This latter remark was addressed to Serena, whom I tried to grasp as she lightly sprang down. We all followed, save Schillie and the two invalids. The pirates shouted with great deafening shouts, and ran towards us, rudely grasping hold of us as we each descended. We shuddered and shrieked with horror. The pirate king ran and brought Schillie down in spite of her struggles. The captain was instantly seized, and would have been roughly treated, but the sailors, unable to hear our cries and not help us, shot round the corner like a flash of lightning, and, ere the pirates were aware of their presence, mixed in themêlée, cutlass in hand.
Though at first the sailors gained an instantaneous advantage, the numbers against them were so great and the pirates so desperate, that much blood must have been shed and a fierce battle fought, but another boat appeared round the rock, most vigorously propelled, another, and again another. Now we were saved, God be praised! No more doubts, no more fears. We withdrew to a sheltered place on the cliffs, thankful, oh, how thankful God alone can tell. The pirates fled in every direction, but not before our captain, raising his gun, sent a shot after the pirate king that put an end to his reign and his love for ever.
An officer was sent to take our wishes, while the other sailors, with their captain and lieutenants, proceeded to pursue and exterminate the pirates. The fresh boats' crews being so eager in the chase that they knew nothing more about us than that some prisoners had been found. The captain, therefore, politely sent an officer to attend to us, with a message to say he was too busy to do so himself. We learnt from this officer that our captain's conjecture was quite true about the pirate vessel having been chased; and they knew well enough that, once seeing them, Capt. Bute would scour the sea in search of them.
They made for "Yr Ynys Unyg" as a last chance, knowing that few but themselves were aware that the great Anaconda was dead, and they trusted that the fear of it would prevent any one from landing on the island.
Their intentions were all frustrated by finding us all perched upon the rock, and it became a matter of policy to get rid of us somehow. They were unwilling toharm us at first, wishing to reap a golden harvest by claiming the rewards for our recovery; but our obstinacy in refusing to come down drove the pirate captain much beyond his own wishes. Had Capt. Bute's boats been half an hour later there would have been but little of our sad remains left. To his eagerness and skill in following the pirate vessel, and anchoring the Turtle side of the island under cover of the night, we, humanly speaking, owed our lives. May God be praised for all his mercies.
Madame and Smart were first to be considered. It was agreed they must both be taken on board the man-of-war for medical advice. I was to go with them, and Felix was to accompany me to attend on Smart. The rest were to be employed in making preparations for our final departure, besides getting La Luna ready for our once more taking possession of her.
But we had never been separated before for more than a few hours, and the leave taking was quite a business. So I promised to return in the evening, after seeing Madame and Smart comfortable and well cared for. We must talk over our joys as well as sorrows, and, hearing that there were some ladies and servants on board, I the more readily agreed to return. Madame was let down from the rock with great difficulty, utterly unconscious of anything but her own delicious thoughts.
In Turtle harbour, not a mile from our memorablebay, we found the ship, and it was with indescribable emotion that I climbed on to her deck. With the tenderness of women the kind sailors lifted up the invalids, while I was shewn down into the cabin to beseech the good offices of the ladies in it. There were two of them; one reclining on a sofa, hearing a little girl read, whose golden hair hung round her fair face, as the glory surrounds the cherubim; the other and oldest of the two was sketching from the cabin window. The lovely fair face of the recumbent one was raised as I entered.
Why did I start? Have I seen that face before, those calm clear blue eyes, the delicately-formed nose, the beautiful expression? Be calm, my heart, beat not so wildly. "Poor woman, she is ill, what is the matter with her?" said the lady at the window. I knew her too, so well, so perfectly, I wondered she could speak so calmly to me. I forgot my strange appearance, my island dress, my grizzled hair, and brow burnt by the ardent sun.
The younger lady gazed at me, but said nothing. "Pray be seated," said the sweet soft voice of the sketcher, "you look so ill, I will bring you some water." The other lady still gazed, was still silent, but she half rose from her sofa. I could not withdraw my eyes from the well-known face, but I grasped the kind hand that placed the chair for me, while my breath laboured under the convulsive swellings of my heart. "Shemust be one of the pirate women, and some of her people have been killed," said the elder lady. "Pray, Meta speak to her, and don't gaze at her so fixedly."
I tried to speak, it was impossible. I clung to the one sister, and held out my hand imploringly to the other. She sprang up, and rushed towards me. She pushed my hair from my forehead; her colour came and went like the evening clouds. "Oh, June, June, my sister, my beloved one, it must be you. I cannot be mistaken. I should know that face through every change. Speak to me, speak but one word, call me by my name, if only to ease my heart. My long-lost, my own sister, relieve me, relieve my bursting heart."
Faintly breathing the word "Meta," I remember no more. I sunk upon the ground, but I felt loved arms round me, and the bliss of heaven seemed to take possession of my senses. I awoke to the blessed reality my loving sisters were near me, they soothed me with sweet words, kissed me with sisters' kisses, asked nothing, said nothing but endearing sentences, and suffered my overburdened heart to relieve itself to the full.
The anxieties and cares of the past years, the fear and anguish of the last few days, rolled away like a dark cloud from my troubled brain, while peace, happiness, and rest flooded my heart to overflowing. The transition from utter misery to perfect bliss seemedtoo much for me at first; I had not felt until then the forlorn and hopeless state to which we had been reduced, and how death in its most dreadful form had nearly severed all I lived for from the earth they were so formed to enjoy and ornament. But, it is idle thus to write, joy does not often kill, so having seen our invalids well cared for, and introduced my lovely little savage boy to his aunts, my beloved sisters accompanied me back to my companions. We found the whole of the pirate gang secured, and going on board La Luna, ah! what joy. The surprise, the ecstasy, the happy welcome, the boundless joy, the innumerable questions. It is impossible to describe it.
We found we owed the meeting with our beloved relatives to the following circumstance:—After my brother's leave was up, and his ship's commission expired, instead of spending his time at home, he, with Sir Walter Mayton, chartered a vessel and determined between them to spend all the time his services were not required by his Queen in searching for us. My two sisters had begged to accompany them, one with her husband and children, and my eldest sister to be her companion. The Esperanza, their vessel, was something similar to La Luna, only larger and carrying six guns. They had been out six months, when, owing to the Esperanza requiring some little repairs, the party, consisting of my two sisters, Mr. J., and the children, accepted Capt. Bute's invitation to take a little cruise with him. He was in command of her Majesty's S.H., which had superseded my brother's ship on the piratical coast.
Accidentally coming across the pirates' vessel, Capt. Bute had given chase, and pursued her so sharply, that, under cover of the night, he had got the H. into safe anchorage on the lea side of the island without the pirates' knowledge. The rest of the tale has been told.
And now we were all on board La Luna, Capt. Bute spared us a crew; he remains behind to settle everything about the island, and to go afterwards to the other rendezvous of the pirates, there to rescue the remainder of our crew should they yet survive. Our captain gave him all particulars where to find it.
But we were not to be separated from our newly found relatives. Oh no! they came with us. We collected everything we wished to take from the island; the children's endless parrots, monkeys, shells, and pet things. Schillie took nothing, but her last act was to stoop down, and take a lengthened draught from the lovely stream. Florence, my eldest sister, made sketches of every place interesting to us, and, finally, we bade adieu to "Yr Ynys Unyg." Seated on the deck we saw the lovely island fade from our sight, with mixed feelings certainly but no regret. We had none for it, because we could only think of the happiness opening before us. The lost were found, the deeply-mourned restored, the mother given back to her little ones, the fondly-loved children to their sorrowing parents. Therewas rapture in these thoughts. No wonder that our little home, our little haven of so many conflicting emotions, faded from our sight for ever without a tear from any eye.
We were to shape our course so as to fall in with the Esperanza, which we did in about ten days. During those days fancy alone can paint the innumerable questions asked, the pang and half fear ere they were answered. We lived a life time, it seemed, in those ten days.
We had had no opportunity of restoring our pretty La Luna to her original beauty, therefore we did not wonder (my brother being on board, and we looking so practical) that the Esperanza bore down upon us in a menacing and warlike manner.
We submissively struck our colours, and ere long were boarded by my brother and Sir Walter Mayton. At the request of my sisters we all remained below, that they might have a little amusement. But it was hardly possible for us to wait. However, my brother quickly put an end to the suspense himself; for, in his quick decisive manner, down he came into the cabin, requesting to see the ship's papers. And, what papers did he see? The whole party in the cabin! He gave but one look, he comprehended it all, and, ere I thought it could be him, he had wrapt me in his arms; he wept with joy and thankfulness, and hecould not cease to gaze at us all with unutterable emotions of pleasure. We forgot Sir Walter Mayton until we heard his well-known firm tread stamping above, as if impatient at the Captain's delay. We determined to have a little amusement with him, and yet not keep him long in suspense. We sent the two boys up, and watched the effect. He started, and looked keenly at them, he threw his cigar away, and then we heard his loud cheery voice say, "Whose boys are you?" They said nothing, but each took hold of a kind hand, and smiled up in his face.
"Boys, I bid you tell me, who you are," and his voice husky, while we could see he trembled.
"It is us uncle, dear uncle, here we are all safe," and throwing their arms round his neck, they half smothered him with kisses, Lilly joining her brothers.
"But your Mother, my children, are you all safe? have I none to answer for?" "All safe, quite safe," said I, appearing immediately.
"Ready to thank you for all you have done for us, the weary years we have been away. For your kind thoughts, your indefatigable exertions, we are here to thank you, and prove our gratitude by acts as well as thanks." "Thank God, Thank God," he said. "This hour repays me for all my care."
And now what happiness, nothing to mar it, but a few gales of wind, which only blew us nearer to the homes our hearts longed for. Madame was nearly well, Smart only limped a little, and was in high spirits at hearing that not only was Mrs. Smart alive and well,but that Jem had become a young gamekeeper, and they had wanted for nothing during his absence.
"So you were right Master Felix, about the washing, she has done well at that," said Smart, "and a mighty good washer she be, sending me out with shirts as white as any Lord's."
We sailed in company, and it was hard to say which ship contained the merriest party, La Luna or the Esperanza.
We touched at St. Helena, and there picked up another brother to our great delight and pleasure.
The ships were gazetted there as the Esperanza and her consort, that the news of it getting to England before we did might prepare the beloved family in some degree for what was in store.
Once more we will return to that pretty drawing-room, and visit the kind sisters, the grey-headed father, the loving mother.
Her sweet calm face had lost its painful expression; years have gone by; time has come with its healing wings; she is nearer the hour when a meeting with the lost ones may be promised her in heaven. One sister is married and gone. The dark-haired sister is as usual employed in making brilliant flowers grow beneath her skilful fingers, like the magic work of the fairies. The pretty face of the other beams with content and sweetness. The door opens, and the grey-headed Father appears with the newspapers.
"My dear," says he, "what can this mean? Here is the Esperanza mentioned on her way home to England with her consort."
The Mother.—"Oh no, that must be a mistake. She has no consort; besides we do not expect our Esperanza home for six months at least."
The Father.—"But you see it is in the ships' news.'The brig Esperanza, Capt. C., touched at St. Helena with her consort, and brings home Capt. C. of the Royal Engineers.'"
The Mother.—"There really seems no mistake indeed, especially Bertrand's having joined his brother. I suppose Richard must have captured some pirate or slaver's vessel. You know he took out a license to do so."
The Father.—"Very likely; but still I think we should have seen some account of the exploit in the papers if he had done so."
Emily.—"Especially the Esperanza being a private vessel. I really think, Mama, it must be a mistake."
The door opens, and the best and kindest aunt in the world appears, who, having no children of her own, opens her large heart, and takes in those of her only sister's.
The Aunt.—"Don't be surprised to see me, but my husband has seen in to-day's paper that the Esperanza is coming home. I thought, sister, they were to have been absent a year?"
The Mother.—"So I expected, and we are quite puzzled about it, having seen the news as well as yourself. I am almost inclined to agree with Emily that it is a mistake."
The dear Aunt.—"Then I am miserably disappointed. When I heard it I was in the greatest hope you would have some news to tell me, so I ordered Osman and the brougham, and came here so fast that I amquite in fear for the dear fellow. Cecy, pray let me ask you for a little bread to give him, and do come down and look at him, he is in such beauty that Robert is quite proud of him."
So they all went down to look at the beloved horse, and Robert the groom heard him praised to his heart's content.
The dear Aunt.—"Well, now then, sister, I will say farewell, but we will do what you so kindly wish us, and come to-morrow for the whole week; by this means we shall be on the spot to hear the earliest news if you get any, for I must own I cannot bear suspense, and my Florence being in the Esperanza doubles my anxieties."
The Mother.—"We shall be charmed to see you, dear sister, so, until then, farewell."
On the morrow, the kind aunt and uncle were not the only visitors. Little Winny's father and mother, uncle Parry, the "next heir," all came pouring in, as well as innumerable letters from kind and anxious friends; but still no news by the post.
They had all seen the report of the Esperanza, and all had flocked to B——, as head quarters, to learn what had brought her home so much sooner than was expected. However, they were invited to remain the week out at that ever open most hospitable mansion.
In the middle of the week came Gatty's beloved parents. Zoë's father and mother lived so near that they could have daily intercourse; so daily everybody met, daily everybody talked, and daily everybody agreed that it was all a mistake, and that this Esperanza was not their Esperanza.
The summer is coming on rapidly. It is the 2nd of June, the golden laburnums hang their rich pendant clusters over the fragrant lilacs, all nature seemed rejoicing, and every tree had its living chorus, for no noisy gun or treacherous snare was ever heard or seen in that pretty garden.
"I don't mean to stay in the house this lovely evening," said Gatty's father. "Come Emily, come Julie, let us sit out on the lawn, and smell the fresh wholesome scent of the earth, and hear this delightful evening hymn of the birds. But do you expect company? Here is a carriage, and surely another behind it. No! it stops. But do my eyes deceive me? Who is in this first carriage? The dear crew of the Esperanza! Welcome, welcome. Bertrand too. My dear girls how well you look. Ah, Sir Walter, welcome, welcome home."
They are clasped in the arms of everybody, and welcomed home, as those who go to B—— are generally welcomed. The new brother also, after six years' absence in New Zealand. Everybody seems overwhelmedwith delight and pleasure. Whatever curiosity, whatever wonder, whatever fear might have run through the heart of each at seeing the beloved crew of the Esperanza so much sooner than was expected, all was now swallowed up in the joy of seeing them.
The old and valued servants crowded to meet them, and congratulate them on their safe return. "My goodness me," said Anne, the housekeeper, after she had made her courtesies and said her say, "if the great gates are not open and the beggars coming in. Oh, Thomas, (turning to the dear aunt's servant) whatever must we do, what a queer set. Be off, good people. I must see for some men to turn them out. I don't think really that they can be anything respectable. None of our people would peep and look in like that. I cannot make them out at all, Thomas. They have a look about them anyways but respectable."
Thomas.—"To be sure, Anne, they look Furrineers, and they never is so neat and trim as our people."
Anne.—"Furrineers, then, Thomas, help me to turn them out, we wants nothing but English here. Be off, good people, be off, we harbours no vermin here. Eh, but they're a strange set."
My brother ran to her. "Don't disturb those people, Anne, they are very good people," said he.
Anne.—"But so unmannerly, Mr. Bertrand, coming in at such a particklar time."
Mr. Bertrand.—"Never mind, Anne, they are friends of mine."
Anne.—"Friends of yours, oh, indeed, Sir; well we did not know that, Thomas, did we? and how could we guess, so queer as they look. Surely now Mr. Bernard, you have never been and gone and brought home some New Zealand savages?"
Mr. Bertrand.—"Yes, Anne, I have, and that tall woman in the hat is to be my wife."
Anne.—"Oh my goodness me, Mr. Bertrand, none of your jokes to me if you please, Sir. I don't believe a word you say, Sir, and the more I look at them people the more I am sure they are no friends of yours, Sir. Such outlandish folk, in them big hats and those long bed-gownish things, they are not respectable. I must——"
Mr. Bertrand.—"Hush, hush, Anne, they are dear friends of mine; wait, wait just a few minutes; hearken now to what my brother says to your master."
With trembling voice the dear brother was making the aged Father understand; Meta threw herself sobbing with delight into the arms of the long-mourning Mother, trying to tell her of the joy that yet remained to be told; Florence, with sweet touching voice, was preparing the dear enthusiastic aunt. Everybody was beginning to feel and know that there was something still to tell, some event yet to occur, something much beyond what they had yet felt or experienced. But who could look in the agitated faces of the travellers and not see that it was joy which so overcame them? Who could see the radiant smiles shiningthrough the irrepressible tears and not feel a thrill of happiness shoot through them?
And the poor beggars at the great gate, why were they in tears? why so agitated? Oh, make haste, they cannot wait much longer, their impatience is boundless. Think how many years they have been deprived of the sight of those sweet faces, the hearing those dear voices, the feeling those soft kisses. Gatty, Gatty, startle not your Father so, restrain your impatience; he wonders now. Who calls, that wild and passionate "Papa, Papa." Just a few short moments to wait. See, see, my Mother's eyes; she must know now, she is prepared. Almost before the signal is given, before the arms are open, Zoë rushes to her Mother. Winny, Schillie, Gatty (the first of all, with a bound like an antelope) all fly to their own people, and we three, Sybil, Serena, and I, into whose arms we fell I know not; I remember nothing, I can tell nothing but that I heard my grey-headed Father, in a low, distinct, and solemn manner, say—
"Now, Lord, lettest Thou Thy servant depart this life in peace."
FINIS.
Transcriber's EndnotesThe original publication contained many typographical errors. Minor misprints have been corrected without note, however the following amendments deserve further note:Chapter TitlesThe original sequence skipped the numbers 10, 26, 31, 37, 38 whilst using 39 twice. With no discrepancy in the page numbers, the chapters have been renumbered to avoid confusion.Hargrave/HavordThe character initially introduced as Hargrave is referred to as Havord from Chapter XXIX to part-way through Chapter XXXVI. In light of the poor typography throughout the book, all instances of Havord have been changed to Hargrave.
Transcriber's Endnotes
The original publication contained many typographical errors. Minor misprints have been corrected without note, however the following amendments deserve further note:
Chapter TitlesThe original sequence skipped the numbers 10, 26, 31, 37, 38 whilst using 39 twice. With no discrepancy in the page numbers, the chapters have been renumbered to avoid confusion.
Hargrave/HavordThe character initially introduced as Hargrave is referred to as Havord from Chapter XXIX to part-way through Chapter XXXVI. In light of the poor typography throughout the book, all instances of Havord have been changed to Hargrave.