CHAPTER ELEVEN.
I CAUSE MYSELF TO BE DISMISSED FROM MY OWNER'S SERVICE--AM ARRESTED--CONVEYED TO LONDON, AND CONFINED IN THE TOWER--AM VISITED BY A ROMISHPRIEST, AND THROUGH HIS INTERFERENCE OBTAIN MY LIBERATION--SET OFF TOLIVERPOOL, AND FIND MY OWNER AND CAPTAIN LEVEE--THEIR SURPRISE--MISSTREVANNION.
When I called upon our owner, which I did as soon as I had dropped myanchor and furled sails, he embraced me, and then led me into the backroom next to his counting-house.
"My dear Elrington," said he, "well as you managed to get off theJacobite gentlemen, there is a strong suspicion on the part of thegovernment that they were on board of your vessel, and that I was aparty to their escape. Whether they will take any measures now that youhave returned I know not; they may have gained some intelligence, orthey may worm out something, by their emissaries, from those who composeyour crew, and if so we must expect their vengeance. Now tell me whereyou landed them, and all the events of your cruise, for I have heard butlittle from those who brought in the prizes taken by the Arrow. CaptainLevee is too busy with his own vessel and the prize to come on shore forthese two hours, and I wish to talk with you alone upon this affair."
After I had narrated all that had passed, and the manner in which theFrench privateer had been captured, the owner said--
"If the government spies, and there are plenty of them about, find outfrom your crew that you landed passengers at Bordeaux, depend upon ityou will be arrested and examined, without you get out of the way tillthe affair has blown over. Now the men will narrate in the taverns thecurious history of this French privateer, and in so doing cannot fail tostate that you were on shore in France. Now, Elrington, you have runthe risk to oblige me, and I must keep you out of difficulty; and, ifyou feel inclined to hide yourself for a time, I will of course pay allyour expenses."
"No," I replied; "if they find out what has taken place, and wish to gethold of me in consequence, I think it will be better to brave it out.If I hide away, it will make them more anxious to have me, and willconfirm their suspicions that I am what they are pleased to call atraitor; a reward will be offered for my apprehension, and at any timethat I do appear the reward will cause me to be taken up. If, on thecontrary, I brave it out, and, if I am asked, say at once that I didland passengers, at all events they will not make it high treason; so,with your leave, I will stay. I hardly need say that I shall take thewhole responsibility on myself, and declare that I took them on boardwithout your knowledge; that you may rest assured of."
"On consideration, I think that your plan is the best," replied myowner. "I am grateful for your offer of screening me, which I would notpermit, were it not that I shall be useful to you if any mischance takesplace, and, if in prison, could be of no service."
"Then, Sir," I replied, "the wisest course will be for you at once todismiss me from the command of the privateer, in consequence of yourhaving been informed that I carried passengers and landed them inFrance. That step will prove you a friend to the government, and willenable you, after a time, to get me out of my scrape more effectually."
"You are sacrificing yourself; Elrington, and all for me."
"Not so, Sir. I am only securing a friend in case of need."
"That you certainly are," replied my owner, squeezing my hand. "Well,it will be the best plan even for you, and so let it be."
"Then I will now return on board, and tell the officers that I amdismissed. There is no time to be lost; and here comes Captain Levee;so for the present, Sir, farewell."
On my return on board, I called up the officers and men, and told themthat I had offended the owner, and that he had dismissed me from thecommand of the privateer. One of the officers inquired what I had done:and I said, before the men, that it was for landing the passengers inFrance. They all condoled with me, and expressed their sorrow at myleaving them, and I believe they were sincere. It was fortunate that Idid as I had done, for I found that the government emissaries were onboard at the time that I made the communication, and had already gainedthe information from some of my crew. I ordered my chest and bedding tobe put into the boat, and, as soon as they were ready, I gave up thecommand to the first officer, and bidding them all farewell went downthe side, and pulled on shore, repairing to my former lodgings.
I had not been there two hours before I was arrested and taken toprison. I was, however, very comfortably lodged, because I was astate-prisoner, and I presume that more respect is paid to a man when heis to be drawn and quartered, and his head set above the Tower gates,than a petty malefactor. The next day I was summoned before what wascalled the Commission, and asked whether I had not landed some people inFrance? I replied immediately that I had done so.
"Who were they?" was the next inquiry.
"They stated themselves to be Roman Catholic priests," replied I, "andsuch I believed them to be."
"Why did I do so?"
"Because, in the first place, they paid me one hundred guineas each;and, in the second, because I considered them mischievous, dangerousmen, conspiring against the government, and that the sooner they wereout of the country the better."
"How did I know that they were traitors?"
"All Roman priests were traitors in my opinion, and I hated them as badas I did the French; but it is difficult to deal with a priest, and Ithought that I was performing a good service in ridding the country ofthem."
"Who else was privy to the affair?"
"No one; I had made the arrangement with them myself; and not an officeror man on board knew anything about it."
"But my owner, Mr Trevannion, was he a party to it?"
"No, he was not; and on my return he dismissed me from the command ofthe privateer, as soon as he found out that I had landed the priests inFrance."
A great many more questions were put to me, all of which I answered verycautiously, yet without apparent hesitation; and, after an examinationof four hours, the president of the Commission told me that I had been,by my own acknowledgment, aiding and abetting the escape of malignanttraitors, and prevented them meeting their just fate on the scaffold.That, in so doing, I had been guilty of treason, and must abide thesentence of the supreme Commission in London, whither I should be sentthe following day. I replied that I was a loyal subject; that I hatedthe French and Romish plotters, and that I had done what I consideredwas best; that if I had done wrong, it was only an error in judgment;and any one that said I was a traitor lied in his throat.
My reply was taken down, and I was sent back to prison.
The following afternoon the gaoler came into my room, accompanied by twopersons, one of whom informed me that I was delivered over to theircustody to be taken to London. I was led out, and at the door I foundthree horses, upon one of which I was desired to mount. As soon as Iwas in the saddle, a rope was passed from one leg to the other under thehorse's belly, so as to prevent my escape; and my horse was led betweenthe other two, upon which my keepers rode, each having a hand-rein madefast from my horse's bridle to his own. A crowd was assembled round theentrance of the gaol, and among the lookers-on I perceived Captain Leveeand my owner; but of course I thought it imprudent to take any notice ofthem, and they did not make any recognition of me.
I hardly need say, my dear Madam, how very revolting it was to myfeelings to be thus led away like a felon; but at the same time I mustacknowledge the courtesy of my conductors, who apologised for beingcompelled to take such measures of security, and on the way showed greatkindness and good-feeling.
Everything being arranged, we proceeded on our journey: but it was latewhen we set off, owing to one of my conductors being sent for by thecommissioner, and having to wait for letters for nearly three hours. Asit may be supposed, we could not travel at speed, and we seldom wentfaster than a walk, which I was sorry for, as I was anxious that thejourney should be over and my fate decided as soon as possible.
Almost an hour after dark, a party of men rushed from the side of theroad, and some seizing the bridles of the horses the
others threw thetwo conductors off their saddles by taking them by the leg and heavingthem over on the other side. This was done so quickly, that the twomen, who were well armed, had not time to draw out a pistol or any otherweapon of defence; and as soon as they were on the ground they wereimmediately seized and overpowered. The faces of the men who had thusassailed the king's officers were blackened so as to disguise them, butfrom their voices I knew them to be the men and officers of theprivateer. "Now then, Captain Elrington," said one of them, "be offwith you as fast as possible, and we will take care of these fellows."
I still remained in my saddle, and, although somewhat flurried with thesurprise of the attack, I had had time to recover myself; and haddecided upon my mode of behaviour. I felt, as I had said to the ownerwhen we consulted together, that an escape now would be only putting offthe evil day, and that it was better to meet the case boldly at once; soI rose in my stirrups, and said to the men in a loud voice, "My goodfellows, I am much obliged to you for your exertions in my behalf; as itproves your good-will, but I cannot and will not take advantage of them.By some mistake I am accused of being a traitor, when I feel that I ama true and loyal subject, which I have no doubt will be fullyestablished upon my arrival in London. I cannot, therefore, takeadvantage of this opportunity to escape. I respect the laws of mycountry, and I beg you to do the same. Oblige me by releasing the twogentlemen whom you have made your prisoners, and assist them to remounttheir horses, for I am resolved that I will go to London and behonourably acquitted. Once more, my lads, many thanks for your kindintentions; and now I wish you farewell; and if you would do me a greatfavour, you will disperse peaceably, and leave us to proceed on ourjourney."
The men perceived that I was in earnest, and therefore did as Irequested, and in another minute I was again alone with my two keepers.
"You have behaved honourably, Sir, and perhaps wisely," observed one ofmy conductors, as he was about to remount his horse. "I will not askyou who those people were, although I have no doubt but you recognisedthem yourself."
"No," I replied, "I did not. I guessed from whence they came, but I didnot recognise any one individual."
I gave this cautious answer, although I had recognised Captain Levee andone of my own officers.
"Well, Captain Elrington, you have proved to us that you may be trusted,and therefore, on your pledging your word that you will not escape, weshall have a great pleasure in removing all unpleasant precautions."
"I certainly have proved that I would not escape, and will readily giveyou my assurance that I will not alter my mind."
"That is sufficient, Sir," replied the officer; and he then cut away therope which bound my legs, and also took off the two leading reinsattached to the other horses. "We shall now," he said, "proceed notonly more pleasantly, but more rapidly."
My conductors then mounted their horses, and we set off at a good trot,and in an hour arrived at the place where we were to put up for thenight. We found supper prepared for us, and good beds. My conductorsnow left me free of all restraint, and we retired to our beds. The nextday we continued our journey in the same manner. My companions werepleasant and gentlemanlike men, and we discoursed freely upon everytopic; no one could have imagined that I was a state-prisoner.
We arrived, at London on the fifth day, and I was then delivered over tothe keeper of the Tower, according to the instructions that myconductors had received. They bade me farewell, and promised that theywould not fail to represent my conduct to the authorities, and gave mehopes of a speedy release. I had the same idea, and took possession ofthe apartments prepared for me (which were airy and well ventilated)with almost cheerfulness.
On the third day of my arrival a Commission was sent to the Tower toexamine me, and I gave the same replies as before. They were veryparticular in obtaining the descriptions of the persons of those whom Ihad landed in France, and I answered without disguise. I afterwardsfound out that I had done a very foolish thing. Had I misrepresentedtheir persons, it would have been supposed that they really were fourCatholic priests, but from my exact description they discovered that Ihad rescued the four traitors (as they termed them) that they were themost anxious to secure and make an example of; and their annoyance atthis discovery had so angered them against me that my subsequent conductcould not create any feeling favourable towards me.
Three weeks elapsed, and I was wearied of confinement. My gaoler toldme that he feared my case was a bad one; and, after another week hadpassed, he said that I was condemned as aiding and abetting treason. Imust say that I little expected this result, and it quite overthrew me.I asked my gaoler what was his authority. He said that so many peoplehad assisted and effected the escape of the rebels without one havingbeen convicted of having so done except myself on my own avowal, thatthey deemed it absolutely necessary that an example should be made todeter others from aiding those who were still secreted in the country;and that in consequence it had been decided by the Privy Council that Ishould be made an example of. He told me much more which I need notrepeat, except that it proved the malignant feeling that was indulged bythe powers in authority against those who had assisted their defeatedopponents, and I felt that I had no chance, and prepared my mind to meetmy fate.
Alas, my dear Madam, I was but ill prepared to die,--not that I feareddeath, but I feared what must be my condition after death. I had liveda reckless, lawless life, without fear of God or man; all the religiousfeelings which had been instilled into me by my good tutor (you know myfamily history, and I need say no more) during my youth had beengradually sapped away by the loose companionship which I had held sincethe time that I quitted my father's house; and when I heard that I wasto die my mind was in a state of great disquiet and uncomfortablefeeling. I wished to review my life, and examine myself; but I hardlyknew where to begin.
All was chaos and confusion. I could remember many bad actions, but fewgood ones. I felt that I was like a vessel without a rudder, andwithout a pilot; and after hours and hours of deep thought I would giveup the task of examination in stern despair, saying to myself, "Well, ifit must be so, it must." I felt an inclination to defy that Heavenwhich I felt would never be opened to me. This was the case for morethan a week after I heard of my condemnation, until I began to reflectupon the nature of our creed, and the terms of salvation which wereoffered; and as I thought over them I felt a dawn of hope, and Irequested the gaoler to furnish me with a Bible. I read it day andnight, for I expected every morning to be summoned to execution. I feltalmost agony at times lest such should be the case; but time passed on,and another fortnight elapsed, during which I had profited by myreading, and felt some contrition for my many offences and my life ofguilt, and I also felt that I could be saved through the merits of Himwho died for the whole world. Day after day my faith became morelively, and my mind more at ease. One morning the gaoler came to me,and said that there was a priest who wished to see me. As I understoodhe was a Roman, I was about to refuse; but on consideration I thoughtotherwise, and he was admitted. He was a tall, spare man, with a darkSpanish countenance.
"You are, I believe," said he, "Captain Elrington, who effected theescape of some of our poor friends, and who are now condemned for yourkind act?"
"I am, Sir," replied I.
"I am aware," said he, "that your profession of faith is not mine, anddo not, therefore, come to talk with you on serious points, without youshould wish it yourself; my object is, being indebted as we are to youfor saving our friends, to offer to be of any use that I can to you, inexecuting any wishes, or delivering any messages, which you may wish togive, should you suffer for your generous conduct, and you may trustanything to me with safety, that I swear to you;" and he took a crucifixfrom the folds of his garment, and kissed it, as he said so.
"I thank you for your kind offer, Sir," replied I, "but I have nothingto trouble you with. I have long quitted my family, who know notwhether I am alive or dead, for reasons that I need not explain. I amunder an assumed
name, and it is my intention to suffer under that name,that my family may not be disgraced by my ignominious death, or be awarethat I have perished on the scaffold."
"Perhaps you are right," replied the priest; "but let us talk uponanother point; have you no friends that could exert themselves in yourfavour so as to procure your pardon and release?"
"None," replied I, "except those who, I am sure, are exerting themselvesto the utmost of their power, and to whom no message from me isnecessary."
"Do you know nobody at court," said the priest, "no person of rank inthe government--or I may say opposed to the government--for peoplenow-a-days are not what they seem or pretend to be?"
"I have no knowledge of any titled person," replied I; "when I partedwith one of the gentlemen whom I landed at Bordeaux he gave me the nameof a lady of quality at Paris, desiring me, if in difficulty, to applyto him through her; but that was if in difficulty in France; of courseshe could do nothing for me in this country."
"Have you the name of the lady?"
"Yes," replied I; "it is on the first leaf of my pocket-book. Here itis."
The priest read the name, and then said--
"You must write immediately a few words, acquainting her with yourposition. I will see the letter safely delivered before the week isover."
"What good can she possibly do me?" replied I.
"I cannot say; but this I know, that if anything is to be done, it willbe. Write immediately."
The priest called the gaoler and requested writing materials, which werebrought, and in a few minutes I had done as he requested.
"There, Sir, I have written to please you; but I candidly state that Iconsider it a useless attempt."
"Were I of your opinion, I should not have advised you to write,"replied he. "There are wheels within wheels that you have no conceptionof; in these troubled times. What I most fear is that it may arrive toolate."
The priest took his leave of me, and I was left to my own thoughts.When I considered that the address of this lady had been given to me bythe very man whom they were so anxious to secure as a traitor, I at oncedecided that no benefit could arrive from any interference on her part;and I therefore, after a quarter of an hour, dismissed the whole subjectfrom my thoughts, and commenced my reading of the sacred writings. Thefollowing morning, when the gaoler came in, I could not help observingto him, that as I had been condemned so many days I felt much surpriseat the delay of my execution. His reply was, that he heard that otherswere in custody upon the same charge, and that they waited for theirconvictions, that we might all suffer at the same time; for the orderfor my execution had come on the Friday last, but had been countermandedon the afternoon of the same day. Although this satisfied me that I hadno hopes of escape, yet I was pleased that I had obtained more time forpreparation, and I renewed my reading with ardour. Another week passed,when the gaoler, with a solemn face, and much apparent concern, came in,and informed me that the other parties arrested had been tried beforethe Commission, and had been condemned, and that it was expected thatthe execution would take place either on the morrow or the day after.The announcement did not affect me much. I had made up my mind that Ishould suffer, and had to a degree weaned myself from life. Iconsidered how all hopes of my ever enjoying the delight of my familyand kindred ties had flown away, and I looked with disgust upon mycareer as a privateersman--a career of recklessness and blood, sodenounced by the sacred writings which I had before me. I reflected,that if I were to leave the prison I should have no other means ofsustenance, and should probably return to my former life, and load mysoul with a still heavier weight of crime; and, although I felt anoccasional bitter pang at the idea of leaving the world so young--aworld which I could not hate--still I was, after a few hours' communingand reflection, resigned to my fate, and exclaimed with sincerity, "Thywill be done." I think, Madam, you may have observed that, sinful as Iwas, my whole career proved that I was not a hardened sinner. Good wasnot driven entirely out of me, but was latent, notwithstanding all myexcesses, and the bad company which had influenced me.
I now prayed, and prayed earnestly, and I thought that my prayers wereheard. Such was my state of mind on the day before the one appointedfor my execution, when the gaoler and one of the sheriff's officers cameinto my cell, accompanied by the Roman Catholic priest whom I havebefore mentioned. I perceived by the countenance of the gaoler, who wasa humane man, that he had no unpleasant news. The sheriff's officerdelivered to him an order for my liberation, and to my astonishment Iwas told by the gaoler that my pardon was signed, and that I was free.I was stupified with the intelligence, and I stood without making anyreply. The priest waved his hand to them as a hint to leave the room,which they both did. As they left, my eyes followed them, and then Icast them down upon the Bible which lay before me on the table, and,slipping down from the bench upon my knees, I covered up my face andprayed. My prayers were confused--I hardly knew what I said--but I knewthat they were intended to be grateful to Heaven for my unexpectedpreservation from an ignominious death. After a time, I rose up, andperceived the priest, whose presence I had till then forgotten. He hadbeen kneeling at the other side of the table praying with me, and I amsure for me--and he was rising up just after I had.
"I trust, Captain Elrington," said he, after a pause, "that the perilyou have been in will influence your future life; and that this severetrial will not be thrown away upon you."
"I trust not, Sir," replied I. "I feel that it has been good for me tohave been afflicted, I believe that I have been indebted to yourexertions for my deliverance."
"No further than having seen your letter duly and speedily delivered. Icould do no more, for with all will I have no power; and that was littleto do for one who so generously assisted our friends in their distress."
"Am I then to believe that I am indebted to the interest of a Frenchlady, residing at the court of Versailles, for my deliverance?"
"Even so--this may appear strange to you, Captain Elrington, but such isthe case. Understand, that in these troubled times the ruling monarchof this country cannot distinguish his friends from his enemies. He canonly trust to professions, and they are not always sincere. There aremany in the council at this time who, if the Pretender, as he is called,had succeeded, would long before this have joined him, and who hadwished him success, although they dared not venture to assist him. Theinterest of the lady in question with these people has prevailed overthe true adherents of the Hanoverian king, and thus through this ladyhave you obtained your release. I state this to you in confidence; topublish what I have told you would be to betray your friends. Can I beof any further service to you? For you can leave your prison as soon asyou please."
"None, I thank you, good Sir," replied I; "I have money more thansufficient to reward my gaoler, and to defray my expenses to Liverpool."
"You have my best thanks and sincere wishes for your happiness. Then Iwill not intrude upon you any more, except to give you my address incase of need. You have made warm friends by your conduct, and if everyou require their assistance it will not be withheld."
The priest gave his address upon a piece of paper and then came to me.
"Our creeds are not exactly the same, but you will not, my son, refusemy blessing?" said he, putting his hand upon my head.
"Oh, no," said I, dropping on my knees, "I receive it all inthankfulness."
"May God bless you, my son," said he; with emotion--and he then quittedthe cell.
What with the previous excitement when my liberation was announced, andthe parting with the kind priest, my feelings were so powerful, that, assoon as I was alone, I gave vent to them in a flood of tears. As soonas I was more composed, I rose from the bench, put my necessaries intomy valise, and summoned the gaoler, to whom I made a handsome present,thanking him for his kindness during my incarceration. I then shookhands with him, feed the turnkey who had attended upon me, and in aminute more I was clear of the Tower gates. How my heart heaved when Iwas once mor
e in the open air.
I looked around me, and perceived that many men were busy in erecting ascaffolding. My heart sank as I beheld them, as I felt certain what itwas for; but, to verify my opinion, I turned to an old woman who had asort of stall from which she dispensed mead to the populace, andinquired of her for what the scaffold was being erected.
"It's for the men who are to be executed to-morrow for aiding theJacobites to escape," said she. "Won't your worship take a glass ofmead this morning?"
"I am not thirsty," I replied, as I walked hastily away with my valiseupon my shoulders.
A stranger to this part of London, I hardly knew where to direct mysteps; I walked past the square before the Tower, until I came into astreet called Catherine Street, where a tavern met my view, and into itI entered immediately,--glad, as it were, to hide myself; for I felt asif all the world looked upon me as a person just discharged from prison.I obtained good entertainment there, and slept there that night. Thenext morning, the host having provided me two good horses, and ayoungster to take them back, I set off for Liverpool, and after fivedays' travel without adventure I arrived at the town, and proceededdirect to the house of Mr Trevannion, my owner. I took my valise offthe boy's horse, and having paid him for his attendance I knocked at thedoor, for it was late in the evening, and dark, when I arrived. Thedoor (for it was at his private house door, which was next to thecounting-house door, that I knocked) was opened; and the woman whoopened it shrieked, and let drop the candle, exclaiming, "Help, O God--aghost, a ghost!" for it appeared that the news had arrived at Liverpoolfrom a messenger who had been sent express after I had been condemned,stating that there was no hope, and that I was to suffer on the Mondayprevious; and this was the Saturday evening on which I had arrived. MrTrevannion's clerk, hearing a noise in the passage, came out withanother candle, and, seeing me, and the woman lying on the floor in aswoon, stared, staggered to the door of the room where his master wassitting, and the door being ajar he fell back with great force into theroom, dropping under the table between Mr Trevannion and Captain Levee,who was sitting with him, smoking, as was very often their wont. Thisbrought out Captain Levee with one of the table-candlesticks, who, uponseeing me, ran to me, and embracing me warmly, cried out, as the clerkmade his escape--
"Here is Elrington alive and well, Sir!"
At this announcement Mr Trevannion came out, and threw himself into myarms, saying--
"I thank God for all his mercies, but, above all, that I have not beenthe cause of your death, my dear Elrington. Come in," he exclaimed, ina faltering voice; and as soon as he gained his seat he laid his headdown and sobbed with excitement and joy.
I followed Captain Levee into the room, and was taking a chair, when Iperceived there was another person present besides Captain Levee and MrTrevannion, which was the daughter of the latter; that is, I presumed asmuch, for I knew that he was a widower, and had one daughter living, outof a family of three children. She appeared to be about seventeen yearsof age, and had just come from a Protestant convent, as they calledestablishments where young women were educated at Chester. MrTrevannion was still with his face covered, and not yet recovered fromhis burst of feeling, when this young gentlewoman came up to me, andsaid--
"Captain Elrington, you have behaved nobly to my father; accept my handand my friendship."
I was so dazzled from coming out of the dark, and so excited from whathad just passed, that I was almost bewildered; but I accepted theoffered hand, and bowed over it, although I declare that at the time Icould not distinguish her features, although I perceived that her personwas slight and elegant. As she retreated to her seat, Mr Trevannion,who had recovered from his emotion, said--
"I thought that at this moment your head was exhibited over the gates ofTemple-bar. The idea, as Captain Levee will tell you, has haunted me;for I felt, and should always have felt, that I was the cause of yourdeath. God bless you, my dear Sir, and may I have an opportunity ofshowing you my gratitude and regard for your noble conduct towards me,and the sacrifice which you would have made. You need not tell me, forI know too well, that you took all the onus and blame of the affair uponyour own shoulders, and preferred death to impeaching me."
"My dear Elrington," said Captain Levee, "I told our crew, and you haveproved me a true prophet, that you never would peach, but die game. Wewere talking of you, supposing you dead, when you came in. I must tellyou, that more than once Mr Trevannion had made up his mind to deliverhimself up, and acknowledge the truth, but I prevented him, as it wouldhave been a useless sacrifice."
"You did; but, nevertheless, it was so heavy on my conscience, that hadit not been for your perseverance, and the thoughts of leaving my poorgirl here an orphan in the world, I certainly should have so done, for Ifelt life to be a burden."
"I am very glad that you did not, Sir," I replied; "my life is of littlevalue; I have no one to support, no one to love, and no one to lament meif I fall. A shot from the enemy may soon send me out of the world, andthere will only be a man the less in it, as far as people are interestedabout me."
"That is not the case now, at all events," replied Mr Trevannion; "butpray tell us how it is that you have escaped."
"I have not escaped," I replied; "here is my pardon, with thesign-manual."
"And how was it obtained?" exclaimed Captain Levee; "all intercessionmade through some of the strongest friends of the government was invain,--that I can assert; for you must not suppose that we have beenidle down here. We did not leave London till after you were condemned,and every entreaty to see you, or to communicate by letter, was deniedto us."
"I had better, then, begin at the beginning, and state all thatoccurred. I will first thank you, my dear Levee, for your kindassistance, which I would not avail myself of; as I calculated (wrongly,I own) that it would be wiser to remain a prisoner; and I consideredthat my very refusal to escape would be admitted by the government as aproof of my innocence. I did not know that I had to deal with suchmalignant people."
I then commenced my narrative, which occupied the remainder of theevening, and, having received their congratulations, we had a pipe ortwo, and, as I was fatigued, we retired to bed. I slept little on this,I may say, first night of rest and quiet, after my liberation. I washappy, and yet perplexed. During the time of my imprisonment, it hadoccurred to me that the life of a privateersman was not one which Icould follow up with a good conscience; and I had, on my journey down toLiverpool, made up my mind that I would give it up. I knew this mightannoy Mr Trevannion, and that I should have to meet with the ridiculeof Captain Levee, and I was thinking whether it were possible, in thefirst place, that I could give some well-grounded excuse; and, in thenext, what other means of gaining my livelihood I could substitute inits stead. My restlessness induced me to get up earlier than usual, andI went out for an hour's walk upon the wharfs. I saw my little schoonerriding on the stream, and, as she gently rose and dipped to the swellwhich ran in with the tide, she looked so beautiful that my resolutionswere already giving way. I would look at her no longer; so I turnedfrom the river, and walked back to the owner's house. It was stillearly when I went into the eating-hall, where I found Miss Trevannionalone.
The Privateersman Page 11
