 | CHAPTER XI. The water-witch, or, The skimmer of the seas |  |
11. CHAPTER XI.
“—Thou shalt see me at Philippi.”
Shakspeare.
The commander of Her Britannic Majesty's ship
Coquette slept that night in the hammock-cloths. Before
the sun had set, the light and swift brigantine,
by following the gradual bend of the land, had disappeared
in the eastern board; and it was no longer
a question of overtaking her by speed. Still, sail
was crowded on the royal cruiser; and, long ere the
period when Ludlow threw himself in his clothes between
the ridge-ropes of the quarter-deck, the vessel
had gained the broadest part of the Sound, and was
already approaching the islands that form the `Race.'
Throughout the whole of that long and anxious
day, the young sailor had held no communication
with the inmates of the cabin. The servants of the
ship had passed to and fro; but, though the door seldom
opened that he did not bend his eyes feverishly
in its direction, neither the Alderman, his niece, the
captive, nor even François or the negress, made their
appearance on the deck. If any there felt an interest
in the result of the chase, it was concealed in
a profound and almost mysterious silence. Determined
not to be outdone in indifference, and goaded
by feelings which with all his pride he could not
overcome, our young seaman took possession of the
place of rest we have mentioned, without using any
measures to resume the intercourse.
When the first watch of the night was come, sail
was shortened on the ship, and from that moment till
the day dawned again, her captain seemed buried
in sleep. With the appearance of the sun, however,
he arose, and commanded the canvas to be spread,
vessel forward to her object.
The Coquette reached the Race early in the day,
and, shooting through the passage on an ebb-tide, she
was off Montauk at noon. No sooner had the ship
drawn past the cape, and reached a point where she
felt the breeze and the waves of the Atlantic, than
men were sent aloft, and twenty eyes were curiously
employed in examining the offing. Ludlow remembered
the promise of the Skimmer to meet him at that
spot, and, notwithstanding the motives which the latter
might be supposed to have for avoiding the interview,
so great was the influence of the free-trader's manner
and character, that the young captain entertained
secret expectations the promise would be kept.
“The offing is clear!” said the young captain, in
a tone of disappointment, when he lowered his glass;
“and yet that rover does not seem a man to hide his
head in fear—”
“Fear—that is to say, fear of a Frenchman—and
a decent respect for Her Majesty's cruisers, are very
different sorts of things,” returned the master. “I
never got a bandanna, or a bottle of your Cogniac
ashore, in my life, that I did not think every man
that I passed in the street, could see the spots in the
one, or scent the flavor of the other; but then I
never supposed this shyness amounted to more than
a certain suspicion in my own mind, that other people
know when a man is running on an illegal course.
I suppose that one of your rectors, who is snugly anchored
for life in a good warm living, would call this
conscience; but, for my own part, Captain Ludlow,
though no great logician in matters of this sort, I
have always believed that it was natural concern of
mind lest the articles should be seized. If this `Skimmer
of the Seas' comes out to give us another chase
in rough water, he is by no means as good a judge
of the difference between a large and a small vessel,
have more hopes of taking him, were the woman
under his bowsprit fairly burnt.”
“The offing is clear!”
“That it is, with a show of the wind holding here
at south-half-south. This bit of water that we have
passed, between yon island and the main, is lined
with bays; and while we are here looking out for
them on the high seas, the cunning varlets may be
trading in any one of the fifty good basins that lie
between the cape and the place where we lost him.
For aught we know, he may have run westward
again in the night-watches, and be at this moment
laughing in his sleeve at the manner in which he
dodged a cruiser.”
“There is too much truth in what you say, Trysail;
for if the Skimmer be now disposed to avoid us,
he has certainly the means in his power.”
“Sail, ho!” cried the look-out on the main-top-gallant-yard.
“Where-a-way?”
“Broad on the weather-beam, Sir; here, in a range
with the light cloud that is just lifting from the
water.”
“Can you make out the rig?”
“'Fore George, the fellow is right!” interrupted
the master. “The cloud caused her to be unseen;
but here she is, sure enough,—a full-rigged ship, under
easy canvas, with her head to the westward!”
The look of Ludlow through the glass was long,
attentive, and grave.
“We are weak-handed to deal with a stranger;”
he said, when he returned the instrument to Trysail.
“You see he has nothing but his topsails set,—a show
of canvas that would satisfy no trader, in a breeze
like this!”
The master was silent, but his look was even longer
and more critical than that of his captain. When
diminished crew, who were curiously regarding the
vessel that had now become sufficiently distinct by a
change in the position of the cloud, and then answered,
in an under tone:—
“'Tis a Frenchman, or I am a whale! One may
see it, by his short yards, and the hoist of his sails;
ay, and 'tis a cruiser, too, for no man who had a
profit to make on his freight, would be lying there
under short canvas, and his port within a day's run.”
“Your opinion is my own; would to Heaven our
people were all here! This is but a short complement
to take into action with a ship whose force
seems equal to our own. What number can we
count?”
“We are short of seventy,—a small muster for
four-and-twenty guns, with yards like these to handle.”
“And yet the port may not be insulted! We are
known to be on this coast—”
“We are seen!” interrupted the master—“The
fellow has worn ship, and he is already setting his
top-gallant-sails.”
There no longer remained any choice between
downright flight and preparations for combat. The
former would have been easy, for an hour would
have taken the ship within the cape; but the latter
was far more in consonance with the spirit of the
service to which the Coquette belonged. The order
was therefore given for “all hands to clear ship for
action!” It was in the reckless nature of sailors, to
exult in this summons; for success and audacity go
hand in hand, and long familiarity with the first had,
even at that early day, given a confidence that often
approached temerity to the seamen of Great Britain
and her dependencies. The mandate to prepare for
battle was received by the feeble crew of the Coquette,
as it had often been received before, when
give full efficiency to her armament; though a few
of the older and more experienced of the mariners,
men in whom confidence had been diminished by
time, were seen to shake their heads, as if they
doubted the prudence of the intended contest.
Whatever might have been the secret hesitation
of Ludlow when the character and force of his enemy
were clearly established, he betrayed no signs
of irresolution from the moment when his decision
appeared to be taken. The necessary orders were
issued calmly, and with the clearness and readiness
that perhaps constitute the greatest merit of a naval
captain. The yards were slung in chains; the booms
were sent down; the lofty sails were furled, and, in
short, all the preparations that were then customary
were made with the usual promptitude and skill.
Then the drum beat to quarters, and when the people
were at their stations, their young commander
had a better opportunity of examining into the true
efficiency of his ship. Calling to the master, he ascended
the poop, in order that they might confer together
with less risk of being overheard, and at the
same time better observe the manœuvres of the
enemy.
The stranger had, as Trysail perceived, suddenly
worn round on his heel, and laid his head to the
northward. The change in the course brought him
before the wind, and, as he immediately spread all
the canvas that would draw, he was approaching
fast. During the time occupied in preparation on
board the Coquette, his hull had risen as it were from
out of the water; and Ludlow and his companion
had not studied his appearance long, from the poop,
before the streak of white paint, dotted with ports,
which marks a vessel of war, became visible to the
naked eye. As the cruiser of Queen Anne continued
also to steer in the direction of the chase, half an
other, to remove all doubts of their respective characters
and force. The straner then came to the
wind, and made his preparations for combat.
“The fellow shows a stout heart, and a warm
battery,” observed the master, when the broadside
of their enemy became visible, by this change in his
position. “Six-and-twenty teeth, by my count
though the eye-teeth must be wanting, or he would
never be so fool-hardy as to brave Queen Anne's
Coquette in this impudent fashion! A prettily turned
boat, Captain Ludlow, and one nimble enough in
her movements. But look at his toenails! Just like
his character, Sir, all hoist; and with little or no
head to them. I'll not deny but that the hull is well
enough, for that is no more than carpenter's work;
but when it comes to the rig, or trim, or cut of a sail,
how should a l'Orient or a Brest man understand
what is comely? There is no equalling, after all, a
good, wholesome, honest English topsail; which is
neither too narrow in the head, nor too deep in the
hoist; with a bolt-rope of exactly the true size, robands
and earings and bowlines that look as if they
grew there, and sheets that neither nature nor art
could alter to advantage. Here are these Americans,
now, making innovations in ship-building, and in the
sparring of vessels, as if any thing could be gained
by quitting the customs and opinions of their ancestors!
Any man may see that all they have about
them, that is good for any thing, is English; while
all their nonsense, and new-fangled changes, come
from their own vanity.”
“They get along, Master Trysail, notwithstanding,”
returned the captain, who, though a sufficiently
loyal subject, could not forget his birth-place;
“and many is the time this ship, one of the finest
models of Plymouth, has been bothered to overhaul
the coasters of these seas. Here is the brigantine,
our choice of wind.”
“One cannot say where that brigantine was built,
Captain Ludlow. It may be here, it may be there;
for I look upon her as a nondescript, as old Admiral
Top used to call the galliots of the north seas—but,
concerning these new American fashions, of what use
are they, I would ask, Captain Ludlow? In the first
place, they are neither English nor French, which
is as much as to confess they are altogether outlandish;
in the second place, they disturb the harmony
and established usages among wrights and sail-makers,
and, though they may get along well enough
now, sooner or later, take my word for it, they will
come to harm. It is unreasonable to suppose that a
new people can discover any thing in the construction
of a ship, that has escaped the wisdom of seamen
as old—the Frenchman is cluing up his top-gallant-sails,
and means to let them hang; which is
much the same as condemning them at once,—and,
thesefore, I am of opinion that all these new fashions
will come to no good.”
“Your reasoning is absolutely conclusive, Master
Trysail.” returned the captain, whose thoughts were
differently employed. “I agree with you, it would
be safer for the stranger to send down his yards.”
“There is something manly and becoming in seeing
a ship strip herself, as she comes into action, Sir!
It is like a boxer taking off his jacket, with the intention
of making a fair stand-up fight of it.—That
fellow is filling away again, and means to manœuvre
before he comes up fairly to his work.”
The eye of Ludlow had never quitted the stranger.
He saw that the moment for serious action was not
distant; and, bidding Trysail keep the vessel on her
course, he descended to the quarter-deck. For a
single instant, the young commander paused, with his
his reluctance, he entered the apartment.
The Coquette was built after a fashion much in
vogue a century since, and which, by a fickleness
that influences marine architecture as well as less
important things, is again coming into use, for vessels
of her force. The accommodations of the commander
were on the same deck with the batteries of the
ship, and they were frequently made to contain two
or even four guns of the armament. When Ludlow
entered his cabin, therefore, he found a crew stationed
around the gun which was placed on the side next
the enemy, and all the customary arrangements
made which precede a combat. The state-rooms
abaft, however, as well as the little apartment which
lay between them, were closed. Glancing his eye
about him, and observing the carpenters in readiness,
he made a signal for them to knock away the
bulk-heads, and lay the whole of the fighting part of
the ship in common. While this duty was going on,
he entered the after-cabin.
Alderman Van Beverout and his companions were
found together, and evidently in expectation of the
visit they now received. Passing coolly by the former,
Ludlow approached his niece, and, taking her
hand, he led her to the quarter-deck, making a sign
for her female attendant to follow. Descending into
the depths of the ship, the captain conducted his
charge into a part of the berth-deck, that was below
the water line, and as much removed from danger
as she could well be, without encountering a foul
air, or sights that might be painful to one of her sex
and habits.
“Here is as much safety as a vessel of war affords,
in a moment like this,” he said, when his companion
was silently seated on a mess-chest. “On no account
quit the spot, till I—or some other, advise you
it may be done without hazard.”
Alida had submitted to be led thither, without a
question. Though her color went and came, she
saw the little dispositions that were made for her
comfort, and without which, even at that moment,
the young sailor could not quit her, in the same
silence. But when they were ended, and her conductor
was about to retire, his name escaped her
lips, by an exclamation that seemed hurried and involuntary.
“Can I do aught else to quiet your apprehensions?”
the young man inquired, though he studiously
avoided her eye, as he turned to put the question.
“I know your strength of mind, and that you have a
resolution which exceeds the courage of your sex;
else I would not venture so freely to point out the
danger which may beset one, even here, without a
self-command and discretion that shall restrain all
sudden impulses of fear.”
“Notwithstanding your generous interpretation
of my character, Ludlow, I am but woman after
all.”
“I did not mistake you for an amazon,” returned
the young man smiling, perceiving that she checked
her words by a sudden effort. “All I expect from
you is the triumph of reason over female terror. I
shall not conceal that the odds—perhaps I may say
that the chances, are against us; and yet the enemy
must pay for my ship, ere he has her! She will be
none the worse defended, Alida, from the consciousness
that thy liberty and comfort depend in some
measure on our exertions.—Would you say more?”
La belle Barbérie struggled with herself, and she
became calm, at least in exterior.
“There has been a singular misconception between
us, and yet is this no moment for explanations!
Ludlow, I would not have you part with me,
at such a time as this, with that cold and reproachful
eye!”
She paused. When the young man ventured to
raise his look, he saw the beautiful girl standing with
a hand extended towards him, as if offering a pledge
of amity; while the crimson on her cheek, and her
yielding but half-averted eye, spoke with the eloquence
of maiden modesty. Seizing the hand, he
answered, hastily—
“Time was, when this action would have made
me happy—”
The young man paused, for his gaze had unconsciously
become riveted on the rings of the hand he
held. Alida understood the look, and, drawing one
of the jewels, she offered it with a smile that was as
attractive as her beauty.
“One of these may be spared,” she said. “Take
it, Ludlow; and when thy present duty shall be performed,
return it, as a gage that I have promised
thee that no explanation which you may have a
right to ask shall be withheld.”
The young man took the ring, and forced it on the
smallest of his fingers, in a mechanical manner, and
with a bewildered look, that seemed to inquire if
some one of those which remained was not the token
of a plighted faith. It is probable that he might
have continued the discourse, had not a gun been
fired from the enemy. It recalled him to the more
serious business of the hour. Already more than
half disposed to believe all he could wish, he raised
the fair hand, which had just bestowed the boon, to
his lips, and rushed upon deck.
“The Monsieur is beginning to bluster;” said Trysail,
who had witnessed the descent of his commander,
at that moment and on such an errand, with
great dissatisfaction. “Although his shot fell short,
it is too much to let a Frenchman have the credit of
the first word.”
“He has merely given the weather gun, the signal
find us in a hurry to leave him!”
“No, no: as for that, we are snug enough!” returned
the master, chuckling as he surveyed the
half-naked spars, and the light top-hamper, to which
he had himself reduced the ship. “If running is to
be our play, we have made a false move at the beginning
of the game. These topsails, spanker, and
jib, make a show that says more for bottom than for
speed. Well, come what will of this affair, it will
leave me a master, though it is beyond the power of
the best duke in England to rob me of my share of
the honor!”
With this consolation for his perfectly hopeless
condition as respects promotion, the old seaman
walked forward, examining critically into the state
of the vessel; while his young commander, having
cast a look about him, motioned to his prisoner and
the Alderman to follow to the poop.
“I do not pretend to inquire into the nature of the
tie which unites you with some in this ship,” Ludlow
commenced, addressing his words to Seadrift, though
he kept his gaze on the recent gift of Alida; “but,
that it must be strong, is evident by the interest they
have taken in your fate. One who is thus esteemed
should set a value on himself. How far you have
trifled with the laws, I do not wish to say; but here
is an opportunity to redeem some of the public favor.
You are a seaman, and need not be told that my ship
is not as strongly manned as one could wish her at
this moment, and that the services of every Englishman
will be welcome. Take charge of these six
guns, and depend on my honor that your devotion to
the flag shall not go unrequited.”
“You much mistake my vocation, noble captain;”
returned the dealer in contraband, faintly laughing.
“Though one of the seas, I am one more used to the
calm latitudes than to these whirlwinds of war. You
have seen that her temple resembles that of Janus
more than that of Mars. The deck of the Water-Witch
has none of this frowning garniture of artillery.”
Ludlow listened in amazement. Surprise, incredulity,
and scorn, were each, in turn, expressed in
his frowning countenance.
“This is unbecoming language for one of your
calling,” he said, scarce deeming it necessary to conceal
the contempt he felt. “Do you acknowledge
fealty to this ensign—are you an Englishman?”
“I am such as Heaven was pleased to make me—
fitter for the zephyr, than the gale—the jest, than
the war-shout—the merry moment, than the angry
mood.”
“Is this the man whose name for daring has passed
into a proverb?—the dauntless, reckless, skilful `Skimmer
of the Seas!' ”
“North is not more removed from south, than I
from him in the qualities you seek! It was not my
duty to undeceive you as to the value of your captive,
while he whose services are beyond price to our
mistress was still on the coast. So far from being
him you name, brave captain, I claim to be no more
than one of his agents, who, having some experience
in the caprices of woman, he trusts to recommend
his wares to female fancies. Though so useless in
inflicting injuries, I may make bold however to rate
myself as excellent at consolation. Suffer that I appease
the fears of la belle Barbérie during the coming
tumult, and you shall own that one more skilful
in that merciful office is rare indeed!”
“Comfort whom, where, and what thou wilt, miserable
effigy of manhood!—but hold, there is less
of terror than of artifice in that lurking smile and
treacherous eye!”
“Discredit both, generous captain! On the faith
is uppermost, whatever else the disobedient members
may betray. I could fain weep rather than be
thought valiant, just now!”
Ludlow listened in wonder. He had raised an
arm to arrest the retreat of the young mariner, and
by a natural movement his hand slid along the limb
it had grasped, until it held that of Seadrift. The
instant he touched the soft and ungloved palm, an
idea, as novel as it was sudden, crossed his brain.
Retreating a step or two, he examined the light and
agile form of the other, from head to feet. The
frown of displeasure, which had clouded his brow,
changed to a look of unfeigned surprise; and for the
first time, the tones of the voice came over his recollection
as being softer and more melodious than is
wont in man.
“Truly, thou art not the `Skimmer of the Seas!' ”
he exclaimed, when his short examination was ended.
“No truth more certain. I am one of little account
in this rude encounter, though, were that
gallant seaman here,” and the color deepened on the
cheeks of Seadrift as he spoke, “his arm and counsel
might prove a host! Oh! I have seen him in scenes
far more trying than this, when the elements have
conspired with other dangers. The example of his
steadiness and spirit has given courage even to the
feeblest heart in the brigantine! Now, suffer me to
offer consolation to the timid Alida.”
“I should little merit her gratitude, were the request
refused,” returned Ludlow. “Go, gay and gallant
Master Seadrift! if the enemy fears thy presence
on the deck as little as I dread it with la belle Barbérie,
thy services here will be useless!”
Seadrift colored to the temples, crossed his arms
meekly on his bosom, sunk in an attitude of leave-taking,
that was so equivocal as to cause the attentive
past him and disappeared through a hatchway.
The eye of Ludlow followed the active and graceful
form, while it continued in sight; and when it
was no longer visible, he faced the Alderman with a
look which seemed to inquire how far he might be
acquainted with the true character of the individual
who had been the cause of so much pain to himself.
“Have I done well, Sir, in permitting a subject
of Queen Anne to quit us at this emergency?” he
demanded, observing that either the phlegm or the
self-command of Myndert rendered him proof to
scrutiny.
“The lad may be termed contraband of war,” returned
the Alderman, without moving a muscle; “an
article that will command a better price in a quiet
than in a turbulent market. In short, Captain Cornelius
Ludlow, this Master Seadrift will not answer
thy purpose at all in combat.”
“And is this example of heroism to go any farther,
or may I count on the assistance of Mr. Alderman
Van Beverout?—He has the reputation of a loyal
citizen.”
“As for loyalty,” returned the Alderman, “so far
as saying God bless the Queen, at city feasts, will go,
none are more so. A wish is not an expensive return
for the protection of her fleets and armies, and I
wish her and you success against the enemy, with
all my heart. But I never admired the manner in
which the States General were dispossessed of their
territories on this continent, Master Ludlow, and
therefore I pay the Stuarts little more than I owe
them in law.”
“Which is as much as to say, that you will join
the gay smuggler, in administering consolation to one
whose spirit places her above the need of such succor.”
“Not so fast, young gentleman.—We mercantile
balanced. Whatever may be my opinion of the
reigning family, which I only utter to you in confidence,
and not as coin that is to pass from one to another,
my love for the Grand Monarque is still less.
Louis is at loggerheads with the United Provinces,
as well as with our gracious Queen; and I see no
harm in opposing one of his cruisers, since they certainly
annoy trade, and render returns for investments
inconveniently uncertain. I have heard artillery
in my time, having in my younger days led a
band of city volunteers in many a march and coun-termarch
around the Bowling-Green; and for the
honor of the second ward of the good town of Manhattan,
I am now ready to undertake to show, that
all knowledge of the art has not entirely departed
from me.”
“That is a manly answer, and, provided it be sustained
by a corresponding countenance, there shall
be no impertinent inquiry into motives. 'Tis the
officer that makes the ship victorious; for, when he
sets a good example and understands his duty, there
is little fear of the men. Choose your position among
any of these guns, and we will make an effort to disappoint
yon servants of Louis, whether we do it as
Englishmen, or only as the allies of the Seven Provinces.”
Myndert descended to the quarter-deck, and having
deliberately deposited his coat on the capstan,
replaced his wig by a handkerchief, and tightened the
buckle that did the office of suspenders, he squinted
along the guns, with a certain air that served to assure
the spectators he had at least no dread of the
recoil.
Alderman Van Beverout was a personage far too
important, not to be known by most of those who
frequented the goodly town of which he was a civic
officer. His presence, therefore, among the men, not
effect; some yielding to the sympathy which is
natural to a hearty and encouraging example, while
it is possible there were a few that argued less of the
danger, in consequence of the indifference of a man
who, being so rich, had so many motives to take good
care of his person. Be this as it might, the burgher
was received by a cheer which drew a short but
pithy address from him, in which he exhorted his
companions in arms to do their duty, in a manner
which should teach the Frenchmen the wisdom of
leaving that coast in future free from all the commonplace
allusions to king and country, —a subject to which he
felt his inability to do proper justice.
“Let every man remember that cause for courage,
which may be most agreeable to his own habits and
opinions,” concluded this imitator of the Hannibals
and Scipios of old; “for that is the surest and the
briefest method of bringing his mind into an obstinate
state. In my own case, there is no want of motive;
and I dare say each one of you may find some
sufficient reason for entering heart and hand into
this battle. Protests and credit! what would become
of the affairs of the best house in the colonies, were
its principal to be led a captive to Brest or l'Orient?
It might derange the business of the whole city. I'll
not offend your patriotism with such a supposition,
but at once believe that your minds are resolved,
like my own, to resist to the last; for this is an interest
which is general, as all questions of a commercial
nature become, through their influence on the happiness
and prosperity of society.”
Having terminated his address in so apposite and
public-spirited a manner, the worthy burgher hemmed
loudly, and resumed his accustomed silence, perfectly
assured of his own applause. If the matter of
Myndert's discourse wears too much the air of an unvided
not forget it is by this concentration of individuality
that most of the mercantile prosperity of the world
is achieved. The seamen listened with admiration,
for they understood no part of the appeal; and, next
to a statement which shall be so lucid as to induce
every hearer to believe it is no more than a happy
explanation of his own ideas, that which is unintelligible
is apt to unite most suffrages in its favor.
“You see your enemy, and you know your work!”
said the clear, deep, manly voice of Ludlow, who, as
he passed among the people of the Coquette, spoke
to them in that steady unwavering tone which, in
moments of danger, goes to the heart. “I shall not
pretend that we are as strong as I could wish; but
the greater the necessity for a strong pull, the readier
a true seaman will be to give it. There are no
nails in that ensign. When I am dead, you may pull
it down if you please; but, so long as I live, my men,
there it shall fly! And now, one cheer to show your
humor, and then let the rest of your noise come from
the guns.”
The crew complied, with a full-mouthed and
hearty hurrah!—Trysail assured a young, laughing,
careless midshipman, who even at that moment could
enjoy an uproar, that he had seldom heard a prettier
piece of sea-eloquence than that which had just
fallen from the captain; it being both `neat and
gentleman-like.'
| CHAPTER XI. The water-witch, or, The skimmer of the seas | |