University of Virginia Library

10. CHAPTER X.
THE LANDING.

In a few minutes Mr. Forrest returned to the deck. As he reached it Hebert
advanced towards him and bowing said,

`Mr. Forrest, of Canton, I believe?'

`Yes, sir.'

`I trust your daughter is better?'

`She is, sir.'

`You are a friend of Colonel Hood?'

`A most intimate one. Do you know him, sir, and can you tell me how he
fares?' asked the East Indian, with animation.

`He is my uncle, sir. My mother was his sister.'

`Captain Vincent's son?'

`Yes, sir.'

`I am glad to see you, my dear sir,' exclaimed Mr. Forrest, taking his hand
and warmly shaking it. `I knew your father well. He was a brave officer,
and did good service at Tripoli in that war, I am told! I can see his looks in
you. But of my friend, Colonel Hood—your uncle?'

`He is not only well, but I have seen and spoken with him within two hours.

`Within two hours!'

`Yes, sir. Do you see on the shore of the bay, a villa in the Italian style,
amid gardens, with a lawn sweeping boldly to the water?'

`About two and a half miles to the south-west of us?'

`Yes, sir. That is Colonel Hood's residence. From the cupola he and his
family have been witnesses of the chase and firing; and I left them only when
the ship struck to board the schooner and advise her captain to have the ship
run ashore here, the passengers landed with the most valuable portable articles,
and then the vessel to be set on fire, rather than fall into the hands of the Eng
lish. I was in the little shore boat, sir, which you probably noticed.'

`I did! I am thankful this captain Freemantle did not have to take such a
step. He has brought the affair to a noble result. That, then, is Colonel
Hood's abode!' added the merchant earnestly looking in the direction of the

villa. Captain Niles,' he said turning to this officer; `yonder is the dwelling
of the person I most wish to see, my friend Colonel Hood. If you would land
me here any where upon the beach with my daughter and servant we will walk
to the house. A run ashore after being one hundred and forty days at sea will
be exhilerating. My young friend, Mr. Vincent will accompany us and show
us the way.'

`With pleasure, sir! I can obtain a carriage for you at the first house we
should come to.'

`Then I will land here, captain, instead of going on to Boston; and especially
as Clara does not seem very well; and absence from the ship will benefit
her; for she will not feel that we are free from capture by the enemy until we
are safe along side of the wharf.

`I will land you here, sir, if you wish it,' answered Captain Niles. `It will
be morning as the tide and wind are, before we get in and drop anchor.'

He then gave the order to back the main top-sail and in a minute or two
more the ship was stationary again. It was this manœuvre that attracted the
attention and excited the curiosity of the party in the cupola.

The boat was lowered and brought along side, and the necessary luggage
placed in it. Colonel Hood then approached Freemantle, who had remained
all the while leaning over the quarter bulwarks, with his eyes absently fixed
upon his own vessel, which was steadily following the seaward sailing corvette.

`My noble young friend, I cannot leave this ship without expressing to you
again my warmest gratitude. But for your bravery, skill, and generous perseverance
in our behalf, I and my daughter would now have been prisoners in
yonder English vessel of war and this fair ship her prize.'

`You are going on shore, sir?' quietly asked or rather remarked the young
privateer Captain, turning and looking him full in the face.

`Yes, and I should be happy to have you accompany me. You can let your
vessel meet you in Boston, and you can ride over to the city in three hours tomorrow,
if you wish it. Come sir, as Colonel Hood's friend, I will invite you
to be his guest with me. He has a claim upon you, for he owes me and my
daughter to your gallantry.'

The face of the young man flushed with some pleasurable emotion.—
He answered with quickness,

`I will accept the invitation, sir!”

`Then our party will be complete.'

`Mr. Vincent, said Freemantle, approaching him, `a word with you.'

Hebert turned aside with him, wondering at this request and its object.

`You have desired to enter on board the schooner for a cruise. I have promised
you the berth now held by my first officer, who leaves the vessel as
soon as she reaches port. You are willing to accept this berth on the terms
we subsequently agreed upon?'

`Yes; for I have an ambition to sail with you.'

`You said you would join the schooner to-morrow.'

`Yes!'

`It is my desire that you should continue on in the merchantman to the city
and there remain until the privateer comes in, go on board of her and take
charge until I make my appearance,'

`And you?' asked Hebert with surprise, yet suspecting the truth.

`I am going to land with Mr. Forrest at his invitation. To-morrow—perhaps
to-night I shall take horse and gallop over to the city. Are you disposed
to comply with my wishes.

Hebert was for a moment thoughtful. Some plan seemed passing through
and developing itself in his subtle mind.

`When do you expect the schooner into port?' he asked in an indifferent
tone.

`She will tack after she sees the corvette three or four leagues at sea.'

`You wish me to take command until your appearance, after she gets in?'

`Yes.'

`But the first officer may not leave as you anticipate—or may refuse to resign
her without an order from you.'

`This I will give!' he answered.

And taking from his finger a small ring of plan gold he placed it on that of
Vincent. `Give this to him and he will execute my will,' he said in a decided
tone. And without waiting further word, he turned away to follow Mr. Forrest
and his daughter who were standing in the boat.

`Where is my friend's nephew, Mr. Vincent?' asked Mr. Forrest.

`He remains on board to go up to the city,' briefly answered the young privateersman.

`Then you have changed your mind?'

`Yes,' answered Hebert, in a hesitating, perplexed tone; for he had been so
taken by surprise and so influenced by the resolute purpose manifested by
Freemantle, that he had had no time for reflection. He would gladly have
gone in the boat for he wanted to solve the mystery of the former acquaintance
of Freemantle with Clara Forrest; and then he did not like to be ordered
so peremptorily. But he had in his mind other thoughts, bold and ambitious,
that induced him to suffer things to be, as Freemantle had directed, for the
present, murmuring to himself as the boat put away—

`My time will come too, my gay cavalier.'

`You need not lay to for the return of the boat, I will send it round to the
harbor tomorrow,' called out the privateersman, who instead of sitting in the
stern sheets with Mr. Forrest and Clara, was standing up on the forward thwart
of the boat, which position he held until it struck the beach within half a mile

of the villa. When they stepped on shore and looked back, they saw the ship
just disappearing round the headland to the northward, the corvette hull down-to
the east, and the schooner still steadily following her with the dogged per
severance of a sleuth hound placed upon the track of a wounded stag.