University of Virginia Library

5. CHAPTER V.
THE PROPOSAL.

The room in which the Englishman was confined had, been under
the former uses of the building a store-house. It was closed by a
strong door across, on which were placed two iron bars instead of locks.
When the prisoners were to be let out to walk in the yard the bars
were merely removed, and the door swung open; when they were
shut in again the bars were simply replaced and the safety of the prisoners
as well secured as if locks had been upon the door.

The way having been opened to Vincent by the intoxication of the
sentry, there was no obstacle to prevent him from having free access to
the individual whom he came to visit. He gained the door uninterrupted,
and softly removing the iron bars from their sockets, he entered
the apartment. A solitary tallow candle burning in the neck of a
bottle and placed upon the head of a barrel, gave an obscure view of
the interior of the gloomy place.

Around the room crouched upon the floor and wrapped in blankets
he discovered through the obscurity the dim outlines of numerous human
forms; some lying in the deep repose of sleep, others with the
headlifted or half-raised upon the elbow gazing upon the intruder. On
one side, gathered around an old door placed upon two casks were
grouped four or five savage, half-naked men, playing at cards by the
faint light shed by the candle. On seeing him enter they arrested their
game, and with their cards held in their hands and their lowering eyes
turned upon him, regarded him with curiosity and suspicion. One or
two of the prisoners with arms folded upon the chest, were pacing up
and down the apartment, and against a brick pillar which supported the
roof leaned another, smoking a cigar. There were about thirty men
in the room, and most of them wearing the garb of seamen. They
seemed to be of all nations, though the English physiognomy predominated
upon their hard, and crime engraved visages.

Hebert looked around him for a moment as if in search of some one,
and was then advancing towards the man who leaned against the pillar,
when he heard Smith's voice behind him:

`I must bar the door, capting, or the pirates will make a rush.—
When you want to come out just knock and I'll hear you!'

Herbert made no reply; though he would rather not have been fastened
in with such a desperate set of men as he knew were around him.—
He was, however, as brave as he was destitute of principle. Advancing
towards the man who fixed his eyes keenly upon him, as he approached,
he said,

`I would see you, captain?'

`Are you one of the new jailers on guard?' asked the man, sullenly.

`No. I am merely a visiter. I have business with your commander.'

`He is in his room,' answered the man with an inclination of his
head to the opposite side of the apartment.

`What is it! Who is he, Brent?' called a deep voice from that
quarter.

`A strange sail wants to speak you, captain!' answered the man,
who was a good specimen of an English sailor in his appearance, save
that his countenance wore an expression of villany, very strongly contrasting
the frank, ingenuous air of the honest tar.

`Let him come here?' responded the voice.

`That is the captain. Bear away for him!' said the man.

`Vincent crossed the room and came in front of a door, which had
out in the upper part of it a small window. This door was both locked
and barred, and a chain was passed across it for additional security.—
It led into an arched brick vault which perverted from its original use,
now served as a place of close confinement by night for the English
captain.

`What would you say to me?' he demanded, as Herbert came close
up before the door. Vincent could only faintly see the shoulders and
features of a large man, who was gazing upon him from the small window.
The face seemed bold and manly, as the voice had been which
fell upon his ear.

`Are you Captain Keith?'

`Yes,' was the abrupt answer. `Do you not know me? They kennel
me at night like a dog, lest I should break away! What news
bring you? Have they heard yet from England, that I sailed under
colors that dont belong to me?'

`I have heard nothing!'

`Who are you?'

`Come nigher! I cant see your face! Ho, lads there bring the candle
one of you! Let us look at this craft's signals!'

`Let the light remain where it is, captain. I will tell you who I am.
Do you remember Kingston, and the last day of carnival there?'

The Englishman started, and a deep oath of surprise escaped his
lips. He thrust his shaggy head as far from the wicket as he could to
scrutinize his features.

`You then know me, if no one else does! Who are you?'

`As I said before, a friend.'

`Bring the light. A traitor among us.'

`No. I am Herbert Vincent. I am the midshipman who interposed
with my boat's crew to free you from the hands of the authorities. I
did not know your character then or why you was pursued so hotly;

but afterwards you came to me and swore to serve me for the service I
did for you.' The light now shone full on Herbert's face.

`It is true! Give me your hand. Stand back boys. He is a friend
and brother.'

The men who had hastened with the light, and came cursing and
growling savage revenge upon the supposed traitor now returned to
their game.

Herbert, though unprincipled was proud. He did not relish the fraternal
term applied to him: but as he intended to make the Englishmen
an instrument of his own purposes he made no remark; but giving
him his hand through the wicket returned the pressure.

`I am here to see you on matters of deep moment to you, Keith.

`Let me hear them. But first, how did you know I was here?'

I saw you the other day in the prison yard as I passed by the gate,
and recognized you at once.'

`And you have then for some days been aware what I am, and have
not betrayed me to the authorities.'

`Yes.'

`Then I can trust you. You probably are the only man in America
that knows me to be a buccaneer. And I have been of late making my
plans so that before the authorities can get the information from England
to convict me, I shall be free.'

`Have you friends?'

`No, only my lads here. We have been secretly at work and in
three days more we shall be ready to slip cable and be off.'

`What place of security have you outside of the prison?'

`We must trust to fortune after we once get free. I did think if we
could reach the harbor, of capturing bodily some coasting craft, hoisting
sail and running out of the harbor.'

`This would be difficult. It would have to be at night and the wind
would have to favor you; and you would after all probably run upon
one of the islands! I have come here to propose to you a course safer
and more profitable to you.'

`Let me hear it? My plan of escape will be sure. You see where
that blanket covers the floor. Under it loose boards lay over a cavity
the men have dug into the earth. They have already executed an underground
passage beneath the walls and are within six feet of the surface
ten feet beyound the outer-wall. As soon as it is opened all we
have to do is to pass through like going down into the main hatch and
coming out of the fore.'

`You could not well have accompanied them, being in close confinement
here.'

`It would take but a few minutes for them to get me out. Thirty
men would make quick work with my doors and bars. But let me hear
what you have to propose.'

`It is not to your men, but to you, Captain Keith,' said Vincent in
a low voice. I am no longer in the navy, having left it in some ill-favor
with my commanding officers. I have to day been chosen the
mate of the fastest privateer that sails the sea.'

`Who is her commander?'

`The famous Freemantle.'

`I have seen him and his craft once too much. He chased me on
the coast of Africa, where I had just loaded with slaves, overhauled me,
boarded me, and compelled me to land them every one again. He was
two men to my one, and I was crowded with negroes. I could neither
work my vessel nor fight her. I have an account with him I would
like to adjust.'

`You shall then have your opportunity. I did not look for so trusty
a foe of Freemantle in you.'

`Then you are his enemy.'

`I have nothing particularly against him, but still I hate him as I do
the devil. He has appointed me his first officer. I have to day been
aboard of the craft and taken command. She now lies at anchor off
the north pier. Freemantle himself has not yet returned from a villa
a few leagues down the bay where she left him yesterday. He will be
on board to-morrow, and we shall sail shortly on a cruise, unless we
get news of the ratification of peace. In this case my vocation is gone.'

`What would you with me?'

`I will tell you. On board the schooner are many men who have no
inclination to return to pacific pursuits when the war ends. They have
become familiar with a life that is in a manner lawless. They could
be easily won over to keep in the privateer and cruise under a private
flag. You understand me.

`I think I do. But how does this concern me?'

`Knowing you were in prison, it occurred to me that by your aid
the schooner could be taken and this object secured. My proposition
is that you ship on board of her, and appear as a stranger to me. You
will then as a hand before the mast talk with the men and sound them
all. You will report to me your success and then we will choose an
opportunity for taking the vessel out of Freemantle's hand. If you
would consent to this, I had determined to effect your release.'

`I consent to it, on condition of having the second command.'

`This I mean to give you.'

`But my thirty men here?'

`You must leave them behind! You must make a crew out of that
of the privateer! I want you alone! The men must take their chance
here.'

`Well, I will agree to co-operate with you! How shall I escape?'

`To-morrow when you are in the yard, the Porter will invite you to
his lodge, and provide you with a disguise. At twelve to-morrow noon
you will find me at the Seaman's Inn, under Fort Hill.'

`I will be there if I get off in safety.'

Vincent then took his leave of him and shortly after passed out of
the street gate and took his way to his boat.