CHAPTER FIFTEEN.
A FIGHT WITH ROBBERS.
Sir Thomas Gresham had been absent for some time, and his return toAntwerp was daily expected. I was busily at work at my desk, when Iheard the sound of horses' hoofs coming along the street. I looked out,and saw a party of travellers. Calling Master Clough, he and I, withothers, hurried to the door. Sir Thomas led the cavalcade, with a younglady by his side. I had never, I thought, seen a more fair or gracefulgirl, while I admired the perfect ease with which she managed the jenneton which she rode. Who she was I scarcely dared to guess. She couldscarcely be the little Aveline from whom I had parted, and yet thethought crossed me that it must be her.
Two young men followed,--one a strong, stout, broad-shouldered man,whose features were wonderfully like those of my old friend A'Dale,although somewhat concealed by beard and whisker. He formed a strongcontrast to the slight, pale, sickly youth at his side. A second glanceconvinced me that the latter was my former playmate and companion--Richard Gresham. He seemed very sick and ill, leaning forward in hissaddle, as if scarcely able to support his body. Master Clough hurriedout to assist Sir Thomas to dismount, while I hastened, with one of theservants, to take the young lady's horse. The smile she gave me, as shedropped lightly from her saddle, reminded me of Aveline.
"You do not know me, Ernst Verner," she said; "am I so woefully changedsince we parted?"
Her sweet voice sent a thrill through my heart. I had no longer anydoubt that she was Aveline. Meantime A'Dale had thrown himself from hissteed, and had helped Richard to the ground, giving him his arm tosupport him. Sir Thomas greeted me kindly.
"He has not borne the journey as well as we had hoped," he said, lookingat Richard; "but the doctors advised change of air and scene, and wetrusted that a short sea-voyage, and a visit to this busy city, mightbenefit him. Aveline has kindly come to assist in caring for him, and Ihave taken your old friend Andrew A'Dale into my service."
Poor Richard looked kindly at me as he took my hand; but he scarcely hadstrength, it seemed, to smile. A'Dale and I greeted each otherheartily, and together we assisted our young friend up the stairs. Hecould not, indeed, without aid, drag himself along; but youth isbuoyant, and both he and we were soon talking of what we would do whenhe had regained his strength. Aveline was committed to the charge ofour old housekeeper--Dorothea Lipman, with whom she had some difficultyin holding conversation; Dorothea's only language being Flemish, ofwhich Aveline knew but little.
After a night's rest, Richard had considerably recovered. Whenever hecame into the public room, I could not help observing the devotedattention which Aveline paid him. She seemed to watch his every look,and attend to his slightest want. He, indeed, I thought, expected herto devote herself to him and to demand her services as a right, whichshe willingly rendered. At first this seemed but natural after theaccounts Sir Thomas had given me; but I confess, when she appeared tohave scarcely any time to attend to me or to anybody else, a feeling ofjealousy stole over me. And yet why should I be jealous of that poorsickly lad? indeed, what right had I to expect that she would regard mein any other light than that of a humble secretary of her kind lady'shusband? I had a sincere affection, however, for Richard, and heartilywished him to recover. Mistress Aveline had always treated me withkindness, and I was not vain enough to mistake the way in which shereceived any little attention I was able to pay her.
Sir Thomas Gresham was constantly receiving visitors at his house.Among them came at this time Master Thomas Cecil, the son of the greatminister, accompanied by his tutor, Master Windebank. He was a young,pleasant-mannered, good-tempered youth, apparently somewhatlight-hearted, and inclined to amuse himself with whatever fell in hisway.
During his stay he rode out on several occasions with Mistress Aveline,and seemed highly pleased with her company. She, in return, seemed toattend to what he said, even with more pleasure than she listened topoor Richard, who was unable, while riding, to enter much intoconversation in consequence of his cough and short breathing. Igenerally accompanied the party when they went out after our usual hoursof business. It was but natural that a gay young man should payattention to a sweet and lively girl like Aveline, and at first I didnot care so much for it; but after a time, when I thought she seemedpleased with his attentions, I began heartily to wish that he would takehis departure. One thing I thought I had discovered--that her heart wasnot given to Richard; but then I was convinced for the same reason thatshe did not care for me. I was very glad when Sir Thomas, at theminister's request, supplied young Cecil and his tutor with money toenable them to continue their tour which they intended making throughGermany, and from thence passing on through Switzerland into Italy.
We were, shortly after this, more busily employed than ever inpurchasing bow staves, as Sir Thomas urged the Government by writingfrequently, and, when he went home, personally, to make everypreparation for war. He had discovered the hatred which the RomanCatholic sovereigns had for England, now that Queen Elizabeth haddeclared herself so decidedly Protestant. At the same time, he deemedit important to supply England with the precious metals, that she might,in case of a war, have wherewith to pay her troops.
As the bullion was purchased, it was shipped, as I have alreadymentioned, on board vessels. At length, in consequence of the expectedscarcity of shipping, Sir Thomas resolved to make a large shipment onboard one particular vessel. The amount had been carefully done upinside various packages, as I believe I have before described.
"It is necessary that a trustworthy person should be on board, to seethat the goods are not tampered with," observed Sir Thomas to me. "Youand A'Dale will therefore go down and see them shipped, and you willafterwards continue on board and proceed with the ship to England. Assoon as she is unloaded, you will return in her, and report to me allthat takes place, and all the news you can hear in London. You will goto Lombard Street, and receive despatches from Master John Elliot tobring with you."
As a small portion of the goods only had been shipped when we reachedthe vessel, the bulk not having arrived, A'Dale and I determined toremain at the hostel instead of going on board to sleep. We were seatedin the public room, and talking together in English, when, in a pause inthe conversation, I heard three rough-looking persons speaking Flemishat a little distance from me. I pricked up my ears as I heard one ofthem remark:
"Oh! they are only two English lads; they cannot, depend on it,understand a word we say."
This made me listen more carefully, though I continued speaking withgreater energy apparently than ever to A'Dale.
I still kept my ears, however, open to hear everything my neighbourssaid. I soon found that they were talking about our ship--the_Diamond_.
"She began to receive her goods to-day," said one; "and by to-morrowevening she will probably be able to sail with the turn of the tide. Wemust not let her escape us, as some of those English vessels of latehave done. The question is, whether we shall attack her before she getsout of the Scheld, or wait till she reaches the broad seas."
Some of the party were for waiting at the mouth of the river, hopingthereby to make off with their prize with less risk of its beingretaken; others, however, considered that they might thereby lose it,and that it would be more prudent to attack the ship while she lay atanchor.
This plan was at last, so I suppose, adopted. I looked as unconcernedas possible, as if I had not heard anything of what was said. I feared,however, that there was great danger of the _Diamond_ being taken, asthe pirates appeared to have a large force at their command.
I did not like to leave the room as long as the men were talking, hopingby staying to gain further information about their plans. It wasevident they were thoroughly well informed of all that was goingforward, and it became, therefore, very important that I should becareful as to my proceedings. I had observed near me a sunburnt,weather-beaten man, in the dress of a sea officer, who every now andthen glanced up at the pirates as they spoke. Once I caught his e
ye,and, by the look he gave me, I felt sure that he knew I had beenlistening.
A'Dale and I, having finished our supper, got up, I proposing to take aturn in the fresh air before going to bed. As we had been talking ofour voyage, I knew that the stranger, who must have overheard what wesaid, was aware that our ship was bound for London. We stood outsidethe door of the hostel for some minutes, before deciding which directionwe should take. Just as we were moving on, I felt a hand placed on myshoulder.
"Young master," said the stranger, "excuse my interruption. I heard youremark that you were in the service of Sir Thomas Gresham, and about tosail on board the _Diamond_. I heard, too, what was said by those othermen. You understand what they said, I think?"
"Not I, indeed," answered A'Dale, who now for the first time heard ofthe plot, for I had been unable before to tell him of it. "I do notknow what you mean."
"I do, however, sir," I observed. "I would ask you whether you knowanything about these men, and whether they are likely to carry out theirproject?"
"I feel very sure they will carry it out. The only way that I can see,is to be ready for them," answered the stranger. "I fear, however, thatthe crew of the _Diamond_ is too small to defend her. My own vessellies at no great distance; and if you will accept it, I will render youall the assistance in my power."
"Thank you, friend!" exclaimed A'Dale; "though I doubt not we should beable to beat back any marauders, yet a few more stout arms would be ofgreat assistance."
But I was not quite so willing to accept the offer of the stranger. Ihad learnt caution. It was a quality greatly inculcated on all hisinferiors by Sir Thomas Gresham. Perhaps, I thought, this very man isonly a confederate, and hopes thus to obtain quiet possession of thevessel.
"Thank you, my friend," I answered, turning to the stranger. "We willcommunicate your offer to the captain; but we are only passengers onboard; we have no command over her, and without his sanction I cannotventure to accept your offer."
"I understand," answered the stranger, promptly; "I do not take yourremarks amiss. I mean you well; but you are very right not to acceptsuch an offer without consideration. My vessel, the _Falcon_, liesrather lower down the river. Your captain will easily discover her; andif, on consideration, he wishes to receive the assistance of an honestman, who esteems his employer, and is well able to render aid, he cansummon me, and I will come with a boat's crew, or two may be, and fightas I should were my own vessel attacked."
Saying these words, the stranger shook our hands warmly, and disappearedin the gloom.
A'Dale and I continued our walk. He seemed to think that I had beenungrateful in not accepting the assistance so freely offered. Iexplained my reasons. He saw that I was right. It was then too late toget a boat; indeed, so small was the amount of cargo as yet shipped--ofwhich the pirates were well aware--that there was no fear of theirattacking her that night. We agreed, therefore, that I should go aboardthe first thing in the morning to speak to the captain, leaving A'Daleto look after the goods on shore.
I also proposed engaging a few stout fellows, well-armed, in addition toour own crew, and thus hoped to be able to repel any attack the piratesmight make upon us.
The next morning, the instant the grey dawn streamed into our chamber,we sprang out of bed. We wished to leave the house unobserved, in caseany of the sea-robbers or their confederates might be living there. Toprevent them from discovering what we were about, should any one observeus, we took our way directly from the river; and then turning roundagain through some narrow streets, once more hurried towards it. Wesoon found a boat, and telling A'Dale to keep a bright look-out aroundhim, I pulled down in her towards the _Diamond_.
Captain Davis, her commander, was surprised to see me thus early. Itold him the reason of my coming. He was inclined, I saw, to doubt thatthe people whose conversation we had overheard were speaking about hisvessel.
"If they had been speaking English, Master Verner, your ears might nothave deceived you; but as they were talking Flemish, it is very likely,that being a foreign lingo, you may be mistaken."
"But it is not a foreign lingo to me, Captain Davis," I answered,laughing; "it is, I may say, my native tongue, and therefore I am notlikely to be mistaken."
"That makes a difference, to be sure," he answered; "yet still thechances are they were speaking of something else. If they had had aplot in hand such as you suppose, they would have been more cautious."
"When the wine is in, the wit is out, captain," I remarked. "At first,I grant you, they said nothing to betray themselves; but when I tell youthat some of our chief nobles act just as indiscreetly, you may morereadily believe that such men as these might let out their secrets onsuch an occasion."
"Well, well, Master Verner, I am bound to believe you; and as nightcomes on we will have the men armed and on the watch. Still, I ratherthink it will come to nothing; but, as you observe, it is well to beprepared."
The crew were all Englishmen--twenty stout fellows; and, withwell-sharpened hangers in their hands and a supply of pikes, I hopedthey would have no difficulty in keeping any assailants out of the ship.I told them that there might be a chance of that sort of thing, andthey all expressed their readiness to defend the ship to the last. Imentioned to the captain what I had done.
"Oh yes," he said, "my dogs will fight well; there is no fear of that.We were once attacked near the Straits of Gibraltar by a Salee rover;and although the villains outnumbered my crew as three to one, yet webeat them off, even though many of them had already gained our deck. Weshall treat these fellows in the same way, depend on that, whoever theyare."
A'Dale exerted himself so energetically, that before dark all the goodswere on board and safely stowed away. An officer of the Customs havingbrought us our clearance papers, as soon as the tide served we were ableto sail. Having still some daylight, and hoping thus to avoid thethreatened attack, we immediately got under weigh, and dropped down theriver. The night, however, becoming cloudy and dark, and the wind beingcontrary, we were once more obliged to bring up.
"If the pirates come to look for us, they will find us gone," observedCaptain Davis, as we sat at supper round the cabin-table.
"But if they intended to attack us, depend upon it they were on thewatch," observed A'Dale, "and know where we are as well as they didbefore."
I agreed with A'Dale that we ought to keep a strict watch, as we hadintended. Captain Davis, I observed, as sailors are too apt to do, madelight of the danger of which we had warned him.
"They will think twice before they attack the _Diamond_, depend on that,young masters," he answered to our remarks.
As A'Dale and I had been up since daybreak, and actively engaged all thetime, both of us felt very sleepy. Yet we were far too anxiouswillingly to go to sleep. Without taking off our clothes, therefore, wethrew ourselves down in our bedplaces in the after-cabin, hoping that weshould be awakened by the slightest noise. We kept our swords by oursides, ready for instant action. The captain, however, laughed at usfor our anxiety.
"Don't be alarmed, my young masters," he observed, in a somewhattaunting tone; "if we are attacked, we shall be able to give a goodaccount of the villains, without having to call you up, so you mighthave taken off your clothes and gone to sleep comfortably."
He made some other remarks, much in the same strain; but as he continuedspeaking, his words sounded less and less distinct to my ears, andbefore he had concluded I was fast asleep.
It seemed to me but a minute after I had shut my eyes that I was arousedby a fearful uproar. Shouts and shrieks and cries of all sorts, thereport of fire-arms and the clashing of steel. I started up, hitting myhead, as I did so, against the beam above me, and sprang out of mynarrow bed. I called loudly to A'Dale. He was so fast asleep that thefirst shout did not completely arouse him. The second, however, madehim spring to his feet.
"What has happened?" he asked.
"The pirates have come, there is little doubt of that," I answered; "
wemust go and drive them back."
As I said this, sword in hand, I sprang up the companion-ladder, and hefollowed me. As we reached the deck, I saw a number of dark formsclustering in the rigging, whilst others were attempting to get over thesides. Our men were bravely endeavouring to drive them back with theirhangers and pikes, a few arquebuses also being brought into use. Somewere armed with cross-bows, but they had thrown them aside for thepurpose of doing more service with their sharp blades. Never had Iheard so fearful a din, for the object of the pirates seemed to be tooverwhelm us, and frighten us out of our wits by their numbers. Two orthree of our men lay wounded, dying on the deck. It seemed, indeed,that the pirates were gaining the advantage. A'Dale, who was a stoutfellow and well accustomed to the use of his sword, laid about himlustily, and assisted much in keeping them at bay. It was prettyevident that the watch on deck had been taken by surprise, and that thepoor fellows who lay weltering in their blood had been cut downunawares. The captain, however, to do him justice, was doing his bestto make amends for his want of caution, and was fighting bravely,appearing now in one place, now in another, wherever the enemy were seenclimbing up the sides. Still they were determined fellows, and thereappeared too great a probability that they would take the ship. But atlength we drove most of them back into their boats; several of thebravest being killed. Our men began to shout "Victory! victory!" rathertoo soon. In another instant the enemy were again swarming up thesides, urged on by their leaders. They were evidently a large andwell-organised body, and seemed determined to conquer or lose theirlives in their attempt to take the vessel. Once more they appearedabove the bulwarks, several following each other in quick succession,and dropping down on our decks in spite of our utmost efforts to repelthem. Once having gained a footing, they were enabled to keep a clearspace, by which others entered. Our captain, seeing that a desperateeffort must be made to drive them back, called on A'Dale and me andseveral of the men to attack them. We rushed forward, and a fiercercombat ensued than had yet taken place. I felt a sharp pang in myshoulder, and knew that I was wounded; but though the blood flowedfreely, I was yet able to wield my sword. Still the number of ourenemies increased, and inch by inch they drove us back, the largerportion of our crew being compelled all this time to guard the sidesfrom the assaults of other parties who were endeavouring to climb upthem. I began to fear, as I saw the state of affairs, that the_Diamond_ and her rich cargo would fall into the hands of the pirates.They too seemed to consider themselves secure of victory, for with loudshouts they encouraged each other to push on, calling at the same timeto their comrades, who were yet in the boats alongside, to come up andsecure their victory. Already some of our men began to cry out that allwas lost, and entreat for quarter. Just then a seaman, who had been onthe opposite side to that attacked by the pirates, came running up tothe captain to tell him that more enemies were coming.
"Better die fighting like brave men than yield," answered Captain Davis.
As he spoke, I looked on one side and saw the heads of people appearingover the bulwarks.
"To the rescue! a Gresham! a Gresham!" they shouted. I was afraid thatthis was only to deceive us; I recognised, however, the voice of thestranger who had offered his services. And now, before the piratescould get over to attack them, some twenty well-armed men leaped down onour decks, and springing to our side, with pikes and swords drove backour assailants. In vain the pirates attempted to resist the attack.Our friends were fresh, while our enemies had already exhaustedthemselves in the efforts they had been making. The pirates asked forno quarter: neither our supporters nor our crew were inclined to giveit. Several were cut down and killed on the deck, others saved theirlives by ignominiously jumping over the bulwarks; and so rapidly did thefortune of war change, that in a few minutes not a live pirate was to beseen on our decks. Several were hurled headlong into their boatsdesperately wounded, others thrown overboard.
The pirates' boats were now seen shoving off, and attempting to maketheir escape. As soon as this was perceived by the stranger, he calledto his men, and they, returning to their boats, made chase. They werenot long in overtaking them, and in the midst of the gloom we could justdistinguish the boats apparently mingled together. Again we heardshouts and cries, and the sharp report of arquebuses, with the clashingof steel. Which party was gaining the victory, however, we could nottell. At length the two boats of our friends appeared coming out of thegloom, towing a third. They were soon alongside, and the strangercaptain appeared on our deck with three prisoners. They were all he hadbeen able to take. As lanterns were held to their countenances, theyappeared to be ruffian fellows, from whom but little information couldbe obtained. They seemed also to be expecting instant death, abjectterror adding to the ill favour of their looks.
Although the captain and other persons on board spoke Flemish, I, asbeing the best linguist, was deputed to speak to the men. I told themthat now they were our prisoners we could do as we thought right, but wehad no wish to kill them, even though they might deserve death. I thenasked them at whose instigation they had attacked us. At length Idiscovered that the band was composed of persons who had been drivenfrom their homes by the persecutions of the Spaniards; that some oneamong them, of superior rank to the rest, had heard, by some means orother, that the ship we sailed in had a large treasure on board, ofwhich they hoped to possess themselves. Captain Davis consulted with usas to what we should do with our prisoners. We agreed that it might beas well to show them the cargo of the ship, and to ask them whether theythought it worth risking their lives to obtain it; and then to let themgo, hoping that they would persuade their comrades not further to pursueus; for, although this first party had been driven back, we believed theassertion of the men, that there were a vast number more, who might,should the wind continue contrary, overtake us in their row-boats, andcarry out their original plan.