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diff --git a/.gitattributes b/.gitattributes new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6833f05 --- /dev/null +++ b/.gitattributes @@ -0,0 +1,3 @@ +* text=auto +*.txt text +*.md text diff --git a/10394-0.txt b/10394-0.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..71ee822 --- /dev/null +++ b/10394-0.txt @@ -0,0 +1,4961 @@ +*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 10394 *** + +STOLEN TREASURE + +BY + +HOWARD PYLE + +Author of "Men of Iron" "Twilight Land" "The Wonder Clock" "Pepper and +Salt" + + +ILLUSTRATED BY THE AUTHOR + +MCMVII + + + + +CONTENTS + + +I. WITH THE BUCCANEERS + +II. TOM CHIST AND THE TREASURE-BOX + +III. THE GHOST OF CAPTAIN BRAND + +IV. THE DEVIL AT NEW HOPE + + + + +ILLUSTRATIONS + + +"'I'VE KEPT MY EARS OPEN TO ALL YOUR DOINGS'" + +"THIS FIGURE OF WAR OUR HERO ASKED TO STEP ASIDE WITH HIM" + +"OUR HERO, LEAPING TO THE WHEEL, SEIZED THE FLYING SPOKES" + +"SHE AND MASTER HARRY WOULD SPEND HOURS TOGETHER" + +"'... AND TWENTY-ONE AND TWENTY-TWO'" + +"''TIS ENOUGH,' CRIED OUT PARSON JONES, 'TO MAKE US BOTH RICH MEN'" + +"CAPTAIN MALYOE SHOT CAPTAIN BRAND THROUGH THE HEAD" + +"HE WOULD SHOUT OPPROBRIOUS WORDS AFTER THE OTHER IN THE STREETS" + + + + +STOLEN TREASURE + + + + +I. WITH THE BUCCANEERS + +_Being an Account of Certain Adventures that Befell Henry Mostyn under +Captain H. Morgan in the Year 1665-66._ + +I + +Although this narration has more particularly to do with the taking of +the Spanish Vice-Admiral in the harbor of Puerto Bello, and of the +rescue therefrom of Le Sieur Simon, his wife and daughter (the +adventure of which was successfully achieved by Captain Morgan, the +famous buccaneer), we shall, nevertheless, premise something of the +earlier history of Master Harry Mostyn, whom you may, if you please, +consider as the hero of the several circumstances recounted in these +pages. + +In the year 1664 our hero's father embarked from Portsmouth, in +England, for the Barbadoes, where he owned a considerable sugar +plantation. Thither to those parts of America he transported with +himself his whole family, of whom our Master Harry was the fifth of +eight children--a great lusty fellow as little fitted for the Church +(for which he was designed) as could be. At the time of this story, +though not above sixteen years old, Master Harry Mostyn was as big and +well-grown as many a man of twenty, and of such a reckless and +dare-devil spirit that no adventure was too dangerous or too mischievous +for him to embark upon. + +At this time there was a deal of talk in those parts of the Americas +concerning Captain Morgan, and the prodigious successes he was having +pirating against the Spaniards. + +This man had once been an indentured servant with Mr. Rolls, a sugar +factor at the Barbadoes. Having served out his time, and being of +lawless disposition, possessing also a prodigious appetite for +adventure, he joined with others of his kidney, and, purchasing a +caraval of three guns, embarked fairly upon that career of piracy the +most successful that ever was heard of in the world. + +Master Harry had known this man very well while he was still with Mr. +Rolls, serving as a clerk at that gentleman's sugar wharf, a tall, +broad-shouldered, strapping fellow, with red cheeks, and thick red +lips, and rolling blue eyes, and hair as red as any chestnut. Many knew +him for a bold, gruff-spoken man, but no one at that time suspected +that he had it in him to become so famous and renowned as he afterwards +grew to be. + +The fame of his exploits had been the talk of those parts for above a +twelvemonth, when, in the latter part of the year 1665, Captain Morgan, +having made a very successful expedition against the Spaniards into the +Gulf of Campeachy--where he took several important purchases from the +plate fleet--came to the Barbadoes, there to fit out another such +venture, and to enlist recruits. + +He and certain other adventurers had purchased a vessel of some five +hundred tons, which they proposed to convert into a pirate by cutting +port-holes for cannon, and running three or four carronades across her +main-deck. The name of this ship, be it mentioned, was the _Good +Samaritan_, as ill-fitting a name as could be for such a craft, which, +instead of being designed for the healing of wounds, was intended to +inflict such devastation as those wicked men proposed. + +Here was a piece of mischief exactly fitted to our hero's tastes; +wherefore, having made up a bundle of clothes, and with not above a +shilling in his pocket, he made an excursion into the town to seek for +Captain Morgan. There he found the great pirate established at an +ordinary, with a little court of ragamuffins and swashbucklers gathered +about him, all talking very loud, and drinking healths in raw rum as +though it were sugared water. + +And what a fine figure our buccaneer had grown, to be sure! How +different from the poor, humble clerk upon the sugarwharf! What a deal +of gold braid! What a fine, silver-hilted Spanish sword! What a gay +velvet sling, hung with three silver-mounted pistols! If Master Harry's +mind had not been made up before, to be sure such a spectacle of glory +would have determined it. + +This figure of war our hero asked to step aside with him, and when they +had come into a corner, proposed to the other what he intended, and +that he had a mind to enlist as a gentleman adventurer upon this +expedition. Upon this our rogue of a buccaneer Captain burst out +a-laughing, and fetching Master Harry a great thump upon the back, swore +roundly that he would make a man of him, and that it was a pity to make +a parson out of so good a piece of stuff. + +[Illustration: "THIS FIGURE OF WAR OUR HERO ASKED TO STEP ASIDE WITH +HIM"] + +Nor was Captain Morgan less good than his word, for when the _Good +Samaritan_ set sail with a favoring wind for the island of Jamaica, +Master Harry found himself established as one of the adventurers +aboard. + +II + +Could you but have seen the town of Port Royal as it appeared in the +year 1665 you would have beheld a sight very well worth while looking +upon. There were no fine houses at that time, and no great +counting-houses built of brick, such as you may find nowadays, but a crowd +of board and wattled huts huddled along the streets, and all so gay with +flags and bits of color that Vanity Fair itself could not have been +gayer. To this place came all the pirates and buccaneers that infested +those parts, and men shouted and swore and gambled, and poured out +money like water, and then maybe wound up their merrymaking by dying of +fever. For the sky in these torrid latitudes is all full of clouds +overhead, and as hot as any blanket, and when the sun shone forth it +streamed down upon the smoking sands so that the houses were ovens and +the streets were furnaces; so it was little wonder that men died like +rats in a hole. But little they appeared to care for that; so that +everywhere you might behold a multitude of painted women and Jews and +merchants and pirates, gaudy with red scarfs and gold braid and all +sorts of odds and ends of foolish finery, all fighting and gambling and +bartering for that ill-gotten treasure of the be-robbed Spaniard. + +Here, arriving, Captain Morgan found a hearty welcome, and a message +from the Governor awaiting him, the message bidding him attend his +Excellency upon the earliest occasion that offered. Whereupon, taking +our hero (of whom he had grown prodigiously fond) along with him, our +pirate went, without any loss of time, to visit Sir Thomas Modiford, +who was then the royal Governor of all this devil's brew of wickedness. + +They found his Excellency seated in a great easy-chair, under the +shadow of a slatted veranda, the floor whereof was paved with brick. He +was clad, for the sake of coolness, only in his shirt, breeches, and +stockings, and he wore slippers on his feet. He was smoking a great +cigarro of tobacco, and a goblet of lime-juice and water and rum stood +at his elbow on a table. Here, out of the glare of the heat, it was all +very cool and pleasant, with a sea-breeze blowing violently in through +the slats, setting them a-rattling now and then, and stirring Sir +Thomas's long hair, which he had pushed back for the sake of coolness. + +The purport of this interview, I may tell you, concerned the rescue of +one Le Sieur Simon, who, together with his wife and daughter, was held +captive by the Spaniards. + +This gentleman adventurer (Le Sieur Simon) had, a few years before, +been set up by the buccaneers as Governor of the island of Santa +Catherina. This place, though well fortified by the Spaniards, the +buccaneers had seized upon, establishing themselves thereon, and so +infesting the commerce of those seas that no Spanish fleet was safe +from them. At last the Spaniards, no longer able to endure these +assaults against their commerce, sent a great force against the +freebooters to drive them out of their island stronghold. This they +did, retaking Santa Catherina, together with its Governor, his wife, +and daughter, as well as the whole garrison of buccaneers. + +This garrison were sent by their conquerors, some to the galleys, some +to the mines, some to no man knows where. The Governor himself--Le +Sieur Simon--was to be sent to Spain, there to stand his trial for +piracy. + +The news of all this, I may tell you, had only just been received in +Jamaica, having been brought thither by a Spanish captain, one Don +Roderiguez Sylvia, who was, besides, the bearer of despatches to the +Spanish authorities relating the whole affair. + +Such, in fine, was the purport of this interview, and as our hero and +his Captain walked back together from the Governor's house to the +ordinary where they had taken up their inn, the buccaneer assured his +companion that he purposed to obtain those despatches from the Spanish +captain that very afternoon, even if he had to use force to seize them. + +All this, you are to understand, was undertaken only because of the +friendship that the Governor and Captain Morgan entertained for Le +Sieur Simon. And, indeed, it was wonderful how honest and how faithful +were these wicked men in their dealings with one another. For you must +know that Governor Modiford and Le Sieur Simon and the buccaneers were +all of one kidney--all taking a share in the piracies of those times, +and all holding by one another as though they were the honestest men in +the world. Hence it was they were all so determined to rescue Le Sieur +Simon from the Spaniards. + +III + +Having reached his ordinary after his interview with the Governor, +Captain Morgan found there a number of his companions, such as usually +gathered at that place to be in attendance upon him--some, those +belonging to the _Good Samaritan_; others, those who hoped to obtain +benefits from him; others, those ragamuffins who gathered around him +because he was famous, and because it pleased them to be of his court +and to be called his followers. For nearly always your successful +pirate had such a little court surrounding him. + +Finding a dozen or more of these rascals gathered there, Captain Morgan +informed them of his present purpose--that he was going to find the +Spanish captain to demand his papers of him, and calling upon them to +accompany him. + +With this following at his heels, our buccaneer started off down the +street, his lieutenant, a Cornishman named Bartholomew Davis, upon one +hand and our hero upon the other. So they paraded the streets for the +best part of an hour before they found the Spanish captain. For whether +he had got wind that Captain Morgan was searching for him, or whether, +finding himself in a place so full of his enemies, he had buried +himself in some place of hiding, it is certain that the buccaneers had +traversed pretty nearly the whole town before they discovered that he +was lying at a certain auberge kept by a Portuguese Jew. Thither they +went, and thither Captain Morgan entered with the utmost coolness and +composure of demeanor, his followers crowding noisily in at his heels. + +The space within was very dark, being lighted only by the doorway and +by two large slatted windows or openings in the front. + +In this dark, hot place--not over-roomy at the best--were gathered +twelve or fifteen villanous-appearing men, sitting at tables and +drinking together, waited upon by the Jew and his wife. Our hero had no +trouble in discovering which of this lot of men was Captain Sylvia, for +not only did Captain Morgan direct his glance full of war upon him, but +the Spaniard was clad with more particularity and with more show of +finery than any of the others who were there. + +Him Captain Morgan approached and demanded his papers, whereunto the +other replied with such a jabber of Spanish and English that no man +could have understood what he said. To this Captain Morgan in turn +replied that he must have those papers, no matter what it might cost +him to obtain them, and thereupon drew a pistol from his sling and +presented it at the other's head. + +At this threatening action the innkeeper's wife fell a-screaming, and +the Jew, as in a frenzy, besought them not to tear the house down about +his ears. + +Our hero could hardly tell what followed, only that all of a sudden +there was a prodigious uproar of combat. Knives flashed everywhere, and +then a pistol was fired so close to his head that he stood like one +stunned, hearing some one crying out in a loud voice, but not knowing +whether it was a friend or a foe who had been shot. Then another +pistol-shot so deafened what was left of Master Harry's hearing that +his ears rang for above an hour afterwards. By this time the whole +place was full of gunpowder smoke, and there was the sound of blows and +oaths and outcrying and the clashing of knives. + +As Master Harry, who had no great stomach for such a combat, and no +very particular interest in the quarrel, was making for the door, a +little Portuguese, as withered and as nimble as an ape, came ducking +under the table and plunged at his stomach with a great long knife, +which, had it effected its object, would surely have ended his +adventures then and there. + +Finding himself in such danger, Master Harry snatched up a heavy chair, +and, flinging it at his enemy, who was preparing for another attack, he +fairly ran for it out of the door, expecting every instant to feel the +thrust of the blade betwixt his ribs. + +A considerable crowd had gathered outside, and others, hearing the +uproar, were coming running to join them. With these our hero stood, +trembling like a leaf, and with cold chills running up and down his +back like water at the narrow escape from the danger that had +threatened him. + +Nor shall you think him a coward, for you must remember he was hardly +sixteen years old at the time, and that this was the first affair of +the sort he had encountered. Afterwards, as you shall learn, he showed +that he could exhibit courage enough at a pinch. + +While he stood there endeavoring to recover his composure, the while +the tumult continued within, suddenly two men came running almost +together out of the door, a crowd of the combatants at their heels. The +first of these men was Captain Sylvia; the other, who was pursuing him, +was Captain Morgan. + +As the crowd about the door parted before the sudden appearing of +these, the Spanish captain, perceiving, as he supposed, a way of escape +opened to him, darted across the street with incredible swiftness +towards an alleyway upon the other side. Upon this, seeing his prey +like to get away from him, Captain Morgan snatched a pistol out of his +sling, and resting it for an instant across his arm, fired at the +flying Spaniard, and that with so true an aim that, though the street +was now full of people, the other went tumbling over and over all of a +heap in the kennel, where he lay, after a twitch or two, as still as a +log. + +At the sound of the shot and the fall of the man the crowd scattered +upon all sides, yelling and screaming, and the street being thus pretty +clear, Captain Morgan ran across the way to where his victim lay, his +smoking pistol still in his hand, and our hero following close at his +heels. + +Our poor Harry had never before beheld a man killed thus in an instant +who a moment before had been so full of life and activity, for when +Captain Morgan turned the body over upon its back he could perceive at +a glance, little as he knew of such matters, that the man was stone +dead. And, indeed, it was a dreadful sight for him who was hardly more +than a child. He stood rooted for he knew not how long, staring down at +the dead face with twitching fingers and shuddering limbs. Meantime a +great crowd was gathering about them again. + +As for Captain Morgan, he went about his work with the utmost coolness +and deliberation imaginable, unbuttoning the waistcoat and the shirt of +the man he had murdered with fingers that neither twitched nor shook. +There were a gold cross and a bunch of silver medals hung by a +whip-cord about the neck of the dead man. This Captain Morgan broke away +with a snap, reaching the jingling baubles to Harry, who took them in +his nerveless hand and fingers that he could hardly close upon what +they held. + +The papers Captain Morgan found in a wallet in an inner breast-pocket +of the Spaniard's waistcoat. These he examined one by one, and finding +them to his satisfaction, tied them up again, and slipped the wallet +and its contents into his own pocket. + +Then for the first time he appeared to observe Master Harry, who, +indeed, must have been standing the perfect picture of horror and +dismay. Whereupon, bursting out a-laughing, and slipping the pistol he +had used back into its sling again, he fetched poor Harry a great slap +upon the back, bidding him be a man, for that he would see many such +sights as this. + +But, indeed, it was no laughing matter for poor Master Harry, for it +was many a day before his imagination could rid itself of the image of +the dead Spaniard's face; and as he walked away down the street with +his companions, leaving the crowd behind them, and the dead body where +it lay for its friends to look after, his ears humming and ringing from +the deafening noise of the pistol-shots fired in the close room, and +the sweat trickling down his face in drops, he knew not whether all +that had passed had been real, or whether it was a dream from which he +might presently awaken. + +IV + +The papers Captain Morgan had thus seized upon as the fruit of the +murder he had committed must have been as perfectly satisfactory to him +as could be, for having paid a second visit that evening to Governor +Modiford, the pirate lifted anchor the next morning and made sail +towards the Gulf of Darien. There, after cruising about in those waters +for about a fortnight without falling in with a vessel of any sort, at +the end of that time they overhauled a caravel bound from Puerto Bello +to Cartagena, which vessel they took, and finding her loaded with +nothing better than raw hides, scuttled and sunk her, being then about +twenty leagues from the main of Cartagena. From the captain of this +vessel they learned that the plate fleet was then lying in the harbor +of Puerto Bello, not yet having set sail thence, but waiting for the +change of the winds before embarking for Spain. Besides this, which was +a good deal more to their purpose, the Spaniards told the pirates that +the Sieur Simon, his wife, and daughter were confined aboard the +vice-admiral of that fleet, and that the name of the vice-admiral was the +_Santa Maria y Valladolid_. + +So soon as Captain Morgan had obtained the information he desired he +directed his course straight for the Bay of Santo Blaso, where he might +lie safely within the cape of that name without any danger of discovery +(that part of the main-land being entirely uninhabited) and yet be +within twenty or twenty-five leagues of Puerto Bello. + +Having come safely to this anchorage, he at once declared his +intentions to his companions, which were as follows: + +That it was entirely impossible for them to hope to sail their vessel +into the harbor of Puerto Bello, and to attack the Spanish vice-admiral +where he lay in the midst of the armed flota; wherefore, if anything +was to be accomplished, it must be undertaken by some subtle design +rather than by open-handed boldness. Having so prefaced what he had to +say, he now declared that it was his purpose to take one of the ship's +boats and to go in that to Puerto Bello, trusting for some opportunity +to occur to aid him either in the accomplishment of his aims or in the +gaining of some further information. Having thus delivered himself, he +invited any who dared to do so to volunteer for the expedition, telling +them plainly that he would constrain no man to go against his will, for +that at best it was a desperate enterprise, possessing only the +recommendation that in its achievement the few who undertook it would +gain great renown, and perhaps a very considerable booty. + +And such was the incredible influence of this bold man over his +companions, and such was their confidence in his skill and cunning, +that not above a dozen of all those aboard hung back from the +undertaking, but nearly every man desired to be taken. + +Of these volunteers Captain Morgan chose twenty--among others our +Master Harry--and having arranged with his lieutenant that if nothing +was heard from the expedition at the end of three days he should sail +for Jamaica to await news, he embarked upon that enterprise, which, +though never heretofore published, was perhaps the boldest and the most +desperate of all those that have since made his name so famous. For +what could be a more unparalleled undertaking than for a little open +boat, containing but twenty men, to enter the harbor of the third +strongest fortress of the Spanish mainland with the intention of +cutting out the Spanish vice-admiral from the midst of a whole fleet of +powerfully armed vessels, and how many men in all the world do you +suppose would venture such a thing? + +But there is this to be said of that great buccaneer: that if he +undertook enterprises so desperate as this, he yet laid his plans so +well that they never went altogether amiss. Moreover, the very +desperation of his successes was of such a nature that no man could +suspect that he would dare to undertake such things, and accordingly +his enemies were never prepared to guard against his attacks. Aye, had +he but worn the King's colors and served under the rules of honest war, +he might have become as great and as renowned as Admiral Blake himself! + +But all that is neither here nor there; what I have to tell you now is +that Captain Morgan in this open boat with his twenty mates reached the +Cape of Salmedina towards the fall of day. Arriving within view of the +harbor they discovered the plate fleet at anchor, with two men-of-war +and an armed galley riding as a guard at the mouth of the harbor, +scarce half a league distant from the other ships. Having spied the +fleet in this posture, the pirates presently pulled down their sails +and rowed along the coast, feigning to be a Spanish vessel from Nombre +de Dios. So hugging the shore, they came boldly within the harbor, upon +the opposite side of which you might see the fortress a considerable +distance away. + +Being now come so near to the consummation of their adventure, Captain +Morgan required every man to make an oath to stand by him to the last, +whereunto our hero swore as heartily as any man aboard, although his +heart, I must needs confess, was beating at a great rate at the +approach of what was to happen. Having thus received the oaths of all +his followers, Captain Morgan commanded the surgeon of the expedition +that, when the order was given, he, the medico, was to bore six holes +in the boat, so that, it sinking under them, they might all be +compelled to push forward, with no chance of retreat. And such was the +ascendency of this man over his followers, and such was their awe of +him, that not one of them uttered even so much as a murmur, though what +he had commanded the surgeon to do pledged them either to victory or to +death, with no chance to choose between. Nor did the surgeon question +the orders he had received, much less did he dream of disobeying them. + +By now it had fallen pretty dusk, whereupon, spying two fishermen in a +canoe at a little distance, Captain Morgan demanded of them in Spanish +which vessel of those at anchor in the harbor was the vice-admiral, for +that he had despatches for the captain thereof. Whereupon the +fishermen, suspecting nothing, pointed to them a galleon of great size +riding at anchor not half a league distant. + +Towards this vessel accordingly the pirates directed their course, and +when they had come pretty nigh, Captain Morgan called upon the surgeon +that now it was time for him to perform the duty that had been laid +upon him. Whereupon the other did as he was ordered, and that so +thoroughly that the water presently came gushing into the boat in great +streams, whereat all hands pulled for the galleon as though every next +moment was to be their last. + +And what do you suppose were our hero's emotions at this time? Like all +in the boat, his awe of Captain Morgan was so great that I do believe +he would rather have gone to the bottom than have questioned his +command, even when it was to scuttle the boat. Nevertheless, when he +felt the cold water gushing about his feet (for he had taken off his +shoes and stockings) he became possessed with such a fear of being +drowned that even the Spanish galleon had no terrors for him if he +could only feel the solid planks thereof beneath his feet. + +Indeed, all the crew appeared to be possessed of a like dismay, for +they pulled at the oars with such an incredible force that they were +under the quarter of the galleon before the boat was half filled with +water. + +Here, as they approached, it then being pretty dark and the moon not +yet having risen, the watch upon the deck hailed them, whereupon +Captain Morgan called out in Spanish that he was Captain Alvarez +Mendazo, and that he brought despatches for the vice-admiral. + +But at that moment, the boat being now so full of water as to be +logged, it suddenly tilted upon one side as though to sink beneath +them, whereupon all hands, without further orders, went scrambling up +the side, as nimble as so many monkeys, each armed with a pistol in one +hand and a cutlass in the other, and so were upon deck before the watch +could collect his wits to utter any outcry or to give any other alarm +than to cry out, "Jesu bless us! who are these?" at which words +somebody knocked him down with the butt of a pistol, though who it was +our hero could not tell in the darkness and the hurry. + +Before any of those upon deck could recover from their alarm or those +from below come up upon deck, a part of the pirates, under the +carpenter and the surgeon, had run to the gunroom and had taken +possession of the arms, while Captain Morgan, with Master Harry and a +Portuguese called Murillo Braziliano, had flown with the speed of the +wind into the great cabin. + +Here they found the captain of the vice-admiral playing at cards with +the Sieur Simon and a friend, Madam Simon and her daughter being +present. + +Captain Morgan instantly set his pistol at the breast of the Spanish +captain, swearing with a most horrible fierce countenance that if he +spake a word or made any outcry he was a dead man. As for our hero, +having now got his hand into the game, he performed the same service +for the Spaniard's friend, declaring he would shoot him dead if he +opened his lips or lifted so much as a single finger. + +All this while the ladies, not comprehending what had occurred, had sat +as mute as stones; but now having so far recovered themselves as to +find a voice, the younger of the two fell to screaming, at which the +Sieur Simon called out to her to be still, for these were friends who +had come to help them, and not enemies who had come to harm them. + +All this, you are to understand, occupied only a little while, for in +less than a minute three or four of the pirates had come into the +cabin, who, together with the Portuguese, proceeded at once to bind the +two Spaniards hand and foot, and to gag them. This being done to our +buccaneer's satisfaction, and the Spanish captain being stretched out +in the corner of the cabin, he instantly cleared his countenance of its +terrors, and bursting forth into a great loud laugh, clapped his hand +to the Sieur Simon's, which he wrung with the best will in the world. +Having done this, and being in a fine humor after this his first +success, he turned to the two ladies. "And this, ladies," said he, +taking our hero by the hand and presenting him, "is a young gentleman +who has embarked with me to learn the trade of piracy. I recommend him +to your politeness." + +Think what a confusion this threw our Master Harry into, to be sure, +who at his best was never easy in the company of strange ladies! You +may suppose what must have been his emotions to find himself thus +introduced to the attention of Madam Simon and her daughter, being at +the time in his bare feet, clad only in his shirt and breeches, and +with no hat upon his head, a pistol in one hand and a cutlass in the +other. However, he was not left for long to his embarrassments, for +almost immediately after he had thus far relaxed, Captain Morgan fell +of a sudden serious again, and bidding the Sieur Simon to get his +ladies away into some place of safety, for the most hazardous part of +this adventure was yet to occur, he quitted the cabin with Master Harry +and the other pirates (for you may call him a pirate now) at his heels. + +Having come upon deck, our hero beheld that a part of the Spanish crew +were huddled forward in a flock like so many sheep (the others being +crowded below with the hatches fastened upon them), and such was the +terror of the pirates, and so dreadful the name of Henry Morgan, that +not one of those poor wretches dared to lift up his voice to give any +alarm, nor even to attempt an escape by jumping overboard. + +At Captain Morgan's orders, these men, together with certain of his own +company, ran nimbly aloft and began setting the sails, which, the night +now having fallen pretty thick, was not for a good while observed by +any of the vessels riding at anchor about them. + +Indeed, the pirates might have made good their escape, with at most +only a shot or two from the men-of-war, had it not then been about the +full of the moon, which, having arisen, presently discovered to those +of the fleet that lay closest about them what was being done aboard the +vice-admiral. + +At this one of the vessels hailed them, and then after a while, having +no reply, hailed them again. Even then the Spaniards might not +immediately have suspected anything was amiss but only that the +vice-admiral for some reason best known to himself was shifting his +anchorage, had not one of the Spaniards aloft--but who it was Captain +Morgan was never able to discover--answered the hail by crying out that +the vice-admiral had been seized by the pirates. + +At this the alarm was instantly given and the mischief done, for +presently there was a tremendous bustle through that part of the fleet +lying nighest the vice-admiral--a deal of shouting of orders, a beating +of drums, and the running hither and thither of the crews. + +But by this time the sails of the vice-admiral had filled with a strong +land breeze that was blowing up the harbor, whereupon the carpenter, at +Captain Morgan's orders, having cut away both anchors, the galleon +presently bore away up the harbor, gathering headway every moment with +the wind nearly dead astern. The nearest vessel was the only one that +for the moment was able to offer any hinderance. This ship, having by +this time cleared away one of its guns, was able to fire a parting shot +against the vice-admiral, striking her somewhere forward, as our hero +could see by a great shower of splinters that flew up in the moonlight. + +At the sound of the shot all the vessels of the flota not yet disturbed +by the alarm were aroused at once, so that the pirates had the +satisfaction of knowing that they would have to run the gantlet of all +the ships between them and the open sea before they could reckon +themselves escaped. + +And, indeed, to our hero's mind it seemed that the battle which +followed must have been the most terrific cannonade that was ever heard +in the world. It was not so ill at first, for it was some while before +the Spaniards could get their guns clear for action, they being not the +least in the world prepared for such an occasion as this. But by-and-by +first one and then another ship opened fire upon the galleon, until it +seemed to our hero that all the thunders of heaven let loose upon them +could not have created a more prodigious uproar, and that it was not +possible that they could any of them escape destruction. + +By now the moon had risen full and round, so that the clouds of smoke +that rose in the air appeared as white as snow. The air seemed full of +the hiss and screaming of shot, each one of which, when it struck the +galleon, was magnified by our hero's imagination into ten times its +magnitude from the crash which it delivered and from the cloud of +splinters it would cast up into the moonlight. At last he suddenly +beheld one poor man knocked sprawling across the deck, who, as he +raised his arm from behind the mast, disclosed that the hand was gone +from it, and that the shirt-sleeve was red with blood in the moonlight. +At this sight all the strength fell away from poor Harry, and he felt +sure that a like fate or even a worse must be in store for him. + +But, after all, this was nothing to what it might have been in broad +daylight, for what with the darkness of night, and the little +preparation the Spaniards could make for such a business, and the +extreme haste with which they discharged their guns (many not +understanding what was the occasion of all this uproar), nearly all the +shot flew so wide of the mark that not above one in twenty struck that +at which it was aimed. + +Meantime Captain Morgan, with the Sieur Simon, who had followed him +upon deck, stood just above where our hero lay behind the shelter of +the bulwark. The captain had lit a pipe of tobacco, and he stood now in +the bright moonlight close to the rail, with his hands behind him, +looking out ahead with the utmost coolness imaginable, and paying no +more attention to the din of battle than though it were twenty leagues +away. Now and then he would take his pipe from his lips to utter an +order to the man at the wheel. Excepting this he stood there hardly +moving at all, the wind blowing his long red hair over his shoulders. + +Had it not been for the armed galley the pirates might have got the +galleon away with no great harm done in spite of all this cannonading, +for the man-of-war which rode at anchor nighest to them at the mouth of +the harbor was still so far away that they might have passed it by +hugging pretty close to the shore, and that without any great harm +being done to them in the darkness. But just at this moment, when the +open water lay in sight, came this galley pulling out from behind the +point of the shore in such a manner as either to head our pirates off +entirely or else to compel them to approach so near to the man-of-war +that that latter vessel could bring its guns to bear with more effect. + +This galley, I must tell you, was like others of its kind such as you +may find in these waters, the hull being long and cut low to the water +so as to allow the oars to dip freely. The bow was sharp and projected +far out ahead, mounting a swivel upon it, while at the stern a number +of galleries built one above another into a castle gave shelter to +several companies of musketeers as well as the officers commanding +them. + +Our hero could behold the approach of this galley from above the +starboard bulwarks, and it appeared to him impossible for them to hope +to escape either it or the man-of-war. But still Captain Morgan +maintained the same composure that he had exhibited all the while, only +now and then delivering an order to the man at the wheel, who, putting +the helm over, threw the bows of the galleon around more to the +larboard, as though to escape the bow of the galley and get into the +open water beyond. This course brought the pirates ever closer and +closer to the man-of-war, which now began to add its thunder to the din +of the battle, and with so much more effect that at every discharge you +might hear the crashing and crackling of splintered wood, and now and +then the outcry or groaning of some man who was hurt. Indeed, had it +been daylight, they must at this juncture all have perished, though, as +was said, what with the night and the confusion and the hurry, they +escaped entire destruction, though more by a miracle than through any +policy upon their own part. + +Meantime the galley, steering as though to come aboard of them, had now +come so near that it, too, presently began to open its musketry fire +upon them, so that the humming and rattling of bullets were presently +added to the din of cannonading. + +In two minutes more it would have been aboard of them, when in a moment +Captain Morgan roared out of a sudden to the man at the helm to put it +hard a starboard. In response the man ran the wheel over with the +utmost quickness, and the galleon, obeying her helm very readily, came +around upon a course which, if continued, would certainly bring them +into collision with their enemy. + +It is possible at first the Spaniards imagined the pirates intended to +escape past their stern, for they instantly began backing oars to keep +them from getting past, so that the water was all of a foam about them; +at the same time they did this they poured in such a fire of musketry +that it was a miracle that no more execution was accomplished than +happened. + +As for our hero, methinks for the moment he forgot all about everything +else than as to whether or no his captain's manoeuvre would succeed, +for in the very first moment he divined, as by some instinct, what +Captain Morgan purposed doing. + +At this moment, so particular in the execution of this nice design, a +bullet suddenly struck down the man at the wheel. Hearing the sharp +outcry, our Harry turned to see him fall forward, and then to his hands +and knees upon the deck, the blood running in a black pool beneath him, +while the wheel, escaping from his hands, spun over until the spokes +were all of a mist. + +In a moment the ship would have fallen off before the wind had not our +hero, leaping to the wheel (even as Captain Morgan shouted an order for +some one to do so), seized the flying spokes, whirling them back again, +and so bringing the bow of the galleon up to its former course. + +[Illustration: "OUR HERO, LEAPING TO THE WHEEL, SEIZED THE FLYING +SPOKES"] + +In the first moment of this effort he had reckoned of nothing but of +carrying out his captain's designs. He neither thought of cannon-balls +nor of bullets. But now that his task was accomplished, he came +suddenly back to himself to find the galleries of the galleon aflame +with musket-shots, and to become aware with a most horrible sinking of +the spirits that all the shots therefrom were intended for him. He cast +his eyes about him with despair, but no one came to ease him of his +task, which, having undertaken, he had too much spirit to resign from +carrying through to the end, though he was well aware that the very +next instant might mean his sudden and violent death. His ears hummed +and rang, and his brain swam as light as a feather. I know not whether +he breathed, but he shut his eyes tight as though that might save him +from the bullets that were raining about him. + +At this moment the Spaniards must have discovered for the first time +the pirates' design, for of a sudden they ceased firing, and began to +shout out a multitude of orders, while the oars lashed the water all +about with a foam. But it was too late then for them to escape, for +within a couple of seconds the galleon struck her enemy a blow so +violent upon the larboard quarter as nearly to hurl our Harry upon the +deck, and then with a dreadful, horrible crackling of wood, commingled +with a yelling of men's voices, the galley was swung around upon her +side, and the galleon, sailing into the open sea, left nothing of her +immediate enemy but a sinking wreck, and the water dotted all over with +bobbing heads and waving hands in the moonlight. + +And now, indeed, that all danger was past and gone, there were plenty +to come running to help our hero at the wheel. As for Captain Morgan, +having come down upon the main-deck, he fetches the young helmsman a +clap upon the back. "Well, Master Harry," says he, "and did I not tell +you I would make a man of you?" Whereat our poor Harry fell a-laughing, +but with a sad catch in his voice, for his hands trembled as with an +ague, and were as cold as ice. As for his emotions, God knows he was +nearer crying than laughing, if Captain Morgan had but known it. + +Nevertheless, though undertaken under the spur of the moment, I protest +it was indeed a brave deed, and I cannot but wonder how many young +gentlemen of sixteen there are to-day who, upon a like occasion, would +act as well as our Harry. + +V + +The balance of our hero's adventures were of a lighter sort than those +already recounted, for the next morning, the Spanish captain (a very +polite and well-bred gentleman) having fitted him out with a suit of +his own clothes, Master Harry was presented in a proper form to the +ladies. For Captain Morgan, if he had felt a liking for the young man +before, could not now show sufficient regard for him. He ate in the +great cabin and was petted by all. Madam Simon, who was a fat and +red-faced lady, was forever praising him, and the young miss, who was +extremely well-looking, was as continually making eyes at him. + +She and Master Harry, I must tell you, would spend hours together, she +making pretence of teaching him French, although he was so possessed +with a passion of love that he was nigh suffocated with it. She, upon +her part, perceiving his emotions, responded with extreme good-nature +and complacency, so that had our hero been older, and the voyage proved +longer, he might have become entirely enmeshed in the toils of his fair +siren. For all this while, you are to understand, the pirates were +making sail straight for Jamaica, which they reached upon the third day +in perfect safety. + +[Illustration: "SHE AND MASTER HARRY WOULD SPEND HOURS TOGETHER"] + +In that time, however, the pirates had well-nigh gone crazy for joy; +for when they came to examine their purchase they discovered her cargo +to consist of plate to the prodigious sum of £130,000 in value. 'Twas a +wonder they did not all make themselves drunk for joy. No doubt they +would have done so had not Captain Morgan, knowing they were still in +the exact track of the Spanish fleets, threatened them that the first +man among them who touched a drop of rum without his permission he +would shoot him dead upon the deck. This threat had such effect that +they all remained entirely sober until they had reached Port Royal +Harbor, which they did about nine o'clock in the morning. + +And now it was that our hero's romance came all tumbling down about his +ears with a run. For they had hardly come to anchor in the harbor when +a boat came from a man-of-war, and who should come stepping aboard but +Lieutenant Grantley (a particular friend of our hero's father) and his +own eldest brother Thomas, who, putting on a very stern face, informed +Master Harry that he was a desperate and hardened villain who was sure +to end at the gallows, and that he was to go immediately back to his +home again. He told our embryo pirate that his family had nigh gone +distracted because of his wicked and ungrateful conduct. Nor could our +hero move him from his inflexible purpose. "What," says our Harry, "and +will you not then let me wait until our prize is divided and I get my +share?" + +"Prize, indeed!" says his brother. "And do you then really think that +your father would consent to your having a share in this terrible +bloody and murthering business?" + +And so, after a good deal of argument, our hero was constrained to go; +nor did he even have an opportunity to bid adieu to his inamorata. Nor +did he see her any more, except from a distance, she standing on the +poop-deck as he was rowed away from her, her face all stained with +crying. For himself, he felt that there was no more joy in life; +nevertheless, standing up in the stern of the boat, he made shift, +though with an aching heart, to deliver her a fine bow with the hat he +had borrowed from the Spanish captain, before his brother bade him sit +down again. + +And so to the ending of this story, with only this to relate, that our +Master Harry, so far from going to the gallows, became in good time a +respectable and wealthy sugar merchant with an English wife and a fine +family of children, whereunto, when the mood was upon him, he has +sometimes told these adventures (and sundry others not here recounted) +as I have told them unto you. + + + + +II. TOM CHIST AND THE TREASURE-BOX + +_An Old-time Story of the Days of Captain Kidd._ + + +To tell about Tom Chist, and how he got his name, and how he came to be +living at the little settlement of Henlopen, just inside the mouth of +the Delaware Bay, the story must begin as far back as 1686, when a +great storm swept the Atlantic coast from end to end. During the +heaviest part of the hurricane a bark went ashore on the +Hen-and-Chicken Shoals, just below Cape Henlopen and at the mouth of the +Delaware Bay, and Tom Chist was the only soul of all those on board the +ill-fated vessel who escaped alive. + +This story must first be told, because it was on account of the strange +and miraculous escape that happened to him at that time that he gained +the name that was given to him. + +Even as late as that time of the American colonies, the little +scattered settlement at Henlopen, made up of English, with a few Dutch +and Swedish people, was still only a spot upon the face of the great +American wilderness that spread away, with swamp and forest, no man +knew how far to the westward. That wilderness was not only full of wild +beasts, but of Indian savages, who every fall would come in wandering +tribes to spend the winter along the shores of the fresh-water lakes +below Henlopen. There for four or five months they would live upon fish +and clams and wild ducks and geese, chipping their arrow-heads, and +making their earthenware pots and pans under the lee of the sand-hills +and pine woods below the Capes. + +Sometimes on Sundays, when the Rev. Hillary Jones would be preaching in +the little log church back in the woods, these half-clad red savages +would come in from the cold, and sit squatting in the back part of the +church, listening stolidly to the words that had no meaning for them. + +But about the wreck of the bark in 1686. Such a wreck as that which +then went ashore on the Hen-and-Chicken Shoals was a godsend to the +poor and needy settlers in the wilderness where so few good things ever +came. For the vessel went to pieces during the night, and the next +morning the beach was strewn with wreckage--boxes and barrels, chests +and spars, timbers and planks, a plentiful and bountiful harvest to be +gathered up by the settlers as they chose, with no one to forbid or +prevent them. + +The name of the bark, as found painted on some of the water-barrels and +sea-chests, was the _Bristol Merchant_, and she no doubt hailed from +England. + +As was said, the only soul who escaped alive off the wreck was Tom +Chist. + +A settler, a fisherman named Matt Abrahamson, and his daughter Molly, +found Tom. He was washed up on the beach among the wreckage, in a great +wooden box which had been securely tied around with a rope and lashed +between two spars--apparently for better protection in beating through +the surf. Matt Abrahamson thought he had found something of more than +usual value when he came upon this chest; but when he cut the cords and +broke open the box with his broadaxe, he could not have been more +astonished had he beheld a salamander instead of a baby of nine or ten +months old lying half smothered in the blankets that covered the bottom +of the chest. + +Matt Abrahamson's daughter Molly had had a baby who had died a month or +so before. So when she saw the little one lying there in the bottom of +the chest, she cried out in a great loud voice that the Good Man had +sent her another baby in place of her own. + +The rain was driving before the hurricane-storm in dim, slanting +sheets, and so she wrapped up the baby in the man's coat she wore and +ran off home without waiting to gather up any more of the wreckage. + +It was Parson Jones who gave the foundling his name. When the news came +to his ears of what Matt Abrahamson had found, he went over to the +fisherman's cabin to see the child. He examined the clothes in which +the baby was dressed. They were of fine linen and handsomely stitched, +and the reverend gentleman opined that the foundling's parents must +have been of quality. A kerchief had been wrapped around the baby's +neck and under its arms and tied behind, and in the corner, marked with +very fine needlework, were the initials T.C. + +"What d'ye call him, Molly?" said Parson Jones. He was standing, as he +spoke, with his back to the fire, warming his palms before the blaze. +The pocket of the great-coat he wore bulged out with a big case-bottle +of spirits which he had gathered up out of the wreck that afternoon. +"What d'ye call him, Molly?" + +"I'll call him Tom, after my own baby." + +"That goes very well with the initial on the kerchief," said Parson +Jones. "But what other name d'ye give him? Let it be something to go +with the C." + +"I don't know," said Molly. + +"Why not call him 'Chist,' since he was born in a chist out of the sea? +'Tom Chist'--the name goes off like a flash in the pan." And so "Tom +Chist" he was called and "Tom Chist" he was christened. + +So much for the beginning of the history of Tom Chist. The story of +Captain Kidd's treasure-box does not begin until the late spring of +1699. + +That was the year that the famous pirate captain, coming up from the +West Indies, sailed his sloop into the Delaware Bay, where he lay for +over a month waiting for news from his friends in New York. + +For he had sent word to that town asking if the coast was clear for him +to return home with the rich prize he had brought from the Indian seas +and the coast of Africa, and meantime he lay there in the Delaware Bay +waiting for a reply. Before he left he turned the whole of Tom Chist's +life topsy-turvy with something that he brought ashore. + +By that time Tom Chist had grown into a strong-limbed, thick-jointed +boy of fourteen or fifteen years of age. It was a miserable dog's life +he lived with old Matt Abrahamson, for the old fisherman was in his +cups more than half the time, and when he was so there was hardly a day +passed that he did not give Tom a curse or a buffet or, as like as not, +an actual beating. One would have thought that such treatment would +have broken the spirit of the poor little foundling, but it had just +the opposite effect upon Tom Chist, who was one of your stubborn, +sturdy, stiff-willed fellows who only grow harder and more tough the +more they are ill-treated. It had been a long time now since he had +made any outcry or complaint at the hard usage he suffered from old +Matt. At such times he would shut his teeth and bear whatever came to +him, until sometimes the half-drunken old man would be driven almost +mad by his stubborn silence. Maybe he would stop in the midst of the +beating he was administering, and, grinding his teeth, would cry out: +"Won't ye say naught? Won't ye say naught? Well, then, I'll see if I +can't make ye say naught." When things had reached such a pass as this +Molly would generally interfere to protect her foster-son, and then she +and Tom would together fight the old man until they had wrenched the +stick or the strap out of his hand. Then old Matt would chase them +out-of-doors and around and around the house for maybe half an hour until +his anger was cool, when he would go back again, and for a time the +storm would be over. + +Besides his foster-mother, Tom Chist had a very good friend in Parson +Jones, who used to come over every now and then to Abrahamson's hut +upon the chance of getting a half-dozen fish for breakfast. He always +had a kind word or two for Tom, who during the winter evenings would go +over to the good man's house to learn his letters, and to read and +write and cipher a little, so that by now he was able to spell the +words out of the Bible and the almanac, and knew enough to change +tuppence into four ha'pennies. + +This is the sort of boy Tom Chist was, and this is the sort of life he +led. + +In the late spring or early summer of 1699 Captain Kidd's sloop sailed +into the mouth of the Delaware Bay and changed the whole fortune of his +life. + +And this is how you come to the story of Captain Kidd's treasure-box. + +II + +Old Matt Abrahamson kept the flat-bottomed boat in which he went +fishing some distance down the shore, and in the neighborhood of the +old wreck that had been sunk on the Shoals. This was the usual +fishing-ground of the settlers, and here Old Matt's boat generally lay +drawn up on the sand. + +There had been a thunder-storm that afternoon, and Tom had gone down +the beach to bale out the boat in readiness for the morning's fishing. + +It was full moonlight now, as he was returning, and the night sky was +full of floating clouds. Now and then there was a dull flash to the +westward, and once a muttering growl of thunder, promising another +storm to come. + +All that day the pirate sloop had been lying just off the shore back of +the Capes, and now Tom Chist could see the sails glimmering pallidly in +the moonlight, spread for drying after the storm. He was walking up the +shore homeward when he became aware that at some distance ahead of him +there was a ship's boat drawn up on the little narrow beach, and a +group of men clustered about it. He hurried forward with a good deal of +curiosity to see who had landed, but it was not until he had come close +to them that he could distinguish who and what they were. Then he knew +that it must be a party who had come off the pirate sloop. They had +evidently just landed, and two men were lifting out a chest from the +boat. One of them was a negro, naked to the waist, and the other was a +white man in his shirt-sleeves, wearing petticoat breeches, a Monterey +cap upon his head, a red bandanna handkerchief around his neck, and +gold ear-rings in his ears. He had a long, plaited queue hanging down +his back, and a great sheath-knife dangling from his side. Another man, +evidently the captain of the party, stood at a little distance as they +lifted the chest out of the boat. He had a cane in one hand and a +lighted lantern in the other, although the moon was shining as bright +as day. He wore jack-boots and a handsome laced coat, and he had a +long, drooping mustache that curled down below his chin. He wore a +fine, feathered hat, and his long black hair hung down upon his +shoulders. + +All this Tom Chist could see in the moonlight that glinted and twinkled +upon the gilt buttons of his coat. + +They were so busy lifting the chest from the boat that at first they +did not observe that Tom Chist had come up and was standing there. It +was the white man with the long, plaited queue and the gold ear-rings +that spoke to him. "Boy, what do you want here, boy?" he said, in a +rough, hoarse voice. "Where d'ye come from?" And then dropping his end +of the chest, and without giving Tom time to answer, he pointed off +down the beach, and said, "You'd better be going about your own +business, if you know what's good for you; and don't you come back, or +you'll find what you don't want waiting for you." + +Tom saw in a glance that the pirates were all looking at him, and then, +without saying a word, he turned and walked away. The man who had +spoken to him followed him threateningly for some little distance, as +though to see that he had gone away as he was bidden to do. But +presently he stopped, and Tom hurried on alone, until the boat and the +crew and all were dropped away behind and lost in the moonlight night. +Then he himself stopped also, turned, and looked back whence he had +come. + +There had been something very strange in the appearance of the men he +had just seen, something very mysterious in their actions, and he +wondered what it all meant, and what they were going to do. He stood +for a little while thus looking and listening. He could see nothing, +and could hear only the sound of distant talking. What were they doing +on the lonely shore thus at night? Then, following a sudden impulse, he +turned and cut off across the sand-hummocks, skirting around inland, +but keeping pretty close to the shore, his object being to spy upon +them, and to watch what they were about from the back of the low +sand-hills that fronted the beach. + +He had gone along some distance in his circuitous return when he became +aware of the sound of voices that seemed to be drawing closer to him as +he came towards the speakers. He stopped and stood listening, and +instantly, as he stopped, the voices stopped also. He crouched there +silently in the bright, glimmering moonlight, surrounded by the silent +stretches of sand, and the stillness seemed to press upon him like a +heavy hand. Then suddenly the sound of a man's voice began again, and +as Tom listened he could hear some one slowly counting. "Ninety-one," +the voice began, "ninety-two, ninety-three, ninety-four, ninety-five, +ninety-six, ninety-seven, ninety-eight, ninety-nine, one hundred, one +hundred and one"--the slow, monotonous count coming nearer and nearer +to him--"one hundred and two, one hundred and three, one hundred and +four," and so on in its monotonous reckoning. + +Suddenly he saw three heads appear above the sand-hill, so close to him +that he crouched down quickly with a keen thrill, close beside the +hummock near which he stood. His first fear was that they might have +seen him in the moonlight; but they had not, and his heart rose again +as the counting voice went steadily on. "One hundred and twenty," it +was saying--"and twenty-one, and twenty-two, and twenty-three, and +twenty-four," and then he who was counting came out from behind the +little sandy rise into the white and open level of shimmering +brightness. + +[Illustration: "'... AND TWENTY-ONE AND TWENTY-TWO'"] + +It was the man with the cane whom Tom had seen some time before--the +captain of the party who had landed. He carried his cane under his arm +now, and was holding his lantern close to something that he held in his +hand, and upon which he looked narrowly as he walked with a slow and +measured tread in a perfectly straight line across the sand, counting +each step as he took it. "And twenty-five, and twenty-six, and +twenty-seven, and twenty-eight, and twenty-nine, and thirty." + +Behind him walked two other figures; one was the half-naked negro, the +other the man with the plaited queue and the ear-rings, whom Tom had +seen lifting the chest out of the boat. Now they were carrying the +heavy box between them, laboring through the sand with shuffling tread +as they bore it onward. + +As he who was counting pronounced the word "thirty," the two men set +the chest down on the sand with a grunt, the white man panting and +blowing and wiping his sleeve across his forehead. And immediately he +who counted took out a slip of paper and marked something down upon it. +They stood there for a long time, during which Tom lay behind the +sand-hummock watching them, and for a while the silence was uninterrupted. +In the perfect stillness Tom could hear the washing of the little waves +beating upon the distant beach, and once the far-away sound of a laugh +from one of those who stood by the ship's boat. + +One, two, three minutes passed, and then the men picked up the chest +and started on again; and then again the other man began his counting. +"Thirty and one, and thirty and two, and thirty and three, and thirty +and four"--he walked straight across the level open, still looking +intently at that which he held in his hand--"and thirty and five, and +thirty and six, and thirty and seven," and so on, until the three +figures disappeared in the little hollow between the two sand-hills on +the opposite side of the open, and still Tom could hear the sound of +the counting voice in the distance. + +Just as they disappeared behind the hill there was a sudden faint flash +of light; and by-and-by, as Tom lay still listening to the counting, he +heard, after a long interval, a far-away muffled rumble of distant +thunder. He waited for a while, and then arose and stepped to the top +of the sand-hummock behind which he had been lying. He looked all about +him, but there was no one else to be seen. Then he stepped down from +the hummock and followed in the direction which the pirate captain and +the two men carrying the chest had gone. He crept along cautiously, +stopping now and then to make sure that he still heard the counting +voice, and when it ceased he lay down upon the sand and waited until it +began again. + +Presently, so following the pirates, he saw the three figures again in +the distance, and, skirting around back of a hill of sand covered with +coarse sedge-grass, he came to where he overlooked a little open level +space gleaming white in the moonlight. + +The three had been crossing the level of sand, and were now not more +than twenty-five paces from him. They had again set down the chest, +upon which the white man with the long queue and the gold ear-rings had +seated to rest himself, the negro standing close beside him. The moon +shone as bright as day and full upon his face. It was looking directly +at Tom Chist, every line as keen cut with white lights and black +shadows as though it had been carved in ivory and jet. He sat perfectly +motionless, and Tom drew back with a start, almost thinking he had been +discovered. He lay silent, his heart beating heavily in his throat; but +there was no alarm, and presently he heard the counting begin again, +and when he looked once more he saw they were going away straight +across the little open. A soft, sliding hillock of sand lay directly in +front of them. They did not turn aside, but went straight over it, the +leader helping himself up the sandy slope with his cane, still counting +and still keeping his eyes fixed upon that which he held in his hand. +Then they disappeared again behind the white crest on the other side. + +So Tom followed them cautiously until they had gone almost half a mile +inland. When next he saw them clearly it was from a little sandy rise +which looked down like the crest of a bowl upon the floor of sand +below. Upon this smooth, white floor the moon beat with almost dazzling +brightness. + +The white man who had helped to carry the chest was now kneeling, +busied at some work, though what it was Tom at first could not see. He +was whittling the point of a stick into a long wooden peg, and when, +by-and-by, he had finished what he was about, he arose and stepped to +where he who seemed to be the captain had stuck his cane upright into +the ground as though to mark some particular spot. He drew the cane out +of the sand, thrusting the stick down in its stead. Then he drove the +long peg down with a wooden mallet which the negro handed to him. The +sharp rapping of the mallet upon the top of the peg sounded loud in the +perfect stillness, and Tom lay watching and wondering what it all +meant. + +The man, with quick-repeated blows, drove the peg farther and farther +down into the sand until it showed only two or three inches above the +surface. As he finished his work there was another faint flash of +light, and by-and-by another smothered rumble of thunder, and Tom as he +looked out towards the westward, saw the silver rim of the round and +sharply outlined thundercloud rising slowly up into the sky and pushing +the other and broken drifting clouds before it. + +The two white men were now stooping over the peg, the negro man +watching them. Then presently the man with the cane started straight +away from the peg, carrying the end of a measuring-line with him, the +other end of which the man with the plaited queue held against the top +of the peg. When the pirate captain had reached the end of the +measuring-line he marked a cross upon the sand, and then again they +measured out another stretch of space. + +So they measured a distance five times over, and then, from where Tom +lay, he could see the man with the queue drive another peg just at the +foot of a sloping rise of sand that swept up beyond into a tall white +dune marked sharp and clear against the night sky behind. As soon as +the man with the plaited queue had driven the second peg into the +ground they began measuring again, and so, still measuring, disappeared +in another direction which took them in behind the sand-dune, where Tom +no longer could see what they were doing. + +The negro still sat by the chest where the two had left him, and so +bright was the moonlight that from where he lay Tom could see the glint +of it twinkling in the whites of his eyeballs. + +Presently from behind the hill there came, for the third time, the +sharp rapping sound of the mallet driving still another peg, and then +after a while the two pirates emerged from behind the sloping whiteness +into the space of moonlight again. + +They came direct to where the chest lay, and the white man and the +black man lifting it once more, they walked away across the level of +open sand, and so on behind the edge of the hill and out of Tom's +sight. + +III + +Tom Chist could no longer see what the pirates were doing, neither did +he dare to cross over the open space of sand that now lay between them +and him. He lay there speculating as to what they were about, and +meantime the storm cloud was rising higher and higher above the +horizon, with louder and louder mutterings of thunder following each +dull flash from out the cloudy, cavernous depths. In the silence he +could hear an occasional click as of some iron implement, and he opined +that the pirates were burying the chest, though just where they were at +work he could neither see nor tell. Still he lay there watching and +listening, and by-and-by a puff of warm air blew across the sand, and a +thumping tumble of louder thunder leaped from out the belly of the +storm cloud, which every minute was coming nearer and nearer. Still Tom +Chist lay watching. + +Suddenly, almost unexpectedly, the three figures reappeared from behind +the sand-hill, the pirate captain leading the way, and the negro and +white man following close behind him. They had gone about half-way +across the white, sandy level between the hill and the hummock behind +which Tom Chist lay, when the white man stopped and bent over as though +to tie his shoe. + +This brought the negro a few steps in front of his companion. + +That which then followed happened so suddenly, so unexpectedly, so +swiftly, that Tom Chist had hardly time to realize what it all meant +before it was over. As the negro passed him the white man arose +suddenly and silently erect, and Tom Chist saw the white moonlight +glint upon the blade of a great dirk-knife which he now held in his +hand. He took one, two silent, catlike steps behind the unsuspecting +negro. Then there was a sweeping flash of the blade in the pallid +light, and a blow, the thump of which Tom could distinctly hear even +from where he lay stretched out upon the sand. There was an instant +echoing yell from the black man, who ran stumbling forward, who +stopped, who regained his footing, and then stood for an instant as +though rooted to the spot. + +Tom had distinctly seen the knife enter his back, and even thought that +he had seen the glint of the point as it came out from the breast. + +Meantime the pirate captain had stopped, and now stood with his hand +resting upon his cane looking impassively on. + +Then the black man started to run. The white man stood for a while +glaring after him; then he too started after his victim upon the run. +The black man was not very far from Tom when he staggered and fell. He +tried to rise, then fell forward again, and lay at length. At that +instant the first edge of the cloud cut across the moon, and there was +a sudden darkness; but in the silence Tom heard the sound of another +blow and a groan, and then presently a voice calling to the pirate +captain that it was all over. + +He saw the dim form of the captain crossing the level sand, and then, +as the moon sailed out from behind the cloud, he saw the white man +standing over a black figure that lay motionless upon the sand. + +Then Tom Chist scrambled up and ran away, plunging down into the hollow +of sand that lay in the shadows below. Over the next rise he ran, and +down again into the next black hollow, and so on over the sliding, +shifting ground, panting and gasping. It seemed to him that he could +hear footsteps following, and in the terror that possessed him he +almost expected every instant to feel the cold knife-blade slide +between his own ribs in such a thrust from behind as he had seen given +to the poor black man. + +So he ran on like one in a nightmare. His feet grew heavy like lead, he +panted and gasped, his breath came hot and dry in his throat. But still +he ran and ran until at last he found himself in front of old Matt +Abrahamson's cabin, gasping, panting, and sobbing for breath, his knees +relaxed and his thighs trembling with weakness. + +As he opened the door and dashed into the darkened cabin (for both Matt +and Molly were long ago asleep in bed) there was a flash of light, and +even as he slammed to the door behind him there was an instant peal of +thunder, heavy as though a great weight had been dropped upon the roof +of the sky, so that the doors and windows of the cabin rattled. + +IV + +Then Tom Chist crept to bed, trembling, shuddering, bathed in sweat, +his heart beating like a trip-hammer, and his brain dizzy from that +long, terror-inspired race through the soft sand in which he had +striven to outstrip he knew not what pursuing horror. + +For a long, long time he lay awake, trembling and chattering with +nervous chills, and when he did fall asleep it was only to drop into +monstrous dreams in which he once again saw ever enacted, with various +grotesque variations, the tragic drama which his waking eyes had beheld +the night before. + +Then came the dawning of the broad, wet daylight, and before the rising +of the sun Tom was up and out-of-doors to find the young day dripping +with the rain of overnight. + +His first act was to climb the nearest sandhill and to gaze out towards +the offing where the pirate ship had been the day before. + +It was no longer there. + +Soon afterwards Matt Abrahamson came out of the cabin and he called to +Tom to go get a bite to eat, for it was time for them to be away +fishing. + +All that morning the recollection of the night before hung over Tom +Chist like a great cloud of boding trouble. It filled the confined area +of the little boat and spread over the entire wide spaces of sky and +sea that surrounded them. Not for a moment was it lifted. Even when he +was hauling in his wet and dripping line with a struggling fish at the +end of it a recurrent memory of what he had seen would suddenly come +upon him, and he would groan in spirit at the recollection. He looked +at Matt Abrahamson's leathery face, at his lantern jaws cavernously and +stolidly chewing at a tobacco leaf, and it seemed monstrous to him that +the old man should be so unconscious of the black cloud that wrapped +them all about. + +When the boat reached the shore again he leaped scrambling to the +beach, and as soon as his dinner was eaten he hurried away to find the +Dominie Jones. + +He ran all the way from Abrahamson's hut to the Parson's house, hardly +stopping once, and when he knocked at the door he was panting and +sobbing for breath. + +The good man was sitting on the back-kitchen door-step smoking his long +pipe of tobacco out into the sunlight, while his wife within was +rattling about among the pans and dishes in preparation of their +supper, of which a strong, porky smell already filled the air. + +Then Tom Chist told his story, panting, hurrying, tumbling one word +over another in his haste, and Parson Jones listened, breaking every +now and then into an ejaculation of wonder. The light in his pipe went +out and the bowl turned cold. + +"And I don't see why they should have killed the poor black man," said +Tom, as he finished his narrative. + +"Why, that is very easy enough to understand," said the good reverend +man. "'Twas a treasure-box they buried!" + +In his agitation Mr. Jones had risen from his seat and was now stumping +up and down, puffing at his empty tobacco-pipe as though it were still +alight. + +"A treasure-box!" cried out Tom. + +"Aye, a treasure-box! And that was why they killed the poor black man. +He was the only one, d'ye see, besides they two who knew the place +where 'twas hid, and now that they've killed him out of the way, +there's nobody but themselves knows. The villains--Tut, tut, look at +that now!" In his excitement the dominie had snapped the stem of his +tobacco-pipe in two. + +"Why, then," said Tom, "if that is so, 'tis indeed a wicked, bloody +treasure, and fit to bring a curse upon anybody who finds it!" + +"'Tis more like to bring a curse upon the soul who buried it," said +Parson Jones, "and it may be a blessing to him who finds it. But tell +me, Tom, do you think you could find the place again where 'twas hid?" + +"I can't tell that," said Tom, "'twas all in among the sand-humps, d'ye +see, and it was at night into the bargain. Maybe we could find the +marks of their feet in the sand," he added. + +"'Tis not likely," said the reverend gentleman, "for the storm last +night would have washed all that away." + +"I could find the place," said Tom, "where the boat was drawn up on the +beach." + +"Why, then, that's something to start from, Tom," said his friend. "If +we can find that, then maybe we can find whither they went from there." + +"If I was certain it was a treasure-box," cried out Tom Chist, "I would +rake over every foot of sand betwixt here and Henlopen to find it." + +"'Twould be like hunting for a pin in a haystack," said the Rev. Hilary +Jones. + +As Tom walked away home, it seemed as though a ton's weight of gloom +had been rolled away from his soul. The next day he and Parson Jones +were to go treasure-hunting together; it seemed to Tom as though he +could hardly wait for the time to come. + +V + +The next afternoon Parson Jones and Tom Chist started off together upon +the expedition that made Tom's fortune forever. Tom carried a spade +over his shoulder and the reverend gentleman walked along beside him +with his cane. + +As they jogged along up the beach they talked together about the only +thing they could talk about--the treasure-box. "And how big did you say +'twas?" quoth the good gentleman. + +"About so long," said Tom Chist, measuring off upon the spade, "and +about so wide, and this deep." + +"And what if it should be full of money, Tom?" said the reverend +gentleman, swinging his cane around and around in wide circles in the +excitement of the thought, as he strode along briskly. "Suppose it +should be full of money, what then?" + +"By Moses!" said Tom Chist, hurrying to keep up with his friend, "I'd +buy a ship for myself, I would, and I'd trade to Injy and to Chiny to +my own boot, I would. Suppose the chist was all full of money, sir, and +suppose we should find it; would there be enough in it, d'ye suppose, +to buy a ship?" + +"To be sure there would be enough, Tom; enough and to spare, and a good +big lump over." + +"And if I find it 'tis mine to keep, is it, and no mistake?" + +"Why, to be sure it would be yours!" cried out the Parson, in a loud +voice. "To be sure it would be yours!" He knew nothing of the law, but +the doubt of the question began at once to ferment in his brain, and he +strode along in silence for a while. "Whose else would it be but yours +if you find it?" he burst out. "Can you tell me that?" + +"If ever I have a ship of my own," said Tom Chist, "and if ever I sail +to Injy in her, I'll fetch ye back the best chist of tea, sir, that +ever was fetched from Cochin Chiny." + +Parson Jones burst out laughing. "Thankee, Tom," he said; "and I'll +thankee again when I get my chist of tea. But tell me, Tom, didst thou +ever hear of the farmer girl who counted her chickens before they were +hatched?" + +It was thus they talked as they hurried along up the beach together, +and so came to a place at last where Tom stopped short and stood +looking about him. "'Twas just here," he said, "I saw the boat last +night. I know 'twas here, for I mind me of that bit of wreck yonder, +and that there was a tall stake drove in the sand just where yon stake +stands." + +Parson Jones put on his barnacles and went over to the stake towards +which Tom pointed. As soon as he had looked at it carefully, he called +out: "Why, Tom, this hath been just drove down into the sand. 'Tis a +brand-new stake of wood, and the pirates must have set it here +themselves as a mark, just as they drove the pegs you spoke about down +into the sand." + +Tom came over and looked at the stake. It was a stout piece of oak +nearly two inches thick; it had been shaped with some care, and the top +of it had been painted red. He shook the stake and tried to move it, +but it had been driven or planted so deeply into the sand that he could +not stir it. "Aye, sir," he said, "it must have been set here for a +mark, for I'm sure 'twas not here yesterday or the day before." He +stood looking about him to see if there were other signs of the +pirates' presence. At some little distance there was the corner of +something white sticking up out of the sand. He could see that it was a +scrap of paper, and he pointed to it, calling out: "Yonder is a piece +of paper, sir. I wonder if they left that behind them?" + +It was a miraculous chance that placed that paper there. There was only +an inch of it showing, and if it had not been for Tom's sharp eyes, it +would certainly have been overlooked and passed by. The next wind-storm +would have covered it up, and all that afterwards happened never would +have occurred. "Look sir," he said, as he struck the sand from it, "it +hath writing on it." + +"Let me see it," said Parson Jones. He adjusted the spectacles a little +more firmly astride of his nose as he took the paper in his hand and +began conning it. "What's all this?" he said; "a whole lot of figures +and nothing else." And then he read aloud, "'Mark--S.S.W. by S.' What +d'ye suppose that means, Tom?" + +"I don't know, sir," said Tom. "But maybe we can understand it better +if you read on." + +"Tis all a great lot of figures," said Parson Jones, "without a grain +of meaning in them so far as I can see, unless they be sailing +directions." And then he began reading again: "'Mark--S.S.W. by S. 40, +72, 91, 130, 151, 177, 202, 232, 256, 271'--d'ye see, it must be +sailing directions--'299, 335, 362, 386, 415, 446, 469, 491, 522, 544, +571, 598'--what a lot of them there be--'626, 652, 676, 695, 724, 851, +876, 905, 940, 967. Peg. S.E. by E. 269 foot. Peg. S.S.W. by S. 427 +foot. Peg. Dig to the west of this six foot.'" + +"What's that about a peg?" exclaimed Tom. "What's that about a peg? And +then there's something about digging, too!" It was as though a sudden +light began shining into his brain. He felt himself growing quickly +very excited. "Read that over again, sir," he cried. "Why, sir, you +remember I told you they drove a peg into the sand. And don't they say +to dig close to it? Read it over again, sir--read it over again!" + +"Peg?" said the good gentleman. "To be sure it was about a peg. Let's +look again. Yes, here it is. 'Peg S.E. by E. 269 foot.'" + +"Aye!" cried out Tom Chist again, in great excitement. "Don't you +remember what I told you, sir, 269 foot? Sure that must be what I saw +'em measuring with the line." Parson Jones had now caught the flame of +excitement that was blazing up so strongly in Tom's breast. He felt as +though some wonderful thing was about to happen to them. "To be sure, +to be sure!" he called out, in a great big voice. "And then they +measured out 427 foot south-southwest by south, and then they drove +another peg, and then they buried the box six foot to the west of it. +Why, Tom--why, Tom Chist! if we've read this aright, thy fortune is +made." + +Tom Chist stood staring straight at the old gentleman's excited face, +and seeing nothing but it in all the bright infinity of sunshine. Were +they, indeed, about to find the treasure-chest? He felt the sun very +hot upon his shoulders, and he heard the harsh, insistent jarring of a +tern that hovered and circled with forked tail and sharp white wings in +the sunlight just above their heads; but all the time he stood staring +into the good old gentleman's face. + +It was Parson Jones who first spoke. "But what do all these figures +mean?" And Tom observed how the paper shook and rustled in the tremor +of excitement that shook his hand. He raised the paper to the focus of +his spectacles and began to read again. "'Mark 40, 72, 91--'" + +"Mark?" cried out Tom, almost screaming. "Why, that must mean the stake +yonder; that must be the mark." And he pointed to the oaken stick with +its red tip blazing against the white shimmer of sand behind it. + +"And the 40 and 72 and 91," cried the old gentleman, in a voice equally +shrill--"why, that must mean the number of steps the pirate was +counting when you heard him." + +"To be sure that's what they mean!" cried Tom Chist. "That is it, and +it can be nothing else. Oh, come, sir--come, sir; let us make haste and +find it!" + +"Stay! stay!" said the good gentleman, holding up his hand; and again +Tom Chist noticed how it trembled and shook. His voice was steady +enough, though very hoarse, but his hand shook and trembled as though +with a palsy. "Stay! stay! First of all, we must follow these +measurements. And 'tis a marvellous thing," he croaked, after a little +pause, "how this paper ever came to be here." + +"Maybe it was blown here by the storm," suggested Tom Chist. + +"Like enough; like enough," said Parson Jones. "Like enough, after the +wretches had buried the chest and killed the poor black man, they were +so buffeted and bowsed about by the storm that it was shook out of the +man's pocket, and thus blew away from him without his knowing aught of +it." + +"But let us find the box!" cried out Tom Chist, flaming with his +excitement. + +"Aye, aye," said the good man; "only stay a little, my boy, until we +make sure what we're about. I've got my pocket-compass here, but we +must have something to measure off the feet when we have found the peg. +You run across to Tom Brooke's house and fetch that measuring-rod he +used to lay out his new byre. While you're gone I'll pace off the +distance marked on the paper with my pocket-compass here." + +VI + +Tom Chist was gone for almost an hour, though he ran nearly all the way +and back, upborne as on the wings of the wind. When he returned, +panting, Parson Jones was nowhere to be seen, but Tom saw his footsteps +leading away inland, and he followed the scuffling marks in the smooth +surface across the sand-humps and down into the hollows, and by-and-by +found the good gentleman in a spot he at once knew as soon as he laid +his eyes upon it. + +It was the open space where the pirates had driven their first peg, and +where Tom Chist had afterwards seen them kill the poor black man. Tom +Chist gazed around as though expecting to see some sign of the tragedy, +but the space was as smooth and as undisturbed as a floor, excepting +where, midway across it, Parson Jones who was now stooping over +something on the ground, had trampled it all around about. + +When Tom Chist saw him, he was still bending over, scraping the sand +away from something he had found. + +It was the first peg! + +Inside of half an hour they had found the second and third pegs, and +Tom Chist stripped off his coat, and began digging like mad down into +the sand, Parson Jones standing over him watching him. The sun was +sloping well towards the west when the blade of Tom Chist's spade +struck upon something hard. + +If it had been his own heart that he had hit in the sand his breast +could hardly have thrilled more sharply. + +It was the treasure-box! + +Parson Jones himself leaped down into the hole, and began scraping away +the sand with his hands as though he had gone crazy. At last, with some +difficulty, they tugged and hauled the chest up out of the sand to the +surface, where it lay covered all over with the grit that clung to it. + +It was securely locked and fastened with a padlock, and it took a good +many blows with the blade of the spade to burst the bolt. Parson Jones +himself lifted the lid. + +Tom Chist leaned forward and gazed down into the open box. He would not +have been surprised to have seen it filled full of yellow gold and +bright jewels. It was filled half full of books and papers, and half +full of canvas bags tied safely and securely around and around with +cords of string. + +Parson Jones lifted out one of the bags, and it jingled as he did so. +It was full of money. + +He cut the string, and with trembling, shaking hands handed the bag to +Tom, who, in an ecstasy of wonder and dizzy with delight, poured out +with swimming sight upon the coat spread on the ground a cataract of +shining silver money that rang and twinkled and jingled as it fell in a +shining heap upon the coarse cloth. + +Parson Jones held up both hands into the air, and Tom stared at what he +saw, wondering whether it was all so, and whether he was really awake. +It seemed to him as though he was in a dream. + +There were two-and-twenty bags in all in the chest: ten of them full of +silver money, eight of them full of gold money, three of them full of +gold-dust, and one small bag with jewels wrapped up in wad cotton and +paper. + +[Illustration: "'TIS ENOUGH,' CRIED OUT PARSON JONES, 'TO MAKE US BOTH +RICH MEN'"] + +"'Tis enough," cried out Parson Jones, "to make us both rich men as +long as we live." + +The burning summer sun, though sloping in the sky, beat down upon them +as hot as fire; but neither of them noticed it. Neither did they notice +hunger nor thirst nor fatigue, but sat there as though in a trance, +with the bags of money scattered on the sand around them, a great pile +of money heaped upon the coat, and the open chest beside them. It was +an hour of sundown before Parson Jones had begun fairly to examine the +books and papers in the chest. + +Of the three books, two were evidently log-books of the pirates who had +been lying off the mouth of the Delaware Bay all this time. The other +book was written in Spanish, and was evidently the log-book of some +captured prize. + +It was then, sitting there upon the sand, the good old gentleman +reading in his high, cracking voice, that they first learned from the +bloody records in those two books who it was who had been lying inside +the Cape all this time, and that it was the famous Captain Kidd. Every +now and then the reverend gentleman would stop to exclaim, "Oh, the +bloody wretch!" or, "Oh, the desperate, cruel villains!" and then would +go on reading again a scrap here and a scrap there. + +And all the while Tom Chist sat and listened, every now and then +reaching out furtively and touching the heap of money still lying upon +the coat. + +One might be inclined to wonder why Captain Kidd had kept those bloody +records. He had probably laid them away because they so incriminated +many of the great people of the colony of New York that, with the books +in evidence, it would have been impossible to bring the pirate to +justice without dragging a dozen or more fine gentlemen into the dock +along with him. If he could have kept them in his own possession, they +would doubtless have been a great weapon of defence to protect him from +the gallows. Indeed, when Captain Kidd was finally brought to +conviction and hung, he was not accused of his piracies, but of +striking a mutinous seaman upon the head with a bucket and accidentally +killing him. The authorities did not dare try him for piracy. He was +really hung because he was a pirate, and we know that it was the +log-books that Tom Chist brought to New York that did the business for him; +he was accused and convicted of manslaughter for killing of his own +ship-carpenter with a bucket. + +So Parson Jones, sitting there in the slanting light, read through +these terrible records of piracy, and Tom, with the pile of gold and +silver money beside him, sat and listened to him. + +What a spectacle, if any one had come upon them! But they were alone, +with the vast arch of sky empty above them and the wide white stretch +of sand a desert around them. The sun sank lower and lower, until there +was only time to glance through the other papers in the chest. + +They were nearly all goldsmiths' bills of exchange drawn in favor of +certain of the most prominent merchants of New York. Parson Jones, as +he read over the names, knew of nearly all the gentlemen by hearsay. +Aye, here was this gentleman; he thought that name would be among 'em. +What? Here is Mr. So-and-so. Well, if all they say is true, the villain +has robbed one of his own best friends. "I wonder," he said, "why the +wretch should have hidden these papers so carefully away with the other +treasures, for they could do him no good?" Then, answering his own +question: "Like enough because these will give him a hold over the +gentlemen to whom they are drawn so that he can make a good bargain for +his own neck before he gives the bills back to their owners. I tell you +what it is, Tom," he continued, "it is you yourself shall go to New +York and bargain for the return of these papers. 'Twill be as good as +another fortune to you." + +The majority of the bills were drawn in favor of one Richard +Chillingsworth, Esquire. "And he is," said Parson Jones; "one of the +richest men in the province of New York. You shall go to him with the +news of what we have found." + +"When shall I go?" said Tom Chist. + +"You shall go upon the very first boat we can catch," said the Parson. +He had turned, still holding the bills in his hand, and was now +fingering over the pile of money that yet lay tumbled out upon the +coat. "I wonder, Tom," said he, "if you could spare me a score or so of +these doubloons?" + +"You shall have fifty score, if you choose," said Tom, bursting with +gratitude and with generosity in his newly found treasure. + +"You are as fine a lad as ever I saw, Tom," said the Parson, "and I'll +thank you to the last day of my life." + +Tom scooped up a double handful of silver money. "Take it, sir," he +said, "and you may have as much more as you want of it." + +He poured it into the dish that the good man made of his hands, and the +Parson made a motion as though to empty it into his pocket. Then he +stopped, as though a sudden doubt had occurred to him. "I don't know +that 'tis fit for me to take this pirate money, after all," he said. + +"But you are welcome to it," said Tom. + +Still the Parson hesitated. "Nay," he burst out, "I'll not take it; +'tis blood-money." And as he spoke he chucked the whole double handful +into the now empty chest, then arose and dusted the sand from his +breeches. Then, with a great deal of bustling energy, he helped to tie +the bags again and put them all back into the chest. + +They reburied the chest in the place whence they had taken it, and then +the Parson folded the precious paper of directions, placed it carefully +in his wallet, and his wallet in his pocket. + +"Tom," he said, for the twentieth time, "your fortune has been made +this day." + +And Tom Chist, as he rattled in his breeches pocket the half-dozen +doubloons he had kept out of his treasure, felt that what his friend +had said was true. + + * * * * * + +As the two went back homeward across the level space of sand, Tom Chist +suddenly stopped stock still and stood looking about him. "'Twas just +here," he said, digging his heel down into the sand, "that they killed +the poor black man." + +"And here he lies buried for all time," said Parson Jones; and as he +spoke he dug his cane down into the sand. Tom Chist shuddered. He would +not have been surprised if the ferrule of the cane had struck something +soft beneath that level surface. But it did not, nor was any sign of +that tragedy ever seen again. For, whether the pirates had carried away +what they had done and buried it elsewhere, or whether the storm in +blowing the sand had completely levelled off and hidden all sign of +that tragedy where it was enacted, certain it is that it never came to +sight again--at least so far as Tom Chist and the Reverend Hillary +Jones ever knew. + +VII + +This is the story of the treasure-box. All that remains now is to +conclude the story of Tom Chist, and to tell of what came of him in the +end. + +He did not go back again to live with old Matt Abrahamson. Parson Jones +had now taken charge of him and his fortunes, and Tom did not have to +go back to the fisherman's hut. + +Old Abrahamson talked a great deal about it, and would come in his cups +and harangue good Parson Jones, making a vast protestation of what he +would do to Tom--if he ever caught him--for running away. But Tom on +all these occasions kept carefully out of his way, and nothing came of +the old man's threatenings. + +Tom used to go over to see his foster-mother now and then, but always +when the old man was from home. And Molly Abrahamson used to warn him +to keep out of her father's way. "He's in as vile a humor as ever I +see, Tom," she said; "he sits sulking all day long, and 'tis my belief +he'd kill ye if he caught ye." + +Of course Tom said nothing, even to her, about the treasure, and he and +the reverend gentleman kept the knowledge thereof to themselves. About +three weeks later Parson Jones managed to get him shipped aboard of a +vessel bound for New York town, and a few days later Tom Chist landed +at that place. He had never been in such a town before, and he could +not sufficiently wonder and marvel at the number of brick houses, at +the multitude of people coming and going along the fine, hard, earthen +sidewalk, at the shops and the stores where goods hung in the windows, +and, most of all, the fortifications and the battery at the point, at +the rows of threatening cannon, and at the scarlet-coated sentries +pacing up and down the ramparts. All this was very wonderful, and so +were the clustered boats riding at anchor in the harbor. It was like a +new world, so different was it from the sand-hills and the sedgy levels +of Henlopen. + +Tom Chist took up his lodgings at a coffeehouse near to the town-hall, +and thence he sent by the post-boy a letter written by Parson Jones to +Master Chillingsworth. In a little while the boy returned with a +message, asking Tom to come up to Mr. Chillingsworth's house that +afternoon at two o'clock. + +Tom went thither with a great deal of trepidation, and his heart fell +away altogether when he found it a fine, grand brick house, three +stories high, and with wrought-iron letters across the front. + +The counting-house was in the same building; but Tom, because of Mr. +Jones's letter, was conducted directly into the parlor, where the great +rich man was awaiting his coming. He was sitting in a leather-covered +arm-chair, smoking a pipe of tobacco, and with a bottle of fine old +Madeira close to his elbow. + +Tom had not had a chance to buy a new suit of clothes yet, and so he +cut no very fine figure in the rough dress he had brought with him from +Henlopen. Nor did Mr. Chillingsworth seem to think very highly of his +appearance, for he sat looking sideways at Tom as he smoked. + +"Well, my lad," he said; "and what is this great thing you have to tell +me that is so mightily wonderful? I got what's-his-name--Mr. Jones's-- +letter, and now I am ready to hear what you have to say." + +But if he thought but little of his visitor's appearance at first, he +soon changed his sentiments towards him, for Tom had not spoken twenty +words when Mr. Chillingsworth's whole aspect changed. He straightened +himself up in his seat, laid aside his pipe, pushed away his glass of +Madeira, and bade Tom take a chair. He listened without a word as Tom +Chist told of the buried treasure, of how he had seen the poor negro +murdered, and of how he and Parson Jones had recovered the chest again. +Only once did Mr. Chillingsworth interrupt the narrative. "And to +think," he cried, "that the villain this very day walks about New York +town as though he were an honest man, ruffling it with the best of us! +But if we can only get hold of these log-books you speak of. Go on; +tell me more of this." + +When Tom Chist's narrative was ended, Mr. Chillingsworth's bearing was +as different as daylight is from dark. He asked a thousand questions, +all in the most polite and gracious tone imaginable, and not only urged +a glass of his fine old Madeira upon Tom, but asked him to stay to +supper. There was nobody to be there, he said, but his wife and +daughter. + +Tom, all in a panic at the very thought of the two ladies, sturdily +refused to stay even for the dish of tea Mr. Chillingsworth offered +him. + +He did not know that he was destined to stay there as long as he should +live. + +"And now," said Mr. Chillingsworth, "tell me about yourself." + +"I have nothing to tell, your honor," said Tom, "except that I was +washed up out of the sea." + +"Washed up out of the sea!" exclaimed Mr. Chillingsworth. "Why, how was +that? Come, begin at the beginning, and tell me all." + +Thereupon Tom Chist did as he was bidden, beginning at the very +beginning and telling everything just as Molly Abrahamson had often +told it to him. As he continued, Mr. Chillingsworth's interest changed +into an appearance of stronger and stronger excitement. Suddenly he +jumped up out of his chair and began to walk up and down the room. + +"Stop! stop!" he cried out at last, in the midst of something Tom was +saying. "Stop! stop! Tell me; do you know the name of the vessel that +was wrecked, and from which you were washed ashore?" + +"I've heard it said," said Tom Chist, "'twas the _Bristol Merchant_." + +"I knew it! I knew it!" exclaimed the great man, in a loud voice, +flinging his hands up into the air. "I felt it was so the moment you +began the story. But tell me this, was there nothing found with you +with a mark or a name upon it?" + +"There was a kerchief," said Tom, "marked with a T and a C." + +"Theodosia Chillingsworth!" cried out the merchant. "I knew it! I knew +it! Heavens! to think of anything so wonderful happening as this! Boy! +boy! dost thou know who thou art? Thou art my own brother's son. His +name was Oliver Chillingsworth, and he was my partner in business, and +thou art his son." Then he ran out into the entryway, shouting and +calling for his wife and daughter to come. + +So Tom Chist--or Thomas Chillingsworth, as he now was to be called--did +stay to supper, after all. + +This is the story, and I hope you may like it. For Tom Chist became +rich and great, as was to be supposed, and he married his pretty cousin +Theodosia (who had been named for his own mother, drowned in the +_Bristol Merchant_). + +He did not forget his friends, but had Parson Jones brought to New York +to live. + +As to Molly and Matt Abrahamson, they both enjoyed a pension of ten +pounds a year for as long as they lived; for now that all was well with +him, Tom bore no grudge against the old fisherman for all the drubbings +he had suffered. + +The treasure-box was brought on to New York, and if Tom Chist did not +get all the money there was in it (as Parson Jones had opined he would) +he got at least a good big lump of it. And it is my belief that those +log-books did more to get Captain Kidd arrested in Boston town and +hanged in London than anything else that was brought up against him. + + + + +III. THE GHOST OF CAPTAIN BRAND + +_Being a Narrative of Certain Extraordinary Adventures that Befell +Barnaby True, Esquire, of the Town of New York, in the Year 1753._ + + +I + +It is not so easy to tell why discredit should be cast upon a man +because of something his grandfather may have done amiss, but the +world, which is never over-nice in its discrimination as to where to +lay the blame, is often pleased to make the innocent suffer instead of +the guilty. + +Barnaby True was a good, honest boy, as boys go, but yet was he not +ever allowed altogether to forget that his grandfather had been that +very famous pirate, Captain William Brand, who, after so many +marvellous adventures (if one may believe the catchpenny stories and +ballads that were writ about him), was murdered in Jamaica by Captain +John Malyoe, the commander of his own consort, the _Adventure_ galley. + +It hath never been denied, that ever I heard, that up to the time of +Captain Brand's being commissioned against the South Sea pirates, he +had always been esteemed as honest, reputable a sea-captain as could +be. When he started out upon that adventure it was with a ship, the +_Royal Sovereign_, fitted out by some of the most decent merchants of +New York. Governor Van Dam himself had subscribed to the adventure, and +himself had signed Captain Brand's commission. So, if the unfortunate +man went astray, he must have had great temptation to do so; many +others behaving no better when the opportunity offered in these +far-away seas, when so many rich purchases might very easily be taken and +no one the wiser. + +To be sure those stories and ballads made our captain to be a most +wicked, profane wretch; and if he were, why God knows he suffered and +paid for it, for he laid his bones in Jamaica, and never saw his home +or his wife or his daughter after he had sailed away on the _Royal +Sovereign_ on that long, misfortunate voyage, leaving his family behind +him in New York to the care of strangers. + +At the time when Captain Brand so met his fate in Port Royal Harbor he +had increased his flotilla to two vessels--the _Royal Sovereign_ (which +was the vessel that had been fitted out for him in New York, a fine +brigantine and a good sailer), and the _Adventure_ galley, which he had +captured somewhere in the South Seas. This latter vessel he placed in +command of a certain John Malyoe whom he had picked up no one knows +where--a young man of very good family in England, who had turned +red-handed pirate. This man, who took no more thought of a human life than +he would of a broom straw, was he who afterwards murdered Captain +Brand, as you shall presently hear. + +With these two vessels, the _Royal Sovereign_ and the _Adventure_, +Captain Brand and Captain Malyoe swept the Mozambique Channel as clear +as a boatswain's whistle, and after three years of piracy, having +gained a great booty of gold and silver and pearls, sailed straight for +the Americas, making first the island of Jamaica and the harbor of Port +Royal, where they dropped anchor to wait for news from home. + +But by this time the authorities had been so stirred up against our +pirates that it became necessary for them to hide their booty until +such time as they might make their peace with the Admiralty Courts at +home. So one night Captain Brand and Captain Malyoe, with two others of +the pirates, went ashore with two great chests of treasure, which they +buried somewhere on the banks of the Cobra River near the place where +the old Spanish fort had stood. + +What happened after the treasure was thus buried no one may tell. 'Twas +said that Captain Brand and Captain Malyoe fell a-quarrelling and that +the upshot of the matter was that Captain Malyoe shot Captain Brand +through the head, and that the pirate who was with him served Captain +Brand's companion after the same fashion with a pistol bullet through +the body. + +After that the two murderers returned to their vessel, the _Adventure_ +galley, and sailed away, carrying the bloody secret of the buried +treasure with them. + +[Illustration: "CAPTAIN MALYOE SHOT CAPTAIN BRAND THROUGH THE HEAD"] + +But this double murder of Captain Brand and his companion happened, you +are to understand, some twenty years before the time of this story, and +while our hero was but one year old. So now to our present history. + +It is a great pity that any one should have a grandfather who ended his +days in such a sort as this; but it was no fault of Barnaby True's, nor +could he have done anything to prevent it, seeing he was not even born +into the world at the time that his grandfather turned pirate, and that +he was only one year old when Captain Brand so met his death on the +Cobra River. Nevertheless, the boys with whom he went to school never +tired of calling him "Pirate," and would sometimes sing for his benefit +that famous catchpenny ballad beginning thus: + +"Oh! my name was Captain Brand, + A-sailing, + And a-sailing; +Oh! my name was Captain Brand, + A-sailing free. +Oh! my name was Captain Brand, +And I sinned by sea and land, +For I broke God's just command, + A-sailing free." + +'Twas a vile thing to sing at the grandson of so unfortunate a man, and +oftentimes Barnaby True would double up his little fists and would +fight his tormentors at great odds, and would sometimes go back home +with a bloody nose or a bruised eye to have his poor mother cry over +him and grieve for him. + +Not that his days were all of teasing and torment, either; for if his +comrades did sometimes treat him so, why then there were other times +when he and they were as great friends as could be, and used to go +a-swimming together in the most amicable fashion where there was a bit of +sandy strand below the little bluff along the East River above Fort +George. + +There was a clump of wide beech-trees at that place, with a fine shade +and a place to lay their clothes while they swam about, splashing with +their naked white bodies in the water. At these times Master Barnaby +would bawl as lustily and laugh as loud as though his grandfather had +been the most honest ship-chandler in the town, instead of a +bloody-handed pirate who had been murdered in his sins. + +Ah! It is a fine thing to look back to the days when one was a boy! +Barnaby may remember how, often, when he and his companions were +paddling so in the water, the soldiers off duty would come up from the +fort and would maybe join them in the water, others, perhaps, standing +in their red coats on the shore, looking on and smoking their pipes of +tobacco. + +Then there were other times when maybe the very next day after our hero +had fought with great valor with his fellows he would go a-rambling +with them up the Bouwerie Road with the utmost friendliness; perhaps to +help them steal cherries from some old Dutch farmer, forgetting in such +an adventure what a thief his own grandfather had been. + +But to resume our story. + +When Barnaby True was between sixteen and seventeen years old he was +taken into employment in the counting-house of his stepfather, Mr. +Roger Hartright, the well-known West Indian merchant, a most +respectable man and one of the kindest and best of friends that anybody +could have in the world. + +This good gentleman had courted the favor of Barnaby's mother for a +long time before he had married her. Indeed, he had so courted her +before she had ever thought of marrying Jonathan True. But he not +venturing to ask her in marriage, and she being a brisk, handsome +woman, she chose the man who spoke out his mind, and so left the silent +lover out in the cold. But so soon as she was a widow and free again, +Mr. Hartright resumed his wooing, and so used to come down every +Tuesday and Friday evening to sit and talk with her. Among Barnaby +True's earliest memories was a recollection of the good, kind gentleman +sitting in old Captain Brand's double-nailed arm-chair, the sunlight +shining across his knees, over which he had spread a great red silk +handkerchief, while he sipped a dish of tea with a dash of rum in it. +He kept up this habit of visiting the Widow True for a long time before +he could fetch himself to the point of asking anything more particular +of her, and so Barnaby was nigh fourteen years old before Mr. Hartright +married her, and so became our hero's dear and honored foster-father. + +It was the kindness of this good man that not only found a place for +Barnaby in the counting-house, but advanced him so fast that, against +our hero was twenty-one years old, he had made four voyages as +supercargo to the West Indies in Mr. Hartright's ship, the _Belle +Helen_, and soon after he was twenty-one undertook a fifth. + +Nor was it in any such subordinate position as mere supercargo that he +sailed upon these adventures, but rather as the confidential agent of +Mr. Hartright, who, having no likelihood of children of his own, was +jealous to advance our hero to a position of trust and responsibility +in the counting-house, and so would have him know all the particulars +of the business and become more intimately acquainted with the +correspondents and agents throughout those parts of the West Indies +where the affairs of the house were most active. He would give to +Barnaby the best sort of letters of introduction, so that the +correspondents of Mr. Hartright throughout those parts, seeing how that +gentleman had adopted our hero's interests as his own, were always at +considerable pains to be very polite and obliging in showing every +attention to him. + +Especially among these gentlemen throughout the West Indies may be +mentioned Mr. Ambrose Greenfield, a merchant of excellent standing who +lived at Kingston, Jamaica. This gentleman was very particular to do +all that he could to make our hero's stay in these parts as agreeable +and pleasant to him as might be. Mr. Greenfield is here spoken of with +a greater degree of particularity than others who might as well be +remarked upon, because, as the reader shall presently discover for +himself, it was through the offices of this good friend that our hero +first became acquainted, not only with that lady who afterwards figured +with such conspicuousness in his affairs, but also with a man who, +though graced with a title, was perhaps the greatest villain who ever +escaped a just fate upon the gallows. + +So much for the history of Barnaby True up to the beginning of this +story, without which you shall hardly be able to understand the purport +of those most extraordinary adventures that afterwards befell him, nor +the logic of their consequence after they had occurred. + +II + +Upon the occasion of our hero's fifth voyage into the West Indies he +made a stay of some six or eight weeks at Kingston, in the island of +Jamaica, and it was at that time that the first of those extraordinary +adventures befell him, concerning which this narrative has to relate. + +It was Barnaby's habit, when staying at Kingston, to take lodging with +a very decent, respectable widow, by name Mrs. Anne Bolles, who, with +three extremely agreeable and pleasant daughters, kept a very clean and +well-served house for the accommodation of strangers visiting that +island. + +One morning as he sat sipping his coffee, clad only in loose cotton +drawers and a jacket of the same material, and with slippers upon his +feet (as is the custom in that country, where every one endeavors to +keep as cool as may be), Miss Eliza, the youngest of the three +daughters--a brisk, handsome miss of sixteen or seventeen--came +tripping into the room and handed him a sealed letter, which she +declared a stranger had just left at the door, departing incontinently +so soon as he had eased himself of that commission. You may conceive of +Barnaby's astonishment when he opened the note and read the remarkable +words that here follow: + +"_Mr. Barnaby True._ + +"Sir,--Though you don't know me, I know you, +and I tell you this: if you will be at Pratt's Ordinary +on Friday next at eight o'clock in the evening, and +will accompany the man who shall say to you, '_The +Royal Sovereign is come in_' you shall learn of something +the most to your advantage that ever befell you. +Sir, keep this note and give it to him who shall address +those words to you, so to certify that you are +the man he seeks. Sir, this is the most important thing +that can concern you, so you will please say nothing +to nobody about it." + +Such was the wording of the note which was writ in as cramped and +villanous handwriting as our hero ever beheld, and which, excepting his +own name, was without address, and which possessed no superscription +whatever. + +The first emotion that stirred Barnaby True was one of extreme and +profound astonishment; the second thought that came into his mind was +that maybe some witty fellow--of whom he knew a good many in that +place, and wild, mad rakes they were as ever the world beheld--was +attempting to play off a smart, witty jest upon him. Indeed, Miss Eliza +Bolles, who was of a lively, mischievous temper, was not herself above +playing such a prank should the occasion offer. With this thought in +his mind Barnaby inquired of her with a good deal of particularity +concerning the appearance and condition of the man who had left the +note, to all of which Miss replied with so straight a face and so +candid an air that he could no longer suspect her of being concerned in +any trick against him, and so eased his mind of any such suspicion. The +bearer of the note, she informed him, was a tall, lean man, with a red +neckerchief tied around his neck and with copper buckles to his shoes, +and he had the appearance of a sailor-man, having a great queue of red +hair hanging down his back. But, Lord! what was such a description as +that in a busy seaport town full of scores of men to fit such a +likeness? Accordingly, our hero put the note away into his wallet, +determining to show it to his good friend Mr. Greenfield that evening, +and to ask his advice upon it. + +This he did, and that gentleman's opinion was the same as his: to wit, +that some wag was minded to play off a hoax upon him, and that the +matter of the letter was all nothing but smoke. + +III + +Nevertheless, though Barnaby was thus confirmed in his opinion as to +the nature of the communication he had received, he yet determined in +his own mind that he would see the business through to the end and so +be at Pratt's Ordinary, as the note demanded, upon the day and at the +time appointed therein. + +Pratt's Ordinary was at that time a very fine and famous place of its +sort, with good tobacco and the best rum in the West Indies, and had a +garden behind it that, sloping down to the harbor front, was planted +pretty thick with palms and ferns, grouped into clusters with flowers +and plants. Here were a number of tables, some in little grottos, like +our Vauxhall in New York, with red and blue and white paper lanterns +hung among the foliage. Thither gentlemen and ladies used sometimes to +go of an evening to sit and drink lime-juice and sugar and water (and +sometimes a taste of something stronger), and to look out across the +water at the shipping and so to enjoy the cool of the day. + +Thither, accordingly, our hero went a little before the time appointed +in the note, and, passing directly through the Ordinary and to the +garden beyond, chose a table at the lower end and close to the water's +edge, where he could not readily be seen by any one coming into the +place, and yet where he could easily view whoever should approach. +Then, ordering some rum and water and a pipe of tobacco, he composed +himself to watch for the arrival of those witty fellows whom he +suspected would presently come thither to see the end of their prank +and to enjoy his confusion. + +The spot was pleasant enough, for the land breeze, blowing strong and +cool, set the leaves of the palm-tree above his head to rattling and +clattering continually against the darkness of the sky, where, the moon +then being half full, they shone every now and then like blades of +steel. The waves, also, were splashing up against the little +landing-place at the foot of the garden, sounding mightily pleasant in the +dusk of the evening, and sparkling all over the harbor where the moon +caught the edges of the water. A great many vessels were lying at anchor in +their ridings, with the dark, prodigious form of a man-of-war looming +up above them in the moonlight. + +There our hero sat for the best part of an hour, smoking his pipe of +tobacco and sipping his rum and water, yet seeing nothing of those whom +he suspected might presently come thither to laugh at him. + +It was not far from half after the hour when a row-boat came suddenly +out of the night and pulled up to the landing-place at the foot of the +garden, and three or four men came ashore in the darkness. They landed +very silently and walked up the garden pathway without saying a word, +and, sitting down at an adjacent table, ordered rum and water and began +drinking among themselves, speaking every now and then a word or two in +a tongue that Barnaby did not well understand, but which, from certain +phrases they let fall, he suspected to be Portuguese. Our hero paid no +great attention to them, till by-and-by he became aware that they had +fallen to whispering together and were regarding him very curiously. He +felt himself growing very uneasy under this observation, which every +moment grew more and more particular, and he was just beginning to +suspect that this interest concerning himself might have somewhat more +to do with him than mere idle curiosity, when one of the men, who was +plainly the captain of the party, suddenly says to him, "How now, +messmate; won't you come and have a drop of drink with us?" + +At this address Barnaby instantly began to be aware that the affair he +had come upon was indeed no jest, as he had supposed it to be, but that +he had walked into what promised to be a very pretty adventure. +Nevertheless, not wishing to be too hasty in his conclusions, he +answered very civilly that he had drunk enough already, and that more +would only heat his blood. + +"Well," says the stranger, "I may be mistook, but I believe you are Mr. +Barnaby True." + +"You are right, sir, and that is my name," acknowledged Barnaby. "But +still I cannot guess how that may concern you, nor why it should be a +reason for my drinking with you." "That I will presently tell you," +says the stranger, very composedly. "Your name concerns me because I +was sent here to tell Mr. Barnaby True that '_the Royal Sovereign is +come in_.'" + +To be sure our hero's heart jumped into his throat at those words. His +pulse began beating at a tremendous rate, for here, indeed, was an +adventure suddenly opening to him such as a man may read about in a +book, but which he may hardly expect to befall him in the real +happenings of his life. Had he been a wiser and an older man he might +have declined the whole business, instead of walking blindly into that +of which he could see neither the beginning nor the ending; but being +barely one-and-twenty years of age, and possessing a sanguine temper +and an adventurous disposition that would have carried him into almost +anything that possessed a smack of uncertainty or danger, he contrived +to say, in a pretty easy tone (though God knows how it was put on for +the occasion): + +"Well, if that be so, and if the _Royal Sovereign_ is indeed come in, +why, then, I'll join you, since you are so kind as to ask me." +Therewith he arose and went across to the other table, carrying his +pipe with him, and sat down and began smoking, with all the appearance +of ease he could command upon the occasion. + +At this the other burst out a-laughing. "Indeed," says he, "you are a +cool blade, and a chip of the old block. But harkee, young gentleman," +and here he fell serious again. "This is too weighty a business to +chance any mistake in a name. I believe that you are, as you say, Mr. +Barnaby True; but, nevertheless, to make perfectly sure, I must ask you +first to show me a note that you have about you and which you are +instructed to show to me." + +"Very well," said Barnaby; "I have it here safe and sound, and you +shall see it." And thereupon and without more ado he drew out his +wallet, opened it, and handed the other the mysterious note which he +had kept carefully by him ever since he had received it. His +interlocutor took the paper, and drawing to him the candle, burning +there for the convenience of those who would smoke tobacco, began +immediately reading it. + +This gave Barnaby True a moment or two to look at him. He was a tall, +lean man with a red handkerchief tied around his neck, with a queue of +red hair hanging down his back, and with copper buckles on his shoes, +so that Barnaby True could not but suspect that he was the very same +man who had given the note to Miss Eliza Bolles at the door of his +lodging-house. + +"'Tis all right and straight and as it should be," the other said, +after he had so examined the note. "And now that the paper is read" +(suiting his action to his words), "I'll just burn it for safety's +sake." + +And so he did, twisting it up and setting it to the flame of the +candle. "And now," he said, continuing his address, "I'll tell you what +I am here for. I was sent to ask if you're man enough to take your life +in your hands and to go with me in that boat down yonder at the foot of +the garden. Say 'Yes,' and we'll start away without wasting more time, +for the devil is ashore here at Jamaica--though you don't know what +that means--and if he gets ahead of us, why then we may whistle for +what we are after, for all the good 'twill do us. Say 'No,' and I go +away, and I promise you you shall never be troubled more in this sort +of a way. So now speak up plain, young gentleman, and tell us what is +your wish in this business, and whether you will adventure any further +or no." + +If our hero hesitated it was not for long, and when he spoke up it was +with a voice as steady as could be. + +"To be sure I'm man enough to go with you," says he; "and if you mean +me any harm I can look out for myself; and if I can't, then here is +something can look out for me." And therewith he lifted up the flap of +his pocket and showed the butt of a pistol he had fetched with him when +he had set out from his lodging-house that evening. + +At this the other burst out a-laughing for a second time. "Come," says +he; "you are indeed of right mettle, and I like your spirit. All the +same, no one in all the world means you less ill than I, and so, if you +have to use that barker, 'twill not be upon us who are your friends, +but only upon one who is more wicked than the devil himself. So now if +you are prepared and have made up your mind and are determined to see +this affair through to the end, 'tis time for us to be away." +Whereupon, our hero indicating his acquiescence, his interlocutor and +the others (who had not spoken a single word for all this time), rose +together from the table, and the stranger having paid the scores of +all, they went down together to the boat that lay plainly awaiting +their coming at the bottom of the garden. + +Thus coming to it, our hero could see that it was a large yawl-boat +manned by half a score of black men for rowers, and that there were two +lanterns in the stern-sheets, and three or four shovels. + +The man who had conducted the conversation with Barnaby True for all +this time, and who was, as has been said, plainly the captain of the +expedition, stepped immediately down into the boat; our hero followed, +and the others followed after him; and instantly they were seated the +boat shoved off and the black men began pulling straight out into the +harbor, and so, at some distance away, around under the stern of the +man-of-war. + +Not a word was spoken after they had thus left the shore, and they +might all have been so many spirits for the silence of the party. +Barnaby True was too full of his own thoughts to talk (and serious +enough thoughts they were by this time, with crimps to trepan a man at +every turn, and press-gangs to carry him off so that he might never be +heard of again). As for the others, they did not seem to choose to say +anything now that they had been fairly embarked upon their enterprise, +and so the crew pulled away for the best part of an hour, the leader of +the expedition directing the course of the boat straight across the +harbor, as though towards the mouth of the Cobra River. Indeed, this +was their destination, as Barnaby could after a while see for himself, +by the low point of land with a great, long row of cocoanut-palms +growing upon it (the appearance of which he knew very well), which +by-and-by began to loom up from the dimness of the moonlight. As they +approached the river they found the tide was running very violently, so +that it gurgled and rippled alongside the boat as the crew of black men +pulled strongly against it. Thus rowing slowly against the stream they +came around what appeared to be either a point of land or an islet +covered with a thick growth of mangrove-trees; though still no one +spoke a single word as to their destination, or what was the business +they had in hand. + +The night, now that they had come close to the shore, appeared to be +full of the noises of running tide-water, and the air was heavy with +the smell of mud and marsh. And over all was the whiteness of the +moonlight, with a few stars pricking out here and there in the sky; and +everything was so strange and mysterious and so different from anything +that he had experienced before that Barnaby could not divest himself of +the feeling that it was all a dream from which at any moment he might +awaken. As for the town and the Ordinary he had quitted such a short +time before, so different were they from this present experience, it +was as though they might have concerned another life than that which he +was then enjoying. + +Meantime, the rowers bending to the oars, the boat drew slowly around +into the open water once more. As it did so the leader of the +expedition of a sudden called out in a loud, commanding voice, whereat +the black men instantly ceased rowing and lay on their oars, the boat +drifting onward into the night. + +At the same moment of time our hero became aware of another boat coming +down the river towards where they lay. This other boat, approaching +thus strangely through the darkness, was full of men, some of them +armed; for even in the distance Barnaby could not but observe that the +light of the moon glimmered now and then as upon the barrels of muskets +or pistols. This threw him into a good deal of disquietude of mind, for +whether they or this boat were friends or enemies, or as to what was to +happen next, he was altogether in the dark. + +Upon this point, however, he was not left very long in doubt, for the +oarsmen of the approaching boat continuing to row steadily onward till +they had come pretty close to Barnaby and his companions, a man who sat +in the stern suddenly stood up, and as they passed by shook a cane at +Barnaby's companion with a most threatening and angry gesture. At the +same moment, the moonlight shining full upon him, Barnaby could see him +as plain as daylight--a large, stout gentleman with a round red face, +and clad in a fine, laced coat of red cloth. In the stern of the boat +near by him was a box or chest about the bigness of a middle-sized +travelling-trunk, but covered all over with cakes of sand and dirt. In +the act of passing, the gentleman, still standing, pointed at this +chest with his cane--an elegant gold-headed staff--and roared out in a +loud voice: "Are you come after this, Abram Dowling? Then come and take +it." And thereat, as he sat down again, burst out a-laughing as though +what he had said was the wittiest jest conceivable. + +Either because he respected the armed men in the other boat, or else +for some reason best known to himself, the Captain of our hero's +expedition did not immediately reply, but sat as still as any stone. +But at last, the other boat having drifted pretty far away, he suddenly +found words to shout out after it: "Very well, Jack Malyoe! Very well, +Jack Malyoe! You've got the better of us once more. But next time is +the third, and then it'll be our turn, even if William Brand must come +back from the grave to settle with you himself." + +But to this my fine gentleman in t'other boat made no reply except to +burst out once more into a great fit of laughter. + +There was, however, still another man in the stern of the enemy's +boat--a villanous, lean man with lantern-jaws, and the top of his head as +bald as an apple. He held in his hand a great pistol, which he +flourished about him, crying out to the gentleman beside him, "Do but +give me the word, your honor, and I'll put another bullet through the +son of a sea cook." But the other forbade him, and therewith the boat +presently melted away into the darkness of the night and was gone. + +This happened all in a few seconds, so that before our hero understood +what was passing he found the boat in which he still sat drifting +silently in the moonlight (for no one spoke for awhile) and the oars of +the other boat sounding farther and farther away into the distance. + +By-and-by says one of those in Barnaby's boat, in Spanish, "Where shall +you go now?" + +At this the leader of the expedition appeared suddenly to come back to +himself and to find his tongue again. "Go?" he roared out. "Go to the +devil! Go? Go where you choose! Go? Go back again--that's where well +go!" And therewith he fell a-cursing and swearing, frothing at the lips +as though he had gone clean crazy, while the black men, bending once +more to their oars, rowed back again across the harbor as fast as ever +they could lay oars to the water. + +They put Barnaby True ashore below the old custom-house, but so +bewildered and amazed by all that had happened, and by what he had +seen, and by the names he had heard spoken, that he was only half +conscious of the familiar things among which he suddenly found himself +transported. The moonlight and the night appeared to have taken upon +them a new and singular aspect, and he walked up the street towards his +lodging like one drunk or in a dream. For you must remember that "John +Malyoe" was the captain of the _Adventure_ galley--he who had shot +Barnaby's own grandfather--and "Abram Dowling," I must tell you, had +been the gunner of the _Royal Sovereign_--he who had been shot at the +same time that Captain Brand met his tragical end. And yet these names +he had heard spoken--the one from one boat, and the other from the +other, so that he could not but wonder what sort of beings they were +among whom he had fallen. + +As to that box covered all over with mud, he could only offer a +conjecture as to what it contained and as to what the finding of it +signified. + +But of this our hero said nothing to any one, nor did he tell any one +what he suspected, for, though he was so young in years, he possessed a +continent disposition inherited from his father (who had been one of +ten children born to a poor but worthy Presbyterian minister of +Bluefield, Connecticut), so it was that not even to his good friend Mr. +Greenfield did Barnaby say a word as to what had happened to him, going +about his business the next day as though nothing of moment had +occurred. + +But he was not destined yet to be done with those beings among whom he +had fallen that night; for that which he supposed to be the ending of +the whole affair was only the beginning of further adventures that were +soon to befall him. + +IV + +Mr. Greenfield lived in a fine brick house just outside of the town, on +the Mona Road. His family consisted of a wife and two daughters-- +handsome, lively young ladies with very fine, bright teeth that shone +whenever they laughed, and with a-plenty to say for themselves. To this +pleasant house Barnaby True was often asked to a family dinner, after +which he and his good kind host would maybe sit upon the veranda, +looking out towards the mountain, smoking their cigarros while the +young ladies laughed and talked, or played upon the guitar and sang. + +A day or two before the _Belle Helen_ sailed from Kingston, upon her +return voyage to New York, Mr. Greenfield stopped Barnaby True as he +was passing through the office, and begged him to come to dinner that +night. (For within the tropics, you are to know, they breakfast at +eleven o'clock and take dinner in the cool of the evening, because of +the heat, and not at mid-day, as we do in more temperate latitudes). "I +would," says Mr. Greenfield, "have you meet Sir John Malyoe and Miss +Marjorie, who are to be your chief passengers for New York, and for +whom the state cabin and the two state-rooms are to be fitted as here +ordered"--showing a letter--"for Sir John hath arranged," says Mr. +Greenfield, "for the Captain's own state-room." + +Then, not being aware of Barnaby True's history, nor that Captain Brand +was his grandfather, the good gentleman--calling Sir John "Jack" +Malyoe--goes on to tell our hero what a famous pirate he had been, and +how it was he who had shot Captain Brand over t'other side of the +harbor twenty years before. "Yes," says he, "'tis the same Jack Malyoe, +though grown into repute and importance now, as who would not who hath +had the good-fortune to fall heir to a baronetcy and a landed estate?" + +And so it befell that same night that Barnaby True once again beheld +the man who had murdered his own grandfather, meeting him this time +face to face. + +That time in the harbor he had seen Sir John Malyoe at a distance and +in the darkness; now that he beheld him closer, it seemed to him that +he had never seen a countenance more distasteful to him in all his +life. Not that the man was altogether ugly, for he had a good enough +nose and a fine double chin; but his eyes stood out from his face and +were red and watery, and he winked them continually, as though they +were always a-smarting. His lips were thick and purple-red, and his +cheeks mottled here and there with little clots of veins. + +When he spoke, his voice rattled in his throat to such a degree that it +made one wish to clear one's own throat to listen to him. So, what with +a pair of fat, white hands, and that hoarse voice, and his swollen +face, and his thick lips a-sticking out, it appeared to Barnaby True he +had never beheld a countenance that pleased him so little. + +But if Sir John Malyoe suited our hero's taste so ill, the +granddaughter was in the same degree pleasing to him. She had a thin, +fair skin, red lips, and yellow hair--though it was then powdered +pretty white for the occasion--and the bluest eyes that ever he beheld +in all of his life. A sweet, timid creature, who appeared not to dare +so much as to speak a word for herself without looking to that great +beast, her grandfather, for leave to do so, for she would shrink and +shudder whenever he would speak of a sudden to her or direct a glance +upon her. When she did pluck up sufficient courage to say anything, it +was in so low a voice that Barnaby was obliged to bend his head to hear +her; and when she smiled she would as like as not catch herself short +and look up as though to see if she did amiss to be cheerful. + +As for Sir John, he sat at dinner and gobbled and ate and drank, +smacking his lips all the while, but with hardly a word of civility +either to Mr. Greenfield or to Mrs. Greenfield or to Barnaby True; but +wearing all the while a dull, sullen air, as though he would say, "Your +damned victuals and drink are no better than they should be, but, such +as they are, I must eat 'em or eat nothing." + +It was only after dinner was over and the young lady and the two misses +off in a corner together that Barnaby heard her talk with any degree of +ease. Then, to be sure, her tongue became loose enough, and she +prattled away at a great rate; though hardly above her breath. Then of +a sudden her grand-father called out, in his hoarse, rattling voice, +that it was time to go, upon which she stopped short in what she was +saying and jumped up from her chair, looking as frightened as though he +were going to strike her with that gold-headed cane of his that he +always carried with him. + +Barnaby True and Mr. Greenfield both went out to see the two into their +coach, where Sir John's man stood holding the lantern. And who should +he be, to be sure, but that same lean villain with bald head who had +offered to shoot the Captain of Barnaby's expedition out on the harbor +that night! For one of the circles of light shining up into his face, +Barnaby True knew him the moment he clapped eyes upon him. Though he +could not have recognized our hero, he grinned at him in the most +impudent, familiar fashion, and never so much as touched his hat either +to him or to Mr. Greenfield; but as soon as his master and his young +mistress had entered the coach, banged to the door and scrambled up on +the seat alongside the driver, and so away without a word, but with +another impudent grin, this time favoring both Barnaby and the old +gentleman. + +Such were Sir John Malyoe and his man, and the ill opinion our hero +conceived of them was only confirmed by further observation. + +The next day Sir John Malyoe's travelling-cases began to come aboard +the _Belle Helen_, and in the afternoon that same lean, villanous +man-servant comes skipping across the gangplank as nimble as a goat, with +two black men behind him lugging a great sea-chest. "What!" he cries +out, "and so you is the supercargo, is you? Why, to be sure, I thought +you was more account when I saw you last night a-sitting talking with +his honor like his equal. Well, no matter," says he, "'tis something to +have a brisk, genteel young fellow for a supercargo. So come, my +hearty, lend a hand and help me set his honor's cabin to rights." + +What a speech was this to endure from such a fellow! What with our +hero's distaste for the villain, and what with such odious familiarity, +you may guess into what temper so impudent an address must have cast +him. Says he, "You'll find the steward in yonder, and he'll show you +the cabin Sir John is to occupy." Therewith he turned and walked away +with prodigious dignity, leaving the other standing where he was. + +As he went below to his own state-room he could not but see, out of the +tail of his eye, that the fellow was still standing where he had left +him, regarding him with a most evil, malevolent countenance, so that he +had the satisfaction of knowing that he had an enemy aboard for that +voyage who was not very likely to forgive or forget what he must regard +as so mortifying a slight as that which Barnaby had put upon him. + +The next day Sir John Malyoe himself came aboard, accompanied by his +granddaughter, and followed by his man, and he followed again by four +black men, who carried among them two trunks, not large in size, but +vastly heavy in weight. Towards these two trunks Sir John and his +follower devoted the utmost solicitude and care to see that they were +properly carried into the cabin he was to occupy. Barnaby True was +standing in the saloon as they passed close by him; but though Sir John +looked hard at him and straight in the face, he never so much as spoke +a single word to our hero, or showed by a look or a sign that he had +ever met him before. At this the serving-man, who saw it all with eyes +as quick as a cat's, fell to grinning and chuckling to see Barnaby in +his turn so slighted. + +The young lady, who also saw it, blushed as red as fire, and thereupon +delivered a courtesy to poor Barnaby, with a most sweet and gracious +affability. + +There were, besides Sir John and the young lady, but two other +passengers who upon this occasion took the voyage to New York: the +Reverend Simon Styles, master of a flourishing academy at Spanish Town, +and his wife. This was a good, worthy couple of an extremely quiet +disposition, saying little or nothing, but contented to sit in the +great cabin by the hour together reading in some book or other. So, +what with the retiring humor of the worthy pair, and what with Sir John +Malyoe's fancy for staying all the time shut up in his own cabin with +those two trunks he held so precious, it fell upon Barnaby True in +great part to show that attention to the young lady that the +circumstances demanded. This he did with a great deal of satisfaction +to himself--as any one may suppose who considers a spirited young man +of one-and-twenty years of age and a sweet and beautiful young miss of +seventeen or eighteen thrown thus together day after day for above two +weeks. + +Accordingly, the weather being very fair and the ship driving freely +along before a fine breeze, and they having no other occupation than to +sit talking together all day, gazing at the blue sea and the bright sky +overhead, it is not difficult to conceive of what was to befall. + +But oh, those days when a man is young and, whether wisely or no, +fallen into such a transport of passion as poor Barnaby True suffered +at that time! How often during that voyage did our hero lie awake in +his berth at night, tossing this way and that without finding any +refreshment of sleep--perhaps all because her hand had touched his, or +because she had spoken some word to him that had possessed him with a +ravishing disquietude? + +All this might not have befallen him had Sir John Malyoe looked after +his granddaughter instead of locking himself up day and night in his +own cabin, scarce venturing out except to devour his food or maybe to +take two or three turns across the deck before returning again to the +care of those chests he appeared to hold so much more precious than his +own flesh and blood. + +Nor was it to be supposed that Barnaby would take the pains to consider +what was to become of it all, for what young man so situated as he but +would be perfectly content to live so agreeably in a fool's paradise, +satisfying himself by assigning the whole affair to the future to take +care of itself. Accordingly, our hero endeavored, and with pretty good +success, to put away from him whatever doubts might arise in his own +mind concerning what he was about, satisfying himself with making his +conversation as agreeable to his companion as it lay in his power to +do. + +So the affair continued until the end of the whole business came with a +suddenness that promised for a time to cast our hero into the utmost +depths of humiliation and despair. + +At that time the _Belle Helen_ was, according to Captain Manly's +reckoning, computed that day at noon, bearing about five-and-fifty +leagues northeast-by-east off the harbor of Charleston, in South +Carolina. + +Nor was our hero likely to forget for many years afterwards even the +smallest circumstance of that occasion. He may remember that it was a +mightily sweet, balmy evening, the sun not having set above half an +hour before, and the sky still suffused with a good deal of brightness, +the air being extremely soft and mild. He may remember with the utmost +nicety how they were leaning over the rail of the vessel looking out +towards the westward, she fallen mightily quiet as though occupied with +very serious thoughts. + +Of a sudden she began, without any preface whatever, to speak to +Barnaby about herself and her affairs, in a most confidential manner, +such as she had never used to him before. She told him that she and her +grandfather were going to New York that they might take passage thence +to Boston, in Massachusetts, where they were to meet her cousin Captain +Malyoe, who was stationed in garrison at that place. Continuing, she +said that Captain Malyoe was the next heir to the Devonshire estate, +and that she and he were to be married in the fall. + +You may conceive into what a confusion of distress such a confession as +this, delivered so suddenly, must have cast poor Barnaby. He could +answer her not a single word, but stood staring in another direction +than hers, endeavoring to compose himself into some equanimity of +spirit. For indeed it was a sudden, terrible blow, and his breath came +as hot and dry as ashes in his throat. Meanwhile the young lady went on +to say, though in a mightily constrained voice, that she had liked him +from the very first moment she had seen him, and had been very happy +for these days she had passed in his society, and that she would always +think of him as a dear friend who had been very kind to her, who had so +little pleasure in her life. + +At last Barnaby made shift to say, though in a hoarse and croaking +voice, that Captain Malyoe must be a very happy man, and that if he +were in Captain Malyoe's place he would be the happiest man in the +world. Thereupon, having so found his voice, he went on to tell her, +though in a prodigious confusion and perturbation of spirit, that he +too loved her, and that what she had told him struck him to the heart, +and made him the most miserable, unhappy wretch in the whole world. + +She exhibited no anger at what he said, nor did she turn to look at +him, but only replied, in a low voice, that he should not talk so, for +that it could only be a pain to them both to speak of such things, and +that whether she would or no, she must do everything her grandfather +bade her, he being indeed a terrible man. + +To this poor Barnaby could only repeat that he loved her with all his +heart, that he had hoped for nothing in his love, but that he was now +the most miserable man in the world. + +It was at this moment, so momentous to our hero, that some one who had +been hiding unseen nigh them for all the while suddenly moved away, and +Barnaby, in spite of the gathering darkness, could perceive that it was +that villain man-servant of Sir John Malyoe's. Nor could he but know +that the wretch must have overheard all that had been said. + +As he looked he beheld this fellow go straight to the great cabin, +where he disappeared with a cunning leer upon his face, so that our +hero could not but be aware that the purpose of the eavesdropper must +be to communicate all that he had overheard to his master. At this +thought the last drop of bitterness was added to his trouble, for what +could be more distressing to any man of honor than to possess the +consciousness that such a wretch should have overheard so sacred a +conversation as that which he had enjoyed with the young lady. She, +upon her part, could not have been aware that the man had listened to +what she had been saying, for she still continued leaning over the +rail, and Barnaby remained standing by her side, without moving, but so +distracted by a tumult of many passions that he knew not how or where +to look. + +After a pretty long time of this silence, the young lady looked up to +see why her companion had not spoken for so great a while, and at that +very moment Sir John Malyoe comes flinging out of the cabin without his +hat, but carrying his gold-headed cane. He ran straight across the deck +towards where Barnaby and the young lady stood, swinging his cane this +way and that with a most furious and threatening countenance, while the +informer, grinning like an ape, followed close at his heels. As Sir +John approached them, he cried out in so loud a voice that all on deck +might have heard him, "You hussy!" (And all the time, you are to +remember, he was swinging his cane as though he would have struck the +young lady, who, upon her part, shrank back from him almost upon the +deck as though to escape such a blow.) "You hussy! What do you do here, +talking with a misbred Yankee supercargo not fit for a gentlewoman to +wipe her feet upon, and you stand there and listen to his fool talk! Go +to your room, you hussy"--only 'twas something worse he called her this +time--"before I lay this cane across you!" + +You may suppose into what fury such words as these, spoken in Barnaby's +hearing, not to mention that vile slur set upon himself, must have cast +our hero. To be sure he scarcely knew what he did, but he put his hand +against Sir John Malyoe's breast and thrust him back most violently, +crying out upon him at the same time for daring so to threaten a young +lady, and that for a farthing he would wrench the stick out of his hand +and throw it overboard. + +A little farther and Sir John would have fallen flat upon the deck with +the push Barnaby gave him. But he contrived, by catching hold of the +rail, to save his balance. Whereupon, having recovered himself, he came +running at our hero like a wild beast, whirling his cane about, and I +do believe would have struck him (and God knows then what might have +happened) had not his man-servant caught him and held him back. + +"Keep back!" cried out our hero, still mighty hoarse. "Keep back! If +you strike me with that stick I'll fling you overboard!" + +By this time, what with the sound of loud voices and the stamping of +feet, some of the crew and others aboard were hurrying up to the scene +of action. At the same time Captain Manly and the first mate, Mr. +Freesden, came running out of the cabin. As for our hero, having got +set agoing, he was not to be stopped so easily. + +"And who are you, anyhow," he cries, his voice mightily hoarse even in +his own ears, "to threaten to strike me! You may be a bloody pirate, +and you may shoot a man from behind, as you shot poor Captain Brand on +the Cobra River, but you won't dare strike me face to face. I know who +you are and what you are!" + +As for Sir John Malyoe, had he been struck of a sudden by palsy, he +could not have stopped more dead short in his attack upon our hero. +There he stood, his great, bulging eyes staring like those of a fish, +his face as purple as a cherry. As for Master Informer, Barnaby had the +satisfaction of seeing that he had stopped his grinning by now and was +holding his master's arm as though to restrain him from any further act +of violence. + +By this time Captain Manly had come bustling up and demanded to know +what all the disturbance meant. Whereupon our hero cried out, still in +the extremity of passion: + +"The villain insulted me and insulted the young lady; he threatened to +strike me with his cane. But he sha'n't strike me. I know who he is and +what he is. I know what he's got in his cabin in those two trunks, and +I know where he found it, and whom it belongs to." + +At this Captain Manly clapped his hand upon our hero's shoulder and +fell to shaking him so that he could hardly stand, crying out to him +the while to be silent. Says he: "How do you dare, an officer of this +ship, to quarrel with a passenger of mine! Go straight to your cabin, +and stay there till I give you leave to come out again." + +At this Master Barnaby came somewhat back to himself. "But he +threatened to strike me with his cane," he says, "and that I won't +stand from any man!" + +"No matter for that," says Captain Manly, very sternly. "Go to your +cabin, as I bid you, and stay there till I tell you to come out again, +and when we get to New York I'll take pains to inform your step-father +of how you have behaved. I'll have no such rioting as this aboard my +ship." + +By this time, as you may suppose, the young lady was gone. As for Sir +John Malyoe, he stood in the light of a lantern, his face that had been +so red now gone as white as ashes, and if a look could kill, to be sure +he would have destroyed Barnaby True where he stood. + +It was thus that the events of that memorable day came to a conclusion. +How little did any of the actors of the scene suspect that a portentous +Fate was overhanging them, and was so soon to transform all their +present circumstances into others that were to be perfectly different! + +And how little did our hero suspect what was in store for him upon the +morrow, as with hanging head he went to his cabin, and shutting the +door upon himself, and flinging himself down upon his berth, there +yielded himself over to the profoundest depths of humiliation and +despair. + +V + +From his melancholy meditations Barnaby, by-and-by and in spite of +himself, began dropping off into a loose slumber, disturbed by +extravagant dreams of all sorts, in which Sir John Malyoe played some +important and malignant part. + +From one of these dreams he was aroused to meet a new and startling +fate, by hearing the sudden and violent explosion of a pistol-shot ring +out as though in his ears. This was followed immediately by the sound +of several other shots exchanged in rapid succession as coming from the +deck above. At the same instant a blow of such excessive violence shook +the _Belle Helen_ that the vessel heeled over before it, and Barnaby +was at once aware that another craft--whether by accident or with +intention he did not know--must have run afoul of them. + +Upon this point, and as to whether or not the collision was designed, +he was, however, not left a moment in doubt, for even as the _Belle +Helen_ righted to her true keel, there was the sound of many footsteps +running across the deck and down into the great cabin. Then proceeded a +prodigious uproar of voices, together with the struggling of men's +bodies being tossed about, striking violently against the partitions +and bulkheads. At the same instant arose a screaming of women's voices, +and one voice, that of Sir John Malyoe, crying out as in the greatest +extremity: "You villains! You damned villains!" and with that the +sudden detonation of a pistol fired into the close space of the great +cabin. + +Long before this time Barnaby was out in the middle of his own cabin. +Taking only sufficient time to snatch down one of the pistols that hung +at the head of his berth, he flung out into the great cabin, to find it +as black as night, the lantern slung there having been either blown out +or dashed out into darkness. All was as black as coal, and the gloom +was filled with a hubbub of uproar and confusion, above which sounded +continually the shrieking of women's voices. Nor had our hero taken +above a couple of steps before he pitched headlong over two or three +men struggling together upon the deck, falling with a great clatter and +the loss of his pistol, which, however, he regained almost immediately. + +What all the uproar portended he could only guess, but presently +hearing Captain Manly's voice calling out, "You bloody pirate, would +you choke me to death?" he became immediately aware of what had +befallen the _Belle Helen_, and that they had been attacked by some of +those buccaneers who at that time infested the waters of America in +prodigious numbers. + +It was with this thought in his mind that, looking towards the +companionway, he beheld, outlined against the darkness of the night +without, the form of a man's figure, standing still and motionless as a +statue in the midst of all this tumult, and thereupon, as by some +instinct, knew that that must be the master-maker of all this devil's +brew. Therewith, still kneeling upon the deck, he covered the bosom of +that figure point-blank, as he supposed, with his pistol, and instantly +pulled the trigger. + +In the light of the pistol fire, Barnaby had only sufficient +opportunity to distinguish a flat face wearing a large pair of +mustachios, a cocked hat trimmed with gold lace, a red scarf, and brass +buttons. Then the darkness, very thick and black, again swallowed +everything. + +But if our hero failed to clearly perceive the countenance towards +which he had discharged his weapon, there was one who appeared to have +recognized some likeness in it, for Sir John Malyoe's voice, almost at +Barnaby's elbow, cried out thrice in loud and violent tones, "William +Brand! William Brand! William Brand!" and thereat came the sound of +some heavy body falling down upon the deck. + +This was the last that our hero may remember of that notable attack, +for the next moment whether by accident or design he never knew, he +felt himself struck so terrible a blow upon the side of the head, that +he instantly swooned dead away and knew no more. + +VI + +When Barnaby True came back to his senses again, it was to become aware +that he was being cared for with great skill and nicety, that his head +had been bathed with cold water, and that a bandage was being bound +about it as carefully as though a chirurgeon was attending to him. + +He had been half conscious of people about him, but could not +immediately recall what had happened to him, nor until he had opened +his eyes to find himself in a perfectly strange cabin of narrow +dimensions but extremely well fitted and painted with white and gold. +By the light of a lantern shining in his eyes, together with the gray +of the early day through the deadlight, he could perceive that two men +were bending over him--one, a negro in a striped shirt, with a yellow +handkerchief around his head and silver ear-rings in his ears; the +other, a white man, clad in a strange, outlandish dress of a foreign +make, with great mustachios hanging down below his chin, and with gold +ear-rings in his ears. + +It was this last who was attending to Barnaby's hurt with such extreme +care and gentleness. + +All this Barnaby saw with his first clear consciousness after his +swoon. Then remembering what had befallen him, and his head beating as +though it would split asunder, he shut his eyes again, contriving with +great effort to keep himself from groaning aloud, and wondering as to +what sort of pirates these could be, who would first knock a man in the +head so terrible a blow as that which he had suffered, and then take +such care to fetch him back to life again, and to make him easy and +comfortable. + +Nor did he open his eyes again, but lay there marvelling thus until the +bandage was properly tied about his head and sewed together. Then once +more he opened his eyes and looked up to ask where he was. + +Upon hearing him speak, his attendants showed excessive signs of joy, +nodding their heads and smiling at him as though to reassure him. But +either because they did not choose to reply, or else because they could +not speak English, they made no answer, excepting by those signs and +gestures. The white man, however, made several motions that our hero +was to arise, and, still grinning and nodding his head, pointed as +though towards a saloon beyond. At the same time the negro held up our +hero's coat and beckoned for him to put it on. Accordingly Barnaby, +seeing that it was required of him to quit the place in which he then +lay, arose, though with a good deal of effort, and permitted the negro +to help him on with his coat, though feeling mightily dizzy and much +put about to keep upon his legs--his head beating fit to split asunder +and the vessel rolling and pitching at a great rate, as though upon a +heavy cross-sea. + +So, still sick and dizzy, he went out into what he found was, indeed, a +fine saloon beyond, painted in white and gilt like the cabin he had +just quitted. This saloon was fitted in the most excellent taste +imaginable. A table extended the length of the room, and a quantity of +bottles, and glasses clear as crystal, were arranged in rows in a +hanging rack above. + +But what most attracted our hero's attention was a man sitting with his +back to him, his figure clad in a rough pea-jacket, and with a red +handkerchief tied around his throat. His feet were stretched under the +table out before him, and he was smoking a pipe of tobacco with all the +ease and comfort imaginable. As Barnaby came in he turned round, and, +to the profound astonishment of our hero, presented to him in the light +of the lantern, the dawn shining pretty strong through the skylight, +the face of that very man who had conducted the mysterious expedition +that night across Kingston Harbor to the Cobra River. + +VII + +This man looked steadily at Barnaby True for above half a minute and +then burst out a-laughing. And, indeed, Barnaby, standing there with +the bandage about his head, must have looked a very droll picture of +that astonishment he felt so profoundly at finding who was this pirate +into whose hands he had fallen. "Well," says the other, "and so you be +up at last, and no great harm done, I'll be bound. And how does your +head feel by now, my young master?" + +To this Barnaby made no reply, but, what with wonder and the dizziness +of his head, seated himself at the table over against his interlocutor, +who pushed a bottle of rum towards him, together with a glass from the +hanging rack. He watched Barnaby fill his glass, and so soon as he had +done so began immediately by saying: "I do suppose you think you were +treated mightily ill to be so handled last night. Well, so you were +treated ill enough, though who hit you that crack upon the head I know +no more than a child unborn. Well, I am sorry for the way you were +handled, but there is this much to say, and of that you may feel well +assured, that nothing was meant to you but kindness, and before you are +through with us all you will believe that without my having to tell you +so." + +Here he helped himself to a taste of grog, and sucking in his lips went +on again with what he had to say. "Do you remember," says he, "that +expedition of ours in Kingston Harbor, and how we were all of us balked +that night?" then, without waiting for Barnaby's reply: "And do you +remember what I said to that villain Jack Malyoe that night as his boat +went by us? I says to him, 'Jack Malyoe,' says I, 'you've got the +better of us once again, but next time it will be our turn, even if +William Brand himself has to come back from the grave to settle with +you.'" + +"I remember something of the sort," said Barnaby, "but I profess I am +all in the dark as to what you are driving at." + +At this the other burst out in a great fit of laughing. "Very well, +then," said he, "this night's work is only the ending of what was so +ill begun there. Look yonder"--pointing to a corner of the cabin--"and +then maybe you will be in the dark no longer." Barnaby turned his head +and there beheld in the corner of the saloon those very two +travelling-cases that Sir John Malyoe had been so particular to keep in his +cabin and under his own eyes through all the voyage from Jamaica. + +"I'll show you what is in 'em," says the other, and thereupon arose, +and Barnaby with him, and so went over to where the two +travelling-cases stood. + +Our hero had a strong enough suspicion as to what the cases contained. +But, Lord! what were suspicions to what his two eyes beheld when that +man lifted the lid of one of them--the locks thereof having already +been forced--and, flinging it back, displayed to Barnaby's astonished +and bedazzled sight a great treasure of gold and silver, some of it +tied up in leathern bags, to be sure, but so many of the coins, big and +little, yellow and white, lying loose in the cases as to make our hero +think that a great part of the treasures of the Indies lay there before +him. + +"Well, and what do you think of that?" said the other. "Is it not +enough for a man to turn pirate for?" and thereupon burst out +a-laughing and clapped down the lid again. Then suddenly turning serious: +"Come Master Barnaby," says he. "I am to have some very sober talk with +you, so fill up your glass again and then we will heave at it." + +Nor even in after years, nor in the light of that which afterwards +occurred, could Barnaby repeat all that was said to him upon that +occasion, for what with the pounding and beating of his aching head, +and what with the wonder of what he had seen, he was altogether in the +dark as to the greater part of what the other told him. That other +began by saying that Barnaby, instead of being sorry that he was +William Brand's grandson, might thank God for it; that he (Barnaby) had +been watched and cared for for twenty years in more ways than he would +ever know; that Sir John Malyoe had been watched also for all that +while, and that it was a vastly strange thing that Sir John Malyoe's +debts in England and Barnaby's coming of age should have brought them +so together in Jamaica--though, after all, it was all for the best, as +Barnaby himself should presently see, and thank God for that also. For +now all the debts against that villain Jack Malyoe were settled in +full, principal and interest, to the last penny, and Barnaby was to +enjoy it the most of all. Here the fellow took a very comfortable sip +of his grog, and then went on to say with a very cunning and knowing +wink of the eye that Barnaby was not the only passenger aboard, but +that there was another in whose company he would be glad enough, no +doubt, to finish the balance of the voyage he was now upon. So now, if +Barnaby was sufficiently composed, he should be introduced to that +other passenger. Thereupon, without waiting for a reply, he +incontinently arose and, putting away the bottle of rum and the +glasses, went across the saloon--Barnaby watching him all the while +like a man in a dream--and opened the door of a cabin like that which +Barnaby had occupied a little while before. He was gone only for a +moment, for almost immediately he came out again ushering a lady before +him. + +By now the daylight in the cabin was grown strong and clear, so that +the light shining full upon her face, Barnaby True knew her the instant +she appeared. + +It was Miss Marjorie Malyoe, very white, but strangely composed, +showing no terror, either in her countenance or in her expression. + + * * * * * + +It would not be possible for the writer to give any clear idea of the +circumstances of the days that immediately followed, and which, within +a week, brought Barnaby True and the enchanting object of his +affections at once to the ending of their voyage, and of all these +marvellous adventures. For when, in after times, our hero would +endeavor to revive a memory of the several occurrences that then +transpired, they all appeared as though in a dream or a bewitching +phantasm. + +All that he could recall were long days of delicious enjoyment followed +by nights of dreaming. But how enchanting those days! How exquisite the +distraction of those nights! + +Upon occasions he and his charmer might sit together under the shade of +the sail for an hour at a stretch, he holding her hand in his and +neither saying a single word, though at times the transports of poor +Barnaby's emotions would go far to suffocate him with their rapture. As +for her face at such moments, it appeared sometimes to assume a +transparency as though of a light shining from behind her countenance. + +The vessel in which they found themselves was a brigantine of good size +and build, but manned by a considerable crew, the most strange and +outlandish in their appearance that Barnaby had ever beheld. For some +were white, some were yellow, and some were black, and all were tricked +out with gay colors, and gold ear-rings in their ears, and some with +long mustachios, and others with handkerchiefs tied around their heads. +And all these spoke together a jargon of which Barnaby True could not +understand a single word, but which might have been Portuguese from one +or two phrases he afterwards remembered. Nor did this outlandish crew, +of God knows what sort of men, address any of their conversation either +to Barnaby or to the young lady. They might now and then have looked at +him and her out of the corners of their yellow eyes, but that was all; +otherwise they were, indeed, like the creatures of a dream. Only he who +was commander of this strange craft, when he would come down into the +saloon to mix a glass of grog or to light a pipe of tobacco, would +maybe favor Barnaby with a few words concerning the weather or +something of the sort, and then to go on deck again about his business. + +Indeed, it may be affirmed with pretty easy security that no such +adventure as this ever happened before; for here were these two +innocent young creatures upon board of a craft that no one, under such +circumstances as those recounted above, could doubt was a pirate or +buccaneer, the crew whereof had seen no one knows what wicked deeds; +yet they two as remote from all that and as profoundly occupied with +the transports of their passion and as innocent in their satisfaction +thereof as were Corydon and Phyllis beside their purling streams and +flowery meads, with nymphs and satyrs caracoling about them. + +VIII + +It is probable that the polite reader of this veracious narrative, +instead of considering it as the effort of the author to set before him +a sober and well-digested history, has been all this while amusing +himself by regarding it only as a fanciful tale designed for his +entertainment. If this be so, the writer may hardly hope to convince +him that what is to follow is a serious narrative of that which, though +never so ingenuous in its recapitulation, is an altogether inexplicable +phenomenon. Accordingly, it is with extraordinary hesitation that the +scribe now invites the confidence of his reader in the succinct truth +of that which he has to relate. It is in brief as follows: + +That upon the last night of this part of his voyage, Barnaby True was +awakened from slumber by flashes of lightning shining into his cabin, +and by the loud pealing of approaching thunder. At the same time +observing the sound of footsteps moving back and forth as in great +agitation overhead, and the loud shouting of orders, he became aware +that a violent squall of wind must be approaching the vessel. Being +convinced of this he arose from his berth, dressed quickly, and hurried +upon deck, where he found a great confusion of men running hither and +thither and scrambling up and down the rigging like monkeys, while the +Captain, and one whom he had come to know as the Captain's mate, were +shouting out orders in a strange foreign jargon. + +A storm was indeed approaching with great rapidity, a prodigious circle +of rain and clouds whirling overhead like smoke, while the lightning, +every now and then, flashed with intense brightness, followed by loud +peals of thunder. + +By these flashes of lightning Barnaby observed that they had made land +during the night, for in the sudden glare of bright light he beheld a +mountainous headland and a long strip of sandy beach standing out +against the blackness of the night beyond. So much he was able to +distinguish, though what coast it might be he could not tell, for +presently another flash falling from the sky, he saw that the shore was +shut out by the approaching downfall of rain. + +This rain came presently streaming down upon them with a great gust of +wind and a deal of white foam across the water. This violent gale of +wind suddenly striking the vessel, careened it to one side so that for +a moment it was with much ado that he was able to keep his feet at all. +Indeed, what with the noise of the tempest through the rigging and the +flashes of lightning and the pealing of the thunder and the clapping of +an unfurled sail in the darkness, and the shouting of orders in a +strange language by the Captain of the craft, who was running up and +down like a bedlamite, it was like pandemonium with all the devils of +the pit broke loose into the night. + +It was at this moment, and Barnaby True was holding to the back-stays, +when a sudden, prolonged flash of lightning came after a continued +space of darkness. So sharp and heavy was this shaft that for a moment +the night was as bright as day, and in that instant occurred that which +was so remarkable that it hath afforded the title of this story itself. +For there, standing plain upon the deck and not far from the +companionway, as though he had just come up from below, our hero beheld +a figure the face of which he had seen so imperfectly once before by +the flash of his own pistol in the darkness. Upon this occasion, +however, the whole figure was stamped out with intense sharpness +against the darkness, and Barnaby beheld, as clear as day, a great +burly man, clad in a tawdry tinsel coat, with a cocked hat with gold +braid upon his head. His legs, with petticoat breeches and cased in +great leathern sea-boots pulled up to his knees, stood planted wide +apart as though to brace against the slant of the deck. The face our +hero beheld to be as white as dough, with fishy eyes and a bony +forehead, on the side of which was a great smear as of blood. + +All this, as was said, stood out as sharp and clear as daylight in that +one flash of lightning, and then upon the instant was gone again, as +though swallowed up into the darkness, while a terrible clap of thunder +seemed to split the very heavens overhead and a strong smell as of +brimstone filled the air around about. + +At the same moment some voice cried out from the darkness, "William +Brand, by God!" + +Then, the rain clapping down in a deluge, Barnaby leaped into the +saloon, pursued by he knew not what thoughts. For if that was indeed +the image of old William Brand that he had seen once before and now +again, then the grave must indeed have gaped and vomited out its dead +into the storm of wind and lightning; for what he beheld that moment, +he hath ever averred, he saw as clear as ever he saw his hand before +his face. + +This is the last account of which there is any record when the figure +of Captain William Brand was beheld by the eyes of a living man. It +must have occurred just off the Highlands below the Sandy Hook, for the +next morning when Barnaby True came upon deck it was to find the sun +shining brightly and the brigantine riding upon an even keel, at anchor +off Staten Island, three or four cable-lengths distance from a small +village on the shore, and the town of New York in plain sight across +the water. + +'Twas the last place in the world he had expected to see. + +IX + +And, indeed, it did seem vastly strange to lie there alongside Staten +Island all that day, with New York town in plain sight across the water +and yet so impossible to reach. For whether he desired to escape or no, +Barnaby True could not but observe that both he and the young lady were +so closely watched that they might as well have been prisoners, tied +hand and foot and laid in the hold, so far as any hope of getting away +was concerned. + +Throughout that day there was a vast deal of mysterious coming and +going aboard the brigantine, and in the afternoon a sail-boat went up +to the town, carrying the Captain of the brigantine and a great load in +the stern covered over with a tarpaulin. What was so taken up to the +town Barnaby did not then guess, nor did he for a moment suspect of +what vast importance it was to be for him. + +About sundown the small boat returned, fetching the pirate Captain of +the brigantine back again. Coming aboard and finding Barnaby on deck, +the other requested him to come down into the saloon for he had a few +serious words to say to him. In the saloon they found the young lady +sitting, the broad light of the evening shining in through the +skylight, and making it all pretty bright within. + +The Captain commanded Barnaby to be seated, whereupon he chose a place +alongside the young lady. So soon as he had composed himself the +Captain began very seriously, with a preface somewhat thus: "Though you +may think me the Captain of this brigantine, Master Barnaby True, I am +not really so, but am under orders of a superior whom I have obeyed in +all these things that I have done." Having said so much as this, he +continued his address to say that there was one thing yet remaining for +him to do, and that the greatest thing of all. + +He said that this was something that both Barnaby and the young lady +were to be called upon to perform, and he hoped that they would do +their part willingly; but that whether they did it willingly or no, do +it they must, for those also were the orders he had received. + +You may guess how our hero was disturbed by this prologue. He had found +the young lady's hand beneath the table and he now held it very closely +in his own; but whatever might have been his expectations as to the +final purport of the communications the other was about to favor him +with, his most extreme expectations could not have equalled that which +was demanded of him. + +"My orders are these," said his interlocutor, continuing: "I am to take +you and the young lady ashore, and to see that you are married before I +quit you, and to that end a very good, decent, honest minister who +lives ashore yonder in the village was chosen and hath been spoken to, +and is now, no doubt, waiting for you to come. That is the last thing I +am set to do; so now I will leave you and her young ladyship alone +together for five minutes to talk it over, but be quick about it, for +whether willing or not, this thing must be done." + +Thereupon he incontinently went away, as he had promised, leaving those +two alone together, our hero like one turned into stone, and the young +lady, her face turned away, as red as fire, as Barnaby could easily +distinguish by the fading light. + +Nor can I tell what Barnaby said to her, nor what words or arguments he +used, for so great was the distraction of his mind and the tumult of +his emotions that he presently discovered that he was repeating to her +over and over again that God knew he loved her, and that with all his +heart and soul, and that there was nothing in all the world for him but +her. After which, containing himself sufficiently to continue his +address, he told her that if she would not have it as the man had said, +and if she were not willing to marry him as she was bidden to do, he +would rather die a thousand, aye, ten thousand, deaths than lend +himself to forcing her to do such a thing as this. Nevertheless, he +told her she must speak up and tell him yes or no, and that God knew he +would give all the world if she would say "yes." + +All this and much more he said in such a tumult that he was hardly +aware of what he was speaking, and she sitting there, as though her +breath stifled her. Nor did he know what she replied to him, only that +she would marry him. Therewith he took her into his arms and for the +first time set his lips to hers, in such a transport of ecstasy that +everything seemed to his sight as though he were about to swoon. + +So when the Captain returned to the saloon he found Barnaby sitting +there holding her hand, she with her face turned away, and he so full +of joy that the promise of heaven could not have made him happier. + +The yawl-boat belonging to the brigantine was ready and waiting +alongside when they came upon deck, and immediately they descended to +it and took their seats. Reaching the shore, they landed, and walked up +the village street in the twilight, she clinging to our hero's arm as +though she would faint away. The Captain of the brigantine and two +other men aboard accompanied them to the minister's house, where they +found the good man waiting for them, smoking his pipe in the warm +evening, and walking up and down in front of his own door. He +immediately conducted them into the house, where, his wife having +fetched a candle, and two others from the village being present, the +good, pious man having asked several questions as to their names and +their age and where they were from, and having added his blessing, the +ceremony was performed, and the certificate duly signed by those +present from the village--the men who had come ashore from the +brigantine alone refusing to set their hands to any paper. + +The same sail-boat that had taken the Captain up to the town was +waiting for Barnaby and the young lady as they came down to the +landing-place. There the Captain of the brigantine having wished them +godspeed, and having shaken Barnaby very heartily by the hand, he +helped to push off the boat, which with the slant of the wind presently +sailed swiftly away, dropping the shore and those strange beings, and +the brigantine in which they sailed, alike behind them into the night. + +They could hear through the darkness the creaking of the sails being +hoisted aboard of the pirate vessel; nor did Barnaby True ever set eyes +upon it or the crew again, nor, so far as the writer is informed, did +anybody else. + +X + +It was nigh midnight when they made Mr. Hartright's wharf at the foot +of Beaver Street. There Barnaby and the boatmen assisted the young lady +ashore, and our hero and she walked up through the now silent and +deserted street to Mr. Hartright's house. + +You may conceive of the wonder and amazement of our hero's dear +step-father when aroused by Barnaby's continued knocking at the street +door, and clad in a dressing-gown and carrying a lighted candle in his +hand, he unlocked and unbarred the door, and so saw who it was had aroused +him at such an hour of the night, and beheld the young and beautiful +lady whom Barnaby had brought home with him. + +The first thought of the good man was that the _Belle Helen_ had come +into port; nor did Barnaby undeceive him as he led the way into the +house, but waited until they were all safe and sound together before he +should unfold his strange and wonderful story. + +"This was left for you by two foreign sailors this afternoon, Barnaby," +the good man said, as he led the way through the hall, holding up the +candle at the same time, so that Barnaby might see an object that stood +against the wainscoting by the door of the dining-room. + +It was with difficulty that our hero could believe his eyes when he +beheld one of the treasure-chests that Sir John Malyoe had fetched with +such particularity from Jamaica. + +He bade his step-father hold the light nigher, and then, his mother +having come down-stairs by this time, he flung back the lid and +displayed to the dazzled sight of all the great treasure therein +contained. + +You are to suppose that there was no sleep for any of them that night, +for what with Barnaby's narrative of his adventures, and what with the +thousand questions asked of him, it was broad daylight before he had +finished the half of all that he had to relate. + +The next day but one brought the _Belle Helen_ herself into port, with +the terrible news not only of having been attacked at night by pirates, +but also that Sir John Malyoe was dead. For whether it was the sudden +fright that overset him, or whether it was the strain of passion that +burst some blood-vessel upon his brain, it is certain that when the +pirates quitted the _Belle Helen_, carrying with them the young lady +and Barnaby and the travelling-trunks, they left Sir John Malyoe lying +in a fit upon the floor, frothing at the mouth and black in the face, +as though he had been choked. It was in this condition that he was +raised and taken to his berth, where, the next morning about two +o'clock, he died, without once having opened his eyes or spoken a +single word. + +As for the villain man-servant, no one ever saw him afterwards; though +whether he jumped overboard, or whether the pirates who so attacked the +ship had carried him away bodily, who shall say? + +Mr. Hartright had been extremely perplexed as to the ownership of the +chest of treasure that had been left by those men for Barnaby, but the +news of the death of Sir John Malyoe made the matter very easy for him +to decide. For surely if that treasure did not belong to Barnaby, there +could be no doubt but that it belonged to his wife--she being Sir John +Malyoe's legal heir. Thus it was that he satisfied himself, and thus +that great fortune (in actual computation amounting to upward of +sixty-three thousand pounds) fell to Barnaby True, the grandson of that +famous pirate William Brand. + +As for the other case of treasure, it was never heard of again, nor +could Barnaby decide whether it was divided as booty among the pirates, +or whether they had carried it away with them to some strange and +foreign land, there to share it among themselves. + +It is thus we reach the conclusion of our history, with only this to +observe, that whether that strange appearance of Captain Brand was +indeed a ghostly and spiritual visitation, or whether he was present on +those two occasions in flesh and blood, he was, as has been said, never +heard of again. + + + + +IV. A TRUE HISTORY OF THE DEVIL AT NEW HOPE + + +_At the time of the beginning of the events about to be narrated--which +the reader is to be informed occurred between the years 1740 and 1742-- +there stood upon the high and rugged crest of Pick-a-Neck-a-Sock Point +(or Pig and Sow Point, as it had come to be called) the wooden ruins of +a disused church, known throughout those parts as the Old Free Grace +Meeting-house._ + +_This humble edifice had been erected by a peculiar religious sect +calling themselves the Free Grace Believers, the radical tenet of whose +creed was a denial of the existence of such a place as Hell, and an +affirmation of the universal mercy of God, to the intent that all souls +should enjoy eternal happiness in the life to come._ + +_For this dangerous heresy the Free Grace Believers were expelled from +the Massachusetts Colony, and, after sundry peregrinations, settled at +last in the Providence Plantations, upon Pick-a-Neck-a-Sock Point, +coadjacent to the town of New Hope. There they built themselves a small +cluster of huts, and a church wherein to worship; and there for a while +they dwelt, earning a precarious livelihood from the ungenerous soil +upon which they had established themselves._ + +_As may be supposed, the presence of so strange a people was +entertained with no great degree of complaisance by the vicinage, and +at last an old deed granting Pick-a-Neck-a-Sock to Captain Isaiah +Applebody was revived by the heirs of that renowned Indian-fighter, +whereupon the Free Grace Believers were warned to leave their bleak and +rocky refuge for some other abiding-place. Accordingly, driven forth +into the world again, they embarked in the snow[1] "Good Companion," of +Bristol, for the Province of Pennsylvania, and were afterwards heard of +no more in those parts. Their vacated houses crumbled away into ruins, +and their church tottered to decay._ + +[Footnote 1: A two-masted square-rigged vessel.] + +_So at the beginning of these events, upon the narrative of which the +author now invites the reader to embark together with himself._ + +I + +HOW THE DEVIL HAUNTED THE MEETING-HOUSE + +At the period of this narrative the settlement of New Hope had grown +into a very considerable seaport town, doing an extremely handsome +trade with the West Indies in cornmeal and dried codfish for sugar, +molasses, and rum. + +Among the more important citizens of this now wealthy and elegant +community, the most notable was Colonel William Belford--a magnate at +once distinguished and honored in the civil and military affairs of the +colony. This gentleman was an illegitimate son of the Earl of +Clandennie by the daughter of a surgeon of the Sixty-seventh Regiment +of Scots, and he had inherited a very considerable fortune upon the +death of his father, from which he now enjoyed a comfortable +competency. + +Our Colonel made no little virtue of the circumstances of his exalted +birth. He was wont to address his father's memory with a sobriety that +lent to the fact of his illegitimacy a portentous air of seriousness, +and he made no secret of the fact that he was the friend and the +confidential correspondent of the present Earl of Clandennie. In his +intercourse with the several Colonial governors he assumed an attitude +of authority that only his lineage could have supported him in +maintaining, and, possessing a large and commanding presence, he bore +himself with a continent reserve that never failed to inspire with awe +those whom he saw fit to favor with his conversation. + +This noble and distinguished gentleman possessed in a brother an exact +and perfect opposite to himself. Captain Obadiah Belford was a West +Indian, an inhabitant of Kingston in the island of Jamaica. He was a +cursing, swearing, hard-drinking renegado from virtue; an acknowledged +dealer in negro slaves, and reputed to have been a buccaneer, if not an +out-and-out pirate, such as then infested those tropical latitudes in +prodigious numbers. He was not unknown in New Hope, which he had +visited upon several occasions for a week or so at a time. During each +period he lodged with his brother, whose household he scandalized by +such freaks as smoking his pipe of tobacco in the parlor, offering +questionable pleasantries to the female servants, and cursing and +swearing in the hallways with a fecundity and an ingenuity that would +have put the most godless sailor about the docks to the blush. + +Accordingly, it may then be supposed into what a dismay it threw +Colonel Belford when one fine day he received a letter from Captain +Obadiah, in which our West Indian desperado informed his brother that +he proposed quitting those torrid latitudes in which he had lived for +so long a time, and that he intended thenceforth to make his home in +New Hope. + +Addressing Colonel Belford as "My dear Billy," he called upon that +gentleman to rejoice at this determination, and informed him that he +proposed in future to live "as decent a limb of grace as ever broke +loose from hell," and added that he was going to fetch as a present for +his niece Belinda a "dam pirty little black girl" to carry her +prayer-book to church for her. + +Accordingly, one fine morning, in pursuance of this promise, our West +Indian suddenly appeared at New Hope with a prodigious quantity of +chests and travelling-cases, and with so vociferous an acclamation that +all the town knew of his arrival within a half-hour of that event. + +When, however, he presented himself before Colonel Belford, it was to +meet with a welcome so frigid and an address so reserved that a douche +of cold water could not have quenched his verbosity more entirely. For +our great man had no notion to submit to the continued infliction of +the West Indian's presence. Accordingly, after the first words of +greeting had passed, he addressed Captain Obadiah in a strain somewhat +after this fashion: + +"Indeed, I protest, my dear brother Obadiah, it is with the heartiest +regrets in the world that I find myself obliged to confess that I +cannot offer you a home with myself and my family. It is not alone that +your manners displease me--though, as an elder to a younger, I may say +to you that we of these more northern latitudes do not entertain the +same tastes in such particulars as doubtless obtain in the West Indies--but +the habits of my household are of such a nature that I could not +hope to form them to your liking. I can, however, offer as my advice +that you may find lodgings at the Blue Lion Tavern, which doubtless +will be of a sort exactly to fit your inclinations. I have made +inquiries, and I am sure you will find the very best apartments to be +obtained at that excellent hostelry placed at your disposal." + +To this astounding address our West Indian could, for a moment, make no +other immediate reply than to open his eyes and to glare upon Colonel +Belford, so that, what with his tall, lean person, his long neck, his +stooping shoulders, and his yellow face stained upon one side an indigo +blue by some premature explosion of gunpowder--what with all this and a +prodigious hooked beak of a nose, he exactly resembled some hungry +predatory bird of prey meditating a pounce upon an unsuspecting victim. +At last, finding his voice, and rapping the ferrule of his ivory-headed +cane upon the floor to emphasize his declamation, he cried out: "What! +What! What! Is this the way to offer a welcome to a brother new +returned to your house? Why, ---- ----! who are you? Am not I your +brother, who could buy you out twice over and have enough left to live +in velvet? Why! Why!--Very well, then, have it your own way; but if I +don't grind your face into the mud and roll you into the dirt my name +is not Obadiah Belford!" Thereupon, striving to say more but finding no +fit words for the occasion, he swung upon his heel and incontinently +departed, banging the door behind him like a clap of thunder, and +cursing and swearing so prodigiously as he strode away down the street +that an infernal from the pit could scarcely have exceeded the fury of +his maledictions. + +However, he so far followed Colonel Belford's advice that he took up +his lodgings at the Blue Lion Tavern, where, in a little while, he had +gathered about him a court of all such as chose to take advantage of +his extravagant bounty. + +Indeed, he poured out his money with incredible profusion, declaring, +with many ingenious and self-consuming oaths, that he could match +fortunes with the best two men in New Hope, and then have enough left +to buy up his brother from his hair to his boot-leathers. He made no +secret of the rebuff he had sustained from Colonel Belford, for his +grievance clung to him like hot pitch--itching the more he meddled with +it. Sometimes his fury was such that he could scarcely contain himself. +Upon such occasions, cursing and swearing like an infernal, he would +call Heaven to witness that he would live in New Hope if for no other +reason than to bring shame to his brother, and he would declare again +and again, with incredible variety of expletives, that he would grind +his brother's face into the dirt for him. + +[Illustration: "HE WOULD SHOUT OPPROBRIOUS WORDS AFTER THE OTHER IN THE +STREETS"] + +Accordingly he set himself assiduously at work to tease and torment the +good man with every petty and malicious trick his malevolence could +invent. He would shout opprobrious words after the other in the +streets, to the entertainment of all who heard him; he would parade up +and down before Colonel Belford's house singing obstreperous and +unseemly songs at the top of his voice; he would even rattle the +ferrule of his cane against the palings of the fence, or throw a stone +at Madam Belford's cat in the wantonness of his malice. + +Meantime he had purchased a considerable tract of land, embracing Pig +and Sow Point, and including the Old Free Grace Meeting-House. Here, he +declared, it was his intention to erect a house for himself that should +put his brother's wooden shed to shame. Accordingly he presently began +the erection of that edifice, so considerable in size and occupying so +commanding a situation that it was the admiration of all those parts, +and was known to fame as Belford's Palace. This magnificent residence +was built entirely of brick, and Captain Obadiah made it a boast that +the material therefor was brought all the way around from New York in +flats. In the erection of this elegant structure all the carpenters and +masons in the vicinage were employed, so that it grew up with an +amazing rapidity. Meantime, upon the site of the building, rum and +Hollands were kept upon draught for all comers, so that the place was +made the common resort and the scene for the orgies of all such of the +common people as possessed a taste for strong waters, many coming from +so far away as Newport to enjoy our Captain's prodigality. + +Meantime he himself strutted about the streets in his red coat trimmed +with gilt braid, his hat cocked upon one side of his bony head, +pleasing himself with the belief that he was the object of universal +admiration, and swelling with a vast and consummate self-satisfaction +as he boasted, with strident voice and extravagant enunciation, of the +magnificence of the palace he was building. + +At the same time, having, as he said, shingles to spare, he patched and +repaired the Old Free Grace Meeting-House, so that its gray and hoary +exterior, while rejuvenated as to the roof and walls, presented in a +little while an appearance as of a sudden eruption of bright yellow +shingles upon its aged hide. Nor would our Captain offer any other +explanation for so odd a freak of fancy than to say that it pleased him +to do as he chose with his own. + +At last, the great house having been completed, and he himself having +entered into it and furnished it to his satisfaction, our Captain +presently began entertaining his friends therein with a profuseness of +expenditure and an excess of extravagance that were the continued +admiration of the whole colony. In more part the guests whom Captain +Obadiah thus received with so lavish an indulgence were officers or +government officials from the garrisons of Newport or of Boston, with +whom, by some means or other, he had scraped an acquaintance. At times +these gay gentlemen would fairly take possession of the town, parading +up and down the street under conduct of their host, staring ladies out +of countenance with the utmost coolness and effrontery, and offering +loud and critical remarks concerning all that they beheld about them, +expressing their opinions with the greatest freedom and jocularity. + +Nor were the orgies at Belford's Palace limited to such extravagances +as gaming and dicing and drinking, for sometimes the community would be +scandalized by the presence of gayly dressed and high-colored ladies, +who came, no one knew whence, to enjoy the convivialities at the great +house on the hill, and concerning whom it pleased the respectable folk +of New Hope to entertain the gravest suspicion. + +At first these things raised such a smoke that nothing else was to be +seen, but by-and-by other strange and singular circumstances began to +be spoken of--at first among the common people, and then by others. It +began to be whispered and then to be said that the Old Free Grace +Meeting-House out on the Point was haunted by the Devil. + +The first information concerning this dreadful obsession arose from a +fisherman, who, coming into the harbor of a nightfall after a stormy +day, had, as he affirmed, beheld the old meeting-house all of a blaze +of light. Some time after, a tinker, making a short-cut from Stapleton +by way of the old Indian road, had a view of a similar but a much more +remarkable manifestation. This time, as the itinerant most solemnly +declared, the meeting-house was not only seen all alight, but a bell +was ringing as a signal somewhere off across the darkness of the water, +where, as he protested, there suddenly appeared a red star, that, +blazing like a meteor with a surpassing brightness for a few seconds, +was presently swallowed up into inky darkness again. Upon another +occasion a fiddler, returning home after midnight from Sprowle's Neck, +seeing the church alight, had, with a temerity inflamed by rum, +approached to a nearer distance, whence, lying in the grass, he had, he +said, at the stroke of midnight, beheld a multitude of figures emerge +from the building, crying most dolorously, and then had heard a voice, +as of a lost spirit, calling aloud, "Six-and-twenty, all told!" whereat +the light in the church was instantly extinguished into an impenetrable +darkness. + +It was said that when Captain Obadiah himself was first apprised of the +suspicions entertained of the demoniacal possession of the old +meeting-house, he had fixed upon his venturesome informant so threatening +and ominous a gaze that the other could move neither hand nor foot under +the malignant fury of his observation. Then, at last, clearing his +countenance of its terrors, he had burst into a great, loud laugh, +crying out: "Well, what then? Why not? You must know that the Devil and +I have been very good friends in times past. I saw a deal of him in the +West Indies, and I must tell you that I built up the old meeting-house +again so that he and I could talk together now and then about old times +without having a lot of ----, dried, codfish-eating, rum-drinking +Yankee bacon-chewers to listen to every word we had to say to each +other. If you must know, it was only last night that the ghost of +Jezebel and I danced a fandango together in the graveyard up yonder, +while the Devil himself sat cross-legged on old Daniel Root's tombstone +and blew on a dry, dusty shank-bone by way of a flute. And now" (here +he swore a terrific oath) "you know the worst that is to be known, with +only this to say: if ever a man sets foot upon Pig and Sow Point again +after nightfall to interfere with the Devil's sport and mine, hell +suffer for it as sure as fire can burn or brimstone can scorch. So put +that in your pipe and smoke it." + +These terrible words, however extravagant, were, to be sure, in the +nature of a direct confirmation of the very worst suspicion that could +have been entertained concerning this dolorous affair. But if any +further doubt lingered as to the significance of such malevolent +rumors, Captain Obadiah himself soon put an end to the same. + +The Reverend Josiah Pettibones was used of a Saturday to take supper at +Colonel Belford's elegant residence. It was upon such an occasion and +the reverend gentleman and his honored host were smoking a pipe of +tobacco together in the library, when there fell a loud and importunate +knocking at the house door, and presently the servant came ushering no +less a personage than Captain Obadiah himself. After directing a most +cunning, mischievous look at his brother, Captain Obadiah addressed +himself directly to the Reverend Mr. Pettibones, folding his hands with +a most indescribable air of mock humility. "Sir," says he--"Reverend +sir, you see before you a humble and penitent sinner, who has fallen so +desperately deep into iniquities that he knows not whether even so +profound piety as yours can elevate him out of the pit in which he +finds himself. Sir, it has got about the town that the Devil has taken +possession of my old meeting-house, and, alas! I have to confess--_that +it is the truth_." Here our Captain hung his head down upon his breast +as though overwhelmed with the terrible communication he had made. + +"What is this that I hear?" cried the reverend gentleman. "Can I +believe my ears?" + +"Believe your ears!" exclaimed Colonel Belford. "To be sure you cannot +believe your ears. Do you not see that this is a preposterous lie, and +that he is telling it to you to tease and to mortify me?" + +At this Captain Obadiah favored his brother with a look of exaggerated +and sanctimonious humility. "Alas, brother," he cried out, "for +accusing me so unjustly! Fie upon you! Would you check a penitent in +his confession? But you must know that it is to this gentleman that I +address myself, and not to you." Then directing his discourse once more +to the Reverend Mr. Pettibones, he resumed his address thus: "Sir, you +must know that while I was in the West Indies I embarked, among other +things, in one of those ventures against the Spanish Main of which you +may have heard." + +"Do you mean piracy?" asked the Reverend Pettibones; and Captain +Obadiah nodded his head. + +"'Tis a lie!" cried Colonel Belford, smacking his hand upon the table. +"He never possessed spirit enough for anything so dangerous as piracy +or more mischievous than slave-trading." + +"Sir," quoth Captain Obadiah to the reverend gentleman, "again I say +'tis to you I address my confession. Well, sir, one day we sighted a +Spanish caravel very rich ladened with a prodigious quantity of plate, +but were without so much as a capful of wind to fetch us up with her. +'I would,' says I, 'offer the Devil my soul for a bit of a breeze to +bring us alongside.' 'Done,' says a voice beside me, and--alas that I +must confess it!--there I saw a man with a very dark countenance, whom +I had never before beheld aboard of our ship. 'Sign this,' says he, +'and the breeze is yours!' 'What is it upon the pen?' says I. "'Tis +blood,' says he. Alas, sir! what was a poor wretch so tempted as I to +do?" + +"And did you sign?" asked Mr. Pettibones, all agog to hear the +conclusion of so strange a narration. + +"Woe is me, sir, that I should have done so!" quoth Captain Obadiah, +rolling his eyes until little but the whites of them were to be seen. + +"And did you catch the Spanish ship?" + +"That we did, sir, and stripped her as clean as a whistle." + +"'Tis all a prodigious lie!" cried Colonel Belford, in a fury. "Sir, +can you sit so complacently and be made a fool of by so extravagant a +fable?" + +"Indeed it is unbelievable," said Mr. Pettibones. + +At this faint reply, Captain Obadiah burst out laughing; then renewing +his narrative--"Indeed, sir," he declared, "you may believe me or not, +as you please. Nevertheless, I may tell you that, having so obtained my +prize, and having time to think coolly over the bargain I had made, I +says to myself, says I: 'Obediah Belford! Obadiah Belford, here is a +pretty pickle you are in. 'Tis time you quit these parts and lived +decent, or else you are damned to all eternity.' And so I came hither +to New Hope, reverend sir, hoping to end my days in quiet. Alas, sir! +would you believe it? scarce had I finished my fine new house up at the +Point when hither comes that evil being to whom I had sold my sorrowful +soul. 'Obadiah,' says he, 'Obadiah Belford, I have a mind to live in +New Hope also,' 'Where?' says I. 'Well,' says he, 'you may patch up the +old meetinghouse; 'twill serve my turn for a while.' 'Well,' thinks I +to myself, 'there can be no harm in that,' And so I did as he bade me-- +and would not you do as much for one who had served you as well? Alas, +your reverence! there he is now, and I cannot get rid of him, and 'tis +over the whole town that he has the meeting-house in possession." + +"Tis an incredible story!" cried the Reverend Pettibones. + +"'Tis a lie from beginning to end!" cried the Colonel. + +"And now how shall I get myself out of my pickle?" asked Captain +Obadiah. + +"Sir," said Mr. Pettibones, "if what you tell me is true, 'tis beyond +my poor powers to aid you." + +"Alas!" cried Captain Obadiah. "Alas! alas! Then, indeed, I'm damned!" +And therewith flinging his arms into the air as though in the extremity +of despair, he turned and incontinently departed, rushing forth out of +the house as though stung by ten thousand furies. + +It was the most prodigious piece of gossip that ever fell in the way of +the Reverend Josiah, and for a fortnight he carried it with him +wherever he went. "'Twas the most unbelievable tale I ever heard," he +would cry. "And yet where there is so much smoke there must be some +fire. As for the poor wretch, if ever I saw a lost soul I beheld him +standing before me there in Colonel Belford's library." And then he +would conclude: "Yes, yes, 'tis incredible and past all belief. But if +it be true in ever so little a part, why, then there is justice in +this--that the Devil should take possession of the sanctuary of that +very heresy that would not only have denied him the power that every +other Christian belief assigns to him, but would have destroyed that +infernal habitation that hath been his dwelling-place for all +eternity." + +As for Captain Belford, if he desired privacy for himself upon Pig and +Sow Point, he had taken the very best means to prevent the curious from +spying upon him there after nightfall. + +II + +HOW THE DEVIL STOLE THE COLLECTOR'S SNUFFBOX + +Lieutenant Thomas Goodhouse was the Collector of Customs in the town of +New Hope. He was a character of no little notoriety in those parts, +enjoying the reputation of being able to consume more pineapple rum +with less effect upon his balance than any other man in the community. +He possessed the voice of a stentor, a short, thick-set, +broad-shouldered person, a face congested to a violent carnation, and red +hair of such a color as to add infinitely to the consuming fire of his +countenance. + +The Custom Office was a little white frame building with green +shutters, and overhanging the water as though to topple into the tide. +Here at any time of the day betwixt the hours of ten in the morning and +of five in the afternoon the Collector was to be found at his desk +smoking his pipe of tobacco, the while a thin, phthisical clerk bent +with unrelaxing assiduity over a multitude of account-books and papers +accumulated before him. + +For his post of Collectorship of the Royal Customs, Lieutenant +Goodhouse was especially indebted to the patronage of Colonel Belford. +The worthy Collector had, some years before, come to that gentleman +with a written recommendation from the Earl of Clandennie of a very +unusual sort. It was the Lieutenant's good-fortune to save the life of +the Honorable Frederick Dunburne, second son of the Earl--a wild, +rakish, undisciplined youth, much given to such mischievous enterprises +as the twisting off of door-knockers, the beating of the watch, and the +carrying away of tavern signs. + +Having been a very famous swimmer at Eton, the Honorable Frederick +undertook while at the Cowes to swim a certain considerable distance +for a wager. In the midst of this enterprise he was suddenly seized +with a cramp, and would inevitably have drowned had not the Lieutenant, +who happened in a boat close at hand, leaped overboard and rescued the +young gentleman from the watery grave in which he was about to be +engulfed, thus restoring him once more to the arms of his grateful +family. + +For this fortunate act of rescue the Earl of Clandennie presented to +his son's preserver a gold snuffbox filled with guineas, and inscribed +with the following legend: + +"To Lieutenant Thomas Goodhouse, +who, under the Ruling of Beneficent Providence, +was the Happy Preserver of a Beautiful and +Precious Life of Virtuous Precocity, +this Box is presented by the Father of Him whom He +saved as a grateful acknowledgment of His +Services. + +Thomas Monkhouse Dunburne, Viscount of +Dunburne and Earl of Clandennie. + +_August 17, 1752._" + +Having thus satisfied the immediate demands of his gratitude, it is +very possible that the Earl of Clandennie did not choose to assume so +great a responsibility as the future of his son's preserver entailed. +Nevertheless, feeling that something should be done for him, he +obtained for Lieutenant Goodhouse a passage to the Americas, and wrote +him a strong letter of recommendation to Colonel Belford. That +gentleman, desiring to please the legitimate head of his family, used +his influence so successfully that the Lieutenant was presently granted +the position of Collector of Customs in the place of Captain Maull, who +had lately deceased. + +The Lieutenant, somewhat to the surprise of his patrons, filled his new +official position as Collector not only with vigor, but with a not +unbecoming dignity. He possessed an infinite appreciation of the +responsibilities of his office, and he was more jealous to collect +every farthing of the royal duties than he would have been had those +moneys been gathered for his own emolument. + +Under the old Collectorship of Captain Maull, it was no unusual thing +for a barraco of superfine Hollands, a bolt of silk cloth, or a keg of +brandy to find its way into the house of some influential merchant or +Colonial dignitary. But in no such manner was Lieutenant Goodhouse +derelict in his duties. He would have sacrificed his dearest friendship +or his most precious attachment rather than fail in his duties to the +Crown. In the intermission of his duties it might please him to relax +into the softer humors of conviviality, but at ten o'clock in the +morning, whatever his condition of sobriety, he assumed at once all the +sterner panoply of a Collector of the Royal Customs. + +Thus he set his virtues against his vices, and struck an even balance +between them. When most unsteady upon his legs he most asserted his +integrity, declaring that not a gill or a thread came into his port +without paying its duty, and calling Heaven to witness that it had been +his hand that had saved the life of a noble young gentleman. Thereupon, +perhaps, drawing forth the gleaming token of his prowess--the gold +snuffbox--from his breeches-pocket, and holding it tight in his brown +and hairy fist, he would first offer his interlocutor a pinch of +rappee, and would then call upon him to read the inscription engraved +upon the lid of the case, demanding to know whether it mattered a fig +if a man did drink a drop too much now and then, provided he collected +every farthing of the royal revenues, and had been the means of saving +the son of the Earl of Clandennie. + +Never for an instant upon such an occasion would he permit his precious +box to quit his possession. It was to him an emblem of those virtues +that no one knew but himself, wherefore the more he misdoubted his own +virtuousness the more valuable did the token of that rectitude become +in his eyes. "Yes, you may look at it," he would say, "but damme if you +shall handle it. I would not," he would cry, "let the Devil himself +take it out of my hands." + +The talk concerning the impious possession of the Old Free Grace +Meeting-House was at its height when the official consciousness of the +Collector, who was just then laboring under his constitutional +infirmity, became suddenly seized with an irrepressible alarm. He +declared that he smoked something worse than the Devil upon Pig and Sow +Point, and protested that it was his opinion that Captain Obadiah was +doing a bit of free-trade upon his own account, and that dutiable goods +were being smuggled in at night under cover of these incredible +stories. He registered a vow, sealing it with the most solemn +protestations, and with a multiplicity of ingenious oaths that only a +mind stimulated by the heat of intoxication could have invented, that +he would make it his business, upon the first occasion that offered, to +go down to Pig and Sow Point and to discover for himself whether it was +the Devil or smugglers that had taken possession of the Old Free Grace +Meeting-House. Thereupon, hauling out his precious snuffbox and rapping +upon the lid, he offered a pinch around. Then calling attention to the +inscription, he demanded to know whether a man who had behaved so well +upon that occasion had need to be afraid of a whole churchful of +devils. "I would," he cried, "offer the Devil a pinch, as I have +offered it to you. Then I would bid him read this and tell me whether +he dared to say that black was the white of my eye." + +Nor were those words a vain boast upon the Collector's part, for, +before a week had passed, it being reported that there had been a +renewal of manifestations at the old church, the Collector, finding +nobody with sufficient courage to accompany him, himself entered into a +small boat and rowed down alone to Pig and Sow Point to investigate, +for his own satisfaction, those appearances that so agitated the +community. + +It was dusk when the Collector departed upon that memorable and +solitary expedition, and it was entirely dark before he had reached its +conclusion. He had taken with him a bottle of Extra Reserve rum to +drive, as he declared, the chill out of his bones. Accordingly it +seemed to him to be a surprisingly brief interval before he found +himself floating in his boat under the impenetrable shadow of the rocky +promontory. The profound and infinite gloom of night overhung him with +a portentous darkness, melting only into a liquid obscurity as it +touched and dissolved into the stretch of waters across the bay. But +above, on the high and rugged shoulder of the Point, the Collector, +with dulled and swimming vision, beheld a row of dim and lurid lights, +whereupon, collecting his faculties, he opined that the radiance he +beheld was emitted from the windows of the Old Free Grace +Meeting-House. + +Having made fast his boat with a drunken gravity, the Collector walked +directly, though with uncertain steps, up the steep and rugged path +towards that mysterious illumination. Now and then he stumbled over the +stones and cobbles that lay in his way, but he never quite lost his +balance, neither did he for a moment remit his drunken gravity. So with +a befuddled and obstinate perseverance he reached at last to the +conclusion of his adventure and of his fate. + +The old meeting-house was two stories in height, the lower story having +been formerly used by the Free Grace Believers as a place wherein to +celebrate certain obscure mysteries appertaining to their belief. The +upper story, devoted to the more ordinary worship of their Sunday +meetings, was reached by a tall, steep flight of steps that led from +the ground to a covered porch which sheltered the doorway. + +The Collector paused only long enough to observe that the shutters of +the lower story were tight shut and barred, and that the dull and lurid +light shone from the windows above. Then he directly mounted the steps +with a courage and a perfect assurance that can only be entirely +enjoyed by one in his peculiar condition of inebriety. + +He paused to knock at the door, and it appeared to him that his +knuckles had hardly fallen upon the panel before the valve was flung +suddenly open. An indescribable and heavy odor fell upon him and for +the moment overpowered his senses, and he found himself standing face +to face with a figure prodigiously and portentously tall. + +Even at this unexpected apparition the Collector lost possession of no +part of his courage. Rather he stiffened himself to a more stubborn and +obstinate resolution. Steadying himself for his address, "I know very +well," quoth he, "who you are. You are the Divil, I dare say, but damme +if you shall do business here without paying your duties to King +George. I may drink a drop too much," he cried, "but I collect my +duties--every farthing of 'em." Then drawing forth his snuffbox, he +thrust it under the nose of the being to whom he spake. "Take a pinch +and read that," he roared, "but don't handle it, for I wouldn't take +all hell to let it out of my hand." + +The being whom he addressed had stood for all this while as though +bereft of speech and of movement, but at these last words he appeared +to find his voice, for he gave forth a strident bellow of so dreadful +and terrible a sort that the Collector, brave as he found himself, +stepped back a pace or two before it. The next instant he was struck +upon the wrist as though by a bolt of lightning, and the snuffbox, +describing a yellow circle against the light of the door, disappeared +into the darkness of the night beyond. Ere he could recover himself +another blow smote him upon the breast, and he fell headlong from the +platform, as through infinite space. + + * * * * * + +The next day the Collector did not present himself at the office at his +accustomed hour, and the morning wore along without his appearing at +his desk. By noon serious alarm began to take possession of the +community, and about two o'clock, the tide being then set out pretty +strong, Mr. Tompkins, the consumptive clerk, and two sailors from the +_Sarah Goodrich_, then lying at Mr. Hoppins's wharf, went down in a +yawl-boat to learn, if possible, what had befallen him. They coasted +along the Point for above a half-hour before they discovered any +vestige of the missing Collector. Then at last they saw him lying at a +little distance upon a cobbled strip of beach, where, judging from his +position and from the way he had composed himself to rest, he appeared +to have been overcome by liquor. + +At this place Mr. Tompkins put ashore, and making the best of his way +over the slippery stones exposed at low water, came at last to where +his chief was lying. The Collector was reposing with one arm over his +eyes, as though to shelter them from the sun, but as soon as Mr. +Tompkins had approached close enough to see his countenance, he uttered +a great cry that was like a scream. For, by the blue and livid lips +parted at the corners to show the yellow teeth, from the waxy whiteness +of the fat and hairy hands--in short, from the appearance of the whole +figure, he was aware in an instant that the Collector was dead. + +His cry brought the two sailors running. They, with the utmost coolness +imaginable, turned the Collector over, but discovered no marks of +violence upon him, till of a sudden one of them called attention to the +fact that his neck was broke. Upon this the other opined that he had +fallen among the rocks and twisted his neck. + +The two mariners then made an investigation of his pockets, the clerk +standing by the while paralyzed with horror, his face the color of +dough, his scalp creeping, and his hands and fingers twitching as +though with the palsy. For there was something indescribably dreadful +in the spectacle of those living hands searching into the dead's +pockets, and he would freely have given a week's pay if he had never +embarked upon the expedition for the recovery of his chief. + +In the Collector's pockets they found a twist of tobacco, a red +bandanna handkerchief of violent color, a purse meagrely filled with +copper coins and silver pieces, a silver watch still ticking with a +loud and insistent iteration, a piece of tarred string, and a +clasp-knife. + +The snuffbox which the Lieutenant had regarded with such prodigious +pride as the one emblem of his otherwise dubious virtue was gone. + +III + +THE STRANGE ADVENTURES OF A YOUNG GENTLEMAN OF QUALITY + +The Honorable Frederick Dunburne, second son of the Earl of Clandennie, +having won some six hundred pounds at écarté at a single sitting at +Pintzennelli's, embarked with his two friends, Captain Blessington and +Lord George Fitzhope, to conclude the night with a round of final +dissipation in the more remote parts of London. Accordingly they +embarked at York Stairs for the Three Cranes, ripe for any mischief. +Upon the water the three young gentlemen amused themselves by shouting +and singing, pausing only now and then to discharge a broadside of +raillery at the occupants of some other and passing boat. + +All went very well for a while, some of those in the passing boats +laughing and railing in return, others shouting out angry replies. At +last they fell in with a broad-beamed, flat-nosed, Dutch-appearing +yawl-boat, pulling heavily up against the stream, and loaded with a +crew of half-drunken sailors just come into port. In reply to the +challenge of our young gentlemen, a man in the stern of the other boat, +who appeared to be the captain of the crew--a fellow, as Dunburne could +indefinitely perceive by the dim light of the lanthorn and the faint +illumination of the misty half-moon, possessing a great, coarse red +face and a bullet head surmounted by a mildewed and mangy fur cap-- +bawled out, in reply, that if they would only put their boat near +enough for a minute or two he would give them a bellyful of something +that would make them quiet for the rest of the night. He added that he +would ask for nothing better than to have the opportunity of beating +Dunburne's head to a pudding, and that he would give a crown to have +the three of them within arm's-reach for a minute. + +Upon this Captain Blessington swore that he should be immediately +accommodated, and therewith delivered an order to that effect to the +watermen. These obeyed so promptly that almost before Dunburne was +aware of what had happened the two boats were side by side, with hardly +a foot of space between the gunwales. Dunburne beheld one of the +watermen of his own boat knock down one of the crew of the other with +the blade of an oar, and then he himself was clutched by the collar in +the grasp of the man with the fur cap. Him Dunburne struck twice in the +face, and in the moonlight he saw that he had started the blood to +running down from his assailant's nose. But his blows produced no other +effect than to call forth a volley of the most horrible oaths that ever +greeted his ears. Thereupon the boats drifted so far apart that our +young gentleman was haled over the gunwale and soused in the cold water +of the river. The next moment some one struck him upon the head with a +belaying-pin or a billet of wood, a blow so crushing that the darkness +seemed to split asunder with a prodigious flaming of lights and a +myriad of circling stars, which presently disappeared into the profound +and utter darkness of insensibility. How long this swoon continued our +young gentleman could never tell, but when he regained so much of his +consciousness as to be aware of the things about him, he beheld himself +to be confined in a room, the walls whereof were yellow and greasy with +dirt, he himself having been laid upon a bed so foul and so displeasing +to his taste that he could not but regret the swoon from which he had +emerged into consciousness. Looking down at his person, he beheld that +his clothes had all been taken away from him, and that he was now clad +in a shirt with only one sleeve, and a pair of breeches so tattered +that they barely covered his nakedness. While he lay thus, dismally +depressed by so sad a pickle as that into which he found himself +plunged, he was strongly and painfully aware of an uproarious babble of +loud and drunken voices and a continual clinking of glasses, which +appeared to sound as from a tap-room beneath, these commingled now and +then with oaths and scraps of discordant song bellowed out above the +hubbub. His wounded head beat with tremendous and straining +painfulness, as though it would burst asunder, and he was possessed by +a burning thirst that seemed to consume his very vitals. He called +aloud, and in reply a fat, one-eyed woman came, fetching him something +to drink in a cup. This he swallowed with avidity, and thereupon (the +liquor perhaps having been drugged) he dropped off into unconsciousness +once more. + +When at last he emerged for a second time into the light of reason, it +was to find himself aboard a brig--the _Prophet Daniel_, he discovered +her name to be--bound for Baltimore, in the Americas, and then pitching +and plunging upon a westerly running stern-sea, and before a strong +wind that drove the vessel with enormous velocity upon its course for +those remote and unknown countries for which it was bound. The land was +still in sight both astern and abeam, but before him lay the boundless +and tremendously infinite stretch of the ocean. Dunburne found himself +still to be clad in the one-armed shirt and tattered breeches that had +adorned him in the house of the crimp in which he had first awakened. +Now, however, an old tattered hat with only a part of the crown had +been added to his costume. As though to complete the sad disorder of +his appearance, he discovered, upon passing his hand over his +countenance, that his beard and hair had started a bristling growth, +and that the lump on his crown--which was even yet as big as a walnut-- +was still patched with pieces of dirty sticking-plaster. Indeed, had he +but known it, he presented as miserable an appearance as the most +miserable of those wretches who were daily ravished from the slums and +streets of the great cities to be shipped to the Americas. Nor was he a +long time in discovering that he was now one of the several such +indentured servants who, upon the conclusion of their voyage, were to +be sold for their passage in the plantations of Maryland. + +Having learned so much of his miserable fate, and being now able to +make shift to walk (though with weak and stumbling steps), our young +gentleman lost no time in seeking the Captain, to whom he endeavored to +explain the several accidents that had befallen him, acknowledging that +he was the second son of the Earl of Clandennie, and declaring that if +he, the Captain, would put the _Prophet Daniel_ back into some English +port again, his lordship would make it well worth his while to lose so +much time for the sake of one so dear as a second son. To this address +the Captain, supposing him either to be drunk or disordered in his +mind, made no other reply than to knock him incontinently down upon the +deck, bidding him return forward where he belonged. + +Thereafter poor Dunburne found himself enjoying the reputation of a +harmless madman. The name of the Earl of Rags was bestowed upon him, +and the miserable companions of his wretched plight were never tired of +tempting him to recount his adventures, for the sake of entertaining +themselves by teasing that which they supposed to be his hapless mania. + +Nor is it easy to conceive of all the torments that those miserable, +obscene wretches were able to inflict upon him. Under the teasing sting +of his companions' malevolent pleasantries, there were times when +Dunburne might, as he confessed to himself, have committed a murder +with the greatest satisfaction in the world. However, he was endowed +with no small command of self-restraint, so that he was still able to +curb his passions within the bounds of reason and of policy. He was, +fortunately, a complete master of the French and Italian languages, so +that when the fury of his irritation would become too excessive for him +to control, he would ease his spirits by castigating his tormentors +with a consuming verbosity in those foreign tongues, which, had his +companions understood a single word of that which he uttered, would +have earned for him a beating that would have landed him within an inch +of his life. However, they attributed all that he said to the +irrational gibbering of a maniac. + +About midway of their voyage the _Prophet Daniel_ encountered a +tremendous storm, which drove her so far out of the Captain's reckoning +that when land was sighted, in the afternoon of a tempestuous day in +the latter part of August, the first mate, who had been for some years +in the New England trade, opined that it was the coast of Rhode Island, +and that if the Captain chose to do so he might run into New Hope +Harbor and lie there until the southeaster had blown itself out. This +advice the Captain immediately put into execution, so that by nightfall +they had dropped anchor in the comparative quiet of that excellent +harbor. + +Dunburne was a most excellent and practised swimmer. That evening, when +the dusk had pretty well fallen, he jumped overboard, dived under the +brig, and came up on the other side. Thus leaving all hands aboard +looking for him or for his dead body at the starboard side of the +_Prophet Daniel_, he himself swam slowly away to the larboard. Now +partly under water, now floating on his back, he directed his course +towards a point of land about a mile away, whereon, as he had observed +before the dark had settled down, there stood an old wooden building +resembling a church, and a great brick house with tall, lean chimneys +at a little farther distance inland. + +The intemperate cold of the water of those parts of America was so much +more excessive than Dunburne had been used to swim in that when he +dragged himself out upon the rocky, bowlder-strewn beach he lay for a +considerable time more dead than alive. His limbs appeared to possess +hardly any vitality, so benumbed were they by the icy chill that had +entered into the very marrow of his bones. Nor did he for a long while +recover from this excessive rigor; his limbs still continued at +intervals to twitch and shudder as with a convulsion, nor could he at +such times at all control their trembling. At last, however, with a +huge sigh, he aroused himself to some perception of his surroundings, +which he acknowledged were of as dispiriting a sort as he could well +have conceived of. His recovering senses were distracted by a ceaseless +watery din, for the breaking waves, rushing with a prodigious swiftness +from the harbor to the shore before the driving wind, fell with +uproarious crashing into white foam among the rocks. Above this watery +tumult spread the wet gloom of the night, full of the blackness and +pelting chill of a fine slanting rain. + +Through this shroud of mist and gloom Dunburne at last distinguished a +faint light, blurred by the sheets of rain and darkness, and shining as +though from a considerable distance. Cheered by this nearer presence of +human life, our young gentleman presently gathered his benumbed powers +together, arose, and after a while began slowly and feebly to climb a +stony hill that lay between the rocky beach and that faint but +encouraging illumination. + +So, sorely buffeted by the tempest, he at last reached the black, +square form of that structure from which the light shone. The building +he perceived to be a little wooden church of two stories in height. The +shutters of the lower story were tight fastened, as though bolted from +within. Those above were open, and from them issued the light that had +guided him in his approach from the beach. A tall flight of wooden +steps, wet in the rain, reached to a small, enclosed porch or +vestibule, whence a door, now tight shut, gave ingress into the second +story of the church. + +Thence, as Dunburne stood without, he could now distinguish the dull +muttering of a man's voice, which he opined might be that of the +preacher. Our young gentleman, as may be supposed, was in a wretched +plight. He was ragged and unshaven; his only clothing was the miserable +shirt and bepatched breeches that had served him as shelter throughout +the long voyage. These abominable garments were now wet to the skin, +and so displeasing was his appearance that he was forced to acknowledge +to himself that he did not possess enough of humility to avow so great +a misery to the light and to the eyes of strangers. Accordingly, +finding some shelter afforded by the vestibule of the church, he +crouched there in a corner, huddling his rags about him, and finding a +certain poor warmth in thus hiding away from the buffeting of the chill +and penetrating wind. As he so crouched he presently became aware of +the sound of many voices, dull and groaning, coming from within the +edifice, and then--now and again--the clanking as of a multitude of +chains. Then of a sudden, and unexpectedly, the door near him was flung +wide open, and a faint glow of reddish light fell across the passage. +Instantly the figure of a man came forth, and following him came, not a +congregation, as Dunburne might have supposed, but a most dolorous +company of nearly, or quite, naked men and women, outlined blackly, as +they emerged, against the dull illumination from behind. These wretched +beings, sighing and groaning most piteously, with a monotonous wailing +of many voices, were chained by the wrist, two and two together, and as +they passed by close to Dunburne, his nostrils were overpowered by a +heavy and fetid odor that came partly from within the building, partly +from the wretched creatures that passed him by. + +As the last of these miserable beings came forth from the bowels of +that dreadful place, a loud voice, so near to Dunburne as to startle +his ears with its sudden exclamation, cried out, "Six-and-twenty, all +told," and thereat instantly the dull light from within was quenched +into darkness. + +In the gloom and the silence that followed, Dunburne could hear for a +while nothing but the dash of the rain upon the roof and the ceaseless +drip and trickle of the water running from the eaves into the puddles +beneath the building. + +Then, as he stood, still marvelling at what he had seen, there suddenly +came a loud and startling crash, as of a trap-door let fall into its +place. A faint circle of light shone within the darkness of the +building, as though from a lantern carried in a man's hands. There was +a sound of jingling, as of keys, of approaching footsteps, and of +voices talking together, and presently there came out into the +vestibule the dark figures of two men, one of them carrying a ship's +lantern. One of these figures closed and locked the door behind him, +and then both were about to turn away without having observed Dunburne, +when, of a sudden, a circle from the roof of the lantern lit up his +pale and melancholy face, and he instantly became aware that his +presence had been discovered. + +The next moment the lantern was flung up almost into his eyes, and in +the light he saw the sharp, round rim of a pistol-barrel directed +immediately against his forehead. + +In that moment our young gentleman's life hung as a hair in the +balance. In the intense instant of expectancy his brain appeared to +expand as a bubble, and his ears tingled and hummed as though a cloud +of flies were buzzing therein. Then suddenly a voice smote like a blow +upon the silence--"Who are you, and what d'ye want?" + +"Indeed," said Dunburne, "I do not know." + +"What do you do here?" + +"Nor do I know that, either." + +He who held the lantern lifted it so that the illumination fell still +more fully upon Dunburne's face and person. Then his interlocutor +demanded, "How did you come here?" + +Upon the moment Dunburne determined to answer so much of the truth as +the question required. "'Twas by no fault of my own," he cried. "I was +knocked on the head and kidnapped in England, with the design of being +sold in Baltimore. The vessel that fetched me put into the harbor over +yonder to wait for good weather, and I jumped overboard and swam +ashore, to stumble into the cursed pickle in which I now find myself." + +"Have you, then, an education? To be sure, you talk so." + +"Indeed I have," said Dunburne--"a decent enough education to fit me +for a gentleman, if the opportunity offered. But what of that?" he +exclaimed, desperately. "I might as well have no more learning than a +beggar under the bush, for all the good it does me." The other once +more flashed the light of his lantern over our young gentleman's +miserable and barefoot figure. "I had a mind," says he, "to blow your +brains out against the wall. I have a notion now, however, to turn you +to some use instead, so I'll just spare your life for a little while, +till I see how you behave." + +He spoke with so much more of jocularity than he had heretofore used +that Dunburne recovered in great part his dawning assurance. "I am +infinitely obliged to you," he cried, "for sparing my brains; but I +protest I doubt if you will ever find so good an opportunity again to +murder me as you have just enjoyed." + +This speech seemed to tickle the other prodigiously, for he burst into +a loud and boisterous laugh, under cover of which he thrust his pistol +back into his coat-pocket again. "Come with me, and I'll fit you with +victuals and decent clothes, of both of which you appear to stand in no +little need," he said. Thereupon, and without another word, he turned +and quitted the place, accompanied by his companion, who for all this +time had uttered not a single sound. A little way from the church these +two parted company, with only a brief word spoken between them. + +Dunburne's interlocutor, with our young gentleman following close +behind him, led the way in silence for a considerable distance through +the long, wet grass and the tempestuous darkness, until at last, still +in unbroken silence, they reached the confines of an enclosure, and +presently stood before a large and imposing house built of brick. + +Dunburne's mysterious guide, still carrying the lantern, conducted him +directly up a broad flight of steps, and opening the door, ushered him +into a hallway of no inconsiderable pretensions. Thence he led the way +to a dining-room beyond, where our young gentleman observed a long +mahogany table, and a sideboard of carved mahogany illuminated by three +or four candles. In answer to the call of his conductor, a negro +servant appeared, whom the master of the house ordered to fetch some +bread and cheese and a bottle of rum for his wretched guest. While the +servant was gone to execute the commission the master seated himself at +his ease and favored Dunburne with a long and most minute regard. Then +he suddenly asked our young gentleman what was his name. + +Upon the instant Dunburne did not offer a reply to this interrogation. +He had been so miserably abused when he had told the truth upon the +voyage that he knew not now whether to confess or deny his identity. He +possessed no great aptitude at lying, so that it was with no little +hesitation that he determined to maintain his incognito. Having reached +this conclusion, he answered his host that his name was Tom Robinson. +The other, however, appeared to notice neither his hesitation nor the +name which he had seen fit to assume. Instead, he appeared to be lost +in a reverie, which he broke only to bid our young gentleman to sit +down and tell the story of the several adventures that had befallen +him. He advised him to leave nothing untold, however shameful it might +be. "Be assured," said he, "that no matter what crimes you may have +committed, the more intolerable your wickedness, the better you will +please me for the purpose I have in view." + +Being thus encouraged, and having already embarked in disingenuosity, +our young gentleman, desiring to please his host, began at random a +tale composed in great part of what he recollected of the story of +_Colonel Jack_, seasoned occasionally with extracts from Mr. Smollett's +ingenious novel of _Ferdinand, Count Fathom_. There was hardly a petty +crime or a mean action mentioned in either of these entertaining +fictions that he was not willing to attribute to himself. Meanwhile he +discovered, to his surprise, that lying was not really so difficult an +art as he had supposed it to be. His host listened for a considerable +while in silence, but at last he was obliged to call upon his penitent +to stop. "To tell you the truth, Mr. What's-a-name," he cried, "I do +not believe a single word you are telling me. However, I am satisfied +that in you I have discovered, as I have every reason to hope, one of +the most preposterous liars I have for a long time fell in with. +Indeed, I protest that any one who can with so steady a countenance lie +so tremendously as you have just done may be capable, if not of a great +crime, at least of no inconsiderable deceit, and perhaps of treachery. +If this be so, you will suit my purposes very well, though I would +rather have had you an escaped criminal or a murderer or a thief." + +"Sir," said Dunburne, very seriously, "I am sorry that I am not more to +your mind. As you say, I can, I find, lie very easily, and if you will +give me sufficient time, I dare say I can become sufficiently expert in +other and more criminal matters to please even your fancy. I cannot, I +fear, commit a murder, nor would I choose to embark upon an attempt at +arson; but I could easily learn to cheat at cards; or I could, if it +would please you better, make shift to forge your own name to a bill +for a hundred pounds. I confess, however, I am entirely in the dark as +to why you choose to have me enjoy so evil a reputation." + +At these words the other burst into a great and vociferous laugh. "I +protest," he cried, "you are the coolest rascal ever I fell in with. +But come," he added, sobering suddenly, "what did you say was your +name?" + +"I declare, sir," said Dunburne, with the most ingenuous frankness, "I +have clean forgot. Was it Tom or John Robinson?" + +Again the other burst out laughing. "Well," he said, "what does it +matter? Thomas or John--'tis all one. I see that you are a ragged, +lousy beggar, and I believe you to be a runaway servant. Even if that +is the worst to be said of you, you will suit me very well. As for a +name, I myself will fit you with one, and it shall be of the best. I +will give you a home here in the house, and will for three months +clothe you like a lord. You shall live upon the best, and shall meet +plenty of the genteelest company the Colonies can afford. All that I +demand of you is that you shall do exactly as I tell you for the three +months that I so entertain you. Come. Is it a bargain?" + +Dunburne sat for a while thinking very seriously. "First of all," said +he, "I must know what is the name you have a mind to bestow upon me." + +The other looked distrustfully at him for a time, and then, as though +suddenly fetching up resolution, he cried out: "Well, what then? What +of it? Why should I be afraid? I'll tell you. Your name shall be +Frederick Dunburne, and you shall be the second son of the Earl of +Clandennie." + +Had a thunder-bolt fallen from heaven at Dunburne's feet he could not +have been struck more entirely dumb than he was at those astounding +words. He knew not for the moment where to look or what to think. At +that instant the negro man came into the room, fetching the bottle of +rum and the bread and cheese he had been sent for. As the sound of his +entrance struck upon our young gentleman's senses he came to himself +with the shock, and suddenly exploded into a burst of laughter so +shrill and discordant that Captain Obadiah sat staring at him as though +he believed his ragged beneficiary had gone clean out of his senses. + +IV + +A ROMANTIC EPISODE IN THE LIFE OF A YOUNG LADY + +Miss Belinda Belford, the daughter and only child of Colonel William +Belford, was a young lady possessed of no small pretensions to personal +charms of the most exalted order. Indeed, many excellent judges in such +matters regarded her, without doubt, as the reigning belle of the +Northern Colonies. Of a medium height, of a slight but generously +rounded figure, she bore herself with an indescribable grace and +dignity of carriage. Her hair, which was occasionally permitted to curl +in ringlets upon her snowy neck, was of a brown so dark and so soft as +at times to deceive the admiring observer into a belief that it was +black. Her eyes, likewise of a dark-brown color, were of a most melting +and liquid lustre; her nose, though slight, was sufficiently high, and +modelled with so exquisite a delicacy as to lend an exceeding charm to +her whole countenance. She was easily the belle of every assembly which +she graced with her presence, and her name was the toast of every +garrison town of the Northern provinces. + +Madam Belford and her lovely daughter were engaged one pleasant morning +in entertaining a number of friends, in the genteel English manner, +with a dish of tea and a bit of gossip. Upon this charming company +Colonel Belford suddenly intruded, his countenance displaying an +excessive though not displeasing agitation. + +"My dear! my dear!" he cried, "what a piece of news have I for you! It +is incredible and past all belief! Who, ladies, do you suppose is here +in New Hope? Nay, you cannot guess; I shall have to enlighten you. 'Tis +none other than Frederick Dunburne, my lordship's second son. Yes, you +may well look amazed. I saw and spoke with him this very morning, and +that not above a half-hour ago. He is travelling incognito, but my +brother Obadiah discovered his identity, and is now entertaining him at +his new house upon the Point. A large party of young officers from the +garrison are there, all very gay with cards and dice, I am told. My +noble young gentleman knew me so soon as he clapped eyes upon me. +'This,' says he, 'if I am not mistook, must be Colonel Belford, my +father's honored friend.' He is," exclaimed the speaker, "a most +interesting and ingenuous youth, with extremely lively and elegant +manners, and a person exactly resembling that of his dear and honored +father." + +It may be supposed into what a flutter this piece of news cast those +who heard it. "My dear," cried Madam Belford, as soon as the first +extravagance of the general surprise had passed by to an easier +acceptance of Colonel Belford's tidings--"my dear, why did you not +bring him with you to present him to us all? What an opportunity have +you lost!" + +"Indeed, my dear," said Colonel Belford, "I did not forget to invite +him hither. He protested that nothing could afford him greater +pleasure, did he not have an engagement with some young gentlemen from +the garrison. But, believe me, I would not let him go without a +promise. He is to dine with us to-morrow at two; and, Belinda, my +dear"--here Colonel Belford pinched his daughter's blushing cheek--"you +must assume your best appearance for so serious an occasion. I am +informed that my noble gentleman is extremely particular in his tastes +in the matter of female excellence." + +"Indeed, papa," cried the young lady, with great vivacity, "I shall +attempt no extraordinary graces upon my young gentleman's account, and +that I promise you. I protest," she exclaimed, with spirit, "I have no +great opinion of him who would come thus to New Hope without a single +word to you, who are his father's confidential correspondent. Nor do I +admire the taste of one who would choose to cast himself upon the +hospitality of my uncle Obadiah rather than upon yours." + +"My dear," said Colonel Belford, very soberly, "you express your +opinion with a most unwarranted levity, considering the exalted +position your subject occupies. I may, however, explain to you that he +came to America quite unexpectedly and by an accident. Nor would he +have declared his incognito, had not my brother Obadiah discovered it +almost immediately upon his arrival. He would not, he declared, have +visited New Hope at all, had not Captain Obadiah Belford urged his +hospitality in such a manner as to preclude all denial." + +But to this reproof Miss Belinda who, was, indeed, greatly indulged by +her parents, made no other reply than to toss her head with a pretty +sauciness, and to pout her cherry lips in an infinitely becoming +manner. + +But though our young lady protested so emphatically against assuming +any unusual charms for the entertainment of their expected visitor, she +none the less devoted no small consideration to that very thing that +she had so exclaimed against. Accordingly, when she was presented to +her father's noble guest, what with her heightened color and her eyes +sparkling with the emotions evoked by the occasion, she so impressed +our young gentleman that he could do little but stand regarding her +with an astonishment that for the moment caused him to forget those +graces of deportment that the demands of elegance called upon him to +assume. + +However, he recovered himself immediately, and proceeded to take such +advantage of his introduction that by the time they were seated at the +dinner-table he found himself conversing with his fair partner with all +the ease and vivacity imaginable. Nor in this exchange of polite +raillery did he discover her wit to be in any degree less than her +personal charms. + +"Indeed, madam," he exclaimed, "I am now more than ready to thank that +happy accident that has transported me, however much against my will, +from England to America. The scenery, how beautiful! Nature, how +fertile! Woman, how exquisite! Your country," he exclaimed, with +enthusiasm, "is like heaven!" + +"Indeed, sir," cried the young lady, vivaciously, "I do not take your +praise for a compliment. I protest I am acquainted with no young +gentleman who would not defer his enjoyment of heaven to the very last +extremity." + +"To be sure," quoth our hero, "an ambition for the abode of saints is +of too extreme a nature to recommend itself to a modest young fellow of +parts. But when one finds himself thrown into the society of an houri--" + +"And do you indeed have houris in England?" exclaimed the young lady. +"In America you must be content with society of a much more earthly +constitution!" + +"Upon my word, miss," cried our young gentleman, "you compel me to +confess that I find myself in the society of one vastly more to my +inclination than that of any houri of my acquaintance." + +With such lively badinage, occasionally lapsing into more serious +discourse, the dinner passed off with a great deal of pleasantness to +our young gentleman, who had prepared himself for something +prodigiously dull and heavy. After the repast, a pipe of tobacco in the +summer-house and a walk in the garden so far completed his cheerful +impressions that when he rode away towards Pig and Sow Point he found +himself accompanied by the most lively, agreeable thoughts imaginable. +Her wit, how subtle! Her person, how beautiful! He surprised himself +smiling with a fatuous indulgence of his enjoyable fancies. + +Nor did the young lady's thoughts, though doubtless of a more moderate +sort, assume a less pleasing perspective. Our young gentleman was +favored with a tall, erect figure, a high nose, and a fine, thin face +expressive of excellent breeding. It seemed to her that his manners +possessed an elegance and a grace that she had never before discovered +beyond the leaves of Mr. Richardson's ingenious novels. Nor was she +unaware of the admiration of herself that his countenance had +expressed. Upon so slender a foundation she amused herself for above an +hour, erecting such castles in the air that, had any one discovered her +thought, she would have perished of mortification. + +But though our young lady so yielded herself to the enjoyment of such +silly dreams as might occur to any miss of a lively imagination and +vivacious temperament, the reader is to understand that she has yet so +much dignity and spirit as to cover these foolish and romantic fancies +with a cloak of so delicate and so subtle a reserve that when the young +gentleman called to pay his respects the next afternoon he quitted her +presence ten times more infatuated with her charms than he had been the +day before. + +Nor can it be denied that our young lady knew perfectly well how to +make the greatest use of such opportunities. She already possessed a +great deal of experience in teasing the other sex with those delicious +though innocent torments that cause the eyes of the victim to remain +awake at night and the fancy to dream throughout the day. + +Such presently became the condition of our young gentleman that at the +end of the month he knew not whether his present life had continued for +weeks or for years; in the charming infatuation that overpowered him he +considered nothing of time, every other consideration being engulfed in +his desire for the society of his charmer. Cards and dice lost for him +their accustomed pleasure, and when a gay society would be at Belford's +Palace it was with the utmost difficulty that he assumed so much +patience as to take his part in those dissipations that there obtained. +Relieved from them, he flew with redoubled ardor back to the +gratification of his passion again. + +In the mean time Captain Obadiah had become so accustomed to the +presence of his guest that he made no pretence of any concealment of +that iniquitous, dreadful avocation that lent to Pig and Sow Point so +great a terror in those parts. Rather did the West Indian appear to +court the open observation of his dependant. + +One exquisite day in the last of October our young gentleman had spent +the greater part of the afternoon in the society of the beautiful +object of his regard. The leaves, though fallen from the trees in great +abundance, appeared thereby only to have admitted of the passage of a +riper radiance of golden sunlight through the thinning branches. This +and the ardor of his passion had so transported our hero that when he +had departed from her presence he seemed to walk as light as a feather, +and knew not whether it was the warmth of the sunlight or the heat of +his own impetuous transports that filled the universe with so extreme a +brightness. + +Overpowered with these absorbing and transcendent introspections, he +approached his now odious home upon Pig and Sow Point by way of the old +meeting-house. There of a sudden he came upon his patron, Captain +Obadiah, superintending the burial of the last of three victims of his +odious commerce, who had died that afternoon. Two had already been +interred, and the third new-made grave was in the process of being +filled. Two men, one a negro and the other a white, had nearly +completed their labor, tramping down the crumbling earth as they +shovelled it into the shallow excavation. Meanwhile Captain Obadiah +stood near by, his red coat flaming in the slanting light, himself +smoking a pipe of tobacco with all the ease and coolness imaginable. +His hands, clasped behind his back, held his ivory-headed cane, and as +our hero approached he turned an evil countenance upon him, and greeted +him with a grin at once droll, mischievous, and malevolent in the +extreme. "And how is our pretty charmer this afternoon?" quoth Captain +Obadiah. + +Conceive, if you please, of a man floating in the most ecstatic delight +of heaven pulled suddenly thence down into the most filthy extremity of +hell, and then you shall understand the motions of disgust and +repugnance and loathing that overpowered our hero, who, awakening thus +suddenly out of his dream of love, found himself in the presence of +that grim and obscene spectacle of death--who, arousing from such +absorbing and exquisite meditations, heard his ears greeted with so +rude and vulgar an address. + +Acknowledging to himself that he did not dare offer an immediate reply +to his host, he turned upon his heel and walked away, without +expressing a single word. + +He was not, however, permitted to escape thus easily. He had not taken +above twenty steps, when, hearing footsteps behind him, he turned his +head to discover Captain Obadiah skipping rapidly after him in a +prodigious hurry, swinging his cane and chuckling preposterously to +himself, as though in the enjoyment of some most exquisite piece of +drollery. "What!" he cried, as soon as he could catch his breath from +his hurry. "What! What! Can't you answer, you villain? Why, blind my +eyes! a body would think you were a lord's son indeed, instead of +being, as I know you, a beggarly runaway servant whom I took in like a +mangy cat out of the rain. But come, come--no offence, my boy! I'll be +no hard master to you. I've heard how the wind blows, and I've kept my +ears open to all your doings. I know who is your sweetheart. Harkee, +you rascal! You have a fancy for my niece, have you? Well, your apple +is ripe if you choose to pick it. Marry your charmer and be damned; and +if you'll serve me by taking her thus in hand, I'll pay you twenty +pounds upon your wedding-day. Now what do you say to that, you lousy +beggar in borrowed clothes?" + +Our young gentleman stopped short and looked his tormentor full in the +face. The thought of his father's anger alone had saved him from +entangling himself in the web of his passions; this he forgot upon the +instant. "Captain Obadiah Belford," quoth he, "you're the most +consummate villain ever I beheld in all of my life; but if I have the +good-fortune to please the young lady, I wish I may die if I don't +serve you in this!" + +At these words Captain Obadiah, who appeared to take no offence at his +guest's opinion of his honesty, burst out into a great boisterous +laugh, flinging back his head and dropping his lower jaw so +preposterously that the setting sun shone straight down his wide and +cavernous gullet. + +V + +HOW THE DEVIL WAS CAST OUT OF THE MEETING-HOUSE + +The news that the Honorable Frederick Dunburne, second son of the Earl +of Clandennie, was to marry Miss Belinda Belford, the daughter and only +child of Colonel William Belford, of New Hope, was of a sort to arouse +the keenest and most lively interest in all those parts of the Northern +Colonies of America. + +The day had been fixed, and all the circumstances arranged with such +particularity that an invitation was regarded as the highest honor that +could befall the fortunate recipient. There were to be present on this +interesting occasion two Colonial governors and their ladies, an +English general, the captain of the flag-ship _Achilles_, and above a +score of Colonial magnates and ladies of distinction. + +Captain Obadiah had not been bidden to either the ceremony or the +breakfast. This rebuff he had accepted with prodigious amusement, +which, not limiting itself to the immediate occasion, broke forth at +intervals for above two weeks. Now it might express itself in chuckles +of the most delicious entertainment, vented as our Captain walked up +and down the hall of his great house, smoking his pipe and cracking the +knuckles of his fingers; at other times he would burst forth into +incontrollable fits of laughter at the extravagant deceit which he +believed himself to be imposing upon his brother, Colonel Belford. + +At length came the wedding-day, with such circumstances of pomp and +display as the exceeding wealth and Colonial dignity of Colonel Belford +could surround it. For the wedding-breakfast the great folding-doors +between the drawing-room and the dining-room of Colonel Belford's house +were flung wide open, and a table extending the whole length of the two +apartments was set with the most sumptuous and exquisite display of +plate and china. Around the board were collected the distinguished +company, and the occasion was remarkable not less for the richness of +its display than for the exquisite nature of the repast intended to +celebrate so auspicious an occasion. + +At the head of the board sat the young couple, radiant with an +engrossing happiness that took no thought of what the future might have +in store for it, but was contented with the triumphant ecstasy of the +moment. + +These elegant festivities were at their height, when there suddenly +arose a considerable disputation in the hallway beyond, and before any +one could inquire as to what was occurring, Captain Obadiah Belford +came stumping into the room, swinging his ivory-headed cane, and with +an expression of the most malicious triumph impressed upon his +countenance. Directing his address to the bridegroom, and paying no +attention to any other one of the company, he cried out: "Though not +bidden to this entertainment, I have come to pay you a debt I owe. Here +is twenty pounds I promised to pay you for marrying my niece." + +Therewith he drew a silk purse full of gold pieces from his pocket, +which he hung over the ferrule of his cane and reached across the table +to the bridegroom. That gentleman, upon his part (having expected some +such episode as this), arose, and with a most polite and elaborate bow +accepted the same and thrust it into his pocket. + +"And now, my young gentleman," cried Captain Obadiah, folding his arms +and tucking his cane under his armpit, looking the while from under his +brows upon the company with a most malevolent and extravagant grin-- +"and now, my young gentleman, perhaps you will favor the ladies and +gentlemen here present with an account of what services they are I thus +pay for." + +"To be sure I will," cried out our hero, "and that with the utmost +willingness in the world." + +During all this while the elegant company had sat as with suspended +animation, overwhelmed with wonder at the singular address of the +intruder. Even the servants stood still with the dishes in their hands +the better to hear the outcome of the affair. The bride, overwhelmed by +a sudden and inexplicable anxiety, felt the color quit her face, and +reaching out, seized her lover's hand, who took hers very readily, +holding it tight within his grasp. As for Colonel and Madam Belford, +not knowing what this remarkable address portended, they sat as though +turned to stone, the one gone as white as ashes, and the other as red +in the face as a cherry. Our young gentleman, however, maintained the +utmost coolness and composure of demeanor. Pointing his finger towards +the intruder, he exclaimed: "In Captain Obadiah Belford, ladies and +gentlemen, you behold the most unmitigated villain that ever I met in +all of my life. With an incredible spite and vindictiveness he not only +pursued my honored father-in-law, Colonel Belford, but has sought to +wreak an unwarranted revenge upon the innocent and virtuous young lady +whom I have now the honor to call my wife. But how has he overreached +himself in his machinations! How has he entangled his feet in the net +which he himself has spread! I will tell you my history, as he bids me +to do, and you may then judge for yourselves!" + +At this unexpected address Captain Obadiah's face fell from its +expression of malicious triumph, growing longer and longer, until at +last it was overclouded with so much doubt and anxiety that, had he +been threatened by the loss of a thousand pounds, he could not have +assumed a greater appearance of mortification and dejection. Meantime, +regarding him with a mischievous smile, our young gentleman began the +history of all those adventures that had befallen him from the time he +embarked upon the memorable expedition with his two companions in +dissipation from York Stairs. As his account proceeded Captain +Obadiah's face altered by degrees from its natural brown to a sickly +yellow, and then to so leaden a hue that it could not have assumed a +more ghastly appearance were he about to swoon dead away. Great beads +of sweat gathered upon his forehead and trickled down his cheeks. At +last he could endure no more, but with a great and strident voice, such +as might burst forth from a devil tormented, he cried out: "'Tis a lie! +'Tis all a monstrous lie! He is a beggarly runaway servant whom I took +in out of the rain and fed and housed--to have him turn thus against me +and strike the hand that has benefited him!" + +"Sir," replied our young gentleman, with a moderate and easy voice, +"what I tell you is no lie, but the truth. If any here misdoubts my +veracity, see, here is a letter received by the last packet from my +honored father. You, Colonel Belford, know his handwriting perfectly +well. Look at this and tell me if I am deceiving you." + +At these words Colonel Belford took the letter with a hand that +trembled as though with palsy. He cast his eyes over it, but it is to +be doubted whether he read a single word therein contained. +Nevertheless, he saw enough to satisfy his doubts, and he could have +wept, so great was the relief from the miserable and overwhelming +anxiety that had taken possession of him since the beginning of his +brother's discourse. + +Meantime our young gentleman, turning to Captain Obadiah, cried out, +"Sir, I am indeed an instrument of Providence sent hither to call your +wickedness to account," and this he spoke with so virtuous an air as to +command the admiration of all who heard him. "I have," he continued, +"lived with you now for nearly three odious months, and I know every +particular of your habits and such circumstances of your life as you +are aware of. I now proclaim how you have wickedly and sacrilegiously +turned the Old Free Grace Meeting-House into a slave-pen, whence for +above a year you have conducted a nefarious and most inhuman commerce +with the West Indies." + +At these words Captain Obadiah, being thrown so suddenly upon his +defence, forced himself to give forth a huge and boisterous laugh. +"What then?" he cried. "What wickedness is there in that? What if I +have provided a few sugar plantations with negro slaves? Are there not +those here present who would do no better if the opportunity offered? +The place is mine, and I break no law by a bit of quiet slave-trading." + +"I marvel," cried our young gentleman, still in the same virtuous +strain--"I marvel that you can pass over so wicked a thing thus easily. +I myself have counted above fifty graves of your victims on Pig and Sow +Point. Repent, sir, while there is yet time." + +But to this adjuration Captain Obadiah returned no other reply than to +burst into a most wicked, impudent laugh. + +"Is it so?" cried our young gentleman. "Do you dare me to further +exposures? Then I have here another evidence to confront you that may +move you to a more serious consideration." With these words he drew +forth from his pocket a packet wrapped in soft white paper. This he +unfolded, holding up to the gaze of all a bright and shining object. +"This," he exclaimed, "I found in Captain Obadiah's writing-desk while +I was hunting for some wax with which to seal a letter." It was the +gold snuffbox of the late Collector Goodhouse. "What," he cried, "have +you, sir, to offer in explanation of the manner in which this came into +your possession? See, here engraved upon the lid is the owner's name +and the circumstance of his having saved my own poor life. It was that +first called my attention to it, for I well recollect how my father +compelled me to present it to my savior. How came it into your +possession, and why have you hidden it away so carefully for all this +while? Sir, in the death of Lieutenant Goodhouse I suspect you of a +more sinister fault than that of converting yonder poor sanctuary into +a slave-pen. So soon as Captain Morris of your slave-ship returns from +Jamaica I shall have him arrested, and shall compel him to explain what +he knows of the circumstances of the Lieutenant's unfortunate murder." + +At the sight of so unexpected an object in the young gentleman's hand +Captain Obadiah's jaw fell, and his cavernous mouth gaped as though he +had suddenly been stricken with a palsy. He lifted a trembling hand and +slowly and mechanically passed it along that cheek which was so +discolored with gunpowder stain. Then, suddenly gathering himself +together and regaining those powers that appeared for a moment to have +fled from him, he cried out, aloud: "I swear to God 'twas all an +accident! I pushed him down the steps, and he fell and broke his neck!" + +Our young gentleman regarded him with a cold and collected smile. +"That, sir," said he, "you shall have the opportunity to explain to the +proper authorities--unless," he added, "you choose to take yourself +away from these parts, and to escape the just resentment of those laws +to which you may be responsible for your misdemeanors." + +"I shall," roared Captain Obadiah, "stand my trial in spite of you all! +I shall live to see you in torments yet! I shall--" He gaped and +stuttered, but could find no further words with which to convey his +infinite rage and disappointed spite. Then turning, and with a furious +gesture, he rushed forth and out of the house, thrusting those aside +who stood in his way, and leaving behind him a string of curses fit to +set the whole world into a blaze. + +He had destroyed all the gaiety of the wedding-breakfast, but the +relief from the prodigious doubts and anxieties that had at first +overwhelmed those whom he had intended to ruin was of so great a nature +that they thought nothing of so inconsiderable a circumstance. + +As for our young gentleman, he had come forth from the adventure with +such dignity of deportment and with so exalted an air of generous +rectitude that those present could not sufficiently admire at the +continent discretion of one so young. The young lady whom he had +married, if she had before regarded him as a Paris and an Achilles +incorporated into one person, now added the wisdom of a Nestor to the +category of his accomplishments. + +Captain Obadiah, in spite of the defiance he had fulminated against his +enemies, and in spite of the determination he had expressed to remain +and to stand his trial, was within a few days known to have suddenly +and mysteriously departed from New Hope. Whether or not he misdoubted +his own rectitude too greatly to put it to the test of a trial, or +whether the mortification incident upon the failure of his plot was too +great for him to support, it was clearly his purpose never to return +again. For within a month the more valuable of his belongings were +removed from his great house upon Pig and Sow Point and were loaded +upon a bark that came into the harbor for that purpose. Thence they +were transported no one knew whither, for Captain Obadiah was never +afterwards observed in those parts. + +Nor was the old meeting-house ever again disturbed by such +manifestations as had terrified the community for so long a time. +Nevertheless, though the Devil was thus exorcised from his +abiding-place, the old church never lost its evil reputation, until it was +finally destroyed by fire about ten years after the incidents herein +narrated. + +In conclusion it is only necessary to say that when the Honorable +Frederick Dunburne presented his wife to his noble family at home, he +was easily forgiven his _mésalliance_ in view of her extreme beauty and +vivacity. Within a year or two Lord Carrickford, his elder brother, +died of excessive dissipation in Florence, where he was then attached +to the English Embassy, so that our young gentleman thus became the +heir-apparent to his father's title, and so both branches of the family +were united into one. + + +THE END + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Stolen Treasure, by Howard Pyle + +*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 10394 *** diff --git a/10394-8.txt b/10394-8.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..defdd39 --- /dev/null +++ b/10394-8.txt @@ -0,0 +1,5383 @@ +The Project Gutenberg EBook of Stolen Treasure, by Howard Pyle + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: Stolen Treasure + +Author: Howard Pyle + +Release Date: December 7, 2003 [EBook #10394] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK STOLEN TREASURE *** + + + + +Produced by David Widger, Juliet Sutherland, Linda Cantoni and PG +Distributed Proofreaders + + + + + +STOLEN TREASURE + +BY + +HOWARD PYLE + +Author of "Men of Iron" "Twilight Land" "The Wonder Clock" "Pepper and +Salt" + + +ILLUSTRATED BY THE AUTHOR + +MCMVII + + + + +CONTENTS + + +I. WITH THE BUCCANEERS + +II. TOM CHIST AND THE TREASURE-BOX + +III. THE GHOST OF CAPTAIN BRAND + +IV. THE DEVIL AT NEW HOPE + + + + +ILLUSTRATIONS + + +"'I'VE KEPT MY EARS OPEN TO ALL YOUR DOINGS'" + +"THIS FIGURE OF WAR OUR HERO ASKED TO STEP ASIDE WITH HIM" + +"OUR HERO, LEAPING TO THE WHEEL, SEIZED THE FLYING SPOKES" + +"SHE AND MASTER HARRY WOULD SPEND HOURS TOGETHER" + +"'... AND TWENTY-ONE AND TWENTY-TWO'" + +"''TIS ENOUGH,' CRIED OUT PARSON JONES, 'TO MAKE US BOTH RICH MEN'" + +"CAPTAIN MALYOE SHOT CAPTAIN BRAND THROUGH THE HEAD" + +"HE WOULD SHOUT OPPROBRIOUS WORDS AFTER THE OTHER IN THE STREETS" + + + + +STOLEN TREASURE + + + + +I. WITH THE BUCCANEERS + +_Being an Account of Certain Adventures that Befell Henry Mostyn under +Captain H. Morgan in the Year 1665-66._ + +I + +Although this narration has more particularly to do with the taking of +the Spanish Vice-Admiral in the harbor of Puerto Bello, and of the +rescue therefrom of Le Sieur Simon, his wife and daughter (the +adventure of which was successfully achieved by Captain Morgan, the +famous buccaneer), we shall, nevertheless, premise something of the +earlier history of Master Harry Mostyn, whom you may, if you please, +consider as the hero of the several circumstances recounted in these +pages. + +In the year 1664 our hero's father embarked from Portsmouth, in +England, for the Barbadoes, where he owned a considerable sugar +plantation. Thither to those parts of America he transported with +himself his whole family, of whom our Master Harry was the fifth of +eight children--a great lusty fellow as little fitted for the Church +(for which he was designed) as could be. At the time of this story, +though not above sixteen years old, Master Harry Mostyn was as big and +well-grown as many a man of twenty, and of such a reckless and +dare-devil spirit that no adventure was too dangerous or too mischievous +for him to embark upon. + +At this time there was a deal of talk in those parts of the Americas +concerning Captain Morgan, and the prodigious successes he was having +pirating against the Spaniards. + +This man had once been an indentured servant with Mr. Rolls, a sugar +factor at the Barbadoes. Having served out his time, and being of +lawless disposition, possessing also a prodigious appetite for +adventure, he joined with others of his kidney, and, purchasing a +caraval of three guns, embarked fairly upon that career of piracy the +most successful that ever was heard of in the world. + +Master Harry had known this man very well while he was still with Mr. +Rolls, serving as a clerk at that gentleman's sugar wharf, a tall, +broad-shouldered, strapping fellow, with red cheeks, and thick red +lips, and rolling blue eyes, and hair as red as any chestnut. Many knew +him for a bold, gruff-spoken man, but no one at that time suspected +that he had it in him to become so famous and renowned as he afterwards +grew to be. + +The fame of his exploits had been the talk of those parts for above a +twelvemonth, when, in the latter part of the year 1665, Captain Morgan, +having made a very successful expedition against the Spaniards into the +Gulf of Campeachy--where he took several important purchases from the +plate fleet--came to the Barbadoes, there to fit out another such +venture, and to enlist recruits. + +He and certain other adventurers had purchased a vessel of some five +hundred tons, which they proposed to convert into a pirate by cutting +port-holes for cannon, and running three or four carronades across her +main-deck. The name of this ship, be it mentioned, was the _Good +Samaritan_, as ill-fitting a name as could be for such a craft, which, +instead of being designed for the healing of wounds, was intended to +inflict such devastation as those wicked men proposed. + +Here was a piece of mischief exactly fitted to our hero's tastes; +wherefore, having made up a bundle of clothes, and with not above a +shilling in his pocket, he made an excursion into the town to seek for +Captain Morgan. There he found the great pirate established at an +ordinary, with a little court of ragamuffins and swashbucklers gathered +about him, all talking very loud, and drinking healths in raw rum as +though it were sugared water. + +And what a fine figure our buccaneer had grown, to be sure! How +different from the poor, humble clerk upon the sugarwharf! What a deal +of gold braid! What a fine, silver-hilted Spanish sword! What a gay +velvet sling, hung with three silver-mounted pistols! If Master Harry's +mind had not been made up before, to be sure such a spectacle of glory +would have determined it. + +This figure of war our hero asked to step aside with him, and when they +had come into a corner, proposed to the other what he intended, and +that he had a mind to enlist as a gentleman adventurer upon this +expedition. Upon this our rogue of a buccaneer Captain burst out +a-laughing, and fetching Master Harry a great thump upon the back, swore +roundly that he would make a man of him, and that it was a pity to make +a parson out of so good a piece of stuff. + +[Illustration: "THIS FIGURE OF WAR OUR HERO ASKED TO STEP ASIDE WITH +HIM"] + +Nor was Captain Morgan less good than his word, for when the _Good +Samaritan_ set sail with a favoring wind for the island of Jamaica, +Master Harry found himself established as one of the adventurers +aboard. + +II + +Could you but have seen the town of Port Royal as it appeared in the +year 1665 you would have beheld a sight very well worth while looking +upon. There were no fine houses at that time, and no great +counting-houses built of brick, such as you may find nowadays, but a crowd +of board and wattled huts huddled along the streets, and all so gay with +flags and bits of color that Vanity Fair itself could not have been +gayer. To this place came all the pirates and buccaneers that infested +those parts, and men shouted and swore and gambled, and poured out +money like water, and then maybe wound up their merrymaking by dying of +fever. For the sky in these torrid latitudes is all full of clouds +overhead, and as hot as any blanket, and when the sun shone forth it +streamed down upon the smoking sands so that the houses were ovens and +the streets were furnaces; so it was little wonder that men died like +rats in a hole. But little they appeared to care for that; so that +everywhere you might behold a multitude of painted women and Jews and +merchants and pirates, gaudy with red scarfs and gold braid and all +sorts of odds and ends of foolish finery, all fighting and gambling and +bartering for that ill-gotten treasure of the be-robbed Spaniard. + +Here, arriving, Captain Morgan found a hearty welcome, and a message +from the Governor awaiting him, the message bidding him attend his +Excellency upon the earliest occasion that offered. Whereupon, taking +our hero (of whom he had grown prodigiously fond) along with him, our +pirate went, without any loss of time, to visit Sir Thomas Modiford, +who was then the royal Governor of all this devil's brew of wickedness. + +They found his Excellency seated in a great easy-chair, under the +shadow of a slatted veranda, the floor whereof was paved with brick. He +was clad, for the sake of coolness, only in his shirt, breeches, and +stockings, and he wore slippers on his feet. He was smoking a great +cigarro of tobacco, and a goblet of lime-juice and water and rum stood +at his elbow on a table. Here, out of the glare of the heat, it was all +very cool and pleasant, with a sea-breeze blowing violently in through +the slats, setting them a-rattling now and then, and stirring Sir +Thomas's long hair, which he had pushed back for the sake of coolness. + +The purport of this interview, I may tell you, concerned the rescue of +one Le Sieur Simon, who, together with his wife and daughter, was held +captive by the Spaniards. + +This gentleman adventurer (Le Sieur Simon) had, a few years before, +been set up by the buccaneers as Governor of the island of Santa +Catherina. This place, though well fortified by the Spaniards, the +buccaneers had seized upon, establishing themselves thereon, and so +infesting the commerce of those seas that no Spanish fleet was safe +from them. At last the Spaniards, no longer able to endure these +assaults against their commerce, sent a great force against the +freebooters to drive them out of their island stronghold. This they +did, retaking Santa Catherina, together with its Governor, his wife, +and daughter, as well as the whole garrison of buccaneers. + +This garrison were sent by their conquerors, some to the galleys, some +to the mines, some to no man knows where. The Governor himself--Le +Sieur Simon--was to be sent to Spain, there to stand his trial for +piracy. + +The news of all this, I may tell you, had only just been received in +Jamaica, having been brought thither by a Spanish captain, one Don +Roderiguez Sylvia, who was, besides, the bearer of despatches to the +Spanish authorities relating the whole affair. + +Such, in fine, was the purport of this interview, and as our hero and +his Captain walked back together from the Governor's house to the +ordinary where they had taken up their inn, the buccaneer assured his +companion that he purposed to obtain those despatches from the Spanish +captain that very afternoon, even if he had to use force to seize them. + +All this, you are to understand, was undertaken only because of the +friendship that the Governor and Captain Morgan entertained for Le +Sieur Simon. And, indeed, it was wonderful how honest and how faithful +were these wicked men in their dealings with one another. For you must +know that Governor Modiford and Le Sieur Simon and the buccaneers were +all of one kidney--all taking a share in the piracies of those times, +and all holding by one another as though they were the honestest men in +the world. Hence it was they were all so determined to rescue Le Sieur +Simon from the Spaniards. + +III + +Having reached his ordinary after his interview with the Governor, +Captain Morgan found there a number of his companions, such as usually +gathered at that place to be in attendance upon him--some, those +belonging to the _Good Samaritan_; others, those who hoped to obtain +benefits from him; others, those ragamuffins who gathered around him +because he was famous, and because it pleased them to be of his court +and to be called his followers. For nearly always your successful +pirate had such a little court surrounding him. + +Finding a dozen or more of these rascals gathered there, Captain Morgan +informed them of his present purpose--that he was going to find the +Spanish captain to demand his papers of him, and calling upon them to +accompany him. + +With this following at his heels, our buccaneer started off down the +street, his lieutenant, a Cornishman named Bartholomew Davis, upon one +hand and our hero upon the other. So they paraded the streets for the +best part of an hour before they found the Spanish captain. For whether +he had got wind that Captain Morgan was searching for him, or whether, +finding himself in a place so full of his enemies, he had buried +himself in some place of hiding, it is certain that the buccaneers had +traversed pretty nearly the whole town before they discovered that he +was lying at a certain auberge kept by a Portuguese Jew. Thither they +went, and thither Captain Morgan entered with the utmost coolness and +composure of demeanor, his followers crowding noisily in at his heels. + +The space within was very dark, being lighted only by the doorway and +by two large slatted windows or openings in the front. + +In this dark, hot place--not over-roomy at the best--were gathered +twelve or fifteen villanous-appearing men, sitting at tables and +drinking together, waited upon by the Jew and his wife. Our hero had no +trouble in discovering which of this lot of men was Captain Sylvia, for +not only did Captain Morgan direct his glance full of war upon him, but +the Spaniard was clad with more particularity and with more show of +finery than any of the others who were there. + +Him Captain Morgan approached and demanded his papers, whereunto the +other replied with such a jabber of Spanish and English that no man +could have understood what he said. To this Captain Morgan in turn +replied that he must have those papers, no matter what it might cost +him to obtain them, and thereupon drew a pistol from his sling and +presented it at the other's head. + +At this threatening action the innkeeper's wife fell a-screaming, and +the Jew, as in a frenzy, besought them not to tear the house down about +his ears. + +Our hero could hardly tell what followed, only that all of a sudden +there was a prodigious uproar of combat. Knives flashed everywhere, and +then a pistol was fired so close to his head that he stood like one +stunned, hearing some one crying out in a loud voice, but not knowing +whether it was a friend or a foe who had been shot. Then another +pistol-shot so deafened what was left of Master Harry's hearing that +his ears rang for above an hour afterwards. By this time the whole +place was full of gunpowder smoke, and there was the sound of blows and +oaths and outcrying and the clashing of knives. + +As Master Harry, who had no great stomach for such a combat, and no +very particular interest in the quarrel, was making for the door, a +little Portuguese, as withered and as nimble as an ape, came ducking +under the table and plunged at his stomach with a great long knife, +which, had it effected its object, would surely have ended his +adventures then and there. + +Finding himself in such danger, Master Harry snatched up a heavy chair, +and, flinging it at his enemy, who was preparing for another attack, he +fairly ran for it out of the door, expecting every instant to feel the +thrust of the blade betwixt his ribs. + +A considerable crowd had gathered outside, and others, hearing the +uproar, were coming running to join them. With these our hero stood, +trembling like a leaf, and with cold chills running up and down his +back like water at the narrow escape from the danger that had +threatened him. + +Nor shall you think him a coward, for you must remember he was hardly +sixteen years old at the time, and that this was the first affair of +the sort he had encountered. Afterwards, as you shall learn, he showed +that he could exhibit courage enough at a pinch. + +While he stood there endeavoring to recover his composure, the while +the tumult continued within, suddenly two men came running almost +together out of the door, a crowd of the combatants at their heels. The +first of these men was Captain Sylvia; the other, who was pursuing him, +was Captain Morgan. + +As the crowd about the door parted before the sudden appearing of +these, the Spanish captain, perceiving, as he supposed, a way of escape +opened to him, darted across the street with incredible swiftness +towards an alleyway upon the other side. Upon this, seeing his prey +like to get away from him, Captain Morgan snatched a pistol out of his +sling, and resting it for an instant across his arm, fired at the +flying Spaniard, and that with so true an aim that, though the street +was now full of people, the other went tumbling over and over all of a +heap in the kennel, where he lay, after a twitch or two, as still as a +log. + +At the sound of the shot and the fall of the man the crowd scattered +upon all sides, yelling and screaming, and the street being thus pretty +clear, Captain Morgan ran across the way to where his victim lay, his +smoking pistol still in his hand, and our hero following close at his +heels. + +Our poor Harry had never before beheld a man killed thus in an instant +who a moment before had been so full of life and activity, for when +Captain Morgan turned the body over upon its back he could perceive at +a glance, little as he knew of such matters, that the man was stone +dead. And, indeed, it was a dreadful sight for him who was hardly more +than a child. He stood rooted for he knew not how long, staring down at +the dead face with twitching fingers and shuddering limbs. Meantime a +great crowd was gathering about them again. + +As for Captain Morgan, he went about his work with the utmost coolness +and deliberation imaginable, unbuttoning the waistcoat and the shirt of +the man he had murdered with fingers that neither twitched nor shook. +There were a gold cross and a bunch of silver medals hung by a +whip-cord about the neck of the dead man. This Captain Morgan broke away +with a snap, reaching the jingling baubles to Harry, who took them in +his nerveless hand and fingers that he could hardly close upon what +they held. + +The papers Captain Morgan found in a wallet in an inner breast-pocket +of the Spaniard's waistcoat. These he examined one by one, and finding +them to his satisfaction, tied them up again, and slipped the wallet +and its contents into his own pocket. + +Then for the first time he appeared to observe Master Harry, who, +indeed, must have been standing the perfect picture of horror and +dismay. Whereupon, bursting out a-laughing, and slipping the pistol he +had used back into its sling again, he fetched poor Harry a great slap +upon the back, bidding him be a man, for that he would see many such +sights as this. + +But, indeed, it was no laughing matter for poor Master Harry, for it +was many a day before his imagination could rid itself of the image of +the dead Spaniard's face; and as he walked away down the street with +his companions, leaving the crowd behind them, and the dead body where +it lay for its friends to look after, his ears humming and ringing from +the deafening noise of the pistol-shots fired in the close room, and +the sweat trickling down his face in drops, he knew not whether all +that had passed had been real, or whether it was a dream from which he +might presently awaken. + +IV + +The papers Captain Morgan had thus seized upon as the fruit of the +murder he had committed must have been as perfectly satisfactory to him +as could be, for having paid a second visit that evening to Governor +Modiford, the pirate lifted anchor the next morning and made sail +towards the Gulf of Darien. There, after cruising about in those waters +for about a fortnight without falling in with a vessel of any sort, at +the end of that time they overhauled a caravel bound from Puerto Bello +to Cartagena, which vessel they took, and finding her loaded with +nothing better than raw hides, scuttled and sunk her, being then about +twenty leagues from the main of Cartagena. From the captain of this +vessel they learned that the plate fleet was then lying in the harbor +of Puerto Bello, not yet having set sail thence, but waiting for the +change of the winds before embarking for Spain. Besides this, which was +a good deal more to their purpose, the Spaniards told the pirates that +the Sieur Simon, his wife, and daughter were confined aboard the +vice-admiral of that fleet, and that the name of the vice-admiral was the +_Santa Maria y Valladolid_. + +So soon as Captain Morgan had obtained the information he desired he +directed his course straight for the Bay of Santo Blaso, where he might +lie safely within the cape of that name without any danger of discovery +(that part of the main-land being entirely uninhabited) and yet be +within twenty or twenty-five leagues of Puerto Bello. + +Having come safely to this anchorage, he at once declared his +intentions to his companions, which were as follows: + +That it was entirely impossible for them to hope to sail their vessel +into the harbor of Puerto Bello, and to attack the Spanish vice-admiral +where he lay in the midst of the armed flota; wherefore, if anything +was to be accomplished, it must be undertaken by some subtle design +rather than by open-handed boldness. Having so prefaced what he had to +say, he now declared that it was his purpose to take one of the ship's +boats and to go in that to Puerto Bello, trusting for some opportunity +to occur to aid him either in the accomplishment of his aims or in the +gaining of some further information. Having thus delivered himself, he +invited any who dared to do so to volunteer for the expedition, telling +them plainly that he would constrain no man to go against his will, for +that at best it was a desperate enterprise, possessing only the +recommendation that in its achievement the few who undertook it would +gain great renown, and perhaps a very considerable booty. + +And such was the incredible influence of this bold man over his +companions, and such was their confidence in his skill and cunning, +that not above a dozen of all those aboard hung back from the +undertaking, but nearly every man desired to be taken. + +Of these volunteers Captain Morgan chose twenty--among others our +Master Harry--and having arranged with his lieutenant that if nothing +was heard from the expedition at the end of three days he should sail +for Jamaica to await news, he embarked upon that enterprise, which, +though never heretofore published, was perhaps the boldest and the most +desperate of all those that have since made his name so famous. For +what could be a more unparalleled undertaking than for a little open +boat, containing but twenty men, to enter the harbor of the third +strongest fortress of the Spanish mainland with the intention of +cutting out the Spanish vice-admiral from the midst of a whole fleet of +powerfully armed vessels, and how many men in all the world do you +suppose would venture such a thing? + +But there is this to be said of that great buccaneer: that if he +undertook enterprises so desperate as this, he yet laid his plans so +well that they never went altogether amiss. Moreover, the very +desperation of his successes was of such a nature that no man could +suspect that he would dare to undertake such things, and accordingly +his enemies were never prepared to guard against his attacks. Aye, had +he but worn the King's colors and served under the rules of honest war, +he might have become as great and as renowned as Admiral Blake himself! + +But all that is neither here nor there; what I have to tell you now is +that Captain Morgan in this open boat with his twenty mates reached the +Cape of Salmedina towards the fall of day. Arriving within view of the +harbor they discovered the plate fleet at anchor, with two men-of-war +and an armed galley riding as a guard at the mouth of the harbor, +scarce half a league distant from the other ships. Having spied the +fleet in this posture, the pirates presently pulled down their sails +and rowed along the coast, feigning to be a Spanish vessel from Nombre +de Dios. So hugging the shore, they came boldly within the harbor, upon +the opposite side of which you might see the fortress a considerable +distance away. + +Being now come so near to the consummation of their adventure, Captain +Morgan required every man to make an oath to stand by him to the last, +whereunto our hero swore as heartily as any man aboard, although his +heart, I must needs confess, was beating at a great rate at the +approach of what was to happen. Having thus received the oaths of all +his followers, Captain Morgan commanded the surgeon of the expedition +that, when the order was given, he, the medico, was to bore six holes +in the boat, so that, it sinking under them, they might all be +compelled to push forward, with no chance of retreat. And such was the +ascendency of this man over his followers, and such was their awe of +him, that not one of them uttered even so much as a murmur, though what +he had commanded the surgeon to do pledged them either to victory or to +death, with no chance to choose between. Nor did the surgeon question +the orders he had received, much less did he dream of disobeying them. + +By now it had fallen pretty dusk, whereupon, spying two fishermen in a +canoe at a little distance, Captain Morgan demanded of them in Spanish +which vessel of those at anchor in the harbor was the vice-admiral, for +that he had despatches for the captain thereof. Whereupon the +fishermen, suspecting nothing, pointed to them a galleon of great size +riding at anchor not half a league distant. + +Towards this vessel accordingly the pirates directed their course, and +when they had come pretty nigh, Captain Morgan called upon the surgeon +that now it was time for him to perform the duty that had been laid +upon him. Whereupon the other did as he was ordered, and that so +thoroughly that the water presently came gushing into the boat in great +streams, whereat all hands pulled for the galleon as though every next +moment was to be their last. + +And what do you suppose were our hero's emotions at this time? Like all +in the boat, his awe of Captain Morgan was so great that I do believe +he would rather have gone to the bottom than have questioned his +command, even when it was to scuttle the boat. Nevertheless, when he +felt the cold water gushing about his feet (for he had taken off his +shoes and stockings) he became possessed with such a fear of being +drowned that even the Spanish galleon had no terrors for him if he +could only feel the solid planks thereof beneath his feet. + +Indeed, all the crew appeared to be possessed of a like dismay, for +they pulled at the oars with such an incredible force that they were +under the quarter of the galleon before the boat was half filled with +water. + +Here, as they approached, it then being pretty dark and the moon not +yet having risen, the watch upon the deck hailed them, whereupon +Captain Morgan called out in Spanish that he was Captain Alvarez +Mendazo, and that he brought despatches for the vice-admiral. + +But at that moment, the boat being now so full of water as to be +logged, it suddenly tilted upon one side as though to sink beneath +them, whereupon all hands, without further orders, went scrambling up +the side, as nimble as so many monkeys, each armed with a pistol in one +hand and a cutlass in the other, and so were upon deck before the watch +could collect his wits to utter any outcry or to give any other alarm +than to cry out, "Jesu bless us! who are these?" at which words +somebody knocked him down with the butt of a pistol, though who it was +our hero could not tell in the darkness and the hurry. + +Before any of those upon deck could recover from their alarm or those +from below come up upon deck, a part of the pirates, under the +carpenter and the surgeon, had run to the gunroom and had taken +possession of the arms, while Captain Morgan, with Master Harry and a +Portuguese called Murillo Braziliano, had flown with the speed of the +wind into the great cabin. + +Here they found the captain of the vice-admiral playing at cards with +the Sieur Simon and a friend, Madam Simon and her daughter being +present. + +Captain Morgan instantly set his pistol at the breast of the Spanish +captain, swearing with a most horrible fierce countenance that if he +spake a word or made any outcry he was a dead man. As for our hero, +having now got his hand into the game, he performed the same service +for the Spaniard's friend, declaring he would shoot him dead if he +opened his lips or lifted so much as a single finger. + +All this while the ladies, not comprehending what had occurred, had sat +as mute as stones; but now having so far recovered themselves as to +find a voice, the younger of the two fell to screaming, at which the +Sieur Simon called out to her to be still, for these were friends who +had come to help them, and not enemies who had come to harm them. + +All this, you are to understand, occupied only a little while, for in +less than a minute three or four of the pirates had come into the +cabin, who, together with the Portuguese, proceeded at once to bind the +two Spaniards hand and foot, and to gag them. This being done to our +buccaneer's satisfaction, and the Spanish captain being stretched out +in the corner of the cabin, he instantly cleared his countenance of its +terrors, and bursting forth into a great loud laugh, clapped his hand +to the Sieur Simon's, which he wrung with the best will in the world. +Having done this, and being in a fine humor after this his first +success, he turned to the two ladies. "And this, ladies," said he, +taking our hero by the hand and presenting him, "is a young gentleman +who has embarked with me to learn the trade of piracy. I recommend him +to your politeness." + +Think what a confusion this threw our Master Harry into, to be sure, +who at his best was never easy in the company of strange ladies! You +may suppose what must have been his emotions to find himself thus +introduced to the attention of Madam Simon and her daughter, being at +the time in his bare feet, clad only in his shirt and breeches, and +with no hat upon his head, a pistol in one hand and a cutlass in the +other. However, he was not left for long to his embarrassments, for +almost immediately after he had thus far relaxed, Captain Morgan fell +of a sudden serious again, and bidding the Sieur Simon to get his +ladies away into some place of safety, for the most hazardous part of +this adventure was yet to occur, he quitted the cabin with Master Harry +and the other pirates (for you may call him a pirate now) at his heels. + +Having come upon deck, our hero beheld that a part of the Spanish crew +were huddled forward in a flock like so many sheep (the others being +crowded below with the hatches fastened upon them), and such was the +terror of the pirates, and so dreadful the name of Henry Morgan, that +not one of those poor wretches dared to lift up his voice to give any +alarm, nor even to attempt an escape by jumping overboard. + +At Captain Morgan's orders, these men, together with certain of his own +company, ran nimbly aloft and began setting the sails, which, the night +now having fallen pretty thick, was not for a good while observed by +any of the vessels riding at anchor about them. + +Indeed, the pirates might have made good their escape, with at most +only a shot or two from the men-of-war, had it not then been about the +full of the moon, which, having arisen, presently discovered to those +of the fleet that lay closest about them what was being done aboard the +vice-admiral. + +At this one of the vessels hailed them, and then after a while, having +no reply, hailed them again. Even then the Spaniards might not +immediately have suspected anything was amiss but only that the +vice-admiral for some reason best known to himself was shifting his +anchorage, had not one of the Spaniards aloft--but who it was Captain +Morgan was never able to discover--answered the hail by crying out that +the vice-admiral had been seized by the pirates. + +At this the alarm was instantly given and the mischief done, for +presently there was a tremendous bustle through that part of the fleet +lying nighest the vice-admiral--a deal of shouting of orders, a beating +of drums, and the running hither and thither of the crews. + +But by this time the sails of the vice-admiral had filled with a strong +land breeze that was blowing up the harbor, whereupon the carpenter, at +Captain Morgan's orders, having cut away both anchors, the galleon +presently bore away up the harbor, gathering headway every moment with +the wind nearly dead astern. The nearest vessel was the only one that +for the moment was able to offer any hinderance. This ship, having by +this time cleared away one of its guns, was able to fire a parting shot +against the vice-admiral, striking her somewhere forward, as our hero +could see by a great shower of splinters that flew up in the moonlight. + +At the sound of the shot all the vessels of the flota not yet disturbed +by the alarm were aroused at once, so that the pirates had the +satisfaction of knowing that they would have to run the gantlet of all +the ships between them and the open sea before they could reckon +themselves escaped. + +And, indeed, to our hero's mind it seemed that the battle which +followed must have been the most terrific cannonade that was ever heard +in the world. It was not so ill at first, for it was some while before +the Spaniards could get their guns clear for action, they being not the +least in the world prepared for such an occasion as this. But by-and-by +first one and then another ship opened fire upon the galleon, until it +seemed to our hero that all the thunders of heaven let loose upon them +could not have created a more prodigious uproar, and that it was not +possible that they could any of them escape destruction. + +By now the moon had risen full and round, so that the clouds of smoke +that rose in the air appeared as white as snow. The air seemed full of +the hiss and screaming of shot, each one of which, when it struck the +galleon, was magnified by our hero's imagination into ten times its +magnitude from the crash which it delivered and from the cloud of +splinters it would cast up into the moonlight. At last he suddenly +beheld one poor man knocked sprawling across the deck, who, as he +raised his arm from behind the mast, disclosed that the hand was gone +from it, and that the shirt-sleeve was red with blood in the moonlight. +At this sight all the strength fell away from poor Harry, and he felt +sure that a like fate or even a worse must be in store for him. + +But, after all, this was nothing to what it might have been in broad +daylight, for what with the darkness of night, and the little +preparation the Spaniards could make for such a business, and the +extreme haste with which they discharged their guns (many not +understanding what was the occasion of all this uproar), nearly all the +shot flew so wide of the mark that not above one in twenty struck that +at which it was aimed. + +Meantime Captain Morgan, with the Sieur Simon, who had followed him +upon deck, stood just above where our hero lay behind the shelter of +the bulwark. The captain had lit a pipe of tobacco, and he stood now in +the bright moonlight close to the rail, with his hands behind him, +looking out ahead with the utmost coolness imaginable, and paying no +more attention to the din of battle than though it were twenty leagues +away. Now and then he would take his pipe from his lips to utter an +order to the man at the wheel. Excepting this he stood there hardly +moving at all, the wind blowing his long red hair over his shoulders. + +Had it not been for the armed galley the pirates might have got the +galleon away with no great harm done in spite of all this cannonading, +for the man-of-war which rode at anchor nighest to them at the mouth of +the harbor was still so far away that they might have passed it by +hugging pretty close to the shore, and that without any great harm +being done to them in the darkness. But just at this moment, when the +open water lay in sight, came this galley pulling out from behind the +point of the shore in such a manner as either to head our pirates off +entirely or else to compel them to approach so near to the man-of-war +that that latter vessel could bring its guns to bear with more effect. + +This galley, I must tell you, was like others of its kind such as you +may find in these waters, the hull being long and cut low to the water +so as to allow the oars to dip freely. The bow was sharp and projected +far out ahead, mounting a swivel upon it, while at the stern a number +of galleries built one above another into a castle gave shelter to +several companies of musketeers as well as the officers commanding +them. + +Our hero could behold the approach of this galley from above the +starboard bulwarks, and it appeared to him impossible for them to hope +to escape either it or the man-of-war. But still Captain Morgan +maintained the same composure that he had exhibited all the while, only +now and then delivering an order to the man at the wheel, who, putting +the helm over, threw the bows of the galleon around more to the +larboard, as though to escape the bow of the galley and get into the +open water beyond. This course brought the pirates ever closer and +closer to the man-of-war, which now began to add its thunder to the din +of the battle, and with so much more effect that at every discharge you +might hear the crashing and crackling of splintered wood, and now and +then the outcry or groaning of some man who was hurt. Indeed, had it +been daylight, they must at this juncture all have perished, though, as +was said, what with the night and the confusion and the hurry, they +escaped entire destruction, though more by a miracle than through any +policy upon their own part. + +Meantime the galley, steering as though to come aboard of them, had now +come so near that it, too, presently began to open its musketry fire +upon them, so that the humming and rattling of bullets were presently +added to the din of cannonading. + +In two minutes more it would have been aboard of them, when in a moment +Captain Morgan roared out of a sudden to the man at the helm to put it +hard a starboard. In response the man ran the wheel over with the +utmost quickness, and the galleon, obeying her helm very readily, came +around upon a course which, if continued, would certainly bring them +into collision with their enemy. + +It is possible at first the Spaniards imagined the pirates intended to +escape past their stern, for they instantly began backing oars to keep +them from getting past, so that the water was all of a foam about them; +at the same time they did this they poured in such a fire of musketry +that it was a miracle that no more execution was accomplished than +happened. + +As for our hero, methinks for the moment he forgot all about everything +else than as to whether or no his captain's manoeuvre would succeed, +for in the very first moment he divined, as by some instinct, what +Captain Morgan purposed doing. + +At this moment, so particular in the execution of this nice design, a +bullet suddenly struck down the man at the wheel. Hearing the sharp +outcry, our Harry turned to see him fall forward, and then to his hands +and knees upon the deck, the blood running in a black pool beneath him, +while the wheel, escaping from his hands, spun over until the spokes +were all of a mist. + +In a moment the ship would have fallen off before the wind had not our +hero, leaping to the wheel (even as Captain Morgan shouted an order for +some one to do so), seized the flying spokes, whirling them back again, +and so bringing the bow of the galleon up to its former course. + +[Illustration: "OUR HERO, LEAPING TO THE WHEEL, SEIZED THE FLYING +SPOKES"] + +In the first moment of this effort he had reckoned of nothing but of +carrying out his captain's designs. He neither thought of cannon-balls +nor of bullets. But now that his task was accomplished, he came +suddenly back to himself to find the galleries of the galleon aflame +with musket-shots, and to become aware with a most horrible sinking of +the spirits that all the shots therefrom were intended for him. He cast +his eyes about him with despair, but no one came to ease him of his +task, which, having undertaken, he had too much spirit to resign from +carrying through to the end, though he was well aware that the very +next instant might mean his sudden and violent death. His ears hummed +and rang, and his brain swam as light as a feather. I know not whether +he breathed, but he shut his eyes tight as though that might save him +from the bullets that were raining about him. + +At this moment the Spaniards must have discovered for the first time +the pirates' design, for of a sudden they ceased firing, and began to +shout out a multitude of orders, while the oars lashed the water all +about with a foam. But it was too late then for them to escape, for +within a couple of seconds the galleon struck her enemy a blow so +violent upon the larboard quarter as nearly to hurl our Harry upon the +deck, and then with a dreadful, horrible crackling of wood, commingled +with a yelling of men's voices, the galley was swung around upon her +side, and the galleon, sailing into the open sea, left nothing of her +immediate enemy but a sinking wreck, and the water dotted all over with +bobbing heads and waving hands in the moonlight. + +And now, indeed, that all danger was past and gone, there were plenty +to come running to help our hero at the wheel. As for Captain Morgan, +having come down upon the main-deck, he fetches the young helmsman a +clap upon the back. "Well, Master Harry," says he, "and did I not tell +you I would make a man of you?" Whereat our poor Harry fell a-laughing, +but with a sad catch in his voice, for his hands trembled as with an +ague, and were as cold as ice. As for his emotions, God knows he was +nearer crying than laughing, if Captain Morgan had but known it. + +Nevertheless, though undertaken under the spur of the moment, I protest +it was indeed a brave deed, and I cannot but wonder how many young +gentlemen of sixteen there are to-day who, upon a like occasion, would +act as well as our Harry. + +V + +The balance of our hero's adventures were of a lighter sort than those +already recounted, for the next morning, the Spanish captain (a very +polite and well-bred gentleman) having fitted him out with a suit of +his own clothes, Master Harry was presented in a proper form to the +ladies. For Captain Morgan, if he had felt a liking for the young man +before, could not now show sufficient regard for him. He ate in the +great cabin and was petted by all. Madam Simon, who was a fat and +red-faced lady, was forever praising him, and the young miss, who was +extremely well-looking, was as continually making eyes at him. + +She and Master Harry, I must tell you, would spend hours together, she +making pretence of teaching him French, although he was so possessed +with a passion of love that he was nigh suffocated with it. She, upon +her part, perceiving his emotions, responded with extreme good-nature +and complacency, so that had our hero been older, and the voyage proved +longer, he might have become entirely enmeshed in the toils of his fair +siren. For all this while, you are to understand, the pirates were +making sail straight for Jamaica, which they reached upon the third day +in perfect safety. + +[Illustration: "SHE AND MASTER HARRY WOULD SPEND HOURS TOGETHER"] + +In that time, however, the pirates had well-nigh gone crazy for joy; +for when they came to examine their purchase they discovered her cargo +to consist of plate to the prodigious sum of £130,000 in value. 'Twas a +wonder they did not all make themselves drunk for joy. No doubt they +would have done so had not Captain Morgan, knowing they were still in +the exact track of the Spanish fleets, threatened them that the first +man among them who touched a drop of rum without his permission he +would shoot him dead upon the deck. This threat had such effect that +they all remained entirely sober until they had reached Port Royal +Harbor, which they did about nine o'clock in the morning. + +And now it was that our hero's romance came all tumbling down about his +ears with a run. For they had hardly come to anchor in the harbor when +a boat came from a man-of-war, and who should come stepping aboard but +Lieutenant Grantley (a particular friend of our hero's father) and his +own eldest brother Thomas, who, putting on a very stern face, informed +Master Harry that he was a desperate and hardened villain who was sure +to end at the gallows, and that he was to go immediately back to his +home again. He told our embryo pirate that his family had nigh gone +distracted because of his wicked and ungrateful conduct. Nor could our +hero move him from his inflexible purpose. "What," says our Harry, "and +will you not then let me wait until our prize is divided and I get my +share?" + +"Prize, indeed!" says his brother. "And do you then really think that +your father would consent to your having a share in this terrible +bloody and murthering business?" + +And so, after a good deal of argument, our hero was constrained to go; +nor did he even have an opportunity to bid adieu to his inamorata. Nor +did he see her any more, except from a distance, she standing on the +poop-deck as he was rowed away from her, her face all stained with +crying. For himself, he felt that there was no more joy in life; +nevertheless, standing up in the stern of the boat, he made shift, +though with an aching heart, to deliver her a fine bow with the hat he +had borrowed from the Spanish captain, before his brother bade him sit +down again. + +And so to the ending of this story, with only this to relate, that our +Master Harry, so far from going to the gallows, became in good time a +respectable and wealthy sugar merchant with an English wife and a fine +family of children, whereunto, when the mood was upon him, he has +sometimes told these adventures (and sundry others not here recounted) +as I have told them unto you. + + + + +II. TOM CHIST AND THE TREASURE-BOX + +_An Old-time Story of the Days of Captain Kidd._ + + +To tell about Tom Chist, and how he got his name, and how he came to be +living at the little settlement of Henlopen, just inside the mouth of +the Delaware Bay, the story must begin as far back as 1686, when a +great storm swept the Atlantic coast from end to end. During the +heaviest part of the hurricane a bark went ashore on the +Hen-and-Chicken Shoals, just below Cape Henlopen and at the mouth of the +Delaware Bay, and Tom Chist was the only soul of all those on board the +ill-fated vessel who escaped alive. + +This story must first be told, because it was on account of the strange +and miraculous escape that happened to him at that time that he gained +the name that was given to him. + +Even as late as that time of the American colonies, the little +scattered settlement at Henlopen, made up of English, with a few Dutch +and Swedish people, was still only a spot upon the face of the great +American wilderness that spread away, with swamp and forest, no man +knew how far to the westward. That wilderness was not only full of wild +beasts, but of Indian savages, who every fall would come in wandering +tribes to spend the winter along the shores of the fresh-water lakes +below Henlopen. There for four or five months they would live upon fish +and clams and wild ducks and geese, chipping their arrow-heads, and +making their earthenware pots and pans under the lee of the sand-hills +and pine woods below the Capes. + +Sometimes on Sundays, when the Rev. Hillary Jones would be preaching in +the little log church back in the woods, these half-clad red savages +would come in from the cold, and sit squatting in the back part of the +church, listening stolidly to the words that had no meaning for them. + +But about the wreck of the bark in 1686. Such a wreck as that which +then went ashore on the Hen-and-Chicken Shoals was a godsend to the +poor and needy settlers in the wilderness where so few good things ever +came. For the vessel went to pieces during the night, and the next +morning the beach was strewn with wreckage--boxes and barrels, chests +and spars, timbers and planks, a plentiful and bountiful harvest to be +gathered up by the settlers as they chose, with no one to forbid or +prevent them. + +The name of the bark, as found painted on some of the water-barrels and +sea-chests, was the _Bristol Merchant_, and she no doubt hailed from +England. + +As was said, the only soul who escaped alive off the wreck was Tom +Chist. + +A settler, a fisherman named Matt Abrahamson, and his daughter Molly, +found Tom. He was washed up on the beach among the wreckage, in a great +wooden box which had been securely tied around with a rope and lashed +between two spars--apparently for better protection in beating through +the surf. Matt Abrahamson thought he had found something of more than +usual value when he came upon this chest; but when he cut the cords and +broke open the box with his broadaxe, he could not have been more +astonished had he beheld a salamander instead of a baby of nine or ten +months old lying half smothered in the blankets that covered the bottom +of the chest. + +Matt Abrahamson's daughter Molly had had a baby who had died a month or +so before. So when she saw the little one lying there in the bottom of +the chest, she cried out in a great loud voice that the Good Man had +sent her another baby in place of her own. + +The rain was driving before the hurricane-storm in dim, slanting +sheets, and so she wrapped up the baby in the man's coat she wore and +ran off home without waiting to gather up any more of the wreckage. + +It was Parson Jones who gave the foundling his name. When the news came +to his ears of what Matt Abrahamson had found, he went over to the +fisherman's cabin to see the child. He examined the clothes in which +the baby was dressed. They were of fine linen and handsomely stitched, +and the reverend gentleman opined that the foundling's parents must +have been of quality. A kerchief had been wrapped around the baby's +neck and under its arms and tied behind, and in the corner, marked with +very fine needlework, were the initials T.C. + +"What d'ye call him, Molly?" said Parson Jones. He was standing, as he +spoke, with his back to the fire, warming his palms before the blaze. +The pocket of the great-coat he wore bulged out with a big case-bottle +of spirits which he had gathered up out of the wreck that afternoon. +"What d'ye call him, Molly?" + +"I'll call him Tom, after my own baby." + +"That goes very well with the initial on the kerchief," said Parson +Jones. "But what other name d'ye give him? Let it be something to go +with the C." + +"I don't know," said Molly. + +"Why not call him 'Chist,' since he was born in a chist out of the sea? +'Tom Chist'--the name goes off like a flash in the pan." And so "Tom +Chist" he was called and "Tom Chist" he was christened. + +So much for the beginning of the history of Tom Chist. The story of +Captain Kidd's treasure-box does not begin until the late spring of +1699. + +That was the year that the famous pirate captain, coming up from the +West Indies, sailed his sloop into the Delaware Bay, where he lay for +over a month waiting for news from his friends in New York. + +For he had sent word to that town asking if the coast was clear for him +to return home with the rich prize he had brought from the Indian seas +and the coast of Africa, and meantime he lay there in the Delaware Bay +waiting for a reply. Before he left he turned the whole of Tom Chist's +life topsy-turvy with something that he brought ashore. + +By that time Tom Chist had grown into a strong-limbed, thick-jointed +boy of fourteen or fifteen years of age. It was a miserable dog's life +he lived with old Matt Abrahamson, for the old fisherman was in his +cups more than half the time, and when he was so there was hardly a day +passed that he did not give Tom a curse or a buffet or, as like as not, +an actual beating. One would have thought that such treatment would +have broken the spirit of the poor little foundling, but it had just +the opposite effect upon Tom Chist, who was one of your stubborn, +sturdy, stiff-willed fellows who only grow harder and more tough the +more they are ill-treated. It had been a long time now since he had +made any outcry or complaint at the hard usage he suffered from old +Matt. At such times he would shut his teeth and bear whatever came to +him, until sometimes the half-drunken old man would be driven almost +mad by his stubborn silence. Maybe he would stop in the midst of the +beating he was administering, and, grinding his teeth, would cry out: +"Won't ye say naught? Won't ye say naught? Well, then, I'll see if I +can't make ye say naught." When things had reached such a pass as this +Molly would generally interfere to protect her foster-son, and then she +and Tom would together fight the old man until they had wrenched the +stick or the strap out of his hand. Then old Matt would chase them +out-of-doors and around and around the house for maybe half an hour until +his anger was cool, when he would go back again, and for a time the +storm would be over. + +Besides his foster-mother, Tom Chist had a very good friend in Parson +Jones, who used to come over every now and then to Abrahamson's hut +upon the chance of getting a half-dozen fish for breakfast. He always +had a kind word or two for Tom, who during the winter evenings would go +over to the good man's house to learn his letters, and to read and +write and cipher a little, so that by now he was able to spell the +words out of the Bible and the almanac, and knew enough to change +tuppence into four ha'pennies. + +This is the sort of boy Tom Chist was, and this is the sort of life he +led. + +In the late spring or early summer of 1699 Captain Kidd's sloop sailed +into the mouth of the Delaware Bay and changed the whole fortune of his +life. + +And this is how you come to the story of Captain Kidd's treasure-box. + +II + +Old Matt Abrahamson kept the flat-bottomed boat in which he went +fishing some distance down the shore, and in the neighborhood of the +old wreck that had been sunk on the Shoals. This was the usual +fishing-ground of the settlers, and here Old Matt's boat generally lay +drawn up on the sand. + +There had been a thunder-storm that afternoon, and Tom had gone down +the beach to bale out the boat in readiness for the morning's fishing. + +It was full moonlight now, as he was returning, and the night sky was +full of floating clouds. Now and then there was a dull flash to the +westward, and once a muttering growl of thunder, promising another +storm to come. + +All that day the pirate sloop had been lying just off the shore back of +the Capes, and now Tom Chist could see the sails glimmering pallidly in +the moonlight, spread for drying after the storm. He was walking up the +shore homeward when he became aware that at some distance ahead of him +there was a ship's boat drawn up on the little narrow beach, and a +group of men clustered about it. He hurried forward with a good deal of +curiosity to see who had landed, but it was not until he had come close +to them that he could distinguish who and what they were. Then he knew +that it must be a party who had come off the pirate sloop. They had +evidently just landed, and two men were lifting out a chest from the +boat. One of them was a negro, naked to the waist, and the other was a +white man in his shirt-sleeves, wearing petticoat breeches, a Monterey +cap upon his head, a red bandanna handkerchief around his neck, and +gold ear-rings in his ears. He had a long, plaited queue hanging down +his back, and a great sheath-knife dangling from his side. Another man, +evidently the captain of the party, stood at a little distance as they +lifted the chest out of the boat. He had a cane in one hand and a +lighted lantern in the other, although the moon was shining as bright +as day. He wore jack-boots and a handsome laced coat, and he had a +long, drooping mustache that curled down below his chin. He wore a +fine, feathered hat, and his long black hair hung down upon his +shoulders. + +All this Tom Chist could see in the moonlight that glinted and twinkled +upon the gilt buttons of his coat. + +They were so busy lifting the chest from the boat that at first they +did not observe that Tom Chist had come up and was standing there. It +was the white man with the long, plaited queue and the gold ear-rings +that spoke to him. "Boy, what do you want here, boy?" he said, in a +rough, hoarse voice. "Where d'ye come from?" And then dropping his end +of the chest, and without giving Tom time to answer, he pointed off +down the beach, and said, "You'd better be going about your own +business, if you know what's good for you; and don't you come back, or +you'll find what you don't want waiting for you." + +Tom saw in a glance that the pirates were all looking at him, and then, +without saying a word, he turned and walked away. The man who had +spoken to him followed him threateningly for some little distance, as +though to see that he had gone away as he was bidden to do. But +presently he stopped, and Tom hurried on alone, until the boat and the +crew and all were dropped away behind and lost in the moonlight night. +Then he himself stopped also, turned, and looked back whence he had +come. + +There had been something very strange in the appearance of the men he +had just seen, something very mysterious in their actions, and he +wondered what it all meant, and what they were going to do. He stood +for a little while thus looking and listening. He could see nothing, +and could hear only the sound of distant talking. What were they doing +on the lonely shore thus at night? Then, following a sudden impulse, he +turned and cut off across the sand-hummocks, skirting around inland, +but keeping pretty close to the shore, his object being to spy upon +them, and to watch what they were about from the back of the low +sand-hills that fronted the beach. + +He had gone along some distance in his circuitous return when he became +aware of the sound of voices that seemed to be drawing closer to him as +he came towards the speakers. He stopped and stood listening, and +instantly, as he stopped, the voices stopped also. He crouched there +silently in the bright, glimmering moonlight, surrounded by the silent +stretches of sand, and the stillness seemed to press upon him like a +heavy hand. Then suddenly the sound of a man's voice began again, and +as Tom listened he could hear some one slowly counting. "Ninety-one," +the voice began, "ninety-two, ninety-three, ninety-four, ninety-five, +ninety-six, ninety-seven, ninety-eight, ninety-nine, one hundred, one +hundred and one"--the slow, monotonous count coming nearer and nearer +to him--"one hundred and two, one hundred and three, one hundred and +four," and so on in its monotonous reckoning. + +Suddenly he saw three heads appear above the sand-hill, so close to him +that he crouched down quickly with a keen thrill, close beside the +hummock near which he stood. His first fear was that they might have +seen him in the moonlight; but they had not, and his heart rose again +as the counting voice went steadily on. "One hundred and twenty," it +was saying--"and twenty-one, and twenty-two, and twenty-three, and +twenty-four," and then he who was counting came out from behind the +little sandy rise into the white and open level of shimmering +brightness. + +[Illustration: "'... AND TWENTY-ONE AND TWENTY-TWO'"] + +It was the man with the cane whom Tom had seen some time before--the +captain of the party who had landed. He carried his cane under his arm +now, and was holding his lantern close to something that he held in his +hand, and upon which he looked narrowly as he walked with a slow and +measured tread in a perfectly straight line across the sand, counting +each step as he took it. "And twenty-five, and twenty-six, and +twenty-seven, and twenty-eight, and twenty-nine, and thirty." + +Behind him walked two other figures; one was the half-naked negro, the +other the man with the plaited queue and the ear-rings, whom Tom had +seen lifting the chest out of the boat. Now they were carrying the +heavy box between them, laboring through the sand with shuffling tread +as they bore it onward. + +As he who was counting pronounced the word "thirty," the two men set +the chest down on the sand with a grunt, the white man panting and +blowing and wiping his sleeve across his forehead. And immediately he +who counted took out a slip of paper and marked something down upon it. +They stood there for a long time, during which Tom lay behind the +sand-hummock watching them, and for a while the silence was uninterrupted. +In the perfect stillness Tom could hear the washing of the little waves +beating upon the distant beach, and once the far-away sound of a laugh +from one of those who stood by the ship's boat. + +One, two, three minutes passed, and then the men picked up the chest +and started on again; and then again the other man began his counting. +"Thirty and one, and thirty and two, and thirty and three, and thirty +and four"--he walked straight across the level open, still looking +intently at that which he held in his hand--"and thirty and five, and +thirty and six, and thirty and seven," and so on, until the three +figures disappeared in the little hollow between the two sand-hills on +the opposite side of the open, and still Tom could hear the sound of +the counting voice in the distance. + +Just as they disappeared behind the hill there was a sudden faint flash +of light; and by-and-by, as Tom lay still listening to the counting, he +heard, after a long interval, a far-away muffled rumble of distant +thunder. He waited for a while, and then arose and stepped to the top +of the sand-hummock behind which he had been lying. He looked all about +him, but there was no one else to be seen. Then he stepped down from +the hummock and followed in the direction which the pirate captain and +the two men carrying the chest had gone. He crept along cautiously, +stopping now and then to make sure that he still heard the counting +voice, and when it ceased he lay down upon the sand and waited until it +began again. + +Presently, so following the pirates, he saw the three figures again in +the distance, and, skirting around back of a hill of sand covered with +coarse sedge-grass, he came to where he overlooked a little open level +space gleaming white in the moonlight. + +The three had been crossing the level of sand, and were now not more +than twenty-five paces from him. They had again set down the chest, +upon which the white man with the long queue and the gold ear-rings had +seated to rest himself, the negro standing close beside him. The moon +shone as bright as day and full upon his face. It was looking directly +at Tom Chist, every line as keen cut with white lights and black +shadows as though it had been carved in ivory and jet. He sat perfectly +motionless, and Tom drew back with a start, almost thinking he had been +discovered. He lay silent, his heart beating heavily in his throat; but +there was no alarm, and presently he heard the counting begin again, +and when he looked once more he saw they were going away straight +across the little open. A soft, sliding hillock of sand lay directly in +front of them. They did not turn aside, but went straight over it, the +leader helping himself up the sandy slope with his cane, still counting +and still keeping his eyes fixed upon that which he held in his hand. +Then they disappeared again behind the white crest on the other side. + +So Tom followed them cautiously until they had gone almost half a mile +inland. When next he saw them clearly it was from a little sandy rise +which looked down like the crest of a bowl upon the floor of sand +below. Upon this smooth, white floor the moon beat with almost dazzling +brightness. + +The white man who had helped to carry the chest was now kneeling, +busied at some work, though what it was Tom at first could not see. He +was whittling the point of a stick into a long wooden peg, and when, +by-and-by, he had finished what he was about, he arose and stepped to +where he who seemed to be the captain had stuck his cane upright into +the ground as though to mark some particular spot. He drew the cane out +of the sand, thrusting the stick down in its stead. Then he drove the +long peg down with a wooden mallet which the negro handed to him. The +sharp rapping of the mallet upon the top of the peg sounded loud in the +perfect stillness, and Tom lay watching and wondering what it all +meant. + +The man, with quick-repeated blows, drove the peg farther and farther +down into the sand until it showed only two or three inches above the +surface. As he finished his work there was another faint flash of +light, and by-and-by another smothered rumble of thunder, and Tom as he +looked out towards the westward, saw the silver rim of the round and +sharply outlined thundercloud rising slowly up into the sky and pushing +the other and broken drifting clouds before it. + +The two white men were now stooping over the peg, the negro man +watching them. Then presently the man with the cane started straight +away from the peg, carrying the end of a measuring-line with him, the +other end of which the man with the plaited queue held against the top +of the peg. When the pirate captain had reached the end of the +measuring-line he marked a cross upon the sand, and then again they +measured out another stretch of space. + +So they measured a distance five times over, and then, from where Tom +lay, he could see the man with the queue drive another peg just at the +foot of a sloping rise of sand that swept up beyond into a tall white +dune marked sharp and clear against the night sky behind. As soon as +the man with the plaited queue had driven the second peg into the +ground they began measuring again, and so, still measuring, disappeared +in another direction which took them in behind the sand-dune, where Tom +no longer could see what they were doing. + +The negro still sat by the chest where the two had left him, and so +bright was the moonlight that from where he lay Tom could see the glint +of it twinkling in the whites of his eyeballs. + +Presently from behind the hill there came, for the third time, the +sharp rapping sound of the mallet driving still another peg, and then +after a while the two pirates emerged from behind the sloping whiteness +into the space of moonlight again. + +They came direct to where the chest lay, and the white man and the +black man lifting it once more, they walked away across the level of +open sand, and so on behind the edge of the hill and out of Tom's +sight. + +III + +Tom Chist could no longer see what the pirates were doing, neither did +he dare to cross over the open space of sand that now lay between them +and him. He lay there speculating as to what they were about, and +meantime the storm cloud was rising higher and higher above the +horizon, with louder and louder mutterings of thunder following each +dull flash from out the cloudy, cavernous depths. In the silence he +could hear an occasional click as of some iron implement, and he opined +that the pirates were burying the chest, though just where they were at +work he could neither see nor tell. Still he lay there watching and +listening, and by-and-by a puff of warm air blew across the sand, and a +thumping tumble of louder thunder leaped from out the belly of the +storm cloud, which every minute was coming nearer and nearer. Still Tom +Chist lay watching. + +Suddenly, almost unexpectedly, the three figures reappeared from behind +the sand-hill, the pirate captain leading the way, and the negro and +white man following close behind him. They had gone about half-way +across the white, sandy level between the hill and the hummock behind +which Tom Chist lay, when the white man stopped and bent over as though +to tie his shoe. + +This brought the negro a few steps in front of his companion. + +That which then followed happened so suddenly, so unexpectedly, so +swiftly, that Tom Chist had hardly time to realize what it all meant +before it was over. As the negro passed him the white man arose +suddenly and silently erect, and Tom Chist saw the white moonlight +glint upon the blade of a great dirk-knife which he now held in his +hand. He took one, two silent, catlike steps behind the unsuspecting +negro. Then there was a sweeping flash of the blade in the pallid +light, and a blow, the thump of which Tom could distinctly hear even +from where he lay stretched out upon the sand. There was an instant +echoing yell from the black man, who ran stumbling forward, who +stopped, who regained his footing, and then stood for an instant as +though rooted to the spot. + +Tom had distinctly seen the knife enter his back, and even thought that +he had seen the glint of the point as it came out from the breast. + +Meantime the pirate captain had stopped, and now stood with his hand +resting upon his cane looking impassively on. + +Then the black man started to run. The white man stood for a while +glaring after him; then he too started after his victim upon the run. +The black man was not very far from Tom when he staggered and fell. He +tried to rise, then fell forward again, and lay at length. At that +instant the first edge of the cloud cut across the moon, and there was +a sudden darkness; but in the silence Tom heard the sound of another +blow and a groan, and then presently a voice calling to the pirate +captain that it was all over. + +He saw the dim form of the captain crossing the level sand, and then, +as the moon sailed out from behind the cloud, he saw the white man +standing over a black figure that lay motionless upon the sand. + +Then Tom Chist scrambled up and ran away, plunging down into the hollow +of sand that lay in the shadows below. Over the next rise he ran, and +down again into the next black hollow, and so on over the sliding, +shifting ground, panting and gasping. It seemed to him that he could +hear footsteps following, and in the terror that possessed him he +almost expected every instant to feel the cold knife-blade slide +between his own ribs in such a thrust from behind as he had seen given +to the poor black man. + +So he ran on like one in a nightmare. His feet grew heavy like lead, he +panted and gasped, his breath came hot and dry in his throat. But still +he ran and ran until at last he found himself in front of old Matt +Abrahamson's cabin, gasping, panting, and sobbing for breath, his knees +relaxed and his thighs trembling with weakness. + +As he opened the door and dashed into the darkened cabin (for both Matt +and Molly were long ago asleep in bed) there was a flash of light, and +even as he slammed to the door behind him there was an instant peal of +thunder, heavy as though a great weight had been dropped upon the roof +of the sky, so that the doors and windows of the cabin rattled. + +IV + +Then Tom Chist crept to bed, trembling, shuddering, bathed in sweat, +his heart beating like a trip-hammer, and his brain dizzy from that +long, terror-inspired race through the soft sand in which he had +striven to outstrip he knew not what pursuing horror. + +For a long, long time he lay awake, trembling and chattering with +nervous chills, and when he did fall asleep it was only to drop into +monstrous dreams in which he once again saw ever enacted, with various +grotesque variations, the tragic drama which his waking eyes had beheld +the night before. + +Then came the dawning of the broad, wet daylight, and before the rising +of the sun Tom was up and out-of-doors to find the young day dripping +with the rain of overnight. + +His first act was to climb the nearest sandhill and to gaze out towards +the offing where the pirate ship had been the day before. + +It was no longer there. + +Soon afterwards Matt Abrahamson came out of the cabin and he called to +Tom to go get a bite to eat, for it was time for them to be away +fishing. + +All that morning the recollection of the night before hung over Tom +Chist like a great cloud of boding trouble. It filled the confined area +of the little boat and spread over the entire wide spaces of sky and +sea that surrounded them. Not for a moment was it lifted. Even when he +was hauling in his wet and dripping line with a struggling fish at the +end of it a recurrent memory of what he had seen would suddenly come +upon him, and he would groan in spirit at the recollection. He looked +at Matt Abrahamson's leathery face, at his lantern jaws cavernously and +stolidly chewing at a tobacco leaf, and it seemed monstrous to him that +the old man should be so unconscious of the black cloud that wrapped +them all about. + +When the boat reached the shore again he leaped scrambling to the +beach, and as soon as his dinner was eaten he hurried away to find the +Dominie Jones. + +He ran all the way from Abrahamson's hut to the Parson's house, hardly +stopping once, and when he knocked at the door he was panting and +sobbing for breath. + +The good man was sitting on the back-kitchen door-step smoking his long +pipe of tobacco out into the sunlight, while his wife within was +rattling about among the pans and dishes in preparation of their +supper, of which a strong, porky smell already filled the air. + +Then Tom Chist told his story, panting, hurrying, tumbling one word +over another in his haste, and Parson Jones listened, breaking every +now and then into an ejaculation of wonder. The light in his pipe went +out and the bowl turned cold. + +"And I don't see why they should have killed the poor black man," said +Tom, as he finished his narrative. + +"Why, that is very easy enough to understand," said the good reverend +man. "'Twas a treasure-box they buried!" + +In his agitation Mr. Jones had risen from his seat and was now stumping +up and down, puffing at his empty tobacco-pipe as though it were still +alight. + +"A treasure-box!" cried out Tom. + +"Aye, a treasure-box! And that was why they killed the poor black man. +He was the only one, d'ye see, besides they two who knew the place +where 'twas hid, and now that they've killed him out of the way, +there's nobody but themselves knows. The villains--Tut, tut, look at +that now!" In his excitement the dominie had snapped the stem of his +tobacco-pipe in two. + +"Why, then," said Tom, "if that is so, 'tis indeed a wicked, bloody +treasure, and fit to bring a curse upon anybody who finds it!" + +"'Tis more like to bring a curse upon the soul who buried it," said +Parson Jones, "and it may be a blessing to him who finds it. But tell +me, Tom, do you think you could find the place again where 'twas hid?" + +"I can't tell that," said Tom, "'twas all in among the sand-humps, d'ye +see, and it was at night into the bargain. Maybe we could find the +marks of their feet in the sand," he added. + +"'Tis not likely," said the reverend gentleman, "for the storm last +night would have washed all that away." + +"I could find the place," said Tom, "where the boat was drawn up on the +beach." + +"Why, then, that's something to start from, Tom," said his friend. "If +we can find that, then maybe we can find whither they went from there." + +"If I was certain it was a treasure-box," cried out Tom Chist, "I would +rake over every foot of sand betwixt here and Henlopen to find it." + +"'Twould be like hunting for a pin in a haystack," said the Rev. Hilary +Jones. + +As Tom walked away home, it seemed as though a ton's weight of gloom +had been rolled away from his soul. The next day he and Parson Jones +were to go treasure-hunting together; it seemed to Tom as though he +could hardly wait for the time to come. + +V + +The next afternoon Parson Jones and Tom Chist started off together upon +the expedition that made Tom's fortune forever. Tom carried a spade +over his shoulder and the reverend gentleman walked along beside him +with his cane. + +As they jogged along up the beach they talked together about the only +thing they could talk about--the treasure-box. "And how big did you say +'twas?" quoth the good gentleman. + +"About so long," said Tom Chist, measuring off upon the spade, "and +about so wide, and this deep." + +"And what if it should be full of money, Tom?" said the reverend +gentleman, swinging his cane around and around in wide circles in the +excitement of the thought, as he strode along briskly. "Suppose it +should be full of money, what then?" + +"By Moses!" said Tom Chist, hurrying to keep up with his friend, "I'd +buy a ship for myself, I would, and I'd trade to Injy and to Chiny to +my own boot, I would. Suppose the chist was all full of money, sir, and +suppose we should find it; would there be enough in it, d'ye suppose, +to buy a ship?" + +"To be sure there would be enough, Tom; enough and to spare, and a good +big lump over." + +"And if I find it 'tis mine to keep, is it, and no mistake?" + +"Why, to be sure it would be yours!" cried out the Parson, in a loud +voice. "To be sure it would be yours!" He knew nothing of the law, but +the doubt of the question began at once to ferment in his brain, and he +strode along in silence for a while. "Whose else would it be but yours +if you find it?" he burst out. "Can you tell me that?" + +"If ever I have a ship of my own," said Tom Chist, "and if ever I sail +to Injy in her, I'll fetch ye back the best chist of tea, sir, that +ever was fetched from Cochin Chiny." + +Parson Jones burst out laughing. "Thankee, Tom," he said; "and I'll +thankee again when I get my chist of tea. But tell me, Tom, didst thou +ever hear of the farmer girl who counted her chickens before they were +hatched?" + +It was thus they talked as they hurried along up the beach together, +and so came to a place at last where Tom stopped short and stood +looking about him. "'Twas just here," he said, "I saw the boat last +night. I know 'twas here, for I mind me of that bit of wreck yonder, +and that there was a tall stake drove in the sand just where yon stake +stands." + +Parson Jones put on his barnacles and went over to the stake towards +which Tom pointed. As soon as he had looked at it carefully, he called +out: "Why, Tom, this hath been just drove down into the sand. 'Tis a +brand-new stake of wood, and the pirates must have set it here +themselves as a mark, just as they drove the pegs you spoke about down +into the sand." + +Tom came over and looked at the stake. It was a stout piece of oak +nearly two inches thick; it had been shaped with some care, and the top +of it had been painted red. He shook the stake and tried to move it, +but it had been driven or planted so deeply into the sand that he could +not stir it. "Aye, sir," he said, "it must have been set here for a +mark, for I'm sure 'twas not here yesterday or the day before." He +stood looking about him to see if there were other signs of the +pirates' presence. At some little distance there was the corner of +something white sticking up out of the sand. He could see that it was a +scrap of paper, and he pointed to it, calling out: "Yonder is a piece +of paper, sir. I wonder if they left that behind them?" + +It was a miraculous chance that placed that paper there. There was only +an inch of it showing, and if it had not been for Tom's sharp eyes, it +would certainly have been overlooked and passed by. The next wind-storm +would have covered it up, and all that afterwards happened never would +have occurred. "Look sir," he said, as he struck the sand from it, "it +hath writing on it." + +"Let me see it," said Parson Jones. He adjusted the spectacles a little +more firmly astride of his nose as he took the paper in his hand and +began conning it. "What's all this?" he said; "a whole lot of figures +and nothing else." And then he read aloud, "'Mark--S.S.W. by S.' What +d'ye suppose that means, Tom?" + +"I don't know, sir," said Tom. "But maybe we can understand it better +if you read on." + +"Tis all a great lot of figures," said Parson Jones, "without a grain +of meaning in them so far as I can see, unless they be sailing +directions." And then he began reading again: "'Mark--S.S.W. by S. 40, +72, 91, 130, 151, 177, 202, 232, 256, 271'--d'ye see, it must be +sailing directions--'299, 335, 362, 386, 415, 446, 469, 491, 522, 544, +571, 598'--what a lot of them there be--'626, 652, 676, 695, 724, 851, +876, 905, 940, 967. Peg. S.E. by E. 269 foot. Peg. S.S.W. by S. 427 +foot. Peg. Dig to the west of this six foot.'" + +"What's that about a peg?" exclaimed Tom. "What's that about a peg? And +then there's something about digging, too!" It was as though a sudden +light began shining into his brain. He felt himself growing quickly +very excited. "Read that over again, sir," he cried. "Why, sir, you +remember I told you they drove a peg into the sand. And don't they say +to dig close to it? Read it over again, sir--read it over again!" + +"Peg?" said the good gentleman. "To be sure it was about a peg. Let's +look again. Yes, here it is. 'Peg S.E. by E. 269 foot.'" + +"Aye!" cried out Tom Chist again, in great excitement. "Don't you +remember what I told you, sir, 269 foot? Sure that must be what I saw +'em measuring with the line." Parson Jones had now caught the flame of +excitement that was blazing up so strongly in Tom's breast. He felt as +though some wonderful thing was about to happen to them. "To be sure, +to be sure!" he called out, in a great big voice. "And then they +measured out 427 foot south-southwest by south, and then they drove +another peg, and then they buried the box six foot to the west of it. +Why, Tom--why, Tom Chist! if we've read this aright, thy fortune is +made." + +Tom Chist stood staring straight at the old gentleman's excited face, +and seeing nothing but it in all the bright infinity of sunshine. Were +they, indeed, about to find the treasure-chest? He felt the sun very +hot upon his shoulders, and he heard the harsh, insistent jarring of a +tern that hovered and circled with forked tail and sharp white wings in +the sunlight just above their heads; but all the time he stood staring +into the good old gentleman's face. + +It was Parson Jones who first spoke. "But what do all these figures +mean?" And Tom observed how the paper shook and rustled in the tremor +of excitement that shook his hand. He raised the paper to the focus of +his spectacles and began to read again. "'Mark 40, 72, 91--'" + +"Mark?" cried out Tom, almost screaming. "Why, that must mean the stake +yonder; that must be the mark." And he pointed to the oaken stick with +its red tip blazing against the white shimmer of sand behind it. + +"And the 40 and 72 and 91," cried the old gentleman, in a voice equally +shrill--"why, that must mean the number of steps the pirate was +counting when you heard him." + +"To be sure that's what they mean!" cried Tom Chist. "That is it, and +it can be nothing else. Oh, come, sir--come, sir; let us make haste and +find it!" + +"Stay! stay!" said the good gentleman, holding up his hand; and again +Tom Chist noticed how it trembled and shook. His voice was steady +enough, though very hoarse, but his hand shook and trembled as though +with a palsy. "Stay! stay! First of all, we must follow these +measurements. And 'tis a marvellous thing," he croaked, after a little +pause, "how this paper ever came to be here." + +"Maybe it was blown here by the storm," suggested Tom Chist. + +"Like enough; like enough," said Parson Jones. "Like enough, after the +wretches had buried the chest and killed the poor black man, they were +so buffeted and bowsed about by the storm that it was shook out of the +man's pocket, and thus blew away from him without his knowing aught of +it." + +"But let us find the box!" cried out Tom Chist, flaming with his +excitement. + +"Aye, aye," said the good man; "only stay a little, my boy, until we +make sure what we're about. I've got my pocket-compass here, but we +must have something to measure off the feet when we have found the peg. +You run across to Tom Brooke's house and fetch that measuring-rod he +used to lay out his new byre. While you're gone I'll pace off the +distance marked on the paper with my pocket-compass here." + +VI + +Tom Chist was gone for almost an hour, though he ran nearly all the way +and back, upborne as on the wings of the wind. When he returned, +panting, Parson Jones was nowhere to be seen, but Tom saw his footsteps +leading away inland, and he followed the scuffling marks in the smooth +surface across the sand-humps and down into the hollows, and by-and-by +found the good gentleman in a spot he at once knew as soon as he laid +his eyes upon it. + +It was the open space where the pirates had driven their first peg, and +where Tom Chist had afterwards seen them kill the poor black man. Tom +Chist gazed around as though expecting to see some sign of the tragedy, +but the space was as smooth and as undisturbed as a floor, excepting +where, midway across it, Parson Jones who was now stooping over +something on the ground, had trampled it all around about. + +When Tom Chist saw him, he was still bending over, scraping the sand +away from something he had found. + +It was the first peg! + +Inside of half an hour they had found the second and third pegs, and +Tom Chist stripped off his coat, and began digging like mad down into +the sand, Parson Jones standing over him watching him. The sun was +sloping well towards the west when the blade of Tom Chist's spade +struck upon something hard. + +If it had been his own heart that he had hit in the sand his breast +could hardly have thrilled more sharply. + +It was the treasure-box! + +Parson Jones himself leaped down into the hole, and began scraping away +the sand with his hands as though he had gone crazy. At last, with some +difficulty, they tugged and hauled the chest up out of the sand to the +surface, where it lay covered all over with the grit that clung to it. + +It was securely locked and fastened with a padlock, and it took a good +many blows with the blade of the spade to burst the bolt. Parson Jones +himself lifted the lid. + +Tom Chist leaned forward and gazed down into the open box. He would not +have been surprised to have seen it filled full of yellow gold and +bright jewels. It was filled half full of books and papers, and half +full of canvas bags tied safely and securely around and around with +cords of string. + +Parson Jones lifted out one of the bags, and it jingled as he did so. +It was full of money. + +He cut the string, and with trembling, shaking hands handed the bag to +Tom, who, in an ecstasy of wonder and dizzy with delight, poured out +with swimming sight upon the coat spread on the ground a cataract of +shining silver money that rang and twinkled and jingled as it fell in a +shining heap upon the coarse cloth. + +Parson Jones held up both hands into the air, and Tom stared at what he +saw, wondering whether it was all so, and whether he was really awake. +It seemed to him as though he was in a dream. + +There were two-and-twenty bags in all in the chest: ten of them full of +silver money, eight of them full of gold money, three of them full of +gold-dust, and one small bag with jewels wrapped up in wad cotton and +paper. + +[Illustration: "'TIS ENOUGH,' CRIED OUT PARSON JONES, 'TO MAKE US BOTH +RICH MEN'"] + +"'Tis enough," cried out Parson Jones, "to make us both rich men as +long as we live." + +The burning summer sun, though sloping in the sky, beat down upon them +as hot as fire; but neither of them noticed it. Neither did they notice +hunger nor thirst nor fatigue, but sat there as though in a trance, +with the bags of money scattered on the sand around them, a great pile +of money heaped upon the coat, and the open chest beside them. It was +an hour of sundown before Parson Jones had begun fairly to examine the +books and papers in the chest. + +Of the three books, two were evidently log-books of the pirates who had +been lying off the mouth of the Delaware Bay all this time. The other +book was written in Spanish, and was evidently the log-book of some +captured prize. + +It was then, sitting there upon the sand, the good old gentleman +reading in his high, cracking voice, that they first learned from the +bloody records in those two books who it was who had been lying inside +the Cape all this time, and that it was the famous Captain Kidd. Every +now and then the reverend gentleman would stop to exclaim, "Oh, the +bloody wretch!" or, "Oh, the desperate, cruel villains!" and then would +go on reading again a scrap here and a scrap there. + +And all the while Tom Chist sat and listened, every now and then +reaching out furtively and touching the heap of money still lying upon +the coat. + +One might be inclined to wonder why Captain Kidd had kept those bloody +records. He had probably laid them away because they so incriminated +many of the great people of the colony of New York that, with the books +in evidence, it would have been impossible to bring the pirate to +justice without dragging a dozen or more fine gentlemen into the dock +along with him. If he could have kept them in his own possession, they +would doubtless have been a great weapon of defence to protect him from +the gallows. Indeed, when Captain Kidd was finally brought to +conviction and hung, he was not accused of his piracies, but of +striking a mutinous seaman upon the head with a bucket and accidentally +killing him. The authorities did not dare try him for piracy. He was +really hung because he was a pirate, and we know that it was the +log-books that Tom Chist brought to New York that did the business for him; +he was accused and convicted of manslaughter for killing of his own +ship-carpenter with a bucket. + +So Parson Jones, sitting there in the slanting light, read through +these terrible records of piracy, and Tom, with the pile of gold and +silver money beside him, sat and listened to him. + +What a spectacle, if any one had come upon them! But they were alone, +with the vast arch of sky empty above them and the wide white stretch +of sand a desert around them. The sun sank lower and lower, until there +was only time to glance through the other papers in the chest. + +They were nearly all goldsmiths' bills of exchange drawn in favor of +certain of the most prominent merchants of New York. Parson Jones, as +he read over the names, knew of nearly all the gentlemen by hearsay. +Aye, here was this gentleman; he thought that name would be among 'em. +What? Here is Mr. So-and-so. Well, if all they say is true, the villain +has robbed one of his own best friends. "I wonder," he said, "why the +wretch should have hidden these papers so carefully away with the other +treasures, for they could do him no good?" Then, answering his own +question: "Like enough because these will give him a hold over the +gentlemen to whom they are drawn so that he can make a good bargain for +his own neck before he gives the bills back to their owners. I tell you +what it is, Tom," he continued, "it is you yourself shall go to New +York and bargain for the return of these papers. 'Twill be as good as +another fortune to you." + +The majority of the bills were drawn in favor of one Richard +Chillingsworth, Esquire. "And he is," said Parson Jones; "one of the +richest men in the province of New York. You shall go to him with the +news of what we have found." + +"When shall I go?" said Tom Chist. + +"You shall go upon the very first boat we can catch," said the Parson. +He had turned, still holding the bills in his hand, and was now +fingering over the pile of money that yet lay tumbled out upon the +coat. "I wonder, Tom," said he, "if you could spare me a score or so of +these doubloons?" + +"You shall have fifty score, if you choose," said Tom, bursting with +gratitude and with generosity in his newly found treasure. + +"You are as fine a lad as ever I saw, Tom," said the Parson, "and I'll +thank you to the last day of my life." + +Tom scooped up a double handful of silver money. "Take it, sir," he +said, "and you may have as much more as you want of it." + +He poured it into the dish that the good man made of his hands, and the +Parson made a motion as though to empty it into his pocket. Then he +stopped, as though a sudden doubt had occurred to him. "I don't know +that 'tis fit for me to take this pirate money, after all," he said. + +"But you are welcome to it," said Tom. + +Still the Parson hesitated. "Nay," he burst out, "I'll not take it; +'tis blood-money." And as he spoke he chucked the whole double handful +into the now empty chest, then arose and dusted the sand from his +breeches. Then, with a great deal of bustling energy, he helped to tie +the bags again and put them all back into the chest. + +They reburied the chest in the place whence they had taken it, and then +the Parson folded the precious paper of directions, placed it carefully +in his wallet, and his wallet in his pocket. + +"Tom," he said, for the twentieth time, "your fortune has been made +this day." + +And Tom Chist, as he rattled in his breeches pocket the half-dozen +doubloons he had kept out of his treasure, felt that what his friend +had said was true. + + * * * * * + +As the two went back homeward across the level space of sand, Tom Chist +suddenly stopped stock still and stood looking about him. "'Twas just +here," he said, digging his heel down into the sand, "that they killed +the poor black man." + +"And here he lies buried for all time," said Parson Jones; and as he +spoke he dug his cane down into the sand. Tom Chist shuddered. He would +not have been surprised if the ferrule of the cane had struck something +soft beneath that level surface. But it did not, nor was any sign of +that tragedy ever seen again. For, whether the pirates had carried away +what they had done and buried it elsewhere, or whether the storm in +blowing the sand had completely levelled off and hidden all sign of +that tragedy where it was enacted, certain it is that it never came to +sight again--at least so far as Tom Chist and the Reverend Hillary +Jones ever knew. + +VII + +This is the story of the treasure-box. All that remains now is to +conclude the story of Tom Chist, and to tell of what came of him in the +end. + +He did not go back again to live with old Matt Abrahamson. Parson Jones +had now taken charge of him and his fortunes, and Tom did not have to +go back to the fisherman's hut. + +Old Abrahamson talked a great deal about it, and would come in his cups +and harangue good Parson Jones, making a vast protestation of what he +would do to Tom--if he ever caught him--for running away. But Tom on +all these occasions kept carefully out of his way, and nothing came of +the old man's threatenings. + +Tom used to go over to see his foster-mother now and then, but always +when the old man was from home. And Molly Abrahamson used to warn him +to keep out of her father's way. "He's in as vile a humor as ever I +see, Tom," she said; "he sits sulking all day long, and 'tis my belief +he'd kill ye if he caught ye." + +Of course Tom said nothing, even to her, about the treasure, and he and +the reverend gentleman kept the knowledge thereof to themselves. About +three weeks later Parson Jones managed to get him shipped aboard of a +vessel bound for New York town, and a few days later Tom Chist landed +at that place. He had never been in such a town before, and he could +not sufficiently wonder and marvel at the number of brick houses, at +the multitude of people coming and going along the fine, hard, earthen +sidewalk, at the shops and the stores where goods hung in the windows, +and, most of all, the fortifications and the battery at the point, at +the rows of threatening cannon, and at the scarlet-coated sentries +pacing up and down the ramparts. All this was very wonderful, and so +were the clustered boats riding at anchor in the harbor. It was like a +new world, so different was it from the sand-hills and the sedgy levels +of Henlopen. + +Tom Chist took up his lodgings at a coffeehouse near to the town-hall, +and thence he sent by the post-boy a letter written by Parson Jones to +Master Chillingsworth. In a little while the boy returned with a +message, asking Tom to come up to Mr. Chillingsworth's house that +afternoon at two o'clock. + +Tom went thither with a great deal of trepidation, and his heart fell +away altogether when he found it a fine, grand brick house, three +stories high, and with wrought-iron letters across the front. + +The counting-house was in the same building; but Tom, because of Mr. +Jones's letter, was conducted directly into the parlor, where the great +rich man was awaiting his coming. He was sitting in a leather-covered +arm-chair, smoking a pipe of tobacco, and with a bottle of fine old +Madeira close to his elbow. + +Tom had not had a chance to buy a new suit of clothes yet, and so he +cut no very fine figure in the rough dress he had brought with him from +Henlopen. Nor did Mr. Chillingsworth seem to think very highly of his +appearance, for he sat looking sideways at Tom as he smoked. + +"Well, my lad," he said; "and what is this great thing you have to tell +me that is so mightily wonderful? I got what's-his-name--Mr. Jones's-- +letter, and now I am ready to hear what you have to say." + +But if he thought but little of his visitor's appearance at first, he +soon changed his sentiments towards him, for Tom had not spoken twenty +words when Mr. Chillingsworth's whole aspect changed. He straightened +himself up in his seat, laid aside his pipe, pushed away his glass of +Madeira, and bade Tom take a chair. He listened without a word as Tom +Chist told of the buried treasure, of how he had seen the poor negro +murdered, and of how he and Parson Jones had recovered the chest again. +Only once did Mr. Chillingsworth interrupt the narrative. "And to +think," he cried, "that the villain this very day walks about New York +town as though he were an honest man, ruffling it with the best of us! +But if we can only get hold of these log-books you speak of. Go on; +tell me more of this." + +When Tom Chist's narrative was ended, Mr. Chillingsworth's bearing was +as different as daylight is from dark. He asked a thousand questions, +all in the most polite and gracious tone imaginable, and not only urged +a glass of his fine old Madeira upon Tom, but asked him to stay to +supper. There was nobody to be there, he said, but his wife and +daughter. + +Tom, all in a panic at the very thought of the two ladies, sturdily +refused to stay even for the dish of tea Mr. Chillingsworth offered +him. + +He did not know that he was destined to stay there as long as he should +live. + +"And now," said Mr. Chillingsworth, "tell me about yourself." + +"I have nothing to tell, your honor," said Tom, "except that I was +washed up out of the sea." + +"Washed up out of the sea!" exclaimed Mr. Chillingsworth. "Why, how was +that? Come, begin at the beginning, and tell me all." + +Thereupon Tom Chist did as he was bidden, beginning at the very +beginning and telling everything just as Molly Abrahamson had often +told it to him. As he continued, Mr. Chillingsworth's interest changed +into an appearance of stronger and stronger excitement. Suddenly he +jumped up out of his chair and began to walk up and down the room. + +"Stop! stop!" he cried out at last, in the midst of something Tom was +saying. "Stop! stop! Tell me; do you know the name of the vessel that +was wrecked, and from which you were washed ashore?" + +"I've heard it said," said Tom Chist, "'twas the _Bristol Merchant_." + +"I knew it! I knew it!" exclaimed the great man, in a loud voice, +flinging his hands up into the air. "I felt it was so the moment you +began the story. But tell me this, was there nothing found with you +with a mark or a name upon it?" + +"There was a kerchief," said Tom, "marked with a T and a C." + +"Theodosia Chillingsworth!" cried out the merchant. "I knew it! I knew +it! Heavens! to think of anything so wonderful happening as this! Boy! +boy! dost thou know who thou art? Thou art my own brother's son. His +name was Oliver Chillingsworth, and he was my partner in business, and +thou art his son." Then he ran out into the entryway, shouting and +calling for his wife and daughter to come. + +So Tom Chist--or Thomas Chillingsworth, as he now was to be called--did +stay to supper, after all. + +This is the story, and I hope you may like it. For Tom Chist became +rich and great, as was to be supposed, and he married his pretty cousin +Theodosia (who had been named for his own mother, drowned in the +_Bristol Merchant_). + +He did not forget his friends, but had Parson Jones brought to New York +to live. + +As to Molly and Matt Abrahamson, they both enjoyed a pension of ten +pounds a year for as long as they lived; for now that all was well with +him, Tom bore no grudge against the old fisherman for all the drubbings +he had suffered. + +The treasure-box was brought on to New York, and if Tom Chist did not +get all the money there was in it (as Parson Jones had opined he would) +he got at least a good big lump of it. And it is my belief that those +log-books did more to get Captain Kidd arrested in Boston town and +hanged in London than anything else that was brought up against him. + + + + +III. THE GHOST OF CAPTAIN BRAND + +_Being a Narrative of Certain Extraordinary Adventures that Befell +Barnaby True, Esquire, of the Town of New York, in the Year 1753._ + + +I + +It is not so easy to tell why discredit should be cast upon a man +because of something his grandfather may have done amiss, but the +world, which is never over-nice in its discrimination as to where to +lay the blame, is often pleased to make the innocent suffer instead of +the guilty. + +Barnaby True was a good, honest boy, as boys go, but yet was he not +ever allowed altogether to forget that his grandfather had been that +very famous pirate, Captain William Brand, who, after so many +marvellous adventures (if one may believe the catchpenny stories and +ballads that were writ about him), was murdered in Jamaica by Captain +John Malyoe, the commander of his own consort, the _Adventure_ galley. + +It hath never been denied, that ever I heard, that up to the time of +Captain Brand's being commissioned against the South Sea pirates, he +had always been esteemed as honest, reputable a sea-captain as could +be. When he started out upon that adventure it was with a ship, the +_Royal Sovereign_, fitted out by some of the most decent merchants of +New York. Governor Van Dam himself had subscribed to the adventure, and +himself had signed Captain Brand's commission. So, if the unfortunate +man went astray, he must have had great temptation to do so; many +others behaving no better when the opportunity offered in these +far-away seas, when so many rich purchases might very easily be taken and +no one the wiser. + +To be sure those stories and ballads made our captain to be a most +wicked, profane wretch; and if he were, why God knows he suffered and +paid for it, for he laid his bones in Jamaica, and never saw his home +or his wife or his daughter after he had sailed away on the _Royal +Sovereign_ on that long, misfortunate voyage, leaving his family behind +him in New York to the care of strangers. + +At the time when Captain Brand so met his fate in Port Royal Harbor he +had increased his flotilla to two vessels--the _Royal Sovereign_ (which +was the vessel that had been fitted out for him in New York, a fine +brigantine and a good sailer), and the _Adventure_ galley, which he had +captured somewhere in the South Seas. This latter vessel he placed in +command of a certain John Malyoe whom he had picked up no one knows +where--a young man of very good family in England, who had turned +red-handed pirate. This man, who took no more thought of a human life than +he would of a broom straw, was he who afterwards murdered Captain +Brand, as you shall presently hear. + +With these two vessels, the _Royal Sovereign_ and the _Adventure_, +Captain Brand and Captain Malyoe swept the Mozambique Channel as clear +as a boatswain's whistle, and after three years of piracy, having +gained a great booty of gold and silver and pearls, sailed straight for +the Americas, making first the island of Jamaica and the harbor of Port +Royal, where they dropped anchor to wait for news from home. + +But by this time the authorities had been so stirred up against our +pirates that it became necessary for them to hide their booty until +such time as they might make their peace with the Admiralty Courts at +home. So one night Captain Brand and Captain Malyoe, with two others of +the pirates, went ashore with two great chests of treasure, which they +buried somewhere on the banks of the Cobra River near the place where +the old Spanish fort had stood. + +What happened after the treasure was thus buried no one may tell. 'Twas +said that Captain Brand and Captain Malyoe fell a-quarrelling and that +the upshot of the matter was that Captain Malyoe shot Captain Brand +through the head, and that the pirate who was with him served Captain +Brand's companion after the same fashion with a pistol bullet through +the body. + +After that the two murderers returned to their vessel, the _Adventure_ +galley, and sailed away, carrying the bloody secret of the buried +treasure with them. + +[Illustration: "CAPTAIN MALYOE SHOT CAPTAIN BRAND THROUGH THE HEAD"] + +But this double murder of Captain Brand and his companion happened, you +are to understand, some twenty years before the time of this story, and +while our hero was but one year old. So now to our present history. + +It is a great pity that any one should have a grandfather who ended his +days in such a sort as this; but it was no fault of Barnaby True's, nor +could he have done anything to prevent it, seeing he was not even born +into the world at the time that his grandfather turned pirate, and that +he was only one year old when Captain Brand so met his death on the +Cobra River. Nevertheless, the boys with whom he went to school never +tired of calling him "Pirate," and would sometimes sing for his benefit +that famous catchpenny ballad beginning thus: + +"Oh! my name was Captain Brand, + A-sailing, + And a-sailing; +Oh! my name was Captain Brand, + A-sailing free. +Oh! my name was Captain Brand, +And I sinned by sea and land, +For I broke God's just command, + A-sailing free." + +'Twas a vile thing to sing at the grandson of so unfortunate a man, and +oftentimes Barnaby True would double up his little fists and would +fight his tormentors at great odds, and would sometimes go back home +with a bloody nose or a bruised eye to have his poor mother cry over +him and grieve for him. + +Not that his days were all of teasing and torment, either; for if his +comrades did sometimes treat him so, why then there were other times +when he and they were as great friends as could be, and used to go +a-swimming together in the most amicable fashion where there was a bit of +sandy strand below the little bluff along the East River above Fort +George. + +There was a clump of wide beech-trees at that place, with a fine shade +and a place to lay their clothes while they swam about, splashing with +their naked white bodies in the water. At these times Master Barnaby +would bawl as lustily and laugh as loud as though his grandfather had +been the most honest ship-chandler in the town, instead of a +bloody-handed pirate who had been murdered in his sins. + +Ah! It is a fine thing to look back to the days when one was a boy! +Barnaby may remember how, often, when he and his companions were +paddling so in the water, the soldiers off duty would come up from the +fort and would maybe join them in the water, others, perhaps, standing +in their red coats on the shore, looking on and smoking their pipes of +tobacco. + +Then there were other times when maybe the very next day after our hero +had fought with great valor with his fellows he would go a-rambling +with them up the Bouwerie Road with the utmost friendliness; perhaps to +help them steal cherries from some old Dutch farmer, forgetting in such +an adventure what a thief his own grandfather had been. + +But to resume our story. + +When Barnaby True was between sixteen and seventeen years old he was +taken into employment in the counting-house of his stepfather, Mr. +Roger Hartright, the well-known West Indian merchant, a most +respectable man and one of the kindest and best of friends that anybody +could have in the world. + +This good gentleman had courted the favor of Barnaby's mother for a +long time before he had married her. Indeed, he had so courted her +before she had ever thought of marrying Jonathan True. But he not +venturing to ask her in marriage, and she being a brisk, handsome +woman, she chose the man who spoke out his mind, and so left the silent +lover out in the cold. But so soon as she was a widow and free again, +Mr. Hartright resumed his wooing, and so used to come down every +Tuesday and Friday evening to sit and talk with her. Among Barnaby +True's earliest memories was a recollection of the good, kind gentleman +sitting in old Captain Brand's double-nailed arm-chair, the sunlight +shining across his knees, over which he had spread a great red silk +handkerchief, while he sipped a dish of tea with a dash of rum in it. +He kept up this habit of visiting the Widow True for a long time before +he could fetch himself to the point of asking anything more particular +of her, and so Barnaby was nigh fourteen years old before Mr. Hartright +married her, and so became our hero's dear and honored foster-father. + +It was the kindness of this good man that not only found a place for +Barnaby in the counting-house, but advanced him so fast that, against +our hero was twenty-one years old, he had made four voyages as +supercargo to the West Indies in Mr. Hartright's ship, the _Belle +Helen_, and soon after he was twenty-one undertook a fifth. + +Nor was it in any such subordinate position as mere supercargo that he +sailed upon these adventures, but rather as the confidential agent of +Mr. Hartright, who, having no likelihood of children of his own, was +jealous to advance our hero to a position of trust and responsibility +in the counting-house, and so would have him know all the particulars +of the business and become more intimately acquainted with the +correspondents and agents throughout those parts of the West Indies +where the affairs of the house were most active. He would give to +Barnaby the best sort of letters of introduction, so that the +correspondents of Mr. Hartright throughout those parts, seeing how that +gentleman had adopted our hero's interests as his own, were always at +considerable pains to be very polite and obliging in showing every +attention to him. + +Especially among these gentlemen throughout the West Indies may be +mentioned Mr. Ambrose Greenfield, a merchant of excellent standing who +lived at Kingston, Jamaica. This gentleman was very particular to do +all that he could to make our hero's stay in these parts as agreeable +and pleasant to him as might be. Mr. Greenfield is here spoken of with +a greater degree of particularity than others who might as well be +remarked upon, because, as the reader shall presently discover for +himself, it was through the offices of this good friend that our hero +first became acquainted, not only with that lady who afterwards figured +with such conspicuousness in his affairs, but also with a man who, +though graced with a title, was perhaps the greatest villain who ever +escaped a just fate upon the gallows. + +So much for the history of Barnaby True up to the beginning of this +story, without which you shall hardly be able to understand the purport +of those most extraordinary adventures that afterwards befell him, nor +the logic of their consequence after they had occurred. + +II + +Upon the occasion of our hero's fifth voyage into the West Indies he +made a stay of some six or eight weeks at Kingston, in the island of +Jamaica, and it was at that time that the first of those extraordinary +adventures befell him, concerning which this narrative has to relate. + +It was Barnaby's habit, when staying at Kingston, to take lodging with +a very decent, respectable widow, by name Mrs. Anne Bolles, who, with +three extremely agreeable and pleasant daughters, kept a very clean and +well-served house for the accommodation of strangers visiting that +island. + +One morning as he sat sipping his coffee, clad only in loose cotton +drawers and a jacket of the same material, and with slippers upon his +feet (as is the custom in that country, where every one endeavors to +keep as cool as may be), Miss Eliza, the youngest of the three +daughters--a brisk, handsome miss of sixteen or seventeen--came +tripping into the room and handed him a sealed letter, which she +declared a stranger had just left at the door, departing incontinently +so soon as he had eased himself of that commission. You may conceive of +Barnaby's astonishment when he opened the note and read the remarkable +words that here follow: + +"_Mr. Barnaby True._ + +"Sir,--Though you don't know me, I know you, +and I tell you this: if you will be at Pratt's Ordinary +on Friday next at eight o'clock in the evening, and +will accompany the man who shall say to you, '_The +Royal Sovereign is come in_' you shall learn of something +the most to your advantage that ever befell you. +Sir, keep this note and give it to him who shall address +those words to you, so to certify that you are +the man he seeks. Sir, this is the most important thing +that can concern you, so you will please say nothing +to nobody about it." + +Such was the wording of the note which was writ in as cramped and +villanous handwriting as our hero ever beheld, and which, excepting his +own name, was without address, and which possessed no superscription +whatever. + +The first emotion that stirred Barnaby True was one of extreme and +profound astonishment; the second thought that came into his mind was +that maybe some witty fellow--of whom he knew a good many in that +place, and wild, mad rakes they were as ever the world beheld--was +attempting to play off a smart, witty jest upon him. Indeed, Miss Eliza +Bolles, who was of a lively, mischievous temper, was not herself above +playing such a prank should the occasion offer. With this thought in +his mind Barnaby inquired of her with a good deal of particularity +concerning the appearance and condition of the man who had left the +note, to all of which Miss replied with so straight a face and so +candid an air that he could no longer suspect her of being concerned in +any trick against him, and so eased his mind of any such suspicion. The +bearer of the note, she informed him, was a tall, lean man, with a red +neckerchief tied around his neck and with copper buckles to his shoes, +and he had the appearance of a sailor-man, having a great queue of red +hair hanging down his back. But, Lord! what was such a description as +that in a busy seaport town full of scores of men to fit such a +likeness? Accordingly, our hero put the note away into his wallet, +determining to show it to his good friend Mr. Greenfield that evening, +and to ask his advice upon it. + +This he did, and that gentleman's opinion was the same as his: to wit, +that some wag was minded to play off a hoax upon him, and that the +matter of the letter was all nothing but smoke. + +III + +Nevertheless, though Barnaby was thus confirmed in his opinion as to +the nature of the communication he had received, he yet determined in +his own mind that he would see the business through to the end and so +be at Pratt's Ordinary, as the note demanded, upon the day and at the +time appointed therein. + +Pratt's Ordinary was at that time a very fine and famous place of its +sort, with good tobacco and the best rum in the West Indies, and had a +garden behind it that, sloping down to the harbor front, was planted +pretty thick with palms and ferns, grouped into clusters with flowers +and plants. Here were a number of tables, some in little grottos, like +our Vauxhall in New York, with red and blue and white paper lanterns +hung among the foliage. Thither gentlemen and ladies used sometimes to +go of an evening to sit and drink lime-juice and sugar and water (and +sometimes a taste of something stronger), and to look out across the +water at the shipping and so to enjoy the cool of the day. + +Thither, accordingly, our hero went a little before the time appointed +in the note, and, passing directly through the Ordinary and to the +garden beyond, chose a table at the lower end and close to the water's +edge, where he could not readily be seen by any one coming into the +place, and yet where he could easily view whoever should approach. +Then, ordering some rum and water and a pipe of tobacco, he composed +himself to watch for the arrival of those witty fellows whom he +suspected would presently come thither to see the end of their prank +and to enjoy his confusion. + +The spot was pleasant enough, for the land breeze, blowing strong and +cool, set the leaves of the palm-tree above his head to rattling and +clattering continually against the darkness of the sky, where, the moon +then being half full, they shone every now and then like blades of +steel. The waves, also, were splashing up against the little +landing-place at the foot of the garden, sounding mightily pleasant in the +dusk of the evening, and sparkling all over the harbor where the moon +caught the edges of the water. A great many vessels were lying at anchor in +their ridings, with the dark, prodigious form of a man-of-war looming +up above them in the moonlight. + +There our hero sat for the best part of an hour, smoking his pipe of +tobacco and sipping his rum and water, yet seeing nothing of those whom +he suspected might presently come thither to laugh at him. + +It was not far from half after the hour when a row-boat came suddenly +out of the night and pulled up to the landing-place at the foot of the +garden, and three or four men came ashore in the darkness. They landed +very silently and walked up the garden pathway without saying a word, +and, sitting down at an adjacent table, ordered rum and water and began +drinking among themselves, speaking every now and then a word or two in +a tongue that Barnaby did not well understand, but which, from certain +phrases they let fall, he suspected to be Portuguese. Our hero paid no +great attention to them, till by-and-by he became aware that they had +fallen to whispering together and were regarding him very curiously. He +felt himself growing very uneasy under this observation, which every +moment grew more and more particular, and he was just beginning to +suspect that this interest concerning himself might have somewhat more +to do with him than mere idle curiosity, when one of the men, who was +plainly the captain of the party, suddenly says to him, "How now, +messmate; won't you come and have a drop of drink with us?" + +At this address Barnaby instantly began to be aware that the affair he +had come upon was indeed no jest, as he had supposed it to be, but that +he had walked into what promised to be a very pretty adventure. +Nevertheless, not wishing to be too hasty in his conclusions, he +answered very civilly that he had drunk enough already, and that more +would only heat his blood. + +"Well," says the stranger, "I may be mistook, but I believe you are Mr. +Barnaby True." + +"You are right, sir, and that is my name," acknowledged Barnaby. "But +still I cannot guess how that may concern you, nor why it should be a +reason for my drinking with you." "That I will presently tell you," +says the stranger, very composedly. "Your name concerns me because I +was sent here to tell Mr. Barnaby True that '_the Royal Sovereign is +come in_.'" + +To be sure our hero's heart jumped into his throat at those words. His +pulse began beating at a tremendous rate, for here, indeed, was an +adventure suddenly opening to him such as a man may read about in a +book, but which he may hardly expect to befall him in the real +happenings of his life. Had he been a wiser and an older man he might +have declined the whole business, instead of walking blindly into that +of which he could see neither the beginning nor the ending; but being +barely one-and-twenty years of age, and possessing a sanguine temper +and an adventurous disposition that would have carried him into almost +anything that possessed a smack of uncertainty or danger, he contrived +to say, in a pretty easy tone (though God knows how it was put on for +the occasion): + +"Well, if that be so, and if the _Royal Sovereign_ is indeed come in, +why, then, I'll join you, since you are so kind as to ask me." +Therewith he arose and went across to the other table, carrying his +pipe with him, and sat down and began smoking, with all the appearance +of ease he could command upon the occasion. + +At this the other burst out a-laughing. "Indeed," says he, "you are a +cool blade, and a chip of the old block. But harkee, young gentleman," +and here he fell serious again. "This is too weighty a business to +chance any mistake in a name. I believe that you are, as you say, Mr. +Barnaby True; but, nevertheless, to make perfectly sure, I must ask you +first to show me a note that you have about you and which you are +instructed to show to me." + +"Very well," said Barnaby; "I have it here safe and sound, and you +shall see it." And thereupon and without more ado he drew out his +wallet, opened it, and handed the other the mysterious note which he +had kept carefully by him ever since he had received it. His +interlocutor took the paper, and drawing to him the candle, burning +there for the convenience of those who would smoke tobacco, began +immediately reading it. + +This gave Barnaby True a moment or two to look at him. He was a tall, +lean man with a red handkerchief tied around his neck, with a queue of +red hair hanging down his back, and with copper buckles on his shoes, +so that Barnaby True could not but suspect that he was the very same +man who had given the note to Miss Eliza Bolles at the door of his +lodging-house. + +"'Tis all right and straight and as it should be," the other said, +after he had so examined the note. "And now that the paper is read" +(suiting his action to his words), "I'll just burn it for safety's +sake." + +And so he did, twisting it up and setting it to the flame of the +candle. "And now," he said, continuing his address, "I'll tell you what +I am here for. I was sent to ask if you're man enough to take your life +in your hands and to go with me in that boat down yonder at the foot of +the garden. Say 'Yes,' and we'll start away without wasting more time, +for the devil is ashore here at Jamaica--though you don't know what +that means--and if he gets ahead of us, why then we may whistle for +what we are after, for all the good 'twill do us. Say 'No,' and I go +away, and I promise you you shall never be troubled more in this sort +of a way. So now speak up plain, young gentleman, and tell us what is +your wish in this business, and whether you will adventure any further +or no." + +If our hero hesitated it was not for long, and when he spoke up it was +with a voice as steady as could be. + +"To be sure I'm man enough to go with you," says he; "and if you mean +me any harm I can look out for myself; and if I can't, then here is +something can look out for me." And therewith he lifted up the flap of +his pocket and showed the butt of a pistol he had fetched with him when +he had set out from his lodging-house that evening. + +At this the other burst out a-laughing for a second time. "Come," says +he; "you are indeed of right mettle, and I like your spirit. All the +same, no one in all the world means you less ill than I, and so, if you +have to use that barker, 'twill not be upon us who are your friends, +but only upon one who is more wicked than the devil himself. So now if +you are prepared and have made up your mind and are determined to see +this affair through to the end, 'tis time for us to be away." +Whereupon, our hero indicating his acquiescence, his interlocutor and +the others (who had not spoken a single word for all this time), rose +together from the table, and the stranger having paid the scores of +all, they went down together to the boat that lay plainly awaiting +their coming at the bottom of the garden. + +Thus coming to it, our hero could see that it was a large yawl-boat +manned by half a score of black men for rowers, and that there were two +lanterns in the stern-sheets, and three or four shovels. + +The man who had conducted the conversation with Barnaby True for all +this time, and who was, as has been said, plainly the captain of the +expedition, stepped immediately down into the boat; our hero followed, +and the others followed after him; and instantly they were seated the +boat shoved off and the black men began pulling straight out into the +harbor, and so, at some distance away, around under the stern of the +man-of-war. + +Not a word was spoken after they had thus left the shore, and they +might all have been so many spirits for the silence of the party. +Barnaby True was too full of his own thoughts to talk (and serious +enough thoughts they were by this time, with crimps to trepan a man at +every turn, and press-gangs to carry him off so that he might never be +heard of again). As for the others, they did not seem to choose to say +anything now that they had been fairly embarked upon their enterprise, +and so the crew pulled away for the best part of an hour, the leader of +the expedition directing the course of the boat straight across the +harbor, as though towards the mouth of the Cobra River. Indeed, this +was their destination, as Barnaby could after a while see for himself, +by the low point of land with a great, long row of cocoanut-palms +growing upon it (the appearance of which he knew very well), which +by-and-by began to loom up from the dimness of the moonlight. As they +approached the river they found the tide was running very violently, so +that it gurgled and rippled alongside the boat as the crew of black men +pulled strongly against it. Thus rowing slowly against the stream they +came around what appeared to be either a point of land or an islet +covered with a thick growth of mangrove-trees; though still no one +spoke a single word as to their destination, or what was the business +they had in hand. + +The night, now that they had come close to the shore, appeared to be +full of the noises of running tide-water, and the air was heavy with +the smell of mud and marsh. And over all was the whiteness of the +moonlight, with a few stars pricking out here and there in the sky; and +everything was so strange and mysterious and so different from anything +that he had experienced before that Barnaby could not divest himself of +the feeling that it was all a dream from which at any moment he might +awaken. As for the town and the Ordinary he had quitted such a short +time before, so different were they from this present experience, it +was as though they might have concerned another life than that which he +was then enjoying. + +Meantime, the rowers bending to the oars, the boat drew slowly around +into the open water once more. As it did so the leader of the +expedition of a sudden called out in a loud, commanding voice, whereat +the black men instantly ceased rowing and lay on their oars, the boat +drifting onward into the night. + +At the same moment of time our hero became aware of another boat coming +down the river towards where they lay. This other boat, approaching +thus strangely through the darkness, was full of men, some of them +armed; for even in the distance Barnaby could not but observe that the +light of the moon glimmered now and then as upon the barrels of muskets +or pistols. This threw him into a good deal of disquietude of mind, for +whether they or this boat were friends or enemies, or as to what was to +happen next, he was altogether in the dark. + +Upon this point, however, he was not left very long in doubt, for the +oarsmen of the approaching boat continuing to row steadily onward till +they had come pretty close to Barnaby and his companions, a man who sat +in the stern suddenly stood up, and as they passed by shook a cane at +Barnaby's companion with a most threatening and angry gesture. At the +same moment, the moonlight shining full upon him, Barnaby could see him +as plain as daylight--a large, stout gentleman with a round red face, +and clad in a fine, laced coat of red cloth. In the stern of the boat +near by him was a box or chest about the bigness of a middle-sized +travelling-trunk, but covered all over with cakes of sand and dirt. In +the act of passing, the gentleman, still standing, pointed at this +chest with his cane--an elegant gold-headed staff--and roared out in a +loud voice: "Are you come after this, Abram Dowling? Then come and take +it." And thereat, as he sat down again, burst out a-laughing as though +what he had said was the wittiest jest conceivable. + +Either because he respected the armed men in the other boat, or else +for some reason best known to himself, the Captain of our hero's +expedition did not immediately reply, but sat as still as any stone. +But at last, the other boat having drifted pretty far away, he suddenly +found words to shout out after it: "Very well, Jack Malyoe! Very well, +Jack Malyoe! You've got the better of us once more. But next time is +the third, and then it'll be our turn, even if William Brand must come +back from the grave to settle with you himself." + +But to this my fine gentleman in t'other boat made no reply except to +burst out once more into a great fit of laughter. + +There was, however, still another man in the stern of the enemy's +boat--a villanous, lean man with lantern-jaws, and the top of his head as +bald as an apple. He held in his hand a great pistol, which he +flourished about him, crying out to the gentleman beside him, "Do but +give me the word, your honor, and I'll put another bullet through the +son of a sea cook." But the other forbade him, and therewith the boat +presently melted away into the darkness of the night and was gone. + +This happened all in a few seconds, so that before our hero understood +what was passing he found the boat in which he still sat drifting +silently in the moonlight (for no one spoke for awhile) and the oars of +the other boat sounding farther and farther away into the distance. + +By-and-by says one of those in Barnaby's boat, in Spanish, "Where shall +you go now?" + +At this the leader of the expedition appeared suddenly to come back to +himself and to find his tongue again. "Go?" he roared out. "Go to the +devil! Go? Go where you choose! Go? Go back again--that's where well +go!" And therewith he fell a-cursing and swearing, frothing at the lips +as though he had gone clean crazy, while the black men, bending once +more to their oars, rowed back again across the harbor as fast as ever +they could lay oars to the water. + +They put Barnaby True ashore below the old custom-house, but so +bewildered and amazed by all that had happened, and by what he had +seen, and by the names he had heard spoken, that he was only half +conscious of the familiar things among which he suddenly found himself +transported. The moonlight and the night appeared to have taken upon +them a new and singular aspect, and he walked up the street towards his +lodging like one drunk or in a dream. For you must remember that "John +Malyoe" was the captain of the _Adventure_ galley--he who had shot +Barnaby's own grandfather--and "Abram Dowling," I must tell you, had +been the gunner of the _Royal Sovereign_--he who had been shot at the +same time that Captain Brand met his tragical end. And yet these names +he had heard spoken--the one from one boat, and the other from the +other, so that he could not but wonder what sort of beings they were +among whom he had fallen. + +As to that box covered all over with mud, he could only offer a +conjecture as to what it contained and as to what the finding of it +signified. + +But of this our hero said nothing to any one, nor did he tell any one +what he suspected, for, though he was so young in years, he possessed a +continent disposition inherited from his father (who had been one of +ten children born to a poor but worthy Presbyterian minister of +Bluefield, Connecticut), so it was that not even to his good friend Mr. +Greenfield did Barnaby say a word as to what had happened to him, going +about his business the next day as though nothing of moment had +occurred. + +But he was not destined yet to be done with those beings among whom he +had fallen that night; for that which he supposed to be the ending of +the whole affair was only the beginning of further adventures that were +soon to befall him. + +IV + +Mr. Greenfield lived in a fine brick house just outside of the town, on +the Mona Road. His family consisted of a wife and two daughters-- +handsome, lively young ladies with very fine, bright teeth that shone +whenever they laughed, and with a-plenty to say for themselves. To this +pleasant house Barnaby True was often asked to a family dinner, after +which he and his good kind host would maybe sit upon the veranda, +looking out towards the mountain, smoking their cigarros while the +young ladies laughed and talked, or played upon the guitar and sang. + +A day or two before the _Belle Helen_ sailed from Kingston, upon her +return voyage to New York, Mr. Greenfield stopped Barnaby True as he +was passing through the office, and begged him to come to dinner that +night. (For within the tropics, you are to know, they breakfast at +eleven o'clock and take dinner in the cool of the evening, because of +the heat, and not at mid-day, as we do in more temperate latitudes). "I +would," says Mr. Greenfield, "have you meet Sir John Malyoe and Miss +Marjorie, who are to be your chief passengers for New York, and for +whom the state cabin and the two state-rooms are to be fitted as here +ordered"--showing a letter--"for Sir John hath arranged," says Mr. +Greenfield, "for the Captain's own state-room." + +Then, not being aware of Barnaby True's history, nor that Captain Brand +was his grandfather, the good gentleman--calling Sir John "Jack" +Malyoe--goes on to tell our hero what a famous pirate he had been, and +how it was he who had shot Captain Brand over t'other side of the +harbor twenty years before. "Yes," says he, "'tis the same Jack Malyoe, +though grown into repute and importance now, as who would not who hath +had the good-fortune to fall heir to a baronetcy and a landed estate?" + +And so it befell that same night that Barnaby True once again beheld +the man who had murdered his own grandfather, meeting him this time +face to face. + +That time in the harbor he had seen Sir John Malyoe at a distance and +in the darkness; now that he beheld him closer, it seemed to him that +he had never seen a countenance more distasteful to him in all his +life. Not that the man was altogether ugly, for he had a good enough +nose and a fine double chin; but his eyes stood out from his face and +were red and watery, and he winked them continually, as though they +were always a-smarting. His lips were thick and purple-red, and his +cheeks mottled here and there with little clots of veins. + +When he spoke, his voice rattled in his throat to such a degree that it +made one wish to clear one's own throat to listen to him. So, what with +a pair of fat, white hands, and that hoarse voice, and his swollen +face, and his thick lips a-sticking out, it appeared to Barnaby True he +had never beheld a countenance that pleased him so little. + +But if Sir John Malyoe suited our hero's taste so ill, the +granddaughter was in the same degree pleasing to him. She had a thin, +fair skin, red lips, and yellow hair--though it was then powdered +pretty white for the occasion--and the bluest eyes that ever he beheld +in all of his life. A sweet, timid creature, who appeared not to dare +so much as to speak a word for herself without looking to that great +beast, her grandfather, for leave to do so, for she would shrink and +shudder whenever he would speak of a sudden to her or direct a glance +upon her. When she did pluck up sufficient courage to say anything, it +was in so low a voice that Barnaby was obliged to bend his head to hear +her; and when she smiled she would as like as not catch herself short +and look up as though to see if she did amiss to be cheerful. + +As for Sir John, he sat at dinner and gobbled and ate and drank, +smacking his lips all the while, but with hardly a word of civility +either to Mr. Greenfield or to Mrs. Greenfield or to Barnaby True; but +wearing all the while a dull, sullen air, as though he would say, "Your +damned victuals and drink are no better than they should be, but, such +as they are, I must eat 'em or eat nothing." + +It was only after dinner was over and the young lady and the two misses +off in a corner together that Barnaby heard her talk with any degree of +ease. Then, to be sure, her tongue became loose enough, and she +prattled away at a great rate; though hardly above her breath. Then of +a sudden her grand-father called out, in his hoarse, rattling voice, +that it was time to go, upon which she stopped short in what she was +saying and jumped up from her chair, looking as frightened as though he +were going to strike her with that gold-headed cane of his that he +always carried with him. + +Barnaby True and Mr. Greenfield both went out to see the two into their +coach, where Sir John's man stood holding the lantern. And who should +he be, to be sure, but that same lean villain with bald head who had +offered to shoot the Captain of Barnaby's expedition out on the harbor +that night! For one of the circles of light shining up into his face, +Barnaby True knew him the moment he clapped eyes upon him. Though he +could not have recognized our hero, he grinned at him in the most +impudent, familiar fashion, and never so much as touched his hat either +to him or to Mr. Greenfield; but as soon as his master and his young +mistress had entered the coach, banged to the door and scrambled up on +the seat alongside the driver, and so away without a word, but with +another impudent grin, this time favoring both Barnaby and the old +gentleman. + +Such were Sir John Malyoe and his man, and the ill opinion our hero +conceived of them was only confirmed by further observation. + +The next day Sir John Malyoe's travelling-cases began to come aboard +the _Belle Helen_, and in the afternoon that same lean, villanous +man-servant comes skipping across the gangplank as nimble as a goat, with +two black men behind him lugging a great sea-chest. "What!" he cries +out, "and so you is the supercargo, is you? Why, to be sure, I thought +you was more account when I saw you last night a-sitting talking with +his honor like his equal. Well, no matter," says he, "'tis something to +have a brisk, genteel young fellow for a supercargo. So come, my +hearty, lend a hand and help me set his honor's cabin to rights." + +What a speech was this to endure from such a fellow! What with our +hero's distaste for the villain, and what with such odious familiarity, +you may guess into what temper so impudent an address must have cast +him. Says he, "You'll find the steward in yonder, and he'll show you +the cabin Sir John is to occupy." Therewith he turned and walked away +with prodigious dignity, leaving the other standing where he was. + +As he went below to his own state-room he could not but see, out of the +tail of his eye, that the fellow was still standing where he had left +him, regarding him with a most evil, malevolent countenance, so that he +had the satisfaction of knowing that he had an enemy aboard for that +voyage who was not very likely to forgive or forget what he must regard +as so mortifying a slight as that which Barnaby had put upon him. + +The next day Sir John Malyoe himself came aboard, accompanied by his +granddaughter, and followed by his man, and he followed again by four +black men, who carried among them two trunks, not large in size, but +vastly heavy in weight. Towards these two trunks Sir John and his +follower devoted the utmost solicitude and care to see that they were +properly carried into the cabin he was to occupy. Barnaby True was +standing in the saloon as they passed close by him; but though Sir John +looked hard at him and straight in the face, he never so much as spoke +a single word to our hero, or showed by a look or a sign that he had +ever met him before. At this the serving-man, who saw it all with eyes +as quick as a cat's, fell to grinning and chuckling to see Barnaby in +his turn so slighted. + +The young lady, who also saw it, blushed as red as fire, and thereupon +delivered a courtesy to poor Barnaby, with a most sweet and gracious +affability. + +There were, besides Sir John and the young lady, but two other +passengers who upon this occasion took the voyage to New York: the +Reverend Simon Styles, master of a flourishing academy at Spanish Town, +and his wife. This was a good, worthy couple of an extremely quiet +disposition, saying little or nothing, but contented to sit in the +great cabin by the hour together reading in some book or other. So, +what with the retiring humor of the worthy pair, and what with Sir John +Malyoe's fancy for staying all the time shut up in his own cabin with +those two trunks he held so precious, it fell upon Barnaby True in +great part to show that attention to the young lady that the +circumstances demanded. This he did with a great deal of satisfaction +to himself--as any one may suppose who considers a spirited young man +of one-and-twenty years of age and a sweet and beautiful young miss of +seventeen or eighteen thrown thus together day after day for above two +weeks. + +Accordingly, the weather being very fair and the ship driving freely +along before a fine breeze, and they having no other occupation than to +sit talking together all day, gazing at the blue sea and the bright sky +overhead, it is not difficult to conceive of what was to befall. + +But oh, those days when a man is young and, whether wisely or no, +fallen into such a transport of passion as poor Barnaby True suffered +at that time! How often during that voyage did our hero lie awake in +his berth at night, tossing this way and that without finding any +refreshment of sleep--perhaps all because her hand had touched his, or +because she had spoken some word to him that had possessed him with a +ravishing disquietude? + +All this might not have befallen him had Sir John Malyoe looked after +his granddaughter instead of locking himself up day and night in his +own cabin, scarce venturing out except to devour his food or maybe to +take two or three turns across the deck before returning again to the +care of those chests he appeared to hold so much more precious than his +own flesh and blood. + +Nor was it to be supposed that Barnaby would take the pains to consider +what was to become of it all, for what young man so situated as he but +would be perfectly content to live so agreeably in a fool's paradise, +satisfying himself by assigning the whole affair to the future to take +care of itself. Accordingly, our hero endeavored, and with pretty good +success, to put away from him whatever doubts might arise in his own +mind concerning what he was about, satisfying himself with making his +conversation as agreeable to his companion as it lay in his power to +do. + +So the affair continued until the end of the whole business came with a +suddenness that promised for a time to cast our hero into the utmost +depths of humiliation and despair. + +At that time the _Belle Helen_ was, according to Captain Manly's +reckoning, computed that day at noon, bearing about five-and-fifty +leagues northeast-by-east off the harbor of Charleston, in South +Carolina. + +Nor was our hero likely to forget for many years afterwards even the +smallest circumstance of that occasion. He may remember that it was a +mightily sweet, balmy evening, the sun not having set above half an +hour before, and the sky still suffused with a good deal of brightness, +the air being extremely soft and mild. He may remember with the utmost +nicety how they were leaning over the rail of the vessel looking out +towards the westward, she fallen mightily quiet as though occupied with +very serious thoughts. + +Of a sudden she began, without any preface whatever, to speak to +Barnaby about herself and her affairs, in a most confidential manner, +such as she had never used to him before. She told him that she and her +grandfather were going to New York that they might take passage thence +to Boston, in Massachusetts, where they were to meet her cousin Captain +Malyoe, who was stationed in garrison at that place. Continuing, she +said that Captain Malyoe was the next heir to the Devonshire estate, +and that she and he were to be married in the fall. + +You may conceive into what a confusion of distress such a confession as +this, delivered so suddenly, must have cast poor Barnaby. He could +answer her not a single word, but stood staring in another direction +than hers, endeavoring to compose himself into some equanimity of +spirit. For indeed it was a sudden, terrible blow, and his breath came +as hot and dry as ashes in his throat. Meanwhile the young lady went on +to say, though in a mightily constrained voice, that she had liked him +from the very first moment she had seen him, and had been very happy +for these days she had passed in his society, and that she would always +think of him as a dear friend who had been very kind to her, who had so +little pleasure in her life. + +At last Barnaby made shift to say, though in a hoarse and croaking +voice, that Captain Malyoe must be a very happy man, and that if he +were in Captain Malyoe's place he would be the happiest man in the +world. Thereupon, having so found his voice, he went on to tell her, +though in a prodigious confusion and perturbation of spirit, that he +too loved her, and that what she had told him struck him to the heart, +and made him the most miserable, unhappy wretch in the whole world. + +She exhibited no anger at what he said, nor did she turn to look at +him, but only replied, in a low voice, that he should not talk so, for +that it could only be a pain to them both to speak of such things, and +that whether she would or no, she must do everything her grandfather +bade her, he being indeed a terrible man. + +To this poor Barnaby could only repeat that he loved her with all his +heart, that he had hoped for nothing in his love, but that he was now +the most miserable man in the world. + +It was at this moment, so momentous to our hero, that some one who had +been hiding unseen nigh them for all the while suddenly moved away, and +Barnaby, in spite of the gathering darkness, could perceive that it was +that villain man-servant of Sir John Malyoe's. Nor could he but know +that the wretch must have overheard all that had been said. + +As he looked he beheld this fellow go straight to the great cabin, +where he disappeared with a cunning leer upon his face, so that our +hero could not but be aware that the purpose of the eavesdropper must +be to communicate all that he had overheard to his master. At this +thought the last drop of bitterness was added to his trouble, for what +could be more distressing to any man of honor than to possess the +consciousness that such a wretch should have overheard so sacred a +conversation as that which he had enjoyed with the young lady. She, +upon her part, could not have been aware that the man had listened to +what she had been saying, for she still continued leaning over the +rail, and Barnaby remained standing by her side, without moving, but so +distracted by a tumult of many passions that he knew not how or where +to look. + +After a pretty long time of this silence, the young lady looked up to +see why her companion had not spoken for so great a while, and at that +very moment Sir John Malyoe comes flinging out of the cabin without his +hat, but carrying his gold-headed cane. He ran straight across the deck +towards where Barnaby and the young lady stood, swinging his cane this +way and that with a most furious and threatening countenance, while the +informer, grinning like an ape, followed close at his heels. As Sir +John approached them, he cried out in so loud a voice that all on deck +might have heard him, "You hussy!" (And all the time, you are to +remember, he was swinging his cane as though he would have struck the +young lady, who, upon her part, shrank back from him almost upon the +deck as though to escape such a blow.) "You hussy! What do you do here, +talking with a misbred Yankee supercargo not fit for a gentlewoman to +wipe her feet upon, and you stand there and listen to his fool talk! Go +to your room, you hussy"--only 'twas something worse he called her this +time--"before I lay this cane across you!" + +You may suppose into what fury such words as these, spoken in Barnaby's +hearing, not to mention that vile slur set upon himself, must have cast +our hero. To be sure he scarcely knew what he did, but he put his hand +against Sir John Malyoe's breast and thrust him back most violently, +crying out upon him at the same time for daring so to threaten a young +lady, and that for a farthing he would wrench the stick out of his hand +and throw it overboard. + +A little farther and Sir John would have fallen flat upon the deck with +the push Barnaby gave him. But he contrived, by catching hold of the +rail, to save his balance. Whereupon, having recovered himself, he came +running at our hero like a wild beast, whirling his cane about, and I +do believe would have struck him (and God knows then what might have +happened) had not his man-servant caught him and held him back. + +"Keep back!" cried out our hero, still mighty hoarse. "Keep back! If +you strike me with that stick I'll fling you overboard!" + +By this time, what with the sound of loud voices and the stamping of +feet, some of the crew and others aboard were hurrying up to the scene +of action. At the same time Captain Manly and the first mate, Mr. +Freesden, came running out of the cabin. As for our hero, having got +set agoing, he was not to be stopped so easily. + +"And who are you, anyhow," he cries, his voice mightily hoarse even in +his own ears, "to threaten to strike me! You may be a bloody pirate, +and you may shoot a man from behind, as you shot poor Captain Brand on +the Cobra River, but you won't dare strike me face to face. I know who +you are and what you are!" + +As for Sir John Malyoe, had he been struck of a sudden by palsy, he +could not have stopped more dead short in his attack upon our hero. +There he stood, his great, bulging eyes staring like those of a fish, +his face as purple as a cherry. As for Master Informer, Barnaby had the +satisfaction of seeing that he had stopped his grinning by now and was +holding his master's arm as though to restrain him from any further act +of violence. + +By this time Captain Manly had come bustling up and demanded to know +what all the disturbance meant. Whereupon our hero cried out, still in +the extremity of passion: + +"The villain insulted me and insulted the young lady; he threatened to +strike me with his cane. But he sha'n't strike me. I know who he is and +what he is. I know what he's got in his cabin in those two trunks, and +I know where he found it, and whom it belongs to." + +At this Captain Manly clapped his hand upon our hero's shoulder and +fell to shaking him so that he could hardly stand, crying out to him +the while to be silent. Says he: "How do you dare, an officer of this +ship, to quarrel with a passenger of mine! Go straight to your cabin, +and stay there till I give you leave to come out again." + +At this Master Barnaby came somewhat back to himself. "But he +threatened to strike me with his cane," he says, "and that I won't +stand from any man!" + +"No matter for that," says Captain Manly, very sternly. "Go to your +cabin, as I bid you, and stay there till I tell you to come out again, +and when we get to New York I'll take pains to inform your step-father +of how you have behaved. I'll have no such rioting as this aboard my +ship." + +By this time, as you may suppose, the young lady was gone. As for Sir +John Malyoe, he stood in the light of a lantern, his face that had been +so red now gone as white as ashes, and if a look could kill, to be sure +he would have destroyed Barnaby True where he stood. + +It was thus that the events of that memorable day came to a conclusion. +How little did any of the actors of the scene suspect that a portentous +Fate was overhanging them, and was so soon to transform all their +present circumstances into others that were to be perfectly different! + +And how little did our hero suspect what was in store for him upon the +morrow, as with hanging head he went to his cabin, and shutting the +door upon himself, and flinging himself down upon his berth, there +yielded himself over to the profoundest depths of humiliation and +despair. + +V + +From his melancholy meditations Barnaby, by-and-by and in spite of +himself, began dropping off into a loose slumber, disturbed by +extravagant dreams of all sorts, in which Sir John Malyoe played some +important and malignant part. + +From one of these dreams he was aroused to meet a new and startling +fate, by hearing the sudden and violent explosion of a pistol-shot ring +out as though in his ears. This was followed immediately by the sound +of several other shots exchanged in rapid succession as coming from the +deck above. At the same instant a blow of such excessive violence shook +the _Belle Helen_ that the vessel heeled over before it, and Barnaby +was at once aware that another craft--whether by accident or with +intention he did not know--must have run afoul of them. + +Upon this point, and as to whether or not the collision was designed, +he was, however, not left a moment in doubt, for even as the _Belle +Helen_ righted to her true keel, there was the sound of many footsteps +running across the deck and down into the great cabin. Then proceeded a +prodigious uproar of voices, together with the struggling of men's +bodies being tossed about, striking violently against the partitions +and bulkheads. At the same instant arose a screaming of women's voices, +and one voice, that of Sir John Malyoe, crying out as in the greatest +extremity: "You villains! You damned villains!" and with that the +sudden detonation of a pistol fired into the close space of the great +cabin. + +Long before this time Barnaby was out in the middle of his own cabin. +Taking only sufficient time to snatch down one of the pistols that hung +at the head of his berth, he flung out into the great cabin, to find it +as black as night, the lantern slung there having been either blown out +or dashed out into darkness. All was as black as coal, and the gloom +was filled with a hubbub of uproar and confusion, above which sounded +continually the shrieking of women's voices. Nor had our hero taken +above a couple of steps before he pitched headlong over two or three +men struggling together upon the deck, falling with a great clatter and +the loss of his pistol, which, however, he regained almost immediately. + +What all the uproar portended he could only guess, but presently +hearing Captain Manly's voice calling out, "You bloody pirate, would +you choke me to death?" he became immediately aware of what had +befallen the _Belle Helen_, and that they had been attacked by some of +those buccaneers who at that time infested the waters of America in +prodigious numbers. + +It was with this thought in his mind that, looking towards the +companionway, he beheld, outlined against the darkness of the night +without, the form of a man's figure, standing still and motionless as a +statue in the midst of all this tumult, and thereupon, as by some +instinct, knew that that must be the master-maker of all this devil's +brew. Therewith, still kneeling upon the deck, he covered the bosom of +that figure point-blank, as he supposed, with his pistol, and instantly +pulled the trigger. + +In the light of the pistol fire, Barnaby had only sufficient +opportunity to distinguish a flat face wearing a large pair of +mustachios, a cocked hat trimmed with gold lace, a red scarf, and brass +buttons. Then the darkness, very thick and black, again swallowed +everything. + +But if our hero failed to clearly perceive the countenance towards +which he had discharged his weapon, there was one who appeared to have +recognized some likeness in it, for Sir John Malyoe's voice, almost at +Barnaby's elbow, cried out thrice in loud and violent tones, "William +Brand! William Brand! William Brand!" and thereat came the sound of +some heavy body falling down upon the deck. + +This was the last that our hero may remember of that notable attack, +for the next moment whether by accident or design he never knew, he +felt himself struck so terrible a blow upon the side of the head, that +he instantly swooned dead away and knew no more. + +VI + +When Barnaby True came back to his senses again, it was to become aware +that he was being cared for with great skill and nicety, that his head +had been bathed with cold water, and that a bandage was being bound +about it as carefully as though a chirurgeon was attending to him. + +He had been half conscious of people about him, but could not +immediately recall what had happened to him, nor until he had opened +his eyes to find himself in a perfectly strange cabin of narrow +dimensions but extremely well fitted and painted with white and gold. +By the light of a lantern shining in his eyes, together with the gray +of the early day through the deadlight, he could perceive that two men +were bending over him--one, a negro in a striped shirt, with a yellow +handkerchief around his head and silver ear-rings in his ears; the +other, a white man, clad in a strange, outlandish dress of a foreign +make, with great mustachios hanging down below his chin, and with gold +ear-rings in his ears. + +It was this last who was attending to Barnaby's hurt with such extreme +care and gentleness. + +All this Barnaby saw with his first clear consciousness after his +swoon. Then remembering what had befallen him, and his head beating as +though it would split asunder, he shut his eyes again, contriving with +great effort to keep himself from groaning aloud, and wondering as to +what sort of pirates these could be, who would first knock a man in the +head so terrible a blow as that which he had suffered, and then take +such care to fetch him back to life again, and to make him easy and +comfortable. + +Nor did he open his eyes again, but lay there marvelling thus until the +bandage was properly tied about his head and sewed together. Then once +more he opened his eyes and looked up to ask where he was. + +Upon hearing him speak, his attendants showed excessive signs of joy, +nodding their heads and smiling at him as though to reassure him. But +either because they did not choose to reply, or else because they could +not speak English, they made no answer, excepting by those signs and +gestures. The white man, however, made several motions that our hero +was to arise, and, still grinning and nodding his head, pointed as +though towards a saloon beyond. At the same time the negro held up our +hero's coat and beckoned for him to put it on. Accordingly Barnaby, +seeing that it was required of him to quit the place in which he then +lay, arose, though with a good deal of effort, and permitted the negro +to help him on with his coat, though feeling mightily dizzy and much +put about to keep upon his legs--his head beating fit to split asunder +and the vessel rolling and pitching at a great rate, as though upon a +heavy cross-sea. + +So, still sick and dizzy, he went out into what he found was, indeed, a +fine saloon beyond, painted in white and gilt like the cabin he had +just quitted. This saloon was fitted in the most excellent taste +imaginable. A table extended the length of the room, and a quantity of +bottles, and glasses clear as crystal, were arranged in rows in a +hanging rack above. + +But what most attracted our hero's attention was a man sitting with his +back to him, his figure clad in a rough pea-jacket, and with a red +handkerchief tied around his throat. His feet were stretched under the +table out before him, and he was smoking a pipe of tobacco with all the +ease and comfort imaginable. As Barnaby came in he turned round, and, +to the profound astonishment of our hero, presented to him in the light +of the lantern, the dawn shining pretty strong through the skylight, +the face of that very man who had conducted the mysterious expedition +that night across Kingston Harbor to the Cobra River. + +VII + +This man looked steadily at Barnaby True for above half a minute and +then burst out a-laughing. And, indeed, Barnaby, standing there with +the bandage about his head, must have looked a very droll picture of +that astonishment he felt so profoundly at finding who was this pirate +into whose hands he had fallen. "Well," says the other, "and so you be +up at last, and no great harm done, I'll be bound. And how does your +head feel by now, my young master?" + +To this Barnaby made no reply, but, what with wonder and the dizziness +of his head, seated himself at the table over against his interlocutor, +who pushed a bottle of rum towards him, together with a glass from the +hanging rack. He watched Barnaby fill his glass, and so soon as he had +done so began immediately by saying: "I do suppose you think you were +treated mightily ill to be so handled last night. Well, so you were +treated ill enough, though who hit you that crack upon the head I know +no more than a child unborn. Well, I am sorry for the way you were +handled, but there is this much to say, and of that you may feel well +assured, that nothing was meant to you but kindness, and before you are +through with us all you will believe that without my having to tell you +so." + +Here he helped himself to a taste of grog, and sucking in his lips went +on again with what he had to say. "Do you remember," says he, "that +expedition of ours in Kingston Harbor, and how we were all of us balked +that night?" then, without waiting for Barnaby's reply: "And do you +remember what I said to that villain Jack Malyoe that night as his boat +went by us? I says to him, 'Jack Malyoe,' says I, 'you've got the +better of us once again, but next time it will be our turn, even if +William Brand himself has to come back from the grave to settle with +you.'" + +"I remember something of the sort," said Barnaby, "but I profess I am +all in the dark as to what you are driving at." + +At this the other burst out in a great fit of laughing. "Very well, +then," said he, "this night's work is only the ending of what was so +ill begun there. Look yonder"--pointing to a corner of the cabin--"and +then maybe you will be in the dark no longer." Barnaby turned his head +and there beheld in the corner of the saloon those very two +travelling-cases that Sir John Malyoe had been so particular to keep in his +cabin and under his own eyes through all the voyage from Jamaica. + +"I'll show you what is in 'em," says the other, and thereupon arose, +and Barnaby with him, and so went over to where the two +travelling-cases stood. + +Our hero had a strong enough suspicion as to what the cases contained. +But, Lord! what were suspicions to what his two eyes beheld when that +man lifted the lid of one of them--the locks thereof having already +been forced--and, flinging it back, displayed to Barnaby's astonished +and bedazzled sight a great treasure of gold and silver, some of it +tied up in leathern bags, to be sure, but so many of the coins, big and +little, yellow and white, lying loose in the cases as to make our hero +think that a great part of the treasures of the Indies lay there before +him. + +"Well, and what do you think of that?" said the other. "Is it not +enough for a man to turn pirate for?" and thereupon burst out +a-laughing and clapped down the lid again. Then suddenly turning serious: +"Come Master Barnaby," says he. "I am to have some very sober talk with +you, so fill up your glass again and then we will heave at it." + +Nor even in after years, nor in the light of that which afterwards +occurred, could Barnaby repeat all that was said to him upon that +occasion, for what with the pounding and beating of his aching head, +and what with the wonder of what he had seen, he was altogether in the +dark as to the greater part of what the other told him. That other +began by saying that Barnaby, instead of being sorry that he was +William Brand's grandson, might thank God for it; that he (Barnaby) had +been watched and cared for for twenty years in more ways than he would +ever know; that Sir John Malyoe had been watched also for all that +while, and that it was a vastly strange thing that Sir John Malyoe's +debts in England and Barnaby's coming of age should have brought them +so together in Jamaica--though, after all, it was all for the best, as +Barnaby himself should presently see, and thank God for that also. For +now all the debts against that villain Jack Malyoe were settled in +full, principal and interest, to the last penny, and Barnaby was to +enjoy it the most of all. Here the fellow took a very comfortable sip +of his grog, and then went on to say with a very cunning and knowing +wink of the eye that Barnaby was not the only passenger aboard, but +that there was another in whose company he would be glad enough, no +doubt, to finish the balance of the voyage he was now upon. So now, if +Barnaby was sufficiently composed, he should be introduced to that +other passenger. Thereupon, without waiting for a reply, he +incontinently arose and, putting away the bottle of rum and the +glasses, went across the saloon--Barnaby watching him all the while +like a man in a dream--and opened the door of a cabin like that which +Barnaby had occupied a little while before. He was gone only for a +moment, for almost immediately he came out again ushering a lady before +him. + +By now the daylight in the cabin was grown strong and clear, so that +the light shining full upon her face, Barnaby True knew her the instant +she appeared. + +It was Miss Marjorie Malyoe, very white, but strangely composed, +showing no terror, either in her countenance or in her expression. + + * * * * * + +It would not be possible for the writer to give any clear idea of the +circumstances of the days that immediately followed, and which, within +a week, brought Barnaby True and the enchanting object of his +affections at once to the ending of their voyage, and of all these +marvellous adventures. For when, in after times, our hero would +endeavor to revive a memory of the several occurrences that then +transpired, they all appeared as though in a dream or a bewitching +phantasm. + +All that he could recall were long days of delicious enjoyment followed +by nights of dreaming. But how enchanting those days! How exquisite the +distraction of those nights! + +Upon occasions he and his charmer might sit together under the shade of +the sail for an hour at a stretch, he holding her hand in his and +neither saying a single word, though at times the transports of poor +Barnaby's emotions would go far to suffocate him with their rapture. As +for her face at such moments, it appeared sometimes to assume a +transparency as though of a light shining from behind her countenance. + +The vessel in which they found themselves was a brigantine of good size +and build, but manned by a considerable crew, the most strange and +outlandish in their appearance that Barnaby had ever beheld. For some +were white, some were yellow, and some were black, and all were tricked +out with gay colors, and gold ear-rings in their ears, and some with +long mustachios, and others with handkerchiefs tied around their heads. +And all these spoke together a jargon of which Barnaby True could not +understand a single word, but which might have been Portuguese from one +or two phrases he afterwards remembered. Nor did this outlandish crew, +of God knows what sort of men, address any of their conversation either +to Barnaby or to the young lady. They might now and then have looked at +him and her out of the corners of their yellow eyes, but that was all; +otherwise they were, indeed, like the creatures of a dream. Only he who +was commander of this strange craft, when he would come down into the +saloon to mix a glass of grog or to light a pipe of tobacco, would +maybe favor Barnaby with a few words concerning the weather or +something of the sort, and then to go on deck again about his business. + +Indeed, it may be affirmed with pretty easy security that no such +adventure as this ever happened before; for here were these two +innocent young creatures upon board of a craft that no one, under such +circumstances as those recounted above, could doubt was a pirate or +buccaneer, the crew whereof had seen no one knows what wicked deeds; +yet they two as remote from all that and as profoundly occupied with +the transports of their passion and as innocent in their satisfaction +thereof as were Corydon and Phyllis beside their purling streams and +flowery meads, with nymphs and satyrs caracoling about them. + +VIII + +It is probable that the polite reader of this veracious narrative, +instead of considering it as the effort of the author to set before him +a sober and well-digested history, has been all this while amusing +himself by regarding it only as a fanciful tale designed for his +entertainment. If this be so, the writer may hardly hope to convince +him that what is to follow is a serious narrative of that which, though +never so ingenuous in its recapitulation, is an altogether inexplicable +phenomenon. Accordingly, it is with extraordinary hesitation that the +scribe now invites the confidence of his reader in the succinct truth +of that which he has to relate. It is in brief as follows: + +That upon the last night of this part of his voyage, Barnaby True was +awakened from slumber by flashes of lightning shining into his cabin, +and by the loud pealing of approaching thunder. At the same time +observing the sound of footsteps moving back and forth as in great +agitation overhead, and the loud shouting of orders, he became aware +that a violent squall of wind must be approaching the vessel. Being +convinced of this he arose from his berth, dressed quickly, and hurried +upon deck, where he found a great confusion of men running hither and +thither and scrambling up and down the rigging like monkeys, while the +Captain, and one whom he had come to know as the Captain's mate, were +shouting out orders in a strange foreign jargon. + +A storm was indeed approaching with great rapidity, a prodigious circle +of rain and clouds whirling overhead like smoke, while the lightning, +every now and then, flashed with intense brightness, followed by loud +peals of thunder. + +By these flashes of lightning Barnaby observed that they had made land +during the night, for in the sudden glare of bright light he beheld a +mountainous headland and a long strip of sandy beach standing out +against the blackness of the night beyond. So much he was able to +distinguish, though what coast it might be he could not tell, for +presently another flash falling from the sky, he saw that the shore was +shut out by the approaching downfall of rain. + +This rain came presently streaming down upon them with a great gust of +wind and a deal of white foam across the water. This violent gale of +wind suddenly striking the vessel, careened it to one side so that for +a moment it was with much ado that he was able to keep his feet at all. +Indeed, what with the noise of the tempest through the rigging and the +flashes of lightning and the pealing of the thunder and the clapping of +an unfurled sail in the darkness, and the shouting of orders in a +strange language by the Captain of the craft, who was running up and +down like a bedlamite, it was like pandemonium with all the devils of +the pit broke loose into the night. + +It was at this moment, and Barnaby True was holding to the back-stays, +when a sudden, prolonged flash of lightning came after a continued +space of darkness. So sharp and heavy was this shaft that for a moment +the night was as bright as day, and in that instant occurred that which +was so remarkable that it hath afforded the title of this story itself. +For there, standing plain upon the deck and not far from the +companionway, as though he had just come up from below, our hero beheld +a figure the face of which he had seen so imperfectly once before by +the flash of his own pistol in the darkness. Upon this occasion, +however, the whole figure was stamped out with intense sharpness +against the darkness, and Barnaby beheld, as clear as day, a great +burly man, clad in a tawdry tinsel coat, with a cocked hat with gold +braid upon his head. His legs, with petticoat breeches and cased in +great leathern sea-boots pulled up to his knees, stood planted wide +apart as though to brace against the slant of the deck. The face our +hero beheld to be as white as dough, with fishy eyes and a bony +forehead, on the side of which was a great smear as of blood. + +All this, as was said, stood out as sharp and clear as daylight in that +one flash of lightning, and then upon the instant was gone again, as +though swallowed up into the darkness, while a terrible clap of thunder +seemed to split the very heavens overhead and a strong smell as of +brimstone filled the air around about. + +At the same moment some voice cried out from the darkness, "William +Brand, by God!" + +Then, the rain clapping down in a deluge, Barnaby leaped into the +saloon, pursued by he knew not what thoughts. For if that was indeed +the image of old William Brand that he had seen once before and now +again, then the grave must indeed have gaped and vomited out its dead +into the storm of wind and lightning; for what he beheld that moment, +he hath ever averred, he saw as clear as ever he saw his hand before +his face. + +This is the last account of which there is any record when the figure +of Captain William Brand was beheld by the eyes of a living man. It +must have occurred just off the Highlands below the Sandy Hook, for the +next morning when Barnaby True came upon deck it was to find the sun +shining brightly and the brigantine riding upon an even keel, at anchor +off Staten Island, three or four cable-lengths distance from a small +village on the shore, and the town of New York in plain sight across +the water. + +'Twas the last place in the world he had expected to see. + +IX + +And, indeed, it did seem vastly strange to lie there alongside Staten +Island all that day, with New York town in plain sight across the water +and yet so impossible to reach. For whether he desired to escape or no, +Barnaby True could not but observe that both he and the young lady were +so closely watched that they might as well have been prisoners, tied +hand and foot and laid in the hold, so far as any hope of getting away +was concerned. + +Throughout that day there was a vast deal of mysterious coming and +going aboard the brigantine, and in the afternoon a sail-boat went up +to the town, carrying the Captain of the brigantine and a great load in +the stern covered over with a tarpaulin. What was so taken up to the +town Barnaby did not then guess, nor did he for a moment suspect of +what vast importance it was to be for him. + +About sundown the small boat returned, fetching the pirate Captain of +the brigantine back again. Coming aboard and finding Barnaby on deck, +the other requested him to come down into the saloon for he had a few +serious words to say to him. In the saloon they found the young lady +sitting, the broad light of the evening shining in through the +skylight, and making it all pretty bright within. + +The Captain commanded Barnaby to be seated, whereupon he chose a place +alongside the young lady. So soon as he had composed himself the +Captain began very seriously, with a preface somewhat thus: "Though you +may think me the Captain of this brigantine, Master Barnaby True, I am +not really so, but am under orders of a superior whom I have obeyed in +all these things that I have done." Having said so much as this, he +continued his address to say that there was one thing yet remaining for +him to do, and that the greatest thing of all. + +He said that this was something that both Barnaby and the young lady +were to be called upon to perform, and he hoped that they would do +their part willingly; but that whether they did it willingly or no, do +it they must, for those also were the orders he had received. + +You may guess how our hero was disturbed by this prologue. He had found +the young lady's hand beneath the table and he now held it very closely +in his own; but whatever might have been his expectations as to the +final purport of the communications the other was about to favor him +with, his most extreme expectations could not have equalled that which +was demanded of him. + +"My orders are these," said his interlocutor, continuing: "I am to take +you and the young lady ashore, and to see that you are married before I +quit you, and to that end a very good, decent, honest minister who +lives ashore yonder in the village was chosen and hath been spoken to, +and is now, no doubt, waiting for you to come. That is the last thing I +am set to do; so now I will leave you and her young ladyship alone +together for five minutes to talk it over, but be quick about it, for +whether willing or not, this thing must be done." + +Thereupon he incontinently went away, as he had promised, leaving those +two alone together, our hero like one turned into stone, and the young +lady, her face turned away, as red as fire, as Barnaby could easily +distinguish by the fading light. + +Nor can I tell what Barnaby said to her, nor what words or arguments he +used, for so great was the distraction of his mind and the tumult of +his emotions that he presently discovered that he was repeating to her +over and over again that God knew he loved her, and that with all his +heart and soul, and that there was nothing in all the world for him but +her. After which, containing himself sufficiently to continue his +address, he told her that if she would not have it as the man had said, +and if she were not willing to marry him as she was bidden to do, he +would rather die a thousand, aye, ten thousand, deaths than lend +himself to forcing her to do such a thing as this. Nevertheless, he +told her she must speak up and tell him yes or no, and that God knew he +would give all the world if she would say "yes." + +All this and much more he said in such a tumult that he was hardly +aware of what he was speaking, and she sitting there, as though her +breath stifled her. Nor did he know what she replied to him, only that +she would marry him. Therewith he took her into his arms and for the +first time set his lips to hers, in such a transport of ecstasy that +everything seemed to his sight as though he were about to swoon. + +So when the Captain returned to the saloon he found Barnaby sitting +there holding her hand, she with her face turned away, and he so full +of joy that the promise of heaven could not have made him happier. + +The yawl-boat belonging to the brigantine was ready and waiting +alongside when they came upon deck, and immediately they descended to +it and took their seats. Reaching the shore, they landed, and walked up +the village street in the twilight, she clinging to our hero's arm as +though she would faint away. The Captain of the brigantine and two +other men aboard accompanied them to the minister's house, where they +found the good man waiting for them, smoking his pipe in the warm +evening, and walking up and down in front of his own door. He +immediately conducted them into the house, where, his wife having +fetched a candle, and two others from the village being present, the +good, pious man having asked several questions as to their names and +their age and where they were from, and having added his blessing, the +ceremony was performed, and the certificate duly signed by those +present from the village--the men who had come ashore from the +brigantine alone refusing to set their hands to any paper. + +The same sail-boat that had taken the Captain up to the town was +waiting for Barnaby and the young lady as they came down to the +landing-place. There the Captain of the brigantine having wished them +godspeed, and having shaken Barnaby very heartily by the hand, he +helped to push off the boat, which with the slant of the wind presently +sailed swiftly away, dropping the shore and those strange beings, and +the brigantine in which they sailed, alike behind them into the night. + +They could hear through the darkness the creaking of the sails being +hoisted aboard of the pirate vessel; nor did Barnaby True ever set eyes +upon it or the crew again, nor, so far as the writer is informed, did +anybody else. + +X + +It was nigh midnight when they made Mr. Hartright's wharf at the foot +of Beaver Street. There Barnaby and the boatmen assisted the young lady +ashore, and our hero and she walked up through the now silent and +deserted street to Mr. Hartright's house. + +You may conceive of the wonder and amazement of our hero's dear +step-father when aroused by Barnaby's continued knocking at the street +door, and clad in a dressing-gown and carrying a lighted candle in his +hand, he unlocked and unbarred the door, and so saw who it was had aroused +him at such an hour of the night, and beheld the young and beautiful +lady whom Barnaby had brought home with him. + +The first thought of the good man was that the _Belle Helen_ had come +into port; nor did Barnaby undeceive him as he led the way into the +house, but waited until they were all safe and sound together before he +should unfold his strange and wonderful story. + +"This was left for you by two foreign sailors this afternoon, Barnaby," +the good man said, as he led the way through the hall, holding up the +candle at the same time, so that Barnaby might see an object that stood +against the wainscoting by the door of the dining-room. + +It was with difficulty that our hero could believe his eyes when he +beheld one of the treasure-chests that Sir John Malyoe had fetched with +such particularity from Jamaica. + +He bade his step-father hold the light nigher, and then, his mother +having come down-stairs by this time, he flung back the lid and +displayed to the dazzled sight of all the great treasure therein +contained. + +You are to suppose that there was no sleep for any of them that night, +for what with Barnaby's narrative of his adventures, and what with the +thousand questions asked of him, it was broad daylight before he had +finished the half of all that he had to relate. + +The next day but one brought the _Belle Helen_ herself into port, with +the terrible news not only of having been attacked at night by pirates, +but also that Sir John Malyoe was dead. For whether it was the sudden +fright that overset him, or whether it was the strain of passion that +burst some blood-vessel upon his brain, it is certain that when the +pirates quitted the _Belle Helen_, carrying with them the young lady +and Barnaby and the travelling-trunks, they left Sir John Malyoe lying +in a fit upon the floor, frothing at the mouth and black in the face, +as though he had been choked. It was in this condition that he was +raised and taken to his berth, where, the next morning about two +o'clock, he died, without once having opened his eyes or spoken a +single word. + +As for the villain man-servant, no one ever saw him afterwards; though +whether he jumped overboard, or whether the pirates who so attacked the +ship had carried him away bodily, who shall say? + +Mr. Hartright had been extremely perplexed as to the ownership of the +chest of treasure that had been left by those men for Barnaby, but the +news of the death of Sir John Malyoe made the matter very easy for him +to decide. For surely if that treasure did not belong to Barnaby, there +could be no doubt but that it belonged to his wife--she being Sir John +Malyoe's legal heir. Thus it was that he satisfied himself, and thus +that great fortune (in actual computation amounting to upward of +sixty-three thousand pounds) fell to Barnaby True, the grandson of that +famous pirate William Brand. + +As for the other case of treasure, it was never heard of again, nor +could Barnaby decide whether it was divided as booty among the pirates, +or whether they had carried it away with them to some strange and +foreign land, there to share it among themselves. + +It is thus we reach the conclusion of our history, with only this to +observe, that whether that strange appearance of Captain Brand was +indeed a ghostly and spiritual visitation, or whether he was present on +those two occasions in flesh and blood, he was, as has been said, never +heard of again. + + + + +IV. A TRUE HISTORY OF THE DEVIL AT NEW HOPE + + +_At the time of the beginning of the events about to be narrated--which +the reader is to be informed occurred between the years 1740 and 1742-- +there stood upon the high and rugged crest of Pick-a-Neck-a-Sock Point +(or Pig and Sow Point, as it had come to be called) the wooden ruins of +a disused church, known throughout those parts as the Old Free Grace +Meeting-house._ + +_This humble edifice had been erected by a peculiar religious sect +calling themselves the Free Grace Believers, the radical tenet of whose +creed was a denial of the existence of such a place as Hell, and an +affirmation of the universal mercy of God, to the intent that all souls +should enjoy eternal happiness in the life to come._ + +_For this dangerous heresy the Free Grace Believers were expelled from +the Massachusetts Colony, and, after sundry peregrinations, settled at +last in the Providence Plantations, upon Pick-a-Neck-a-Sock Point, +coadjacent to the town of New Hope. There they built themselves a small +cluster of huts, and a church wherein to worship; and there for a while +they dwelt, earning a precarious livelihood from the ungenerous soil +upon which they had established themselves._ + +_As may be supposed, the presence of so strange a people was +entertained with no great degree of complaisance by the vicinage, and +at last an old deed granting Pick-a-Neck-a-Sock to Captain Isaiah +Applebody was revived by the heirs of that renowned Indian-fighter, +whereupon the Free Grace Believers were warned to leave their bleak and +rocky refuge for some other abiding-place. Accordingly, driven forth +into the world again, they embarked in the snow[1] "Good Companion," of +Bristol, for the Province of Pennsylvania, and were afterwards heard of +no more in those parts. Their vacated houses crumbled away into ruins, +and their church tottered to decay._ + +[Footnote 1: A two-masted square-rigged vessel.] + +_So at the beginning of these events, upon the narrative of which the +author now invites the reader to embark together with himself._ + +I + +HOW THE DEVIL HAUNTED THE MEETING-HOUSE + +At the period of this narrative the settlement of New Hope had grown +into a very considerable seaport town, doing an extremely handsome +trade with the West Indies in cornmeal and dried codfish for sugar, +molasses, and rum. + +Among the more important citizens of this now wealthy and elegant +community, the most notable was Colonel William Belford--a magnate at +once distinguished and honored in the civil and military affairs of the +colony. This gentleman was an illegitimate son of the Earl of +Clandennie by the daughter of a surgeon of the Sixty-seventh Regiment +of Scots, and he had inherited a very considerable fortune upon the +death of his father, from which he now enjoyed a comfortable +competency. + +Our Colonel made no little virtue of the circumstances of his exalted +birth. He was wont to address his father's memory with a sobriety that +lent to the fact of his illegitimacy a portentous air of seriousness, +and he made no secret of the fact that he was the friend and the +confidential correspondent of the present Earl of Clandennie. In his +intercourse with the several Colonial governors he assumed an attitude +of authority that only his lineage could have supported him in +maintaining, and, possessing a large and commanding presence, he bore +himself with a continent reserve that never failed to inspire with awe +those whom he saw fit to favor with his conversation. + +This noble and distinguished gentleman possessed in a brother an exact +and perfect opposite to himself. Captain Obadiah Belford was a West +Indian, an inhabitant of Kingston in the island of Jamaica. He was a +cursing, swearing, hard-drinking renegado from virtue; an acknowledged +dealer in negro slaves, and reputed to have been a buccaneer, if not an +out-and-out pirate, such as then infested those tropical latitudes in +prodigious numbers. He was not unknown in New Hope, which he had +visited upon several occasions for a week or so at a time. During each +period he lodged with his brother, whose household he scandalized by +such freaks as smoking his pipe of tobacco in the parlor, offering +questionable pleasantries to the female servants, and cursing and +swearing in the hallways with a fecundity and an ingenuity that would +have put the most godless sailor about the docks to the blush. + +Accordingly, it may then be supposed into what a dismay it threw +Colonel Belford when one fine day he received a letter from Captain +Obadiah, in which our West Indian desperado informed his brother that +he proposed quitting those torrid latitudes in which he had lived for +so long a time, and that he intended thenceforth to make his home in +New Hope. + +Addressing Colonel Belford as "My dear Billy," he called upon that +gentleman to rejoice at this determination, and informed him that he +proposed in future to live "as decent a limb of grace as ever broke +loose from hell," and added that he was going to fetch as a present for +his niece Belinda a "dam pirty little black girl" to carry her +prayer-book to church for her. + +Accordingly, one fine morning, in pursuance of this promise, our West +Indian suddenly appeared at New Hope with a prodigious quantity of +chests and travelling-cases, and with so vociferous an acclamation that +all the town knew of his arrival within a half-hour of that event. + +When, however, he presented himself before Colonel Belford, it was to +meet with a welcome so frigid and an address so reserved that a douche +of cold water could not have quenched his verbosity more entirely. For +our great man had no notion to submit to the continued infliction of +the West Indian's presence. Accordingly, after the first words of +greeting had passed, he addressed Captain Obadiah in a strain somewhat +after this fashion: + +"Indeed, I protest, my dear brother Obadiah, it is with the heartiest +regrets in the world that I find myself obliged to confess that I +cannot offer you a home with myself and my family. It is not alone that +your manners displease me--though, as an elder to a younger, I may say +to you that we of these more northern latitudes do not entertain the +same tastes in such particulars as doubtless obtain in the West Indies--but +the habits of my household are of such a nature that I could not +hope to form them to your liking. I can, however, offer as my advice +that you may find lodgings at the Blue Lion Tavern, which doubtless +will be of a sort exactly to fit your inclinations. I have made +inquiries, and I am sure you will find the very best apartments to be +obtained at that excellent hostelry placed at your disposal." + +To this astounding address our West Indian could, for a moment, make no +other immediate reply than to open his eyes and to glare upon Colonel +Belford, so that, what with his tall, lean person, his long neck, his +stooping shoulders, and his yellow face stained upon one side an indigo +blue by some premature explosion of gunpowder--what with all this and a +prodigious hooked beak of a nose, he exactly resembled some hungry +predatory bird of prey meditating a pounce upon an unsuspecting victim. +At last, finding his voice, and rapping the ferrule of his ivory-headed +cane upon the floor to emphasize his declamation, he cried out: "What! +What! What! Is this the way to offer a welcome to a brother new +returned to your house? Why, ---- ----! who are you? Am not I your +brother, who could buy you out twice over and have enough left to live +in velvet? Why! Why!--Very well, then, have it your own way; but if I +don't grind your face into the mud and roll you into the dirt my name +is not Obadiah Belford!" Thereupon, striving to say more but finding no +fit words for the occasion, he swung upon his heel and incontinently +departed, banging the door behind him like a clap of thunder, and +cursing and swearing so prodigiously as he strode away down the street +that an infernal from the pit could scarcely have exceeded the fury of +his maledictions. + +However, he so far followed Colonel Belford's advice that he took up +his lodgings at the Blue Lion Tavern, where, in a little while, he had +gathered about him a court of all such as chose to take advantage of +his extravagant bounty. + +Indeed, he poured out his money with incredible profusion, declaring, +with many ingenious and self-consuming oaths, that he could match +fortunes with the best two men in New Hope, and then have enough left +to buy up his brother from his hair to his boot-leathers. He made no +secret of the rebuff he had sustained from Colonel Belford, for his +grievance clung to him like hot pitch--itching the more he meddled with +it. Sometimes his fury was such that he could scarcely contain himself. +Upon such occasions, cursing and swearing like an infernal, he would +call Heaven to witness that he would live in New Hope if for no other +reason than to bring shame to his brother, and he would declare again +and again, with incredible variety of expletives, that he would grind +his brother's face into the dirt for him. + +[Illustration: "HE WOULD SHOUT OPPROBRIOUS WORDS AFTER THE OTHER IN THE +STREETS"] + +Accordingly he set himself assiduously at work to tease and torment the +good man with every petty and malicious trick his malevolence could +invent. He would shout opprobrious words after the other in the +streets, to the entertainment of all who heard him; he would parade up +and down before Colonel Belford's house singing obstreperous and +unseemly songs at the top of his voice; he would even rattle the +ferrule of his cane against the palings of the fence, or throw a stone +at Madam Belford's cat in the wantonness of his malice. + +Meantime he had purchased a considerable tract of land, embracing Pig +and Sow Point, and including the Old Free Grace Meeting-House. Here, he +declared, it was his intention to erect a house for himself that should +put his brother's wooden shed to shame. Accordingly he presently began +the erection of that edifice, so considerable in size and occupying so +commanding a situation that it was the admiration of all those parts, +and was known to fame as Belford's Palace. This magnificent residence +was built entirely of brick, and Captain Obadiah made it a boast that +the material therefor was brought all the way around from New York in +flats. In the erection of this elegant structure all the carpenters and +masons in the vicinage were employed, so that it grew up with an +amazing rapidity. Meantime, upon the site of the building, rum and +Hollands were kept upon draught for all comers, so that the place was +made the common resort and the scene for the orgies of all such of the +common people as possessed a taste for strong waters, many coming from +so far away as Newport to enjoy our Captain's prodigality. + +Meantime he himself strutted about the streets in his red coat trimmed +with gilt braid, his hat cocked upon one side of his bony head, +pleasing himself with the belief that he was the object of universal +admiration, and swelling with a vast and consummate self-satisfaction +as he boasted, with strident voice and extravagant enunciation, of the +magnificence of the palace he was building. + +At the same time, having, as he said, shingles to spare, he patched and +repaired the Old Free Grace Meeting-House, so that its gray and hoary +exterior, while rejuvenated as to the roof and walls, presented in a +little while an appearance as of a sudden eruption of bright yellow +shingles upon its aged hide. Nor would our Captain offer any other +explanation for so odd a freak of fancy than to say that it pleased him +to do as he chose with his own. + +At last, the great house having been completed, and he himself having +entered into it and furnished it to his satisfaction, our Captain +presently began entertaining his friends therein with a profuseness of +expenditure and an excess of extravagance that were the continued +admiration of the whole colony. In more part the guests whom Captain +Obadiah thus received with so lavish an indulgence were officers or +government officials from the garrisons of Newport or of Boston, with +whom, by some means or other, he had scraped an acquaintance. At times +these gay gentlemen would fairly take possession of the town, parading +up and down the street under conduct of their host, staring ladies out +of countenance with the utmost coolness and effrontery, and offering +loud and critical remarks concerning all that they beheld about them, +expressing their opinions with the greatest freedom and jocularity. + +Nor were the orgies at Belford's Palace limited to such extravagances +as gaming and dicing and drinking, for sometimes the community would be +scandalized by the presence of gayly dressed and high-colored ladies, +who came, no one knew whence, to enjoy the convivialities at the great +house on the hill, and concerning whom it pleased the respectable folk +of New Hope to entertain the gravest suspicion. + +At first these things raised such a smoke that nothing else was to be +seen, but by-and-by other strange and singular circumstances began to +be spoken of--at first among the common people, and then by others. It +began to be whispered and then to be said that the Old Free Grace +Meeting-House out on the Point was haunted by the Devil. + +The first information concerning this dreadful obsession arose from a +fisherman, who, coming into the harbor of a nightfall after a stormy +day, had, as he affirmed, beheld the old meeting-house all of a blaze +of light. Some time after, a tinker, making a short-cut from Stapleton +by way of the old Indian road, had a view of a similar but a much more +remarkable manifestation. This time, as the itinerant most solemnly +declared, the meeting-house was not only seen all alight, but a bell +was ringing as a signal somewhere off across the darkness of the water, +where, as he protested, there suddenly appeared a red star, that, +blazing like a meteor with a surpassing brightness for a few seconds, +was presently swallowed up into inky darkness again. Upon another +occasion a fiddler, returning home after midnight from Sprowle's Neck, +seeing the church alight, had, with a temerity inflamed by rum, +approached to a nearer distance, whence, lying in the grass, he had, he +said, at the stroke of midnight, beheld a multitude of figures emerge +from the building, crying most dolorously, and then had heard a voice, +as of a lost spirit, calling aloud, "Six-and-twenty, all told!" whereat +the light in the church was instantly extinguished into an impenetrable +darkness. + +It was said that when Captain Obadiah himself was first apprised of the +suspicions entertained of the demoniacal possession of the old +meeting-house, he had fixed upon his venturesome informant so threatening +and ominous a gaze that the other could move neither hand nor foot under +the malignant fury of his observation. Then, at last, clearing his +countenance of its terrors, he had burst into a great, loud laugh, +crying out: "Well, what then? Why not? You must know that the Devil and +I have been very good friends in times past. I saw a deal of him in the +West Indies, and I must tell you that I built up the old meeting-house +again so that he and I could talk together now and then about old times +without having a lot of ----, dried, codfish-eating, rum-drinking +Yankee bacon-chewers to listen to every word we had to say to each +other. If you must know, it was only last night that the ghost of +Jezebel and I danced a fandango together in the graveyard up yonder, +while the Devil himself sat cross-legged on old Daniel Root's tombstone +and blew on a dry, dusty shank-bone by way of a flute. And now" (here +he swore a terrific oath) "you know the worst that is to be known, with +only this to say: if ever a man sets foot upon Pig and Sow Point again +after nightfall to interfere with the Devil's sport and mine, hell +suffer for it as sure as fire can burn or brimstone can scorch. So put +that in your pipe and smoke it." + +These terrible words, however extravagant, were, to be sure, in the +nature of a direct confirmation of the very worst suspicion that could +have been entertained concerning this dolorous affair. But if any +further doubt lingered as to the significance of such malevolent +rumors, Captain Obadiah himself soon put an end to the same. + +The Reverend Josiah Pettibones was used of a Saturday to take supper at +Colonel Belford's elegant residence. It was upon such an occasion and +the reverend gentleman and his honored host were smoking a pipe of +tobacco together in the library, when there fell a loud and importunate +knocking at the house door, and presently the servant came ushering no +less a personage than Captain Obadiah himself. After directing a most +cunning, mischievous look at his brother, Captain Obadiah addressed +himself directly to the Reverend Mr. Pettibones, folding his hands with +a most indescribable air of mock humility. "Sir," says he--"Reverend +sir, you see before you a humble and penitent sinner, who has fallen so +desperately deep into iniquities that he knows not whether even so +profound piety as yours can elevate him out of the pit in which he +finds himself. Sir, it has got about the town that the Devil has taken +possession of my old meeting-house, and, alas! I have to confess--_that +it is the truth_." Here our Captain hung his head down upon his breast +as though overwhelmed with the terrible communication he had made. + +"What is this that I hear?" cried the reverend gentleman. "Can I +believe my ears?" + +"Believe your ears!" exclaimed Colonel Belford. "To be sure you cannot +believe your ears. Do you not see that this is a preposterous lie, and +that he is telling it to you to tease and to mortify me?" + +At this Captain Obadiah favored his brother with a look of exaggerated +and sanctimonious humility. "Alas, brother," he cried out, "for +accusing me so unjustly! Fie upon you! Would you check a penitent in +his confession? But you must know that it is to this gentleman that I +address myself, and not to you." Then directing his discourse once more +to the Reverend Mr. Pettibones, he resumed his address thus: "Sir, you +must know that while I was in the West Indies I embarked, among other +things, in one of those ventures against the Spanish Main of which you +may have heard." + +"Do you mean piracy?" asked the Reverend Pettibones; and Captain +Obadiah nodded his head. + +"'Tis a lie!" cried Colonel Belford, smacking his hand upon the table. +"He never possessed spirit enough for anything so dangerous as piracy +or more mischievous than slave-trading." + +"Sir," quoth Captain Obadiah to the reverend gentleman, "again I say +'tis to you I address my confession. Well, sir, one day we sighted a +Spanish caravel very rich ladened with a prodigious quantity of plate, +but were without so much as a capful of wind to fetch us up with her. +'I would,' says I, 'offer the Devil my soul for a bit of a breeze to +bring us alongside.' 'Done,' says a voice beside me, and--alas that I +must confess it!--there I saw a man with a very dark countenance, whom +I had never before beheld aboard of our ship. 'Sign this,' says he, +'and the breeze is yours!' 'What is it upon the pen?' says I. "'Tis +blood,' says he. Alas, sir! what was a poor wretch so tempted as I to +do?" + +"And did you sign?" asked Mr. Pettibones, all agog to hear the +conclusion of so strange a narration. + +"Woe is me, sir, that I should have done so!" quoth Captain Obadiah, +rolling his eyes until little but the whites of them were to be seen. + +"And did you catch the Spanish ship?" + +"That we did, sir, and stripped her as clean as a whistle." + +"'Tis all a prodigious lie!" cried Colonel Belford, in a fury. "Sir, +can you sit so complacently and be made a fool of by so extravagant a +fable?" + +"Indeed it is unbelievable," said Mr. Pettibones. + +At this faint reply, Captain Obadiah burst out laughing; then renewing +his narrative--"Indeed, sir," he declared, "you may believe me or not, +as you please. Nevertheless, I may tell you that, having so obtained my +prize, and having time to think coolly over the bargain I had made, I +says to myself, says I: 'Obediah Belford! Obadiah Belford, here is a +pretty pickle you are in. 'Tis time you quit these parts and lived +decent, or else you are damned to all eternity.' And so I came hither +to New Hope, reverend sir, hoping to end my days in quiet. Alas, sir! +would you believe it? scarce had I finished my fine new house up at the +Point when hither comes that evil being to whom I had sold my sorrowful +soul. 'Obadiah,' says he, 'Obadiah Belford, I have a mind to live in +New Hope also,' 'Where?' says I. 'Well,' says he, 'you may patch up the +old meetinghouse; 'twill serve my turn for a while.' 'Well,' thinks I +to myself, 'there can be no harm in that,' And so I did as he bade me-- +and would not you do as much for one who had served you as well? Alas, +your reverence! there he is now, and I cannot get rid of him, and 'tis +over the whole town that he has the meeting-house in possession." + +"Tis an incredible story!" cried the Reverend Pettibones. + +"'Tis a lie from beginning to end!" cried the Colonel. + +"And now how shall I get myself out of my pickle?" asked Captain +Obadiah. + +"Sir," said Mr. Pettibones, "if what you tell me is true, 'tis beyond +my poor powers to aid you." + +"Alas!" cried Captain Obadiah. "Alas! alas! Then, indeed, I'm damned!" +And therewith flinging his arms into the air as though in the extremity +of despair, he turned and incontinently departed, rushing forth out of +the house as though stung by ten thousand furies. + +It was the most prodigious piece of gossip that ever fell in the way of +the Reverend Josiah, and for a fortnight he carried it with him +wherever he went. "'Twas the most unbelievable tale I ever heard," he +would cry. "And yet where there is so much smoke there must be some +fire. As for the poor wretch, if ever I saw a lost soul I beheld him +standing before me there in Colonel Belford's library." And then he +would conclude: "Yes, yes, 'tis incredible and past all belief. But if +it be true in ever so little a part, why, then there is justice in +this--that the Devil should take possession of the sanctuary of that +very heresy that would not only have denied him the power that every +other Christian belief assigns to him, but would have destroyed that +infernal habitation that hath been his dwelling-place for all +eternity." + +As for Captain Belford, if he desired privacy for himself upon Pig and +Sow Point, he had taken the very best means to prevent the curious from +spying upon him there after nightfall. + +II + +HOW THE DEVIL STOLE THE COLLECTOR'S SNUFFBOX + +Lieutenant Thomas Goodhouse was the Collector of Customs in the town of +New Hope. He was a character of no little notoriety in those parts, +enjoying the reputation of being able to consume more pineapple rum +with less effect upon his balance than any other man in the community. +He possessed the voice of a stentor, a short, thick-set, +broad-shouldered person, a face congested to a violent carnation, and red +hair of such a color as to add infinitely to the consuming fire of his +countenance. + +The Custom Office was a little white frame building with green +shutters, and overhanging the water as though to topple into the tide. +Here at any time of the day betwixt the hours of ten in the morning and +of five in the afternoon the Collector was to be found at his desk +smoking his pipe of tobacco, the while a thin, phthisical clerk bent +with unrelaxing assiduity over a multitude of account-books and papers +accumulated before him. + +For his post of Collectorship of the Royal Customs, Lieutenant +Goodhouse was especially indebted to the patronage of Colonel Belford. +The worthy Collector had, some years before, come to that gentleman +with a written recommendation from the Earl of Clandennie of a very +unusual sort. It was the Lieutenant's good-fortune to save the life of +the Honorable Frederick Dunburne, second son of the Earl--a wild, +rakish, undisciplined youth, much given to such mischievous enterprises +as the twisting off of door-knockers, the beating of the watch, and the +carrying away of tavern signs. + +Having been a very famous swimmer at Eton, the Honorable Frederick +undertook while at the Cowes to swim a certain considerable distance +for a wager. In the midst of this enterprise he was suddenly seized +with a cramp, and would inevitably have drowned had not the Lieutenant, +who happened in a boat close at hand, leaped overboard and rescued the +young gentleman from the watery grave in which he was about to be +engulfed, thus restoring him once more to the arms of his grateful +family. + +For this fortunate act of rescue the Earl of Clandennie presented to +his son's preserver a gold snuffbox filled with guineas, and inscribed +with the following legend: + +"To Lieutenant Thomas Goodhouse, +who, under the Ruling of Beneficent Providence, +was the Happy Preserver of a Beautiful and +Precious Life of Virtuous Precocity, +this Box is presented by the Father of Him whom He +saved as a grateful acknowledgment of His +Services. + +Thomas Monkhouse Dunburne, Viscount of +Dunburne and Earl of Clandennie. + +_August 17, 1752._" + +Having thus satisfied the immediate demands of his gratitude, it is +very possible that the Earl of Clandennie did not choose to assume so +great a responsibility as the future of his son's preserver entailed. +Nevertheless, feeling that something should be done for him, he +obtained for Lieutenant Goodhouse a passage to the Americas, and wrote +him a strong letter of recommendation to Colonel Belford. That +gentleman, desiring to please the legitimate head of his family, used +his influence so successfully that the Lieutenant was presently granted +the position of Collector of Customs in the place of Captain Maull, who +had lately deceased. + +The Lieutenant, somewhat to the surprise of his patrons, filled his new +official position as Collector not only with vigor, but with a not +unbecoming dignity. He possessed an infinite appreciation of the +responsibilities of his office, and he was more jealous to collect +every farthing of the royal duties than he would have been had those +moneys been gathered for his own emolument. + +Under the old Collectorship of Captain Maull, it was no unusual thing +for a barraco of superfine Hollands, a bolt of silk cloth, or a keg of +brandy to find its way into the house of some influential merchant or +Colonial dignitary. But in no such manner was Lieutenant Goodhouse +derelict in his duties. He would have sacrificed his dearest friendship +or his most precious attachment rather than fail in his duties to the +Crown. In the intermission of his duties it might please him to relax +into the softer humors of conviviality, but at ten o'clock in the +morning, whatever his condition of sobriety, he assumed at once all the +sterner panoply of a Collector of the Royal Customs. + +Thus he set his virtues against his vices, and struck an even balance +between them. When most unsteady upon his legs he most asserted his +integrity, declaring that not a gill or a thread came into his port +without paying its duty, and calling Heaven to witness that it had been +his hand that had saved the life of a noble young gentleman. Thereupon, +perhaps, drawing forth the gleaming token of his prowess--the gold +snuffbox--from his breeches-pocket, and holding it tight in his brown +and hairy fist, he would first offer his interlocutor a pinch of +rappee, and would then call upon him to read the inscription engraved +upon the lid of the case, demanding to know whether it mattered a fig +if a man did drink a drop too much now and then, provided he collected +every farthing of the royal revenues, and had been the means of saving +the son of the Earl of Clandennie. + +Never for an instant upon such an occasion would he permit his precious +box to quit his possession. It was to him an emblem of those virtues +that no one knew but himself, wherefore the more he misdoubted his own +virtuousness the more valuable did the token of that rectitude become +in his eyes. "Yes, you may look at it," he would say, "but damme if you +shall handle it. I would not," he would cry, "let the Devil himself +take it out of my hands." + +The talk concerning the impious possession of the Old Free Grace +Meeting-House was at its height when the official consciousness of the +Collector, who was just then laboring under his constitutional +infirmity, became suddenly seized with an irrepressible alarm. He +declared that he smoked something worse than the Devil upon Pig and Sow +Point, and protested that it was his opinion that Captain Obadiah was +doing a bit of free-trade upon his own account, and that dutiable goods +were being smuggled in at night under cover of these incredible +stories. He registered a vow, sealing it with the most solemn +protestations, and with a multiplicity of ingenious oaths that only a +mind stimulated by the heat of intoxication could have invented, that +he would make it his business, upon the first occasion that offered, to +go down to Pig and Sow Point and to discover for himself whether it was +the Devil or smugglers that had taken possession of the Old Free Grace +Meeting-House. Thereupon, hauling out his precious snuffbox and rapping +upon the lid, he offered a pinch around. Then calling attention to the +inscription, he demanded to know whether a man who had behaved so well +upon that occasion had need to be afraid of a whole churchful of +devils. "I would," he cried, "offer the Devil a pinch, as I have +offered it to you. Then I would bid him read this and tell me whether +he dared to say that black was the white of my eye." + +Nor were those words a vain boast upon the Collector's part, for, +before a week had passed, it being reported that there had been a +renewal of manifestations at the old church, the Collector, finding +nobody with sufficient courage to accompany him, himself entered into a +small boat and rowed down alone to Pig and Sow Point to investigate, +for his own satisfaction, those appearances that so agitated the +community. + +It was dusk when the Collector departed upon that memorable and +solitary expedition, and it was entirely dark before he had reached its +conclusion. He had taken with him a bottle of Extra Reserve rum to +drive, as he declared, the chill out of his bones. Accordingly it +seemed to him to be a surprisingly brief interval before he found +himself floating in his boat under the impenetrable shadow of the rocky +promontory. The profound and infinite gloom of night overhung him with +a portentous darkness, melting only into a liquid obscurity as it +touched and dissolved into the stretch of waters across the bay. But +above, on the high and rugged shoulder of the Point, the Collector, +with dulled and swimming vision, beheld a row of dim and lurid lights, +whereupon, collecting his faculties, he opined that the radiance he +beheld was emitted from the windows of the Old Free Grace +Meeting-House. + +Having made fast his boat with a drunken gravity, the Collector walked +directly, though with uncertain steps, up the steep and rugged path +towards that mysterious illumination. Now and then he stumbled over the +stones and cobbles that lay in his way, but he never quite lost his +balance, neither did he for a moment remit his drunken gravity. So with +a befuddled and obstinate perseverance he reached at last to the +conclusion of his adventure and of his fate. + +The old meeting-house was two stories in height, the lower story having +been formerly used by the Free Grace Believers as a place wherein to +celebrate certain obscure mysteries appertaining to their belief. The +upper story, devoted to the more ordinary worship of their Sunday +meetings, was reached by a tall, steep flight of steps that led from +the ground to a covered porch which sheltered the doorway. + +The Collector paused only long enough to observe that the shutters of +the lower story were tight shut and barred, and that the dull and lurid +light shone from the windows above. Then he directly mounted the steps +with a courage and a perfect assurance that can only be entirely +enjoyed by one in his peculiar condition of inebriety. + +He paused to knock at the door, and it appeared to him that his +knuckles had hardly fallen upon the panel before the valve was flung +suddenly open. An indescribable and heavy odor fell upon him and for +the moment overpowered his senses, and he found himself standing face +to face with a figure prodigiously and portentously tall. + +Even at this unexpected apparition the Collector lost possession of no +part of his courage. Rather he stiffened himself to a more stubborn and +obstinate resolution. Steadying himself for his address, "I know very +well," quoth he, "who you are. You are the Divil, I dare say, but damme +if you shall do business here without paying your duties to King +George. I may drink a drop too much," he cried, "but I collect my +duties--every farthing of 'em." Then drawing forth his snuffbox, he +thrust it under the nose of the being to whom he spake. "Take a pinch +and read that," he roared, "but don't handle it, for I wouldn't take +all hell to let it out of my hand." + +The being whom he addressed had stood for all this while as though +bereft of speech and of movement, but at these last words he appeared +to find his voice, for he gave forth a strident bellow of so dreadful +and terrible a sort that the Collector, brave as he found himself, +stepped back a pace or two before it. The next instant he was struck +upon the wrist as though by a bolt of lightning, and the snuffbox, +describing a yellow circle against the light of the door, disappeared +into the darkness of the night beyond. Ere he could recover himself +another blow smote him upon the breast, and he fell headlong from the +platform, as through infinite space. + + * * * * * + +The next day the Collector did not present himself at the office at his +accustomed hour, and the morning wore along without his appearing at +his desk. By noon serious alarm began to take possession of the +community, and about two o'clock, the tide being then set out pretty +strong, Mr. Tompkins, the consumptive clerk, and two sailors from the +_Sarah Goodrich_, then lying at Mr. Hoppins's wharf, went down in a +yawl-boat to learn, if possible, what had befallen him. They coasted +along the Point for above a half-hour before they discovered any +vestige of the missing Collector. Then at last they saw him lying at a +little distance upon a cobbled strip of beach, where, judging from his +position and from the way he had composed himself to rest, he appeared +to have been overcome by liquor. + +At this place Mr. Tompkins put ashore, and making the best of his way +over the slippery stones exposed at low water, came at last to where +his chief was lying. The Collector was reposing with one arm over his +eyes, as though to shelter them from the sun, but as soon as Mr. +Tompkins had approached close enough to see his countenance, he uttered +a great cry that was like a scream. For, by the blue and livid lips +parted at the corners to show the yellow teeth, from the waxy whiteness +of the fat and hairy hands--in short, from the appearance of the whole +figure, he was aware in an instant that the Collector was dead. + +His cry brought the two sailors running. They, with the utmost coolness +imaginable, turned the Collector over, but discovered no marks of +violence upon him, till of a sudden one of them called attention to the +fact that his neck was broke. Upon this the other opined that he had +fallen among the rocks and twisted his neck. + +The two mariners then made an investigation of his pockets, the clerk +standing by the while paralyzed with horror, his face the color of +dough, his scalp creeping, and his hands and fingers twitching as +though with the palsy. For there was something indescribably dreadful +in the spectacle of those living hands searching into the dead's +pockets, and he would freely have given a week's pay if he had never +embarked upon the expedition for the recovery of his chief. + +In the Collector's pockets they found a twist of tobacco, a red +bandanna handkerchief of violent color, a purse meagrely filled with +copper coins and silver pieces, a silver watch still ticking with a +loud and insistent iteration, a piece of tarred string, and a +clasp-knife. + +The snuffbox which the Lieutenant had regarded with such prodigious +pride as the one emblem of his otherwise dubious virtue was gone. + +III + +THE STRANGE ADVENTURES OF A YOUNG GENTLEMAN OF QUALITY + +The Honorable Frederick Dunburne, second son of the Earl of Clandennie, +having won some six hundred pounds at écarté at a single sitting at +Pintzennelli's, embarked with his two friends, Captain Blessington and +Lord George Fitzhope, to conclude the night with a round of final +dissipation in the more remote parts of London. Accordingly they +embarked at York Stairs for the Three Cranes, ripe for any mischief. +Upon the water the three young gentlemen amused themselves by shouting +and singing, pausing only now and then to discharge a broadside of +raillery at the occupants of some other and passing boat. + +All went very well for a while, some of those in the passing boats +laughing and railing in return, others shouting out angry replies. At +last they fell in with a broad-beamed, flat-nosed, Dutch-appearing +yawl-boat, pulling heavily up against the stream, and loaded with a +crew of half-drunken sailors just come into port. In reply to the +challenge of our young gentlemen, a man in the stern of the other boat, +who appeared to be the captain of the crew--a fellow, as Dunburne could +indefinitely perceive by the dim light of the lanthorn and the faint +illumination of the misty half-moon, possessing a great, coarse red +face and a bullet head surmounted by a mildewed and mangy fur cap-- +bawled out, in reply, that if they would only put their boat near +enough for a minute or two he would give them a bellyful of something +that would make them quiet for the rest of the night. He added that he +would ask for nothing better than to have the opportunity of beating +Dunburne's head to a pudding, and that he would give a crown to have +the three of them within arm's-reach for a minute. + +Upon this Captain Blessington swore that he should be immediately +accommodated, and therewith delivered an order to that effect to the +watermen. These obeyed so promptly that almost before Dunburne was +aware of what had happened the two boats were side by side, with hardly +a foot of space between the gunwales. Dunburne beheld one of the +watermen of his own boat knock down one of the crew of the other with +the blade of an oar, and then he himself was clutched by the collar in +the grasp of the man with the fur cap. Him Dunburne struck twice in the +face, and in the moonlight he saw that he had started the blood to +running down from his assailant's nose. But his blows produced no other +effect than to call forth a volley of the most horrible oaths that ever +greeted his ears. Thereupon the boats drifted so far apart that our +young gentleman was haled over the gunwale and soused in the cold water +of the river. The next moment some one struck him upon the head with a +belaying-pin or a billet of wood, a blow so crushing that the darkness +seemed to split asunder with a prodigious flaming of lights and a +myriad of circling stars, which presently disappeared into the profound +and utter darkness of insensibility. How long this swoon continued our +young gentleman could never tell, but when he regained so much of his +consciousness as to be aware of the things about him, he beheld himself +to be confined in a room, the walls whereof were yellow and greasy with +dirt, he himself having been laid upon a bed so foul and so displeasing +to his taste that he could not but regret the swoon from which he had +emerged into consciousness. Looking down at his person, he beheld that +his clothes had all been taken away from him, and that he was now clad +in a shirt with only one sleeve, and a pair of breeches so tattered +that they barely covered his nakedness. While he lay thus, dismally +depressed by so sad a pickle as that into which he found himself +plunged, he was strongly and painfully aware of an uproarious babble of +loud and drunken voices and a continual clinking of glasses, which +appeared to sound as from a tap-room beneath, these commingled now and +then with oaths and scraps of discordant song bellowed out above the +hubbub. His wounded head beat with tremendous and straining +painfulness, as though it would burst asunder, and he was possessed by +a burning thirst that seemed to consume his very vitals. He called +aloud, and in reply a fat, one-eyed woman came, fetching him something +to drink in a cup. This he swallowed with avidity, and thereupon (the +liquor perhaps having been drugged) he dropped off into unconsciousness +once more. + +When at last he emerged for a second time into the light of reason, it +was to find himself aboard a brig--the _Prophet Daniel_, he discovered +her name to be--bound for Baltimore, in the Americas, and then pitching +and plunging upon a westerly running stern-sea, and before a strong +wind that drove the vessel with enormous velocity upon its course for +those remote and unknown countries for which it was bound. The land was +still in sight both astern and abeam, but before him lay the boundless +and tremendously infinite stretch of the ocean. Dunburne found himself +still to be clad in the one-armed shirt and tattered breeches that had +adorned him in the house of the crimp in which he had first awakened. +Now, however, an old tattered hat with only a part of the crown had +been added to his costume. As though to complete the sad disorder of +his appearance, he discovered, upon passing his hand over his +countenance, that his beard and hair had started a bristling growth, +and that the lump on his crown--which was even yet as big as a walnut-- +was still patched with pieces of dirty sticking-plaster. Indeed, had he +but known it, he presented as miserable an appearance as the most +miserable of those wretches who were daily ravished from the slums and +streets of the great cities to be shipped to the Americas. Nor was he a +long time in discovering that he was now one of the several such +indentured servants who, upon the conclusion of their voyage, were to +be sold for their passage in the plantations of Maryland. + +Having learned so much of his miserable fate, and being now able to +make shift to walk (though with weak and stumbling steps), our young +gentleman lost no time in seeking the Captain, to whom he endeavored to +explain the several accidents that had befallen him, acknowledging that +he was the second son of the Earl of Clandennie, and declaring that if +he, the Captain, would put the _Prophet Daniel_ back into some English +port again, his lordship would make it well worth his while to lose so +much time for the sake of one so dear as a second son. To this address +the Captain, supposing him either to be drunk or disordered in his +mind, made no other reply than to knock him incontinently down upon the +deck, bidding him return forward where he belonged. + +Thereafter poor Dunburne found himself enjoying the reputation of a +harmless madman. The name of the Earl of Rags was bestowed upon him, +and the miserable companions of his wretched plight were never tired of +tempting him to recount his adventures, for the sake of entertaining +themselves by teasing that which they supposed to be his hapless mania. + +Nor is it easy to conceive of all the torments that those miserable, +obscene wretches were able to inflict upon him. Under the teasing sting +of his companions' malevolent pleasantries, there were times when +Dunburne might, as he confessed to himself, have committed a murder +with the greatest satisfaction in the world. However, he was endowed +with no small command of self-restraint, so that he was still able to +curb his passions within the bounds of reason and of policy. He was, +fortunately, a complete master of the French and Italian languages, so +that when the fury of his irritation would become too excessive for him +to control, he would ease his spirits by castigating his tormentors +with a consuming verbosity in those foreign tongues, which, had his +companions understood a single word of that which he uttered, would +have earned for him a beating that would have landed him within an inch +of his life. However, they attributed all that he said to the +irrational gibbering of a maniac. + +About midway of their voyage the _Prophet Daniel_ encountered a +tremendous storm, which drove her so far out of the Captain's reckoning +that when land was sighted, in the afternoon of a tempestuous day in +the latter part of August, the first mate, who had been for some years +in the New England trade, opined that it was the coast of Rhode Island, +and that if the Captain chose to do so he might run into New Hope +Harbor and lie there until the southeaster had blown itself out. This +advice the Captain immediately put into execution, so that by nightfall +they had dropped anchor in the comparative quiet of that excellent +harbor. + +Dunburne was a most excellent and practised swimmer. That evening, when +the dusk had pretty well fallen, he jumped overboard, dived under the +brig, and came up on the other side. Thus leaving all hands aboard +looking for him or for his dead body at the starboard side of the +_Prophet Daniel_, he himself swam slowly away to the larboard. Now +partly under water, now floating on his back, he directed his course +towards a point of land about a mile away, whereon, as he had observed +before the dark had settled down, there stood an old wooden building +resembling a church, and a great brick house with tall, lean chimneys +at a little farther distance inland. + +The intemperate cold of the water of those parts of America was so much +more excessive than Dunburne had been used to swim in that when he +dragged himself out upon the rocky, bowlder-strewn beach he lay for a +considerable time more dead than alive. His limbs appeared to possess +hardly any vitality, so benumbed were they by the icy chill that had +entered into the very marrow of his bones. Nor did he for a long while +recover from this excessive rigor; his limbs still continued at +intervals to twitch and shudder as with a convulsion, nor could he at +such times at all control their trembling. At last, however, with a +huge sigh, he aroused himself to some perception of his surroundings, +which he acknowledged were of as dispiriting a sort as he could well +have conceived of. His recovering senses were distracted by a ceaseless +watery din, for the breaking waves, rushing with a prodigious swiftness +from the harbor to the shore before the driving wind, fell with +uproarious crashing into white foam among the rocks. Above this watery +tumult spread the wet gloom of the night, full of the blackness and +pelting chill of a fine slanting rain. + +Through this shroud of mist and gloom Dunburne at last distinguished a +faint light, blurred by the sheets of rain and darkness, and shining as +though from a considerable distance. Cheered by this nearer presence of +human life, our young gentleman presently gathered his benumbed powers +together, arose, and after a while began slowly and feebly to climb a +stony hill that lay between the rocky beach and that faint but +encouraging illumination. + +So, sorely buffeted by the tempest, he at last reached the black, +square form of that structure from which the light shone. The building +he perceived to be a little wooden church of two stories in height. The +shutters of the lower story were tight fastened, as though bolted from +within. Those above were open, and from them issued the light that had +guided him in his approach from the beach. A tall flight of wooden +steps, wet in the rain, reached to a small, enclosed porch or +vestibule, whence a door, now tight shut, gave ingress into the second +story of the church. + +Thence, as Dunburne stood without, he could now distinguish the dull +muttering of a man's voice, which he opined might be that of the +preacher. Our young gentleman, as may be supposed, was in a wretched +plight. He was ragged and unshaven; his only clothing was the miserable +shirt and bepatched breeches that had served him as shelter throughout +the long voyage. These abominable garments were now wet to the skin, +and so displeasing was his appearance that he was forced to acknowledge +to himself that he did not possess enough of humility to avow so great +a misery to the light and to the eyes of strangers. Accordingly, +finding some shelter afforded by the vestibule of the church, he +crouched there in a corner, huddling his rags about him, and finding a +certain poor warmth in thus hiding away from the buffeting of the chill +and penetrating wind. As he so crouched he presently became aware of +the sound of many voices, dull and groaning, coming from within the +edifice, and then--now and again--the clanking as of a multitude of +chains. Then of a sudden, and unexpectedly, the door near him was flung +wide open, and a faint glow of reddish light fell across the passage. +Instantly the figure of a man came forth, and following him came, not a +congregation, as Dunburne might have supposed, but a most dolorous +company of nearly, or quite, naked men and women, outlined blackly, as +they emerged, against the dull illumination from behind. These wretched +beings, sighing and groaning most piteously, with a monotonous wailing +of many voices, were chained by the wrist, two and two together, and as +they passed by close to Dunburne, his nostrils were overpowered by a +heavy and fetid odor that came partly from within the building, partly +from the wretched creatures that passed him by. + +As the last of these miserable beings came forth from the bowels of +that dreadful place, a loud voice, so near to Dunburne as to startle +his ears with its sudden exclamation, cried out, "Six-and-twenty, all +told," and thereat instantly the dull light from within was quenched +into darkness. + +In the gloom and the silence that followed, Dunburne could hear for a +while nothing but the dash of the rain upon the roof and the ceaseless +drip and trickle of the water running from the eaves into the puddles +beneath the building. + +Then, as he stood, still marvelling at what he had seen, there suddenly +came a loud and startling crash, as of a trap-door let fall into its +place. A faint circle of light shone within the darkness of the +building, as though from a lantern carried in a man's hands. There was +a sound of jingling, as of keys, of approaching footsteps, and of +voices talking together, and presently there came out into the +vestibule the dark figures of two men, one of them carrying a ship's +lantern. One of these figures closed and locked the door behind him, +and then both were about to turn away without having observed Dunburne, +when, of a sudden, a circle from the roof of the lantern lit up his +pale and melancholy face, and he instantly became aware that his +presence had been discovered. + +The next moment the lantern was flung up almost into his eyes, and in +the light he saw the sharp, round rim of a pistol-barrel directed +immediately against his forehead. + +In that moment our young gentleman's life hung as a hair in the +balance. In the intense instant of expectancy his brain appeared to +expand as a bubble, and his ears tingled and hummed as though a cloud +of flies were buzzing therein. Then suddenly a voice smote like a blow +upon the silence--"Who are you, and what d'ye want?" + +"Indeed," said Dunburne, "I do not know." + +"What do you do here?" + +"Nor do I know that, either." + +He who held the lantern lifted it so that the illumination fell still +more fully upon Dunburne's face and person. Then his interlocutor +demanded, "How did you come here?" + +Upon the moment Dunburne determined to answer so much of the truth as +the question required. "'Twas by no fault of my own," he cried. "I was +knocked on the head and kidnapped in England, with the design of being +sold in Baltimore. The vessel that fetched me put into the harbor over +yonder to wait for good weather, and I jumped overboard and swam +ashore, to stumble into the cursed pickle in which I now find myself." + +"Have you, then, an education? To be sure, you talk so." + +"Indeed I have," said Dunburne--"a decent enough education to fit me +for a gentleman, if the opportunity offered. But what of that?" he +exclaimed, desperately. "I might as well have no more learning than a +beggar under the bush, for all the good it does me." The other once +more flashed the light of his lantern over our young gentleman's +miserable and barefoot figure. "I had a mind," says he, "to blow your +brains out against the wall. I have a notion now, however, to turn you +to some use instead, so I'll just spare your life for a little while, +till I see how you behave." + +He spoke with so much more of jocularity than he had heretofore used +that Dunburne recovered in great part his dawning assurance. "I am +infinitely obliged to you," he cried, "for sparing my brains; but I +protest I doubt if you will ever find so good an opportunity again to +murder me as you have just enjoyed." + +This speech seemed to tickle the other prodigiously, for he burst into +a loud and boisterous laugh, under cover of which he thrust his pistol +back into his coat-pocket again. "Come with me, and I'll fit you with +victuals and decent clothes, of both of which you appear to stand in no +little need," he said. Thereupon, and without another word, he turned +and quitted the place, accompanied by his companion, who for all this +time had uttered not a single sound. A little way from the church these +two parted company, with only a brief word spoken between them. + +Dunburne's interlocutor, with our young gentleman following close +behind him, led the way in silence for a considerable distance through +the long, wet grass and the tempestuous darkness, until at last, still +in unbroken silence, they reached the confines of an enclosure, and +presently stood before a large and imposing house built of brick. + +Dunburne's mysterious guide, still carrying the lantern, conducted him +directly up a broad flight of steps, and opening the door, ushered him +into a hallway of no inconsiderable pretensions. Thence he led the way +to a dining-room beyond, where our young gentleman observed a long +mahogany table, and a sideboard of carved mahogany illuminated by three +or four candles. In answer to the call of his conductor, a negro +servant appeared, whom the master of the house ordered to fetch some +bread and cheese and a bottle of rum for his wretched guest. While the +servant was gone to execute the commission the master seated himself at +his ease and favored Dunburne with a long and most minute regard. Then +he suddenly asked our young gentleman what was his name. + +Upon the instant Dunburne did not offer a reply to this interrogation. +He had been so miserably abused when he had told the truth upon the +voyage that he knew not now whether to confess or deny his identity. He +possessed no great aptitude at lying, so that it was with no little +hesitation that he determined to maintain his incognito. Having reached +this conclusion, he answered his host that his name was Tom Robinson. +The other, however, appeared to notice neither his hesitation nor the +name which he had seen fit to assume. Instead, he appeared to be lost +in a reverie, which he broke only to bid our young gentleman to sit +down and tell the story of the several adventures that had befallen +him. He advised him to leave nothing untold, however shameful it might +be. "Be assured," said he, "that no matter what crimes you may have +committed, the more intolerable your wickedness, the better you will +please me for the purpose I have in view." + +Being thus encouraged, and having already embarked in disingenuosity, +our young gentleman, desiring to please his host, began at random a +tale composed in great part of what he recollected of the story of +_Colonel Jack_, seasoned occasionally with extracts from Mr. Smollett's +ingenious novel of _Ferdinand, Count Fathom_. There was hardly a petty +crime or a mean action mentioned in either of these entertaining +fictions that he was not willing to attribute to himself. Meanwhile he +discovered, to his surprise, that lying was not really so difficult an +art as he had supposed it to be. His host listened for a considerable +while in silence, but at last he was obliged to call upon his penitent +to stop. "To tell you the truth, Mr. What's-a-name," he cried, "I do +not believe a single word you are telling me. However, I am satisfied +that in you I have discovered, as I have every reason to hope, one of +the most preposterous liars I have for a long time fell in with. +Indeed, I protest that any one who can with so steady a countenance lie +so tremendously as you have just done may be capable, if not of a great +crime, at least of no inconsiderable deceit, and perhaps of treachery. +If this be so, you will suit my purposes very well, though I would +rather have had you an escaped criminal or a murderer or a thief." + +"Sir," said Dunburne, very seriously, "I am sorry that I am not more to +your mind. As you say, I can, I find, lie very easily, and if you will +give me sufficient time, I dare say I can become sufficiently expert in +other and more criminal matters to please even your fancy. I cannot, I +fear, commit a murder, nor would I choose to embark upon an attempt at +arson; but I could easily learn to cheat at cards; or I could, if it +would please you better, make shift to forge your own name to a bill +for a hundred pounds. I confess, however, I am entirely in the dark as +to why you choose to have me enjoy so evil a reputation." + +At these words the other burst into a great and vociferous laugh. "I +protest," he cried, "you are the coolest rascal ever I fell in with. +But come," he added, sobering suddenly, "what did you say was your +name?" + +"I declare, sir," said Dunburne, with the most ingenuous frankness, "I +have clean forgot. Was it Tom or John Robinson?" + +Again the other burst out laughing. "Well," he said, "what does it +matter? Thomas or John--'tis all one. I see that you are a ragged, +lousy beggar, and I believe you to be a runaway servant. Even if that +is the worst to be said of you, you will suit me very well. As for a +name, I myself will fit you with one, and it shall be of the best. I +will give you a home here in the house, and will for three months +clothe you like a lord. You shall live upon the best, and shall meet +plenty of the genteelest company the Colonies can afford. All that I +demand of you is that you shall do exactly as I tell you for the three +months that I so entertain you. Come. Is it a bargain?" + +Dunburne sat for a while thinking very seriously. "First of all," said +he, "I must know what is the name you have a mind to bestow upon me." + +The other looked distrustfully at him for a time, and then, as though +suddenly fetching up resolution, he cried out: "Well, what then? What +of it? Why should I be afraid? I'll tell you. Your name shall be +Frederick Dunburne, and you shall be the second son of the Earl of +Clandennie." + +Had a thunder-bolt fallen from heaven at Dunburne's feet he could not +have been struck more entirely dumb than he was at those astounding +words. He knew not for the moment where to look or what to think. At +that instant the negro man came into the room, fetching the bottle of +rum and the bread and cheese he had been sent for. As the sound of his +entrance struck upon our young gentleman's senses he came to himself +with the shock, and suddenly exploded into a burst of laughter so +shrill and discordant that Captain Obadiah sat staring at him as though +he believed his ragged beneficiary had gone clean out of his senses. + +IV + +A ROMANTIC EPISODE IN THE LIFE OF A YOUNG LADY + +Miss Belinda Belford, the daughter and only child of Colonel William +Belford, was a young lady possessed of no small pretensions to personal +charms of the most exalted order. Indeed, many excellent judges in such +matters regarded her, without doubt, as the reigning belle of the +Northern Colonies. Of a medium height, of a slight but generously +rounded figure, she bore herself with an indescribable grace and +dignity of carriage. Her hair, which was occasionally permitted to curl +in ringlets upon her snowy neck, was of a brown so dark and so soft as +at times to deceive the admiring observer into a belief that it was +black. Her eyes, likewise of a dark-brown color, were of a most melting +and liquid lustre; her nose, though slight, was sufficiently high, and +modelled with so exquisite a delicacy as to lend an exceeding charm to +her whole countenance. She was easily the belle of every assembly which +she graced with her presence, and her name was the toast of every +garrison town of the Northern provinces. + +Madam Belford and her lovely daughter were engaged one pleasant morning +in entertaining a number of friends, in the genteel English manner, +with a dish of tea and a bit of gossip. Upon this charming company +Colonel Belford suddenly intruded, his countenance displaying an +excessive though not displeasing agitation. + +"My dear! my dear!" he cried, "what a piece of news have I for you! It +is incredible and past all belief! Who, ladies, do you suppose is here +in New Hope? Nay, you cannot guess; I shall have to enlighten you. 'Tis +none other than Frederick Dunburne, my lordship's second son. Yes, you +may well look amazed. I saw and spoke with him this very morning, and +that not above a half-hour ago. He is travelling incognito, but my +brother Obadiah discovered his identity, and is now entertaining him at +his new house upon the Point. A large party of young officers from the +garrison are there, all very gay with cards and dice, I am told. My +noble young gentleman knew me so soon as he clapped eyes upon me. +'This,' says he, 'if I am not mistook, must be Colonel Belford, my +father's honored friend.' He is," exclaimed the speaker, "a most +interesting and ingenuous youth, with extremely lively and elegant +manners, and a person exactly resembling that of his dear and honored +father." + +It may be supposed into what a flutter this piece of news cast those +who heard it. "My dear," cried Madam Belford, as soon as the first +extravagance of the general surprise had passed by to an easier +acceptance of Colonel Belford's tidings--"my dear, why did you not +bring him with you to present him to us all? What an opportunity have +you lost!" + +"Indeed, my dear," said Colonel Belford, "I did not forget to invite +him hither. He protested that nothing could afford him greater +pleasure, did he not have an engagement with some young gentlemen from +the garrison. But, believe me, I would not let him go without a +promise. He is to dine with us to-morrow at two; and, Belinda, my +dear"--here Colonel Belford pinched his daughter's blushing cheek--"you +must assume your best appearance for so serious an occasion. I am +informed that my noble gentleman is extremely particular in his tastes +in the matter of female excellence." + +"Indeed, papa," cried the young lady, with great vivacity, "I shall +attempt no extraordinary graces upon my young gentleman's account, and +that I promise you. I protest," she exclaimed, with spirit, "I have no +great opinion of him who would come thus to New Hope without a single +word to you, who are his father's confidential correspondent. Nor do I +admire the taste of one who would choose to cast himself upon the +hospitality of my uncle Obadiah rather than upon yours." + +"My dear," said Colonel Belford, very soberly, "you express your +opinion with a most unwarranted levity, considering the exalted +position your subject occupies. I may, however, explain to you that he +came to America quite unexpectedly and by an accident. Nor would he +have declared his incognito, had not my brother Obadiah discovered it +almost immediately upon his arrival. He would not, he declared, have +visited New Hope at all, had not Captain Obadiah Belford urged his +hospitality in such a manner as to preclude all denial." + +But to this reproof Miss Belinda who, was, indeed, greatly indulged by +her parents, made no other reply than to toss her head with a pretty +sauciness, and to pout her cherry lips in an infinitely becoming +manner. + +But though our young lady protested so emphatically against assuming +any unusual charms for the entertainment of their expected visitor, she +none the less devoted no small consideration to that very thing that +she had so exclaimed against. Accordingly, when she was presented to +her father's noble guest, what with her heightened color and her eyes +sparkling with the emotions evoked by the occasion, she so impressed +our young gentleman that he could do little but stand regarding her +with an astonishment that for the moment caused him to forget those +graces of deportment that the demands of elegance called upon him to +assume. + +However, he recovered himself immediately, and proceeded to take such +advantage of his introduction that by the time they were seated at the +dinner-table he found himself conversing with his fair partner with all +the ease and vivacity imaginable. Nor in this exchange of polite +raillery did he discover her wit to be in any degree less than her +personal charms. + +"Indeed, madam," he exclaimed, "I am now more than ready to thank that +happy accident that has transported me, however much against my will, +from England to America. The scenery, how beautiful! Nature, how +fertile! Woman, how exquisite! Your country," he exclaimed, with +enthusiasm, "is like heaven!" + +"Indeed, sir," cried the young lady, vivaciously, "I do not take your +praise for a compliment. I protest I am acquainted with no young +gentleman who would not defer his enjoyment of heaven to the very last +extremity." + +"To be sure," quoth our hero, "an ambition for the abode of saints is +of too extreme a nature to recommend itself to a modest young fellow of +parts. But when one finds himself thrown into the society of an houri--" + +"And do you indeed have houris in England?" exclaimed the young lady. +"In America you must be content with society of a much more earthly +constitution!" + +"Upon my word, miss," cried our young gentleman, "you compel me to +confess that I find myself in the society of one vastly more to my +inclination than that of any houri of my acquaintance." + +With such lively badinage, occasionally lapsing into more serious +discourse, the dinner passed off with a great deal of pleasantness to +our young gentleman, who had prepared himself for something +prodigiously dull and heavy. After the repast, a pipe of tobacco in the +summer-house and a walk in the garden so far completed his cheerful +impressions that when he rode away towards Pig and Sow Point he found +himself accompanied by the most lively, agreeable thoughts imaginable. +Her wit, how subtle! Her person, how beautiful! He surprised himself +smiling with a fatuous indulgence of his enjoyable fancies. + +Nor did the young lady's thoughts, though doubtless of a more moderate +sort, assume a less pleasing perspective. Our young gentleman was +favored with a tall, erect figure, a high nose, and a fine, thin face +expressive of excellent breeding. It seemed to her that his manners +possessed an elegance and a grace that she had never before discovered +beyond the leaves of Mr. Richardson's ingenious novels. Nor was she +unaware of the admiration of herself that his countenance had +expressed. Upon so slender a foundation she amused herself for above an +hour, erecting such castles in the air that, had any one discovered her +thought, she would have perished of mortification. + +But though our young lady so yielded herself to the enjoyment of such +silly dreams as might occur to any miss of a lively imagination and +vivacious temperament, the reader is to understand that she has yet so +much dignity and spirit as to cover these foolish and romantic fancies +with a cloak of so delicate and so subtle a reserve that when the young +gentleman called to pay his respects the next afternoon he quitted her +presence ten times more infatuated with her charms than he had been the +day before. + +Nor can it be denied that our young lady knew perfectly well how to +make the greatest use of such opportunities. She already possessed a +great deal of experience in teasing the other sex with those delicious +though innocent torments that cause the eyes of the victim to remain +awake at night and the fancy to dream throughout the day. + +Such presently became the condition of our young gentleman that at the +end of the month he knew not whether his present life had continued for +weeks or for years; in the charming infatuation that overpowered him he +considered nothing of time, every other consideration being engulfed in +his desire for the society of his charmer. Cards and dice lost for him +their accustomed pleasure, and when a gay society would be at Belford's +Palace it was with the utmost difficulty that he assumed so much +patience as to take his part in those dissipations that there obtained. +Relieved from them, he flew with redoubled ardor back to the +gratification of his passion again. + +In the mean time Captain Obadiah had become so accustomed to the +presence of his guest that he made no pretence of any concealment of +that iniquitous, dreadful avocation that lent to Pig and Sow Point so +great a terror in those parts. Rather did the West Indian appear to +court the open observation of his dependant. + +One exquisite day in the last of October our young gentleman had spent +the greater part of the afternoon in the society of the beautiful +object of his regard. The leaves, though fallen from the trees in great +abundance, appeared thereby only to have admitted of the passage of a +riper radiance of golden sunlight through the thinning branches. This +and the ardor of his passion had so transported our hero that when he +had departed from her presence he seemed to walk as light as a feather, +and knew not whether it was the warmth of the sunlight or the heat of +his own impetuous transports that filled the universe with so extreme a +brightness. + +Overpowered with these absorbing and transcendent introspections, he +approached his now odious home upon Pig and Sow Point by way of the old +meeting-house. There of a sudden he came upon his patron, Captain +Obadiah, superintending the burial of the last of three victims of his +odious commerce, who had died that afternoon. Two had already been +interred, and the third new-made grave was in the process of being +filled. Two men, one a negro and the other a white, had nearly +completed their labor, tramping down the crumbling earth as they +shovelled it into the shallow excavation. Meanwhile Captain Obadiah +stood near by, his red coat flaming in the slanting light, himself +smoking a pipe of tobacco with all the ease and coolness imaginable. +His hands, clasped behind his back, held his ivory-headed cane, and as +our hero approached he turned an evil countenance upon him, and greeted +him with a grin at once droll, mischievous, and malevolent in the +extreme. "And how is our pretty charmer this afternoon?" quoth Captain +Obadiah. + +Conceive, if you please, of a man floating in the most ecstatic delight +of heaven pulled suddenly thence down into the most filthy extremity of +hell, and then you shall understand the motions of disgust and +repugnance and loathing that overpowered our hero, who, awakening thus +suddenly out of his dream of love, found himself in the presence of +that grim and obscene spectacle of death--who, arousing from such +absorbing and exquisite meditations, heard his ears greeted with so +rude and vulgar an address. + +Acknowledging to himself that he did not dare offer an immediate reply +to his host, he turned upon his heel and walked away, without +expressing a single word. + +He was not, however, permitted to escape thus easily. He had not taken +above twenty steps, when, hearing footsteps behind him, he turned his +head to discover Captain Obadiah skipping rapidly after him in a +prodigious hurry, swinging his cane and chuckling preposterously to +himself, as though in the enjoyment of some most exquisite piece of +drollery. "What!" he cried, as soon as he could catch his breath from +his hurry. "What! What! Can't you answer, you villain? Why, blind my +eyes! a body would think you were a lord's son indeed, instead of +being, as I know you, a beggarly runaway servant whom I took in like a +mangy cat out of the rain. But come, come--no offence, my boy! I'll be +no hard master to you. I've heard how the wind blows, and I've kept my +ears open to all your doings. I know who is your sweetheart. Harkee, +you rascal! You have a fancy for my niece, have you? Well, your apple +is ripe if you choose to pick it. Marry your charmer and be damned; and +if you'll serve me by taking her thus in hand, I'll pay you twenty +pounds upon your wedding-day. Now what do you say to that, you lousy +beggar in borrowed clothes?" + +Our young gentleman stopped short and looked his tormentor full in the +face. The thought of his father's anger alone had saved him from +entangling himself in the web of his passions; this he forgot upon the +instant. "Captain Obadiah Belford," quoth he, "you're the most +consummate villain ever I beheld in all of my life; but if I have the +good-fortune to please the young lady, I wish I may die if I don't +serve you in this!" + +At these words Captain Obadiah, who appeared to take no offence at his +guest's opinion of his honesty, burst out into a great boisterous +laugh, flinging back his head and dropping his lower jaw so +preposterously that the setting sun shone straight down his wide and +cavernous gullet. + +V + +HOW THE DEVIL WAS CAST OUT OF THE MEETING-HOUSE + +The news that the Honorable Frederick Dunburne, second son of the Earl +of Clandennie, was to marry Miss Belinda Belford, the daughter and only +child of Colonel William Belford, of New Hope, was of a sort to arouse +the keenest and most lively interest in all those parts of the Northern +Colonies of America. + +The day had been fixed, and all the circumstances arranged with such +particularity that an invitation was regarded as the highest honor that +could befall the fortunate recipient. There were to be present on this +interesting occasion two Colonial governors and their ladies, an +English general, the captain of the flag-ship _Achilles_, and above a +score of Colonial magnates and ladies of distinction. + +Captain Obadiah had not been bidden to either the ceremony or the +breakfast. This rebuff he had accepted with prodigious amusement, +which, not limiting itself to the immediate occasion, broke forth at +intervals for above two weeks. Now it might express itself in chuckles +of the most delicious entertainment, vented as our Captain walked up +and down the hall of his great house, smoking his pipe and cracking the +knuckles of his fingers; at other times he would burst forth into +incontrollable fits of laughter at the extravagant deceit which he +believed himself to be imposing upon his brother, Colonel Belford. + +At length came the wedding-day, with such circumstances of pomp and +display as the exceeding wealth and Colonial dignity of Colonel Belford +could surround it. For the wedding-breakfast the great folding-doors +between the drawing-room and the dining-room of Colonel Belford's house +were flung wide open, and a table extending the whole length of the two +apartments was set with the most sumptuous and exquisite display of +plate and china. Around the board were collected the distinguished +company, and the occasion was remarkable not less for the richness of +its display than for the exquisite nature of the repast intended to +celebrate so auspicious an occasion. + +At the head of the board sat the young couple, radiant with an +engrossing happiness that took no thought of what the future might have +in store for it, but was contented with the triumphant ecstasy of the +moment. + +These elegant festivities were at their height, when there suddenly +arose a considerable disputation in the hallway beyond, and before any +one could inquire as to what was occurring, Captain Obadiah Belford +came stumping into the room, swinging his ivory-headed cane, and with +an expression of the most malicious triumph impressed upon his +countenance. Directing his address to the bridegroom, and paying no +attention to any other one of the company, he cried out: "Though not +bidden to this entertainment, I have come to pay you a debt I owe. Here +is twenty pounds I promised to pay you for marrying my niece." + +Therewith he drew a silk purse full of gold pieces from his pocket, +which he hung over the ferrule of his cane and reached across the table +to the bridegroom. That gentleman, upon his part (having expected some +such episode as this), arose, and with a most polite and elaborate bow +accepted the same and thrust it into his pocket. + +"And now, my young gentleman," cried Captain Obadiah, folding his arms +and tucking his cane under his armpit, looking the while from under his +brows upon the company with a most malevolent and extravagant grin-- +"and now, my young gentleman, perhaps you will favor the ladies and +gentlemen here present with an account of what services they are I thus +pay for." + +"To be sure I will," cried out our hero, "and that with the utmost +willingness in the world." + +During all this while the elegant company had sat as with suspended +animation, overwhelmed with wonder at the singular address of the +intruder. Even the servants stood still with the dishes in their hands +the better to hear the outcome of the affair. The bride, overwhelmed by +a sudden and inexplicable anxiety, felt the color quit her face, and +reaching out, seized her lover's hand, who took hers very readily, +holding it tight within his grasp. As for Colonel and Madam Belford, +not knowing what this remarkable address portended, they sat as though +turned to stone, the one gone as white as ashes, and the other as red +in the face as a cherry. Our young gentleman, however, maintained the +utmost coolness and composure of demeanor. Pointing his finger towards +the intruder, he exclaimed: "In Captain Obadiah Belford, ladies and +gentlemen, you behold the most unmitigated villain that ever I met in +all of my life. With an incredible spite and vindictiveness he not only +pursued my honored father-in-law, Colonel Belford, but has sought to +wreak an unwarranted revenge upon the innocent and virtuous young lady +whom I have now the honor to call my wife. But how has he overreached +himself in his machinations! How has he entangled his feet in the net +which he himself has spread! I will tell you my history, as he bids me +to do, and you may then judge for yourselves!" + +At this unexpected address Captain Obadiah's face fell from its +expression of malicious triumph, growing longer and longer, until at +last it was overclouded with so much doubt and anxiety that, had he +been threatened by the loss of a thousand pounds, he could not have +assumed a greater appearance of mortification and dejection. Meantime, +regarding him with a mischievous smile, our young gentleman began the +history of all those adventures that had befallen him from the time he +embarked upon the memorable expedition with his two companions in +dissipation from York Stairs. As his account proceeded Captain +Obadiah's face altered by degrees from its natural brown to a sickly +yellow, and then to so leaden a hue that it could not have assumed a +more ghastly appearance were he about to swoon dead away. Great beads +of sweat gathered upon his forehead and trickled down his cheeks. At +last he could endure no more, but with a great and strident voice, such +as might burst forth from a devil tormented, he cried out: "'Tis a lie! +'Tis all a monstrous lie! He is a beggarly runaway servant whom I took +in out of the rain and fed and housed--to have him turn thus against me +and strike the hand that has benefited him!" + +"Sir," replied our young gentleman, with a moderate and easy voice, +"what I tell you is no lie, but the truth. If any here misdoubts my +veracity, see, here is a letter received by the last packet from my +honored father. You, Colonel Belford, know his handwriting perfectly +well. Look at this and tell me if I am deceiving you." + +At these words Colonel Belford took the letter with a hand that +trembled as though with palsy. He cast his eyes over it, but it is to +be doubted whether he read a single word therein contained. +Nevertheless, he saw enough to satisfy his doubts, and he could have +wept, so great was the relief from the miserable and overwhelming +anxiety that had taken possession of him since the beginning of his +brother's discourse. + +Meantime our young gentleman, turning to Captain Obadiah, cried out, +"Sir, I am indeed an instrument of Providence sent hither to call your +wickedness to account," and this he spoke with so virtuous an air as to +command the admiration of all who heard him. "I have," he continued, +"lived with you now for nearly three odious months, and I know every +particular of your habits and such circumstances of your life as you +are aware of. I now proclaim how you have wickedly and sacrilegiously +turned the Old Free Grace Meeting-House into a slave-pen, whence for +above a year you have conducted a nefarious and most inhuman commerce +with the West Indies." + +At these words Captain Obadiah, being thrown so suddenly upon his +defence, forced himself to give forth a huge and boisterous laugh. +"What then?" he cried. "What wickedness is there in that? What if I +have provided a few sugar plantations with negro slaves? Are there not +those here present who would do no better if the opportunity offered? +The place is mine, and I break no law by a bit of quiet slave-trading." + +"I marvel," cried our young gentleman, still in the same virtuous +strain--"I marvel that you can pass over so wicked a thing thus easily. +I myself have counted above fifty graves of your victims on Pig and Sow +Point. Repent, sir, while there is yet time." + +But to this adjuration Captain Obadiah returned no other reply than to +burst into a most wicked, impudent laugh. + +"Is it so?" cried our young gentleman. "Do you dare me to further +exposures? Then I have here another evidence to confront you that may +move you to a more serious consideration." With these words he drew +forth from his pocket a packet wrapped in soft white paper. This he +unfolded, holding up to the gaze of all a bright and shining object. +"This," he exclaimed, "I found in Captain Obadiah's writing-desk while +I was hunting for some wax with which to seal a letter." It was the +gold snuffbox of the late Collector Goodhouse. "What," he cried, "have +you, sir, to offer in explanation of the manner in which this came into +your possession? See, here engraved upon the lid is the owner's name +and the circumstance of his having saved my own poor life. It was that +first called my attention to it, for I well recollect how my father +compelled me to present it to my savior. How came it into your +possession, and why have you hidden it away so carefully for all this +while? Sir, in the death of Lieutenant Goodhouse I suspect you of a +more sinister fault than that of converting yonder poor sanctuary into +a slave-pen. So soon as Captain Morris of your slave-ship returns from +Jamaica I shall have him arrested, and shall compel him to explain what +he knows of the circumstances of the Lieutenant's unfortunate murder." + +At the sight of so unexpected an object in the young gentleman's hand +Captain Obadiah's jaw fell, and his cavernous mouth gaped as though he +had suddenly been stricken with a palsy. He lifted a trembling hand and +slowly and mechanically passed it along that cheek which was so +discolored with gunpowder stain. Then, suddenly gathering himself +together and regaining those powers that appeared for a moment to have +fled from him, he cried out, aloud: "I swear to God 'twas all an +accident! I pushed him down the steps, and he fell and broke his neck!" + +Our young gentleman regarded him with a cold and collected smile. +"That, sir," said he, "you shall have the opportunity to explain to the +proper authorities--unless," he added, "you choose to take yourself +away from these parts, and to escape the just resentment of those laws +to which you may be responsible for your misdemeanors." + +"I shall," roared Captain Obadiah, "stand my trial in spite of you all! +I shall live to see you in torments yet! I shall--" He gaped and +stuttered, but could find no further words with which to convey his +infinite rage and disappointed spite. Then turning, and with a furious +gesture, he rushed forth and out of the house, thrusting those aside +who stood in his way, and leaving behind him a string of curses fit to +set the whole world into a blaze. + +He had destroyed all the gaiety of the wedding-breakfast, but the +relief from the prodigious doubts and anxieties that had at first +overwhelmed those whom he had intended to ruin was of so great a nature +that they thought nothing of so inconsiderable a circumstance. + +As for our young gentleman, he had come forth from the adventure with +such dignity of deportment and with so exalted an air of generous +rectitude that those present could not sufficiently admire at the +continent discretion of one so young. The young lady whom he had +married, if she had before regarded him as a Paris and an Achilles +incorporated into one person, now added the wisdom of a Nestor to the +category of his accomplishments. + +Captain Obadiah, in spite of the defiance he had fulminated against his +enemies, and in spite of the determination he had expressed to remain +and to stand his trial, was within a few days known to have suddenly +and mysteriously departed from New Hope. Whether or not he misdoubted +his own rectitude too greatly to put it to the test of a trial, or +whether the mortification incident upon the failure of his plot was too +great for him to support, it was clearly his purpose never to return +again. For within a month the more valuable of his belongings were +removed from his great house upon Pig and Sow Point and were loaded +upon a bark that came into the harbor for that purpose. Thence they +were transported no one knew whither, for Captain Obadiah was never +afterwards observed in those parts. + +Nor was the old meeting-house ever again disturbed by such +manifestations as had terrified the community for so long a time. +Nevertheless, though the Devil was thus exorcised from his +abiding-place, the old church never lost its evil reputation, until it was +finally destroyed by fire about ten years after the incidents herein +narrated. + +In conclusion it is only necessary to say that when the Honorable +Frederick Dunburne presented his wife to his noble family at home, he +was easily forgiven his _mésalliance_ in view of her extreme beauty and +vivacity. Within a year or two Lord Carrickford, his elder brother, +died of excessive dissipation in Florence, where he was then attached +to the English Embassy, so that our young gentleman thus became the +heir-apparent to his father's title, and so both branches of the family +were united into one. + + +THE END + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Stolen Treasure, by Howard Pyle + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK STOLEN TREASURE *** + +***** This file should be named 10394-8.txt or 10394-8.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + https://www.gutenberg.org/1/0/3/9/10394/ + +Produced by David Widger, Juliet Sutherland, Linda Cantoni and PG +Distributed Proofreaders + + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: Stolen Treasure + +Author: Howard Pyle + +Release Date: December 7, 2003 [EBook #10394] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK STOLEN TREASURE *** + + + + +Produced by David Widger, Juliet Sutherland, Linda Cantoni and PG +Distributed Proofreaders + + + + + + +</pre> + + + +<h1> + STOLEN TREASURE +</h1> + <h3> BY</h3> +<br /> + <h2> HOWARD PYLE</h2> + +<br /><br /><br /> +<h3> + Author of "Men of Iron" "Twilight Land" "The Wonder Clock" "Pepper and + Salt" +</h3> +<br /><br /><br /> + +<h3> + ILLUSTRATED BY THE AUTHOR +</h3> +<br /><br /> +<h2> + MCMVII +</h2> + + +<br><br> +<center> +<img alt="006 (77K)" src="006.jpg" height="792" width="482" /> +</center> +<br><br> + + +<br /><br /> +<hr> +<br /><br /> + +<h2>Contents</h2> +<center> +<table summary=""> +<tr><td> + + +<p class="toc"><a href="#2H_4_2"> +I. WITH THE BUCCANEERS +</a></p> +<p class="toc"><a href="#2H_4_3"> +II. TOM CHIST AND THE TREASURE-BOX +</a></p> +<p class="toc"><a href="#2H_4_4"> +III. THE GHOST OF CAPTAIN BRAND +</a></p> +<p class="toc"><a href="#2H_4_5"> +IV. A TRUE HISTORY OF THE DEVIL AT NEW HOPE +</a></p> + +</td></tr> +</table> +</center> + +<br /><br /> +<hr> +<br /><br /> + +<h2>List of Illustrations</h2> + +<center> +<table summary=""> +<tr><td> + + + +<p class="toc"><a href="#image-1"> +"This Figure of War Our Hero Asked to Step Aside With +Him" +</a></p> +<p class="toc"><a href="#image-2"> +"Our Hero, Leaping to the Wheel, Seized The Flying +Spokes" +</a></p> +<p class="toc"><a href="#image-3"> +"She and Master Harry Would Spend Hours Together" +</a></p> +<p class="toc"><a href="#image-4"> +"'... And Twenty-one And Twenty-two'" +</a></p> +<p class="toc"><a href="#image-5"> +"'Tis Enough,' Cried out Parson Jones, 'to Make Us Both +Rich Men'" +</a></p> +<p class="toc"><a href="#image-6"> +"Captain Malyoe Shot Captain Brand Through the Head" +</a></p> +<p class="toc"><a href="#image-7"> +"He Would Shout Opprobrious Words After the Other in The +Streets"</a> + +</td></tr> +</table> +</center> + +<br /><br /> +<hr> +<br /><br /> + + +<a name="2H_4_1"><!-- H2 anchor --></a> +<p> </p> +<p> </p> +<p> </p> +<p> </p> +<h2> + STOLEN TREASURE +</h2> +<a name="2H_4_2"><!-- H2 anchor --></a> +<p> </p> +<p> </p> +<p> </p> +<p> </p> +<h2> + I. WITH THE BUCCANEERS +</h2> +<p> + <i>Being an Account of Certain Adventures that Befell Henry Mostyn under + Captain H. Morgan in the Year 1665-66.</i> +</p> +<center> + I +</center> +<p> + Although this narration has more particularly to do with the taking of + the Spanish Vice-Admiral in the harbor of Puerto Bello, and of the + rescue therefrom of Le Sieur Simon, his wife and daughter (the + adventure of which was successfully achieved by Captain Morgan, the + famous buccaneer), we shall, nevertheless, premise something of the + earlier history of Master Harry Mostyn, whom you may, if you please, + consider as the hero of the several circumstances recounted in these + pages. +</p> +<p> + In the year 1664 our hero's father embarked from Portsmouth, in + England, for the Barbadoes, where he owned a considerable sugar + plantation. Thither to those parts of America he transported with + himself his whole family, of whom our Master Harry was the fifth of + eight children—a great lusty fellow as little fitted for the Church + (for which he was designed) as could be. At the time of this story, + though not above sixteen years old, Master Harry Mostyn was as big and + well-grown as many a man of twenty, and of such a reckless and + dare-devil spirit that no adventure was too dangerous or too mischievous + for him to embark upon. +</p> +<p> + At this time there was a deal of talk in those parts of the Americas + concerning Captain Morgan, and the prodigious successes he was having + pirating against the Spaniards. +</p> +<p> + This man had once been an indentured servant with Mr. Rolls, a sugar + factor at the Barbadoes. Having served out his time, and being of + lawless disposition, possessing also a prodigious appetite for + adventure, he joined with others of his kidney, and, purchasing a + caraval of three guns, embarked fairly upon that career of piracy the + most successful that ever was heard of in the world. +</p> +<p> + Master Harry had known this man very well while he was still with Mr. + Rolls, serving as a clerk at that gentleman's sugar wharf, a tall, + broad-shouldered, strapping fellow, with red cheeks, and thick red + lips, and rolling blue eyes, and hair as red as any chestnut. Many knew + him for a bold, gruff-spoken man, but no one at that time suspected + that he had it in him to become so famous and renowned as he afterwards + grew to be. +</p> +<p> + The fame of his exploits had been the talk of those parts for above a + twelvemonth, when, in the latter part of the year 1665, Captain Morgan, + having made a very successful expedition against the Spaniards into the + Gulf of Campeachy—where he took several important purchases from the + plate fleet—came to the Barbadoes, there to fit out another such + venture, and to enlist recruits. +</p> +<p> + He and certain other adventurers had purchased a vessel of some five + hundred tons, which they proposed to convert into a pirate by cutting + port-holes for cannon, and running three or four carronades across her + main-deck. The name of this ship, be it mentioned, was the <i>Good + Samaritan</i>, as ill-fitting a name as could be for such a craft, which, + instead of being designed for the healing of wounds, was intended to + inflict such devastation as those wicked men proposed. +</p> +<p> + Here was a piece of mischief exactly fitted to our hero's tastes; + wherefore, having made up a bundle of clothes, and with not above a + shilling in his pocket, he made an excursion into the town to seek for + Captain Morgan. There he found the great pirate established at an + ordinary, with a little court of ragamuffins and swashbucklers gathered + about him, all talking very loud, and drinking healths in raw rum as + though it were sugared water. +</p> +<p> + And what a fine figure our buccaneer had grown, to be sure! How + different from the poor, humble clerk upon the sugarwharf! What a deal + of gold braid! What a fine, silver-hilted Spanish sword! What a gay + velvet sling, hung with three silver-mounted pistols! If Master Harry's + mind had not been made up before, to be sure such a spectacle of glory + would have determined it. +</p> +<p> + This figure of war our hero asked to step aside with him, and when they + had come into a corner, proposed to the other what he intended, and + that he had a mind to enlist as a gentleman adventurer upon this + expedition. Upon this our rogue of a buccaneer Captain burst out + a-laughing, and fetching Master Harry a great thump upon the back, swore + roundly that he would make a man of him, and that it was a pity to make + a parson out of so good a piece of stuff. +</p> +<a name="image-1"><!--IMG--></a> +<center> +<img src="001.jpg" height="638" width="944" +alt="'This Figure of War Our Hero Asked to Step Aside With +Him' +"> +</center> +<!--IMAGE END--> +<p> + Nor was Captain Morgan less good than his word, for when the <i>Good + Samaritan</i> set sail with a favoring wind for the island of Jamaica, + Master Harry found himself established as one of the adventurers + aboard. +</p> +<center> + II +</center> +<p> + Could you but have seen the town of Port Royal as it appeared in the + year 1665 you would have beheld a sight very well worth while looking + upon. There were no fine houses at that time, and no great + counting-houses built of brick, such as you may find nowadays, but a crowd + of board and wattled huts huddled along the streets, and all so gay with + flags and bits of color that Vanity Fair itself could not have been + gayer. To this place came all the pirates and buccaneers that infested + those parts, and men shouted and swore and gambled, and poured out + money like water, and then maybe wound up their merrymaking by dying of + fever. For the sky in these torrid latitudes is all full of clouds + overhead, and as hot as any blanket, and when the sun shone forth it + streamed down upon the smoking sands so that the houses were ovens and + the streets were furnaces; so it was little wonder that men died like + rats in a hole. But little they appeared to care for that; so that + everywhere you might behold a multitude of painted women and Jews and + merchants and pirates, gaudy with red scarfs and gold braid and all + sorts of odds and ends of foolish finery, all fighting and gambling and + bartering for that ill-gotten treasure of the be-robbed Spaniard. +</p> +<p> + Here, arriving, Captain Morgan found a hearty welcome, and a message + from the Governor awaiting him, the message bidding him attend his + Excellency upon the earliest occasion that offered. Whereupon, taking + our hero (of whom he had grown prodigiously fond) along with him, our + pirate went, without any loss of time, to visit Sir Thomas Modiford, + who was then the royal Governor of all this devil's brew of wickedness. +</p> +<p> + They found his Excellency seated in a great easy-chair, under the + shadow of a slatted veranda, the floor whereof was paved with brick. He + was clad, for the sake of coolness, only in his shirt, breeches, and + stockings, and he wore slippers on his feet. He was smoking a great + cigarro of tobacco, and a goblet of lime-juice and water and rum stood + at his elbow on a table. Here, out of the glare of the heat, it was all + very cool and pleasant, with a sea-breeze blowing violently in through + the slats, setting them a-rattling now and then, and stirring Sir + Thomas's long hair, which he had pushed back for the sake of coolness. +</p> +<p> + The purport of this interview, I may tell you, concerned the rescue of + one Le Sieur Simon, who, together with his wife and daughter, was held + captive by the Spaniards. +</p> +<p> + This gentleman adventurer (Le Sieur Simon) had, a few years before, + been set up by the buccaneers as Governor of the island of Santa + Catherina. This place, though well fortified by the Spaniards, the + buccaneers had seized upon, establishing themselves thereon, and so + infesting the commerce of those seas that no Spanish fleet was safe + from them. At last the Spaniards, no longer able to endure these + assaults against their commerce, sent a great force against the + freebooters to drive them out of their island stronghold. This they + did, retaking Santa Catherina, together with its Governor, his wife, + and daughter, as well as the whole garrison of buccaneers. +</p> +<p> + This garrison were sent by their conquerors, some to the galleys, some + to the mines, some to no man knows where. The Governor himself—Le + Sieur Simon—was to be sent to Spain, there to stand his trial for + piracy. +</p> +<p> + The news of all this, I may tell you, had only just been received in + Jamaica, having been brought thither by a Spanish captain, one Don + Roderiguez Sylvia, who was, besides, the bearer of despatches to the + Spanish authorities relating the whole affair. +</p> +<p> + Such, in fine, was the purport of this interview, and as our hero and + his Captain walked back together from the Governor's house to the + ordinary where they had taken up their inn, the buccaneer assured his + companion that he purposed to obtain those despatches from the Spanish + captain that very afternoon, even if he had to use force to seize them. +</p> +<p> + All this, you are to understand, was undertaken only because of the + friendship that the Governor and Captain Morgan entertained for Le + Sieur Simon. And, indeed, it was wonderful how honest and how faithful + were these wicked men in their dealings with one another. For you must + know that Governor Modiford and Le Sieur Simon and the buccaneers were + all of one kidney—all taking a share in the piracies of those times, + and all holding by one another as though they were the honestest men in + the world. Hence it was they were all so determined to rescue Le Sieur + Simon from the Spaniards. +</p> +<center> + III +</center> +<p> + Having reached his ordinary after his interview with the Governor, + Captain Morgan found there a number of his companions, such as usually + gathered at that place to be in attendance upon him—some, those + belonging to the <i>Good Samaritan</i>; others, those who hoped to obtain + benefits from him; others, those ragamuffins who gathered around him + because he was famous, and because it pleased them to be of his court + and to be called his followers. For nearly always your successful + pirate had such a little court surrounding him. +</p> +<p> + Finding a dozen or more of these rascals gathered there, Captain Morgan + informed them of his present purpose—that he was going to find the + Spanish captain to demand his papers of him, and calling upon them to + accompany him. +</p> +<p> + With this following at his heels, our buccaneer started off down the + street, his lieutenant, a Cornishman named Bartholomew Davis, upon one + hand and our hero upon the other. So they paraded the streets for the + best part of an hour before they found the Spanish captain. For whether + he had got wind that Captain Morgan was searching for him, or whether, + finding himself in a place so full of his enemies, he had buried + himself in some place of hiding, it is certain that the buccaneers had + traversed pretty nearly the whole town before they discovered that he + was lying at a certain auberge kept by a Portuguese Jew. Thither they + went, and thither Captain Morgan entered with the utmost coolness and + composure of demeanor, his followers crowding noisily in at his heels. +</p> +<p> + The space within was very dark, being lighted only by the doorway and + by two large slatted windows or openings in the front. +</p> +<p> + In this dark, hot place—not over-roomy at the best—were gathered + twelve or fifteen villanous-appearing men, sitting at tables and + drinking together, waited upon by the Jew and his wife. Our hero had no + trouble in discovering which of this lot of men was Captain Sylvia, for + not only did Captain Morgan direct his glance full of war upon him, but + the Spaniard was clad with more particularity and with more show of + finery than any of the others who were there. +</p> +<p> + Him Captain Morgan approached and demanded his papers, whereunto the + other replied with such a jabber of Spanish and English that no man + could have understood what he said. To this Captain Morgan in turn + replied that he must have those papers, no matter what it might cost + him to obtain them, and thereupon drew a pistol from his sling and + presented it at the other's head. +</p> +<p> + At this threatening action the innkeeper's wife fell a-screaming, and + the Jew, as in a frenzy, besought them not to tear the house down about + his ears. +</p> +<p> + Our hero could hardly tell what followed, only that all of a sudden + there was a prodigious uproar of combat. Knives flashed everywhere, and + then a pistol was fired so close to his head that he stood like one + stunned, hearing some one crying out in a loud voice, but not knowing + whether it was a friend or a foe who had been shot. Then another + pistol-shot so deafened what was left of Master Harry's hearing that + his ears rang for above an hour afterwards. By this time the whole + place was full of gunpowder smoke, and there was the sound of blows and + oaths and outcrying and the clashing of knives. +</p> +<p> + As Master Harry, who had no great stomach for such a combat, and no + very particular interest in the quarrel, was making for the door, a + little Portuguese, as withered and as nimble as an ape, came ducking + under the table and plunged at his stomach with a great long knife, + which, had it effected its object, would surely have ended his + adventures then and there. +</p> +<p> + Finding himself in such danger, Master Harry snatched up a heavy chair, + and, flinging it at his enemy, who was preparing for another attack, he + fairly ran for it out of the door, expecting every instant to feel the + thrust of the blade betwixt his ribs. +</p> +<p> + A considerable crowd had gathered outside, and others, hearing the + uproar, were coming running to join them. With these our hero stood, + trembling like a leaf, and with cold chills running up and down his + back like water at the narrow escape from the danger that had + threatened him. +</p> +<p> + Nor shall you think him a coward, for you must remember he was hardly + sixteen years old at the time, and that this was the first affair of + the sort he had encountered. Afterwards, as you shall learn, he showed + that he could exhibit courage enough at a pinch. +</p> +<p> + While he stood there endeavoring to recover his composure, the while + the tumult continued within, suddenly two men came running almost + together out of the door, a crowd of the combatants at their heels. The + first of these men was Captain Sylvia; the other, who was pursuing him, + was Captain Morgan. +</p> +<p> + As the crowd about the door parted before the sudden appearing of + these, the Spanish captain, perceiving, as he supposed, a way of escape + opened to him, darted across the street with incredible swiftness + towards an alleyway upon the other side. Upon this, seeing his prey + like to get away from him, Captain Morgan snatched a pistol out of his + sling, and resting it for an instant across his arm, fired at the + flying Spaniard, and that with so true an aim that, though the street + was now full of people, the other went tumbling over and over all of a + heap in the kennel, where he lay, after a twitch or two, as still as a + log. +</p> +<p> + At the sound of the shot and the fall of the man the crowd scattered + upon all sides, yelling and screaming, and the street being thus pretty + clear, Captain Morgan ran across the way to where his victim lay, his + smoking pistol still in his hand, and our hero following close at his + heels. +</p> +<p> + Our poor Harry had never before beheld a man killed thus in an instant + who a moment before had been so full of life and activity, for when + Captain Morgan turned the body over upon its back he could perceive at + a glance, little as he knew of such matters, that the man was stone + dead. And, indeed, it was a dreadful sight for him who was hardly more + than a child. He stood rooted for he knew not how long, staring down at + the dead face with twitching fingers and shuddering limbs. Meantime a + great crowd was gathering about them again. +</p> +<p> + As for Captain Morgan, he went about his work with the utmost coolness + and deliberation imaginable, unbuttoning the waistcoat and the shirt of + the man he had murdered with fingers that neither twitched nor shook. + There were a gold cross and a bunch of silver medals hung by a + whip-cord about the neck of the dead man. This Captain Morgan broke away + with a snap, reaching the jingling baubles to Harry, who took them in + his nerveless hand and fingers that he could hardly close upon what + they held. +</p> +<p> + The papers Captain Morgan found in a wallet in an inner breast-pocket + of the Spaniard's waistcoat. These he examined one by one, and finding + them to his satisfaction, tied them up again, and slipped the wallet + and its contents into his own pocket. +</p> +<p> + Then for the first time he appeared to observe Master Harry, who, + indeed, must have been standing the perfect picture of horror and + dismay. Whereupon, bursting out a-laughing, and slipping the pistol he + had used back into its sling again, he fetched poor Harry a great slap + upon the back, bidding him be a man, for that he would see many such + sights as this. +</p> +<p> + But, indeed, it was no laughing matter for poor Master Harry, for it + was many a day before his imagination could rid itself of the image of + the dead Spaniard's face; and as he walked away down the street with + his companions, leaving the crowd behind them, and the dead body where + it lay for its friends to look after, his ears humming and ringing from + the deafening noise of the pistol-shots fired in the close room, and + the sweat trickling down his face in drops, he knew not whether all + that had passed had been real, or whether it was a dream from which he + might presently awaken. +</p> +<center> + IV +</center> +<p> + The papers Captain Morgan had thus seized upon as the fruit of the + murder he had committed must have been as perfectly satisfactory to him + as could be, for having paid a second visit that evening to Governor + Modiford, the pirate lifted anchor the next morning and made sail + towards the Gulf of Darien. There, after cruising about in those waters + for about a fortnight without falling in with a vessel of any sort, at + the end of that time they overhauled a caravel bound from Puerto Bello + to Cartagena, which vessel they took, and finding her loaded with + nothing better than raw hides, scuttled and sunk her, being then about + twenty leagues from the main of Cartagena. From the captain of this + vessel they learned that the plate fleet was then lying in the harbor + of Puerto Bello, not yet having set sail thence, but waiting for the + change of the winds before embarking for Spain. Besides this, which was + a good deal more to their purpose, the Spaniards told the pirates that + the Sieur Simon, his wife, and daughter were confined aboard the + vice-admiral of that fleet, and that the name of the vice-admiral was the + <i>Santa Maria y Valladolid</i>. +</p> +<p> + So soon as Captain Morgan had obtained the information he desired he + directed his course straight for the Bay of Santo Blaso, where he might + lie safely within the cape of that name without any danger of discovery + (that part of the main-land being entirely uninhabited) and yet be + within twenty or twenty-five leagues of Puerto Bello. +</p> +<p> + Having come safely to this anchorage, he at once declared his + intentions to his companions, which were as follows: +</p> +<p> + That it was entirely impossible for them to hope to sail their vessel + into the harbor of Puerto Bello, and to attack the Spanish vice-admiral + where he lay in the midst of the armed flota; wherefore, if anything + was to be accomplished, it must be undertaken by some subtle design + rather than by open-handed boldness. Having so prefaced what he had to + say, he now declared that it was his purpose to take one of the ship's + boats and to go in that to Puerto Bello, trusting for some opportunity + to occur to aid him either in the accomplishment of his aims or in the + gaining of some further information. Having thus delivered himself, he + invited any who dared to do so to volunteer for the expedition, telling + them plainly that he would constrain no man to go against his will, for + that at best it was a desperate enterprise, possessing only the + recommendation that in its achievement the few who undertook it would + gain great renown, and perhaps a very considerable booty. +</p> +<p> + And such was the incredible influence of this bold man over his + companions, and such was their confidence in his skill and cunning, + that not above a dozen of all those aboard hung back from the + undertaking, but nearly every man desired to be taken. +</p> +<p> + Of these volunteers Captain Morgan chose twenty—among others our + Master Harry—and having arranged with his lieutenant that if nothing + was heard from the expedition at the end of three days he should sail + for Jamaica to await news, he embarked upon that enterprise, which, + though never heretofore published, was perhaps the boldest and the most + desperate of all those that have since made his name so famous. For + what could be a more unparalleled undertaking than for a little open + boat, containing but twenty men, to enter the harbor of the third + strongest fortress of the Spanish mainland with the intention of + cutting out the Spanish vice-admiral from the midst of a whole fleet of + powerfully armed vessels, and how many men in all the world do you + suppose would venture such a thing? +</p> +<p> + But there is this to be said of that great buccaneer: that if he + undertook enterprises so desperate as this, he yet laid his plans so + well that they never went altogether amiss. Moreover, the very + desperation of his successes was of such a nature that no man could + suspect that he would dare to undertake such things, and accordingly + his enemies were never prepared to guard against his attacks. Aye, had + he but worn the King's colors and served under the rules of honest war, + he might have become as great and as renowned as Admiral Blake himself! +</p> +<p> + But all that is neither here nor there; what I have to tell you now is + that Captain Morgan in this open boat with his twenty mates reached the + Cape of Salmedina towards the fall of day. Arriving within view of the + harbor they discovered the plate fleet at anchor, with two men-of-war + and an armed galley riding as a guard at the mouth of the harbor, + scarce half a league distant from the other ships. Having spied the + fleet in this posture, the pirates presently pulled down their sails + and rowed along the coast, feigning to be a Spanish vessel from Nombre + de Dios. So hugging the shore, they came boldly within the harbor, upon + the opposite side of which you might see the fortress a considerable + distance away. +</p> +<p> + Being now come so near to the consummation of their adventure, Captain + Morgan required every man to make an oath to stand by him to the last, + whereunto our hero swore as heartily as any man aboard, although his + heart, I must needs confess, was beating at a great rate at the + approach of what was to happen. Having thus received the oaths of all + his followers, Captain Morgan commanded the surgeon of the expedition + that, when the order was given, he, the medico, was to bore six holes + in the boat, so that, it sinking under them, they might all be + compelled to push forward, with no chance of retreat. And such was the + ascendency of this man over his followers, and such was their awe of + him, that not one of them uttered even so much as a murmur, though what + he had commanded the surgeon to do pledged them either to victory or to + death, with no chance to choose between. Nor did the surgeon question + the orders he had received, much less did he dream of disobeying them. +</p> +<p> + By now it had fallen pretty dusk, whereupon, spying two fishermen in a + canoe at a little distance, Captain Morgan demanded of them in Spanish + which vessel of those at anchor in the harbor was the vice-admiral, for + that he had despatches for the captain thereof. Whereupon the + fishermen, suspecting nothing, pointed to them a galleon of great size + riding at anchor not half a league distant. +</p> +<p> + Towards this vessel accordingly the pirates directed their course, and + when they had come pretty nigh, Captain Morgan called upon the surgeon + that now it was time for him to perform the duty that had been laid + upon him. Whereupon the other did as he was ordered, and that so + thoroughly that the water presently came gushing into the boat in great + streams, whereat all hands pulled for the galleon as though every next + moment was to be their last. +</p> +<p> + And what do you suppose were our hero's emotions at this time? Like all + in the boat, his awe of Captain Morgan was so great that I do believe + he would rather have gone to the bottom than have questioned his + command, even when it was to scuttle the boat. Nevertheless, when he + felt the cold water gushing about his feet (for he had taken off his + shoes and stockings) he became possessed with such a fear of being + drowned that even the Spanish galleon had no terrors for him if he + could only feel the solid planks thereof beneath his feet. +</p> +<p> + Indeed, all the crew appeared to be possessed of a like dismay, for + they pulled at the oars with such an incredible force that they were + under the quarter of the galleon before the boat was half filled with + water. +</p> +<p> + Here, as they approached, it then being pretty dark and the moon not + yet having risen, the watch upon the deck hailed them, whereupon + Captain Morgan called out in Spanish that he was Captain Alvarez + Mendazo, and that he brought despatches for the vice-admiral. +</p> +<p> + But at that moment, the boat being now so full of water as to be + logged, it suddenly tilted upon one side as though to sink beneath + them, whereupon all hands, without further orders, went scrambling up + the side, as nimble as so many monkeys, each armed with a pistol in one + hand and a cutlass in the other, and so were upon deck before the watch + could collect his wits to utter any outcry or to give any other alarm + than to cry out, "Jesu bless us! who are these?" at which words + somebody knocked him down with the butt of a pistol, though who it was + our hero could not tell in the darkness and the hurry. +</p> +<p> + Before any of those upon deck could recover from their alarm or those + from below come up upon deck, a part of the pirates, under the + carpenter and the surgeon, had run to the gunroom and had taken + possession of the arms, while Captain Morgan, with Master Harry and a + Portuguese called Murillo Braziliano, had flown with the speed of the + wind into the great cabin. +</p> +<p> + Here they found the captain of the vice-admiral playing at cards with + the Sieur Simon and a friend, Madam Simon and her daughter being + present. +</p> +<p> + Captain Morgan instantly set his pistol at the breast of the Spanish + captain, swearing with a most horrible fierce countenance that if he + spake a word or made any outcry he was a dead man. As for our hero, + having now got his hand into the game, he performed the same service + for the Spaniard's friend, declaring he would shoot him dead if he + opened his lips or lifted so much as a single finger. +</p> +<p> + All this while the ladies, not comprehending what had occurred, had sat + as mute as stones; but now having so far recovered themselves as to + find a voice, the younger of the two fell to screaming, at which the + Sieur Simon called out to her to be still, for these were friends who + had come to help them, and not enemies who had come to harm them. +</p> +<p> + All this, you are to understand, occupied only a little while, for in + less than a minute three or four of the pirates had come into the + cabin, who, together with the Portuguese, proceeded at once to bind the + two Spaniards hand and foot, and to gag them. This being done to our + buccaneer's satisfaction, and the Spanish captain being stretched out + in the corner of the cabin, he instantly cleared his countenance of its + terrors, and bursting forth into a great loud laugh, clapped his hand + to the Sieur Simon's, which he wrung with the best will in the world. + Having done this, and being in a fine humor after this his first + success, he turned to the two ladies. "And this, ladies," said he, + taking our hero by the hand and presenting him, "is a young gentleman + who has embarked with me to learn the trade of piracy. I recommend him + to your politeness." +</p> +<p> + Think what a confusion this threw our Master Harry into, to be sure, + who at his best was never easy in the company of strange ladies! You + may suppose what must have been his emotions to find himself thus + introduced to the attention of Madam Simon and her daughter, being at + the time in his bare feet, clad only in his shirt and breeches, and + with no hat upon his head, a pistol in one hand and a cutlass in the + other. However, he was not left for long to his embarrassments, for + almost immediately after he had thus far relaxed, Captain Morgan fell + of a sudden serious again, and bidding the Sieur Simon to get his + ladies away into some place of safety, for the most hazardous part of + this adventure was yet to occur, he quitted the cabin with Master Harry + and the other pirates (for you may call him a pirate now) at his heels. +</p> +<p> + Having come upon deck, our hero beheld that a part of the Spanish crew + were huddled forward in a flock like so many sheep (the others being + crowded below with the hatches fastened upon them), and such was the + terror of the pirates, and so dreadful the name of Henry Morgan, that + not one of those poor wretches dared to lift up his voice to give any + alarm, nor even to attempt an escape by jumping overboard. +</p> +<p> + At Captain Morgan's orders, these men, together with certain of his own + company, ran nimbly aloft and began setting the sails, which, the night + now having fallen pretty thick, was not for a good while observed by + any of the vessels riding at anchor about them. +</p> +<p> + Indeed, the pirates might have made good their escape, with at most + only a shot or two from the men-of-war, had it not then been about the + full of the moon, which, having arisen, presently discovered to those + of the fleet that lay closest about them what was being done aboard the + vice-admiral. +</p> +<p> + At this one of the vessels hailed them, and then after a while, having + no reply, hailed them again. Even then the Spaniards might not + immediately have suspected anything was amiss but only that the + vice-admiral for some reason best known to himself was shifting his + anchorage, had not one of the Spaniards aloft—but who it was Captain + Morgan was never able to discover—answered the hail by crying out that + the vice-admiral had been seized by the pirates. +</p> +<p> + At this the alarm was instantly given and the mischief done, for + presently there was a tremendous bustle through that part of the fleet + lying nighest the vice-admiral—a deal of shouting of orders, a beating + of drums, and the running hither and thither of the crews. +</p> +<p> + But by this time the sails of the vice-admiral had filled with a strong + land breeze that was blowing up the harbor, whereupon the carpenter, at + Captain Morgan's orders, having cut away both anchors, the galleon + presently bore away up the harbor, gathering headway every moment with + the wind nearly dead astern. The nearest vessel was the only one that + for the moment was able to offer any hinderance. This ship, having by + this time cleared away one of its guns, was able to fire a parting shot + against the vice-admiral, striking her somewhere forward, as our hero + could see by a great shower of splinters that flew up in the moonlight. +</p> +<p> + At the sound of the shot all the vessels of the flota not yet disturbed + by the alarm were aroused at once, so that the pirates had the + satisfaction of knowing that they would have to run the gantlet of all + the ships between them and the open sea before they could reckon + themselves escaped. +</p> +<p> + And, indeed, to our hero's mind it seemed that the battle which + followed must have been the most terrific cannonade that was ever heard + in the world. It was not so ill at first, for it was some while before + the Spaniards could get their guns clear for action, they being not the + least in the world prepared for such an occasion as this. But by-and-by + first one and then another ship opened fire upon the galleon, until it + seemed to our hero that all the thunders of heaven let loose upon them + could not have created a more prodigious uproar, and that it was not + possible that they could any of them escape destruction. +</p> +<p> + By now the moon had risen full and round, so that the clouds of smoke + that rose in the air appeared as white as snow. The air seemed full of + the hiss and screaming of shot, each one of which, when it struck the + galleon, was magnified by our hero's imagination into ten times its + magnitude from the crash which it delivered and from the cloud of + splinters it would cast up into the moonlight. At last he suddenly + beheld one poor man knocked sprawling across the deck, who, as he + raised his arm from behind the mast, disclosed that the hand was gone + from it, and that the shirt-sleeve was red with blood in the moonlight. + At this sight all the strength fell away from poor Harry, and he felt + sure that a like fate or even a worse must be in store for him. +</p> +<p> + But, after all, this was nothing to what it might have been in broad + daylight, for what with the darkness of night, and the little + preparation the Spaniards could make for such a business, and the + extreme haste with which they discharged their guns (many not + understanding what was the occasion of all this uproar), nearly all the + shot flew so wide of the mark that not above one in twenty struck that + at which it was aimed. +</p> +<p> + Meantime Captain Morgan, with the Sieur Simon, who had followed him + upon deck, stood just above where our hero lay behind the shelter of + the bulwark. The captain had lit a pipe of tobacco, and he stood now in + the bright moonlight close to the rail, with his hands behind him, + looking out ahead with the utmost coolness imaginable, and paying no + more attention to the din of battle than though it were twenty leagues + away. Now and then he would take his pipe from his lips to utter an + order to the man at the wheel. Excepting this he stood there hardly + moving at all, the wind blowing his long red hair over his shoulders. +</p> +<p> + Had it not been for the armed galley the pirates might have got the + galleon away with no great harm done in spite of all this cannonading, + for the man-of-war which rode at anchor nighest to them at the mouth of + the harbor was still so far away that they might have passed it by + hugging pretty close to the shore, and that without any great harm + being done to them in the darkness. But just at this moment, when the + open water lay in sight, came this galley pulling out from behind the + point of the shore in such a manner as either to head our pirates off + entirely or else to compel them to approach so near to the man-of-war + that that latter vessel could bring its guns to bear with more effect. +</p> +<p> + This galley, I must tell you, was like others of its kind such as you + may find in these waters, the hull being long and cut low to the water + so as to allow the oars to dip freely. The bow was sharp and projected + far out ahead, mounting a swivel upon it, while at the stern a number + of galleries built one above another into a castle gave shelter to + several companies of musketeers as well as the officers commanding + them. +</p> +<p> + Our hero could behold the approach of this galley from above the + starboard bulwarks, and it appeared to him impossible for them to hope + to escape either it or the man-of-war. But still Captain Morgan + maintained the same composure that he had exhibited all the while, only + now and then delivering an order to the man at the wheel, who, putting + the helm over, threw the bows of the galleon around more to the + larboard, as though to escape the bow of the galley and get into the + open water beyond. This course brought the pirates ever closer and + closer to the man-of-war, which now began to add its thunder to the din + of the battle, and with so much more effect that at every discharge you + might hear the crashing and crackling of splintered wood, and now and + then the outcry or groaning of some man who was hurt. Indeed, had it + been daylight, they must at this juncture all have perished, though, as + was said, what with the night and the confusion and the hurry, they + escaped entire destruction, though more by a miracle than through any + policy upon their own part. +</p> +<p> + Meantime the galley, steering as though to come aboard of them, had now + come so near that it, too, presently began to open its musketry fire + upon them, so that the humming and rattling of bullets were presently + added to the din of cannonading. +</p> +<p> + In two minutes more it would have been aboard of them, when in a moment + Captain Morgan roared out of a sudden to the man at the helm to put it + hard a starboard. In response the man ran the wheel over with the + utmost quickness, and the galleon, obeying her helm very readily, came + around upon a course which, if continued, would certainly bring them + into collision with their enemy. +</p> +<p> + It is possible at first the Spaniards imagined the pirates intended to + escape past their stern, for they instantly began backing oars to keep + them from getting past, so that the water was all of a foam about them; + at the same time they did this they poured in such a fire of musketry + that it was a miracle that no more execution was accomplished than + happened. +</p> +<p> + As for our hero, methinks for the moment he forgot all about everything + else than as to whether or no his captain's manoeuvre would succeed, + for in the very first moment he divined, as by some instinct, what + Captain Morgan purposed doing. +</p> +<p> + At this moment, so particular in the execution of this nice design, a + bullet suddenly struck down the man at the wheel. Hearing the sharp + outcry, our Harry turned to see him fall forward, and then to his hands + and knees upon the deck, the blood running in a black pool beneath him, + while the wheel, escaping from his hands, spun over until the spokes + were all of a mist. +</p> +<p> + In a moment the ship would have fallen off before the wind had not our + hero, leaping to the wheel (even as Captain Morgan shouted an order for + some one to do so), seized the flying spokes, whirling them back again, + and so bringing the bow of the galleon up to its former course. +</p> +<a name="image-2"><!--IMG--></a> +<center> +<img src="002.jpg" height="638" width="944" +alt="'our Hero, Leaping to the Wheel, Seized The Flying +Spokes' +"> +</center> +<!--IMAGE END--> +<p> + In the first moment of this effort he had reckoned of nothing but of + carrying out his captain's designs. He neither thought of cannon-balls + nor of bullets. But now that his task was accomplished, he came + suddenly back to himself to find the galleries of the galleon aflame + with musket-shots, and to become aware with a most horrible sinking of + the spirits that all the shots therefrom were intended for him. He cast + his eyes about him with despair, but no one came to ease him of his + task, which, having undertaken, he had too much spirit to resign from + carrying through to the end, though he was well aware that the very + next instant might mean his sudden and violent death. His ears hummed + and rang, and his brain swam as light as a feather. I know not whether + he breathed, but he shut his eyes tight as though that might save him + from the bullets that were raining about him. +</p> +<p> + At this moment the Spaniards must have discovered for the first time + the pirates' design, for of a sudden they ceased firing, and began to + shout out a multitude of orders, while the oars lashed the water all + about with a foam. But it was too late then for them to escape, for + within a couple of seconds the galleon struck her enemy a blow so + violent upon the larboard quarter as nearly to hurl our Harry upon the + deck, and then with a dreadful, horrible crackling of wood, commingled + with a yelling of men's voices, the galley was swung around upon her + side, and the galleon, sailing into the open sea, left nothing of her + immediate enemy but a sinking wreck, and the water dotted all over with + bobbing heads and waving hands in the moonlight. +</p> +<p> + And now, indeed, that all danger was past and gone, there were plenty + to come running to help our hero at the wheel. As for Captain Morgan, + having come down upon the main-deck, he fetches the young helmsman a + clap upon the back. "Well, Master Harry," says he, "and did I not tell + you I would make a man of you?" Whereat our poor Harry fell a-laughing, + but with a sad catch in his voice, for his hands trembled as with an + ague, and were as cold as ice. As for his emotions, God knows he was + nearer crying than laughing, if Captain Morgan had but known it. +</p> +<p> + Nevertheless, though undertaken under the spur of the moment, I protest + it was indeed a brave deed, and I cannot but wonder how many young + gentlemen of sixteen there are to-day who, upon a like occasion, would + act as well as our Harry. +</p> +<center> + V +</center> +<p> + The balance of our hero's adventures were of a lighter sort than those + already recounted, for the next morning, the Spanish captain (a very + polite and well-bred gentleman) having fitted him out with a suit of + his own clothes, Master Harry was presented in a proper form to the + ladies. For Captain Morgan, if he had felt a liking for the young man + before, could not now show sufficient regard for him. He ate in the + great cabin and was petted by all. Madam Simon, who was a fat and + red-faced lady, was forever praising him, and the young miss, who was + extremely well-looking, was as continually making eyes at him. +</p> +<p> + She and Master Harry, I must tell you, would spend hours together, she + making pretence of teaching him French, although he was so possessed + with a passion of love that he was nigh suffocated with it. She, upon + her part, perceiving his emotions, responded with extreme good-nature + and complacency, so that had our hero been older, and the voyage proved + longer, he might have become entirely enmeshed in the toils of his fair + siren. For all this while, you are to understand, the pirates were + making sail straight for Jamaica, which they reached upon the third day + in perfect safety. +</p> +<a name="image-3"><!--IMG--></a> +<center> +<img src="003.jpg" height="944" width="637" +alt="'she and Master Harry Would Spend Hours Together' +"> +</center> +<!--IMAGE END--> +<p> + In that time, however, the pirates had well-nigh gone crazy for joy; + for when they came to examine their purchase they discovered her cargo + to consist of plate to the prodigious sum of £130,000 in value. 'Twas a + wonder they did not all make themselves drunk for joy. No doubt they + would have done so had not Captain Morgan, knowing they were still in + the exact track of the Spanish fleets, threatened them that the first + man among them who touched a drop of rum without his permission he + would shoot him dead upon the deck. This threat had such effect that + they all remained entirely sober until they had reached Port Royal + Harbor, which they did about nine o'clock in the morning. +</p> +<p> + And now it was that our hero's romance came all tumbling down about his + ears with a run. For they had hardly come to anchor in the harbor when + a boat came from a man-of-war, and who should come stepping aboard but + Lieutenant Grantley (a particular friend of our hero's father) and his + own eldest brother Thomas, who, putting on a very stern face, informed + Master Harry that he was a desperate and hardened villain who was sure + to end at the gallows, and that he was to go immediately back to his + home again. He told our embryo pirate that his family had nigh gone + distracted because of his wicked and ungrateful conduct. Nor could our + hero move him from his inflexible purpose. "What," says our Harry, "and + will you not then let me wait until our prize is divided and I get my + share?" +</p> +<p> + "Prize, indeed!" says his brother. "And do you then really think that + your father would consent to your having a share in this terrible + bloody and murthering business?" +</p> +<p> + And so, after a good deal of argument, our hero was constrained to go; + nor did he even have an opportunity to bid adieu to his inamorata. Nor + did he see her any more, except from a distance, she standing on the + poop-deck as he was rowed away from her, her face all stained with + crying. For himself, he felt that there was no more joy in life; + nevertheless, standing up in the stern of the boat, he made shift, + though with an aching heart, to deliver her a fine bow with the hat he + had borrowed from the Spanish captain, before his brother bade him sit + down again. +</p> +<p> + And so to the ending of this story, with only this to relate, that our + Master Harry, so far from going to the gallows, became in good time a + respectable and wealthy sugar merchant with an English wife and a fine + family of children, whereunto, when the mood was upon him, he has + sometimes told these adventures (and sundry others not here recounted) + as I have told them unto you. +</p> +<a name="2H_4_3"><!-- H2 anchor --></a> +<p> </p> +<p> </p> +<p> </p> +<p> </p> +<h2> + II. TOM CHIST AND THE TREASURE-BOX +</h2> +<p> + <i>An Old-time Story of the Days of Captain Kidd.</i> +</p> +<p> + To tell about Tom Chist, and how he got his name, and how he came to be + living at the little settlement of Henlopen, just inside the mouth of + the Delaware Bay, the story must begin as far back as 1686, when a + great storm swept the Atlantic coast from end to end. During the + heaviest part of the hurricane a bark went ashore on the + Hen-and-Chicken Shoals, just below Cape Henlopen and at the mouth of the + Delaware Bay, and Tom Chist was the only soul of all those on board the + ill-fated vessel who escaped alive. +</p> +<p> + This story must first be told, because it was on account of the strange + and miraculous escape that happened to him at that time that he gained + the name that was given to him. +</p> +<p> + Even as late as that time of the American colonies, the little + scattered settlement at Henlopen, made up of English, with a few Dutch + and Swedish people, was still only a spot upon the face of the great + American wilderness that spread away, with swamp and forest, no man + knew how far to the westward. That wilderness was not only full of wild + beasts, but of Indian savages, who every fall would come in wandering + tribes to spend the winter along the shores of the fresh-water lakes + below Henlopen. There for four or five months they would live upon fish + and clams and wild ducks and geese, chipping their arrow-heads, and + making their earthenware pots and pans under the lee of the sand-hills + and pine woods below the Capes. +</p> +<p> + Sometimes on Sundays, when the Rev. Hillary Jones would be preaching in + the little log church back in the woods, these half-clad red savages + would come in from the cold, and sit squatting in the back part of the + church, listening stolidly to the words that had no meaning for them. +</p> +<p> + But about the wreck of the bark in 1686. Such a wreck as that which + then went ashore on the Hen-and-Chicken Shoals was a godsend to the + poor and needy settlers in the wilderness where so few good things ever + came. For the vessel went to pieces during the night, and the next + morning the beach was strewn with wreckage—boxes and barrels, chests + and spars, timbers and planks, a plentiful and bountiful harvest to be + gathered up by the settlers as they chose, with no one to forbid or + prevent them. +</p> +<p> + The name of the bark, as found painted on some of the water-barrels and + sea-chests, was the <i>Bristol Merchant</i>, and she no doubt hailed from + England. +</p> +<p> + As was said, the only soul who escaped alive off the wreck was Tom + Chist. +</p> +<p> + A settler, a fisherman named Matt Abrahamson, and his daughter Molly, + found Tom. He was washed up on the beach among the wreckage, in a great + wooden box which had been securely tied around with a rope and lashed + between two spars—apparently for better protection in beating through + the surf. Matt Abrahamson thought he had found something of more than + usual value when he came upon this chest; but when he cut the cords and + broke open the box with his broadaxe, he could not have been more + astonished had he beheld a salamander instead of a baby of nine or ten + months old lying half smothered in the blankets that covered the bottom + of the chest. +</p> +<p> + Matt Abrahamson's daughter Molly had had a baby who had died a month or + so before. So when she saw the little one lying there in the bottom of + the chest, she cried out in a great loud voice that the Good Man had + sent her another baby in place of her own. +</p> +<p> + The rain was driving before the hurricane-storm in dim, slanting + sheets, and so she wrapped up the baby in the man's coat she wore and + ran off home without waiting to gather up any more of the wreckage. +</p> +<p> + It was Parson Jones who gave the foundling his name. When the news came + to his ears of what Matt Abrahamson had found, he went over to the + fisherman's cabin to see the child. He examined the clothes in which + the baby was dressed. They were of fine linen and handsomely stitched, + and the reverend gentleman opined that the foundling's parents must + have been of quality. A kerchief had been wrapped around the baby's + neck and under its arms and tied behind, and in the corner, marked with + very fine needlework, were the initials T.C. +</p> +<p> + "What d'ye call him, Molly?" said Parson Jones. He was standing, as he + spoke, with his back to the fire, warming his palms before the blaze. + The pocket of the great-coat he wore bulged out with a big case-bottle + of spirits which he had gathered up out of the wreck that afternoon. + "What d'ye call him, Molly?" +</p> +<p> + "I'll call him Tom, after my own baby." +</p> +<p> + "That goes very well with the initial on the kerchief," said Parson + Jones. "But what other name d'ye give him? Let it be something to go + with the C." +</p> +<p> + "I don't know," said Molly. +</p> +<p> + "Why not call him 'Chist,' since he was born in a chist out of the sea? + 'Tom Chist'—the name goes off like a flash in the pan." And so "Tom + Chist" he was called and "Tom Chist" he was christened. +</p> +<p> + So much for the beginning of the history of Tom Chist. The story of + Captain Kidd's treasure-box does not begin until the late spring of +</p> +<center> + 1699. +</center> +<p> + That was the year that the famous pirate captain, coming up from the + West Indies, sailed his sloop into the Delaware Bay, where he lay for + over a month waiting for news from his friends in New York. +</p> +<p> + For he had sent word to that town asking if the coast was clear for him + to return home with the rich prize he had brought from the Indian seas + and the coast of Africa, and meantime he lay there in the Delaware Bay + waiting for a reply. Before he left he turned the whole of Tom Chist's + life topsy-turvy with something that he brought ashore. +</p> +<p> + By that time Tom Chist had grown into a strong-limbed, thick-jointed + boy of fourteen or fifteen years of age. It was a miserable dog's life + he lived with old Matt Abrahamson, for the old fisherman was in his + cups more than half the time, and when he was so there was hardly a day + passed that he did not give Tom a curse or a buffet or, as like as not, + an actual beating. One would have thought that such treatment would + have broken the spirit of the poor little foundling, but it had just + the opposite effect upon Tom Chist, who was one of your stubborn, + sturdy, stiff-willed fellows who only grow harder and more tough the + more they are ill-treated. It had been a long time now since he had + made any outcry or complaint at the hard usage he suffered from old + Matt. At such times he would shut his teeth and bear whatever came to + him, until sometimes the half-drunken old man would be driven almost + mad by his stubborn silence. Maybe he would stop in the midst of the + beating he was administering, and, grinding his teeth, would cry out: + "Won't ye say naught? Won't ye say naught? Well, then, I'll see if I + can't make ye say naught." When things had reached such a pass as this + Molly would generally interfere to protect her foster-son, and then she + and Tom would together fight the old man until they had wrenched the + stick or the strap out of his hand. Then old Matt would chase them + out-of-doors and around and around the house for maybe half an hour until + his anger was cool, when he would go back again, and for a time the + storm would be over. +</p> +<p> + Besides his foster-mother, Tom Chist had a very good friend in Parson + Jones, who used to come over every now and then to Abrahamson's hut + upon the chance of getting a half-dozen fish for breakfast. He always + had a kind word or two for Tom, who during the winter evenings would go + over to the good man's house to learn his letters, and to read and + write and cipher a little, so that by now he was able to spell the + words out of the Bible and the almanac, and knew enough to change + tuppence into four ha'pennies. +</p> +<p> + This is the sort of boy Tom Chist was, and this is the sort of life he + led. +</p> +<p> + In the late spring or early summer of 1699 Captain Kidd's sloop sailed + into the mouth of the Delaware Bay and changed the whole fortune of his + life. +</p> +<p> + And this is how you come to the story of Captain Kidd's treasure-box. +</p> +<center> + II +</center> +<p> + Old Matt Abrahamson kept the flat-bottomed boat in which he went + fishing some distance down the shore, and in the neighborhood of the + old wreck that had been sunk on the Shoals. This was the usual + fishing-ground of the settlers, and here Old Matt's boat generally lay + drawn up on the sand. +</p> +<p> + There had been a thunder-storm that afternoon, and Tom had gone down + the beach to bale out the boat in readiness for the morning's fishing. +</p> +<p> + It was full moonlight now, as he was returning, and the night sky was + full of floating clouds. Now and then there was a dull flash to the + westward, and once a muttering growl of thunder, promising another + storm to come. +</p> +<p> + All that day the pirate sloop had been lying just off the shore back of + the Capes, and now Tom Chist could see the sails glimmering pallidly in + the moonlight, spread for drying after the storm. He was walking up the + shore homeward when he became aware that at some distance ahead of him + there was a ship's boat drawn up on the little narrow beach, and a + group of men clustered about it. He hurried forward with a good deal of + curiosity to see who had landed, but it was not until he had come close + to them that he could distinguish who and what they were. Then he knew + that it must be a party who had come off the pirate sloop. They had + evidently just landed, and two men were lifting out a chest from the + boat. One of them was a negro, naked to the waist, and the other was a + white man in his shirt-sleeves, wearing petticoat breeches, a Monterey + cap upon his head, a red bandanna handkerchief around his neck, and + gold ear-rings in his ears. He had a long, plaited queue hanging down + his back, and a great sheath-knife dangling from his side. Another man, + evidently the captain of the party, stood at a little distance as they + lifted the chest out of the boat. He had a cane in one hand and a + lighted lantern in the other, although the moon was shining as bright + as day. He wore jack-boots and a handsome laced coat, and he had a + long, drooping mustache that curled down below his chin. He wore a + fine, feathered hat, and his long black hair hung down upon his + shoulders. +</p> +<p> + All this Tom Chist could see in the moonlight that glinted and twinkled + upon the gilt buttons of his coat. +</p> +<p> + They were so busy lifting the chest from the boat that at first they + did not observe that Tom Chist had come up and was standing there. It + was the white man with the long, plaited queue and the gold ear-rings + that spoke to him. "Boy, what do you want here, boy?" he said, in a + rough, hoarse voice. "Where d'ye come from?" And then dropping his end + of the chest, and without giving Tom time to answer, he pointed off + down the beach, and said, "You'd better be going about your own + business, if you know what's good for you; and don't you come back, or + you'll find what you don't want waiting for you." +</p> +<p> + Tom saw in a glance that the pirates were all looking at him, and then, + without saying a word, he turned and walked away. The man who had + spoken to him followed him threateningly for some little distance, as + though to see that he had gone away as he was bidden to do. But + presently he stopped, and Tom hurried on alone, until the boat and the + crew and all were dropped away behind and lost in the moonlight night. + Then he himself stopped also, turned, and looked back whence he had + come. +</p> +<p> + There had been something very strange in the appearance of the men he + had just seen, something very mysterious in their actions, and he + wondered what it all meant, and what they were going to do. He stood + for a little while thus looking and listening. He could see nothing, + and could hear only the sound of distant talking. What were they doing + on the lonely shore thus at night? Then, following a sudden impulse, he + turned and cut off across the sand-hummocks, skirting around inland, + but keeping pretty close to the shore, his object being to spy upon + them, and to watch what they were about from the back of the low + sand-hills that fronted the beach. +</p> +<p> + He had gone along some distance in his circuitous return when he became + aware of the sound of voices that seemed to be drawing closer to him as + he came towards the speakers. He stopped and stood listening, and + instantly, as he stopped, the voices stopped also. He crouched there + silently in the bright, glimmering moonlight, surrounded by the silent + stretches of sand, and the stillness seemed to press upon him like a + heavy hand. Then suddenly the sound of a man's voice began again, and + as Tom listened he could hear some one slowly counting. "Ninety-one," + the voice began, "ninety-two, ninety-three, ninety-four, ninety-five, + ninety-six, ninety-seven, ninety-eight, ninety-nine, one hundred, one + hundred and one"—the slow, monotonous count coming nearer and nearer + to him—"one hundred and two, one hundred and three, one hundred and + four," and so on in its monotonous reckoning. +</p> +<p> + Suddenly he saw three heads appear above the sand-hill, so close to him + that he crouched down quickly with a keen thrill, close beside the + hummock near which he stood. His first fear was that they might have + seen him in the moonlight; but they had not, and his heart rose again + as the counting voice went steadily on. "One hundred and twenty," it + was saying—"and twenty-one, and twenty-two, and twenty-three, and + twenty-four," and then he who was counting came out from behind the + little sandy rise into the white and open level of shimmering + brightness. +</p> +<a name="image-4"><!--IMG--></a> +<center> +<img src="004.jpg" height="944" width="637" +alt="''... And Twenty-one And Twenty-two'' +"> +</center> +<!--IMAGE END--> +<p> + It was the man with the cane whom Tom had seen some time before—the + captain of the party who had landed. He carried his cane under his arm + now, and was holding his lantern close to something that he held in his + hand, and upon which he looked narrowly as he walked with a slow and + measured tread in a perfectly straight line across the sand, counting + each step as he took it. "And twenty-five, and twenty-six, and + twenty-seven, and twenty-eight, and twenty-nine, and thirty." +</p> +<p> + Behind him walked two other figures; one was the half-naked negro, the + other the man with the plaited queue and the ear-rings, whom Tom had + seen lifting the chest out of the boat. Now they were carrying the + heavy box between them, laboring through the sand with shuffling tread + as they bore it onward. +</p> +<p> + As he who was counting pronounced the word "thirty," the two men set + the chest down on the sand with a grunt, the white man panting and + blowing and wiping his sleeve across his forehead. And immediately he + who counted took out a slip of paper and marked something down upon it. + They stood there for a long time, during which Tom lay behind the + sand-hummock watching them, and for a while the silence was uninterrupted. + In the perfect stillness Tom could hear the washing of the little waves + beating upon the distant beach, and once the far-away sound of a laugh + from one of those who stood by the ship's boat. +</p> +<p> + One, two, three minutes passed, and then the men picked up the chest + and started on again; and then again the other man began his counting. + "Thirty and one, and thirty and two, and thirty and three, and thirty + and four"—he walked straight across the level open, still looking + intently at that which he held in his hand—"and thirty and five, and + thirty and six, and thirty and seven," and so on, until the three + figures disappeared in the little hollow between the two sand-hills on + the opposite side of the open, and still Tom could hear the sound of + the counting voice in the distance. +</p> +<p> + Just as they disappeared behind the hill there was a sudden faint flash + of light; and by-and-by, as Tom lay still listening to the counting, he + heard, after a long interval, a far-away muffled rumble of distant + thunder. He waited for a while, and then arose and stepped to the top + of the sand-hummock behind which he had been lying. He looked all about + him, but there was no one else to be seen. Then he stepped down from + the hummock and followed in the direction which the pirate captain and + the two men carrying the chest had gone. He crept along cautiously, + stopping now and then to make sure that he still heard the counting + voice, and when it ceased he lay down upon the sand and waited until it + began again. +</p> +<p> + Presently, so following the pirates, he saw the three figures again in + the distance, and, skirting around back of a hill of sand covered with + coarse sedge-grass, he came to where he overlooked a little open level + space gleaming white in the moonlight. +</p> +<p> + The three had been crossing the level of sand, and were now not more + than twenty-five paces from him. They had again set down the chest, + upon which the white man with the long queue and the gold ear-rings had + seated to rest himself, the negro standing close beside him. The moon + shone as bright as day and full upon his face. It was looking directly + at Tom Chist, every line as keen cut with white lights and black + shadows as though it had been carved in ivory and jet. He sat perfectly + motionless, and Tom drew back with a start, almost thinking he had been + discovered. He lay silent, his heart beating heavily in his throat; but + there was no alarm, and presently he heard the counting begin again, + and when he looked once more he saw they were going away straight + across the little open. A soft, sliding hillock of sand lay directly in + front of them. They did not turn aside, but went straight over it, the + leader helping himself up the sandy slope with his cane, still counting + and still keeping his eyes fixed upon that which he held in his hand. + Then they disappeared again behind the white crest on the other side. +</p> +<p> + So Tom followed them cautiously until they had gone almost half a mile + inland. When next he saw them clearly it was from a little sandy rise + which looked down like the crest of a bowl upon the floor of sand + below. Upon this smooth, white floor the moon beat with almost dazzling + brightness. +</p> +<p> + The white man who had helped to carry the chest was now kneeling, + busied at some work, though what it was Tom at first could not see. He + was whittling the point of a stick into a long wooden peg, and when, + by-and-by, he had finished what he was about, he arose and stepped to + where he who seemed to be the captain had stuck his cane upright into + the ground as though to mark some particular spot. He drew the cane out + of the sand, thrusting the stick down in its stead. Then he drove the + long peg down with a wooden mallet which the negro handed to him. The + sharp rapping of the mallet upon the top of the peg sounded loud in the + perfect stillness, and Tom lay watching and wondering what it all + meant. +</p> +<p> + The man, with quick-repeated blows, drove the peg farther and farther + down into the sand until it showed only two or three inches above the + surface. As he finished his work there was another faint flash of + light, and by-and-by another smothered rumble of thunder, and Tom as he + looked out towards the westward, saw the silver rim of the round and + sharply outlined thundercloud rising slowly up into the sky and pushing + the other and broken drifting clouds before it. +</p> +<p> + The two white men were now stooping over the peg, the negro man + watching them. Then presently the man with the cane started straight + away from the peg, carrying the end of a measuring-line with him, the + other end of which the man with the plaited queue held against the top + of the peg. When the pirate captain had reached the end of the + measuring-line he marked a cross upon the sand, and then again they + measured out another stretch of space. +</p> +<p> + So they measured a distance five times over, and then, from where Tom + lay, he could see the man with the queue drive another peg just at the + foot of a sloping rise of sand that swept up beyond into a tall white + dune marked sharp and clear against the night sky behind. As soon as + the man with the plaited queue had driven the second peg into the + ground they began measuring again, and so, still measuring, disappeared + in another direction which took them in behind the sand-dune, where Tom + no longer could see what they were doing. +</p> +<p> + The negro still sat by the chest where the two had left him, and so + bright was the moonlight that from where he lay Tom could see the glint + of it twinkling in the whites of his eyeballs. +</p> +<p> + Presently from behind the hill there came, for the third time, the + sharp rapping sound of the mallet driving still another peg, and then + after a while the two pirates emerged from behind the sloping whiteness + into the space of moonlight again. +</p> +<p> + They came direct to where the chest lay, and the white man and the + black man lifting it once more, they walked away across the level of + open sand, and so on behind the edge of the hill and out of Tom's + sight. +</p> +<center> + III +</center> +<p> + Tom Chist could no longer see what the pirates were doing, neither did + he dare to cross over the open space of sand that now lay between them + and him. He lay there speculating as to what they were about, and + meantime the storm cloud was rising higher and higher above the + horizon, with louder and louder mutterings of thunder following each + dull flash from out the cloudy, cavernous depths. In the silence he + could hear an occasional click as of some iron implement, and he opined + that the pirates were burying the chest, though just where they were at + work he could neither see nor tell. Still he lay there watching and + listening, and by-and-by a puff of warm air blew across the sand, and a + thumping tumble of louder thunder leaped from out the belly of the + storm cloud, which every minute was coming nearer and nearer. Still Tom + Chist lay watching. +</p> +<p> + Suddenly, almost unexpectedly, the three figures reappeared from behind + the sand-hill, the pirate captain leading the way, and the negro and + white man following close behind him. They had gone about half-way + across the white, sandy level between the hill and the hummock behind + which Tom Chist lay, when the white man stopped and bent over as though + to tie his shoe. +</p> +<p> + This brought the negro a few steps in front of his companion. +</p> +<p> + That which then followed happened so suddenly, so unexpectedly, so + swiftly, that Tom Chist had hardly time to realize what it all meant + before it was over. As the negro passed him the white man arose + suddenly and silently erect, and Tom Chist saw the white moonlight + glint upon the blade of a great dirk-knife which he now held in his + hand. He took one, two silent, catlike steps behind the unsuspecting + negro. Then there was a sweeping flash of the blade in the pallid + light, and a blow, the thump of which Tom could distinctly hear even + from where he lay stretched out upon the sand. There was an instant + echoing yell from the black man, who ran stumbling forward, who + stopped, who regained his footing, and then stood for an instant as + though rooted to the spot. +</p> +<p> + Tom had distinctly seen the knife enter his back, and even thought that + he had seen the glint of the point as it came out from the breast. +</p> +<p> + Meantime the pirate captain had stopped, and now stood with his hand + resting upon his cane looking impassively on. +</p> +<p> + Then the black man started to run. The white man stood for a while + glaring after him; then he too started after his victim upon the run. + The black man was not very far from Tom when he staggered and fell. He + tried to rise, then fell forward again, and lay at length. At that + instant the first edge of the cloud cut across the moon, and there was + a sudden darkness; but in the silence Tom heard the sound of another + blow and a groan, and then presently a voice calling to the pirate + captain that it was all over. +</p> +<p> + He saw the dim form of the captain crossing the level sand, and then, + as the moon sailed out from behind the cloud, he saw the white man + standing over a black figure that lay motionless upon the sand. +</p> +<p> + Then Tom Chist scrambled up and ran away, plunging down into the hollow + of sand that lay in the shadows below. Over the next rise he ran, and + down again into the next black hollow, and so on over the sliding, + shifting ground, panting and gasping. It seemed to him that he could + hear footsteps following, and in the terror that possessed him he + almost expected every instant to feel the cold knife-blade slide + between his own ribs in such a thrust from behind as he had seen given + to the poor black man. +</p> +<p> + So he ran on like one in a nightmare. His feet grew heavy like lead, he + panted and gasped, his breath came hot and dry in his throat. But still + he ran and ran until at last he found himself in front of old Matt + Abrahamson's cabin, gasping, panting, and sobbing for breath, his knees + relaxed and his thighs trembling with weakness. +</p> +<p> + As he opened the door and dashed into the darkened cabin (for both Matt + and Molly were long ago asleep in bed) there was a flash of light, and + even as he slammed to the door behind him there was an instant peal of + thunder, heavy as though a great weight had been dropped upon the roof + of the sky, so that the doors and windows of the cabin rattled. +</p> +<center> + IV +</center> +<p> + Then Tom Chist crept to bed, trembling, shuddering, bathed in sweat, + his heart beating like a trip-hammer, and his brain dizzy from that + long, terror-inspired race through the soft sand in which he had + striven to outstrip he knew not what pursuing horror. +</p> +<p> + For a long, long time he lay awake, trembling and chattering with + nervous chills, and when he did fall asleep it was only to drop into + monstrous dreams in which he once again saw ever enacted, with various + grotesque variations, the tragic drama which his waking eyes had beheld + the night before. +</p> +<p> + Then came the dawning of the broad, wet daylight, and before the rising + of the sun Tom was up and out-of-doors to find the young day dripping + with the rain of overnight. +</p> +<p> + His first act was to climb the nearest sandhill and to gaze out towards + the offing where the pirate ship had been the day before. +</p> +<p> + It was no longer there. +</p> +<p> + Soon afterwards Matt Abrahamson came out of the cabin and he called to + Tom to go get a bite to eat, for it was time for them to be away + fishing. +</p> +<p> + All that morning the recollection of the night before hung over Tom + Chist like a great cloud of boding trouble. It filled the confined area + of the little boat and spread over the entire wide spaces of sky and + sea that surrounded them. Not for a moment was it lifted. Even when he + was hauling in his wet and dripping line with a struggling fish at the + end of it a recurrent memory of what he had seen would suddenly come + upon him, and he would groan in spirit at the recollection. He looked + at Matt Abrahamson's leathery face, at his lantern jaws cavernously and + stolidly chewing at a tobacco leaf, and it seemed monstrous to him that + the old man should be so unconscious of the black cloud that wrapped + them all about. +</p> +<p> + When the boat reached the shore again he leaped scrambling to the + beach, and as soon as his dinner was eaten he hurried away to find the + Dominie Jones. +</p> +<p> + He ran all the way from Abrahamson's hut to the Parson's house, hardly + stopping once, and when he knocked at the door he was panting and + sobbing for breath. +</p> +<p> + The good man was sitting on the back-kitchen door-step smoking his long + pipe of tobacco out into the sunlight, while his wife within was + rattling about among the pans and dishes in preparation of their + supper, of which a strong, porky smell already filled the air. +</p> +<p> + Then Tom Chist told his story, panting, hurrying, tumbling one word + over another in his haste, and Parson Jones listened, breaking every + now and then into an ejaculation of wonder. The light in his pipe went + out and the bowl turned cold. +</p> +<p> + "And I don't see why they should have killed the poor black man," said + Tom, as he finished his narrative. +</p> +<p> + "Why, that is very easy enough to understand," said the good reverend + man. "'Twas a treasure-box they buried!" +</p> +<p> + In his agitation Mr. Jones had risen from his seat and was now stumping + up and down, puffing at his empty tobacco-pipe as though it were still + alight. +</p> +<p> + "A treasure-box!" cried out Tom. +</p> +<p> + "Aye, a treasure-box! And that was why they killed the poor black man. + He was the only one, d'ye see, besides they two who knew the place + where 'twas hid, and now that they've killed him out of the way, + there's nobody but themselves knows. The villains—Tut, tut, look at + that now!" In his excitement the dominie had snapped the stem of his + tobacco-pipe in two. +</p> +<p> + "Why, then," said Tom, "if that is so, 'tis indeed a wicked, bloody + treasure, and fit to bring a curse upon anybody who finds it!" +</p> +<p> + "'Tis more like to bring a curse upon the soul who buried it," said + Parson Jones, "and it may be a blessing to him who finds it. But tell + me, Tom, do you think you could find the place again where 'twas hid?" +</p> +<p> + "I can't tell that," said Tom, "'twas all in among the sand-humps, d'ye + see, and it was at night into the bargain. Maybe we could find the + marks of their feet in the sand," he added. +</p> +<p> + "'Tis not likely," said the reverend gentleman, "for the storm last + night would have washed all that away." +</p> +<p> + "I could find the place," said Tom, "where the boat was drawn up on the + beach." +</p> +<p> + "Why, then, that's something to start from, Tom," said his friend. "If + we can find that, then maybe we can find whither they went from there." +</p> +<p> + "If I was certain it was a treasure-box," cried out Tom Chist, "I would + rake over every foot of sand betwixt here and Henlopen to find it." +</p> +<p> + "'Twould be like hunting for a pin in a haystack," said the Rev. Hilary + Jones. +</p> +<p> + As Tom walked away home, it seemed as though a ton's weight of gloom + had been rolled away from his soul. The next day he and Parson Jones + were to go treasure-hunting together; it seemed to Tom as though he + could hardly wait for the time to come. +</p> +<center> + V +</center> +<p> + The next afternoon Parson Jones and Tom Chist started off together upon + the expedition that made Tom's fortune forever. Tom carried a spade + over his shoulder and the reverend gentleman walked along beside him + with his cane. +</p> +<p> + As they jogged along up the beach they talked together about the only + thing they could talk about—the treasure-box. "And how big did you say + 'twas?" quoth the good gentleman. +</p> +<p> + "About so long," said Tom Chist, measuring off upon the spade, "and + about so wide, and this deep." +</p> +<p> + "And what if it should be full of money, Tom?" said the reverend + gentleman, swinging his cane around and around in wide circles in the + excitement of the thought, as he strode along briskly. "Suppose it + should be full of money, what then?" +</p> +<p> + "By Moses!" said Tom Chist, hurrying to keep up with his friend, "I'd + buy a ship for myself, I would, and I'd trade to Injy and to Chiny to + my own boot, I would. Suppose the chist was all full of money, sir, and + suppose we should find it; would there be enough in it, d'ye suppose, + to buy a ship?" +</p> +<p> + "To be sure there would be enough, Tom; enough and to spare, and a good + big lump over." +</p> +<p> + "And if I find it 'tis mine to keep, is it, and no mistake?" +</p> +<p> + "Why, to be sure it would be yours!" cried out the Parson, in a loud + voice. "To be sure it would be yours!" He knew nothing of the law, but + the doubt of the question began at once to ferment in his brain, and he + strode along in silence for a while. "Whose else would it be but yours + if you find it?" he burst out. "Can you tell me that?" +</p> +<p> + "If ever I have a ship of my own," said Tom Chist, "and if ever I sail + to Injy in her, I'll fetch ye back the best chist of tea, sir, that + ever was fetched from Cochin Chiny." +</p> +<p> + Parson Jones burst out laughing. "Thankee, Tom," he said; "and I'll + thankee again when I get my chist of tea. But tell me, Tom, didst thou + ever hear of the farmer girl who counted her chickens before they were + hatched?" +</p> +<p> + It was thus they talked as they hurried along up the beach together, + and so came to a place at last where Tom stopped short and stood + looking about him. "'Twas just here," he said, "I saw the boat last + night. I know 'twas here, for I mind me of that bit of wreck yonder, + and that there was a tall stake drove in the sand just where yon stake + stands." +</p> +<p> + Parson Jones put on his barnacles and went over to the stake towards + which Tom pointed. As soon as he had looked at it carefully, he called + out: "Why, Tom, this hath been just drove down into the sand. 'Tis a + brand-new stake of wood, and the pirates must have set it here + themselves as a mark, just as they drove the pegs you spoke about down + into the sand." +</p> +<p> + Tom came over and looked at the stake. It was a stout piece of oak + nearly two inches thick; it had been shaped with some care, and the top + of it had been painted red. He shook the stake and tried to move it, + but it had been driven or planted so deeply into the sand that he could + not stir it. "Aye, sir," he said, "it must have been set here for a + mark, for I'm sure 'twas not here yesterday or the day before." He + stood looking about him to see if there were other signs of the + pirates' presence. At some little distance there was the corner of + something white sticking up out of the sand. He could see that it was a + scrap of paper, and he pointed to it, calling out: "Yonder is a piece + of paper, sir. I wonder if they left that behind them?" +</p> +<p> + It was a miraculous chance that placed that paper there. There was only + an inch of it showing, and if it had not been for Tom's sharp eyes, it + would certainly have been overlooked and passed by. The next wind-storm + would have covered it up, and all that afterwards happened never would + have occurred. "Look sir," he said, as he struck the sand from it, "it + hath writing on it." +</p> +<p> + "Let me see it," said Parson Jones. He adjusted the spectacles a little + more firmly astride of his nose as he took the paper in his hand and + began conning it. "What's all this?" he said; "a whole lot of figures + and nothing else." And then he read aloud, "'Mark—S.S.W. by S.' What + d'ye suppose that means, Tom?" +</p> +<p> + "I don't know, sir," said Tom. "But maybe we can understand it better + if you read on." +</p> +<p> + "Tis all a great lot of figures," said Parson Jones, "without a grain + of meaning in them so far as I can see, unless they be sailing + directions." And then he began reading again: "'Mark—S.S.W. by S. 40, + 72, 91, 130, 151, 177, 202, 232, 256, 271'—d'ye see, it must be + sailing directions—'299, 335, 362, 386, 415, 446, 469, 491, 522, 544, + 571, 598'—what a lot of them there be—'626, 652, 676, 695, 724, 851, + 876, 905, 940, 967. Peg. S.E. by E. 269 foot. Peg. S.S.W. by S. 427 + foot. Peg. Dig to the west of this six foot.'" +</p> +<p> + "What's that about a peg?" exclaimed Tom. "What's that about a peg? And + then there's something about digging, too!" It was as though a sudden + light began shining into his brain. He felt himself growing quickly + very excited. "Read that over again, sir," he cried. "Why, sir, you + remember I told you they drove a peg into the sand. And don't they say + to dig close to it? Read it over again, sir—read it over again!" +</p> +<p> + "Peg?" said the good gentleman. "To be sure it was about a peg. Let's + look again. Yes, here it is. 'Peg S.E. by E. 269 foot.'" +</p> +<p> + "Aye!" cried out Tom Chist again, in great excitement. "Don't you + remember what I told you, sir, 269 foot? Sure that must be what I saw + 'em measuring with the line." Parson Jones had now caught the flame of + excitement that was blazing up so strongly in Tom's breast. He felt as + though some wonderful thing was about to happen to them. "To be sure, + to be sure!" he called out, in a great big voice. "And then they + measured out 427 foot south-southwest by south, and then they drove + another peg, and then they buried the box six foot to the west of it. + Why, Tom—why, Tom Chist! if we've read this aright, thy fortune is + made." +</p> +<p> + Tom Chist stood staring straight at the old gentleman's excited face, + and seeing nothing but it in all the bright infinity of sunshine. Were + they, indeed, about to find the treasure-chest? He felt the sun very + hot upon his shoulders, and he heard the harsh, insistent jarring of a + tern that hovered and circled with forked tail and sharp white wings in + the sunlight just above their heads; but all the time he stood staring + into the good old gentleman's face. +</p> +<p> + It was Parson Jones who first spoke. "But what do all these figures + mean?" And Tom observed how the paper shook and rustled in the tremor + of excitement that shook his hand. He raised the paper to the focus of + his spectacles and began to read again. "'Mark 40, 72, 91—'" +</p> +<p> + "Mark?" cried out Tom, almost screaming. "Why, that must mean the stake + yonder; that must be the mark." And he pointed to the oaken stick with + its red tip blazing against the white shimmer of sand behind it. +</p> +<p> + "And the 40 and 72 and 91," cried the old gentleman, in a voice equally + shrill—"why, that must mean the number of steps the pirate was + counting when you heard him." +</p> +<p> + "To be sure that's what they mean!" cried Tom Chist. "That is it, and + it can be nothing else. Oh, come, sir—come, sir; let us make haste and + find it!" +</p> +<p> + "Stay! stay!" said the good gentleman, holding up his hand; and again + Tom Chist noticed how it trembled and shook. His voice was steady + enough, though very hoarse, but his hand shook and trembled as though + with a palsy. "Stay! stay! First of all, we must follow these + measurements. And 'tis a marvellous thing," he croaked, after a little + pause, "how this paper ever came to be here." +</p> +<p> + "Maybe it was blown here by the storm," suggested Tom Chist. +</p> +<p> + "Like enough; like enough," said Parson Jones. "Like enough, after the + wretches had buried the chest and killed the poor black man, they were + so buffeted and bowsed about by the storm that it was shook out of the + man's pocket, and thus blew away from him without his knowing aught of + it." +</p> +<p> + "But let us find the box!" cried out Tom Chist, flaming with his + excitement. +</p> +<p> + "Aye, aye," said the good man; "only stay a little, my boy, until we + make sure what we're about. I've got my pocket-compass here, but we + must have something to measure off the feet when we have found the peg. + You run across to Tom Brooke's house and fetch that measuring-rod he + used to lay out his new byre. While you're gone I'll pace off the + distance marked on the paper with my pocket-compass here." +</p> +<center> + VI +</center> +<p> + Tom Chist was gone for almost an hour, though he ran nearly all the way + and back, upborne as on the wings of the wind. When he returned, + panting, Parson Jones was nowhere to be seen, but Tom saw his footsteps + leading away inland, and he followed the scuffling marks in the smooth + surface across the sand-humps and down into the hollows, and by-and-by + found the good gentleman in a spot he at once knew as soon as he laid + his eyes upon it. +</p> +<p> + It was the open space where the pirates had driven their first peg, and + where Tom Chist had afterwards seen them kill the poor black man. Tom + Chist gazed around as though expecting to see some sign of the tragedy, + but the space was as smooth and as undisturbed as a floor, excepting + where, midway across it, Parson Jones who was now stooping over + something on the ground, had trampled it all around about. +</p> +<p> + When Tom Chist saw him, he was still bending over, scraping the sand + away from something he had found. +</p> +<p> + It was the first peg! +</p> +<p> + Inside of half an hour they had found the second and third pegs, and + Tom Chist stripped off his coat, and began digging like mad down into + the sand, Parson Jones standing over him watching him. The sun was + sloping well towards the west when the blade of Tom Chist's spade + struck upon something hard. +</p> +<p> + If it had been his own heart that he had hit in the sand his breast + could hardly have thrilled more sharply. +</p> +<p> + It was the treasure-box! +</p> +<p> + Parson Jones himself leaped down into the hole, and began scraping away + the sand with his hands as though he had gone crazy. At last, with some + difficulty, they tugged and hauled the chest up out of the sand to the + surface, where it lay covered all over with the grit that clung to it. +</p> +<p> + It was securely locked and fastened with a padlock, and it took a good + many blows with the blade of the spade to burst the bolt. Parson Jones + himself lifted the lid. +</p> +<p> + Tom Chist leaned forward and gazed down into the open box. He would not + have been surprised to have seen it filled full of yellow gold and + bright jewels. It was filled half full of books and papers, and half + full of canvas bags tied safely and securely around and around with + cords of string. +</p> +<p> + Parson Jones lifted out one of the bags, and it jingled as he did so. + It was full of money. +</p> +<p> + He cut the string, and with trembling, shaking hands handed the bag to + Tom, who, in an ecstasy of wonder and dizzy with delight, poured out + with swimming sight upon the coat spread on the ground a cataract of + shining silver money that rang and twinkled and jingled as it fell in a + shining heap upon the coarse cloth. +</p> +<p> + Parson Jones held up both hands into the air, and Tom stared at what he + saw, wondering whether it was all so, and whether he was really awake. + It seemed to him as though he was in a dream. +</p> +<p> + There were two-and-twenty bags in all in the chest: ten of them full of + silver money, eight of them full of gold money, three of them full of + gold-dust, and one small bag with jewels wrapped up in wad cotton and + paper. +</p> +<a name="image-5"><!--IMG--></a> +<center> +<img src="005.jpg" height="944" width="638" +alt="''Tis Enough,' Cried out Parson Jones, 'to Make Us Both +Rich Men'' +"> +</center> +<!--IMAGE END--> +<p> + "'Tis enough," cried out Parson Jones, "to make us both rich men as + long as we live." +</p> +<p> + The burning summer sun, though sloping in the sky, beat down upon them + as hot as fire; but neither of them noticed it. Neither did they notice + hunger nor thirst nor fatigue, but sat there as though in a trance, + with the bags of money scattered on the sand around them, a great pile + of money heaped upon the coat, and the open chest beside them. It was + an hour of sundown before Parson Jones had begun fairly to examine the + books and papers in the chest. +</p> +<p> + Of the three books, two were evidently log-books of the pirates who had + been lying off the mouth of the Delaware Bay all this time. The other + book was written in Spanish, and was evidently the log-book of some + captured prize. +</p> +<p> + It was then, sitting there upon the sand, the good old gentleman + reading in his high, cracking voice, that they first learned from the + bloody records in those two books who it was who had been lying inside + the Cape all this time, and that it was the famous Captain Kidd. Every + now and then the reverend gentleman would stop to exclaim, "Oh, the + bloody wretch!" or, "Oh, the desperate, cruel villains!" and then would + go on reading again a scrap here and a scrap there. +</p> +<p> + And all the while Tom Chist sat and listened, every now and then + reaching out furtively and touching the heap of money still lying upon + the coat. +</p> +<p> + One might be inclined to wonder why Captain Kidd had kept those bloody + records. He had probably laid them away because they so incriminated + many of the great people of the colony of New York that, with the books + in evidence, it would have been impossible to bring the pirate to + justice without dragging a dozen or more fine gentlemen into the dock + along with him. If he could have kept them in his own possession, they + would doubtless have been a great weapon of defence to protect him from + the gallows. Indeed, when Captain Kidd was finally brought to + conviction and hung, he was not accused of his piracies, but of + striking a mutinous seaman upon the head with a bucket and accidentally + killing him. The authorities did not dare try him for piracy. He was + really hung because he was a pirate, and we know that it was the + log-books that Tom Chist brought to New York that did the business for him; + he was accused and convicted of manslaughter for killing of his own + ship-carpenter with a bucket. +</p> +<p> + So Parson Jones, sitting there in the slanting light, read through + these terrible records of piracy, and Tom, with the pile of gold and + silver money beside him, sat and listened to him. +</p> +<p> + What a spectacle, if any one had come upon them! But they were alone, + with the vast arch of sky empty above them and the wide white stretch + of sand a desert around them. The sun sank lower and lower, until there + was only time to glance through the other papers in the chest. +</p> +<p> + They were nearly all goldsmiths' bills of exchange drawn in favor of + certain of the most prominent merchants of New York. Parson Jones, as + he read over the names, knew of nearly all the gentlemen by hearsay. + Aye, here was this gentleman; he thought that name would be among 'em. + What? Here is Mr. So-and-so. Well, if all they say is true, the villain + has robbed one of his own best friends. "I wonder," he said, "why the + wretch should have hidden these papers so carefully away with the other + treasures, for they could do him no good?" Then, answering his own + question: "Like enough because these will give him a hold over the + gentlemen to whom they are drawn so that he can make a good bargain for + his own neck before he gives the bills back to their owners. I tell you + what it is, Tom," he continued, "it is you yourself shall go to New + York and bargain for the return of these papers. 'Twill be as good as + another fortune to you." +</p> +<p> + The majority of the bills were drawn in favor of one Richard + Chillingsworth, Esquire. "And he is," said Parson Jones; "one of the + richest men in the province of New York. You shall go to him with the + news of what we have found." +</p> +<p> + "When shall I go?" said Tom Chist. +</p> +<p> + "You shall go upon the very first boat we can catch," said the Parson. + He had turned, still holding the bills in his hand, and was now + fingering over the pile of money that yet lay tumbled out upon the + coat. "I wonder, Tom," said he, "if you could spare me a score or so of + these doubloons?" +</p> +<p> + "You shall have fifty score, if you choose," said Tom, bursting with + gratitude and with generosity in his newly found treasure. +</p> +<p> + "You are as fine a lad as ever I saw, Tom," said the Parson, "and I'll + thank you to the last day of my life." +</p> +<p> + Tom scooped up a double handful of silver money. "Take it, sir," he + said, "and you may have as much more as you want of it." +</p> +<p> + He poured it into the dish that the good man made of his hands, and the + Parson made a motion as though to empty it into his pocket. Then he + stopped, as though a sudden doubt had occurred to him. "I don't know + that 'tis fit for me to take this pirate money, after all," he said. +</p> +<p> + "But you are welcome to it," said Tom. +</p> +<p> + Still the Parson hesitated. "Nay," he burst out, "I'll not take it; + 'tis blood-money." And as he spoke he chucked the whole double handful + into the now empty chest, then arose and dusted the sand from his + breeches. Then, with a great deal of bustling energy, he helped to tie + the bags again and put them all back into the chest. +</p> +<p> + They reburied the chest in the place whence they had taken it, and then + the Parson folded the precious paper of directions, placed it carefully + in his wallet, and his wallet in his pocket. +</p> +<p> + "Tom," he said, for the twentieth time, "your fortune has been made + this day." +</p> +<p> + And Tom Chist, as he rattled in his breeches pocket the half-dozen + doubloons he had kept out of his treasure, felt that what his friend + had said was true. +</p> +<hr> +<p> + As the two went back homeward across the level space of sand, Tom Chist + suddenly stopped stock still and stood looking about him. "'Twas just + here," he said, digging his heel down into the sand, "that they killed + the poor black man." +</p> +<p> + "And here he lies buried for all time," said Parson Jones; and as he + spoke he dug his cane down into the sand. Tom Chist shuddered. He would + not have been surprised if the ferrule of the cane had struck something + soft beneath that level surface. But it did not, nor was any sign of + that tragedy ever seen again. For, whether the pirates had carried away + what they had done and buried it elsewhere, or whether the storm in + blowing the sand had completely levelled off and hidden all sign of + that tragedy where it was enacted, certain it is that it never came to + sight again—at least so far as Tom Chist and the Reverend Hillary + Jones ever knew. +</p> +<center> + VII +</center> +<p> + This is the story of the treasure-box. All that remains now is to + conclude the story of Tom Chist, and to tell of what came of him in the + end. +</p> +<p> + He did not go back again to live with old Matt Abrahamson. Parson Jones + had now taken charge of him and his fortunes, and Tom did not have to + go back to the fisherman's hut. +</p> +<p> + Old Abrahamson talked a great deal about it, and would come in his cups + and harangue good Parson Jones, making a vast protestation of what he + would do to Tom—if he ever caught him—for running away. But Tom on + all these occasions kept carefully out of his way, and nothing came of + the old man's threatenings. +</p> +<p> + Tom used to go over to see his foster-mother now and then, but always + when the old man was from home. And Molly Abrahamson used to warn him + to keep out of her father's way. "He's in as vile a humor as ever I + see, Tom," she said; "he sits sulking all day long, and 'tis my belief + he'd kill ye if he caught ye." +</p> +<p> + Of course Tom said nothing, even to her, about the treasure, and he and + the reverend gentleman kept the knowledge thereof to themselves. About + three weeks later Parson Jones managed to get him shipped aboard of a + vessel bound for New York town, and a few days later Tom Chist landed + at that place. He had never been in such a town before, and he could + not sufficiently wonder and marvel at the number of brick houses, at + the multitude of people coming and going along the fine, hard, earthen + sidewalk, at the shops and the stores where goods hung in the windows, + and, most of all, the fortifications and the battery at the point, at + the rows of threatening cannon, and at the scarlet-coated sentries + pacing up and down the ramparts. All this was very wonderful, and so + were the clustered boats riding at anchor in the harbor. It was like a + new world, so different was it from the sand-hills and the sedgy levels + of Henlopen. +</p> +<p> + Tom Chist took up his lodgings at a coffeehouse near to the town-hall, + and thence he sent by the post-boy a letter written by Parson Jones to + Master Chillingsworth. In a little while the boy returned with a + message, asking Tom to come up to Mr. Chillingsworth's house that + afternoon at two o'clock. +</p> +<p> + Tom went thither with a great deal of trepidation, and his heart fell + away altogether when he found it a fine, grand brick house, three + stories high, and with wrought-iron letters across the front. +</p> +<p> + The counting-house was in the same building; but Tom, because of Mr. + Jones's letter, was conducted directly into the parlor, where the great + rich man was awaiting his coming. He was sitting in a leather-covered + arm-chair, smoking a pipe of tobacco, and with a bottle of fine old + Madeira close to his elbow. +</p> +<p> + Tom had not had a chance to buy a new suit of clothes yet, and so he + cut no very fine figure in the rough dress he had brought with him from + Henlopen. Nor did Mr. Chillingsworth seem to think very highly of his + appearance, for he sat looking sideways at Tom as he smoked. +</p> +<p> + "Well, my lad," he said; "and what is this great thing you have to tell + me that is so mightily wonderful? I got what's-his-name—Mr. Jones's— + letter, and now I am ready to hear what you have to say." +</p> +<p> + But if he thought but little of his visitor's appearance at first, he + soon changed his sentiments towards him, for Tom had not spoken twenty + words when Mr. Chillingsworth's whole aspect changed. He straightened + himself up in his seat, laid aside his pipe, pushed away his glass of + Madeira, and bade Tom take a chair. He listened without a word as Tom + Chist told of the buried treasure, of how he had seen the poor negro + murdered, and of how he and Parson Jones had recovered the chest again. + Only once did Mr. Chillingsworth interrupt the narrative. "And to + think," he cried, "that the villain this very day walks about New York + town as though he were an honest man, ruffling it with the best of us! + But if we can only get hold of these log-books you speak of. Go on; + tell me more of this." +</p> +<p> + When Tom Chist's narrative was ended, Mr. Chillingsworth's bearing was + as different as daylight is from dark. He asked a thousand questions, + all in the most polite and gracious tone imaginable, and not only urged + a glass of his fine old Madeira upon Tom, but asked him to stay to + supper. There was nobody to be there, he said, but his wife and + daughter. +</p> +<p> + Tom, all in a panic at the very thought of the two ladies, sturdily + refused to stay even for the dish of tea Mr. Chillingsworth offered + him. +</p> +<p> + He did not know that he was destined to stay there as long as he should + live. +</p> +<p> + "And now," said Mr. Chillingsworth, "tell me about yourself." +</p> +<p> + "I have nothing to tell, your honor," said Tom, "except that I was + washed up out of the sea." +</p> +<p> + "Washed up out of the sea!" exclaimed Mr. Chillingsworth. "Why, how was + that? Come, begin at the beginning, and tell me all." +</p> +<p> + Thereupon Tom Chist did as he was bidden, beginning at the very + beginning and telling everything just as Molly Abrahamson had often + told it to him. As he continued, Mr. Chillingsworth's interest changed + into an appearance of stronger and stronger excitement. Suddenly he + jumped up out of his chair and began to walk up and down the room. +</p> +<p> + "Stop! stop!" he cried out at last, in the midst of something Tom was + saying. "Stop! stop! Tell me; do you know the name of the vessel that + was wrecked, and from which you were washed ashore?" +</p> +<p> + "I've heard it said," said Tom Chist, "'twas the <i>Bristol Merchant</i>." +</p> +<p> + "I knew it! I knew it!" exclaimed the great man, in a loud voice, + flinging his hands up into the air. "I felt it was so the moment you + began the story. But tell me this, was there nothing found with you + with a mark or a name upon it?" +</p> +<p> + "There was a kerchief," said Tom, "marked with a T and a C." +</p> +<p> + "Theodosia Chillingsworth!" cried out the merchant. "I knew it! I knew + it! Heavens! to think of anything so wonderful happening as this! Boy! + boy! dost thou know who thou art? Thou art my own brother's son. His + name was Oliver Chillingsworth, and he was my partner in business, and + thou art his son." Then he ran out into the entryway, shouting and + calling for his wife and daughter to come. +</p> +<p> + So Tom Chist—or Thomas Chillingsworth, as he now was to be called—did + stay to supper, after all. +</p> +<p> + This is the story, and I hope you may like it. For Tom Chist became + rich and great, as was to be supposed, and he married his pretty cousin + Theodosia (who had been named for his own mother, drowned in the + <i>Bristol Merchant</i>). +</p> +<p> + He did not forget his friends, but had Parson Jones brought to New York + to live. +</p> +<p> + As to Molly and Matt Abrahamson, they both enjoyed a pension of ten + pounds a year for as long as they lived; for now that all was well with + him, Tom bore no grudge against the old fisherman for all the drubbings + he had suffered. +</p> +<p> + The treasure-box was brought on to New York, and if Tom Chist did not + get all the money there was in it (as Parson Jones had opined he would) + he got at least a good big lump of it. And it is my belief that those + log-books did more to get Captain Kidd arrested in Boston town and + hanged in London than anything else that was brought up against him. +</p> +<a name="2H_4_4"><!-- H2 anchor --></a> +<p> </p> +<p> </p> +<p> </p> +<p> </p> +<h2> + III. THE GHOST OF CAPTAIN BRAND +</h2> +<p> + <i>Being a Narrative of Certain Extraordinary Adventures that Befell + Barnaby True, Esquire, of the Town of New York, in the Year 1753.</i> +</p> +<center> + I +</center> +<p> + It is not so easy to tell why discredit should be cast upon a man + because of something his grandfather may have done amiss, but the + world, which is never over-nice in its discrimination as to where to + lay the blame, is often pleased to make the innocent suffer instead of + the guilty. +</p> +<p> + Barnaby True was a good, honest boy, as boys go, but yet was he not + ever allowed altogether to forget that his grandfather had been that + very famous pirate, Captain William Brand, who, after so many + marvellous adventures (if one may believe the catchpenny stories and + ballads that were writ about him), was murdered in Jamaica by Captain + John Malyoe, the commander of his own consort, the <i>Adventure</i> galley. +</p> +<p> + It hath never been denied, that ever I heard, that up to the time of + Captain Brand's being commissioned against the South Sea pirates, he + had always been esteemed as honest, reputable a sea-captain as could + be. When he started out upon that adventure it was with a ship, the + <i>Royal Sovereign</i>, fitted out by some of the most decent merchants of + New York. Governor Van Dam himself had subscribed to the adventure, and + himself had signed Captain Brand's commission. So, if the unfortunate + man went astray, he must have had great temptation to do so; many + others behaving no better when the opportunity offered in these + far-away seas, when so many rich purchases might very easily be taken and + no one the wiser. +</p> +<p> + To be sure those stories and ballads made our captain to be a most + wicked, profane wretch; and if he were, why God knows he suffered and + paid for it, for he laid his bones in Jamaica, and never saw his home + or his wife or his daughter after he had sailed away on the <i>Royal + Sovereign</i> on that long, misfortunate voyage, leaving his family behind + him in New York to the care of strangers. +</p> +<p> + At the time when Captain Brand so met his fate in Port Royal Harbor he + had increased his flotilla to two vessels—the <i>Royal Sovereign</i> (which + was the vessel that had been fitted out for him in New York, a fine + brigantine and a good sailer), and the <i>Adventure</i> galley, which he had + captured somewhere in the South Seas. This latter vessel he placed in + command of a certain John Malyoe whom he had picked up no one knows + where—a young man of very good family in England, who had turned + red-handed pirate. This man, who took no more thought of a human life than + he would of a broom straw, was he who afterwards murdered Captain + Brand, as you shall presently hear. +</p> +<p> + With these two vessels, the <i>Royal Sovereign</i> and the <i>Adventure</i>, + Captain Brand and Captain Malyoe swept the Mozambique Channel as clear + as a boatswain's whistle, and after three years of piracy, having + gained a great booty of gold and silver and pearls, sailed straight for + the Americas, making first the island of Jamaica and the harbor of Port + Royal, where they dropped anchor to wait for news from home. +</p> +<p> + But by this time the authorities had been so stirred up against our + pirates that it became necessary for them to hide their booty until + such time as they might make their peace with the Admiralty Courts at + home. So one night Captain Brand and Captain Malyoe, with two others of + the pirates, went ashore with two great chests of treasure, which they + buried somewhere on the banks of the Cobra River near the place where + the old Spanish fort had stood. +</p> +<p> + What happened after the treasure was thus buried no one may tell. 'Twas + said that Captain Brand and Captain Malyoe fell a-quarrelling and that + the upshot of the matter was that Captain Malyoe shot Captain Brand + through the head, and that the pirate who was with him served Captain + Brand's companion after the same fashion with a pistol bullet through + the body. +</p> +<p> + After that the two murderers returned to their vessel, the <i>Adventure</i> + galley, and sailed away, carrying the bloody secret of the buried + treasure with them. +</p> +<a name="image-6"><!--IMG--></a> +<center> +<img src="007.jpg" height="658" width="466" +alt="'Captain Malyoe Shot Captain Brand Through the Head' +"> +</center> +<!--IMAGE END--> +<p> + But this double murder of Captain Brand and his companion happened, you + are to understand, some twenty years before the time of this story, and + while our hero was but one year old. So now to our present history. +</p> +<p> + It is a great pity that any one should have a grandfather who ended his + days in such a sort as this; but it was no fault of Barnaby True's, nor + could he have done anything to prevent it, seeing he was not even born + into the world at the time that his grandfather turned pirate, and that + he was only one year old when Captain Brand so met his death on the + Cobra River. Nevertheless, the boys with whom he went to school never + tired of calling him "Pirate," and would sometimes sing for his benefit + that famous catchpenny ballad beginning thus: +</p> +<center> +<table summary=""> +<tr><td> + + + +<pre> +"Oh! my name was Captain Brand, + A-sailing, + And a-sailing; +Oh! my name was Captain Brand, + A-sailing free. +Oh! my name was Captain Brand, +And I sinned by sea and land, +For I broke God's just command, + A-sailing free." +</pre> + +</td></tr> +</table> +</center> + +<p> + 'Twas a vile thing to sing at the grandson of so unfortunate a man, and + oftentimes Barnaby True would double up his little fists and would + fight his tormentors at great odds, and would sometimes go back home + with a bloody nose or a bruised eye to have his poor mother cry over + him and grieve for him. +</p> +<p> + Not that his days were all of teasing and torment, either; for if his + comrades did sometimes treat him so, why then there were other times + when he and they were as great friends as could be, and used to go + a-swimming together in the most amicable fashion where there was a bit of + sandy strand below the little bluff along the East River above Fort + George. +</p> +<p> + There was a clump of wide beech-trees at that place, with a fine shade + and a place to lay their clothes while they swam about, splashing with + their naked white bodies in the water. At these times Master Barnaby + would bawl as lustily and laugh as loud as though his grandfather had + been the most honest ship-chandler in the town, instead of a + bloody-handed pirate who had been murdered in his sins. +</p> +<p> + Ah! It is a fine thing to look back to the days when one was a boy! + Barnaby may remember how, often, when he and his companions were + paddling so in the water, the soldiers off duty would come up from the + fort and would maybe join them in the water, others, perhaps, standing + in their red coats on the shore, looking on and smoking their pipes of + tobacco. +</p> +<p> + Then there were other times when maybe the very next day after our hero + had fought with great valor with his fellows he would go a-rambling + with them up the Bouwerie Road with the utmost friendliness; perhaps to + help them steal cherries from some old Dutch farmer, forgetting in such + an adventure what a thief his own grandfather had been. +</p> +<p> + But to resume our story. +</p> +<p> + When Barnaby True was between sixteen and seventeen years old he was + taken into employment in the counting-house of his stepfather, Mr. + Roger Hartright, the well-known West Indian merchant, a most + respectable man and one of the kindest and best of friends that anybody + could have in the world. +</p> +<p> + This good gentleman had courted the favor of Barnaby's mother for a + long time before he had married her. Indeed, he had so courted her + before she had ever thought of marrying Jonathan True. But he not + venturing to ask her in marriage, and she being a brisk, handsome + woman, she chose the man who spoke out his mind, and so left the silent + lover out in the cold. But so soon as she was a widow and free again, + Mr. Hartright resumed his wooing, and so used to come down every + Tuesday and Friday evening to sit and talk with her. Among Barnaby + True's earliest memories was a recollection of the good, kind gentleman + sitting in old Captain Brand's double-nailed arm-chair, the sunlight + shining across his knees, over which he had spread a great red silk + handkerchief, while he sipped a dish of tea with a dash of rum in it. + He kept up this habit of visiting the Widow True for a long time before + he could fetch himself to the point of asking anything more particular + of her, and so Barnaby was nigh fourteen years old before Mr. Hartright + married her, and so became our hero's dear and honored foster-father. +</p> +<p> + It was the kindness of this good man that not only found a place for + Barnaby in the counting-house, but advanced him so fast that, against + our hero was twenty-one years old, he had made four voyages as + supercargo to the West Indies in Mr. Hartright's ship, the <i>Belle + Helen</i>, and soon after he was twenty-one undertook a fifth. +</p> +<p> + Nor was it in any such subordinate position as mere supercargo that he + sailed upon these adventures, but rather as the confidential agent of + Mr. Hartright, who, having no likelihood of children of his own, was + jealous to advance our hero to a position of trust and responsibility + in the counting-house, and so would have him know all the particulars + of the business and become more intimately acquainted with the + correspondents and agents throughout those parts of the West Indies + where the affairs of the house were most active. He would give to + Barnaby the best sort of letters of introduction, so that the + correspondents of Mr. Hartright throughout those parts, seeing how that + gentleman had adopted our hero's interests as his own, were always at + considerable pains to be very polite and obliging in showing every + attention to him. +</p> +<p> + Especially among these gentlemen throughout the West Indies may be + mentioned Mr. Ambrose Greenfield, a merchant of excellent standing who + lived at Kingston, Jamaica. This gentleman was very particular to do + all that he could to make our hero's stay in these parts as agreeable + and pleasant to him as might be. Mr. Greenfield is here spoken of with + a greater degree of particularity than others who might as well be + remarked upon, because, as the reader shall presently discover for + himself, it was through the offices of this good friend that our hero + first became acquainted, not only with that lady who afterwards figured + with such conspicuousness in his affairs, but also with a man who, + though graced with a title, was perhaps the greatest villain who ever + escaped a just fate upon the gallows. +</p> +<p> + So much for the history of Barnaby True up to the beginning of this + story, without which you shall hardly be able to understand the purport + of those most extraordinary adventures that afterwards befell him, nor + the logic of their consequence after they had occurred. +</p> +<center> + II +</center> +<p> + Upon the occasion of our hero's fifth voyage into the West Indies he + made a stay of some six or eight weeks at Kingston, in the island of + Jamaica, and it was at that time that the first of those extraordinary + adventures befell him, concerning which this narrative has to relate. +</p> +<p> + It was Barnaby's habit, when staying at Kingston, to take lodging with + a very decent, respectable widow, by name Mrs. Anne Bolles, who, with + three extremely agreeable and pleasant daughters, kept a very clean and + well-served house for the accommodation of strangers visiting that + island. +</p> +<p> + One morning as he sat sipping his coffee, clad only in loose cotton + drawers and a jacket of the same material, and with slippers upon his + feet (as is the custom in that country, where every one endeavors to + keep as cool as may be), Miss Eliza, the youngest of the three + daughters—a brisk, handsome miss of sixteen or seventeen—came + tripping into the room and handed him a sealed letter, which she + declared a stranger had just left at the door, departing incontinently + so soon as he had eased himself of that commission. You may conceive of + Barnaby's astonishment when he opened the note and read the remarkable + words that here follow: +</p> +<p> + "<i>Mr. Barnaby True.</i> +</p> +<p> + "Sir,—Though you don't know me, I know you, + and I tell you this: if you will be at Pratt's Ordinary + on Friday next at eight o'clock in the evening, and + will accompany the man who shall say to you, '<i>The + Royal Sovereign is come in</i>' you shall learn of something + the most to your advantage that ever befell you. + Sir, keep this note and give it to him who shall address + those words to you, so to certify that you are + the man he seeks. Sir, this is the most important thing + that can concern you, so you will please say nothing + to nobody about it." +</p> +<p> + Such was the wording of the note which was writ in as cramped and + villanous handwriting as our hero ever beheld, and which, excepting his + own name, was without address, and which possessed no superscription + whatever. +</p> +<p> + The first emotion that stirred Barnaby True was one of extreme and + profound astonishment; the second thought that came into his mind was + that maybe some witty fellow—of whom he knew a good many in that + place, and wild, mad rakes they were as ever the world beheld—was + attempting to play off a smart, witty jest upon him. Indeed, Miss Eliza + Bolles, who was of a lively, mischievous temper, was not herself above + playing such a prank should the occasion offer. With this thought in + his mind Barnaby inquired of her with a good deal of particularity + concerning the appearance and condition of the man who had left the + note, to all of which Miss replied with so straight a face and so + candid an air that he could no longer suspect her of being concerned in + any trick against him, and so eased his mind of any such suspicion. The + bearer of the note, she informed him, was a tall, lean man, with a red + neckerchief tied around his neck and with copper buckles to his shoes, + and he had the appearance of a sailor-man, having a great queue of red + hair hanging down his back. But, Lord! what was such a description as + that in a busy seaport town full of scores of men to fit such a + likeness? Accordingly, our hero put the note away into his wallet, + determining to show it to his good friend Mr. Greenfield that evening, + and to ask his advice upon it. +</p> +<p> + This he did, and that gentleman's opinion was the same as his: to wit, + that some wag was minded to play off a hoax upon him, and that the + matter of the letter was all nothing but smoke. +</p> +<center> + III +</center> +<p> + Nevertheless, though Barnaby was thus confirmed in his opinion as to + the nature of the communication he had received, he yet determined in + his own mind that he would see the business through to the end and so + be at Pratt's Ordinary, as the note demanded, upon the day and at the + time appointed therein. +</p> +<p> + Pratt's Ordinary was at that time a very fine and famous place of its + sort, with good tobacco and the best rum in the West Indies, and had a + garden behind it that, sloping down to the harbor front, was planted + pretty thick with palms and ferns, grouped into clusters with flowers + and plants. Here were a number of tables, some in little grottos, like + our Vauxhall in New York, with red and blue and white paper lanterns + hung among the foliage. Thither gentlemen and ladies used sometimes to + go of an evening to sit and drink lime-juice and sugar and water (and + sometimes a taste of something stronger), and to look out across the + water at the shipping and so to enjoy the cool of the day. +</p> +<p> + Thither, accordingly, our hero went a little before the time appointed + in the note, and, passing directly through the Ordinary and to the + garden beyond, chose a table at the lower end and close to the water's + edge, where he could not readily be seen by any one coming into the + place, and yet where he could easily view whoever should approach. + Then, ordering some rum and water and a pipe of tobacco, he composed + himself to watch for the arrival of those witty fellows whom he + suspected would presently come thither to see the end of their prank + and to enjoy his confusion. +</p> +<p> + The spot was pleasant enough, for the land breeze, blowing strong and + cool, set the leaves of the palm-tree above his head to rattling and + clattering continually against the darkness of the sky, where, the moon + then being half full, they shone every now and then like blades of + steel. The waves, also, were splashing up against the little + landing-place at the foot of the garden, sounding mightily pleasant in the + dusk of the evening, and sparkling all over the harbor where the moon + caught the edges of the water. A great many vessels were lying at anchor in + their ridings, with the dark, prodigious form of a man-of-war looming + up above them in the moonlight. +</p> +<p> + There our hero sat for the best part of an hour, smoking his pipe of + tobacco and sipping his rum and water, yet seeing nothing of those whom + he suspected might presently come thither to laugh at him. +</p> +<p> + It was not far from half after the hour when a row-boat came suddenly + out of the night and pulled up to the landing-place at the foot of the + garden, and three or four men came ashore in the darkness. They landed + very silently and walked up the garden pathway without saying a word, + and, sitting down at an adjacent table, ordered rum and water and began + drinking among themselves, speaking every now and then a word or two in + a tongue that Barnaby did not well understand, but which, from certain + phrases they let fall, he suspected to be Portuguese. Our hero paid no + great attention to them, till by-and-by he became aware that they had + fallen to whispering together and were regarding him very curiously. He + felt himself growing very uneasy under this observation, which every + moment grew more and more particular, and he was just beginning to + suspect that this interest concerning himself might have somewhat more + to do with him than mere idle curiosity, when one of the men, who was + plainly the captain of the party, suddenly says to him, "How now, + messmate; won't you come and have a drop of drink with us?" +</p> +<p> + At this address Barnaby instantly began to be aware that the affair he + had come upon was indeed no jest, as he had supposed it to be, but that + he had walked into what promised to be a very pretty adventure. + Nevertheless, not wishing to be too hasty in his conclusions, he + answered very civilly that he had drunk enough already, and that more + would only heat his blood. +</p> +<p> + "Well," says the stranger, "I may be mistook, but I believe you are Mr. + Barnaby True." +</p> +<p> + "You are right, sir, and that is my name," acknowledged Barnaby. "But + still I cannot guess how that may concern you, nor why it should be a + reason for my drinking with you." "That I will presently tell you," + says the stranger, very composedly. "Your name concerns me because I + was sent here to tell Mr. Barnaby True that '<i>the Royal Sovereign is + come in</i>.'" +</p> +<p> + To be sure our hero's heart jumped into his throat at those words. His + pulse began beating at a tremendous rate, for here, indeed, was an + adventure suddenly opening to him such as a man may read about in a + book, but which he may hardly expect to befall him in the real + happenings of his life. Had he been a wiser and an older man he might + have declined the whole business, instead of walking blindly into that + of which he could see neither the beginning nor the ending; but being + barely one-and-twenty years of age, and possessing a sanguine temper + and an adventurous disposition that would have carried him into almost + anything that possessed a smack of uncertainty or danger, he contrived + to say, in a pretty easy tone (though God knows how it was put on for + the occasion): +</p> +<p> + "Well, if that be so, and if the <i>Royal Sovereign</i> is indeed come in, + why, then, I'll join you, since you are so kind as to ask me." + Therewith he arose and went across to the other table, carrying his + pipe with him, and sat down and began smoking, with all the appearance + of ease he could command upon the occasion. +</p> +<p> + At this the other burst out a-laughing. "Indeed," says he, "you are a + cool blade, and a chip of the old block. But harkee, young gentleman," + and here he fell serious again. "This is too weighty a business to + chance any mistake in a name. I believe that you are, as you say, Mr. + Barnaby True; but, nevertheless, to make perfectly sure, I must ask you + first to show me a note that you have about you and which you are + instructed to show to me." +</p> +<p> + "Very well," said Barnaby; "I have it here safe and sound, and you + shall see it." And thereupon and without more ado he drew out his + wallet, opened it, and handed the other the mysterious note which he + had kept carefully by him ever since he had received it. His + interlocutor took the paper, and drawing to him the candle, burning + there for the convenience of those who would smoke tobacco, began + immediately reading it. +</p> +<p> + This gave Barnaby True a moment or two to look at him. He was a tall, + lean man with a red handkerchief tied around his neck, with a queue of + red hair hanging down his back, and with copper buckles on his shoes, + so that Barnaby True could not but suspect that he was the very same + man who had given the note to Miss Eliza Bolles at the door of his + lodging-house. +</p> +<p> + "'Tis all right and straight and as it should be," the other said, + after he had so examined the note. "And now that the paper is read" + (suiting his action to his words), "I'll just burn it for safety's + sake." +</p> +<p> + And so he did, twisting it up and setting it to the flame of the + candle. "And now," he said, continuing his address, "I'll tell you what + I am here for. I was sent to ask if you're man enough to take your life + in your hands and to go with me in that boat down yonder at the foot of + the garden. Say 'Yes,' and we'll start away without wasting more time, + for the devil is ashore here at Jamaica—though you don't know what + that means—and if he gets ahead of us, why then we may whistle for + what we are after, for all the good 'twill do us. Say 'No,' and I go + away, and I promise you you shall never be troubled more in this sort + of a way. So now speak up plain, young gentleman, and tell us what is + your wish in this business, and whether you will adventure any further + or no." +</p> +<p> + If our hero hesitated it was not for long, and when he spoke up it was + with a voice as steady as could be. +</p> +<p> + "To be sure I'm man enough to go with you," says he; "and if you mean + me any harm I can look out for myself; and if I can't, then here is + something can look out for me." And therewith he lifted up the flap of + his pocket and showed the butt of a pistol he had fetched with him when + he had set out from his lodging-house that evening. +</p> +<p> + At this the other burst out a-laughing for a second time. "Come," says + he; "you are indeed of right mettle, and I like your spirit. All the + same, no one in all the world means you less ill than I, and so, if you + have to use that barker, 'twill not be upon us who are your friends, + but only upon one who is more wicked than the devil himself. So now if + you are prepared and have made up your mind and are determined to see + this affair through to the end, 'tis time for us to be away." + Whereupon, our hero indicating his acquiescence, his interlocutor and + the others (who had not spoken a single word for all this time), rose + together from the table, and the stranger having paid the scores of + all, they went down together to the boat that lay plainly awaiting + their coming at the bottom of the garden. +</p> +<p> + Thus coming to it, our hero could see that it was a large yawl-boat + manned by half a score of black men for rowers, and that there were two + lanterns in the stern-sheets, and three or four shovels. +</p> +<p> + The man who had conducted the conversation with Barnaby True for all + this time, and who was, as has been said, plainly the captain of the + expedition, stepped immediately down into the boat; our hero followed, + and the others followed after him; and instantly they were seated the + boat shoved off and the black men began pulling straight out into the + harbor, and so, at some distance away, around under the stern of the + man-of-war. +</p> +<p> + Not a word was spoken after they had thus left the shore, and they + might all have been so many spirits for the silence of the party. + Barnaby True was too full of his own thoughts to talk (and serious + enough thoughts they were by this time, with crimps to trepan a man at + every turn, and press-gangs to carry him off so that he might never be + heard of again). As for the others, they did not seem to choose to say + anything now that they had been fairly embarked upon their enterprise, + and so the crew pulled away for the best part of an hour, the leader of + the expedition directing the course of the boat straight across the + harbor, as though towards the mouth of the Cobra River. Indeed, this + was their destination, as Barnaby could after a while see for himself, + by the low point of land with a great, long row of cocoanut-palms + growing upon it (the appearance of which he knew very well), which + by-and-by began to loom up from the dimness of the moonlight. As they + approached the river they found the tide was running very violently, so + that it gurgled and rippled alongside the boat as the crew of black men + pulled strongly against it. Thus rowing slowly against the stream they + came around what appeared to be either a point of land or an islet + covered with a thick growth of mangrove-trees; though still no one + spoke a single word as to their destination, or what was the business + they had in hand. +</p> +<p> + The night, now that they had come close to the shore, appeared to be + full of the noises of running tide-water, and the air was heavy with + the smell of mud and marsh. And over all was the whiteness of the + moonlight, with a few stars pricking out here and there in the sky; and + everything was so strange and mysterious and so different from anything + that he had experienced before that Barnaby could not divest himself of + the feeling that it was all a dream from which at any moment he might + awaken. As for the town and the Ordinary he had quitted such a short + time before, so different were they from this present experience, it + was as though they might have concerned another life than that which he + was then enjoying. +</p> +<p> + Meantime, the rowers bending to the oars, the boat drew slowly around + into the open water once more. As it did so the leader of the + expedition of a sudden called out in a loud, commanding voice, whereat + the black men instantly ceased rowing and lay on their oars, the boat + drifting onward into the night. +</p> +<p> + At the same moment of time our hero became aware of another boat coming + down the river towards where they lay. This other boat, approaching + thus strangely through the darkness, was full of men, some of them + armed; for even in the distance Barnaby could not but observe that the + light of the moon glimmered now and then as upon the barrels of muskets + or pistols. This threw him into a good deal of disquietude of mind, for + whether they or this boat were friends or enemies, or as to what was to + happen next, he was altogether in the dark. +</p> +<p> + Upon this point, however, he was not left very long in doubt, for the + oarsmen of the approaching boat continuing to row steadily onward till + they had come pretty close to Barnaby and his companions, a man who sat + in the stern suddenly stood up, and as they passed by shook a cane at + Barnaby's companion with a most threatening and angry gesture. At the + same moment, the moonlight shining full upon him, Barnaby could see him + as plain as daylight—a large, stout gentleman with a round red face, + and clad in a fine, laced coat of red cloth. In the stern of the boat + near by him was a box or chest about the bigness of a middle-sized + travelling-trunk, but covered all over with cakes of sand and dirt. In + the act of passing, the gentleman, still standing, pointed at this + chest with his cane—an elegant gold-headed staff—and roared out in a + loud voice: "Are you come after this, Abram Dowling? Then come and take + it." And thereat, as he sat down again, burst out a-laughing as though + what he had said was the wittiest jest conceivable. +</p> +<p> + Either because he respected the armed men in the other boat, or else + for some reason best known to himself, the Captain of our hero's + expedition did not immediately reply, but sat as still as any stone. + But at last, the other boat having drifted pretty far away, he suddenly + found words to shout out after it: "Very well, Jack Malyoe! Very well, + Jack Malyoe! You've got the better of us once more. But next time is + the third, and then it'll be our turn, even if William Brand must come + back from the grave to settle with you himself." +</p> +<p> + But to this my fine gentleman in t'other boat made no reply except to + burst out once more into a great fit of laughter. +</p> +<p> + There was, however, still another man in the stern of the enemy's + boat—a villanous, lean man with lantern-jaws, and the top of his head as + bald as an apple. He held in his hand a great pistol, which he + flourished about him, crying out to the gentleman beside him, "Do but + give me the word, your honor, and I'll put another bullet through the + son of a sea cook." But the other forbade him, and therewith the boat + presently melted away into the darkness of the night and was gone. +</p> +<p> + This happened all in a few seconds, so that before our hero understood + what was passing he found the boat in which he still sat drifting + silently in the moonlight (for no one spoke for awhile) and the oars of + the other boat sounding farther and farther away into the distance. +</p> +<p> + By-and-by says one of those in Barnaby's boat, in Spanish, "Where shall + you go now?" +</p> +<p> + At this the leader of the expedition appeared suddenly to come back to + himself and to find his tongue again. "Go?" he roared out. "Go to the + devil! Go? Go where you choose! Go? Go back again—that's where well + go!" And therewith he fell a-cursing and swearing, frothing at the lips + as though he had gone clean crazy, while the black men, bending once + more to their oars, rowed back again across the harbor as fast as ever + they could lay oars to the water. +</p> +<p> + They put Barnaby True ashore below the old custom-house, but so + bewildered and amazed by all that had happened, and by what he had + seen, and by the names he had heard spoken, that he was only half + conscious of the familiar things among which he suddenly found himself + transported. The moonlight and the night appeared to have taken upon + them a new and singular aspect, and he walked up the street towards his + lodging like one drunk or in a dream. For you must remember that "John + Malyoe" was the captain of the <i>Adventure</i> galley—he who had shot + Barnaby's own grandfather—and "Abram Dowling," I must tell you, had + been the gunner of the <i>Royal Sovereign</i>—he who had been shot at the + same time that Captain Brand met his tragical end. And yet these names + he had heard spoken—the one from one boat, and the other from the + other, so that he could not but wonder what sort of beings they were + among whom he had fallen. +</p> +<p> + As to that box covered all over with mud, he could only offer a + conjecture as to what it contained and as to what the finding of it + signified. +</p> +<p> + But of this our hero said nothing to any one, nor did he tell any one + what he suspected, for, though he was so young in years, he possessed a + continent disposition inherited from his father (who had been one of + ten children born to a poor but worthy Presbyterian minister of + Bluefield, Connecticut), so it was that not even to his good friend Mr. + Greenfield did Barnaby say a word as to what had happened to him, going + about his business the next day as though nothing of moment had + occurred. +</p> +<p> + But he was not destined yet to be done with those beings among whom he + had fallen that night; for that which he supposed to be the ending of + the whole affair was only the beginning of further adventures that were + soon to befall him. +</p> +<center> + IV +</center> +<p> + Mr. Greenfield lived in a fine brick house just outside of the town, on + the Mona Road. His family consisted of a wife and two daughters— + handsome, lively young ladies with very fine, bright teeth that shone + whenever they laughed, and with a-plenty to say for themselves. To this + pleasant house Barnaby True was often asked to a family dinner, after + which he and his good kind host would maybe sit upon the veranda, + looking out towards the mountain, smoking their cigarros while the + young ladies laughed and talked, or played upon the guitar and sang. +</p> +<p> + A day or two before the <i>Belle Helen</i> sailed from Kingston, upon her + return voyage to New York, Mr. Greenfield stopped Barnaby True as he + was passing through the office, and begged him to come to dinner that + night. (For within the tropics, you are to know, they breakfast at + eleven o'clock and take dinner in the cool of the evening, because of + the heat, and not at mid-day, as we do in more temperate latitudes). "I + would," says Mr. Greenfield, "have you meet Sir John Malyoe and Miss + Marjorie, who are to be your chief passengers for New York, and for + whom the state cabin and the two state-rooms are to be fitted as here + ordered"—showing a letter—"for Sir John hath arranged," says Mr. + Greenfield, "for the Captain's own state-room." +</p> +<p> + Then, not being aware of Barnaby True's history, nor that Captain Brand + was his grandfather, the good gentleman—calling Sir John "Jack" + Malyoe—goes on to tell our hero what a famous pirate he had been, and + how it was he who had shot Captain Brand over t'other side of the + harbor twenty years before. "Yes," says he, "'tis the same Jack Malyoe, + though grown into repute and importance now, as who would not who hath + had the good-fortune to fall heir to a baronetcy and a landed estate?" +</p> +<p> + And so it befell that same night that Barnaby True once again beheld + the man who had murdered his own grandfather, meeting him this time + face to face. +</p> +<p> + That time in the harbor he had seen Sir John Malyoe at a distance and + in the darkness; now that he beheld him closer, it seemed to him that + he had never seen a countenance more distasteful to him in all his + life. Not that the man was altogether ugly, for he had a good enough + nose and a fine double chin; but his eyes stood out from his face and + were red and watery, and he winked them continually, as though they + were always a-smarting. His lips were thick and purple-red, and his + cheeks mottled here and there with little clots of veins. +</p> +<p> + When he spoke, his voice rattled in his throat to such a degree that it + made one wish to clear one's own throat to listen to him. So, what with + a pair of fat, white hands, and that hoarse voice, and his swollen + face, and his thick lips a-sticking out, it appeared to Barnaby True he + had never beheld a countenance that pleased him so little. +</p> +<p> + But if Sir John Malyoe suited our hero's taste so ill, the + granddaughter was in the same degree pleasing to him. She had a thin, + fair skin, red lips, and yellow hair—though it was then powdered + pretty white for the occasion—and the bluest eyes that ever he beheld + in all of his life. A sweet, timid creature, who appeared not to dare + so much as to speak a word for herself without looking to that great + beast, her grandfather, for leave to do so, for she would shrink and + shudder whenever he would speak of a sudden to her or direct a glance + upon her. When she did pluck up sufficient courage to say anything, it + was in so low a voice that Barnaby was obliged to bend his head to hear + her; and when she smiled she would as like as not catch herself short + and look up as though to see if she did amiss to be cheerful. +</p> +<p> + As for Sir John, he sat at dinner and gobbled and ate and drank, + smacking his lips all the while, but with hardly a word of civility + either to Mr. Greenfield or to Mrs. Greenfield or to Barnaby True; but + wearing all the while a dull, sullen air, as though he would say, "Your + damned victuals and drink are no better than they should be, but, such + as they are, I must eat 'em or eat nothing." +</p> +<p> + It was only after dinner was over and the young lady and the two misses + off in a corner together that Barnaby heard her talk with any degree of + ease. Then, to be sure, her tongue became loose enough, and she + prattled away at a great rate; though hardly above her breath. Then of + a sudden her grand-father called out, in his hoarse, rattling voice, + that it was time to go, upon which she stopped short in what she was + saying and jumped up from her chair, looking as frightened as though he + were going to strike her with that gold-headed cane of his that he + always carried with him. +</p> +<p> + Barnaby True and Mr. Greenfield both went out to see the two into their + coach, where Sir John's man stood holding the lantern. And who should + he be, to be sure, but that same lean villain with bald head who had + offered to shoot the Captain of Barnaby's expedition out on the harbor + that night! For one of the circles of light shining up into his face, + Barnaby True knew him the moment he clapped eyes upon him. Though he + could not have recognized our hero, he grinned at him in the most + impudent, familiar fashion, and never so much as touched his hat either + to him or to Mr. Greenfield; but as soon as his master and his young + mistress had entered the coach, banged to the door and scrambled up on + the seat alongside the driver, and so away without a word, but with + another impudent grin, this time favoring both Barnaby and the old + gentleman. +</p> +<p> + Such were Sir John Malyoe and his man, and the ill opinion our hero + conceived of them was only confirmed by further observation. +</p> +<p> + The next day Sir John Malyoe's travelling-cases began to come aboard + the <i>Belle Helen</i>, and in the afternoon that same lean, villanous + man-servant comes skipping across the gangplank as nimble as a goat, with + two black men behind him lugging a great sea-chest. "What!" he cries + out, "and so you is the supercargo, is you? Why, to be sure, I thought + you was more account when I saw you last night a-sitting talking with + his honor like his equal. Well, no matter," says he, "'tis something to + have a brisk, genteel young fellow for a supercargo. So come, my + hearty, lend a hand and help me set his honor's cabin to rights." +</p> +<p> + What a speech was this to endure from such a fellow! What with our + hero's distaste for the villain, and what with such odious familiarity, + you may guess into what temper so impudent an address must have cast + him. Says he, "You'll find the steward in yonder, and he'll show you + the cabin Sir John is to occupy." Therewith he turned and walked away + with prodigious dignity, leaving the other standing where he was. +</p> +<p> + As he went below to his own state-room he could not but see, out of the + tail of his eye, that the fellow was still standing where he had left + him, regarding him with a most evil, malevolent countenance, so that he + had the satisfaction of knowing that he had an enemy aboard for that + voyage who was not very likely to forgive or forget what he must regard + as so mortifying a slight as that which Barnaby had put upon him. +</p> +<p> + The next day Sir John Malyoe himself came aboard, accompanied by his + granddaughter, and followed by his man, and he followed again by four + black men, who carried among them two trunks, not large in size, but + vastly heavy in weight. Towards these two trunks Sir John and his + follower devoted the utmost solicitude and care to see that they were + properly carried into the cabin he was to occupy. Barnaby True was + standing in the saloon as they passed close by him; but though Sir John + looked hard at him and straight in the face, he never so much as spoke + a single word to our hero, or showed by a look or a sign that he had + ever met him before. At this the serving-man, who saw it all with eyes + as quick as a cat's, fell to grinning and chuckling to see Barnaby in + his turn so slighted. +</p> +<p> + The young lady, who also saw it, blushed as red as fire, and thereupon + delivered a courtesy to poor Barnaby, with a most sweet and gracious + affability. +</p> +<p> + There were, besides Sir John and the young lady, but two other + passengers who upon this occasion took the voyage to New York: the + Reverend Simon Styles, master of a flourishing academy at Spanish Town, + and his wife. This was a good, worthy couple of an extremely quiet + disposition, saying little or nothing, but contented to sit in the + great cabin by the hour together reading in some book or other. So, + what with the retiring humor of the worthy pair, and what with Sir John + Malyoe's fancy for staying all the time shut up in his own cabin with + those two trunks he held so precious, it fell upon Barnaby True in + great part to show that attention to the young lady that the + circumstances demanded. This he did with a great deal of satisfaction + to himself—as any one may suppose who considers a spirited young man + of one-and-twenty years of age and a sweet and beautiful young miss of + seventeen or eighteen thrown thus together day after day for above two + weeks. +</p> +<p> + Accordingly, the weather being very fair and the ship driving freely + along before a fine breeze, and they having no other occupation than to + sit talking together all day, gazing at the blue sea and the bright sky + overhead, it is not difficult to conceive of what was to befall. +</p> +<p> + But oh, those days when a man is young and, whether wisely or no, + fallen into such a transport of passion as poor Barnaby True suffered + at that time! How often during that voyage did our hero lie awake in + his berth at night, tossing this way and that without finding any + refreshment of sleep—perhaps all because her hand had touched his, or + because she had spoken some word to him that had possessed him with a + ravishing disquietude? +</p> +<p> + All this might not have befallen him had Sir John Malyoe looked after + his granddaughter instead of locking himself up day and night in his + own cabin, scarce venturing out except to devour his food or maybe to + take two or three turns across the deck before returning again to the + care of those chests he appeared to hold so much more precious than his + own flesh and blood. +</p> +<p> + Nor was it to be supposed that Barnaby would take the pains to consider + what was to become of it all, for what young man so situated as he but + would be perfectly content to live so agreeably in a fool's paradise, + satisfying himself by assigning the whole affair to the future to take + care of itself. Accordingly, our hero endeavored, and with pretty good + success, to put away from him whatever doubts might arise in his own + mind concerning what he was about, satisfying himself with making his + conversation as agreeable to his companion as it lay in his power to + do. +</p> +<p> + So the affair continued until the end of the whole business came with a + suddenness that promised for a time to cast our hero into the utmost + depths of humiliation and despair. +</p> +<p> + At that time the <i>Belle Helen</i> was, according to Captain Manly's + reckoning, computed that day at noon, bearing about five-and-fifty + leagues northeast-by-east off the harbor of Charleston, in South + Carolina. +</p> +<p> + Nor was our hero likely to forget for many years afterwards even the + smallest circumstance of that occasion. He may remember that it was a + mightily sweet, balmy evening, the sun not having set above half an + hour before, and the sky still suffused with a good deal of brightness, + the air being extremely soft and mild. He may remember with the utmost + nicety how they were leaning over the rail of the vessel looking out + towards the westward, she fallen mightily quiet as though occupied with + very serious thoughts. +</p> +<p> + Of a sudden she began, without any preface whatever, to speak to + Barnaby about herself and her affairs, in a most confidential manner, + such as she had never used to him before. She told him that she and her + grandfather were going to New York that they might take passage thence + to Boston, in Massachusetts, where they were to meet her cousin Captain + Malyoe, who was stationed in garrison at that place. Continuing, she + said that Captain Malyoe was the next heir to the Devonshire estate, + and that she and he were to be married in the fall. +</p> +<p> + You may conceive into what a confusion of distress such a confession as + this, delivered so suddenly, must have cast poor Barnaby. He could + answer her not a single word, but stood staring in another direction + than hers, endeavoring to compose himself into some equanimity of + spirit. For indeed it was a sudden, terrible blow, and his breath came + as hot and dry as ashes in his throat. Meanwhile the young lady went on + to say, though in a mightily constrained voice, that she had liked him + from the very first moment she had seen him, and had been very happy + for these days she had passed in his society, and that she would always + think of him as a dear friend who had been very kind to her, who had so + little pleasure in her life. +</p> +<p> + At last Barnaby made shift to say, though in a hoarse and croaking + voice, that Captain Malyoe must be a very happy man, and that if he + were in Captain Malyoe's place he would be the happiest man in the + world. Thereupon, having so found his voice, he went on to tell her, + though in a prodigious confusion and perturbation of spirit, that he + too loved her, and that what she had told him struck him to the heart, + and made him the most miserable, unhappy wretch in the whole world. +</p> +<p> + She exhibited no anger at what he said, nor did she turn to look at + him, but only replied, in a low voice, that he should not talk so, for + that it could only be a pain to them both to speak of such things, and + that whether she would or no, she must do everything her grandfather + bade her, he being indeed a terrible man. +</p> +<p> + To this poor Barnaby could only repeat that he loved her with all his + heart, that he had hoped for nothing in his love, but that he was now + the most miserable man in the world. +</p> +<p> + It was at this moment, so momentous to our hero, that some one who had + been hiding unseen nigh them for all the while suddenly moved away, and + Barnaby, in spite of the gathering darkness, could perceive that it was + that villain man-servant of Sir John Malyoe's. Nor could he but know + that the wretch must have overheard all that had been said. +</p> +<p> + As he looked he beheld this fellow go straight to the great cabin, + where he disappeared with a cunning leer upon his face, so that our + hero could not but be aware that the purpose of the eavesdropper must + be to communicate all that he had overheard to his master. At this + thought the last drop of bitterness was added to his trouble, for what + could be more distressing to any man of honor than to possess the + consciousness that such a wretch should have overheard so sacred a + conversation as that which he had enjoyed with the young lady. She, + upon her part, could not have been aware that the man had listened to + what she had been saying, for she still continued leaning over the + rail, and Barnaby remained standing by her side, without moving, but so + distracted by a tumult of many passions that he knew not how or where + to look. +</p> +<p> + After a pretty long time of this silence, the young lady looked up to + see why her companion had not spoken for so great a while, and at that + very moment Sir John Malyoe comes flinging out of the cabin without his + hat, but carrying his gold-headed cane. He ran straight across the deck + towards where Barnaby and the young lady stood, swinging his cane this + way and that with a most furious and threatening countenance, while the + informer, grinning like an ape, followed close at his heels. As Sir + John approached them, he cried out in so loud a voice that all on deck + might have heard him, "You hussy!" (And all the time, you are to + remember, he was swinging his cane as though he would have struck the + young lady, who, upon her part, shrank back from him almost upon the + deck as though to escape such a blow.) "You hussy! What do you do here, + talking with a misbred Yankee supercargo not fit for a gentlewoman to + wipe her feet upon, and you stand there and listen to his fool talk! Go + to your room, you hussy"—only 'twas something worse he called her this + time—"before I lay this cane across you!" +</p> +<p> + You may suppose into what fury such words as these, spoken in Barnaby's + hearing, not to mention that vile slur set upon himself, must have cast + our hero. To be sure he scarcely knew what he did, but he put his hand + against Sir John Malyoe's breast and thrust him back most violently, + crying out upon him at the same time for daring so to threaten a young + lady, and that for a farthing he would wrench the stick out of his hand + and throw it overboard. +</p> +<p> + A little farther and Sir John would have fallen flat upon the deck with + the push Barnaby gave him. But he contrived, by catching hold of the + rail, to save his balance. Whereupon, having recovered himself, he came + running at our hero like a wild beast, whirling his cane about, and I + do believe would have struck him (and God knows then what might have + happened) had not his man-servant caught him and held him back. +</p> +<p> + "Keep back!" cried out our hero, still mighty hoarse. "Keep back! If + you strike me with that stick I'll fling you overboard!" +</p> +<p> + By this time, what with the sound of loud voices and the stamping of + feet, some of the crew and others aboard were hurrying up to the scene + of action. At the same time Captain Manly and the first mate, Mr. + Freesden, came running out of the cabin. As for our hero, having got + set agoing, he was not to be stopped so easily. +</p> +<p> + "And who are you, anyhow," he cries, his voice mightily hoarse even in + his own ears, "to threaten to strike me! You may be a bloody pirate, + and you may shoot a man from behind, as you shot poor Captain Brand on + the Cobra River, but you won't dare strike me face to face. I know who + you are and what you are!" +</p> +<p> + As for Sir John Malyoe, had he been struck of a sudden by palsy, he + could not have stopped more dead short in his attack upon our hero. + There he stood, his great, bulging eyes staring like those of a fish, + his face as purple as a cherry. As for Master Informer, Barnaby had the + satisfaction of seeing that he had stopped his grinning by now and was + holding his master's arm as though to restrain him from any further act + of violence. +</p> +<p> + By this time Captain Manly had come bustling up and demanded to know + what all the disturbance meant. Whereupon our hero cried out, still in + the extremity of passion: +</p> +<p> + "The villain insulted me and insulted the young lady; he threatened to + strike me with his cane. But he sha'n't strike me. I know who he is and + what he is. I know what he's got in his cabin in those two trunks, and + I know where he found it, and whom it belongs to." +</p> +<p> + At this Captain Manly clapped his hand upon our hero's shoulder and + fell to shaking him so that he could hardly stand, crying out to him + the while to be silent. Says he: "How do you dare, an officer of this + ship, to quarrel with a passenger of mine! Go straight to your cabin, + and stay there till I give you leave to come out again." +</p> +<p> + At this Master Barnaby came somewhat back to himself. "But he + threatened to strike me with his cane," he says, "and that I won't + stand from any man!" +</p> +<p> + "No matter for that," says Captain Manly, very sternly. "Go to your + cabin, as I bid you, and stay there till I tell you to come out again, + and when we get to New York I'll take pains to inform your step-father + of how you have behaved. I'll have no such rioting as this aboard my + ship." +</p> +<p> + By this time, as you may suppose, the young lady was gone. As for Sir + John Malyoe, he stood in the light of a lantern, his face that had been + so red now gone as white as ashes, and if a look could kill, to be sure + he would have destroyed Barnaby True where he stood. +</p> +<p> + It was thus that the events of that memorable day came to a conclusion. + How little did any of the actors of the scene suspect that a portentous + Fate was overhanging them, and was so soon to transform all their + present circumstances into others that were to be perfectly different! +</p> +<p> + And how little did our hero suspect what was in store for him upon the + morrow, as with hanging head he went to his cabin, and shutting the + door upon himself, and flinging himself down upon his berth, there + yielded himself over to the profoundest depths of humiliation and + despair. +</p> +<center> + V +</center> +<p> + From his melancholy meditations Barnaby, by-and-by and in spite of + himself, began dropping off into a loose slumber, disturbed by + extravagant dreams of all sorts, in which Sir John Malyoe played some + important and malignant part. +</p> +<p> + From one of these dreams he was aroused to meet a new and startling + fate, by hearing the sudden and violent explosion of a pistol-shot ring + out as though in his ears. This was followed immediately by the sound + of several other shots exchanged in rapid succession as coming from the + deck above. At the same instant a blow of such excessive violence shook + the <i>Belle Helen</i> that the vessel heeled over before it, and Barnaby + was at once aware that another craft—whether by accident or with + intention he did not know—must have run afoul of them. +</p> +<p> + Upon this point, and as to whether or not the collision was designed, + he was, however, not left a moment in doubt, for even as the <i>Belle + Helen</i> righted to her true keel, there was the sound of many footsteps + running across the deck and down into the great cabin. Then proceeded a + prodigious uproar of voices, together with the struggling of men's + bodies being tossed about, striking violently against the partitions + and bulkheads. At the same instant arose a screaming of women's voices, + and one voice, that of Sir John Malyoe, crying out as in the greatest + extremity: "You villains! You damned villains!" and with that the + sudden detonation of a pistol fired into the close space of the great + cabin. +</p> +<p> + Long before this time Barnaby was out in the middle of his own cabin. + Taking only sufficient time to snatch down one of the pistols that hung + at the head of his berth, he flung out into the great cabin, to find it + as black as night, the lantern slung there having been either blown out + or dashed out into darkness. All was as black as coal, and the gloom + was filled with a hubbub of uproar and confusion, above which sounded + continually the shrieking of women's voices. Nor had our hero taken + above a couple of steps before he pitched headlong over two or three + men struggling together upon the deck, falling with a great clatter and + the loss of his pistol, which, however, he regained almost immediately. +</p> +<p> + What all the uproar portended he could only guess, but presently + hearing Captain Manly's voice calling out, "You bloody pirate, would + you choke me to death?" he became immediately aware of what had + befallen the <i>Belle Helen</i>, and that they had been attacked by some of + those buccaneers who at that time infested the waters of America in + prodigious numbers. +</p> +<p> + It was with this thought in his mind that, looking towards the + companionway, he beheld, outlined against the darkness of the night + without, the form of a man's figure, standing still and motionless as a + statue in the midst of all this tumult, and thereupon, as by some + instinct, knew that that must be the master-maker of all this devil's + brew. Therewith, still kneeling upon the deck, he covered the bosom of + that figure point-blank, as he supposed, with his pistol, and instantly + pulled the trigger. +</p> +<p> + In the light of the pistol fire, Barnaby had only sufficient + opportunity to distinguish a flat face wearing a large pair of + mustachios, a cocked hat trimmed with gold lace, a red scarf, and brass + buttons. Then the darkness, very thick and black, again swallowed + everything. +</p> +<p> + But if our hero failed to clearly perceive the countenance towards + which he had discharged his weapon, there was one who appeared to have + recognized some likeness in it, for Sir John Malyoe's voice, almost at + Barnaby's elbow, cried out thrice in loud and violent tones, "William + Brand! William Brand! William Brand!" and thereat came the sound of + some heavy body falling down upon the deck. +</p> +<p> + This was the last that our hero may remember of that notable attack, + for the next moment whether by accident or design he never knew, he + felt himself struck so terrible a blow upon the side of the head, that + he instantly swooned dead away and knew no more. +</p> +<center> + VI +</center> +<p> + When Barnaby True came back to his senses again, it was to become aware + that he was being cared for with great skill and nicety, that his head + had been bathed with cold water, and that a bandage was being bound + about it as carefully as though a chirurgeon was attending to him. +</p> +<p> + He had been half conscious of people about him, but could not + immediately recall what had happened to him, nor until he had opened + his eyes to find himself in a perfectly strange cabin of narrow + dimensions but extremely well fitted and painted with white and gold. + By the light of a lantern shining in his eyes, together with the gray + of the early day through the deadlight, he could perceive that two men + were bending over him—one, a negro in a striped shirt, with a yellow + handkerchief around his head and silver ear-rings in his ears; the + other, a white man, clad in a strange, outlandish dress of a foreign + make, with great mustachios hanging down below his chin, and with gold + ear-rings in his ears. +</p> +<p> + It was this last who was attending to Barnaby's hurt with such extreme + care and gentleness. +</p> +<p> + All this Barnaby saw with his first clear consciousness after his + swoon. Then remembering what had befallen him, and his head beating as + though it would split asunder, he shut his eyes again, contriving with + great effort to keep himself from groaning aloud, and wondering as to + what sort of pirates these could be, who would first knock a man in the + head so terrible a blow as that which he had suffered, and then take + such care to fetch him back to life again, and to make him easy and + comfortable. +</p> +<p> + Nor did he open his eyes again, but lay there marvelling thus until the + bandage was properly tied about his head and sewed together. Then once + more he opened his eyes and looked up to ask where he was. +</p> +<p> + Upon hearing him speak, his attendants showed excessive signs of joy, + nodding their heads and smiling at him as though to reassure him. But + either because they did not choose to reply, or else because they could + not speak English, they made no answer, excepting by those signs and + gestures. The white man, however, made several motions that our hero + was to arise, and, still grinning and nodding his head, pointed as + though towards a saloon beyond. At the same time the negro held up our + hero's coat and beckoned for him to put it on. Accordingly Barnaby, + seeing that it was required of him to quit the place in which he then + lay, arose, though with a good deal of effort, and permitted the negro + to help him on with his coat, though feeling mightily dizzy and much + put about to keep upon his legs—his head beating fit to split asunder + and the vessel rolling and pitching at a great rate, as though upon a + heavy cross-sea. +</p> +<p> + So, still sick and dizzy, he went out into what he found was, indeed, a + fine saloon beyond, painted in white and gilt like the cabin he had + just quitted. This saloon was fitted in the most excellent taste + imaginable. A table extended the length of the room, and a quantity of + bottles, and glasses clear as crystal, were arranged in rows in a + hanging rack above. +</p> +<p> + But what most attracted our hero's attention was a man sitting with his + back to him, his figure clad in a rough pea-jacket, and with a red + handkerchief tied around his throat. His feet were stretched under the + table out before him, and he was smoking a pipe of tobacco with all the + ease and comfort imaginable. As Barnaby came in he turned round, and, + to the profound astonishment of our hero, presented to him in the light + of the lantern, the dawn shining pretty strong through the skylight, + the face of that very man who had conducted the mysterious expedition + that night across Kingston Harbor to the Cobra River. +</p> +<center> + VII +</center> +<p> + This man looked steadily at Barnaby True for above half a minute and + then burst out a-laughing. And, indeed, Barnaby, standing there with + the bandage about his head, must have looked a very droll picture of + that astonishment he felt so profoundly at finding who was this pirate + into whose hands he had fallen. "Well," says the other, "and so you be + up at last, and no great harm done, I'll be bound. And how does your + head feel by now, my young master?" +</p> +<p> + To this Barnaby made no reply, but, what with wonder and the dizziness + of his head, seated himself at the table over against his interlocutor, + who pushed a bottle of rum towards him, together with a glass from the + hanging rack. He watched Barnaby fill his glass, and so soon as he had + done so began immediately by saying: "I do suppose you think you were + treated mightily ill to be so handled last night. Well, so you were + treated ill enough, though who hit you that crack upon the head I know + no more than a child unborn. Well, I am sorry for the way you were + handled, but there is this much to say, and of that you may feel well + assured, that nothing was meant to you but kindness, and before you are + through with us all you will believe that without my having to tell you + so." +</p> +<p> + Here he helped himself to a taste of grog, and sucking in his lips went + on again with what he had to say. "Do you remember," says he, "that + expedition of ours in Kingston Harbor, and how we were all of us balked + that night?" then, without waiting for Barnaby's reply: "And do you + remember what I said to that villain Jack Malyoe that night as his boat + went by us? I says to him, 'Jack Malyoe,' says I, 'you've got the + better of us once again, but next time it will be our turn, even if + William Brand himself has to come back from the grave to settle with + you.'" +</p> +<p> + "I remember something of the sort," said Barnaby, "but I profess I am + all in the dark as to what you are driving at." +</p> +<p> + At this the other burst out in a great fit of laughing. "Very well, + then," said he, "this night's work is only the ending of what was so + ill begun there. Look yonder"—pointing to a corner of the cabin—"and + then maybe you will be in the dark no longer." Barnaby turned his head + and there beheld in the corner of the saloon those very two + travelling-cases that Sir John Malyoe had been so particular to keep in his + cabin and under his own eyes through all the voyage from Jamaica. +</p> +<p> + "I'll show you what is in 'em," says the other, and thereupon arose, + and Barnaby with him, and so went over to where the two + travelling-cases stood. +</p> +<p> + Our hero had a strong enough suspicion as to what the cases contained. + But, Lord! what were suspicions to what his two eyes beheld when that + man lifted the lid of one of them—the locks thereof having already + been forced—and, flinging it back, displayed to Barnaby's astonished + and bedazzled sight a great treasure of gold and silver, some of it + tied up in leathern bags, to be sure, but so many of the coins, big and + little, yellow and white, lying loose in the cases as to make our hero + think that a great part of the treasures of the Indies lay there before + him. +</p> +<p> + "Well, and what do you think of that?" said the other. "Is it not + enough for a man to turn pirate for?" and thereupon burst out + a-laughing and clapped down the lid again. Then suddenly turning serious: + "Come Master Barnaby," says he. "I am to have some very sober talk with + you, so fill up your glass again and then we will heave at it." +</p> +<p> + Nor even in after years, nor in the light of that which afterwards + occurred, could Barnaby repeat all that was said to him upon that + occasion, for what with the pounding and beating of his aching head, + and what with the wonder of what he had seen, he was altogether in the + dark as to the greater part of what the other told him. That other + began by saying that Barnaby, instead of being sorry that he was + William Brand's grandson, might thank God for it; that he (Barnaby) had + been watched and cared for for twenty years in more ways than he would + ever know; that Sir John Malyoe had been watched also for all that + while, and that it was a vastly strange thing that Sir John Malyoe's + debts in England and Barnaby's coming of age should have brought them + so together in Jamaica—though, after all, it was all for the best, as + Barnaby himself should presently see, and thank God for that also. For + now all the debts against that villain Jack Malyoe were settled in + full, principal and interest, to the last penny, and Barnaby was to + enjoy it the most of all. Here the fellow took a very comfortable sip + of his grog, and then went on to say with a very cunning and knowing + wink of the eye that Barnaby was not the only passenger aboard, but + that there was another in whose company he would be glad enough, no + doubt, to finish the balance of the voyage he was now upon. So now, if + Barnaby was sufficiently composed, he should be introduced to that + other passenger. Thereupon, without waiting for a reply, he + incontinently arose and, putting away the bottle of rum and the + glasses, went across the saloon—Barnaby watching him all the while + like a man in a dream—and opened the door of a cabin like that which + Barnaby had occupied a little while before. He was gone only for a + moment, for almost immediately he came out again ushering a lady before + him. +</p> +<p> + By now the daylight in the cabin was grown strong and clear, so that + the light shining full upon her face, Barnaby True knew her the instant + she appeared. +</p> +<p> + It was Miss Marjorie Malyoe, very white, but strangely composed, + showing no terror, either in her countenance or in her expression. +</p> +<hr> +<p> + It would not be possible for the writer to give any clear idea of the + circumstances of the days that immediately followed, and which, within + a week, brought Barnaby True and the enchanting object of his + affections at once to the ending of their voyage, and of all these + marvellous adventures. For when, in after times, our hero would + endeavor to revive a memory of the several occurrences that then + transpired, they all appeared as though in a dream or a bewitching + phantasm. +</p> +<p> + All that he could recall were long days of delicious enjoyment followed + by nights of dreaming. But how enchanting those days! How exquisite the + distraction of those nights! +</p> +<p> + Upon occasions he and his charmer might sit together under the shade of + the sail for an hour at a stretch, he holding her hand in his and + neither saying a single word, though at times the transports of poor + Barnaby's emotions would go far to suffocate him with their rapture. As + for her face at such moments, it appeared sometimes to assume a + transparency as though of a light shining from behind her countenance. +</p> +<p> + The vessel in which they found themselves was a brigantine of good size + and build, but manned by a considerable crew, the most strange and + outlandish in their appearance that Barnaby had ever beheld. For some + were white, some were yellow, and some were black, and all were tricked + out with gay colors, and gold ear-rings in their ears, and some with + long mustachios, and others with handkerchiefs tied around their heads. + And all these spoke together a jargon of which Barnaby True could not + understand a single word, but which might have been Portuguese from one + or two phrases he afterwards remembered. Nor did this outlandish crew, + of God knows what sort of men, address any of their conversation either + to Barnaby or to the young lady. They might now and then have looked at + him and her out of the corners of their yellow eyes, but that was all; + otherwise they were, indeed, like the creatures of a dream. Only he who + was commander of this strange craft, when he would come down into the + saloon to mix a glass of grog or to light a pipe of tobacco, would + maybe favor Barnaby with a few words concerning the weather or + something of the sort, and then to go on deck again about his business. +</p> +<p> + Indeed, it may be affirmed with pretty easy security that no such + adventure as this ever happened before; for here were these two + innocent young creatures upon board of a craft that no one, under such + circumstances as those recounted above, could doubt was a pirate or + buccaneer, the crew whereof had seen no one knows what wicked deeds; + yet they two as remote from all that and as profoundly occupied with + the transports of their passion and as innocent in their satisfaction + thereof as were Corydon and Phyllis beside their purling streams and + flowery meads, with nymphs and satyrs caracoling about them. +</p> +<center> + VIII +</center> +<p> + It is probable that the polite reader of this veracious narrative, + instead of considering it as the effort of the author to set before him + a sober and well-digested history, has been all this while amusing + himself by regarding it only as a fanciful tale designed for his + entertainment. If this be so, the writer may hardly hope to convince + him that what is to follow is a serious narrative of that which, though + never so ingenuous in its recapitulation, is an altogether inexplicable + phenomenon. Accordingly, it is with extraordinary hesitation that the + scribe now invites the confidence of his reader in the succinct truth + of that which he has to relate. It is in brief as follows: +</p> +<p> + That upon the last night of this part of his voyage, Barnaby True was + awakened from slumber by flashes of lightning shining into his cabin, + and by the loud pealing of approaching thunder. At the same time + observing the sound of footsteps moving back and forth as in great + agitation overhead, and the loud shouting of orders, he became aware + that a violent squall of wind must be approaching the vessel. Being + convinced of this he arose from his berth, dressed quickly, and hurried + upon deck, where he found a great confusion of men running hither and + thither and scrambling up and down the rigging like monkeys, while the + Captain, and one whom he had come to know as the Captain's mate, were + shouting out orders in a strange foreign jargon. +</p> +<p> + A storm was indeed approaching with great rapidity, a prodigious circle + of rain and clouds whirling overhead like smoke, while the lightning, + every now and then, flashed with intense brightness, followed by loud + peals of thunder. +</p> +<p> + By these flashes of lightning Barnaby observed that they had made land + during the night, for in the sudden glare of bright light he beheld a + mountainous headland and a long strip of sandy beach standing out + against the blackness of the night beyond. So much he was able to + distinguish, though what coast it might be he could not tell, for + presently another flash falling from the sky, he saw that the shore was + shut out by the approaching downfall of rain. +</p> +<p> + This rain came presently streaming down upon them with a great gust of + wind and a deal of white foam across the water. This violent gale of + wind suddenly striking the vessel, careened it to one side so that for + a moment it was with much ado that he was able to keep his feet at all. + Indeed, what with the noise of the tempest through the rigging and the + flashes of lightning and the pealing of the thunder and the clapping of + an unfurled sail in the darkness, and the shouting of orders in a + strange language by the Captain of the craft, who was running up and + down like a bedlamite, it was like pandemonium with all the devils of + the pit broke loose into the night. +</p> +<p> + It was at this moment, and Barnaby True was holding to the back-stays, + when a sudden, prolonged flash of lightning came after a continued + space of darkness. So sharp and heavy was this shaft that for a moment + the night was as bright as day, and in that instant occurred that which + was so remarkable that it hath afforded the title of this story itself. + For there, standing plain upon the deck and not far from the + companionway, as though he had just come up from below, our hero beheld + a figure the face of which he had seen so imperfectly once before by + the flash of his own pistol in the darkness. Upon this occasion, + however, the whole figure was stamped out with intense sharpness + against the darkness, and Barnaby beheld, as clear as day, a great + burly man, clad in a tawdry tinsel coat, with a cocked hat with gold + braid upon his head. His legs, with petticoat breeches and cased in + great leathern sea-boots pulled up to his knees, stood planted wide + apart as though to brace against the slant of the deck. The face our + hero beheld to be as white as dough, with fishy eyes and a bony + forehead, on the side of which was a great smear as of blood. +</p> +<p> + All this, as was said, stood out as sharp and clear as daylight in that + one flash of lightning, and then upon the instant was gone again, as + though swallowed up into the darkness, while a terrible clap of thunder + seemed to split the very heavens overhead and a strong smell as of + brimstone filled the air around about. +</p> +<p> + At the same moment some voice cried out from the darkness, "William + Brand, by God!" +</p> +<p> + Then, the rain clapping down in a deluge, Barnaby leaped into the + saloon, pursued by he knew not what thoughts. For if that was indeed + the image of old William Brand that he had seen once before and now + again, then the grave must indeed have gaped and vomited out its dead + into the storm of wind and lightning; for what he beheld that moment, + he hath ever averred, he saw as clear as ever he saw his hand before + his face. +</p> +<p> + This is the last account of which there is any record when the figure + of Captain William Brand was beheld by the eyes of a living man. It + must have occurred just off the Highlands below the Sandy Hook, for the + next morning when Barnaby True came upon deck it was to find the sun + shining brightly and the brigantine riding upon an even keel, at anchor + off Staten Island, three or four cable-lengths distance from a small + village on the shore, and the town of New York in plain sight across + the water. +</p> +<p> + 'Twas the last place in the world he had expected to see. +</p> +<center> + IX +</center> +<p> + And, indeed, it did seem vastly strange to lie there alongside Staten + Island all that day, with New York town in plain sight across the water + and yet so impossible to reach. For whether he desired to escape or no, + Barnaby True could not but observe that both he and the young lady were + so closely watched that they might as well have been prisoners, tied + hand and foot and laid in the hold, so far as any hope of getting away + was concerned. +</p> +<p> + Throughout that day there was a vast deal of mysterious coming and + going aboard the brigantine, and in the afternoon a sail-boat went up + to the town, carrying the Captain of the brigantine and a great load in + the stern covered over with a tarpaulin. What was so taken up to the + town Barnaby did not then guess, nor did he for a moment suspect of + what vast importance it was to be for him. +</p> +<p> + About sundown the small boat returned, fetching the pirate Captain of + the brigantine back again. Coming aboard and finding Barnaby on deck, + the other requested him to come down into the saloon for he had a few + serious words to say to him. In the saloon they found the young lady + sitting, the broad light of the evening shining in through the + skylight, and making it all pretty bright within. +</p> +<p> + The Captain commanded Barnaby to be seated, whereupon he chose a place + alongside the young lady. So soon as he had composed himself the + Captain began very seriously, with a preface somewhat thus: "Though you + may think me the Captain of this brigantine, Master Barnaby True, I am + not really so, but am under orders of a superior whom I have obeyed in + all these things that I have done." Having said so much as this, he + continued his address to say that there was one thing yet remaining for + him to do, and that the greatest thing of all. +</p> +<p> + He said that this was something that both Barnaby and the young lady + were to be called upon to perform, and he hoped that they would do + their part willingly; but that whether they did it willingly or no, do + it they must, for those also were the orders he had received. +</p> +<p> + You may guess how our hero was disturbed by this prologue. He had found + the young lady's hand beneath the table and he now held it very closely + in his own; but whatever might have been his expectations as to the + final purport of the communications the other was about to favor him + with, his most extreme expectations could not have equalled that which + was demanded of him. +</p> +<p> + "My orders are these," said his interlocutor, continuing: "I am to take + you and the young lady ashore, and to see that you are married before I + quit you, and to that end a very good, decent, honest minister who + lives ashore yonder in the village was chosen and hath been spoken to, + and is now, no doubt, waiting for you to come. That is the last thing I + am set to do; so now I will leave you and her young ladyship alone + together for five minutes to talk it over, but be quick about it, for + whether willing or not, this thing must be done." +</p> +<p> + Thereupon he incontinently went away, as he had promised, leaving those + two alone together, our hero like one turned into stone, and the young + lady, her face turned away, as red as fire, as Barnaby could easily + distinguish by the fading light. +</p> +<p> + Nor can I tell what Barnaby said to her, nor what words or arguments he + used, for so great was the distraction of his mind and the tumult of + his emotions that he presently discovered that he was repeating to her + over and over again that God knew he loved her, and that with all his + heart and soul, and that there was nothing in all the world for him but + her. After which, containing himself sufficiently to continue his + address, he told her that if she would not have it as the man had said, + and if she were not willing to marry him as she was bidden to do, he + would rather die a thousand, aye, ten thousand, deaths than lend + himself to forcing her to do such a thing as this. Nevertheless, he + told her she must speak up and tell him yes or no, and that God knew he + would give all the world if she would say "yes." +</p> +<p> + All this and much more he said in such a tumult that he was hardly + aware of what he was speaking, and she sitting there, as though her + breath stifled her. Nor did he know what she replied to him, only that + she would marry him. Therewith he took her into his arms and for the + first time set his lips to hers, in such a transport of ecstasy that + everything seemed to his sight as though he were about to swoon. +</p> +<p> + So when the Captain returned to the saloon he found Barnaby sitting + there holding her hand, she with her face turned away, and he so full + of joy that the promise of heaven could not have made him happier. +</p> +<p> + The yawl-boat belonging to the brigantine was ready and waiting + alongside when they came upon deck, and immediately they descended to + it and took their seats. Reaching the shore, they landed, and walked up + the village street in the twilight, she clinging to our hero's arm as + though she would faint away. The Captain of the brigantine and two + other men aboard accompanied them to the minister's house, where they + found the good man waiting for them, smoking his pipe in the warm + evening, and walking up and down in front of his own door. He + immediately conducted them into the house, where, his wife having + fetched a candle, and two others from the village being present, the + good, pious man having asked several questions as to their names and + their age and where they were from, and having added his blessing, the + ceremony was performed, and the certificate duly signed by those + present from the village—the men who had come ashore from the + brigantine alone refusing to set their hands to any paper. +</p> +<p> + The same sail-boat that had taken the Captain up to the town was + waiting for Barnaby and the young lady as they came down to the + landing-place. There the Captain of the brigantine having wished them + godspeed, and having shaken Barnaby very heartily by the hand, he + helped to push off the boat, which with the slant of the wind presently + sailed swiftly away, dropping the shore and those strange beings, and + the brigantine in which they sailed, alike behind them into the night. +</p> +<p> + They could hear through the darkness the creaking of the sails being + hoisted aboard of the pirate vessel; nor did Barnaby True ever set eyes + upon it or the crew again, nor, so far as the writer is informed, did + anybody else. +</p> +<center> + X +</center> +<p> + It was nigh midnight when they made Mr. Hartright's wharf at the foot + of Beaver Street. There Barnaby and the boatmen assisted the young lady + ashore, and our hero and she walked up through the now silent and + deserted street to Mr. Hartright's house. +</p> +<p> + You may conceive of the wonder and amazement of our hero's dear + step-father when aroused by Barnaby's continued knocking at the street + door, and clad in a dressing-gown and carrying a lighted candle in his + hand, he unlocked and unbarred the door, and so saw who it was had aroused + him at such an hour of the night, and beheld the young and beautiful + lady whom Barnaby had brought home with him. +</p> +<p> + The first thought of the good man was that the <i>Belle Helen</i> had come + into port; nor did Barnaby undeceive him as he led the way into the + house, but waited until they were all safe and sound together before he + should unfold his strange and wonderful story. +</p> +<p> + "This was left for you by two foreign sailors this afternoon, Barnaby," + the good man said, as he led the way through the hall, holding up the + candle at the same time, so that Barnaby might see an object that stood + against the wainscoting by the door of the dining-room. +</p> +<p> + It was with difficulty that our hero could believe his eyes when he + beheld one of the treasure-chests that Sir John Malyoe had fetched with + such particularity from Jamaica. +</p> +<p> + He bade his step-father hold the light nigher, and then, his mother + having come down-stairs by this time, he flung back the lid and + displayed to the dazzled sight of all the great treasure therein + contained. +</p> +<p> + You are to suppose that there was no sleep for any of them that night, + for what with Barnaby's narrative of his adventures, and what with the + thousand questions asked of him, it was broad daylight before he had + finished the half of all that he had to relate. +</p> +<p> + The next day but one brought the <i>Belle Helen</i> herself into port, with + the terrible news not only of having been attacked at night by pirates, + but also that Sir John Malyoe was dead. For whether it was the sudden + fright that overset him, or whether it was the strain of passion that + burst some blood-vessel upon his brain, it is certain that when the + pirates quitted the <i>Belle Helen</i>, carrying with them the young lady + and Barnaby and the travelling-trunks, they left Sir John Malyoe lying + in a fit upon the floor, frothing at the mouth and black in the face, + as though he had been choked. It was in this condition that he was + raised and taken to his berth, where, the next morning about two + o'clock, he died, without once having opened his eyes or spoken a + single word. +</p> +<p> + As for the villain man-servant, no one ever saw him afterwards; though + whether he jumped overboard, or whether the pirates who so attacked the + ship had carried him away bodily, who shall say? +</p> +<p> + Mr. Hartright had been extremely perplexed as to the ownership of the + chest of treasure that had been left by those men for Barnaby, but the + news of the death of Sir John Malyoe made the matter very easy for him + to decide. For surely if that treasure did not belong to Barnaby, there + could be no doubt but that it belonged to his wife—she being Sir John + Malyoe's legal heir. Thus it was that he satisfied himself, and thus + that great fortune (in actual computation amounting to upward of + sixty-three thousand pounds) fell to Barnaby True, the grandson of that + famous pirate William Brand. +</p> +<p> + As for the other case of treasure, it was never heard of again, nor + could Barnaby decide whether it was divided as booty among the pirates, + or whether they had carried it away with them to some strange and + foreign land, there to share it among themselves. +</p> +<p> + It is thus we reach the conclusion of our history, with only this to + observe, that whether that strange appearance of Captain Brand was + indeed a ghostly and spiritual visitation, or whether he was present on + those two occasions in flesh and blood, he was, as has been said, never + heard of again. +</p> +<a name="2H_4_5"><!-- H2 anchor --></a> +<p> </p> +<p> </p> +<p> </p> +<p> </p> +<h2> + IV. A TRUE HISTORY OF THE DEVIL AT NEW HOPE +</h2> +<p> + <i>At the time of the beginning of the events about to be narrated—which + the reader is to be informed occurred between the years 1740 and 1742— + there stood upon the high and rugged crest of Pick-a-Neck-a-Sock Point + (or Pig and Sow Point, as it had come to be called) the wooden ruins of + a disused church, known throughout those parts as the Old Free Grace + Meeting-house.</i> +</p> +<p> + <i>This humble edifice had been erected by a peculiar religious sect + calling themselves the Free Grace Believers, the radical tenet of whose + creed was a denial of the existence of such a place as Hell, and an + affirmation of the universal mercy of God, to the intent that all souls + should enjoy eternal happiness in the life to come.</i> +</p> +<p> + <i>For this dangerous heresy the Free Grace Believers were expelled from + the Massachusetts Colony, and, after sundry peregrinations, settled at + last in the Providence Plantations, upon Pick-a-Neck-a-Sock Point, + coadjacent to the town of New Hope. There they built themselves a small + cluster of huts, and a church wherein to worship; and there for a while + they dwelt, earning a precarious livelihood from the ungenerous soil + upon which they had established themselves.</i> +</p> +<p> + <i>As may be supposed, the presence of so strange a people was + entertained with no great degree of complaisance by the vicinage, and + at last an old deed granting Pick-a-Neck-a-Sock to Captain Isaiah + Applebody was revived by the heirs of that renowned Indian-fighter, + whereupon the Free Grace Believers were warned to leave their bleak and + rocky refuge for some other abiding-place. Accordingly, driven forth + into the world again, they embarked in the snow<a href="#note-1"><small><sup>1</sup></small></a> "Good Companion," of + Bristol, for the Province of Pennsylvania, and were afterwards heard of + no more in those parts. Their vacated houses crumbled away into ruins, + and their church tottered to decay.</i> +</p> +<a name="note-1"><!--Note--></a> +<p class="foot"> +<sup><u>1</u></sup> [ A two-masted square-rigged vessel.] +</p> +<p> + <i>So at the beginning of these events, upon the narrative of which the + author now invites the reader to embark together with himself.</i> +</p> +<center> + I +</center> +<center> + HOW THE DEVIL HAUNTED THE MEETING-HOUSE +</center> +<p> + At the period of this narrative the settlement of New Hope had grown + into a very considerable seaport town, doing an extremely handsome + trade with the West Indies in cornmeal and dried codfish for sugar, + molasses, and rum. +</p> +<p> + Among the more important citizens of this now wealthy and elegant + community, the most notable was Colonel William Belford—a magnate at + once distinguished and honored in the civil and military affairs of the + colony. This gentleman was an illegitimate son of the Earl of + Clandennie by the daughter of a surgeon of the Sixty-seventh Regiment + of Scots, and he had inherited a very considerable fortune upon the + death of his father, from which he now enjoyed a comfortable + competency. +</p> +<p> + Our Colonel made no little virtue of the circumstances of his exalted + birth. He was wont to address his father's memory with a sobriety that + lent to the fact of his illegitimacy a portentous air of seriousness, + and he made no secret of the fact that he was the friend and the + confidential correspondent of the present Earl of Clandennie. In his + intercourse with the several Colonial governors he assumed an attitude + of authority that only his lineage could have supported him in + maintaining, and, possessing a large and commanding presence, he bore + himself with a continent reserve that never failed to inspire with awe + those whom he saw fit to favor with his conversation. +</p> +<p> + This noble and distinguished gentleman possessed in a brother an exact + and perfect opposite to himself. Captain Obadiah Belford was a West + Indian, an inhabitant of Kingston in the island of Jamaica. He was a + cursing, swearing, hard-drinking renegado from virtue; an acknowledged + dealer in negro slaves, and reputed to have been a buccaneer, if not an + out-and-out pirate, such as then infested those tropical latitudes in + prodigious numbers. He was not unknown in New Hope, which he had + visited upon several occasions for a week or so at a time. During each + period he lodged with his brother, whose household he scandalized by + such freaks as smoking his pipe of tobacco in the parlor, offering + questionable pleasantries to the female servants, and cursing and + swearing in the hallways with a fecundity and an ingenuity that would + have put the most godless sailor about the docks to the blush. +</p> +<p> + Accordingly, it may then be supposed into what a dismay it threw + Colonel Belford when one fine day he received a letter from Captain + Obadiah, in which our West Indian desperado informed his brother that + he proposed quitting those torrid latitudes in which he had lived for + so long a time, and that he intended thenceforth to make his home in + New Hope. +</p> +<p> + Addressing Colonel Belford as "My dear Billy," he called upon that + gentleman to rejoice at this determination, and informed him that he + proposed in future to live "as decent a limb of grace as ever broke + loose from hell," and added that he was going to fetch as a present for + his niece Belinda a "dam pirty little black girl" to carry her + prayer-book to church for her. +</p> +<p> + Accordingly, one fine morning, in pursuance of this promise, our West + Indian suddenly appeared at New Hope with a prodigious quantity of + chests and travelling-cases, and with so vociferous an acclamation that + all the town knew of his arrival within a half-hour of that event. +</p> +<p> + When, however, he presented himself before Colonel Belford, it was to + meet with a welcome so frigid and an address so reserved that a douche + of cold water could not have quenched his verbosity more entirely. For + our great man had no notion to submit to the continued infliction of + the West Indian's presence. Accordingly, after the first words of + greeting had passed, he addressed Captain Obadiah in a strain somewhat + after this fashion: +</p> +<p> + "Indeed, I protest, my dear brother Obadiah, it is with the heartiest + regrets in the world that I find myself obliged to confess that I + cannot offer you a home with myself and my family. It is not alone that + your manners displease me—though, as an elder to a younger, I may say + to you that we of these more northern latitudes do not entertain the + same tastes in such particulars as doubtless obtain in the West Indies—but + the habits of my household are of such a nature that I could not + hope to form them to your liking. I can, however, offer as my advice + that you may find lodgings at the Blue Lion Tavern, which doubtless + will be of a sort exactly to fit your inclinations. I have made + inquiries, and I am sure you will find the very best apartments to be + obtained at that excellent hostelry placed at your disposal." +</p> +<p> + To this astounding address our West Indian could, for a moment, make no + other immediate reply than to open his eyes and to glare upon Colonel + Belford, so that, what with his tall, lean person, his long neck, his + stooping shoulders, and his yellow face stained upon one side an indigo + blue by some premature explosion of gunpowder—what with all this and a + prodigious hooked beak of a nose, he exactly resembled some hungry + predatory bird of prey meditating a pounce upon an unsuspecting victim. + At last, finding his voice, and rapping the ferrule of his ivory-headed + cane upon the floor to emphasize his declamation, he cried out: "What! + What! What! Is this the way to offer a welcome to a brother new + returned to your house? Why, —— ——! who are you? Am not I your + brother, who could buy you out twice over and have enough left to live + in velvet? Why! Why!—Very well, then, have it your own way; but if I + don't grind your face into the mud and roll you into the dirt my name + is not Obadiah Belford!" Thereupon, striving to say more but finding no + fit words for the occasion, he swung upon his heel and incontinently + departed, banging the door behind him like a clap of thunder, and + cursing and swearing so prodigiously as he strode away down the street + that an infernal from the pit could scarcely have exceeded the fury of + his maledictions. +</p> +<p> + However, he so far followed Colonel Belford's advice that he took up + his lodgings at the Blue Lion Tavern, where, in a little while, he had + gathered about him a court of all such as chose to take advantage of + his extravagant bounty. +</p> +<p> + Indeed, he poured out his money with incredible profusion, declaring, + with many ingenious and self-consuming oaths, that he could match + fortunes with the best two men in New Hope, and then have enough left + to buy up his brother from his hair to his boot-leathers. He made no + secret of the rebuff he had sustained from Colonel Belford, for his + grievance clung to him like hot pitch—itching the more he meddled with + it. Sometimes his fury was such that he could scarcely contain himself. + Upon such occasions, cursing and swearing like an infernal, he would + call Heaven to witness that he would live in New Hope if for no other + reason than to bring shame to his brother, and he would declare again + and again, with incredible variety of expletives, that he would grind + his brother's face into the dirt for him. +</p> +<a name="image-7"><!--IMG--></a> +<center> +<img src="008.jpg" height="547" width="773" +alt="'he Would Shout Opprobrious Words After the Other in The +Streets' +"> +</center> +<!--IMAGE END--> +<p> + Accordingly he set himself assiduously at work to tease and torment the + good man with every petty and malicious trick his malevolence could + invent. He would shout opprobrious words after the other in the + streets, to the entertainment of all who heard him; he would parade up + and down before Colonel Belford's house singing obstreperous and + unseemly songs at the top of his voice; he would even rattle the + ferrule of his cane against the palings of the fence, or throw a stone + at Madam Belford's cat in the wantonness of his malice. +</p> +<p> + Meantime he had purchased a considerable tract of land, embracing Pig + and Sow Point, and including the Old Free Grace Meeting-House. Here, he + declared, it was his intention to erect a house for himself that should + put his brother's wooden shed to shame. Accordingly he presently began + the erection of that edifice, so considerable in size and occupying so + commanding a situation that it was the admiration of all those parts, + and was known to fame as Belford's Palace. This magnificent residence + was built entirely of brick, and Captain Obadiah made it a boast that + the material therefor was brought all the way around from New York in + flats. In the erection of this elegant structure all the carpenters and + masons in the vicinage were employed, so that it grew up with an + amazing rapidity. Meantime, upon the site of the building, rum and + Hollands were kept upon draught for all comers, so that the place was + made the common resort and the scene for the orgies of all such of the + common people as possessed a taste for strong waters, many coming from + so far away as Newport to enjoy our Captain's prodigality. +</p> +<p> + Meantime he himself strutted about the streets in his red coat trimmed + with gilt braid, his hat cocked upon one side of his bony head, + pleasing himself with the belief that he was the object of universal + admiration, and swelling with a vast and consummate self-satisfaction + as he boasted, with strident voice and extravagant enunciation, of the + magnificence of the palace he was building. +</p> +<p> + At the same time, having, as he said, shingles to spare, he patched and + repaired the Old Free Grace Meeting-House, so that its gray and hoary + exterior, while rejuvenated as to the roof and walls, presented in a + little while an appearance as of a sudden eruption of bright yellow + shingles upon its aged hide. Nor would our Captain offer any other + explanation for so odd a freak of fancy than to say that it pleased him + to do as he chose with his own. +</p> +<p> + At last, the great house having been completed, and he himself having + entered into it and furnished it to his satisfaction, our Captain + presently began entertaining his friends therein with a profuseness of + expenditure and an excess of extravagance that were the continued + admiration of the whole colony. In more part the guests whom Captain + Obadiah thus received with so lavish an indulgence were officers or + government officials from the garrisons of Newport or of Boston, with + whom, by some means or other, he had scraped an acquaintance. At times + these gay gentlemen would fairly take possession of the town, parading + up and down the street under conduct of their host, staring ladies out + of countenance with the utmost coolness and effrontery, and offering + loud and critical remarks concerning all that they beheld about them, + expressing their opinions with the greatest freedom and jocularity. +</p> +<p> + Nor were the orgies at Belford's Palace limited to such extravagances + as gaming and dicing and drinking, for sometimes the community would be + scandalized by the presence of gayly dressed and high-colored ladies, + who came, no one knew whence, to enjoy the convivialities at the great + house on the hill, and concerning whom it pleased the respectable folk + of New Hope to entertain the gravest suspicion. +</p> +<p> + At first these things raised such a smoke that nothing else was to be + seen, but by-and-by other strange and singular circumstances began to + be spoken of—at first among the common people, and then by others. It + began to be whispered and then to be said that the Old Free Grace + Meeting-House out on the Point was haunted by the Devil. +</p> +<p> + The first information concerning this dreadful obsession arose from a + fisherman, who, coming into the harbor of a nightfall after a stormy + day, had, as he affirmed, beheld the old meeting-house all of a blaze + of light. Some time after, a tinker, making a short-cut from Stapleton + by way of the old Indian road, had a view of a similar but a much more + remarkable manifestation. This time, as the itinerant most solemnly + declared, the meeting-house was not only seen all alight, but a bell + was ringing as a signal somewhere off across the darkness of the water, + where, as he protested, there suddenly appeared a red star, that, + blazing like a meteor with a surpassing brightness for a few seconds, + was presently swallowed up into inky darkness again. Upon another + occasion a fiddler, returning home after midnight from Sprowle's Neck, + seeing the church alight, had, with a temerity inflamed by rum, + approached to a nearer distance, whence, lying in the grass, he had, he + said, at the stroke of midnight, beheld a multitude of figures emerge + from the building, crying most dolorously, and then had heard a voice, + as of a lost spirit, calling aloud, "Six-and-twenty, all told!" whereat + the light in the church was instantly extinguished into an impenetrable + darkness. +</p> +<p> + It was said that when Captain Obadiah himself was first apprised of the + suspicions entertained of the demoniacal possession of the old + meeting-house, he had fixed upon his venturesome informant so threatening + and ominous a gaze that the other could move neither hand nor foot under + the malignant fury of his observation. Then, at last, clearing his + countenance of its terrors, he had burst into a great, loud laugh, + crying out: "Well, what then? Why not? You must know that the Devil and + I have been very good friends in times past. I saw a deal of him in the + West Indies, and I must tell you that I built up the old meeting-house + again so that he and I could talk together now and then about old times + without having a lot of ——, dried, codfish-eating, rum-drinking + Yankee bacon-chewers to listen to every word we had to say to each + other. If you must know, it was only last night that the ghost of + Jezebel and I danced a fandango together in the graveyard up yonder, + while the Devil himself sat cross-legged on old Daniel Root's tombstone + and blew on a dry, dusty shank-bone by way of a flute. And now" (here + he swore a terrific oath) "you know the worst that is to be known, with + only this to say: if ever a man sets foot upon Pig and Sow Point again + after nightfall to interfere with the Devil's sport and mine, hell + suffer for it as sure as fire can burn or brimstone can scorch. So put + that in your pipe and smoke it." +</p> +<p> + These terrible words, however extravagant, were, to be sure, in the + nature of a direct confirmation of the very worst suspicion that could + have been entertained concerning this dolorous affair. But if any + further doubt lingered as to the significance of such malevolent + rumors, Captain Obadiah himself soon put an end to the same. +</p> +<p> + The Reverend Josiah Pettibones was used of a Saturday to take supper at + Colonel Belford's elegant residence. It was upon such an occasion and + the reverend gentleman and his honored host were smoking a pipe of + tobacco together in the library, when there fell a loud and importunate + knocking at the house door, and presently the servant came ushering no + less a personage than Captain Obadiah himself. After directing a most + cunning, mischievous look at his brother, Captain Obadiah addressed + himself directly to the Reverend Mr. Pettibones, folding his hands with + a most indescribable air of mock humility. "Sir," says he—"Reverend + sir, you see before you a humble and penitent sinner, who has fallen so + desperately deep into iniquities that he knows not whether even so + profound piety as yours can elevate him out of the pit in which he + finds himself. Sir, it has got about the town that the Devil has taken + possession of my old meeting-house, and, alas! I have to confess—<i>that + it is the truth</i>." Here our Captain hung his head down upon his breast + as though overwhelmed with the terrible communication he had made. +</p> +<p> + "What is this that I hear?" cried the reverend gentleman. "Can I + believe my ears?" +</p> +<p> + "Believe your ears!" exclaimed Colonel Belford. "To be sure you cannot + believe your ears. Do you not see that this is a preposterous lie, and + that he is telling it to you to tease and to mortify me?" +</p> +<p> + At this Captain Obadiah favored his brother with a look of exaggerated + and sanctimonious humility. "Alas, brother," he cried out, "for + accusing me so unjustly! Fie upon you! Would you check a penitent in + his confession? But you must know that it is to this gentleman that I + address myself, and not to you." Then directing his discourse once more + to the Reverend Mr. Pettibones, he resumed his address thus: "Sir, you + must know that while I was in the West Indies I embarked, among other + things, in one of those ventures against the Spanish Main of which you + may have heard." +</p> +<p> + "Do you mean piracy?" asked the Reverend Pettibones; and Captain + Obadiah nodded his head. +</p> +<p> + "'Tis a lie!" cried Colonel Belford, smacking his hand upon the table. + "He never possessed spirit enough for anything so dangerous as piracy + or more mischievous than slave-trading." +</p> +<p> + "Sir," quoth Captain Obadiah to the reverend gentleman, "again I say + 'tis to you I address my confession. Well, sir, one day we sighted a + Spanish caravel very rich ladened with a prodigious quantity of plate, + but were without so much as a capful of wind to fetch us up with her. + 'I would,' says I, 'offer the Devil my soul for a bit of a breeze to + bring us alongside.' 'Done,' says a voice beside me, and—alas that I + must confess it!—there I saw a man with a very dark countenance, whom + I had never before beheld aboard of our ship. 'Sign this,' says he, + 'and the breeze is yours!' 'What is it upon the pen?' says I. "'Tis + blood,' says he. Alas, sir! what was a poor wretch so tempted as I to + do?" +</p> +<p> + "And did you sign?" asked Mr. Pettibones, all agog to hear the + conclusion of so strange a narration. +</p> +<p> + "Woe is me, sir, that I should have done so!" quoth Captain Obadiah, + rolling his eyes until little but the whites of them were to be seen. +</p> +<p> + "And did you catch the Spanish ship?" +</p> +<p> + "That we did, sir, and stripped her as clean as a whistle." +</p> +<p> + "'Tis all a prodigious lie!" cried Colonel Belford, in a fury. "Sir, + can you sit so complacently and be made a fool of by so extravagant a + fable?" +</p> +<p> + "Indeed it is unbelievable," said Mr. Pettibones. +</p> +<p> + At this faint reply, Captain Obadiah burst out laughing; then renewing + his narrative—"Indeed, sir," he declared, "you may believe me or not, + as you please. Nevertheless, I may tell you that, having so obtained my + prize, and having time to think coolly over the bargain I had made, I + says to myself, says I: 'Obediah Belford! Obadiah Belford, here is a + pretty pickle you are in. 'Tis time you quit these parts and lived + decent, or else you are damned to all eternity.' And so I came hither + to New Hope, reverend sir, hoping to end my days in quiet. Alas, sir! + would you believe it? scarce had I finished my fine new house up at the + Point when hither comes that evil being to whom I had sold my sorrowful + soul. 'Obadiah,' says he, 'Obadiah Belford, I have a mind to live in + New Hope also,' 'Where?' says I. 'Well,' says he, 'you may patch up the + old meetinghouse; 'twill serve my turn for a while.' 'Well,' thinks I + to myself, 'there can be no harm in that,' And so I did as he bade me— + and would not you do as much for one who had served you as well? Alas, + your reverence! there he is now, and I cannot get rid of him, and 'tis + over the whole town that he has the meeting-house in possession." +</p> +<p> + "Tis an incredible story!" cried the Reverend Pettibones. +</p> +<p> + "'Tis a lie from beginning to end!" cried the Colonel. +</p> +<p> + "And now how shall I get myself out of my pickle?" asked Captain + Obadiah. +</p> +<p> + "Sir," said Mr. Pettibones, "if what you tell me is true, 'tis beyond + my poor powers to aid you." +</p> +<p> + "Alas!" cried Captain Obadiah. "Alas! alas! Then, indeed, I'm damned!" + And therewith flinging his arms into the air as though in the extremity + of despair, he turned and incontinently departed, rushing forth out of + the house as though stung by ten thousand furies. +</p> +<p> + It was the most prodigious piece of gossip that ever fell in the way of + the Reverend Josiah, and for a fortnight he carried it with him + wherever he went. "'Twas the most unbelievable tale I ever heard," he + would cry. "And yet where there is so much smoke there must be some + fire. As for the poor wretch, if ever I saw a lost soul I beheld him + standing before me there in Colonel Belford's library." And then he + would conclude: "Yes, yes, 'tis incredible and past all belief. But if + it be true in ever so little a part, why, then there is justice in + this—that the Devil should take possession of the sanctuary of that + very heresy that would not only have denied him the power that every + other Christian belief assigns to him, but would have destroyed that + infernal habitation that hath been his dwelling-place for all + eternity." +</p> +<p> + As for Captain Belford, if he desired privacy for himself upon Pig and + Sow Point, he had taken the very best means to prevent the curious from + spying upon him there after nightfall. +</p> +<center> + II +</center> +<center> + HOW THE DEVIL STOLE THE COLLECTOR'S SNUFFBOX +</center> +<p> + Lieutenant Thomas Goodhouse was the Collector of Customs in the town of + New Hope. He was a character of no little notoriety in those parts, + enjoying the reputation of being able to consume more pineapple rum + with less effect upon his balance than any other man in the community. + He possessed the voice of a stentor, a short, thick-set, + broad-shouldered person, a face congested to a violent carnation, and red + hair of such a color as to add infinitely to the consuming fire of his + countenance. +</p> +<p> + The Custom Office was a little white frame building with green + shutters, and overhanging the water as though to topple into the tide. + Here at any time of the day betwixt the hours of ten in the morning and + of five in the afternoon the Collector was to be found at his desk + smoking his pipe of tobacco, the while a thin, phthisical clerk bent + with unrelaxing assiduity over a multitude of account-books and papers + accumulated before him. +</p> +<p> + For his post of Collectorship of the Royal Customs, Lieutenant + Goodhouse was especially indebted to the patronage of Colonel Belford. + The worthy Collector had, some years before, come to that gentleman + with a written recommendation from the Earl of Clandennie of a very + unusual sort. It was the Lieutenant's good-fortune to save the life of + the Honorable Frederick Dunburne, second son of the Earl—a wild, + rakish, undisciplined youth, much given to such mischievous enterprises + as the twisting off of door-knockers, the beating of the watch, and the + carrying away of tavern signs. +</p> +<p> + Having been a very famous swimmer at Eton, the Honorable Frederick + undertook while at the Cowes to swim a certain considerable distance + for a wager. In the midst of this enterprise he was suddenly seized + with a cramp, and would inevitably have drowned had not the Lieutenant, + who happened in a boat close at hand, leaped overboard and rescued the + young gentleman from the watery grave in which he was about to be + engulfed, thus restoring him once more to the arms of his grateful + family. +</p> +<p> + For this fortunate act of rescue the Earl of Clandennie presented to + his son's preserver a gold snuffbox filled with guineas, and inscribed + with the following legend: +</p> +<p> + "To Lieutenant Thomas Goodhouse, + who, under the Ruling of Beneficent Providence, + was the Happy Preserver of a Beautiful and + Precious Life of Virtuous Precocity, + this Box is presented by the Father of Him whom He + saved as a grateful acknowledgment of His + Services. +</p> +<p> + Thomas Monkhouse Dunburne, Viscount of + Dunburne and Earl of Clandennie. +</p> +<p> + <i>August 17, 1752.</i>" +</p> +<p> + Having thus satisfied the immediate demands of his gratitude, it is + very possible that the Earl of Clandennie did not choose to assume so + great a responsibility as the future of his son's preserver entailed. + Nevertheless, feeling that something should be done for him, he + obtained for Lieutenant Goodhouse a passage to the Americas, and wrote + him a strong letter of recommendation to Colonel Belford. That + gentleman, desiring to please the legitimate head of his family, used + his influence so successfully that the Lieutenant was presently granted + the position of Collector of Customs in the place of Captain Maull, who + had lately deceased. +</p> +<p> + The Lieutenant, somewhat to the surprise of his patrons, filled his new + official position as Collector not only with vigor, but with a not + unbecoming dignity. He possessed an infinite appreciation of the + responsibilities of his office, and he was more jealous to collect + every farthing of the royal duties than he would have been had those + moneys been gathered for his own emolument. +</p> +<p> + Under the old Collectorship of Captain Maull, it was no unusual thing + for a barraco of superfine Hollands, a bolt of silk cloth, or a keg of + brandy to find its way into the house of some influential merchant or + Colonial dignitary. But in no such manner was Lieutenant Goodhouse + derelict in his duties. He would have sacrificed his dearest friendship + or his most precious attachment rather than fail in his duties to the + Crown. In the intermission of his duties it might please him to relax + into the softer humors of conviviality, but at ten o'clock in the + morning, whatever his condition of sobriety, he assumed at once all the + sterner panoply of a Collector of the Royal Customs. +</p> +<p> + Thus he set his virtues against his vices, and struck an even balance + between them. When most unsteady upon his legs he most asserted his + integrity, declaring that not a gill or a thread came into his port + without paying its duty, and calling Heaven to witness that it had been + his hand that had saved the life of a noble young gentleman. Thereupon, + perhaps, drawing forth the gleaming token of his prowess—the gold + snuffbox—from his breeches-pocket, and holding it tight in his brown + and hairy fist, he would first offer his interlocutor a pinch of + rappee, and would then call upon him to read the inscription engraved + upon the lid of the case, demanding to know whether it mattered a fig + if a man did drink a drop too much now and then, provided he collected + every farthing of the royal revenues, and had been the means of saving + the son of the Earl of Clandennie. +</p> +<p> + Never for an instant upon such an occasion would he permit his precious + box to quit his possession. It was to him an emblem of those virtues + that no one knew but himself, wherefore the more he misdoubted his own + virtuousness the more valuable did the token of that rectitude become + in his eyes. "Yes, you may look at it," he would say, "but damme if you + shall handle it. I would not," he would cry, "let the Devil himself + take it out of my hands." +</p> +<p> + The talk concerning the impious possession of the Old Free Grace + Meeting-House was at its height when the official consciousness of the + Collector, who was just then laboring under his constitutional + infirmity, became suddenly seized with an irrepressible alarm. He + declared that he smoked something worse than the Devil upon Pig and Sow + Point, and protested that it was his opinion that Captain Obadiah was + doing a bit of free-trade upon his own account, and that dutiable goods + were being smuggled in at night under cover of these incredible + stories. He registered a vow, sealing it with the most solemn + protestations, and with a multiplicity of ingenious oaths that only a + mind stimulated by the heat of intoxication could have invented, that + he would make it his business, upon the first occasion that offered, to + go down to Pig and Sow Point and to discover for himself whether it was + the Devil or smugglers that had taken possession of the Old Free Grace + Meeting-House. Thereupon, hauling out his precious snuffbox and rapping + upon the lid, he offered a pinch around. Then calling attention to the + inscription, he demanded to know whether a man who had behaved so well + upon that occasion had need to be afraid of a whole churchful of + devils. "I would," he cried, "offer the Devil a pinch, as I have + offered it to you. Then I would bid him read this and tell me whether + he dared to say that black was the white of my eye." +</p> +<p> + Nor were those words a vain boast upon the Collector's part, for, + before a week had passed, it being reported that there had been a + renewal of manifestations at the old church, the Collector, finding + nobody with sufficient courage to accompany him, himself entered into a + small boat and rowed down alone to Pig and Sow Point to investigate, + for his own satisfaction, those appearances that so agitated the + community. +</p> +<p> + It was dusk when the Collector departed upon that memorable and + solitary expedition, and it was entirely dark before he had reached its + conclusion. He had taken with him a bottle of Extra Reserve rum to + drive, as he declared, the chill out of his bones. Accordingly it + seemed to him to be a surprisingly brief interval before he found + himself floating in his boat under the impenetrable shadow of the rocky + promontory. The profound and infinite gloom of night overhung him with + a portentous darkness, melting only into a liquid obscurity as it + touched and dissolved into the stretch of waters across the bay. But + above, on the high and rugged shoulder of the Point, the Collector, + with dulled and swimming vision, beheld a row of dim and lurid lights, + whereupon, collecting his faculties, he opined that the radiance he + beheld was emitted from the windows of the Old Free Grace + Meeting-House. +</p> +<p> + Having made fast his boat with a drunken gravity, the Collector walked + directly, though with uncertain steps, up the steep and rugged path + towards that mysterious illumination. Now and then he stumbled over the + stones and cobbles that lay in his way, but he never quite lost his + balance, neither did he for a moment remit his drunken gravity. So with + a befuddled and obstinate perseverance he reached at last to the + conclusion of his adventure and of his fate. +</p> +<p> + The old meeting-house was two stories in height, the lower story having + been formerly used by the Free Grace Believers as a place wherein to + celebrate certain obscure mysteries appertaining to their belief. The + upper story, devoted to the more ordinary worship of their Sunday + meetings, was reached by a tall, steep flight of steps that led from + the ground to a covered porch which sheltered the doorway. +</p> +<p> + The Collector paused only long enough to observe that the shutters of + the lower story were tight shut and barred, and that the dull and lurid + light shone from the windows above. Then he directly mounted the steps + with a courage and a perfect assurance that can only be entirely + enjoyed by one in his peculiar condition of inebriety. +</p> +<p> + He paused to knock at the door, and it appeared to him that his + knuckles had hardly fallen upon the panel before the valve was flung + suddenly open. An indescribable and heavy odor fell upon him and for + the moment overpowered his senses, and he found himself standing face + to face with a figure prodigiously and portentously tall. +</p> +<p> + Even at this unexpected apparition the Collector lost possession of no + part of his courage. Rather he stiffened himself to a more stubborn and + obstinate resolution. Steadying himself for his address, "I know very + well," quoth he, "who you are. You are the Divil, I dare say, but damme + if you shall do business here without paying your duties to King + George. I may drink a drop too much," he cried, "but I collect my + duties—every farthing of 'em." Then drawing forth his snuffbox, he + thrust it under the nose of the being to whom he spake. "Take a pinch + and read that," he roared, "but don't handle it, for I wouldn't take + all hell to let it out of my hand." +</p> +<p> + The being whom he addressed had stood for all this while as though + bereft of speech and of movement, but at these last words he appeared + to find his voice, for he gave forth a strident bellow of so dreadful + and terrible a sort that the Collector, brave as he found himself, + stepped back a pace or two before it. The next instant he was struck + upon the wrist as though by a bolt of lightning, and the snuffbox, + describing a yellow circle against the light of the door, disappeared + into the darkness of the night beyond. Ere he could recover himself + another blow smote him upon the breast, and he fell headlong from the + platform, as through infinite space. +</p> +<hr> +<p> + The next day the Collector did not present himself at the office at his + accustomed hour, and the morning wore along without his appearing at + his desk. By noon serious alarm began to take possession of the + community, and about two o'clock, the tide being then set out pretty + strong, Mr. Tompkins, the consumptive clerk, and two sailors from the + <i>Sarah Goodrich</i>, then lying at Mr. Hoppins's wharf, went down in a + yawl-boat to learn, if possible, what had befallen him. They coasted + along the Point for above a half-hour before they discovered any + vestige of the missing Collector. Then at last they saw him lying at a + little distance upon a cobbled strip of beach, where, judging from his + position and from the way he had composed himself to rest, he appeared + to have been overcome by liquor. +</p> +<p> + At this place Mr. Tompkins put ashore, and making the best of his way + over the slippery stones exposed at low water, came at last to where + his chief was lying. The Collector was reposing with one arm over his + eyes, as though to shelter them from the sun, but as soon as Mr. + Tompkins had approached close enough to see his countenance, he uttered + a great cry that was like a scream. For, by the blue and livid lips + parted at the corners to show the yellow teeth, from the waxy whiteness + of the fat and hairy hands—in short, from the appearance of the whole + figure, he was aware in an instant that the Collector was dead. +</p> +<p> + His cry brought the two sailors running. They, with the utmost coolness + imaginable, turned the Collector over, but discovered no marks of + violence upon him, till of a sudden one of them called attention to the + fact that his neck was broke. Upon this the other opined that he had + fallen among the rocks and twisted his neck. +</p> +<p> + The two mariners then made an investigation of his pockets, the clerk + standing by the while paralyzed with horror, his face the color of + dough, his scalp creeping, and his hands and fingers twitching as + though with the palsy. For there was something indescribably dreadful + in the spectacle of those living hands searching into the dead's + pockets, and he would freely have given a week's pay if he had never + embarked upon the expedition for the recovery of his chief. +</p> +<p> + In the Collector's pockets they found a twist of tobacco, a red + bandanna handkerchief of violent color, a purse meagrely filled with + copper coins and silver pieces, a silver watch still ticking with a + loud and insistent iteration, a piece of tarred string, and a + clasp-knife. +</p> +<p> + The snuffbox which the Lieutenant had regarded with such prodigious + pride as the one emblem of his otherwise dubious virtue was gone. +</p> +<center> + III +</center> +<center> + THE STRANGE ADVENTURES OF A YOUNG GENTLEMAN OF QUALITY +</center> +<p> + The Honorable Frederick Dunburne, second son of the Earl of Clandennie, + having won some six hundred pounds at écarté at a single sitting at + Pintzennelli's, embarked with his two friends, Captain Blessington and + Lord George Fitzhope, to conclude the night with a round of final + dissipation in the more remote parts of London. Accordingly they + embarked at York Stairs for the Three Cranes, ripe for any mischief. + Upon the water the three young gentlemen amused themselves by shouting + and singing, pausing only now and then to discharge a broadside of + raillery at the occupants of some other and passing boat. +</p> +<p> + All went very well for a while, some of those in the passing boats + laughing and railing in return, others shouting out angry replies. At + last they fell in with a broad-beamed, flat-nosed, Dutch-appearing + yawl-boat, pulling heavily up against the stream, and loaded with a + crew of half-drunken sailors just come into port. In reply to the + challenge of our young gentlemen, a man in the stern of the other boat, + who appeared to be the captain of the crew—a fellow, as Dunburne could + indefinitely perceive by the dim light of the lanthorn and the faint + illumination of the misty half-moon, possessing a great, coarse red + face and a bullet head surmounted by a mildewed and mangy fur cap— + bawled out, in reply, that if they would only put their boat near + enough for a minute or two he would give them a bellyful of something + that would make them quiet for the rest of the night. He added that he + would ask for nothing better than to have the opportunity of beating + Dunburne's head to a pudding, and that he would give a crown to have + the three of them within arm's-reach for a minute. +</p> +<p> + Upon this Captain Blessington swore that he should be immediately + accommodated, and therewith delivered an order to that effect to the + watermen. These obeyed so promptly that almost before Dunburne was + aware of what had happened the two boats were side by side, with hardly + a foot of space between the gunwales. Dunburne beheld one of the + watermen of his own boat knock down one of the crew of the other with + the blade of an oar, and then he himself was clutched by the collar in + the grasp of the man with the fur cap. Him Dunburne struck twice in the + face, and in the moonlight he saw that he had started the blood to + running down from his assailant's nose. But his blows produced no other + effect than to call forth a volley of the most horrible oaths that ever + greeted his ears. Thereupon the boats drifted so far apart that our + young gentleman was haled over the gunwale and soused in the cold water + of the river. The next moment some one struck him upon the head with a + belaying-pin or a billet of wood, a blow so crushing that the darkness + seemed to split asunder with a prodigious flaming of lights and a + myriad of circling stars, which presently disappeared into the profound + and utter darkness of insensibility. How long this swoon continued our + young gentleman could never tell, but when he regained so much of his + consciousness as to be aware of the things about him, he beheld himself + to be confined in a room, the walls whereof were yellow and greasy with + dirt, he himself having been laid upon a bed so foul and so displeasing + to his taste that he could not but regret the swoon from which he had + emerged into consciousness. Looking down at his person, he beheld that + his clothes had all been taken away from him, and that he was now clad + in a shirt with only one sleeve, and a pair of breeches so tattered + that they barely covered his nakedness. While he lay thus, dismally + depressed by so sad a pickle as that into which he found himself + plunged, he was strongly and painfully aware of an uproarious babble of + loud and drunken voices and a continual clinking of glasses, which + appeared to sound as from a tap-room beneath, these commingled now and + then with oaths and scraps of discordant song bellowed out above the + hubbub. His wounded head beat with tremendous and straining + painfulness, as though it would burst asunder, and he was possessed by + a burning thirst that seemed to consume his very vitals. He called + aloud, and in reply a fat, one-eyed woman came, fetching him something + to drink in a cup. This he swallowed with avidity, and thereupon (the + liquor perhaps having been drugged) he dropped off into unconsciousness + once more. +</p> +<p> + When at last he emerged for a second time into the light of reason, it + was to find himself aboard a brig—the <i>Prophet Daniel</i>, he discovered + her name to be—bound for Baltimore, in the Americas, and then pitching + and plunging upon a westerly running stern-sea, and before a strong + wind that drove the vessel with enormous velocity upon its course for + those remote and unknown countries for which it was bound. The land was + still in sight both astern and abeam, but before him lay the boundless + and tremendously infinite stretch of the ocean. Dunburne found himself + still to be clad in the one-armed shirt and tattered breeches that had + adorned him in the house of the crimp in which he had first awakened. + Now, however, an old tattered hat with only a part of the crown had + been added to his costume. As though to complete the sad disorder of + his appearance, he discovered, upon passing his hand over his + countenance, that his beard and hair had started a bristling growth, + and that the lump on his crown—which was even yet as big as a walnut— + was still patched with pieces of dirty sticking-plaster. Indeed, had he + but known it, he presented as miserable an appearance as the most + miserable of those wretches who were daily ravished from the slums and + streets of the great cities to be shipped to the Americas. Nor was he a + long time in discovering that he was now one of the several such + indentured servants who, upon the conclusion of their voyage, were to + be sold for their passage in the plantations of Maryland. +</p> +<p> + Having learned so much of his miserable fate, and being now able to + make shift to walk (though with weak and stumbling steps), our young + gentleman lost no time in seeking the Captain, to whom he endeavored to + explain the several accidents that had befallen him, acknowledging that + he was the second son of the Earl of Clandennie, and declaring that if + he, the Captain, would put the <i>Prophet Daniel</i> back into some English + port again, his lordship would make it well worth his while to lose so + much time for the sake of one so dear as a second son. To this address + the Captain, supposing him either to be drunk or disordered in his + mind, made no other reply than to knock him incontinently down upon the + deck, bidding him return forward where he belonged. +</p> +<p> + Thereafter poor Dunburne found himself enjoying the reputation of a + harmless madman. The name of the Earl of Rags was bestowed upon him, + and the miserable companions of his wretched plight were never tired of + tempting him to recount his adventures, for the sake of entertaining + themselves by teasing that which they supposed to be his hapless mania. +</p> +<p> + Nor is it easy to conceive of all the torments that those miserable, + obscene wretches were able to inflict upon him. Under the teasing sting + of his companions' malevolent pleasantries, there were times when + Dunburne might, as he confessed to himself, have committed a murder + with the greatest satisfaction in the world. However, he was endowed + with no small command of self-restraint, so that he was still able to + curb his passions within the bounds of reason and of policy. He was, + fortunately, a complete master of the French and Italian languages, so + that when the fury of his irritation would become too excessive for him + to control, he would ease his spirits by castigating his tormentors + with a consuming verbosity in those foreign tongues, which, had his + companions understood a single word of that which he uttered, would + have earned for him a beating that would have landed him within an inch + of his life. However, they attributed all that he said to the + irrational gibbering of a maniac. +</p> +<p> + About midway of their voyage the <i>Prophet Daniel</i> encountered a + tremendous storm, which drove her so far out of the Captain's reckoning + that when land was sighted, in the afternoon of a tempestuous day in + the latter part of August, the first mate, who had been for some years + in the New England trade, opined that it was the coast of Rhode Island, + and that if the Captain chose to do so he might run into New Hope + Harbor and lie there until the southeaster had blown itself out. This + advice the Captain immediately put into execution, so that by nightfall + they had dropped anchor in the comparative quiet of that excellent + harbor. +</p> +<p> + Dunburne was a most excellent and practised swimmer. That evening, when + the dusk had pretty well fallen, he jumped overboard, dived under the + brig, and came up on the other side. Thus leaving all hands aboard + looking for him or for his dead body at the starboard side of the + <i>Prophet Daniel</i>, he himself swam slowly away to the larboard. Now + partly under water, now floating on his back, he directed his course + towards a point of land about a mile away, whereon, as he had observed + before the dark had settled down, there stood an old wooden building + resembling a church, and a great brick house with tall, lean chimneys + at a little farther distance inland. +</p> +<p> + The intemperate cold of the water of those parts of America was so much + more excessive than Dunburne had been used to swim in that when he + dragged himself out upon the rocky, bowlder-strewn beach he lay for a + considerable time more dead than alive. His limbs appeared to possess + hardly any vitality, so benumbed were they by the icy chill that had + entered into the very marrow of his bones. Nor did he for a long while + recover from this excessive rigor; his limbs still continued at + intervals to twitch and shudder as with a convulsion, nor could he at + such times at all control their trembling. At last, however, with a + huge sigh, he aroused himself to some perception of his surroundings, + which he acknowledged were of as dispiriting a sort as he could well + have conceived of. His recovering senses were distracted by a ceaseless + watery din, for the breaking waves, rushing with a prodigious swiftness + from the harbor to the shore before the driving wind, fell with + uproarious crashing into white foam among the rocks. Above this watery + tumult spread the wet gloom of the night, full of the blackness and + pelting chill of a fine slanting rain. +</p> +<p> + Through this shroud of mist and gloom Dunburne at last distinguished a + faint light, blurred by the sheets of rain and darkness, and shining as + though from a considerable distance. Cheered by this nearer presence of + human life, our young gentleman presently gathered his benumbed powers + together, arose, and after a while began slowly and feebly to climb a + stony hill that lay between the rocky beach and that faint but + encouraging illumination. +</p> +<p> + So, sorely buffeted by the tempest, he at last reached the black, + square form of that structure from which the light shone. The building + he perceived to be a little wooden church of two stories in height. The + shutters of the lower story were tight fastened, as though bolted from + within. Those above were open, and from them issued the light that had + guided him in his approach from the beach. A tall flight of wooden + steps, wet in the rain, reached to a small, enclosed porch or + vestibule, whence a door, now tight shut, gave ingress into the second + story of the church. +</p> +<p> + Thence, as Dunburne stood without, he could now distinguish the dull + muttering of a man's voice, which he opined might be that of the + preacher. Our young gentleman, as may be supposed, was in a wretched + plight. He was ragged and unshaven; his only clothing was the miserable + shirt and bepatched breeches that had served him as shelter throughout + the long voyage. These abominable garments were now wet to the skin, + and so displeasing was his appearance that he was forced to acknowledge + to himself that he did not possess enough of humility to avow so great + a misery to the light and to the eyes of strangers. Accordingly, + finding some shelter afforded by the vestibule of the church, he + crouched there in a corner, huddling his rags about him, and finding a + certain poor warmth in thus hiding away from the buffeting of the chill + and penetrating wind. As he so crouched he presently became aware of + the sound of many voices, dull and groaning, coming from within the + edifice, and then—now and again—the clanking as of a multitude of + chains. Then of a sudden, and unexpectedly, the door near him was flung + wide open, and a faint glow of reddish light fell across the passage. + Instantly the figure of a man came forth, and following him came, not a + congregation, as Dunburne might have supposed, but a most dolorous + company of nearly, or quite, naked men and women, outlined blackly, as + they emerged, against the dull illumination from behind. These wretched + beings, sighing and groaning most piteously, with a monotonous wailing + of many voices, were chained by the wrist, two and two together, and as + they passed by close to Dunburne, his nostrils were overpowered by a + heavy and fetid odor that came partly from within the building, partly + from the wretched creatures that passed him by. +</p> +<p> + As the last of these miserable beings came forth from the bowels of + that dreadful place, a loud voice, so near to Dunburne as to startle + his ears with its sudden exclamation, cried out, "Six-and-twenty, all + told," and thereat instantly the dull light from within was quenched + into darkness. +</p> +<p> + In the gloom and the silence that followed, Dunburne could hear for a + while nothing but the dash of the rain upon the roof and the ceaseless + drip and trickle of the water running from the eaves into the puddles + beneath the building. +</p> +<p> + Then, as he stood, still marvelling at what he had seen, there suddenly + came a loud and startling crash, as of a trap-door let fall into its + place. A faint circle of light shone within the darkness of the + building, as though from a lantern carried in a man's hands. There was + a sound of jingling, as of keys, of approaching footsteps, and of + voices talking together, and presently there came out into the + vestibule the dark figures of two men, one of them carrying a ship's + lantern. One of these figures closed and locked the door behind him, + and then both were about to turn away without having observed Dunburne, + when, of a sudden, a circle from the roof of the lantern lit up his + pale and melancholy face, and he instantly became aware that his + presence had been discovered. +</p> +<p> + The next moment the lantern was flung up almost into his eyes, and in + the light he saw the sharp, round rim of a pistol-barrel directed + immediately against his forehead. +</p> +<p> + In that moment our young gentleman's life hung as a hair in the + balance. In the intense instant of expectancy his brain appeared to + expand as a bubble, and his ears tingled and hummed as though a cloud + of flies were buzzing therein. Then suddenly a voice smote like a blow + upon the silence—"Who are you, and what d'ye want?" +</p> +<p> + "Indeed," said Dunburne, "I do not know." +</p> +<p> + "What do you do here?" +</p> +<p> + "Nor do I know that, either." +</p> +<p> + He who held the lantern lifted it so that the illumination fell still + more fully upon Dunburne's face and person. Then his interlocutor + demanded, "How did you come here?" +</p> +<p> + Upon the moment Dunburne determined to answer so much of the truth as + the question required. "'Twas by no fault of my own," he cried. "I was + knocked on the head and kidnapped in England, with the design of being + sold in Baltimore. The vessel that fetched me put into the harbor over + yonder to wait for good weather, and I jumped overboard and swam + ashore, to stumble into the cursed pickle in which I now find myself." +</p> +<p> + "Have you, then, an education? To be sure, you talk so." +</p> +<p> + "Indeed I have," said Dunburne—"a decent enough education to fit me + for a gentleman, if the opportunity offered. But what of that?" he + exclaimed, desperately. "I might as well have no more learning than a + beggar under the bush, for all the good it does me." The other once + more flashed the light of his lantern over our young gentleman's + miserable and barefoot figure. "I had a mind," says he, "to blow your + brains out against the wall. I have a notion now, however, to turn you + to some use instead, so I'll just spare your life for a little while, + till I see how you behave." +</p> +<p> + He spoke with so much more of jocularity than he had heretofore used + that Dunburne recovered in great part his dawning assurance. "I am + infinitely obliged to you," he cried, "for sparing my brains; but I + protest I doubt if you will ever find so good an opportunity again to + murder me as you have just enjoyed." +</p> +<p> + This speech seemed to tickle the other prodigiously, for he burst into + a loud and boisterous laugh, under cover of which he thrust his pistol + back into his coat-pocket again. "Come with me, and I'll fit you with + victuals and decent clothes, of both of which you appear to stand in no + little need," he said. Thereupon, and without another word, he turned + and quitted the place, accompanied by his companion, who for all this + time had uttered not a single sound. A little way from the church these + two parted company, with only a brief word spoken between them. +</p> +<p> + Dunburne's interlocutor, with our young gentleman following close + behind him, led the way in silence for a considerable distance through + the long, wet grass and the tempestuous darkness, until at last, still + in unbroken silence, they reached the confines of an enclosure, and + presently stood before a large and imposing house built of brick. +</p> +<p> + Dunburne's mysterious guide, still carrying the lantern, conducted him + directly up a broad flight of steps, and opening the door, ushered him + into a hallway of no inconsiderable pretensions. Thence he led the way + to a dining-room beyond, where our young gentleman observed a long + mahogany table, and a sideboard of carved mahogany illuminated by three + or four candles. In answer to the call of his conductor, a negro + servant appeared, whom the master of the house ordered to fetch some + bread and cheese and a bottle of rum for his wretched guest. While the + servant was gone to execute the commission the master seated himself at + his ease and favored Dunburne with a long and most minute regard. Then + he suddenly asked our young gentleman what was his name. +</p> +<p> + Upon the instant Dunburne did not offer a reply to this interrogation. + He had been so miserably abused when he had told the truth upon the + voyage that he knew not now whether to confess or deny his identity. He + possessed no great aptitude at lying, so that it was with no little + hesitation that he determined to maintain his incognito. Having reached + this conclusion, he answered his host that his name was Tom Robinson. + The other, however, appeared to notice neither his hesitation nor the + name which he had seen fit to assume. Instead, he appeared to be lost + in a reverie, which he broke only to bid our young gentleman to sit + down and tell the story of the several adventures that had befallen + him. He advised him to leave nothing untold, however shameful it might + be. "Be assured," said he, "that no matter what crimes you may have + committed, the more intolerable your wickedness, the better you will + please me for the purpose I have in view." +</p> +<p> + Being thus encouraged, and having already embarked in disingenuosity, + our young gentleman, desiring to please his host, began at random a + tale composed in great part of what he recollected of the story of + <i>Colonel Jack</i>, seasoned occasionally with extracts from Mr. Smollett's + ingenious novel of <i>Ferdinand, Count Fathom</i>. There was hardly a petty + crime or a mean action mentioned in either of these entertaining + fictions that he was not willing to attribute to himself. Meanwhile he + discovered, to his surprise, that lying was not really so difficult an + art as he had supposed it to be. His host listened for a considerable + while in silence, but at last he was obliged to call upon his penitent + to stop. "To tell you the truth, Mr. What's-a-name," he cried, "I do + not believe a single word you are telling me. However, I am satisfied + that in you I have discovered, as I have every reason to hope, one of + the most preposterous liars I have for a long time fell in with. + Indeed, I protest that any one who can with so steady a countenance lie + so tremendously as you have just done may be capable, if not of a great + crime, at least of no inconsiderable deceit, and perhaps of treachery. + If this be so, you will suit my purposes very well, though I would + rather have had you an escaped criminal or a murderer or a thief." +</p> +<p> + "Sir," said Dunburne, very seriously, "I am sorry that I am not more to + your mind. As you say, I can, I find, lie very easily, and if you will + give me sufficient time, I dare say I can become sufficiently expert in + other and more criminal matters to please even your fancy. I cannot, I + fear, commit a murder, nor would I choose to embark upon an attempt at + arson; but I could easily learn to cheat at cards; or I could, if it + would please you better, make shift to forge your own name to a bill + for a hundred pounds. I confess, however, I am entirely in the dark as + to why you choose to have me enjoy so evil a reputation." +</p> +<p> + At these words the other burst into a great and vociferous laugh. "I + protest," he cried, "you are the coolest rascal ever I fell in with. + But come," he added, sobering suddenly, "what did you say was your + name?" +</p> +<p> + "I declare, sir," said Dunburne, with the most ingenuous frankness, "I + have clean forgot. Was it Tom or John Robinson?" +</p> +<p> + Again the other burst out laughing. "Well," he said, "what does it + matter? Thomas or John—'tis all one. I see that you are a ragged, + lousy beggar, and I believe you to be a runaway servant. Even if that + is the worst to be said of you, you will suit me very well. As for a + name, I myself will fit you with one, and it shall be of the best. I + will give you a home here in the house, and will for three months + clothe you like a lord. You shall live upon the best, and shall meet + plenty of the genteelest company the Colonies can afford. All that I + demand of you is that you shall do exactly as I tell you for the three + months that I so entertain you. Come. Is it a bargain?" +</p> +<p> + Dunburne sat for a while thinking very seriously. "First of all," said + he, "I must know what is the name you have a mind to bestow upon me." +</p> +<p> + The other looked distrustfully at him for a time, and then, as though + suddenly fetching up resolution, he cried out: "Well, what then? What + of it? Why should I be afraid? I'll tell you. Your name shall be + Frederick Dunburne, and you shall be the second son of the Earl of + Clandennie." +</p> +<p> + Had a thunder-bolt fallen from heaven at Dunburne's feet he could not + have been struck more entirely dumb than he was at those astounding + words. He knew not for the moment where to look or what to think. At + that instant the negro man came into the room, fetching the bottle of + rum and the bread and cheese he had been sent for. As the sound of his + entrance struck upon our young gentleman's senses he came to himself + with the shock, and suddenly exploded into a burst of laughter so + shrill and discordant that Captain Obadiah sat staring at him as though + he believed his ragged beneficiary had gone clean out of his senses. +</p> +<center> + IV +</center> +<center> + A ROMANTIC EPISODE IN THE LIFE OF A YOUNG LADY +</center> +<p> + Miss Belinda Belford, the daughter and only child of Colonel William + Belford, was a young lady possessed of no small pretensions to personal + charms of the most exalted order. Indeed, many excellent judges in such + matters regarded her, without doubt, as the reigning belle of the + Northern Colonies. Of a medium height, of a slight but generously + rounded figure, she bore herself with an indescribable grace and + dignity of carriage. Her hair, which was occasionally permitted to curl + in ringlets upon her snowy neck, was of a brown so dark and so soft as + at times to deceive the admiring observer into a belief that it was + black. Her eyes, likewise of a dark-brown color, were of a most melting + and liquid lustre; her nose, though slight, was sufficiently high, and + modelled with so exquisite a delicacy as to lend an exceeding charm to + her whole countenance. She was easily the belle of every assembly which + she graced with her presence, and her name was the toast of every + garrison town of the Northern provinces. +</p> +<p> + Madam Belford and her lovely daughter were engaged one pleasant morning + in entertaining a number of friends, in the genteel English manner, + with a dish of tea and a bit of gossip. Upon this charming company + Colonel Belford suddenly intruded, his countenance displaying an + excessive though not displeasing agitation. +</p> +<p> + "My dear! my dear!" he cried, "what a piece of news have I for you! It + is incredible and past all belief! Who, ladies, do you suppose is here + in New Hope? Nay, you cannot guess; I shall have to enlighten you. 'Tis + none other than Frederick Dunburne, my lordship's second son. Yes, you + may well look amazed. I saw and spoke with him this very morning, and + that not above a half-hour ago. He is travelling incognito, but my + brother Obadiah discovered his identity, and is now entertaining him at + his new house upon the Point. A large party of young officers from the + garrison are there, all very gay with cards and dice, I am told. My + noble young gentleman knew me so soon as he clapped eyes upon me. + 'This,' says he, 'if I am not mistook, must be Colonel Belford, my + father's honored friend.' He is," exclaimed the speaker, "a most + interesting and ingenuous youth, with extremely lively and elegant + manners, and a person exactly resembling that of his dear and honored + father." +</p> +<p> + It may be supposed into what a flutter this piece of news cast those + who heard it. "My dear," cried Madam Belford, as soon as the first + extravagance of the general surprise had passed by to an easier + acceptance of Colonel Belford's tidings—"my dear, why did you not + bring him with you to present him to us all? What an opportunity have + you lost!" +</p> +<p> + "Indeed, my dear," said Colonel Belford, "I did not forget to invite + him hither. He protested that nothing could afford him greater + pleasure, did he not have an engagement with some young gentlemen from + the garrison. But, believe me, I would not let him go without a + promise. He is to dine with us to-morrow at two; and, Belinda, my + dear"—here Colonel Belford pinched his daughter's blushing cheek—"you + must assume your best appearance for so serious an occasion. I am + informed that my noble gentleman is extremely particular in his tastes + in the matter of female excellence." +</p> +<p> + "Indeed, papa," cried the young lady, with great vivacity, "I shall + attempt no extraordinary graces upon my young gentleman's account, and + that I promise you. I protest," she exclaimed, with spirit, "I have no + great opinion of him who would come thus to New Hope without a single + word to you, who are his father's confidential correspondent. Nor do I + admire the taste of one who would choose to cast himself upon the + hospitality of my uncle Obadiah rather than upon yours." +</p> +<p> + "My dear," said Colonel Belford, very soberly, "you express your + opinion with a most unwarranted levity, considering the exalted + position your subject occupies. I may, however, explain to you that he + came to America quite unexpectedly and by an accident. Nor would he + have declared his incognito, had not my brother Obadiah discovered it + almost immediately upon his arrival. He would not, he declared, have + visited New Hope at all, had not Captain Obadiah Belford urged his + hospitality in such a manner as to preclude all denial." +</p> +<p> + But to this reproof Miss Belinda who, was, indeed, greatly indulged by + her parents, made no other reply than to toss her head with a pretty + sauciness, and to pout her cherry lips in an infinitely becoming + manner. +</p> +<p> + But though our young lady protested so emphatically against assuming + any unusual charms for the entertainment of their expected visitor, she + none the less devoted no small consideration to that very thing that + she had so exclaimed against. Accordingly, when she was presented to + her father's noble guest, what with her heightened color and her eyes + sparkling with the emotions evoked by the occasion, she so impressed + our young gentleman that he could do little but stand regarding her + with an astonishment that for the moment caused him to forget those + graces of deportment that the demands of elegance called upon him to + assume. +</p> +<p> + However, he recovered himself immediately, and proceeded to take such + advantage of his introduction that by the time they were seated at the + dinner-table he found himself conversing with his fair partner with all + the ease and vivacity imaginable. Nor in this exchange of polite + raillery did he discover her wit to be in any degree less than her + personal charms. +</p> +<p> + "Indeed, madam," he exclaimed, "I am now more than ready to thank that + happy accident that has transported me, however much against my will, + from England to America. The scenery, how beautiful! Nature, how + fertile! Woman, how exquisite! Your country," he exclaimed, with + enthusiasm, "is like heaven!" +</p> +<p> + "Indeed, sir," cried the young lady, vivaciously, "I do not take your + praise for a compliment. I protest I am acquainted with no young + gentleman who would not defer his enjoyment of heaven to the very last + extremity." +</p> +<p> + "To be sure," quoth our hero, "an ambition for the abode of saints is + of too extreme a nature to recommend itself to a modest young fellow of + parts. But when one finds himself thrown into the society of an houri—" +</p> +<p> + "And do you indeed have houris in England?" exclaimed the young lady. + "In America you must be content with society of a much more earthly + constitution!" +</p> +<p> + "Upon my word, miss," cried our young gentleman, "you compel me to + confess that I find myself in the society of one vastly more to my + inclination than that of any houri of my acquaintance." +</p> +<p> + With such lively badinage, occasionally lapsing into more serious + discourse, the dinner passed off with a great deal of pleasantness to + our young gentleman, who had prepared himself for something + prodigiously dull and heavy. After the repast, a pipe of tobacco in the + summer-house and a walk in the garden so far completed his cheerful + impressions that when he rode away towards Pig and Sow Point he found + himself accompanied by the most lively, agreeable thoughts imaginable. + Her wit, how subtle! Her person, how beautiful! He surprised himself + smiling with a fatuous indulgence of his enjoyable fancies. +</p> +<p> + Nor did the young lady's thoughts, though doubtless of a more moderate + sort, assume a less pleasing perspective. Our young gentleman was + favored with a tall, erect figure, a high nose, and a fine, thin face + expressive of excellent breeding. It seemed to her that his manners + possessed an elegance and a grace that she had never before discovered + beyond the leaves of Mr. Richardson's ingenious novels. Nor was she + unaware of the admiration of herself that his countenance had + expressed. Upon so slender a foundation she amused herself for above an + hour, erecting such castles in the air that, had any one discovered her + thought, she would have perished of mortification. +</p> +<p> + But though our young lady so yielded herself to the enjoyment of such + silly dreams as might occur to any miss of a lively imagination and + vivacious temperament, the reader is to understand that she has yet so + much dignity and spirit as to cover these foolish and romantic fancies + with a cloak of so delicate and so subtle a reserve that when the young + gentleman called to pay his respects the next afternoon he quitted her + presence ten times more infatuated with her charms than he had been the + day before. +</p> +<p> + Nor can it be denied that our young lady knew perfectly well how to + make the greatest use of such opportunities. She already possessed a + great deal of experience in teasing the other sex with those delicious + though innocent torments that cause the eyes of the victim to remain + awake at night and the fancy to dream throughout the day. +</p> +<p> + Such presently became the condition of our young gentleman that at the + end of the month he knew not whether his present life had continued for + weeks or for years; in the charming infatuation that overpowered him he + considered nothing of time, every other consideration being engulfed in + his desire for the society of his charmer. Cards and dice lost for him + their accustomed pleasure, and when a gay society would be at Belford's + Palace it was with the utmost difficulty that he assumed so much + patience as to take his part in those dissipations that there obtained. + Relieved from them, he flew with redoubled ardor back to the + gratification of his passion again. +</p> +<p> + In the mean time Captain Obadiah had become so accustomed to the + presence of his guest that he made no pretence of any concealment of + that iniquitous, dreadful avocation that lent to Pig and Sow Point so + great a terror in those parts. Rather did the West Indian appear to + court the open observation of his dependant. +</p> +<p> + One exquisite day in the last of October our young gentleman had spent + the greater part of the afternoon in the society of the beautiful + object of his regard. The leaves, though fallen from the trees in great + abundance, appeared thereby only to have admitted of the passage of a + riper radiance of golden sunlight through the thinning branches. This + and the ardor of his passion had so transported our hero that when he + had departed from her presence he seemed to walk as light as a feather, + and knew not whether it was the warmth of the sunlight or the heat of + his own impetuous transports that filled the universe with so extreme a + brightness. +</p> +<p> + Overpowered with these absorbing and transcendent introspections, he + approached his now odious home upon Pig and Sow Point by way of the old + meeting-house. There of a sudden he came upon his patron, Captain + Obadiah, superintending the burial of the last of three victims of his + odious commerce, who had died that afternoon. Two had already been + interred, and the third new-made grave was in the process of being + filled. Two men, one a negro and the other a white, had nearly + completed their labor, tramping down the crumbling earth as they + shovelled it into the shallow excavation. Meanwhile Captain Obadiah + stood near by, his red coat flaming in the slanting light, himself + smoking a pipe of tobacco with all the ease and coolness imaginable. + His hands, clasped behind his back, held his ivory-headed cane, and as + our hero approached he turned an evil countenance upon him, and greeted + him with a grin at once droll, mischievous, and malevolent in the + extreme. "And how is our pretty charmer this afternoon?" quoth Captain + Obadiah. +</p> +<p> + Conceive, if you please, of a man floating in the most ecstatic delight + of heaven pulled suddenly thence down into the most filthy extremity of + hell, and then you shall understand the motions of disgust and + repugnance and loathing that overpowered our hero, who, awakening thus + suddenly out of his dream of love, found himself in the presence of + that grim and obscene spectacle of death—who, arousing from such + absorbing and exquisite meditations, heard his ears greeted with so + rude and vulgar an address. +</p> +<p> + Acknowledging to himself that he did not dare offer an immediate reply + to his host, he turned upon his heel and walked away, without + expressing a single word. +</p> + + +<br><br> +<center> +<img alt="006 (77K)" src="006.jpg" height="792" width="482" /> +</center> +<br><br> + + + +<p> + He was not, however, permitted to escape thus easily. He had not taken + above twenty steps, when, hearing footsteps behind him, he turned his + head to discover Captain Obadiah skipping rapidly after him in a + prodigious hurry, swinging his cane and chuckling preposterously to + himself, as though in the enjoyment of some most exquisite piece of + drollery. "What!" he cried, as soon as he could catch his breath from + his hurry. "What! What! Can't you answer, you villain? Why, blind my + eyes! a body would think you were a lord's son indeed, instead of + being, as I know you, a beggarly runaway servant whom I took in like a + mangy cat out of the rain. But come, come—no offence, my boy! I'll be + no hard master to you. I've heard how the wind blows, and I've kept my + ears open to all your doings. I know who is your sweetheart. Harkee, + you rascal! You have a fancy for my niece, have you? Well, your apple + is ripe if you choose to pick it. Marry your charmer and be damned; and + if you'll serve me by taking her thus in hand, I'll pay you twenty + pounds upon your wedding-day. Now what do you say to that, you lousy + beggar in borrowed clothes?" +</p> +<p> + Our young gentleman stopped short and looked his tormentor full in the + face. The thought of his father's anger alone had saved him from + entangling himself in the web of his passions; this he forgot upon the + instant. "Captain Obadiah Belford," quoth he, "you're the most + consummate villain ever I beheld in all of my life; but if I have the + good-fortune to please the young lady, I wish I may die if I don't + serve you in this!" +</p> +<p> + At these words Captain Obadiah, who appeared to take no offence at his + guest's opinion of his honesty, burst out into a great boisterous + laugh, flinging back his head and dropping his lower jaw so + preposterously that the setting sun shone straight down his wide and + cavernous gullet. +</p> +<center> + V +</center> +<center> + HOW THE DEVIL WAS CAST OUT OF THE MEETING-HOUSE +</center> +<p> + The news that the Honorable Frederick Dunburne, second son of the Earl + of Clandennie, was to marry Miss Belinda Belford, the daughter and only + child of Colonel William Belford, of New Hope, was of a sort to arouse + the keenest and most lively interest in all those parts of the Northern + Colonies of America. +</p> +<p> + The day had been fixed, and all the circumstances arranged with such + particularity that an invitation was regarded as the highest honor that + could befall the fortunate recipient. There were to be present on this + interesting occasion two Colonial governors and their ladies, an + English general, the captain of the flag-ship <i>Achilles</i>, and above a + score of Colonial magnates and ladies of distinction. +</p> +<p> + Captain Obadiah had not been bidden to either the ceremony or the + breakfast. This rebuff he had accepted with prodigious amusement, + which, not limiting itself to the immediate occasion, broke forth at + intervals for above two weeks. Now it might express itself in chuckles + of the most delicious entertainment, vented as our Captain walked up + and down the hall of his great house, smoking his pipe and cracking the + knuckles of his fingers; at other times he would burst forth into + incontrollable fits of laughter at the extravagant deceit which he + believed himself to be imposing upon his brother, Colonel Belford. +</p> +<p> + At length came the wedding-day, with such circumstances of pomp and + display as the exceeding wealth and Colonial dignity of Colonel Belford + could surround it. For the wedding-breakfast the great folding-doors + between the drawing-room and the dining-room of Colonel Belford's house + were flung wide open, and a table extending the whole length of the two + apartments was set with the most sumptuous and exquisite display of + plate and china. Around the board were collected the distinguished + company, and the occasion was remarkable not less for the richness of + its display than for the exquisite nature of the repast intended to + celebrate so auspicious an occasion. +</p> +<p> + At the head of the board sat the young couple, radiant with an + engrossing happiness that took no thought of what the future might have + in store for it, but was contented with the triumphant ecstasy of the + moment. +</p> +<p> + These elegant festivities were at their height, when there suddenly + arose a considerable disputation in the hallway beyond, and before any + one could inquire as to what was occurring, Captain Obadiah Belford + came stumping into the room, swinging his ivory-headed cane, and with + an expression of the most malicious triumph impressed upon his + countenance. Directing his address to the bridegroom, and paying no + attention to any other one of the company, he cried out: "Though not + bidden to this entertainment, I have come to pay you a debt I owe. Here + is twenty pounds I promised to pay you for marrying my niece." +</p> +<p> + Therewith he drew a silk purse full of gold pieces from his pocket, + which he hung over the ferrule of his cane and reached across the table + to the bridegroom. That gentleman, upon his part (having expected some + such episode as this), arose, and with a most polite and elaborate bow + accepted the same and thrust it into his pocket. +</p> +<p> + "And now, my young gentleman," cried Captain Obadiah, folding his arms + and tucking his cane under his armpit, looking the while from under his + brows upon the company with a most malevolent and extravagant grin— + "and now, my young gentleman, perhaps you will favor the ladies and + gentlemen here present with an account of what services they are I thus + pay for." +</p> +<p> + "To be sure I will," cried out our hero, "and that with the utmost + willingness in the world." +</p> +<p> + During all this while the elegant company had sat as with suspended + animation, overwhelmed with wonder at the singular address of the + intruder. Even the servants stood still with the dishes in their hands + the better to hear the outcome of the affair. The bride, overwhelmed by + a sudden and inexplicable anxiety, felt the color quit her face, and + reaching out, seized her lover's hand, who took hers very readily, + holding it tight within his grasp. As for Colonel and Madam Belford, + not knowing what this remarkable address portended, they sat as though + turned to stone, the one gone as white as ashes, and the other as red + in the face as a cherry. Our young gentleman, however, maintained the + utmost coolness and composure of demeanor. Pointing his finger towards + the intruder, he exclaimed: "In Captain Obadiah Belford, ladies and + gentlemen, you behold the most unmitigated villain that ever I met in + all of my life. With an incredible spite and vindictiveness he not only + pursued my honored father-in-law, Colonel Belford, but has sought to + wreak an unwarranted revenge upon the innocent and virtuous young lady + whom I have now the honor to call my wife. But how has he overreached + himself in his machinations! How has he entangled his feet in the net + which he himself has spread! I will tell you my history, as he bids me + to do, and you may then judge for yourselves!" +</p> +<p> + At this unexpected address Captain Obadiah's face fell from its + expression of malicious triumph, growing longer and longer, until at + last it was overclouded with so much doubt and anxiety that, had he + been threatened by the loss of a thousand pounds, he could not have + assumed a greater appearance of mortification and dejection. Meantime, + regarding him with a mischievous smile, our young gentleman began the + history of all those adventures that had befallen him from the time he + embarked upon the memorable expedition with his two companions in + dissipation from York Stairs. As his account proceeded Captain + Obadiah's face altered by degrees from its natural brown to a sickly + yellow, and then to so leaden a hue that it could not have assumed a + more ghastly appearance were he about to swoon dead away. Great beads + of sweat gathered upon his forehead and trickled down his cheeks. At + last he could endure no more, but with a great and strident voice, such + as might burst forth from a devil tormented, he cried out: "'Tis a lie! + 'Tis all a monstrous lie! He is a beggarly runaway servant whom I took + in out of the rain and fed and housed—to have him turn thus against me + and strike the hand that has benefited him!" +</p> +<p> + "Sir," replied our young gentleman, with a moderate and easy voice, + "what I tell you is no lie, but the truth. If any here misdoubts my + veracity, see, here is a letter received by the last packet from my + honored father. You, Colonel Belford, know his handwriting perfectly + well. Look at this and tell me if I am deceiving you." +</p> +<p> + At these words Colonel Belford took the letter with a hand that + trembled as though with palsy. He cast his eyes over it, but it is to + be doubted whether he read a single word therein contained. + Nevertheless, he saw enough to satisfy his doubts, and he could have + wept, so great was the relief from the miserable and overwhelming + anxiety that had taken possession of him since the beginning of his + brother's discourse. +</p> +<p> + Meantime our young gentleman, turning to Captain Obadiah, cried out, + "Sir, I am indeed an instrument of Providence sent hither to call your + wickedness to account," and this he spoke with so virtuous an air as to + command the admiration of all who heard him. "I have," he continued, + "lived with you now for nearly three odious months, and I know every + particular of your habits and such circumstances of your life as you + are aware of. I now proclaim how you have wickedly and sacrilegiously + turned the Old Free Grace Meeting-House into a slave-pen, whence for + above a year you have conducted a nefarious and most inhuman commerce + with the West Indies." +</p> +<p> + At these words Captain Obadiah, being thrown so suddenly upon his + defence, forced himself to give forth a huge and boisterous laugh. + "What then?" he cried. "What wickedness is there in that? What if I + have provided a few sugar plantations with negro slaves? Are there not + those here present who would do no better if the opportunity offered? + The place is mine, and I break no law by a bit of quiet slave-trading." +</p> +<p> + "I marvel," cried our young gentleman, still in the same virtuous + strain—"I marvel that you can pass over so wicked a thing thus easily. + I myself have counted above fifty graves of your victims on Pig and Sow + Point. Repent, sir, while there is yet time." +</p> +<p> + But to this adjuration Captain Obadiah returned no other reply than to + burst into a most wicked, impudent laugh. +</p> +<p> + "Is it so?" cried our young gentleman. "Do you dare me to further + exposures? Then I have here another evidence to confront you that may + move you to a more serious consideration." With these words he drew + forth from his pocket a packet wrapped in soft white paper. This he + unfolded, holding up to the gaze of all a bright and shining object. + "This," he exclaimed, "I found in Captain Obadiah's writing-desk while + I was hunting for some wax with which to seal a letter." It was the + gold snuffbox of the late Collector Goodhouse. "What," he cried, "have + you, sir, to offer in explanation of the manner in which this came into + your possession? See, here engraved upon the lid is the owner's name + and the circumstance of his having saved my own poor life. It was that + first called my attention to it, for I well recollect how my father + compelled me to present it to my savior. How came it into your + possession, and why have you hidden it away so carefully for all this + while? Sir, in the death of Lieutenant Goodhouse I suspect you of a + more sinister fault than that of converting yonder poor sanctuary into + a slave-pen. So soon as Captain Morris of your slave-ship returns from + Jamaica I shall have him arrested, and shall compel him to explain what + he knows of the circumstances of the Lieutenant's unfortunate murder." +</p> +<p> + At the sight of so unexpected an object in the young gentleman's hand + Captain Obadiah's jaw fell, and his cavernous mouth gaped as though he + had suddenly been stricken with a palsy. He lifted a trembling hand and + slowly and mechanically passed it along that cheek which was so + discolored with gunpowder stain. Then, suddenly gathering himself + together and regaining those powers that appeared for a moment to have + fled from him, he cried out, aloud: "I swear to God 'twas all an + accident! I pushed him down the steps, and he fell and broke his neck!" +</p> +<p> + Our young gentleman regarded him with a cold and collected smile. + "That, sir," said he, "you shall have the opportunity to explain to the + proper authorities—unless," he added, "you choose to take yourself + away from these parts, and to escape the just resentment of those laws + to which you may be responsible for your misdemeanors." +</p> +<p> + "I shall," roared Captain Obadiah, "stand my trial in spite of you all! + I shall live to see you in torments yet! I shall—" He gaped and + stuttered, but could find no further words with which to convey his + infinite rage and disappointed spite. Then turning, and with a furious + gesture, he rushed forth and out of the house, thrusting those aside + who stood in his way, and leaving behind him a string of curses fit to + set the whole world into a blaze. +</p> +<p> + He had destroyed all the gaiety of the wedding-breakfast, but the + relief from the prodigious doubts and anxieties that had at first + overwhelmed those whom he had intended to ruin was of so great a nature + that they thought nothing of so inconsiderable a circumstance. +</p> +<p> + As for our young gentleman, he had come forth from the adventure with + such dignity of deportment and with so exalted an air of generous + rectitude that those present could not sufficiently admire at the + continent discretion of one so young. The young lady whom he had + married, if she had before regarded him as a Paris and an Achilles + incorporated into one person, now added the wisdom of a Nestor to the + category of his accomplishments. +</p> +<p> + Captain Obadiah, in spite of the defiance he had fulminated against his + enemies, and in spite of the determination he had expressed to remain + and to stand his trial, was within a few days known to have suddenly + and mysteriously departed from New Hope. Whether or not he misdoubted + his own rectitude too greatly to put it to the test of a trial, or + whether the mortification incident upon the failure of his plot was too + great for him to support, it was clearly his purpose never to return + again. For within a month the more valuable of his belongings were + removed from his great house upon Pig and Sow Point and were loaded + upon a bark that came into the harbor for that purpose. Thence they + were transported no one knew whither, for Captain Obadiah was never + afterwards observed in those parts. +</p> +<p> + Nor was the old meeting-house ever again disturbed by such + manifestations as had terrified the community for so long a time. + Nevertheless, though the Devil was thus exorcised from his + abiding-place, the old church never lost its evil reputation, until it was + finally destroyed by fire about ten years after the incidents herein + narrated. +</p> +<p> + In conclusion it is only necessary to say that when the Honorable + Frederick Dunburne presented his wife to his noble family at home, he + was easily forgiven his <i>mésalliance</i> in view of her extreme beauty and + vivacity. Within a year or two Lord Carrickford, his elder brother, + died of excessive dissipation in Florence, where he was then attached + to the English Embassy, so that our young gentleman thus became the + heir-apparent to his father's title, and so both branches of the family + were united into one. +</p> +<center> + THE END +</center> + + + + + + + + +<pre> + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Stolen Treasure, by Howard Pyle + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK STOLEN TREASURE *** + +***** This file should be named 10394-h.htm or 10394-h.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + https://www.gutenberg.org/1/0/3/9/10394/ + +Produced by David Widger, Juliet Sutherland, Linda Cantoni and PG +Distributed Proofreaders + + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: Stolen Treasure + +Author: Howard Pyle + +Release Date: December 7, 2003 [EBook #10394] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ASCII + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK STOLEN TREASURE *** + + + + +Produced by David Widger, Juliet Sutherland, Linda Cantoni and PG +Distributed Proofreaders + + + + + +STOLEN TREASURE + +BY + +HOWARD PYLE + +Author of "Men of Iron" "Twilight Land" "The Wonder Clock" "Pepper and +Salt" + + +ILLUSTRATED BY THE AUTHOR + +MCMVII + + + + +CONTENTS + + +I. WITH THE BUCCANEERS + +II. TOM CHIST AND THE TREASURE-BOX + +III. THE GHOST OF CAPTAIN BRAND + +IV. THE DEVIL AT NEW HOPE + + + + +ILLUSTRATIONS + + +"'I'VE KEPT MY EARS OPEN TO ALL YOUR DOINGS'" + +"THIS FIGURE OF WAR OUR HERO ASKED TO STEP ASIDE WITH HIM" + +"OUR HERO, LEAPING TO THE WHEEL, SEIZED THE FLYING SPOKES" + +"SHE AND MASTER HARRY WOULD SPEND HOURS TOGETHER" + +"'... AND TWENTY-ONE AND TWENTY-TWO'" + +"''TIS ENOUGH,' CRIED OUT PARSON JONES, 'TO MAKE US BOTH RICH MEN'" + +"CAPTAIN MALYOE SHOT CAPTAIN BRAND THROUGH THE HEAD" + +"HE WOULD SHOUT OPPROBRIOUS WORDS AFTER THE OTHER IN THE STREETS" + + + + +STOLEN TREASURE + + + + +I. WITH THE BUCCANEERS + +_Being an Account of Certain Adventures that Befell Henry Mostyn under +Captain H. Morgan in the Year 1665-66._ + +I + +Although this narration has more particularly to do with the taking of +the Spanish Vice-Admiral in the harbor of Puerto Bello, and of the +rescue therefrom of Le Sieur Simon, his wife and daughter (the +adventure of which was successfully achieved by Captain Morgan, the +famous buccaneer), we shall, nevertheless, premise something of the +earlier history of Master Harry Mostyn, whom you may, if you please, +consider as the hero of the several circumstances recounted in these +pages. + +In the year 1664 our hero's father embarked from Portsmouth, in +England, for the Barbadoes, where he owned a considerable sugar +plantation. Thither to those parts of America he transported with +himself his whole family, of whom our Master Harry was the fifth of +eight children--a great lusty fellow as little fitted for the Church +(for which he was designed) as could be. At the time of this story, +though not above sixteen years old, Master Harry Mostyn was as big and +well-grown as many a man of twenty, and of such a reckless and +dare-devil spirit that no adventure was too dangerous or too mischievous +for him to embark upon. + +At this time there was a deal of talk in those parts of the Americas +concerning Captain Morgan, and the prodigious successes he was having +pirating against the Spaniards. + +This man had once been an indentured servant with Mr. Rolls, a sugar +factor at the Barbadoes. Having served out his time, and being of +lawless disposition, possessing also a prodigious appetite for +adventure, he joined with others of his kidney, and, purchasing a +caraval of three guns, embarked fairly upon that career of piracy the +most successful that ever was heard of in the world. + +Master Harry had known this man very well while he was still with Mr. +Rolls, serving as a clerk at that gentleman's sugar wharf, a tall, +broad-shouldered, strapping fellow, with red cheeks, and thick red +lips, and rolling blue eyes, and hair as red as any chestnut. Many knew +him for a bold, gruff-spoken man, but no one at that time suspected +that he had it in him to become so famous and renowned as he afterwards +grew to be. + +The fame of his exploits had been the talk of those parts for above a +twelvemonth, when, in the latter part of the year 1665, Captain Morgan, +having made a very successful expedition against the Spaniards into the +Gulf of Campeachy--where he took several important purchases from the +plate fleet--came to the Barbadoes, there to fit out another such +venture, and to enlist recruits. + +He and certain other adventurers had purchased a vessel of some five +hundred tons, which they proposed to convert into a pirate by cutting +port-holes for cannon, and running three or four carronades across her +main-deck. The name of this ship, be it mentioned, was the _Good +Samaritan_, as ill-fitting a name as could be for such a craft, which, +instead of being designed for the healing of wounds, was intended to +inflict such devastation as those wicked men proposed. + +Here was a piece of mischief exactly fitted to our hero's tastes; +wherefore, having made up a bundle of clothes, and with not above a +shilling in his pocket, he made an excursion into the town to seek for +Captain Morgan. There he found the great pirate established at an +ordinary, with a little court of ragamuffins and swashbucklers gathered +about him, all talking very loud, and drinking healths in raw rum as +though it were sugared water. + +And what a fine figure our buccaneer had grown, to be sure! How +different from the poor, humble clerk upon the sugarwharf! What a deal +of gold braid! What a fine, silver-hilted Spanish sword! What a gay +velvet sling, hung with three silver-mounted pistols! If Master Harry's +mind had not been made up before, to be sure such a spectacle of glory +would have determined it. + +This figure of war our hero asked to step aside with him, and when they +had come into a corner, proposed to the other what he intended, and +that he had a mind to enlist as a gentleman adventurer upon this +expedition. Upon this our rogue of a buccaneer Captain burst out +a-laughing, and fetching Master Harry a great thump upon the back, swore +roundly that he would make a man of him, and that it was a pity to make +a parson out of so good a piece of stuff. + +[Illustration: "THIS FIGURE OF WAR OUR HERO ASKED TO STEP ASIDE WITH +HIM"] + +Nor was Captain Morgan less good than his word, for when the _Good +Samaritan_ set sail with a favoring wind for the island of Jamaica, +Master Harry found himself established as one of the adventurers +aboard. + +II + +Could you but have seen the town of Port Royal as it appeared in the +year 1665 you would have beheld a sight very well worth while looking +upon. There were no fine houses at that time, and no great +counting-houses built of brick, such as you may find nowadays, but a crowd +of board and wattled huts huddled along the streets, and all so gay with +flags and bits of color that Vanity Fair itself could not have been +gayer. To this place came all the pirates and buccaneers that infested +those parts, and men shouted and swore and gambled, and poured out +money like water, and then maybe wound up their merrymaking by dying of +fever. For the sky in these torrid latitudes is all full of clouds +overhead, and as hot as any blanket, and when the sun shone forth it +streamed down upon the smoking sands so that the houses were ovens and +the streets were furnaces; so it was little wonder that men died like +rats in a hole. But little they appeared to care for that; so that +everywhere you might behold a multitude of painted women and Jews and +merchants and pirates, gaudy with red scarfs and gold braid and all +sorts of odds and ends of foolish finery, all fighting and gambling and +bartering for that ill-gotten treasure of the be-robbed Spaniard. + +Here, arriving, Captain Morgan found a hearty welcome, and a message +from the Governor awaiting him, the message bidding him attend his +Excellency upon the earliest occasion that offered. Whereupon, taking +our hero (of whom he had grown prodigiously fond) along with him, our +pirate went, without any loss of time, to visit Sir Thomas Modiford, +who was then the royal Governor of all this devil's brew of wickedness. + +They found his Excellency seated in a great easy-chair, under the +shadow of a slatted veranda, the floor whereof was paved with brick. He +was clad, for the sake of coolness, only in his shirt, breeches, and +stockings, and he wore slippers on his feet. He was smoking a great +cigarro of tobacco, and a goblet of lime-juice and water and rum stood +at his elbow on a table. Here, out of the glare of the heat, it was all +very cool and pleasant, with a sea-breeze blowing violently in through +the slats, setting them a-rattling now and then, and stirring Sir +Thomas's long hair, which he had pushed back for the sake of coolness. + +The purport of this interview, I may tell you, concerned the rescue of +one Le Sieur Simon, who, together with his wife and daughter, was held +captive by the Spaniards. + +This gentleman adventurer (Le Sieur Simon) had, a few years before, +been set up by the buccaneers as Governor of the island of Santa +Catherina. This place, though well fortified by the Spaniards, the +buccaneers had seized upon, establishing themselves thereon, and so +infesting the commerce of those seas that no Spanish fleet was safe +from them. At last the Spaniards, no longer able to endure these +assaults against their commerce, sent a great force against the +freebooters to drive them out of their island stronghold. This they +did, retaking Santa Catherina, together with its Governor, his wife, +and daughter, as well as the whole garrison of buccaneers. + +This garrison were sent by their conquerors, some to the galleys, some +to the mines, some to no man knows where. The Governor himself--Le +Sieur Simon--was to be sent to Spain, there to stand his trial for +piracy. + +The news of all this, I may tell you, had only just been received in +Jamaica, having been brought thither by a Spanish captain, one Don +Roderiguez Sylvia, who was, besides, the bearer of despatches to the +Spanish authorities relating the whole affair. + +Such, in fine, was the purport of this interview, and as our hero and +his Captain walked back together from the Governor's house to the +ordinary where they had taken up their inn, the buccaneer assured his +companion that he purposed to obtain those despatches from the Spanish +captain that very afternoon, even if he had to use force to seize them. + +All this, you are to understand, was undertaken only because of the +friendship that the Governor and Captain Morgan entertained for Le +Sieur Simon. And, indeed, it was wonderful how honest and how faithful +were these wicked men in their dealings with one another. For you must +know that Governor Modiford and Le Sieur Simon and the buccaneers were +all of one kidney--all taking a share in the piracies of those times, +and all holding by one another as though they were the honestest men in +the world. Hence it was they were all so determined to rescue Le Sieur +Simon from the Spaniards. + +III + +Having reached his ordinary after his interview with the Governor, +Captain Morgan found there a number of his companions, such as usually +gathered at that place to be in attendance upon him--some, those +belonging to the _Good Samaritan_; others, those who hoped to obtain +benefits from him; others, those ragamuffins who gathered around him +because he was famous, and because it pleased them to be of his court +and to be called his followers. For nearly always your successful +pirate had such a little court surrounding him. + +Finding a dozen or more of these rascals gathered there, Captain Morgan +informed them of his present purpose--that he was going to find the +Spanish captain to demand his papers of him, and calling upon them to +accompany him. + +With this following at his heels, our buccaneer started off down the +street, his lieutenant, a Cornishman named Bartholomew Davis, upon one +hand and our hero upon the other. So they paraded the streets for the +best part of an hour before they found the Spanish captain. For whether +he had got wind that Captain Morgan was searching for him, or whether, +finding himself in a place so full of his enemies, he had buried +himself in some place of hiding, it is certain that the buccaneers had +traversed pretty nearly the whole town before they discovered that he +was lying at a certain auberge kept by a Portuguese Jew. Thither they +went, and thither Captain Morgan entered with the utmost coolness and +composure of demeanor, his followers crowding noisily in at his heels. + +The space within was very dark, being lighted only by the doorway and +by two large slatted windows or openings in the front. + +In this dark, hot place--not over-roomy at the best--were gathered +twelve or fifteen villanous-appearing men, sitting at tables and +drinking together, waited upon by the Jew and his wife. Our hero had no +trouble in discovering which of this lot of men was Captain Sylvia, for +not only did Captain Morgan direct his glance full of war upon him, but +the Spaniard was clad with more particularity and with more show of +finery than any of the others who were there. + +Him Captain Morgan approached and demanded his papers, whereunto the +other replied with such a jabber of Spanish and English that no man +could have understood what he said. To this Captain Morgan in turn +replied that he must have those papers, no matter what it might cost +him to obtain them, and thereupon drew a pistol from his sling and +presented it at the other's head. + +At this threatening action the innkeeper's wife fell a-screaming, and +the Jew, as in a frenzy, besought them not to tear the house down about +his ears. + +Our hero could hardly tell what followed, only that all of a sudden +there was a prodigious uproar of combat. Knives flashed everywhere, and +then a pistol was fired so close to his head that he stood like one +stunned, hearing some one crying out in a loud voice, but not knowing +whether it was a friend or a foe who had been shot. Then another +pistol-shot so deafened what was left of Master Harry's hearing that +his ears rang for above an hour afterwards. By this time the whole +place was full of gunpowder smoke, and there was the sound of blows and +oaths and outcrying and the clashing of knives. + +As Master Harry, who had no great stomach for such a combat, and no +very particular interest in the quarrel, was making for the door, a +little Portuguese, as withered and as nimble as an ape, came ducking +under the table and plunged at his stomach with a great long knife, +which, had it effected its object, would surely have ended his +adventures then and there. + +Finding himself in such danger, Master Harry snatched up a heavy chair, +and, flinging it at his enemy, who was preparing for another attack, he +fairly ran for it out of the door, expecting every instant to feel the +thrust of the blade betwixt his ribs. + +A considerable crowd had gathered outside, and others, hearing the +uproar, were coming running to join them. With these our hero stood, +trembling like a leaf, and with cold chills running up and down his +back like water at the narrow escape from the danger that had +threatened him. + +Nor shall you think him a coward, for you must remember he was hardly +sixteen years old at the time, and that this was the first affair of +the sort he had encountered. Afterwards, as you shall learn, he showed +that he could exhibit courage enough at a pinch. + +While he stood there endeavoring to recover his composure, the while +the tumult continued within, suddenly two men came running almost +together out of the door, a crowd of the combatants at their heels. The +first of these men was Captain Sylvia; the other, who was pursuing him, +was Captain Morgan. + +As the crowd about the door parted before the sudden appearing of +these, the Spanish captain, perceiving, as he supposed, a way of escape +opened to him, darted across the street with incredible swiftness +towards an alleyway upon the other side. Upon this, seeing his prey +like to get away from him, Captain Morgan snatched a pistol out of his +sling, and resting it for an instant across his arm, fired at the +flying Spaniard, and that with so true an aim that, though the street +was now full of people, the other went tumbling over and over all of a +heap in the kennel, where he lay, after a twitch or two, as still as a +log. + +At the sound of the shot and the fall of the man the crowd scattered +upon all sides, yelling and screaming, and the street being thus pretty +clear, Captain Morgan ran across the way to where his victim lay, his +smoking pistol still in his hand, and our hero following close at his +heels. + +Our poor Harry had never before beheld a man killed thus in an instant +who a moment before had been so full of life and activity, for when +Captain Morgan turned the body over upon its back he could perceive at +a glance, little as he knew of such matters, that the man was stone +dead. And, indeed, it was a dreadful sight for him who was hardly more +than a child. He stood rooted for he knew not how long, staring down at +the dead face with twitching fingers and shuddering limbs. Meantime a +great crowd was gathering about them again. + +As for Captain Morgan, he went about his work with the utmost coolness +and deliberation imaginable, unbuttoning the waistcoat and the shirt of +the man he had murdered with fingers that neither twitched nor shook. +There were a gold cross and a bunch of silver medals hung by a +whip-cord about the neck of the dead man. This Captain Morgan broke away +with a snap, reaching the jingling baubles to Harry, who took them in +his nerveless hand and fingers that he could hardly close upon what +they held. + +The papers Captain Morgan found in a wallet in an inner breast-pocket +of the Spaniard's waistcoat. These he examined one by one, and finding +them to his satisfaction, tied them up again, and slipped the wallet +and its contents into his own pocket. + +Then for the first time he appeared to observe Master Harry, who, +indeed, must have been standing the perfect picture of horror and +dismay. Whereupon, bursting out a-laughing, and slipping the pistol he +had used back into its sling again, he fetched poor Harry a great slap +upon the back, bidding him be a man, for that he would see many such +sights as this. + +But, indeed, it was no laughing matter for poor Master Harry, for it +was many a day before his imagination could rid itself of the image of +the dead Spaniard's face; and as he walked away down the street with +his companions, leaving the crowd behind them, and the dead body where +it lay for its friends to look after, his ears humming and ringing from +the deafening noise of the pistol-shots fired in the close room, and +the sweat trickling down his face in drops, he knew not whether all +that had passed had been real, or whether it was a dream from which he +might presently awaken. + +IV + +The papers Captain Morgan had thus seized upon as the fruit of the +murder he had committed must have been as perfectly satisfactory to him +as could be, for having paid a second visit that evening to Governor +Modiford, the pirate lifted anchor the next morning and made sail +towards the Gulf of Darien. There, after cruising about in those waters +for about a fortnight without falling in with a vessel of any sort, at +the end of that time they overhauled a caravel bound from Puerto Bello +to Cartagena, which vessel they took, and finding her loaded with +nothing better than raw hides, scuttled and sunk her, being then about +twenty leagues from the main of Cartagena. From the captain of this +vessel they learned that the plate fleet was then lying in the harbor +of Puerto Bello, not yet having set sail thence, but waiting for the +change of the winds before embarking for Spain. Besides this, which was +a good deal more to their purpose, the Spaniards told the pirates that +the Sieur Simon, his wife, and daughter were confined aboard the +vice-admiral of that fleet, and that the name of the vice-admiral was the +_Santa Maria y Valladolid_. + +So soon as Captain Morgan had obtained the information he desired he +directed his course straight for the Bay of Santo Blaso, where he might +lie safely within the cape of that name without any danger of discovery +(that part of the main-land being entirely uninhabited) and yet be +within twenty or twenty-five leagues of Puerto Bello. + +Having come safely to this anchorage, he at once declared his +intentions to his companions, which were as follows: + +That it was entirely impossible for them to hope to sail their vessel +into the harbor of Puerto Bello, and to attack the Spanish vice-admiral +where he lay in the midst of the armed flota; wherefore, if anything +was to be accomplished, it must be undertaken by some subtle design +rather than by open-handed boldness. Having so prefaced what he had to +say, he now declared that it was his purpose to take one of the ship's +boats and to go in that to Puerto Bello, trusting for some opportunity +to occur to aid him either in the accomplishment of his aims or in the +gaining of some further information. Having thus delivered himself, he +invited any who dared to do so to volunteer for the expedition, telling +them plainly that he would constrain no man to go against his will, for +that at best it was a desperate enterprise, possessing only the +recommendation that in its achievement the few who undertook it would +gain great renown, and perhaps a very considerable booty. + +And such was the incredible influence of this bold man over his +companions, and such was their confidence in his skill and cunning, +that not above a dozen of all those aboard hung back from the +undertaking, but nearly every man desired to be taken. + +Of these volunteers Captain Morgan chose twenty--among others our +Master Harry--and having arranged with his lieutenant that if nothing +was heard from the expedition at the end of three days he should sail +for Jamaica to await news, he embarked upon that enterprise, which, +though never heretofore published, was perhaps the boldest and the most +desperate of all those that have since made his name so famous. For +what could be a more unparalleled undertaking than for a little open +boat, containing but twenty men, to enter the harbor of the third +strongest fortress of the Spanish mainland with the intention of +cutting out the Spanish vice-admiral from the midst of a whole fleet of +powerfully armed vessels, and how many men in all the world do you +suppose would venture such a thing? + +But there is this to be said of that great buccaneer: that if he +undertook enterprises so desperate as this, he yet laid his plans so +well that they never went altogether amiss. Moreover, the very +desperation of his successes was of such a nature that no man could +suspect that he would dare to undertake such things, and accordingly +his enemies were never prepared to guard against his attacks. Aye, had +he but worn the King's colors and served under the rules of honest war, +he might have become as great and as renowned as Admiral Blake himself! + +But all that is neither here nor there; what I have to tell you now is +that Captain Morgan in this open boat with his twenty mates reached the +Cape of Salmedina towards the fall of day. Arriving within view of the +harbor they discovered the plate fleet at anchor, with two men-of-war +and an armed galley riding as a guard at the mouth of the harbor, +scarce half a league distant from the other ships. Having spied the +fleet in this posture, the pirates presently pulled down their sails +and rowed along the coast, feigning to be a Spanish vessel from Nombre +de Dios. So hugging the shore, they came boldly within the harbor, upon +the opposite side of which you might see the fortress a considerable +distance away. + +Being now come so near to the consummation of their adventure, Captain +Morgan required every man to make an oath to stand by him to the last, +whereunto our hero swore as heartily as any man aboard, although his +heart, I must needs confess, was beating at a great rate at the +approach of what was to happen. Having thus received the oaths of all +his followers, Captain Morgan commanded the surgeon of the expedition +that, when the order was given, he, the medico, was to bore six holes +in the boat, so that, it sinking under them, they might all be +compelled to push forward, with no chance of retreat. And such was the +ascendency of this man over his followers, and such was their awe of +him, that not one of them uttered even so much as a murmur, though what +he had commanded the surgeon to do pledged them either to victory or to +death, with no chance to choose between. Nor did the surgeon question +the orders he had received, much less did he dream of disobeying them. + +By now it had fallen pretty dusk, whereupon, spying two fishermen in a +canoe at a little distance, Captain Morgan demanded of them in Spanish +which vessel of those at anchor in the harbor was the vice-admiral, for +that he had despatches for the captain thereof. Whereupon the +fishermen, suspecting nothing, pointed to them a galleon of great size +riding at anchor not half a league distant. + +Towards this vessel accordingly the pirates directed their course, and +when they had come pretty nigh, Captain Morgan called upon the surgeon +that now it was time for him to perform the duty that had been laid +upon him. Whereupon the other did as he was ordered, and that so +thoroughly that the water presently came gushing into the boat in great +streams, whereat all hands pulled for the galleon as though every next +moment was to be their last. + +And what do you suppose were our hero's emotions at this time? Like all +in the boat, his awe of Captain Morgan was so great that I do believe +he would rather have gone to the bottom than have questioned his +command, even when it was to scuttle the boat. Nevertheless, when he +felt the cold water gushing about his feet (for he had taken off his +shoes and stockings) he became possessed with such a fear of being +drowned that even the Spanish galleon had no terrors for him if he +could only feel the solid planks thereof beneath his feet. + +Indeed, all the crew appeared to be possessed of a like dismay, for +they pulled at the oars with such an incredible force that they were +under the quarter of the galleon before the boat was half filled with +water. + +Here, as they approached, it then being pretty dark and the moon not +yet having risen, the watch upon the deck hailed them, whereupon +Captain Morgan called out in Spanish that he was Captain Alvarez +Mendazo, and that he brought despatches for the vice-admiral. + +But at that moment, the boat being now so full of water as to be +logged, it suddenly tilted upon one side as though to sink beneath +them, whereupon all hands, without further orders, went scrambling up +the side, as nimble as so many monkeys, each armed with a pistol in one +hand and a cutlass in the other, and so were upon deck before the watch +could collect his wits to utter any outcry or to give any other alarm +than to cry out, "Jesu bless us! who are these?" at which words +somebody knocked him down with the butt of a pistol, though who it was +our hero could not tell in the darkness and the hurry. + +Before any of those upon deck could recover from their alarm or those +from below come up upon deck, a part of the pirates, under the +carpenter and the surgeon, had run to the gunroom and had taken +possession of the arms, while Captain Morgan, with Master Harry and a +Portuguese called Murillo Braziliano, had flown with the speed of the +wind into the great cabin. + +Here they found the captain of the vice-admiral playing at cards with +the Sieur Simon and a friend, Madam Simon and her daughter being +present. + +Captain Morgan instantly set his pistol at the breast of the Spanish +captain, swearing with a most horrible fierce countenance that if he +spake a word or made any outcry he was a dead man. As for our hero, +having now got his hand into the game, he performed the same service +for the Spaniard's friend, declaring he would shoot him dead if he +opened his lips or lifted so much as a single finger. + +All this while the ladies, not comprehending what had occurred, had sat +as mute as stones; but now having so far recovered themselves as to +find a voice, the younger of the two fell to screaming, at which the +Sieur Simon called out to her to be still, for these were friends who +had come to help them, and not enemies who had come to harm them. + +All this, you are to understand, occupied only a little while, for in +less than a minute three or four of the pirates had come into the +cabin, who, together with the Portuguese, proceeded at once to bind the +two Spaniards hand and foot, and to gag them. This being done to our +buccaneer's satisfaction, and the Spanish captain being stretched out +in the corner of the cabin, he instantly cleared his countenance of its +terrors, and bursting forth into a great loud laugh, clapped his hand +to the Sieur Simon's, which he wrung with the best will in the world. +Having done this, and being in a fine humor after this his first +success, he turned to the two ladies. "And this, ladies," said he, +taking our hero by the hand and presenting him, "is a young gentleman +who has embarked with me to learn the trade of piracy. I recommend him +to your politeness." + +Think what a confusion this threw our Master Harry into, to be sure, +who at his best was never easy in the company of strange ladies! You +may suppose what must have been his emotions to find himself thus +introduced to the attention of Madam Simon and her daughter, being at +the time in his bare feet, clad only in his shirt and breeches, and +with no hat upon his head, a pistol in one hand and a cutlass in the +other. However, he was not left for long to his embarrassments, for +almost immediately after he had thus far relaxed, Captain Morgan fell +of a sudden serious again, and bidding the Sieur Simon to get his +ladies away into some place of safety, for the most hazardous part of +this adventure was yet to occur, he quitted the cabin with Master Harry +and the other pirates (for you may call him a pirate now) at his heels. + +Having come upon deck, our hero beheld that a part of the Spanish crew +were huddled forward in a flock like so many sheep (the others being +crowded below with the hatches fastened upon them), and such was the +terror of the pirates, and so dreadful the name of Henry Morgan, that +not one of those poor wretches dared to lift up his voice to give any +alarm, nor even to attempt an escape by jumping overboard. + +At Captain Morgan's orders, these men, together with certain of his own +company, ran nimbly aloft and began setting the sails, which, the night +now having fallen pretty thick, was not for a good while observed by +any of the vessels riding at anchor about them. + +Indeed, the pirates might have made good their escape, with at most +only a shot or two from the men-of-war, had it not then been about the +full of the moon, which, having arisen, presently discovered to those +of the fleet that lay closest about them what was being done aboard the +vice-admiral. + +At this one of the vessels hailed them, and then after a while, having +no reply, hailed them again. Even then the Spaniards might not +immediately have suspected anything was amiss but only that the +vice-admiral for some reason best known to himself was shifting his +anchorage, had not one of the Spaniards aloft--but who it was Captain +Morgan was never able to discover--answered the hail by crying out that +the vice-admiral had been seized by the pirates. + +At this the alarm was instantly given and the mischief done, for +presently there was a tremendous bustle through that part of the fleet +lying nighest the vice-admiral--a deal of shouting of orders, a beating +of drums, and the running hither and thither of the crews. + +But by this time the sails of the vice-admiral had filled with a strong +land breeze that was blowing up the harbor, whereupon the carpenter, at +Captain Morgan's orders, having cut away both anchors, the galleon +presently bore away up the harbor, gathering headway every moment with +the wind nearly dead astern. The nearest vessel was the only one that +for the moment was able to offer any hinderance. This ship, having by +this time cleared away one of its guns, was able to fire a parting shot +against the vice-admiral, striking her somewhere forward, as our hero +could see by a great shower of splinters that flew up in the moonlight. + +At the sound of the shot all the vessels of the flota not yet disturbed +by the alarm were aroused at once, so that the pirates had the +satisfaction of knowing that they would have to run the gantlet of all +the ships between them and the open sea before they could reckon +themselves escaped. + +And, indeed, to our hero's mind it seemed that the battle which +followed must have been the most terrific cannonade that was ever heard +in the world. It was not so ill at first, for it was some while before +the Spaniards could get their guns clear for action, they being not the +least in the world prepared for such an occasion as this. But by-and-by +first one and then another ship opened fire upon the galleon, until it +seemed to our hero that all the thunders of heaven let loose upon them +could not have created a more prodigious uproar, and that it was not +possible that they could any of them escape destruction. + +By now the moon had risen full and round, so that the clouds of smoke +that rose in the air appeared as white as snow. The air seemed full of +the hiss and screaming of shot, each one of which, when it struck the +galleon, was magnified by our hero's imagination into ten times its +magnitude from the crash which it delivered and from the cloud of +splinters it would cast up into the moonlight. At last he suddenly +beheld one poor man knocked sprawling across the deck, who, as he +raised his arm from behind the mast, disclosed that the hand was gone +from it, and that the shirt-sleeve was red with blood in the moonlight. +At this sight all the strength fell away from poor Harry, and he felt +sure that a like fate or even a worse must be in store for him. + +But, after all, this was nothing to what it might have been in broad +daylight, for what with the darkness of night, and the little +preparation the Spaniards could make for such a business, and the +extreme haste with which they discharged their guns (many not +understanding what was the occasion of all this uproar), nearly all the +shot flew so wide of the mark that not above one in twenty struck that +at which it was aimed. + +Meantime Captain Morgan, with the Sieur Simon, who had followed him +upon deck, stood just above where our hero lay behind the shelter of +the bulwark. The captain had lit a pipe of tobacco, and he stood now in +the bright moonlight close to the rail, with his hands behind him, +looking out ahead with the utmost coolness imaginable, and paying no +more attention to the din of battle than though it were twenty leagues +away. Now and then he would take his pipe from his lips to utter an +order to the man at the wheel. Excepting this he stood there hardly +moving at all, the wind blowing his long red hair over his shoulders. + +Had it not been for the armed galley the pirates might have got the +galleon away with no great harm done in spite of all this cannonading, +for the man-of-war which rode at anchor nighest to them at the mouth of +the harbor was still so far away that they might have passed it by +hugging pretty close to the shore, and that without any great harm +being done to them in the darkness. But just at this moment, when the +open water lay in sight, came this galley pulling out from behind the +point of the shore in such a manner as either to head our pirates off +entirely or else to compel them to approach so near to the man-of-war +that that latter vessel could bring its guns to bear with more effect. + +This galley, I must tell you, was like others of its kind such as you +may find in these waters, the hull being long and cut low to the water +so as to allow the oars to dip freely. The bow was sharp and projected +far out ahead, mounting a swivel upon it, while at the stern a number +of galleries built one above another into a castle gave shelter to +several companies of musketeers as well as the officers commanding +them. + +Our hero could behold the approach of this galley from above the +starboard bulwarks, and it appeared to him impossible for them to hope +to escape either it or the man-of-war. But still Captain Morgan +maintained the same composure that he had exhibited all the while, only +now and then delivering an order to the man at the wheel, who, putting +the helm over, threw the bows of the galleon around more to the +larboard, as though to escape the bow of the galley and get into the +open water beyond. This course brought the pirates ever closer and +closer to the man-of-war, which now began to add its thunder to the din +of the battle, and with so much more effect that at every discharge you +might hear the crashing and crackling of splintered wood, and now and +then the outcry or groaning of some man who was hurt. Indeed, had it +been daylight, they must at this juncture all have perished, though, as +was said, what with the night and the confusion and the hurry, they +escaped entire destruction, though more by a miracle than through any +policy upon their own part. + +Meantime the galley, steering as though to come aboard of them, had now +come so near that it, too, presently began to open its musketry fire +upon them, so that the humming and rattling of bullets were presently +added to the din of cannonading. + +In two minutes more it would have been aboard of them, when in a moment +Captain Morgan roared out of a sudden to the man at the helm to put it +hard a starboard. In response the man ran the wheel over with the +utmost quickness, and the galleon, obeying her helm very readily, came +around upon a course which, if continued, would certainly bring them +into collision with their enemy. + +It is possible at first the Spaniards imagined the pirates intended to +escape past their stern, for they instantly began backing oars to keep +them from getting past, so that the water was all of a foam about them; +at the same time they did this they poured in such a fire of musketry +that it was a miracle that no more execution was accomplished than +happened. + +As for our hero, methinks for the moment he forgot all about everything +else than as to whether or no his captain's manoeuvre would succeed, +for in the very first moment he divined, as by some instinct, what +Captain Morgan purposed doing. + +At this moment, so particular in the execution of this nice design, a +bullet suddenly struck down the man at the wheel. Hearing the sharp +outcry, our Harry turned to see him fall forward, and then to his hands +and knees upon the deck, the blood running in a black pool beneath him, +while the wheel, escaping from his hands, spun over until the spokes +were all of a mist. + +In a moment the ship would have fallen off before the wind had not our +hero, leaping to the wheel (even as Captain Morgan shouted an order for +some one to do so), seized the flying spokes, whirling them back again, +and so bringing the bow of the galleon up to its former course. + +[Illustration: "OUR HERO, LEAPING TO THE WHEEL, SEIZED THE FLYING +SPOKES"] + +In the first moment of this effort he had reckoned of nothing but of +carrying out his captain's designs. He neither thought of cannon-balls +nor of bullets. But now that his task was accomplished, he came +suddenly back to himself to find the galleries of the galleon aflame +with musket-shots, and to become aware with a most horrible sinking of +the spirits that all the shots therefrom were intended for him. He cast +his eyes about him with despair, but no one came to ease him of his +task, which, having undertaken, he had too much spirit to resign from +carrying through to the end, though he was well aware that the very +next instant might mean his sudden and violent death. His ears hummed +and rang, and his brain swam as light as a feather. I know not whether +he breathed, but he shut his eyes tight as though that might save him +from the bullets that were raining about him. + +At this moment the Spaniards must have discovered for the first time +the pirates' design, for of a sudden they ceased firing, and began to +shout out a multitude of orders, while the oars lashed the water all +about with a foam. But it was too late then for them to escape, for +within a couple of seconds the galleon struck her enemy a blow so +violent upon the larboard quarter as nearly to hurl our Harry upon the +deck, and then with a dreadful, horrible crackling of wood, commingled +with a yelling of men's voices, the galley was swung around upon her +side, and the galleon, sailing into the open sea, left nothing of her +immediate enemy but a sinking wreck, and the water dotted all over with +bobbing heads and waving hands in the moonlight. + +And now, indeed, that all danger was past and gone, there were plenty +to come running to help our hero at the wheel. As for Captain Morgan, +having come down upon the main-deck, he fetches the young helmsman a +clap upon the back. "Well, Master Harry," says he, "and did I not tell +you I would make a man of you?" Whereat our poor Harry fell a-laughing, +but with a sad catch in his voice, for his hands trembled as with an +ague, and were as cold as ice. As for his emotions, God knows he was +nearer crying than laughing, if Captain Morgan had but known it. + +Nevertheless, though undertaken under the spur of the moment, I protest +it was indeed a brave deed, and I cannot but wonder how many young +gentlemen of sixteen there are to-day who, upon a like occasion, would +act as well as our Harry. + +V + +The balance of our hero's adventures were of a lighter sort than those +already recounted, for the next morning, the Spanish captain (a very +polite and well-bred gentleman) having fitted him out with a suit of +his own clothes, Master Harry was presented in a proper form to the +ladies. For Captain Morgan, if he had felt a liking for the young man +before, could not now show sufficient regard for him. He ate in the +great cabin and was petted by all. Madam Simon, who was a fat and +red-faced lady, was forever praising him, and the young miss, who was +extremely well-looking, was as continually making eyes at him. + +She and Master Harry, I must tell you, would spend hours together, she +making pretence of teaching him French, although he was so possessed +with a passion of love that he was nigh suffocated with it. She, upon +her part, perceiving his emotions, responded with extreme good-nature +and complacency, so that had our hero been older, and the voyage proved +longer, he might have become entirely enmeshed in the toils of his fair +siren. For all this while, you are to understand, the pirates were +making sail straight for Jamaica, which they reached upon the third day +in perfect safety. + +[Illustration: "SHE AND MASTER HARRY WOULD SPEND HOURS TOGETHER"] + +In that time, however, the pirates had well-nigh gone crazy for joy; +for when they came to examine their purchase they discovered her cargo +to consist of plate to the prodigious sum of L130,000 in value. 'Twas a +wonder they did not all make themselves drunk for joy. No doubt they +would have done so had not Captain Morgan, knowing they were still in +the exact track of the Spanish fleets, threatened them that the first +man among them who touched a drop of rum without his permission he +would shoot him dead upon the deck. This threat had such effect that +they all remained entirely sober until they had reached Port Royal +Harbor, which they did about nine o'clock in the morning. + +And now it was that our hero's romance came all tumbling down about his +ears with a run. For they had hardly come to anchor in the harbor when +a boat came from a man-of-war, and who should come stepping aboard but +Lieutenant Grantley (a particular friend of our hero's father) and his +own eldest brother Thomas, who, putting on a very stern face, informed +Master Harry that he was a desperate and hardened villain who was sure +to end at the gallows, and that he was to go immediately back to his +home again. He told our embryo pirate that his family had nigh gone +distracted because of his wicked and ungrateful conduct. Nor could our +hero move him from his inflexible purpose. "What," says our Harry, "and +will you not then let me wait until our prize is divided and I get my +share?" + +"Prize, indeed!" says his brother. "And do you then really think that +your father would consent to your having a share in this terrible +bloody and murthering business?" + +And so, after a good deal of argument, our hero was constrained to go; +nor did he even have an opportunity to bid adieu to his inamorata. Nor +did he see her any more, except from a distance, she standing on the +poop-deck as he was rowed away from her, her face all stained with +crying. For himself, he felt that there was no more joy in life; +nevertheless, standing up in the stern of the boat, he made shift, +though with an aching heart, to deliver her a fine bow with the hat he +had borrowed from the Spanish captain, before his brother bade him sit +down again. + +And so to the ending of this story, with only this to relate, that our +Master Harry, so far from going to the gallows, became in good time a +respectable and wealthy sugar merchant with an English wife and a fine +family of children, whereunto, when the mood was upon him, he has +sometimes told these adventures (and sundry others not here recounted) +as I have told them unto you. + + + + +II. TOM CHIST AND THE TREASURE-BOX + +_An Old-time Story of the Days of Captain Kidd._ + + +To tell about Tom Chist, and how he got his name, and how he came to be +living at the little settlement of Henlopen, just inside the mouth of +the Delaware Bay, the story must begin as far back as 1686, when a +great storm swept the Atlantic coast from end to end. During the +heaviest part of the hurricane a bark went ashore on the +Hen-and-Chicken Shoals, just below Cape Henlopen and at the mouth of the +Delaware Bay, and Tom Chist was the only soul of all those on board the +ill-fated vessel who escaped alive. + +This story must first be told, because it was on account of the strange +and miraculous escape that happened to him at that time that he gained +the name that was given to him. + +Even as late as that time of the American colonies, the little +scattered settlement at Henlopen, made up of English, with a few Dutch +and Swedish people, was still only a spot upon the face of the great +American wilderness that spread away, with swamp and forest, no man +knew how far to the westward. That wilderness was not only full of wild +beasts, but of Indian savages, who every fall would come in wandering +tribes to spend the winter along the shores of the fresh-water lakes +below Henlopen. There for four or five months they would live upon fish +and clams and wild ducks and geese, chipping their arrow-heads, and +making their earthenware pots and pans under the lee of the sand-hills +and pine woods below the Capes. + +Sometimes on Sundays, when the Rev. Hillary Jones would be preaching in +the little log church back in the woods, these half-clad red savages +would come in from the cold, and sit squatting in the back part of the +church, listening stolidly to the words that had no meaning for them. + +But about the wreck of the bark in 1686. Such a wreck as that which +then went ashore on the Hen-and-Chicken Shoals was a godsend to the +poor and needy settlers in the wilderness where so few good things ever +came. For the vessel went to pieces during the night, and the next +morning the beach was strewn with wreckage--boxes and barrels, chests +and spars, timbers and planks, a plentiful and bountiful harvest to be +gathered up by the settlers as they chose, with no one to forbid or +prevent them. + +The name of the bark, as found painted on some of the water-barrels and +sea-chests, was the _Bristol Merchant_, and she no doubt hailed from +England. + +As was said, the only soul who escaped alive off the wreck was Tom +Chist. + +A settler, a fisherman named Matt Abrahamson, and his daughter Molly, +found Tom. He was washed up on the beach among the wreckage, in a great +wooden box which had been securely tied around with a rope and lashed +between two spars--apparently for better protection in beating through +the surf. Matt Abrahamson thought he had found something of more than +usual value when he came upon this chest; but when he cut the cords and +broke open the box with his broadaxe, he could not have been more +astonished had he beheld a salamander instead of a baby of nine or ten +months old lying half smothered in the blankets that covered the bottom +of the chest. + +Matt Abrahamson's daughter Molly had had a baby who had died a month or +so before. So when she saw the little one lying there in the bottom of +the chest, she cried out in a great loud voice that the Good Man had +sent her another baby in place of her own. + +The rain was driving before the hurricane-storm in dim, slanting +sheets, and so she wrapped up the baby in the man's coat she wore and +ran off home without waiting to gather up any more of the wreckage. + +It was Parson Jones who gave the foundling his name. When the news came +to his ears of what Matt Abrahamson had found, he went over to the +fisherman's cabin to see the child. He examined the clothes in which +the baby was dressed. They were of fine linen and handsomely stitched, +and the reverend gentleman opined that the foundling's parents must +have been of quality. A kerchief had been wrapped around the baby's +neck and under its arms and tied behind, and in the corner, marked with +very fine needlework, were the initials T.C. + +"What d'ye call him, Molly?" said Parson Jones. He was standing, as he +spoke, with his back to the fire, warming his palms before the blaze. +The pocket of the great-coat he wore bulged out with a big case-bottle +of spirits which he had gathered up out of the wreck that afternoon. +"What d'ye call him, Molly?" + +"I'll call him Tom, after my own baby." + +"That goes very well with the initial on the kerchief," said Parson +Jones. "But what other name d'ye give him? Let it be something to go +with the C." + +"I don't know," said Molly. + +"Why not call him 'Chist,' since he was born in a chist out of the sea? +'Tom Chist'--the name goes off like a flash in the pan." And so "Tom +Chist" he was called and "Tom Chist" he was christened. + +So much for the beginning of the history of Tom Chist. The story of +Captain Kidd's treasure-box does not begin until the late spring of +1699. + +That was the year that the famous pirate captain, coming up from the +West Indies, sailed his sloop into the Delaware Bay, where he lay for +over a month waiting for news from his friends in New York. + +For he had sent word to that town asking if the coast was clear for him +to return home with the rich prize he had brought from the Indian seas +and the coast of Africa, and meantime he lay there in the Delaware Bay +waiting for a reply. Before he left he turned the whole of Tom Chist's +life topsy-turvy with something that he brought ashore. + +By that time Tom Chist had grown into a strong-limbed, thick-jointed +boy of fourteen or fifteen years of age. It was a miserable dog's life +he lived with old Matt Abrahamson, for the old fisherman was in his +cups more than half the time, and when he was so there was hardly a day +passed that he did not give Tom a curse or a buffet or, as like as not, +an actual beating. One would have thought that such treatment would +have broken the spirit of the poor little foundling, but it had just +the opposite effect upon Tom Chist, who was one of your stubborn, +sturdy, stiff-willed fellows who only grow harder and more tough the +more they are ill-treated. It had been a long time now since he had +made any outcry or complaint at the hard usage he suffered from old +Matt. At such times he would shut his teeth and bear whatever came to +him, until sometimes the half-drunken old man would be driven almost +mad by his stubborn silence. Maybe he would stop in the midst of the +beating he was administering, and, grinding his teeth, would cry out: +"Won't ye say naught? Won't ye say naught? Well, then, I'll see if I +can't make ye say naught." When things had reached such a pass as this +Molly would generally interfere to protect her foster-son, and then she +and Tom would together fight the old man until they had wrenched the +stick or the strap out of his hand. Then old Matt would chase them +out-of-doors and around and around the house for maybe half an hour until +his anger was cool, when he would go back again, and for a time the +storm would be over. + +Besides his foster-mother, Tom Chist had a very good friend in Parson +Jones, who used to come over every now and then to Abrahamson's hut +upon the chance of getting a half-dozen fish for breakfast. He always +had a kind word or two for Tom, who during the winter evenings would go +over to the good man's house to learn his letters, and to read and +write and cipher a little, so that by now he was able to spell the +words out of the Bible and the almanac, and knew enough to change +tuppence into four ha'pennies. + +This is the sort of boy Tom Chist was, and this is the sort of life he +led. + +In the late spring or early summer of 1699 Captain Kidd's sloop sailed +into the mouth of the Delaware Bay and changed the whole fortune of his +life. + +And this is how you come to the story of Captain Kidd's treasure-box. + +II + +Old Matt Abrahamson kept the flat-bottomed boat in which he went +fishing some distance down the shore, and in the neighborhood of the +old wreck that had been sunk on the Shoals. This was the usual +fishing-ground of the settlers, and here Old Matt's boat generally lay +drawn up on the sand. + +There had been a thunder-storm that afternoon, and Tom had gone down +the beach to bale out the boat in readiness for the morning's fishing. + +It was full moonlight now, as he was returning, and the night sky was +full of floating clouds. Now and then there was a dull flash to the +westward, and once a muttering growl of thunder, promising another +storm to come. + +All that day the pirate sloop had been lying just off the shore back of +the Capes, and now Tom Chist could see the sails glimmering pallidly in +the moonlight, spread for drying after the storm. He was walking up the +shore homeward when he became aware that at some distance ahead of him +there was a ship's boat drawn up on the little narrow beach, and a +group of men clustered about it. He hurried forward with a good deal of +curiosity to see who had landed, but it was not until he had come close +to them that he could distinguish who and what they were. Then he knew +that it must be a party who had come off the pirate sloop. They had +evidently just landed, and two men were lifting out a chest from the +boat. One of them was a negro, naked to the waist, and the other was a +white man in his shirt-sleeves, wearing petticoat breeches, a Monterey +cap upon his head, a red bandanna handkerchief around his neck, and +gold ear-rings in his ears. He had a long, plaited queue hanging down +his back, and a great sheath-knife dangling from his side. Another man, +evidently the captain of the party, stood at a little distance as they +lifted the chest out of the boat. He had a cane in one hand and a +lighted lantern in the other, although the moon was shining as bright +as day. He wore jack-boots and a handsome laced coat, and he had a +long, drooping mustache that curled down below his chin. He wore a +fine, feathered hat, and his long black hair hung down upon his +shoulders. + +All this Tom Chist could see in the moonlight that glinted and twinkled +upon the gilt buttons of his coat. + +They were so busy lifting the chest from the boat that at first they +did not observe that Tom Chist had come up and was standing there. It +was the white man with the long, plaited queue and the gold ear-rings +that spoke to him. "Boy, what do you want here, boy?" he said, in a +rough, hoarse voice. "Where d'ye come from?" And then dropping his end +of the chest, and without giving Tom time to answer, he pointed off +down the beach, and said, "You'd better be going about your own +business, if you know what's good for you; and don't you come back, or +you'll find what you don't want waiting for you." + +Tom saw in a glance that the pirates were all looking at him, and then, +without saying a word, he turned and walked away. The man who had +spoken to him followed him threateningly for some little distance, as +though to see that he had gone away as he was bidden to do. But +presently he stopped, and Tom hurried on alone, until the boat and the +crew and all were dropped away behind and lost in the moonlight night. +Then he himself stopped also, turned, and looked back whence he had +come. + +There had been something very strange in the appearance of the men he +had just seen, something very mysterious in their actions, and he +wondered what it all meant, and what they were going to do. He stood +for a little while thus looking and listening. He could see nothing, +and could hear only the sound of distant talking. What were they doing +on the lonely shore thus at night? Then, following a sudden impulse, he +turned and cut off across the sand-hummocks, skirting around inland, +but keeping pretty close to the shore, his object being to spy upon +them, and to watch what they were about from the back of the low +sand-hills that fronted the beach. + +He had gone along some distance in his circuitous return when he became +aware of the sound of voices that seemed to be drawing closer to him as +he came towards the speakers. He stopped and stood listening, and +instantly, as he stopped, the voices stopped also. He crouched there +silently in the bright, glimmering moonlight, surrounded by the silent +stretches of sand, and the stillness seemed to press upon him like a +heavy hand. Then suddenly the sound of a man's voice began again, and +as Tom listened he could hear some one slowly counting. "Ninety-one," +the voice began, "ninety-two, ninety-three, ninety-four, ninety-five, +ninety-six, ninety-seven, ninety-eight, ninety-nine, one hundred, one +hundred and one"--the slow, monotonous count coming nearer and nearer +to him--"one hundred and two, one hundred and three, one hundred and +four," and so on in its monotonous reckoning. + +Suddenly he saw three heads appear above the sand-hill, so close to him +that he crouched down quickly with a keen thrill, close beside the +hummock near which he stood. His first fear was that they might have +seen him in the moonlight; but they had not, and his heart rose again +as the counting voice went steadily on. "One hundred and twenty," it +was saying--"and twenty-one, and twenty-two, and twenty-three, and +twenty-four," and then he who was counting came out from behind the +little sandy rise into the white and open level of shimmering +brightness. + +[Illustration: "'... AND TWENTY-ONE AND TWENTY-TWO'"] + +It was the man with the cane whom Tom had seen some time before--the +captain of the party who had landed. He carried his cane under his arm +now, and was holding his lantern close to something that he held in his +hand, and upon which he looked narrowly as he walked with a slow and +measured tread in a perfectly straight line across the sand, counting +each step as he took it. "And twenty-five, and twenty-six, and +twenty-seven, and twenty-eight, and twenty-nine, and thirty." + +Behind him walked two other figures; one was the half-naked negro, the +other the man with the plaited queue and the ear-rings, whom Tom had +seen lifting the chest out of the boat. Now they were carrying the +heavy box between them, laboring through the sand with shuffling tread +as they bore it onward. + +As he who was counting pronounced the word "thirty," the two men set +the chest down on the sand with a grunt, the white man panting and +blowing and wiping his sleeve across his forehead. And immediately he +who counted took out a slip of paper and marked something down upon it. +They stood there for a long time, during which Tom lay behind the +sand-hummock watching them, and for a while the silence was uninterrupted. +In the perfect stillness Tom could hear the washing of the little waves +beating upon the distant beach, and once the far-away sound of a laugh +from one of those who stood by the ship's boat. + +One, two, three minutes passed, and then the men picked up the chest +and started on again; and then again the other man began his counting. +"Thirty and one, and thirty and two, and thirty and three, and thirty +and four"--he walked straight across the level open, still looking +intently at that which he held in his hand--"and thirty and five, and +thirty and six, and thirty and seven," and so on, until the three +figures disappeared in the little hollow between the two sand-hills on +the opposite side of the open, and still Tom could hear the sound of +the counting voice in the distance. + +Just as they disappeared behind the hill there was a sudden faint flash +of light; and by-and-by, as Tom lay still listening to the counting, he +heard, after a long interval, a far-away muffled rumble of distant +thunder. He waited for a while, and then arose and stepped to the top +of the sand-hummock behind which he had been lying. He looked all about +him, but there was no one else to be seen. Then he stepped down from +the hummock and followed in the direction which the pirate captain and +the two men carrying the chest had gone. He crept along cautiously, +stopping now and then to make sure that he still heard the counting +voice, and when it ceased he lay down upon the sand and waited until it +began again. + +Presently, so following the pirates, he saw the three figures again in +the distance, and, skirting around back of a hill of sand covered with +coarse sedge-grass, he came to where he overlooked a little open level +space gleaming white in the moonlight. + +The three had been crossing the level of sand, and were now not more +than twenty-five paces from him. They had again set down the chest, +upon which the white man with the long queue and the gold ear-rings had +seated to rest himself, the negro standing close beside him. The moon +shone as bright as day and full upon his face. It was looking directly +at Tom Chist, every line as keen cut with white lights and black +shadows as though it had been carved in ivory and jet. He sat perfectly +motionless, and Tom drew back with a start, almost thinking he had been +discovered. He lay silent, his heart beating heavily in his throat; but +there was no alarm, and presently he heard the counting begin again, +and when he looked once more he saw they were going away straight +across the little open. A soft, sliding hillock of sand lay directly in +front of them. They did not turn aside, but went straight over it, the +leader helping himself up the sandy slope with his cane, still counting +and still keeping his eyes fixed upon that which he held in his hand. +Then they disappeared again behind the white crest on the other side. + +So Tom followed them cautiously until they had gone almost half a mile +inland. When next he saw them clearly it was from a little sandy rise +which looked down like the crest of a bowl upon the floor of sand +below. Upon this smooth, white floor the moon beat with almost dazzling +brightness. + +The white man who had helped to carry the chest was now kneeling, +busied at some work, though what it was Tom at first could not see. He +was whittling the point of a stick into a long wooden peg, and when, +by-and-by, he had finished what he was about, he arose and stepped to +where he who seemed to be the captain had stuck his cane upright into +the ground as though to mark some particular spot. He drew the cane out +of the sand, thrusting the stick down in its stead. Then he drove the +long peg down with a wooden mallet which the negro handed to him. The +sharp rapping of the mallet upon the top of the peg sounded loud in the +perfect stillness, and Tom lay watching and wondering what it all +meant. + +The man, with quick-repeated blows, drove the peg farther and farther +down into the sand until it showed only two or three inches above the +surface. As he finished his work there was another faint flash of +light, and by-and-by another smothered rumble of thunder, and Tom as he +looked out towards the westward, saw the silver rim of the round and +sharply outlined thundercloud rising slowly up into the sky and pushing +the other and broken drifting clouds before it. + +The two white men were now stooping over the peg, the negro man +watching them. Then presently the man with the cane started straight +away from the peg, carrying the end of a measuring-line with him, the +other end of which the man with the plaited queue held against the top +of the peg. When the pirate captain had reached the end of the +measuring-line he marked a cross upon the sand, and then again they +measured out another stretch of space. + +So they measured a distance five times over, and then, from where Tom +lay, he could see the man with the queue drive another peg just at the +foot of a sloping rise of sand that swept up beyond into a tall white +dune marked sharp and clear against the night sky behind. As soon as +the man with the plaited queue had driven the second peg into the +ground they began measuring again, and so, still measuring, disappeared +in another direction which took them in behind the sand-dune, where Tom +no longer could see what they were doing. + +The negro still sat by the chest where the two had left him, and so +bright was the moonlight that from where he lay Tom could see the glint +of it twinkling in the whites of his eyeballs. + +Presently from behind the hill there came, for the third time, the +sharp rapping sound of the mallet driving still another peg, and then +after a while the two pirates emerged from behind the sloping whiteness +into the space of moonlight again. + +They came direct to where the chest lay, and the white man and the +black man lifting it once more, they walked away across the level of +open sand, and so on behind the edge of the hill and out of Tom's +sight. + +III + +Tom Chist could no longer see what the pirates were doing, neither did +he dare to cross over the open space of sand that now lay between them +and him. He lay there speculating as to what they were about, and +meantime the storm cloud was rising higher and higher above the +horizon, with louder and louder mutterings of thunder following each +dull flash from out the cloudy, cavernous depths. In the silence he +could hear an occasional click as of some iron implement, and he opined +that the pirates were burying the chest, though just where they were at +work he could neither see nor tell. Still he lay there watching and +listening, and by-and-by a puff of warm air blew across the sand, and a +thumping tumble of louder thunder leaped from out the belly of the +storm cloud, which every minute was coming nearer and nearer. Still Tom +Chist lay watching. + +Suddenly, almost unexpectedly, the three figures reappeared from behind +the sand-hill, the pirate captain leading the way, and the negro and +white man following close behind him. They had gone about half-way +across the white, sandy level between the hill and the hummock behind +which Tom Chist lay, when the white man stopped and bent over as though +to tie his shoe. + +This brought the negro a few steps in front of his companion. + +That which then followed happened so suddenly, so unexpectedly, so +swiftly, that Tom Chist had hardly time to realize what it all meant +before it was over. As the negro passed him the white man arose +suddenly and silently erect, and Tom Chist saw the white moonlight +glint upon the blade of a great dirk-knife which he now held in his +hand. He took one, two silent, catlike steps behind the unsuspecting +negro. Then there was a sweeping flash of the blade in the pallid +light, and a blow, the thump of which Tom could distinctly hear even +from where he lay stretched out upon the sand. There was an instant +echoing yell from the black man, who ran stumbling forward, who +stopped, who regained his footing, and then stood for an instant as +though rooted to the spot. + +Tom had distinctly seen the knife enter his back, and even thought that +he had seen the glint of the point as it came out from the breast. + +Meantime the pirate captain had stopped, and now stood with his hand +resting upon his cane looking impassively on. + +Then the black man started to run. The white man stood for a while +glaring after him; then he too started after his victim upon the run. +The black man was not very far from Tom when he staggered and fell. He +tried to rise, then fell forward again, and lay at length. At that +instant the first edge of the cloud cut across the moon, and there was +a sudden darkness; but in the silence Tom heard the sound of another +blow and a groan, and then presently a voice calling to the pirate +captain that it was all over. + +He saw the dim form of the captain crossing the level sand, and then, +as the moon sailed out from behind the cloud, he saw the white man +standing over a black figure that lay motionless upon the sand. + +Then Tom Chist scrambled up and ran away, plunging down into the hollow +of sand that lay in the shadows below. Over the next rise he ran, and +down again into the next black hollow, and so on over the sliding, +shifting ground, panting and gasping. It seemed to him that he could +hear footsteps following, and in the terror that possessed him he +almost expected every instant to feel the cold knife-blade slide +between his own ribs in such a thrust from behind as he had seen given +to the poor black man. + +So he ran on like one in a nightmare. His feet grew heavy like lead, he +panted and gasped, his breath came hot and dry in his throat. But still +he ran and ran until at last he found himself in front of old Matt +Abrahamson's cabin, gasping, panting, and sobbing for breath, his knees +relaxed and his thighs trembling with weakness. + +As he opened the door and dashed into the darkened cabin (for both Matt +and Molly were long ago asleep in bed) there was a flash of light, and +even as he slammed to the door behind him there was an instant peal of +thunder, heavy as though a great weight had been dropped upon the roof +of the sky, so that the doors and windows of the cabin rattled. + +IV + +Then Tom Chist crept to bed, trembling, shuddering, bathed in sweat, +his heart beating like a trip-hammer, and his brain dizzy from that +long, terror-inspired race through the soft sand in which he had +striven to outstrip he knew not what pursuing horror. + +For a long, long time he lay awake, trembling and chattering with +nervous chills, and when he did fall asleep it was only to drop into +monstrous dreams in which he once again saw ever enacted, with various +grotesque variations, the tragic drama which his waking eyes had beheld +the night before. + +Then came the dawning of the broad, wet daylight, and before the rising +of the sun Tom was up and out-of-doors to find the young day dripping +with the rain of overnight. + +His first act was to climb the nearest sandhill and to gaze out towards +the offing where the pirate ship had been the day before. + +It was no longer there. + +Soon afterwards Matt Abrahamson came out of the cabin and he called to +Tom to go get a bite to eat, for it was time for them to be away +fishing. + +All that morning the recollection of the night before hung over Tom +Chist like a great cloud of boding trouble. It filled the confined area +of the little boat and spread over the entire wide spaces of sky and +sea that surrounded them. Not for a moment was it lifted. Even when he +was hauling in his wet and dripping line with a struggling fish at the +end of it a recurrent memory of what he had seen would suddenly come +upon him, and he would groan in spirit at the recollection. He looked +at Matt Abrahamson's leathery face, at his lantern jaws cavernously and +stolidly chewing at a tobacco leaf, and it seemed monstrous to him that +the old man should be so unconscious of the black cloud that wrapped +them all about. + +When the boat reached the shore again he leaped scrambling to the +beach, and as soon as his dinner was eaten he hurried away to find the +Dominie Jones. + +He ran all the way from Abrahamson's hut to the Parson's house, hardly +stopping once, and when he knocked at the door he was panting and +sobbing for breath. + +The good man was sitting on the back-kitchen door-step smoking his long +pipe of tobacco out into the sunlight, while his wife within was +rattling about among the pans and dishes in preparation of their +supper, of which a strong, porky smell already filled the air. + +Then Tom Chist told his story, panting, hurrying, tumbling one word +over another in his haste, and Parson Jones listened, breaking every +now and then into an ejaculation of wonder. The light in his pipe went +out and the bowl turned cold. + +"And I don't see why they should have killed the poor black man," said +Tom, as he finished his narrative. + +"Why, that is very easy enough to understand," said the good reverend +man. "'Twas a treasure-box they buried!" + +In his agitation Mr. Jones had risen from his seat and was now stumping +up and down, puffing at his empty tobacco-pipe as though it were still +alight. + +"A treasure-box!" cried out Tom. + +"Aye, a treasure-box! And that was why they killed the poor black man. +He was the only one, d'ye see, besides they two who knew the place +where 'twas hid, and now that they've killed him out of the way, +there's nobody but themselves knows. The villains--Tut, tut, look at +that now!" In his excitement the dominie had snapped the stem of his +tobacco-pipe in two. + +"Why, then," said Tom, "if that is so, 'tis indeed a wicked, bloody +treasure, and fit to bring a curse upon anybody who finds it!" + +"'Tis more like to bring a curse upon the soul who buried it," said +Parson Jones, "and it may be a blessing to him who finds it. But tell +me, Tom, do you think you could find the place again where 'twas hid?" + +"I can't tell that," said Tom, "'twas all in among the sand-humps, d'ye +see, and it was at night into the bargain. Maybe we could find the +marks of their feet in the sand," he added. + +"'Tis not likely," said the reverend gentleman, "for the storm last +night would have washed all that away." + +"I could find the place," said Tom, "where the boat was drawn up on the +beach." + +"Why, then, that's something to start from, Tom," said his friend. "If +we can find that, then maybe we can find whither they went from there." + +"If I was certain it was a treasure-box," cried out Tom Chist, "I would +rake over every foot of sand betwixt here and Henlopen to find it." + +"'Twould be like hunting for a pin in a haystack," said the Rev. Hilary +Jones. + +As Tom walked away home, it seemed as though a ton's weight of gloom +had been rolled away from his soul. The next day he and Parson Jones +were to go treasure-hunting together; it seemed to Tom as though he +could hardly wait for the time to come. + +V + +The next afternoon Parson Jones and Tom Chist started off together upon +the expedition that made Tom's fortune forever. Tom carried a spade +over his shoulder and the reverend gentleman walked along beside him +with his cane. + +As they jogged along up the beach they talked together about the only +thing they could talk about--the treasure-box. "And how big did you say +'twas?" quoth the good gentleman. + +"About so long," said Tom Chist, measuring off upon the spade, "and +about so wide, and this deep." + +"And what if it should be full of money, Tom?" said the reverend +gentleman, swinging his cane around and around in wide circles in the +excitement of the thought, as he strode along briskly. "Suppose it +should be full of money, what then?" + +"By Moses!" said Tom Chist, hurrying to keep up with his friend, "I'd +buy a ship for myself, I would, and I'd trade to Injy and to Chiny to +my own boot, I would. Suppose the chist was all full of money, sir, and +suppose we should find it; would there be enough in it, d'ye suppose, +to buy a ship?" + +"To be sure there would be enough, Tom; enough and to spare, and a good +big lump over." + +"And if I find it 'tis mine to keep, is it, and no mistake?" + +"Why, to be sure it would be yours!" cried out the Parson, in a loud +voice. "To be sure it would be yours!" He knew nothing of the law, but +the doubt of the question began at once to ferment in his brain, and he +strode along in silence for a while. "Whose else would it be but yours +if you find it?" he burst out. "Can you tell me that?" + +"If ever I have a ship of my own," said Tom Chist, "and if ever I sail +to Injy in her, I'll fetch ye back the best chist of tea, sir, that +ever was fetched from Cochin Chiny." + +Parson Jones burst out laughing. "Thankee, Tom," he said; "and I'll +thankee again when I get my chist of tea. But tell me, Tom, didst thou +ever hear of the farmer girl who counted her chickens before they were +hatched?" + +It was thus they talked as they hurried along up the beach together, +and so came to a place at last where Tom stopped short and stood +looking about him. "'Twas just here," he said, "I saw the boat last +night. I know 'twas here, for I mind me of that bit of wreck yonder, +and that there was a tall stake drove in the sand just where yon stake +stands." + +Parson Jones put on his barnacles and went over to the stake towards +which Tom pointed. As soon as he had looked at it carefully, he called +out: "Why, Tom, this hath been just drove down into the sand. 'Tis a +brand-new stake of wood, and the pirates must have set it here +themselves as a mark, just as they drove the pegs you spoke about down +into the sand." + +Tom came over and looked at the stake. It was a stout piece of oak +nearly two inches thick; it had been shaped with some care, and the top +of it had been painted red. He shook the stake and tried to move it, +but it had been driven or planted so deeply into the sand that he could +not stir it. "Aye, sir," he said, "it must have been set here for a +mark, for I'm sure 'twas not here yesterday or the day before." He +stood looking about him to see if there were other signs of the +pirates' presence. At some little distance there was the corner of +something white sticking up out of the sand. He could see that it was a +scrap of paper, and he pointed to it, calling out: "Yonder is a piece +of paper, sir. I wonder if they left that behind them?" + +It was a miraculous chance that placed that paper there. There was only +an inch of it showing, and if it had not been for Tom's sharp eyes, it +would certainly have been overlooked and passed by. The next wind-storm +would have covered it up, and all that afterwards happened never would +have occurred. "Look sir," he said, as he struck the sand from it, "it +hath writing on it." + +"Let me see it," said Parson Jones. He adjusted the spectacles a little +more firmly astride of his nose as he took the paper in his hand and +began conning it. "What's all this?" he said; "a whole lot of figures +and nothing else." And then he read aloud, "'Mark--S.S.W. by S.' What +d'ye suppose that means, Tom?" + +"I don't know, sir," said Tom. "But maybe we can understand it better +if you read on." + +"Tis all a great lot of figures," said Parson Jones, "without a grain +of meaning in them so far as I can see, unless they be sailing +directions." And then he began reading again: "'Mark--S.S.W. by S. 40, +72, 91, 130, 151, 177, 202, 232, 256, 271'--d'ye see, it must be +sailing directions--'299, 335, 362, 386, 415, 446, 469, 491, 522, 544, +571, 598'--what a lot of them there be--'626, 652, 676, 695, 724, 851, +876, 905, 940, 967. Peg. S.E. by E. 269 foot. Peg. S.S.W. by S. 427 +foot. Peg. Dig to the west of this six foot.'" + +"What's that about a peg?" exclaimed Tom. "What's that about a peg? And +then there's something about digging, too!" It was as though a sudden +light began shining into his brain. He felt himself growing quickly +very excited. "Read that over again, sir," he cried. "Why, sir, you +remember I told you they drove a peg into the sand. And don't they say +to dig close to it? Read it over again, sir--read it over again!" + +"Peg?" said the good gentleman. "To be sure it was about a peg. Let's +look again. Yes, here it is. 'Peg S.E. by E. 269 foot.'" + +"Aye!" cried out Tom Chist again, in great excitement. "Don't you +remember what I told you, sir, 269 foot? Sure that must be what I saw +'em measuring with the line." Parson Jones had now caught the flame of +excitement that was blazing up so strongly in Tom's breast. He felt as +though some wonderful thing was about to happen to them. "To be sure, +to be sure!" he called out, in a great big voice. "And then they +measured out 427 foot south-southwest by south, and then they drove +another peg, and then they buried the box six foot to the west of it. +Why, Tom--why, Tom Chist! if we've read this aright, thy fortune is +made." + +Tom Chist stood staring straight at the old gentleman's excited face, +and seeing nothing but it in all the bright infinity of sunshine. Were +they, indeed, about to find the treasure-chest? He felt the sun very +hot upon his shoulders, and he heard the harsh, insistent jarring of a +tern that hovered and circled with forked tail and sharp white wings in +the sunlight just above their heads; but all the time he stood staring +into the good old gentleman's face. + +It was Parson Jones who first spoke. "But what do all these figures +mean?" And Tom observed how the paper shook and rustled in the tremor +of excitement that shook his hand. He raised the paper to the focus of +his spectacles and began to read again. "'Mark 40, 72, 91--'" + +"Mark?" cried out Tom, almost screaming. "Why, that must mean the stake +yonder; that must be the mark." And he pointed to the oaken stick with +its red tip blazing against the white shimmer of sand behind it. + +"And the 40 and 72 and 91," cried the old gentleman, in a voice equally +shrill--"why, that must mean the number of steps the pirate was +counting when you heard him." + +"To be sure that's what they mean!" cried Tom Chist. "That is it, and +it can be nothing else. Oh, come, sir--come, sir; let us make haste and +find it!" + +"Stay! stay!" said the good gentleman, holding up his hand; and again +Tom Chist noticed how it trembled and shook. His voice was steady +enough, though very hoarse, but his hand shook and trembled as though +with a palsy. "Stay! stay! First of all, we must follow these +measurements. And 'tis a marvellous thing," he croaked, after a little +pause, "how this paper ever came to be here." + +"Maybe it was blown here by the storm," suggested Tom Chist. + +"Like enough; like enough," said Parson Jones. "Like enough, after the +wretches had buried the chest and killed the poor black man, they were +so buffeted and bowsed about by the storm that it was shook out of the +man's pocket, and thus blew away from him without his knowing aught of +it." + +"But let us find the box!" cried out Tom Chist, flaming with his +excitement. + +"Aye, aye," said the good man; "only stay a little, my boy, until we +make sure what we're about. I've got my pocket-compass here, but we +must have something to measure off the feet when we have found the peg. +You run across to Tom Brooke's house and fetch that measuring-rod he +used to lay out his new byre. While you're gone I'll pace off the +distance marked on the paper with my pocket-compass here." + +VI + +Tom Chist was gone for almost an hour, though he ran nearly all the way +and back, upborne as on the wings of the wind. When he returned, +panting, Parson Jones was nowhere to be seen, but Tom saw his footsteps +leading away inland, and he followed the scuffling marks in the smooth +surface across the sand-humps and down into the hollows, and by-and-by +found the good gentleman in a spot he at once knew as soon as he laid +his eyes upon it. + +It was the open space where the pirates had driven their first peg, and +where Tom Chist had afterwards seen them kill the poor black man. Tom +Chist gazed around as though expecting to see some sign of the tragedy, +but the space was as smooth and as undisturbed as a floor, excepting +where, midway across it, Parson Jones who was now stooping over +something on the ground, had trampled it all around about. + +When Tom Chist saw him, he was still bending over, scraping the sand +away from something he had found. + +It was the first peg! + +Inside of half an hour they had found the second and third pegs, and +Tom Chist stripped off his coat, and began digging like mad down into +the sand, Parson Jones standing over him watching him. The sun was +sloping well towards the west when the blade of Tom Chist's spade +struck upon something hard. + +If it had been his own heart that he had hit in the sand his breast +could hardly have thrilled more sharply. + +It was the treasure-box! + +Parson Jones himself leaped down into the hole, and began scraping away +the sand with his hands as though he had gone crazy. At last, with some +difficulty, they tugged and hauled the chest up out of the sand to the +surface, where it lay covered all over with the grit that clung to it. + +It was securely locked and fastened with a padlock, and it took a good +many blows with the blade of the spade to burst the bolt. Parson Jones +himself lifted the lid. + +Tom Chist leaned forward and gazed down into the open box. He would not +have been surprised to have seen it filled full of yellow gold and +bright jewels. It was filled half full of books and papers, and half +full of canvas bags tied safely and securely around and around with +cords of string. + +Parson Jones lifted out one of the bags, and it jingled as he did so. +It was full of money. + +He cut the string, and with trembling, shaking hands handed the bag to +Tom, who, in an ecstasy of wonder and dizzy with delight, poured out +with swimming sight upon the coat spread on the ground a cataract of +shining silver money that rang and twinkled and jingled as it fell in a +shining heap upon the coarse cloth. + +Parson Jones held up both hands into the air, and Tom stared at what he +saw, wondering whether it was all so, and whether he was really awake. +It seemed to him as though he was in a dream. + +There were two-and-twenty bags in all in the chest: ten of them full of +silver money, eight of them full of gold money, three of them full of +gold-dust, and one small bag with jewels wrapped up in wad cotton and +paper. + +[Illustration: "'TIS ENOUGH,' CRIED OUT PARSON JONES, 'TO MAKE US BOTH +RICH MEN'"] + +"'Tis enough," cried out Parson Jones, "to make us both rich men as +long as we live." + +The burning summer sun, though sloping in the sky, beat down upon them +as hot as fire; but neither of them noticed it. Neither did they notice +hunger nor thirst nor fatigue, but sat there as though in a trance, +with the bags of money scattered on the sand around them, a great pile +of money heaped upon the coat, and the open chest beside them. It was +an hour of sundown before Parson Jones had begun fairly to examine the +books and papers in the chest. + +Of the three books, two were evidently log-books of the pirates who had +been lying off the mouth of the Delaware Bay all this time. The other +book was written in Spanish, and was evidently the log-book of some +captured prize. + +It was then, sitting there upon the sand, the good old gentleman +reading in his high, cracking voice, that they first learned from the +bloody records in those two books who it was who had been lying inside +the Cape all this time, and that it was the famous Captain Kidd. Every +now and then the reverend gentleman would stop to exclaim, "Oh, the +bloody wretch!" or, "Oh, the desperate, cruel villains!" and then would +go on reading again a scrap here and a scrap there. + +And all the while Tom Chist sat and listened, every now and then +reaching out furtively and touching the heap of money still lying upon +the coat. + +One might be inclined to wonder why Captain Kidd had kept those bloody +records. He had probably laid them away because they so incriminated +many of the great people of the colony of New York that, with the books +in evidence, it would have been impossible to bring the pirate to +justice without dragging a dozen or more fine gentlemen into the dock +along with him. If he could have kept them in his own possession, they +would doubtless have been a great weapon of defence to protect him from +the gallows. Indeed, when Captain Kidd was finally brought to +conviction and hung, he was not accused of his piracies, but of +striking a mutinous seaman upon the head with a bucket and accidentally +killing him. The authorities did not dare try him for piracy. He was +really hung because he was a pirate, and we know that it was the +log-books that Tom Chist brought to New York that did the business for him; +he was accused and convicted of manslaughter for killing of his own +ship-carpenter with a bucket. + +So Parson Jones, sitting there in the slanting light, read through +these terrible records of piracy, and Tom, with the pile of gold and +silver money beside him, sat and listened to him. + +What a spectacle, if any one had come upon them! But they were alone, +with the vast arch of sky empty above them and the wide white stretch +of sand a desert around them. The sun sank lower and lower, until there +was only time to glance through the other papers in the chest. + +They were nearly all goldsmiths' bills of exchange drawn in favor of +certain of the most prominent merchants of New York. Parson Jones, as +he read over the names, knew of nearly all the gentlemen by hearsay. +Aye, here was this gentleman; he thought that name would be among 'em. +What? Here is Mr. So-and-so. Well, if all they say is true, the villain +has robbed one of his own best friends. "I wonder," he said, "why the +wretch should have hidden these papers so carefully away with the other +treasures, for they could do him no good?" Then, answering his own +question: "Like enough because these will give him a hold over the +gentlemen to whom they are drawn so that he can make a good bargain for +his own neck before he gives the bills back to their owners. I tell you +what it is, Tom," he continued, "it is you yourself shall go to New +York and bargain for the return of these papers. 'Twill be as good as +another fortune to you." + +The majority of the bills were drawn in favor of one Richard +Chillingsworth, Esquire. "And he is," said Parson Jones; "one of the +richest men in the province of New York. You shall go to him with the +news of what we have found." + +"When shall I go?" said Tom Chist. + +"You shall go upon the very first boat we can catch," said the Parson. +He had turned, still holding the bills in his hand, and was now +fingering over the pile of money that yet lay tumbled out upon the +coat. "I wonder, Tom," said he, "if you could spare me a score or so of +these doubloons?" + +"You shall have fifty score, if you choose," said Tom, bursting with +gratitude and with generosity in his newly found treasure. + +"You are as fine a lad as ever I saw, Tom," said the Parson, "and I'll +thank you to the last day of my life." + +Tom scooped up a double handful of silver money. "Take it, sir," he +said, "and you may have as much more as you want of it." + +He poured it into the dish that the good man made of his hands, and the +Parson made a motion as though to empty it into his pocket. Then he +stopped, as though a sudden doubt had occurred to him. "I don't know +that 'tis fit for me to take this pirate money, after all," he said. + +"But you are welcome to it," said Tom. + +Still the Parson hesitated. "Nay," he burst out, "I'll not take it; +'tis blood-money." And as he spoke he chucked the whole double handful +into the now empty chest, then arose and dusted the sand from his +breeches. Then, with a great deal of bustling energy, he helped to tie +the bags again and put them all back into the chest. + +They reburied the chest in the place whence they had taken it, and then +the Parson folded the precious paper of directions, placed it carefully +in his wallet, and his wallet in his pocket. + +"Tom," he said, for the twentieth time, "your fortune has been made +this day." + +And Tom Chist, as he rattled in his breeches pocket the half-dozen +doubloons he had kept out of his treasure, felt that what his friend +had said was true. + + * * * * * + +As the two went back homeward across the level space of sand, Tom Chist +suddenly stopped stock still and stood looking about him. "'Twas just +here," he said, digging his heel down into the sand, "that they killed +the poor black man." + +"And here he lies buried for all time," said Parson Jones; and as he +spoke he dug his cane down into the sand. Tom Chist shuddered. He would +not have been surprised if the ferrule of the cane had struck something +soft beneath that level surface. But it did not, nor was any sign of +that tragedy ever seen again. For, whether the pirates had carried away +what they had done and buried it elsewhere, or whether the storm in +blowing the sand had completely levelled off and hidden all sign of +that tragedy where it was enacted, certain it is that it never came to +sight again--at least so far as Tom Chist and the Reverend Hillary +Jones ever knew. + +VII + +This is the story of the treasure-box. All that remains now is to +conclude the story of Tom Chist, and to tell of what came of him in the +end. + +He did not go back again to live with old Matt Abrahamson. Parson Jones +had now taken charge of him and his fortunes, and Tom did not have to +go back to the fisherman's hut. + +Old Abrahamson talked a great deal about it, and would come in his cups +and harangue good Parson Jones, making a vast protestation of what he +would do to Tom--if he ever caught him--for running away. But Tom on +all these occasions kept carefully out of his way, and nothing came of +the old man's threatenings. + +Tom used to go over to see his foster-mother now and then, but always +when the old man was from home. And Molly Abrahamson used to warn him +to keep out of her father's way. "He's in as vile a humor as ever I +see, Tom," she said; "he sits sulking all day long, and 'tis my belief +he'd kill ye if he caught ye." + +Of course Tom said nothing, even to her, about the treasure, and he and +the reverend gentleman kept the knowledge thereof to themselves. About +three weeks later Parson Jones managed to get him shipped aboard of a +vessel bound for New York town, and a few days later Tom Chist landed +at that place. He had never been in such a town before, and he could +not sufficiently wonder and marvel at the number of brick houses, at +the multitude of people coming and going along the fine, hard, earthen +sidewalk, at the shops and the stores where goods hung in the windows, +and, most of all, the fortifications and the battery at the point, at +the rows of threatening cannon, and at the scarlet-coated sentries +pacing up and down the ramparts. All this was very wonderful, and so +were the clustered boats riding at anchor in the harbor. It was like a +new world, so different was it from the sand-hills and the sedgy levels +of Henlopen. + +Tom Chist took up his lodgings at a coffeehouse near to the town-hall, +and thence he sent by the post-boy a letter written by Parson Jones to +Master Chillingsworth. In a little while the boy returned with a +message, asking Tom to come up to Mr. Chillingsworth's house that +afternoon at two o'clock. + +Tom went thither with a great deal of trepidation, and his heart fell +away altogether when he found it a fine, grand brick house, three +stories high, and with wrought-iron letters across the front. + +The counting-house was in the same building; but Tom, because of Mr. +Jones's letter, was conducted directly into the parlor, where the great +rich man was awaiting his coming. He was sitting in a leather-covered +arm-chair, smoking a pipe of tobacco, and with a bottle of fine old +Madeira close to his elbow. + +Tom had not had a chance to buy a new suit of clothes yet, and so he +cut no very fine figure in the rough dress he had brought with him from +Henlopen. Nor did Mr. Chillingsworth seem to think very highly of his +appearance, for he sat looking sideways at Tom as he smoked. + +"Well, my lad," he said; "and what is this great thing you have to tell +me that is so mightily wonderful? I got what's-his-name--Mr. Jones's-- +letter, and now I am ready to hear what you have to say." + +But if he thought but little of his visitor's appearance at first, he +soon changed his sentiments towards him, for Tom had not spoken twenty +words when Mr. Chillingsworth's whole aspect changed. He straightened +himself up in his seat, laid aside his pipe, pushed away his glass of +Madeira, and bade Tom take a chair. He listened without a word as Tom +Chist told of the buried treasure, of how he had seen the poor negro +murdered, and of how he and Parson Jones had recovered the chest again. +Only once did Mr. Chillingsworth interrupt the narrative. "And to +think," he cried, "that the villain this very day walks about New York +town as though he were an honest man, ruffling it with the best of us! +But if we can only get hold of these log-books you speak of. Go on; +tell me more of this." + +When Tom Chist's narrative was ended, Mr. Chillingsworth's bearing was +as different as daylight is from dark. He asked a thousand questions, +all in the most polite and gracious tone imaginable, and not only urged +a glass of his fine old Madeira upon Tom, but asked him to stay to +supper. There was nobody to be there, he said, but his wife and +daughter. + +Tom, all in a panic at the very thought of the two ladies, sturdily +refused to stay even for the dish of tea Mr. Chillingsworth offered +him. + +He did not know that he was destined to stay there as long as he should +live. + +"And now," said Mr. Chillingsworth, "tell me about yourself." + +"I have nothing to tell, your honor," said Tom, "except that I was +washed up out of the sea." + +"Washed up out of the sea!" exclaimed Mr. Chillingsworth. "Why, how was +that? Come, begin at the beginning, and tell me all." + +Thereupon Tom Chist did as he was bidden, beginning at the very +beginning and telling everything just as Molly Abrahamson had often +told it to him. As he continued, Mr. Chillingsworth's interest changed +into an appearance of stronger and stronger excitement. Suddenly he +jumped up out of his chair and began to walk up and down the room. + +"Stop! stop!" he cried out at last, in the midst of something Tom was +saying. "Stop! stop! Tell me; do you know the name of the vessel that +was wrecked, and from which you were washed ashore?" + +"I've heard it said," said Tom Chist, "'twas the _Bristol Merchant_." + +"I knew it! I knew it!" exclaimed the great man, in a loud voice, +flinging his hands up into the air. "I felt it was so the moment you +began the story. But tell me this, was there nothing found with you +with a mark or a name upon it?" + +"There was a kerchief," said Tom, "marked with a T and a C." + +"Theodosia Chillingsworth!" cried out the merchant. "I knew it! I knew +it! Heavens! to think of anything so wonderful happening as this! Boy! +boy! dost thou know who thou art? Thou art my own brother's son. His +name was Oliver Chillingsworth, and he was my partner in business, and +thou art his son." Then he ran out into the entryway, shouting and +calling for his wife and daughter to come. + +So Tom Chist--or Thomas Chillingsworth, as he now was to be called--did +stay to supper, after all. + +This is the story, and I hope you may like it. For Tom Chist became +rich and great, as was to be supposed, and he married his pretty cousin +Theodosia (who had been named for his own mother, drowned in the +_Bristol Merchant_). + +He did not forget his friends, but had Parson Jones brought to New York +to live. + +As to Molly and Matt Abrahamson, they both enjoyed a pension of ten +pounds a year for as long as they lived; for now that all was well with +him, Tom bore no grudge against the old fisherman for all the drubbings +he had suffered. + +The treasure-box was brought on to New York, and if Tom Chist did not +get all the money there was in it (as Parson Jones had opined he would) +he got at least a good big lump of it. And it is my belief that those +log-books did more to get Captain Kidd arrested in Boston town and +hanged in London than anything else that was brought up against him. + + + + +III. THE GHOST OF CAPTAIN BRAND + +_Being a Narrative of Certain Extraordinary Adventures that Befell +Barnaby True, Esquire, of the Town of New York, in the Year 1753._ + + +I + +It is not so easy to tell why discredit should be cast upon a man +because of something his grandfather may have done amiss, but the +world, which is never over-nice in its discrimination as to where to +lay the blame, is often pleased to make the innocent suffer instead of +the guilty. + +Barnaby True was a good, honest boy, as boys go, but yet was he not +ever allowed altogether to forget that his grandfather had been that +very famous pirate, Captain William Brand, who, after so many +marvellous adventures (if one may believe the catchpenny stories and +ballads that were writ about him), was murdered in Jamaica by Captain +John Malyoe, the commander of his own consort, the _Adventure_ galley. + +It hath never been denied, that ever I heard, that up to the time of +Captain Brand's being commissioned against the South Sea pirates, he +had always been esteemed as honest, reputable a sea-captain as could +be. When he started out upon that adventure it was with a ship, the +_Royal Sovereign_, fitted out by some of the most decent merchants of +New York. Governor Van Dam himself had subscribed to the adventure, and +himself had signed Captain Brand's commission. So, if the unfortunate +man went astray, he must have had great temptation to do so; many +others behaving no better when the opportunity offered in these +far-away seas, when so many rich purchases might very easily be taken and +no one the wiser. + +To be sure those stories and ballads made our captain to be a most +wicked, profane wretch; and if he were, why God knows he suffered and +paid for it, for he laid his bones in Jamaica, and never saw his home +or his wife or his daughter after he had sailed away on the _Royal +Sovereign_ on that long, misfortunate voyage, leaving his family behind +him in New York to the care of strangers. + +At the time when Captain Brand so met his fate in Port Royal Harbor he +had increased his flotilla to two vessels--the _Royal Sovereign_ (which +was the vessel that had been fitted out for him in New York, a fine +brigantine and a good sailer), and the _Adventure_ galley, which he had +captured somewhere in the South Seas. This latter vessel he placed in +command of a certain John Malyoe whom he had picked up no one knows +where--a young man of very good family in England, who had turned +red-handed pirate. This man, who took no more thought of a human life than +he would of a broom straw, was he who afterwards murdered Captain +Brand, as you shall presently hear. + +With these two vessels, the _Royal Sovereign_ and the _Adventure_, +Captain Brand and Captain Malyoe swept the Mozambique Channel as clear +as a boatswain's whistle, and after three years of piracy, having +gained a great booty of gold and silver and pearls, sailed straight for +the Americas, making first the island of Jamaica and the harbor of Port +Royal, where they dropped anchor to wait for news from home. + +But by this time the authorities had been so stirred up against our +pirates that it became necessary for them to hide their booty until +such time as they might make their peace with the Admiralty Courts at +home. So one night Captain Brand and Captain Malyoe, with two others of +the pirates, went ashore with two great chests of treasure, which they +buried somewhere on the banks of the Cobra River near the place where +the old Spanish fort had stood. + +What happened after the treasure was thus buried no one may tell. 'Twas +said that Captain Brand and Captain Malyoe fell a-quarrelling and that +the upshot of the matter was that Captain Malyoe shot Captain Brand +through the head, and that the pirate who was with him served Captain +Brand's companion after the same fashion with a pistol bullet through +the body. + +After that the two murderers returned to their vessel, the _Adventure_ +galley, and sailed away, carrying the bloody secret of the buried +treasure with them. + +[Illustration: "CAPTAIN MALYOE SHOT CAPTAIN BRAND THROUGH THE HEAD"] + +But this double murder of Captain Brand and his companion happened, you +are to understand, some twenty years before the time of this story, and +while our hero was but one year old. So now to our present history. + +It is a great pity that any one should have a grandfather who ended his +days in such a sort as this; but it was no fault of Barnaby True's, nor +could he have done anything to prevent it, seeing he was not even born +into the world at the time that his grandfather turned pirate, and that +he was only one year old when Captain Brand so met his death on the +Cobra River. Nevertheless, the boys with whom he went to school never +tired of calling him "Pirate," and would sometimes sing for his benefit +that famous catchpenny ballad beginning thus: + +"Oh! my name was Captain Brand, + A-sailing, + And a-sailing; +Oh! my name was Captain Brand, + A-sailing free. +Oh! my name was Captain Brand, +And I sinned by sea and land, +For I broke God's just command, + A-sailing free." + +'Twas a vile thing to sing at the grandson of so unfortunate a man, and +oftentimes Barnaby True would double up his little fists and would +fight his tormentors at great odds, and would sometimes go back home +with a bloody nose or a bruised eye to have his poor mother cry over +him and grieve for him. + +Not that his days were all of teasing and torment, either; for if his +comrades did sometimes treat him so, why then there were other times +when he and they were as great friends as could be, and used to go +a-swimming together in the most amicable fashion where there was a bit of +sandy strand below the little bluff along the East River above Fort +George. + +There was a clump of wide beech-trees at that place, with a fine shade +and a place to lay their clothes while they swam about, splashing with +their naked white bodies in the water. At these times Master Barnaby +would bawl as lustily and laugh as loud as though his grandfather had +been the most honest ship-chandler in the town, instead of a +bloody-handed pirate who had been murdered in his sins. + +Ah! It is a fine thing to look back to the days when one was a boy! +Barnaby may remember how, often, when he and his companions were +paddling so in the water, the soldiers off duty would come up from the +fort and would maybe join them in the water, others, perhaps, standing +in their red coats on the shore, looking on and smoking their pipes of +tobacco. + +Then there were other times when maybe the very next day after our hero +had fought with great valor with his fellows he would go a-rambling +with them up the Bouwerie Road with the utmost friendliness; perhaps to +help them steal cherries from some old Dutch farmer, forgetting in such +an adventure what a thief his own grandfather had been. + +But to resume our story. + +When Barnaby True was between sixteen and seventeen years old he was +taken into employment in the counting-house of his stepfather, Mr. +Roger Hartright, the well-known West Indian merchant, a most +respectable man and one of the kindest and best of friends that anybody +could have in the world. + +This good gentleman had courted the favor of Barnaby's mother for a +long time before he had married her. Indeed, he had so courted her +before she had ever thought of marrying Jonathan True. But he not +venturing to ask her in marriage, and she being a brisk, handsome +woman, she chose the man who spoke out his mind, and so left the silent +lover out in the cold. But so soon as she was a widow and free again, +Mr. Hartright resumed his wooing, and so used to come down every +Tuesday and Friday evening to sit and talk with her. Among Barnaby +True's earliest memories was a recollection of the good, kind gentleman +sitting in old Captain Brand's double-nailed arm-chair, the sunlight +shining across his knees, over which he had spread a great red silk +handkerchief, while he sipped a dish of tea with a dash of rum in it. +He kept up this habit of visiting the Widow True for a long time before +he could fetch himself to the point of asking anything more particular +of her, and so Barnaby was nigh fourteen years old before Mr. Hartright +married her, and so became our hero's dear and honored foster-father. + +It was the kindness of this good man that not only found a place for +Barnaby in the counting-house, but advanced him so fast that, against +our hero was twenty-one years old, he had made four voyages as +supercargo to the West Indies in Mr. Hartright's ship, the _Belle +Helen_, and soon after he was twenty-one undertook a fifth. + +Nor was it in any such subordinate position as mere supercargo that he +sailed upon these adventures, but rather as the confidential agent of +Mr. Hartright, who, having no likelihood of children of his own, was +jealous to advance our hero to a position of trust and responsibility +in the counting-house, and so would have him know all the particulars +of the business and become more intimately acquainted with the +correspondents and agents throughout those parts of the West Indies +where the affairs of the house were most active. He would give to +Barnaby the best sort of letters of introduction, so that the +correspondents of Mr. Hartright throughout those parts, seeing how that +gentleman had adopted our hero's interests as his own, were always at +considerable pains to be very polite and obliging in showing every +attention to him. + +Especially among these gentlemen throughout the West Indies may be +mentioned Mr. Ambrose Greenfield, a merchant of excellent standing who +lived at Kingston, Jamaica. This gentleman was very particular to do +all that he could to make our hero's stay in these parts as agreeable +and pleasant to him as might be. Mr. Greenfield is here spoken of with +a greater degree of particularity than others who might as well be +remarked upon, because, as the reader shall presently discover for +himself, it was through the offices of this good friend that our hero +first became acquainted, not only with that lady who afterwards figured +with such conspicuousness in his affairs, but also with a man who, +though graced with a title, was perhaps the greatest villain who ever +escaped a just fate upon the gallows. + +So much for the history of Barnaby True up to the beginning of this +story, without which you shall hardly be able to understand the purport +of those most extraordinary adventures that afterwards befell him, nor +the logic of their consequence after they had occurred. + +II + +Upon the occasion of our hero's fifth voyage into the West Indies he +made a stay of some six or eight weeks at Kingston, in the island of +Jamaica, and it was at that time that the first of those extraordinary +adventures befell him, concerning which this narrative has to relate. + +It was Barnaby's habit, when staying at Kingston, to take lodging with +a very decent, respectable widow, by name Mrs. Anne Bolles, who, with +three extremely agreeable and pleasant daughters, kept a very clean and +well-served house for the accommodation of strangers visiting that +island. + +One morning as he sat sipping his coffee, clad only in loose cotton +drawers and a jacket of the same material, and with slippers upon his +feet (as is the custom in that country, where every one endeavors to +keep as cool as may be), Miss Eliza, the youngest of the three +daughters--a brisk, handsome miss of sixteen or seventeen--came +tripping into the room and handed him a sealed letter, which she +declared a stranger had just left at the door, departing incontinently +so soon as he had eased himself of that commission. You may conceive of +Barnaby's astonishment when he opened the note and read the remarkable +words that here follow: + +"_Mr. Barnaby True._ + +"Sir,--Though you don't know me, I know you, +and I tell you this: if you will be at Pratt's Ordinary +on Friday next at eight o'clock in the evening, and +will accompany the man who shall say to you, '_The +Royal Sovereign is come in_' you shall learn of something +the most to your advantage that ever befell you. +Sir, keep this note and give it to him who shall address +those words to you, so to certify that you are +the man he seeks. Sir, this is the most important thing +that can concern you, so you will please say nothing +to nobody about it." + +Such was the wording of the note which was writ in as cramped and +villanous handwriting as our hero ever beheld, and which, excepting his +own name, was without address, and which possessed no superscription +whatever. + +The first emotion that stirred Barnaby True was one of extreme and +profound astonishment; the second thought that came into his mind was +that maybe some witty fellow--of whom he knew a good many in that +place, and wild, mad rakes they were as ever the world beheld--was +attempting to play off a smart, witty jest upon him. Indeed, Miss Eliza +Bolles, who was of a lively, mischievous temper, was not herself above +playing such a prank should the occasion offer. With this thought in +his mind Barnaby inquired of her with a good deal of particularity +concerning the appearance and condition of the man who had left the +note, to all of which Miss replied with so straight a face and so +candid an air that he could no longer suspect her of being concerned in +any trick against him, and so eased his mind of any such suspicion. The +bearer of the note, she informed him, was a tall, lean man, with a red +neckerchief tied around his neck and with copper buckles to his shoes, +and he had the appearance of a sailor-man, having a great queue of red +hair hanging down his back. But, Lord! what was such a description as +that in a busy seaport town full of scores of men to fit such a +likeness? Accordingly, our hero put the note away into his wallet, +determining to show it to his good friend Mr. Greenfield that evening, +and to ask his advice upon it. + +This he did, and that gentleman's opinion was the same as his: to wit, +that some wag was minded to play off a hoax upon him, and that the +matter of the letter was all nothing but smoke. + +III + +Nevertheless, though Barnaby was thus confirmed in his opinion as to +the nature of the communication he had received, he yet determined in +his own mind that he would see the business through to the end and so +be at Pratt's Ordinary, as the note demanded, upon the day and at the +time appointed therein. + +Pratt's Ordinary was at that time a very fine and famous place of its +sort, with good tobacco and the best rum in the West Indies, and had a +garden behind it that, sloping down to the harbor front, was planted +pretty thick with palms and ferns, grouped into clusters with flowers +and plants. Here were a number of tables, some in little grottos, like +our Vauxhall in New York, with red and blue and white paper lanterns +hung among the foliage. Thither gentlemen and ladies used sometimes to +go of an evening to sit and drink lime-juice and sugar and water (and +sometimes a taste of something stronger), and to look out across the +water at the shipping and so to enjoy the cool of the day. + +Thither, accordingly, our hero went a little before the time appointed +in the note, and, passing directly through the Ordinary and to the +garden beyond, chose a table at the lower end and close to the water's +edge, where he could not readily be seen by any one coming into the +place, and yet where he could easily view whoever should approach. +Then, ordering some rum and water and a pipe of tobacco, he composed +himself to watch for the arrival of those witty fellows whom he +suspected would presently come thither to see the end of their prank +and to enjoy his confusion. + +The spot was pleasant enough, for the land breeze, blowing strong and +cool, set the leaves of the palm-tree above his head to rattling and +clattering continually against the darkness of the sky, where, the moon +then being half full, they shone every now and then like blades of +steel. The waves, also, were splashing up against the little +landing-place at the foot of the garden, sounding mightily pleasant in the +dusk of the evening, and sparkling all over the harbor where the moon +caught the edges of the water. A great many vessels were lying at anchor in +their ridings, with the dark, prodigious form of a man-of-war looming +up above them in the moonlight. + +There our hero sat for the best part of an hour, smoking his pipe of +tobacco and sipping his rum and water, yet seeing nothing of those whom +he suspected might presently come thither to laugh at him. + +It was not far from half after the hour when a row-boat came suddenly +out of the night and pulled up to the landing-place at the foot of the +garden, and three or four men came ashore in the darkness. They landed +very silently and walked up the garden pathway without saying a word, +and, sitting down at an adjacent table, ordered rum and water and began +drinking among themselves, speaking every now and then a word or two in +a tongue that Barnaby did not well understand, but which, from certain +phrases they let fall, he suspected to be Portuguese. Our hero paid no +great attention to them, till by-and-by he became aware that they had +fallen to whispering together and were regarding him very curiously. He +felt himself growing very uneasy under this observation, which every +moment grew more and more particular, and he was just beginning to +suspect that this interest concerning himself might have somewhat more +to do with him than mere idle curiosity, when one of the men, who was +plainly the captain of the party, suddenly says to him, "How now, +messmate; won't you come and have a drop of drink with us?" + +At this address Barnaby instantly began to be aware that the affair he +had come upon was indeed no jest, as he had supposed it to be, but that +he had walked into what promised to be a very pretty adventure. +Nevertheless, not wishing to be too hasty in his conclusions, he +answered very civilly that he had drunk enough already, and that more +would only heat his blood. + +"Well," says the stranger, "I may be mistook, but I believe you are Mr. +Barnaby True." + +"You are right, sir, and that is my name," acknowledged Barnaby. "But +still I cannot guess how that may concern you, nor why it should be a +reason for my drinking with you." "That I will presently tell you," +says the stranger, very composedly. "Your name concerns me because I +was sent here to tell Mr. Barnaby True that '_the Royal Sovereign is +come in_.'" + +To be sure our hero's heart jumped into his throat at those words. His +pulse began beating at a tremendous rate, for here, indeed, was an +adventure suddenly opening to him such as a man may read about in a +book, but which he may hardly expect to befall him in the real +happenings of his life. Had he been a wiser and an older man he might +have declined the whole business, instead of walking blindly into that +of which he could see neither the beginning nor the ending; but being +barely one-and-twenty years of age, and possessing a sanguine temper +and an adventurous disposition that would have carried him into almost +anything that possessed a smack of uncertainty or danger, he contrived +to say, in a pretty easy tone (though God knows how it was put on for +the occasion): + +"Well, if that be so, and if the _Royal Sovereign_ is indeed come in, +why, then, I'll join you, since you are so kind as to ask me." +Therewith he arose and went across to the other table, carrying his +pipe with him, and sat down and began smoking, with all the appearance +of ease he could command upon the occasion. + +At this the other burst out a-laughing. "Indeed," says he, "you are a +cool blade, and a chip of the old block. But harkee, young gentleman," +and here he fell serious again. "This is too weighty a business to +chance any mistake in a name. I believe that you are, as you say, Mr. +Barnaby True; but, nevertheless, to make perfectly sure, I must ask you +first to show me a note that you have about you and which you are +instructed to show to me." + +"Very well," said Barnaby; "I have it here safe and sound, and you +shall see it." And thereupon and without more ado he drew out his +wallet, opened it, and handed the other the mysterious note which he +had kept carefully by him ever since he had received it. His +interlocutor took the paper, and drawing to him the candle, burning +there for the convenience of those who would smoke tobacco, began +immediately reading it. + +This gave Barnaby True a moment or two to look at him. He was a tall, +lean man with a red handkerchief tied around his neck, with a queue of +red hair hanging down his back, and with copper buckles on his shoes, +so that Barnaby True could not but suspect that he was the very same +man who had given the note to Miss Eliza Bolles at the door of his +lodging-house. + +"'Tis all right and straight and as it should be," the other said, +after he had so examined the note. "And now that the paper is read" +(suiting his action to his words), "I'll just burn it for safety's +sake." + +And so he did, twisting it up and setting it to the flame of the +candle. "And now," he said, continuing his address, "I'll tell you what +I am here for. I was sent to ask if you're man enough to take your life +in your hands and to go with me in that boat down yonder at the foot of +the garden. Say 'Yes,' and we'll start away without wasting more time, +for the devil is ashore here at Jamaica--though you don't know what +that means--and if he gets ahead of us, why then we may whistle for +what we are after, for all the good 'twill do us. Say 'No,' and I go +away, and I promise you you shall never be troubled more in this sort +of a way. So now speak up plain, young gentleman, and tell us what is +your wish in this business, and whether you will adventure any further +or no." + +If our hero hesitated it was not for long, and when he spoke up it was +with a voice as steady as could be. + +"To be sure I'm man enough to go with you," says he; "and if you mean +me any harm I can look out for myself; and if I can't, then here is +something can look out for me." And therewith he lifted up the flap of +his pocket and showed the butt of a pistol he had fetched with him when +he had set out from his lodging-house that evening. + +At this the other burst out a-laughing for a second time. "Come," says +he; "you are indeed of right mettle, and I like your spirit. All the +same, no one in all the world means you less ill than I, and so, if you +have to use that barker, 'twill not be upon us who are your friends, +but only upon one who is more wicked than the devil himself. So now if +you are prepared and have made up your mind and are determined to see +this affair through to the end, 'tis time for us to be away." +Whereupon, our hero indicating his acquiescence, his interlocutor and +the others (who had not spoken a single word for all this time), rose +together from the table, and the stranger having paid the scores of +all, they went down together to the boat that lay plainly awaiting +their coming at the bottom of the garden. + +Thus coming to it, our hero could see that it was a large yawl-boat +manned by half a score of black men for rowers, and that there were two +lanterns in the stern-sheets, and three or four shovels. + +The man who had conducted the conversation with Barnaby True for all +this time, and who was, as has been said, plainly the captain of the +expedition, stepped immediately down into the boat; our hero followed, +and the others followed after him; and instantly they were seated the +boat shoved off and the black men began pulling straight out into the +harbor, and so, at some distance away, around under the stern of the +man-of-war. + +Not a word was spoken after they had thus left the shore, and they +might all have been so many spirits for the silence of the party. +Barnaby True was too full of his own thoughts to talk (and serious +enough thoughts they were by this time, with crimps to trepan a man at +every turn, and press-gangs to carry him off so that he might never be +heard of again). As for the others, they did not seem to choose to say +anything now that they had been fairly embarked upon their enterprise, +and so the crew pulled away for the best part of an hour, the leader of +the expedition directing the course of the boat straight across the +harbor, as though towards the mouth of the Cobra River. Indeed, this +was their destination, as Barnaby could after a while see for himself, +by the low point of land with a great, long row of cocoanut-palms +growing upon it (the appearance of which he knew very well), which +by-and-by began to loom up from the dimness of the moonlight. As they +approached the river they found the tide was running very violently, so +that it gurgled and rippled alongside the boat as the crew of black men +pulled strongly against it. Thus rowing slowly against the stream they +came around what appeared to be either a point of land or an islet +covered with a thick growth of mangrove-trees; though still no one +spoke a single word as to their destination, or what was the business +they had in hand. + +The night, now that they had come close to the shore, appeared to be +full of the noises of running tide-water, and the air was heavy with +the smell of mud and marsh. And over all was the whiteness of the +moonlight, with a few stars pricking out here and there in the sky; and +everything was so strange and mysterious and so different from anything +that he had experienced before that Barnaby could not divest himself of +the feeling that it was all a dream from which at any moment he might +awaken. As for the town and the Ordinary he had quitted such a short +time before, so different were they from this present experience, it +was as though they might have concerned another life than that which he +was then enjoying. + +Meantime, the rowers bending to the oars, the boat drew slowly around +into the open water once more. As it did so the leader of the +expedition of a sudden called out in a loud, commanding voice, whereat +the black men instantly ceased rowing and lay on their oars, the boat +drifting onward into the night. + +At the same moment of time our hero became aware of another boat coming +down the river towards where they lay. This other boat, approaching +thus strangely through the darkness, was full of men, some of them +armed; for even in the distance Barnaby could not but observe that the +light of the moon glimmered now and then as upon the barrels of muskets +or pistols. This threw him into a good deal of disquietude of mind, for +whether they or this boat were friends or enemies, or as to what was to +happen next, he was altogether in the dark. + +Upon this point, however, he was not left very long in doubt, for the +oarsmen of the approaching boat continuing to row steadily onward till +they had come pretty close to Barnaby and his companions, a man who sat +in the stern suddenly stood up, and as they passed by shook a cane at +Barnaby's companion with a most threatening and angry gesture. At the +same moment, the moonlight shining full upon him, Barnaby could see him +as plain as daylight--a large, stout gentleman with a round red face, +and clad in a fine, laced coat of red cloth. In the stern of the boat +near by him was a box or chest about the bigness of a middle-sized +travelling-trunk, but covered all over with cakes of sand and dirt. In +the act of passing, the gentleman, still standing, pointed at this +chest with his cane--an elegant gold-headed staff--and roared out in a +loud voice: "Are you come after this, Abram Dowling? Then come and take +it." And thereat, as he sat down again, burst out a-laughing as though +what he had said was the wittiest jest conceivable. + +Either because he respected the armed men in the other boat, or else +for some reason best known to himself, the Captain of our hero's +expedition did not immediately reply, but sat as still as any stone. +But at last, the other boat having drifted pretty far away, he suddenly +found words to shout out after it: "Very well, Jack Malyoe! Very well, +Jack Malyoe! You've got the better of us once more. But next time is +the third, and then it'll be our turn, even if William Brand must come +back from the grave to settle with you himself." + +But to this my fine gentleman in t'other boat made no reply except to +burst out once more into a great fit of laughter. + +There was, however, still another man in the stern of the enemy's +boat--a villanous, lean man with lantern-jaws, and the top of his head as +bald as an apple. He held in his hand a great pistol, which he +flourished about him, crying out to the gentleman beside him, "Do but +give me the word, your honor, and I'll put another bullet through the +son of a sea cook." But the other forbade him, and therewith the boat +presently melted away into the darkness of the night and was gone. + +This happened all in a few seconds, so that before our hero understood +what was passing he found the boat in which he still sat drifting +silently in the moonlight (for no one spoke for awhile) and the oars of +the other boat sounding farther and farther away into the distance. + +By-and-by says one of those in Barnaby's boat, in Spanish, "Where shall +you go now?" + +At this the leader of the expedition appeared suddenly to come back to +himself and to find his tongue again. "Go?" he roared out. "Go to the +devil! Go? Go where you choose! Go? Go back again--that's where well +go!" And therewith he fell a-cursing and swearing, frothing at the lips +as though he had gone clean crazy, while the black men, bending once +more to their oars, rowed back again across the harbor as fast as ever +they could lay oars to the water. + +They put Barnaby True ashore below the old custom-house, but so +bewildered and amazed by all that had happened, and by what he had +seen, and by the names he had heard spoken, that he was only half +conscious of the familiar things among which he suddenly found himself +transported. The moonlight and the night appeared to have taken upon +them a new and singular aspect, and he walked up the street towards his +lodging like one drunk or in a dream. For you must remember that "John +Malyoe" was the captain of the _Adventure_ galley--he who had shot +Barnaby's own grandfather--and "Abram Dowling," I must tell you, had +been the gunner of the _Royal Sovereign_--he who had been shot at the +same time that Captain Brand met his tragical end. And yet these names +he had heard spoken--the one from one boat, and the other from the +other, so that he could not but wonder what sort of beings they were +among whom he had fallen. + +As to that box covered all over with mud, he could only offer a +conjecture as to what it contained and as to what the finding of it +signified. + +But of this our hero said nothing to any one, nor did he tell any one +what he suspected, for, though he was so young in years, he possessed a +continent disposition inherited from his father (who had been one of +ten children born to a poor but worthy Presbyterian minister of +Bluefield, Connecticut), so it was that not even to his good friend Mr. +Greenfield did Barnaby say a word as to what had happened to him, going +about his business the next day as though nothing of moment had +occurred. + +But he was not destined yet to be done with those beings among whom he +had fallen that night; for that which he supposed to be the ending of +the whole affair was only the beginning of further adventures that were +soon to befall him. + +IV + +Mr. Greenfield lived in a fine brick house just outside of the town, on +the Mona Road. His family consisted of a wife and two daughters-- +handsome, lively young ladies with very fine, bright teeth that shone +whenever they laughed, and with a-plenty to say for themselves. To this +pleasant house Barnaby True was often asked to a family dinner, after +which he and his good kind host would maybe sit upon the veranda, +looking out towards the mountain, smoking their cigarros while the +young ladies laughed and talked, or played upon the guitar and sang. + +A day or two before the _Belle Helen_ sailed from Kingston, upon her +return voyage to New York, Mr. Greenfield stopped Barnaby True as he +was passing through the office, and begged him to come to dinner that +night. (For within the tropics, you are to know, they breakfast at +eleven o'clock and take dinner in the cool of the evening, because of +the heat, and not at mid-day, as we do in more temperate latitudes). "I +would," says Mr. Greenfield, "have you meet Sir John Malyoe and Miss +Marjorie, who are to be your chief passengers for New York, and for +whom the state cabin and the two state-rooms are to be fitted as here +ordered"--showing a letter--"for Sir John hath arranged," says Mr. +Greenfield, "for the Captain's own state-room." + +Then, not being aware of Barnaby True's history, nor that Captain Brand +was his grandfather, the good gentleman--calling Sir John "Jack" +Malyoe--goes on to tell our hero what a famous pirate he had been, and +how it was he who had shot Captain Brand over t'other side of the +harbor twenty years before. "Yes," says he, "'tis the same Jack Malyoe, +though grown into repute and importance now, as who would not who hath +had the good-fortune to fall heir to a baronetcy and a landed estate?" + +And so it befell that same night that Barnaby True once again beheld +the man who had murdered his own grandfather, meeting him this time +face to face. + +That time in the harbor he had seen Sir John Malyoe at a distance and +in the darkness; now that he beheld him closer, it seemed to him that +he had never seen a countenance more distasteful to him in all his +life. Not that the man was altogether ugly, for he had a good enough +nose and a fine double chin; but his eyes stood out from his face and +were red and watery, and he winked them continually, as though they +were always a-smarting. His lips were thick and purple-red, and his +cheeks mottled here and there with little clots of veins. + +When he spoke, his voice rattled in his throat to such a degree that it +made one wish to clear one's own throat to listen to him. So, what with +a pair of fat, white hands, and that hoarse voice, and his swollen +face, and his thick lips a-sticking out, it appeared to Barnaby True he +had never beheld a countenance that pleased him so little. + +But if Sir John Malyoe suited our hero's taste so ill, the +granddaughter was in the same degree pleasing to him. She had a thin, +fair skin, red lips, and yellow hair--though it was then powdered +pretty white for the occasion--and the bluest eyes that ever he beheld +in all of his life. A sweet, timid creature, who appeared not to dare +so much as to speak a word for herself without looking to that great +beast, her grandfather, for leave to do so, for she would shrink and +shudder whenever he would speak of a sudden to her or direct a glance +upon her. When she did pluck up sufficient courage to say anything, it +was in so low a voice that Barnaby was obliged to bend his head to hear +her; and when she smiled she would as like as not catch herself short +and look up as though to see if she did amiss to be cheerful. + +As for Sir John, he sat at dinner and gobbled and ate and drank, +smacking his lips all the while, but with hardly a word of civility +either to Mr. Greenfield or to Mrs. Greenfield or to Barnaby True; but +wearing all the while a dull, sullen air, as though he would say, "Your +damned victuals and drink are no better than they should be, but, such +as they are, I must eat 'em or eat nothing." + +It was only after dinner was over and the young lady and the two misses +off in a corner together that Barnaby heard her talk with any degree of +ease. Then, to be sure, her tongue became loose enough, and she +prattled away at a great rate; though hardly above her breath. Then of +a sudden her grand-father called out, in his hoarse, rattling voice, +that it was time to go, upon which she stopped short in what she was +saying and jumped up from her chair, looking as frightened as though he +were going to strike her with that gold-headed cane of his that he +always carried with him. + +Barnaby True and Mr. Greenfield both went out to see the two into their +coach, where Sir John's man stood holding the lantern. And who should +he be, to be sure, but that same lean villain with bald head who had +offered to shoot the Captain of Barnaby's expedition out on the harbor +that night! For one of the circles of light shining up into his face, +Barnaby True knew him the moment he clapped eyes upon him. Though he +could not have recognized our hero, he grinned at him in the most +impudent, familiar fashion, and never so much as touched his hat either +to him or to Mr. Greenfield; but as soon as his master and his young +mistress had entered the coach, banged to the door and scrambled up on +the seat alongside the driver, and so away without a word, but with +another impudent grin, this time favoring both Barnaby and the old +gentleman. + +Such were Sir John Malyoe and his man, and the ill opinion our hero +conceived of them was only confirmed by further observation. + +The next day Sir John Malyoe's travelling-cases began to come aboard +the _Belle Helen_, and in the afternoon that same lean, villanous +man-servant comes skipping across the gangplank as nimble as a goat, with +two black men behind him lugging a great sea-chest. "What!" he cries +out, "and so you is the supercargo, is you? Why, to be sure, I thought +you was more account when I saw you last night a-sitting talking with +his honor like his equal. Well, no matter," says he, "'tis something to +have a brisk, genteel young fellow for a supercargo. So come, my +hearty, lend a hand and help me set his honor's cabin to rights." + +What a speech was this to endure from such a fellow! What with our +hero's distaste for the villain, and what with such odious familiarity, +you may guess into what temper so impudent an address must have cast +him. Says he, "You'll find the steward in yonder, and he'll show you +the cabin Sir John is to occupy." Therewith he turned and walked away +with prodigious dignity, leaving the other standing where he was. + +As he went below to his own state-room he could not but see, out of the +tail of his eye, that the fellow was still standing where he had left +him, regarding him with a most evil, malevolent countenance, so that he +had the satisfaction of knowing that he had an enemy aboard for that +voyage who was not very likely to forgive or forget what he must regard +as so mortifying a slight as that which Barnaby had put upon him. + +The next day Sir John Malyoe himself came aboard, accompanied by his +granddaughter, and followed by his man, and he followed again by four +black men, who carried among them two trunks, not large in size, but +vastly heavy in weight. Towards these two trunks Sir John and his +follower devoted the utmost solicitude and care to see that they were +properly carried into the cabin he was to occupy. Barnaby True was +standing in the saloon as they passed close by him; but though Sir John +looked hard at him and straight in the face, he never so much as spoke +a single word to our hero, or showed by a look or a sign that he had +ever met him before. At this the serving-man, who saw it all with eyes +as quick as a cat's, fell to grinning and chuckling to see Barnaby in +his turn so slighted. + +The young lady, who also saw it, blushed as red as fire, and thereupon +delivered a courtesy to poor Barnaby, with a most sweet and gracious +affability. + +There were, besides Sir John and the young lady, but two other +passengers who upon this occasion took the voyage to New York: the +Reverend Simon Styles, master of a flourishing academy at Spanish Town, +and his wife. This was a good, worthy couple of an extremely quiet +disposition, saying little or nothing, but contented to sit in the +great cabin by the hour together reading in some book or other. So, +what with the retiring humor of the worthy pair, and what with Sir John +Malyoe's fancy for staying all the time shut up in his own cabin with +those two trunks he held so precious, it fell upon Barnaby True in +great part to show that attention to the young lady that the +circumstances demanded. This he did with a great deal of satisfaction +to himself--as any one may suppose who considers a spirited young man +of one-and-twenty years of age and a sweet and beautiful young miss of +seventeen or eighteen thrown thus together day after day for above two +weeks. + +Accordingly, the weather being very fair and the ship driving freely +along before a fine breeze, and they having no other occupation than to +sit talking together all day, gazing at the blue sea and the bright sky +overhead, it is not difficult to conceive of what was to befall. + +But oh, those days when a man is young and, whether wisely or no, +fallen into such a transport of passion as poor Barnaby True suffered +at that time! How often during that voyage did our hero lie awake in +his berth at night, tossing this way and that without finding any +refreshment of sleep--perhaps all because her hand had touched his, or +because she had spoken some word to him that had possessed him with a +ravishing disquietude? + +All this might not have befallen him had Sir John Malyoe looked after +his granddaughter instead of locking himself up day and night in his +own cabin, scarce venturing out except to devour his food or maybe to +take two or three turns across the deck before returning again to the +care of those chests he appeared to hold so much more precious than his +own flesh and blood. + +Nor was it to be supposed that Barnaby would take the pains to consider +what was to become of it all, for what young man so situated as he but +would be perfectly content to live so agreeably in a fool's paradise, +satisfying himself by assigning the whole affair to the future to take +care of itself. Accordingly, our hero endeavored, and with pretty good +success, to put away from him whatever doubts might arise in his own +mind concerning what he was about, satisfying himself with making his +conversation as agreeable to his companion as it lay in his power to +do. + +So the affair continued until the end of the whole business came with a +suddenness that promised for a time to cast our hero into the utmost +depths of humiliation and despair. + +At that time the _Belle Helen_ was, according to Captain Manly's +reckoning, computed that day at noon, bearing about five-and-fifty +leagues northeast-by-east off the harbor of Charleston, in South +Carolina. + +Nor was our hero likely to forget for many years afterwards even the +smallest circumstance of that occasion. He may remember that it was a +mightily sweet, balmy evening, the sun not having set above half an +hour before, and the sky still suffused with a good deal of brightness, +the air being extremely soft and mild. He may remember with the utmost +nicety how they were leaning over the rail of the vessel looking out +towards the westward, she fallen mightily quiet as though occupied with +very serious thoughts. + +Of a sudden she began, without any preface whatever, to speak to +Barnaby about herself and her affairs, in a most confidential manner, +such as she had never used to him before. She told him that she and her +grandfather were going to New York that they might take passage thence +to Boston, in Massachusetts, where they were to meet her cousin Captain +Malyoe, who was stationed in garrison at that place. Continuing, she +said that Captain Malyoe was the next heir to the Devonshire estate, +and that she and he were to be married in the fall. + +You may conceive into what a confusion of distress such a confession as +this, delivered so suddenly, must have cast poor Barnaby. He could +answer her not a single word, but stood staring in another direction +than hers, endeavoring to compose himself into some equanimity of +spirit. For indeed it was a sudden, terrible blow, and his breath came +as hot and dry as ashes in his throat. Meanwhile the young lady went on +to say, though in a mightily constrained voice, that she had liked him +from the very first moment she had seen him, and had been very happy +for these days she had passed in his society, and that she would always +think of him as a dear friend who had been very kind to her, who had so +little pleasure in her life. + +At last Barnaby made shift to say, though in a hoarse and croaking +voice, that Captain Malyoe must be a very happy man, and that if he +were in Captain Malyoe's place he would be the happiest man in the +world. Thereupon, having so found his voice, he went on to tell her, +though in a prodigious confusion and perturbation of spirit, that he +too loved her, and that what she had told him struck him to the heart, +and made him the most miserable, unhappy wretch in the whole world. + +She exhibited no anger at what he said, nor did she turn to look at +him, but only replied, in a low voice, that he should not talk so, for +that it could only be a pain to them both to speak of such things, and +that whether she would or no, she must do everything her grandfather +bade her, he being indeed a terrible man. + +To this poor Barnaby could only repeat that he loved her with all his +heart, that he had hoped for nothing in his love, but that he was now +the most miserable man in the world. + +It was at this moment, so momentous to our hero, that some one who had +been hiding unseen nigh them for all the while suddenly moved away, and +Barnaby, in spite of the gathering darkness, could perceive that it was +that villain man-servant of Sir John Malyoe's. Nor could he but know +that the wretch must have overheard all that had been said. + +As he looked he beheld this fellow go straight to the great cabin, +where he disappeared with a cunning leer upon his face, so that our +hero could not but be aware that the purpose of the eavesdropper must +be to communicate all that he had overheard to his master. At this +thought the last drop of bitterness was added to his trouble, for what +could be more distressing to any man of honor than to possess the +consciousness that such a wretch should have overheard so sacred a +conversation as that which he had enjoyed with the young lady. She, +upon her part, could not have been aware that the man had listened to +what she had been saying, for she still continued leaning over the +rail, and Barnaby remained standing by her side, without moving, but so +distracted by a tumult of many passions that he knew not how or where +to look. + +After a pretty long time of this silence, the young lady looked up to +see why her companion had not spoken for so great a while, and at that +very moment Sir John Malyoe comes flinging out of the cabin without his +hat, but carrying his gold-headed cane. He ran straight across the deck +towards where Barnaby and the young lady stood, swinging his cane this +way and that with a most furious and threatening countenance, while the +informer, grinning like an ape, followed close at his heels. As Sir +John approached them, he cried out in so loud a voice that all on deck +might have heard him, "You hussy!" (And all the time, you are to +remember, he was swinging his cane as though he would have struck the +young lady, who, upon her part, shrank back from him almost upon the +deck as though to escape such a blow.) "You hussy! What do you do here, +talking with a misbred Yankee supercargo not fit for a gentlewoman to +wipe her feet upon, and you stand there and listen to his fool talk! Go +to your room, you hussy"--only 'twas something worse he called her this +time--"before I lay this cane across you!" + +You may suppose into what fury such words as these, spoken in Barnaby's +hearing, not to mention that vile slur set upon himself, must have cast +our hero. To be sure he scarcely knew what he did, but he put his hand +against Sir John Malyoe's breast and thrust him back most violently, +crying out upon him at the same time for daring so to threaten a young +lady, and that for a farthing he would wrench the stick out of his hand +and throw it overboard. + +A little farther and Sir John would have fallen flat upon the deck with +the push Barnaby gave him. But he contrived, by catching hold of the +rail, to save his balance. Whereupon, having recovered himself, he came +running at our hero like a wild beast, whirling his cane about, and I +do believe would have struck him (and God knows then what might have +happened) had not his man-servant caught him and held him back. + +"Keep back!" cried out our hero, still mighty hoarse. "Keep back! If +you strike me with that stick I'll fling you overboard!" + +By this time, what with the sound of loud voices and the stamping of +feet, some of the crew and others aboard were hurrying up to the scene +of action. At the same time Captain Manly and the first mate, Mr. +Freesden, came running out of the cabin. As for our hero, having got +set agoing, he was not to be stopped so easily. + +"And who are you, anyhow," he cries, his voice mightily hoarse even in +his own ears, "to threaten to strike me! You may be a bloody pirate, +and you may shoot a man from behind, as you shot poor Captain Brand on +the Cobra River, but you won't dare strike me face to face. I know who +you are and what you are!" + +As for Sir John Malyoe, had he been struck of a sudden by palsy, he +could not have stopped more dead short in his attack upon our hero. +There he stood, his great, bulging eyes staring like those of a fish, +his face as purple as a cherry. As for Master Informer, Barnaby had the +satisfaction of seeing that he had stopped his grinning by now and was +holding his master's arm as though to restrain him from any further act +of violence. + +By this time Captain Manly had come bustling up and demanded to know +what all the disturbance meant. Whereupon our hero cried out, still in +the extremity of passion: + +"The villain insulted me and insulted the young lady; he threatened to +strike me with his cane. But he sha'n't strike me. I know who he is and +what he is. I know what he's got in his cabin in those two trunks, and +I know where he found it, and whom it belongs to." + +At this Captain Manly clapped his hand upon our hero's shoulder and +fell to shaking him so that he could hardly stand, crying out to him +the while to be silent. Says he: "How do you dare, an officer of this +ship, to quarrel with a passenger of mine! Go straight to your cabin, +and stay there till I give you leave to come out again." + +At this Master Barnaby came somewhat back to himself. "But he +threatened to strike me with his cane," he says, "and that I won't +stand from any man!" + +"No matter for that," says Captain Manly, very sternly. "Go to your +cabin, as I bid you, and stay there till I tell you to come out again, +and when we get to New York I'll take pains to inform your step-father +of how you have behaved. I'll have no such rioting as this aboard my +ship." + +By this time, as you may suppose, the young lady was gone. As for Sir +John Malyoe, he stood in the light of a lantern, his face that had been +so red now gone as white as ashes, and if a look could kill, to be sure +he would have destroyed Barnaby True where he stood. + +It was thus that the events of that memorable day came to a conclusion. +How little did any of the actors of the scene suspect that a portentous +Fate was overhanging them, and was so soon to transform all their +present circumstances into others that were to be perfectly different! + +And how little did our hero suspect what was in store for him upon the +morrow, as with hanging head he went to his cabin, and shutting the +door upon himself, and flinging himself down upon his berth, there +yielded himself over to the profoundest depths of humiliation and +despair. + +V + +From his melancholy meditations Barnaby, by-and-by and in spite of +himself, began dropping off into a loose slumber, disturbed by +extravagant dreams of all sorts, in which Sir John Malyoe played some +important and malignant part. + +From one of these dreams he was aroused to meet a new and startling +fate, by hearing the sudden and violent explosion of a pistol-shot ring +out as though in his ears. This was followed immediately by the sound +of several other shots exchanged in rapid succession as coming from the +deck above. At the same instant a blow of such excessive violence shook +the _Belle Helen_ that the vessel heeled over before it, and Barnaby +was at once aware that another craft--whether by accident or with +intention he did not know--must have run afoul of them. + +Upon this point, and as to whether or not the collision was designed, +he was, however, not left a moment in doubt, for even as the _Belle +Helen_ righted to her true keel, there was the sound of many footsteps +running across the deck and down into the great cabin. Then proceeded a +prodigious uproar of voices, together with the struggling of men's +bodies being tossed about, striking violently against the partitions +and bulkheads. At the same instant arose a screaming of women's voices, +and one voice, that of Sir John Malyoe, crying out as in the greatest +extremity: "You villains! You damned villains!" and with that the +sudden detonation of a pistol fired into the close space of the great +cabin. + +Long before this time Barnaby was out in the middle of his own cabin. +Taking only sufficient time to snatch down one of the pistols that hung +at the head of his berth, he flung out into the great cabin, to find it +as black as night, the lantern slung there having been either blown out +or dashed out into darkness. All was as black as coal, and the gloom +was filled with a hubbub of uproar and confusion, above which sounded +continually the shrieking of women's voices. Nor had our hero taken +above a couple of steps before he pitched headlong over two or three +men struggling together upon the deck, falling with a great clatter and +the loss of his pistol, which, however, he regained almost immediately. + +What all the uproar portended he could only guess, but presently +hearing Captain Manly's voice calling out, "You bloody pirate, would +you choke me to death?" he became immediately aware of what had +befallen the _Belle Helen_, and that they had been attacked by some of +those buccaneers who at that time infested the waters of America in +prodigious numbers. + +It was with this thought in his mind that, looking towards the +companionway, he beheld, outlined against the darkness of the night +without, the form of a man's figure, standing still and motionless as a +statue in the midst of all this tumult, and thereupon, as by some +instinct, knew that that must be the master-maker of all this devil's +brew. Therewith, still kneeling upon the deck, he covered the bosom of +that figure point-blank, as he supposed, with his pistol, and instantly +pulled the trigger. + +In the light of the pistol fire, Barnaby had only sufficient +opportunity to distinguish a flat face wearing a large pair of +mustachios, a cocked hat trimmed with gold lace, a red scarf, and brass +buttons. Then the darkness, very thick and black, again swallowed +everything. + +But if our hero failed to clearly perceive the countenance towards +which he had discharged his weapon, there was one who appeared to have +recognized some likeness in it, for Sir John Malyoe's voice, almost at +Barnaby's elbow, cried out thrice in loud and violent tones, "William +Brand! William Brand! William Brand!" and thereat came the sound of +some heavy body falling down upon the deck. + +This was the last that our hero may remember of that notable attack, +for the next moment whether by accident or design he never knew, he +felt himself struck so terrible a blow upon the side of the head, that +he instantly swooned dead away and knew no more. + +VI + +When Barnaby True came back to his senses again, it was to become aware +that he was being cared for with great skill and nicety, that his head +had been bathed with cold water, and that a bandage was being bound +about it as carefully as though a chirurgeon was attending to him. + +He had been half conscious of people about him, but could not +immediately recall what had happened to him, nor until he had opened +his eyes to find himself in a perfectly strange cabin of narrow +dimensions but extremely well fitted and painted with white and gold. +By the light of a lantern shining in his eyes, together with the gray +of the early day through the deadlight, he could perceive that two men +were bending over him--one, a negro in a striped shirt, with a yellow +handkerchief around his head and silver ear-rings in his ears; the +other, a white man, clad in a strange, outlandish dress of a foreign +make, with great mustachios hanging down below his chin, and with gold +ear-rings in his ears. + +It was this last who was attending to Barnaby's hurt with such extreme +care and gentleness. + +All this Barnaby saw with his first clear consciousness after his +swoon. Then remembering what had befallen him, and his head beating as +though it would split asunder, he shut his eyes again, contriving with +great effort to keep himself from groaning aloud, and wondering as to +what sort of pirates these could be, who would first knock a man in the +head so terrible a blow as that which he had suffered, and then take +such care to fetch him back to life again, and to make him easy and +comfortable. + +Nor did he open his eyes again, but lay there marvelling thus until the +bandage was properly tied about his head and sewed together. Then once +more he opened his eyes and looked up to ask where he was. + +Upon hearing him speak, his attendants showed excessive signs of joy, +nodding their heads and smiling at him as though to reassure him. But +either because they did not choose to reply, or else because they could +not speak English, they made no answer, excepting by those signs and +gestures. The white man, however, made several motions that our hero +was to arise, and, still grinning and nodding his head, pointed as +though towards a saloon beyond. At the same time the negro held up our +hero's coat and beckoned for him to put it on. Accordingly Barnaby, +seeing that it was required of him to quit the place in which he then +lay, arose, though with a good deal of effort, and permitted the negro +to help him on with his coat, though feeling mightily dizzy and much +put about to keep upon his legs--his head beating fit to split asunder +and the vessel rolling and pitching at a great rate, as though upon a +heavy cross-sea. + +So, still sick and dizzy, he went out into what he found was, indeed, a +fine saloon beyond, painted in white and gilt like the cabin he had +just quitted. This saloon was fitted in the most excellent taste +imaginable. A table extended the length of the room, and a quantity of +bottles, and glasses clear as crystal, were arranged in rows in a +hanging rack above. + +But what most attracted our hero's attention was a man sitting with his +back to him, his figure clad in a rough pea-jacket, and with a red +handkerchief tied around his throat. His feet were stretched under the +table out before him, and he was smoking a pipe of tobacco with all the +ease and comfort imaginable. As Barnaby came in he turned round, and, +to the profound astonishment of our hero, presented to him in the light +of the lantern, the dawn shining pretty strong through the skylight, +the face of that very man who had conducted the mysterious expedition +that night across Kingston Harbor to the Cobra River. + +VII + +This man looked steadily at Barnaby True for above half a minute and +then burst out a-laughing. And, indeed, Barnaby, standing there with +the bandage about his head, must have looked a very droll picture of +that astonishment he felt so profoundly at finding who was this pirate +into whose hands he had fallen. "Well," says the other, "and so you be +up at last, and no great harm done, I'll be bound. And how does your +head feel by now, my young master?" + +To this Barnaby made no reply, but, what with wonder and the dizziness +of his head, seated himself at the table over against his interlocutor, +who pushed a bottle of rum towards him, together with a glass from the +hanging rack. He watched Barnaby fill his glass, and so soon as he had +done so began immediately by saying: "I do suppose you think you were +treated mightily ill to be so handled last night. Well, so you were +treated ill enough, though who hit you that crack upon the head I know +no more than a child unborn. Well, I am sorry for the way you were +handled, but there is this much to say, and of that you may feel well +assured, that nothing was meant to you but kindness, and before you are +through with us all you will believe that without my having to tell you +so." + +Here he helped himself to a taste of grog, and sucking in his lips went +on again with what he had to say. "Do you remember," says he, "that +expedition of ours in Kingston Harbor, and how we were all of us balked +that night?" then, without waiting for Barnaby's reply: "And do you +remember what I said to that villain Jack Malyoe that night as his boat +went by us? I says to him, 'Jack Malyoe,' says I, 'you've got the +better of us once again, but next time it will be our turn, even if +William Brand himself has to come back from the grave to settle with +you.'" + +"I remember something of the sort," said Barnaby, "but I profess I am +all in the dark as to what you are driving at." + +At this the other burst out in a great fit of laughing. "Very well, +then," said he, "this night's work is only the ending of what was so +ill begun there. Look yonder"--pointing to a corner of the cabin--"and +then maybe you will be in the dark no longer." Barnaby turned his head +and there beheld in the corner of the saloon those very two +travelling-cases that Sir John Malyoe had been so particular to keep in his +cabin and under his own eyes through all the voyage from Jamaica. + +"I'll show you what is in 'em," says the other, and thereupon arose, +and Barnaby with him, and so went over to where the two +travelling-cases stood. + +Our hero had a strong enough suspicion as to what the cases contained. +But, Lord! what were suspicions to what his two eyes beheld when that +man lifted the lid of one of them--the locks thereof having already +been forced--and, flinging it back, displayed to Barnaby's astonished +and bedazzled sight a great treasure of gold and silver, some of it +tied up in leathern bags, to be sure, but so many of the coins, big and +little, yellow and white, lying loose in the cases as to make our hero +think that a great part of the treasures of the Indies lay there before +him. + +"Well, and what do you think of that?" said the other. "Is it not +enough for a man to turn pirate for?" and thereupon burst out +a-laughing and clapped down the lid again. Then suddenly turning serious: +"Come Master Barnaby," says he. "I am to have some very sober talk with +you, so fill up your glass again and then we will heave at it." + +Nor even in after years, nor in the light of that which afterwards +occurred, could Barnaby repeat all that was said to him upon that +occasion, for what with the pounding and beating of his aching head, +and what with the wonder of what he had seen, he was altogether in the +dark as to the greater part of what the other told him. That other +began by saying that Barnaby, instead of being sorry that he was +William Brand's grandson, might thank God for it; that he (Barnaby) had +been watched and cared for for twenty years in more ways than he would +ever know; that Sir John Malyoe had been watched also for all that +while, and that it was a vastly strange thing that Sir John Malyoe's +debts in England and Barnaby's coming of age should have brought them +so together in Jamaica--though, after all, it was all for the best, as +Barnaby himself should presently see, and thank God for that also. For +now all the debts against that villain Jack Malyoe were settled in +full, principal and interest, to the last penny, and Barnaby was to +enjoy it the most of all. Here the fellow took a very comfortable sip +of his grog, and then went on to say with a very cunning and knowing +wink of the eye that Barnaby was not the only passenger aboard, but +that there was another in whose company he would be glad enough, no +doubt, to finish the balance of the voyage he was now upon. So now, if +Barnaby was sufficiently composed, he should be introduced to that +other passenger. Thereupon, without waiting for a reply, he +incontinently arose and, putting away the bottle of rum and the +glasses, went across the saloon--Barnaby watching him all the while +like a man in a dream--and opened the door of a cabin like that which +Barnaby had occupied a little while before. He was gone only for a +moment, for almost immediately he came out again ushering a lady before +him. + +By now the daylight in the cabin was grown strong and clear, so that +the light shining full upon her face, Barnaby True knew her the instant +she appeared. + +It was Miss Marjorie Malyoe, very white, but strangely composed, +showing no terror, either in her countenance or in her expression. + + * * * * * + +It would not be possible for the writer to give any clear idea of the +circumstances of the days that immediately followed, and which, within +a week, brought Barnaby True and the enchanting object of his +affections at once to the ending of their voyage, and of all these +marvellous adventures. For when, in after times, our hero would +endeavor to revive a memory of the several occurrences that then +transpired, they all appeared as though in a dream or a bewitching +phantasm. + +All that he could recall were long days of delicious enjoyment followed +by nights of dreaming. But how enchanting those days! How exquisite the +distraction of those nights! + +Upon occasions he and his charmer might sit together under the shade of +the sail for an hour at a stretch, he holding her hand in his and +neither saying a single word, though at times the transports of poor +Barnaby's emotions would go far to suffocate him with their rapture. As +for her face at such moments, it appeared sometimes to assume a +transparency as though of a light shining from behind her countenance. + +The vessel in which they found themselves was a brigantine of good size +and build, but manned by a considerable crew, the most strange and +outlandish in their appearance that Barnaby had ever beheld. For some +were white, some were yellow, and some were black, and all were tricked +out with gay colors, and gold ear-rings in their ears, and some with +long mustachios, and others with handkerchiefs tied around their heads. +And all these spoke together a jargon of which Barnaby True could not +understand a single word, but which might have been Portuguese from one +or two phrases he afterwards remembered. Nor did this outlandish crew, +of God knows what sort of men, address any of their conversation either +to Barnaby or to the young lady. They might now and then have looked at +him and her out of the corners of their yellow eyes, but that was all; +otherwise they were, indeed, like the creatures of a dream. Only he who +was commander of this strange craft, when he would come down into the +saloon to mix a glass of grog or to light a pipe of tobacco, would +maybe favor Barnaby with a few words concerning the weather or +something of the sort, and then to go on deck again about his business. + +Indeed, it may be affirmed with pretty easy security that no such +adventure as this ever happened before; for here were these two +innocent young creatures upon board of a craft that no one, under such +circumstances as those recounted above, could doubt was a pirate or +buccaneer, the crew whereof had seen no one knows what wicked deeds; +yet they two as remote from all that and as profoundly occupied with +the transports of their passion and as innocent in their satisfaction +thereof as were Corydon and Phyllis beside their purling streams and +flowery meads, with nymphs and satyrs caracoling about them. + +VIII + +It is probable that the polite reader of this veracious narrative, +instead of considering it as the effort of the author to set before him +a sober and well-digested history, has been all this while amusing +himself by regarding it only as a fanciful tale designed for his +entertainment. If this be so, the writer may hardly hope to convince +him that what is to follow is a serious narrative of that which, though +never so ingenuous in its recapitulation, is an altogether inexplicable +phenomenon. Accordingly, it is with extraordinary hesitation that the +scribe now invites the confidence of his reader in the succinct truth +of that which he has to relate. It is in brief as follows: + +That upon the last night of this part of his voyage, Barnaby True was +awakened from slumber by flashes of lightning shining into his cabin, +and by the loud pealing of approaching thunder. At the same time +observing the sound of footsteps moving back and forth as in great +agitation overhead, and the loud shouting of orders, he became aware +that a violent squall of wind must be approaching the vessel. Being +convinced of this he arose from his berth, dressed quickly, and hurried +upon deck, where he found a great confusion of men running hither and +thither and scrambling up and down the rigging like monkeys, while the +Captain, and one whom he had come to know as the Captain's mate, were +shouting out orders in a strange foreign jargon. + +A storm was indeed approaching with great rapidity, a prodigious circle +of rain and clouds whirling overhead like smoke, while the lightning, +every now and then, flashed with intense brightness, followed by loud +peals of thunder. + +By these flashes of lightning Barnaby observed that they had made land +during the night, for in the sudden glare of bright light he beheld a +mountainous headland and a long strip of sandy beach standing out +against the blackness of the night beyond. So much he was able to +distinguish, though what coast it might be he could not tell, for +presently another flash falling from the sky, he saw that the shore was +shut out by the approaching downfall of rain. + +This rain came presently streaming down upon them with a great gust of +wind and a deal of white foam across the water. This violent gale of +wind suddenly striking the vessel, careened it to one side so that for +a moment it was with much ado that he was able to keep his feet at all. +Indeed, what with the noise of the tempest through the rigging and the +flashes of lightning and the pealing of the thunder and the clapping of +an unfurled sail in the darkness, and the shouting of orders in a +strange language by the Captain of the craft, who was running up and +down like a bedlamite, it was like pandemonium with all the devils of +the pit broke loose into the night. + +It was at this moment, and Barnaby True was holding to the back-stays, +when a sudden, prolonged flash of lightning came after a continued +space of darkness. So sharp and heavy was this shaft that for a moment +the night was as bright as day, and in that instant occurred that which +was so remarkable that it hath afforded the title of this story itself. +For there, standing plain upon the deck and not far from the +companionway, as though he had just come up from below, our hero beheld +a figure the face of which he had seen so imperfectly once before by +the flash of his own pistol in the darkness. Upon this occasion, +however, the whole figure was stamped out with intense sharpness +against the darkness, and Barnaby beheld, as clear as day, a great +burly man, clad in a tawdry tinsel coat, with a cocked hat with gold +braid upon his head. His legs, with petticoat breeches and cased in +great leathern sea-boots pulled up to his knees, stood planted wide +apart as though to brace against the slant of the deck. The face our +hero beheld to be as white as dough, with fishy eyes and a bony +forehead, on the side of which was a great smear as of blood. + +All this, as was said, stood out as sharp and clear as daylight in that +one flash of lightning, and then upon the instant was gone again, as +though swallowed up into the darkness, while a terrible clap of thunder +seemed to split the very heavens overhead and a strong smell as of +brimstone filled the air around about. + +At the same moment some voice cried out from the darkness, "William +Brand, by God!" + +Then, the rain clapping down in a deluge, Barnaby leaped into the +saloon, pursued by he knew not what thoughts. For if that was indeed +the image of old William Brand that he had seen once before and now +again, then the grave must indeed have gaped and vomited out its dead +into the storm of wind and lightning; for what he beheld that moment, +he hath ever averred, he saw as clear as ever he saw his hand before +his face. + +This is the last account of which there is any record when the figure +of Captain William Brand was beheld by the eyes of a living man. It +must have occurred just off the Highlands below the Sandy Hook, for the +next morning when Barnaby True came upon deck it was to find the sun +shining brightly and the brigantine riding upon an even keel, at anchor +off Staten Island, three or four cable-lengths distance from a small +village on the shore, and the town of New York in plain sight across +the water. + +'Twas the last place in the world he had expected to see. + +IX + +And, indeed, it did seem vastly strange to lie there alongside Staten +Island all that day, with New York town in plain sight across the water +and yet so impossible to reach. For whether he desired to escape or no, +Barnaby True could not but observe that both he and the young lady were +so closely watched that they might as well have been prisoners, tied +hand and foot and laid in the hold, so far as any hope of getting away +was concerned. + +Throughout that day there was a vast deal of mysterious coming and +going aboard the brigantine, and in the afternoon a sail-boat went up +to the town, carrying the Captain of the brigantine and a great load in +the stern covered over with a tarpaulin. What was so taken up to the +town Barnaby did not then guess, nor did he for a moment suspect of +what vast importance it was to be for him. + +About sundown the small boat returned, fetching the pirate Captain of +the brigantine back again. Coming aboard and finding Barnaby on deck, +the other requested him to come down into the saloon for he had a few +serious words to say to him. In the saloon they found the young lady +sitting, the broad light of the evening shining in through the +skylight, and making it all pretty bright within. + +The Captain commanded Barnaby to be seated, whereupon he chose a place +alongside the young lady. So soon as he had composed himself the +Captain began very seriously, with a preface somewhat thus: "Though you +may think me the Captain of this brigantine, Master Barnaby True, I am +not really so, but am under orders of a superior whom I have obeyed in +all these things that I have done." Having said so much as this, he +continued his address to say that there was one thing yet remaining for +him to do, and that the greatest thing of all. + +He said that this was something that both Barnaby and the young lady +were to be called upon to perform, and he hoped that they would do +their part willingly; but that whether they did it willingly or no, do +it they must, for those also were the orders he had received. + +You may guess how our hero was disturbed by this prologue. He had found +the young lady's hand beneath the table and he now held it very closely +in his own; but whatever might have been his expectations as to the +final purport of the communications the other was about to favor him +with, his most extreme expectations could not have equalled that which +was demanded of him. + +"My orders are these," said his interlocutor, continuing: "I am to take +you and the young lady ashore, and to see that you are married before I +quit you, and to that end a very good, decent, honest minister who +lives ashore yonder in the village was chosen and hath been spoken to, +and is now, no doubt, waiting for you to come. That is the last thing I +am set to do; so now I will leave you and her young ladyship alone +together for five minutes to talk it over, but be quick about it, for +whether willing or not, this thing must be done." + +Thereupon he incontinently went away, as he had promised, leaving those +two alone together, our hero like one turned into stone, and the young +lady, her face turned away, as red as fire, as Barnaby could easily +distinguish by the fading light. + +Nor can I tell what Barnaby said to her, nor what words or arguments he +used, for so great was the distraction of his mind and the tumult of +his emotions that he presently discovered that he was repeating to her +over and over again that God knew he loved her, and that with all his +heart and soul, and that there was nothing in all the world for him but +her. After which, containing himself sufficiently to continue his +address, he told her that if she would not have it as the man had said, +and if she were not willing to marry him as she was bidden to do, he +would rather die a thousand, aye, ten thousand, deaths than lend +himself to forcing her to do such a thing as this. Nevertheless, he +told her she must speak up and tell him yes or no, and that God knew he +would give all the world if she would say "yes." + +All this and much more he said in such a tumult that he was hardly +aware of what he was speaking, and she sitting there, as though her +breath stifled her. Nor did he know what she replied to him, only that +she would marry him. Therewith he took her into his arms and for the +first time set his lips to hers, in such a transport of ecstasy that +everything seemed to his sight as though he were about to swoon. + +So when the Captain returned to the saloon he found Barnaby sitting +there holding her hand, she with her face turned away, and he so full +of joy that the promise of heaven could not have made him happier. + +The yawl-boat belonging to the brigantine was ready and waiting +alongside when they came upon deck, and immediately they descended to +it and took their seats. Reaching the shore, they landed, and walked up +the village street in the twilight, she clinging to our hero's arm as +though she would faint away. The Captain of the brigantine and two +other men aboard accompanied them to the minister's house, where they +found the good man waiting for them, smoking his pipe in the warm +evening, and walking up and down in front of his own door. He +immediately conducted them into the house, where, his wife having +fetched a candle, and two others from the village being present, the +good, pious man having asked several questions as to their names and +their age and where they were from, and having added his blessing, the +ceremony was performed, and the certificate duly signed by those +present from the village--the men who had come ashore from the +brigantine alone refusing to set their hands to any paper. + +The same sail-boat that had taken the Captain up to the town was +waiting for Barnaby and the young lady as they came down to the +landing-place. There the Captain of the brigantine having wished them +godspeed, and having shaken Barnaby very heartily by the hand, he +helped to push off the boat, which with the slant of the wind presently +sailed swiftly away, dropping the shore and those strange beings, and +the brigantine in which they sailed, alike behind them into the night. + +They could hear through the darkness the creaking of the sails being +hoisted aboard of the pirate vessel; nor did Barnaby True ever set eyes +upon it or the crew again, nor, so far as the writer is informed, did +anybody else. + +X + +It was nigh midnight when they made Mr. Hartright's wharf at the foot +of Beaver Street. There Barnaby and the boatmen assisted the young lady +ashore, and our hero and she walked up through the now silent and +deserted street to Mr. Hartright's house. + +You may conceive of the wonder and amazement of our hero's dear +step-father when aroused by Barnaby's continued knocking at the street +door, and clad in a dressing-gown and carrying a lighted candle in his +hand, he unlocked and unbarred the door, and so saw who it was had aroused +him at such an hour of the night, and beheld the young and beautiful +lady whom Barnaby had brought home with him. + +The first thought of the good man was that the _Belle Helen_ had come +into port; nor did Barnaby undeceive him as he led the way into the +house, but waited until they were all safe and sound together before he +should unfold his strange and wonderful story. + +"This was left for you by two foreign sailors this afternoon, Barnaby," +the good man said, as he led the way through the hall, holding up the +candle at the same time, so that Barnaby might see an object that stood +against the wainscoting by the door of the dining-room. + +It was with difficulty that our hero could believe his eyes when he +beheld one of the treasure-chests that Sir John Malyoe had fetched with +such particularity from Jamaica. + +He bade his step-father hold the light nigher, and then, his mother +having come down-stairs by this time, he flung back the lid and +displayed to the dazzled sight of all the great treasure therein +contained. + +You are to suppose that there was no sleep for any of them that night, +for what with Barnaby's narrative of his adventures, and what with the +thousand questions asked of him, it was broad daylight before he had +finished the half of all that he had to relate. + +The next day but one brought the _Belle Helen_ herself into port, with +the terrible news not only of having been attacked at night by pirates, +but also that Sir John Malyoe was dead. For whether it was the sudden +fright that overset him, or whether it was the strain of passion that +burst some blood-vessel upon his brain, it is certain that when the +pirates quitted the _Belle Helen_, carrying with them the young lady +and Barnaby and the travelling-trunks, they left Sir John Malyoe lying +in a fit upon the floor, frothing at the mouth and black in the face, +as though he had been choked. It was in this condition that he was +raised and taken to his berth, where, the next morning about two +o'clock, he died, without once having opened his eyes or spoken a +single word. + +As for the villain man-servant, no one ever saw him afterwards; though +whether he jumped overboard, or whether the pirates who so attacked the +ship had carried him away bodily, who shall say? + +Mr. Hartright had been extremely perplexed as to the ownership of the +chest of treasure that had been left by those men for Barnaby, but the +news of the death of Sir John Malyoe made the matter very easy for him +to decide. For surely if that treasure did not belong to Barnaby, there +could be no doubt but that it belonged to his wife--she being Sir John +Malyoe's legal heir. Thus it was that he satisfied himself, and thus +that great fortune (in actual computation amounting to upward of +sixty-three thousand pounds) fell to Barnaby True, the grandson of that +famous pirate William Brand. + +As for the other case of treasure, it was never heard of again, nor +could Barnaby decide whether it was divided as booty among the pirates, +or whether they had carried it away with them to some strange and +foreign land, there to share it among themselves. + +It is thus we reach the conclusion of our history, with only this to +observe, that whether that strange appearance of Captain Brand was +indeed a ghostly and spiritual visitation, or whether he was present on +those two occasions in flesh and blood, he was, as has been said, never +heard of again. + + + + +IV. A TRUE HISTORY OF THE DEVIL AT NEW HOPE + + +_At the time of the beginning of the events about to be narrated--which +the reader is to be informed occurred between the years 1740 and 1742-- +there stood upon the high and rugged crest of Pick-a-Neck-a-Sock Point +(or Pig and Sow Point, as it had come to be called) the wooden ruins of +a disused church, known throughout those parts as the Old Free Grace +Meeting-house._ + +_This humble edifice had been erected by a peculiar religious sect +calling themselves the Free Grace Believers, the radical tenet of whose +creed was a denial of the existence of such a place as Hell, and an +affirmation of the universal mercy of God, to the intent that all souls +should enjoy eternal happiness in the life to come._ + +_For this dangerous heresy the Free Grace Believers were expelled from +the Massachusetts Colony, and, after sundry peregrinations, settled at +last in the Providence Plantations, upon Pick-a-Neck-a-Sock Point, +coadjacent to the town of New Hope. There they built themselves a small +cluster of huts, and a church wherein to worship; and there for a while +they dwelt, earning a precarious livelihood from the ungenerous soil +upon which they had established themselves._ + +_As may be supposed, the presence of so strange a people was +entertained with no great degree of complaisance by the vicinage, and +at last an old deed granting Pick-a-Neck-a-Sock to Captain Isaiah +Applebody was revived by the heirs of that renowned Indian-fighter, +whereupon the Free Grace Believers were warned to leave their bleak and +rocky refuge for some other abiding-place. Accordingly, driven forth +into the world again, they embarked in the snow[1] "Good Companion," of +Bristol, for the Province of Pennsylvania, and were afterwards heard of +no more in those parts. Their vacated houses crumbled away into ruins, +and their church tottered to decay._ + +[Footnote 1: A two-masted square-rigged vessel.] + +_So at the beginning of these events, upon the narrative of which the +author now invites the reader to embark together with himself._ + +I + +HOW THE DEVIL HAUNTED THE MEETING-HOUSE + +At the period of this narrative the settlement of New Hope had grown +into a very considerable seaport town, doing an extremely handsome +trade with the West Indies in cornmeal and dried codfish for sugar, +molasses, and rum. + +Among the more important citizens of this now wealthy and elegant +community, the most notable was Colonel William Belford--a magnate at +once distinguished and honored in the civil and military affairs of the +colony. This gentleman was an illegitimate son of the Earl of +Clandennie by the daughter of a surgeon of the Sixty-seventh Regiment +of Scots, and he had inherited a very considerable fortune upon the +death of his father, from which he now enjoyed a comfortable +competency. + +Our Colonel made no little virtue of the circumstances of his exalted +birth. He was wont to address his father's memory with a sobriety that +lent to the fact of his illegitimacy a portentous air of seriousness, +and he made no secret of the fact that he was the friend and the +confidential correspondent of the present Earl of Clandennie. In his +intercourse with the several Colonial governors he assumed an attitude +of authority that only his lineage could have supported him in +maintaining, and, possessing a large and commanding presence, he bore +himself with a continent reserve that never failed to inspire with awe +those whom he saw fit to favor with his conversation. + +This noble and distinguished gentleman possessed in a brother an exact +and perfect opposite to himself. Captain Obadiah Belford was a West +Indian, an inhabitant of Kingston in the island of Jamaica. He was a +cursing, swearing, hard-drinking renegado from virtue; an acknowledged +dealer in negro slaves, and reputed to have been a buccaneer, if not an +out-and-out pirate, such as then infested those tropical latitudes in +prodigious numbers. He was not unknown in New Hope, which he had +visited upon several occasions for a week or so at a time. During each +period he lodged with his brother, whose household he scandalized by +such freaks as smoking his pipe of tobacco in the parlor, offering +questionable pleasantries to the female servants, and cursing and +swearing in the hallways with a fecundity and an ingenuity that would +have put the most godless sailor about the docks to the blush. + +Accordingly, it may then be supposed into what a dismay it threw +Colonel Belford when one fine day he received a letter from Captain +Obadiah, in which our West Indian desperado informed his brother that +he proposed quitting those torrid latitudes in which he had lived for +so long a time, and that he intended thenceforth to make his home in +New Hope. + +Addressing Colonel Belford as "My dear Billy," he called upon that +gentleman to rejoice at this determination, and informed him that he +proposed in future to live "as decent a limb of grace as ever broke +loose from hell," and added that he was going to fetch as a present for +his niece Belinda a "dam pirty little black girl" to carry her +prayer-book to church for her. + +Accordingly, one fine morning, in pursuance of this promise, our West +Indian suddenly appeared at New Hope with a prodigious quantity of +chests and travelling-cases, and with so vociferous an acclamation that +all the town knew of his arrival within a half-hour of that event. + +When, however, he presented himself before Colonel Belford, it was to +meet with a welcome so frigid and an address so reserved that a douche +of cold water could not have quenched his verbosity more entirely. For +our great man had no notion to submit to the continued infliction of +the West Indian's presence. Accordingly, after the first words of +greeting had passed, he addressed Captain Obadiah in a strain somewhat +after this fashion: + +"Indeed, I protest, my dear brother Obadiah, it is with the heartiest +regrets in the world that I find myself obliged to confess that I +cannot offer you a home with myself and my family. It is not alone that +your manners displease me--though, as an elder to a younger, I may say +to you that we of these more northern latitudes do not entertain the +same tastes in such particulars as doubtless obtain in the West Indies--but +the habits of my household are of such a nature that I could not +hope to form them to your liking. I can, however, offer as my advice +that you may find lodgings at the Blue Lion Tavern, which doubtless +will be of a sort exactly to fit your inclinations. I have made +inquiries, and I am sure you will find the very best apartments to be +obtained at that excellent hostelry placed at your disposal." + +To this astounding address our West Indian could, for a moment, make no +other immediate reply than to open his eyes and to glare upon Colonel +Belford, so that, what with his tall, lean person, his long neck, his +stooping shoulders, and his yellow face stained upon one side an indigo +blue by some premature explosion of gunpowder--what with all this and a +prodigious hooked beak of a nose, he exactly resembled some hungry +predatory bird of prey meditating a pounce upon an unsuspecting victim. +At last, finding his voice, and rapping the ferrule of his ivory-headed +cane upon the floor to emphasize his declamation, he cried out: "What! +What! What! Is this the way to offer a welcome to a brother new +returned to your house? Why, ---- ----! who are you? Am not I your +brother, who could buy you out twice over and have enough left to live +in velvet? Why! Why!--Very well, then, have it your own way; but if I +don't grind your face into the mud and roll you into the dirt my name +is not Obadiah Belford!" Thereupon, striving to say more but finding no +fit words for the occasion, he swung upon his heel and incontinently +departed, banging the door behind him like a clap of thunder, and +cursing and swearing so prodigiously as he strode away down the street +that an infernal from the pit could scarcely have exceeded the fury of +his maledictions. + +However, he so far followed Colonel Belford's advice that he took up +his lodgings at the Blue Lion Tavern, where, in a little while, he had +gathered about him a court of all such as chose to take advantage of +his extravagant bounty. + +Indeed, he poured out his money with incredible profusion, declaring, +with many ingenious and self-consuming oaths, that he could match +fortunes with the best two men in New Hope, and then have enough left +to buy up his brother from his hair to his boot-leathers. He made no +secret of the rebuff he had sustained from Colonel Belford, for his +grievance clung to him like hot pitch--itching the more he meddled with +it. Sometimes his fury was such that he could scarcely contain himself. +Upon such occasions, cursing and swearing like an infernal, he would +call Heaven to witness that he would live in New Hope if for no other +reason than to bring shame to his brother, and he would declare again +and again, with incredible variety of expletives, that he would grind +his brother's face into the dirt for him. + +[Illustration: "HE WOULD SHOUT OPPROBRIOUS WORDS AFTER THE OTHER IN THE +STREETS"] + +Accordingly he set himself assiduously at work to tease and torment the +good man with every petty and malicious trick his malevolence could +invent. He would shout opprobrious words after the other in the +streets, to the entertainment of all who heard him; he would parade up +and down before Colonel Belford's house singing obstreperous and +unseemly songs at the top of his voice; he would even rattle the +ferrule of his cane against the palings of the fence, or throw a stone +at Madam Belford's cat in the wantonness of his malice. + +Meantime he had purchased a considerable tract of land, embracing Pig +and Sow Point, and including the Old Free Grace Meeting-House. Here, he +declared, it was his intention to erect a house for himself that should +put his brother's wooden shed to shame. Accordingly he presently began +the erection of that edifice, so considerable in size and occupying so +commanding a situation that it was the admiration of all those parts, +and was known to fame as Belford's Palace. This magnificent residence +was built entirely of brick, and Captain Obadiah made it a boast that +the material therefor was brought all the way around from New York in +flats. In the erection of this elegant structure all the carpenters and +masons in the vicinage were employed, so that it grew up with an +amazing rapidity. Meantime, upon the site of the building, rum and +Hollands were kept upon draught for all comers, so that the place was +made the common resort and the scene for the orgies of all such of the +common people as possessed a taste for strong waters, many coming from +so far away as Newport to enjoy our Captain's prodigality. + +Meantime he himself strutted about the streets in his red coat trimmed +with gilt braid, his hat cocked upon one side of his bony head, +pleasing himself with the belief that he was the object of universal +admiration, and swelling with a vast and consummate self-satisfaction +as he boasted, with strident voice and extravagant enunciation, of the +magnificence of the palace he was building. + +At the same time, having, as he said, shingles to spare, he patched and +repaired the Old Free Grace Meeting-House, so that its gray and hoary +exterior, while rejuvenated as to the roof and walls, presented in a +little while an appearance as of a sudden eruption of bright yellow +shingles upon its aged hide. Nor would our Captain offer any other +explanation for so odd a freak of fancy than to say that it pleased him +to do as he chose with his own. + +At last, the great house having been completed, and he himself having +entered into it and furnished it to his satisfaction, our Captain +presently began entertaining his friends therein with a profuseness of +expenditure and an excess of extravagance that were the continued +admiration of the whole colony. In more part the guests whom Captain +Obadiah thus received with so lavish an indulgence were officers or +government officials from the garrisons of Newport or of Boston, with +whom, by some means or other, he had scraped an acquaintance. At times +these gay gentlemen would fairly take possession of the town, parading +up and down the street under conduct of their host, staring ladies out +of countenance with the utmost coolness and effrontery, and offering +loud and critical remarks concerning all that they beheld about them, +expressing their opinions with the greatest freedom and jocularity. + +Nor were the orgies at Belford's Palace limited to such extravagances +as gaming and dicing and drinking, for sometimes the community would be +scandalized by the presence of gayly dressed and high-colored ladies, +who came, no one knew whence, to enjoy the convivialities at the great +house on the hill, and concerning whom it pleased the respectable folk +of New Hope to entertain the gravest suspicion. + +At first these things raised such a smoke that nothing else was to be +seen, but by-and-by other strange and singular circumstances began to +be spoken of--at first among the common people, and then by others. It +began to be whispered and then to be said that the Old Free Grace +Meeting-House out on the Point was haunted by the Devil. + +The first information concerning this dreadful obsession arose from a +fisherman, who, coming into the harbor of a nightfall after a stormy +day, had, as he affirmed, beheld the old meeting-house all of a blaze +of light. Some time after, a tinker, making a short-cut from Stapleton +by way of the old Indian road, had a view of a similar but a much more +remarkable manifestation. This time, as the itinerant most solemnly +declared, the meeting-house was not only seen all alight, but a bell +was ringing as a signal somewhere off across the darkness of the water, +where, as he protested, there suddenly appeared a red star, that, +blazing like a meteor with a surpassing brightness for a few seconds, +was presently swallowed up into inky darkness again. Upon another +occasion a fiddler, returning home after midnight from Sprowle's Neck, +seeing the church alight, had, with a temerity inflamed by rum, +approached to a nearer distance, whence, lying in the grass, he had, he +said, at the stroke of midnight, beheld a multitude of figures emerge +from the building, crying most dolorously, and then had heard a voice, +as of a lost spirit, calling aloud, "Six-and-twenty, all told!" whereat +the light in the church was instantly extinguished into an impenetrable +darkness. + +It was said that when Captain Obadiah himself was first apprised of the +suspicions entertained of the demoniacal possession of the old +meeting-house, he had fixed upon his venturesome informant so threatening +and ominous a gaze that the other could move neither hand nor foot under +the malignant fury of his observation. Then, at last, clearing his +countenance of its terrors, he had burst into a great, loud laugh, +crying out: "Well, what then? Why not? You must know that the Devil and +I have been very good friends in times past. I saw a deal of him in the +West Indies, and I must tell you that I built up the old meeting-house +again so that he and I could talk together now and then about old times +without having a lot of ----, dried, codfish-eating, rum-drinking +Yankee bacon-chewers to listen to every word we had to say to each +other. If you must know, it was only last night that the ghost of +Jezebel and I danced a fandango together in the graveyard up yonder, +while the Devil himself sat cross-legged on old Daniel Root's tombstone +and blew on a dry, dusty shank-bone by way of a flute. And now" (here +he swore a terrific oath) "you know the worst that is to be known, with +only this to say: if ever a man sets foot upon Pig and Sow Point again +after nightfall to interfere with the Devil's sport and mine, hell +suffer for it as sure as fire can burn or brimstone can scorch. So put +that in your pipe and smoke it." + +These terrible words, however extravagant, were, to be sure, in the +nature of a direct confirmation of the very worst suspicion that could +have been entertained concerning this dolorous affair. But if any +further doubt lingered as to the significance of such malevolent +rumors, Captain Obadiah himself soon put an end to the same. + +The Reverend Josiah Pettibones was used of a Saturday to take supper at +Colonel Belford's elegant residence. It was upon such an occasion and +the reverend gentleman and his honored host were smoking a pipe of +tobacco together in the library, when there fell a loud and importunate +knocking at the house door, and presently the servant came ushering no +less a personage than Captain Obadiah himself. After directing a most +cunning, mischievous look at his brother, Captain Obadiah addressed +himself directly to the Reverend Mr. Pettibones, folding his hands with +a most indescribable air of mock humility. "Sir," says he--"Reverend +sir, you see before you a humble and penitent sinner, who has fallen so +desperately deep into iniquities that he knows not whether even so +profound piety as yours can elevate him out of the pit in which he +finds himself. Sir, it has got about the town that the Devil has taken +possession of my old meeting-house, and, alas! I have to confess--_that +it is the truth_." Here our Captain hung his head down upon his breast +as though overwhelmed with the terrible communication he had made. + +"What is this that I hear?" cried the reverend gentleman. "Can I +believe my ears?" + +"Believe your ears!" exclaimed Colonel Belford. "To be sure you cannot +believe your ears. Do you not see that this is a preposterous lie, and +that he is telling it to you to tease and to mortify me?" + +At this Captain Obadiah favored his brother with a look of exaggerated +and sanctimonious humility. "Alas, brother," he cried out, "for +accusing me so unjustly! Fie upon you! Would you check a penitent in +his confession? But you must know that it is to this gentleman that I +address myself, and not to you." Then directing his discourse once more +to the Reverend Mr. Pettibones, he resumed his address thus: "Sir, you +must know that while I was in the West Indies I embarked, among other +things, in one of those ventures against the Spanish Main of which you +may have heard." + +"Do you mean piracy?" asked the Reverend Pettibones; and Captain +Obadiah nodded his head. + +"'Tis a lie!" cried Colonel Belford, smacking his hand upon the table. +"He never possessed spirit enough for anything so dangerous as piracy +or more mischievous than slave-trading." + +"Sir," quoth Captain Obadiah to the reverend gentleman, "again I say +'tis to you I address my confession. Well, sir, one day we sighted a +Spanish caravel very rich ladened with a prodigious quantity of plate, +but were without so much as a capful of wind to fetch us up with her. +'I would,' says I, 'offer the Devil my soul for a bit of a breeze to +bring us alongside.' 'Done,' says a voice beside me, and--alas that I +must confess it!--there I saw a man with a very dark countenance, whom +I had never before beheld aboard of our ship. 'Sign this,' says he, +'and the breeze is yours!' 'What is it upon the pen?' says I. "'Tis +blood,' says he. Alas, sir! what was a poor wretch so tempted as I to +do?" + +"And did you sign?" asked Mr. Pettibones, all agog to hear the +conclusion of so strange a narration. + +"Woe is me, sir, that I should have done so!" quoth Captain Obadiah, +rolling his eyes until little but the whites of them were to be seen. + +"And did you catch the Spanish ship?" + +"That we did, sir, and stripped her as clean as a whistle." + +"'Tis all a prodigious lie!" cried Colonel Belford, in a fury. "Sir, +can you sit so complacently and be made a fool of by so extravagant a +fable?" + +"Indeed it is unbelievable," said Mr. Pettibones. + +At this faint reply, Captain Obadiah burst out laughing; then renewing +his narrative--"Indeed, sir," he declared, "you may believe me or not, +as you please. Nevertheless, I may tell you that, having so obtained my +prize, and having time to think coolly over the bargain I had made, I +says to myself, says I: 'Obediah Belford! Obadiah Belford, here is a +pretty pickle you are in. 'Tis time you quit these parts and lived +decent, or else you are damned to all eternity.' And so I came hither +to New Hope, reverend sir, hoping to end my days in quiet. Alas, sir! +would you believe it? scarce had I finished my fine new house up at the +Point when hither comes that evil being to whom I had sold my sorrowful +soul. 'Obadiah,' says he, 'Obadiah Belford, I have a mind to live in +New Hope also,' 'Where?' says I. 'Well,' says he, 'you may patch up the +old meetinghouse; 'twill serve my turn for a while.' 'Well,' thinks I +to myself, 'there can be no harm in that,' And so I did as he bade me-- +and would not you do as much for one who had served you as well? Alas, +your reverence! there he is now, and I cannot get rid of him, and 'tis +over the whole town that he has the meeting-house in possession." + +"Tis an incredible story!" cried the Reverend Pettibones. + +"'Tis a lie from beginning to end!" cried the Colonel. + +"And now how shall I get myself out of my pickle?" asked Captain +Obadiah. + +"Sir," said Mr. Pettibones, "if what you tell me is true, 'tis beyond +my poor powers to aid you." + +"Alas!" cried Captain Obadiah. "Alas! alas! Then, indeed, I'm damned!" +And therewith flinging his arms into the air as though in the extremity +of despair, he turned and incontinently departed, rushing forth out of +the house as though stung by ten thousand furies. + +It was the most prodigious piece of gossip that ever fell in the way of +the Reverend Josiah, and for a fortnight he carried it with him +wherever he went. "'Twas the most unbelievable tale I ever heard," he +would cry. "And yet where there is so much smoke there must be some +fire. As for the poor wretch, if ever I saw a lost soul I beheld him +standing before me there in Colonel Belford's library." And then he +would conclude: "Yes, yes, 'tis incredible and past all belief. But if +it be true in ever so little a part, why, then there is justice in +this--that the Devil should take possession of the sanctuary of that +very heresy that would not only have denied him the power that every +other Christian belief assigns to him, but would have destroyed that +infernal habitation that hath been his dwelling-place for all +eternity." + +As for Captain Belford, if he desired privacy for himself upon Pig and +Sow Point, he had taken the very best means to prevent the curious from +spying upon him there after nightfall. + +II + +HOW THE DEVIL STOLE THE COLLECTOR'S SNUFFBOX + +Lieutenant Thomas Goodhouse was the Collector of Customs in the town of +New Hope. He was a character of no little notoriety in those parts, +enjoying the reputation of being able to consume more pineapple rum +with less effect upon his balance than any other man in the community. +He possessed the voice of a stentor, a short, thick-set, +broad-shouldered person, a face congested to a violent carnation, and red +hair of such a color as to add infinitely to the consuming fire of his +countenance. + +The Custom Office was a little white frame building with green +shutters, and overhanging the water as though to topple into the tide. +Here at any time of the day betwixt the hours of ten in the morning and +of five in the afternoon the Collector was to be found at his desk +smoking his pipe of tobacco, the while a thin, phthisical clerk bent +with unrelaxing assiduity over a multitude of account-books and papers +accumulated before him. + +For his post of Collectorship of the Royal Customs, Lieutenant +Goodhouse was especially indebted to the patronage of Colonel Belford. +The worthy Collector had, some years before, come to that gentleman +with a written recommendation from the Earl of Clandennie of a very +unusual sort. It was the Lieutenant's good-fortune to save the life of +the Honorable Frederick Dunburne, second son of the Earl--a wild, +rakish, undisciplined youth, much given to such mischievous enterprises +as the twisting off of door-knockers, the beating of the watch, and the +carrying away of tavern signs. + +Having been a very famous swimmer at Eton, the Honorable Frederick +undertook while at the Cowes to swim a certain considerable distance +for a wager. In the midst of this enterprise he was suddenly seized +with a cramp, and would inevitably have drowned had not the Lieutenant, +who happened in a boat close at hand, leaped overboard and rescued the +young gentleman from the watery grave in which he was about to be +engulfed, thus restoring him once more to the arms of his grateful +family. + +For this fortunate act of rescue the Earl of Clandennie presented to +his son's preserver a gold snuffbox filled with guineas, and inscribed +with the following legend: + +"To Lieutenant Thomas Goodhouse, +who, under the Ruling of Beneficent Providence, +was the Happy Preserver of a Beautiful and +Precious Life of Virtuous Precocity, +this Box is presented by the Father of Him whom He +saved as a grateful acknowledgment of His +Services. + +Thomas Monkhouse Dunburne, Viscount of +Dunburne and Earl of Clandennie. + +_August 17, 1752._" + +Having thus satisfied the immediate demands of his gratitude, it is +very possible that the Earl of Clandennie did not choose to assume so +great a responsibility as the future of his son's preserver entailed. +Nevertheless, feeling that something should be done for him, he +obtained for Lieutenant Goodhouse a passage to the Americas, and wrote +him a strong letter of recommendation to Colonel Belford. That +gentleman, desiring to please the legitimate head of his family, used +his influence so successfully that the Lieutenant was presently granted +the position of Collector of Customs in the place of Captain Maull, who +had lately deceased. + +The Lieutenant, somewhat to the surprise of his patrons, filled his new +official position as Collector not only with vigor, but with a not +unbecoming dignity. He possessed an infinite appreciation of the +responsibilities of his office, and he was more jealous to collect +every farthing of the royal duties than he would have been had those +moneys been gathered for his own emolument. + +Under the old Collectorship of Captain Maull, it was no unusual thing +for a barraco of superfine Hollands, a bolt of silk cloth, or a keg of +brandy to find its way into the house of some influential merchant or +Colonial dignitary. But in no such manner was Lieutenant Goodhouse +derelict in his duties. He would have sacrificed his dearest friendship +or his most precious attachment rather than fail in his duties to the +Crown. In the intermission of his duties it might please him to relax +into the softer humors of conviviality, but at ten o'clock in the +morning, whatever his condition of sobriety, he assumed at once all the +sterner panoply of a Collector of the Royal Customs. + +Thus he set his virtues against his vices, and struck an even balance +between them. When most unsteady upon his legs he most asserted his +integrity, declaring that not a gill or a thread came into his port +without paying its duty, and calling Heaven to witness that it had been +his hand that had saved the life of a noble young gentleman. Thereupon, +perhaps, drawing forth the gleaming token of his prowess--the gold +snuffbox--from his breeches-pocket, and holding it tight in his brown +and hairy fist, he would first offer his interlocutor a pinch of +rappee, and would then call upon him to read the inscription engraved +upon the lid of the case, demanding to know whether it mattered a fig +if a man did drink a drop too much now and then, provided he collected +every farthing of the royal revenues, and had been the means of saving +the son of the Earl of Clandennie. + +Never for an instant upon such an occasion would he permit his precious +box to quit his possession. It was to him an emblem of those virtues +that no one knew but himself, wherefore the more he misdoubted his own +virtuousness the more valuable did the token of that rectitude become +in his eyes. "Yes, you may look at it," he would say, "but damme if you +shall handle it. I would not," he would cry, "let the Devil himself +take it out of my hands." + +The talk concerning the impious possession of the Old Free Grace +Meeting-House was at its height when the official consciousness of the +Collector, who was just then laboring under his constitutional +infirmity, became suddenly seized with an irrepressible alarm. He +declared that he smoked something worse than the Devil upon Pig and Sow +Point, and protested that it was his opinion that Captain Obadiah was +doing a bit of free-trade upon his own account, and that dutiable goods +were being smuggled in at night under cover of these incredible +stories. He registered a vow, sealing it with the most solemn +protestations, and with a multiplicity of ingenious oaths that only a +mind stimulated by the heat of intoxication could have invented, that +he would make it his business, upon the first occasion that offered, to +go down to Pig and Sow Point and to discover for himself whether it was +the Devil or smugglers that had taken possession of the Old Free Grace +Meeting-House. Thereupon, hauling out his precious snuffbox and rapping +upon the lid, he offered a pinch around. Then calling attention to the +inscription, he demanded to know whether a man who had behaved so well +upon that occasion had need to be afraid of a whole churchful of +devils. "I would," he cried, "offer the Devil a pinch, as I have +offered it to you. Then I would bid him read this and tell me whether +he dared to say that black was the white of my eye." + +Nor were those words a vain boast upon the Collector's part, for, +before a week had passed, it being reported that there had been a +renewal of manifestations at the old church, the Collector, finding +nobody with sufficient courage to accompany him, himself entered into a +small boat and rowed down alone to Pig and Sow Point to investigate, +for his own satisfaction, those appearances that so agitated the +community. + +It was dusk when the Collector departed upon that memorable and +solitary expedition, and it was entirely dark before he had reached its +conclusion. He had taken with him a bottle of Extra Reserve rum to +drive, as he declared, the chill out of his bones. Accordingly it +seemed to him to be a surprisingly brief interval before he found +himself floating in his boat under the impenetrable shadow of the rocky +promontory. The profound and infinite gloom of night overhung him with +a portentous darkness, melting only into a liquid obscurity as it +touched and dissolved into the stretch of waters across the bay. But +above, on the high and rugged shoulder of the Point, the Collector, +with dulled and swimming vision, beheld a row of dim and lurid lights, +whereupon, collecting his faculties, he opined that the radiance he +beheld was emitted from the windows of the Old Free Grace +Meeting-House. + +Having made fast his boat with a drunken gravity, the Collector walked +directly, though with uncertain steps, up the steep and rugged path +towards that mysterious illumination. Now and then he stumbled over the +stones and cobbles that lay in his way, but he never quite lost his +balance, neither did he for a moment remit his drunken gravity. So with +a befuddled and obstinate perseverance he reached at last to the +conclusion of his adventure and of his fate. + +The old meeting-house was two stories in height, the lower story having +been formerly used by the Free Grace Believers as a place wherein to +celebrate certain obscure mysteries appertaining to their belief. The +upper story, devoted to the more ordinary worship of their Sunday +meetings, was reached by a tall, steep flight of steps that led from +the ground to a covered porch which sheltered the doorway. + +The Collector paused only long enough to observe that the shutters of +the lower story were tight shut and barred, and that the dull and lurid +light shone from the windows above. Then he directly mounted the steps +with a courage and a perfect assurance that can only be entirely +enjoyed by one in his peculiar condition of inebriety. + +He paused to knock at the door, and it appeared to him that his +knuckles had hardly fallen upon the panel before the valve was flung +suddenly open. An indescribable and heavy odor fell upon him and for +the moment overpowered his senses, and he found himself standing face +to face with a figure prodigiously and portentously tall. + +Even at this unexpected apparition the Collector lost possession of no +part of his courage. Rather he stiffened himself to a more stubborn and +obstinate resolution. Steadying himself for his address, "I know very +well," quoth he, "who you are. You are the Divil, I dare say, but damme +if you shall do business here without paying your duties to King +George. I may drink a drop too much," he cried, "but I collect my +duties--every farthing of 'em." Then drawing forth his snuffbox, he +thrust it under the nose of the being to whom he spake. "Take a pinch +and read that," he roared, "but don't handle it, for I wouldn't take +all hell to let it out of my hand." + +The being whom he addressed had stood for all this while as though +bereft of speech and of movement, but at these last words he appeared +to find his voice, for he gave forth a strident bellow of so dreadful +and terrible a sort that the Collector, brave as he found himself, +stepped back a pace or two before it. The next instant he was struck +upon the wrist as though by a bolt of lightning, and the snuffbox, +describing a yellow circle against the light of the door, disappeared +into the darkness of the night beyond. Ere he could recover himself +another blow smote him upon the breast, and he fell headlong from the +platform, as through infinite space. + + * * * * * + +The next day the Collector did not present himself at the office at his +accustomed hour, and the morning wore along without his appearing at +his desk. By noon serious alarm began to take possession of the +community, and about two o'clock, the tide being then set out pretty +strong, Mr. Tompkins, the consumptive clerk, and two sailors from the +_Sarah Goodrich_, then lying at Mr. Hoppins's wharf, went down in a +yawl-boat to learn, if possible, what had befallen him. They coasted +along the Point for above a half-hour before they discovered any +vestige of the missing Collector. Then at last they saw him lying at a +little distance upon a cobbled strip of beach, where, judging from his +position and from the way he had composed himself to rest, he appeared +to have been overcome by liquor. + +At this place Mr. Tompkins put ashore, and making the best of his way +over the slippery stones exposed at low water, came at last to where +his chief was lying. The Collector was reposing with one arm over his +eyes, as though to shelter them from the sun, but as soon as Mr. +Tompkins had approached close enough to see his countenance, he uttered +a great cry that was like a scream. For, by the blue and livid lips +parted at the corners to show the yellow teeth, from the waxy whiteness +of the fat and hairy hands--in short, from the appearance of the whole +figure, he was aware in an instant that the Collector was dead. + +His cry brought the two sailors running. They, with the utmost coolness +imaginable, turned the Collector over, but discovered no marks of +violence upon him, till of a sudden one of them called attention to the +fact that his neck was broke. Upon this the other opined that he had +fallen among the rocks and twisted his neck. + +The two mariners then made an investigation of his pockets, the clerk +standing by the while paralyzed with horror, his face the color of +dough, his scalp creeping, and his hands and fingers twitching as +though with the palsy. For there was something indescribably dreadful +in the spectacle of those living hands searching into the dead's +pockets, and he would freely have given a week's pay if he had never +embarked upon the expedition for the recovery of his chief. + +In the Collector's pockets they found a twist of tobacco, a red +bandanna handkerchief of violent color, a purse meagrely filled with +copper coins and silver pieces, a silver watch still ticking with a +loud and insistent iteration, a piece of tarred string, and a +clasp-knife. + +The snuffbox which the Lieutenant had regarded with such prodigious +pride as the one emblem of his otherwise dubious virtue was gone. + +III + +THE STRANGE ADVENTURES OF A YOUNG GENTLEMAN OF QUALITY + +The Honorable Frederick Dunburne, second son of the Earl of Clandennie, +having won some six hundred pounds at ecarte at a single sitting at +Pintzennelli's, embarked with his two friends, Captain Blessington and +Lord George Fitzhope, to conclude the night with a round of final +dissipation in the more remote parts of London. Accordingly they +embarked at York Stairs for the Three Cranes, ripe for any mischief. +Upon the water the three young gentlemen amused themselves by shouting +and singing, pausing only now and then to discharge a broadside of +raillery at the occupants of some other and passing boat. + +All went very well for a while, some of those in the passing boats +laughing and railing in return, others shouting out angry replies. At +last they fell in with a broad-beamed, flat-nosed, Dutch-appearing +yawl-boat, pulling heavily up against the stream, and loaded with a +crew of half-drunken sailors just come into port. In reply to the +challenge of our young gentlemen, a man in the stern of the other boat, +who appeared to be the captain of the crew--a fellow, as Dunburne could +indefinitely perceive by the dim light of the lanthorn and the faint +illumination of the misty half-moon, possessing a great, coarse red +face and a bullet head surmounted by a mildewed and mangy fur cap-- +bawled out, in reply, that if they would only put their boat near +enough for a minute or two he would give them a bellyful of something +that would make them quiet for the rest of the night. He added that he +would ask for nothing better than to have the opportunity of beating +Dunburne's head to a pudding, and that he would give a crown to have +the three of them within arm's-reach for a minute. + +Upon this Captain Blessington swore that he should be immediately +accommodated, and therewith delivered an order to that effect to the +watermen. These obeyed so promptly that almost before Dunburne was +aware of what had happened the two boats were side by side, with hardly +a foot of space between the gunwales. Dunburne beheld one of the +watermen of his own boat knock down one of the crew of the other with +the blade of an oar, and then he himself was clutched by the collar in +the grasp of the man with the fur cap. Him Dunburne struck twice in the +face, and in the moonlight he saw that he had started the blood to +running down from his assailant's nose. But his blows produced no other +effect than to call forth a volley of the most horrible oaths that ever +greeted his ears. Thereupon the boats drifted so far apart that our +young gentleman was haled over the gunwale and soused in the cold water +of the river. The next moment some one struck him upon the head with a +belaying-pin or a billet of wood, a blow so crushing that the darkness +seemed to split asunder with a prodigious flaming of lights and a +myriad of circling stars, which presently disappeared into the profound +and utter darkness of insensibility. How long this swoon continued our +young gentleman could never tell, but when he regained so much of his +consciousness as to be aware of the things about him, he beheld himself +to be confined in a room, the walls whereof were yellow and greasy with +dirt, he himself having been laid upon a bed so foul and so displeasing +to his taste that he could not but regret the swoon from which he had +emerged into consciousness. Looking down at his person, he beheld that +his clothes had all been taken away from him, and that he was now clad +in a shirt with only one sleeve, and a pair of breeches so tattered +that they barely covered his nakedness. While he lay thus, dismally +depressed by so sad a pickle as that into which he found himself +plunged, he was strongly and painfully aware of an uproarious babble of +loud and drunken voices and a continual clinking of glasses, which +appeared to sound as from a tap-room beneath, these commingled now and +then with oaths and scraps of discordant song bellowed out above the +hubbub. His wounded head beat with tremendous and straining +painfulness, as though it would burst asunder, and he was possessed by +a burning thirst that seemed to consume his very vitals. He called +aloud, and in reply a fat, one-eyed woman came, fetching him something +to drink in a cup. This he swallowed with avidity, and thereupon (the +liquor perhaps having been drugged) he dropped off into unconsciousness +once more. + +When at last he emerged for a second time into the light of reason, it +was to find himself aboard a brig--the _Prophet Daniel_, he discovered +her name to be--bound for Baltimore, in the Americas, and then pitching +and plunging upon a westerly running stern-sea, and before a strong +wind that drove the vessel with enormous velocity upon its course for +those remote and unknown countries for which it was bound. The land was +still in sight both astern and abeam, but before him lay the boundless +and tremendously infinite stretch of the ocean. Dunburne found himself +still to be clad in the one-armed shirt and tattered breeches that had +adorned him in the house of the crimp in which he had first awakened. +Now, however, an old tattered hat with only a part of the crown had +been added to his costume. As though to complete the sad disorder of +his appearance, he discovered, upon passing his hand over his +countenance, that his beard and hair had started a bristling growth, +and that the lump on his crown--which was even yet as big as a walnut-- +was still patched with pieces of dirty sticking-plaster. Indeed, had he +but known it, he presented as miserable an appearance as the most +miserable of those wretches who were daily ravished from the slums and +streets of the great cities to be shipped to the Americas. Nor was he a +long time in discovering that he was now one of the several such +indentured servants who, upon the conclusion of their voyage, were to +be sold for their passage in the plantations of Maryland. + +Having learned so much of his miserable fate, and being now able to +make shift to walk (though with weak and stumbling steps), our young +gentleman lost no time in seeking the Captain, to whom he endeavored to +explain the several accidents that had befallen him, acknowledging that +he was the second son of the Earl of Clandennie, and declaring that if +he, the Captain, would put the _Prophet Daniel_ back into some English +port again, his lordship would make it well worth his while to lose so +much time for the sake of one so dear as a second son. To this address +the Captain, supposing him either to be drunk or disordered in his +mind, made no other reply than to knock him incontinently down upon the +deck, bidding him return forward where he belonged. + +Thereafter poor Dunburne found himself enjoying the reputation of a +harmless madman. The name of the Earl of Rags was bestowed upon him, +and the miserable companions of his wretched plight were never tired of +tempting him to recount his adventures, for the sake of entertaining +themselves by teasing that which they supposed to be his hapless mania. + +Nor is it easy to conceive of all the torments that those miserable, +obscene wretches were able to inflict upon him. Under the teasing sting +of his companions' malevolent pleasantries, there were times when +Dunburne might, as he confessed to himself, have committed a murder +with the greatest satisfaction in the world. However, he was endowed +with no small command of self-restraint, so that he was still able to +curb his passions within the bounds of reason and of policy. He was, +fortunately, a complete master of the French and Italian languages, so +that when the fury of his irritation would become too excessive for him +to control, he would ease his spirits by castigating his tormentors +with a consuming verbosity in those foreign tongues, which, had his +companions understood a single word of that which he uttered, would +have earned for him a beating that would have landed him within an inch +of his life. However, they attributed all that he said to the +irrational gibbering of a maniac. + +About midway of their voyage the _Prophet Daniel_ encountered a +tremendous storm, which drove her so far out of the Captain's reckoning +that when land was sighted, in the afternoon of a tempestuous day in +the latter part of August, the first mate, who had been for some years +in the New England trade, opined that it was the coast of Rhode Island, +and that if the Captain chose to do so he might run into New Hope +Harbor and lie there until the southeaster had blown itself out. This +advice the Captain immediately put into execution, so that by nightfall +they had dropped anchor in the comparative quiet of that excellent +harbor. + +Dunburne was a most excellent and practised swimmer. That evening, when +the dusk had pretty well fallen, he jumped overboard, dived under the +brig, and came up on the other side. Thus leaving all hands aboard +looking for him or for his dead body at the starboard side of the +_Prophet Daniel_, he himself swam slowly away to the larboard. Now +partly under water, now floating on his back, he directed his course +towards a point of land about a mile away, whereon, as he had observed +before the dark had settled down, there stood an old wooden building +resembling a church, and a great brick house with tall, lean chimneys +at a little farther distance inland. + +The intemperate cold of the water of those parts of America was so much +more excessive than Dunburne had been used to swim in that when he +dragged himself out upon the rocky, bowlder-strewn beach he lay for a +considerable time more dead than alive. His limbs appeared to possess +hardly any vitality, so benumbed were they by the icy chill that had +entered into the very marrow of his bones. Nor did he for a long while +recover from this excessive rigor; his limbs still continued at +intervals to twitch and shudder as with a convulsion, nor could he at +such times at all control their trembling. At last, however, with a +huge sigh, he aroused himself to some perception of his surroundings, +which he acknowledged were of as dispiriting a sort as he could well +have conceived of. His recovering senses were distracted by a ceaseless +watery din, for the breaking waves, rushing with a prodigious swiftness +from the harbor to the shore before the driving wind, fell with +uproarious crashing into white foam among the rocks. Above this watery +tumult spread the wet gloom of the night, full of the blackness and +pelting chill of a fine slanting rain. + +Through this shroud of mist and gloom Dunburne at last distinguished a +faint light, blurred by the sheets of rain and darkness, and shining as +though from a considerable distance. Cheered by this nearer presence of +human life, our young gentleman presently gathered his benumbed powers +together, arose, and after a while began slowly and feebly to climb a +stony hill that lay between the rocky beach and that faint but +encouraging illumination. + +So, sorely buffeted by the tempest, he at last reached the black, +square form of that structure from which the light shone. The building +he perceived to be a little wooden church of two stories in height. The +shutters of the lower story were tight fastened, as though bolted from +within. Those above were open, and from them issued the light that had +guided him in his approach from the beach. A tall flight of wooden +steps, wet in the rain, reached to a small, enclosed porch or +vestibule, whence a door, now tight shut, gave ingress into the second +story of the church. + +Thence, as Dunburne stood without, he could now distinguish the dull +muttering of a man's voice, which he opined might be that of the +preacher. Our young gentleman, as may be supposed, was in a wretched +plight. He was ragged and unshaven; his only clothing was the miserable +shirt and bepatched breeches that had served him as shelter throughout +the long voyage. These abominable garments were now wet to the skin, +and so displeasing was his appearance that he was forced to acknowledge +to himself that he did not possess enough of humility to avow so great +a misery to the light and to the eyes of strangers. Accordingly, +finding some shelter afforded by the vestibule of the church, he +crouched there in a corner, huddling his rags about him, and finding a +certain poor warmth in thus hiding away from the buffeting of the chill +and penetrating wind. As he so crouched he presently became aware of +the sound of many voices, dull and groaning, coming from within the +edifice, and then--now and again--the clanking as of a multitude of +chains. Then of a sudden, and unexpectedly, the door near him was flung +wide open, and a faint glow of reddish light fell across the passage. +Instantly the figure of a man came forth, and following him came, not a +congregation, as Dunburne might have supposed, but a most dolorous +company of nearly, or quite, naked men and women, outlined blackly, as +they emerged, against the dull illumination from behind. These wretched +beings, sighing and groaning most piteously, with a monotonous wailing +of many voices, were chained by the wrist, two and two together, and as +they passed by close to Dunburne, his nostrils were overpowered by a +heavy and fetid odor that came partly from within the building, partly +from the wretched creatures that passed him by. + +As the last of these miserable beings came forth from the bowels of +that dreadful place, a loud voice, so near to Dunburne as to startle +his ears with its sudden exclamation, cried out, "Six-and-twenty, all +told," and thereat instantly the dull light from within was quenched +into darkness. + +In the gloom and the silence that followed, Dunburne could hear for a +while nothing but the dash of the rain upon the roof and the ceaseless +drip and trickle of the water running from the eaves into the puddles +beneath the building. + +Then, as he stood, still marvelling at what he had seen, there suddenly +came a loud and startling crash, as of a trap-door let fall into its +place. A faint circle of light shone within the darkness of the +building, as though from a lantern carried in a man's hands. There was +a sound of jingling, as of keys, of approaching footsteps, and of +voices talking together, and presently there came out into the +vestibule the dark figures of two men, one of them carrying a ship's +lantern. One of these figures closed and locked the door behind him, +and then both were about to turn away without having observed Dunburne, +when, of a sudden, a circle from the roof of the lantern lit up his +pale and melancholy face, and he instantly became aware that his +presence had been discovered. + +The next moment the lantern was flung up almost into his eyes, and in +the light he saw the sharp, round rim of a pistol-barrel directed +immediately against his forehead. + +In that moment our young gentleman's life hung as a hair in the +balance. In the intense instant of expectancy his brain appeared to +expand as a bubble, and his ears tingled and hummed as though a cloud +of flies were buzzing therein. Then suddenly a voice smote like a blow +upon the silence--"Who are you, and what d'ye want?" + +"Indeed," said Dunburne, "I do not know." + +"What do you do here?" + +"Nor do I know that, either." + +He who held the lantern lifted it so that the illumination fell still +more fully upon Dunburne's face and person. Then his interlocutor +demanded, "How did you come here?" + +Upon the moment Dunburne determined to answer so much of the truth as +the question required. "'Twas by no fault of my own," he cried. "I was +knocked on the head and kidnapped in England, with the design of being +sold in Baltimore. The vessel that fetched me put into the harbor over +yonder to wait for good weather, and I jumped overboard and swam +ashore, to stumble into the cursed pickle in which I now find myself." + +"Have you, then, an education? To be sure, you talk so." + +"Indeed I have," said Dunburne--"a decent enough education to fit me +for a gentleman, if the opportunity offered. But what of that?" he +exclaimed, desperately. "I might as well have no more learning than a +beggar under the bush, for all the good it does me." The other once +more flashed the light of his lantern over our young gentleman's +miserable and barefoot figure. "I had a mind," says he, "to blow your +brains out against the wall. I have a notion now, however, to turn you +to some use instead, so I'll just spare your life for a little while, +till I see how you behave." + +He spoke with so much more of jocularity than he had heretofore used +that Dunburne recovered in great part his dawning assurance. "I am +infinitely obliged to you," he cried, "for sparing my brains; but I +protest I doubt if you will ever find so good an opportunity again to +murder me as you have just enjoyed." + +This speech seemed to tickle the other prodigiously, for he burst into +a loud and boisterous laugh, under cover of which he thrust his pistol +back into his coat-pocket again. "Come with me, and I'll fit you with +victuals and decent clothes, of both of which you appear to stand in no +little need," he said. Thereupon, and without another word, he turned +and quitted the place, accompanied by his companion, who for all this +time had uttered not a single sound. A little way from the church these +two parted company, with only a brief word spoken between them. + +Dunburne's interlocutor, with our young gentleman following close +behind him, led the way in silence for a considerable distance through +the long, wet grass and the tempestuous darkness, until at last, still +in unbroken silence, they reached the confines of an enclosure, and +presently stood before a large and imposing house built of brick. + +Dunburne's mysterious guide, still carrying the lantern, conducted him +directly up a broad flight of steps, and opening the door, ushered him +into a hallway of no inconsiderable pretensions. Thence he led the way +to a dining-room beyond, where our young gentleman observed a long +mahogany table, and a sideboard of carved mahogany illuminated by three +or four candles. In answer to the call of his conductor, a negro +servant appeared, whom the master of the house ordered to fetch some +bread and cheese and a bottle of rum for his wretched guest. While the +servant was gone to execute the commission the master seated himself at +his ease and favored Dunburne with a long and most minute regard. Then +he suddenly asked our young gentleman what was his name. + +Upon the instant Dunburne did not offer a reply to this interrogation. +He had been so miserably abused when he had told the truth upon the +voyage that he knew not now whether to confess or deny his identity. He +possessed no great aptitude at lying, so that it was with no little +hesitation that he determined to maintain his incognito. Having reached +this conclusion, he answered his host that his name was Tom Robinson. +The other, however, appeared to notice neither his hesitation nor the +name which he had seen fit to assume. Instead, he appeared to be lost +in a reverie, which he broke only to bid our young gentleman to sit +down and tell the story of the several adventures that had befallen +him. He advised him to leave nothing untold, however shameful it might +be. "Be assured," said he, "that no matter what crimes you may have +committed, the more intolerable your wickedness, the better you will +please me for the purpose I have in view." + +Being thus encouraged, and having already embarked in disingenuosity, +our young gentleman, desiring to please his host, began at random a +tale composed in great part of what he recollected of the story of +_Colonel Jack_, seasoned occasionally with extracts from Mr. Smollett's +ingenious novel of _Ferdinand, Count Fathom_. There was hardly a petty +crime or a mean action mentioned in either of these entertaining +fictions that he was not willing to attribute to himself. Meanwhile he +discovered, to his surprise, that lying was not really so difficult an +art as he had supposed it to be. His host listened for a considerable +while in silence, but at last he was obliged to call upon his penitent +to stop. "To tell you the truth, Mr. What's-a-name," he cried, "I do +not believe a single word you are telling me. However, I am satisfied +that in you I have discovered, as I have every reason to hope, one of +the most preposterous liars I have for a long time fell in with. +Indeed, I protest that any one who can with so steady a countenance lie +so tremendously as you have just done may be capable, if not of a great +crime, at least of no inconsiderable deceit, and perhaps of treachery. +If this be so, you will suit my purposes very well, though I would +rather have had you an escaped criminal or a murderer or a thief." + +"Sir," said Dunburne, very seriously, "I am sorry that I am not more to +your mind. As you say, I can, I find, lie very easily, and if you will +give me sufficient time, I dare say I can become sufficiently expert in +other and more criminal matters to please even your fancy. I cannot, I +fear, commit a murder, nor would I choose to embark upon an attempt at +arson; but I could easily learn to cheat at cards; or I could, if it +would please you better, make shift to forge your own name to a bill +for a hundred pounds. I confess, however, I am entirely in the dark as +to why you choose to have me enjoy so evil a reputation." + +At these words the other burst into a great and vociferous laugh. "I +protest," he cried, "you are the coolest rascal ever I fell in with. +But come," he added, sobering suddenly, "what did you say was your +name?" + +"I declare, sir," said Dunburne, with the most ingenuous frankness, "I +have clean forgot. Was it Tom or John Robinson?" + +Again the other burst out laughing. "Well," he said, "what does it +matter? Thomas or John--'tis all one. I see that you are a ragged, +lousy beggar, and I believe you to be a runaway servant. Even if that +is the worst to be said of you, you will suit me very well. As for a +name, I myself will fit you with one, and it shall be of the best. I +will give you a home here in the house, and will for three months +clothe you like a lord. You shall live upon the best, and shall meet +plenty of the genteelest company the Colonies can afford. All that I +demand of you is that you shall do exactly as I tell you for the three +months that I so entertain you. Come. Is it a bargain?" + +Dunburne sat for a while thinking very seriously. "First of all," said +he, "I must know what is the name you have a mind to bestow upon me." + +The other looked distrustfully at him for a time, and then, as though +suddenly fetching up resolution, he cried out: "Well, what then? What +of it? Why should I be afraid? I'll tell you. Your name shall be +Frederick Dunburne, and you shall be the second son of the Earl of +Clandennie." + +Had a thunder-bolt fallen from heaven at Dunburne's feet he could not +have been struck more entirely dumb than he was at those astounding +words. He knew not for the moment where to look or what to think. At +that instant the negro man came into the room, fetching the bottle of +rum and the bread and cheese he had been sent for. As the sound of his +entrance struck upon our young gentleman's senses he came to himself +with the shock, and suddenly exploded into a burst of laughter so +shrill and discordant that Captain Obadiah sat staring at him as though +he believed his ragged beneficiary had gone clean out of his senses. + +IV + +A ROMANTIC EPISODE IN THE LIFE OF A YOUNG LADY + +Miss Belinda Belford, the daughter and only child of Colonel William +Belford, was a young lady possessed of no small pretensions to personal +charms of the most exalted order. Indeed, many excellent judges in such +matters regarded her, without doubt, as the reigning belle of the +Northern Colonies. Of a medium height, of a slight but generously +rounded figure, she bore herself with an indescribable grace and +dignity of carriage. Her hair, which was occasionally permitted to curl +in ringlets upon her snowy neck, was of a brown so dark and so soft as +at times to deceive the admiring observer into a belief that it was +black. Her eyes, likewise of a dark-brown color, were of a most melting +and liquid lustre; her nose, though slight, was sufficiently high, and +modelled with so exquisite a delicacy as to lend an exceeding charm to +her whole countenance. She was easily the belle of every assembly which +she graced with her presence, and her name was the toast of every +garrison town of the Northern provinces. + +Madam Belford and her lovely daughter were engaged one pleasant morning +in entertaining a number of friends, in the genteel English manner, +with a dish of tea and a bit of gossip. Upon this charming company +Colonel Belford suddenly intruded, his countenance displaying an +excessive though not displeasing agitation. + +"My dear! my dear!" he cried, "what a piece of news have I for you! It +is incredible and past all belief! Who, ladies, do you suppose is here +in New Hope? Nay, you cannot guess; I shall have to enlighten you. 'Tis +none other than Frederick Dunburne, my lordship's second son. Yes, you +may well look amazed. I saw and spoke with him this very morning, and +that not above a half-hour ago. He is travelling incognito, but my +brother Obadiah discovered his identity, and is now entertaining him at +his new house upon the Point. A large party of young officers from the +garrison are there, all very gay with cards and dice, I am told. My +noble young gentleman knew me so soon as he clapped eyes upon me. +'This,' says he, 'if I am not mistook, must be Colonel Belford, my +father's honored friend.' He is," exclaimed the speaker, "a most +interesting and ingenuous youth, with extremely lively and elegant +manners, and a person exactly resembling that of his dear and honored +father." + +It may be supposed into what a flutter this piece of news cast those +who heard it. "My dear," cried Madam Belford, as soon as the first +extravagance of the general surprise had passed by to an easier +acceptance of Colonel Belford's tidings--"my dear, why did you not +bring him with you to present him to us all? What an opportunity have +you lost!" + +"Indeed, my dear," said Colonel Belford, "I did not forget to invite +him hither. He protested that nothing could afford him greater +pleasure, did he not have an engagement with some young gentlemen from +the garrison. But, believe me, I would not let him go without a +promise. He is to dine with us to-morrow at two; and, Belinda, my +dear"--here Colonel Belford pinched his daughter's blushing cheek--"you +must assume your best appearance for so serious an occasion. I am +informed that my noble gentleman is extremely particular in his tastes +in the matter of female excellence." + +"Indeed, papa," cried the young lady, with great vivacity, "I shall +attempt no extraordinary graces upon my young gentleman's account, and +that I promise you. I protest," she exclaimed, with spirit, "I have no +great opinion of him who would come thus to New Hope without a single +word to you, who are his father's confidential correspondent. Nor do I +admire the taste of one who would choose to cast himself upon the +hospitality of my uncle Obadiah rather than upon yours." + +"My dear," said Colonel Belford, very soberly, "you express your +opinion with a most unwarranted levity, considering the exalted +position your subject occupies. I may, however, explain to you that he +came to America quite unexpectedly and by an accident. Nor would he +have declared his incognito, had not my brother Obadiah discovered it +almost immediately upon his arrival. He would not, he declared, have +visited New Hope at all, had not Captain Obadiah Belford urged his +hospitality in such a manner as to preclude all denial." + +But to this reproof Miss Belinda who, was, indeed, greatly indulged by +her parents, made no other reply than to toss her head with a pretty +sauciness, and to pout her cherry lips in an infinitely becoming +manner. + +But though our young lady protested so emphatically against assuming +any unusual charms for the entertainment of their expected visitor, she +none the less devoted no small consideration to that very thing that +she had so exclaimed against. Accordingly, when she was presented to +her father's noble guest, what with her heightened color and her eyes +sparkling with the emotions evoked by the occasion, she so impressed +our young gentleman that he could do little but stand regarding her +with an astonishment that for the moment caused him to forget those +graces of deportment that the demands of elegance called upon him to +assume. + +However, he recovered himself immediately, and proceeded to take such +advantage of his introduction that by the time they were seated at the +dinner-table he found himself conversing with his fair partner with all +the ease and vivacity imaginable. Nor in this exchange of polite +raillery did he discover her wit to be in any degree less than her +personal charms. + +"Indeed, madam," he exclaimed, "I am now more than ready to thank that +happy accident that has transported me, however much against my will, +from England to America. The scenery, how beautiful! Nature, how +fertile! Woman, how exquisite! Your country," he exclaimed, with +enthusiasm, "is like heaven!" + +"Indeed, sir," cried the young lady, vivaciously, "I do not take your +praise for a compliment. I protest I am acquainted with no young +gentleman who would not defer his enjoyment of heaven to the very last +extremity." + +"To be sure," quoth our hero, "an ambition for the abode of saints is +of too extreme a nature to recommend itself to a modest young fellow of +parts. But when one finds himself thrown into the society of an houri--" + +"And do you indeed have houris in England?" exclaimed the young lady. +"In America you must be content with society of a much more earthly +constitution!" + +"Upon my word, miss," cried our young gentleman, "you compel me to +confess that I find myself in the society of one vastly more to my +inclination than that of any houri of my acquaintance." + +With such lively badinage, occasionally lapsing into more serious +discourse, the dinner passed off with a great deal of pleasantness to +our young gentleman, who had prepared himself for something +prodigiously dull and heavy. After the repast, a pipe of tobacco in the +summer-house and a walk in the garden so far completed his cheerful +impressions that when he rode away towards Pig and Sow Point he found +himself accompanied by the most lively, agreeable thoughts imaginable. +Her wit, how subtle! Her person, how beautiful! He surprised himself +smiling with a fatuous indulgence of his enjoyable fancies. + +Nor did the young lady's thoughts, though doubtless of a more moderate +sort, assume a less pleasing perspective. Our young gentleman was +favored with a tall, erect figure, a high nose, and a fine, thin face +expressive of excellent breeding. It seemed to her that his manners +possessed an elegance and a grace that she had never before discovered +beyond the leaves of Mr. Richardson's ingenious novels. Nor was she +unaware of the admiration of herself that his countenance had +expressed. Upon so slender a foundation she amused herself for above an +hour, erecting such castles in the air that, had any one discovered her +thought, she would have perished of mortification. + +But though our young lady so yielded herself to the enjoyment of such +silly dreams as might occur to any miss of a lively imagination and +vivacious temperament, the reader is to understand that she has yet so +much dignity and spirit as to cover these foolish and romantic fancies +with a cloak of so delicate and so subtle a reserve that when the young +gentleman called to pay his respects the next afternoon he quitted her +presence ten times more infatuated with her charms than he had been the +day before. + +Nor can it be denied that our young lady knew perfectly well how to +make the greatest use of such opportunities. She already possessed a +great deal of experience in teasing the other sex with those delicious +though innocent torments that cause the eyes of the victim to remain +awake at night and the fancy to dream throughout the day. + +Such presently became the condition of our young gentleman that at the +end of the month he knew not whether his present life had continued for +weeks or for years; in the charming infatuation that overpowered him he +considered nothing of time, every other consideration being engulfed in +his desire for the society of his charmer. Cards and dice lost for him +their accustomed pleasure, and when a gay society would be at Belford's +Palace it was with the utmost difficulty that he assumed so much +patience as to take his part in those dissipations that there obtained. +Relieved from them, he flew with redoubled ardor back to the +gratification of his passion again. + +In the mean time Captain Obadiah had become so accustomed to the +presence of his guest that he made no pretence of any concealment of +that iniquitous, dreadful avocation that lent to Pig and Sow Point so +great a terror in those parts. Rather did the West Indian appear to +court the open observation of his dependant. + +One exquisite day in the last of October our young gentleman had spent +the greater part of the afternoon in the society of the beautiful +object of his regard. The leaves, though fallen from the trees in great +abundance, appeared thereby only to have admitted of the passage of a +riper radiance of golden sunlight through the thinning branches. This +and the ardor of his passion had so transported our hero that when he +had departed from her presence he seemed to walk as light as a feather, +and knew not whether it was the warmth of the sunlight or the heat of +his own impetuous transports that filled the universe with so extreme a +brightness. + +Overpowered with these absorbing and transcendent introspections, he +approached his now odious home upon Pig and Sow Point by way of the old +meeting-house. There of a sudden he came upon his patron, Captain +Obadiah, superintending the burial of the last of three victims of his +odious commerce, who had died that afternoon. Two had already been +interred, and the third new-made grave was in the process of being +filled. Two men, one a negro and the other a white, had nearly +completed their labor, tramping down the crumbling earth as they +shovelled it into the shallow excavation. Meanwhile Captain Obadiah +stood near by, his red coat flaming in the slanting light, himself +smoking a pipe of tobacco with all the ease and coolness imaginable. +His hands, clasped behind his back, held his ivory-headed cane, and as +our hero approached he turned an evil countenance upon him, and greeted +him with a grin at once droll, mischievous, and malevolent in the +extreme. "And how is our pretty charmer this afternoon?" quoth Captain +Obadiah. + +Conceive, if you please, of a man floating in the most ecstatic delight +of heaven pulled suddenly thence down into the most filthy extremity of +hell, and then you shall understand the motions of disgust and +repugnance and loathing that overpowered our hero, who, awakening thus +suddenly out of his dream of love, found himself in the presence of +that grim and obscene spectacle of death--who, arousing from such +absorbing and exquisite meditations, heard his ears greeted with so +rude and vulgar an address. + +Acknowledging to himself that he did not dare offer an immediate reply +to his host, he turned upon his heel and walked away, without +expressing a single word. + +He was not, however, permitted to escape thus easily. He had not taken +above twenty steps, when, hearing footsteps behind him, he turned his +head to discover Captain Obadiah skipping rapidly after him in a +prodigious hurry, swinging his cane and chuckling preposterously to +himself, as though in the enjoyment of some most exquisite piece of +drollery. "What!" he cried, as soon as he could catch his breath from +his hurry. "What! What! Can't you answer, you villain? Why, blind my +eyes! a body would think you were a lord's son indeed, instead of +being, as I know you, a beggarly runaway servant whom I took in like a +mangy cat out of the rain. But come, come--no offence, my boy! I'll be +no hard master to you. I've heard how the wind blows, and I've kept my +ears open to all your doings. I know who is your sweetheart. Harkee, +you rascal! You have a fancy for my niece, have you? Well, your apple +is ripe if you choose to pick it. Marry your charmer and be damned; and +if you'll serve me by taking her thus in hand, I'll pay you twenty +pounds upon your wedding-day. Now what do you say to that, you lousy +beggar in borrowed clothes?" + +Our young gentleman stopped short and looked his tormentor full in the +face. The thought of his father's anger alone had saved him from +entangling himself in the web of his passions; this he forgot upon the +instant. "Captain Obadiah Belford," quoth he, "you're the most +consummate villain ever I beheld in all of my life; but if I have the +good-fortune to please the young lady, I wish I may die if I don't +serve you in this!" + +At these words Captain Obadiah, who appeared to take no offence at his +guest's opinion of his honesty, burst out into a great boisterous +laugh, flinging back his head and dropping his lower jaw so +preposterously that the setting sun shone straight down his wide and +cavernous gullet. + +V + +HOW THE DEVIL WAS CAST OUT OF THE MEETING-HOUSE + +The news that the Honorable Frederick Dunburne, second son of the Earl +of Clandennie, was to marry Miss Belinda Belford, the daughter and only +child of Colonel William Belford, of New Hope, was of a sort to arouse +the keenest and most lively interest in all those parts of the Northern +Colonies of America. + +The day had been fixed, and all the circumstances arranged with such +particularity that an invitation was regarded as the highest honor that +could befall the fortunate recipient. There were to be present on this +interesting occasion two Colonial governors and their ladies, an +English general, the captain of the flag-ship _Achilles_, and above a +score of Colonial magnates and ladies of distinction. + +Captain Obadiah had not been bidden to either the ceremony or the +breakfast. This rebuff he had accepted with prodigious amusement, +which, not limiting itself to the immediate occasion, broke forth at +intervals for above two weeks. Now it might express itself in chuckles +of the most delicious entertainment, vented as our Captain walked up +and down the hall of his great house, smoking his pipe and cracking the +knuckles of his fingers; at other times he would burst forth into +incontrollable fits of laughter at the extravagant deceit which he +believed himself to be imposing upon his brother, Colonel Belford. + +At length came the wedding-day, with such circumstances of pomp and +display as the exceeding wealth and Colonial dignity of Colonel Belford +could surround it. For the wedding-breakfast the great folding-doors +between the drawing-room and the dining-room of Colonel Belford's house +were flung wide open, and a table extending the whole length of the two +apartments was set with the most sumptuous and exquisite display of +plate and china. Around the board were collected the distinguished +company, and the occasion was remarkable not less for the richness of +its display than for the exquisite nature of the repast intended to +celebrate so auspicious an occasion. + +At the head of the board sat the young couple, radiant with an +engrossing happiness that took no thought of what the future might have +in store for it, but was contented with the triumphant ecstasy of the +moment. + +These elegant festivities were at their height, when there suddenly +arose a considerable disputation in the hallway beyond, and before any +one could inquire as to what was occurring, Captain Obadiah Belford +came stumping into the room, swinging his ivory-headed cane, and with +an expression of the most malicious triumph impressed upon his +countenance. Directing his address to the bridegroom, and paying no +attention to any other one of the company, he cried out: "Though not +bidden to this entertainment, I have come to pay you a debt I owe. Here +is twenty pounds I promised to pay you for marrying my niece." + +Therewith he drew a silk purse full of gold pieces from his pocket, +which he hung over the ferrule of his cane and reached across the table +to the bridegroom. That gentleman, upon his part (having expected some +such episode as this), arose, and with a most polite and elaborate bow +accepted the same and thrust it into his pocket. + +"And now, my young gentleman," cried Captain Obadiah, folding his arms +and tucking his cane under his armpit, looking the while from under his +brows upon the company with a most malevolent and extravagant grin-- +"and now, my young gentleman, perhaps you will favor the ladies and +gentlemen here present with an account of what services they are I thus +pay for." + +"To be sure I will," cried out our hero, "and that with the utmost +willingness in the world." + +During all this while the elegant company had sat as with suspended +animation, overwhelmed with wonder at the singular address of the +intruder. Even the servants stood still with the dishes in their hands +the better to hear the outcome of the affair. The bride, overwhelmed by +a sudden and inexplicable anxiety, felt the color quit her face, and +reaching out, seized her lover's hand, who took hers very readily, +holding it tight within his grasp. As for Colonel and Madam Belford, +not knowing what this remarkable address portended, they sat as though +turned to stone, the one gone as white as ashes, and the other as red +in the face as a cherry. Our young gentleman, however, maintained the +utmost coolness and composure of demeanor. Pointing his finger towards +the intruder, he exclaimed: "In Captain Obadiah Belford, ladies and +gentlemen, you behold the most unmitigated villain that ever I met in +all of my life. With an incredible spite and vindictiveness he not only +pursued my honored father-in-law, Colonel Belford, but has sought to +wreak an unwarranted revenge upon the innocent and virtuous young lady +whom I have now the honor to call my wife. But how has he overreached +himself in his machinations! How has he entangled his feet in the net +which he himself has spread! I will tell you my history, as he bids me +to do, and you may then judge for yourselves!" + +At this unexpected address Captain Obadiah's face fell from its +expression of malicious triumph, growing longer and longer, until at +last it was overclouded with so much doubt and anxiety that, had he +been threatened by the loss of a thousand pounds, he could not have +assumed a greater appearance of mortification and dejection. Meantime, +regarding him with a mischievous smile, our young gentleman began the +history of all those adventures that had befallen him from the time he +embarked upon the memorable expedition with his two companions in +dissipation from York Stairs. As his account proceeded Captain +Obadiah's face altered by degrees from its natural brown to a sickly +yellow, and then to so leaden a hue that it could not have assumed a +more ghastly appearance were he about to swoon dead away. Great beads +of sweat gathered upon his forehead and trickled down his cheeks. At +last he could endure no more, but with a great and strident voice, such +as might burst forth from a devil tormented, he cried out: "'Tis a lie! +'Tis all a monstrous lie! He is a beggarly runaway servant whom I took +in out of the rain and fed and housed--to have him turn thus against me +and strike the hand that has benefited him!" + +"Sir," replied our young gentleman, with a moderate and easy voice, +"what I tell you is no lie, but the truth. If any here misdoubts my +veracity, see, here is a letter received by the last packet from my +honored father. You, Colonel Belford, know his handwriting perfectly +well. Look at this and tell me if I am deceiving you." + +At these words Colonel Belford took the letter with a hand that +trembled as though with palsy. He cast his eyes over it, but it is to +be doubted whether he read a single word therein contained. +Nevertheless, he saw enough to satisfy his doubts, and he could have +wept, so great was the relief from the miserable and overwhelming +anxiety that had taken possession of him since the beginning of his +brother's discourse. + +Meantime our young gentleman, turning to Captain Obadiah, cried out, +"Sir, I am indeed an instrument of Providence sent hither to call your +wickedness to account," and this he spoke with so virtuous an air as to +command the admiration of all who heard him. "I have," he continued, +"lived with you now for nearly three odious months, and I know every +particular of your habits and such circumstances of your life as you +are aware of. I now proclaim how you have wickedly and sacrilegiously +turned the Old Free Grace Meeting-House into a slave-pen, whence for +above a year you have conducted a nefarious and most inhuman commerce +with the West Indies." + +At these words Captain Obadiah, being thrown so suddenly upon his +defence, forced himself to give forth a huge and boisterous laugh. +"What then?" he cried. "What wickedness is there in that? What if I +have provided a few sugar plantations with negro slaves? Are there not +those here present who would do no better if the opportunity offered? +The place is mine, and I break no law by a bit of quiet slave-trading." + +"I marvel," cried our young gentleman, still in the same virtuous +strain--"I marvel that you can pass over so wicked a thing thus easily. +I myself have counted above fifty graves of your victims on Pig and Sow +Point. Repent, sir, while there is yet time." + +But to this adjuration Captain Obadiah returned no other reply than to +burst into a most wicked, impudent laugh. + +"Is it so?" cried our young gentleman. "Do you dare me to further +exposures? Then I have here another evidence to confront you that may +move you to a more serious consideration." With these words he drew +forth from his pocket a packet wrapped in soft white paper. This he +unfolded, holding up to the gaze of all a bright and shining object. +"This," he exclaimed, "I found in Captain Obadiah's writing-desk while +I was hunting for some wax with which to seal a letter." It was the +gold snuffbox of the late Collector Goodhouse. "What," he cried, "have +you, sir, to offer in explanation of the manner in which this came into +your possession? See, here engraved upon the lid is the owner's name +and the circumstance of his having saved my own poor life. It was that +first called my attention to it, for I well recollect how my father +compelled me to present it to my savior. How came it into your +possession, and why have you hidden it away so carefully for all this +while? Sir, in the death of Lieutenant Goodhouse I suspect you of a +more sinister fault than that of converting yonder poor sanctuary into +a slave-pen. So soon as Captain Morris of your slave-ship returns from +Jamaica I shall have him arrested, and shall compel him to explain what +he knows of the circumstances of the Lieutenant's unfortunate murder." + +At the sight of so unexpected an object in the young gentleman's hand +Captain Obadiah's jaw fell, and his cavernous mouth gaped as though he +had suddenly been stricken with a palsy. He lifted a trembling hand and +slowly and mechanically passed it along that cheek which was so +discolored with gunpowder stain. Then, suddenly gathering himself +together and regaining those powers that appeared for a moment to have +fled from him, he cried out, aloud: "I swear to God 'twas all an +accident! I pushed him down the steps, and he fell and broke his neck!" + +Our young gentleman regarded him with a cold and collected smile. +"That, sir," said he, "you shall have the opportunity to explain to the +proper authorities--unless," he added, "you choose to take yourself +away from these parts, and to escape the just resentment of those laws +to which you may be responsible for your misdemeanors." + +"I shall," roared Captain Obadiah, "stand my trial in spite of you all! +I shall live to see you in torments yet! I shall--" He gaped and +stuttered, but could find no further words with which to convey his +infinite rage and disappointed spite. Then turning, and with a furious +gesture, he rushed forth and out of the house, thrusting those aside +who stood in his way, and leaving behind him a string of curses fit to +set the whole world into a blaze. + +He had destroyed all the gaiety of the wedding-breakfast, but the +relief from the prodigious doubts and anxieties that had at first +overwhelmed those whom he had intended to ruin was of so great a nature +that they thought nothing of so inconsiderable a circumstance. + +As for our young gentleman, he had come forth from the adventure with +such dignity of deportment and with so exalted an air of generous +rectitude that those present could not sufficiently admire at the +continent discretion of one so young. The young lady whom he had +married, if she had before regarded him as a Paris and an Achilles +incorporated into one person, now added the wisdom of a Nestor to the +category of his accomplishments. + +Captain Obadiah, in spite of the defiance he had fulminated against his +enemies, and in spite of the determination he had expressed to remain +and to stand his trial, was within a few days known to have suddenly +and mysteriously departed from New Hope. Whether or not he misdoubted +his own rectitude too greatly to put it to the test of a trial, or +whether the mortification incident upon the failure of his plot was too +great for him to support, it was clearly his purpose never to return +again. For within a month the more valuable of his belongings were +removed from his great house upon Pig and Sow Point and were loaded +upon a bark that came into the harbor for that purpose. Thence they +were transported no one knew whither, for Captain Obadiah was never +afterwards observed in those parts. + +Nor was the old meeting-house ever again disturbed by such +manifestations as had terrified the community for so long a time. +Nevertheless, though the Devil was thus exorcised from his +abiding-place, the old church never lost its evil reputation, until it was +finally destroyed by fire about ten years after the incidents herein +narrated. + +In conclusion it is only necessary to say that when the Honorable +Frederick Dunburne presented his wife to his noble family at home, he +was easily forgiven his _mesalliance_ in view of her extreme beauty and +vivacity. Within a year or two Lord Carrickford, his elder brother, +died of excessive dissipation in Florence, where he was then attached +to the English Embassy, so that our young gentleman thus became the +heir-apparent to his father's title, and so both branches of the family +were united into one. + + +THE END + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Stolen Treasure, by Howard Pyle + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK STOLEN TREASURE *** + +***** This file should be named 10394.txt or 10394.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + https://www.gutenberg.org/1/0/3/9/10394/ + +Produced by David Widger, Juliet Sutherland, Linda Cantoni and PG +Distributed Proofreaders + + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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Anyone seeking to utilize +this eBook outside of the United States should confirm copyright +status under the laws that apply to them. diff --git a/README.md b/README.md new file mode 100644 index 0000000..b6afb52 --- /dev/null +++ b/README.md @@ -0,0 +1,2 @@ +Project Gutenberg (https://www.gutenberg.org) public repository for +eBook #10394 (https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/10394) diff --git a/old/10394-8.txt b/old/10394-8.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..defdd39 --- /dev/null +++ b/old/10394-8.txt @@ -0,0 +1,5383 @@ +The Project Gutenberg EBook of Stolen Treasure, by Howard Pyle + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: Stolen Treasure + +Author: Howard Pyle + +Release Date: December 7, 2003 [EBook #10394] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK STOLEN TREASURE *** + + + + +Produced by David Widger, Juliet Sutherland, Linda Cantoni and PG +Distributed Proofreaders + + + + + +STOLEN TREASURE + +BY + +HOWARD PYLE + +Author of "Men of Iron" "Twilight Land" "The Wonder Clock" "Pepper and +Salt" + + +ILLUSTRATED BY THE AUTHOR + +MCMVII + + + + +CONTENTS + + +I. WITH THE BUCCANEERS + +II. TOM CHIST AND THE TREASURE-BOX + +III. THE GHOST OF CAPTAIN BRAND + +IV. THE DEVIL AT NEW HOPE + + + + +ILLUSTRATIONS + + +"'I'VE KEPT MY EARS OPEN TO ALL YOUR DOINGS'" + +"THIS FIGURE OF WAR OUR HERO ASKED TO STEP ASIDE WITH HIM" + +"OUR HERO, LEAPING TO THE WHEEL, SEIZED THE FLYING SPOKES" + +"SHE AND MASTER HARRY WOULD SPEND HOURS TOGETHER" + +"'... AND TWENTY-ONE AND TWENTY-TWO'" + +"''TIS ENOUGH,' CRIED OUT PARSON JONES, 'TO MAKE US BOTH RICH MEN'" + +"CAPTAIN MALYOE SHOT CAPTAIN BRAND THROUGH THE HEAD" + +"HE WOULD SHOUT OPPROBRIOUS WORDS AFTER THE OTHER IN THE STREETS" + + + + +STOLEN TREASURE + + + + +I. WITH THE BUCCANEERS + +_Being an Account of Certain Adventures that Befell Henry Mostyn under +Captain H. Morgan in the Year 1665-66._ + +I + +Although this narration has more particularly to do with the taking of +the Spanish Vice-Admiral in the harbor of Puerto Bello, and of the +rescue therefrom of Le Sieur Simon, his wife and daughter (the +adventure of which was successfully achieved by Captain Morgan, the +famous buccaneer), we shall, nevertheless, premise something of the +earlier history of Master Harry Mostyn, whom you may, if you please, +consider as the hero of the several circumstances recounted in these +pages. + +In the year 1664 our hero's father embarked from Portsmouth, in +England, for the Barbadoes, where he owned a considerable sugar +plantation. Thither to those parts of America he transported with +himself his whole family, of whom our Master Harry was the fifth of +eight children--a great lusty fellow as little fitted for the Church +(for which he was designed) as could be. At the time of this story, +though not above sixteen years old, Master Harry Mostyn was as big and +well-grown as many a man of twenty, and of such a reckless and +dare-devil spirit that no adventure was too dangerous or too mischievous +for him to embark upon. + +At this time there was a deal of talk in those parts of the Americas +concerning Captain Morgan, and the prodigious successes he was having +pirating against the Spaniards. + +This man had once been an indentured servant with Mr. Rolls, a sugar +factor at the Barbadoes. Having served out his time, and being of +lawless disposition, possessing also a prodigious appetite for +adventure, he joined with others of his kidney, and, purchasing a +caraval of three guns, embarked fairly upon that career of piracy the +most successful that ever was heard of in the world. + +Master Harry had known this man very well while he was still with Mr. +Rolls, serving as a clerk at that gentleman's sugar wharf, a tall, +broad-shouldered, strapping fellow, with red cheeks, and thick red +lips, and rolling blue eyes, and hair as red as any chestnut. Many knew +him for a bold, gruff-spoken man, but no one at that time suspected +that he had it in him to become so famous and renowned as he afterwards +grew to be. + +The fame of his exploits had been the talk of those parts for above a +twelvemonth, when, in the latter part of the year 1665, Captain Morgan, +having made a very successful expedition against the Spaniards into the +Gulf of Campeachy--where he took several important purchases from the +plate fleet--came to the Barbadoes, there to fit out another such +venture, and to enlist recruits. + +He and certain other adventurers had purchased a vessel of some five +hundred tons, which they proposed to convert into a pirate by cutting +port-holes for cannon, and running three or four carronades across her +main-deck. The name of this ship, be it mentioned, was the _Good +Samaritan_, as ill-fitting a name as could be for such a craft, which, +instead of being designed for the healing of wounds, was intended to +inflict such devastation as those wicked men proposed. + +Here was a piece of mischief exactly fitted to our hero's tastes; +wherefore, having made up a bundle of clothes, and with not above a +shilling in his pocket, he made an excursion into the town to seek for +Captain Morgan. There he found the great pirate established at an +ordinary, with a little court of ragamuffins and swashbucklers gathered +about him, all talking very loud, and drinking healths in raw rum as +though it were sugared water. + +And what a fine figure our buccaneer had grown, to be sure! How +different from the poor, humble clerk upon the sugarwharf! What a deal +of gold braid! What a fine, silver-hilted Spanish sword! What a gay +velvet sling, hung with three silver-mounted pistols! If Master Harry's +mind had not been made up before, to be sure such a spectacle of glory +would have determined it. + +This figure of war our hero asked to step aside with him, and when they +had come into a corner, proposed to the other what he intended, and +that he had a mind to enlist as a gentleman adventurer upon this +expedition. Upon this our rogue of a buccaneer Captain burst out +a-laughing, and fetching Master Harry a great thump upon the back, swore +roundly that he would make a man of him, and that it was a pity to make +a parson out of so good a piece of stuff. + +[Illustration: "THIS FIGURE OF WAR OUR HERO ASKED TO STEP ASIDE WITH +HIM"] + +Nor was Captain Morgan less good than his word, for when the _Good +Samaritan_ set sail with a favoring wind for the island of Jamaica, +Master Harry found himself established as one of the adventurers +aboard. + +II + +Could you but have seen the town of Port Royal as it appeared in the +year 1665 you would have beheld a sight very well worth while looking +upon. There were no fine houses at that time, and no great +counting-houses built of brick, such as you may find nowadays, but a crowd +of board and wattled huts huddled along the streets, and all so gay with +flags and bits of color that Vanity Fair itself could not have been +gayer. To this place came all the pirates and buccaneers that infested +those parts, and men shouted and swore and gambled, and poured out +money like water, and then maybe wound up their merrymaking by dying of +fever. For the sky in these torrid latitudes is all full of clouds +overhead, and as hot as any blanket, and when the sun shone forth it +streamed down upon the smoking sands so that the houses were ovens and +the streets were furnaces; so it was little wonder that men died like +rats in a hole. But little they appeared to care for that; so that +everywhere you might behold a multitude of painted women and Jews and +merchants and pirates, gaudy with red scarfs and gold braid and all +sorts of odds and ends of foolish finery, all fighting and gambling and +bartering for that ill-gotten treasure of the be-robbed Spaniard. + +Here, arriving, Captain Morgan found a hearty welcome, and a message +from the Governor awaiting him, the message bidding him attend his +Excellency upon the earliest occasion that offered. Whereupon, taking +our hero (of whom he had grown prodigiously fond) along with him, our +pirate went, without any loss of time, to visit Sir Thomas Modiford, +who was then the royal Governor of all this devil's brew of wickedness. + +They found his Excellency seated in a great easy-chair, under the +shadow of a slatted veranda, the floor whereof was paved with brick. He +was clad, for the sake of coolness, only in his shirt, breeches, and +stockings, and he wore slippers on his feet. He was smoking a great +cigarro of tobacco, and a goblet of lime-juice and water and rum stood +at his elbow on a table. Here, out of the glare of the heat, it was all +very cool and pleasant, with a sea-breeze blowing violently in through +the slats, setting them a-rattling now and then, and stirring Sir +Thomas's long hair, which he had pushed back for the sake of coolness. + +The purport of this interview, I may tell you, concerned the rescue of +one Le Sieur Simon, who, together with his wife and daughter, was held +captive by the Spaniards. + +This gentleman adventurer (Le Sieur Simon) had, a few years before, +been set up by the buccaneers as Governor of the island of Santa +Catherina. This place, though well fortified by the Spaniards, the +buccaneers had seized upon, establishing themselves thereon, and so +infesting the commerce of those seas that no Spanish fleet was safe +from them. At last the Spaniards, no longer able to endure these +assaults against their commerce, sent a great force against the +freebooters to drive them out of their island stronghold. This they +did, retaking Santa Catherina, together with its Governor, his wife, +and daughter, as well as the whole garrison of buccaneers. + +This garrison were sent by their conquerors, some to the galleys, some +to the mines, some to no man knows where. The Governor himself--Le +Sieur Simon--was to be sent to Spain, there to stand his trial for +piracy. + +The news of all this, I may tell you, had only just been received in +Jamaica, having been brought thither by a Spanish captain, one Don +Roderiguez Sylvia, who was, besides, the bearer of despatches to the +Spanish authorities relating the whole affair. + +Such, in fine, was the purport of this interview, and as our hero and +his Captain walked back together from the Governor's house to the +ordinary where they had taken up their inn, the buccaneer assured his +companion that he purposed to obtain those despatches from the Spanish +captain that very afternoon, even if he had to use force to seize them. + +All this, you are to understand, was undertaken only because of the +friendship that the Governor and Captain Morgan entertained for Le +Sieur Simon. And, indeed, it was wonderful how honest and how faithful +were these wicked men in their dealings with one another. For you must +know that Governor Modiford and Le Sieur Simon and the buccaneers were +all of one kidney--all taking a share in the piracies of those times, +and all holding by one another as though they were the honestest men in +the world. Hence it was they were all so determined to rescue Le Sieur +Simon from the Spaniards. + +III + +Having reached his ordinary after his interview with the Governor, +Captain Morgan found there a number of his companions, such as usually +gathered at that place to be in attendance upon him--some, those +belonging to the _Good Samaritan_; others, those who hoped to obtain +benefits from him; others, those ragamuffins who gathered around him +because he was famous, and because it pleased them to be of his court +and to be called his followers. For nearly always your successful +pirate had such a little court surrounding him. + +Finding a dozen or more of these rascals gathered there, Captain Morgan +informed them of his present purpose--that he was going to find the +Spanish captain to demand his papers of him, and calling upon them to +accompany him. + +With this following at his heels, our buccaneer started off down the +street, his lieutenant, a Cornishman named Bartholomew Davis, upon one +hand and our hero upon the other. So they paraded the streets for the +best part of an hour before they found the Spanish captain. For whether +he had got wind that Captain Morgan was searching for him, or whether, +finding himself in a place so full of his enemies, he had buried +himself in some place of hiding, it is certain that the buccaneers had +traversed pretty nearly the whole town before they discovered that he +was lying at a certain auberge kept by a Portuguese Jew. Thither they +went, and thither Captain Morgan entered with the utmost coolness and +composure of demeanor, his followers crowding noisily in at his heels. + +The space within was very dark, being lighted only by the doorway and +by two large slatted windows or openings in the front. + +In this dark, hot place--not over-roomy at the best--were gathered +twelve or fifteen villanous-appearing men, sitting at tables and +drinking together, waited upon by the Jew and his wife. Our hero had no +trouble in discovering which of this lot of men was Captain Sylvia, for +not only did Captain Morgan direct his glance full of war upon him, but +the Spaniard was clad with more particularity and with more show of +finery than any of the others who were there. + +Him Captain Morgan approached and demanded his papers, whereunto the +other replied with such a jabber of Spanish and English that no man +could have understood what he said. To this Captain Morgan in turn +replied that he must have those papers, no matter what it might cost +him to obtain them, and thereupon drew a pistol from his sling and +presented it at the other's head. + +At this threatening action the innkeeper's wife fell a-screaming, and +the Jew, as in a frenzy, besought them not to tear the house down about +his ears. + +Our hero could hardly tell what followed, only that all of a sudden +there was a prodigious uproar of combat. Knives flashed everywhere, and +then a pistol was fired so close to his head that he stood like one +stunned, hearing some one crying out in a loud voice, but not knowing +whether it was a friend or a foe who had been shot. Then another +pistol-shot so deafened what was left of Master Harry's hearing that +his ears rang for above an hour afterwards. By this time the whole +place was full of gunpowder smoke, and there was the sound of blows and +oaths and outcrying and the clashing of knives. + +As Master Harry, who had no great stomach for such a combat, and no +very particular interest in the quarrel, was making for the door, a +little Portuguese, as withered and as nimble as an ape, came ducking +under the table and plunged at his stomach with a great long knife, +which, had it effected its object, would surely have ended his +adventures then and there. + +Finding himself in such danger, Master Harry snatched up a heavy chair, +and, flinging it at his enemy, who was preparing for another attack, he +fairly ran for it out of the door, expecting every instant to feel the +thrust of the blade betwixt his ribs. + +A considerable crowd had gathered outside, and others, hearing the +uproar, were coming running to join them. With these our hero stood, +trembling like a leaf, and with cold chills running up and down his +back like water at the narrow escape from the danger that had +threatened him. + +Nor shall you think him a coward, for you must remember he was hardly +sixteen years old at the time, and that this was the first affair of +the sort he had encountered. Afterwards, as you shall learn, he showed +that he could exhibit courage enough at a pinch. + +While he stood there endeavoring to recover his composure, the while +the tumult continued within, suddenly two men came running almost +together out of the door, a crowd of the combatants at their heels. The +first of these men was Captain Sylvia; the other, who was pursuing him, +was Captain Morgan. + +As the crowd about the door parted before the sudden appearing of +these, the Spanish captain, perceiving, as he supposed, a way of escape +opened to him, darted across the street with incredible swiftness +towards an alleyway upon the other side. Upon this, seeing his prey +like to get away from him, Captain Morgan snatched a pistol out of his +sling, and resting it for an instant across his arm, fired at the +flying Spaniard, and that with so true an aim that, though the street +was now full of people, the other went tumbling over and over all of a +heap in the kennel, where he lay, after a twitch or two, as still as a +log. + +At the sound of the shot and the fall of the man the crowd scattered +upon all sides, yelling and screaming, and the street being thus pretty +clear, Captain Morgan ran across the way to where his victim lay, his +smoking pistol still in his hand, and our hero following close at his +heels. + +Our poor Harry had never before beheld a man killed thus in an instant +who a moment before had been so full of life and activity, for when +Captain Morgan turned the body over upon its back he could perceive at +a glance, little as he knew of such matters, that the man was stone +dead. And, indeed, it was a dreadful sight for him who was hardly more +than a child. He stood rooted for he knew not how long, staring down at +the dead face with twitching fingers and shuddering limbs. Meantime a +great crowd was gathering about them again. + +As for Captain Morgan, he went about his work with the utmost coolness +and deliberation imaginable, unbuttoning the waistcoat and the shirt of +the man he had murdered with fingers that neither twitched nor shook. +There were a gold cross and a bunch of silver medals hung by a +whip-cord about the neck of the dead man. This Captain Morgan broke away +with a snap, reaching the jingling baubles to Harry, who took them in +his nerveless hand and fingers that he could hardly close upon what +they held. + +The papers Captain Morgan found in a wallet in an inner breast-pocket +of the Spaniard's waistcoat. These he examined one by one, and finding +them to his satisfaction, tied them up again, and slipped the wallet +and its contents into his own pocket. + +Then for the first time he appeared to observe Master Harry, who, +indeed, must have been standing the perfect picture of horror and +dismay. Whereupon, bursting out a-laughing, and slipping the pistol he +had used back into its sling again, he fetched poor Harry a great slap +upon the back, bidding him be a man, for that he would see many such +sights as this. + +But, indeed, it was no laughing matter for poor Master Harry, for it +was many a day before his imagination could rid itself of the image of +the dead Spaniard's face; and as he walked away down the street with +his companions, leaving the crowd behind them, and the dead body where +it lay for its friends to look after, his ears humming and ringing from +the deafening noise of the pistol-shots fired in the close room, and +the sweat trickling down his face in drops, he knew not whether all +that had passed had been real, or whether it was a dream from which he +might presently awaken. + +IV + +The papers Captain Morgan had thus seized upon as the fruit of the +murder he had committed must have been as perfectly satisfactory to him +as could be, for having paid a second visit that evening to Governor +Modiford, the pirate lifted anchor the next morning and made sail +towards the Gulf of Darien. There, after cruising about in those waters +for about a fortnight without falling in with a vessel of any sort, at +the end of that time they overhauled a caravel bound from Puerto Bello +to Cartagena, which vessel they took, and finding her loaded with +nothing better than raw hides, scuttled and sunk her, being then about +twenty leagues from the main of Cartagena. From the captain of this +vessel they learned that the plate fleet was then lying in the harbor +of Puerto Bello, not yet having set sail thence, but waiting for the +change of the winds before embarking for Spain. Besides this, which was +a good deal more to their purpose, the Spaniards told the pirates that +the Sieur Simon, his wife, and daughter were confined aboard the +vice-admiral of that fleet, and that the name of the vice-admiral was the +_Santa Maria y Valladolid_. + +So soon as Captain Morgan had obtained the information he desired he +directed his course straight for the Bay of Santo Blaso, where he might +lie safely within the cape of that name without any danger of discovery +(that part of the main-land being entirely uninhabited) and yet be +within twenty or twenty-five leagues of Puerto Bello. + +Having come safely to this anchorage, he at once declared his +intentions to his companions, which were as follows: + +That it was entirely impossible for them to hope to sail their vessel +into the harbor of Puerto Bello, and to attack the Spanish vice-admiral +where he lay in the midst of the armed flota; wherefore, if anything +was to be accomplished, it must be undertaken by some subtle design +rather than by open-handed boldness. Having so prefaced what he had to +say, he now declared that it was his purpose to take one of the ship's +boats and to go in that to Puerto Bello, trusting for some opportunity +to occur to aid him either in the accomplishment of his aims or in the +gaining of some further information. Having thus delivered himself, he +invited any who dared to do so to volunteer for the expedition, telling +them plainly that he would constrain no man to go against his will, for +that at best it was a desperate enterprise, possessing only the +recommendation that in its achievement the few who undertook it would +gain great renown, and perhaps a very considerable booty. + +And such was the incredible influence of this bold man over his +companions, and such was their confidence in his skill and cunning, +that not above a dozen of all those aboard hung back from the +undertaking, but nearly every man desired to be taken. + +Of these volunteers Captain Morgan chose twenty--among others our +Master Harry--and having arranged with his lieutenant that if nothing +was heard from the expedition at the end of three days he should sail +for Jamaica to await news, he embarked upon that enterprise, which, +though never heretofore published, was perhaps the boldest and the most +desperate of all those that have since made his name so famous. For +what could be a more unparalleled undertaking than for a little open +boat, containing but twenty men, to enter the harbor of the third +strongest fortress of the Spanish mainland with the intention of +cutting out the Spanish vice-admiral from the midst of a whole fleet of +powerfully armed vessels, and how many men in all the world do you +suppose would venture such a thing? + +But there is this to be said of that great buccaneer: that if he +undertook enterprises so desperate as this, he yet laid his plans so +well that they never went altogether amiss. Moreover, the very +desperation of his successes was of such a nature that no man could +suspect that he would dare to undertake such things, and accordingly +his enemies were never prepared to guard against his attacks. Aye, had +he but worn the King's colors and served under the rules of honest war, +he might have become as great and as renowned as Admiral Blake himself! + +But all that is neither here nor there; what I have to tell you now is +that Captain Morgan in this open boat with his twenty mates reached the +Cape of Salmedina towards the fall of day. Arriving within view of the +harbor they discovered the plate fleet at anchor, with two men-of-war +and an armed galley riding as a guard at the mouth of the harbor, +scarce half a league distant from the other ships. Having spied the +fleet in this posture, the pirates presently pulled down their sails +and rowed along the coast, feigning to be a Spanish vessel from Nombre +de Dios. So hugging the shore, they came boldly within the harbor, upon +the opposite side of which you might see the fortress a considerable +distance away. + +Being now come so near to the consummation of their adventure, Captain +Morgan required every man to make an oath to stand by him to the last, +whereunto our hero swore as heartily as any man aboard, although his +heart, I must needs confess, was beating at a great rate at the +approach of what was to happen. Having thus received the oaths of all +his followers, Captain Morgan commanded the surgeon of the expedition +that, when the order was given, he, the medico, was to bore six holes +in the boat, so that, it sinking under them, they might all be +compelled to push forward, with no chance of retreat. And such was the +ascendency of this man over his followers, and such was their awe of +him, that not one of them uttered even so much as a murmur, though what +he had commanded the surgeon to do pledged them either to victory or to +death, with no chance to choose between. Nor did the surgeon question +the orders he had received, much less did he dream of disobeying them. + +By now it had fallen pretty dusk, whereupon, spying two fishermen in a +canoe at a little distance, Captain Morgan demanded of them in Spanish +which vessel of those at anchor in the harbor was the vice-admiral, for +that he had despatches for the captain thereof. Whereupon the +fishermen, suspecting nothing, pointed to them a galleon of great size +riding at anchor not half a league distant. + +Towards this vessel accordingly the pirates directed their course, and +when they had come pretty nigh, Captain Morgan called upon the surgeon +that now it was time for him to perform the duty that had been laid +upon him. Whereupon the other did as he was ordered, and that so +thoroughly that the water presently came gushing into the boat in great +streams, whereat all hands pulled for the galleon as though every next +moment was to be their last. + +And what do you suppose were our hero's emotions at this time? Like all +in the boat, his awe of Captain Morgan was so great that I do believe +he would rather have gone to the bottom than have questioned his +command, even when it was to scuttle the boat. Nevertheless, when he +felt the cold water gushing about his feet (for he had taken off his +shoes and stockings) he became possessed with such a fear of being +drowned that even the Spanish galleon had no terrors for him if he +could only feel the solid planks thereof beneath his feet. + +Indeed, all the crew appeared to be possessed of a like dismay, for +they pulled at the oars with such an incredible force that they were +under the quarter of the galleon before the boat was half filled with +water. + +Here, as they approached, it then being pretty dark and the moon not +yet having risen, the watch upon the deck hailed them, whereupon +Captain Morgan called out in Spanish that he was Captain Alvarez +Mendazo, and that he brought despatches for the vice-admiral. + +But at that moment, the boat being now so full of water as to be +logged, it suddenly tilted upon one side as though to sink beneath +them, whereupon all hands, without further orders, went scrambling up +the side, as nimble as so many monkeys, each armed with a pistol in one +hand and a cutlass in the other, and so were upon deck before the watch +could collect his wits to utter any outcry or to give any other alarm +than to cry out, "Jesu bless us! who are these?" at which words +somebody knocked him down with the butt of a pistol, though who it was +our hero could not tell in the darkness and the hurry. + +Before any of those upon deck could recover from their alarm or those +from below come up upon deck, a part of the pirates, under the +carpenter and the surgeon, had run to the gunroom and had taken +possession of the arms, while Captain Morgan, with Master Harry and a +Portuguese called Murillo Braziliano, had flown with the speed of the +wind into the great cabin. + +Here they found the captain of the vice-admiral playing at cards with +the Sieur Simon and a friend, Madam Simon and her daughter being +present. + +Captain Morgan instantly set his pistol at the breast of the Spanish +captain, swearing with a most horrible fierce countenance that if he +spake a word or made any outcry he was a dead man. As for our hero, +having now got his hand into the game, he performed the same service +for the Spaniard's friend, declaring he would shoot him dead if he +opened his lips or lifted so much as a single finger. + +All this while the ladies, not comprehending what had occurred, had sat +as mute as stones; but now having so far recovered themselves as to +find a voice, the younger of the two fell to screaming, at which the +Sieur Simon called out to her to be still, for these were friends who +had come to help them, and not enemies who had come to harm them. + +All this, you are to understand, occupied only a little while, for in +less than a minute three or four of the pirates had come into the +cabin, who, together with the Portuguese, proceeded at once to bind the +two Spaniards hand and foot, and to gag them. This being done to our +buccaneer's satisfaction, and the Spanish captain being stretched out +in the corner of the cabin, he instantly cleared his countenance of its +terrors, and bursting forth into a great loud laugh, clapped his hand +to the Sieur Simon's, which he wrung with the best will in the world. +Having done this, and being in a fine humor after this his first +success, he turned to the two ladies. "And this, ladies," said he, +taking our hero by the hand and presenting him, "is a young gentleman +who has embarked with me to learn the trade of piracy. I recommend him +to your politeness." + +Think what a confusion this threw our Master Harry into, to be sure, +who at his best was never easy in the company of strange ladies! You +may suppose what must have been his emotions to find himself thus +introduced to the attention of Madam Simon and her daughter, being at +the time in his bare feet, clad only in his shirt and breeches, and +with no hat upon his head, a pistol in one hand and a cutlass in the +other. However, he was not left for long to his embarrassments, for +almost immediately after he had thus far relaxed, Captain Morgan fell +of a sudden serious again, and bidding the Sieur Simon to get his +ladies away into some place of safety, for the most hazardous part of +this adventure was yet to occur, he quitted the cabin with Master Harry +and the other pirates (for you may call him a pirate now) at his heels. + +Having come upon deck, our hero beheld that a part of the Spanish crew +were huddled forward in a flock like so many sheep (the others being +crowded below with the hatches fastened upon them), and such was the +terror of the pirates, and so dreadful the name of Henry Morgan, that +not one of those poor wretches dared to lift up his voice to give any +alarm, nor even to attempt an escape by jumping overboard. + +At Captain Morgan's orders, these men, together with certain of his own +company, ran nimbly aloft and began setting the sails, which, the night +now having fallen pretty thick, was not for a good while observed by +any of the vessels riding at anchor about them. + +Indeed, the pirates might have made good their escape, with at most +only a shot or two from the men-of-war, had it not then been about the +full of the moon, which, having arisen, presently discovered to those +of the fleet that lay closest about them what was being done aboard the +vice-admiral. + +At this one of the vessels hailed them, and then after a while, having +no reply, hailed them again. Even then the Spaniards might not +immediately have suspected anything was amiss but only that the +vice-admiral for some reason best known to himself was shifting his +anchorage, had not one of the Spaniards aloft--but who it was Captain +Morgan was never able to discover--answered the hail by crying out that +the vice-admiral had been seized by the pirates. + +At this the alarm was instantly given and the mischief done, for +presently there was a tremendous bustle through that part of the fleet +lying nighest the vice-admiral--a deal of shouting of orders, a beating +of drums, and the running hither and thither of the crews. + +But by this time the sails of the vice-admiral had filled with a strong +land breeze that was blowing up the harbor, whereupon the carpenter, at +Captain Morgan's orders, having cut away both anchors, the galleon +presently bore away up the harbor, gathering headway every moment with +the wind nearly dead astern. The nearest vessel was the only one that +for the moment was able to offer any hinderance. This ship, having by +this time cleared away one of its guns, was able to fire a parting shot +against the vice-admiral, striking her somewhere forward, as our hero +could see by a great shower of splinters that flew up in the moonlight. + +At the sound of the shot all the vessels of the flota not yet disturbed +by the alarm were aroused at once, so that the pirates had the +satisfaction of knowing that they would have to run the gantlet of all +the ships between them and the open sea before they could reckon +themselves escaped. + +And, indeed, to our hero's mind it seemed that the battle which +followed must have been the most terrific cannonade that was ever heard +in the world. It was not so ill at first, for it was some while before +the Spaniards could get their guns clear for action, they being not the +least in the world prepared for such an occasion as this. But by-and-by +first one and then another ship opened fire upon the galleon, until it +seemed to our hero that all the thunders of heaven let loose upon them +could not have created a more prodigious uproar, and that it was not +possible that they could any of them escape destruction. + +By now the moon had risen full and round, so that the clouds of smoke +that rose in the air appeared as white as snow. The air seemed full of +the hiss and screaming of shot, each one of which, when it struck the +galleon, was magnified by our hero's imagination into ten times its +magnitude from the crash which it delivered and from the cloud of +splinters it would cast up into the moonlight. At last he suddenly +beheld one poor man knocked sprawling across the deck, who, as he +raised his arm from behind the mast, disclosed that the hand was gone +from it, and that the shirt-sleeve was red with blood in the moonlight. +At this sight all the strength fell away from poor Harry, and he felt +sure that a like fate or even a worse must be in store for him. + +But, after all, this was nothing to what it might have been in broad +daylight, for what with the darkness of night, and the little +preparation the Spaniards could make for such a business, and the +extreme haste with which they discharged their guns (many not +understanding what was the occasion of all this uproar), nearly all the +shot flew so wide of the mark that not above one in twenty struck that +at which it was aimed. + +Meantime Captain Morgan, with the Sieur Simon, who had followed him +upon deck, stood just above where our hero lay behind the shelter of +the bulwark. The captain had lit a pipe of tobacco, and he stood now in +the bright moonlight close to the rail, with his hands behind him, +looking out ahead with the utmost coolness imaginable, and paying no +more attention to the din of battle than though it were twenty leagues +away. Now and then he would take his pipe from his lips to utter an +order to the man at the wheel. Excepting this he stood there hardly +moving at all, the wind blowing his long red hair over his shoulders. + +Had it not been for the armed galley the pirates might have got the +galleon away with no great harm done in spite of all this cannonading, +for the man-of-war which rode at anchor nighest to them at the mouth of +the harbor was still so far away that they might have passed it by +hugging pretty close to the shore, and that without any great harm +being done to them in the darkness. But just at this moment, when the +open water lay in sight, came this galley pulling out from behind the +point of the shore in such a manner as either to head our pirates off +entirely or else to compel them to approach so near to the man-of-war +that that latter vessel could bring its guns to bear with more effect. + +This galley, I must tell you, was like others of its kind such as you +may find in these waters, the hull being long and cut low to the water +so as to allow the oars to dip freely. The bow was sharp and projected +far out ahead, mounting a swivel upon it, while at the stern a number +of galleries built one above another into a castle gave shelter to +several companies of musketeers as well as the officers commanding +them. + +Our hero could behold the approach of this galley from above the +starboard bulwarks, and it appeared to him impossible for them to hope +to escape either it or the man-of-war. But still Captain Morgan +maintained the same composure that he had exhibited all the while, only +now and then delivering an order to the man at the wheel, who, putting +the helm over, threw the bows of the galleon around more to the +larboard, as though to escape the bow of the galley and get into the +open water beyond. This course brought the pirates ever closer and +closer to the man-of-war, which now began to add its thunder to the din +of the battle, and with so much more effect that at every discharge you +might hear the crashing and crackling of splintered wood, and now and +then the outcry or groaning of some man who was hurt. Indeed, had it +been daylight, they must at this juncture all have perished, though, as +was said, what with the night and the confusion and the hurry, they +escaped entire destruction, though more by a miracle than through any +policy upon their own part. + +Meantime the galley, steering as though to come aboard of them, had now +come so near that it, too, presently began to open its musketry fire +upon them, so that the humming and rattling of bullets were presently +added to the din of cannonading. + +In two minutes more it would have been aboard of them, when in a moment +Captain Morgan roared out of a sudden to the man at the helm to put it +hard a starboard. In response the man ran the wheel over with the +utmost quickness, and the galleon, obeying her helm very readily, came +around upon a course which, if continued, would certainly bring them +into collision with their enemy. + +It is possible at first the Spaniards imagined the pirates intended to +escape past their stern, for they instantly began backing oars to keep +them from getting past, so that the water was all of a foam about them; +at the same time they did this they poured in such a fire of musketry +that it was a miracle that no more execution was accomplished than +happened. + +As for our hero, methinks for the moment he forgot all about everything +else than as to whether or no his captain's manoeuvre would succeed, +for in the very first moment he divined, as by some instinct, what +Captain Morgan purposed doing. + +At this moment, so particular in the execution of this nice design, a +bullet suddenly struck down the man at the wheel. Hearing the sharp +outcry, our Harry turned to see him fall forward, and then to his hands +and knees upon the deck, the blood running in a black pool beneath him, +while the wheel, escaping from his hands, spun over until the spokes +were all of a mist. + +In a moment the ship would have fallen off before the wind had not our +hero, leaping to the wheel (even as Captain Morgan shouted an order for +some one to do so), seized the flying spokes, whirling them back again, +and so bringing the bow of the galleon up to its former course. + +[Illustration: "OUR HERO, LEAPING TO THE WHEEL, SEIZED THE FLYING +SPOKES"] + +In the first moment of this effort he had reckoned of nothing but of +carrying out his captain's designs. He neither thought of cannon-balls +nor of bullets. But now that his task was accomplished, he came +suddenly back to himself to find the galleries of the galleon aflame +with musket-shots, and to become aware with a most horrible sinking of +the spirits that all the shots therefrom were intended for him. He cast +his eyes about him with despair, but no one came to ease him of his +task, which, having undertaken, he had too much spirit to resign from +carrying through to the end, though he was well aware that the very +next instant might mean his sudden and violent death. His ears hummed +and rang, and his brain swam as light as a feather. I know not whether +he breathed, but he shut his eyes tight as though that might save him +from the bullets that were raining about him. + +At this moment the Spaniards must have discovered for the first time +the pirates' design, for of a sudden they ceased firing, and began to +shout out a multitude of orders, while the oars lashed the water all +about with a foam. But it was too late then for them to escape, for +within a couple of seconds the galleon struck her enemy a blow so +violent upon the larboard quarter as nearly to hurl our Harry upon the +deck, and then with a dreadful, horrible crackling of wood, commingled +with a yelling of men's voices, the galley was swung around upon her +side, and the galleon, sailing into the open sea, left nothing of her +immediate enemy but a sinking wreck, and the water dotted all over with +bobbing heads and waving hands in the moonlight. + +And now, indeed, that all danger was past and gone, there were plenty +to come running to help our hero at the wheel. As for Captain Morgan, +having come down upon the main-deck, he fetches the young helmsman a +clap upon the back. "Well, Master Harry," says he, "and did I not tell +you I would make a man of you?" Whereat our poor Harry fell a-laughing, +but with a sad catch in his voice, for his hands trembled as with an +ague, and were as cold as ice. As for his emotions, God knows he was +nearer crying than laughing, if Captain Morgan had but known it. + +Nevertheless, though undertaken under the spur of the moment, I protest +it was indeed a brave deed, and I cannot but wonder how many young +gentlemen of sixteen there are to-day who, upon a like occasion, would +act as well as our Harry. + +V + +The balance of our hero's adventures were of a lighter sort than those +already recounted, for the next morning, the Spanish captain (a very +polite and well-bred gentleman) having fitted him out with a suit of +his own clothes, Master Harry was presented in a proper form to the +ladies. For Captain Morgan, if he had felt a liking for the young man +before, could not now show sufficient regard for him. He ate in the +great cabin and was petted by all. Madam Simon, who was a fat and +red-faced lady, was forever praising him, and the young miss, who was +extremely well-looking, was as continually making eyes at him. + +She and Master Harry, I must tell you, would spend hours together, she +making pretence of teaching him French, although he was so possessed +with a passion of love that he was nigh suffocated with it. She, upon +her part, perceiving his emotions, responded with extreme good-nature +and complacency, so that had our hero been older, and the voyage proved +longer, he might have become entirely enmeshed in the toils of his fair +siren. For all this while, you are to understand, the pirates were +making sail straight for Jamaica, which they reached upon the third day +in perfect safety. + +[Illustration: "SHE AND MASTER HARRY WOULD SPEND HOURS TOGETHER"] + +In that time, however, the pirates had well-nigh gone crazy for joy; +for when they came to examine their purchase they discovered her cargo +to consist of plate to the prodigious sum of £130,000 in value. 'Twas a +wonder they did not all make themselves drunk for joy. No doubt they +would have done so had not Captain Morgan, knowing they were still in +the exact track of the Spanish fleets, threatened them that the first +man among them who touched a drop of rum without his permission he +would shoot him dead upon the deck. This threat had such effect that +they all remained entirely sober until they had reached Port Royal +Harbor, which they did about nine o'clock in the morning. + +And now it was that our hero's romance came all tumbling down about his +ears with a run. For they had hardly come to anchor in the harbor when +a boat came from a man-of-war, and who should come stepping aboard but +Lieutenant Grantley (a particular friend of our hero's father) and his +own eldest brother Thomas, who, putting on a very stern face, informed +Master Harry that he was a desperate and hardened villain who was sure +to end at the gallows, and that he was to go immediately back to his +home again. He told our embryo pirate that his family had nigh gone +distracted because of his wicked and ungrateful conduct. Nor could our +hero move him from his inflexible purpose. "What," says our Harry, "and +will you not then let me wait until our prize is divided and I get my +share?" + +"Prize, indeed!" says his brother. "And do you then really think that +your father would consent to your having a share in this terrible +bloody and murthering business?" + +And so, after a good deal of argument, our hero was constrained to go; +nor did he even have an opportunity to bid adieu to his inamorata. Nor +did he see her any more, except from a distance, she standing on the +poop-deck as he was rowed away from her, her face all stained with +crying. For himself, he felt that there was no more joy in life; +nevertheless, standing up in the stern of the boat, he made shift, +though with an aching heart, to deliver her a fine bow with the hat he +had borrowed from the Spanish captain, before his brother bade him sit +down again. + +And so to the ending of this story, with only this to relate, that our +Master Harry, so far from going to the gallows, became in good time a +respectable and wealthy sugar merchant with an English wife and a fine +family of children, whereunto, when the mood was upon him, he has +sometimes told these adventures (and sundry others not here recounted) +as I have told them unto you. + + + + +II. TOM CHIST AND THE TREASURE-BOX + +_An Old-time Story of the Days of Captain Kidd._ + + +To tell about Tom Chist, and how he got his name, and how he came to be +living at the little settlement of Henlopen, just inside the mouth of +the Delaware Bay, the story must begin as far back as 1686, when a +great storm swept the Atlantic coast from end to end. During the +heaviest part of the hurricane a bark went ashore on the +Hen-and-Chicken Shoals, just below Cape Henlopen and at the mouth of the +Delaware Bay, and Tom Chist was the only soul of all those on board the +ill-fated vessel who escaped alive. + +This story must first be told, because it was on account of the strange +and miraculous escape that happened to him at that time that he gained +the name that was given to him. + +Even as late as that time of the American colonies, the little +scattered settlement at Henlopen, made up of English, with a few Dutch +and Swedish people, was still only a spot upon the face of the great +American wilderness that spread away, with swamp and forest, no man +knew how far to the westward. That wilderness was not only full of wild +beasts, but of Indian savages, who every fall would come in wandering +tribes to spend the winter along the shores of the fresh-water lakes +below Henlopen. There for four or five months they would live upon fish +and clams and wild ducks and geese, chipping their arrow-heads, and +making their earthenware pots and pans under the lee of the sand-hills +and pine woods below the Capes. + +Sometimes on Sundays, when the Rev. Hillary Jones would be preaching in +the little log church back in the woods, these half-clad red savages +would come in from the cold, and sit squatting in the back part of the +church, listening stolidly to the words that had no meaning for them. + +But about the wreck of the bark in 1686. Such a wreck as that which +then went ashore on the Hen-and-Chicken Shoals was a godsend to the +poor and needy settlers in the wilderness where so few good things ever +came. For the vessel went to pieces during the night, and the next +morning the beach was strewn with wreckage--boxes and barrels, chests +and spars, timbers and planks, a plentiful and bountiful harvest to be +gathered up by the settlers as they chose, with no one to forbid or +prevent them. + +The name of the bark, as found painted on some of the water-barrels and +sea-chests, was the _Bristol Merchant_, and she no doubt hailed from +England. + +As was said, the only soul who escaped alive off the wreck was Tom +Chist. + +A settler, a fisherman named Matt Abrahamson, and his daughter Molly, +found Tom. He was washed up on the beach among the wreckage, in a great +wooden box which had been securely tied around with a rope and lashed +between two spars--apparently for better protection in beating through +the surf. Matt Abrahamson thought he had found something of more than +usual value when he came upon this chest; but when he cut the cords and +broke open the box with his broadaxe, he could not have been more +astonished had he beheld a salamander instead of a baby of nine or ten +months old lying half smothered in the blankets that covered the bottom +of the chest. + +Matt Abrahamson's daughter Molly had had a baby who had died a month or +so before. So when she saw the little one lying there in the bottom of +the chest, she cried out in a great loud voice that the Good Man had +sent her another baby in place of her own. + +The rain was driving before the hurricane-storm in dim, slanting +sheets, and so she wrapped up the baby in the man's coat she wore and +ran off home without waiting to gather up any more of the wreckage. + +It was Parson Jones who gave the foundling his name. When the news came +to his ears of what Matt Abrahamson had found, he went over to the +fisherman's cabin to see the child. He examined the clothes in which +the baby was dressed. They were of fine linen and handsomely stitched, +and the reverend gentleman opined that the foundling's parents must +have been of quality. A kerchief had been wrapped around the baby's +neck and under its arms and tied behind, and in the corner, marked with +very fine needlework, were the initials T.C. + +"What d'ye call him, Molly?" said Parson Jones. He was standing, as he +spoke, with his back to the fire, warming his palms before the blaze. +The pocket of the great-coat he wore bulged out with a big case-bottle +of spirits which he had gathered up out of the wreck that afternoon. +"What d'ye call him, Molly?" + +"I'll call him Tom, after my own baby." + +"That goes very well with the initial on the kerchief," said Parson +Jones. "But what other name d'ye give him? Let it be something to go +with the C." + +"I don't know," said Molly. + +"Why not call him 'Chist,' since he was born in a chist out of the sea? +'Tom Chist'--the name goes off like a flash in the pan." And so "Tom +Chist" he was called and "Tom Chist" he was christened. + +So much for the beginning of the history of Tom Chist. The story of +Captain Kidd's treasure-box does not begin until the late spring of +1699. + +That was the year that the famous pirate captain, coming up from the +West Indies, sailed his sloop into the Delaware Bay, where he lay for +over a month waiting for news from his friends in New York. + +For he had sent word to that town asking if the coast was clear for him +to return home with the rich prize he had brought from the Indian seas +and the coast of Africa, and meantime he lay there in the Delaware Bay +waiting for a reply. Before he left he turned the whole of Tom Chist's +life topsy-turvy with something that he brought ashore. + +By that time Tom Chist had grown into a strong-limbed, thick-jointed +boy of fourteen or fifteen years of age. It was a miserable dog's life +he lived with old Matt Abrahamson, for the old fisherman was in his +cups more than half the time, and when he was so there was hardly a day +passed that he did not give Tom a curse or a buffet or, as like as not, +an actual beating. One would have thought that such treatment would +have broken the spirit of the poor little foundling, but it had just +the opposite effect upon Tom Chist, who was one of your stubborn, +sturdy, stiff-willed fellows who only grow harder and more tough the +more they are ill-treated. It had been a long time now since he had +made any outcry or complaint at the hard usage he suffered from old +Matt. At such times he would shut his teeth and bear whatever came to +him, until sometimes the half-drunken old man would be driven almost +mad by his stubborn silence. Maybe he would stop in the midst of the +beating he was administering, and, grinding his teeth, would cry out: +"Won't ye say naught? Won't ye say naught? Well, then, I'll see if I +can't make ye say naught." When things had reached such a pass as this +Molly would generally interfere to protect her foster-son, and then she +and Tom would together fight the old man until they had wrenched the +stick or the strap out of his hand. Then old Matt would chase them +out-of-doors and around and around the house for maybe half an hour until +his anger was cool, when he would go back again, and for a time the +storm would be over. + +Besides his foster-mother, Tom Chist had a very good friend in Parson +Jones, who used to come over every now and then to Abrahamson's hut +upon the chance of getting a half-dozen fish for breakfast. He always +had a kind word or two for Tom, who during the winter evenings would go +over to the good man's house to learn his letters, and to read and +write and cipher a little, so that by now he was able to spell the +words out of the Bible and the almanac, and knew enough to change +tuppence into four ha'pennies. + +This is the sort of boy Tom Chist was, and this is the sort of life he +led. + +In the late spring or early summer of 1699 Captain Kidd's sloop sailed +into the mouth of the Delaware Bay and changed the whole fortune of his +life. + +And this is how you come to the story of Captain Kidd's treasure-box. + +II + +Old Matt Abrahamson kept the flat-bottomed boat in which he went +fishing some distance down the shore, and in the neighborhood of the +old wreck that had been sunk on the Shoals. This was the usual +fishing-ground of the settlers, and here Old Matt's boat generally lay +drawn up on the sand. + +There had been a thunder-storm that afternoon, and Tom had gone down +the beach to bale out the boat in readiness for the morning's fishing. + +It was full moonlight now, as he was returning, and the night sky was +full of floating clouds. Now and then there was a dull flash to the +westward, and once a muttering growl of thunder, promising another +storm to come. + +All that day the pirate sloop had been lying just off the shore back of +the Capes, and now Tom Chist could see the sails glimmering pallidly in +the moonlight, spread for drying after the storm. He was walking up the +shore homeward when he became aware that at some distance ahead of him +there was a ship's boat drawn up on the little narrow beach, and a +group of men clustered about it. He hurried forward with a good deal of +curiosity to see who had landed, but it was not until he had come close +to them that he could distinguish who and what they were. Then he knew +that it must be a party who had come off the pirate sloop. They had +evidently just landed, and two men were lifting out a chest from the +boat. One of them was a negro, naked to the waist, and the other was a +white man in his shirt-sleeves, wearing petticoat breeches, a Monterey +cap upon his head, a red bandanna handkerchief around his neck, and +gold ear-rings in his ears. He had a long, plaited queue hanging down +his back, and a great sheath-knife dangling from his side. Another man, +evidently the captain of the party, stood at a little distance as they +lifted the chest out of the boat. He had a cane in one hand and a +lighted lantern in the other, although the moon was shining as bright +as day. He wore jack-boots and a handsome laced coat, and he had a +long, drooping mustache that curled down below his chin. He wore a +fine, feathered hat, and his long black hair hung down upon his +shoulders. + +All this Tom Chist could see in the moonlight that glinted and twinkled +upon the gilt buttons of his coat. + +They were so busy lifting the chest from the boat that at first they +did not observe that Tom Chist had come up and was standing there. It +was the white man with the long, plaited queue and the gold ear-rings +that spoke to him. "Boy, what do you want here, boy?" he said, in a +rough, hoarse voice. "Where d'ye come from?" And then dropping his end +of the chest, and without giving Tom time to answer, he pointed off +down the beach, and said, "You'd better be going about your own +business, if you know what's good for you; and don't you come back, or +you'll find what you don't want waiting for you." + +Tom saw in a glance that the pirates were all looking at him, and then, +without saying a word, he turned and walked away. The man who had +spoken to him followed him threateningly for some little distance, as +though to see that he had gone away as he was bidden to do. But +presently he stopped, and Tom hurried on alone, until the boat and the +crew and all were dropped away behind and lost in the moonlight night. +Then he himself stopped also, turned, and looked back whence he had +come. + +There had been something very strange in the appearance of the men he +had just seen, something very mysterious in their actions, and he +wondered what it all meant, and what they were going to do. He stood +for a little while thus looking and listening. He could see nothing, +and could hear only the sound of distant talking. What were they doing +on the lonely shore thus at night? Then, following a sudden impulse, he +turned and cut off across the sand-hummocks, skirting around inland, +but keeping pretty close to the shore, his object being to spy upon +them, and to watch what they were about from the back of the low +sand-hills that fronted the beach. + +He had gone along some distance in his circuitous return when he became +aware of the sound of voices that seemed to be drawing closer to him as +he came towards the speakers. He stopped and stood listening, and +instantly, as he stopped, the voices stopped also. He crouched there +silently in the bright, glimmering moonlight, surrounded by the silent +stretches of sand, and the stillness seemed to press upon him like a +heavy hand. Then suddenly the sound of a man's voice began again, and +as Tom listened he could hear some one slowly counting. "Ninety-one," +the voice began, "ninety-two, ninety-three, ninety-four, ninety-five, +ninety-six, ninety-seven, ninety-eight, ninety-nine, one hundred, one +hundred and one"--the slow, monotonous count coming nearer and nearer +to him--"one hundred and two, one hundred and three, one hundred and +four," and so on in its monotonous reckoning. + +Suddenly he saw three heads appear above the sand-hill, so close to him +that he crouched down quickly with a keen thrill, close beside the +hummock near which he stood. His first fear was that they might have +seen him in the moonlight; but they had not, and his heart rose again +as the counting voice went steadily on. "One hundred and twenty," it +was saying--"and twenty-one, and twenty-two, and twenty-three, and +twenty-four," and then he who was counting came out from behind the +little sandy rise into the white and open level of shimmering +brightness. + +[Illustration: "'... AND TWENTY-ONE AND TWENTY-TWO'"] + +It was the man with the cane whom Tom had seen some time before--the +captain of the party who had landed. He carried his cane under his arm +now, and was holding his lantern close to something that he held in his +hand, and upon which he looked narrowly as he walked with a slow and +measured tread in a perfectly straight line across the sand, counting +each step as he took it. "And twenty-five, and twenty-six, and +twenty-seven, and twenty-eight, and twenty-nine, and thirty." + +Behind him walked two other figures; one was the half-naked negro, the +other the man with the plaited queue and the ear-rings, whom Tom had +seen lifting the chest out of the boat. Now they were carrying the +heavy box between them, laboring through the sand with shuffling tread +as they bore it onward. + +As he who was counting pronounced the word "thirty," the two men set +the chest down on the sand with a grunt, the white man panting and +blowing and wiping his sleeve across his forehead. And immediately he +who counted took out a slip of paper and marked something down upon it. +They stood there for a long time, during which Tom lay behind the +sand-hummock watching them, and for a while the silence was uninterrupted. +In the perfect stillness Tom could hear the washing of the little waves +beating upon the distant beach, and once the far-away sound of a laugh +from one of those who stood by the ship's boat. + +One, two, three minutes passed, and then the men picked up the chest +and started on again; and then again the other man began his counting. +"Thirty and one, and thirty and two, and thirty and three, and thirty +and four"--he walked straight across the level open, still looking +intently at that which he held in his hand--"and thirty and five, and +thirty and six, and thirty and seven," and so on, until the three +figures disappeared in the little hollow between the two sand-hills on +the opposite side of the open, and still Tom could hear the sound of +the counting voice in the distance. + +Just as they disappeared behind the hill there was a sudden faint flash +of light; and by-and-by, as Tom lay still listening to the counting, he +heard, after a long interval, a far-away muffled rumble of distant +thunder. He waited for a while, and then arose and stepped to the top +of the sand-hummock behind which he had been lying. He looked all about +him, but there was no one else to be seen. Then he stepped down from +the hummock and followed in the direction which the pirate captain and +the two men carrying the chest had gone. He crept along cautiously, +stopping now and then to make sure that he still heard the counting +voice, and when it ceased he lay down upon the sand and waited until it +began again. + +Presently, so following the pirates, he saw the three figures again in +the distance, and, skirting around back of a hill of sand covered with +coarse sedge-grass, he came to where he overlooked a little open level +space gleaming white in the moonlight. + +The three had been crossing the level of sand, and were now not more +than twenty-five paces from him. They had again set down the chest, +upon which the white man with the long queue and the gold ear-rings had +seated to rest himself, the negro standing close beside him. The moon +shone as bright as day and full upon his face. It was looking directly +at Tom Chist, every line as keen cut with white lights and black +shadows as though it had been carved in ivory and jet. He sat perfectly +motionless, and Tom drew back with a start, almost thinking he had been +discovered. He lay silent, his heart beating heavily in his throat; but +there was no alarm, and presently he heard the counting begin again, +and when he looked once more he saw they were going away straight +across the little open. A soft, sliding hillock of sand lay directly in +front of them. They did not turn aside, but went straight over it, the +leader helping himself up the sandy slope with his cane, still counting +and still keeping his eyes fixed upon that which he held in his hand. +Then they disappeared again behind the white crest on the other side. + +So Tom followed them cautiously until they had gone almost half a mile +inland. When next he saw them clearly it was from a little sandy rise +which looked down like the crest of a bowl upon the floor of sand +below. Upon this smooth, white floor the moon beat with almost dazzling +brightness. + +The white man who had helped to carry the chest was now kneeling, +busied at some work, though what it was Tom at first could not see. He +was whittling the point of a stick into a long wooden peg, and when, +by-and-by, he had finished what he was about, he arose and stepped to +where he who seemed to be the captain had stuck his cane upright into +the ground as though to mark some particular spot. He drew the cane out +of the sand, thrusting the stick down in its stead. Then he drove the +long peg down with a wooden mallet which the negro handed to him. The +sharp rapping of the mallet upon the top of the peg sounded loud in the +perfect stillness, and Tom lay watching and wondering what it all +meant. + +The man, with quick-repeated blows, drove the peg farther and farther +down into the sand until it showed only two or three inches above the +surface. As he finished his work there was another faint flash of +light, and by-and-by another smothered rumble of thunder, and Tom as he +looked out towards the westward, saw the silver rim of the round and +sharply outlined thundercloud rising slowly up into the sky and pushing +the other and broken drifting clouds before it. + +The two white men were now stooping over the peg, the negro man +watching them. Then presently the man with the cane started straight +away from the peg, carrying the end of a measuring-line with him, the +other end of which the man with the plaited queue held against the top +of the peg. When the pirate captain had reached the end of the +measuring-line he marked a cross upon the sand, and then again they +measured out another stretch of space. + +So they measured a distance five times over, and then, from where Tom +lay, he could see the man with the queue drive another peg just at the +foot of a sloping rise of sand that swept up beyond into a tall white +dune marked sharp and clear against the night sky behind. As soon as +the man with the plaited queue had driven the second peg into the +ground they began measuring again, and so, still measuring, disappeared +in another direction which took them in behind the sand-dune, where Tom +no longer could see what they were doing. + +The negro still sat by the chest where the two had left him, and so +bright was the moonlight that from where he lay Tom could see the glint +of it twinkling in the whites of his eyeballs. + +Presently from behind the hill there came, for the third time, the +sharp rapping sound of the mallet driving still another peg, and then +after a while the two pirates emerged from behind the sloping whiteness +into the space of moonlight again. + +They came direct to where the chest lay, and the white man and the +black man lifting it once more, they walked away across the level of +open sand, and so on behind the edge of the hill and out of Tom's +sight. + +III + +Tom Chist could no longer see what the pirates were doing, neither did +he dare to cross over the open space of sand that now lay between them +and him. He lay there speculating as to what they were about, and +meantime the storm cloud was rising higher and higher above the +horizon, with louder and louder mutterings of thunder following each +dull flash from out the cloudy, cavernous depths. In the silence he +could hear an occasional click as of some iron implement, and he opined +that the pirates were burying the chest, though just where they were at +work he could neither see nor tell. Still he lay there watching and +listening, and by-and-by a puff of warm air blew across the sand, and a +thumping tumble of louder thunder leaped from out the belly of the +storm cloud, which every minute was coming nearer and nearer. Still Tom +Chist lay watching. + +Suddenly, almost unexpectedly, the three figures reappeared from behind +the sand-hill, the pirate captain leading the way, and the negro and +white man following close behind him. They had gone about half-way +across the white, sandy level between the hill and the hummock behind +which Tom Chist lay, when the white man stopped and bent over as though +to tie his shoe. + +This brought the negro a few steps in front of his companion. + +That which then followed happened so suddenly, so unexpectedly, so +swiftly, that Tom Chist had hardly time to realize what it all meant +before it was over. As the negro passed him the white man arose +suddenly and silently erect, and Tom Chist saw the white moonlight +glint upon the blade of a great dirk-knife which he now held in his +hand. He took one, two silent, catlike steps behind the unsuspecting +negro. Then there was a sweeping flash of the blade in the pallid +light, and a blow, the thump of which Tom could distinctly hear even +from where he lay stretched out upon the sand. There was an instant +echoing yell from the black man, who ran stumbling forward, who +stopped, who regained his footing, and then stood for an instant as +though rooted to the spot. + +Tom had distinctly seen the knife enter his back, and even thought that +he had seen the glint of the point as it came out from the breast. + +Meantime the pirate captain had stopped, and now stood with his hand +resting upon his cane looking impassively on. + +Then the black man started to run. The white man stood for a while +glaring after him; then he too started after his victim upon the run. +The black man was not very far from Tom when he staggered and fell. He +tried to rise, then fell forward again, and lay at length. At that +instant the first edge of the cloud cut across the moon, and there was +a sudden darkness; but in the silence Tom heard the sound of another +blow and a groan, and then presently a voice calling to the pirate +captain that it was all over. + +He saw the dim form of the captain crossing the level sand, and then, +as the moon sailed out from behind the cloud, he saw the white man +standing over a black figure that lay motionless upon the sand. + +Then Tom Chist scrambled up and ran away, plunging down into the hollow +of sand that lay in the shadows below. Over the next rise he ran, and +down again into the next black hollow, and so on over the sliding, +shifting ground, panting and gasping. It seemed to him that he could +hear footsteps following, and in the terror that possessed him he +almost expected every instant to feel the cold knife-blade slide +between his own ribs in such a thrust from behind as he had seen given +to the poor black man. + +So he ran on like one in a nightmare. His feet grew heavy like lead, he +panted and gasped, his breath came hot and dry in his throat. But still +he ran and ran until at last he found himself in front of old Matt +Abrahamson's cabin, gasping, panting, and sobbing for breath, his knees +relaxed and his thighs trembling with weakness. + +As he opened the door and dashed into the darkened cabin (for both Matt +and Molly were long ago asleep in bed) there was a flash of light, and +even as he slammed to the door behind him there was an instant peal of +thunder, heavy as though a great weight had been dropped upon the roof +of the sky, so that the doors and windows of the cabin rattled. + +IV + +Then Tom Chist crept to bed, trembling, shuddering, bathed in sweat, +his heart beating like a trip-hammer, and his brain dizzy from that +long, terror-inspired race through the soft sand in which he had +striven to outstrip he knew not what pursuing horror. + +For a long, long time he lay awake, trembling and chattering with +nervous chills, and when he did fall asleep it was only to drop into +monstrous dreams in which he once again saw ever enacted, with various +grotesque variations, the tragic drama which his waking eyes had beheld +the night before. + +Then came the dawning of the broad, wet daylight, and before the rising +of the sun Tom was up and out-of-doors to find the young day dripping +with the rain of overnight. + +His first act was to climb the nearest sandhill and to gaze out towards +the offing where the pirate ship had been the day before. + +It was no longer there. + +Soon afterwards Matt Abrahamson came out of the cabin and he called to +Tom to go get a bite to eat, for it was time for them to be away +fishing. + +All that morning the recollection of the night before hung over Tom +Chist like a great cloud of boding trouble. It filled the confined area +of the little boat and spread over the entire wide spaces of sky and +sea that surrounded them. Not for a moment was it lifted. Even when he +was hauling in his wet and dripping line with a struggling fish at the +end of it a recurrent memory of what he had seen would suddenly come +upon him, and he would groan in spirit at the recollection. He looked +at Matt Abrahamson's leathery face, at his lantern jaws cavernously and +stolidly chewing at a tobacco leaf, and it seemed monstrous to him that +the old man should be so unconscious of the black cloud that wrapped +them all about. + +When the boat reached the shore again he leaped scrambling to the +beach, and as soon as his dinner was eaten he hurried away to find the +Dominie Jones. + +He ran all the way from Abrahamson's hut to the Parson's house, hardly +stopping once, and when he knocked at the door he was panting and +sobbing for breath. + +The good man was sitting on the back-kitchen door-step smoking his long +pipe of tobacco out into the sunlight, while his wife within was +rattling about among the pans and dishes in preparation of their +supper, of which a strong, porky smell already filled the air. + +Then Tom Chist told his story, panting, hurrying, tumbling one word +over another in his haste, and Parson Jones listened, breaking every +now and then into an ejaculation of wonder. The light in his pipe went +out and the bowl turned cold. + +"And I don't see why they should have killed the poor black man," said +Tom, as he finished his narrative. + +"Why, that is very easy enough to understand," said the good reverend +man. "'Twas a treasure-box they buried!" + +In his agitation Mr. Jones had risen from his seat and was now stumping +up and down, puffing at his empty tobacco-pipe as though it were still +alight. + +"A treasure-box!" cried out Tom. + +"Aye, a treasure-box! And that was why they killed the poor black man. +He was the only one, d'ye see, besides they two who knew the place +where 'twas hid, and now that they've killed him out of the way, +there's nobody but themselves knows. The villains--Tut, tut, look at +that now!" In his excitement the dominie had snapped the stem of his +tobacco-pipe in two. + +"Why, then," said Tom, "if that is so, 'tis indeed a wicked, bloody +treasure, and fit to bring a curse upon anybody who finds it!" + +"'Tis more like to bring a curse upon the soul who buried it," said +Parson Jones, "and it may be a blessing to him who finds it. But tell +me, Tom, do you think you could find the place again where 'twas hid?" + +"I can't tell that," said Tom, "'twas all in among the sand-humps, d'ye +see, and it was at night into the bargain. Maybe we could find the +marks of their feet in the sand," he added. + +"'Tis not likely," said the reverend gentleman, "for the storm last +night would have washed all that away." + +"I could find the place," said Tom, "where the boat was drawn up on the +beach." + +"Why, then, that's something to start from, Tom," said his friend. "If +we can find that, then maybe we can find whither they went from there." + +"If I was certain it was a treasure-box," cried out Tom Chist, "I would +rake over every foot of sand betwixt here and Henlopen to find it." + +"'Twould be like hunting for a pin in a haystack," said the Rev. Hilary +Jones. + +As Tom walked away home, it seemed as though a ton's weight of gloom +had been rolled away from his soul. The next day he and Parson Jones +were to go treasure-hunting together; it seemed to Tom as though he +could hardly wait for the time to come. + +V + +The next afternoon Parson Jones and Tom Chist started off together upon +the expedition that made Tom's fortune forever. Tom carried a spade +over his shoulder and the reverend gentleman walked along beside him +with his cane. + +As they jogged along up the beach they talked together about the only +thing they could talk about--the treasure-box. "And how big did you say +'twas?" quoth the good gentleman. + +"About so long," said Tom Chist, measuring off upon the spade, "and +about so wide, and this deep." + +"And what if it should be full of money, Tom?" said the reverend +gentleman, swinging his cane around and around in wide circles in the +excitement of the thought, as he strode along briskly. "Suppose it +should be full of money, what then?" + +"By Moses!" said Tom Chist, hurrying to keep up with his friend, "I'd +buy a ship for myself, I would, and I'd trade to Injy and to Chiny to +my own boot, I would. Suppose the chist was all full of money, sir, and +suppose we should find it; would there be enough in it, d'ye suppose, +to buy a ship?" + +"To be sure there would be enough, Tom; enough and to spare, and a good +big lump over." + +"And if I find it 'tis mine to keep, is it, and no mistake?" + +"Why, to be sure it would be yours!" cried out the Parson, in a loud +voice. "To be sure it would be yours!" He knew nothing of the law, but +the doubt of the question began at once to ferment in his brain, and he +strode along in silence for a while. "Whose else would it be but yours +if you find it?" he burst out. "Can you tell me that?" + +"If ever I have a ship of my own," said Tom Chist, "and if ever I sail +to Injy in her, I'll fetch ye back the best chist of tea, sir, that +ever was fetched from Cochin Chiny." + +Parson Jones burst out laughing. "Thankee, Tom," he said; "and I'll +thankee again when I get my chist of tea. But tell me, Tom, didst thou +ever hear of the farmer girl who counted her chickens before they were +hatched?" + +It was thus they talked as they hurried along up the beach together, +and so came to a place at last where Tom stopped short and stood +looking about him. "'Twas just here," he said, "I saw the boat last +night. I know 'twas here, for I mind me of that bit of wreck yonder, +and that there was a tall stake drove in the sand just where yon stake +stands." + +Parson Jones put on his barnacles and went over to the stake towards +which Tom pointed. As soon as he had looked at it carefully, he called +out: "Why, Tom, this hath been just drove down into the sand. 'Tis a +brand-new stake of wood, and the pirates must have set it here +themselves as a mark, just as they drove the pegs you spoke about down +into the sand." + +Tom came over and looked at the stake. It was a stout piece of oak +nearly two inches thick; it had been shaped with some care, and the top +of it had been painted red. He shook the stake and tried to move it, +but it had been driven or planted so deeply into the sand that he could +not stir it. "Aye, sir," he said, "it must have been set here for a +mark, for I'm sure 'twas not here yesterday or the day before." He +stood looking about him to see if there were other signs of the +pirates' presence. At some little distance there was the corner of +something white sticking up out of the sand. He could see that it was a +scrap of paper, and he pointed to it, calling out: "Yonder is a piece +of paper, sir. I wonder if they left that behind them?" + +It was a miraculous chance that placed that paper there. There was only +an inch of it showing, and if it had not been for Tom's sharp eyes, it +would certainly have been overlooked and passed by. The next wind-storm +would have covered it up, and all that afterwards happened never would +have occurred. "Look sir," he said, as he struck the sand from it, "it +hath writing on it." + +"Let me see it," said Parson Jones. He adjusted the spectacles a little +more firmly astride of his nose as he took the paper in his hand and +began conning it. "What's all this?" he said; "a whole lot of figures +and nothing else." And then he read aloud, "'Mark--S.S.W. by S.' What +d'ye suppose that means, Tom?" + +"I don't know, sir," said Tom. "But maybe we can understand it better +if you read on." + +"Tis all a great lot of figures," said Parson Jones, "without a grain +of meaning in them so far as I can see, unless they be sailing +directions." And then he began reading again: "'Mark--S.S.W. by S. 40, +72, 91, 130, 151, 177, 202, 232, 256, 271'--d'ye see, it must be +sailing directions--'299, 335, 362, 386, 415, 446, 469, 491, 522, 544, +571, 598'--what a lot of them there be--'626, 652, 676, 695, 724, 851, +876, 905, 940, 967. Peg. S.E. by E. 269 foot. Peg. S.S.W. by S. 427 +foot. Peg. Dig to the west of this six foot.'" + +"What's that about a peg?" exclaimed Tom. "What's that about a peg? And +then there's something about digging, too!" It was as though a sudden +light began shining into his brain. He felt himself growing quickly +very excited. "Read that over again, sir," he cried. "Why, sir, you +remember I told you they drove a peg into the sand. And don't they say +to dig close to it? Read it over again, sir--read it over again!" + +"Peg?" said the good gentleman. "To be sure it was about a peg. Let's +look again. Yes, here it is. 'Peg S.E. by E. 269 foot.'" + +"Aye!" cried out Tom Chist again, in great excitement. "Don't you +remember what I told you, sir, 269 foot? Sure that must be what I saw +'em measuring with the line." Parson Jones had now caught the flame of +excitement that was blazing up so strongly in Tom's breast. He felt as +though some wonderful thing was about to happen to them. "To be sure, +to be sure!" he called out, in a great big voice. "And then they +measured out 427 foot south-southwest by south, and then they drove +another peg, and then they buried the box six foot to the west of it. +Why, Tom--why, Tom Chist! if we've read this aright, thy fortune is +made." + +Tom Chist stood staring straight at the old gentleman's excited face, +and seeing nothing but it in all the bright infinity of sunshine. Were +they, indeed, about to find the treasure-chest? He felt the sun very +hot upon his shoulders, and he heard the harsh, insistent jarring of a +tern that hovered and circled with forked tail and sharp white wings in +the sunlight just above their heads; but all the time he stood staring +into the good old gentleman's face. + +It was Parson Jones who first spoke. "But what do all these figures +mean?" And Tom observed how the paper shook and rustled in the tremor +of excitement that shook his hand. He raised the paper to the focus of +his spectacles and began to read again. "'Mark 40, 72, 91--'" + +"Mark?" cried out Tom, almost screaming. "Why, that must mean the stake +yonder; that must be the mark." And he pointed to the oaken stick with +its red tip blazing against the white shimmer of sand behind it. + +"And the 40 and 72 and 91," cried the old gentleman, in a voice equally +shrill--"why, that must mean the number of steps the pirate was +counting when you heard him." + +"To be sure that's what they mean!" cried Tom Chist. "That is it, and +it can be nothing else. Oh, come, sir--come, sir; let us make haste and +find it!" + +"Stay! stay!" said the good gentleman, holding up his hand; and again +Tom Chist noticed how it trembled and shook. His voice was steady +enough, though very hoarse, but his hand shook and trembled as though +with a palsy. "Stay! stay! First of all, we must follow these +measurements. And 'tis a marvellous thing," he croaked, after a little +pause, "how this paper ever came to be here." + +"Maybe it was blown here by the storm," suggested Tom Chist. + +"Like enough; like enough," said Parson Jones. "Like enough, after the +wretches had buried the chest and killed the poor black man, they were +so buffeted and bowsed about by the storm that it was shook out of the +man's pocket, and thus blew away from him without his knowing aught of +it." + +"But let us find the box!" cried out Tom Chist, flaming with his +excitement. + +"Aye, aye," said the good man; "only stay a little, my boy, until we +make sure what we're about. I've got my pocket-compass here, but we +must have something to measure off the feet when we have found the peg. +You run across to Tom Brooke's house and fetch that measuring-rod he +used to lay out his new byre. While you're gone I'll pace off the +distance marked on the paper with my pocket-compass here." + +VI + +Tom Chist was gone for almost an hour, though he ran nearly all the way +and back, upborne as on the wings of the wind. When he returned, +panting, Parson Jones was nowhere to be seen, but Tom saw his footsteps +leading away inland, and he followed the scuffling marks in the smooth +surface across the sand-humps and down into the hollows, and by-and-by +found the good gentleman in a spot he at once knew as soon as he laid +his eyes upon it. + +It was the open space where the pirates had driven their first peg, and +where Tom Chist had afterwards seen them kill the poor black man. Tom +Chist gazed around as though expecting to see some sign of the tragedy, +but the space was as smooth and as undisturbed as a floor, excepting +where, midway across it, Parson Jones who was now stooping over +something on the ground, had trampled it all around about. + +When Tom Chist saw him, he was still bending over, scraping the sand +away from something he had found. + +It was the first peg! + +Inside of half an hour they had found the second and third pegs, and +Tom Chist stripped off his coat, and began digging like mad down into +the sand, Parson Jones standing over him watching him. The sun was +sloping well towards the west when the blade of Tom Chist's spade +struck upon something hard. + +If it had been his own heart that he had hit in the sand his breast +could hardly have thrilled more sharply. + +It was the treasure-box! + +Parson Jones himself leaped down into the hole, and began scraping away +the sand with his hands as though he had gone crazy. At last, with some +difficulty, they tugged and hauled the chest up out of the sand to the +surface, where it lay covered all over with the grit that clung to it. + +It was securely locked and fastened with a padlock, and it took a good +many blows with the blade of the spade to burst the bolt. Parson Jones +himself lifted the lid. + +Tom Chist leaned forward and gazed down into the open box. He would not +have been surprised to have seen it filled full of yellow gold and +bright jewels. It was filled half full of books and papers, and half +full of canvas bags tied safely and securely around and around with +cords of string. + +Parson Jones lifted out one of the bags, and it jingled as he did so. +It was full of money. + +He cut the string, and with trembling, shaking hands handed the bag to +Tom, who, in an ecstasy of wonder and dizzy with delight, poured out +with swimming sight upon the coat spread on the ground a cataract of +shining silver money that rang and twinkled and jingled as it fell in a +shining heap upon the coarse cloth. + +Parson Jones held up both hands into the air, and Tom stared at what he +saw, wondering whether it was all so, and whether he was really awake. +It seemed to him as though he was in a dream. + +There were two-and-twenty bags in all in the chest: ten of them full of +silver money, eight of them full of gold money, three of them full of +gold-dust, and one small bag with jewels wrapped up in wad cotton and +paper. + +[Illustration: "'TIS ENOUGH,' CRIED OUT PARSON JONES, 'TO MAKE US BOTH +RICH MEN'"] + +"'Tis enough," cried out Parson Jones, "to make us both rich men as +long as we live." + +The burning summer sun, though sloping in the sky, beat down upon them +as hot as fire; but neither of them noticed it. Neither did they notice +hunger nor thirst nor fatigue, but sat there as though in a trance, +with the bags of money scattered on the sand around them, a great pile +of money heaped upon the coat, and the open chest beside them. It was +an hour of sundown before Parson Jones had begun fairly to examine the +books and papers in the chest. + +Of the three books, two were evidently log-books of the pirates who had +been lying off the mouth of the Delaware Bay all this time. The other +book was written in Spanish, and was evidently the log-book of some +captured prize. + +It was then, sitting there upon the sand, the good old gentleman +reading in his high, cracking voice, that they first learned from the +bloody records in those two books who it was who had been lying inside +the Cape all this time, and that it was the famous Captain Kidd. Every +now and then the reverend gentleman would stop to exclaim, "Oh, the +bloody wretch!" or, "Oh, the desperate, cruel villains!" and then would +go on reading again a scrap here and a scrap there. + +And all the while Tom Chist sat and listened, every now and then +reaching out furtively and touching the heap of money still lying upon +the coat. + +One might be inclined to wonder why Captain Kidd had kept those bloody +records. He had probably laid them away because they so incriminated +many of the great people of the colony of New York that, with the books +in evidence, it would have been impossible to bring the pirate to +justice without dragging a dozen or more fine gentlemen into the dock +along with him. If he could have kept them in his own possession, they +would doubtless have been a great weapon of defence to protect him from +the gallows. Indeed, when Captain Kidd was finally brought to +conviction and hung, he was not accused of his piracies, but of +striking a mutinous seaman upon the head with a bucket and accidentally +killing him. The authorities did not dare try him for piracy. He was +really hung because he was a pirate, and we know that it was the +log-books that Tom Chist brought to New York that did the business for him; +he was accused and convicted of manslaughter for killing of his own +ship-carpenter with a bucket. + +So Parson Jones, sitting there in the slanting light, read through +these terrible records of piracy, and Tom, with the pile of gold and +silver money beside him, sat and listened to him. + +What a spectacle, if any one had come upon them! But they were alone, +with the vast arch of sky empty above them and the wide white stretch +of sand a desert around them. The sun sank lower and lower, until there +was only time to glance through the other papers in the chest. + +They were nearly all goldsmiths' bills of exchange drawn in favor of +certain of the most prominent merchants of New York. Parson Jones, as +he read over the names, knew of nearly all the gentlemen by hearsay. +Aye, here was this gentleman; he thought that name would be among 'em. +What? Here is Mr. So-and-so. Well, if all they say is true, the villain +has robbed one of his own best friends. "I wonder," he said, "why the +wretch should have hidden these papers so carefully away with the other +treasures, for they could do him no good?" Then, answering his own +question: "Like enough because these will give him a hold over the +gentlemen to whom they are drawn so that he can make a good bargain for +his own neck before he gives the bills back to their owners. I tell you +what it is, Tom," he continued, "it is you yourself shall go to New +York and bargain for the return of these papers. 'Twill be as good as +another fortune to you." + +The majority of the bills were drawn in favor of one Richard +Chillingsworth, Esquire. "And he is," said Parson Jones; "one of the +richest men in the province of New York. You shall go to him with the +news of what we have found." + +"When shall I go?" said Tom Chist. + +"You shall go upon the very first boat we can catch," said the Parson. +He had turned, still holding the bills in his hand, and was now +fingering over the pile of money that yet lay tumbled out upon the +coat. "I wonder, Tom," said he, "if you could spare me a score or so of +these doubloons?" + +"You shall have fifty score, if you choose," said Tom, bursting with +gratitude and with generosity in his newly found treasure. + +"You are as fine a lad as ever I saw, Tom," said the Parson, "and I'll +thank you to the last day of my life." + +Tom scooped up a double handful of silver money. "Take it, sir," he +said, "and you may have as much more as you want of it." + +He poured it into the dish that the good man made of his hands, and the +Parson made a motion as though to empty it into his pocket. Then he +stopped, as though a sudden doubt had occurred to him. "I don't know +that 'tis fit for me to take this pirate money, after all," he said. + +"But you are welcome to it," said Tom. + +Still the Parson hesitated. "Nay," he burst out, "I'll not take it; +'tis blood-money." And as he spoke he chucked the whole double handful +into the now empty chest, then arose and dusted the sand from his +breeches. Then, with a great deal of bustling energy, he helped to tie +the bags again and put them all back into the chest. + +They reburied the chest in the place whence they had taken it, and then +the Parson folded the precious paper of directions, placed it carefully +in his wallet, and his wallet in his pocket. + +"Tom," he said, for the twentieth time, "your fortune has been made +this day." + +And Tom Chist, as he rattled in his breeches pocket the half-dozen +doubloons he had kept out of his treasure, felt that what his friend +had said was true. + + * * * * * + +As the two went back homeward across the level space of sand, Tom Chist +suddenly stopped stock still and stood looking about him. "'Twas just +here," he said, digging his heel down into the sand, "that they killed +the poor black man." + +"And here he lies buried for all time," said Parson Jones; and as he +spoke he dug his cane down into the sand. Tom Chist shuddered. He would +not have been surprised if the ferrule of the cane had struck something +soft beneath that level surface. But it did not, nor was any sign of +that tragedy ever seen again. For, whether the pirates had carried away +what they had done and buried it elsewhere, or whether the storm in +blowing the sand had completely levelled off and hidden all sign of +that tragedy where it was enacted, certain it is that it never came to +sight again--at least so far as Tom Chist and the Reverend Hillary +Jones ever knew. + +VII + +This is the story of the treasure-box. All that remains now is to +conclude the story of Tom Chist, and to tell of what came of him in the +end. + +He did not go back again to live with old Matt Abrahamson. Parson Jones +had now taken charge of him and his fortunes, and Tom did not have to +go back to the fisherman's hut. + +Old Abrahamson talked a great deal about it, and would come in his cups +and harangue good Parson Jones, making a vast protestation of what he +would do to Tom--if he ever caught him--for running away. But Tom on +all these occasions kept carefully out of his way, and nothing came of +the old man's threatenings. + +Tom used to go over to see his foster-mother now and then, but always +when the old man was from home. And Molly Abrahamson used to warn him +to keep out of her father's way. "He's in as vile a humor as ever I +see, Tom," she said; "he sits sulking all day long, and 'tis my belief +he'd kill ye if he caught ye." + +Of course Tom said nothing, even to her, about the treasure, and he and +the reverend gentleman kept the knowledge thereof to themselves. About +three weeks later Parson Jones managed to get him shipped aboard of a +vessel bound for New York town, and a few days later Tom Chist landed +at that place. He had never been in such a town before, and he could +not sufficiently wonder and marvel at the number of brick houses, at +the multitude of people coming and going along the fine, hard, earthen +sidewalk, at the shops and the stores where goods hung in the windows, +and, most of all, the fortifications and the battery at the point, at +the rows of threatening cannon, and at the scarlet-coated sentries +pacing up and down the ramparts. All this was very wonderful, and so +were the clustered boats riding at anchor in the harbor. It was like a +new world, so different was it from the sand-hills and the sedgy levels +of Henlopen. + +Tom Chist took up his lodgings at a coffeehouse near to the town-hall, +and thence he sent by the post-boy a letter written by Parson Jones to +Master Chillingsworth. In a little while the boy returned with a +message, asking Tom to come up to Mr. Chillingsworth's house that +afternoon at two o'clock. + +Tom went thither with a great deal of trepidation, and his heart fell +away altogether when he found it a fine, grand brick house, three +stories high, and with wrought-iron letters across the front. + +The counting-house was in the same building; but Tom, because of Mr. +Jones's letter, was conducted directly into the parlor, where the great +rich man was awaiting his coming. He was sitting in a leather-covered +arm-chair, smoking a pipe of tobacco, and with a bottle of fine old +Madeira close to his elbow. + +Tom had not had a chance to buy a new suit of clothes yet, and so he +cut no very fine figure in the rough dress he had brought with him from +Henlopen. Nor did Mr. Chillingsworth seem to think very highly of his +appearance, for he sat looking sideways at Tom as he smoked. + +"Well, my lad," he said; "and what is this great thing you have to tell +me that is so mightily wonderful? I got what's-his-name--Mr. Jones's-- +letter, and now I am ready to hear what you have to say." + +But if he thought but little of his visitor's appearance at first, he +soon changed his sentiments towards him, for Tom had not spoken twenty +words when Mr. Chillingsworth's whole aspect changed. He straightened +himself up in his seat, laid aside his pipe, pushed away his glass of +Madeira, and bade Tom take a chair. He listened without a word as Tom +Chist told of the buried treasure, of how he had seen the poor negro +murdered, and of how he and Parson Jones had recovered the chest again. +Only once did Mr. Chillingsworth interrupt the narrative. "And to +think," he cried, "that the villain this very day walks about New York +town as though he were an honest man, ruffling it with the best of us! +But if we can only get hold of these log-books you speak of. Go on; +tell me more of this." + +When Tom Chist's narrative was ended, Mr. Chillingsworth's bearing was +as different as daylight is from dark. He asked a thousand questions, +all in the most polite and gracious tone imaginable, and not only urged +a glass of his fine old Madeira upon Tom, but asked him to stay to +supper. There was nobody to be there, he said, but his wife and +daughter. + +Tom, all in a panic at the very thought of the two ladies, sturdily +refused to stay even for the dish of tea Mr. Chillingsworth offered +him. + +He did not know that he was destined to stay there as long as he should +live. + +"And now," said Mr. Chillingsworth, "tell me about yourself." + +"I have nothing to tell, your honor," said Tom, "except that I was +washed up out of the sea." + +"Washed up out of the sea!" exclaimed Mr. Chillingsworth. "Why, how was +that? Come, begin at the beginning, and tell me all." + +Thereupon Tom Chist did as he was bidden, beginning at the very +beginning and telling everything just as Molly Abrahamson had often +told it to him. As he continued, Mr. Chillingsworth's interest changed +into an appearance of stronger and stronger excitement. Suddenly he +jumped up out of his chair and began to walk up and down the room. + +"Stop! stop!" he cried out at last, in the midst of something Tom was +saying. "Stop! stop! Tell me; do you know the name of the vessel that +was wrecked, and from which you were washed ashore?" + +"I've heard it said," said Tom Chist, "'twas the _Bristol Merchant_." + +"I knew it! I knew it!" exclaimed the great man, in a loud voice, +flinging his hands up into the air. "I felt it was so the moment you +began the story. But tell me this, was there nothing found with you +with a mark or a name upon it?" + +"There was a kerchief," said Tom, "marked with a T and a C." + +"Theodosia Chillingsworth!" cried out the merchant. "I knew it! I knew +it! Heavens! to think of anything so wonderful happening as this! Boy! +boy! dost thou know who thou art? Thou art my own brother's son. His +name was Oliver Chillingsworth, and he was my partner in business, and +thou art his son." Then he ran out into the entryway, shouting and +calling for his wife and daughter to come. + +So Tom Chist--or Thomas Chillingsworth, as he now was to be called--did +stay to supper, after all. + +This is the story, and I hope you may like it. For Tom Chist became +rich and great, as was to be supposed, and he married his pretty cousin +Theodosia (who had been named for his own mother, drowned in the +_Bristol Merchant_). + +He did not forget his friends, but had Parson Jones brought to New York +to live. + +As to Molly and Matt Abrahamson, they both enjoyed a pension of ten +pounds a year for as long as they lived; for now that all was well with +him, Tom bore no grudge against the old fisherman for all the drubbings +he had suffered. + +The treasure-box was brought on to New York, and if Tom Chist did not +get all the money there was in it (as Parson Jones had opined he would) +he got at least a good big lump of it. And it is my belief that those +log-books did more to get Captain Kidd arrested in Boston town and +hanged in London than anything else that was brought up against him. + + + + +III. THE GHOST OF CAPTAIN BRAND + +_Being a Narrative of Certain Extraordinary Adventures that Befell +Barnaby True, Esquire, of the Town of New York, in the Year 1753._ + + +I + +It is not so easy to tell why discredit should be cast upon a man +because of something his grandfather may have done amiss, but the +world, which is never over-nice in its discrimination as to where to +lay the blame, is often pleased to make the innocent suffer instead of +the guilty. + +Barnaby True was a good, honest boy, as boys go, but yet was he not +ever allowed altogether to forget that his grandfather had been that +very famous pirate, Captain William Brand, who, after so many +marvellous adventures (if one may believe the catchpenny stories and +ballads that were writ about him), was murdered in Jamaica by Captain +John Malyoe, the commander of his own consort, the _Adventure_ galley. + +It hath never been denied, that ever I heard, that up to the time of +Captain Brand's being commissioned against the South Sea pirates, he +had always been esteemed as honest, reputable a sea-captain as could +be. When he started out upon that adventure it was with a ship, the +_Royal Sovereign_, fitted out by some of the most decent merchants of +New York. Governor Van Dam himself had subscribed to the adventure, and +himself had signed Captain Brand's commission. So, if the unfortunate +man went astray, he must have had great temptation to do so; many +others behaving no better when the opportunity offered in these +far-away seas, when so many rich purchases might very easily be taken and +no one the wiser. + +To be sure those stories and ballads made our captain to be a most +wicked, profane wretch; and if he were, why God knows he suffered and +paid for it, for he laid his bones in Jamaica, and never saw his home +or his wife or his daughter after he had sailed away on the _Royal +Sovereign_ on that long, misfortunate voyage, leaving his family behind +him in New York to the care of strangers. + +At the time when Captain Brand so met his fate in Port Royal Harbor he +had increased his flotilla to two vessels--the _Royal Sovereign_ (which +was the vessel that had been fitted out for him in New York, a fine +brigantine and a good sailer), and the _Adventure_ galley, which he had +captured somewhere in the South Seas. This latter vessel he placed in +command of a certain John Malyoe whom he had picked up no one knows +where--a young man of very good family in England, who had turned +red-handed pirate. This man, who took no more thought of a human life than +he would of a broom straw, was he who afterwards murdered Captain +Brand, as you shall presently hear. + +With these two vessels, the _Royal Sovereign_ and the _Adventure_, +Captain Brand and Captain Malyoe swept the Mozambique Channel as clear +as a boatswain's whistle, and after three years of piracy, having +gained a great booty of gold and silver and pearls, sailed straight for +the Americas, making first the island of Jamaica and the harbor of Port +Royal, where they dropped anchor to wait for news from home. + +But by this time the authorities had been so stirred up against our +pirates that it became necessary for them to hide their booty until +such time as they might make their peace with the Admiralty Courts at +home. So one night Captain Brand and Captain Malyoe, with two others of +the pirates, went ashore with two great chests of treasure, which they +buried somewhere on the banks of the Cobra River near the place where +the old Spanish fort had stood. + +What happened after the treasure was thus buried no one may tell. 'Twas +said that Captain Brand and Captain Malyoe fell a-quarrelling and that +the upshot of the matter was that Captain Malyoe shot Captain Brand +through the head, and that the pirate who was with him served Captain +Brand's companion after the same fashion with a pistol bullet through +the body. + +After that the two murderers returned to their vessel, the _Adventure_ +galley, and sailed away, carrying the bloody secret of the buried +treasure with them. + +[Illustration: "CAPTAIN MALYOE SHOT CAPTAIN BRAND THROUGH THE HEAD"] + +But this double murder of Captain Brand and his companion happened, you +are to understand, some twenty years before the time of this story, and +while our hero was but one year old. So now to our present history. + +It is a great pity that any one should have a grandfather who ended his +days in such a sort as this; but it was no fault of Barnaby True's, nor +could he have done anything to prevent it, seeing he was not even born +into the world at the time that his grandfather turned pirate, and that +he was only one year old when Captain Brand so met his death on the +Cobra River. Nevertheless, the boys with whom he went to school never +tired of calling him "Pirate," and would sometimes sing for his benefit +that famous catchpenny ballad beginning thus: + +"Oh! my name was Captain Brand, + A-sailing, + And a-sailing; +Oh! my name was Captain Brand, + A-sailing free. +Oh! my name was Captain Brand, +And I sinned by sea and land, +For I broke God's just command, + A-sailing free." + +'Twas a vile thing to sing at the grandson of so unfortunate a man, and +oftentimes Barnaby True would double up his little fists and would +fight his tormentors at great odds, and would sometimes go back home +with a bloody nose or a bruised eye to have his poor mother cry over +him and grieve for him. + +Not that his days were all of teasing and torment, either; for if his +comrades did sometimes treat him so, why then there were other times +when he and they were as great friends as could be, and used to go +a-swimming together in the most amicable fashion where there was a bit of +sandy strand below the little bluff along the East River above Fort +George. + +There was a clump of wide beech-trees at that place, with a fine shade +and a place to lay their clothes while they swam about, splashing with +their naked white bodies in the water. At these times Master Barnaby +would bawl as lustily and laugh as loud as though his grandfather had +been the most honest ship-chandler in the town, instead of a +bloody-handed pirate who had been murdered in his sins. + +Ah! It is a fine thing to look back to the days when one was a boy! +Barnaby may remember how, often, when he and his companions were +paddling so in the water, the soldiers off duty would come up from the +fort and would maybe join them in the water, others, perhaps, standing +in their red coats on the shore, looking on and smoking their pipes of +tobacco. + +Then there were other times when maybe the very next day after our hero +had fought with great valor with his fellows he would go a-rambling +with them up the Bouwerie Road with the utmost friendliness; perhaps to +help them steal cherries from some old Dutch farmer, forgetting in such +an adventure what a thief his own grandfather had been. + +But to resume our story. + +When Barnaby True was between sixteen and seventeen years old he was +taken into employment in the counting-house of his stepfather, Mr. +Roger Hartright, the well-known West Indian merchant, a most +respectable man and one of the kindest and best of friends that anybody +could have in the world. + +This good gentleman had courted the favor of Barnaby's mother for a +long time before he had married her. Indeed, he had so courted her +before she had ever thought of marrying Jonathan True. But he not +venturing to ask her in marriage, and she being a brisk, handsome +woman, she chose the man who spoke out his mind, and so left the silent +lover out in the cold. But so soon as she was a widow and free again, +Mr. Hartright resumed his wooing, and so used to come down every +Tuesday and Friday evening to sit and talk with her. Among Barnaby +True's earliest memories was a recollection of the good, kind gentleman +sitting in old Captain Brand's double-nailed arm-chair, the sunlight +shining across his knees, over which he had spread a great red silk +handkerchief, while he sipped a dish of tea with a dash of rum in it. +He kept up this habit of visiting the Widow True for a long time before +he could fetch himself to the point of asking anything more particular +of her, and so Barnaby was nigh fourteen years old before Mr. Hartright +married her, and so became our hero's dear and honored foster-father. + +It was the kindness of this good man that not only found a place for +Barnaby in the counting-house, but advanced him so fast that, against +our hero was twenty-one years old, he had made four voyages as +supercargo to the West Indies in Mr. Hartright's ship, the _Belle +Helen_, and soon after he was twenty-one undertook a fifth. + +Nor was it in any such subordinate position as mere supercargo that he +sailed upon these adventures, but rather as the confidential agent of +Mr. Hartright, who, having no likelihood of children of his own, was +jealous to advance our hero to a position of trust and responsibility +in the counting-house, and so would have him know all the particulars +of the business and become more intimately acquainted with the +correspondents and agents throughout those parts of the West Indies +where the affairs of the house were most active. He would give to +Barnaby the best sort of letters of introduction, so that the +correspondents of Mr. Hartright throughout those parts, seeing how that +gentleman had adopted our hero's interests as his own, were always at +considerable pains to be very polite and obliging in showing every +attention to him. + +Especially among these gentlemen throughout the West Indies may be +mentioned Mr. Ambrose Greenfield, a merchant of excellent standing who +lived at Kingston, Jamaica. This gentleman was very particular to do +all that he could to make our hero's stay in these parts as agreeable +and pleasant to him as might be. Mr. Greenfield is here spoken of with +a greater degree of particularity than others who might as well be +remarked upon, because, as the reader shall presently discover for +himself, it was through the offices of this good friend that our hero +first became acquainted, not only with that lady who afterwards figured +with such conspicuousness in his affairs, but also with a man who, +though graced with a title, was perhaps the greatest villain who ever +escaped a just fate upon the gallows. + +So much for the history of Barnaby True up to the beginning of this +story, without which you shall hardly be able to understand the purport +of those most extraordinary adventures that afterwards befell him, nor +the logic of their consequence after they had occurred. + +II + +Upon the occasion of our hero's fifth voyage into the West Indies he +made a stay of some six or eight weeks at Kingston, in the island of +Jamaica, and it was at that time that the first of those extraordinary +adventures befell him, concerning which this narrative has to relate. + +It was Barnaby's habit, when staying at Kingston, to take lodging with +a very decent, respectable widow, by name Mrs. Anne Bolles, who, with +three extremely agreeable and pleasant daughters, kept a very clean and +well-served house for the accommodation of strangers visiting that +island. + +One morning as he sat sipping his coffee, clad only in loose cotton +drawers and a jacket of the same material, and with slippers upon his +feet (as is the custom in that country, where every one endeavors to +keep as cool as may be), Miss Eliza, the youngest of the three +daughters--a brisk, handsome miss of sixteen or seventeen--came +tripping into the room and handed him a sealed letter, which she +declared a stranger had just left at the door, departing incontinently +so soon as he had eased himself of that commission. You may conceive of +Barnaby's astonishment when he opened the note and read the remarkable +words that here follow: + +"_Mr. Barnaby True._ + +"Sir,--Though you don't know me, I know you, +and I tell you this: if you will be at Pratt's Ordinary +on Friday next at eight o'clock in the evening, and +will accompany the man who shall say to you, '_The +Royal Sovereign is come in_' you shall learn of something +the most to your advantage that ever befell you. +Sir, keep this note and give it to him who shall address +those words to you, so to certify that you are +the man he seeks. Sir, this is the most important thing +that can concern you, so you will please say nothing +to nobody about it." + +Such was the wording of the note which was writ in as cramped and +villanous handwriting as our hero ever beheld, and which, excepting his +own name, was without address, and which possessed no superscription +whatever. + +The first emotion that stirred Barnaby True was one of extreme and +profound astonishment; the second thought that came into his mind was +that maybe some witty fellow--of whom he knew a good many in that +place, and wild, mad rakes they were as ever the world beheld--was +attempting to play off a smart, witty jest upon him. Indeed, Miss Eliza +Bolles, who was of a lively, mischievous temper, was not herself above +playing such a prank should the occasion offer. With this thought in +his mind Barnaby inquired of her with a good deal of particularity +concerning the appearance and condition of the man who had left the +note, to all of which Miss replied with so straight a face and so +candid an air that he could no longer suspect her of being concerned in +any trick against him, and so eased his mind of any such suspicion. The +bearer of the note, she informed him, was a tall, lean man, with a red +neckerchief tied around his neck and with copper buckles to his shoes, +and he had the appearance of a sailor-man, having a great queue of red +hair hanging down his back. But, Lord! what was such a description as +that in a busy seaport town full of scores of men to fit such a +likeness? Accordingly, our hero put the note away into his wallet, +determining to show it to his good friend Mr. Greenfield that evening, +and to ask his advice upon it. + +This he did, and that gentleman's opinion was the same as his: to wit, +that some wag was minded to play off a hoax upon him, and that the +matter of the letter was all nothing but smoke. + +III + +Nevertheless, though Barnaby was thus confirmed in his opinion as to +the nature of the communication he had received, he yet determined in +his own mind that he would see the business through to the end and so +be at Pratt's Ordinary, as the note demanded, upon the day and at the +time appointed therein. + +Pratt's Ordinary was at that time a very fine and famous place of its +sort, with good tobacco and the best rum in the West Indies, and had a +garden behind it that, sloping down to the harbor front, was planted +pretty thick with palms and ferns, grouped into clusters with flowers +and plants. Here were a number of tables, some in little grottos, like +our Vauxhall in New York, with red and blue and white paper lanterns +hung among the foliage. Thither gentlemen and ladies used sometimes to +go of an evening to sit and drink lime-juice and sugar and water (and +sometimes a taste of something stronger), and to look out across the +water at the shipping and so to enjoy the cool of the day. + +Thither, accordingly, our hero went a little before the time appointed +in the note, and, passing directly through the Ordinary and to the +garden beyond, chose a table at the lower end and close to the water's +edge, where he could not readily be seen by any one coming into the +place, and yet where he could easily view whoever should approach. +Then, ordering some rum and water and a pipe of tobacco, he composed +himself to watch for the arrival of those witty fellows whom he +suspected would presently come thither to see the end of their prank +and to enjoy his confusion. + +The spot was pleasant enough, for the land breeze, blowing strong and +cool, set the leaves of the palm-tree above his head to rattling and +clattering continually against the darkness of the sky, where, the moon +then being half full, they shone every now and then like blades of +steel. The waves, also, were splashing up against the little +landing-place at the foot of the garden, sounding mightily pleasant in the +dusk of the evening, and sparkling all over the harbor where the moon +caught the edges of the water. A great many vessels were lying at anchor in +their ridings, with the dark, prodigious form of a man-of-war looming +up above them in the moonlight. + +There our hero sat for the best part of an hour, smoking his pipe of +tobacco and sipping his rum and water, yet seeing nothing of those whom +he suspected might presently come thither to laugh at him. + +It was not far from half after the hour when a row-boat came suddenly +out of the night and pulled up to the landing-place at the foot of the +garden, and three or four men came ashore in the darkness. They landed +very silently and walked up the garden pathway without saying a word, +and, sitting down at an adjacent table, ordered rum and water and began +drinking among themselves, speaking every now and then a word or two in +a tongue that Barnaby did not well understand, but which, from certain +phrases they let fall, he suspected to be Portuguese. Our hero paid no +great attention to them, till by-and-by he became aware that they had +fallen to whispering together and were regarding him very curiously. He +felt himself growing very uneasy under this observation, which every +moment grew more and more particular, and he was just beginning to +suspect that this interest concerning himself might have somewhat more +to do with him than mere idle curiosity, when one of the men, who was +plainly the captain of the party, suddenly says to him, "How now, +messmate; won't you come and have a drop of drink with us?" + +At this address Barnaby instantly began to be aware that the affair he +had come upon was indeed no jest, as he had supposed it to be, but that +he had walked into what promised to be a very pretty adventure. +Nevertheless, not wishing to be too hasty in his conclusions, he +answered very civilly that he had drunk enough already, and that more +would only heat his blood. + +"Well," says the stranger, "I may be mistook, but I believe you are Mr. +Barnaby True." + +"You are right, sir, and that is my name," acknowledged Barnaby. "But +still I cannot guess how that may concern you, nor why it should be a +reason for my drinking with you." "That I will presently tell you," +says the stranger, very composedly. "Your name concerns me because I +was sent here to tell Mr. Barnaby True that '_the Royal Sovereign is +come in_.'" + +To be sure our hero's heart jumped into his throat at those words. His +pulse began beating at a tremendous rate, for here, indeed, was an +adventure suddenly opening to him such as a man may read about in a +book, but which he may hardly expect to befall him in the real +happenings of his life. Had he been a wiser and an older man he might +have declined the whole business, instead of walking blindly into that +of which he could see neither the beginning nor the ending; but being +barely one-and-twenty years of age, and possessing a sanguine temper +and an adventurous disposition that would have carried him into almost +anything that possessed a smack of uncertainty or danger, he contrived +to say, in a pretty easy tone (though God knows how it was put on for +the occasion): + +"Well, if that be so, and if the _Royal Sovereign_ is indeed come in, +why, then, I'll join you, since you are so kind as to ask me." +Therewith he arose and went across to the other table, carrying his +pipe with him, and sat down and began smoking, with all the appearance +of ease he could command upon the occasion. + +At this the other burst out a-laughing. "Indeed," says he, "you are a +cool blade, and a chip of the old block. But harkee, young gentleman," +and here he fell serious again. "This is too weighty a business to +chance any mistake in a name. I believe that you are, as you say, Mr. +Barnaby True; but, nevertheless, to make perfectly sure, I must ask you +first to show me a note that you have about you and which you are +instructed to show to me." + +"Very well," said Barnaby; "I have it here safe and sound, and you +shall see it." And thereupon and without more ado he drew out his +wallet, opened it, and handed the other the mysterious note which he +had kept carefully by him ever since he had received it. His +interlocutor took the paper, and drawing to him the candle, burning +there for the convenience of those who would smoke tobacco, began +immediately reading it. + +This gave Barnaby True a moment or two to look at him. He was a tall, +lean man with a red handkerchief tied around his neck, with a queue of +red hair hanging down his back, and with copper buckles on his shoes, +so that Barnaby True could not but suspect that he was the very same +man who had given the note to Miss Eliza Bolles at the door of his +lodging-house. + +"'Tis all right and straight and as it should be," the other said, +after he had so examined the note. "And now that the paper is read" +(suiting his action to his words), "I'll just burn it for safety's +sake." + +And so he did, twisting it up and setting it to the flame of the +candle. "And now," he said, continuing his address, "I'll tell you what +I am here for. I was sent to ask if you're man enough to take your life +in your hands and to go with me in that boat down yonder at the foot of +the garden. Say 'Yes,' and we'll start away without wasting more time, +for the devil is ashore here at Jamaica--though you don't know what +that means--and if he gets ahead of us, why then we may whistle for +what we are after, for all the good 'twill do us. Say 'No,' and I go +away, and I promise you you shall never be troubled more in this sort +of a way. So now speak up plain, young gentleman, and tell us what is +your wish in this business, and whether you will adventure any further +or no." + +If our hero hesitated it was not for long, and when he spoke up it was +with a voice as steady as could be. + +"To be sure I'm man enough to go with you," says he; "and if you mean +me any harm I can look out for myself; and if I can't, then here is +something can look out for me." And therewith he lifted up the flap of +his pocket and showed the butt of a pistol he had fetched with him when +he had set out from his lodging-house that evening. + +At this the other burst out a-laughing for a second time. "Come," says +he; "you are indeed of right mettle, and I like your spirit. All the +same, no one in all the world means you less ill than I, and so, if you +have to use that barker, 'twill not be upon us who are your friends, +but only upon one who is more wicked than the devil himself. So now if +you are prepared and have made up your mind and are determined to see +this affair through to the end, 'tis time for us to be away." +Whereupon, our hero indicating his acquiescence, his interlocutor and +the others (who had not spoken a single word for all this time), rose +together from the table, and the stranger having paid the scores of +all, they went down together to the boat that lay plainly awaiting +their coming at the bottom of the garden. + +Thus coming to it, our hero could see that it was a large yawl-boat +manned by half a score of black men for rowers, and that there were two +lanterns in the stern-sheets, and three or four shovels. + +The man who had conducted the conversation with Barnaby True for all +this time, and who was, as has been said, plainly the captain of the +expedition, stepped immediately down into the boat; our hero followed, +and the others followed after him; and instantly they were seated the +boat shoved off and the black men began pulling straight out into the +harbor, and so, at some distance away, around under the stern of the +man-of-war. + +Not a word was spoken after they had thus left the shore, and they +might all have been so many spirits for the silence of the party. +Barnaby True was too full of his own thoughts to talk (and serious +enough thoughts they were by this time, with crimps to trepan a man at +every turn, and press-gangs to carry him off so that he might never be +heard of again). As for the others, they did not seem to choose to say +anything now that they had been fairly embarked upon their enterprise, +and so the crew pulled away for the best part of an hour, the leader of +the expedition directing the course of the boat straight across the +harbor, as though towards the mouth of the Cobra River. Indeed, this +was their destination, as Barnaby could after a while see for himself, +by the low point of land with a great, long row of cocoanut-palms +growing upon it (the appearance of which he knew very well), which +by-and-by began to loom up from the dimness of the moonlight. As they +approached the river they found the tide was running very violently, so +that it gurgled and rippled alongside the boat as the crew of black men +pulled strongly against it. Thus rowing slowly against the stream they +came around what appeared to be either a point of land or an islet +covered with a thick growth of mangrove-trees; though still no one +spoke a single word as to their destination, or what was the business +they had in hand. + +The night, now that they had come close to the shore, appeared to be +full of the noises of running tide-water, and the air was heavy with +the smell of mud and marsh. And over all was the whiteness of the +moonlight, with a few stars pricking out here and there in the sky; and +everything was so strange and mysterious and so different from anything +that he had experienced before that Barnaby could not divest himself of +the feeling that it was all a dream from which at any moment he might +awaken. As for the town and the Ordinary he had quitted such a short +time before, so different were they from this present experience, it +was as though they might have concerned another life than that which he +was then enjoying. + +Meantime, the rowers bending to the oars, the boat drew slowly around +into the open water once more. As it did so the leader of the +expedition of a sudden called out in a loud, commanding voice, whereat +the black men instantly ceased rowing and lay on their oars, the boat +drifting onward into the night. + +At the same moment of time our hero became aware of another boat coming +down the river towards where they lay. This other boat, approaching +thus strangely through the darkness, was full of men, some of them +armed; for even in the distance Barnaby could not but observe that the +light of the moon glimmered now and then as upon the barrels of muskets +or pistols. This threw him into a good deal of disquietude of mind, for +whether they or this boat were friends or enemies, or as to what was to +happen next, he was altogether in the dark. + +Upon this point, however, he was not left very long in doubt, for the +oarsmen of the approaching boat continuing to row steadily onward till +they had come pretty close to Barnaby and his companions, a man who sat +in the stern suddenly stood up, and as they passed by shook a cane at +Barnaby's companion with a most threatening and angry gesture. At the +same moment, the moonlight shining full upon him, Barnaby could see him +as plain as daylight--a large, stout gentleman with a round red face, +and clad in a fine, laced coat of red cloth. In the stern of the boat +near by him was a box or chest about the bigness of a middle-sized +travelling-trunk, but covered all over with cakes of sand and dirt. In +the act of passing, the gentleman, still standing, pointed at this +chest with his cane--an elegant gold-headed staff--and roared out in a +loud voice: "Are you come after this, Abram Dowling? Then come and take +it." And thereat, as he sat down again, burst out a-laughing as though +what he had said was the wittiest jest conceivable. + +Either because he respected the armed men in the other boat, or else +for some reason best known to himself, the Captain of our hero's +expedition did not immediately reply, but sat as still as any stone. +But at last, the other boat having drifted pretty far away, he suddenly +found words to shout out after it: "Very well, Jack Malyoe! Very well, +Jack Malyoe! You've got the better of us once more. But next time is +the third, and then it'll be our turn, even if William Brand must come +back from the grave to settle with you himself." + +But to this my fine gentleman in t'other boat made no reply except to +burst out once more into a great fit of laughter. + +There was, however, still another man in the stern of the enemy's +boat--a villanous, lean man with lantern-jaws, and the top of his head as +bald as an apple. He held in his hand a great pistol, which he +flourished about him, crying out to the gentleman beside him, "Do but +give me the word, your honor, and I'll put another bullet through the +son of a sea cook." But the other forbade him, and therewith the boat +presently melted away into the darkness of the night and was gone. + +This happened all in a few seconds, so that before our hero understood +what was passing he found the boat in which he still sat drifting +silently in the moonlight (for no one spoke for awhile) and the oars of +the other boat sounding farther and farther away into the distance. + +By-and-by says one of those in Barnaby's boat, in Spanish, "Where shall +you go now?" + +At this the leader of the expedition appeared suddenly to come back to +himself and to find his tongue again. "Go?" he roared out. "Go to the +devil! Go? Go where you choose! Go? Go back again--that's where well +go!" And therewith he fell a-cursing and swearing, frothing at the lips +as though he had gone clean crazy, while the black men, bending once +more to their oars, rowed back again across the harbor as fast as ever +they could lay oars to the water. + +They put Barnaby True ashore below the old custom-house, but so +bewildered and amazed by all that had happened, and by what he had +seen, and by the names he had heard spoken, that he was only half +conscious of the familiar things among which he suddenly found himself +transported. The moonlight and the night appeared to have taken upon +them a new and singular aspect, and he walked up the street towards his +lodging like one drunk or in a dream. For you must remember that "John +Malyoe" was the captain of the _Adventure_ galley--he who had shot +Barnaby's own grandfather--and "Abram Dowling," I must tell you, had +been the gunner of the _Royal Sovereign_--he who had been shot at the +same time that Captain Brand met his tragical end. And yet these names +he had heard spoken--the one from one boat, and the other from the +other, so that he could not but wonder what sort of beings they were +among whom he had fallen. + +As to that box covered all over with mud, he could only offer a +conjecture as to what it contained and as to what the finding of it +signified. + +But of this our hero said nothing to any one, nor did he tell any one +what he suspected, for, though he was so young in years, he possessed a +continent disposition inherited from his father (who had been one of +ten children born to a poor but worthy Presbyterian minister of +Bluefield, Connecticut), so it was that not even to his good friend Mr. +Greenfield did Barnaby say a word as to what had happened to him, going +about his business the next day as though nothing of moment had +occurred. + +But he was not destined yet to be done with those beings among whom he +had fallen that night; for that which he supposed to be the ending of +the whole affair was only the beginning of further adventures that were +soon to befall him. + +IV + +Mr. Greenfield lived in a fine brick house just outside of the town, on +the Mona Road. His family consisted of a wife and two daughters-- +handsome, lively young ladies with very fine, bright teeth that shone +whenever they laughed, and with a-plenty to say for themselves. To this +pleasant house Barnaby True was often asked to a family dinner, after +which he and his good kind host would maybe sit upon the veranda, +looking out towards the mountain, smoking their cigarros while the +young ladies laughed and talked, or played upon the guitar and sang. + +A day or two before the _Belle Helen_ sailed from Kingston, upon her +return voyage to New York, Mr. Greenfield stopped Barnaby True as he +was passing through the office, and begged him to come to dinner that +night. (For within the tropics, you are to know, they breakfast at +eleven o'clock and take dinner in the cool of the evening, because of +the heat, and not at mid-day, as we do in more temperate latitudes). "I +would," says Mr. Greenfield, "have you meet Sir John Malyoe and Miss +Marjorie, who are to be your chief passengers for New York, and for +whom the state cabin and the two state-rooms are to be fitted as here +ordered"--showing a letter--"for Sir John hath arranged," says Mr. +Greenfield, "for the Captain's own state-room." + +Then, not being aware of Barnaby True's history, nor that Captain Brand +was his grandfather, the good gentleman--calling Sir John "Jack" +Malyoe--goes on to tell our hero what a famous pirate he had been, and +how it was he who had shot Captain Brand over t'other side of the +harbor twenty years before. "Yes," says he, "'tis the same Jack Malyoe, +though grown into repute and importance now, as who would not who hath +had the good-fortune to fall heir to a baronetcy and a landed estate?" + +And so it befell that same night that Barnaby True once again beheld +the man who had murdered his own grandfather, meeting him this time +face to face. + +That time in the harbor he had seen Sir John Malyoe at a distance and +in the darkness; now that he beheld him closer, it seemed to him that +he had never seen a countenance more distasteful to him in all his +life. Not that the man was altogether ugly, for he had a good enough +nose and a fine double chin; but his eyes stood out from his face and +were red and watery, and he winked them continually, as though they +were always a-smarting. His lips were thick and purple-red, and his +cheeks mottled here and there with little clots of veins. + +When he spoke, his voice rattled in his throat to such a degree that it +made one wish to clear one's own throat to listen to him. So, what with +a pair of fat, white hands, and that hoarse voice, and his swollen +face, and his thick lips a-sticking out, it appeared to Barnaby True he +had never beheld a countenance that pleased him so little. + +But if Sir John Malyoe suited our hero's taste so ill, the +granddaughter was in the same degree pleasing to him. She had a thin, +fair skin, red lips, and yellow hair--though it was then powdered +pretty white for the occasion--and the bluest eyes that ever he beheld +in all of his life. A sweet, timid creature, who appeared not to dare +so much as to speak a word for herself without looking to that great +beast, her grandfather, for leave to do so, for she would shrink and +shudder whenever he would speak of a sudden to her or direct a glance +upon her. When she did pluck up sufficient courage to say anything, it +was in so low a voice that Barnaby was obliged to bend his head to hear +her; and when she smiled she would as like as not catch herself short +and look up as though to see if she did amiss to be cheerful. + +As for Sir John, he sat at dinner and gobbled and ate and drank, +smacking his lips all the while, but with hardly a word of civility +either to Mr. Greenfield or to Mrs. Greenfield or to Barnaby True; but +wearing all the while a dull, sullen air, as though he would say, "Your +damned victuals and drink are no better than they should be, but, such +as they are, I must eat 'em or eat nothing." + +It was only after dinner was over and the young lady and the two misses +off in a corner together that Barnaby heard her talk with any degree of +ease. Then, to be sure, her tongue became loose enough, and she +prattled away at a great rate; though hardly above her breath. Then of +a sudden her grand-father called out, in his hoarse, rattling voice, +that it was time to go, upon which she stopped short in what she was +saying and jumped up from her chair, looking as frightened as though he +were going to strike her with that gold-headed cane of his that he +always carried with him. + +Barnaby True and Mr. Greenfield both went out to see the two into their +coach, where Sir John's man stood holding the lantern. And who should +he be, to be sure, but that same lean villain with bald head who had +offered to shoot the Captain of Barnaby's expedition out on the harbor +that night! For one of the circles of light shining up into his face, +Barnaby True knew him the moment he clapped eyes upon him. Though he +could not have recognized our hero, he grinned at him in the most +impudent, familiar fashion, and never so much as touched his hat either +to him or to Mr. Greenfield; but as soon as his master and his young +mistress had entered the coach, banged to the door and scrambled up on +the seat alongside the driver, and so away without a word, but with +another impudent grin, this time favoring both Barnaby and the old +gentleman. + +Such were Sir John Malyoe and his man, and the ill opinion our hero +conceived of them was only confirmed by further observation. + +The next day Sir John Malyoe's travelling-cases began to come aboard +the _Belle Helen_, and in the afternoon that same lean, villanous +man-servant comes skipping across the gangplank as nimble as a goat, with +two black men behind him lugging a great sea-chest. "What!" he cries +out, "and so you is the supercargo, is you? Why, to be sure, I thought +you was more account when I saw you last night a-sitting talking with +his honor like his equal. Well, no matter," says he, "'tis something to +have a brisk, genteel young fellow for a supercargo. So come, my +hearty, lend a hand and help me set his honor's cabin to rights." + +What a speech was this to endure from such a fellow! What with our +hero's distaste for the villain, and what with such odious familiarity, +you may guess into what temper so impudent an address must have cast +him. Says he, "You'll find the steward in yonder, and he'll show you +the cabin Sir John is to occupy." Therewith he turned and walked away +with prodigious dignity, leaving the other standing where he was. + +As he went below to his own state-room he could not but see, out of the +tail of his eye, that the fellow was still standing where he had left +him, regarding him with a most evil, malevolent countenance, so that he +had the satisfaction of knowing that he had an enemy aboard for that +voyage who was not very likely to forgive or forget what he must regard +as so mortifying a slight as that which Barnaby had put upon him. + +The next day Sir John Malyoe himself came aboard, accompanied by his +granddaughter, and followed by his man, and he followed again by four +black men, who carried among them two trunks, not large in size, but +vastly heavy in weight. Towards these two trunks Sir John and his +follower devoted the utmost solicitude and care to see that they were +properly carried into the cabin he was to occupy. Barnaby True was +standing in the saloon as they passed close by him; but though Sir John +looked hard at him and straight in the face, he never so much as spoke +a single word to our hero, or showed by a look or a sign that he had +ever met him before. At this the serving-man, who saw it all with eyes +as quick as a cat's, fell to grinning and chuckling to see Barnaby in +his turn so slighted. + +The young lady, who also saw it, blushed as red as fire, and thereupon +delivered a courtesy to poor Barnaby, with a most sweet and gracious +affability. + +There were, besides Sir John and the young lady, but two other +passengers who upon this occasion took the voyage to New York: the +Reverend Simon Styles, master of a flourishing academy at Spanish Town, +and his wife. This was a good, worthy couple of an extremely quiet +disposition, saying little or nothing, but contented to sit in the +great cabin by the hour together reading in some book or other. So, +what with the retiring humor of the worthy pair, and what with Sir John +Malyoe's fancy for staying all the time shut up in his own cabin with +those two trunks he held so precious, it fell upon Barnaby True in +great part to show that attention to the young lady that the +circumstances demanded. This he did with a great deal of satisfaction +to himself--as any one may suppose who considers a spirited young man +of one-and-twenty years of age and a sweet and beautiful young miss of +seventeen or eighteen thrown thus together day after day for above two +weeks. + +Accordingly, the weather being very fair and the ship driving freely +along before a fine breeze, and they having no other occupation than to +sit talking together all day, gazing at the blue sea and the bright sky +overhead, it is not difficult to conceive of what was to befall. + +But oh, those days when a man is young and, whether wisely or no, +fallen into such a transport of passion as poor Barnaby True suffered +at that time! How often during that voyage did our hero lie awake in +his berth at night, tossing this way and that without finding any +refreshment of sleep--perhaps all because her hand had touched his, or +because she had spoken some word to him that had possessed him with a +ravishing disquietude? + +All this might not have befallen him had Sir John Malyoe looked after +his granddaughter instead of locking himself up day and night in his +own cabin, scarce venturing out except to devour his food or maybe to +take two or three turns across the deck before returning again to the +care of those chests he appeared to hold so much more precious than his +own flesh and blood. + +Nor was it to be supposed that Barnaby would take the pains to consider +what was to become of it all, for what young man so situated as he but +would be perfectly content to live so agreeably in a fool's paradise, +satisfying himself by assigning the whole affair to the future to take +care of itself. Accordingly, our hero endeavored, and with pretty good +success, to put away from him whatever doubts might arise in his own +mind concerning what he was about, satisfying himself with making his +conversation as agreeable to his companion as it lay in his power to +do. + +So the affair continued until the end of the whole business came with a +suddenness that promised for a time to cast our hero into the utmost +depths of humiliation and despair. + +At that time the _Belle Helen_ was, according to Captain Manly's +reckoning, computed that day at noon, bearing about five-and-fifty +leagues northeast-by-east off the harbor of Charleston, in South +Carolina. + +Nor was our hero likely to forget for many years afterwards even the +smallest circumstance of that occasion. He may remember that it was a +mightily sweet, balmy evening, the sun not having set above half an +hour before, and the sky still suffused with a good deal of brightness, +the air being extremely soft and mild. He may remember with the utmost +nicety how they were leaning over the rail of the vessel looking out +towards the westward, she fallen mightily quiet as though occupied with +very serious thoughts. + +Of a sudden she began, without any preface whatever, to speak to +Barnaby about herself and her affairs, in a most confidential manner, +such as she had never used to him before. She told him that she and her +grandfather were going to New York that they might take passage thence +to Boston, in Massachusetts, where they were to meet her cousin Captain +Malyoe, who was stationed in garrison at that place. Continuing, she +said that Captain Malyoe was the next heir to the Devonshire estate, +and that she and he were to be married in the fall. + +You may conceive into what a confusion of distress such a confession as +this, delivered so suddenly, must have cast poor Barnaby. He could +answer her not a single word, but stood staring in another direction +than hers, endeavoring to compose himself into some equanimity of +spirit. For indeed it was a sudden, terrible blow, and his breath came +as hot and dry as ashes in his throat. Meanwhile the young lady went on +to say, though in a mightily constrained voice, that she had liked him +from the very first moment she had seen him, and had been very happy +for these days she had passed in his society, and that she would always +think of him as a dear friend who had been very kind to her, who had so +little pleasure in her life. + +At last Barnaby made shift to say, though in a hoarse and croaking +voice, that Captain Malyoe must be a very happy man, and that if he +were in Captain Malyoe's place he would be the happiest man in the +world. Thereupon, having so found his voice, he went on to tell her, +though in a prodigious confusion and perturbation of spirit, that he +too loved her, and that what she had told him struck him to the heart, +and made him the most miserable, unhappy wretch in the whole world. + +She exhibited no anger at what he said, nor did she turn to look at +him, but only replied, in a low voice, that he should not talk so, for +that it could only be a pain to them both to speak of such things, and +that whether she would or no, she must do everything her grandfather +bade her, he being indeed a terrible man. + +To this poor Barnaby could only repeat that he loved her with all his +heart, that he had hoped for nothing in his love, but that he was now +the most miserable man in the world. + +It was at this moment, so momentous to our hero, that some one who had +been hiding unseen nigh them for all the while suddenly moved away, and +Barnaby, in spite of the gathering darkness, could perceive that it was +that villain man-servant of Sir John Malyoe's. Nor could he but know +that the wretch must have overheard all that had been said. + +As he looked he beheld this fellow go straight to the great cabin, +where he disappeared with a cunning leer upon his face, so that our +hero could not but be aware that the purpose of the eavesdropper must +be to communicate all that he had overheard to his master. At this +thought the last drop of bitterness was added to his trouble, for what +could be more distressing to any man of honor than to possess the +consciousness that such a wretch should have overheard so sacred a +conversation as that which he had enjoyed with the young lady. She, +upon her part, could not have been aware that the man had listened to +what she had been saying, for she still continued leaning over the +rail, and Barnaby remained standing by her side, without moving, but so +distracted by a tumult of many passions that he knew not how or where +to look. + +After a pretty long time of this silence, the young lady looked up to +see why her companion had not spoken for so great a while, and at that +very moment Sir John Malyoe comes flinging out of the cabin without his +hat, but carrying his gold-headed cane. He ran straight across the deck +towards where Barnaby and the young lady stood, swinging his cane this +way and that with a most furious and threatening countenance, while the +informer, grinning like an ape, followed close at his heels. As Sir +John approached them, he cried out in so loud a voice that all on deck +might have heard him, "You hussy!" (And all the time, you are to +remember, he was swinging his cane as though he would have struck the +young lady, who, upon her part, shrank back from him almost upon the +deck as though to escape such a blow.) "You hussy! What do you do here, +talking with a misbred Yankee supercargo not fit for a gentlewoman to +wipe her feet upon, and you stand there and listen to his fool talk! Go +to your room, you hussy"--only 'twas something worse he called her this +time--"before I lay this cane across you!" + +You may suppose into what fury such words as these, spoken in Barnaby's +hearing, not to mention that vile slur set upon himself, must have cast +our hero. To be sure he scarcely knew what he did, but he put his hand +against Sir John Malyoe's breast and thrust him back most violently, +crying out upon him at the same time for daring so to threaten a young +lady, and that for a farthing he would wrench the stick out of his hand +and throw it overboard. + +A little farther and Sir John would have fallen flat upon the deck with +the push Barnaby gave him. But he contrived, by catching hold of the +rail, to save his balance. Whereupon, having recovered himself, he came +running at our hero like a wild beast, whirling his cane about, and I +do believe would have struck him (and God knows then what might have +happened) had not his man-servant caught him and held him back. + +"Keep back!" cried out our hero, still mighty hoarse. "Keep back! If +you strike me with that stick I'll fling you overboard!" + +By this time, what with the sound of loud voices and the stamping of +feet, some of the crew and others aboard were hurrying up to the scene +of action. At the same time Captain Manly and the first mate, Mr. +Freesden, came running out of the cabin. As for our hero, having got +set agoing, he was not to be stopped so easily. + +"And who are you, anyhow," he cries, his voice mightily hoarse even in +his own ears, "to threaten to strike me! You may be a bloody pirate, +and you may shoot a man from behind, as you shot poor Captain Brand on +the Cobra River, but you won't dare strike me face to face. I know who +you are and what you are!" + +As for Sir John Malyoe, had he been struck of a sudden by palsy, he +could not have stopped more dead short in his attack upon our hero. +There he stood, his great, bulging eyes staring like those of a fish, +his face as purple as a cherry. As for Master Informer, Barnaby had the +satisfaction of seeing that he had stopped his grinning by now and was +holding his master's arm as though to restrain him from any further act +of violence. + +By this time Captain Manly had come bustling up and demanded to know +what all the disturbance meant. Whereupon our hero cried out, still in +the extremity of passion: + +"The villain insulted me and insulted the young lady; he threatened to +strike me with his cane. But he sha'n't strike me. I know who he is and +what he is. I know what he's got in his cabin in those two trunks, and +I know where he found it, and whom it belongs to." + +At this Captain Manly clapped his hand upon our hero's shoulder and +fell to shaking him so that he could hardly stand, crying out to him +the while to be silent. Says he: "How do you dare, an officer of this +ship, to quarrel with a passenger of mine! Go straight to your cabin, +and stay there till I give you leave to come out again." + +At this Master Barnaby came somewhat back to himself. "But he +threatened to strike me with his cane," he says, "and that I won't +stand from any man!" + +"No matter for that," says Captain Manly, very sternly. "Go to your +cabin, as I bid you, and stay there till I tell you to come out again, +and when we get to New York I'll take pains to inform your step-father +of how you have behaved. I'll have no such rioting as this aboard my +ship." + +By this time, as you may suppose, the young lady was gone. As for Sir +John Malyoe, he stood in the light of a lantern, his face that had been +so red now gone as white as ashes, and if a look could kill, to be sure +he would have destroyed Barnaby True where he stood. + +It was thus that the events of that memorable day came to a conclusion. +How little did any of the actors of the scene suspect that a portentous +Fate was overhanging them, and was so soon to transform all their +present circumstances into others that were to be perfectly different! + +And how little did our hero suspect what was in store for him upon the +morrow, as with hanging head he went to his cabin, and shutting the +door upon himself, and flinging himself down upon his berth, there +yielded himself over to the profoundest depths of humiliation and +despair. + +V + +From his melancholy meditations Barnaby, by-and-by and in spite of +himself, began dropping off into a loose slumber, disturbed by +extravagant dreams of all sorts, in which Sir John Malyoe played some +important and malignant part. + +From one of these dreams he was aroused to meet a new and startling +fate, by hearing the sudden and violent explosion of a pistol-shot ring +out as though in his ears. This was followed immediately by the sound +of several other shots exchanged in rapid succession as coming from the +deck above. At the same instant a blow of such excessive violence shook +the _Belle Helen_ that the vessel heeled over before it, and Barnaby +was at once aware that another craft--whether by accident or with +intention he did not know--must have run afoul of them. + +Upon this point, and as to whether or not the collision was designed, +he was, however, not left a moment in doubt, for even as the _Belle +Helen_ righted to her true keel, there was the sound of many footsteps +running across the deck and down into the great cabin. Then proceeded a +prodigious uproar of voices, together with the struggling of men's +bodies being tossed about, striking violently against the partitions +and bulkheads. At the same instant arose a screaming of women's voices, +and one voice, that of Sir John Malyoe, crying out as in the greatest +extremity: "You villains! You damned villains!" and with that the +sudden detonation of a pistol fired into the close space of the great +cabin. + +Long before this time Barnaby was out in the middle of his own cabin. +Taking only sufficient time to snatch down one of the pistols that hung +at the head of his berth, he flung out into the great cabin, to find it +as black as night, the lantern slung there having been either blown out +or dashed out into darkness. All was as black as coal, and the gloom +was filled with a hubbub of uproar and confusion, above which sounded +continually the shrieking of women's voices. Nor had our hero taken +above a couple of steps before he pitched headlong over two or three +men struggling together upon the deck, falling with a great clatter and +the loss of his pistol, which, however, he regained almost immediately. + +What all the uproar portended he could only guess, but presently +hearing Captain Manly's voice calling out, "You bloody pirate, would +you choke me to death?" he became immediately aware of what had +befallen the _Belle Helen_, and that they had been attacked by some of +those buccaneers who at that time infested the waters of America in +prodigious numbers. + +It was with this thought in his mind that, looking towards the +companionway, he beheld, outlined against the darkness of the night +without, the form of a man's figure, standing still and motionless as a +statue in the midst of all this tumult, and thereupon, as by some +instinct, knew that that must be the master-maker of all this devil's +brew. Therewith, still kneeling upon the deck, he covered the bosom of +that figure point-blank, as he supposed, with his pistol, and instantly +pulled the trigger. + +In the light of the pistol fire, Barnaby had only sufficient +opportunity to distinguish a flat face wearing a large pair of +mustachios, a cocked hat trimmed with gold lace, a red scarf, and brass +buttons. Then the darkness, very thick and black, again swallowed +everything. + +But if our hero failed to clearly perceive the countenance towards +which he had discharged his weapon, there was one who appeared to have +recognized some likeness in it, for Sir John Malyoe's voice, almost at +Barnaby's elbow, cried out thrice in loud and violent tones, "William +Brand! William Brand! William Brand!" and thereat came the sound of +some heavy body falling down upon the deck. + +This was the last that our hero may remember of that notable attack, +for the next moment whether by accident or design he never knew, he +felt himself struck so terrible a blow upon the side of the head, that +he instantly swooned dead away and knew no more. + +VI + +When Barnaby True came back to his senses again, it was to become aware +that he was being cared for with great skill and nicety, that his head +had been bathed with cold water, and that a bandage was being bound +about it as carefully as though a chirurgeon was attending to him. + +He had been half conscious of people about him, but could not +immediately recall what had happened to him, nor until he had opened +his eyes to find himself in a perfectly strange cabin of narrow +dimensions but extremely well fitted and painted with white and gold. +By the light of a lantern shining in his eyes, together with the gray +of the early day through the deadlight, he could perceive that two men +were bending over him--one, a negro in a striped shirt, with a yellow +handkerchief around his head and silver ear-rings in his ears; the +other, a white man, clad in a strange, outlandish dress of a foreign +make, with great mustachios hanging down below his chin, and with gold +ear-rings in his ears. + +It was this last who was attending to Barnaby's hurt with such extreme +care and gentleness. + +All this Barnaby saw with his first clear consciousness after his +swoon. Then remembering what had befallen him, and his head beating as +though it would split asunder, he shut his eyes again, contriving with +great effort to keep himself from groaning aloud, and wondering as to +what sort of pirates these could be, who would first knock a man in the +head so terrible a blow as that which he had suffered, and then take +such care to fetch him back to life again, and to make him easy and +comfortable. + +Nor did he open his eyes again, but lay there marvelling thus until the +bandage was properly tied about his head and sewed together. Then once +more he opened his eyes and looked up to ask where he was. + +Upon hearing him speak, his attendants showed excessive signs of joy, +nodding their heads and smiling at him as though to reassure him. But +either because they did not choose to reply, or else because they could +not speak English, they made no answer, excepting by those signs and +gestures. The white man, however, made several motions that our hero +was to arise, and, still grinning and nodding his head, pointed as +though towards a saloon beyond. At the same time the negro held up our +hero's coat and beckoned for him to put it on. Accordingly Barnaby, +seeing that it was required of him to quit the place in which he then +lay, arose, though with a good deal of effort, and permitted the negro +to help him on with his coat, though feeling mightily dizzy and much +put about to keep upon his legs--his head beating fit to split asunder +and the vessel rolling and pitching at a great rate, as though upon a +heavy cross-sea. + +So, still sick and dizzy, he went out into what he found was, indeed, a +fine saloon beyond, painted in white and gilt like the cabin he had +just quitted. This saloon was fitted in the most excellent taste +imaginable. A table extended the length of the room, and a quantity of +bottles, and glasses clear as crystal, were arranged in rows in a +hanging rack above. + +But what most attracted our hero's attention was a man sitting with his +back to him, his figure clad in a rough pea-jacket, and with a red +handkerchief tied around his throat. His feet were stretched under the +table out before him, and he was smoking a pipe of tobacco with all the +ease and comfort imaginable. As Barnaby came in he turned round, and, +to the profound astonishment of our hero, presented to him in the light +of the lantern, the dawn shining pretty strong through the skylight, +the face of that very man who had conducted the mysterious expedition +that night across Kingston Harbor to the Cobra River. + +VII + +This man looked steadily at Barnaby True for above half a minute and +then burst out a-laughing. And, indeed, Barnaby, standing there with +the bandage about his head, must have looked a very droll picture of +that astonishment he felt so profoundly at finding who was this pirate +into whose hands he had fallen. "Well," says the other, "and so you be +up at last, and no great harm done, I'll be bound. And how does your +head feel by now, my young master?" + +To this Barnaby made no reply, but, what with wonder and the dizziness +of his head, seated himself at the table over against his interlocutor, +who pushed a bottle of rum towards him, together with a glass from the +hanging rack. He watched Barnaby fill his glass, and so soon as he had +done so began immediately by saying: "I do suppose you think you were +treated mightily ill to be so handled last night. Well, so you were +treated ill enough, though who hit you that crack upon the head I know +no more than a child unborn. Well, I am sorry for the way you were +handled, but there is this much to say, and of that you may feel well +assured, that nothing was meant to you but kindness, and before you are +through with us all you will believe that without my having to tell you +so." + +Here he helped himself to a taste of grog, and sucking in his lips went +on again with what he had to say. "Do you remember," says he, "that +expedition of ours in Kingston Harbor, and how we were all of us balked +that night?" then, without waiting for Barnaby's reply: "And do you +remember what I said to that villain Jack Malyoe that night as his boat +went by us? I says to him, 'Jack Malyoe,' says I, 'you've got the +better of us once again, but next time it will be our turn, even if +William Brand himself has to come back from the grave to settle with +you.'" + +"I remember something of the sort," said Barnaby, "but I profess I am +all in the dark as to what you are driving at." + +At this the other burst out in a great fit of laughing. "Very well, +then," said he, "this night's work is only the ending of what was so +ill begun there. Look yonder"--pointing to a corner of the cabin--"and +then maybe you will be in the dark no longer." Barnaby turned his head +and there beheld in the corner of the saloon those very two +travelling-cases that Sir John Malyoe had been so particular to keep in his +cabin and under his own eyes through all the voyage from Jamaica. + +"I'll show you what is in 'em," says the other, and thereupon arose, +and Barnaby with him, and so went over to where the two +travelling-cases stood. + +Our hero had a strong enough suspicion as to what the cases contained. +But, Lord! what were suspicions to what his two eyes beheld when that +man lifted the lid of one of them--the locks thereof having already +been forced--and, flinging it back, displayed to Barnaby's astonished +and bedazzled sight a great treasure of gold and silver, some of it +tied up in leathern bags, to be sure, but so many of the coins, big and +little, yellow and white, lying loose in the cases as to make our hero +think that a great part of the treasures of the Indies lay there before +him. + +"Well, and what do you think of that?" said the other. "Is it not +enough for a man to turn pirate for?" and thereupon burst out +a-laughing and clapped down the lid again. Then suddenly turning serious: +"Come Master Barnaby," says he. "I am to have some very sober talk with +you, so fill up your glass again and then we will heave at it." + +Nor even in after years, nor in the light of that which afterwards +occurred, could Barnaby repeat all that was said to him upon that +occasion, for what with the pounding and beating of his aching head, +and what with the wonder of what he had seen, he was altogether in the +dark as to the greater part of what the other told him. That other +began by saying that Barnaby, instead of being sorry that he was +William Brand's grandson, might thank God for it; that he (Barnaby) had +been watched and cared for for twenty years in more ways than he would +ever know; that Sir John Malyoe had been watched also for all that +while, and that it was a vastly strange thing that Sir John Malyoe's +debts in England and Barnaby's coming of age should have brought them +so together in Jamaica--though, after all, it was all for the best, as +Barnaby himself should presently see, and thank God for that also. For +now all the debts against that villain Jack Malyoe were settled in +full, principal and interest, to the last penny, and Barnaby was to +enjoy it the most of all. Here the fellow took a very comfortable sip +of his grog, and then went on to say with a very cunning and knowing +wink of the eye that Barnaby was not the only passenger aboard, but +that there was another in whose company he would be glad enough, no +doubt, to finish the balance of the voyage he was now upon. So now, if +Barnaby was sufficiently composed, he should be introduced to that +other passenger. Thereupon, without waiting for a reply, he +incontinently arose and, putting away the bottle of rum and the +glasses, went across the saloon--Barnaby watching him all the while +like a man in a dream--and opened the door of a cabin like that which +Barnaby had occupied a little while before. He was gone only for a +moment, for almost immediately he came out again ushering a lady before +him. + +By now the daylight in the cabin was grown strong and clear, so that +the light shining full upon her face, Barnaby True knew her the instant +she appeared. + +It was Miss Marjorie Malyoe, very white, but strangely composed, +showing no terror, either in her countenance or in her expression. + + * * * * * + +It would not be possible for the writer to give any clear idea of the +circumstances of the days that immediately followed, and which, within +a week, brought Barnaby True and the enchanting object of his +affections at once to the ending of their voyage, and of all these +marvellous adventures. For when, in after times, our hero would +endeavor to revive a memory of the several occurrences that then +transpired, they all appeared as though in a dream or a bewitching +phantasm. + +All that he could recall were long days of delicious enjoyment followed +by nights of dreaming. But how enchanting those days! How exquisite the +distraction of those nights! + +Upon occasions he and his charmer might sit together under the shade of +the sail for an hour at a stretch, he holding her hand in his and +neither saying a single word, though at times the transports of poor +Barnaby's emotions would go far to suffocate him with their rapture. As +for her face at such moments, it appeared sometimes to assume a +transparency as though of a light shining from behind her countenance. + +The vessel in which they found themselves was a brigantine of good size +and build, but manned by a considerable crew, the most strange and +outlandish in their appearance that Barnaby had ever beheld. For some +were white, some were yellow, and some were black, and all were tricked +out with gay colors, and gold ear-rings in their ears, and some with +long mustachios, and others with handkerchiefs tied around their heads. +And all these spoke together a jargon of which Barnaby True could not +understand a single word, but which might have been Portuguese from one +or two phrases he afterwards remembered. Nor did this outlandish crew, +of God knows what sort of men, address any of their conversation either +to Barnaby or to the young lady. They might now and then have looked at +him and her out of the corners of their yellow eyes, but that was all; +otherwise they were, indeed, like the creatures of a dream. Only he who +was commander of this strange craft, when he would come down into the +saloon to mix a glass of grog or to light a pipe of tobacco, would +maybe favor Barnaby with a few words concerning the weather or +something of the sort, and then to go on deck again about his business. + +Indeed, it may be affirmed with pretty easy security that no such +adventure as this ever happened before; for here were these two +innocent young creatures upon board of a craft that no one, under such +circumstances as those recounted above, could doubt was a pirate or +buccaneer, the crew whereof had seen no one knows what wicked deeds; +yet they two as remote from all that and as profoundly occupied with +the transports of their passion and as innocent in their satisfaction +thereof as were Corydon and Phyllis beside their purling streams and +flowery meads, with nymphs and satyrs caracoling about them. + +VIII + +It is probable that the polite reader of this veracious narrative, +instead of considering it as the effort of the author to set before him +a sober and well-digested history, has been all this while amusing +himself by regarding it only as a fanciful tale designed for his +entertainment. If this be so, the writer may hardly hope to convince +him that what is to follow is a serious narrative of that which, though +never so ingenuous in its recapitulation, is an altogether inexplicable +phenomenon. Accordingly, it is with extraordinary hesitation that the +scribe now invites the confidence of his reader in the succinct truth +of that which he has to relate. It is in brief as follows: + +That upon the last night of this part of his voyage, Barnaby True was +awakened from slumber by flashes of lightning shining into his cabin, +and by the loud pealing of approaching thunder. At the same time +observing the sound of footsteps moving back and forth as in great +agitation overhead, and the loud shouting of orders, he became aware +that a violent squall of wind must be approaching the vessel. Being +convinced of this he arose from his berth, dressed quickly, and hurried +upon deck, where he found a great confusion of men running hither and +thither and scrambling up and down the rigging like monkeys, while the +Captain, and one whom he had come to know as the Captain's mate, were +shouting out orders in a strange foreign jargon. + +A storm was indeed approaching with great rapidity, a prodigious circle +of rain and clouds whirling overhead like smoke, while the lightning, +every now and then, flashed with intense brightness, followed by loud +peals of thunder. + +By these flashes of lightning Barnaby observed that they had made land +during the night, for in the sudden glare of bright light he beheld a +mountainous headland and a long strip of sandy beach standing out +against the blackness of the night beyond. So much he was able to +distinguish, though what coast it might be he could not tell, for +presently another flash falling from the sky, he saw that the shore was +shut out by the approaching downfall of rain. + +This rain came presently streaming down upon them with a great gust of +wind and a deal of white foam across the water. This violent gale of +wind suddenly striking the vessel, careened it to one side so that for +a moment it was with much ado that he was able to keep his feet at all. +Indeed, what with the noise of the tempest through the rigging and the +flashes of lightning and the pealing of the thunder and the clapping of +an unfurled sail in the darkness, and the shouting of orders in a +strange language by the Captain of the craft, who was running up and +down like a bedlamite, it was like pandemonium with all the devils of +the pit broke loose into the night. + +It was at this moment, and Barnaby True was holding to the back-stays, +when a sudden, prolonged flash of lightning came after a continued +space of darkness. So sharp and heavy was this shaft that for a moment +the night was as bright as day, and in that instant occurred that which +was so remarkable that it hath afforded the title of this story itself. +For there, standing plain upon the deck and not far from the +companionway, as though he had just come up from below, our hero beheld +a figure the face of which he had seen so imperfectly once before by +the flash of his own pistol in the darkness. Upon this occasion, +however, the whole figure was stamped out with intense sharpness +against the darkness, and Barnaby beheld, as clear as day, a great +burly man, clad in a tawdry tinsel coat, with a cocked hat with gold +braid upon his head. His legs, with petticoat breeches and cased in +great leathern sea-boots pulled up to his knees, stood planted wide +apart as though to brace against the slant of the deck. The face our +hero beheld to be as white as dough, with fishy eyes and a bony +forehead, on the side of which was a great smear as of blood. + +All this, as was said, stood out as sharp and clear as daylight in that +one flash of lightning, and then upon the instant was gone again, as +though swallowed up into the darkness, while a terrible clap of thunder +seemed to split the very heavens overhead and a strong smell as of +brimstone filled the air around about. + +At the same moment some voice cried out from the darkness, "William +Brand, by God!" + +Then, the rain clapping down in a deluge, Barnaby leaped into the +saloon, pursued by he knew not what thoughts. For if that was indeed +the image of old William Brand that he had seen once before and now +again, then the grave must indeed have gaped and vomited out its dead +into the storm of wind and lightning; for what he beheld that moment, +he hath ever averred, he saw as clear as ever he saw his hand before +his face. + +This is the last account of which there is any record when the figure +of Captain William Brand was beheld by the eyes of a living man. It +must have occurred just off the Highlands below the Sandy Hook, for the +next morning when Barnaby True came upon deck it was to find the sun +shining brightly and the brigantine riding upon an even keel, at anchor +off Staten Island, three or four cable-lengths distance from a small +village on the shore, and the town of New York in plain sight across +the water. + +'Twas the last place in the world he had expected to see. + +IX + +And, indeed, it did seem vastly strange to lie there alongside Staten +Island all that day, with New York town in plain sight across the water +and yet so impossible to reach. For whether he desired to escape or no, +Barnaby True could not but observe that both he and the young lady were +so closely watched that they might as well have been prisoners, tied +hand and foot and laid in the hold, so far as any hope of getting away +was concerned. + +Throughout that day there was a vast deal of mysterious coming and +going aboard the brigantine, and in the afternoon a sail-boat went up +to the town, carrying the Captain of the brigantine and a great load in +the stern covered over with a tarpaulin. What was so taken up to the +town Barnaby did not then guess, nor did he for a moment suspect of +what vast importance it was to be for him. + +About sundown the small boat returned, fetching the pirate Captain of +the brigantine back again. Coming aboard and finding Barnaby on deck, +the other requested him to come down into the saloon for he had a few +serious words to say to him. In the saloon they found the young lady +sitting, the broad light of the evening shining in through the +skylight, and making it all pretty bright within. + +The Captain commanded Barnaby to be seated, whereupon he chose a place +alongside the young lady. So soon as he had composed himself the +Captain began very seriously, with a preface somewhat thus: "Though you +may think me the Captain of this brigantine, Master Barnaby True, I am +not really so, but am under orders of a superior whom I have obeyed in +all these things that I have done." Having said so much as this, he +continued his address to say that there was one thing yet remaining for +him to do, and that the greatest thing of all. + +He said that this was something that both Barnaby and the young lady +were to be called upon to perform, and he hoped that they would do +their part willingly; but that whether they did it willingly or no, do +it they must, for those also were the orders he had received. + +You may guess how our hero was disturbed by this prologue. He had found +the young lady's hand beneath the table and he now held it very closely +in his own; but whatever might have been his expectations as to the +final purport of the communications the other was about to favor him +with, his most extreme expectations could not have equalled that which +was demanded of him. + +"My orders are these," said his interlocutor, continuing: "I am to take +you and the young lady ashore, and to see that you are married before I +quit you, and to that end a very good, decent, honest minister who +lives ashore yonder in the village was chosen and hath been spoken to, +and is now, no doubt, waiting for you to come. That is the last thing I +am set to do; so now I will leave you and her young ladyship alone +together for five minutes to talk it over, but be quick about it, for +whether willing or not, this thing must be done." + +Thereupon he incontinently went away, as he had promised, leaving those +two alone together, our hero like one turned into stone, and the young +lady, her face turned away, as red as fire, as Barnaby could easily +distinguish by the fading light. + +Nor can I tell what Barnaby said to her, nor what words or arguments he +used, for so great was the distraction of his mind and the tumult of +his emotions that he presently discovered that he was repeating to her +over and over again that God knew he loved her, and that with all his +heart and soul, and that there was nothing in all the world for him but +her. After which, containing himself sufficiently to continue his +address, he told her that if she would not have it as the man had said, +and if she were not willing to marry him as she was bidden to do, he +would rather die a thousand, aye, ten thousand, deaths than lend +himself to forcing her to do such a thing as this. Nevertheless, he +told her she must speak up and tell him yes or no, and that God knew he +would give all the world if she would say "yes." + +All this and much more he said in such a tumult that he was hardly +aware of what he was speaking, and she sitting there, as though her +breath stifled her. Nor did he know what she replied to him, only that +she would marry him. Therewith he took her into his arms and for the +first time set his lips to hers, in such a transport of ecstasy that +everything seemed to his sight as though he were about to swoon. + +So when the Captain returned to the saloon he found Barnaby sitting +there holding her hand, she with her face turned away, and he so full +of joy that the promise of heaven could not have made him happier. + +The yawl-boat belonging to the brigantine was ready and waiting +alongside when they came upon deck, and immediately they descended to +it and took their seats. Reaching the shore, they landed, and walked up +the village street in the twilight, she clinging to our hero's arm as +though she would faint away. The Captain of the brigantine and two +other men aboard accompanied them to the minister's house, where they +found the good man waiting for them, smoking his pipe in the warm +evening, and walking up and down in front of his own door. He +immediately conducted them into the house, where, his wife having +fetched a candle, and two others from the village being present, the +good, pious man having asked several questions as to their names and +their age and where they were from, and having added his blessing, the +ceremony was performed, and the certificate duly signed by those +present from the village--the men who had come ashore from the +brigantine alone refusing to set their hands to any paper. + +The same sail-boat that had taken the Captain up to the town was +waiting for Barnaby and the young lady as they came down to the +landing-place. There the Captain of the brigantine having wished them +godspeed, and having shaken Barnaby very heartily by the hand, he +helped to push off the boat, which with the slant of the wind presently +sailed swiftly away, dropping the shore and those strange beings, and +the brigantine in which they sailed, alike behind them into the night. + +They could hear through the darkness the creaking of the sails being +hoisted aboard of the pirate vessel; nor did Barnaby True ever set eyes +upon it or the crew again, nor, so far as the writer is informed, did +anybody else. + +X + +It was nigh midnight when they made Mr. Hartright's wharf at the foot +of Beaver Street. There Barnaby and the boatmen assisted the young lady +ashore, and our hero and she walked up through the now silent and +deserted street to Mr. Hartright's house. + +You may conceive of the wonder and amazement of our hero's dear +step-father when aroused by Barnaby's continued knocking at the street +door, and clad in a dressing-gown and carrying a lighted candle in his +hand, he unlocked and unbarred the door, and so saw who it was had aroused +him at such an hour of the night, and beheld the young and beautiful +lady whom Barnaby had brought home with him. + +The first thought of the good man was that the _Belle Helen_ had come +into port; nor did Barnaby undeceive him as he led the way into the +house, but waited until they were all safe and sound together before he +should unfold his strange and wonderful story. + +"This was left for you by two foreign sailors this afternoon, Barnaby," +the good man said, as he led the way through the hall, holding up the +candle at the same time, so that Barnaby might see an object that stood +against the wainscoting by the door of the dining-room. + +It was with difficulty that our hero could believe his eyes when he +beheld one of the treasure-chests that Sir John Malyoe had fetched with +such particularity from Jamaica. + +He bade his step-father hold the light nigher, and then, his mother +having come down-stairs by this time, he flung back the lid and +displayed to the dazzled sight of all the great treasure therein +contained. + +You are to suppose that there was no sleep for any of them that night, +for what with Barnaby's narrative of his adventures, and what with the +thousand questions asked of him, it was broad daylight before he had +finished the half of all that he had to relate. + +The next day but one brought the _Belle Helen_ herself into port, with +the terrible news not only of having been attacked at night by pirates, +but also that Sir John Malyoe was dead. For whether it was the sudden +fright that overset him, or whether it was the strain of passion that +burst some blood-vessel upon his brain, it is certain that when the +pirates quitted the _Belle Helen_, carrying with them the young lady +and Barnaby and the travelling-trunks, they left Sir John Malyoe lying +in a fit upon the floor, frothing at the mouth and black in the face, +as though he had been choked. It was in this condition that he was +raised and taken to his berth, where, the next morning about two +o'clock, he died, without once having opened his eyes or spoken a +single word. + +As for the villain man-servant, no one ever saw him afterwards; though +whether he jumped overboard, or whether the pirates who so attacked the +ship had carried him away bodily, who shall say? + +Mr. Hartright had been extremely perplexed as to the ownership of the +chest of treasure that had been left by those men for Barnaby, but the +news of the death of Sir John Malyoe made the matter very easy for him +to decide. For surely if that treasure did not belong to Barnaby, there +could be no doubt but that it belonged to his wife--she being Sir John +Malyoe's legal heir. Thus it was that he satisfied himself, and thus +that great fortune (in actual computation amounting to upward of +sixty-three thousand pounds) fell to Barnaby True, the grandson of that +famous pirate William Brand. + +As for the other case of treasure, it was never heard of again, nor +could Barnaby decide whether it was divided as booty among the pirates, +or whether they had carried it away with them to some strange and +foreign land, there to share it among themselves. + +It is thus we reach the conclusion of our history, with only this to +observe, that whether that strange appearance of Captain Brand was +indeed a ghostly and spiritual visitation, or whether he was present on +those two occasions in flesh and blood, he was, as has been said, never +heard of again. + + + + +IV. A TRUE HISTORY OF THE DEVIL AT NEW HOPE + + +_At the time of the beginning of the events about to be narrated--which +the reader is to be informed occurred between the years 1740 and 1742-- +there stood upon the high and rugged crest of Pick-a-Neck-a-Sock Point +(or Pig and Sow Point, as it had come to be called) the wooden ruins of +a disused church, known throughout those parts as the Old Free Grace +Meeting-house._ + +_This humble edifice had been erected by a peculiar religious sect +calling themselves the Free Grace Believers, the radical tenet of whose +creed was a denial of the existence of such a place as Hell, and an +affirmation of the universal mercy of God, to the intent that all souls +should enjoy eternal happiness in the life to come._ + +_For this dangerous heresy the Free Grace Believers were expelled from +the Massachusetts Colony, and, after sundry peregrinations, settled at +last in the Providence Plantations, upon Pick-a-Neck-a-Sock Point, +coadjacent to the town of New Hope. There they built themselves a small +cluster of huts, and a church wherein to worship; and there for a while +they dwelt, earning a precarious livelihood from the ungenerous soil +upon which they had established themselves._ + +_As may be supposed, the presence of so strange a people was +entertained with no great degree of complaisance by the vicinage, and +at last an old deed granting Pick-a-Neck-a-Sock to Captain Isaiah +Applebody was revived by the heirs of that renowned Indian-fighter, +whereupon the Free Grace Believers were warned to leave their bleak and +rocky refuge for some other abiding-place. Accordingly, driven forth +into the world again, they embarked in the snow[1] "Good Companion," of +Bristol, for the Province of Pennsylvania, and were afterwards heard of +no more in those parts. Their vacated houses crumbled away into ruins, +and their church tottered to decay._ + +[Footnote 1: A two-masted square-rigged vessel.] + +_So at the beginning of these events, upon the narrative of which the +author now invites the reader to embark together with himself._ + +I + +HOW THE DEVIL HAUNTED THE MEETING-HOUSE + +At the period of this narrative the settlement of New Hope had grown +into a very considerable seaport town, doing an extremely handsome +trade with the West Indies in cornmeal and dried codfish for sugar, +molasses, and rum. + +Among the more important citizens of this now wealthy and elegant +community, the most notable was Colonel William Belford--a magnate at +once distinguished and honored in the civil and military affairs of the +colony. This gentleman was an illegitimate son of the Earl of +Clandennie by the daughter of a surgeon of the Sixty-seventh Regiment +of Scots, and he had inherited a very considerable fortune upon the +death of his father, from which he now enjoyed a comfortable +competency. + +Our Colonel made no little virtue of the circumstances of his exalted +birth. He was wont to address his father's memory with a sobriety that +lent to the fact of his illegitimacy a portentous air of seriousness, +and he made no secret of the fact that he was the friend and the +confidential correspondent of the present Earl of Clandennie. In his +intercourse with the several Colonial governors he assumed an attitude +of authority that only his lineage could have supported him in +maintaining, and, possessing a large and commanding presence, he bore +himself with a continent reserve that never failed to inspire with awe +those whom he saw fit to favor with his conversation. + +This noble and distinguished gentleman possessed in a brother an exact +and perfect opposite to himself. Captain Obadiah Belford was a West +Indian, an inhabitant of Kingston in the island of Jamaica. He was a +cursing, swearing, hard-drinking renegado from virtue; an acknowledged +dealer in negro slaves, and reputed to have been a buccaneer, if not an +out-and-out pirate, such as then infested those tropical latitudes in +prodigious numbers. He was not unknown in New Hope, which he had +visited upon several occasions for a week or so at a time. During each +period he lodged with his brother, whose household he scandalized by +such freaks as smoking his pipe of tobacco in the parlor, offering +questionable pleasantries to the female servants, and cursing and +swearing in the hallways with a fecundity and an ingenuity that would +have put the most godless sailor about the docks to the blush. + +Accordingly, it may then be supposed into what a dismay it threw +Colonel Belford when one fine day he received a letter from Captain +Obadiah, in which our West Indian desperado informed his brother that +he proposed quitting those torrid latitudes in which he had lived for +so long a time, and that he intended thenceforth to make his home in +New Hope. + +Addressing Colonel Belford as "My dear Billy," he called upon that +gentleman to rejoice at this determination, and informed him that he +proposed in future to live "as decent a limb of grace as ever broke +loose from hell," and added that he was going to fetch as a present for +his niece Belinda a "dam pirty little black girl" to carry her +prayer-book to church for her. + +Accordingly, one fine morning, in pursuance of this promise, our West +Indian suddenly appeared at New Hope with a prodigious quantity of +chests and travelling-cases, and with so vociferous an acclamation that +all the town knew of his arrival within a half-hour of that event. + +When, however, he presented himself before Colonel Belford, it was to +meet with a welcome so frigid and an address so reserved that a douche +of cold water could not have quenched his verbosity more entirely. For +our great man had no notion to submit to the continued infliction of +the West Indian's presence. Accordingly, after the first words of +greeting had passed, he addressed Captain Obadiah in a strain somewhat +after this fashion: + +"Indeed, I protest, my dear brother Obadiah, it is with the heartiest +regrets in the world that I find myself obliged to confess that I +cannot offer you a home with myself and my family. It is not alone that +your manners displease me--though, as an elder to a younger, I may say +to you that we of these more northern latitudes do not entertain the +same tastes in such particulars as doubtless obtain in the West Indies--but +the habits of my household are of such a nature that I could not +hope to form them to your liking. I can, however, offer as my advice +that you may find lodgings at the Blue Lion Tavern, which doubtless +will be of a sort exactly to fit your inclinations. I have made +inquiries, and I am sure you will find the very best apartments to be +obtained at that excellent hostelry placed at your disposal." + +To this astounding address our West Indian could, for a moment, make no +other immediate reply than to open his eyes and to glare upon Colonel +Belford, so that, what with his tall, lean person, his long neck, his +stooping shoulders, and his yellow face stained upon one side an indigo +blue by some premature explosion of gunpowder--what with all this and a +prodigious hooked beak of a nose, he exactly resembled some hungry +predatory bird of prey meditating a pounce upon an unsuspecting victim. +At last, finding his voice, and rapping the ferrule of his ivory-headed +cane upon the floor to emphasize his declamation, he cried out: "What! +What! What! Is this the way to offer a welcome to a brother new +returned to your house? Why, ---- ----! who are you? Am not I your +brother, who could buy you out twice over and have enough left to live +in velvet? Why! Why!--Very well, then, have it your own way; but if I +don't grind your face into the mud and roll you into the dirt my name +is not Obadiah Belford!" Thereupon, striving to say more but finding no +fit words for the occasion, he swung upon his heel and incontinently +departed, banging the door behind him like a clap of thunder, and +cursing and swearing so prodigiously as he strode away down the street +that an infernal from the pit could scarcely have exceeded the fury of +his maledictions. + +However, he so far followed Colonel Belford's advice that he took up +his lodgings at the Blue Lion Tavern, where, in a little while, he had +gathered about him a court of all such as chose to take advantage of +his extravagant bounty. + +Indeed, he poured out his money with incredible profusion, declaring, +with many ingenious and self-consuming oaths, that he could match +fortunes with the best two men in New Hope, and then have enough left +to buy up his brother from his hair to his boot-leathers. He made no +secret of the rebuff he had sustained from Colonel Belford, for his +grievance clung to him like hot pitch--itching the more he meddled with +it. Sometimes his fury was such that he could scarcely contain himself. +Upon such occasions, cursing and swearing like an infernal, he would +call Heaven to witness that he would live in New Hope if for no other +reason than to bring shame to his brother, and he would declare again +and again, with incredible variety of expletives, that he would grind +his brother's face into the dirt for him. + +[Illustration: "HE WOULD SHOUT OPPROBRIOUS WORDS AFTER THE OTHER IN THE +STREETS"] + +Accordingly he set himself assiduously at work to tease and torment the +good man with every petty and malicious trick his malevolence could +invent. He would shout opprobrious words after the other in the +streets, to the entertainment of all who heard him; he would parade up +and down before Colonel Belford's house singing obstreperous and +unseemly songs at the top of his voice; he would even rattle the +ferrule of his cane against the palings of the fence, or throw a stone +at Madam Belford's cat in the wantonness of his malice. + +Meantime he had purchased a considerable tract of land, embracing Pig +and Sow Point, and including the Old Free Grace Meeting-House. Here, he +declared, it was his intention to erect a house for himself that should +put his brother's wooden shed to shame. Accordingly he presently began +the erection of that edifice, so considerable in size and occupying so +commanding a situation that it was the admiration of all those parts, +and was known to fame as Belford's Palace. This magnificent residence +was built entirely of brick, and Captain Obadiah made it a boast that +the material therefor was brought all the way around from New York in +flats. In the erection of this elegant structure all the carpenters and +masons in the vicinage were employed, so that it grew up with an +amazing rapidity. Meantime, upon the site of the building, rum and +Hollands were kept upon draught for all comers, so that the place was +made the common resort and the scene for the orgies of all such of the +common people as possessed a taste for strong waters, many coming from +so far away as Newport to enjoy our Captain's prodigality. + +Meantime he himself strutted about the streets in his red coat trimmed +with gilt braid, his hat cocked upon one side of his bony head, +pleasing himself with the belief that he was the object of universal +admiration, and swelling with a vast and consummate self-satisfaction +as he boasted, with strident voice and extravagant enunciation, of the +magnificence of the palace he was building. + +At the same time, having, as he said, shingles to spare, he patched and +repaired the Old Free Grace Meeting-House, so that its gray and hoary +exterior, while rejuvenated as to the roof and walls, presented in a +little while an appearance as of a sudden eruption of bright yellow +shingles upon its aged hide. Nor would our Captain offer any other +explanation for so odd a freak of fancy than to say that it pleased him +to do as he chose with his own. + +At last, the great house having been completed, and he himself having +entered into it and furnished it to his satisfaction, our Captain +presently began entertaining his friends therein with a profuseness of +expenditure and an excess of extravagance that were the continued +admiration of the whole colony. In more part the guests whom Captain +Obadiah thus received with so lavish an indulgence were officers or +government officials from the garrisons of Newport or of Boston, with +whom, by some means or other, he had scraped an acquaintance. At times +these gay gentlemen would fairly take possession of the town, parading +up and down the street under conduct of their host, staring ladies out +of countenance with the utmost coolness and effrontery, and offering +loud and critical remarks concerning all that they beheld about them, +expressing their opinions with the greatest freedom and jocularity. + +Nor were the orgies at Belford's Palace limited to such extravagances +as gaming and dicing and drinking, for sometimes the community would be +scandalized by the presence of gayly dressed and high-colored ladies, +who came, no one knew whence, to enjoy the convivialities at the great +house on the hill, and concerning whom it pleased the respectable folk +of New Hope to entertain the gravest suspicion. + +At first these things raised such a smoke that nothing else was to be +seen, but by-and-by other strange and singular circumstances began to +be spoken of--at first among the common people, and then by others. It +began to be whispered and then to be said that the Old Free Grace +Meeting-House out on the Point was haunted by the Devil. + +The first information concerning this dreadful obsession arose from a +fisherman, who, coming into the harbor of a nightfall after a stormy +day, had, as he affirmed, beheld the old meeting-house all of a blaze +of light. Some time after, a tinker, making a short-cut from Stapleton +by way of the old Indian road, had a view of a similar but a much more +remarkable manifestation. This time, as the itinerant most solemnly +declared, the meeting-house was not only seen all alight, but a bell +was ringing as a signal somewhere off across the darkness of the water, +where, as he protested, there suddenly appeared a red star, that, +blazing like a meteor with a surpassing brightness for a few seconds, +was presently swallowed up into inky darkness again. Upon another +occasion a fiddler, returning home after midnight from Sprowle's Neck, +seeing the church alight, had, with a temerity inflamed by rum, +approached to a nearer distance, whence, lying in the grass, he had, he +said, at the stroke of midnight, beheld a multitude of figures emerge +from the building, crying most dolorously, and then had heard a voice, +as of a lost spirit, calling aloud, "Six-and-twenty, all told!" whereat +the light in the church was instantly extinguished into an impenetrable +darkness. + +It was said that when Captain Obadiah himself was first apprised of the +suspicions entertained of the demoniacal possession of the old +meeting-house, he had fixed upon his venturesome informant so threatening +and ominous a gaze that the other could move neither hand nor foot under +the malignant fury of his observation. Then, at last, clearing his +countenance of its terrors, he had burst into a great, loud laugh, +crying out: "Well, what then? Why not? You must know that the Devil and +I have been very good friends in times past. I saw a deal of him in the +West Indies, and I must tell you that I built up the old meeting-house +again so that he and I could talk together now and then about old times +without having a lot of ----, dried, codfish-eating, rum-drinking +Yankee bacon-chewers to listen to every word we had to say to each +other. If you must know, it was only last night that the ghost of +Jezebel and I danced a fandango together in the graveyard up yonder, +while the Devil himself sat cross-legged on old Daniel Root's tombstone +and blew on a dry, dusty shank-bone by way of a flute. And now" (here +he swore a terrific oath) "you know the worst that is to be known, with +only this to say: if ever a man sets foot upon Pig and Sow Point again +after nightfall to interfere with the Devil's sport and mine, hell +suffer for it as sure as fire can burn or brimstone can scorch. So put +that in your pipe and smoke it." + +These terrible words, however extravagant, were, to be sure, in the +nature of a direct confirmation of the very worst suspicion that could +have been entertained concerning this dolorous affair. But if any +further doubt lingered as to the significance of such malevolent +rumors, Captain Obadiah himself soon put an end to the same. + +The Reverend Josiah Pettibones was used of a Saturday to take supper at +Colonel Belford's elegant residence. It was upon such an occasion and +the reverend gentleman and his honored host were smoking a pipe of +tobacco together in the library, when there fell a loud and importunate +knocking at the house door, and presently the servant came ushering no +less a personage than Captain Obadiah himself. After directing a most +cunning, mischievous look at his brother, Captain Obadiah addressed +himself directly to the Reverend Mr. Pettibones, folding his hands with +a most indescribable air of mock humility. "Sir," says he--"Reverend +sir, you see before you a humble and penitent sinner, who has fallen so +desperately deep into iniquities that he knows not whether even so +profound piety as yours can elevate him out of the pit in which he +finds himself. Sir, it has got about the town that the Devil has taken +possession of my old meeting-house, and, alas! I have to confess--_that +it is the truth_." Here our Captain hung his head down upon his breast +as though overwhelmed with the terrible communication he had made. + +"What is this that I hear?" cried the reverend gentleman. "Can I +believe my ears?" + +"Believe your ears!" exclaimed Colonel Belford. "To be sure you cannot +believe your ears. Do you not see that this is a preposterous lie, and +that he is telling it to you to tease and to mortify me?" + +At this Captain Obadiah favored his brother with a look of exaggerated +and sanctimonious humility. "Alas, brother," he cried out, "for +accusing me so unjustly! Fie upon you! Would you check a penitent in +his confession? But you must know that it is to this gentleman that I +address myself, and not to you." Then directing his discourse once more +to the Reverend Mr. Pettibones, he resumed his address thus: "Sir, you +must know that while I was in the West Indies I embarked, among other +things, in one of those ventures against the Spanish Main of which you +may have heard." + +"Do you mean piracy?" asked the Reverend Pettibones; and Captain +Obadiah nodded his head. + +"'Tis a lie!" cried Colonel Belford, smacking his hand upon the table. +"He never possessed spirit enough for anything so dangerous as piracy +or more mischievous than slave-trading." + +"Sir," quoth Captain Obadiah to the reverend gentleman, "again I say +'tis to you I address my confession. Well, sir, one day we sighted a +Spanish caravel very rich ladened with a prodigious quantity of plate, +but were without so much as a capful of wind to fetch us up with her. +'I would,' says I, 'offer the Devil my soul for a bit of a breeze to +bring us alongside.' 'Done,' says a voice beside me, and--alas that I +must confess it!--there I saw a man with a very dark countenance, whom +I had never before beheld aboard of our ship. 'Sign this,' says he, +'and the breeze is yours!' 'What is it upon the pen?' says I. "'Tis +blood,' says he. Alas, sir! what was a poor wretch so tempted as I to +do?" + +"And did you sign?" asked Mr. Pettibones, all agog to hear the +conclusion of so strange a narration. + +"Woe is me, sir, that I should have done so!" quoth Captain Obadiah, +rolling his eyes until little but the whites of them were to be seen. + +"And did you catch the Spanish ship?" + +"That we did, sir, and stripped her as clean as a whistle." + +"'Tis all a prodigious lie!" cried Colonel Belford, in a fury. "Sir, +can you sit so complacently and be made a fool of by so extravagant a +fable?" + +"Indeed it is unbelievable," said Mr. Pettibones. + +At this faint reply, Captain Obadiah burst out laughing; then renewing +his narrative--"Indeed, sir," he declared, "you may believe me or not, +as you please. Nevertheless, I may tell you that, having so obtained my +prize, and having time to think coolly over the bargain I had made, I +says to myself, says I: 'Obediah Belford! Obadiah Belford, here is a +pretty pickle you are in. 'Tis time you quit these parts and lived +decent, or else you are damned to all eternity.' And so I came hither +to New Hope, reverend sir, hoping to end my days in quiet. Alas, sir! +would you believe it? scarce had I finished my fine new house up at the +Point when hither comes that evil being to whom I had sold my sorrowful +soul. 'Obadiah,' says he, 'Obadiah Belford, I have a mind to live in +New Hope also,' 'Where?' says I. 'Well,' says he, 'you may patch up the +old meetinghouse; 'twill serve my turn for a while.' 'Well,' thinks I +to myself, 'there can be no harm in that,' And so I did as he bade me-- +and would not you do as much for one who had served you as well? Alas, +your reverence! there he is now, and I cannot get rid of him, and 'tis +over the whole town that he has the meeting-house in possession." + +"Tis an incredible story!" cried the Reverend Pettibones. + +"'Tis a lie from beginning to end!" cried the Colonel. + +"And now how shall I get myself out of my pickle?" asked Captain +Obadiah. + +"Sir," said Mr. Pettibones, "if what you tell me is true, 'tis beyond +my poor powers to aid you." + +"Alas!" cried Captain Obadiah. "Alas! alas! Then, indeed, I'm damned!" +And therewith flinging his arms into the air as though in the extremity +of despair, he turned and incontinently departed, rushing forth out of +the house as though stung by ten thousand furies. + +It was the most prodigious piece of gossip that ever fell in the way of +the Reverend Josiah, and for a fortnight he carried it with him +wherever he went. "'Twas the most unbelievable tale I ever heard," he +would cry. "And yet where there is so much smoke there must be some +fire. As for the poor wretch, if ever I saw a lost soul I beheld him +standing before me there in Colonel Belford's library." And then he +would conclude: "Yes, yes, 'tis incredible and past all belief. But if +it be true in ever so little a part, why, then there is justice in +this--that the Devil should take possession of the sanctuary of that +very heresy that would not only have denied him the power that every +other Christian belief assigns to him, but would have destroyed that +infernal habitation that hath been his dwelling-place for all +eternity." + +As for Captain Belford, if he desired privacy for himself upon Pig and +Sow Point, he had taken the very best means to prevent the curious from +spying upon him there after nightfall. + +II + +HOW THE DEVIL STOLE THE COLLECTOR'S SNUFFBOX + +Lieutenant Thomas Goodhouse was the Collector of Customs in the town of +New Hope. He was a character of no little notoriety in those parts, +enjoying the reputation of being able to consume more pineapple rum +with less effect upon his balance than any other man in the community. +He possessed the voice of a stentor, a short, thick-set, +broad-shouldered person, a face congested to a violent carnation, and red +hair of such a color as to add infinitely to the consuming fire of his +countenance. + +The Custom Office was a little white frame building with green +shutters, and overhanging the water as though to topple into the tide. +Here at any time of the day betwixt the hours of ten in the morning and +of five in the afternoon the Collector was to be found at his desk +smoking his pipe of tobacco, the while a thin, phthisical clerk bent +with unrelaxing assiduity over a multitude of account-books and papers +accumulated before him. + +For his post of Collectorship of the Royal Customs, Lieutenant +Goodhouse was especially indebted to the patronage of Colonel Belford. +The worthy Collector had, some years before, come to that gentleman +with a written recommendation from the Earl of Clandennie of a very +unusual sort. It was the Lieutenant's good-fortune to save the life of +the Honorable Frederick Dunburne, second son of the Earl--a wild, +rakish, undisciplined youth, much given to such mischievous enterprises +as the twisting off of door-knockers, the beating of the watch, and the +carrying away of tavern signs. + +Having been a very famous swimmer at Eton, the Honorable Frederick +undertook while at the Cowes to swim a certain considerable distance +for a wager. In the midst of this enterprise he was suddenly seized +with a cramp, and would inevitably have drowned had not the Lieutenant, +who happened in a boat close at hand, leaped overboard and rescued the +young gentleman from the watery grave in which he was about to be +engulfed, thus restoring him once more to the arms of his grateful +family. + +For this fortunate act of rescue the Earl of Clandennie presented to +his son's preserver a gold snuffbox filled with guineas, and inscribed +with the following legend: + +"To Lieutenant Thomas Goodhouse, +who, under the Ruling of Beneficent Providence, +was the Happy Preserver of a Beautiful and +Precious Life of Virtuous Precocity, +this Box is presented by the Father of Him whom He +saved as a grateful acknowledgment of His +Services. + +Thomas Monkhouse Dunburne, Viscount of +Dunburne and Earl of Clandennie. + +_August 17, 1752._" + +Having thus satisfied the immediate demands of his gratitude, it is +very possible that the Earl of Clandennie did not choose to assume so +great a responsibility as the future of his son's preserver entailed. +Nevertheless, feeling that something should be done for him, he +obtained for Lieutenant Goodhouse a passage to the Americas, and wrote +him a strong letter of recommendation to Colonel Belford. That +gentleman, desiring to please the legitimate head of his family, used +his influence so successfully that the Lieutenant was presently granted +the position of Collector of Customs in the place of Captain Maull, who +had lately deceased. + +The Lieutenant, somewhat to the surprise of his patrons, filled his new +official position as Collector not only with vigor, but with a not +unbecoming dignity. He possessed an infinite appreciation of the +responsibilities of his office, and he was more jealous to collect +every farthing of the royal duties than he would have been had those +moneys been gathered for his own emolument. + +Under the old Collectorship of Captain Maull, it was no unusual thing +for a barraco of superfine Hollands, a bolt of silk cloth, or a keg of +brandy to find its way into the house of some influential merchant or +Colonial dignitary. But in no such manner was Lieutenant Goodhouse +derelict in his duties. He would have sacrificed his dearest friendship +or his most precious attachment rather than fail in his duties to the +Crown. In the intermission of his duties it might please him to relax +into the softer humors of conviviality, but at ten o'clock in the +morning, whatever his condition of sobriety, he assumed at once all the +sterner panoply of a Collector of the Royal Customs. + +Thus he set his virtues against his vices, and struck an even balance +between them. When most unsteady upon his legs he most asserted his +integrity, declaring that not a gill or a thread came into his port +without paying its duty, and calling Heaven to witness that it had been +his hand that had saved the life of a noble young gentleman. Thereupon, +perhaps, drawing forth the gleaming token of his prowess--the gold +snuffbox--from his breeches-pocket, and holding it tight in his brown +and hairy fist, he would first offer his interlocutor a pinch of +rappee, and would then call upon him to read the inscription engraved +upon the lid of the case, demanding to know whether it mattered a fig +if a man did drink a drop too much now and then, provided he collected +every farthing of the royal revenues, and had been the means of saving +the son of the Earl of Clandennie. + +Never for an instant upon such an occasion would he permit his precious +box to quit his possession. It was to him an emblem of those virtues +that no one knew but himself, wherefore the more he misdoubted his own +virtuousness the more valuable did the token of that rectitude become +in his eyes. "Yes, you may look at it," he would say, "but damme if you +shall handle it. I would not," he would cry, "let the Devil himself +take it out of my hands." + +The talk concerning the impious possession of the Old Free Grace +Meeting-House was at its height when the official consciousness of the +Collector, who was just then laboring under his constitutional +infirmity, became suddenly seized with an irrepressible alarm. He +declared that he smoked something worse than the Devil upon Pig and Sow +Point, and protested that it was his opinion that Captain Obadiah was +doing a bit of free-trade upon his own account, and that dutiable goods +were being smuggled in at night under cover of these incredible +stories. He registered a vow, sealing it with the most solemn +protestations, and with a multiplicity of ingenious oaths that only a +mind stimulated by the heat of intoxication could have invented, that +he would make it his business, upon the first occasion that offered, to +go down to Pig and Sow Point and to discover for himself whether it was +the Devil or smugglers that had taken possession of the Old Free Grace +Meeting-House. Thereupon, hauling out his precious snuffbox and rapping +upon the lid, he offered a pinch around. Then calling attention to the +inscription, he demanded to know whether a man who had behaved so well +upon that occasion had need to be afraid of a whole churchful of +devils. "I would," he cried, "offer the Devil a pinch, as I have +offered it to you. Then I would bid him read this and tell me whether +he dared to say that black was the white of my eye." + +Nor were those words a vain boast upon the Collector's part, for, +before a week had passed, it being reported that there had been a +renewal of manifestations at the old church, the Collector, finding +nobody with sufficient courage to accompany him, himself entered into a +small boat and rowed down alone to Pig and Sow Point to investigate, +for his own satisfaction, those appearances that so agitated the +community. + +It was dusk when the Collector departed upon that memorable and +solitary expedition, and it was entirely dark before he had reached its +conclusion. He had taken with him a bottle of Extra Reserve rum to +drive, as he declared, the chill out of his bones. Accordingly it +seemed to him to be a surprisingly brief interval before he found +himself floating in his boat under the impenetrable shadow of the rocky +promontory. The profound and infinite gloom of night overhung him with +a portentous darkness, melting only into a liquid obscurity as it +touched and dissolved into the stretch of waters across the bay. But +above, on the high and rugged shoulder of the Point, the Collector, +with dulled and swimming vision, beheld a row of dim and lurid lights, +whereupon, collecting his faculties, he opined that the radiance he +beheld was emitted from the windows of the Old Free Grace +Meeting-House. + +Having made fast his boat with a drunken gravity, the Collector walked +directly, though with uncertain steps, up the steep and rugged path +towards that mysterious illumination. Now and then he stumbled over the +stones and cobbles that lay in his way, but he never quite lost his +balance, neither did he for a moment remit his drunken gravity. So with +a befuddled and obstinate perseverance he reached at last to the +conclusion of his adventure and of his fate. + +The old meeting-house was two stories in height, the lower story having +been formerly used by the Free Grace Believers as a place wherein to +celebrate certain obscure mysteries appertaining to their belief. The +upper story, devoted to the more ordinary worship of their Sunday +meetings, was reached by a tall, steep flight of steps that led from +the ground to a covered porch which sheltered the doorway. + +The Collector paused only long enough to observe that the shutters of +the lower story were tight shut and barred, and that the dull and lurid +light shone from the windows above. Then he directly mounted the steps +with a courage and a perfect assurance that can only be entirely +enjoyed by one in his peculiar condition of inebriety. + +He paused to knock at the door, and it appeared to him that his +knuckles had hardly fallen upon the panel before the valve was flung +suddenly open. An indescribable and heavy odor fell upon him and for +the moment overpowered his senses, and he found himself standing face +to face with a figure prodigiously and portentously tall. + +Even at this unexpected apparition the Collector lost possession of no +part of his courage. Rather he stiffened himself to a more stubborn and +obstinate resolution. Steadying himself for his address, "I know very +well," quoth he, "who you are. You are the Divil, I dare say, but damme +if you shall do business here without paying your duties to King +George. I may drink a drop too much," he cried, "but I collect my +duties--every farthing of 'em." Then drawing forth his snuffbox, he +thrust it under the nose of the being to whom he spake. "Take a pinch +and read that," he roared, "but don't handle it, for I wouldn't take +all hell to let it out of my hand." + +The being whom he addressed had stood for all this while as though +bereft of speech and of movement, but at these last words he appeared +to find his voice, for he gave forth a strident bellow of so dreadful +and terrible a sort that the Collector, brave as he found himself, +stepped back a pace or two before it. The next instant he was struck +upon the wrist as though by a bolt of lightning, and the snuffbox, +describing a yellow circle against the light of the door, disappeared +into the darkness of the night beyond. Ere he could recover himself +another blow smote him upon the breast, and he fell headlong from the +platform, as through infinite space. + + * * * * * + +The next day the Collector did not present himself at the office at his +accustomed hour, and the morning wore along without his appearing at +his desk. By noon serious alarm began to take possession of the +community, and about two o'clock, the tide being then set out pretty +strong, Mr. Tompkins, the consumptive clerk, and two sailors from the +_Sarah Goodrich_, then lying at Mr. Hoppins's wharf, went down in a +yawl-boat to learn, if possible, what had befallen him. They coasted +along the Point for above a half-hour before they discovered any +vestige of the missing Collector. Then at last they saw him lying at a +little distance upon a cobbled strip of beach, where, judging from his +position and from the way he had composed himself to rest, he appeared +to have been overcome by liquor. + +At this place Mr. Tompkins put ashore, and making the best of his way +over the slippery stones exposed at low water, came at last to where +his chief was lying. The Collector was reposing with one arm over his +eyes, as though to shelter them from the sun, but as soon as Mr. +Tompkins had approached close enough to see his countenance, he uttered +a great cry that was like a scream. For, by the blue and livid lips +parted at the corners to show the yellow teeth, from the waxy whiteness +of the fat and hairy hands--in short, from the appearance of the whole +figure, he was aware in an instant that the Collector was dead. + +His cry brought the two sailors running. They, with the utmost coolness +imaginable, turned the Collector over, but discovered no marks of +violence upon him, till of a sudden one of them called attention to the +fact that his neck was broke. Upon this the other opined that he had +fallen among the rocks and twisted his neck. + +The two mariners then made an investigation of his pockets, the clerk +standing by the while paralyzed with horror, his face the color of +dough, his scalp creeping, and his hands and fingers twitching as +though with the palsy. For there was something indescribably dreadful +in the spectacle of those living hands searching into the dead's +pockets, and he would freely have given a week's pay if he had never +embarked upon the expedition for the recovery of his chief. + +In the Collector's pockets they found a twist of tobacco, a red +bandanna handkerchief of violent color, a purse meagrely filled with +copper coins and silver pieces, a silver watch still ticking with a +loud and insistent iteration, a piece of tarred string, and a +clasp-knife. + +The snuffbox which the Lieutenant had regarded with such prodigious +pride as the one emblem of his otherwise dubious virtue was gone. + +III + +THE STRANGE ADVENTURES OF A YOUNG GENTLEMAN OF QUALITY + +The Honorable Frederick Dunburne, second son of the Earl of Clandennie, +having won some six hundred pounds at écarté at a single sitting at +Pintzennelli's, embarked with his two friends, Captain Blessington and +Lord George Fitzhope, to conclude the night with a round of final +dissipation in the more remote parts of London. Accordingly they +embarked at York Stairs for the Three Cranes, ripe for any mischief. +Upon the water the three young gentlemen amused themselves by shouting +and singing, pausing only now and then to discharge a broadside of +raillery at the occupants of some other and passing boat. + +All went very well for a while, some of those in the passing boats +laughing and railing in return, others shouting out angry replies. At +last they fell in with a broad-beamed, flat-nosed, Dutch-appearing +yawl-boat, pulling heavily up against the stream, and loaded with a +crew of half-drunken sailors just come into port. In reply to the +challenge of our young gentlemen, a man in the stern of the other boat, +who appeared to be the captain of the crew--a fellow, as Dunburne could +indefinitely perceive by the dim light of the lanthorn and the faint +illumination of the misty half-moon, possessing a great, coarse red +face and a bullet head surmounted by a mildewed and mangy fur cap-- +bawled out, in reply, that if they would only put their boat near +enough for a minute or two he would give them a bellyful of something +that would make them quiet for the rest of the night. He added that he +would ask for nothing better than to have the opportunity of beating +Dunburne's head to a pudding, and that he would give a crown to have +the three of them within arm's-reach for a minute. + +Upon this Captain Blessington swore that he should be immediately +accommodated, and therewith delivered an order to that effect to the +watermen. These obeyed so promptly that almost before Dunburne was +aware of what had happened the two boats were side by side, with hardly +a foot of space between the gunwales. Dunburne beheld one of the +watermen of his own boat knock down one of the crew of the other with +the blade of an oar, and then he himself was clutched by the collar in +the grasp of the man with the fur cap. Him Dunburne struck twice in the +face, and in the moonlight he saw that he had started the blood to +running down from his assailant's nose. But his blows produced no other +effect than to call forth a volley of the most horrible oaths that ever +greeted his ears. Thereupon the boats drifted so far apart that our +young gentleman was haled over the gunwale and soused in the cold water +of the river. The next moment some one struck him upon the head with a +belaying-pin or a billet of wood, a blow so crushing that the darkness +seemed to split asunder with a prodigious flaming of lights and a +myriad of circling stars, which presently disappeared into the profound +and utter darkness of insensibility. How long this swoon continued our +young gentleman could never tell, but when he regained so much of his +consciousness as to be aware of the things about him, he beheld himself +to be confined in a room, the walls whereof were yellow and greasy with +dirt, he himself having been laid upon a bed so foul and so displeasing +to his taste that he could not but regret the swoon from which he had +emerged into consciousness. Looking down at his person, he beheld that +his clothes had all been taken away from him, and that he was now clad +in a shirt with only one sleeve, and a pair of breeches so tattered +that they barely covered his nakedness. While he lay thus, dismally +depressed by so sad a pickle as that into which he found himself +plunged, he was strongly and painfully aware of an uproarious babble of +loud and drunken voices and a continual clinking of glasses, which +appeared to sound as from a tap-room beneath, these commingled now and +then with oaths and scraps of discordant song bellowed out above the +hubbub. His wounded head beat with tremendous and straining +painfulness, as though it would burst asunder, and he was possessed by +a burning thirst that seemed to consume his very vitals. He called +aloud, and in reply a fat, one-eyed woman came, fetching him something +to drink in a cup. This he swallowed with avidity, and thereupon (the +liquor perhaps having been drugged) he dropped off into unconsciousness +once more. + +When at last he emerged for a second time into the light of reason, it +was to find himself aboard a brig--the _Prophet Daniel_, he discovered +her name to be--bound for Baltimore, in the Americas, and then pitching +and plunging upon a westerly running stern-sea, and before a strong +wind that drove the vessel with enormous velocity upon its course for +those remote and unknown countries for which it was bound. The land was +still in sight both astern and abeam, but before him lay the boundless +and tremendously infinite stretch of the ocean. Dunburne found himself +still to be clad in the one-armed shirt and tattered breeches that had +adorned him in the house of the crimp in which he had first awakened. +Now, however, an old tattered hat with only a part of the crown had +been added to his costume. As though to complete the sad disorder of +his appearance, he discovered, upon passing his hand over his +countenance, that his beard and hair had started a bristling growth, +and that the lump on his crown--which was even yet as big as a walnut-- +was still patched with pieces of dirty sticking-plaster. Indeed, had he +but known it, he presented as miserable an appearance as the most +miserable of those wretches who were daily ravished from the slums and +streets of the great cities to be shipped to the Americas. Nor was he a +long time in discovering that he was now one of the several such +indentured servants who, upon the conclusion of their voyage, were to +be sold for their passage in the plantations of Maryland. + +Having learned so much of his miserable fate, and being now able to +make shift to walk (though with weak and stumbling steps), our young +gentleman lost no time in seeking the Captain, to whom he endeavored to +explain the several accidents that had befallen him, acknowledging that +he was the second son of the Earl of Clandennie, and declaring that if +he, the Captain, would put the _Prophet Daniel_ back into some English +port again, his lordship would make it well worth his while to lose so +much time for the sake of one so dear as a second son. To this address +the Captain, supposing him either to be drunk or disordered in his +mind, made no other reply than to knock him incontinently down upon the +deck, bidding him return forward where he belonged. + +Thereafter poor Dunburne found himself enjoying the reputation of a +harmless madman. The name of the Earl of Rags was bestowed upon him, +and the miserable companions of his wretched plight were never tired of +tempting him to recount his adventures, for the sake of entertaining +themselves by teasing that which they supposed to be his hapless mania. + +Nor is it easy to conceive of all the torments that those miserable, +obscene wretches were able to inflict upon him. Under the teasing sting +of his companions' malevolent pleasantries, there were times when +Dunburne might, as he confessed to himself, have committed a murder +with the greatest satisfaction in the world. However, he was endowed +with no small command of self-restraint, so that he was still able to +curb his passions within the bounds of reason and of policy. He was, +fortunately, a complete master of the French and Italian languages, so +that when the fury of his irritation would become too excessive for him +to control, he would ease his spirits by castigating his tormentors +with a consuming verbosity in those foreign tongues, which, had his +companions understood a single word of that which he uttered, would +have earned for him a beating that would have landed him within an inch +of his life. However, they attributed all that he said to the +irrational gibbering of a maniac. + +About midway of their voyage the _Prophet Daniel_ encountered a +tremendous storm, which drove her so far out of the Captain's reckoning +that when land was sighted, in the afternoon of a tempestuous day in +the latter part of August, the first mate, who had been for some years +in the New England trade, opined that it was the coast of Rhode Island, +and that if the Captain chose to do so he might run into New Hope +Harbor and lie there until the southeaster had blown itself out. This +advice the Captain immediately put into execution, so that by nightfall +they had dropped anchor in the comparative quiet of that excellent +harbor. + +Dunburne was a most excellent and practised swimmer. That evening, when +the dusk had pretty well fallen, he jumped overboard, dived under the +brig, and came up on the other side. Thus leaving all hands aboard +looking for him or for his dead body at the starboard side of the +_Prophet Daniel_, he himself swam slowly away to the larboard. Now +partly under water, now floating on his back, he directed his course +towards a point of land about a mile away, whereon, as he had observed +before the dark had settled down, there stood an old wooden building +resembling a church, and a great brick house with tall, lean chimneys +at a little farther distance inland. + +The intemperate cold of the water of those parts of America was so much +more excessive than Dunburne had been used to swim in that when he +dragged himself out upon the rocky, bowlder-strewn beach he lay for a +considerable time more dead than alive. His limbs appeared to possess +hardly any vitality, so benumbed were they by the icy chill that had +entered into the very marrow of his bones. Nor did he for a long while +recover from this excessive rigor; his limbs still continued at +intervals to twitch and shudder as with a convulsion, nor could he at +such times at all control their trembling. At last, however, with a +huge sigh, he aroused himself to some perception of his surroundings, +which he acknowledged were of as dispiriting a sort as he could well +have conceived of. His recovering senses were distracted by a ceaseless +watery din, for the breaking waves, rushing with a prodigious swiftness +from the harbor to the shore before the driving wind, fell with +uproarious crashing into white foam among the rocks. Above this watery +tumult spread the wet gloom of the night, full of the blackness and +pelting chill of a fine slanting rain. + +Through this shroud of mist and gloom Dunburne at last distinguished a +faint light, blurred by the sheets of rain and darkness, and shining as +though from a considerable distance. Cheered by this nearer presence of +human life, our young gentleman presently gathered his benumbed powers +together, arose, and after a while began slowly and feebly to climb a +stony hill that lay between the rocky beach and that faint but +encouraging illumination. + +So, sorely buffeted by the tempest, he at last reached the black, +square form of that structure from which the light shone. The building +he perceived to be a little wooden church of two stories in height. The +shutters of the lower story were tight fastened, as though bolted from +within. Those above were open, and from them issued the light that had +guided him in his approach from the beach. A tall flight of wooden +steps, wet in the rain, reached to a small, enclosed porch or +vestibule, whence a door, now tight shut, gave ingress into the second +story of the church. + +Thence, as Dunburne stood without, he could now distinguish the dull +muttering of a man's voice, which he opined might be that of the +preacher. Our young gentleman, as may be supposed, was in a wretched +plight. He was ragged and unshaven; his only clothing was the miserable +shirt and bepatched breeches that had served him as shelter throughout +the long voyage. These abominable garments were now wet to the skin, +and so displeasing was his appearance that he was forced to acknowledge +to himself that he did not possess enough of humility to avow so great +a misery to the light and to the eyes of strangers. Accordingly, +finding some shelter afforded by the vestibule of the church, he +crouched there in a corner, huddling his rags about him, and finding a +certain poor warmth in thus hiding away from the buffeting of the chill +and penetrating wind. As he so crouched he presently became aware of +the sound of many voices, dull and groaning, coming from within the +edifice, and then--now and again--the clanking as of a multitude of +chains. Then of a sudden, and unexpectedly, the door near him was flung +wide open, and a faint glow of reddish light fell across the passage. +Instantly the figure of a man came forth, and following him came, not a +congregation, as Dunburne might have supposed, but a most dolorous +company of nearly, or quite, naked men and women, outlined blackly, as +they emerged, against the dull illumination from behind. These wretched +beings, sighing and groaning most piteously, with a monotonous wailing +of many voices, were chained by the wrist, two and two together, and as +they passed by close to Dunburne, his nostrils were overpowered by a +heavy and fetid odor that came partly from within the building, partly +from the wretched creatures that passed him by. + +As the last of these miserable beings came forth from the bowels of +that dreadful place, a loud voice, so near to Dunburne as to startle +his ears with its sudden exclamation, cried out, "Six-and-twenty, all +told," and thereat instantly the dull light from within was quenched +into darkness. + +In the gloom and the silence that followed, Dunburne could hear for a +while nothing but the dash of the rain upon the roof and the ceaseless +drip and trickle of the water running from the eaves into the puddles +beneath the building. + +Then, as he stood, still marvelling at what he had seen, there suddenly +came a loud and startling crash, as of a trap-door let fall into its +place. A faint circle of light shone within the darkness of the +building, as though from a lantern carried in a man's hands. There was +a sound of jingling, as of keys, of approaching footsteps, and of +voices talking together, and presently there came out into the +vestibule the dark figures of two men, one of them carrying a ship's +lantern. One of these figures closed and locked the door behind him, +and then both were about to turn away without having observed Dunburne, +when, of a sudden, a circle from the roof of the lantern lit up his +pale and melancholy face, and he instantly became aware that his +presence had been discovered. + +The next moment the lantern was flung up almost into his eyes, and in +the light he saw the sharp, round rim of a pistol-barrel directed +immediately against his forehead. + +In that moment our young gentleman's life hung as a hair in the +balance. In the intense instant of expectancy his brain appeared to +expand as a bubble, and his ears tingled and hummed as though a cloud +of flies were buzzing therein. Then suddenly a voice smote like a blow +upon the silence--"Who are you, and what d'ye want?" + +"Indeed," said Dunburne, "I do not know." + +"What do you do here?" + +"Nor do I know that, either." + +He who held the lantern lifted it so that the illumination fell still +more fully upon Dunburne's face and person. Then his interlocutor +demanded, "How did you come here?" + +Upon the moment Dunburne determined to answer so much of the truth as +the question required. "'Twas by no fault of my own," he cried. "I was +knocked on the head and kidnapped in England, with the design of being +sold in Baltimore. The vessel that fetched me put into the harbor over +yonder to wait for good weather, and I jumped overboard and swam +ashore, to stumble into the cursed pickle in which I now find myself." + +"Have you, then, an education? To be sure, you talk so." + +"Indeed I have," said Dunburne--"a decent enough education to fit me +for a gentleman, if the opportunity offered. But what of that?" he +exclaimed, desperately. "I might as well have no more learning than a +beggar under the bush, for all the good it does me." The other once +more flashed the light of his lantern over our young gentleman's +miserable and barefoot figure. "I had a mind," says he, "to blow your +brains out against the wall. I have a notion now, however, to turn you +to some use instead, so I'll just spare your life for a little while, +till I see how you behave." + +He spoke with so much more of jocularity than he had heretofore used +that Dunburne recovered in great part his dawning assurance. "I am +infinitely obliged to you," he cried, "for sparing my brains; but I +protest I doubt if you will ever find so good an opportunity again to +murder me as you have just enjoyed." + +This speech seemed to tickle the other prodigiously, for he burst into +a loud and boisterous laugh, under cover of which he thrust his pistol +back into his coat-pocket again. "Come with me, and I'll fit you with +victuals and decent clothes, of both of which you appear to stand in no +little need," he said. Thereupon, and without another word, he turned +and quitted the place, accompanied by his companion, who for all this +time had uttered not a single sound. A little way from the church these +two parted company, with only a brief word spoken between them. + +Dunburne's interlocutor, with our young gentleman following close +behind him, led the way in silence for a considerable distance through +the long, wet grass and the tempestuous darkness, until at last, still +in unbroken silence, they reached the confines of an enclosure, and +presently stood before a large and imposing house built of brick. + +Dunburne's mysterious guide, still carrying the lantern, conducted him +directly up a broad flight of steps, and opening the door, ushered him +into a hallway of no inconsiderable pretensions. Thence he led the way +to a dining-room beyond, where our young gentleman observed a long +mahogany table, and a sideboard of carved mahogany illuminated by three +or four candles. In answer to the call of his conductor, a negro +servant appeared, whom the master of the house ordered to fetch some +bread and cheese and a bottle of rum for his wretched guest. While the +servant was gone to execute the commission the master seated himself at +his ease and favored Dunburne with a long and most minute regard. Then +he suddenly asked our young gentleman what was his name. + +Upon the instant Dunburne did not offer a reply to this interrogation. +He had been so miserably abused when he had told the truth upon the +voyage that he knew not now whether to confess or deny his identity. He +possessed no great aptitude at lying, so that it was with no little +hesitation that he determined to maintain his incognito. Having reached +this conclusion, he answered his host that his name was Tom Robinson. +The other, however, appeared to notice neither his hesitation nor the +name which he had seen fit to assume. Instead, he appeared to be lost +in a reverie, which he broke only to bid our young gentleman to sit +down and tell the story of the several adventures that had befallen +him. He advised him to leave nothing untold, however shameful it might +be. "Be assured," said he, "that no matter what crimes you may have +committed, the more intolerable your wickedness, the better you will +please me for the purpose I have in view." + +Being thus encouraged, and having already embarked in disingenuosity, +our young gentleman, desiring to please his host, began at random a +tale composed in great part of what he recollected of the story of +_Colonel Jack_, seasoned occasionally with extracts from Mr. Smollett's +ingenious novel of _Ferdinand, Count Fathom_. There was hardly a petty +crime or a mean action mentioned in either of these entertaining +fictions that he was not willing to attribute to himself. Meanwhile he +discovered, to his surprise, that lying was not really so difficult an +art as he had supposed it to be. His host listened for a considerable +while in silence, but at last he was obliged to call upon his penitent +to stop. "To tell you the truth, Mr. What's-a-name," he cried, "I do +not believe a single word you are telling me. However, I am satisfied +that in you I have discovered, as I have every reason to hope, one of +the most preposterous liars I have for a long time fell in with. +Indeed, I protest that any one who can with so steady a countenance lie +so tremendously as you have just done may be capable, if not of a great +crime, at least of no inconsiderable deceit, and perhaps of treachery. +If this be so, you will suit my purposes very well, though I would +rather have had you an escaped criminal or a murderer or a thief." + +"Sir," said Dunburne, very seriously, "I am sorry that I am not more to +your mind. As you say, I can, I find, lie very easily, and if you will +give me sufficient time, I dare say I can become sufficiently expert in +other and more criminal matters to please even your fancy. I cannot, I +fear, commit a murder, nor would I choose to embark upon an attempt at +arson; but I could easily learn to cheat at cards; or I could, if it +would please you better, make shift to forge your own name to a bill +for a hundred pounds. I confess, however, I am entirely in the dark as +to why you choose to have me enjoy so evil a reputation." + +At these words the other burst into a great and vociferous laugh. "I +protest," he cried, "you are the coolest rascal ever I fell in with. +But come," he added, sobering suddenly, "what did you say was your +name?" + +"I declare, sir," said Dunburne, with the most ingenuous frankness, "I +have clean forgot. Was it Tom or John Robinson?" + +Again the other burst out laughing. "Well," he said, "what does it +matter? Thomas or John--'tis all one. I see that you are a ragged, +lousy beggar, and I believe you to be a runaway servant. Even if that +is the worst to be said of you, you will suit me very well. As for a +name, I myself will fit you with one, and it shall be of the best. I +will give you a home here in the house, and will for three months +clothe you like a lord. You shall live upon the best, and shall meet +plenty of the genteelest company the Colonies can afford. All that I +demand of you is that you shall do exactly as I tell you for the three +months that I so entertain you. Come. Is it a bargain?" + +Dunburne sat for a while thinking very seriously. "First of all," said +he, "I must know what is the name you have a mind to bestow upon me." + +The other looked distrustfully at him for a time, and then, as though +suddenly fetching up resolution, he cried out: "Well, what then? What +of it? Why should I be afraid? I'll tell you. Your name shall be +Frederick Dunburne, and you shall be the second son of the Earl of +Clandennie." + +Had a thunder-bolt fallen from heaven at Dunburne's feet he could not +have been struck more entirely dumb than he was at those astounding +words. He knew not for the moment where to look or what to think. At +that instant the negro man came into the room, fetching the bottle of +rum and the bread and cheese he had been sent for. As the sound of his +entrance struck upon our young gentleman's senses he came to himself +with the shock, and suddenly exploded into a burst of laughter so +shrill and discordant that Captain Obadiah sat staring at him as though +he believed his ragged beneficiary had gone clean out of his senses. + +IV + +A ROMANTIC EPISODE IN THE LIFE OF A YOUNG LADY + +Miss Belinda Belford, the daughter and only child of Colonel William +Belford, was a young lady possessed of no small pretensions to personal +charms of the most exalted order. Indeed, many excellent judges in such +matters regarded her, without doubt, as the reigning belle of the +Northern Colonies. Of a medium height, of a slight but generously +rounded figure, she bore herself with an indescribable grace and +dignity of carriage. Her hair, which was occasionally permitted to curl +in ringlets upon her snowy neck, was of a brown so dark and so soft as +at times to deceive the admiring observer into a belief that it was +black. Her eyes, likewise of a dark-brown color, were of a most melting +and liquid lustre; her nose, though slight, was sufficiently high, and +modelled with so exquisite a delicacy as to lend an exceeding charm to +her whole countenance. She was easily the belle of every assembly which +she graced with her presence, and her name was the toast of every +garrison town of the Northern provinces. + +Madam Belford and her lovely daughter were engaged one pleasant morning +in entertaining a number of friends, in the genteel English manner, +with a dish of tea and a bit of gossip. Upon this charming company +Colonel Belford suddenly intruded, his countenance displaying an +excessive though not displeasing agitation. + +"My dear! my dear!" he cried, "what a piece of news have I for you! It +is incredible and past all belief! Who, ladies, do you suppose is here +in New Hope? Nay, you cannot guess; I shall have to enlighten you. 'Tis +none other than Frederick Dunburne, my lordship's second son. Yes, you +may well look amazed. I saw and spoke with him this very morning, and +that not above a half-hour ago. He is travelling incognito, but my +brother Obadiah discovered his identity, and is now entertaining him at +his new house upon the Point. A large party of young officers from the +garrison are there, all very gay with cards and dice, I am told. My +noble young gentleman knew me so soon as he clapped eyes upon me. +'This,' says he, 'if I am not mistook, must be Colonel Belford, my +father's honored friend.' He is," exclaimed the speaker, "a most +interesting and ingenuous youth, with extremely lively and elegant +manners, and a person exactly resembling that of his dear and honored +father." + +It may be supposed into what a flutter this piece of news cast those +who heard it. "My dear," cried Madam Belford, as soon as the first +extravagance of the general surprise had passed by to an easier +acceptance of Colonel Belford's tidings--"my dear, why did you not +bring him with you to present him to us all? What an opportunity have +you lost!" + +"Indeed, my dear," said Colonel Belford, "I did not forget to invite +him hither. He protested that nothing could afford him greater +pleasure, did he not have an engagement with some young gentlemen from +the garrison. But, believe me, I would not let him go without a +promise. He is to dine with us to-morrow at two; and, Belinda, my +dear"--here Colonel Belford pinched his daughter's blushing cheek--"you +must assume your best appearance for so serious an occasion. I am +informed that my noble gentleman is extremely particular in his tastes +in the matter of female excellence." + +"Indeed, papa," cried the young lady, with great vivacity, "I shall +attempt no extraordinary graces upon my young gentleman's account, and +that I promise you. I protest," she exclaimed, with spirit, "I have no +great opinion of him who would come thus to New Hope without a single +word to you, who are his father's confidential correspondent. Nor do I +admire the taste of one who would choose to cast himself upon the +hospitality of my uncle Obadiah rather than upon yours." + +"My dear," said Colonel Belford, very soberly, "you express your +opinion with a most unwarranted levity, considering the exalted +position your subject occupies. I may, however, explain to you that he +came to America quite unexpectedly and by an accident. Nor would he +have declared his incognito, had not my brother Obadiah discovered it +almost immediately upon his arrival. He would not, he declared, have +visited New Hope at all, had not Captain Obadiah Belford urged his +hospitality in such a manner as to preclude all denial." + +But to this reproof Miss Belinda who, was, indeed, greatly indulged by +her parents, made no other reply than to toss her head with a pretty +sauciness, and to pout her cherry lips in an infinitely becoming +manner. + +But though our young lady protested so emphatically against assuming +any unusual charms for the entertainment of their expected visitor, she +none the less devoted no small consideration to that very thing that +she had so exclaimed against. Accordingly, when she was presented to +her father's noble guest, what with her heightened color and her eyes +sparkling with the emotions evoked by the occasion, she so impressed +our young gentleman that he could do little but stand regarding her +with an astonishment that for the moment caused him to forget those +graces of deportment that the demands of elegance called upon him to +assume. + +However, he recovered himself immediately, and proceeded to take such +advantage of his introduction that by the time they were seated at the +dinner-table he found himself conversing with his fair partner with all +the ease and vivacity imaginable. Nor in this exchange of polite +raillery did he discover her wit to be in any degree less than her +personal charms. + +"Indeed, madam," he exclaimed, "I am now more than ready to thank that +happy accident that has transported me, however much against my will, +from England to America. The scenery, how beautiful! Nature, how +fertile! Woman, how exquisite! Your country," he exclaimed, with +enthusiasm, "is like heaven!" + +"Indeed, sir," cried the young lady, vivaciously, "I do not take your +praise for a compliment. I protest I am acquainted with no young +gentleman who would not defer his enjoyment of heaven to the very last +extremity." + +"To be sure," quoth our hero, "an ambition for the abode of saints is +of too extreme a nature to recommend itself to a modest young fellow of +parts. But when one finds himself thrown into the society of an houri--" + +"And do you indeed have houris in England?" exclaimed the young lady. +"In America you must be content with society of a much more earthly +constitution!" + +"Upon my word, miss," cried our young gentleman, "you compel me to +confess that I find myself in the society of one vastly more to my +inclination than that of any houri of my acquaintance." + +With such lively badinage, occasionally lapsing into more serious +discourse, the dinner passed off with a great deal of pleasantness to +our young gentleman, who had prepared himself for something +prodigiously dull and heavy. After the repast, a pipe of tobacco in the +summer-house and a walk in the garden so far completed his cheerful +impressions that when he rode away towards Pig and Sow Point he found +himself accompanied by the most lively, agreeable thoughts imaginable. +Her wit, how subtle! Her person, how beautiful! He surprised himself +smiling with a fatuous indulgence of his enjoyable fancies. + +Nor did the young lady's thoughts, though doubtless of a more moderate +sort, assume a less pleasing perspective. Our young gentleman was +favored with a tall, erect figure, a high nose, and a fine, thin face +expressive of excellent breeding. It seemed to her that his manners +possessed an elegance and a grace that she had never before discovered +beyond the leaves of Mr. Richardson's ingenious novels. Nor was she +unaware of the admiration of herself that his countenance had +expressed. Upon so slender a foundation she amused herself for above an +hour, erecting such castles in the air that, had any one discovered her +thought, she would have perished of mortification. + +But though our young lady so yielded herself to the enjoyment of such +silly dreams as might occur to any miss of a lively imagination and +vivacious temperament, the reader is to understand that she has yet so +much dignity and spirit as to cover these foolish and romantic fancies +with a cloak of so delicate and so subtle a reserve that when the young +gentleman called to pay his respects the next afternoon he quitted her +presence ten times more infatuated with her charms than he had been the +day before. + +Nor can it be denied that our young lady knew perfectly well how to +make the greatest use of such opportunities. She already possessed a +great deal of experience in teasing the other sex with those delicious +though innocent torments that cause the eyes of the victim to remain +awake at night and the fancy to dream throughout the day. + +Such presently became the condition of our young gentleman that at the +end of the month he knew not whether his present life had continued for +weeks or for years; in the charming infatuation that overpowered him he +considered nothing of time, every other consideration being engulfed in +his desire for the society of his charmer. Cards and dice lost for him +their accustomed pleasure, and when a gay society would be at Belford's +Palace it was with the utmost difficulty that he assumed so much +patience as to take his part in those dissipations that there obtained. +Relieved from them, he flew with redoubled ardor back to the +gratification of his passion again. + +In the mean time Captain Obadiah had become so accustomed to the +presence of his guest that he made no pretence of any concealment of +that iniquitous, dreadful avocation that lent to Pig and Sow Point so +great a terror in those parts. Rather did the West Indian appear to +court the open observation of his dependant. + +One exquisite day in the last of October our young gentleman had spent +the greater part of the afternoon in the society of the beautiful +object of his regard. The leaves, though fallen from the trees in great +abundance, appeared thereby only to have admitted of the passage of a +riper radiance of golden sunlight through the thinning branches. This +and the ardor of his passion had so transported our hero that when he +had departed from her presence he seemed to walk as light as a feather, +and knew not whether it was the warmth of the sunlight or the heat of +his own impetuous transports that filled the universe with so extreme a +brightness. + +Overpowered with these absorbing and transcendent introspections, he +approached his now odious home upon Pig and Sow Point by way of the old +meeting-house. There of a sudden he came upon his patron, Captain +Obadiah, superintending the burial of the last of three victims of his +odious commerce, who had died that afternoon. Two had already been +interred, and the third new-made grave was in the process of being +filled. Two men, one a negro and the other a white, had nearly +completed their labor, tramping down the crumbling earth as they +shovelled it into the shallow excavation. Meanwhile Captain Obadiah +stood near by, his red coat flaming in the slanting light, himself +smoking a pipe of tobacco with all the ease and coolness imaginable. +His hands, clasped behind his back, held his ivory-headed cane, and as +our hero approached he turned an evil countenance upon him, and greeted +him with a grin at once droll, mischievous, and malevolent in the +extreme. "And how is our pretty charmer this afternoon?" quoth Captain +Obadiah. + +Conceive, if you please, of a man floating in the most ecstatic delight +of heaven pulled suddenly thence down into the most filthy extremity of +hell, and then you shall understand the motions of disgust and +repugnance and loathing that overpowered our hero, who, awakening thus +suddenly out of his dream of love, found himself in the presence of +that grim and obscene spectacle of death--who, arousing from such +absorbing and exquisite meditations, heard his ears greeted with so +rude and vulgar an address. + +Acknowledging to himself that he did not dare offer an immediate reply +to his host, he turned upon his heel and walked away, without +expressing a single word. + +He was not, however, permitted to escape thus easily. He had not taken +above twenty steps, when, hearing footsteps behind him, he turned his +head to discover Captain Obadiah skipping rapidly after him in a +prodigious hurry, swinging his cane and chuckling preposterously to +himself, as though in the enjoyment of some most exquisite piece of +drollery. "What!" he cried, as soon as he could catch his breath from +his hurry. "What! What! Can't you answer, you villain? Why, blind my +eyes! a body would think you were a lord's son indeed, instead of +being, as I know you, a beggarly runaway servant whom I took in like a +mangy cat out of the rain. But come, come--no offence, my boy! I'll be +no hard master to you. I've heard how the wind blows, and I've kept my +ears open to all your doings. I know who is your sweetheart. Harkee, +you rascal! You have a fancy for my niece, have you? Well, your apple +is ripe if you choose to pick it. Marry your charmer and be damned; and +if you'll serve me by taking her thus in hand, I'll pay you twenty +pounds upon your wedding-day. Now what do you say to that, you lousy +beggar in borrowed clothes?" + +Our young gentleman stopped short and looked his tormentor full in the +face. The thought of his father's anger alone had saved him from +entangling himself in the web of his passions; this he forgot upon the +instant. "Captain Obadiah Belford," quoth he, "you're the most +consummate villain ever I beheld in all of my life; but if I have the +good-fortune to please the young lady, I wish I may die if I don't +serve you in this!" + +At these words Captain Obadiah, who appeared to take no offence at his +guest's opinion of his honesty, burst out into a great boisterous +laugh, flinging back his head and dropping his lower jaw so +preposterously that the setting sun shone straight down his wide and +cavernous gullet. + +V + +HOW THE DEVIL WAS CAST OUT OF THE MEETING-HOUSE + +The news that the Honorable Frederick Dunburne, second son of the Earl +of Clandennie, was to marry Miss Belinda Belford, the daughter and only +child of Colonel William Belford, of New Hope, was of a sort to arouse +the keenest and most lively interest in all those parts of the Northern +Colonies of America. + +The day had been fixed, and all the circumstances arranged with such +particularity that an invitation was regarded as the highest honor that +could befall the fortunate recipient. There were to be present on this +interesting occasion two Colonial governors and their ladies, an +English general, the captain of the flag-ship _Achilles_, and above a +score of Colonial magnates and ladies of distinction. + +Captain Obadiah had not been bidden to either the ceremony or the +breakfast. This rebuff he had accepted with prodigious amusement, +which, not limiting itself to the immediate occasion, broke forth at +intervals for above two weeks. Now it might express itself in chuckles +of the most delicious entertainment, vented as our Captain walked up +and down the hall of his great house, smoking his pipe and cracking the +knuckles of his fingers; at other times he would burst forth into +incontrollable fits of laughter at the extravagant deceit which he +believed himself to be imposing upon his brother, Colonel Belford. + +At length came the wedding-day, with such circumstances of pomp and +display as the exceeding wealth and Colonial dignity of Colonel Belford +could surround it. For the wedding-breakfast the great folding-doors +between the drawing-room and the dining-room of Colonel Belford's house +were flung wide open, and a table extending the whole length of the two +apartments was set with the most sumptuous and exquisite display of +plate and china. Around the board were collected the distinguished +company, and the occasion was remarkable not less for the richness of +its display than for the exquisite nature of the repast intended to +celebrate so auspicious an occasion. + +At the head of the board sat the young couple, radiant with an +engrossing happiness that took no thought of what the future might have +in store for it, but was contented with the triumphant ecstasy of the +moment. + +These elegant festivities were at their height, when there suddenly +arose a considerable disputation in the hallway beyond, and before any +one could inquire as to what was occurring, Captain Obadiah Belford +came stumping into the room, swinging his ivory-headed cane, and with +an expression of the most malicious triumph impressed upon his +countenance. Directing his address to the bridegroom, and paying no +attention to any other one of the company, he cried out: "Though not +bidden to this entertainment, I have come to pay you a debt I owe. Here +is twenty pounds I promised to pay you for marrying my niece." + +Therewith he drew a silk purse full of gold pieces from his pocket, +which he hung over the ferrule of his cane and reached across the table +to the bridegroom. That gentleman, upon his part (having expected some +such episode as this), arose, and with a most polite and elaborate bow +accepted the same and thrust it into his pocket. + +"And now, my young gentleman," cried Captain Obadiah, folding his arms +and tucking his cane under his armpit, looking the while from under his +brows upon the company with a most malevolent and extravagant grin-- +"and now, my young gentleman, perhaps you will favor the ladies and +gentlemen here present with an account of what services they are I thus +pay for." + +"To be sure I will," cried out our hero, "and that with the utmost +willingness in the world." + +During all this while the elegant company had sat as with suspended +animation, overwhelmed with wonder at the singular address of the +intruder. Even the servants stood still with the dishes in their hands +the better to hear the outcome of the affair. The bride, overwhelmed by +a sudden and inexplicable anxiety, felt the color quit her face, and +reaching out, seized her lover's hand, who took hers very readily, +holding it tight within his grasp. As for Colonel and Madam Belford, +not knowing what this remarkable address portended, they sat as though +turned to stone, the one gone as white as ashes, and the other as red +in the face as a cherry. Our young gentleman, however, maintained the +utmost coolness and composure of demeanor. Pointing his finger towards +the intruder, he exclaimed: "In Captain Obadiah Belford, ladies and +gentlemen, you behold the most unmitigated villain that ever I met in +all of my life. With an incredible spite and vindictiveness he not only +pursued my honored father-in-law, Colonel Belford, but has sought to +wreak an unwarranted revenge upon the innocent and virtuous young lady +whom I have now the honor to call my wife. But how has he overreached +himself in his machinations! How has he entangled his feet in the net +which he himself has spread! I will tell you my history, as he bids me +to do, and you may then judge for yourselves!" + +At this unexpected address Captain Obadiah's face fell from its +expression of malicious triumph, growing longer and longer, until at +last it was overclouded with so much doubt and anxiety that, had he +been threatened by the loss of a thousand pounds, he could not have +assumed a greater appearance of mortification and dejection. Meantime, +regarding him with a mischievous smile, our young gentleman began the +history of all those adventures that had befallen him from the time he +embarked upon the memorable expedition with his two companions in +dissipation from York Stairs. As his account proceeded Captain +Obadiah's face altered by degrees from its natural brown to a sickly +yellow, and then to so leaden a hue that it could not have assumed a +more ghastly appearance were he about to swoon dead away. Great beads +of sweat gathered upon his forehead and trickled down his cheeks. At +last he could endure no more, but with a great and strident voice, such +as might burst forth from a devil tormented, he cried out: "'Tis a lie! +'Tis all a monstrous lie! He is a beggarly runaway servant whom I took +in out of the rain and fed and housed--to have him turn thus against me +and strike the hand that has benefited him!" + +"Sir," replied our young gentleman, with a moderate and easy voice, +"what I tell you is no lie, but the truth. If any here misdoubts my +veracity, see, here is a letter received by the last packet from my +honored father. You, Colonel Belford, know his handwriting perfectly +well. Look at this and tell me if I am deceiving you." + +At these words Colonel Belford took the letter with a hand that +trembled as though with palsy. He cast his eyes over it, but it is to +be doubted whether he read a single word therein contained. +Nevertheless, he saw enough to satisfy his doubts, and he could have +wept, so great was the relief from the miserable and overwhelming +anxiety that had taken possession of him since the beginning of his +brother's discourse. + +Meantime our young gentleman, turning to Captain Obadiah, cried out, +"Sir, I am indeed an instrument of Providence sent hither to call your +wickedness to account," and this he spoke with so virtuous an air as to +command the admiration of all who heard him. "I have," he continued, +"lived with you now for nearly three odious months, and I know every +particular of your habits and such circumstances of your life as you +are aware of. I now proclaim how you have wickedly and sacrilegiously +turned the Old Free Grace Meeting-House into a slave-pen, whence for +above a year you have conducted a nefarious and most inhuman commerce +with the West Indies." + +At these words Captain Obadiah, being thrown so suddenly upon his +defence, forced himself to give forth a huge and boisterous laugh. +"What then?" he cried. "What wickedness is there in that? What if I +have provided a few sugar plantations with negro slaves? Are there not +those here present who would do no better if the opportunity offered? +The place is mine, and I break no law by a bit of quiet slave-trading." + +"I marvel," cried our young gentleman, still in the same virtuous +strain--"I marvel that you can pass over so wicked a thing thus easily. +I myself have counted above fifty graves of your victims on Pig and Sow +Point. Repent, sir, while there is yet time." + +But to this adjuration Captain Obadiah returned no other reply than to +burst into a most wicked, impudent laugh. + +"Is it so?" cried our young gentleman. "Do you dare me to further +exposures? Then I have here another evidence to confront you that may +move you to a more serious consideration." With these words he drew +forth from his pocket a packet wrapped in soft white paper. This he +unfolded, holding up to the gaze of all a bright and shining object. +"This," he exclaimed, "I found in Captain Obadiah's writing-desk while +I was hunting for some wax with which to seal a letter." It was the +gold snuffbox of the late Collector Goodhouse. "What," he cried, "have +you, sir, to offer in explanation of the manner in which this came into +your possession? See, here engraved upon the lid is the owner's name +and the circumstance of his having saved my own poor life. It was that +first called my attention to it, for I well recollect how my father +compelled me to present it to my savior. How came it into your +possession, and why have you hidden it away so carefully for all this +while? Sir, in the death of Lieutenant Goodhouse I suspect you of a +more sinister fault than that of converting yonder poor sanctuary into +a slave-pen. So soon as Captain Morris of your slave-ship returns from +Jamaica I shall have him arrested, and shall compel him to explain what +he knows of the circumstances of the Lieutenant's unfortunate murder." + +At the sight of so unexpected an object in the young gentleman's hand +Captain Obadiah's jaw fell, and his cavernous mouth gaped as though he +had suddenly been stricken with a palsy. He lifted a trembling hand and +slowly and mechanically passed it along that cheek which was so +discolored with gunpowder stain. Then, suddenly gathering himself +together and regaining those powers that appeared for a moment to have +fled from him, he cried out, aloud: "I swear to God 'twas all an +accident! I pushed him down the steps, and he fell and broke his neck!" + +Our young gentleman regarded him with a cold and collected smile. +"That, sir," said he, "you shall have the opportunity to explain to the +proper authorities--unless," he added, "you choose to take yourself +away from these parts, and to escape the just resentment of those laws +to which you may be responsible for your misdemeanors." + +"I shall," roared Captain Obadiah, "stand my trial in spite of you all! +I shall live to see you in torments yet! I shall--" He gaped and +stuttered, but could find no further words with which to convey his +infinite rage and disappointed spite. Then turning, and with a furious +gesture, he rushed forth and out of the house, thrusting those aside +who stood in his way, and leaving behind him a string of curses fit to +set the whole world into a blaze. + +He had destroyed all the gaiety of the wedding-breakfast, but the +relief from the prodigious doubts and anxieties that had at first +overwhelmed those whom he had intended to ruin was of so great a nature +that they thought nothing of so inconsiderable a circumstance. + +As for our young gentleman, he had come forth from the adventure with +such dignity of deportment and with so exalted an air of generous +rectitude that those present could not sufficiently admire at the +continent discretion of one so young. The young lady whom he had +married, if she had before regarded him as a Paris and an Achilles +incorporated into one person, now added the wisdom of a Nestor to the +category of his accomplishments. + +Captain Obadiah, in spite of the defiance he had fulminated against his +enemies, and in spite of the determination he had expressed to remain +and to stand his trial, was within a few days known to have suddenly +and mysteriously departed from New Hope. Whether or not he misdoubted +his own rectitude too greatly to put it to the test of a trial, or +whether the mortification incident upon the failure of his plot was too +great for him to support, it was clearly his purpose never to return +again. For within a month the more valuable of his belongings were +removed from his great house upon Pig and Sow Point and were loaded +upon a bark that came into the harbor for that purpose. Thence they +were transported no one knew whither, for Captain Obadiah was never +afterwards observed in those parts. + +Nor was the old meeting-house ever again disturbed by such +manifestations as had terrified the community for so long a time. +Nevertheless, though the Devil was thus exorcised from his +abiding-place, the old church never lost its evil reputation, until it was +finally destroyed by fire about ten years after the incidents herein +narrated. + +In conclusion it is only necessary to say that when the Honorable +Frederick Dunburne presented his wife to his noble family at home, he +was easily forgiven his _mésalliance_ in view of her extreme beauty and +vivacity. Within a year or two Lord Carrickford, his elder brother, +died of excessive dissipation in Florence, where he was then attached +to the English Embassy, so that our young gentleman thus became the +heir-apparent to his father's title, and so both branches of the family +were united into one. + + +THE END + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Stolen Treasure, by Howard Pyle + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK STOLEN TREASURE *** + +***** This file should be named 10394-8.txt or 10394-8.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + https://www.gutenberg.org/1/0/3/9/10394/ + +Produced by David Widger, Juliet Sutherland, Linda Cantoni and PG +Distributed Proofreaders + + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: Stolen Treasure + +Author: Howard Pyle + +Release Date: December 7, 2003 [EBook #10394] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK STOLEN TREASURE *** + + + + +Produced by David Widger, Juliet Sutherland, Linda Cantoni and PG +Distributed Proofreaders + + + + + + +</pre> + + + +<h1> + STOLEN TREASURE +</h1> + <h3> BY</h3> +<br /> + <h2> HOWARD PYLE</h2> + +<br /><br /><br /> +<h3> + Author of "Men of Iron" "Twilight Land" "The Wonder Clock" "Pepper and + Salt" +</h3> +<br /><br /><br /> + +<h3> + ILLUSTRATED BY THE AUTHOR +</h3> +<br /><br /> +<h2> + MCMVII +</h2> + + +<br><br> +<center> +<img alt="006 (77K)" src="006.jpg" height="792" width="482" /> +</center> +<br><br> + + +<br /><br /> +<hr> +<br /><br /> + +<h2>Contents</h2> +<center> +<table summary=""> +<tr><td> + + +<p class="toc"><a href="#2H_4_2"> +I. WITH THE BUCCANEERS +</a></p> +<p class="toc"><a href="#2H_4_3"> +II. TOM CHIST AND THE TREASURE-BOX +</a></p> +<p class="toc"><a href="#2H_4_4"> +III. THE GHOST OF CAPTAIN BRAND +</a></p> +<p class="toc"><a href="#2H_4_5"> +IV. A TRUE HISTORY OF THE DEVIL AT NEW HOPE +</a></p> + +</td></tr> +</table> +</center> + +<br /><br /> +<hr> +<br /><br /> + +<h2>List of Illustrations</h2> + +<center> +<table summary=""> +<tr><td> + + + +<p class="toc"><a href="#image-1"> +"This Figure of War Our Hero Asked to Step Aside With +Him" +</a></p> +<p class="toc"><a href="#image-2"> +"Our Hero, Leaping to the Wheel, Seized The Flying +Spokes" +</a></p> +<p class="toc"><a href="#image-3"> +"She and Master Harry Would Spend Hours Together" +</a></p> +<p class="toc"><a href="#image-4"> +"'... And Twenty-one And Twenty-two'" +</a></p> +<p class="toc"><a href="#image-5"> +"'Tis Enough,' Cried out Parson Jones, 'to Make Us Both +Rich Men'" +</a></p> +<p class="toc"><a href="#image-6"> +"Captain Malyoe Shot Captain Brand Through the Head" +</a></p> +<p class="toc"><a href="#image-7"> +"He Would Shout Opprobrious Words After the Other in The +Streets"</a> + +</td></tr> +</table> +</center> + +<br /><br /> +<hr> +<br /><br /> + + +<a name="2H_4_1"><!-- H2 anchor --></a> +<p> </p> +<p> </p> +<p> </p> +<p> </p> +<h2> + STOLEN TREASURE +</h2> +<a name="2H_4_2"><!-- H2 anchor --></a> +<p> </p> +<p> </p> +<p> </p> +<p> </p> +<h2> + I. WITH THE BUCCANEERS +</h2> +<p> + <i>Being an Account of Certain Adventures that Befell Henry Mostyn under + Captain H. Morgan in the Year 1665-66.</i> +</p> +<center> + I +</center> +<p> + Although this narration has more particularly to do with the taking of + the Spanish Vice-Admiral in the harbor of Puerto Bello, and of the + rescue therefrom of Le Sieur Simon, his wife and daughter (the + adventure of which was successfully achieved by Captain Morgan, the + famous buccaneer), we shall, nevertheless, premise something of the + earlier history of Master Harry Mostyn, whom you may, if you please, + consider as the hero of the several circumstances recounted in these + pages. +</p> +<p> + In the year 1664 our hero's father embarked from Portsmouth, in + England, for the Barbadoes, where he owned a considerable sugar + plantation. Thither to those parts of America he transported with + himself his whole family, of whom our Master Harry was the fifth of + eight children—a great lusty fellow as little fitted for the Church + (for which he was designed) as could be. At the time of this story, + though not above sixteen years old, Master Harry Mostyn was as big and + well-grown as many a man of twenty, and of such a reckless and + dare-devil spirit that no adventure was too dangerous or too mischievous + for him to embark upon. +</p> +<p> + At this time there was a deal of talk in those parts of the Americas + concerning Captain Morgan, and the prodigious successes he was having + pirating against the Spaniards. +</p> +<p> + This man had once been an indentured servant with Mr. Rolls, a sugar + factor at the Barbadoes. Having served out his time, and being of + lawless disposition, possessing also a prodigious appetite for + adventure, he joined with others of his kidney, and, purchasing a + caraval of three guns, embarked fairly upon that career of piracy the + most successful that ever was heard of in the world. +</p> +<p> + Master Harry had known this man very well while he was still with Mr. + Rolls, serving as a clerk at that gentleman's sugar wharf, a tall, + broad-shouldered, strapping fellow, with red cheeks, and thick red + lips, and rolling blue eyes, and hair as red as any chestnut. Many knew + him for a bold, gruff-spoken man, but no one at that time suspected + that he had it in him to become so famous and renowned as he afterwards + grew to be. +</p> +<p> + The fame of his exploits had been the talk of those parts for above a + twelvemonth, when, in the latter part of the year 1665, Captain Morgan, + having made a very successful expedition against the Spaniards into the + Gulf of Campeachy—where he took several important purchases from the + plate fleet—came to the Barbadoes, there to fit out another such + venture, and to enlist recruits. +</p> +<p> + He and certain other adventurers had purchased a vessel of some five + hundred tons, which they proposed to convert into a pirate by cutting + port-holes for cannon, and running three or four carronades across her + main-deck. The name of this ship, be it mentioned, was the <i>Good + Samaritan</i>, as ill-fitting a name as could be for such a craft, which, + instead of being designed for the healing of wounds, was intended to + inflict such devastation as those wicked men proposed. +</p> +<p> + Here was a piece of mischief exactly fitted to our hero's tastes; + wherefore, having made up a bundle of clothes, and with not above a + shilling in his pocket, he made an excursion into the town to seek for + Captain Morgan. There he found the great pirate established at an + ordinary, with a little court of ragamuffins and swashbucklers gathered + about him, all talking very loud, and drinking healths in raw rum as + though it were sugared water. +</p> +<p> + And what a fine figure our buccaneer had grown, to be sure! How + different from the poor, humble clerk upon the sugarwharf! What a deal + of gold braid! What a fine, silver-hilted Spanish sword! What a gay + velvet sling, hung with three silver-mounted pistols! If Master Harry's + mind had not been made up before, to be sure such a spectacle of glory + would have determined it. +</p> +<p> + This figure of war our hero asked to step aside with him, and when they + had come into a corner, proposed to the other what he intended, and + that he had a mind to enlist as a gentleman adventurer upon this + expedition. Upon this our rogue of a buccaneer Captain burst out + a-laughing, and fetching Master Harry a great thump upon the back, swore + roundly that he would make a man of him, and that it was a pity to make + a parson out of so good a piece of stuff. +</p> +<a name="image-1"><!--IMG--></a> +<center> +<img src="001.jpg" height="638" width="944" +alt="'This Figure of War Our Hero Asked to Step Aside With +Him' +"> +</center> +<!--IMAGE END--> +<p> + Nor was Captain Morgan less good than his word, for when the <i>Good + Samaritan</i> set sail with a favoring wind for the island of Jamaica, + Master Harry found himself established as one of the adventurers + aboard. +</p> +<center> + II +</center> +<p> + Could you but have seen the town of Port Royal as it appeared in the + year 1665 you would have beheld a sight very well worth while looking + upon. There were no fine houses at that time, and no great + counting-houses built of brick, such as you may find nowadays, but a crowd + of board and wattled huts huddled along the streets, and all so gay with + flags and bits of color that Vanity Fair itself could not have been + gayer. To this place came all the pirates and buccaneers that infested + those parts, and men shouted and swore and gambled, and poured out + money like water, and then maybe wound up their merrymaking by dying of + fever. For the sky in these torrid latitudes is all full of clouds + overhead, and as hot as any blanket, and when the sun shone forth it + streamed down upon the smoking sands so that the houses were ovens and + the streets were furnaces; so it was little wonder that men died like + rats in a hole. But little they appeared to care for that; so that + everywhere you might behold a multitude of painted women and Jews and + merchants and pirates, gaudy with red scarfs and gold braid and all + sorts of odds and ends of foolish finery, all fighting and gambling and + bartering for that ill-gotten treasure of the be-robbed Spaniard. +</p> +<p> + Here, arriving, Captain Morgan found a hearty welcome, and a message + from the Governor awaiting him, the message bidding him attend his + Excellency upon the earliest occasion that offered. Whereupon, taking + our hero (of whom he had grown prodigiously fond) along with him, our + pirate went, without any loss of time, to visit Sir Thomas Modiford, + who was then the royal Governor of all this devil's brew of wickedness. +</p> +<p> + They found his Excellency seated in a great easy-chair, under the + shadow of a slatted veranda, the floor whereof was paved with brick. He + was clad, for the sake of coolness, only in his shirt, breeches, and + stockings, and he wore slippers on his feet. He was smoking a great + cigarro of tobacco, and a goblet of lime-juice and water and rum stood + at his elbow on a table. Here, out of the glare of the heat, it was all + very cool and pleasant, with a sea-breeze blowing violently in through + the slats, setting them a-rattling now and then, and stirring Sir + Thomas's long hair, which he had pushed back for the sake of coolness. +</p> +<p> + The purport of this interview, I may tell you, concerned the rescue of + one Le Sieur Simon, who, together with his wife and daughter, was held + captive by the Spaniards. +</p> +<p> + This gentleman adventurer (Le Sieur Simon) had, a few years before, + been set up by the buccaneers as Governor of the island of Santa + Catherina. This place, though well fortified by the Spaniards, the + buccaneers had seized upon, establishing themselves thereon, and so + infesting the commerce of those seas that no Spanish fleet was safe + from them. At last the Spaniards, no longer able to endure these + assaults against their commerce, sent a great force against the + freebooters to drive them out of their island stronghold. This they + did, retaking Santa Catherina, together with its Governor, his wife, + and daughter, as well as the whole garrison of buccaneers. +</p> +<p> + This garrison were sent by their conquerors, some to the galleys, some + to the mines, some to no man knows where. The Governor himself—Le + Sieur Simon—was to be sent to Spain, there to stand his trial for + piracy. +</p> +<p> + The news of all this, I may tell you, had only just been received in + Jamaica, having been brought thither by a Spanish captain, one Don + Roderiguez Sylvia, who was, besides, the bearer of despatches to the + Spanish authorities relating the whole affair. +</p> +<p> + Such, in fine, was the purport of this interview, and as our hero and + his Captain walked back together from the Governor's house to the + ordinary where they had taken up their inn, the buccaneer assured his + companion that he purposed to obtain those despatches from the Spanish + captain that very afternoon, even if he had to use force to seize them. +</p> +<p> + All this, you are to understand, was undertaken only because of the + friendship that the Governor and Captain Morgan entertained for Le + Sieur Simon. And, indeed, it was wonderful how honest and how faithful + were these wicked men in their dealings with one another. For you must + know that Governor Modiford and Le Sieur Simon and the buccaneers were + all of one kidney—all taking a share in the piracies of those times, + and all holding by one another as though they were the honestest men in + the world. Hence it was they were all so determined to rescue Le Sieur + Simon from the Spaniards. +</p> +<center> + III +</center> +<p> + Having reached his ordinary after his interview with the Governor, + Captain Morgan found there a number of his companions, such as usually + gathered at that place to be in attendance upon him—some, those + belonging to the <i>Good Samaritan</i>; others, those who hoped to obtain + benefits from him; others, those ragamuffins who gathered around him + because he was famous, and because it pleased them to be of his court + and to be called his followers. For nearly always your successful + pirate had such a little court surrounding him. +</p> +<p> + Finding a dozen or more of these rascals gathered there, Captain Morgan + informed them of his present purpose—that he was going to find the + Spanish captain to demand his papers of him, and calling upon them to + accompany him. +</p> +<p> + With this following at his heels, our buccaneer started off down the + street, his lieutenant, a Cornishman named Bartholomew Davis, upon one + hand and our hero upon the other. So they paraded the streets for the + best part of an hour before they found the Spanish captain. For whether + he had got wind that Captain Morgan was searching for him, or whether, + finding himself in a place so full of his enemies, he had buried + himself in some place of hiding, it is certain that the buccaneers had + traversed pretty nearly the whole town before they discovered that he + was lying at a certain auberge kept by a Portuguese Jew. Thither they + went, and thither Captain Morgan entered with the utmost coolness and + composure of demeanor, his followers crowding noisily in at his heels. +</p> +<p> + The space within was very dark, being lighted only by the doorway and + by two large slatted windows or openings in the front. +</p> +<p> + In this dark, hot place—not over-roomy at the best—were gathered + twelve or fifteen villanous-appearing men, sitting at tables and + drinking together, waited upon by the Jew and his wife. Our hero had no + trouble in discovering which of this lot of men was Captain Sylvia, for + not only did Captain Morgan direct his glance full of war upon him, but + the Spaniard was clad with more particularity and with more show of + finery than any of the others who were there. +</p> +<p> + Him Captain Morgan approached and demanded his papers, whereunto the + other replied with such a jabber of Spanish and English that no man + could have understood what he said. To this Captain Morgan in turn + replied that he must have those papers, no matter what it might cost + him to obtain them, and thereupon drew a pistol from his sling and + presented it at the other's head. +</p> +<p> + At this threatening action the innkeeper's wife fell a-screaming, and + the Jew, as in a frenzy, besought them not to tear the house down about + his ears. +</p> +<p> + Our hero could hardly tell what followed, only that all of a sudden + there was a prodigious uproar of combat. Knives flashed everywhere, and + then a pistol was fired so close to his head that he stood like one + stunned, hearing some one crying out in a loud voice, but not knowing + whether it was a friend or a foe who had been shot. Then another + pistol-shot so deafened what was left of Master Harry's hearing that + his ears rang for above an hour afterwards. By this time the whole + place was full of gunpowder smoke, and there was the sound of blows and + oaths and outcrying and the clashing of knives. +</p> +<p> + As Master Harry, who had no great stomach for such a combat, and no + very particular interest in the quarrel, was making for the door, a + little Portuguese, as withered and as nimble as an ape, came ducking + under the table and plunged at his stomach with a great long knife, + which, had it effected its object, would surely have ended his + adventures then and there. +</p> +<p> + Finding himself in such danger, Master Harry snatched up a heavy chair, + and, flinging it at his enemy, who was preparing for another attack, he + fairly ran for it out of the door, expecting every instant to feel the + thrust of the blade betwixt his ribs. +</p> +<p> + A considerable crowd had gathered outside, and others, hearing the + uproar, were coming running to join them. With these our hero stood, + trembling like a leaf, and with cold chills running up and down his + back like water at the narrow escape from the danger that had + threatened him. +</p> +<p> + Nor shall you think him a coward, for you must remember he was hardly + sixteen years old at the time, and that this was the first affair of + the sort he had encountered. Afterwards, as you shall learn, he showed + that he could exhibit courage enough at a pinch. +</p> +<p> + While he stood there endeavoring to recover his composure, the while + the tumult continued within, suddenly two men came running almost + together out of the door, a crowd of the combatants at their heels. The + first of these men was Captain Sylvia; the other, who was pursuing him, + was Captain Morgan. +</p> +<p> + As the crowd about the door parted before the sudden appearing of + these, the Spanish captain, perceiving, as he supposed, a way of escape + opened to him, darted across the street with incredible swiftness + towards an alleyway upon the other side. Upon this, seeing his prey + like to get away from him, Captain Morgan snatched a pistol out of his + sling, and resting it for an instant across his arm, fired at the + flying Spaniard, and that with so true an aim that, though the street + was now full of people, the other went tumbling over and over all of a + heap in the kennel, where he lay, after a twitch or two, as still as a + log. +</p> +<p> + At the sound of the shot and the fall of the man the crowd scattered + upon all sides, yelling and screaming, and the street being thus pretty + clear, Captain Morgan ran across the way to where his victim lay, his + smoking pistol still in his hand, and our hero following close at his + heels. +</p> +<p> + Our poor Harry had never before beheld a man killed thus in an instant + who a moment before had been so full of life and activity, for when + Captain Morgan turned the body over upon its back he could perceive at + a glance, little as he knew of such matters, that the man was stone + dead. And, indeed, it was a dreadful sight for him who was hardly more + than a child. He stood rooted for he knew not how long, staring down at + the dead face with twitching fingers and shuddering limbs. Meantime a + great crowd was gathering about them again. +</p> +<p> + As for Captain Morgan, he went about his work with the utmost coolness + and deliberation imaginable, unbuttoning the waistcoat and the shirt of + the man he had murdered with fingers that neither twitched nor shook. + There were a gold cross and a bunch of silver medals hung by a + whip-cord about the neck of the dead man. This Captain Morgan broke away + with a snap, reaching the jingling baubles to Harry, who took them in + his nerveless hand and fingers that he could hardly close upon what + they held. +</p> +<p> + The papers Captain Morgan found in a wallet in an inner breast-pocket + of the Spaniard's waistcoat. These he examined one by one, and finding + them to his satisfaction, tied them up again, and slipped the wallet + and its contents into his own pocket. +</p> +<p> + Then for the first time he appeared to observe Master Harry, who, + indeed, must have been standing the perfect picture of horror and + dismay. Whereupon, bursting out a-laughing, and slipping the pistol he + had used back into its sling again, he fetched poor Harry a great slap + upon the back, bidding him be a man, for that he would see many such + sights as this. +</p> +<p> + But, indeed, it was no laughing matter for poor Master Harry, for it + was many a day before his imagination could rid itself of the image of + the dead Spaniard's face; and as he walked away down the street with + his companions, leaving the crowd behind them, and the dead body where + it lay for its friends to look after, his ears humming and ringing from + the deafening noise of the pistol-shots fired in the close room, and + the sweat trickling down his face in drops, he knew not whether all + that had passed had been real, or whether it was a dream from which he + might presently awaken. +</p> +<center> + IV +</center> +<p> + The papers Captain Morgan had thus seized upon as the fruit of the + murder he had committed must have been as perfectly satisfactory to him + as could be, for having paid a second visit that evening to Governor + Modiford, the pirate lifted anchor the next morning and made sail + towards the Gulf of Darien. There, after cruising about in those waters + for about a fortnight without falling in with a vessel of any sort, at + the end of that time they overhauled a caravel bound from Puerto Bello + to Cartagena, which vessel they took, and finding her loaded with + nothing better than raw hides, scuttled and sunk her, being then about + twenty leagues from the main of Cartagena. From the captain of this + vessel they learned that the plate fleet was then lying in the harbor + of Puerto Bello, not yet having set sail thence, but waiting for the + change of the winds before embarking for Spain. Besides this, which was + a good deal more to their purpose, the Spaniards told the pirates that + the Sieur Simon, his wife, and daughter were confined aboard the + vice-admiral of that fleet, and that the name of the vice-admiral was the + <i>Santa Maria y Valladolid</i>. +</p> +<p> + So soon as Captain Morgan had obtained the information he desired he + directed his course straight for the Bay of Santo Blaso, where he might + lie safely within the cape of that name without any danger of discovery + (that part of the main-land being entirely uninhabited) and yet be + within twenty or twenty-five leagues of Puerto Bello. +</p> +<p> + Having come safely to this anchorage, he at once declared his + intentions to his companions, which were as follows: +</p> +<p> + That it was entirely impossible for them to hope to sail their vessel + into the harbor of Puerto Bello, and to attack the Spanish vice-admiral + where he lay in the midst of the armed flota; wherefore, if anything + was to be accomplished, it must be undertaken by some subtle design + rather than by open-handed boldness. Having so prefaced what he had to + say, he now declared that it was his purpose to take one of the ship's + boats and to go in that to Puerto Bello, trusting for some opportunity + to occur to aid him either in the accomplishment of his aims or in the + gaining of some further information. Having thus delivered himself, he + invited any who dared to do so to volunteer for the expedition, telling + them plainly that he would constrain no man to go against his will, for + that at best it was a desperate enterprise, possessing only the + recommendation that in its achievement the few who undertook it would + gain great renown, and perhaps a very considerable booty. +</p> +<p> + And such was the incredible influence of this bold man over his + companions, and such was their confidence in his skill and cunning, + that not above a dozen of all those aboard hung back from the + undertaking, but nearly every man desired to be taken. +</p> +<p> + Of these volunteers Captain Morgan chose twenty—among others our + Master Harry—and having arranged with his lieutenant that if nothing + was heard from the expedition at the end of three days he should sail + for Jamaica to await news, he embarked upon that enterprise, which, + though never heretofore published, was perhaps the boldest and the most + desperate of all those that have since made his name so famous. For + what could be a more unparalleled undertaking than for a little open + boat, containing but twenty men, to enter the harbor of the third + strongest fortress of the Spanish mainland with the intention of + cutting out the Spanish vice-admiral from the midst of a whole fleet of + powerfully armed vessels, and how many men in all the world do you + suppose would venture such a thing? +</p> +<p> + But there is this to be said of that great buccaneer: that if he + undertook enterprises so desperate as this, he yet laid his plans so + well that they never went altogether amiss. Moreover, the very + desperation of his successes was of such a nature that no man could + suspect that he would dare to undertake such things, and accordingly + his enemies were never prepared to guard against his attacks. Aye, had + he but worn the King's colors and served under the rules of honest war, + he might have become as great and as renowned as Admiral Blake himself! +</p> +<p> + But all that is neither here nor there; what I have to tell you now is + that Captain Morgan in this open boat with his twenty mates reached the + Cape of Salmedina towards the fall of day. Arriving within view of the + harbor they discovered the plate fleet at anchor, with two men-of-war + and an armed galley riding as a guard at the mouth of the harbor, + scarce half a league distant from the other ships. Having spied the + fleet in this posture, the pirates presently pulled down their sails + and rowed along the coast, feigning to be a Spanish vessel from Nombre + de Dios. So hugging the shore, they came boldly within the harbor, upon + the opposite side of which you might see the fortress a considerable + distance away. +</p> +<p> + Being now come so near to the consummation of their adventure, Captain + Morgan required every man to make an oath to stand by him to the last, + whereunto our hero swore as heartily as any man aboard, although his + heart, I must needs confess, was beating at a great rate at the + approach of what was to happen. Having thus received the oaths of all + his followers, Captain Morgan commanded the surgeon of the expedition + that, when the order was given, he, the medico, was to bore six holes + in the boat, so that, it sinking under them, they might all be + compelled to push forward, with no chance of retreat. And such was the + ascendency of this man over his followers, and such was their awe of + him, that not one of them uttered even so much as a murmur, though what + he had commanded the surgeon to do pledged them either to victory or to + death, with no chance to choose between. Nor did the surgeon question + the orders he had received, much less did he dream of disobeying them. +</p> +<p> + By now it had fallen pretty dusk, whereupon, spying two fishermen in a + canoe at a little distance, Captain Morgan demanded of them in Spanish + which vessel of those at anchor in the harbor was the vice-admiral, for + that he had despatches for the captain thereof. Whereupon the + fishermen, suspecting nothing, pointed to them a galleon of great size + riding at anchor not half a league distant. +</p> +<p> + Towards this vessel accordingly the pirates directed their course, and + when they had come pretty nigh, Captain Morgan called upon the surgeon + that now it was time for him to perform the duty that had been laid + upon him. Whereupon the other did as he was ordered, and that so + thoroughly that the water presently came gushing into the boat in great + streams, whereat all hands pulled for the galleon as though every next + moment was to be their last. +</p> +<p> + And what do you suppose were our hero's emotions at this time? Like all + in the boat, his awe of Captain Morgan was so great that I do believe + he would rather have gone to the bottom than have questioned his + command, even when it was to scuttle the boat. Nevertheless, when he + felt the cold water gushing about his feet (for he had taken off his + shoes and stockings) he became possessed with such a fear of being + drowned that even the Spanish galleon had no terrors for him if he + could only feel the solid planks thereof beneath his feet. +</p> +<p> + Indeed, all the crew appeared to be possessed of a like dismay, for + they pulled at the oars with such an incredible force that they were + under the quarter of the galleon before the boat was half filled with + water. +</p> +<p> + Here, as they approached, it then being pretty dark and the moon not + yet having risen, the watch upon the deck hailed them, whereupon + Captain Morgan called out in Spanish that he was Captain Alvarez + Mendazo, and that he brought despatches for the vice-admiral. +</p> +<p> + But at that moment, the boat being now so full of water as to be + logged, it suddenly tilted upon one side as though to sink beneath + them, whereupon all hands, without further orders, went scrambling up + the side, as nimble as so many monkeys, each armed with a pistol in one + hand and a cutlass in the other, and so were upon deck before the watch + could collect his wits to utter any outcry or to give any other alarm + than to cry out, "Jesu bless us! who are these?" at which words + somebody knocked him down with the butt of a pistol, though who it was + our hero could not tell in the darkness and the hurry. +</p> +<p> + Before any of those upon deck could recover from their alarm or those + from below come up upon deck, a part of the pirates, under the + carpenter and the surgeon, had run to the gunroom and had taken + possession of the arms, while Captain Morgan, with Master Harry and a + Portuguese called Murillo Braziliano, had flown with the speed of the + wind into the great cabin. +</p> +<p> + Here they found the captain of the vice-admiral playing at cards with + the Sieur Simon and a friend, Madam Simon and her daughter being + present. +</p> +<p> + Captain Morgan instantly set his pistol at the breast of the Spanish + captain, swearing with a most horrible fierce countenance that if he + spake a word or made any outcry he was a dead man. As for our hero, + having now got his hand into the game, he performed the same service + for the Spaniard's friend, declaring he would shoot him dead if he + opened his lips or lifted so much as a single finger. +</p> +<p> + All this while the ladies, not comprehending what had occurred, had sat + as mute as stones; but now having so far recovered themselves as to + find a voice, the younger of the two fell to screaming, at which the + Sieur Simon called out to her to be still, for these were friends who + had come to help them, and not enemies who had come to harm them. +</p> +<p> + All this, you are to understand, occupied only a little while, for in + less than a minute three or four of the pirates had come into the + cabin, who, together with the Portuguese, proceeded at once to bind the + two Spaniards hand and foot, and to gag them. This being done to our + buccaneer's satisfaction, and the Spanish captain being stretched out + in the corner of the cabin, he instantly cleared his countenance of its + terrors, and bursting forth into a great loud laugh, clapped his hand + to the Sieur Simon's, which he wrung with the best will in the world. + Having done this, and being in a fine humor after this his first + success, he turned to the two ladies. "And this, ladies," said he, + taking our hero by the hand and presenting him, "is a young gentleman + who has embarked with me to learn the trade of piracy. I recommend him + to your politeness." +</p> +<p> + Think what a confusion this threw our Master Harry into, to be sure, + who at his best was never easy in the company of strange ladies! You + may suppose what must have been his emotions to find himself thus + introduced to the attention of Madam Simon and her daughter, being at + the time in his bare feet, clad only in his shirt and breeches, and + with no hat upon his head, a pistol in one hand and a cutlass in the + other. However, he was not left for long to his embarrassments, for + almost immediately after he had thus far relaxed, Captain Morgan fell + of a sudden serious again, and bidding the Sieur Simon to get his + ladies away into some place of safety, for the most hazardous part of + this adventure was yet to occur, he quitted the cabin with Master Harry + and the other pirates (for you may call him a pirate now) at his heels. +</p> +<p> + Having come upon deck, our hero beheld that a part of the Spanish crew + were huddled forward in a flock like so many sheep (the others being + crowded below with the hatches fastened upon them), and such was the + terror of the pirates, and so dreadful the name of Henry Morgan, that + not one of those poor wretches dared to lift up his voice to give any + alarm, nor even to attempt an escape by jumping overboard. +</p> +<p> + At Captain Morgan's orders, these men, together with certain of his own + company, ran nimbly aloft and began setting the sails, which, the night + now having fallen pretty thick, was not for a good while observed by + any of the vessels riding at anchor about them. +</p> +<p> + Indeed, the pirates might have made good their escape, with at most + only a shot or two from the men-of-war, had it not then been about the + full of the moon, which, having arisen, presently discovered to those + of the fleet that lay closest about them what was being done aboard the + vice-admiral. +</p> +<p> + At this one of the vessels hailed them, and then after a while, having + no reply, hailed them again. Even then the Spaniards might not + immediately have suspected anything was amiss but only that the + vice-admiral for some reason best known to himself was shifting his + anchorage, had not one of the Spaniards aloft—but who it was Captain + Morgan was never able to discover—answered the hail by crying out that + the vice-admiral had been seized by the pirates. +</p> +<p> + At this the alarm was instantly given and the mischief done, for + presently there was a tremendous bustle through that part of the fleet + lying nighest the vice-admiral—a deal of shouting of orders, a beating + of drums, and the running hither and thither of the crews. +</p> +<p> + But by this time the sails of the vice-admiral had filled with a strong + land breeze that was blowing up the harbor, whereupon the carpenter, at + Captain Morgan's orders, having cut away both anchors, the galleon + presently bore away up the harbor, gathering headway every moment with + the wind nearly dead astern. The nearest vessel was the only one that + for the moment was able to offer any hinderance. This ship, having by + this time cleared away one of its guns, was able to fire a parting shot + against the vice-admiral, striking her somewhere forward, as our hero + could see by a great shower of splinters that flew up in the moonlight. +</p> +<p> + At the sound of the shot all the vessels of the flota not yet disturbed + by the alarm were aroused at once, so that the pirates had the + satisfaction of knowing that they would have to run the gantlet of all + the ships between them and the open sea before they could reckon + themselves escaped. +</p> +<p> + And, indeed, to our hero's mind it seemed that the battle which + followed must have been the most terrific cannonade that was ever heard + in the world. It was not so ill at first, for it was some while before + the Spaniards could get their guns clear for action, they being not the + least in the world prepared for such an occasion as this. But by-and-by + first one and then another ship opened fire upon the galleon, until it + seemed to our hero that all the thunders of heaven let loose upon them + could not have created a more prodigious uproar, and that it was not + possible that they could any of them escape destruction. +</p> +<p> + By now the moon had risen full and round, so that the clouds of smoke + that rose in the air appeared as white as snow. The air seemed full of + the hiss and screaming of shot, each one of which, when it struck the + galleon, was magnified by our hero's imagination into ten times its + magnitude from the crash which it delivered and from the cloud of + splinters it would cast up into the moonlight. At last he suddenly + beheld one poor man knocked sprawling across the deck, who, as he + raised his arm from behind the mast, disclosed that the hand was gone + from it, and that the shirt-sleeve was red with blood in the moonlight. + At this sight all the strength fell away from poor Harry, and he felt + sure that a like fate or even a worse must be in store for him. +</p> +<p> + But, after all, this was nothing to what it might have been in broad + daylight, for what with the darkness of night, and the little + preparation the Spaniards could make for such a business, and the + extreme haste with which they discharged their guns (many not + understanding what was the occasion of all this uproar), nearly all the + shot flew so wide of the mark that not above one in twenty struck that + at which it was aimed. +</p> +<p> + Meantime Captain Morgan, with the Sieur Simon, who had followed him + upon deck, stood just above where our hero lay behind the shelter of + the bulwark. The captain had lit a pipe of tobacco, and he stood now in + the bright moonlight close to the rail, with his hands behind him, + looking out ahead with the utmost coolness imaginable, and paying no + more attention to the din of battle than though it were twenty leagues + away. Now and then he would take his pipe from his lips to utter an + order to the man at the wheel. Excepting this he stood there hardly + moving at all, the wind blowing his long red hair over his shoulders. +</p> +<p> + Had it not been for the armed galley the pirates might have got the + galleon away with no great harm done in spite of all this cannonading, + for the man-of-war which rode at anchor nighest to them at the mouth of + the harbor was still so far away that they might have passed it by + hugging pretty close to the shore, and that without any great harm + being done to them in the darkness. But just at this moment, when the + open water lay in sight, came this galley pulling out from behind the + point of the shore in such a manner as either to head our pirates off + entirely or else to compel them to approach so near to the man-of-war + that that latter vessel could bring its guns to bear with more effect. +</p> +<p> + This galley, I must tell you, was like others of its kind such as you + may find in these waters, the hull being long and cut low to the water + so as to allow the oars to dip freely. The bow was sharp and projected + far out ahead, mounting a swivel upon it, while at the stern a number + of galleries built one above another into a castle gave shelter to + several companies of musketeers as well as the officers commanding + them. +</p> +<p> + Our hero could behold the approach of this galley from above the + starboard bulwarks, and it appeared to him impossible for them to hope + to escape either it or the man-of-war. But still Captain Morgan + maintained the same composure that he had exhibited all the while, only + now and then delivering an order to the man at the wheel, who, putting + the helm over, threw the bows of the galleon around more to the + larboard, as though to escape the bow of the galley and get into the + open water beyond. This course brought the pirates ever closer and + closer to the man-of-war, which now began to add its thunder to the din + of the battle, and with so much more effect that at every discharge you + might hear the crashing and crackling of splintered wood, and now and + then the outcry or groaning of some man who was hurt. Indeed, had it + been daylight, they must at this juncture all have perished, though, as + was said, what with the night and the confusion and the hurry, they + escaped entire destruction, though more by a miracle than through any + policy upon their own part. +</p> +<p> + Meantime the galley, steering as though to come aboard of them, had now + come so near that it, too, presently began to open its musketry fire + upon them, so that the humming and rattling of bullets were presently + added to the din of cannonading. +</p> +<p> + In two minutes more it would have been aboard of them, when in a moment + Captain Morgan roared out of a sudden to the man at the helm to put it + hard a starboard. In response the man ran the wheel over with the + utmost quickness, and the galleon, obeying her helm very readily, came + around upon a course which, if continued, would certainly bring them + into collision with their enemy. +</p> +<p> + It is possible at first the Spaniards imagined the pirates intended to + escape past their stern, for they instantly began backing oars to keep + them from getting past, so that the water was all of a foam about them; + at the same time they did this they poured in such a fire of musketry + that it was a miracle that no more execution was accomplished than + happened. +</p> +<p> + As for our hero, methinks for the moment he forgot all about everything + else than as to whether or no his captain's manoeuvre would succeed, + for in the very first moment he divined, as by some instinct, what + Captain Morgan purposed doing. +</p> +<p> + At this moment, so particular in the execution of this nice design, a + bullet suddenly struck down the man at the wheel. Hearing the sharp + outcry, our Harry turned to see him fall forward, and then to his hands + and knees upon the deck, the blood running in a black pool beneath him, + while the wheel, escaping from his hands, spun over until the spokes + were all of a mist. +</p> +<p> + In a moment the ship would have fallen off before the wind had not our + hero, leaping to the wheel (even as Captain Morgan shouted an order for + some one to do so), seized the flying spokes, whirling them back again, + and so bringing the bow of the galleon up to its former course. +</p> +<a name="image-2"><!--IMG--></a> +<center> +<img src="002.jpg" height="638" width="944" +alt="'our Hero, Leaping to the Wheel, Seized The Flying +Spokes' +"> +</center> +<!--IMAGE END--> +<p> + In the first moment of this effort he had reckoned of nothing but of + carrying out his captain's designs. He neither thought of cannon-balls + nor of bullets. But now that his task was accomplished, he came + suddenly back to himself to find the galleries of the galleon aflame + with musket-shots, and to become aware with a most horrible sinking of + the spirits that all the shots therefrom were intended for him. He cast + his eyes about him with despair, but no one came to ease him of his + task, which, having undertaken, he had too much spirit to resign from + carrying through to the end, though he was well aware that the very + next instant might mean his sudden and violent death. His ears hummed + and rang, and his brain swam as light as a feather. I know not whether + he breathed, but he shut his eyes tight as though that might save him + from the bullets that were raining about him. +</p> +<p> + At this moment the Spaniards must have discovered for the first time + the pirates' design, for of a sudden they ceased firing, and began to + shout out a multitude of orders, while the oars lashed the water all + about with a foam. But it was too late then for them to escape, for + within a couple of seconds the galleon struck her enemy a blow so + violent upon the larboard quarter as nearly to hurl our Harry upon the + deck, and then with a dreadful, horrible crackling of wood, commingled + with a yelling of men's voices, the galley was swung around upon her + side, and the galleon, sailing into the open sea, left nothing of her + immediate enemy but a sinking wreck, and the water dotted all over with + bobbing heads and waving hands in the moonlight. +</p> +<p> + And now, indeed, that all danger was past and gone, there were plenty + to come running to help our hero at the wheel. As for Captain Morgan, + having come down upon the main-deck, he fetches the young helmsman a + clap upon the back. "Well, Master Harry," says he, "and did I not tell + you I would make a man of you?" Whereat our poor Harry fell a-laughing, + but with a sad catch in his voice, for his hands trembled as with an + ague, and were as cold as ice. As for his emotions, God knows he was + nearer crying than laughing, if Captain Morgan had but known it. +</p> +<p> + Nevertheless, though undertaken under the spur of the moment, I protest + it was indeed a brave deed, and I cannot but wonder how many young + gentlemen of sixteen there are to-day who, upon a like occasion, would + act as well as our Harry. +</p> +<center> + V +</center> +<p> + The balance of our hero's adventures were of a lighter sort than those + already recounted, for the next morning, the Spanish captain (a very + polite and well-bred gentleman) having fitted him out with a suit of + his own clothes, Master Harry was presented in a proper form to the + ladies. For Captain Morgan, if he had felt a liking for the young man + before, could not now show sufficient regard for him. He ate in the + great cabin and was petted by all. Madam Simon, who was a fat and + red-faced lady, was forever praising him, and the young miss, who was + extremely well-looking, was as continually making eyes at him. +</p> +<p> + She and Master Harry, I must tell you, would spend hours together, she + making pretence of teaching him French, although he was so possessed + with a passion of love that he was nigh suffocated with it. She, upon + her part, perceiving his emotions, responded with extreme good-nature + and complacency, so that had our hero been older, and the voyage proved + longer, he might have become entirely enmeshed in the toils of his fair + siren. For all this while, you are to understand, the pirates were + making sail straight for Jamaica, which they reached upon the third day + in perfect safety. +</p> +<a name="image-3"><!--IMG--></a> +<center> +<img src="003.jpg" height="944" width="637" +alt="'she and Master Harry Would Spend Hours Together' +"> +</center> +<!--IMAGE END--> +<p> + In that time, however, the pirates had well-nigh gone crazy for joy; + for when they came to examine their purchase they discovered her cargo + to consist of plate to the prodigious sum of £130,000 in value. 'Twas a + wonder they did not all make themselves drunk for joy. No doubt they + would have done so had not Captain Morgan, knowing they were still in + the exact track of the Spanish fleets, threatened them that the first + man among them who touched a drop of rum without his permission he + would shoot him dead upon the deck. This threat had such effect that + they all remained entirely sober until they had reached Port Royal + Harbor, which they did about nine o'clock in the morning. +</p> +<p> + And now it was that our hero's romance came all tumbling down about his + ears with a run. For they had hardly come to anchor in the harbor when + a boat came from a man-of-war, and who should come stepping aboard but + Lieutenant Grantley (a particular friend of our hero's father) and his + own eldest brother Thomas, who, putting on a very stern face, informed + Master Harry that he was a desperate and hardened villain who was sure + to end at the gallows, and that he was to go immediately back to his + home again. He told our embryo pirate that his family had nigh gone + distracted because of his wicked and ungrateful conduct. Nor could our + hero move him from his inflexible purpose. "What," says our Harry, "and + will you not then let me wait until our prize is divided and I get my + share?" +</p> +<p> + "Prize, indeed!" says his brother. "And do you then really think that + your father would consent to your having a share in this terrible + bloody and murthering business?" +</p> +<p> + And so, after a good deal of argument, our hero was constrained to go; + nor did he even have an opportunity to bid adieu to his inamorata. Nor + did he see her any more, except from a distance, she standing on the + poop-deck as he was rowed away from her, her face all stained with + crying. For himself, he felt that there was no more joy in life; + nevertheless, standing up in the stern of the boat, he made shift, + though with an aching heart, to deliver her a fine bow with the hat he + had borrowed from the Spanish captain, before his brother bade him sit + down again. +</p> +<p> + And so to the ending of this story, with only this to relate, that our + Master Harry, so far from going to the gallows, became in good time a + respectable and wealthy sugar merchant with an English wife and a fine + family of children, whereunto, when the mood was upon him, he has + sometimes told these adventures (and sundry others not here recounted) + as I have told them unto you. +</p> +<a name="2H_4_3"><!-- H2 anchor --></a> +<p> </p> +<p> </p> +<p> </p> +<p> </p> +<h2> + II. TOM CHIST AND THE TREASURE-BOX +</h2> +<p> + <i>An Old-time Story of the Days of Captain Kidd.</i> +</p> +<p> + To tell about Tom Chist, and how he got his name, and how he came to be + living at the little settlement of Henlopen, just inside the mouth of + the Delaware Bay, the story must begin as far back as 1686, when a + great storm swept the Atlantic coast from end to end. During the + heaviest part of the hurricane a bark went ashore on the + Hen-and-Chicken Shoals, just below Cape Henlopen and at the mouth of the + Delaware Bay, and Tom Chist was the only soul of all those on board the + ill-fated vessel who escaped alive. +</p> +<p> + This story must first be told, because it was on account of the strange + and miraculous escape that happened to him at that time that he gained + the name that was given to him. +</p> +<p> + Even as late as that time of the American colonies, the little + scattered settlement at Henlopen, made up of English, with a few Dutch + and Swedish people, was still only a spot upon the face of the great + American wilderness that spread away, with swamp and forest, no man + knew how far to the westward. That wilderness was not only full of wild + beasts, but of Indian savages, who every fall would come in wandering + tribes to spend the winter along the shores of the fresh-water lakes + below Henlopen. There for four or five months they would live upon fish + and clams and wild ducks and geese, chipping their arrow-heads, and + making their earthenware pots and pans under the lee of the sand-hills + and pine woods below the Capes. +</p> +<p> + Sometimes on Sundays, when the Rev. Hillary Jones would be preaching in + the little log church back in the woods, these half-clad red savages + would come in from the cold, and sit squatting in the back part of the + church, listening stolidly to the words that had no meaning for them. +</p> +<p> + But about the wreck of the bark in 1686. Such a wreck as that which + then went ashore on the Hen-and-Chicken Shoals was a godsend to the + poor and needy settlers in the wilderness where so few good things ever + came. For the vessel went to pieces during the night, and the next + morning the beach was strewn with wreckage—boxes and barrels, chests + and spars, timbers and planks, a plentiful and bountiful harvest to be + gathered up by the settlers as they chose, with no one to forbid or + prevent them. +</p> +<p> + The name of the bark, as found painted on some of the water-barrels and + sea-chests, was the <i>Bristol Merchant</i>, and she no doubt hailed from + England. +</p> +<p> + As was said, the only soul who escaped alive off the wreck was Tom + Chist. +</p> +<p> + A settler, a fisherman named Matt Abrahamson, and his daughter Molly, + found Tom. He was washed up on the beach among the wreckage, in a great + wooden box which had been securely tied around with a rope and lashed + between two spars—apparently for better protection in beating through + the surf. Matt Abrahamson thought he had found something of more than + usual value when he came upon this chest; but when he cut the cords and + broke open the box with his broadaxe, he could not have been more + astonished had he beheld a salamander instead of a baby of nine or ten + months old lying half smothered in the blankets that covered the bottom + of the chest. +</p> +<p> + Matt Abrahamson's daughter Molly had had a baby who had died a month or + so before. So when she saw the little one lying there in the bottom of + the chest, she cried out in a great loud voice that the Good Man had + sent her another baby in place of her own. +</p> +<p> + The rain was driving before the hurricane-storm in dim, slanting + sheets, and so she wrapped up the baby in the man's coat she wore and + ran off home without waiting to gather up any more of the wreckage. +</p> +<p> + It was Parson Jones who gave the foundling his name. When the news came + to his ears of what Matt Abrahamson had found, he went over to the + fisherman's cabin to see the child. He examined the clothes in which + the baby was dressed. They were of fine linen and handsomely stitched, + and the reverend gentleman opined that the foundling's parents must + have been of quality. A kerchief had been wrapped around the baby's + neck and under its arms and tied behind, and in the corner, marked with + very fine needlework, were the initials T.C. +</p> +<p> + "What d'ye call him, Molly?" said Parson Jones. He was standing, as he + spoke, with his back to the fire, warming his palms before the blaze. + The pocket of the great-coat he wore bulged out with a big case-bottle + of spirits which he had gathered up out of the wreck that afternoon. + "What d'ye call him, Molly?" +</p> +<p> + "I'll call him Tom, after my own baby." +</p> +<p> + "That goes very well with the initial on the kerchief," said Parson + Jones. "But what other name d'ye give him? Let it be something to go + with the C." +</p> +<p> + "I don't know," said Molly. +</p> +<p> + "Why not call him 'Chist,' since he was born in a chist out of the sea? + 'Tom Chist'—the name goes off like a flash in the pan." And so "Tom + Chist" he was called and "Tom Chist" he was christened. +</p> +<p> + So much for the beginning of the history of Tom Chist. The story of + Captain Kidd's treasure-box does not begin until the late spring of +</p> +<center> + 1699. +</center> +<p> + That was the year that the famous pirate captain, coming up from the + West Indies, sailed his sloop into the Delaware Bay, where he lay for + over a month waiting for news from his friends in New York. +</p> +<p> + For he had sent word to that town asking if the coast was clear for him + to return home with the rich prize he had brought from the Indian seas + and the coast of Africa, and meantime he lay there in the Delaware Bay + waiting for a reply. Before he left he turned the whole of Tom Chist's + life topsy-turvy with something that he brought ashore. +</p> +<p> + By that time Tom Chist had grown into a strong-limbed, thick-jointed + boy of fourteen or fifteen years of age. It was a miserable dog's life + he lived with old Matt Abrahamson, for the old fisherman was in his + cups more than half the time, and when he was so there was hardly a day + passed that he did not give Tom a curse or a buffet or, as like as not, + an actual beating. One would have thought that such treatment would + have broken the spirit of the poor little foundling, but it had just + the opposite effect upon Tom Chist, who was one of your stubborn, + sturdy, stiff-willed fellows who only grow harder and more tough the + more they are ill-treated. It had been a long time now since he had + made any outcry or complaint at the hard usage he suffered from old + Matt. At such times he would shut his teeth and bear whatever came to + him, until sometimes the half-drunken old man would be driven almost + mad by his stubborn silence. Maybe he would stop in the midst of the + beating he was administering, and, grinding his teeth, would cry out: + "Won't ye say naught? Won't ye say naught? Well, then, I'll see if I + can't make ye say naught." When things had reached such a pass as this + Molly would generally interfere to protect her foster-son, and then she + and Tom would together fight the old man until they had wrenched the + stick or the strap out of his hand. Then old Matt would chase them + out-of-doors and around and around the house for maybe half an hour until + his anger was cool, when he would go back again, and for a time the + storm would be over. +</p> +<p> + Besides his foster-mother, Tom Chist had a very good friend in Parson + Jones, who used to come over every now and then to Abrahamson's hut + upon the chance of getting a half-dozen fish for breakfast. He always + had a kind word or two for Tom, who during the winter evenings would go + over to the good man's house to learn his letters, and to read and + write and cipher a little, so that by now he was able to spell the + words out of the Bible and the almanac, and knew enough to change + tuppence into four ha'pennies. +</p> +<p> + This is the sort of boy Tom Chist was, and this is the sort of life he + led. +</p> +<p> + In the late spring or early summer of 1699 Captain Kidd's sloop sailed + into the mouth of the Delaware Bay and changed the whole fortune of his + life. +</p> +<p> + And this is how you come to the story of Captain Kidd's treasure-box. +</p> +<center> + II +</center> +<p> + Old Matt Abrahamson kept the flat-bottomed boat in which he went + fishing some distance down the shore, and in the neighborhood of the + old wreck that had been sunk on the Shoals. This was the usual + fishing-ground of the settlers, and here Old Matt's boat generally lay + drawn up on the sand. +</p> +<p> + There had been a thunder-storm that afternoon, and Tom had gone down + the beach to bale out the boat in readiness for the morning's fishing. +</p> +<p> + It was full moonlight now, as he was returning, and the night sky was + full of floating clouds. Now and then there was a dull flash to the + westward, and once a muttering growl of thunder, promising another + storm to come. +</p> +<p> + All that day the pirate sloop had been lying just off the shore back of + the Capes, and now Tom Chist could see the sails glimmering pallidly in + the moonlight, spread for drying after the storm. He was walking up the + shore homeward when he became aware that at some distance ahead of him + there was a ship's boat drawn up on the little narrow beach, and a + group of men clustered about it. He hurried forward with a good deal of + curiosity to see who had landed, but it was not until he had come close + to them that he could distinguish who and what they were. Then he knew + that it must be a party who had come off the pirate sloop. They had + evidently just landed, and two men were lifting out a chest from the + boat. One of them was a negro, naked to the waist, and the other was a + white man in his shirt-sleeves, wearing petticoat breeches, a Monterey + cap upon his head, a red bandanna handkerchief around his neck, and + gold ear-rings in his ears. He had a long, plaited queue hanging down + his back, and a great sheath-knife dangling from his side. Another man, + evidently the captain of the party, stood at a little distance as they + lifted the chest out of the boat. He had a cane in one hand and a + lighted lantern in the other, although the moon was shining as bright + as day. He wore jack-boots and a handsome laced coat, and he had a + long, drooping mustache that curled down below his chin. He wore a + fine, feathered hat, and his long black hair hung down upon his + shoulders. +</p> +<p> + All this Tom Chist could see in the moonlight that glinted and twinkled + upon the gilt buttons of his coat. +</p> +<p> + They were so busy lifting the chest from the boat that at first they + did not observe that Tom Chist had come up and was standing there. It + was the white man with the long, plaited queue and the gold ear-rings + that spoke to him. "Boy, what do you want here, boy?" he said, in a + rough, hoarse voice. "Where d'ye come from?" And then dropping his end + of the chest, and without giving Tom time to answer, he pointed off + down the beach, and said, "You'd better be going about your own + business, if you know what's good for you; and don't you come back, or + you'll find what you don't want waiting for you." +</p> +<p> + Tom saw in a glance that the pirates were all looking at him, and then, + without saying a word, he turned and walked away. The man who had + spoken to him followed him threateningly for some little distance, as + though to see that he had gone away as he was bidden to do. But + presently he stopped, and Tom hurried on alone, until the boat and the + crew and all were dropped away behind and lost in the moonlight night. + Then he himself stopped also, turned, and looked back whence he had + come. +</p> +<p> + There had been something very strange in the appearance of the men he + had just seen, something very mysterious in their actions, and he + wondered what it all meant, and what they were going to do. He stood + for a little while thus looking and listening. He could see nothing, + and could hear only the sound of distant talking. What were they doing + on the lonely shore thus at night? Then, following a sudden impulse, he + turned and cut off across the sand-hummocks, skirting around inland, + but keeping pretty close to the shore, his object being to spy upon + them, and to watch what they were about from the back of the low + sand-hills that fronted the beach. +</p> +<p> + He had gone along some distance in his circuitous return when he became + aware of the sound of voices that seemed to be drawing closer to him as + he came towards the speakers. He stopped and stood listening, and + instantly, as he stopped, the voices stopped also. He crouched there + silently in the bright, glimmering moonlight, surrounded by the silent + stretches of sand, and the stillness seemed to press upon him like a + heavy hand. Then suddenly the sound of a man's voice began again, and + as Tom listened he could hear some one slowly counting. "Ninety-one," + the voice began, "ninety-two, ninety-three, ninety-four, ninety-five, + ninety-six, ninety-seven, ninety-eight, ninety-nine, one hundred, one + hundred and one"—the slow, monotonous count coming nearer and nearer + to him—"one hundred and two, one hundred and three, one hundred and + four," and so on in its monotonous reckoning. +</p> +<p> + Suddenly he saw three heads appear above the sand-hill, so close to him + that he crouched down quickly with a keen thrill, close beside the + hummock near which he stood. His first fear was that they might have + seen him in the moonlight; but they had not, and his heart rose again + as the counting voice went steadily on. "One hundred and twenty," it + was saying—"and twenty-one, and twenty-two, and twenty-three, and + twenty-four," and then he who was counting came out from behind the + little sandy rise into the white and open level of shimmering + brightness. +</p> +<a name="image-4"><!--IMG--></a> +<center> +<img src="004.jpg" height="944" width="637" +alt="''... And Twenty-one And Twenty-two'' +"> +</center> +<!--IMAGE END--> +<p> + It was the man with the cane whom Tom had seen some time before—the + captain of the party who had landed. He carried his cane under his arm + now, and was holding his lantern close to something that he held in his + hand, and upon which he looked narrowly as he walked with a slow and + measured tread in a perfectly straight line across the sand, counting + each step as he took it. "And twenty-five, and twenty-six, and + twenty-seven, and twenty-eight, and twenty-nine, and thirty." +</p> +<p> + Behind him walked two other figures; one was the half-naked negro, the + other the man with the plaited queue and the ear-rings, whom Tom had + seen lifting the chest out of the boat. Now they were carrying the + heavy box between them, laboring through the sand with shuffling tread + as they bore it onward. +</p> +<p> + As he who was counting pronounced the word "thirty," the two men set + the chest down on the sand with a grunt, the white man panting and + blowing and wiping his sleeve across his forehead. And immediately he + who counted took out a slip of paper and marked something down upon it. + They stood there for a long time, during which Tom lay behind the + sand-hummock watching them, and for a while the silence was uninterrupted. + In the perfect stillness Tom could hear the washing of the little waves + beating upon the distant beach, and once the far-away sound of a laugh + from one of those who stood by the ship's boat. +</p> +<p> + One, two, three minutes passed, and then the men picked up the chest + and started on again; and then again the other man began his counting. + "Thirty and one, and thirty and two, and thirty and three, and thirty + and four"—he walked straight across the level open, still looking + intently at that which he held in his hand—"and thirty and five, and + thirty and six, and thirty and seven," and so on, until the three + figures disappeared in the little hollow between the two sand-hills on + the opposite side of the open, and still Tom could hear the sound of + the counting voice in the distance. +</p> +<p> + Just as they disappeared behind the hill there was a sudden faint flash + of light; and by-and-by, as Tom lay still listening to the counting, he + heard, after a long interval, a far-away muffled rumble of distant + thunder. He waited for a while, and then arose and stepped to the top + of the sand-hummock behind which he had been lying. He looked all about + him, but there was no one else to be seen. Then he stepped down from + the hummock and followed in the direction which the pirate captain and + the two men carrying the chest had gone. He crept along cautiously, + stopping now and then to make sure that he still heard the counting + voice, and when it ceased he lay down upon the sand and waited until it + began again. +</p> +<p> + Presently, so following the pirates, he saw the three figures again in + the distance, and, skirting around back of a hill of sand covered with + coarse sedge-grass, he came to where he overlooked a little open level + space gleaming white in the moonlight. +</p> +<p> + The three had been crossing the level of sand, and were now not more + than twenty-five paces from him. They had again set down the chest, + upon which the white man with the long queue and the gold ear-rings had + seated to rest himself, the negro standing close beside him. The moon + shone as bright as day and full upon his face. It was looking directly + at Tom Chist, every line as keen cut with white lights and black + shadows as though it had been carved in ivory and jet. He sat perfectly + motionless, and Tom drew back with a start, almost thinking he had been + discovered. He lay silent, his heart beating heavily in his throat; but + there was no alarm, and presently he heard the counting begin again, + and when he looked once more he saw they were going away straight + across the little open. A soft, sliding hillock of sand lay directly in + front of them. They did not turn aside, but went straight over it, the + leader helping himself up the sandy slope with his cane, still counting + and still keeping his eyes fixed upon that which he held in his hand. + Then they disappeared again behind the white crest on the other side. +</p> +<p> + So Tom followed them cautiously until they had gone almost half a mile + inland. When next he saw them clearly it was from a little sandy rise + which looked down like the crest of a bowl upon the floor of sand + below. Upon this smooth, white floor the moon beat with almost dazzling + brightness. +</p> +<p> + The white man who had helped to carry the chest was now kneeling, + busied at some work, though what it was Tom at first could not see. He + was whittling the point of a stick into a long wooden peg, and when, + by-and-by, he had finished what he was about, he arose and stepped to + where he who seemed to be the captain had stuck his cane upright into + the ground as though to mark some particular spot. He drew the cane out + of the sand, thrusting the stick down in its stead. Then he drove the + long peg down with a wooden mallet which the negro handed to him. The + sharp rapping of the mallet upon the top of the peg sounded loud in the + perfect stillness, and Tom lay watching and wondering what it all + meant. +</p> +<p> + The man, with quick-repeated blows, drove the peg farther and farther + down into the sand until it showed only two or three inches above the + surface. As he finished his work there was another faint flash of + light, and by-and-by another smothered rumble of thunder, and Tom as he + looked out towards the westward, saw the silver rim of the round and + sharply outlined thundercloud rising slowly up into the sky and pushing + the other and broken drifting clouds before it. +</p> +<p> + The two white men were now stooping over the peg, the negro man + watching them. Then presently the man with the cane started straight + away from the peg, carrying the end of a measuring-line with him, the + other end of which the man with the plaited queue held against the top + of the peg. When the pirate captain had reached the end of the + measuring-line he marked a cross upon the sand, and then again they + measured out another stretch of space. +</p> +<p> + So they measured a distance five times over, and then, from where Tom + lay, he could see the man with the queue drive another peg just at the + foot of a sloping rise of sand that swept up beyond into a tall white + dune marked sharp and clear against the night sky behind. As soon as + the man with the plaited queue had driven the second peg into the + ground they began measuring again, and so, still measuring, disappeared + in another direction which took them in behind the sand-dune, where Tom + no longer could see what they were doing. +</p> +<p> + The negro still sat by the chest where the two had left him, and so + bright was the moonlight that from where he lay Tom could see the glint + of it twinkling in the whites of his eyeballs. +</p> +<p> + Presently from behind the hill there came, for the third time, the + sharp rapping sound of the mallet driving still another peg, and then + after a while the two pirates emerged from behind the sloping whiteness + into the space of moonlight again. +</p> +<p> + They came direct to where the chest lay, and the white man and the + black man lifting it once more, they walked away across the level of + open sand, and so on behind the edge of the hill and out of Tom's + sight. +</p> +<center> + III +</center> +<p> + Tom Chist could no longer see what the pirates were doing, neither did + he dare to cross over the open space of sand that now lay between them + and him. He lay there speculating as to what they were about, and + meantime the storm cloud was rising higher and higher above the + horizon, with louder and louder mutterings of thunder following each + dull flash from out the cloudy, cavernous depths. In the silence he + could hear an occasional click as of some iron implement, and he opined + that the pirates were burying the chest, though just where they were at + work he could neither see nor tell. Still he lay there watching and + listening, and by-and-by a puff of warm air blew across the sand, and a + thumping tumble of louder thunder leaped from out the belly of the + storm cloud, which every minute was coming nearer and nearer. Still Tom + Chist lay watching. +</p> +<p> + Suddenly, almost unexpectedly, the three figures reappeared from behind + the sand-hill, the pirate captain leading the way, and the negro and + white man following close behind him. They had gone about half-way + across the white, sandy level between the hill and the hummock behind + which Tom Chist lay, when the white man stopped and bent over as though + to tie his shoe. +</p> +<p> + This brought the negro a few steps in front of his companion. +</p> +<p> + That which then followed happened so suddenly, so unexpectedly, so + swiftly, that Tom Chist had hardly time to realize what it all meant + before it was over. As the negro passed him the white man arose + suddenly and silently erect, and Tom Chist saw the white moonlight + glint upon the blade of a great dirk-knife which he now held in his + hand. He took one, two silent, catlike steps behind the unsuspecting + negro. Then there was a sweeping flash of the blade in the pallid + light, and a blow, the thump of which Tom could distinctly hear even + from where he lay stretched out upon the sand. There was an instant + echoing yell from the black man, who ran stumbling forward, who + stopped, who regained his footing, and then stood for an instant as + though rooted to the spot. +</p> +<p> + Tom had distinctly seen the knife enter his back, and even thought that + he had seen the glint of the point as it came out from the breast. +</p> +<p> + Meantime the pirate captain had stopped, and now stood with his hand + resting upon his cane looking impassively on. +</p> +<p> + Then the black man started to run. The white man stood for a while + glaring after him; then he too started after his victim upon the run. + The black man was not very far from Tom when he staggered and fell. He + tried to rise, then fell forward again, and lay at length. At that + instant the first edge of the cloud cut across the moon, and there was + a sudden darkness; but in the silence Tom heard the sound of another + blow and a groan, and then presently a voice calling to the pirate + captain that it was all over. +</p> +<p> + He saw the dim form of the captain crossing the level sand, and then, + as the moon sailed out from behind the cloud, he saw the white man + standing over a black figure that lay motionless upon the sand. +</p> +<p> + Then Tom Chist scrambled up and ran away, plunging down into the hollow + of sand that lay in the shadows below. Over the next rise he ran, and + down again into the next black hollow, and so on over the sliding, + shifting ground, panting and gasping. It seemed to him that he could + hear footsteps following, and in the terror that possessed him he + almost expected every instant to feel the cold knife-blade slide + between his own ribs in such a thrust from behind as he had seen given + to the poor black man. +</p> +<p> + So he ran on like one in a nightmare. His feet grew heavy like lead, he + panted and gasped, his breath came hot and dry in his throat. But still + he ran and ran until at last he found himself in front of old Matt + Abrahamson's cabin, gasping, panting, and sobbing for breath, his knees + relaxed and his thighs trembling with weakness. +</p> +<p> + As he opened the door and dashed into the darkened cabin (for both Matt + and Molly were long ago asleep in bed) there was a flash of light, and + even as he slammed to the door behind him there was an instant peal of + thunder, heavy as though a great weight had been dropped upon the roof + of the sky, so that the doors and windows of the cabin rattled. +</p> +<center> + IV +</center> +<p> + Then Tom Chist crept to bed, trembling, shuddering, bathed in sweat, + his heart beating like a trip-hammer, and his brain dizzy from that + long, terror-inspired race through the soft sand in which he had + striven to outstrip he knew not what pursuing horror. +</p> +<p> + For a long, long time he lay awake, trembling and chattering with + nervous chills, and when he did fall asleep it was only to drop into + monstrous dreams in which he once again saw ever enacted, with various + grotesque variations, the tragic drama which his waking eyes had beheld + the night before. +</p> +<p> + Then came the dawning of the broad, wet daylight, and before the rising + of the sun Tom was up and out-of-doors to find the young day dripping + with the rain of overnight. +</p> +<p> + His first act was to climb the nearest sandhill and to gaze out towards + the offing where the pirate ship had been the day before. +</p> +<p> + It was no longer there. +</p> +<p> + Soon afterwards Matt Abrahamson came out of the cabin and he called to + Tom to go get a bite to eat, for it was time for them to be away + fishing. +</p> +<p> + All that morning the recollection of the night before hung over Tom + Chist like a great cloud of boding trouble. It filled the confined area + of the little boat and spread over the entire wide spaces of sky and + sea that surrounded them. Not for a moment was it lifted. Even when he + was hauling in his wet and dripping line with a struggling fish at the + end of it a recurrent memory of what he had seen would suddenly come + upon him, and he would groan in spirit at the recollection. He looked + at Matt Abrahamson's leathery face, at his lantern jaws cavernously and + stolidly chewing at a tobacco leaf, and it seemed monstrous to him that + the old man should be so unconscious of the black cloud that wrapped + them all about. +</p> +<p> + When the boat reached the shore again he leaped scrambling to the + beach, and as soon as his dinner was eaten he hurried away to find the + Dominie Jones. +</p> +<p> + He ran all the way from Abrahamson's hut to the Parson's house, hardly + stopping once, and when he knocked at the door he was panting and + sobbing for breath. +</p> +<p> + The good man was sitting on the back-kitchen door-step smoking his long + pipe of tobacco out into the sunlight, while his wife within was + rattling about among the pans and dishes in preparation of their + supper, of which a strong, porky smell already filled the air. +</p> +<p> + Then Tom Chist told his story, panting, hurrying, tumbling one word + over another in his haste, and Parson Jones listened, breaking every + now and then into an ejaculation of wonder. The light in his pipe went + out and the bowl turned cold. +</p> +<p> + "And I don't see why they should have killed the poor black man," said + Tom, as he finished his narrative. +</p> +<p> + "Why, that is very easy enough to understand," said the good reverend + man. "'Twas a treasure-box they buried!" +</p> +<p> + In his agitation Mr. Jones had risen from his seat and was now stumping + up and down, puffing at his empty tobacco-pipe as though it were still + alight. +</p> +<p> + "A treasure-box!" cried out Tom. +</p> +<p> + "Aye, a treasure-box! And that was why they killed the poor black man. + He was the only one, d'ye see, besides they two who knew the place + where 'twas hid, and now that they've killed him out of the way, + there's nobody but themselves knows. The villains—Tut, tut, look at + that now!" In his excitement the dominie had snapped the stem of his + tobacco-pipe in two. +</p> +<p> + "Why, then," said Tom, "if that is so, 'tis indeed a wicked, bloody + treasure, and fit to bring a curse upon anybody who finds it!" +</p> +<p> + "'Tis more like to bring a curse upon the soul who buried it," said + Parson Jones, "and it may be a blessing to him who finds it. But tell + me, Tom, do you think you could find the place again where 'twas hid?" +</p> +<p> + "I can't tell that," said Tom, "'twas all in among the sand-humps, d'ye + see, and it was at night into the bargain. Maybe we could find the + marks of their feet in the sand," he added. +</p> +<p> + "'Tis not likely," said the reverend gentleman, "for the storm last + night would have washed all that away." +</p> +<p> + "I could find the place," said Tom, "where the boat was drawn up on the + beach." +</p> +<p> + "Why, then, that's something to start from, Tom," said his friend. "If + we can find that, then maybe we can find whither they went from there." +</p> +<p> + "If I was certain it was a treasure-box," cried out Tom Chist, "I would + rake over every foot of sand betwixt here and Henlopen to find it." +</p> +<p> + "'Twould be like hunting for a pin in a haystack," said the Rev. Hilary + Jones. +</p> +<p> + As Tom walked away home, it seemed as though a ton's weight of gloom + had been rolled away from his soul. The next day he and Parson Jones + were to go treasure-hunting together; it seemed to Tom as though he + could hardly wait for the time to come. +</p> +<center> + V +</center> +<p> + The next afternoon Parson Jones and Tom Chist started off together upon + the expedition that made Tom's fortune forever. Tom carried a spade + over his shoulder and the reverend gentleman walked along beside him + with his cane. +</p> +<p> + As they jogged along up the beach they talked together about the only + thing they could talk about—the treasure-box. "And how big did you say + 'twas?" quoth the good gentleman. +</p> +<p> + "About so long," said Tom Chist, measuring off upon the spade, "and + about so wide, and this deep." +</p> +<p> + "And what if it should be full of money, Tom?" said the reverend + gentleman, swinging his cane around and around in wide circles in the + excitement of the thought, as he strode along briskly. "Suppose it + should be full of money, what then?" +</p> +<p> + "By Moses!" said Tom Chist, hurrying to keep up with his friend, "I'd + buy a ship for myself, I would, and I'd trade to Injy and to Chiny to + my own boot, I would. Suppose the chist was all full of money, sir, and + suppose we should find it; would there be enough in it, d'ye suppose, + to buy a ship?" +</p> +<p> + "To be sure there would be enough, Tom; enough and to spare, and a good + big lump over." +</p> +<p> + "And if I find it 'tis mine to keep, is it, and no mistake?" +</p> +<p> + "Why, to be sure it would be yours!" cried out the Parson, in a loud + voice. "To be sure it would be yours!" He knew nothing of the law, but + the doubt of the question began at once to ferment in his brain, and he + strode along in silence for a while. "Whose else would it be but yours + if you find it?" he burst out. "Can you tell me that?" +</p> +<p> + "If ever I have a ship of my own," said Tom Chist, "and if ever I sail + to Injy in her, I'll fetch ye back the best chist of tea, sir, that + ever was fetched from Cochin Chiny." +</p> +<p> + Parson Jones burst out laughing. "Thankee, Tom," he said; "and I'll + thankee again when I get my chist of tea. But tell me, Tom, didst thou + ever hear of the farmer girl who counted her chickens before they were + hatched?" +</p> +<p> + It was thus they talked as they hurried along up the beach together, + and so came to a place at last where Tom stopped short and stood + looking about him. "'Twas just here," he said, "I saw the boat last + night. I know 'twas here, for I mind me of that bit of wreck yonder, + and that there was a tall stake drove in the sand just where yon stake + stands." +</p> +<p> + Parson Jones put on his barnacles and went over to the stake towards + which Tom pointed. As soon as he had looked at it carefully, he called + out: "Why, Tom, this hath been just drove down into the sand. 'Tis a + brand-new stake of wood, and the pirates must have set it here + themselves as a mark, just as they drove the pegs you spoke about down + into the sand." +</p> +<p> + Tom came over and looked at the stake. It was a stout piece of oak + nearly two inches thick; it had been shaped with some care, and the top + of it had been painted red. He shook the stake and tried to move it, + but it had been driven or planted so deeply into the sand that he could + not stir it. "Aye, sir," he said, "it must have been set here for a + mark, for I'm sure 'twas not here yesterday or the day before." He + stood looking about him to see if there were other signs of the + pirates' presence. At some little distance there was the corner of + something white sticking up out of the sand. He could see that it was a + scrap of paper, and he pointed to it, calling out: "Yonder is a piece + of paper, sir. I wonder if they left that behind them?" +</p> +<p> + It was a miraculous chance that placed that paper there. There was only + an inch of it showing, and if it had not been for Tom's sharp eyes, it + would certainly have been overlooked and passed by. The next wind-storm + would have covered it up, and all that afterwards happened never would + have occurred. "Look sir," he said, as he struck the sand from it, "it + hath writing on it." +</p> +<p> + "Let me see it," said Parson Jones. He adjusted the spectacles a little + more firmly astride of his nose as he took the paper in his hand and + began conning it. "What's all this?" he said; "a whole lot of figures + and nothing else." And then he read aloud, "'Mark—S.S.W. by S.' What + d'ye suppose that means, Tom?" +</p> +<p> + "I don't know, sir," said Tom. "But maybe we can understand it better + if you read on." +</p> +<p> + "Tis all a great lot of figures," said Parson Jones, "without a grain + of meaning in them so far as I can see, unless they be sailing + directions." And then he began reading again: "'Mark—S.S.W. by S. 40, + 72, 91, 130, 151, 177, 202, 232, 256, 271'—d'ye see, it must be + sailing directions—'299, 335, 362, 386, 415, 446, 469, 491, 522, 544, + 571, 598'—what a lot of them there be—'626, 652, 676, 695, 724, 851, + 876, 905, 940, 967. Peg. S.E. by E. 269 foot. Peg. S.S.W. by S. 427 + foot. Peg. Dig to the west of this six foot.'" +</p> +<p> + "What's that about a peg?" exclaimed Tom. "What's that about a peg? And + then there's something about digging, too!" It was as though a sudden + light began shining into his brain. He felt himself growing quickly + very excited. "Read that over again, sir," he cried. "Why, sir, you + remember I told you they drove a peg into the sand. And don't they say + to dig close to it? Read it over again, sir—read it over again!" +</p> +<p> + "Peg?" said the good gentleman. "To be sure it was about a peg. Let's + look again. Yes, here it is. 'Peg S.E. by E. 269 foot.'" +</p> +<p> + "Aye!" cried out Tom Chist again, in great excitement. "Don't you + remember what I told you, sir, 269 foot? Sure that must be what I saw + 'em measuring with the line." Parson Jones had now caught the flame of + excitement that was blazing up so strongly in Tom's breast. He felt as + though some wonderful thing was about to happen to them. "To be sure, + to be sure!" he called out, in a great big voice. "And then they + measured out 427 foot south-southwest by south, and then they drove + another peg, and then they buried the box six foot to the west of it. + Why, Tom—why, Tom Chist! if we've read this aright, thy fortune is + made." +</p> +<p> + Tom Chist stood staring straight at the old gentleman's excited face, + and seeing nothing but it in all the bright infinity of sunshine. Were + they, indeed, about to find the treasure-chest? He felt the sun very + hot upon his shoulders, and he heard the harsh, insistent jarring of a + tern that hovered and circled with forked tail and sharp white wings in + the sunlight just above their heads; but all the time he stood staring + into the good old gentleman's face. +</p> +<p> + It was Parson Jones who first spoke. "But what do all these figures + mean?" And Tom observed how the paper shook and rustled in the tremor + of excitement that shook his hand. He raised the paper to the focus of + his spectacles and began to read again. "'Mark 40, 72, 91—'" +</p> +<p> + "Mark?" cried out Tom, almost screaming. "Why, that must mean the stake + yonder; that must be the mark." And he pointed to the oaken stick with + its red tip blazing against the white shimmer of sand behind it. +</p> +<p> + "And the 40 and 72 and 91," cried the old gentleman, in a voice equally + shrill—"why, that must mean the number of steps the pirate was + counting when you heard him." +</p> +<p> + "To be sure that's what they mean!" cried Tom Chist. "That is it, and + it can be nothing else. Oh, come, sir—come, sir; let us make haste and + find it!" +</p> +<p> + "Stay! stay!" said the good gentleman, holding up his hand; and again + Tom Chist noticed how it trembled and shook. His voice was steady + enough, though very hoarse, but his hand shook and trembled as though + with a palsy. "Stay! stay! First of all, we must follow these + measurements. And 'tis a marvellous thing," he croaked, after a little + pause, "how this paper ever came to be here." +</p> +<p> + "Maybe it was blown here by the storm," suggested Tom Chist. +</p> +<p> + "Like enough; like enough," said Parson Jones. "Like enough, after the + wretches had buried the chest and killed the poor black man, they were + so buffeted and bowsed about by the storm that it was shook out of the + man's pocket, and thus blew away from him without his knowing aught of + it." +</p> +<p> + "But let us find the box!" cried out Tom Chist, flaming with his + excitement. +</p> +<p> + "Aye, aye," said the good man; "only stay a little, my boy, until we + make sure what we're about. I've got my pocket-compass here, but we + must have something to measure off the feet when we have found the peg. + You run across to Tom Brooke's house and fetch that measuring-rod he + used to lay out his new byre. While you're gone I'll pace off the + distance marked on the paper with my pocket-compass here." +</p> +<center> + VI +</center> +<p> + Tom Chist was gone for almost an hour, though he ran nearly all the way + and back, upborne as on the wings of the wind. When he returned, + panting, Parson Jones was nowhere to be seen, but Tom saw his footsteps + leading away inland, and he followed the scuffling marks in the smooth + surface across the sand-humps and down into the hollows, and by-and-by + found the good gentleman in a spot he at once knew as soon as he laid + his eyes upon it. +</p> +<p> + It was the open space where the pirates had driven their first peg, and + where Tom Chist had afterwards seen them kill the poor black man. Tom + Chist gazed around as though expecting to see some sign of the tragedy, + but the space was as smooth and as undisturbed as a floor, excepting + where, midway across it, Parson Jones who was now stooping over + something on the ground, had trampled it all around about. +</p> +<p> + When Tom Chist saw him, he was still bending over, scraping the sand + away from something he had found. +</p> +<p> + It was the first peg! +</p> +<p> + Inside of half an hour they had found the second and third pegs, and + Tom Chist stripped off his coat, and began digging like mad down into + the sand, Parson Jones standing over him watching him. The sun was + sloping well towards the west when the blade of Tom Chist's spade + struck upon something hard. +</p> +<p> + If it had been his own heart that he had hit in the sand his breast + could hardly have thrilled more sharply. +</p> +<p> + It was the treasure-box! +</p> +<p> + Parson Jones himself leaped down into the hole, and began scraping away + the sand with his hands as though he had gone crazy. At last, with some + difficulty, they tugged and hauled the chest up out of the sand to the + surface, where it lay covered all over with the grit that clung to it. +</p> +<p> + It was securely locked and fastened with a padlock, and it took a good + many blows with the blade of the spade to burst the bolt. Parson Jones + himself lifted the lid. +</p> +<p> + Tom Chist leaned forward and gazed down into the open box. He would not + have been surprised to have seen it filled full of yellow gold and + bright jewels. It was filled half full of books and papers, and half + full of canvas bags tied safely and securely around and around with + cords of string. +</p> +<p> + Parson Jones lifted out one of the bags, and it jingled as he did so. + It was full of money. +</p> +<p> + He cut the string, and with trembling, shaking hands handed the bag to + Tom, who, in an ecstasy of wonder and dizzy with delight, poured out + with swimming sight upon the coat spread on the ground a cataract of + shining silver money that rang and twinkled and jingled as it fell in a + shining heap upon the coarse cloth. +</p> +<p> + Parson Jones held up both hands into the air, and Tom stared at what he + saw, wondering whether it was all so, and whether he was really awake. + It seemed to him as though he was in a dream. +</p> +<p> + There were two-and-twenty bags in all in the chest: ten of them full of + silver money, eight of them full of gold money, three of them full of + gold-dust, and one small bag with jewels wrapped up in wad cotton and + paper. +</p> +<a name="image-5"><!--IMG--></a> +<center> +<img src="005.jpg" height="944" width="638" +alt="''Tis Enough,' Cried out Parson Jones, 'to Make Us Both +Rich Men'' +"> +</center> +<!--IMAGE END--> +<p> + "'Tis enough," cried out Parson Jones, "to make us both rich men as + long as we live." +</p> +<p> + The burning summer sun, though sloping in the sky, beat down upon them + as hot as fire; but neither of them noticed it. Neither did they notice + hunger nor thirst nor fatigue, but sat there as though in a trance, + with the bags of money scattered on the sand around them, a great pile + of money heaped upon the coat, and the open chest beside them. It was + an hour of sundown before Parson Jones had begun fairly to examine the + books and papers in the chest. +</p> +<p> + Of the three books, two were evidently log-books of the pirates who had + been lying off the mouth of the Delaware Bay all this time. The other + book was written in Spanish, and was evidently the log-book of some + captured prize. +</p> +<p> + It was then, sitting there upon the sand, the good old gentleman + reading in his high, cracking voice, that they first learned from the + bloody records in those two books who it was who had been lying inside + the Cape all this time, and that it was the famous Captain Kidd. Every + now and then the reverend gentleman would stop to exclaim, "Oh, the + bloody wretch!" or, "Oh, the desperate, cruel villains!" and then would + go on reading again a scrap here and a scrap there. +</p> +<p> + And all the while Tom Chist sat and listened, every now and then + reaching out furtively and touching the heap of money still lying upon + the coat. +</p> +<p> + One might be inclined to wonder why Captain Kidd had kept those bloody + records. He had probably laid them away because they so incriminated + many of the great people of the colony of New York that, with the books + in evidence, it would have been impossible to bring the pirate to + justice without dragging a dozen or more fine gentlemen into the dock + along with him. If he could have kept them in his own possession, they + would doubtless have been a great weapon of defence to protect him from + the gallows. Indeed, when Captain Kidd was finally brought to + conviction and hung, he was not accused of his piracies, but of + striking a mutinous seaman upon the head with a bucket and accidentally + killing him. The authorities did not dare try him for piracy. He was + really hung because he was a pirate, and we know that it was the + log-books that Tom Chist brought to New York that did the business for him; + he was accused and convicted of manslaughter for killing of his own + ship-carpenter with a bucket. +</p> +<p> + So Parson Jones, sitting there in the slanting light, read through + these terrible records of piracy, and Tom, with the pile of gold and + silver money beside him, sat and listened to him. +</p> +<p> + What a spectacle, if any one had come upon them! But they were alone, + with the vast arch of sky empty above them and the wide white stretch + of sand a desert around them. The sun sank lower and lower, until there + was only time to glance through the other papers in the chest. +</p> +<p> + They were nearly all goldsmiths' bills of exchange drawn in favor of + certain of the most prominent merchants of New York. Parson Jones, as + he read over the names, knew of nearly all the gentlemen by hearsay. + Aye, here was this gentleman; he thought that name would be among 'em. + What? Here is Mr. So-and-so. Well, if all they say is true, the villain + has robbed one of his own best friends. "I wonder," he said, "why the + wretch should have hidden these papers so carefully away with the other + treasures, for they could do him no good?" Then, answering his own + question: "Like enough because these will give him a hold over the + gentlemen to whom they are drawn so that he can make a good bargain for + his own neck before he gives the bills back to their owners. I tell you + what it is, Tom," he continued, "it is you yourself shall go to New + York and bargain for the return of these papers. 'Twill be as good as + another fortune to you." +</p> +<p> + The majority of the bills were drawn in favor of one Richard + Chillingsworth, Esquire. "And he is," said Parson Jones; "one of the + richest men in the province of New York. You shall go to him with the + news of what we have found." +</p> +<p> + "When shall I go?" said Tom Chist. +</p> +<p> + "You shall go upon the very first boat we can catch," said the Parson. + He had turned, still holding the bills in his hand, and was now + fingering over the pile of money that yet lay tumbled out upon the + coat. "I wonder, Tom," said he, "if you could spare me a score or so of + these doubloons?" +</p> +<p> + "You shall have fifty score, if you choose," said Tom, bursting with + gratitude and with generosity in his newly found treasure. +</p> +<p> + "You are as fine a lad as ever I saw, Tom," said the Parson, "and I'll + thank you to the last day of my life." +</p> +<p> + Tom scooped up a double handful of silver money. "Take it, sir," he + said, "and you may have as much more as you want of it." +</p> +<p> + He poured it into the dish that the good man made of his hands, and the + Parson made a motion as though to empty it into his pocket. Then he + stopped, as though a sudden doubt had occurred to him. "I don't know + that 'tis fit for me to take this pirate money, after all," he said. +</p> +<p> + "But you are welcome to it," said Tom. +</p> +<p> + Still the Parson hesitated. "Nay," he burst out, "I'll not take it; + 'tis blood-money." And as he spoke he chucked the whole double handful + into the now empty chest, then arose and dusted the sand from his + breeches. Then, with a great deal of bustling energy, he helped to tie + the bags again and put them all back into the chest. +</p> +<p> + They reburied the chest in the place whence they had taken it, and then + the Parson folded the precious paper of directions, placed it carefully + in his wallet, and his wallet in his pocket. +</p> +<p> + "Tom," he said, for the twentieth time, "your fortune has been made + this day." +</p> +<p> + And Tom Chist, as he rattled in his breeches pocket the half-dozen + doubloons he had kept out of his treasure, felt that what his friend + had said was true. +</p> +<hr> +<p> + As the two went back homeward across the level space of sand, Tom Chist + suddenly stopped stock still and stood looking about him. "'Twas just + here," he said, digging his heel down into the sand, "that they killed + the poor black man." +</p> +<p> + "And here he lies buried for all time," said Parson Jones; and as he + spoke he dug his cane down into the sand. Tom Chist shuddered. He would + not have been surprised if the ferrule of the cane had struck something + soft beneath that level surface. But it did not, nor was any sign of + that tragedy ever seen again. For, whether the pirates had carried away + what they had done and buried it elsewhere, or whether the storm in + blowing the sand had completely levelled off and hidden all sign of + that tragedy where it was enacted, certain it is that it never came to + sight again—at least so far as Tom Chist and the Reverend Hillary + Jones ever knew. +</p> +<center> + VII +</center> +<p> + This is the story of the treasure-box. All that remains now is to + conclude the story of Tom Chist, and to tell of what came of him in the + end. +</p> +<p> + He did not go back again to live with old Matt Abrahamson. Parson Jones + had now taken charge of him and his fortunes, and Tom did not have to + go back to the fisherman's hut. +</p> +<p> + Old Abrahamson talked a great deal about it, and would come in his cups + and harangue good Parson Jones, making a vast protestation of what he + would do to Tom—if he ever caught him—for running away. But Tom on + all these occasions kept carefully out of his way, and nothing came of + the old man's threatenings. +</p> +<p> + Tom used to go over to see his foster-mother now and then, but always + when the old man was from home. And Molly Abrahamson used to warn him + to keep out of her father's way. "He's in as vile a humor as ever I + see, Tom," she said; "he sits sulking all day long, and 'tis my belief + he'd kill ye if he caught ye." +</p> +<p> + Of course Tom said nothing, even to her, about the treasure, and he and + the reverend gentleman kept the knowledge thereof to themselves. About + three weeks later Parson Jones managed to get him shipped aboard of a + vessel bound for New York town, and a few days later Tom Chist landed + at that place. He had never been in such a town before, and he could + not sufficiently wonder and marvel at the number of brick houses, at + the multitude of people coming and going along the fine, hard, earthen + sidewalk, at the shops and the stores where goods hung in the windows, + and, most of all, the fortifications and the battery at the point, at + the rows of threatening cannon, and at the scarlet-coated sentries + pacing up and down the ramparts. All this was very wonderful, and so + were the clustered boats riding at anchor in the harbor. It was like a + new world, so different was it from the sand-hills and the sedgy levels + of Henlopen. +</p> +<p> + Tom Chist took up his lodgings at a coffeehouse near to the town-hall, + and thence he sent by the post-boy a letter written by Parson Jones to + Master Chillingsworth. In a little while the boy returned with a + message, asking Tom to come up to Mr. Chillingsworth's house that + afternoon at two o'clock. +</p> +<p> + Tom went thither with a great deal of trepidation, and his heart fell + away altogether when he found it a fine, grand brick house, three + stories high, and with wrought-iron letters across the front. +</p> +<p> + The counting-house was in the same building; but Tom, because of Mr. + Jones's letter, was conducted directly into the parlor, where the great + rich man was awaiting his coming. He was sitting in a leather-covered + arm-chair, smoking a pipe of tobacco, and with a bottle of fine old + Madeira close to his elbow. +</p> +<p> + Tom had not had a chance to buy a new suit of clothes yet, and so he + cut no very fine figure in the rough dress he had brought with him from + Henlopen. Nor did Mr. Chillingsworth seem to think very highly of his + appearance, for he sat looking sideways at Tom as he smoked. +</p> +<p> + "Well, my lad," he said; "and what is this great thing you have to tell + me that is so mightily wonderful? I got what's-his-name—Mr. Jones's— + letter, and now I am ready to hear what you have to say." +</p> +<p> + But if he thought but little of his visitor's appearance at first, he + soon changed his sentiments towards him, for Tom had not spoken twenty + words when Mr. Chillingsworth's whole aspect changed. He straightened + himself up in his seat, laid aside his pipe, pushed away his glass of + Madeira, and bade Tom take a chair. He listened without a word as Tom + Chist told of the buried treasure, of how he had seen the poor negro + murdered, and of how he and Parson Jones had recovered the chest again. + Only once did Mr. Chillingsworth interrupt the narrative. "And to + think," he cried, "that the villain this very day walks about New York + town as though he were an honest man, ruffling it with the best of us! + But if we can only get hold of these log-books you speak of. Go on; + tell me more of this." +</p> +<p> + When Tom Chist's narrative was ended, Mr. Chillingsworth's bearing was + as different as daylight is from dark. He asked a thousand questions, + all in the most polite and gracious tone imaginable, and not only urged + a glass of his fine old Madeira upon Tom, but asked him to stay to + supper. There was nobody to be there, he said, but his wife and + daughter. +</p> +<p> + Tom, all in a panic at the very thought of the two ladies, sturdily + refused to stay even for the dish of tea Mr. Chillingsworth offered + him. +</p> +<p> + He did not know that he was destined to stay there as long as he should + live. +</p> +<p> + "And now," said Mr. Chillingsworth, "tell me about yourself." +</p> +<p> + "I have nothing to tell, your honor," said Tom, "except that I was + washed up out of the sea." +</p> +<p> + "Washed up out of the sea!" exclaimed Mr. Chillingsworth. "Why, how was + that? Come, begin at the beginning, and tell me all." +</p> +<p> + Thereupon Tom Chist did as he was bidden, beginning at the very + beginning and telling everything just as Molly Abrahamson had often + told it to him. As he continued, Mr. Chillingsworth's interest changed + into an appearance of stronger and stronger excitement. Suddenly he + jumped up out of his chair and began to walk up and down the room. +</p> +<p> + "Stop! stop!" he cried out at last, in the midst of something Tom was + saying. "Stop! stop! Tell me; do you know the name of the vessel that + was wrecked, and from which you were washed ashore?" +</p> +<p> + "I've heard it said," said Tom Chist, "'twas the <i>Bristol Merchant</i>." +</p> +<p> + "I knew it! I knew it!" exclaimed the great man, in a loud voice, + flinging his hands up into the air. "I felt it was so the moment you + began the story. But tell me this, was there nothing found with you + with a mark or a name upon it?" +</p> +<p> + "There was a kerchief," said Tom, "marked with a T and a C." +</p> +<p> + "Theodosia Chillingsworth!" cried out the merchant. "I knew it! I knew + it! Heavens! to think of anything so wonderful happening as this! Boy! + boy! dost thou know who thou art? Thou art my own brother's son. His + name was Oliver Chillingsworth, and he was my partner in business, and + thou art his son." Then he ran out into the entryway, shouting and + calling for his wife and daughter to come. +</p> +<p> + So Tom Chist—or Thomas Chillingsworth, as he now was to be called—did + stay to supper, after all. +</p> +<p> + This is the story, and I hope you may like it. For Tom Chist became + rich and great, as was to be supposed, and he married his pretty cousin + Theodosia (who had been named for his own mother, drowned in the + <i>Bristol Merchant</i>). +</p> +<p> + He did not forget his friends, but had Parson Jones brought to New York + to live. +</p> +<p> + As to Molly and Matt Abrahamson, they both enjoyed a pension of ten + pounds a year for as long as they lived; for now that all was well with + him, Tom bore no grudge against the old fisherman for all the drubbings + he had suffered. +</p> +<p> + The treasure-box was brought on to New York, and if Tom Chist did not + get all the money there was in it (as Parson Jones had opined he would) + he got at least a good big lump of it. And it is my belief that those + log-books did more to get Captain Kidd arrested in Boston town and + hanged in London than anything else that was brought up against him. +</p> +<a name="2H_4_4"><!-- H2 anchor --></a> +<p> </p> +<p> </p> +<p> </p> +<p> </p> +<h2> + III. THE GHOST OF CAPTAIN BRAND +</h2> +<p> + <i>Being a Narrative of Certain Extraordinary Adventures that Befell + Barnaby True, Esquire, of the Town of New York, in the Year 1753.</i> +</p> +<center> + I +</center> +<p> + It is not so easy to tell why discredit should be cast upon a man + because of something his grandfather may have done amiss, but the + world, which is never over-nice in its discrimination as to where to + lay the blame, is often pleased to make the innocent suffer instead of + the guilty. +</p> +<p> + Barnaby True was a good, honest boy, as boys go, but yet was he not + ever allowed altogether to forget that his grandfather had been that + very famous pirate, Captain William Brand, who, after so many + marvellous adventures (if one may believe the catchpenny stories and + ballads that were writ about him), was murdered in Jamaica by Captain + John Malyoe, the commander of his own consort, the <i>Adventure</i> galley. +</p> +<p> + It hath never been denied, that ever I heard, that up to the time of + Captain Brand's being commissioned against the South Sea pirates, he + had always been esteemed as honest, reputable a sea-captain as could + be. When he started out upon that adventure it was with a ship, the + <i>Royal Sovereign</i>, fitted out by some of the most decent merchants of + New York. Governor Van Dam himself had subscribed to the adventure, and + himself had signed Captain Brand's commission. So, if the unfortunate + man went astray, he must have had great temptation to do so; many + others behaving no better when the opportunity offered in these + far-away seas, when so many rich purchases might very easily be taken and + no one the wiser. +</p> +<p> + To be sure those stories and ballads made our captain to be a most + wicked, profane wretch; and if he were, why God knows he suffered and + paid for it, for he laid his bones in Jamaica, and never saw his home + or his wife or his daughter after he had sailed away on the <i>Royal + Sovereign</i> on that long, misfortunate voyage, leaving his family behind + him in New York to the care of strangers. +</p> +<p> + At the time when Captain Brand so met his fate in Port Royal Harbor he + had increased his flotilla to two vessels—the <i>Royal Sovereign</i> (which + was the vessel that had been fitted out for him in New York, a fine + brigantine and a good sailer), and the <i>Adventure</i> galley, which he had + captured somewhere in the South Seas. This latter vessel he placed in + command of a certain John Malyoe whom he had picked up no one knows + where—a young man of very good family in England, who had turned + red-handed pirate. This man, who took no more thought of a human life than + he would of a broom straw, was he who afterwards murdered Captain + Brand, as you shall presently hear. +</p> +<p> + With these two vessels, the <i>Royal Sovereign</i> and the <i>Adventure</i>, + Captain Brand and Captain Malyoe swept the Mozambique Channel as clear + as a boatswain's whistle, and after three years of piracy, having + gained a great booty of gold and silver and pearls, sailed straight for + the Americas, making first the island of Jamaica and the harbor of Port + Royal, where they dropped anchor to wait for news from home. +</p> +<p> + But by this time the authorities had been so stirred up against our + pirates that it became necessary for them to hide their booty until + such time as they might make their peace with the Admiralty Courts at + home. So one night Captain Brand and Captain Malyoe, with two others of + the pirates, went ashore with two great chests of treasure, which they + buried somewhere on the banks of the Cobra River near the place where + the old Spanish fort had stood. +</p> +<p> + What happened after the treasure was thus buried no one may tell. 'Twas + said that Captain Brand and Captain Malyoe fell a-quarrelling and that + the upshot of the matter was that Captain Malyoe shot Captain Brand + through the head, and that the pirate who was with him served Captain + Brand's companion after the same fashion with a pistol bullet through + the body. +</p> +<p> + After that the two murderers returned to their vessel, the <i>Adventure</i> + galley, and sailed away, carrying the bloody secret of the buried + treasure with them. +</p> +<a name="image-6"><!--IMG--></a> +<center> +<img src="007.jpg" height="658" width="466" +alt="'Captain Malyoe Shot Captain Brand Through the Head' +"> +</center> +<!--IMAGE END--> +<p> + But this double murder of Captain Brand and his companion happened, you + are to understand, some twenty years before the time of this story, and + while our hero was but one year old. So now to our present history. +</p> +<p> + It is a great pity that any one should have a grandfather who ended his + days in such a sort as this; but it was no fault of Barnaby True's, nor + could he have done anything to prevent it, seeing he was not even born + into the world at the time that his grandfather turned pirate, and that + he was only one year old when Captain Brand so met his death on the + Cobra River. Nevertheless, the boys with whom he went to school never + tired of calling him "Pirate," and would sometimes sing for his benefit + that famous catchpenny ballad beginning thus: +</p> +<center> +<table summary=""> +<tr><td> + + + +<pre> +"Oh! my name was Captain Brand, + A-sailing, + And a-sailing; +Oh! my name was Captain Brand, + A-sailing free. +Oh! my name was Captain Brand, +And I sinned by sea and land, +For I broke God's just command, + A-sailing free." +</pre> + +</td></tr> +</table> +</center> + +<p> + 'Twas a vile thing to sing at the grandson of so unfortunate a man, and + oftentimes Barnaby True would double up his little fists and would + fight his tormentors at great odds, and would sometimes go back home + with a bloody nose or a bruised eye to have his poor mother cry over + him and grieve for him. +</p> +<p> + Not that his days were all of teasing and torment, either; for if his + comrades did sometimes treat him so, why then there were other times + when he and they were as great friends as could be, and used to go + a-swimming together in the most amicable fashion where there was a bit of + sandy strand below the little bluff along the East River above Fort + George. +</p> +<p> + There was a clump of wide beech-trees at that place, with a fine shade + and a place to lay their clothes while they swam about, splashing with + their naked white bodies in the water. At these times Master Barnaby + would bawl as lustily and laugh as loud as though his grandfather had + been the most honest ship-chandler in the town, instead of a + bloody-handed pirate who had been murdered in his sins. +</p> +<p> + Ah! It is a fine thing to look back to the days when one was a boy! + Barnaby may remember how, often, when he and his companions were + paddling so in the water, the soldiers off duty would come up from the + fort and would maybe join them in the water, others, perhaps, standing + in their red coats on the shore, looking on and smoking their pipes of + tobacco. +</p> +<p> + Then there were other times when maybe the very next day after our hero + had fought with great valor with his fellows he would go a-rambling + with them up the Bouwerie Road with the utmost friendliness; perhaps to + help them steal cherries from some old Dutch farmer, forgetting in such + an adventure what a thief his own grandfather had been. +</p> +<p> + But to resume our story. +</p> +<p> + When Barnaby True was between sixteen and seventeen years old he was + taken into employment in the counting-house of his stepfather, Mr. + Roger Hartright, the well-known West Indian merchant, a most + respectable man and one of the kindest and best of friends that anybody + could have in the world. +</p> +<p> + This good gentleman had courted the favor of Barnaby's mother for a + long time before he had married her. Indeed, he had so courted her + before she had ever thought of marrying Jonathan True. But he not + venturing to ask her in marriage, and she being a brisk, handsome + woman, she chose the man who spoke out his mind, and so left the silent + lover out in the cold. But so soon as she was a widow and free again, + Mr. Hartright resumed his wooing, and so used to come down every + Tuesday and Friday evening to sit and talk with her. Among Barnaby + True's earliest memories was a recollection of the good, kind gentleman + sitting in old Captain Brand's double-nailed arm-chair, the sunlight + shining across his knees, over which he had spread a great red silk + handkerchief, while he sipped a dish of tea with a dash of rum in it. + He kept up this habit of visiting the Widow True for a long time before + he could fetch himself to the point of asking anything more particular + of her, and so Barnaby was nigh fourteen years old before Mr. Hartright + married her, and so became our hero's dear and honored foster-father. +</p> +<p> + It was the kindness of this good man that not only found a place for + Barnaby in the counting-house, but advanced him so fast that, against + our hero was twenty-one years old, he had made four voyages as + supercargo to the West Indies in Mr. Hartright's ship, the <i>Belle + Helen</i>, and soon after he was twenty-one undertook a fifth. +</p> +<p> + Nor was it in any such subordinate position as mere supercargo that he + sailed upon these adventures, but rather as the confidential agent of + Mr. Hartright, who, having no likelihood of children of his own, was + jealous to advance our hero to a position of trust and responsibility + in the counting-house, and so would have him know all the particulars + of the business and become more intimately acquainted with the + correspondents and agents throughout those parts of the West Indies + where the affairs of the house were most active. He would give to + Barnaby the best sort of letters of introduction, so that the + correspondents of Mr. Hartright throughout those parts, seeing how that + gentleman had adopted our hero's interests as his own, were always at + considerable pains to be very polite and obliging in showing every + attention to him. +</p> +<p> + Especially among these gentlemen throughout the West Indies may be + mentioned Mr. Ambrose Greenfield, a merchant of excellent standing who + lived at Kingston, Jamaica. This gentleman was very particular to do + all that he could to make our hero's stay in these parts as agreeable + and pleasant to him as might be. Mr. Greenfield is here spoken of with + a greater degree of particularity than others who might as well be + remarked upon, because, as the reader shall presently discover for + himself, it was through the offices of this good friend that our hero + first became acquainted, not only with that lady who afterwards figured + with such conspicuousness in his affairs, but also with a man who, + though graced with a title, was perhaps the greatest villain who ever + escaped a just fate upon the gallows. +</p> +<p> + So much for the history of Barnaby True up to the beginning of this + story, without which you shall hardly be able to understand the purport + of those most extraordinary adventures that afterwards befell him, nor + the logic of their consequence after they had occurred. +</p> +<center> + II +</center> +<p> + Upon the occasion of our hero's fifth voyage into the West Indies he + made a stay of some six or eight weeks at Kingston, in the island of + Jamaica, and it was at that time that the first of those extraordinary + adventures befell him, concerning which this narrative has to relate. +</p> +<p> + It was Barnaby's habit, when staying at Kingston, to take lodging with + a very decent, respectable widow, by name Mrs. Anne Bolles, who, with + three extremely agreeable and pleasant daughters, kept a very clean and + well-served house for the accommodation of strangers visiting that + island. +</p> +<p> + One morning as he sat sipping his coffee, clad only in loose cotton + drawers and a jacket of the same material, and with slippers upon his + feet (as is the custom in that country, where every one endeavors to + keep as cool as may be), Miss Eliza, the youngest of the three + daughters—a brisk, handsome miss of sixteen or seventeen—came + tripping into the room and handed him a sealed letter, which she + declared a stranger had just left at the door, departing incontinently + so soon as he had eased himself of that commission. You may conceive of + Barnaby's astonishment when he opened the note and read the remarkable + words that here follow: +</p> +<p> + "<i>Mr. Barnaby True.</i> +</p> +<p> + "Sir,—Though you don't know me, I know you, + and I tell you this: if you will be at Pratt's Ordinary + on Friday next at eight o'clock in the evening, and + will accompany the man who shall say to you, '<i>The + Royal Sovereign is come in</i>' you shall learn of something + the most to your advantage that ever befell you. + Sir, keep this note and give it to him who shall address + those words to you, so to certify that you are + the man he seeks. Sir, this is the most important thing + that can concern you, so you will please say nothing + to nobody about it." +</p> +<p> + Such was the wording of the note which was writ in as cramped and + villanous handwriting as our hero ever beheld, and which, excepting his + own name, was without address, and which possessed no superscription + whatever. +</p> +<p> + The first emotion that stirred Barnaby True was one of extreme and + profound astonishment; the second thought that came into his mind was + that maybe some witty fellow—of whom he knew a good many in that + place, and wild, mad rakes they were as ever the world beheld—was + attempting to play off a smart, witty jest upon him. Indeed, Miss Eliza + Bolles, who was of a lively, mischievous temper, was not herself above + playing such a prank should the occasion offer. With this thought in + his mind Barnaby inquired of her with a good deal of particularity + concerning the appearance and condition of the man who had left the + note, to all of which Miss replied with so straight a face and so + candid an air that he could no longer suspect her of being concerned in + any trick against him, and so eased his mind of any such suspicion. The + bearer of the note, she informed him, was a tall, lean man, with a red + neckerchief tied around his neck and with copper buckles to his shoes, + and he had the appearance of a sailor-man, having a great queue of red + hair hanging down his back. But, Lord! what was such a description as + that in a busy seaport town full of scores of men to fit such a + likeness? Accordingly, our hero put the note away into his wallet, + determining to show it to his good friend Mr. Greenfield that evening, + and to ask his advice upon it. +</p> +<p> + This he did, and that gentleman's opinion was the same as his: to wit, + that some wag was minded to play off a hoax upon him, and that the + matter of the letter was all nothing but smoke. +</p> +<center> + III +</center> +<p> + Nevertheless, though Barnaby was thus confirmed in his opinion as to + the nature of the communication he had received, he yet determined in + his own mind that he would see the business through to the end and so + be at Pratt's Ordinary, as the note demanded, upon the day and at the + time appointed therein. +</p> +<p> + Pratt's Ordinary was at that time a very fine and famous place of its + sort, with good tobacco and the best rum in the West Indies, and had a + garden behind it that, sloping down to the harbor front, was planted + pretty thick with palms and ferns, grouped into clusters with flowers + and plants. Here were a number of tables, some in little grottos, like + our Vauxhall in New York, with red and blue and white paper lanterns + hung among the foliage. Thither gentlemen and ladies used sometimes to + go of an evening to sit and drink lime-juice and sugar and water (and + sometimes a taste of something stronger), and to look out across the + water at the shipping and so to enjoy the cool of the day. +</p> +<p> + Thither, accordingly, our hero went a little before the time appointed + in the note, and, passing directly through the Ordinary and to the + garden beyond, chose a table at the lower end and close to the water's + edge, where he could not readily be seen by any one coming into the + place, and yet where he could easily view whoever should approach. + Then, ordering some rum and water and a pipe of tobacco, he composed + himself to watch for the arrival of those witty fellows whom he + suspected would presently come thither to see the end of their prank + and to enjoy his confusion. +</p> +<p> + The spot was pleasant enough, for the land breeze, blowing strong and + cool, set the leaves of the palm-tree above his head to rattling and + clattering continually against the darkness of the sky, where, the moon + then being half full, they shone every now and then like blades of + steel. The waves, also, were splashing up against the little + landing-place at the foot of the garden, sounding mightily pleasant in the + dusk of the evening, and sparkling all over the harbor where the moon + caught the edges of the water. A great many vessels were lying at anchor in + their ridings, with the dark, prodigious form of a man-of-war looming + up above them in the moonlight. +</p> +<p> + There our hero sat for the best part of an hour, smoking his pipe of + tobacco and sipping his rum and water, yet seeing nothing of those whom + he suspected might presently come thither to laugh at him. +</p> +<p> + It was not far from half after the hour when a row-boat came suddenly + out of the night and pulled up to the landing-place at the foot of the + garden, and three or four men came ashore in the darkness. They landed + very silently and walked up the garden pathway without saying a word, + and, sitting down at an adjacent table, ordered rum and water and began + drinking among themselves, speaking every now and then a word or two in + a tongue that Barnaby did not well understand, but which, from certain + phrases they let fall, he suspected to be Portuguese. Our hero paid no + great attention to them, till by-and-by he became aware that they had + fallen to whispering together and were regarding him very curiously. He + felt himself growing very uneasy under this observation, which every + moment grew more and more particular, and he was just beginning to + suspect that this interest concerning himself might have somewhat more + to do with him than mere idle curiosity, when one of the men, who was + plainly the captain of the party, suddenly says to him, "How now, + messmate; won't you come and have a drop of drink with us?" +</p> +<p> + At this address Barnaby instantly began to be aware that the affair he + had come upon was indeed no jest, as he had supposed it to be, but that + he had walked into what promised to be a very pretty adventure. + Nevertheless, not wishing to be too hasty in his conclusions, he + answered very civilly that he had drunk enough already, and that more + would only heat his blood. +</p> +<p> + "Well," says the stranger, "I may be mistook, but I believe you are Mr. + Barnaby True." +</p> +<p> + "You are right, sir, and that is my name," acknowledged Barnaby. "But + still I cannot guess how that may concern you, nor why it should be a + reason for my drinking with you." "That I will presently tell you," + says the stranger, very composedly. "Your name concerns me because I + was sent here to tell Mr. Barnaby True that '<i>the Royal Sovereign is + come in</i>.'" +</p> +<p> + To be sure our hero's heart jumped into his throat at those words. His + pulse began beating at a tremendous rate, for here, indeed, was an + adventure suddenly opening to him such as a man may read about in a + book, but which he may hardly expect to befall him in the real + happenings of his life. Had he been a wiser and an older man he might + have declined the whole business, instead of walking blindly into that + of which he could see neither the beginning nor the ending; but being + barely one-and-twenty years of age, and possessing a sanguine temper + and an adventurous disposition that would have carried him into almost + anything that possessed a smack of uncertainty or danger, he contrived + to say, in a pretty easy tone (though God knows how it was put on for + the occasion): +</p> +<p> + "Well, if that be so, and if the <i>Royal Sovereign</i> is indeed come in, + why, then, I'll join you, since you are so kind as to ask me." + Therewith he arose and went across to the other table, carrying his + pipe with him, and sat down and began smoking, with all the appearance + of ease he could command upon the occasion. +</p> +<p> + At this the other burst out a-laughing. "Indeed," says he, "you are a + cool blade, and a chip of the old block. But harkee, young gentleman," + and here he fell serious again. "This is too weighty a business to + chance any mistake in a name. I believe that you are, as you say, Mr. + Barnaby True; but, nevertheless, to make perfectly sure, I must ask you + first to show me a note that you have about you and which you are + instructed to show to me." +</p> +<p> + "Very well," said Barnaby; "I have it here safe and sound, and you + shall see it." And thereupon and without more ado he drew out his + wallet, opened it, and handed the other the mysterious note which he + had kept carefully by him ever since he had received it. His + interlocutor took the paper, and drawing to him the candle, burning + there for the convenience of those who would smoke tobacco, began + immediately reading it. +</p> +<p> + This gave Barnaby True a moment or two to look at him. He was a tall, + lean man with a red handkerchief tied around his neck, with a queue of + red hair hanging down his back, and with copper buckles on his shoes, + so that Barnaby True could not but suspect that he was the very same + man who had given the note to Miss Eliza Bolles at the door of his + lodging-house. +</p> +<p> + "'Tis all right and straight and as it should be," the other said, + after he had so examined the note. "And now that the paper is read" + (suiting his action to his words), "I'll just burn it for safety's + sake." +</p> +<p> + And so he did, twisting it up and setting it to the flame of the + candle. "And now," he said, continuing his address, "I'll tell you what + I am here for. I was sent to ask if you're man enough to take your life + in your hands and to go with me in that boat down yonder at the foot of + the garden. Say 'Yes,' and we'll start away without wasting more time, + for the devil is ashore here at Jamaica—though you don't know what + that means—and if he gets ahead of us, why then we may whistle for + what we are after, for all the good 'twill do us. Say 'No,' and I go + away, and I promise you you shall never be troubled more in this sort + of a way. So now speak up plain, young gentleman, and tell us what is + your wish in this business, and whether you will adventure any further + or no." +</p> +<p> + If our hero hesitated it was not for long, and when he spoke up it was + with a voice as steady as could be. +</p> +<p> + "To be sure I'm man enough to go with you," says he; "and if you mean + me any harm I can look out for myself; and if I can't, then here is + something can look out for me." And therewith he lifted up the flap of + his pocket and showed the butt of a pistol he had fetched with him when + he had set out from his lodging-house that evening. +</p> +<p> + At this the other burst out a-laughing for a second time. "Come," says + he; "you are indeed of right mettle, and I like your spirit. All the + same, no one in all the world means you less ill than I, and so, if you + have to use that barker, 'twill not be upon us who are your friends, + but only upon one who is more wicked than the devil himself. So now if + you are prepared and have made up your mind and are determined to see + this affair through to the end, 'tis time for us to be away." + Whereupon, our hero indicating his acquiescence, his interlocutor and + the others (who had not spoken a single word for all this time), rose + together from the table, and the stranger having paid the scores of + all, they went down together to the boat that lay plainly awaiting + their coming at the bottom of the garden. +</p> +<p> + Thus coming to it, our hero could see that it was a large yawl-boat + manned by half a score of black men for rowers, and that there were two + lanterns in the stern-sheets, and three or four shovels. +</p> +<p> + The man who had conducted the conversation with Barnaby True for all + this time, and who was, as has been said, plainly the captain of the + expedition, stepped immediately down into the boat; our hero followed, + and the others followed after him; and instantly they were seated the + boat shoved off and the black men began pulling straight out into the + harbor, and so, at some distance away, around under the stern of the + man-of-war. +</p> +<p> + Not a word was spoken after they had thus left the shore, and they + might all have been so many spirits for the silence of the party. + Barnaby True was too full of his own thoughts to talk (and serious + enough thoughts they were by this time, with crimps to trepan a man at + every turn, and press-gangs to carry him off so that he might never be + heard of again). As for the others, they did not seem to choose to say + anything now that they had been fairly embarked upon their enterprise, + and so the crew pulled away for the best part of an hour, the leader of + the expedition directing the course of the boat straight across the + harbor, as though towards the mouth of the Cobra River. Indeed, this + was their destination, as Barnaby could after a while see for himself, + by the low point of land with a great, long row of cocoanut-palms + growing upon it (the appearance of which he knew very well), which + by-and-by began to loom up from the dimness of the moonlight. As they + approached the river they found the tide was running very violently, so + that it gurgled and rippled alongside the boat as the crew of black men + pulled strongly against it. Thus rowing slowly against the stream they + came around what appeared to be either a point of land or an islet + covered with a thick growth of mangrove-trees; though still no one + spoke a single word as to their destination, or what was the business + they had in hand. +</p> +<p> + The night, now that they had come close to the shore, appeared to be + full of the noises of running tide-water, and the air was heavy with + the smell of mud and marsh. And over all was the whiteness of the + moonlight, with a few stars pricking out here and there in the sky; and + everything was so strange and mysterious and so different from anything + that he had experienced before that Barnaby could not divest himself of + the feeling that it was all a dream from which at any moment he might + awaken. As for the town and the Ordinary he had quitted such a short + time before, so different were they from this present experience, it + was as though they might have concerned another life than that which he + was then enjoying. +</p> +<p> + Meantime, the rowers bending to the oars, the boat drew slowly around + into the open water once more. As it did so the leader of the + expedition of a sudden called out in a loud, commanding voice, whereat + the black men instantly ceased rowing and lay on their oars, the boat + drifting onward into the night. +</p> +<p> + At the same moment of time our hero became aware of another boat coming + down the river towards where they lay. This other boat, approaching + thus strangely through the darkness, was full of men, some of them + armed; for even in the distance Barnaby could not but observe that the + light of the moon glimmered now and then as upon the barrels of muskets + or pistols. This threw him into a good deal of disquietude of mind, for + whether they or this boat were friends or enemies, or as to what was to + happen next, he was altogether in the dark. +</p> +<p> + Upon this point, however, he was not left very long in doubt, for the + oarsmen of the approaching boat continuing to row steadily onward till + they had come pretty close to Barnaby and his companions, a man who sat + in the stern suddenly stood up, and as they passed by shook a cane at + Barnaby's companion with a most threatening and angry gesture. At the + same moment, the moonlight shining full upon him, Barnaby could see him + as plain as daylight—a large, stout gentleman with a round red face, + and clad in a fine, laced coat of red cloth. In the stern of the boat + near by him was a box or chest about the bigness of a middle-sized + travelling-trunk, but covered all over with cakes of sand and dirt. In + the act of passing, the gentleman, still standing, pointed at this + chest with his cane—an elegant gold-headed staff—and roared out in a + loud voice: "Are you come after this, Abram Dowling? Then come and take + it." And thereat, as he sat down again, burst out a-laughing as though + what he had said was the wittiest jest conceivable. +</p> +<p> + Either because he respected the armed men in the other boat, or else + for some reason best known to himself, the Captain of our hero's + expedition did not immediately reply, but sat as still as any stone. + But at last, the other boat having drifted pretty far away, he suddenly + found words to shout out after it: "Very well, Jack Malyoe! Very well, + Jack Malyoe! You've got the better of us once more. But next time is + the third, and then it'll be our turn, even if William Brand must come + back from the grave to settle with you himself." +</p> +<p> + But to this my fine gentleman in t'other boat made no reply except to + burst out once more into a great fit of laughter. +</p> +<p> + There was, however, still another man in the stern of the enemy's + boat—a villanous, lean man with lantern-jaws, and the top of his head as + bald as an apple. He held in his hand a great pistol, which he + flourished about him, crying out to the gentleman beside him, "Do but + give me the word, your honor, and I'll put another bullet through the + son of a sea cook." But the other forbade him, and therewith the boat + presently melted away into the darkness of the night and was gone. +</p> +<p> + This happened all in a few seconds, so that before our hero understood + what was passing he found the boat in which he still sat drifting + silently in the moonlight (for no one spoke for awhile) and the oars of + the other boat sounding farther and farther away into the distance. +</p> +<p> + By-and-by says one of those in Barnaby's boat, in Spanish, "Where shall + you go now?" +</p> +<p> + At this the leader of the expedition appeared suddenly to come back to + himself and to find his tongue again. "Go?" he roared out. "Go to the + devil! Go? Go where you choose! Go? Go back again—that's where well + go!" And therewith he fell a-cursing and swearing, frothing at the lips + as though he had gone clean crazy, while the black men, bending once + more to their oars, rowed back again across the harbor as fast as ever + they could lay oars to the water. +</p> +<p> + They put Barnaby True ashore below the old custom-house, but so + bewildered and amazed by all that had happened, and by what he had + seen, and by the names he had heard spoken, that he was only half + conscious of the familiar things among which he suddenly found himself + transported. The moonlight and the night appeared to have taken upon + them a new and singular aspect, and he walked up the street towards his + lodging like one drunk or in a dream. For you must remember that "John + Malyoe" was the captain of the <i>Adventure</i> galley—he who had shot + Barnaby's own grandfather—and "Abram Dowling," I must tell you, had + been the gunner of the <i>Royal Sovereign</i>—he who had been shot at the + same time that Captain Brand met his tragical end. And yet these names + he had heard spoken—the one from one boat, and the other from the + other, so that he could not but wonder what sort of beings they were + among whom he had fallen. +</p> +<p> + As to that box covered all over with mud, he could only offer a + conjecture as to what it contained and as to what the finding of it + signified. +</p> +<p> + But of this our hero said nothing to any one, nor did he tell any one + what he suspected, for, though he was so young in years, he possessed a + continent disposition inherited from his father (who had been one of + ten children born to a poor but worthy Presbyterian minister of + Bluefield, Connecticut), so it was that not even to his good friend Mr. + Greenfield did Barnaby say a word as to what had happened to him, going + about his business the next day as though nothing of moment had + occurred. +</p> +<p> + But he was not destined yet to be done with those beings among whom he + had fallen that night; for that which he supposed to be the ending of + the whole affair was only the beginning of further adventures that were + soon to befall him. +</p> +<center> + IV +</center> +<p> + Mr. Greenfield lived in a fine brick house just outside of the town, on + the Mona Road. His family consisted of a wife and two daughters— + handsome, lively young ladies with very fine, bright teeth that shone + whenever they laughed, and with a-plenty to say for themselves. To this + pleasant house Barnaby True was often asked to a family dinner, after + which he and his good kind host would maybe sit upon the veranda, + looking out towards the mountain, smoking their cigarros while the + young ladies laughed and talked, or played upon the guitar and sang. +</p> +<p> + A day or two before the <i>Belle Helen</i> sailed from Kingston, upon her + return voyage to New York, Mr. Greenfield stopped Barnaby True as he + was passing through the office, and begged him to come to dinner that + night. (For within the tropics, you are to know, they breakfast at + eleven o'clock and take dinner in the cool of the evening, because of + the heat, and not at mid-day, as we do in more temperate latitudes). "I + would," says Mr. Greenfield, "have you meet Sir John Malyoe and Miss + Marjorie, who are to be your chief passengers for New York, and for + whom the state cabin and the two state-rooms are to be fitted as here + ordered"—showing a letter—"for Sir John hath arranged," says Mr. + Greenfield, "for the Captain's own state-room." +</p> +<p> + Then, not being aware of Barnaby True's history, nor that Captain Brand + was his grandfather, the good gentleman—calling Sir John "Jack" + Malyoe—goes on to tell our hero what a famous pirate he had been, and + how it was he who had shot Captain Brand over t'other side of the + harbor twenty years before. "Yes," says he, "'tis the same Jack Malyoe, + though grown into repute and importance now, as who would not who hath + had the good-fortune to fall heir to a baronetcy and a landed estate?" +</p> +<p> + And so it befell that same night that Barnaby True once again beheld + the man who had murdered his own grandfather, meeting him this time + face to face. +</p> +<p> + That time in the harbor he had seen Sir John Malyoe at a distance and + in the darkness; now that he beheld him closer, it seemed to him that + he had never seen a countenance more distasteful to him in all his + life. Not that the man was altogether ugly, for he had a good enough + nose and a fine double chin; but his eyes stood out from his face and + were red and watery, and he winked them continually, as though they + were always a-smarting. His lips were thick and purple-red, and his + cheeks mottled here and there with little clots of veins. +</p> +<p> + When he spoke, his voice rattled in his throat to such a degree that it + made one wish to clear one's own throat to listen to him. So, what with + a pair of fat, white hands, and that hoarse voice, and his swollen + face, and his thick lips a-sticking out, it appeared to Barnaby True he + had never beheld a countenance that pleased him so little. +</p> +<p> + But if Sir John Malyoe suited our hero's taste so ill, the + granddaughter was in the same degree pleasing to him. She had a thin, + fair skin, red lips, and yellow hair—though it was then powdered + pretty white for the occasion—and the bluest eyes that ever he beheld + in all of his life. A sweet, timid creature, who appeared not to dare + so much as to speak a word for herself without looking to that great + beast, her grandfather, for leave to do so, for she would shrink and + shudder whenever he would speak of a sudden to her or direct a glance + upon her. When she did pluck up sufficient courage to say anything, it + was in so low a voice that Barnaby was obliged to bend his head to hear + her; and when she smiled she would as like as not catch herself short + and look up as though to see if she did amiss to be cheerful. +</p> +<p> + As for Sir John, he sat at dinner and gobbled and ate and drank, + smacking his lips all the while, but with hardly a word of civility + either to Mr. Greenfield or to Mrs. Greenfield or to Barnaby True; but + wearing all the while a dull, sullen air, as though he would say, "Your + damned victuals and drink are no better than they should be, but, such + as they are, I must eat 'em or eat nothing." +</p> +<p> + It was only after dinner was over and the young lady and the two misses + off in a corner together that Barnaby heard her talk with any degree of + ease. Then, to be sure, her tongue became loose enough, and she + prattled away at a great rate; though hardly above her breath. Then of + a sudden her grand-father called out, in his hoarse, rattling voice, + that it was time to go, upon which she stopped short in what she was + saying and jumped up from her chair, looking as frightened as though he + were going to strike her with that gold-headed cane of his that he + always carried with him. +</p> +<p> + Barnaby True and Mr. Greenfield both went out to see the two into their + coach, where Sir John's man stood holding the lantern. And who should + he be, to be sure, but that same lean villain with bald head who had + offered to shoot the Captain of Barnaby's expedition out on the harbor + that night! For one of the circles of light shining up into his face, + Barnaby True knew him the moment he clapped eyes upon him. Though he + could not have recognized our hero, he grinned at him in the most + impudent, familiar fashion, and never so much as touched his hat either + to him or to Mr. Greenfield; but as soon as his master and his young + mistress had entered the coach, banged to the door and scrambled up on + the seat alongside the driver, and so away without a word, but with + another impudent grin, this time favoring both Barnaby and the old + gentleman. +</p> +<p> + Such were Sir John Malyoe and his man, and the ill opinion our hero + conceived of them was only confirmed by further observation. +</p> +<p> + The next day Sir John Malyoe's travelling-cases began to come aboard + the <i>Belle Helen</i>, and in the afternoon that same lean, villanous + man-servant comes skipping across the gangplank as nimble as a goat, with + two black men behind him lugging a great sea-chest. "What!" he cries + out, "and so you is the supercargo, is you? Why, to be sure, I thought + you was more account when I saw you last night a-sitting talking with + his honor like his equal. Well, no matter," says he, "'tis something to + have a brisk, genteel young fellow for a supercargo. So come, my + hearty, lend a hand and help me set his honor's cabin to rights." +</p> +<p> + What a speech was this to endure from such a fellow! What with our + hero's distaste for the villain, and what with such odious familiarity, + you may guess into what temper so impudent an address must have cast + him. Says he, "You'll find the steward in yonder, and he'll show you + the cabin Sir John is to occupy." Therewith he turned and walked away + with prodigious dignity, leaving the other standing where he was. +</p> +<p> + As he went below to his own state-room he could not but see, out of the + tail of his eye, that the fellow was still standing where he had left + him, regarding him with a most evil, malevolent countenance, so that he + had the satisfaction of knowing that he had an enemy aboard for that + voyage who was not very likely to forgive or forget what he must regard + as so mortifying a slight as that which Barnaby had put upon him. +</p> +<p> + The next day Sir John Malyoe himself came aboard, accompanied by his + granddaughter, and followed by his man, and he followed again by four + black men, who carried among them two trunks, not large in size, but + vastly heavy in weight. Towards these two trunks Sir John and his + follower devoted the utmost solicitude and care to see that they were + properly carried into the cabin he was to occupy. Barnaby True was + standing in the saloon as they passed close by him; but though Sir John + looked hard at him and straight in the face, he never so much as spoke + a single word to our hero, or showed by a look or a sign that he had + ever met him before. At this the serving-man, who saw it all with eyes + as quick as a cat's, fell to grinning and chuckling to see Barnaby in + his turn so slighted. +</p> +<p> + The young lady, who also saw it, blushed as red as fire, and thereupon + delivered a courtesy to poor Barnaby, with a most sweet and gracious + affability. +</p> +<p> + There were, besides Sir John and the young lady, but two other + passengers who upon this occasion took the voyage to New York: the + Reverend Simon Styles, master of a flourishing academy at Spanish Town, + and his wife. This was a good, worthy couple of an extremely quiet + disposition, saying little or nothing, but contented to sit in the + great cabin by the hour together reading in some book or other. So, + what with the retiring humor of the worthy pair, and what with Sir John + Malyoe's fancy for staying all the time shut up in his own cabin with + those two trunks he held so precious, it fell upon Barnaby True in + great part to show that attention to the young lady that the + circumstances demanded. This he did with a great deal of satisfaction + to himself—as any one may suppose who considers a spirited young man + of one-and-twenty years of age and a sweet and beautiful young miss of + seventeen or eighteen thrown thus together day after day for above two + weeks. +</p> +<p> + Accordingly, the weather being very fair and the ship driving freely + along before a fine breeze, and they having no other occupation than to + sit talking together all day, gazing at the blue sea and the bright sky + overhead, it is not difficult to conceive of what was to befall. +</p> +<p> + But oh, those days when a man is young and, whether wisely or no, + fallen into such a transport of passion as poor Barnaby True suffered + at that time! How often during that voyage did our hero lie awake in + his berth at night, tossing this way and that without finding any + refreshment of sleep—perhaps all because her hand had touched his, or + because she had spoken some word to him that had possessed him with a + ravishing disquietude? +</p> +<p> + All this might not have befallen him had Sir John Malyoe looked after + his granddaughter instead of locking himself up day and night in his + own cabin, scarce venturing out except to devour his food or maybe to + take two or three turns across the deck before returning again to the + care of those chests he appeared to hold so much more precious than his + own flesh and blood. +</p> +<p> + Nor was it to be supposed that Barnaby would take the pains to consider + what was to become of it all, for what young man so situated as he but + would be perfectly content to live so agreeably in a fool's paradise, + satisfying himself by assigning the whole affair to the future to take + care of itself. Accordingly, our hero endeavored, and with pretty good + success, to put away from him whatever doubts might arise in his own + mind concerning what he was about, satisfying himself with making his + conversation as agreeable to his companion as it lay in his power to + do. +</p> +<p> + So the affair continued until the end of the whole business came with a + suddenness that promised for a time to cast our hero into the utmost + depths of humiliation and despair. +</p> +<p> + At that time the <i>Belle Helen</i> was, according to Captain Manly's + reckoning, computed that day at noon, bearing about five-and-fifty + leagues northeast-by-east off the harbor of Charleston, in South + Carolina. +</p> +<p> + Nor was our hero likely to forget for many years afterwards even the + smallest circumstance of that occasion. He may remember that it was a + mightily sweet, balmy evening, the sun not having set above half an + hour before, and the sky still suffused with a good deal of brightness, + the air being extremely soft and mild. He may remember with the utmost + nicety how they were leaning over the rail of the vessel looking out + towards the westward, she fallen mightily quiet as though occupied with + very serious thoughts. +</p> +<p> + Of a sudden she began, without any preface whatever, to speak to + Barnaby about herself and her affairs, in a most confidential manner, + such as she had never used to him before. She told him that she and her + grandfather were going to New York that they might take passage thence + to Boston, in Massachusetts, where they were to meet her cousin Captain + Malyoe, who was stationed in garrison at that place. Continuing, she + said that Captain Malyoe was the next heir to the Devonshire estate, + and that she and he were to be married in the fall. +</p> +<p> + You may conceive into what a confusion of distress such a confession as + this, delivered so suddenly, must have cast poor Barnaby. He could + answer her not a single word, but stood staring in another direction + than hers, endeavoring to compose himself into some equanimity of + spirit. For indeed it was a sudden, terrible blow, and his breath came + as hot and dry as ashes in his throat. Meanwhile the young lady went on + to say, though in a mightily constrained voice, that she had liked him + from the very first moment she had seen him, and had been very happy + for these days she had passed in his society, and that she would always + think of him as a dear friend who had been very kind to her, who had so + little pleasure in her life. +</p> +<p> + At last Barnaby made shift to say, though in a hoarse and croaking + voice, that Captain Malyoe must be a very happy man, and that if he + were in Captain Malyoe's place he would be the happiest man in the + world. Thereupon, having so found his voice, he went on to tell her, + though in a prodigious confusion and perturbation of spirit, that he + too loved her, and that what she had told him struck him to the heart, + and made him the most miserable, unhappy wretch in the whole world. +</p> +<p> + She exhibited no anger at what he said, nor did she turn to look at + him, but only replied, in a low voice, that he should not talk so, for + that it could only be a pain to them both to speak of such things, and + that whether she would or no, she must do everything her grandfather + bade her, he being indeed a terrible man. +</p> +<p> + To this poor Barnaby could only repeat that he loved her with all his + heart, that he had hoped for nothing in his love, but that he was now + the most miserable man in the world. +</p> +<p> + It was at this moment, so momentous to our hero, that some one who had + been hiding unseen nigh them for all the while suddenly moved away, and + Barnaby, in spite of the gathering darkness, could perceive that it was + that villain man-servant of Sir John Malyoe's. Nor could he but know + that the wretch must have overheard all that had been said. +</p> +<p> + As he looked he beheld this fellow go straight to the great cabin, + where he disappeared with a cunning leer upon his face, so that our + hero could not but be aware that the purpose of the eavesdropper must + be to communicate all that he had overheard to his master. At this + thought the last drop of bitterness was added to his trouble, for what + could be more distressing to any man of honor than to possess the + consciousness that such a wretch should have overheard so sacred a + conversation as that which he had enjoyed with the young lady. She, + upon her part, could not have been aware that the man had listened to + what she had been saying, for she still continued leaning over the + rail, and Barnaby remained standing by her side, without moving, but so + distracted by a tumult of many passions that he knew not how or where + to look. +</p> +<p> + After a pretty long time of this silence, the young lady looked up to + see why her companion had not spoken for so great a while, and at that + very moment Sir John Malyoe comes flinging out of the cabin without his + hat, but carrying his gold-headed cane. He ran straight across the deck + towards where Barnaby and the young lady stood, swinging his cane this + way and that with a most furious and threatening countenance, while the + informer, grinning like an ape, followed close at his heels. As Sir + John approached them, he cried out in so loud a voice that all on deck + might have heard him, "You hussy!" (And all the time, you are to + remember, he was swinging his cane as though he would have struck the + young lady, who, upon her part, shrank back from him almost upon the + deck as though to escape such a blow.) "You hussy! What do you do here, + talking with a misbred Yankee supercargo not fit for a gentlewoman to + wipe her feet upon, and you stand there and listen to his fool talk! Go + to your room, you hussy"—only 'twas something worse he called her this + time—"before I lay this cane across you!" +</p> +<p> + You may suppose into what fury such words as these, spoken in Barnaby's + hearing, not to mention that vile slur set upon himself, must have cast + our hero. To be sure he scarcely knew what he did, but he put his hand + against Sir John Malyoe's breast and thrust him back most violently, + crying out upon him at the same time for daring so to threaten a young + lady, and that for a farthing he would wrench the stick out of his hand + and throw it overboard. +</p> +<p> + A little farther and Sir John would have fallen flat upon the deck with + the push Barnaby gave him. But he contrived, by catching hold of the + rail, to save his balance. Whereupon, having recovered himself, he came + running at our hero like a wild beast, whirling his cane about, and I + do believe would have struck him (and God knows then what might have + happened) had not his man-servant caught him and held him back. +</p> +<p> + "Keep back!" cried out our hero, still mighty hoarse. "Keep back! If + you strike me with that stick I'll fling you overboard!" +</p> +<p> + By this time, what with the sound of loud voices and the stamping of + feet, some of the crew and others aboard were hurrying up to the scene + of action. At the same time Captain Manly and the first mate, Mr. + Freesden, came running out of the cabin. As for our hero, having got + set agoing, he was not to be stopped so easily. +</p> +<p> + "And who are you, anyhow," he cries, his voice mightily hoarse even in + his own ears, "to threaten to strike me! You may be a bloody pirate, + and you may shoot a man from behind, as you shot poor Captain Brand on + the Cobra River, but you won't dare strike me face to face. I know who + you are and what you are!" +</p> +<p> + As for Sir John Malyoe, had he been struck of a sudden by palsy, he + could not have stopped more dead short in his attack upon our hero. + There he stood, his great, bulging eyes staring like those of a fish, + his face as purple as a cherry. As for Master Informer, Barnaby had the + satisfaction of seeing that he had stopped his grinning by now and was + holding his master's arm as though to restrain him from any further act + of violence. +</p> +<p> + By this time Captain Manly had come bustling up and demanded to know + what all the disturbance meant. Whereupon our hero cried out, still in + the extremity of passion: +</p> +<p> + "The villain insulted me and insulted the young lady; he threatened to + strike me with his cane. But he sha'n't strike me. I know who he is and + what he is. I know what he's got in his cabin in those two trunks, and + I know where he found it, and whom it belongs to." +</p> +<p> + At this Captain Manly clapped his hand upon our hero's shoulder and + fell to shaking him so that he could hardly stand, crying out to him + the while to be silent. Says he: "How do you dare, an officer of this + ship, to quarrel with a passenger of mine! Go straight to your cabin, + and stay there till I give you leave to come out again." +</p> +<p> + At this Master Barnaby came somewhat back to himself. "But he + threatened to strike me with his cane," he says, "and that I won't + stand from any man!" +</p> +<p> + "No matter for that," says Captain Manly, very sternly. "Go to your + cabin, as I bid you, and stay there till I tell you to come out again, + and when we get to New York I'll take pains to inform your step-father + of how you have behaved. I'll have no such rioting as this aboard my + ship." +</p> +<p> + By this time, as you may suppose, the young lady was gone. As for Sir + John Malyoe, he stood in the light of a lantern, his face that had been + so red now gone as white as ashes, and if a look could kill, to be sure + he would have destroyed Barnaby True where he stood. +</p> +<p> + It was thus that the events of that memorable day came to a conclusion. + How little did any of the actors of the scene suspect that a portentous + Fate was overhanging them, and was so soon to transform all their + present circumstances into others that were to be perfectly different! +</p> +<p> + And how little did our hero suspect what was in store for him upon the + morrow, as with hanging head he went to his cabin, and shutting the + door upon himself, and flinging himself down upon his berth, there + yielded himself over to the profoundest depths of humiliation and + despair. +</p> +<center> + V +</center> +<p> + From his melancholy meditations Barnaby, by-and-by and in spite of + himself, began dropping off into a loose slumber, disturbed by + extravagant dreams of all sorts, in which Sir John Malyoe played some + important and malignant part. +</p> +<p> + From one of these dreams he was aroused to meet a new and startling + fate, by hearing the sudden and violent explosion of a pistol-shot ring + out as though in his ears. This was followed immediately by the sound + of several other shots exchanged in rapid succession as coming from the + deck above. At the same instant a blow of such excessive violence shook + the <i>Belle Helen</i> that the vessel heeled over before it, and Barnaby + was at once aware that another craft—whether by accident or with + intention he did not know—must have run afoul of them. +</p> +<p> + Upon this point, and as to whether or not the collision was designed, + he was, however, not left a moment in doubt, for even as the <i>Belle + Helen</i> righted to her true keel, there was the sound of many footsteps + running across the deck and down into the great cabin. Then proceeded a + prodigious uproar of voices, together with the struggling of men's + bodies being tossed about, striking violently against the partitions + and bulkheads. At the same instant arose a screaming of women's voices, + and one voice, that of Sir John Malyoe, crying out as in the greatest + extremity: "You villains! You damned villains!" and with that the + sudden detonation of a pistol fired into the close space of the great + cabin. +</p> +<p> + Long before this time Barnaby was out in the middle of his own cabin. + Taking only sufficient time to snatch down one of the pistols that hung + at the head of his berth, he flung out into the great cabin, to find it + as black as night, the lantern slung there having been either blown out + or dashed out into darkness. All was as black as coal, and the gloom + was filled with a hubbub of uproar and confusion, above which sounded + continually the shrieking of women's voices. Nor had our hero taken + above a couple of steps before he pitched headlong over two or three + men struggling together upon the deck, falling with a great clatter and + the loss of his pistol, which, however, he regained almost immediately. +</p> +<p> + What all the uproar portended he could only guess, but presently + hearing Captain Manly's voice calling out, "You bloody pirate, would + you choke me to death?" he became immediately aware of what had + befallen the <i>Belle Helen</i>, and that they had been attacked by some of + those buccaneers who at that time infested the waters of America in + prodigious numbers. +</p> +<p> + It was with this thought in his mind that, looking towards the + companionway, he beheld, outlined against the darkness of the night + without, the form of a man's figure, standing still and motionless as a + statue in the midst of all this tumult, and thereupon, as by some + instinct, knew that that must be the master-maker of all this devil's + brew. Therewith, still kneeling upon the deck, he covered the bosom of + that figure point-blank, as he supposed, with his pistol, and instantly + pulled the trigger. +</p> +<p> + In the light of the pistol fire, Barnaby had only sufficient + opportunity to distinguish a flat face wearing a large pair of + mustachios, a cocked hat trimmed with gold lace, a red scarf, and brass + buttons. Then the darkness, very thick and black, again swallowed + everything. +</p> +<p> + But if our hero failed to clearly perceive the countenance towards + which he had discharged his weapon, there was one who appeared to have + recognized some likeness in it, for Sir John Malyoe's voice, almost at + Barnaby's elbow, cried out thrice in loud and violent tones, "William + Brand! William Brand! William Brand!" and thereat came the sound of + some heavy body falling down upon the deck. +</p> +<p> + This was the last that our hero may remember of that notable attack, + for the next moment whether by accident or design he never knew, he + felt himself struck so terrible a blow upon the side of the head, that + he instantly swooned dead away and knew no more. +</p> +<center> + VI +</center> +<p> + When Barnaby True came back to his senses again, it was to become aware + that he was being cared for with great skill and nicety, that his head + had been bathed with cold water, and that a bandage was being bound + about it as carefully as though a chirurgeon was attending to him. +</p> +<p> + He had been half conscious of people about him, but could not + immediately recall what had happened to him, nor until he had opened + his eyes to find himself in a perfectly strange cabin of narrow + dimensions but extremely well fitted and painted with white and gold. + By the light of a lantern shining in his eyes, together with the gray + of the early day through the deadlight, he could perceive that two men + were bending over him—one, a negro in a striped shirt, with a yellow + handkerchief around his head and silver ear-rings in his ears; the + other, a white man, clad in a strange, outlandish dress of a foreign + make, with great mustachios hanging down below his chin, and with gold + ear-rings in his ears. +</p> +<p> + It was this last who was attending to Barnaby's hurt with such extreme + care and gentleness. +</p> +<p> + All this Barnaby saw with his first clear consciousness after his + swoon. Then remembering what had befallen him, and his head beating as + though it would split asunder, he shut his eyes again, contriving with + great effort to keep himself from groaning aloud, and wondering as to + what sort of pirates these could be, who would first knock a man in the + head so terrible a blow as that which he had suffered, and then take + such care to fetch him back to life again, and to make him easy and + comfortable. +</p> +<p> + Nor did he open his eyes again, but lay there marvelling thus until the + bandage was properly tied about his head and sewed together. Then once + more he opened his eyes and looked up to ask where he was. +</p> +<p> + Upon hearing him speak, his attendants showed excessive signs of joy, + nodding their heads and smiling at him as though to reassure him. But + either because they did not choose to reply, or else because they could + not speak English, they made no answer, excepting by those signs and + gestures. The white man, however, made several motions that our hero + was to arise, and, still grinning and nodding his head, pointed as + though towards a saloon beyond. At the same time the negro held up our + hero's coat and beckoned for him to put it on. Accordingly Barnaby, + seeing that it was required of him to quit the place in which he then + lay, arose, though with a good deal of effort, and permitted the negro + to help him on with his coat, though feeling mightily dizzy and much + put about to keep upon his legs—his head beating fit to split asunder + and the vessel rolling and pitching at a great rate, as though upon a + heavy cross-sea. +</p> +<p> + So, still sick and dizzy, he went out into what he found was, indeed, a + fine saloon beyond, painted in white and gilt like the cabin he had + just quitted. This saloon was fitted in the most excellent taste + imaginable. A table extended the length of the room, and a quantity of + bottles, and glasses clear as crystal, were arranged in rows in a + hanging rack above. +</p> +<p> + But what most attracted our hero's attention was a man sitting with his + back to him, his figure clad in a rough pea-jacket, and with a red + handkerchief tied around his throat. His feet were stretched under the + table out before him, and he was smoking a pipe of tobacco with all the + ease and comfort imaginable. As Barnaby came in he turned round, and, + to the profound astonishment of our hero, presented to him in the light + of the lantern, the dawn shining pretty strong through the skylight, + the face of that very man who had conducted the mysterious expedition + that night across Kingston Harbor to the Cobra River. +</p> +<center> + VII +</center> +<p> + This man looked steadily at Barnaby True for above half a minute and + then burst out a-laughing. And, indeed, Barnaby, standing there with + the bandage about his head, must have looked a very droll picture of + that astonishment he felt so profoundly at finding who was this pirate + into whose hands he had fallen. "Well," says the other, "and so you be + up at last, and no great harm done, I'll be bound. And how does your + head feel by now, my young master?" +</p> +<p> + To this Barnaby made no reply, but, what with wonder and the dizziness + of his head, seated himself at the table over against his interlocutor, + who pushed a bottle of rum towards him, together with a glass from the + hanging rack. He watched Barnaby fill his glass, and so soon as he had + done so began immediately by saying: "I do suppose you think you were + treated mightily ill to be so handled last night. Well, so you were + treated ill enough, though who hit you that crack upon the head I know + no more than a child unborn. Well, I am sorry for the way you were + handled, but there is this much to say, and of that you may feel well + assured, that nothing was meant to you but kindness, and before you are + through with us all you will believe that without my having to tell you + so." +</p> +<p> + Here he helped himself to a taste of grog, and sucking in his lips went + on again with what he had to say. "Do you remember," says he, "that + expedition of ours in Kingston Harbor, and how we were all of us balked + that night?" then, without waiting for Barnaby's reply: "And do you + remember what I said to that villain Jack Malyoe that night as his boat + went by us? I says to him, 'Jack Malyoe,' says I, 'you've got the + better of us once again, but next time it will be our turn, even if + William Brand himself has to come back from the grave to settle with + you.'" +</p> +<p> + "I remember something of the sort," said Barnaby, "but I profess I am + all in the dark as to what you are driving at." +</p> +<p> + At this the other burst out in a great fit of laughing. "Very well, + then," said he, "this night's work is only the ending of what was so + ill begun there. Look yonder"—pointing to a corner of the cabin—"and + then maybe you will be in the dark no longer." Barnaby turned his head + and there beheld in the corner of the saloon those very two + travelling-cases that Sir John Malyoe had been so particular to keep in his + cabin and under his own eyes through all the voyage from Jamaica. +</p> +<p> + "I'll show you what is in 'em," says the other, and thereupon arose, + and Barnaby with him, and so went over to where the two + travelling-cases stood. +</p> +<p> + Our hero had a strong enough suspicion as to what the cases contained. + But, Lord! what were suspicions to what his two eyes beheld when that + man lifted the lid of one of them—the locks thereof having already + been forced—and, flinging it back, displayed to Barnaby's astonished + and bedazzled sight a great treasure of gold and silver, some of it + tied up in leathern bags, to be sure, but so many of the coins, big and + little, yellow and white, lying loose in the cases as to make our hero + think that a great part of the treasures of the Indies lay there before + him. +</p> +<p> + "Well, and what do you think of that?" said the other. "Is it not + enough for a man to turn pirate for?" and thereupon burst out + a-laughing and clapped down the lid again. Then suddenly turning serious: + "Come Master Barnaby," says he. "I am to have some very sober talk with + you, so fill up your glass again and then we will heave at it." +</p> +<p> + Nor even in after years, nor in the light of that which afterwards + occurred, could Barnaby repeat all that was said to him upon that + occasion, for what with the pounding and beating of his aching head, + and what with the wonder of what he had seen, he was altogether in the + dark as to the greater part of what the other told him. That other + began by saying that Barnaby, instead of being sorry that he was + William Brand's grandson, might thank God for it; that he (Barnaby) had + been watched and cared for for twenty years in more ways than he would + ever know; that Sir John Malyoe had been watched also for all that + while, and that it was a vastly strange thing that Sir John Malyoe's + debts in England and Barnaby's coming of age should have brought them + so together in Jamaica—though, after all, it was all for the best, as + Barnaby himself should presently see, and thank God for that also. For + now all the debts against that villain Jack Malyoe were settled in + full, principal and interest, to the last penny, and Barnaby was to + enjoy it the most of all. Here the fellow took a very comfortable sip + of his grog, and then went on to say with a very cunning and knowing + wink of the eye that Barnaby was not the only passenger aboard, but + that there was another in whose company he would be glad enough, no + doubt, to finish the balance of the voyage he was now upon. So now, if + Barnaby was sufficiently composed, he should be introduced to that + other passenger. Thereupon, without waiting for a reply, he + incontinently arose and, putting away the bottle of rum and the + glasses, went across the saloon—Barnaby watching him all the while + like a man in a dream—and opened the door of a cabin like that which + Barnaby had occupied a little while before. He was gone only for a + moment, for almost immediately he came out again ushering a lady before + him. +</p> +<p> + By now the daylight in the cabin was grown strong and clear, so that + the light shining full upon her face, Barnaby True knew her the instant + she appeared. +</p> +<p> + It was Miss Marjorie Malyoe, very white, but strangely composed, + showing no terror, either in her countenance or in her expression. +</p> +<hr> +<p> + It would not be possible for the writer to give any clear idea of the + circumstances of the days that immediately followed, and which, within + a week, brought Barnaby True and the enchanting object of his + affections at once to the ending of their voyage, and of all these + marvellous adventures. For when, in after times, our hero would + endeavor to revive a memory of the several occurrences that then + transpired, they all appeared as though in a dream or a bewitching + phantasm. +</p> +<p> + All that he could recall were long days of delicious enjoyment followed + by nights of dreaming. But how enchanting those days! How exquisite the + distraction of those nights! +</p> +<p> + Upon occasions he and his charmer might sit together under the shade of + the sail for an hour at a stretch, he holding her hand in his and + neither saying a single word, though at times the transports of poor + Barnaby's emotions would go far to suffocate him with their rapture. As + for her face at such moments, it appeared sometimes to assume a + transparency as though of a light shining from behind her countenance. +</p> +<p> + The vessel in which they found themselves was a brigantine of good size + and build, but manned by a considerable crew, the most strange and + outlandish in their appearance that Barnaby had ever beheld. For some + were white, some were yellow, and some were black, and all were tricked + out with gay colors, and gold ear-rings in their ears, and some with + long mustachios, and others with handkerchiefs tied around their heads. + And all these spoke together a jargon of which Barnaby True could not + understand a single word, but which might have been Portuguese from one + or two phrases he afterwards remembered. Nor did this outlandish crew, + of God knows what sort of men, address any of their conversation either + to Barnaby or to the young lady. They might now and then have looked at + him and her out of the corners of their yellow eyes, but that was all; + otherwise they were, indeed, like the creatures of a dream. Only he who + was commander of this strange craft, when he would come down into the + saloon to mix a glass of grog or to light a pipe of tobacco, would + maybe favor Barnaby with a few words concerning the weather or + something of the sort, and then to go on deck again about his business. +</p> +<p> + Indeed, it may be affirmed with pretty easy security that no such + adventure as this ever happened before; for here were these two + innocent young creatures upon board of a craft that no one, under such + circumstances as those recounted above, could doubt was a pirate or + buccaneer, the crew whereof had seen no one knows what wicked deeds; + yet they two as remote from all that and as profoundly occupied with + the transports of their passion and as innocent in their satisfaction + thereof as were Corydon and Phyllis beside their purling streams and + flowery meads, with nymphs and satyrs caracoling about them. +</p> +<center> + VIII +</center> +<p> + It is probable that the polite reader of this veracious narrative, + instead of considering it as the effort of the author to set before him + a sober and well-digested history, has been all this while amusing + himself by regarding it only as a fanciful tale designed for his + entertainment. If this be so, the writer may hardly hope to convince + him that what is to follow is a serious narrative of that which, though + never so ingenuous in its recapitulation, is an altogether inexplicable + phenomenon. Accordingly, it is with extraordinary hesitation that the + scribe now invites the confidence of his reader in the succinct truth + of that which he has to relate. It is in brief as follows: +</p> +<p> + That upon the last night of this part of his voyage, Barnaby True was + awakened from slumber by flashes of lightning shining into his cabin, + and by the loud pealing of approaching thunder. At the same time + observing the sound of footsteps moving back and forth as in great + agitation overhead, and the loud shouting of orders, he became aware + that a violent squall of wind must be approaching the vessel. Being + convinced of this he arose from his berth, dressed quickly, and hurried + upon deck, where he found a great confusion of men running hither and + thither and scrambling up and down the rigging like monkeys, while the + Captain, and one whom he had come to know as the Captain's mate, were + shouting out orders in a strange foreign jargon. +</p> +<p> + A storm was indeed approaching with great rapidity, a prodigious circle + of rain and clouds whirling overhead like smoke, while the lightning, + every now and then, flashed with intense brightness, followed by loud + peals of thunder. +</p> +<p> + By these flashes of lightning Barnaby observed that they had made land + during the night, for in the sudden glare of bright light he beheld a + mountainous headland and a long strip of sandy beach standing out + against the blackness of the night beyond. So much he was able to + distinguish, though what coast it might be he could not tell, for + presently another flash falling from the sky, he saw that the shore was + shut out by the approaching downfall of rain. +</p> +<p> + This rain came presently streaming down upon them with a great gust of + wind and a deal of white foam across the water. This violent gale of + wind suddenly striking the vessel, careened it to one side so that for + a moment it was with much ado that he was able to keep his feet at all. + Indeed, what with the noise of the tempest through the rigging and the + flashes of lightning and the pealing of the thunder and the clapping of + an unfurled sail in the darkness, and the shouting of orders in a + strange language by the Captain of the craft, who was running up and + down like a bedlamite, it was like pandemonium with all the devils of + the pit broke loose into the night. +</p> +<p> + It was at this moment, and Barnaby True was holding to the back-stays, + when a sudden, prolonged flash of lightning came after a continued + space of darkness. So sharp and heavy was this shaft that for a moment + the night was as bright as day, and in that instant occurred that which + was so remarkable that it hath afforded the title of this story itself. + For there, standing plain upon the deck and not far from the + companionway, as though he had just come up from below, our hero beheld + a figure the face of which he had seen so imperfectly once before by + the flash of his own pistol in the darkness. Upon this occasion, + however, the whole figure was stamped out with intense sharpness + against the darkness, and Barnaby beheld, as clear as day, a great + burly man, clad in a tawdry tinsel coat, with a cocked hat with gold + braid upon his head. His legs, with petticoat breeches and cased in + great leathern sea-boots pulled up to his knees, stood planted wide + apart as though to brace against the slant of the deck. The face our + hero beheld to be as white as dough, with fishy eyes and a bony + forehead, on the side of which was a great smear as of blood. +</p> +<p> + All this, as was said, stood out as sharp and clear as daylight in that + one flash of lightning, and then upon the instant was gone again, as + though swallowed up into the darkness, while a terrible clap of thunder + seemed to split the very heavens overhead and a strong smell as of + brimstone filled the air around about. +</p> +<p> + At the same moment some voice cried out from the darkness, "William + Brand, by God!" +</p> +<p> + Then, the rain clapping down in a deluge, Barnaby leaped into the + saloon, pursued by he knew not what thoughts. For if that was indeed + the image of old William Brand that he had seen once before and now + again, then the grave must indeed have gaped and vomited out its dead + into the storm of wind and lightning; for what he beheld that moment, + he hath ever averred, he saw as clear as ever he saw his hand before + his face. +</p> +<p> + This is the last account of which there is any record when the figure + of Captain William Brand was beheld by the eyes of a living man. It + must have occurred just off the Highlands below the Sandy Hook, for the + next morning when Barnaby True came upon deck it was to find the sun + shining brightly and the brigantine riding upon an even keel, at anchor + off Staten Island, three or four cable-lengths distance from a small + village on the shore, and the town of New York in plain sight across + the water. +</p> +<p> + 'Twas the last place in the world he had expected to see. +</p> +<center> + IX +</center> +<p> + And, indeed, it did seem vastly strange to lie there alongside Staten + Island all that day, with New York town in plain sight across the water + and yet so impossible to reach. For whether he desired to escape or no, + Barnaby True could not but observe that both he and the young lady were + so closely watched that they might as well have been prisoners, tied + hand and foot and laid in the hold, so far as any hope of getting away + was concerned. +</p> +<p> + Throughout that day there was a vast deal of mysterious coming and + going aboard the brigantine, and in the afternoon a sail-boat went up + to the town, carrying the Captain of the brigantine and a great load in + the stern covered over with a tarpaulin. What was so taken up to the + town Barnaby did not then guess, nor did he for a moment suspect of + what vast importance it was to be for him. +</p> +<p> + About sundown the small boat returned, fetching the pirate Captain of + the brigantine back again. Coming aboard and finding Barnaby on deck, + the other requested him to come down into the saloon for he had a few + serious words to say to him. In the saloon they found the young lady + sitting, the broad light of the evening shining in through the + skylight, and making it all pretty bright within. +</p> +<p> + The Captain commanded Barnaby to be seated, whereupon he chose a place + alongside the young lady. So soon as he had composed himself the + Captain began very seriously, with a preface somewhat thus: "Though you + may think me the Captain of this brigantine, Master Barnaby True, I am + not really so, but am under orders of a superior whom I have obeyed in + all these things that I have done." Having said so much as this, he + continued his address to say that there was one thing yet remaining for + him to do, and that the greatest thing of all. +</p> +<p> + He said that this was something that both Barnaby and the young lady + were to be called upon to perform, and he hoped that they would do + their part willingly; but that whether they did it willingly or no, do + it they must, for those also were the orders he had received. +</p> +<p> + You may guess how our hero was disturbed by this prologue. He had found + the young lady's hand beneath the table and he now held it very closely + in his own; but whatever might have been his expectations as to the + final purport of the communications the other was about to favor him + with, his most extreme expectations could not have equalled that which + was demanded of him. +</p> +<p> + "My orders are these," said his interlocutor, continuing: "I am to take + you and the young lady ashore, and to see that you are married before I + quit you, and to that end a very good, decent, honest minister who + lives ashore yonder in the village was chosen and hath been spoken to, + and is now, no doubt, waiting for you to come. That is the last thing I + am set to do; so now I will leave you and her young ladyship alone + together for five minutes to talk it over, but be quick about it, for + whether willing or not, this thing must be done." +</p> +<p> + Thereupon he incontinently went away, as he had promised, leaving those + two alone together, our hero like one turned into stone, and the young + lady, her face turned away, as red as fire, as Barnaby could easily + distinguish by the fading light. +</p> +<p> + Nor can I tell what Barnaby said to her, nor what words or arguments he + used, for so great was the distraction of his mind and the tumult of + his emotions that he presently discovered that he was repeating to her + over and over again that God knew he loved her, and that with all his + heart and soul, and that there was nothing in all the world for him but + her. After which, containing himself sufficiently to continue his + address, he told her that if she would not have it as the man had said, + and if she were not willing to marry him as she was bidden to do, he + would rather die a thousand, aye, ten thousand, deaths than lend + himself to forcing her to do such a thing as this. Nevertheless, he + told her she must speak up and tell him yes or no, and that God knew he + would give all the world if she would say "yes." +</p> +<p> + All this and much more he said in such a tumult that he was hardly + aware of what he was speaking, and she sitting there, as though her + breath stifled her. Nor did he know what she replied to him, only that + she would marry him. Therewith he took her into his arms and for the + first time set his lips to hers, in such a transport of ecstasy that + everything seemed to his sight as though he were about to swoon. +</p> +<p> + So when the Captain returned to the saloon he found Barnaby sitting + there holding her hand, she with her face turned away, and he so full + of joy that the promise of heaven could not have made him happier. +</p> +<p> + The yawl-boat belonging to the brigantine was ready and waiting + alongside when they came upon deck, and immediately they descended to + it and took their seats. Reaching the shore, they landed, and walked up + the village street in the twilight, she clinging to our hero's arm as + though she would faint away. The Captain of the brigantine and two + other men aboard accompanied them to the minister's house, where they + found the good man waiting for them, smoking his pipe in the warm + evening, and walking up and down in front of his own door. He + immediately conducted them into the house, where, his wife having + fetched a candle, and two others from the village being present, the + good, pious man having asked several questions as to their names and + their age and where they were from, and having added his blessing, the + ceremony was performed, and the certificate duly signed by those + present from the village—the men who had come ashore from the + brigantine alone refusing to set their hands to any paper. +</p> +<p> + The same sail-boat that had taken the Captain up to the town was + waiting for Barnaby and the young lady as they came down to the + landing-place. There the Captain of the brigantine having wished them + godspeed, and having shaken Barnaby very heartily by the hand, he + helped to push off the boat, which with the slant of the wind presently + sailed swiftly away, dropping the shore and those strange beings, and + the brigantine in which they sailed, alike behind them into the night. +</p> +<p> + They could hear through the darkness the creaking of the sails being + hoisted aboard of the pirate vessel; nor did Barnaby True ever set eyes + upon it or the crew again, nor, so far as the writer is informed, did + anybody else. +</p> +<center> + X +</center> +<p> + It was nigh midnight when they made Mr. Hartright's wharf at the foot + of Beaver Street. There Barnaby and the boatmen assisted the young lady + ashore, and our hero and she walked up through the now silent and + deserted street to Mr. Hartright's house. +</p> +<p> + You may conceive of the wonder and amazement of our hero's dear + step-father when aroused by Barnaby's continued knocking at the street + door, and clad in a dressing-gown and carrying a lighted candle in his + hand, he unlocked and unbarred the door, and so saw who it was had aroused + him at such an hour of the night, and beheld the young and beautiful + lady whom Barnaby had brought home with him. +</p> +<p> + The first thought of the good man was that the <i>Belle Helen</i> had come + into port; nor did Barnaby undeceive him as he led the way into the + house, but waited until they were all safe and sound together before he + should unfold his strange and wonderful story. +</p> +<p> + "This was left for you by two foreign sailors this afternoon, Barnaby," + the good man said, as he led the way through the hall, holding up the + candle at the same time, so that Barnaby might see an object that stood + against the wainscoting by the door of the dining-room. +</p> +<p> + It was with difficulty that our hero could believe his eyes when he + beheld one of the treasure-chests that Sir John Malyoe had fetched with + such particularity from Jamaica. +</p> +<p> + He bade his step-father hold the light nigher, and then, his mother + having come down-stairs by this time, he flung back the lid and + displayed to the dazzled sight of all the great treasure therein + contained. +</p> +<p> + You are to suppose that there was no sleep for any of them that night, + for what with Barnaby's narrative of his adventures, and what with the + thousand questions asked of him, it was broad daylight before he had + finished the half of all that he had to relate. +</p> +<p> + The next day but one brought the <i>Belle Helen</i> herself into port, with + the terrible news not only of having been attacked at night by pirates, + but also that Sir John Malyoe was dead. For whether it was the sudden + fright that overset him, or whether it was the strain of passion that + burst some blood-vessel upon his brain, it is certain that when the + pirates quitted the <i>Belle Helen</i>, carrying with them the young lady + and Barnaby and the travelling-trunks, they left Sir John Malyoe lying + in a fit upon the floor, frothing at the mouth and black in the face, + as though he had been choked. It was in this condition that he was + raised and taken to his berth, where, the next morning about two + o'clock, he died, without once having opened his eyes or spoken a + single word. +</p> +<p> + As for the villain man-servant, no one ever saw him afterwards; though + whether he jumped overboard, or whether the pirates who so attacked the + ship had carried him away bodily, who shall say? +</p> +<p> + Mr. Hartright had been extremely perplexed as to the ownership of the + chest of treasure that had been left by those men for Barnaby, but the + news of the death of Sir John Malyoe made the matter very easy for him + to decide. For surely if that treasure did not belong to Barnaby, there + could be no doubt but that it belonged to his wife—she being Sir John + Malyoe's legal heir. Thus it was that he satisfied himself, and thus + that great fortune (in actual computation amounting to upward of + sixty-three thousand pounds) fell to Barnaby True, the grandson of that + famous pirate William Brand. +</p> +<p> + As for the other case of treasure, it was never heard of again, nor + could Barnaby decide whether it was divided as booty among the pirates, + or whether they had carried it away with them to some strange and + foreign land, there to share it among themselves. +</p> +<p> + It is thus we reach the conclusion of our history, with only this to + observe, that whether that strange appearance of Captain Brand was + indeed a ghostly and spiritual visitation, or whether he was present on + those two occasions in flesh and blood, he was, as has been said, never + heard of again. +</p> +<a name="2H_4_5"><!-- H2 anchor --></a> +<p> </p> +<p> </p> +<p> </p> +<p> </p> +<h2> + IV. A TRUE HISTORY OF THE DEVIL AT NEW HOPE +</h2> +<p> + <i>At the time of the beginning of the events about to be narrated—which + the reader is to be informed occurred between the years 1740 and 1742— + there stood upon the high and rugged crest of Pick-a-Neck-a-Sock Point + (or Pig and Sow Point, as it had come to be called) the wooden ruins of + a disused church, known throughout those parts as the Old Free Grace + Meeting-house.</i> +</p> +<p> + <i>This humble edifice had been erected by a peculiar religious sect + calling themselves the Free Grace Believers, the radical tenet of whose + creed was a denial of the existence of such a place as Hell, and an + affirmation of the universal mercy of God, to the intent that all souls + should enjoy eternal happiness in the life to come.</i> +</p> +<p> + <i>For this dangerous heresy the Free Grace Believers were expelled from + the Massachusetts Colony, and, after sundry peregrinations, settled at + last in the Providence Plantations, upon Pick-a-Neck-a-Sock Point, + coadjacent to the town of New Hope. There they built themselves a small + cluster of huts, and a church wherein to worship; and there for a while + they dwelt, earning a precarious livelihood from the ungenerous soil + upon which they had established themselves.</i> +</p> +<p> + <i>As may be supposed, the presence of so strange a people was + entertained with no great degree of complaisance by the vicinage, and + at last an old deed granting Pick-a-Neck-a-Sock to Captain Isaiah + Applebody was revived by the heirs of that renowned Indian-fighter, + whereupon the Free Grace Believers were warned to leave their bleak and + rocky refuge for some other abiding-place. Accordingly, driven forth + into the world again, they embarked in the snow<a href="#note-1"><small><sup>1</sup></small></a> "Good Companion," of + Bristol, for the Province of Pennsylvania, and were afterwards heard of + no more in those parts. Their vacated houses crumbled away into ruins, + and their church tottered to decay.</i> +</p> +<a name="note-1"><!--Note--></a> +<p class="foot"> +<sup><u>1</u></sup> [ A two-masted square-rigged vessel.] +</p> +<p> + <i>So at the beginning of these events, upon the narrative of which the + author now invites the reader to embark together with himself.</i> +</p> +<center> + I +</center> +<center> + HOW THE DEVIL HAUNTED THE MEETING-HOUSE +</center> +<p> + At the period of this narrative the settlement of New Hope had grown + into a very considerable seaport town, doing an extremely handsome + trade with the West Indies in cornmeal and dried codfish for sugar, + molasses, and rum. +</p> +<p> + Among the more important citizens of this now wealthy and elegant + community, the most notable was Colonel William Belford—a magnate at + once distinguished and honored in the civil and military affairs of the + colony. This gentleman was an illegitimate son of the Earl of + Clandennie by the daughter of a surgeon of the Sixty-seventh Regiment + of Scots, and he had inherited a very considerable fortune upon the + death of his father, from which he now enjoyed a comfortable + competency. +</p> +<p> + Our Colonel made no little virtue of the circumstances of his exalted + birth. He was wont to address his father's memory with a sobriety that + lent to the fact of his illegitimacy a portentous air of seriousness, + and he made no secret of the fact that he was the friend and the + confidential correspondent of the present Earl of Clandennie. In his + intercourse with the several Colonial governors he assumed an attitude + of authority that only his lineage could have supported him in + maintaining, and, possessing a large and commanding presence, he bore + himself with a continent reserve that never failed to inspire with awe + those whom he saw fit to favor with his conversation. +</p> +<p> + This noble and distinguished gentleman possessed in a brother an exact + and perfect opposite to himself. Captain Obadiah Belford was a West + Indian, an inhabitant of Kingston in the island of Jamaica. He was a + cursing, swearing, hard-drinking renegado from virtue; an acknowledged + dealer in negro slaves, and reputed to have been a buccaneer, if not an + out-and-out pirate, such as then infested those tropical latitudes in + prodigious numbers. He was not unknown in New Hope, which he had + visited upon several occasions for a week or so at a time. During each + period he lodged with his brother, whose household he scandalized by + such freaks as smoking his pipe of tobacco in the parlor, offering + questionable pleasantries to the female servants, and cursing and + swearing in the hallways with a fecundity and an ingenuity that would + have put the most godless sailor about the docks to the blush. +</p> +<p> + Accordingly, it may then be supposed into what a dismay it threw + Colonel Belford when one fine day he received a letter from Captain + Obadiah, in which our West Indian desperado informed his brother that + he proposed quitting those torrid latitudes in which he had lived for + so long a time, and that he intended thenceforth to make his home in + New Hope. +</p> +<p> + Addressing Colonel Belford as "My dear Billy," he called upon that + gentleman to rejoice at this determination, and informed him that he + proposed in future to live "as decent a limb of grace as ever broke + loose from hell," and added that he was going to fetch as a present for + his niece Belinda a "dam pirty little black girl" to carry her + prayer-book to church for her. +</p> +<p> + Accordingly, one fine morning, in pursuance of this promise, our West + Indian suddenly appeared at New Hope with a prodigious quantity of + chests and travelling-cases, and with so vociferous an acclamation that + all the town knew of his arrival within a half-hour of that event. +</p> +<p> + When, however, he presented himself before Colonel Belford, it was to + meet with a welcome so frigid and an address so reserved that a douche + of cold water could not have quenched his verbosity more entirely. For + our great man had no notion to submit to the continued infliction of + the West Indian's presence. Accordingly, after the first words of + greeting had passed, he addressed Captain Obadiah in a strain somewhat + after this fashion: +</p> +<p> + "Indeed, I protest, my dear brother Obadiah, it is with the heartiest + regrets in the world that I find myself obliged to confess that I + cannot offer you a home with myself and my family. It is not alone that + your manners displease me—though, as an elder to a younger, I may say + to you that we of these more northern latitudes do not entertain the + same tastes in such particulars as doubtless obtain in the West Indies—but + the habits of my household are of such a nature that I could not + hope to form them to your liking. I can, however, offer as my advice + that you may find lodgings at the Blue Lion Tavern, which doubtless + will be of a sort exactly to fit your inclinations. I have made + inquiries, and I am sure you will find the very best apartments to be + obtained at that excellent hostelry placed at your disposal." +</p> +<p> + To this astounding address our West Indian could, for a moment, make no + other immediate reply than to open his eyes and to glare upon Colonel + Belford, so that, what with his tall, lean person, his long neck, his + stooping shoulders, and his yellow face stained upon one side an indigo + blue by some premature explosion of gunpowder—what with all this and a + prodigious hooked beak of a nose, he exactly resembled some hungry + predatory bird of prey meditating a pounce upon an unsuspecting victim. + At last, finding his voice, and rapping the ferrule of his ivory-headed + cane upon the floor to emphasize his declamation, he cried out: "What! + What! What! Is this the way to offer a welcome to a brother new + returned to your house? Why, —— ——! who are you? Am not I your + brother, who could buy you out twice over and have enough left to live + in velvet? Why! Why!—Very well, then, have it your own way; but if I + don't grind your face into the mud and roll you into the dirt my name + is not Obadiah Belford!" Thereupon, striving to say more but finding no + fit words for the occasion, he swung upon his heel and incontinently + departed, banging the door behind him like a clap of thunder, and + cursing and swearing so prodigiously as he strode away down the street + that an infernal from the pit could scarcely have exceeded the fury of + his maledictions. +</p> +<p> + However, he so far followed Colonel Belford's advice that he took up + his lodgings at the Blue Lion Tavern, where, in a little while, he had + gathered about him a court of all such as chose to take advantage of + his extravagant bounty. +</p> +<p> + Indeed, he poured out his money with incredible profusion, declaring, + with many ingenious and self-consuming oaths, that he could match + fortunes with the best two men in New Hope, and then have enough left + to buy up his brother from his hair to his boot-leathers. He made no + secret of the rebuff he had sustained from Colonel Belford, for his + grievance clung to him like hot pitch—itching the more he meddled with + it. Sometimes his fury was such that he could scarcely contain himself. + Upon such occasions, cursing and swearing like an infernal, he would + call Heaven to witness that he would live in New Hope if for no other + reason than to bring shame to his brother, and he would declare again + and again, with incredible variety of expletives, that he would grind + his brother's face into the dirt for him. +</p> +<a name="image-7"><!--IMG--></a> +<center> +<img src="008.jpg" height="547" width="773" +alt="'he Would Shout Opprobrious Words After the Other in The +Streets' +"> +</center> +<!--IMAGE END--> +<p> + Accordingly he set himself assiduously at work to tease and torment the + good man with every petty and malicious trick his malevolence could + invent. He would shout opprobrious words after the other in the + streets, to the entertainment of all who heard him; he would parade up + and down before Colonel Belford's house singing obstreperous and + unseemly songs at the top of his voice; he would even rattle the + ferrule of his cane against the palings of the fence, or throw a stone + at Madam Belford's cat in the wantonness of his malice. +</p> +<p> + Meantime he had purchased a considerable tract of land, embracing Pig + and Sow Point, and including the Old Free Grace Meeting-House. Here, he + declared, it was his intention to erect a house for himself that should + put his brother's wooden shed to shame. Accordingly he presently began + the erection of that edifice, so considerable in size and occupying so + commanding a situation that it was the admiration of all those parts, + and was known to fame as Belford's Palace. This magnificent residence + was built entirely of brick, and Captain Obadiah made it a boast that + the material therefor was brought all the way around from New York in + flats. In the erection of this elegant structure all the carpenters and + masons in the vicinage were employed, so that it grew up with an + amazing rapidity. Meantime, upon the site of the building, rum and + Hollands were kept upon draught for all comers, so that the place was + made the common resort and the scene for the orgies of all such of the + common people as possessed a taste for strong waters, many coming from + so far away as Newport to enjoy our Captain's prodigality. +</p> +<p> + Meantime he himself strutted about the streets in his red coat trimmed + with gilt braid, his hat cocked upon one side of his bony head, + pleasing himself with the belief that he was the object of universal + admiration, and swelling with a vast and consummate self-satisfaction + as he boasted, with strident voice and extravagant enunciation, of the + magnificence of the palace he was building. +</p> +<p> + At the same time, having, as he said, shingles to spare, he patched and + repaired the Old Free Grace Meeting-House, so that its gray and hoary + exterior, while rejuvenated as to the roof and walls, presented in a + little while an appearance as of a sudden eruption of bright yellow + shingles upon its aged hide. Nor would our Captain offer any other + explanation for so odd a freak of fancy than to say that it pleased him + to do as he chose with his own. +</p> +<p> + At last, the great house having been completed, and he himself having + entered into it and furnished it to his satisfaction, our Captain + presently began entertaining his friends therein with a profuseness of + expenditure and an excess of extravagance that were the continued + admiration of the whole colony. In more part the guests whom Captain + Obadiah thus received with so lavish an indulgence were officers or + government officials from the garrisons of Newport or of Boston, with + whom, by some means or other, he had scraped an acquaintance. At times + these gay gentlemen would fairly take possession of the town, parading + up and down the street under conduct of their host, staring ladies out + of countenance with the utmost coolness and effrontery, and offering + loud and critical remarks concerning all that they beheld about them, + expressing their opinions with the greatest freedom and jocularity. +</p> +<p> + Nor were the orgies at Belford's Palace limited to such extravagances + as gaming and dicing and drinking, for sometimes the community would be + scandalized by the presence of gayly dressed and high-colored ladies, + who came, no one knew whence, to enjoy the convivialities at the great + house on the hill, and concerning whom it pleased the respectable folk + of New Hope to entertain the gravest suspicion. +</p> +<p> + At first these things raised such a smoke that nothing else was to be + seen, but by-and-by other strange and singular circumstances began to + be spoken of—at first among the common people, and then by others. It + began to be whispered and then to be said that the Old Free Grace + Meeting-House out on the Point was haunted by the Devil. +</p> +<p> + The first information concerning this dreadful obsession arose from a + fisherman, who, coming into the harbor of a nightfall after a stormy + day, had, as he affirmed, beheld the old meeting-house all of a blaze + of light. Some time after, a tinker, making a short-cut from Stapleton + by way of the old Indian road, had a view of a similar but a much more + remarkable manifestation. This time, as the itinerant most solemnly + declared, the meeting-house was not only seen all alight, but a bell + was ringing as a signal somewhere off across the darkness of the water, + where, as he protested, there suddenly appeared a red star, that, + blazing like a meteor with a surpassing brightness for a few seconds, + was presently swallowed up into inky darkness again. Upon another + occasion a fiddler, returning home after midnight from Sprowle's Neck, + seeing the church alight, had, with a temerity inflamed by rum, + approached to a nearer distance, whence, lying in the grass, he had, he + said, at the stroke of midnight, beheld a multitude of figures emerge + from the building, crying most dolorously, and then had heard a voice, + as of a lost spirit, calling aloud, "Six-and-twenty, all told!" whereat + the light in the church was instantly extinguished into an impenetrable + darkness. +</p> +<p> + It was said that when Captain Obadiah himself was first apprised of the + suspicions entertained of the demoniacal possession of the old + meeting-house, he had fixed upon his venturesome informant so threatening + and ominous a gaze that the other could move neither hand nor foot under + the malignant fury of his observation. Then, at last, clearing his + countenance of its terrors, he had burst into a great, loud laugh, + crying out: "Well, what then? Why not? You must know that the Devil and + I have been very good friends in times past. I saw a deal of him in the + West Indies, and I must tell you that I built up the old meeting-house + again so that he and I could talk together now and then about old times + without having a lot of ——, dried, codfish-eating, rum-drinking + Yankee bacon-chewers to listen to every word we had to say to each + other. If you must know, it was only last night that the ghost of + Jezebel and I danced a fandango together in the graveyard up yonder, + while the Devil himself sat cross-legged on old Daniel Root's tombstone + and blew on a dry, dusty shank-bone by way of a flute. And now" (here + he swore a terrific oath) "you know the worst that is to be known, with + only this to say: if ever a man sets foot upon Pig and Sow Point again + after nightfall to interfere with the Devil's sport and mine, hell + suffer for it as sure as fire can burn or brimstone can scorch. So put + that in your pipe and smoke it." +</p> +<p> + These terrible words, however extravagant, were, to be sure, in the + nature of a direct confirmation of the very worst suspicion that could + have been entertained concerning this dolorous affair. But if any + further doubt lingered as to the significance of such malevolent + rumors, Captain Obadiah himself soon put an end to the same. +</p> +<p> + The Reverend Josiah Pettibones was used of a Saturday to take supper at + Colonel Belford's elegant residence. It was upon such an occasion and + the reverend gentleman and his honored host were smoking a pipe of + tobacco together in the library, when there fell a loud and importunate + knocking at the house door, and presently the servant came ushering no + less a personage than Captain Obadiah himself. After directing a most + cunning, mischievous look at his brother, Captain Obadiah addressed + himself directly to the Reverend Mr. Pettibones, folding his hands with + a most indescribable air of mock humility. "Sir," says he—"Reverend + sir, you see before you a humble and penitent sinner, who has fallen so + desperately deep into iniquities that he knows not whether even so + profound piety as yours can elevate him out of the pit in which he + finds himself. Sir, it has got about the town that the Devil has taken + possession of my old meeting-house, and, alas! I have to confess—<i>that + it is the truth</i>." Here our Captain hung his head down upon his breast + as though overwhelmed with the terrible communication he had made. +</p> +<p> + "What is this that I hear?" cried the reverend gentleman. "Can I + believe my ears?" +</p> +<p> + "Believe your ears!" exclaimed Colonel Belford. "To be sure you cannot + believe your ears. Do you not see that this is a preposterous lie, and + that he is telling it to you to tease and to mortify me?" +</p> +<p> + At this Captain Obadiah favored his brother with a look of exaggerated + and sanctimonious humility. "Alas, brother," he cried out, "for + accusing me so unjustly! Fie upon you! Would you check a penitent in + his confession? But you must know that it is to this gentleman that I + address myself, and not to you." Then directing his discourse once more + to the Reverend Mr. Pettibones, he resumed his address thus: "Sir, you + must know that while I was in the West Indies I embarked, among other + things, in one of those ventures against the Spanish Main of which you + may have heard." +</p> +<p> + "Do you mean piracy?" asked the Reverend Pettibones; and Captain + Obadiah nodded his head. +</p> +<p> + "'Tis a lie!" cried Colonel Belford, smacking his hand upon the table. + "He never possessed spirit enough for anything so dangerous as piracy + or more mischievous than slave-trading." +</p> +<p> + "Sir," quoth Captain Obadiah to the reverend gentleman, "again I say + 'tis to you I address my confession. Well, sir, one day we sighted a + Spanish caravel very rich ladened with a prodigious quantity of plate, + but were without so much as a capful of wind to fetch us up with her. + 'I would,' says I, 'offer the Devil my soul for a bit of a breeze to + bring us alongside.' 'Done,' says a voice beside me, and—alas that I + must confess it!—there I saw a man with a very dark countenance, whom + I had never before beheld aboard of our ship. 'Sign this,' says he, + 'and the breeze is yours!' 'What is it upon the pen?' says I. "'Tis + blood,' says he. Alas, sir! what was a poor wretch so tempted as I to + do?" +</p> +<p> + "And did you sign?" asked Mr. Pettibones, all agog to hear the + conclusion of so strange a narration. +</p> +<p> + "Woe is me, sir, that I should have done so!" quoth Captain Obadiah, + rolling his eyes until little but the whites of them were to be seen. +</p> +<p> + "And did you catch the Spanish ship?" +</p> +<p> + "That we did, sir, and stripped her as clean as a whistle." +</p> +<p> + "'Tis all a prodigious lie!" cried Colonel Belford, in a fury. "Sir, + can you sit so complacently and be made a fool of by so extravagant a + fable?" +</p> +<p> + "Indeed it is unbelievable," said Mr. Pettibones. +</p> +<p> + At this faint reply, Captain Obadiah burst out laughing; then renewing + his narrative—"Indeed, sir," he declared, "you may believe me or not, + as you please. Nevertheless, I may tell you that, having so obtained my + prize, and having time to think coolly over the bargain I had made, I + says to myself, says I: 'Obediah Belford! Obadiah Belford, here is a + pretty pickle you are in. 'Tis time you quit these parts and lived + decent, or else you are damned to all eternity.' And so I came hither + to New Hope, reverend sir, hoping to end my days in quiet. Alas, sir! + would you believe it? scarce had I finished my fine new house up at the + Point when hither comes that evil being to whom I had sold my sorrowful + soul. 'Obadiah,' says he, 'Obadiah Belford, I have a mind to live in + New Hope also,' 'Where?' says I. 'Well,' says he, 'you may patch up the + old meetinghouse; 'twill serve my turn for a while.' 'Well,' thinks I + to myself, 'there can be no harm in that,' And so I did as he bade me— + and would not you do as much for one who had served you as well? Alas, + your reverence! there he is now, and I cannot get rid of him, and 'tis + over the whole town that he has the meeting-house in possession." +</p> +<p> + "Tis an incredible story!" cried the Reverend Pettibones. +</p> +<p> + "'Tis a lie from beginning to end!" cried the Colonel. +</p> +<p> + "And now how shall I get myself out of my pickle?" asked Captain + Obadiah. +</p> +<p> + "Sir," said Mr. Pettibones, "if what you tell me is true, 'tis beyond + my poor powers to aid you." +</p> +<p> + "Alas!" cried Captain Obadiah. "Alas! alas! Then, indeed, I'm damned!" + And therewith flinging his arms into the air as though in the extremity + of despair, he turned and incontinently departed, rushing forth out of + the house as though stung by ten thousand furies. +</p> +<p> + It was the most prodigious piece of gossip that ever fell in the way of + the Reverend Josiah, and for a fortnight he carried it with him + wherever he went. "'Twas the most unbelievable tale I ever heard," he + would cry. "And yet where there is so much smoke there must be some + fire. As for the poor wretch, if ever I saw a lost soul I beheld him + standing before me there in Colonel Belford's library." And then he + would conclude: "Yes, yes, 'tis incredible and past all belief. But if + it be true in ever so little a part, why, then there is justice in + this—that the Devil should take possession of the sanctuary of that + very heresy that would not only have denied him the power that every + other Christian belief assigns to him, but would have destroyed that + infernal habitation that hath been his dwelling-place for all + eternity." +</p> +<p> + As for Captain Belford, if he desired privacy for himself upon Pig and + Sow Point, he had taken the very best means to prevent the curious from + spying upon him there after nightfall. +</p> +<center> + II +</center> +<center> + HOW THE DEVIL STOLE THE COLLECTOR'S SNUFFBOX +</center> +<p> + Lieutenant Thomas Goodhouse was the Collector of Customs in the town of + New Hope. He was a character of no little notoriety in those parts, + enjoying the reputation of being able to consume more pineapple rum + with less effect upon his balance than any other man in the community. + He possessed the voice of a stentor, a short, thick-set, + broad-shouldered person, a face congested to a violent carnation, and red + hair of such a color as to add infinitely to the consuming fire of his + countenance. +</p> +<p> + The Custom Office was a little white frame building with green + shutters, and overhanging the water as though to topple into the tide. + Here at any time of the day betwixt the hours of ten in the morning and + of five in the afternoon the Collector was to be found at his desk + smoking his pipe of tobacco, the while a thin, phthisical clerk bent + with unrelaxing assiduity over a multitude of account-books and papers + accumulated before him. +</p> +<p> + For his post of Collectorship of the Royal Customs, Lieutenant + Goodhouse was especially indebted to the patronage of Colonel Belford. + The worthy Collector had, some years before, come to that gentleman + with a written recommendation from the Earl of Clandennie of a very + unusual sort. It was the Lieutenant's good-fortune to save the life of + the Honorable Frederick Dunburne, second son of the Earl—a wild, + rakish, undisciplined youth, much given to such mischievous enterprises + as the twisting off of door-knockers, the beating of the watch, and the + carrying away of tavern signs. +</p> +<p> + Having been a very famous swimmer at Eton, the Honorable Frederick + undertook while at the Cowes to swim a certain considerable distance + for a wager. In the midst of this enterprise he was suddenly seized + with a cramp, and would inevitably have drowned had not the Lieutenant, + who happened in a boat close at hand, leaped overboard and rescued the + young gentleman from the watery grave in which he was about to be + engulfed, thus restoring him once more to the arms of his grateful + family. +</p> +<p> + For this fortunate act of rescue the Earl of Clandennie presented to + his son's preserver a gold snuffbox filled with guineas, and inscribed + with the following legend: +</p> +<p> + "To Lieutenant Thomas Goodhouse, + who, under the Ruling of Beneficent Providence, + was the Happy Preserver of a Beautiful and + Precious Life of Virtuous Precocity, + this Box is presented by the Father of Him whom He + saved as a grateful acknowledgment of His + Services. +</p> +<p> + Thomas Monkhouse Dunburne, Viscount of + Dunburne and Earl of Clandennie. +</p> +<p> + <i>August 17, 1752.</i>" +</p> +<p> + Having thus satisfied the immediate demands of his gratitude, it is + very possible that the Earl of Clandennie did not choose to assume so + great a responsibility as the future of his son's preserver entailed. + Nevertheless, feeling that something should be done for him, he + obtained for Lieutenant Goodhouse a passage to the Americas, and wrote + him a strong letter of recommendation to Colonel Belford. That + gentleman, desiring to please the legitimate head of his family, used + his influence so successfully that the Lieutenant was presently granted + the position of Collector of Customs in the place of Captain Maull, who + had lately deceased. +</p> +<p> + The Lieutenant, somewhat to the surprise of his patrons, filled his new + official position as Collector not only with vigor, but with a not + unbecoming dignity. He possessed an infinite appreciation of the + responsibilities of his office, and he was more jealous to collect + every farthing of the royal duties than he would have been had those + moneys been gathered for his own emolument. +</p> +<p> + Under the old Collectorship of Captain Maull, it was no unusual thing + for a barraco of superfine Hollands, a bolt of silk cloth, or a keg of + brandy to find its way into the house of some influential merchant or + Colonial dignitary. But in no such manner was Lieutenant Goodhouse + derelict in his duties. He would have sacrificed his dearest friendship + or his most precious attachment rather than fail in his duties to the + Crown. In the intermission of his duties it might please him to relax + into the softer humors of conviviality, but at ten o'clock in the + morning, whatever his condition of sobriety, he assumed at once all the + sterner panoply of a Collector of the Royal Customs. +</p> +<p> + Thus he set his virtues against his vices, and struck an even balance + between them. When most unsteady upon his legs he most asserted his + integrity, declaring that not a gill or a thread came into his port + without paying its duty, and calling Heaven to witness that it had been + his hand that had saved the life of a noble young gentleman. Thereupon, + perhaps, drawing forth the gleaming token of his prowess—the gold + snuffbox—from his breeches-pocket, and holding it tight in his brown + and hairy fist, he would first offer his interlocutor a pinch of + rappee, and would then call upon him to read the inscription engraved + upon the lid of the case, demanding to know whether it mattered a fig + if a man did drink a drop too much now and then, provided he collected + every farthing of the royal revenues, and had been the means of saving + the son of the Earl of Clandennie. +</p> +<p> + Never for an instant upon such an occasion would he permit his precious + box to quit his possession. It was to him an emblem of those virtues + that no one knew but himself, wherefore the more he misdoubted his own + virtuousness the more valuable did the token of that rectitude become + in his eyes. "Yes, you may look at it," he would say, "but damme if you + shall handle it. I would not," he would cry, "let the Devil himself + take it out of my hands." +</p> +<p> + The talk concerning the impious possession of the Old Free Grace + Meeting-House was at its height when the official consciousness of the + Collector, who was just then laboring under his constitutional + infirmity, became suddenly seized with an irrepressible alarm. He + declared that he smoked something worse than the Devil upon Pig and Sow + Point, and protested that it was his opinion that Captain Obadiah was + doing a bit of free-trade upon his own account, and that dutiable goods + were being smuggled in at night under cover of these incredible + stories. He registered a vow, sealing it with the most solemn + protestations, and with a multiplicity of ingenious oaths that only a + mind stimulated by the heat of intoxication could have invented, that + he would make it his business, upon the first occasion that offered, to + go down to Pig and Sow Point and to discover for himself whether it was + the Devil or smugglers that had taken possession of the Old Free Grace + Meeting-House. Thereupon, hauling out his precious snuffbox and rapping + upon the lid, he offered a pinch around. Then calling attention to the + inscription, he demanded to know whether a man who had behaved so well + upon that occasion had need to be afraid of a whole churchful of + devils. "I would," he cried, "offer the Devil a pinch, as I have + offered it to you. Then I would bid him read this and tell me whether + he dared to say that black was the white of my eye." +</p> +<p> + Nor were those words a vain boast upon the Collector's part, for, + before a week had passed, it being reported that there had been a + renewal of manifestations at the old church, the Collector, finding + nobody with sufficient courage to accompany him, himself entered into a + small boat and rowed down alone to Pig and Sow Point to investigate, + for his own satisfaction, those appearances that so agitated the + community. +</p> +<p> + It was dusk when the Collector departed upon that memorable and + solitary expedition, and it was entirely dark before he had reached its + conclusion. He had taken with him a bottle of Extra Reserve rum to + drive, as he declared, the chill out of his bones. Accordingly it + seemed to him to be a surprisingly brief interval before he found + himself floating in his boat under the impenetrable shadow of the rocky + promontory. The profound and infinite gloom of night overhung him with + a portentous darkness, melting only into a liquid obscurity as it + touched and dissolved into the stretch of waters across the bay. But + above, on the high and rugged shoulder of the Point, the Collector, + with dulled and swimming vision, beheld a row of dim and lurid lights, + whereupon, collecting his faculties, he opined that the radiance he + beheld was emitted from the windows of the Old Free Grace + Meeting-House. +</p> +<p> + Having made fast his boat with a drunken gravity, the Collector walked + directly, though with uncertain steps, up the steep and rugged path + towards that mysterious illumination. Now and then he stumbled over the + stones and cobbles that lay in his way, but he never quite lost his + balance, neither did he for a moment remit his drunken gravity. So with + a befuddled and obstinate perseverance he reached at last to the + conclusion of his adventure and of his fate. +</p> +<p> + The old meeting-house was two stories in height, the lower story having + been formerly used by the Free Grace Believers as a place wherein to + celebrate certain obscure mysteries appertaining to their belief. The + upper story, devoted to the more ordinary worship of their Sunday + meetings, was reached by a tall, steep flight of steps that led from + the ground to a covered porch which sheltered the doorway. +</p> +<p> + The Collector paused only long enough to observe that the shutters of + the lower story were tight shut and barred, and that the dull and lurid + light shone from the windows above. Then he directly mounted the steps + with a courage and a perfect assurance that can only be entirely + enjoyed by one in his peculiar condition of inebriety. +</p> +<p> + He paused to knock at the door, and it appeared to him that his + knuckles had hardly fallen upon the panel before the valve was flung + suddenly open. An indescribable and heavy odor fell upon him and for + the moment overpowered his senses, and he found himself standing face + to face with a figure prodigiously and portentously tall. +</p> +<p> + Even at this unexpected apparition the Collector lost possession of no + part of his courage. Rather he stiffened himself to a more stubborn and + obstinate resolution. Steadying himself for his address, "I know very + well," quoth he, "who you are. You are the Divil, I dare say, but damme + if you shall do business here without paying your duties to King + George. I may drink a drop too much," he cried, "but I collect my + duties—every farthing of 'em." Then drawing forth his snuffbox, he + thrust it under the nose of the being to whom he spake. "Take a pinch + and read that," he roared, "but don't handle it, for I wouldn't take + all hell to let it out of my hand." +</p> +<p> + The being whom he addressed had stood for all this while as though + bereft of speech and of movement, but at these last words he appeared + to find his voice, for he gave forth a strident bellow of so dreadful + and terrible a sort that the Collector, brave as he found himself, + stepped back a pace or two before it. The next instant he was struck + upon the wrist as though by a bolt of lightning, and the snuffbox, + describing a yellow circle against the light of the door, disappeared + into the darkness of the night beyond. Ere he could recover himself + another blow smote him upon the breast, and he fell headlong from the + platform, as through infinite space. +</p> +<hr> +<p> + The next day the Collector did not present himself at the office at his + accustomed hour, and the morning wore along without his appearing at + his desk. By noon serious alarm began to take possession of the + community, and about two o'clock, the tide being then set out pretty + strong, Mr. Tompkins, the consumptive clerk, and two sailors from the + <i>Sarah Goodrich</i>, then lying at Mr. Hoppins's wharf, went down in a + yawl-boat to learn, if possible, what had befallen him. They coasted + along the Point for above a half-hour before they discovered any + vestige of the missing Collector. Then at last they saw him lying at a + little distance upon a cobbled strip of beach, where, judging from his + position and from the way he had composed himself to rest, he appeared + to have been overcome by liquor. +</p> +<p> + At this place Mr. Tompkins put ashore, and making the best of his way + over the slippery stones exposed at low water, came at last to where + his chief was lying. The Collector was reposing with one arm over his + eyes, as though to shelter them from the sun, but as soon as Mr. + Tompkins had approached close enough to see his countenance, he uttered + a great cry that was like a scream. For, by the blue and livid lips + parted at the corners to show the yellow teeth, from the waxy whiteness + of the fat and hairy hands—in short, from the appearance of the whole + figure, he was aware in an instant that the Collector was dead. +</p> +<p> + His cry brought the two sailors running. They, with the utmost coolness + imaginable, turned the Collector over, but discovered no marks of + violence upon him, till of a sudden one of them called attention to the + fact that his neck was broke. Upon this the other opined that he had + fallen among the rocks and twisted his neck. +</p> +<p> + The two mariners then made an investigation of his pockets, the clerk + standing by the while paralyzed with horror, his face the color of + dough, his scalp creeping, and his hands and fingers twitching as + though with the palsy. For there was something indescribably dreadful + in the spectacle of those living hands searching into the dead's + pockets, and he would freely have given a week's pay if he had never + embarked upon the expedition for the recovery of his chief. +</p> +<p> + In the Collector's pockets they found a twist of tobacco, a red + bandanna handkerchief of violent color, a purse meagrely filled with + copper coins and silver pieces, a silver watch still ticking with a + loud and insistent iteration, a piece of tarred string, and a + clasp-knife. +</p> +<p> + The snuffbox which the Lieutenant had regarded with such prodigious + pride as the one emblem of his otherwise dubious virtue was gone. +</p> +<center> + III +</center> +<center> + THE STRANGE ADVENTURES OF A YOUNG GENTLEMAN OF QUALITY +</center> +<p> + The Honorable Frederick Dunburne, second son of the Earl of Clandennie, + having won some six hundred pounds at écarté at a single sitting at + Pintzennelli's, embarked with his two friends, Captain Blessington and + Lord George Fitzhope, to conclude the night with a round of final + dissipation in the more remote parts of London. Accordingly they + embarked at York Stairs for the Three Cranes, ripe for any mischief. + Upon the water the three young gentlemen amused themselves by shouting + and singing, pausing only now and then to discharge a broadside of + raillery at the occupants of some other and passing boat. +</p> +<p> + All went very well for a while, some of those in the passing boats + laughing and railing in return, others shouting out angry replies. At + last they fell in with a broad-beamed, flat-nosed, Dutch-appearing + yawl-boat, pulling heavily up against the stream, and loaded with a + crew of half-drunken sailors just come into port. In reply to the + challenge of our young gentlemen, a man in the stern of the other boat, + who appeared to be the captain of the crew—a fellow, as Dunburne could + indefinitely perceive by the dim light of the lanthorn and the faint + illumination of the misty half-moon, possessing a great, coarse red + face and a bullet head surmounted by a mildewed and mangy fur cap— + bawled out, in reply, that if they would only put their boat near + enough for a minute or two he would give them a bellyful of something + that would make them quiet for the rest of the night. He added that he + would ask for nothing better than to have the opportunity of beating + Dunburne's head to a pudding, and that he would give a crown to have + the three of them within arm's-reach for a minute. +</p> +<p> + Upon this Captain Blessington swore that he should be immediately + accommodated, and therewith delivered an order to that effect to the + watermen. These obeyed so promptly that almost before Dunburne was + aware of what had happened the two boats were side by side, with hardly + a foot of space between the gunwales. Dunburne beheld one of the + watermen of his own boat knock down one of the crew of the other with + the blade of an oar, and then he himself was clutched by the collar in + the grasp of the man with the fur cap. Him Dunburne struck twice in the + face, and in the moonlight he saw that he had started the blood to + running down from his assailant's nose. But his blows produced no other + effect than to call forth a volley of the most horrible oaths that ever + greeted his ears. Thereupon the boats drifted so far apart that our + young gentleman was haled over the gunwale and soused in the cold water + of the river. The next moment some one struck him upon the head with a + belaying-pin or a billet of wood, a blow so crushing that the darkness + seemed to split asunder with a prodigious flaming of lights and a + myriad of circling stars, which presently disappeared into the profound + and utter darkness of insensibility. How long this swoon continued our + young gentleman could never tell, but when he regained so much of his + consciousness as to be aware of the things about him, he beheld himself + to be confined in a room, the walls whereof were yellow and greasy with + dirt, he himself having been laid upon a bed so foul and so displeasing + to his taste that he could not but regret the swoon from which he had + emerged into consciousness. Looking down at his person, he beheld that + his clothes had all been taken away from him, and that he was now clad + in a shirt with only one sleeve, and a pair of breeches so tattered + that they barely covered his nakedness. While he lay thus, dismally + depressed by so sad a pickle as that into which he found himself + plunged, he was strongly and painfully aware of an uproarious babble of + loud and drunken voices and a continual clinking of glasses, which + appeared to sound as from a tap-room beneath, these commingled now and + then with oaths and scraps of discordant song bellowed out above the + hubbub. His wounded head beat with tremendous and straining + painfulness, as though it would burst asunder, and he was possessed by + a burning thirst that seemed to consume his very vitals. He called + aloud, and in reply a fat, one-eyed woman came, fetching him something + to drink in a cup. This he swallowed with avidity, and thereupon (the + liquor perhaps having been drugged) he dropped off into unconsciousness + once more. +</p> +<p> + When at last he emerged for a second time into the light of reason, it + was to find himself aboard a brig—the <i>Prophet Daniel</i>, he discovered + her name to be—bound for Baltimore, in the Americas, and then pitching + and plunging upon a westerly running stern-sea, and before a strong + wind that drove the vessel with enormous velocity upon its course for + those remote and unknown countries for which it was bound. The land was + still in sight both astern and abeam, but before him lay the boundless + and tremendously infinite stretch of the ocean. Dunburne found himself + still to be clad in the one-armed shirt and tattered breeches that had + adorned him in the house of the crimp in which he had first awakened. + Now, however, an old tattered hat with only a part of the crown had + been added to his costume. As though to complete the sad disorder of + his appearance, he discovered, upon passing his hand over his + countenance, that his beard and hair had started a bristling growth, + and that the lump on his crown—which was even yet as big as a walnut— + was still patched with pieces of dirty sticking-plaster. Indeed, had he + but known it, he presented as miserable an appearance as the most + miserable of those wretches who were daily ravished from the slums and + streets of the great cities to be shipped to the Americas. Nor was he a + long time in discovering that he was now one of the several such + indentured servants who, upon the conclusion of their voyage, were to + be sold for their passage in the plantations of Maryland. +</p> +<p> + Having learned so much of his miserable fate, and being now able to + make shift to walk (though with weak and stumbling steps), our young + gentleman lost no time in seeking the Captain, to whom he endeavored to + explain the several accidents that had befallen him, acknowledging that + he was the second son of the Earl of Clandennie, and declaring that if + he, the Captain, would put the <i>Prophet Daniel</i> back into some English + port again, his lordship would make it well worth his while to lose so + much time for the sake of one so dear as a second son. To this address + the Captain, supposing him either to be drunk or disordered in his + mind, made no other reply than to knock him incontinently down upon the + deck, bidding him return forward where he belonged. +</p> +<p> + Thereafter poor Dunburne found himself enjoying the reputation of a + harmless madman. The name of the Earl of Rags was bestowed upon him, + and the miserable companions of his wretched plight were never tired of + tempting him to recount his adventures, for the sake of entertaining + themselves by teasing that which they supposed to be his hapless mania. +</p> +<p> + Nor is it easy to conceive of all the torments that those miserable, + obscene wretches were able to inflict upon him. Under the teasing sting + of his companions' malevolent pleasantries, there were times when + Dunburne might, as he confessed to himself, have committed a murder + with the greatest satisfaction in the world. However, he was endowed + with no small command of self-restraint, so that he was still able to + curb his passions within the bounds of reason and of policy. He was, + fortunately, a complete master of the French and Italian languages, so + that when the fury of his irritation would become too excessive for him + to control, he would ease his spirits by castigating his tormentors + with a consuming verbosity in those foreign tongues, which, had his + companions understood a single word of that which he uttered, would + have earned for him a beating that would have landed him within an inch + of his life. However, they attributed all that he said to the + irrational gibbering of a maniac. +</p> +<p> + About midway of their voyage the <i>Prophet Daniel</i> encountered a + tremendous storm, which drove her so far out of the Captain's reckoning + that when land was sighted, in the afternoon of a tempestuous day in + the latter part of August, the first mate, who had been for some years + in the New England trade, opined that it was the coast of Rhode Island, + and that if the Captain chose to do so he might run into New Hope + Harbor and lie there until the southeaster had blown itself out. This + advice the Captain immediately put into execution, so that by nightfall + they had dropped anchor in the comparative quiet of that excellent + harbor. +</p> +<p> + Dunburne was a most excellent and practised swimmer. That evening, when + the dusk had pretty well fallen, he jumped overboard, dived under the + brig, and came up on the other side. Thus leaving all hands aboard + looking for him or for his dead body at the starboard side of the + <i>Prophet Daniel</i>, he himself swam slowly away to the larboard. Now + partly under water, now floating on his back, he directed his course + towards a point of land about a mile away, whereon, as he had observed + before the dark had settled down, there stood an old wooden building + resembling a church, and a great brick house with tall, lean chimneys + at a little farther distance inland. +</p> +<p> + The intemperate cold of the water of those parts of America was so much + more excessive than Dunburne had been used to swim in that when he + dragged himself out upon the rocky, bowlder-strewn beach he lay for a + considerable time more dead than alive. His limbs appeared to possess + hardly any vitality, so benumbed were they by the icy chill that had + entered into the very marrow of his bones. Nor did he for a long while + recover from this excessive rigor; his limbs still continued at + intervals to twitch and shudder as with a convulsion, nor could he at + such times at all control their trembling. At last, however, with a + huge sigh, he aroused himself to some perception of his surroundings, + which he acknowledged were of as dispiriting a sort as he could well + have conceived of. His recovering senses were distracted by a ceaseless + watery din, for the breaking waves, rushing with a prodigious swiftness + from the harbor to the shore before the driving wind, fell with + uproarious crashing into white foam among the rocks. Above this watery + tumult spread the wet gloom of the night, full of the blackness and + pelting chill of a fine slanting rain. +</p> +<p> + Through this shroud of mist and gloom Dunburne at last distinguished a + faint light, blurred by the sheets of rain and darkness, and shining as + though from a considerable distance. Cheered by this nearer presence of + human life, our young gentleman presently gathered his benumbed powers + together, arose, and after a while began slowly and feebly to climb a + stony hill that lay between the rocky beach and that faint but + encouraging illumination. +</p> +<p> + So, sorely buffeted by the tempest, he at last reached the black, + square form of that structure from which the light shone. The building + he perceived to be a little wooden church of two stories in height. The + shutters of the lower story were tight fastened, as though bolted from + within. Those above were open, and from them issued the light that had + guided him in his approach from the beach. A tall flight of wooden + steps, wet in the rain, reached to a small, enclosed porch or + vestibule, whence a door, now tight shut, gave ingress into the second + story of the church. +</p> +<p> + Thence, as Dunburne stood without, he could now distinguish the dull + muttering of a man's voice, which he opined might be that of the + preacher. Our young gentleman, as may be supposed, was in a wretched + plight. He was ragged and unshaven; his only clothing was the miserable + shirt and bepatched breeches that had served him as shelter throughout + the long voyage. These abominable garments were now wet to the skin, + and so displeasing was his appearance that he was forced to acknowledge + to himself that he did not possess enough of humility to avow so great + a misery to the light and to the eyes of strangers. Accordingly, + finding some shelter afforded by the vestibule of the church, he + crouched there in a corner, huddling his rags about him, and finding a + certain poor warmth in thus hiding away from the buffeting of the chill + and penetrating wind. As he so crouched he presently became aware of + the sound of many voices, dull and groaning, coming from within the + edifice, and then—now and again—the clanking as of a multitude of + chains. Then of a sudden, and unexpectedly, the door near him was flung + wide open, and a faint glow of reddish light fell across the passage. + Instantly the figure of a man came forth, and following him came, not a + congregation, as Dunburne might have supposed, but a most dolorous + company of nearly, or quite, naked men and women, outlined blackly, as + they emerged, against the dull illumination from behind. These wretched + beings, sighing and groaning most piteously, with a monotonous wailing + of many voices, were chained by the wrist, two and two together, and as + they passed by close to Dunburne, his nostrils were overpowered by a + heavy and fetid odor that came partly from within the building, partly + from the wretched creatures that passed him by. +</p> +<p> + As the last of these miserable beings came forth from the bowels of + that dreadful place, a loud voice, so near to Dunburne as to startle + his ears with its sudden exclamation, cried out, "Six-and-twenty, all + told," and thereat instantly the dull light from within was quenched + into darkness. +</p> +<p> + In the gloom and the silence that followed, Dunburne could hear for a + while nothing but the dash of the rain upon the roof and the ceaseless + drip and trickle of the water running from the eaves into the puddles + beneath the building. +</p> +<p> + Then, as he stood, still marvelling at what he had seen, there suddenly + came a loud and startling crash, as of a trap-door let fall into its + place. A faint circle of light shone within the darkness of the + building, as though from a lantern carried in a man's hands. There was + a sound of jingling, as of keys, of approaching footsteps, and of + voices talking together, and presently there came out into the + vestibule the dark figures of two men, one of them carrying a ship's + lantern. One of these figures closed and locked the door behind him, + and then both were about to turn away without having observed Dunburne, + when, of a sudden, a circle from the roof of the lantern lit up his + pale and melancholy face, and he instantly became aware that his + presence had been discovered. +</p> +<p> + The next moment the lantern was flung up almost into his eyes, and in + the light he saw the sharp, round rim of a pistol-barrel directed + immediately against his forehead. +</p> +<p> + In that moment our young gentleman's life hung as a hair in the + balance. In the intense instant of expectancy his brain appeared to + expand as a bubble, and his ears tingled and hummed as though a cloud + of flies were buzzing therein. Then suddenly a voice smote like a blow + upon the silence—"Who are you, and what d'ye want?" +</p> +<p> + "Indeed," said Dunburne, "I do not know." +</p> +<p> + "What do you do here?" +</p> +<p> + "Nor do I know that, either." +</p> +<p> + He who held the lantern lifted it so that the illumination fell still + more fully upon Dunburne's face and person. Then his interlocutor + demanded, "How did you come here?" +</p> +<p> + Upon the moment Dunburne determined to answer so much of the truth as + the question required. "'Twas by no fault of my own," he cried. "I was + knocked on the head and kidnapped in England, with the design of being + sold in Baltimore. The vessel that fetched me put into the harbor over + yonder to wait for good weather, and I jumped overboard and swam + ashore, to stumble into the cursed pickle in which I now find myself." +</p> +<p> + "Have you, then, an education? To be sure, you talk so." +</p> +<p> + "Indeed I have," said Dunburne—"a decent enough education to fit me + for a gentleman, if the opportunity offered. But what of that?" he + exclaimed, desperately. "I might as well have no more learning than a + beggar under the bush, for all the good it does me." The other once + more flashed the light of his lantern over our young gentleman's + miserable and barefoot figure. "I had a mind," says he, "to blow your + brains out against the wall. I have a notion now, however, to turn you + to some use instead, so I'll just spare your life for a little while, + till I see how you behave." +</p> +<p> + He spoke with so much more of jocularity than he had heretofore used + that Dunburne recovered in great part his dawning assurance. "I am + infinitely obliged to you," he cried, "for sparing my brains; but I + protest I doubt if you will ever find so good an opportunity again to + murder me as you have just enjoyed." +</p> +<p> + This speech seemed to tickle the other prodigiously, for he burst into + a loud and boisterous laugh, under cover of which he thrust his pistol + back into his coat-pocket again. "Come with me, and I'll fit you with + victuals and decent clothes, of both of which you appear to stand in no + little need," he said. Thereupon, and without another word, he turned + and quitted the place, accompanied by his companion, who for all this + time had uttered not a single sound. A little way from the church these + two parted company, with only a brief word spoken between them. +</p> +<p> + Dunburne's interlocutor, with our young gentleman following close + behind him, led the way in silence for a considerable distance through + the long, wet grass and the tempestuous darkness, until at last, still + in unbroken silence, they reached the confines of an enclosure, and + presently stood before a large and imposing house built of brick. +</p> +<p> + Dunburne's mysterious guide, still carrying the lantern, conducted him + directly up a broad flight of steps, and opening the door, ushered him + into a hallway of no inconsiderable pretensions. Thence he led the way + to a dining-room beyond, where our young gentleman observed a long + mahogany table, and a sideboard of carved mahogany illuminated by three + or four candles. In answer to the call of his conductor, a negro + servant appeared, whom the master of the house ordered to fetch some + bread and cheese and a bottle of rum for his wretched guest. While the + servant was gone to execute the commission the master seated himself at + his ease and favored Dunburne with a long and most minute regard. Then + he suddenly asked our young gentleman what was his name. +</p> +<p> + Upon the instant Dunburne did not offer a reply to this interrogation. + He had been so miserably abused when he had told the truth upon the + voyage that he knew not now whether to confess or deny his identity. He + possessed no great aptitude at lying, so that it was with no little + hesitation that he determined to maintain his incognito. Having reached + this conclusion, he answered his host that his name was Tom Robinson. + The other, however, appeared to notice neither his hesitation nor the + name which he had seen fit to assume. Instead, he appeared to be lost + in a reverie, which he broke only to bid our young gentleman to sit + down and tell the story of the several adventures that had befallen + him. He advised him to leave nothing untold, however shameful it might + be. "Be assured," said he, "that no matter what crimes you may have + committed, the more intolerable your wickedness, the better you will + please me for the purpose I have in view." +</p> +<p> + Being thus encouraged, and having already embarked in disingenuosity, + our young gentleman, desiring to please his host, began at random a + tale composed in great part of what he recollected of the story of + <i>Colonel Jack</i>, seasoned occasionally with extracts from Mr. Smollett's + ingenious novel of <i>Ferdinand, Count Fathom</i>. There was hardly a petty + crime or a mean action mentioned in either of these entertaining + fictions that he was not willing to attribute to himself. Meanwhile he + discovered, to his surprise, that lying was not really so difficult an + art as he had supposed it to be. His host listened for a considerable + while in silence, but at last he was obliged to call upon his penitent + to stop. "To tell you the truth, Mr. What's-a-name," he cried, "I do + not believe a single word you are telling me. However, I am satisfied + that in you I have discovered, as I have every reason to hope, one of + the most preposterous liars I have for a long time fell in with. + Indeed, I protest that any one who can with so steady a countenance lie + so tremendously as you have just done may be capable, if not of a great + crime, at least of no inconsiderable deceit, and perhaps of treachery. + If this be so, you will suit my purposes very well, though I would + rather have had you an escaped criminal or a murderer or a thief." +</p> +<p> + "Sir," said Dunburne, very seriously, "I am sorry that I am not more to + your mind. As you say, I can, I find, lie very easily, and if you will + give me sufficient time, I dare say I can become sufficiently expert in + other and more criminal matters to please even your fancy. I cannot, I + fear, commit a murder, nor would I choose to embark upon an attempt at + arson; but I could easily learn to cheat at cards; or I could, if it + would please you better, make shift to forge your own name to a bill + for a hundred pounds. I confess, however, I am entirely in the dark as + to why you choose to have me enjoy so evil a reputation." +</p> +<p> + At these words the other burst into a great and vociferous laugh. "I + protest," he cried, "you are the coolest rascal ever I fell in with. + But come," he added, sobering suddenly, "what did you say was your + name?" +</p> +<p> + "I declare, sir," said Dunburne, with the most ingenuous frankness, "I + have clean forgot. Was it Tom or John Robinson?" +</p> +<p> + Again the other burst out laughing. "Well," he said, "what does it + matter? Thomas or John—'tis all one. I see that you are a ragged, + lousy beggar, and I believe you to be a runaway servant. Even if that + is the worst to be said of you, you will suit me very well. As for a + name, I myself will fit you with one, and it shall be of the best. I + will give you a home here in the house, and will for three months + clothe you like a lord. You shall live upon the best, and shall meet + plenty of the genteelest company the Colonies can afford. All that I + demand of you is that you shall do exactly as I tell you for the three + months that I so entertain you. Come. Is it a bargain?" +</p> +<p> + Dunburne sat for a while thinking very seriously. "First of all," said + he, "I must know what is the name you have a mind to bestow upon me." +</p> +<p> + The other looked distrustfully at him for a time, and then, as though + suddenly fetching up resolution, he cried out: "Well, what then? What + of it? Why should I be afraid? I'll tell you. Your name shall be + Frederick Dunburne, and you shall be the second son of the Earl of + Clandennie." +</p> +<p> + Had a thunder-bolt fallen from heaven at Dunburne's feet he could not + have been struck more entirely dumb than he was at those astounding + words. He knew not for the moment where to look or what to think. At + that instant the negro man came into the room, fetching the bottle of + rum and the bread and cheese he had been sent for. As the sound of his + entrance struck upon our young gentleman's senses he came to himself + with the shock, and suddenly exploded into a burst of laughter so + shrill and discordant that Captain Obadiah sat staring at him as though + he believed his ragged beneficiary had gone clean out of his senses. +</p> +<center> + IV +</center> +<center> + A ROMANTIC EPISODE IN THE LIFE OF A YOUNG LADY +</center> +<p> + Miss Belinda Belford, the daughter and only child of Colonel William + Belford, was a young lady possessed of no small pretensions to personal + charms of the most exalted order. Indeed, many excellent judges in such + matters regarded her, without doubt, as the reigning belle of the + Northern Colonies. Of a medium height, of a slight but generously + rounded figure, she bore herself with an indescribable grace and + dignity of carriage. Her hair, which was occasionally permitted to curl + in ringlets upon her snowy neck, was of a brown so dark and so soft as + at times to deceive the admiring observer into a belief that it was + black. Her eyes, likewise of a dark-brown color, were of a most melting + and liquid lustre; her nose, though slight, was sufficiently high, and + modelled with so exquisite a delicacy as to lend an exceeding charm to + her whole countenance. She was easily the belle of every assembly which + she graced with her presence, and her name was the toast of every + garrison town of the Northern provinces. +</p> +<p> + Madam Belford and her lovely daughter were engaged one pleasant morning + in entertaining a number of friends, in the genteel English manner, + with a dish of tea and a bit of gossip. Upon this charming company + Colonel Belford suddenly intruded, his countenance displaying an + excessive though not displeasing agitation. +</p> +<p> + "My dear! my dear!" he cried, "what a piece of news have I for you! It + is incredible and past all belief! Who, ladies, do you suppose is here + in New Hope? Nay, you cannot guess; I shall have to enlighten you. 'Tis + none other than Frederick Dunburne, my lordship's second son. Yes, you + may well look amazed. I saw and spoke with him this very morning, and + that not above a half-hour ago. He is travelling incognito, but my + brother Obadiah discovered his identity, and is now entertaining him at + his new house upon the Point. A large party of young officers from the + garrison are there, all very gay with cards and dice, I am told. My + noble young gentleman knew me so soon as he clapped eyes upon me. + 'This,' says he, 'if I am not mistook, must be Colonel Belford, my + father's honored friend.' He is," exclaimed the speaker, "a most + interesting and ingenuous youth, with extremely lively and elegant + manners, and a person exactly resembling that of his dear and honored + father." +</p> +<p> + It may be supposed into what a flutter this piece of news cast those + who heard it. "My dear," cried Madam Belford, as soon as the first + extravagance of the general surprise had passed by to an easier + acceptance of Colonel Belford's tidings—"my dear, why did you not + bring him with you to present him to us all? What an opportunity have + you lost!" +</p> +<p> + "Indeed, my dear," said Colonel Belford, "I did not forget to invite + him hither. He protested that nothing could afford him greater + pleasure, did he not have an engagement with some young gentlemen from + the garrison. But, believe me, I would not let him go without a + promise. He is to dine with us to-morrow at two; and, Belinda, my + dear"—here Colonel Belford pinched his daughter's blushing cheek—"you + must assume your best appearance for so serious an occasion. I am + informed that my noble gentleman is extremely particular in his tastes + in the matter of female excellence." +</p> +<p> + "Indeed, papa," cried the young lady, with great vivacity, "I shall + attempt no extraordinary graces upon my young gentleman's account, and + that I promise you. I protest," she exclaimed, with spirit, "I have no + great opinion of him who would come thus to New Hope without a single + word to you, who are his father's confidential correspondent. Nor do I + admire the taste of one who would choose to cast himself upon the + hospitality of my uncle Obadiah rather than upon yours." +</p> +<p> + "My dear," said Colonel Belford, very soberly, "you express your + opinion with a most unwarranted levity, considering the exalted + position your subject occupies. I may, however, explain to you that he + came to America quite unexpectedly and by an accident. Nor would he + have declared his incognito, had not my brother Obadiah discovered it + almost immediately upon his arrival. He would not, he declared, have + visited New Hope at all, had not Captain Obadiah Belford urged his + hospitality in such a manner as to preclude all denial." +</p> +<p> + But to this reproof Miss Belinda who, was, indeed, greatly indulged by + her parents, made no other reply than to toss her head with a pretty + sauciness, and to pout her cherry lips in an infinitely becoming + manner. +</p> +<p> + But though our young lady protested so emphatically against assuming + any unusual charms for the entertainment of their expected visitor, she + none the less devoted no small consideration to that very thing that + she had so exclaimed against. Accordingly, when she was presented to + her father's noble guest, what with her heightened color and her eyes + sparkling with the emotions evoked by the occasion, she so impressed + our young gentleman that he could do little but stand regarding her + with an astonishment that for the moment caused him to forget those + graces of deportment that the demands of elegance called upon him to + assume. +</p> +<p> + However, he recovered himself immediately, and proceeded to take such + advantage of his introduction that by the time they were seated at the + dinner-table he found himself conversing with his fair partner with all + the ease and vivacity imaginable. Nor in this exchange of polite + raillery did he discover her wit to be in any degree less than her + personal charms. +</p> +<p> + "Indeed, madam," he exclaimed, "I am now more than ready to thank that + happy accident that has transported me, however much against my will, + from England to America. The scenery, how beautiful! Nature, how + fertile! Woman, how exquisite! Your country," he exclaimed, with + enthusiasm, "is like heaven!" +</p> +<p> + "Indeed, sir," cried the young lady, vivaciously, "I do not take your + praise for a compliment. I protest I am acquainted with no young + gentleman who would not defer his enjoyment of heaven to the very last + extremity." +</p> +<p> + "To be sure," quoth our hero, "an ambition for the abode of saints is + of too extreme a nature to recommend itself to a modest young fellow of + parts. But when one finds himself thrown into the society of an houri—" +</p> +<p> + "And do you indeed have houris in England?" exclaimed the young lady. + "In America you must be content with society of a much more earthly + constitution!" +</p> +<p> + "Upon my word, miss," cried our young gentleman, "you compel me to + confess that I find myself in the society of one vastly more to my + inclination than that of any houri of my acquaintance." +</p> +<p> + With such lively badinage, occasionally lapsing into more serious + discourse, the dinner passed off with a great deal of pleasantness to + our young gentleman, who had prepared himself for something + prodigiously dull and heavy. After the repast, a pipe of tobacco in the + summer-house and a walk in the garden so far completed his cheerful + impressions that when he rode away towards Pig and Sow Point he found + himself accompanied by the most lively, agreeable thoughts imaginable. + Her wit, how subtle! Her person, how beautiful! He surprised himself + smiling with a fatuous indulgence of his enjoyable fancies. +</p> +<p> + Nor did the young lady's thoughts, though doubtless of a more moderate + sort, assume a less pleasing perspective. Our young gentleman was + favored with a tall, erect figure, a high nose, and a fine, thin face + expressive of excellent breeding. It seemed to her that his manners + possessed an elegance and a grace that she had never before discovered + beyond the leaves of Mr. Richardson's ingenious novels. Nor was she + unaware of the admiration of herself that his countenance had + expressed. Upon so slender a foundation she amused herself for above an + hour, erecting such castles in the air that, had any one discovered her + thought, she would have perished of mortification. +</p> +<p> + But though our young lady so yielded herself to the enjoyment of such + silly dreams as might occur to any miss of a lively imagination and + vivacious temperament, the reader is to understand that she has yet so + much dignity and spirit as to cover these foolish and romantic fancies + with a cloak of so delicate and so subtle a reserve that when the young + gentleman called to pay his respects the next afternoon he quitted her + presence ten times more infatuated with her charms than he had been the + day before. +</p> +<p> + Nor can it be denied that our young lady knew perfectly well how to + make the greatest use of such opportunities. She already possessed a + great deal of experience in teasing the other sex with those delicious + though innocent torments that cause the eyes of the victim to remain + awake at night and the fancy to dream throughout the day. +</p> +<p> + Such presently became the condition of our young gentleman that at the + end of the month he knew not whether his present life had continued for + weeks or for years; in the charming infatuation that overpowered him he + considered nothing of time, every other consideration being engulfed in + his desire for the society of his charmer. Cards and dice lost for him + their accustomed pleasure, and when a gay society would be at Belford's + Palace it was with the utmost difficulty that he assumed so much + patience as to take his part in those dissipations that there obtained. + Relieved from them, he flew with redoubled ardor back to the + gratification of his passion again. +</p> +<p> + In the mean time Captain Obadiah had become so accustomed to the + presence of his guest that he made no pretence of any concealment of + that iniquitous, dreadful avocation that lent to Pig and Sow Point so + great a terror in those parts. Rather did the West Indian appear to + court the open observation of his dependant. +</p> +<p> + One exquisite day in the last of October our young gentleman had spent + the greater part of the afternoon in the society of the beautiful + object of his regard. The leaves, though fallen from the trees in great + abundance, appeared thereby only to have admitted of the passage of a + riper radiance of golden sunlight through the thinning branches. This + and the ardor of his passion had so transported our hero that when he + had departed from her presence he seemed to walk as light as a feather, + and knew not whether it was the warmth of the sunlight or the heat of + his own impetuous transports that filled the universe with so extreme a + brightness. +</p> +<p> + Overpowered with these absorbing and transcendent introspections, he + approached his now odious home upon Pig and Sow Point by way of the old + meeting-house. There of a sudden he came upon his patron, Captain + Obadiah, superintending the burial of the last of three victims of his + odious commerce, who had died that afternoon. Two had already been + interred, and the third new-made grave was in the process of being + filled. Two men, one a negro and the other a white, had nearly + completed their labor, tramping down the crumbling earth as they + shovelled it into the shallow excavation. Meanwhile Captain Obadiah + stood near by, his red coat flaming in the slanting light, himself + smoking a pipe of tobacco with all the ease and coolness imaginable. + His hands, clasped behind his back, held his ivory-headed cane, and as + our hero approached he turned an evil countenance upon him, and greeted + him with a grin at once droll, mischievous, and malevolent in the + extreme. "And how is our pretty charmer this afternoon?" quoth Captain + Obadiah. +</p> +<p> + Conceive, if you please, of a man floating in the most ecstatic delight + of heaven pulled suddenly thence down into the most filthy extremity of + hell, and then you shall understand the motions of disgust and + repugnance and loathing that overpowered our hero, who, awakening thus + suddenly out of his dream of love, found himself in the presence of + that grim and obscene spectacle of death—who, arousing from such + absorbing and exquisite meditations, heard his ears greeted with so + rude and vulgar an address. +</p> +<p> + Acknowledging to himself that he did not dare offer an immediate reply + to his host, he turned upon his heel and walked away, without + expressing a single word. +</p> + + +<br><br> +<center> +<img alt="006 (77K)" src="006.jpg" height="792" width="482" /> +</center> +<br><br> + + + +<p> + He was not, however, permitted to escape thus easily. He had not taken + above twenty steps, when, hearing footsteps behind him, he turned his + head to discover Captain Obadiah skipping rapidly after him in a + prodigious hurry, swinging his cane and chuckling preposterously to + himself, as though in the enjoyment of some most exquisite piece of + drollery. "What!" he cried, as soon as he could catch his breath from + his hurry. "What! What! Can't you answer, you villain? Why, blind my + eyes! a body would think you were a lord's son indeed, instead of + being, as I know you, a beggarly runaway servant whom I took in like a + mangy cat out of the rain. But come, come—no offence, my boy! I'll be + no hard master to you. I've heard how the wind blows, and I've kept my + ears open to all your doings. I know who is your sweetheart. Harkee, + you rascal! You have a fancy for my niece, have you? Well, your apple + is ripe if you choose to pick it. Marry your charmer and be damned; and + if you'll serve me by taking her thus in hand, I'll pay you twenty + pounds upon your wedding-day. Now what do you say to that, you lousy + beggar in borrowed clothes?" +</p> +<p> + Our young gentleman stopped short and looked his tormentor full in the + face. The thought of his father's anger alone had saved him from + entangling himself in the web of his passions; this he forgot upon the + instant. "Captain Obadiah Belford," quoth he, "you're the most + consummate villain ever I beheld in all of my life; but if I have the + good-fortune to please the young lady, I wish I may die if I don't + serve you in this!" +</p> +<p> + At these words Captain Obadiah, who appeared to take no offence at his + guest's opinion of his honesty, burst out into a great boisterous + laugh, flinging back his head and dropping his lower jaw so + preposterously that the setting sun shone straight down his wide and + cavernous gullet. +</p> +<center> + V +</center> +<center> + HOW THE DEVIL WAS CAST OUT OF THE MEETING-HOUSE +</center> +<p> + The news that the Honorable Frederick Dunburne, second son of the Earl + of Clandennie, was to marry Miss Belinda Belford, the daughter and only + child of Colonel William Belford, of New Hope, was of a sort to arouse + the keenest and most lively interest in all those parts of the Northern + Colonies of America. +</p> +<p> + The day had been fixed, and all the circumstances arranged with such + particularity that an invitation was regarded as the highest honor that + could befall the fortunate recipient. There were to be present on this + interesting occasion two Colonial governors and their ladies, an + English general, the captain of the flag-ship <i>Achilles</i>, and above a + score of Colonial magnates and ladies of distinction. +</p> +<p> + Captain Obadiah had not been bidden to either the ceremony or the + breakfast. This rebuff he had accepted with prodigious amusement, + which, not limiting itself to the immediate occasion, broke forth at + intervals for above two weeks. Now it might express itself in chuckles + of the most delicious entertainment, vented as our Captain walked up + and down the hall of his great house, smoking his pipe and cracking the + knuckles of his fingers; at other times he would burst forth into + incontrollable fits of laughter at the extravagant deceit which he + believed himself to be imposing upon his brother, Colonel Belford. +</p> +<p> + At length came the wedding-day, with such circumstances of pomp and + display as the exceeding wealth and Colonial dignity of Colonel Belford + could surround it. For the wedding-breakfast the great folding-doors + between the drawing-room and the dining-room of Colonel Belford's house + were flung wide open, and a table extending the whole length of the two + apartments was set with the most sumptuous and exquisite display of + plate and china. Around the board were collected the distinguished + company, and the occasion was remarkable not less for the richness of + its display than for the exquisite nature of the repast intended to + celebrate so auspicious an occasion. +</p> +<p> + At the head of the board sat the young couple, radiant with an + engrossing happiness that took no thought of what the future might have + in store for it, but was contented with the triumphant ecstasy of the + moment. +</p> +<p> + These elegant festivities were at their height, when there suddenly + arose a considerable disputation in the hallway beyond, and before any + one could inquire as to what was occurring, Captain Obadiah Belford + came stumping into the room, swinging his ivory-headed cane, and with + an expression of the most malicious triumph impressed upon his + countenance. Directing his address to the bridegroom, and paying no + attention to any other one of the company, he cried out: "Though not + bidden to this entertainment, I have come to pay you a debt I owe. Here + is twenty pounds I promised to pay you for marrying my niece." +</p> +<p> + Therewith he drew a silk purse full of gold pieces from his pocket, + which he hung over the ferrule of his cane and reached across the table + to the bridegroom. That gentleman, upon his part (having expected some + such episode as this), arose, and with a most polite and elaborate bow + accepted the same and thrust it into his pocket. +</p> +<p> + "And now, my young gentleman," cried Captain Obadiah, folding his arms + and tucking his cane under his armpit, looking the while from under his + brows upon the company with a most malevolent and extravagant grin— + "and now, my young gentleman, perhaps you will favor the ladies and + gentlemen here present with an account of what services they are I thus + pay for." +</p> +<p> + "To be sure I will," cried out our hero, "and that with the utmost + willingness in the world." +</p> +<p> + During all this while the elegant company had sat as with suspended + animation, overwhelmed with wonder at the singular address of the + intruder. Even the servants stood still with the dishes in their hands + the better to hear the outcome of the affair. The bride, overwhelmed by + a sudden and inexplicable anxiety, felt the color quit her face, and + reaching out, seized her lover's hand, who took hers very readily, + holding it tight within his grasp. As for Colonel and Madam Belford, + not knowing what this remarkable address portended, they sat as though + turned to stone, the one gone as white as ashes, and the other as red + in the face as a cherry. Our young gentleman, however, maintained the + utmost coolness and composure of demeanor. Pointing his finger towards + the intruder, he exclaimed: "In Captain Obadiah Belford, ladies and + gentlemen, you behold the most unmitigated villain that ever I met in + all of my life. With an incredible spite and vindictiveness he not only + pursued my honored father-in-law, Colonel Belford, but has sought to + wreak an unwarranted revenge upon the innocent and virtuous young lady + whom I have now the honor to call my wife. But how has he overreached + himself in his machinations! How has he entangled his feet in the net + which he himself has spread! I will tell you my history, as he bids me + to do, and you may then judge for yourselves!" +</p> +<p> + At this unexpected address Captain Obadiah's face fell from its + expression of malicious triumph, growing longer and longer, until at + last it was overclouded with so much doubt and anxiety that, had he + been threatened by the loss of a thousand pounds, he could not have + assumed a greater appearance of mortification and dejection. Meantime, + regarding him with a mischievous smile, our young gentleman began the + history of all those adventures that had befallen him from the time he + embarked upon the memorable expedition with his two companions in + dissipation from York Stairs. As his account proceeded Captain + Obadiah's face altered by degrees from its natural brown to a sickly + yellow, and then to so leaden a hue that it could not have assumed a + more ghastly appearance were he about to swoon dead away. Great beads + of sweat gathered upon his forehead and trickled down his cheeks. At + last he could endure no more, but with a great and strident voice, such + as might burst forth from a devil tormented, he cried out: "'Tis a lie! + 'Tis all a monstrous lie! He is a beggarly runaway servant whom I took + in out of the rain and fed and housed—to have him turn thus against me + and strike the hand that has benefited him!" +</p> +<p> + "Sir," replied our young gentleman, with a moderate and easy voice, + "what I tell you is no lie, but the truth. If any here misdoubts my + veracity, see, here is a letter received by the last packet from my + honored father. You, Colonel Belford, know his handwriting perfectly + well. Look at this and tell me if I am deceiving you." +</p> +<p> + At these words Colonel Belford took the letter with a hand that + trembled as though with palsy. He cast his eyes over it, but it is to + be doubted whether he read a single word therein contained. + Nevertheless, he saw enough to satisfy his doubts, and he could have + wept, so great was the relief from the miserable and overwhelming + anxiety that had taken possession of him since the beginning of his + brother's discourse. +</p> +<p> + Meantime our young gentleman, turning to Captain Obadiah, cried out, + "Sir, I am indeed an instrument of Providence sent hither to call your + wickedness to account," and this he spoke with so virtuous an air as to + command the admiration of all who heard him. "I have," he continued, + "lived with you now for nearly three odious months, and I know every + particular of your habits and such circumstances of your life as you + are aware of. I now proclaim how you have wickedly and sacrilegiously + turned the Old Free Grace Meeting-House into a slave-pen, whence for + above a year you have conducted a nefarious and most inhuman commerce + with the West Indies." +</p> +<p> + At these words Captain Obadiah, being thrown so suddenly upon his + defence, forced himself to give forth a huge and boisterous laugh. + "What then?" he cried. "What wickedness is there in that? What if I + have provided a few sugar plantations with negro slaves? Are there not + those here present who would do no better if the opportunity offered? + The place is mine, and I break no law by a bit of quiet slave-trading." +</p> +<p> + "I marvel," cried our young gentleman, still in the same virtuous + strain—"I marvel that you can pass over so wicked a thing thus easily. + I myself have counted above fifty graves of your victims on Pig and Sow + Point. Repent, sir, while there is yet time." +</p> +<p> + But to this adjuration Captain Obadiah returned no other reply than to + burst into a most wicked, impudent laugh. +</p> +<p> + "Is it so?" cried our young gentleman. "Do you dare me to further + exposures? Then I have here another evidence to confront you that may + move you to a more serious consideration." With these words he drew + forth from his pocket a packet wrapped in soft white paper. This he + unfolded, holding up to the gaze of all a bright and shining object. + "This," he exclaimed, "I found in Captain Obadiah's writing-desk while + I was hunting for some wax with which to seal a letter." It was the + gold snuffbox of the late Collector Goodhouse. "What," he cried, "have + you, sir, to offer in explanation of the manner in which this came into + your possession? See, here engraved upon the lid is the owner's name + and the circumstance of his having saved my own poor life. It was that + first called my attention to it, for I well recollect how my father + compelled me to present it to my savior. How came it into your + possession, and why have you hidden it away so carefully for all this + while? Sir, in the death of Lieutenant Goodhouse I suspect you of a + more sinister fault than that of converting yonder poor sanctuary into + a slave-pen. So soon as Captain Morris of your slave-ship returns from + Jamaica I shall have him arrested, and shall compel him to explain what + he knows of the circumstances of the Lieutenant's unfortunate murder." +</p> +<p> + At the sight of so unexpected an object in the young gentleman's hand + Captain Obadiah's jaw fell, and his cavernous mouth gaped as though he + had suddenly been stricken with a palsy. He lifted a trembling hand and + slowly and mechanically passed it along that cheek which was so + discolored with gunpowder stain. Then, suddenly gathering himself + together and regaining those powers that appeared for a moment to have + fled from him, he cried out, aloud: "I swear to God 'twas all an + accident! I pushed him down the steps, and he fell and broke his neck!" +</p> +<p> + Our young gentleman regarded him with a cold and collected smile. + "That, sir," said he, "you shall have the opportunity to explain to the + proper authorities—unless," he added, "you choose to take yourself + away from these parts, and to escape the just resentment of those laws + to which you may be responsible for your misdemeanors." +</p> +<p> + "I shall," roared Captain Obadiah, "stand my trial in spite of you all! + I shall live to see you in torments yet! I shall—" He gaped and + stuttered, but could find no further words with which to convey his + infinite rage and disappointed spite. Then turning, and with a furious + gesture, he rushed forth and out of the house, thrusting those aside + who stood in his way, and leaving behind him a string of curses fit to + set the whole world into a blaze. +</p> +<p> + He had destroyed all the gaiety of the wedding-breakfast, but the + relief from the prodigious doubts and anxieties that had at first + overwhelmed those whom he had intended to ruin was of so great a nature + that they thought nothing of so inconsiderable a circumstance. +</p> +<p> + As for our young gentleman, he had come forth from the adventure with + such dignity of deportment and with so exalted an air of generous + rectitude that those present could not sufficiently admire at the + continent discretion of one so young. The young lady whom he had + married, if she had before regarded him as a Paris and an Achilles + incorporated into one person, now added the wisdom of a Nestor to the + category of his accomplishments. +</p> +<p> + Captain Obadiah, in spite of the defiance he had fulminated against his + enemies, and in spite of the determination he had expressed to remain + and to stand his trial, was within a few days known to have suddenly + and mysteriously departed from New Hope. Whether or not he misdoubted + his own rectitude too greatly to put it to the test of a trial, or + whether the mortification incident upon the failure of his plot was too + great for him to support, it was clearly his purpose never to return + again. For within a month the more valuable of his belongings were + removed from his great house upon Pig and Sow Point and were loaded + upon a bark that came into the harbor for that purpose. Thence they + were transported no one knew whither, for Captain Obadiah was never + afterwards observed in those parts. +</p> +<p> + Nor was the old meeting-house ever again disturbed by such + manifestations as had terrified the community for so long a time. + Nevertheless, though the Devil was thus exorcised from his + abiding-place, the old church never lost its evil reputation, until it was + finally destroyed by fire about ten years after the incidents herein + narrated. +</p> +<p> + In conclusion it is only necessary to say that when the Honorable + Frederick Dunburne presented his wife to his noble family at home, he + was easily forgiven his <i>mésalliance</i> in view of her extreme beauty and + vivacity. Within a year or two Lord Carrickford, his elder brother, + died of excessive dissipation in Florence, where he was then attached + to the English Embassy, so that our young gentleman thus became the + heir-apparent to his father's title, and so both branches of the family + were united into one. +</p> +<center> + THE END +</center> + + + + + + + + +<pre> + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Stolen Treasure, by Howard Pyle + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK STOLEN TREASURE *** + +***** This file should be named 10394-h.htm or 10394-h.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + https://www.gutenberg.org/1/0/3/9/10394/ + +Produced by David Widger, Juliet Sutherland, Linda Cantoni and PG +Distributed Proofreaders + + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: Stolen Treasure + +Author: Howard Pyle + +Release Date: December 7, 2003 [EBook #10394] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ASCII + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK STOLEN TREASURE *** + + + + +Produced by David Widger, Juliet Sutherland, Linda Cantoni and PG +Distributed Proofreaders + + + + + +STOLEN TREASURE + +BY + +HOWARD PYLE + +Author of "Men of Iron" "Twilight Land" "The Wonder Clock" "Pepper and +Salt" + + +ILLUSTRATED BY THE AUTHOR + +MCMVII + + + + +CONTENTS + + +I. WITH THE BUCCANEERS + +II. TOM CHIST AND THE TREASURE-BOX + +III. THE GHOST OF CAPTAIN BRAND + +IV. THE DEVIL AT NEW HOPE + + + + +ILLUSTRATIONS + + +"'I'VE KEPT MY EARS OPEN TO ALL YOUR DOINGS'" + +"THIS FIGURE OF WAR OUR HERO ASKED TO STEP ASIDE WITH HIM" + +"OUR HERO, LEAPING TO THE WHEEL, SEIZED THE FLYING SPOKES" + +"SHE AND MASTER HARRY WOULD SPEND HOURS TOGETHER" + +"'... AND TWENTY-ONE AND TWENTY-TWO'" + +"''TIS ENOUGH,' CRIED OUT PARSON JONES, 'TO MAKE US BOTH RICH MEN'" + +"CAPTAIN MALYOE SHOT CAPTAIN BRAND THROUGH THE HEAD" + +"HE WOULD SHOUT OPPROBRIOUS WORDS AFTER THE OTHER IN THE STREETS" + + + + +STOLEN TREASURE + + + + +I. WITH THE BUCCANEERS + +_Being an Account of Certain Adventures that Befell Henry Mostyn under +Captain H. Morgan in the Year 1665-66._ + +I + +Although this narration has more particularly to do with the taking of +the Spanish Vice-Admiral in the harbor of Puerto Bello, and of the +rescue therefrom of Le Sieur Simon, his wife and daughter (the +adventure of which was successfully achieved by Captain Morgan, the +famous buccaneer), we shall, nevertheless, premise something of the +earlier history of Master Harry Mostyn, whom you may, if you please, +consider as the hero of the several circumstances recounted in these +pages. + +In the year 1664 our hero's father embarked from Portsmouth, in +England, for the Barbadoes, where he owned a considerable sugar +plantation. Thither to those parts of America he transported with +himself his whole family, of whom our Master Harry was the fifth of +eight children--a great lusty fellow as little fitted for the Church +(for which he was designed) as could be. At the time of this story, +though not above sixteen years old, Master Harry Mostyn was as big and +well-grown as many a man of twenty, and of such a reckless and +dare-devil spirit that no adventure was too dangerous or too mischievous +for him to embark upon. + +At this time there was a deal of talk in those parts of the Americas +concerning Captain Morgan, and the prodigious successes he was having +pirating against the Spaniards. + +This man had once been an indentured servant with Mr. Rolls, a sugar +factor at the Barbadoes. Having served out his time, and being of +lawless disposition, possessing also a prodigious appetite for +adventure, he joined with others of his kidney, and, purchasing a +caraval of three guns, embarked fairly upon that career of piracy the +most successful that ever was heard of in the world. + +Master Harry had known this man very well while he was still with Mr. +Rolls, serving as a clerk at that gentleman's sugar wharf, a tall, +broad-shouldered, strapping fellow, with red cheeks, and thick red +lips, and rolling blue eyes, and hair as red as any chestnut. Many knew +him for a bold, gruff-spoken man, but no one at that time suspected +that he had it in him to become so famous and renowned as he afterwards +grew to be. + +The fame of his exploits had been the talk of those parts for above a +twelvemonth, when, in the latter part of the year 1665, Captain Morgan, +having made a very successful expedition against the Spaniards into the +Gulf of Campeachy--where he took several important purchases from the +plate fleet--came to the Barbadoes, there to fit out another such +venture, and to enlist recruits. + +He and certain other adventurers had purchased a vessel of some five +hundred tons, which they proposed to convert into a pirate by cutting +port-holes for cannon, and running three or four carronades across her +main-deck. The name of this ship, be it mentioned, was the _Good +Samaritan_, as ill-fitting a name as could be for such a craft, which, +instead of being designed for the healing of wounds, was intended to +inflict such devastation as those wicked men proposed. + +Here was a piece of mischief exactly fitted to our hero's tastes; +wherefore, having made up a bundle of clothes, and with not above a +shilling in his pocket, he made an excursion into the town to seek for +Captain Morgan. There he found the great pirate established at an +ordinary, with a little court of ragamuffins and swashbucklers gathered +about him, all talking very loud, and drinking healths in raw rum as +though it were sugared water. + +And what a fine figure our buccaneer had grown, to be sure! How +different from the poor, humble clerk upon the sugarwharf! What a deal +of gold braid! What a fine, silver-hilted Spanish sword! What a gay +velvet sling, hung with three silver-mounted pistols! If Master Harry's +mind had not been made up before, to be sure such a spectacle of glory +would have determined it. + +This figure of war our hero asked to step aside with him, and when they +had come into a corner, proposed to the other what he intended, and +that he had a mind to enlist as a gentleman adventurer upon this +expedition. Upon this our rogue of a buccaneer Captain burst out +a-laughing, and fetching Master Harry a great thump upon the back, swore +roundly that he would make a man of him, and that it was a pity to make +a parson out of so good a piece of stuff. + +[Illustration: "THIS FIGURE OF WAR OUR HERO ASKED TO STEP ASIDE WITH +HIM"] + +Nor was Captain Morgan less good than his word, for when the _Good +Samaritan_ set sail with a favoring wind for the island of Jamaica, +Master Harry found himself established as one of the adventurers +aboard. + +II + +Could you but have seen the town of Port Royal as it appeared in the +year 1665 you would have beheld a sight very well worth while looking +upon. There were no fine houses at that time, and no great +counting-houses built of brick, such as you may find nowadays, but a crowd +of board and wattled huts huddled along the streets, and all so gay with +flags and bits of color that Vanity Fair itself could not have been +gayer. To this place came all the pirates and buccaneers that infested +those parts, and men shouted and swore and gambled, and poured out +money like water, and then maybe wound up their merrymaking by dying of +fever. For the sky in these torrid latitudes is all full of clouds +overhead, and as hot as any blanket, and when the sun shone forth it +streamed down upon the smoking sands so that the houses were ovens and +the streets were furnaces; so it was little wonder that men died like +rats in a hole. But little they appeared to care for that; so that +everywhere you might behold a multitude of painted women and Jews and +merchants and pirates, gaudy with red scarfs and gold braid and all +sorts of odds and ends of foolish finery, all fighting and gambling and +bartering for that ill-gotten treasure of the be-robbed Spaniard. + +Here, arriving, Captain Morgan found a hearty welcome, and a message +from the Governor awaiting him, the message bidding him attend his +Excellency upon the earliest occasion that offered. Whereupon, taking +our hero (of whom he had grown prodigiously fond) along with him, our +pirate went, without any loss of time, to visit Sir Thomas Modiford, +who was then the royal Governor of all this devil's brew of wickedness. + +They found his Excellency seated in a great easy-chair, under the +shadow of a slatted veranda, the floor whereof was paved with brick. He +was clad, for the sake of coolness, only in his shirt, breeches, and +stockings, and he wore slippers on his feet. He was smoking a great +cigarro of tobacco, and a goblet of lime-juice and water and rum stood +at his elbow on a table. Here, out of the glare of the heat, it was all +very cool and pleasant, with a sea-breeze blowing violently in through +the slats, setting them a-rattling now and then, and stirring Sir +Thomas's long hair, which he had pushed back for the sake of coolness. + +The purport of this interview, I may tell you, concerned the rescue of +one Le Sieur Simon, who, together with his wife and daughter, was held +captive by the Spaniards. + +This gentleman adventurer (Le Sieur Simon) had, a few years before, +been set up by the buccaneers as Governor of the island of Santa +Catherina. This place, though well fortified by the Spaniards, the +buccaneers had seized upon, establishing themselves thereon, and so +infesting the commerce of those seas that no Spanish fleet was safe +from them. At last the Spaniards, no longer able to endure these +assaults against their commerce, sent a great force against the +freebooters to drive them out of their island stronghold. This they +did, retaking Santa Catherina, together with its Governor, his wife, +and daughter, as well as the whole garrison of buccaneers. + +This garrison were sent by their conquerors, some to the galleys, some +to the mines, some to no man knows where. The Governor himself--Le +Sieur Simon--was to be sent to Spain, there to stand his trial for +piracy. + +The news of all this, I may tell you, had only just been received in +Jamaica, having been brought thither by a Spanish captain, one Don +Roderiguez Sylvia, who was, besides, the bearer of despatches to the +Spanish authorities relating the whole affair. + +Such, in fine, was the purport of this interview, and as our hero and +his Captain walked back together from the Governor's house to the +ordinary where they had taken up their inn, the buccaneer assured his +companion that he purposed to obtain those despatches from the Spanish +captain that very afternoon, even if he had to use force to seize them. + +All this, you are to understand, was undertaken only because of the +friendship that the Governor and Captain Morgan entertained for Le +Sieur Simon. And, indeed, it was wonderful how honest and how faithful +were these wicked men in their dealings with one another. For you must +know that Governor Modiford and Le Sieur Simon and the buccaneers were +all of one kidney--all taking a share in the piracies of those times, +and all holding by one another as though they were the honestest men in +the world. Hence it was they were all so determined to rescue Le Sieur +Simon from the Spaniards. + +III + +Having reached his ordinary after his interview with the Governor, +Captain Morgan found there a number of his companions, such as usually +gathered at that place to be in attendance upon him--some, those +belonging to the _Good Samaritan_; others, those who hoped to obtain +benefits from him; others, those ragamuffins who gathered around him +because he was famous, and because it pleased them to be of his court +and to be called his followers. For nearly always your successful +pirate had such a little court surrounding him. + +Finding a dozen or more of these rascals gathered there, Captain Morgan +informed them of his present purpose--that he was going to find the +Spanish captain to demand his papers of him, and calling upon them to +accompany him. + +With this following at his heels, our buccaneer started off down the +street, his lieutenant, a Cornishman named Bartholomew Davis, upon one +hand and our hero upon the other. So they paraded the streets for the +best part of an hour before they found the Spanish captain. For whether +he had got wind that Captain Morgan was searching for him, or whether, +finding himself in a place so full of his enemies, he had buried +himself in some place of hiding, it is certain that the buccaneers had +traversed pretty nearly the whole town before they discovered that he +was lying at a certain auberge kept by a Portuguese Jew. Thither they +went, and thither Captain Morgan entered with the utmost coolness and +composure of demeanor, his followers crowding noisily in at his heels. + +The space within was very dark, being lighted only by the doorway and +by two large slatted windows or openings in the front. + +In this dark, hot place--not over-roomy at the best--were gathered +twelve or fifteen villanous-appearing men, sitting at tables and +drinking together, waited upon by the Jew and his wife. Our hero had no +trouble in discovering which of this lot of men was Captain Sylvia, for +not only did Captain Morgan direct his glance full of war upon him, but +the Spaniard was clad with more particularity and with more show of +finery than any of the others who were there. + +Him Captain Morgan approached and demanded his papers, whereunto the +other replied with such a jabber of Spanish and English that no man +could have understood what he said. To this Captain Morgan in turn +replied that he must have those papers, no matter what it might cost +him to obtain them, and thereupon drew a pistol from his sling and +presented it at the other's head. + +At this threatening action the innkeeper's wife fell a-screaming, and +the Jew, as in a frenzy, besought them not to tear the house down about +his ears. + +Our hero could hardly tell what followed, only that all of a sudden +there was a prodigious uproar of combat. Knives flashed everywhere, and +then a pistol was fired so close to his head that he stood like one +stunned, hearing some one crying out in a loud voice, but not knowing +whether it was a friend or a foe who had been shot. Then another +pistol-shot so deafened what was left of Master Harry's hearing that +his ears rang for above an hour afterwards. By this time the whole +place was full of gunpowder smoke, and there was the sound of blows and +oaths and outcrying and the clashing of knives. + +As Master Harry, who had no great stomach for such a combat, and no +very particular interest in the quarrel, was making for the door, a +little Portuguese, as withered and as nimble as an ape, came ducking +under the table and plunged at his stomach with a great long knife, +which, had it effected its object, would surely have ended his +adventures then and there. + +Finding himself in such danger, Master Harry snatched up a heavy chair, +and, flinging it at his enemy, who was preparing for another attack, he +fairly ran for it out of the door, expecting every instant to feel the +thrust of the blade betwixt his ribs. + +A considerable crowd had gathered outside, and others, hearing the +uproar, were coming running to join them. With these our hero stood, +trembling like a leaf, and with cold chills running up and down his +back like water at the narrow escape from the danger that had +threatened him. + +Nor shall you think him a coward, for you must remember he was hardly +sixteen years old at the time, and that this was the first affair of +the sort he had encountered. Afterwards, as you shall learn, he showed +that he could exhibit courage enough at a pinch. + +While he stood there endeavoring to recover his composure, the while +the tumult continued within, suddenly two men came running almost +together out of the door, a crowd of the combatants at their heels. The +first of these men was Captain Sylvia; the other, who was pursuing him, +was Captain Morgan. + +As the crowd about the door parted before the sudden appearing of +these, the Spanish captain, perceiving, as he supposed, a way of escape +opened to him, darted across the street with incredible swiftness +towards an alleyway upon the other side. Upon this, seeing his prey +like to get away from him, Captain Morgan snatched a pistol out of his +sling, and resting it for an instant across his arm, fired at the +flying Spaniard, and that with so true an aim that, though the street +was now full of people, the other went tumbling over and over all of a +heap in the kennel, where he lay, after a twitch or two, as still as a +log. + +At the sound of the shot and the fall of the man the crowd scattered +upon all sides, yelling and screaming, and the street being thus pretty +clear, Captain Morgan ran across the way to where his victim lay, his +smoking pistol still in his hand, and our hero following close at his +heels. + +Our poor Harry had never before beheld a man killed thus in an instant +who a moment before had been so full of life and activity, for when +Captain Morgan turned the body over upon its back he could perceive at +a glance, little as he knew of such matters, that the man was stone +dead. And, indeed, it was a dreadful sight for him who was hardly more +than a child. He stood rooted for he knew not how long, staring down at +the dead face with twitching fingers and shuddering limbs. Meantime a +great crowd was gathering about them again. + +As for Captain Morgan, he went about his work with the utmost coolness +and deliberation imaginable, unbuttoning the waistcoat and the shirt of +the man he had murdered with fingers that neither twitched nor shook. +There were a gold cross and a bunch of silver medals hung by a +whip-cord about the neck of the dead man. This Captain Morgan broke away +with a snap, reaching the jingling baubles to Harry, who took them in +his nerveless hand and fingers that he could hardly close upon what +they held. + +The papers Captain Morgan found in a wallet in an inner breast-pocket +of the Spaniard's waistcoat. These he examined one by one, and finding +them to his satisfaction, tied them up again, and slipped the wallet +and its contents into his own pocket. + +Then for the first time he appeared to observe Master Harry, who, +indeed, must have been standing the perfect picture of horror and +dismay. Whereupon, bursting out a-laughing, and slipping the pistol he +had used back into its sling again, he fetched poor Harry a great slap +upon the back, bidding him be a man, for that he would see many such +sights as this. + +But, indeed, it was no laughing matter for poor Master Harry, for it +was many a day before his imagination could rid itself of the image of +the dead Spaniard's face; and as he walked away down the street with +his companions, leaving the crowd behind them, and the dead body where +it lay for its friends to look after, his ears humming and ringing from +the deafening noise of the pistol-shots fired in the close room, and +the sweat trickling down his face in drops, he knew not whether all +that had passed had been real, or whether it was a dream from which he +might presently awaken. + +IV + +The papers Captain Morgan had thus seized upon as the fruit of the +murder he had committed must have been as perfectly satisfactory to him +as could be, for having paid a second visit that evening to Governor +Modiford, the pirate lifted anchor the next morning and made sail +towards the Gulf of Darien. There, after cruising about in those waters +for about a fortnight without falling in with a vessel of any sort, at +the end of that time they overhauled a caravel bound from Puerto Bello +to Cartagena, which vessel they took, and finding her loaded with +nothing better than raw hides, scuttled and sunk her, being then about +twenty leagues from the main of Cartagena. From the captain of this +vessel they learned that the plate fleet was then lying in the harbor +of Puerto Bello, not yet having set sail thence, but waiting for the +change of the winds before embarking for Spain. Besides this, which was +a good deal more to their purpose, the Spaniards told the pirates that +the Sieur Simon, his wife, and daughter were confined aboard the +vice-admiral of that fleet, and that the name of the vice-admiral was the +_Santa Maria y Valladolid_. + +So soon as Captain Morgan had obtained the information he desired he +directed his course straight for the Bay of Santo Blaso, where he might +lie safely within the cape of that name without any danger of discovery +(that part of the main-land being entirely uninhabited) and yet be +within twenty or twenty-five leagues of Puerto Bello. + +Having come safely to this anchorage, he at once declared his +intentions to his companions, which were as follows: + +That it was entirely impossible for them to hope to sail their vessel +into the harbor of Puerto Bello, and to attack the Spanish vice-admiral +where he lay in the midst of the armed flota; wherefore, if anything +was to be accomplished, it must be undertaken by some subtle design +rather than by open-handed boldness. Having so prefaced what he had to +say, he now declared that it was his purpose to take one of the ship's +boats and to go in that to Puerto Bello, trusting for some opportunity +to occur to aid him either in the accomplishment of his aims or in the +gaining of some further information. Having thus delivered himself, he +invited any who dared to do so to volunteer for the expedition, telling +them plainly that he would constrain no man to go against his will, for +that at best it was a desperate enterprise, possessing only the +recommendation that in its achievement the few who undertook it would +gain great renown, and perhaps a very considerable booty. + +And such was the incredible influence of this bold man over his +companions, and such was their confidence in his skill and cunning, +that not above a dozen of all those aboard hung back from the +undertaking, but nearly every man desired to be taken. + +Of these volunteers Captain Morgan chose twenty--among others our +Master Harry--and having arranged with his lieutenant that if nothing +was heard from the expedition at the end of three days he should sail +for Jamaica to await news, he embarked upon that enterprise, which, +though never heretofore published, was perhaps the boldest and the most +desperate of all those that have since made his name so famous. For +what could be a more unparalleled undertaking than for a little open +boat, containing but twenty men, to enter the harbor of the third +strongest fortress of the Spanish mainland with the intention of +cutting out the Spanish vice-admiral from the midst of a whole fleet of +powerfully armed vessels, and how many men in all the world do you +suppose would venture such a thing? + +But there is this to be said of that great buccaneer: that if he +undertook enterprises so desperate as this, he yet laid his plans so +well that they never went altogether amiss. Moreover, the very +desperation of his successes was of such a nature that no man could +suspect that he would dare to undertake such things, and accordingly +his enemies were never prepared to guard against his attacks. Aye, had +he but worn the King's colors and served under the rules of honest war, +he might have become as great and as renowned as Admiral Blake himself! + +But all that is neither here nor there; what I have to tell you now is +that Captain Morgan in this open boat with his twenty mates reached the +Cape of Salmedina towards the fall of day. Arriving within view of the +harbor they discovered the plate fleet at anchor, with two men-of-war +and an armed galley riding as a guard at the mouth of the harbor, +scarce half a league distant from the other ships. Having spied the +fleet in this posture, the pirates presently pulled down their sails +and rowed along the coast, feigning to be a Spanish vessel from Nombre +de Dios. So hugging the shore, they came boldly within the harbor, upon +the opposite side of which you might see the fortress a considerable +distance away. + +Being now come so near to the consummation of their adventure, Captain +Morgan required every man to make an oath to stand by him to the last, +whereunto our hero swore as heartily as any man aboard, although his +heart, I must needs confess, was beating at a great rate at the +approach of what was to happen. Having thus received the oaths of all +his followers, Captain Morgan commanded the surgeon of the expedition +that, when the order was given, he, the medico, was to bore six holes +in the boat, so that, it sinking under them, they might all be +compelled to push forward, with no chance of retreat. And such was the +ascendency of this man over his followers, and such was their awe of +him, that not one of them uttered even so much as a murmur, though what +he had commanded the surgeon to do pledged them either to victory or to +death, with no chance to choose between. Nor did the surgeon question +the orders he had received, much less did he dream of disobeying them. + +By now it had fallen pretty dusk, whereupon, spying two fishermen in a +canoe at a little distance, Captain Morgan demanded of them in Spanish +which vessel of those at anchor in the harbor was the vice-admiral, for +that he had despatches for the captain thereof. Whereupon the +fishermen, suspecting nothing, pointed to them a galleon of great size +riding at anchor not half a league distant. + +Towards this vessel accordingly the pirates directed their course, and +when they had come pretty nigh, Captain Morgan called upon the surgeon +that now it was time for him to perform the duty that had been laid +upon him. Whereupon the other did as he was ordered, and that so +thoroughly that the water presently came gushing into the boat in great +streams, whereat all hands pulled for the galleon as though every next +moment was to be their last. + +And what do you suppose were our hero's emotions at this time? Like all +in the boat, his awe of Captain Morgan was so great that I do believe +he would rather have gone to the bottom than have questioned his +command, even when it was to scuttle the boat. Nevertheless, when he +felt the cold water gushing about his feet (for he had taken off his +shoes and stockings) he became possessed with such a fear of being +drowned that even the Spanish galleon had no terrors for him if he +could only feel the solid planks thereof beneath his feet. + +Indeed, all the crew appeared to be possessed of a like dismay, for +they pulled at the oars with such an incredible force that they were +under the quarter of the galleon before the boat was half filled with +water. + +Here, as they approached, it then being pretty dark and the moon not +yet having risen, the watch upon the deck hailed them, whereupon +Captain Morgan called out in Spanish that he was Captain Alvarez +Mendazo, and that he brought despatches for the vice-admiral. + +But at that moment, the boat being now so full of water as to be +logged, it suddenly tilted upon one side as though to sink beneath +them, whereupon all hands, without further orders, went scrambling up +the side, as nimble as so many monkeys, each armed with a pistol in one +hand and a cutlass in the other, and so were upon deck before the watch +could collect his wits to utter any outcry or to give any other alarm +than to cry out, "Jesu bless us! who are these?" at which words +somebody knocked him down with the butt of a pistol, though who it was +our hero could not tell in the darkness and the hurry. + +Before any of those upon deck could recover from their alarm or those +from below come up upon deck, a part of the pirates, under the +carpenter and the surgeon, had run to the gunroom and had taken +possession of the arms, while Captain Morgan, with Master Harry and a +Portuguese called Murillo Braziliano, had flown with the speed of the +wind into the great cabin. + +Here they found the captain of the vice-admiral playing at cards with +the Sieur Simon and a friend, Madam Simon and her daughter being +present. + +Captain Morgan instantly set his pistol at the breast of the Spanish +captain, swearing with a most horrible fierce countenance that if he +spake a word or made any outcry he was a dead man. As for our hero, +having now got his hand into the game, he performed the same service +for the Spaniard's friend, declaring he would shoot him dead if he +opened his lips or lifted so much as a single finger. + +All this while the ladies, not comprehending what had occurred, had sat +as mute as stones; but now having so far recovered themselves as to +find a voice, the younger of the two fell to screaming, at which the +Sieur Simon called out to her to be still, for these were friends who +had come to help them, and not enemies who had come to harm them. + +All this, you are to understand, occupied only a little while, for in +less than a minute three or four of the pirates had come into the +cabin, who, together with the Portuguese, proceeded at once to bind the +two Spaniards hand and foot, and to gag them. This being done to our +buccaneer's satisfaction, and the Spanish captain being stretched out +in the corner of the cabin, he instantly cleared his countenance of its +terrors, and bursting forth into a great loud laugh, clapped his hand +to the Sieur Simon's, which he wrung with the best will in the world. +Having done this, and being in a fine humor after this his first +success, he turned to the two ladies. "And this, ladies," said he, +taking our hero by the hand and presenting him, "is a young gentleman +who has embarked with me to learn the trade of piracy. I recommend him +to your politeness." + +Think what a confusion this threw our Master Harry into, to be sure, +who at his best was never easy in the company of strange ladies! You +may suppose what must have been his emotions to find himself thus +introduced to the attention of Madam Simon and her daughter, being at +the time in his bare feet, clad only in his shirt and breeches, and +with no hat upon his head, a pistol in one hand and a cutlass in the +other. However, he was not left for long to his embarrassments, for +almost immediately after he had thus far relaxed, Captain Morgan fell +of a sudden serious again, and bidding the Sieur Simon to get his +ladies away into some place of safety, for the most hazardous part of +this adventure was yet to occur, he quitted the cabin with Master Harry +and the other pirates (for you may call him a pirate now) at his heels. + +Having come upon deck, our hero beheld that a part of the Spanish crew +were huddled forward in a flock like so many sheep (the others being +crowded below with the hatches fastened upon them), and such was the +terror of the pirates, and so dreadful the name of Henry Morgan, that +not one of those poor wretches dared to lift up his voice to give any +alarm, nor even to attempt an escape by jumping overboard. + +At Captain Morgan's orders, these men, together with certain of his own +company, ran nimbly aloft and began setting the sails, which, the night +now having fallen pretty thick, was not for a good while observed by +any of the vessels riding at anchor about them. + +Indeed, the pirates might have made good their escape, with at most +only a shot or two from the men-of-war, had it not then been about the +full of the moon, which, having arisen, presently discovered to those +of the fleet that lay closest about them what was being done aboard the +vice-admiral. + +At this one of the vessels hailed them, and then after a while, having +no reply, hailed them again. Even then the Spaniards might not +immediately have suspected anything was amiss but only that the +vice-admiral for some reason best known to himself was shifting his +anchorage, had not one of the Spaniards aloft--but who it was Captain +Morgan was never able to discover--answered the hail by crying out that +the vice-admiral had been seized by the pirates. + +At this the alarm was instantly given and the mischief done, for +presently there was a tremendous bustle through that part of the fleet +lying nighest the vice-admiral--a deal of shouting of orders, a beating +of drums, and the running hither and thither of the crews. + +But by this time the sails of the vice-admiral had filled with a strong +land breeze that was blowing up the harbor, whereupon the carpenter, at +Captain Morgan's orders, having cut away both anchors, the galleon +presently bore away up the harbor, gathering headway every moment with +the wind nearly dead astern. The nearest vessel was the only one that +for the moment was able to offer any hinderance. This ship, having by +this time cleared away one of its guns, was able to fire a parting shot +against the vice-admiral, striking her somewhere forward, as our hero +could see by a great shower of splinters that flew up in the moonlight. + +At the sound of the shot all the vessels of the flota not yet disturbed +by the alarm were aroused at once, so that the pirates had the +satisfaction of knowing that they would have to run the gantlet of all +the ships between them and the open sea before they could reckon +themselves escaped. + +And, indeed, to our hero's mind it seemed that the battle which +followed must have been the most terrific cannonade that was ever heard +in the world. It was not so ill at first, for it was some while before +the Spaniards could get their guns clear for action, they being not the +least in the world prepared for such an occasion as this. But by-and-by +first one and then another ship opened fire upon the galleon, until it +seemed to our hero that all the thunders of heaven let loose upon them +could not have created a more prodigious uproar, and that it was not +possible that they could any of them escape destruction. + +By now the moon had risen full and round, so that the clouds of smoke +that rose in the air appeared as white as snow. The air seemed full of +the hiss and screaming of shot, each one of which, when it struck the +galleon, was magnified by our hero's imagination into ten times its +magnitude from the crash which it delivered and from the cloud of +splinters it would cast up into the moonlight. At last he suddenly +beheld one poor man knocked sprawling across the deck, who, as he +raised his arm from behind the mast, disclosed that the hand was gone +from it, and that the shirt-sleeve was red with blood in the moonlight. +At this sight all the strength fell away from poor Harry, and he felt +sure that a like fate or even a worse must be in store for him. + +But, after all, this was nothing to what it might have been in broad +daylight, for what with the darkness of night, and the little +preparation the Spaniards could make for such a business, and the +extreme haste with which they discharged their guns (many not +understanding what was the occasion of all this uproar), nearly all the +shot flew so wide of the mark that not above one in twenty struck that +at which it was aimed. + +Meantime Captain Morgan, with the Sieur Simon, who had followed him +upon deck, stood just above where our hero lay behind the shelter of +the bulwark. The captain had lit a pipe of tobacco, and he stood now in +the bright moonlight close to the rail, with his hands behind him, +looking out ahead with the utmost coolness imaginable, and paying no +more attention to the din of battle than though it were twenty leagues +away. Now and then he would take his pipe from his lips to utter an +order to the man at the wheel. Excepting this he stood there hardly +moving at all, the wind blowing his long red hair over his shoulders. + +Had it not been for the armed galley the pirates might have got the +galleon away with no great harm done in spite of all this cannonading, +for the man-of-war which rode at anchor nighest to them at the mouth of +the harbor was still so far away that they might have passed it by +hugging pretty close to the shore, and that without any great harm +being done to them in the darkness. But just at this moment, when the +open water lay in sight, came this galley pulling out from behind the +point of the shore in such a manner as either to head our pirates off +entirely or else to compel them to approach so near to the man-of-war +that that latter vessel could bring its guns to bear with more effect. + +This galley, I must tell you, was like others of its kind such as you +may find in these waters, the hull being long and cut low to the water +so as to allow the oars to dip freely. The bow was sharp and projected +far out ahead, mounting a swivel upon it, while at the stern a number +of galleries built one above another into a castle gave shelter to +several companies of musketeers as well as the officers commanding +them. + +Our hero could behold the approach of this galley from above the +starboard bulwarks, and it appeared to him impossible for them to hope +to escape either it or the man-of-war. But still Captain Morgan +maintained the same composure that he had exhibited all the while, only +now and then delivering an order to the man at the wheel, who, putting +the helm over, threw the bows of the galleon around more to the +larboard, as though to escape the bow of the galley and get into the +open water beyond. This course brought the pirates ever closer and +closer to the man-of-war, which now began to add its thunder to the din +of the battle, and with so much more effect that at every discharge you +might hear the crashing and crackling of splintered wood, and now and +then the outcry or groaning of some man who was hurt. Indeed, had it +been daylight, they must at this juncture all have perished, though, as +was said, what with the night and the confusion and the hurry, they +escaped entire destruction, though more by a miracle than through any +policy upon their own part. + +Meantime the galley, steering as though to come aboard of them, had now +come so near that it, too, presently began to open its musketry fire +upon them, so that the humming and rattling of bullets were presently +added to the din of cannonading. + +In two minutes more it would have been aboard of them, when in a moment +Captain Morgan roared out of a sudden to the man at the helm to put it +hard a starboard. In response the man ran the wheel over with the +utmost quickness, and the galleon, obeying her helm very readily, came +around upon a course which, if continued, would certainly bring them +into collision with their enemy. + +It is possible at first the Spaniards imagined the pirates intended to +escape past their stern, for they instantly began backing oars to keep +them from getting past, so that the water was all of a foam about them; +at the same time they did this they poured in such a fire of musketry +that it was a miracle that no more execution was accomplished than +happened. + +As for our hero, methinks for the moment he forgot all about everything +else than as to whether or no his captain's manoeuvre would succeed, +for in the very first moment he divined, as by some instinct, what +Captain Morgan purposed doing. + +At this moment, so particular in the execution of this nice design, a +bullet suddenly struck down the man at the wheel. Hearing the sharp +outcry, our Harry turned to see him fall forward, and then to his hands +and knees upon the deck, the blood running in a black pool beneath him, +while the wheel, escaping from his hands, spun over until the spokes +were all of a mist. + +In a moment the ship would have fallen off before the wind had not our +hero, leaping to the wheel (even as Captain Morgan shouted an order for +some one to do so), seized the flying spokes, whirling them back again, +and so bringing the bow of the galleon up to its former course. + +[Illustration: "OUR HERO, LEAPING TO THE WHEEL, SEIZED THE FLYING +SPOKES"] + +In the first moment of this effort he had reckoned of nothing but of +carrying out his captain's designs. He neither thought of cannon-balls +nor of bullets. But now that his task was accomplished, he came +suddenly back to himself to find the galleries of the galleon aflame +with musket-shots, and to become aware with a most horrible sinking of +the spirits that all the shots therefrom were intended for him. He cast +his eyes about him with despair, but no one came to ease him of his +task, which, having undertaken, he had too much spirit to resign from +carrying through to the end, though he was well aware that the very +next instant might mean his sudden and violent death. His ears hummed +and rang, and his brain swam as light as a feather. I know not whether +he breathed, but he shut his eyes tight as though that might save him +from the bullets that were raining about him. + +At this moment the Spaniards must have discovered for the first time +the pirates' design, for of a sudden they ceased firing, and began to +shout out a multitude of orders, while the oars lashed the water all +about with a foam. But it was too late then for them to escape, for +within a couple of seconds the galleon struck her enemy a blow so +violent upon the larboard quarter as nearly to hurl our Harry upon the +deck, and then with a dreadful, horrible crackling of wood, commingled +with a yelling of men's voices, the galley was swung around upon her +side, and the galleon, sailing into the open sea, left nothing of her +immediate enemy but a sinking wreck, and the water dotted all over with +bobbing heads and waving hands in the moonlight. + +And now, indeed, that all danger was past and gone, there were plenty +to come running to help our hero at the wheel. As for Captain Morgan, +having come down upon the main-deck, he fetches the young helmsman a +clap upon the back. "Well, Master Harry," says he, "and did I not tell +you I would make a man of you?" Whereat our poor Harry fell a-laughing, +but with a sad catch in his voice, for his hands trembled as with an +ague, and were as cold as ice. As for his emotions, God knows he was +nearer crying than laughing, if Captain Morgan had but known it. + +Nevertheless, though undertaken under the spur of the moment, I protest +it was indeed a brave deed, and I cannot but wonder how many young +gentlemen of sixteen there are to-day who, upon a like occasion, would +act as well as our Harry. + +V + +The balance of our hero's adventures were of a lighter sort than those +already recounted, for the next morning, the Spanish captain (a very +polite and well-bred gentleman) having fitted him out with a suit of +his own clothes, Master Harry was presented in a proper form to the +ladies. For Captain Morgan, if he had felt a liking for the young man +before, could not now show sufficient regard for him. He ate in the +great cabin and was petted by all. Madam Simon, who was a fat and +red-faced lady, was forever praising him, and the young miss, who was +extremely well-looking, was as continually making eyes at him. + +She and Master Harry, I must tell you, would spend hours together, she +making pretence of teaching him French, although he was so possessed +with a passion of love that he was nigh suffocated with it. She, upon +her part, perceiving his emotions, responded with extreme good-nature +and complacency, so that had our hero been older, and the voyage proved +longer, he might have become entirely enmeshed in the toils of his fair +siren. For all this while, you are to understand, the pirates were +making sail straight for Jamaica, which they reached upon the third day +in perfect safety. + +[Illustration: "SHE AND MASTER HARRY WOULD SPEND HOURS TOGETHER"] + +In that time, however, the pirates had well-nigh gone crazy for joy; +for when they came to examine their purchase they discovered her cargo +to consist of plate to the prodigious sum of L130,000 in value. 'Twas a +wonder they did not all make themselves drunk for joy. No doubt they +would have done so had not Captain Morgan, knowing they were still in +the exact track of the Spanish fleets, threatened them that the first +man among them who touched a drop of rum without his permission he +would shoot him dead upon the deck. This threat had such effect that +they all remained entirely sober until they had reached Port Royal +Harbor, which they did about nine o'clock in the morning. + +And now it was that our hero's romance came all tumbling down about his +ears with a run. For they had hardly come to anchor in the harbor when +a boat came from a man-of-war, and who should come stepping aboard but +Lieutenant Grantley (a particular friend of our hero's father) and his +own eldest brother Thomas, who, putting on a very stern face, informed +Master Harry that he was a desperate and hardened villain who was sure +to end at the gallows, and that he was to go immediately back to his +home again. He told our embryo pirate that his family had nigh gone +distracted because of his wicked and ungrateful conduct. Nor could our +hero move him from his inflexible purpose. "What," says our Harry, "and +will you not then let me wait until our prize is divided and I get my +share?" + +"Prize, indeed!" says his brother. "And do you then really think that +your father would consent to your having a share in this terrible +bloody and murthering business?" + +And so, after a good deal of argument, our hero was constrained to go; +nor did he even have an opportunity to bid adieu to his inamorata. Nor +did he see her any more, except from a distance, she standing on the +poop-deck as he was rowed away from her, her face all stained with +crying. For himself, he felt that there was no more joy in life; +nevertheless, standing up in the stern of the boat, he made shift, +though with an aching heart, to deliver her a fine bow with the hat he +had borrowed from the Spanish captain, before his brother bade him sit +down again. + +And so to the ending of this story, with only this to relate, that our +Master Harry, so far from going to the gallows, became in good time a +respectable and wealthy sugar merchant with an English wife and a fine +family of children, whereunto, when the mood was upon him, he has +sometimes told these adventures (and sundry others not here recounted) +as I have told them unto you. + + + + +II. TOM CHIST AND THE TREASURE-BOX + +_An Old-time Story of the Days of Captain Kidd._ + + +To tell about Tom Chist, and how he got his name, and how he came to be +living at the little settlement of Henlopen, just inside the mouth of +the Delaware Bay, the story must begin as far back as 1686, when a +great storm swept the Atlantic coast from end to end. During the +heaviest part of the hurricane a bark went ashore on the +Hen-and-Chicken Shoals, just below Cape Henlopen and at the mouth of the +Delaware Bay, and Tom Chist was the only soul of all those on board the +ill-fated vessel who escaped alive. + +This story must first be told, because it was on account of the strange +and miraculous escape that happened to him at that time that he gained +the name that was given to him. + +Even as late as that time of the American colonies, the little +scattered settlement at Henlopen, made up of English, with a few Dutch +and Swedish people, was still only a spot upon the face of the great +American wilderness that spread away, with swamp and forest, no man +knew how far to the westward. That wilderness was not only full of wild +beasts, but of Indian savages, who every fall would come in wandering +tribes to spend the winter along the shores of the fresh-water lakes +below Henlopen. There for four or five months they would live upon fish +and clams and wild ducks and geese, chipping their arrow-heads, and +making their earthenware pots and pans under the lee of the sand-hills +and pine woods below the Capes. + +Sometimes on Sundays, when the Rev. Hillary Jones would be preaching in +the little log church back in the woods, these half-clad red savages +would come in from the cold, and sit squatting in the back part of the +church, listening stolidly to the words that had no meaning for them. + +But about the wreck of the bark in 1686. Such a wreck as that which +then went ashore on the Hen-and-Chicken Shoals was a godsend to the +poor and needy settlers in the wilderness where so few good things ever +came. For the vessel went to pieces during the night, and the next +morning the beach was strewn with wreckage--boxes and barrels, chests +and spars, timbers and planks, a plentiful and bountiful harvest to be +gathered up by the settlers as they chose, with no one to forbid or +prevent them. + +The name of the bark, as found painted on some of the water-barrels and +sea-chests, was the _Bristol Merchant_, and she no doubt hailed from +England. + +As was said, the only soul who escaped alive off the wreck was Tom +Chist. + +A settler, a fisherman named Matt Abrahamson, and his daughter Molly, +found Tom. He was washed up on the beach among the wreckage, in a great +wooden box which had been securely tied around with a rope and lashed +between two spars--apparently for better protection in beating through +the surf. Matt Abrahamson thought he had found something of more than +usual value when he came upon this chest; but when he cut the cords and +broke open the box with his broadaxe, he could not have been more +astonished had he beheld a salamander instead of a baby of nine or ten +months old lying half smothered in the blankets that covered the bottom +of the chest. + +Matt Abrahamson's daughter Molly had had a baby who had died a month or +so before. So when she saw the little one lying there in the bottom of +the chest, she cried out in a great loud voice that the Good Man had +sent her another baby in place of her own. + +The rain was driving before the hurricane-storm in dim, slanting +sheets, and so she wrapped up the baby in the man's coat she wore and +ran off home without waiting to gather up any more of the wreckage. + +It was Parson Jones who gave the foundling his name. When the news came +to his ears of what Matt Abrahamson had found, he went over to the +fisherman's cabin to see the child. He examined the clothes in which +the baby was dressed. They were of fine linen and handsomely stitched, +and the reverend gentleman opined that the foundling's parents must +have been of quality. A kerchief had been wrapped around the baby's +neck and under its arms and tied behind, and in the corner, marked with +very fine needlework, were the initials T.C. + +"What d'ye call him, Molly?" said Parson Jones. He was standing, as he +spoke, with his back to the fire, warming his palms before the blaze. +The pocket of the great-coat he wore bulged out with a big case-bottle +of spirits which he had gathered up out of the wreck that afternoon. +"What d'ye call him, Molly?" + +"I'll call him Tom, after my own baby." + +"That goes very well with the initial on the kerchief," said Parson +Jones. "But what other name d'ye give him? Let it be something to go +with the C." + +"I don't know," said Molly. + +"Why not call him 'Chist,' since he was born in a chist out of the sea? +'Tom Chist'--the name goes off like a flash in the pan." And so "Tom +Chist" he was called and "Tom Chist" he was christened. + +So much for the beginning of the history of Tom Chist. The story of +Captain Kidd's treasure-box does not begin until the late spring of +1699. + +That was the year that the famous pirate captain, coming up from the +West Indies, sailed his sloop into the Delaware Bay, where he lay for +over a month waiting for news from his friends in New York. + +For he had sent word to that town asking if the coast was clear for him +to return home with the rich prize he had brought from the Indian seas +and the coast of Africa, and meantime he lay there in the Delaware Bay +waiting for a reply. Before he left he turned the whole of Tom Chist's +life topsy-turvy with something that he brought ashore. + +By that time Tom Chist had grown into a strong-limbed, thick-jointed +boy of fourteen or fifteen years of age. It was a miserable dog's life +he lived with old Matt Abrahamson, for the old fisherman was in his +cups more than half the time, and when he was so there was hardly a day +passed that he did not give Tom a curse or a buffet or, as like as not, +an actual beating. One would have thought that such treatment would +have broken the spirit of the poor little foundling, but it had just +the opposite effect upon Tom Chist, who was one of your stubborn, +sturdy, stiff-willed fellows who only grow harder and more tough the +more they are ill-treated. It had been a long time now since he had +made any outcry or complaint at the hard usage he suffered from old +Matt. At such times he would shut his teeth and bear whatever came to +him, until sometimes the half-drunken old man would be driven almost +mad by his stubborn silence. Maybe he would stop in the midst of the +beating he was administering, and, grinding his teeth, would cry out: +"Won't ye say naught? Won't ye say naught? Well, then, I'll see if I +can't make ye say naught." When things had reached such a pass as this +Molly would generally interfere to protect her foster-son, and then she +and Tom would together fight the old man until they had wrenched the +stick or the strap out of his hand. Then old Matt would chase them +out-of-doors and around and around the house for maybe half an hour until +his anger was cool, when he would go back again, and for a time the +storm would be over. + +Besides his foster-mother, Tom Chist had a very good friend in Parson +Jones, who used to come over every now and then to Abrahamson's hut +upon the chance of getting a half-dozen fish for breakfast. He always +had a kind word or two for Tom, who during the winter evenings would go +over to the good man's house to learn his letters, and to read and +write and cipher a little, so that by now he was able to spell the +words out of the Bible and the almanac, and knew enough to change +tuppence into four ha'pennies. + +This is the sort of boy Tom Chist was, and this is the sort of life he +led. + +In the late spring or early summer of 1699 Captain Kidd's sloop sailed +into the mouth of the Delaware Bay and changed the whole fortune of his +life. + +And this is how you come to the story of Captain Kidd's treasure-box. + +II + +Old Matt Abrahamson kept the flat-bottomed boat in which he went +fishing some distance down the shore, and in the neighborhood of the +old wreck that had been sunk on the Shoals. This was the usual +fishing-ground of the settlers, and here Old Matt's boat generally lay +drawn up on the sand. + +There had been a thunder-storm that afternoon, and Tom had gone down +the beach to bale out the boat in readiness for the morning's fishing. + +It was full moonlight now, as he was returning, and the night sky was +full of floating clouds. Now and then there was a dull flash to the +westward, and once a muttering growl of thunder, promising another +storm to come. + +All that day the pirate sloop had been lying just off the shore back of +the Capes, and now Tom Chist could see the sails glimmering pallidly in +the moonlight, spread for drying after the storm. He was walking up the +shore homeward when he became aware that at some distance ahead of him +there was a ship's boat drawn up on the little narrow beach, and a +group of men clustered about it. He hurried forward with a good deal of +curiosity to see who had landed, but it was not until he had come close +to them that he could distinguish who and what they were. Then he knew +that it must be a party who had come off the pirate sloop. They had +evidently just landed, and two men were lifting out a chest from the +boat. One of them was a negro, naked to the waist, and the other was a +white man in his shirt-sleeves, wearing petticoat breeches, a Monterey +cap upon his head, a red bandanna handkerchief around his neck, and +gold ear-rings in his ears. He had a long, plaited queue hanging down +his back, and a great sheath-knife dangling from his side. Another man, +evidently the captain of the party, stood at a little distance as they +lifted the chest out of the boat. He had a cane in one hand and a +lighted lantern in the other, although the moon was shining as bright +as day. He wore jack-boots and a handsome laced coat, and he had a +long, drooping mustache that curled down below his chin. He wore a +fine, feathered hat, and his long black hair hung down upon his +shoulders. + +All this Tom Chist could see in the moonlight that glinted and twinkled +upon the gilt buttons of his coat. + +They were so busy lifting the chest from the boat that at first they +did not observe that Tom Chist had come up and was standing there. It +was the white man with the long, plaited queue and the gold ear-rings +that spoke to him. "Boy, what do you want here, boy?" he said, in a +rough, hoarse voice. "Where d'ye come from?" And then dropping his end +of the chest, and without giving Tom time to answer, he pointed off +down the beach, and said, "You'd better be going about your own +business, if you know what's good for you; and don't you come back, or +you'll find what you don't want waiting for you." + +Tom saw in a glance that the pirates were all looking at him, and then, +without saying a word, he turned and walked away. The man who had +spoken to him followed him threateningly for some little distance, as +though to see that he had gone away as he was bidden to do. But +presently he stopped, and Tom hurried on alone, until the boat and the +crew and all were dropped away behind and lost in the moonlight night. +Then he himself stopped also, turned, and looked back whence he had +come. + +There had been something very strange in the appearance of the men he +had just seen, something very mysterious in their actions, and he +wondered what it all meant, and what they were going to do. He stood +for a little while thus looking and listening. He could see nothing, +and could hear only the sound of distant talking. What were they doing +on the lonely shore thus at night? Then, following a sudden impulse, he +turned and cut off across the sand-hummocks, skirting around inland, +but keeping pretty close to the shore, his object being to spy upon +them, and to watch what they were about from the back of the low +sand-hills that fronted the beach. + +He had gone along some distance in his circuitous return when he became +aware of the sound of voices that seemed to be drawing closer to him as +he came towards the speakers. He stopped and stood listening, and +instantly, as he stopped, the voices stopped also. He crouched there +silently in the bright, glimmering moonlight, surrounded by the silent +stretches of sand, and the stillness seemed to press upon him like a +heavy hand. Then suddenly the sound of a man's voice began again, and +as Tom listened he could hear some one slowly counting. "Ninety-one," +the voice began, "ninety-two, ninety-three, ninety-four, ninety-five, +ninety-six, ninety-seven, ninety-eight, ninety-nine, one hundred, one +hundred and one"--the slow, monotonous count coming nearer and nearer +to him--"one hundred and two, one hundred and three, one hundred and +four," and so on in its monotonous reckoning. + +Suddenly he saw three heads appear above the sand-hill, so close to him +that he crouched down quickly with a keen thrill, close beside the +hummock near which he stood. His first fear was that they might have +seen him in the moonlight; but they had not, and his heart rose again +as the counting voice went steadily on. "One hundred and twenty," it +was saying--"and twenty-one, and twenty-two, and twenty-three, and +twenty-four," and then he who was counting came out from behind the +little sandy rise into the white and open level of shimmering +brightness. + +[Illustration: "'... AND TWENTY-ONE AND TWENTY-TWO'"] + +It was the man with the cane whom Tom had seen some time before--the +captain of the party who had landed. He carried his cane under his arm +now, and was holding his lantern close to something that he held in his +hand, and upon which he looked narrowly as he walked with a slow and +measured tread in a perfectly straight line across the sand, counting +each step as he took it. "And twenty-five, and twenty-six, and +twenty-seven, and twenty-eight, and twenty-nine, and thirty." + +Behind him walked two other figures; one was the half-naked negro, the +other the man with the plaited queue and the ear-rings, whom Tom had +seen lifting the chest out of the boat. Now they were carrying the +heavy box between them, laboring through the sand with shuffling tread +as they bore it onward. + +As he who was counting pronounced the word "thirty," the two men set +the chest down on the sand with a grunt, the white man panting and +blowing and wiping his sleeve across his forehead. And immediately he +who counted took out a slip of paper and marked something down upon it. +They stood there for a long time, during which Tom lay behind the +sand-hummock watching them, and for a while the silence was uninterrupted. +In the perfect stillness Tom could hear the washing of the little waves +beating upon the distant beach, and once the far-away sound of a laugh +from one of those who stood by the ship's boat. + +One, two, three minutes passed, and then the men picked up the chest +and started on again; and then again the other man began his counting. +"Thirty and one, and thirty and two, and thirty and three, and thirty +and four"--he walked straight across the level open, still looking +intently at that which he held in his hand--"and thirty and five, and +thirty and six, and thirty and seven," and so on, until the three +figures disappeared in the little hollow between the two sand-hills on +the opposite side of the open, and still Tom could hear the sound of +the counting voice in the distance. + +Just as they disappeared behind the hill there was a sudden faint flash +of light; and by-and-by, as Tom lay still listening to the counting, he +heard, after a long interval, a far-away muffled rumble of distant +thunder. He waited for a while, and then arose and stepped to the top +of the sand-hummock behind which he had been lying. He looked all about +him, but there was no one else to be seen. Then he stepped down from +the hummock and followed in the direction which the pirate captain and +the two men carrying the chest had gone. He crept along cautiously, +stopping now and then to make sure that he still heard the counting +voice, and when it ceased he lay down upon the sand and waited until it +began again. + +Presently, so following the pirates, he saw the three figures again in +the distance, and, skirting around back of a hill of sand covered with +coarse sedge-grass, he came to where he overlooked a little open level +space gleaming white in the moonlight. + +The three had been crossing the level of sand, and were now not more +than twenty-five paces from him. They had again set down the chest, +upon which the white man with the long queue and the gold ear-rings had +seated to rest himself, the negro standing close beside him. The moon +shone as bright as day and full upon his face. It was looking directly +at Tom Chist, every line as keen cut with white lights and black +shadows as though it had been carved in ivory and jet. He sat perfectly +motionless, and Tom drew back with a start, almost thinking he had been +discovered. He lay silent, his heart beating heavily in his throat; but +there was no alarm, and presently he heard the counting begin again, +and when he looked once more he saw they were going away straight +across the little open. A soft, sliding hillock of sand lay directly in +front of them. They did not turn aside, but went straight over it, the +leader helping himself up the sandy slope with his cane, still counting +and still keeping his eyes fixed upon that which he held in his hand. +Then they disappeared again behind the white crest on the other side. + +So Tom followed them cautiously until they had gone almost half a mile +inland. When next he saw them clearly it was from a little sandy rise +which looked down like the crest of a bowl upon the floor of sand +below. Upon this smooth, white floor the moon beat with almost dazzling +brightness. + +The white man who had helped to carry the chest was now kneeling, +busied at some work, though what it was Tom at first could not see. He +was whittling the point of a stick into a long wooden peg, and when, +by-and-by, he had finished what he was about, he arose and stepped to +where he who seemed to be the captain had stuck his cane upright into +the ground as though to mark some particular spot. He drew the cane out +of the sand, thrusting the stick down in its stead. Then he drove the +long peg down with a wooden mallet which the negro handed to him. The +sharp rapping of the mallet upon the top of the peg sounded loud in the +perfect stillness, and Tom lay watching and wondering what it all +meant. + +The man, with quick-repeated blows, drove the peg farther and farther +down into the sand until it showed only two or three inches above the +surface. As he finished his work there was another faint flash of +light, and by-and-by another smothered rumble of thunder, and Tom as he +looked out towards the westward, saw the silver rim of the round and +sharply outlined thundercloud rising slowly up into the sky and pushing +the other and broken drifting clouds before it. + +The two white men were now stooping over the peg, the negro man +watching them. Then presently the man with the cane started straight +away from the peg, carrying the end of a measuring-line with him, the +other end of which the man with the plaited queue held against the top +of the peg. When the pirate captain had reached the end of the +measuring-line he marked a cross upon the sand, and then again they +measured out another stretch of space. + +So they measured a distance five times over, and then, from where Tom +lay, he could see the man with the queue drive another peg just at the +foot of a sloping rise of sand that swept up beyond into a tall white +dune marked sharp and clear against the night sky behind. As soon as +the man with the plaited queue had driven the second peg into the +ground they began measuring again, and so, still measuring, disappeared +in another direction which took them in behind the sand-dune, where Tom +no longer could see what they were doing. + +The negro still sat by the chest where the two had left him, and so +bright was the moonlight that from where he lay Tom could see the glint +of it twinkling in the whites of his eyeballs. + +Presently from behind the hill there came, for the third time, the +sharp rapping sound of the mallet driving still another peg, and then +after a while the two pirates emerged from behind the sloping whiteness +into the space of moonlight again. + +They came direct to where the chest lay, and the white man and the +black man lifting it once more, they walked away across the level of +open sand, and so on behind the edge of the hill and out of Tom's +sight. + +III + +Tom Chist could no longer see what the pirates were doing, neither did +he dare to cross over the open space of sand that now lay between them +and him. He lay there speculating as to what they were about, and +meantime the storm cloud was rising higher and higher above the +horizon, with louder and louder mutterings of thunder following each +dull flash from out the cloudy, cavernous depths. In the silence he +could hear an occasional click as of some iron implement, and he opined +that the pirates were burying the chest, though just where they were at +work he could neither see nor tell. Still he lay there watching and +listening, and by-and-by a puff of warm air blew across the sand, and a +thumping tumble of louder thunder leaped from out the belly of the +storm cloud, which every minute was coming nearer and nearer. Still Tom +Chist lay watching. + +Suddenly, almost unexpectedly, the three figures reappeared from behind +the sand-hill, the pirate captain leading the way, and the negro and +white man following close behind him. They had gone about half-way +across the white, sandy level between the hill and the hummock behind +which Tom Chist lay, when the white man stopped and bent over as though +to tie his shoe. + +This brought the negro a few steps in front of his companion. + +That which then followed happened so suddenly, so unexpectedly, so +swiftly, that Tom Chist had hardly time to realize what it all meant +before it was over. As the negro passed him the white man arose +suddenly and silently erect, and Tom Chist saw the white moonlight +glint upon the blade of a great dirk-knife which he now held in his +hand. He took one, two silent, catlike steps behind the unsuspecting +negro. Then there was a sweeping flash of the blade in the pallid +light, and a blow, the thump of which Tom could distinctly hear even +from where he lay stretched out upon the sand. There was an instant +echoing yell from the black man, who ran stumbling forward, who +stopped, who regained his footing, and then stood for an instant as +though rooted to the spot. + +Tom had distinctly seen the knife enter his back, and even thought that +he had seen the glint of the point as it came out from the breast. + +Meantime the pirate captain had stopped, and now stood with his hand +resting upon his cane looking impassively on. + +Then the black man started to run. The white man stood for a while +glaring after him; then he too started after his victim upon the run. +The black man was not very far from Tom when he staggered and fell. He +tried to rise, then fell forward again, and lay at length. At that +instant the first edge of the cloud cut across the moon, and there was +a sudden darkness; but in the silence Tom heard the sound of another +blow and a groan, and then presently a voice calling to the pirate +captain that it was all over. + +He saw the dim form of the captain crossing the level sand, and then, +as the moon sailed out from behind the cloud, he saw the white man +standing over a black figure that lay motionless upon the sand. + +Then Tom Chist scrambled up and ran away, plunging down into the hollow +of sand that lay in the shadows below. Over the next rise he ran, and +down again into the next black hollow, and so on over the sliding, +shifting ground, panting and gasping. It seemed to him that he could +hear footsteps following, and in the terror that possessed him he +almost expected every instant to feel the cold knife-blade slide +between his own ribs in such a thrust from behind as he had seen given +to the poor black man. + +So he ran on like one in a nightmare. His feet grew heavy like lead, he +panted and gasped, his breath came hot and dry in his throat. But still +he ran and ran until at last he found himself in front of old Matt +Abrahamson's cabin, gasping, panting, and sobbing for breath, his knees +relaxed and his thighs trembling with weakness. + +As he opened the door and dashed into the darkened cabin (for both Matt +and Molly were long ago asleep in bed) there was a flash of light, and +even as he slammed to the door behind him there was an instant peal of +thunder, heavy as though a great weight had been dropped upon the roof +of the sky, so that the doors and windows of the cabin rattled. + +IV + +Then Tom Chist crept to bed, trembling, shuddering, bathed in sweat, +his heart beating like a trip-hammer, and his brain dizzy from that +long, terror-inspired race through the soft sand in which he had +striven to outstrip he knew not what pursuing horror. + +For a long, long time he lay awake, trembling and chattering with +nervous chills, and when he did fall asleep it was only to drop into +monstrous dreams in which he once again saw ever enacted, with various +grotesque variations, the tragic drama which his waking eyes had beheld +the night before. + +Then came the dawning of the broad, wet daylight, and before the rising +of the sun Tom was up and out-of-doors to find the young day dripping +with the rain of overnight. + +His first act was to climb the nearest sandhill and to gaze out towards +the offing where the pirate ship had been the day before. + +It was no longer there. + +Soon afterwards Matt Abrahamson came out of the cabin and he called to +Tom to go get a bite to eat, for it was time for them to be away +fishing. + +All that morning the recollection of the night before hung over Tom +Chist like a great cloud of boding trouble. It filled the confined area +of the little boat and spread over the entire wide spaces of sky and +sea that surrounded them. Not for a moment was it lifted. Even when he +was hauling in his wet and dripping line with a struggling fish at the +end of it a recurrent memory of what he had seen would suddenly come +upon him, and he would groan in spirit at the recollection. He looked +at Matt Abrahamson's leathery face, at his lantern jaws cavernously and +stolidly chewing at a tobacco leaf, and it seemed monstrous to him that +the old man should be so unconscious of the black cloud that wrapped +them all about. + +When the boat reached the shore again he leaped scrambling to the +beach, and as soon as his dinner was eaten he hurried away to find the +Dominie Jones. + +He ran all the way from Abrahamson's hut to the Parson's house, hardly +stopping once, and when he knocked at the door he was panting and +sobbing for breath. + +The good man was sitting on the back-kitchen door-step smoking his long +pipe of tobacco out into the sunlight, while his wife within was +rattling about among the pans and dishes in preparation of their +supper, of which a strong, porky smell already filled the air. + +Then Tom Chist told his story, panting, hurrying, tumbling one word +over another in his haste, and Parson Jones listened, breaking every +now and then into an ejaculation of wonder. The light in his pipe went +out and the bowl turned cold. + +"And I don't see why they should have killed the poor black man," said +Tom, as he finished his narrative. + +"Why, that is very easy enough to understand," said the good reverend +man. "'Twas a treasure-box they buried!" + +In his agitation Mr. Jones had risen from his seat and was now stumping +up and down, puffing at his empty tobacco-pipe as though it were still +alight. + +"A treasure-box!" cried out Tom. + +"Aye, a treasure-box! And that was why they killed the poor black man. +He was the only one, d'ye see, besides they two who knew the place +where 'twas hid, and now that they've killed him out of the way, +there's nobody but themselves knows. The villains--Tut, tut, look at +that now!" In his excitement the dominie had snapped the stem of his +tobacco-pipe in two. + +"Why, then," said Tom, "if that is so, 'tis indeed a wicked, bloody +treasure, and fit to bring a curse upon anybody who finds it!" + +"'Tis more like to bring a curse upon the soul who buried it," said +Parson Jones, "and it may be a blessing to him who finds it. But tell +me, Tom, do you think you could find the place again where 'twas hid?" + +"I can't tell that," said Tom, "'twas all in among the sand-humps, d'ye +see, and it was at night into the bargain. Maybe we could find the +marks of their feet in the sand," he added. + +"'Tis not likely," said the reverend gentleman, "for the storm last +night would have washed all that away." + +"I could find the place," said Tom, "where the boat was drawn up on the +beach." + +"Why, then, that's something to start from, Tom," said his friend. "If +we can find that, then maybe we can find whither they went from there." + +"If I was certain it was a treasure-box," cried out Tom Chist, "I would +rake over every foot of sand betwixt here and Henlopen to find it." + +"'Twould be like hunting for a pin in a haystack," said the Rev. Hilary +Jones. + +As Tom walked away home, it seemed as though a ton's weight of gloom +had been rolled away from his soul. The next day he and Parson Jones +were to go treasure-hunting together; it seemed to Tom as though he +could hardly wait for the time to come. + +V + +The next afternoon Parson Jones and Tom Chist started off together upon +the expedition that made Tom's fortune forever. Tom carried a spade +over his shoulder and the reverend gentleman walked along beside him +with his cane. + +As they jogged along up the beach they talked together about the only +thing they could talk about--the treasure-box. "And how big did you say +'twas?" quoth the good gentleman. + +"About so long," said Tom Chist, measuring off upon the spade, "and +about so wide, and this deep." + +"And what if it should be full of money, Tom?" said the reverend +gentleman, swinging his cane around and around in wide circles in the +excitement of the thought, as he strode along briskly. "Suppose it +should be full of money, what then?" + +"By Moses!" said Tom Chist, hurrying to keep up with his friend, "I'd +buy a ship for myself, I would, and I'd trade to Injy and to Chiny to +my own boot, I would. Suppose the chist was all full of money, sir, and +suppose we should find it; would there be enough in it, d'ye suppose, +to buy a ship?" + +"To be sure there would be enough, Tom; enough and to spare, and a good +big lump over." + +"And if I find it 'tis mine to keep, is it, and no mistake?" + +"Why, to be sure it would be yours!" cried out the Parson, in a loud +voice. "To be sure it would be yours!" He knew nothing of the law, but +the doubt of the question began at once to ferment in his brain, and he +strode along in silence for a while. "Whose else would it be but yours +if you find it?" he burst out. "Can you tell me that?" + +"If ever I have a ship of my own," said Tom Chist, "and if ever I sail +to Injy in her, I'll fetch ye back the best chist of tea, sir, that +ever was fetched from Cochin Chiny." + +Parson Jones burst out laughing. "Thankee, Tom," he said; "and I'll +thankee again when I get my chist of tea. But tell me, Tom, didst thou +ever hear of the farmer girl who counted her chickens before they were +hatched?" + +It was thus they talked as they hurried along up the beach together, +and so came to a place at last where Tom stopped short and stood +looking about him. "'Twas just here," he said, "I saw the boat last +night. I know 'twas here, for I mind me of that bit of wreck yonder, +and that there was a tall stake drove in the sand just where yon stake +stands." + +Parson Jones put on his barnacles and went over to the stake towards +which Tom pointed. As soon as he had looked at it carefully, he called +out: "Why, Tom, this hath been just drove down into the sand. 'Tis a +brand-new stake of wood, and the pirates must have set it here +themselves as a mark, just as they drove the pegs you spoke about down +into the sand." + +Tom came over and looked at the stake. It was a stout piece of oak +nearly two inches thick; it had been shaped with some care, and the top +of it had been painted red. He shook the stake and tried to move it, +but it had been driven or planted so deeply into the sand that he could +not stir it. "Aye, sir," he said, "it must have been set here for a +mark, for I'm sure 'twas not here yesterday or the day before." He +stood looking about him to see if there were other signs of the +pirates' presence. At some little distance there was the corner of +something white sticking up out of the sand. He could see that it was a +scrap of paper, and he pointed to it, calling out: "Yonder is a piece +of paper, sir. I wonder if they left that behind them?" + +It was a miraculous chance that placed that paper there. There was only +an inch of it showing, and if it had not been for Tom's sharp eyes, it +would certainly have been overlooked and passed by. The next wind-storm +would have covered it up, and all that afterwards happened never would +have occurred. "Look sir," he said, as he struck the sand from it, "it +hath writing on it." + +"Let me see it," said Parson Jones. He adjusted the spectacles a little +more firmly astride of his nose as he took the paper in his hand and +began conning it. "What's all this?" he said; "a whole lot of figures +and nothing else." And then he read aloud, "'Mark--S.S.W. by S.' What +d'ye suppose that means, Tom?" + +"I don't know, sir," said Tom. "But maybe we can understand it better +if you read on." + +"Tis all a great lot of figures," said Parson Jones, "without a grain +of meaning in them so far as I can see, unless they be sailing +directions." And then he began reading again: "'Mark--S.S.W. by S. 40, +72, 91, 130, 151, 177, 202, 232, 256, 271'--d'ye see, it must be +sailing directions--'299, 335, 362, 386, 415, 446, 469, 491, 522, 544, +571, 598'--what a lot of them there be--'626, 652, 676, 695, 724, 851, +876, 905, 940, 967. Peg. S.E. by E. 269 foot. Peg. S.S.W. by S. 427 +foot. Peg. Dig to the west of this six foot.'" + +"What's that about a peg?" exclaimed Tom. "What's that about a peg? And +then there's something about digging, too!" It was as though a sudden +light began shining into his brain. He felt himself growing quickly +very excited. "Read that over again, sir," he cried. "Why, sir, you +remember I told you they drove a peg into the sand. And don't they say +to dig close to it? Read it over again, sir--read it over again!" + +"Peg?" said the good gentleman. "To be sure it was about a peg. Let's +look again. Yes, here it is. 'Peg S.E. by E. 269 foot.'" + +"Aye!" cried out Tom Chist again, in great excitement. "Don't you +remember what I told you, sir, 269 foot? Sure that must be what I saw +'em measuring with the line." Parson Jones had now caught the flame of +excitement that was blazing up so strongly in Tom's breast. He felt as +though some wonderful thing was about to happen to them. "To be sure, +to be sure!" he called out, in a great big voice. "And then they +measured out 427 foot south-southwest by south, and then they drove +another peg, and then they buried the box six foot to the west of it. +Why, Tom--why, Tom Chist! if we've read this aright, thy fortune is +made." + +Tom Chist stood staring straight at the old gentleman's excited face, +and seeing nothing but it in all the bright infinity of sunshine. Were +they, indeed, about to find the treasure-chest? He felt the sun very +hot upon his shoulders, and he heard the harsh, insistent jarring of a +tern that hovered and circled with forked tail and sharp white wings in +the sunlight just above their heads; but all the time he stood staring +into the good old gentleman's face. + +It was Parson Jones who first spoke. "But what do all these figures +mean?" And Tom observed how the paper shook and rustled in the tremor +of excitement that shook his hand. He raised the paper to the focus of +his spectacles and began to read again. "'Mark 40, 72, 91--'" + +"Mark?" cried out Tom, almost screaming. "Why, that must mean the stake +yonder; that must be the mark." And he pointed to the oaken stick with +its red tip blazing against the white shimmer of sand behind it. + +"And the 40 and 72 and 91," cried the old gentleman, in a voice equally +shrill--"why, that must mean the number of steps the pirate was +counting when you heard him." + +"To be sure that's what they mean!" cried Tom Chist. "That is it, and +it can be nothing else. Oh, come, sir--come, sir; let us make haste and +find it!" + +"Stay! stay!" said the good gentleman, holding up his hand; and again +Tom Chist noticed how it trembled and shook. His voice was steady +enough, though very hoarse, but his hand shook and trembled as though +with a palsy. "Stay! stay! First of all, we must follow these +measurements. And 'tis a marvellous thing," he croaked, after a little +pause, "how this paper ever came to be here." + +"Maybe it was blown here by the storm," suggested Tom Chist. + +"Like enough; like enough," said Parson Jones. "Like enough, after the +wretches had buried the chest and killed the poor black man, they were +so buffeted and bowsed about by the storm that it was shook out of the +man's pocket, and thus blew away from him without his knowing aught of +it." + +"But let us find the box!" cried out Tom Chist, flaming with his +excitement. + +"Aye, aye," said the good man; "only stay a little, my boy, until we +make sure what we're about. I've got my pocket-compass here, but we +must have something to measure off the feet when we have found the peg. +You run across to Tom Brooke's house and fetch that measuring-rod he +used to lay out his new byre. While you're gone I'll pace off the +distance marked on the paper with my pocket-compass here." + +VI + +Tom Chist was gone for almost an hour, though he ran nearly all the way +and back, upborne as on the wings of the wind. When he returned, +panting, Parson Jones was nowhere to be seen, but Tom saw his footsteps +leading away inland, and he followed the scuffling marks in the smooth +surface across the sand-humps and down into the hollows, and by-and-by +found the good gentleman in a spot he at once knew as soon as he laid +his eyes upon it. + +It was the open space where the pirates had driven their first peg, and +where Tom Chist had afterwards seen them kill the poor black man. Tom +Chist gazed around as though expecting to see some sign of the tragedy, +but the space was as smooth and as undisturbed as a floor, excepting +where, midway across it, Parson Jones who was now stooping over +something on the ground, had trampled it all around about. + +When Tom Chist saw him, he was still bending over, scraping the sand +away from something he had found. + +It was the first peg! + +Inside of half an hour they had found the second and third pegs, and +Tom Chist stripped off his coat, and began digging like mad down into +the sand, Parson Jones standing over him watching him. The sun was +sloping well towards the west when the blade of Tom Chist's spade +struck upon something hard. + +If it had been his own heart that he had hit in the sand his breast +could hardly have thrilled more sharply. + +It was the treasure-box! + +Parson Jones himself leaped down into the hole, and began scraping away +the sand with his hands as though he had gone crazy. At last, with some +difficulty, they tugged and hauled the chest up out of the sand to the +surface, where it lay covered all over with the grit that clung to it. + +It was securely locked and fastened with a padlock, and it took a good +many blows with the blade of the spade to burst the bolt. Parson Jones +himself lifted the lid. + +Tom Chist leaned forward and gazed down into the open box. He would not +have been surprised to have seen it filled full of yellow gold and +bright jewels. It was filled half full of books and papers, and half +full of canvas bags tied safely and securely around and around with +cords of string. + +Parson Jones lifted out one of the bags, and it jingled as he did so. +It was full of money. + +He cut the string, and with trembling, shaking hands handed the bag to +Tom, who, in an ecstasy of wonder and dizzy with delight, poured out +with swimming sight upon the coat spread on the ground a cataract of +shining silver money that rang and twinkled and jingled as it fell in a +shining heap upon the coarse cloth. + +Parson Jones held up both hands into the air, and Tom stared at what he +saw, wondering whether it was all so, and whether he was really awake. +It seemed to him as though he was in a dream. + +There were two-and-twenty bags in all in the chest: ten of them full of +silver money, eight of them full of gold money, three of them full of +gold-dust, and one small bag with jewels wrapped up in wad cotton and +paper. + +[Illustration: "'TIS ENOUGH,' CRIED OUT PARSON JONES, 'TO MAKE US BOTH +RICH MEN'"] + +"'Tis enough," cried out Parson Jones, "to make us both rich men as +long as we live." + +The burning summer sun, though sloping in the sky, beat down upon them +as hot as fire; but neither of them noticed it. Neither did they notice +hunger nor thirst nor fatigue, but sat there as though in a trance, +with the bags of money scattered on the sand around them, a great pile +of money heaped upon the coat, and the open chest beside them. It was +an hour of sundown before Parson Jones had begun fairly to examine the +books and papers in the chest. + +Of the three books, two were evidently log-books of the pirates who had +been lying off the mouth of the Delaware Bay all this time. The other +book was written in Spanish, and was evidently the log-book of some +captured prize. + +It was then, sitting there upon the sand, the good old gentleman +reading in his high, cracking voice, that they first learned from the +bloody records in those two books who it was who had been lying inside +the Cape all this time, and that it was the famous Captain Kidd. Every +now and then the reverend gentleman would stop to exclaim, "Oh, the +bloody wretch!" or, "Oh, the desperate, cruel villains!" and then would +go on reading again a scrap here and a scrap there. + +And all the while Tom Chist sat and listened, every now and then +reaching out furtively and touching the heap of money still lying upon +the coat. + +One might be inclined to wonder why Captain Kidd had kept those bloody +records. He had probably laid them away because they so incriminated +many of the great people of the colony of New York that, with the books +in evidence, it would have been impossible to bring the pirate to +justice without dragging a dozen or more fine gentlemen into the dock +along with him. If he could have kept them in his own possession, they +would doubtless have been a great weapon of defence to protect him from +the gallows. Indeed, when Captain Kidd was finally brought to +conviction and hung, he was not accused of his piracies, but of +striking a mutinous seaman upon the head with a bucket and accidentally +killing him. The authorities did not dare try him for piracy. He was +really hung because he was a pirate, and we know that it was the +log-books that Tom Chist brought to New York that did the business for him; +he was accused and convicted of manslaughter for killing of his own +ship-carpenter with a bucket. + +So Parson Jones, sitting there in the slanting light, read through +these terrible records of piracy, and Tom, with the pile of gold and +silver money beside him, sat and listened to him. + +What a spectacle, if any one had come upon them! But they were alone, +with the vast arch of sky empty above them and the wide white stretch +of sand a desert around them. The sun sank lower and lower, until there +was only time to glance through the other papers in the chest. + +They were nearly all goldsmiths' bills of exchange drawn in favor of +certain of the most prominent merchants of New York. Parson Jones, as +he read over the names, knew of nearly all the gentlemen by hearsay. +Aye, here was this gentleman; he thought that name would be among 'em. +What? Here is Mr. So-and-so. Well, if all they say is true, the villain +has robbed one of his own best friends. "I wonder," he said, "why the +wretch should have hidden these papers so carefully away with the other +treasures, for they could do him no good?" Then, answering his own +question: "Like enough because these will give him a hold over the +gentlemen to whom they are drawn so that he can make a good bargain for +his own neck before he gives the bills back to their owners. I tell you +what it is, Tom," he continued, "it is you yourself shall go to New +York and bargain for the return of these papers. 'Twill be as good as +another fortune to you." + +The majority of the bills were drawn in favor of one Richard +Chillingsworth, Esquire. "And he is," said Parson Jones; "one of the +richest men in the province of New York. You shall go to him with the +news of what we have found." + +"When shall I go?" said Tom Chist. + +"You shall go upon the very first boat we can catch," said the Parson. +He had turned, still holding the bills in his hand, and was now +fingering over the pile of money that yet lay tumbled out upon the +coat. "I wonder, Tom," said he, "if you could spare me a score or so of +these doubloons?" + +"You shall have fifty score, if you choose," said Tom, bursting with +gratitude and with generosity in his newly found treasure. + +"You are as fine a lad as ever I saw, Tom," said the Parson, "and I'll +thank you to the last day of my life." + +Tom scooped up a double handful of silver money. "Take it, sir," he +said, "and you may have as much more as you want of it." + +He poured it into the dish that the good man made of his hands, and the +Parson made a motion as though to empty it into his pocket. Then he +stopped, as though a sudden doubt had occurred to him. "I don't know +that 'tis fit for me to take this pirate money, after all," he said. + +"But you are welcome to it," said Tom. + +Still the Parson hesitated. "Nay," he burst out, "I'll not take it; +'tis blood-money." And as he spoke he chucked the whole double handful +into the now empty chest, then arose and dusted the sand from his +breeches. Then, with a great deal of bustling energy, he helped to tie +the bags again and put them all back into the chest. + +They reburied the chest in the place whence they had taken it, and then +the Parson folded the precious paper of directions, placed it carefully +in his wallet, and his wallet in his pocket. + +"Tom," he said, for the twentieth time, "your fortune has been made +this day." + +And Tom Chist, as he rattled in his breeches pocket the half-dozen +doubloons he had kept out of his treasure, felt that what his friend +had said was true. + + * * * * * + +As the two went back homeward across the level space of sand, Tom Chist +suddenly stopped stock still and stood looking about him. "'Twas just +here," he said, digging his heel down into the sand, "that they killed +the poor black man." + +"And here he lies buried for all time," said Parson Jones; and as he +spoke he dug his cane down into the sand. Tom Chist shuddered. He would +not have been surprised if the ferrule of the cane had struck something +soft beneath that level surface. But it did not, nor was any sign of +that tragedy ever seen again. For, whether the pirates had carried away +what they had done and buried it elsewhere, or whether the storm in +blowing the sand had completely levelled off and hidden all sign of +that tragedy where it was enacted, certain it is that it never came to +sight again--at least so far as Tom Chist and the Reverend Hillary +Jones ever knew. + +VII + +This is the story of the treasure-box. All that remains now is to +conclude the story of Tom Chist, and to tell of what came of him in the +end. + +He did not go back again to live with old Matt Abrahamson. Parson Jones +had now taken charge of him and his fortunes, and Tom did not have to +go back to the fisherman's hut. + +Old Abrahamson talked a great deal about it, and would come in his cups +and harangue good Parson Jones, making a vast protestation of what he +would do to Tom--if he ever caught him--for running away. But Tom on +all these occasions kept carefully out of his way, and nothing came of +the old man's threatenings. + +Tom used to go over to see his foster-mother now and then, but always +when the old man was from home. And Molly Abrahamson used to warn him +to keep out of her father's way. "He's in as vile a humor as ever I +see, Tom," she said; "he sits sulking all day long, and 'tis my belief +he'd kill ye if he caught ye." + +Of course Tom said nothing, even to her, about the treasure, and he and +the reverend gentleman kept the knowledge thereof to themselves. About +three weeks later Parson Jones managed to get him shipped aboard of a +vessel bound for New York town, and a few days later Tom Chist landed +at that place. He had never been in such a town before, and he could +not sufficiently wonder and marvel at the number of brick houses, at +the multitude of people coming and going along the fine, hard, earthen +sidewalk, at the shops and the stores where goods hung in the windows, +and, most of all, the fortifications and the battery at the point, at +the rows of threatening cannon, and at the scarlet-coated sentries +pacing up and down the ramparts. All this was very wonderful, and so +were the clustered boats riding at anchor in the harbor. It was like a +new world, so different was it from the sand-hills and the sedgy levels +of Henlopen. + +Tom Chist took up his lodgings at a coffeehouse near to the town-hall, +and thence he sent by the post-boy a letter written by Parson Jones to +Master Chillingsworth. In a little while the boy returned with a +message, asking Tom to come up to Mr. Chillingsworth's house that +afternoon at two o'clock. + +Tom went thither with a great deal of trepidation, and his heart fell +away altogether when he found it a fine, grand brick house, three +stories high, and with wrought-iron letters across the front. + +The counting-house was in the same building; but Tom, because of Mr. +Jones's letter, was conducted directly into the parlor, where the great +rich man was awaiting his coming. He was sitting in a leather-covered +arm-chair, smoking a pipe of tobacco, and with a bottle of fine old +Madeira close to his elbow. + +Tom had not had a chance to buy a new suit of clothes yet, and so he +cut no very fine figure in the rough dress he had brought with him from +Henlopen. Nor did Mr. Chillingsworth seem to think very highly of his +appearance, for he sat looking sideways at Tom as he smoked. + +"Well, my lad," he said; "and what is this great thing you have to tell +me that is so mightily wonderful? I got what's-his-name--Mr. Jones's-- +letter, and now I am ready to hear what you have to say." + +But if he thought but little of his visitor's appearance at first, he +soon changed his sentiments towards him, for Tom had not spoken twenty +words when Mr. Chillingsworth's whole aspect changed. He straightened +himself up in his seat, laid aside his pipe, pushed away his glass of +Madeira, and bade Tom take a chair. He listened without a word as Tom +Chist told of the buried treasure, of how he had seen the poor negro +murdered, and of how he and Parson Jones had recovered the chest again. +Only once did Mr. Chillingsworth interrupt the narrative. "And to +think," he cried, "that the villain this very day walks about New York +town as though he were an honest man, ruffling it with the best of us! +But if we can only get hold of these log-books you speak of. Go on; +tell me more of this." + +When Tom Chist's narrative was ended, Mr. Chillingsworth's bearing was +as different as daylight is from dark. He asked a thousand questions, +all in the most polite and gracious tone imaginable, and not only urged +a glass of his fine old Madeira upon Tom, but asked him to stay to +supper. There was nobody to be there, he said, but his wife and +daughter. + +Tom, all in a panic at the very thought of the two ladies, sturdily +refused to stay even for the dish of tea Mr. Chillingsworth offered +him. + +He did not know that he was destined to stay there as long as he should +live. + +"And now," said Mr. Chillingsworth, "tell me about yourself." + +"I have nothing to tell, your honor," said Tom, "except that I was +washed up out of the sea." + +"Washed up out of the sea!" exclaimed Mr. Chillingsworth. "Why, how was +that? Come, begin at the beginning, and tell me all." + +Thereupon Tom Chist did as he was bidden, beginning at the very +beginning and telling everything just as Molly Abrahamson had often +told it to him. As he continued, Mr. Chillingsworth's interest changed +into an appearance of stronger and stronger excitement. Suddenly he +jumped up out of his chair and began to walk up and down the room. + +"Stop! stop!" he cried out at last, in the midst of something Tom was +saying. "Stop! stop! Tell me; do you know the name of the vessel that +was wrecked, and from which you were washed ashore?" + +"I've heard it said," said Tom Chist, "'twas the _Bristol Merchant_." + +"I knew it! I knew it!" exclaimed the great man, in a loud voice, +flinging his hands up into the air. "I felt it was so the moment you +began the story. But tell me this, was there nothing found with you +with a mark or a name upon it?" + +"There was a kerchief," said Tom, "marked with a T and a C." + +"Theodosia Chillingsworth!" cried out the merchant. "I knew it! I knew +it! Heavens! to think of anything so wonderful happening as this! Boy! +boy! dost thou know who thou art? Thou art my own brother's son. His +name was Oliver Chillingsworth, and he was my partner in business, and +thou art his son." Then he ran out into the entryway, shouting and +calling for his wife and daughter to come. + +So Tom Chist--or Thomas Chillingsworth, as he now was to be called--did +stay to supper, after all. + +This is the story, and I hope you may like it. For Tom Chist became +rich and great, as was to be supposed, and he married his pretty cousin +Theodosia (who had been named for his own mother, drowned in the +_Bristol Merchant_). + +He did not forget his friends, but had Parson Jones brought to New York +to live. + +As to Molly and Matt Abrahamson, they both enjoyed a pension of ten +pounds a year for as long as they lived; for now that all was well with +him, Tom bore no grudge against the old fisherman for all the drubbings +he had suffered. + +The treasure-box was brought on to New York, and if Tom Chist did not +get all the money there was in it (as Parson Jones had opined he would) +he got at least a good big lump of it. And it is my belief that those +log-books did more to get Captain Kidd arrested in Boston town and +hanged in London than anything else that was brought up against him. + + + + +III. THE GHOST OF CAPTAIN BRAND + +_Being a Narrative of Certain Extraordinary Adventures that Befell +Barnaby True, Esquire, of the Town of New York, in the Year 1753._ + + +I + +It is not so easy to tell why discredit should be cast upon a man +because of something his grandfather may have done amiss, but the +world, which is never over-nice in its discrimination as to where to +lay the blame, is often pleased to make the innocent suffer instead of +the guilty. + +Barnaby True was a good, honest boy, as boys go, but yet was he not +ever allowed altogether to forget that his grandfather had been that +very famous pirate, Captain William Brand, who, after so many +marvellous adventures (if one may believe the catchpenny stories and +ballads that were writ about him), was murdered in Jamaica by Captain +John Malyoe, the commander of his own consort, the _Adventure_ galley. + +It hath never been denied, that ever I heard, that up to the time of +Captain Brand's being commissioned against the South Sea pirates, he +had always been esteemed as honest, reputable a sea-captain as could +be. When he started out upon that adventure it was with a ship, the +_Royal Sovereign_, fitted out by some of the most decent merchants of +New York. Governor Van Dam himself had subscribed to the adventure, and +himself had signed Captain Brand's commission. So, if the unfortunate +man went astray, he must have had great temptation to do so; many +others behaving no better when the opportunity offered in these +far-away seas, when so many rich purchases might very easily be taken and +no one the wiser. + +To be sure those stories and ballads made our captain to be a most +wicked, profane wretch; and if he were, why God knows he suffered and +paid for it, for he laid his bones in Jamaica, and never saw his home +or his wife or his daughter after he had sailed away on the _Royal +Sovereign_ on that long, misfortunate voyage, leaving his family behind +him in New York to the care of strangers. + +At the time when Captain Brand so met his fate in Port Royal Harbor he +had increased his flotilla to two vessels--the _Royal Sovereign_ (which +was the vessel that had been fitted out for him in New York, a fine +brigantine and a good sailer), and the _Adventure_ galley, which he had +captured somewhere in the South Seas. This latter vessel he placed in +command of a certain John Malyoe whom he had picked up no one knows +where--a young man of very good family in England, who had turned +red-handed pirate. This man, who took no more thought of a human life than +he would of a broom straw, was he who afterwards murdered Captain +Brand, as you shall presently hear. + +With these two vessels, the _Royal Sovereign_ and the _Adventure_, +Captain Brand and Captain Malyoe swept the Mozambique Channel as clear +as a boatswain's whistle, and after three years of piracy, having +gained a great booty of gold and silver and pearls, sailed straight for +the Americas, making first the island of Jamaica and the harbor of Port +Royal, where they dropped anchor to wait for news from home. + +But by this time the authorities had been so stirred up against our +pirates that it became necessary for them to hide their booty until +such time as they might make their peace with the Admiralty Courts at +home. So one night Captain Brand and Captain Malyoe, with two others of +the pirates, went ashore with two great chests of treasure, which they +buried somewhere on the banks of the Cobra River near the place where +the old Spanish fort had stood. + +What happened after the treasure was thus buried no one may tell. 'Twas +said that Captain Brand and Captain Malyoe fell a-quarrelling and that +the upshot of the matter was that Captain Malyoe shot Captain Brand +through the head, and that the pirate who was with him served Captain +Brand's companion after the same fashion with a pistol bullet through +the body. + +After that the two murderers returned to their vessel, the _Adventure_ +galley, and sailed away, carrying the bloody secret of the buried +treasure with them. + +[Illustration: "CAPTAIN MALYOE SHOT CAPTAIN BRAND THROUGH THE HEAD"] + +But this double murder of Captain Brand and his companion happened, you +are to understand, some twenty years before the time of this story, and +while our hero was but one year old. So now to our present history. + +It is a great pity that any one should have a grandfather who ended his +days in such a sort as this; but it was no fault of Barnaby True's, nor +could he have done anything to prevent it, seeing he was not even born +into the world at the time that his grandfather turned pirate, and that +he was only one year old when Captain Brand so met his death on the +Cobra River. Nevertheless, the boys with whom he went to school never +tired of calling him "Pirate," and would sometimes sing for his benefit +that famous catchpenny ballad beginning thus: + +"Oh! my name was Captain Brand, + A-sailing, + And a-sailing; +Oh! my name was Captain Brand, + A-sailing free. +Oh! my name was Captain Brand, +And I sinned by sea and land, +For I broke God's just command, + A-sailing free." + +'Twas a vile thing to sing at the grandson of so unfortunate a man, and +oftentimes Barnaby True would double up his little fists and would +fight his tormentors at great odds, and would sometimes go back home +with a bloody nose or a bruised eye to have his poor mother cry over +him and grieve for him. + +Not that his days were all of teasing and torment, either; for if his +comrades did sometimes treat him so, why then there were other times +when he and they were as great friends as could be, and used to go +a-swimming together in the most amicable fashion where there was a bit of +sandy strand below the little bluff along the East River above Fort +George. + +There was a clump of wide beech-trees at that place, with a fine shade +and a place to lay their clothes while they swam about, splashing with +their naked white bodies in the water. At these times Master Barnaby +would bawl as lustily and laugh as loud as though his grandfather had +been the most honest ship-chandler in the town, instead of a +bloody-handed pirate who had been murdered in his sins. + +Ah! It is a fine thing to look back to the days when one was a boy! +Barnaby may remember how, often, when he and his companions were +paddling so in the water, the soldiers off duty would come up from the +fort and would maybe join them in the water, others, perhaps, standing +in their red coats on the shore, looking on and smoking their pipes of +tobacco. + +Then there were other times when maybe the very next day after our hero +had fought with great valor with his fellows he would go a-rambling +with them up the Bouwerie Road with the utmost friendliness; perhaps to +help them steal cherries from some old Dutch farmer, forgetting in such +an adventure what a thief his own grandfather had been. + +But to resume our story. + +When Barnaby True was between sixteen and seventeen years old he was +taken into employment in the counting-house of his stepfather, Mr. +Roger Hartright, the well-known West Indian merchant, a most +respectable man and one of the kindest and best of friends that anybody +could have in the world. + +This good gentleman had courted the favor of Barnaby's mother for a +long time before he had married her. Indeed, he had so courted her +before she had ever thought of marrying Jonathan True. But he not +venturing to ask her in marriage, and she being a brisk, handsome +woman, she chose the man who spoke out his mind, and so left the silent +lover out in the cold. But so soon as she was a widow and free again, +Mr. Hartright resumed his wooing, and so used to come down every +Tuesday and Friday evening to sit and talk with her. Among Barnaby +True's earliest memories was a recollection of the good, kind gentleman +sitting in old Captain Brand's double-nailed arm-chair, the sunlight +shining across his knees, over which he had spread a great red silk +handkerchief, while he sipped a dish of tea with a dash of rum in it. +He kept up this habit of visiting the Widow True for a long time before +he could fetch himself to the point of asking anything more particular +of her, and so Barnaby was nigh fourteen years old before Mr. Hartright +married her, and so became our hero's dear and honored foster-father. + +It was the kindness of this good man that not only found a place for +Barnaby in the counting-house, but advanced him so fast that, against +our hero was twenty-one years old, he had made four voyages as +supercargo to the West Indies in Mr. Hartright's ship, the _Belle +Helen_, and soon after he was twenty-one undertook a fifth. + +Nor was it in any such subordinate position as mere supercargo that he +sailed upon these adventures, but rather as the confidential agent of +Mr. Hartright, who, having no likelihood of children of his own, was +jealous to advance our hero to a position of trust and responsibility +in the counting-house, and so would have him know all the particulars +of the business and become more intimately acquainted with the +correspondents and agents throughout those parts of the West Indies +where the affairs of the house were most active. He would give to +Barnaby the best sort of letters of introduction, so that the +correspondents of Mr. Hartright throughout those parts, seeing how that +gentleman had adopted our hero's interests as his own, were always at +considerable pains to be very polite and obliging in showing every +attention to him. + +Especially among these gentlemen throughout the West Indies may be +mentioned Mr. Ambrose Greenfield, a merchant of excellent standing who +lived at Kingston, Jamaica. This gentleman was very particular to do +all that he could to make our hero's stay in these parts as agreeable +and pleasant to him as might be. Mr. Greenfield is here spoken of with +a greater degree of particularity than others who might as well be +remarked upon, because, as the reader shall presently discover for +himself, it was through the offices of this good friend that our hero +first became acquainted, not only with that lady who afterwards figured +with such conspicuousness in his affairs, but also with a man who, +though graced with a title, was perhaps the greatest villain who ever +escaped a just fate upon the gallows. + +So much for the history of Barnaby True up to the beginning of this +story, without which you shall hardly be able to understand the purport +of those most extraordinary adventures that afterwards befell him, nor +the logic of their consequence after they had occurred. + +II + +Upon the occasion of our hero's fifth voyage into the West Indies he +made a stay of some six or eight weeks at Kingston, in the island of +Jamaica, and it was at that time that the first of those extraordinary +adventures befell him, concerning which this narrative has to relate. + +It was Barnaby's habit, when staying at Kingston, to take lodging with +a very decent, respectable widow, by name Mrs. Anne Bolles, who, with +three extremely agreeable and pleasant daughters, kept a very clean and +well-served house for the accommodation of strangers visiting that +island. + +One morning as he sat sipping his coffee, clad only in loose cotton +drawers and a jacket of the same material, and with slippers upon his +feet (as is the custom in that country, where every one endeavors to +keep as cool as may be), Miss Eliza, the youngest of the three +daughters--a brisk, handsome miss of sixteen or seventeen--came +tripping into the room and handed him a sealed letter, which she +declared a stranger had just left at the door, departing incontinently +so soon as he had eased himself of that commission. You may conceive of +Barnaby's astonishment when he opened the note and read the remarkable +words that here follow: + +"_Mr. Barnaby True._ + +"Sir,--Though you don't know me, I know you, +and I tell you this: if you will be at Pratt's Ordinary +on Friday next at eight o'clock in the evening, and +will accompany the man who shall say to you, '_The +Royal Sovereign is come in_' you shall learn of something +the most to your advantage that ever befell you. +Sir, keep this note and give it to him who shall address +those words to you, so to certify that you are +the man he seeks. Sir, this is the most important thing +that can concern you, so you will please say nothing +to nobody about it." + +Such was the wording of the note which was writ in as cramped and +villanous handwriting as our hero ever beheld, and which, excepting his +own name, was without address, and which possessed no superscription +whatever. + +The first emotion that stirred Barnaby True was one of extreme and +profound astonishment; the second thought that came into his mind was +that maybe some witty fellow--of whom he knew a good many in that +place, and wild, mad rakes they were as ever the world beheld--was +attempting to play off a smart, witty jest upon him. Indeed, Miss Eliza +Bolles, who was of a lively, mischievous temper, was not herself above +playing such a prank should the occasion offer. With this thought in +his mind Barnaby inquired of her with a good deal of particularity +concerning the appearance and condition of the man who had left the +note, to all of which Miss replied with so straight a face and so +candid an air that he could no longer suspect her of being concerned in +any trick against him, and so eased his mind of any such suspicion. The +bearer of the note, she informed him, was a tall, lean man, with a red +neckerchief tied around his neck and with copper buckles to his shoes, +and he had the appearance of a sailor-man, having a great queue of red +hair hanging down his back. But, Lord! what was such a description as +that in a busy seaport town full of scores of men to fit such a +likeness? Accordingly, our hero put the note away into his wallet, +determining to show it to his good friend Mr. Greenfield that evening, +and to ask his advice upon it. + +This he did, and that gentleman's opinion was the same as his: to wit, +that some wag was minded to play off a hoax upon him, and that the +matter of the letter was all nothing but smoke. + +III + +Nevertheless, though Barnaby was thus confirmed in his opinion as to +the nature of the communication he had received, he yet determined in +his own mind that he would see the business through to the end and so +be at Pratt's Ordinary, as the note demanded, upon the day and at the +time appointed therein. + +Pratt's Ordinary was at that time a very fine and famous place of its +sort, with good tobacco and the best rum in the West Indies, and had a +garden behind it that, sloping down to the harbor front, was planted +pretty thick with palms and ferns, grouped into clusters with flowers +and plants. Here were a number of tables, some in little grottos, like +our Vauxhall in New York, with red and blue and white paper lanterns +hung among the foliage. Thither gentlemen and ladies used sometimes to +go of an evening to sit and drink lime-juice and sugar and water (and +sometimes a taste of something stronger), and to look out across the +water at the shipping and so to enjoy the cool of the day. + +Thither, accordingly, our hero went a little before the time appointed +in the note, and, passing directly through the Ordinary and to the +garden beyond, chose a table at the lower end and close to the water's +edge, where he could not readily be seen by any one coming into the +place, and yet where he could easily view whoever should approach. +Then, ordering some rum and water and a pipe of tobacco, he composed +himself to watch for the arrival of those witty fellows whom he +suspected would presently come thither to see the end of their prank +and to enjoy his confusion. + +The spot was pleasant enough, for the land breeze, blowing strong and +cool, set the leaves of the palm-tree above his head to rattling and +clattering continually against the darkness of the sky, where, the moon +then being half full, they shone every now and then like blades of +steel. The waves, also, were splashing up against the little +landing-place at the foot of the garden, sounding mightily pleasant in the +dusk of the evening, and sparkling all over the harbor where the moon +caught the edges of the water. A great many vessels were lying at anchor in +their ridings, with the dark, prodigious form of a man-of-war looming +up above them in the moonlight. + +There our hero sat for the best part of an hour, smoking his pipe of +tobacco and sipping his rum and water, yet seeing nothing of those whom +he suspected might presently come thither to laugh at him. + +It was not far from half after the hour when a row-boat came suddenly +out of the night and pulled up to the landing-place at the foot of the +garden, and three or four men came ashore in the darkness. They landed +very silently and walked up the garden pathway without saying a word, +and, sitting down at an adjacent table, ordered rum and water and began +drinking among themselves, speaking every now and then a word or two in +a tongue that Barnaby did not well understand, but which, from certain +phrases they let fall, he suspected to be Portuguese. Our hero paid no +great attention to them, till by-and-by he became aware that they had +fallen to whispering together and were regarding him very curiously. He +felt himself growing very uneasy under this observation, which every +moment grew more and more particular, and he was just beginning to +suspect that this interest concerning himself might have somewhat more +to do with him than mere idle curiosity, when one of the men, who was +plainly the captain of the party, suddenly says to him, "How now, +messmate; won't you come and have a drop of drink with us?" + +At this address Barnaby instantly began to be aware that the affair he +had come upon was indeed no jest, as he had supposed it to be, but that +he had walked into what promised to be a very pretty adventure. +Nevertheless, not wishing to be too hasty in his conclusions, he +answered very civilly that he had drunk enough already, and that more +would only heat his blood. + +"Well," says the stranger, "I may be mistook, but I believe you are Mr. +Barnaby True." + +"You are right, sir, and that is my name," acknowledged Barnaby. "But +still I cannot guess how that may concern you, nor why it should be a +reason for my drinking with you." "That I will presently tell you," +says the stranger, very composedly. "Your name concerns me because I +was sent here to tell Mr. Barnaby True that '_the Royal Sovereign is +come in_.'" + +To be sure our hero's heart jumped into his throat at those words. His +pulse began beating at a tremendous rate, for here, indeed, was an +adventure suddenly opening to him such as a man may read about in a +book, but which he may hardly expect to befall him in the real +happenings of his life. Had he been a wiser and an older man he might +have declined the whole business, instead of walking blindly into that +of which he could see neither the beginning nor the ending; but being +barely one-and-twenty years of age, and possessing a sanguine temper +and an adventurous disposition that would have carried him into almost +anything that possessed a smack of uncertainty or danger, he contrived +to say, in a pretty easy tone (though God knows how it was put on for +the occasion): + +"Well, if that be so, and if the _Royal Sovereign_ is indeed come in, +why, then, I'll join you, since you are so kind as to ask me." +Therewith he arose and went across to the other table, carrying his +pipe with him, and sat down and began smoking, with all the appearance +of ease he could command upon the occasion. + +At this the other burst out a-laughing. "Indeed," says he, "you are a +cool blade, and a chip of the old block. But harkee, young gentleman," +and here he fell serious again. "This is too weighty a business to +chance any mistake in a name. I believe that you are, as you say, Mr. +Barnaby True; but, nevertheless, to make perfectly sure, I must ask you +first to show me a note that you have about you and which you are +instructed to show to me." + +"Very well," said Barnaby; "I have it here safe and sound, and you +shall see it." And thereupon and without more ado he drew out his +wallet, opened it, and handed the other the mysterious note which he +had kept carefully by him ever since he had received it. His +interlocutor took the paper, and drawing to him the candle, burning +there for the convenience of those who would smoke tobacco, began +immediately reading it. + +This gave Barnaby True a moment or two to look at him. He was a tall, +lean man with a red handkerchief tied around his neck, with a queue of +red hair hanging down his back, and with copper buckles on his shoes, +so that Barnaby True could not but suspect that he was the very same +man who had given the note to Miss Eliza Bolles at the door of his +lodging-house. + +"'Tis all right and straight and as it should be," the other said, +after he had so examined the note. "And now that the paper is read" +(suiting his action to his words), "I'll just burn it for safety's +sake." + +And so he did, twisting it up and setting it to the flame of the +candle. "And now," he said, continuing his address, "I'll tell you what +I am here for. I was sent to ask if you're man enough to take your life +in your hands and to go with me in that boat down yonder at the foot of +the garden. Say 'Yes,' and we'll start away without wasting more time, +for the devil is ashore here at Jamaica--though you don't know what +that means--and if he gets ahead of us, why then we may whistle for +what we are after, for all the good 'twill do us. Say 'No,' and I go +away, and I promise you you shall never be troubled more in this sort +of a way. So now speak up plain, young gentleman, and tell us what is +your wish in this business, and whether you will adventure any further +or no." + +If our hero hesitated it was not for long, and when he spoke up it was +with a voice as steady as could be. + +"To be sure I'm man enough to go with you," says he; "and if you mean +me any harm I can look out for myself; and if I can't, then here is +something can look out for me." And therewith he lifted up the flap of +his pocket and showed the butt of a pistol he had fetched with him when +he had set out from his lodging-house that evening. + +At this the other burst out a-laughing for a second time. "Come," says +he; "you are indeed of right mettle, and I like your spirit. All the +same, no one in all the world means you less ill than I, and so, if you +have to use that barker, 'twill not be upon us who are your friends, +but only upon one who is more wicked than the devil himself. So now if +you are prepared and have made up your mind and are determined to see +this affair through to the end, 'tis time for us to be away." +Whereupon, our hero indicating his acquiescence, his interlocutor and +the others (who had not spoken a single word for all this time), rose +together from the table, and the stranger having paid the scores of +all, they went down together to the boat that lay plainly awaiting +their coming at the bottom of the garden. + +Thus coming to it, our hero could see that it was a large yawl-boat +manned by half a score of black men for rowers, and that there were two +lanterns in the stern-sheets, and three or four shovels. + +The man who had conducted the conversation with Barnaby True for all +this time, and who was, as has been said, plainly the captain of the +expedition, stepped immediately down into the boat; our hero followed, +and the others followed after him; and instantly they were seated the +boat shoved off and the black men began pulling straight out into the +harbor, and so, at some distance away, around under the stern of the +man-of-war. + +Not a word was spoken after they had thus left the shore, and they +might all have been so many spirits for the silence of the party. +Barnaby True was too full of his own thoughts to talk (and serious +enough thoughts they were by this time, with crimps to trepan a man at +every turn, and press-gangs to carry him off so that he might never be +heard of again). As for the others, they did not seem to choose to say +anything now that they had been fairly embarked upon their enterprise, +and so the crew pulled away for the best part of an hour, the leader of +the expedition directing the course of the boat straight across the +harbor, as though towards the mouth of the Cobra River. Indeed, this +was their destination, as Barnaby could after a while see for himself, +by the low point of land with a great, long row of cocoanut-palms +growing upon it (the appearance of which he knew very well), which +by-and-by began to loom up from the dimness of the moonlight. As they +approached the river they found the tide was running very violently, so +that it gurgled and rippled alongside the boat as the crew of black men +pulled strongly against it. Thus rowing slowly against the stream they +came around what appeared to be either a point of land or an islet +covered with a thick growth of mangrove-trees; though still no one +spoke a single word as to their destination, or what was the business +they had in hand. + +The night, now that they had come close to the shore, appeared to be +full of the noises of running tide-water, and the air was heavy with +the smell of mud and marsh. And over all was the whiteness of the +moonlight, with a few stars pricking out here and there in the sky; and +everything was so strange and mysterious and so different from anything +that he had experienced before that Barnaby could not divest himself of +the feeling that it was all a dream from which at any moment he might +awaken. As for the town and the Ordinary he had quitted such a short +time before, so different were they from this present experience, it +was as though they might have concerned another life than that which he +was then enjoying. + +Meantime, the rowers bending to the oars, the boat drew slowly around +into the open water once more. As it did so the leader of the +expedition of a sudden called out in a loud, commanding voice, whereat +the black men instantly ceased rowing and lay on their oars, the boat +drifting onward into the night. + +At the same moment of time our hero became aware of another boat coming +down the river towards where they lay. This other boat, approaching +thus strangely through the darkness, was full of men, some of them +armed; for even in the distance Barnaby could not but observe that the +light of the moon glimmered now and then as upon the barrels of muskets +or pistols. This threw him into a good deal of disquietude of mind, for +whether they or this boat were friends or enemies, or as to what was to +happen next, he was altogether in the dark. + +Upon this point, however, he was not left very long in doubt, for the +oarsmen of the approaching boat continuing to row steadily onward till +they had come pretty close to Barnaby and his companions, a man who sat +in the stern suddenly stood up, and as they passed by shook a cane at +Barnaby's companion with a most threatening and angry gesture. At the +same moment, the moonlight shining full upon him, Barnaby could see him +as plain as daylight--a large, stout gentleman with a round red face, +and clad in a fine, laced coat of red cloth. In the stern of the boat +near by him was a box or chest about the bigness of a middle-sized +travelling-trunk, but covered all over with cakes of sand and dirt. In +the act of passing, the gentleman, still standing, pointed at this +chest with his cane--an elegant gold-headed staff--and roared out in a +loud voice: "Are you come after this, Abram Dowling? Then come and take +it." And thereat, as he sat down again, burst out a-laughing as though +what he had said was the wittiest jest conceivable. + +Either because he respected the armed men in the other boat, or else +for some reason best known to himself, the Captain of our hero's +expedition did not immediately reply, but sat as still as any stone. +But at last, the other boat having drifted pretty far away, he suddenly +found words to shout out after it: "Very well, Jack Malyoe! Very well, +Jack Malyoe! You've got the better of us once more. But next time is +the third, and then it'll be our turn, even if William Brand must come +back from the grave to settle with you himself." + +But to this my fine gentleman in t'other boat made no reply except to +burst out once more into a great fit of laughter. + +There was, however, still another man in the stern of the enemy's +boat--a villanous, lean man with lantern-jaws, and the top of his head as +bald as an apple. He held in his hand a great pistol, which he +flourished about him, crying out to the gentleman beside him, "Do but +give me the word, your honor, and I'll put another bullet through the +son of a sea cook." But the other forbade him, and therewith the boat +presently melted away into the darkness of the night and was gone. + +This happened all in a few seconds, so that before our hero understood +what was passing he found the boat in which he still sat drifting +silently in the moonlight (for no one spoke for awhile) and the oars of +the other boat sounding farther and farther away into the distance. + +By-and-by says one of those in Barnaby's boat, in Spanish, "Where shall +you go now?" + +At this the leader of the expedition appeared suddenly to come back to +himself and to find his tongue again. "Go?" he roared out. "Go to the +devil! Go? Go where you choose! Go? Go back again--that's where well +go!" And therewith he fell a-cursing and swearing, frothing at the lips +as though he had gone clean crazy, while the black men, bending once +more to their oars, rowed back again across the harbor as fast as ever +they could lay oars to the water. + +They put Barnaby True ashore below the old custom-house, but so +bewildered and amazed by all that had happened, and by what he had +seen, and by the names he had heard spoken, that he was only half +conscious of the familiar things among which he suddenly found himself +transported. The moonlight and the night appeared to have taken upon +them a new and singular aspect, and he walked up the street towards his +lodging like one drunk or in a dream. For you must remember that "John +Malyoe" was the captain of the _Adventure_ galley--he who had shot +Barnaby's own grandfather--and "Abram Dowling," I must tell you, had +been the gunner of the _Royal Sovereign_--he who had been shot at the +same time that Captain Brand met his tragical end. And yet these names +he had heard spoken--the one from one boat, and the other from the +other, so that he could not but wonder what sort of beings they were +among whom he had fallen. + +As to that box covered all over with mud, he could only offer a +conjecture as to what it contained and as to what the finding of it +signified. + +But of this our hero said nothing to any one, nor did he tell any one +what he suspected, for, though he was so young in years, he possessed a +continent disposition inherited from his father (who had been one of +ten children born to a poor but worthy Presbyterian minister of +Bluefield, Connecticut), so it was that not even to his good friend Mr. +Greenfield did Barnaby say a word as to what had happened to him, going +about his business the next day as though nothing of moment had +occurred. + +But he was not destined yet to be done with those beings among whom he +had fallen that night; for that which he supposed to be the ending of +the whole affair was only the beginning of further adventures that were +soon to befall him. + +IV + +Mr. Greenfield lived in a fine brick house just outside of the town, on +the Mona Road. His family consisted of a wife and two daughters-- +handsome, lively young ladies with very fine, bright teeth that shone +whenever they laughed, and with a-plenty to say for themselves. To this +pleasant house Barnaby True was often asked to a family dinner, after +which he and his good kind host would maybe sit upon the veranda, +looking out towards the mountain, smoking their cigarros while the +young ladies laughed and talked, or played upon the guitar and sang. + +A day or two before the _Belle Helen_ sailed from Kingston, upon her +return voyage to New York, Mr. Greenfield stopped Barnaby True as he +was passing through the office, and begged him to come to dinner that +night. (For within the tropics, you are to know, they breakfast at +eleven o'clock and take dinner in the cool of the evening, because of +the heat, and not at mid-day, as we do in more temperate latitudes). "I +would," says Mr. Greenfield, "have you meet Sir John Malyoe and Miss +Marjorie, who are to be your chief passengers for New York, and for +whom the state cabin and the two state-rooms are to be fitted as here +ordered"--showing a letter--"for Sir John hath arranged," says Mr. +Greenfield, "for the Captain's own state-room." + +Then, not being aware of Barnaby True's history, nor that Captain Brand +was his grandfather, the good gentleman--calling Sir John "Jack" +Malyoe--goes on to tell our hero what a famous pirate he had been, and +how it was he who had shot Captain Brand over t'other side of the +harbor twenty years before. "Yes," says he, "'tis the same Jack Malyoe, +though grown into repute and importance now, as who would not who hath +had the good-fortune to fall heir to a baronetcy and a landed estate?" + +And so it befell that same night that Barnaby True once again beheld +the man who had murdered his own grandfather, meeting him this time +face to face. + +That time in the harbor he had seen Sir John Malyoe at a distance and +in the darkness; now that he beheld him closer, it seemed to him that +he had never seen a countenance more distasteful to him in all his +life. Not that the man was altogether ugly, for he had a good enough +nose and a fine double chin; but his eyes stood out from his face and +were red and watery, and he winked them continually, as though they +were always a-smarting. His lips were thick and purple-red, and his +cheeks mottled here and there with little clots of veins. + +When he spoke, his voice rattled in his throat to such a degree that it +made one wish to clear one's own throat to listen to him. So, what with +a pair of fat, white hands, and that hoarse voice, and his swollen +face, and his thick lips a-sticking out, it appeared to Barnaby True he +had never beheld a countenance that pleased him so little. + +But if Sir John Malyoe suited our hero's taste so ill, the +granddaughter was in the same degree pleasing to him. She had a thin, +fair skin, red lips, and yellow hair--though it was then powdered +pretty white for the occasion--and the bluest eyes that ever he beheld +in all of his life. A sweet, timid creature, who appeared not to dare +so much as to speak a word for herself without looking to that great +beast, her grandfather, for leave to do so, for she would shrink and +shudder whenever he would speak of a sudden to her or direct a glance +upon her. When she did pluck up sufficient courage to say anything, it +was in so low a voice that Barnaby was obliged to bend his head to hear +her; and when she smiled she would as like as not catch herself short +and look up as though to see if she did amiss to be cheerful. + +As for Sir John, he sat at dinner and gobbled and ate and drank, +smacking his lips all the while, but with hardly a word of civility +either to Mr. Greenfield or to Mrs. Greenfield or to Barnaby True; but +wearing all the while a dull, sullen air, as though he would say, "Your +damned victuals and drink are no better than they should be, but, such +as they are, I must eat 'em or eat nothing." + +It was only after dinner was over and the young lady and the two misses +off in a corner together that Barnaby heard her talk with any degree of +ease. Then, to be sure, her tongue became loose enough, and she +prattled away at a great rate; though hardly above her breath. Then of +a sudden her grand-father called out, in his hoarse, rattling voice, +that it was time to go, upon which she stopped short in what she was +saying and jumped up from her chair, looking as frightened as though he +were going to strike her with that gold-headed cane of his that he +always carried with him. + +Barnaby True and Mr. Greenfield both went out to see the two into their +coach, where Sir John's man stood holding the lantern. And who should +he be, to be sure, but that same lean villain with bald head who had +offered to shoot the Captain of Barnaby's expedition out on the harbor +that night! For one of the circles of light shining up into his face, +Barnaby True knew him the moment he clapped eyes upon him. Though he +could not have recognized our hero, he grinned at him in the most +impudent, familiar fashion, and never so much as touched his hat either +to him or to Mr. Greenfield; but as soon as his master and his young +mistress had entered the coach, banged to the door and scrambled up on +the seat alongside the driver, and so away without a word, but with +another impudent grin, this time favoring both Barnaby and the old +gentleman. + +Such were Sir John Malyoe and his man, and the ill opinion our hero +conceived of them was only confirmed by further observation. + +The next day Sir John Malyoe's travelling-cases began to come aboard +the _Belle Helen_, and in the afternoon that same lean, villanous +man-servant comes skipping across the gangplank as nimble as a goat, with +two black men behind him lugging a great sea-chest. "What!" he cries +out, "and so you is the supercargo, is you? Why, to be sure, I thought +you was more account when I saw you last night a-sitting talking with +his honor like his equal. Well, no matter," says he, "'tis something to +have a brisk, genteel young fellow for a supercargo. So come, my +hearty, lend a hand and help me set his honor's cabin to rights." + +What a speech was this to endure from such a fellow! What with our +hero's distaste for the villain, and what with such odious familiarity, +you may guess into what temper so impudent an address must have cast +him. Says he, "You'll find the steward in yonder, and he'll show you +the cabin Sir John is to occupy." Therewith he turned and walked away +with prodigious dignity, leaving the other standing where he was. + +As he went below to his own state-room he could not but see, out of the +tail of his eye, that the fellow was still standing where he had left +him, regarding him with a most evil, malevolent countenance, so that he +had the satisfaction of knowing that he had an enemy aboard for that +voyage who was not very likely to forgive or forget what he must regard +as so mortifying a slight as that which Barnaby had put upon him. + +The next day Sir John Malyoe himself came aboard, accompanied by his +granddaughter, and followed by his man, and he followed again by four +black men, who carried among them two trunks, not large in size, but +vastly heavy in weight. Towards these two trunks Sir John and his +follower devoted the utmost solicitude and care to see that they were +properly carried into the cabin he was to occupy. Barnaby True was +standing in the saloon as they passed close by him; but though Sir John +looked hard at him and straight in the face, he never so much as spoke +a single word to our hero, or showed by a look or a sign that he had +ever met him before. At this the serving-man, who saw it all with eyes +as quick as a cat's, fell to grinning and chuckling to see Barnaby in +his turn so slighted. + +The young lady, who also saw it, blushed as red as fire, and thereupon +delivered a courtesy to poor Barnaby, with a most sweet and gracious +affability. + +There were, besides Sir John and the young lady, but two other +passengers who upon this occasion took the voyage to New York: the +Reverend Simon Styles, master of a flourishing academy at Spanish Town, +and his wife. This was a good, worthy couple of an extremely quiet +disposition, saying little or nothing, but contented to sit in the +great cabin by the hour together reading in some book or other. So, +what with the retiring humor of the worthy pair, and what with Sir John +Malyoe's fancy for staying all the time shut up in his own cabin with +those two trunks he held so precious, it fell upon Barnaby True in +great part to show that attention to the young lady that the +circumstances demanded. This he did with a great deal of satisfaction +to himself--as any one may suppose who considers a spirited young man +of one-and-twenty years of age and a sweet and beautiful young miss of +seventeen or eighteen thrown thus together day after day for above two +weeks. + +Accordingly, the weather being very fair and the ship driving freely +along before a fine breeze, and they having no other occupation than to +sit talking together all day, gazing at the blue sea and the bright sky +overhead, it is not difficult to conceive of what was to befall. + +But oh, those days when a man is young and, whether wisely or no, +fallen into such a transport of passion as poor Barnaby True suffered +at that time! How often during that voyage did our hero lie awake in +his berth at night, tossing this way and that without finding any +refreshment of sleep--perhaps all because her hand had touched his, or +because she had spoken some word to him that had possessed him with a +ravishing disquietude? + +All this might not have befallen him had Sir John Malyoe looked after +his granddaughter instead of locking himself up day and night in his +own cabin, scarce venturing out except to devour his food or maybe to +take two or three turns across the deck before returning again to the +care of those chests he appeared to hold so much more precious than his +own flesh and blood. + +Nor was it to be supposed that Barnaby would take the pains to consider +what was to become of it all, for what young man so situated as he but +would be perfectly content to live so agreeably in a fool's paradise, +satisfying himself by assigning the whole affair to the future to take +care of itself. Accordingly, our hero endeavored, and with pretty good +success, to put away from him whatever doubts might arise in his own +mind concerning what he was about, satisfying himself with making his +conversation as agreeable to his companion as it lay in his power to +do. + +So the affair continued until the end of the whole business came with a +suddenness that promised for a time to cast our hero into the utmost +depths of humiliation and despair. + +At that time the _Belle Helen_ was, according to Captain Manly's +reckoning, computed that day at noon, bearing about five-and-fifty +leagues northeast-by-east off the harbor of Charleston, in South +Carolina. + +Nor was our hero likely to forget for many years afterwards even the +smallest circumstance of that occasion. He may remember that it was a +mightily sweet, balmy evening, the sun not having set above half an +hour before, and the sky still suffused with a good deal of brightness, +the air being extremely soft and mild. He may remember with the utmost +nicety how they were leaning over the rail of the vessel looking out +towards the westward, she fallen mightily quiet as though occupied with +very serious thoughts. + +Of a sudden she began, without any preface whatever, to speak to +Barnaby about herself and her affairs, in a most confidential manner, +such as she had never used to him before. She told him that she and her +grandfather were going to New York that they might take passage thence +to Boston, in Massachusetts, where they were to meet her cousin Captain +Malyoe, who was stationed in garrison at that place. Continuing, she +said that Captain Malyoe was the next heir to the Devonshire estate, +and that she and he were to be married in the fall. + +You may conceive into what a confusion of distress such a confession as +this, delivered so suddenly, must have cast poor Barnaby. He could +answer her not a single word, but stood staring in another direction +than hers, endeavoring to compose himself into some equanimity of +spirit. For indeed it was a sudden, terrible blow, and his breath came +as hot and dry as ashes in his throat. Meanwhile the young lady went on +to say, though in a mightily constrained voice, that she had liked him +from the very first moment she had seen him, and had been very happy +for these days she had passed in his society, and that she would always +think of him as a dear friend who had been very kind to her, who had so +little pleasure in her life. + +At last Barnaby made shift to say, though in a hoarse and croaking +voice, that Captain Malyoe must be a very happy man, and that if he +were in Captain Malyoe's place he would be the happiest man in the +world. Thereupon, having so found his voice, he went on to tell her, +though in a prodigious confusion and perturbation of spirit, that he +too loved her, and that what she had told him struck him to the heart, +and made him the most miserable, unhappy wretch in the whole world. + +She exhibited no anger at what he said, nor did she turn to look at +him, but only replied, in a low voice, that he should not talk so, for +that it could only be a pain to them both to speak of such things, and +that whether she would or no, she must do everything her grandfather +bade her, he being indeed a terrible man. + +To this poor Barnaby could only repeat that he loved her with all his +heart, that he had hoped for nothing in his love, but that he was now +the most miserable man in the world. + +It was at this moment, so momentous to our hero, that some one who had +been hiding unseen nigh them for all the while suddenly moved away, and +Barnaby, in spite of the gathering darkness, could perceive that it was +that villain man-servant of Sir John Malyoe's. Nor could he but know +that the wretch must have overheard all that had been said. + +As he looked he beheld this fellow go straight to the great cabin, +where he disappeared with a cunning leer upon his face, so that our +hero could not but be aware that the purpose of the eavesdropper must +be to communicate all that he had overheard to his master. At this +thought the last drop of bitterness was added to his trouble, for what +could be more distressing to any man of honor than to possess the +consciousness that such a wretch should have overheard so sacred a +conversation as that which he had enjoyed with the young lady. She, +upon her part, could not have been aware that the man had listened to +what she had been saying, for she still continued leaning over the +rail, and Barnaby remained standing by her side, without moving, but so +distracted by a tumult of many passions that he knew not how or where +to look. + +After a pretty long time of this silence, the young lady looked up to +see why her companion had not spoken for so great a while, and at that +very moment Sir John Malyoe comes flinging out of the cabin without his +hat, but carrying his gold-headed cane. He ran straight across the deck +towards where Barnaby and the young lady stood, swinging his cane this +way and that with a most furious and threatening countenance, while the +informer, grinning like an ape, followed close at his heels. As Sir +John approached them, he cried out in so loud a voice that all on deck +might have heard him, "You hussy!" (And all the time, you are to +remember, he was swinging his cane as though he would have struck the +young lady, who, upon her part, shrank back from him almost upon the +deck as though to escape such a blow.) "You hussy! What do you do here, +talking with a misbred Yankee supercargo not fit for a gentlewoman to +wipe her feet upon, and you stand there and listen to his fool talk! Go +to your room, you hussy"--only 'twas something worse he called her this +time--"before I lay this cane across you!" + +You may suppose into what fury such words as these, spoken in Barnaby's +hearing, not to mention that vile slur set upon himself, must have cast +our hero. To be sure he scarcely knew what he did, but he put his hand +against Sir John Malyoe's breast and thrust him back most violently, +crying out upon him at the same time for daring so to threaten a young +lady, and that for a farthing he would wrench the stick out of his hand +and throw it overboard. + +A little farther and Sir John would have fallen flat upon the deck with +the push Barnaby gave him. But he contrived, by catching hold of the +rail, to save his balance. Whereupon, having recovered himself, he came +running at our hero like a wild beast, whirling his cane about, and I +do believe would have struck him (and God knows then what might have +happened) had not his man-servant caught him and held him back. + +"Keep back!" cried out our hero, still mighty hoarse. "Keep back! If +you strike me with that stick I'll fling you overboard!" + +By this time, what with the sound of loud voices and the stamping of +feet, some of the crew and others aboard were hurrying up to the scene +of action. At the same time Captain Manly and the first mate, Mr. +Freesden, came running out of the cabin. As for our hero, having got +set agoing, he was not to be stopped so easily. + +"And who are you, anyhow," he cries, his voice mightily hoarse even in +his own ears, "to threaten to strike me! You may be a bloody pirate, +and you may shoot a man from behind, as you shot poor Captain Brand on +the Cobra River, but you won't dare strike me face to face. I know who +you are and what you are!" + +As for Sir John Malyoe, had he been struck of a sudden by palsy, he +could not have stopped more dead short in his attack upon our hero. +There he stood, his great, bulging eyes staring like those of a fish, +his face as purple as a cherry. As for Master Informer, Barnaby had the +satisfaction of seeing that he had stopped his grinning by now and was +holding his master's arm as though to restrain him from any further act +of violence. + +By this time Captain Manly had come bustling up and demanded to know +what all the disturbance meant. Whereupon our hero cried out, still in +the extremity of passion: + +"The villain insulted me and insulted the young lady; he threatened to +strike me with his cane. But he sha'n't strike me. I know who he is and +what he is. I know what he's got in his cabin in those two trunks, and +I know where he found it, and whom it belongs to." + +At this Captain Manly clapped his hand upon our hero's shoulder and +fell to shaking him so that he could hardly stand, crying out to him +the while to be silent. Says he: "How do you dare, an officer of this +ship, to quarrel with a passenger of mine! Go straight to your cabin, +and stay there till I give you leave to come out again." + +At this Master Barnaby came somewhat back to himself. "But he +threatened to strike me with his cane," he says, "and that I won't +stand from any man!" + +"No matter for that," says Captain Manly, very sternly. "Go to your +cabin, as I bid you, and stay there till I tell you to come out again, +and when we get to New York I'll take pains to inform your step-father +of how you have behaved. I'll have no such rioting as this aboard my +ship." + +By this time, as you may suppose, the young lady was gone. As for Sir +John Malyoe, he stood in the light of a lantern, his face that had been +so red now gone as white as ashes, and if a look could kill, to be sure +he would have destroyed Barnaby True where he stood. + +It was thus that the events of that memorable day came to a conclusion. +How little did any of the actors of the scene suspect that a portentous +Fate was overhanging them, and was so soon to transform all their +present circumstances into others that were to be perfectly different! + +And how little did our hero suspect what was in store for him upon the +morrow, as with hanging head he went to his cabin, and shutting the +door upon himself, and flinging himself down upon his berth, there +yielded himself over to the profoundest depths of humiliation and +despair. + +V + +From his melancholy meditations Barnaby, by-and-by and in spite of +himself, began dropping off into a loose slumber, disturbed by +extravagant dreams of all sorts, in which Sir John Malyoe played some +important and malignant part. + +From one of these dreams he was aroused to meet a new and startling +fate, by hearing the sudden and violent explosion of a pistol-shot ring +out as though in his ears. This was followed immediately by the sound +of several other shots exchanged in rapid succession as coming from the +deck above. At the same instant a blow of such excessive violence shook +the _Belle Helen_ that the vessel heeled over before it, and Barnaby +was at once aware that another craft--whether by accident or with +intention he did not know--must have run afoul of them. + +Upon this point, and as to whether or not the collision was designed, +he was, however, not left a moment in doubt, for even as the _Belle +Helen_ righted to her true keel, there was the sound of many footsteps +running across the deck and down into the great cabin. Then proceeded a +prodigious uproar of voices, together with the struggling of men's +bodies being tossed about, striking violently against the partitions +and bulkheads. At the same instant arose a screaming of women's voices, +and one voice, that of Sir John Malyoe, crying out as in the greatest +extremity: "You villains! You damned villains!" and with that the +sudden detonation of a pistol fired into the close space of the great +cabin. + +Long before this time Barnaby was out in the middle of his own cabin. +Taking only sufficient time to snatch down one of the pistols that hung +at the head of his berth, he flung out into the great cabin, to find it +as black as night, the lantern slung there having been either blown out +or dashed out into darkness. All was as black as coal, and the gloom +was filled with a hubbub of uproar and confusion, above which sounded +continually the shrieking of women's voices. Nor had our hero taken +above a couple of steps before he pitched headlong over two or three +men struggling together upon the deck, falling with a great clatter and +the loss of his pistol, which, however, he regained almost immediately. + +What all the uproar portended he could only guess, but presently +hearing Captain Manly's voice calling out, "You bloody pirate, would +you choke me to death?" he became immediately aware of what had +befallen the _Belle Helen_, and that they had been attacked by some of +those buccaneers who at that time infested the waters of America in +prodigious numbers. + +It was with this thought in his mind that, looking towards the +companionway, he beheld, outlined against the darkness of the night +without, the form of a man's figure, standing still and motionless as a +statue in the midst of all this tumult, and thereupon, as by some +instinct, knew that that must be the master-maker of all this devil's +brew. Therewith, still kneeling upon the deck, he covered the bosom of +that figure point-blank, as he supposed, with his pistol, and instantly +pulled the trigger. + +In the light of the pistol fire, Barnaby had only sufficient +opportunity to distinguish a flat face wearing a large pair of +mustachios, a cocked hat trimmed with gold lace, a red scarf, and brass +buttons. Then the darkness, very thick and black, again swallowed +everything. + +But if our hero failed to clearly perceive the countenance towards +which he had discharged his weapon, there was one who appeared to have +recognized some likeness in it, for Sir John Malyoe's voice, almost at +Barnaby's elbow, cried out thrice in loud and violent tones, "William +Brand! William Brand! William Brand!" and thereat came the sound of +some heavy body falling down upon the deck. + +This was the last that our hero may remember of that notable attack, +for the next moment whether by accident or design he never knew, he +felt himself struck so terrible a blow upon the side of the head, that +he instantly swooned dead away and knew no more. + +VI + +When Barnaby True came back to his senses again, it was to become aware +that he was being cared for with great skill and nicety, that his head +had been bathed with cold water, and that a bandage was being bound +about it as carefully as though a chirurgeon was attending to him. + +He had been half conscious of people about him, but could not +immediately recall what had happened to him, nor until he had opened +his eyes to find himself in a perfectly strange cabin of narrow +dimensions but extremely well fitted and painted with white and gold. +By the light of a lantern shining in his eyes, together with the gray +of the early day through the deadlight, he could perceive that two men +were bending over him--one, a negro in a striped shirt, with a yellow +handkerchief around his head and silver ear-rings in his ears; the +other, a white man, clad in a strange, outlandish dress of a foreign +make, with great mustachios hanging down below his chin, and with gold +ear-rings in his ears. + +It was this last who was attending to Barnaby's hurt with such extreme +care and gentleness. + +All this Barnaby saw with his first clear consciousness after his +swoon. Then remembering what had befallen him, and his head beating as +though it would split asunder, he shut his eyes again, contriving with +great effort to keep himself from groaning aloud, and wondering as to +what sort of pirates these could be, who would first knock a man in the +head so terrible a blow as that which he had suffered, and then take +such care to fetch him back to life again, and to make him easy and +comfortable. + +Nor did he open his eyes again, but lay there marvelling thus until the +bandage was properly tied about his head and sewed together. Then once +more he opened his eyes and looked up to ask where he was. + +Upon hearing him speak, his attendants showed excessive signs of joy, +nodding their heads and smiling at him as though to reassure him. But +either because they did not choose to reply, or else because they could +not speak English, they made no answer, excepting by those signs and +gestures. The white man, however, made several motions that our hero +was to arise, and, still grinning and nodding his head, pointed as +though towards a saloon beyond. At the same time the negro held up our +hero's coat and beckoned for him to put it on. Accordingly Barnaby, +seeing that it was required of him to quit the place in which he then +lay, arose, though with a good deal of effort, and permitted the negro +to help him on with his coat, though feeling mightily dizzy and much +put about to keep upon his legs--his head beating fit to split asunder +and the vessel rolling and pitching at a great rate, as though upon a +heavy cross-sea. + +So, still sick and dizzy, he went out into what he found was, indeed, a +fine saloon beyond, painted in white and gilt like the cabin he had +just quitted. This saloon was fitted in the most excellent taste +imaginable. A table extended the length of the room, and a quantity of +bottles, and glasses clear as crystal, were arranged in rows in a +hanging rack above. + +But what most attracted our hero's attention was a man sitting with his +back to him, his figure clad in a rough pea-jacket, and with a red +handkerchief tied around his throat. His feet were stretched under the +table out before him, and he was smoking a pipe of tobacco with all the +ease and comfort imaginable. As Barnaby came in he turned round, and, +to the profound astonishment of our hero, presented to him in the light +of the lantern, the dawn shining pretty strong through the skylight, +the face of that very man who had conducted the mysterious expedition +that night across Kingston Harbor to the Cobra River. + +VII + +This man looked steadily at Barnaby True for above half a minute and +then burst out a-laughing. And, indeed, Barnaby, standing there with +the bandage about his head, must have looked a very droll picture of +that astonishment he felt so profoundly at finding who was this pirate +into whose hands he had fallen. "Well," says the other, "and so you be +up at last, and no great harm done, I'll be bound. And how does your +head feel by now, my young master?" + +To this Barnaby made no reply, but, what with wonder and the dizziness +of his head, seated himself at the table over against his interlocutor, +who pushed a bottle of rum towards him, together with a glass from the +hanging rack. He watched Barnaby fill his glass, and so soon as he had +done so began immediately by saying: "I do suppose you think you were +treated mightily ill to be so handled last night. Well, so you were +treated ill enough, though who hit you that crack upon the head I know +no more than a child unborn. Well, I am sorry for the way you were +handled, but there is this much to say, and of that you may feel well +assured, that nothing was meant to you but kindness, and before you are +through with us all you will believe that without my having to tell you +so." + +Here he helped himself to a taste of grog, and sucking in his lips went +on again with what he had to say. "Do you remember," says he, "that +expedition of ours in Kingston Harbor, and how we were all of us balked +that night?" then, without waiting for Barnaby's reply: "And do you +remember what I said to that villain Jack Malyoe that night as his boat +went by us? I says to him, 'Jack Malyoe,' says I, 'you've got the +better of us once again, but next time it will be our turn, even if +William Brand himself has to come back from the grave to settle with +you.'" + +"I remember something of the sort," said Barnaby, "but I profess I am +all in the dark as to what you are driving at." + +At this the other burst out in a great fit of laughing. "Very well, +then," said he, "this night's work is only the ending of what was so +ill begun there. Look yonder"--pointing to a corner of the cabin--"and +then maybe you will be in the dark no longer." Barnaby turned his head +and there beheld in the corner of the saloon those very two +travelling-cases that Sir John Malyoe had been so particular to keep in his +cabin and under his own eyes through all the voyage from Jamaica. + +"I'll show you what is in 'em," says the other, and thereupon arose, +and Barnaby with him, and so went over to where the two +travelling-cases stood. + +Our hero had a strong enough suspicion as to what the cases contained. +But, Lord! what were suspicions to what his two eyes beheld when that +man lifted the lid of one of them--the locks thereof having already +been forced--and, flinging it back, displayed to Barnaby's astonished +and bedazzled sight a great treasure of gold and silver, some of it +tied up in leathern bags, to be sure, but so many of the coins, big and +little, yellow and white, lying loose in the cases as to make our hero +think that a great part of the treasures of the Indies lay there before +him. + +"Well, and what do you think of that?" said the other. "Is it not +enough for a man to turn pirate for?" and thereupon burst out +a-laughing and clapped down the lid again. Then suddenly turning serious: +"Come Master Barnaby," says he. "I am to have some very sober talk with +you, so fill up your glass again and then we will heave at it." + +Nor even in after years, nor in the light of that which afterwards +occurred, could Barnaby repeat all that was said to him upon that +occasion, for what with the pounding and beating of his aching head, +and what with the wonder of what he had seen, he was altogether in the +dark as to the greater part of what the other told him. That other +began by saying that Barnaby, instead of being sorry that he was +William Brand's grandson, might thank God for it; that he (Barnaby) had +been watched and cared for for twenty years in more ways than he would +ever know; that Sir John Malyoe had been watched also for all that +while, and that it was a vastly strange thing that Sir John Malyoe's +debts in England and Barnaby's coming of age should have brought them +so together in Jamaica--though, after all, it was all for the best, as +Barnaby himself should presently see, and thank God for that also. For +now all the debts against that villain Jack Malyoe were settled in +full, principal and interest, to the last penny, and Barnaby was to +enjoy it the most of all. Here the fellow took a very comfortable sip +of his grog, and then went on to say with a very cunning and knowing +wink of the eye that Barnaby was not the only passenger aboard, but +that there was another in whose company he would be glad enough, no +doubt, to finish the balance of the voyage he was now upon. So now, if +Barnaby was sufficiently composed, he should be introduced to that +other passenger. Thereupon, without waiting for a reply, he +incontinently arose and, putting away the bottle of rum and the +glasses, went across the saloon--Barnaby watching him all the while +like a man in a dream--and opened the door of a cabin like that which +Barnaby had occupied a little while before. He was gone only for a +moment, for almost immediately he came out again ushering a lady before +him. + +By now the daylight in the cabin was grown strong and clear, so that +the light shining full upon her face, Barnaby True knew her the instant +she appeared. + +It was Miss Marjorie Malyoe, very white, but strangely composed, +showing no terror, either in her countenance or in her expression. + + * * * * * + +It would not be possible for the writer to give any clear idea of the +circumstances of the days that immediately followed, and which, within +a week, brought Barnaby True and the enchanting object of his +affections at once to the ending of their voyage, and of all these +marvellous adventures. For when, in after times, our hero would +endeavor to revive a memory of the several occurrences that then +transpired, they all appeared as though in a dream or a bewitching +phantasm. + +All that he could recall were long days of delicious enjoyment followed +by nights of dreaming. But how enchanting those days! How exquisite the +distraction of those nights! + +Upon occasions he and his charmer might sit together under the shade of +the sail for an hour at a stretch, he holding her hand in his and +neither saying a single word, though at times the transports of poor +Barnaby's emotions would go far to suffocate him with their rapture. As +for her face at such moments, it appeared sometimes to assume a +transparency as though of a light shining from behind her countenance. + +The vessel in which they found themselves was a brigantine of good size +and build, but manned by a considerable crew, the most strange and +outlandish in their appearance that Barnaby had ever beheld. For some +were white, some were yellow, and some were black, and all were tricked +out with gay colors, and gold ear-rings in their ears, and some with +long mustachios, and others with handkerchiefs tied around their heads. +And all these spoke together a jargon of which Barnaby True could not +understand a single word, but which might have been Portuguese from one +or two phrases he afterwards remembered. Nor did this outlandish crew, +of God knows what sort of men, address any of their conversation either +to Barnaby or to the young lady. They might now and then have looked at +him and her out of the corners of their yellow eyes, but that was all; +otherwise they were, indeed, like the creatures of a dream. Only he who +was commander of this strange craft, when he would come down into the +saloon to mix a glass of grog or to light a pipe of tobacco, would +maybe favor Barnaby with a few words concerning the weather or +something of the sort, and then to go on deck again about his business. + +Indeed, it may be affirmed with pretty easy security that no such +adventure as this ever happened before; for here were these two +innocent young creatures upon board of a craft that no one, under such +circumstances as those recounted above, could doubt was a pirate or +buccaneer, the crew whereof had seen no one knows what wicked deeds; +yet they two as remote from all that and as profoundly occupied with +the transports of their passion and as innocent in their satisfaction +thereof as were Corydon and Phyllis beside their purling streams and +flowery meads, with nymphs and satyrs caracoling about them. + +VIII + +It is probable that the polite reader of this veracious narrative, +instead of considering it as the effort of the author to set before him +a sober and well-digested history, has been all this while amusing +himself by regarding it only as a fanciful tale designed for his +entertainment. If this be so, the writer may hardly hope to convince +him that what is to follow is a serious narrative of that which, though +never so ingenuous in its recapitulation, is an altogether inexplicable +phenomenon. Accordingly, it is with extraordinary hesitation that the +scribe now invites the confidence of his reader in the succinct truth +of that which he has to relate. It is in brief as follows: + +That upon the last night of this part of his voyage, Barnaby True was +awakened from slumber by flashes of lightning shining into his cabin, +and by the loud pealing of approaching thunder. At the same time +observing the sound of footsteps moving back and forth as in great +agitation overhead, and the loud shouting of orders, he became aware +that a violent squall of wind must be approaching the vessel. Being +convinced of this he arose from his berth, dressed quickly, and hurried +upon deck, where he found a great confusion of men running hither and +thither and scrambling up and down the rigging like monkeys, while the +Captain, and one whom he had come to know as the Captain's mate, were +shouting out orders in a strange foreign jargon. + +A storm was indeed approaching with great rapidity, a prodigious circle +of rain and clouds whirling overhead like smoke, while the lightning, +every now and then, flashed with intense brightness, followed by loud +peals of thunder. + +By these flashes of lightning Barnaby observed that they had made land +during the night, for in the sudden glare of bright light he beheld a +mountainous headland and a long strip of sandy beach standing out +against the blackness of the night beyond. So much he was able to +distinguish, though what coast it might be he could not tell, for +presently another flash falling from the sky, he saw that the shore was +shut out by the approaching downfall of rain. + +This rain came presently streaming down upon them with a great gust of +wind and a deal of white foam across the water. This violent gale of +wind suddenly striking the vessel, careened it to one side so that for +a moment it was with much ado that he was able to keep his feet at all. +Indeed, what with the noise of the tempest through the rigging and the +flashes of lightning and the pealing of the thunder and the clapping of +an unfurled sail in the darkness, and the shouting of orders in a +strange language by the Captain of the craft, who was running up and +down like a bedlamite, it was like pandemonium with all the devils of +the pit broke loose into the night. + +It was at this moment, and Barnaby True was holding to the back-stays, +when a sudden, prolonged flash of lightning came after a continued +space of darkness. So sharp and heavy was this shaft that for a moment +the night was as bright as day, and in that instant occurred that which +was so remarkable that it hath afforded the title of this story itself. +For there, standing plain upon the deck and not far from the +companionway, as though he had just come up from below, our hero beheld +a figure the face of which he had seen so imperfectly once before by +the flash of his own pistol in the darkness. Upon this occasion, +however, the whole figure was stamped out with intense sharpness +against the darkness, and Barnaby beheld, as clear as day, a great +burly man, clad in a tawdry tinsel coat, with a cocked hat with gold +braid upon his head. His legs, with petticoat breeches and cased in +great leathern sea-boots pulled up to his knees, stood planted wide +apart as though to brace against the slant of the deck. The face our +hero beheld to be as white as dough, with fishy eyes and a bony +forehead, on the side of which was a great smear as of blood. + +All this, as was said, stood out as sharp and clear as daylight in that +one flash of lightning, and then upon the instant was gone again, as +though swallowed up into the darkness, while a terrible clap of thunder +seemed to split the very heavens overhead and a strong smell as of +brimstone filled the air around about. + +At the same moment some voice cried out from the darkness, "William +Brand, by God!" + +Then, the rain clapping down in a deluge, Barnaby leaped into the +saloon, pursued by he knew not what thoughts. For if that was indeed +the image of old William Brand that he had seen once before and now +again, then the grave must indeed have gaped and vomited out its dead +into the storm of wind and lightning; for what he beheld that moment, +he hath ever averred, he saw as clear as ever he saw his hand before +his face. + +This is the last account of which there is any record when the figure +of Captain William Brand was beheld by the eyes of a living man. It +must have occurred just off the Highlands below the Sandy Hook, for the +next morning when Barnaby True came upon deck it was to find the sun +shining brightly and the brigantine riding upon an even keel, at anchor +off Staten Island, three or four cable-lengths distance from a small +village on the shore, and the town of New York in plain sight across +the water. + +'Twas the last place in the world he had expected to see. + +IX + +And, indeed, it did seem vastly strange to lie there alongside Staten +Island all that day, with New York town in plain sight across the water +and yet so impossible to reach. For whether he desired to escape or no, +Barnaby True could not but observe that both he and the young lady were +so closely watched that they might as well have been prisoners, tied +hand and foot and laid in the hold, so far as any hope of getting away +was concerned. + +Throughout that day there was a vast deal of mysterious coming and +going aboard the brigantine, and in the afternoon a sail-boat went up +to the town, carrying the Captain of the brigantine and a great load in +the stern covered over with a tarpaulin. What was so taken up to the +town Barnaby did not then guess, nor did he for a moment suspect of +what vast importance it was to be for him. + +About sundown the small boat returned, fetching the pirate Captain of +the brigantine back again. Coming aboard and finding Barnaby on deck, +the other requested him to come down into the saloon for he had a few +serious words to say to him. In the saloon they found the young lady +sitting, the broad light of the evening shining in through the +skylight, and making it all pretty bright within. + +The Captain commanded Barnaby to be seated, whereupon he chose a place +alongside the young lady. So soon as he had composed himself the +Captain began very seriously, with a preface somewhat thus: "Though you +may think me the Captain of this brigantine, Master Barnaby True, I am +not really so, but am under orders of a superior whom I have obeyed in +all these things that I have done." Having said so much as this, he +continued his address to say that there was one thing yet remaining for +him to do, and that the greatest thing of all. + +He said that this was something that both Barnaby and the young lady +were to be called upon to perform, and he hoped that they would do +their part willingly; but that whether they did it willingly or no, do +it they must, for those also were the orders he had received. + +You may guess how our hero was disturbed by this prologue. He had found +the young lady's hand beneath the table and he now held it very closely +in his own; but whatever might have been his expectations as to the +final purport of the communications the other was about to favor him +with, his most extreme expectations could not have equalled that which +was demanded of him. + +"My orders are these," said his interlocutor, continuing: "I am to take +you and the young lady ashore, and to see that you are married before I +quit you, and to that end a very good, decent, honest minister who +lives ashore yonder in the village was chosen and hath been spoken to, +and is now, no doubt, waiting for you to come. That is the last thing I +am set to do; so now I will leave you and her young ladyship alone +together for five minutes to talk it over, but be quick about it, for +whether willing or not, this thing must be done." + +Thereupon he incontinently went away, as he had promised, leaving those +two alone together, our hero like one turned into stone, and the young +lady, her face turned away, as red as fire, as Barnaby could easily +distinguish by the fading light. + +Nor can I tell what Barnaby said to her, nor what words or arguments he +used, for so great was the distraction of his mind and the tumult of +his emotions that he presently discovered that he was repeating to her +over and over again that God knew he loved her, and that with all his +heart and soul, and that there was nothing in all the world for him but +her. After which, containing himself sufficiently to continue his +address, he told her that if she would not have it as the man had said, +and if she were not willing to marry him as she was bidden to do, he +would rather die a thousand, aye, ten thousand, deaths than lend +himself to forcing her to do such a thing as this. Nevertheless, he +told her she must speak up and tell him yes or no, and that God knew he +would give all the world if she would say "yes." + +All this and much more he said in such a tumult that he was hardly +aware of what he was speaking, and she sitting there, as though her +breath stifled her. Nor did he know what she replied to him, only that +she would marry him. Therewith he took her into his arms and for the +first time set his lips to hers, in such a transport of ecstasy that +everything seemed to his sight as though he were about to swoon. + +So when the Captain returned to the saloon he found Barnaby sitting +there holding her hand, she with her face turned away, and he so full +of joy that the promise of heaven could not have made him happier. + +The yawl-boat belonging to the brigantine was ready and waiting +alongside when they came upon deck, and immediately they descended to +it and took their seats. Reaching the shore, they landed, and walked up +the village street in the twilight, she clinging to our hero's arm as +though she would faint away. The Captain of the brigantine and two +other men aboard accompanied them to the minister's house, where they +found the good man waiting for them, smoking his pipe in the warm +evening, and walking up and down in front of his own door. He +immediately conducted them into the house, where, his wife having +fetched a candle, and two others from the village being present, the +good, pious man having asked several questions as to their names and +their age and where they were from, and having added his blessing, the +ceremony was performed, and the certificate duly signed by those +present from the village--the men who had come ashore from the +brigantine alone refusing to set their hands to any paper. + +The same sail-boat that had taken the Captain up to the town was +waiting for Barnaby and the young lady as they came down to the +landing-place. There the Captain of the brigantine having wished them +godspeed, and having shaken Barnaby very heartily by the hand, he +helped to push off the boat, which with the slant of the wind presently +sailed swiftly away, dropping the shore and those strange beings, and +the brigantine in which they sailed, alike behind them into the night. + +They could hear through the darkness the creaking of the sails being +hoisted aboard of the pirate vessel; nor did Barnaby True ever set eyes +upon it or the crew again, nor, so far as the writer is informed, did +anybody else. + +X + +It was nigh midnight when they made Mr. Hartright's wharf at the foot +of Beaver Street. There Barnaby and the boatmen assisted the young lady +ashore, and our hero and she walked up through the now silent and +deserted street to Mr. Hartright's house. + +You may conceive of the wonder and amazement of our hero's dear +step-father when aroused by Barnaby's continued knocking at the street +door, and clad in a dressing-gown and carrying a lighted candle in his +hand, he unlocked and unbarred the door, and so saw who it was had aroused +him at such an hour of the night, and beheld the young and beautiful +lady whom Barnaby had brought home with him. + +The first thought of the good man was that the _Belle Helen_ had come +into port; nor did Barnaby undeceive him as he led the way into the +house, but waited until they were all safe and sound together before he +should unfold his strange and wonderful story. + +"This was left for you by two foreign sailors this afternoon, Barnaby," +the good man said, as he led the way through the hall, holding up the +candle at the same time, so that Barnaby might see an object that stood +against the wainscoting by the door of the dining-room. + +It was with difficulty that our hero could believe his eyes when he +beheld one of the treasure-chests that Sir John Malyoe had fetched with +such particularity from Jamaica. + +He bade his step-father hold the light nigher, and then, his mother +having come down-stairs by this time, he flung back the lid and +displayed to the dazzled sight of all the great treasure therein +contained. + +You are to suppose that there was no sleep for any of them that night, +for what with Barnaby's narrative of his adventures, and what with the +thousand questions asked of him, it was broad daylight before he had +finished the half of all that he had to relate. + +The next day but one brought the _Belle Helen_ herself into port, with +the terrible news not only of having been attacked at night by pirates, +but also that Sir John Malyoe was dead. For whether it was the sudden +fright that overset him, or whether it was the strain of passion that +burst some blood-vessel upon his brain, it is certain that when the +pirates quitted the _Belle Helen_, carrying with them the young lady +and Barnaby and the travelling-trunks, they left Sir John Malyoe lying +in a fit upon the floor, frothing at the mouth and black in the face, +as though he had been choked. It was in this condition that he was +raised and taken to his berth, where, the next morning about two +o'clock, he died, without once having opened his eyes or spoken a +single word. + +As for the villain man-servant, no one ever saw him afterwards; though +whether he jumped overboard, or whether the pirates who so attacked the +ship had carried him away bodily, who shall say? + +Mr. Hartright had been extremely perplexed as to the ownership of the +chest of treasure that had been left by those men for Barnaby, but the +news of the death of Sir John Malyoe made the matter very easy for him +to decide. For surely if that treasure did not belong to Barnaby, there +could be no doubt but that it belonged to his wife--she being Sir John +Malyoe's legal heir. Thus it was that he satisfied himself, and thus +that great fortune (in actual computation amounting to upward of +sixty-three thousand pounds) fell to Barnaby True, the grandson of that +famous pirate William Brand. + +As for the other case of treasure, it was never heard of again, nor +could Barnaby decide whether it was divided as booty among the pirates, +or whether they had carried it away with them to some strange and +foreign land, there to share it among themselves. + +It is thus we reach the conclusion of our history, with only this to +observe, that whether that strange appearance of Captain Brand was +indeed a ghostly and spiritual visitation, or whether he was present on +those two occasions in flesh and blood, he was, as has been said, never +heard of again. + + + + +IV. A TRUE HISTORY OF THE DEVIL AT NEW HOPE + + +_At the time of the beginning of the events about to be narrated--which +the reader is to be informed occurred between the years 1740 and 1742-- +there stood upon the high and rugged crest of Pick-a-Neck-a-Sock Point +(or Pig and Sow Point, as it had come to be called) the wooden ruins of +a disused church, known throughout those parts as the Old Free Grace +Meeting-house._ + +_This humble edifice had been erected by a peculiar religious sect +calling themselves the Free Grace Believers, the radical tenet of whose +creed was a denial of the existence of such a place as Hell, and an +affirmation of the universal mercy of God, to the intent that all souls +should enjoy eternal happiness in the life to come._ + +_For this dangerous heresy the Free Grace Believers were expelled from +the Massachusetts Colony, and, after sundry peregrinations, settled at +last in the Providence Plantations, upon Pick-a-Neck-a-Sock Point, +coadjacent to the town of New Hope. There they built themselves a small +cluster of huts, and a church wherein to worship; and there for a while +they dwelt, earning a precarious livelihood from the ungenerous soil +upon which they had established themselves._ + +_As may be supposed, the presence of so strange a people was +entertained with no great degree of complaisance by the vicinage, and +at last an old deed granting Pick-a-Neck-a-Sock to Captain Isaiah +Applebody was revived by the heirs of that renowned Indian-fighter, +whereupon the Free Grace Believers were warned to leave their bleak and +rocky refuge for some other abiding-place. Accordingly, driven forth +into the world again, they embarked in the snow[1] "Good Companion," of +Bristol, for the Province of Pennsylvania, and were afterwards heard of +no more in those parts. Their vacated houses crumbled away into ruins, +and their church tottered to decay._ + +[Footnote 1: A two-masted square-rigged vessel.] + +_So at the beginning of these events, upon the narrative of which the +author now invites the reader to embark together with himself._ + +I + +HOW THE DEVIL HAUNTED THE MEETING-HOUSE + +At the period of this narrative the settlement of New Hope had grown +into a very considerable seaport town, doing an extremely handsome +trade with the West Indies in cornmeal and dried codfish for sugar, +molasses, and rum. + +Among the more important citizens of this now wealthy and elegant +community, the most notable was Colonel William Belford--a magnate at +once distinguished and honored in the civil and military affairs of the +colony. This gentleman was an illegitimate son of the Earl of +Clandennie by the daughter of a surgeon of the Sixty-seventh Regiment +of Scots, and he had inherited a very considerable fortune upon the +death of his father, from which he now enjoyed a comfortable +competency. + +Our Colonel made no little virtue of the circumstances of his exalted +birth. He was wont to address his father's memory with a sobriety that +lent to the fact of his illegitimacy a portentous air of seriousness, +and he made no secret of the fact that he was the friend and the +confidential correspondent of the present Earl of Clandennie. In his +intercourse with the several Colonial governors he assumed an attitude +of authority that only his lineage could have supported him in +maintaining, and, possessing a large and commanding presence, he bore +himself with a continent reserve that never failed to inspire with awe +those whom he saw fit to favor with his conversation. + +This noble and distinguished gentleman possessed in a brother an exact +and perfect opposite to himself. Captain Obadiah Belford was a West +Indian, an inhabitant of Kingston in the island of Jamaica. He was a +cursing, swearing, hard-drinking renegado from virtue; an acknowledged +dealer in negro slaves, and reputed to have been a buccaneer, if not an +out-and-out pirate, such as then infested those tropical latitudes in +prodigious numbers. He was not unknown in New Hope, which he had +visited upon several occasions for a week or so at a time. During each +period he lodged with his brother, whose household he scandalized by +such freaks as smoking his pipe of tobacco in the parlor, offering +questionable pleasantries to the female servants, and cursing and +swearing in the hallways with a fecundity and an ingenuity that would +have put the most godless sailor about the docks to the blush. + +Accordingly, it may then be supposed into what a dismay it threw +Colonel Belford when one fine day he received a letter from Captain +Obadiah, in which our West Indian desperado informed his brother that +he proposed quitting those torrid latitudes in which he had lived for +so long a time, and that he intended thenceforth to make his home in +New Hope. + +Addressing Colonel Belford as "My dear Billy," he called upon that +gentleman to rejoice at this determination, and informed him that he +proposed in future to live "as decent a limb of grace as ever broke +loose from hell," and added that he was going to fetch as a present for +his niece Belinda a "dam pirty little black girl" to carry her +prayer-book to church for her. + +Accordingly, one fine morning, in pursuance of this promise, our West +Indian suddenly appeared at New Hope with a prodigious quantity of +chests and travelling-cases, and with so vociferous an acclamation that +all the town knew of his arrival within a half-hour of that event. + +When, however, he presented himself before Colonel Belford, it was to +meet with a welcome so frigid and an address so reserved that a douche +of cold water could not have quenched his verbosity more entirely. For +our great man had no notion to submit to the continued infliction of +the West Indian's presence. Accordingly, after the first words of +greeting had passed, he addressed Captain Obadiah in a strain somewhat +after this fashion: + +"Indeed, I protest, my dear brother Obadiah, it is with the heartiest +regrets in the world that I find myself obliged to confess that I +cannot offer you a home with myself and my family. It is not alone that +your manners displease me--though, as an elder to a younger, I may say +to you that we of these more northern latitudes do not entertain the +same tastes in such particulars as doubtless obtain in the West Indies--but +the habits of my household are of such a nature that I could not +hope to form them to your liking. I can, however, offer as my advice +that you may find lodgings at the Blue Lion Tavern, which doubtless +will be of a sort exactly to fit your inclinations. I have made +inquiries, and I am sure you will find the very best apartments to be +obtained at that excellent hostelry placed at your disposal." + +To this astounding address our West Indian could, for a moment, make no +other immediate reply than to open his eyes and to glare upon Colonel +Belford, so that, what with his tall, lean person, his long neck, his +stooping shoulders, and his yellow face stained upon one side an indigo +blue by some premature explosion of gunpowder--what with all this and a +prodigious hooked beak of a nose, he exactly resembled some hungry +predatory bird of prey meditating a pounce upon an unsuspecting victim. +At last, finding his voice, and rapping the ferrule of his ivory-headed +cane upon the floor to emphasize his declamation, he cried out: "What! +What! What! Is this the way to offer a welcome to a brother new +returned to your house? Why, ---- ----! who are you? Am not I your +brother, who could buy you out twice over and have enough left to live +in velvet? Why! Why!--Very well, then, have it your own way; but if I +don't grind your face into the mud and roll you into the dirt my name +is not Obadiah Belford!" Thereupon, striving to say more but finding no +fit words for the occasion, he swung upon his heel and incontinently +departed, banging the door behind him like a clap of thunder, and +cursing and swearing so prodigiously as he strode away down the street +that an infernal from the pit could scarcely have exceeded the fury of +his maledictions. + +However, he so far followed Colonel Belford's advice that he took up +his lodgings at the Blue Lion Tavern, where, in a little while, he had +gathered about him a court of all such as chose to take advantage of +his extravagant bounty. + +Indeed, he poured out his money with incredible profusion, declaring, +with many ingenious and self-consuming oaths, that he could match +fortunes with the best two men in New Hope, and then have enough left +to buy up his brother from his hair to his boot-leathers. He made no +secret of the rebuff he had sustained from Colonel Belford, for his +grievance clung to him like hot pitch--itching the more he meddled with +it. Sometimes his fury was such that he could scarcely contain himself. +Upon such occasions, cursing and swearing like an infernal, he would +call Heaven to witness that he would live in New Hope if for no other +reason than to bring shame to his brother, and he would declare again +and again, with incredible variety of expletives, that he would grind +his brother's face into the dirt for him. + +[Illustration: "HE WOULD SHOUT OPPROBRIOUS WORDS AFTER THE OTHER IN THE +STREETS"] + +Accordingly he set himself assiduously at work to tease and torment the +good man with every petty and malicious trick his malevolence could +invent. He would shout opprobrious words after the other in the +streets, to the entertainment of all who heard him; he would parade up +and down before Colonel Belford's house singing obstreperous and +unseemly songs at the top of his voice; he would even rattle the +ferrule of his cane against the palings of the fence, or throw a stone +at Madam Belford's cat in the wantonness of his malice. + +Meantime he had purchased a considerable tract of land, embracing Pig +and Sow Point, and including the Old Free Grace Meeting-House. Here, he +declared, it was his intention to erect a house for himself that should +put his brother's wooden shed to shame. Accordingly he presently began +the erection of that edifice, so considerable in size and occupying so +commanding a situation that it was the admiration of all those parts, +and was known to fame as Belford's Palace. This magnificent residence +was built entirely of brick, and Captain Obadiah made it a boast that +the material therefor was brought all the way around from New York in +flats. In the erection of this elegant structure all the carpenters and +masons in the vicinage were employed, so that it grew up with an +amazing rapidity. Meantime, upon the site of the building, rum and +Hollands were kept upon draught for all comers, so that the place was +made the common resort and the scene for the orgies of all such of the +common people as possessed a taste for strong waters, many coming from +so far away as Newport to enjoy our Captain's prodigality. + +Meantime he himself strutted about the streets in his red coat trimmed +with gilt braid, his hat cocked upon one side of his bony head, +pleasing himself with the belief that he was the object of universal +admiration, and swelling with a vast and consummate self-satisfaction +as he boasted, with strident voice and extravagant enunciation, of the +magnificence of the palace he was building. + +At the same time, having, as he said, shingles to spare, he patched and +repaired the Old Free Grace Meeting-House, so that its gray and hoary +exterior, while rejuvenated as to the roof and walls, presented in a +little while an appearance as of a sudden eruption of bright yellow +shingles upon its aged hide. Nor would our Captain offer any other +explanation for so odd a freak of fancy than to say that it pleased him +to do as he chose with his own. + +At last, the great house having been completed, and he himself having +entered into it and furnished it to his satisfaction, our Captain +presently began entertaining his friends therein with a profuseness of +expenditure and an excess of extravagance that were the continued +admiration of the whole colony. In more part the guests whom Captain +Obadiah thus received with so lavish an indulgence were officers or +government officials from the garrisons of Newport or of Boston, with +whom, by some means or other, he had scraped an acquaintance. At times +these gay gentlemen would fairly take possession of the town, parading +up and down the street under conduct of their host, staring ladies out +of countenance with the utmost coolness and effrontery, and offering +loud and critical remarks concerning all that they beheld about them, +expressing their opinions with the greatest freedom and jocularity. + +Nor were the orgies at Belford's Palace limited to such extravagances +as gaming and dicing and drinking, for sometimes the community would be +scandalized by the presence of gayly dressed and high-colored ladies, +who came, no one knew whence, to enjoy the convivialities at the great +house on the hill, and concerning whom it pleased the respectable folk +of New Hope to entertain the gravest suspicion. + +At first these things raised such a smoke that nothing else was to be +seen, but by-and-by other strange and singular circumstances began to +be spoken of--at first among the common people, and then by others. It +began to be whispered and then to be said that the Old Free Grace +Meeting-House out on the Point was haunted by the Devil. + +The first information concerning this dreadful obsession arose from a +fisherman, who, coming into the harbor of a nightfall after a stormy +day, had, as he affirmed, beheld the old meeting-house all of a blaze +of light. Some time after, a tinker, making a short-cut from Stapleton +by way of the old Indian road, had a view of a similar but a much more +remarkable manifestation. This time, as the itinerant most solemnly +declared, the meeting-house was not only seen all alight, but a bell +was ringing as a signal somewhere off across the darkness of the water, +where, as he protested, there suddenly appeared a red star, that, +blazing like a meteor with a surpassing brightness for a few seconds, +was presently swallowed up into inky darkness again. Upon another +occasion a fiddler, returning home after midnight from Sprowle's Neck, +seeing the church alight, had, with a temerity inflamed by rum, +approached to a nearer distance, whence, lying in the grass, he had, he +said, at the stroke of midnight, beheld a multitude of figures emerge +from the building, crying most dolorously, and then had heard a voice, +as of a lost spirit, calling aloud, "Six-and-twenty, all told!" whereat +the light in the church was instantly extinguished into an impenetrable +darkness. + +It was said that when Captain Obadiah himself was first apprised of the +suspicions entertained of the demoniacal possession of the old +meeting-house, he had fixed upon his venturesome informant so threatening +and ominous a gaze that the other could move neither hand nor foot under +the malignant fury of his observation. Then, at last, clearing his +countenance of its terrors, he had burst into a great, loud laugh, +crying out: "Well, what then? Why not? You must know that the Devil and +I have been very good friends in times past. I saw a deal of him in the +West Indies, and I must tell you that I built up the old meeting-house +again so that he and I could talk together now and then about old times +without having a lot of ----, dried, codfish-eating, rum-drinking +Yankee bacon-chewers to listen to every word we had to say to each +other. If you must know, it was only last night that the ghost of +Jezebel and I danced a fandango together in the graveyard up yonder, +while the Devil himself sat cross-legged on old Daniel Root's tombstone +and blew on a dry, dusty shank-bone by way of a flute. And now" (here +he swore a terrific oath) "you know the worst that is to be known, with +only this to say: if ever a man sets foot upon Pig and Sow Point again +after nightfall to interfere with the Devil's sport and mine, hell +suffer for it as sure as fire can burn or brimstone can scorch. So put +that in your pipe and smoke it." + +These terrible words, however extravagant, were, to be sure, in the +nature of a direct confirmation of the very worst suspicion that could +have been entertained concerning this dolorous affair. But if any +further doubt lingered as to the significance of such malevolent +rumors, Captain Obadiah himself soon put an end to the same. + +The Reverend Josiah Pettibones was used of a Saturday to take supper at +Colonel Belford's elegant residence. It was upon such an occasion and +the reverend gentleman and his honored host were smoking a pipe of +tobacco together in the library, when there fell a loud and importunate +knocking at the house door, and presently the servant came ushering no +less a personage than Captain Obadiah himself. After directing a most +cunning, mischievous look at his brother, Captain Obadiah addressed +himself directly to the Reverend Mr. Pettibones, folding his hands with +a most indescribable air of mock humility. "Sir," says he--"Reverend +sir, you see before you a humble and penitent sinner, who has fallen so +desperately deep into iniquities that he knows not whether even so +profound piety as yours can elevate him out of the pit in which he +finds himself. Sir, it has got about the town that the Devil has taken +possession of my old meeting-house, and, alas! I have to confess--_that +it is the truth_." Here our Captain hung his head down upon his breast +as though overwhelmed with the terrible communication he had made. + +"What is this that I hear?" cried the reverend gentleman. "Can I +believe my ears?" + +"Believe your ears!" exclaimed Colonel Belford. "To be sure you cannot +believe your ears. Do you not see that this is a preposterous lie, and +that he is telling it to you to tease and to mortify me?" + +At this Captain Obadiah favored his brother with a look of exaggerated +and sanctimonious humility. "Alas, brother," he cried out, "for +accusing me so unjustly! Fie upon you! Would you check a penitent in +his confession? But you must know that it is to this gentleman that I +address myself, and not to you." Then directing his discourse once more +to the Reverend Mr. Pettibones, he resumed his address thus: "Sir, you +must know that while I was in the West Indies I embarked, among other +things, in one of those ventures against the Spanish Main of which you +may have heard." + +"Do you mean piracy?" asked the Reverend Pettibones; and Captain +Obadiah nodded his head. + +"'Tis a lie!" cried Colonel Belford, smacking his hand upon the table. +"He never possessed spirit enough for anything so dangerous as piracy +or more mischievous than slave-trading." + +"Sir," quoth Captain Obadiah to the reverend gentleman, "again I say +'tis to you I address my confession. Well, sir, one day we sighted a +Spanish caravel very rich ladened with a prodigious quantity of plate, +but were without so much as a capful of wind to fetch us up with her. +'I would,' says I, 'offer the Devil my soul for a bit of a breeze to +bring us alongside.' 'Done,' says a voice beside me, and--alas that I +must confess it!--there I saw a man with a very dark countenance, whom +I had never before beheld aboard of our ship. 'Sign this,' says he, +'and the breeze is yours!' 'What is it upon the pen?' says I. "'Tis +blood,' says he. Alas, sir! what was a poor wretch so tempted as I to +do?" + +"And did you sign?" asked Mr. Pettibones, all agog to hear the +conclusion of so strange a narration. + +"Woe is me, sir, that I should have done so!" quoth Captain Obadiah, +rolling his eyes until little but the whites of them were to be seen. + +"And did you catch the Spanish ship?" + +"That we did, sir, and stripped her as clean as a whistle." + +"'Tis all a prodigious lie!" cried Colonel Belford, in a fury. "Sir, +can you sit so complacently and be made a fool of by so extravagant a +fable?" + +"Indeed it is unbelievable," said Mr. Pettibones. + +At this faint reply, Captain Obadiah burst out laughing; then renewing +his narrative--"Indeed, sir," he declared, "you may believe me or not, +as you please. Nevertheless, I may tell you that, having so obtained my +prize, and having time to think coolly over the bargain I had made, I +says to myself, says I: 'Obediah Belford! Obadiah Belford, here is a +pretty pickle you are in. 'Tis time you quit these parts and lived +decent, or else you are damned to all eternity.' And so I came hither +to New Hope, reverend sir, hoping to end my days in quiet. Alas, sir! +would you believe it? scarce had I finished my fine new house up at the +Point when hither comes that evil being to whom I had sold my sorrowful +soul. 'Obadiah,' says he, 'Obadiah Belford, I have a mind to live in +New Hope also,' 'Where?' says I. 'Well,' says he, 'you may patch up the +old meetinghouse; 'twill serve my turn for a while.' 'Well,' thinks I +to myself, 'there can be no harm in that,' And so I did as he bade me-- +and would not you do as much for one who had served you as well? Alas, +your reverence! there he is now, and I cannot get rid of him, and 'tis +over the whole town that he has the meeting-house in possession." + +"Tis an incredible story!" cried the Reverend Pettibones. + +"'Tis a lie from beginning to end!" cried the Colonel. + +"And now how shall I get myself out of my pickle?" asked Captain +Obadiah. + +"Sir," said Mr. Pettibones, "if what you tell me is true, 'tis beyond +my poor powers to aid you." + +"Alas!" cried Captain Obadiah. "Alas! alas! Then, indeed, I'm damned!" +And therewith flinging his arms into the air as though in the extremity +of despair, he turned and incontinently departed, rushing forth out of +the house as though stung by ten thousand furies. + +It was the most prodigious piece of gossip that ever fell in the way of +the Reverend Josiah, and for a fortnight he carried it with him +wherever he went. "'Twas the most unbelievable tale I ever heard," he +would cry. "And yet where there is so much smoke there must be some +fire. As for the poor wretch, if ever I saw a lost soul I beheld him +standing before me there in Colonel Belford's library." And then he +would conclude: "Yes, yes, 'tis incredible and past all belief. But if +it be true in ever so little a part, why, then there is justice in +this--that the Devil should take possession of the sanctuary of that +very heresy that would not only have denied him the power that every +other Christian belief assigns to him, but would have destroyed that +infernal habitation that hath been his dwelling-place for all +eternity." + +As for Captain Belford, if he desired privacy for himself upon Pig and +Sow Point, he had taken the very best means to prevent the curious from +spying upon him there after nightfall. + +II + +HOW THE DEVIL STOLE THE COLLECTOR'S SNUFFBOX + +Lieutenant Thomas Goodhouse was the Collector of Customs in the town of +New Hope. He was a character of no little notoriety in those parts, +enjoying the reputation of being able to consume more pineapple rum +with less effect upon his balance than any other man in the community. +He possessed the voice of a stentor, a short, thick-set, +broad-shouldered person, a face congested to a violent carnation, and red +hair of such a color as to add infinitely to the consuming fire of his +countenance. + +The Custom Office was a little white frame building with green +shutters, and overhanging the water as though to topple into the tide. +Here at any time of the day betwixt the hours of ten in the morning and +of five in the afternoon the Collector was to be found at his desk +smoking his pipe of tobacco, the while a thin, phthisical clerk bent +with unrelaxing assiduity over a multitude of account-books and papers +accumulated before him. + +For his post of Collectorship of the Royal Customs, Lieutenant +Goodhouse was especially indebted to the patronage of Colonel Belford. +The worthy Collector had, some years before, come to that gentleman +with a written recommendation from the Earl of Clandennie of a very +unusual sort. It was the Lieutenant's good-fortune to save the life of +the Honorable Frederick Dunburne, second son of the Earl--a wild, +rakish, undisciplined youth, much given to such mischievous enterprises +as the twisting off of door-knockers, the beating of the watch, and the +carrying away of tavern signs. + +Having been a very famous swimmer at Eton, the Honorable Frederick +undertook while at the Cowes to swim a certain considerable distance +for a wager. In the midst of this enterprise he was suddenly seized +with a cramp, and would inevitably have drowned had not the Lieutenant, +who happened in a boat close at hand, leaped overboard and rescued the +young gentleman from the watery grave in which he was about to be +engulfed, thus restoring him once more to the arms of his grateful +family. + +For this fortunate act of rescue the Earl of Clandennie presented to +his son's preserver a gold snuffbox filled with guineas, and inscribed +with the following legend: + +"To Lieutenant Thomas Goodhouse, +who, under the Ruling of Beneficent Providence, +was the Happy Preserver of a Beautiful and +Precious Life of Virtuous Precocity, +this Box is presented by the Father of Him whom He +saved as a grateful acknowledgment of His +Services. + +Thomas Monkhouse Dunburne, Viscount of +Dunburne and Earl of Clandennie. + +_August 17, 1752._" + +Having thus satisfied the immediate demands of his gratitude, it is +very possible that the Earl of Clandennie did not choose to assume so +great a responsibility as the future of his son's preserver entailed. +Nevertheless, feeling that something should be done for him, he +obtained for Lieutenant Goodhouse a passage to the Americas, and wrote +him a strong letter of recommendation to Colonel Belford. That +gentleman, desiring to please the legitimate head of his family, used +his influence so successfully that the Lieutenant was presently granted +the position of Collector of Customs in the place of Captain Maull, who +had lately deceased. + +The Lieutenant, somewhat to the surprise of his patrons, filled his new +official position as Collector not only with vigor, but with a not +unbecoming dignity. He possessed an infinite appreciation of the +responsibilities of his office, and he was more jealous to collect +every farthing of the royal duties than he would have been had those +moneys been gathered for his own emolument. + +Under the old Collectorship of Captain Maull, it was no unusual thing +for a barraco of superfine Hollands, a bolt of silk cloth, or a keg of +brandy to find its way into the house of some influential merchant or +Colonial dignitary. But in no such manner was Lieutenant Goodhouse +derelict in his duties. He would have sacrificed his dearest friendship +or his most precious attachment rather than fail in his duties to the +Crown. In the intermission of his duties it might please him to relax +into the softer humors of conviviality, but at ten o'clock in the +morning, whatever his condition of sobriety, he assumed at once all the +sterner panoply of a Collector of the Royal Customs. + +Thus he set his virtues against his vices, and struck an even balance +between them. When most unsteady upon his legs he most asserted his +integrity, declaring that not a gill or a thread came into his port +without paying its duty, and calling Heaven to witness that it had been +his hand that had saved the life of a noble young gentleman. Thereupon, +perhaps, drawing forth the gleaming token of his prowess--the gold +snuffbox--from his breeches-pocket, and holding it tight in his brown +and hairy fist, he would first offer his interlocutor a pinch of +rappee, and would then call upon him to read the inscription engraved +upon the lid of the case, demanding to know whether it mattered a fig +if a man did drink a drop too much now and then, provided he collected +every farthing of the royal revenues, and had been the means of saving +the son of the Earl of Clandennie. + +Never for an instant upon such an occasion would he permit his precious +box to quit his possession. It was to him an emblem of those virtues +that no one knew but himself, wherefore the more he misdoubted his own +virtuousness the more valuable did the token of that rectitude become +in his eyes. "Yes, you may look at it," he would say, "but damme if you +shall handle it. I would not," he would cry, "let the Devil himself +take it out of my hands." + +The talk concerning the impious possession of the Old Free Grace +Meeting-House was at its height when the official consciousness of the +Collector, who was just then laboring under his constitutional +infirmity, became suddenly seized with an irrepressible alarm. He +declared that he smoked something worse than the Devil upon Pig and Sow +Point, and protested that it was his opinion that Captain Obadiah was +doing a bit of free-trade upon his own account, and that dutiable goods +were being smuggled in at night under cover of these incredible +stories. He registered a vow, sealing it with the most solemn +protestations, and with a multiplicity of ingenious oaths that only a +mind stimulated by the heat of intoxication could have invented, that +he would make it his business, upon the first occasion that offered, to +go down to Pig and Sow Point and to discover for himself whether it was +the Devil or smugglers that had taken possession of the Old Free Grace +Meeting-House. Thereupon, hauling out his precious snuffbox and rapping +upon the lid, he offered a pinch around. Then calling attention to the +inscription, he demanded to know whether a man who had behaved so well +upon that occasion had need to be afraid of a whole churchful of +devils. "I would," he cried, "offer the Devil a pinch, as I have +offered it to you. Then I would bid him read this and tell me whether +he dared to say that black was the white of my eye." + +Nor were those words a vain boast upon the Collector's part, for, +before a week had passed, it being reported that there had been a +renewal of manifestations at the old church, the Collector, finding +nobody with sufficient courage to accompany him, himself entered into a +small boat and rowed down alone to Pig and Sow Point to investigate, +for his own satisfaction, those appearances that so agitated the +community. + +It was dusk when the Collector departed upon that memorable and +solitary expedition, and it was entirely dark before he had reached its +conclusion. He had taken with him a bottle of Extra Reserve rum to +drive, as he declared, the chill out of his bones. Accordingly it +seemed to him to be a surprisingly brief interval before he found +himself floating in his boat under the impenetrable shadow of the rocky +promontory. The profound and infinite gloom of night overhung him with +a portentous darkness, melting only into a liquid obscurity as it +touched and dissolved into the stretch of waters across the bay. But +above, on the high and rugged shoulder of the Point, the Collector, +with dulled and swimming vision, beheld a row of dim and lurid lights, +whereupon, collecting his faculties, he opined that the radiance he +beheld was emitted from the windows of the Old Free Grace +Meeting-House. + +Having made fast his boat with a drunken gravity, the Collector walked +directly, though with uncertain steps, up the steep and rugged path +towards that mysterious illumination. Now and then he stumbled over the +stones and cobbles that lay in his way, but he never quite lost his +balance, neither did he for a moment remit his drunken gravity. So with +a befuddled and obstinate perseverance he reached at last to the +conclusion of his adventure and of his fate. + +The old meeting-house was two stories in height, the lower story having +been formerly used by the Free Grace Believers as a place wherein to +celebrate certain obscure mysteries appertaining to their belief. The +upper story, devoted to the more ordinary worship of their Sunday +meetings, was reached by a tall, steep flight of steps that led from +the ground to a covered porch which sheltered the doorway. + +The Collector paused only long enough to observe that the shutters of +the lower story were tight shut and barred, and that the dull and lurid +light shone from the windows above. Then he directly mounted the steps +with a courage and a perfect assurance that can only be entirely +enjoyed by one in his peculiar condition of inebriety. + +He paused to knock at the door, and it appeared to him that his +knuckles had hardly fallen upon the panel before the valve was flung +suddenly open. An indescribable and heavy odor fell upon him and for +the moment overpowered his senses, and he found himself standing face +to face with a figure prodigiously and portentously tall. + +Even at this unexpected apparition the Collector lost possession of no +part of his courage. Rather he stiffened himself to a more stubborn and +obstinate resolution. Steadying himself for his address, "I know very +well," quoth he, "who you are. You are the Divil, I dare say, but damme +if you shall do business here without paying your duties to King +George. I may drink a drop too much," he cried, "but I collect my +duties--every farthing of 'em." Then drawing forth his snuffbox, he +thrust it under the nose of the being to whom he spake. "Take a pinch +and read that," he roared, "but don't handle it, for I wouldn't take +all hell to let it out of my hand." + +The being whom he addressed had stood for all this while as though +bereft of speech and of movement, but at these last words he appeared +to find his voice, for he gave forth a strident bellow of so dreadful +and terrible a sort that the Collector, brave as he found himself, +stepped back a pace or two before it. The next instant he was struck +upon the wrist as though by a bolt of lightning, and the snuffbox, +describing a yellow circle against the light of the door, disappeared +into the darkness of the night beyond. Ere he could recover himself +another blow smote him upon the breast, and he fell headlong from the +platform, as through infinite space. + + * * * * * + +The next day the Collector did not present himself at the office at his +accustomed hour, and the morning wore along without his appearing at +his desk. By noon serious alarm began to take possession of the +community, and about two o'clock, the tide being then set out pretty +strong, Mr. Tompkins, the consumptive clerk, and two sailors from the +_Sarah Goodrich_, then lying at Mr. Hoppins's wharf, went down in a +yawl-boat to learn, if possible, what had befallen him. They coasted +along the Point for above a half-hour before they discovered any +vestige of the missing Collector. Then at last they saw him lying at a +little distance upon a cobbled strip of beach, where, judging from his +position and from the way he had composed himself to rest, he appeared +to have been overcome by liquor. + +At this place Mr. Tompkins put ashore, and making the best of his way +over the slippery stones exposed at low water, came at last to where +his chief was lying. The Collector was reposing with one arm over his +eyes, as though to shelter them from the sun, but as soon as Mr. +Tompkins had approached close enough to see his countenance, he uttered +a great cry that was like a scream. For, by the blue and livid lips +parted at the corners to show the yellow teeth, from the waxy whiteness +of the fat and hairy hands--in short, from the appearance of the whole +figure, he was aware in an instant that the Collector was dead. + +His cry brought the two sailors running. They, with the utmost coolness +imaginable, turned the Collector over, but discovered no marks of +violence upon him, till of a sudden one of them called attention to the +fact that his neck was broke. Upon this the other opined that he had +fallen among the rocks and twisted his neck. + +The two mariners then made an investigation of his pockets, the clerk +standing by the while paralyzed with horror, his face the color of +dough, his scalp creeping, and his hands and fingers twitching as +though with the palsy. For there was something indescribably dreadful +in the spectacle of those living hands searching into the dead's +pockets, and he would freely have given a week's pay if he had never +embarked upon the expedition for the recovery of his chief. + +In the Collector's pockets they found a twist of tobacco, a red +bandanna handkerchief of violent color, a purse meagrely filled with +copper coins and silver pieces, a silver watch still ticking with a +loud and insistent iteration, a piece of tarred string, and a +clasp-knife. + +The snuffbox which the Lieutenant had regarded with such prodigious +pride as the one emblem of his otherwise dubious virtue was gone. + +III + +THE STRANGE ADVENTURES OF A YOUNG GENTLEMAN OF QUALITY + +The Honorable Frederick Dunburne, second son of the Earl of Clandennie, +having won some six hundred pounds at ecarte at a single sitting at +Pintzennelli's, embarked with his two friends, Captain Blessington and +Lord George Fitzhope, to conclude the night with a round of final +dissipation in the more remote parts of London. Accordingly they +embarked at York Stairs for the Three Cranes, ripe for any mischief. +Upon the water the three young gentlemen amused themselves by shouting +and singing, pausing only now and then to discharge a broadside of +raillery at the occupants of some other and passing boat. + +All went very well for a while, some of those in the passing boats +laughing and railing in return, others shouting out angry replies. At +last they fell in with a broad-beamed, flat-nosed, Dutch-appearing +yawl-boat, pulling heavily up against the stream, and loaded with a +crew of half-drunken sailors just come into port. In reply to the +challenge of our young gentlemen, a man in the stern of the other boat, +who appeared to be the captain of the crew--a fellow, as Dunburne could +indefinitely perceive by the dim light of the lanthorn and the faint +illumination of the misty half-moon, possessing a great, coarse red +face and a bullet head surmounted by a mildewed and mangy fur cap-- +bawled out, in reply, that if they would only put their boat near +enough for a minute or two he would give them a bellyful of something +that would make them quiet for the rest of the night. He added that he +would ask for nothing better than to have the opportunity of beating +Dunburne's head to a pudding, and that he would give a crown to have +the three of them within arm's-reach for a minute. + +Upon this Captain Blessington swore that he should be immediately +accommodated, and therewith delivered an order to that effect to the +watermen. These obeyed so promptly that almost before Dunburne was +aware of what had happened the two boats were side by side, with hardly +a foot of space between the gunwales. Dunburne beheld one of the +watermen of his own boat knock down one of the crew of the other with +the blade of an oar, and then he himself was clutched by the collar in +the grasp of the man with the fur cap. Him Dunburne struck twice in the +face, and in the moonlight he saw that he had started the blood to +running down from his assailant's nose. But his blows produced no other +effect than to call forth a volley of the most horrible oaths that ever +greeted his ears. Thereupon the boats drifted so far apart that our +young gentleman was haled over the gunwale and soused in the cold water +of the river. The next moment some one struck him upon the head with a +belaying-pin or a billet of wood, a blow so crushing that the darkness +seemed to split asunder with a prodigious flaming of lights and a +myriad of circling stars, which presently disappeared into the profound +and utter darkness of insensibility. How long this swoon continued our +young gentleman could never tell, but when he regained so much of his +consciousness as to be aware of the things about him, he beheld himself +to be confined in a room, the walls whereof were yellow and greasy with +dirt, he himself having been laid upon a bed so foul and so displeasing +to his taste that he could not but regret the swoon from which he had +emerged into consciousness. Looking down at his person, he beheld that +his clothes had all been taken away from him, and that he was now clad +in a shirt with only one sleeve, and a pair of breeches so tattered +that they barely covered his nakedness. While he lay thus, dismally +depressed by so sad a pickle as that into which he found himself +plunged, he was strongly and painfully aware of an uproarious babble of +loud and drunken voices and a continual clinking of glasses, which +appeared to sound as from a tap-room beneath, these commingled now and +then with oaths and scraps of discordant song bellowed out above the +hubbub. His wounded head beat with tremendous and straining +painfulness, as though it would burst asunder, and he was possessed by +a burning thirst that seemed to consume his very vitals. He called +aloud, and in reply a fat, one-eyed woman came, fetching him something +to drink in a cup. This he swallowed with avidity, and thereupon (the +liquor perhaps having been drugged) he dropped off into unconsciousness +once more. + +When at last he emerged for a second time into the light of reason, it +was to find himself aboard a brig--the _Prophet Daniel_, he discovered +her name to be--bound for Baltimore, in the Americas, and then pitching +and plunging upon a westerly running stern-sea, and before a strong +wind that drove the vessel with enormous velocity upon its course for +those remote and unknown countries for which it was bound. The land was +still in sight both astern and abeam, but before him lay the boundless +and tremendously infinite stretch of the ocean. Dunburne found himself +still to be clad in the one-armed shirt and tattered breeches that had +adorned him in the house of the crimp in which he had first awakened. +Now, however, an old tattered hat with only a part of the crown had +been added to his costume. As though to complete the sad disorder of +his appearance, he discovered, upon passing his hand over his +countenance, that his beard and hair had started a bristling growth, +and that the lump on his crown--which was even yet as big as a walnut-- +was still patched with pieces of dirty sticking-plaster. Indeed, had he +but known it, he presented as miserable an appearance as the most +miserable of those wretches who were daily ravished from the slums and +streets of the great cities to be shipped to the Americas. Nor was he a +long time in discovering that he was now one of the several such +indentured servants who, upon the conclusion of their voyage, were to +be sold for their passage in the plantations of Maryland. + +Having learned so much of his miserable fate, and being now able to +make shift to walk (though with weak and stumbling steps), our young +gentleman lost no time in seeking the Captain, to whom he endeavored to +explain the several accidents that had befallen him, acknowledging that +he was the second son of the Earl of Clandennie, and declaring that if +he, the Captain, would put the _Prophet Daniel_ back into some English +port again, his lordship would make it well worth his while to lose so +much time for the sake of one so dear as a second son. To this address +the Captain, supposing him either to be drunk or disordered in his +mind, made no other reply than to knock him incontinently down upon the +deck, bidding him return forward where he belonged. + +Thereafter poor Dunburne found himself enjoying the reputation of a +harmless madman. The name of the Earl of Rags was bestowed upon him, +and the miserable companions of his wretched plight were never tired of +tempting him to recount his adventures, for the sake of entertaining +themselves by teasing that which they supposed to be his hapless mania. + +Nor is it easy to conceive of all the torments that those miserable, +obscene wretches were able to inflict upon him. Under the teasing sting +of his companions' malevolent pleasantries, there were times when +Dunburne might, as he confessed to himself, have committed a murder +with the greatest satisfaction in the world. However, he was endowed +with no small command of self-restraint, so that he was still able to +curb his passions within the bounds of reason and of policy. He was, +fortunately, a complete master of the French and Italian languages, so +that when the fury of his irritation would become too excessive for him +to control, he would ease his spirits by castigating his tormentors +with a consuming verbosity in those foreign tongues, which, had his +companions understood a single word of that which he uttered, would +have earned for him a beating that would have landed him within an inch +of his life. However, they attributed all that he said to the +irrational gibbering of a maniac. + +About midway of their voyage the _Prophet Daniel_ encountered a +tremendous storm, which drove her so far out of the Captain's reckoning +that when land was sighted, in the afternoon of a tempestuous day in +the latter part of August, the first mate, who had been for some years +in the New England trade, opined that it was the coast of Rhode Island, +and that if the Captain chose to do so he might run into New Hope +Harbor and lie there until the southeaster had blown itself out. This +advice the Captain immediately put into execution, so that by nightfall +they had dropped anchor in the comparative quiet of that excellent +harbor. + +Dunburne was a most excellent and practised swimmer. That evening, when +the dusk had pretty well fallen, he jumped overboard, dived under the +brig, and came up on the other side. Thus leaving all hands aboard +looking for him or for his dead body at the starboard side of the +_Prophet Daniel_, he himself swam slowly away to the larboard. Now +partly under water, now floating on his back, he directed his course +towards a point of land about a mile away, whereon, as he had observed +before the dark had settled down, there stood an old wooden building +resembling a church, and a great brick house with tall, lean chimneys +at a little farther distance inland. + +The intemperate cold of the water of those parts of America was so much +more excessive than Dunburne had been used to swim in that when he +dragged himself out upon the rocky, bowlder-strewn beach he lay for a +considerable time more dead than alive. His limbs appeared to possess +hardly any vitality, so benumbed were they by the icy chill that had +entered into the very marrow of his bones. Nor did he for a long while +recover from this excessive rigor; his limbs still continued at +intervals to twitch and shudder as with a convulsion, nor could he at +such times at all control their trembling. At last, however, with a +huge sigh, he aroused himself to some perception of his surroundings, +which he acknowledged were of as dispiriting a sort as he could well +have conceived of. His recovering senses were distracted by a ceaseless +watery din, for the breaking waves, rushing with a prodigious swiftness +from the harbor to the shore before the driving wind, fell with +uproarious crashing into white foam among the rocks. Above this watery +tumult spread the wet gloom of the night, full of the blackness and +pelting chill of a fine slanting rain. + +Through this shroud of mist and gloom Dunburne at last distinguished a +faint light, blurred by the sheets of rain and darkness, and shining as +though from a considerable distance. Cheered by this nearer presence of +human life, our young gentleman presently gathered his benumbed powers +together, arose, and after a while began slowly and feebly to climb a +stony hill that lay between the rocky beach and that faint but +encouraging illumination. + +So, sorely buffeted by the tempest, he at last reached the black, +square form of that structure from which the light shone. The building +he perceived to be a little wooden church of two stories in height. The +shutters of the lower story were tight fastened, as though bolted from +within. Those above were open, and from them issued the light that had +guided him in his approach from the beach. A tall flight of wooden +steps, wet in the rain, reached to a small, enclosed porch or +vestibule, whence a door, now tight shut, gave ingress into the second +story of the church. + +Thence, as Dunburne stood without, he could now distinguish the dull +muttering of a man's voice, which he opined might be that of the +preacher. Our young gentleman, as may be supposed, was in a wretched +plight. He was ragged and unshaven; his only clothing was the miserable +shirt and bepatched breeches that had served him as shelter throughout +the long voyage. These abominable garments were now wet to the skin, +and so displeasing was his appearance that he was forced to acknowledge +to himself that he did not possess enough of humility to avow so great +a misery to the light and to the eyes of strangers. Accordingly, +finding some shelter afforded by the vestibule of the church, he +crouched there in a corner, huddling his rags about him, and finding a +certain poor warmth in thus hiding away from the buffeting of the chill +and penetrating wind. As he so crouched he presently became aware of +the sound of many voices, dull and groaning, coming from within the +edifice, and then--now and again--the clanking as of a multitude of +chains. Then of a sudden, and unexpectedly, the door near him was flung +wide open, and a faint glow of reddish light fell across the passage. +Instantly the figure of a man came forth, and following him came, not a +congregation, as Dunburne might have supposed, but a most dolorous +company of nearly, or quite, naked men and women, outlined blackly, as +they emerged, against the dull illumination from behind. These wretched +beings, sighing and groaning most piteously, with a monotonous wailing +of many voices, were chained by the wrist, two and two together, and as +they passed by close to Dunburne, his nostrils were overpowered by a +heavy and fetid odor that came partly from within the building, partly +from the wretched creatures that passed him by. + +As the last of these miserable beings came forth from the bowels of +that dreadful place, a loud voice, so near to Dunburne as to startle +his ears with its sudden exclamation, cried out, "Six-and-twenty, all +told," and thereat instantly the dull light from within was quenched +into darkness. + +In the gloom and the silence that followed, Dunburne could hear for a +while nothing but the dash of the rain upon the roof and the ceaseless +drip and trickle of the water running from the eaves into the puddles +beneath the building. + +Then, as he stood, still marvelling at what he had seen, there suddenly +came a loud and startling crash, as of a trap-door let fall into its +place. A faint circle of light shone within the darkness of the +building, as though from a lantern carried in a man's hands. There was +a sound of jingling, as of keys, of approaching footsteps, and of +voices talking together, and presently there came out into the +vestibule the dark figures of two men, one of them carrying a ship's +lantern. One of these figures closed and locked the door behind him, +and then both were about to turn away without having observed Dunburne, +when, of a sudden, a circle from the roof of the lantern lit up his +pale and melancholy face, and he instantly became aware that his +presence had been discovered. + +The next moment the lantern was flung up almost into his eyes, and in +the light he saw the sharp, round rim of a pistol-barrel directed +immediately against his forehead. + +In that moment our young gentleman's life hung as a hair in the +balance. In the intense instant of expectancy his brain appeared to +expand as a bubble, and his ears tingled and hummed as though a cloud +of flies were buzzing therein. Then suddenly a voice smote like a blow +upon the silence--"Who are you, and what d'ye want?" + +"Indeed," said Dunburne, "I do not know." + +"What do you do here?" + +"Nor do I know that, either." + +He who held the lantern lifted it so that the illumination fell still +more fully upon Dunburne's face and person. Then his interlocutor +demanded, "How did you come here?" + +Upon the moment Dunburne determined to answer so much of the truth as +the question required. "'Twas by no fault of my own," he cried. "I was +knocked on the head and kidnapped in England, with the design of being +sold in Baltimore. The vessel that fetched me put into the harbor over +yonder to wait for good weather, and I jumped overboard and swam +ashore, to stumble into the cursed pickle in which I now find myself." + +"Have you, then, an education? To be sure, you talk so." + +"Indeed I have," said Dunburne--"a decent enough education to fit me +for a gentleman, if the opportunity offered. But what of that?" he +exclaimed, desperately. "I might as well have no more learning than a +beggar under the bush, for all the good it does me." The other once +more flashed the light of his lantern over our young gentleman's +miserable and barefoot figure. "I had a mind," says he, "to blow your +brains out against the wall. I have a notion now, however, to turn you +to some use instead, so I'll just spare your life for a little while, +till I see how you behave." + +He spoke with so much more of jocularity than he had heretofore used +that Dunburne recovered in great part his dawning assurance. "I am +infinitely obliged to you," he cried, "for sparing my brains; but I +protest I doubt if you will ever find so good an opportunity again to +murder me as you have just enjoyed." + +This speech seemed to tickle the other prodigiously, for he burst into +a loud and boisterous laugh, under cover of which he thrust his pistol +back into his coat-pocket again. "Come with me, and I'll fit you with +victuals and decent clothes, of both of which you appear to stand in no +little need," he said. Thereupon, and without another word, he turned +and quitted the place, accompanied by his companion, who for all this +time had uttered not a single sound. A little way from the church these +two parted company, with only a brief word spoken between them. + +Dunburne's interlocutor, with our young gentleman following close +behind him, led the way in silence for a considerable distance through +the long, wet grass and the tempestuous darkness, until at last, still +in unbroken silence, they reached the confines of an enclosure, and +presently stood before a large and imposing house built of brick. + +Dunburne's mysterious guide, still carrying the lantern, conducted him +directly up a broad flight of steps, and opening the door, ushered him +into a hallway of no inconsiderable pretensions. Thence he led the way +to a dining-room beyond, where our young gentleman observed a long +mahogany table, and a sideboard of carved mahogany illuminated by three +or four candles. In answer to the call of his conductor, a negro +servant appeared, whom the master of the house ordered to fetch some +bread and cheese and a bottle of rum for his wretched guest. While the +servant was gone to execute the commission the master seated himself at +his ease and favored Dunburne with a long and most minute regard. Then +he suddenly asked our young gentleman what was his name. + +Upon the instant Dunburne did not offer a reply to this interrogation. +He had been so miserably abused when he had told the truth upon the +voyage that he knew not now whether to confess or deny his identity. He +possessed no great aptitude at lying, so that it was with no little +hesitation that he determined to maintain his incognito. Having reached +this conclusion, he answered his host that his name was Tom Robinson. +The other, however, appeared to notice neither his hesitation nor the +name which he had seen fit to assume. Instead, he appeared to be lost +in a reverie, which he broke only to bid our young gentleman to sit +down and tell the story of the several adventures that had befallen +him. He advised him to leave nothing untold, however shameful it might +be. "Be assured," said he, "that no matter what crimes you may have +committed, the more intolerable your wickedness, the better you will +please me for the purpose I have in view." + +Being thus encouraged, and having already embarked in disingenuosity, +our young gentleman, desiring to please his host, began at random a +tale composed in great part of what he recollected of the story of +_Colonel Jack_, seasoned occasionally with extracts from Mr. Smollett's +ingenious novel of _Ferdinand, Count Fathom_. There was hardly a petty +crime or a mean action mentioned in either of these entertaining +fictions that he was not willing to attribute to himself. Meanwhile he +discovered, to his surprise, that lying was not really so difficult an +art as he had supposed it to be. His host listened for a considerable +while in silence, but at last he was obliged to call upon his penitent +to stop. "To tell you the truth, Mr. What's-a-name," he cried, "I do +not believe a single word you are telling me. However, I am satisfied +that in you I have discovered, as I have every reason to hope, one of +the most preposterous liars I have for a long time fell in with. +Indeed, I protest that any one who can with so steady a countenance lie +so tremendously as you have just done may be capable, if not of a great +crime, at least of no inconsiderable deceit, and perhaps of treachery. +If this be so, you will suit my purposes very well, though I would +rather have had you an escaped criminal or a murderer or a thief." + +"Sir," said Dunburne, very seriously, "I am sorry that I am not more to +your mind. As you say, I can, I find, lie very easily, and if you will +give me sufficient time, I dare say I can become sufficiently expert in +other and more criminal matters to please even your fancy. I cannot, I +fear, commit a murder, nor would I choose to embark upon an attempt at +arson; but I could easily learn to cheat at cards; or I could, if it +would please you better, make shift to forge your own name to a bill +for a hundred pounds. I confess, however, I am entirely in the dark as +to why you choose to have me enjoy so evil a reputation." + +At these words the other burst into a great and vociferous laugh. "I +protest," he cried, "you are the coolest rascal ever I fell in with. +But come," he added, sobering suddenly, "what did you say was your +name?" + +"I declare, sir," said Dunburne, with the most ingenuous frankness, "I +have clean forgot. Was it Tom or John Robinson?" + +Again the other burst out laughing. "Well," he said, "what does it +matter? Thomas or John--'tis all one. I see that you are a ragged, +lousy beggar, and I believe you to be a runaway servant. Even if that +is the worst to be said of you, you will suit me very well. As for a +name, I myself will fit you with one, and it shall be of the best. I +will give you a home here in the house, and will for three months +clothe you like a lord. You shall live upon the best, and shall meet +plenty of the genteelest company the Colonies can afford. All that I +demand of you is that you shall do exactly as I tell you for the three +months that I so entertain you. Come. Is it a bargain?" + +Dunburne sat for a while thinking very seriously. "First of all," said +he, "I must know what is the name you have a mind to bestow upon me." + +The other looked distrustfully at him for a time, and then, as though +suddenly fetching up resolution, he cried out: "Well, what then? What +of it? Why should I be afraid? I'll tell you. Your name shall be +Frederick Dunburne, and you shall be the second son of the Earl of +Clandennie." + +Had a thunder-bolt fallen from heaven at Dunburne's feet he could not +have been struck more entirely dumb than he was at those astounding +words. He knew not for the moment where to look or what to think. At +that instant the negro man came into the room, fetching the bottle of +rum and the bread and cheese he had been sent for. As the sound of his +entrance struck upon our young gentleman's senses he came to himself +with the shock, and suddenly exploded into a burst of laughter so +shrill and discordant that Captain Obadiah sat staring at him as though +he believed his ragged beneficiary had gone clean out of his senses. + +IV + +A ROMANTIC EPISODE IN THE LIFE OF A YOUNG LADY + +Miss Belinda Belford, the daughter and only child of Colonel William +Belford, was a young lady possessed of no small pretensions to personal +charms of the most exalted order. Indeed, many excellent judges in such +matters regarded her, without doubt, as the reigning belle of the +Northern Colonies. Of a medium height, of a slight but generously +rounded figure, she bore herself with an indescribable grace and +dignity of carriage. Her hair, which was occasionally permitted to curl +in ringlets upon her snowy neck, was of a brown so dark and so soft as +at times to deceive the admiring observer into a belief that it was +black. Her eyes, likewise of a dark-brown color, were of a most melting +and liquid lustre; her nose, though slight, was sufficiently high, and +modelled with so exquisite a delicacy as to lend an exceeding charm to +her whole countenance. She was easily the belle of every assembly which +she graced with her presence, and her name was the toast of every +garrison town of the Northern provinces. + +Madam Belford and her lovely daughter were engaged one pleasant morning +in entertaining a number of friends, in the genteel English manner, +with a dish of tea and a bit of gossip. Upon this charming company +Colonel Belford suddenly intruded, his countenance displaying an +excessive though not displeasing agitation. + +"My dear! my dear!" he cried, "what a piece of news have I for you! It +is incredible and past all belief! Who, ladies, do you suppose is here +in New Hope? Nay, you cannot guess; I shall have to enlighten you. 'Tis +none other than Frederick Dunburne, my lordship's second son. Yes, you +may well look amazed. I saw and spoke with him this very morning, and +that not above a half-hour ago. He is travelling incognito, but my +brother Obadiah discovered his identity, and is now entertaining him at +his new house upon the Point. A large party of young officers from the +garrison are there, all very gay with cards and dice, I am told. My +noble young gentleman knew me so soon as he clapped eyes upon me. +'This,' says he, 'if I am not mistook, must be Colonel Belford, my +father's honored friend.' He is," exclaimed the speaker, "a most +interesting and ingenuous youth, with extremely lively and elegant +manners, and a person exactly resembling that of his dear and honored +father." + +It may be supposed into what a flutter this piece of news cast those +who heard it. "My dear," cried Madam Belford, as soon as the first +extravagance of the general surprise had passed by to an easier +acceptance of Colonel Belford's tidings--"my dear, why did you not +bring him with you to present him to us all? What an opportunity have +you lost!" + +"Indeed, my dear," said Colonel Belford, "I did not forget to invite +him hither. He protested that nothing could afford him greater +pleasure, did he not have an engagement with some young gentlemen from +the garrison. But, believe me, I would not let him go without a +promise. He is to dine with us to-morrow at two; and, Belinda, my +dear"--here Colonel Belford pinched his daughter's blushing cheek--"you +must assume your best appearance for so serious an occasion. I am +informed that my noble gentleman is extremely particular in his tastes +in the matter of female excellence." + +"Indeed, papa," cried the young lady, with great vivacity, "I shall +attempt no extraordinary graces upon my young gentleman's account, and +that I promise you. I protest," she exclaimed, with spirit, "I have no +great opinion of him who would come thus to New Hope without a single +word to you, who are his father's confidential correspondent. Nor do I +admire the taste of one who would choose to cast himself upon the +hospitality of my uncle Obadiah rather than upon yours." + +"My dear," said Colonel Belford, very soberly, "you express your +opinion with a most unwarranted levity, considering the exalted +position your subject occupies. I may, however, explain to you that he +came to America quite unexpectedly and by an accident. Nor would he +have declared his incognito, had not my brother Obadiah discovered it +almost immediately upon his arrival. He would not, he declared, have +visited New Hope at all, had not Captain Obadiah Belford urged his +hospitality in such a manner as to preclude all denial." + +But to this reproof Miss Belinda who, was, indeed, greatly indulged by +her parents, made no other reply than to toss her head with a pretty +sauciness, and to pout her cherry lips in an infinitely becoming +manner. + +But though our young lady protested so emphatically against assuming +any unusual charms for the entertainment of their expected visitor, she +none the less devoted no small consideration to that very thing that +she had so exclaimed against. Accordingly, when she was presented to +her father's noble guest, what with her heightened color and her eyes +sparkling with the emotions evoked by the occasion, she so impressed +our young gentleman that he could do little but stand regarding her +with an astonishment that for the moment caused him to forget those +graces of deportment that the demands of elegance called upon him to +assume. + +However, he recovered himself immediately, and proceeded to take such +advantage of his introduction that by the time they were seated at the +dinner-table he found himself conversing with his fair partner with all +the ease and vivacity imaginable. Nor in this exchange of polite +raillery did he discover her wit to be in any degree less than her +personal charms. + +"Indeed, madam," he exclaimed, "I am now more than ready to thank that +happy accident that has transported me, however much against my will, +from England to America. The scenery, how beautiful! Nature, how +fertile! Woman, how exquisite! Your country," he exclaimed, with +enthusiasm, "is like heaven!" + +"Indeed, sir," cried the young lady, vivaciously, "I do not take your +praise for a compliment. I protest I am acquainted with no young +gentleman who would not defer his enjoyment of heaven to the very last +extremity." + +"To be sure," quoth our hero, "an ambition for the abode of saints is +of too extreme a nature to recommend itself to a modest young fellow of +parts. But when one finds himself thrown into the society of an houri--" + +"And do you indeed have houris in England?" exclaimed the young lady. +"In America you must be content with society of a much more earthly +constitution!" + +"Upon my word, miss," cried our young gentleman, "you compel me to +confess that I find myself in the society of one vastly more to my +inclination than that of any houri of my acquaintance." + +With such lively badinage, occasionally lapsing into more serious +discourse, the dinner passed off with a great deal of pleasantness to +our young gentleman, who had prepared himself for something +prodigiously dull and heavy. After the repast, a pipe of tobacco in the +summer-house and a walk in the garden so far completed his cheerful +impressions that when he rode away towards Pig and Sow Point he found +himself accompanied by the most lively, agreeable thoughts imaginable. +Her wit, how subtle! Her person, how beautiful! He surprised himself +smiling with a fatuous indulgence of his enjoyable fancies. + +Nor did the young lady's thoughts, though doubtless of a more moderate +sort, assume a less pleasing perspective. Our young gentleman was +favored with a tall, erect figure, a high nose, and a fine, thin face +expressive of excellent breeding. It seemed to her that his manners +possessed an elegance and a grace that she had never before discovered +beyond the leaves of Mr. Richardson's ingenious novels. Nor was she +unaware of the admiration of herself that his countenance had +expressed. Upon so slender a foundation she amused herself for above an +hour, erecting such castles in the air that, had any one discovered her +thought, she would have perished of mortification. + +But though our young lady so yielded herself to the enjoyment of such +silly dreams as might occur to any miss of a lively imagination and +vivacious temperament, the reader is to understand that she has yet so +much dignity and spirit as to cover these foolish and romantic fancies +with a cloak of so delicate and so subtle a reserve that when the young +gentleman called to pay his respects the next afternoon he quitted her +presence ten times more infatuated with her charms than he had been the +day before. + +Nor can it be denied that our young lady knew perfectly well how to +make the greatest use of such opportunities. She already possessed a +great deal of experience in teasing the other sex with those delicious +though innocent torments that cause the eyes of the victim to remain +awake at night and the fancy to dream throughout the day. + +Such presently became the condition of our young gentleman that at the +end of the month he knew not whether his present life had continued for +weeks or for years; in the charming infatuation that overpowered him he +considered nothing of time, every other consideration being engulfed in +his desire for the society of his charmer. Cards and dice lost for him +their accustomed pleasure, and when a gay society would be at Belford's +Palace it was with the utmost difficulty that he assumed so much +patience as to take his part in those dissipations that there obtained. +Relieved from them, he flew with redoubled ardor back to the +gratification of his passion again. + +In the mean time Captain Obadiah had become so accustomed to the +presence of his guest that he made no pretence of any concealment of +that iniquitous, dreadful avocation that lent to Pig and Sow Point so +great a terror in those parts. Rather did the West Indian appear to +court the open observation of his dependant. + +One exquisite day in the last of October our young gentleman had spent +the greater part of the afternoon in the society of the beautiful +object of his regard. The leaves, though fallen from the trees in great +abundance, appeared thereby only to have admitted of the passage of a +riper radiance of golden sunlight through the thinning branches. This +and the ardor of his passion had so transported our hero that when he +had departed from her presence he seemed to walk as light as a feather, +and knew not whether it was the warmth of the sunlight or the heat of +his own impetuous transports that filled the universe with so extreme a +brightness. + +Overpowered with these absorbing and transcendent introspections, he +approached his now odious home upon Pig and Sow Point by way of the old +meeting-house. There of a sudden he came upon his patron, Captain +Obadiah, superintending the burial of the last of three victims of his +odious commerce, who had died that afternoon. Two had already been +interred, and the third new-made grave was in the process of being +filled. Two men, one a negro and the other a white, had nearly +completed their labor, tramping down the crumbling earth as they +shovelled it into the shallow excavation. Meanwhile Captain Obadiah +stood near by, his red coat flaming in the slanting light, himself +smoking a pipe of tobacco with all the ease and coolness imaginable. +His hands, clasped behind his back, held his ivory-headed cane, and as +our hero approached he turned an evil countenance upon him, and greeted +him with a grin at once droll, mischievous, and malevolent in the +extreme. "And how is our pretty charmer this afternoon?" quoth Captain +Obadiah. + +Conceive, if you please, of a man floating in the most ecstatic delight +of heaven pulled suddenly thence down into the most filthy extremity of +hell, and then you shall understand the motions of disgust and +repugnance and loathing that overpowered our hero, who, awakening thus +suddenly out of his dream of love, found himself in the presence of +that grim and obscene spectacle of death--who, arousing from such +absorbing and exquisite meditations, heard his ears greeted with so +rude and vulgar an address. + +Acknowledging to himself that he did not dare offer an immediate reply +to his host, he turned upon his heel and walked away, without +expressing a single word. + +He was not, however, permitted to escape thus easily. He had not taken +above twenty steps, when, hearing footsteps behind him, he turned his +head to discover Captain Obadiah skipping rapidly after him in a +prodigious hurry, swinging his cane and chuckling preposterously to +himself, as though in the enjoyment of some most exquisite piece of +drollery. "What!" he cried, as soon as he could catch his breath from +his hurry. "What! What! Can't you answer, you villain? Why, blind my +eyes! a body would think you were a lord's son indeed, instead of +being, as I know you, a beggarly runaway servant whom I took in like a +mangy cat out of the rain. But come, come--no offence, my boy! I'll be +no hard master to you. I've heard how the wind blows, and I've kept my +ears open to all your doings. I know who is your sweetheart. Harkee, +you rascal! You have a fancy for my niece, have you? Well, your apple +is ripe if you choose to pick it. Marry your charmer and be damned; and +if you'll serve me by taking her thus in hand, I'll pay you twenty +pounds upon your wedding-day. Now what do you say to that, you lousy +beggar in borrowed clothes?" + +Our young gentleman stopped short and looked his tormentor full in the +face. The thought of his father's anger alone had saved him from +entangling himself in the web of his passions; this he forgot upon the +instant. "Captain Obadiah Belford," quoth he, "you're the most +consummate villain ever I beheld in all of my life; but if I have the +good-fortune to please the young lady, I wish I may die if I don't +serve you in this!" + +At these words Captain Obadiah, who appeared to take no offence at his +guest's opinion of his honesty, burst out into a great boisterous +laugh, flinging back his head and dropping his lower jaw so +preposterously that the setting sun shone straight down his wide and +cavernous gullet. + +V + +HOW THE DEVIL WAS CAST OUT OF THE MEETING-HOUSE + +The news that the Honorable Frederick Dunburne, second son of the Earl +of Clandennie, was to marry Miss Belinda Belford, the daughter and only +child of Colonel William Belford, of New Hope, was of a sort to arouse +the keenest and most lively interest in all those parts of the Northern +Colonies of America. + +The day had been fixed, and all the circumstances arranged with such +particularity that an invitation was regarded as the highest honor that +could befall the fortunate recipient. There were to be present on this +interesting occasion two Colonial governors and their ladies, an +English general, the captain of the flag-ship _Achilles_, and above a +score of Colonial magnates and ladies of distinction. + +Captain Obadiah had not been bidden to either the ceremony or the +breakfast. This rebuff he had accepted with prodigious amusement, +which, not limiting itself to the immediate occasion, broke forth at +intervals for above two weeks. Now it might express itself in chuckles +of the most delicious entertainment, vented as our Captain walked up +and down the hall of his great house, smoking his pipe and cracking the +knuckles of his fingers; at other times he would burst forth into +incontrollable fits of laughter at the extravagant deceit which he +believed himself to be imposing upon his brother, Colonel Belford. + +At length came the wedding-day, with such circumstances of pomp and +display as the exceeding wealth and Colonial dignity of Colonel Belford +could surround it. For the wedding-breakfast the great folding-doors +between the drawing-room and the dining-room of Colonel Belford's house +were flung wide open, and a table extending the whole length of the two +apartments was set with the most sumptuous and exquisite display of +plate and china. Around the board were collected the distinguished +company, and the occasion was remarkable not less for the richness of +its display than for the exquisite nature of the repast intended to +celebrate so auspicious an occasion. + +At the head of the board sat the young couple, radiant with an +engrossing happiness that took no thought of what the future might have +in store for it, but was contented with the triumphant ecstasy of the +moment. + +These elegant festivities were at their height, when there suddenly +arose a considerable disputation in the hallway beyond, and before any +one could inquire as to what was occurring, Captain Obadiah Belford +came stumping into the room, swinging his ivory-headed cane, and with +an expression of the most malicious triumph impressed upon his +countenance. Directing his address to the bridegroom, and paying no +attention to any other one of the company, he cried out: "Though not +bidden to this entertainment, I have come to pay you a debt I owe. Here +is twenty pounds I promised to pay you for marrying my niece." + +Therewith he drew a silk purse full of gold pieces from his pocket, +which he hung over the ferrule of his cane and reached across the table +to the bridegroom. That gentleman, upon his part (having expected some +such episode as this), arose, and with a most polite and elaborate bow +accepted the same and thrust it into his pocket. + +"And now, my young gentleman," cried Captain Obadiah, folding his arms +and tucking his cane under his armpit, looking the while from under his +brows upon the company with a most malevolent and extravagant grin-- +"and now, my young gentleman, perhaps you will favor the ladies and +gentlemen here present with an account of what services they are I thus +pay for." + +"To be sure I will," cried out our hero, "and that with the utmost +willingness in the world." + +During all this while the elegant company had sat as with suspended +animation, overwhelmed with wonder at the singular address of the +intruder. Even the servants stood still with the dishes in their hands +the better to hear the outcome of the affair. The bride, overwhelmed by +a sudden and inexplicable anxiety, felt the color quit her face, and +reaching out, seized her lover's hand, who took hers very readily, +holding it tight within his grasp. As for Colonel and Madam Belford, +not knowing what this remarkable address portended, they sat as though +turned to stone, the one gone as white as ashes, and the other as red +in the face as a cherry. Our young gentleman, however, maintained the +utmost coolness and composure of demeanor. Pointing his finger towards +the intruder, he exclaimed: "In Captain Obadiah Belford, ladies and +gentlemen, you behold the most unmitigated villain that ever I met in +all of my life. With an incredible spite and vindictiveness he not only +pursued my honored father-in-law, Colonel Belford, but has sought to +wreak an unwarranted revenge upon the innocent and virtuous young lady +whom I have now the honor to call my wife. But how has he overreached +himself in his machinations! How has he entangled his feet in the net +which he himself has spread! I will tell you my history, as he bids me +to do, and you may then judge for yourselves!" + +At this unexpected address Captain Obadiah's face fell from its +expression of malicious triumph, growing longer and longer, until at +last it was overclouded with so much doubt and anxiety that, had he +been threatened by the loss of a thousand pounds, he could not have +assumed a greater appearance of mortification and dejection. Meantime, +regarding him with a mischievous smile, our young gentleman began the +history of all those adventures that had befallen him from the time he +embarked upon the memorable expedition with his two companions in +dissipation from York Stairs. As his account proceeded Captain +Obadiah's face altered by degrees from its natural brown to a sickly +yellow, and then to so leaden a hue that it could not have assumed a +more ghastly appearance were he about to swoon dead away. Great beads +of sweat gathered upon his forehead and trickled down his cheeks. At +last he could endure no more, but with a great and strident voice, such +as might burst forth from a devil tormented, he cried out: "'Tis a lie! +'Tis all a monstrous lie! He is a beggarly runaway servant whom I took +in out of the rain and fed and housed--to have him turn thus against me +and strike the hand that has benefited him!" + +"Sir," replied our young gentleman, with a moderate and easy voice, +"what I tell you is no lie, but the truth. If any here misdoubts my +veracity, see, here is a letter received by the last packet from my +honored father. You, Colonel Belford, know his handwriting perfectly +well. Look at this and tell me if I am deceiving you." + +At these words Colonel Belford took the letter with a hand that +trembled as though with palsy. He cast his eyes over it, but it is to +be doubted whether he read a single word therein contained. +Nevertheless, he saw enough to satisfy his doubts, and he could have +wept, so great was the relief from the miserable and overwhelming +anxiety that had taken possession of him since the beginning of his +brother's discourse. + +Meantime our young gentleman, turning to Captain Obadiah, cried out, +"Sir, I am indeed an instrument of Providence sent hither to call your +wickedness to account," and this he spoke with so virtuous an air as to +command the admiration of all who heard him. "I have," he continued, +"lived with you now for nearly three odious months, and I know every +particular of your habits and such circumstances of your life as you +are aware of. I now proclaim how you have wickedly and sacrilegiously +turned the Old Free Grace Meeting-House into a slave-pen, whence for +above a year you have conducted a nefarious and most inhuman commerce +with the West Indies." + +At these words Captain Obadiah, being thrown so suddenly upon his +defence, forced himself to give forth a huge and boisterous laugh. +"What then?" he cried. "What wickedness is there in that? What if I +have provided a few sugar plantations with negro slaves? Are there not +those here present who would do no better if the opportunity offered? +The place is mine, and I break no law by a bit of quiet slave-trading." + +"I marvel," cried our young gentleman, still in the same virtuous +strain--"I marvel that you can pass over so wicked a thing thus easily. +I myself have counted above fifty graves of your victims on Pig and Sow +Point. Repent, sir, while there is yet time." + +But to this adjuration Captain Obadiah returned no other reply than to +burst into a most wicked, impudent laugh. + +"Is it so?" cried our young gentleman. "Do you dare me to further +exposures? Then I have here another evidence to confront you that may +move you to a more serious consideration." With these words he drew +forth from his pocket a packet wrapped in soft white paper. This he +unfolded, holding up to the gaze of all a bright and shining object. +"This," he exclaimed, "I found in Captain Obadiah's writing-desk while +I was hunting for some wax with which to seal a letter." It was the +gold snuffbox of the late Collector Goodhouse. "What," he cried, "have +you, sir, to offer in explanation of the manner in which this came into +your possession? See, here engraved upon the lid is the owner's name +and the circumstance of his having saved my own poor life. It was that +first called my attention to it, for I well recollect how my father +compelled me to present it to my savior. How came it into your +possession, and why have you hidden it away so carefully for all this +while? Sir, in the death of Lieutenant Goodhouse I suspect you of a +more sinister fault than that of converting yonder poor sanctuary into +a slave-pen. So soon as Captain Morris of your slave-ship returns from +Jamaica I shall have him arrested, and shall compel him to explain what +he knows of the circumstances of the Lieutenant's unfortunate murder." + +At the sight of so unexpected an object in the young gentleman's hand +Captain Obadiah's jaw fell, and his cavernous mouth gaped as though he +had suddenly been stricken with a palsy. He lifted a trembling hand and +slowly and mechanically passed it along that cheek which was so +discolored with gunpowder stain. Then, suddenly gathering himself +together and regaining those powers that appeared for a moment to have +fled from him, he cried out, aloud: "I swear to God 'twas all an +accident! I pushed him down the steps, and he fell and broke his neck!" + +Our young gentleman regarded him with a cold and collected smile. +"That, sir," said he, "you shall have the opportunity to explain to the +proper authorities--unless," he added, "you choose to take yourself +away from these parts, and to escape the just resentment of those laws +to which you may be responsible for your misdemeanors." + +"I shall," roared Captain Obadiah, "stand my trial in spite of you all! +I shall live to see you in torments yet! I shall--" He gaped and +stuttered, but could find no further words with which to convey his +infinite rage and disappointed spite. Then turning, and with a furious +gesture, he rushed forth and out of the house, thrusting those aside +who stood in his way, and leaving behind him a string of curses fit to +set the whole world into a blaze. + +He had destroyed all the gaiety of the wedding-breakfast, but the +relief from the prodigious doubts and anxieties that had at first +overwhelmed those whom he had intended to ruin was of so great a nature +that they thought nothing of so inconsiderable a circumstance. + +As for our young gentleman, he had come forth from the adventure with +such dignity of deportment and with so exalted an air of generous +rectitude that those present could not sufficiently admire at the +continent discretion of one so young. The young lady whom he had +married, if she had before regarded him as a Paris and an Achilles +incorporated into one person, now added the wisdom of a Nestor to the +category of his accomplishments. + +Captain Obadiah, in spite of the defiance he had fulminated against his +enemies, and in spite of the determination he had expressed to remain +and to stand his trial, was within a few days known to have suddenly +and mysteriously departed from New Hope. Whether or not he misdoubted +his own rectitude too greatly to put it to the test of a trial, or +whether the mortification incident upon the failure of his plot was too +great for him to support, it was clearly his purpose never to return +again. For within a month the more valuable of his belongings were +removed from his great house upon Pig and Sow Point and were loaded +upon a bark that came into the harbor for that purpose. Thence they +were transported no one knew whither, for Captain Obadiah was never +afterwards observed in those parts. + +Nor was the old meeting-house ever again disturbed by such +manifestations as had terrified the community for so long a time. +Nevertheless, though the Devil was thus exorcised from his +abiding-place, the old church never lost its evil reputation, until it was +finally destroyed by fire about ten years after the incidents herein +narrated. + +In conclusion it is only necessary to say that when the Honorable +Frederick Dunburne presented his wife to his noble family at home, he +was easily forgiven his _mesalliance_ in view of her extreme beauty and +vivacity. Within a year or two Lord Carrickford, his elder brother, +died of excessive dissipation in Florence, where he was then attached +to the English Embassy, so that our young gentleman thus became the +heir-apparent to his father's title, and so both branches of the family +were united into one. + + +THE END + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Stolen Treasure, by Howard Pyle + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK STOLEN TREASURE *** + +***** This file should be named 10394.txt or 10394.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + https://www.gutenberg.org/1/0/3/9/10394/ + +Produced by David Widger, Juliet Sutherland, Linda Cantoni and PG +Distributed Proofreaders + + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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