THE PARTY CAME IN, WAVING GREEN PALM-LEAVES.
THE PARTY CAME IN, WAVING GREEN PALM-LEAVES.
He was as humble and friendly as possible, as well he might be, considering the fact that we had been the means of saving him from being served up as a Typee roast or stew.
"If ever it comes my way, I'll do you boys a good turn," he said in a tone of thankfulness, and I was disposed to let the promise pass without comment; but Phil did not hold the same opinion.
"That is to say, you count on being friendly to us until another chance comes your way of selling us to the whalers, or of seeing us roasted and eaten," he said angrily; whereupon Benson replied with what I believed was sincere regret for having attempted to do us bodily harm:—
"If you'd been in my position since yesterday, you'd know full well that I couldn't be other than thankful for what you have done."
"I allow we were in much the same situation when you had us in your keeping, and was determined we should be roasted!" the lad said hotly. "But for the fact that the Typees got the worst of the battle, we'd be ready for cooking this very minute."
Benson could make no reply to what was neither more nor less than the truth, and he hung his head, as seemed to me most proper.
After a few moments of silence he asked:—
"Do you know what your captain counts on doing with me?"
"He isn't in the custom of telling the crew what he proposes to do," Phil said curtly; "but this you can set down for a fact, that if he turns you loose around the bay, you'd better be mighty careful, for there are those among the men who wouldn't count it a crime to kill you as they would a mad dog."
By this time a boat had come ashore from theEssex; Benson and the Typees who had brought him in were taken on board, and we did not get a glimpse of the Britisher until many days afterward. The natives, however, came ashore half an hour later and were conducted by our men a short distance up the mountain, lest the Happars, disregarding the flag of truce, should set upon them.
Three days later Captain Porter took possession of the fort and island in a formal manner. He and his officers went into the fortification where the flag, which had been lowered a few moments previous, was hoisted while the ships saluted it in fine style, and then it was announced that the island had become a portion of the United States. From that hour, so the captain declared, Nukuheva should be known as Madison Island,in honor of the President, and the fort was given the same name. The bay had already been christened Massachusetts, and at the time it seemed to me that my country had come into possession of a valuable territory; but those at home thought differently, for in after years no effort was made to hold what the gallant oldEssexhad fairly won.
The remainder of this day when we took possession was spent in sport, all hands having full liberty until one hour before sunset; and a grand jollification we had, visiting the most respectable Happar families.
Next morning twenty-one men were told off as the force to man the fort, and command of the same was bestowed upon Lieutenant Gamble of the Marines. The duty of this little party was to guard the remainder of the company while at work on the fleet, and otherwise keep peace between the Happars and the Typees. Then the task of putting the ships into sailing trim was continued, and Phil and I sincerely regretted having been assigned to the cook's department, otherwise we might have been numbered among the defenders of the fort,—a position which would have pleased me mightily, for it seemed certain that the Typees were more than willing to let us severely alone.
As I stop writing at this point for an instant, I cometo realize that my yarn is being spun out too long. It would please me greatly to be able to set down here all we did while on Madison Island, for we spent many a happy hour there, despite the hard work; but by so doing I might never come to an end of that which I hope will pass for what landsmen call a "story," although every word is no more than the truth, as all our ship's company can testify.
In order, therefore, that nothing of importance concerning the cruise of theEssexmay be omitted through lack of time and space, I will copy here what was afterward written by a great historian[2]concerning what cost us three days of fighting, and to relate which in detail would force me to write over many pages.
"After their first fears had been allayed, or they came to understand how small was our force, the powerful Typees remained hostile, and became more and more defiant, to the great discomfort of the Happars and the annoyance of the Americans. At length Porter resolved to make war upon them.
"An expedition of thirty-five Americans, including Captain Porter, and five thousand Taeehs and Happars, moved against the incorrigibles. The Typees, armed with slings and spears, met them with suchoverwhelming numbers and fierce determination, that at the end of the first day they were compelled to fall back to the beach, numbering among their casualties a shattered leg belonging to Lieutenant Downes, caused by a sling-man's stone. That night the valley of the Typees resounded with shouts of victory, and the sonorous reverberations of many beaten drums.
"Porter renewed the attempt the next day, and led his motley army boldly over the rugged hills into the Typee valley, in the midst of great exposure to hostile missiles from concealed foes, and many privations.
"Village after village was destroyed until they came to the principal town, in which were fine buildings, a large public square, temples and gods, huge war-canoes, and other exhibitions of half-savage life. These were all reduced to ashes, and by the broom of desolation that beautiful valley, four miles in width and nine in length, was made a blackened desert. The Typees, utterly ruined and humbled, now submissively paid tribute."
It seems almost cruel to tell so brave a yarn in such few words; but for the fact that there are yet more important adventures of our cruise to be set down, it should not thus be hurried over.
Neither Phil nor I was of the party which CaptainPorter himself led over the mountains. I am not prepared to say that we would have gone with the army if permission had been given; we knew what fate awaited those who might be made prisoners, and would have shrunk from thus taking the chances of being the principal dish at a Typee feast.
When our men came back to the beach whipped, at the close of the first day's fight, and we saw Lieutenant Downes brought in by four Happars, looking as if death sat on the litter with him, it began to appear as if Massachusetts Bay was not a desirable naval station.
Nor were Phil and I the only ones among the company who grew faint-hearted when the reverses were made known. The old shellbacks who had previously grumbled because we were to take part in a native war, now came out strong with their predictions of evil; and to have heard them scold and mutter, one would have said that already were we hopelessly overcome.
Next day, when our men set out leading the entire army, we watched until they were lost to view in the distance, firmly believing we would never see them again. During the time we spent anxiously waiting for news from the battle-field, all hands were in thefort or on board the ships, ready to open fire if the Typees should chase our people to the shore of the bay; but at nightfall our anxiety was changed to rejoicing.
A Happar messenger came in with the information that Captain Porter had whipped the Typees thoroughly, and would remain absent from the bay another day in order to destroy the villages belonging to the enemy.
It was my good fortune to have the opportunity of carrying this news to Lieutenant Downes, who lay in his cabin on board theEssex, and to my great surprise I discovered that he had never been in doubt as to the result of the expedition.
"It couldn't have been otherwise," he said, when I had emptied my budget of news. "Thirty-five white men with ample supply of ammunition could beat off all the natives of the island, providing they were not ambushed. It went without saying that Captain Porter would flog them into submission."
Because he spoke to me so familiarly, I ventured to ask him concerning Benson, for up to this time neither Phil nor I had been able to learn anything regarding him.
"He is below, in such snug quarters that I promise you there is no chance of his escaping."
"Will he be taken back to Valparaiso?" I ventured to ask.
"I think not, my lad. It is my opinion that he will remain on board until we arrive at the home port, and then be delivered over to the proper authorities. So long as Captain Porter holds command of theEssex, there's little chance the young scoundrel will play any more tricks on honest seamen."
As a matter of course, Phil and I knew full well that Benson was on board the frigate; but we were not just certain what the captain proposed to do with him when we made Valparaiso again, and this assurance of Lieutenant Downes's caused me to feel decidedly better mentally, for we were not minded he should escape his just deserts.
When our people came back, escorted by the triumphant Happars and followed by the chief men of the Typees, who were eager that peace be made between us, we gave them a grand reception, which was not prolonged, for on the following morning the work of refitting the ships of the fleet was continued as if our commander was impatient to be at sea once more, as really was the case if the statements made by Master Hackett the evening following the return of the army were true.
I had asked him why Captain Porter was bent on pushing the work forward to the utmost limit of speed, and the old man said gravely, as if he considered it an exceedingly serious matter:—
"It is near time for the arrival in the Pacific of one or more of the frigates sent out from England to destroy us. From all I've gathered, an' by puttin' this an' that together when I've overheard the officers talkin' it amounts to considerable, it's our commander's idee to meet the Britishers one by one as fast as they arrive, instead of givin' them a chance to come at us with a squadron after due preparation. We've got to fight our way home, if we ever get there; an' accordin' to my way of thinkin' Captain Porter couldn't do a wiser thing than to meet the enemy as soon as possible after they round the Horn."
"Why then, Master Hackett?"
"Because after such a voyage every ship is bound to be at her worst, an' it's our best chance; if we give them time to overhaul an' lay plans, we stand a show to get beaten."
"And are we to give up the island after having so much trouble to subdue the Typees?"
"Not a bit of it, if all I've heard be true. Lieutenant Gamble, with midshipmen Feltus an' Clapp, are toremain behind in command of the force detailed for the fort."
"And they are to stay here to keep peace among the natives," Phil exclaimed in a tone of surprise, whereupon Master Hackett corrected him by saying:—
"It goes without sayin' that they will keep peace on the island; but that ain't the reason for leavin' 'em here, by a long shot. We'll need a harbor for repairs while we stay in the Pacific, especially after two or three battles at sea, which I reckon will fall to our share. Them as remain behind will see to it that the Britishers don't take possession by some of their whalin' vessels or otherwise, an' we'll have a port to run to if the odds are too great against us."
I failed to figure out what was to become of those left behind in case theEssexwas destroyed, or if she was forced to flee around the Horn; and Master Hackett could not help me to a solution. He seemed to treat it as one of the chances of war which the defenders of the fort must take, and as such, not worthy of discussion.
Well, the refitting was pushed forward with all speed, and near about the first of December we were so far ready for sea that it was only necessary to take in a quantity of water and fresh provisions.
The prizes were warped in close under the fort, and moored there in such manner that nothing short of a most violent tempest could disturb them.
The encampment ashore was broken up, and all the men ordered on board the ships which were to venture out.
When this last order was given, we had signs of serious trouble.
The natives, who had become fast friends with our men, set up a terrible howl, and from morning until night we could see them on the beach crying and begging that the crew be sent ashore again, while on board the frigate and theEssex Juniorthe sailormen themselves were bewailing a fate which seemed unnecessarily hard.
There was little mutinous talk on our ship; but we heard again and again that the crew of theEssex Juniorwas nearly in a mutinous frame of mind because the pleasant stay ashore had come to an end.
As a matter of course the old shellbacks were not concerned in this insubordination. They recognized the fact that we must put to sea as speedily as possible, and were even eager to be gone; but many of the younger fellows would have deserted except for the strong guard which was kept both night and day.
Only those who could best be trusted were sent on shore for the stores, and among these was Master Hackett, therefore we lads heard much of what was happening aboard of our consort.
It was the evening of the second day after we had been ordered aboard ship that Master Hackett told Phil and me, while he was smoking comfortably near No. I gun, the following startling news:—
"Bob White of theEssex Juniorhas been blowin' his gaff so loud that it has come to the ears of our officers, an' all hands will be called up for a wiggin' from the commander before another day goes by, or I'm a Dutchman, which I ain't."
"What has he been saying?" Phil asked curiously.
"That we of the frigate have come to a solemn agreement not to get under way when the order comes; or, if we're forced to do that, we're to seize the ship in three days after leavin' port, an' them on theEssex Juniorare to stand by us."
"But all that is a lie!" I cried hotly. "If there had been a mutiny on board this ship, surely it would have come to the ears of Phil and me!"
"I allow that some of our youngsters have been makin' foolish talk against puttin' to sea when there's so much fun to be had ashore; but as for downrightmutiny, why it's all in your eye, Biddy Martin. I count that the worst insubordination has been argufied in my hearin', an' that only went so far as to swimmin' ashore for a night's frolic. Bob White will find himself in trouble, or I'm mistaken."
Master Hackett's prediction was verified early next morning, when the crew of theEssex Juniorwas ordered aboard the frigate, and, in company with all our men, summoned to the break of the quarter, where was standing Captain Porter and his officers, decked out in their newest uniforms.
The captain did not show any sign of anger when we stood before him, but began like a preacher, by telling what he had heard was talked of among the men.
It goes without saying that this was the same yarn Master Hackett had spun for us the night before, and the commander said flatly that he didn't allow there was any truth in it.
"I can't believe any of you who have braved so many dangers during this most glorious cruise would turn mutineers simply because life on the island is so pleasing. If it should be, however, that you came to such a pass, rather than allow the shame put upon us, I will without hesitation hold a match to themagazine and blow all hands into eternity, for it is better that the ship and every man in her perish, than have it told at home that we were ready to sacrifice the interests of our country to personal desires. While I don't believe it possible such an agreement could have been made, there may be some hot heads among you who do not care for the disgrace which would come upon all this ship's company, therefore I wish to see who will agree to obey my commands in the future as you have in the past. Let those who are ready to do their duty like men, by remaining on board when we go to meet the enemy, step over on the starboard side—I mean those who are not only willing, but eager, to get the good shipEssexunder way when the order may be given to do so."
In a twinkling every man jack of us was lining the starboard rail, looking curiously behind to see who would dare show himself mutinously inclined.
No one remained on the port side, and Captain Porter looked pleased; but the end of the matter was not yet, as he then proved by saying:—
"Let Bob White come forward!"
The mutinous sailor obeyed sheepishly; and when he stood out from the rest of us, a mark for every eye, the captain said sternly:—
"This is the man who has reported that you had not only agreed to disobey orders, but were ready to turn pirates for the sake of spending your lives on the island. He who will spin such yarns about honest sailormen is not fit to associate with them. Mr. McKnight," he added, turning to my cousin Stephen, "see to it that this scoundrel is dropped into one of the canoes which are hanging around, and let it be understood that the sentries are to fire at him if he makes any effort to come aboard again."
My cousin had hardly more than stepped off the quarter to give the necessary order, when Master Hackett and a couple of his cronies seized Bob White, and before one could have counted ten the mutineer was kicking and splashing in the water alongside. They had not taken the trouble to see whether a canoe was close at hand.
There were so many islanders near about, however, that White was speedily picked up, and from that time he was never seen again, unless, perchance, it may have been by those who garrisoned the fort.
Then, after thanking us for what we had already done while under his command, and for what he expected we would do in the future, the captain dismissed us that we might get about the work of the day.
It was only natural that while engaged in this task or the other my mind should be filled with thoughts of the insubordination, and the possible result if the crew had been able to remain on the island.
The seamen among us who had had the most experience in such matters, believed that we stood but little show against those ships which had been sent from England in search of us; that theEssexwould never round Cape Horn with the stars and stripes flying. In such case we had only death or imprisonment to look forward to, and it is not so very surprising that some of the men should desire to remain among the islanders.
As for myself, and I can also speak for Phil in the same words, cowardly at heart though I was, it seemed far wiser to make a brave fight for it than go into voluntary exile among cannibals. Yet, while I thus decided, there was a great fear in my heart concerning our fate, and I would have given up anything I possessed, with a mortgage on everything which might come to me in the future, had it been possible to step at that moment into my own quiet home. I had seen enough of war, although having viewed it only from the brightest side, and I quaked at the prospect of what lay before us, even though we might, in the end, succeed in giving our enemies the slip.
It was the morning of December 12, 1813, when we got under way, amid the booming of the guns from Fort Madison, and I venture to say there was not a man in either ship, whether officer, ordinary seaman, or marine, who did not wish we might have remained there a few weeks longer, providing it could be done safely and honorably.
The prizes were left under the guns of the fort, for now we were going out to meet the foe in battle, and could not be bothered with such as they. TheEssex Juniorand the frigate were to perform the hard work, receive the British fire, and then, if we were successful, which hardly seemed probable, would return to take our captured craft to a home port.
By nightfall the island was lost to view in the distance, and on the vast expanse of the ocean nothing could be seen by us save the good frigateEssexand her namesake and consort,Essex Junior.
Now let me set down something which I have copied from a yarn spun by an old sea-dog[3]who can jockey a spar or make a book with equal ease:—
"Up to this time not a dollar had been drawn to meet the expenses of the frigate. The enemy had furnished provisions, sails, cordage, medicines, guns,anchors, cables, and slops. A considerable amount of pay even, had been given to the officers and men, by means of the money taken in theNocton. Thus far the cruise had been singularly useful and fortunate, affording an instance of the perfection of naval warfare in all that relates to distressing an enemy, with the least possible charge to the assailants; and it remained only to terminate it with a victory over a ship of equal force, to render it brilliant. It is, perhaps, a higher eulogium on the officers and crew of this memorable little frigate to add, that while her good fortune appeared at last to desert her, they gave this character to their enterprise by the manner in which they struggled with adversity."
On this our first evening at sea, after so long a stay in port, Master Hackett was unusually agreeable and friendly with us lads who had done our best toward saving his life, whether that best was ill-advised or opportune. Instead of smoking in the company of the other old sea-dogs, he joined us near No. 1 gun, and there began to hold forth on the "luck of theEssex" as if believing we needed heartening now that we were pressing forward to meet an enemy of equal or greater strength than our own.
"You lads haven't made quite as bad a fist ofsailorin' as I counted on when you first came aboard," he began. "You've given good attention to your duties, an' when next you ship, I reckon it should be as ordinary seamen—"
"Providing we ever get a chance to ship again," Phil interrupted. "It seems to be the opinion among all hands that we're on our last cruise."
"Pay no attention to what those old croakers are sayin'," Master Hackett replied quickly. "Sailormen always borrow trouble when there's little show for it, an' don't take the pains to work out the traverse that can be made. I hold that the 'luck of theEssex' is still with her, an' will be when we meet the Britishers yard-arm to yard-arm, or at whatever range our commander believes to be best. No man can go into an engagement an' do his full duty if he counts on bein' knocked out before it's over. Believe that you'vegotto lick the other fellow, an' then you'll have an advantage."
Master Hackett could not have said anything which would have caused me to believe more firmly that he, like many another on board theEssex, was convinced we had come to an end of our "luck," and I turned away abruptly rather than listen further.
FOOTNOTES:[2]Benson J. Lossing.[3]J. Fenimore Cooper.
[2]Benson J. Lossing.
[2]Benson J. Lossing.
[3]J. Fenimore Cooper.
[3]J. Fenimore Cooper.
I forgot to set down the fact that we brought away from Nukuheva, or, I suppose I should say, from Madison Island, Mr. Maury and his companions. They had had quite enough of the place and the life there, beautiful though the first was, and enticing as the latter might be. It was said Captain Porter proposed that these men remain in the fort, since, conversant with the language as they were, communication with the natives would be more readily had.
To such a proposition they declined flatly, and this fact should have been sufficient to show those of our crew who still hankered for the flesh-pots of Nukuheva, what would have been their condition of mind after having remained as long in that veritable garden of Eden.
Our voyage had hardly more than begun, that is to say, it was on the second day after leaving port, when one of the marines brought word that Phil and I had been summoned to the quarter-deck.
The wooden-headed fellow had not taken the trouble to find out why such an order was given, nor which of the officers had sent it; he only knew that his sergeant told him to summon us, and we two lads were in a fine state of excitement. Even Master Hackett looked grave when he questioned us closely as to whether we had made foolish talk which might have been overheard by the officers, or if our duties had been seriously neglected at any time lately.
He was helping us make ready for the visit all the while he asked these questions, therefore no time was lost in such converse.
We could not have neglected our duties, for, as a matter of fact, we had none while at sea save to answer the beck and call of every member of the ship's crew, and were so far beneath the officers in station that they did not even take the trouble to look at us, except when our services were required.
However, there was neither rhyme nor reason in our speculating very long as to why we were thus summoned. We were bound to answer the call as soon as might be or find ourselves slated for punishment; and as soon as Master Hackett announced that we were togged out in proper fashion, Phil and I went aft feeling very uncomfortable in mind. And we came toknow then, if never before, that there is no sense in crossing bridges till you come to them, or, in other words, it's unwise "to trouble trouble till trouble troubles you."
On going aft we found my cousin, Lieutenant McKnight, standing near the break of the quarter-deck, and, saluting him as I would have done had there been no kinship between us, I asked if he knew who had summoned us.
"I did, lad," he replied. "It is the captain's orders that you and your mate look after the prisoner, Oliver Benson. He has been cared for by one of Robert White's cronies, and it is believed best to give him in charge of those who have personal reasons for holding him fast, particularly while we are in the harbor of Valparaiso. You'll find him in the brig, and separate rations will be served out for him. See to it that he holds no communication with any of the crew; but allow him to walk about for half an hour every day while you stand guard over him with loaded muskets. In order to render you more careful, lads, I may say that we believe the fellow has some plan for escape in his mind, and you are detailed as his keepers in order that we may be certain of nipping it in the bud."
This was the longest speech the lieutenant, mycousin, had favored me with since I came on board, and it pleased me mightily, as did also the fact that we two lads were rated by our officers as being better able to look after the prisoner than some others of the crew.
Having spoken, Lieutenant McKnight turned on his heel, and we were left to set about the new duties according to our own ideas as to how they should be performed.
We went below from the after end of the gun-deck, and there found the gloomy cage guarded by a single sentinel, with whom Benson appeared to be carrying on a lively conversation.
This portion of the ship would have been shrouded in darkness but for a lantern which hung over against the bench where I fancied the guard should remain, and the light was so dim that for the moment Benson did not recognize us.
"Have you come to relieve me?" the marine said as we approached, and while replying to him I was seized by a sudden thought.
"Will you ask Lieutenant McKnight if he expects us both to remain on duty, or may we stand watch and watch?"
"It ain't likely he counts on two lads at the same time lookin' after one man who's locked in where hecan neither help hisself nor hurt others," the marine replied pertly, whereupon I told him that we should expect him to bring an answer directly from the lieutenant, otherwise I would go on deck and learn the reason why.
He looked at me for an instant as if surprised that a boy aboard ship should speak to him in such a fashion, and indeed I was rather astonished at my own air of authority; but I would not lower the words, once having given them utterance, and he, most likely knowing of the kinship between the lieutenant and myself, turned on his heel without giving vent to the sharp words I believed were trembling on the tip of his tongue.
Five minutes later, and before either Phil or I had gone so near the cage that Benson could distinguish our features, the man came back with the word that we were to look after the prisoner according to our own ideas of how such work should be done.
When the marine had left us once more, I went boldly up to the bars of the prison, and Benson uttered a low cry of what I took to be mingled disappointment and anger.
"So you two are to look after me?" he said with a sneer, evidently having forgotten that he had promisedever to remember us with liveliest gratitude because of what we had done when he was in the power of the cannibals.
Phil, who had never believed soft words should be wasted on a villain like Benson, answered his remark, which was at the same time a question:—
"It is only right we should do so, if for no other reason than to repay you for the care you have had over us on two occasions. We shan't threaten, however, either to sell you to the whalers or make certain you are roasted and eaten; therefore the account won't be really squared however long a time may elapse before we gain a home port."
"Home port?" he cried as if in dismay. "Am I not to be sent ashore at Valparaiso?"
"Captain Porter doesn't consider it necessary to tell us all he intends to do; but I'd be willing to wager considerable that you'll remain in this cage until we are anchored in some port of the United States."
Benson appeared to be staggered by this reply, and during two or three minutes remained as if in deep thought, after which he asked sharply:—
"Why has the guard been changed? Isn't an armed marine enough to keep me here, when it wouldbe impossible to get out unless some one supplied me with the proper tools for prying off the bars?"
"We know nothing more than that we have been ordered on duty," Phil replied curtly. "If the captain had counted on your understanding fully about the business, I reckon one of the lieutenants would have been here before this to make explanations."
Benson gave over for the time being trying to learn the reason for our coming, and appeared eager to be friendly with us, as might be seen when he tried to enter into conversation; but neither Phil nor I gave him any encouragement. We believed there was some serious cause for thus changing the guard, and were determined not to hold more converse with the prisoner than was absolutely necessary.
It was agreed between us that we would stand watch and watch, two hours at a stretch, and that he who was off duty should not leave the other alone more than fifteen minutes at one time.
You see, we suspected that the marines had shown themselves too friendly to the Britisher; and because it was believed by our officers that an escape was being connived at, we were assigned the duty of making certain the sailor-selling Benson remained onboard the frigate until he might be sent to some prison more secure than could be found in Chili.
Quarters on the gun-deck were luxurious as compared with those we were forced to occupy while acting as jailers. Above we had good air and plenty of it, save during a severe gale; but in the hold of the frigate we were shut out from everything, even the light of day. One hour was the same as another in that place of blackness; theEssexmight overhaul and capture half a dozen prizes without our being any the wiser, and we could only judge what might be the weather by the heel or lurch of the ship. All this we understood before having been on duty an hour; and as I realized that many, many long, dreary days might be spent by us in this disagreeable task, I began to wish most fervently that the Britisher had been left in the Typee village to supply the cannibals with the materials for a feast.
When an hour had passed and we had come to an end of discussing the reasons for our having been assigned to this duty, we drew lots to decide who should take the first trick, and Phil was thus selected; whereupon I proposed to go and have a chat with Master Hackett, to learn if he could throw any light on the subject.
"Remember, you are not to remain away more than fifteen minutes," Phil said warningly, and I promised to keep that fact well in mind.
When I gained the gun-deck once more, I found the old sailor in a fine state of anxiety concerning us. Because we had not returned, he believed we yet remained in the cabin, and was worrying lest we had been accused of some serious misdemeanor.
He was evidently relieved and considerably surprised by my explanations, but could give us no information whatsoever, save that he, like us lads, believed the captain had reason to suspect that one or more of the marines had become too friendly with the prisoner.
"I'll keep my eyes an' ears open, lad, an' it'll be odd if I don't pick up a bit of news here an' there. It goes without sayin' that the captain has good cause for givin' such an order, an' the reason is bound to leak out sooner or later."
"Will you come below sometimes and have your smoke with us?" I asked.
"If it so be there are no objections made, I will, lad. It might be a good plan, in case you have a chance of speakin' with Lieutenant McKnight, to ask if I would be allowed there. The rule is that none save the guards are to go near the brig."
It was time for me to join Phil once more, the fifteen minutes having been spent, as nearly as I could judge, and back I went to the dreary post of duty.
I had hardly more than repeated to him the brief conversation held with Master Hackett, when my cousin Stephen came down the ladder, greeting us in most friendly fashion.
After he had spoken of our duties, enjoining upon us the necessity of keeping the prisoner in full view all the time, he was pleased to give the following explanation for what appeared almost like an excess of precaution:—
"It is your especial duty to see that no one has an opportunity of speaking with the prisoner. It is not supposed that he can escape unaided; there is a possibility some of our people have been taken in by his smooth talk, and the captain is determined he be lodged in prison at a port where we may be certain he will be held."
Then it was that I made bold to ask if Master Hackett might be allowed to visit us, and the permission was given without hesitation.
"There is nothing to prevent his paying you a visit at such times as he is off duty; but if any other member of the crew should come without authority fromone of the officers, you are to warn him away at once, and in case he refuses to go immediately, give the alarm aft without delay."
With that the lieutenant left us, and Benson, who must have overheard at least a portion of the conversation, said mockingly:—
"I always believed the Yankees were cowards; but never before fancied the crew of a frigate could be scared by one Englishman."
Phil would have made an angry reply, but that I motioned him to be silent, afterward saying in a low tone:—
"It is worse than foolish to bandy words with the fellow. We know by his anger that our coming here has broken up some scheme he had in mind, and he may as well be allowed the poor satisfaction of gibing at us now and then."
"He may have full swing of his tongue once in a while, but I'm not minded to let him go on as he pleases all the time. While you were on deck he had altogether too much to say. Suppose you let Master Hackett know what Lieutenant McKnight said, and then we'll settle down to the work in shipshape fashion."
Once more I went on deck; the old sailor seemedgreatly pleased at the confidence which the officers appeared to have in him, by thus stipulating he should be the only visitor allowed near the brig, and promised to keep us posted on all that was happening aboard ship.
And he kept his promise to the letter. No less than twice each day, and sometimes much oftener, he sat with us repeating the talk of his shipmates, until we who were forced to remain alone in the darkness had a very good idea of what was going on above us.
The gun-deck barnacles were positive, according to Master Hackett, that at least two of the marines had been detected in favoring the prisoner more than was allowable, and some of them went so far as to say with assurance that a plot to liberate him when the first port was made had been discovered.
Not until the new year had begun did we learn anything of the outside world, and then Master Hackett reported that we were lying at San Maria, on the coast of South America, taking in water. No sail had been sighted during all this time; but information was given us at this port that the British frigatePhœbe, 36, Captain Hillyar, had weathered the Horn searching for theEssex.
One week after this, Master Hackett reported thatwe were entering the port of Conception; and before the day had come to an end we learned that no vessels had been found, but that the news regarding thePhœbewas confirmed.
"We're now under way for Valparaiso," the old man said, "an' unless I'm way off in my reckonin', we'll find there that the Chilian authorities have had a change of heart so far as we Yankees are concerned."
"Are you of the mind that they'll make trouble for us?" Phil asked.
"I ain't reckonin' they'll go quite so far as that, but it'll stand us in hand to be prepared for anything while we're lyin' there."
"Why doesn't the captain give that port the go-by?" I asked. "Why should we put in there if the Chilians are like to be disagreeable to us?"
"Captain Porter isn't the kind of a man to run away from an enemy, lad, an' that's what it would look like if we tried to slip around the Horn just now. His plan, accordin' to my way of reckonin', an' I've said it before, is to take the Britishers one by one as they come along, until we've given the whole boilin' of 'em a floggin'. If we didn't look in at Valparaiso, the enemy would say we were afraid to tackle anything but a whaler."
"How much heavier than our frigate is a 36-gun ship?"
"She'd be about the same in weight of metal, though there might be considerable difference in the way it was distributed. Now, a regular 36-gun ship should carry twenty-six long eighteens below, with sixteen 32-pound carronades an' two chase guns above, makin' forty-four in all. We've got, as you know, forty 32-pound carronades, an' six long twelves, which would make thePhœbeheavier than theEssex, even though our craft has two guns more. Now, there isn't a man aboard this 'ere frigate who wouldn't kick, an' kick hard, if Captain Porter should try to run away from the Britisher. Give us half a show, an' we'll prove that whalers are only taken by us in order to replenish stores an' protect our own merchantmen."
"That's brave talk; but you'll sing a different tune when we're alongside thePhœbe!" Benson cried from his cage; and this taunt threw Master Hackett into a towering passion.
Although it was forbidden that he should hold any converse with the prisoner, he freed his mind by telling us in a tone sufficiently loud to be heard by the Britisher, what he would do, regardless of rules, incase "that chimpanzee in the cage" had anything more to say against the Yankees.
"I've heard too much talk from him already," the old man continued, "an' the next time he so much as peeps while I'm around, I shall go straight aft an' ask permission to give him a dozen flicks with the cat, laid on by myself, which will be all he'll need by way of puttin' a stopper on his tongue."
From that moment until we were done with him forever, Benson never so much as snored while Master Hackett was near at hand.
On the 3d day of February we knew the frigate had come to an anchor, and shortly afterward the old sailor appeared to give us the news.
"Yes, we're in Valparaiso again, an' now we're salutin' the fort."
We could both hear and feel the report of the guns as they were discharged, and already knew as much as the old man was telling us.
"The captain will go ashore to chin with the governor accordin' to the rules an' regulations of the navy, an' after that the old chap will visit us."
"But what of a change of heart, Master Hackett?" I asked with a laugh. "I thought you counted on our getting a different reception from what we met with last."
"All this visitin' an' firin' salutes don't cut any ice. It's a way these 'ere swells have, no matter how they're feelin'. That puffed up old governor might come aboard of us a dozen times, hobnobbin' with the officers, an' yet be jest as willin' to cut our throats. Wait till thePhœbeheaves in sight, an' then we'll have a fairly good idee of whether they're friendly or not."
"Are we lying at our old anchorage?" Phil asked.
"Not a bit of it, my lad. We're well out in the bay, where we can get under way in a jiffy, an' theEssex Junioris cruisin' around outside, so's to give us warnin' when the Britisher heaves in sight."
"Then the captain is expecting a fight?"
"Expectin' it, lad? Why, he knows it's got to come! The only thing we're in the dark about is how soon the Britisher will show up."
Phil and I took turns going on deck during this and the following day, and I was on the forecastle twenty-four hours after our arrival, when the governor, his wife, and a boat-load of officers, came off to pay a ceremonious visit.
It was near sunset when Master Hackett visited us again, and this time he had quite a budget of news to unfold.
In view of the fact that the enemy might appear atany moment, shore leave was forbidden the crew, and only three of the officers had been allowed to land since they made their calls upon the governor; but these last visits were enough to show that Master Hackett's predictions were verified.
The officers found, so the marine gossips reported, that there was no longer any great show of friendliness among the people regarding us, and, in fact, it was openly said that the Chilians would be well pleased if we were beaten in the battle which seemed so near at hand.
"The British government has been threatenin', I reckon," Master Hackett said with an air of great wisdom, "an' the governor himself is countin' on our gettin' the worst of the fight; but there's where he's makin' a mistake, unless it so chances that too many Englishmen come up at the same time."
"We shall have theEssex Juniorto help us," I said like a simple, whereupon the old man replied scornfully:—
"What would she amount to in a fight? In an action with a frigate she wouldn't be any force to speak of. A craft carryin' ten 18-pound carronades and ten short sixes, with a crew of only sixty men, would likely be in the way rather than lend any help. No, lad, theJuniorain't to be thought of; an' when we go to quarters, you'll find that she'll get orders to keep at a proper distance, if only for the sake of showin' that we don't put two craft against one. ThePhœbewill get fair play, an' no mistake."
There was never a thought in Master Hackett's mind that the commander of thePhœbemight not count on giving us fair play; but the fact was soon made known to us.
"How many men can we muster?" Phil asked.
"What with prize crews, an' them as have been drafted to theJunior, I'm told that there are only two hundred an' twenty-five aboard this 'ere ship, countin' officers, cooks, boys, and sich-like useless raffle."
"How many would likely be on board thePhœbe?"
"A full hundred more than we've got, an' when it comes to boardin', or close quarters where muskets can be used, that extra hundred will count against us terrible."
"Are you growing faint-hearted, Master Hackett?" Phil asked with a laugh; at which question the old man turned upon him savagely.
"An old shellback like me grow faint-hearted? You're talkin' at random, lad! My time is bound to come before many years have passed, an' I only hopeto lose the number of my mess while standin' by the guns in a fair fight. A sailorman ain't built to die in his bed, nor does it beseem him to be buried on shore. What he needs to put him out of this world comfortably is the roaring of a broadside, the cheers of his messmates, an' a shot tied to his feet when he's dropped over the rail after havin' done his duty. So that we win the battle, it don't make much difference when I go into the next life; but if you should speak of bein' took prisoner, an' kept cooped up in a cage like that day in an' day out, there's where I might show the white feather, an' small blame to me."
The conversation was taking on altogether too gloomy a turn, more especially since we knew beyond a peradventure that before many days the frigate would be in action, and I put an end to it by proposing that one or the other of us go on deck for a whiff of fresh air.
Phil took advantage of the opportunity; Master Hackett followed him up the ladder, and I was left with only my gloomy thoughts for company, unless one counts the prisoner, as perhaps would be correct, since on this occasion he took it upon himself to be unusually friendly.
"I'm not counting on saying what your chances willbe when theEssexmeets thePhœbe" he began. "Your people may get the best of her—"
"As we surely will!" I replied angrily, for I did not like the tone of doubt which accompanied the words.
"Very well, say that you whip her handsomely. Do you think it can be done without sacrificing some of your men?"
"Of course we must expect that more than one poor fellow will lose the number of his mess."
"ThePhœbeisn't the only ship that's likely been sent out against you; and even though you whip the first two or three you come across, the time must arrive when you'll be too short-handed to work the frigate. In other words, no matter how successful your ship may be, you're bound to come to grief finally."
It was some such thought as this which was in my own mind, and it angered me that the Britisher should put it into words, for I did not relish being reminded of what appeared to be a fact.
"Why should you figure on our meeting vessel after vessel until we no longer have a crew left?" I asked sharply.
"Because it proves that in the long run I shall beset free by my countrymen, and then will come the time when I'll have the upper hand once more."
"Well?" I asked, failing to grasp his meaning.
"Well?" he said with a laugh. "To save your own neck, why not make friends with me now? It isn't to be expected that you could set me ashore; but you might leave the door unlocked by accident, and when the time came that you were in the brig of a British man-of-war, I would do you a good turn."
It surprised me so much, this speech of Benson's, that I allowed him to finish, instead of checking the villain as I should have done when it first dawned upon me that he was proposing I play the traitor.
"Look you, Oliver Benson!" I cried, speaking slowly that the words would have more weight. "If I knew beyond a peradventure that I might save my own life by doing the wicked thing you propose, I would say 'no' with my last breath. If you so much as hint at such a proposition again I will go straight to the captain with the story, and then you may be certain he'll give you a taste of the cat."
"My turn will come before theEssexis out of this scrape, and of that there is no doubt," he replied venomously; and I questioned not but that he wouldwreak vengeance upon Phil and me whenever the opportunity presented itself.
I was yet in the dumps when Phil returned, refreshed by a sniff of the sea air and a glimpse of the sun; but did not think it well to give him an account of the conversation just held with Benson. In the first place it could do no good, and, secondly, might make him as dispirited as I had become; for a fellow may not speak of death or imprisonment, when one or the other is sure to come soon, without experiencing a certain heaviness of heart which does not tend to mental comfort.
If we were to suffer death or imprisonment as the conclusion of the cruise, there was no good reason for looking forward to it.
Phil reported that theEssex Juniorcould be seen in the offing; that the frigate was lying near the entrance of the harbor where she could be gotten under way whatever the direction of the wind, and that everything, save the taking down of the bulkheads aft, was in trim for a fight.
"You'd hardly recognize the gun-deck now," he said in conclusion. "The men are not lounging around jawing or spinning yarns; but appear on the alert as if expecting the call to quarters at any instant, and itneeds only sand on the deck, so Master Hackett says, to give the proper showing.
"Sand on the deck?" I repeated.
"Ay, so that the planks shall not be slippery when covered with the blood of our men. I am told that it is always strewn around before a ship goes into action."
I could not repress a shudder. It was bad enough to hear Benson talk of what must surely come to us finally, without listening to an account of the preparations made for the actual approach of death.
At that time, when it seemed as if we were cornered like rats, I thought of my home which I had left so many months, and with the thought came a great wonderment that boys should ever be eager to leave their mother's side in order to take part in the wickedness of the world—for surely a war is wicked, whatever the cause.
While I sat there in the darkness, staring at the bars of Benson's prison, I heard again my mother's voice, and for the hundredth time since leaving home realized that she was my best friend; that I had voluntarily left her in order to come at last face to face with death or a lingering imprisonment.
Surely, this world never held a lad so foolish as I had proved myself to be!
After making the proposition that I allow him to escape, Benson gave over holding any intercourse with Phil and me. According to orders, we allowed him to come out of the cage every day and pace to and fro on the deck by way of exercise; but he did so in silence, and I was by no means disgruntled because he held his peace.
Master Hackett spent considerable time with us two lads while we were in port awaiting the enemy; but, after the conversation lately set down, he did not indulge in any speculations which might arouse disagreeable thoughts in our minds. Perhaps he understood that, confined in the dark hold, we would quite naturally give ourselves more wholly up to reflection and foreboding than would be possible on the gun-deck, and brooding over possible dangers while we were thus virtually alone would cause them to seem greater than they really were.
Whatever may have been his motive, I noted withsatisfaction the fact that he spoke in a more cheery strain of the expected action, and on one or two occasions even went so far as to predict that theEssexwould live to carry the stars and stripes around the Horn again.
Both Phil and I had come to believe that when the Britishers did arrive to give us battle, he and I would be forced to remain below, guarding our prisoner, and again and again we questioned the wisdom of setting two to watch one when the frigate was really short-handed.
Despite the cowardly thoughts which we realized would come into our minds as soon as an engagement was begun, we were sad because there seemed to be no chance we should bear our share of it. It would have pleased both of us very decidedly if it could have been possible to sail theEssexinto a home port without a severe fight; but since one must come, we were eager to perform our full part, whatever might be the result, and this could not be done if we were forced to act as jailers.
However, this, like many another trouble, was of slight consequence when the decisive moment arrived, as we soon learned.
One morning when the men were beginning tobelieve that the information regarding the Britishers having passed around Cape Horn was false, Master Hackett came below with every evidence of excitement on his face and in his movements.
"The enemy are in the offin' at last!" he cried, slapping us two lads on the back as if believing he had brought most glorious news.
"Can we see them from the deck?" Phil asked as he leaped toward the ladder, for it was my time of duty.
"No, lad, not yet: but theJunioris headin' for the harbor with signals set that she has sighted the enemy, an' it won't be very long now before we'll be showin' thePhœbewhat we're made of!"
Having said this much Master Hackett went swiftly on deck again, and I was left with my own fears and Oliver Benson for company.
I fully expected that he would try once more to persuade me into letting him escape, but fortunately for his own skin he said not a word, and I sat there silent and motionless, trying to picture my behavior in case it should by some lucky chance be possible for me to bear a hand in the action which seemed to be so near at hand.
The moments passed slowly yet quickly, and Ibelieved that a full hour had elapsed when Phil finally showed himself with excuses for having stayed away so long.
"TheJunioris close alongside with her anchors down, and Lieutenant Downes is with Captain Porter, most likely getting orders as to how his ship is to be handled during the engagement."
"Can you see the Britisher?" I asked breathlessly.
"Not yet; the boat's crew which brought the lieutenant on board says that they should be off the harbor in an hour at the longest."
"Theyshould be off the harbor. Is there more than one?"
"Ay, two, so it's reported, and Master Hackett says we'll tackle all that come, even if it's a whole squadron."
"He is talking foolishly!" I cried petulantly. "It isn't reasonable to suppose our commander will take any more chances than are absolutely necessary."
"I can't say what he may do; but our people are wild with excitement, and if the decision was left to them I doubt not but that Master Hackett's statement would sound less improbable. Go on deck and have a look around; but give me a chance when the Britishers heave in sight."
I lost no time in acting on his proposition, and as I came into the open air I saw Lieutenant McKnight approaching.
"Well, lads, your disagreeable work has come to an end for a time at least, and I can't fancy that you'll be sorry."
I looked perplexed, as indeed I was, and my cousin added:—
"The prisoner will be sent on board theJuniorfor a while."
"May I ask why, sir?"
"Because it would not be quite the proper treatment to keep him under fire. As soon as Lieutenant Downes comes on deck again some of our men will be sent below to iron the fellow and bring him on deck for transshipment."
I did not wait to hear more, or even to take a look around; but ran below with all speed to impart the cheering news to Phil.
On hearing what my cousin Stephen had said the lad was almost beside himself with joy; but Benson was overpowered by rage. He tore and beat with his fists at the bars of the cage, now crying out that we should be paid off with interest for treating him in such a manner, and again begging thatwe ask Captain Porter to allow him to remain on board.
There could be but one cause for his frenzy, which was that he had really made friends with some of the marines, and counted on their aiding his escape during the excitement of a battle.
We gave no attention to either his threats or entreaties; but it was a wonderful relief when three men, headed by Master Hackett, came below, the latter telling us we were free to go on deck since there was nothing we might do to aid them in their work.
I breathed freely for the first time since we had been given charge of the Britisher, when we stepped on the spar-deck and had a look around.
Within half a cable's length lay theEssex Junior, her boat alongside our ship, and in the offing two British men-of-war standing directly into the harbor.
"I wonder if the fighting will be done while we lay at anchor?" I said like a simple that I was, and Phil replied with the air of one who is wiser than his comrade:—
"Certainly not. In the first place, Master Hackett says it is against all the rules for ships to fight in a harbor belonging to a nation with which we are notat war. Then again, it is necessary to manœuvre the frigate while the fighting is going on, and to do that she must be on the open ocean."
"I see no signs of our getting under way."
"Then you must be blind indeed! Notice the men; each is at his proper station, and on the gun-deck the ammunition has already been brought out. Perhaps they have sanded the decks."
I turned away from him impatiently. Of what good was it to mention such a sinister preparation as that? It quickened the blood in one's veins to see the crew standing motionless, ready to execute on the instant the first order which should be given; and made the cold chills run down a fellow's spine to think that measures were being taken to cover that which represented the life of our people.
While I stood, half a coward and half eager to have a hand in the work about to be done, Benson was brought up from below—literally brought up, for he refused to lift hand or foot—and then dropped bodily into the boat alongside.
Lieutenant Downes took his station in the stern-sheets, and the small craft was pulled quickly away, leaving us on theEssexto meet the coming enemy.
The wind fined down as the Britishers came intothe harbor, thePhœbeleading the way, and we had a good opportunity of examining them minutely.
I had taken a station by Master Hackett's side, and therefore came to know a good many things which otherwise would have failed of attracting my attention.
"They've taken on extra metal to meet us," the old sailor said with a chuckle, as if such fact pleased him wonderfully. "Thirty long eighteens, sixteen 32-pound carronades, one howitzer, an' six 3-pounders in her tops. That's givin' us the credit of bein' good fighters, even though they do accuse us of not darin' to tackle anything but whalers."
"Did you ever see the other ship, Master Hackett?" I asked.
"Ay, lad, time and time again. She's theCherub, a 20-gun ship; but now she's carryin' twenty-eight in all—eighteen 32-pound carronades below, with eight 24-pound carronades and two long nines above. There can't be less than two hundred men on board, an' take it all in all, we've got a decently tough job laid out for us; but we'll tackle it in great style, lad. Why, the fact that the Britishers don't care to meet us with such a frigate as thePhœbealone, is enough to stiffen the backbone of every man jack belongin' to this 'ere craft."
As the leading ship came nearer we could see that her crew was at quarters, and more than one old sea-dog looked aft questioningly, as if expecting our captain would give the word to prepare for action.
Friendly port or not, it seemed very much as if the Britisher was making ready to give us a broadside without the courtesy of hailing.
Nearer and nearer came thePhœbe, forging ahead slowly, and when she was less than a pistol shot distant her commander, Captain Hillyar, hailed, asking after Captain Porter's health as if the two were warm friends.