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diff --git a/4796-0.txt b/4796-0.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..4256af1 --- /dev/null +++ b/4796-0.txt @@ -0,0 +1,18099 @@ +Project Gutenberg's Jack Tier or The Florida Reef, by James Fenimore Cooper + +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: Jack Tier or The Florida Reef + +Author: James Fenimore Cooper + +Release Date: December, 2003 [EBook #4796] +Last Updated: March 11, 2018 + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: UTF-8 + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK JACK TIER OR THE FLORIDA REEF *** + + + + +Produced by Charles Aldarondo + + + + + +JACK TIER; + +OR + +THE FLORIDA REEF + +By James Fenimore Cooper + +By The Author Of “The Pilot,” “Red Rover,” “Two Admirals,” “Wing And +Wing,” “Miles Wallingford,” Etc. + + + + +PREFACE. + + +This work has already appeared in Graham's Magazine, under the title +of “Rose Budd.” The change of name is solely the act of the author, and +arises from a conviction that the appellation given in this publication +is more appropriate than the one laid aside. The necessity of writing to +a name, instead of getting it from the incidents of the book itself, has +been the cause of this departure from the ordinary rules. + +When this book was commenced, it was generally supposed that the Mexican +war would end, after a few months of hostilities. Such was never the +opinion of the writer. He has ever looked forward to a protracted +struggle; and, now that Congress has begun to interfere, sees as little +probability of its termination, as on the day it commenced. Whence +honourable gentlemen have derived their notions of the constitution, +when they advance the doctrine that Congress is an American Aulic +council, empowered to encumber the movements of armies, and, as old +Blucher expressed it in reference to the diplomacy of Europe, “to spoil +with the pen the work achieved by the sword,” it is difficult to say +more than this, that they do not get them from the constitution itself. +It has generally been supposed that the present executive was created in +order to avoid the very evils of a distracted and divided council, +which this new construction has a direct tendency to revive. But a +presidential election has ever proved, and probably will ever prove, +stronger than any written fundamental law. + +We have had occasion to refer often to Mexico in these pages. It has +been our aim to do so in a kind spirit; for, while we have never doubted +that the factions which have possessed themselves of the government in +that country have done us great wrong, wrong that would have justified +a much earlier appeal to arms, we have always regarded the class +of Mexicans who alone can properly be termed the 'people,' as mild, +amiable, and disposed to be on friendly terms with us. Providence, +however, directs all to the completion of its own wise ends. If the +crust which has so long encircled that nation, enclosing it in bigotry +and ignorance, shall now be irretrievably broken, letting in light, +even Mexico herself may have cause hereafter to rejoice in her present +disasters. It was in this way that Italy has been, in a manner, +regenerated; the conquests of the French carrying in their train the +means and agencies which have, at length, aroused that glorious portion +of the earth to some of its ancient spirit. Mexico, in certain senses, +is the Italy of this continent; and war, however ruthless and much to +be deplored, may yet confer on her the inestimable blessings of real +liberty, and a religion released from “feux d'artifice,” as well as all +other artifices. + +A word on the facts of our legend. The attentive observer of men and +things has many occasions to note the manner in which ordinary lookers +on deceive themselves, as well as others. The species of treason +portrayed in these pages is no uncommon occurrence; and it will often +be found that the traitor is the loudest in his protestations of +patriotism. It is a pretty safe rule to suspect the man of hypocrisy +who makes a parade of his religion, and the partisan of corruption and +selfishness, who is clamorous about the rights of the people. Captain +Spike was altogether above the first vice; though fairly on level, as +respects the second, with divers patriots who live by their deity. + + + + +VOLUME I. + + + +CHAPTER I. + + + Pros. + + Why, that's my spirit! + But was not this nigh shore? + + Ariel. + + Close by, my master. + + Pros. + + But are they, Ariel, safe? + + Ariel. + + Not a hair perished: + + Tempest. + + +“D'ye here there, Mr. Mulford?” called out Capt. Stephen Spike, of the +half-rigged, brigantine Swash, or Molly Swash, as was her registered +name, to his mate--“we shall be dropping out as soon as the tide makes, +and I intend to get through the Gate, at least, on the next flood. +Waiting for a wind in port is lubberly seamanship, for he that wants one +should go outside and look for it.” + +This call was uttered from a wharf of the renowned city of Manhattan, to +one who was in the trunk-cabin of a clipper-looking craft, of the name +mentioned, and on the deck of which not a soul was visible. Nor was the +wharf, though one of those wooden piers that line the arm of the sea +that is called the East River, such a spot as ordinarily presents itself +to the mind of the reader, or listener, when an allusion is made to +a wharf of that town which it is the fashion of the times to call +the Commercial Emporium of America--as if there might very well be an +emporium of any other character. The wharf in question had not a single +vessel of any sort lying at, or indeed very near it, with the exception +of the Molly Swash. As it actually stood on the eastern side of the +town, it is scarcely necessary to say that such a wharf could only be +found high up, and at a considerable distance from the usual haunts of +commerce. The brig lay more than a mile above the Hook (Corlaer's, +of course, is meant--not Sandy Hook) and quite near to the old Alms +House--far above the ship-yards, in fact. It was a solitary place for +a vessel, in the midst of a crowd. The grum top-chain voice of Captain +Spike had nothing there to mingle with, or interrupt its harsh tones, +and it instantly brought on deck Harry Mulford, the mate in question, +apparently eager to receive his orders. + +“Did you hail, Captain Spike?” called out the mate, a tight, well-grown, +straight-built, handsome sailor-lad of two or three-and-twenty--one full +of health, strength and manliness. + +“Hail! If you call straining a man's throat until he's hoarse, hailing, +I believe I did. I flatter myself, there is not a man north of Hatteras +that can make himself heard further in gale of wind than a certain +gentleman who is to be found within a foot of the spot where I stand. +Yet, sir, I've been hailing the Swash these five minutes, and thankful +am I to find some one at last who is on board to answer me.” + +“What are your orders, Capt. Spike?” + +“To see all clear for a start as soon as the flood makes. I shall go +through the Gate on the next young flood, and I hope you'll have all +the hands aboard in time. I see two or three of them up at that Dutch +beer-house, this moment, and can tell'em; in plain language, if they +come here with their beer aboard them, they'll have to go ashore again.” + +“You have an uncommonly sober crew, Capt. Spike,” answered the young +man, with great calmness. “During the whole time I have been with them, +I have not seen a man among them the least in the wind.” + +“Well, I hope it will turn out that I've an uncommonly sober mate in the +bargain. Drunkenness I abominate, Mr. Mulford, and I can tell you, short +metre, that I will not stand it.” + +“May I inquire if you ever saw me, the least in the world, under the +influence of liquor, Capt. Spike?” demanded the mate, rather than asked, +with a very fixed meaning in his manner. + +“I keep no log-book of trifles, Mr. Mulford, and cannot say. No man is +the worse for bowsing out his jib when off duty, though a drunkard's a +thing I despise. Well, well--remember, sir, that the Molly Swash casts +off on the young flood, and that Rose Budd and the good lady, her aunt, +take passage in her, this v'y'ge.” + +“Is it possible that you have persuaded them into that, at last!” + exclaimed the handsome mate. + +“Persuaded! It takes no great persuasion, sir, to get the ladies to try +their luck in that brig. Lady Washington herself, if she was alive and +disposed to a sea-v'y'ge, might be glad of the chance. We've a ladies' +cabin, you know, and it's suitable that it should have some one to +occupy it. Old Mrs. Budd is a sensible woman, and takes time by the +forelock. Rose is ailin'--pulmonary they call it, I believe, and her +aunt wishes to try the sea for her constitution--” + +“Rose Budd has no more of a pulmonary constitution than I have myself,” + interrupted the mate. + +“Well, that's as people fancy. You must know, Mr. Mulford, they've got +all sorts of diseases now-a-days, and all sorts of cures for'em. One +sort of a cure for consumption is what they tarm the Hyder-Ally--” + +“I think you must mean hydropathy, sir--” + +“Well it's something of the sort, no matter what--but cold water is at +the bottom of it, and they do say it's a good remedy. Now Rose's aunt +thinks if cold water is what is wanted, there is no place where it can +be so plenty as out on the ocean. Sea-air is good, too, and by taking a +v'y'ge her niece will get both requisites together, and cheap.” + +“Does Rose Budd think herself consumptive, Capt. Spike?” asked Mulford, +with interest. + +“Not she--you know it will never do to alarm a pulmonary, so Mrs. Budd +has held her tongue carefully on the subject before the young woman. +Rose fancies that her aunt is out of sorts, and that the v'y'ge is tried +on her account--but the aunt, the cunning thing, knows all about it.” + +Mulford almost nauseated the expression of his commander's countenance +while Spike uttered the last words. At no time was that countenance very +inviting, the features being coarse and vulgar, while the color of the +entire face was of an ambiguous red, in which liquor and the seasons +would seem to be blended in very equal quantities. Such a countenance, +lighted up by a gleam of successful management, not to say with +hopes and wishes that it will hardly do to dwell on, could not but be +revolting to a youth of Harry Mulford's generous feelings, and most of +all to one who entertained the sentiments which he was quite conscious +of entertaining for Rose Budd. The young man made no reply, but turned +his face toward the water, in order to conceal the expression of disgust +that he was sensible must be strongly depicted on it. + +The river, as the well-known arm of the sea in which the Swash was lying +is erroneously termed, was just at that moment unusually clear of craft, +and not a sail, larger than that of a boat, was to be seen between the +end of Blackwell's Island and Corlaer's Hook, a distance of about a +league. This stagnation in the movement of the port, at that particular +point, was owing to the state of wind and tide. Of the first, there was +little more than a southerly air, while the last was about two-thirds +ebb. Nearly everything that was expected on that tide, coast-wise, +and by the way of the Sound, had already arrived, and nothing could go +eastward, with that light breeze and under canvas, until the flood made. +Of course it was different with the steamers, who were paddling about +like so many ducks, steering in all directions, though mostly crossing +and re-crossing at the ferries. Just as Mulford turned away from his +commander, however, a large vessel of that class shoved her bows into +the view, doubling the Hook, and going eastward. The first glance at +this vessel sufficed to drive even Rose Budd momentarily out of the +minds of both master and mate, and to give a new current to their +thoughts. Spike had been on the point of walking up the wharf, but he +now so far changed his purpose as actually to jump on board of the brig +and spring up alongside of his mate, on the taffrail, in order to get +a better look at the steamer. Mulford, who loathed so much in his +commander, was actually glad of this, Spike's rare merit as a seaman +forming a sort of attraction that held him, as it might be against his +own will, bound to his service. + +“What will they do next, Harry?” exclaimed the master, his manner and +voice actually humanized, in air and sound at least, by this unexpected +view of something new in his calling--“What will they do next?” + +“I see no wheels, sir, nor any movement in the water astern, as if she +were a propeller,” returned the young man. + +“She's an out-of-the-way sort of a hussy! She's a man-of-war, too--one +of Uncle Sam's new efforts.” + +“That can hardly be, sir. Uncle Sam has but three steamers, of any size +or force, now the Missouri is burned; and yonder is one of them, lying +at the Navy Yard, while another is, or was lately, laid up at Boston. +The third is in the Gulf. This must be an entirely new vessel, if she +belong to Uncle Sam.” + +“New! She's as new as a Governor, and they tell me they've got so now +that they choose five or six of them, up at Albany, every fall. That +craft is sea-going, Mr. Mulford, as any one can tell at a glance. She's +none of your passenger-hoys.” + +“That's plain enough, sir--and she's armed. Perhaps she's English, and +they've brought her here into this open spot to try some new machinery. +Ay, ay! she's about to set her ensign to the navy men at the yard, and +we shall see to whom she belongs.” + +A long, low, expressive whistle from Spike succeeded this remark, the +colours of the steamer going up to the end of a gaff on the sternmost +of her schooner-rigged masts, just as Mulford ceased speaking. There was +just air enough, aided by the steamer's motion, to open the bunting, and +let the spectators see the design. There were the stars and stripes, +as usual, but the last ran perpendicularly, instead of in a horizontal +direction. + +“Revenue, by George!” exclaimed the master, as soon as his breath was +exhausted in the whistle. “Who would have believed they could screw +themselves up to doing such a thing in that bloody service?” + +“I now remember to have heard that Uncle Sam was building some large +steamers for the revenue service, and, if I mistake not, with some new +invention to get along with, that is neither wheel nor propeller. This +must be one of these new craft, brought out here, into open water, just +to try her, sir.” + +“You're right, sir, you're right. As to the natur' of the beast, you see +her buntin', and no honest man can want more. If there's anything I do +hate, it is that flag, with its unnat'ral stripes, up and down, instead +of running in the true old way. I have heard a lawyer say, that the +revenue flag of this country is onconstitutional, and that a vessel +carrying it on the high seas might be sent in for piracy.” + +Although Harry Mulford was neither Puffendorf, nor Grotius, he had too +much common sense, and too little prejudice in favour of even his own +vocation, to swallow such a theory, had fifty Cherry Street lawyers +sworn to its justice. A smile crossed his fine, firm-looking mouth, +and something very like a reflection of that smile, if smiles can be +reflected in one's own countenance, gleamed in his fine, large, dark +eye. + +“It would be somewhat singular, Capt, Spike,” he said, “if a vessel +belonging to any nation should be seized as a pirate. The fact that she +is national in character would clear her.” + +“Then let her carry a national flag, and be d--d to her,” answered Spike +fiercely. “I can show you law for what I say, Mr. Mulford. The American +flag has its stripes fore and aft by law, and this chap carries his +stripes parpendic'lar. If I commanded a cruiser, and fell in with one +of these up and down gentry, blast me if I wouldn't just send him into +port, and try the question in the old Alms-House.” + +Mulford probably did not think it worth while to argue the point any +further, understanding the dogmatism and stolidity of his commander too +well to deem it necessary. He preferred to turn to the consideration of +the qualities of the steamer in sight, a subject on which, as seamen, +they might better sympathize. + +“That's a droll-looking revenue cutter, after all, Capt. Spike,” he +said--“a craft better fitted to go in a fleet, as a look-out vessel, +than to chase a smuggler in-shore.” + +“And no goer in the bargain! I do not see how she gets along, for she +keeps all snug under water; but, unless she can travel faster than she +does just now, the Molly Swash would soon lend her the Mother Carey's +Chickens of her own wake to amuse her.” + +“She has the tide against her, just here, sir; no doubt she would do +better in still water.” + +Spike muttered something between his teeth, and jumped down on deck, +seemingly dismissing the subject of the revenue entirely from his mind. +His old, coarse, authoritative manner returned, and he again spoke to +his mate about Rose Budd, her aunt, the “ladies' cabin,” the “young +flood,” and “casting off,” as soon as the last made. Mulford listened +respectfully, though with a manifest distaste for the instructions he +was receiving. He knew his man, and a feeling of dark distrust came over +him, as he listened to his orders concerning the famous accommodations +he intended to give to Rose Budd and that “capital old lady, her aunt;” + his opinion of “the immense deal of good sea-air and a v'y'ge would +do Rose,” and how “comfortable they both would be on board the Molly +Swash.” + +“I honour and respect, Mrs. Budd, as my captain's lady, you see, Mr. +Mulford, and intend to treat her accordin'ly. She knows it--and Rose +knows it--and they both declare they'd rather sail with me, since sail +they must, than with any other ship-master out of America.” + +“You sailed once with Capt. Budd yourself, I think I have heard you say, +sir?” + +“The old fellow brought me up. I was with him from my tenth to my +twentieth year, and then broke adrift to see fashions. We all do that, +you know, Mr. Mulford, when we are young and ambitious, and my turn came +as well as another's.” + +“Capt. Budd must have been a good deal older than his wife, sir, if you +sailed with him when a boy,” Mulford observed a little drily. + +“Yes; I own to forty-eight, though no one would think me more than five +or six-and-thirty, to look at me. There was a great difference between +old Dick Budd and his wife, as you say, he being about fifty, when he +married, and she less than twenty. Fifty is a good age for matrimony, in +a man, Mulford; as is twenty in a young woman.” + +“Rose Budd is not yet nineteen, I have heard her say,” returned the +mate, with emphasis. + +“Youngish, I will own, but that's a fault a liberal-minded man can +overlook. Every day, too, will lessen it. Well, look to the cabins, and +see all clear for a start. Josh will be down presently with a cart-load +of stores, and you'll take 'em aboard without delay.” + +As Spike uttered this order, his foot was on the plank-sheer of the +bulwarks, in the act of passing to the wharf again. On reaching the +shore, he turned and looked intently at the revenue steamer, and his +lips moved, as if he were secretly uttering maledictions on her. We say +maledictions, as the expression of his fierce ill-favoured countenance +too plainly showed that they could not be blessings. As for Mulford, +there was still something on his mind, and he followed to the gangway +ladder and ascended it, waiting for a moment when the mind of his +commander might be less occupied to speak. The opportunity soon +occurred, Spike having satisfied himself with the second look at the +steamer. + +“I hope you don't mean to sail again without a second mate, Capt. +Spike?” he said. + +“I do though, I can tell you. I hate Dickies--they are always in the +way, and the captain has to keep just as much of a watch with one as +without one.” + +“That will depend on his quality. You and I have both been Dickies in +our time, sir; and my time was not long ago.” + +“Ay--ay--I know all about it--but you didn't stick to it long enough to +get spoiled. I would have no man aboard the Swash who made more than two +v'y'ges as second officer. As I want no spies aboard my craft, I'll try +it once more without a Dicky.” + +Saying this in a sufficiently positive manner, Capt. Stephen Spike +rolled up the wharf, much as a ship goes off before the wind, now +inclining to the right, and then again to the left. The gait of the man +would have proclaimed him a sea-dog, to any one acquainted with that +animal, as far as he could be seen. The short squab figure, the arms +bent nearly at right angles at the elbow, and working like two fins with +each roll of the body, the stumpy, solid legs, with the feet looking in +the line of his course and kept wide apart, would all have contributed +to the making up of such an opinion. Accustomed as he was to this +beautiful sight, Harry Mulford kept his eyes riveted on the retiring +person of his commander, until it disappeared behind a pile of lumber, +waddling always in the direction of the more thickly peopled parts of +the town. Then he turned and gazed at the steamer, which, by this time, +had fairly passed the brig, and seemed to be actually bound through the +Gate. That steamer was certainly a noble-looking craft, but our young +man fancied she struggled along through the water heavily. She might be +quick at need, but she did not promise as much by her present rate of +moving. Still, she was a noble-looking craft, and, as Mulford descended +to the deck again, he almost regretted he did not belong to her; or, at +least, to anything but the Molly Swash. + +Two hours produced a sensible change in and around that brigantine. Her +people had all come back to duty, and what was very remarkable among +seafaring folk, sober to a man. But, as has been said, Spike was a +temperance man, as respects all under his orders at least, if not +strictly so in practice himself. The crew of the Swash was large for a +half-rigged brig of only two hundred tons, but, as her spars were very +square, and all her gear as well as her mould seemed constructed for +speed, it was probable more hands than common were necessary to work her +with facility and expedition. After all, there were not many persons +to be enumerated among the “people of the Molly Swash,” as they called +themselves; not more than a dozen, including those aft, as well as those +forward. A peculiar feature of this crew, however, was the circumstance +that they were all middle-aged men, with the exception of the mate, and +all thorough-bred sea-dogs. Even Josh, the cabin-boy, as he was called, +was an old, wrinkled, gray-headed negro, of near sixty. If the crew +wanted a little in the elasticity of youth, it possessed the steadiness +and experience of their time of life, every man appearing to know +exactly what to do, and when to do it. This, indeed, composed their +great merit; an advantage that Spike well knew how to appreciate. + +The stores had been brought alongside of the brig in a cart, and were +already showed in their places. Josh had brushed and swept, until the +ladies' cabin could be made no neater. This ladies' cabin was a small +apartment beneath a trunk, which was, ingeniously enough, separated +from the main cabin by pantries and double doors. The arrangement was +unusual, and Spike had several times hinted that there was a history +connected with that cabin; though what the history was Mulford never +could induce him to relate. The latter knew that the brig had been used +for a forced trade on the Spanish Main, and had heard something of +her deeds in bringing off specie, and proscribed persons, at different +epochs in the revolutions of that part of the world, and he had always +understood that her present commander and owner had sailed in her, as +mate, for many years before he had risen to his present station. +Now, all was regular in the way of records, bills of sale, and other +documents; Stephen Spike appearing in both the capacities just named. +The register proved that the brig had been built as far back as the last +English war, as a private cruiser, but recent and extensive repairs +had made her “better than new,” as her owner insisted, and there was no +question as to her sea-worthiness. It is true the insurance offices blew +upon her, and would have nothing to do with a craft that had seen her +two score years and ten; but this gave none who belonged to her any +concern, inasmuch as they could scarcely have been underwritten in their +trade, let the age of the vessel be what it might. It was enough for +them that the brig was safe and exceedingly fast, insurances never +saving the lives of the people, whatever else might be their advantages. +With Mulford it was an additional recommendation, that the Swash was +usually thought to be of uncommonly just proportions. + +By half-past two, P. M., everything was ready for getting the brigantine +under way. Her fore-topsail--or foretawsail as Spike called it--was +loose, the fasts were singled, and a spring had been carried to a post +in the wharf, that was well forward of the starboard bow, and the brig's +head turned to the southwest, or down the stream, and consequently +facing the young flood. Nothing seemed to connect the vessel with +the land but a broad gangway plank, to which Mulford had attached +life-lines, with more care than it is usual to meet with on board of +vessels employed in short voyages. The men stood about the decks with +their arms thrust into the bosoms of their shirts, and the whole picture +was one of silent, and possibly of somewhat uneasy expectation. Nothing +was said, however; Mulford walking the quarter-deck alone, occasionally +looking up the still little tenanted streets of that quarter of the +suburbs, as if to search for a carriage. As for the revenue-steamer, +she had long before gone through the southern passage of Blackwell's, +steering for the Gate. + +“Dat's dem, Mr. Mulford,” Josh at length cried, from the look-out he had +taken in a stern-port, where he could see over the low bulwarks of the +vessel. “Yes, dat's dem, sir. I know dat old gray horse dat carries his +head so low and sorrowful like, as a horse has a right to do dat has to +drag a cab about this big town. My eye! what a horse it is, sir!” + +Josh was right, not only as to the gray horse that carried his head +“sorrowful like,” but as to the cab and its contents. The vehicle was +soon on the wharf, and in its door soon appeared the short, sturdy +figure of Capt. Spike, backing out, much as a bear descends a tree. On +top of the vehicle were several light articles of female appliances, in +the shape of bandboxes, bags, &c., the trunks having previously arrived +in a cart. Well might that over-driven gray horse appear sorrowful, +and travel with a lowered head. The cab, when it gave up its contents, +discovered a load of no less than four persons besides the driver, all +of weight, and of dimensions in proportion, with the exception of the +pretty and youthful Rose Budd. Even she was plump, and of a well-rounded +person; though still light and slender. But her aunt was a fair picture +of a ship-master's widow; solid, comfortable and buxom. Neither was +she old, nor ugly. On the contrary, her years did not exceed forty, and +being well preserved, in consequence of never having been a mother, +she might even have passed for thirty-five. The great objection to her +appearance was the somewhat indefinite character of her shape, which +seemed to blend too many of its charms into one. The fourth person, in +the fare, was Biddy Noon, the Irish servant and factotum of Mrs. Budd, +who was a pock-marked, red-faced, and red-armed single woman, about her +mistress's own age and weight, though less stout to the eye. + +Of Rose we shall not stop to say much here. Her deep-blue eye, which was +equally spirited and gentle, if one can use such contradictory terms, +seemed alive with interest and curiosity, running over the brig, the +wharf, the arm of the sea, the two islands, and all near her, including +the Alms-House, with such a devouring rapidity as might be expected in +a town-bred girl, who was setting out on her travels for the first time. +Let us be understood; we say town-bred, because such was the fact; for +Rose Budd had been both born and educated in Manhattan, though we are +far from wishing to be understood that she was either very well-born, +or highly educated. Her station in life may be inferred from that of +her aunt, and her education from her station. Of the two, the last was, +perhaps, a trifle the highest. + +We have said that the fine blue eye of Rose passed swiftly over the +various objects near her, as she alighted from the cab, and it naturally +took in the form of Harry Mulford, as he stood in the gangway, offering +his arm to aid her aunt and herself in passing the brig's side. A smile +of recognition was exchanged between the young people, as their eyes +met, and the colour, which formed so bright a charm in Rose's sweet +face, deepened, in a way to prove that that colour spoke with a tongue +and eloquence of its own. Nor was Mulford's cheek mute on the occasion, +though he helped the hesitating, half-doubting, half-bold girl along +the plank with a steady hand and rigid muscles. As for the aunt, as +a captain's widow, she had not felt it necessary to betray any +extraordinary emotions in ascending the plank, unless, indeed, it might +be those of delight on finding her foot once more on the deck of a +vessel! + +Something of the same feeling governed Biddy, too, for, as Mulford +civilly extended his hand to her also, she exclaimed--“No fear of me, +Mr. Mate--I came from Ireland by wather, and knows all about ships and +brigs, I do. If you could have seen the times we had, and the saas we +crossed, you'd not think it nadeful to say much to the likes iv me.” + +Spike had tact enough to understand he would be out of his element in +assisting females along that plank, and he was busy in sending what he +called “the old lady's dunnage” on board, and in discharging the cabman. +As soon as this was done, he sprang into the main-channels, and thence +vid the bulwarks, on deck, ordering the plank to be hauled aboard. A +solitary labourer was paid a quarter to throw off the fasts from the +ring-bolts and posts, and everything was instantly in motion to cast +the brig loose. Work went on as if the vessel were in haste, and it +consequently went on with activity. Spike bestirred himself, giving +his orders in a way to denote he had been long accustomed to exercise +authority on the deck of a vessel, and knew his calling to its minutiæ. +The only ostensible difference between his deportment to-day and on any +ordinary occasion, perhaps, was in the circumstance that he now seemed +anxious to get clear of the wharf, and that in a way which might +have attracted notice in any suspicious and attentive observer. It is +possible that such a one was not very distant, and that Spike was aware +of his presence, for a respectable-looking, well-dressed, middle-aged +man had come down one of the adjacent streets, to a spot within a +hundred yards of the wharf, and stood silently watching the movements +of the brig, as he leaned against a fence. The want of houses in that +quarter enabled any person to see this stranger from the deck of the +Swash, but no one on board her seemed to regard him at all, unless it +might be the master. + +“Come, bear a hand, my hearty, and toss that bow-fast clear,” cried the +captain, whose impatience to be off seemed to increase as the time to do +so approached nearer and nearer. “Off with it, at once, and let her go.” + +The man on the wharf threw the turns of the hawser clear of the post, +and the Swash was released forward. A smaller line, for a spring, had +been run some distance along the wharves, ahead of the vessel, and +brought in aft. Her people clapped on this, and gave way to their +craft, which, being comparatively light, was easily moved, and was very +manageable. As this was done, the distant spectator who had been leaning +on the fence moved toward the wharf with a step a little quicker than +common. Almost at the same instant, a short, stout, sailor-like looking +little person, waddled down the nearest street, seeming to be in +somewhat of a hurry, and presently he joined the other stranger, and +appeared to enter into conversation with him; pointing toward the Swash +as he did so. All this time, both continued to advance toward the wharf. + +In the meanwhile, Spike and his people were not idle. The tide did not +run very strong near the wharves and in the sort of a bight in which the +vessel had lain; but, such as it was, it soon took the brig on her inner +bow, and began to cast her head off shore. The people at the spring +pulled away with all their force, and got sufficient motion on their +vessel to overcome the tide, and to give the rudder an influence. The +latter was put hard a-starboard, and helped to cast the brig's head to +the southward. + +Down to this moment, the only sail that was loose on board the Swash was +the fore-topsail, as mentioned. This still hung in the gear, but a hand +had been sent aloft to overhaul the buntlines and clewlines, and men +were also at the sheets. In a minute the sail was ready for hoisting. +The Swash carried a wapper of a fore-and-aft mainsail, and, what is +more, it was fitted with a standing gaff, for appearance in port. At +sea, Spike knew better than to trust to this arrangement; but in fine +weather, and close in with the land, he found it convenient to have +this sail haul out and brail like a ship's spanker. As the gaff was now +aloft, it was only necessary to let go the brails to loosen this broad +sheet of canvas, and to clap on the out-hauler, to set it. This was +probably the reason why the brig was so unceremoniously cast into the +stream, without showing more of her cloth. The jib and flying-jibs, +however, did at that moment drop beneath their booms, ready for +hoisting. + +Such was the state of things as the two strangers came first upon +the wharf. Spike was on the taffrail, overhauling the main-sheet, and +Mulford was near him, casting the foretopsail braces from the pins, +preparatory to clapping on the halyards. + +“I say, Mr. Mulford,” asked the captain, “did you ever see either of +them chaps afore? These jokers on the wharf, I mean.” + +“Not to my recollection, sir,” answered the mate, looking over the +taffrail to examine the parties. “The little one is a burster! The +funniest-looking little fat old fellow I've seen in many a day.” + +“Ay, ay, them fat little bursters, as you call 'em, are sometimes full +of the devil. I do n't like either of the chaps, and am right glad we +are well cast, before they got here.” + +“I do not think either would be likely to do us much harm, Capt. Spike.” + +“There's no knowing sir. The biggest fellow looks as if he might lug out +a silver oar at any moment.” + +“I believe the silver oar is no longer used, in this country at least,” + answered Mulford, smiling. “And if it were, what have we to fear from +it? I fancy the brig has paid her reckoning.” + +“She do n't owe a cent, nor ever shall for twenty-four hours after the +bill is made out, while I own her. They call me ready-money Stephen, +round among the ship-chandlers and caulkers. But I do n't like them +chaps, and what I do n't relish I never swallow, you know.” + +“They 'll hardly try to get aboard us, sir; you see we are quite clear +of the wharf, and the mainsail will take now, if we set it.” + +Spike ordered the mate to clap on the outhauler, and spread that broad +sheet of canvas at once to the little breeze there was. This was almost +immediately done, when the sail filled, and began to be felt on the +movement of the vessel. Still, that movement was very slow, the wind +being so light, and the vis inertioe of so large a body remaining to +be overcome. The brig receded from the wharf, almost in a line at right +angles to its face, inch by inch, as it might be, dropping slowly up +with the tide at the same time. Mulford now passed forward to set +the jibs, and to get the topsail on the craft, leaving Spike on the +taffrail, keenly eyeing the strangers, who, by this time, had got down +nearly to the end of the wharf, at the berth so lately occupied by the +Swash. That the captain was uneasy was evident enough, that feeling +being exhibited in his countenance, blended with a malignant ferocity. + +“Has that brig any pilot?” asked the larger and better-looking of the +two strangers. + +“What's that to you, friend?” demanded Spike, in return. “Have you a +Hell-Gate branch?” + +“I may have one, or I may not. It is not usual for so large a craft to +run the Gate without a pilot.” + +“Oh! my gentleman's below, brushing up his logarithms. We shall have him +on deck to take his departure before long, when I'll let him know your +kind inquiries after his health.” + +The man on the wharf seemed to be familiar with this sort of sea-wit, +and he made no answer, but continued that close scrutiny of the brig, +by turning his eyes in all directions, now looking below, and now aloft, +which had in truth occasioned Spike's principal cause for uneasiness. + +“Is not that Capt. Stephen Spike, of the brigantine Molly Swash?” called +out the little, dumpling-looking person, in a cracked, dwarfish sort +of a voice, that was admirably adapted to his appearance. Our captain +fairly started; turned full toward the speaker; regarded him intently +for a moment; and gulped the words he was about to utter, like one +confounded. As he gazed, however, at little dumpy, examining his +bow-legs, red broad cheeks, and coarse snub nose, he seemed to regain +his self-command, as if satisfied the dead had not really returned to +life. + +“Are you acquainted with the gentleman you have named?” he asked, by way +of answer. “You speak of him like one who ought to know him.” + +“A body is apt to know a shipmate. Stephen Spike and I sailed together +twenty years since, and I hope to live to sail with him again.” + +“You sail with Stephen Spike? when and where, may I ask, and in what +v'y'ge, pray?” + +“The last time was twenty years since. Have you forgotten little Jack +Tier, Capt. Spike?” + +Spike looked astonished, and well he might, for he had supposed Jack to +be dead fully fifteen years. Time and hard service had greatly altered +him, but the general resemblance in figure, stature, and waddle, +certainly remained. Notwithstanding, the Jack Tier that Spike remembered +was quite a different person from this Jack Tier. That Jack had worn his +intensely black hair clubbed and curled, whereas this Jack had cut his +locks into short bristles, which time had turned into an intense gray. +That Jack was short and thick, but he was flat and square; whereas this +Jack was just as short, a good deal thicker, and as round as a dumpling. +In one thing, however, the likeness still remained perfect. Both Jacks +chewed tobacco, to a degree that became a distinct feature in their +appearance. + +Spike had many reasons for wishing Jack Tier were not resuscitated +in this extraordinary manner, and some for being glad to see him. The +fellow had once been largely in his confidence, and knew more than was +quite safe for any one to remember but himself, while he might be of +great use to him in his future, operations. It is always convenient to +have one at your elbow who thoroughly understands you, and Spike would +have lowered a boat and sent it to the wharf to bring Jack off, were +it not for the gentleman who was so inquisitive about pilots. Under +the circumstances, he determined to forego the advantages of Jack's +presence, reserving the right to hunt him up on his return. + +The reader will readily enough comprehend, that the Molly Swash was not +absolutely standing still while the dialogue related was going on, and +the thoughts we have recorded were passing through her master's mind. On +the contrary, she was not only in motion, but that motion was gradually +increasing, and by the time all was said that has been related, it +had become necessary for those who spoke to raise their voices to an +inconvenient pitch in order to be heard. This circumstance alone would +soon have put an end to the conversation, had not Spike's pausing to +reflect brought about the same result, as mentioned. + +In the mean time, Mulford had got the canvas spread. Forward, the Swash +showed all the cloth of a full-rigged brig, even to royals and flying +jib; while aft, her mast was the raking, tall, naked pole of an American +schooner. There was a taunt topmast, too, to which a gaff-topsail was +set, and the gear proved that she could also show, at need, a staysail +in this part of her, if necessary. As the Gate was before them, however, +the people had set none but the plain, manageable canvas. + +The Molly Swash kept close on a wind, luffing athwar the broad reach she +was in, until far enough to weather Blackwell's, when she edged off to +her course, and went through the southern passage. Although the wind +remained light, and a little baffling, the brig was so easily impelled, +and was so very handy, that there was no difficulty in keeping her +perfectly in command. The tide, too, was fast increasing in strength +and volocity, and the movement from this cause alone was getting to be +sufficiently rapid. + +As for the passengers, of whom we have lost sight in order to get the +brig under way, they were now on deck again. At first, they had all gone +below, under the care of Josh, a somewhat rough groom of the chambers, +to take possession of their apartment, a sufficiently neat, and +exceedingly comfortable cabin, supplied with everything that could +be wanted at sea, and, what was more, lined on two of its sides with +state-rooms. It is true, all these apartments were small, and the +state-rooms were very low, but no fault could be found with their +neatness and general arrangements, when it was recollected that one was +on board a vessel. + +“Here ebbery t'ing heart can wish,” said Josh, exultingly, who, being an +old-school black, did not disdain to use some of the old-school dialect +of his caste. “Yes, ladies, ebbery t'ing. Let Cap'n Spike alone for dat! +He won'erful at accommodation! Not a bed-bug aft--know better dan come +here; jest like de people, in dat respects, and keep deir place forrard. +You nebber see a pig come on de quarter-deck, nudder.” + +“You must maintain excellent discipline, Josh,” cried Rose, in one +of the sweetest voices in the world, which was easily attuned to +merriment--“and we are delighted to learn what you tell us. How do you +manage to keep up these distinctions, and make such creatures know their +places so well?” + +“Nuttin easier, if you begin right, miss. As for de pig, I teach dem wid +scaldin' water. Wheneber I sees a pig come aft, I gets a little water +from de copper, and just scald him wid it. You can't t'ink, miss, how +dat mend his manners, and make him squeel fuss, and t'ink arter. In dat +fashion I soon get de ole ones in good trainin', and den I has no more +trouble with dem as comes fresh aboard; for de ole hog tell de young +one, and 'em won'erful cunnin', and know how to take care of 'emself.” + +Rose Budd's sweet eyes were full of fun and expectation, and she could +no more repress her laugh than youth and spirits can always be discreet. + +“Yes, with the pigs,” she cried, “that might do very well; but how is it +with those--other creatures?” + +“Rosy, dear,” interrupted the aunt, “I wish you would say no more about +such shocking things. It's enough for us that Capt. Spike has ordered +them all to stay forward among the men, which is always done on board +well disciplined vessels. I've heard your uncle say, a hundred times, +that the quarter-deck was sacred, and that might be enough to keep such +animals off it.” + +It was barely necessary to look at Mrs. Budd in the face to get a very +accurate general notion of her character. She was one of those inane, +uncultivated beings who seem to be protected by a benevolent Providence +in their pilgrimage on earth, for they do not seem to possess the power +to protect themselves. Her very countenance expressed imbecility and +mental dependence, credulity and a love of gossip. Notwithstanding these +radical weaknesses, the good woman had some of the better instincts of +her sex, and was never guilty of anything that could properly convey +reproach. + +She was no monitress for Rose, however, the niece much oftener +influencing the aunt, than the aunt influencing the niece. The latter +had been fortunate in having had an excellent instructress, who, though +incapable of teaching her much in the way of accomplishments, had +imparted a great deal that was respectable and useful. Rose had +character, and strong character, too, as the course of our narrative +will show; but her worthy aunt was a pure picture of as much mental +imbecility as at all comported with the privileges of self-government. + +The conversation about “those other creatures” was effectually checked +by Mrs. Budd's horror of the “animals,” and Josh was called on deck so +shortly after as to prevent its being renewed. The females staid below +a few minutes, to take possession, and then they re-appeared on deck, to +gaze at the horrors of the Hell Gate passage. Rose was all eyes, wonder +and admiration of everything she saw. This was actually the first time +she had ever been on the water, in any sort of craft, though born and +brought up in sight of one of the most thronged havens in the world. +But there must be a beginning to everything, and this was Rose Budd's +beginning on the water. It is true the brigantine was a very beautiful, +as well as an exceedingly swift vessel; but all this was lost on Rose, +who would have admired a horse-jockey bound to the West Indies, in this +the incipient state of her nautical knowledge. Perhaps the exquisite +neatness that Mulford maintained about everything that came under his +care, and that included everything on deck, or above-board, and about +which neatness Spike occasionally muttered an oath, as so much senseless +trouble, contributed somewhat to Rose's pleasure; but her admiration +would scarcely have been less with anything that had sails, and seemed +to move through the water with a power approaching that of volition. + +It was very different with Mrs. Budd, She, good woman, had actually +made one voyage with her late husband, and she fancied that she knew +all about a vessel. It was her delight to talk on nautical subjects, and +never did she really feel her great superiority over her niece, so very +unequivocally, as when the subject of the ocean was introduced, about +which she did know something, and touching which Rose was profoundly +ignorant, or as ignorant as a girl of lively imagination could remain +with the information gleaned from others. + +“I am not surprised you are astonished at the sight of the vessel, +Rosy,” observed the self-complacent aunt at one of her niece's +exclamations of admiration. “A vessel is a very wonderful thing, and +we are told what extr'orny beings they are that 'go down to the sea +in ships.' But you are to know this is not a ship at all, but only a +half-jigger rigged, which is altogether a different thing.” + +“Was my uncle's vessel, The Rose In Bloom, then, very different from the +Swash?” + +“Very different indeed, child! Why, The Rose In Bloom was a +full-jiggered ship, and had twelve masts--and this is only a +half-jiggered brig, and has but two masts. See, you may count +them--one--two!” + +Harry Mulford was coiling away a top-gallant-brace, directly in front +of Mrs. Budd and Rose, and, at hearing this account of the wonderful +equipment of The Rose In Bloom, he suddenly looked up, with a lurking +expression about his eye that the niece very well comprehended, while +he exclaimed, without much reflection, under the impulse of +surprise--“Twelve masts! Did I understand you to say, ma'am, that Capt. +Budd's ship had twelve masts?” + +“Yes, sir, twelve! and I can tell you all their names, for I learnt them +by heart--it appearing to me proper that a ship-master's wife should +know the names of all the masts in her husband's vessel. Do you wish to +hear their names, Mr. Mulford?” + +Harry Mulford would have enjoyed this conversation to the top of +his bent, had it not been for Rose. She well knew her aunt's general +weakness of intellect, and especially its weakness on this particular +subject, but she would suffer no one to manifest contempt for either, if +in her power to prevent it. It is seldom one so young, so mirthful, so +ingenuous and innocent in the expression of her countenance, assumed so +significant and rebuking a frown as did pretty Rose Budd when she heard +the mate's involuntary exclamation about the “twelve masts.” Harry, who +was not easily checked by his equals, or any of his own sex, submitted +to that rebuking frown with the meekness of a child, and stammered out, +in answer to the well-meaning, but weak-minded widow's question--“If you +please, Mrs. Budd--just as you please, ma'am--only twelve is a good +many masts--” Rose frowned again--“that is--more than I'm used to +seeing--that's all.” + +“I dare say, Mr. Mulford--for you sail in only a half-jigger; but Capt. +Budd always sailed in a full-jigger--and his full-jiggered ship had just +twelve masts, and, to prove it to you, I'll give you the names--first +then, there were the fore, main, and mizen masts--” + +“Yes--yes--ma'am,” stammered Harry, who wished the twelve masts and The +Rose In Bloom at the bottom of the ocean, since her owner's niece still +continued to look coldly displeased--“that's right, I can swear!” + +“Very true, sir, and you'll find I am right as to all the rest. Then, +there were the fore, main, and mizen top-masts--they make six, if I can +count, Mr. Mulford?” + +“Ah!” exclaimed the mate, laughing, in spite of Rose's frowns, as the +manner in which the old sea-dog had quizzed his wife became apparent to +him. “I see how it is--you are quite right, ma'am--I dare say The Rose +In Bloom had all these masts, and some to spare.” + +“Yes, sir--I knew you would be satisfied. The fore, main and mizen +top-gallant-masts make nine--and the fore, main and mizen royals make +just twelve. Oh, I'm never wrong in anything about a vessel, especially +if she is a full-jiggered ship.” + +Mulford had some difficulty in restraining his smiles each time the +full-jigger was mentioned, but Rose's expression of countenance kept him +in excellent order--and she, innocent creature, saw nothing ridiculous +in the term, though the twelve masts had given her a little alarm. +Delighted that the old lady had got through her enumeration of the +spars with so much success, Rose cried, in the exuberance of her +spirits--“Well, aunty, for my part, I find a half-jigger vessel, so +very, very beautiful, that I do not know how I should behave were I to +go on board a full-jigger.” + +Mulford turned abruptly away, the circumstance of Rose's making herself +ridiculous giving him sudden pain, though he could have laughed at her +aunt by the hour. + +“Ah, my dear, that is on account of your youth and inexperience--but +you will learn better in time. I was just so, myself, when I was of +your age, and thought the fore-rafters were as handsome as the +squared-jiggers, but soon after I married Capt. Budd I felt the +necessity of knowing more than I did about ships, and I got him to teach +me. He did n't like the business, at first, and pretended I would never +learn; but, at last, it came all at once like, and then he used to be +delighted to hear me 'talk ship,' as he called it. I've known him laugh, +with his cronies, as if ready to die, at my expertness in sea-terms, for +half an hour together--and then he would swear--that was the worst +fault your uncle had, Rosy--he would swear, sometimes, in a way that +frightened me, I do declare!” + +“But he never swore at you, aunty?” + +“I can't say that he did exactly do that, but he would swear all round +me, even if he did n't actually touch me, when things went wrong--but +it would have done your heart good to hear him laugh! he had a most +excellent heart, just like your own, Rosy dear; but, for that matter, +all the Budds have excellent hearts, and one of the commonest ways your +uncle had of showing it was to laugh, particularly when we were together +and talking. Oh, he used to delight in hearing me converse, especially +about vessels, and never failed to get me at it when he had company. I +see his good-natured, excellent-hearted countenance at this moment, with +the tears running down his fat, manly cheeks, as he shook his very sides +with laughter. I may live a hundred years, Rosy, before I meet again +with your uncle's equal.” + +This was a subject that invariably silenced Rose. She remembered her +uncle, herself, and remembered his affectionate manner of laughing at +her aunt, and she always wished the latter to get through her eulogiums +on her married happiness, as soon as possible, whenever the subject was +introduced. + +All this time the Molly Swash kept in motion. Spike never took a pilot +when he could avoid it, and his mind was too much occupied with his +duty, in that critical navigation, to share at all in the conversation +of his passengers, though he did endeavour to make himself agreeable to +Rose, by an occasional remark, when a favourable opportunity offered. + +As soon as he had worked his brig over into the south or weather passage +of Blackwell's, however, there remained little for him to do, until she +had drifted through it, a distance of a mile or more; and this gave him +leisure to do the honours. He pointed out the castellated edifice on +Blackwell's as the new penitentiary, and the hamlet of villas, on the +other shore, as Ravenswood, though there is neither wood nor ravens to +authorize the name. But the “Sunswick,” which satisfied the Delafields +and Gibbses of the olden, time, and which distinguished their lofty +halls and broad lawns, was not elegant enough for the cockney tastes of +these latter days, so “wood” must be made to usurp the place of +cherries and apples, and “ravens” that of gulls, in order to satisfy its +cravings. But all this was lost on Spike. He remembered the shore as it +had been twenty years before, and he saw what it was now, but little did +he care for the change. On the whole, he rather preferred the Grecian +Temples, over which the ravens would have been compelled to fly, had +there been any ravens in that neighbourhood, to the old-fashioned and +highly respectable residence that once alone occupied the spot. The +point he did understand, however, and on the merits of which he had +something to say, was a little farther ahead. That, too, had been +re-christened--the Hallet's Cove of the mariner being converted into +Astoria--not that bloody-minded place at the mouth of the Oregon, which +has come so near bringing us to blows with our “ancestors in England,” + as the worthy denizens of that quarter choose to consider themselves +still, if one can judge by their language. This Astoria was a very +different place, and is one of the many suburban villages that are +shooting up, like mushrooms in a night, around the great Commercial +Emporium. This spot Spike understood perfectly, and it was not likely +that he should pass it without communicating a portion of his knowledge +to Rose. + +“There, Miss Rose,” he said, with a didactic sort of air, pointing with +his short, thick finger at the little bay which was just opening to +their view; “there's as neat a cove as a craft need bring up in. That +used to be a capital place to lie in, to wait for a wind to pass the +Gate; but it has got to be most too public for my taste. I'm rural, I +tell Mulford, and love to get in out-of-the-way berths with my brig, +where she can see salt-meadows, and smell the clover. You never catch +me down in any of the crowded slips, around the markets, or anywhere in +that part of the town, for I do love country air. That's Hallet's Cove, +Miss Rose, and a pretty anchorage it would be for us, if the wind and +tide didn't sarve to take us through the Gate.” + +“Are we near the Gate, Capt. Spike?” asked Rose, the fine bloom on her +cheek lessening a little, under the apprehension that formidable name is +apt to awaken in the breasts of the inexperienced. + +“Half a mile, or so. It begins just at the other end of this island on +our larboard hand, and will be all over in about another half mile, or +so. It's no such bad place, a'ter all, is Hell-Gate, to them that's used +to it. I call myself a pilot in Hell-Gate, though I have no branch.” + +“I wish, Capt. Spike, I could teach you to give that place its proper +and polite name. We call it Whirl-Gate altogether now,” said the relict. + +“Well, that's new to me,” cried Spike. “I have heard some +chicken-mouthed folk say Hurl-Gate, but this is the first time I ever +heard it called Whirl-Gate--they'll get it to Whirligig-Gate next. I do +n't think that my old commander, Capt. Budd, called the passage anything +but honest up and down Hell-Gate.” + +“That he did--that he did--and all my arguments and reading could not +teach him any better. I proved to him that it was Whirl-Gate, as any +one can see that it ought to be. It is full of whirlpools, they say, and +that shows what Nature meant the name to be.” + +“But, aunty,” put in Rose, half reluctantly, half anxious to speak, +“what has gate to do with whirlpools? You will remember it is called a +gate--the gate to that wicked place I suppose is meant.” + +“Rose, you amaze me! How can you, a young woman of only nineteen, stand +up for so vulgar a name as Hell-Gate!” + +“Do you think it as vulgar as Hurl-Gate, aunty?” To me it always seems +the most vulgar to be straining at gnats.” + +“Yes,” said Spike sentimentally, “I'm quite of Miss Rose's way of +thinking--straining at gnats is very ill-manners, especially at table. I +once knew a man who strained in this way, until I thought he would have +choked, though it was with a fly to be sure; but gnats are nothing +but small flies, you know, Miss Rose. Yes, I'm quite of your way of +thinking, Miss Rose; it is very vulgar to be straining at gnats and +flies, more particularly at table. But you'll find no flies or gnats +aboard here, to be straining at, or brushing away, or to annoy you. +Stand by there, my hearties, and see all clear to run through Hell-Gate. +Do n't let me catch you straining at anything, though it should be the +fin of a whale!” + +The people forward looked at each other, as they listened to this novel +admonition, though they called out the customary “ay, ay, sir,” as +they went to the sheets, braces and bowlines. To them the passage of no +Hell-Gate conveyed the idea of any particular terror, and with the one +they were about to enter, they were much too familiar to care anything +about it. + +The brig was now floating fast, with the tide, up abreast of the east +end of Blackwell's, and in two or three more minutes she would be fairly +in the Gate. Spike was aft, where he could command a view of everything +forward, and Mulford stood on the quarter-deck, to look after the +head-braces. An old and trustworthy seaman, who acted as a sort of +boatswain, had the charge on the forecastle, and was to tend the sheets +and tack. His name was Rove. + +“See all clear,” called out Spike. “D'ye hear there, for'ard! I shall +make a half-board in the Gate, if the wind favour us, and the tide prove +strong enough to hawse us to wind'ard sufficiently to clear the Pot--so +mind your--” + +The captain breaking off in the middle of this harangue, Mulford turned +his head, in order to see what might be the matter. There was Spike, +levelling a spy-glass at a boat that was pulling swiftly out of the +north channel, and shooting like an arrow directly athwart the brig's +bows into the main passage of the Gate. He stepped to the captain's +elbow. + +“Just take a look at them chaps, Mr. Mulford,” said Spike, handing his +mate the glass. + +“They seem in a hurry,” answered Harry, as he adjusted the glass to his +eye, “and will go through the Gate in less time than it will take to +mention the circumstance.” + +“What do you make of them, sir?” + +“The little man who called himself Jack Tier is in the stern-sheets of +the boat, for one,” answered Mulford. + +“And the other, Harry--what do you make of the other?” + +“It seems to be the chap who hailed to know if we had a pilot. He means +to board us at Riker's Island, and make us pay pilotage, whether we want +his services or not.” + +“Blast him and his pilotage too! Give me the glass”--taking another long +look at the boat, which by this time was glancing, rather than pulling, +nearly at right angles across his bows. “I want no such pilot aboard +here, Mr. Mulford. Take another look at him--here, you can see him, away +on our weather bow, already.” + +Mulford did take another look at him, and this time his examination was +longer and more scrutinizing than before. + +“It is not easy to cover him with the glass,” observed the young +man--“the boat seems fairly to fly.” + +“We're forereaching too near the Hog's Back, Capt. Spike,” roared the +boatswain, from forward. + +“Ready about--hard a lee,” shouted Spike. “Let all fly, for'ard--help +her round, boys, all you can, and wait for no orders! Bestir +yourselves--bestir yourselves.” + +It was time the crew should be in earnest. While Spike's attention had +been thus diverted by the boat, the brig had got into the strongest of +the current, which, by setting her fast to windward, had trebled the +power of the air, and this was shooting her over toward one of the +greatest dangers of the passage on a flood tide. As everybody bestirred +themselves, however, she was got round and filled on the opposite tack, +just in time to clear the rocks. Spike breathed again, but his head was +still full of the boat. The danger he had just escaped as Scylla met +him as Charybdis. The boatswain again roared to go about. The order was +given as the vessel began to pitch in a heavy swell. At the next instant +she rolled until the water came on deck, whirled with her stern down the +tide, and her bows rose as if she were about to leap out of water. The +Swash had hit the Pot Rock. + + + +CHAPTER II. + + “Watch. If we know him to be a thief, shall we not lay hands + on him? + + Dogb. Truly, by your office, you may; but I think they that + touch pitch will be defiled; the most peaceable way for you, + if you do take a thief, is, to let him show himself what he + is, and steal out of your company.” + + Much Ado About Nothing. + + +We left the brigantine of Capt. Spike in a very critical situation, and +the master himself in great confusion of mind. + +A thorough seaman, this accident would never have happened, but for the +sudden appearance of the boat and its passengers; one of whom appeared +to be a source of great uneasiness to him. As might be expected, +the circumstance of striking a place as dangerous as the Pot Rock +in Hell-Gate, produced a great sensation on board the vessel. This +sensation betrayed itself in various ways, and according to the +characters, habits, and native firmness of the parties. As for the +ship-master's relict, she seized hold of the main-mast, and screamed so +loud and perseveringly, as to cause the sensation to extend itself into +the adjacent and thriving village of Astoria, where it was distinctly +heard by divers of those who dwelt near the water. Biddy Noon had +her share in this clamour, lying down on the deck in order to prevent +rolling over, and possibly to scream more at her leisure, while Rose +had sufficient self-command to be silent, though her cheeks lost their +colour. + +Nor was there anything extraordinary in females betraying this alarm, +when one remembers the somewhat astounding signs of danger by which +these persons were surrounded. There is always something imposing in the +swift movement of a considerable body of water. When this movement is +aided by whirlpools and the other similar accessories of an interrupted +current, it frequently becomes startling, more especially to those who +happen to be on the element itself. This is peculiarly the case with the +Pot Rock, where, not only does the water roll and roar as if agitated by +a mighty wind, but where it even breaks, the foam seeming to glance up +stream, in the rapid succession of wave to wave. Had the Swash remained +in her terrific berth more than a second or two, she would have proved +what is termed a “total loss;” but she did not. Happily, the Pot Rock +lies so low that it is not apt to fetch up anything of a light draught +of water, and the brigantine's fore-foot had just settled on its summit, +long enough to cause the vessel to whirl round and make her obeisance to +the place, when a succeeding swell lifted her clear, and away she went +down stream, rolling as if scudding in a gale, and, for a moment, under +no command whatever. There lay another danger ahead, or it would be +better to say astern, for the brig was drifting stern foremost; and that +was in an eddy under a bluff, which bluff lies at an angle in the reach, +where it is no uncommon thing for craft to be cast ashore, after they +have passed all the more imposing and more visible dangers above. It was +in escaping this danger, and in recovering the command of his vessel, +that Spike now manifested the sort of stuff of which he was really +made, in emergencies of this sort. The yards were all sharp up when the +accident occurred, and springing to the lee braces, just as a man winks +when his eye is menaced, he seized the weather fore-brace with his own +hands, and began to round in the yard, shouting out to the man at the +wheel to “port his helm” at the same time. Some of the people flew to +his assistance, and the yards were not only squared, but braced a little +up on the other tack, in much less time than we have taken to relate the +evolution. Mulford attended to the main-sheet, and succeeded in getting +the boom out in the right direction. Although the wind was in truth +very light, the velocity of the drift filled the canvas, and taking the +arrow-like current on her lee bow, the Swash, like a frantic steed that +is alarmed with the wreck made by his own madness, came under command, +and sheered out into the stream again, where she could drift clear of +the apprehended danger astern. + +“Sound the pumps!” called out Spike to Mulford, the instant he saw he +had regained his seat in the saddle. Harry sprang amidships to obey, and +the eye of every mariner in that vessel was on the young man, as, in the +midst of a death-like silence, he performed this all-important duty. +It was like the physician's feeling the pulse of his patient before he +pronounces on the degree of his danger. + +“Well, sir?” cried out Spike, impatiently, as the rod reappeared. + +“All right, sir,” answered Harry, cheerfully--“the well is nearly +empty.” + +“Hold on a moment longer, and give the water time to find its way +amidships, if there be any.” + +The mate remained perched up on the pump, in order to comply, while +Spike and his people, who now breathed more freely again, improved the +leisure to brace up and haul aft, to the new course. + +“Biddy,” said Mrs. Budd considerately, during this pause in the +incidents, “you need n't scream any longer. The danger seems to be past, +and you may get up off the deck now. See, I have let go of the mast. The +pumps have been sounded, and are found tight.” + +Biddy, like an obedient and respectful servant, did as directed, quite +satisfied if the pumps were tight. It was some little time, to be sure, +before she was perfectly certain whether she were alive or not--but, +once certain of this circumstance, her alarm very sensibly abated, +and she became reasonable. As for Mulford, he dropped the sounding rod +again, and had the same cheering report to make. + +“The brig is as tight as a bottle, sir.” + +“So much the better,” answered Spike. “I never had such a whirl in her +before in my life, and I thought she was going to stop and pass the +night there. That's the very spot on which 'The Hussar' frigate was +wrecked.” + +“So I have heard, sir. But she drew so much water that she hit slap +against the rock, and started a butt. We merely touched on its top with +our fore-foot, and slid off.” + +This was the simple explanation of the Swash's escape, and, everybody +being now well assured that no harm had been done, things fell into +their old and regular train again. As for Spike, his gallantry, +notwithstanding, was upset for some hours, and glad enough was he when +he saw all three of his passengers quit the deck to go below. Mrs. +Budd's spirits had been so much agitated that she told Rose she would go +down into the cabin and rest a few minutes on its sofa. We say sofa, +for that article of furniture, now-a-days, is far more common in vessels +than it was thirty years ago in the dwellings of the country. + +“There, Mulford,” growled Spike, pointing ahead of the brig, to an +object on the water that was about half a mile ahead of them, “there's +that bloody boat--d'ye see? I should like of all things to give it the +slip. There's a chap in that boat I do n't like.” + +“I do n't see how that can be very well done, sir, unless we anchor, +repass the Gate at the turn of the tide, and go to sea by the way of +Sandy Hook.” + +“That will never do. I've no wish to be parading the brig before the +town. You see, Mulford, nothing can be more innocent and proper than the +Molly Swash, as you know from having sailed in her these twelve months. +You'll give her that character, I'll be sworn?” + +“I know no harm of her, Capt. Spike, and hope I never shall.” + +“No, sir--you know no harm of her, nor does any one else. A nursing +infant is not more innocent than the Molly Swash, or could have a +clearer character if nothing but truth was said of her. But the world is +so much given to lying, that one of the old saints, of whom we read in +the good book, such as Calvin and John Rogers, would be vilified if he +lived in these times. Then, it must be owned, Mr. Mulford, whatever +may be the raal innocence of the brig, she has a most desperate wicked +look.” + +“Why, yes, sir--it must be owned she is what we sailors call a +wicked-looking craft. But some of Uncle Sam's cruisers have that +appearance, also.” + +“I know it--I know it, sir, and think nothing of looks myself. Men are +often deceived in me, by my looks, which have none of your long-shore +softness about 'em, perhaps; but my mother used to say I was one of the +most tender-hearted boys she had ever heard spoken of--like one of +the babes in the woods, as it might be. But mankind go so much by +appearances that I do n't like to trust the brig too much afore their +eyes. Now, should we be seen in the lower bay, waiting for a wind, or +for the ebb tide to make, to carry us over the bar, ten to one but +some philotropic or other would be off with a complaint to the District +Attorney that we looked like a slaver, and have us all fetched up to +be tried for our lives as pirates. No, no--I like to keep the brig in +out-of-the-way places, where she can give no offence to your 'tropics, +whether they be philos, or of any other sort.” + +“Well, sir, we are to the eastward of the Gate, and all's safe. That +boat cannot bring us up.” + +“You forget, Mr. Mulford, the revenue-craft that steamed up, on the +ebb. That vessel must be off Sands' Point by this time, and she may hear +something to our disparagement from the feller in the boat, and take it +into her smoky head to walk us back to town. I wish we were well to the +eastward of that steamer! But there's no use in lamentations. If there +is really any danger, it's some distance ahead yet, thank Heaven!” + +“You have no fears of the man who calls himself Jack Tier, Capt. Spike?” + +“None in the world. That feller, as I remember him, was a little +bustlin' chap that I kept in the cabin, as a sort of steward's mate. +There was neither good nor harm in him, to the best of my recollection. +But Josh can tell us all about him--just give Josh a call.” + +The best thing in the known history of Spike was the fact that his +steward had sailed with him for more than twenty years. Where he had +picked up Josh no one could say, but Josh and himself, and neither chose +to be very communicative on the subject. But Josh had certainly been +with him as long as he had sailed the Swash, and that was from a time +actually anterior to the birth of Mulford. The mate soon had the negro +in the council. + +“I say, Josh,” asked Spike, “do you happen to remember such a hand +aboard here as one Jack Tier?” + +“Lor' bless you, yes sir--'members he as well as I do the pea soup +that was burnt, and which you t'rowed all over him, to scald him for +punishment.” + +“I've had to do that so often, to one careless fellow or other, that the +circumstance does n't recall the man. I remember him--but not as clear +as I could wish. How long did he sail with us?” + +“Sebberal v'y'ge, sir, and got left ashore down on the main, one night, +when'e boat were obliged to shove off in a hurry. Yes, 'members little +Jack, right well I does.” + +“Did you see the man that spoke us from the wharf, and hailed for this +very Jack Tier?” + +“I see'd a man, sir, dat was won'erful Jack Tier built like, sir, but I +did n't hear the conwersation, habbin' the ladies to 'tend to. But Jack +was oncommon short in his floor timbers, sir, and had no length of keel +at all. His beam was won'erful for his length, altogedder--what you call +jolly-boat, or bum-boat build, and was only good afore'e wind, Cap'n +Spike.” + +“Was he good for anything aboard ship, Josh? Worth heaving-to for, +should he try to get aboard of us again?” + +“Why, sir, can't say much for him in dat fashion. Jack was handy in the +cabin, and capital feller to carry soup from the gally, aft. You see, +sir, he was so low-rigged that the brig's lurchin' and pitchin' could +n't get him off his pins, and he stood up like a church in the heaviest +wea'der. Yes, sir, Jack was right good for dat.” + +Spike mused a moment--then he rolled the tobacco over in his mouth, and +added, in the way a man speaks when his mind is made up--“Ay ay! I see +into the fellow. He'll make a handy lady's maid, and we want such a chap +just now. It's better to have an old friend aboard, than to be pickin' +up strangers, 'long shore. So, should this Jack Tier come off to us, +from any of the islands or points ahead, Mr. Mulford, you'll round to +and take him aboard. As for the steamer, if she will only pass out into +the Sound where there's room, it shall go hard with us but I get to the +eastward of her, without speaking. On the other hand, should she anchor +this side of the fort, I'll not attempt to pass her. There is deep water +inside of most of the islands, I know, and we'll try and dodge her in +that way, if no better offer. I've no more reason than another craft +to fear a government vessel, but the sight of one of them makes me +oncomfortable; that's all.” + +Mulford shrugged his shoulders and remained silent, perceiving that his +commander was not disposed to pursue the subject any further. In the +mean time, the brig had passed beyond the influence of the bluff, and +was beginning to feel a stronger breeze, that was coming down the wide +opening of Flushing Bay. As the tide still continued strong in her +favour, and her motion through the water was getting to be four or five +knots, there was every prospect of her soon reaching Whitestone, the +point where the tides meet, and where it would become necessary to +anchor; unless, indeed, the wind, which was now getting to the southward +and eastward, should come round more to the south. All this Spike and +his mate discussed together, while the people were clearing the decks, +and making the preparations that are customary on board a vessel before +she gets into rough water. + +By this time it was ascertained that the brig had received no damage +by her salute of the Pot Rock, and every trace of uneasiness on that +account was removed. But Spike kept harping on the boat, and “the +pilot-looking chap who was in her.” As they passed Riker's Island, all +hands expected a boat would put off with a pilot, or to demand pilotage; +but none came, and the Swash now seemed released from all her present +dangers, unless some might still be connected with the revenue steamer. +To retard her advance, however, the wind came out a smart working breeze +from the southward and eastward, compelling her to make “long legs and +short ones” on her way towards Whitestone. + +“This is beating the wind, Rosy dear,” said Mrs. Budd, complacently, +she and her niece having returned to the deck a few minutes after this +change had taken place. “Your respected uncle did a great deal of this +in his time, and was very successful in it. I have heard him say, that +in one of his voyages between Liverpool and New York, he beat the wind +by a whole fortnight, everybody talking of it in the insurance offices, +as if it was a miracle.” + +“Ay, ay, Madam Budd,” put in Spike, “I'll answer for that. They're +desperate talkers in and about them there insurance offices in Wall +street. Great gossips be they, and they think they know everything. +Now just because this brig is a little old or so, and was built for a +privateer in the last war, they'd refuse to rate her as even B, No. 2, +and my blessing on 'em.” + +“Yes, B, No. 2, that's just what your dear uncle used to call me, +Rosy--his charming B, No. 2, or Betsy, No. 2; particularly when he was +in a loving mood. Captain Spike, did you ever beat the wind in a long +voyage?” + +“I can't say I ever did, Mrs. Budd,” answered Spike, looking grimly +around, to ascertain if any one dared to smile at his passenger's +mistake; “especially for so long a pull as from New York to Liverpool.” + +“Then your uncle used to boast of the Rose In Bloom's wearing and +attacking. She would attack anything that came in her way, no matter +who, and as for wearing, I think he once told me she would wear just +what she had a mind to, like any human being.” + +Rose was a little mystified, but she looked vexed at the same time, as +if she distrusted all was not right. + +“I remember all my sea education,” continued the unsuspecting widow, “as +if it had been learnt yesterday. Beating the wind and attacking ship, +my poor Mr. Budd used to say, were nice manoeuvres, and required most of +his tactics, especially in heavy weather. Did you know, Rosy dear, that +sailors weigh the weather, and know when it is heavy and when it is +light?” + +“I did not, aunt; nor do I understand now how it can very well be done.” + +“Oh! child, before you have been at sea a week, you will learn so many +things that are new, and get so many ideas of which you never had any +notion before, that you'll not be the same person. My captain had an +instrument he called a thermometer, and with that he used to weigh the +weather, and then he would write down in the log-book 'today, heavy +weather, or to-morrow, light weather,' just as it happened, and that +helped him mightily along in his voyages.” + +“Mrs. Budd has merely mistaken the name of the instrument--the +'barometer' is what she wished to say,” put in Mulford, opportunely. + +Rose looked grateful, as well as relieved. Though profoundly ignorant on +these subjects herself, she had always suspected her aunt's knowledge. +It was, consequently, grateful to her to ascertain that, in this +instance, the old lady's mistake had been so trifling. + +“Well, it may have been the barometer, for I know he had them both,” + resumed the aunt. “Barometer, or thermometer, it do n't make any great +difference; or quadrant, or sextant. They are all instruments, and +sometimes he used one, and sometimes another. Sailors take on board the +sun, too, and have an instrument for that, as well as one to weigh the +weather with. Sometimes they take on board the stars, and the moon, +and 'fill their ships with the heavenly bodies,' as I've heard my dear +husband say, again and again! But the most curious thing at sea, as all +sailors tell me, is crossing the line, and I do hope we shall cross the +line, Rosy, that you and I may see it.” + +“What is the line, aunty, and how do vessels cross it.” + +“The line, my dear, is a place in the ocean where the earth is divided +into two parts, one part being called the North Pole, and the other part +the South Pole. Neptune lives near this line, and he allows no vessel +to go out of one pole into the other, without paying it a visit. Never! +never!--he would as soon think of living on dry land as think of letting +even a canoe pass, without visiting it.” + +“Do you suppose there is such a being, really, as Neptune, aunty?” + +“To be sure I do; he is king of the sea. Why should n't there be? The +sea must have a king, as well as the land.” + +“The sea may be a republic, aunty, like this country; then, no king is +necessary. I have always supposed Neptune to be an imaginary being.” + +“Oh that's impossible--the sea is no republic; there are but two +republics, America and Texas. I've heard that the sea is a highway, it +is true--the 'highway of nations,' I believe it is called, and that +must mean something particular. But my poor Mr. Budd always told me that +Neptune was king of the seas, and he was always so accurate, you might +depend on everything he said. Why, he called his last Newfoundland dog +Neptune; and do you think, Rosy, that your dear uncle would call his +dog after an imaginary being?--and he a man to beat the wind, and attack +ship, and take the sun, moon and stars aboard! No, no, child; fanciful +folk may see imaginary beings, but solid folk see solid beings.” + +Even Spike was dumfounded at this, and there is no knowing what he +might have said, had not an old sea-dog, who had just come out of the +fore-topmast cross-trees, come aft, and, hitching up his trowsers with +one hand while he touched his hat with the other, said with immoveable +gravity, + +“The revenue-steamer has brought up just under the fort, Capt. Spike.” + +“How do you know that, Bill?” demanded the captain, with a rapidity that +showed how completely Mrs. Budd and all her absurdities were momentarily +forgotten. + +“I was up on the fore-topgallant yard, sir, a bit ago, just to look +to the strap of the jewel-block, which wants some sarvice on it, and +I see'd her over the land, blowin' off steam and takin' in her +kites. Afore I got out of the cross-trees, she was head to wind under +bare-poles, and if she had n't anchored, she was about to do so. I'm +sartin 't was she, sir, and that she was about to bring up.” + +Spike gave a long, low whistle, after his fashion, and he walked away +from the females, with the air of a man who wanted room to think in. +Half a minute later, he called out--“Stand by to shorten sail, boys. +Man fore-clew-garnets, flying jib down haul, topgallant sheets, and +gaff-topsail gear. In with 'em all, my lads--in with everything, with a +will.” + +An order to deal with the canvas in any way, on board ship, immediately +commands the whole attention of all whose duty it is to attend to such +matters, and there was an end of all discourse while the Swash was +shortening sail. Everybody understood, too, that it was to gain +time, and prevent the brig from reaching Throg's Neck sooner than was +desirable. + +“Keep the brig off,” called out Spike, “and let her ware--we're too busy +to tack just now.” + +The man at the wheel knew very well what was wanted, and he put his +helm up, instead of putting it down, as he might have done without this +injunction. As this change brought the brig before the wind, and Spike +was in no hurry to luff up on the other tack, the Swash soon ran over a +mile of the distance she had already made, putting her back that much +on her way to the Neck. It is out of our power to say what the people +of the different craft in sight thought of all this, but an opportunity +soon offered of putting them on a wrong scent. A large coasting +schooner, carrying everything that would draw on a wind, came sweeping +under the stern of the Swash, and hailed. + +“Has anything happened, on board that brig?” demanded her master. + +“Man overboard,” answered Spike--“you hav'nt seen his hat, have you?” + +“No--no,” came back, just as the schooner, in her onward course, swept +beyond the reach of the voice. Her people collected together, and one or +two ran up the rigging a short distance, stretching their necks, on the +look-out for the “poor fellow,” but they were soon called down to “'bout +ship.” In less than five minutes, another vessel, a rakish coasting +sloop, came within hail. + +“Did n't that brig strike the Pot Rock, in passing the Gate?” demanded +her captain. + +“Ay, ay!--and a devil of a rap she got, too.” + +This satisfied him; there being nothing remarkable in a vessel's acting +strangely that had hit the Pot Rock in passing Hell Gate. + +“I think we may get in our mainsail on the strength of this, Mr. +Mulford,” said Spike. “There can be nothing oncommon in a craft's +shortening sail, that has a man overboard, and which has hit the Pot +Rock. I wonder I never thought of all this before.” + +'Here is a skiff trying to get alongside of us, Capt. Spike,” called out +the boatswain. + +“Skiff be d--d! I want no skiff here.” + +“The man that called himself Jack Tier is in her, sir.” + +“The d--l he is!” cried Spike, springing over to the opposite side of +the deck to take a look for himself. To his infinite satisfaction he +perceived that Tier was alone in the skiff, with the exception of a +negro, who pulled its sculls, and that this was a very different boat +from that which had glanced through Hell Gate, like an arrow darting +from its bow. + +“Luff, and shake your topsail,” called out Spike. “Get a rope there to +throw to this skiff.” + +The orders were obeyed, and Jack Tier, with his clothes-bag, was soon +on the deck of the Swash. As for the skiff and the negro, they were +cast adrift the instant the latter had received his quarter. The meeting +between Spike and his quondam steward's mate was a little remarkable. +Each stood looking intently at the other, as if to note the changes +which time had made. We cannot say that Spike's hard, red, selfish +countenance betrayed any great feeling, though such was not the case +with Jack Tier's. The last, a lymphatic, puffy sort of a person at the +best, seemed really a little touched, and he either actually brushed a +tear from his eye, or he affected so to do. + +“So, you are my old shipmate, Jack Tier, are ye?” exclaimed Spike, in +a half-patronizing, half-hesitating way--“and you want to try the old +craft ag'in. Give us a leaf of your log, and let me know where you have +been this many a day, and what you have been about? Keep the brig off, +Mr. Mulford. We are in no particular hurry to reach Throg's, you'll +remember, sir.” + +Tier gave an account of his proceedings, which could have no interest +with the reader. His narrative was anything but very clear, and it was +delivered in a cracked, octave sort of a voice, such as little dapper +people not unfrequently enjoy--tones between those of a man and a boy. +The substance of the whole story was this. Tier had been left ashore, as +sometimes happens to sailors, and, by necessary connection, was left to +shift for himself. After making some vain endeavours to rejoin his brig, +he had shipped in one vessel after another, until he accidentally found +himself in the port of New York, at the same time as the Swash. He +know'd he never should be truly happy ag'in until he could once more +get aboard the old hussy, and had hurried up to the wharf, where he +understood the brig was lying. As he came in sight, he saw she was about +to cast off, and, dropping his clothes-bag, he had made the best of his +way to the wharf, where the conversation passed that has been related. + +“The gentleman on the wharf was about to take boat, to go through +the Gate,” concluded Tier, “and so I begs a passage of him. He was +good-natured enough to wait until I could find my bag, and as soon +a'terwards as the men could get their grog we shoved off. The Molly was +just getting in behind Blackwell's as we left the wharf, and, having +four good oars, and the shortest road, we come out into the Gate just +ahead on you. My eye! what a place that is to go through in a boat, and +on a strong flood! The gentleman, who watched the brig as a cat watches +a mouse, says you struck on the Pot, as he called it, but I says 'no,' +for the Molly Swash was never know'd to hit rock or shoal in my time +aboard her.” + +“And where did you quit that gentleman, and what has become of him?” + asked Spike. + +“He put me ashore on that point above us, where I see'd a nigger with +his skiff, who I thought would be willin' to 'arn his quarter by giving +me a cast alongside. So here I am, and a long pull I've had to get +here.” + +As this was said, Jack removed his hat and wiped his brow with a +handkerchief, which, if it had never seen better days, had doubtless +been cleaner. After this, he looked about him, with an air not entirely +free from exultation. + +This conversation had taken place in the gangway, a somewhat public +place, and Spike beckoned to his recruit to walk aft, where he might be +questioned without being overheard. + +“What became of the gentleman in the boat, as you call him?” demanded +Spike. + +“He pulled ahead, seeming to be in a hurry.” + +“Do you know who he was?” + +“Not a bit of it. I never saw the man before, and he did n't tell me his +business, sir.” + +“Had he anything like a silver oar about him.” + +“I saw nothing of the sort, Capt. Spike, and knows nothing consarning +him.” + +“What sort of a boat was he in, and where did he get it?” + +“Well, as to the boat, sir, I can say a word, seein' it was so much to +my mind, and pulled so wonderful smart. It was a light ship's yawl, with +four oars, and came round the Hook just a'ter you had got the brig's +head round to the eastward. You must have seen it, I should think, +though it kept close in with the wharves, as if it wished to be snug.” + +“Then the gentleman, as you call him, expected that very boat to come +and take him off?” + +“I suppose so, sir, because it did come and take him off. That's all I +knows about it.” + +“Had you no jaw with the gentleman? You was n't mnm the whole time you +was in the boat with him?” + +“Not a bit of it, sir. Silence and I does n't agree together long, and +so we talked most of the time.” + +“And what did the stranger say of the brig?” + +“Lord, sir, he catechised me like as if I had been a child at +Sunday-school. He asked me how long I had sailed in her; what ports +we'd visited, and what trade we'd been in. You can't think the sight of +questions he put, and how cur'ous he was for the answers.” + +“And what did you tell him in your answers? You said nothin' about our +call down on the Spanish Main, the time you were left ashore, I hope, +Jack?” + +“Not I, sir. I played him off surprisin'ly. He got nothin' to count upon +out of me. Though I do owe the Molly Swash a grudge, I'm not goin' to +betray her.” + +“You owe the Molly Swash a grudge! Have I taken an enemy on board her, +then?” + +Jack started, and seemed sorry he had said so much; while Spike eyed him +keenly. But the answer set all right. It was not given, however, without +a moment for recollection. + +“Oh, you knows what I mean, sir. I owe the old hussy a grudge for having +desarted me like; but it's only a love quarrel atween us. The old Molly +will never come to harm by my means.” + +“I hope not, Jack. The man that wrongs the craft he sails in can never +be a true-hearted sailor. Stick by your ship in all weathers is my rule, +and a good rule it is to go by. But what did you tell the stranger?” + +“Oh! I told him I'd been six v'y'ges in the brig. The first was to +Madagascar--” + +“The d--l you did? Was he soft enough to believe that?” + +“That's more than I knows, sir. I can only tell you what I said; I do +n't pretend to know how much he believed.” + +“Heave ahead--what next?” + +“Then I told him we went to Kamschatka for gold dust and ivory.” + +“Whe-e-ew! What did the man say to that?” + +“Why, he smiled a bit, and a'ter that he seemed more cur'ous than ever +to hear all about it. I told him my third v'y'ge was to Canton, with +a cargo of broom-corn, where we took in salmon and dun-fish for home. +A'ter that we went to Norway with ice, and brought back silks and money. +Our next run was to the Havana, with salt and 'nips--” + +“'Nips! what the devil be they?” + +“Turnips, you knows, sir. We always calls 'em 'nips in cargo. At the +Havana I told him we took in leather and jerked beef, and came home. Oh! +he got nothin' from me, Capt. Spike, that'll ever do the brig a morsel +of harm!” + +“I am glad of that, Jack. You must know enough of the seas to understand +that a close mouth is sometimes better for a vessel than a clean bill of +health. Was there nothing said about the revenue-steamer?” + +“Now you name her, sir, I believe there was--ay, ay, sir, the gentleman +did say, if the steamer fetched up to the westward of the fort, that he +should overhaul her without difficulty, on this flood. + +“That'll do, Jack; that'll do, my honest fellow. Go below, and tell Josh +to take you into the cabin again, as steward's mate. You're rather too +Dutch built, in your old age, to do much aloft.” + +One can hardly say whether Jack received this remark as complimentary, +or not. He looked a little glum, for a man may be as round as a barrel, +and wish to be thought genteel and slender; but he went below, in quest +of Josh, without making any reply. + +The succeeding movements of Spike appeared to be much influenced by +what he had just heard. He kept the brig under short canvas for near two +hours, sheering about in the same place, taking care to tell everything +which spoke him that he had lost a man overboard. In this way, not +only the tide, but the day itself, was nearly spent. About the time +the former began to lose its strength, however, the fore-course and the +main-sail were got on the brigantine, with the intention of working +her up toward Whitestone, where the tides meet, and near which the +revenue-steamer was known to be anchored. We say near, though it was, in +fact, a mile or two more to the eastward, and close to the extremity of +the Point. + +Notwithstanding these demonstrations of a wish to work to windward, +Spike was really in no hurry. He had made up his mind to pass the +steamer in the dark, if possible, and the night promised to favour him; +but, in order to do this, it might be necessary not to come in sight of +her at all; or, at least, not until the obscurity should in some measure +conceal his rig and character. In consequence of this plan, the Swash +made no great progress, even after she had got sail on her, on her old +course. The wind lessened, too, after the sun went down, though it still +hung to the eastward, or nearly ahead. As the tide gradually lost its +force, moreover, the set to windward became less and less, until it +finally disappeared altogether. + +There is necessarily a short reach in this passage, where it is always +slack water, so far as current is concerned. This is precisely where the +tides meet, or, as has been intimated, at Whitestone, which is somewhat +more than a mile to the westward of Throgmorton's Neck, near the point +of which stands Fort Schuyler, one of the works recently erected for the +defence of New York. Off the pitch of the point, nearly mid-channel, had +the steamer anchored, a fact of which Spike had made certain, by going +aloft himself, and reconnoitering her over the land, before it had got +to be too dark to do so. He entertained no manner of doubt that this +vessel was in waiting for him, and he well knew there was good reason +for it; but he would not return and attempt the passage to sea by way +of Sandy Hook. His manner of regarding the whole matter was cool and +judicious. The distance to the Hook was too great to be made in such +short nights ere the return of day, and he had no manner of doubt he +was watched for in that direction, as well as in this. Then he was +particularly unwilling to show his craft at all in front of the town, +even in the night. Moreover, he had ways of his own for effecting his +purposes, and this was the very spot and time to put them in execution. + +While these things were floating in his mind, Mrs. Budd and her handsome +niece were making preparations for passing the night, aided by Biddy +Noon. The old lady was factotum, or factota, as it might be most +classical to call her, though we are entirely without authorities on the +subject, and was just as self-complacent and ambitious of seawomanship +below decks, as she had been above board. The effect, however, gave +Spike great satisfaction, since it kept her out of sight, and left him +more at liberty to carry out his own plans. About nine, however, the +good woman came on deck, intending to take a look at the weather, like +a skilful marineress as she was, before she turned in. Not a little was +she astonished at what she then and there beheld, as she whispered to +Rose and Biddy, both of whom stuck close to her side, feeling the want +of good pilotage, no doubt, in strange waters. + +The Molly Swash was still under her canvas, though very little sufficed +for her present purposes. She was directly off Whitestone, and was +making easy stretches across the passage, or river, as it is called, +having nothing set but her huge fore-and-aft mainsail and the jib. +Under this sail she worked like a top, and Spike sometimes fancied she +travelled too fast for his purposes, the night air having thickened the +canvas as usual, until it “held the wind as a bottle holds water.” There +was nothing in this, however, to attract the particular attention of +the ship-master's widow, a sail, more or less, being connected with +observation much too critical for her schooling, nice as the last had +been. She was surprised to find the men stripping the brig forward, +and converting her into a schooner. Nor was this done in a loose and +slovenly manner, under favour of the obscurity. On the contrary, it +was so well executed that it might have deceived even a seaman under a +noon-day sun, provided the vessel were a mile or two distant. The manner +in which the metamorphosis was made was as follows: the studding-sail +booms had been taken off the topsail-yard, in order to shorten it to the +eye, and the yard itself was swayed up about half-mast, to give it the +appearance of a schooner's fore-yard. The brig's real lower yard was +lowered on the bulwarks, while her royal yard was sent down altogether, +and the topgallant-mast was lowered until the heel rested on the topsail +yard, all of which, in the night, gave the gear forward very much the +appearance of that of a fore-topsail schooner, instead of that of a +half-rigged brig, as the craft really was. As the vessel carried +a try-sail on her foremast, it answered very well, in the dark, to +represent a schooner's foresail. Several other little dispositions of +this nature were made, about which it might weary the uninitiated to +read, but which will readily suggest themselves to the mind of a sailor. + +These alterations were far advanced when the females re-appeared on +deck. They at once attracted their attention, and the captain's widow +felt the imperative necessity, as connected with her professional +character, of proving the same. She soon found Spike, who was bustling +around the deck, now looking around to see that his brig was kept in the +channel, now and then issuing an order to complete her disguise. + +“Captain Spike, what can be the meaning of all these changes? The tamper +of your vessel is so much altered that I declare I should not have known +her!” + +“Is it, by George! Then she is just in the state I want her to be in.” + +“But why have you done it--and what does it all mean?” + +“Oh, Molly's going to bed for the night, and she's only undressing +herself--that's all.” + +“Yes, Rosy dear, Captain Spike is right. I remember that my poor Mr. +Budd used to talk about The Rose In Bloom having her clothes on, and +her clothes off, just as if she was a born woman! But do n't you mean to +navigate at all in the night, Captain Spike? Or will the brig navigate +without sails?” + +“That's it--she's just as good in the dark, under one sort of canvas, as +under another. So, Mr. Mulford, we'll take a reef in that mainsail; +it will bring it nearer to the size of our new foresail, and seem more +ship-shape and Brister fashion--then I think she'll do, as the night is +getting to be rather darkish.” + +“Captain Spike,” said the boatswain, who had been set to look-out for +that particular change--“the brig begins to feel the new tide, and sets +to windward.” + +“Let her go, then--now is as good a time as another. We've got to run +the gantlet, and the sooner it is done the better.” + +As the moment seemed propitious, not only Mulford, but all the people, +heard this order with satisfaction. The night was star-light, though +not very clear at that. Objects on the water, however, were more visible +than those on the land, while those on the last could be seen well +enough, even from the brig, though in confused and somewhat shapeless +piles. When the Swash was brought close by the wind, she had just got +into the last reach of the “river,” or that which runs parallel with +the Neck for near a mile, doubling where the Sound expands itself, +gradually, to a breadth of many leagues. Still the navigation at the +entrance of this end of the Sound was intricate and somewhat dangerous, +rendering it indispensable for a vessel of any size to make a crooked +course. The wind stood at south-east, and was very scant to lay through +the reach with, while the tide was so slack as barely to possess a +visible current at that place. The steamer lay directly off the Point, +mid-channel, as mentioned, showing lights, to mark her position to +anything which might be passing in or out. The great thing was to get +by her without exciting her suspicion. As all on board, the females +excepted, knew what their captain was at, the attempt was made amid an +anxious and profound silence; or, if any one spoke at all, it was only +to give an order in a low tone, or its answer in a simple monosyllable. + +Although her aunt assured her that everything which had been done +already, and which was now doing, was quite in rule, the quick-eyed and +quick-witted Rose noted these unusual proceedings, and had an opinion +of her own on the subject. Spike had gone forward, and posted himself on +the weather-side of the forecastle, where he could get the clearest look +ahead, and there he remained most of the time, leaving Mulford on the +quarter-deck, to work the vessel, Perceiving this, she managed to get +near the mate, without attracting her aunt's attention, and at the same +time out of ear-shot. + +“Why is everybody so still and seemingly so anxious, Harry Mulford?” she +asked, speaking in a low tone herself, as if desirous of conforming to a +common necessity. “Is there any new danger here? I thought the Gate had +been passed altogether, some hours ago?” + +“So it has. D'ye see that large dark mass on the water, off the Point, +which seems almost as huge as the fort, with lights above it? That is a +revenue-steamer which came out of York a few hours before us. We wish to +get past her without being troubled by any of her questions.” + +“And what do any in this brig care about her questions? They can be +answered, surely.” + +“Ay, ay, Rose--they may be answered, as you say, but the answers +sometimes are unsatisfactory. Captain Spike, for some reason or other, +is uneasy, and would rather not have anything to say to her. He has the +greatest aversion to speaking the smallest craft when on a coast.” + +“And that's the reason he has undressed his Molly, as he calls her, that +he might not be known.” + +Mulford turned his head quickly toward his companion, as if surprised by +her quickness of apprehension, but he had too just a sense of his +duty to make any reply. Instead of pursuing the discourse, he adroitly +contrived to change it, by pointing out to Rose the manner in which they +were getting on, which seemed to be very successfully. + +Although the Swash was under much reduced canvas, she glided along with +great ease and with considerable rapidity of motion. The heavy night air +kept her canvas distended, and the weatherly set of the tide, trifling +as it yet was, pressed her up against the breeze, so as to turn all to +account. It was apparent enough, by the manner in which objects on the +land were passed, that the crisis was fast approaching. Rose +rejoined her aunt, in order to await the result, in nearly breathless +expectation. At that moment, she would have given the world to be +safe on shore. This wish was not the consequence of any constitutional +timidity, for Rose was much the reverse from timid, but it was the fruit +of a newly-awakened and painful, though still vague, suspicion. Happy, +thrice happy was it for one of her naturally confiding and guileless +nature, that distrust was thus opportunely awakened, for she was without +a guardian competent to advise and guide her youth, as circumstances +required. + +The brig was not long in reaching the passage that opened to the Sound. +It is probable she did this so much the sooner because Spike kept her a +little off the wind, with a view of not passing too near the steamer. +At this point, the direction of the passage changes at nearly a right +angle, the revenue-steamer lying on a line with the Neck, and leaving a +sort of bay, in the angle, for the Swash to enter. The land was somewhat +low in all directions but one, and that was by drawing a straight line +from the Point, through the steamer, to the Long Island shore. On the +latter, and in that quarter, rose a bluff of considerable elevation, +with deep water quite near it; and, under the shadows of that bluff, +Spike intended to perform his nicest evolutions. He saw that the revenue +vessel had let her fires go down, and that she was entirely without +steam. Under canvas, he had no doubt of beating her hand over hand, +could he once fairly get to windward; and then she was at anchor, and +would lose some time in getting under way, should she even commence a +pursuit. It was all important, therefore, to gain as much to windward as +possible, before the people of the government vessel took the alarm. + +There can be no doubt that the alterations made on board the Swash +served her a very good turn on this occasion. Although the night could +not be called positively dark, there was sufficient obscurity to render +her hull confused and indistinct at any distance, and this so much the +more when seen from the steamer outside, or between her and the land. +All this Spike very well understood, and largely calculated on. In +effect he was not deceived; the look-outs on board the revenue craft +could trace little of the vessel that was approaching beyond the spars +and sails which rose above the shores, and these seemed to be the spars +and sails of a common foretopsail schooner. As this was not the sort of +craft for which they were on the watch, no suspicion was awakened, nor +did any reports go from the quarter-deck to the cabin. The steamer had +her quarter watches, and officers of the deck, like a vessel of war, the +discipline of which was fairly enough imitated, but even a man-of-war +may be overreached on an occasion. + +Spike was only great in a crisis, and then merely as a seaman. He +understood his calling to its minutiæ, and he understood the Molly Swash +better than he understood any other craft that floated. For more than +twenty years had he sailed her, and the careful parent does not better +understand the humours of the child, than he understood exactly what +might be expected from his brig. His satisfaction sensibly increased, +therefore, as she stole along the land, toward the angle mentioned, +without a sound audible but the gentle gurgling of the water, stirred by +the stem, and which sounded like the ripple of the gentlest wave, as it +washes the shingle of some placid beach. + +As the brig drew nearer to the bluff, the latter brought the wind more +ahead, as respected the desired course. This was unfavourable, but it +did not disconcert her watchful commander. + +“Let her come round, Mr. Mulford,” said this pilot-captain, in a low +voice--“we are as near in as we ought to go.” + +The helm was put down, the head sheets started, and away into the wind +shot the Molly Swash, fore-reaching famously in stays, and, of course, +gaining so much on her true course. In a minute she was round, and +filled on the other tack. Spike was now so near the land, that he could +perceive the tide was beginning to aid him, and that his weatherly set +was getting to be considerable. Delighted at this, he walked aft, and +told Mulford to go about again as soon as the vessel had sufficient way +to make sure of her in stays. The mate inquired if he did not think the +revenue people might suspect something, unless they stood further out +toward mid-channel, but Spike reminded him that they would be apt to +think the schooner was working up under the southern shore, because the +ebb first made there. This reason satisfied Mulford, and, as soon as +they were half-way between the bluff and the steamer, the Swash was +again tacked, with her head to the former. This manoeuvre was executed +when the brig was about two hundred yards from the steamer, a distance +that was sufficient to preserve, under all the circumstances, the +disguise she had assumed. + +“They do not suspect us, Harry!” whispered Spike to his mate. “We shall +get to windward of 'em, as sartain as the breeze stands. That boatin' +gentleman might as well have staid at home, as for any good his hurry +done him or his employers!” + +“Whom do you suppose him to be, Captain Spike?” + +“Who,--a feller that lives by his own wicked deeds. No matter who he is. +An informer, perhaps. At any rate, he is not the man to outwit the Molly +Swash, and her old, stupid, foolish master and owner, Stephen Spike. +Luff, Mr. Mulford, luff. Now's the time to make the most of your +leg--Luff her up and shake her. She is setting to windward fast, the ebb +is sucking along that bluff like a boy at a molasses hogshead. All she +can drift on this tack is clear gain; there is no hurry, so long as they +are asleep aboard the steamer. That's it--make a half-board at once, +but take care and not come round. As soon as we are fairly clear of the +bluff, and open the bay that makes up behind it, we shall get the wind +more to the southward, and have a fine long leg for the next stretch.” + +Of course Mulford obeyed, throwing the brig up into the wind, and +allowing her to set to windward, but filling again on the same tack, +as ordered. This, of course, delayed her progress toward the land, and +protracted the agony, but it carried the vessel in the direction she +most wished to go, while it kept her not only end on to the steamer, +but in a line with the bluff, and consequently in the position most +favourable to conceal her true character. Presently, the bay mentioned, +which was several miles deep, opened darkly toward the south, and the +wind came directly out of it, or more to the southward. At this moment +the Swash was near a quarter of a mile from the steamer, and all that +distance dead to windward of her, as the breeze came out of the bay. +Spike tacked his vessel himself now, and got her head up so high that +she brought the steamer on her lee quarter, and looked away toward the +island which lies northwardly from the Point, and quite near to which +all vessels of any draught of water are compelled to pass, even with the +fairest winds. + +“Shake the reef out of the mainsail, Mr. Mulford,” said Spike, when the +Swash was fairly in motion again on this advantageous tack. “We shall +pass well to windward of the steamer, and may as well begin to open our +cloth again.” + +“Is it not a little too soon, sir?” Mulford ventured to remonstrate; +“the reef is a large one, and will make a great difference in the size +of the sail.” + +“They'll not see it at this distance. No, no, sir, shake out the reef, +and sway away on the topgallant-mast rope; I'm for bringing the Molly +Swash into her old shape again, and make her look handsome once more.” + +“Do you dress the brig, as well as undress her, o'mights; Captain +Spike?” inquired the ship-master's reliet, a little puzzled with this +fickleness of purpose. “I do not believe my poor Mr. Budd ever did +that.” + +“Fashions change, madam, with the times--ay, ay, sir--shake out the +reef, and sway away on that mast-rope, boys, as soon as you have manned +it. We'll convart our schooner into a brig again.” + +As these orders were obeyed, of course, a general bustle now took place. +Mulford soon had the reef out, and the sail distended to the utmost, +while the topgallant-mast was soon up and fidded. The next thing was to +sway upon the fore-yard, and get that into its place. The people were +busied at this duty, when a hoarse hail came across the water on the +heavy night air. + +“Brig ahoy!” was the call. + +“Sway upon that fore-yard,” said Spike, unmoved by this summons--“start +it, start it at once.” + +“The steamer hails us, sir,” said the mate. + +“Not she. She is hailing a brig; we are a schooner yet.” + +A moment of active exertion succeeded, during which the fore-yard went +into its place. Then came a second hail. + +“Schooner, ahoy!” was the summons this time. + +“The steamer hails us again, Captain Spike.” + +“The devil a bit. We're a brig now, and she hails a schooner. Come +boys, bestir yourselves, and get the canvas on Molly for'ard. Loose the +fore-course before you quit the yard there, then up aloft and loosen +everything you can find.” + +All was done as ordered, and done rapidly, as is ever the case on board +a well-ordered vessel when there is occasion for exertion. That occasion +now appeared to exist in earnest, for while the men were sheeting home +the topsail, a flash of light illuminated the scene, when the roar of +a gun came booming across the water, succeeded by the very distinct +whistling of its shot. We regret that the relict of the late Captain +Budd did not behave exactly as became a shipmaster's widow, under fire. +Instead of remaining silent and passive, even while frightened, as was +the case with Rose, she screamed quite as loud as she had previously +done that very day in Hell-Gate. It appeared to Spike, indeed, that +practice was making her perfect; and, as for Biddy, the spirit of +emulation became so powerful in her bosom, that, if anything, she +actually outshrieked her mistress. Hearing this, the widow made a second +effort, and fairly recovered the ground some might have fancied she had +lost. + +“Oh! Captain Spike,” exclaimed the agitated widow, “do not--do not, if +you love me, do not let them fire again!” + +“How am I to help it!” asked the captain, a good deal to the point, +though he overlooked the essential fact, that, by heaving-to, and +waiting for the steamer's boat to board him, he might have prevented +a second shot, as completely as if he had the ordering of the whole +affair. No second shot was fired, however. As it afterward appeared, +the screams of Mrs. Budd and Biddy were heard on board the steamer, the +captain of which, naturally enough, supposing that the slaughter must be +terrible where such cries had arisen, was satisfied with the mischief he +had already done, and directed his people to secure their gun and go +to the capstan-bars, in order to help lift the anchor. In a word, the +revenue vessel was getting under way, man-of-war fashion, which means +somewhat expeditiously. + +Spike understood the sounds that reached him, among which was the call +of the boatswain, and he bestirred himself accordingly. Experienced as +he was in chases and all sorts of nautical artifices, he very well knew +that his situation was sufficiently critical. It would have been so, +with a steamer at his heels, in the open ocean; but, situated as he was, +he was compelled to steer but one course, and to accept the wind on that +course as it might offer. If he varied at all in his direction it was +only in a trifling way, though he did make some of these variations. +Every moment was now precious, however, and he endeavoured to improve +the time to the utmost. He knew that he could greatly outsail the +revenue vessel, under canvas, and some time would be necessary to enable +her to get up her steam; half an hour at the very least. On that half +hour, then, depended the fate of the Molly Swash. + +“Send the booms on the yards, and set stun'sails at once, Mr. Mulford,” + said Spike, the instant the more regular canvas was spread forward. +“This wind will be free enough for all but the lower stun'sail, and we +must drive the brig on.” + +“Are we not looking up too high, Captain Spike? The Stepping-Stones are +ahead of us, sir.” + +“I know that very well, Mulford. But it's nearly high water, and the +brig's in light trim, and we may rub and go. By making a short cut here, +we shall gain a full mile on the steamer; that mile may save us.” + +“Do you really think it possible to get away from that craft, which can +always make a fair wind of it, in these narrow waters, Captain Spike?” + +“One don't know, sir. Nothin' is done without tryin', and by tryin' +more is often done than was hoped for. I have a scheme in my head, and +Providence may favour me in bringing it about.” + +Providence! The religionist quarrels with the philosopher if the +latter happen to remove this interposition of a higher power, even +so triflingly as by the intervention of secondary agencies, while +the biggest rascal dignifies even his success by such phrases as +Providential aid! But it is not surprising men should misunderstand +terms, when they make such sad confusion in the acts which these terms +are merely meant to represent. Spike had his Providence as well as a +priest, and we dare say he often counted on its succour, with quite +as rational grounds of dependence as many of the pharisees who are +constantly exclaiming, “The Temple of the Lord, the Temple of the Lord +are these.” + +Sail was made on board the Swash with great rapidity, and the brig +made a bold push at the Stepping-Stones. Spike was a capital pilot. +He insisted if he could once gain sight of the spar that was moored on +those rocks for a buoy, he should run with great confidence. The two +lights were of great assistance, of course; but the revenue vessel +could see these lights as well as the brig, and she, doubtless, had an +excellent pilot on board. By the time the studding-sails were set on +board the Swash, the steamer was aweigh, and her long line of peculiar +sails became visible. Unfortunately for men who were in a hurry, she +lay so much within the bluff as to get the wind scant, and her commander +thought it necessary to make a stretch over to the southern shore, +before he attempted to lay his course. When he was ready to tack, an +operation of some time with a vessel of her great length, the Swash was +barely visible in the obscurity, gliding off upon a slack bowline, at +a rate which nothing but the damp night air, the ballast-trim of the +vessel, united to her excellent sailing qualities, could have produced +with so light a breeze. + +The first half hour took the Swash completely out of sight of the +steamer. In that time, in truth, by actual superiority in sailing, by +her greater state of preparation, and by the distance saved by a bold +navigation, she had gained fully a league on her pursuer. But, while the +steamer had lost sight of the Swash, the latter kept the former in view, +and that by means of a signal that was very portentous. She saw the +light of the steamer's chimneys, and could form some opinion of her +distance and position. + +It was about eleven o'clock when the Swash passed the light at Sands' +Point, close in with the land. The wind stood much as it had been. If +there was a change at all, it was half a point more to the southward, +and it was a little fresher. Such as it was, Spike saw he was getting, +in that smooth water, quite eight knots out of his craft, and he made +his calculations thereon. As yet, and possibly for half an hour longer, +he was gaining, and might hope to continue to gain on the steamer. +Then her turn would come. Though no great traveller, it was not to be +expected that, favoured by smooth water and the breeze, her speed would +be less than ten knots, while there was no hope of increasing his own +without an increase of the wind. He might be five miles in advance, or +six at the most; these six miles would be overcome in three hours of +steaming, to a dead certainty, and they might possibly be overcome much +sooner. It was obviously necessary to resort to some other experiment +than that of dead sailing, if an escape was to be effected. + +The Sound was now several miles in width, and Spike, at first, proposed +to his mate, to keep off dead before the wind, and by crossing over to +the north shore, let the steamer pass ahead, and continue a bootless +chase to the eastward. Several vessels, however, were visible in the +middle of the passage, at distances varying from one to three miles, and +Mulford pointed out the hopelessness of attempting to cross the sheet of +open water, and expect to go unseen by the watchful eyes of the revenue +people. + +“What you say is true enough, Mr. Mulford,” answered Spike, after a +moment of profound reflection, “and every foot that they come nearer, +the less will be our chance. But here is Hempstead Harbour a few leagues +ahead; if we can reach that before the blackguards close, we may do well +enough. It is a deep bay, and has high land to darken the view. I don't +think the brig could be seen at midnight by anything outside; if she was +once fairly up that water a mile or two.” + +“That is our chance, sir!” exclaimed Mulford cheerfully. “Ay, ay, I know +the spot; and everything is favourable--try that, Captain Spike; I'll +answer for it that we go clear.” + +Spike did try it. For a considerable time longer he stood on, keeping as +close to the land as he thought it safe to run, and carrying everything +that would draw. But the steamer was on his heels, evidently gaining +fast. Her chimneys gave out flames, and there was every sign that her +people were in earnest. To those on board the Swash these flames seemed +to draw nearer each instant, as indeed was the fact, and just as +the breeze came fresher out of the opening in the hills, or the low +mountains, which surround the place of refuge in which they designed +to enter, Mulford announced that by aid of the night-glass he could +distinguish both sails and hull of their pursuer. Spike took a look, and +throwing down the instrument, in a way to endanger it, he ordered the +studding-sails taken in. The men went aloft like cats, and worked as +if they could stand in air. In a minute or two the Swash was under what +Mrs. Budd might have called her “attacking” canvas, and was close by the +wind, looking on a good leg well up the harbour. The brig seemed to be +conscious of the emergency, and glided ahead at capital speed. In five +minutes she had shut in the flaming chimneys of the steamer. In five +minutes more Spike tacked, to keep under the western side of the +harbour, and out of sight as long as possible, and because he thought +the breeze drew down fresher where he was than more out in the bay. + +All now depended on the single fact whether the brig had been seen from +the steamer or not, before she hauled into the bay. If seen, she had +probably been watched; if not seen, there were strong grounds for hoping +that she might still escape. About a quarter of an hour after Spike +hauled up, the burning chimneys came again into view. The brig was then +half a league within the bay, with a fine dark background of hills +to throw her into shadow. Spike ordered everything taken in but the +trysail, under which the brig was left to set slowly over toward the +western side of the harbour. He now rubbed his hands with delight, and +pointed out to Mulford the circumstance that the steamer kept on her +course directly athwart the harbour's mouth! Had she seen the Swash, no +doubt she would have turned into the bay also. Nevertheless, an anxious +ten minutes succeeded, during which the revenue vessel steamed fairly +past, and shut in her flaming chimneys again by the eastern headlands of +the estuary. + + + +CHAPTER III. + + The western wave was all a flame, + The day was well nigh done, + Almost upon the western wave + Rested the broad bright sun; + When that strange ship drove suddenly + Betwixt us and the sun. + + The Ancient Mariner. + + +At that hour, on the succeeding morning, when the light of day is just +beginning to chase away the shadows of night, the Molly Swash became +visible within the gloom of the high land which surrounds so much of the +bay of Hempstead, under easy sail, backing and filling, in order to +keep within her hiding-place, until a look could be had at the state of +things without. Half an hour later, she was so near the entrance of the +estuary, as to enable the look-outs aloft to ascertain that the coast +was clear, when Spike ordered the helm to be put up, and the brig to be +kept away to her course. At this precise moment, Rose appeared on deck, +refreshed by the sleep of a quiet night; and with cheeks tinged with a +colour even more delicate than that which was now glowing in the eastern +sky, and which was almost as brilliant. + +“We stopped in this bit of a harbour for the night, Miss Rose, that is +all;” said Spike, observing that his fair passenger was looking about +her, in some little surprise, at finding the vessel so near the land, +and seemingly so much out of her proper position. “Yes, we always do +that, when we first start on a v'y'ge, and before the brig gets used to +travelling--do n't we, Mr. Mulford?” + +Mr. Mulford, who knew how hopeless was the attempt to mystify Rose, as +one might mystify her credulous and weak-minded aunt, and who had no +disposition to deal any way but fairly by the beautiful, and in one +sense now helpless young creature before him, did not see fit to make +any reply. Offend Spike he did not dare to do, more especially under +present circumstances; and mislead Rose he would not do. He affected +not to hear the question, therefore, but issuing an order about the +head-sails, he walked forward as if to see it executed. Rose herself was +not under as much restraint as the young mate. + +“It is convenient, Captain Spike,” she coolly answered for Mulford, “to +have stopping-places, for vessels that are wearied, and I remember the +time when my uncle used to tell me of such matters, very much in the +same vein; but, it was before I was twelve years old.” + +Spike hemmed, and he looked a little foolish, but Clench, the boatswain, +coming aft to say something to him in confidence, just at that moment, +he was enabled to avoid the awkwardness of attempting to explain. This +man Clench, or Clinch, as the name was pronounced, was deep in the +captain's secrets; far more so than was his mate, and would have been +filling Mulford's station at that very time, had he not been hopelessly +ignorant of navigation. On the present occasion, his business was to +point out to the captain, two or three lines of smoke, that were visible +above the water of the Sound, in the eastern board; one of which he was +apprehensive might turn out to be the smoke of the revenue craft, from +which they had so recently escaped. + +“Steamers are no rarities in Long Island Sound, Clench,” observed the +captain, levelling his glass at the most suspected of the smokes. “That +must be a Providence, or Stonington chap, coming west with the Boston +train.” + +“Either of them would have been further west, by this time, Captain +Spike,” returned the doubting, but watchful boatswain. “It's a large +smoke, and I fear it is the revenue fellow coming back, after having had +a look well to the eastward, and satisfying himself that we are not to +be had in that quarter.” + +Spike growled out his assent to the possibility of such a conjecture, +and promised vigilance. This satisfied his subordinate for the moment, +and he walked forward, or to the place where he belonged. In the mean +time, the widow came on deck, smiling, and snuffing the salt air, and +ready to be delighted with anything that was maritime. + +“Good morning, Captain Spike,” she cried--“Are we in the offing, +yet?--you know I desired to be told when we are in the offing, for I +intend to write a letter to my poor Mr. Budd's sister, Mrs. Sprague, as +soon as we get to the offing.” + +“What is the offing, aunt?” inquired the handsome niece. + +“Why you have hardly been at sea long enough to understand me, child, +should I attempt to explain. The offing, however, is the place where the +last letters are always written to the owners, and to friends ashore. +The term comes, I suppose, from the circumstance that the vessel is +about to be off, and it is natural to think of those we leave behind, +at such a moment. I intend to write to your aunt Sprague, my dear, the +instant I hear we are in the offing; and what is more, I intend to make +you my amanuensis.” + +“But how will the letter be sent, aunty?--I have no more objections +to writing than any one else, but I do not see how the letter is to be +sent. Really, the sea is a curious region, with its stopping-places for +the night, and its offings to write letters at!” + +“Yes, it's all as you say, Rose--a most remarkable region is the sea! +You'll admire it, as I admire it, when you come to know it better; and +as your poor uncle admired it, and as Captain Spike admires it, too. As +for the letters, they can be sent ashore by the pilot, as letters are +always sent.” + +“But, aunty, there is no pilot in the Swash--for Captain Spike refused +to take one on board.” + +“Rose!--you don't understand what you are talking about! No vessel ever +yet sailed without a pilot, if indeed any can. It's opposed to the law, +not to have a pilot; and now I remember to have heard your dear uncle +say it wasn't a voyage if a vessel didn't take away a pilot.” + +“But if they take them away, aunty, how can they send the letters ashore +by them?” + +“Poh! poh! child; you don't know what you're saying; but you'll overlook +it, I hope, Captain Spike, for Rose is quick, and will soon learn to +know better. As if letters couldn't be sent ashore by the pilot, though +he was a hundred thousand miles from land! But, Captain Spike, you must +let me know when we are about to get off the Sound, for I know that the +pilot is always sent ashore with his letters, before the vessel gets off +the Sound.” + +“Yes, yes,” returned the captain, a little mystified by the widow, +though he knew her so well, and understood her so well--“you shall know, +ma'am, when we get off soundings, for I suppose that is what you mean.” + +“What is the difference? Off the Sound, or off the soundings, of course, +must mean the same thing. But, Rosy, we will go below and write to +your aunt at once, for I see a light-house yonder, and light-houses are +always put just off the soundings.” + +Rose, who always suspected her aunt's nautical talk, though she did not +know how to correct it, and was not sorry to put an end to it, now, by +going below, and spreading her own writing materials, in readiness to +write, as the other dictated. Biddy Noon was present, sewing on some of +her own finery. + +“Now write, as I tell you, Rose,” commenced the widow--“My dear sister +Sprague--Here we are, at last, just off the soundings, with light-houses +all round us, and so many capes and islands in sight, that it does seem +as if the vessel never could find its way through them all. Some of +these islands must be the West Indies”--“Aunty, that can never be!” + exclaimed Rose--“we left New York only yesterday.” + +“What of that? Had it been old times, I grant you several days might be +necessary to get a sight of the West Indies, but, now, when a letter +can be written to a friend in Boston, and an answer received in half an +hour, it requires no such time to go to the West Indies. Besides, +what other islands are there in this part of the world?--they can't be +England--” + +“No--no,”--said Rose, at once seeing it would be preferable to admit +they were the West Indies; so the letter went on:--“Some of these +islands must be the West Indies, and it is high time we saw some of +them, for we are nearly off the Sound, and the light-houses are getting +to be quite numerous. I think we have already seen four since we left +the wharf. But, my dear sister Sprague, you will be delighted to hear +how much better Rose's health is already becoming--” + +“My health, aunty! Why, I never knew an ill day in my life!” + +“Don't tell me that, my darling; I know too well what all these +deceptive appearances of health amount to. I would not alarm you for +the world, Rosy dear, but a careful parent--and I'm your parent in +affection, if not by nature--but a careful parent's eye is not to be +deceived. I know you look well, but you are ill, my child; though, +Heaven be praised, the sea air and hydropathy are already doing you a +monstrous deal of good.” + +As Mrs. Budd concluded, she wiped her eyes, and appeared really glad +that her niece had a less consumptive look than when she embarked. Rose +sat, gazing at her aunt, in mute astonishment. She knew how much and +truly she was beloved, and that induced her to be more tolerant of her +connection's foibles than even duty demanded. Feeling was blended with +her respect, but it was almost too much for her, to learn that this +long, and in some respects painful voyage, was undertaken on her +account, and without the smallest necessity for it. The vexation, +however, would have been largely increased, but for certain free +communications that had occasionally occurred between her and the +handsome mate, since the moment of her coming on board the brig. Rose +knew that Harry Mulford loved her, too, for he had told her as much with +a seaman's frankness; and though she had never let him know that his +partiality was returned, her woman's heart was fast inclining toward +him, with all her sex's tenderness. This made the mistake of her +aunt tolerable, though Rose was exceedingly vexed it should ever have +occurred. + +“Why, my dearest aunt,” she cried, “they told me it was on your account +that this voyage was undertaken!” + +“I know they did, poor, dear Rosy, and that was in order not to alarm +you. Some persons of delicate constitutions--” + +“But my constitution is not in the least delicate, aunt; on the +contrary, it is as good as possible; a blessing for which, I trust, I am +truly grateful, I did not know but you might be suffering, though you +do look so well, for they all agreed in telling me you had need of a +sea-voyage.” + +“I, a subject for hydropathy! Why, child, water is no more necessary to +me than it is to a cat.” + +“But going to sea, aunty, is not hydropathy--” + +“Don't say that, Rosy; do not say that, my dear. It is hydropathy on a +large scale, as Captain Spike says; and when he gets us into blue water, +he has promised that you shall have all the benefits of the treatment.” + +Rose was silent and thoughtful; after which she spoke quickly, like one +to whom an important thought had suddenly occurred. + +“And Captain Spike, then, was consulted in my case?” she asked. + +“He was, my dear, and you have every reason to be grateful to him. He +was the first to discover a change in your appearance, and to suggest +a sea voyage. Marine Hydropathy, he said, he was sure would get you up +again; for Captain Spike thinks your constitution good at the bottom, +though the high colour you have proves too high a state of habitual +excitement.” + +“Was Dr. Monson consulted at all, aunt?” + +“Not at all. You know the doctors are all against hydropathy, and +mesmerism, and the magnetic telegraph, and everything that is new; so we +thought it best not to consult him.” + +“And my aunt Sprague?” + +“Yes, she was consulted after everything was settled, and when I knew +her notions could not undo what had been already done. But she is a +seaman's widow, as well as myself, and has a great notion of the virtue +of sea air.” + +“Then it would seem that Doctor Spike was the principal adviser in my +case!” + +“I own that he was, Rosy dear. Captain Spike was brought up by your +uncle, who has often told me what a thorough seaman he was. 'There's +Spike, now,' he said to me one day, 'he can almost make his brig +talk'--this very brig too, your uncle meant, Rosy, and, of course, one +of the best vessels in the world to take hydropathy in.” + +“Yes, aunty,” returned Rose, playing with the pen, while her air proved +how little her mind was in her words. “Well, what shall I say next to my +aunt Sprague?” + +“Rose's health is already becoming confirmed,” resumed the widow, who +thought it best to encourage her niece by as strong terms as she could +employ, “and I shall extol hydropathy to the skies, as long as I live. +As soon as we reach our port of destination, my dear sister Sprague, I +shall write you a line to let you know it, by the magnetic telegraph--” + +“But there is no magnetic telegraph on the sea, aunty,” interrupted +Rose, looking up from the paper, with her clear, serene, blue eyes, +expressing even her surprise, at this touch of the relict's ignorance. + +“Don't tell me that, Rosy, child, when everybody says the sparks will +fly round the whole earth, just as soon as they will fly from New York +to Philadelphia.” + +“But they must have something to fly on, aunty; and the ocean will not +sustain wires, or posts.” + +“Well, there is no need of being so particular; if there is no +telegraph, the letter must come by mail. You can say telegraph, here, +and when your aunt gets the letter, the postmark will tell her how it +came. It looks better to talk about telegraphic communications, child.” + +Rose resumed her pen, and wrote at her aunt's dictation, as +follows:--“By the magnetic telegraph, when I hope to be able to tell you +that our dear Rose is well. As yet, we both enjoy the ocean exceedingly; +but when we get off the Sound, into blue water, and have sent the pilot +ashore, or discharged him, I ought to say, which puts me in mind of +telling you that a cannon was discharged at us only last night, and that +the ball whistled so near me, that I heard it as plain as ever you heard +Rose's piano.” + +“Had I not better first tell my aunt Sprague what is to be done when the +pilot is discharged?” + +“No; tell her about the cannon that was discharged, first, and about the +ball that I heard. I had almost forgot that adventure, which was a very +remarkable one, was it not, Biddy?” + +“Indeed, Missus, and it was! and Miss Rose might put in the letter how +we both screamed at that cannon, and might have been heard as plainly, +every bit of it, as the ball.” + +“Say nothing on the subject, Rose, or we shall never hear the last of +it. So, darling, you may conclude in your own way, for I believe I have +told your aunt all that comes to mind.” + +Rose did as desired, finishing the epistle in a very few words, for, +rightly enough, she had taken it into her head there was no pilot to be +discharged, and consequently that the letter would never be sent. Her +short but frequent conferences with Mulford were fast opening her eyes, +not to say her heart, and she was beginning to see Captain Spike in his +true character, which was that of a great scoundrel. It is true, that +the mate had not long judged his commander quite so harshly; but had +rather seen his beautiful brig, and her rare qualities, in her owner +and commander, than the man himself; but jealousy had quickened his +observation of late, and Stephen Spike had lost ground sensibly with +Harry Mulford, within the last week. Two or three times before, the +young man had thought of seeking another berth, on account of certain +distrusts of Spike's occupations; but he was poor, and so long as +he remained in the Swash, Harry's opportunities of meeting Rose were +greatly increased. This circumstance, indeed, was the secret of his +still being in the “Molly,” as Spike usually called his craft; the last +voyage having excited suspicions that were rather of a delicate nature. +Then the young man really loved the brig, which, if she could not be +literally made to talk, could be made to do almost everything else. A +vessel, and a small vessel, too, is rather contracted as to space, but +those who wish to converse can contrive to speak together often, even +in such narrow limits. Such had been the fact with Rose Budd and the +handsome mate. Twenty times since they sailed, short as that time was, +had Mulford contrived to get so near to Rose, as to talk with her, +unheard by others. It is true, that he seldom ventured to do this, +so long as the captain was in sight, but Spike was often below, and +opportunities were constantly occurring. It was in the course of these +frequent but brief conversations, that Harry had made certain dark hints +touching the character of his commander, and the known recklessness of +his proceedings. Rose had taken the alarm, and fully comprehending her +aunt's mental imbecility, her situation was already giving her great +uneasiness. She had some undefined hopes from the revenue steamer; +though, strangely enough as it appeared to her, her youngest and most +approved suitor betrayed a strong desire to escape from that craft, at +the very moment he was expressing his apprehensions on account of her +presence in the brig. This contradiction arose from a certain esprit de +corps, which seldom fails, more or less, to identify the mariner with +his ship. + +But the writing was finished, and the letter sealed with wax, Mrs. Budd +being quite as particular in that ceremony as Lord Nelson, when the +females again repaired on deck. They found Spike and his mate sweeping +the eastern part of the Sound with their glasses, with a view to look +out for enemies; or, what to them, just then, was much the same thing, +government craft. In this occupation, Rose was a little vexed to see +that Mulford was almost as much interested as Spike himself, the love of +his vessel seemingly overcoming his love for her, if not his love of the +right--she knew of no reason, however, why the captain should dread any +other vessel, and felt sufficiently provoked to question him a little +on the subject, if it were only to let him see that the niece was not as +completely his dupe as the aunt. She had not been on deck five minutes, +therefore, during which time several expressions had escaped the two +sailors touching their apprehensions of vessels seen in the distance, +ere she commenced her inquiries. + +“And why should we fear meeting with other vessels?” Rose plainly +demanded--“here in Long Island Sound, and within the power of the laws +of the country?” + +“Fear?” exclaimed Spike, a little startled, and a good deal surprised +at this straight-forward question--“Fear, Miss Rose! You do not think +we are afraid, though there are many reasons why we do not wish to be +spoken by certain craft that are hovering about. In the first place, you +know it is war time--I suppose you know, Madam Budd, that America is at +war with Mexico?” + +“Certainly,” answered the widow, with dignity--“and that is a sufficient +reason, Rose, why one vessel should chase, and another should run. If +you had heard your poor uncle relate, as I have done, all his chasings +and runnings away, in the war times, child, you would understand these +things better. Why, I've heard your uncle say that, in some of his long +voyages, he has run thousands and thousands of miles, with sails set on +both sides, and all over his ship!” + +“Yes, aunty, and so have I, but that was 'running before the wind,' as +he used to call it.” + +“I s'pose, however, Miss Rose,” put in Spike, who saw that the niece +would soon get the better of the aunt;--“I s'pose, Miss Rose, that +you'll acknowledge that America is at war with Mexico?” + +“I am sorry to say that such is the fact, but I remember to have heard +you say, yourself, Captain Spike, when my aunt was induced to undertake +this voyage, that you did not consider there was the smallest danger +from any Mexicans.” + +“Yes, you did, Captain Spike,” added the aunt--“you did say there was no +danger from Mexicans.” + +“Nor is there a bit, Madam Budd, if Miss Rose, and your honoured self, +will only hear me. There is no danger, because the brig has the heels of +anything Mexico can send to sea. She has sold her steamers, and, as for +anything else under her flag, I would not care a straw.” + +“The steamer from which we ran, last evening, and which actually fired +off a cannon at us, was not Mexican, but American,” said Rose, with a +pointed manner that put Spike to his trumps. + +“Oh! that steamer--” he stammered--“that was a race--only a race, Miss +Rose, and I wouldn't let her come near me, for the world. I should never +hear the last of it, in the insurance offices, and on 'change, did I let +her overhaul us. You see, Miss Rose--you see, Madam Budd--” Spike ever +found it most convenient to address his mystifying discourse to the +aunt, in preference to addressing it to the niece--“You see, Madam Budd, +the master of that craft and I are old cronies--sailed together when +boys, and set great store by each other. We met only last evening, just +a'ter I had left your own agreeable mansion, Madam Budd, and says he, +'Spike, when do you sail?' 'To-morrow's flood, Jones,' says I--his name +is Jones;--Peter Jones, and as good a fellow as ever lived. 'Do you go +by the Hook, or by Hell-Gate--'” + +“Hurl-Gate, Captain Spike, if you please--or Whirl-Gate, which some +people think is the true sound; but the other way of saying it is +awful.” + +“Well, the captain, my old master, always called it Hell-Gate, and I +learned the trick from him--” + +“I know he did, and so do all sailors; but genteel people, now-a-days, +say nothing but Hurl-Gate, or Whirl-Gate.” + +Rose smiled at this; as did Mulford; but neither said anything, the +subject having once before been up between them. As for ourselves, we +are still so old-fashioned as to say, and write, Hell-Gate, and intend +so to do, in spite of all the Yankees that have yet passed through it, +or who ever shall pass through it, and that is saying a great deal. We +do not like changing names to suit their uneasy spirits. + +“Call the place Hurl-Gate, and go on with your story,” said the widow, +complacently. + +“Yes, Madam Budd--'Do you go by the Hook, or by Whirl-Gate?' said Jones. +'By Whirl-a-Gig-Gate,' says I. 'Well,' says he, 'I shall go through the +Gate myself, in the course of the morning. We may meet somewhere to the +eastward, and, if we do, I'll bet you a beaver,' says he, 'that I show +you my stern.' 'Agreed,' says I, and we shook hands upon it. That's the +whole history of our giving the steamer the slip, last night, and of my +not wishing to let her speak me.” + +“But you went into a bay, and let her go past you,” said Rose, coolly +enough as to manner, but with great point as to substance. “Was not that +a singular way of winning a race?” + +“It does seem so, Miss Rose, but it's all plain enough, when understood. +I found that steam was too much for sails, and I stood up into the bay +to let them run past us, in hopes they would never find out the trick. +I care as little for a hat as any man, but I do care a good deal +about having it reported on 'change that the Molly was beat, by even a +steamer.” + +This ended the discourse for the moment, Clench again having something +to say to his captain in private. + +“How much of that explanation am I to believe, and how much disbelieve?” + asked Rose, the instant she was left alone with Harry. “If it be all +invention, it was a ready and ingenious story.” + +“No part of it is true. He no more expected that the steamer would pass +through Hell-Gate, than I expected it myself. There was no bet, or race, +therefore; but it was our wish to avoid Uncle Sam's cruiser, that was +all.” + +“And why should you wish any such thing?” + +“On my honour, I can give you no better reason, so far as I am +concerned, than the fact that, wishing to keep clear of her, I do +not like to be overhauled. Nor can I tell you why Spike is so much +in earnest in holding the revenue vessel at arm's length; I know +he dislikes all such craft, as a matter of course, but I can see no +particular reason for it just now. A more innocent cargo was never stuck +into a vessel's hold.” + +“What is it?” + +“Flour; and no great matter of that. The brig is not half full, being +just in beautiful ballast trim, as if ready for a race. I can see no +sufficient reason, beyond native antipathy, why Captain Spike should +wish to avoid any craft, for it is humbug his dread of a Mexican, and +least of all, here, in Long Island Sound. All that story about Jones is +a tub for whales.” + +“Thank you for the allusion; my aunt and myself being the whales.” + +“You know I do mean--can mean nothing, Rose, that is disrespectful to +either yourself or your aunt.” + +Rose looked up, and she looked pleased. Then she mused in silence, for +some time, when she again spoke. + +“Why have you remained another voyage with such a man, Harry?” she +asked, earnestly. + +“Because, as his first officer, I have had access to your house, when I +could not have had it otherwise; and because I have apprehended that he +might persuade Mrs. Budd, as he had boasted to me it was his intention +to do, to make this voyage.” + +Rose now looked grateful; and deeply grateful did she feel, and had +reason to feel. Harry had concealed no portion of his history from her. +Like herself, he was a shipmaster's child, but one better educated and +better connected than was customary for the class. His father had paid a +good deal of attention to the youth's early years, but had made a seaman +of him, out of choice. The father had lost his all, however, with his +life, in a shipwreck; and Harry was thrown upon his own resources, at +the early age of twenty. He had made one or two voyages as a second +mate, when chance threw him in Spike's way, who, pleased with some +evidences of coolness and skill, that he had shown in a foreign port, +on the occasion of another loss, took him as his first officer; in which +situation he had remained ever since, partly from choice and partly from +necessity. On the other hand, Rose had a fortune; by no means a large +one, but several thousands in possession, from her own father, and +as many more in reversion from her uncle. It was this money, taken in +connection with the credulous imbecility of the aunt, that had awakened +the cupidity, and excited the hopes of Spike. After a life of lawless +adventure, one that had been chequered by every shade of luck, he found +himself growing old, with his brig growing old with him, and little left +beside his vessel and the sort of half cargo that was in her hold. Want +of means, indeed, was the reason that the flour-barrels were not more +numerous. + +Rose heard Mulford's explanation favourably, as indeed she heard most +of that which came from him, but did not renew the discourse, Spike's +conference with the boatswain just then terminating. The captain now +came aft, and began to speak of the performances of his vessel in a way +to show that he took great pride in them. + +“We are travelling at the rate of ten knots, Madam Budd,” he said +exultingly, “and that will take us clear of the land, before night shuts +in ag'in. Montauk is a good place for an offing; I ask for no better.” + +“Shall we then have two offings, this voyage, Captain Spike?” asked +Rose, a little sarcastically. “If we are in the offing now, and are to +be in the offing when we reach Montauk, there must be two such places.” + +“Rosy, dear, you amaze me!” put in the aunt. “There is no offing until +the pilot is discharged, and when he's discharged there is nothing but +offing. It's all offing. On the Sound, is the first great change that +befalls a vessel as she goes to sea; then comes the offing; next the +pilot is discharged--then--then--what comes next, Captain Spike?” + +“Then the vessel takes her departure--an old navigator like yourself, +Madam Budd, ought not to forget the departure.” + +“Quite true, sir. The departure is a very important portion of a +seaman's life. Often and often have I heard my poor dear Mr. Budd talk +about his departures. His departures, and his offings and his--” + +“Land-falls,” added Spike, perceiving that the shipmaster's relict was a +little at fault. + +“Thank you, sir; the hint is quite welcome. His landfalls, also, were +often in his mouth.” + +“What is a land-fall, aunty?” inquired Rose--“It appears a strange term +to be used by one who lives on the water.” + +“Oh! there is no end to the curiosities of sailors! A 'land-fall,' my +dear, means a shipwreck, of course. To fall on the land, and a very +unpleasant fall it is, when a vessel should keep on the water. I've +heard of dreadful land-falls in my day, in which hundreds of souls have +been swept into eternity, in an instant.” + +“Yes; yes, Madam Budd--there are such accidents truly, and serious +things be they to encounter,” answered Spike, hemming a little to clear +his throat, as was much his practice whenever the widow ran into any +unusually extravagant blunder; “yes, serious things to encounter. But +the land-fall that I mean is a different sort of thing; being, as you +well know, what we say when we come in sight of land, a'ter a v'y'ge; +or, meaning the land we may happen first to see. The departure is the +beginning of our calculation when we lose sight of the last cape or +headland, and the land-fall closes it, by letting us know where we are, +at the other end of our journey, as you probably remember.” + +“Is there not such a thing as clearing out in navigation?” asked Rose, +quickly, willing to cover a little confusion that was manifest in her +aunt's manner. + +“Not exactly in navigation, Miss Rose, but clearing out, with honest +folk, ought to come first, and navigation a'terwards. Clearing out means +going through the Custom-House, accordin' to law.” + +“And the Molly Swash has cleared out, I hope?” + +“Sartain--a more lawful clearance was never given in Wall Street; it's +for Key West and a market. I did think of making it Havana and a market, +but port-charges are lightest at Key West.” + +“Then Key West is the place to which we are bound?” + +“It ought to be, agreeable to papers; though vessels sometimes miss the +ports for which they clear.” + +Rose put no more questions; and her aunt, being conscious that she had +not appeared to advantage in the affair of the “land-fall,” was also +disposed to be silent. Spike and Mulford had their attention drawn to +the vessel, and the conversation dropped. + +The reader can readily suppose that the Molly Swash had not been +standing still all this time. So far from this, she was running “down +Sound,” with the wind on her quarter, or at south-west, making great +head-way, as she was close under the south shore, or on the island side +of the water she was in. The vessel had no other motion than that of +her speed, and the females escaped everything like sea-sickness, for the +time being. This enabled them to attend to making certain arrangements +necessary to their comforts below, previously to getting into rough +water. In acquitting herself of this task, Rose received much useful +advice from Josh, though his new assistant, Jack Tier, turned out to +be a prize indeed, in the cabins. The first was only a steward; but the +last proved himself not only a handy person of his calling, but one full +of resources--a genius, in his way. Josh soon became so sensible of his +own inferiority, in contributing to the comforts of females, that he +yielded the entire management of the “ladies' cabin,” as a little +place that might have been ten feet square, was called, to his +uncouth-looking, but really expert deputy. Jack waddled about below, as +if born and brought up in such a place, and seemed every way fitted for +his office. In height, and in build generally, there was a surprising +conformity between the widow and the steward's deputy, a circumstance +which might induce one to think they must often have been in each +other's way, in a space so small; though, in point of fact, Jack never +ran foul of any one. He seemed to avoid this inconvenience by a species +of nautical instinct. + +Towards the turn of the day, Rose had everything arranged, and was +surprised to find how much room she had made for her aunt and herself, +by means of Jack's hints, and how much more comfortable it was possible +to be, in that small cabin, than she had at first supposed. + +After dinner, Spike took his siesta. He slept in a little state-room +that stood on the starboard side of the quarter-deck, quite aft; as +Mulford did in one on the larboard. These two state-rooms were fixtures; +but a light deck overhead, which connected them, shipped and unshipped, +forming a shelter for the man at the wheel, when in its place, as well +as for the officer of the watch, should he see fit to use it, in bad +weather. This sort of cuddy, Spike termed his “coach-house.” + +The captain had no sooner gone into his state-room, and closed its +window, movements that were understood by Mulford, than the latter took +occasion to intimate to Rose, by means of Jack Tier, the state of things +on deck, when the young man was favoured with the young lady's company. + +“He has turned in for his afternoon's nap, and will sleep for just one +hour, blow high, or blow low,” said the mate, placing himself at Rose's +side on the trunk, which formed the usual seat for those who could +presume to take the liberty of sitting down on the quarter-deck. “It's a +habit with him, and we can count on it, with perfect security.” + +“His doing so, now, is a sign that he has no immediate fears of the +revenue steamer?” + +“The coast is quite clear of her. We have taken good looks at every +smoke, but can see nothing that appears like our late companion. She has +doubtless gone to the eastward, on duty, and merely chased us, on her +road.” + +“But why should she chase us, at all?” + +“Because we ran. Let a dog run, or a man run, or a cat run, ten to one +but something starts in chase. It is human nature, I believe, to give +chase; though I will admit there was something suspicious about that +steamer's movements--her anchoring off the Fort, for instance. But let +her go, for the present; are you getting things right, and to your mind, +below decks?” + +“Very much so. The cabin is small, and the two state-rooms the merest +drawers that ever were used, but, by putting everything in its place, we +have made sufficient room, and no doubt shall be comfortable.” + +“I am sorry you did not call on me for assistance. The mate has a +prescriptive right to help stow away.” + +“We made out without your services,” returned Rose, slightly +blushing--“Jack Tier, as he is called, Josh's assistant, is a very +useful person, and has been our adviser and manager. I want no better +for such services.” + +“He is a queer fellow, all round. Take him altogether, I hardly ever saw +so droll a being! As thick as he's long, with a waddle like a duck, a +voice that is cracked, hair like bristles, and knee high; the man might +make a fortune as a show. Tom Thumb is scarcely a greater curiosity.” + +“He is singular in 'build,' as you call it,” returned Rose, laughing, +“but, I can assure you that he is a most excellent fellow in his +way--worth a dozen of Josh. Do you know, Harry, that I suspect he +has strong feelings towards Captain Spike; though whether of like or +dislike, friendship or enmity, I am at a loss to say.” + +“And why do you think that he has any feeling at all? I have heard Spike +say he left the fellow ashore, somewhere down on the Spanish Main, or in +the Islands, quite twenty years since; but a sailor would scarce carry a +grudge so long a time, for such a thing as that.” + +“I do not know--but feeling there is, and much of it, too; though, +whether hostile or friendly, I will not undertake to say.” + +“I'll look to the chap, now you tell me this. It is a little odd, the +manner in which he got on board us, taken in connection with the company +he was in, and a discovery may be made. Here he is, however; and, as +I keep the keys of the magazine, he can do us no great harm, unless he +scuttles the brig.” + +“Magazine! Is there such a thing here?” + +“To be sure there is, and ammunition enough in it to keep eight +carronades in lively conversation for a couple of hours.” + +“A carronade is what you call a gun, is it not?” + +“A piece of a one--being somewhat short, like your friend, Jack Tier, +who is shaped a good deal like a carronade.” + +Rose smiled--nay, half laughed, for Harry's pleasantries almost took +the character of wit in her eyes, but she did not the less pursue her +inquiries. + +“Guns! And where are they, if they be on this vessel?” + +“Do not use such a lubberly expression, my dear Rose, if you respect +your father's profession. On a vessel, is a new-fangled Americanism, +that is neither fish, flesh, nor red-herring, as we sailors say--neither +English nor Greek.” + +“What should I say, then? My wish is not to parade sea-talk, but to use +it correctly, when I use it at all.” + +“The expression is hardly 'sea-talk,' as you call it, but every-day +English--that is, when rightly used. On a vessel is no more English than +it is nautical--no sailor ever used such an expression.” + +“Tell me what I ought to say, and you will find me a willing, if not an +apt scholar. I am certain of having often read it, in the newspapers, +and that quite lately.” + +“I'll answer for that, and it's another proof of its being wrong. In a +vessel is as correct as in a coach, and on a vessel as wrong as can +be; but you can say on board a vessel, though not 'on the boards of a +vessel;' as Mrs. Budd has it.” + +“Mr. Mulford!” + +“I beg a thousand pardons, Rose, and will offend no more--though she +does make some very queer mistakes!” + +“My aunt thinks it an honour to my uncle's memory, to be able to use +the language of his professional life, and if she does sometimes make +mistakes that are absurd, it is with motives so respectable that no +sailor should deride them.” + +“I am rebuked for ever. Mrs. Budd may call the anchor a silver spoon, +hereafter, without my even smiling. But if the aunt has this kind +remembrance of a seaman's life, why cannot the niece think equally well +of it?” + +“Perhaps she does,” returned Rose, smiling again--“seeing all its +attractions through the claims of Captain Spike.” + +“I think half the danger from him gone, now that you seem so much on +your guard. What an odious piece of deception, to persuade Mrs. Budd +that you were fast falling into a decline!” + +“One so odious that I shall surely quit the brig at the first port we +enter, or even in the first suitable vessel that we may speak.” + +“And Mrs. Budd--could you persuade her to such a course?” + +“You scarce know us, Harry Mulford. My aunt commands, when there is +no serious duty to perform, but we change places when there is. I can +persuade her to anything that is right, in ten minutes.” + +“You might persuade a world!” cried Harry, with strong admiration +expressed in his countenance; after which he began to converse with +Rose, on a subject so interesting to themselves, that we do not think +it prudent to relate any more of the discourse, forgetting all about the +guns. + +About four o'clock, of a fine summer's afternoon, the Swash went through +the Race, on the best of the ebb, and with a staggering south-west wind. +Her movement by the land, just at that point, could not have been +less than at the rate of fifteen miles in the hour. Spike was in high +spirits, for his brig had got on famously that day, and there was +nothing in sight to the eastward. He made no doubt, as he had told his +mate, that the steamer had gone into the Vineyard Sound, and that she +was bound over the shoals. + +“They want to make political capital out of her,” he added, using one of +the slang phrases, that the “business habits” of the American people are +so rapidly incorporating with the common language of the country--“They +want to make political capital out of her, Harry, and must show her off +to the Boston folk, who are full of notions. Well, let them turn her +to as much account in that way as they please, so long as they keep her +clear of the Molly. Your sarvant, Madam Budd”--addressing the widow, who +just at that moment came on deck--“a fine a'ternoon, and likely to be a +clear night to run off the coast in.” + +“Clear nights are desirable, and most of all at sea, Captain Spike,” + returned the relict, in her best, complacent manner, “whether it be to +run off a coast, or to run on a coast. In either case, a clear night, or +a bright moon must be useful.” + +Captain Spike rolled his tobacco over in his mouth, and cast a furtive +glance at the mate, but he did not presume to hazard any further +manifestations of his disposition to laugh. + +“Yes, Madam Budd,” he answered, “it is quite as you say, and I am +only surprised where you have picked up so much of what I call useful +nautical knowledge.” + +“We live and learn, sir. You will recollect that this is not my first +voyage, having made one before, and that I passed a happy, happy, thirty +years, in the society of my poor, dear husband, Rose's uncle. One must +have been dull, indeed, not to have picked up, from such a companion, +much of a calling that was so dear to him, and the particulars of +which were so very dear to him. He actually gave me lessons in the 'sea +dialect,' as he called it, which probably is the true reason I am so +accurate and general in my acquisitions.” + +“Yes, Madam Budd--yes--hem--you are--yes, you are wonderful in that way. +We shall soon get an offing, now, Madam Budd--yes, soon get an offing, +now.” + +“And take in our departure, Captain Spike--” added the widow, with a +very intelligent smile. + +“Yes, take our departure. Montauk is yonder, just coming in sight; only +some three hours' run from this spot. When we get there, the open ocean +will lie before us; and give me the open sea, and I'll not call the king +my uncle.” + +“Was he your uncle, Captain Spike?” + +“Only in a philanthropic way, Madam Budd. Yes, let us get a good offing, +and a rapping to'gallant breeze, and I do not think I should care much +for two of Uncle Sam's new-fashioned revenue craft, one on each side of +me.” + +“How delightful do I find such conversation, Rose! It's as much like +your poor, dear uncle's, as one pea is like another. 'Yes,' he used to +say, too, 'let me only have one on each side of me, and a wrapper round +the topgallant sail to hold the breeze, and I'd not call the king my +uncle.' Now I think of it, he used to talk about the king as his uncle, +too.” + +“It was all talk, aunty. He had no uncle, and, what is more, he had no +king.” + +“That's quite true, Miss Rose,” rejoined Spike, attempting a bow, which +ended in a sort of jerk. “It is not very becoming in us republicans to +be talking of kings, but a habit is a habit. Our forefathers had kings, +and we drop into their ways without thinking of what we are doing. +Fore-topgallant yard, there?” + +“Sir.” + +“Keep a bright look-out, ahead. Let me know the instant you make +anything in the neighbourhood of Montauk.” + +“Ay, ay, sir.” + +“As I was saying, Madam Budd, we seamen drop into our forefathers' ways. +Now, when I was a youngster, I remember, one day, that we fell in with a +ketch--you know, Miss Rose, what a ketch is, I suppose?” + +“I have not the least notion of it, sir.” + +“Rosy, you amaze me!” exclaimed the aunt--“and you a ship-master's +niece, and a ship-master's daughter! A catch is a trick that sailors +have, when they quiz landsmen.” + +“Yes, Madam Budd, yes; we have them sort of catches, too; but I now mean +the vessel with a peculiar rig, which we call a ketch, you know.” + +“Is it the full-jigger, or the half-jigger sort, that you mean?” + +Spike could hardly stand this, and he had to hail the topgallant-yard +again, in order to keep the command of his muscles, for he saw by +the pretty frown that was gathering on the brow of Rose, that she was +regarding the matter a little seriously. Luckily, the answer of the +man on the yard diverted the mind of the widow from the subject, and +prevented the necessity of any reply. + +“There's a light, of course, sir, on Montauk, is there not, Captain +Spike?” demanded the seaman who was aloft. + +“To be sure there is--every head-land, hereabouts, has its light; and +some have two.” + +“Ay, ay, sir--it's that which puzzles me; I think I see one light-house, +and I'm not certain but I see two.” + +“If there is anything like a second, it must be a sail. Montauk has but +one light.” + +Mulford sprang into the fore-rigging, and in a minute was on the yard. +He soon came down, and reported the lighthouse in sight, with the +afternoon's sun shining on it, but no sail near. + +“My poor, dear Mr. Budd used to tell a story of his being cast away on a +light-house, in the East Indies,” put in the relict, as soon as the mate +had ended his report, “which always affected me. It seems there were +three ships of them together, in an awful tempest directly off the +land--” + +“That was comfortable, any how,” cried Spike;--“if it must blow hard, +let it come off the land, say I.” + +“Yes, sir, it was directly off the land, as my poor husband always said, +which made it so much the worse you must know, Rosy; though Captain +Spike's gallant spirit would rather encounter danger than not. It blew +what they call a Hyson, in the Chinese seas--” + +“A what, aunty?--Hyson is the name of a tea, you know.” + +“A Hyson, I'm pretty sure it was; and I suppose the wind is named after +the tea, or the tea after the wind.” + +“The ladies do get in a gale, sometimes, over their tea,” said Spike +gallantly. “But I rather think Madam Budd must mean a Typhoon.” + +“That's it--a Typhoon, or a Hyson--there is not much difference between +them, you see. Well, it blew a Typhoon, and they are always mortal +to somebody. This my poor Mr. Budd well knew, and he had set his +chronometer for that Typhoon--” + +“Excuse me, aunty, it was the barometer that he was watching--the +chronometer was his watch.” + +“So it was--his watch on deck was his chronometer, I declare. I am +forgetting a part of my education. Do you know the use of a chronometer, +now, Rose? You have seen your uncle's often, but do you know how he used +it?” + +“Not in the least, aunty. My uncle often tried to explain it, but I +never could understand him.” + +“It must have been, then, because Captain Budd did not try to make +himself comprehended,” said Mulford, “for I feel certain nothing would +be easier than to make you understand the uses of the chronometer.” + +“I should like to learn it from you, Mr. Mulford,” answered the charming +girl, with an emphasis so slight on the 'you,' that no one observed it +but the mate, but which was clear enough to him, and caused every nerve +to thrill. + +“I can attempt it,” answered the young man, “if it be agreeable to Mrs. +Budd, who would probably like to hear it herself.” + +“Certainly, Mr. Mulford; though I fancy you can say little on such a +subject that I have not often heard already, from my poor, dear Mr. +Budd.” + +“This was not very encouraging, truly; but Rose continuing to look +interested, the mate proceeded. + +“The use of the chronometer is to ascertain the longitude,” said Harry, +“and the manner of doing it is, simply this: A chronometer is nothing +more nor less than a watch, made with more care than usual, so as to +keep the most accurate time. They are of all sizes, from that of a +clock, down to this which I wear in my fob, and which is a watch in size +and appearance. Now, the nautical almanacs are all calculated to some +particular meridian--” + +“Yes,” interrupted the relict, “Mr. Budd had a great deal to say about +meridians.” + +“That of London, or Greenwich, being the meridian used by those who +use the English Almanacs, and those of Paris or St. Petersburg, by +the French and Russians. Each of these places has an observatory, and +chronometers that are kept carefully regulated, the year round. Every +chronometer is set by the regulator of the particular observatory or +place to which the almanac used is calculated.” + +“How wonderfully like my poor, dear Mr. Budd, all this is, Rosy! +Meridians, and calculated, and almanacs! I could almost think I heard +your uncle entertaining me with one of his nautical discussions, I +declare!” + +“Now the sun rises earlier in places east, than in places west of us.” + +“It rises earlier in the summer, but later in the winter, everywhere, +Mr. Mulford.” + +“Yes, my dear Madam; but the sun rises earlier every day, in London, +than it does in New York.” + +“That is impossible,” said the widow, dogmatically--“Why should not the +sun rise at the same time in England and America?” + +“Because England is east of America, aunty. The sun does not move, you +know, but only appears to us to move, because the earth turns round from +west to east, which causes those who are farthest east to see it first. +That is what Mr. Mulford means.” + +“Rose has explained it perfectly well,” continued the mate. “Now the +earth is divided into 360 degrees, and the day is divided into 24 hours. +If 360 be divided by 24, the quotient will be 15. If follows that, for +each fifteen degrees of longitude, there is a difference of just one +hour in the rising of the sun, all over the earth, where it rises at +all. New York is near five times 15 degrees west of Greenwich, and the +sun consequently rises five hours later at New York than at London.” + +“There must be a mistake in this, Rosy,” said the relict, in a tone of +desperate resignation, in which the desire to break out in dissent, was +struggling oddly enough with an assumed dignity of deportment. “I've +always heard that the people of London are some of the latest in the +world. Then, I've been in London, and know that the sun rises in New +York, in December, a good deal earlier than it does in London, by the +clock--yes, by the clock.” + +“True enough, by the clock, Mrs. Budd, for London is more than ten +degrees north of New York, and the farther north you go, the later the +sun rises in winter, and the earlier in summer.” + +The relict merely shrugged her shoulders, as much as to say that she +knew no such thing; but Rose, who had been well taught, raised her +serene eyes to her aunt's face, and mildly said--“All true, aunty, and +that is owing to the fact that the earth is smaller at each end than in +the middle.” + +“Fiddle faddle with your middles and ends, Rose--I've been in London, +dear, and know that the sun rises later there than in New York, in the +month of December, and that I know by the clock, I tell you.” + +“The reason of which is,” resumed Mulford, “because the clocks of +each place keep the time of that place. Now, it is different with the +chronometers; they are set in the observatory of Greenwich, and keep the +time of Greenwich. This watch chronometer was set there, only six months +since; and this time, as you see, is near nine o'clock, when in truth it +is only about four o'clock here, where we are.” + +“I wonder you keep such a watch, Mr. Mulford!” + +“I keep it,” returned the mate, smiling, “because I know it to keep good +time. It has the Greenwich time; and, as your watch has the New York +time, by comparing them together, it is quite easy to find the longitude +of New York.” + +“Do you, then, keep watches to compare with your chronometers?” asked +Rose, with interest. + +“Certainly not; as that would require a watch for every separate part +of the ocean, and then we should only get known longitudes. It would be +impracticable, and load a ship with nothing but watches. What we do is +this: We set our chronometers at Greenwich, and thus keep the Greenwich +true time wherever we go. The greatest attention is paid to the +chronometers, to see that they receive no injuries; and usually there +are two, and often more of them, to compare one with another, in order +to see that they go well. When in the middle of the ocean, for instance, +we find the true time of the day at that spot, by ascertaining the +height of the sun. This we do by means of our quadrants, or sextants; +for, as the sun is always in the zenith at twelve o'clock, nothing is +easier than to do this, when the sun can be seen, and an arc of the +heavens measured. At the instant the height of the sun is ascertained +by one observer, he calls to another, who notes the time on the +chronometer. The difference in these two times, or that of the +chronometer and that of the sun, gives the distance in degrees and +minutes, between the longitude of Greenwich and that of the place on the +ocean where the observer is; and that gives him his longitude. If the +difference is three hours and twenty minutes, in time, the distance from +Greenwich is fifty degrees of longitude, because the sun rises three +hours and twenty minutes sooner in London, than in the fiftieth degree +of west longitude.” + +“A watch is a watch, Rosy,” put in the aunt, doggedly--“and time is +time.--When it's four o'clock at our house, it's four o'clock at your +aunt Sprague's, and it's so all over the world. The world may turn +round--I'll not deny it, for your uncle often said as much as that, but +it cannot turn in the way Mr. Mulford says, or we should all fall off +it, at night, when it was bottom upwards. No, sir, no; you've started +wrong. My poor, dear, late Mr. Budd, always admitted that the world +turned round, as the books say; but when I suggested to him the +difficulty of keeping things in their places, with the earth upside +down, he acknowledged candidly--for he was all candour, I must say +that for him--and owned that he had made a discovery by means of his +barometer, which showed that the world did not turn round in the way you +describe, or by rolling over, but by whirling about, as one turns in a +dance. You must remember your uncle's telling me this, Rose?” + +Rose did remember her uncle's telling her aunt this, as well as a great +many other similar prodigies. Captain Budd had married his silly wife +on account of her pretty face, and when the novelty of that was over, +he often amused himself by inventing all sorts of absurdities, to amuse +both her and himself. Among other things, Rose well remembered his +quieting her aunt's scruples about falling off the earth, by laying down +the theory that the world did not “roll over,” but “whirl round.” But +Rose did not answer the question. + +“Objects are kept in their places on the earth by means of attraction,” + Mulford ventured to say, with a great deal of humility of manner. “I +believe it is thought there is no up or down, except as we go from or +towards the earth; and that would make the position of the last a matter +of indifference, as respects objects keeping on it.” + +“Attractions are great advantages, I will own, sir, especially to our +sex. I think it will be acknowledged there has been no want of them in +our family, any more than there has been of sense and information. Sense +and information we pride ourselves on; attractions being gifts from God, +we try to think less of them. But all the attractions in the world could +not keep Rosy, here, from falling off the earth, did it ever come bottom +upwards. And, mercy on me, where would she fall to!” + +Mulford saw that argument was useless, and he confined his remarks, +during the rest of the conversation, to showing Rose the manner in +which the longitude of a place might be ascertained, with the aid of the +chronometer, and by means of observations to get the true time of day, +at the particular place itself. Rose was so quick-witted, and already +so well instructed, as easily to comprehend the principles; the details +being matters of no great moment to one of her sex and habits. But Mrs. +Budd remained antagonist to the last. She obstinately maintained that +twelve o'clock was twelve o'clock; or, if there was any difference, +“London hours were notoriously later than those of New York.” + +Against such assertions arguments were obviously useless, and Mulford, +perceiving that Rose began to fidget, had sufficient tact to change the +conversation altogether. + +And still the Molly Swash kept in swift motion. Montauk was by this time +abeam, and the little brigantine began to rise and fall, on the long +swells of the Atlantic, which now opened before her, in one vast sheet +of green and rolling waters. On her right lay the termination of Long +Island; a low, rocky cape, with its light, and a few fields in tillage, +for the uses of those who tended it. It was the “land's end” of New +York, while the island that was heaving up out of the sea, at a distance +of about twenty miles to the eastward, was the property of Rhode Island, +being called Blok Island. Between the two, the Swash shaped her course +for the ocean. + +Spike had betrayed uneasiness, as his brig came up with Montauk; but the +coast seemed clear, with not even a distant sail in sight, and he came +aft, rubbing his hands with delight, speaking cheerfully. + +“All right, Mr. Mulford,” he cried--“everything ship-shape and +brister-fashion--not even a smack fishing here-away, which is a little +remarkable. Ha!--what are you staring at, over the quarter, there?” + +“Look here, sir, directly in the wake of the setting sun, which we are +now opening from the land--is not that a sail?” + +“Sail! Impossible, sir. What should a sail be doing in there, so near +Montauk--no man ever saw a sail there in his life. It's a spot in the +sun, Madam Budd, that my mate has got a glimpse at, and, sailor-like, he +mistakes it for a sail! Ha--ha--ha--yes, Harry, it's a spot in the sun.” + +“It is a spot on the sun, as you say, but it's a spot made by a +vessel--and here is a boat pulling towards her, might and main; going +from the light, as if carrying news.” + +It was no longer possible for Spike's hopes to deceive him. There was +a vessel, sure enough; though, when first seen, it was so directly in +a line with the fiery orb of the setting sun, as to escape common +observation. As the brig went foaming on towards the ocean, however, +the black speck was soon brought out of the range of the orb of day, and +Spike's glass was instantly levelled at it. + +“Just as one might expect, Mr. Mulford,” cried the captain, lowering +his glass, and looking aloft to see what could be done to help his craft +along; “a bloody revenue cutter, as I'm a wicked sinner! There she lies, +sir, within musket shot of the shore, hid behind the point, as it might +be in waiting for us, with her head to the southward, her helm hard +down, topsail aback, and foresail brailed; as wicked looking a thing as +Free Trade and Sailor's Rights ever ran from. My life on it, sir, she's +been put in that precise spot, in waiting for the Molly to arrive. You +see, as we stand on, it places her as handsomely to windward of us, as +the heart of man could desire.” + +“It is a revenue cutter, sir; now she's out of the sun's wake, that is +plain enough. And that is her boat, which has been sent to the light +to keep a look-out for us. Well, sir, she's to windward; but we have +everything set for our course, and as we are fairly abeam, she must be a +great traveller to overhaul us.” + +“I thought these bloody cutters were all down in the Gulf,” growled the +captain, casting his eyes aloft again, to see that everything drew. +“I'm sure the newspapers have mentioned as many as twenty that are +down there, and here is one, lying behind Montauk, like a snake in the +grass!” + +“At any rate, by the time he gets his boat up we shall get the start of +him--ay, there he fills and falls off, to go and meet her. He'll soon be +after us, Captain Spike, at racing speed.” + +Everything occurred as those two mariners had foreseen. The revenue +cutter, one of the usual fore-top-sail schooners that are employed in +that service, up and down the coast, had no sooner hoisted up her boat, +than she made sail, a little off the wind, on a line to close with the +Swash. As for the brig, she had hauled up to an easy bowline, as she +came round Montauk, and was now standing off south southeast, still +having the wind at south-west. The weatherly position of the cutter +enabled her to steer rather more than one point freer. At the +commencement of this chase, the vessels were about a mile and a half +apart, a distance too great to enable the cutter to render the light +guns she carried available, and it was obvious from the first, that +everything depended on speed. And speed it was, truly; both vessels +fairly flying; the Molly Swash having at last met with something very +like her match. Half an hour satisfied both Spike and Mulford that, by +giving the cutter the advantage of one point in a freer wind, she would +certainly get alongside of them, and the alternative was therefore to +keep off. + +“A starn chase is a long chase, all the world over,” cried Spike--“edge +away, sir; edge away, sir, and bring the cutter well on our quarter.” + +This order was obeyed; but to the surprise of those in the Swash, the +cutter did not exactly follow, though she kept off a little more. Her +object seemed to be to maintain her weatherly position, and in this +manner the two vessels ran on for an hour longer, until the Swash had +made most of the distance between Montauk and Blok Island. Objects were +even becoming dimly visible on the last, and the light on the point +was just becoming visible, a lone star above a waste of desert, the sun +having been down now fully a quarter of an hour, and twilight beginning +to draw the curtain of night over the waters. + +“A craft under Blok,” shouted the look-out, that was still kept aloft as +a necessary precaution. + +“What sort of a craft?” demanded Spike, fiercely; for the very mention +of a sail, at that moment, aroused all his ire. “Arn't you making a +frigate out of an apple-orchard?” + +“It's the steamer, sir. I can now see her smoke. She's just clearing the +land, on the south side of the island, and seems to be coming round to +meet us.” + +A long, low, eloquent whistle from the captain, succeeded this +announcement. The man aloft was right. It was the steamer, sure enough; +and she had been lying hid behind Blok Island, exactly as her consort +had been placed behind Montauk, in waiting for their chase to arrive. +The result was, to put the Molly Swash in exceeding jeopardy, and the +reason why the cutter kept so well to windward was fully explained. To +pass out to sea between these two craft was hopeless. There remained +but a single alternative from capture by one or by the other,--and +that Spike adopted instantly. He kept his brig dead away, setting +studding-sails on both sides. This change of course brought the cutter +nearly aft, or somewhat on the other quarter, and laid the brig's head +in a direction to carry her close to the northern coast of the island. +But the principal advantage was gained over the steamer, which could +not keep off, without first standing a mile or two, or even more, to the +westward, in order to clear the land. This was so much clear gain to the +Swash, which was running off at racing speed, on a north-east course, +while her most dangerous enemy was still heading to the westward. As for +the cutter, she kept away; but it was soon apparent that the brig had +the heels of her, dead before the wind. + +Darkness now began to close around the three vessels; the brig and the +schooner soon becoming visible to each other principally by means of +their night-glasses; though the steamer's position could be easily +distinguished by means of her flaming chimney. This latter vessel stood +to the westward for a quarter of an hour, when her commander appeared to +become suddenly conscious of the ground he was losing, and he wore short +round, and went off before the wind, under steam and canvas; intending +to meet the chase off the northern side of the island. The very person +who had hailed the Swash, as she was leaving the wharf, who had passed +her in Hell-Gate, with Jack Tier in his boat, and who had joined her +off Throgmorton's, was now on her deck, urging her commander by every +consideration not to let the brig escape. It was at his suggestion +that the course was changed. Nervous, and eager to seize the brig, he +prevailed on the commander of the steamer to alter his course. Had he +done no more than this, all might have been well; but so exaggerated +were his notions of the Swash's sailing, that, instead of suffering the +steamer to keep close along the eastern side of the island, he persuaded +her commander of the necessity of standing off a long distance to the +northward and eastward, with a view to get ahead of the chase. This was +not bad advice, were there any certainly that Spike would stand on, of +which, however, he had no intention. + +The night set in dark and cloudy; and, the instant that Spike saw, by +means of the flaming chimney, that the steamer had wore, and was going +to the eastward of Blok, his plan was laid. Calling to Mulford, he +communicated it to him, and was glad to find that his intelligent +mate was of his own way of thinking. The necessary orders were given, +accordingly, and everything was got ready for its execution. + +In the meantime, the two revenue craft were much in earnest. The +schooner was one of the fastest in the service, and had been placed +under Montauk, as described, in the confident expectation of her being +able to compete with even the Molly Swash successfully, more especially +if brought upon a bowline. Her commander watched the receding form of +the brig with the closest attention, until it was entirely swallowed up +in the darkness, under the land, towards which he then sheered himself, +in order to prevent the Swash from hauling up, and turning to windward, +close in under the shadow of the island. Against this manoeuvre, +however, the cutter had now taken an effectual precaution, and her +people were satisfied that escape in that way was impossible. + +On the other hand, the steamer was doing very well. Driven by the +breeze, and propelled by her wheels, away she went, edging further and +further from the island, as the person from the Custom-House succeeded, +as it might be, inch by inch, in persuading the captain of the necessity +of his so doing. At length a sail was dimly seen ahead, and then +no doubt was entertained that the brig had got to the northward and +eastward of them. Half an hour brought the steamer alongside of this +sail, which turned out to be a brig that had come over the shoals, and +was beating into the ocean, on her way to one of the southern ports. Her +captain said there had nothing passed to the eastward. + +Round went the steamer, and in went all her canvas. Ten minutes later +the look-out saw a sail to the westward, standing before the wind. Odd +as it might seem, the steamer's people now fancied they were sure of the +Swash. There she was, coming directly for them, with squared yards! The +distance was short, or a vessel could not have been seen by that light, +and the two craft were soon near each other. A gun was actually cleared +on board the steamer, ere it was ascertained that the stranger was the +schooner! It was now midnight, and nothing was in sight but the coasting +brig. Reluctantly, the revenue people gave the matter up; the Molly +Swash having again eluded them, though by means unknown. + + + +CHAPTER IV. + + “Leander dived for love, Leucadia's cliff + The Lesbian Sappho leap'd from in a miff, + To punish Phaon; Icarus went dead, + Because the wax did not continue stiff; + And, had he minded what his father said, + He had not given a name unto his watery bed.” + + Sands. + + +We must now advance the time several days, and change the scene to a +distant part of the ocean; within the tropics indeed. The females had +suffered slight attacks of sea-sickness, and recovered from them, and +the brig was safe from all her pursuers. The manner of Spike's escape +was simple enough, and without any necromancy. While the steamer, on the +one hand, was standing away to the northward and eastward, in order to +head him off, and the schooner was edging in with the island, in order +to prevent his beating up to windward of it, within its shadows, the +brig had run close round the northern margin of the land, and hauled up +to leeward of the island, passing between it and the steamer. All this +time, her movements were concealed from the schooner by the island +itself, and from the steamer, by its shadow and dark back-ground, +aided by the distance. By making short tacks, this expedient answered +perfectly well; and, at the very moment when the two revenue vessels +met, at midnight, about three leagues to leeward of Blok Island, the +brigantine, Molly Swash, was just clearing its most weatherly point, on +the larboard tack, and coming out exactly at the spot where the steamer +was when first seen that afternoon. Spike stood to the westward, until +he was certain of having the island fairly between him and his pursuers, +when he went about, and filled away on his course, running out to sea +again on an easy bowline. At sunrise the next day he was fifty miles to +the southward and eastward of Montauk; the schooner was going into New +London, her officers and people quite chop-fallen; and the steamer +was paddling up the Sound, her captain being fully persuaded that the +runaways had returned in the direction from which they had come, and +might yet be picked up in that quarter. + +The weather was light, just a week after the events related in the close +of the last chapter. By this time the brig had got within the influence +of the trades; and, it being the intention of Spike to pass to the +southward of Cuba, he had so far profited by the westerly winds, as to +get well to the eastward of the Mona Passage, the strait through which +he intended to shape his course on making the islands. Early on that +morning Mrs. Budd had taken her seat on the trunk of the cabin, with +a complacent air, and arranged her netting, some slight passages of +gallantry, on the part of the captain, having induced her to propose +netting him a purse. Biddy was going to and fro, in quest of silks and +needles, her mistress having become slightly capricious in her tastes of +late, and giving her, on all such occasions, at least a double allowance +of occupation. As for Rose, she sat reading beneath the shade of the +coach-house deck, while the handsome young mate was within three feet +of her, working up his logarithms, but within the sanctuary of his own +state-room; the open door and window of which, however, gave him every +facility he could desire to relieve his mathematics, by gazing at the +sweet countenance of his charming neighbor. Jack Tier and Josh were both +passing to and fro, as is the wont of stewards, between the camboose +and the cabin, the breakfast table being just then in the course of +preparation. In all other respects, always excepting the man at the +wheel, who stood within a fathom of Rose, Spike had the quarter-deck +to himself, and did not fail to pace its weather-side with an air that +denoted the master and owner. After exhibiting his sturdy, but short, +person in this manner, to the admiring eyes of all beholders, for some +time, the captain suddenly took a seat at the side of the relict, and +dropped into the following discourse. + +“The weather is moderate, Madam Budd; quite moderate,” observed Spike, +a sentimental turn coming over him at the moment. “What I call moderate +and agreeable.” + +“So much the better for us; the ladies are fond of moderation, sir.” + +“Not in admiration, Madam Budd--ha! ha! ha! no, not in admiration. +Immoderation is what they like when it comes to that. I'm a single man, +but I know that the ladies like admiration--mind where you're sheering +to,” the captain said, interrupting himself a little fiercely, +considering the nature of the subject, in consequence of Jack Tier's +having trodden on his toe in passing--“or I'll teach you the navigation +of the quarter-deck, Mr. Burgoo!” + +“Moderation--moderation, my good captain,” said the simpering relict. +“As to admiration, I confess that it is agreeable to us ladies; more +especially when it comes from gentlemen of sense, and intelligence, and +experience.” + +Rose fidgeted, having heard every word that was said, and her face +flushed; for she doubted not that Harry's ears were as good as her own. +As for the man at the wheel, he turned the tobacco over in his mouth, +hitched up his trousers, and appeared interested, though somewhat +mystified--the conversation was what he would have termed “talking +dictionary,” and he had some curiosity to learn how the captain would +work his way out of it. It is probable that Spike himself had some +similar gleamings of the difficulties of his position, for he looked +a little troubled, though still resolute. It was the first time he +had ever lain yard-arm and yard-arm with a widow, and he had long +entertained a fancy that such a situation was trying to the best of men. + +“Yes, Madam Budd, yes,” he said, “exper'ence and sense carry weight with +'em, wherever they go. I'm glad to find that you entertain these just +notions of us gentlemen, and make a difference between boys and them +that's seen and known exper'ence. For my part, I count youngsters under +forty as so much lumber about decks, as to any comfort and calculations +in keepin' a family, as a family ought to be kept.” + +Mrs. Budd looked interested, but she remained silent on hearing this +remark, as became her sex. + +“Every man ought to settle in life, some time or other, Madam Budd, +accordin' to my notion, though no man ought to be in a boyish haste +about it,” continued the captain. “Now, in my own case, I've been so +busy all my youth--not that I'm very old now, but I'm no boy--but all my +younger days have been passed in trying to make things meet, in a way to +put any lady who might take a fancy to me--” + +“Oh! captain--that is too strong! The ladies do not take fancies for +gentlemen, but the gentlemen take fancies for ladies!” + +“Well, well, you know what I mean, Madam Budd; and so long as the +parties understand each other, a word dropped, or a word put into a +charter-party, makes it neither stronger nor weaker. There's a time, +howsomever, in every man's life, when he begins to think of settling +down, and of considerin' himself as a sort of mooring-chain, for +children and the likes of them to make fast to. Such is my natur', I +will own; and ever since I've got to be intimate in your family, Madam +Budd, that sentiment has grown stronger and stronger in me, till it has +got to be uppermost in all my idees. Bone of my bone, and flesh of my +flesh, as a body might say.” + +Mrs. Budd now looked more than interested, for she looked a little +confused, and Rose began to tremble for her aunt. It was evident that +the parties most conspicuous in this scene were not at all conscious +that they were overheard, the intensity of their attention being too +much concentrated on what was passing to allow of any observation +without their own narrow circle. What may be thought still more +extraordinary, but what in truth was the most natural of all, each of +the parties was so intently bent on his, or her, own train of thought, +that neither in the least suspected any mistake. + +“Grown with your growth, and strengthened with your strength,” rejoined +the relict, smiling kindly enough on the captain to have encouraged a +much more modest man than he happened to be. + +“Yes, Madam Budd--very just that remark; grown with my strength, and +strengthened with my growth, as one might say; though I've not done much +at growing for a good many years. Your late husband, Captain Budd, +often remarked how very early I got my growth; and rated me as an +'able-bodied' hand, when most lads think it an honour to be placed among +the 'or'naries.'” + +The relict looked grave; and she wondered at any man's being so singular +as to allude to a first husband, at the very moment he was thinking of +offering himself for a second. As for herself, she had not uttered +as many words in the last four years, as she had uttered in that very +conversation, without making some allusion to her “poor dear Mr. Budd.” + The reader is not to do injustice to the captain's widow, however, by +supposing for a moment that she was actually so weak as to feel any +tenderness for a man like Spike, which would be doing a great wrong +to both her taste and her judgment, as Rose well knew, even while +most annoyed by the conversation she could not but overhear. All that +influenced the good relict was that besetting weakness of her sex, which +renders admiration so universally acceptable; and predisposes a female, +as it might be, to listen to a suitor with indulgence, and some little +show of kindness, even when resolute to reject him. As for Rose, to own +the truth, her aunt did not give her a thought, as yet, notwithstanding +Spike was getting to be so sentimental. + +“Yes, your late excellent and honourable consort always said that I got +my growth sooner than any youngster he ever fell in with,” resumed the +captain, after a short pause; exciting fresh wonder in his companion, +that he would persist in lugging in the “dear departed” so very +unseasonably. “I am a great admirer of all the Budd family, my good +lady, and only wish my connection with it had never tarminated; if +tarminated it can be called.” + +“It need not be terminated, Captain Spike, so long as friendship exists +in the human heart.” + +“Ay, so it is always with you ladies; when a man is bent on suthin' +closer and more interestin' like, you're for putting it off on +friendship. Now friendship is good enough in its way, Madam Budd, but +friendship is n't love.” + +“Love!” echoed the widow, fairly starting, though she looked down at her +netting, and looked as confused as she knew how. “That is a very decided +word, Captain Spike, and should never be mentioned to a woman's ear +lightly.” + +So the captain now appeared to think, too, for no sooner had he +delivered himself of the important monosyllable, than he left the +widow's side, and began to pace the deck, as it might be to moderate +his own ardour. As for Rose, she blushed, if her more practised aunt did +not; while Harry Mulford laughed heartily, taking good care, however, +not to be heard. The man at the wheel turned the tobacco again, gave his +trousers another hitch, and wondered anew whither the skipper was bound. +But the drollest manifestation of surprise came from Josh, the steward, +who was passing along the lee-side of the quarter-deck, with a tea-pot +in his hand, when the energetic manner of the captain sent the words +“friendship is n't love” to his ears. This induced him to stop for a +single instant, and to cast a wondering glance behind him; after which +he moved on toward the galley, mumbling as he went--“Lub! what he want +of lub, or what lub want of him! Well, I do t'ink Captain Spike bowse +his jib out pretty 'arly dis mornin'.” + +Captain Spike soon got over the effects of his effort, and the confusion +of the relict did not last any material length of time. As the former +had gone so far, however, he thought the present an occasion as good as +another to bring matters to a crisis. + +“Our sentiments sometimes get to be so strong, Madam Budd,” resumed the +lover, as he took his seat again on the trunk, “that they run away with +us. Men is liable to be run away with as well as ladies. I once had a +ship run away with me, and a pretty time we had of it. Did you ever hear +of a ship's running away with her people, Madam Budd, just as your horse +ran away with your buggy?” + +“I suppose I must have heard of such things, sir, my education having +been so maritime, though just at this moment I cannot recall an +instance. When my horse ran away, the buggy was cap-asided. Did your +vessel cap-aside on the occasion you mention?” + +“No, Madam Budd, no. The ship was off the wind at the time I mean, and +vessels do not capsize when off the wind. I'll tell you how it happened. +We was a scuddin' under a goose-wing foresail--” + +“Yes, yes,” interrupted the relict, eagerly. “I've often heard of that +sail, which is small, and used only in tempests.” + +“Heavy weather, Madam Budd--only in heavy weather.” + +“It is amazing to me, captain, how you seamen manage to weigh the +weather. I have often heard of light weather and heavy weather, but +never fairly understood the manner of weighing it.” + +“Why we do make out to ascertain the difference,” replied the captain, a +little puzzled for an answer; “and I suppose it must be by means of the +barometer, which goes up and down like a pair of scales. But the time I +mean, we was a scuddin' under a goose-wing foresail--” + +“A sail made of goose's wings, and a beautiful object it must be; like +some of the caps and cloaks that come from the islands, which are all +of feathers, and charming objects are they. I beg pardon--you had your +goose's wings spread--” + +“Yes, Madam Budd, yes; we was steering for a Mediterranean port, +intending to clear a mole-head, when a sea took us under the +larboard-quarter, gave us such a sheer to-port as sent our cat-head +ag'in a spile, and raked away the chain-plates of the top-mast +back-stays, bringing down all the forrard hamper about our ears.” + +This description produced such a confusion in the mind of the widow, +that she was glad when it came to an end. As for the captain, fearful +that the “goose's wings” might be touched upon again, he thought it +wisest to attempt another flight on those of Cupid. + +“As I was sayin', Madam Budd, friendship is n't love; no, not a bit of +it! Friendship is a common sort of feelin': but love, as you must know +by exper'ence, Madam Budd, is an uncommon sort of feelin'.” + +“Fie, Captain Spike, gentlemen should never allude to ladies knowing +any thing about love. Ladies respect, and admire, and esteem, and have +a regard for gentlemen; but it is almost too strong to talk about their +love.” + +“Yes, Madam Budd, yes; I dare say it is so, and ought to be so; and I +ask pardon for having said as much as I did. But my love for your niece +is of so animated and lastin' a natur', that I scarce know what I did +say.” + +“Captain Spike, you amaze me! I declare I can hardly breathe for +astonishment. My niece! Surely you do not mean Rosy!” + +“Who else should I mean? My love for Miss Rose is so very decided +and animated, I tell you, Madam Budd, that I will not answer for the +consequences, should you not consent to her marryin' me.” + +“I can scarce believe my ears! You, Stephen Spike, and an old friend of +her uncle's, wishing to marry his niece!” + +“Just so, Madam Budd; that's it, to a shavin'. The regard I have for the +whole family is so great, that nothin' less than the hand of Miss Rose +in marriage can, what I call, mitigate my feelin's.” + +Now the relict had not one spark of tenderness herself in behalf of +Spike; while she did love Rose better than any human being, her own self +excepted. But she had viewed all the sentiment of that morning, and all +the fine speeches of the captain, very differently from what the present +state of things told her she ought to have viewed them; and she felt the +mortification natural to her situation. The captain was so much bent on +the attainment of his own object, that he saw nothing else, and was even +unconscious that his extraordinary and somewhat loud discourse had been +overheard. Least of all did he suspect that his admiration had been +mistaken; and that in what he called “courtin'” the niece, he had been +all the while “courtin'” the aunt. But little apt as she was to discover +any thing, Mrs. Budd had enough of her sex's discernment in a matter of +this sort, to perceive that she had fallen into an awkward mistake, and +enough of her sex's pride to resent it. Taking her work in her hand, she +left her seat, and descended to the cabin, with quite as much dignity +in her manner as it was in the power of one of her height and “build” + to express. What is the most extraordinary, neither she nor Spike +ever ascertained that their whole dialogue had been overheard. Spike +continued to pace the quarter-deck for several minutes, scarce knowing +what to think of the relict's manner, when his attention was suddenly +drawn to other matters by the familiar cry of “sail-ho!” + +This was positively the first vessel with which the Molly Swash had +fallen in since she lost sight of two or three craft that had passed +her in the distance, as she left the American coast. As usual, this cry +brought all hands on deck, and Mulford out of his state-room. + +It has been stated already that the brig was just beginning to feel +the trades, and it might have been added, to see the mountains of San +Domingo. The winds had been variable for the last day or two, and +they still continued light, and disposed to be unsteady, ranging from +north-east to south-east, with a preponderance in favour of the first +point. At the cry of “sail-ho!” everybody looked in the indicated +direction, which was west, a little northerly, but for a long time +without success. The cry had come from aloft, and Mulford went up as +high as the fore-top before he got any glimpse of the stranger at all. +He had slung a glass, and Spike was unusually anxious to know the result +of his examination. + +“Well, Mr. Mulford, what do you make of her?” he called out as soon as +the mate announced that he saw the strange vessel. + +“Wait a moment, sir, till I get a look,--she's a long way off, and +hardly visible.” + +“Well, sir, well?” + +“I can only see the heads of her top-gallant sails. She seems a ship +steering to the southward, with as many kites flying as an Indiaman in +the trades. She looks as if she were carrying royal stun'-sails, sir.” + +“The devil she does! Such a chap must not only be in a hurry, but he +must be strong-handed to give himself all this trouble in such light and +var'able winds. Are his yards square?--Is he man-of-war-ish?” + +“There's no telling, sir, at this distance; though I rather think its +stun'-sails that I see. Go down and get your breakfast, and in half an +hour I'll give a better account of him.” + +This was done, Mrs. Budd appearing at the table with great dignity +in her manner. Although she had so naturally supposed that Spike's +attentions had been intended for herself, she was rather mortified than +hurt on discovering her mistake. Her appetite, consequently, was not +impaired, though her stomach might have been said to be very full. +The meal passed off without any scene, notwithstanding, and Spike soon +re-appeared on deck, still masticating the last mouthful like a man in +a hurry, and a good deal, l'Amricaine. Mulford saw his arrival, and +immediately levelled his glass again. + +“Well, what news now, sir?” called out the captain. “You must have a +better chance at him by this time, for I can see the chap from off the +coach-house here.” + +“Ay, ay, sir; he's a bit nearer, certainly. I should say that craft is a +ship under stun'-sails, looking to the eastward of south, and that there +are caps with gold bands on her quarter-deck.” + +“How low down can you see her?” demanded Spike, in a voice of thunder. + +So emphatic and remarkable was the captain's manner in putting this +question, that the mate cast a look of surprise beneath him ere he +answered it. A look with the glass succeeded, when the reply was given. + +“Ay, ay, sir; there can be no mistake--it's a cruiser, you may depend on +it. I can see the heads of her topsails now, and they are so square and +symmetrical, that gold bands are below beyond all doubt.” + +“Perhaps he's a Frenchman--Johnny Crapaud keeps cruisers in these seas +as well as the rest on'em.” + +“Johnny Crapaud's craft don't spread such arms, sir. The ship is either +English or American; and he's heading for the Mona Passage as well as +ourselves.” + +“Come down, sir, come down--there's work to be done as soon as you have +breakfasted.” + +Mulford did come down, and he was soon seated at the table, with both +Josh and Jack Tier for attendants. The aunt and the niece were in their +own cabin, a few yards distant, with the door open. + +“What a fuss'e cap'in make 'bout dat sail,” grumbled Josh, who had been +in the brig so long that he sometimes took liberties with even Spike +himself. “What good he t'ink t'will do to measure him inch by inch? +Bye'm by he get alongside, and den 'e ladies even can tell all about +him.” + +“He nat'rally wishes to know who gets alongside,” put in Tier, somewhat +apologetically. + +“What matter dat. All sort of folk get alongside of Molly Swash; and +what good it do 'em? Yoh! yoh! yoh! I do remem'er sich times vid'e ole +hussy!” + +“What old hussy do you mean?” demanded Jack Tier a little fiercely, and +in a way to draw Mulford's eyes from the profile of Rose's face to the +visages of his two attendants. + +“Come, come, gentlemen, if you please; recollect where you are,” + interrupted the mate authoritatively. “You are not now squabbling in +your galley, but are in the cabin. What is it to you, Tier, if Josh does +call the brig an old hussy; she is old, as we all know, and years +are respectable; and as for her being a 'hussy,' that is a term of +endearment sometimes. I've heard the captain himself call the Molly a +'hussy,' fifty times, and he loves her as he does the apple of his eye.” + +This interference put an end to the gathering storm as a matter of +course, and the two disputants shortly after passed on deck. No sooner +was the coast clear than Rose stood in the door of her own cabin. + +“Do you think the strange vessel is an American?” she asked eagerly. + +“It is impossible to say--English or American I make no doubt. But why +do you inquire?” + +“But my aunt and myself desire to quit the brig, and if the stranger +should prove to be an American vessel of war, might not the occasion be +favourable?” + +“And what reason can you give for desiring to do so?” + +“What signifies a reason,” answered Rose with spirit. “Spike is not our +master, and we can come and go as we may see fit.” + +“But a reason must be given to satisfy the commander of the vessel of +war. Craft of that character are very particular about the passengers +they receive; nor would it be altogether wise in two unprotected +females to go on board a cruiser, unless in a case of the most obvious +necessity.” + +“Will not what has passed this morning be thought a sufficient reason,” + added Rose, drawing nearer to the mate, and dropping her voice so as not +to be heard by her aunt. + +Mulford smiled as he gazed at the earnest but attractive countenance of +his charming companion. + +“And who could tell it, or how could it be told? Would the commander of +a vessel of war incur the risk of receiving such a person as yourself on +board his vessel, for the reason that the master of the craft she was in +when he fell in with her desired to marry her?” + +Rose appeared vexed, but she was at once made sensible that it was not +quite as easy to change her vessel at sea, as to step into a strange +door in a town. She drew slowly back into her own cabin silent and +thoughtful; her aunt pursuing her netting the whole time with an air of +dignified industry. + +“Well, Mr. Mulford, well,” called out Spike at the head of the cabin +stairs, “what news from the coffee?” + +“All ready, sir,” answered the mate, exchanging significant glances with +Rose. “I shall be up in a moment.” + +That moment soon came, and Mulford was ready for duty. While below, +Spike had caused certain purchases to be got aloft, and the main-hatch +was open and the men collected around it, in readiness to proceed with +the work. Harry asked no questions, for the preparations told him what +was about to be done, but passing below, he took charge of the duty +there, while the captain superintended the part that was conducted on +deck. In the course of the next hour eight twelve-pound carronades were +sent up out of the hold, and mounted in as many of the ports which lined +the bulwarks of the brigantine. The men seemed to be accustomed to the +sort of work in which they were now engaged, and soon had their light +batteries in order, and ready for service. In the mean time the two +vessels kept on their respective courses, and by the time the guns were +mounted, there was a sensible difference in their relative positions. +The stranger had drawn so near the brigantine as to be very obvious from +the latter's deck, while the brigantine had drawn so much nearer to the +islands of San Domingo and Porto Rico, as to render the opening between +them, the well-known Mona Passage, distinctly visible. + +Of all this Spike appeared to be fully aware, for he quitted the work +several times before it was finished, in order to take a look at the +stranger, and at the land. When the batteries were arranged, he and +Mulford, each provided with a glass, gave a few minutes to a more +deliberate examination of the first. + +“That's the Mona ahead of us,” said the captain; “of that there can be +no question, and a very pretty land-fall you've made of it, Harry. I'll +allow you to be as good a navigator as floats.” + +“Nevertheless, sir, you have not seen fit to let me know whither the +brig is really bound this voyage.” + +“No matter for that, young man--no matter, as yet. All in good time. +When I tell you to lay your course for the Mona, you can lay your course +for the Mona; and, as soon as we are through the passage, I'll let you +know what is wanted next--if that bloody chap, who is nearing us, will +let me.” + +“And why should any vessel wish to molest us on our passage, Captain +Spike?” + +“Why, sure enough! It's war-times, you know, and war-times always bring +trouble to the trader--though it sometimes brings profit, too.” + +As Spike concluded, he gave his mate a knowing wink, which the other +understood to mean that he expected himself some of the unusual profit +to which he alluded. Mulford did not relish this secret communication, +for the past had induced him to suspect the character of the trade in +which his commander was accustomed to engage. Without making any sort +of reply, or encouraging the confidence by even a smile, he levelled his +glass at the stranger, as did Spike, the instant he ceased to grin. + +“That's one of Uncle Sam's fellows!” exclaimed the captain, dropping the +glass. “I'd swear to the chap in any admiralty court on 'arth.” + +“'T is a vessel of war, out of all doubt,” returned the mate, “and under +a cloud of canvas. I can make out the heads of her courses now, and see +that she is carrying hard, for a craft that is almost close-hauled.” + +“Ay, ay; no merchantmen keeps his light stun'-sails set, as near the +wind as that fellow's going. He's a big chap, too--a frigate, at least, +by his canvas.” + +“I do not know, sir--they build such heavy corvettes now-a-days, that I +should rather take her for one of them. They tell me ships are now sent +to sea which mount only two-and-twenty guns, but which measure quite a +thousand tons.” + +“With thunderin' batteries, of course.” + +“With short thirty-twos and a few rapping sixty-eight Paixhans--or +Columbiads, as they ought in justice to be called.” + +“And you think this chap likely to be a craft of that sort?” + +“Nothing is more probable, sir. Government has several, and, since this +war has commenced, it has been sending off cruiser after cruiser into +the Gulf. The Mexicans dare not send a vessel of war to sea, which would +be sending them to Norfolk, or New York, at once; but no one can say +when they may begin to make a prey of our commerce.” + +“They have taken nothing as yet, Mr. Mulford, and, to tell you the +truth, I'd much rather fall in with one of Don Montezuma's craft than +one of Uncle Sam's.” + +“That is a singular taste, for an American, Captain Spike, unless you +think, now our guns are mounted, we can handle a Mexican,” returned +Mulford coldly. “At all events, it is some answer to those who ask 'What +is the navy about?' that months of war have gone by, and not an American +has been captured. Take away that navy, and the insurance offices in +Wall-street would tumble like a New York party-wall in a fire.” + +“Nevertheless, I'd rather take my chance, just now, with Don Montezuma +than with Uncle Sam.” + +Mulford did not reply, though the earnest manner in which Spike +expressed himself, helped to increase his distrust touching the nature +of the voyage. With him the captain had no further conference, but it +was different as respects the boatswain. That worthy was called aft, and +for half an hour he and Spike were conversing apart, keeping their eyes +fastened on the strange vessel most of the time. + +It was noon before all uncertainly touching the character of the +stranger ceased. By that time, however, both vessels were entering the +Mona Passage; the brig well to windward, on the Porto Rico side; while +the ship was so far to leeward as to be compelled to keep everything +close-hauled, in order to weather the island. The hull of the last could +now be seen, and no doubt was entertained about her being a cruiser, +and one of some size, too. Spike thought she was a frigate; but Mulford +still inclined to the opinion that she was one of the new ships; perhaps +a real corvette, or with a light spar-deck over her batteries. Two or +three of the new vessels were known to be thus fitted, and this might be +one. At length all doubt on the subject ceased, the stranger setting an +American ensign, and getting so near as to make it apparent that she had +but a single line of guns. Still she was a large ship, and the manner +that she ploughed through the brine, close-hauled as she was, extorted +admiration even from Spike. + +“We had better begin to shorten sail, Mr. Mulford,” the captain at +length most reluctantly remarked. “We might give the chap the slip, +perhaps, by keeping close in under Porto Rico, but he would give us a +long chase, and might drive us away to windward, when I wish to keep off +between Cuba and Jamaica. He's a traveller; look, how he stands up to it +under that could of canvas!” + +Mulford was slow to commence on the studding-sails, and the cruiser was +getting nearer and nearer. At length a gun was fired, and a heavy shot +fell about two hundred yards short of the brig, and a little out of line +with her. On this hint, Spike turned the hands up, and began to shorten +sail. In ten minutes the Swash was under her topsail, mainsail and jib, +with her light sails hanging in the gear, and all the steering canvas +in. In ten minutes more the cruiser was so near as to admit of the faces +of the three or four men whose heads were above the hammock-cloths +being visible, when she too began to fold her wings. In went her royals, +topgallant-sails, and various kites, as it might be by some common +muscular agency; and up went her courses. Everything was done at once. +By this time she was crossing the brig's wake, looking exceedingly +beautiful, with her topsails lifting, her light sails blowing out, and +even her heavy courses fluttering in the breeze. There flew the glorious +stars and stripes also; of brief existence, but full of recollections! +The moment she had room, her helm went up, her bows fell off, and down +she came, on the weather quarter of the Swash, so near as to render a +trumpet nearly useless. + +On board the brig everybody was on deck; even the relict having +forgotten her mortification in curiosity. On board the cruiser no one +was visible, with the exception of a few men in each top, and a group of +gold-banded caps on the poop. Among these officers stood the captain, a +red-faced, middle-aged man, with the usual signs of his rank about him; +and at his side was his lynx-eyed first lieutenant. The surgeon and +purser were also there, though they stood a little apart from the more +nautical dignitaries. The hail that followed came out of a trumpet that +was thrust through the mizzen-rigging; the officer who used it taking +his cue from the poop. + +“What brig is that?” commenced the discourse. + +“The Molly Swash, of New York, Stephen Spike, master.” + +“Where from, and whither bound?” + +“From New York, and bound to Key West and a market.” + +A pause succeeded this answer, during which the officers on the poop +of the cruiser held some discourse with him of the trumpet. During the +interval the cruiser ranged fairly up abeam. + +“You are well to windward of your port, sir,” observed he of the trumpet +significantly. + +“I know it; but it's war times, and I didn't know but there might be +piccaroons hovering about the Havanna.” + +“The coast is clear, and our cruisers will keep it so. I see you have a +battery, sir!” + +“Ay, ay; some old guns that I've had aboard these ten years: they're +useful, sometimes, in these seas.” + +“Very true. I'll range ahead of you, and as soon as you've room, I'll +thank you to heave-to. I wish to send a boat on board you.” + +Spike was sullen enough on receiving this order, but there was no help +for it. He was now in the jaws of the lion, and his wisest course was +to submit to the penalties of his position with the best grace he could. +The necessary orders were consequently given, and the brig no sooner got +room than she came by the wind and backed her topsail. The cruiser went +about, and passing to windward, backed her main-topsail just forward of +the Swash's beam. Then the latter lowered a boat, and sent it, with +a lieutenant and a midshipman in its stern-sheets, on board the +brigantine. As the cutter approached, Spike went to the gangway to +receive the strangers. + +Although there will be frequent occasion to mention this cruiser, the +circumstances are of so recent occurrence, that we do not choose to +give either her name, or that of any one belonging to her. We shall, +consequently, tell the curious, who may be disposed to turn to their +navy-lists and blue-books, that the search will be of no use, as all the +names we shall use, in reference to this cruiser, will be fictitious. +As much of the rest of our story as the reader please may be taken for +gospel; but we tell him frankly, that we have thought it most expedient +to adopt assumed names, in connection with this vessel and all her +officers. There are good reasons for so doing; and, among others, is +that of abstaining from arming a clique to calumniate her commander, +(who, by the way, like another commander in the Gulf that might be +named, and who has actually been exposed to the sort of tracasserie to +which there is allusion, is one of the very ablest men in the service,) +in order to put another in his place. + +The officer who now came over the side of the Swash we shall call +Wallace; he was the second lieutenant of the vessel of war. He was about +thirty, and the midshipman who followed him was a well-grown lad of +nineteen. Both had a decided man-of-war look, and both looked a little +curiously at the vessel they had boarded. + +“Your servant, sir,” said Wallace, touching his cap in reply to Spike's +somewhat awkward bow. “Your brig is the Molly Swash, Stephen Spike, +bound from New York to Key West and a market.” + +“You've got it all as straight, lieutenant, as if you was a readin' it +from the log.” + +“The next thing, sir, is to know of what your cargo is composed?” + +“Flour; eight hundred barrels of flour.” + +“Flour! Would you not do better to carry that to Liverpool? The +Mississippi must be almost turned into paste by the quantity of flour it +floats to market.” + +“Notwithstanding that, lieutenant, I know Uncle Sam's economy so +well, as to believe I shall part with every barrel of my flour to his +contractors, at a handsome profit.” + +“You read Whig newspapers principally, I rather think, Mr. Spike,” + answered Wallace, in his cool, deliberate way, smiling, however, as he +spoke. + +We may just as well say here, that nature intended this gentleman for +a second lieutenant, the very place he filled. He was a capital second +lieutenant, while he would not have earned his rations as first. So well +was he assured of this peculiarity in his moral composition, that he did +not wish to be the first lieutenant of anything in which he sailed. +A respectable seaman, a well-read and intelligent man, a capital deck +officer, or watch officer, he was too indolent to desire to be anything +more, and was as happy as the day was long, in the easy berth he filled. +The first lieutenant had been his messmate as a midshipman, and ranked +him but two on the list in his present commission; but he did not envy +him in the least. On the contrary, one of his greatest pleasures was to +get. “Working Willy,” as he called his senior, over a glass of wine, or +a tumbler of “hot stuff,” and make him recount the labours of the day. +On such occasions, Wallace never failed to compare the situation of +“Working Willy” with his own gentlemanlike ease and independence. As +second lieutenant, his rank raised him above most of the unpleasant duty +of the ship, while it did not raise him high enough to plunge him into +the never-ending labours of his senior. He delighted to call himself the +“ship's gentleman,” a sobriquet he well deserved, on more accounts than +one. + +“You read Whig newspapers principally, I rather think, Mr. Spike,” + answered the lieutenant, as has been just mentioned, “while we on board +the Poughkeepsie indulge in looking over the columns of the Union, as +well as over those of the Intelligencer, when by good luck we can lay +our hands on a stray number.” + +“That ship, then, is called the Poughkeepsie, is she, sir?” inquired +Spike. + +“Such is her name, thanks to a most beneficent and sage provision of +Congress, which has extended its parental care over the navy so far as +to imagine that a man chosen by the people to exercise so many of the +functions of a sovereign, is not fit to name a ship. All our two and +three deckers are to be called after states; the frigates after rivers; +and the sloops after towns. Thus it is that our craft has the honour +to be called the United States ship the 'Poughkeepsie,' instead of +the 'Arrow,' or the 'Wasp,' or the 'Curlew,' or the 'Petrel,' as might +otherwise have been the case. But the wisdom of Congress is manifest, +for the plan teaches us sailors geography.” + +“Yes, sir, yes, one can pick up a bit of l'arnin' in that way cheap. The +Poughkeepsie, Captain--?” + +“The United States' ship Poughkeepsie, 20, Captain Adam Mull, at your +service. But, Mr. Spike, you will allow me to look at your papers. It is +a duty I like, for it can be performed quietly, and without any fuss.” + +Spike looked distrustfully at his new acquaintance, but went for his +vessel's papers without any very apparent hesitation. Every thing was +en regle, and Wallace soon got through with the clearance, manifest, +&c. Indeed the cargo, on paper at least, was of the simplest and least +complicated character, being composed of nothing but eight hundred +barrels of flour. + +“It all looks very well on paper, Mr. Spike,” added the boarding +officer. “With your permission, we will next see how it looks in sober +reality. I perceive your main hatch is open, and I suppose it will be no +difficult matter just to take a glance at your hold.” + +“Here is a ladder, sir, that will take us at once to the half-deck, for +I have no proper 'twixt decks in this craft; she's too small for that +sort of outfit.” + +“No matter, she has a hold, I suppose, and that can contain cargo. Take +me to it by the shortest road, Mr. Spike, for I am no great admirer of +trouble.” + +Spike now led the way below, Wallace following, leaving the midshipman +on deck, who had fallen into conversation with the relict and her +pretty niece. The half-deck of the brigantine contained spare sails, +provisions, and water, as usual, while quantities of old canvas lay +scattered over the cargo; more especially in the wake of the hatches, of +which there were two besides that which led from the quarter-deck. + +“Flour to the number of eight hundred barrels,” said Wallace, striking +his foot against a barrel that lay within his reach. “The cargo is +somewhat singular to come from New York, going to Key West, my dear +Spike?” + +“I suppose you know what sort of a place Key West is, sir; a bit of an +island in which there is scarce so much as a potatoe grows.” + +“Ay, ay, sir; I know Key West very well, having been in and out a dozen +times. All eatables are imported, turtle excepted. But flour can be +brought down the Mississippi so much cheaper than it can be brought from +New York.” + +“Have you any idee, lieutenant, what Uncle Sam's men are paying for +it at New Orleens, just to keep soul and bodies together among the +so'gers?” + +“That may be true, sir--quite true, I dare say, Mr. Spike. Have n't you +a bit of a chair that a fellow can sit down on--this half-deck of +your's is none of the most comfortable places to stand in. Thank you, +sir--thank you with all my heart. What lots of old sails you have +scattered about the hold, especially in the wake of the hatches!” + +“Why, the craft being little more than in good ballast trim, I keep the +hatches off to air her; and the spray might spit down upon the flour at +odd times but for them 'ere sails.” + +“Ay, a prudent caution. So you think Uncle Sam's people will be after +this flour as soon as they learn you have got it snug in at Key West?” + +“What more likely, sir? You know how it is with our government--always +wrong, whatever it does! and I can show you paragraphs in letters +written from New Orleens, which tell us that Uncle Sam is paying +seventy-five and eighty per cent. more for flour than anybody else.” + +“He must be a flush old chap to be able to do that, Spike.” + +“Flush! I rather think he is. Do you know that he is spendin', accordin' +to approved accounts, at this blessed moment, as much as half a million +a day? I own a wish to be pickin' up some of the coppers while they are +scattered about so plentifully.” + +“Half a million a day! why that is only at the rate of $187,000,000 per +annum; a mere trifle, Spike, that is scarce worth mentioning among us +mariners.” + +“It's so in the newspapers, I can swear, lieutenant.” + +“Ay, ay, and the newspapers will swear to it, too, and they that gave +the newspapers their cue. But no matter, our business is with this +flour. Will you sell us a barrel or two for our mess? I heard the +caterer say we should want flour in the course of a week or so.” + +Spike seemed embarrassed, though not to a degree to awaken suspicion in +his companion. + +“I never sold cargo at sea, long as I've sailed and owned a craft,” he +answered, as if uncertain what to do. “If you'll pay the price I expect +to get in the Gulf, and will take ten barrels, I do n't know but we may +make a trade on't. I shall only ask expected prices.” + +“Which will be--?” + +“Ten dollars a barrel. For one hundred silver dollars I will put into +your boat ten barrels of the very best brand known in the western +country.” + +“This is dealing rather more extensively than I anticipated, but we will +reflect on it.” + +Wallance now indolently arose and ascended to the quarter-deck, followed +by Spike, who continued to press the flour on him, as if anxious to make +money. But the lieutenant hesitated about paying a price as high as ten +dollars, or to take a quantity as large as ten barrels. + +“Our mess is no great matter after all,” he said carelessly. “Four +lieutenants, the purser, two doctors, the master, and a marine officer, +and you get us all. Nine men could never eat ten barrels of flour, my +dear Spike, you will see for yourself, with the quantity of excellent +bread we carry. You forget the bread.” + +“Not a bit of it, Mr. Wallace, since that is your name. But such flour +as this of mine has not been seen in the Gulf this many a day. I ought +in reason to ask twelve dollars for it, and insist on such a ship as +your'n's taking twenty instead of the ten barrels.” + +“I thank you, sir, the ten will more than suffice; unless, indeed, the +captain wants some for the cabin. How is it with your steerage messes, +Mr. Archer--do you want any flour?” + +“We draw a little from the ship, according to rule, sir, but we can't +go as many puddings latterly as we could before we touched last at the +Havanna,” answered the laughing midshipman. “There is n't a fellow among +us, sir, that could pay a shore-boat for landing him, should we go in +again before the end of another month. I never knew such a place as +Havanna. They say midshipmen's money melts there twice as soon as +lieutenants' money.” + +“It's clear, then, you'll not take any of the ten. I am afraid after +all, Mr. Spike, we cannot trade, unless you will consent to let me have +two barrels. I'll venture on two at ten dollars, high as the price is.” + +“I should n't forgive myself in six months for making so had a bargain, +lieutenant, so we'll say no more about it if you please.” + +“Here is a lady that wishes to say a word to you, Mr. Wallace, before +we go back to the ship, if you are at leisure to hear her, or them--for +there are two of them,” put in Archer. + +At this moment Mrs. Budd was approaching with a dignified step, while +Rose followed timidly a little in the rear. Wallace was a good deal +surprised at this application, and Spike was quite as much provoked. As +for Mulford, he watched the interview from a distance, a great deal more +interested in its result than he cared to have known, more especially to +his commanding officer. Its object was to get a passage in the vessel of +war. + +“You are an officer of that Uncle Sam vessel,” commenced Mrs. Budd, +who thought that she would so much the more command the respect and +attention of her listener, by showing him early how familiar she was +with even the slang dialect of the seas. + +“I have the honour, ma'am, to belong to that Uncle Sam craft,” answered +Wallace gravely, though he bowed politely at the same time, looking +intently at the beautiful girl in the back-ground as he so did. + +“So I've been told, sir. She's a beautiful vessel, lieutenant, and is +full jiggered, I perceive.” + +For the first time in his life, or at least for the first time since his +first cruise, Wallace wore a mystified look, being absolutely at a loss +to imagine what “full jiggered” could mean. He only looked, therefore, +for he did not answer. + +“Mrs. Budd means that you've a full rigged craft,” put in Spike, anxious +to have a voice in the conference, “this vessel being only a half-rigged +brig.” + +“Oh! ay; yes, yes--the lady is quite right. We are full jiggered from +our dead-eyes to our eye-bolts.” + +“I thought as much, sir, from your ground hamper and top-tackles,” added +the relict smiling. “For my part there is nothing in nature that I +so much admire as a full jiggered ship, with her canvas out of the +bolt-ropes, and her clew-lines and clew-garnets braced sharp, and her +yards all abroad.” + +“Yes, ma'am, it is just as you say, a very charming spectacle. Our baby +was born full grown, and with all her hamper aloft just as you see her. +Some persons refer vessels to art, but I think you are quite right in +referring them to nature.” + +“Nothing can be more natural to me, lieutenant, than a fine ship +standing on her canvas. It's an object to improve the heart and to +soften the understanding.” + +“So I should think, ma'am,” returned Wallace, a little quizzically, +“judging from the effect on yourself.” + +This speech, unfortunately timed as it was, wrought a complete change in +Rose's feelings, and she no longer wished to exchange the Swash for the +Poughkeepsie. She saw that her aunt was laughed at in secret, and that +was a circumstance that never failed to grate on every nerve in her +system. She had been prepared to second and sustain the intended +application--she was now determined to oppose it. + +“Yes, sir,” resumed the unconscious relict, “and to soften the +understanding. Lieutenant, did you ever cross the Capricorn?” + +“No less than six times; three going and three returning, you know.” + +“And did Neptune come on board you, and were you shaved?” + +“Everything was done secundem artem, ma'am. The razor was quite an +example of what are called in poetry 'thoughts too deep for tears.' ” + +“That must have been delightful. As for me, I'm quite a devotee of +Neptune's; but I'm losing time, for no doubt your ship is all ready to +pull away and carry on sail--” + +“Aunt, may I say a word to you before you go any further,” put in Rose +in her quiet but very controlling way. + +The aunt complied, and Wallace, as soon as left alone, felt like a man +who was released from a quick-sand, into which every effort to extricate +himself only plunged him so much the deeper. At this moment the ship +hailed, and the lieutenant took a hasty leave of Spike, motioned to the +midshipman to precede him, and followed the latter into his boat. +Spike saw his visiter off in person, tending the side and offering the +man-ropes with his own hands. For this civility Wallace thanked him, +calling out as his boat pulled him from the brig's side--“If we 'pull +away,'” accenting the “pull” in secret derision of the relict's mistake, +“you can pull away; our filling the topsail being a sign for you to do +the same.” + +“There you go, and joy go with you,” muttered Spike, as he descended +from the gangway. “A pretty kettle of fish would there have been cooked +had I let him have his two barrels of flour.” + +The man-of-war's cutter was soon under the lee of the ship, where it +discharged its freight, when it was immediately run up. During the whole +time Wallace had been absent, Captain Mull and his officers remained on +the poop, principally occupied in examining and discussing the merits of +the Swash. No sooner had their officer returned, however, than an order +was given to fill away, it being supposed that the Poughkeepsie had no +further concern with the brigantine. As for Wallace, he ascended to the +poop and made the customary report. + +“It's a queer cargo to be carrying to Key West from the Atlantic +coast,” observed the captain in a deliberating sort of manner, as if the +circumstance excited suspicion; “Yet the Mexicans can hardly be in want +of any such supplies.” + +“Did you see the flour, Wallace?” inquired the first lieutenant, who was +well aware of his messmate's indolence. + +“Yes, sir, and felt it too. The lower hold of the brig is full of flour, +and of nothing else.” + +“Ware round, sir--ware round and pass athwart the brig's wake,” + interrupted the captain. “There's plenty of room now, and I wish to pass +as near that craft as we can.” + +This manoeuvre was executed. The sloop-of-war no sooner filled her +maintop-sail than she drew ahead, leaving plenty of room for the +brigantine to make sail on her course. Spike did not profit by this +opening, however, but he sent several men aloft forward, where they +appeared to be getting ready to send down the upper yards and the +topgallant-mast. No sooner was the sloop-of-war's helm put up than that +vessel passed close along the brigantine's weather side, and kept +off across her stern on her course. As she did this the canvas was +fluttering aboard her, in the process of making sail, and Mull held a +short discourse with Spike. + +“Is anything the matter aloft?” demanded the man-of-war's man. + +“Ay, ay; I've sprung my topgallant-mast, and think this a good occasion +to get another up in its place.” + +“Shall I lend you a carpenter or two, Mr. Spike?” + +“Thank'ee, sir, thank'ee with all my heart; but we can do without them. +It's an old stick, and it's high time a better stood where it does. Who +knows but I may be chased and feel the want of reliable spars.” + +Captain Mull smiled and raised his cap in the way of an adieu, when the +conversation ended; the Poughkeepsie sliding off rapidly with a free +wind, leaving the Swash nearly stationary. In ten minutes the two +vessels were more than a mile apart; in twenty, beyond the reach of +shot. + +Notwithstanding the natural and common-place manner in which this +separation took place, there was much distrust on board each vessel, and +a good deal of consummate management on the part of Spike. The latter +knew that every foot the sloop-of-war went on her course, carried +her just so far to leeward, placing his own brig, in-so-much, dead +to windward of her. As the Swash's best point of sailing, relatively +considered, was close-hauled, this was giving to Spike a great security +against any change of purpose on the part of the vessel of war. Although +his people were aloft and actually sent down the topgallant-mast, it was +only to send it up again, the spar being of admirable toughness, and as +sound as the day it was cut. + +“I don't think, Mr. Mulford,” said the captain sarcastically, “that +Uncle Sam's glasses are good enough to tell the difference in wood at +two leagues' distance, so we'll trust to the old stick a little longer. +Ay, ay, let 'em run off before it, we'll find another road by which to +reach our port.” + +“The sloop-of-war is going round the south side of Cuba, Captain Spike,” + answered the mate, “and I have understood you to say that you intended +to go by the same passage.” + +“A body may change his mind, and no murder. Only consider, Harry, how +common it is for folks to change their minds. I did intend to pass +between Cuba and Jamaica, but I intend it no longer. Our run from +Montauk has been oncommon short, and I've time enough to spare to go to +the southward of Jamaica too, if the notion takes me.” + +“That would greatly prolong the passage, Captain Spike,--a week at +least.” + +“What if it does--I've a week to spare; we're nine days afore our time.” + +“Our time for what, sir? Is there any particular time set for a vessel's +going into Key West?” + +“Don't be womanish and over-cur'ous, Mulford. I sail with sealed orders, +and when we get well to windward of Jamaica, 't will be time enough to +open them.” + +Spike was as good as his word. As soon as he thought the sloop-of-war +was far enough to leeward, or when she was hull down, he filled away and +made sail on the wind to get nearer to Porto Rico. Long ere it was dark +he had lost sight of the sloop-of-war, when he altered his course to +south-westerly, which was carrying him in the direction he named, or to +windward of Jamaica. + +While this artifice was being practised on board the Molly Swash, the +officers of the Poughkeepsie were not quite satisfied with their own +mode of proceeding with the brigantine. The more they reasoned on the +matter, the more unlikely it seemed to them that Spike could be really +carrying a cargo of flour from New York to Key West, in the expectation +of disposing of it to the United States' contractors, and the more out +of the way did he seem to be in running through the Mona Passage. + +“His true course should have been by the Hole in the Wall, and so down +along the north side of Cuba, before the wind,” observed the first +lieutenant. “I wonder that never struck you, Wallace; you, who so little +like trouble.” + +“Certainly I knew it, but we lazy people like running off before the +wind, and I did not know but such were Mr. Spike's tastes,” answered the +“ship's gentleman.” “In my judgment, the reluctance he showed to letting +us have any of his flour, is much the most suspicious circumstance in +the whole affair.” + +These two speeches were made on the poop, in the presence of the +captain, but in a sort of an aside that admitted of some of the +ward-room familiarity exhibited. Captain Mull was not supposed to hear +what passed, though hear it he in fact did, as was seen by his own +remarks, which immediately succeeded. + +“I understood you to say, Mr. Wallace,” observed the captain, a little +drily, “that you saw the flour yourself?” + +“I saw the flour-barrels, sir; and as regularly built were they as any +barrels that ever were branded. But a flour-barrel may have contained +something beside flour.” + +“Flour usually makes itself visible in the handling; were these barrels +quite clean?” + +“Far from it, sir. They showed flour on their staves, like any other +cargo. After all, the man may have more sense than we give him credit +for, and find a high market for his cargo.” + +Captain Mull seemed to muse, which was a hint for his juniors not to +continue the conversation, but rather to seem to muse, too. After a +short pause, the captain quietly remarked--“Well, gentlemen, he will +be coming down after us, I suppose, as soon as he gets his new +topgallant-mast on-end, and then we can keep a bright look-out for him. +We shall cruise off Cape St. Antonio for a day or two, and no doubt +shall get another look at him. I should like to have one baking from his +flour.” + +But Spike had no intention to give the Poughkeepsie the desired +opportunity. As has been stated, he stood off to the southward on a +wind, and completely doubled the eastern end of Jamaica, when he put his +helm up, and went, with favouring wind and current, toward the northward +and westward. The consequence was, that he did not fall in with the +Poughkeepsie at all, which vessel was keeping a sharp look-out for him +in the neighbourhood of Cape St. Antonio and the Isle of Pines, at the +very moment he was running down the coast of Yucatan. Of all the large +maritime countries of the world, Mexico, on the Atlantic, is that which +is the most easily blockaded, by a superior naval power. By maintaining +a proper force between Key West and the Havanna, and another squadron +between Cape St. Antonio and Loggerhead Key, the whole country, the Bay +of Honduras excepted, is shut up, as it might be in a band-box. It is +true the Gulf would be left open to the Mexicans, were not squadrons +kept nearer in; but, as for anything getting out into the broad +Atlantic, it would be next to hopeless. The distance to be watched +between the Havanna and Key West is only about sixty miles, while that +in the other direction is not much greater. + +While the Swash was making the circuit of Jamaica, as described, +her captain had little communication with his passengers. The +misunderstanding with the relict embarrassed him as much as it +embarrassed her; and he was quite willing to let time mitigate her +resentment. Rose would be just as much in his power a fortnight hence +as she was today. This cessation in the captain's attentions gave the +females greater liberty, and they improved it, singularly enough as it +seemed to Mulford, by cultivating a strange sort of intimacy with Jack +Tier. The very day that succeeded the delicate conversation with Mrs. +Budd, to a part of which Jack had been an auditor, the uncouth-looking +steward's assistant was seen in close conference with the pretty +Rose; the subject of their conversation being, apparently, of a most +engrossing nature. From that hour, Jack got to be not only a confidant, +but a favourite, to Mulford's great surprise. A less inviting subject +for tête-à-tête and confidential dialogues, thought the young man, +could not well exist; but so it was; woman's caprices are inexplicable; +and not only Rose and her aunt, but even the captious and somewhat +distrustful Biddy, manifested on all occasions not only friendship, but +kindness and consideration for Jack. + +“You quite put my nose out o' joint, you Jack Tier, with 'e lady,” + grumbled Josh, the steward de jure, if not now de facto, of the craft, +“and I neber see nuttin' like it! I s'pose you expect ten dollar, at +least, from dem passenger, when we gets in. But I'd have you to know, +Misser Jack, if you please, dat a steward be a steward, and he do n't +like to hab trick played wid him, afore he own face.” + +“Poh! poh! Joshua,” answered Jack good-naturedly, “do n't distress +yourself on a consail. In the first place, you've got no nose to be +put out of joint; or, if you have really a nose, it has no joint. It's +nat'ral for folks to like their own colour, and the ladies prefar me, +because I'm white.” + +“No so werry white as all dat, nudder,” grumbled Josh. “I see great +many whiter dan you. But, if dem lady like you so much as to gib you ten +dollar, as I expects, when we gets in, I presumes you'll hand over half, +or six dollar, of dat money to your superior officer, as is law in de +case.” + +“Do you call six the half of ten, Joshua, my scholar, eh?” + +“Well, den, seven, if you like dat better. I wants just half, and just +half I means to git.” + +“And half you shall have, maty. I only wish you would just tell me where +we shall be, when we gets in.” + +“How I know, white man? Dat belong to skipper, and better ask him. If he +do n't gib you lick in de chop, p'rhaps he tell you.” + +As Jack Tier had no taste for “licks in the chops,” he did not follow +Josh's advice. But his agreeing to give half of the ten dollars to the +steward kept peace in the cabins. He was even so scrupulous of his word, +as to hand to Josh a half-eagle that very day; money he had received +from Rose; saying he would trust to Providence for his own half of the +expected douceur. This concession placed Jack Tier on high grounds with +his “superior officer,” and from that time the former was left to do the +whole of the customary service of the ladies' cabin. + +As respects the vessel, nothing worthy of notice occurred until she had +passed Loggerhead Key, and was fairly launched in the Gulf of Mexico. +Then, indeed, Spike took a step that greatly surprised his mate. The +latter was directed to bring all his instruments, charts, &c., and place +them in the captain's state-room, where it was understood they were +to remain until the brig got into port. Spike was but an indifferent +navigator, while Mulford was one of a higher order than common. So much +had the former been accustomed to rely on the latter, indeed, as they +approached a strange coast, that he could not possibly have taken any +step, that was not positively criminal, which would have given his mate +more uneasiness than this. + +At first, Mulford naturally enough suspected that Spike intended to push +for some Mexican port, by thus blinding his eyes as to the position of +the vessel. The direction steered, however, soon relieved the mate from +this apprehension. From the eastern extremity of Yucatan, the Mexican +coast trends to the westward, and even to the south of west, for a long +distance, whereas the course steered by Spike was north, easterly. This +was diverging from the enemy's coast instead of approaching it, and the +circumstance greatly relieved the apprehensions of Mulford. + +Nor was the sequestration of the mate's instruments the only suspicious +act of Spike. He caused the brig's paint to be entirely altered, and +even went so far toward disguising her, as to make some changes aloft. +All this was done as the vessel passed swiftly on her course, and +everything had been effected, apparently to the captain's satisfaction, +when the cry of “land-ho!” was once more heard. The land proved to be +a cluster of low, small islands, part coral, part sand, that might have +been eight or ten in number, and the largest of which did not possess +a surface of more than a very few acres. Many were the merest islets +imaginable, and on one of the largest of the cluster rose a tall, gaunt +light-house, having the customary dwelling of its keeper at its base. +Nothing else was visible; the broad expanse of the blue waters of the +Gulf excepted. All the land in sight would not probably have made one +field of twenty acres in extent, and that seemed cut off from the +rest of the world, by a broad barrier of water. It was a spot of such +singular situation and accessories, that Mulford gazed at it with a +burning desire to know where he was, as the brig steered through a +channel between two of the islets, into a capacious and perfectly safe +basin, formed by the group, and dropped her anchor in its centre. + + + +CHAPTER V + + “He sleeps; but dreams of massy gold, + And heaps of pearl. He stretch'd his hands-- + He hears a voice-- + + “Ill man withhold!' + A pale one near him stands.” + + Dana. + + +It was near night-fall when the Swash anchored among the low and small +islets mentioned. Rose had been on deck, as the vessel approached this +singular and solitary haven, watching the movements of those on board, +as well as the appearance of objects on the land, with the interest her +situation would be-likely to awaken. She saw the light and manageable +craft glide through the narrow and crooked passages that led into the +port, the process of anchoring, and the scene of tranquil solitude +that succeeded; each following the other as by a law of nature. The +light-house next attracted her attention, and, as soon as the sun +disappeared, her eyes were fastened on the lantern, in expectation of +beholding the watchful and warning fires gleaming there, to give the +mariner notice of the position of the dangers that surrounded the place. +Minute went by after minute, however, and the customary illumination +seemed to be forgotten. + +“Why is not this light shining?” Rose asked of Mulford, as the young man +came near her, after having discharged his duty in helping to moor the +vessel, and in clearing the decks. “All the light-houses we have passed, +and they have been fifty, have shown bright lights at this hour, but +this.” + +“I cannot explain it; nor have I the smallest notion where we are. I +have been aloft, and there was nothing in sight but this cluster of low +islets, far or near. I did fancy, for a moment, I saw a speck like a +distant sail, off here, to the northward and eastward, but I rather +think it was a gull, or some other sea-bird glancing upward on the +wing. I mentioned it to the captain when I came down, and he appeared to +believe it a mistake. I have watched that light-house closely, too, ever +since we came in, and I have not seen the smallest sign of life about +it. It is altogether an extraordinary place!” + +“One suited to acts of villany, I fear, Harry!” + +“Of that we shall be better judges to-morrow. You, at least, have one +vigilant friend, who will die sooner than harm shall come to you. I +believe Spike to be thoroughly unprincipled; still he knows he can go +so far and no further, and has a wholesome dread of the law. But the +circumstance that there should be such a port as this, with a regular +light-house, and no person near the last, is so much out of the common +way, that I do not know what to make of it.” + +“Perhaps the light-house keeper is afraid to show himself, in the +presence of the Swash?” + +“That can hardly be, for vessels must often enter the port, if port it +can be called. But Spike is as much concerned at the circumstance that +the lamps are not lighted, as any of us can be. Look, he is about +to visit the building in the boat, accompanied by two of his oldest +sea-dogs.” + +“Why might we not raise the anchor, and sail out of this place, leaving +Spike ashore?” suggested Rose, with more decision and spirit than +discretion. + +“For the simple reason that the act would be piracy, even if I could get +the rest of the people to obey my orders, as certainly I could not. +No, Rose: you, and your aunt, and Biddy, however, might land at these +buildings, and refuse to return, Spike having no authority over his +passengers.” + +“Still he would have the power to make us come back to his brig. +Look, he has left the vessel's side, and is going directly toward the +light-house.” + +Mulford made no immediate answer, but remained at Rose's side, watching +the movements of the captain. The last pulled directly to the islet with +the buildings, a distance of only a few hundred feet, the light-house +being constructed on a rocky island that was nearly in the centre of the +cluster, most probably to protect it from the ravages of the waves. +The fact, however, proved, as Mulford did not fail to suggest to his +companion, that the beacon had been erected less to guide vessels into +the haven, than to warn mariners at a distance, of the position of the +whole group. + +In less than five minutes after he had landed, Spike himself was seen in +the lantern, in the act of lighting its lamps. In a very short time the +place was in a brilliant blaze, reflectors and all the other parts of +the machinery of the place performing their duties as regularly as if +tended by the usual keeper. Soon after Spike returned on board, and +the anchor-watch was set. Then everybody sought the rest that it was +customary to take at that hour. + +Mulford was on deck with the appearance of the sun; but he found that +Spike had preceded him, had gone ashore again, had extinguished the +lamps, and was coming alongside of the brig on his return. A minute +later the captain came over the side. + +“You were right about your sail, last night, a'ter all, Mr. Mulford,” + said Spike, on coming aft. “There she is, sure enough; and we shall have +her alongside to strike cargo out and in, by the time the people have +got their breakfasts.” + +As Spike pointed toward the light-house while speaking, the mate changed +his position a little, and saw that a schooner was coming down toward +the islets before the wind. Mulford now began to understand the motives +of the captain's proceedings, though a good deal yet remained veiled in +mystery. He could not tell where the brig was, nor did he know precisely +why so many expedients were adopted to conceal the transfer of a cargo +as simple as that of flour. But he who was in the secret left but little +time for reflection; for swallowing a hasty breakfast on deck, he issued +orders enough to his mate to give him quite as much duty as he could +perform, when he again entered the yawl, and pulled toward the stranger. + +Rose soon appeared on deck, and she naturally began to question +Harry concerning their position and prospects. He was confessing his +ignorance, as well as lamenting it, when his companion's sweet face +suddenly flushed. She advanced a step eagerly toward the open window of +Spike's state-room, then compressed her full, rich under-lip with the +ivory of her upper teeth, and stood a single instant, a beautiful statue +of irresolution instigated by spirit. The last quality prevailed; +and Mulford was really startled when he saw Rose advance quite to the +window, thrust in an arm, and turn toward him with his own sextant in +her hand. During the course of the passage out, the young man had taught +Rose to assist him in observing the longitude; and she was now ready to +repeat the practice. Not a moment was lost in executing her intention. +Sights were had, and the instrument was returned to its place without +attracting the attention of the men, who were all busy in getting +up purchases, and in making the other necessary dispositions for +discharging the flour. The observations answered the purpose, though +somewhat imperfectly made. Mulford had a tolerable notion of their +latitude, having kept the brig's run in his head since quitting +Yutacan; and he now found that their longitude was about 83 o west from +Greenwich. After ascertaining this fact, a glance at the open chart, +which lay on Spike's desk, satisfied him that the vessel was anchored +within the group of the Dry Tortugas, or at the western termination of +the well-known, formidable, and extensive Florida Reef. He had +never been in that part of the world before, but had heard enough in +sea-gossip, and had read enough in books, to be at once apprised of +the true character of their situation. The islets were American; the +light-house was American; and the haven in which the Swash lay was the +very spot in the contemplation of government for an outer man-of-war +harbour, where fleets might rendezvous in the future wars of that +portion of the world. He now saw plainly enough the signs of the +existence of a vast reef, a short distance to the southward of the +vessel, that formed a species of sea-wall, or mole, to protect the port +against the waves of the gulf in that direction. This reef he knew to be +miles in width. + +There was little time for speculation, Spike soon bringing the strange +schooner directly alongside of the brig. The two vessels immediately +became a scene of activity, one discharging, and the other receiving +the flour as fast as it could be struck out of the hold of the Swash and +lowered upon the deck of the schooner. Mulford, however, had practised a +little artifice, as the stranger entered the haven, which drew down upon +him an anathema or two from Spike, as soon as they were alone. The +mate had set the brig's ensign, and this compelled the stranger to be +markedly rude, or to answer the compliment. Accordingly he had shown +the ancient flag of Spain. For thus extorting a national symbol from +the schooner, the mate was sharply rebuked at a suitable moment, though +nothing could have been more forbearing than the deportment of his +commander when they first met. + +When Spike returned to his own vessel, he was accompanied by a +dark-looking, well-dressed, and decidedly gentleman-like personage, whom +he addressed indifferently, in his very imperfect Spanish, as Don Wan, +(Don Juan, or John,) or Se¤or Montefalderon. By the latter appellation +he even saw fit to introduce the very respectable-looking stranger to +his mate. This stranger spoke English well, though with an accent. + +“Don Wan has taken all the flour, Mr. Mulford, and intends shoving it +over into Cuba, without troubling the custom-house, I believe; but that +is not a matter to give us any concern, you know.” + +The wink, and the knowing look by which this speech was accompanied, +seemed particularly disagreeable to Don Juan, who now paid his +compliments to Rose, with no little surprise betrayed in his +countenance, but with the ease and reserve of a gentleman. Mulford +thought it strange that a smuggler of flour should be so polished a +personage, though his duty did not admit of his bestowing much attention +on the little trifling of the interview that succeeded. + +For about an hour the work went steadily and rapidly on. During that +time Mulford was several times on board the schooner, as, indeed, was +Josh, Jack Tier, and others belonging to the Swash. The Spanish vessel +was Baltimore, or clipper built, with a trunk-cabin, and had every +appearance of sailing fast. Mulford was struck with her model, and, +while on board of her, he passed both forward and aft to examine +it. This was so natural in a seaman, that Spike, while he noted the +proceeding, took it in good part. He even called out to his mate, from +his own quarter-deck, to admire this or that point in the schooner's +construction. As is customary with the vessels of southern nations, this +stranger was full of men, but they continued at their work, some half +dozen of brawny negroes among them, shouting their songs as they swayed +at the falls, no one appearing to manifest jealousy or concern. At +length Tier came near the mate, and said, + +“Uncle Sam will not be pleased when he hears the reason that the keeper +is not in his light-house.” + +“And what is that reason, Jack? If you know it, tell it to me.” + +“Go aft and look down the companion-way, maty, and see it for yourself.” + +Mulford did go aft, and he made an occasion to look down into the +schooner's cabin, where he caught a glimpse of the persons of a man and +a boy, whom he at once supposed had been taken from the light-house. +This one fact of itself doubled his distrust of the character of Spike's +proceedings. There was no sufficient apparent reason why a mere smuggler +should care about the presence of an individual more or less in a +foreign port. Everything that had occurred, looked like pre-concert +between the brig and the schooner; and the mate was just beginning +to entertain the strongest distrust that their vessel was holding +treasonable communication with the enemy, when an accident removed all +doubt on the subject, from his own mind at least. Spike had, once or +twice, given his opinion that the weather was treacherous, and urged +the people of both crafts to extraordinary exertions, in order that the +vessels might get clear of each other as soon as possible. This appeal +had set various expedients in motion to second the more regular work of +the purchases. Among other things, planks had been laid from one vessel +to the other, and barrels were rolled along them with very little +attention to the speed or the direction. Several had fallen on the +schooner's deck with rude shocks, but no damage was done, until one, +of which the hoops had not been properly secured, met with a fall, and +burst nearly at Mulford's feet. It was at the precise moment when the +mate was returning, from taking his glance into the cabin, toward +the side of the Swash. A white cloud arose, and half a dozen of the +schooner's people sprang for buckets, kids, or dishes, in order to +secure enough of the contents of the broken barrel to furnish them with +a meal. At first nothing was visible but the white cloud that succeeded +the fall, and the scrambling sailors in its midst. No sooner, however, +had the air got to be a little clear, than Mulford saw an object lying +in centre of the wreck, that he at once recognised for a keg of the +gunpowder! The captain of the schooner seized this keg, gave a knowing +look at Mulford, and disappeared in the hold of his own vessel, carrying +with him, what was out of all question, a most material part of the true +cargo of the Swash. + +At the moment when the flour-barrel burst, Spike was below, in close +conference with his Spanish, or Mexican guest; and the wreck being so +soon cleared away, it is probable that he never heard of the accident. +As for the two crews, they laughed a little among themselves at the +revelation which had been made, as well as at the manner; but to old +sea-dogs like them, it was a matter of very little moment, whether the +cargo was, in reality, flour or gunpowder. In a few minutes the affair +seemed to be forgotten. In the course of another hour the Swash was +light, having nothing in her but some pig-lead, which she used for +ballast, while the schooner was loaded to her hatches, and full. Spike +now sent a boat, with orders to drop a kedge about a hundred yards from +the place where his own brig lay. The schooner warped up to this kedge, +and dropped an anchor of her own, leaving a very short range of cable +out, it being a flat calm. Ordinarily, the trades prevail at the Dry +Tortugas, and all along the Florida Reef. Sometimes, indeed, this breeze +sweeps across the whole width of the Gulf of Mexico, blowing home, as it +is called--reaching even to the coast of Texas. It is subject, however, +to occasional interruptions everywhere, varying many points in its +direction, and occasionally ceasing entirely. The latter was the +condition of the weather about noon on this day, or when the schooner +hauled off from the brig, and was secured at her own anchor. + +“Mr. Mulford,” said Spike, “I do not like the state of the atmosphere. +D'ye see that fiery streak along the western horizon--well, sir, as the +sun gets nearer to that streak, there'll be trouble, or I'm no judge of +weather.” + +“You surely do not imagine, Captain Spike, that the sun will be any +nearer to that fiery streak, as you call it, when he is about to set, +than he is at this moment?” answered the mate, smiling. + +“I'm sure of one thing, young man, and that is, that old heads are +better than young ones. What a man has once seen, he may expect to see +again, if the same leading signs offer. Man the boat, sir, and carry out +the kedge, which is still in it, and lay it off here, about three p'ints +on our larboard bow.” + +Mulford had a profound respect for Spike's seamanship, whatever he might +think of his principles. The order was consequently obeyed. The mate was +then directed to send down various articles out of the top, and to get +the top-gallant and royal yards on deck. Spike carried his precautions +so far, as to have the mainsail lowered, it ordinarily brailing at +that season of the year, with a standing gaff. With this disposition +completed, the captain seemed more at his ease, and went below to join +Se¤or Montefalderon in a siesta. The Mexican, for such, in truth, was +the national character of the owner of the schooner, had preceded him +in this indulgence; and most of the people of the brig having laid +themselves down to sleep under the heat of the hour, Mulford soon +enjoyed another favourable opportunity for a private conference with +Rose. + +“Harry,” commenced the latter, as soon as they were alone; “I have much +to tell you. While you have been absent I have overheard a conversation +between this Spanish gentleman and Spike, that shows the last is in +treaty with the other for the sale of the brig. Spike extolled his +vessel to the skies, while Don Wan, as he calls him, complains that the +brig is old, and cannot last long; to which Spike answered 'to be sure +she is old, Se¤or Montefalderon, but she will last as long as your war, +and under a bold captain might be made to return her cost a hundred +fold!' What war can he mean, and to what does such a discourse tend?” + +“The war alludes to the war now existing between America and Mexico, +and the money to be made is to be plundered at sea, from our own +merchant-vessels. If Don Juan Montefalderon is really in treaty for +the purchase of the brig, it is to convert her into a Mexican cruiser, +either public or private.” + +“But this would be treason on the part of Spike!” + +“Not more so than supplying the enemy with gunpowder, as he has just +been doing. I have ascertained the reason he was so unwilling to be +overhauled by the revenue steamer, as well as the reason why the +revenue steamer wished so earnestly to overhaul us. Each barrel of flour +contains another of gunpowder, and that has been sold to this Se¤or +Montefalderon, who is doubtless an officer of the Mexican government, +and no smuggler.” + +“He has been at New York, this very summer, I know,” continued Rose, +“for he spoke of his visit, and made such other remarks, as leaves no +doubt that Spike expected to find him here, on this very day of the +month. He also paid Spike a large sum of money in doubloons, and took +back the bag to his schooner, when he had done so, after showing the +captain enough was left to pay for the brig could they only agree on the +terms of their bargain.” + +“Ay, ay; it is all plain enough now, Spike has determined on a desperate +push for fortune, and foreseeing it might not soon be in his power to +return to New York in safety, he has included his designs on you and +your fortune, in the plot.” + +“My fortune! the trifle I possess can scarcely be called a fortune, +Harry!” + +“It would be a fortune to Spike, Rose; and I shall be honest enough to +own it would be a fortune to me. I say this frankly, for I do believe +you think too well of me to suppose that I seek you for any other reason +than the ardent love I bear your person and character; but a fact is +not to be denied because it may lead certain persons to distrust our +motives. Spike is poor, like myself; and the brig is not only getting to +be very old, but she has been losing money for the last twelve months.” + +Mulford and Rose now conversed long and confidentially, on their +situation and prospects. The mate neither magnified nor concealed the +dangers of both; but freely pointed out the risk to himself, in being +on board a vessel that was aiding and comforting the enemy. It was +determined between there that both would quit the brig the moment an +opportunity offered; and the mate even went so far as to propose an +attempt to escape in one of the boats, although he might incur the +hazards of a double accusation, those of mutiny and larceny, for making +the experiment. Unfortunately, neither Rose, nor her aunt, nor Biddy, +nor Jack Tier had seen the barrel of powder, and neither could testify +as to the true character of Spike's connection with the schooner. It was +manifestly necessary, therefore, independently of the risks that +might be run by “bearding the lion in his den,” to proceed with great +intelligence and caution. + +This dialogue between Harry and Rose, occurred just after the turn in +the day, and lasted fully an hour. Each had been too much interested to +observe the heavens, but, as they were on the point of separating, Rose +pointed out to her companion the unusual and most menacing aspect of the +sky in the western horizon. It appeared as if a fiery heat was glowing +there, behind a curtain of black vapour; and what rendered it more +remarkable, was the circumstance that an extraordinary degree of +placidity prevailed in all other parts of the heavens. Mulford scarce +knew what to make of it; his experience not going so far as to enable +him to explain the novel and alarming appearance. He stepped on a gun, +and gazed around him for a moment. There lay the schooner, without a +being visible on board of her, and there stood the light-house, gloomy +in its desertion and solitude. The birds alone seemed to be alive and +conscious of what was approaching. They were all on the wing, wheeling +wildly in the air, and screaming discordantly, as belonged to their +habits. The young man leaped off the gun, gave a loud call to Spike, at +the companion-way, and sprang forward to call all hands. + +One minute only was lost, when every seaman on board the Swash, from the +captain to Jack Tier, was on deck. Mulford met Spike at the cabin door, +and pointed toward the fiery column, that was booming down upon the +anchorage, with a velocity and direction that would now admit of no +misinterpretation. For one instant that sturdy old seaman stood aghast; +gazing at the enemy as one conscious of his impotency might have +been supposed to quail before an assault that he foresaw must prove +irresistible. Then his native spirit, and most of all the effects of +training, began to show themselves in him, and he became at once, not +only the man again, but the resolute, practised, and ready commander. + +“Come aft to the spring, men--” he shouted--“clap on the spring, Mr. +Mulford, and bring the brig head to wind.” + +This order was obeyed as seamen best obey, in cases of sudden and +extreme emergency; or with intelligence, aptitude and power. The brig +had swung nearly round, in the desired direction, when the tornado +struck her. It will be difficult, we do not know but it is impossible, +to give a clear and accurate account of what followed. As most of +our readers have doubtless felt how great is the power of the wind, +whiffling and pressing different ways, in sudden and passing gusts, +they have only to imagine this power increased many, many fold, and +the baffling currents made furious, as it might be, by meeting with +resistance, to form some notion of the appalling strength and frightful +inconstancy with which it blew for about a minute. + +Notwithstanding the circumstance of Spike's precaution had greatly +lessened the danger, every man on the deck of the Swash believed the +brig was gone when the gust struck her. Over she went, in fact, until +the water came pouring in above her half-ports, like so many little +cascades, and spouting up through her scupper-holes, resembling the +blowing of young whales. It was the whiffling energy of the tornado +that alone saved her. As if disappointed in not destroying its intended +victim at one swoop, the tornado “let up” in its pressure, like a +dexterous wrestler, making a fresh and desperate effort to overturn +the vessel, by a slight variation in its course. That change saved the +Swash. She righted, and even rolled in the other direction, or what +might be called to windward, with her decks full of water. For a minute +longer these baffling, changing gusts continued, each causing the brig +to bow like a reed to their power, one lifting as another pressed her +down, and then the weight, or the more dangerous part of the tornado was +passed, though it continued to blow heavily, always in whiffling blasts, +several minutes longer. + +During the weight of the gust, no one had leisure, or indeed inclination +to look to aught beyond its effect on the brig. Had one been otherwise +disposed, the attempt would have been useless, for the wind had filled +the air with spray, and near the islets even with sand. The lurid but +fiery tinge, too, interposed a veil that no human eye could penetrate. +As the tornado passed onward, however, and the winds lulled, the air +again became clear, and in five minutes after the moment when the Swash +lay nearly on her side, with her lower yard-arm actually within a +few feet of the water, all was still and placid around her, as one is +accustomed to see the ocean in a calm, of a summer's afternoon. Then +it was that those who had been in such extreme jeopardy could breathe +freely and look about them. On board the Swash all was well--not a +rope-yarn had parted, or an eyebolt drawn. The timely precautions of +Spike had saved his brig, and great was his joy thereat. + +In the midst of the infernal din of the tornado, screams had ascended +from the cabin, and the instant he could quit the deck with propriety, +Mulford sprang below, in order to ascertain their cause. He apprehended +that some of the females had been driven to leeward when the brig went +over, and that part of the luggage or furniture had fallen on them. In +the main cabin, the mate found Se¤or Montefalderon just quitting his +berth, composed, gentleman-like, and collected. Josh was braced in a +corner nearly grey with fear, while Jack Tier still lay on the cabin +floor, at the last point to which he had rolled. One word sufficed to +let Don Juan know that the gust had passed, and the brig was safe, when +Mulford tapped at the deor of the inner cabin. Rose appeared, pale, but +calm and unhurt. + +“Is any one injured?” asked the young man, his mind relieved at once, +as soon as he saw that she who most occupied his thoughts was safe; “we +heard screams from this cabin.” + +“My aunt and Biddy have been frightened,” answered Rose, “but neither +has been hurt. Oh, Harry, what terrible thing has happened to us? I +heard the roaring of--” + +“ 'T was a tornado,” interrupted Mulford eagerly, “but 't is over. 'T +was one of those sudden and tremendous gusts that sometimes occur within +the tropics, in which the danger is usually in the first shock. If no +one is injured in this cabin, no one is injured at all.” + +“Oh, Mr. Mulford--dear Mr. Mulford!” exclaimed the relict, from the +corner into which she had been followed and jammed by Biddy, “Oh, Mr. +Mulford, are we foundered or not?” + +“Heaven be praised, not, my dear ma'am, though we came nearer to it than +I ever was before.” + +“Are we cap-asided?” + +“Nor that, Mrs. Budd; the brig is as upright as a church.” + +“Upright!” repeated Biddy, in her customary accent,--“is it as a church? +Sure, then, Mr. Mate, 't is a Presbyterian church that you mane, and +that is always totterin'.” + +“Catholic, or Dutch--no church in York is more completely up and down +than the brig at this moment.” + +“Get off of me--get off of me, Biddy, and let me rise,” said the widow, +with dignity. “The danger is over I see, and, as we return our thanks +for it, we have the consolation of knowing that we have done our duty. +It is incumbent on all, at such moments, to be at their posts, and to +set examples of decision and prudence.” + +As Mulford saw all was well in the cabin, he hastened on deck, followed +by Se¤or Montefalderon. Just as they emerged from the companion-way, +Spike was hailing the forecastle. + +“Forecastle, there,” he cried, standing on the trunk himself as he +did so, and moving from side to side, as if to catch a glimpse of some +object ahead. + +“Sir,” came back from an old salt, who was coiling up rigging in that +seat of seamanship. + +“Where-away is the schooner? She ought to be dead ahead of us, as we +tend now--but blast me if I can see as much as her mast-heads.” + +At this suggestion, a dozen men sprang upon guns or other objects, to +look for the vessel in question. The old salt forward, however, had much +the best chance, for he stepped on the heel of the bowsprit, and walked +as far out as the knight-heads, to command the whole view ahead of the +brig. There he stood half a minute, looking first on one side of the +head-gear, then the other, when he gave his trousers a hitch, put a +fresh quid in his mouth, and called out in a voice almost as hoarse as +the tempest, that had just gone by, + +“The schooner has gone down at her anchor, sir. There's her buoy +watching still, as if nothing had happened; but as for the craft itself, +there's not so much as a bloody yard-arm, or mast-head of her to be +seen!” + +This news produced a sensation in the brig at once, as may be supposed. +Even Se¤or Montefalderon, a quiet, gentleman-like person, altogether +superior in deportment to the bustle and fuss that usually marks the +manners of persons in trade, was disturbed; for to him the blow was +heavy indeed. Whether he were acting for himself, or was an agent of the +Mexican government, the loss was much the same. + +“Tom is right enough,” put in Spike, rather coolly for the +circumstances--“that there schooner of yourn has foundered, Don Wan, as +any one can see. She must have cap-sized and filled, for I obsarved +they had left the hatches off, meaning, no doubt, to make an end of the +storage as soon as they had done sleeping.” + +“And what has become of all her men, Don Esteban?” for so the Mexican +politely called his companion. “Have all my poor countrymen perished in +this disaster?” + +“I fear they have, Don Wan; for I see no head, as of any one swimming. +The vessel lay so near that island next to it, that a poor swimmer would +have no difficulty in reaching the place; but there is no living thing +to be seen. But man the boat, men; we will go to the spot, Se¤or, and +examine for ourselves.” + +There were two boats in the water, and along-side of the brig. One was +the Swash's yawl, a small but convenient craft, while the other was much +larger, fitted with a sail, and had all the appearance of having been +built to withstand breezes and seas. Mulford felt perfectly satisfied, +the moment he saw this boat, which had come into the haven in tow of the +schooner, that it had been originally in the service of the light-house +keeper. As there was a very general desire among those on the +quarter-deck to go to the assistance of the schooner, Spike ordered both +boats manned, jumping into the yawl himself, accompanied by Don Juan +Montefalderon, and telling Mulford to follow with the larger craft, +bringing with him as many of the females as might choose to accompany +him. As Mrs. Budd thought it incumbent on her to be active in such a +scene, all did go, including Biddy, though with great reluctance on the +part of Rose. + +With the buoy for a guide, Spike had no difficulty in finding the spot +where the schooner lay. She had scarcely shifted her berth in the least, +there having been no time for her even to swing to the gust, but she had +probably cap-sized at the first blast, filled, and gone down instantly. +The water was nearly as clear as the calm, mild atmosphere of the +tropics; and it was almost as easy to discern the vessel, and all her +hamper, as if she lay on a beach. She had sunk as she filled, or on her +side, and still continued in that position. As the water was little more +than three fathoms deep, the upper side was submerged but a few +inches, and her yard-arms would have been out of the water, but for the +circumstance that the yards had canted under the pressure. + +At first, no sign was seen of any of those who had been on board this +ill-fated schooner when she went down. It was known that twenty-one +souls were in her, including the man and the boy who had belonged to +the light-house. As the boat moved slowly over this sad ruin, however, +a horrible and startling spectacle came in view. Two bodies were seen, +within a few feet of the surface of the water, one grasped in the arms +of the other, in the gripe of despair. The man held in the grasp, was +kept beneath the water solely by the death-lock of his companion, who +was himself held where he floated, by the circumstance that one of his +feet was entangled in a rope. The struggle could not have been long +over, for the two bodies were slowly settling toward the bottom when +first seen. It is probable that both these men had more than once risen +to the surface in their dreadful struggle. Spike seized a boat-hook, +and made an effort to catch the clothes of the nearest body, but +ineffectually, both sinking to the sands beneath, lifeless, and without +motion. There being no sharks in sight, Mulford volunteered to dive and +fasten a line to one of these unfortunate men, whom Don Juan declared at +once was the schooner's captain. Some little time was lost in procuring +a lead-line from the brig, when the lead was dropped alongside of the +drowned. Provided with another piece of the same sort of line, which had +a small running bowline around that which was fastened to the lead, +the mate made his plunge, and went down with great vigour of arm. It +required resolution and steadiness to descend so far into salt water; +but Harry succeeded, and rose with the bodies, which came up with the +slightest impulse. All were immediately got into the boat, and away the +latter went toward the light-house, which was nearer and more easy of +access than the brig. + +It is probable that one of these unfortunate men might have been revived +under judicious treatment; but he was not fated to receive it. Spike, +who knew nothing of such matters, undertook to direct everything, and, +instead of having recourse to warmth and gentle treatment, he ordered +the bodies to be rolled on a cask, suspended them by the heels, and +resorted to a sort of practice that might have destroyed well men, +instead of resuscitating those in whom the vital spark was dormant, if +not actually extinct. + +Two hours later, Rose, seated in her own cabin, unavoidably overheard +the following dialogue, which passed in English, a language that Se¤or +Montefalderon spoke perfectly well, as has been said. + +“Well, Se¤or,” said Spike, “I hope this little accident will not prevent +our final trade. You will want the brig now, to take the schooner's +place.” + +“And how am I to pay you for the brig, Se¤or Spike, even if I buy her?” + +“I'll ventur' to guess there is plenty of money in Mexico. Though they +do say the government is so backward about paying, I have always found +you punctual, and am not afraid to put faith in you ag'in.” + +“But I have no longer any money to pay you half in hand, as I did for +the powder, when last in New York.” + +“The bag was pretty well lined with doubloons when I saw it last, +Se¤or.” + +“And do you know where that bag is; and where there is another that +holds the same sum?” + +Spike started, and he mused in silence some little time, ere he again +spoke. + +“I had forgotten,” he at length answered. “The gold must have all gone +down in the schooner, along with the powder!” + +“And the poor men!” + +“Why, as for the men, Se¤or, more may be had for the asking; but powder +and doubloons will be hard to find, when most wanted. Then the men were +poor men, accordin' to my idees of what an able seaman should be, or +they never would have let their schooner turn turtle with them as she +did.” + +“We will talk of the money, Don Esteban, if you please,” said the +Mexican, with reserve. + +“With all my heart, Don Wan--nothing is more agreeable to me than +money. How many of them doubloons shall fall to my share, if I raise the +schooner and put you in possession of your craft again?” + +“Can that be done, Se¤or?” demanded Don Juan earnestly. + +“A seaman can do almost anything, in that way, Don Wan, if you will give +him time and means. For one-half the doubloons I can find in the wrack, +the job shall be done.” + +“You can have them,” answered Don Juan, quietly, a good deal surprised +that Spike should deem it necessary to offer him any part of the sum he +might find. “As for the powder, I suppose that is lost to my country.” + +“Not at all, Don Wan. The flour is well packed around it, and I don't +expect it would take any harm in a month. I shall not only turn over +the flour to you, just as if nothing had happened, but I shall put four +first-rate hands aboard your schooner, who will take her into port for +you, with a good deal more sartainty than forty of the men you had. My +mate is a prime navigator.” + +This concluded the bargain, every word of which was heard by Rose, and +every word of which she did not fail to communicate to Mulford, the +moment there was an opportunity. The young man heard it with great +interest, telling Rose that he should do all he could to assist in +raising the schooner, in the hope that something might turn up to enable +him to escape in her, taking off Rose and her aunt. As for his carrying +her into a Mexican port, let them trust him for that! Agreeably to the +arrangement, orders were given that afternoon to commence the necessary +preparations for the work, and considerable progress was made in them +by the time the Swash's people were ordered to knock off work for the +night. + +After the sun had set, the reaction in the currents again commenced, +and it blew for a few hours heavily, during the night. Toward morning, +however, it moderated, and when the sun re-appeared it scarcely ever +diffused its rays over a more peaceful or quiet day. Spike caused all +hands to be called, and immediately set about the important business he +had before him. + +In order that the vessel might be as free as possible, Jack Tier +was directed to skull the females ashore, in the brig's yawl; Se¤or +Montefalderon, a man of polished manners, as we maintain is very apt to +be the case with Mexican gentlemen, whatever may be the opinion of this +good republic on the subject just at this moment, asked permission to be +of the party. Mulford found an opportunity to beg Rose, if they landed +at the light, to reconnoitre the place well, with a view to ascertain +what facilities it could afford in an attempt to escape. They did land +at the light, and glad enough were Mrs. Budd, Rose and Biddy to place +their feet on terra firma after so long a confinement to the narrow +limits of a vessel. + +“Well,” said Jack Tier, as they walked up to the spot where the +buildings stood, “this is a rum place for a light'us, Miss Rose, and I +don't wonder the keeper and his mess-mates has cleared out.” + +“I am very sorry to say,” observed Se¤or Montefalderon, whose +countenance expressed the concern he really felt, “that the keeper and +his only companion, a boy, were on board the schooner, and have perished +in her, in common with so many of my poor countrymen. There are the +graves of two whom we buried here last evening, after vain efforts to +restore them to life!” + +“What a dreadful catastrophe it has been, Se¤or,” said Rose, whose sweet +countenance eloquently expressed the horror and regret she so naturally +felt--“Twenty fellow-beings hurried into eternity without even an +instant for prayer!” + +“You feel for them, Se¤orita--it is natural you should, and it is +natural that I, their countryman and leader, should feel for them, also. +I do not know what God has in reserve for my unfortunate country! We +may have cruel and unscrupulous men among us, Se¤orita, but we have +thousands who are just, and brave, and honourable.” + +“So Mr. Mulford tells me, Se¤or; and he has been much in your ports, on +the west coast.” + +“I like that young man, and wonder not a little at his and your +situation in this brig--” rejoined the Mexican, dropping his voice so +as not to be heard by their companions, as they walked a little ahead +of Mrs. Budd and Biddy. “The Se¤or Spike is scarcely worthy to be his +commander or your guardian.” + +“Yet you find him worthy of your intercourse and trust, Don Juan?” + +The Mexican shrugged his shoulders, and smiled equivocally; still, in +a melancholy manner. It would seem he did not deem it wise to push this +branch of the subject further, since he turned to another. + +“I like the Se¤or Mulford,” he resumed, “for his general deportment and +principles, so far as I can judge of him on so short an acquaintance.” + +“Excuse me, Se¤or,” interrupted Rose, hurriedly--“but you never saw him +until you met him here.” + +“Never--I understand you, Se¤orita, and can do full justice to the young +man's character. I am willing to think he did not know the errand of his +vessel, or I should not have seen him now. But what I most like him for, +is this: Last night, during the gale, he and I walked the deck together, +for an hour. We talked of Mexico, and of this war, so unfortunate for +my country already, and which may become still more so, when he uttered +this noble sentiment--'My country is more powerful than yours, Se¤or +Montefalderon,' he said, 'and in this it has been more favoured by God. +You have suffered from ambitious rulers, and from military rule, while +we have been advancing under the arts of peace, favoured by a most +beneficent Providence. As for this war, I know but little about it, +though I dare say the Mexican government may have been wrong in some +things that it might have controlled and some that it might not--but +let right be where it will, I am sorry to see a nation that has taken +so firm a stand in favour of popular government, pressed upon so hard +by another that is supposed to be the great support of such principles. +America and Mexico are neighbours, and ought to be friends; and while +I do not, cannot blame my own country for pursuing the war with vigour, +nothing would please me more than to hear peace proclaimed.'” + +“That is just like Harry Mulford,” said Rose, thoughtfully, as soon as +her companion ceased to speak. “I do wish, Se¤or, that there could be no +use for this powder, that is now buried in the sea.” + +Don Juan Montefalderon smiled, and seemed a little surprised that +the fair young thing at his side should have known of the treacherous +contents of the flour-barrels. No doubt he found it inexplicable, that +persons like Rose and Mulford should, seemingly, be united with one like +Spike; but he was too well bred, and, indeed, too effectually mystified, +to push the subject further than might be discreet. + +By this time they were near the entrance of the lighthouse, into which +the whole party entered, in a sort of mute awe at its silence and +solitude. At Se¤or Montefalderon's invitation, they ascended to +the lantern, whence they could command a wide and fair view of the +surrounding waters. The reef was much more apparent from that elevation +than from below; and Rose could see that numbers of its rocks were bare, +while on other parts of it there was the appearance of many feet of +water. Rose gazed at it with longing eyes, for, from a few remarks that +had fallen from Mulford, she suspected he had hopes of escaping among +its channels and coral. + +As they descended and walked through the buildings, Rose also took good +heed of the supplies the place afforded. There were flour, and beef, and +pork, and many other of the common articles of food, as well as water +in a cistern, that caught it as it flowed from the roof of the dwelling. +Water was also to be found in casks--nothing like a spring or a well +existing among those islets. All these things Rose noted, putting them +aside in her memory for ready reference hereafter. + +In the mean time the mariners were not idle. Spike moved his brig, and +moored her, head and stern, alongside of the wreck, before the people +got their breakfasts. As soon as that meal was ended, both captain and +mate set about their duty in earnest. Mulford carried out an anchor on +the off-side of the Swash, and dropped it at a distance of about +eighty fathoms from the vessel's beam. Purchases were brought from both +mast-heads of the brig to the chain of this anchor, and were hove upon +until the vessel was given a heel of more than a streak, and the cable +was tolerably taut. Other purchases were got up opposite, and overhauled +down, in readiness to take hold of the schooner's masts. The anchor of +the schooner was weighed by its buoy-rope, and the chain, after being +rove through the upper or opposite hawse-hole, brought in on board the +Swash. Another chain was dropped astern, in such a way, that when the +schooner came upright, it would be sure to pass beneath her keel, +some six or eight feet from the rudder. Slings were then sunk over the +mast-heads, and the purchases were hooked on. Hours were consumed in +these preliminary labours, and the people went to dinner as soon as they +were completed. + +When the men had dined, Spike brought one of his purchases to the +windlass, and the other to the capstan, though not until each was +bowsed taut by hand; a few minutes having brought the strain so far on +everything, as to enable a seaman, like Spike, to form some judgment +of the likelihood that his preventers and purchases would stand. Some +changes were found necessary to equalize the strain, but, on the whole, +the captain was satisfied with his work, and the crew were soon ordered +to “heave-away; the windlass best.” + +In the course of half an hour the hull of the vessel, which lay on its +bilge, began to turn on its keel, and the heads of the spars to rise +above the water. This was the easiest part of the process, all that was +required of the purchases being to turn over a mass which rested on the +sands of the bay. Aided by the long levers afforded by the spars, the +work advanced so rapidly, that, in just one hour's time after his people +had begun to heave, Spike had the pleasure to see the schooner standing +upright, alongside of his own brig, though still sunk to the bottom. The +wreck was secured in this position, by means of guys and preventers, in +order that it might not again cant, when the order was issued to hook on +the slings that were to raise it to the surface. These slings were the +chains of the schooner, one of which went under her keel, while for the +other the captain trusted to the strength of the two hawse-holes, having +passed the cable out of one and in at the other, in a way to serve his +purposes, as has just been stated. + +When all was ready, Spike mustered his crew, and made a speech. He told +the men that he was about a job that was out of the usual line of their +duty, and that he knew they had a right to expect extra pay for such +extra work. The schooner contained money, and his object was to get at +it. If he succeeded, their reward would be a doubloon a man, which would +be earning more than a month's wages by twenty-four hours' work. This +was enough. The men wanted to hear no more; but they cheered their +commander, and set about their task in the happiest disposition +possible. + +The reader will understand that the object to be first achieved, was to +raise a vessel, with a hold filled with flour and gunpowder, from off +the bottom of the bay to its surface. As she stood, the deck of this +vessel was about six feet under water, and every one will understand +that her weight, so long as it was submerged in a fluid as dense as that +of the sea, would be much more manageable than if suspended in air. +The barrels, for instance, were not much heavier than the water they +displaced, and the wood work of the vessel itself, was, on the whole, +positively lighter than the element in which it had sunk. As for the +water in the hold, that was of the same weight as the water on the +outside of the craft, and there had not been much to carry the schooner +down, beside her iron, the spars that were out of water, and her +ballast. This last, some ten or twelve tons in weight, was in fact the +principal difficulty, and alone induced Spike to have any doubts about +his eventual success. There was no foreseeing the result until he had +made a trial, however; and the order was again given to “heave away.” + +To the infinite satisfaction of the Swash's crew, the weight was found +quite manageable, so long as the hull remained beneath the water. +Mulford, with three or four assistants, was kept on board the schooner +lightening her, by getting the other anchor off her bows, and throwing +the different objects overboard, or on the decks of the brig. By the +time the bulwarks reached the surface, as much was gained in this way, +as was lost by having so much of the lighter woodwork rise above the +water. As a matter of course, however, the weight increased as the +vessel rose, and more especially as the lower portion of the spars, the +bowsprit, boom, &c., from being buoyant assistants, became so much dead +weight to be lifted. + +Spike kept a watchful eye on his spars, and the extra supports he had +given them. He was moving, the whole time, from point to point, feeling +shrouds and back-stays, and preventers, in order to ascertain the degree +of strain on each, or examining how the purchases stood. As for the +crew, they cheered at their toil, incessantly, passing from capstan bars +to the handspikes, and vice versa. They, too, felt that their task was +increasing in resistance as it advanced, and now found it more difficult +to gain an inch, than it had been at first to gain a foot. They seemed, +indeed, to be heaving their own vessel out, instead of heaving the other +craft up, and it was not long before they had the Swash heeling over +toward the wreck several streaks. The strain, moreover, on everything, +became not only severe, but somewhat menacing. Every shroud, back-stay, +and preventer was as taut as a bar of iron, and the chain-cable that +led to the anchor planted off abeam, was as straight as if the brig were +riding by it in a gale of wind. One or two ominous surges aloft, too, +had been heard, and, though no more than straps and slings settling into +their places under hard strains, they served to remind the crew that +danger might come from that quarter. Such was the state of things, when +Spike called out to “heave and pall,” that he might take a look at the +condition of the wreck. + +Although a great deal remained to be done, in order to get the schooner +to float, a great deal had already been done. Her precise condition was +as follows: Having no cabin windows, the water had entered her, when she +capsized, by the only four apertures her construction possessed. These +were the companion-way, or cabin-doors; the sky-light; the main-hatch, +or the large inlet amid-ships, by which cargo went up and down; and the +booby-hatch, which was the counterpart of the companion-way, forward; +being intended to admit of ingress to the forecastle, the apartment of +the crew. Each of these hatch-ways, or orifices, had the usual defences +of “coamings,” strong frame-work around their margins. These coamings +rose six or eight inches above the deck, and answered the double purpose +of strengthening the vessel, in a part, that without them would be +weaker han common, and of preventing any water that might be washing +about the decks from running below. As soon, therefore, as these three +apertures, or their coamings, could be raised above the level of the +water of the basin, all danger of the vessel's receiving any further +tribute of that sort from the ocean would be over. It was to this end, +consequently, that Spike's efforts had been latterly directed, though +they had only in part succeeded. The schooner possessed a good deal of +sheer, as it is termed; or, her two extremities rose nearly a foot above +her centre, when on an even keel. This had brought her extremities first +to the surface, and it was the additional weight which had consequently +been brought into the air that had so much increased the strain, and +induced Spike to pause. The deck forward, as far aft as the foremast, +and aft as far forward as the centre of the trunk, or to the sky-light, +was above the water, or at least awash; while all the rest of it was +covered. In the vicinity of the main-hatch there were several inches of +water; enough indeed to leave the upper edge of the coamings submerged +by about an inch. To raise the keel that inch by means of the purchases, +Spike well knew would cost him more labour, and would incur more risk +than all that had been done previously, and he paused before he would +attempt it. + +The men were now called from the brig and ordered to come on board the +schooner. Spike ascertained by actual measurement how much was wanted +to bring the coamings of the main-hatch above the water, until which, +he knew, pumping and bailing would be useless. He found it was quite an +inch, and was at a great loss to know how that inch should be obtained. +Mulford advised another trial with the handspikes and bars, but to this +Spike would not consent. He believed that the masts of the brig had +already as much pressure on them as they would bear. The mate next +proposed getting the main boom off the vessel, and to lighten the craft +by cutting away her bowsprit and masts. The captain was well enough +disposed to do this, but he doubted whether it would meet with the +approbation of “Don Wan,” who was still ashore with Rose and her aunt, +and who probably looked forward to recovering his gunpowder by means +of those very spars. At length the carpenter hit upon a plan that was +adopted. + +This plan was very simple, though it had its own ingenuity. It will +be remembered that water could now only enter the vessel's hold at the +main-hatch, all the other hatchways having their coamings above the +element. The carpenter proposed, therefore, that the main-hatches, which +had been off when the tornado occurred, but which had been found on deck +when the vessel righted, should now be put on, oakum being first laid +along in their rabbetings, and that the cracks should be stuffed with +additional oakum, to exclude as much water as possible. He thought that +two or three men, by using caulking irons for ten minutes, would make +the hatch-way so tight that very little water would penetrate. While +this was doing, he himself would bore as many holes forward and aft +as he could, with a two inch auger, out of which the water then in the +vessel would be certain to run. Spike was delighted with this project, +and gave the necessary orders on the spot. + +This much must be said of the crew of the Molly Swash--whatever they did +in their own profession, they did intelligently and well. On the present +occasion they maintained their claim to this character, and were both +active and expert. The hatches were soon on, and, in an imperfect +manner, caulked. While this was doing, the carpenter got into a boat, +and going under the schooner's bows, where a whole plank was out of +water, he chose a spot between two of the timbers, and bored a hole as +near the surface of the water as he dared to do. Not satisfied with one +hole, however, he bored many--choosing both sides of the vessel to make +them, and putting some aft as well as forward. In a word, in the course +of twenty minutes the schooner was tapped in at least a dozen places, +and jets of water, two inches in diameter, were spouting from her on +each bow, and under each quarter. + +Spike and Mulford noted the effect. Some water, doubtless, still worked +itself into the vessel about the main-hatch, but that more flowed from +her by means of the outlets just named, was quite apparent. After close +watching at the outlets for some time, Spike was convinced that the +schooner was slowly rising, the intense strain that still came from the +brig producing that effect as the vessel gradually became lighter. By +the end of half an hour, there could be no longer any doubt, the holes, +which had been bored within an inch of the water, being now fully two +inches above it. The auger was applied anew, still nearer to the surface +of the sea, and as fresh outlets were made, those that began to manifest +a dulness in their streams were carefully plugged. + +Spike now thought it was time to take a look at the state of things on +deck. Here, to his joy, he ascertained that the coamings had actually +risen a little above the water. The reader is not to suppose by this +rising of the vessel, that she had become sufficiently buoyant, in +consequence of the water that had run out of her, to float of herself. +This was far from being the case; but the constant upward pressure from +the brig, which, on mechanical principles, tended constantly to bring +that craft upright, had the effect to lift the schooner as the latter +was gradually relieved from the weight that pressed her toward the +bottom. + +The hatches were next removed, when it was found that the water in the +schooner's hold had so far lowered, as to leave a vacant space of quite +a foot between the lowest part of the deck and its surface. Toward the +two extremities of the vessel this space necessarily was much increased, +in consequence of the sheer. Men were now sent into the hatchway with +orders to hook on to the flour-barrels--a whip having been rigged in +readiness to hoist them on deck. At the same time gangs were sent to the +pumps, though Spike still depended for getting rid of the water somewhat +on the auger--the carpenter continuing to bore and plug his holes as new +opportunities offered, and the old outlets became useless. It was true +this expedient would soon cease, for the water having found its level +in the vessel's hold, was very nearly on a level also with that on the +outside. Bailing also was commenced, both forward and aft. + +Spike's next material advantage was obtained by means of the cargo. By +the time the sun had set, fully two hundred barrels had been rolled into +the hatchway, and passed on deck, whence about half of them were sent +in the lighthouse boat to the nearest islet, and the remainder were +transferred to the deck of the brig. These last were placed on the off +side of the Swash, and aided in bringing her nearer upright. A great +deal was gained in getting rid of these barrels. The water in the +schooner lowered just as much as the space they had occupied,-and the +vessel was relieved at once of twenty tons in weight. + +Just after the sun had set, Se¤or Don Juan Montefalderon and his party +returned on board. They had staid on the island to the last moment, at +Rose's request, for she had taken as close an observation of everything +as possible, in order to ascertain if any means of concealment existed, +in the event of her aunt, Biddy, and herself quitting the brig. The +islets were all too naked and too small, however; and she was compelled +to return to the Swash, without any hopes derived from this quarter. + +Spike had just directed the people to get their suppers as the Mexican +came on board. Together they descended to the schooner's deck, where +they had a long but secret conference. Se¤or Montefalderon was a calm, +quiet and reasonable man, and while he felt as one would be apt to +feel who had recently seen so many associates swept suddenly out of +existence, the late catastrophe did not in the least unman him. It is +too much the habit of the American people to receive their impressions +from newspapers, which throw off their articles unreflectingly, and +often ignorantly, as crones in petticoats utter their gossip. In a word, +the opinions thus obtained are very much on a level, in value, with the +thoughts of those who are said to think aloud, and who give utterance +to all the crudities and trivial rumours that may happen to reach their +ears. In this manner, we apprehend, very false notions of our neighbours +of Mexico have become circulated among us. That nation is a mixed race, +and has necessarily the various characteristics of such an origin, and +it is unfortunately little influenced by the diffusion of intelligence +which certainly exists here. Although an enemy, it ought to be +acknowledged, however, that even Mexico has her redeeming points. +Anglo-Saxons as we are, we have no desire unnecessarily to illustrate +that very marked feature in the Anglo-Saxon character, which prompts +the mother stock to calumniate all who oppose it, but would rather adopt +some of that chivalrous courtesy of which so much that is lofty and +commendable is to be found among the descendants of Old Spain. + +The Se¤or Montefalderon was earnestly engaged in what he conceived to be +the cause of his country. It was scarcely possible to bring together two +men impelled by motives more distinct than Spike and this gentleman. +The first was acting under impulses of the lowest and most grovelling +nature; while the last was influenced by motives of the highest. However +much Mexico may, and has, weakened her cause by her own punic faith, +instability, military oppression, and political revolutions, giving to +the Texans in particular ample justification for their revolt, it +was not probable that Don Juan Montefalderon saw the force of all the +arguments that a casuist of ordinary ingenuity could certainly adduce +against his country; for it is a most unusual thing to find a man +anywhere, who is willing to admit that the positions of an opponent +are good. He saw in the events of the day, a province wrested from his +nation; and, in his reasoning on the subject, entirely overlooking the +numerous occasions on which his own fluctuating government had given +sufficient justification, not to say motives, to their powerful +neighbours to take the law into their own hands, and redress themselves, +he fancied all that has occurred was previously planned; instead of +regarding it, as it truly is, as merely the result of political events +that no man could have foreseen, that no man had originally imagined, or +that any man could control. + +Don Juan understood Spike completely, and quite justly appreciated not +only his character, but his capabilities. Their acquaintance was not of +a day, though it had ever been marked by that singular combination of +caution and reliance that is apt to characterize the intercourse +between the knave and the honest man, when circumstances compel not only +communication, but, to a certain extent, confidence. They now paced the +deck of the schooner, side by side, for fully an hour, during which +time the price of the vessel, the means, and the mode of payment and +transfer, were fully settled between them. + +“But what will you do with your passengers, Don Esteban?” asked the +Mexican pleasantly, when the more material points were adjusted. “I +feel a great interest in the young lady in particular, who is a charming +se¤orita, and who tells me that her aunt brought her this voyage on +account of her health. She looks much too blooming to be out of health, +and if she were, this is a singular voyage for an invalid to make!” + +“You don't understand human natur' yet, altogether, I see, Don Wan,” + answered Spike, chuckling and winking. “As you and I are not only good +friends, but what a body may call old friends, I'll let you into a +secret in this affair, well knowing that you'll not betray it. It's +quite true that the old woman thinks her niece is a pulmonary, as they +call it, and that this v'y'ge is recommended for her, but the gal is as +healthy as she's handsom'.” + +“Her constitution, then, must be very excellent, for it is seldom I +have seen so charming a young woman. But if the aunt is misled in this +matter, how has it been with the niece?” + +Spike did not answer in words, but he leered upon his companion, and he +winked. + +“You mean to be understood that you are in intelligence with each other, +I suppose, Don Esteban,” returned the Se¤or Montefalderon, who did not +like the captain's manner, and was willing to drop the discourse. + +Spike then informed his companion, in confidence, that he and Rose were +affianced, though without the aunt's knowledge,--that he intended to +marry the niece the moment he reached a Mexican port with the brig, and +that it was their joint intention to settle in the country. He added +that the affair required management, as his intended had property, and +expected more, and he begged Don Juan to aid him, as things drew near to +a crisis. The Mexican evaded an answer, and the discourse dropped. + +The moon was now shining, and would continue to throw its pale light +over the scene for two or three hours longer. Spike profited by the +circumstance to continue the work of lightening the schooner. One of the +first things done next was to get up the dead, and to remove them to the +boat. This melancholy office occupied an hour, the bodies being landed +on the islet, near the powder, and there interred in the sands. Don Juan +Montefalderon attended on this occasion, and repeated some prayers over +the graves, as he had done in the morning, in the cases of the two who +had been buried near the light-house. + +While this melancholy duty was in the course of performance, that +of pumping and bailing was continued, under the immediate personal +superintendence of Mulford. It would not be easy to define, with perfect +clearness, the conflicting feelings by which the mate of the Swash +was now impelled. He had no longer any doubt on the subject of Spike's +treason, and had it not been for Rose, he would not have hesitated a +moment about making off in the light-house boat for Key West, in order +to report all that had passed to the authorities. But not only Rose was +there, and to be cared for, but what was far more difficult to get along +with, her aunt was with her. It is true, Mrs. Budd was no longer Spike's +dupe; but under any circumstances she was a difficult subject to manage, +and most especially so in all matters that related to the sea. Then the +young man submitted, more or less, to the strange influence which a fine +craft almost invariably obtains over those that belong to her. He did +not like the idea of deserting the Swash, at the very moment he would +not have hesitated about punishing her owner for his many misdeeds. In a +word, Harry was too much of a tar not to feel a deep reluctance to +turn against his cruise, or his voyage, however much either might be +condemned by his judgment, or even by his principles. + +It was quite nine o'clock when the Se¤or Montefalderon and Spike +returned from burying the dead. No sooner did the last put his foot +on the deck of his own vessel, than he felt the fall of one of the +purchases which had been employed in raising the schooner. It was so far +slack as to satisfy him that the latter now floated by her own buoyancy, +though it might be well to let all stand until morning, for the purposes +of security. Thus apprised of the condition of the two vessels, he gave +the welcome order to “knock off for the night.” + + + +CHAPTER VI + + + “At the piping of all hands, + When the judgment signal's spread-- + When the islands and the land, + And the seas give up their dead, + And the south and the north shall come; + When the sinner is dismayed, + And the just man is afraid, + Then heaven be thy aid, + Poor Tom.” + + Brainard. + + +The people had now a cessation from their toil. Of all the labour known +to sea-faring men, that of pumping is usually thought to be the most +severe. Those who work at it have to be relieved every minute, and it is +only by having gangs to succeed each other, that the duty can be done at +all with anything like steadiness. In the present instance, it is true, +that the people of the Swash were sustained by the love of gold, but +glad enough were they when Mulford called out to them to “knock off, and +turn in for the night.” It was high time this summons should be made, +for not only were the people excessively wearied, but the customary +hours of labour were so far spent, that the light of the moon had some +time before begun to blend with the little left by the parting sun. Glad +enough were all hands to quit the toil; and two minutes were scarcely +elapsed ere most of the crew had thrown themselves down, and were buried +in deep sleep. Even Spike and Mulford took the rest they needed, the +cook alone being left to look out for the changes in the weather. In a +word, everybody but this idler was exhausted with pumping and bailing, +and even gold had lost its power to charm, until nature was recruited by +rest. + +The excitement produced by the scenes through which they had so lately +passed, caused the females to sleep soundly, too. The death-like +stillness which pervaded the vessel contributed to their rest, and Rose +never woke, from the first few minutes after her head was on her pillow, +until near four in the morning. The deep quiet seemed ominous to one +who had so lately witnessed the calm which precedes the tornado, and she +arose. In that low latitude and warm season, few clothes were necessary, +and our heroine was on deck in a very few minutes. Here she found the +same grave-like sleep pervading everything. There was not a breath of +air, and the ocean seemed to be in one of its profoundest slumbers. The +hard-breathing of Spike could be heard through the open windows of his +state-room, and this was positively the only sound that was audible. The +common men, who lay scattered about the decks, more especially from +the mainmast forward, seemed to be so many logs, and from Mulford no +breathing was heard. + +The morning was neither very dark nor very light, it being easy to +distinguish objects that were near, while those at a distance were +necessarily lost in obscurity. Availing herself of the circumstance, +Rose went as far as the gangway, to ascertain if the cook were at his +post. She saw him lying near his galley, in as profound a sleep as any +of the crew. This she felt to be wrong, and she felt alarmed, though she +knew not why. Perhaps it was the consciousness of being the only person +up and awake at that hour of deepest night, in a vessel so situated as +the Swash, and in a climate in which hurricanes seem to be the natural +offspring of the air. Some one must be aroused, and her tastes, +feelings, and judgment, all pointed to Harry Mulford as the person she +ought to awaken. He slept habitually in his clothes--the lightest summer +dress of the tropics; and the window of his little state-room was always +open for air. Moving lightly to the place, Rose laid her own little, +soft hand on the arm of the young man, when the latter was on his +feet in an instant. A single moment only was necessary to regain his +consciousness, when Mulford left the state-room and joined Rose on the +quarter-deck. + +“Why am I called, Rose,” the young man asked, attempering his voice to +the calm that reigned around him; “and why am I called by you?” + +Rose explained the state of the brig, and the feeling which induced her +to awaken him. With woman's gentleness she now expressed her regret for +having robbed Harry of his rest; had she reflected a moment, she might +have kept watch herself, and allowed him to obtain the sleep he must +surely so much require. + +But Mulford laughed at this; protested he had never been awakened at a +more favourable moment, and would have sworn, had it been proper, that +a minute's further sleep would have been too much for him. After these +first explanations, Mulford walked round the decks, carefully felt how +much strain there was on the purchases, and rejoined Rose to report that +all was right, and that he did not consider it necessary to call even +the cook. The black was an idler in no sense but that of keeping watch, +and he had toiled the past day as much as any of the men, though it was +not exactly at the pumps. + +A long and semi-confidential conversation now occurred between Harry and +Rose. They talked of Spike, the brig, and her cargo, and of the delusion +of the captain's widow. It was scarcely possible that powder should be +so much wanted at the Havanna as to render smuggling, at so much cost, +a profitable adventure; and Mulford admitted his convictions that the +pretended flour was originally intended for Mexico. Rose related the +tenor of the conversation she had overheard between the two parties, Don +Juan and Don Esteban, and the mate no longer doubted that it was Spike's +intention to sell the brig to the enemy. She also alluded to what had +passed between herself and the stranger. + +Mulford took this occasion to introduce the subject of Jack Tier's +intimacy and favour with Rose. He even professed to feel some jealousy +on account of it, little as there might be to alarm most men in the +rivalry of such a competitor. Rose laughed, as girls will laugh when +there is question of their power over the other sex, and she fairly +shook her rich tresses as she declared her determination to continue to +smile on Jack to the close of the voyage. Then, as if she had said +more than she intended, she added with woman's generosity and +tenderness,--“After all, Harry, you know how much I promised to you even +before we sailed, and how much more since, and have no just cause to +dread even Jack. There is another reason, however, that ought to set +your mind entirely at case on his account. Jack is married, and has +a partner living at this very moment, as he does not scruple to avow +himself.” + +A hissing noise, a bright light, and a slight explosion, interrupted the +half-laughing girl, and Mulford, turning on his heel, quick as thought, +saw that a rocket had shot into the air, from a point close under +the bows of the brig. He was still in the act of moving toward the +forecastle, when, at the distance of several leagues, he saw the +explosion of another rocket high in the air. He knew enough of the +practices of vessels of war, to feel certain that these were a signal +and its answer from some one in the service of government. Not at all +sorry to have the career of the Swash arrested, before she could pass +into hostile hands, or before evil could befall Rose, Mulford reached +the forecastle just in time to answer the inquiry that was immediately +put to him, in the way of a hail. A gig, pulling four oars only, with +two officers in its stern-sheets, was fairly under the vessel's bows, +and the mate could almost distinguish the countenance of the officer who +questioned him, the instant he showed his head and shoulders above the +bulwarks. + +“What vessels are these?” demanded the stranger, speaking in the +authoritative manner of one who acted for the state, but not speaking +much above the usual conversational tone. + +“American and Spanish,” was the answer. “This brig is American--the +schooner alongside is a Spaniard, that turned turtle in a tornado, +about six-and-thirty hours since, and on which we have been hard at +work trying to raise her, since the gale which succeeded the tornado has +blown its pipe out.” + +“Ay, ay, that's the story, is it? I did not know what to make of you, +lying cheek by jowl, in this fashion. Was anybody lost on board the +schooner?” + +“All hands, including every soul aft and forward, the supercargo +excepted, who happened to be aboard here. We buried seventeen bodies +this afternoon on the smallest of the Keys that you see near at hand, +and two this morning alongside of the light. But what boat is that, and +where are you from, and whom are you signalling?” + +“The boat is a gig,” answered the stranger, deliberately, “and she +belongs to a cruiser of Uncle Sam's, that is off the reef, a short bit +to the eastward, and we signalled our captain. But I'll come on board +you, sir, if you please.” + +Mulford walked aft to meet the stranger at the gangway, and was +relieved, rather than otherwise, at finding that Spike was already on +the quarter-deck. Should the vessel of war seize the brig, he could +rejoice at it, but so strong were his professional ideas of duty to the +craft he sailed in, that he did not find it in his heart to say aught +against her. Were any mishap to befall it, or were justice to be done, +he preferred that it might be done under Spike's own supervision, rather +than under his. + +“Call all hands, Mr. Mulford,” said Spike, as they met. “I see a streak +of day coming yonder in the east--let all hands be called at once. What +strange boat is this we have alongside?” + +This question was put to the strangers, Spike standing on his +gangway-ladder to ask it, while the mate was summoning the crew. The +officer saw that a new person was to be dealt with, and in his quiet, +easy way, he answered, while stretching out his hands to take the +man-rope--“Your servant, sir--we are man-of-war's men, belonging to one +of Uncle Sam's craft, outside, and have just come in to pay you a visit +of ceremony. I told one, whom I suppose was your mate, that I would just +step on board of you.” + +“Ay, ay--one at a time, if you please. It's war-time, and I cannot +suffer armed boat's crews to board me at night, without knowing +something about them. Come up yourself, if you please, but order your +people to stay in the boat. Here, muster about this gangway, half a +dozen of you, and keep an eye on the crew of this strange boat.” + +These orders had no effect on the cool and deliberate lieutenant, who +ascended the brig's side, and immediately stood on her deck. No sooner +had he and Spike confronted each other, than each gave a little start, +like that of recognition, and the lieutenant spoke. + +“Ay, ay--I believe I know this vessel now. It is the Molly Swash, of +New York, bound to Key West, and a market; and I have the honour to see +Captain Stephen Spike again.” + +It was Mr. Wallace, the second lieutenant of the sloop-of-war that had +boarded the brig in the Mona Passage, and to avoid whom Spike had gone +to the southward of Jamaica. The meeting was very mal-â-propos, but it +would not do to betray that the captain and owner of the vessel thought +as much as this; on the contrary, Wallace was warmly welcomed, and +received, not only as an old acquaintance, but as a very agreeable +visiter. To have seen the two, as they walked aft together, one might +have supposed that the meeting was conducive of nothing but a very +mutual satisfaction, it was so much like that which happens between +those who keep up a hearty acquaintance. + +“Well, I'm glad to see you again, Captain Spike,” cried Wallace, after +the greetings were passed, “if it be only to ask where you flew to, the +day we left you in the Mona Passage? We looked out for you with all our +eyes, expecting you would be down between San Domingo and Jamaica, but I +hardly think you got by us in the night. Our master thinks you must have +dove, and gone past loon-fashion. Do you ever perform that manoeuvre?” + +“No, we've kept above water the whole time, lieutenant,” answered +Spike, heartily; “and that is more than can be said of the poor fellow +alongside of us. I was so much afraid of the Isle of Pines, that I went +round Jamaica.” + +“You might have given the Isle of Pines a berth, and still have passed +to the northward of the Englishmen,” said Wallace, a little drily. +“However, that island is somewhat of a scarecrow, and we have been to +take a look at it ourselves. All's right there, just now. But you seem +light; what have you done with your flour?” + +“Parted with every barrel of it. You may remember I was bound to Key +West, and a market. Well, I found my market here, in American waters.” + +“You have been lucky, sir. This 'emporium' does not seem to be exactly a +commercial emporium.” + +“The fact is, the flour is intended for the Havanna; and I fancy it is +to be shipped for slavers. But I am to know nothing of all that, you'll +understand, lieutenant. If I sell my flour in American waters, at two +prices, it's no concern of mine what becomes of it a'terwards.” + +“Unless it happen to pass into enemy's hands, certainly not; and you are +too patriotic to deal with Mexico, just now, I'm sure. Pray, did that +flour go down when the schooner turned turtle?” + +“Every barrel of it; but Don Wan, below there, thinks that most of it +may yet be saved, by landing it on one of those Keys to dry. Flour, well +packed, wets in slowly. You see we have some of it on deck.” + +“And who may Don Wan be, sir, pray? We are sent here to look after Dons +and Donas, you know.” + +“Don Wan is a Cuban merchant, and deals in such articles as he wants. I +fell in with him among the reefs here, where he was rummaging about in +hopes of meeting with a wrack, he tells me, and thinking to purchase +something profitable in that way; but finding I had flour, he agreed +to take it out of me at this anchorage, and send me away in ballast +at once. I have found Don Wan Montefalderon ready pay, and very +honourable.” + +Wallace then requested an explanation of the disaster, to the details +of which he listened with a sailor's interest. He asked a great many +questions, all of which bore on the more nautical features of the event; +and, day having now fairly appeared, he examined the purchases and +backings of the Swash with professional nicety. The schooner was no +lower in the water than when the men had knocked off work the previous +night; and Spike set the people at the pumps and their bailing again, +as the most effectual method of preventing their making any indiscreet +communications to the man-of-war's men. + +About this time the relict appeared on deck, when Spike gallantly +introduced the lieutenant anew to his passengers. It is true he knew +no name to use, but that was of little moment, as he called the officer +“the lieutenant,” and nothing else. + +Mrs. Budd was delighted with this occasion to show-off, and she soon +broke out on the easy, indolent, but waggish Wallace, in a strain to +surprise him, notwithstanding the specimen of the lady's skill from +which he had formerly escaped. + +“Captain Spike is of opinion, lieutenant, that our cast-anchor here is +excellent, and I know the value of a good cast-anchor place; for my +poor Mr. Budd was a sea-faring man, and taught me almost as much of your +noble profession as he knew himself.” + +“And he taught you, ma'am,” said Wallace, fairly opening his eyes, under +the influence of astonishment, “to be very particular about cast-anchor +places!” + +“Indeed he did. He used to say, that roads-instead were never as good, +for such purposes, as land that's locked havens, for the anchors would +return home, as he called it, in roads-instead.” + +“Yes, ma'am,” answered Wallace, looking very queer at first, as if +disposed to laugh outright, then catching a glance of Rose, and +changing his mind; “I perceive that Mr. Budd knew what he was about, and +preferred an anchorage where he was well land-locked, and where there +was no danger of his anchors coming home, as so often happens in your +open roadsteads.” + +“Yes, that's just it! That was just his notion! You cannot feel how +delightful it is, Rose, to converse with one that thoroughly understands +such subjects! My poor Mr. Budd did, indeed, denounce roads-instead, at +all times calling them 'savage.'” + +“Savage, aunt,” put in Rose, hoping to stop the good relict by her own +interposition--“that is a strange word to apply to an anchorage!” + +“Not at all, young lady,” said Wallace gravely. “They are often wild +berths, and wild berths are not essentially different from wild beasts. +Each is savage, as a matter of course.” + +“I knew I was right!” exclaimed the widow. “Savage cast-anchors come of +wild births, as do savage Indians. Oh! the language of the ocean, as my +poor Mr. Budd used to say, is eloquence tempered by common sense!” + +Wallace stared again, but his attention was called to other things, just +at that moment. The appearance of Don Juan Montefalderon y Castro +on deck, reminded him of his duty, and approaching that gentleman he +condoled with him on the grave loss he had sustained. After a few civil +expressions on both sides, Wallace made a delicate allusion to the +character of the schooner. + +“Under other circumstances,” he said, “it might be my duty to inquire a +little particularly as to the nationality of your vessel, Se¤or, for we +are at war with the Mexicans, as you doubtless know.” + +“Certainly,” answered Don Juan, with an unmoved air and great politeness +of manner, “though it would be out of my power to satisfy you. +Everything was lost in the schooner, and I have not a paper of any sort +to show you. If it be your pleasure to make a prize of a vessel in this +situation, certainly it is in your power to do it. A few barrels of wet +flour are scarce worth disputing about.” + +Wallace now seemed a little ashamed, the sang froid of the other +throwing dust in his eyes, and he was in a hurry to change the subject. +Se¤or Don Juan was very civilly condoled with again, and he was made to +repeat the incidents of the loss, as if his auditor took a deep interest +in what he said, but no further hint was given touching the +nationality of the vessel. The lieutenant's tact let him see that Se¤or +Montefalderon was a person of a very different calibre from Spike, as +well as of different habits; and he did not choose to indulge in the +quiet irony that formed so large an ingredient in his own character, +with this new acquaintance. He spoke Spanish himself, with tolerable +fluency, and a conversation now occurred between the two, which was +maintained for some time with spirit and a very manifest courtesy. + +This dialogue between Wallace and the Spaniard gave Spike a little +leisure for reflection. As the day advanced the cruiser came more and +more plainly in view, and his first business was to take a good survey +of her. She might have been three leagues distant, but approaching with +a very light breeze, at the rate of something less than two knots in the +hour. Unless there was some one on board her who was acquainted with +the channels of the Dry Tortugas, Spike felt little apprehension of the +ship's getting very near to him; but he very well understood that, with +the sort of artillery that was in modern use among vessels of war, he +would hardly be safe could the cruiser get within a league. That near +Uncle Sam's craft might certainly come without encountering the hazards +of the channels, and within that distance she would be likely to get in +the course of the morning, should he have the complaisance to wait for +her. He determined, therefore, not to be guilty of that act of folly. + +All this time the business of lightening the schooner proceeded. +Although Mulford earnestly wished that the man-of-war might get an +accurate notion of the true character and objects of the brig, he could +not prevail on himself to become an informer. In order to avoid the +temptation so to do, he exerted himself in keeping the men at their +tasks, and never before had pumping and bailing been carried on with +more spirit. The schooner soon floated of herself, and the purchases +which led to the Swash were removed. Near a hundred more barrels of the +flour had been taken out of the hold of the Spanish craft, and had +been struck on the deck of the brig, or sent to the Key by means of the +boats. This made a material change in the buoyancy of the vessel, and +enabled the bailing to go on with greater facility. The pumps were never +idle, but two small streams of water were running the whole time toward +the scuppers, and through them into the sea. + +At length the men were ordered to knock off, and to get their +breakfasts. This appeared to arouse Wallace, who had been chatting, +quite agreeably to himself, with Rose, and seemed reluctant to depart, +but who now became sensible that he was neglecting his duty. He called +away his boat's crew, and took a civil leave of the passengers; after +which he went over the side. The gig was some little distance from the +Swash, when Wallace rose and asked to see Spike, with whom he had a word +to say at parting. + +“I will soon return,” he said, “and bring you forty or fifty fresh men, +who will make light work with your wreck. I am certain our commander +will consent to my doing so, and will gladly send on board you two or +three boat's crews.” + +“If I let him,” muttered Spike between his teeth, “I shall be a poor, +miserable cast-anchor devil, that's all.” + +To Wallace, however, he expressed his hearty acknowledgments; begged him +not to be in a hurry, as the worst was now over, and the row was still +a long one. If he got back toward evening it would be all in good time. +Wallace waved his hand, and the gig glided away. As for Spike, he +sat down on the plank-sheer where he had stood, and remained there +ruminating intently for two or three minutes. When he descended to the +deck his mind was fully made up. His first act was to give some private +orders to the boatswain, after which he withdrew to the cabin, whither +he summoned Tier, without delay. + +“Jack,” commenced the captain, using very little circumlocution in +opening his mind, “you and I are old shipmates, and ought to be old +friends, though I think your natur' has undergone some changes since we +last met. Twenty years ago there was no man in the ship on whom I could +so certainly depend as on Jack Tier; now, you seem given up altogether +to the women. Your mind has changed even more than your body.” + +“Time does that for all of us, Captain Spike,” returned Tier coolly. +“I am not what I used to be, I'll own, nor are you yourself, for that +matter. When I saw you last, noble captain, you were a handsome man +of forty, and could go aloft with any youngster in the brig; but, now, +you're heavy, and not over-active.” + +“I!--Not a bit of change has taken place in me for the last thirty +years. I defy any man to show the contrary. But that's neither here +nor there; you are no young woman, Jack, that I need be boasting of my +health and beauty before you. I want a bit of real sarvice from you, and +want it done in old-times fashion; and I mean to pay for it in old-times +fashion, too.” + +As Spike concluded, he put into Tier's hand one of the doubloons that +he had received from Se¤or Montefalderon, in payment for the powder. The +doubloons, for which so much pumping and bailing were then in process, +were still beneath the waters of the gulf. + +“Ay, ay, sir,” returned Jack, smiling and pocketing the gold, with +a wink of the eye, and a knowing look; “this does resemble old times +sum'at. I now begin to know Captain Spike, my old commander again, and +see that he's more like himself than I had just thought him. What am +I to do for this, sir? speak plain, that I may be sartain to steer the +true course.” + +“Oh, just a trifle, Jack--nothing that will break up the ground-tier of +your wits, my old shipmate. You see the state of the brig, and know that +she is in no condition for ladies.” + +“'T would have been better all round, sir, had they never come aboard at +all,” answered Jack, looking dark. + +Spike was surprised, but he was too much bent on his projects to heed +trifles. + +“You know what sort of flour they're whipping out of the schooner, and +must understand that the brig will soon be in a pretty litter. I do not +intend to let them send a single barrel of it beneath my hatches again, +but the deck and the islands must take it all. Now I wish to relieve my +passengers from the confinement this will occasion, and I have ordered +the boatswain to pitch a tent for them on the largest of these here +Tortugas; and what I want of you, is to muster food and water, and +other women's knicknacks, and go ashore with them, and make them as +comfortable as you can for a few days, or until we can get this schooner +loaded and off.” + +Jack Tier looked at his commander as if he would penetrate his most +secret thoughts. A short pause succeeded, during which the steward's +mate was intently musing, then his countenance suddenly brightened; he +gave the doubloon a fillip, and caught it on the palm of his hand as +it descended, and he uttered the customary “Ay, ay, sir,” with apparent +cheerfulness. Nothing more passed between these two worthies, who now +parted, Jack to make his arrangements, and Spike to “tell his yarn,” as +he termed the operation in his own mind, to Mrs. Budd, Rose, and Biddy. +The widow listened complacently, though she seemed half doubting, +half ready to comply. As for Rose, she received the proposal with +delight--The confinement of the vessel having become irksome to her. The +principal obstacle was in overcoming the difficulties made by the aunt, +Biddy appearing to like the notion quite as much as “Miss Rosy.” As for +the light-house, Mrs. Budd had declared nothing would induce her to go +there; for she did not doubt that the place would soon be, if it were +not already, haunted. In this opinion she was sustained by Biddy; and +it was the knowledge of this opinion that induced Spike to propose the +tent. + +“Are you sure, Captain Spike, it is not a desert island?” asked the +widow; “I remember that my poor Mr. Budd always spoke of desert islands +as horrid places, and spots that every one should avoid.” + +“What if it is, aunty,” said Rose eagerly, “while we have the brig here, +close at hand. We shall suffer none of the wants of such a place, so +long as our friends can supply us.” + +“And such friends, Miss Rose,” exclaimed Spike, a little sentimentally +for him, “friends that would undergo hunger and thirst themselves, +before you should want for any comforts.” + +“Do, now, Madam Budd,” put in Biddy in her hearty way, “it's an island, +ye'll remimber: and sure that's just what ould Ireland has ever been, +God bless it! Islands make the pleasantest risidences.” + +“Well I'll venture to oblige you and Biddy, Rosy, dear,” returned the +aunt, still half reluctant to yield; “but you'll remember, that if I +find it at all a desert island, I'll not pass the night on it on any +account whatever.” + +With this understanding the party was transferred to the shore. The +boatswain had already erected a sort of a tent, on a favourable spot, +using some of the old sails that had covered the flour-barrels, not +only for the walls, but for a carpet of some extent also. This tent was +ingeniously enough contrived. In addition to the little room that was +entirely enclosed, there was a sort of piazza, or open verandah, which +would enable its tenants to enjoy the shade in the open air. Beneath +this verandah, a barrel of fresh water was placed, as well as three or +four ship's stools, all of which had been sent ashore with the materials +for constructing the tent. The boat had been going and coming for some +time, and the distance being short, the “desert island” was soon a +desert no longer. It is true that the supplies necessary to support +three women for as many days, were no great matter, and were soon +landed, but Jack Tier had made a provision somewhat more ample. A +capital caterer, he had forgotten nothing within the compass of his +means, that could contribute to the comfort of those who had been put +especially under his care. Long before the people “knocked off” for +their dinners, the arrangements were completed, and the boatswain was +ready to take his leave. + +“Well, ladies,” said that grum old salt, “I can do no more for you, as +I can see. This here island is now almost as comfortable as a ship that +has been in blue water for a month, and I do n't know how it can be made +more comfortabler.” + +This was only according to the boatswain's notion of comfort; but Rose +thanked him for his care in her winning way, while her aunt admitted +that, “for a place that was almost a desert island, things did look +somewhat promising.” In a few minutes the men were all gone, and the +islet was left to the sole possession of the three females, and their +constant companion, Jack Tier. Rose was pleased with the novelty of +her situation, though the islet certainly did deserve the opprobrium of +being a “desert island.” There was no shade but that of the tent, and +its verandah-like covering, though the last, in particular, was quite +extensive. There was no water, that in the barrel and that of the ocean +excepted. Of herbage there was very little on this islet, and that was +of the most meagre and coarse character, being a long wiry grass, with +here and there a few stunted bushes. The sand was reasonably firm, +however, more especially round the shore, and the walking was far from +unpleasant. Little did Rose know it, but a week earlier, the spot would +have been next to intolerable to her, on account of the musquitoes, +gallinippers, and other similar insects of the family of tormentors; but +everything of the sort had temporarily disappeared in the currents of +the tornado. To do Spike justice, he was aware of this circumstance, +or he might have hesitated about exposing females to the ordinary +annoyances of one of these spots. Not a musquito, or anything of the +sort was left, however, all having gone to leeward, in the vortex which +had come so near sweeping off the Mexican schooner. + +“This place will do very well, aunty, for a day or two,” cried Rose +cheerfully, as she returned from a short excursion, and threw aside her +hat, one made to shade her face from the sun of a warm climate, leaving +the sea-breeze that was just beginning to blow, to fan her blooming and +sunny cheeks. “It is better than the brig. The worst piece of land is +better than the brig.” + +“Do not say that, Rose--not if it's a desert island, dear; and this is +desperately like a desert island; I am almost sorry I ventured on it.” + +“It will not be deserted by us, aunty, until we shall see occasion to do +so. Why not endeavour to get on board of yonder ship, and return to New +York in her; or at least induce her captain to put us ashore somewhere +near this, and go home by land. Your health never seemed better than it +is at this moment; and as for mine, I do assure you, aunty, dear, I am +as perfectly well as I ever was in my life.” + +“All from this voyage. I knew it would set you up, and am delighted to +hear you say as much. Biddy and I were talking of you this very morning, +my child, and we both agreed that you were getting to be yourself again. +Oh, ships, and brigs, and schooners, full-jigger or half-jigger, for +pulmonary complaints, say I! My poor Mr. Budd always maintained that the +ocean was the cure for all diseases, and I determined that to sea you +should go, the moment I became alarmed for your health.” + +The good widow loved Rose most tenderly, and she was obliged to use +her handkerchief to dry the tears from her eyes as she concluded. Those +tears sprung equally from a past feeling of apprehension, and a present +feeling of gratitude. Rose saw this, and she took a seat at her aunt's +side, touched herself, as she never failed to be on similar occasions +with this proof of her relative's affection. At that moment even Harry +Mulford would have lost a good deal in her kind feelings toward him, had +he so much as smiled at one of the widow's nautical absurdities. At such +times, Rose seemed to be her aunt's guardian and protectress, instead +of reversing the relations, and she entirely forgot herself the many +reasons which existed for wishing that she had been placed in childhood, +under the care of one better qualified than the well-meaning relict of +her uncle, for the performance of her duties. + +“Thank you, aunty--thank'ee, dear aunty,” said Rose, kissing the widow +affectionately. “I know that you mean the best for me, though you are a +little mistaken in supposing me ill. I do assure you, dear,” patting +her aunt's cheek, as if she herself had been merely a playful child, “I +never was better; and if I have been pulmonary, I am entirely cured, and +am now ready to return home.” + +“God be praised for this, Rosy. Under His divine providence, it is all +owing to the sea. If you really feel so much restored, however, I do not +wish to keep you a moment longer on a ship's board than is necessary. +We owe something to Captain Spike's care, and cannot quit him too +unceremoniously; but as soon as he is at liberty to go into a harbour, +I will engage him to do so, and we can return home by land--unless, +indeed, the brig intends to make the home voyage herself.” + +“I do not like this brig, aunty, and now we are out of her, I wish we +could keep out of her. Nor do I like your Captain Spike, who seems to me +anything but an agreeable gentleman.” + +“That's because you arn't accustomed to the sea. My poor Mr. Budd had +his ways, like all the rest of them; it takes time to get acquainted +with them. All sailors are so.” + +Rose bent her face involuntarily, but so low as to conceal the +increasing brightness of her native bloom, as she answered, + +“Harry Mulford is not so, aunty, dear--and he is every inch a sailor.” + +“Well, there is a difference, I must acknowledge, though I dare say +Harry will grow every day more and more like all the rest of them. In +the end, he will resemble Captain Spike.” + +“Never,” said Rose, firmly. + +“You can't tell, child. I never saw your uncle when he was Harry's +age, for I was n't born till he was thirty, but often and often has he +pointed out to me some slender, genteel youth, and say, 'just such a lad +was I at twenty,' though nothing could be less alike, at the moment he +was speaking, than they two. We all change with our years. Now I was +once as slender, and almost--not quite, Rosy, for few there are that +be--but almost as handsome as you yourself.” + +“Yes, aunty, I've heard that before,” said Rose, springing up, in order +to change the discourse; “but Harry Mulford will never become like +Stephen Spike. I wish we had never known the man, dearest aunty.” + +“It was all your own doings, child. He's a cousin of your most intimate +friend, and she brought him to the house; and one could n't offend Mary +Mulford, by telling her we did n't like her cousin.” + +Rose seemed vexed, and she kept her little foot in motion, patting the +sail that formed the carpet, as girls will pat the ground with their +feet when vexed. This gleam of displeasure was soon over, however, and +her countenance became as placid as the clear, blue sky that formed +the vault of the heavens above her head. As if to atone for the passing +rebellion of her feelings, she threw her arms around her aunt's neck; +after which she walked away, along the beach, ruminating on her present +situation, and of the best means of extricating their party from the +power of Spike. + +It requires great familiarity with vessels and the seas, for one to +think, read, and pursue the customary train of reasoning on board a ship +that one has practised ashore. Rose had felt this embarrassment during +the past month, for the whole of which time she had scarcely been in a +condition to act up to her true character, suffering her energies, and +in some measure her faculties, to be drawn into the vortex produced by +the bustle, novelties, and scenes of the vessel and the ocean. But, now +she was once more on the land, diminutive and naked as was the islet +that composed her present world, and she found leisure and solitude for +reflection and decision. She was not ignorant of the nature of a vessel +of war, or of the impropriety of unprotected females placing themselves +on board of one; but gentlemen of character, like the officers of the +ship in sight, could hardly be wanting in the feelings of their caste; +and anything was better than to return voluntarily within the power of +Spike. She determined within her own mind that voluntarily she would +not. We shall leave this young girl, slowly wandering along the beach of +her islet, musing on matters like these, while we return to the vessels +and the mariners. + +A good breeze had come in over the reef from the Gulf, throwing the +sloop-of-war dead to leeward of the brigantine's anchorage. This was the +reason that the former had closed so slowly. Still the distance between +the vessels was so small, that a swift cruiser, like the ship of war, +would soon have been alongside of the wreckers, but for the intervening +islets and the intricacies of their channels. She had made sail on the +wind, however, and was evidently disposed to come as near to the danger +as her lead showed would be safe, even if she did not venture among +them. + +Spike noted all these movements, and he took his measures accordingly. +The pumping and bailing had been going on since the appearance of light, +and the flour had been quite half removed from the schooner's hold. That +vessel consequently floated with sufficient buoyancy, and no further +anxiety was felt on account of her sinking. Still, a great deal of water +remained in her, the cabin itself being nearly half full. Spike's object +was to reduce this water sufficiently to enable him to descend into the +state-room which Se¤or Montefalderon had occupied, and bring away the +doubloons that alone kept him in the vicinity of so ticklish a neighbour +as the Poughkeepsie. Escape was easy enough to one who knew the +passages of the reef and islets; more especially since the wind had so +fortunately brought the cruiser to leeward. Spike most apprehended a +movement upon him in the boats, and he had almost made up his mind, +should such an enterprise be attempted, to try his hand in beating +it off with his guns. A good deal of uncertainty on the subject of +Mulford's consenting to resist the recognised authorities of the +country, as well as some doubts of a similar nature in reference to two +or three of the best of the foremast hands, alone left him at all in +doubt as to the expediency of such a course. As no boats were lowered +from the cruiser, however, the necessity of resorting to so desperate +a measure, did not occur, and the duty of lightening the schooner had +proceeded without interruption. As soon as the boatswain came off from +the islet, he and the men with him were directed to take the hands and +lift the anchors, of which it will be remembered the Swash had several +down. Even Mulford was shortly after set at work on the same duty; and +these expert and ready seamen soon had the brig clear of the ground. +As the schooner was anchored, and floated without assistance, the Swash +rode by her. + +Such was the state of things when the men turned to, after having had +their dinners. By this time, the sloop-of-war was within half a league +of the bay, her progress having been materially retarded by the set of +the current, which was directly against her. Spike saw that a collision +of some sort or other must speedily occur, and he determined to take the +boatswain with him, and descend into the cabin of the schooner in +quest of the gold. The boatswain was summoned, and Se¤or Montefalderon +repeated in this man's presence the instructions that he thought it +necessary for the adventurers to follow, in order to secure the prize. +Knowing how little locks would avail on board a vessel, were the men +disposed to rob him, that gentleman had trusted more to secreting his +treasure, than to securing it in the more ordinary way. When the story +had again been told, Spike and his boatswain went on board the schooner, +and, undressing, they prepared to descend into the cabin. The captain +paused a single instant to take a look at the sloop-of-war, and to +examine the state of the weather. It is probable some new impression +was made on him by this inquiry, for, hailing Mulford, he ordered him +to loosen the sails, and to sheet home, and hoist the foretopsail. In +a word, to “see all ready to cast off, and make sail on the brig at the +shortest notice.” With this command he disappeared by the schooner's +companion-way. + +Spike and his companion found the water in the cabin very much deeper +than they had supposed. With a view to comfort, the cabin-floor had +been sunk much lower than is usual on board American vessels, and this +brought the water up nearly to the arm-pits of two men as short as our +captain and his sturdy little boatswain. The former grumbled a good +deal, when he ascertained the fact, and said something about the mate's +being better fitted to make a search in such a place, but concluding +with the remark, that “the man who wants ticklish duty well done, must +see to it himself.” + +The gold-hunters groped their way cautiously about the cabin for some +time, feeling for a drawer, in which they had been told they should find +the key of Se¤or Montefalderon's state-room door. In this Spike himself +finally succeeded, he being much better acquainted with cabins and their +fixtures, than the boatswain. + +“Here it is, Ben,” said the captain, “now for a dive among the Don's +val'ables. Should you pick up anything worth speaking of, you can +condemn it for salvage, as I mean to cast off, and quit the wrack the +moment we've made sure of the doubloons.” + +“And what will become of all the black flour that is lying about, sir?” + asked the boatswain with a grin. + +“It may take care of itself. My agreement will be up as soon as the +doubloons are found. If the Don will come down handsomely with his share +of what will be left, I may be bought to put the kegs we have in the +brig ashore for him somewhere in Mexico; but my wish is to get out of +the neighbourhood of that bloody sloop-of-war, as soon as possible.” + +“She makes but slow headway ag'in the current, sir; but a body would +think she might send in her boats.” + +“The boats might be glad to get back again,” muttered Spike. “Ay, here +is the door unlocked, and we can now fish for the money.” + +Some object had rolled against the state-room door, when the vessel was +capsized, and there was a good deal of difficulty in forcing it open. +They succeeded at last, and Spike led the way by wading into the small +apartment. Here they began to feel about beneath the water, and by a +very insufficient light, in quest of the hidden treasure. Spike and +his boatswain differed as to the place which had just been described +to them, as men will differ even in the account of events that pass +directly before their eyes. While thus employed, the report of a heavy +gun came through the doors of the cabin, penetrating to the recess in +which they were thus employed. + +“Ay, that's the beginning of it!” exclaimed Spike. “I wonder that the +fool has put it off so long.” + +“That gun was a heavy fellow, Captain Spike,” returned the boatswain; +“and it sounded in my ears as if't was shotted.” + +“Ay, ay, I dare say you're right enough in both opinions. They put such +guns on board their sloops-of-war, now-adays, as a fellow used to find +in the lower batteries of a two-decker only in old times; and as for +shot, why Uncle Sam pays, and they think it cheaper to fire one out of a +gun, than to take the trouble of drawing it.” + +“I believe here's one of the bags, Captain Spike,” said the boatswain, +making a dip, and coming up with one-half of the desired treasure in his +fist. “By George, I've grabbed him, sir; and the other bag can't be far +off.” + +“Hand that over to me,” said the captain, a little authoritatively, “and +take a dive for the next.” + +As the boatswain was obeying this order, a second gun was heard, and +Spike thought that the noise made by the near passage of a large shot +was audible also. He called out to Ben to “bear a hand, as the ship +seems in 'arnest.” But the head of the boatswain being under water +at the time, the admonition was thrown away. The fellow soon came up, +however, puffing like a porpoise that has risen to the surface to blow. + +“Hand it over to me at once,” said Spike, stretching out his unoccupied +hand to receive the prize; “we have little time to lose.” + +“That's sooner said than done, sir,” answered the boat-swain; “a box +has driven down upon the bag, and there's a tight jam. I got hold of the +neck of the bag, and pulled like a horse, but it wouldn't come no how.” + +“Show me the place, and let me have a drag at it. There goes another of +his bloody guns!” + +Down went Spike, and the length of time he was under water, proved how +much he was in earnest. Up he came at length, and with no better luck +than his companion. He had got hold of the bag, satisfied himself by +feeling its outside that it contained the doubloons, and hauled with all +his strength, but it would not come. The boatswain now proposed to take +a jamming hitch with a rope around the neck of the bag, which was long +enough to admit of such a fastening, and then to apply their united +force. Spike assented, and the boatswain rummaged about for a piece of +small rope to suit his purpose. At this moment Mulford appeared at the +companion-way to announce the movements on the part of the sloop-of-war. +He had been purposely tardy, in order to give the ship as much time as +possible; but he saw by the looks of the men that a longer delay might +excite suspicion. + +“Below there!” called out the mate. + +“What's wanting, sir?--what's wanting, sir?” answered Spike; “let's know +at once.” + +“Have you heard the guns, Captain Spike?” + +“Ay, ay, every grumbler of them. They've done no mischief, I trust, Mr. +Mulford?” + +“None as yet, sir; though the last shot, and it was a heavy fellow, +passed just above the schooner's deck. I've the topsail sheeted home and +hoisted, and it's that which has set them at work. If I clewed up again, +I dare say they'd not fire another gun.” + +“Clew up nothing, sir, but see all clear for casting off and making sail +through the South Pass. What do you say, Ben, are you ready for a drag?” + +“All ready, sir,” answered the boatswain, once more coming up to +breathe. “Now for it, sir; a steady pull, and a pull all together.” + +They did pull, but the hitch slipped, and both went down beneath the +water. In a moment they were up again, puffing a little and swearing +a great deal. Just then another gun, and a clatter above their heads, +brought them to a stand. + +“What means that, Mr. Mulford?” demanded Spike, a good deal startled. + +“It means that the sloop-of-war has shot away the head of this +schooner's foremast, sir, and that the shot has chipp'd a small piece +out of the heel of our maintop-mast--that's all.” + +Though excessively provoked at the mate's cool manner of replying, Spike +saw that he might lose all by being too tenacious about securing the +remainder of the doubloons. Pronouncing in very energetic terms on Uncle +Sam, and all his cruisers, an anathema that we do not care to repeat, he +gave a surly order to Ben to “knock-off,” and abandoned his late design. +In a minute he was on deck and dressed. + +“Cast off, lads,” cried the captain, as soon as on the deck of his own +brig again, “and four of you man that boat. We have got half of your +treasure, Se¤or Wan, but have been driven from the rest of it, as you +see. There is the bag; when at leisure we'll divide it, and give the +people their share. Mr. Mulford, keep the brig in motion, hauling up +toward the South Pass, while I go ashore for the ladies. I'll meet you +just in the throat of the passage.” + +This said, Spike tumbled into his boat, and was pulled ashore. As for +Mulford, though he cast many an anxious glance toward the islet, he +obeyed his orders, keeping the brig standing off and on, under easy +canvas, but working her up toward the indicated passage. + +Spike was met by Jack Tier on the beach of the little island. + +“Muster the women at once,” ordered the captain, “we have no time to +lose, for that fellow will soon be firing broad-sides, and his shot now +range half a mile beyond us.” + +“You'll no more move the widow and her maid, than you'll move the +island,” answered Jack, laconically. + +“Why should I not move them? Do they wish to stay here and starve?” + +“It's little that they think of that. The sloop-of-war no sooner begun +to fire than down went Mrs. Budd on the canvas floor of the tent, and +set up just such a screaming as you may remember she tried her hand at +the night the revenue craft fired into us. Biddy lay down alongside of +her mistress, and at every gun, they just scream as loud as they can, +as if they fancied they might frighten off Uncle Sam's men from their +duty.” + +“Duty!--You little scamp, do you call tormenting honest traders in this +fashion the duty of any man?” + +“Well, captain, I'm no ways partic'lar about a word or two. Their +'ways,' if you like that better than duty, sir.” + +“Where's Rose? Is she down too, screaming and squalling?” + +“No, Captain Spike, no. Miss Rose is endeavouring, like a handsome young +Christian lady as she is, to pacify and mollify her aunt and Biddy; and +right down sensible talk does she give them.” + +“Then she at least can go aboard the brig,” exclaimed Spike, with a +sudden animation, and an expression of countenance that Jack did not at +all like. + +“I ray-y-ther think she'll wish to hold on to the old lady,” observed +the steward's-mate, a little emphatically. + +“You be d--d,” cried Spike, fiercely; “when your opinion is wanted, I'll +ask for it. If I find you've been setting that young woman's mind ag'in +me, I'll toss you overboard, as I would the offals of a shark.” + +“Young women's minds, when they are only nineteen, get set ag'in boys of +fifty-six without much assistance.” + +“Fifty-six yourself.” + +“I'm fifty-three--that I'll own without making faces at it,” returned +Jack, meekly; “and, Stephen Spike, you logged fifty-six your last +birthday, or a false entry was made.” + +This conversation did not take place in the presence of the boat's crew, +but as the two walked together toward the tent. They were now in the +verandah, as we have called the shaded opening in front, and actually +within sound of the sweet voice of Rose, as she exhorted her aunt, +in tones a little louder than usual for her to use, to manifest more +fortitude. Under such circumstances Spike did not deem it expedient +to utter that which was uppermost in his mind, but, turning short upon +Tier, he directed a tremendous blow directly between his eyes. Jack saw +the danger and dodged, falling backward to avoid a concussion which he +knew would otherwise be fearful, coming as it would from one of the best +forecastle boxers of his time. The full force of the blow was avoided, +though Jack got enough of it to knock him down, and to give him a pair +of black eyes. Spike did not stop to pick the assistant steward up, +for another gun was fired at that very instant, and Mrs. Budd and Biddy +renewed their screams. Instead of pausing to kick the prostrate Tier, as +had just before been his intention, the captain entered the tent. + +A scene that was sufficiently absurd met the view of Spike, when he +found himself in the presence of the females. The widow had thrown +herself on the ground, and was grasping the cloth of the sail on which +the tent had been erected with both her hands, and was screaming at the +top of her voice. Biddy's imitation was not exactly literal, for she had +taken a comfortable seat at the side of her mistress, but in the way of +cries, she rather outdid her principal. + +“We must be off,” cried Spike, somewhat unceremoniously. “The +man-of-war is blazing away, as if she was a firin' minute-guns over our +destruction, and I can wait no longer.” + +“I'll not stir,” answered the widow--“I can't stir--I shall be shot if I +go out. No, no, no--I'll not stir an inch.” + +“We'll be kilt!--we'll be kilt!” echoed Biddy, “and a wicket murther't +will be in that same man, war or no war.” + +The captain perceived the uselessness of remonstrance at such a moment, +and perhaps he was secretly rejoiced thereat; but it is certain that he +whipped Rose up under his arm, and walked away with her, as if she had +been a child of two or three years of age. Rose did not scream, but she +struggled and protested vehemently. It was in vain. Already the captain +had carried her half the distance between the tent and the boat, in the +last of which, a minute more would have deposited his victim, when a +severe blow on the back of his head caused Spike to stumble, and he +permitted Rose to escape from his grasp, in the effort to save himself +from a fall. Turning fiercely toward his assailant, whom he suspected +to be one of his boat's crew, he saw Tier standing within a few yards, +levelling a pistol at him. + +“Advance a step, and you're a dead man, villain!” screamed Jack, his +voice almost cracked with rage, and the effort he made to menace. + +Spike muttered an oath too revolting for our pages; but it was such +a curse as none but an old salt could give vent to, and that in the +bitterness of his fiercest wrath. At that critical moment, while Rose +was swelling with indignation and wounded maiden pride, almost within +reach of his arms, looking more lovely than ever, as the flush of anger +deepened the colour in her cheeks, a fresh and deep report from one +of the guns of the sloop-of-war drew all eyes in her direction. The +belching of that gun seemed to be of double the power of those which had +preceded it, and jets of water, that were twenty feet in height, marked +the course of the formidable missile that was projected from the piece. +The ship had, indeed, discharged one of those monster-cannons that +bear the name of a distinguished French engineer, but which should more +properly be called by the name of the ingenious officer who is at the +head of our own ordnance, as they came originally from his inventive +faculties, though somewhat improved by their European adopter. Spike +suspected the truth, for he had heard of these “Pazans,” as he called +them, and he watched the booming, leaping progress of the eight-inch +shell that this gun threw, with the apprehension that unknown danger is +apt to excite. As jet succeeded jet, each rising nearer and nearer +to his brig, the interval of time between them seeming fearfully to +diminish, he muttered oath upon oath. The last leap that the shell made +on the water was at about a quarter of a mile's distance of the islet on +which his people had deposited at least a hundred and fifty barrels of +his spurious flour:-thence it flew, as it might be without an effort, +with a grand and stately bound into the very centre of the barrels, +exploding at the moment it struck. All saw the scattering of flour, +which was instantly succeeded by the heavy though slightly straggling +explosion of all the powder on the island. A hundred kegs were lighted, +as it might be, in a common flash, and a cloud of white smoke poured out +and concealed the whole islet, and all near it. + +Rose stood confounded, nor was Jack Tier in a much better state of mind, +though he still kept the pistol levelled, and menaced Spike. But the +last was no longer dangerous to any there. He recollected that piles +of the barrels encumbered the decks of his vessel, and he rushed to +the boat, nearly frantic with haste, ordering the men to pull for their +lives. In less than five minutes he was alongside, and on the deck of +the Swash--his first order being to--“Tumble every barrel of this bloody +powder into the sea, men. Over with it, Mr. Mulford, clear away the +midship ports, and launch as much as you can through them.” + +Remonstrance on the part of Se¤or Montefalderon would have been useless, +had he been disposed to make it; but, sooth to say, he was as ready +to get rid of the powder as any there, after the specimen he had just +witnessed of the power of a Paixhan gun. + +Thus it is ever with men. Had two or three of those shells been first +thrown without effect, as might very well have happened under the +circumstances, none there would have cared for the risk they were +running; but the chance explosion which had occurred, presented so vivid +a picture of the danger, dormant and remote as it really was, as to +throw the entire crew of the Swash into a frenzy of exertion. + +Nor was the vessel at all free from danger. On the contrary, she ran +very serious risk of being destroyed, and in some degree, in the very +manner apprehended. Perceiving that Spike was luffing up through one of +the passages nearest the reef, which would carry him clear of the group, +a long distance to windward of the point where he could only effect the +same object, the commander of the sloop-of-war opened his fire in good +earnest, hoping to shoot away something material on board the Swash, +before she could get beyond the reach of his shot. The courses steered +by the two vessels, just at that moment, favoured such an attempt, +though they made it necessarily very short-lived. While the Swash was +near the wind, the sloop-of-war was obliged to run off to avoid islets +ahead of her, a circumstance which, while it brought the brig square +with the ship's broadside, compelled the latter to steer on a diverging +line to the course of her chase. It was in consequence of these facts, +that the sloop-of-war now opened in earnest, and was soon canopied in +the smoke of her own fire. + +Great and important changes, as has been already mentioned, have been +made in the armaments of all the smaller cruisers within the last few +years. Half a generation since, a ship of the rate--we do not say of the +size--of the vessel which was in chase of Spike and his craft, would not +have had it in her power to molest an enemy at the distance these two +vessels were now apart. But recent improvements have made ships of this +nominal force formidable at nearly a league's distance; more especially +by means of their Paixhans and their shells. + +For some little time the range carried the shot directly over the islet +of the tent; Jack Tier and Rose, both of whom were watching all that +passed with intense interest, standing in the open air the whole +time, seemingly with no concern for themselves, so absorbed was each, +notwithstanding all that had passed, in the safety of the brig. As for +Rose, she thought only of Harry Mulford, and of the danger he was in by +those fearful explosions of the shells. Her quick intellect comprehended +the peculiar nature of the risk that was incurred by having the +flour-barrels on deck, and she could not but see the manner in which +Spike and his men were tumbling them into the water, as the quickest +manner of getting rid of them. After what had just passed between Jack +Tier and his commander, it might not be so easy to account for his +manifest, nay, intense interest in the escape of the Swash. This +was apparent by his troubled countenance, by his exclamations, and +occasionally by his openly expressed wishes for her safety. Perhaps it +was no more than the interest the seaman is so apt to feel in the craft +in which he has so long sailed, and which to him has been a home, and +of which Mulford exhibited so much, in his struggles between feeling and +conscience--between a true and a false duty. + +As for Spike and his people, we have already mentioned their efforts to +get rid of the powder. Shell after shell exploded, though none very +near the brig, the ship working her guns as if in action. At length the +officers of the sloop-of-war detected a source of error in their aim, +that is of very common occurrence in sea-gunnery. Their shot had been +thrown to ricochet, quartering a low, but very regular succession of +little waves. Each shot striking the water at an acute angle to its +agitated surface, was deflected from a straight line, and described a +regular curve toward the end of its career; or, it might be truer +to say, an irregular curvature, for the deflection increased as the +momentum of the missile diminished. + +No sooner did the commanding officer of the sloop-of-war discover this +fact, and it was easy to trace the course of the shots by the jets +of water they cast into the air, and to see as well as to hear the +explosions of the shells, than he ordered the guns pointed more to +windward, as a means of counteracting the departure from the straight +lines. This expedient succeeded in part, the solid shot falling much +nearer to the brig the moment the practice was resorted to. No shell was +fired for some little time after the new order was issued, and Spike +and his people began to hope these terrific missiles had ceased their +annoyance. The men cheered, finding their voices for the first time +since the danger had seemed so imminent, and Spike was heard animating +them to their duty. As for Mulford, he was on the coach-house deck, +working the brig, the captain having confided to him that delicate duty, +the highest proof he could furnish of confidence in his seamanship. The +handsome young mate had just made a half-board, in the neatest manner, +shoving the brig by its means through a most difficult part of the +passage, and had got her handsomely filled again on the same tack, +looking right out into open water, by a channel through which she could +now stand on a very easy bowline. Everything seemed propitious, and the +sloop-of-war's solid shot began to drop into the water, a hundred yards +short of the brig. In this state of things one of the Paixhans belched +forth its angry flame and sullen roar again. There was no mistaking the +gun. Then came its mass of iron, a globe that would have weighed just +sixty-eight pounds, had not sufficient metal been left out of its +interior to leave a cavity to contain a single pound of powder. Its +course, as usual, was to be marked by its path along the sea, as it +bounded, half a mile at a time, from wave to wave. Spike saw by its +undeviating course that this shell was booming terrifically toward +his brig, and a cry to “look out for the shell,” caused the work to be +suspended. That shell struck the water for the last time, within two +hundred yards of the brig, rose dark and menacing in its furious +leap, but exploded at the next instant. The fragments of the iron were +scattered on each side, and ahead. Of the last, three or four fell into +the water so near the vessel as to cast their spray on her decks. + +“Overboard with the rest of the powder!” shouted Spike. “Keep the brig +off a little, Mr. Mulford--keep her off, sir; you luff too much, sir.” + +“Ay, ay, sir,” answered the mate. “Keep her off, it is.” + +“There comes the other shell!” cried Ben, but the men did not quit their +toil to gaze this time. Each seaman worked as if life and death depended +on his single exertions. Spike alone watched the course of the missile. +On it came, booming and hurtling through the air, tossing high the jets, +at each leap it made from the surface, striking the water for its last +bound, seemingly in a line with the shell that had just preceded it. +From that spot it made its final leap. Every hand in the brig was stayed +and every eye was raised as the rushing tempest was heard advancing. +The mass went muttering directly between the masts of the Swash. It had +scarcely seemed to go by when the fierce flash of fire and the sharp +explosion followed. Happily for those in the brig, the projectile +force given by the gun carried the fragments from them, as in the +other instance it had brought them forward; else would few have escaped +mutilation, or death, among their crew. + +The flashing of fire so near the barrels of powder that still remained +on their deck, caused the frantic efforts to be renewed, and barrel +after barrel was tumbled overboard, amid the shouts that were now raised +to animate the people to their duty. + +“Luff, Mr. Mulford--luff you may, sir,” cried Spike. No answer was +given. + +“D'ye hear there, Mr. Mulford?--it is luff you may, sir.” + +“Mr. Mulford is not aft, sir,” called out the man at the helm--“but luff +it is, sir.” + +“Mr. Mulford not aft! Where's the mate, man? Tell him he is wanted.” + +No Mulford was to be found! A call passed round the decks, was sent +below, and echoed through the entire brig, but no sign or tidings could +be had of the handsome mate. At that exciting moment the sloop-of-war +seemed to cease her firing, and appeared to be securing her guns. + + + +CHAPTER VII. + + + Thou art the same, eternal sea! + The earth has many shapes and forms, + Of hill and valley, flower and tree; + Fields that the fervid noontide warms, + Or winter's rugged grasp deforms, + Or bright with autumn's golden store; + Thou coverest up thy face with storms, + Or smilest serene,--but still thy roar + And dashing foam go up to vex the sea-beat shore: + + Lunt. + + +We shall now advance the time eight-and-forty hours. The baffling winds +and calms that succeeded the tornado had gone, and the trades blew in +their stead. Both vessels had disappeared, the brig leading, doubling +the western extremity of the reef, and going off before both wind and +current, with flowing sheets, fully three hours before the sloop-of-war +could beat up against the latter, to a point that enabled her to do the +same thing. By that time, the Swash was five-and-twenty miles to the +eastward, and consequently but just discernible in her loftiest sails, +from the ship's royal yards. Still, the latter continued the chase; and +that evening both vessels were beating down along the southern margin +of the Florida Reef, against the trades, but favoured by a three or four +knot current, the brig out of sight to windward. Our narrative leads us +to lose sight of both these vessels, for a time, in order to return to +the islets of the Gulf. Eight-and-forty hours had made some changes in +and around the haven of the Dry Tortugas. The tent still stood, and a +small fire that was boiling its pot and its kettle, at no great distance +from it, proved that the tent was still inhabited. The schooner also +rode at her anchors, very much as she had been abandoned by Spike. The +bag of doubloons, however, had been found, and there it lay, tied but +totally unguarded, in the canvas verandah of Rose Budd's habitation. +Jack Tier passed and repassed it with apparent indifference, as he went +to and fro, between his pantry and kitchen, busy as a bee in preparing +his noontide meal for the day. This man seemed to have the islet all to +himself, however, no one else being visible on any part of it. He sang +his song, in a cracked, contre alto voice, and appeared to be happy in +his solitude. Occasionally he talked to himself aloud, most probably +because he had no one else to speak to. We shall record one of his +recitatives, which came in between the strains of a very inharmonious +air, the words of which treated of the seas, while the steward's +assistant was stirring an exceedingly savoury mess that he had concocted +of the ingredients to be found in the united larders of the Swash and +the Mexican schooner. + +“Stephen Spike is a capital willian!” exclaimed Jack, smelling at a +ladle filled with his soup--“a capital willian, I call him. To think, +at his time of life, of such a handsome and pleasant young thing as this +Rose Budd; and then to try to get her by underhand means, and by making +a fool of her silly old aunt. It 's wonderful what fools some old aunts +be! Quite wonderful! If I was as great a simpleton as this Mrs. Budd, +I'd never cross my threshhold. Yes, Stephen Spike is a prodigious +willian, as his best friend must own! Well, I gave him a thump on the +head that he'll not forget this v'y'ge. To think of carryin' off that +pretty Rose Budd in his very arms, in so indecent a manner! Yet, the man +has his good p'ints, if a body could only forget his bad ones. He's +a first-rate seaman. How he worked the brig till he doubled the reef, +a'ter she got into open water; and how he made her walk off afore the +wind, with stun'sails alow and aloft, as soon as ever he could make 'em +draw! My life for it, he 'll tire the legs of Uncle Sam's man, afore he +can fetch up with him. For running away, when hard chased, Stephen Spike +has n't his equal on 'arth. But, he's a great willian--a prodigious +willian! I cannot say I actually wish him hanged; but I would rather +have him hanged than see him get pretty Rose in his power. What has +he to do with girls of nineteen? If the rascal is one year old, he's +fifty-six. I hope the sloop-of-war will find her match, and I think she +will. The Molly's a great traveller, and not to be outdone easily. 'T +would be a thousand pities so lovely a craft should be cut off in the +flower of her days, as it might be, and I do hope she'll lead that +bloody sloop on some sunken rock. + +“Well, there's the other bag of doubloons. It seems Stephen could not +get it. That's odd, too, for he's great at grabbin' gold. The man bears +his age well; but he's a willian! I wonder whether he or Mulford made +that half-board in the narrow channel. It was well done, and Stephen is +a perfect sailor; but he says Mulford is the same. Nice young man, that +Mulford; just fit for Rose, and Rose for him. Pity to part them. Can +find no great fault with him, except that he has too much conscience. +There's such a thing as having too much, as well as too little +conscience. Mulford has too much, and Spike has too little. For him to +think of carryin' off a gal of nineteen! I say he's fifty-six, if he's +a day. How fond he used to be of this very soup! If I've seen him eat a +quart of it, I've seen him eat a puncheon full of it, in my time. What +an appetite the man has when he's had a hard day's duty on 't! There 's +a great deal to admire, and a great deal to like in Stephen Spike, but +he's a reg'lar willian. I dare say he fancies himself a smart, jaunty +youth ag'in, as I can remember him; a lad of twenty, which was about his +years when I first saw him, by the sign that I was very little turned +of fifteen myself. Spike was comely then, though I acknowledge he's +a willian. I can see him now, with his deep blue roundabout, his +bell-mouthed trowsers, both of fine cloth--too fine for such a +willian--but fine it was, and much did it become him.” + +Here Jack made a long pause, during which, though he may have thought +much, he said nothing. Nevertheless, he was n't idle the while. On the +contrary, he passed no less than three several times from the fire +to the tent, and returned. Each time, in going and coming, he looked +intently at the bag of doubloons, though he did not stop at it or touch +it. Some associations connected with Spike's fruitless attempts to +obtain it must have formed its principal interest with this singular +being, as he muttered his captain's name each time in passing, though +he said no more audibly. The concerns of the dinner carried him back +and forth; and in his last visit to the tent, he began to set a small +table--one that had been brought for the convenience of Mrs. Budd and +her niece, from the brig, and which of course still remained on the +islet. It was while thus occupied, that Jack Tier recommenced his +soliloquy. + +“I hope that money may do some worthy fellow good yet. It's Mexican +gold, and that's inemy's gold, and might be condemned by law, I do +suppose. Stephen had a hankerin' a'ter it, but he did not get it. It +come easy enough to the next man that tried. That Spike 's a willian, +and the gold was too good for him. He has no conscience at all to think +of a gal of nineteen! And one fit for his betters, in the bargain. The +time has been when Stephen Spike might have pretended to Rose Budd's +equal. That much I'll ever maintain, but that time's gone; and, what is +more, it will never come again. I should like Mulford better if he had a +little less conscience. Conscience may do for Uncle Sam's ships, but +it is sometimes in the way aboard a trading craft. What can a fellow +do with a conscience when dollars is to be smuggled off, or tobacco +smuggled ashore? I do suppose I've about as much conscience as it is +useful to have, and I've got ashore in my day twenty thousand dollars' +worth of stuff, of one sort or another, if I've got ashore the valie +of ten dollars. But Spike carries on business on too large a scale, and +many's the time I've told him so. I could have forgiven him anything but +this attempt on Rose Budd; and he's altogether too old for that, to say +nothing of other people's rights. He's an up-and-down willian, and a +body can make no more, nor any less of him. That soup must be near done, +and I'll hoist the signal for grub.” + +This signal was a blue-peter of which one had been brought ashore to +signal the brig; and with which Jack now signalled the schooner. If the +reader will turn his eyes toward the last named vessel, he will find +the guests whom Tier expected to surround his table. Rose, her aunt, and +Biddy were all seated, under an awning made by a sail, on the deck of +the schooner, which now floated so buoyantly as to show that she had +materially lightened since last seen. Such indeed was the fact, and he +who had been the instrument of producing this change, appeared on deck +in the person of Mulford, as soon as he was told that the blue-peter of +Jack Tier was flying. + +The boat of the light-house, that in which Spike had landed in quest of +Rose, was lying alongside of the schooner, and sufficiently explained +the manner in which the mate had left the brig. This boat, in fact, +had been fastened astern, in the hurry of getting from under the +sloop-of-war's fire, and Mulford had taken the opportunity of the +consternation and frantic efforts produced by the explosion of the last +shell thrown, to descend from his station on the coach-house into this +boat, to cut the painter, and to let the Swash glide away from him. This +the vessel had done with great rapidity, leaving him unseen under the +cover of her stern. As soon as in the boat, the mate had seized an oar, +and sculled to an islet that was within fifty yards, concealing the +boat behind a low hummock that formed a tiny bay. All this was done +so rapidly, that united to the confusion on board the Swash, no one +discovered the mate or the boat. Had he been seen, however, it is very +little probable that Spike would have lost a moment of time, in the +attempt to recover either. But he was not seen, and it was the general +opinion on board the Swash, for quite an hour, that her handsome mate +had been knocked overboard and killed, by a fragment of the shell that +had seemed to explode almost in the ears of her people. When the reef +was doubled, however, and Spike made his preparations for meeting the +rough water, he hove to, and ordered his own yawl, which was also towing +astern, to be hauled up alongside, in order to be hoisted in. Then, +indeed, some glimmerings of the truth were shed on the crew, who missed +the light-house boat. Though many contended that its painter must also +have been cut by a fragment of the shell, and that the mate had died +loyal to roguery and treason. Mulford was much liked by the crew, and he +was highly valued by Spike, on account of his seamanship and integrity, +this latter being a quality that is just as necessary for one of the +captain's character to meet with in those he trusts as to any other man. +But Spike thought differently of the cause of Mulford's disappearance, +from his crew. He ascribed it altogether to love for Rose, when, in +truth, it ought in justice to have been quite as much imputed to a +determination to sail no longer with a man who was clearly guilty of +treason. Of smuggling, Mulford had long suspected Spike, though he had +no direct proof of the fact; but now he could not doubt that he was not +only engaged in supplying the enemy with the munitions of war, but was +actually bargaining to sell his brig for a hostile cruiser, and possibly +to transfer himself and crew along with her. + +It is scarcely necessary to speak of the welcome Mulford received +when he reached the islet of the tent. He and Rose had a long private +conference, the result of which was to let the handsome mate into the +secret of his pretty companion's true feelings toward himself. She had +received him with tears, and a betrayal of emotion that gave him +every encouragement, and now she did not deny her preference. In that +interview the young people plighted to each other their troth. Rose +never doubted of obtaining her aunt's consent in due time, all her +prejudices being in favour of the sea and sailors; and should she not, +she would soon be her own mistress, and at liberty to dispose of herself +and her pretty little fortune as she might choose. But a cypher as she +was, in all questions of real moment, Mrs. Budd was not a person likely +to throw any real obstacle in the way of the young people's wishes; the +true grounds of whose present apprehensions were all to be referred +to Spike, his intentions, and his well-known perseverance. Mulford +was convinced that the brig would be back in quest of the remaining +doubloons, as soon as she could get clear of the sloop-of-war, though +he was not altogether without a hope that the latter, when she found +it impossible to overhaul her chase, might also return in order to +ascertain what discoveries could be made in and about the schooner. The +explosion of the powder, on the islet, must have put the man-of-war's +men in possession of the secret of the real quality of the flour that +had composed her cargo, and it doubtless had awakened all their distrust +on the subject of the Swash's real business in the Gulf. Under all the +circumstances, therefore, it did appear quite as probable that one of +the parties should reappear at the scene of their recent interview as +the other. + +Bearing all these things in mind, Mulford had lost no time in completing +his own arrangements. He felt that he had some atonement to make to the +country, for the part he had seemingly taken in the late events, and it +occurred to him, could he put the schooner in a state to be moved, then +place her in the hands of the authorities, his own peace would be made, +and his character cleared. Rose no sooner understood his plans +and motives, than she entered into them with all the ardour and +self-devotion of her sex; for the single hour of confidential and frank +communication which had just passed, doubled the interest she felt in +Mulford and in all that belonged to him. Jack Tier was useful on board +a vessel, though his want of stature and force rendered him less so than +was common with sea-faring men. His proper sphere certainly had been the +cabins, where his usefulness was beyond all cavil; but he was now very +serviceable to Mulford on the deck of the schooner. The first two days, +Mrs. Budd had been left on the islet, to look to the concerns of the +kitchen, while Mulford, accompanied by Rose, Biddy and Jack Tier, had +gone off to the schooner, and set her pumps in motion again. It was +little that Rose could do, or indeed attempt to do, at this toil, but +the pumps being small and easily worked, Biddy and Jack were of great +service. By the end of the second day the pumps sucked; the cargo +that remained in the schooner, as well as the form of her bottom, +contributing greatly to lessen the quantity of the water that was to be +got out of her. + +Then it was that the doubloons fell into Mulford's hands, along with +everything else that remained below decks. It was perhaps fortunate that +the vessel was thoroughly purified by her immersion, and the articles +that were brought on deck to be dried were found in a condition to give +no great offence to those who removed them. By leaving the hatches off, +and the cabin doors open, the warm winds of the trades effectually dried +the interior of the schooner in the course of a single night; and when +Mulford repaired on board of her, on the morning of the third day, he +found her in a condition to be fitted for his purposes. On this +occasion Mrs. Budd had expressed a wish to go off to look at her future +accommodations, and Jack was left on the islet to cook the dinner, which +will explain the actual state of things as described in the opening of +this chapter. + +As those who toil usually have a relish for their food, the appearance +of the blue-peter was far from being unwelcome to those on board of the +schooner. They got into the boat, and were sculled ashore by Mulford, +who, seaman-like, used only one hand in performing this service. In a +very few minutes they were all seated at the little table, which was +brought out into the tent-verandah for the enjoyment of the breeze. + +“So far, well,” said Mulford, after his appetite was mainly appeased; +Rose picking crumbs, and affecting to eat, merely to have the air of +keeping him company; one of the minor proofs of the little attentions +that spring from the affections. “So far, well. The sails are bent, and +though they might be never and better, they can be made to answer. It +was fortunate to find anything like a second suit on board a Mexican +craft of that size at all. As it is, we have foresail, mainsail, and +jib, and with that canvas I think we might beat the schooner down to Key +West in the course of a day and a night. If I dared to venture outside +of the reef, it might be done sooner even, for they tell me there is a +four-knot current sometimes in that track; but I do not like to venture +outside, so short-handed. The current inside must serve our turn, and +we shall get smooth water by keeping under the lee of the rocks. I only +hope we shall not get into an eddy as we go further from the end of the +reef, and into the bight of the coast.” + +“Is there danger of that?” demanded Rose, whose quick intellect had +taught her many of these things, since her acquaintance with vessels. + +“There may be, looking at the formation of the reef and islands, though +I know nothing of the fact by actual observation. This is my first visit +in this quarter.” + +“Eddies are serious matters,” put in Mrs. Budd, “and my poor husband +could not abide them. Tides are good things; but eddies are very +disagreeable.” + +“Well, aunty, I should think eddies might sometimes be as welcome as +tides. It must depend, however, very much on the way one wishes to go.” + +“Rose, you surprise me! All that you have read, and all that you have +heard, must have shown you the difference. Do they not say 'a man is +floating with the tide,' when things are prosperous with him--and don't +ships drop down with the tide, and beat the wind with the tide? And +don't vessels sometimes 'tide it up to town,' as it is called, and is +n't it thought an advantage to have the tide with you?” + +“All very true, aunty; but I do not see how that makes eddies any the +worse.” + +“Because eddies are the opposite of tides, child. When the tide goes one +way, the eddy goes another--is n't it so, Harry Mulford? You never heard +of one's floating in an eddy.” + +“That's what we mean by an eddy, Mrs. Budd,” answered the handsome mate, +delighted to hear Rose's aunt call him by an appellation so kind and +familiar,--a thing she had never done previously to the intercourse +which had been the consequence of their present situation. “Though I +agree with Rose in thinking an eddy may be a good or a bad thing, and +very much like a tide, as one wishes to steer.” + +“You amaze me, both of you! Tides are always spoken of favourably, but +eddies never. If a ship gets ashore, the tide can float her off; +that I've heard a thousand times. Then, what do the newspapers say +of President--, and Governor--, and Congressman--? Why, that they all +'float in the tide of public opinion,' and that must mean something +particularly good, as they are always in office. No, no, Harry; I'll +acknowledge that you do know something about ships; a good deal, +considering how young you are; but you have something to learn about +eddies. Never trust one as long as you live.” + +Mulford was silent, and Rose took the occasion to change the discourse. + +“I hope we shall soon be able to quit this place,” she said; “for I +confess to some dread of Captain Spike's return.” + +“Captain Stephen Spike has greatly disappointed me,” observed the aunt, +gravely. “I do not know that I was ever before deceived in judging +a person. I could have sworn he was an honest, frank, well-meaning +sailor--a character, of all others, that I love; but it has turned out +otherwise.” + +“He's a willian!” mutttered Jack Tier. + +Mulford smiled; at which speech we must leave to conjecture; but he +answered Rose, as he ever did, promptly and with pleasure. + +“The schooner is ready, and this must be our last meal ashore,” he said. +“Our outfit will be no great matter; but if it will carry us down to Key +West, I shall ask no more of it. As for the return of the Swash, I look +upon it as certain. She could easily get clear of the sloop-of-war, +with the start she had, and Spike is a man that never yet abandoned a +doubloon, when he knew where one was to be found.” + +“Stephen Spike is like all his fellow-creatures,” put in Jack Tier, +pointedly. “He has his faults, and he has his virtues.” + +“Virtue is a term I should never think of applying to such a man,” + returned Mulford, a little surprised at the fellow's earnestness. “The +word is a big one, and belongs to quite another class of persons.” + Jack muttered a few syllables that were unintelligible, when again the +conversation changed. + +Rose now inquired of Mulford as to their prospects of getting to Key +West. He told her that the distance was about sixty miles; their route +lying along the north or inner side of the Florida Reef. The whole +distance was to be made against the trade-wind, which was then blowing +about an eight-knot breeze, though, bating eddies, they might expect to +be favoured with the current, which was less strong inside than +outside of the reef. As for handling the schooner, Mulford saw no great +difficulty in that. She was not large, and was both lightly sparred and +lightly rigged. All her top-hamper had been taken down by Spike, and +nothing remained but the plainest and most readily-managed gear. A +fore-and-aft vessel, sailing close by the wind, is not difficult to +steer; will almost steer herself, indeed, in smooth water. Jack Tier +could take his trick at the helm, in any weather, even in running before +the wind, the time when it is most difficult to guide a craft, and Rose +might be made to understand the use of the tiller, and taught to govern +the motions of a vessel so small and so simply rigged, when on a wind +and in smooth water. On the score of managing the schooner, therefore, +Mulford thought there would be little cause for apprehension. Should +the weather continue settled, he had little doubt of safely landing +the whole party at Key West, in the course of the next four-and-twenty +hours. Short sail he should be obliged to carry, as well on account of +the greater facility of managing it, as on account of the circumstance +that the schooner was now in light ballast trim, and would not bear much +canvas. He thought that the sooner they left the islets the better, +as it could not be long ere the brig would be seen hovering around the +spot. All these matters were discussed as the party still sat at table; +and when they left it, which was a few minutes later, it was to remove +the effects they intended to carry away to the boat. This was soon done, +both Jack Tier and Biddy proving very serviceable, while Rose tripped +backward and forward, with a step elastic as a gazelle's, carrying +light burdens. In half an hour the boat was ready. “Here lies the bag of +doubloons still,” said Mulford, smiling. “Is it to be left, or shall we +give it up to the admiralty court at Key West, and put in a claim for +salvage?” + +“Better leave it for Spike,” said Jack unexpectedly. “Should he come +back, and find the doubloons, he may be satisfied, and not look for the +schooner. On the other hand, when the vessel is missing, he will think +that the money is in her. Better leave it for old Stephen.” + +“I do not agree with you, Tier,” said Rose, though she looked as +amicably at the steward's assistant, as she thus opposed his opinion, +as if anxious to persuade rather than coerce. “I do not quite agree with +you. This money belongs to the Spanish merchant; and, as we take away +with us his vessel, to give it up to the authorities at Key West, I do +not think we have a right to put his gold on the shore and abandon it.” + +This disposed of the question. Mulford took the bag, and carried it to +the boat, without waiting to ascertain if Jack had any objection; while +the whole party followed. In a few minutes everybody and everything in +the boat were transferred to the deck of the schooner. As for the tent, +the old sails of which it was made, the furniture it contained, and such +articles of provisions as were not wanted, they were left on the islet, +without regret. The schooner had several casks of fresh water, which +were found in her hold, and she had also a cask or two of salted meats, +besides several articles of food more delicate, that had been provided +by Se¤or Montefalderon for his own use, and which had not been damaged +by the water. A keg of Boston crackers were among these eatables, quite +half of which were still in a state to be eaten. They were Biddy's +delight; and it was seldom that she could be seen when not nibbling at +one of them. The bread of the crew was hopelessly damaged. But Jack had +made an ample provision of bread when sent ashore, and there was still +a hundred barrels of the flour in the schooner's hold. One of these +had been hoisted on deck by Mulford, and opened. The injured flour was +easily removed, leaving a considerable quantity fit for the uses of the +kitchen. As for the keg of gunpowder, it was incontinently committed to +the deep. + +Thus provided for, Mulford decided that the time had arrived when he +ought to quit his anchorage. He had been employed most of that morning +in getting the schooner's anchor, a work of great toil to him, though +everybody had assisted. He had succeeded, and the vessel now rode by a +kedge, that he could easily weigh by means of a deck tackle. It remained +now, therefore, to lift this kedge and to stand out of the bay of the +islets. No sooner was the boat secured astern, and its freight disposed +of, than the mate began to make sail. In order to hoist the mainsail +well up, he was obliged to carry the halyards to the windlass. Thus +aided, he succeeded without much difficulty. He and Jack Tier and Biddy +got the jib hoisted by hand; and as for the fore-sail, that would almost +set itself. Of course, it was not touched until the kedge was aweigh. +Mulford found little difficulty in lifting the last, and he soon had the +satisfaction of finding his craft clear of the ground. As Jack Tier was +every way competent to take charge of the forecastle, Mulford now sprang +aft, and took his own station at the helm; Rose acting as his pretty +assistant on the quarter-deck. + +There is little mystery in getting a fore-and-aft vessel under way. +Her sails fill almost as a matter of course, and motion follows as a +necessary law. Thus did it prove with the Mexican schooner, which turned +out to be a fast-sailing and an easily-worked craft. She was, indeed, an +American bottom, as it is termed, having been originally built for the +Chesapeake; and, though not absolutely what is understood by a Baltimore +clipper, so nearly of that mould and nature as to possess some of the +more essential qualities. As usually happens, however, when a foreigner +gets hold of an American schooner, the Mexicans had shortened her masts +and lessened her canvas. This circumstance was rather an advantage to +Mulford, who would probably have had more to attend to than he wished +under the original rig of the craft. + +Everybody, even to the fastidious Mrs. Budd, was delighted with the easy +and swift movement of the schooner. Mulford, now he had got her under +canvas, handled her without any difficulty, letting her stand toward the +channel through which he intended to pass, with her sheets just taken +in, though compelled to keep a little off, in order to enter between the +islets. No difficulty occurred, however, and in less than ten minutes +the vessel was clear of the channels, and in open water. The sheets were +now flattened in, and the schooner brought close by the wind. A trial of +the vessel on this mode of sailing was no sooner made, than Mulford +was induced to regret he had taken so many precautions against any +increasing power of the wind. To meet emergencies, and under the notion +he should have his craft more under command, the young man had reefed +his mainsail, and taken the bonnets off of the foresail and jib. As the +schooner stood up better than he had anticipated, the mate felt as all +seamen are so apt to feel, when they see that their vessels might be +made to perform more than is actually got out of them. As the breeze was +fresh, however, he determined not to let out the reef; and the labour of +lacing on the bonnets again was too great to be thought of just at that +moment. + +We all find relief on getting in motion, when pressed by circumstances. +Mulford had been in great apprehension of the re-appearance of the +Swash all that day; for it was about the time when Spike would be apt +to return, in the event of his escaping from the sloop-of-war, and he +dreaded Rose's again falling into the hands of a man so desperate. Nor +is it imputing more than a very natural care to the young man, to say +that he had some misgivings concerning himself. Spike, by this time, +must be convinced that his business in the Gulf was known; and one +who had openly thrown off his service, as his mate had done, would +unquestionably be regarded as a traitor to his interests, whatever might +be the relation in which he would stand to the laws of the country. It +was probable such an alleged offender would not be allowed to appear +before the tribunals of the land, to justify himself and to accuse the +truly guilty, if it were in the power of the last to prevent it. Great, +therefore, was the satisfaction of our handsome young mate when he found +himself again fairly in motion, with a craft under him, that glided +ahead in a way to prove that she might give even the Swash some trouble +to catch her, in the event of a trial of speed. + +Everybody entered into the feelings of Mulford, as the schooner passed +gallantly out from between the islets, and entered the open water. +Fathom by fathom did her wake rapidly increase, until it could no longer +be traced back as far as the sandy beaches that had just been left. In a +quarter of an hour more, the vessel had drawn so far from the land, +that some of the smaller and lowest of the islets were getting to be +indistinct. At that instant everybody had come aft, the females taking +their seats on the trunk, which, in this vessel as in the Swash herself, +gave space and height to the cabin. + +“Well,” exclaimed Mrs. Budd, who found the freshness of the sea air +invigorating, as well as their speed exciting, “this is what I call +maritime, Rosy, dear. This is what is meant by the Maritime States, +about which we read so much, and which are commonly thought to be so +important. We are now in a Maritime State, and I feel perfectly happy +after all our dangers and adventures!” + +“Yes, aunty, and I am delighted that you are happy,” answered Rose, with +frank affection. “We are now rid of that infamous Spike, and may hope +never to see his face more.” + +“Stephen Spike has his good p'ints as well as another,” said Jack Tier, +abruptly. + +“I know that he is an old shipmate of yours, Tier, and that you cannot +forget how he once stood connected with you, and am sorry I have said +so much against him,” answered Rose, expressing her concern even more by +her looks and tones, than by her words. + +Jack was mollified by this, and he let his feeling be seen, though he +said no more than to mutter, “He's a willian!” words that had frequently +issued from his lips within the last day or two. + +“Stephen Spike is a capital seaman, and that is something in any man,” + observed the relict of Captain Budd. “He learned his trade from one who +was every way qualified to teach him, and it's no wonder he should be +expert. Do you expect, Mr. Mulford, to beat the wind the whole distance +to Key West?” + +It was not possible for any one to look more grave than the mate did +habitually, while the widow was floundering through her sea-terms. Rose +had taught him that respect for her aunt was to be one of the conditions +of her own regard, though Rose had never opened her lips to him on the +subject. + +“Yes, ma'am,” answered the mate, respectfully, “we are in the trades, +and shall have to turn to windward, every inch of the way to Key West.” + +“Of what lock is this place the key, Rosy?” asked the aunt, innocently +enough. “I know that forts and towns are sometimes called keys, but they +always have locks of some sort or other. Now, Gibraltar is the key of +the Mediterranean, as your uncle has told me fifty times; and I have +been there, and can understand why it should be,--but I do not know of +what lock this West is the key.” + +“It is not that sort of key which is meant, aunty, at all--but quite a +different thing. The key meant is an island.” + +“And why should any one be so silly as to call an island a key?” + +“The place where vessels unload is sometimes called a key,” answered +Mulford;--“the French calling it a quai, and the Dutch kaye. I suppose +our English word is derived from these. Now, a low, sandy island, +looking somewhat like keys, or wharves, seamen have given them this +name. Key West is merely a low island.” + +“Then there is no lock to it, or anything to be unfastened,” said the +widow, in her most simple manner. + +“It may turn out to be the key to the Gulf of Mexico, one of these days, +ma'am. Uncle Sam is surveying the reef, and intends to do something +here, I believe. When Uncle Sam is really in earnest, he is capable of +performing great things.” + +Mrs. Budd was satisfied with this explanation, though she told Biddy +that evening, that “locks and keys go together, and that the person who +christened the island to which they were going, must have been very +weak in his upper story.” But these reflections on the intellects of her +fellow-creatures were by no means uncommon with the worthy relict; and +we cannot say that her remarks made any particular impression on her +Irish maid. + +In the mean time, the Mexican schooner behaved quite to Mulford's +satisfaction. He thought her a little tender in the squalls, of which +they had several that afternoon; but he remarked to Rose, who expressed +her uneasiness at the manner in which the vessel lay over in one of +them, that “she comes down quite easy to her bearings, but it is hard +forcing her beyond them. The vessel needs more cargo to ballast her, +though, on the whole, I find her as stiff as one could expect. I am now +glad that I reefed, and reduced the head sails, though I was sorry at +having done so when we first came out. At this rate of sailing, we ought +to be up with Key West by morning.” + +But that rate of sailing did not continue. Toward evening, the breeze +lessened almost to a calm again, the late tornado appearing to have +quite deranged the ordinary stability of the trades. When the sun set, +and it went down into the broad waters of the Gulf a flood of flame, +there was barely a two-knot breeze, and Mulford had no longer +any anxiety on the subject of keeping his vessel on her legs. His +solicitude, now, was confined to the probability of falling in with the +Swash. As yet, nothing was visible, either in the shape of land or in +that of a sail. Between the islets of the Dry Tortugas and the next +nearest visible keys, there is a space of open water, of some forty +miles in width. The reef extends across it, of course; but nowhere does +the rock protrude itself above the surface of the sea. The depth of +water on this reef varies essentially. In some places, a ship of size +might pass on to it, if not across it; while in others a man could wade +for miles. There is one deep and safe channel--safe to those who are +acquainted with it--through the centre of this open space, and which is +sometimes used by vessels that wish to pass from one side to the other; +but it is ever better for those whose business does not call them in +that direction, to give the rocks a good berth, more especially in the +night. + +Mulford had gleaned many of the leading facts connected with the +channels, and the navigation of those waters, from Spike and the older +seamen of the brig, during the time they had been lying at the Tortugas. +Such questions and answers are common enough on board ships, and, as +they are usually put and given with intelligence, one of our mate's +general knowledge of his profession, was likely to carry away much +useful information. By conversations of this nature, and by consulting +the charts, which Spike did not affect to conceal after the name of +his port became known, the young man, in fact, had so far made himself +master of the subject, as to have tolerably accurate notions of the +courses, distances, and general peculiarities of the reef. When the sun +went down, he supposed himself to be about half-way across the space of +open water, and some five-and-twenty miles dead to windward of his +port of departure. This was doing very well for the circumstances, and +Mulford believed himself and his companions clear of spike, when, as +night drew its veil over the tranquil sea, nothing was in sight. + +A very judicious arrangement was made for the watches on board the +Mexican schooner, on this important night. Mrs. Budd had a great fancy +to keep a watch, for once in her life, and, after the party had supped, +and the subject came up in the natural course of things, a dialogue like +this occurred: + +“Harry must be fatigued,” said Rose, kindly, “and must want sleep. The +wind is so light, and the weather appears to be so settled, that I think +it would be better for him to 'turn in,' as he calls it;”--here Rose +laughed so prettily that the handsome mate wished she would repeat +the words,--“better that he should 'turn in' now, and we can call him, +should there be need of his advice or assistance. I dare say Jack Tier +and I can take very good care of the schooner until daylight.” + +Mrs. Budd thought it would be no more than proper for one of her +experience and years to rebuke this levity, as well as to enlighten the +ignorance her niece had betrayed. + +“You should be cautious, my child, how you propose anything to be done +on a ship's board,” observed the aunt. “It requires great experience and +a suitable knowledge of rigging to give maritime advice. Now, as might +have been expected, considering your years, and the short time you have +been at sea, you have made several serious mistakes in what you have +proposed. In the first place, there should always be a mate on the deck, +as I have heard your dear departed uncle say, again and again; and +how can there be a mate on the deck if Mr. Mulford 'turns in,' as you +propose, seeing that he's the only mate we have. Then you should never +laugh at any maritime expression, for each and all are, as a body might +say, solemnized by storms and dangers. That Harry is fatigued I think is +very probable; and he must set our watches, as they call it, when he can +make his arrangements for the night, and take his rest as is usual. +Here is my watch to begin with; and I'll engage he does not find it +two minutes out of the way, though yours, Rosy dear, like most girl's +time-pieces, is, I'll venture to say, dreadfully wrong. Where is your +chronometer, Mr. Mulford? let us see how this excellent watch of mine, +which was once my poor departed Mr. Budd's, will agree with that piece +of your's, which I have heard you say is excellent.” + +Here was a flight in science and nautical language that poor Mulford +could not have anticipated, even in the captain's relict! That Mrs. Budd +should mistake “setting the watch” for “setting our watches,” was not +so very violent a blunder that one ought to be much astonished at it in +her; but that she should expect to find a chronometer that was intended +to keep the time of Greenwich, agreeing with a watch that was set for +the time of New York, betrayed a degree of ignorance that the handsome +mate was afraid Rose would resent on him, when the mistake was made to +appear. As the widow held out her own watch for the comparison, however, +he could not refuse to produce his own. By Mrs. Budd's watch it was past +seven o'clock, while by his own, or the Greenwich-set chronometer, it +was a little past twelve. + +“How very wrong your watch is, Mr. Mulford,” cried the good lady, +“notwithstanding all you have said in its favour. It's quite five hours +too fast, I do declare; and now, Rosy dear, you see the importance of +setting watches on a ship's board, as is done every evening, my departed +husband has often told me.” + +“Harry's must be what he calls a dog-watch, aunty,” said Rose, laughing, +though she scarce knew at what. + +“The watch goes, too,” added the widow, raising the chronometer to her +ear, “though it is so very wrong. Well, set it, Mr. Mulford; then we +will set Rose's, which I'll engage is half an hour out of the way, +though it can never be as wrong as yours.” + +Mulford was a good deal embarrassed, but he gained courage by looking at +Rose, who appeared to him to be quite as much mystified as her aunt. +For once he hoped Rose was ignorant; for nothing would be so likely to +diminish the feeling produced by the exposure of the aunt's mistake, as +to include the niece in the same category. + +“My watch is a chronometer, you will recollect, Mrs. Budd,” said the +young man. + +“I know it; and they ought to keep the very best time--that I've always +heard. My poor Mr. Budd had two, and they were as large as compasses, +and sold for hundreds after his lamented decease.” + +“They were ship's chronometers, but mine was made for the pocket. It +is true, chronometers are intended to keep the most accurate time, and +usually they do; this of mine, in particular, would not lose ten seconds +in a twelvemonth, did I not carry it on my person.” + +“No, no, it does not seem to lose any, Harry; it only gains,” cried +Rose, laughing. + +Mulford was now satisfied, notwithstanding all that had passed on a +previous occasion, that the laughing, bright-eyed, and quick-witted +girl at his elbow, knew no more of the uses of a chronometer than her +unusually dull and ignorant aunt; and he felt himself relieved from all +embarrassment at once. Though he dared not even seem to distrust Mrs. +Budd's intellect or knowledge before Rose, he did not scruple to laugh +at Rose herself, to Rose. With her there was no jealousy on the score +of capacity, her quickness being almost as obvious to all who approached +her as her beauty. + +“Rose Budd, you do not understand the uses of a chronometer, I see,” + said the mate, firmly, “notwithstanding all I have told you concerning +them.” + +“It is to keep time, Harry Mulford, is it not?” + +“True, to keep time--but to keep the time of a particular meridian; you +know what meridian means, I hope?” + +Rose looked intently at her lover, and she looked singularly lovely, +for she blushed slightly, though her smile was as open and amicable as +ingenuousness and affection could make it. + +“A meridian means a point over our heads--the spot where the sun is at +noon,” said Rose, doubtingly. + +“Quite right; but it also means longitude, in one sense. If you draw a +line from one pole to the other, all the places it crosses are on the +same meridian. As the sun first appears in the east, it follows that he +rises sooner in places that are east, than in places that are further +west. Thus it is, that at Greenwich, in England, where there is an +observatory made for nautical purposes, the sun rises about five hours +sooner than it does here. All this difference is subject to rules, and +we know exactly how to measure it.” + +“How can that be, Harry? You told me this but the other day, yet have I +forgotten it.” + +“Quite easily. As the earth turns round in just twenty-four hours, and +its circumference is divided into three hundred and sixty equal parts, +called degrees, we have only to divide 360 by 24, to know how many of +these degrees are included in the difference produced by one hour of +time. There are just fifteen of them, as you will find by multiplying 24 +by 15. It follows that the sun rises just one hour later, each fifteen +degrees of longitude, as you go west, or one hour earlier each fifteen +degrees of longitude as you go east. Having ascertained the difference +by the hour, it is easy enough to calculate for the minutes and +seconds.” + +“Yes, yes,” said Rose, eagerly, “I see all that--go on.” + +“Now a chronometer is nothing but a watch, made with great care, so as +not to lose or gain more than a few seconds in a twelvemonth. Its whole +merit is in keeping time accurately.” + +“Still I do not see how that can be anything more than a very good +watch.” + +“You will see in a minute, Rose. For purposes that you will presently +understand, books are calculated for certain meridians, or longitudes, +as at Greenwich and Paris, and those who use the books calculated for +Greenwich, get their chronometers set at Greenwich, and those who use +the Paris, get their chronometers set to Paris time. When I was last +in England, I took this watch to Greenwich, and had it set at the +Observatory by the true solar time. Ever since it has been running +by that time, and what you see here is the true Greenwich time, after +allowing for a second or two that it may have lost or gained.” + +“All that is plain enough,” said the much interested Rose--“but of what +use is it all?” + +“To help mariners to find their longitude at sea, and thus know where +they are. As the sun passes so far north, and so far south of the +equator each year, it is easy enough to find the latitude, by observing +his position at noon-day; but for a long time seamen had great +difficulty in ascertaining their longitudes. That, too, is done by +observing the different heavenly bodies, and with greater accuracy than +by any other process; but this thought of measuring the time is very +simple, and so easily put in practice, that we all run by it now.” + +“Still I cannot understand it,” said Rose, looking so intently, so +eagerly, and so intelligently into the handsome mate's eyes, that he +found it was pleasant to teach her other things besides how to love. + +“I will explain it. Having the Greenwich time in the watch, we observe +the sun, in order to ascertain the true time, wherever we may happen +to be. It is a simple thing to ascertain the true time of day by an +observation of the sun, which marks the hours in his track; and when we +get our observation, we have some one to note the time at a particular +instant on the chronometer. By noting the hour, minutes, and seconds, at +Greenwich, at the very instant we observe here, when we have calculated +from that observation the time here, we have only to add, or subtract, +the time here from that of Greenwich, to know precisely how far east or +west we are from Greenwich, which gives us our longitude.” + +“I begin to comprehend it again,” exclaimed Rose, delighted at the +acquisition in knowledge she had just made. “How beautiful it is, yet +how simple--but why do I forget it?” + +“Perfectly simple, and perfectly sure, too, when the chronometer is +accurate, and the observations are nicely made. It is seldom we are more +than eight or ten miles out of the way, and for them we keep a look-out. +It is only to ascertain the time where you are, by means that are easily +used, then look at your watch to learn the time of day at Greenwich, +or any other meridian you may have selected, and to calculate your +distance, east or west, from that meridian, by the difference in the two +times.” + +Rose could have listened all night, for her quick mind readily +comprehended the principle which lies at the bottom of this useful +process, though still ignorant of some of the details. This time she was +determined to secure her acquisition, though it is quite probable that, +woman-like, they were once more lost, almost as easily as made. Mulford, +however, was obliged to leave her, to look at the vessel, before he +stretched himself on the deck, in an old sail; it having been previously +determined that he should sleep first, while the wind was light, and +that Jack Tier, assisted by the females, should keep the first watch. +Rose would not detain the mate, therefore, but let him go his way, in +order to see that all was right before he took his rest. + +Mrs. Budd had listened to Mulford's second explanation of the common +mode of ascertaining the longitude, with all the attention of which she +was capable; but it far exceeded the powers of her mind to comprehend +it. There are persons who accustom themselves to think so superficially, +that it becomes a painful process to attempt to dive into any of the +arcana of nature, and who ever turn from such investigations wearied +and disgusted. Many of these persons, perhaps most of them, need only +a little patience and perseverance to comprehend all the more familiar +phenomena, but they cannot command even that much of the two qualities +named to obtain the knowledge they would fain wish to possess. Mrs. Budd +did not belong to a division as high in the intellectual scale as even +this vapid class. Her intellect was unequal to embracing anything of an +abstracted character, and only received the most obvious impressions, +and those quite half the time it received wrong. The mate's reasoning, +therefore, was not only inexplicable to her, but it sounded absurd and +impossible. + +“Rosy, dear,” said the worthy relict, as soon as she saw Mulford stretch +his fine frame on his bed of canvas, speaking at the same time in a low, +confidential tone to her niece, “what was it that Harry was telling you +a little while ago? It sounded to me like rank nonsense; and men will +talk nonsense to young girls, as I have so often warned you, child. You +must never listen to their nonsense, Rosy; but remember your catechism +and confirmation vow, and be a good girl.” + +To how many of the feeble-minded and erring do those offices of the +church prove a stay and support, when their own ordinary powers of +resistance would fail them! Rose, however, viewed the matter just as it +was, and answered accordingly. + +“But this was nothing of that nature, aunty,” she said, “and only an +account of the mode of finding out where a ship is, when out of sight of +land, in the middle of the ocean. We had the same subject up the other +day.” + +“And how did Harry tell you, this time, that was done, my dear?” + +“By finding the difference in the time of day between two places--just +as he did before.” + +“But there is no difference in the time of day, child, when the clocks +go well.” + +“Yes, there is, aunty dear, as the sun rises in one place before it does +in another.” + +“Rose you've been listening to nonsense now! Remember what I have so +often told you about young men, and their way of talking. I admit Harry +Mulford is a respectable youth, and has respectable connections, and +since you like one another, you may have him, with all my heart, as soon +as he gets a full-jiggered ship, for I am resolved no niece of my poor +dear husband's shall ever marry a mate, or a captain even, unless he has +a full-jiggered ship under his feet. But do not talk nonsense with him. +Nonsense is nonsense, though a sensible man talks it. As for all this +stuff about the time of day, you can see it is nonsense, as the sun +rises but once in twenty-four hours, and of course there cannot be two +times, as you call it.” + +“But, aunty dear, it is not always noon at London when it is noon at New +York.” + +“Fiddle-faddle, child; noon is noon, and there are no more two noons +than two suns, or two times. Distrust what young men tell you, Rosy, if +you would be safe, though they should tell you you are handsome.” + +Poor Rose sighed, and gave up the explanation in despair. Then a smile +played around her pretty mouth. It was not at her aunt that she smiled; +this she never permitted herself to do, weak as was that person, and +weak as she saw her to be; she smiled at the recollection how often +Mulford had hinted at her good looks--for Rose was a female, and had +her own weaknesses, as well as another. But the necessity of acting soon +drove these thoughts from her mind, and Rose sought Jack Tier, to confer +with him on the subject of their new duties. + +As for Harry Mulford, his head was no sooner laid on its bunch of sail +than he fell into a profound sleep. There he lay, slumbering as the +seaman slumbers, with no sense of surrounding things. The immense +fatigues of that and of the two preceding days,--for he had toiled +at the pumps even long after night had come, until the vessel was +clear,--weighed him down, and nature was now claiming her influence, +and taking a respite from exertion. Had he been left to himself, it is +probable the mate would not have arisen until the sun had reappeared +some hours. + +It is now necessary to explain more minutely the precise condition, as +well as the situation of the schooner. On quitting his port, Mulford had +made a stretch of some two leagues in length, toward the northward and +eastward, when he tacked and stood to the southward. There was enough +of southing in the wind, to make his last course nearly due south. As he +neared the reef, he found that he fell in some miles to the eastward of +the islets,--proof that he was doing very well, and that there was no +current to do him any material harm, if, indeed, there were not actually +a current in his favour. He next tacked to the northward again, and +stood in that direction until near night, when he once more went about. +The wind was now so light that he saw little prospect of getting in with +the reef again, until the return of day; but as he had left orders with +Jack Tier to be called at twelve o'clock, at all events, this gave him +no uneasiness. At the time when the mate lay down to take his rest, +therefore, the schooner was quite five-and-twenty miles to windward of +the Dry Tortugas, and some twenty miles to the northward of the Florida +Reef, with the wind quite light at east-south-east. Such, then, was the +position or situation of the schooner. + +As respects her condition, it is easily described. She had but the three +sails bent,--mainsail, foresail, and jib. Her topmasts had been struck, +and all the hamper that belonged to them was below. The mainsail was +single reefed, and the foresail and jib were without their bonnets, as +has already been mentioned. This was somewhat short canvas, but Mulford +knew that it would render his craft more manageable in the event of +a blow. Usually, at that season and in that region, the east trades +prevailed with great steadiness, sometimes diverging a little south of +east, as at present, and generally blowing fresh. But, for a short time +previously to, and ever since the tornado, the wind had been unsettled, +the old currents appearing to regain their ascendancy by fits, and then +losing it, in squalls, contrary currents, and even by short calms. + +The conference between Jack Tier and Rose was frank and confidential. + +“We must depend mainly on you,” said the latter, turning to look toward +the spot where Mulford lay, buried in the deepest sleep that had ever +gained power over him. “Harry is so fatigued! It would be shameful to +awaken him a moment sooner than is necessary.” + +“Ay, ay; so it is always with young women, when they lets a young man +gain their ears,” answered Jack, without the least circumlocution; +“so it is, and so it always will be, I'm afeard. Nevertheless, men is +willians.” + +Rose was not affronted at this plain allusion to the power that Mulford +had obtained over her feelings. It would seem that Jack had got to be so +intimate in the cabins, that his sex was, in a measure, forgotten; and +it is certain that his recent services were not. Without a question, but +for his interference, the pretty Rose Budd would, at that moment, have +been the prisoner of Spike, and most probably the victim of his design +to compel her to marry him. + +“All men are not Stephen Spikes,” said Rose, earnestly, “and least of +all is Harry Mulford to be reckoned as one of his sort. But, we must +manage to take care of the schooner the whole night, and let Harry get +his rest. He wished to be called at twelve, but we can easily let the +hour go by, and not awaken him.” + +“The commanding officer ought not to be sarved so, Miss Rose. What he +says is to be done.” + +“I know it, Jack, as to ordinary matters; but Harry left these orders +that we might have our share of rest, and for no other reason at all. +And what is to prevent our having it? We are four, and can divide +ourselves into two watches; one watch can sleep while the other keeps a +look-out.” + +“Ay, ay, and pretty watches they would be! There's Madam Budd, now; why, +she's quite a navigator, and knows all about weerin' and haulin', and I +dares to say could put the schooner about, to keep her off the reef, on +a pinch; though which way the craft would come round, could best be told +a'ter it has been done. It's as much as I'd undertake myself, Miss Rose, +to take care of the schooner, should it come on to blow; and as for you, +Madam Budd, and that squalling Irishwoman, you'd be no better than so +many housewives ashore.” + +“We have strength, and we have courage, and we can pull, as you have +seen. I know very well which way to put the helm now, and Biddy is as +strong as you are yourself, and could help me all I wished. Then we +could always call you, at need, and have your assistance. Nay, Harry +himself can be called, if there should be a real necessity for it, and I +do wish he may not be disturbed until there is that necessity.” + +It was with a good deal of reluctance that Jack allowed himself to +be persuaded into this scheme. He insisted, for a long time, that an +officer should be called at the hour mentioned by himself, and declared +he had never known such an order neglected, “marchant-man, privateer, or +man-of-war.” Rose prevailed over his scruples, however, and there was a +meeting of the three females to make the final arrangements. Mrs. Budd, +a kind-hearted woman, at the worst, gave her assent most cheerfully, +though Rose was a little startled with the nature of the reasoning, with +which it was accompanied. + +“You are quite right, Rosy dear,” said the aunt, “and the thing is very +easily done. I've long wanted to keep one watch, at sea; just one watch; +to complete my maritime education. Your poor uncle used to say, 'Give +my wife but one night-watch, and you'd have as good a seaman in her as +heart could wish.' I'm sure I've had night-watches enough with him and +his ailings; but it seems that they were not the sort of watches he +meant. Indeed, I did n't know till this evening there were so many +watches in the world, at all. But this is just what I want, and just +what I'm resolved to have. Tier shall command one watch and I'll command +the other. Jack's shall be the 'dog-watch,' as they call it, and mine +shall be the 'middle-watch,' and last till morning. You shall be in +Jack's watch, Rose, and Biddy shall be in mine. You know a good deal +that Jack do n't know, and Biddy can do a good deal I'm rather too stout +to do. I do n't like pulling ropes, but as for ordering, I'll turn my +back on no captain's widow out of York.” + +Rose had her own misgivings on the subject of her aunt's issuing orders +on such a subject to any one, but she made the best of necessity, and +completed the arrangements without further discussion. Her great anxiety +was to secure a good night's rest for Harry, already feeling a woman's +care in the comfort and ease of the man she loved. And Rose did love +Harry Mulford warmly and sincerely. If the very decided preference with +which she regarded him before they sailed, had not absolutely amounted +to passion, it had come so very near it as to render that access of +feeling certain, under the influence of the association and events which +succeeded. We have not thought it necessary to relate a tithe of the +interviews and intercourse that had taken place between the handsome +mate and the pretty Rose Budd, during the month they had now been +shipmates, having left the reader to imagine the natural course of +things, under such circumstances. Nevertheless, the plighted troth had +not been actually given until Harry joined her on the islet, at a moment +when she fancied herself abandoned to a fate almost as serious as death. +Rose had seen Mulford quit the brig, had watched the mode and manner of +his escape, and in almost breathless amazement, and felt how dear to +her he had become, by the glow of delight which warmed her heart, +when assured that he could not, would not, forsake her, even though he +remained at the risk of life. She was now, true to the instinct of +her sex, mostly occupied in making such a return for an attachment so +devoted as became her tenderness and the habits of her mind. + +As Mrs. Budd chose what she was pleased to term the 'middle-watch,' +giving to Jack Tier and Rose her 'dog-watch,' the two last were first on +duty. It is scarcely necessary to say, the captain's widow got the names +of the watches all wrong, as she got the names of everything else about +a vessel; but the plan was to divide the night equally between these +quasi mariners, giving the first half to those who were first on the +look-out, and the remainder to their successors. It soon became so calm, +that Jack left the helm, and came and sat by Rose, on the trunk, where +they conversed confidentially for a long time. Although the reader will, +hereafter, be enabled to form some plausible conjectures on the subject +of this dialogue, we shall give him no part of it here. All that need +now be said, is to add, that Jack did most of the talking, that his past +life was the principal theme, and that the terrible Stephen Spike, he +from whom they were now so desirous of escaping, was largely mixed up +with the adventures recounted. Jack found in his companion a deeply +interested listener, although this was by no means the first time they +had gone over together the same story and discussed the same events. The +conversation lasted until Tier, who watched the glass, seeing that its +sands had run out for the last time, announced the hour of midnight. +This was the moment when Mulford should have been called, but when Mrs. +Budd and Biddy Noon were actually awakened in his stead. + +“Now, dear aunty,” said Rose, as she parted from the new watch to go +and catch a little sleep herself, “remember you are not to awaken Harry +first, but to call Tier and myself. It would have done your heart good +to have seen how sweetly he has been sleeping all this time. I do not +think he has stirred once since his head was laid on that bunch of +sails, and there he is, at this moment, sleeping like an infant!” + +“Yes,” returned the relict, “it is always so with your true maritime +people. I have been sleeping a great deal more soundly, the whole of the +dog-watch, than I ever slept at home, in my own excellent bed. But it's +your watch below, Rosy, and contrary to rule for you to stay on the +deck, after you've been relieved. I've heard this a thousand times.” + +Rose was not sorry to lie down; and her head was scarcely on its pillow, +in the cabin, before she was fast asleep. As for Jack, he found a place +among Mulford's sails, and was quickly in the same state. + +To own the truth, Mrs. Budd was not quite as much at ease, in her new +station, for the first half hour, as she had fancied to herself might +prove to be the case. It was a flat calm, it is true; but the widow felt +oppressed with responsibility and the novelty of her situation. Time and +again had she said, and even imagined, she should be delighted to fill +the very station she then occupied, or to be in charge of a deck, in a +“middle watch.” In this instance, however, as in so many others, reality +did not equal anticipation. She wished to be doing everything, but did +not know how to do anything. As for Biddy, she was even worse off than +her mistress. A month's experience, or for that matter a twelvemonth's, +could not unravel to her the mysteries of even a schooner's rigging. +Mrs. Budd had placed her “at the wheel,” as she called it, though +the vessel had no wheel, being steered by a tiller on deck, in the +'long-shore fashion. In stationing Biddy, the widow told her that she +was to play “tricks at the wheel,” leaving it to the astounded Irish +woman's imagination to discover what those tricks were. Failing in +ascertaining what might be the nature of her “tricks at the wheel,” + Biddy was content to do nothing, and nothing, under the circumstances, +was perhaps the very best thing she could have done. + +Little was required to be done for the first four hours of Mrs. Budd's +watch. All that time, Rose slept in her berth, and Mulford and Jack Tier +on their sail, while Biddy had played the wheel a “trick,” indeed, by +lying down on deck, and sleeping, too, as soundly as if she were in the +county Down itself. But there was to be an end of this tranquillity. +Suddenly the wind began to blow. At first, the breeze came in fitful +puffs, which were neither very strong nor very lasting. This induced +Mrs. Budd to awaken Biddy. Luckily, a schooner without a topsail could +not very well be taken aback, especially as the head-sheets worked on +travellers, and Mrs. Budd and her assistant contrived to manage the +tiller very well for the first hour that these varying puffs of wind +lasted. It is true, the tiller was lashed, and it is also true, the +schooner ran in all directions, having actually headed to all the +cardinal points of the compass, under her present management. At length, +Mrs. Budd became alarmed. A puff of wind came so strong, as to cause the +vessel to lie over so far as to bring the water into the lee scuppers. +She called Jack Tier herself, therefore, and sent Biddy down to awaken +Rose. In a minute, both these auxiliaries appeared on deck. The wind +just then lulled, and Rose, supposing her aunt was frightened at +trifles, insisted on it that Harry should be permitted to sleep on. He +had turned over once, in the course of the night, but not once had he +raised his head from his pillow. + +As soon as reinforced, Mrs. Budd began to bustle about, and to give +commands, such as they were, in order to prove that she was unterrified. +Jack Tier gaped at her elbow, and by way of something to do, he laid his +hand on the painter of the Swash's boat, which boat was towing +astern, and remarked that “some know-nothing had belayed it with three +half-hitches.” This was enough for the relict. She had often heard the +saying that “three half-hitches lost the king's long-boat,” and she +busied herself, at once, in repairing so imminent an evil. It was far +easier for the good woman to talk than to act; she became what is called +“all fingers and thumbs,” and in loosening the third half-hitch, she +cast off the two others. At that instant, a puff of wind struck the +schooner again, and the end of the painter got away from the widow, who +had a last glimpse at the boat, as the vessel darted ahead, leaving its +little tender to vanish in the gloom of the night. + +Jack was excessively provoked at this accident, for he had foreseen the +possibility of having recourse to that boat yet, in order to escape from +Spike. By abandoning the schooner, and pulling on to the reef, it might +have been possible to get out of their pursuer's hands, when all other +means should fail them. As he was at the tiller, he put his helm up, and +ran off, until far enough to leeward to be to the westward of the boat, +when he might tack, fetch and recover it. Nevertheless, it now blew much +harder than he liked, for the schooner seemed to be unusually tender. +Had he had the force to do it, he would have brailed the foresail. He +desired Rose to call Mulford, but she hesitated about complying. + +“Call him--call the mate, I say,” cried out Jack, in a voice that proved +how much he was in earnest. “These puffs come heavy, I can tell you, and +they come often, too. Call him--call him, at once, Miss Rose, for it is +time to tack if we wish to recover the boat. Tell him, too, to brail the +foresail, while we are in stays--that's right; another call will start +him up.” + +The other call was given, aided by a gentle shake from Rose's hand. +Harry was on his feet in a moment. A passing instant was necessary to +clear his faculties, and to recover the tenor of his thoughts. During +that instant, the mate heard Jack Tier's shrill cry of “Hard a-lee--get +in that foresail--bear a-hand--in with it, I say!” + +The wind came rushing and roaring, and the flaps of the canvas were +violent and heavy. + +“In with the foresail, I say,” shouted Jack Tier. “She files round +like a top, and will be off the wind on the other tack presently. Bear +a-hand!--bear a-hand! It looks black as night to windward.” + +Mulford then regained all his powers. He sprang to the fore-sheet, +calling on the others for aid. The violent surges produced by the wind +prevented his grasping the sheet as soon as he could wish, and the +vessel whirled round on her heel, like a steed that is frightened. +At that critical and dangerous instant, when the schooner was nearly +without motion through the water, a squall struck the flattened sails, +and bowed her down as the willow bends to the gale. Mrs. Budd and Biddy +screamed as usual, and Jack shouted until his voice seemed cracked, to +“let go the head-sheets.” Mulford did make one leap forward, to execute +this necessary office, when the inclining plane of the deck told him +it was too late. The wind fairly howled for a minute, and over went the +schooner, the remains of her cargo shifting as she capsized, in a way to +bring her very nearly bottom upward. + + 1. We suppress the names used by Mrs. Budd, out of delicacy + to the individuals mentioned, who are still living. + + + +CHAPTER VIII. + + + Ay, fare you well, fair gentleman. + + As You Like it. + + +While the tyro believes the vessel is about to capsize at every puff of +wind, the practised seaman alone knows when danger truly besets him in +this particular form. Thus it was with Harry Mulford, when the Mexican +schooner went over, as related in the close of the preceding chapter. He +felt no alarm until the danger actually came. Then, indeed, no one there +was so quickly, or so thoroughly apprized of what the result would be, +and he directed all his exertions to meet the exigency. While there +was the smallest hope of success, he did not lessen, in the least, his +endeavours to save the vessel; making almost superhuman efforts to cast +off the fore-sheet, so as to relieve the schooner from the pressure of +one of her sails. But, no sooner did he hear the barrels in the hold +surging to leeward, and feel by the inclination of the deck beneath his +feet, that nothing could save the craft, than he abandoned the sheet, +and sprang to the assistance of Rose. It was time he did; for, having +followed him into the vessel's lee-waist, she was the first to be +submerged in the sea, and would have been hopelessly drowned, but for +Mulford's timely succour. Women might swim more readily than men, and do +so swim, in those portions of the world where the laws of nature are not +counteracted by human conventions. Rose Budd, however, had received the +vicious education which civilized society inflicts on her sex, and, as a +matter of course, was totally helpless in an element in which it was +the design of Divine Providence she should possess the common means of +sustaining herself, like every other being endued with animal life. Not +so with Mulford: he swam with ease and force, and had no difficulty in +sustaining Rose until the schooner had settled into her new berth, or in +hauling her on the vessel's bottom immediately after. + +Luckily, there was no swell, or so little as not to endanger those who +were on the schooner's bilge; and Mulford had no sooner placed her in +momentary safety at least, whom he prized far higher than his own life, +than he bethought him of his other companions. Jack Tier had hauled +himself up to windward by the rope that steadied the tiller, and he had +called on Mrs. Budd to imitate his example. It was so natural for even +a woman to grasp anything like a rope at such a moment, that the widow +instinctively obeyed, while Biddy seized, at random, the first thing of +the sort that offered. Owing to these fortunate chances, Jack and Mrs. +Budd succeeded in reaching the quarter of the schooner, the former +actually getting up on the bottom of the wreck, on to which he was +enabled to float the widow, who was almost as buoyant as cork, as indeed +was the case with Jack himself. All the stern and bows of the vessel +were under water, in consequence of her leanness forward and aft; +but though submerged, she offered a precarious footing, even in these +extremities, to such as could reach them. On the other hand, the place +where Rose stood, or the bilge of the vessel, was two or three feet +above the surface of the sea, though slippery and inclining in shape. + +It was not half a minute from the time that Mulford sprang to Rose's +succour, ere he had her on the vessel's bottom. In another half minute, +he had waded down on the schooner's counter, where Jack Tier was lustily +calling to him for “help!” and assisted the widow to her feet, and +supported her until she stood at Rose's side. Leaving the last in her +aunt's arms, half distracted between dread and joy, he turned to the +assistance of Biddy. The rope at which the Irish woman had caught, was +a straggling end that had been made fast to the main channels of the +schooner, for the support of a fender, and had been hauled partly +in-board to keep it out of the water. Biddy had found no difficulty in +dragging herself up to the chains, therefore; and had she been content +to sustain herself by the rope, leaving as much of her body submerged as +comported with breathing, her task would have been easy. But, like most +persons who do not know how to swim, the good woman was fast exhausting +her strength, by vain efforts to walk on the surface of an element that +was never made to sustain her. Unpractised persons, in such situations, +cannot be taught to believe that their greatest safety is in leaving as +much of their bodies as possible beneath the water, keeping the mouth +and nose alone free for breath. But we have seen even instances in +which men, who were in danger of drowning, seemed to believe it might be +possible for them to craw! over the waves on their hands and knees. +The philosophy of the contrary course is so very simple, that one would +fancy a very child might be made to comprehend it; yet, it is rare to +find one unaccustomed to the water, and who is suddenly exposed to its +dangers, that does not resort, under the pressure of present alarm, to +the very reverse of the true means to save his or her life. + +Mulford had no difficulty in finding Bridget, whose exclamations of +“murther!” “help!” “he-l-lup!” “Jasus!” and other similar cries, led +him directly to the spot, where she was fast drowning herself by her own +senseless struggles. Seizing her by the arm, the active young mate soon +placed her on her feet, though her cries did not cease until she was +ordered by her mistress to keep silence. + +Having thus rescued the whole of his companions from immediate danger, +Mulford began to think of the future. He was seized with sudden surprise +that the vessel did not sink, and for a minute he was unable to account +for the unusual fact. On the former occasion, the schooner had gone +down almost as soon as she fell over; but now she floated with so much +buoyancy as to leave most of her keel and all of her bilge on one side +quite clear of the water. As one of the main hatches was off, and the +cabin-doors, and booby-hatch doors forward were open, and all were +under water, it required a little reflection on the part of Mulford to +understand on what circumstance all their lives now depended. The mate +soon ascertained the truth, however, and we may as well explain it to +the reader in our own fashion, in order to put him on a level with the +young seaman. + +The puff of wind, or little squall, had struck the schooner at the +most unfavourable moment for her safety. She had just lost her way in +tacking, and the hull not moving ahead, as happens when a craft is thus +assailed with the motion on her, all the power of the wind was expended +in the direction necessary to capsize her. Another disadvantage arose +from the want of motion. The rudder, which acts solely by pressing +against the water as the vessel meets it, was useless, and it was not +possible to luff, and throw the wind from the sails, as is usually +practised by fore-and-aft rigged craft, in moments of such peril. In +consequence of these united difficulties, the shifting of the cargo +in the hold, the tenderness of the craft itself, and the force of the +squall, the schooner had gone so far over as to carry all three of the +openings to her interior suddenly under water, where they remained, held +by the pressure of the cargo that had rolled to leeward. Had not the +water completely covered these openings, or hatches, the schooner must +have sunk in a minute or two, or by the time Mulford had got all his +companions safe on her bilge. But they were completely submerged, and +so continued to be, which circumstance alone prevented the vessel from +sinking, as the following simple explanation will show. + +Any person who will put an empty tumbler, bottom upwards, into a bucket +of water, will find that the water will not rise within the tumbler more +than an inch at most. At that point it is arrested by the resistance of +the air, which, unable to escape, and compressed into a narrow compass, +forms a body that the other fluid cannot penetrate. It is on this simple +and familiar principle, that the chemist keeps his gases, in inverted +glasses, placing them on shelves, slightly submerged in water. Thus it +was, then, that the schooner continued to float, though nearly bottom +upward, and with three inlets open, by which the water could and did +penetrate. A considerable quantity of the element had rushed in at the +instant of capsizing, but meeting with resistance from the compressed +and pent air, its progress had been arrested, and the wreck continued to +float, sustained by the buoyancy that was imparted to it, in containing +so large a body of a substance no heavier than atmospheric air. After +displacing its weight of water, enough of buoyancy remained to raise the +keel a few feet above the level of the sea. + +As soon as Mulford had ascertained the facts of their situation, he +communicated them to his companions, encouraging them to hope for +eventual safety. It was true, their situation was nearly desperate, +admitting that the wreck should continue to float for ever, since they +were almost without food, or anything to drink, and had no means of +urging the hull through the water. They must float, too, at the mercy +of the winds and waves, and should a sea get up, it might soon be +impossible for Mulford himself to maintain his footing on the bottom +of the wreck. All this the young man had dimly shadowed forth to him, +through his professional experience; but the certainty of the vessel's +not sinking immediately had so far revived his spirits, as to cause him +to look on the bright side of the future, pale as that glimmering of +hope was made to appear whenever reason cast one of its severe glances +athwart it. + +Harry had no difficulty in making Rose comprehend their precise +situation. Her active and clear mind understood at once the causes of +their present preservation, and most of the hazards of the future. It +was not so with Jack Tier. He was composed, even resigned; but he could +not see the reason why the schooner still floated. + +“I know that the cabin-doors were open,” he said, “and if they wasn't, +of no great matter would it be, since the joints ar'n't caulked, and +the water would run through them as through a sieve. I'm afeard, Mr. +Mulford, we shall find the wreck going from under our feet afore long, +and when we least wish it, perhaps.” + +“I tell you the wreck will float so long as the air remains in its +hold,” returned the mate, cheerfully. “Do you not see how buoyant it +is?--the certain proof that there is plenty of air within. So long as +that remains, the hull must float.” + +“I've always understood,” said Jack, sticking to his opinion, “that +wessels floats by vartue of water, and not by vartue of air; and, that +when the water gets on the wrong side on 'em, there's little hope left +of keepin' 'em up.” + +“What has become of the boat?” suddenly cried the mate. “I have been so +much occupied as to have forgotten the boat. In that boat we might all +of us still reach Key West. I see nothing of the boat!” + +A profound silence succeeded this sudden and unexpected question. All +knew that the boat was gone, and all knew that it had been lost by the +widow's pertinacity and clumsiness; but no one felt disposed to betray +her at that grave moment. Mulford left the bilge, and waded as far aft +as it was at all prudent for him to proceed, in the vain hope that the +boat might be there, fastened by its painter to the schooner's tafferel, +as he had left it, but concealed from view by the darkness of the night. +Not finding what he was after, he returned to his companions, still +uttering exclamations of surprise at the unaccountable loss of the +boat. Rose now told him that the boat had got adrift some ten or fifteen +minutes before the accident befell them, and that they were actually +endeavouring to recover it when the squall which capsized the schooner +struck them. + +“And why did you not call me, Rose?” asked Harry, with a little of +gentle reproach in his manner. “It must have soon been my watch on deck, +and it would have been better that I should lose half an hour of my +watch below, than that we should lose the boat.” + +Rose was now obliged to confess that the time for calling him had long +been past, and that the faint streak of light, which was just appearing +in the east, was the near approach of day. This explanation was made +gently, but frankly; and Mulford experienced a glow of pleasure at his +heart, even in that moment of jeopardy, when he understood Rose's motive +for not having him disturbed. As the boat was gone, with little or no +prospect of its being recovered again, no more was said about it; +and the window, who had stood on thorns the while, had the relief of +believing that her awkwardness was forgotten. + +It was such a relief from an imminent danger to have escaped from +drowning when the schooner capsized, that those on her bottom did not, +for some little time, realize all the terrors of their actual situation. +The inconvenience of being wet was a trifle not to be thought of, and, +in fact, the light summer dresses worn by all, linen or cotton as they +were entirely, were soon effectually dried in the wind. The keel made a +tolerably convenient seat, and the whole party placed themselves on it +to await the return of day, in order to obtain a view of all that their +situation offered in the way of a prospect. While thus awaiting, a +broken and short dialogue occurred. + +“Had you stood to the northward the whole night?” asked Mulford, +gloomily, of Jack Tier; for gloomily he began to feel, as all the facts +of their case began to press more closely on his mind. “If so, we must +be well off the reef, and out of the track of wreckers and turtlers. How +had you the wind, and how did you head before the accident happened?” + +“The wind was light the whole time, and for some hours it was nearly +calm,” answered Jack, in the same vein; “I kept the schooner's head to +the nor'ard, until I thought we were getting too far off our course, +and then I put her about. I do not think we could have been any great +distance from the reef, when the boat got away from us, and I suppose we +are in its neighbourhood now, for I was tacking to fall in with the boat +when the craft went over.” + +“To fall in with the boat! Did you keep off to leeward of it, then, that +you expected to fetch it by tacking?” + +“Ay, a good bit; and I think the boat is now away here to windward of +us, drifting athwart our bows.” + +This was important news to Mulford. Could he only get that boat, the +chances of being saved would be increased a hundred fold, nay, would +almost amount to a certainty; whereas, so long as the wind held to the +southward and eastward, the drift of the wreck must be toward the open +water, and consequently so much the further removed from the means of +succor. The general direction of the trades, in that quarter of the +world, is east, and should they get round into their old and proper +quarter, it would not benefit them much; for the reef running +south-west, they could scarcely hope to hit the Dry Tortugas again, in +their drift, were life even spared them sufficiently long to float the +distance. Then there might be currents, about which Mulford knew nothing +with certainty; they might set them in any direction; and did they +exist, as was almost sure to be the case, were much more powerful than +the wind in controlling the movements of a wreck. + +The mate strained his eyes in the direction pointed out by Jack Tier, in +the hope of discovering the boat through the haze of the morning, and +he actually did discern something that, it appeared to him, might be the +much desired little craft. If he were right, there was every reason to +think the boat would drift down so near them as to enable him to recover +it by swimming. This cheering intelligence was communicated to his +companions, who received it with gratitude and delight. But the approach +of day gradually dispelled that hope, the object which Mulford had +mistaken for the boat, within two hundred yards of the wreck, turning +out to be a small, low, but bare hummock of the reef, at a distance of +more than two miles. + +“That is a proof that we are not far from the reef, at least,” cried +Mulford, willing to encourage those around him all he could, and really +much relieved at finding himself so near even this isolated fragment +of terra firma. “This fact is the next encouraging thing to finding +ourselves near the boat, or to falling in with a sail.” + +“Ay, ay,” said Jack, gloomily; “boat or no boat, 't will make no great +matter of difference now. There's customers that'll be sartain to take +all the grists you can send to their mill.” + +“What things are those glancing about the vessel?” cried Rose, almost in +the same breath; “those dark, sharp-looking sticks--see, there are five +or six of them! and they move as if fastened to something under the +water that pulls them about.” + +“Them's the customers I mean, Miss Rose,” answered Jack, in the same +strain as that in which he had first spoken; “they're the same thing at +sea as lawyers be ashore, and seem made to live on other folks. Them's +sharks.” + +“And yonder is truly the boat!” added Mulford, with a sigh that almost +amounted to a groan. The light had, by this time, so far returned as to +enable the party not only to see the fins of half a dozen sharks, which +were already prowling about the wreck, the almost necessary consequence +of their proximity to a reef in that latitude, but actually to discern +the boat drifting down toward them, at a distance that promised to carry +it past, within the reach of Mulford's powers of swimming, though not as +near as he could have wished, even under more favourable circumstances. +Had their extremity been greater, or had Rose begun to suffer from +hunger or thirst, Mulford might have attempted the experiment of +endeavoring to regain the boat, though the chances of death by means of +the sharks would be more than equal to those of escape; but still fresh, +and not yet feeling even the heat of the sun of that low latitude, he +was not quite goaded into such an act of desperation. All that remained +for the party, therefore, was to sit on the keel of the wreck, and gaze +with longing eyes at a little object floating past, which, once at their +command, might so readily be made to save them from a fate that already +began to appear terrible in the perspective. Near an hour was thus +consumed, ere the boat was about half a mile to leeward; during which +scarcely an eye was turned from it for one instant, or a word was +spoken. + +“It is beyond my reach now,” Mulford at length exclaimed, sighing +heavily, like one who became conscious of some great and irretrievable +loss. “Were there no sharks, I could hardly venture to attempt swimming +so far, with the boat drifting from me at the same time.” + +“I should never consent to let you make the trial, Harry,” murmured +Rose, “though it were only half as far.” + +Another pause succeeded. + +“We have now the light of day,” resumed the mate, a minute or two later, +“and may see our true situation. No sail is in sight, and the wind +stands steadily in its old quarter. Still I do not think we leave the +reef. There, you may see breakers off here at the southward, and it +seems as if more rocks rise above the sea, in that direction. I do +not know that our situation would be any the better, however, were we +actually on them, instead of being on this floating wreck.” + +“The rocks will never sink,” said Jack Tier, with so much emphasis as to +startle the listeners. + +“I do not think this hull will sink until we are taken off it, or are +beyond caring whether it sink or swim,” returned Mulford. + +“I do not know that, Mr. Mulford. Nothing keeps us up but the air in the +hold, you say.” + +“Certainly not; but that air will suffice as long as it remains there.” + +“And what do you call these things?” rejoined the assistant steward, +pointing at the water near him, in or on which no one else saw anything +worthy of attention. + +Mulford, however, was not satisfied with a cursory glance, but went +nearer to the spot where Tier was standing. Then, indeed, he saw to what +the steward alluded, and was impressed by it, though he said nothing. +Hundreds of little bubbles rose to the surface of the water, much as one +sees them rising in springs. These bubbles are often met with in lakes +and other comparatively shallow waters, but they are rarely seen in +those of the ocean. The mate understood, at a glance, that those he +now beheld were produced by the air which escaped from the hold of the +wreck; in small quantities at a time, it was true, but by a constant +and increasing process. The great pressure of the water forced this +air through crevices so minute that, under ordinary circumstances, they +would have proved impenetrable to this, as they were still to the other +fluid, though they now permitted the passage of the former. It might +take a long time to force the air from the interior of the vessel +by such means, but the result was as certain as it might be slow. As +constant dropping will wear a stone, so might the power that kept +the wreck afloat be exhausted by the ceaseless rising of these minute +air-bubbles. + +Although Mulford was entirely sensible of the nature of this new source +of danger, we cannot say he was much affected by it at the moment. It +seemed to him far more probable that they must die of exhaustion, long +before the wreck would lose all of its buoyancy by this slow process, +than that even the strongest of their number could survive for such a +period. The new danger, therefore, lost most of its terrors under this +view of the subject, though it certainly did not add to the small sense +of security that remained, to know that inevitably their fate must +be sealed through its agency, should they be able to hold out for a +sufficient time against hunger and thirst. It caused Mulford to muse in +silence for many more minutes. + +“I hope we are not altogether without food,” the mate at length said. +“It sometimes happens that persons at sea carry pieces of biscuit in +their pockets, especially those who keep watch at night. The smallest +morsel is now of the last importance.” + +At this suggestion, every one set about an examination. The result was, +that neither Mrs. Budd nor Rose had a particle of food, of any sort, +about their persons. Biddy produced from her pockets, however, a whole +biscuit, a large bunch of excellent raisins that she had filched from +the steward's stores, and two apples,--the last being the remains of +some fruit that Spike had procured a month earlier in New York. Mulford +had half a biscuit, at which he had been accustomed to nibble in his +watches; and Jack lugged out, along with a small plug of tobacco, a +couple of sweet oranges. Here, then, was everything in the shape of +victuals or drink, that could be found for the use of five persons, in +all probability for many days. The importance of securing it for equal +distribution, was so obvious, that Mulford's proposal to do so met +with a common assent. The whole was put in Mrs. Budd's bag, and she was +intrusted with the keeping of this precious store. + +“It may be harder to abstain from food at first, when we have not +suffered from its want, than it will become after a little endurance,” + said the mate. “We are now strong, and it will be wiser to fast as long +as we conveniently can, to-day, and relieve our hunger by a moderate +allowance toward evening, than to waste our means by too much indulgence +at a time when we are strong. Weakness will be sure to come if we remain +long on the wreck.” + +“Have you ever suffered in this way, Harry?” demanded Rose, with +interest. + +“I have, and that dreadfully. But a merciful Providence came to my +rescue then, and it may not fail me now. The seaman is accustomed to +carry his life in his hand, and to live on the edge of eternity.” + +The truth of this was so apparent as to produce a thoughtful silence. +Anxious glances were cast around the horizon from time to time, in quest +of any sail that might come in sight, but uselessly. None appeared, +and the day advanced without bringing the slightest prospect of relief. +Mulford could see, by the now almost sunken hummocks, that they were +slowly drifting along the reef, toward the southward and eastward, a +current no doubt acting slightly from the north-west. Their proximity +to the reef, however, was of no advantage, as the distance was still +so great as to render any attempt to reach it, even on the part of the +mate, unavailable. Nor would he have been any better off could he have +gained a spot on the rocks that was shallow enough to admit of his +walking, since wading about in such a place would have been less +desirable than to be floating where he was. + +The want of water to drink threatened to be the great evil. Of this, the +party on the wreck had not a single drop! As the warmth of the day +was added to the feverish feeling produced by excitement, they all +experienced thirst, though no one murmured. So utterly without means of +relieving this necessity did each person know them all to be, that no +one spoke on the subject at all. In fact, shipwreck never produced +a more complete destitution of all the ordinary agents of helping +themselves, in any form or manner, than was the case here. So sudden and +complete had been the disaster, that not a single article, beyond those +on the persons of the sufferers, came even in view. The masts, sails, +rigging, spare spars, in a word, everything belonging to the vessel was +submerged and hidden from their sight, with the exception of a portion +of the vessel's bottom, which might be forty feet in length, and some +ten or fifteen in width, including that which was above water on both +sides of the keel, though one only of these sides was available to the +females, as a place to move about on. Had Mulford only a boat-hook, he +would have felt it a relief; for not only did the sharks increase in +number, but they grew more audacious, swimming so near the wreck that, +more than once, Mulford apprehended that some one of the boldest of them +might make an effort literally to board them. It is true, he had never +known of one of these fishes attempting to quit his own element in +pursuit of his prey; but such things were reported, and those around the +wreck swam so close, and seemed so eager to get at those who were on it, +that there really might be some excuse for fancying they might resort to +unusual means of effecting their object. It is probable that, like +all other animals, they were emboldened by their own numbers, and were +acting in a sort of concert, that was governed by some of the many +mysterious laws of nature that have still escaped human observation. + +Thus passed the earlier hours of that appalling day. Toward noon, +Mulford had insisted on the females dividing one of the oranges between +them, and extracting its juice by way of assuaging their thirst. The +effect was most grateful, as all admitted, and even Mrs. Budd urged +Harry and Tier to take a portion of the remaining orange; but this both +steadily refused. Mulford did consent to receive a small portion of one +of the apples, more with a view of moistening his throat than to appease +his hunger, though it had, in a slight degree, the latter effect also. +As for Jack Tier, he declined even the morsel of apple, saying that +tobacco answered his purpose, as indeed it temporarily might. + +It was near sunset, when the steward's assistant called Mulford aside, +and whispered to him that he had something private to communicate. The +mate bade him say on, as they were out of ear-shot of their companions. + +“I've been in sitiations like this afore,” said Jack, “and one l'arns +exper'ence by exper'ence. I know how cruel it is on the feelin's to have +the hopes disapp'inted in these cases, and therefore shall proceed with +caution. But, Mr. Mulford, there's a sail in sight, if there is a drop +of water in the Gulf!” + +“A sail, Jack! I trust in Heaven you are not deceived!” + +“Old eyes are true eyes in such matters, sir. Be careful not to start +the women. They go off like gunpowder, and, Lord help 'em! have no +more command over themselves, when you loosen 'em once, than so many +flying-fish with a dozen dolphins a'ter them. Look hereaway, sir, just +clear of the Irishwoman's bonnet, a little broad off the spot where the +reef was last seen--if that an't a sail, my flame is not Jack Tier.” + +A sail there was, sure enough! It was so very distant, however, as to +render its character still uncertain, though Mulford fancied it was a +square-rigged vessel heading to the northward. By its position, it must +be in one of the channels of the reef, and by its course, if he were +not deceived, it was standing through, from the main passage along the +southern side of the rocks, to come out on the northern. All this was +favourable, and at first the young mate felt such a throbbing of the +heart as we all experience when great and unexpected good intelligence +is received. A moment's reflection, however, made him aware how little +was to be hoped for from this vessel. In the first place, her distance +was so great as to render it uncertain even which way she was steering. +Then, there was the probability that she would pass at so great a +distance as to render it impossible to perceive an object as low as the +wreck, and the additional chance of her passing in the night. Under all +the circumstances, therefore, Mulford felt convinced that there was very +little probability of their receiving any succour from the strange sail; +and he fully appreciated Jack Tier's motive in forbearing to give the +usual call of “Sail, ho!” when he made this discovery. Still, he could +not deny himself the pleasure of communicating to Rose the cheering +fact that a vessel was actually in sight. She could not reason on the +circumstances as he had done, and might at least pass several hours of +comparative happiness by believing that there was some visible chance of +delivery. + +The females received the intelligence with very different degrees of +hope. Rose was delighted. To her their rescue appeared an event so very +probable now, that Harry Mulford almost regretted he had given rise +to an expectation which he himself feared was to be disappointed. The +feelings of Mrs. Budd were more suppressed. The wreck and her present +situation were so completely at variance with all her former notions of +the sea and its incidents, that she was almost dumb-founded, and +feared either to speak or to think. Biddy differed from either of her +mistresses--the young or the old; she appeared to have lost all hope, +and her physical energy was fast giving way under her profound moral +debility. + +From the return of light that day, Mulford had thought, if it were +to prove that Providence had withdrawn its protecting hand from them, +Biddy, who to all appearance ought to be the longest liver among the +females at least, would be the first to sink under her sufferings. Such +is the influence of moral causes on the mere animal. + +Rose saw the night shut in around them, amid the solemn solitude of +the ocean, with a mingled sensation of awe and hope. She had prayed +devoutly, and often, in the course of the preceding day, and her +devotions had contributed to calm her spirits. Once or twice, while +kneeling with her head bowed to the keel, she had raised her eyes toward +Harry with a look of entreaty, as if she would implore him to humble his +proud spirit and place himself at her side, and ask that succour from +God which was so much needed, and which indeed it began most seriously +to appear that God alone could yield. The young mate did not comply, +for his pride of profession and of manhood offered themselves as +stumbling-blocks to prevent submission to his secret wishes. Though he +rarely prayed, Harry Mulford was far from being an unbeliever, or +one altogether regardless of his duties and obligations to his Divine +Creator. On the contrary, his heart was more disposed to resort to such +means of self-abasement and submission, than he put in practice, and +this because he had been taught to believe that the Anglo-Saxon mariner +did not call on Hercules, on every occasion of difficulty and distress +that occurred, as was the fashion with the Italian and Romish seamen, +but he put his own shoulder to the wheel, confident that Hercules would +not forget to help him who knew how to help himself. But Harry had great +difficulty in withstanding Rose's silent appeal that evening, as she +knelt at the keel for the last time, and turned her gentle eyes upward +at him, as if to ask him once more to take his place at her side. +Withstand the appeal he did, however, though in his inward spirit he +prayed fervently to God to put away this dreadful affliction from the +young and innocent creature before him. When these evening devotions +were ended, the whole party became thoughtful and silent. + +It was necessary to sleep, and arrangements were made to do so, if +possible, with a proper regard for their security. Mulford and Tier +were to have the look-out, watch and watch. This was done that no vessel +might pass near them unseen, and that any change in the weather might be +noted and looked to. As it was, the wind had fallen, and seemed about to +vary, though it yet stood in its old quarter, or a little more easterly, +perhaps. As a consequence, the drift of the wreck, insomuch as it +depended on the currents of the air, was more nearly in a line with the +direction of the reef, and there was little ground for apprehending that +they might be driven further from it in the night. Although that reef +offered in reality no place of safety, that was available to his party, +Mulford felt it as a sort of relief, to be certain that it was not +distant, possibly influenced by a vague hope that some passing wrecker +or turtler might yet pick them up. + +The bottom of the schooner and the destitute condition of the party +admitted of only very simple arrangements for the night. The females +placed themselves against the keel in the best manner they could, and +thus endeavoured to get a little of the rest they so much needed. The +day had been warm, as a matter of course, and the contrast produced by +the setting of the sun was at first rather agreeable than otherwise. +Luckily Rose had thrown a shawl over her shoulders, not long before +the vessel capsized, and in this shawl she had been saved. It had been +dried, and it now served for a light covering to herself and her aunt, +and added essentially to their comfort. As for Biddy, she was too hardy +to need a shawl, and she protested that she should not think of using +one, had she been better provided. The patient, meek manner in which +that humble, but generous-hearted creature submitted to her fate, and +the earnestness with which she had begged that “Miss Rosy” might have +her morsel of the portion of biscuit each received for a supper, had +sensibly impressed Mulford in her favour; and knowing how much more +necessary food was to sustain one of her robust frame and sturdy habits, +than to Rose, he had contrived to give the woman, unknown to herself, a +double allowance. Nor was it surprising that Biddy did not detect this +little act of fraud in her favour, for this double allowance was merely +a single mouthful. The want of water had made itself much more +keenly felt than the want of food, for as yet anxiety, excitement and +apprehension prevented the appetite from being much awakened, while the +claims of thirst were increased rather than the reverse, by these very +causes. Still, no one had complained, on this or any other account, +throughout the whole of the long and weary day which had passed. + +Mulford took the first look-out, with the intention of catching a +little sleep, if possible, during the middle hours of the night, and of +returning to his duty as morning approached. For the first hour nothing +occurred to divert his attention from brooding on the melancholy +circumstances of their situation. It seemed as if all around him had +actually lost the sense of their cares in sleep, and no sound was +audible amid that ocean waste, but the light washing of the water, as +the gentle waves rolled at intervals against the weather side of the +wreck. It was now that Mulford found a moment for prayer, and seated +on the keel, that he called on the Divine aid, in a fervent but silent +petition to God, to put away this trial from the youthful and beautiful +Rose, at least, though he himself perished. It was the first prayer that +Mulford had made in many months, or since he had joined the Swash--a +craft in which that duty was very seldom thought of. + +A few minutes succeeded this petition, when Biddy spoke. + +“Missus--Madam Budd--dear Missus”--half whispered the Irish woman, +anxious not to disturb Rose, who lay furthest from her--“Missus, bees ye +asleep at sich a time as this?” + +“No, Biddy; sleep and I are strangers to each other, and are likely to +be till morning. What do you wish to say?” + +“Anything is better than my own t'oughts, missus dear, and I wants to +talk to ye. Is it no wather at all they'll give us so long as we stay in +this place?” + +“There is no one to give it to us but God, poor Biddy, and he alone can +say what, in his gracious mercy, it may please him to do. Ah! Biddy, +I fear me that I did an unwise and thoughtless thing, to bring my poor +Rose to such a place as this. Were it to be done over again, the riches +of Wall Street would not tempt me to be guilty of so wrong a thing!” + +The arm of Rose was thrown around her aunt's neck, and its gentle +pressure announced how completely the offender was forgiven. + +“I's very sorry for Miss Rose,” rejoined Biddy “and I suffers so much +the more meself in thinking how hard it must be for the like of her to +be wantin' in a swallow of fresh wather.” + +“It is no harder for me to bear it, poor Biddy,” answered the gentle +voice of our heroine, “than it is for yourself.” + +“Is it meself then? Sure am I, that if I had a quar-r-t of good, swate +wather from our own pump, and that's far betther is it than the Crothon +the best day the Crothon ever seed--but had I a quar-r-t of it, every +dhrap would I give to you, Miss Rose, to app'ase your thirst, I would.” + +“Water would be a great relief to us all, just now, my excellent Biddy,” + answered Rose, “and I wish we had but a tumbler full of that you name, +to divide equally among the whole five of us.” + +“Is it divide? Then it would be ag'in dividin' that my voice would be +raised, for that same ra'son that the tumbler would never hold as much +as you could dhrink yourself, Miss Rose.” + +“Yet the tumbler full would be a great blessing for us all, just now,” + murmured Mrs. Budd. + +“And is n't mutthon good 'atin', ladies! Och! if I had but a good swate +pratie, now, from my own native Ireland, and a dhrap of milk to help +wash it down! It's mighty little that a body thinks of sich thrifles +when there's abundance of them; but when there's none at all, they get +to be stronger in the mind than riches and honours.” + +“You say the truth, Biddy,” rejoined the mistress, “and there is a +pleasure in talking of them, if one can't enjoy them. I've been thinking +all the afternoon, Rose, what a delicious food is a good roast turkey, +with cranberry sauce; and I wonder, now, that I have not been more +grateful for the very many that Providence has bestowed on me in my +time. My poor Mr. Budd was passionately fond of mutton, and I used +wickedly to laugh at his fondness for it, sometimes, when he always had +his answer ready, and that was that there are no sheep at sea. How true +that is, Rosy dear! there are indeed no sheep at sea!” + +“No, aunty,” answered Rose's gentle voice from beneath the +shawl;--“there are no such animals on the ocean, but God is with us here +as much as he would be in New York.” + +A long silence succeeded this simple remark of his well beloved, and +the young mate hoped that there would be no more of a dialogue, every +syllable of which was a dagger to his feelings. But nature was stronger +than reflection in Mrs. Budd and Biddy, and the latter spoke again, +after a pause of near a quarter of an hour. + +“Pray for me, Missus,” she said, moaningly, “that I may sleep. A bit of +sleep would do a body almost as much good as a bit of bread--I won't say +as much as a dhrap of wather.” + +“Be quiet, Biddy, and we will pray for you,” answered Rose, who fancied +by her breathing that her aunt was about to forget her sufferings for a +brief space, in broken slumbers. + +“Is it for you I'll do that--and sure will I, Miss Rose. Niver would I +have quitted Ireland, could I have thought there was sich a spot on this +earth as a place where no wather was to be had.” + +This was the last of Biddy's audible complaints, for the remainder of +this long and anxious watch of Mulford. He then set himself about an +arrangement which shall be mentioned in its proper place. At twelve +o'clock, or when he thought it was twelve, he called Jack Tier, who in +turn called the mate again at four. + +“It looks dark and threatening,” said Mulford, as he rose to his feet +and began to look about him once more, “though there does not appear to +be any wind.” + +“It's a flat calm, Mr. Mate, and the darkness comes from yonder cloud, +which seems likely to bring a little rain.” + +“Rain! Then God is indeed with us here. You are right, Jack; rain must +fall from that cloud. We must catch some of it, if it be only a drop to +cool Rose's parched tongue.” + +“In what?” answered Tier, gloomily. “She may wring her clothes when the +shower is over, and in that way get a drop. I see no other method.” + +“I have bethought me of all that, and passed most of my watch in making +the preparations.” + +Mulford then showed Tier what he had been about, in the long and +solitary hours of the first watch. It would seem that the young man +had dug a little trench with his knife, along the schooner's bottom, +commencing two or three feet from the keel, and near the spot where +Rose was lying, and carrying it as far as was convenient toward the run, +until he reached a point where he had dug out a sort of reservoir to +contain the precious fluid, should any be sent them by Providence. While +doing this, there were no signs of rain; but the young man knew that a +shower alone could save them from insanity, if not from death; and in +speculating on the means of profiting by one, should it come, he had +bethought him of this expedient. The large knife of a seaman had served +him a good turn, in carrying on his work, to complete which there +remained now very little to do, and that was in enlarging the receptacle +for the water. The hole was already big enough to contain a pint, and it +might easily be sufficiently enlarged to hold double that quantity. + +Jack was no sooner made acquainted with what had been done, than he out +knife and commenced tearing splinter after splinter from the planks, to +help enlarge the reservoir. This could only be done by cutting on +the surface, for the wood was not three inches in thickness, and the +smallest hole through the plank, would have led to the rapid escape of +the air and to the certain sinking of the wreck. It required a good +deal of judgment to preserve the necessary level also, and Mulford was +obliged to interfere more than once to prevent his companion from doing +more harm than good. He succeeded, however, and had actually made a +cavity that might contain more than a quart of water, when the first +large drop fell from the heavens. This cavity was not a hole, but a +long, deep trench--deep for the circumstances--so nicely cut on the +proper level, as to admit of its holding a fluid in the quantity +mentioned. + +“Rose--dearest--rise, and be ready to drink,” said Mulford, tenderly +disturbing the uneasy slumbers of his beloved. “It is about to rain, and +God is with us here, as he might be on the land.” + +“Wather!” exclaimed Biddy, who was awoke with the same call. “What a +blessed thing is good swate wather, and sure am I we ought all to be +thankful that there is such a precious gift in the wor-r-ld.” + +“Come, then,” said Mulford, hurriedly, “it will soon rain--I hear it +pattering on the sea. Come hither, all of you, and drink, as a merciful +God furnishes the means.” + +This summons was not likely to be neglected. All arose in haste, and the +word “water” was murmured from every lip. Biddy had less self-command +than the others, and she was heard saying aloud,--“Och! and did n't +I dhrame of the blessed springs and wells of Ireland the night, and +haven't I dhrunk at 'em all? but now it's over, and I am awake, no good +has't done me, and I'm ready to die for one dhrap of wather.” + +That drop soon came, however, and with it the blessed relief which such +a boon bestows. Mulford had barely time to explain his arrangements, and +to place the party on their knees, along his little reservoir and the +gutter which led to it, when the pattering of the rain advanced along +the sea, with a deep rushing sound. Presently, the uplifted faces and +open mouths caught a few heavy straggling drops, to cool the parched +tongues, when the water came tumbling down upon them in a thousand +little streams. There was scarcely any wind, and merely the skirt of a +large black cloud floated over the wreck, on which the rain fell barely +one minute. But it fell as rain comes down within the tropics, and in +sufficient quantities for all present purposes. Everybody drank, and +found relief, and, when all was over, Mulford ascertained by examination +that his receptacle for the fluid was still full to overflowing. The +abstinence had not been of sufficient length, nor the quantity taken of +large enough amount, to produce injury, though the thirst was generally +and temporarily appeased. It is probable that the coolness of the hour, +day dawning as the cloud moved past, and the circumstance that the +sufferers were wetted to their skins, contributed to the change. + +“Oh, blessed, blessed wather!” exclaimed Biddy, as she rose from her +knees; “America, afther all, isn't as dhry a country as some say. I've +niver tasted swater wather in Ireland itself!” + +Rose murmured her thanksgiving in more appropriate language. A few +exclamations also escaped Mrs. Budd, and Jack Tier had his sententious +eulogy on the precious qualities of sweet water. + +The wind rose as the day advanced, and a swell began to heave the wreck +with a power that had hitherto been dormant. Mulford understood this to +be a sign that there had been a blow at some distance from them, that +had thrown the sea into a state of agitation, which extended itself +beyond the influence of the wind. Eagerly did the young mate examine the +horizon, as the curtain of night arose, inch by inch, as it might be, +on the watery panorama, in the hope that a vessel of some sort or other +might be brought within the view. Nor was he wholly disappointed. The +strange sail seen the previous evening was actually there; and what was +more, so near as to allow her hull to be distinctly visible. It was a +ship, under her square canvas, standing from between divided portions of +the reef, as if getting to the northward, in order to avoid the opposing +current of the Gulf Stream. Vessels bound to Mobile, New Orleans, and +other ports along the coast of the Republic, in that quarter of the +ocean, often did this; and when the young mate first caught glimpses of +the shadowy outline of this ship, he supposed it to be some packet, or +cotton-droger, standing for her port on the northern shore. But a few +minutes removed the veil, and with it the error of this notion. A seaman +could no longer mistake the craft. Her length, her square and massive +hamper, with the symmetry of her spars, and the long, straight outline +of the hull, left no doubt that it was a cruiser, with her hammocks +unstowed. Mulford now cheerfully announced to his companions, that the +ship they so plainly saw, scarcely a gun-shot distant from them, was the +sloop-of-war which had already become a sort of an acquaintance. + +“If we can succeed in making them see our signal,” cried Mulford, “all +will yet be well. Come, Jack, and help me to put abroad this shawl, the +only ensign we can show.” + +The shawl of Rose was the signal spread. Tier and Mulford stood on the +keel, and holding opposite corners, let the rest of the cloth blow out +with the wind. For near an hour did these two extend their arms, and +try all possible expedients to make their signal conspicuous. But, +unfortunately, the wind blew directly toward the cruiser, and instead of +exposing a surface of any breadth to the vision of those on board her, +it must, at most, have offered little more than a flitting, waving line. + +As the day advanced, sail was made on the cruiser. She had stood through +the passage, in which she had been becalmed most of the night, +under short canvas; but now she threw out fold after fold of her +studding-sails, and moved away to the westward, with the stately motion +of a ship before the wind. No sooner had she got far enough to the +northward of the reef, than she made a deviation from her course +as first seen, turning her stern entirely to the wreck, and rapidly +becoming less and less distinct to the eyes of those who floated on it. + +Mulford saw the hopelessness of their case, as it respected relief from +this vessel; still, he persevered in maintaining his position on the +keel, tossing and waving the shawl, in all the variations that his +ingenuity could devise. He well knew, however, that their chances of +being seen would have been trebled could they have been ahead instead +of astern of the ship. Mariners have few occasions to look behind them, +while a hundred watchful eyes are usually turned ahead, more especially +when running near rocks and shoals. Mrs. Budd wept like an infant when +she saw the sloop-of-war gliding away, reaching a distance that rendered +sight useless, in detecting an object that floated as low on the water +as the wreck. As for Biddy, unable to control her feelings, the poor +creature actually called to the crew of the departing vessel, as if her +voice had the power to make itself heard, at a distance which already +exceeded two leagues. It was only by means of the earnest remonstrances +of Rose, that the faithful creature could be quieted. + +“Why will ye not come to our relaif?” she cried at the top of her voice. +“Here are we, helpless as new-born babies, and ye sailing away from us +in a conthrary way! D'ye not bethink you of the missus, who is much of +a sailor, but not sich a one as to sail on a wrack; and poor Miss Rose, +who is the char-rm and delight of all eyes. Only come and take off Miss +Rose, and lave the rest of us, if ye so likes; for it's a sin and a +shame to lave the likes of her to die in the midst of the ocean, as if +she was no betther nor a fish. Then it will be soon that we shall ag'in +feel the want of wather, and that, too, with nothing but wather to be +seen on all sides of us.” + +“It is of no use,” said Harry, mournfully, stepping down from the keel, +and laying aside the shawl. “They cannot see us, and the distance is now +so great as to render it certain they never will. There is only one hope +left. We are evidently set to and fro by the tides, and it is possible +that by keeping in or near this passage, some other craft may appear, +and we be more fortunate. The relief of the rain is a sign that we are +not forgotten by Divine Providence, and with such a protector we ought +not to despair.” + +A gloomy and scanty breaking of the fast succeeded. Each person had one +large mouthful of bread, which was all that prudence would authorize +Mulford to distribute. He attempted a pious fraud, however, by placing +his own allowance along with that of Rose's, under the impression that +her strength might not endure privation as well as his own. But the +tender solicitude of Rose was not to be thus deceived. Judging of his +wishes and motives by her own, she at once detected the deception, +and insisted on retaining no more than her proper share. When this +distribution was completed, and the meagre allowance taken, only +sufficient bread remained to make one more similar scanty meal, if meal +a single mouthful could be termed. As for the water, a want of which +would be certain to be felt as soon as the sun obtained its noon-day +power, the shawl was extended over it, in a way to prevent evaporation +as much as possible, and at the same time to offer some resistance to +the fluid's being washed from its shallow receptacle by the motion of +the wreck, which was sensibly increasing with the increase of the wind +and waves. + +Mulford had next an anxious duty to perform. Throughout the whole of +the preceding day he had seen the air escaping from the hull, in an +incessant succession of small bubbles, which were formidable through +their numbers, if not through their size. The mate was aware that this +unceasing loss of the buoyant property of the wreck, must eventually +lead to their destruction, should no assistance come, and he had marked +the floating line, on the bottom of the vessel with his knife, ere +darkness set in, on the previous evening. No sooner did his thoughts +recur to this fact, after the excitement of the first hour of daylight +was over, than he stepped to the different places thus marked, and saw, +with an alarm that it would be difficult to describe, that the wreck had +actually sunk into the water several inches within the last few hours. +This was, indeed, menacing their security in a most serious manner, +setting a limit to their existence, which rendered all precaution on the +subject of food and water useless. By the calculations of the mate, +the wreck could not float more than eight-and-forty hours, should it +continue to lose the air at the rate at which it had been hitherto lost. +Bad as all this appeared, things were fated to become much more serious. +The motion of the water quite sensibly increased, lifting the wreck at +times in a way greatly to increase the danger of their situation. The +reader will understand this movement did not proceed from the waves of +the existing wind, but from what is technically called a ground-swell, +or the long, heavy undulations that are left by the tempest that is +past, or by some distant gale. The waves of the present breeze were +not very formidable, the reef making a lee; though they might possibly +become inconvenient from breaking on the weather side of the wreck, +as soon as the drift carried the latter fairly abreast of the passage +already mentioned. But the dangers that proceeded from the heavy +ground-swell, which now began to give a considerable motion to the +wreck, will best explain itself by narrating the incidents as they +occurred. + +Harry had left his marks, and had taken his seat on the keel at Rose's +side, impatiently waiting for any turn that Providence might next give +to their situation, when a heavy roll of the wreck first attracted his +attention to this new circumstance. + +“If any one is thirsty,” he observed quietly, “he or she had better +drink now, while it may be done. Two or three more such rolls as this +last will wash all the water from our gutters.” + +“Wather is a blessed thing,” said Biddy, with a longing expression +of the eyes, “and it would be betther to swallow it than to let it be +lost.” + +“Then drink, for Heaven's sake, good woman--it may be the last occasion +that will offer.” + +“Sure am I that I would not touch a dhrap, while the missus and Miss +Rosy was a sufferin'.” + +“I have no thirst at all,” answered Rose, sweetly, “and have already +taken more water than was good for me, with so little food on my +stomach.” + +“Eat another morsel of the bread, beloved,” whispered Harry, in a manner +so urgent that Rose gratefully complied. “Drink, Biddy, and we will +come and share with you before the water is wasted by this increasing +motion.” + +Biddy did as desired, and each knelt in turn and took a little of the +grateful fluid, leaving about a gill in the gutters for the use of those +whose lips might again become parched. + +“Wather is a blessed thing,” repeated Biddy, for the twentieth time--“a +blessed, blessed thing is wather!” + +A little scream from Mrs. Budd, which was dutifully taken up by the +maid, interrupted the speech of the latter, and every eye was turned on +Mulford, as if to ask an explanation of the groaning sound that had been +heard within the wreck. The young mate comprehended only too well. The +rolling of the wreck had lifted a portion of the open hatchway above +the undulating surface of the sea, and a large quantity of the pent air +within the hold had escaped in a body. The entrance of water to supply +the vacuum had produced the groan. Mulford had made new marks on the +vessel's bottom with his knife, and he stepped down to them, anxious and +nearly heart-broken, to note the effect. That one surging of the wreck +had permitted air enough to escape to lower it in the water several +inches. As yet, however, the visible limits of their floating foundation +had not been sufficiently reduced to attract the attention of the +females; and the young man said nothing on the subject. He thought that +Jack Tier was sensible of the existence of this new source of danger, +but if he were, that experienced mariner imitated his own reserve, and +made no allusion to it. Thus passed the day. Occasionally the wreck +rolled heavily, when more air escaped, the hull settling lower and lower +in the water as a necessary consequence. The little bubbles continued +incessantly to rise, and Mulford became satisfied that another day must +decide their fate. Taking this view of their situation, he saw no use in +reserving their food, but encouraged his companions to share the whole +of what remained at sunset. Little persuasion was necessary, and when +night once more came to envelope them in darkness, not a mouthful of +food or a drop of water remained to meet the necessities of the coming +morn. It had rained again for a short time, in the course of the +afternoon, when enough water had been caught to allay their thirst, and +what was almost of as much importance to the females now, a sufficiency +of sun had succeeded to dry their clothes, thus enabling them to sleep +without enduring the chilling damps that might otherwise have prevented +it. The wind had sensibly fallen, and the ground-swell was altogether +gone, but Mulford was certain that the relief had come too late. So much +air had escaped while it lasted as scarce to leave him the hope that +the wreck could float until morning. The rising of the bubbles was +now incessant, the crevices by which they escaped having most probably +opened a little, in consequence of the pressure and the unceasing action +of the currents, small as the latter were. + +Just as darkness was shutting in around them for the second time, Rose +remarked to Mulford that it seemed to her that they had not as large a +space for their little world as when they were first placed on it. The +mate, however, successfully avoided an explanation; and when the watch +was again set for the night, the females lay down to seek their repose, +more troubled with apprehensions for a morrow of hunger and thirst, +than by any just fears that might so well have arisen from the physical +certainty that the body which alone kept them from being engulfed in +the sea, could float but a few hours longer. This night Tier kept the +look-out until Jupiter reached the zenith, when Mulford was called to +hold the watch until light returned. + +It may seem singular that any could sleep at all in such a situation. +But we get accustomed, in an incredibly short time, to the most violent +changes; and calamities that seem insupportable, when looked at from a +distance, lose half their power if met and resisted with fortitude. The +last may, indeed, be too insignificant a word to be applied to all of +the party on the wreck, on the occasion of which we are writing, though +no one of them all betrayed fears that were troublesome. Of Mulford it +is unnecessary to speak. His deportment had been quiet, thoughtful, and +full of a manly interest in the comfort of others, from the first moment +of the calamity. That Rose should share the largest in his attentions +was natural enough, but he neglected no essential duty to her +companions. Rose, herself, had little hope of being rescued. Her +naturally courageous character, however, prevented any undue exhibitions +of despair, and now it was that the niece became the principal support +of the aunt, completely changing the relations that had formerly existed +between them. Mrs. Budd had lost all the little buoyancy of her mind. +Not a syllable did she now utter concerning ships and their manoeuvres. +She had been, at first, a little disposed to be querulous and +despairing, but the soothing and pious conversation of Rose awakened +a certain degree of resolution in her, and habit soon exercised its +influence over even her inactive mind. Biddy was a strange mixture of +courage, despair, humility, and consideration for others. Not once had +she taken her small allowance of food without first offering it, and +that, too, in perfect good faith, to her “Missus and Miss Rosy;” yet +her moanings for this sort of support, and her complaints of bodily +suffering much exceeded that of all the rest of the party put together. +As for Jack Tier, his conduct singularly belied his appearance. No one +would have expected any great show of manly resolution from the little +rotund, lymphatic figure of Tier; but he had manifested a calmness +that denoted either great natural courage, or a resolution derived from +familiarity with danger. In this particular, even Mulford regarded his +deportment with surprise, not unmingled with respect. + +“You have had a tranquil watch, Jack,” said Harry, when he was called by +the person named, and had fairly aroused himself from his slumbers. “Has +the wind stood as it is since sunset?” + +“No change whatever, sir. It has blown a good working breeze the whole +watch, and what is surprising not as much lipper has got up as would +frighten a colt on a sea-beach.” + +“We must be near the reef, by that. I think the only currents we feel +come from the tide, and they seem to be setting us back and forth, +instead of carrying us in any one settled direction.” + +“Quite likely, sir; and this makes my opinion of what I saw an hour +since all the more probable.” + +“What you saw! In the name of a merciful Providence, Tier, do not trifle +with me! Has any thing been seen near by?” + +“Don't talk to me of your liquors and other dhrinks,” murmured Biddy in +her sleep. “It's wather that is a blessed thing; and I wish I lived, the +night and the day, by the swate pump that's in our own yard, I do.” + +“The woman has been talking in her sleep, in this fashion, most of the +watch,” observed Jack, coolly, and perhaps a little contemptuously. +“But, Mr. Mulford, unless my eyes have cheated me, we are near that boat +again. The passage through the reef is close aboard us, here, on our +larboard bow, as it might be, and the current has sucked us in it in a +fashion to bring it in a sort of athwart-hawse direction to us.” + +“If that boat, after all, should be sent by Providence to our relief! +How long is it since you saw it, Jack.” + +“But a bit since, sir; or, for that matter, I think I see it now. Look +hereaway, sir, just where the dead-eyes of the fore-rigging would bear +from us, if the craft stood upon her legs, as she ought to do. If that +isn't a boat, it's a rock out of water.” + +Mulford gazed through the gloom of midnight, and saw, or fancied he saw, +an object that might really be the boat. It could not be very distant +either; and his mind was instantly made up as to the course he would +pursue. Should it actually turn out to be that which he now so much +hoped for, and its distance in the morning did not prove too great for +human powers, he was resolved to swim for it at the hazard of his life. +In the meantime, or until light should return, there remained nothing to +do but to exercise as much patience as could be summoned, and to confide +in God, soliciting his powerful succour by secret prayer. + +Mulford was no sooner left alone, as it might be, by Tier's seeking a +place in which to take his rest, than he again examined the state of the +wreck. Little as he had hoped from its long-continued buoyancy, he found +matters even worse than he apprehended they would be. The hull had lost +much air, and had consequently sunk in the water in an exact proportion +to this loss. The space that was actually above the water, was reduced +to an area not more than six or seven feet in one direction, by some ten +or twelve in the other. This was reducing its extent, since the evening +previous, by fully one-half; and there could be no doubt that the air +was escaping, in consequence of the additional pressure, in a ratio that +increased by a sort of arithmetical progression. The young man knew that +the whole wreck, under its peculiar circumstances, might sink entirely +beneath the surface, and yet possess sufficient buoyancy to sustain +those that were on it for a time longer, but this involved the terrible +necessity of leaving the females partly submerged themselves. + +Our mate heard his own heart beat, as he became satisfied of the actual +condition of the wreck, and of the physical certainty that existed of +its sinking, at least to the point last mentioned, ere the sun came +to throw his glories over the last view that the sufferers would be +permitted to take of the face of day. It appeared to him that no time +was to be lost. There lay the dim and shapeless object that seemed to be +the boat, distant, as he thought, about a mile. It would not have been +visible at all but for the perfect smoothness of the sea, and the low +position occupied by the observer. At times it did disappear altogether, +when it would rise again, as if undulating in the ground-swell. This +last circumstance, more than any other, persuaded Harry that it was not +a rock, but some floating object that he beheld. Thus encouraged, he +delayed no longer. Every moment was precious, and all might be lost by +indecision. He did not like the appearance of deserting his companions, +but, should he fail, the motive would appear in the act. Should he fail, +every one would alike soon be beyond the reach of censure, and in a +state of being that would do full justice to all. + +Harry threw off most of his clothes, reserving only his shirt and a pair +of light summer trowsers. He could not quit the wreck, however, without +taking a sort of leave of Rose. On no account would he awake her, for he +appreciated the agony she would feel during the period of his struggles. +Kneeling at her side, he made a short prayer, then pressed his lips to +her warm cheek, and left her. Rose murmured his name at that instant, +but it was as the innocent and young betray their secrets in their +slumbers. Neither of the party awoke. + +It was a moment to prove the heart of man, that in which Harry Mulford, +in the darkness of midnight, alone, unsustained by any encouraging eye, +or approving voice, with no other aid than his own stout arm, and the +unknown designs of a mysterious Providence, committed his form to the +sea. For an instant he paused, after he had waded down on the wreck to +a spot where the water already mounted to his breast, but it was not in +misgivings. He calculated the chances, and made an intelligent use of +such assistance as could be had. There had been no sharks near the wreck +that day, but a splash in the water might bring them back again in a +crowd. They were probably prowling over the reef, near at hand. The +mate used great care, therefore, to make no noise. There was the distant +object, and he set it by a bright star, that wanted about an hour +before it would sink beneath the horizon. That star was his beacon, and +muttering a few words in earnest prayer, the young man threw his body +forward, and left the wreck, swimming lightly but with vigour. + + + + +VOLUME II. + + + +CHAPTER I. + + The night has been unruly: where we lay, + Our chimneys were blown down: and, as they say, + Lamentings heard i' the air; strange screams of death; + And prophesying, with accents terrible, + Of dire combustion, and confused events, + New hatched to the woful time. + + + Macbeth. + +It is seldom that man is required to make an exertion as desperate and +appalling, in all its circumstances, as that on which Harry Mulford was +now bent. The night was starlight, it was true, and it was possible to +see objects near by with tolerable distinctness; still, it was midnight, +and the gloom of that hour rested on the face of the sea, lending +its solemn mystery and obscurity to the other trying features of the +undertaking. Then there was the uncertainty whether it was the boat at +all, of which he was in pursuit; and, if the boat, it might drift +away from him as fast as he could follow it. Nevertheless, the perfect +conviction that, without some early succour, the party on the wreck, +including Rose Budd, must inevitably perish, stimulated him to proceed, +and a passing feeling of doubt, touching the prudence of his course, +that came over the young mate, when he was a few yards from the wreck, +vanished under a vivid renewal of this last conviction. On he swam, +therefore, riveting his eye on the “thoughtful star” that guided his +course, and keeping his mind as tranquil as possible, in order that the +exertions of his body might be the easier. + +Mulford was an excellent swimmer. The want of food was a serious +obstacle to his making one of his best efforts, but, as yet, he was not +very sensible of any great loss of strength. Understanding fully the +necessity of swimming easily, if he would swim long, he did not throw +out all his energy at first, but made the movements of his limbs as +regular, continued, and skilful as possible. No strength was thrown +away, and his progress was in proportion to the prudence of this manner +of proceeding. For some twenty minutes he held on his course, in this +way, when he began to experience a little of that weariness which is +apt to accompany an unremitted use of the same set of muscles, in a +monotonous and undeviating mode. Accustomed to all the resources of his +art, he turned on his back, for the double purpose of relieving his arms +for a minute, and of getting a glimpse of the wreck, if possible, in +order to ascertain the distance he had overcome. Swim long in this new +manner, however, he could not with prudence, as the star was necessary +in order to keep the direct line of his course. It may be well to +explain to some of our readers, that, though the surface of the ocean +may be like glass, as sometimes really happens, it is never absolutely +free from the long, undulating motion that is known by the name of a +“ground swell.” This swell, on the present occasion, was not very heavy, +but it was sufficient to place our young mate, at moments, between two +dark mounds of water, that limited his view in either direction to some +eighty or a hundred yards; then it raised him on the summit of a rounded +wave, that enabled him to see, far as his eye could reach under that +obscure light. Profiting by this advantage, Mulford now looked behind +him, in quest of the wreck, but uselessly. It might have been in the +trough, while he was thus on the summit of the waves, or it might be +that it floated so low as to be totally lost to the view of one whose +head was scarcely above the surface of the water. For a single instant, +the young man felt a chill at his heart, as he fancied that the wreck +had already sunk; but it passed away when he recalled the slow progress +by which the air escaped, and he saw the certainty that the catastrophe, +however inevitable, could not yet have really arrived. He waited for +another swell to lift him on its summit, when, by “treading water,” he +raised his head and shoulders fairly above the surface of the sea, +and strained his eyes in another vain effort to catch a glimpse of the +wreck. He could not see it. In point of fact, the mate had swum much +further than he had supposed, and was already so distant as to render +any such attempt hopeless. He was fully a third of a mile distant from +the point of his departure. + +Disappointed, and in a slight degree disheartened, Mulford turned, and +swam in the direction of the sinking star. He now looked anxiously for +the boat. It was time that it came more plainly into view, and a new +source of anxiety beset him, as he could discover no signs of its +vicinity. Certain that he was on the course, after making a due +allowance for the direction of the wind, the stout-hearted young man +swam on. He next determined not to annoy himself by fruitless searches, +or vain regrets, but to swim steadily for a certain time, a period long +enough to carry him a material distance, ere he again looked for the +object of his search. + +For twenty minutes longer did that courageous and active youth struggle +with the waste of waters, amid the obscurity and solitude of midnight. +He now believed himself near a mile from the wreck, and the star which +had so long served him for a beacon was getting near to the horizon. +He took a new observation of another of the heavenly bodies nigh it, to +serve him in its stead when it should disappear altogether, and then he +raised himself in the water, and looked about again for the boat. The +search was in vain. No boat was very near him, of a certainty, and the +dreadful apprehension began to possess his mind, of perishing uselessly +in that waste of gloomy waters. While thus gazing about him, turning +his eyes in every quarter, hoping intently to catch some glimpse of the +much-desired object in the gloom, he saw two dark, pointed objects, that +resembled small stakes, in the water within twenty feet of him. Mulford +knew them at a glance, and a cold shudder passed through his frame, +as he recognised them. They were, out of all question, the fins of an +enormous shark; an animal that could not measure less than eighteen or +twenty feet in length. + +It is scarcely necessary to say, that when our young mate discovered the +proximity of this dangerous animal, situated as he was, he gave himself +up for lost. He possessed his knife, however, and had heard of the +manner in which even sharks were overcome, and that too in their own +element, by the skilful and resolute. At first, he was resolved to make +one desperate effort for life, before he submitted to a fate as horrible +as that which now menaced him; but the movements of his dangerous +neighbour induced him to wait. It did not approach any nearer, but +continued swimming back and fro, on the surface of the water, according +to the known habits of the fish, as if watching his own movements. There +being no time to be wasted, our young mate turned on his face, and +began again to swim in the direction of the setting star, though nearly +chilled by despair. For ten minutes longer did he struggle on, beginning +to feel exhaustion, however, and always accompanied by those two dark, +sharp and gliding fins. There was no difficulty in knowing the position +of the animal, and Mulford's eyes were oftener on those fins than on +the beacon before him. Strange as it may appear, he actually became +accustomed to the vicinity of this formidable creature, and soon felt +his presence a sort of relief against the dreadful solitude of his +situation. He had been told by seamen of instances, and had once +witnessed a case himself, in which a shark had attended a swimming man +for a long distance, either forbearing to do him harm, from repletion, +or influenced by that awe which nature has instilled into all of the +inferior, for the highest animal of the creation. He began to think +that he was thus favoured, and really regarded the shark as a friendly +neighbour, rather than as a voracious foe. In this manner did the two +proceed, nearly another third of a mile, the fins sometimes in sight +ahead, gliding hither and thither, and sometimes out of view behind the +swimmer, leaving him in dreadful doubts as to the movements of the fish, +when Mulford suddenly felt something hard hit his foot. Believing it to +be the shark, dipping for his prey, a slight exclamation escaped him. At +the next instant both feet hit the unknown substance again, and he stood +erect, the water no higher than his waist! Quick, and comprehending +everything connected with the sea, the young man at once understood that +he was on a part of the reef where the water was so shallow as to admit +of his wading. + +Mulford felt that he had been providentially rescued from death. His +strength had been about to fail him, when he was thus led, unknown to +himself, to a spot where his life might yet be possibly prolonged for +a few more hours, or days. He had leisure to look about him, and to +reflect on what was next to be done. Almost unwittingly, he turned +in quest of his terrible companion, in whose voracious mouth he had +actually believed himself about to be immolated, a few seconds before. +There the two horn-like fins still were, gliding about above the water, +and indicating the smallest movement of their formidable owner. The mate +observed that they went a short distance ahead of him, describing nearly +a semi-circle, and then returned, doing the same thing in his rear, +repeating the movements incessantly, keeping always on his right. This +convinced him that shoaler water existed on his left hand, and he waded +in that direction, until he reached a small spot of naked rock. + +For a time, at least, he was safe! The fragment of coral on which the +mate now stood, was irregular in shape, but might have contained a +hundred feet square in superficial measurement, and was so little raised +above the level of the water as not to be visible, even by daylight, +at the distance of a hundred yards. Mulford found it was perfectly dry, +however, an important discovery to him, as by a close calculation he had +made of the tides, since quitting the Dry Tortugas, he knew it must +be near high water. Could he have even this small portion of bare +rock secure, it made him, for the moment, rich as the most extensive +landholder living. A considerable quantity of sea-weed had lodged on the +rock, and, as most of this was also quite dry, it convinced the young +sailor that the place was usually bare. But, though most of this +sea-weed was dry, there were portions of the more recent accessions +there that still lay in, or quite near to the water, which formed +exceptions. In handling these weeds, in order to ascertain the facts, +Mulford caught a small shell-fish, and finding it fresh and easy to +open, he swallowed it with the eagerness of a famishing man. Never had +food proved half so grateful to him as that single swallow of a very +palatable testaceous animal. By feeling further, he found several +others of the same family, and made quite as large a meal, as, under the +circumstances, was probably good for him. Then, grateful for his escape, +but overcome by fatigue, he hastily arranged a bed of sea-weed, drew a +portion of the plant over his body, to keep him warm, and fell into a +deep sleep that lasted for hours. + +Mulford did not regain his consciousness until the rays of the rising +sun fell upon his eye-lids, and the genial warmth of the great luminary +shed its benign influence over his frame. At first his mind was +confused, and it required a few seconds to bring a perfect recollection +of the past, and a true understanding of his real situation. They came, +however, and the young man moved to the highest part of his little +domain, and cast an anxious, hurried look around in quest of the wreck. +A knowledge of the course in which he had swum, aided by the position of +the sun, told him on what part of the naked waste to look for the object +he sought. God had not yet forsaken them! There was the wreck; or, it +might be more exact to say, there were those whom the remaining buoyancy +of the wreck still upheld from sinking into the depths of the gulf. In +point of fact, but a very little of the bottom of the vessel actually +remained above water, some two or three yards square at most, and that +little was what seamen term nearly awash. Two or three hours must bury +that small portion of the still naked wood beneath the surface of the +sea, though sufficient buoyancy might possibly remain for the entire day +still to keep the living from death. + +There the wreck was, however, yet floating; and, though not visible to +Mulford, with a small portion of it above water. He saw the four persons +only; and what was more, they saw him. This was evident by Jack Tier's +waving his hat like a man cheering. When Mulford returned this signal, +the shawl of Rose was tossed into the air, in a way to leave no doubt +that he was seen and known. The explanation of this early recognition +and discovery of the young mate was very simple. Tier was not asleep +when Harry left the wreck, though, seeing the importance of the step the +other was taking, he had feigned to be so. When Rose awoke, missed her +lover, and was told what had happened, her heart was kept from sinking +by his encouraging tale and hopes. An hour of agony had succeeded, +nevertheless, when light returned and no Mulford was to be seen. The +despair that burst upon the heart of our heroine was followed by the joy +of discovering him on the rock. + +It is scarcely necessary to say how much the parties were relieved on +ascertaining their respective positions. Faint as were the hopes of each +of eventual delivery, the two or three minutes that succeeded seemed to +be minutes of perfect happiness. After this rush of unlooked-for joy, +Mulford continued his intelligent examination of surrounding objects. + +The wreck was fully half a mile from the rock of the mate, but much +nearer to the reef than it had been the previous night. “Could it but +ground on the rocks,” thought the young man, “it would be a most blessed +event.” The thing was possible, though the first half hour of his +observations told him that its drift was in the direction of the open +passage so often named, rather than toward the nearest rocks. Still, +that drift brought Rose each minute nearer and nearer to himself again. +In looking round, however, the young man saw the boat. It was a quarter +of a mile distant, with open water between them, apparently grounded +on a rock, for it was more within the reef than he was himself. He must +have passed it in the dark, and the boat had been left to obey the wind +and currents, and to drift to the spot where it then lay. + +Mulford shouted aloud when he saw the boat, and at once determined to +swim in quest of it, as soon as he had collected a little refreshment +from among the sea-weed. On taking a look at his rock by daylight, he +saw that its size was quadrupled to the eye by the falling of the +tide, and that water was lying in several of the cavities of its uneven +surface. At first he supposed this to be sea-water, left by the flood; +but, reflecting a moment, he remembered the rain, and hoped it might be +possible that one little cavity, containing two or three gallons of the +fluid, would turn out to be fresh. Kneeling beside it, he applied his +lips in feverish haste, and drank the sweetest draught that had ever +passed his lips. Slaking his thirst, which had begun again to +be painfully severe, he arose with a heart overflowing with +gratitude--could he only get Rose to that narrow and barren rock, it +would seem to be an earthly paradise. Mulford next made his scanty, but, +all things considered, sufficient meal, drank moderately afterward, and +then turned his attention and energies toward the boat, which, though +now aground and fast, might soon float on the rising tide, and drift +once more beyond his reach. It was his first intention to swim directly +for his object; but, just when about to enter the water, he saw with +horror the fins of at least a dozen sharks, which were prowling about in +the deeper water of the reef, and almost encircling his hold. To throw +himself in the midst of such enemies would be madness, and he stopped to +reflect, and again to look about him. For the first time that morning, +he took a survey of the entire horizon, to see if anything were in +sight; for, hitherto, his thoughts had been too much occupied with Rose +and her companions, to remember anything else. To the northward and +westward he distinctly saw the upper sails of a large ship, that was +standing on a wind to the northward and eastward. As there was no port +to which a vessel of that character would be likely to be bound in the +quarter of the Gulf to which such a course would lead, Mulford at once +inferred it was the sloop-of-war, which, after having examined the +islets, at the Dry Tortugas, and finding them deserted, was beating +up, either to go into Key West, or to pass to the southward of the +reef again, by the passage through which she had come as lately as the +previous day. This was highly encouraging; and could he only get to the +boat, and remove the party from the wreck before it sunk, there was now +every prospect of a final escape. + +To the southward, also, the mate fancied he saw a sail. It was probably +a much smaller vessel than the ship in the north-west, and at a greater +distance. It might, however, be the lofty sails of some large craft; +standing along the reef, going westward, bound to New Orleans, or to +that new and important port, Point Isabel: or it might be some wrecker, +or other craft, edging away into the passage. As it was, it appeared +only as a speck in the horizon; and was too far off to offer much +prospect of succour. + +Thus acquainted with the state of things around him, Mulford gave +his attention seriously to his duties. He was chiefly afraid that +the returning tide might lift the boat from the rock on which it had +grounded, and that it would float beyond his reach. Then there was the +frightful and ever-increasing peril of the wreck, and the dreadful fate +that so inevitably menaced those that it held, were not relief prompt. +This thought goaded him nearly to desperation, and he felt at moments +almost ready to plunge into the midst of the sharks, and fight his way +to his object. + +But reflection showed him a less hazardous way of making an effort to +reach the boat. The sharks' fins described a semicircle only, as had +been the case of his single attendant during the night, and he thought +that the shealness of the water prevented their going further than they +did, in a south-easterly direction, which was that of the boat. He well +knew that a shark required sufficient water to sink beneath its prey, +ere it made its swoop, and that it uniformly turned on its back, and +struck upward whenever it gave one of its voracious bites. This was +owing to the greater length of its upper than of its lower jaw, and +Mulford had heard it was a physical necessity of its formation. Right +or wrong, he determined to act on this theory, and began at once to +wade along the part of the reef that his enemies seemed unwilling to +approach. + +Had our young mate a weapon of any sort larger than his knife, he would +have felt greater confidence in his success. As it was, however, he drew +that knife, and was prepared to sell his life dearly should a foe assail +him. No sooner was his step heard in the water, than the whole group of +sharks were set in violent motion, glancing past, and frequently quite +near him, as if aware their intended prey was about to escape. Had the +water deepened much, Harry would have returned at once, for a conflict +with such numbers would have been hopeless; but it did not; on the +contrary, it shoaled again, after a very short distance, at which it +had been waist-deep; and Mulford found himself wading over a long, broad +surface of rock, and that directly toward the boat, through water that +seldom rose above his knees, and which, occasionally, scarce covered his +feet. There was no absolutely naked rock near him, but there seemed to +be acres of that which might be almost said to be awash. Amid the greedy +throng that endeavoured to accompany him, the mate even fancied he +recognised the enormous fins of his old companion, who sailed to and fro +in the crowd in a stately manner, as if merely a curious looker-on of +his own movements. It was the smaller, and probably the younger sharks, +that betrayed the greatest hardihood and voracity. One or two of these +made fierce swoops toward Harry, as if bent on having him at every +hazard; but they invariably glided off when they found their customary +mode of attack resisted by the shoalness of the water. + +Our young mate got ahead but slowly, being obliged to pay a cautious +attention to the movements of his escort. Sometimes he was compelled to +wade up to his arms in order to cross narrow places, that he might get +on portions of the rock that were nearly bare; and once he was actually +compelled to swim eight or ten yards. Nevertheless, he did get on, and +after an hour of this sort of work, he found himself within a hundred +yards of the boat, which lay grounded near a low piece of naked rock, +but separated from it by a channel of deep water, into which all the +sharks rushed in a body, as if expressly to cut off his escape. Mulford +now paused to take breath, and to consider what ought to be done. On the +spot where he stood he was quite safe, though ancle-deep in the sea, the +shallow water extending to a considerable distance on all sides of him, +with the single exception of the channel in his front. He stood on the +very verge of that channel, and could see in the pellucid element before +him, that it was deep enough to float a vessel of some size. + +To venture into the midst of twenty sharks required desperation, and +Harry was not yet reduced to that. He had been so busy in making his way +to the point where he stood as to have no leisure to look for the wreck; +but he now turned his eyes in quest of that all-interesting object. He +saw the shawl fluttering in the breeze, and that was all he could see. +Tier had contrived to keep it flying as a signal where he was to be +found, but the hull of the schooner had sunk so low in the water that +they who were seated on its keel were not visible even at the short +distance which now separated them from Mulford. Encouraged by this +signal, and animated by the revived hope of still saving his companions, +Harry turned toward the channel, half inclined to face every danger +rather than to wait any longer. At that moment the fins were all gliding +along the channel from him, and in the same direction. Some object drew +the sharks away in a body, and the young mate let himself easily into +the water, and swam as noiselessly as he could toward the boat. + +It was a fearful trial, but Mulford felt that everything depended on +his success. Stimulated by his motive, and strengthened by the food and +water taken an hour before, never had he shown so much skill and power +in the water. In an incredibly short period he was half-way across the +channel, still swimming strong and unharmed. A few strokes more sent +him so near the boat that hope took full possession of his soul, and he +shouted in exultation. That indiscreet but natural cry, uttered so near +the surface of the sea, turned every shark upon him, as the pack springs +at the fox in view. Mulford was conscious of the folly of his cry the +instant it escaped him, and involuntarily he turned his head to note the +effect on his enemies. Every fin was gliding toward him--a dark array of +swift and furious foes. Ten thousand bayonets, levelled in their line, +could not have been one-half as terrible, and the efforts of the young +man became nearly frantic. But strong as he was, and ready in the +element, what is the movement of a man in the water compared to that of +a vigorous and voracious fish? Mulford could see those fins coming on +like a tempest, and he had just given up all hope, and was feeling his +flesh creep with terror, when his foot hit the rock. Giving himself an +onward plunge, he threw his body upward toward the boat, and into +so much shoaler water, at least a dozen feet by that single effort. +Recovering his legs as soon as possible, he turned to look behind him. +The water seemed alive with fins, each pair gliding back and forth, +as the bull-dog bounds in front of the ox's muzzle. Just then a +light-coloured object glanced past the young man, so near as almost to +touch him. It was a shark that had actually turned on its back to seize +its prey, and was only prevented from succeeding by being driven from +the line of its course by hitting the slimy rock, over which it was +compelled to make its plunge. The momentum with which it came on, added +to the inclination of the rock, forced the head and half of the body +of this terrible assailant into the air, giving the intended victim an +opportunity of seeing from what a fate he had escaped. Mulford avoided +this fish without much trouble, however, and the next instant he threw +himself into the boat, on the bottom of which he lay panting with the +violence of his exertions, and unable to move under the reaction which +now came over his system. + +The mate lay in the bottom of the boat, exhausted and unable to rise, +for several minutes; during that space he devoutly returned thanks +to God for his escape, and bethought him of the course he was next to +pursue, in order to effect the rescue of his companions. The boat was +larger than common. It was also well equipped--a mast and sail lying +along with the oars, on its thwarts. The rock placed Harry to windward +of the wreck, and by the time he felt sufficiently revived to rise and +look about him, his plan of proceeding was fully arranged in his own +mind. Among other things that he saw, as he still lay in the bottom +of the boat, was a breaker which he knew contained fresh water, and a +bread-bag. These were provisions that it was customary for the men to +make, when employed on boat duty; and the articles had been left where +he now saw them, in the hurry of the movements, as the brig quitted the +islets. + +Harry rose the instant he felt his strength returning. Striking +the breaker with his foot, and feeling the basket with a hand, he +ascertained that the one held its water, and the other its bread. This +was immense relief, for by this time the sufferings of the party on the +wreck must be returning with redoubled force. The mate then stepped the +mast, and fitted the sprit to the sail, knowing that the latter would +be seen fluttering in the wind by those on the wreck, and carry joy to +their hearts. After this considerate act, he began to examine into the +position of the boat. It was still aground, having been left by the +tide; but the water had already risen several inches, and by placing +himself on a gunwale, so as to bring the boat on its bilge, and pushing +with an oar, he soon got it into deep water. It only remained to haul +aft the sheet, and right the helm, to be standing through the channel, +at a rate that promised a speedy deliverance to his friends, and, most +of all, to Rose. + +Mulford glanced past the rocks and shoals, attended by the whole company +of the sharks. They moved before, behind, and on each side of him, as if +unwilling to abandon their prey, even after he had got beyond the limits +of their power to do him harm. It was not an easy thing to manage the +boat in that narrow and crooked channel, with no other guide for the +courses than the eye, and it required so much of the mate's vigilance to +keep clear of the sharp angles of the rocks, that he could not once cast +his eyes aside, to look for the fluttering shawl, which now composed the +standing signal of the wreck. At length the boat shot through the last +passage of the reef, and issued into open water. Mulford knew that +he must come out half a mile at least to leeward of his object, and, +without even raising his head, he flattened in the sheet, put his helm +down, and luffed close to the wind. Then, and then only, did he venture +to look around him. + +Our mate felt his heart leap toward his mouth, as he observed the +present state of the wreck. It was dead to windward of him, in the +first place, and it seemed to be entirely submerged. He saw the shawl +fluttering as before; for Tier had fastened one corner to a button-hole +of his own jacket, and another to the dress of Biddy, leaving the part +which might be called the fly, to rise at moments almost perpendicularly +in the air, in a way to render it visible at some distance. He saw also +the heads and the bodies of those on the schooner's bottom, but to him +they appeared to be standing in, or on, the water. The distance may have +contributed a little to this appearance, but no doubt remained that so +much air had escaped from the hold of the vessel, as to permit it to +sink altogether beneath the surface of the sea. It was time, indeed, to +proceed to the relief of the sufferers. + +Notwithstanding the boat sailed particularly fast, and worked +beautifully, it could not equal the impatience of Mulford to get on. +Passing away to the north-east a sufficient distance, as he thought, +to weather on the wreck, the young man tacked at last, and had the +happiness to see that every foot he proceeded was now in a direct line +toward Rose. It was only while tacking he perceived that all the fins +had disappeared. He felt little doubt that they had deserted him, in +order to push for the wreck, which offered so much larger, and so much +more attainable prey. This increased his feverish desire to get on, the +boat seeming to drag, in his eyes, at the very moment it was leaving a +wake full of eddies and little whirlpools. The wind was steady, but it +seemed to Mulford that the boat was set to leeward of her course by a +current, though this could hardly have been the case, as the wreck, the +sole mark of his progress, would have had at least as great a drift as +the boat. At length Mulford--to him it appeared to be an age; in truth +it was after a run of about twenty minutes--came near the goal he so +earnestly sought, and got an accurate view of the state of the wreck, +and of those on it. The hull of the schooner had, in truth, sunk +entirely beneath the surface of the sea; and the party it sustained +stood already knee-deep in the water. This was sufficiently appalling; +but the presence of the sharks, who were crowding around the spot, +rendered the whole scene frightful. To the young mate it seemed as if +he must still be too late to save Rose from a fate more terrible than +drowning, for his boat fell so far to leeward as to compel him to tack +once more. As he swept past the wreck, he called out to encourage his +friends, begging them to be of good heart for five minutes longer, when +he should be able to reach them. Rose held out her arms entreatingly, +and the screams of Mrs. Budd and Biddy, which were extorted by the +closer and closer approach of the sharks, proclaimed the imminency of +the danger they ran, and the importance of not losing a moment of time. + +Mulford took his distance with a seaman's eye, and the boat went about +like a top. The latter fell off, and the sail filled on the other tack. +Then the young mariner saw, with a joy no description can pourtray, that +he looked to windward of the fluttering shawl, toward which his little +craft was already flying. He afterward believed that shawl alone +prevented the voracious party of fish from assailing those on the wreck, +for, though there might not yet be sufficient depth of water to allow +of their customary mode of attack, creatures of their voracity did not +always wait for such conveniences. But the boat was soon in the midst +of the fins, scattering them in all directions; and Mulford let go his +sheet, put his helm down, and sprang forward to catch the extended arms +of Rose. + +It might have been accident, or it might have been the result of skill +and interest in our heroine, but certain it is, that the bows of the +boat came on the wreck precisely at the place where Rose stood, and her +hand was the first object that the young man touched. + +“Take my aunt first,” cried Rose, resisting Mulford's efforts to lift +her into the boat; “she is dreadfully alarmed, and can stand with +difficulty.” + +Although two of Rose's activity and lightness might have been drawn into +the boat, while the process was going on in behalf of the widow, Mulford +lost no time in discussion, but did as he was desired. First directing +Tier to hold on to the painter, he applied his strength to the arms +of Mrs. Budd, and, assisted by Rose and Biddy, got her safely into the +boat, over its bows. Rose now waited not for assistance, but followed +her aunt with a haste that proved fear lent her strength in despite her +long fast. Biddy came next, though clumsily, and not without trouble, +and Jack Tier followed the instant he was permitted so to do. Of course, +the boat, no longer held by its painter, drifted away from the spot, and +the hull of the schooner, relieved from the weight of four human beings, +rose so near the surface again as to bring a small line of its keel out +of water. No better evidence could have been given of the trifling power +which sustained it, and of the timely nature of the succour brought by +Mulford. Had the boat remained near the schooner, it would have been +found half an hour later that the hull had sunk slowly out of sight, +finding its way, doubtless, inch by inch, toward the bottom of the Gulf. + +By this time the sun was well up, and the warmth of the hour, season, +and latitude, was shed on the sufferers. There was an old sail in the +boat, and in this the party dried their limbs and feet, which were +getting to be numb by their long immersion. Then the mate produced the +bag and opened it, in quest of bread. A small portion was given to each, +and, on looking farther, the mate discovered that a piece of boiled +ship's beef had been secreted in this receptacle. Of this also he gave +each a moderate slice, taking a larger portion for himself, as requiring +less precaution. The suffering of the party from hunger was far less +than that they endured from thirst. Neither had been endured long enough +seriously to enfeeble them or render a full meal very dangerous, but the +thirst had been much the hardest to be borne. Of this fact Biddy soon +gave audible evidence. + +“The mate is good,” she said, “and the bread tastes swate and +refreshing, but wather is a blessed thing. Can you no give us one dhrap +of the wather that falls from heaven, Mr. Mulford; for this wather of +the saa is of no use but to drown Christians in?” + +In an instant the mate had opened a breaker, and filled the tin pot +which is almost always to be found in a boat. Biddy said no more, but +her eyes pleaded so eloquently, that Rose begged the faithful creature +might have the first drink. One eager swallow went down, and then a cry +of disappointment succeeded. The water was salt, and had been put in the +breaker for ballast. The other breaker was tried with the same success. + +“It is terrible to be without one drop of water,” murmured Rose, “and +this food makes it more necessary than ever.” + +“Patience, patience, dearest Rose--patience for ten minutes, and you +shall all drink,” answered the mate, filling the sail and keeping the +boat away while speaking. “There is water, God be praised, on the rock +to which I first swam, and we will secure it before another day's sun +help to make it evaporate.” + +This announcement quieted the longings of those who endured a thirst +which disappointment rendered doubly hard to bear; and away the boat +glided toward the rock. As he now flew over the distance, lessened more +than one-half by the drift of the wreck, Mulford recalled the scene +through which he had so painfully passed the previous night. As often +happens, he shuddered at the recollection of things which, at the +moment, a desperate resolution had enabled him to encounter with +firmness. Still, he thought nothing less than the ardent desire to save +Rose could have carried him through the trial with the success +which attended his struggles. The dear being at his side asked a few +explanations of what had passed; and she bowed her head and wept, +equally with pain and delight, as imagination pictured to her the +situation of her betrothed, amid that waste of water, with his fearful +companions, and all in the hours of deep night. + +But that was over now. There was the rock--the blessed rock on which +Mulford had so accidentally struck, close before them--and presently +they were all on it. The mate took the pot and ran to the little +reservoir, returning with a sweet draught for each of the party. + +“A blessed, blessed thing, is wather!” exclaimed Biddy, this time +finding the relief she sought, “and a thousand blessings on _you,_ Mr. +Mulford, who have niver done us anything but good.” + +Rose looked a still higher eulogy on the young man, and even Mrs. Budd +had something commendatory and grateful to say. Jack Tier was silent, +but he had all his eyes about him, as he now proved. + +“We've all on us been so much taken up with our own affairs,” remarked +the steward's assistant, “that we've taken but little notice of the +neighbourhood. If that is n't the brig, Mr. Mulford, running through +this very passage, with stun'sails set alow and aloft, I do n't know the +Molly Swash when I see her!” + +“The brig!” exclaimed the mate, recollecting the vessels he had seen at +the break-of-day, for the first time in hours. “Can it be possible that +the craft I made out to the southward, is the brig?” + +“Look, and judge for yourself, sir. There she comes, like a race-horse, +and if she holds her present course, she must pass somewhere within a +mile or so of us, if we stay where we are.” + +Mulford did look, as did all with him. There was the Swash, sure enough, +coming down before the wind, and under a cloud of canvas. She might +be still a league, or a league and a half distant, but, at the rate +at which she was travelling, that distance would soon be past. She was +running through the passage, no doubt with a view to proceed to the Dry +Tortugas, to look after the schooner, Spike having the hope that he had +dodged his pursuers on the coast of Cuba. The mate now looked for the +ship, in the north-western board, believing, as he did, that she was +the sloop-of-war. That vessel had gone about, and was standing to the +southward, on a taut bowline. She was still a long way off, three or +four leagues at least, but the change she had made in her position, +since last seen, proved that she was a great sailer. Then she was more +than hull down, whereas, now, she was near enough to let the outline of +a long, straight fabric be discovered beneath her canvas. + +“It is hardly possible that Spike should not see the vessel here in the +northern board,” Mulford observed to Tier, who had been examining the +ship with him. “The lookout is usually good on board the Swash, and, +just now, should certainly be as good as common. Spike is no dawdler +with serious business before him.” + +“He's a willain!” muttered Jack Tier. + +The mate regarded his companion with some surprise. Jack was a very +insignificant-looking personage in common, and one would scarcely pause +to give him a second look, unless it might be to laugh at his rotundity +and little waddling legs. But, now, the mate fancied he was swelling +with feelings that actually imparted somewhat more than usual stature +and dignity to his appearance. His face was full of indignation, and +there was something about the eye, that to Mulford was inexplicable. +As Rose, however, had related to him the scene that took place on the +islet, at the moment when Spike was departing, the mate supposed that +Jack still felt a portion of the resentment that such a collision would +be apt to create. From the expression of Jack's countenance at that +instant, it struck him Spike might not be exactly safe, should accident +put it in the power of the former to do him an injury. + +It was now necessary to decide on the course that ought to be pursued. +The bag contained sufficient food to last the party several days, and a +gallon of water still remained in the cavity of the rock. This last was +collected and put in one of the breakers, which was emptied of the salt +water in order to receive it. As water, however, was the great necessity +in that latitude, Mulford did not deem it prudent to set sail with so +small a supply, and he accordingly commenced a search, on some of the +adjacent rocks, Jack Tier accompanying him. They succeeded in doubling +their stock of water, and collected several shell-fish, that the females +found exceedingly grateful and refreshing. On the score of hunger and +thirst, indeed, no one was now suffering. By judiciously sipping a +little water at a time, and retaining it in the mouth before swallowing, +the latter painful feeling had been gotten rid of; and as for food, +there was even more than was actually needed, and that of a very good +quality. It is probable that standing in the water for hours, as Rose, +and her aunt, and Biddy had been obliged to do, had contributed to +lessen the pain endured from thirst, though they had all suffered a good +deal from that cause, especially while the sun shone. + +Mulford and Tier were half an hour in obtaining the water. By the end of +that period the brigantine was so near as to render her hull distinctly +visible. It was high time to decide on their future course. The sail had +been brailed when the boat reached the rock, and the boat itself lay +on the side of the latter opposite to the brig, and where no part of +it could be seen to those on board the Swash, with the exception of the +mast. Under the circumstances, therefore, Mulford thought it wisest to +remain where they were, and let the vessel pass, before they attempted +to proceed toward Key West, their intended place of refuge. In order to +do this, however, it was necessary to cause the whole party to lie down, +in such a way as to be hid by the inequalities in the rock, as it +was now very evident the brig would pass within half a mile of them. +Hitherto, it was not probable that they had been seen, and by using due +caution, the chances of Spike's overlooking them altogether amounted +nearly to certainty. + +The necessary arrangements were soon made, the boat's masts unstepped, +the party placed behind their covers, and the females comfortably +bestowed in the spare sail, where they might got a little undisturbed +sleep after the dreadful night, or morning, they had passed. Even Jack +Tier lay down to catch his nap, as the most useful manner of bestowing +himself for a couple of hours; the time Mulford had mentioned as the +period of their stay where they were. + +As for the mate, vigilance was his portion, and he took his position, +hid like all the rest, where he could watch the movements of his old +craft. In about twenty minutes, the brig was quite near; so near that +Mulford not only saw the people on board her, who showed themselves +in the rigging, but fancied he could recognise their persons. As yet, +nothing had occurred in the way of change, but, just as the Swash got +abreast of the rock, she began to take in her studding-sails, and that +hurriedly, as is apt to occur on board a vessel in sudden emergencies. +Our young man was a little alarmed at first, believing that they might +have been discovered, but he was soon induced to think that the crew of +the brigantine had just then begun to suspect the character of the ship +to the northward. That vessel had been drawing near all this time, and +was now only some three leagues distant. Owing to the manner in which +she headed, or bows on, it was not a very easy matter to tell the +character of this stranger, though the symmetry and squareness of his +yards rendered it nearly certain he was a cruiser. Though Spike could +not expect to meet his old acquaintance here, after the chase he had so +lately led her, down on the opposite coast, he might and would have his +misgivings, and Mulford thought it was his intention to haul up close +round the northern angle of the reef, and maintain his advantage of the +wind, over the stranger. If this were actually done, it might expose the +boat to view, for the brig would pass within a quarter of a mile of it, +and on the side of the rock on which it lay. It was too late, however, +to attempt a change, since the appearance of human beings in such a +place would be certain to draw the brig's glasses on them, and the +glasses must at once let Spike know who they were. It remained, +therefore, only to await the result as patiently as possible. + +A very few minutes removed all doubt. The brig hauled as close round +the reef as she dared to venture, and in a very short time the boat lay +exposed to view to all on board her. The vessel was now so near that +Mulford plainly saw the boatswain get upon the coach-house, or little +hurricane-house deck, where Spike stood examining the ship with his +glass, and point out the boat, where it lay at the side of the rock. +In an instant, the glass was levelled at the spot, and the movements +on board the brig immediately betrayed to Mulford that the boat was +recognised. Sail was shortened on board the Swash, and men were seen +preparing to lower her stern boat, while everything indicated that the +vessel was about to be hove-to. There was no time now to be lost, but +the young man immediately gave the alarm. + +No sooner did the party arise and show themselves, than the crew of +the Swash gave three cheers. By the aid of the glass, Spike doubtless +recognised their persons, and the fact was announced to the men, by +way of stimulating their exertions. This gave an additional spur to the +movements of those on the rock, who hastened into their own boat, and +made sail as soon as possible. + +It was far easier to do all that has been described, than to determine +on the future course. Capture was certain if the fugitives ventured +into the open water, and their only hope was to remain on the reef. If +channels for the passage of the boat could be found, escape was highly +probable, as the schooner's boat could sail much faster than the brig's +boat could row, fast as Mulford knew the last to be. But the experience +of the morning had told the mate that the rock rose too near the +surface, in many places, for the boat, small as it was, to pass over +it; and he must trust a great deal to chance. Away he went, however, +standing along a narrow channel, through which the wind just permitted +him to lay, with the sail occasionally shaking. + +By this time the Swash had her boat in the water, manned with four +powerful oars, Spike steering it in his own person. Our young mate +placed Tier in the bows, to point out the deepest water, and kept his +sail a rap full, in order to get ahead as fast as possible. Ahead he did +get, but it was on a course that soon brought him out in the open water +of the main passage through the reef, leaving Spike materially astern. +The latter now rose in his boat, and made a signal with his hat, which +the boatswain perfectly understood. The latter caused the brig to ware +short round on her heel, and boarded his foretack in chase, hauling up +into the passage as soon as he could again round the reef. Mulford soon +saw that it would never do for him to venture far from the rocks, the +brig going two feet to his one, though not looking quite as high as he +did in the boat. But the Swash had her guns, and it was probable they +would be used rather than he should escape. When distant two hundred +yards from the reef, therefore, he tacked. The new course brought the +fugitives nearly at right angles to that steered by Spike, who stood +directly on, as if conscious that, sooner or later, such a rencounter +must occur. It would seem that the tide was setting through the passage, +for when the boat of Mulford again reached the reef, it was considerably +to windward of the channel out of which she had issued, and opposite to +another which offered very opportunely for her entrance. Into this new +channel, then, the mate somewhat blindly ran, feeling the necessity of +getting out of gun-shot of the brig at every hazard. She at least could +not follow him among the rocks, let Spike, in his boat, proceed as he +might. + +According to appearances, Spike was not likely to be very successful. +He was obliged to diverge from his course, in order to go into the main +passage at the very point where Mulford had just before done the same +thing, and pull along the reef to windward, in order to get into the +new channel, into which the boat he was pursuing had just entered. This +brought him not only astern again, but a long bit astern, inasmuch as +he was compelled to make the circuit described. On he went, however, as +eager in the chase as the hound with his game in view. + +Mulford's boat seemed to fly, and glided ahead at least three feet to +that of Spike's two. The direction of the channel it was in, brought it +pretty close to the wind, but the water was quite smooth, and our mate +managed to keep the sail full, and his little craft at the same time +quite near the weatherly side of the rocks. In the course of ten minutes +the fugitives were fully a mile from the brig, which was unable to +follow them, but kept standing off and on, in the main passage, waiting +the result. At one time Mulford thought the channel would bring him out +into open water again, on the northern side of the reef, and more than +a mile to the eastward of the point where the ship-channel in which the +Swash was plying commenced; but an accidental circumstance prevented his +standing in far enough to ascertain the fact. That circumstance was as +follows: + +In running a mile and a half over the reef, in the manner described, +Mulford had left the boat of Spike quite half a mile astern. He was +now out of gun-shot from the brig, or at least beyond the range of her +grape, the only missile he feared, and so far to windward that he kept +his eye on every opening to the southward, which he fancied might allow +of his making a stretch deeper into the mazes of the reef, among which +he believed it easiest for him to escape, and to weary the oarsmen of +his pursuers. Two or three of these openings offered as he glided along, +but it struck him that they all looked so high that the boat would not +lay through them--an opinion in which he was right. At length he came +abreast of one that seemed straight and clear of obstacles as far as +he could see, and through which he might run with a flowing sheet. Down +went his helm, and about went his boat, running away to the southward as +fast as ever. + +Had Spike followed, doubled the same shoal, and kept away again in the +same channel as had been done by the boat he chased, all his hopes of +success must have vanished at once. This he did not attempt, therefore; +but, sheering into one of the openings which the mate had rejected, he +cut off quite half a mile in his distance. This was easy enough for him +to accomplish, as a row-boat would pull even easier, near to the wind, +than with the wind broad on its bow. In consequence of this short cut, +therefore, Spike was actually crossing out into Mulford's new channel, +just as the latter had handsomely cleared the mouth of the opening +through which he effected his purpose. + +It is scarcely necessary to say that the two boats must have been for a +few minutes quite near to each other; so near, indeed, did the fugitives +now pass to their pursuers, that it would have been easy for them +to have conversed, had they been so disposed. Not a word was spoken, +however, but Mulford went by, leaving Spike about a hundred yards +astern. This was a trying moment to the latter, and the devil tempted +him to seek his revenge. He had not come unarmed on his enterprise, but +three or four loaded muskets lay in the stern-sheets of his yawl. He +looked at his men, and saw that they could not hold out much longer to +pull as they had been pulling. Then he looked at Mulford's boat, and saw +it gliding away from him at a rate that would shortly place it another +half mile in advance. He seized a musket, and raised it to his shoulder, +nay, was in the act of taking aim at his mate, when Rose, who watched +his movements, threw herself before Harry, and if she did not actually +save his life, at least prevented Spike's attempt on it for that +occasion. In the course of the next ten minutes the fugitives had again +so far gained on their pursuers, that the latter began to see that their +efforts were useless. Spike muttered a few bitter curses, and told his +men to lay on their oars. + +“It's well for the runaway,” he added, “that the gal put herself between +us, else would his grog have been stopped for ever. I've long suspected +this; but had I been sure of it, the Gulf Stream would have had the +keeping of his body, the first dark night we were in it together. Lay +on your oars, men, lay on your oars; I'm afeared the villian will get +through our fingers, a'ter all.” + +The men obeyed, and then, for the first time, did they turn their heads, +to look at those they had been so vehemently pursuing. The other boat +was quite half a mile from them, and it had again tacked. This last +occurrence induced Spike to pull slowly ahead, in quest of another short +passage to cut the fugitives off; but no such opening offered. + +“There he goes about again, by George!” exclaimed Spike. “Give way, +lads--give way; an easy stroke, for if he is embayed, he can't escape +us!” + +Sure enough, poor Mulford _was_ embayed, and could see no outlet by +which to pass ahead. He tacked his boat two or three times, and he wore +round as often; but on every side shoals, or rocks that actually rose +above the surface of the water, impeded his course. The fact was not to +be concealed; after all his efforts, and so many promises of success, +not only was his further progress ahead cut off, but equally so was +retreat. The passage was not wide enough to admit the hope of getting by +his pursuers, and the young man came to the conclusion that his better +course was to submit with dignity to his fate. For himself he had +no hope--he knew Spike's character too well for that; but he did not +apprehend any great immediate danger to his companions. Spike had a +coarse, brutal admiration for Rose! but her expected fortune, which was +believed to be of more amount than was actually the case, was a sort of +pledge that he would not willingly put himself in a situation that would +prevent the possibility of enjoying it. Strange, hurried, and somewhat +confused thoughts passed through Harry Mulford's mind, as he brailed his +sail, and waited for his captors to approach and take possession of his +boat and himself. This was done quietly, and with very few words on the +part of Spike. + +Mulford would have liked the appearance of things better had his old +commander cursed him, and betrayed other signs of the fury that was +boiling in his very soul. On the contrary, never had Stephen Spike +seemed more calm, or under better self-command. He smiled, and saluted +Mrs. Budd, just as if nothing unpleasant had occurred, and alluded to +the sharpness of the chase with facetiousness and seeming good-humour. +The females were deceived by this manner, and hoped, after all, that the +worst that would happen would be a return to their old position on +board the Swash. This was being so much better off than their horrible +situation on the wreck, that the change was not frightful to them. + +“What has become of the schooner, Mr. Mulford?” asked Spike, as the +boats began to pass down the channel to return to the brig--two of the +Swash's men taking their seats in that which had been captured, along +with their commander, while the other two got a tow from the use of the +sail. “I see you have the boat here that we used alongside of her, and +suppose you know something of the craft itself.” + +“She capsized with us in a squall,” answered the mate, “and we only left +the wreck this morning.” + +“Capsized!--hum--that was a hard fate, to be sure, and denotes bad +seamanship. Now I've sailed all sorts of craft these forty years, or +five-and-thirty at least, and never cap-sized anything in my life. Stand +by there for'ard to hold on by that rock.” + +A solitary cap of the coral rose above the water two or three feet, +close to the channel, and was the rock to which Spike alluded. It was +only some fifty feet in diameter, and of an oval form, rising quite +above the ordinary tides, as was apparent by its appearance. It is +scarcely necessary to say it had no other fresh water than that which +occasionally fell on its surface, which surface being quite smooth, +retained very little of the rain it received. The boat was soon +alongside of this rock, where it was held broadside-to by the two +seamen. + +“Mr. Mulford, do me the favour to step up here,” said Spike, leading the +way on to the rock himself. “I have a word to say to you before we get +on board the old Molly once more.” + +Mulford silently complied, fully expecting that Spike intended to blow +his brains out, and willing the bloody deed should be done in a way to +be as little shocking to Rose as circumstances would allow. But Spike +manifested no such intention. A more refined cruelty was uppermost +in his mind; and his revenge was calculated, and took care to fortify +itself with some of the quibbles and artifices of the law. He might not +be exactly right in his legal reservations, but he did not the less rely +on their virtue. + +“Hark'e, Mr. Mulford,” said Spike, sharply, as soon as both were on the +rock, “you have run from my brig, thereby showing your distaste for her; +and I've no disposition to keep a man who wishes to quit me. Here you +are, sir, on _terrum firm,_ as the scholars call it; and here you have +my full permission to remain. I wish you a good morning, sir; and will +not fail to report, when we get in, that you left the brig of your own +pleasure.” + +“You will not have the cruelty to abandon me on this naked rock, Captain +Spike, and that without a morsel of food, or a drop of water.” + +“Wather is a blessed thing!” exclaimed Biddy. “Do not think of lavin' +the gentleman widout wather.” + +“You left _me,_ sir, without food or water, and you can fit out your own +rock--yes, d--e, sir, you left me _under fire,_ and that is a thing no +true-hearted man would have thought of. Stand by to make sail, boys; and +if he offer to enter the boat, pitch him out with the boat-hooks.” + +Spike was getting angry, and he entered the boat again, without +perceiving that Rose had left it. Light of foot, and resolute of spirit, +the beautiful girl, handsomer than ever perhaps, by her excited feelings +and dishevelled hair, had sprung on the rock, as Spike stepped into +the boat forward, and when the latter turned round, after loosening +the sail, he found he was drifting away from the very being who was +the object of all his efforts. Mulford, believing that Rose was to +be abandoned as well as himself, received the noble girl in his arms, +though ready to implore Spike, on his knees, to return and at least +to take her off. But Spike wanted no solicitation on that point. He +returned of his own accord, and had just reached the rock again when a +report of a gun drew all eyes toward the brig. + +The Swash had again run out of the passage, and was beating up, close +to the reef as she dared to go, with a signal flying. All the seamen at +once understood the cause of this hint. The strange sail was getting too +near, and everybody could see that it was the sloop-of-war. Spike looked +at Rose, a moment, in doubt. But Mulford raised his beloved in his arms, +and carried her to the side of the rock, stepping on board the boat. + +Spike watched the movements of the young man with jealous vigilance, and +no sooner was Rose placed on her seat, than he motioned significantly to +the mate to quit the boat. + +“I cannot and will not voluntarily, Captain Spike,” answered Harry, +calmly. “It would be committing a sort of suicide.” + +A sign brought two of the men to the captain's assistance. While the +latter held Rose in her place, the sailors shoved Harry on the rock +again. Had Mulford been disposed to resist, these two men could not very +easily have ejected him from the boat, if they could have done it at +all; but he knew there were others in reserve, and feared that blood +might be shed, in the irritated state of Spike, in the presence of Rose. +While, therefore, he would not be accessary to his own destruction, he +would not engage in what he knew would prove not only a most harassing, +but a bootless resistance. The consequence was that the boats proceeded, +leaving him alone on the rock. + +It was perhaps fortunate for Rose that she fainted. Her condition +occupied her aunt and Biddy, and Spike was enabled to reach his brig +without any further interruption. Rose was taken on board still nearly +insensible, while her two female companions were so much confused and +distressed, that neither could have given a reasonably clear account of +what had just occurred. Not so with Jack Tier, however. That singular +being noted all that passed, seated in the eyes of the boat, away +from the confusion that prevailed in its stern-sheets, and apparently +undisturbed by it. + +As the party was sailing back toward the brig, the lighthouse boat +towing the Swash's yawl, Jack took as good an observation of the +channels of that part of the reef as his low position would allow. He +tried to form in his mind a sort of chart of the spot, for, from the +instant Mulford was thus deserted, the little fellow had formed a stern +resolution to attempt his rescue. How that was to be done, however, was +more than he yet knew; and when they reached the brig's side, Tier may +be said to have been filled with good intentions, rather than with any +very available knowledge to enable him to put them in execution. + +As respects the two vessels, the arrival of Spike on board his own +was not a moment too soon. The Poughkeepsie, for the stranger to the +northward was now ascertained to be that sloop-of-war, was within long +gun-shot by this time, and near enough to make certain, by means of +her glasses, of the character of the craft with which she was closing. +Luckily for the brig she lay in the channel so often mentioned, and +through which both she and her present pursuer had so lately come, on +their way to the northward. This brought her to windward, as the wind +then stood, with a clear passage before her. Not a moment was lost. No +sooner were the females sent below, than sail was made on the brig, and +she began to beat through the passage, making long legs and short ones. +She was chased, as a matter of course, and that hard, the difference in +sailing between the two crafts not being sufficiently great to render +the brigantine's escape by any means certain, while absolutely within +the range of those terrible missiles that were used by the man-of-war's +men. + +But Spike soon determined not to leave a point so delicate as that of +his own and his vessel's security to be decided by a mere superiority in +the way of heels. The Florida Reef, with all its dangers, windings, +and rocks, was as well known to him as the entrances to the port of New +York. In addition to its larger channels, of which there are three or +four, through which ships of size can pass, it had many others that +would admit only vessels of a lighter draught of water. The brig was not +flying light, it is true, but she was merely in good ballast trim, and +passages would be available to her, into which the Poughkeepsie would +not dare to venture. One of these lesser channels was favourably placed +to further the escape of Spike, and he shoved the brig into it after the +struggle had lasted less than an hour. This passage offered a shorter +cut to the south side of the reef than the main channel, and the +sloop-of-war, doubtless perceiving the uselessness of pursuit, under +such circumstances, wore round on her heel, and came down through the +main channel again, just entering the open water, near the spot where +the schooner had sunk, as the sun was setting. + + + +CHAPTER II. + + _Shallow._ Did her grandsire leave her seven hundred pound? + + _Evans._ Ay, and her father is make her a petter penny. + + _Shallow._ I know the young gentlewoman; she has good gifts. + + _Evans._ Seven hundred pounds, and possibilities, is good gifts. + + Shakspeare. + +As for Spike, he had no intention of going to the southward of the +Florida Reef again until his business called him there. The lost bag of +doubloons was still gleaming before his imagination, and no sooner did +the Poughkeepsie bear up, than he shortened sail, standing back and +forth in his narrow and crooked channel, rather losing ground than +gaining, though he took great pains not to let his artifice be seen. +When the Poughkeepsie was so far to the northward as to render it safe, +he took in everything but one or two of his lowest sails, and followed +easily in the same direction. As the sloop-of-war carried her light +and loftier sails, she remained visible to the people of the Swash +long after the Swash had ceased to be visible to her. Profiting by this +circumstance, Spike entered the main channel again some time before it +was dark, and selected a safe anchorage there that was well known to +him; a spot where sufficient sand had collected on the coral to make +good holding ground, and where a vessel would be nearly embayed, though +always to windward of her channel going out, by the formation of the +reef. Here he anchored, in order to wait until morning ere he ventured +further north. During the whole of that dreadful day, Rose had remained +in her cabin, disconsolate, nearly unable, as she was absolutely +unwilling to converse. Now it was that she felt the total insufficiency +of a mind feeble as that of her aunt's to administer consolation to +misery like her own. Nevertheless, the affectionate solicitude of Mrs. +Budd, as well as that of the faithful creature, Biddy, brought some +relief, and reason and resignation began slowly to resume their +influence. Yet was the horrible picture of Harry, dying by inches, +deserted in the midst of the waters on his solitary rock, ever present +to her thoughts, until, once or twice, her feelings verged on madness. +Prayer brought its customary relief, however; and we do not think that +we much exaggerate the fact, when we say that Rose passed fully one-half +of that terrible afternoon on her knees. + +As for Jack Tier, he was received on board the brig much as if nothing +had happened. Spike passed and repassed him fifty times, without even an +angry look, or a word of abuse; and the deputy-steward dropped quietly +into the duties of his office, without meeting with either reproach +or hindrance. The only allusion, indeed, that was made to his recent +adventures, took place in a conversation that was held on the subject in +the galley, the interlocutors being Jack himself, Josh, the steward, and +Simon, the cook. + +“Where you been scullin' to, 'bout on dat reef, Jack, wid dem' ere +women, I won'er now?” demanded Josh, after tasting the cabin soup, in +order to ascertain how near it was to being done. “It'ink it no great +fun to dodge 'bout among dem rock in a boat, for anudder hurricane might +come when a body least expeck him.” + +“Oh,” said Jack, cavalierly, “two hurricanes no more come in one month, +than two shot in the same hole. We've been turtlin', that's all. I wish +we had in your coppers, cook, some of the critturs that we fell in with +in our cruise.” + +“Wish'e had, master steward, wid all my heart,” answered the fat, +glistening potentate of the galley. “But, hark'ee, Jack; what became of +our young mate, can 'e tell? Some say he get kill at'e Dry Tortugas, and +some say he war' scullin' round in dat boat you hab, wid'e young woman, +eh?” + +“Ah, boys,” answered Jack, mournfully, “sure enough, what _has_ become +of him?” + +“You know, why can't you tell? What good to hab secret among friend.” + +“_Are_ ye his friends, lads? Do you really feel as if you could give a +poor soul in its agony a helpin' hand?” + +“Why not?” said Josh, in a reproachful way. “Misser Mulford'e bess mate +dis brig ebber get; and I don't see why Cap'in Spike-want to be rid of +him.” + +“Because he's a willian!” returned Jack between his grated teeth. “D'ye +know what that means in English, master Josh; and can you and cook +here, both of whom have sailed with the man years in and years out, say +whether my words be true or not?” + +“Dat as a body understand 'em. Accordin' to some rule, Stephen Spike +not a werry honest man; but accordin' to 'nudder some, he as good as any +body else.” + +“Yes, dat just be upshot of de matter,” put in Simon, approvingly. “De +whole case lie in dat meanin'.” + +“D'ye call it right to leave a human being to starve, or to suffer for +water, on a naked rock, in the midst of the ocean?” + +“Who do dat?” + +“The willian who is captain of this brig; and all because he thinks +young eyes and bloomin' cheeks prefar young eyes and bloomin' cheeks to +his own grizzly beard and old look-outs.” + +“Dat bad; dat werry bad,” said Josh, shaking his head, a way of denoting +dissatisfaction, in which Simon joined him; for no crime appeared +sufficiently grave in the eyes of these two sleek and well-fed officials +to justify such a punishment. “Dat mons'ous bad, and cap'in ought to +know better dan do _dat_. I nebber starves a mouse, if I catches him in +de bread-locker. Now, dat a sort of reason'ble punishment, too; but I +nebber does it. If mouse eat my bread, it do seem right to tell mouse +dat he hab enough, and dat he must not eat any more for a week, or a +mont', but it too cruel for me, and I nebber does it; no, I t'rows de +little debil overboard, and lets him drown like a gentle'em.” + +“Y-e-s,” drawled out Simon, in a philanthropical tone of voice, “dat'e +best way. What good it do to torment a fellow critter? If Misser Mulford +run, why put him down run, and let him go, I say, on'y mulk his wages; +but what good it do anybody to starve him? Now dis is my opinion, +gentle'em, and dat is, dat starwation be wuss dan choleric. Choleric +kill, I knows, and so does starwation kill; but of de two, gib me de +choleric fuss; if I gets well of dat, den try starwation if you can.” + +“I'm glad to hear you talk in this manner, my hearties,” put in Jack; +“and I hope I may find you accommodatin' in a plan I've got to help the +maty out of this difficulty. As a friend of Stephen Spike's I would do +it; for it must be a terrible thing to die with such a murder on one's +soul. Here's the boat that we pick'd up at the light-house, yonder, +in tow of the brig at this minute; and there's everything in her +comfortable for a good long run, as I know from having sailed in her; +and what I mean is this: as we left Mr. Mulford, I took the bearings and +distance of the rock he was on, d'ye understand, and think I could find +my way back to it. You see the brig is travelin' slowly north ag'in, and +afore long we shall be in the neighbourhood of that very rock. We, cook +and stewards, will be called on to keep an anchor-watch, if the brig +fetches up, as I heard the captain tell the Spanish gentleman he thought +she would; and then we can take the boat that's in the water and go and +have a hunt for the maty.” + +The two blacks looked at Tier earnestly; then they turned their heads to +look at each other. The idea struck each as bold and novel, but each +saw serious difficulties in it. At length Josh, as became his superior +station, took on himself the office of expressing the objections that +occurred to his mind. + +“Dat nebber do!” exclaimed the steward. “We be's quite willin' to +sarve'e mate, who's a good gentle'em, and as nice a young man as ever +sung out, 'hard a-lee,' but we must t'ink little bit of number one; or, +for dat matter, of number two, as Simon would be implercated as well as +myself. If Cap'in Spike once knew we've lent a hand in sich a job, he'd +never overlook it. I knows him, _well;_ and that is sayin' as much +as need be said of any man's character. You nebber catch _me_ runnin' +myself into his jaws; would rather fight a shark widout any knife. No, +no--I knows him _well_. Den comes anudder werry unanswerable objecsh'un, +and dat is, dat'e brig owe bot' Simon and I money. Fifty dollars, each +on us, if she owe one cent. Now, do you t'ink in cander, Jack, dat two +colour' gentle'em, like us, can t'row away our fortins like two sons of +a York merchant dat has inherited a hundred t'ousand dollar tudder day?” + +“There is no occasion for running at all, or for losing your wages.” + +“How you get'e mate off, den? Can he walk away on de water? If so, let +him go widout us. A werry good gentle'em is Misser Mulford, but not good +enough to mulk Simon and me out of fifty dollar each.” + +“You will not hear my project, Josh, and so will never know what I would +be at.” + +“Well, come, tell him jest as you surposes him. Now listen, Simon, so +dat not a word be loss.” + +“My plan is to take the boat, if we anchor, as anchor I know we shall, +and go and find the rock and bring Mr. Mulford off; then we can come +back to the brig, and get on board ourselves, and let the mate sail away +in the boat by himself. On this plan nobody will run, and no wages be +mulcted.” + +“But dat take time and an anchor-watch last but two hour, surposin' even +dat'ey puts all t'ree of us in de same watch.” + +“Spike usually does that, you know. 'Let the cook and the stewards keep +the midnight watch,' he commonly says, 'and that will give the foremost +hands a better snooze.”' + +“Yes, he do say _dat,_ Josh,” put in Simon, “most ebbery time we +comes-to.” + +“I know he does, and surposes he will say it to-night, if he comes-to +to-night. But a two hour watch may not be long enough to do all you +wants; and den, jest t'ink for a moment, should 'e cap'in come on deck +and hail'e forecastle, and find us all gone, I wouldn't be in your skin, +Jack, for dis brig, in sich a kerlamity. I knows Cap'in Spike well; +t'ree time I endebber to run myself, and each time he bring me up wid +a round turn; so, now-a-days, I nebber t'inks of sich a projeck any +longer.” + +“But I do not intend to leave the forecastle without some one on it to +answer a hail. No, all I want is a companion; for I do not like to go +out on the reef at midnight, all alone. If one of you will go with me, +the other can stay and answer the captain's hail, should he really come +on deck in our watch--a thing very little likely to happen. When once +his head is on his pillow, a'ter a hard day's work, it's not very apt +to be lifted ag'in without a call, or a squall. If you do know Stephen +Spike _well,_ Josh, I know him better.” + +“Well, Jack, dis here is a new idee, d'ye see, and a body must take time +to consider on it. If Simon and I do ship for dis v'y'ge, 't will be for +lub of Mr. Mulford, and not for _his_ money or _your'n”_. + +This was all the encouragement of his project Jack Tier could obtain, on +that occasion, from either his brother steward, or from the cook. These +blacks were well enough disposed to rescue an innocent and unoffending +man from the atrocious death to which Spike had condemned his mate, but +neither lost sight of his own security and interest. They promised Tier +not to betray him, however; and he had the fullest confidence in their +pledges. They who live together in common, usually understand the +feeling that prevails, on any given point, in their own set; and Jack +felt pretty certain that Harry was a greater favourite in and about the +camboose than the captain. On that feeling he relied, and he was fain to +wait the course of events, ere he came to any absolute conclusion as to +his own course. + +The interview in the galley took place about half an hour before the +brig anchored for the night. Tier, who often assisted on such occasions, +went aloft to help secure the royal, one of the gaskets of which had got +loose, and from the yard he had an excellent opportunity to take a look +at the reef, the situation of the vessel, and the probable bearings of +the rock on which poor Mulford had been devoted to a miserable death. +This opportunity was much increased by Spike's hailing him, while on the +yard, and ordering him to take a good look at the sloop-of-war, and at +the same time to ascertain if any boats were “prowlin' about, in order +to make a set upon us in the night.” On receiving this welcome order, +Jack answered with a cheerful “Ay, ay, sir,” and standing up on the +yard, he placed an arm around the mast, and remained for a long time +making his observations. The command to look-out for boats would have +been a sufficient excuse had he continued on the yard as long as it was +light. + +Jack had no difficulty in finding the Poughkeepsie, which was already +through the passage, and no longer visible from the deck. She appeared +to be standing to the northward and westward, under easy canvas, like a +craft that was in no hurry. This fact was communicated to Spike in +the usual way. The latter seemed pleased, and he answered in a hearty +manner, just as if no difficulty had ever occurred between him and the +steward's assistant. + +“Very well, Jack! bravo, Jack!--now take a good look for boats; you'll +have light enough for that this half hour,” cried the captain. “If any +are out, you'll find them pulling down the channel, or maybe they'll try +to shorten the cut, by attempting to pull athwart the reef. Take a good +and steady look for them, my man.” + +“Ay, ay, sir; I'll do all I can with naked eyes,” answered Jack, “but +I could do better, sir, if they would only send me up a glass by these +here signal-halyards. With a glass, a fellow might speak with some +sartainty.” + +Spike seemed struck with the truth of this suggestion; and he soon sent +a glass aloft by the signal-halyards. Thus provided, Jack descended as +low as the cross-trees, where he took his seat, and began a survey at +his leisure. While thus employed, the brig was secured for the night, +her decks were cleared, and the people were ordered to get their +suppers, previously to setting an anchor-watch, and turning-in for the +night. No one heeded the movements of Tier,--for Spike had gone into +his own state-room,--with the exception of Josh and Simon. Those two +worthies were still in the galley, conversing on the subject of Jack's +recent communications; and ever and anon one of them would stick his +head out of the door and look aloft, withdrawing it, and shaking it +significantly, as soon as his observations were ended. + +As for Tier, he was seated quite at his ease; and having slung his glass +to one of the shrouds, in a way to admit of its being turned as on a +pivot, he had every opportunity for observing accurately, and at his +leisure. The first thing Jack did, was to examine the channel very +closely, in order to make sure that no boats were in it, after which +he turned the glass with great eagerness toward the reef, in the almost +hopeless office of ascertaining something concerning Mulford. In point +of fact, the brig had anchored quite three leagues from the solitary +rock of the deserted mate, and, favoured as he was by his elevation, +Jack could hardly expect to discern so small and low an object as that +rock at so great a distance. Nevertheless, the glass was much better +than common. It had been a present to Spike from one who was careful in +his selections of such objects, and who had accidentally been under +a serious obligation to the captain. Knowing the importance of a +good look, as regards the boats, Spike had brought this particular +instrument, of which, in common, he was very chary, from his own +state-room, and sent it aloft, in order that Jack might have every +available opportunity of ascertaining his facts. It was this glass, +then, which was the means of the important discoveries the little +fellow, who was thus perched on the fore-topmast cross-trees of the +Swash, did actually succeed in making. + +Jack actually started, when he first ascertained how distinctly and near +the glass he was using brought distant objects. The gulls that sailed +across its disk, though a league off, appeared as if near enough to be +touched by the hand, and even their feathers gave out not only their +hues, but their forms. Thus, too, was it with the surface of the ocean, +of which the little waves that agitated the water of the reef, might +be seen tossing up and down, at more than twice the range of the +Poughkeepsie's heaviest gun. Naked rocks, low and subdued as they were +in colour, too, were to be noted, scattered up and down in the panorama. +At length Tier fancied his glass covered a field that he recognized. It +was distant, but might be seen from his present elevation. A second look +satisfied him he was right; and he next clearly traced the last channel +in which they had endeavoured to escape from Spike, or that in which the +boat had been taken. Following it along, by slowly moving the glass, +he actually hit the rock on which Mulford had been deserted. It was +peculiar in shape, size, and elevation above the water, and connected +with the circumstance of the channel, which was easily enough seen by +the colour of the water, and more easily from his height than if he had +been in it, he could not be mistaken. The little fellow's heart beat +quick as he made the glass move slowly over its surface, anxiously +searching for the form of the mate. It was not to be seen. A second, +and a more careful sweep of the glass, made it certain that the rock was +deserted. + +Although a little reflection might have satisfied any one Mulford was +not to be sought in that particular spot, so long after he had been left +there, Jack Tier felt grievously disappointed when he was first made +certain of the accuracy of his observations. A minute later he began to +reason on the matter, and he felt more encouraged. The rock on which the +mate had been abandoned was smooth, and could not hold any fresh water +that might have been left by the late showers. Jack also remembered that +it had neither sea-weed nor shell-fish. In short, the utmost malice of +Spike could not have selected, for the immolation of his victim, a more +suitable place. Now Tier had heard Harry's explanation to Rose, touching +the manner in which he had waded and swum about the reef that very +morning, and it at once occurred to him that the young man had too much +energy and spirit to remain helpless and inactive to perish on a +naked rock, when there might be a possibility of at least prolonging +existence, if not of saving it. This induced the steward to turn the +glass slowly over the water, and along all the ranges of visible rock +that he could find in that vicinity. For a long time the search was +useless, the distance rendering such an examination not only difficult +but painful. At length Jack, about to give up the matter in despair, +took one sweep with the glass nearer to the brig, as much to obtain a +general idea of the boat-channels of the reef, as in any hope of finding +Mulford, when an object moving in the water came within the field of the +glass. He saw it but for an instant, as the glass swept slowly past, +but it struck him it was something that had life, and was in motion. +Carefully going over the same ground again, after a long search, he +again found what he so anxiously sought. A good look satisfied him that +he was right. It was certainly a man wading along the shallow water of +the reef, immersed to his waist--and it must be Mulford. + +So excited was Jack Tier by this discovery that he trembled like a leaf. +A minute or two elapsed before he could again use the glass; and when he +did, a long and anxious search was necessary before so small an object +could be once more found. Find it he did, however, and then he got its +range by the vessel, in a way to make sure of it. Yes, it was a man, and +it was Mulford. + +Circumstances conspired to aid Jack in the investigation that succeeded. +The sun was near setting, but a stream of golden light gleamed over +the waters, particularly illuminating the portion which came within +the field of the glass. It appeared then that Harry, in his efforts to +escape from the rock, and to get nearer to the edge of the main channel, +where his chances of being seen and rescued would be ten-fold what they +were on his rock, had moved south, by following the naked reef and the +shallow places, and was actually more than a league nearer to the brig +than he would have been had he remained stationary. There had been hours +in which to make this change, and the young man had probably improved +them to the utmost. + +Jack watched the form that was wading slowly along with an interest +he had never before felt in the movements of any human being. Whether +Mulford saw the brig or not, it was difficult to say. She was quite two +leagues from him, and, now that her sails were furled, she offered but +little for the eye to rest on at that distance. At first, Jack thought +the young man was actually endeavouring to get nearer to her, though it +must have been a forlorn hope that should again place him in the hands +of Spike. It was, however, a more probable conjecture that the young man +was endeavouring to reach the margin of the passage, where a good deal +of rock was above water, and near to which he had already managed to +reach. At one time Jack saw that the mate was obliged to swim, and he +actually lost sight of him for a time. His form, however, reappeared, +and then it slowly emerged from the water, and stood erect on a bare +rock of some extent. Jack breathed freer at this; for Mulford was now on +the very margin of the channel, and might be easily reached by the boat, +should he prevail on Josh, or Simon, to attempt the rescue. + +At first, Jack Tier fancied that Mulford had knelt to return thanks +on his arrival at a place of comparative safety; but a second look +satisfied him that Harry was drinking from one of the little pools of +fresh water left by the late shower. When he rose from drinking, the +young man walked about the place, occasionally stooping, signs that +he was picking up shell-fish for his supper. Suddenly, Mulford darted +forward, and passed beyond the field of the glass. When Jack found him +again, he was in the act of turning a small turtle, using his knife +on the animal immediately after. Had Jack been in danger of starvation +himself, and found a source of food as ample and as grateful as this, +he could scarcely have been more delighted. The light now began to wane +perceptibly, still Harry's movements could be discerned. The turtle was +killed and dressed, sufficiently at least for the mate's purposes, and +the latter was seen collecting sea-weed, and bits of plank, boards, and +sticks of wood, of which more or less, in drifting past, had lodged +upon the rocks. “Is it possible,” thought Jack, “that he is so werry +partic'lar he can't eat his turtle raw! Will he, indeed, venture to +light a fire, or has he the means?” Mulford was so particular, however, +he did venture to light a fire, and he had the means. This may be said +to be the age of matches--not in a connubial, though in an inflammatory +sense--and the mate had a small stock in a tight box that he habitually +carried on his person. Tier saw him at work over a little pile he had +made for a long time, the beams of day departing now so fast as to make +him fearful he should soon lose his object in the increasing obscurity +of twilight. Suddenly a light gleamed, and the pile sent forth a clear +flame. Mulford went to and fro, collecting materials to feed his +fire, and was soon busied in cooking his turtle. All this Tier saw and +understood, the light of the flames coming in proper time to supply the +vacuum left by the departure of that of day. + +In a minute Tier had no difficulty in seeing the fire that Mulford had +lighted on his low and insulated domains with the naked eye. It gleamed +brightly in that solitary place; and the steward was much afraid it +would be seen by some one on deck, get to be reported to Spike, and lead +to Harry's destruction after all. The mate appeared to be insensible to +his danger, however, occasionally casting piles of dry sea-weed on his +fire, in a way to cause the flames to flash up, as if kindled anew +by gunpowder. It now occurred to Tier that the young man had a double +object in lighting this fire, which would answer not only the purposes +of his cookery, but as a signal of distress to anything passing +near. The sloop-of-war, though more distant than the brig, was in his +neighbourhood; and she might possibly yet send relief. Such was the +state of things when Jack was startled by a sudden hail from below. It +was Spike's voice, and came up to him short and quick. + +“Fore-topmast cross-trees, there! What are ye about all this time, +Master Jack Tier, in them fore-topmast cross-trees, I say?” demanded +Spike. + +“Keeping a look-out for boats from the sloop-of-war, as you bade me, +sir,” answered Jack, coolly. + +“D'ye see any, my man? Is the water clear ahead of us, or not?” + +“It's getting to be so dark, sir, I can see no longer. While there was +day-light, no boat was to be seen.” + +“Come down, man--come down; I've business for you below. The sloop is +far enough to the nor'ard, and we shall neither see nor hear from her +to-night. Come down, I say, Jack--come down.” + +Jack obeyed, and securing the glass, he began to descend the rigging. +He was soon as low as the top, when he paused a moment to take another +look. The fire was still visible, shining like a torch on the surface +of the water, casting its beams abroad like “a good deed in a naughty +world.” Jack was sorry to see it, though he once more took its bearing +from the brig, in order that he might know where to find the spot, in +the event of a search for it. When on the stretcher of the fore-rigging, +Jack stopped and again looked for his beacon. It had disappeared, having +sunk below the circular formation of the earth. By ascending two or +three ratlins, it came into view, and by going down as low as the +stretcher again, it disappeared. Trusting that no one, at that hour, +would have occasion to go aloft, Jack now descended to the deck, and +went aft with the spy-glass. + +Spike and the Señor Montefalderon were under the coach-house, no one +else appearing on any part of the quarter-deck. The people were eating +their suppers, and Josh and Simon were busy in the galley. As for the +females, they chose to remain in their own cabin, where Spike was well +pleased to leave them. + +“Come this way, Jack,” said the captain, in his best-humoured tone of +voice, “I've a word to say to you. Put the glass in at my state-room +window, and come hither.” + +Tier did as ordered. + +“So you can make out no boats to the nor'ard, ha, Jack! nothing to be +seen thereaway?” + +“Nothing in the way of a boat, sir.” + +“Ay, ay, I dare say there's plenty of water, and some rock. The Florida +Reef has no scarcity of either, to them that knows where to look for +one, and to steer clear of the other. Hark'e, Jack; so you got the +schooner under way from the Dry Tortugas, and undertook to beat her up +to Key West, when she fancied herself a turtle, and over she went with +you--is that it, my man?” + +“The schooner turned turtle with us, sure enough, sir; and we all came +near drowning on her bottom.” + +“No sharks in that latitude and longitude, eh Jack?” + +“Plenty on 'em, sir; and I thought they would have got us all, at one +time. More than twenty set of fins were in sight at once, for several +hours.” + +“You could hardly have supplied the gentlemen with a leg, or an arm, +each. But where was the boat all this time--you had the light-house boat +in tow, I suppose?” + +“She had been in tow, sir; but Madam Budd talked so much dictionary to +the painter, that it got adrift.” + +“Yet I found you all in it.” + +“Very true, sir. Mr. Mulford swam quite a mile to reach the rocks, and +found the boat aground on one on 'em. As soon as he got the boat, he +made sail, and came and took us off. We had reason to thank God he could +do so.” + +Spike looked dark and thoughtful. He muttered the words “swam,” and +“rocks,” but was too cautious to allow any expressions to escape him, +that might betray to the Mexican officer that which was uppermost in his +mind. He was silent, however, for quite a minute, and Jack saw that he +had awakened a dangerous source of distrust in the captain's breast. + +“Well, Jack,” resumed Spike, after the pause, “can you tell us anything +of the doubloons? I nat'rally expected to find them in the boat, but +there were none to be seen. You scarcely pumped the schooner out, +without overhauling her lockers, and falling in with them doubloons.” + +“We found them, sure enough, and had them ashore with us, in the tent, +down to the moment when we sailed.” + +“When you took them off to the schooner, eh? My life for it, the gold +was not forgotten.” + +“It was not, sure enough, sir; but we took it off with us to the +schooner, and it went down in her when she finally sunk.” + +Another pause, during which Señor Montefalderon and Captain Spike looked +significantly at each other. + +“Do you think, Jack, you could find the spot where the schooner went +down?” + +“I could come pretty near it, sir, though not on the very spot itself. +Water leaves no mark over the grave of a sunken ship.” + +“If you can take us within a reasonable distance, we might find it +by sweeping for it. Them doubloons are worth some trouble; and their +recovery would be better than a long v'y'ge to us, any day.” + +“They would, indeed, Don Esteban,” observed the Mexican; “and my poor +country is not in a condition to bear heavy losses. If Señor Jack Tier +can find the wreck, and we regain the money, ten of those doubloons +shall be his reward, though I take them from my own share, much +diminished as it will be.” + +“You hear, Jack--here is a chance to make your fortune! You say you +sailed with me in old times--and old times were good times with this +brig, though times has changed; but if you sailed with me, in _old_ +times, you must remember that whatever the Swash touched she turned to +gold.” + +“I hope you do n't doubt, Captain Spike, my having sailed in the brig, +not only in old times, but in her best times.” + +Jack seemed hurt as he put this question, and Spike appeared in doubt. +The latter gazed at the little, rotund, queer-looking figure before him, +as if endeavouring to recognise him; and when he had done, he passed his +hand over his brow, like one who endeavoured to recall past objects by +excluding those that are present. + +“You will then show us the spot where my unfortunate schooner did sink, +Señor Jack Tier?” put in the Mexican. + +“With all my heart, señor, if it is to be found. I think I could take +you within a cable's length of the place, though hunger, and thirst, and +sharks, and the fear of drowning, will keep a fellow from having a very +bright look-out for such a matter.” + +“In what water do you suppose the craft to lie, Jack?” demanded the +captain. + +“You know as much of that as I do myself, sir. She went down about a +cable's length from the reef, toward which she was a settin' at the +time; and had she kept afloat an hour longer, she might have grounded on +the rocks.” + +“She 's better where she is, if we can only find her by sweeping. On the +rocks we could do nothing with her but break her up, and ten to one the +doubloons would be lost. By the way, Jack, do you happen to know where +that scoundrel of a mate of mine stowed the money?” + +“When we left the island, I carried it down to the boat myself--and a +good lift I had of it. As sure as you are there, señor, I was obliged to +take it on a shoulder. When it came out of the boat, Mr. Mulford carried +it below; and I heard him tell Miss Rose, a'terwards that he had thrown +it into a bread-locker.” + +“Where we shall find it, Don Wan, notwithstanding all this veering and +hauling. The old brig has luck when, doubloons are in question, and ever +has had since I've commanded her. Jack, we shall have to call on the +cook and stewards for an anchor-watch to-night. The people are a good +deal fagged with boxing about this reef so much, and I shall want 'em +all as fresh to-morrow as they can be got. You idlers had better take +the middle watches, which will give the fore-castle chaps longer naps.” + +“Ay, ay, sir; we'll manage that for 'em. Josh and Simon can go on at +twelve, and I will take the watch at two, which will give the men all +the rest they want, as I can hold out for four hours full. I'm as good +for an anchor-watch as any man in the brig, Captain Spike.” + +“That you are, Jack, and better than some on 'em. Take you all round, +and round it is, you 're a rum 'un, my lad--the queerest little jigger +that ever lay out on a royal-yard.” + +Jack might have been a little offended at Spike's compliments, but he +was certainly not sorry to find him so good-natured, after all that had +passed. He now left the captain, and his Mexican companion, seemingly in +close conference together, while he went below himself, and dropped +as naturally into the routine of his duty, as if he had never left the +brig. In the cabin he found the females, of course. Rose scarce raising +her face from the shawl which lay on the bed of her own berth. Jack +busied himself in a locker near this berth, until an opportunity +occurred to touch Rose, unseen by her aunt or Biddy. The poor +heart-stricken girl raised her face, from which all the colour +had departed, and looked almost vacantly at Jack, as if to ask +an explanation. Hope is truly, by a most benevolent provision of +Providence, one of the very last blessings to abandon us. It is probable +that we are thus gifted, in order to encourage us to rely on the great +atonement to the last moment, since, without this natural endowment to +cling to hope, despair might well be the fate of millions, who, there is +reason to think, reap the benefit of that act of divine mercy. It would +hardly do to say that anything like hope was blended with the look Rose +now cast on Jack, but it was anxious and inquiring. + +The steward bent his head to the locker, bringing his face quite near +to that of Rose, and whispered--“There is hope, Miss Rose--but do not +betray me.” + +These were blessed words for our heroine to hear, and they produced +an immediate and great revolution in her feelings. Commanding herself, +however, she looked her questions, instead of trusting even to a +whisper. Jack did not say any more, just then; but, shortly after, he +called Rose, whose eyes were now never off him, into the main cabin, +which was empty. It was so much pleasanter to sleep in an airy +state-room on deck, that Señor Montefalderon, indeed, had given up the +use of this cabin, in a great measure, seldom appearing in it, except +at meals, having taken possession of the deserted apartment of Mulford. +Josh was in the galley, where he spent most of his time, and Rose and +Jack had no one to disturb their conference. + +“He is safe, Miss Rose--God be praised!” whispered Jack. “Safe for the +present, at least; with food, and water, and fire to keep him warm at +night.” + +It was impossible for Rose not to understand to whom there was allusion, +though her head became dizzy under the painful confusion that prevailed +in it. She pressed her temples with both hands, and asked a thousand +questions with her eyes. Jack considerately handed her a glass of water +before he proceeded. As soon as he found her a little more composed, he +related the facts connected with his discovery of Mulford, precisely as +they had occurred. + +“He is now on a large rock--a little island, indeed--where he is safe +from the ocean unless it comes on to blow a hurricane,” concluded Jack, +“has fresh water and fresh turtle in the bargain. A man might live a +month on one such turtle as I saw Mr. Mulford cutting up this evening.” + +“Is there no way of rescuing him from the situation you have mentioned, +Jack? In a year or two I shall be my own mistress, and have money to do +as I please with; put me only in the way of taking Mr. Mulford from that +rock, and I will share all I am worth on earth with you, dear Jack.” + +“Ay, so it is with the whole sex,” muttered Tier; “let them only once +give up their affections to a man, and he becomes dearer to them than +pearls and rubies! But you know me, Miss Rose, and know _why_ and _how +well_ I would sarve you. My story and my feelin's are as much your +secret, as your story and your feelin's is mine. We shall pull together, +if we do n't pull so very strong. Now, hearken to me, Miss Rose, and +I will let you into the secret of my plan to help Mr. Mulford make a +launch.” + +Jack then communicated to his companion his whole project for the night. +Spike had, of his own accord, given to him and his two associates, Simon +and Josh, the care of the brig between midnight and morning. If he could +prevail on either of these men to accompany him, it was his intention to +take the light-house boat, which was riding by its painter astern of the +brig, and proceed as fast as they could to the spot whither Mulford had +found his way. By his calculations, if the wind stood as it then was, +little more than an hour would be necessary to reach the rock, and about +as much more to return. Should the breeze lull, of which there was no +great danger, since the easterly trades were again blowing, Jack thought +he and Josh might go over the distance with the oars in about double the +time. Should both Josh and Simon refuse to accompany him, he thought +he should attempt the rescue of the mate alone, did the wind stand, +trusting to Mulford's assistance, should he need it, in getting back to +the brig. + +“You surely would not come back here with Harry, did you once get him +safe from off that rock!” exclaimed Rose. + +“Why, you know how it is with me, Miss Rose,” answered Jack. “_My_ +business is here, on board the Swash, and I must attend to it. Nothing +shall tempt me to give up the brig so long as she floats, and sartain +folk float in her, unless it might be some such matter as that which +happened on the bit of an island at the Dry Tortugas. Ah! he's a +willian! But if I do come back, it will be only to get into my own +proper berth ag'in, and not to bring Mr. Mulford into the lion's jaws. +He will only have to put me back on board the Molly here, when he can +make the best of his own way to Key West. Half an hour would place him +out of harm's way; especially as I happen to know the course Spike means +to steer in the morning.” + +“I will go with you, Jack,” said Rose, mildly, but with great firmness. + +“You, Miss Rose! But why should I show surprise! It's like all the sex, +when they have given away their affections. Yes, woman will be woman, +put her on a naked rock, or put her in silks and satins in her parlour +at home. How different is it with men! They dote for a little while, and +turn to a new face. It must be said, men's willians!” + +“Not Mulford, Jack--no, not Harry Mulford! A truer or a nobler heart +never beat in a human breast; and you and I will drown together, rather +than he should not be taken from that rock.” + +“It shall be as you say,” answered Jack, a little thoughtfully. “Perhaps +it would be best that you should quit the brig altogether. Spike is +getting desperate, and you will be safer with the young mate than with +so great an old willian. Yes, you shall go with me, Miss Rose; and if +Josh and Simon both refuse, we will go alone.” + +“With you, Jack, but not with Mr. Mulford. I cannot desert my aunt, nor +can I quit the Swash alone in company with her mate. As for Spike, I +despise him too much to fear him. He must soon go into port somewhere, +and at the first place where he touches we shall quit him. He dare not +detain us--nay, he _cannot_--and I do not fear him. We will save Harry, +but I shall remain with my aunt.” + +“We'll see, Miss Rose, we'll see,” said Tier, smiling. “Perhaps +a handsome young man, like Mr. Mulford, will have better luck in +persuading you than an old fellow like me. If he should fail, 't will be +his own fault.” + +So thought Jack Tier, judging of women as he had found them, but so did +not think Rose Budd. The conversation ended here, however, each keeping +in view its purport, and the serious business that was before them. + +The duty of the vessel went on as usual. The night promised to be +clouded, but not very dark, as there was a moon. When Spike ordered the +anchor-watches, he had great care to spare his crew as much as possible, +for the next day was likely to be one of great toil to them. He intended +to get the schooner up again, if possible; and though he might not +actually pump her out so as to cause her to float, enough water was to +be removed to enable him to get at the doubloons. The situation of the +bread-locker was known, and as soon as the cabin was sufficiently freed +from water to enable one to move about in it, Spike did not doubt his +being able to get at the gold. With his resources and ingenuity, +the matter in his own mind was reduced to one of toil and time. +Eight-and-forty hours, and some hard labour, he doubted not would effect +all he cared for. + +In setting the anchor-watches for the night, therefore, Stephen Spike +bethought him as much of the morrow as of the present moment. Don Juan +offered to remain on deck until midnight, and as he was as capable of +giving an alarm as any one else, the offer was accepted. Josh and Simon +were to succeed the Mexican, and to hold the lookout for two hours, when +Jack was to relieve them, and to continue on deck until light returned, +when he was to give the captain a call. This arrangement made, Tier +turned in at once, desiring the cook to call him half an hour before the +proper period of his watch commenced. That half hour Jack intended to +employ in exercising his eloquence in endeavouring to persuade either +Josh or Simon to be of his party. By eight o'clock the vessel lay in a +profound quiet, Señor Montefalderon pacing the quarterdeck alone, while +the deep breathing of Spike was to be heard issuing through the open +window of his state-room; a window which it may be well to say to the +uninitiated, opened in-board, or toward the deck, and not outboard, or +toward the sea. + +For four solitary hours did the Mexican pace the deck of the stranger, +resting himself for a few minutes at a time only, when wearied with +walking. Does the reader fancy that a man so situated had not plenty of +occupation for his thoughts? Don Juan Montefalderon was a soldier and a +gallant cavalier; and love of country had alone induced him to engage +in his present duties. Not that patriotism which looks to political +preferment through a popularity purchased by the valgar acclamation +which attends success in arms, even when undeserved, or that patriotism +which induces men of fallen characters to endeavour to retrieve former +offences by the shortest and most reckless mode, or that patriotism +which shouts “our country right or wrong,” regardless alike of God and +his eternal laws, that are never to be forgotten with impunity; but the +patriotism which would defend his home and fire-side, his altars and the +graves of his fathers, from the ruthless steps of the invader. We shall +not pretend to say how far this gentleman entered into the merits of the +quarrel between the two republics, which no arts of European jealousy +can ever conceal from the judgment of truth, for, with him, matters +had gone beyond the point when men feel the necessity of reasoning, and +when, perhaps, if such a condition of the mind is ever to be defended, +he found his perfect justification in feeling. He had travelled, and +knew life by observation, and not through traditions and books. He +had never believed, therefore, that his countrymen could march to +Washington, or even to the Sabine; but he had hoped for better things +than had since occurred. The warlike qualities of the Americans of the +North, as he was accustomed to call those who term themselves, _par +excellence,_ Americans, a name they are fated to retain, and to raise +high on the scale of national power and national pre-eminence, unless +they fall by their own hands, had taken him by surprise, as they have +taken all but those who knew the country well, and who understood its +people. Little had he imagined that the small, widely-spread body of +regulars, that figured in the blue books, almanacs and army-registers of +America, as some six or seven thousand men, scattered along frontiers +of a thousand leagues in extent, could, at the beck of the government, +swell into legions of invaders, men able to carry war to the capitals +of his own states, thousands of miles from their doors, and formidable +alike for their energy, their bravery, their readiness in the use +of arms, and their numbers. He saw what is perhaps justly called the +boasting of the American character, vindicated by their exploits; and +marches, conquests and victories that, if sober truth were alone to +cover the pages of history, would far outdo in real labour and danger +the boasted passage of the Alps under Napoleon, and the exploits that +succeeded it. + +Don Juan Montefalderon was a grave and thoughtful man, of pure Iberian +blood. He might have had about him a little of the exaltation of the +Spanish character; the overflowings of a generous chivalry at the +bottom; and, under its influence, he may have set too high an estimate +on Mexico and her sons, but he was not one to shut his eyes to the +truth. He saw plainly that the northern neighbours of his country were a +race formidable and enterprising, and that of all the calumnies that had +been heaped upon them by rivalries and European superciliousness, that +of their not being military by temperament was, perhaps, the most absurd +of all. On the contrary, he had himself, though anticipating evil, been +astounded by the suddenness and magnitude of their conquests, which in +a few short months after the breaking out of hostilities, had overrun +regions larger in extent than many ancient empires. All this had been +done, too, not by disorderly and barbarous hordes, seeking in other +lands the abundance that was wanting at home; but with system and +regularity, by men who had turned the ploughshare into the sword for the +occasion, quitting abundance to encounter fatigue, famine, and danger. +In a word, the Señor Montefalderon saw all the evils that environed his +own land, and foresaw others, of a still graver character that menaced +the future. On matters such as these did he brood in his walk, and +bitter did he find the minutes of that sad and lonely watch. Although a +Mexican, he could feel; although an avowed foe of this good republic +of ours, he had his principles, his affections, and his sense of right. +Whatever may be the merits of the quarrel, and we are not disposed to +deny that our provocation has been great, a sense of right should +teach every man that what may be patriotic in an American, would not +be exactly the same thing in a Mexican, and that we ought to respect in +others sentiments that are so much vaunted among ourselves. Midnight at +length arrived, and, calling the cook and steward, the unhappy gentleman +was relieved, and went to his berth to dream, in sorrow, over the same +pictures of national misfortunes, on which, while waking, he had brooded +in such deep melancholy. + +The watch of Josh and Simon was tranquil, meeting with no interruption +until it was time to summon Jack. One thing these men had done, however, +that was of some moment to Tier, under a pledge given by Josh, and which +had been taken in return for a dollar in hand. They had managed to haul +the light-house boat alongside, from its position astern, and this so +noiselessly as not to give the alarm to any one. There it lay, when Jack +appeared, ready at the main-rigging, to receive him at any moment he +might choose to enter it. + +A few minutes after Jack appeared on deck, Rose and Biddy came +stealthily out of the cabin, the latter carrying a basket filled with +bread and broken meat, and not wanting in sundry little delicacies, such +as woman's hands prepare, and, in this instance, woman's tenderness had +provided. The whole party met at the galley, a place so far removed +from the state-rooms aft as to be out of ear-shot. Here Jack renewed +his endeavours to persuade either Josh or Simon to go in the boat, but +without success. The negroes had talked the matter over in their watch, +and had come to the conclusion the enterprise was too hazardous. + +“I tell you, Jack, you does n't know Cap'in Spike as well as I does,” + Josh said, in continuance of the discourse. “No, you does n't know him +at all as well as I does. If he finds out that anybody has quit dis brig +dis werry night, woful will come! It no good to try to run; I run t'ree +time, an' Simon here run twice. What good it all do? We got cotched, +and here we is, just as fast as ever. I knows Cap'in Spike, and does n't +want to fall in athwart his hawse any more.” + +“Y-e-s, dat my judgment too,” put in the cook. “We wishes you well, +Jack, and we wishes Miss Rose well, and Mr. Mulford well, but we can't, +no how, run ath'art hawse, as Josh says. Dat is my judgment, too.” + +“Well, if your minds are made up to this, my darkies, I s'pose there'll +be no changing them,” said Jack. “At all ewents you'll lend us a hand, +by answering any hail that may come from aft, in my watch, and in +keepin' our secret. There's another thing you can do for us, which may +be of service. Should Captain Spike miss the boat, and lay any trap to +catch us, you can just light this here bit of lantern and hang it over +the brig's bows, where he'll not be likely to see it, that we may know +matters are going wrong, and give the craft a wide berth.” + +“Sartain,” said Josh, who entered heartily into the affair, so far as +good wishes for its success were concerned, at the very moment when he +had a most salutary care of his own back. “Sartain; we do all dat, +and no t'ank asked. It no great matter to answer a hail, or to light a +lantern and sling him over de bows; and if Captain Spike want to know +who did it, let him find out.” + +Here both negroes laughed heartily, manifesting so little care to +suppress their mirth, that Rose trembled lest their noise should awaken +Spike. Accustomed sounds, however, seldom produce this effect on the +ears of the sleeper, and the heavy breathing from the state-room, +succeeded the merriment of the blacks, as soon as the latter ceased. +Jack now announced his readiness to depart. Some little care and +management were necessary to get into the boat noiselessly, more +especially with Biddy. It was done however, with the assistance of the +blacks, who cast off the painter, when Jack gave the boat a shove to +clear the brig, and suffered it to drift astern for a considerable +distance before he ventured to cast loose the sail. + +“I know Spike well,” said Jack, in answer to a remonstrance from the +impatient Rose concerning his delay: “A single flap of that canvas would +wake him up, with the brig anchored, while he would sleep through a +salute of heavy guns if it came in regular course. Quick ears has old +Stephen, and it's best to humour them. In a minute more we'll set our +canvas and be off.” + +All was done as Jack desired, and the boat got away from the brig +unheard and undetected. It was blowing a good breeze, and Jack Tier had +no sooner got the sail on the boat, than away it started at a speed that +would have soon distanced Spike in his yawl, and with his best oarsmen. +The main point was to keep the course, though the direction of the wind +was a great assistant. By keeping the wind abeam, Jack thought he should +be going toward the rock of Mulford. In one hour, or even in less time, +he expected to reach it, and he was guided by time, in his calculations, +as much as by any other criterion. Previously to quitting the brig, he +had gone up a few ratlins of the fore-rigging to take the bearings of +the fire on Mulford's rock, but the light was no longer visible. As +no star was to be seen, the course was a little vague, but Jack was +navigator enough to understand that by keeping on the weather side +of the channel he was in the right road, and that his great danger of +missing his object was in over-running it. + +So much of the reef was above water, that it was not difficult to steer +a boat along its margin. The darkness, to be sure, rendered it a little +uncertain how near they were running to the rocks, but, on the whole, +Jack assured Rose he had no great difficulty in getting along. + +“These trades are almost as good as compasses,” he said, “and the rocks +are better, if we can keep close aboard them without going on to them. I +do not know the exact distance of the spot we seek from the brig, but +I judged it to be about two leagues, as I looked at it from aloft. Now, +this boat will travel them two leagues in an hour, with this breeze and +in smooth water.” + +“I wish you had seen the fire again before we left the brig,” said Rose, +too anxious for the result not to feel uneasiness on some account or +other. + +“The mate is asleep, and the fire has burned down; that's the +explanation. Besides, fuel is not too plenty on a place like that Mr. +Mulford inhabits just now. As we get near the spot, I shall look out for +embers, which may sarve as a light-house, or beacon, to guide us into +port.” + +“Mr. Mulford will be charmed to see us, now that we take him wather!” + exclaimed Biddy. “Wather is a blessed thing, and it's hard will be the +heart that does not fale gratitude for a planty of swate wather.” + +“The maty has plenty of food and water where he is,” said Jack. “I'll +answer for both them sarcumstances. I saw him turn a turtle as plain +as if I had been at his elbow, and I saw him drinking at a hole in the +rock, as heartily as a boy ever pulled at a gimblet-hole in a molasses +hogs-head.” + +“But the distance was so great, Jack, I should hardly think you could +have distinguished objects so small.” + +“I went by the motions altogether. I saw the man, and I saw the +movements, and I knowed what the last meant. It's true I couldn't swear +to the turtle, though I saw something on the rock that I knowed, by the +way in which it was handled, _must_ be a turtle. Then I saw the mate +kneel, and put his head low, and then I knowed he was drinking.” + +“Perhaps he prayed,” said Rose, solemnly. + +“Not he. Sailors isn't so apt to pray, Miss Rose; not as apt as they +ought to be. Women for prayers, and men for work. Mr. Mulford is no +worse than many others, but I doubt if he be much given to _that_.” + +To this Rose made no answer, but Biddy took the matter up, and, as the +boat went briskly ahead, she pursued the subject. + +“Then more is the shame for him,” said the Irish woman, “and Miss Rose, +and missus, and even I prayin' _for_ him, all as if he was our own +brudder. It's seldom I ask anything for a heretic, but I could not +forget a fine young man like Mr. Mulford, and Miss Rose so partial to +him, and he in so bad a way. He ought to be ashamed to make his brags +that he is too proud to pray.” + +“Harry has made no such wicked boast,” put in Rose, mildly; “nor do we +know that he has not prayed for us, as well as for himself. It may all +be a mistake of Jack's, you know.” + +“Yes,” added Jack, coolly, “it _may_ be a mistake, a'ter all, for I was +lookin' at the maty six miles off, and through a spy-glass. No one can +be sure of anything at such a distance. So overlook the matter, my good +Biddy, and carry Mr. Mulford the nice things you've mustered in that +basket, all the same as if he was pope.” + +“This is a subject we had better drop,” Rose quietly observed. + +“Anything to oblige you, Miss Rose, though religion is a matter it would +do me no harm to talk about once and awhile. It's many a long year since +I've had time and opportunity to bring my thoughts to dwell on holy +things. Ever since I left my mother's side, I've been a wanderer in my +mind, as much as in my body.” + +“Poor Jack! I understand and feel for your sufferings; but a better time +will come, when you may return to the habits of your youth, and to the +observances of your church.” + +“I do n't know that, Miss Rose; I do n't know that,” answered Tier, +placing the elbow of his short arm on the seemingly shorter leg, and +bending his head so low as to lean his face on the palm of the hand, +an attitude in which he appeared to be suffering keenly through his +recollections. “Childhood and innocence never come back to us in this +world. What the grave may do, we shall all learn in time.” + +“Innocence can return to all with repentance, Jack; and the heart that +prompts you to do acts as generous as this you are now engaged in, must +contain some good seed yet.” + +“If Jack will go to a praste and just confess, when he can find a +father, it will do his sowl good,” said Biddy, who was touched by the +mental suffering of the strange little being at her side. + +But the necessity of managing the boat soon compelled its coxswain to +raise his head, and to attend to his duty. The wind sometimes came +in puffs, and at such moments Jack saw that the large sail of the +light-house boat required watching, a circumstance that induced him +to shake off his melancholy, and give his mind more exclusively to the +business before him. As for Rose, she sympathised deeply with Jack Tier, +for she knew his history, his origin, the story of his youth, and the +well-grounded causes of his contrition and regrets. From her, Jack had +concealed nothing, the gentle commiseration of one like Rose being a +balm to wounds that had bled for long and bitter years. The great poet +of our language, and the greatest that ever lived, perhaps, short of the +inspired writers of the Old Testament, and old Homer and Dante, has well +reminded us that the “little beetle,” in yielding its breath, can “feel +a pang as great as when a giant dies.” Thus is it, too, in morals. +Abasement, and misery, and poverty, and sin, may, and all do, contribute +to lower the tone of our moral existence; but the principle that has +been planted by nature, can be eradicated by nature only. It exists +as long as we exist; and if dormant for a time, under the pressure of +circumstances, it merely lies, in the moral system, like the acorn, or +the chestnut, in the ground, waiting its time and season to sprout, and +bud, and blossom. Should that time never arrive, it is not because the +seed is not there, but because it is neglected. Thus was it with the +singular being of whose feelings we have just spoken. The germ of +goodness had been implanted early in him, and was nursed with tenderness +and care, until, self-willed, and governed by passion; he had thrown off +the connections of youth and childhood, to connect himself with Spike--a +connection that had left him what he was. Before closing our legend, we +shall have occasion to explain it. + +“We have run our hour; Miss Rose,” resumed Jack, breaking a continued +silence, during which the boat had passed through a long line of water; +“we have run our hour, and ought to be near the rock we are in search +of. But the morning is so dark that I fear we shall have difficulty in +finding it. It will never do to run past it, and we must haul closer +into the reef, and shorten sail, that we may be sartain to make no such +mistake.” + +Rose begged her companion to omit no precaution, as it would be dreadful +to fail in their search, after incurring so much risk in their own +persons. + +“Harry may be sleeping on the sea-weed of which you spoke,” she added, +“and the danger of passing him will be much increased in such a case. +What a gloomy and frightful spot is this, in which to abandon a human +being! I fear, Jack, that we have come faster than we have supposed, and +may already have passed the rock.” + +“I hope not, Miss Rose--it seemed to me a good two leagues to the place +where I saw him, and the boat is fast that will run two leagues in an +hour.” + +“We do not know the time, Jack, and are obliged to guess at that as well +as at the distance. How very dark it is!” + +Dark, in one sense, it was not, though Rose's apprehensions, doubtless, +induced her to magnify every evil. The clouds certainly lessened the +light of the moon; but there was still enough of the last to enable one +to see surrounding objects; and most especially to render distinct the +character of the solitude that reigned over the place. + +The proximity of the reef, which formed a weather shore to the boat, +prevented anything like a swell on the water, notwithstanding the +steadiness and strength of the breeze, which had now blown for near +twenty-four hours. The same wind, in open water, would have raised sea +enough to cause a ship to pitch, or roll; whereas, the light-house boat, +placed where she was, scarce rose and fell under the undulations of the +channel through which she was glancing. + +“This is a good boat, and a fast boat too,” observed Jack Tier, after he +had luffed up several minutes, in order to make sure of his proximity +to the reef; “and it might carry us all safe enough to Key West, or +certainly back to the Dry Tortugas, was we inclined to try our hands at +either.” + +“I cannot quit my aunt,” said Rose, quickly, “so we will not even think +of any such thing.” + +“No, 't would never do to abandon the missus,” said Biddy, “and she on +the wrack wid us, and falin' the want of wather as much as ourselves.” + +“We three have sartainly gone through much in company,” returned Jack, +“and it ought to make us friends for life.” + +“I trust it will, Jack; I hope, when we return to New York, to see you +among us, anchored, as you would call it, for the rest of your days +under my aunt's roof, or under my own, should I ever have one.” + +“No, Miss Rose, my business is with the Swash and her captain. I shall +stick by both, now I've found 'em again, until they once more desart me. +A man's duty is _his_ duty, and a woman's duty is _her_ duty.” + +“You same to like the brig and her captain, Jack Tier,” observed Biddy, +“and there's no use in gainsaying such a likin'. What _will_ come +to pass, must come to pass. Captain Spike is a mighty great sailor, +anyway.” + +“He's a willian!” muttered Jack. + +“There!” cried Rose, almost breathless, “there is a rock above the +water, surely. Do not fly by it so swiftly, Jack, but let us stop and +examine it.” + +“There is a rock, sure enough, and a large piece it is,” answered Tier. +“We will go alongside of it, and see what it is made of. Biddy shall be +boat-keeper, while you and I, Miss Rose, explore.” + +Jack had thrown the boat into the wind, and was shooting close alongside +of the reef, even while speaking. The party found no difficulty +in landing; the margin of the rock admitting the boat to lie close +alongside of it, and its surface being even and dry. Jack had brailed +the sail, and he brought the painter ashore, and fastened it securely to +a fragment of stone, that made a very sufficient anchor. In addition to +this precaution, a lazy painter was put into Biddy's hands, and she was +directed not to let go of it while her companions were absent. These +arrangements concluded, Rose and Jack commenced a hurried examination of +the spot. + +A few minutes sufficed to give our adventurers a tolerably accurate +notion of the general features of the place on which they had landed. It +was a considerable portion of the reef that was usually above water, and +which had even some fragments of soil, or sand, on which was a stinted +growth of bushes. Of these last, however, there were very few, nor were +there many spots of the sand. Drift-wood and sea-weed were lodged in +considerable quantities about its margin, and, in places, piles of both +had been tossed upon the rock itself, by the billows of former gales of +wind. Nor was it long before Jack discovered a turtle that had been up +to a hillock of sand, probably to deposit its eggs. There was enough of +the sportsman in Jack, notwithstanding the business he was on, to turn +this animal; though with what object, he might have been puzzled himself +to say. This exploit effected, Jack followed Rose as fast as his short +legs would permit, our heroine pressing forward eagerly, though almost +without hope, in order to assertain if Mulford were there. + +“I am afraid this is not the rock,” said Rose, nearly breathless with +her own haste, when Jack had overtaken her. “I see nothing of him, and +we have passed over most of the place.” + +“Very true, Miss Rose,” answered her companion, who was in a good humour +on account of his capture of the turtle; “but there are other rocks +besides this. Ha! what was that, yonder,” pointing with a finger, “here, +more toward the brig. As I'm a sinner, there was a flashing, as of +fire.” + +“If a fire, it must be that made by Harry. Let us go to the spot at +once.” + +Jack led the way, and, sure enough, he soon reached a place where the +embers of what had been a considerable body of fire, were smouldering on +the rock. The wind had probably caused some brand to kindle momentarily, +which was the object that had caught Tier's eye. No doubt any longer +remained of their having found the very place where the mate had cooked +his supper, and lighted his beacon, though he himself was not near it. +Around these embers were all the signs of Mulford's having made the +meal, of which Jack had seen the preparations. A portion of the turtle, +much the greater part of it, indeed, lay in its shell; and piles of wood +and sea-weed, both dry, had been placed at hand, ready for use. A ship's +topgallant-yard, with most of its rope attached, lay with a charred end +near the fire, of where the fire had been, the wood having burned until +the flames went out for want of contact with other fuel. There were many +pieces of boards of pitch-pine in the adjacent heap, and two or three +beautiful planks of the same wood, entire. In short, from the character +and quantity of the materials of this nature that had thus been heaped +together, Jack gave it as his opinion that some vessel, freighted with +lumber, had been wrecked to windward, and that the adjacent rocks +had been receiving the tribute of her cargo. Wrecks are of very, very +frequent occurrence on the Florida Reef; and there are always moments +when such gleanings are to be made in some part of it or other. + +“I see no better way to give a call to the mate, Miss Rose, than to +throw some of this dry weed, and some of this lumber on the fire,” + said Jack, after he had rummaged about the place sufficiently to become +master of its condition. “There is plenty of amunition, and here goes +for a broadside.” + +Jack had no great difficulty in effecting his object. In a few minutes +he succeeded in obtaining a flame, and then he fed it with such +fragments of the brands and boards as were best adapted to his purpose. +The flames extended gradually, and by the time Tier had dragged the +topgallant-yard over the pile, and placed several planks, on their +edges, alongside of it, the whole was ready to burst into a blaze. +The light was shed athwart the rock for a long distance, and the whole +place, which was lately so gloomy and obscure, now became gay, under the +bright radiance of a blazing fire. + +“There is a beacon-light that might almost be seen on board!” said Jack, +exulting in his success. “If the mate is anywhere in this latitude, he +will soon turn up.” + +“I see nothing of him,” answered Rose, in a melancholy voice. “Surely, +surely, Jack, he cannot have left the rock just as we have come to +rescue him!” + +Rose and her companion had turned their faces from the fire to look in +an opposite direction in quest of him they sought. Unseen by them, a +human form advanced swiftly toward the fire, from a point on its other +side. It advanced nearer, then hesitated, afterward rushed forward with +a tread that caused the two to turn, and at the next moment, Rose was +clasped to the heart of Mulford. + + + +CHAPTER III. + + + I might have pass'd that lovely cheek, + Nor, perchance, my heart have left me; + But the sensitive blush that came trembling there, + Of my heart it for ever bereft me. + Who could blame had I loved that face, + Ere my eyes could twice explore her; + Yet it is for the fairy intelligence there, + And her warm, warm heart I adore her. + + Wolfe. + + +The stories of the respective parties who had thus so strangely met on +that barren and isolated rock, were soon told. Harry confirmed all of +Jack's statements as to his own proceedings, and Rose had little more to +say than to add how much her own affections had led her to risk in +his behalf. In a word, ten minutes made each fully acquainted with the +other's movements. Then Tier considerately retired to the boat, under +the pretence of minding it, and seeing everything ready for a +departure, but as much to allow the lovers the ten or fifteen minutes of +uninterrupted discourse that they now enjoyed, as for any other reason. + +It was a strange scene that now offered on the rock. By this time the +fire was burning not only brightly, but fiercely, shedding its bright +light far and near. Under its most brilliant rays stood Harry and Rose, +both smiling and happy, delighted in their meeting, and, for the moment, +forgetful of all but their present felicity. Never, indeed, had Rose +appeared more lovely than under these circumstances. Her face was +radiant with those feelings which had so recently changed from despair +to delight--a condition that is ever most propitious to beauty; and +charms that always appeared feminine and soft, now seemed elevated to +a bright benignancy that might best be likened to our fancied images of +angels. The mild, beaming, serene and intelligent blue eyes, the cheeks +flushed with happiness, the smiles that came so easily, and were so +replete with tenderness, and the rich hair, deranged by the breeze, and +moistened by the air of the sea, each and all, perhaps, borrowed +some additional lustre from the peculiar light under which they were +exhibited. As for Harry, happiness had thrown all the disadvantages +of exposure, want of dress, and a face that had not felt the razor for +six-and-thirty hours, into the back-ground. When he left the wreck, he +had cast aside his cap and his light summer jacket, in order that they +might not encumber him in swimming, but both had been recovered when +he returned with the boat to take off his friends. In his ordinary sea +attire, then, he now stood, holding Rose's two hands in front of the +fire, every garment clean and white as the waters of the ocean could +make them, but all betraying some of the signs of his recent trials. +His fine countenance was full of the love he bore for the intrepid and +devoted girl who had risked so much in his behalf; and a painter might +have wished to preserve the expression of ardent, manly admiration +which glowed in his face, answering to the gentle sympathy and womanly +tenderness it met in that of Rose. + +The back-ground of this picture was the wide, even surface of the coral +reef, with its exterior setting of the dark and gloomy sea. On the side +of the channel, however, appeared the boat, already winded, with Biddy +still on the rock, looking kindly at the lovers by the fire, while Jack +was holding the painter, beginning to manifest a little impatience at +the delay. + +“They'll stay there an hour, holding each other's hands, and +looking into each other's faces,” half grumbled the little, rotund, +assistant-steward, anxious to be on his way back to the brig, “unless a +body gives 'em a call. Captain Spike will be in no very good humour to +receive you and me on board ag'in, if he should find out what sort of a +trip we've been making hereaway.” + +“Let 'em alone--let 'em alone, Jacky,” answered the good-natured and +kind-hearted Irish woman. “It's happy they bees, jist now, and it does +my eyes good to look at 'em.” + +“Ay, they're happy enough, _now;_ I only hope it may last.” + +“Last! what should help its lasting? Miss Rose is so good, and so +handsome--and she's a fortin', too; and the mate so nice a young man. +Think of the likes of them, Jack, wantin' the blessed gift of wather, +and all within one day and two nights. Sure it's Providence that takes +care of, and not we ourselves! Kings on their thrones is n't as happy as +_them_ at this moment.” + +“Men's willians!” growled Jack; “and more fools women for trustin' 'em.” + +“Not sich a nice young man as our mate, Jacky; no, not he. Now the mate +of the ship I came from Liverpool in, this time ten years agone, he was +a villain. He grudged us our potaties, and our own bread; and he grudged +us every dhrap of swate wather that went into our mouths. Call him a +villain, if you will, Jack; but niver call the likes of Mr. Mulford by +so hard a name.” + +“I wish him well, and nothing else; and for that very reason must put +a stop to his looking so fondly into that young woman's face. Time wont +stand still, Biddy, to suit the wishes of lovers; and Stephen Spike is a +man not to be trifled with. Halloo, there, maty! It's high time to think +of getting under way.” + +At this summons both Harry and Rose started, becoming aware of the +precious moments they were losing. Carrying a large portion of the +turtle, the former moved toward the craft, in which all were seated in +less than three minutes, with the sail loose, and the boat in motion. +For a few moments the mate was so much occupied with Rose, that he did +not advert to the course; but one of his experience could not long +be misled on such a point, and he turned suddenly to Tier, who was +steering, to remonstrate. + +“How's this, Jack!” cried Mulford; “you've got the boat's head the wrong +way.” + +“Not I, sir. She's heading for the brig as straight as she can go. This +wind favours us on both legs; and it's lucky it does, for't will be hard +on upon daylight afore we are alongside of her. You'll want half an hour +of dark, at the very least, to get a good start of the Swash, in case +she makes sail a'ter you.” + +“Straight for the brig!--what have we to do with the brig? Our course is +for Key West, unless it might be better to run down before the wind to +the Dry Tortugas again, and look for the sloop-of-war. Duty, and perhaps +my own safety, tells me to let Captain Mull know what Spike is about +with the Swash; and I shall not hesitate a moment about doing it, after +all that has passed. Give me the helm, Jack, and let us ware short round +on our heel.” + +“Never, master maty--never. I must go back to the brig. Miss Rose, +there, knows that my business is with Stephen Spike, and with him only.” + +“And I must return to my aunt, Harry,” put in Rose, herself. “It would +never do for me to desert my aunt, you know.” + +“And I have been taken from that rock, to be given up to the tender +mercies of Spike again?” + +This was said rather in surprise, than in a complaining way; and it at +once induced Rose to tell the young man the whole of their project. + +“Never, Harry, never,” she said firmly. “It is our intention to return +to the brig ourselves, and let you escape in the boat afterwards. Jack +Tier is of opinion this can be done without much risk, if we use proper +caution and do not lose too much time. On no account would I consent +to place you in the hands of Spike again--death would be preferable to +that, Harry!” + +“And on no account can or will I consent to place _you_ again in the +hands of Spike, Rose,” answered the young man. “Now that we know his +intentions, such an act would be almost impious.” + +“Remember my aunt, dear Harry. What would be her situation in the +morning, when she found herself deserted by her niece and Biddy--by me, +whom she has nursed and watched from childhood, and whom she loves so +well.” + +“I shall not deny your obligations to your aunt, Rose, and your duty +to her under ordinary circumstances. But these are not ordinary +circumstances; and it would be courting the direst misfortunes, nay, +almost braving Providence, to place yourself in the hands of that +scoundrel again, now that you are clear of them.” + +“Spike's a willian!” muttered Jack. + +“And my desartin' the missus would be a sin that no praste would +overlook aisily,” put in Biddy. “When Miss Rose told me of this v'y'ge +that she meant to make in the boat wid Jack Tier, I asked to come along, +that I might take care of her, and see that there was plenty of wather; +but ill-luck befall me if I would have t'ought of sich a thing, and the +missus desarted.” + +“We can then run alongside of the brig, and put Biddy and Jack on board +of her,” said Mulford, reflecting a moment on what had just been said, +“when you and I can make the best of our way to Key West, where the +means of sending government vessels out after the Swash will soon offer. +In this way we can not only get our friends out of the lion's jaws, but +keep out of them ourselves.” + +“Reflect a moment, Harry,” said Rose, in a low voice, but not without +tenderness in its tones; “it would not do for me to go off alone with +you in this boat.” + +“Not when you have confessed your willingness to go over the wide world +with me, Rose--with me, and with me only?” + +“Not even then, Harry. I know you will think better of this, when your +generous nature has time to reason with your heart, on my account.” + +“I can only answer in your own words, Rose--never. If you return to the +Swash, I shall go on board with you, and throw defiance into the very +teeth of Spike. I know the men do not dislike me, and, perhaps, assisted +by Señor Montefalderon, and a few friends among the people, I can muster +a force that will prevent my being thrown into the sea.” + +Rose burst into tears, and then succeeded many minutes, during which +Mulford was endeavouring, with manly tenderness, to soothe her. As soon +as our heroine recovered her self-command, she began to discuss the +matter at issue between them more coolly. For half an hour everything +was urged by each that feeling, affection, delicacy, or distrust of +Spike could well urge, and Mulford was slowly getting the best of the +argument, as well he might, the truth being mostly of his side. Rose was +bewildered, really feeling a strong reluctance to quit her aunt, +even with so justifiable a motive, but principally shrinking from the +appearance of going off alone in a boat, and almost in the open sea, +with Mulford. Had she loved Harry less, her scruples might not have been +so active, but the consciousness of the strength of her attachment, as +well as her fixed intention to become his wife the moment it was in her +power to give him her hand with the decencies of her sex, contributed +strangely to prevent her yielding to the young man's reasoning. On +the subject of the aunt, the mate made out so good a case, that it was +apparent to all in the boat Rose would have to abandon that ground of +refusal. Spike had no object to gain by ill-treating Mrs. Budd; and the +probability certainly was that he would get rid of her as soon as he +could, and in the most easy manner. This was so apparent to all, +that Harry had little difficulty in getting Rose to assent to its +probability. But there remained the reluctance to go off alone with the +mate in a boat. This part of the subject was more difficult to manage +than the other; and Mulford betrayed as much by the awkwardness with +which he managed it. At length the discussion was brought to a close by +Jack Tier suddenly saying,-- + +“Yonder is the brig; and we are heading for her as straight as if she +was the pole, and the keel of this boat was a compass. I see how it +is, Miss Rose, and a'ter all, I must give in. I suppose some other +opportunity will offer for me to get on board of the brig ag'in, and +I'll trust to that. If you won't go off with the mate alone, I suppose +you'll not refuse to go off in my company.” + +“Will you accompany us, Jack? This is more than I had hoped for! Yes, +Harry, if Jack Tier will be of the party, I will trust my aunt to Biddy, +and go with you to Key West, in order to escape from Spike.” + +This was said so rapidly, and so unexpectedly, as to take Mulford +completely by surprise. Scarce believing what he heard, the young man +was disposed, at first, to feel hurt, though a moment's reflection +showed him that he ought to rejoice in the result let the cause be what +it might. + +“More than I had hoped for!” he could not refrain from repeating a +little bitterly; “is Jack Tier, then, of so much importance, that _his_ +company is thought preferable to mine!” + +“Hush, Harry!” said Rose, laying her hand on Mulford's arm, by way +of strengthening her appeal. “Do not say _that_. You are ignorant of +circumstances; at another time you shall know them, but not now. Let it +be enough for the present, that I promise to accompany you if Jack will +be of our party.” + +“Ay, ay, Miss Rose, I will be of the party, seeing there is no other way +of getting the lamb out of the jaws of the wolf. A'ter all, it may be +the wisest thing I can do, though back to the Swash I must and +_will_ come, powder or no powder, treason or no treason, at the first +opportunity. Yes, _my_ business is with the Molly, and to the Molly I +shall return. It's lucky, Miss Rose, since you have made up your mind to +ship for this new cruise, that I bethought me of telling Biddy to make +up a bundle of duds for you. This carpet-bag has a change or two in it, +and all owing to my forethought. Your woman said 'Miss Rose will come +back wid us, Jack, and what's the use of rumplin' the clothes for a few +hours' sail in the boat;' but I knew womankind better, and foreseed that +if master mate fell in alongside of you ag'in, you would not be apt to +part company very soon.” + +“I thank you, Jack, for the provision made for my comfort; though some +money would have added to it materially. My purse has a little gold in +it, but a very little, and I fear you are not much better off, Harry. It +will be awkward to find ourselves in Key West penniless.” + +“We shall not be quite that. I left the brig absolutely without a cent, +but foreseeing that necessity might make them of use, I borrowed half +a dozen of the doubloons from the bag of Señor Montefalderon, and, +fortunately, they are still in my pocket. All I am worth in the world is +in a bag of half-eagles, rather more than a hundred altogether, which I +left in my chest, in my own state-room aboard the brig.” + +“You'll find that in the carpet-bag too, master mate,” said Jack, +coolly. + +“Find what, man--not my money, surely?” + +“Ay, every piece of it. Spike broke into your chest this a'ternoon, +and made me hold the tools while he was doing it. He found the bag, +and overhauled it--a hundred and seven half, eleven quarter, and one +full-grown eagle, was the count. When he had done the job, he put all +back ag'in, a'ter giving me the full-grown eagle for my share of the +plunder, and told me to say nothing of what I had seen. I did say +nothing, but I did a good bit of work, for, while he was at supper. I +confiserated that bag, as they call it--and you will find it there among +Miss Rose's clothes, with the full-grown gentleman back in his nest +ag'in.” + +“This is being not only honest, Tier,” cried Mulford, heartily, “but +thoughtful. One-half that money shall be yours for this act.” + +“I thank'e, sir; but I'll not touch a cent of it. It came hard, I know, +Mr. Mulford; for my own hands have smarted too much with tar, not to +know that the seaman 'earns his money like the horse.'” + +“Still it would not be 'spending it like an ass,' Jack, to give you a +portion of mine. But there will be other opportunities to talk of this. +It is a sign of returning to the concerns of life, Rose, that money +begins to be of interest to us. How little did we think of the +doubloons, or half-eagles, a few hours since, when on the wreck!” + +“It was wather that we t'ought of then,” put in Biddy. “Goold is good +in a market, or in a town, or to send back to Ireland, to help a body's +aged fader or mudder in comfort wid; but wather is the blessed thing on +a wrack!” + +“The brig is coming quite plainly into view, and you had better give me +the helm, Jack. It is time to bethink us of the manner of approaching +her, and how we are to proceed when alongside.” + +This was so obviously true, that everybody felt disposed to forget all +other matters, in order to conduct the proceedings of the next twenty +minutes, with the necessary prudence and caution. When Mulford first +took the helm, the brig was just coming clearly into view, though still +looking a little misty and distant. She might then have been half a +league distant, and would not have been visible at all by that light, +but for the circumstance that she had no back-ground to swallow up her +outlines. Drawn against clouds, above which the rays of the moon were +shed, her tracery was to be discerned, however, and, minute by minute, +it was getting to be more and more distinct, until it was now so plainly +to be seen as to admonish the mate of the necessity of preparation in +the manner mentioned. + +Tier now communicated to the mate his own proposed manner of proceeding. +The brig tended to the trades, the tides having very little influence on +her, in the bight of the reef where she lay. As the wind stood at about +east south-east, the brig's stern pointed to about west north-west, +while the boat was coming down the passage from a direction nearly north +from her, having, as a matter of course, the wind just free enough to +lay her course. Jack's plan was to pass the brig to windward, and +having got well on her bow, to brail the sail, and drift down upon her, +expecting to fall in alongside, abreast of the fore-chains, into which +he had intended to help Biddy, and to ascend himself, when he supposed +that Mulford would again make sail, and carry off his mistress. To this +scheme the mate objected that it was awkward, and a little lubberly. He +substituted one in its place that differed in seamanship, and which was +altogether better. Instead of passing to wind-ward, Mulford suggested +the expediency of approaching to leeward, and of coming alongside under +the open bow-port, letting the sheet fly and brailing the sail, when +the boat should be near enough to carry her to the point of destination +without further assistance from her canvass. + +Jack Tier took his officer's improvement on his own plan in perfect +good part, readily and cheerfully expressing his willingness to aid the +execution of it all that lay in his power. As the boat sailed unusually +well, there was barely time to explain to each individual his or her +part in the approaching critical movements, ere the crisis itself drew +near; then each of the party became silent and anxious, and events were +regarded rather than words. + +It is scarcely necessary to say that Mulford sailed a boat well. He held +the sheet in his hand, as the little craft came up under the lee-quarter +of the brig, while Jack stood by the brail. The eyes of the mate glanced +over the hull of the vessel to ascertain, if possible, who might be +stirring; but not a sign of life could he detect on board her. This very +silence made Mulford more distrustful and anxious, for he feared a trap +was set for him. He expected to see the head of one of the blacks at +least peering over the bulwarks, but nothing like a man was visible. It +was too late to pause, however, and the sheet was slowly eased off, Jack +hauling on the brail at the same time; the object being to prevent the +sail's flapping, and the sound reaching the ears of Spike. As Mulford +used great caution, and had previously schooled Jack on the subject, +this important point was successfully achieved. Then the mate put his +helm down, and the boat shot up under the brig's lee-bow. Jack was ready +to lay hold of one of the bow-sprit shrouds, and presently the boat +was breasted up under the desired port, and secured in that position. +Mulford quitted the stern-sheets, and cast a look in upon deck. Nothing +was to be seen, though he heard the heavy breathing of the blacks, +both of whom were sound asleep on a sail that they had spread on the +forecastle. + +The mate whispered for Biddy to come to the port. This the Irishwoman +did at once, having kissed Rose, and taken her leave of her previously. +Tier also came to the port, through which he passed, getting on deck +with a view to assist Biddy, who was awkward, almost as a matter of +course, to pass through the same opening. He had just succeeded, when +the whole party was startled, some of them almost petrified, indeed, by +a hail from the quarter-deck in the well-known, deep tones of Spike. + +“For'ard, there?” hailed the captain. Receiving no answer, he +immediately repeated, in a shorter, quicker call, “Forecastle, there?” + +“Sir,” answered Jack Tier, who by this time had come to his senses. + +“Who has the look-out on that forecastle?” + +“I have it, sir--I, Jack Tier. You know, sir, I was to have it from two +'till daylight.” + +“Ay, ay, I remember now. How does the brig ride to her anchor?” + +“As steady as a church, sir. She's had no more sheer the whole watch +than if she was moored head and starn.” + +“Does the wind stand as it did?” + +“No change, sir. As dead a trade wind as ever blowed.” + +“What hard breathing is that I hear for'ard?” + +“'T is the two niggers, sir. They've turned in on deck, and are napping +it off at the rate of six knots. There's no keepin' way with a nigger in +snorin'.” + +“I thought I heard loud whispering, too, but I suppose it was a sort of +half-dream. I'm often in that way now-a-days. Jack!” + +“Sir.” + +“Go to the scuttle-butt and get me a pot of fresh water--my coppers are +hot with hard thinking.” + +Jack did as ordered, and soon stood beneath the coach-house deck with +Spike, who had come out of his state-room, heated and uneasy at he knew +not what. The captain drank a full pint of water at a single draught. + +“That's refreshing,” he said, returning Jack the tinpot, “and I feel the +cooler for it. How much does it want of daylight, Jack?” + +“Two hours, I think, sir. The order was passed to me to have all hands +called as soon as it was broad day.” + +“Ay, that is right. We must get our anchor and be off as soon as there +is light to do it in. Doubloons may melt as well as flour, and are best +cared for soon when cared for at all.” + +“I shall see and give the call as soon as it is day. I hope, Captain +Spike, I can take the liberty of an old ship-mate, however, and say one +thing to you, which is this--look out for the Poughkeepsie, which is +very likely to be on your heels when you least expect her.” + +“That's your way of thinking, is it, Jack. Well, I thank you, old one, +for the hint, but have little fear of that craft. We've had our legs +together, and I think the brig has the longest.” + +As the captain said this, he gaped like a hound, and went into his +state-room. Jack lingered on the quarter-deck, waiting to hear him +fairly in his berth, when he made a sign to Biddy, who had got as far +aft as the galley, where she was secreted, to pass down into the cabin, +as silently as possible. In a minute or two more, he moved forward, +singing in a low, cracked voice, as was often his practice, and slowly +made his way to the forecastle. Mulford was just beginning to think the +fellow had changed his mind, and meant to stick by the brig, when the +little, rotund figure of the assistant-steward was seen passing through +the port, and to drop noiselessly on a thwart. Jack then moved to the +bow, and cast off the painter, the head of the boat slowly falling off +under the pressure of the breeze on that part of her mast and sail which +rose above the hull of the Swash. Almost at the same moment, the mate +let go the stern-fast, and the boat was free. + +It required some care to set the sail without the canvas flapping. It +was done, however, before the boat fairly took the breeze, when all was +safe. In half a minute the wind struck the sail, and away the little +craft started, passing swiftly ahead of the brig. Soon as far enough +off, Mulford put up his helm and wore short round, bringing the boat's +head to the northward, or in its proper direction; after which they flew +along before the wind, which seemed to be increasing in force, with a +velocity that really appeared to defy pursuit. All this time the brig +lay in its silence and solitude, no one stirring on board her, and all, +in fact, Biddy alone excepted, profoundly ignorant of what had just +been passing alongside of her. Ten minutes of running off with a flowing +sheet, caused the Swash to look indistinct and hazy again; in ten +minutes more she was swallowed up, hull, spars, and all, in the gloom of +night. + +Mulford and Rose now felt something like that security, without the +sense of which happiness itself is but an uneasy feeling, rendering the +anticipations of evil the more painful by the magnitude of the stake. +There they sat, now, in the stern-sheets by themselves, Jack Tier having +placed himself near the bows of the boat, to look out for rocks, as well +as to trim the craft. It was not long before Rose was leaning on Harry's +shoulder, and ere an hour was past, she had fallen into a sweet sleep in +that attitude, the young man having carefully covered her person with a +capacious shawl, the same that had been used on the wreck. As for Jack, +he maintained his post in silence, sitting with his arms crossed, +and the hands thrust into the breast of his jacket, sailor fashion, a +picture of nautical vigilance. It was some time after Rose had fallen +asleep, that this singular being spoke for the first time. + +“Keep her away a bit, maty,” he said, “keep her away, half a point +or so. She's been travelin' like a racer since we left the brig; and +yonder's the first streak of day.” + +“By the time we have been running,” observed Mulford, “I should think we +must be getting near the northern side of the reef.” + +“All of that, sir, depend on it. Here's a rock close aboard on us, to +which we're comin' fast--just off here, on our weather-bow, that looks +to me like the place where you landed a'ter that swim, and where we had +stowed ourselves when Stephen Spike made us out, and gave chase.” + +“It is surprising to me, Jack, that you should have any fancy to stick +by a man of Spike's character. He is a precious rascal, as we all can +see, now, and you are rather an honest sort of fellow.” + +“Do you love the young woman there, that's lying in your arms, as it +might be, and whom you say you wish to marry.” + +“The question is a queer one, but it is easily answered. More than my +life, Jack.” + +“Well, how happens it that _you_ succeed, when the world has so many +other young men who might please her as well as yourself.” + +“It may be that no other loves her as well, and she has had the sagacity +to discover it.” + +“Quite likely. So it is with me and Stephen Spike. I fancy a man whom +other folk despise and condemn. _Why_ I stand by him is my own secret; +but stand by him I do and will.” + +“This is all very strange, after your conduct on the island, and your +conduct to-night. I shall not disturb your secret, however, Jack, but +leave you to enjoy it by yourself. Is this the rock of which you spoke, +that we are now passing?” + +“The same; and there's the spot in which we was stowed when they made +us out from the brig; and here-away, a cable's length, more or less, the +wreck of that Mexican craft must lie.” + +“What is that rising above the water, thereaway, Jack; more on our +weather-beam?” + +“I see what you mean, sir; it looks like a spar. By George! there's two +on 'em; and they _do_ seem to be the schooner's masts.” + +Sure enough! a second look satisfied Mulford that two mast-heads were +out of water, and that within a hundred yards of the place the boat +was running past. Standing on a short distance, or far enough to give +himself room, the mate put his helm down, and tacked the boat. The +flapping of the sail, and the little movement of shifting over the +sheet, awoke Rose, who was immediately apprized of the discovery. As +soon as round, the boat went glancing up to the spars, and presently was +riding by one, Jack Tier having caught hold of a topmast-shroud, when +Mulford let fly his sheet again, and luffed short up to the spot. By +this time the increasing light was sufficiently strong to render objects +distinct, when near by, and no doubt remained any longer in the mind of +Mulford about the two mast-heads being those of the unfortunate Mexican +schooner. + +“Well, of all I have ever seen I've never see'd the like of this afore!” + exclaimed Jack. “When we left this here craft, sir, you'll remember, +she had almost turned turtle, laying over so far as to bring her upper +coamings under water; now she stands right side up, as erect as if +docked! My navigation can't get along with this, Mr. Mulford, and it +does seem like witchcraft.” + +“It is certainly a very singular incident, Jack, and I have been trying +to come at its causes.” + +“Have you succeeded, Harry?” asked Rose, by this time wide awake, and +wondering like the others. + +“It must have happened in this wise. The wreck was abandoned by us some +little distance out here, to windward. The schooner's masts, of course, +pointed to leeward, and when she drifted in here, they have first +touched on a shelving rock, and as they have been shoved up, little by +little, they have acted as levers to right the hull, until the cargo has +shifted back into its proper berth, which has suddenly set the vessel up +again.” + +“Ay, ay, sir,” answered Jack, “all that might have happened had she been +above water, or any part of her above water; but you'll remember, maty, +that soon after we left her she went down.” + +“Not entirely. The wreck settled in the water no faster after we had +left it, than it had done before. It continued to sink, inch by inch, as +the air escaped, and no faster after it had gone entirely out of sight +than before; not as fast, indeed, as the water became denser the lower +it got. The great argument against my theory, is the fact, that after +the hull got beneath the surface, the wind could not act on it. This +is true in one sense, however, and not in another. The waves, or the +pressure of the water produced by the wind, might act on the hull for +some time after we ceased to see it. But the currents have set the craft +in here, and the hull floating always, very little force would cant the +craft. If the rock were shelving and slippery, I see no great difficulty +in the way; and the barrels may have been so lodged, that a trifle would +set them rolling back again, each one helping to produce a change that +would move another. As for the ballast, that, I am certain, could not +shift, for it was stowed with great care. As the vessel righted, the air +still in her moved, and as soon as the water permitted, it escaped by +the hatches, when the craft went down, as a matter of course. This air +may have aided in bringing the hull upright by its movements in the +water.” + +This was the only explanation to which the ingenuity of Mulford could +help him, under the circumstances, and it may have been the right one, +or not. There lay the schooner, however, in some five or six fathoms of +water, with her two topmasts, and lower mast-heads out of the element, +as upright as if docked! It may all have occurred as the mate fancied, +or the unusual incident may have been owing to some of the many +mysterious causes which baffle inquiry, when the agents are necessarily +hidden from examination. + +“Spike intends to come and look for this wreck, you tell me, Jack; in +the hope of getting at the doubloons it contains?” said Mulford; when +the boat had lain a minute or two longer, riding by the mast-head. + +“Ay, ay, sir; that's his notion, sir, and he'll be in a great stew, +as soon as he turns out, which must be about this time, and finds me +missing; for I was to pilot him to the spot.” + +“He'll want no pilot now. It will be scarcely possible to pass anywhere +near this and not see these spars. But this discovery almost induces me +to change my own plans. What say _you,_ Rose? We have now reached the +northern side of the reef, when it is time to haul close by the wind, +if we wish to beat up to Key West. There is a moral certainty, however, +that the sloop-of-war is somewhere in the neighbourhood of the Dry +Tortugas, which are much the most easily reached, being to leeward. We +might run down to the light-house by mid-day, while it is doubtful if we +could reach the town until to-morrow morning. I should like +exceedingly to have five minutes conversation with the commander of the +Poughkeepsie.” + +“Ay, to let him know where he will be likely to fall in with the Molly +Swash and her traitor master, Stephen Spike,” cried Jack Tier. “Never +mind, maty; let 'em come on; both the Molly and her master have got +long legs and clean heels. Stephen Spike will show 'em how to thread the +channels of a reef.” + +“It is amazing to me, Jack, that you should stand by your old captain +in feeling, while you are helping to thwart him, all you can, in his +warmest wishes.” + +“He's a willian!” muttered Jack--“a reg'lar willian is Stephen Spike!” + +“If a villain, why do you so evidently wish to keep him out of the hands +of the law? Let him be captured and punished, as his crimes require.” + +“Men's willians, all round,” still muttered Jack. “Hark'e, Mr. Mulford, +I've sailed in the brig longer than you, and know'd her in her comeliest +and best days--when she was young, and blooming, and lovely to the eye, +as the young creature at your side--and it would go to my heart to have +anything happen to _her_. Then, I've know'd Stephen a long time, too, +and old shipmates get a feelin' for each other, sooner or later. I tell +you now, honestly, Mr. Mulford, Captain Adam Mull shall never make a +prisoner of Stephen Spike, if I can prevent it.” + +The mate laughed at this sally, but Rose appeared anxious to change the +conversation, and she managed to open a discussion on the subject of the +course it might be best to steer. Mulford had several excellent reasons +to urge for wishing to run down to the islets, all of which, with a +single exception, he laid before his betrothed. The concealed reason +was one of the strongest of them all, as usually happens when there is +a reason to conceal, but of that he took care to say nothing. The result +was an acquiescence on the part of Rose, whose consent was yielded more +to the influence of one particular consideration than to all the rest +united. That one was this: Harry had pointed out to her the importance +to himself of his appearing early to denounce the character and +movements of the brig, lest, through his former situation in her, his +own conduct might be seriously called in question. + +As soon as the matter was determined, Jack was told to let go his hold, +the sheet was drawn aft, and away sped the boat. No sooner did Mulford +cause the little craft to keep away than it almost flew, as if conscious +it were bound to its proper home, skimming swiftly over the waves, +like a bird returning eagerly to its nest. An hour later the party +breakfasted. While at this meal, Jack Tier pointed out to the mate a +white speck, in the south-eastern board, which he took to be the brig +coming through the passage, on her way to the wreck. + +“No matter,” returned the mate. “Though we can see her, she cannot see +us. There is that much advantage in our being small, Rose, if it do +prevent our taking exercise by walking the deck.” + +Soon after, Mulford made a very distant sail in the north-western board, +which he hoped might turn out to be the Poughkeepsie. It was but another +speck, but its position was somewhat like that in which he had expected +to meet the sloop-of-war. The two vessels were so far apart that one +could not be seen from the other, and there was little hope that the +Poughkeepsie would detect Spike at his toil on the wreck; but the mate +fully expected that the ship would go into the anchorage, among the +islets, in order to ascertain what had become of the schooner. If she +did not go in herself, she would be almost certain to send in a boat. + +The party from the brigantine had run down before the wind more than two +hours before the light-house began to show itself, just rising out of +the waves. This gave them the advantage of a beacon, Mulford having +steered hitherto altogether by the sun, the direction of the wind, and +the treading of the reef. Now he had his port in sight, it being his +intention to take possession of the dwelling of the light-house keeper, +and to remain in it, until a favourable opportunity occurred to remove +Rose to Key West. The young man had also another important project in +view, which it will be in season to mention as it reaches the moment of +its fulfillment. + +The rate of sailing of the light-house boat, running before a brisk +trade wind, could not be much less than nine miles in the hour. About +eleven o'clock, therefore, the lively craft shot through one of the +narrow channels of the islets, and entered the haven. In a few minutes +all three of the adventurers were on the little wharf where the +light-house people were in the habit of landing. Rose proceeded to the +house, while Harry and Jack remained to secure the boat. For the latter +purpose a sort of slip, or little dock, had been made, and when the boat +was hauled into it, it lay so snug that not only was the craft secure +from injury, but it was actually hid from the view of all but those who +stood directly above it. + +“This is a snug berth for the boat, Jack,” observed the mate, when he +had hauled it into the place mentioned, “and by unstepping the mast, a +passer-by would not suspect such a craft of lying in it. Who knows what +occasion there may be for concealment, and I'll e'en do that thing.” + +To a casual listener, Harry, in unstepping the mast, might have seemed +influenced merely by a motiveless impulse; but, in truth, a latent +suspicion of Jack's intentions instigated him, and as he laid the mast, +sprit and sail on the thwarts, he determined, in his own mind, to remove +them all to some other place, as soon as an opportunity for doing so +unobserved should occur. He and Jack now followed Rose to the house. + +The islets were found deserted and tenantless. Not a human being had +entered the house since Rose left it, the evening she had remained so +long ashore, in company with her aunt and the Señor Montefalderon. This +our heroine knew from the circumstance of finding a slight fastening of +the outer door in the precise situation in which she had left it with +her own hands. At first a feeling of oppression and awe prevailed with +both Harry and Rose, when they recollected the fate of those who had so +lately been tenants of the place; but this gradually wore off, and each +soon got to be more at home. As for Jack, he very coolly rummaged the +lockers, as he called the drawers and closets of the place, and made his +preparations for cooking a very delicious repast, in which _callipash_ +and _callipee_ were to be material ingredients. The necessary condiments +were easily enough found in that place, turtle being a common dish +there, and it was not long before steams that might have quickened the +appetite of an alderman filled the kitchen. Rose rummaged, too, and +found a clean table-cloth, plates, glasses, bowls, spoons, and knives; +in a word, all that was necessary to spread a plain but plentiful board. +While all this was doing, Harry took some fishing-tackle, and proceeded +to a favourable spot among the rocks. In twenty minutes he returned with +a fine mess of that most delicious little fish that goes by the very +unpoetical name of “hog-fish,” from the circumstance of its giving a +grunt not unlike that of a living porker, when rudely drawn from its +proper element. Nothing was now wanting to not only a comfortable, +but to what was really a most epicurian meal, and Jack just begged the +lovers to have patience for an hour or so, when he promised them dishes +that even New York could not furnish. + +Harry and Rose first retired to pay a little attention to their dress, +and then they joined each other in a walk. The mate had found some +razors, and was clean shaved. He had also sequestered a shirt, and made +some other little additions to his attire, that contributed to give him +the appearance of being, that which he really was, a very gentleman-like +looking young sailor. Rose had felt no necessity for taking liberties +with the effects of others, though a good deal of female attire was +found in the dwelling. As was afterward ascertained, a family ordinarily +dwelt there, but most of it had gone to Key West, on a visit, at the +moment when the man and boy left in charge had fallen into the hands of +the Mexicans, losing their lives in the manner mentioned. + +While walking together, Harry opened his mind to Rose, on the subject +which lay nearest to his heart, and which had been at the bottom of this +second visit to the islets of the Dry Tortugas. During the different +visits of Wallace to the brig, the boat's crew of the Poughkeepsie had +held more or less discourse with the people of the Swash. This usually +happens on such occasions, and although Spike had endeavoured to prevent +it, when his brig lay in this bay, he had not been entirely successful. +Such discourse is commonly jocular, and sometimes witty; every speech, +coming from which side it may, ordinarily commencing with “shipmate,” + though the interlocutors never saw each other before that interview. In +one of the visits an allusion was made to cargo, when “the pretty gal +aft,” was mentioned as being a part of the cargo of the Swash. In answer +to this remark, the wit of the Poughkeepsie had told the brig's man, +“you had better send her on board us, for we carry a chaplain, a +regular-built one, that will be a bishop some day or other, perhaps, and +we can get her spliced to one of our young officers.” This remark had +induced the sailor of the Molly to ask if a sloop-of-war really carried +such a piece of marine luxury as a chaplain, and the explanation given +went to say that the clergyman in question did not properly belong to +the Poughkeepsie, but was to be put on board a frigate, as soon as they +fell in with one that he named. Now, all this Mulford overheard, and he +remembered it at a moment when it might be of use. Situated as he and +Rose were, he felt the wisdom and propriety of their being united, and +his present object was to persuade his companion to be of the same way +of thinking. He doubted not that the sloop-of-war would come in, ere +long, perhaps that very day, and he believed it would be an easy matter +to induce her chaplain to perform the ceremony. America is a country in +which every facility exists, with the fewest possible impediments, +to getting married; and, we regret to be compelled to add, to getting +unmarried also. There are no banns, no licenses, no consent of parents +even, usually necessary, and persons who are of the age of discretion, +which, as respects females and matrimony, is a very tender age indeed, +may be married, if they see fit, almost without form or ceremony. There +existed, therefore, no legal impediment to the course Mulford desired to +take; and his principal, if not his only difficulty, would be with Rose. +Over her scruples he hoped to prevail, and not without reason, as the +case he could and did present, was certainly one of a character that +entitled him to be heard with great attention. + +In the first place, Mrs. Budd had approved of the connection, and it was +understood between them, that the young people were to be united at the +first port in which a clergyman of their own persuasion could be found, +and previously to reaching home. This had been the aunt's own project, +for, weak and silly as she was, the relict had a woman's sense of the +proprieties. It had occured to her that it would be more respectable to +make the long journey which lay before them, escorted by a nephew and +husband, than escorted by even an accepted lover. It is true that +she had never anticipated a marriage in a light-house, and under the +circumstances in which Rose was now placed, though it might be more +reputable that her niece should quit the islets as the wife of Harry +than as his betrothed. Then Mulford still apprehended Spike. In that +remote part of the world, almost beyond the confines of society, it was +not easy to foretell what claims he might set up, in the event of his +meeting them there. Armed with the authority of a husband, Mulford could +resist him, in any such case, with far better prospects of success than +if he should appear only in the character of a suitor. + +Rose listened to these arguments, ardently and somewhat eloquently put, +as a girl of her years and habits would be apt to listen to a favoured +lover. She was much too sincere to deny her own attachment, which the +events of the last few days had increased almost to intenseness, so +apt is our tenderness to augment in behalf of those for whom we feel +solicitude; and her judgment told her that the more sober part of +Harry's reasoning was entitled to consideration. As his wife, her +situation would certainly be much less equivocal and awkward, than while +she bore a different name, and was admitted to be a single woman, and it +might yet be weeks before the duty she owed her aunt would allow her to +proceed to the north. But, after all, Harry prevailed more through the +influence of his hold on Rose's affections, as would have been the case +with almost every other woman, than through any force of reasoning. He +truly loved, and that made him eloquent when he spoke of love; sympathy +in all he uttered being his great ally. When summoned to the house, by +the call of Jack, who announced that the turtle-soup was ready, they +returned with the understanding that the chaplain of the Poughkeepsie +should unite them, did the vessel come in, and would the functionary +mentioned consent to perform the ceremony. + +“It would be awkward--nay, it would be distressing, Harry, to have +him refuse,” said the blushing Rose, as they walked slowly back to the +house, more desirous to prolong their conversation than to partake +of the bountiful provision of Jack Tier. The latter could not but be +acceptable, nevertheless, to a young man like Mulford, who was in robust +health, and who had fared so badly for the last eight-and-forty hours. +When he sat down to the table, therefore, which was covered by a +snow-white cloth, with smoking and most savoury viands on it, it will +not be surprising if we say it was with a pleasure that was derived from +one of the great necessities of our nature. + +Sancho calls for benediction “on the man who invented sleep.” It +would have been more just to have asked this boon in behalf of him who +invented eating and turtle-soup. The wearied fall into sleep, as it +might be unwittingly; sometimes against their will, and often against +their interests; while many a man is hungry without possessing the +means of appeasing his appetite. Still more daily feel hunger without +possessing turtle-soup. Certain persons impute this delicious compound +to the genius of some London alderman, but we rather think unjustly. +Aldermanic genius is easily excited and rendered active, no doubt, by +strong appeals on such a theme, but our own experience inclines us +to believe that the tropics usually send their inventions to the less +fruitful regions of the earth along with their products. We have +little doubt, could the fact be now ascertained, that it would be found +turtle-soup was originally invented by just some such worthy as Jack +Tier, who in filling his coppers to tickle the captain's appetite, had +used all the condiments within his reach; ventured on a sort of Regent's +punch; and, as the consequence, had brought forth the dish so often +eulogized, and so well beloved. It is a little extraordinary that in +Paris, the seat of gastronomy, one rarely, if ever, hears of or sees +this dish; while in London it is to be met in almost as great abundance +as in one of our larger commercial towns. But so it is, and we cannot +say we much envy a _cuisine_ its _patés,_ and _soufflets,_ and its _à +la_ this and _à la_ thats, but which was never redolent with the odours +of turtle-soup. + +“Upon my word, Jack, you have made out famously with your dinner, or +supper, whichever you may please to call it,” cried Mulford gaily, as +he took his seat at table, after having furnished Rose with a chair. +“Nothing appears to be wanting; but here is good pilot bread, potatoes +even, and other little niceties, in addition to the turtle and the fish. +These good people of the light seem to have lived comfortably, at any +rate.” + +“Why should they not, maty?” answered Jack, beginning to help to soup. +“Living on one of these islets is like living afloat. Everything is laid +in, as for an outward bound craft; then the reef must always furnish +fish and turtle. I've overhauled the lockers pretty thoroughly, and +find a plenty of stores to last _us_ a month. Tea, sugar, coffee, bread, +pickles, potatoes, onions, and all other knick-knacks.” + +“The poor people who own these stores will be heavy-hearted enough +when they come to learn the reason why we have been put in undisturbed +possession of their property,” said Rose. “We must contrive some means +of repaying them for such articles as we may use, Harry.” + +“That's easily enough done, Miss Rose. Drop one of the half-eagles in a +tea-pot, or a mug, and they'll be certain to fall in with it when they +come back. Nothin' is easier than to pay a body's debts, when a body has +the will and the means. Now, the worst enemy of Stephen Spike must own +that his brig never quits port with unsettled bills. Stephen has his +faults, like other mortals; but he has his good p'ints, too.” + +“Still praising Spike, my good Jack,” cried the mate, a little provoked +at this pertinacity in the deputy-steward, in sticking to his ship and +his shipmate. “I should have thought that you had sailed with him long +enough to have found him out, and to wish never to put your foot in his +cabin again.” + +“Why, no, maty, a craft is a craft, and a body gets to like even the +faults of one in which a body has gone through gales, and squalls, +with a whole skin. I like the Swash, and, for sartain things I like her +captain.” + +“Meaning by that, it is your intention to get on board of the one, and +to sail with the other, again, as soon as you can.” + +“I do, Mr. Mulford, and make no bones in telling on't. You know that I +came here without wishing it.” + +“Well, Jack, no one will attempt to control your movements, but you +shall be left your own master. I feel it to be a duty, however, as one +who may know more of the law than yourself, as well as more of Stephen +Spike, to tell you that he is engaged in a treasonable commerce with +the enemy, and that he, and all who voluntarily remain with him, knowing +this fact, may be made to swing for it.” + +“Then I'll swing for it,” returned Jack, sullenly. + +“There is a little obstinacy in this, my good fellow, and you must be +reasoned out of it. I am under infinite obligations to you, Jack, and +shall ever be ready to own them. Without you to sail the boat, I might +have been left to perish on that rock,--for God only knows whether any +vessel would have seen me in passing. Most of those who go through +that passage keep the western side of the reef aboard, they tell me, on +account of there being better water on that side of the channel, and the +chance of a man's being seen on a rock, by ships a league or two off, +would be small indeed. Yes, Jack, I owe my life to you, and am proud to +own it.” + +“You owe it to Miss Rose, maty, who put me up to the enterprise, and who +shared it with me.” + +“To her I owe more than life,” answered Harry, looking at his beloved +as she delighted in being regarded by him, “but even she, with all +her wishes to serve me, would have been helpless without your skill in +managing a boat. I owe also to your good-nature the happiness of having +Rose with me at this moment; for without you she would not have come.” + +“I'll not deny it, maty--take another ladle-full of the soup, Miss Rosy: +a quart of it would n't hurt an infant--I'll not deny it, Mr. Mulford--I +know by the way you've got rid of the first bowl-full that _you_ are +ready for another, and there it is--I'll not deny it, and all I can say +is that you are heartily welcome to my sarvices.” + +“I thank you, Jack; but all this only makes me more desirous of being of +use to you, now, when it's in my power. I wish you to stick by me, and +not to return to the Swash. As soon as I get to New York I shall build +or buy a ship, and the berth of steward in her shall always be open to +you.” + +“Thank'e, maty; thank'e, with all my heart. It's something to know that +a port is open to leeward, and, though I cannot _now_ accept your offer, +the day _may_ come when I shall be glad to do so.” + +“If you like living ashore better, our house will always be ready to +receive you. I should be glad to leave as handy a little fellow as +yourself behind me whenever I went to sea. There are a hundred things in +which you might be useful, and fully earn your biscuit, so as to have no +qualms about eating the bread of idleness.” + +“Thank'e, thank'e, maty,” cried Jack, dashing a tear out of his eye with +the back of his hand, “thank'e, sir, from the bottom of my heart. The +time _may_ come, but not now. My papers is signed for this v'y'ge. +Stephen Spike has a halter round his neck, as you say yourself, and it's +necessary for me to be there to look to't. We all have our callin's and +duties, and this is mine. I stick by the Molly and her captain until +both are out of this scrape, or both are condemned. I know nothin' of +treason; but if the law wants another victim, I must take my chance.” + +Mulford was surprised at this steadiness of Jack's, in what he thought +a very bad cause, and he was quite as much surprised that Rose did +not join him, in his endeavours to persuade the steward not to be +so foolhardy, as to endeavour to go back to the brig. Rose did not, +however; sitting silently eating her dinner the whole time, though she +occasionally cast glances of interest at both the speakers the while. +In this state of things the mate abandoned the attempt, for the +moment, intending to return to the subject, after having had a private +conference with his betrothed. + +Notwithstanding the little drawback just related, that was a happy as +well as a delicious repast. The mate did full justice to the soup, and +afterward to the fish with the unpoetical name; and Rose ate more than +she had done in the last three days. The habits of discipline prevented +Jack from taking his seat at table, though pressed by both Rose and +Harry to do so, but he helped himself to the contents of a bowl and +did full justice to his own art, on one aside. The little fellow was +delighted with the praises that were bestowed on his dishes; and for the +moment, the sea, its dangers, its tornadoes, wrecks and races, were all +forgotten in the security and pleasures of so savoury a repast. + +“Folk ashore do n't know how sailors sometimes live,” said Jack, holding +a large spoon filled with the soup ready to plunge into a tolerably +capacious mouth. + +“Or how they sometimes starve,” answered Rose. “Remember our own +situation, less than forty-eight hours since!” + +“All very true, Miss Rose; yet, you see, turtle-soup brings us up, a'ter +all. Would you like a glass of wine, maty?” + +“Very much indeed, Jack, after so luscious a soup; but wishing for it +will not bring it here.” + +“That remains to be seen, sir. I call this a bottle of something that +looks wery much like a wine.” + +“Claret, as I live! Why, where should light-house keepers get the taste +for claret?” + +“I've thought of that myself, Mr. Mulford, and have supposed that some +of Uncle Sam's officers have brought the liquor to this part of the +world. I understand a party on 'em was here surveyin' all last winter. +It seems they come in the cool weather, and get their sights and measure +their distances, and go home in the warm weather, and work out their +traverses in the shade, as it might be.” + +“This seems likely, Jack; but, come whence it may it is welcome, and we +will taste it.” + +Mulford then drew the cork of this mild and grateful liquor, and helped +his companions and himself. In this age of moral _tours de force,_ one +scarcely dare say anything favourable of a liquid that even bears the +name of wine, or extol the shape of a bottle. It is truly the era of +exaggeration. Nothing is treated in the old-fashioned, natural, common +sense way. Virtue is no longer virtue, unless it get upon stilts; and, +as for sin's being confined to “transgression against the law of God,” + audacious would be the wretch who should presume to limit the sway of +the societies by any dogma so narrow! A man may be as abstemious as an +anchorite and get no credit for it, unless “he sigu the pledge;” or, +signing the pledge, he may get fuddled in corners, and be cited as a +miracle of sobriety. The test of morals is no longer in the abuse of the +gifts of Providence, but in their use; prayers are deserting the closet +for the corners of streets, and charity (not the giving of alms) has +got to be so earnest in the demonstration of its nature, as to be pretty +certain to “begin at home,” and to end where it begins. Even the art of +mendacity has been aroused by the great progress which is making by all +around it, and many manifest the strength of their ambition by telling +ten lies where their fathers would have been satisfied with telling only +one. This art has made an extraordinary progress within the last quarter +of a century, aspiring to an ascendency that was formerly conceded +only to truth, until he who gains his daily bread by it has some such +contempt for the sneaking wretch who does business on the small scale, +as the slayer of his thousands in the field is known to entertain for +him who kills only a single man in the course of a long life. + +At the risk of damaging the reputations of our hero and heroine, we +shall frankly aver the fact that both Harry and Rose partook of the _vin +de Bordeaux,_ a very respectable bottle of _Medoc,_ by the way, which +had been forgotten by Uncle Sam's people, in the course of the preceding +winter, agreeably to Jack Tier's conjecture. One glass sufficed for +Rose, and, contrary as it may be to all modern theory, she was somewhat +the better for it; while the mate and Jack Tier quite half emptied the +bottle, being none the worse. There they sat, enjoying the security +and abundance which had succeeded to their late danger, happy in that +security, happy in themselves, and happy in the prospects of a bright +future. It was just as practicable for them to remain at the Dry +Tortugas, as it was for the family which ordinarily dwelt at the light. +The place was amply supplied with everything that would be necessary +for their wants, for months to come, and Harry caused his betrothed to +blush, as he whispered to her, should the chaplain arrive, he should +delight in passing the honey-moon where they then were. + +“I could tend the light,” he added, smiling, “which would be not only an +occupation, but a useful occupation; you could read all those books from +beginning to end, and Jack could keep us suplied with fish. By the way, +master steward, are you in the humour for motion, so soon after your +hearty meal?” + +“Anything to be useful,” answered Jack, cheerfully. + +“Then do me the favour to go up into the lantern of the light-house, and +take a look for the sloop-of-war. If she's in sight at all, you'll find +her off here to the northward; and while you are aloft you may as well +make a sweep of the whole horizon. There hangs the light-house keeper's +glass, which may help your eyes, by stepping into the gallery outside of +the lantern.” + +Jack willingly complied, taking the glass and proceeding forthwith +to the other building. Mulford had two objects in view in giving this +commission to the steward. He really wished to ascertain what was the +chance of seeing the Poughkeepsie, in the neighbourhood of the islets, +and felt just that indisposition to move himself, that is apt to come +over one who has recently made a very bountiful meal, while he also +desired to have another private conversation with Rose. + +A good portion of the time that Jack was gone, and he stayed quite an +hour in the lantern, our lovers conversed as lovers are much inclined +to converse; that is to say, of themselves, their feelings, and their +prospects. Mulford told Rose of his hopes and fears, while he visited +at the house of her aunt, previously to sailing, and the manner in which +his suspicions had been first awakened in reference to the intentions of +Spike--intentions, so far as they were connected with an admiration +of his old commander's niece, and possibly in connection also with the +little fortune she was known to possess, but not in reference to the +bold project to which he had, in fact, resorted. No distrust of the +scheme finally put in practice had ever crossed the mind of the young +mate, until he received the unexpected order, mentioned in our opening +chapter, to prepare the brig for the reception of Mrs. Budd and her +party. Harry confessed his jealousy of one youth whom he dreaded far +more even than he had ever dreaded Spike, and whose apparent favour with +Rose, and actual favour with her aunt, had given him many a sleepless +night. + +They next conversed of the future, which to them seemed full of flowers. +Various were the projects started, discussed, and dismissed, between +them, the last almost as soon as proposed. On one thing they were of +a mind, as soon as proposed. Harry was to have a ship as quick as one +could be purchased by Rose's means, and the promised bride laughingly +consented to make one voyage to Europe along with her husband. + +“I wonder, dear Rose, my poverty has never presented any difficulties +in the way of our union,” said Harry, sensibly touched with the free way +his betrothed disposed of her own money in his behalf; “but neither +you nor Mrs. Budd has ever seemed to think of the difference there is +between us in this respect.” + +“What is the trifle I possess, Harry, set in the balance against your +worth? My aunt, as you say, has thought I might even be the gainer by +the exchange.” + +“I am sure I feel a thousand times indebted to Mrs. Budd--” + +“_Aunt_ Budd. You must learn to say, '_my_ Aunt Budd,' Mr. Henry +Mulford, if you mean to live in peace with her unworthy niece.” + +“_Aunt_ Budd, then,” returned Harry, laughing, for the laugh came easily +that evening; “Aunt Budd, if you wish it, Rose. I can have no objection +to call any relative of yours, uncle or aunt.” + +“I think we are intimate enough, now, to ask you a question or two, +Harry, touching my aunt,” continued Rose, looking stealthily over her +shoulder, as if apprehensive of being overheard. “You know how fond she +is of speaking of the sea, and of indulging in nautical phrases?” + +“Any one must have observed that, Rose,” answered the young man, gazing +up at the wall, in order not to be compelled to look the beautiful +creature before him in the eyes--“Mrs. Budd has very strong tastes that +way.” + +“Now tell me, Harry--that is, answer me frankly--I mean--she is not +_always_ right, is she?” + +“Why, no; not absolutely so--that is, not absolutely _always_ so--few +persons are _always_ right, you know.” + +Rose remained silent and embarrassed for a moment; after which she +pursued the discourse. + +“But aunty does not know as much of the sea and of ships as she thinks +she does?” + +“Perhaps not. We all overrate our own acquirements. I dare say that even +I am not as good a seaman as I fancy myself to be.” + +“Even Spike admits that you are what he calls 'a prime seaman.' But it +is not easy for a woman to get a correct knowledge of the use of all the +strange, and sometimes uncouth, terms that you sailors use.” + +“Certainly not, and for that reason I would rather you should never +attempt it, Rose. We rough sons of the ocean would prefer to hear our +wives make divers pretty blunders, rather than to be swaggering about +like so many 'old salts.'” + +“Mr. Mulford! Does Aunt Budd swagger like an old salt?” + +“Dearest Rose, I was not thinking of your aunt, but of _you_. Of you, as +you are, feminine, spirited, lovely alike in form and character, and of +you a graduate of the ocean, and full of its language and ideas.” + +It was probable Rose was not displeased at this allusion to herself, for +a smile struggled around her pretty mouth, and she did not look at all +angry. After another short pause, she resumed the discourse. + +“My aunt did not very clearly comprehend those explanations of yours +about the time of day, and the longitude,” she said, “nor am I quite +certain that I did myself.” + +“You understood them far better than Mrs. Budd, Rose. Women are so +little accustomed to _think_ on such subjects at all, that it is not +surprising they sometimes get confused. I do wish, however, that +your aunt could be persuaded to be more cautious in the presence of +strangers, on the subject of terms she does not understand.” + +“I feared it might be so, Harry,” answered Rose, in a low voice, as if +unwilling even he should know the full extent of her thoughts on this +subject; “but my aunt's heart is most excellent, though she may make +mistakes occasionally, I owe her a great deal, if not absolutely my +education, certainly my health and comfort through childhood, and more +prudent, womanly advice than you may suppose, perhaps, since I have +left school. How she became the dupe of Spike, indeed, is to me +unaccountable; for in all that relates to health, she is, in general, +both acute and skilful.” + +“Spike is a man of more art than he appears to be to superficial +observers. On my first acquaintance with him, I mistook him for a +frank, fearless but well-meaning sailor, who loved hazardous voyages and +desperate speculation--a sort of innocent gambler; but I have learned to +know better. His means are pretty much reduced to his brig, and she is +getting old, and can do but little more service. His projects are +plain enough, now. By getting you into his power, he hoped to compel +a marriage, in which case both your fortune and your aunt's would +contribute to repair his.” + +“He might have killed me, but I never would have married him,” + rejoined Rose, firmly. “Is not that Jack coming down the steps of the +light-house?” + +“It is. I find that fellow's attachment to Spike very extraordinary, +Rose. Can you, in any manner, account for it?” + +Rose at first seemed disposed to reply. Her lips parted, as if about to +speak, and closed again, as glancing her eyes toward the open door, she +seemed to expect the appearance of the steward's little, rotund form +on its threshold, which held her tongue-tied. A brief interval elapsed, +however, ere Jack actually arrived, and Rose, perceiving that Harry was +curiously expecting her answer, said hurriedly--“It may be hatred, not +attachment.” + +The next instant Jack Tier entered the room. He had been gone rather +more than an hour, not returning until just as the sun was about to set +in a flame of fire. + +“Well, Jack, what news from the Poughkeepsie?” demanded the mate. “You +have been gone long enough to make sure of your errand. Is it certain +that we are not to see the man-of-war's-men to-night.” + +“Whatever you see, my advice to you is to keep close, and to be on your +guard,” answered Jack, evasively. + +“I have little fear of any of Uncle Sam's craft. A plain story, and an +honest heart, will make all clear to a well-disposed listener. We have +not been accomplices in Spike's treasons, and cannot be made to answer +for them.” + +“Take my advice, maty, and be in no hurry to hail every vessel you see. +Uncle Sam's fellows may not always be at hand to help you. Do you not +know that this island will be tabooed to seamen for some time to come?” + +“Why so, Jack? The islet has done no harm, though others may have +performed wicked deeds near it.” + +“Two of the drowned men lie within a hundred yards of this spot, and +sailors never go near new-made graves, if they can find any other place +to resort to.” + +“You deal in enigmas, Jack; and did I not know that you are very +temperate, I might suspect that the time you have been gone has been +passed in the company of a bottle of brandy.” + +“That will explain my meanin',” said Jack, laconically, pointing as he +spoke seemingly at some object that was to be seen without. + +The door of the house was wide open, for the admission of air. It faced +the haven of the islets, and just as the mate's eyes were turned to it, +the end of a flying-jib-boom, with the sail down, and fluttering beneath +it, was coming into the view. “The Poughkeepsie!” exclaimed Mulford, in +delight, seeing all his hopes realized, while Rose blushed to the +eyes. A pause succeeded, during which Mulford drew aside, keeping his +betrothed in the back-ground, and as much out of sight as possible. The +vessel was shooting swiftly into view, and presently all there could see +it was the Swash. + + + +CHAPTER IV. + + + But no--he surely is not dreaming. + Another minute makes it clear, + A scream, a rush, a burning tear, + From Inez' cheek, dispel the fear + That bliss like his is only seeming. + + Washington Alston. + + +A moment of appalled surprise succeeded the instant when Harry and Rose +first ascertained the real character of the vessel that had entered the +haven of the Dry Tortugas. Then the first turned toward Jack Tier, and +sternly demanded an explanation of his apparent faithlessness. + +“Rascal,” he cried, “has this treachery been intended? Did you not see +the brig and know her?” + +“Hush, Harry--_dear_ Harry,” exclaimed Rose, entreatingly. “My life for +it, Jack has _not_ been faithless.” + +“Why, then, has he not let us know that the brig was coming? For more +than an hour has he been aloft, on the look-out, and here are we taken +quite by surprise. Rely on it, Rose, he has seen the approach of the +brig, and might have sooner put us on our guard.” + +“Ay, ay, lay it on, maty,” said Jack, coolly, neither angry nor +mortified, so far as appearances went, at these expressions of +dissatisfaction; “my back is used to it. If I did n't know what it is to +get hard raps on the knuckles, I should be but a young steward. But, as +for this business, a little reflection will tell you I am not to blame.” + +“Give us your own explanations, for without them I shall trust you no +longer.” + +“Well, sir, what good would it have done, _had_ I told you the brig was +standing for this place? There she came down, like a race-horse, and +escape for you was impossible. As the wind is now blowin', the Molly +would go two feet to the boat's one, and a chase would have been +madness.” + +“I don't know that, sirrah” answered the mate. “The boat might have got +into the smaller passages of the reef, where the brig could not enter, +or she might have dodged about among these islets, until it was night, +and then escaped in the darkness.” + +“I thought of all that, Mr. Mulford, but it came too late. When I first +went aloft, I came out on the north-west side of the lantern, and took +my seat, to look out for the sloop-of-war, as you bade me, sir. Well, +there I was sweepin' the horizon with the glass for the better part of +an hour, sometimes fancyin' I saw her, and then givin' it up; for +to this moment I am not sartain there is n't a sail off here to the +westward, turning up toward the light on a bowline; but if there be, +she's too far off to know anything partic'lar about her. Well, sir, +there I sat, looking for the Poughkeepsie, for the better part of an +hour, when I thought I would go round on t' other side of the lantern +and take a look to windward. My heart was in my mouth, I can tell you, +Miss Rose, when I saw the brig; and I felt both glad and sorry. Glad on +my own account, and sorry on your'n. There she was, however, and no help +for it, within two miles of this very spot, and coming down as if she +despised touching the water at all. Now, what could I do? There was n't +time, Mr. Mulford, to get the boat out, and the mast stepped, afore we +should have been within reach of canister, and Stephen Spike would not +have spared _that,_ in order to get you again within his power.” + +“Depend on it, Harry, this is all true,” said Rose, earnestly. “I know +Jack well, and can answer for his fidelity. He wishes to, and if he can +he _will_ return to the brig, whither he thinks his duty calls him, but +he will never willingly betray _us_--least of all, _me_. Do I speak as I +ought, Jack?” + +“Gospel truth, Miss Rose, and Mr. Mulford will get over this squall, +as soon as he comes to think of matters as he ought. There 's my hand, +maty, to show I bear no malice.” + +“I take it, Jack, for I must believe you honest, after all you have done +for us. Excuse my warmth, which, if a little unreasonable, was somewhat +natural under the circumstances. I suppose our case is now hopeless, and +that we shall all be soon on board the brig again; for Spike will hardly +think of abandoning me again on an island provisioned and fitted as is +this!” + +“It's not so sartain, sir, that you fall into his hands at all,” put +in Jack. “The men of the brig will never come here of their own accord, +depend on that, for sailors don't like graves. Spike has come in here +a'ter the schooner's chain, that he dropped into the water when he made +sail from the sloop-of-war, at the time he was here afore, and is not +expectin' to find us here. No--no--he thinks we are beatin' up toward +Key West this very minute, if, indeed, he has missed us at all. 'T is +possible he believes the boat has got adrift by accident, and has no +thought of our bein' out of the brig.” + +“That is impossible, Jack. Do you suppose he is ignorant that Rose is +missing?” + +“Sartain of it, maty, if Mrs. Budd has read the letter well that Miss +Rose left for her, and Biddy has obeyed orders. If they've followed +instructions, Miss Rose is thought to be in her state-room, mournin' for +a young man who was abandoned on a naked rock, and Jack Tier, havin' eat +somethin' that has disagreed with him, is in his berth. Recollect, Spike +will not be apt to look into Miss Rose's state-room or my berth, to see +if all this is true. The cook and Josh are both in my secret, and know +I mean to come back, and when the fit is over I have only to return to +duty, like any other hand. It is my calculation that Spike believes both +Miss Rose and myself on board the Molly at this very moment.” + +“And the boat--what can he suppose has become of the boat?” + +“Sartainly, the boat makes the only chance ag'in us. But the boat was +ridin' by its painter astarn, and accidents sometimes happen to such +craft. Then we two are the wery last he will suspect of havin' made off +in the boat by ourselves. There'll be Mrs. Budd and Biddy as a sort +of pledge that Miss Rose is aboard, and as for Jack Tier, he is too +insignificant to occupy the captain's thoughts just now. He will +probably muster the people for'ard, when he finds the boat is gone, but +I do not think he'll trouble the cabins or state-rooms.” + +Mulford admitted that this was _possible,_ though it scarcely seemed +probable to him. There was no help, however, for the actual state of +things, and they all now turned their attention to the brig, and to the +movements of those on board her. Jack Tier had swung-to the outer-door +of the house, as soon as the Swash came in view through it, and +fortunately none of the windows on that side of the building had been +opened at all. The air entered to windward, which was on the rear of the +dwelling, so that it was possible to be comfortable and yet leave the +front, in view from the vessel, with its deserted air. As for the brig, +she had already anchored and got both her boats into the water. The +yawl was hauled alongside, in readiness for any service that might +be required of it, while the launch had been manned at once, and was +already weighing the anchor, and securing the chain to which Tier had +alluded. All this served very much to lessen the uneasiness of Mulford +and Rose, as it went far to prove that Spike had not come to the +Dry Tortugas in quest of them, as, at first, both had very naturally +supposed. It might, indeed, turn out that his sole object was to obtain +this anchor and chain, with a view to use them in raising the ill-fated +vessel that had now twice gone to the bottom. + +“I wish an explanation with you, Jack, on one other point,” said the +mate, after all three had been for sometime observing the movements on +board and around the Swash. “Do you actually intend to get on board the +brig?” + +“If it's to be done, maty. My v'y'ge is up with you and Miss Rose. I +may be said to have shipped for Key West and a market, and the market's +found at this port.” + +“You will hardly leave us _yet,_ Jack,” said Rose, with a manner and +emphasis that did not fail to strike her betrothed lover, though he +could in no way account for either. That Rose should not wish to be +left alone with him in that solitary place was natural enough; or, might +rather be referred to education and the peculiar notions of her sex; but +he could not understand why so much importance should be attached to +the presence of a being of Jack Tier's mould and character. It was +true, that there was little choice, under present circumstances, but +it occurred to Mulford that Rose had manifested the same strange +predilection when there might have been something nearer to a selection. +The moment, however, was not one for much reflection on the subject. + +“You will hardly leave us yet, Jack?” said Rose, in the manner related. + +“It's now or never, Miss Rose. If the brig once gets away from this +anchorage without me, I may never lay eyes on her ag'in. Her time is +nearly up, for wood and iron wont hold together always, any more than +flesh and blood. Consider how many years I've been busy in huntin' her +up, and how hard 't will be to lose that which has given me so many +weary days and sleepless nights to find.” + +Rose said no more. If not convinced, she was evidently silenced, while +Harry was left to wonder and surmise, as best he might. Both quitted the +subject, to watch the people of the brig. By this time the anchor had +been lifted, and the chain was heaving in on board the vessel, by means +of a line that had been got around its bight. The work went on rapidly, +and Mulford observed to Rose that he did not think it was the intention +of Spike to remain long at the Tortugas, inasmuch as his brig was riding +by a very short range of cable. This opinion was confirmed, half an hour +later, when it was seen that the launch was hooked on and hoisted in +again, as soon as the chain and anchor of the schooner were secured. + +Jack Tier watched every movement with palpable uneasiness. His +apprehensions that Spike would obtain all he wanted, and be off before +he could rejoin him, increased at each instant, and he did not scruple +to announce an intention to take the boat and go alongside of the Swash +at every hazard, rather than be left. + +“You do not reflect on what you say, Jack,” answered Harry; “unless, +indeed, it be your intention to betray us. How could you appear in the +boat, at this place, without letting it be known that we must be hard +by?” + +“That don't follow at all, maty,” answered Jack. “Suppose I go alongside +the brig and own to the captain that I took the boat last night, with +the hope of findin' you, and that failin' to succeed, I bore up for this +port, to look for provisions and water. Miss Rose he thinks on board at +this moment, and in my judgment he would take me at my word, give me a +good cursing, and think no more about it.” + +“It would never do, Jack,” interposed Rose, instantly. “It would cause +the destruction of Harry, as Spike would not believe you had not found +him, without an examination of this house.” + +“What are they about with the yawl, Mr. Mulford?” asked Jack, whose eye +was never off the vessel for a single moment. “It's gettin' to be so +dark that one can hardly see the boat, but it seems as if they're about +to man the yawl.” + +“They are, and there goes a lantern into it. And that is Spike himself +coming down the brig's side this instant.” + +“They can only bring a lantern to search this house,” exclaimed Rose. +“Oh! Harry, you are lost!” + +“I rather think the lantern is for the light-house,” answered Mulford, +whose coolness, at what was certainly a most trying moment, did not +desert him. “Spike may wish to keep the light burning, for once before, +you will remember, he had it kindled after the keeper was removed. As +for his sailing, he would not be apt to sail until the moon rises; and +in beating back to the wreck the light may serve to let him know the +bearings and position of the reef.” + +“There they come,” whispered Rose, half breathless with alarm. “The boat +has left the brig, and is coming directly hither!” + +All this was true enough. The yawl had shoved off, and with two men to +row it, was pulling for the wharf in front of the house, and among the +timbers of which lay the boat, pretty well concealed beneath a sort of +bridge. Mulford would not retreat, though he looked to the fastenings +of the door as a means of increasing his chances of defence. In +the stern-sheets of the boat sat two men, though it was not easy to +ascertain who they were by the fading light. One was known to be +Spike, however, and the other, it was conjectured, must be Don Juan +Montefalderon, from the circumstance of his being in the place of +honour. Three minutes solved this question, the boat reaching the wharf +by that time. It was instantly secured, and all four of the men left it. +Spike was now plainly to be discerned by means of the lantern which +he carried in his own hands, He gave some orders, in his customary +authoritative way, and in a high key, after which he led the way from +the wharf, walking side by side with the Señor Montefalderon. These two +last came up within a yard of the door of the house, where they paused, +enabling those within not only to see their persons and the working of +their countenances, but to hear all that was said; this last the more +especially, since Spike never thought it necessary to keep his powerful +voice within moderate limits. + +“It's hardly worth while, Don Wan, for you to go into the light-house,” + said Spike. “'T is but a greasy, dirty place at the best, and one's +clothes are never the better for dealin' with ile. Here, Bill, take the +lantern, and get a filled can, that we may go up and trim and fill the +lamp, and make a blaze. Bear a hand, lads, and I'll be a'ter ye afore +you reach the lantern. Be careful with the flame about the ile, for +seamen ought never to wish to see a lighthouse destroyed.” + +“What do you expect to gain by lighting the lamps above, Don Esteban?” + demanded the Mexican, when the sailors had disappeared in the +light-house, taking their own lantern with them. + +“It's wisest to keep things reg'lar about this spot, Don Wan, which will +prevent unnecessary suspicions. But, as the brig stretches in toward the +reef to-night, on our way back, the light will be a great assistance. I +am short of officers, you know, and want all the help of this sort I can +get.” + +“To be sincere with you, Don Esteban, I greatly regret you _are_ so +short of officers, and do not yet despair of inducing you to go and take +off the mate, whom I hear you have left on a barren rock. He was a fine +young fellow, Señor Spike, and the deed was not one that you will wish +to remember a few years hence.” + +“The fellow run, and I took him at his word, Don Wan. I'm not obliged to +receive back a deserter unless it suits me.” + +“We are all obliged to see we do not cause a fellow creature the loss +of life. This will prove the death of the charming young woman who is so +much attached to him, unless you relent and are merciful!” + +“Women have tender looks but tough hearts,” answered Spike, carelessly, +though Mulford felt certain, by the tone of his voice, that great +bitterness of feeling lay smothered beneath the affected indifference of +his manner; “few die of love.” + +“The young lady has not been on deck all day; and the Irish woman tells +me that she does nothing but drink water--the certain proof of a high +fever.” + +“Ay, ay, she keeps her room if you will, Don Wan, but she is not about +to make a dupe of me by any such tricks. I must go and look to the +lamps, however, and you will find the graves you seek in the rear of +this house, about thirty yards behind it, you'll remember. That's a very +pretty cross you've made, señor, and the skipper of the schooner's soul +will be all the better for settin' it up at the head of his grave.” + +“It will serve to let those who come after us know that a Christian +sleeps beneath the sand, Don Esteban,” answered the Mexican, mildly. “I +have no other expectation from this sacred symbol.” + +The two now separated, Spike going into the light-house, little in a +hurry, while Don Juan Montefalderon walked round the building to its +rear in quest of the grave. Mulford waited a moment for Spike to get a +short distance up the stairs of the high tower he had to ascend, when +placing the arm of Rose within his own, he opened the door in the +rear of the house, and walked boldly toward the Mexican. Don Juan was +actually forcing the pointed end of his little cross into the sand, +at the head of his countryman's grave, when Mulford and his trembling +companion reached the spot. Although night had shut in, it was not so +dark that persons could not be recognised at small distances. The Señor +Montefalderon was startled at an apparition so sudden and unexpected, +when Mulford saluted him by name; but recognising first the voice of +Harry, and then the persons of himself and his companion, +surprise, rather than alarm, became the emotion that was uppermost. +Notwithstanding the strength of the first of these feelings, he +instantly saluted the young couple with the polished ease that marked +his manner, which had much of the courtesy of a Castilian in it, +tempered a little, perhaps, by the greater flexibility of a Southern +American. + +“I _see_ you,” exclaimed Don Juan, “and must believe my eyes. Without +their evidence, however, I could scarce believe it can be you two, one +of whom I thought on board the brig, and the other suffering a most +miserable death on a naked rock.” + +“I am aware of your kind feelings in our behalf, Don Juan,” said +Mulford, “and it is the reason I now confide in you. I was taken off +that rock by means of the boat, which you doubtless have missed; and +this is the gentle being who has been the means of saving my life. To +her and Jack Tier, who is yonder, under the shadows of the house, I owe +my not being the victim of Spike's cruelty.” + +“I now comprehend the whole matter, Don Henriquez. Jack Tier has managed +the boat for the señorita; and those whom we were told were too ill to +be seen on deck, have been really out of the brig!” + +“Such are the facts, señor, and from _you_ there is no wish to conceal +them. We are then to understand that the absence of Rose and Jack from +the brig is not known to Spike.” + +“I believe not, señor. He has alluded to both, once or twice to-day, as +being ill below; but would you not do well to retire within the shade of +the dwelling, lest a glance from the lantern might let those in it know +that I am not alone.” + +“There is little danger, Don Juan, as they who stand near a light cannot +well see those who are in the darkness. Beside, they are high in the +air, while we are on the ground, which will greatly add to the obscurity +down here. We can retire, nevertheless, as I have a few questions to +ask, which may as well be put in perfect security, as put where there is +any risk.” + +The three now drew near the house, Rose actually stepping within its +door, though Harry remained on its exterior, in order to watch the +proceedings of those in the light-house. Here the Señor Montefalderon +entered into a more detailed explanation of what had occurred on board +the brig, since the appearance of day, that very morning. According to +his account of the matter, Spike had immediately called upon the people +to explain the loss of the boat. Tier was not interrogated on this +occasion, it being understood he had gone below and turned in, after +having the look-out for fully half the night. As no one could, or would, +give an account of the manner in which the boat was missing, Josh was +ordered to go below and question Jack on the subject. Whether it was +from consciousness of his connection with the escape of Jack, and +apprehensions of the consequences, or from innate good-nature, and +a desire to befriend the lovers, this black now admitted that Jack +confessed to him that the boat had got away from him while endeavouring +to shift the turns of its painter from a cleet where they ought not +to be, to their proper place. This occurred early in Jack's watch, +according to Josh's story, and had not been reported, as the boat did +not properly belong to the brig, and was an incumbrance rather than an +advantage. The mate admired the negro's cunning, as Don Juan related +this part of his story, which put him in a situation to throw all the +blame on Jack's mendacity in the event of a discovery, while it had the +effect to allow the fugitives more time for their escape. The result +was, that Spike bestowed a few hearty curses, as usual, on the +clumsiness of Jack Tier, and seemed to forget all about the matter. It +is probable he connected Jack's abstaining from showing himself on deck, +and his alleged indisposition, with his supposed delinquency in this +matter of the boat. From that moment the captain appeared to give +himself no further concern on the subject, the boat having been, in +truth, an incumbrance rather than a benefit, as stated. + +As for Rose, her keeping her room, under the circumstances, was so very +natural, that the Señor Montefalderon had been completely deceived, as, +from his tranquillity on this point, there was no question was the case +with Spike also. Biddy appeared on deck, though the widow did not, and +the Irish woman shook her head anxiously when questioned about her young +mistress, giving the spectators reason to suppose that the latter was in +a very bad way. + +As respects the brig and her movements, Spike had got under way as soon +as there was light enough to find his course, and had run through the +passage. It is probable that the boat was seen; for something that was +taken for a small sail had just been made out for a single instant, and +then became lost again. This little sail was made, if made at all, in +the direction of the Dry Tortugas, but so completely was all suspicion +at rest in the minds of those on the quarter-deck of the Swash, that +neither Spike nor the Mexican had the least idea what it was. When +the circumstance was reported to the former, he answered that it was +probably some small wrecker, of which many were hovering about the reef, +and added, laughingly, though in a way to prove how little he thought +seriously on the subject at all, “who knows but the light-house boat has +fallen into their hands, and that they've made sail on _her;_ if they +have, my word for it, that she goes, hull, spars, rigging, canvas, and +cargo, all in a lump, for salvage.” + +As the brig came out of the passage, in broad day, the heads of the +schooner's masts were seen, as a matter of course. This induced Spike to +heave-to, lower a boat, and to go in person to examine the condition +of the wreck. It will be seen that Jack's presence could now be all the +better dispensed with. The examination, with the soundings, and other +calculations connected with raising the vessel, occupied hours. When +they were completed, Spike returned on board, run up his boat, and +squared away for the Dry Tortugas. Señor Montefalderon confirmed the +justice of Jack Tier's surmises, as to the object of this unexpected +visit. The brig had come solely for the chain and anchor mentioned, and +having secured them, it was Spike's intention to get under way and beat +up to the wreck again as soon as the moon rose. As for the sloop-of-war, +he believed she had given him up; for by this time she must know that +she had no chance with the brig, so long as the latter kept near the +reef, and that she ran the constant hazard of shipwreck, while playing +so near the dangers herself. + +Before the Señor Montefalderon exhausted all he had to communicate, he +was interrupted by Jack Tier with a singular proposition. Jack's great +desire was to get on board the Swash; and he now begged the Mexican to +let Mulford take the yawl and scull him off to the brig, and return +to the islet before Spike and his companions should descend from +the lantern of the light-house. The little fellow insisted there was +sufficient time for such a purpose, as the three in the lantern had +not yet succeeded in filling the lamps with the oil necessary to their +burning for a night--a duty that usually occupied the regular keeper for +an hour. Five or six minutes would suffice for him; and if he were seen +going up the brig's side, it would be easy for him to maintain that he +had come ashore in the boat. No one took such precise note of what was +going on; as to be able to contradict him; and as to Spike and the men +with him, they would probably never hear anything about it. + +Don Juan Montefalderon was struck with the boldness of Jack Tier's +plan, but refused his assent to it. He deemed it too hazardous, but +substituted a project of his own. The moon would not rise until near +eleven, and it wanted several hours before the time of sailing. When +they returned to the brig, he would procure his cloak, and scull himself +ashore, being perfectly used to managing a boat in this way, under +the pretence of wishing to pass an hour longer near the grave of his +countryman. At the expiration of that hour he would take Jack off, +concealed beneath his cloak--an exploit of no great difficulty in +the darkness, especially as no one would be on deck but a hand or two +keeping the anchor-watch. With this arrangement, therefore, Jack Tier +was obliged to be content. + +Some fifteen or twenty minutes more passed; during which the Mexican +again alluded to his country, and his regrets at her deplorable +situation. The battles of the 8th and 9th of May; two combats that ought +to, and which will reflect high honour on the little army that won them, +as well as on that hardly worked, and in some respects hardly used, +service to which they belong, had been just fought. Don Juan mentioned +these events without reserve; and frankly admitted that success had +fallen to the portion of much the weaker party. He ascribed the victory +to the great superiority of the American officers of inferior rank; it +being well known that in the service of the “Republic of the North,” as +he termed America, men who had been regularly educated at the military +academy, and who had reached the period of middle life, were serving in +the stations of captains, and sometimes in that of lieutenants; men who, +in many cases, were fitted to command regiments and brigades, having +been kept in these lower stations by the tardiness with which promotion +comes in an army like that of this country. + +Don Juan Montefalderon was not sufficiently conversant with the subject, +perhaps, else he might have added, that when occasions _do_ offer +to bestow on these gentlemen the preferment they have so hardly and +patiently earned, they are too often neglected, in order to extend the +circle of vulgar political patronage. He did not know that when a new +regiment of dragoons was raised, one permanent in its character, and +intended to be identified with the army in all future time, that, +instead of giving its commissions to those who had fairly earned them by +long privations and faithful service, they were given, with one or two +exceptions, to strangers. + +No government trifles more with its army and navy than our own. So +niggardly are the master-spirits at Washington of the honours justly +earned by military men, that we have fleets still commanded by captains, +and armies by officers whose regular duty it would be to command +brigades. The world is edified with the sight of forces sufficient, in +numbers, and every other military requisite, to make one of Napoleon's +_corps de armée,_ led by one whose commission would place him properly +at the head of a brigade, and nobly led, too. Here, when so favourable +an occasion offers to add a regiment or two to the old permanent line +of the army, and thus infuse new life into its hope deferred, the +opportunity is overlooked, and the rank and file are to be obtained +by cramming, instead of by a generous regard to the interests of the +gallant gentlemen who have done so much for the honour of the American +name, and, unhappily, so little for themselves. The extra-patriots of +the nation, and they form a legion large enough to trample the “Halls of +the Montezumas” under their feet, tell us that the reward of those other +patriots beneath the shadows of the Sierra Madre, is to be in the love +and approbation of their fellow citizens, at the very moment when they +are giving the palpable proof of the value of this esteem, and of the +inconstancy of popular applause, by pointing their fingers, on account +of an inadvertent expression in a letter, at the gallant soldier who +taught, in our own times, the troops of this country to stand up to the +best appointed regiments of England, and to carry off victory from the +pride of Europe, in fair field-fights. Alas! alas! it is true of nations +as well as of men, in their simplest and earliest forms of association, +that there are “secrets in all families;” and it will no more do to +dwell on our own, than it would edify us to expose those of poor Mexico. + +The discourse between the Señor Montefalderon and Mulford was +interesting, as it ever has been when the former spoke of his +unfortunate country. On the subject of the battles of May he was candid, +and admitted his deep mortification and regrets. He had expected more +from the force collected on the Rio Grande, though, understanding the +northern character better than most of his countrymen, he had not been +as much taken by surprise as the great bulk of his own nation. + +“Nevertheless, Don Henrique,” he concluded, for the voice of Spike was +just then heard as he was descending the stairs of the light-house, +“nevertheless, Don Henrique, there is one thing that your people, brave, +energetic, and powerful as I acknowledge them to be, would do well to +remember, and it is this--no nation of the numbers of ours can be, or +ever was conquered, unless by the force of political combinations. In +a certain state of society a government may be overturned, or a capital +taken, and carry a whole country along with it, but our condition is one +not likely to bring about such a result. We are of a race different from +the Anglo-Saxon, and it will not be easy either to assimilate us to your +own, or wholly to subdue us. In those parts of the country, where +the population is small, in time, no doubt, the Spanish race might be +absorbed, and your sway established; but ages of war would be necessary +entirely to obliterate our usages, our language, and our religion from +the peopled portions of Mexico.” + +It might be well for some among us to reflect on these matters. +The opinions of Don Juan, in our judgment, being entitled to the +consideration of all prudent and considerate men. + +As Spike descended to the door of the light-house, Harry, Rose, and Jack +Tier retired within that of the dwelling. Presently the voice of the +captain was heard hailing the Mexican, and together they walked to the +wharf, the former boasting to the latter of his success in making a +brilliant light. Brilliant it was, indeed; so brilliant as to give +Mulford many misgivings on the subject of the boat. The light from the +lantern fell upon the wharf, and he could see the boat from the window +where he stood, with Spike standing nearly over it, waiting for the men +to get his own yawl ready. It is true, the captain's back was toward the +dangerous object, and the planks of the bridge were partly between him +and it; but there was a serious danger that was solely averted by the +circumstance that Spike was so earnestly dilating on some subject to Don +Juan, as to look only at that gentleman's face. A minute later they were +all in the yawl, which pulled rapidly toward the brig. + +Don Juan Montefalderon was not long absent. Ten minutes sufficed for the +boat to reach the Swash, for him to obtain his cloak, and to return to +the islet alone, no one in the vessel feeling a desire to interfere with +his imaginary prayers. As for the people, it was not probable that one +in the brig could have been induced to accompany him to the graves +at that hour; though everybody but Josh had turned-in, as he informed +Mulford, to catch short naps previously to the hour of getting the brig +under way. As for the steward, he had been placed on the look-out as +the greatest idler on board. All this was exceedingly favourable to Jack +Tier's project, since Josh was already in the secret of his absence, and +would not be likely to betray his return. After a brief consultation, it +was agreed to wait half an hour or an hour, in order to let the sleepers +lose all consciousness, when Don Juan proposed returning to the vessel +with his new companion. + +The thirty or forty minutes that succeeded were passed in general +conversation. On this occasion the Señor Montefalderon spoke more freely +than he had yet done of recent events. He let it be plainly seen how +much he despised Spike, and how irksome to him was the intercourse he +was obliged to maintain, and to which he only submitted through a sense +of duty. The money known to be in the schooner, was of a larger amount +than had been supposed; and every dollar was so important to Mexico, at +that moment, that he did not like to abandon it, else, did he declare, +that he would quit the brig at once, and share in the fortunes of Harry +and Rose. He courteously expressed his best wishes for the happiness +of the young couple, and delicately intimated that, under the +circumstances, he supposed that they would be united as soon as they +could reach a place where the marriage rite could be celebrated. This +was said in the most judicious way possible; so delicately as not to +wound any one's feelings, and in a way to cause it to resemble the +announcement of an expectation, rather than the piece of paternal +advice for which it was really intended. Harry was delighted with this +suggestion of his Mexican friend--the most loyal American may still have +a sincere friend of Mexican birth and Mexican feelings, too--since it +favoured not only his secret wishes, but his secret expectations also. + +At the appointed moment, Don Juan Montefalderon and Jack Tier took their +leave of the two they left behind them. Rose manifested what to Harry +seemed a strange reluctance to part with the little steward; but Tier +was bent on profiting by this excellent opportunity to get back to the +brig. They went, accordingly, and the anxious listeners, who watched the +slightest movement of the yawl, from the shore, had reason to believe +that Jack was smuggled in without detection. They heard the familiar +sound of the oar falling in the boat, and Mulford said that Josh's voice +might be distinguished, answering to a call from Don Juan. No noise +or clamour was heard, such as Spike would certainly have made, had he +detected the deception that had been practised on himself. + +Harry and Rose were now alone. The former suggested that the latter +should take possession of one of the little bed-rooms that are usually +to be found in American dwellings of the dimensions and humble character +of the lighthouse abode, while he kept watch until the brig should sail. +Until Spike was fairly off, he would not trust himself to sleep; but +there was no sufficient reason why Rose should not endeavour to repair +the evil of a broken night's rest, like that which had been passed in +the boat. With this understanding, then, our heroine took possession of +her little apartment, where she threw herself on the bed in her clothes, +while Mulford walked out into the air, as the most effective means of +helping to keep his eyes open. + +It was now some time past ten, and before eleven the moon would rise. +The mate consequently knew that his watch could not be long before +Spike would quit the neighbourhood--a circumstance pregnant with immense +relief to him, at least. So long as that unscrupulous, and now nearly +desperate, man remained anywhere near Rose, he felt that she could not +be safe; and as he paced the sands, on the off, or outer side of the +islet, in order to be beyond the influence of the light in the lantern, +his eye was scarcely a moment taken away from the Swash, so impatiently +and anxiously did he wait for the signs of some movement on board her. + +The moon rose, and Mulford heard the well-known raps on the booby-hatch, +which precedes the call of “all hands,” on board a merchant-man. “All +hands up anchor, ahoy!” succeeded, and in less than five minutes the +bustle on board the brig announced the fact, that her people were +“getting the anchor.” By this time it had got to be so light that the +mate deemed it prudent to return to the house, in order that he might +conceal his person within its shadows. Awake Rose he would not, though +he knew she would witness the departure of the Swash with a satisfaction +little short of his own. He thought he would wait, that when he did +speak to her at all, it might be to announce their entire safety. +As regarded the aunt, Rose was much relieved on her account, by the +knowledge that Jack Tier would not fail to let Mrs. Budd know everything +connected with her own situation and prospects. The desertion of Jack, +after coming so far with her, had pained our heroine in a way we cannot +at present explain; but go he would, probably feeling assured there was +no longer any necessity for his continuance with the lovers, in order to +prevail on Rose to escape from Spike. + +The Swash was not long in getting her ground-tackle, and the brig was +soon seen with her topsail aback, waiting to cat the anchor. This done, +the yards swung round, and the topsail filled. It was blowing just a +good breeze for such a craft to carry whole sail on a bow-line with, +and away the light and active craft started, like the racer that is +galloping for daily exercise. Of course there were several passages by +which a vessel might quit the group of islets, some being larger, and +some smaller, but all having sufficient water for a brigantine of +the Molly's draught. Determined not to lose an inch of distance +unnecessarily, Spike luffed close up to the wind, making an effort to +pass out to windward of the light. In order to do this, however, it +became necessary for him to make two short tacks within the haven, +which brought him far enough to the southward and eastward to effect his +purpose. While this was doing, the mate, who perfectly understood the +object of the manoeuvres, passed to the side of the light-house that was +opposite to that on which the dwelling was placed, with a view to get a +better sight of the vessel as she stood out to sea. In order to do this, +however, it was necessary for the young man to pass through a broad bit +of moonlight but he trusted for his not being seen, to the active manner +in which all hands were employed on board the vessel. It would seem +that, in this respect, Mulford trusted without his host, for as the +vessel drew near, he perceived that six or eight figures were on +the guns of the Swash, or in her rigging, gesticulating eagerly, and +seemingly pointing to the very spot where he stood. When the brig got +fairly abeam of the light, she would not be a hundred yards distant from +it, and fearful to complete the exposure of his person, which he had so +inadvertently and unexpectedly commenced, our mate drew up close to +the wall of the light-house, against which he sustained himself in a +position as immovable as possible. This movement had been seen by a +single seaman on board the Swash, and the man happened to be one of +those who had landed with Spike only two hours before. His name was +Barlow. + +“Captain Spike, sir,” called out Barlow, who was coiling up rigging on +the forecastle, and was consequently obliged to call out so loud as +to be heard by all on board, “yonder is a man at the foot of the +light-house.” + +By this time, the moon coming out bright through an opening in the +clouds, Mulford had become conscious of the risk he ran, and was +drawn up, as immovable as the pile itself, against the stones of the +light-house. Such an announcement brought everybody to leeward, +and every head over the bulwarks. Spike himself sprang into the lee +main-chains, where his view was unobstructed, and where Mulford saw and +recognised him, even better than he was seen and recognised in his own +person. All this time the brig was moving ahead. + +“A man, Barlow!” exclaimed Spike, in the way one a little bewildered by +an announcement expresses his surprise. “A man! that can never be. There +is no one at the light-house, you know.” + +“There he stands, sir, with his back to the tower, and his face this +way. His dark figure against the white-washed stones is plain enough to +be seen. Living, or dead, sir, that is the mate!” + +“_Living_ it cannot be,” answered Spike, though he gulped at the words +the next moment. + +A general exclamation now showed that everybody recognised the mate, +whose figure, stature, dress, and even features, were by this time +all tolerably distinct. The fixed attitude, however, the immovable +statue-like rigidity of the form, and all the other known circumstances +of Harry's case, united to produce a common and simultaneous impression +among the superstitious mariners, that what they saw was but the ghostly +shadow of one lately departed to the world of spirits. Even Spike was +not free from this illusion, and his knees shook beneath him, there +where he stood, in the channels of a vessel that he had handled like a +top in so many gales and tempests. With him, however, the illusion +was neither absolute nor lasting. A second thought told him it could +scarcely be so, and then he found his voice. By this time the brig was +nearly abreast of where Harry stood. + +“You Josh!” called out Spike, in a voice of thunder, loud enough to +startle even Mrs. Budd and Biddy in their berths. + +“Lor' help us all!” answered the negro, “what _will_ come next t'ing +aboard dis wessel! Here I be, sir.” + +“Pass the fowling-piece out of my state-room. Both barrels are loaded +with ball; I'll try him, though the bullets _are_ only lead.” + +A common exclamation of dissatisfaction escaped the men, while Josh was +obeying the order. “It's no use.” + +“You never can hurt one of them things.” “Something will befall the brig +on account of this,” and “It's the mate's sperit, and sperits can't be +harmed by lead or iron,” were the sort of remarks made by the seamen, +during the short interval between the issuing the order for the +fowling-piece and its execution. + +“There 't is, Cap'in Spike,” said Josh, passing the piece up through +the rigging, “but 't will no more shoot _that_ thing, than one of our +carronades would blow up Gibraltar.” + +By this time Spike was very determined, his lips being compressed and +his teeth set, as he took the gun and cocked it. Then he hailed. As all +that passed occurred, as it might be, at once, the brig even at that +moment was little more than abreast of the immovable mate, and about +eighty yards from him. + +“Light-house, there!” cried Spike--“Living or dead, answer or I fire.” + +No answer came, and no motion appeared in the dark figure that was now +very plainly visible, under a bright moon, drawn in high relief against +the glittering white of the tower. Spike dropped the muzzle to its aim, +and fired. + +So intense was the attention of all in the Swash, that a wink of Harry's +could almost have been seen, had he betrayed even that slight sign of +human infirmity at the flash and the report. The ball was flattened +against a stone of the building, within a foot of the mate's body; but +he did not stir. All depended now on his perfect immovability, as he +well knew; and he so far commanded himself, as to remain rigid as if of +stone himself. + +“There! one can see how it is--no life in that being,” said one. “I +know'd how it would end,” added another. “Nothing but silver, and +that cast on purpose, will ever lay it,” continued a third. But Spike +disregarded all. This time he was resolved that his aim should be +better, and he was inveterately deliberate in getting it. Just as he +pulled the trigger, however, Don Juan Montefalderon touched his elbow, +the piece was fired, and there stood the immovable figure as before, +fixed against the tower. Spike was turning angrily to chide his Mexican +friend for deranging his aim, when the report of an answering musket +came back like an echo. Every eye was turned toward the figure, but it +moved not. Then the humming sound of an advancing ball was heard, and +a bullet passed, whistling hoarsely, through the rigging, and fell some +distance to windward. Every head disappeared below the bulwarks. Even +Spike was so far astonished as to spring in upon deck, and, for a single +instant, not a man was to be seen above the monkey-rail of the brig. +Then Spike recovered himself and jumped upon a gun. His first look was +toward the light-house, now on the vessel's lee-quarter; but the spot +where had so lately been seen the form of Mulford, showed nothing but +the glittering brightness of the white-washed stones! + +The reader will not be surprised to learn that all these events produced +a strange and deep impression on board the Molly Swash. The few who +might have thrown a little light on the matter were discreetly silent, +while all that portion of the crew which was in the dark, firmly +believed that the spirit of the murdered mate was visiting them, +in order to avenge the wrongs inflicted on it in the flesh. The +superstition of sailors is as deep as it is general. All those of the +Molly, too, were salts of the old school, sea-dogs of a past generation, +properly speaking, and mariners who had got their notions in the early +part of the century, when the spirit of progress was less active than it +is at present. + +Spike himself might have had other misgivings, and believed that he had +seen the living form of his intended victim, but for the extraordinary +and ghost-like echo of his last discharge. There was nothing visible, or +intelligible, from which that fire could have come, and he was perfectly +bewildered by the whole occurrence. An intention to round-to, as soon +as through the passage, down boat and land, which had been promptly +conceived when he found that his first aim had failed, was as suddenly +abandoned, and he gave the command to “board fore-tack;” immediately +after, his call was to “pack on the brig,” and not without a little +tremour in his voice, as soon as he perceived that the figure had +vanished. The crew was not slow to obey these orders, and in ten +minutes, the Swash was a mile from the light, standing to the northward +and eastward, under a press of canvas, and with a freshening breeze. + +To return to the islets. Harry, from the first, had seen that everything +depended on his remaining motionless. As the people of the brig were +partly in shadow, he could not, and did not, fully understand how +completely he was himself exposed, in consequence of the brightness +of all around him, and he had at first hoped to be mistaken for some +accidental resemblance to a man. His nerves were well tried by the use +of the fowling-piece, but they proved equal to the necessities of the +occasion. But, when an answering report came from the rear, or from the +opposite side of the islet, he darted round the tower, as much taken by +surprise, and overcome by wonder, as any one else who heard it. It was +this rapid movement which caused his flight to be unnoticed, all the men +of the brig dodging below their own bulwarks at that precise instant. + +As the light-house was now between the mate and the brig, he had no +longer any motive for trying to conceal himself. His first thought was +of Rose, and, strange as it may seem, for some little time he fancied +that she had found a musket in the dwelling, and discharged it, in order +to aid his escape. The events had passed so swiftly, that there was no +time for the cool consideration of anything, and it is not surprising +that some extravagances mingled with the first surmises of all these. + +On reaching the door of the house, therefore, Harry was by no means +surprised at seeing Rose standing in it, gazing at the swiftly receding +brigantine. He even looked for the musket, expecting to see it lying at +her feet, or leaning against the wall of the building. Rose, however, +was entirely unarmed, and as dependent on him for support, as when he +had parted from her, an hour or two before. + +“Where did you find that musket, Rose, and what have you done with +it?” inquired Harry, as soon as he had looked in every place he thought +likely to hold such an implement. + +“Musket, Harry! I have had no musket, though the report of fire-arms, +near by, awoke me from a sweet sleep.” + +“Is this possible! I had imprudently trusted myself on the other side of +the light-house, while the moon was behind clouds, and when they broke +suddenly away, its light betrayed me to those on board the brig. Spike +fired at me twice, without injuring me; when, to my astonishment, an +answering report was heard from the islet. What is more, the piece was +charged with a ball-cartridge, for I heard the whistling of the bullet +as it passed on its way to the brig.” + +“And you supposed I had fired that musket?” + +“Whom else could I suppose had done it? You are not a very likely person +to do such a thing, I will own, my love; but there are none but us two +here.” + +“It must be Jack Tier,” exclaimed Rose suddenly. + +“That is impossible, since he has left us.” + +“One never knows. Jack understood how anxious I was to retain him +with us, and he is so capricious and full of schemes, that he may have +contrived to get out of the brig, as artfully as he got on board her.” + +“If Jack Tier be actually on this islet, I shall set him down as little +else than a conjuror.” + +“Hist!” interrupted Rose, “what noise is that in the direction of the +wharf? It sounds like an oar falling in a boat.” + +Mulford heard that well-known sound, as well as his companion, and, +followed by Rose, he passed swiftly through the house, coming out at +the front, next the wharf. The moon was still shining bright, and the +mystery of the echoing report, and answering shot, was immediately +explained. A large boat, one that pulled ten oars, at least, was just +coming up to the end of the wharf, and the manner in which its oars +were unshipped and tossed, announced to the mate that the crew were +man-of-war's men. He walked hastily forward to meet them. + +Three officers first left the boat together. The gold bands of their +caps showed that they belonged to the quarter-deck, a fact that the +light of the moon made apparent at once, though it was not strong enough +to render features distinct. As Mulford continued to advance, however, +the three officers saluted him. + +“I see you have got the light under way once more,” observed the leader +of the party. “Last night it was as dark as Erebus in your lantern.” + +“The light-house keeper and his assistant have both been drowned,” + answered Mulford. “The lamps have been lit to-night by the people of the +brig which has just gone out.” + +“Pray, sir, what brig may that be?” + +“The Molly Swash, of New York; a craft that I lately belonged to myself, +but which I have left on account of her evil doings.” + +“The Molly Swash, Stephen Spike master and owner, bound to Key West and +a market, with a cargo of eight hundred barrels of flour, and that of +a quality so lively and pungent that it explodes like gunpowder! I +beg your pardon, Mr. Mate, for not recognising you sooner. Have +you forgotten the Poughkeepsie, Captain Mull, and her far-reaching +Paixhans?” + +“I ought to ask your pardon, Mr. Wallace, for not recognising _you_ +sooner, too. But one does not distinguish well by moonlight. I am +delighted to see you, sir, and now hope that, with my assistance, a stop +can be put to the career of the brig.” + +“What, Mr. Mate, do _you_ turn against your craft?” said Wallace, under +the impulsive feeling which induces all loyal men to have a distaste for +treachery of every sort, “the seaman should love the very planks of his +vessel.” + +“I fully understand you, Mr. Wallace, and will own that, for a long +time, I was tied to rascality by the opinions to which you allude. But, +when you come to hear my explanation, I do not fear your judgment in the +least.” + +Mulford now led the way into the house, whither Rose had already +retreated, and where she had lighted candles, and made other womanly +arrangements for receiving her guests. At Harry's suggestion, some +of the soup was placed over coals, to warm up for the party, and our +heroine made her preparations to comfort them also with a cup of tea. +While she was thus employed, Mulford gave the whole history of his +connection with the brig, his indisposition to quit the latter, the full +exposure of Spike's treason, his own desertion, if desertion it could be +called, the loss of the schooner, and his abandonment on the rock, +and the manner in which he had been finally relieved. It was scarcely +possible to relate all these matters, and altogether avoid allusions to +the schemes of Spike in connection with Rose, and the relation in which +our young man himself stood toward her. Although Mulford touched on +these points with great delicacy, it was as a seaman talking to seamen, +and he could not entirely throw aside the frankness of the profession. +Ashore, men live in the privacy of their own domestic circles, and their +secrets, and secret thoughts, are “family secrets,” of which it has +passed into a proverb to say, that there are always some, even in the +best of these communities. On shipboard, or in the camp, it is very +different. The close contact in which men are brought with each other, +the necessity that exists for opening the heart and expanding the +charities, gets in time to influence the whole character, and a certain +degree of frankness and simplicity, takes the place of the reserve and +acting that might have been quickened in the same individual, under a +different system of schooling. But Mulford was frank by nature, as well +as by his sea-education, and his companions on this occasion were pretty +well possessed of all his wishes and plans, in reference to Rose, even +to his hope of falling in with the chaplain of the Poughkeepsie, by the +time his story was all told. The fact that Rose was occupied in another +room, most of the time, had made these explanations all the easier, and +spared her many a blush. As for the man-of-war's men, they listened to +the tale, with manly interest and a generous sympathy. + +“I am glad to hear your explanation, Mr. Mate,” said Wallace, cordially, +as soon as Harry had done, “and there's my hand, in proof that I approve +of your course. I own to a radical dislike of a turncoat, or a traitor +to his craft, Brother Hollins”--looking at the elder of his two +companions, one of whom was the midshipman who had originally +accompanied him on board the Swash--“and am glad to find that our +friend Mulford here is neither. A true-hearted sailor can be excused for +deserting even his own ship, under such circumstances.” + +“I am glad to hear even this little concession from you, Wallace,” + answered Hollins, good-naturedly, and speaking with a mild expression of +benevolence, on a very calm and thoughtful countenance. “Your mess is +as heteredox as any I ever sailed with, on the subject of our duties, in +this respect.” + +“I hold it to be a sailor's duty to stick by his ship, reverend and dear +sir.” + +This mode of address, which was used by the “ship's gentleman” in the +cant of the ward-room, as a pleasantry of an old shipmate, for the two +had long sailed together in other vessels, at once announced to +Harry that he saw the very chaplain for whose presence he had been so +anxiously wishing. The “reverend and dear sir” smiled at the sally of +his friend, a sort of thing to which he was very well accustomed, but he +answered with a gravity and point that, it is to be presumed, he thought +befitting his holy office. + +It may be well to remark here, that the Rev. Mr. Hollins was not one of +the “lunch'd chaplains,” that used to do discredit to the navy of this +country, or a layman dubbed with such a title, and rated that he might +get the pay and become a boon companion of the captain, at the table +and in his frolics ashore. Those days are gone by, and ministers of +the gospel are now really employed to care for the souls of the poor +sailors, who so long have been treated by others, and have treated +themselves, indeed, as if they were beings without souls, altogether. In +these particulars, the world has certainly advanced, though the wise and +the good, in looking around them, may feel more cause for astonishment +in contemplating what it once was, than to rejoice in what it actually +is. But intellect has certainly improved in the aggregate, if not in +its especial dispensations, and men will not now submit to abuses +that, within the recollections of a generation, they even cherished. In +reference to the more intellectual appointments of a ship of war, the +commander excepted, for we contend he who directs all, ought to possess +the most capacity, but, in reference to what are ordinarily believed to +be the more intellectual appointments of a vessel of war, the surgeon +and the chaplain, we well recollect opinions that were expressed to +us, many years since, by two officers of the highest rank known to the +service. “When I first entered the navy,” said one of these old Benbows, +“if I had occasion for the amputation of a leg, and the question lay +between the carpenter and the doctor, d--e, but I would have tried the +carpenter first, for I felt pretty certain he would have been the most +likely to get through with the job.” “In old times,” said the other, +“when a chaplain joined a ship, the question immediately arose, whether +the mess were to convert the chaplain, or the chaplain, the mess; +and the mess generally got the best of it.” There was very little +exaggeration in either of these opinions. But, happily, all this is +changed vastly for the better, and a navy-surgeon is necessarily a man +of education and experience; in very many instances, men of high talents +are to be found among them; while chaplains can do something better +than play at backgammon, eat terrapins, when in what may be called +terra-pin-ports, and drink brandy and water, or pure Bob Smith.(1) + +“It is a great mistake, Wallace, to fancy that the highest duty a man +owes, is either to his ship or to his country,” observed the Rey. Mr. +Hollins, quietly. “The highest duty of each and all of us, is to +God; and whatever conflicts with that duty, must be avoided as a +transgression of his laws, and consequently as sin.” + +“You surprise me, reverend and dear sir! I do not remember ever to have +heard you broach such opinions before, which might be interpreted to +mean that a fellow might be disloyal to his flag.” + +“Because the opinion might be liable to misinterpretation. Still, I do +not go as far as many of my friends on this subject. If Decatur ever +really said, 'Our country, right or wrong,' he said what might be just +enough, and creditable enough, in certain cases, and taken with the fair +limitations that he probably intended should accompany the sentiment; +but, if he meant it as an absolute and controlling principle, it was not +possible to be more in error. In this last sense, such a rule of conduct +might, and in old times often would, have justified idolatry; nay, it +_is_ a species of idolatry in itself, since it is putting country before +God. Sailors may not always be able to make the just distinctions in +these cases, but the quarter-deck should be so, irreverend and dear +sir.” + +Wallace laughed, and then he turned the discourse to the subject more +properly before them. + +“I understand you to say, Mr. Mulford,” he remarked, “that, in your +opinion, the Swash has gone to try to raise the unfortunate Mexican +schooner, a second time, from the depths of the ocean?” + +“From the rock on which she lies. Under the circumstances, I hardly +think he would have come hither for the chain and cable, unless with +some such object. We know, moreover, that such _was_ his intention when +we left the brig.” + +“And you can take us to the very spot where that wreck lies?” + +“Without any difficulty. Her masts are partly out of water, and we +hung on to them, in our boat, no later than last night, or this morning +rather.” + +“So far, well. Your conduct in all this affair will be duly appreciated, +and Captain Mull will not fail to represent it in a right point of view +to the government.” + +“Where is the ship, sir? I looked for her most anxiously, without +success, last evening; nor had Jack Tier, the little fellow I have named +to you, any better luck; though I sent him aloft, as high as the lantern +in the light-house, for that purpose.” + +“The ship is off here to the northward and westward, some six leagues or +so. At sunset she may have been a little further. We have supposed that +the Swash would be coming back hither, and had laid a trap for her, +which came very near taking her alive.” + +“What is the trap you mean, sir--though taking Stephen Spike alive, is +sooner said than done.” + +“Our plan has been to catch him with our boats. With the greater draft +of water of the Poughkeepsie, and the heels of your brig, sir, a regular +chase about these reefs, as we knew from experience, would be almost +hopeless. It was, therefore, necessary to use head-work, and some +man-of-war traverses, in order to lay hold of him. Yesterday afternoon +we hoisted out three cutters, manned them, and made sail in them all, +under our luggs, working up against the trades. Each boat took its own +course, one going off, the west end of the reef, one going more to the +eastward, while I came this way, to look in at the Dry Tortugas. Spike +will be lucky if he do not fall in with our third cutter, which is under +the fourth lieutenant, should he stand on far on the same tack as that +on which he left this place. Let him try his fortune, however. As for +our boat, as soon as I saw the lamps burning in the lantern, I made the +best of my way hither, and got sight of the brig, just as she loosened +her sails. Then I took in my own luggs, and came on with the oars. Had +we continued under our canvas, with this breeze, I almost think we might +have overhauled the rascal.” + +“It would have been impossible, sir. The moment he got a sight of your +sails, he would have been off in a contrary direction, and that brig +really seems to fly, whenever there is a pressing occasion for her to +move. You did the wisest thing you could have done, and barely missed +him, as it was. He has not seen you at all, as it is, and will be all +the less on his guard, against the next visit from the ship.” + +“Not seen me! Why, sir, the fellow fired at us _t_wice with a musket; +why he did not use a carronade, is more than I can tell.” + +“Excuse me, Mr. Wallace; those two shots were intended for me, though I +now fully comprehend why you answered them.” + +“Answered them! yes, indeed; who would not answer such a salute, and gun +for gun, if he had a chance. I certainly thought he was firing at us, +and having a musket between my legs, I let fly in return, and even the +chaplain here will allow that was returning 'good for evil.' But explain +your meaning.” + +Mulford now went into the details of the incidents connected with his +coming into the moon-light, at the foot of the light-house. That he was +not mistaken as to the party for whom the shots were intended, was plain +enough to him, from the words that passed aloud among the people of +the Swash, as well as from the circumstance that both balls struck the +stones of the tower quite near him. This statement explained everything +to Wallace, who now fully comprehended the cause and motive of each +incident. + +It was now near eleven, and Rose had prepared the table for supper. The +gentlemen of the Poughkeepsie manifested great interest in the movements +of the Hebe-like little attendant who was caring for their wants. When +the cloth was to be laid, the midshipman offered his assistance, but his +superior directed him to send a hand or two up from the wharf, where the +crew of the cutter were lounging or sleeping after their cruise. These +men had been thought of, too; and a vessel filled with smoking soup was +taken to them, by one of their own number. + +The supper was as cheerful as it was excellent. The dry humour of +Wallace, the mild intelligence of the chaplain, the good sense of +Harry, and the spirited information of Rose, contributed, each in its +particular way, to make the meal memorable in more senses than one. The +laugh came easily at that table, and it was twelve o'clock, before the +party thought of breaking up. + +The dispositions for the night were soon made. Rose returned to +her little room, where she could now sleep in comfort, and without +apprehension. The gentlemen made the disposition of their persons, that +circumstances allowed; each finding something on which to repose, that +was preferable to a plank. As for the men, they were accustomed to hard +fare, and enjoyed their present good-luck, to the top of their bent. +It was quite late, before they had done “spinning their yarns,” and +“cracking their jokes,” around the pot of turtle-soup, and the can of +grog that succeeded it. By half-past twelve, however, everybody was +asleep. + +Mulford was the first person afoot the following morning. He left the +house just as the sun rose, and perceiving that the “coast was clear” + of sharks, he threw off his light attire, and plunged into the sea. +Refreshed with this indulgence, he was returning toward the building, +when he met the chaplain coming in quest of him. This gentleman, a man +of real piety, and of great discretion, had been singularly struck, on +the preceding night, with the narrative of our young mate; and he had +not failed to note the allusions, slight as they were, and delicately +put as they had been, to himself. He saw, at once, the propriety of +marrying a couple so situated, and now sought Harry, with a view to +bring about so desirable an event, by intimating his entire willingness +to officiate. It is scarcely necessary to say that very few words were +wanting, to persuade the young man to fall into his views; and as to +Rose, he had handed her a short note on the same subject, which he was +of opinion, would be likely to bring her to the same way of thinking. + +An hour later, all the officers, Harry and Rose, were assembled in +what might be termed the light-house parlour. The Rev. Mr. Hollins +had neither band, gown, nor surplice; but he had what was far better, +feeling and piety. Without a prayer-book he never moved; and he read the +marriage ceremony with a solemnity that was communicated to all present. +The ring was that which had been used at the marriage of Rose's parents, +and which she wore habitually, though not on the left hand. In a word, +Harry and Rose were as firmly and legally united, on that solitary and +almost unknown islet, as could have been the case, had they stood up +before the altar of mother Trinity itself, with a bishop to officiate, +and a legion of attendants. After the compliments which succeeded the +ceremony, the whole party sat down to breakfast. + +If the supper had been agreeable, the morning meal was not less so. Rose +was timid and blushing, as became a bride, though she could not but feel +how much more respectable her position became under the protection of +Harry as his wife, than it had been while she was only his betrothed. +The most delicate deportment, on the part of her companions, soon +relieved her embarrassment however, and the breakfast passed off without +cause for an unhappy moment. + +“The ship's standing in toward the light, sir,” reported the cockswain +of the cutter, as the party was still lingering around the table, as if +unwilling to bring so pleasant a meal to a close. “Since the mist has +broke away, we see her, sir, even to her ports and dead-eyes.” + +“In that case, Sam, she can't be very far off,” answered Wallace. “Ay, +there goes a gun from her, at this moment, as much as to say, 'what has +become of all of my boats?' Run down and let off a musket; perhaps +she will make out to hear that, as we must be rather to windward, if +anything.” + +The signal was given and understood. A quarter of an hour later, the +Poughkeepsie began to shorten sail. Then Wallace stationed himself in +the cutter, in the centre of one of the passages, signalling the ship to +come on. Ten minutes later still, the noble craft came into the haven, +passing the still burning light, with her topsails just lifting, and +making a graceful sweep under very reduced sail, she came to the wind, +very near the spot where the Swash had lain only ten hours before, and +dropped an anchor. + + (1) In the palmy days of the service, when Robert Smith was + so long Secretary of the Navy, the ship's whisky went by + this familiar _sobriquet_. + + + +CHAPTER V. + + + The gull has found her place on shore; + The sun gone down again to rest; + And all is still but ocean's roar; + There stands the man unbless'd. + But see, he moves--he turns, as asking where + His mates? Why looks he with that piteous stare? + + Dana. + + +Superstition would seem to be a consequence of a state of being, in +which so much is shadowed forth, while so little is accurately known. +Our far-reaching thoughts range over the vast fields of created things, +without penetrating to the secret cause of the existence of even a +blade of grass. We can analyze all substances that are brought into our +crucibles, tell their combinations and tendencies, give a scientific +history of their formation, so far as it is connected with secondary +facts, their properties, and their uses; but in each and all, there is a +latent natural cause, that baffles all our inquiries, and tells us that +we are merely men. This is just as true in morals, as in physics--no man +living being equal to attaining the very faith that is necessary to his +salvation, without the special aid of the spirit of the godhead; and +even with that mighty support, trusting implicitly for all that is +connected with a future that we are taught to believe is eternal, +to “the substance of things _hoped_ for, and the evidence of things +_unseen_.” In a word, this earthly probation of ours, was intended for +finite beings, in the sense of our present existence, leaving far more +to be conjectured, than is understood. + +Ignorance and superstition ever bear a close, and even a mathematical +relation to each other. The degrees of the one, are regulated by the +degrees of the other. He who knows the least believes the most; while he +who has seen the most, without the intelligence to comprehend that which +he has seen, feels, perhaps, the strongest inclination to refer those +things which to him are mysteries, to the supernatural and marvellous. +Sailors have been, from time immemorial, more disposed than men of +their class on the land, to indulge in this weakness, which is probably +heightened by the circumstance of their living constantly and vividly in +the presence of powers that menace equally their lives and their means, +without being in any manner subject to their control. + +Spike, for a seaman of his degree of education, was not particularly +addicted to the weakness to which we have just alluded. Nevertheless, he +was not altogether free from it; and recent circumstances contributed to +dispose him so much the more to admit a feeling which, like sin itself, +is ever the most apt to insinuate itself at moments of extraordinary +moral imbecility, and through the openings left by previous +transgression. As his brig stood off from the light, the captain paced +the deck, greatly disturbed by what had just passed, and unable to +account for it. The boat of the Poughkeepsie was entirely concealed by +the islet, and there existing no obvious motive for wishing to return, +in order to come at the truth, not a thought to that effect, for one +moment, crossed the mind of the smuggler. So far from this, indeed, were +his wishes, that the Molly did not seem to him to go half as fast as +usual, in his keen desire to get further and further from a spot where +such strange incidents had occurred. + +As for the men forward, no argument was wanting to make _them_ believe +that something supernatural had just passed before their eyes. It was +known to them all, that Mulford had been left on a naked rock, some +thirty miles from that spot; and it was not easy to understand how he +could now be at the Dry Tortugas, planted, as it might be, on purpose +to show himself to the brig, against the tower, in the bright moonlight, +“like a pictur' hung up for his old shipmates to look at.” + +Sombre were the tales that were related that night among them, many of +which related to the sufferings of men abandoned on desert islands; +and all of which bordered, more or less, on the supernatural. The crew +connected the disappearance of the boat with Mulford's apparition, +though the logical inference would have been, that the body which +required planks to transport it, could scarcely be classed with anything +of the world of spirits. The links in arguments, however, are seldom +respected by the illiterate and vulgar, who jump to their conclusions, +in cases of the marvellous, much as politicians find an expression of +the common mind in the prepared opinions of the few who speak for them, +totally disregarding the dissenting silence of the million. While the +men were first comparing their opinions on that which, to them, seemed +to be so extraordinary, the Señor Montefalderon joined the captain in +his walk, and dropped into a discourse touching the events which had +attended their departure from the haven of the Dry Tortugas. In this +conversation, Don Juan most admirably preserved his countenance, as +well as his self-command, effectually preventing the suspicion of any +knowledge on his part, that was not common to them both. + +“You did leave the port with the salutes observed,” the Mexican +commenced, with the slightest accent of a foreigner, or just enough to +show that he was not speaking in his mother tongue; “salutes paid and +returned.” + +“Do you call that saluting, Don Wan? To me, that infernal shot sounded +more like an echo, than anything else.” + +“And to what do _you_ ascribe it, Don Esteban?” + +“I wish I could answer that question. Sometimes I begin to wish I had +not left my mate on that naked rock.” + +“There is still time to repair the last wrong; we shall go within a few +miles of the place where the Señor Enrique was left; and I can take the +yawl, with two men, and go in search of him, while you are at work on +the wreck.” + +“Do you believe it possible that he can be still there?” demanded Spike, +looking suddenly and intently at his companion, while his mind was +strangely agitated between hatred and dread. “If he is there, who +and what was _he_ that we all saw so plainly at the foot of the +light-house?” + +“How should he have left the rock? He was without food or water; and no +man, in all his vigour, could swim this distance. I see no means of his +getting here.” + +“Unless some wrecker, or turtler, fell in with him, and took him off. +Ay, ay, Don Wan; I left him that much of a chance, at least. No man can +say I _murdered_ my mate.” + +“I am not aware, Don Esteban, that any one _has_ said so hard a thing of +you. Still, we have seen neither wrecker nor turtler since we have been +here; and that lessens the excellent chance you left Don Enrique.” + +“There is no occasion, señor, to be so particular,” growled Spike, a +little sullenly, in reply. “The chance, I say, was a _good_ one, when +you consider how many of them devils of wreckers hang about these reefs. +Let this brig only get fast on a rock, and they would turn up, like +sharks, all around us, each with his maw open for salvage. But this is +neither here nor there; what puzzles me, was what we saw at the light, +half an hour since, and the musket that was fired back at us! I _know_ +that the figure at the foot of the tower did not fire, for my eye was +on him from first to last; and he had no arms. You were on the island +a good bit, and must have known if the light-house keeper was there or +not, Don Wan?” + +“The light-house keeper _was_ there, Don Esteban--but he was in his +_grave_.” + +“Ay, ay, one, I know, was drowned, and buried with the rest of them; +there might, however, have been more than one. You saw none of the +people that had gone to Key West, in or about the house, Don Wan?” + +“None. If any persons have left the Tortugas to go to Key West, within a +few days, not one of them has yet returned.” + +“So I supposed. No, it can be none of _them_. Then I saw his face as +plainly as ever I saw it by moon-light, from aft, for'ard. What is your +opinion about seeing the dead walk on the 'arth, Don Wan?” + +“That I have never seen any such thing myself, Don Esteban, and +consequently know nothing about it.” + +“So I supposed; I find it hard to believe it, I do. It may be a warning +to keep us from-coming any more to the Dry Tortugas; and I must say I +have little heart for returning to this place, after all that has fell +out here. We can go to the wreck, fish up the doubloons, and be off for +Yucatan. Once in one of your ports, I make no question that the merits +of the Molly will make themselves understood, and that we shall soon +agree on a price.” + +“What use could we put the brig to, Don Esteban, if we had her all ready +for sea?” + +“That is a strange question to ask in time of war! Give _me_ such a +craft as the Molly, with sixty or eighty men on board her, in a war like +this, and her 'arnin's should not fall short of half a million within a +twelvemonth.” + +“Could we engage you to take charge of her, Don Esteban?” + +“That would be ticklish work, Don Wan. But we can see. No one knows what +he will do until he is tried. In for a penny, in for a pound. A fellow +never knows! Ha! ha! ha! Don Wan, we live in a strange world--yes, in a +strange world.” + +“We live in strange _times,_ Don Esteban, as the situation of my poor +country proves. But let us talk this matter over a little more in +confidence.” + +And they did thus discuss the subject. It was a singular spectacle to +see an honourable man, one full of zeal of the purest nature in behalf +of his own country, sounding a traitor as to the terms on which he +might be induced to do all the harm he could, to those who claimed +his allegiance. Such sights, however, are often seen; our own especial +objects too frequently blinding us to the obligations that we owe +morality, so far as not to be instrumental in effecting even what +we conceive to be good, by questionable agencies. But the Señor +Montefalderon kept in view, principally, his desire to be useful to +Mexico, blended a little too strongly, perhaps, with the wishes of a man +who was born near the sun, to avenge his wrongs, real or fancied. + +While this dialogue was going on between Spike and his passenger, as +they paced the quarter-deck, one quite as characteristic occurred in +the galley, within twenty feet of them--Simon, the cook, and Josh, the +steward, being the interlocutors. As they talked secrets, they conferred +together with closed doors, though few were ever disposed to encounter +the smoke, grease, and fumes of their narrow domains, unless called +thither by hunger. + +“What _you_ t'ink of dis matter Josh?” demanded Simon, whose skull +having the well-known density of his race, did not let internal ideas +out, or external ideas in as readily as most men's. “Our young mate +_was_ at de light-house beyond all controwersy; and how can he be den on +dat rock over yonder, too?” + +“Dat is imposserbul,” answered Josh; “derefore I says it is n't true. +I surposes you know dat what is imposserbul is n't true, Simon. Nobody +can't be out yonder and down here at de same time. Dat is imposserble, +Simon. But what I wants to intermate to you, will explain all dis +difficulty; and it do show de raal super'ority of a coloured man over +de white poperlation. Now, you mark my words, cook, and be full of +admiration! Jack Tier came back along wid de Mexican gentle'em, in my +anchor-watch, dis very night! You see, in de first place, ebbery t'ing +come to pass in nigger's watch.” + +Here the two dark-skinned worthies haw-haw'd to their heart's content; +laughing very much as a magistrate or a minister of the gospel might +be fancied to laugh, the first time he saw a clown at a circus. The +merriment of a negro will have its course, in spite of ghosts, or of +anything else; and neither the cook nor the steward dreamed of putting in +another syllable, until their laugh was fairly and duly ended. Then the +cook made his remarks. + +“How Jack Tier comin' back explain der differculty, Josh?” asked Simon. + +“Did n't Jack go away wid Miss Rose and de mate, in de boat dat got +adrift, you know, in Jack's watch on deck?” + +Here the negroes laughed again, their imaginations happening to picture +to each, at the same instant, the mystification about the boat; Biddy +having told Josh in confidence, the manner in which the party had +returned to the brig, while he and Simon were asleep; which fact the +steward had already communicated to the cook. To these two beings, of an +order in nature different from all around them, and of a simplicity and +of habits that scarce placed them on a level with the intelligence of +the humblest white man, all these circumstances had a sort of mysterious +connection, out of which peeped much the most conspicuously to their +faculties, the absurdity of the captain's imagining that a boat had +got adrift, which had, in truth, been taken away by human hands. +Accordingly, they laughed it out; and when they had done laughing, they +returned again to the matter before them with renewed interest in the +subject. + +“Well, how all dat explain dis differculty?” repeated Simon. + +“In dis wery manner, cook,” returned the steward, with a little dignity +in his manner. “Ebbery t'ing depend on understandin', I s'pose you know. +If Mr. Mulford got taken off dat rock by Miss Rose and Jack Tier, wid +de boat, and den dey comes here altogedder; and den Jack Tier, he get +on board and tell Biddy all dis matter, and den Biddy tell Josh, and den +Josh tell de cook--what for you surprise, you black debbil, one bit?” + +“Dat all!” exclaimed Simon. + +“Dat just all--dat ebbery bit of it, do n't I say.” + +Here Simon burst into such a fit of loud laughter, that it induced Spike +himself to shove aside the galley-door, and thrust his own frowning +visage into the dark hole within, to inquire the cause. + +“What's the meaning of this uproar?” demanded the captain, all the more +excited because he felt that things had reached a pass that would not +permit him to laugh himself. “Do you fancy yourself on the Hook, or at +the Five Points?” + +The Hook and the Five Points are two pieces of tabooed territory +within the limits of the good town of Manhattan, that are getting to be +renowned for their rascality and orgies. They probably want nothing +but the proclamation of a governor in vindication of their principles, +annexed to a pardon of some of their unfortunate children, to render +both classical. If we continue to make much further progress in +political logic, and in the same direction as that in which we have +already proceeded so far, neither will probably long be in want of this +illustration. Votes can be given by the virtuous citizens of both +these purlieus, as well as by the virtuous citizens of the anti-rent +districts, and votes contain the essence of all such principles, as well +as of their glorification. + +“Do you fancy yourselves on the Hook, or at the Five Points?” demanded +Spike, angrily. + +“Lor', no sir!” answered Simon, laughing at each pause with all his +heart. “Only laughs a little at _ghost_--dat all, sir.” + +“Laugh at ghost! Is that a subject to laugh at? Have a care, you black +rascal, or he will visit you in your galley here, when you will least +want to see him.” + +“No care much for _him,_ sir,” returned Simon, laughing away as hard as +ever. “_Sich_ a ghost ought n't to skear little baby.” + +“_Such_ a ghost? And what do you know of _this_ ghost more than any +other?” + +“Well, I seed him, Cap'in Spike; and what a body sees, he is acquainted +wid.” + +“You saw an image that looked as much like Mr. Mulford, my late mate, as +one timber-head in this brig is like another.” + +“Yes, sir, he like enough--must say _dat_--so wery like, could n't see +any difference.” + +As Simon concluded this remark, he burst out into another fit of +laughter, in which Josh joined him, heart and soul, as it might be. The +uninitiated reader is not to imagine the laughter of those blacks to be +very noisy, or to be raised on a sharp, high key. They _could_ make the +welkin ring, in sudden bursts of merriment, on occasion; but, at a time +like this, they rather caused their diversion to be developed by sounds +that came from the depths of their chests. A gleam of suspicion that +these blacks were acquainted with some fact that it might be well for +him to know, shot across the mind of Spike; but he was turned from +further inquiry by a remark of Don Juan, who intimated that the mirth of +such persons never had much meaning to it, expressing at the same time a +desire to pursue the more important subject in which they were engaged. +Admonishing the blacks to be more guarded in their manifestations of +merriment, the captain closed the door on them, and resumed his walk +up and down the quarter-deck. As soon as left to themselves, the blacks +broke out afresh, though in a way so guarded, as to confine their mirth +to the galley. + +“Cap'in Spike t'ink _dat_ a ghost!” exclaimed Simon, with contempt. + +“Guess if he see _raal_ ghost, he find 'e difference,” answered Josh. +“One look at raal sperit wort' two at dis object.” + +Simon's eyes now opened like two saucers, and they gleamed, by the light +of the lamp they had, like dark balls of condensed curiosity, blended +with awe, on his companion. + +“You ebber see him, Josh?” he asked, glancing over each shoulder +hurriedly, as it might be, to make sure that he could not see “him,” + too. + +“How you t'ink I get so far down the wale of life, Simon, and nebber see +sich a t'ing? I seed t'ree of the crew of the 'Maria Sheffington,' that +was drowned by deir boat's cap-sizin', when we lay at Gibraltar, jest as +plain as I see you now. Then--” + +But it is unnecessary to repeat Josh's experiences in this way, +with which he continued to entertain and terrify Simon for the next +half-hour. This is just the difference between ignorance and knowledge. +While Spike himself, and every man in his brig who belonged forward, +had strong misgivings as to the earthly character of the figure they +had seen at the foot of the light-house, these negroes laughed at their +delusion, because they happened to be in the secret of Mulford's escape +from the rock, and of that of his actual presence at the Tortugas. +When, however, the same superstitious feeling was brought to bear on +circumstances that lay _without_ the sphere of their exact information, +they became just as dependent and helpless as all around them; more so, +indeed, inasmuch as their previous habits and opinions disposed them to +a more profound credulity. + +It was midnight before any of the crew of the Swash sought their rest +that night. The captain had to remind them that a day of extraordinary +toil was before them, ere he could get one even to quit the deck; and +when they did go below, it was to continue to discuss the subject of +what they had seen at the Dry Tortugas. It appeared to be the prevalent +opinion among the people, that the late event foreboded evil to the +Swash, and long as most of these men had served in the brig, and much +as they had become attached to her, had she gone into port that night, +nearly every man forward would have run before morning. But fatigue and +wonder, at length, produced their effect, and the vessel was silent as +was usual at that hour. Spike himself lay down in his clothes, as he had +done ever since Mulford had left him; and the brig continued to toss +the spray from her bows, as she bore gallantly up against the trades, +working her way to windward. The light was found to be of great service, +as it indicated the position of the reef, though it gradually sunk in +the western horizon, until near morning it fell entirely below it. + +At this hour Spike appeared on deck again, where, for the first time +since their interview on the morning of Harry's and Rose's escape, +he laid his eyes on Jack Tier. The little dumpling-looking fellow +was standing in the waist, with his arms folded sailor-fashion, as +composedly as if nothing had occurred to render his meeting with the +captain any way of a doubtful character. Spike approached near the +person of the steward, whom he surveyed from head to foot, with a sort +of contemptuous superiority, ere he spoke. + +“So, Master Tier,” at length the captain commenced, “you have deigned to +turn out at last, have you? I hope the day's duty you've forgotten, will +help to pay for the light-house boat, that I understand you've lost for +me, also.” + +“What signifies a great clumsy boat that the brig could n't hoist in nor +tow,” answered Jack, coolly, turning short round at the same time, +but not condescending to “uncoil” his arms as he did so, a mark of +indifference that would probably have helped to mystify the captain, had +he even actually suspected that anything was wrong beyond the supposed +accident to the boat in question. “If you had had the boat astarn, +Captain Spike, an order would have been given to cut it adrift the first +time the brig made sail on the wind.” + +“Nobody knows, Jack; that boat would have been very useful to us while +at work about the wreck. You never even turned out this morning to let +me know where that craft lay, as you promised to do, but left us to find +it out by our wits.” + +“There was no occasion for my tellin' you anything about it, sir, when +the mast-heads was to be seen above water. As soon as I heard that them +'ere mast-heads was out of water, I turned over and went to sleep upon +it. A man can't be on the doctor's list and on duty at the same time.” + +Spike looked hard at the little steward, but he made no further allusion +to his being off duty, or to his failing to stand pilot to the brig as +she came through the passage in quest of the schooner's remains. The +fact was, that he had discovered the mast-heads himself, just as he was +on the point of ordering Jack to be called, having allowed him to remain +in his berth to the last moment after his watch, according to a species +of implied faith that is seldom disregarded among seamen. Once busied +on the wreck, Jack was forgotten, having little to do in common with any +one on board, but that which the captain termed the “women's mess.” + +“Come aft, Jack,” resumed Spike, after a considerable pause, during the +whole of which he had stood regarding the little steward as if studying +his person, and through that his character. “Come aft to the trunk; I +wish to catechise you a bit.” + +“Catechise!” repeated Tier, in an under tone, as he followed the captain +to the place mentioned. “It's a long time since I've done anything at +_that!_” + +“Ay, come hither,” resumed Spike, seating himself at his ease on the +trunk, while Jack stood near by, his arms still folded, and his rotund +little form as immovable, under the plunges that the lively brig made +into the head-seas that she was obliged to meet, as if a timber-head +in the vessel itself. “You keep your sea-legs well, Jack, short as they +are.” + +“No wonder for that, Captain Spike; for the last twenty years I've +scarce passed a twelvemonth ashore; and what I did before that, no one +can better tell than yourself, since we was ten good years shipmates.” + +“So you say, Jack, though I do not remember _you_ as well as you seem to +remember _me_. Do you not make the time too long?” + +“Not a day, sir. Ten good and happy years did we sail together, Captain +Spike; and all that time in this very--” + +“Hush--h-u-s-h, man, hush! There is no need of telling the Molly's +age to everybody. I may wish to sell her some day, and then her great +experience will be no recommendation. You should recollect that the +Molly is a female, and the ladies do not like to hear of their ages +after five-and-twenty.” + +Jack made no answer, but he dropped his arms to their natural position, +seeming to wait the captain's communication, first referring to his +tobacco-box and taking a fresh quid. + +“If you was with me in the brig, Jack, at the time you mention,” + continued Spike, after another long and thoughtful pause, “you must +remember many little things that I do n't wish to have known; especially +while Mrs. Budd and her handsome niece is aboard here.” + +“I understand you, Captain Spike. The ladies shall l'arn no more from me +than they know already.” + +“Thank 'e for that Jack--thank 'e with all my heart Shipmates of our +standing ought to be fast friends; and so you'll find me, if you'll only +sail under the true colours, my man.” + +At that moment Jack longed to let the captain know how strenuously he +had insisted that very night on rejoining his vessel; and this at a +time, too, when the brig was falling into disrepute. But this he could +not do, without betraying the secret of the lovers--so he chose to say +nothing. + +“There is no use in blabbing all a man knows, and the galley is a sad +place for talking. Galley news is poor news, I suppose you know, Jack.” + +“I've hear'n say as much on board o' man-of-war. It's a great place for +the officers to meet and talk, and smoke, in Uncle Sam's crafts; and +what a body hears in such places, is pretty much newspaper stuff, I do +suppose.” + +“Ay, ay, that's it; not to be thought of half-an-hour after it has been +spoken. Here's a doubloon for you, Jack; and all for the sake of old +times. Now, tell me, my little fellow, how do the ladies come on? Does +n't Miss Rose get over her mourning on account of the mate? Ar' n't we +to have the pleasure of seein' her on deck soon?” + +“I can't answer for the minds and fancies of young women, Captain Spike. +They are difficult to understand; and I would rather not meddle with +what I can't understand.” + +“Poh, poh, man; you must get over that. You might be of great use to me, +Jack, in a very delicate affair--for you know how it is with women; they +must be handled as a man would handle this brig among breakers; Rose, in +partic'lar, is as skittish as a colt.” + +“Stephen Spike,” said Jack, solemnly, but on so low a key that it +entirely changed his usually harsh and cracked voice to one that sounded +soft, if not absolutely pleasant, “do you never think of hereafter? Your +days are almost run; a very few years, in your calling it may be a very +few weeks, or a few hours, and time will be done with you, and etarnity +will commence.--Do you never think of a hereafter?” + +Spike started to his feet, gazing at Jack intently; then he wiped +the perspiration from his face, and began to pace the deck rapidly, +muttering to himself--“this has been a most accursed night! First the +mate, and now _this!_ Blast me, but I thought it was a voice from the +grave! Graves! can't they keep those that belong to them, or have rocks +and waves no graves?” + +What more passed through the mind of the captain must remain a secret, +for he kept it to himself; nor did he take any further notice of his +companion. Jack, finding that he was unobserved, passed quietly +below, and took the place in his berth, which he had only temporarily +abandoned. + +Just as the day dawned, the Swash reached the vicinity of the wreck +again. Sail was shortened, and the brig stood in until near enough +for the purpose of her commander, when she was hove-to, so near the +mast-heads that, by lowering the yawl, a line was sent out to the +fore-mast, and the brig was hauled close alongside. The direction of +the reef at that point formed a lee; and the vessel lay in water +sufficiently smooth for her object. + +This was done soon after the sun had risen, and Spike now ordered all +hands called, and began his operations in earnest. By sounding carefully +around the schooner when last here, he had ascertained her situation to +his entire satisfaction. She had settled on a shelf of the reef, in such +a position that her bows lay in a sort of cradle, while her stern was +several feet nearer to the surface than the opposite extremity. This +last fact was apparent, indeed, by the masts themselves, the lower mast +aft being several feet out of water, while the fore-mast was entirely +buried, leaving nothing but the fore-topmast exposed. On these great +premises Spike had laid the foundation of the practical problem he +intended to solve. + +No expectation existed of ever getting the schooner afloat again. All +that Spike and the Señor Montefalderon now aimed at, was to obtain the +doubloons, which the former thought could be got at in the following +manner. He knew that it would be much easier handling the wreck, so far +as its gravity was concerned, while the hull continued submerged. He +also knew that one end could be raised with a comparatively trifling +effort, so long as the other rested on the rock. Under these +circumstances, therefore, he proposed merely to get slings around the +after body of the schooner, as near her stern-post, indeed, as would be +safe, and to raise that extremity of the vessel to the surface, leaving +most of the weight of the craft to rest on the bows. The difference +between the power necessary to effect this much, and that which would be +required to raise the whole wreck, would be like the difference in power +necessary to turn over a log with one end resting on the ground, and +turning the same log by lifting it bodily in the arms, and turning it +in the air. With the stern once above water, it would be easy to come at +the bag of doubloons, which Jack Tier had placed in a locker above the +transoms. + +The first thing was to secure the brig properly, in order that she might +bear the necessary strain. This was done very much as has been described +already, in the account of the manner in which she was secured and +supported in order to raise the schooner at the Dry Tortugas. An anchor +was laid abreast and to windward, and purchases were brought to the +masts, as before. Then the bight of the chain brought from the Tortugas, +was brought under the schooner's keel, and counter-purchases, leading +from both the fore-mast and main-mast of the brig, were brought to it, +and set taut. Spike now carefully examined all his fastenings, looking +to his cables as well as his mechanical power aloft, heaving in upon +this, and veering out upon that, in order to bring the Molly square +to her work; after which he ordered the people to knock-off for their +dinners. By that time, it was high noon. + +While Stephen Spike was thus employed on the wreck, matters and things +were not neglected at the Tortugas. The Poughkeepsie had no sooner +anchored, than Wallace went on board and made his report. Capt. Mull +then sent for Mulford, with whom he had a long personal conference. This +officer was getting grey, and consequently he had acquired experience. +It was evident to Harry, at first, that he was regarded as one who had +been willingly engaged in an unlawful pursuit, but who had abandoned it +to push dearer interests in another quarter. It was some time before +the commander of the sloop-of-war could divest himself of this opinion, +though it gradually gave way before the frankness of the mate's manner, +and the manliness, simplicity, and justice of his sentiments. Perhaps +Rose had some influence also in bringing about this favourable change. + +Wallace did not fail to let it be known that turtle-soup was to be +had ashore; and many was the guest our heroine had to supply with +that agreeable compound, in the course of the morning. Jack Tier had +manifested so much skill in the preparation of the dish, that its +reputation soon extended to the cabin, and the captain was induced to +land, in order to ascertain how far rumour was or was not a liar, on +this interesting occasion. So ample was the custom, indeed, that Wallace +had the consideration to send one of the ward-room servants to the +light-house, in order to relieve Rose from a duty that was getting to +be a little irksome. She was “seeing company” as a bride, in a novel and +rather unpleasant manner; and it was in consequence of a suggestion of +the “ship's gentleman,” that the remains of the turtle were transferred +to the vessel, and were put into the coppers, _secundum artem,_ by the +regular cooks. + +It was after tickling his palate with a bowl of the soup, and enjoying a +half-hour's conversation with Rose, that Capt. Mull summoned Harry to a +final consultation on the subject of their future proceedings. By this +time the commander of the Poughkeepsie was in a better humour with his +new acquaintance, more disposed to believe him, and infinitely more +inclined to listen to his suggestions and advice, than he had been +in their previous interviews. Wallace was present in his character of +“ship's gentleman,” or, as having nothing to do, while his senior, the +first lieutenant, was working like a horse on board the vessel, in the +execution of his round of daily duties. + +At this consultation, the parties came into a right understanding of +each other's views and characters. Capt. Mull was slow to yield his +confidence, but when he did bestow it, he bestowed it sailor-fashion, or +with all his heart. Satisfied at last that he had to do with a young man +of honour, and one who was true to the flag, he consulted freely with +our mate, asked his advice, and was greatly influenced in the formation +of his final decision by the opinions that Harry modestly advanced, +maintaining them, however, with solid arguments, and reasons that every +seaman could comprehend. + +Mulford knew the plans of Spike by means of his own communications with +the Señor Montefalderon. Once acquainted with the projects of his old +commander, it was easy for him to calculate the time it would require to +put them in execution, with the means that were to be found on board the +Swash. “It will take the brig until near morning,” he said, “to beat up +to the place where the wreck lies. Spike will wait for light to commence +operations, and several hours will be necessary to moor the brig, and +get out the anchors with which he will think it necessary to stay his +masts. Then he will hook on, and he may partly raise the hull before +night return. More than this he can never do; and it would not surprise +me were he merely to get everything ready for heaving on his purchases +to-morrow, and suspend further proceedings until the next day, in +preference to having so heavy a strain on his spars all night. He has +not the force, however, to carry on such duty to a very late hour; and +you may count with perfect security, Captain Mull, on his being found +alongside of the wreck at sunrise the next day after to-morrow, in all +probability with his anchors down, and fast to the wreck. By timing your +own arrival well, nothing will be easier than to get him fairly under +your guns, and once under your guns, the brig must give up. When you +chased her out of this very port, a few days since, you would have +brought her up could you have kept her within range of those terrible +shells ten minutes longer.” + +“You would then advise my not sailing from this place immediately,” said +Mull. + +“It will be quite time enough to get under way late in the afternoon, +and then under short canvas. Ten hours will be ample time for this ship +to beat up to that passage in, and it will be imprudent to arrive too +soon; nor do I suppose you will wish to be playing round the reef in the +dark.” + +To the justice of all this Capt. Mull assented; and the plan of +proceedings was deliberately and intelligently formed. As it was +necessary for Mulford to go in the ship, in order to act as pilot, no +one else on board knowing exactly where to find the wreck, the commander +of the Poughkeepsie had the civility to offer the young couple the +hospitalities of his own cabin, with one of his state-rooms. This offer +Harry gratefully accepted, it being understood that the ship would land +them at Key West, as soon as the contemplated duty was executed. Rose +felt so much anxiety about her aunt, that any other arrangement would +scarcely have pacified her fears. + +In consequence of these arrangements, the Poughkeepsie lay quietly at +her anchors until near sunset. In the interval her boats were out in all +directions, parties of the officers visiting the islet where the powder +had exploded, and the islet where the tent, erected for the use of the +females, was still standing. As for the light-house island, an order of +Capt. Mull's prevented it from being crowded in a manner unpleasant to +Rose, as might otherwise have been the case. The few officers who did +land there, however, appeared much struck with the ingenuous simplicity +and beauty of the bride, and a manly interest in her welfare was created +among them all, principally by means of the representations of the +second lieutenant and the chaplain. About five o'clock she went off to +the ship, accompanied by Harry, and was hoisted on board in the manner +usually practised by vessels of war which have no accommodation-ladder +rigged. Rose was immediately installed in her state-room, where +she found every convenience necessary to a comfortable though small +apartment. + +It was quite late in the afternoon, when the boatswain and his mate +piped “all hands up anchor!” Harry hastened into the state-room for his +charming bride, anxious to show her the movements of a vessel of war on +such an occasion. Much as she had seen of the ocean, and of a vessel, +within the last few weeks, Rose now found that she had yet a great deal +to learn, and that a ship of war had many points to distinguish her from +a vessel engaged in commerce. + +The Poughkeepsie was only a sloop-of-war, or a corvette, in +construction, number of her guns, and rate; but she was a ship of the +dimensions of an old-fashioned frigate, measuring about one thousand +tons. The frigates of which we read half a century since, were seldom +ever as large as this, though they were differently built in having +a regular gun-deck, or one armed deck that was entirely covered, with +another above it; and on the quarter-deck and forecastle of the last of +which were also batteries of lighter guns. To the contrary of all this, +the Poughkeepsie had but one armed deck, and on that only twenty +guns. These pieces, however, were of unusually heavy calibre, +throwing thirty-two pound shot, with the exception of the Paixhans, or +Columbiads, which throw shot of even twice that weight. The vessel had a +crew of two hundred souls, all told; and she had the spars, anchors, and +other equipments of a light frigate. + +In another great particular did the Poughkeepsie differ from the +corvette-built vessels that were so much in favour at the beginning +of the century; a species of craft obtained from the French, who have +taught the world so much in connection with naval science, and who, +after building some of the best vessels that ever floated, have +failed in knowing how to handle them, though not always in that. The +Poughkeepsie, while she had no spar, or upper deck, properly speaking, +had a poop and a topgallant-forecastle. Within the last were the +cabins and other accommodations of the captain; an arrangement that +was necessary for a craft of her construction, that carried so many +officers, and so large a crew. Without it, sufficient space would not be +had for the uses of the last. One gun of a side was in the main cabin, +there being a very neat and amply spacious after-cabin between the +state-rooms, as is ordinarily the case in all vessels from the size of +frigates up to that of three-deckers. It may be well to explain here, +while on this subject of construction, that in naval parlance, a ship is +called a single-decked vessel; a _two-_decker, or a _three-_ decker, not +from the number of decks she actually possesses, but from the number +of _gun-_decks that she has, or of those that are _fully_ armed. Thus +a frigate has four decks, the spar, gun, berth, and orlop (or haul-up) +decks; but she is called a “single-decked ship,” from the circumstance +that only one of these four decks has a complete range of batteries. +The two-decker has two of these fully armed decks, and the three-deckers +three; though, in fact, the two-decker has five, and the three-decker +six decks. Asking pardon for this little digression, which we trust will +be found useful to a portion of our readers, we return to the narrative. + +Harry conducted Rose to the poop of the Poughkeepsie, where she might +enjoy the best view of the operation of getting so large a craft under +way, man-of-war fashion. The details were mysteries, of course, and +Rose knew no more of the process by which the chain was brought to the +capstan, by the intervention of what is called a messenger, than if +she had not been present. She saw two hundred men distributed about the +vessel, some at the capstan, some on the forecastle, some in the tops, +and others in the waist, and she heard the order to “heave round.” Then +the shrill fife commenced the lively air of “the girl I left behind me,” + rather more from a habit in the fifer, than from any great regrets for +the girls left at the Dry Tortugas, as was betrayed to Mulford by the +smiles of the officers, and the glances they cast at Rose. As for the +latter, she knew nothing of the air, and was quite unconscious of +the sort of parody that the gentlemen of the quarter-deck fancied it +conveyed on her own situation. + +Rose was principally struck with the quiet that prevailed in the ship, +Captain Mull being a silent man himself, and insisting on having a quiet +vessel. The first lieutenant was not a noisy officer, and from these +two, everybody else on board received their cues. A simple “all ready, +sir,” uttered by the first to the captain, in a common tone of voice, +answered by a “very well, sir, get your anchor,” in the same tone, set +everything in motion. “Stamp and go,” soon followed, and taking the +whole scene together, Rose felt a strange excitement come over her. +There were the shrill, animating music of the fife; the stamping time +of the men at the bars; the perceptible motion of the ship, as she drew +ahead to her anchor, and now and then the call between Wallace, who +stood between the knight-heads, as commander-in-chief on the forecastle, +(the second lieutenant's station when the captain does not take the +trumpet, as very rarely happens,) and the “executive officer” aft, was +“carrying on duty,” all conspiring to produce this effect. At length, +and it was but a minute or two from the time when the “stamp and go” + commenced, Wallace called out “a short stay-peak, sir.” “Heave and +pull,” followed, and the men left their bars. + +The process of making sail succeeded. There was no “letting fall” + a fore-topsail here, as on board a merchant-man, but all the canvas +dropped from the yards, into festoons, at the same instant. Then the +three topsails were sheeted home and hoisted, all at once, and all in +a single minute of time; the yards were counter-braced, and the +capstan-bars were again manned. In two more minutes it was “heave and +she's up and down.” Then “heave and in sight,” and “heave and pull +again.” The cat-fall was ready, and it was “hook on,” when the fife +seemed to turn its attention to another subject as the men catted the +anchor. Literally, all this was done in less time than we have taken +to write it down in, and in very little more time than the reader has +wasted in perusing what we have here written. + +The Poughkeepsie was now “free of bottom,” as it is called, with her +anchor catted and fished, and her position maintained in the basin where +she lay, by the counter-bracing of her yards, and the counteracting +force of the wind on her sails. It only remained to “fill away,” + by bracing her head-yards sharp up, when the vast mass overcame its +inertia, and began to move through the water. As this was done, the jib +and spanker were set. The two most beautiful things with which we are +acquainted, are a graceful and high-bred woman entering or quitting a +drawing-room, more particularly the last, and a man-of-war leaving her +anchorage in a moderate breeze, and when not hurried for time. On the +present occasion, Captain Mull was in no haste, and the ship passed +out to windward of the light, as the Swash had done the previous night, +under her three topsails, spanker and jib, with the light sails loose +and flowing, and the courses hanging in the brails. + +A great deal is said concerning the defective construction of the light +cruisers of the navy, of late years, and complaints are made that they +will not sail, as American cruisers ought to sail, and were wont to sail +in old times. That there has been some ground for these complaints, +we believe; though the evil has been greatly exaggerated, and some +explanation may be given, we think, even in the cases in which the +strictures are not altogether without justification. The trim of a +light, sharp vessel is easily deranged; and officers, in their desire to +command as much as possible, often get their vessels of this class +too deep. They are, generally, for the sort of cruiser, over-sparred, +over-manned, and over-provisioned; consequently, too deep. We recollect +a case in which one of these delicate craft, a half-rigged brig, was +much abused for “having lost her sailing.” She did, indeed, lose her +fore-yard, and, after that, she sailed like a witch, until she got a +new one! If the facts were inquired into, in the spirit which ought +to govern such inquiries, it would be found that even most of the +much-abused “ten sloops” proved to be better vessels than common. The +St. Louis, the Vincennes, the Concord, the Fairfield, the Boston, and +the Falmouth, are instances of what we mean. In behalf of the Warren, +and the Lexington, we believe no discreet man was ever heard to utter +one syllable, except as wholesome crafts. But the Poughkeepsie was a +very different sort of vessel from any of the “ten sloops.” She was +every way a good ship, and, as Jack expressed it, was “a good goer.” The +most severe nautical critic could scarcely have found a fault in her, as +she passed out between the islets, on the evening of the day mentioned, +in the sort of undress we have described. The whole scene, indeed, was +impressive, and of singular maritime characteristics. + +The little islets scattered about, low, sandy, and untenanted, were +the only land in sight--all else was the boundless waste of waters. The +solitary light rose like an aquatic monument, as if purposely to give +its character to the view. Captain Mull had caused its lamps to be +trimmed and lighted for the very reason that had induced Spike to do +the same thing, and the dim star they presented was just struggling into +existence, as it might be, as the brilliance left by the setting sun was +gradually diminished, and finally disappeared. As for the ship, the hull +appeared dark, glossy, and graceful, as is usual with a vessel of war. +Her sails were in soft contrast to the colour of the hull, and they +offered the variety and divergence from straight lines which are thought +necessary to perfect beauty. Those that were set, presented the symmetry +in their trim, the flatness in their hoist, and the breadth that +distinguish a man-of-war; while those that were loose, floated in the +air in every wave and cloud-like swell, that we so often see in light +canvas that is released from the yards in a fresh breeze. The ship had +an undress look from this circumstance, but it was such an undress +as denotes the man or woman of the world. This undress appearance was +increased by the piping down of the hammocks, which left the nettings +loose, and with a negligent but still knowing look about them. + +When half a mile from the islets, the main-yard was braced aback, and +the maintopsail was laid to the mast. As soon as the ship had lost +her way, two or three boats that had been towing astern, each with +its boat-sitter, or keeper, in it, were hauled up alongside, or to the +quarters, were “hooked on,” and “run up” to the whistling of the call. +All was done at once, and all was done in a couple of minutes. As soon +as effected, the maintopsail was again filled, and away the ship glided. + +Captain Mull was not in the habit of holding many consultations with his +officers. If there be wisdom in a “multitude of counsellors,” he was of +opinion it was not on board a man-of-war. Napoleon is reported to have +said that _one_ bad general was better than _two_ good ones; meaning +that one head to an army, though of inferior quality, is better than a +hydra of Solomons, or Cæsars. Captain Mull was much of the same way of +thinking, seldom troubling his subordinates with anything but orders. He +interfered very little with “working Willy,” though he saw effectually +that he did his duty. “The ship's gentleman” might enjoy his joke +as much as he pleased, so long as he chose his time and place with +discretion, but in the captain's presence joking was not tolerated, +unless it were after dinner, at his own table, and in his own cabin. +Even there it was not precisely such joking as took place daily, not to +say hourly, in the midshipmen's messes. + +In making up his mind as to the mode of proceeding on the present +occasion, therefore, Captain Mull, while he had heard all that Mulford +had to tell him, and had even encouraged Wallace to give his opinions, +made up his decision for himself. After learning all that Harry had to +communicate, he made his own calculations as to time and distance, and +quietly determined to carry whole sail on the ship for the next four +hours. This he did as the wisest course of making sure of getting to +windward while he could, and knowing that the vessel could be brought +under short canvas at any moment when it might be deemed necessary. The +light was a beacon to let him know his distance with almost mathematical +precision. It could be seen so many miles at sea, each mile being +estimated by so many feet of elevation, and having taken that elevation, +he was sure of his distance from the glittering object, so long as it +could be seen from his own poop. It was also of use by letting him know +the range of the reef, though Captain Mull, unlike Spike, had determined +to make one leg off to the northward and eastward until he had brought +the light nearly to the horizon, and then to make another to the +southward and eastward, believing that the last stretch would bring +him to the reef, almost as far to windward as he desired to be. In +furtherance of this plan, the sheets of the different sails were drawn +home, as soon as the boats were in, and the Poughkeepsie, bending a +little to the breeze, gallantly dashed the waves aside, as she went +through and over them, at a rate of not less than ten good knots in the +hour. As soon as all these arrangements were made, the watch went below, +and from that time throughout the night, the ship offered nothing +but the quiet manner in which ordinary duty is carried on in a +well-regulated vessel of war at sea, between the hours of sun and sun. +Leaving the good craft to pursue her way with speed and certainty, we +must now return to the Swash. + +Captain Spike had found the mooring of his brig a much more difficult +task, on this occasion, than on that of his former attempt to raise the +schooner. Then he had to lift the wreck bodily, and he knew that laying +the Swash a few feet further ahead or astern, could be of no great +moment, inasmuch as the moment the schooner was off the bottom, she +would swing in perpendicularly to the purchases. But now one end of the +schooner, her bows, was to remain fast, and it became of importance +to be certain that the purchases were so placed as to bring the least +strain on the masts while they acted most directly on the after body of +the vessel to be lifted. This point gave Spike more trouble than he had +anticipated. Fully one half of the remainder of the day, even after he +had begun to heave upon his purchases, was spent in rectifying mistakes +in connection with this matter, and in getting up additional securities +to his masts. + +In one respect Spike had, from the first, made a good disposition. The +masts of the brig raked materially, and by bringing the head of the +Swash in the direction of the schooner, he converted this fact, which +might otherwise have been of great disadvantage, into a circumstance +that was favourable. In consequence of the brig's having been thus +moored, the strain, which necessarily led forward, came nearly in a +line with the masts, and the latter were much better able to support it. +Notwithstanding this advantage, however, it was found expedient to get +up preventer-stays, and to give the spars all the additional support +could be conveniently bestowed. Hours were passed in making these +preliminary, or it might be better to say, secondary arrangements. + +It was past five in the afternoon when the people of the Swash began to +heave on their purchases as finally disposed. After much creaking, and +the settling of straps and lashings into their places, it was found that +everything stood, and the work went on. In ten minutes Spike found +he had the weight of the schooner, so far as he should be obliged to +sustain it at all, until the stern rose above the surface; and he felt +reasonably secure of the doubloons. Further than this he did not intend +to make any experiment on her, the Señor Montefalderon having abandoned +all idea of recovering the vessel itself, now so much of the cargo was +lost. The powder was mostly consumed, and that which remained in the +hull must, by this time, be injured by dampness, if not ruined. So +reasoned Don Juan at least. + +As the utmost care was necessary, the capstan and wind-lass were made to +do their several duties with great caution. As inch by inch was gained, +the extra supports of the masts were examined, and it was found that +a much heavier strain now came on the masts than when the schooner was +raised before. This was altogether owing to the direction in which it +came, and to the fact that the anchor planted off abeam was not of as +much use as on the former occasion, in consequence of its not lying so +much in a straight line with the direction of the purchases. Spike began +to have misgivings on account of his masts, and this so much the more +because the wind appeared to haul a little further to the northward, and +the weather to look unsettled. Should a swell roll into the bight of the +reef where the brig lay, by raising the hull a little too rudely, there +would be the imminent danger of at least springing, if not of absolutely +carrying away both the principal spars. It was therefore necessary to +resort to extraordinary precautions, in order to obviate this danger. + +The captain was indebted to his boatswain, who was now in fact acting +as his mate, for the suggestion of the plan next adopted. Two of the +largest spare spars of the brig were got out, with their heads securely +lashed to the links of the chain by which the wreck was suspended, one +on each side of the schooner. Pig-iron and shot were lashed to the heels +of these spars, which carried them to the bottom. As the spars were of +a greater length than was necessary to reach the rock, they necessarily +lay at an inclination, which was lessened every inch the after body of +the wreck was raised, thus forming props to the hull of the schooner. + +Spike was delighted with the success of this scheme, of which he was +assured by a single experiment in heaving. After getting the spars well +planted at their heels, he even ordered the men to slacken the purchases +a little, and found that he could actually relieve the brig from the +strain, by causing the wreck to be supported altogether by these shores. +This was a vast relief from the cares of the approaching night, and +indeed alone prevented the necessity of the work's going on without +interruption, or rest, until the end was obtained. + +The people of the Swash were just assured of the comfortable fact +related, as the Poughkeepsie was passing out from among the islets of +the Dry Tortugas. They imagined themselves happy in having thus made a +sufficient provision against the most formidable of all the dangers +that beset them, at the very moment when the best laid plan for their +destruction was on the point of being executed. In this respect, they +resembled millions of others of their fellows, who hang suspended over +the vast abyss of eternity, totally unconscious of the irretrievable +character of the fall that is so soon to occur. Spike, as has been just +stated, was highly pleased with his own expedient, and he pointed it out +with exultation to the Señor Montefalderon, as soon as it was completed. + +“A nicer fit was never made by a Lunnun leg-maker, Don Wan,” the +captain cried, after going over the explanations connected with the +shores--“there she stands, at an angle of fifty, with two as good limbs +under her as a body could wish. I could now cast off everything, and +leave the wreck in what they call '_statu quo,_' which, I suppose, means +on its pins, like a statue. The tafferel is not six inches below the +surface of the water, and half an hour of heaving will bring the starn +in sight.” + +“Your work seems ingeniously contrived to get up one extremity of the +vessel, Don Esteban,” returned the Mexican; “but are you quite certain +that the doubloons are in her?” + +This question was put because the functionary of a government in which +money was very apt to stick in passing from hand to hand was naturally +suspicious, and he found it difficult to believe that Mulford, Jack +Tier, and even Biddy, under all the circumstances, had not paid special +attention to their own interests. + +“The bag was placed in one of the transom-lockers before the schooner +capsized,” returned the captain, “as Jack Tier informs me; if so, it +remains there still. Even the sharks will not touch gold, Don Wan.” + +“Would it not be well to call Jack, and hear his account of the matter +once more, now we appear to be so near the Eldorado of our wishes?” + +Spike assented, and Jack was summoned to the quarter-deck. The little +fellow had scarce showed himself throughout the day, and he now made his +appearance with a slow step, and reluctantly. + +“You've made no mistake about them 'ere doubloons, I take it, Master +Tier?” said Spike, in a very nautical sort of style of addressing an +inferior. “You _know_ them to be in one of the transom-lockers?” + +Jack mounted on the breech of one of the guns, and looked over the +bulwarks at the dispositions that had been made about the wreck. The +tafferel of the schooner actually came in sight, when a little swell +passed over it, leaving it for an instant in the trough. The steward +thus caught a glimpse again of the craft on board which he had seen so +much hazard, and he shook his head and seemed to be thinking of anything +but the question which had just been put to him. + +“Well, about that gold?” asked Spike, impatiently. + +“The sight of that craft has brought other thoughts than gold into my +mind, Captain Spike,” answered Jack, gravely, “and it would be well for +all us mariners, if we thought less of gold and more of the dangers we +run. For hours and hours did I stand over etarnity, on the bottom of +that schooner, Don Wan, holdin' my life, as it might be, at the marcy of +a few bubbles of air.” + +“What has all that to do with the gold? Have you deceived me about that +locker, little rascal?” + +“No, sir, I've _not_ deceived you--no, Captain Spike, _no_. The bag is +in the upper transom-locker, on the starboard side. There I put it +with my own hands, and a good lift it was; and there you'll find it, if +you'll cut through the quarter-deck at the spot I can p'int out to you.” + +This information seemed to give a renewed energy to all the native +cupidity of the captain, who called the men from their suppers, and +ordered them to commence heaving anew. The word was passed to the +crew that “it was now for doubloons,” and they went to the bars and +handspikes, notwithstanding the sun had set, cheerfully and cheering. + +All Spike's expedients admirably answered the intended purposes. The +stern of the schooner rose gradually, and at each lift the heels of the +shores dropped in more perpendicularly, carried by the weights attached +to them, and the spars stood as firm props to secure all that was +gained. In a quarter of an hour, most of that part of the stern which +was within five or six feet of the tafferel, rose above the water, +coming fairly in view. + +Spike now shouted to the men to “pall!” then he directed the falls to +be very gradually eased off, in order to ascertain if the shores would +still do their duty. The experiment was successful, and presently the +wreck stood in its upright position, sustained entirely by the two +spars. As the last were now nearly perpendicular, they were capable of +bearing a very heavy weight, and Spike was so anxious to relieve his own +brig from the strain she had been enduring, that he ordered the lashings +of the blocks to be loosened, trusting to his shores to do their duty. +Against this confidence the boatswain ventured a remonstrance, but the +gold was too near to allow the captain to listen or reply. The carpenter +was ordered over on the wreck with his tools, while Spike, the Señor +Montefalderon, and two men to row the boat and keep it steady, went in +the yawl to watch the progress of the work. Jack Tier was ordered to +stand in the chains, and to point out, as nearly as possible, the place +where the carpenter was to cut. + +When all was ready, Spike gave the word, and the chips began to fly. +By the use of the saw and the axe, a hole large enough to admit two or +three men at a time, was soon made in the deck, and the sounding for the +much-coveted locker commenced. By this time, it was quite dark; and +a lantern was passed down from the brig, in order to enable those who +searched for the locker to see. Spike had breasted the yawl close up to +the hole, where it was held by the men, while the captain himself passed +the lantern and his own head into the opening to reconnoitre. + +“Ay, it's all right!” cried the voice of the captain from within his +cell-like cavity. “I can just see the lid of the locker that Jack means, +and we shall soon have what we are a'ter. Carpenter, you may as well +slip off your clothes at once, and go inside; I will point out to you +the place where to find the locker. You're certain, Jack, it was the +starboard locker?” + +“Ay, ay, sir, the starboard locker, and no other.” + +The carpenter had soon got into the hole, as naked as when he was born. +It was a gloomy-looking place for a man to descend into at that hour, +the light from the lantern being no great matter, and half the time it +was shaded by the manner in which Spike was compelled to hold it. + +“Take care and get a good footing, carpenter,” said the captain, in +a kinder tone than common, “before you let go with your hands; but I +suppose you can swim, as a matter of course?” + +“No, sir, not a stroke--I never could make out in the water at all.” + +“Have the more 'care, then. Had I known as much, I would have sent +another hand down; but mind your footing. More to the left, man--more to +the left. That is the lid of the locker--your hand is on it; why do you +not open it?” + +“It is swelled by the water, sir, and will need a chisel, or some tool +of that sort. Just call out to one of the men, sir, if you please, to +pass me a chisel from my tool-chest. A good stout one will be best.” + +This order was given, and, during the delay it caused, Spike encouraged +the carpenter to be cool, and above all to mind his footing. His own +eagerness to get at the gold was so great that he kept his head in at +the hole, completely cutting off the man within from all communication +with the outer world. + +“What's the matter with you?” demanded Spike, a little sternly. “You +shiver, and yet the water cannot be cold in this latitude. No, my hand +makes it just the right warmth to be pleasant.” + +“It's not the water, Captain Spike--I wish they would come with the +chisel. Did you hear nothing, sir? I'm certain I did!” + +“Hear!--what is there here to be heard, unless there may be some fish +inside, thrashing about to get out of the vessel's hold?” + +“I am sure I heard something like a groan, Captain Spike. I wish you +would let me come out, sir, and I'll go for the chisel myself; them men +will never find it.” + +“Stay where you are, coward! are you afraid of dead men standing against +walls? Stay where you are. Ah! here is the chisel--now let us see what +you can do with it.” + +“I am certain I heard another groan, Captain Spike. I cannot work, sir. +I'm of no use here--_do_ let me come out, sir, and send a hand down that +can swim.” + +Spike uttered a terrible malediction on the miserable carpenter, one we +do not care to repeat; then he cast the light of the lantern full in +the man's face. The quivering flesh, the pallid face, and the whole +countenance wrought up almost to a frenzy of terror, astonished, as well +as alarmed him. + +“What ails you, man?” said the captain in a voice of thunder. “Clap in +the chisel, or I'll hurl you off into the water. There is nothing here, +dead or alive, to harm ye!” + +“The groan, sir--I hear it again! _Do_ let me come out, Captain Spike.” + +Spike himself, this time, heard what even _he_ took for a groan. It came +from the depths of the vessel, apparently, and was sufficiently distinct +and audible. Astonished, yet appalled, he thrust his shoulders into the +aperture, as if to dare the demon that tormented him, and was met by +the carpenter endeavouring to escape. In the struggle that ensued, the +lantern was dropped into the water, leaving the half-frenzied combatants +contending in the dark. The groan was renewed, when the truth flashed on +the minds of both. + +“The shores! the shores!” exclaimed the carpenter from within. “The +shores!” repeated Spike, throwing himself back into the boat, and +shouting to his men to “see all clear of the wreck!” The grating of one +of the shores on the coral beneath was now heard plainer than ever, +and the lower extremity slipped outward, not astern, as had been +apprehended, letting the wreck slowly settle to the bottom again. One +piercing shriek arose from the narrow cavity within; then the gurgling +of water into the aperture was heard, when naught of sound could be +distinguished but the sullen and steady wash of the waves of the gulf +over the rocks of the reef. + +The impression made by this accident was most profound. A fatality +appeared to attend the brig; and most of the men connected the sad +occurrence of this night with the strange appearance of the previous +evening. Even the Señor Montefalderon was disposed to abandon the +doubloons, and he urged Spike to make the best of his way for Yucatan, +to seek a friendly harbour. The captain wavered, but avarice was too +strong a passion in him to be easily diverted from its object, and he +refused to give up his purpose. + +As the wreck was entirely free from the brig when it went down for the +third time, no injury was sustained by the last on this occasion. By +renewing the lashings, everything would be ready to begin the work +anew--and this, Spike was resolved to attempt in the morning. The men +were too much fatigued, and it was too dark to think of pushing matters +any further that night; and it was very questionable whether they could +have been got to work. Orders were consequently given for all hands +to turn in, the captain, relieved by Don Juan and Jack Tier, having +arranged to keep the watches of the night. + +“This is a sad accident, Don Esteban,” observed the Mexican, as he and +Spike paced the quarter-deck together, just before the last turned +in; “a sad accident! My miserable schooner seems to be deserted by its +patron saint. Then your poor carpenter!” + +“Yes, he was a good fellow enough with a saw, or an adze,” answered +Spike, yawning. “But we get used to such things at sea. It's neither +more nor less than a carpenter expended. Good night, Señor Don Wan; in +the morning we'll be at that gold ag'in.” + + + +CHAPTER VI. + + + She's in a scene of nature's war, + The winds and waters are at strife; + And both with her contending for + The brittle thread of human life. + + Miss Gould. + + +Spike was sleeping hard in his berth, quite early on the following +morning, before the return of light, indeed, when he suddenly started +up, rubbed his eyes, and sprang upon deck like a man alarmed. He had +heard, or fancied he had heard, a cry. A voice once well known and +listened to, seemed to call him in the very portals of his ear. At first +he had listened to its words in wonder, entranced like the bird by the +snake, the tones recalling scenes and persons that had once possessed +a strong control over his rude feelings. Presently the voice became +harsher in its utterance, and it said. + +“Stephen Spike, awake! The hour is getting late, and you have enemies +nearer to you than you imagine. Awake, Stephen, awake!” + +When the captain was on his feet, and had plunged his head into a basin +of water that stood ready for him in the state-room, he could not have +told, for his life, whether he had been dreaming or waking, whether what +he had heard was the result of a feverish imagination, or of the laws +of nature. The call haunted him all that morning, or until events of +importance so pressed upon him as to draw his undivided attention to +them alone. + +It was not yet day. The men were still in heavy sleep, lying about the +decks, for they avoided the small and crowded forecastle in that warm +climate, and the night was apparently at its deepest hour. Spike walked +forward to look for the man charged with the anchor-watch. It proved +to be Jack Tier, who was standing near the galley, his arms folded as +usual, apparently watching the few signs of approaching day that were +beginning to be apparent in the western sky. The captain was in none +of the best humours with the steward's assistant; but Jack had +unaccountably got an ascendency over his commander, which it was +certainly very unusual for any subordinate in the Swash to obtain. +Spike had deferred more to Mulford than to any mate he had ever before +employed; but this was the deference due to superior information, +manners, and origin. It was common-place, if not vulgar; whereas, +the ascendency obtained by little Jack Tier was, even to its subject, +entirely inexplicable. He was unwilling to admit it to himself in the +most secret manner, though he had begun to feel it on all occasions +which brought them in contact, and to submit to it as a thing not to be +averted. + +“Jack Tier,” demanded the captain, now that he found himself once more +alone with the other, desirous of obtaining his opinion on a point that +harassed him, though he knew not why; “Jack Tier, answer me one thing. +Do you believe that we saw the form of a dead or of a living man at the +foot of the light-house?” + +“The dead are never seen leaning against walls in that manner, Stephen +Spike,” answered Jack, coolly, not even taking the trouble to uncoil +his arms. “What you saw was a living man; and you would do well to be on +your guard against him. Harry Mulford is not your friend--and there is +reason for it.” + +“Harry Mulford, and living! How can that be, Jack? You know the port in +which he chose to run.” + +“I know the rock on which you chose to abandon him, Captain Spike.” + +“If so, how could he be living and at the Dry Tortugas. The thing is +impossible!” + +“The thing is so. You saw Harry Mulford, living and well, and ready to +hunt you to the gallows. Beware of him, then; and beware of his handsome +wife!” + +“Wife! the fellow has no wife--he has always professed to be a single +man!” + +“The man is married--and I bid you beware of his handsome wife. She, +too, will be a witness ag'in you.” + +“This will be news, then, for Rose Budd. I shall delight in telling it +to _her,_ at least.” + +“'T will be _no_ news to Rose Budd. She was present at the wedding, +and will not be taken by surprise. Rose loves Harry too well to let him +marry, and she not present at the wedding.” + +“Jack, you talk strangely! What is the meaning of all this? I am captain +of this craft, and will not be trifled with--tell me at once your +meaning, fellow.” + +“My meaning is simple enough, and easily told. Rose Budd is the wife of +Harry Mulford.” + +“You're dreaming, fellow, or are wishing to trifle with me!” + +“It may be a dream, but it is one that will turn out to be true. If they +have found the Poughkeepsie sloop-of-war, as I make no doubt they have +by this time, Mulford and Rose are man and wife.” + +“Fool! you know not what you say! Rose is at this moment in her berth, +sick at heart on account of the young gentleman who preferred to live on +the Florida Reef rather than to sail in the Molly!” + +“Rose is _not_ in her berth, sick or well; neither is she on board this +brig at all. She went off in the light-house boat to deliver her lover +from the naked rock--and well did she succeed in so doing. God was of +her side, Stephen Spike; and a body seldom fails with such a friend to +support one.” + +Spike was astounded at these words, and not less so at the cool and +confident manner with which they were pronounced. Jack spoke in a +certain dogmatical, oracular manner, it is true, one that might have +lessened his authority with a person over whom he had less influence; +but this in no degree diminished its effect on Spike. On the contrary, +it even disposed the captain to yield an implicit faith to what he +heard, and all so much the more because the facts he was told appeared +of themselves to be nearly impossible. It was half a minute before he +had sufficiently recovered from his surprise to continue the discourse. + +“The light-house boat!” Spike then slowly repeated. “Why, fellow, you +told me the light-house boat went adrift from your own hands!” + +“So it did,” answered Jack, coolly, “since I cast off the painter--and +what is more, went in it.” + +“You! This is impossible. You are telling me a fabricated lie. If you +had gone away in that boat, how could you now be here? No, no--it is a +miserable lie, and Rose is below!” + +“Go and look into her state-room, and satisfy yourself with your own +eyes.” + +Spike did as was suggested. He went below, took a lamp that was always +suspended, lighted in the main cabin, and, without ceremony, proceeded +to Rose's state-room, where he soon found that the bird had really +flown. A direful execration followed this discovery, one so loud as to +awaken Mrs. Budd and Biddy. Determined not to do things by halves, he +broke open the door of the widow's state-room, and ascertained that +the person he sought was not there. A fierce explosion of oaths and +denunciations followed, which produced an answer in the customary +screams. In the midst of this violent scene, however, questions were +put, and answers obtained, that not only served to let the captain +know that Jack had told him nothing but truth, but to put an end to +everything like amicable relations between himself and the relict of +his old commander. Until this explosion, appearances had been observed +between them; but, from that moment, there must necessarily be an end of +all professions of even civility. Spike was never particularly refined +in his intercourse with females, but he now threw aside even its +pretension. His rage was so great that he totally forgot his manhood, +and lavished on both Mrs. Budd and Biddy epithets that were altogether +inexcusable, and many of which it will not do to repeat. Weak and silly +as was the widow, she was not without spirit; and on this occasion she +was indisposed to submit to all this unmerited abuse in silence. Biddy, +as usual, took her cue from her mistress, and between the two, their +part of the wordy conflict was kept up with a very respectable degree of +animation. + +“I know you--I know you, now!” screamed the widow, at the tope of her +voice; “and you can no longer deceive me, unworthy son of Neptune as +you are! You are unfit to be a lubber, and would be log-booked for an +or'nary by every gentleman on board ship. You, a full-jiggered sea-man! +No, you are not even half-jiggered, sir; and I tell you so to your +face.” + +“Yes, and it is n't _half_ that might be tould the likes of yees!” put +in Biddy, as her mistress stopped to breathe. “And it's Miss Rose you'd +have for a wife, when Biddy Noon would be too good for ye! We knows ye, +and all about ye, and can give yer history as complate from the day ye +was born down to the prisent moment; and not find a good word to say +in yer favour in all that time--and a precious time it is, too, for a +gentleman that would marry pretthy, _young_ Miss Rose! Och! I scorn to +look at ye, yer so ugly!” + +“And trying to persuade me you were a friend of my poor, dear Mr. Budd, +whose shoe you are unworthy to touch, and who had the heart and soul for +the noble profession you disgrace,” cut in the widow, the moment Biddy +gave her a chance, by pausing to make a wry face as she pronounced the +word “ugly.” “I now believe you capasided them poor Mexicans, in order +to get their money; and the moment we cast anchor in a road-side, I'll +go ashore, and complain of you for murder, I will.” + +“Do, missus, dear, and I'll be your bail, will I, and swear to all that +happened, and more too. Och! yer a wretch, to wish to be the husband of +Miss Rose, and she so young and pretthy, and you so ould and ugly!” + +“Come away--come away, Stephen Spike, and do not stand wrangling with +women, when you and your brig, and all that belongs to you, are in +danger,” called out Jack Tier from the companion-way. “Day is come; and +what is much worse for you, your most dangerous enemy is coming with +it.” + +Spike was almost livid with rage, and ready to burst out in awful +maledictions; but at this summons he sprang to the ladder, and was on +deck in a moment. At first, he felt a strong disposition to wreak his +vengeance on Tier, but, fortunately for the latter, as the captain's +foot touched the quarter-deck, his eye fell on the Poughkeepsie, then +within half a league of the Swash, standing in toward the reef, though +fully half a mile to leeward. This spectre drove all other subjects +from his mind, leaving the captain of the Swash in the only character +in which he could be said to be respectable, or that of a seaman. Almost +instinctively he called all hands, then he gave one brief minute to a +survey of his situation. + +It was, indeed, time for the Swash to be moving. There she lay, with +three anchors down, including that of the schooner, all she had, in +fact, with the exception of her best bower, and one kedge, with the +purchases aloft, in readiness for hooking on to the wreck, and all +the extra securities up that had been given to the masts. As for the +sloop-of-war, she was under the very same canvas as that with which she +had come out from the Dry Tortugas, or her three top-sails, spanker, +and jib; but most of her other sails were loose, even to her royals and +flying-jibs; though closely gathered into their spars by means of the +running gear. In a word, every sailor would know, at a glance, that the +ship was merely waiting for the proper moment to spread her wings, +when she would be flying through the water at the top of her speed. The +weather looked dirty, and the wind was gradually increasing, threatening +to blow heavily as the day advanced. + +“Unshackle, unshackle!” shouted Spike to the boat-swain, who was the +first man that appeared on deck. “The bloody sloop-of-war is upon us, +and there is not a moment to lose. We must get the brig clear of the +ground in the shortest way we can, and abandon everything. Unshackle, +and cast off for'ard and aft, men.” + +A few minutes of almost desperate exertion succeeded. No men work like +sailors, when the last are in a hurry, their efforts being directed to +counteracting squalls, and avoiding emergencies of the most pressing +character. Thus was it now with the crew of the Swash. The clanking of +chains lasted but a minute, when the parts attached to the anchors were +thrust through the hawse-holes, or were dropped into the water from +other parts of the brig. This at once released the vessel, though a +great deal remained to be done to clear her for working, and to put her +in the best trim. + +“Away with this out-hauler!” again shouted Spike, casting loose the +main-brails as he did so; “loose the jibs!” + +All went on at once, and the Swash moved away from the grave of the +poor carpenter with the ease and facility of motion that marked all her +evolutions. Then the top-sail was let fall, and presently all the upper +square-sails were sheeted home, and hoisted, and the fore-tack was +hauled aboard. The Molly was soon alive, and jumping into the seas that +met her with more power than was common, as she drew out from under the +shelter of the reef into rough water. From the time when Spike gave +his first order, to that when all his canvas was spread, was just seven +minutes. + +The Poughkeepsie, with her vastly superior crew, was not idle the while. +Although the watch below was not disturbed, she tacked beautifully, and +stood off the reef, in a line parallel to the course of the brig, and +distant from her about half a mile. Then sail was made, her tacks having +been boarded in stays. Spike knew the play of his craft was short legs, +for she was so nimble in her movements that he believed she could +go about in half the time that would be required for a vessel of the +Poughkeepsie's length. “Ready about,” was his cry, therefore, when less +than a mile distant from the reef--“ready about, and let her go round.” + Round the Molly did go, like a top, being full on the other tack in just +fifty-six seconds. The movement of the corvette was more stately, and +somewhat more deliberate. Still, she stayed beautifully, and both Spike +and the boatswain shook their heads, as they saw her coming into the +wind with her sails all lifting and the sheets flowing. + +“That fellow will fore-reach a cable's length before he gets about!” + exclaimed Spike. “He will prove too much for us at this sport! Keep her +away, my man--keep the brig away for the passage. We must run through +the reef, instead of trusting ourselves to our heels in open water.” + +The brig was kept away accordingly, and sheets were eased off, and +braces just touched, to meet the new line of sailing. As the wind stood, +it was possible to lay through the passage on an easy bowline, though +the breeze, which was getting to be fresher than Spike wished it to be, +promised to haul more to the southward of east, as the day advanced. +Nevertheless, this was the Swash's best point of sailing, and all on +board of her had strong hopes of her being too much for her pursuer, +could she maintain it. Until this feeling began to diffuse itself in the +brig, not a countenance was to be seen on her decks that did not betray +intense anxiety; but now something like grim smiles passed among the +crew, as their craft seemed rather to fly than force her way through the +water, toward the entrance of the passage so often adverted to in this +narrative. + +On the other hand, the Poughkeepsie was admirably sailed and handled. +Everybody was now on deck, and the first lieutenant had taken the +trumpet. Captain Mull was a man of method, and a thorough man-of-war's +man. Whatever he did was done according to rule, and with great system. +Just as the Swash was about to enter the passage, the drum of the +Poughkeepsie beat to quarters. No sooner were the men mustered, in the +leeward, or the starboard batteries, than orders were sent to cast loose +the guns, and to get them ready for service. Owing to the more leeward +position of his vessel, and to the fact that she always head-reached so +much in stays, Captain Mull knew that she would not lose much by luffing +into the wind, or by making half-boards, while he might gain everything +by one well-directed shot. + +The strife commenced by the sloop-of-war, firing her weather bow-gun, +single-shotted, at the Swash. No damage was done, though the fore-yard +of the brig had a very narrow escape. This experiment was repeated three +times, without even a rope-yarn being carried away, though the gun was +pointed by Wallace himself, and well pointed, too. But it is possible +for a shot to come very near its object and still to do no injury. Such +was the fact on this occasion, though the “ship's gentleman” was a good +deal mortified by the result. Men look so much at success as the test of +merit, that few pause to inquire into the reasons of failures, though +it frequently happens that adventures prosper by means of their very +blunders. Captain Mull now determined on a half-board, for his ship was +more to leeward than he desired. Directions were given to the officers +in the batteries to be deliberate, and the helm was put down. As the +ship shot into the wind, each gun was fired, as it could be brought to +bear, until the last of them all was discharged. Then the course of the +vessel was changed, the helm being righted before the ship had lost her +way, and the sloop-of-war fell off again to her course. + +All this was done in such a short period of time as scarcely to cause +the Poughkeepsie to lose anything, while it did the Swash the most +serious injury. The guns had been directed at the brig's spars and +sails, Captain Mull desiring no more than to capture his chase, and the +destruction they produced aloft was such as to induce Spike and his men, +at first, to imagine that the whole hamper above their heads was about +to come clattering down on deck. One shot carried away all the weather +fore-top-mast rigging of the brig, and would no doubt have brought about +the loss of the mast, if another, that almost instantly succeeded +it, had not cut the spar itself in two, bringing down, as a matter of +course, everything above it. Nearly half of the main-mast was gouged +out of that spar, and the gaff was taken fairly out of its jaws. The +fore-yard was cut in the slings, and various important ropes were +carried away in different parts of the vessel. + +Flight, under such circumstances, was impossible, unless some +extraordinary external assistance was to be obtained. This Spike saw +at once, and he had recourse to the only expedient that remained; which +might possibly yet save him. The guns were still belching forth their +smoke and flames, when he shouted out the order to put the helm hard up. +The width of the passage in which the vessels were was not so great but +that he might hope to pass across it, and to enter a channel among +the rocks, which was favourably placed for such a purpose, ere the +sloop-of-war could overtake him. Whither that channel led, what water it +possessed, or whether it were not a shallow _cul de sac,_ were all facts +of which Spike was ignorant. The circumstances, however, would not admit +of an alternative. + +Happily for the execution of Spike's present design, nothing from +aloft had fallen into the water, to impede the brig's way. Forward, +in particular, she seemed all wreck; her fore-yard having come down +altogether, so as to encumber the forecastle, while her top-mast, with +its dependent spars and gear, was suspended but a short distance above. +Still, nothing had gone over the side, so as actually to touch the +water, and the craft obeyed her helm as usual. Away she went, then, +for the lateral opening in the reef just mentioned, driven ahead by +the pressure of a strong breeze on her sails, which still offered +large surfaces to the wind, at a rapid rate. Instead of keeping away +to follow, the Poughkeepsie maintained her luff, and just as the Swash +entered the unknown passage, into which she was blindly plunging, the +sloop-of-war was about a quarter of a mile to windward, and standing +directly across her stern. Nothing would have been easier, now, than for +Captain Mull to destroy his chase; but humanity prevented his firing. +He knew that her career must be short, and he fully expected to see her +anchor; when it would be easy for him to take possession with his +boats. With this expectation, indeed, he shortened sail, furling +top-gallant-sails, and hauling up his courage. By this time, the wind +had so much freshened, as to induce him to think of putting in a reef, +and the step now taken had a double object in view. + +To the surprise of all on board the man-of-war, the brig continued on, +until she was fully a mile distant, finding her way deeper and deeper +among the mazes of the reef without meeting with any impediment! This +fact induced Captain Mull to order his Paixhans to throw their shells +beyond her, by way of a hint to anchor. While the guns were getting +ready, Spike stood on boldly, knowing it was neck or nothing, and +beginning to feel a faint revival of hope, as he found himself getting +further and further from his pursuers, and the rocks not fetching him +up. Even the men, who had begun to murmur at what seemed to them to be +risking too much, partook, in a slight degree, of the same feeling, and +began to execute the order they had received to try to get the launch +into the water, with some appearance of an intention to succeed. +Previously, the work could scarcely be said to go on at all; but two or +three of the older seamen now bestirred themselves, and suggestions were +made and attended to, that promised results. But it was no easy thing to +get the launch out of a half-rigged brig, that had lost her fore-yard, +and which carried nothing square abaft. A derrick was used in common, +to lift the stern of the boat, but a derrick would now be useless aft, +without an assistant forward. While these things were in discussion, +under the superintendence of the boatswain, and Spike was standing +between the knight-heads, conning the craft, the sloop-of-war let fly +the first of her hollow shot. Down came the hurtling mass upon the +Swash, keeping every head elevated and all eyes looking for the dark +object, as it went booming through the air above their heads. The shot +passed fully a mile to leeward, where it exploded. This great range had +been given to the first shot, with a view to admonish the captain how +long he must continue under the guns of the ship, and as advice to come +to. The second gun followed immediately. Its shot was seem to ricochet, +directly in a line with the brig, making leaps of about half a mile +in length. It struck the water about fifty yards astern of the vessel, +bounded directly over her decks, passing through the main-sail and some +of the fallen hamper forward, and exploded about a hundred yards ahead. +As usually happens with such projectiles, most of the fragments were +either scattered laterally, or went on, impelled by the original +momentum. + +The effect of this last gun on the crew of the Swash was instantaneous +and deep. The faint gleamings of hope vanished at once, and a lively +consciousness of the desperate nature of their condition succeeded in +every mind. The launch was forgotten, and, after conferring together for +a moment, the men went in a body, with the boatswain at their head, to +the forecastle, and offered a remonstrance to their commander, on +the subject of holding out any longer, under circumstances so very +hazardous, and which menaced their lives in so many different ways. +Spike listened to them with eyes that fairly glared with fury. He +ordered them back to their duty in a voice of thunder, tapping the +breast of his jacket, where he was known to carry revolvers, with a +significance that could convey but one meaning. + +It is wonderful the ascendency that men sometimes obtain over their +fellows, by means of character, the habits of command, and obedience, +and intimidation. Spike was a stern disciplinarian, relying on that +and ample pay for the unlimited control he often found it necessary +to exercise over his crew. On the present occasion, his people were +profoundly alarmed, but habitual deference and submission to their +leader counteracted the feeling, and held them in suspense. They were +fully aware of the nature of the position they occupied in a legal +sense, and were deeply reluctant to increase the appearances of crime; +but most of them had been extricated from so many grave difficulties in +former instances, by the coolness, nerve and readiness of the captain, +that a latent ray of hope was perhaps dimly shining in the rude breast +of every old sea-dog among them. As a consequence of these several +causes, they abandoned their remonstrance, for the moment at least, and +made a show of returning to their duty; though it was in a sullen and +moody manner. + +It was easier, however, to make a show of hoisting out the launch, than +to effect the object. This was soon made apparent on trial, and Spike +himself gave the matter up. He ordered the yawl to be lowered, got +alongside, and to be prepared for the reception of the crew, by putting +into it a small provision of food and water. All this time the brig was +rushing madly to leeward, among rocks and breakers, without any other +guide than that which the visible dangers afforded. Spike knew no more +where he was going than the meanest man in his vessel. His sole aim was +to get away from his pursuers, and to save his neck from the rope. He +magnified the danger of punishment that he really ran, for he best knew +the extent and nature of his crimes, of which the few that have been +laid before the reader, while they might have been amongst the most +prominent, as viewed through the statutes and international law, were +far from the gravest he had committed in the eyes of morals. + +About this time the Señor Montefalderon went forward to confer with +Spike. The calmness of this gentleman's demeanour, the simplicity and +coolness of his movements, denoted a conscience that saw no particular +ground for alarm. He wished to escape captivity, that he might continue +to serve his country, but no other apprehension troubled him. + +“Do you intend to trust yourself in the yawl, Don Esteban?” demanded the +Mexican quietly. “If so, is she not too small to contain so many as we +shall make altogether?” + +Spike's answer was given in a low voice; and it evidently came from a +very husky throat. + +“Speak lower, Don Wan,” he said. “The boat would be greatly overloaded +with all hands in it, especially among the breakers, and blowing as it +does; but we may leave some of the party behind.” + +“The brig _must_ go on the rocks, sooner or later, Don Esteban; when she +does, she will go to pieces in an hour. + +“I expect to hear her strike every minute, señor; the moment she does, +we must be off. I have had my eye on that ship for some time, expecting +to see her lower her cutters and gigs to board us. _You_ will not be +out of the way, Don Wan; but there is no need of being talkative on the +subject of our escape.” + +Spike now turned his back on the Mexican, looking anxiously ahead, with +the desire to get as far into the reef as possible with his brig, which +he conned with great skill and coolness. The Señor Montefalderon left +him. With the chivalry and consideration of a man and a gentleman, he +went in quest of Mrs. Budd and Biddy. A hint sufficed for them, and +gathering together a few necessaries they were in the yawl in the next +three minutes. This movement was unseen by Spike, or he might have +prevented it. His eyes were now riveted on the channel ahead. It had +been fully his original intention to make off in the boat, the instant +the brig struck, abandoning not only Don Juan, with Mrs. Budd and Biddy +to their fates, but most of the crew. A private order had been given to +the boatswain, and three of the ablest-bodied among the seamen, each and +all of whom kept the secret with religious fidelity, as it was believed +their own personal safety might be connected with the success of this +plan. + +Nothing is so contagious as alarm. It requires not only great natural +steadiness of nerve, but much acquired firmness to remain unmoved when +sudden terror has seized on the minds of those around us. Habitual +respect had prevented the crew from interfering with the movements +of the Mexican, who not only descended into the boat with his female +companions uninterrupted, but also took with him the little bag +of doubloons which fell to his share from the first raising of the +schooner. Josh and Jack Tier assisted in getting Mrs. Budd and Biddy +over the side, and both took their own places in the yawl, as soon as +this pious duty was discharged. This served as a hint to others near +at hand; and man after man left his work to steal into the yawl, until +every living being had disappeared from the deck of the Swash, Spike +himself excepted. The man at the wheel had been the last to desert +his post, nor would he have done so then, but for a signal from the +boatswain, with whom he was a favourite. + +It is certain there was a secret desire among the people of the Swash, +who were now crowded into a boat not large enough to contain more than +half their number with safety, to push off from the brig's side, and +abandon her commander and owner to his fate. All had passed so soon, +however, and events succeeded each other with so much rapidity, that +little time was given for consultation. Habit kept them in their places, +though the appearances around them were strong motives for taking care +of themselves. + +Notwithstanding the time necessary to relate the foregoing events, +a quarter of an hour had not elapsed, from the moment when the Swash +entered this unknown channel among the rocks, ere she struck. No sooner +was her helm deserted than she broached-to, and Spike was in the act +of denouncing the steerage, ignorant of its cause, when the brig was +thrown, broadside-to, on a sharp, angular bed of rocks. It was fortunate +for the boat, and all in it, that it was brought to leeward by the +broaching-to of the vessel, and that the water was still sufficiently +deep around them to prevent the waves from breaking. Breakers there +were, however, in thousands, on every side; and the seamen understood +that their situation was almost desperately perilous, without shipwreck +coming to increase the danger. + +The storm itself was scarcely more noisy and boisterous than was Spike, +when he ascertained the manner in which his people had behaved. At +first, he believed it was their plan to abandon him to his fate; but, on +rushing to the lee-gangway, Don Juan Montefalderon assured him that no +such intention existed, and that he would not allow the boat to be cast +off until the captain was received on board. This brief respite gave +Spike a moment to care for his portion of the doubloons; and he rushed +to his state-room to secure them, together with his quadrant. + +The grinding of the brig's bottom on the coral, announced a speedy +breaking up of the craft, while her commander was thus employed. So +violent were some of the shocks with which she came down on the hard +bed in which she was now cradled, that Spike expected to see her burst +asunder, while he was yet on her decks. The cracking of timbers told +him that all was over with the Swash, nor had he got back as far as the +gangway with his prize, before he saw plainly that the vessel had broken +her back, as it is termed, and that her plank-sheer was opening in a way +that threatened to permit a separation of the craft into two sections, +one forward and the other aft. Notwithstanding all these portentous +proofs that the minutes of the Molly were numbered, and the danger that +existed of his being abandoned by his crew, Spike paused a moment, ere +he went over the vessel's side, to take a hasty survey of the reef. His +object was to get a general idea of the position of the breakers, with a +view to avoid them. As much of the interest of that which is to succeed +is connected with these particular dangers, it may be well to explain +their character, along with a few other points of a similar bearing. + +The brig had gone ashore fully two miles within the passage she had +entered, and which, indeed, terminated at the very spot where she had +struck. The Poughkeepsie was standing off and on, in the main channel, +with her boats in the water, evidently preparing to carry the brig in +that mode. As for the breakers, they whitened the surface of the ocean +in all directions around the wreck, far as the eye could reach, but in +two. The passage in which the Poughkeepsie was standing to and fro was +clear of them, of course; and about a mile and a half to the northward, +Spike saw that he should be in open water, or altogether on the northern +side of the reef, could he only get there. The gravest dangers would +exist in the passage, which led among breakers on all sides, and very +possibly among rocks so near the surface as absolutely to obstruct the +way. In one sense, however, the breakers were useful. By avoiding them +as much as possible, and by keeping in the unbroken water, the boat +would be running in the channels of the reef, and consequently would +be the safer. The result of the survey, short as it was, and it did not +last a minute, was to give Spike something like a plan; and when he went +over the side, and got into the boat, it was with a determination to +work his way out of the reef to its northern edge, as soon as possible, +and then to skirt it as near as he could, in his flight toward the Dry +Tortugas. + + + +CHAPTER VII. + + + The screams of rage, the groan, the strife, + The blow, the grasp, the horrid cry, + The panting, throttled prayer for life, + The dying's heaving sigh, + The murderer's curse, the dead man's fixed, still glare, + And fear's and death's cold sweat--they all are there. + + Matthew Lee. + + +It was high time that Captain Spike should arrive when his foot touched +the bottom of the yawl. The men were getting impatient and anxious to +the last degree, and the power of Señor Montefalderon to control them +was lessening each instant. They heard the rending of timber, and the +grinding on the coral, even more distinctly than the captain himself, +and feared that the brig would break up while they lay alongside of her, +and crush them amid the ruins. Then the spray of the seas that broke +over the weather side of the brig, fell like rain upon them; and +everybody in the boat was already as wet as if exposed to a violent +shower. It was well, therefore, for Spike that he descended into the +boat as he did, for another minute's delay might have brought about his +own destruction. + +Spike felt a chill at his heart when he looked about him and saw the +condition of the yawl. So crowded were the stern-sheets into which he +had descended, that it was with difficulty he found room to place his +feet; it being his intention to steer, Jack was ordered to get into the +eyes of the boat, in order to give him a seat. The thwarts were crowded, +and three or four of the people had placed themselves in the very bottom +of the little craft, in order to be as much as possible out of the way, +as well as in readiness to bail out water. So seriously, indeed, were +all the seamen impressed with the gravity of this last duty, that nearly +every man had taken with him some vessel fit for such a purpose. Rowing +was entirely out of the question, there being no space for the movement +of the arms. The yawl was too low in the water, moreover, for such an +operation in so heavy a sea. In all, eighteen persons were squeezed into +a little craft that would have been sufficiently loaded, for moderate +weather at sea, with its four oarsmen and as many sitters in the +stern-sheets, with, perhaps, one in the eyes to bring her more on an +even keel. In other words, she had twice the weight in her, in living +freight, that it would have been thought prudent to receive in so small +a craft, in an ordinary time, in or out of a port. In addition to the +human beings enumerated, there was a good deal of baggage, nearly every +individual having had the forethought to provide a few clothes for a +change. The food and water did not amount to much, no more having been +provided than enough for the purposes of the captain, together with the +four men with whom it had been his intention to abandon the brig. The +effect of all this cargo was to bring the yawl quite low in the water; +and every sea-faring man in her had the greatest apprehensions about her +being able to float at all when she got out from under the lee of the +Swash, or into the troubled water. Try it she must, however, and Spike, +in a reluctant and hesitating manner, gave the final order to “Shove +off!” + +The yawl carried a lugg, as is usually the case with boats at sea, and +the first blast of the breeze upon it satisfied Spike that his present +enterprise was one of the most dangerous of any in which he had ever +been engaged. The puffs of wind were quite as much as the boat would +bear; but this he did not mind, as he was running off before it, and +there was little danger of the yawl capsizing with such a weight in her. +It was also an advantage to have swift way on, to prevent the combing +waves from shooting into the boat, though the wind itself scarce +outstrips the send of the sea in a stiff blow. As the yawl cleared +the brig and began to feel the united power of the wind and waves, the +following short dialogue occurred between the boatswain and Spike. + +“I dare not keep my eyes off the breakers ahead,” the captain commenced, +“and must trust to you, Strand, to report what is going on among the +man-of-war's men. What is the ship about?” + +“Reefing her top-sails just now, sir. All three are on the caps, and the +vessel is laying-to, in a manner.” + +“And her boats?” + +“I see none, sir--ay, ay, there they come from alongside of her in +a little fleet! There are four of them, sir, and all are coming down +before the wind, wing and wing, carrying their luggs reefed.” + +“Ours ought to be reefed by rights, too, but we dare not stop to do it; +and these infernal combing seas seem ready to glance aboard us with all +the way we can gather. Stand by to bail, men; we must pass through a +strip of white water--there is no help for it. God send that we go clear +of the rocks!” + +All this was fearfully true. The adventurers were not yet more than a +cable's length from the brig, and they found themselves so completely +environed with the breakers as to be compelled to go through them. No +man in his senses would ever have come into such a place at all, except +in the most unavoidable circumstances; and it was with a species of +despair that the seamen of the yawl now saw their little craft go +plunging into the foam. + +But Spike neglected no precaution that experience or skill could +suggest. He had chosen his spot with coolness and judgment. As the boat +rose on the seas he looked eagerly ahead, and by giving it a timely +sheer, he hit a sort of channel, where there was sufficient water to +carry them clear of the rock, and where the breakers were less dangerous +than in the shoaler places. The passage lasted about a minute; and +so serious was it, that scarce an individual breathed until it was +effected. No human skill could prevent the water from combing in over +the gunwales; and when the danger was passed, the yawl was a third +filled with water. There was no time or place to pause, but on the +little craft was dragged almost gunwale to, the breeze coming against +the lugg in puffs that threatened to take the mast out of her. All hands +were bailing; and even Biddy used her hands to aid in throwing out the +water. + +“This is no time to hesitate, men,” said Spike, sternly. “Everything +must go overboard but the food and water. Away with them at once, and +with a will.” + +It was a proof how completely all hands were alarmed by this, the first +experiment in the breakers, that not a man stayed his hand a single +moment, but each threw into the sea, without an instant of hesitation, +every article he had brought with him and had hoped to save. Biddy +parted with the carpet-bag, and Señor Montefalderon, feeling the +importance of example, committed to the deep a small writing-desk that +he had placed on his knees. The doubloons alone remained, safe in a +little locker where Spike had deposited them along with his own. + +“What news astern, boatswain?” demanded the captain, as soon as this +imminent danger was passed, absolutely afraid to turn his eyes off the +dangers ahead for a single instant. “How come on the man-of-war's men?” + +“They are running down in a body toward the wreck, though one of their +boats does seem to be sheering out of the line, as if getting into our +wake. It is hard to say, sir, for they are still a good bit to windward +of the wreck.” + +“And the Molly, Strand?” + +“Why, sir, the Molly seems to be breaking up fast; as well as I can see, +she has broke in two just abaft the forechains, and cannot hold together +in any shape at all many minutes longer.” + +This information drew a deep groan from Spike, and the eye of every +seaman in the boat was turned in melancholy on the object they were so +fast leaving behind them. The yawl could not be said to be sailing very +rapidly, considering the power of the wind, which was a little gale, +for she was much too deep for that, but she left the wreck so fast as +already to render objects on board her indistinct. Everybody saw that, +like an overburthened steed, she had more to get along with than she +could well bear; and, dependent as seamen usually are on the judgment +and orders of their superiors, even in the direst emergencies, the +least experienced man in her saw that their chances of final escape from +drowning were of the most doubtful nature. The men looked at each other +in a way to express their feelings; and the moment seemed favourable +to Spike to confer with his confidential sea-dogs in private; but more +white water was also ahead, and it was necessary to pass through it, +since no opening was visible by which to avoid it. He deferred his +purpose, consequently, until this danger was escaped. + +On this occasion Spike saw but little opportunity to select a place to +get through the breakers, though the spot, as a whole, was not of the +most dangerous kind. The reader will understand that the preservation of +the boat at all, in white water, was owing to the circumstance that the +rocks all around it lay so near the surface of the sea as to prevent +the possibility of agitating the element very seriously, and to the fact +that she was near the lee side of the reef. Had the breakers been of the +magnitude of those which are seen where the deep rolling billows of the +ocean first meet the weather side of shoals or rocks, a craft of that +size, and so loaded, could not possibly have passed the first line of +white water without filling. As it was, however, the breakers she had +to contend with were sufficiently formidable, and they brought with +them the certainty that the boat was in imminent danger of striking the +bottom at any moment. Places like those in which Mulford had waded +on the reef, while it was calm, would now have proved fatal to the +strongest frame, since human powers were insufficient long to withstand +the force of such waves as did glance over even these shallows. + +“Look out!” cried Spike, as the boat again plunged in among the white +water. “Keep bailing, men--keep bailing.” + +The men did bail, and the danger was over almost as soon as encountered. +Something like a cheer burst out of the chest of Spike, when he saw +deeper water around him, and fancied he could now trace a channel that +would carry him quite beyond the extent of the reef. It was arrested, +only half uttered, however, by a communication from the boatswain, who +sat on a midship thwart, his arms folded, and his eye on the brig and +the boats. + +“There goes the Molly's masts, sir! Both have gone together; and as good +sticks was they, before them bomb-shells passed through our rigging, as +was ever stepped in a keelson.” + +The cheer was changed to something like a groan, while a murmur of +regret passed through the boat. + +“What news from the man-of-war's men, boatswain? Do they still stand +down on a mere wreck?” + +“No, sir; they seem to give it up, and are getting out their oars to +pull back to their ship. A pretty time they'll have of it, too. The +cutter that gets to windward half a mile in an hour, ag'in such a sea, +and such a breeze, must be well pulled and better steered. One chap, +however, sir, seems to hold on.” + +Spike now ventured to look behind him, commanding an experienced hand to +take the helm. In order to do this he was obliged to change places +with the man he had selected to come aft, which brought him on a thwart +alongside of the boatswain and one or two other of his confidants. Here +a whispered conference took place, which lasted several minutes, Spike +appearing to be giving instructions to the men. + +By this time the yawl was more than a mile from the wreck, all the +man-of-war boats but one had lowered their sails, and were pulling +slowly and with great labour back toward the ship, the cutter that kept +on, evidently laying her course after the yawl, instead of standing on +toward the wreck. The brig was breaking up fast, with every probability +that nothing would be left of her in a few more minutes. As for the +yawl, while clear of the white water, it got along without receiving +many seas aboard, though the men in its bottom were kept bailing without +intermission. It appeared to Spike that so long as they remained on +the reef, and could keep clear of breakers--a most difficult thing, +however--they should fare better than if in deeper water, where the +swell of the sea, and the combing of the waves, menaced so small and +so deep-loaded a craft with serious danger. As it was, two or three men +could barely keep the boat clear, working incessantly, and much of the +time with a foot or two of water in her. + +Josh and Simon had taken their seats, side by side, with that sort of +dependence and submission that causes the American black to abstain +from mingling with the whites more than might appear seemly. They were +squeezed on to one end of the thwart by a couple of robust old sea-dogs, +who were two of the very men with whom Spike had been in consultation. +Beneath that very thwart was stowed another confidant, to whom +communications had also been made. These men had sailed long in the +Swash, and having been picked up in various ports, from time to time, as +the brig had wanted hands, they were of nearly as many different nations +as they were persons. Spike had obtained a great ascendency over them by +habit and authority, and his suggestions were now received as a sort of +law. As soon as the conference was ended, the captain returned to the +helm. + +A minute more passed, during which the captain was anxiously surveying +the reef ahead, and the state of things astern. Ahead was more white +water--the last before they should get clear of the reef; and astern it +was now settled that the cutter that held on through the dangers of the +place, was in chase of the yawl. That Mulford was in her Spike made no +doubt; and the thought embittered even his present calamities. But the +moment had arrived for something decided. The white water ahead was much +more formidable than any they had passed; and the boldest seamen +there gazed at it with dread. Spike made a sign to the boatswain, and +commenced the execution of his dire project. + +“I say, you Josh,” called out the captain, in the authoritative tones +that are so familiar to all on board a ship, “pull in that fender that +is dragging alongside.” + +Josh leaned over the gunwale, and reported that there was no fender out. +A malediction followed, also so familiar to those acquainted with ships, +and the black was told to look again. This time, as had been expected, +the negro leaned with his head and body far over the side of the yawl, +to look for that which had no existence, when two of the men beneath the +thwart shoved his legs after them. Josh screamed, as he found himself +going into the water, with a sort of confused consciousness of +the truth; and Spike called out to Simon to “catch hold of his +brother-nigger.” The cook bent forward to obey, when a similar assault +on _his_ legs from beneath the thwart, sent him headlong after Josh. One +of the younger seamen, who was not in the secret, sprang up to rescue +Simon, who grasped his extended hand, when the too generous fellow was +pitched headlong from the boat. + +All this occurred in less than ten seconds of time, and so unexpectedly +and naturally, that not a soul beyond those who were in the secret, +had the least suspicion it was anything but an accident. Some water was +shipped, of necessity, but the boat was soon bailed free. As for the +victims of this vile conspiracy, they disappeared amid the troubled +waters of the reef, struggling with each other. Each and all met the +common fate so much the sooner, from the manner in which they impeded +their own efforts. + +The yawl was now relieved from about five hundred pounds of the weight +it had carried--Simon weighing two hundred alone, and the youngish +seaman being large and full. So intense does human selfishness get to +be, in moments of great emergency, that it is to be feared most of those +who remained, secretly rejoiced that they were so far benefited by +the loss of their fellows. The Señor Montefalderon was seated on the +aftermost thwart, with his legs in the stern-sheets, and consequently +with his back toward the negroes, and he fully believed that what had +happened was purely accidental. + +“Let us lower our sail, Don Esteban,” he cried, eagerly, “and save the +poor fellows.” + +Something very like a sneer gleamed on the dark countenance of the +captain, but it suddenly changed to a look of assent. + +“Good!” he said, hastily--“spring forward, Don Wan, and lower the +sail--stand by the oars, men!” + +Without pausing to reflect, the generous-hearted Mexican stepped on a +thwart, and began to walk rapidly forward, steadying himself by placing +his hands on the heads of the men. He was suffered to get as far as +the second thwart or past most of the conspirators, when his legs were +seized from behind. The truth now flashed on him, and grasping two +of the men in his front, who knew nothing of Spike's dire scheme, he +endeavoured to save himself by holding to their jackets. Thus assailed, +those men seized others with like intent, and an awful struggle filled +all that part of the craft. At this dread instant the boat glanced into +the white water, shipping so much of the element as nearly to swamp +her, and taking so wild a sheer as nearly to broach-to. This last +circumstance probably saved her, fearful as was the danger for the +moment. Everybody in the middle of the yawl was rendered desperate +by the amount and nature of the danger incurred, and the men from the +bottom rose in their might, underneath the combatants, when a common +plunge was made by all who stood erect, one dragging overboard another, +each a good deal hastened by the assault from beneath, until no less +than five were gone. Spike got his helm up, the boat fell off, and away +from the spot it flew, clearing the breakers, and reaching the northern +wall-like margin of the reef at the next instant. There was now a moment +when those who remained could breathe, and dared to look behind them. + +The great plunge had been made in water so shoal, that the boat had +barely escaped being dashed to pieces on the coral. Had it not been so +suddenly relieved from the pressure of near a thousand pounds in weight, +it is probable that this calamity would have befallen it, the water +received on board contributing so much to weight it down. The struggle +between these victims ceased, however, the moment they went over. +Finding bottom for their feet, they released each other, in a desperate +hope of prolonging life by wading. Two or three held out their arms, and +shouted to Spike to return and pick them up. This dreadful scene lasted +but a single instant, for the waves dashed one after another from his +feet, continually forcing them all, as they occasionally regained their +footing, toward the margin of the reef, and finally washing them off it +into deep water. No human power could enable a man to swim back to the +rocks, once to leeward of them, in the face of such seas, and so heavy +a blow; and the miserable wretches disappeared in succession, as their +strength became exhausted, in the depths of the Gulf. + +Not a word had been uttered while this terrific scene was in the course +of occurrence; not a word was uttered for some time afterward. Gleams of +grim satisfaction had been seen on the countenances of the boatswain and +his associates, when the success of their nefarious project was first +assured; but they soon disappeared in looks of horror, as they witnessed +the struggles of the drowning men. Nevertheless, human selfishness +was strong within them all, and none there was so ignorant as not to +perceive how much better were the chances of the yawl now than it had +been on quitting the wreck. The weight of a large ox had been taken from +it, counting that of all the eight men drowned; and as for the +water shipped, it was soon bailed back again into the sea. Not only, +therefore, was the yawl in a better condition to resist the waves, but +it sailed materially faster than it had done before. Ten persons still +remained in it, however, which brought it down in the water below its +proper load-line; and the speed of a craft so small was necessarily +a good deal lessened by the least deviation from its best sailing, or +rowing trim. But Spike's projects were not yet completed. + +All this time the man-of-war's cutter had been rushing as madly through +the breakers, in chase, as the yawl had done in the attempt to escape. +Mulford was, in fact, on board it; and his now fast friend, Wallace, was +in command. The latter wished to seize a traitor, the former to save the +aunt of his weeping bride. Both believed that they might follow wherever +Spike dared to lead. This reasoning was more bold than judicious +notwithstanding, since the cutter was much larger, and drew twice as +much water as the yawl. On it came, nevertheless, faring much better +in the white water than the little craft it pursued, but necessarily +running a much more considerable risk of hitting the coral, over which +it was glancing almost as swiftly as the waves themselves; still it had +thus far escaped--and little did any in it think of the danger. This +cutter pulled ten oars; was an excellent sea boat; had four armed +marines in it, in addition to its crew, but carried all through the +breakers, receiving scarcely a drop of water on board, on account of the +height of its wash-boards, and the general qualities of the craft. It +may be well to add here, that the Poughkeepsie had shaken out her reefs, +and was betraying the impatience of Captain Mull to make sail in chase, +by firing signal-guns to his boats to bear a hand and return. These +signals the three boats under their oars were endeavouring to obey, but +Wallace had got so far to leeward as now to render the course he was +pursuing the wisest. + +Mrs. Budd and Biddy had seen the struggle in which the Señor +Montefalderon had been lost, in a sort of stupid horror. Both had +screamed, as was their wont, though neither probably suspected the +truth. But the fell designs of Spike extended to them, as well as to +those whom he had already destroyed. Now the boat was in deep water, +running along the margin of the reef, the waves were much increased in +magnitude, and the comb of the sea was far more menacing to the boat. +This would not have been the case had the rocks formed a lee; but they +did not, running too near the direction of the trades to prevent the +billows that got up a mile or so in the offing, from sending their swell +quite home to the reef. It was this swell, indeed, which caused the line +of white water along the northern margin of the coral, washing on the +rocks by a sort of lateral effort, and breaking, as a matter of course. +In many places, no boat could have lived to pass through it. + +Another consideration influenced Spike to persevere. The cutter had been +overhauling him, hand over hand, but since the yawl was relieved of the +weight of no less than eight men, the difference in the rate of sailing +was manifestly diminished. The man-of-war's boat drew nearer, but by no +means as fast as it had previously done. A point was now reached in the +trim of the yawl, when a very few hundreds in weight might make the +most important change in her favour; and this change the captain was +determined to produce. By this time the cutter was in deep water, as +well as himself, safe through all the dangers of the reef, and she was +less than a quarter of a mile astern. On the whole, she was gaining, +though so slowly as to require the most experienced eye to ascertain the +fact. + +“Madame Budd,” said Spike, in a hypocritical tone, “we are in great +danger, and I shall have to ask you to change your seat. The boat is +too much by the starn, now we've got into deep water, and your weight +amidships would be a great relief to us. Just give your hand to the +boatswain, and he will help you to step from thwart to thwart, until you +reach the right place, when Biddy shall follow.” + +Now Mrs. Budd had witnessed the tremendous struggle in which so many +had gone overboard, but so dull was she of apprehension, and so little +disposed to suspect anything one-half so monstrous as the truth, that +she did not hesitate to comply. She was profoundly awed by the horrors +of the scene through which she was passing, the raging billows of the +Gulf, as seen from so small a craft, producing a deep impression on her; +still a lingering of her most inveterate affectation was to be found +in her air and language, which presented a strange medley of besetting +weakness, and strong, natural, womanly affection. + +“Certainly, Captain Spike,” she answered, rising. “A craft should never +go astern, and I am quite willing to ballast the boat. We have seen such +terrible accidents today, that all should lend their aid in endeavouring +to get under way, and in averting all possible hamper. Only take me to +my poor, dear Rosy, Captain Spike, and everything shall be forgotten +that has passed between us. This is not a moment to bear malice; and +I freely pardon you all and everything. The fate of our unfortunate +friend, Mr. Montefalderon, should teach us charity, and cause us to +prepare for untimely ends.” + +All the time the good widow was making this speech, which she uttered in +a solemn and oracular sort of manner, she was moving slowly toward the +seat the men had prepared for her, in the middle of the boat, assisted +with the greatest care and attention by the boatswain and another of +Spike's confidants. When on the second thwart from aft, and about to +take her seat, the boatswain cast a look behind him, and Spike put the +helm down. The boat luffed and lurched, of course, and Mrs. Budd would +probably have gone overboard to leeward, by so sudden and violent a +change, had not the impetus thus received been aided by the arms of the +men who held her two hands. The plunge she made into the water was deep, +for she was a woman of great weight for her stature. Still, she was not +immediately gotten rid of. Even at that dread instant, it is probable +that the miserable woman did not suspect the truth, for she grasped the +hand of the boatswain with the tenacity of a vice, and, thus dragged on +the surface of the boiling surges, she screamed aloud for Spike to save +her. Of all who had yet been sacrificed to the captain's selfish wish to +save himself, this was the first instance in which any had been heard to +utter a sound, after falling into the sea. The appeal shocked even the +rude beings around her, and Biddy chiming in with a powerful appeal to +“save the missus!” added to the piteous nature of the scene. + +“Cast off her hand,” said Spike reproachfully, “she'll swamp the boat by +her struggles--get rid of her at once! Cut her fingers off, if she wont +let go!” + +The instant these brutal orders were given, and that in a fierce, +impatient tone, the voice of Biddy was heard no more. The truth forced +itself on her dull imagination, and she sat a witness of the terrible +scene, in mute despair. The struggle did not last long. The boatswain +drew his knife across the wrist of the hand that grasped his own, one +shriek was heard, and the boat plunged into the trough of a sea, leaving +the form of poor Mrs. Budd struggling with the wave on its summit, and +amid the foam of its crest. This was the last that was ever seen of the +unfortunate relict. + +“The boat has gained a good deal by that last discharge of cargo,” + said Spike to the boatswain, a minute after they had gotten rid of the +struggling woman--“she is much more lively, and is getting nearer to her +load-line. If we can bring her to _that,_ I shall have no fear of the +man-of-war's men; for this yawl is one of the fastest boats that ever +floated.” + +“A very little _now,_ sir, would bring us to our true trim.” + +“Ay, we must get rid of more cargo. Come, good woman,” turning to +Biddy, with whom he did not think it worth his while to use much +circumlocution, “_your_ turn is next. It's the maid's duty to follow her +mistress.” + +“I know'd it _must_ come,” said Biddy, meekly. “If there was no mercy +for the missus, little could I look for. But ye'll not take the life +of a Christian woman widout giving her so much as one minute to say her +prayers?” + +“Ay, pray away,” answered Spike, his throat becoming dry and husky, for, +strange to say, the submissive quiet of the Irish woman, so different +from the struggle he had anticipated with _her,_ rendered him more +reluctant to proceed than he had hitherto been in all of that terrible +day. As Biddy kneeled in the bottom of the stern-sheets, Spike looked +behind him, for the double purpose of escaping the painful spectacle at +his feet, and that of ascertaining how his pursuers came on. The last +still gained, though very slowly, and doubts began to come over the +captain's mind whether he could escape such enemies at all. He was too +deeply committed, however, to recede, and it was most desirable to +get rid of poor Biddy, if it were for no other motive than to shut +her mouth. Spike even fancied that some idea of what had passed was +entertained by those in the cutter. There was evidently a stir in that +boat, and two forms that he had no difficulty, now, in recognizing as +those of Wallace and Mulford, were standing on the grating in the eyes +of the cutter, or forward of the foresail. The former appeared to have +a musket in his hand, and the other a glass. The last circumstance +admonished him that all that was now done would be done before dangerous +witnesses. It was too late to draw back, however, and the captain turned +to look for the Irish woman. + +Biddy arose from her knees, just as Spike withdrew his eyes from his +pursuers. The boatswain and another confidant were in readiness to cast +the poor creature into the sea, the moment their leader gave the signal. +The intended victim saw and understood the arrangement, and she spoke +earnestly and piteously to her murderers. + +“It's not wanting will be violence!” said Biddy, in a quiet tone, but +with a saddened countenance. “I know it's my turn, and I will save yer +sowls from a part of the burden of this great sin. God, and His Divine +Son, and the Blessed Mother of Jesus have mercy on me if it be wrong; +but I would far radder jump into the saa widout having the rude hands of +man on me, than have the dreadful sight of the missus done over ag'in. +It's a fearful thing is wather, and sometimes we have too little of it, +and sometimes more than we want--” + +“Bear a hand, bear a hand, good woman,” interrupted the boatswain, +impatiently. “We must clear the boat of you, and the sooner it is done +the better it will be for all of us.” + +“Don't grudge a poor morthal half a minute of life, at the last moment,” + answered Biddy. “It's not long that I'll throuble ye, and so no more +need be said.” + +The poor creature then got on the quarter of the boat, without any one's +touching her; there she placed herself with her legs outboard, while she +sat on the gunwale. She gave one moment to the thought of arranging her +clothes with womanly decency, and then she paused to gaze with a fixed +eye, and pallid cheek, on the foaming wake that marked the rapid course +of the boat. The troughs of the sea seemed less terrible to her than +their combing crests, and she waited for the boat to descend into the +next. + +“God forgive ye all, this deed, as I do!” said Biddy, earnestly, and +bending her person forward, she fell, as it might be “without hands,” + into the gulf of eternity. Though all strained their eyes, none of the +men, Jack Tier excepted, ever saw more of Biddy Noon. Nor did Jack see +much. He got a frightful glimpse of an arm, however, on the summit of +a wave, but the motion of the boat was too swift, and the water of the +ocean too troubled, to admit of aught else. + +A long pause succeeded this event. Biddy's quiet submission to her fate +had produced more impression on her murderers than the desperate, but +unavailing, struggles of those who had preceded her. Thus it is ever +with men. When opposed, the demon within blinds them to consequences as +well as to their duties; but, unresisted, the silent influence of the +image of God makes itself felt, and a better spirit begins to prevail. +There was not one in that boat who did not, for a brief space, wish that +poor Biddy had been spared. With most, that feeling, the last of human +kindness they ever knew, lingered until the occurrence of the dread +catastrophe which, so shortly after, closed the scene of this state of +being on their eyes. + +“Jack Tier,” called out Spike, some five minutes after Biddy was +drowned, but not until another observation had made it plainly apparent +to him that the man-of-war's men still continued to draw nearer, being +now not more than fair musket-shot astern. + +“Ay, ay, sir,” answered Jack, coming quietly out of his hole, from +forward of the mast, and moving aft as if indifferent to the danger, +by stepping lightly from thwart to thwart, until he reached the +stern-sheets. + +“It is your turn, little Jack,” said Spike, as if in a sort of sorrowful +submission to a necessity that knew no law, “we cannot spare you the +room.” + +“I have expected this, and am ready. Let me have my own way, and I will +cause you no trouble. Poor Biddy has taught me how to die. Before I go, +however, Stephen Spike, I must leave you this letter. It is written by +myself, and addressed to you. When I am gone, read it, and think well of +what it contains. And now, may a merciful God pardon the sins of both, +through love for His Divine Son. I forgive you, Stephen; and should you +live to escape from those who are now bent on hunting you to the death, +let this day cause you no grief on my account. Give me but a moment of +time, and I will cause you no trouble.” + +Jack now stood upon the seat of the stern-sheets, balancing himself with +one foot on the stern of the boat. He waited until the yawl had risen +to the summit of a wave, when he looked eagerly for the man-of-war's +cutter. At that moment she was lost to view in the trough of the sea. +Instead of springing overboard, as all expected, he asked another +instant of delay. The yawl sank into the trough itself, and rose on +the succeeding billow. Then he saw the cutter, and Wallace and Mulford +standing in its bows. He waved his hat to them, and sprang high into the +air, with the intent to make himself seen; when he came down the boat +had shot her length away from the place, leaving him to buffet with +the waves. Jack now managed admirably, swimming lightly and easily, but +keeping his eyes on the crests of the waves, with a view to meet the +cutter. Spike now saw this well-planned project to avoid death, and +regretted his own remissness in not making sure of Jack. Everybody in +the yawl was eagerly looking after the form of Tier. + +“There he is on the comb of that sea, rolling over like a keg!” cried +the boatswain. + +“He 's through it,” answered Spike, “and swimming with great strength +and coolness.” + +Several of the men started up involuntarily and simultaneously to look, +hitting their shoulders and bodies together. Distrust was at its most +painful height; and bull-dogs do not spring at the ox's muzzle more +fiercely than those six men throttled each other. Oaths, curses, and +appeals for help, succeeded; each man endeavouring, in his frenzied +efforts, to throw all the others overboard, as the only means of saving +himself. Plunge succeeded plunge; and when that combat of demons ended, +no one remained of them all but the boatswain. Spike had taken no share +in the struggle, looking on in grim satisfaction, as the Father of Lies +may be supposed to regard all human strife, hoping good to himself, let +the result be what it might to others. Of the five men who thus went +overboard, not one escaped. They drowned each other by continuing their +maddened conflict in an element unsuited to their natures. + +Not so with Jack Tier. His leap had been seen, and a dozen eyes in the +cutter watched for his person, as that boat came foaming down before the +wind. A shout of “There he is!” from Mulford succeeded; and the little +fellow was caught by the hair, secured, and then hauled into the boat by +the second lieutenant of the Poughkeepsie and our young mate. + +Others in the cutter had noted the incident of the hellish fight. The +fact was communicated to Wallace, and Mulford said, “That yawl will +outsail this loaded cutter, with only two men in it.” + +“Then it is time to try what virtue there is in lead,” answered Wallace. +“Marines, come forward, and give the rascal a volley.” + +The volley was fired; one ball passed through the head of the boatswain, +killing him dead on the spot. Another went through the body of +Spike. The captain fell in the stern-sheets, and the boat instantly +broached-to. + +The water that came on board apprised Spike fully of the state in which +he was now placed, and by a desperate effort, he clutched the tiller, +and got the yawl again before the wind. This could not last, however. +Little by little, his hold relaxed, until his hand relinquished its +grasp altogether, and the wounded man sank into the bottom of the +stern-sheets, unable to raise even his head. Again the boat broached-to. +Every sea now sent its water aboard, and the yawl would soon have +filled, had not the cutter come glancing down past it, and rounding-to +under its lee, secured the prize. + + + +CHAPTER VIII. + + + Man hath a weary pilgrimage, + As through the world he wends; + On every stage, from youth to age, + Still discontent attends; + With heaviness he casts his eye, + Upon the road before, + And still remembers with a sigh + The days that are no more. + + Southey. + + +It has now become necessary to advance the time three entire days, and +to change the scene to Key West. As this latter place may not be known +to the world at large, it may be well to explain that it is a small +seaport, situate on one of the largest of the many low islands that dot +the Florida Reef, that has risen into notice, or indeed into existence +as a town, since the acquisition of the Floridas by the American +Republic. For many years it was the resort of few besides wreckers, and +those who live by the business dependent on the rescuing and repairing +of stranded vessels, not forgetting the salvages. When it is remembered +that the greater portion of the vessels that enter the Gulf of Mexico +stand close along this reef, before the trades, for a distance varying +from one to two hundred miles, and that nearly everything which quits +it, is obliged to beat down its rocky coast in the Gulf Stream for the +same distance, one is not to be surprised that the wrecks, which so +constantly occur, can supply the wants of a considerable population. To +live at Key West is the next thing to being at sea. The place has sea +air, no other water than such as is preserved in cisterns, and no soil, +or so little as to render even a head of lettuce a rarity. Turtle is +abundant, and the business of “turtling” forms an occupation additional +to that of wrecking. As might be expected, in such circumstances, a +potato is a far more precious thing than a turtle's egg, and a sack of +the tubers would probably be deemed a sufficient remuneration for enough +of the materials of callipash and callipee to feed all the aldermen +extant. + +Of late years, the government of the United States has turned its +attention to the capabilities of the Florida Reef, as an advanced naval +station; a sort of Downs, or St. Helen's Roads, for the West Indian +seas. As yet little has been done beyond making the preliminary surveys, +but the day is not probably very distant when fleets will lie at anchor +among the islets described in our earlier chapters, or garnish the fine +waters of Key West. For a long time it was thought that even frigates +would have a difficulty in entering and quitting the port of the latter, +but it is said that recent explorations have discovered channels capable +of admitting anything that floats. Still Key West is a town yet in its +chrysalis state, possessing the promise rather than the fruition of the +prosperous days which are in reserve. It may be well to add, that +it lies a very little north of the 24th degree of latitude, and in a +longitude quite five degrees west from Washington. Until the recent +conquests in Mexico it was the most southern possession of the American +government, on the eastern side of the continent; Cape St. Lucas, at the +extremity of Lower California, however, being two degrees farther south. + +It will give the foreign reader a more accurate notion of the character +of Key West, if we mention a fact of quite recent occurrence. A very few +weeks after the closing scenes of this tale, the town in question was, +in a great measure, washed away! A hurricane brought in the sea upon +all these islands and reefs, water running in swift currents over places +that within the memory of man were never before submerged. The lower +part of Key West was converted into a raging sea, and everything in that +quarter of the place disappeared. The foundation being of rock, however, +when the ocean retired the island came into view again, and industry and +enterprise set to work to repair the injuries. + +The government has established a small hospital for seamen at Key West. +Into one of the rooms of the building thus appropriated our narrative +must now conduct the reader. It contained but a single patient, and that +was Spike. He was on his narrow bed, which was to be but the pucursor +of a still narrower tenement, the grave. In the room with the dying man +were two females, in one of whom our readers will at once recognize the +person of Rose Budd, dressed in deep mourning for her aunt. At first +sight, it is probable that a casual spectator would mistake the second +female for one of the ordinary nurses of the place. Her attire was well +enough, though worn awkwardly, and as if its owner were not exactly +at ease in it. She had the air of one in her best attire, who was +unaccustomed to be dressed above the most common mode. What added to the +singularity of her appearance, was the fact, that while she wore no cap, +her hair had been cut into short, gray bristles, instead of being long, +and turned up, as is usual with females. To give a sort of climax to +this uncouth appearance, this strange-looking creature chewed tobacco. + +The woman in question, equivocal as might be her exterior, was employed +in one of the commonest avocations of her sex--that of sewing. She held +in her hand a coarse garment, one of Spike's, in fact, which she seemed +to be intently busy in mending; although the work was of a quality that +invited the use of the palm and sail-needle, rather than that of the +thimble and the smaller implement known to seamstresses, the woman +appeared awkward in her business, as if her coarse-looking and +dark hands refused to lend themselves to an occupation so feminine. +Nevertheless, there were touches of a purely womanly character about +this extraordinary person, and touches that particularly attracted the +attention, and awakened the sympathy of the gentle Rose, her companion. +Tears occasionally struggled out from beneath her eyelids, crossed her +dark, sun-burnt cheek, and fell on the coarse canvas garment that lay +in her lap. It was after one of these sudden and strong exhibitions of +feeling that Rose approached her, laid her own little, fair hand, in a +friendly way, though unheeded, on the other's shoulder, and spoke to her +in her kindest and softest tones. + +“I do really think he is reviving, Jack,” said Rose, “and that you may +yet hope to have an intelligent conversation with him.” + +“They all agree he _must_ die,” answered Jack Tier--for it was _he,_ +appearing in the garb of his proper sex, after a disguise that had now +lasted fully twenty years--“and he will never know who I am, and that I +forgive him. He must think of me in another world, though he is n't able +to do it in this; but it would be a great relief to his soul to know +that I forgive him.” + +“To be sure, a man must like to take a kind leave of his own wife before +he closes his eyes for ever; and I dare say it would be a great relief +to you to tell him that you have forgotten his desertion of you, and +all the hardships it has brought upon you in searching for him, and in +earning your own livelihood as a common sailor.” + +“I shall not tell him I've _forgotten_ it, Miss Rose; that would be +untrue--and there shall be no more deception between us; but I shall +tell him that I _forgive_ him, as I hope God will one day forgive me all +_my_ sins.” + +“It is, certainly, not a light offence to desert a wife in a foreign +land, and then to seek to deceive another woman,” quietly observed Rose. + +“He's a willian!” muttered the wife--“but--but--” + +“You forgive him, Jack--yes, I'm sure you do. You are too good a +Christian to refuse to forgive him.” + +“I'm a woman a'ter all, Miss Rose; and that, I believe, is the truth of +it. I suppose I ought to do as you say, for the reason you mention; but +I'm his wife--and once he loved me, though that has long been over. When +I first knew Stephen, I'd the sort of feelin's you speak of, and was a +very different creatur' from what you see me to-day. Change comes over +us all with years and sufferin'.” + +Rose did not answer, but she stood looking intently at the speaker +more than a minute. Change had, indeed, come over her, if she had ever +possessed the power to please the fancy of any living man. Her features +had always seemed diminutive and mean for her assumed sex, as her +voice was small and cracked; but, making every allowance for the +probabilities, Rose found it difficult to imagine that Jack Tier had +ever possessed, even under the high advantages of youth and innocence, +the attractions so common to her sex. Her skin had acquired the tanning +of the sea; the expression of her face had become hard and worldly; and +her habits contributed to render those natural consequences of exposure +and toil even more than usually marked and decided. By saying “habits,” + however, we do not mean that Jack had ever drunk to excess, as happens +with so many seamen, for this would have been doing her injustice, but +she smoked and chewed--practices that intoxicate in another form, and +lead nearly as many to the grave as excess in drinking. Thus all the +accessories about this singular being, partook of the character of her +recent life and duties. Her walk was between a waddle and a seaman's +roll, her hands were discoloured with tar, and had got to be full of +knuckles, and even her feet had degenerated into that flat, broad-toed +form that, perhaps, sooner distinguishes caste, in connection with +outward appearances, than any one other physical peculiarity. Yet this +being _had_ once been young--had once been even _fair;_ and had once +possessed that feminine air and lightness of form, that as often belongs +to the youthful American of her sex, perhaps, as to the girl of any +other nation on earth. Rose continued to gaze at her companion for some +time, when she walked musingly to a window that looked out upon the +port. + +“I am not certain whether it would do him good or not to see this +sight,” she said, addressing the wife kindly, doubtful of the effect +of her words even on the latter. “But here are the sloop-of-war, and +several other vessels.” + +“Ay, she is _there;_ but never will his foot be put on board the Swash +ag'in. When he bought that brig I was still young, and agreeable to him; +and he gave her my maiden name, which was Mary, or Molly Swash. But that +is all changed; I wonder he did not change the name with his change of +feelin's.” + +“Then you did really sail in the brig in former times, and knew the +seaman whose name you assumed?” + +“Many years. Tier, with whose name I made free, on account of his +size, and some resemblance to me in form, died under my care; and his +protection fell into my hands, which first put the notion into my head +of hailing as his representative. Yes, I knew Tier in the brig, and we +were left ashore at the same time; I, intentionally, I make no question; +he, because Stephen Spike was in a hurry, and did not choose to wait for +a man. The poor fellow caught the yellow fever the very next day, and +did not live eight-and-forty hours. So the world goes; them that wish to +live, die; and them that wants to die, live!” + +“You have had a hard time for one of your sex, poor Jack--quite twenty +years a sailor, did you not tell me?” + +“Every day of it, Miss Rose--and bitter years have they been; for the +whole of that time have I been in chase of my husband, keeping my own +secret, and slaving like a horse for a livelihood.” + +“You could not have been old when he left--that is--when you parted.” + +“Call it by its true name, and say at once, when he desarted me. I was +under thirty by two or three years, and was still like my own sex to +look at. All _that_ is changed since; but I _was_ comely _then_.” + +“_Why_ did Captain Spike abandon you, Jack; you have never told me +_that_.” + +“Because he fancied another. And ever since that time he has been +fancying others, instead of remembering me. Had he got _you,_ Miss Rose, +I think he would have been content for the rest of his days.” + +“Be certain, Jack, I should never have consented to marry Captain +Spike.” + +“You're well out of his hands,” answered Jack, sighing heavily, which +was the most feminine thing she had done during the whole conversation, +“well out of his hands--and God be praised it is so. He should have +died, before I would let him carry you off the island--husband or no +husband.” + +“It might have exceeded your power to prevent it under other +circumstances, Jack.” + +Rose now continued looking out of the window in silence. Her thoughts +reverted to her aunt and Biddy, and tears rolled down her cheeks as +she remembered the love of one, and the fidelity of the other. Their +horrible fate had given her a shock that, at first, menaced her with +a severe fit of illness; but her strong, good sense, and excellent +constitution, both sustained by her piety and Harry's manly tenderness, +had brought her through the danger, and left her, as the reader now sees +her, struggling with her own griefs, in order to be of use to the +still more unhappy woman who had so singularly become her friend and +companion. + +The reader will readily have anticipated that Jack Tier had early +made the females on board the Swash her confidants. Rose had known +the outlines of her history from the first few days they were at sea +together, which is the explanation of the visible intimacy that had +caused Mulford so much surprise. Jack's motive in making his revelations +might possibly have been tinctured with jealousy, but a desire to save +one as young and innocent as Rose was at its bottom. Few persons but a +wife would have supposed our heroine could have been in any danger from +a lover like Spike; but Jack saw him with the eyes of her own youth, and +of past recollections, rather than with those of truth. A movement +of the wounded man first drew Rose from the window. Drying her eyes +hastily, she turned toward him, fancying she might prove the better +nurse of the two, notwithstanding Jack's greater interest in the +patient. + +“What place is this--and why am I here?” demanded Spike, with more +strength of voice than could have been expected, after all that had +passed. “This is not a cabin--not the Swash--it looks like a hospital.” + +“It is a hospital, Captain Spike,” said Rose, gently drawing near the +bed; “you have been hurt, and have been brought to Key West, and placed +in the hospital. I hope you feel better, and that you suffer no pain.” + +“My head is n't right--I do n't know--everything seems turned round +with me--perhaps it will all come out as it should. I begin to +remember--where is my brig?” + +“She is lost on the rocks. The seas have broken her into fragments.” + +“That's melancholy news, at any rate. Ah! Miss Rose! God bless you--I've +had terrible dreams. Well, it's pleasant to be among friends--what +creature is that--where does _she_ come from?” + +“That is Jack Tier,” answered Rose, steadily. “She turns out to be a +woman, and has put on her proper dress, in order to attend on you during +your illness. Jack has never left your bedside since we have been here.” + +A long silence succeeded this revelation. Jack's eyes twinkled, and +she hitched her body half aside, as if to conceal her features, where +emotions that were unusual were at work with the muscles. Rose thought +it might be well to leave the man and wife alone--and she managed to get +out of the room unobserved. + +Spike continued to gaze at the strange-looking female, who was now his +sole companion. Gradually his recollection returned, and with it the +full consciousness of his situation. He might not have been fully aware +of the absolute certainty of his approaching death, but he must have +known that his wound was of a very grave character, and that the result +might early prove fatal. Still that strange and unknown figure haunted +him; a figure that was so different from any he had ever seen before, +and which, in spite of its present dress, seemed to belong quite as much +to one sex as to the other. As for Jack, we call Molly, or Mary Swash +by her masculine appellation, not only because it is more familiar, but +because the other name seems really out of place, as applied to such a +person--as for Jack, then, she sat with her face half averted, thumbing +the canvas, and endeavouring to ply the needle, but perfectly mute. She +was conscious that Spike's eyes were on her; and a lingering feeling of +her sex told her how much time, exposure, and circumstances, had +changed her person--and she would gladly have hidden the defects in her +appearance. + +Mary Swash was the daughter as well as the wife of a ship-master. In her +youth, as has been said before, she had even been pretty, and down to +the day when her husband deserted her, she would have been thought +a female of a comely appearance rather than the reverse. Her hair in +particular, though slightly coarse, perhaps, had been rich and abundant; +and the change from the long, dark, shining, flowing locks which she +still possessed in her thirtieth year, to the short, grey bristles that +now stood exposed without a cap, or covering of any sort, was one very +likely to destroy all identity of appearance. Then Jack had passed from +what might be called youth to the verge of old age, in the interval that +she had been separated from her husband. Her shape had changed entirely; +her complexion was utterly gone; and her features, always unmeaning, +though feminine, and suitable to her sex, had become hard and slightly +coarse. Still there was something of her former self about Jack that +bewildered Spike; and his eyes continued fastened on her for quite a +quarter of an hour in profound silence. + +“Give me some water,” said the wounded man, “I wish some water to +drink.” + +Jack arose, filled a tumbler and brought it to the side of the bed. +Spike took the glass and drank, but the whole time his eyes were riveted +on the strange nurse. When his thirst was appeased, he asked-- + +“Who are you? How came you here?” + +“I am your nurse. It is common to place nurses at the bedsides of the +sick.” + +“Are you man or woman?” + +“That is a question I hardly know how to answer. Sometimes I think +myself each; sometimes neither.” + +“Did I ever see you before?” + +“Often, and quite lately. I sailed with you in your last voyage.” + +“You! That cannot be. If so, what is your name?” + +“Jack Tier.” + +A long pause succeeded this announcement, which induced Spike to muse +as intently as his condition would allow, though the truth did not yet +flash on his understanding. At length the bewildered man again spoke. + +“Are _you_ Jack Tier?” he said slowly, like one who doubted. “Yes--I +now see the resemblance, and it was _that_ which puzzled me. Are they +so rigid in this hospital that you have been obliged to put on woman's +clothes in order to lend me a helping hand?” + +“I am dressed as you see, and for good reasons.” + +“But Jack Tier run, like that rascal Mulford--ay, I remember now; you +were in the boat when I overhauled you all on the reef.” + +“Very true; I was in the boat. But I never run, Stephen Spike. It was +_you_ who abandoned _me,_ on the islet in the Gulf, and that makes the +second time in your life that you left me ashore, when it was your duty +to carry me to sea.” + +“The first time I was in a hurry, and could not wait for you; this last +time you took sides with the women. But for your interference, I should +have got Rose, and married her, and all would now have been well with +me.” + +This was an awkward announcement for a man to make to his legal wife. +But after all Jack had endured, and all Jack had seen during the late +voyage, she was not to be overcome by this avowal. Her self-command +extended so far as to prevent any open manifestation of emotion, however +much her feelings were excited. + +“I took sides with the women, because I am a woman myself,” she +answered, speaking at length with decision, as if determined to bring +matters to a head at once. “It is natural for us all to take sides with +our kind.” + +“You a woman, Jack! That is very remarkable. Since when have you +hailed for a woman? You have shipped with me twice, and each time as a +man--though I've never thought you able to do seaman's duty.” + +“Nevertheless, I am what you see; a woman born and edicated; one that +never had on man's dress until I knew you. _You_ supposed me to be a +man, when I came off to you in the skiff to the eastward of Riker's +Island, but I was then what you now see.” + +“I begin to understand matters,” rejoined the invalid, musingly. “Ay, +ay, it opens on me; and I now see how it was you made such fair weather +with Madam Budd and pretty, pretty Rose. Rose _is_ pretty, Jack; you +_must_ admit _that,_ though you be a woman.” + +“Rose _is_ pretty--I do admit it; and what is better, Rose is _good.”_ +It required a heavy draft on Jack's justice and magnanimity, however, to +make this concession. + +“And you told Rose and Madam Budd about your sex; and that was the +reason they took to you so on the v'y'ge?” + +“I told them who I was, and why I went abroad as a man. They know my +whole story.” + +“Did Rose approve of your sailing under false colours, Jack?” + +“You must ask that of Rose herself. My story made her my friend; but she +never said anything for or against my disguise.” + +“It was no great disguise a'ter all, Jack. Now you're fitted out in your +own clothes, you've a sort of half-rigged look; one would be as likely +to set you down for a man under jury-canvas, as for a woman.” + +Jack made no answer to this, but she sighed very heavily. As for Spike +himself, he was silent for some little time, not only from exhaustion, +but because he suffered pain from his wound. The needle was diligently +but awkwardly plied in this pause. + +Spike's ideas were still a little confused; but a silence and rest of a +quarter of an hour cleared them materially. At the end of that time he +again asked for water. When he had drunk, and Jack was once more seated, +with his side-face toward him, at work with the needle, the captain +gazed long and intently at this strange woman. It happened that the +profile of Jack preserved more of the resemblance to her former self, +than the full face; and it was this resemblance that now attracted +Spike's attention, though not the smallest suspicion of the truth yet +gleamed upon him. He saw something that was familiar, though he could +not even tell what that something was, much less to what or whom it bore +any resemblance. At length he spoke. + +“I was told that Jack Tier was dead,” he said; “that he took the fever, +and was in his grave within eight-and-forty hours after we sailed. That +was what they told me of _him_.” + +“And what did they tell you of your own wife, Stephen Spike. She that +you left ashore at the time Jack was left?” + +“They said she did not die for three years later. I heard of her death +at New Or_leens,_ three years later.” + +“And how could you leave her ashore--she, your true and lawful wife?” + +“It was a bad thing,” answered Spike, who, like all other mortals, +regarded his own past career, now that he stood on the edge of the +grave, very differently from what he had regarded it in the hour of his +health and strength. “Yes, it _was_ a very bad thing; and I wish it was +ondone. But it is too late now. She died of the fever, too--that's +some comfort; had she died of a broken heart, I could not have forgiven +myself. Molly was not without her faults--great faults, I considered +them; but, on the whole, Molly was a good creatur'.” + +“You liked her, then, Stephen Spike?” + +“I can truly say that when I married Molly, and old Captain Swash put +his da'ghter's hand into mine, that the woman was n't living who was +better in my judgment, or handsomer in my eyes.” + +“Ay, ay--when you _married_ her; but how was it a'terwards?--when you +was tired of her, and saw another that was fairer in your eyes?” + +“I desarted her; and God has punished me for the sin! Do you know, Jack, +that luck has never been with me since that day. Often and often have I +bethought me of it; and sartain as you sit there, no great luck has ever +been with me, or my craft, since I went off, leaving my wife ashore. +What was made in one v'y'ge, was lost in the next. Up and down, up and +down the whole time, for so many, many long years, that grey hairs set +in, and old age was beginning to get close aboard--and I as poor as +ever. It has been rub and go with me ever since; and I have had as much +as I could do to keep the brig in motion, as the only means that was +left to make the two ends meet.” + +“And did not all this make you think of your poor wife--she whom you had +so wronged?” + +“I thought of little else, until I heard of her death at New +Or_leens_--and then I gave it up as useless. Could I have fallen in with +Molly at any time a'ter the first six months of my desartion, she and +I would have come together again, and everything would have been +forgotten. I knowed her very nature, which was all forgiveness to me at +the bottom, though seemingly so spiteful and hard.” + +“Yet you wanted to have this Rose Budd, who is only too young, and +handsome, and good for you.” + +“I was tired of being a widower, Jack; and Rose _is_ wonderful pretty. +She has money, too, and might make the evening of my days comfortable. +The brig was old, as you must know, and has long been off of all the +Insurance Offices' books; and she could n't hold together much longer. +But for this sloop-of-war, I should have put her off on the Mexicans; +and they would have lost her to our people in a month.” + +“And was it an honest thing to sell an old and worn-out craft to any +one, Stephen Spike?” + +Spike had a conscience that had become hard as iron by means of trade. +He who traffics much, most especially if his dealings be on so small +a scale as to render constant investigations of the minor qualities +of things necessary, must be a very fortunate man, if he preserve +his conscience in any better condition. When Jack made this allusion, +therefore, the dying man--for death was much nearer to Spike that even +be supposed, though he no longer hoped for his own recovery--when Jack +made this allusion, then, the dying man was a good deal at a loss to +comprehend it. He saw no particular harm in making the best bargain he +could; nor was it easy for him to understand why he might not dispose of +anything he possessed for the highest price that was to be had. Still he +answered in an apologetic sort of way. + +“The brig was old, I acknowledge,” he said, “but she was strong, and +_might_ have run a long time. I only spoke of her capture as a thing +likely to take place soon, if the Mexicans got her; so that her +qualities were of no great account, unless it might be her speed--and +that you know was excellent, Jack.” + +“And you regret that brig, Stephen Spike, lying as you do on your +death-bed, more than anything else.” + +“Not as much as I do pretty Rose Budd, Jack; Rosy is so delightful to +look at!” + +The muscles of Jack's face twitched a little, and she looked deeply +mortified; for, to own the truth, she hoped that the conversation had +so far turned her delinquent husband's thoughts to the past, as to have +revived in him some of his former interest in herself. It is true, he +still believed her dead; but this was a circumstance Jack overlooked--so +hard is it to hear the praises of a rival, and be just. She felt the +necessity of being more explicit, and determined at once to come to the +point. + +“Stephen Spike,” she said, steadily, drawing near to the bed-side, “you +should be told the truth, when you are heard thus extolling the good +looks of Rose Budd, with less than eight-and-forty hours of life +remaining. Mary Swash did not die, as you have supposed, three years +a'ter you desarted her, but is living at this moment. Had you read the +letter I gave you in the boat, just before you made me jump into the +sea, _that_ would have told you where she is to be found.” + +Spike stared at the speaker intently; and when her cracked voice ceased, +his look was that of a man who was terrified as well as bewildered. This +did not arise still from any gleamings of the real state of the case, +but from the soreness with which his conscience pricked him, when he +heard that his much-wronged wife was alive. He fancied, with a vivid and +rapid glance at the probabilities, all that a woman abandoned would be +likely to endure in the course of so many long and suffering years. + +“Are you sure of what you say, Jack? You would n't take advantage of my +situation to tell me an untruth?” + +“As certain of it as of my own existence. I have seen her quite +lately--talked with her of _you_--in short, she is now at Key West, +knows your state, and has a wife's feelin's to come to your bed-side.” + +Notwithstanding all this, and the many gleamings he had had of the facts +during their late intercourse on board the brig, Spike did not guess at +the truth. He appeared astounded, and his terror seemed to increase. + +“I have another thing to tell you,” continued Jack, pausing but a moment +to collect her own thoughts. “Jack Tier--the real Jack Tier--he who +sailed with you of old, and whom you left ashore at the same time +you desarted your wife, _did_ die of the fever, as you was told, in +eight-and-forty hours a'ter the brig went to sea.” + +“Then who, in the name of Heaven, are you? How came you to hail by +another's name as well as by another sex?” + +“What could a woman do, whose husband had desarted her in a strange +land?” + +“That is remarkable! So _you_'ve been married? I should not have thought +_that_ possible; and your husband desarted you, too. Well, such things +_do_ happen.” + +Jack now felt a severe pang. She could not but see that her ungainly--we +had almost said her unearthly appearance--prevented the captain from +even yet suspecting the truth; and the meaning of his language was not +easily to be mistaken. That any one should have married _her,_ seemed to +her husband as improbable as it was probable he would run away from her +as soon as it was in his power after the ceremony. + +“Stephen Spike,” resumed Jack, solemnly, “_I_ am Mary Swash--_I_ am your +wife!” + +Spike started in his bed; then he buried his face in the coverlet--and +he actually groaned. In bitterness of spirit the woman turned away and +wept. Her feelings had been blunted by misfortune and the collisions +of a selfish world; but enough of former self remained to make this the +hardest of all the blows she had ever received. Her husband, dying as +he was, as he must and did know himself to be, shrunk from one of her +appearance, unsexed as she had become by habits, and changed by years +and suffering. + + + +CHAPTER IX. + + + The trusting heart's repose, the paradise + Of home, with all its loves, doth fate allow + The crown of glory unto woman's brow. + + Mrs. Hemans. + + +It has again become necessary to advance the time; and we shall take the +occasion thus offered to make a few explanations touching certain events +which have been passed over without notice. + +The reason why Captain Mull did not chase the yawl of the brig in the +Poughkeepsie herself, was the necessity of waiting for his own boats +that were endeavouring to regain the sloop-of-war. It would not have +done to abandon them, inasmuch as the men were so much exhausted by the +pull to windward, that when they reached the vessel all were relieved +from duty for the rest of the day. As soon, however, as the other boats +were hoisted in, or run up, the ship filled away, stood out of +the passage and ran down to join the cutter of Wallace, which was +endeavouring to keep its position, as much as possible, by making short +tacks under close-reefed luggs. + +Spike had been received on board the sloop-of-war, sent into her sick +bay, and put under the care of the surgeon and his assistants. From the +first, these gentlemen pronounced the hurt mortal. The wounded man was +insensible most of the time, until the ship had beat up and gone into +Key West, where he was transferred to the regular hospital, as has +already been mentioned. + +The wreckers went out the moment the news of the calamity of the Swash +reached their ears. Some went in quest of the doubloons of the schooner, +and others to pick up anything valuable that might be discovered in the +neighbourhood of the stranded brig. It may be mentioned here, that not +much was ever obtained from the brigantine, with the exception of a few +spars, the sails, and a little rigging; but, in the end, the schooner +was raised, by means of the chain Spike had placed around her, the cabin +was ransacked, and the doubloons were recovered. As there was no one to +claim the money, it was quietly divided among the conscientious citizens +present at its re-visiting “the glimpses of the moon,” making gold +plenty. + +The doubloons in the yawl would have been lost but for the sagacity of +Mulford. He too well knew the character of Spike to believe he would +quit the brig without taking the doubloons with him. Acquainted with the +boat, he examined the little locker in the stern-sheets, and found +the two bags, one of which was probably the lawful property of Captain +Spike, while the other, in truth, belonged to the Mexican government. +The last contained the most gold, but the first amounted to a sum +that our young mate knew to be very considerable. Rose had made him +acquainted with the sex of Jack Tier since their own marriage; and he at +once saw that the claims of this uncouth wife, who was so soon to be +a widow, to the gold in question, might prove to be as good in law, as +they unquestionably were in morals. On representing the facts of the +case to Captain Mull and the legal functionaries at Key West, it was +determined to relinquish this money to the heirs of Spike, as, indeed, +they must have done under process, there being no other claimant. These +doubloons, however, did not amount to the full price of the flour +and powder that composed the cargo of the Swash. The cargo had been +purchased with Mexican funds; and all that Spike or his heirs could +claim, was the high freight for which he had undertaken the delicate +office of transporting those forbidden articles, contraband of war, to +the Dry Tortugas. + +Mulford by this time was high in the confidence and esteem of all on +board the Poughkeepsie. He had frankly explained his whole connexion +with Spike, not even attempting to conceal the reluctance he had felt +to betray the brig after he had fully ascertained the fact of his +commander's treason. The manly gentlemen with whom he was now brought in +contact entered into his feelings, and admitted that it was an office +no one could desire, to turn against the craft in which he sailed. It is +true, they could not and would not be traitors, but Mulford had stopped +far short of this; and the distinction between such a character and that +of an informer was wide enough to satisfy all their scruples. + +Then Rose had the greatest success with the gentlemen of the +Poughkeepsie. Her youth, beauty, and modesty, told largely in her +favour; and the simple, womanly affection she unconsciously betrayed +in behalf of Harry, touched the heart of every observer. When the +intelligence of her aunt's fate reached her, the sorrow she manifested +was so profound and natural, that every one sympathized with her grief. +Nor would she be satisfied unless Mulford would consent to go in search +of the bodies. The latter knew the hopelessness of such an excursion, +but he could not refuse to comply. He was absent on that melancholy +duty, therefore, at the moment of the scene related in our last chapter, +and did not return until after that which we are now about to lay before +the reader. Mrs. Budd, Biddy, and all of those who perished after the +yawl got clear of the reef, were drowned in deep water, and no more was +ever seen of any of them; or, if wreckers did pass them, they did not +stop to bury the dead. It was different, however, with those, who were +first sacrificed to Spike's selfishness. They were drowned on the reef, +and Harry did actually recover the bodies of the Señor Montefalderon, +and of Josh, the steward. They had washed upon a rock that is bare at +low water. He took them both to the Dry Tortugas, and had them interred +along with the other dead at that place. Don Juan was placed side +by side with his unfortunate countryman, the master of his equally +unfortunate schooner. + +While Harry was absent and thus employed, Rose wept much and prayed +more. She would have felt herself almost alone in the world, but for the +youth to whom she had so recently, less than a week before, plighted her +faith in wedlock. That new tie, it is true, was of sufficient importance +to counteract many of the ordinary feelings of her situation; and she +now turned to it as the one which absorbed most of the future duties +of her life. Still she missed the kindness, the solicitude, even the +weaknesses of her aunt; and the terrible manner in which Mrs. Budd had +perished, made her shudder with horror whenever she thought of it. +Poor Biddy, too, came in for her share of the regrets. This faithful +creature, who had been in the relict's service ever since Rose's +infancy, had become endeared to her, in spite of her uncouth manners and +confused ideas, by the warmth of her heart, and the singular truth of +her feelings. Biddy, of all her family, had come to America, leaving +behind her not only brothers and sisters, but parents living. Each +year did she remit to the last a moiety of her earnings, and many a +half-dollar that had come from Rose's pretty little hand, had been +converted into gold, and forwarded on the same pious errand to the green +island of her nativity. Ireland, unhappy country! at this moment what +are not the dire necessities of thy poor! Here, from the midst of +abundance, in a land that God has blessed in its productions far beyond +the limits of human wants, a land in which famine was never known, do we +at this moment hear thy groans, and listen to tales of suffering that +to us seem almost incredible. In the midst of these chilling narratives, +our eyes fall on an appeal to the English nation, that appears in what +it is the fashion of some to term the first journal of Europe (!) +in behalf of thy suffering people. A worthy appeal to the charity of +England seldom fails; but it seems to us that one sentiment of this +might have been altered, if not spared. The English are asked to be +“_forgetful_ of the past,” and to come forward to the relief of their +suffering fellow-subjects. We should have written “_mindful_ of the +past,” in its stead. We say this in charity, as well as in truth. We +come of English blood, and if we claim to share in all the ancient +renown of that warlike and enlightened people, we are equally bound to +share in the reproaches that original misgovernment has inflicted on +thee. In this latter sense, then, thou hast a right to our sympathies, +and they are not withheld. + +As has been already said, we now advance the time eight-and-forty hours, +and again transfer the scene to that room in the hospital which was +occupied by Spike. The approaches of death, during the interval just +named, had been slow but certain. The surgeons had announced that the +wounded man could not possibly survive the coming night; and he himself +had been made sensible that his end was near. It is scarcely necessary +to add that Stephen Spike, conscious of his vigour and strength, in +command of his brig, and bent on the pursuits of worldly gains, or of +personal gratification, was a very different person from him who now lay +stretched on his pallet in the hospital of Key West, a dying man. By +the side of his bed still sat his strange nurse, less peculiar in +appearance, however, than when last seen by the reader. + +Rose Budd had been ministering to the ungainly externals of Jack Tier. +She now wore a cap, thus concealing the short, grey bristles of hair, +and lending to her countenance a little of that softness which is a +requisite of female character. Some attention had also been paid to +the rest of her attire; and Jack was, altogether, less repulsive in her +exterior than when, unaided, she had attempted to resume the proper garb +of her sex. Use and association, too, had contributed a little to revive +her woman's nature, if we may so express it, and she had begun, in +particular, to feel the sort of interest in her patient which we all +come in time to entertain toward any object of our especial care. We +do not mean that Jack had absolutely ever ceased to love her husband; +strange as it may seem, such had not literally been the case; on the +contrary, her interest in him and in his welfare had never ceased, even +while she saw his vices and detested his crimes; but all we wish to say +here is, that she was getting, in addition to the long-enduring feelings +of a wife, some of the interest of a nurse. + +During the whole time which had elapsed between Jack's revealing her +true character, and the moment of which we are now writing, Spike had +not once spoken to his wife. Often had she caught his eyes intently +riveted on her, when he would turn them away, as she feared, in +distaste; and once or twice he groaned deeply, more like a man who +suffered mental than bodily pain. Still the patient did not speak +once in all the time mentioned. We should be representing poor Jack +as possessing more philosophy, or less feeling, than the truth would +warrant, were we to say that she was not hurt at this conduct in her +husband. + +On the contrary, she felt it deeply; and more than once it had so far +subdued her pride, as to cause her bitterly to weep. This shedding of +tears, however, was of service to Jack in one sense, for it had the +effect of renewing old impressions, and in a certain way, of reviving +the nature of her sex within her--a nature which had been sadly weakened +by her past life. + +But the hour had at length come when this long and painful silence was +to be broken. Jack and Rose were alone with the patient, when the last +again spoke to his wife. + +“Molly--poor Molly!” said the dying man, his voice continuing full and +deep to the last, “what a sad time you must have had of it after I did +you that wrong!” + +“It is hard upon a woman, Stephen, to turn her out, helpless, on a cold +and selfish world,” answered Jack, simply, much too honest to affect a +reserve she did not feel. + +“It was hard, indeed; may God forgive me for it, as I hope ye do, +Molly.” + +No answer was made to this appeal; and the invalid looked anxiously at +his wife. The last sat at her work, which had now got to be less awkward +to her, with her eyes bent on her needle,--her countenance rigid, and, +so far as the eye could discern, her feelings unmoved. + +“Your husband speaks to you, Jack Tier,” said Rose, pointedly. + +“May _yours_ never have occasion to speak to you, Rose Budd, in the same +way,” was the solemn answer. “I do not flatter myself that I ever was as +comely as you, or that yonder poor dying wretch was a Harry Mulford in +his youth; but we were young and happy, and respected once, and loved +each other, yet you see what it's all come to!” + +Rose was silenced, though she had too much tenderness in behalf of her +own youthful and manly bridegroom to dread a fate similar to that which +had overtaken poor Jack. Spike now seemed disposed to say something, and +she went to the side of his bed, followed by her companion, who kept a +little in the back-ground, as if unwilling to let the emotion she really +felt be seen, and, perhaps, conscious that her ungainly appearance did +not aid her in recovering the lost affections of her husband. + +“I have been a very wicked man, I fear,” said Spike, earnestly. + +“There are none without sin,” answered Rose. “Place your reliance on the +mediation of the Son of God, and sins even far deeper than yours may be +pardoned.” + +The captain stared at the beautiful speaker, but self-indulgence, the +incessant pursuit of worldly and selfish objects for forty years, +and the habits of a life into which the thought of God and the dread +hereafter never entered, had encased his spiritual being in a sort +of brazen armour, through which no ordinary blow of conscience could +penetrate. Still he had fearful glimpses of recent events, and his soul, +hanging as it was over the abyss of eternity, was troubled. + +“What has become of your aunt?” half whispered Spike--“my old captain's +widow. She ought to be here; and Don Wan Montezuma--where is he?” + +Rose turned aside to conceal her tears--but no one answered the +questions of the dying man. Then a gleaming of childhood shot into the +recollection of Spike, and, clasping his hands, he tried to pray. But, +like others who have lived without any communication with their Creator +through long lives of apathy to his existence and laws, thinking only of +the present time, and daily, hourly sacrificing principles and duty to +the narrow interests of the moment, he now found how hard it is to renew +communications with a being who has been so long neglected. The fault +lay in himself, however, for a gracious ear was open, even over the +death-bed of Stephen Spike, could that rude spirit only bring itself +to ask for mercy in earnestness and truth. As his companions saw his +struggles, they left him for a few minutes to his own thoughts. + +“Molly,” Spike at length uttered, in a faint tone, the voice of one +conscious of being very near his end, “I hope you will forgive me, +Molly. I know you must have a hard, hard time of it.” + +“It is hard for a woman to unsex herself, Stephen; to throw off her very +natur', as it might be, and to turn man.” + +“It has changed you sadly--even your speech is altered. Once your voice +was soft and womanish--more like that of Rose Budd's than it is now.” + +“I speak as them speak among whom I've been forced to live. The +forecastle and steward's pantry, Stephen Spike, are poor schools to send +women to l'arn language in.” + +“Try and forget it all, poor Molly! Say to me, so that I can hear you, +'I forget and forgive, Stephen.' I am afraid God will not pardon my +sins, which begin to seem dreadful to me, if my own wife refuse to +forget and forgive, on my dying bed.” + +Jack was much mollified by this appeal. Her interest in her offending +husband had never been entirely extinguished. She had remembered him, +and often with woman's kindness, in all her wanderings and sufferings, +as the preceding parts of our narrative must show; and though resentment +had been mingled with the grief and mortification she felt at finding +how much he still submitted to Rose's superior charms, in a breast as +really generous and humane as that of Jack Tier's, such a feeling was +not likely to endure in the midst of a scene like that she was now +called to witness. The muscles of her countenance twitched, the +hard-looking, tanned face began to lose its sternness, and every way she +appeared like one profoundly disturbed. + +“Turn to Him whose goodness and marcy may sarve you, Stephen,” she said, +in a milder and more feminine tone than she had used now for years, +making her more like herself than either her husband or Rose had seen +her since the commencement of the late voyage; “my sayin' that I forget +and forgive cannot help a man on his death-bed.” + +“It will settle my mind, Molly, and leave me freer to turn my thoughts +to God.” + +Jack was much affected, more by the countenance and manner of the +sufferer, perhaps, than by his words. She drew nearer to the side of her +husband's pallet, knelt, took his hands, and said solemnly, + +“Stephen Spike, from the bottom of my heart, I _do_ forgive you; and +I shall pray to God that he will pardon your sins as freely and more +marcifully than I now pardon all, and try to forget all that you have +done to me.” + +Spike clasped his hands, and again he tried to pray; but the habits of +a whole life are not to be thrown off at will; and he who endeavours to +regain, in his extremity, the moments that have been lost, will find, in +bitter reality, that he has been heaping mountains on his own soul, by +the mere practice of sin, which were never laid there by the original +fall of his race. Jack, however, had disburthened her spirit of a load +that had long oppressed it, and, burying her face in the rug, she wept. + +“I wish, Molly,” said the dying man, several minutes later, “I wish I +had never seen the brig. Until I got that craft, no thought of wronging +human being ever crossed my mind.” + +“It was the Father of Lies that tempts all to do evil, Stephen, and not +the brig which caused the sins.” + +“I wish I could live a year longer--_only_ one year; that is not much to +ask for a man who is not yet sixty.” + +“It is hopeless, poor Stephen. The surgeons say you cannot live one +day.” + +Spike groaned--for the past, blended fearfully with the future, gleamed +on his conscience with a brightness that appalled him. And what is that +future, which is to make us happy or miserable through an endless +vista of time? Is it not composed of an existence, in which conscience, +released from the delusions and weaknesses of the body, sees all in its +true colours, appreciates all, and punishes all? Such an existence would +make every man the keeper of the record of his own transgressions, +even to the most minute exactness. It would of itself mete out perfect +justice, since the sin would be seen amid its accompanying facts, every +aggravating or extenuating circumstance. Each man would be strictly +punished according to his talents. As no one is without sin, it makes +the necessity of an atonement indispensable, and, in its most rigid +interpretation, it exhibits the truth of the scheme of salvation in the +clearest colours. The soul, or conscience, that can admit the necessary +degree of faith in that atonement, and in admitting, _feels_ its +efficacy, throws the burthen of its own transgressions away, and +remains for ever in the condition of its original existence, pure, and +consequently happy. + +We do not presume to lay down a creed on this mighty and mysterious +matter, in which all have so deep an interest, and concerning which so +very small a portion of the human race think much, or think with any +clearness when it does become the subject of their passing thoughts at +all We too well know our own ignorance to venture on dogmas which it has +probably been intended that the mind of man should not yet grapple with +and comprehend. To return to our subject. + +Stephen Spike was now made to feel the incubus-load, which perseverance +in sin heaps on the breast of the reckless offender. What was the most +grievous of all, his power to shake off this dead weight was diminished +in precisely the same proportion as the burthen was increased, the moral +force of every man lessening in a very just ratio to the magnitude of +his delinquencies. Bitterly did this deep offender struggle with his +conscience, and little did his half-unsexed wife know how to console +or aid him. Jack had been superficially instructed in the dogmas of her +faith, in childhood and youth, as most persons are instructed in what +are termed Christian communities--had been made to learn the Catechism, +the Lord's Prayer, and the Creed--and had been left to set up for +herself on this small capital, in the great concern of human existence, +on her marriage and entrance on the active business of life. When the +manner in which she had passed the last twenty years is remembered, no +one can be surprised to learn that Jack was of little assistance to her +husband in his extremity. Rose made an effort to administer hope and +consolation, but the terrible nature of the struggle she witnessed, +induced her to send for the chaplain of the Poughkeepsie. This divine +prayed with the dying man; but even he, in the last moments of the +sufferer, was little more than a passive but shocked witness of remorse, +suspended over the abyss of eternity in hopeless dread. We shall not +enter into the details of the revolting scene, but simply add that +curses, blasphemy, tremulous cries for mercy, agonized entreaties to be +advised, and sullen defiance, were all strangely and fearfully blended. +In the midst of one of these revolting paroxysms, Spike breathed his +last. A few hours later, his body was interred in the sands of the +shore. It may be well to say in this place, that the hurricane of 1846, +which is known to have occurred only a few months later, swept off the +frail covering, and that the body was washed away to leave its bones +among the wrecks and relics of the Florida Reef. + +Mulford did not return from his fruitless expedition in quest of the +remains of Mrs. Budd, until after the death and interment of Spike. As +nothing remained to be done at Key West, he and Rose accompanied by Jack +Tier, took passage for Charleston in the first convenient vessel that +offered. Two days before they sailed, the Poughkeepsie went out to +cruise in the Gulf, agreeably to her general orders. The evening +previously Captain Mull, Wallace, and the chaplain, passed with the +bridegroom and bride, when the matter of the doubloons found in the boat +was discussed. It was agreed that Jack Tier should have them; and +into her hands the bag was now placed. On this occasion, to oblige the +officers, Jack went into a narrative of all she had seen and suffered, +from the moment when abandoned by her late husband down to that when +she found him again. It was a strange account, and one filled with +surprising adventures. In most of the vessels in which she had served, +Jack had acted in the steward's department, though she had frequently +done duty as a fore-mast hand. In strength and skill she admitted that +she had often failed; but in courage, never. Having been given reason +to think her husband was reduced to serving in a vessel of war, she had +shipped on board a frigate bound to the Mediterranean, and had actually +made a whole cruise as a ward-room boy on that station. While thus +employed, she had met with two of the gentlemen present; Captain Mull +and Mr. Wallace. The former was then first-lieutenant of the frigate, +and the latter a passed-midshipman; and in these capacities both had +been well known to her. As the name she then bore was the same as that +under which she now “hailed,” these officers were soon made to recollect +her, though Jack was no longer the light, trim-built lad he had then +appeared to be. Neither of the gentlemen named had made the whole cruise +in the ship, but each had been promoted and transferred to another +craft, after being Jack's shipmate rather more than a year. This +information greatly facilitated the affair of the doubloons. + +From Charleston the travellers came north by rail-road. Harry made +several stops by the way, in order to divert the thoughts of his +beautiful young bride from dwelling too much on the fate of her aunt. +He knew that home would revive all these recollections painfully, and +wished to put off the hour of their return, until time had a little +weakened Rose's regrets. For this reason, he passed a whole week in +Washington, though it was a season of the year that the place is not in +much request. Still, Washington is scarce a town, at any season. It is +much the fashion to deride the American capital, and to treat it as +a place of very humble performance with very sounding pretensions. +Certainly, Washington has very few of the peculiarities of a great +European capital, but few as these are, they are more than belong to +any other place in this country. We now allude to the _distinctive_ +characteristics of a capital, and not to a mere concentration of houses +and shops within a given space. In this last respect, Washington is much +behind fifty other American towns, even while it is the only place in +the whole republic which possesses specimens of architecture, on a scale +approaching that of the higher classes of the edifices of the old world. +It is totally deficient in churches, and theatres, and markets; or those +it does possess are, in an architectural sense, not at all above the +level of village or countrytown pretensions, but one or two of its +national edifices do approach the magnificence and grandeur of the old +world. The new Treasury Buildings are unquestionably, on the score +of size, embellishments and finish, _the_ American edifice that comes +nearest to first class architecture on the other side of the Atlantic. +The Capitol comes next, though it can scarce be ranked, relatively, +as high. As for the White House, it is every way sufficient for its +purposes and the institutions; and now that its grounds are finished, +and the shrubbery and trees begin to tell, one sees about it something +that is not unworthy of its high uses and origin. Those grounds, which +so long lay a reproach to the national taste and liberality, are now +fast becoming beautiful, are already exceedingly pretty, and give to +a structure that is destined to become historical, having already +associated with it the names of Jefferson, Madison, Jackson, and +Quincy Adams, together with the _ci polloi_ of the later Presidents, an +_entourage_ that is suitable to its past recollections and its present +purposes. They are not quite on a level with the parks of London, it is +true; or even with the Tuileries, or Luxembourg, or the Boboli, or the +Villa Reale, or fifty more grounds and gardens, of a similar nature, +that might be mentioned; but, seen in the spring and early summer, they +adorn the building they surround, and lend to the whole neighbourhood a +character of high civilization, that no other place in America can show, +in precisely the same form, or to the same extent. + +This much have we said on the subject of the White House and its +precincts, because we took occasion, in a former work, to berate the +narrow-minded parsimony which left the grounds of the White House in a +condition that was discreditable to the republic. How far our philippic +may have hastened the improvements which have been made, is more than +we shall pretend to say; but having made the former strictures, we +are happy to have an occasion to say (though nearly twenty years have +intervened between the expressions of the two opinions) that they are no +longer merited. + +And here we will add another word, and that on a subject that is not +sufficiently pressed on the attention of a people, who, by position, +are unavoidably provincial. We invite those whose gorges rise at any +stricture on anything American, and who fancy it is enough to belong to +the great republic to be great in itself, to place themselves in +front of the State Department, as it now stands, and to examine its +dimensions, material and form with critical eyes, then to look along the +adjacent Treasury Buildings, to fancy them completed, by a junction +with new edifices of a similar construction to contain the department +of state; next to fancy similar works completed for the two opposite +departments; after which, to compare the past and present with the +future as thus finished, and remember how recent has been the partial +improvement which even now exists. If this examination and comparison do +not show, directly to the sense of sight, how much there was and is to +criticise, as put in contrast with other countries, we shall give up the +individuals in question, as too deeply dyed in the provincial wool ever +to be whitened. The present Trinity church, New York, certainly not +more than a third class European church, if as much, compared with its +village-like predecessor, may supply a practical homily of the same +degree of usefulness. There may be those among us, however, who fancy it +patriotism to maintain that the old Treasury Buildings were quite equal +to the new, and of these intense Americans we cry their mercy! + +Rose felt keenly on reaching her late aunt's very neat dwelling in +Fourteenth Street, New York. But the manly tenderness of Mulford was +a great support to her, and a little time brought her to think of that +weak-minded, but well-meaning and affectionate relative, with gentle +regret, rather than with grief. Among the connexions of her young +husband, she found several females of a class in life certainly equal to +her own, and somewhat superior to the latter in education and habits. +As for Harry, he very gladly passed the season with his beautiful bride, +though a fine ship was laid down for him, by means of Rose's fortune, +now much increased by her aunt's death, and he was absent in Europe when +his son was born; an event that occurred only two months since. + +The Swash, and the shipment of gunpowder, were thought of no more in the +good town of Manhattan. This great emporium--we beg pardon, this +great _commercial_ emporium--has a trick of forgetting, condensing +all interests into those of the present moment. It is much addicted to +believing that which never had an existence, and of overlooking that +which is occurring directly under its nose. So marked is this tendency +to forgetfulness, we should not be surprised to hear some of the +Manhattanese pretend that our legend is nothing but a fiction, and deny +the existence of the Molly, Captain Spike, and even of Biddy Noon. But +we know them too well to mind what they say, and shall go on and +finish our narrative in our own way, just as if there were no such +raven-throated commentators at all. + +Jack Tier, still known by that name, lives in the family of Captain +Mulford. She is fast losing the tan on her face and hands, and every day +is improving in appearance. She now habitually wears her proper attire, + +and is dropping gradually into the feelings and habits of her sex. She +never can become what she once was, any more than the blackamoor can +become white, or the leopard change his spots; but she is no longer +revolting. She has left off chewing and smoking, having found a refuge +in snuff. Her hair is permitted to grow, and is already turned up with +a comb, though constantly concealed beneath a cap. The heart of Jack, +alone, seems unaltered. The strange, tiger-like affection that she +bore for Spike, during twenty years of abandonment, has disappeared in +regrets for his end. It is succeeded by a most sincere attachment for +Rose, in which the little boy, since his appearance on the scene, is +becoming a large participator. This child Jack is beginning to love +intensely; and the doubloons, well invested, placing her above the +feeling of dependence, she is likely to end her life, once so errant and +disturbed, in tranquillity and a home-like happiness. + +THE END. + + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Jack Tier or The Florida Reef, by +James Fenimore Cooper + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK JACK TIER OR THE FLORIDA REEF *** + +***** This file should be named 4796-0.txt or 4796-0.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + http://www.gutenberg.org/4/7/9/4796/ + +Produced by Charles Aldarondo + +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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