CHAPTER XV.
The streak of smoke was on our weather bow, the wind being from the north-east. The fact that the sail was a steamer rendered it almost certain that she was a man-of-war; one of the cruisers on the coast of Africa, on the lookout for slavers. If all hands had not been busy attending to the exciting scenes on board, we might have sooner discovered the sail.
"That's in our favor," said Dick Baxter, as soon as the steamer was made out.
"I don't know about that," replied Jack Sanderson. "If we had taken possession of the bark it would be in our favor. I don't like the idea of being taken just yet, for the man-of-war won't be able to tell who's guilty and who's innocent."
"The steamer will put an end to this cruise, at any rate," I added.
"I'm not so sure of that. The Michigan is a very fast sailer, and I suppose that's the strongest reason why she happens to be in this business. She's more'n a match for some of those old drogers of steamers in the navy," continued Baxter. "She has logged more'n fourteen knots on this cruise; and as the wind is to-day, she's good for twelve, when she gets it on the quarter. That's a British steamer."
"What makes you think so?" I asked.
"Her black smoke. The English men-of-war use that kind of coal which makes smoke as black as ink, and the American men-of-war don't make any smoke."
"All hands on deck!" shouted the mate. "Stand by tacks and braces!"
"How's that? Shall we go to work?" said Baxter.
"Yes; let us wait for a proper time to carry out our plans," I replied.
All hands sprang to their stations, as though nothing had happened.
"Starboard the helm!" continued the mate, taking his order from the captain, who appeared to be too drunk to handle the bark.
The order was given to ease off on the lee braces, and haul on the weather.
"Steady as she is! Avast hauling! A small pull on the weather main-topsail brace! That will do! A little more spanker-sheet. Belay, all!"
The bark was then headed about south-south-west, with the wind on the port quarter, which Baxter had declared to be her best point in sailing.
"The mate knows what that steamer is," said Sanderson, as we gathered together again on the forecastle.
"That he does; he knows what black smoke means," responded Baxter.
"Sartinly; he wouldn't run away from her, if he wasn't afraid of her. That's what one puppy does when he's afraid of another."
"I don't want any more proof that this is an unlawful voyage."
"Even this was not needed," I added. "Can you see how the steamer is headed?"
"No; you can hardly make her out at all. Her black smoke is about all there is of her yet," answered Baxter. "But she will see us before long, if she has not already. You may be sure that she will give chase, for those men-of-war don't sail with their eyes shut."
"Are we alone now?" I asked, looking over the men to see that none who did not belong to our party were present.
"Ay, ay, lad; we are all by ourselves," answered Baxter.
"Let us divide the work for to-night, then."
"The sooner the better."
"Six men must go into the cabin through the between-decks," I continued. "Who shall they be?"
"You shall be one of them, Phil," said Baxter.
"Very well; I am willing. Sanderson shall be another."
"I'm agreed," responded the old salt.
"And Baxter shall look out for Martino at the helm. Walker shall lie down upon Gorro, and Bilger shall see that only our own men come out of the forecastle."
"Good, Phil!" exclaimed Baxter. "But what shall we do with York?"
"He must not commit himself till we have made a sure thing of the job. Don't say a word to him; but he will not interfere," answered Sanderson.
We stationed every man according to his ability for the great enterprise, and I felt almost sure that it would be a success, if the man-of-war did not overhaul us before we had time to put it in operation. While we were thus engaged, the mate and the passengers were busy watching the movements of the steamer with a glass. They did not look forward to see what the crew were doing. The Spanish and Portuguese sailors did not come near us. They had already committed themselves on the side of the officers, and knew that their shipmates had no good will towards them on this account. They were in the waist, and seemed to be as busy as we were in discussing the exciting affair which had occurred. I afterwards learned that they had been engaged before in the slave trade, and had been shipped by the Spanish passengers as willing agents in the inhuman business.
I do not know what the mate had discovered in regard to the steamer; but he ordered the studding-sails, alow and aloft, to be set forward. The wind was fresh, and under this additional canvas the bark flew through the water. The log was thrown; and Baxter, who had charge of the operation, informed us that the Michigan was making thirteen knots. I admired the vessel, and thought it a shame and a pity that such a noble craft should be used in such a horrid trade. She had been built to run up the Mediterranean as a fruiter, and it was desirable that she should make quick passages. Some of her carrying capacity had been sacrificed on this account; but she could still carry negroes enough to make her voyage a very profitable investment.
After we had set the studding-sails forward, our party again discussed the details of our plan for the evening. The part of each man, and each gang of men, was carefully considered. To each party a leader was appointed, who was to be held responsible for the share of the work assigned to him, and whom the others were to obey without a question. I had the honor to be selected as the leader of the largest gang, who were to do the job in the cabin. The fact that I had been engaged in an Indian campaign seemed to give me a great deal of credit for the service which we were to perform, and my name was suggested for the important place by Jack Sanderson, who was to be one of my party.
I found myself very popular with the crew; first, I suppose, because I had been persecuted by the mate,—which was his fault, and not my merit,—and second, because I had always tried to be kind and obliging to my shipmates. I had read to them from the Bible every Sunday, and always found them glad to hear the blessed word. I had watched with those who were sick, and helped them whenever I had an opportunity to do so. I told them all about the wilds of the Upper Missouri, and related the story of the campaign with the Indians. I had given them the history of Waterford in Chicago, so far as I knew it. I had no intention of making myself popular with the men; probably, if I had, I should have failed. I only wished to act the part of a Christian towards them; and, for carrying out this simple and sincere desire, I obtained a great deal more credit than I deserved.
Rude and rough as these men were, depraved even as a few of them had become by the agency of that fiend which is the sailor's direst curse, Rum, they were still men, and some of them had received a fair education. Some of them were blessed with inquiring minds, and many an hour of the silent watches of the night, as the bark ploughed her way over the ocean, our discussions were upon moral, religious, and scientific subjects. Though I was but eighteen, my studies gave me a great advantage over my companions, and I found myself consulted upon questions in which the men were interested. I can only say, that whatever measure of regard and respect I won from my shipmates was merited only by an earnest and sincere desire to serve and benefit them.
Everything went along quietly on deck. The captain had disappeared. Doubtless the excitement of the day had caused him to drink deeper than usual, and I suppose he was asleep in his state-room. Waterford was the real captain of the bark, though Farraday sometimes acted as such. The mate must have been sadly disturbed by the incipient mutiny which had appeared; but he took no further steps to strengthen his position. He kept his eye on the streak of black smoke over the lee quarter. Perhaps he felt that, as there was no actual demonstration of mutiny on the part of the crew, he could better afford to wait for the indications of the future than the crew could. Certainly everything on board went along as usual, except that the Spanish and Portuguese sailors separated themselves from their shipmates, unless required, in the discharge of their duty, to mingle with them.
Feeling that a great event was likely to occur within the next twenty-four hours, I could not help considering the safety of my money, for I hoped, by some means or other, that I should be able to reach Europe, and find my mother. I looked all about the deck for a better hiding-place for my treasure. While I was thinking of the matter, I was ordered, with others, to get up a barrel of beef from the hold. I was sure that I could find a safe place below for my gold; and, passing into the forecastle, I put the bag into my pocket. After we had hoisted up the barrel, I went aft to the temporary steerage which had been built for this voyage. I noticed the position of the door, and satisfied myself that it was not fastened; but I found no good place for my money.
While the men were closing the hatch in the lower deck, I went forward to the bow, where there was a pile of fire-wood. I climbed over it, and found a crevice between the stem and the planking of the deck, into which I jammed the bag. I was sure the mate would not find it there; and, having disposed of my treasure, I hastened to join my shipmates who were men of our party. They understood that I was surveying the ground for the movement that night, and covered my operations so that I was not noticed by any person on the other side.
I felt easier after I had put my money in what I regarded as a safe place. I did not expect to leave the vessel before we had captured her; but, even if we failed, I could, with the assistance of my friends, take off the fore scuttle, and recover the bag. I felt full of confidence that we should succeed in our plan, and that, before eight bells in the morning watch, the bark would be headed to the north. We actually ran away from the steamer, if she discovered us at all. The mate made no more trouble, and everything went along quietly till the first dog watch, in which I had my trick at the wheel.