CHAPTER EIGHT.
If, as is asserted, the pleasures of life consist rather in theanticipation than in the fruition, or perhaps we may say, in the meanstaken to enjoy them, rather than in the objects when obtained; so, mostassuredly, is the anticipation of evil worse than the evil itself; andmisfortunes, which appear great and terrible when looked at timidly froma distance, diminish, if they do not altogether disappear, when grappledwith manfully.
In fact, as somebody or other observed, once upon a time, that wheneverhe wrote a philosophical, a beautiful, or a noble sentiment, thatfellow, Shakspeare, was sure to have been before him; I might morebriefly express what I wanted to say, by quoting our great poet--
"Cowards die many times before their death."
Now, as neither Bowse, nor his officers or men, were characters of thatdescription, but, on the contrary, as brave fellows as ever lookeddanger in the face without flinching, they, on their own accounts, caredvery little whether the craft in sight was a pirate or an honest trader.But it was now very evident that the speronara had an object insteering, as she was clearly doing, for the brig, and as that objectcould scarcely be otherwise than hostile, there was a possibility oftheir being attacked; and with one of those unpremeditated cheers whichBritish seamen cannot refrain from giving at the thoughts of a skirmish,every man hastened to buckle a cutlass to his side. Powder and shotwere got up, and the small arms and boarding-pikes were placed by thesides of the guns, ready at hand, to be seized in a moment. The spiritof the veteran soldier was instantly aroused in the bosom of ColonelGauntlett. As he sniffed the air of battle, the querulous, ill-temperedold gentleman was changed into the cool and gallant officer. As soon asMitchell understood what was likely to happen, he was seen to dive intothe cabin, from whence he soon returned, when going up to his master, hestood before him anticipating his orders.
"Mitchell, my sword and pistols, and bring me some ammunition, too, markme."
The servant's hand rose to his cap, and turning round, he againdescended to the cabin, reappearing in less than half a minute with theweapons. The colonel buckled on his sword with far greater satisfactionthan a dandy tries on a new coat, and after carefully loading andpriming his pistols, which were of exquisite workmanship, he placedthem, with a look of satisfaction, in his belt. Not a word, however,did he say while thus employed. The first observation was to hisservant.
"Mitchell," he said, "if that rascally felucca attempts to board us, youare to act as my reserve, remember. We shall have to charge on to herdeck, or her people will charge on to ours, and you are to keep closebehind me, and support me if I require you."
"Yes, your honour," answered Mitchell, in imitation of his masterfastening a cutlass round his waist. "Is it them chaps in thenight-caps on board the little boat out there we've to fight?"
"It is, Mitchell, the people in that felucca now approaching us," saidthe colonel.
"Och, then, by the powers, we'll blow them to blazes with these littledarlins alone;" and thereon he pulled forth from his coat-tail pockets apair of huge horse-pistols, of antique date and prodigious bore, whichwould almost require a rest from which to fire them.
The sun had set, and the short twilight of that southern latitude wasfast disappearing, yet sufficient remained to show the outline of thesperonara as the two vessels drew near to each other, though moredistant objects had long since been shrouded from sight. Her taperinglateen sails now, as seen in one, appeared like the summit of a loftypyramid of dark hue, surrounded by the waves. Then, as they approachedstill nearer, and she was almost abeam, the crew were seen standing up,and watching them with eagerness. Instead, however, of attempting topass ahead of the brig, as she came near, she kept away so as pass closeunder her quarter. Now came the anxious time. If she was about toboard, she would be alongside in another instant. Bowse, however, feltthat whatever might be his suspicions of her honesty, without some morepresumptive evidence of evil intentions, it would not do for him tocommence hostilities; he therefore, taking his speaking-trumpet in hishand, went aft, and leaned ever the quarter-rail.
The speronara came rapidly on, and was close to.
"I have one message for you," exclaimed a voice from the deck of thestranger, in Italian accents--"send boat here."
"I'll see you damned first," exclaimed Bowse. "I've no boat to send--send yours," he shouted through his speaking-trumpet.
"Heave to, there--I send boat," was shouted in return from thesperonara; and she was immediately seen to hug the wind, her helm wasput down, and about she came on the other tack, the same on which the_Zodiac_ was sailing, placing herself thus on their weather quarter.
"Keep her away," shouted Bowse to the man at the helm, thinking that thesperonara was about to board him; but immediately he saw he wasmistaken, for instead of her fore-sheet being eased off, it was kept towindward, and, as she lay hove-to, he observed preparations to launch aboat into the water. "I suppose, sir, we may let these fellows come onboard?" he said, addressing the colonel, who was by his side; "they cando us no harm, and they may possibly have a message."
"As you think fit, Captain Bowse," returned the colonel, who was sopleased with the master's coolness and bearing, that he no longerrefused to give him the usual title,--"I've no objection. They can'teat us; and if they meditate running alongside, they will see we areprepared for them."
"Put the helm down, my lad, round in the weather after-braces, and laythe main-yard square--brace up the head yards--rouse in the main sheet--ease off the head sheets."
These orders being executed, and the brig brought to the wind, she washove to, with her head in the same direction as that of the speronara.That vessel could just be seen to windward, looking dark against thewestern sky, and far larger than she really was, slowly forging ahead,while a small boat could just be discerned traversing the interveningspace.
"Well, as we are to have no fighting, I suppose, I will just go andrelieve the anxiety of my little girl," said the colonel, whose goodhumour was now in the ascendant.
No sooner did his niece see him than she flew into his arms, and kissedhis cheek affectionately--an example Marianna, in the exuberance of herjoy at finding there was to be no fighting, was nearly imitating.
"Oh, dear uncle, I am so glad that there is no danger to be encountered.You cannot tell how anxious I have been."
"Well, missie, since you don't like the cabin you shall come on deck andsee what next takes place; we are going to have some visitors, itappears." Saying this, he gallantly placed a shawl on her shoulders,and gave his hand to lead her on deck.
While the boat of the speronara was approaching, three or four of the_Zodiac's_ crew were collected by the foremost gun, watching herprogress with no little interest. Two of them were regular salts of theold school, who still delighted in ear-rings and pigtails, though, incompliment to the degenerate taste of the times, they wore the latterornaments much smaller than they had done in their younger days. Theywere prime seamen, and fellows who were ready to go down with theircolours flying rather than strike to an enemy.
"You have heard tell on the _Flying Dutchman_, of course, Bill," saidJem Marline, casting a look to windward at the speronara, and hitchingup his trousers, while he squirted a stream of tobacco-juice through theport.
"On course," answered Bill Rullock, "I haven't been to sea near thirtyyears without, messmate."
"Did you ever cast eyes on the chap, though?" asked Jem.
"Can't say as how I have," answered Bill. "But there's many they saywho has, and few who ever lived to tell of it. But what was youthinking on, Jem?"
"Why you see, Bill," replied his chum, "I don't altogether like thecircumbendibus ways of that ere chap to windward. You see, first inMalta harbour, we falls in with him or one like him, for I don't say,mind you, that that ere craft is the same which nearly ran foul on usyesterday; then out he goes right ahead of us, and then just as it's gotdark, down he comes again, and wants to send a boat aboard us. Now yousee as how that's the th
ing I don't in no manner of ways approve on. IfI was our skipper, I would send a round shot right into the boat, soonerthan any of his people should step on this deck. That's just the trickthe cursed Dutchman's up to."
"No manner o' doubt about it," said Bill gravely; "but you know, Jem,they say the Dutchman's cruising ground is off the Cape, in afull-rigged ship, and I never heard on his coming into these parts."
"True as gospel, old shipmate, but how should we know that he hasn't gottired of the Cape, and taken a trip up here?" argued Jem. "And as tothe matter of the rig, he may shift his craft according to the sea he'sin. Besides, you know as how if there's one _Flying Dutchman_, theremay be two, and this fellow may have come to trouble us here, up thestraits. Depend on't, Bill, the less company one keeps with them sortof gentry the better."
"Very true, Jem, but suppose a chap out of that boat then does come onboard, what's to happen think ye?" asked Bill, in a tone which showedthat he in no way doubted his messmate's account.
"Why I can't say exactly, because as how I never seed what he does; butfrom what I've heard, I believe he tries to slip a letter like into theskipper's or some 'un's hand who's green enough to take it; and then thechap, who's no better nor Davy Jones himself, gives a loud laugh, anddown goes the ship to the bottom, or else a hurricane is sure to get upand drive her ashore. But here comes that cursed felucca's boat. Iwish we might just let fly at her; it would save mischief, I'll besworn."
"Bear a hand there with a rope for the boat coming alongside," sung outthe captain in a loud voice, which sounded as ominous of evil to theears of the superstitious crew. "Bring a lantern here to the gangway,"he added. Bowse, with his first mate and Colonel Gauntlett, stood nearthe gangway, which was lighted up with a lantern to receive thestrangers, as a small boat containing in all only four persons, cameround under the brig's stern. They pulled only two oars, and two peoplewere seated in the stern sheet. "Keep an eye to windward there,Larkins, on that felucca," said the first mate to the second, as he wentto his captain's summons. "I don't altogether think her cut honest."
"A mighty fuss about a very small affair, I suspect," muttered thecolonel, as a figure was seen to ascend from the boat up the side of thebrig.
The stranger was dressed in the Phrygian cap, and simple garb of aSicilian mariner. His appearance, as far as it could be judged of bythe dim light of the lantern, was anything but prepossessing. Aprofusion of long, straggling, grizzly locks, once probably of ravenhue, which evidently had not felt the barber's scissors for many a year,concealed the greater part of his face which was still further hidden bya patch over one eye, and a handkerchief bound round his head, while hismouth was surrounded by an enormous pair of moustachios, and a beard ofsimilar character, so that little more than the tip of a red nose, and arolling fierce eye was visible. As he reached the deck, this handsomepersonage bowed to the group before him, without speaking, while heglanced his eye round at the crew, who still wore their cutlasses, andat the other weapons which were placed ready for use.
Behind the group I have described, stood several of the crew, among whomwere Jem Marline, and his chum Bill Bullock, and if the stranger hadbeen able to read the expression of their countenances, he wouldcertainly have been a bold man, had he not felt some apprehension; forthey spoke almost as plainly as words could do, that had they the power,they would, without ceremony, heave him into the sea. There were fear,suspicion, and dislike, strangely blended with the usual boldrecklessness which had given a character to their features a suddenemotion could not obliterate. Fortunately, however, the light of thelantern fell in such a way as to throw them, where they stood, intoshade.
"What is it you want with us, signor?" said Bowse, in his usual blunttone, seeing that the other did not speak.
"To carry us all to Davy Jones, if we don't look sharp," muttered JemMarline to his messmate. "The beggar will be handing a letter directly,and then stand by for squall."
The stranger shook his head, as if not comprehending what was said.
"That's it," whispered Jem, in a tone of terror. "He don't speak. Henever does."
Bowse repeated the question, in the _lingua Franca_ of those seas.
The stranger shook his head.
"He does not understand our lingo," observed Bowse. "Here, Timmins, youspeak a little Italian--just ask this gentleman what he wants aboardhere."
"Ay, ay, sir," said the mate coming forward, and asking the question inexecrable Italian.
Again the stranger shook his head, as if not comprehending the question,and finding that not much progress was likely to be made at this rate,he turned round, and leaning through the gangway, beckoned his companionto come on deck. As he drew back, another person appeared, dressedprecisely in the same manner; but evidently very much younger. A longmoustache shaded his mouth, and wild elf-locks concealed the greaterportion of his face, and from a patch down one side of his cheek, helooked as if, like his elder companion, he had been engaged in somesevere fighting. The light of the lantern, as he reached the deck,seemed particularly to annoy him, and he stood with his eyes cast on thedeck, shading them with one of his hands, nor could he meet the glanceof any of those surrounding him.
"What do you wish to explain?" said the second stranger in Italian,bowing with a not ungraceful bend, and a touch of his hand to his cap.
"Oh! you can speak, can you? Well, that's all right," said Timmins."And now, if you please, tell us why it is the felucca there was soanxious to speak to us?"
"_Si, signor_," answered the younger stranger, very slowly; and in anItalian which was mostly understood, he then explained that thesperonara, of which his father was master, had, that afternoon, fallenin with an Austrian man-of-war brig, which had brought her to, and senta boat on board her. The officers, he said, informed them that thenoted Greek pirate Zappa, in his famous brig the _Sea Hawk_, had latelybeen heard of not far from the mouth of the Adriatic, and that he hadplundered and destroyed several vessels. The Austrian, he said, hadgiven him despatches for the governor of Malta, relative to the subject,as also to the Neapolitan Government, with a reward for carrying them,and had charged them to inform all vessels they should fall in with ofwhat had occurred.
"Then he did not tell you to speak us in particular," said Timmins.
"_Si, signor_, he expressly--oh! no--not you in particular--oh, no,"replied the young man.
"Have you nothing further to tell us?" said Timmins. "Because you see,though we are much obliged to you for your information, we are in ahurry to be on our course again, and if you should happen to fall inwith the Signor Zappa and his brig the _Sea Hawk_, just tell him thatthe _Zodiac_ will give him a warm reception if he attempts to play offany of his tricks upon her."
"You don't know the pirate," exclaimed the young man vehemently, "he--"
"Do you know him?" said Timmins, fixing his eye upon him. The man'sglance quailed before that of the stout sailor.
"Oh no, signor, I don't know him--I have heard of him though."
"Oh! is that it?" said the mate, interpreting what he heard to thecaptain.
"Well, just ask him and his father if they will come down below, andtake a glass of something before they shove off," said Bowse.
A few words were exchanged between the two strangers in a low tone, andthere appeared to be some hesitation on the part of the elder; but, atlast, they consented, and followed the master into an outer cabin, whichhe had retained as his own, and where he and his mate messed. A doorfrom it opened into the cabins engaged by the colonel, who, when he sawthe strangers, retired also with his niece into their cabin.
As the door between the two stood open, all that took place in one couldbe heard in the other.
"Let the Italians come in here, Mr Bowse," said the colonel, from theinner cabin. "I will give them a glass of sherry which they will likebetter than rum and water, and it will do them more good than their ownthin wash."
When the strangers, who, directed by the signs made by the master, foundthe
mselves in the presence of a lady, they stood somewhat abashed, itseemed, and bowed respectfully as they quaffed off the wine offered tothem. The bright light which was shed from a lamp hanging from the deckseemed also much to annoy their eyes, long accustomed to darkness, andthey kept their faces shaded by their hands during the short time theywere in the cabin, so that little or nothing of their feature? could beseen.
For an instant, however, the eyes of the youngest fell on Ada, and, atthat moment, there gleamed in them a peculiar expression, which shecould not help remarking; but what it meant to say, she was at a loss tocomprehend. It was certainly a look of intelligence, as if he expectedto be understood; but there was also blended with it an expression ofadmiration, pity, and regret, which further puzzled her. At all events,she was convinced that, by that look, he intended to convey somemeaning, which he dared not otherwise explain.
The strangers remained scarcely a minute below, and respectfully wishingthe occupants of the cabin a good evening, they took their leave. Theelder went first, and as the second followed, he appeared to stumble atthe door. As he did so, he let a folded paper fall from his hand, and,at the same instant, he gave a hurried glance at Ada over his shoulder.Before she had time to tell him of his loss, he had sprung up thecompanion-ladder. The strangers were quickly in their boat, which, withrapid strokes, pulled back towards the speronara.
"Up with the helm, my lad," exclaimed the captain, in a hurried tone, tothe man at the wheel, as soon as the boat left the side, "haul aft thehead sheets--ease off the main sheet; Mr Timmins, we'll keep her on herright course."
"Ay, ay, sir," answered the mate--shouting as the brig's head fell off,"square away the head yards, my men; come, be sharp about it."
"And what do you think, Timmins, of those fellows' account of theAustrian brig and the pirate? It seems somewhat strange, doesn't it?"said Bowse, as he walked the deck with his first officer as soon as theyhad put the ship on her former course. The speronara still lay hove toright astern, her outline every instant becoming more indistinct as thebrig ran from her.
"Why, sir," replied the mate, in return to his commander's question. "Idon't think any good of it, and that's a fact; but if you ask if Ibelieve it, I don't do that neither. These Italians are much given tolying at best, as far as my experience goes; and I believe we have justheard a pretty round lie, though I don't say there was no truthaltogether in it. To my mind, if there is such a chap as that Zap--whatdo they call him, the pirate--it is much more likely that he is on boardthat felucca, or perhaps he was one of the fellows who came on board us,than that an Austrian man-of-war brig should have sent her cruisingabout to give notice of him to English merchantmen."
"Well, Timmins, that's my view of the case," replied Bowse; "I think theAustrian brig would have stood on to Malta herself, seeing she must havebeen almost in sight of it, instead of sending a craft of that sort witha message. Besides, what business had the speronara there at all?"
"There's something very suspicious about it, at all events," returnedthe mate. "Now, though I don't often listen to what the men say,Captain Bowse, and they generally get hold of the wrong end of a thing,yet they have often an inkling of what's right and wrong. Well, sir,they've already got all sorts of stories aboard here, about the _FlyingDutchman_ and such-like stuff, and they don't at all like the look ofthings. When you were below with the strangers, they talked of throwingthem crop and heels overboard and letting them swim to their boats, andI believe if you hadn't come up with them on deck yourself, they wouldnot have let me prevent them."
"I believe the people are right, Timmins, in thinking that the twofellows who stood on our deck lately are knaves, but it wouldn't havedone to heave them overboard," said the master. "However, they are notlikely to do us any harm if we keep a bright look-out, and should anyrascally pirate attack us, I'm sure all on board here will stand totheir guns like men."