He had, however, been absent from his ship much longer than had been intended ; and though he could give a very good account of the way he had employed his time, and he knew that his captain would be perfectly satis- fied, he felt sure that she would be employed in some work in which he would wish to take a part. Edda had too high a sense of the duty of an officer to attempt for a moment to de- tain him, though her sad looks showed how much she felt the parting. She talked hopefully of the future ; of the happiness which might be in store for them when her father's objections were overcome. ' They must be conquered some day,' she exclaimed. 'Why should he object on the score of birth? We are cousins, though distant ones, and as for fortune, I have never been ambitious, and shall be well content to share what you may have, till You know some day, Ronald, Lunnasting in all 368 RONALD MORTON. probability will be mine. I am not greedy of it. I would gladly see it belong to my long-lost cousin, poor aunt Hilda's son, if he could be found ; but after the lapse of so many years, that is not likely. Indeed, it is for your sake alone, Ronald, that I should prize it.' Ronald pressed her to his heart. ' Thanks, thanks, gene- rous one,' he whispered. ' We may yet obtain ample fortune to satisfy our wishes. Of that I have little fear.' The tears came into Mrs Arn^-tage's eyes when Ronald wished her farewell. It appeared to her as if the only person to whom she could look with confidence for protection and support was about to leave her, for even should Colonel Army- tage recover his health, his temper was not likely to improve, while, should he grow worse, she would be left in a still more helpless condition. Ten days more passed, and a fine brig stood into the har- bour. The master came on shore, and finding out Colonel Armytage, announced himself as Captain Caiiton, of the ' Helen,' bound direct for London. Nothing could be more convenient ; every arrangement was soon concluded; the colonel and his family went on board ; the generous Don Josef bade them farewell, and with a favourable breeze, a course was shaped for the Straits of Gibraltar. The ' Helen ' remained only a couple of days at Gibraltar. Colonel Annytage refused to go on shore, or to allow his wife or daughter to go. They were glad, therefore, once more to be at sea. The weather continued fine, and the wind favour- able, and there was every promise of a prosperous voyage. The wind was from the south-east, and as the ' Helen ' ran along the coast of Portugal the sea was perfectly smooth, except that a slight ripple played over its surface, on which the sun sparkled with dazzling brilliancy. An awning was spread, under which the ladies sat, and when the rock of Lisbon rose in view and the pine-crowned heights of Cintra, just then especially notorious, not for its beauty, not for its THE ' HELEN ' IN THE BAY OF BISCAY. 369 orange groves, but on account of the disgraceful treaty which had there lately been concluded, even Colonel Armytage con- descended to come on deck, and to admire the beauty of the scene. Through their glasses the Cork convent could be seen perched on its lofty crags, and below them to the north the mass of odd-looking buildings known as the palace of Mafra, containing a royal residence, a monastery, barracks, and a church. Further north, little more could he seen than a long line of yellow sand, with pine-covered hills. ' Now, ladies, I think you have seen enough of Portugal,' said Captain Carlton. ' We'll haul off the shore, if you please ; for, to tell you the truth, it's a treacherous coast, which I'm in no way fond of. From here, right away till we come to Vigo in Spain, there is not a single harbour into which a ship can run for shelter ; I don't say that it's a disgrace to the people they didn't make the coast ; it was so formed for some good reason, I doubt not, but still I always like to give it a wide berth.' The fine weather continued till the ' Helen ' had passed Cape Ortegal, and was fairly in the Bay of Biscay. The wind then increased, and became variable, and dark clouds were seen banking up in the south-western horizon. The kind old captain became less cheerful than usual. The brig no longer glided on smoothly and sedately as before, but began to roll and pitch with the rising sea. The ladies came on deck, but were unable to read and work as they had previously done, but Edda declared that she enjoyed the change, and found amuse- ment in looking at the dancing seas, and in watching a shoal of porpoises which went careering along, sporting and rolling and keeping way with the brig without effort. ' Ah, young lady, you are looking at those fellows, are you ?' said Captain Carlton. ' Just watch how they go along. Now I have heard people on shore talk of a porpoise as a fat, heavy creature who hasn't got any spirit in him, just like a hog, for instance, wallowing in the mud. I should like to see A A 370 RONALD MORTON. the race-horse which could keep up with them. They would beat that gallant frigate which passed us the other day, and as to this brig you see, they swim round and round her as if she was at anchor, and we are going a good seven knots through the water. People fancy when they see their black tails when they dive that they are rolling along, but the truth is, there isn't a creature darts quicker through its native element than a porpoise.' The captain's lecture on the much-maligned fish was sud- denly brought to a close by a cry from the masthead of a sail on the larboard-quarter. In war time merchantmen keep a sharp look-out, or ought to do so, that they may have timely notice to enable them to avoid an enemy. On the present oc- casion all Captain Carlton could do was to make more sail and to continue the same course he had been steering. As there were threatenings of a stiff breeze, if not of a gale, the hands were ordered to stand by to take it hi again, should it be neces- sary. The stranger gained rapidly on the brig, and as she was pronounced to be a large ship, then a man-of-war from the squareness of her yards, and at length a frigate ' Could she be the " Imperious ? " ' Edda ventured to ask. The old captain shook his head. ' No, my dear young lady,' he answered gravely ; it goes to my heart to alarm you, but the truth must be spoken. I am very much afraid that the stranger is an enemy.' Edda's heart sunk within her. English prisoners, she knew, whether combatants or not, were detained in France for years, and the Emperor had shown his intention of keeping them till he had attained the objects he sought. Mrs Armytage fainted when she heard the report, and the colonel came on deck to ascertain its truth. lie evidently did not like the look of things. ' Cannot you make this craft of yours sail faster ? ' he asked, iii an angry tone of the master. THE CHASE. 371 ' It is the people who built her, sir, are to blame, iiot me. I am doing, and will do, all a seaman can accomplish to escape the enemy ; I have no wish to be taken. I have a wife and family waiting- my return home, and Heaven have mercy on them ! we shall be utterly ruined if the brig is taken.' Colonel Armytage was silent ; the chances of escape seemed small indeed. Still pressed as she was with a far larger amount of canvas than the master would have ventured to carry under ordinary circumstances, the brig tore through the rising seas at a greater rate than had ever before probably been got out of her. The master stood watching the masts and spars with an anxious eye. They bent and cracked with-the greatly increased strain to which they were exposed ; the weather-shrouds and stays were tautened to the utmost. At length the master turned round to Edda and Mrs Armytage, who, having re- covered from her first alarm, had come up on deck. ' My dear young lady, and you, ma'am, do go below, let me pray you ; this is no place for you,' he said, with deep ear- nestness. ' Any moment we may have the masts and spars rattling down on our heads, or the enemy's shot flying along our decks. Please Heaven, while the masts stand we'll hold on. They can but take us in the end ; but, dear ladies, do go below. We shall act more like men if we know that you are safe.' Thus urged, most unwillingly Edda and her mother retired to the cabin. The colonel, however, remained on deck. ' It shall never be said that where danger was present 1 was absent,' he remarked. ' Maybe, but you would be of much more use looking after your wife and daughter in the cabin,' muttered the honest old captain. Edda and Mrs Armytage went into their own cabin. They knelt down. They could not strive like men, but they could pray that the ship might be preserved from the threatened 372 RONALD MORTON. danger, or, if it was Heaven's will that it should overtake her, that they might have strength given them to bear whatever it was their lot to suffer. The breeze was freshening rapidly, the movement of the brig increased as she plunged with a violent jerk into one sea, and then rose up the watery ridge only to sink down again into another watery valley. Still on she tore. The master was keeping his word. On a sudden there was a cry ; then followed a fearful crash. ' Oh, my father ! he may have been killed,' exclaimed Edda, as she rushed on deck. Both the masts had gone by the board, and the brig lay a helpless wreck on the tossing waters. The frigate was close to them. For an instant a wild hope rose in Edda's heart. Was she after all the ' Imperious ? ' The hope was soon banished. The flag of France flew out from the stranger's peak. Edda looked round for her father, trembling with fear. He had fallen, and lay on the deck un- able to rise. She rushed towards him, all his unkindness, his harshness and injustice forgotten. She attempted to lift him up; but her strength was unequal to the task. He soon somewhat recovered. ' I am not materially injured, I fancy,' he said at length. ' This is a fearful accident ; I was struck by a falling block, and was stunned. I shall be myself again directly. But where is the master ? What has become of the crew ? ' Edda gazed horror-struck at the spectacle which met her sight. Several of the men lay crushed under the masts and heavy spars which had fallen on the deck, a few who had leaped below were returning to their assistance, but Captain Carlton was nowhere to be seen. Just then a cry struck Edda's ears ; she gazed out on the foam-covered sea. Among the wildly leaping waves she caught sight of the old master's countenance it was turned towards the brig with a look of agony. He was swimming bravely, sorely buffeted as he was CAPTURE OF THE ' HELEN.' 373 by the seas. The effort was beyond his strength. With a wild cry he threw up his arms, and the next sea rolled over his head. Edda would have sunk with horror had not the call of duty supported her. ' Father ! oh come below ! we can do nothing to help our- selves, and shall be safe there,' she exclaimed, in an imploring- tone. ' No, no, girl ; I must be on deck to receive our captors. See, they are coming- ! ' He raised himself to his feet, and was pointing to the frigate, which, having passed to windward of the dismasted brig, was now hove-to. A boat was at that instant being- lowered from her side. ' Then I will not leave you, father,' said his daughter, clinging to the bulwarks near him. The boat from the French frigate approached ; she came close to the brig, but it was both difficult and dangerous for the crew to get on board. More than once they made the attempt, and each time the boat was driven off again by the sea ; at last they shouted to the English seamen to come and help them. The surviving crew of the brig had gone below, as is the practice of seamen likely to be captured, to put on their best clothing and to secure any valuables belonging to them. At last they appeared, and with their assistance and the ropes they hove-to the boat, and the Frenchmen succeeded in getting on board. Their officer was the first up the side. Edda looked at him, and almost shrieked with terror when she recognised Alfonso Gerardin. CHAPTER XXXIII. THE 'IMPERIOUS' HOMEWARD BOUND. THE FIRE-SHIPS ARE PREPARED. THE FRENCH FLEET IN. BASQUE ROADS. RONALD CONDUCTS A FIRE-SHIP. GENERAL EXPLOSION OF FIRE-SHIPS. [HE ' Imperious,' with a fine breeze from tlie south- ward, was standing 1 across the Bay of Biscay. She had been actively engaged all the time she had been in the Mediterranean, chiefly on the coasts of France arid Spain, capturing- armed ships and mer- chantmen, destroying telegraph stations, blowing up forts, and harassing the enemy in every possible way. The Marquis do Medea and his daughter, with Father Mendez, had been, at their own request, put on board a Spanish vessel bound round to Cadiz, as they fancied that the unsettled state of the country would make the journey by land dangerous and disagreeable. Don Tacon had before that been sent to Malta to take his trial as a pirate, but by some means or other he had been completely, if not honourably, acquitted, and very soon afterwards disappeared from the island. lie was sup- posed by some speedily to have taken to his old courses, and several merchantmen reported that they had been chased by a suspicious-looking lateen-rigged craft, on their passage be- tween Gibraltar and Malta. lie had latterly, when the ship was at sen, been allowed a good deal of liberty on board the frigate, and had been allowed to go about tlip decks at pleasure. DON TACON EAMLS-DROPPING. 375 He was, however, again deprived of this liberty in consequence of having been found one day climbing up over the quarter, as if he had been prying into the captain's cabin. No one had seen him go ; it was, therefore, supposed that he must have been concealed there for some time. When caught he at once begged to be secured. ' My life is not safe if I am left at liberty,' he exclaimed, frantically tearing his hair. ' I have looked at the past. I look at the future. I am miserable. I see nothing but wretched- ness before me. I contemplated self-destruction. I purposed dropping quietly over the stern into the water. I did not wish to create confusion. If I had jumped overboard before you all, a boat would have been lowered, and I should have been picked up ; but must I own it "? my courage failed me. I I who have been in a hundred fights, and have braved death in a thousand forms I felt fear. I clung to the side trembling, and climbed on board again, and here I am.' Ronald had a very just suspicion that Don Tacon was act- ing. He had formed, indeed, a perfectly just estimate of his consummate impudence and roguery, but still it was difficult to account for the reason of his having got there. He might have gone there for the sake of eaves-dropping, for the captain was in the cabin at the time, but then it was not likely that he understood English enough to comprehend what was said. There was one very suspicious circumstance against the worthy Tacon. A few days before Ronald had been with the captain in his cabin discussing a very important matter. It was no less than Lord Claymore's long-projected plan of destroying the French fleet whenever it could be found collected in one of these ex- posed roadsteads. Lord Claymore had become more than ever sanguine as to the success of his plan. ' It must succeed, my dear Morton,' he exclaimed vehe- mently. It will be of advantage to our country, equal to that of a great victory ; but it will be gained without one-tenth 376 RONALD MORTON. part of the loss which a general action would entail. I must obtain my recall forthwith, and lay my plans before the Ad- miralty. They must listen to me ; they can scarcely refuse to consider my plans. They won't do it for love ; they never do love a man who has got brains in his head, unless those brains are subservient to their will and pleasure.' Konald remembered that such had been some of the remarks made on the occasion referred to. Lord Claymore was rather inclined to laugh at his suspicions ; but notwithstanding that, took good care that Senor Tacon should not again have an opportunity of throwing himself overboard. It was not till some time after the Don had been sent to Malta, that Lord Claymore missed a couple of sheets of paper, on which he had drawn out some of his proposed plans. He, however, thought that very likely they had been blown over- board, and troubled himself no more about the matter. After some time he obtained his recall, and the frigate was now on her way to England. ' A sail on the starboard bow ! ' was the cry from the mast- head. The captain was anxious to get to England, and if he chased in that direction he should be led deep into the bay, and perhaps not be able to get out again ; but when the stranger was made out to be a frigate, and, in all probability an enemy, the temptation to pursue her was irresistible. The helm was put up and all sail made in chase of the stranger. Away flew the gallant ' Imperious,' with the wind on her quarter, and far ahead kept the other frigate, steering directly in for the French coast. There could be now no longer any doubt that she was an enemy. An English ship could never have run in that way ; but it was strongly suspected that the Emperor had ordered his naval officers to avoid fighting unless sure of success. Once having commenced a pursuit Lord Claymore was not the man to give it up until he had caught the chase, or run her to earth. Every means that could be thought of was tried to increase the speed of the frigate, but it was soon evident that THE BASQUE ROADS. 377 the enemy was very fast and could easily keep ahead. Still Lord Claymore hoped that some chance might enable him to come up with her and bring her to action. The weather, how- ever continued fine, which was so far in favour of the French- man, that there was little chance of his carrying away any masts or spars, by which the ' Imperious' might have gained an advantage. Night drew on ; but the moon rose and her beams fell on the chase exactly in the position she had so long- held. It was now very evident that she was steering for Basque Roads. ' She may get there but we'll bring her out for all that,' ex- claimed the captain, as he walked the deck, with his night-glass in hand, watching the chase. Hour after hour passed without the slightest alteration in the relative position of the two frigates. Day came and the chase continued. The officers each snatched a few hours' rest ; the captain probably took less than any one. The land was made out ahead and then on the starboard bow. It was the island of Oleron, forming the south side of Basque Roads. There was no longer any hope of bringing the enemy to action, still the ' Imperious' stood on. The chase was seen to bring up under a strong fort, below which several line-of-battle ships and two frigates were at anchor. ' The fellow has shown us his den, at all events,' observed Lord Claymore, examining the enemy's squadron, while the frigate continued standing in towards the anchorage. The crew were at their stations, eyeing the French squadron and forts with the most perfect unconcern, though it was possible for them, had they made the attempt, to blow the English frigate out of the water ; but so perfect was the confidence of the seamen in the captain, that they felt as if there was no more danger than in Portsmouth Harbour. ' Morton ! ' exclaimed the captain, ' look at that fleet of Frenchmen. Think of the havoo and devastation they will 378 RONALD MORTON. commit among our merchantmen and colonies if they get free away from this. Every one of them we could destroy with our fire-ships and explosion vessels. It must be done. I shall never forgive myself if I do not stir every nerve to get the Admiralty to Tindertake it. Wo will stand further in. I de- light in thus bearding them in their very harbours.' A. shot, however, from the fort, whicli flew between the masts, showed him that he had stood close enough in. The frigate wore round, and did what Job Truefitt observed she wasn't often apt to do showed her stern to the enemy. It was surprising that she was not pursued.. This made Lord Claymore suspect that the line- of -battle ships were not yet completely ready for sea. Away sailed the ' Imperious' with all the haste she could make. The wind held fair; England was soon reached. A powerful squadron, under Lord Gambler, was despatched to watch the enemy's fleet, and the captain of the ' Imperious' used every exertion to obtain leave to carry out his plans. While the captain was absent in London, Morton had charge of the ship. He seldom or never went on shore. As soon as the frigate reached Spithead he got Glover to write to his cousin, Mrs Edmonstone, to inquire for the Armytages. Her answer was unsatisfactory ; she had heard nothing of them for several months. She, indeed, knew no more of their move- ments than did Ronald himself. His mind was racked with the most painful doubts and fears. He could not even conjec- ture where they were. He had expected to have heard that they had long ago arrived in England. He missed the counsel and support of his father at the present juncture. Rolf had some time before returned to England with old Doull and Eagleshay. lie had from thence, accompanied by them, gone to Shetland, where he had re-occupied his farm. Ronald re- ceived a letter from him. He had abundance of occupation in repairing the house and improving the property, which was in a sadly neglected state. He had 7iot seen Sir Marcus Ward- A LETTER FROM RONALD'S FATHER. 379 hill, but he understood that he was failing. The Lady Hilda seldom left the castle. She was said to spend most of the hours of the day and night in her turret chamber, occupying herself with her books, though, as the country people observed, she got very little good out of them. ' But you know, my dear Ronald,' he added, ' I am not the man to interfere with my neighbours' doings. I wish that the poor Lady Hilda's lot had been happier, and as for Sir Marcus, whatever may be his feelings towards me, I never bore him any ill- will.' In a P.S. he added, ' I have just had a visit from Lawrence Briudister ; he looks wonderfully little changed. It is thought wears out a man, they say, and he, poor man, does not do much in that way. He shook me warmly by the hand and shuffled about the room, examining everything, and talking of old times, while he made his comments on everything he saw. He is madder, in my opinion, than ever, for he talked in the strangest way of events of which he was cognizant ; but when I questioned him, said he should say nothing till you made your appearance. I hope, therefore, Ronald, that you will come as soon as you can get leave, and induce our eccentric cousin to give us the infor- mation he possesses, though I confess that I shall not be sur- prised if after all it turns out he knows nothing of importance. I received a visit from my old friend Captain Maitland. He came over in his boat from North Mavin. He bears his eighty winters wonderfully well. I used to think him an oldish man nearly thirty years ago. How time flies. Though I say come when you can, I would not for a moment draw you away from your duty. You know that so well that I need not have said so. I shall be looking soon for your promotion. I met Captain Courtney while I was in Portsmouth ; he told me that you were sure to get it, and that he woiild see that you were not passed by. Again, my dear boy, good-bye. No more at present from your affectionate father, ' R. M.' His father's letter cheered Ronald for a time. He WRT 380 RONALD MORTON. glad to find that he was contented with the lot he had selected, and he determined not to tell him of his own anxieties and un- happiness. Glover, at his request, again made inquiries of Mrs Edmonstone, but her reply was as before she could gain no information about the Artnytages. The duties of the ship, however, gave Ronald ample occupation, so that he had very little time to think about himself. Lord Claymore now returned on board in high spirits. He had obtained his object, and was at once to set to work to prepare the explosion vessels and fire-ships according to his proposed plan. ' We must, however, part, Morton, I am on many accounts sorry to say,' he observed. ' Indeed, so am I, my lord, to hear you say so,' answered Ronald. ' I had hoped to continue with you in the " Imperi- ous" till she was paid off.' 'Why, the fact is, my dear Captain Morton, I have got your commission in my pocket, and appointment to a sixteen- gun sloop-of-war, the " Scorpion." I met Courtney at the Admiralty, and he insisted on my bringing it down to you, it having just been put into his hands by the first lord. I sin- cerely congratulate you, though I must say you have only obtained what you deserve.' Morton's heart bounded. What officer's docs not on re- ceiving unexpectedly his promotion ! He thanked Lord Clay- more most cordially. ' Come on shore then with me in an hour, and go on board your ship and take command,' said Lord Claymore. ' Get her ready for sea as rapidly as possible. You will accompany me, and I hope before our return we shall have managed to destroy the whole French fleet.' Ronald beggod that Truefitt and Doull might accompany him, a request that was at once granted ; and then he put in a word for Glover, and asked if he might have him as a first lieutenant. THE FIRE-SHIPS. 381 * Yes, I esteem him ; he is a good officer, but I can get a man to fill his place, who will suit me better,' was the answer. So it was arranged. Ronald went on board and read his commission. Glover and his two constant followers joined in a few days, and the 'Scorpion' was rapidly got ready for sea. Two explosion vessels were, in the meantime, being pre- pared under Lord Claymore's directions, and ten or a dozen fire-ships. The first were terrific engines of destruction. Ronald accompanied him on board one of them. She in the first place contained one thousand five hundred barrels of gun- powder, hi casks, placed on end, and bound tightly together by stout ropes ; the intervening spaces were filled with wet sand, rammed down with great force, so that the whole formed one solid mass. On the top of it were placed an immense number of hand grenades and rockets, and no less than four hundred live shells with short fusees, so that they might explode soon after the fire reached them. ' What do you think of that ? ' asked Lord Claymore. ' Woe betide the unfortunate ship she comes in contact with,' he answered. ' Not a man of her crew can escape, I should think.' The ' Imperious,' with the two explosion vessels, the ' Scorpion,' and such of the fire-ships as were ready, sailed for the Bay of Biscay. They reached the English blockading squadron under Lord Gambler. Many of the captains were highly indignant at finding one junior to themselves appointed to so important a charge. ' I hate to see gallant men yield to feelings so contemptible,' observed Lord Claymore. ' But let them rail on. lie laughs who wins.' If the deed was to be done, no time was to be lost. The time for the terrific experiment arrived. The French ships lay at their anchors across the harbour with springs on their cables, in two fines, so placed that the broadsides of the inner 382 RONALD MORTON. line could be fired clear of the outer one. The island of Abe, with powerful batteries, guarded them on one side, that of Olerou, also with strong forts, on the other. To make their position still more secure, a boom of half a mile in length, composed of numerous spars, and formed in the shape of an obtuse angle, was placed in front of them, and secured by anchors and cables of immense thickness. The French fleet consisted of twelve line-of-battle ships, a store-ship of fifty guns, and three frigates, amounting alto- gether to a number of guns perfectly capable of sinking the whole British fleet, had they attempted to force an entrance. Besides the line-of-battle ships, the French had three frigates placed as an advanced guard in front of the other lines, and close to the boom. This boom was, as has been said, composed of a great number of spars lashed tog. her and floated by large buoys, and was secured in its position by huge anchors and cables of great thickness. The boom was in the shape of an obtuse angle, the apex facing out, so that a vessel striking it would glance off either on one side or the other. The object to be attained was, first to force the boom with the explosion vessels, so as to allow an entrance for the fire- ships. By means of these fire-ships it was believed that the whole French squadron might be destroyed. The ' Scorpion' lay near the ' Imperious,' and Lord Clay- more invited Ronald to accompany him oue night to reconnoitre the enemy's position. Ronald had been dining with Lord Claymore. Soon after it was dark they left the frigate in the captain's gig, arid pulled with muffled oars towards the boom. The night was very dark, but the lights oi> board the enemy's ships could be clearly made out. They enabled Morton, who had taken the helm, to steer a right course. The object to be guarded against was falling in with any of the French buats which would be very likely rowing guard. A midshipman with a THE RECONNOITRING PARTY. 383 sharp pair of eyes was placed in the bows to give instant notice of the appearance of any other boat. It was supposed that, to a certainty, the French would have guard-boats on the watch near then- boom, and the danger to be apprehended was coming suddenly upon them. However, the gig was a remarkably fast boat, and Morton hoped that they might easily escape if pursued. Of course his companion had no doubt about it, or he would not have run the risk, seeing that^so much depended on his superintendence of the undertaking ia hand. Except the rush of the tide as it swept by, a perfect silence reigned on the waters. 'How calm and solemn is the night?' thought Ronald. ' How different will be to-morrow, when all this space will be full of burning ships, and the roar of guns and shrieks of dis- may and agony will rend the air ! ' At length the boom was reached : they now spoke in low whispers. Lord Claymore pointed out a frigate close to on the other side of it. ' This must be our point of attack,' he observed ; ' we'll break the boom and then set fire to that frigate. She will cut her cables to escape her doom, and will carry consternation and confusion among ths ships astern.' ' The plan must succeed if all hands do their duty,' answered Ronald. ' That is the point, 5 said Lord Claymore somewhat bitterly. ' Many of those to be employed are untried. I wish that I could trust all as I do you. We'll pull along by the boom a little further, and then make the best of our way on board.' The gig had not proceeded fifty fathoms when a voice hailed, ' Qui va la '? ' 'Round with the boat, Morton. Pull up your larboard oars, lads,' whispered the captain. Again a Frenchman hailed, and immediately afterwards a bullet came whizzing close to them. The gig's crew required no urging to bend to their oars. They must have been seen, 384 RONALD MORTON. for a whole volley followed them. They were not at first pur- sued, and it was evident that the French boats were at the inner side of the boom. The shot continued to fall thickly round them, but no one was hit. At last they got beyond the range of fire. ' Avast pulling ! ' cried Lord Claymore. The sound of oars was heard on either hand. It would be impossible to fight the enemy with any hope of success. Flight was their only resource. Morton steered for the frigate. The enemy's boats continued to come after them. Morton kept a look-out for the frigate's light. The Frenchmen saw at length that the pursuit was useless, and gave it up. No sooner was this ascertained than Lord Claymore began to talk on various subjects with as much composure as if they had not just nar- rowly escaped losing their lives or liberty. A strong leading wind was required to execute the project. It came at last. In the afternoon the boats assembled round the various vessels destined for the undertaking, which then proceeded towards the stations allotted to them in readiness for the night, when their operations were to commence. It was a solemn time even for the thoughtless, and highly exciting to the most phlegmatic. To many the undertaking appeared desperate in the extreme. Ronald had unbounded confidence in the judgment and bravery of their leader. Ho had himself volunteered to conduct one of the fire-ships. Lord Claymore was to lead in the largest explosion vessel. Two gun-brigs were stationed at each end of the enemy's line, and within the distance of two miles. They had lights hoisted to guide their friends, but screened from the enemy. In the centre space between these two vessels the fire-ships were to be conducted. The ' Imperious ' and three other frigates anchored about a gun-shot and a half from the boom to support the boats accompanying the fire-ships. Five or six sloops-of-war and brigs were placed near the east end of the island to make a diversion, while a bomb-vessel and several THE FIRESHIPS. 385 small craft, supplied with rockets, took up their stations near the Boyart shoal. Under the veil of night the vessels took up their stations. The wind, which was increasing, blew directly into the harbour. In the centre of the space formed by the two light-vessels, the frigates, and the boom, were collected the fleet of fire-ships and the explosion v.essels. The awful moment had arrived. The terrific work of de- struction was to begin. The darkness was intense. The two lights on either hand were the only guides on which those piloting the vessels had to depend. The explosion vessels led the way, under all sail. Morton stood at the helm of his fire- ship to guide her course, his heart beating as it had seldom beat before. He was calm and collected, but fully impressed with the awful nature of the work in which he was engaged. The darkness rendered the moment still more solemn. He could not help feeling also that at any instant he and those with him might be launched into eternity. The train was laid, all was ready ; a spark from one of the explosion vessels might ignite it suddenly. He could not see five yards from where he stood. The darkness was oppressive. A single star in the sky above would have been a relief. His ship proceeded under easy sail, to give time for the explosion vessels to produce the intended effect. The eyes of all on board were on the watch for the awful event. They could hear the people of the vessels on either side of them, but could not catch even an outline of their forms. Thus the fleet of fire-ships glided on to their work of destruction. ' The leading explosion vessel must be near the boom,' observed Job Truefitt, who had accompanied him. ' Nothing can have gone amiss, I hope.' ' Not where he is, sir,' answered Bob, confidently. ' See there ! there ! ' A terrific roar was heard. Bright flames darted forth, seeming to reach the very sky, and illuminating the whole sur- B B 386 RONALD MORTON. rounding space hitherto shrouded in darkness. In the centre the light fell on the fire-ships on either side, on the two light vessels with the high land and the forts behind them, while right ahead was the French fleet riding calmly at anchor. Like some ocean volcano, the explosion vessel continued for a few moments sending upwards its sheets of flame, while missiles of every description were flying in showers around. Konald trembled for the fate of his gallant friend. Could he have had time to escape ? Ronald's own turn was to come soon. The fire which had been raging so furiously, ceased as rapidly as it had com- menced, and all was again dark. Not a minute had passed when a second volcano burst forth, and burnt like the first. ' Now, lads, make sail ! ' shouted Ronald. The topsails were on the caps ; they were hoisted and sheeted home ; the courses were let fall, and Ronald steered his fire-ship directly for the spot where the first explosion had taken place. He hoped the boom had been broken, but if not, he expected to be able to force a passage with his ship. He fancied that he heard Lord Claymore hail as he passed. He hoped that it was his voice. The wind blew stronger and stronger. On flew the fire-ship. The boom was reached. With a crash she forced her way through it. She was bearing directly down for the French fleet. ' To the boats ! ' shouted Ronald. The cry was repeated by the other officers with him. 'Wait till I give the word to shove off, so that no one may be left behind. To your stations, and fire the trains,' he added. He looked to ascertain that the helm was properly placed, and that the vessel was standing the right way. The instant after small snake-like lines of fire was seen stealing along the decks. Ronald sprang to the side, the deck, as he did so, seemed to lift beneath his feet. lie threw himself over the bulwarks, and slid down by a rope left there for the pur- pose, into the boat. THE FIRESHIPS. 387 ' Shove off 1 shove off ! ' he shouted. The other officers were leaping into their respective boats. He hoped that he was, as he intended to be, the last to leave the ship. Flames were bursting forth on every side of the ship, and climbing up the masts ; rockets were going off, and fiery missiles of all sorts were rising from the hold, and falling around in every direction. Thus amply capable of fulfilling' her mission of death and destruction, she bore down on the French ships. The boats shoved off, but one poor fellow was blown up before he reached the one to which he belonged, and his mangled form fell close to the captain's gig. The rockets, too, were flying in every direction, as many directing their course towards the retreating boats as towards the ships of the enemy. No sooner, too, did the French per- ceive the nature of their approaching foe than they opened their fire on her, for the purpose of knocking away her masts, and altering the direction in which she was coming. Their shot also fell thickly round the boats. The lights from his fire-ship showed Morton several others approaching the spot ; and now the flames burst forth rapidly from one after the other; the distance at which they were ignited showing in a certain degree the amount of courage and judgment possessed by those who commanded them. Some were close to the boom, others were a mile, and others nearly two miles further off. On drove the fiery masses, like huge monsters of destruction, independent of human control. Every object, far and near, was now lighted up by their flames. On, on they wont, carrying havoc, terror, and con- fusion wherever they went ; their loud explosions, added to the roar of the guns, which opened on them from the whole French squadron, increasing the awfulness of the scene. The enemy soon saw that their firing was in vain : even their boats failed to tow aside the fiery masses borne down on them by the. gale. One after the other they cut their cables, and 388 RONALD MORTON. attempted to run up the harbour; but in the darkness and confusion, aided by terror at their approaching foes, they ran on shore, some on one side, some on the other ; some were already grappled by the flaming ships, which literally covered them with showers of fire, while all the time the roar of the guns sounded as if a general action was taking place. Most of the fire-ships had got inside the boom, but Morton saw that one only just beginning to burn would miss it. ' Now, my lads, we'll get hold of her, and tow her down on the Frenchmen ! ' he exclaimed. ' Ay, ay, sir ! we're all ready,' was the answer. On they dashed towards the flaming mass. They got hold of the burning vessel, and towed her up towards the now re- treating French ships. Konald saw Lord Claymore similarly engaged with another fire-ship. While they were pulling on one of the French frigates made sail, and passed to windward of them. As she did so she discharged her broadside into the two fire-ships, but the boats escaped without damage. They were, however, compelled to let go, and allow the fire-ships to proceed on their course alone. ' Well done, Morton, those craft are performing their duty admirably ! ' he shouted. ' It is time, however, to be out of this ; we can do no more at present, I fear.' Morton's own boats and others had joined with Lord Clay- more's. There was no difficulty now in seeing their way ; the fire-ships gave them light enough. The explosions and the cannonading had much lulled the wind ; the boats which had ventured inside the boom had again nearly reached it, when one of the enemy, which had driven on shore, was seen to be grappled by a fire-ship. In vain the Frenchmen strove to free themselves ; their burning enemy held them in her deadly embrace till their ship was set on fire in several places ; not till then did the fire-ship drift on, leaving them to their fate. They were lowering some of their boats, but most of them had ENDEAVOURS TO SAVE THE FRENCH CREWS. 389 been destroyed. It was too clear that numbers of the hapless crew must fall victims to the flames. ' They are no longer enemies we'll try and save them,' shouted Morton. His proposal met with a ready response from the officers and crews of the other boats, and in spite of the shot from the heated guns of the burning ship, away they dashed to the rescue of the Frenchmen. CHAPTER XXXIV. EDDA IN GERARDIKS POWER. TIIE FRIGATE STEERS FOR ROCIIELLE. CAPTAIN TACON. PEDRO ALVAREZ AND FATHER MENDEZ. TACON BETRAYS LORD CLAYMORE'S PLANS. |HEN Edda Armytage discovered by whom the brig had been captured, her dread of the conse- quences, added to the grief and terror she had been experiencing, overcame her, and she fainted. When she returned to consciousness she found herself on a sofa in a handsome well-furnished cabin ; her mother was tenderly watching by her side, and her father was walking up and down making observations partly to himself and partly to his wife. ' Yes, it is provoking to be captured just as we were reaching England, I own that,' he observed. ' How long we may be detained it is impossible to say. Yet things might be much worse. For the first lieutenant of the ship I have a great regard. You never appreciated him properly, Edda. Is that poor daughter of ours likely to come round soon ? I must beg the surgeon of the ship to see her. Oh, well, if you think there is no danger perhaps she is better as she is. Now, with regard to this young officer, I take a deep interest in him. His history is, I confess, a mystery, but I hope to have the means of clearing it up. You, of all people, ought to take an interest in him. How constant and devoted he is to our daughter : from the first time he met her at Calcutta he admired 390 EDDA IN GERARPIN'S POWER. 391 her : nothing 1 could be more tender or delicate than were his attentions to her when we were in his power. She has since made him the most ungrateful return. Her coldness, and the scornful way in which she treated him, was enough to drive any man away unless he was truly and sincerely attached. You tell me she does not and cannot love him. All nonsense. It is a daughter's duty to set her affections where her father desires. I have my reasons. That is sufficient. You speak of that young English lieutenant. He is a fine-looking fellow granted. But what else is he ? The son of a boatswain not holding the rank of a gentleman. He has himself risen from before the mast. He is said to be held in estimation in his own service granted ; but he certainly, according to my idea, showed the white feather in that duel affair with young Maguire.' ' But, Colonel Armytage, surely you do not forget that this M. Gerardin was among those who made that dreadful attack on us in Spain that he certainly attempted to carry off Edda, and would have succeeded had it not been for Mr Morton's gallantry.' Mrs Armytage had seldom ventured to differ so strongly ,nth her husband. ' I have always doubted whether it was Gerardin who figured on that occasion,' he answered. ' Morton, of course, is ready to suppose so, and you and Edda were too frightened, I suspect, to know what happened. Appearances are decep- tive ; I did not recognise him, and depend on it he will be able to assure us that he was not there.' The lady after this dared not reply. Colonel Armytage was in an excessively amiable mood. He was altogether not so much displeased at having been taken prisoner, for he anticipated very little satisfaction on his arrival in England. He had left it with an accumulation of debts, and he felt very sure that his creditors would give him no rest when they heard of his return. On the other 392 RONALD MORTON. hand he could live cheaply in France; the climate suited him ; and he concluded that though he might be detained as a prisoner, he should be able to select his residence. But what pleased him most was the having fallen into the hands of his old acquaintance, Captain Gerardin, and his son, who, from his previous acquaintance with them, he was certain would do all in their power to make his position as agreeable as they could. Edda had overheard the latter remarks made by her father. They did not contribute to afford her comfort, although they had the effect of arousing her attention. She kept her eyes shut, however, that she might have time to collect her thoughts. She soon comprehended very clearly what had happened, and remembering the counsel given her by Mrs Edmonstone, she resolved to treat the young foreigner with the same coldness which she had exhibited towards him at Calcutta. She for- got one very important point their positions had been changed. He was then a prisoner she was one now. At length, when her mother beiit fondly over her with an expression of deep anxiety at her protracted fit, she could no longer resist open- ing her eyes to assure her that she was recovering. A short time after this, a knock was heard at the door of the cabin, and the captain of the frigate entered. He said that he came to take the commands of his passengers as to the hour they would prefer having their meals. He was most anxious that they should enjoy every accommodation his ship could afford. He had not forgotten their kindness ; and if they were destined to be made prisoners he was too happy to be their captor that he might prove to them his gratitude. Though Captain Gerardin's countenance was sufficiently battered and weather-worn, there was an honest, good- natured expression about it which made Mrs Armytage feel far more confidence in his expressions than in those of his son. It was not till the next day that Edda could be persuaded to go on deck ; the sea was smooth, and the air soft and balmy, and .she could not help looking out on the blue ocean DON TACON AND CAPTAIN GERADIN. 393 which she had learned to love so much. Alfonse Gerardin only occasionally approached her. When he did so his man- ner was so gentle and courteous that she could not help acknowledging to herself that she had no reason to complain of him. Captain Gerardin was good-natured and hearty, and laughed and talked with her and her father and mother with well-bred ease and freedom. The frigate, he told them, was attached to a squadron now at anchor near Rochelle, and that she was now on her way back to rejoin it. The next morning land was seen ahead, and soon after- wards the frigate came up with a small lateen-rigged craft standing the same way. Captain Gerardin hailed, and asked where she was bound ? In return, a person who said he was the captain, replied that he was in search of a French squadron which would soon be ready to sail, and that he had very im- portant information to communicate. ' We will heave-to, and you can come on board,' answered the captain of the French frigate. In a short time a boat was launched from the deck of the little felucca, and pulled towards the frigate. She was soon alongside, and a tall thin old man made his appearance on deck. Captain Gerardin scrutinized him severely, and he stared at the captain in return. ' We have met before, my friend, if I mistake not/ ex- claimed the former. ' I see before me Don Annibal Tacon.' ' The same, though changed, I suspect, since we last parted,' said Captain Tacon. ' And I may venture to say that I behold one with whom I have exchanged some hard knocks, but love not the worse, and whom I once knew as Pedro Alvarez ; though from the flag under which you serve I pre- sume you have changed your name as well as your nation.' ' You are right, friend Tacon,' answered the captain. ' What is more, you are the very man for whom I have been long searching ; but let me have your information first, and 394 RONALD MORTON. then I will tell you the reason why I have been anxious to find you.' ' It will take some time,' answered the old pirate. ' If you like to make sail, I will order the felucca to stand on in your wake.' 1 No ; but direct her to stand on tinder our lee,' said the captain. Your people may be very honest and faithful, but they may take it into their heads to ran away, and leave you with us. It is well to be cautious with such gentry.' Captain Tacon was profuse in his thanks. ' Certainly, rogues like mine do require to be watched,' he remarked. ' Ah, as I have always thought, honesty is the best policy, but some- how or other I never could manage to adhere to it. But before you make sail I may as well bring some passengers I have on board here. They are rather unwilling passengers, I own ; I might call them prisoners, for they are Spaniards, enemies to France an old man, a marquis and his daughter, and a priest. I took them out of a vessel bound for Cadiz ; and as I did not know how to dispose of her, after removing every thing of value, I scuttled her.' ' But what did you do with her crew ? ' asked the captain of the frigate. ' Let them go down in her,' answered Tacon coolly. ' I thought it would show my other prisoners that I was not a man to be trifled with.' ' By all means let them come on board here,' said the cap- tain of the frigate, anxious to get the prisoners out of the power of such a ruffian. ' I will send an officer and a boat to conduct them.' A boat was lowered ; one of the lieutenants jumped into it. and soon returned from the felucca with the persons Tacon had described. They were helped Tip the frigate's side, and the old man advanced, with his daughter leaning on his arm, and fol- lowed by the priest, who, though concealed by those in front, was, by peering out on one side, able to take a steady survey of the officers on the quarter-deck. DON TACON'S PRISONERS. 395 The captain received the marquis and his daughter with great politeness. ' We have already ladies on board, and I hope mademoiselle will have no cause to complain of her treatment while on board the ship, though our accommodation is somewhat limited.' Mrs Armytage and Edda signed to the young lady to come to them, and she advanced at once, glad to find herself in the society of some of her own sex, whose countenances showed that they were worthy of her confidence. The marquis stood alone, and the old priest was seen behind him. No sooner did the eyes of the captain fall on him than he exclaimed, ' What ! Father Mendez is it you still on this side the grave ? I meet you very opportunely, for of all people you were the one I desired to see. What ! do you not recollect your old shipmate ? ' ' Perfectly,' answered the priest in a low tone ; ' but 1 should have thought, Pedro Alvarez, that I was the person of fill others you would have been most desirous of avoiding I, who am cognizant of your crimes, of the sacrilege you have committed, of your traitorous conduct you, an outcast from the bosom of our Holy Mother Church even now I find you ia command of a ship belonging to the enemies of our country. If I speak, it must be to pronounce the curse of our Holy Church and of Heaven on your head.' ' Hold, father ! you are going ahead too fast,' exclaimed the old seaman, bluntly ; ' I have braved the curses of your Church too long to care for them ; those of Heaven Heaven alone can pronounce or inflict ; but call not one a traitor who was unjustly driven from his country, and has never ceased to love her. However, you are an ancient comrade, and as such have the privilege of speaking freely. I wish to be on friendly terms with you and every human being. I am never happier with the feeling that I have made an enemy. But, as I was saying, I rejoice to meet you, for you can render me a service 396 ROLAND MORTON. which will enable me to accomplish an object which has been nearer my heart than any other in the world.' The English prisoners, as well as the marquis and his daughter, were near. ' Yes, I will confess to you, my friends,' he added, address- ing them : ' I am not a Frenchman by birth, but a Spaniard Pedro Alvarez by name, as Father Meudez called me. With your wife's family, as I told you, Colonel Armytage, I am well acquainted. For many months I have resided in Shetland.' The marquis started, and cast an inquiring look at the cap- tain's countenance. ' Circumstances occurred there of which Father Mendez is cognizant. We will speak of them by-and-by. My ship was wrecked, and my captain and all his crew perished. I was the only officer saved. On my return to Spain I was accused of heresy, and an officer of the Inquisition was sent to apprehend me. Perhaps the Marquis de Medea may know something about that. In self-defence I was compelled to slay the alguizal. I knew that the vengeance of the Inquisitors would follow me, and I escaped on board a ship-of-war which I had been appointed to command. I at length left her, and so managed that my officers believed me to be dead, and on their return home reported accordingly that such was the case. I wandered about in many parts of the world till the French Republic was established, and then I entered the naval service of France, and for convenience' sake changed my name. For long I continued in it and served France faithfully, but an event occurred which compelled me for a time to quit it. I went to India, and for several years I remained in the eastern seas in command of a privateer, and having made some money in her, I returned to Europe, when I received the command of this frigate. Such has been niy career. There is no great mystery in it, but it was necessary that I should give an account of it, lest any present should consider me a monster in human shape, and guilty of all the crimes of which the father accuses me.' A SAIL. 397 The marquis, who had been anxiously watching the cap- tain's countenance, breathed more freely when he ceased speaking. ' Certainly, my friend, I think that you have every excuse for your conduct,' he exclaimed, offering his hand to the captain, who did not seem very anxious to accept it. ' I for one shall be happy to welcome you back to Spain when peace is restored, and as the Inquisition has been abolished you need have no fear on that account. My friend, Father Mendez, will, I am sure, also retract his disparaging expressions* he has applied to you. He must acknowledge that they are unjust not such as you deserve. Come, father, say that you regret having spoken so harshly of the worthy officer.' But the father shook his head without speaking. ' It matters little,' said the captain. ' He laughs who wins. Perhaps when all the details are filled up, some of my very worthy friends may not be so well pleased.' He looked significantly at the marquis. At that moment Alfonse Gerardin crossed the quarter-deck. The marquis looked at him and started. ' Who is that young man ? ' he asked, in an agitated tone ' One of the officers of my ship, as you see by his uniform, answered the captain, carelessly. 'A sail on the larboard beam !' sung out a man from the mast-head. Soon afterwards the cry was heard that there were three, four, five sail a whole fleet of ships in sight. The captain went aloft, and so did several of the officers, to ex- amine the strangers with their glasses. On their return on deck, they pronounced them to be English, but the greater number of the ships were well on the frigate's quarter. ' As soon as we are seen they will give chase, but we must do our utmost to get under the batteries of Aix before they reach us. We have a good excuse for running away.' More sail was set on the frigate. Itwas a question, however, whether she could reach the shelter which was sought for, in time. Several of the English ships were seen making sail in chase. 398 ROLAND MOETOX. Edda Armytage looked out eagerly towards them. She at all events had no wish to remain a prisoner. Some wild hopes, too, rose in her heart as she understood that the pursuing ships were frigates. ' They will not overtake us, young lady,' said the captain, who observed the nature of her thoughts. ' I would rather, too, that you did not indulge in the wish, for I cannot bear to see you disappointed.' ' Thank you for your kindness, but it is but natural that I should wish to be free,' she answered, endeavouring to smile. She fancied, by the countenances of some of the other officers, that they had not the same confidence as the captain. She observed the point for which the French frigate was steer- ing, and it appeared to her that the English ships were just as near. This gave her hopes. Still she was afraid that the French would fight, and that there would be a desperate struggle before they allowed their ship to be captured. She was not aware that the French frigate was to windward of Rochelle, and that the English were some way to leeward, which gave the advantage to the former. The ships were, however, rapidly approaching each other. She saw, indeed, that even the captain thought that there might possibly be a fight, for the guns were being cast loose, and powder and shot were brought up on deck. So much engaged had everybody been in observing the movements of the English fleet on the larboard beam, that no one had been watching the proceedings of the little felucca which had been on the other side. A loud oath from the lips of Don Tacou gave them notice that something was wrong, and looking out over the starboard bulwarks she was seen close hauled under all sail, standing away to the southward. The old man walked up and down the deck, throwing furious glances at her, while he stamped and swore, and tore his hair. ' The rogues, the villains, the scoundrels, to desert me thus ! ' he exclaimed. ' To take advantage of me when THE CHASE. 399 saw that I could not pursue them. Who is one to trust in this world ? My curses go with you, you knaves ! ' he shouted, shaking 1 his fist at the far-distant vessel. ' Ha ! it is some satisfaction to know that none of you know anything of navi- gation, and that you will cast yourselves away to a certainty. May every one of you be food for the fish before many days are over ! ' No one pitied the old pirate, and he was allowed to rave on without interference. The frig-ate tore through the water the breeze was freshen- ing. This was all in her favour. Still the British ships were coming up fast; the leading frigate began to fire her bow chasers, but the shot fell short. She waited for some time. One fortunate shot, and the Frenchman would be her prize. The forts on the island of Oleron could now be seen clearly with the naked eye. The English frigate drew still nearer. Captain Gerardiu judged that she was nearly within gun- shot. ' Ladies, this quarter-deck is no longer a place for you,' he said, addressing Edda and her mother, and the Spanish young lady. ' I regret to drive you from it, but I must use the authority of a captain, and order you below.' Mrs Armytage and her daughter saw that he was in earnest, and prepared to obey. A shot which whistled close over the quarter showed the wisdom of his order. ' Oh, but my father my father ! will he not come ? ' ex- claimed the daughter of the marquis in the most bitter anguish. ' Yonr father will do as he thinks fit, Donna Julia,' said the captain. ' I only exert my influence where ladies are concerned. Spain is at present united to England. He cannot be called on to fight.' ' And you, Captain Alvarez, you are a Spaniard. Why unite with the enemies of Spain ? ' ' Spain disinherited me,' he answered, turning away. ' But, ladies, hasten below, there is no time to be lost.' 400 RONALD MORTON. Another shot came whistling by, and cut short all further conversation. The captain now ordered a couple of long brass guns to be run out aft to return the compliment the English were paying him. They were served well, and the nearer the enemy ap- proached, the more effective they became. At length a shot struck the taffrail, and glancing along the bulwarks, sent the splinters flying about the deck. The marquis turned pale. ' It is my duty to go and look after the safety of my daughter,' he observed, diving rapidly below. ' I am not a belligerent, and if I am w^ounded I cannot at- tend to the spiritual affairs of the dying,' said Father Mendez, following his patron. ' It matters little what becomes of me, since all my worldly possessions are on board the craft those scoundrels are carrying off,' remarked Don Tacon, as he sulkily walked the deck. Colonel Armytage kept his post on the deck, eyeing the English ships. ' It would be wiser for you, sir, to go below,' said the captain. ' We shall be hotly engaged soon, and there is no reason why you should expose your life.' ' I have never avoided danger in whatever form it has pre- sented itself,' answered the colonel, haughtily. ' I do not feel disposed to show on the present occasion that I have a faint heart.' ' As you like, colonel,' said the captain, shrugging his shoulders. ' It is an odd fancy some men have for making targets of their heads.' The shots now came with greater rapidity on board the frigate. Her sails had several holes in them, and some of her standing as well as of her running rigging had been cut away. Still, only one of the chasing ships was near enough to fire, but the other two were coming up fast. The brave captain looked at his foes, and then at the friendly forts. ' We shall soon escape from them,' he observed to his THE ESCAPE. 401 lieutenant. ' But one of these shots may any moment cut short my career. Should I fall, fight the ship to the last. And, Alfonse, remember Colonel Armytage and Father Meudez know all.' The French frigate was drawing in closer and closer to the fort. Suddenly one of the guns from it sent a shot flying past her towards her enemy. Several followed. The French garri- son had got the range. Still, the Englishman did not give up the pursuit. A fortunate shot might enable him to bring the enemy to closer action. At length, however, a shot from the fort carried away his foretop-gallant-mast, another might do still further damage ; and as it would have been ex- treme rashness to continue the pursuit further, he hauled his wind and made the best of his way out of the range of the guns of the forts, while the French frigate came to an anchor safe under their shelter near several line-of-battle ships and frigates. No sooner had the sails been furled than Captain Tacon came aft, and begged at once to be taken to the admiral. ' I told you that I was coming to give important informa- tion,' he said coolly. ' I prefer giving it to the admiral, who has the power to reward me as I deserve.' The captain had nothing whatever to say against this, and accordingly conducted him on board the flag-ship. The old [/irate then gave the information that the English had resolved to attempt the destruction of the French fleet by fire-ships ; and, as a proof, exhibited the plan which he had abstracted from Lord Claymore's cabin. ' I will consider the information you have brought me, and judge of the probability of its correctness,' answered the ad- miral. ' You shall, according as it is found to be correct, receive your reward. Take him on board again, Captain Gerardin, and see that he does not escape. He will probably be equally ready to inform the British government, if he has the oppor- tunity, of what we are about.' c c 402 RONALD MORTON. Tacon looked not over well pleased ; he well knew that expostulation would be useless. ' The fates are against me, and I am truly an unfortTinate and much-to-be-pitied man,' he muttered, as he was led away. Captain Gerardin took him back on board the frigate, and, to prevent the possibility of his escaping, put him into irons. ' A hard necessity, friend Tacon,' he remarked ; ' but necessity often compels us to perform unpleasant acts.' ' Ah, yes, it is my unfortunate fate ! I am truly much to .be commiserated,' answered the old pirate. ' Now there is the marquis, up there, in your cabin. He is a much greater scoun- drel than I am, and yet rank and wealth are his lot.' ' Oh, we have a bonne-bouche prepared for him, which he may not relish much more than you do those mancles on your legs,' remarked the captain, as he left the worthy Tacon to his solitary reflections. The French admiral, meantime, paid much more attention to the information he had received than he was willing to acknowledge he should do. It corroborated what he had re- ceived from other quarters, and he instantly issued orders to prepare for the expected attack. Lord Gambler's squadron had for some time been cruising off the coast, and it was con- sidered a wonder that Captain Gerardin's frigate had got safe into harbour. Meantime the prisoners, for so they were, though treated more as friends and passengers, were detained on board. The preparations for the attack were concluded, and the French were convinced that it could not succeed. It was now the common subject of conversation ; and Edda heard that Lord Claymore was about to take an active part in the operation, and, of course, supposing that Ronald Morton was still with him, she felt sure that he would likewise be engaged, and would be foremost wherever danger was to be encountered. Never had she passed a time of suspense so painful. It was shared, how- ever, in a gieut degree, by her mother and by Donna Julia. THE COUSINS. 403 She was becoming much interested in the young Spanish girl, though she could not entirely make out her character. At all events she was warm-hearted and enthusiastic, but though gentle in her manners, she seemed more inclined to resent an injury than to forgive it. Still she was very different to her father, for whom Edda had conceived a great dislike. No one, indeed, liked him. Her father kept studiously aloof from his society, and even Father Mendez rarely or never spoke to him. Edda's chief annoyance arose from the attentions paid her by Alfonse Gerardin ; they had become more frequent, and he was far more confident in his manner than he had ever before been. How to treat him under the present circumstances she could not tell. The cabin was no sanctuary to her. He entered it at all times with perfect freedom, and evidently with the captain's sanction. One day, believing that he was on duty on deck, where the rest of the party were assembled, she remained in the cabin to read. She was seated on a sofa, and had succeeded in fixing her attention on the book, when the door opened, and on look- ing up she saw Lieutenant Gerardin approaching her. She let her eyes again drop on the page before her, but not a word could she read. He sat down by her side, and before she was aware of it had grasped her hand. ' Hear me, Edda ! ' he exclaimed with vehemence. * I can exist no longer in the state of uncertainty I have endured for so many years. From the first moment I saw you, I loved you. You know it. My love was sincere, faithful, disin- terested. I am not a mere adventurer, as you may suppose. My birth is equal, if not superior, to yours. Rank and wealth will be mine. All I offer to lay at your feet. You doubt my words. The means of proving my claims have only lately, in the most wonderful way, been placed in the power of my guardian and protector, Pedro Alvarez, whom you know as Pierre Gerardin, the captain of the ship. Let me have the satisfaction of telling you, dear Edda, that I am your cousin, the long-lost son of Donna Hilda Escalante.' 404 RONALD MORTON. Edda looked incredulously in his face, and endeavoured to withdraw her hand ; she suspected that he had by some means become acquainted with her family history, and having con- cocted a story, was practising on her simplicity. ' I tell you the solemn truth. Why do you doubt me,' he exclaimed, almost fiercely. ' You have surely often heard how a child was carried away by pirates from Lunnasting, and that no tidings had ever been gained of him. I was that child. The chief of the band, Tacon, is a prisoner on board this ship. For the sake of obtaining his liberty, he will be ready to acknowledge his part in the transaction. I was rescued from his power by my father's faithful lieutenant, and my constant friend and guardian, Pedro Alvarez. He had no means of getting to Shetland, nor could he return to Spain. After wan- dering about in many parts of the world, taking me with him, he repaired to France, then at war with England. He sent to Shetland, and from the answer he received, he believed that my mother was dead. He fancied that, even should he be able to get there, my claims would not be acknowledged, and he determined, therefore, till peace was restored, not to make the attempt. My father, as you may have heard, would have succeeded to the title of the Marquis de Medea and to a mag- nificent estate. On his death the inheritance became mine; but without proofs of my birth, Pedro Alvarez himself being unable to return to Spain, how could he hope to succeed in obtaining for me my rights ? He had carefully abstained from telling me the secret of my birth, and I fully believed that I was his son. I have been brought up as a Frenchman, and as a Frenchman I have always felt and acted. To support the honour and glory of our great emperor has always been my ambition and aim ; though he may meet with reverses, he must succeed in the end I am sure of that as I am of my own existence. Spain, which has foolishly abandoned him, will again be brought under his power, and through his means i i'eel sure that T shall some (lav obtain inv father's inheritance. ALFONSE DECLARES HIS LOVE. 405 You look incredulous, lady. Proud England, too, will be humbled, and France, and all who adhere to her, will be triumphant. Those glorious days, when France will rule the world, will soon arrive, sweet Edda ; and I ask you to share with one who loves you with devotion and tenderness unsur- passed, the wealth and rank which will then be his.' 'I thank you, Monsieur Gerardin, from my heart, I do, for your sentiments towards me,' she answered, in a gentle tone. ' But be assured that I cannot return them. To be frank with you, my heart is given to another. To you I can only be a cousin, a friend, and well-wisher. You will, I feel sure, find many girls whose hearts are disengaged, who will love you for yourself, and not for the wealth and rank which I hope may be yours.' ' My friend and well-wisher ! ' he exclaimed, starting up and walking about the cabin. ' Those are cold words to address to one who loves you as I have done. You tell me that you love another. He shall pay the penalty of interfering with me. I knew that he was my rival. He has escaped me often, but the next time we meet we will not part till one has fallen.' He continued pacing up and down before her ; and stamp- ing furiously on the deck, he exclaimed ' Thus will I trample nil my enemies under my feet ! Ay, little does that usurping kinsman of mine dream what I prepared for him. I have him in my power, and I will take good care to exercise that power. He lives on under the belief that he is the owner of broad lands and wealth unbounded, and it is a pleasure to watch him as he paces the deck, and to know that I, all the time, am the true marquis, and that he is the impostor. Ah, cousin Edda ! you supposed me a quiet, gentlemanly young lietitenant of marine. You now know who I am and what I am. I am one not to be trifled with not to be opposed with impunity. You would have thought me a person of importance if I were simply the inheritor of the castle and the estates of 406 RONALD MORTON. Lunnasting those estates which would have been yours had I not appeared. Without them, remember, you will be re- duced to poverty the most complete poverty your father confesses as much. Let that weigh with you. Your love I shall gain ere long. I fear not on that point. Come, cousin, be mine be mine. Neither heaven rior earth shall keep you from me ! ' He rushed towards her and endeavoured to grasp her hand. She shrunk from him with dread, for there was a glare in his eye, and a wildness in his look which suggested the horrible idea that he was attacked with insanity. She looked round with the intention of escaping from the cabin, when the door opened and Donna Julia entered. Hernan was calm in an instant, and bowing to the Spanish lady, he said in English ' Cousin, soothe that poor girl. The blow that I have to strike will be terrible indeed to her.' He disappeared as he spoke. lie hurried on deck. His great anxiety was now to bring the marquis, Tacon, Father Mendez, and Pedro Alvarez together before Colonel Armytage, that the whole chain of evidence might be clearly exhibited to him. He was about to propose this to the captain, when a gun was fired from the flag- ship, and the signal was seen flying for the first lieutenants and four boats from every ship to come alongside. Hernan hurried off in obedience to orders. When he got on board the flag-ship he found that a number of vessels which had been seen, joining the English fleet, then at anchor about six miles off, were supposed to be fire-ships, and that an immediate attack from them was apprehended. The fleet of boats was to be on the watch near the boom, to attack any English boats which might approach, or to tow the fire-ships clear of the men-of-war. The night was of pitchy darkness when the flotilla of French boats started on their perilous expedition. Long they watched, every moment expecting to see the flames from the THE WATCH. 407 fire-ships bursting forth close to them, or to be engaged in a deadly conflict with the English boats. ' Hark ! ' said Hernan to the midshipman by his side ; ' I hear the sound of oars. Ah, there is a boat ! What boat is that ? ' he asked, in a loud voice. Little did he dream who was iu that boat, that his hated rival was almost within his power. The French boats gave chase. There could be but little doubt that the English boat had been in the midst of them. Many a loud oath was sent after her, but she flew faster than they or their oaths, and the flotilla returned discomfited to their stations at the boom. Thus the night passed away. The general opinion was, that after all they had little to fear from the threatened fire-ships. CHAPTER XXXV. THE FRIGATE ATTEMPTS TO ESCAPE FROM THE FIRE-SHIP. THE BURNING FRIGATE. DANGER OF THE PASSENGERS. ESCAPE FROM THE BURNING SHIP. ON BOARD THE ' SCORPION.' LORD CLAYMORE ILL SUPPORTED. THE 'SCORPION' SENT TO THE NORTH SEA. HE night passed off without any attack on the French fleet from the British fire-ships. Pedro Alvarez, or rather Captain Gerardin, offered to land Colonel Armytage on his parole with his family and Donna Julia, so that they might remain in a place of safety in case of threatened danger ; but the colonel, with his characteristic obstinacy, declined the favour, saying that he felt himself in perfect safety on board the frigate. It must be said that the general opinion among the French officers was, that the English would not attack them, while he, accustomed to hold the na\y somewhat in contempt, persuaded himself that they would not dare to make the attempt. The evening had passed much as others had done. Edda enjoyed it the more that Heruau was absent. The captain, as he had been accustomed, brought his guitar into the cabin, and played and sang a number of Spanish airs, and persuaded Donna Julia to do the same. Father Mendez, as he well could when he had the will, made himself very agreeable by describ- ing many places ho had visited, and narrating a number of 408 AN EVENING ON BOARD A FRENCH FRIGATE. 409 anecdotes. Even Colonel Armytage entered freely into con- versation, and he and Father Mendez soon became on very friendly terms. The marquis was the only person who was in ill temper. He sat aloof from the rest of the party, and refused all invitations to join in the conversation. The truth was, he had begun to suspect that Pedro Alvarez and Father Mendez were plotting against him. He felt himself in the power of Tacon, whom he knew would give them all the information they required, while he looked with a suspicious eye on the young lieutenant, whose likeness to Don Hernan Escalante had forcibly struck him. His daughter only fancied that he was unhappy at being a prisoner ; but as she was in very pleasant society, and was treated with all courtesy and kind- ness, she had no cause to complain. Some of the other officers of the ship came in, cards were introduced, and the marquis was tempted to play. Colonel Armytage joined him. It was a somewhat incongruous col- lection of people. With music and conversation the evening' passed rapidly away, and the party continued together till a much later hour than usual. The captain handed his guitar to Donna Julia with a gallant bow. ' One more song, sweet lady,' he said. ' It is seldom we seamen enjoy the delightful harmony you have afforded us this evening. Donna Julia took the instrument, and running her fingers over the cords commenced a low and plaintive air. Her voice was sweet, but not strong, though it was sufficient to fill the cabin, and to rivet the attention of all present. The air was sad and plaintive, and from the pathos with which she sung-, it showed too clearly her own feelings. It is wonderful how music unlocks the heart, and melts the long pent-up stream. Not a sound but that sweet voice was heard. The seamen on their watch overhead stopped in their walk to listen to strains so unusual. Suddenly a roar, more terrific than the bursting 410 RONALD MORTON. of a volcano, was heard, followed by shrieks, and groans, and cries ; a bright light was seen glancing over the water through the stern ports ; the ship shook from her keel. The guitar fell from Donna Julia's hands. Mrs Armytage grasped her daugh- ter's arm, expecting something more dreadful to follow, and believing that the ship was about to blow up. The gentlemen started to their feet ; the officers rushed out of the cabin. The scene which met their view was sufficient to inspire the stoutest heart with fear. Directly ahead, and rushing towards them, was a vast fiery mass, furiously darting forth flames, sufficient, should it reach her, to wrap the frigate in a destructive em- brace. At the same time, from out of this floating volcano, shot forth red-hot missiles, which fell in destructive showers on her decks. The crew, in dismay, were running for shelter below, till their captain's voice was heard high above the din, calling on them to act like men, and to endeavour to save the ship by throwing overboard their dangerous visitors. The remaining boats were then ordered to be lowered to tow aside the burning mass now close at hand. But who would venture to approach it ? ' Alfonse would have attempted it !' exclaimed the captain, but not an officer moved. Certain destruction would be their doom. ' I then must go myself; who will follow me?' cried the captain. Numbers of the crew sprang towards the boats. There was ample light to see what was to be done. At that instant the flames and sparks darted up higher than ever, and then, as if it were the work of magic, there was total darkness ; the explosion vessel had sunk : the frigate was saved. ' We must get under weigh,' cried the captain. ' The boom has been shattered. Another vessel may strike the same spot with more success, and we may not escape her so easily.' The crew flew aloft to loosen sails. They were eager to avoid a similar danger to that which had almost paralyzed TBE FIRE-SHIPS. 411 them. Before they were again off the yards another fearful explosion took place close to them, but though numerous fiery fragments fell on board, few were hurt. Had they not been aloft many more would have suffered. The cable was slipped, and the frigate now began to move through the water. On hearing the second explosion, the remaining occupants of the cabin rushed up on deck. Colonel Armytage was the least agitated, but even he did not attempt to quiet the alarm of his wife and daughter. Father Menclez trembled like an aspen leaf. The usual calmness of his exterior had disappeared. The danger which threatened was strange, incomprehensible. So occupied were the officers and crew, that none of the party were observed. The spectacle which soon after met their sight was not calculated to allay their terror. For a few minutes all was again darkness, and then rapidly, one after the other, masses of flame burst forth from the surface of the ocean, hurrying towards them. As they approached, the sails and rigging of large vessels were seen amid the flames. Xo human beings could have stood on those decks ; but yet onward came, rushing impetuously, the burning fleet. They were the much dreaded fire-ships. On they came. The boom had been forced. By what power could they be resisted ? The French ships opened their fire on them, and shot were flying about among friends and foes, increasing the confusion and dismay. Still the fire-ships sailed on, intent on their mission of destruction. Now a line-of -battle ship was grappled. For long her gallant crew in vain sacrificed their lives in the attempt to free her from the fire-ship's deadly embrace. The cables were cut, and both together drifted away to leeward. And now dismay seized nearly all the French officers and crews. Simultaneously the cables were slipped, and they endeavoured to avoid the threatened danger by flight. Some effected their escape, but others were overtaken by the fire-ships, and were seen surrounded by flames. The frigate had been kept under weigh, firing sometimes at the fire-ships as they sailed by, and 412 RONALD MORTON. at others at boats which were supposed to be English. As the fire reached the guns of the burning ships they were dis- charged right and left, and a whole broadside was poured into the frigate. It was blowing strong a shot struck her fore- mast, and with all its top hamper away it went over the side, carrying the maintopmast with it. The frigate luffed up into the wind and became unmanageable. A fire-ship was approach- ing. On it came. It got entangled in the wreck of the mast, and soon the frigate herself was wrapped in flames. Edda saw and comprehended the danger. ' Oh, mother, Ave will die together ! ' she exclaimed, for she saw no hope of escape. The crew, led by their captain, made many gallant attempts to cut clear the wreck and the fire-ships, but each time the fierce heat of the flames drove them back again. Still they persevered. They all saw that, with the few boats they had remaining, un- less the flames were subdued the} 7 must be destroyed. From the rest of the squadron they could expect no help ; some of the ships were seeking safety in flight, others were in a like' predicament as themselves. The French officers exerted them- selves heroically. Again and again they led their men up among the flames, where many, as with axes in hand they cut away at the spars or ropes, lost their hold and fell headlong into the burning mass, or were suffocated by the smoke. Many were precipitated into the water ; and their shrieks were heard as they struggled vainly in their endeavour to reach the burn- ing frigate driving away before them. Even at that moment the brave Pedro Alvarex did not forget his passengers. lie had done all that a man could do to save the ship, but he be- lieved that his efforts would prove fruitless. lie now thought of the means of saving his friends. lie was hurrying to the cabin when he perceived them grouped together on the deck. The three ladies stood, not shrieking nor giving way to fear, but calm and collected, waiting till they received directions what to do. Colonel Armytage, with the marquis and Father A FRENCH FRIGATE ON FIRE. 4J3 Mendez were endeavouring to shield them from the sparks, which flew thickly around, and threatened to ignite their dresses. The colonel looked up and saw that the flames were rapidly gaining on the ship. He was not altogether so stubborn and selfish as not to wish to preserve the lives of his wife and daughter. The awful scene made him also more kind and gentle than, usual. ' Edda wife, daughter, we must get you into the boats,' he said. ' Donna Julia, and her father, and the priest will accompany us. I must obtain assistance from some of the crew.' ' The boats the boats ! ' shouted the captain, rushing now to one side of the ship now to the other ; they were gone! Some of the dastards among the crew, in selfish haste to save themselves, had leaped into them and pulled away. Where all this time was the first-lieutenant of the ship ? He with his boats had not returned ; what had become of him no one could tell. He might have missed the frigate, and gone in another direction, or might have been captured by the English. Secretly, Pedro Alvarez hoped that this might be the case, for whatever his adopted sou, who had always been brought up as a Frenchman, might think on the subject, he had begun to wish that he could be engaged in fighting the battles of his native country, instead of those of her enemies and oppressors. Thinking of Hernan reminded him of his prisoner, and the old pirate Tacon. To his adopted son the old man's life was of the greatest importance. Should he be destroyed one chief witness of his identity would be lost. He hurried below to release him. He was only just in time to save him from suffo- cation, for the smoke was already finding its way along the decks. He had found the armourer on his way, and ordering him to knock off the prisoner's fetters, he dragged him up, and placed him close to Colonel Armytage. 414 RONALD MORTON. ' Much depends on his safety : keep your eye on him, sir,' he said. A terrible idea occurred to him. The magazine had not been drowned. Should it not be done, all on board might be blown to destruction. It was a work of awful danger, for a spark might fly in before the powder was destroyed, and pro- duce the dreaded catastrophe. He gave the necessary orders, and then devoted himself to other endeavours to save the lives of some of those on board. That all could be saved, he knew was impossible. For some time longer, efforts were made to clear the fire- ship, and while some of the crew were thus employed, others, under the captain's superintendence, were endeavouring to form a raft, but at length the flames seemed resolved to claim their victim. And now a scene of the wildest confusion ensued. Many who had hitherto been exerting themselves manfully abandoned all hope ; some threw themselves overboard, others rushed below to the spirit-store, hoping to reach it before the fire had gained possession of the hold. Some rushed aft, imploring the captain to save them, and shouting loudly for boats to come to their assistance. No one among that multitude of rough men stood so calm and resigned as Mrs Armytage and her daughter. Donna Julia was scarcely less so ; but her hands were clasped firmly, and every now and then she moved a few paces with rapid steps up and down the deck, regardless of the sparks which fell around her. Edda stood motionless, with her head turned away from the flames, and her eye ranging with undefined hope seaward, over the water. ' There are boats coming ! boats ! boats ! ' was the cry. A shout was raised by the remainder of the crew clustered on the quarter-deck. ' Lieutenant Gerardin and our comrades have arrived.' The crew began to rush to the sides to throw themselves into the boats, but a warning cry was raised in English, ' Keep back, or we pull away !' One boat, however, dashed alung- THE RESCUE. 415 side. Ropes were hove to the people in her by the captain and others, and an officer climbed up on board, and instead of Alfonso Gerardin, whom she expected, Edda beheld, to her unspeakable joy, Eonald Morton. The bright glare revealed her to him. He did not look to see who else was there. He knew her in a moment. He asked not how she came there, but clasping her in his arms, he carried her to the side of the vessel. ' Oh, Ronald, my mother ! ' she exclaimed. Several persons had followed him. ' I'll look after her, miss,' said Job Truefitt, taking up Mrs Armytage, with as much ease as if she had been a child, and accompanying his chief. An officer it was Glover who had got on board from one of the other boats, seeing Donna Julia, without a word, lifting her in his arms, carried her to the ship's side. With the assistance of Pedro Alvarez they were lowered safely into the boats. Many of the seamen were then about to leap in, but the captain drove them back with his sword. ' Shame on you ! there are old men and a priest to be first placed in safety,' he shouted. ' Help them first, and then think about yourselves.' Even at that awful moment the men obeyed. The marquis and the priest were lowered down, and Colonel Armytage fol- lowed. As Pedro Alvarez was helping him down the side he said in a low voice, ' Keep an eye on old Tacon, he is even now meditating how he may escape. I will lower him down to you.' The captain then caught hold of Tacou, and without much ceremony sent him down after the rest. Ronald's boat was now full enough, and he ordered the men to shove off and lie on their oars, while the other boats took off the remainder of the crew. A considerable number of the Frenchmen had been taken off the burning ship, when Ronald saw the brave captain stand- ing by himself, he having refused to quit her till his men were in safety. 416 RONALD MORTON. 'It were a pity so brave a fellow should be lost,' said Ronald. ' Oh, do do save him !' cried Edda, who heard the remark. 4 He is kind and good as well as brave.' This was enough ; he once more steered the boat towards the burning ship. Just then a burning spar fell from aloft. It appeared to strike him, for he disappeared. A groan escaped all who saw the accident. ' He may not be killed though, sir,' said Job Truefitt. * If I may, I'll look for him.' Ronald gave him leave. There were numbers of ropes hanging over the frigate's quarter. Job swarmed up by one of them, and directly after appeared with the captain, about whose body he had secured a rope. He lowered him down into the boat, and followed immediately. Still numbers of the crew remained. Many who had gone below hearing that there were boats alongside, came up with the hopes of escaping. When the already overloaded boats pulled away their rage and despair knew no bounds. They were seen standing- on the hammock-nettings, or in the mizzen rigging, shaking their fists and uttering the most dreadful imprecations on the heads of those whom they considered were deserting them. As it was, the boats were so full that not another person could have been received on board with safety. Morton gave the orders for the boats to pull back to the ' Scorpion.' It was heavy work, for there was a strong wind and a heavy sea ; but the crews encouraging each other cheer- fully pulled on. What joy filled Morton's heart at having been the means of preserving Edda's life and that of her father and mother ! Jie did not press her to say much ; but a few words explained how they came to be on board the French frigate. Her feelings were not dissimilar to his. She was with him again, and she had no fear for the future. Pedro Alvarez, too, \vu.^ perfectly satisfied \\ith having 1 REVELATIONS. 417 been taken prisoner, when he found from Colonel Armytage who was his captor. ' The very man I wished to meet,' he said to himself. ' He will tell me where his father is to be found, and Eolf Morton is an important witness in proving the claim of my poor Hernan. Where can he be though ? Pro- bably he had gone with the boats to the assistance of some of the other ships, and was not aware of our danger.' Just before daylight the boats reached the ' Scorpion.' The ladies were carried below to obtain that rest they so much re- quired, and Ronald accommodated the rest of the party as well as he could. Pedro Alvarez at once went up to him and claimed his ac- qiiaintance. ' I wish to tell you of circumstances with which it is important you should be acquainted without delay,' he said. ' I know that you have every reason to be interested in Donna Hilda Escalante, known as the Lady of Lunnastiug.' Ronald was all attention. He knew how really interested Mrs Arrnytage was in all concerning her unhappy sister, while he was most anxious to show his gratitude by serving her. Pedro Alvarez then explained who he himself was, and told his astonished hearer that the pirate Tacon, whom he had on board, was the very man who had carried off Hilda's child, which child had been rescued and brought up by him. ' Then the young officer whom I have so often and so un- expectedly met, and who appears to have such bitter animosity towards me, is no other than Hernan Escalante, the long-lost son of my kind patroness Donna Hilda ? ' exclaimed Ronald. ' Such is the case,' said Pedro Alvarez. ' He has fallen in love with his fair cousin, and he believes that you are his rival. He has another reason for disliking you, but of that by-aud- by. I believe that I can do you a service, and certainly you can do me a considerable one. You owe me a good turn, let me tell you ; for in consequence of having assisted you to escape, I was obliged to take command of a privateer, bound for the East Indies, and to make my escape from France. I D D 418 RONALD MORTOX. was wandering about in those seas for many years; but at length, having some friends in power, I was reinstated in the French navy. However, my heart has never been estranged from Spain. She is at peace with England ; and as I now hope to see the great object of my existence accomplished the son of my old captain established in his rights I purpose throwing off my allegiance to France, and becoming once more a Spaniard. I have told you all this, at a moment so unfitting-, because. I am anxious that you should endeavour to prevent any of the persons who were on board my frigate from escaping. Tacon will certainly make the attempt. He does not know of what crimes he may be found guilty, and instinctively will do what he can to be at liberty.' In a few words the worthy Pedro also told Konald who the marquis and the old priest were, and he undertook to do his best to keep a watch on them till they had given the evidence required to establish young Hernan in his rights. ' Believe me,' he added, ' I wish him no ill, and I would gladly make any sacrifice to see him restored to his mother and the possessor of his paternal inheritance. As to the marquis, I am not surprised at what you tell me ; I never liked him when we had him on board the " Imperious," while the priest always puzzled me. Tacon showed himself to be a most perfect rogue, and I suspect will give us no little trouble before we can get the required truth out of him. However, as it can be proved that he committed an act of piracy in attacking a Spanish vessel, I shall take the liberty of putting him into irons, to prevent the chance of his escaping.' Pedro Alvarez was well satisfied with the arrangements made by Morton, while the miserable Tacon complained bitterly of the hard fate to which he was doomed. ' Oh, the malice and cruelty of this world ! ' he exclaimed. ' I no sooner get my legs out of one pair of irons than I find them clapped into another wretched ill-used man that I am ! What have I done to deserve such a lot ? ' EFFECT OF LORD CLAYMORE'S ENTERPRISE. 419 When daylight returned, the effect produced by the fire- ships became apparent. The whole French fleet lay scattered about in every direction. Some had disappeared altogether. They had either sunk or effected their escape up the harbour, but the greater number lay hard and fast on shore, some so much on the heel that a few shots from the British ships would have knocked holes in their bottoms, and when the tide rose have effectually prevented their again floating. Soon after daybreak the gallant Lord Claymore, the soul and moving spirit of the enterprise, signalized to the Admiral that the whole might be destroyed. For a long time no notice of his signals was taken. At length some vessels were sent to his assistance, but much valuable time was lost, and several of the French ships, by throwing overboard their stores and guns, floated, and got higher up the harbour. When the British squadron did get into action, they per- formed their work effectually, and four line -of -battle ships and a fifty-gun ship were taken, two of which were at once destroyed. The other two were not set on fire till night, when a panic seized the French crews, who believed them to be more fire-ships, and then some again cut their cables, and endeavoured to escape up the harbour, while one captain and his ship's company abandoned their ship altogether. One man only was left on board, who, by his bravery and presence of mind, prevented her from becoming a prize to an English mid- shipman and his boat's crew. When the boat pulled up, he hailed in a loud voice, ordering her to keep off, and having a number of marines' muskets ready, he fired them one after the other with such rapidity, that the midshipman of course fully believed that a considerable part of the crew were still on board. The next day some fresh fire-ships were fitted for the pur- pose of destroying the enemy's ships on shore, which could not otherwise be got at. The wind was, however, unfavour- able, and the enterprise was ultimately abandoned. 420 RONALD MORTON Eonald's own ship was not engaged in these operations, and he perhaps was secretly not sorry to avoid the risk his pas- sengers would have run had she been so. He, however, accompanied Lord Claymore, and assisted in capturing the liue-of-battle ships and in removing the prisoners. He made all the inquiries he could from the prisoners for Alfonse Grerardin, but not a word could he hear of him, and he began to fear that he must have been killed. ' Poor Hernan ! ' he said to himself ; ' it will be sad if such is your fate at the very moment that there is a prospect of your being restored to your name and station.' Directly after this Lord Claymore returned to England, and the ' Scorpion ' was also ordered home. Although most of the prisoners taken from the burning frigate were removed, on Morton's application Pedro Alvarez was allowed to remain on board the corvette. He kept likewise that worthy, Tacon, as he felt sure that if he did not he should never seen him again. Colonel Armytage behaved much more courteously to Ronald than he had formerly done, but still there was more stiffness in his manner than was pleasant ; and in his presence his wife and daughter appeared restrained and uneasy, as if he had laid injunctions on them which they would gladly have broken through. The day after the marquis got on board he was seized with a severe illness, brought on by the anxiety and alarm which he had experienced. The surgeon pronounced it to be very dangerous. Glover had given up his cabin to him, and now assisted poor Donna Jnlia in tending him, which he did with the greatest devotion. The 'Scorpion' had a quick passage to Plymouth, where Colonel Armytage and his family went on shore. Eclda's last words to Ronald were, ' We must live in hope. My father may compel me to remain single, as I will not marry in opposition to his wishes ; but at the same time I will marry no one but you.' THE ' SCORPION* ORDEEED TO THE NORTH SEAS. 421 What more could a lover wisely desire? ' Hope has borne me tip hitherto. It will, I trust, continue to sustain me,' answered Konald, as, having- escorted her and her parents on shore, he was compelled to return on board. The marquis continued too ill to be moved, and Father Mendez claimed the right, as his confessor, of remaining with him. To this Morton had no objection, especially as the priest interfered with no one, and made himself a very agreeable companion. Ronald was doubting how to dispose of Pedro Alvarez, for whom he had begun to feel much regard. He was very unwilling to send him on shore, where he would have been committed to prison. While he was thus uncertain how to act, he received orders to fill up with provisions and stores, and proceed to the north seas for a summer cruise. For this he was not sorry, for though he would have preferred being more actively engaged in the Channel, it gave him the prospect of visiting Shetland. He had written to his father as soon as he reached England, and told him everything that occurred. It would now be impossible for him to know what steps he might think fit to take till he could meet him in Shetland. He thought over the matter with regard to Pedro Alvarez, and thinking it probable that he would not be inquired for, he offered to allow him to remain on board as his guest, on receiving his parole that he would not escape. This he of course at once gave, as he was himself very anxious to visit Shetland, that he might communicate with Sir Marcus Ward- hill and Hilda, in order to arrange the proofs necessary for Hernan to establish his claims. The marquis, as he lay on his sick bed, little dreamed of the probable result of his plots and contrivances, and of the reverse of fortune preparing for him. Pedro Alvarez had clearly explained all his plans to Ronald. ' I will, my friend, help you to the utmost to do justice to the wronged; and scarcely any event will give me greater satisfaction than seeing Donna Hilda Escalaute recover her 422 RONALD MORTON. son,' said Morton ; ' but I fear that by so doing I shall make a mortal enemy of Colonel Armytage, who would otherwise suc- ceed to the Lunnasting property; and I shall deprive his daughter of the fortune which would fall to her.' Pedro Alvarez looked at him hard. ' Should Hernan Escalante ever succeed to the Lunnasting property, I can answer for it that Miss Armytage will not be the sufferer,' he answered. The remark shot a pang through Ronald's heart. ' Should Hernan become owner of Lunnasting, and a Spanish marquis, what pressure will Colonel Armytage bring to bear to compel Edda to break her promises to me, and to unite herself to him. It was of that the Spaniard was thinking. But no ; I have heard and read of the falsehood and faithlessness of women, but I will not believe that Edda Armytage could by any possi- bility be guilty of such treachery : the very thought is dis- honouring to her. Did I think that such a union would tend to her happiness, I would release her from her promise ; but I feel sure it would not. No, no ! wealth and rank would not bribe her. She loves me. What pride and happiness to know that I am loved for myself, and myself alone! Should I bo deceived, life in future will indeed be a blank.' CHAPTER XXXVI. CASTLE. LAWRENCE BRINDISTER. MYSTERIOUS SAYINGS. - UNPLEASANT ANNOUNCEMENT TO SIR MARCUS. - ARRIVAL OP THE ' SCORPION.' - THE PRIEST'S VISIT TO HILDA. ILDA WARD II ILL, or rather Donna Hilda Escalante, was to be seen in her turret chamber in the same spot, and almost in the same posi- tion, as when first in her youth and glorious beauty she was introduced to the reader. Years had dimmed and changed that beauty, but had not altogether destroyed it : and as she now sat habited in black, her complexion pure as alabaster, and her light hair braided over her forehead, which was bowed down over a volume of huge dimensions, she pre- sented a subject which a painter would have delighted to portray. She leaned back in her chair, and pressing her hand on her brow, exclaimed, ' In vain have I studied to ascertain how. or in what guise he will return. I demand an answer, but the oracles cruelly refuse to reply. that I had the potent secret by which I could compel an answer, and that the dark veil which hides the future might be torn aside to disclose the view I long to see ! Yet of one thing I am certain the time can- not be far distant ; of this many significant events have warned me. The return of Rolf Morton after so long an absence is strange ; my father's illness, and his strong desire to see my 423 424 RONALD MORTON. sister Edda once more, and her daughter, who they tell me is as lovely as she was. The old man's illness will, I doubt not, induce that stern English colonel to come down, that he may secure some share of his wealth. He dreams not that my Hernan will return some day to claim his own, and prevent poor Edda's daughter from becoming the Lady of Lunnastiug, as they now believe she will be.' Her hand slowly dropped from her brow, and she gazed forth on the ocean. ' What what is yonder object ? Is it a phantom of the brain or a reality ? ' she exclaimed, rising from her seat, and pointing towards the south-west. ' See, there there at the very spot where that beautiful ship first appeared, which the cruel ocean dashed to fragments on these rocks of Shetland, floats her counterpart. Can it be her the ' St Cecilia ' herself ? Is all that has passed for these long years a dream ? No, no ; it has been too real, too palpable, too full of pain, and sorrow, and hope deferred, to be a dream. Yet, what is that? a ship, come to mock me, as others have done ; first to raise my hopes that my long- lost son is on board, and again as bitterly to disappoint them.' ' Yes, cousin ; that is a ship, and a very fine ship, too ; a British man-of-war, I judge, by the ensign which floats proudly at her peak,' said a voice behind her. Hilda turned quickly round, and an angry frown rose on her brow as she saw Lawrence Brindister, who had entered just as she had discovered the strange ship. He shuffled up to the window, with a peculiar gait partly caused by the size of his shoes. His appearance, as he advanced in age, had become more grotesque. He wore a gay-flowered waistcoat, with knee breeches, and huge silver buckles on his shoes. His coat, which was much too large for his now shrunken figure, was trimmed with gold lace in a style already long gone out of fashion. His grey eyes looked larger and rounder than ever, while his hair, which had become perfectly white, was cropped short, and stood on end like the quills of an irritated porcupine. LAWRENCE BRINDISTER. 425 ' Why comes she here, I wonder ? ' he continued. ' Once upon a time, I would have gone to ascertain, but my old arms can now scarcely paddle a boat across the voe, and were I to attempt to go, and the tide catch me, I might be swept help- lessly out to sea. It might not be a bad ending for the puir auld daft bodie, you'll be saying, cousin, and a wonder it had never happened before. But I've some work to do before that time, Hilda. " The prince will hae his ain again ! The prince will hae his ain again ! " and before long too, let me tell you, cousin.' ' Lawrence, what is the import of those words ? ' exclaimed Hilda, vehemently, grasping his arm as she spoke ; ' for years past you have uttered them. I adjure you, tell me what you mean.' ' Cousin, I am but a puir fule,' answered Lawrence, looking calmly into her face ; ' fules speak mony things without mean- ing, ye ken.' Hilda looked stedfastly in his face, and he returned her gaze with an expression so unmoved and idiotic, that she saw it was hopeless to expect a satisfactory reply. They were standing close to the window as she turned from him ; her glance once more ranged over the ocean. Again she stopped and gazed ; Lawrence watched the direction of her eyes. ' Ha, ha, cousin ! you have discovered the other craft, have you ? Who comes in her, think you ? Guests are expected at the castle, I understand, and some at the cottage, if so you choose to designate my friend Eolf Morton's abode ; sages learned in the law coming to investigate a knotty subject, to unravel a long-continued mystery. ' I understand you not,' answered Hilda, still continuing to watch the two vessels. The latter-mentioned one was a cutter or smack, such as was employed in the summer months to keep up the communication between the islands and the ports of Aberdeen and Leith. She had come apparently from Lerwick, and was now observed to be steering directly for Lunuasting, while the corvette kept in the offing, and was, as far as could be seen, about to enter Eastling Sound from the 426 ROLAND MORTON. east, or to pass it by altogether. The smack had got a favourable slant of wind, and rapidly approached. Hilda stood watching her with trembling anxiety. Lawrence was also watching her narrowly, and taking apparently a strange pleasure in so doing. At length an idea seemed to strike him. ' I'll be off, and tell Sir Marcus of his coming guests,' he exclaimed, shuffling out of the room. ' He little wots how near at hand they are, and what strange tidings some of them may chance to bring. Ho, ho, ho ! you shall reap as you sow; there's truth in that saying. Ho, ho, ho ! " The prince will liae his ain again !"' With these words on his lips he approached the door of Sir Marcus's chamber. The old man was seated in a large arm- chair, propped up with cushions, before a blazing fire. His long white hair drawn back, and fastened in a queue behind, exposed his high thin forehead, while his lustreless eyes and fallen jaw showed that the hand of time was pressing heavily on him, and summoning him to conclude his career on earth. They're coming, cousin ! they're coming ! ' exclaimed Law- rence. ' Who who? ' asked the old man, rousing up, but trembling violently. ' Who do you mean,, Lawrence ? ' ' Colonel Armytage and his wife and daughter, whom you sent for, and some gentlemen learned in the law, whom you didn't send for, I ween. There'll be strange doings at Lun- nasting before long, Sir Marcus. Ho, ho, ho ! " The prince will hae his ain again, his ain again ! " And Lawrence, shouting and laughing, shuffled out of the room. Meantime, Hilda had been watching the corvette and the smack. What the former was about to do still remained doubtful, but the latter continued her course till she came to fin anchor close in with the mouth of the voe. A boat which Hilda recognised as belonging to Rolf Morton went out to meet her. The smack's own boat was also lowered, and several people among whom were two ladies, embarked in her. VISITORS AT LUNNASTING. 427 A tall thin man stepped into Rolf's boat with the air of a sailor, and having- shaken him warmly by the hand, assisted in two other gentlemen in black dresses, who showed by their movements that they were far from well accustomed to nauti- cal adventure. While Rolf's boat proceeded up the voe, the other pulled towards the Lunnasting landing-place. Hilda would fain havo watched the proceedings of the corvette, but believing that hei sister had arrived she hurried down to meet her. At first she was about to go down to the landing-place, but her courage failed, and she waited in the great hall to receive her guests. At last they entered, ushered in by Lawrence, who kept bow- ing and flourishing his three-cornered hat before them in a way which seemed more like mockery than respect. Colonel Armytage approached Hilda with formal respect, but the sisters threw themselves into each other's arms, and the younger found vent for her feelings in a torrent of tears ; but not a drop fell from Hilda's eye. Edda stood hesitating for a moment, and then threw her arms round her aunt's neck, and kissed her affectionately. ' Oh, may you be more happy than either of us ! ' was all Hilda said, as she looked at the sweet face beaming up at her. A gentleman followed Colonel Armytage into the room. Hilda looked towards him as if to inquire who he was. ' He is Mr Boland, my legal adviser,' said the colonel. ' I thought it wiser to bring him, in case any difficulties shoiild arise about the succession to this property.' ' What difficulties can arise ? what doubts are there ? ' in- quired Hilda, in an agitated tone. ' Matters will be explained to you, madam, shortly, ' answered Colonel Armytage, suspecting that Hilda had not heard of the discovery of her son. He was not a man who would have attempted to prevent him from obtaining his rights, but he had not virtue enough to resist the wish that he might, after all, never appear to claim them. 428 ItONALD MORTON. The meeting 1 between Sir Marcus Wardhill and his once favourite daughter was very painful. He scarcely aroused himself to greet her. ' You have come a long distance, daughter, and have been a long time coming,' he said, putting out his hand, and looking up coldly in her face. ' I suppose you feared the old man might die and leave his wealth elsewhere ; it was that made you come, Edda ? ' Mrs Armytage, with her eyes full of tears, stooped down and kissed the old man's forehead. ' Father, no do not be so cruel as to speak thus,' she sobbed out. ' Money I have never coveted. You sent for Colonel Armytage ; you desired us to accompany him, and most gladly we came ; but it was to see you, and you only, dear father.' ' Ah, so I did now I recollect,' said Sir Marcus. ' I never loved him and he never loved me, but he is a man he has sense ; he knows the world ; he can rule a disorderly household. Go out, all of you. Let him come in ; we have matters to ar- range, and no time is to be lost. Go, go qtiickly ! ' Colonel Armytage and Mr Boland, when summoned, hurried up to the old man's room with due alacrity. They were closeted an hour or more with Sir Marcus, and when they came out there was a look of satisfaction in the colonel's countenance which showed that he believed he had attained the object he had in view incoming to see his father-in-law. When he soon afterwards met his wife, he appeared to be in far better humour than she had long known him. ' Your father, my good wife, is a far more reasonable man than I expected to find him,' he said, taking her hand with an unusually affectionate air. ' I had few or no difficulties with him. He told me, what I have long suspected, that your sister Hilda is the victim at times of strange hallucinations, that she is eccentric always in fact, that she is totally unable to manage this property. He has therefore, in the most sensible way, left it entirely to us, with the proviso that we make a VISITORS AT LUNNASTING. 429 certain allowance for your sister's maintenance. Our daughter, therefore, becomes the heiress of Lunnasting, and as such I feel has a right to make as good a match as any girl in the kingdom. ' Poor Hilda ! ' was all Mrs Armytage said ; she was going to add, ' Poor Edda ! ' for she foresaw the grief and trouble pre- pared for her daughter. ' Why, madam, you do not look pleased at this announce inent of our good fortune,' said Colonel Armytage. ' How can I, when I know that my poor sister, who has so long been mistress here, will ere long find herself almost disinherited ? ' 'Nonsensical idea!' said Colonel Armytage, scornfully. ' Your sister will be as happy as her nature will allow her, with her books and abstruse studies, which, by all accounts, have turned her brain, and unfitted her for every- day life. How- ever, we will not discuss the subject. It is settled to my satis- faction, at all events. I am no longer the miserable beggar I was two hours ago. By-the-by, what has become of our tall friend who accompanied us from Aberdeen ? I expected to have seen him here. He seemed to be perfectly well acquainted with the state of things here, and intimate with those two black-coated gentlemen who professed to be ministers. From the tone of their conversation, and the merry twinkle in their eyes, I rather suspected them, to say the truth.' ' A fine-looking old gentlemen came off to receive them,' said Mrs Armytage. ' He is a resident on the island. I knowno more.' ' It matters not ; I only hope that we shall not have to en- counter that tall, red-haired young man again,' observed the colonel. ' His manner to me was most offensive ; he is a sailor I feel sure, by the way he walked the deck. He recognized the sloop-of-war we saw in the offing ; but when I asked her name he pretended not to hear my question ; and the look he gave me, as he turned round, prevented me from again asking it. I wonder, though, what has become of her ! Some of the people on board the smack seemed to think that she 430 RONALD MORTON. might anchor iii the Sound near here. What is the name given to it ? ' ' Eastling Sound,' answered Mrs Armytage ; ' we can have a perfect view of it from the eastern tower, if you like to go there.' When Colonel and Mrs Armytage reached the tower, they found their daughter already there, attended by Lawrence Brindister, who had placed himself before her, that she might rest a telescope on his shoulder to look at the corvette, which was gliding gracefully down Eastling Sound, and shortening sail preparatory to coming to an anchor. Edda had not heard her parents' approach. ' Yonder seems truly a brave and gallant ship, sweet cousin mine,' said Lawrence. Can you guess her name, or whence she comes ? ' ' Yes, yes it is the " Scorpion ! " ' she exclaimed. ' And what is there wonderful in the " Scorpion," fair coz ? ' asked Lawrence. ' Do not you know, cousin Lawrence, that she is commanded by a very brave officer, Captain Ronald Morton ? ' said Edda. ' That is fortunate, indeed,' exclaimed Lawrence, turning round suddenly, and encountering Colonel Armytage's gaze fixed on him. 4 Why is it fortunate ? ' asked the colonel. ' Because he is, I opine, a very brave officer, as your daughter says, good sir,' answered Lawrence. And away he shuffled down the steps. There was a pause of some duration. ' Remember, Edda,' said her father, at last, ' if your con- jecture is right, and yonder vessel is commanded by Captain Morton, should he venture here, I command you to have no communication with him. He is a mere adventurer ; you are heiress of Lunnasting, and the lands appertaining to it. Listen, girl ! you will drive me mad if you look so melancholy, instead of rejoicing at your good fortune.' Hilda had been watching the corvette from her own tower, HILDA RECEIVES VISITORS. 431 and seeing a boat leave the ship and approach the landing- place, she descended to the hall to learn who the strangers were, and to receive them, should they visit the castle. A note was soon afterwards put into her hands, informing her that two old acquaintances had arrived, and craved leave to see her. She desired that they might be admitted, and in a short time the stout, well-knit figure of Pedro Alvarez was seen entering the hall, while by his side glided the attenuated form of the priest, Father Meudez. Changed as they were by years, Hilda knew them at once. She trembled violently, and it was with difficulty she could rise to receive them. ' You are welcome, old friends,' she exclaimed ; ' but speak teU me by what wonderful means have you reached Lunnas- ting once more ? What event do you come to announce 1 ' ' The father, lady, is a more fitting person than I am to tell you , ' answered Pedro Alvarez. 'He has more command of the lan- guage necessary to convey to you the information we possess.' Hilda again started from the chair into which she had sunk, and seizing the priest's arm, she exclaimed, ' Speak without delay ! You come to tell me of my son : yes, is it not so ? He is found! Speak speak ! where is he ? Why did you not bring him ? Oh ! do not mock me ! ' ' Lady, we come not to mock you,' said the priest, quietly. ' You speak of your son ; he is, we believe, alive, and more, that he can be found.' Hilda clasped her hands in speechless eagerness, fixing her eyes intently on the countenance of the priest. ' He can be found, I say ; but at once to save you from disappointment, I must tell you that he is not here. By a wonderful chain of circumstances, not only has his life been preserved, but we can, without doubt, prove his identity to satisfy the most rigid demands of a court of law.' The priest's slow mode of speaking did not at all satisfy poor Hilda's eagerness. She turned to his companion. 432 RONALD MORTON. * Tell, Pedro Alvarez, where is he ? ' she exclaimed. { I care not now for the means by which he has been preserved. Where can I find him ? When can I see him ? You swore to search for him. Did you fulfil your promise ? Oh ! bring him to me, if you have found him.' ' Lady, I did fulfil my promise most faithfully, and to the service of your son I have devoted my life. It may be weeks or months before you can see him, but I have every reason to hope that he is safe at this moment in France. But the means were afforded me of coming here, and, moreover, of producing all the existing witnesses necessary to prove the legality of his birth in the first place, his identity in the second, and his right, if not to the castle and estates of Lunnasting, to the rank which his father would have held of Marquis de Medea, and the valuable property attached to it.' The hapless mother heaved a deep sigh. 4 All that I doubt not ; but could you not have brought him to me 1 ' she gasped out, as she sunk once more back in her seat. It was some time before either she or her visitors again spoke. At last Father Mendez saw that it would be advan- tageous to her to break the silence. ' Donna Hilda, I crave your pardon,' he said, ' but I have been charged with a request from the captain of yonder ship, one who owns himself to be deeply indebted to you in his youth, Ronald Morton. It is, that you will give shelter to an old man, who has long been ill, and his daughter, who lias accompanied him. I will not tell you the old man's name ; but he feels that he has much to ask you to forgive, ere he can die in peace. He has not many days to live, so yon will not have long to exercise your mercy.' Hilda scarcely appeared to comprehend the last remarks. ' Yes, yes ; whatever you desire, most readily do I grant,' she answered. ' An old man, you say ? If he thinks that he can die in peace on shore, let him come here and finish his remaining days.' VISITORS AT LUNNASTING. 433 It was some time before Hilda was sufficiently tranquillized to listen to the details which Pedro Alvarez had to give her of the recapture of her son from the pirate Tacon, the causes of his flight from Europe, which prevented him from bringing Hernan back to Shetland, and his ultimate meeting with Tacon and Father Mendez, and of the aid which Ronald Morton had promised towards the accomplishment of his object. ' He was always a noble, generous boy ! ' she exclaimed, warmly ; but she was little aware of the sacrifice Ronald was prepared to make to assist his rival, 'and one who had shown such bitter animosity towards him in obtaining his rights. By this time the ' Scorpion's ' boat returned under charge of Lieutenant Glover, with the Marquis de Medea, as Don Josef de Villavicencio had hitherto been called, and his daughter Julia. She, poor girl, had at first been astounded with the information that another person intervened between the title and estates her father had held, and that he had no right to them ; but latterly, in consequence of the delicate endeavours of Glover to console her, she had become much more reconciled to her lot. Whatever were the motives which influenced him, Father Mendez, armed with the information he had gained from Tacou, so worked either on the fears or better feelings of the dying marquis, that he professed himself ready to confess his crime, and to do his utmost to right the wronged. Hilda, still ignorant of who he was, had him conveyed to one of the best chambers in the castle, and directed that all his wants should be attended to, while another room near his was prepared for Donna Julia. Ronald Morton was of course not aware of the arrival of Edda Armytage and her parents ; and feeling that it might be an intrusion, under the circumstances, to present himself before Hilda on that day, he directed Glover to say that he hoped to pay his respects in person on the following morning, and then hastened on towards his father's house. E E CHAPTER XXXVII. RONALD VISITS LTJNNASTING CASTLE. LEGAL VISITORS ARRIVE AT LUNNASTING. THE RIGHTFUL HEIR DISCOVERED. THE PRINCE HAS GOT HIS AIN AGAIN. ITH a heart agitated by a variety of conflicting feelings, Ronald Morton, the day after the 'Scorpion' reached Eastling Sound, approached Lunnasting Castle. He was followed at a dis- tance by his father and the three gentlemen who had arrived by the smack from Aberdeen. His great wish was that he might first meet Edda, and break to her the discoveries which had been made, and which it was now necessary to disclose. ' Should I be unable to meet her, I will endeavour to see the Lady Hilda by herself, and it will soften the blow, when I am able to remind her that her son will undoubtedly succeed in establishing his claim to his father's inheritance.' This thought was uppermost in Ronald's mind, as he opened the well-known wicket and was crossing the court-yard to enter the hall. At that moment Colonel Armytage was sallying out to inspect the domain which he hoped soon would be his own. lie stopped, and looking with an angry frown on his frown at Ronald, said, ' Captain Morton, it will prevent mistakes iu future, if I at once tell you that I cannot allow your visits to this house, especially if paid, as I have reason to suppose, for the sake of seeing my daughter. While on service I was 434 VISITORS AT LUNNASTING. 435 always ready to treat you as an equal iu rank, but you must remember that your birth does not entitle you to associate on the same terms with the owners of Lunnasting ; and as, at the express wish of Sir Marcus Wardhill, I am henceforth to be master here, I must at once, to save unpleasantness for the future, forbid you the castle.' Morton bowed ; though he bit his lip at the insult offered him, there was a smile in his eye which showed that he was not very much moved by the colonel's behaviour. 'I will not dispute the matter with you now, sir,' he answered, calmly. 'But I have a matter of importance on which to speak with the Lady Hilda, and unless she refuses to see me, I feel myself bound to communicate with her.' Colonel Armytage, notwithstanding all Morton could say, was determined that he should not enter. He was still hold- ing out against what Ronald was urging, when Rolf Morton and his friends entered the court-yard. ' Colonel Armytage, these gentlemen have come expressly to see Sir Marcus Wardhill and his daughter, the Lady Hilda,' said Ronald firmly. ' I must introduce them. My former captain and friend, Lord Claymore ; Mr Frazer aud Mr Scott, two eminent lawyers from Scotland ; and my father, whom you have heard of as Mr Rolf Morton.' Colonel Armytage looked confused. 'Of course, my lord and gentlemen, if you desire to see Sir Marcus Wardhill, I cannot prevent you. I will lead the way and prepare him for your visit.' Scarcely had Colonel Armytage disappeared than another party entered the court-yard. In the centre walked the worthy Captain Tacon, who was examining the building with much curiosity, and looking about him with a swaggering air of independence. He was guarded on either side by Job Truefitt and young Doull, who showed by their looks that they were not at all likely to allow him to escape from want of watchful- ness. Directly after them came the elder Doull and Archy 436 RONALD MORTON. Eagleshay. Ronald directed them to wait in the hall while he went to look for Pedro Alvarez and Father Meudez. During his absence another person arrived, who was warmly greeted by Lord Claymore and the two lawyers as Mr Cameron, the Sheriff-Substitute for Shetland. In a few minutes Colonel Armytage returned, and an- nounced that Sir Marcus Wardhill was prepared to receive them. He seemed very much astonished at the appearance of so many strangers, and probably had a presentiment of what was preparing for him. He was, however, a man of the world; he was also an honourable man, according to his own code ; he knew that nothing was to be gained by contending against authority, and much by yielding gracefully ; and he also did not desire to oppose an act of justice, even though he might be the suf- ferer. With a proud resolution to do all that the strictest justice could require of him, he led the way to Sir Marcus's room. Here also his daughters and granddaughter, accompanied by Pedro Alvarez and Father Mendez, were assembled, and and before they sat down two servants wheeled in, on a sofa, the old Spanish marquis, who was followed by his weeping daughter. Edda invited her to come and sit by her, but she declined, and stood holding her father's hand, while the priest stood on the other side of the sofa, every now and then stoop- ing down to whisper into his ear. The old man looked up and inquired why so many people were assembled ; but when he saw Mr Cameron and the two lawyers he bowed his head, whispering slowly ' Some criminal to be tried, I see : let the case go on.' ' Not exactly that, Sir Marcus,' said the sheriff. ' 1 have been requested to attend here to investigate two important cases, in both of which Lord Claymore, who is known to you, has taken much interest. At his request, ray two learned STRANGE KEVELATIONS. 43? friends, Mr Scott and Mr Frazer, have come from Edinburgh to assist us in our investigations; but it depends on circum- stances whether the cases are or are not carried into a court of law, and thus made public. With which shall we proceed first, my lord ? ' ' By all means with that relating to the son of a lady pre- sent the wife of a Spanish officer, Don Hernan Escalante,' said Lord Claymore. ' We all must feel how anxious she must be to know that the interests of her child have been secured.' It is not necessary to describe all the examinations which took place. Hilda's marriage with Don Hernan was proved by three surviving witnesses Father Mendez, Pedro Alvarez, and Rolf Morton, though the loss of the certificate, one of the lawyers was of opinion, might prove a difficulty in a Spanish court. ' It is one a few hundred dollars may get over,' observed Pedro Alvarez, with a shrug of his shoulders. The birth of the child, and its abduction by strangers, was proved with equal ease. And now Captain Tacon was led for- ward, and in pure Castilian, which Pedro Alvarez translated, confessed that he was the person who carried off the young Hernan. ' But there, there is the man who instigated me to commit the deed ! ' he exclaimed, pointing to the marquis, who lay on the sofa with his eyes half closed. ' Yes, I confess my crime,' said the old man, slowly raising himself up. ' I have enjoyed but little happiness since. My palaces have been burnt down, and my plate and jewels carried off by the French. May the rightful owner enjoy what re- mains. I have done what my father confessor directed. I am prepared for the grave which yawns to receive me, and a few hundred dollars which my daughter possesses will enable her to enter a convent, and there forget my sorrow and shame.' Pedro Alvarez then described his recovery of young Hernan, and his career up to the moment he parted from him. 438 RONALD MORTON. ' I can without difficulty communicate with friends iu France, who will inform him of what has occurred, and enable him to come here without delay,' he added. ' Thence he can go to Spain, and take possession of his estates.' What the marquis had said was translated to Sir Marcus. The number of people collected, and the discussions taking place, had had the effect of rousing him up, and his intellect seemed as bright and acute as ever. ' Then, Colonel Armytage, since a male heir is found for Lunnasting, I fear that I must alter the will which I lately made in your favour.' ' You may save yourself that trouble, Sir Marcus,' said the sheriff, somewhat sternly. ' There is another claimant to the Lunnasting property. I would save your daughters from the pain of listening to the investigation of the case which must now be held. They will, however, perhaps wish to see that justice is done to all parties, and they may be assured that it is with the greatest unwillingness that I shall say anything which may wound their feelings.' Mrs Armytage thanked the sheriff, and expressed her wish to remain ; but Hilda did not speak. She had sat like a statue with her hands clasped during the examination of the witnesses, once only casting a look of reproach at the marquis, when he confessed that he had instigated Tacon to carry off her son. Still she sat in the same position, lost in thought, and utterly regardless of everything around. ' Sir Marcus Wardhill,' said the sheriff, ' as you well know, the heir to these estates was Bertram Brindister. He was first in succession before your wife, but unaccountably disappeared, and was supposed to have been washed away by the sea. Two witnesses have now appeared, who can prove that he was de- signedly carried off by a noted smuggler and outlaw, Hailed Yell by name, and by themselves. They are both present. All three men and the child were rescued from a wreck by Captain Andrew Scarsdale, who brought up the boy under the LEGAL VISITORS AT LUNNASTING. 439 name of Rolf Morton. You knew his father. There stands the present Bertram Brindister, the real Lord of Lnnnasting ; is he not like his father ? ' Sir Marcus looked up furtively at Rolf Morton, who stood with a calm countenance, expressive of more pain than triumph, directly in front of him. ' Yes, yes, he is very like,' he answered, and then conquer- ing any fear he might have felt, he added ' But gentlemen, assertions are not proofs. This latter tale is too clumsy an imitation of the first we have just heard not to make a man of sense discredit it. Let us hear what the men have to say.' On this the two old men, Doull and Eagleshay, stepped for- ward and described their having carried off a child from Whal- sey at the very time the boy, Bertram Brindister, was missed, and all the events which followed, but they could neither of them tell the exact date of the occurrence. ' I thought so,' said Sir Marcus, calmly. ' The man I see before me may be Bertram Brindister, but it cannot be proved ; nor can, as far as I can see, the instigator of the crime be discovered, if. as I say, there is truth in the story, which I am inclined to doubt. An important link is missing, and your case, gentlemen, falls to the ground.' ' But the link is found, and truth is triumphant. " The prince will hae his am again ! The prince will hae his aiu again ! "' exclaimed Lawrence Brindister, starting up and flou- rishing two papers in his hands, while he skipped about the room, in doubt to whom he should deliver them. This is your marriage certificate, cousin Hilda, and I have been a faithful guardian of it ; and this, Mr Sheriff, is the link you require to prove that honest Rolf Morton is really Bertram Brindister, and rightful Lord of Lurmasting, and that yonder old man, who has tyrannized over me, and insulted me and wronged me in every way, is an impostor ; arid that he instigated the villain Yell to abduct the heir that the inheritance might be his. See, it is the paper signed by Yell, and those other two men, and 440 RONALD MORTON. delivered to honest Andrew Scarsdale. Many a long year have I kept it. You all have heard that it was locked up in Captain Scarsdale's chest, which, guided by a hand more potent than that of man, came floating by the northern end of Whalsey, and was drawn on shore by me and my old dog, Surly Grind. In a cave I had hard by, I kept the chest and its contents, but months passed away before I examined them. When I did, I saw well that nothing would be gained by pub- lishing them. The rightful heir was away, and with his means how could he hope to contend with the wily and astute Sir Marcus Wardhill ? So I did what many a wiser man might not have done, I bided my time. Maybe, Sir Marcus, you have thought me at times a greater fool than I was ; but which is the greatest fool of the two the man who obeys, or he who sets Heaven at defiance ? Once, who could compete with me at school or college ? and what might I not have been had you not, when I was struck down by illness, taken advantage of my weakness, and by sending me to a madhouse, confirmed my malady ; but fool as you called me, I can see that Heaven's retri- butive justice has chastised you through life. Me yon got into your power on the ground that I was insane, and the mind of the daughter, in whom you took such pride, often totters on its throne ; her son was carried off, as was the rightful heir, and for long weary years has she waited his return, while the daughter you loved has been a stranger to your sight ; and now deprived of fortune, dishonoured, and disgraced, you are sinking unregretted into the grave.' 'Oh spare him! spare him!' cried Edda, gliding forward and taking the old man's hand, for neither her mother nor Hilda could speak. ' Let his grey hairs, cousin Lawrence, be his protection.' The old man's head had fallen OH his bosom, He was breathing with difficulty, but she did not perceive it. Ronald sprang to her side. ' For your sake Edda, no one belonging to you shall suffer ; my generous father promised THE RIGHTFUL HEIR. 441 me this. Be mine. The only objection Colonel Armytage urged against me no longer exists. Let us afford a home to those whom it will be our duty to cherish and console.' Colonel Armytage, who had through all the proceedings maintained as calm and dignified a deportment as he could command, overheard the words, and stepping forward said, ' Captain Morton, or I should rather say, Captain Brindister for I fully believe that name is yours you have acted nobly and generously ; you have taught me to think better of the world than I was inclined to do. My daughter's hand is your's as her heart is already, and may she prove as good a wife to you as her mother has to me, and may her lot be far happier. I will use all my influence to persuade Sir Marcus not to op- pose your father's claims, and I trust that the act he so long ago committed may not be bruited abroad to bring discredit on the family.' ' After all, colonel, you are a wiser man than I took you for,' said Lawrence, resuming again his former and usual extrava- gant manner. ' Blow the wind as it may, you always sail be- fore it, and you keep your hat ready to bow to the rising star. That's the way of the world, and what can a poor fool like me do but approve it. But what care I now how the world wags ! ' The prince has got his ain again his ain again ! ' Said I not the truth when I sang that song ! ' CHAPTER XXXVIII. THIS PRIEST GOES IN SEARCH OF HERN AN. THE 'SCORPION* ENGAGES A FRENCH SHIP. : THE VICTOR'S RETURN. | S the ' Scorpion' required her rigging set up, Ronald had a good excuse for remaining in Eastling Sound longer than he might otherwise have done. He came on shore every day ; and his first lieutenant, Mr Glover, was wonderfully fertile in excuses for coming also, as soon as the duties of the ship would allow him. It was remarked that when he came Donna Julia took the opportunity of leaving her father's room, except when he went in to visit the old man. At last Ronald taxed him with the singularity of his proceedings. ' The fact is, Captain Morton, that she is a sweetly pretty, good girl,' he answered ; ' and as, instead of being an heiress and a marchioness, she is likely to be penniless, I've made up ray mind to splice her, if she will have me, as I couldn't other- wise look after her properly when her old father slips his cable, which he may do any day.' Ronald advised him to make his offer forthwith, which he did, and was without hesitation accepted. The next day the old marquis died, and was buried, with due ceremony, within the walls of the old Roman Catholic chapel in which Hilda's unfortunate marriage took place. Lord Claymore was so much interested in Hilda that he did not immediately take his departure from Whalsey. 442 THE 'SCORPION' SAILS. 443 Pedro Alvarez had at once written to France, enclosing a letter to Hernan, telling 1 him of the wonderful change in his fortunes. It was evident, however, that he was more likely to be discovered if some one could go over to look for him. Father Meudez volunteered to go. Lord Claymore and Rolf supplied the father with ample funds, and he forthwith started on his journey. It was thought prudent to keep the worthy Tacon a prisoner, in case he might be required as a witness, should other claimants arise to oppose Hernan ; but as he was well fed and amply sup- plied with whisky, he did not complain of his fate. At length the ' Scorpion' was ready for sea. The sails were loosed, and all was in readiness to weigh. Ronald was still on shore, and had accompanied Edda to the summit of the eastern tower, the upper room in which she had appropriated to herself. As they stood together on the summit, his glance, as he looked seaward, fell on a sail just rising above the horizon. He watched her narrowly, and pronounced that she was drawing nearer. ' Edda, farewell, dearest ! ' he exclaimed. ' I must hasten on board, and sail in chase of yonder vessel. I received notice this morning from Lerwick that several merchantmen have been chased by a sloop-of-war, and some expected have not made their appearance, which it is supposed she may have captured. I must not delay a moment. Who knows but what I may bring her back in triumph ! ' He hastened down to his boat, and as fast the crew could bend their backs to the oars, pulled on board the corvette. The anchor was tripped, and under all sail she stood away ii\ chase of the stranger. Edda remained on the top of the tower watching the receding ship. She was soon joined by Donna Julia. Poor girl ! her lover too had gone away, and she was equally anxious with Edda. They were not long in private, for they were soon joined by Lord Claymore and Rolf Morton ; Pedro Alvarez and other inmates of the castle followed. 444 ROXALD MORTON. The stranger, a corvette, was standing 1 in towards Whalsey close hauled on the starboard tack, and when the ' Scorpion ' rounded the island and showed herself, she continued on the same course. ' That fellow by the cut of his canvas is a Frenchman,' observed Lord Claymore ; ' what think you, Captain Alvarez ? ' ' No doubt about it,' answered Pedro Alvarez. ' But I know of no French ship in these seas. ' See see ! there goes up the French flag ! ' exclaimed Lord Claymore ; ' she is going about to, as she does not wish to commence the fight while the " Scorpion " has the weather- gauge. A brave fellow commands that craft ; he has no in- tention, at all events, of avoiding an engagement.' Both vessels were now seen standing away from the land, the ' Scorpion ' steering both so as most speedily to come up with the enemy, and at the same time to keep the advantage of the wind which she possessed, while the other was manoeuvring to avoid a close engagement till she had gained the weather-gauge. ' Ronald will not let him do that,' cried Rolf. ' See, the " Scorpion " is gaining on her. She has got her within range of her guns. There goes the first shot. As he spoke, a puff of smoke was seen to proceed from the bows of the English ship, and the sound of the gun struck faintly on their ears. Another and another followed as soon as they could be brought to bear. As the ' Scorpion ' was coming up on the quarter of the French ship, the latter conld not at first discharge her broad- side guns with any effect, but as her enemy got more abeam of her she too opened fire, and shot after shot was exchanged in rapid succession. The interest of all the spectators became intense, though ex- hibited in different ways. Lord Claymore was all excitement and animation, evidently wishing himself on board the ' Scorpion.' Rolf now waved his hand now addressed his son now rheered as the ' Scorpion ' delivered an effective broadside. THE FIGHT. 445 The colonel stood as if snuffing up the smoke of battle, and coolly criticizing the manoeuvres of the combatants. The interests of Pedro Alvarez seemed now to side with the flag of France, under which he had so long fought, now with the ' Scorpion,' commanded by his friend. Lawrence kept moving about the platform rubbing his hands and cheering loudly every time a broadside was delivered. ' Well done, ' Scorpion ' ! ' ' Bravo, my boy ! ' shouted Lord Claymore and Rolf, in concert, as the Frenchman's fore- tup-mast went over the side. This caused him to luff up, and the ' Scropion,' shooting ahead, poured a raking broadside into his bows. On this, the Frenchman's helm was put to starboard, by which he was able to fire his hitherto disengaged starboard broadside. It had, however, the effect of bringing his head round, and now once more he stood towards the laud, while the ' Scorpion ' ran on in an opposite direction. It was but for a minute, she also quickly came about and ranged up on the enemy's weather beam, pouring in the whole of her larboard broadside. As the smoke cleared away, the Frenchman was seen with her foremast and main-top-mast gone, while the ' Scorpion ' did not appear to have lost a spar. ' Hurrah, my brave Ronald ! the day is yours,' shouted Rolf. ' It is but a matter of time.' Still the Frenchman fired on, but the wreck of his masts seemed to impede the working of his foremost guns. It appeared as if the ' Scorpion ' was about again to pass ahead, when the two ships met, and lay locked together in a deadly embrace. The guns continued to roar as before, and clouds of smoke enveloped the combatants. It was a period of awful suspense no one on the platform spoke. The firing ceased; the canopy of smoke disappeared. The two flags of England and France flew out as before from the peaks of the two ships. ' Morton has boarded the Frenchman,' cried Lord Clay- more at length. ' No doubt now as to the result. The French- 446 ROLAND MORTON. men fight bravely though. At them again , my boys ! Hurrah ! hurrah ! hurrah ! hurrah ! ' shouted Eolf . ' Down comes the Frenchmen's flag.' The fight was over, the 'Scorpion' was the victor. The two ships rapidly approached, steering for the west end of Eastling Island, and when at the entrance of the sound, and not far from the castle, they both came to an anchor. A boat was seen to be lowered from the ' Scorpion,' and with rapid strokes to approach the castle. With what eagerness did Edda watch her till she could distinguish the people on board. She uttered a cry of joy as she saw Ronald himself steering the boat. At the same time she perceived a person stretched at his length in the stern sheets. Poor Donna Julia almost fainted with alarm lest Glover should be the wounded man. Together they hunied down to the landing-place, where the rest of the party had already gone. Where all this time was Hilda ? She, too, had witnessed the fight. She had seen the desperate struggle, the flag of France hauled down, the ships brought to an anchor, and a wounded officer lowered into the boat. A vague, yet over- powering dread had seized her. She attempted to go down that she might meet the boat at the landing-place, but her strength failed, and she sunk back in her chair near the window, whence she could watch the boat as it glided rapidly by. Her sister found her thus. ' Hilda, nerve yourself for a great trial,' she said, as she took her hand to lead her to the door, where Rolf Morton stood ready to conduct her down the steps. A group was collected round a couch in the great hall. As Hilda entered, they opened out, and a young man in the naval uniform of France was seen extended upon it. Pedro Alvarez stood by him, holding one hand, while the surgeon of the ' Scorpion' was feeling the wrist of the other, and administering a restorative. Hilda tottered forward. ' Who is that ? ' she asked in a hollow voice, as she gazed eagerly at the countenance of the wounded man. HILDA AND HER SON. 447 ' Madam,' said Pedro Alvarez, looking up, ' that is Hernan Escalaute, your son.' ' Mother ! ' whispered the young officer, and the light re- turned to his eyes, which had appeared so lustreless. 'My son, my son, have I indeed found you, aud thus sorely wounded!' cried Hilda, kneeling down to impress a kiss on his brow, while she cast her arms around him. ' I shall soon recover now that I know I have you to live for, he answered, in a faint voice. ' Oh, will he live ! Can you cure him ? ' she exclaimed, turning to the surgeon. 'Gold, any amount you can name, shall be your reward if he recovers.' ' I will do my best, madam,' said the surgeon, bowing ; 'he is young and strong, and I have seen those who have received worse hurts survive.' Young Hernan was by Hilda's directions carried to her room. Day and night she watched over him, jealous of the interference of all others. Though he long hung between life and death, her constant care was rewarded, and the surgeon pronounced him at length out of danger. He remained, however, too weak to be moved. The only person besides the surgeon whom Hilda would allow to come near him was the faithful pastor of Lunuasting. He knew well how to minister to a soul diseased ; and Hilda herself, while listening to the words of Truth which were addressed to her son, had her own mind enlightened, and was brought to trust to the loving mercy of Him who had restored to her her long-lost child. Hernan, too, awakened to a sense of the sinfulness of the designs which his own evil passions had induced him to entertain, sought for pardon through the only means by which pardon can be obtained. When at length he rose from his sick bed he was truly an altered man, and Pedro Alvarez acknowledged that he loved him better than ever, although a Protestant minister had been the means of his reformation. 448 RONALD MORTON. Sir Marcus Wardhill died shortly after, in a state of utter imbecility, without recognising his grandson. On her father's death Hilda accompanied her son to Spain, where Hernan succeeded in establishing his rights to his paternal estates. He had, however, never entirely recovered from his wounds, and in two years Hilda had to endure the grief of seeing him die in her arms ; but she bore it with fortitude, and, invited by her loving relatives at Lunnasting, returned to spend the evening of her days in Shetland. Glover having married Donna Julia, inherited Hernau's estates in Spain. Their children, brought up partly in the Protestant faith, became the ancestors of those who have since f ought the battle for the truth in that long- benighted land. Pedro Alvarez not being perfectly satisfied that the officers of the Inquisition, though itself abolished, might not by some means get hold of him, continued a welcome inmate to the end of his days at Luuuasting Castle, the constant companion of Lawrence Brindister, who, on the death of Sir Marcus recovered his intellect so far that he was looked upon by Ronald's large family of young cousins as a most agreeable and amusing old gentleman, the chief promoter of every sort of pastime and amusement in which they were indulged. For several years a gaunt old beggar might be seen at the corner of one of the streets of Cadiz, surpassing his mendicant brethren in the loudness of his complaints and the squalor of the rags which covered him ; and one day Glover, passing by, re- cognized in him his quondam acquaintance, the ex-pirate, Tacon. Father Mendez was never again heard of, nor was any sur- mise offered as to what had become of him. As Admiral Sir Ronald Brindister might object to have more of his private history brought to light, we must bring our tale to a conclusion. XI IK KND. UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA LIBRARY, LOS ANGELES COLLEGE LIBRARY This book is due on the last date stamped below. Book Slip-25m-7,'6HC1437si)41280 UCLA-College Library PR 4845 K61fi 1872 L 005 713 640 Library PR K6lfi 1872 UC SOUTHERN REGIONAL LIBRARY FACILITY A 001 322061 1