CHAPTER TEN.
Almost exhausted, pale as death, the blood flowing from his wound openedby the exertions he had made, Wenlock Christison dropped down on thedeck of the stranger, not knowing whether he was to find himself onboard an English or Dutch ship. The condition of the ship showed thatshe had been hotly engaged, for numbers of dead men lay about herblood-stained decks. From their appearance, as the light of thelanterns occasionally glanced on them, Wenlock at once saw that theywere Dutch. Dutch was among the languages with which he was acquainted,having met many Hollanders in America.
"Who are you?" said an officer, who saw him come over the side.
"An Englishman, and one of the few survivors of the ill-fated ship whichblew up just now," he answered. "Well-nigh a thousand men who walkedher decks in health and strength this morning are now in eternity."
"You are indeed fortunate in escaping then," said the Dutch officer,"and though we must consider you a prisoner, you will be treated withdue courtesy on board this ship. I see that you are wounded, and badlyit seems to me, so that you must be forthwith put under the surgeon'scare."
Wenlock thanked him, and supported by a couple of men was carried below.After this he knew nothing of what happened to him, for scarcely had hebeen placed on a bed than he fainted. When he came to consciousness hefound the surgeon ready to administer some medicine, soon after which hefell asleep, nor did he awake again till daylight. He inquired eagerlywhat had occurred.
"You must not talk much," said the surgeon; "but this I will tell you,that we have had a very fierce engagement, and lost three of ourstoutest ships; while, if the truth is known, you English have not beenless sufferers. Depend on it, altogether between us, four or fivethousand people have been killed: a sensible employment for humanbeings. Heu! while we,--a free Protestant people,--were fighting forliberty, you English were beguiled by your own traitorous sovereign,bribed by the King of France, to attack us."
The surgeon, Nicholas Van Erk, notwithstanding his remarks, treatedWenlock with the greatest kindness. They however gave him amplematerial for thought. In a short time the Dutch fleet arrived off thecoast of Holland, and the injured ships proceeded to the chief navalports to undergo repair. The _Marten Harptez_, the ship on board whichWenlock had found refuge, proceeded to Rotterdam.
"You are a prisoner, but I have got leave to receive you at my house,"said Mynheer Van Erk; "and as I have a good many sick men to look after,I do not purpose again going to sea. In truth, fighting may be a verysatisfactory amusement to people without brains; but I am a philosopher,and have seen enough of it to be satisfied that it is a most detestableoccupation."
Wenlock found himself conveyed to a comfortable mansion in Rotterdamoverlooking a canal; indeed, what houses do not overlook canals in thatcity? He was very weak, for his wound had been severe,--more severethan he had supposed; and he was surprised that he should have beenenabled to undergo so much exertion as he had done. Van Erk, indeed,told him that had he remained much longer in the water, he wouldprobably have fainted from loss of blood, and been drowned.
"As you may become a wise man and enjoy life, being young, that wouldhave been a pity," observed the philosopher; "but it depends how youspend the future whether you should or should not be justlycongratulated on your escape."
The doctor's wife and only daughter,--the fair Frowline Gretchen,--formed the only members of the surgeon's household, with their servingmaid Barbara. They, fortunately for Wenlock, were not philosophers, butturned their attention to household affairs, and watched over him withthe greatest care. He, poor fellow, felt very sad and forlorn. Formany days he could only think with deep grief of the untimely loss ofhis brave father. In time, however, he began to meditate a little alsoabout himself. All his prospects appeared blighted. The friends whomight have spoken of his brave conduct in the fight were dead. He hadhoped to obtain wealth, and to return and marry Mary Mead. He had not agroat remaining in the world. Never in his life before had he been sodownhearted Gretchen observed his melancholy.
"You should not thus grieve for being a prisoner," she observed; "manybrave men have been so, and the time will come when you will be set atliberty."
Wenlock then told her how he had lost his father, and how his own hopesof advancement had been blighted. "Have you no one then who cares foryou?" she asked, in a tone of sympathy; "no one in your native land towhom you desire to return?"
"Yes," said Wenlock; and he then told her of his engagement to the fairQuakeress.
"Ah! I am not surprised at that," observed the Dutch girl, with a sigh.After this, though as kind as usual, Wenlock observed that she wassomewhat more distant in her manner to him than she had been at first.
Considering that he was a prisoner, his time passed very pleasantly.Having given his word to the authorities and to his host that he wouldnot attempt to escape, he was allowed to go about that picturesque townas much as he pleased. Month after month the war continued, and heremained a prisoner. His affection, however, for Mary Mead had ratherincreased by absence than diminished; and fearing that she might forgethim, he at length wrote her a letter, entreating her to remain faithful,and promising, as soon as he should be able, to return to England andfollow any course she might advise. In vain he waited for an answer tothis letter; week after week passed by, and none came.
"She has forgotten you," said Gretchen one day, observing him look verysad.
Wenlock started! He was thinking the same thing. "I know not," heanswered; "I have heard that women are fickle."
"I did not say that," observed Gretchen; "but if you chose to disregardthe wishes of one you professed to love, I am not surprised that sheshould at length have dismissed you from her thoughts. I do not say shehas, but it is possible."
Wenlock had for some time felt ashamed of being idle; for though hishost might have received payment for his support from the government,yet that, he was sure, could not be sufficient to cover the expense towhich he was put. He expressed his wishes to his kind host.
"A very sensible remark," observed the surgeon, "and as you have nowrecovered from your wound, and regained your strength, it is proper thatyou should be employed. I have a brother, a merchant, trading withSurinam. He may possibly give you employment. You speak severallanguages, and write a good hand. You will, I doubt not, soon be rankedamong his principal clerks, if you have a good knowledge of accounts."
"If he will try me, I will do my best," answered Wenlock.
The next day he was installed as a clerk in the office of Peter Van Erk,one of the principal merchants in the city. Wenlock had an aptitude forbusiness of which he had not been aware. He took a positive pleasure inhis work, and soon attracted the observation of his quick-sightedemployer.
The kind surgeon was highly pleased. "You do credit to myrecommendation, Christison," he observed; "you will soon win theconfidence of my brother, and will then be on the fair way to makingyour fortune."
Time passed by. Wenlock made himself so useful that in a short time hisemployer agreed to pay him a handsome salary. When peace was declared,therefore, he felt that it would be folly to return to England, where hehad no home and no one from whom he had a right to demand assistance.He had forfeited William Mead's regard by acting contrary to his advice,while from Lord Ossory he might possibly fail to receive furtherpatronage. He had heard enough of the fickleness of those in authority,and he did not expect to be better treated than others. He thereforecontinued to work away steadily as a merchant's clerk in the house ofVan Erk and Company, of Rotterdam.