University of Virginia Library

1. CHAPTER I.
The Moro Castle and Sloop-of-War.

The loftier turrets of the Moro Castle were still
sheathed with gold, from the reflection of the setting
sun, while its embrasures and bastions lower down —
its walls, still lower — and the harbor and town, far
beneath, lay in the soft shadows of the first tremulous
twilight. A moment more, and the last sunbeam disappeared,
like a blaze suddenly extinguished, from the
topmost pinnacle of the cloud-capped fortress; and the
simultaneous roar of a heavy piece of ordnance, from
the platform of the Castle, told the world of Havana
that the sun had set.

At the signal, there was a general descent of gay
flags, from mast-head and peak, on board full three
hundred vessels, of all nations, that lay at anchor within
sound of the evening gun of the Moro. It was a
brave sight, to behold so many gorgeous ensigns flying

and fluttering in the air; and, seen from the battlements
of the lofty Moro, they appeared like a flock of flamingoes,
or birds of paradise, descending and alighting
upon their decks.

The smoke from the discharged gun floated away
horizontally in the air, like a scarf unrolling itself from
its folds, and, reposing at length upon the still air of
evening, cast its blue reflection upon the dark surface
of the harbor; and though it rested level with the ports
of the Castle, to those below, on the vessels' decks it
seemed a cloud in the sky, so elevated was this Gibraltar
of the west above the surrounding scene.

A young man, in the undress of an officer of the
American Navy, stood listlessly watching this light
cloud, in the gangway of a beautiful sloop-of-war that
lay at anchor within pistol-shot of the Moro, — so near,
indeed, that, to range her lowest battlement with his
eye, he had to elevate his line of vision above the fore
top-gallant yard-arm, the sloop being anchored with
her head towards the rock.

Near the sloop, between her and the rock, and perpendicularly
under the Castle, was moored a small, old-fashioned
Spanish or St. Domingo lugger, of about
forty tons, and rigged with two polacca masts, for carrying
foresail and mainsail, and a dwarf mast, stepped
in the taffrail, on which to rig `a driver,' in running
before the wind. The craft had nothing about her to
attract the particular notice either of seamen or landsman,
save her extremely antiquated and unseaworthy
appearance. No one was visible upon her shallow
deck but a negro, with a gray head and a gray mustache;
and silent and motionless she lay, in the dark

shadow of the Castle, reflecting from the black, waveless
flood, her uncouth proportions in singular and forcible
contrast to the elegant and airy figure of a small
clipper-schooner, that rode at her buoy about a hundred
fathoms farther in the harbor, and nearly in a line with
the American sloop-of-war.

The young officer was idly watching the smoke of
the cannon unroll itself along the air, like a piece of
delicate tinted azure silk thrown out upon a carpet, and
when it reposed above his mast-head, like a canopy,
he let his eye fall upon the lugger, which had only
come to anchor there a few moments before the day
had closed. A smile passed across his handsome sea-browned
face, as he surveyed her motley appearance.
He then cast his eye beyond the craft, upon the clipper,
and his features lighted up with a more animated and
pleased expression, as he admired her beautiful proportions,
and the seaman-like set of her yards, and
the nautical precision which marked every thing about
her.

`There is as much difference, Mr. Forrestal,' said a
reefer, who was following the direction of his officer's
eye, and seemed to understand the nature of his
thoughts, `there is as much difference between those
two craft as between a venerable barn-yard pullet and
a lady's hunting falcon!'

`You have expressed the difference very clearly,
Harry,' responded the officer, turning upon him with a
smile of personal kindness.

`Were you on deck, Mr. Forrestal, when the lugger
— I mean the old pullet — set herself down there to
roost, almost on the end of our flying-jib boom?'

`No. Who worked her? I see only a negro on
board.'

`There are three or four others, Spaniards, below, at
their supper of garlic and dried fish! Pah! don't you
smell the air that is infected with their messes? Give
me two marines and the gunner's monkey-boy, Ben,
and I'll cut her out and send her about her business!'

Forrestal laughed, and, tapping the youth, who was
a lad of almost girlish beauty, scarce sixteen, — `I fear
it would bring on a war between us and Spain, Harry,
if there should be blood shed,' he answered, in the
same vein in which his young friend had spoken.
`What think you of your lady's falcon? Would you
like to cut her out?'

`I would like —,' and the youth stopped full and
colored.

`Well, what would you like, Harry?'

`I would like to have you in command of that clipper-schooner,
I your “first,” a picked crew, and sail
away to rescue from her prison that lovely Spanish
princess they say is held in bondage, by the king, her
uncle, in a castle on the Mediterranean!'

`That would be romantic, to say the least. I fear
we should be more likely to share her fate, than do
her a service. When you are ten years older, Harry,
you will express some other wish, in reference to the
schooner, than rescuing a Spanish princess. You
will leave such matters to Don Quixote! Nay, —
don't look hurt, my brave boy, — I appreciate your
chivalric feelings, and know they spring from a generous
and noble nature.'

`I am not hurt, Mr. Forrestal. It was not so much
romance as a deeper feeling that prompted me to utter
this wish, — a feeling that is based on an event which,
perhaps, you do not know of; but which exerts an influence
over my thoughts, my dreams, and, oftentimes,
my words and actions!'

`What is this circumstance to which you allude,
my dear Henry?' asked the officer, kindly. `I have
heard from the commander that there is an interesting
feature in your history. It is this, doubtless, to which
you allude. The captain once was about to make
it known to me, as I was dining in the cabin with him,
but something interrupted the narrative at its commencement.'

`For the three months that I have been sailing in this
ship, you have, sir, shown me very great kindness.'

`You have won it out of me, rather, Harry, by your
cheerfulness and good humor.'

`Yet I have received it from you,' answered the
youth, grateful emotion causing a tremor in his tones.
`I will tell you all I know of myself, and why I had
uppermost in my thoughts a wish seemingly so fanciful.
I was born in England, and of a family of wealth,
whatever was its rank; for I have distinct recollection
of being surrounded with all the appurtenances of
opulence in my childhood. I had a sister nearly three
years older than I. Her I remember as if I saw her
face reflected in the deep blue water into which I gaze,
instead of my own. Her soft hazel eyes, her flowing
brown hair, her rosy cheeks, and ripe-red lips and joyful
laugh, and her sweet tones when she called me

“brother, brother!”—all these, Mr. Forrestal, are present
to my mind. I can never forget them. I dream
of them all, almost nightly, and the presence of my
sister's voice is ever with me, waking, echoing in the
ear of my heart!'

The officer silently pressed the hand of his young
friend, and as Harry returned the warm and sympathizing
pressure, Mr. Forrestal felt tears trickle warm
upon his fingers. Both continued for a moment silent.
The distant cry of the Spanish sentry upon the battlements
above their heads, rung clearly out upon the air;
the rippling sound and measured dip of the oars of a
boat rowed by at a distance; the deep, mellow tolling of
the Cathedral clock in the city; the far-off shout of one
calling to his fellow; the musical song of the seamen
in a neighboring ship getting their anchor, all came
distinct, yet melodiously mingled to their ears. They
listened to the soothing sounds for a few moments, and
the young midshipman, aided by these in subduing
his emotion, thus resumed his narration:

`The abode of my childhood was upon the banks
of a river—a pleasant river, on which small vessels
sailed by; but whither bound, I know not. One day
I was in pursuit of a tame doe, which playfully eluded
my efforts to take it, and drew me along the banks of
the river till I was out of sight of the house. The
house I remember with distinctness, and should recognize
it at once, should I ever behold it again.
Alarmed, I was turning to run back, when a man,
who was standing by a boat near the shore opposite a
vessel called to me, exhibiting at the same time some
large oranges. As he called me by name, and with a

smile offered me the fruit, fearless of danger and unsuspicious,
I went to him. He gave me one of the
oranges, and said to me,

` “These two are for your sister. Go home and
tell her there is a person waiting here to give them to
her; and be sure you inform no one but her.” '

`I hastened, and found her on the lawn, coming to
seek me. I told her what the strange man had said,
and showed her the orange I had received. With a
laugh and a bound, she started off, and we soon
reached the boat. The man was standing in it; but
on seeing us he got out, and I saw two men rise up
in the boat, and take the oars. As soon as my sister
came near, he advanced towards her, presenting the
orange, and as she timidly extended her hand to take
it, he caught her by the arm, and raising her in his
arms leaped into the boat with her. Isidore shrieked
aloud, when he rudely pressed his hand upon her
mouth. Although I could have been scarcely six
years old at the time, alarmed for my sister's safety,
and indignant at seeing her thus treated, I sprang forward,
and clinging to the man, struck him with what
strength I could wield, and demanded my sister. Not
heeding me, the men, on his getting in, pushed off
into the stream, while I still clung weeping and
threatening to him, and endeavoring to take her from
him. In vain he tried to force me to release my hold.
I clung to him with the strength of despair and determination.
In the mean while, the men had been
pulling swiftly towards their vessel, and I found, from
what words passed, that I was by no means a welcome

passenger. My sister was the only one they sought,
and doubtless had been laying in wait for.'

`To what conceivable purpose?' asked Forrestal,
manifesting the deepest surprise and interest.

`I am ignorant to this moment. Finding they could
not get rid of me without throwing me overboard,
which was proposed by one of the men, but resisted
by him who held Isidore, they let me remain; and on
reaching the side of the vessel, the two oarsmen tore
me from my affrighted sister, whom I was now clinging
to, and cast me rudely upon the deck. It was
now twilight, and without delay they got the vessel
under weigh, first locking my sister and myself in the
cabin. Alone together, we cast ourselves in one
another's arms, and wept bitterly, our young hearts
filled with a thousand fears.'

`This is certainly a most extraordinary relation!'
said Forrestal, with emotion, and looks of astonishment.
`But do not let me interrupt you. Proceed, for
I am deeply interested.'

`We remained, it seemed to me, a long, long time,
together in the cabin; but it may not have been half
an hour. At length, the man came down, and unlocking
the door, entered, and frowning fiercely upon
me, he said:

` “You deserve to be thrown overboard! You are
one more than I bargained for!” '

`But I will hasten with my story. We sailed out
to sea, and day after day we kept on with no land in
sight. I and my sister were at length permitted to
stay on deck, and go about the vessel as we chose;

and the captain (as the man was, who took us forcibly
away from our home,) seemed to take a pleasure in
our society, and gradually my sister conquered her
repugnance and fears; but my hostility was not to be
overcome by any of his efforts to win my confidence.'

`What class of vessel was the one you were in?'

`A brig.'

`Do you remember her name?'

`No, I do not.'

`Nor the captain's?'

`No, sir.'

`Would you recognize him, if you should meet
him again?'

`Yes, as quickly as I would you, sir, were I to leave
you now and meet you to-morrow again.'

`Go on, Harry. I would hear the end of this strange
affair.'

`At length we reached a port—a large city. I know
now that it was Boston, but I was not then told its
name. We came near the wharves, and anchored. It
was just at dark. The captain then took me by the
hand, and said;

` “Now, boy, bid good-by to your sister, for you
will never see her again!” ' and he led me towards
her.

`On hearing these words, I was frantic with grief
and indignation; and instead of embracing her, I
turned to vent my emotions of anger upon the monster
who had thus torn us from our parents, and was
now to rend us from each other. Finding I would
not take leave of her, he took me forcibly from

the vessel, and placed me in a boat alongside. My
cries were suppressed by his hand pressed against
my face, and in this manner I was held by him
until the men pulled ashore. He then got out with
me, and threatened me, if I opened my lips to make
any further outcry, he would kill me on the spot;
at the same time exhibiting a knife before my eyes.

I suffered him to lead me up into the city, and, carrying
me to the steps of a large house, he told me to
sit there until he returned. How long I remained
there I am not able to say. I must have very soon
fallen asleep. It was very late, when I was awaked
by a hand upon my shoulder, and a kind voice addressing
me, and asking me why I was sleeping there
upon the cold steps, with my head resting against the
marble column. Instead of replying, I recollect that
I burst into tears. He took me by the hand, and led
me into the mansion. From that moment, Mr. Forrestal,
I had a friend and benefactor. I told him all
my story, and he became to me in place of my father,
and I know used every effort to ascertain who my
parents were. He educated me, and treated me as a
son; and two years ago, when he died, left me the
half of his large fortune. Moreover, he obtained for
me the berth I now hold in the navy, this profession
being my choice, and chosen, perhaps, with some
vague idea that I might one day visit England, and
yet behold again the home, from which I and my sister
were so singularly and mysteriously taken.

`And you have heard nothing of that home, nor
your parents, since?'

`Nothing, sir!'

`And your sister?' inquired Forrestal, with slight
hesitation, as if not wishing to move his feelings by
the reminiscence of her.

`From the hour I was taken on shore off India
Wharf, in the small-boat, and left to perish in the streets
of Boston, I have neither seen nor heard from Isidore!'

`This is very strange!'

`It is probable that she has perished, sir,' said Harry,
sadly.

`I trust not,' answered the officer with emphasis.
`I trust you will yet behold her again.'

`It is a faint hope that she lives that both makes me
cheerful and sad; cheerful, at the idea that we may
meet again,—sad, at the reflection that if she is living
it may be in great misery and degradation. I have
often imagined her imprisoned in some place by the
seaside, and when I heard of the imprisonment of this
Spanish princess I thought of my poor sister, and that
possibly she may be lingering in some desolate spot,
the prisoner of this monster. It was this feeling which
prompted me to give you the reply I did.'

`And I am very glad you gave it, my dear boy. It
has been the means of opening to me the knowledge
of your strange history, and enlisting my strongest
sympathies and friendship in your behalf.'

`You are very kind, Mr. Forrestal,' answered the
youth, pressing his hand; `you are very kind, sir;
but I fear I shall never behold either my sister or my
mother and my father's home again. I sometimes
think I ought never to smile or be gay; but then the
natural cheerfulness of my spirit will break forth;
though few know, sir, how heavy the heart is beneath.'

`This should not, and I am glad it does not, altogether
make you depressed. The world is fair still,
and has many sunny scenes; and perhaps yet all this
mystery that hangs around you will be cleared away,
and you will find the remainder of your years happy
and unshadowed by a sorrow.'

`I have little hope, sir. If I knew that Isidore was
dead, Mr. Forrestal, I should be less unhappy; but the
consciousness that she may be living, and living in
the power of that dark and evil man, at times almost
makes me frantic.'

`Was this man a foreigner? Yet, as you were so
young you could not tell.'

`Though I was young, and at the time could not
form a correct judgment upon what occurred and was
visible around me, yet so vividly are those things and
events impressed upon my memory, that I can look
back upon them and judge of them with my present experience.
In this way I am able to say that the vessel
was a brig, for now I know that the form of the vessel
that was engraven upon my mind then, belongs to a
vessel of this class. In this way I can speak with
accuracy of what otherwise I might be incapable of
describing.'

`Your history is a very singular one, my dear Harry.
Do you recollect your family name?' he asked,
quickly.

`No; I only remember that my name was Henry.
Such my parents, such my sister, called me.'

`And her name was Isidore? By this time, if she
be alive, she must be in her nineteenth year.'

`Yes, Mr. Forrestal. But I shall never see her alive
again; or I would rather know her to be dead, than
find her in a condition of degradation; for this man
would be guilty of any wickedness.'

`What was his appearance?'

`Large of stature, with light long hair, blue eyes,
and heavy brows. His voice was harsh and his bearing
stern. Yet I think he had the air of a gentleman;
certainly he was not a low ruffian.'

`It is more extraordinary still! But why do you
start? what ails thee, boy?'

`That voice—that man!'

`Who?—what man?'

`On the lugger! see!'

Before Forrestal could arrest him, or anticipate the
young midshipman's movements, he had sprung from
the gangway into the dark waters below.