Phil Robbins and I stood gazing into each other's eyes as if incapable of speech, during at least sixty seconds after the fellow who had trapped us announced the purpose of his scheme. That we two lads, who were of no consequence whatsoever in the sight of the officers of theEssex, should have been made the victims of a plot seemed too ridiculous to be true; but yet the locked door was sufficient evidence for the most incredulous.
It was Phil who first found his tongue, and he asked sharply, as if positive I could give him a satisfactory answer:—
"What does the villain mean by locking us in here? He must think we are rare prizes!"
"I'm not making any mistake as to what you're worth," Benson cried from the hallway. "Yankees don't bring any extravagant price in this part of the world; but the demand is so great that I won't beforced to keep you many hours after your tub of a ship leaves port."
My head was so thick that even then I failed to understand his purpose, but had an idea the fellow looked upon us as his personal enemies because England was at war with the United States, and said to Phil, giving no heed to the fact that I spoke sufficiently loud for Benson to hear:—
"The fellow is such a fool as to believe he serves his country by imprisoning us."
"That's where you are making a big mistake, my Yankee cub. Whalers in this portion of the world are not overly particular as to how they ship a crew, and pay a decently good price to whoever delivers them able-bodied hands."
Now I understood what this enterprising Britisher had in mind. I remembered reading, before I left home, a long account of how sailors were trapped in foreign ports by the captains of whaling vessels who had lost members of their crews by death or desertion.
If we could be held prisoners until there was no longer any American vessels in port, Benson might literally sell us to a British whaler; and once on board such a craft, our chances for escape or relief before the voyage had come to an end would be very small.
I was overwhelmed with grief and anger. The knowledge of our helplessness increased my wrath until for a certain length of time I was little better than an insane lad.
I stormed and raved from one end of the small apartment to the other, now and again throwing myself against the stoutly barred door as if by such means I might break it down; and during the paroxysm Phil lay at full length on the floor, giving noisy vent to his sorrow and despair. There was no care in my mind that Benson was most likely listening to all we said or did, and would set us down as chicken-hearted; I only gave heed to our situation, knowing full well how entirely we were in his power.
It was not to be supposed that theEssexwould remain many days longer in port; in eight-and-forty hours she would most likely get under way, and we two lads who had dreamed of winning honor and promotion would be set down as deserters. Even Master Hackett must believe we had run away, since, by trying to make him think we were not eager to remain in his company, lest he should waste all his time of liberty upon us, we had made it appear as if our greatest desire was to be alone.
Like a flash all the possibilities of the situation came into my mind. I heard the comments of our shipmates,saw the word "deserter" written opposite our names on the ship's register, and imagined the grief of my parents when theEssexreturned to port with such a disgraceful story concerning us. Meanwhile I could see Phil and myself forced to this or that disagreeable task, and the end of it all, a tardy release in some foreign port from which we would be forced to work our way home as best we might.
It was a most mournful picture, view it in whatever light I might, and the stoutest-hearted could well be excused for growing faint and sick with apprehension.
Whether we spent one hour or three in such useless wailings I am unable to say; it seemed to me much as if we had been a full day in that place before I so far recovered composure of mind as to be able to look at the situation with some degree of common sense, and then my first act was to soothe Phil, who still remained stretched at full length upon the floor, weeping and wailing.
It was not a difficult task to persuade him into something approaching calmness; he had literally exhausted himself by giving way so violently to sorrow, and was, like myself, ready to play a more manly part.
Our first act, after thus coming to our senses, soto speak, was to make a thorough examination of this apartment which served as prison; for of course the thought of escape had been uppermost in our minds, even when our grief was most violent.
The room was not different from what one might have fancied after seeing the exterior of the building. It was, however, twelve feet square, with a ceiling so low that I could touch it by standing on tiptoe. There were two windows, both closely barred with iron, as I had already noticed was usual in Valparaiso, and the view from them was confined to a small plat of ground enclosed by a high wall of stone, the top of which was nearly on a level with one of the windows.
"If we could get out of here, it would not be a difficult task to reach the ground," Phil said, in a certain tone of hopefulness.
"I'd guarantee to bring up on the ground all right, wall or no wall, if it wasn't for the bars."
Then, with one accord, we laid hold of the iron rods, wrenching at them with all our strength, but not moving them by so much as a single hair's breadth, so far as I could see.
That Benson yet remained in the hall outside, and could hear all that was said or done, we knew when he cried mockingly:—
"Keep on pulling at the bars so long as such work pleases you; they have held stronger men than you ever will be, and I'm not afraid of your giving me the slip in that way!"
Thus we knew that the wretch had made a business of trapping strangers to sell them to whalers, and this but served to make our case appear more hopeless; for if he had had experience in such scoundrelly work, it was probable he would be on his guard against anything we might try to do.
By this time I was weary, mentally and bodily, and, not minded to give the villain any more pleasure,—for I doubted not but that he enjoyed hearing his prisoners beat vainly against the bars of their cage,—I whispered to Phil:—
"Don't speak nor move. We'll remain silent until he grows tired of listening and goes away."
My comrade nodded to show that he agreed, and, seating ourselves on the floor where we could look out of the window, even though there was nothing save the small patch of grass to be seen, we held our peace until the shadows of evening began to lengthen.
Now was come the time when our shipmates would be returning to theEssexafter a day's pleasuring, and as I fancied them standing on the shore, discussingthe cause of our absence, it was impossible to restrain my tears.
Not until the night had fully come did we hear anything from the hallway, and then the faint sound of stealthy footsteps told that the villanous Benson, wearied with his fruitless vigil, was descending the stairs.
We listened in vain for some noise betokening that the building had other occupants than our enemy and ourselves; not a sound broke the silence, and it seemed only reasonable that the scoundrel put the dwelling to no other purpose than that of a prison.
It would be useless for me to make any attempt at setting down here all Phil and I said during the hours of the night, for much of our conversation was wild in the extreme, and we repeated the same words again and again, as would any lads in such a situation as we had so suddenly been plunged.
About midnight we fell asleep, still sitting on the floor, for there was no furniture whatsoever in the room; and the day was just breaking when a noise in the yard outside awakened us.
Looking out from between the bars we saw Benson, who was placing a ladder against the building, directly under our window.
"If he'd only come near enough for me to hit oneblow!" Phil muttered between his teeth, and I wished we might have so much satisfaction as that, even while knowing he would never give us such an opportunity.
"I'm not counting on starving you Yankees," the villain said with a laugh, "and yet I'm no such fool as to open the door long enough to shove in food. You see I'm running this business alone, for the profits are not large enough to permit of my hiring a clerk, therefore some of my arrangements are not really convenient. I'm going to pass you the end of a rope. Then I can stand on the ground and serve you with food and water to be hauled up."
"I wonder if he thinks we'll indulge him in his monkey shines?" Phil whispered angrily; and I, suddenly realizing that we could only succeed in biting our own noses if we went contrary to Benson's commands, said hurriedly in a low tone:—
"Hold your tongue! We're bound to eat and drink if we count on making any effort at getting away. Take what he gives us, and we may thereby keep up our strength to be used in case an opportunity for escape presents itself."
By this time Benson was nearly at the top of the ladder; but he took good care not to come within reach of our fists.
He passed in to us a half-inch Manila rope, and I seized the end, whereupon the villain descended and bent on a small tin vessel filled with what appeared to be a stew of beans and other vegetables.
"When you've hauled in, let down the rope again and I'll send you up some water," Benson cried; and I obeyed his commands in silence.
When we had thus been served, he said in the tone of one who imparts pleasing information:—
"You'll have to get along without me to-day, for I'm counting on catching two or three more Yankees before sunset."
Phil shook his fist at the scoundrel; but I, without knowing exactly why, felt a certain amount of satisfaction because he reckoned on making more prisoners.
Then the fellow disappeared from view, and Phil said angrily:—
"I hope our messmates will have more sense than we displayed when we agreed to let him show us the town."
"And I'm hoping he'll make a big haul."
Phil gazed at me in anger and astonishment, whereupon I hastened to explain myself.
"There is no doubt but that he can easily do with us as he has proposed, and our officers will make nogreat effort to find two boys who are believed to have deserted. If that scoundrelly Britisher can capture half a dozen of our crew there'll be a big stir aboard ship, and, in addition, he won't be able to work his will with so many. One or more may succeed in escaping, and then the truth will be known."
Phil's face brightened wonderfully, for he had not looked at the matter in that light before, and without further conversation we set about making a hearty breakfast.
Once our stomachs were filled, hope revived. We were eager that a large number of our men might be entrapped by Benson, and discussed the possibility of his success with as much zest as he might have done.
Then, after two hours or more had elapsed, we began to reflect that it would not be possible for a lad like him to scrape acquaintance with men as easily as he had with us boys, and we grew despondent once more.
Finally I gave up all belief that he could entice any of the crew into his prison, and said with more of hope in my tones than was actually in my heart:—
"Two great hulking lads like ourselves should be able to get out of an ordinary house! If this place had been built for a jail, the situation would be changed; but it is no more than an ordinarydwelling, and I dare say these bars are not set in the wall so solidly but that we can succeed in moving them."
"Tell me how to go about it, and I'll do my best; but I fail to understand how we can accomplish anything."
Phil's despair served to give me what was very like courage; and even though there was but little hope in my heart that we could effect anything, I spoke as if certain of success.
"We have our knives, and with such tools many a man has worked his way toward freedom. The mortar which holds the wall in place can be picked out in time, and Benson won't have a chance to sell us for several days after theEssexleaves port."
"It would require a month of hard work to loosen even one of these stones," Phil replied gloomily.
"We shall be better off by making some effort at escape, even though we never succeed. It is almost cowardly to sit here idle, waiting until that villain can entrap our comrades."
Having said this I set myself at work pricking out particles of mortar with the point of my knife; and although the work progressed but slowly, I could soon see some slight results.
Phil watched me listlessly until I had taken out asmuch as would fill a large spoon, and then he began to see that the task was possible if we had sufficient time.
"It's better than doing nothing," he said, as if the idea was his own, and at once began upon the seam of mortar next that on which I was working.
Occupation of some kind was what we most needed; and as the moments wore on we increased our efforts until, when the sun marked the hour of noon, we had made quite a showing, although at the expense of grinding away our knife-points.
We had worked upon that stone which held the side bar in place, and if it might be removed we would have an aperture not less than eight inches in width. As a matter of course, neither of us could pass through such a narrow space; but if two of the bars were pulled out, then was the way open.
We were both resting from our labors when I was seized by a sudden thought, and cried exultantly:—
"We can escape if no time is wasted!"
"I can't see but that the situation is much the same as when we were first thrust into this place," Phil said gloomily.
"So it is; but since the villanous Benson passed us the rope, I'm of the idea that we can do considerable work."
"How?"
"We have surely done something toward loosening the stones. Now, if we make the rope fast to the lower end of the bar, and also to the handle of the door, one or the other must give way when we get purchase enough."
"Yes, I reckon all that is true; but we're no more likely to get a purchase on it than we are to walk out of here this minute."
"I believe it can be done."
"Then the handle of the door will give way first."
This was rather in the nature of a wet blanket on my hopes; but I would not admit that the plan had any defects which might not be rectified, and set about solving the problem.
Finally I hit upon a plan,—not anything very brilliant, but a makeshift which might possibly serve our purpose.
Doubling the rope, I made one end fast to the bar set into the stone we had been working upon, and the other end I bent on to the corresponding bar in the next window, hauling it taut as possible.
"With our feet against the lower edge of the window we should be able to fetch something away," I said in a hopeful tone; "and even though we fail at first, theplan is sure to succeed after we've picked out a little more of the mortar."
Well, we tugged and strained to the utmost of our strength for ten minutes or more, and then, just as I had said to myself that we never could succeed, one end of the bar started ever so slightly.
"It can be done!" Phil cried exultantly, and would have bent himself once more for a supreme effort but that I stopped him.
"There's little chance we could pull two bars out before sunset, and if the job is but half done when Benson comes back, he'll understand what we're trying to do. A fellow who makes a business of trapping men won't stop at anything, however desperate, in order to prevent his villany from being known to the authorities."
"Well, are we to sit here idle?" Phil asked angrily.
"Not a bit of it! We'll amuse ourselves picking mortar from the next seam, and thus have both stones loosened by nightfall. After dark we can yank two bars out, or I'm mistaken."
Now it seemed as if liberty was near at hand; and after I had cast off the rope that we might be able to lower it from the window in case Benson proposed to give us any more food, we set to work on the difficult task of scraping away the hard mortar.
It must not be supposed that we removed any very great amount during this long day; but we had laid bare a deep seam, and thus accomplished more than I had at first believed would be possible.
When evening had come there was no doubt in my mind but that we could, by aid of the rope, wrench away the bars, and I felt brave as a lion when footsteps on the stairs outside told that the scoundrelly Benson was returning.
"He didn't succeed in trapping any one else!" Phil said jubilantly. "We were the only fools on board theEssex."
"Hello in there!" Benson cried out; and I said gruffly:—
"Well, what do you want?"
"It's well to let you know that I'm around. Your ship is ready to leave port in the morning, and forty-eight hours later you two duffers will be getting an idea of whale fishing."
"Which will be better than staying here forced to listen to the voice of a cur like you!" Phil replied.
"That little show of temper will cost you your supper," Benson cried in a rage. "I'll starve you into submission, if you turn rusty, so have a care."
"I reckon you've lost your temper because of notfinding any more fools among the crew of theEssex!"
"I don't keep all my birds in one cage."
"But you've got all from theEssexin this one, and we two make up the list," Phil cried with a laugh, for he was finding considerable sport in thus baiting the villain.
"Better keep a quiet tongue in your head," I whispered, "otherwise he might come inside and see what we've been doing."
"I only wish he would!" and Phil flourished his knife in a manner which told what he would do if our enemy should be so indiscreet as to come within striking distance.
Benson stalked to and fro in the hallway when we ceased to reply to his jibes, and after half an hour or more we heard him descending the stairs again.
Then, by gazing through the bars, we could see that he had gone into the enclosure,—most likely to make certain everything was as he had left it; and we listened to the noise of his movements until all was silent once more.
"He's gone out in the hope of catching such of our men as have overstayed their shore leave," Philwhispered. "Now is our time to begin work with the rope."
I insisted that we wait ten minutes longer, to make it more certain the scoundrel had left the building, and then we began the task which I confidently expected would result in our release.
The rope was made fast as before, and we two laid hold of it with a will; but haul and pull as we would, the bars remained firmly in place. That one which we had started during the afternoon was immovable, and the perspiration was running down our faces in tiny streams before we were ready to admit that the plan was a failure.
"He'll work his will with us," Phil said with a sob as we ceased our efforts and stood facing each other in the darkness. "We can't get out!"
"Don't lose your courage so soon. We can work at the mortar all day to-morrow, and then I'm certain the bars will yield."
"By that time theEssexwill have left port."
"Other American vessels put in here, and surely we can work our way home without being forced to serve on board a whaler. Besides, theEssexis likely to visit this port more than once before her work in the Pacific is concluded."
Phil would not be soothed, and he turned from me impatiently just as I fancied a low whistle sounded outside, near the garden wall.
In an instant I was at the window, pressing my face against the bars until the iron made great ridges on my cheeks; but the silence was profound, and I believed that which I heard was nothing more than the wind.
Turning from the window in disappointment, I was about to speak to Phil, when the whistle sounded again, low and soft, but so distinctly that there could be no mistake.
Phil heard it as I did, and we two sprang to the gratings once more, expecting, hoping, to hear the voices of our messmates.
Everything was silent, and I stood there like a simple fully thirty seconds before gathering sufficient sense to speak. Then I cried softly:—
"Essexahoy!"
"Ahoy in the shanty!" a voice replied, and I sank to my knees in fervent thanksgiving, for I recognized the tones of Master Hackett. Now, even though we might not be released, it would be known aboard ship that we had not deserted.
"Where are you?" the old seaman asked in a loud whisper, after remaining silent a few seconds.
"At a window just above the height of the wall," Phil replied, and then a happy thought came to me.
"We've got a half-inch rope here, Master Hackett, and can let it down if perchance you might be able to use it."
"If an old shellback like me can't use a rope, I'd like to see the man who can. Let it down, lads, an' move lively, for I've had hard work to keep out of the course of a British cub who's been actin' in a way that don't seem honest."
While he spoke I was lowering the rope over the wall, and when Master Hackett sung out that he had it, we belayed the remaining portion to a couple of the bars, knowing full well that the old man would soon appear at the top of the wall unless some one on the street interfered with him.
Nor were we mistaken. Before I could have counted ten he was clutching the bars of our prison, asking how we chanced to be in such a scrape.
In the fewest possible words I explained how we had been trapped and what Benson proposed to do with us; whereupon the old man said half to himself:—
"Now I can see what he was after when he came rubbin' alongside some of us, offerin' to show fine sightsif we'd go with him. But instead of standin' here yarnin', I reckon we'd better get you out of the trap."
"Wouldn't it be well to report on board that we've been made prisoners, and ask that a squad of men be sent on shore?" Phil asked timidly. "If Benson should get an inkling of your being here, he'd make more trouble for us in some way; and it won't pay to take any chances."
"I don't count on takin' any more'n is wholesome, an' at the same time ain't willin' to flash up on board with the yarn that I couldn't get the best of one Britisher, an' him in a foreign country."
Then Master Hackett made an examination of the bars, after which he suddenly disappeared from view, and, to my great surprise, I saw that, pulling the rope inside the wall, he had slipped into the enclosure.
Now he was almost as much of a prisoner as were we; and if the Britisher should come back, the old man might find himself in tight quarters, for it was reasonable to suppose that a man engaged in such a villanous business as was Benson always went well armed.
However, it was destined that Master Hackett should not be disturbed; and we could see him faintly in the darkness, moving here and there as if in search of something.
Then he placed the ladder against the wall, and when he had ascended to the level of our window we saw that he had with him a short piece of joist.
Using this as a lever, after we had told him which bars we had been working on, he forced the iron rods from their sockets in short order, thus making for us an open door through which we could pass to the top of the wall.
HE FORCED THE IRON RODS FROM THEIR SOCKETS IN SHORT ORDER
HE FORCED THE IRON RODS FROM THEIR SOCKETS IN SHORT ORDER.
"You can come out now," the old man said with a chuckle, "an' the next time you're in a strange port I reckon you'll be more careful about followin' them as agree to give a free blow-out."
It can readily be imagined that we lost no time in acting upon the suggestion, and by the aid of the rope we slid down to the ground, exulting in the sense of freedom.
Master Hackett led us into one of the main streets, and while doing so explained that when we failed to return to the ship on time he suspected we had fallen into trouble, although more than one of the men suggested that we had deserted.
"I didn't reckon you were the kind of lads who'd turn around in that fashion, an' so got permission to come ashore for a spell, agreein' to report to-morrow mornin' if I hadn't come across anything that wouldshow why you'd failed to turn up. Then it was I run across that Britisher, an' found he was mighty anxious to give me a free spree. It was that which made me believe he could tell somethin' about you, an' I set about findin' where he lived. It wasn't any easy matter for an old shellback to follow that sneak, who had good reason for thinkin' some of us might want to know where he anchored hisself nights; but I managed the traverse in fair shape, an' here we are."
"Can we go on board theEssexto-night?" Phil asked.
"I reckon we might by hirin' a boatman; but there's no reason why we need be in a hurry."
"I'd rather be on the gun-deck than in this town," Phil replied with a shudder, and at that instant, just as we were turning a corner, we came face to face with Oliver Benson, the young Britisher who made a business of selling Yankee seamen to English whalers.
My first impulse was to run away, but before I could so much as move Master Hackett had leaped upon the villain, and then I would not have beat a retreat no matter what might have been the cost of remaining.
I joined the fray, for the Britisher immediately began to fight desperately; and during several moments the three of us had quite as much of a task as we couldperform, for Benson was armed with a wicked looking knife, and knew right well how to use it.
But for Phil, the villain would have succeeded in stabbing Master Hackett in the back while the two were locked in each other's embrace; but once his weapon was taken from him, the scoundrel showed signs of submission.
"Don't give him a chance to play us any tricks," the old man said as he unknotted his neckerchief preparatory to binding Benson's hands behind his back; and I wondered greatly why we should burden ourselves with a prisoner in a town where, for aught we knew, he might have many friends or accomplices.
This taking a prisoner in a friendly port was, as I considered the matter for the moment, a serious affair, and without waiting to reflect I advised Master Hackett to let the fellow go free.
"He can't do us any more harm, and we'll warn others as to his scheme. There's no knowing how much of a row may be kicked up by our depriving him of his liberty."
"That's no more'n he did to you, an' the chances are that many a poor fellow is eatin' his heart out aboard a British whaler because of him. We've got the scoundrel fast, an' I count on keepin' him so, at least until after he's been brought face to face with Captain Porter."
Benson spoke no word; the pallor of his face told that he was afraid, and if we had not known it before, we understood then that at heart he was a thorough coward.
I expected each instant that he would call for help, and there were enough rough characters aroundValparaiso to give us no end of trouble in case they espoused his cause.
But Benson remained silent, therefore after a time I came to believe he did not stand on very good terms with the inhabitants of the town, and had good reason for thinking his summons would not be answered by aid. This last surmise of mine was soon found to be very nearly correct, as will presently be seen.
After tying the Britisher's hands behind his back, Master Hackett seized him by the arm and led the way toward the shore, followed closely, as may be supposed, by Phil and me.
It was near to midnight; the peace-loving inhabitants of the town were asleep, and the rougher element must have had a rendezvous at some distance from the water's edge, for we did not meet a single person until after having walked to and fro on the shore half an hour or more shouting for a boatman.
Then a sleepy looking fellow lounged up to Master Hackett, professing his willingness to do whatsoever might be required, providing a sufficient amount of money was forthcoming.
He had no more than given us to understand this much when a moonbeam lighted up Benson's face, and in an instant the boatman was animated.
"Where did you get that fellow?" he asked of Master Hackett in Spanish, and the latter replied in the same language, repeating the conversation to Phil and me after we were on board theEssex; but for the time we were completely in the dark so far as understanding the drift of the talk was concerned.
"We picked him up a short distance from here," the old seaman replied. "He had jugged two boys belongin' to our ship, countin' on sellin' 'em to British whalers after theEssexleft port."
"I know him for a villain, an' have had it in mind that he spent his time shanghaing sailors, but never could bring it home to him. His game doesn't stop at Yankees; for when there are none in port he'll pick up anybody, so it's said."
"Then you have no objections to carryin' him aboard the ship?"
"What will you do with him there?"
"Let the captain settle his hash. We've got good proof of what he's been up to, an' I promise you he won't be treated any too gently."
"I'll carry you an' him out to the ship for nothing, if by so doing we can rid ourselves of the villain."
"I can't say whether the captain will take him out of your way; but you may be certain it'll go hard with him."
Until some time later Phil and I were surprised at seeing the boatman scurrying around as if we had been commissioned officers who promised a big fee; and he it was who tossed Benson on board the small boat with no more ceremony than he would have used in handling a bundle of merchandise.
In a twinkling we were hailed by the sentry on board theEssex, so rapidly did the boatman work his oars, and Master Hackett gave such an account of his party as gained us permission to come up the gangway ladder.
Not seeing the old seaman offer to pay the man for having pulled us out to the ship, I took one of the silver shillings from my pocket, offering it to him; but he shook his head as he pointed with a grin to where Master Hackett stood arm in arm with Benson.
The remainder of the night was spent by the Britisher in the prison of the ship, or, as a sailor would put it, "in the brig"; and we two lads, after hearing from the old seaman a literal translation of the conversation he had had with the boatman, tumbled into our hammocks with thankful hearts.
A few hours previous it had seemed certain we would be sent on board a whaler, while our friends believed us deserters, and now we were in our proper stations once more. Surely, Master Hackett had repaidwhatsoever of a debt he might have owed us for jumping over the rail to rescue him!
The reception we met with from our messmates next morning was well calculated to make lads feel proud. Every man jack came up with some pleasant word as if we were particular friends with all the crew; and many were the hopes expressed that the Britisher, Benson, would get such sauce as he deserved.
There was never a man on board who did not believe our captain would deal out the most severe punishment in his power, yet it was agreed by the idlers on the gun-deck that if the villain was let off too easily, they would ask for permission to go on shore again and make it their duty to trim him in proper fashion.
The yarn which had been told Phil and me regarding the sailing of theEssexwas a hoax. She was taking on board provisions for a long cruise, and it was hardly probable could be got under way for two or three days at the earliest.
Half an hour after inspection one of the marines brought the word forward that Phil and I were to go aft for an interview with the captain; and while it was no more than we had been expecting, both of us were considerably excited by the prospect.
We were rigged out in our best bibs and tuckers,Master Hackett himself seeing to it that our hats were properly tilted on "three hairs," and half a dozen of the older men inspecting us gravely to make certain we were togged in shipshape and Bristol fashion.
We found the captain with half a dozen of the officers, among whom was my cousin, Stephen McKnight, seated around a large table in the after cabin, looking grave as owls; and certain it is that I was trembling like a leaf when I bowed and scraped in such fashion as Master Hackett had said was proper.
"Well, lads," the captain said, speaking as if he believed we were as good as himself, "I understand that you had quite an adventure ashore yesterday, and were near coming to grief."
"Yes, sir," I replied, after waiting in vain for Phil to speak, and my voice quivered till it was like a wheezy flute.
"Tell us the whole story from the time you left Hackett, and do not be afraid of making it too long."
Again I waited for Phil; but since he showed no signs of piping up I was obliged to spin the yarn, for it would never have done to keep the captain waiting.
All hands were still as mice while I told of ourmeeting with Benson; and to make certain they'd believe me, I made Phil pipe up from time to time with his, "That's true, sir," or, "It's all as Ezra says, sir."
When I was at the end of the yarn,—and it was a long one, as you may believe, for I told every little detail from our meeting with Benson until we were on board ship again,—the captain said, as polite as a fiddler:—
"You may go, lads, and send Hackett aft."
Phil came very near tumbling over me as he tried to get out of the cabin in a hurry; and we were hardly more than amidships before we met Master Hackett, togged out within an inch of his life.
"The captain has sent for you, sir," I said with all due respect; and instead of making any reply, the old fellow turned on his heel stiff as a ramrod, walking aft till his bowlegs cut a perfect circle.
Once on the gun-deck again we two lads were forced to tell the idlers all that had occurred; and we were no sooner done with our yarn than Master Hackett appeared, looking much as if he had just been made master of a prize.
With all his fine looks and lordly manner, he could not tell the idlers more than we had already done, and all hands of us were forced to wait in suspense untilsome long-eared marine should come forward with his budget of news gathered by eavesdropping.
Half an hour later the crew of the cutter was called away to carry Lieutenant Downes ashore; and when that officer came back No. 4 boat was manned, and the prisoner, Benson, put on board.
It was not until the next day that we learned the whole of the story, and then all hands were satisfied that justice would be done by the Chilian authorities in such a fashion that the Britisher would for some time be unable to continue his scheme of catching Yankees.
What we finally learned was much like this: Having inquired into the case thoroughly, as I have already set down, Captain Porter was convinced that a flogging would be too slight punishment for such a villain as Benson, and Mr. Downes made an official report of the case to the authorities of the port. Those officers promised that the enterprising Britisher should be imprisoned with hard labor for a year at the very least; and that this was done, Master Hackett, Phil, and I knew before theEssexleft port, for we three visited the jail and saw the scoundrel picking oakum under charge of well-armed keepers.
He glanced out of the corner of his eye at us for a single second, and then looked steadily at his work,nor could we provoke him into speaking. I thought at the time, however, and had good reason to remember it afterward, that if the opportunity should ever present itself for him to get one or all three of us into his power, he would not be likely to show us much mercy.
It was on the day we visited the jail that the brigJane, an American whaler, came into port, and from her master Captain Porter learned very much which it was necessary he should know. It was reported that nearly all the British whalers were armed and provided with letters of marque, which really put them on a footing with ships of war; and, unless their plans were speedily nipped in the bud, all the vessels hailing from the United States would be captured. In fact one of them had already been seized, the Britisher having no difficulty in coming alongside because the Yankee craft had been so long at sea that her commander had no idea war had been proclaimed.
Captain Porter did not linger after receiving such information. He had proposed to put additional stores on board; but now decided that he could not afford to spend any more time in port, and immediately signals were hoisted recalling those who were in the town on shore leave.
Master Hackett, Phil, and I were no more than onboard before theEssexwas under way, and I believe of a verity we would have been left behind had we loitered half an hour longer.
We had been at sea two days when we spoke the Yankee whaleshipCharles, and ran so close alongside that it was possible to hail her, when the skipper was summoned on board to give information.
A more surprised set of men than those who rowed the Nantucket captain over to us, I never saw. They stared at theEssexin open-mouthed amaze, and fired volleys of questions at us as we overhung the rail, knowing full well that we could get the same news from these men as was being dealt out in the cabin to our commander.
Not until after we had explained the meaning of our being in the Pacific, however, could we get any information, and then we learned that there was work in plenty before us.
A Peruvian corsair, in company with an armed British brig, had already captured the shipsWalkerandBarclaywhile they were cruising off Coquimbo, and unless we took a hand the entire Yankee fleet would soon be gobbled up.
The Nantucket skipper did not stay in the cabin more than half an hour; and immediately he was overthe rail, our ship was being brought around "to take a hand in the fun," as Master Hackett announced, while theCharlesfollowed in the wake of theEssex.
It can readily be imagined that all hands were in a fine state of excitement by this time, knowing as we did that our work was cut out for us; but we counted on cruising two or three days at the very least before coming up with an enemy.
Our surprise was quite as great as our pleasure, when, not more than three hours later, and while theCharleswas within two miles of us, we sighted the Peruvian vessel to the northward.
In a twinkling we ran up the British colors to coax her within striking distance; and the captain of theCharlesshowed himself to be quite as shrewd as are Nantucket men in general, for no sooner was our false ensign straightened out than he hoisted the English flag over the stars and stripes, thus making it appear as if he had been captured by us.
The Peruvian fell into the trap at once, and came down upon us in fine style, throwing a shot ahead of theEssexwhen he was about a mile away. It was carrying matters with a high hand; but I reckon Captain Porter wasn't very greatly displeased, since it only made our work more simple.
Orders were at once given to pitch three shots directly over the stranger as a token for him to come nearer, which the Peruvian did, at the same time sending an armed boat to board us.
Every man jack of us, save those at the starboard guns, were on deck when the boat came alongside, a lieutenant in full rig standing in the stern-sheets, and thus it was Phil and I heard all that was said between this fine fellow and our commander.
Captain Porter professed to be in a towering rage; he ordered the lieutenant to go back at once with an order for the Peruvian to run under our lee, and then send an officer on board to apologize for having dared to fire at an English man-of-war.
How that fellow scurried back! He never so much as suspected that we were other than what had been represented, and in the shortest possible space of time another lieutenant, wearing so much gold lace that he looked like a brazen image, came up the gangway ladder grinning and bowing like an ape.
Captain Porter received him on the quarter, but never so much as invited him into the cabin, and Phil and I crowded well aft to hear what we allowed would be a mighty interesting conversation.
The lieutenant reported that his ship was the PeruvianprivateerNereyda, armed with fifteen guns, and carrying a full crew. They were cruising for Americans, he said, and had already captured two,—theWalkerand theBarclay; but the British letter of marqueNimrod, a whaler, had driven their prize crew from theWalkerand taken possession of her. The Peruvian had mistaken us for theNimrod, and fired for the purpose of showing that they did not count on having their prizes taken from them in such an unceremonious fashion.
It puzzled me to make out how the Peruvians, who were under Spanish rule, dared to attack our vessels while Spain was not at war with the United States; but the old sea lawyers of the gun-deck explained matters that evening to their entire satisfaction, by saying the Peruvians must have believed that Spain, who was so dependent upon England, would soon declare war against us because the king of Great Britain had done so, and this would make the capture of the whalers legal.
Whether that was the right view of the case or not, I can't say; but it satisfied our old shellbacks, and that was enough.
But to go back to the Peruvian lieutenant who stood on the quarter shaking hands with himself because he had straightened out the matter of having fired on us.I suppose he thought our captain would pat him on the back for being engaged in the work of destroying Yankee whalers, and was most likely counting on being invited into the cabin to a blow-out of the best from the officers' stores.
It was comical to see the fellow jump when Captain Porter gave a signal for the British ensign to be hauled down and the stars and stripes run up! He stared first at the flag, and then at the men amidships who were watching him, until our gun-deck crowd laughed aloud.
Captain Porter scowled, for it wasn't good manners to make sport of a prisoner, and then told the Peruvian who we were, although there was little need of that after he had seen our flag.
The next minute orders were given to pitch a couple of shots over theNereyda, and down came her colors as if our balls had cut away the halliards. They didn't care to dispute the question, but surrendered off-hand, as if afraid we might take it into our heads to sink their piratical craft.
After that, and until three hours were passed, our men had a lively time taking the privateer's crew aboard theEssexand stowing them in the cages on the lower deck. It was good practice for LieutenantDownes's fleet of boats, and he did all the work, us idlers overhanging the rail as we watched the sport.
When all this had been done and the ship's brig was literally packed with prisoners, Lieutenant McKnight, my cousin, was sent on board theNereydawith a prize crew, and all three vessels (for the Nantucket skipper hung close to us, as if eager to take part in a fight) stood inshore to look into Coquimbo with the hope of finding there theNimrodand her prizes.
I had almost forgotten to say that when theNereydawas overhauled, our men found in the privateer's brig the master and crew of the captured shipBarclay. Of course they were brought on board theEssex, the officers being quartered aft, and the men messing with us of the gun-deck. A mighty happy crowd they were on finding themselves on an American man-of-war, after feeling certain they'd be sent to a Spanish prison.
From them we learned that there were no less than twenty-three Yankee whalers in the Pacific, and fully twenty Britishers, all of the last-named being heavily armed and on the lookout to capture our ships. The Englishmen were neglecting the fishery, so the newcomers told us, in order to catch a Yankee, and theEssexhadn't arrived an hour too soon. Surely, itseemed as if our misfortune in not meeting Commodore Bainbridge was a blessing in disguise.
Well, we didn't find in the harbor of Coquimbo that for which we were searching, and the captain of theCharles, disappointed in not getting an opportunity to take part in a scrimmage, hauled off to attend to the whales.
There was no reason why we should hold possession of the Peruvian, and good cause why we ought to give her up, for we were not at war with Spain; therefore, after our unsuccessful visit to Coquimbo, the two ships were hove to within a mile of each other, that Lieutenant Downes's fleet might gain more experience in handling their boats.
In the first place, all the privateer's ammunition, shot, small arms, and light sails were thrown overboard, which left that craft in such shape that she couldn't do much harm to anything except herself, and then her crew was sent on board once more. One of the marines told us that Captain Porter had made the officers of theNereydaswear to deliver a letter to the viceroy of Peru as the price of their liberty, and in that letter our commander denounced the conduct of the privateer's captain, insisting that he be punished for having acted as a pirate.
Both Phil and I would like very much to know if that letter was ever delivered, and in case the officers kept their promise, what was done with them for having made prizes of vessels belonging to a nation with which Spain was not at war.
There was no need for any one to ask what our course would be after parting company with the Peruvian cruiser. Captain Porter would search for the captured Yankees, as a matter of fact; and the only question in the minds of us on the gun-deck was as to where he would look for them.
It goes without saying that our old shellbacks wagged their tongues furiously over this, and finally it was settled among them that theEssexmust perforce cruise around the island of San Gallan. It was exactly this which our commander did, and those who had predicted it plumed their feathers mightily at showing so much seamanship.
Well, we made good headway until the 28th day of March, with nothing of interest occurring save that half the crew were constantly on the lookout for the captured vessels, and then we were well up with San Gallan. On this day we hauled off to the northward and westward, counting to cross the track of inward-bound craft.
It appeared that again were we just in the nick of time, for in less than sixteen hours after changing the course we sighted three sail standing for Callao.
It was a case of prize money and no mistake, for there wasn't one chance in an hundred that either of the strangers was a Yankee, and there was some lively jumping and hauling as we put theEssexin trim for a stiff chase.
The crew of theBarclaydeclared that the craft nearest was the one which had been taken from them by the Peruvian, and Captain Porter set about cutting her out, regardless of others.
During four hours we had a most exciting time of it, and then it began to look very much as if we would get the worst end of the bargain. I wish I was able to set down here a picture of our ship and crew as we stood with our eyes fixed on the chase, save at such times as it became necessary to perform some task; but it is beyond a thickheaded lad like me. One must needs take part in such a race in order to understand all the sensations which come to a fellow as he watches eagerly the progress of the craft, trembling with excitement lest the chase will escape, and then feeling the cold shivers run down his spine as he realizes that when he is once where he wants to be, he may, perhaps, be called uponto scrape an acquaintance with death; for if all the enemy in those waters were heavily armed, it was not probable every one would fall into our hands as readily as had the Peruvian privateer.
It was the "luck of theEssex," so Master Hackett declared, which enabled us to win that race; for when the chase doubled the point of San Lorenzo we were fully three miles astern, and the most sanguine among us believed that she'd gain harbor before we could run near enough to fire a shot.
We kept on, however, as if believing our chances were of the best, although knowing that in a short time we would be in the unfriendly port of Callao, and ten minutes later Master Hackett cried out the words I have just set down. It was the "luck of theEssex" that the wind should leave the chase as she rounded the point, and we brought a good breeze with us until we were less than half a mile off.
Then Lieutenant Downes's command was called to quarters; the small fleet of boats was lowered away, and the crew bent to the oars as if a fortune of gold awaited every man jack of them.
We had no idea but that the chase would make some kind of a fight, and yet, much though I disliked running my head into the path of a round shot, so great was myexcitement that I would have given all my small possessions could I have been on board the foremost boat.
Nor was Phil Robbins behind me in enthusiasm. As the fleet got under way he flung his arms around my neck and bawled in my ears as if I had suddenly gone stone deaf:—
"Why couldn't it be our luck to be there! Why don't Lieutenant Downes give us lads half a chance?"
I shook him off just as Master Hackett came near where we were standing, and was about to make some impatient reply, for it seemed as if we lads were receiving shabby treatment by being thus left out of all the good things; but the old seaman interrupted me by saying:—
"You young cubs needn't howl because of not gettin' the thick end of all that's goin' on. Unless our captain has changed from what he was as a lieutenant when we licked the Turks, you'll get all the 'burnin' powder' that's needed before this cruise comes to an end."
Phil and I were not greatly consoled at being thus told that our turn would come by and by; but in our chagrin we did not lose sight of what was taking place so near at hand.
We saw the boats as they approached the becalmedcraft spread out like a fan, that the attack, in case one was needed, might come from all points at the same time; and to our great surprise the ship's colors were struck before a gun had been fired.
She was theBarclay, as the blindest among us could see, for the name was painted on her rail, and we had robbed the Peruvian privateer of half her prizes!
Lieutenant Downes did not even take the trouble of sending the prize crew off to us as prisoners. He put them beneath the hatches, hoisted three of his boats inboard and sent the others back, signalling to know what the next move was to be.
It was by long odds the tamest capture I ever saw, for not a single grain of powder was burned, and there was no noise save when our crew cheered the returning boats.
Captain Porter soon told, by means of the tiny signal flags, what he expected of those who were in possession of the whaler. We hoisted the British colors, and theBarclaysent up the English ensign over the stars and stripes, after which the wind breezed up with sufficient force to carry us into Callao.
We were to enter the port as an Englishman with a prize, and there get such information as might be useful.
It was my cousin Stephen who went ashore with a boat's crew, never heeding the fact that both Phil andI were eager to go with him; and when he came out, two hours later, signals were shown for both vessels to gain an offing.
As we on the gun-deck afterward learned, the fact that theEssexwas so far from home had not yet been made known along the coast, and our commander was not the kind of a man to dawdle in port when he might be out attending to business.
Once we had gained a good offing, the officers and crew of theBarclaywere given the opportunity to go on board their own craft; but nearly all of them decided to remain with us, and some of our people were drafted to man her.
It seems, as we soon came to know, that the captain of theBarclayproposed that his ship cruise with us, acting as pilot to point out the enemy, and this proposition was accepted.
Captain Porter now had a fleet of two ships, and with them he stretched off the coast to the northward and westward, hunting for whatsoever might be picked up in the way of Britishers.
On that night, when our cruise was begun from a new point of departure, the sea lawyers began to argue as to what should be done now we were on profitable grounds, and before it was time to turn in they hadsettled to their own satisfaction all that our commander should or should not do.
I was tired with hearing their tongues wag, and had turned to go further aft where the chin music was not so loud, when Phil came up, the expression on his face telling plainly that he had some important matter in mind.
"You're to go to your cousin to-morrow morning, Ezra, and beg of him that we be given permission to join Lieutenant Downes's fleet. It is not fair that we should miss all the most exciting portion of the work by being forced to remain aboard theEssexwhen there are prizes to be captured."
"It may be exciting enough if we fall afoul of a Britisher who is in trim to fight," I said grimly, not minded to let him know how sore my heart was because we had not been selected by Lieutenant Downes when he drafted his crew.
"Master Hackett says we won't see a real fight this side of Cape Horn, because there's nothing here with metal enough to stand us off, except the British 64-gunStandard, and it's reported that she has already left Lima, bound for England."
"We may find some craft that will show her teeth, despite all Master Hackett says," I replied, little dreaming how nearly the truth I was speaking.
It would please me greatly to be able to go into all the details of what was done by the officers and crew of theEssexwhile a new fleet was being gotten together, for we did actually collect a squadron of vessels while so far from the home port; but we met with so many startling adventures, each of which would be of greater interest to a stranger than the setting down exactly how that or the other vessel was captured, that I shall tell this portion of the yarn as briefly as possible.
First let me say, however, that Phil Robbins and I were treated by the men on the gun-deck more as shipmates and less like boys after our adventure in Valparaiso, although why there should have been any change I am wholly unable to say, for we did nothing of moment, save to show, by our willingness to accompany Benson when he baited the trap for us, that we were more simple than lads of our age ought to have been.
It is not to be supposed that the old shellbacks showed any very intense desire to be with us, andsometimes plainly said that the room we occupied was better than our company; but they spoke with us now and then as if we were in fact shipmates, sometimes even going so far as to tell us a particularly interesting yarn. It goes without saying that we were forced to wait upon the whole boiling of them, and were seldom allowed an idle hour; but, to describe the situation in a word, there was a decided and agreeable change so far as we two lads were concerned.
After theBarclayhad been recaptured and remanned, we stood across from the mainland toward the islands without meeting a craft of any kind. On the 17th of April we made Chatham Island, but were not rewarded by the sight of an enemy, and a few days later we hove to off Charles's Island, where was located the whalers' post-office.
This last consisted only of a stout box nailed to a tree, where the fishermen deposited letters for each other, or to be taken home by the craft heading in that direction. Captain Porter did not hesitate to rifle the "mail," and by so doing gained much valuable information concerning the different ships in the Pacific.
We cruised around among the islands, seeing nothing which interested us in the way of business, until the 29th of April, just at sunrise, when all hands rushed on deckat the welcome cry of "Sail ho!" the first we had heard since the day we came across theBarclay.
A large ship could be seen to the westward, and an hour after we began the chase two other craft were sighted a trifle farther south.
With three ships in sight, and the odds in favor of all being enemies, it can well be understood that we were in a fine state of excitement.
Until this time I had positively refused to do as Phil desired in the way of asking my cousin, Lieutenant McKnight, to use his influence with Lieutenant Downes to the end that we might be considered as members of his fleet; but on this morning, when it seemed positive there would be hot work in plenty before night, I plucked up sufficient courage, as my kinsman was standing on the break of the quarter, to approach him.
It was the first time since we left port that I had ventured so far as to speak to an officer without first being accosted, and Stephen—I mean Lieutenant McKnight—looked surprised, as indeed he had good cause to be, since it is not customary for boys aboard a man-of-war to address familiarly those who are so far above them in station.
However, it so chanced that the lieutenant was in good humor, as he should have been, with so manypossible prizes in sight, and kindly answered my salute by asking what I would have.
Had he been ashore and had I never sailed under his command, I should have accosted him by the name of Stephen, and made known my wants boldly; but now I stuttered and stammered like a simple, thus showing what a difference a uniform and a commission can make.
After a time, however, I managed to say, he kindly encouraging me to "speak up man fashion":—
"There's like to be much work for all hands before night, sir, and Philip Robbins and I are sore at heart because of never having a chance to prove that we can do more than falls to the lot of boys aboard ship."
"So!" the lieutenant said with a laugh. "You are growing down-hearted because there isn't danger enough?"
"It's not exactly that, sir; but when danger does come, we want our full share of it."
"Then you have no cause for complaint, lad. A round shot is as likely to take you off as me; aboard ship we all run the same chances."
"But those who are under Lieutenant Downes when his fleet is called away are likely to see more service and have better opportunities for earningadvancement," I stammered, whereat he laughed heartily, thus putting me considerably more at my ease.
"You are eager to try your hand at close work?" he said, rather than asked; and I fancied he was not displeased because I had ventured to approach him on such an errand.
"That is what we most desire, sir," I replied. "If you could only persuade Lieutenant Downes to take us with him when next the boats are called away, I would do anything I could to repay you when we get ashore."
"But what would my uncle, your father, say when I saw him? Do you think he is as eager that his son should be shot as you are?"
"We're not counting on that part of it, sir. All who come to close quarters with an enemy are not shot, else you would never be standing on this quarter-deck, wearing the uniform of a lieutenant."
He smiled at this bold speech of mine, whereat I plucked up courage sufficient to continue by saying:—
"Unless you had been given an opportunity of showing what you could do, a commission would never have come your way."
"Now we are getting at the real reason for this request!" he exclaimed cheerily. "You and Robbinsbelieve that by taking part in one sharp engagement rapid advancement is assured?"
"We never will advance, sir, until we have shown ourselves worthy, and there is no great chance of doing good work while we loiter on board when others are paving their way to a commission."
"You speak right sensibly, Cousin Ezra," he said, in a tone which went straight to my heart; for it proved that he had not forgotten the ties of kinship which bound us, even though he was so much higher in station. "I will do all I may properly to persuade Mr. Downes to take you under his wing. If I succeed, remember that I would be equally shamed if you showed the white feather."
"None of the McKnights have ever done anything of the kind, sir, and it's not likely your cousin would be the first to write himself down a coward."
"I begin to believe that you're of the right sort, Ezra; and if you don't make your way in the navy, it won't be because I haven't done my share toward it."
Surely, a lad could not ask for a fairer promise than that; and after saluting properly I went forward, feeling remarkably well pleased with myself.
I found Phil on the forecastle-deck, and the lad was so overjoyed by the news, having come to believe Iwould never dare ask such a favor of my cousin, that he would have kissed me then and there, but I sprang back in time to prevent an exhibition which must have made us the laughing-stock of all our messmates.
From this time on it can well be imagined that we watched the chase with even more of interest than would ordinarily have been displayed, and Phil said again and again that he hoped the wind would die away, so we might be called to the boats.
If all his wishes could have been granted so quickly, he might have counted himself the most fortunate lad in all the world.
We rapidly overhauled the ship first sighted, and it was no more than nine o'clock in the morning when we came within half a mile, pitching a shot across her bows which brought her to in short order.
TheEssexwas run within hailing distance, and then we learned that our prize was the British whaleshipMontezuma, with fourteen hundred barrels of oil on board.
We could not afford to spend very much time on her because the other two craft were near at hand, and without further ceremony than that of hailing to learn who she was, a prize crew was called away to board her.