Read Roger Kyffin's Ward Page 32

more must be done. Brown, I know youwill help me. I want to send letters round to each ship in the fleet,and advise the men to select delegates, as was done at Spithead."

  Harry saw no reason for refusing, and wrote letters, which Parkersighed. His advice was implicitly followed, and in a short timedelegates from all the ships arrived on board the "Sandwich," which atthat time carried the flag of Vice-Admiral Buckner. A council ofdelegates was formed, and Richard Parker was appointed president.Certain petitions were drawn up, which were sent to the Admiralty. Theprincipal part of them were refused, but the men were promisedforgiveness if they would at once return to their duty. AdmiralBuckner, who delivered this message, was laughed at in return, and theboats of the fleet being instantly manned, the crews went into theharbour, and brought out all the gunboats, and proceeded to the GreatNore. As they passed the fort at Sheerness, they fired at it indefiance, though without doing any damage. On their return they struckthe flag of Vice-Admiral Buckner, and hoisted the red flag for mutiny inits stead. All the ships also which lay near Sheerness were compelledto drop down to the Great Nore, in order to concentrate the scene oftheir operations. Among them was the "Saint Fiorenzo," which had justbeen fitted up to carry one of the royal princesses, just married to thePrince of Wurtemburg, over to Germany. Harry and Jacob talked over theproceedings of their shipmates. They could not but perceive that theywere very dangerous, and, indeed, more serious grievances having been sospeedily redressed, utterly unjustifiable. Still Harry wasunfortunately committed to the cause of the mutineers, especially fromhaving written the letters, and otherwise aided Parker.

  Parker doubted him, but still treated him with considerable attention.Vain were all the efforts made by the Commissioners of the Admiralty tobring the crews back to obedience. So bold, indeed, did the delegatesbecome, that they landed in various places, and supplied themselves withthe provisions they required. It was their constant custom to land atSheerness, where they held conferences with the greatest publicity, andafterwards paraded the streets, with flags flying and music playing,Parker, as the admiral of the rebel fleet, marching at the head of theprocession. They went on board, also, all the ships they could visit,persuading the crews to join them. In spite of Harry's objections to goon shore, Parker insisted on several occasions that he should accompanyhim.

  "I tell you, my lad, I am your friend, and will bear you harmless,"answered the rebel chief; "and go you must. I want you."

  Harry knew that it would be dangerous to disobey, but he did notconsider the still greater danger of being seen in company with the mostdesperate of the mutineers.

  On one occasion, when he was on shore with Parker, after the delegates,as usual, had paraded the streets, they entered the dockyard, where LordKeith, Sir Charles Grey, Admiral Buckner, and several other navalofficers, who had just come down from London, were assembled.

  The seamen were proceeding in their usual swaggering style across thedockyard, when they came face to face with the venerable Admiral. Hefixed his stern gaze on them, asking them how mutineers and enemies oftheir king and country thus dared to enter one of the royal dockyards?Even Parker, bold and daring as he was, for an instant was staggered,and found no words to reply. Just then, drums and fifes were heard, andan infantry militia regiment marched into the dockyard. The delegates,nothing daunted, drew up, facing them.

  Parker had taken the precaution to leave orders on board the ships thatshould he and his companions be seized, two officers on board every shipshould instantly be taken hold of, and ropes rove at the end of theforeyard-arm be made fast round their necks.

  Harry, who was among the delegates, found himself placed near several ofthe officers of the militia regiment. Among them he saw a face he knew.It was that of young Gilby, he was certain. The recognition appearedmutual. Gilby nodded to him.

  "I heard that you were at sea, old fellow, but didn't quite expect tofind you in such company," he cried out.

  Harry made no answer, and endeavoured to avoid his gaze. Never had hefelt so humbled and annoyed.

  Among the group of naval officers were the captains of some of the shipswho had come on shore. One of them was the captain of the "SaintFiorenzo." A young midshipman of the same ship, standing near LordKeith, on seeing all the principal leaders of the mutineers together,exclaimed--

  "Why not make one bold cast, and catch them all in the same net? Itwould quickly put a stop to the mutiny."

  The admiral turned round as he heard the voice:

  "You don't know what you are talking about youngster," he observed,recollecting that the mutineers had their officers in their power on theships.

  In consequence of this they behaved with the greatest boldness andaudacity in the presence of the Lords of the Admiralty, and in spite ofthe troops arrayed against them. A board was held by their lordships atthe Commissioner's house, when the delegates were invited to attend.All expostulations, however, proved ineffectual. The mutineersincreased their demands, and grew more insolent in their behaviour. Atlength their lordships, signifying to the seamen that no furtherconcessions would be granted, returned to town.

  On this, further meetings were held on board the ships, at which Harrywas compelled by Parker to attend as his secretary. One day, in thepresence of Tuttle and several other seamen, Harry expostulated, tellingParker that he did not approve of holding out after so many concessionshad been made.

  "The first man who disobeys my orders will have a bullet sent throughhis head," exclaimed Parker, drawing a pistol. "Disobey me at yourperil, Andrew Brown," he continued, levelling the weapon.

  Harry stood firm. A murmur of disapprobation broke out among the men.

  "I don't care whether you agree or disagree, but I ask you again, Brown,whether you will attend me as I order you or not?"

  "I will attend you if you force me, but again protest against yourproceedings."

  "Come into the cabin then," exclaimed Parker, fiercely, "and do as Iorder you."

  Harry was compelled to obey.

  The delegates having assembled, a fierce discussion took place as totheir future proceedings. Some were for yielding: others, led byParker, determined to hold out; while a considerable number proposed, incase their demands were still refused, to carry the fleet over to aFrench port. This traitorous proposition was happily over-ruled by themajority--indeed, many thought that if it was proposed to the men, theythemselves would refuse to obey. Finally it was determined to hold out,in the hope of compelling the Government to yield. One of the meanstaken by the mutineers was to blockade the Thames, and several shipswere moored across the river, to prevent a free passage up to London ordown. In order to concentrate their force also, the fleet which lay atSheerness was compelled to drop down to the Great Nore. Theline-of-battle ships were then drawn up in a line, about half a milefrom each other, with their broadsides abreast. In the space betweenthe line-of-battle ships, the merchantmen and other vessels which hadbeen detained were moored. As all communication was stopped with theshore, the mutineers supplied themselves with water and provisions fromthese vessels.

  All this time, strange as it may seem, the behaviour of the seamentowards their officers, with a few exceptions, was perfectly respectful.

  One, however, was tarred and feathered. Two midshipmen were ducked, andsome few officers who were especially obnoxious to the mutineers weresent on shore. Four seamen also were severely flogged for speakingdisrespectfully of the delegates.

  CHAPTER TWENTY.

  THE MUTINY QUELLED.

  The report of the commencement of the mutiny at Spithead had causedgreat alarm among the merchants in London, as well as throughout thecountry. This second, and far more serious, outbreak at the Nore mademany dread the very worst results. The courage and determinationexhibited by the King and others in authority soon restored confidence,and active measures were taken to compel the rebellious crews to submit.The shores on each side of the river were lined with batteries, theforts at Tilbury and Sheerness and Gra
vesend were furnished withfurnaces for red-hot shot. The buoys at the Nore and along the coastwere taken up, so that the ships would have had considerable difficultyin getting away. Many, indeed, would probably have been stranded in theattempt.

  Off Woolwich lay the "Neptune," a 98-gun Ship, which was manned byvolunteers raised by the subscriptions of the merchants of London. Alittle lower down was the "Lancaster," 64, whose crew had returned totheir duty; as also the "Agincourt," with several gunboats. A number ofmerchant vessels were also fitted up as gunboats, and manned byvolunteer crews. These were placed under the command of Sir ErasmusGower, as Commodore, and ordered to drop down the river, and to proceedforthwith to attack the rebels.

  We must now return on board the "Sandwich." Parker, who had assumed thetitle of Admiral, was still implicitly obeyed by the crews of most ofthe ships. Notice was brought to