CHAPTER II
----"A horseman's coat shall hide thy taper shape and comeliness of side: And with a bolder stride and looser air, Mingled with men, a man thou must appear." _Prior_.
When the whale-boat obtained the position we have described, the younglieutenant, who, in consequence of commanding a schooner, was usuallyaddressed by the title of captain, stepped on the rocks, followed by theyouthful midshipman, who had quitted the barge to aid in the hazardousduty of their expedition.
"This is, at best, but a Jacob's ladder we have to climb," saidBarnstable, casting his eyes upward at the difficult ascent, "and it'sby no means certain that we shall be well received, when we get up, eventhough we should reach the top."
"We are under the guns of the frigate," returned the boy; "and youremember, sir, three oar-blades and a pistol, repeated from the barge,will draw her fire."
"Yes, on our own heads. Boy, never be so foolish as to trust a longshot. It makes a great smoke and some noise, but it's a terribleuncertain manner of throwing old iron about. In such a business as this,I would sooner trust Tom Coffin and his harpoon to back me, than thebest broadside that ever rattled out of the three decks of a ninety-gunship. Come, gather your limbs together, and try if you can walk on terrafirma, Master Coffin."
The seaman who was addressed by this dire appellation arose slowly fromthe place where he was stationed as cockswain of the boat, and seemed toascend high in air by the gradual evolution of numberless folds in hisbody. When erect, he stood nearly six feet and as many inches in hisshoes, though, when elevated in his perpendicular attitude, there was aforward inclination about his head and shoulders that appeared to be theconsequence of habitual confinement in limited lodgings. His whole framewas destitute of the rounded outlines of a well-formed man, thoughhis enormous hands furnished a display of bones and sinews which gaveindication of gigantic strength. On his head he wore a little, low,brown hat of wool, with an arched top, that threw an expressionof peculiar solemnity and hardness over his hard visage, the sharpprominent features of which were completely encircled by a set of blackwhiskers that began to be grizzled a little with age. One of his handsgrasped, with a sort of instinct, the staff of a bright harpoon, thelower end of which he placed firmly on the rock, as, in obedience to theorder of his commander, he left the place where, considering his vastdimensions, he had been established in an incredibly small space.
As soon as Captain Barnstable received this addition to his strength, hegave a few precautionary orders to the men in the boat, and proceededto the difficult task of ascending the rocks. Notwithstanding the greatdaring and personal agility of Barnstable, he would have been completelybaffled in this attempt, but for the assistance he occasionally receivedfrom his cockswain, whose prodigious strength and great length of limbsenabled him to make exertions which it would have been useless formost men to attempt. When within a few feet of the summit, they availedthemselves of a projecting rock to pause for consultation and breath,both of which seemed necessary for their further movements.
"This will be but a bad place for a retreat, if we should happen to fallin with enemies," said Barnstable. "Where are we to look for this pilot,Mr. Merry, or how are we to know him; and what certainty have you thathe will not betray us?"
"The question you are to put to him is written on this bit of paper,"returned the boy, as he handed the other the word of recognition; "wemade the signal on the point of the rock at yon headland, but, as hemust have seen our boat, he will follow us to this place. As to hisbetraying us, he seems to have the confidence of Captain Munson, who haskept a bright lookout for him ever since we made the land."
"Ay," muttered the lieutenant, "and I shall have a bright lookout kepton him now we are _on_ the land. I like not this business of hugging theshore so closely, nor have I much faith in any traitor. What think youof it, Master Coffin?"
The hardy old seaman, thus addressed, turned his grave visage on hiscommander, and replied with a becoming gravity:
"Give me a plenty of sea-room, and good canvas, where there is nooccasion for pilots at all, sir. For my part, I was born on board achebacco-man, and never could see the use of more land than now and thena small island to raise a few vegetables, and to dry your fish--I'm surethe sight of it always makes me feel uncomfortable, unless we have thewind dead off shore."
"Ah! Tom, you are a sensible fellow," said Barnstable, with an air halfcomic, half serious. "But we must be moving; the sun is just touchingthose clouds to seaward, and God keep us from riding out this night atanchor in such a place as this."
Laying his hand on a projection of the rock above him, Barnstable swunghimself forward, and following this movement with a desperate leapor two, he stood at once on the brow of the cliff. His cockswain verydeliberately raised the midshipman after his officer, and proceedingwith more caution but less exertion, he soon placed himself by his side.
When they reached the level land that lay above the cliffs and began toinquire, with curious and wary eyes, into the surrounding scenery,the adventurers discovered a cultivated country, divided in the usualmanner, by hedges and walls. Only one habitation for man, however, andthat a small dilapidated cottage, stood within a mile of them, most ofthe dwellings being placed as far as convenience would permit from thefogs and damps of the ocean.
"Here seems to be neither anything to apprehend, nor the object ofour search," said Barnstable, when he had taken the whole view in hissurvey: "I fear we have landed to no purpose, Mr. Merry. What say you,long Tom; see you what we want?"
"I see no pilot, sir," returned the cockswain; "but it's an ill windthat blows luck to nobody; there is a mouthful of fresh meat stowed awayunder that row of bushes, that would make a double ration to all handsin the Ariel."
The midshipman laughed, as he pointed out to Barnstable the objectof the cockswain's solicitude, which proved to be a fat ox, quietlyruminating under a hedge near them.
"There's many a hungry fellow aboard of us," said the boy, merrily,"who would be glad to second long Tom's motion, if the time and businesswould permit us to slay the animal."
"It is but a lubber's blow, Mr. Merry," returned the cockswain, withouta muscle of his hard face yielding, as he struck the end of his harpoonviolently against the earth, and then made a motion toward poising theweapon; "let Captain Barnstable but say the word, and I'll drive theiron through him to the quick; I've sent it to the seizing in many awhale, that hadn't a jacket of such blubber as that fellow wears."
"Pshaw! you are not on a whaling-voyage, where everything that offers isgame," said Barnstable, turning himself pettishly away from the beast,as if he distrusted his own forbearance; "but stand fast! I see some oneapproaching behind the hedge. Look to your arms, Mr. Merry,--the firstthing we hear may be a shot."
"Not from that cruiser," cried the thoughtless lad; "he is a younker,like myself, and would hardly dare run down upon such a formidable forceas we muster."
"You say true, boy," returned Barnstable, relinquishing the grasp heheld on his pistol. "He comes on with caution, as if afraid. He issmall, and is in drab, though I should hardly call it a pea-jacket--andyet he may be our man. Stand you both here, while I go and hail him."
As Barnstable walked rapidly towards the hedge, that in part concealedthe stranger, the latter stopped suddenly, and seemed to be in doubtwhether to advance or to retreat. Before he had decided on either, theactive sailor was within a few feet of him.
"Pray, sir," said Barnstable, "what water have we in this bay?"
The slight form of the stranger started, with an extraordinary emotion,at this question, and he shrunk aside involuntarily, as if to concealhis features, before he answered, in a voice that was barely audible:
"I should think it would be the water of the German Ocean."
"Indeed! you must have passed no small part of your short life in thestudy of geography, to be so well informed," returned the lieutenant;"perhaps, sir, your cunning is also equal to telling me how long weshall sojourn together, if I make
you a prisoner, in order to enjoy thebenefit of your wit?"
To this alarming intimation, the youth who was addressed made no reply;but as he averted his face, and concealed it with both his hands, theoffended seaman, believing that a salutary impression had been made uponthe fears of his auditor, was about to proceed with his interrogatories.The singular agitation of the stranger's frame, however, caused thelieutenant to continue silent a few moments longer, when, to hisutter amazement, he discovered that what he had mistaken for alarm wasproduced by an endeavor, on the part of the youth, to suppress a violentfit of laughter.
"Now, by all the whales in the sea," cried Barnstable, "but you aremerry out of season, young gentleman. It's quite bad enough to beordered to anchor in such a bay as this with a storm brewing beforemy eyes, without landing to be laughed at by a stripling who has notstrength to carry a beard if he had one, when I ought to be getting anoffing for the safety of both body and soul. But I'll know more of youand your jokes, if I take you into my own mess, and am giggled out of mysleep for the rest of the cruise."
As the commander of the schooner concluded, he approached the stranger,with an air of offering some violence, but the other shrank back fromhis extended arm, and exclaimed, with a voice in which real terror hadgotten the better of mirth:
"Barnstable! dear Barnstable! would you harm me?"
The sailor recoiled several feet, at this unexpected appeal, and rubbinghis eyes, he threw the cap from his head, before he cried:
"What do I hear! and what do I see! There lies the Ariel--and yonder isthe frigate. Can this be Katherine Plowden!"
His doubts, if any doubts remained, were soon removed, for the strangersank on the bank at her side, in an attitude in which female bashfulnesswas beautifully contrasted with her attire, and gave vent to her mirthin an uncontrollable burst of merriment.
From that moment, all thoughts of his duty, and the pilot, or even ofthe Ariel, appeared to be banished from the mind of the seaman, whosprang to her side, and joined in her mirth, though he hardly knew whyor wherefore.
When the diverted girl had in some degree recovered her composure, sheturned to her companion, who had sat good-naturedly by her side, contentto be laughed at, and said:
"But this is not only silly, but cruel to others. I owe you anexplanation of my unexpected appearance, and perhaps, also, of myextraordinary attire."
"I can anticipate everything," cried Barnstable; "you heard that wewere on the coast, and have flown to redeem the promises you made me inAmerica. But I ask no more; the chaplain of the frigate--"
"May preach as usual, and to as little purpose," interrupted thedisguised female; "but no nuptial benediction shall be pronounced overme, until I have effected the object of this hazardous experiment. Youare not usually selfish, Barnstable; would you have me forgetful of thehappiness of others?"
"Of whom do you speak?"
"My poor, my devoted cousin. I heard that two vessels answering thedescription of the frigate and the Ariel were seen hovering on thecoast, and I determined at once to have a communication with you. Ihave followed your movements for a week, in this dress, but have beenunsuccessful till now. To-day I observed you to approach nearer tothe shore than usual, and happily, by being adventurous, I have beensuccessful."
"Ay, God knows we are near enough to the land! But does Captain Munsonknow of your wish to get on board his ship?"
"Certainly not--none know of it but yourself. I thought that if Griffithand you could learn our situation, you might be tempted to hazard alittle to redeem us from our thraldom. In this paper I have preparedsuch an account as will, I trust, excite all your chivalry, and by whichyou may govern your movements."
"Our movements!" interrupted Barnstable. "You will pilot us in person."
"Then there's two of them!" said a hoarse voice near them.
The alarmed female shrieked as she recovered her feet, but she stilladhered, with instinctive dependence, to the side of her lover.Barnstable, who recognized the tones of his cockswain, bent an angrybrow on the sober visage that was peering at them above the hedge, anddemanded the meaning of the interruption.
"Seeing you were hull down, sir, and not knowing but the chase mightlead you ashore, Mr. Merry thought it best to have a lookout kept. Itold him that you were overhauling the mail-bags of the messenger forthe news, but as he was an officer, sir, and I nothing but a commonhand, I did as he ordered."
"Return, sir, where I commanded you to remain," said Barnstable, "anddesire Mr. Merry to wait my pleasure."
The cockswain gave the usual reply of an obedient seaman; but beforehe left the hedge, he stretched out one of his brawny arms towards theocean, and said, in tones of solemnity suited to his apprehensions andcharacter:
"I showed you how to knot a reef-point, and pass a gasket, CaptainBarnstable, nor do I believe you could even take two half-hitches whenyou first came aboard of the Spalmacitty. These be things that a manis soon expart in, but it takes the time of his nat'ral life to larn toknow the weather. There be streaked wind-galls in the offing, that speakas plainly to all that see them, and know God's language in the clouds,as ever you spoke through a trumpet, to shorten sail; besides, sir,don't you hear the sea moaning as if it knew the hour was at hand whenit was to wake up from its sleep!"
"Ay, Tom," returned his officer, walking to the edge of the cliffs,and throwing a seaman's glance at the gloomy ocean, "'tis a threateningnight indeed; but this pilot must be had--and--"
"Is that the man?" interrupted the cockswain, pointing toward a manwho was standing not far from them, an attentive observer of theirproceedings, the same time that he was narrowly watched himself by theyoung midshipman. "God send that he knows his trade well, for the bottomof a ship will need eyes to find its road out of this wild anchorage."
"That must indeed be the man!" exclaimed Barnstable, at once recalled tohis duty. He then held a short dialogue with his female companion, whomhe left concealed by the hedge, and proceeded to address the stranger.When near enough to be heard, the commander of the schooner demanded:
"What water have you in this bay?"
The stranger, who seemed to expect this question, answered without theleast hesitation:
"Enough to take all out in safety, who have entered with confidence."
"You are the man I seek," cried Barnstable; "are you ready to go off?"
"Both ready and willing," returned the pilot, "and there is need ofhaste. I would give the best hundred guineas that ever were coined fortwo hours more use of that sun which has left us, or for even the timeof this fading twilight."
"Think you our situation so bad?" said the lieutenant. "Follow thisgentleman to the boat then; I will join you by the time you can descendthe cliffs. I believe I can prevail on another hand to go off with us."
"Time is more precious now than any number of hands," said the pilot,throwing a glance of impatience from under his lowering brows, "and theconsequences of delay must be visited on those who occasion it."
"And, sir, I will meet the consequences with those who have a right toinquire into my conduct," said Barnstable, haughtily.
With this warning and retort they separated; the young officer retracinghis steps impatiently toward his mistress, muttering his indignation insuppressed execrations, and the pilot, drawing the leathern belt of hispea-jacket mechanically around his body, as he followed the midshipmanand cockswain to their boat, in moody silence.
Barnstable found the disguised female who had announced herself asKatherine Plowden, awaiting his return, with intense anxiety depictedon every feature of her intelligent countenance. As he felt all theresponsibility of his situation, notwithstanding his cool reply to thepilot, the young man hastily drew an arm of the apparent boy, forgetfulof her disguise, through his own, and led her forward.
"Come, Katherine," he said, "the time urges to be prompt."
"What pressing necessity is there for immediate departure?" sheinquired, checking his movements by withdrawing herself from his side.
/> "You heard the ominous prognostic of my cockswain on the weather, andI am forced to add my own testimony to his opinion. 'Tis a crazy nightthat threatens us, though I cannot repent of coming into the bay, sinceit has led to this interview."
"God forbid that we should either of us have cause to repent of it,"said Katherine, the paleness of anxiety chasing away the rich bloomthat had mantled the animated face of the brunette. "But you have thepaper--follow its directions, and come to our rescue; you will find uswilling captives, if Griffith and yourself are our conquerors."
"What mean you, Katherine!" exclaimed her lover; "you at least are nowin safety--'twould be madness to tempt your fate again. My vesselcan and shall protect you, until your cousin is redeemed; and then,remember, I have a claim on you for life."
"And how would you dispose of me in the interval?" said the youngmaiden, retreating slowly from his advances.
"In the Ariel--by heaven, you shall be her commander; I will bear thatrank only in name."
"I thank you, thank you, Barnstable, but distrust my abilities to fillsuch a station," she said, laughing, though the color that again crossedher youthful features was like the glow of a summer's sunset, and evenher mirthful eyes seemed to reflect their tints. "Do not mistake me,saucy one. If I have done more than my sex will warrant, remember it wasthrough a holy motive, and if I have more than a woman's enterprise, itmust be----"
"To lift you above the weakness of your sex," he cried, "and to enableyou to show your noble confidence in me."
"To fit me for, and to keep me worthy of being one day your wife." Asshe uttered these words she turned and disappeared, with a rapidity thateluded his attempts to detain her, behind an angle of the hedge, thatwas near them. For a moment, Barnstable remained motionless, throughsurprise, and when he sprang forward in pursuit, he was able only tocatch a glimpse of her light form, in the gloom of the evening, as sheagain vanished in a little thicket at some distance.
Barnstable was about to pursue, when the air lighted with a suddenflash, and the bellowing report of a cannon rolled along the cliffs, andwas echoed among the hills far inland.
"Ay, grumble away, old dotard!" the disappointed young sailor mutteredto himself, while he reluctantly obeyed the signal; "you are in as greata hurry to get out of your danger as you were to run into it."
The quick reports of three muskets from the barge beneath where he stoodurged him to quicken his pace, and as he threw himself carelessly downthe rugged and dangerous passes of the cliffs, his experienced eyebeheld the well-known lights displayed from the frigate, which commanded"the recall of all her boats."