Chapter XXIII
In which Mr Vanslyperken finds great cause of vexation and satisfaction.
In the meanwhile Mr Vanslyperken was anything but comfortable in hismind. That Corporal Van Spitter should assert that he saw the devil athis shoulder, was a matter of no small annoyance any way; for either thedevil was at his shoulder or he was not. If he was, why then it wasevident that in consequence of his having attempted murder, and havingbetrayed his country for money, the devil considered him as his own, andthis Mr Vanslyperken did not approve of; for, like many others in thisworld, he wished to commit every crime, and go to heaven after all. MrVanslyperken was superstitious and cowardly, and he did believe thatsuch a thing was possible; and when he canvassed it in his mind, hetrembled, and looked over his shoulder.
But Corporal Van Spitter might have asserted it only to frighten him. Itwas possible--but here again was a difficulty: the corporal had been hisfaithful confidant for so long a while, and to suppose this, would be tosuppose that the corporal was a traitor to him, and that, upon nogrounds which Vanslyperken could conjecture, he had turned false: thiswas impossible--Mr Vanslyperken would not credit it; so there he stuck,like a man between the horns of a dilemma, not knowing what to do; forMr Vanslyperken resolved, had the devil really been there, to haverepented immediately, and have led a new life; but if the devil had notbeen there, Mr Vanslyperken did not perceive any cause for such animmediate hurry.
At last, an idea presented itself to Mr Vanslyperken's mind, whichafforded him great comfort, which was, that the corporal had suffered somuch from his boat adventures--for the corporal had made the most of hissufferings--that he was a little affected in his mind, and had thoughtthat he had seen something. "It must have been so," said MrVanslyperken, who fortified the idea with a glass of scheedam, and thenwent to bed.
Now, it so happened, that at the very time that Mr Vanslyperken wasarguing all this in his brain, Corporal Van Spitter was also cogitatinghow he should get out of his scrape; for the Corporal, although not verybright, had much of the cunning of little minds, and he felt thenecessity of lulling the suspicions of the lieutenant. To conceal hisastonishment and fear at the appearance of the dog, he had libelled MrVanslyperken, who would not easily forgive, and it was the corporal'sinterest to continue on the best terms with, and enjoy the confidence ofhis superior. How was this to be got over? It took the whole of thefirst watch, and two-thirds of the middle, before the corporal, who layin his hammock, could hit upon any plan. At last he thought he hadsucceeded. At daybreak, Corporal Van Spitter entered the cabin of MrVanslyperken, who very coolly desired him to tell Short to get all readyfor weighing at six o'clock.
"If you please, Mynheer Vanslyperken, you think me mad last night 'causeI see de tyfel at your shoulder. Mynheer Vanslyperken, I see him twiceagain this night on lower deck. Mein Gott! Mynheer Vanslyperken, Isay twice."
"Saw him again twice!" replied the lieutenant.
"Yes, Mynheer Vanslyperken, I see twice again--I see him very oftensince I drift in de boat. First, I see him when in de boat--since that Isee him one time, two times, in de night."
"It's just as I thought," said Mr Vanslyperken, "he has never got overhis alarm of that night.--Very well, Corporal Van Spitter, it's of noconsequence. I was very angry with you last night, because I thought youwere taking great liberties; but I see now how it is, you must keepyourself quiet, and as soon as we arrive at Portsmouth, you had betterlose a little blood."
"How much, Mynheer Vanslyperken, do you wish I should lose?" replied thecorporal, with his military salute.
"About eight ounces, corporal."
"Yes, sir," replied the corporal, turning on his pivot, and marching outof the cabin.
This was a peculiarly satisfactory interview to both parties. MrVanslyperken was overjoyed at the corporal's explanation, and thecorporal was equally delighted at having so easily gulled his superior.
The cutter weighed that morning, and sailed for Portsmouth. We shallpass over the passage without any further remarks than that the corporalwas reinstated into Mr Vanslyperken's good graces--that he appeared asusual to be harsh with the ship's company, and to oppress Smallbonesmore than ever; but this was at the particular request of the lad, whoplayed his own part to admiration--that Mr Vanslyperken again broughtup the question of flogging Jemmy Ducks, but was prevented by thecorporal's expressing his fears of a mutiny--and had also some secretconference with the corporal as to his desire of vengeance uponSmallbones, to which Van Spitter gave a ready ear, and appeared to beequally willing with the lieutenant to bring it about. Things were inthis state when the cutter arrived at Portsmouth, and, as usual, raninto the harbour. It may be supposed that Mr Vanslyperken was in allhaste to go on shore to pay his visit to his charming widow, but stillthere was one thing to be done first, which was to report himself tothe admiral.
On his arrival at the admiral's, much to his dissatisfaction, he wasinformed that he must hold himself ready for sailing immediately, asdespatches for the Hague were expected down on the next morning. Thiswould give but a short time to pay his addresses, and he therefore madeall haste to the widow's presence, and was most graciously received. Shealmost flew into his arms, upbraided him for being so long away, for nothaving written to her, and showed such marks of strong attachment, thatVanslyperken was in ecstasies. When he told her that he expected to sailagain immediately, she put her handkerchief up to her eyes, andappeared, to Vanslyperken at least, to shed a few bitter tears. As soonas she was a little more composed, Vanslyperken produced the packet withwhich he was entrusted, which she opened, and took out two letters, onefor herself, and the other addressed to a certain person in a house inanother street.
"This," said the widow, "you must deliver yourself--it is ofconsequence. I would deliver it, but if I do, I shall not be able tolook after my little arrangements for dinner, for you dine with me ofcourse. Besides, you must be acquainted with this person one time oranother, as it will be for OUR advantage."
"OUR advantage!" how delightful to Mr Vanslyperken was that word! Hejumped up immediately, and took his hat to execute the commission, theinjunction of the widow to be soon back hastening his departure.Vanslyperken soon arrived at the door, knocked, and was admitted.
"Vat vash you vant, sare?" said a venerable looking old Jew, who openedthe door to him.
"Is your name Lazarus?" inquired the lieutenant.
"Dat vash my name."
"I have a letter for you."
"A letter for me!--and from vare?"
"Amsterdam."
"Shee! silence," said the Jew, leading the way into a small room, andshutting the door.
Vanslyperken delivered the letter, which the Jew did not open, but laidon the table. "It vas from my worthy friend in Billen Shaaten. Heist veil?"
"Quite well," replied Vanslyperken.
"Ven do you sail again, mynheer?"
"To-morrow morning."
"Dat is good. I have the letters all ready; dey come down yesterday--vilyou vait and take them now?"
"Yes," replied Vanslyperken, who anticipated another rouleau of gold onhis arrival at Amsterdam.
"An den I will give you your monish at de same time."
More money, thought Vanslyperken, who replied then, "With all my heart,"and took a chair.
The Jew left the room, and soon returned with a small yellow bag, whichhe put into Vanslyperken's hand, and a large packet carefully sealed."Dis vas of de hutmost importance," said the old man, giving him thepacket. "You will find you monish all right, and now vas please just putyour name here, for I vas responsible for all de account;" and the Jewlaid down a receipt for Vanslyperken to sign. Vanslyperken read it over.It was an acknowledgment for the sum of fifty guineas, but notspecifying for what service. He did not much like to sign it, but howcould he refuse? Besides, as the Jew said, it was only to prove that themoney was paid; nevertheless he objected.
"Vy vill you not sign? I must not lose my monish, and I shall lose it ifyou do not sign. Vat you
fear--you not fear that we peach; ven peoplespay so high, they not pay for noting. We all sall hang togeder if deaffair be found."
Hang together! thought Vanslyperken, whose fears were roused, and heturned pale.
"You are vell paid for your shervices--you vas vell paid at doder sideof de vater, and you are now von of us. You cannot go back, or your lifevill be forfeit, I can assure you--you vill sign if you please--and youvill not leave dis house, until you do sign," continued the Jew. "Youvill not take our monish and den give de information, and hang us all.You vill sign, if you please, sare."
There was a steadiness of countenance and a firmness in the tone of theold man, which told Vanslyperken that he was not to be trifled with, andassured him that he must have help at hand if requisite. If left tohimself, the Jew would have been easily mastered by the lieutenant, butthat such was not the case, was soon proved, by the old man ringing asmall silver bell on the table, and shortly afterwards there was arustling and noise, as if of several persons, heard in the passage.Vanslyperken now perceived that he was entrapped, and he also felt thatit was too late to retreat. Actuated by his fear of violence on the onehand, and his love of gold on the other, he consented to sign thevoucher required. As soon as this was done, the old Jew was allcivility. He took the paper, and locked it up in a large cabinet, andthen observed,
"It is for your own shafety, sare lieutenant, dat we are obliged to dodis. You have noting to fear--we are too much in want of good friendslike you, to lose them, but we must be safe and shure; now you are vonof us--you cannot tell but we can tell too--we profit togeder, and Ivill hope dat we do run no risk to be hang togeder. Fader Abraham! wemust not think of that, but of de good cause, and of de monish. I am aJew, and I care not whether de Papist or de Protestant have de best ofit--but I call it all de good cause, because every cause is good whichbrings de monish."
So thought Vanslyperken, who was in heart a Jew.
"And now, sare, you vill please to take great care of de packet, anddeliver it to our friend at Amsterdam, and you vill of course come to meven you return here."
Vanslyperken took his leave, with the packet in his pocket, not verywell pleased; but as he put the packet in, he felt the yellow bag, andthat to a certain degree consoled him. The old Jew escorted him to thedoor, with his little keen gray eyes fixed upon him, and Vanslyperkenquailed before it, and was glad when he was once more in the street. Hehastened back to the widow's house, full of thought--he certainly hadnever intended to have so committed himself as he had done, or to havepositively enrolled himself among the partisans of the exiled king; butthe money had entrapped him--he had twice taken their wages, and he hadnow been obliged to give them security for his fidelity, by enablingthem to prove his guilt whenever they pleased. All this made MrVanslyperken rather melancholy--but his meditations were put an end toby his arrival in the presence of the charming widow. She asked him whathad passed, and he narrated it, but with a little variation, for hewould not tell that he had signed through a fear of violence, but, atthe same time, he observed, that he did not much like signing a receipt.
"But that is necessary," replied she; "and besides, why not? I know youare on our side, and you will prove most valuable to us. Indeed, Ibelieve it was your readiness to meet my wishes that made me so fond ofyou, for I am devotedly attached to the rightful king, and I never wouldmarry any man who would not risk life and soul for him, as you havedone now."
The expression "life and soul," made Vanslyperken shudder, and his fleshcrept all over his body.
"Besides," continued the widow, "it will be no small help to us, for theremuneration is very great."
"To us!" thought Vanslyperken, who now thought it right to press hissuit. He was listened to attentively, and at last he proposed an earlyday for the union. The widow blushed, and turned her head away, and atlast replied, with a sweet smile, "Well, Mr Vanslyperken, I will neithertease you nor myself--when you come back from your next trip, I consentto be yours."
What was Vanslyperken's delight and exultation! He threw himself on hisknees, promised, and vowed, and thanked, kissed hands, and was in suchecstasies! He could hardly imagine that his good fortune was real. Abeautiful widow with a handsome fortune--how could he ever have thoughtof throwing himself away upon such a bunch of deformity as the FrauVandersloosh? Poor Mr Vanslyperken! Dinner put an end to hisprotestations. He fared sumptuously, and drank freely to please thewidow. He drank death to the usurper, and restoration to the King James.What a delightful evening! The widow was so amiable, so gentle, soyielding, so, so, so--what with wine and love, and fifty guineas in hispocket, Mr Vanslyperken was so overcome with his feelings, that at lasthe felt but so so. After a hundred times returning to kiss her dear,dear hand, and at last sealing the contract on her lips, Mr Vanslyperkendeparted, full of wine and hope--two very good things to lay in astock of.
But there was something doing on board during Mr Vanslyperken's absence.Notwithstanding Mr Vanslyperken having ordered Moggy out of the cutter,she had taken the opportunity of his being away to go on board to herdear, darling Jemmy. Dick Short did not prevent her coming on board, andhe was commanding officer, so Moggy once more had her husband in herarms; but the fond pair soon retired to a quiet corner, where they had along and serious conversation; so long, and so important, it wouldappear, that they did not break off until Mr Vanslyperken came on board,just before dark. His quick eye soon perceived that there was apetticoat at the taffrail, where they retired that they might not beoverheard, and he angrily inquired who it was, his wrath was notappeased when he heard that it was Salisbury's wife, and he ordered herimmediately to be put on shore, and sent for Corporal Van Spitter in hiscabin, to know why she was on board. The corporal replied, "That MrShort had let her in; that he had wished to speak on the subject, butthat Mr Short would not speak," and then entertained his superior with along account of mutinous expressions on the lower deck, and threats ofdoing him (Mr Vanslyperken) a mischief. This conversation wasinterrupted by a messenger coming on board with the despatches, and anorder to sail at daylight, and return immediately without waiting forany answers.
The reader may wish to know the subject of the long conversation betweenJemmy Ducks and his wife. It involved the following question. Moggy hadbecome very useful to Nancy Corbett, and Nancy, whose services wererequired at the cave, and could not well be dispensed with, had longbeen anxious to find some one, who, with the same general knowledge ofparties, and the same discrimination, could be employed in her stead. InMoggy she had found the person required, but Moggy would not consentwithout her husband was of the same party, and here lay the difficulty.Nancy had had a reply, which was satisfactory, from Sir Robert Barclay,so far as this. He required one or two more men, and they must betrustworthy, and able to perform the duty in the boats. Jemmy was notvery great at pulling, for his arms were too short as well as his legs,but he was a capital steersman. All this had been explained to Nancy,who at last consented to Jemmy being added to the crew of the smuggler,and Moggy had gone off to the cutter to persuade Jemmy to desert, and tojoin the smugglers.
Now, as to joining the smugglers, Jemmy had not the least objection: hewas tired of the cutter, and being separated from his wife had been tohim a source of great discontent; but, as Jemmy very truly observed, "IfI desert from the vessel, and am ever seen again, I am certain to beknown, and taken up; therefore I will not desert, I will wait till I ampaid off, unless you can procure my discharge by means of your friends."Such had been the result of the colloquy, when interrupted by thearrival of Vanslyperken, and the case thus stood, when, on the nextmorning, at daylight, the cutter weighed, and steered her course forthe Texel.