University of Virginia Library

1. HOWARD:
OR,
THE MYSTERIOUS DISAPPEARANCE.

CHAPTER I.

It was on a bright, breezy morning early in June, 1801, that the
signal for getting underweigh was fired from a flag ship of a fleet
of vessels of war riding at anchor in Hampton Roads. The fleet
consisted of three frigates and a small gun-brig of twelve guns.
The frigates were unequal in size and weight of metal. The largest
was the `President' 44; the next the `Philadelphia' 38; and the
smallest one the `Essex,' 32. They had the day before dropped
down to their anchorage ready for sea. Their destination was the
Mediterranean.

The system of piracy which had been for more than a century
pursued by the Princes and Pachas of the Barbary States, especially,
Algiers, Tunis and Tripoli upon the commerce of all nations, at
length called for the warlike indignation of the European powers,
which had long openly recognized this systemized buccaneering by
paying the piratical princes an annual tribute to insure the safety
of their respective merchant vessels. This weak and temporizing
policy strengthened the evil, while it tarnished the escutcheon of
every nation that consented to resort to such degrading measures.
Emboldened by their submission to the terms of protection these
royal sea-robber each year grew more exhorbitant in their demands
of tribute; and on being refused by England and France further
payment of protection money, they seized upon their vessels and
made captives of those on board. The spirit of the British people
was roused, and a fleet was sent against the strong holds of these
Corsairs. Algiers and Tunis were severally bombarded and block-aded,
but with little further result than compelling these Regencies
to consent to take the old amount of tribute. And with this success,
if that can be called successful which reflects dishonor upon
the party, England withdrew her ships of war. The United States
falling in with the custom of European nations also found it necessary
to become tributary to these Barbaric Powers, for the preservation
of her infant commerce. But at length, as the American mer
chantmen began to increase in numbers and to whiten every sea
with their canvass, and especially to crowd the Mediterranean with
their fleets, the Pasha of Trípoli, protested against the small amount
of tribute he received compared with the amount of the commerce
of the United States that passed his piratical shores, and haughtily
demanded of the United States government that it should be increased.

`You have made concessions to the Dey of Algiers and bribed
Tunis,' was his language; `Algiers has received a frigate while I
have received none. You express friendship and say you desire to
do justice. We could wish that your expressions were followed by
deeds and not by empty words. You will therefore endeavor to
satisfy us by a good manner of proceeding so that for the future we
shall have no cause of complaint! But if only flattering words are
meant, without performance, every one will act as he finds it expedient.
A speedy answer is required, as a delay on your part cannot
but be prejudicial to your interests.'

Such was the bold and imperative language of the piratical chief
of Tripoli not only to the American Consul—but also in a communication
addressed to the President of the United States.

This haughty missile being unnoticed, the Pacha signified to the
Consul at Tripoli that unless a large present in money and a frigate
were sent to him within six months he would declare war against
his government and let loose his corsairs upon its commerce.

The period he designated having expired without the tribute, he
despatched an officer with a body of soldiers to the dwelling of the
American Consul to cut down the flag-staff. By this act war was
virtually declared, and the same day a fleet of his heaviest cruisers
put to sea to prey upon the American merchantmen in those waters.

The delay of the usual tribute, and the indifference with which
the Pacha's menacing letter to the President was met was owing
to a new policy determined upon, with reference to the Barbary
Powers, on the part of the U. S. Government. Hitherto, its course
had been weak and degrading. It had acknowledged its weakness
for years by being, with all Europe, tributary to them. But the
disgrace was keenly felt by the States, and the power was only
wanting, for them to throw off this stigma fixed upon the national
shield. The war which had just terminated so successfully with
France had shown the navy its strength. It had created also a warlike
spirit in the nation, and elevated her pride of character as a
people and as individuals. It was at this period of conscious power,
and desire of distinction among nations, that the menacing demand

for additional tribute was made of the United States Government
by the Pacha of Tripoli. This menace at such a time was
enough to rouse all the energies of the new Republic. The demand
was openly pronounced an insult; and the idea of being longer
tributary made the blood burn in the cheek of every true American.

`Shall we,' said her orators, `who have sustained a successful
war with England, and made France so lately acknowledge our
power, shall we pay tribute and bow the neck to the yoke of a barbarian
Corsair? Shall we protect our flag from insult by disgraceful
bribes when it is in our power to do it with our arms? Shall
we, free-born and free, be tributary to a despot? No. Rather let
us assert our dignity and show these nations of pirates that we are
their masters! Let us dictate terms to them, not they to us! We
have been long enough tributary. Tunis is dissatisfied with our
last present, saying the guns are too light and the oars too long!
Algiers finds fault with us for want of promptness! Morocco will
soon expect tribate also. Let us no more pursue this timid and
disgraceful policy, but at once send our ships of war to their coasts
to teach them submission or drive them from the seas!'

These sentiments found an echo in every bosom throughout the
land, and a squadron was at once ordered by Congress to be got
ready, and despatched to the Mediterrancan. Before the six months
had expired, which the Pacha had fixed for an answer to his demand
to come from the United States Government, a squadron
was fitted out and ready for sea. It had dropped down to Hampton
Roads, the day defore the opening of our story, to wait for its
commander, Commodore Dale, whose broad pennant was hoisted
on the President, 44. This officer had been detained in Washington
waiting for despatches, and reached his ship in a pilot-boat at
sun-rise, when he instantly gave the signal for putting to sea.

The report of the heavy guns, drew many people to the different
points of land commanding an open view of the road-stead. The
warlike mission upon which the fleet was to be sent, was well
known, and there was the deepest interest felt in every thing concerning
it. It was at that period the navy of the Union. There
were a few other vessels of war in different ports, but these were
all that were then in commission. Around that little squadron
were concentrated the pride, the hopes, the ambition of every
American, who loved the navy and rejoiced in her laurels. She
was then just acquiring that popularity, as a branch of the national
defence which she now so eminently enjoys, and which she so
well merits.

The vessels of war were not alone in the Roads. A fleet of at
least twenty merchantmen, consisting of ships, barques and brigs,
and two or three clipper schooners were anchored to leeward,
waiting for convoy to the Mediterranean and the coast of Africa,
whither they were bound; for the seas between Gibraltar and
Mogadore were infested by piratical cruisers, which were constantly
hovering about the straits, vigilantly upon the watch to pounce
upon any unprotected vessel of any nation.

The morning was clear, and without a cloud in the sky. A
light westerly wind just stirred the trees on land, and rippled the
waters of the bay. The blue wreath of smoke from the gun was
borne by it slowly sea-ward, and had not faded into the air ere the
frigates' three top-sails were spread to it, her jib was set and she
was seen by the spectators on shore to move majestically from her
anchorage ground, with her yards squared and her head seaward.
In a few moments afterwards, her top-gallant sails and royals
were displayed aloft, and with her courses hauled up and every
thing drawing free, the noble vessels stood out to sea.

The attention of those on shore was so much taken up with
watching the motions and preparations of the flag-ship, that they
did not observe that the other vessels of war followed her manœuvres
in every respect, and were under sail and standing seaward
almost as soon as she was. The merchantmen also got underweigh,
but with less diligence and skill, the leading frigate
being far to le eward before the first merchant vessel got her anchor
up. In less than half an hour all the vessels were underweigh
and standing eastward, presenting a fine sight to those who were
looking from the shore. The wind freshened as the squadron
moved seawhrd, and as every vessel had early set her lower studden
sails, the picturesque effect of the marine scene was thereby greatly
increased. The whole sea was white with canvass; and to the
eye of a poet it would have seemed that a city of white marble
pyramids was in majestic motion over the waves.

`That's what I call a sight, to make a blind man overhaul his
eye-tackles, and take the hatches off his spy-glass,' said a sailor
amid a group on a pier-head, who had lost his leg in a fight with a
French cruiser. `Them frigates will spank it away to the straits,
and by sun-down every merchantman 'll be left hull down astern;
and Dale is not the man to heave too for 'em, if there's any powder
to be burned ahead.'

`I used to sail in a brig out o' Charleston,' answered a sort of
fresh-water looking sailor, with a short pipe in his mouth, `and
used to think there was nothin' like a snug built trader; but since
I've cruised in a frigate I can't bear a merchant vessel!'

`Jiss so,' answered Bill with the one leg; `it's as different as
ridin' in a stage-coach and a market-wagon, ashore! Did'nt you
see how altogether them frigates topsails fell, as if one man held
the ropes of 'em all and let go at once! I wish I was aboard there.
It makes me proud to look at the beauties!'

`I should think, friend, you'd had enough of the sea from your
appearance,' said a man near him who looked like a shop-keeper.

`And do you think, master, because I've lost one leg fightin'
Jonny Cropeaus, I can't spare another to fight the Algerine corsair
on,' answered Bill indignantly. `A man's limbs are his country's.
My country has got one o' mine, and she's welcome to the
rest.'

`Bravo, Jack,' cried several voices. `Hurra for the old tar!'

`Let's give the fleet a hurra?' cried the old seaman, animated
by the praise; and flinging up his tarpaulin he gave three cheers,
in which the crowd loudly accompanied him.

`There's a gun fired from the leading frigate,' said the sailor who
had sailed in the merchantman, `she must have heard us and answered
it!'

`That's all you know about the navy ships,' said the old tar;
`they don't burn gun powder for nothing. They could'nt hear us,
it stands to reason for she's a league to leeward; and if they did
that gun was not fired for us. She would'nt ha' answered a cannon
much less a hurra. Merchant ships may do such things for
they don't know no better. Keep your eye on the fleet and you'll
see, if you know how to understand sea-manœuveres, that that
gun was a signal.'

`You are right, Bill, for there flies a signal at the gun-brig's
fore,' said the other sailor.

`I know'd it, and the frigate has another set! The gun was
fired to draw her attention before signalizing. Now watch her.
The other frigates don't mind the signal and stand on. There see
that manœuvre! The flag-ship has hove to, the brig has luffed a
point and is standing on for her!'

The attention of the group who had heard these remarks and had
witnessed the interchange of signals between the leading frigate
and brig was now wholly drawn to these two vessels. The brig
stood steadily down for the `44,' and soon was seen to heave to
under her lee. A boat was put off from her and boarded the
frigate. In the meanwhile the rest of the squadron and the fleet
of merchantmen kept on their course until the last lagger of the
convoy had got abeam of the two vessels, when the frigate was
seen to fill away and keep on her former course. The brig soon
after followed her example in squaring her yards, but instead of
keeping on with the frigate tacked ship and stood back up the bay,
close hauled on the wind. The frigate moved on majestically among
the merchant vessels, like an Eagle mingling with a flight of
pigeons, and when her hull was beneath the line of the horizon she
had nearly taken her former place as the leading vessel of the wide-spread,
far-stretching fleet.

The crowd now began to retire from the pier, but many idlers

and curious persons lingered to watch the manœuvres of the returning
brig; and various were the speculations upon the object
which had brought her back. The old salt with the one leg seemed
to be the oracle of the highest authority in this matter.

`You don't know nothing about the matter, Mr. Peter last,
said the seaman biting off three inches of `pig-tail,' and stowing it
away in his larboard jaw; `in the trade o' building shoes and such
like leather sheathin' for foot-bottoms, your opinion mout be as
good as another man's; but a shoe and a ship is different guess-sort
o' things. You're all out when you say that pr'aps Capt'n
Dale has forgot his trunk and sent the brig back to port to get it!
And Sam Talbot the tavern keeper there shows his ignorance o'
ships when he gives it as his 'pinion the brig's come back to get
the Captain's case o' liquors. But what can land-lubbers know
about sea matters?'

`Well, then, Bill, what is your opinion?' said little Sammy Talbot
the publican.

`Why, at first I thought the brig was ordered to windward to
whip up the stragglers and keep the craft all together, and to prevent
any on 'em from droppin astern and gettin out o' the convoy;
for the merchantmen in convoy, are just as troublesome as so many
sheep. A little brig is jist as necessary to a frigate to help her, as
a dog to a shepherd when he's drivin his flock to market. But you
see the brig's coming up to windward and turned heel to the whole
fleet!”

`And now Bill what can have brought her back again?' asked
Sammy.

`This is it, or may I never see a Frenchman at the end o' my gun
again; the brig's ordered back to land some o' the long-tog shore
dignitaries o' government what went down aboord along with
Captain Dale. That you may be sure of! and if we stay here we
shall see 'em land!'

`There you're mistaken, Bill,' said a fisherman near. `I was
close under the stern of the forty-four when the pilot-boat run
aboard of her with the Commodore and there was nobody went up
the side with him but a midshipman.'

Bill looked round at the speaker with a glance of contempt, and
replied scornfully,

`What does a fishing-skipper know 'bout sich matters! I'm
right, and you'll see. But if 'taint this, she's put back to send the
Captain's last despatches ashore.'

`The pilot-boat could have taken these when she leaves her,'
said the fisherman.

`So it would,' responded several voices. Bill looked at the
fisherman again with a scowl and then glancing round upon the
fickle crowd who were disposed to regard the new comer the wisest
oracle, he hobbled away in great ire.

The brig in the meanwhile stood in on her starboard tack as if
she would run for Norfolk and then going about stretched away
up the bay until her topsails dipped. The group on the pier had
one by one dispersed and the several individuals who had composed
it, went to their various occupations. The motions of the brig,
however, were watched by others from different positions along the
coast; and particularly by gentlemen at their plantation houses,
with glasses. Towards noon when nearly up with York river she
was seen to tack and stand south with the wind abeam, and only
her fore course, topsails, jib and tri-sail set. At the close of the
day she had returned nearly to the anchorage ground in the
Roads from which the squadron had weighed in the morning. Her
near neighborhood again drew many persons to the pier and headlands
to watch her and speculate upon her movements. Slowly
she stood on, keeping a south-east course and running only under
her fore-topsail and jib. The had evidently shortened sail with
some object in view, connected with the shore, off which she was
hovering.

`If I did'nt know that craft to be the U. S. brig Enterprize,' said
Bill, who had-recovered his temper and was once more the oracle
of the group, `I should, from her suspicious manœnvres to-day, set
her down for a buccaneer or a slaver. But the motions of war
vessels is of necessity sometimes secret and mysterious. I'd like
to overhaul her Captain's head locker and see what orders he's got
to keep him shieing about the land in this fashion. There she
stands in towards the pier, and we shall soon learn.'

The brig was now within a third of a mile from the shore. The
sun was just setting and sending his golden line of light in level
streams across the molten wave. The sails of the beautiful and
warlike looking brig were delicately encrimsoned with the touches
of his glowing pencil, and the rippling waters of the Roads danced
merrily in their burnished glory. The green shores bending around
the bay wore a richer hue of emerald, and the white villas and
spires stood in beautiful relief against lawn, forest, and sky. The
whole scene around the fair bay was picturesque and unusually
lovely. The brig sat upon the water in the midst of the sunset
scene, around the centre of all like the goddess of the hour, warlike
yet graceful, with bright streamers flying at the fore and at her
peak. Suddenly the sun fell beneath the horizon; a flash, and a
jet of blue smoke shot from her bow, followed a moment afterwards
by the deep thunder of the evening gun. The broad flag curving
above her stern at the same instant descended to the quarter-deck,
and slowly over land and water came a soft shadowing like the first
breath of night.

While the group were watching a circlet of blue smoke from the
gun, that was ascending with an undulating motion, high above
the brig, while the body of the cloud rolled heavily away, low
upon the water, a carriage drove rapidly down the pier. A gentleman
with a cloak on his arm alighted from it and hastened
to the extremity of the mole-head. He waved a handkerchief,
and in a moment after the quarter boat was lowered from the brig,
which hove to. In a few minutes the boat reached the pier.

`Way enough,' cried the midshipman, and the six oars rose
simultaneously into the air and remained upwright, while the
coxswain steered the gig to the foot of the stairs. `We feared you
would miss the brig, sir!' he said.

The gentleman, sprang in followed by a servant with his baggage,
and seating himself replied,

`I was surprised to learn as I got into town just now, that the
fleet had sailed, and feared I had lost my passage in the frigate.
But I see the brig has waited for me.

`Let fall! Now give way!' cried the young officer to the men,
and the boat shot away swiftly from the pier and its crowd of curious
observers. `Captain Dale did not open a letter to him in the
package delivered to him by the Secretary of State, imforming him
that you were to meet the fleet in the Roads, until we had nearly
run out to the Capes, where he sent the brig back. We have been
standing off and on all day and have just run in expecting you
about this time. We have been watching the pier-head closely
for a signal ever since noon.'

`I am sorry to have detained the brig,' said the gentleman, who
was a newly appointed Consul to Algiers, going out in the frigate;
`but I could not leave the country without paying my friends
near Richmond a parting visit. But I trust we shall overtake the
squadron!'

`Yes; in less than eight and forty hours. The convoy will
keep them dragging along at a slow rate. The brig is a fast walker,
and can overhaul any thing she chooses to! See what a pretty
model, sir! How like a sea-bird she sits upon the water. She
rakes just enough to make her feel her masts and give her a saucy
air!'

`She is certainly a beautiful vessel, though I am not sailor
enough to make my opinion of any value,' said the Consul, admiring
the symmetry of her yards, and the neatness of her top hamper.
`But she presents a very neat and tasteful appearance, and
is a fine object to the eye.'

`Way enough!' cried the midshipman as the boat shot along
side.

The men simultaneously tossed their oars into the air, and the
boat run under the gangway. The man-ropes were thrown into
her, and the passengers who had so long detained the brig, was

received on board with due honor, and the gig was hoisted up again
at the starboard quarter.

`Now all hands make sail,' shouted the captain. `Set every
thing that will draw, Mr. Downie,' he said to the officer of the
deck; the wind has nearly all gone down with the Sun, and there
is scarcely breeze enough to force her along three knots!'

The brig was soon enveloped in a cloud of canvass from deck to
truck, and moved through the water with just motion enough to
give a low, rippling sound under her counter. Gradually, as the
shades of deepening night fell over the sea, she faded from the eyes
of the groups of spectators on shore, who now severally dispersed
to their homes: having been rewarded for their day's curiosity by
its full gratification; for Sammy the publican, had in a whisper,
asked the servant of the Consul, who his master was; and the information
he received from the communicative black, he was not
backward in dispensing for the general benefit.

`Just as I said! I know'd it Sammy,' said Bill, stumping up the
pier after this rubicund nosed little personage; `I know'd they were
waiting for some Government man.'

`And you said so, Bill, too!'

`That I did. Talk to a man-o'-war's man! He knows more in
his little finger than a land lubber in his whole head!'

`And 'specially sich a intelligent man as you are, Bill!'

`You has got sense, Sammy, if you be a shore-fowl,' answered
Ben, not a little gratified at the flattery of the Inn-keeper, who
picked up all the old tar's stray sixpences, and therefore found it
for his interest to keep him in good favor with him.

`Nobody after this 'll dare to dispute you, Bill, in sea matters,'
he said as they reached the Inn door.

`Not they, Sammy. What does a shoe-maker or a skipper of a
fishin' smack know o' men-o'-war manœuvre?'

`About as much as you do about preachin,' said the publican.

`And that is not true nother, Sammy, for I onct preached a sarmont
and convarted a woolly nigger. Come, let's stump in and
have a glass, and I'll tell you how it vos.'

Bill then hobbled in with a thumping noise of his wooden leg,
like a washerwoman's pounder; and seating himself with a stiff
glass of half and half grog in his hand, he began to relate his story,
to which, as it does not materially concern our own, we shall not
trouble the reader with listening.