CHAPTER X.
RELEASE AND RETRIBUTION.
Then came the sound of the fore-hatch being unfastened and liftedaside, and the light of a lantern flashed into the hold. Whatever theman sought, he soon found it; for he said triumphantly,--
"There, now! Do you see it? Didn't I say right?"
He drew the hatch back again, and with his companion went stumbling offto the cabin. As the hatch was opened, Eric shrank back into a corner,for he knew not what the man might be about. But when all was silentagain, he crept to the spot underneath the hatchway, and looked up.
The instant he did so he saw something that caused his heart to give awild bound. It was one little star shining brightly into his eye. Thesailor had carelessly left the hatch unfastened and drawn a littleaside.
The way of escape was there!
With bated breath and beating heart, Eric raised himself softly andpushed at the hatch. At first it would not budge, but on his puttingforth more strength, it slid away a few inches, making no perceptiblenoise.
Little by little he pushed at it, until there was space enough for himto pass through. Then, with extreme caution, he lifted himself untilhe could survey the deck, and peered eagerly into the darkness to seeif any of the men were about. There was no moon, but the stars shonetheir brightest; and as the boy's eyes were accustomed to the darkness,he could see fairly well.
It was easy for him to swing himself up on the deck. Then, crouched inthe deep shadow of the foremast, he looked anxiously about him. Not asoul was in sight. Not a sound disturbed the still air. The blackline of the wharf rose but a few feet above the bulwarks. Glidingnoiselessly across, he finally got upon the rail, and thence, with anactive spring, upon the wharf. He was free!
The wharf was as deserted and silent as the schooner's deck. Along oneside was piled a line of casks and barrels, behind which he crept withthe quietness of a cat until the tall warehouses were reached; then,straightening himself up, he moved more rapidly until he came out uponthe street, which opened to right and left, leading away into thedarkness--whither, he knew not.
Taking the right turning, he hastened on, resolved to appeal forprotection to the first respectable-looking person he might meet. Bythe dim light of infrequent oil-lamps at the corners, he could make outthat he was in a street of shops, taverns, and warehouses.
Some of the taverns were still open, but all the other buildings wereclosed. Very few persons were about, and as these all appeared to beseafaring folk he carefully avoided them, keeping in the shadow ofporches and alley-ways until they passed. He was in a state of highexcitement--his anxiety to find some safe refuge contending with joy athis escape from the wreckers' clutches.
He must have gone about a quarter of a mile, when, just as heapproached a tavern that was still in full blast, the door suddenlyopened, and a broad band of light fell upon the pavement, in the midstof which appeared Evil-Eye, roaring out a drunken song as he beckonedto others inside to follow him.
For an instant Eric stood rooted to the spot with terror. His limbsseemed powerless. Then, as quick as a squirrel, he darted into a darkalley at his right, and, trembling like an aspen leaf, waited forEvil-Eye to pass. The drunken scoundrel lingered for what seemed anhour of agony to the terror-stricken boy; but at length, being joinedby his companions, staggered off toward the schooner. The boy, comingout from his retreat as soon as the coast was clear, made all haste inthe other direction.
Following up the street, which turned and twisted in the puzzlingfashion peculiar to Boston, he was glad to find it leading him to theupper part of the city; and after fifteen minutes' smart walking, hecame out into a broad avenue, lined on both sides with handsome houses.Here he would surely meet with some one to whom he could safely tellhis story.
Weary from excitement and exertion, he sat down upon a broad doorstep,which was in the shadow itself, but commanded a stretch of sidewalkilluminated by a street lamp. He thought he would rest there a while,and in the meantime some one would surely come along. Just as he satdown, the bell of a church-tower clock near by slowly tolled out themidnight hour.
"Oh, gracious! how late it is!" he sighed. "I do hope I shall not haveto stay here all the night!"
A few minutes later he heard the sound of approaching steps. They wereslow and deliberate, not those of an unsteady reveller. They camenearer and nearer, and then there emerged into the line of light thefigure of a man, tall and stately, wrapped in a black dress, over whosecloak collar fell long locks of snow-white hair.
Not a moment did Eric hesitate. Springing from his hiding-place with asuddenness that caused the passer-by to start in some alarm, he caughthold of the ample cloak, and, lifting up his face to the wearer, saidbeseechingly, "Oh, sir, won't you help me?"
Quite reassured on seeing how youthful was this sudden disturber of hishomeward walk, the gentleman looked down at the eager, pleading face,and, attracted at once by its honesty, put his hand kindly upon theboy's shoulder, saying,--
"Pray, what is the matter, my son? I will gladly help you, as may bewithin my power."
The grave, gentle words, with their assurance of protection, wrought aquick revulsion in poor Eric's feelings, strained as they had been forso long to their highest pitch. Instead of replying at once, he burstinto tears; and his new-found friend, seeing that he had no ordinarycase to deal with, took him by the arm, and soothingly said,--
"Come with me. My house is near by. You shall tell me your storythere."
Directing his steps to a large house, in which lights were stillburning, he led Eric into a room whose walls were lined with rows ofportly volumes.
"Now, my son," said he, "be seated; and when you feel more composed,tell me your troubles. I am quite at your service."
With a delicious sense of security, such as he had not felt for manymonths, Eric sank into a big armchair, and proceeded to tell hisstrange story to the grave old gentleman before him. With intenseinterest and sympathy did Dr. Saltonstall listen to the remarkablenarrative as it was simply related, putting in a question now and thenwhen he wanted fuller details. As soon as the boy had finished, thedoctor arose and again put on his hat and cloak.
"Master Copeland," said he, "this is a communication of the utmostimportance, and it must be laid before the governor this very night,that immediate action thereon may be taken. I had but lately left hishonour when, in God's good providence, I met you. We will go at onceto his mansion. Haply he has not yet retired for the night."
Forthwith the two set out, and, walking rapidly, were soon at thegovernor's mansion. Fortunately he was still awake, and at once gaveaudience to his late visitors. Before him Eric rehearsed his story.The Honourable Mr. Strong listened with no less interest than had Dr.Saltonstall; nor was he less prompt in taking action. His secretarywas summoned, and orders given for a strong posse of constables to bedespatched without loss of time in search of the schooner.
Eric so fully described her that the finding of her would be an easymatter.
But while this was being arranged, a thought flashed into Eric's mindwhich filled him with great concern. Ben was, no doubt, upon theschooner now, and would be captured with the others. Would he not thenshare their fate, whatever that might be? And if so, would not Ericseem to be wickedly ungrateful if he made no effort to save him? Thenthere was also his faithful friend Prince, to whom both Ben and himselfwere so much indebted.
To think was to act. Going manfully up to the austere-lookinggovernor, he put in a passionate plea for the big man and the dog, whohad been such faithful protectors, and but for whom, indeed, he wouldnot then be living. His honour was evidently touched by his loyaladvocacy.
"Do not distress your mind, my lad," said he kindly. "I have no doubtwe can find a way of escape for your friend. He certainly deservesconsideration at our hands, and your noble Prince shall be carefullysought for."
The remainder of the story is soon told. The schooner was readilyfound. The wreckers, surprised in
their bunks, proved an easy capture,and before daybreak all were safely locked up in jail. Prince was alsofound and restored to the delighted Eric, who now felt as though hiscup of rejoicing was full. The trial of the wreckers excitedwidespread interest, and made Eric the hero of the hour. Ben, takingthe advice of Dr. Saltonstall, turned state's evidence, and wasreleased. But the other wreckers--from Evil-Eye to Black Joe--receivedthe punishment they had so well merited.
In the meantime Dr. Copeland had been sent for, and, hastening toBoston, he had the supreme delight of clasping to his breast the boywhom he had all through the long winter been mourning as lost to himfor ever. The meeting between father and son was touching. It seemedas though the doctor could never sufficiently assure himself that itwas really his Eric who stood before him, browner of face and bigger ofform, but otherwise unchanged by his thrilling experiences among theWreckers of Sable Island.
THE END