Newton Forster

by Frederick Marryat

  Chapter XXXVI

  "Isabel.--Anywhere to avoid matrimony: the thought of a husband is terrible to me.

  Inis.--But if you might choose for yourself, I fancy matrimony would be no such frightful thing to you."

  "_The Wonder._"

  The _Boadicea_, with the Indiamen, proceeded on to their destination,Captain Carrington taking every opportunity which light winds and smoothwater afforded him of paying his respects to the ladies on board of the_Bombay Castle_, or of inviting them on board of the frigate. The fact wasthat he had fallen most desperately in love with Isabel Revel, and paid herthe most marked attention; but, although a pleasant, light-heartedcompanion, and a young man of good family and prospects, Isabel Revel hadnot fallen in love with him: she liked his company, but nothing more.

  In a month the squadron had arrived at the island of St Helena, to whichCaptain Carrington had been ordered to convoy them: his directions werethen to cruise in a certain latitude, and ultimately to proceed on to theEast Indies, if he did not fall in with the vessels he expected. It was,therefore, but parting to meet again; but during the short time that theyrefitted and completed their water at St Helena, Captain Carringtonproposed, and was politely refused by Isabel Revel. Impatient as a boy whohas been denied his plaything, he ordered his stores immediately on board,and the next day quitted the island. It may appear strange that a younglady, obviously sent out on speculation, should have refused soadvantageous an offer; for the speculation commences with the voyage. Someladies are selected at Madeira. Since the Cape has been in our possession,several have been induced to stay in that colony; and very often shipsarrive with only the refuse of their cargo for the intended market in theEast. But Isabel Revel had consented to embark on the score of filial duty,not to obtain a husband, unless she liked the gentleman who proposed; andCaptain Carrington did not happen to come up to her fanciful ideas of theperson to be chosen for life. Captain Carrington did not impart theintelligence of his ill-success to anyone but Newton, who was employed tocarry his farewell message. His secret was faithfully kept by both. IsabelRevel was not one of those young ladies who would make use of such anunworthy advantage to heighten her consequence in the eyes of others. Butthere was another reason, not exactly known to Isabel herself at the time,which prevented her from listening to the proposals of Captain Carrington.Had she questioned her own heart, she would have discovered that she wasprepossessed in favour of one who as unconsciously had become attached toher. He knew his own feelings, but had checked them in the bud, aware thathe had nothing to offer but himself. This person was Newton Forster. Hisintimacy with Captain Carrington, the attention shown him by CaptainDrawlock (who entrusted him to work the chronometers!!), his own excellentcharacter and handsome person, had raised him to more importance than hissituation as a junior officer would have warranted; and his behaviour wassuch as to have secured him the good-will of everyone on board of the ship.Newton's unassuming, frank manner, added to a large stock of generalinformation, occasioned his society to be courted, even by those who wouldotherwise have been inclined to keep at a distance one in his subordinaterank.

  When they arrived at St Helena, the first mate, for a wonder, no longermade any difficulty of going on shore for an hour or two, if he knew thatNewton would be the commanding officer during his absence; nay, so high didhe stand in the opinion of his captain, that not only was he permitted totake charge of the chronometers, but if called away for a time below,Captain Drawlock would hand over to Newton's charge any one of theunmarried _responsibilities_ who might happen to be leaning on his arm.

  The India men being now left to protect themselves, the senior officer,Commodore Bottlecock, issued most elaborate memorandum, as to the order ofsailing, exercise of the men at the great guns and small arms, and everyother point which could tend to their security by due preparation.Nevertheless, the ladies continued to appear on deck. Mrs Ferguson sate inher majesty; the young ladies tittered, and were reprimanded; the younggentlemen were facetious, and were rebuked; the old colonel talked of hisadventure at Madeira, and compared everything to the spent ball in thebattle of----. Dr Plausible had become a most assiduous attendant upon MissTavistock, ever since he had satisfactorily ascertained that she hadproperty of her own; everybody had become intimate: everyone was becomingtired, when the bearings and distance at noon placed them about two hundredmiles from Point de Galle, the southernmost extremity of Ceylon. The windwas fresh and fair, and they congratulated each other upon a speedytermination to their tedious voyage.

  Dinner was announced by the old tune of "Oh! the roast beef of OldEngland;" and during a long voyage the announcement of dinner is a verygreat relief every way. As had been the invariable rule throughout thewhole of the voyage, Miss Charlotte and Miss Laura Revel were placed on theone side of Captain Drawlock, Miss Tavistock and Isabel Revel on the other.They were flanked on the other side by Mrs and Mr Ferguson, who thusseparated them from any undue collision with the gentlemen passengers orofficers of the ship. The colonel was placed next to Mrs Ferguson, theyoung writer next to her husband: then the two cadets, supported by thedoctor and purser, the remainder of the table being filled up with theofficers of the ship, with the first mate at the foot. Such was the orderof Captain Drawlock's dinner-sailing; as strictly adhered to as thememorandum of Commodore Bottlecock: the only communication permitted withthe young ladies under his charge (unless married men) being to "requestthe honour of drinking a glass of wine with them."

  All this may appear very absurd; but a little reflection will convince thereader to the contrary. There is a serious responsibility on a captain ofan India man, who takes charge of perhaps a dozen young women, who are tobe cooped up for months in the same ship with as many young men. Love,powerful everywhere, has on the waters even more potent sway, hereditary, Ipresume, from his mother's nativity. Idleness is the friend of Love; andpassengers have little or nothing to do to while away the tedium of avoyage. In another point, he has great advantage, from the limited numberof the fair sex. In a ball or in general society, a man may see hundreds ofwomen, admire many, yet fall in love with none. Numbers increase thedifficulty of choice, and he remains delighted, but not enslaved. But onboard of a ship, the continued presence of one whom he admires bycomparison out of the few--one who, perhaps, if on shore, would in a shorttime be eclipsed by another, but who here shines without competition--givesher an advantage which, assisted by idleness and opportunity, magnifies herattractions, and sharpens the arrow of all conquering Love. CaptainDrawlock perhaps knew this from experience; he knew also that the friendsof one party, if not of both, might be displeased by any contract formedwhen under his surveillance, and that his character and the character ofhis ship (for ships nowadays have characters, and very much depend uponthem for their well doing) might suffer in consequence. Strict as he mighttherefore appear, he was only doing his duty.

  Grace being requested from Mr Ferguson, he indulged the company with onequite as long as usual; rather too long, considering that the ship was veryunsteady, and the ladies had to cling to the table for support. But MrFerguson was not a sailor, or he would have known that it is the custom toreduce the grace in proportion with the canvas. When the royals are set, wesubmit to a homily; under double-reefed topsails, a blessing; but understorm stay-sails, an ejaculation is considered as orthodox.

  "Mrs Ferguson, will you permit me to send you a little mulligatawny?" saidCaptain Drawlock: "If you prefer it, there is sheep's head broth at theother end of the table."

  "Then I will take a little of the broth, if you please, Captain Drawlock."

  "Mr Mathews, Mrs Ferguson will take some broth. I am sorry, Mrs Ferguson,that our table is so ill supplied; but a long voyage and bad weather hasbeen very fatal to our hen-coops."

  "Indeed, Captain Drawlock, you need not apologise." Nor was there anyoccasion, for the table was loaded.

  "Perhaps Miss Laura Revel will permit me to send her a slice of thismutton?" said the obsequious colonel.

  "
No, I thank you; I have eaten nothing but mutton lately. I think I shallbe a sheep myself soon," added the young lady, tittering.

  "That would be very much against your inclination, I should think, MissLaura," observed Mrs Ferguson, tartly.

  "La! why so? how do you know, Mrs Ferguson?"

  "Because a sheep never changes its name until after it is dead. I shrewdlysuspect you would like to change yours before."--(This was a hard hit.)

  "As you have yours, Mrs Ferguson," quietly answered Isabel, in support ofher sister.

  "Very fair on both sides," said the colonel, bowing to the ladies, who sattogether. "Pray, Miss Laura, don't talk of being a sheep, we are all readyto devour you as it is."

  "La! you don't say so?" replied the young lady, much pleased.

  "Colonel Ellice," interrupted Captain Drawlock, with a serious air,"several of the company will thank you to carve that joint, when you havefinished paying your compliments. Miss Tavistock, the honour of a glass ofwine. We have not had the pleasure of your company on deck to-day."

  "No, Captain Drawlock. I did intend to come, but my health is in such adelicate state, that by the advice of Dr Plausible I remained below."

  "Miss Tavistock, will you allow me to send you some mutton?"

  "If you please, colonel; a very small slice."

  "Mr Forster, what have you in that dish before you?"

  "A chicken, Captain Drawlock."

  "Miss Isabel Revel, will you take some chicken?"

  "No, I thank you, Captain Drawlock," replied Isabel.

  "Did you say yes or no?" inquired Newton, who had caught her eye.

  "I'll change my mind," said Isabel, smiling.

  Now, I know it for a fact, although I shall not give up my authority, thatIsabel Revel never wanted any chicken until she perceived that Newton wasto help her. So, if Love occasionally takes away the appetite, let us dohim justice--he sometimes creates one.

  "Miss Tavistock, allow me to send you a little of this turkey," said DrPlausible; "it is easy of digestion."

  "If you please, doctor," replied Miss Tavistock, cramming the last mouthfulof mutton into her mouth, and sending away her plate to be changed.

  "Will you not take a little ham with it, Miss Tavistock?" said CaptainDrawlock.

  "If you please, sir."

  "The honour of a glass of wine, Miss Tavistock," said the colonel.

  "With pleasure, sir."

  "Miss Charlotte Revel, you have really eaten nothing," said CaptainDrawlock.

  "That proves you have not paid me the least attention," replied the younglady. "Had you honoured me with a single glance during dinner, you couldnot but have observed that I have been dining very heartily."

  "I really am quite shocked, Miss Charlotte, and bow to your reproof. Willyou take a glass of wine with me, in reconciliation?"

  "I consider a glass of Madeira a very poor bribe, sir."

  "Well, then, Miss Charlotte, it shall be champagne," replied CaptainDrawlock, in his gallantry. "Steward, champagne." A fortunate hit for thecompany; as champagne was in general only produced upon what sailors call"clean shirt days,"--viz., Sundays and Thursdays.

  "We are highly indebted to Miss Revel," observed the colonel, bowing toher; "and I think we ought to drink her health in a bumper."

  Agreed to, _nem. con._

  Champagne, thou darling of my heart! To stupefy oneself with other wines,is brutal; but to raise oneself to the seventh heaven with thee, is quiteethereal. The soul appears to spurn the body, and take a transient flightwithout its dull associate--the--the--broke down, by Jupiter! All I meantto say was, that champagne is very pretty _tipple_; and so thought thedinner party, who were proportionally enlivened.

  "Is this orthodox, Mr Ferguson?" inquired the colonel, holding up hisglass.

  "So far orthodox, that it is very good; and what is orthodox is good,"replied the divine, with good-humour.

  "The _Asia_ has made the signal for 'a strange sail--suspicious,'" said thesecond mate to Captain Drawlock, putting his head into the cabin.

  "Very well, Mr Jones, keep a glass upon the commodore."

  "Mrs Ferguson, will you take some of this tart! Damascene, I believe," saidthe first mate.

  "If you please, Mr Mathews.--Did not Mr Jones say 'suspicious?'--What doesthat imply?"

  "Imply, madam; why, that he don't like the cut of her jib!"

  "And pray what does that mean?"

  "Mean, madam: why, that for all he knows to the contrary, she may be aFrench frigate."

  "A French frigate! a French frigate! O dear! O dear!" cried two or threeladies at a breath.

  "Mr Mathews," said Captain Drawlock, "I am really surprised at yourindiscretion. You have alarmed the ladies. A suspicious sail, Mrs Ferguson,merely implies--in fact, that they do not know what she is."

  "Is that _all_ it means?" replied Mrs Ferguson, with an incredulous look.

  "Nothing more, madam; nothing more, I assure you."

  "Commodore has made signal that the strange vessel is a man-of-war bearingdown," said the second mate, again entering the cabin.

  "Very well, Mr Jones," said Captain Drawlock, with assumed indifference,but at the same time fidgeting on his chair.

  The first mate and Newton immediately quitted the cabin.

  "Miss Tavistock, will you take a little of this pudding?"

  "If you please, sir, a very little."

  "A man-of-war! I'll go and have a look at her," said the colonel, who roseup, bowed to the ladies, and left the cuddy.

  "Most probably one of our cruisers," observed Captain Drawlock.

  "The commodore has made the signal to prepare for action, sir," said thesecond mate.

  "Very well, Mr Jones," said Captain Drawlock, who could now restrainhimself no longer. "You must excuse me, ladies, for a moment or two; butour commodore is so _very_ prudent a man, and I am under his orders. In ashort time I hope to return to the pleasure of your society."

  Captain Drawlock's departure was followed by that of all the male party,with the exception of Dr Plausible and Mr Ferguson, both of whom, however,were anxious to go upon deck, and ascertain how matters stood.

  "Mr Ferguson, where are you going?" said his wife, sharply. "Pray! sir, dous the favour to remain. Your profession, if I mistake not, is one ofpeace."

  "Oh! Doctor Plausible, I feel very unwell," cried Miss Tavistock.

  "I will stay with you, my dear madam," replied the doctor.

  A gun from the commodore's ship, which was close to windward of them, burstupon their ears, rattling the cabin windows, and making every wine glass onthe table to dance with the concussion.

  "Oh! oh! oh!" screamed Miss Tavistock, throwing herself back in her chair,and expanding her arms and fingers.

  Doctor Plausible flew to the lady's assistance.

  "The extreme fineness of her organic structure,--a little water, if youplease, Miss Charlotte Revel."

  A tumbler of water was poured out, and Doctor Plausible, dipping the tip ofhis forefinger into it, passed it lightly over the lady's brows. "She willbe better directly."

  But the lady did not think proper to _come_ to so soon as the doctorprophesied, and Mrs Ferguson, snatching up the tumbler, dashed the contentswith violence in Miss Tavistock's face; at which Miss Tavistock not onlyrevived, but jumped up from her chair, blowing and spluttering.

  "Are you better now, Miss Tavistock?" said Mrs Ferguson, soothingly, at thesame time glancing her eyes at the other ladies, who could not restraintheir mirth.

  "Oh! Doctor Plausible, that shock has so affected my nerves, I feel that Ishall faint again, I do indeed--I'm going--"

  "Lean upon me, Miss Tavistock, and permit me to conduct you to your cabin,"replied the doctor; "the extreme delicacy of your constitution," continuedhe, whispering, as they left the cuddy, "is not equal to the boisterousremedies of Mrs Ferguson."

  As they went out, Newton Forster came in.

  "You must not be alarmed, ladies, when I state that I am commissioned byCaptain Dr
awlock to inform you that the stranger's manoeuvres are sodoubtful, that we think she is an enemy. He has desired me to request youwill accept my convoy to the lower-deck, where you will be safe fromaccident, in the event of our coming to an engagement. Mr Ferguson, thecaptain entrusts the ladies to your charge, and requests that you will notleave them upon any consideration. Now, Mrs Ferguson, will you permit me toescort you to a place of security?"

  At this intelligence Laura Revel stared, Charlotte burst into tears, andIsabel turned pale. Mrs Ferguson took the arm of Newton without saying aword, when the other was offered and accepted by Isabel. Mr Ferguson, withthe two other sisters, brought up the rear. The ladies had to pass thequarter-deck, and when they saw the preparations--the guns cast loose, theshot lying on the deck, and all the various apparatus fordestruction--their fears increased. When they had been conducted to theirplace of safety, Newton was about to return on deck, when he was seized byMiss Charlotte and Laura Revel, who entreated him not to leave them.

  "Do stay with us, Mr Forster; pray, don't go," cried they both.

  "I must, indeed, ladies; you are perfectly safe here."

  "For God's sake, don't you go away, Mr Forster!" cried Laura, falling onher knees. "I shall die of fright.--You sha'n't go!" screamed Laura, as thetwo sisters clung on to the skirts of his jacket, and effectually preventedhis escape, unless, like the patriarch, he had left his garment behind.

  Newton cast an appealing glance at Isabel, who immediatelyinterfered,--"Charlotte, for shame! you are preventing Mr Forster fromgoing to his duty. My dear Laura, do not be so foolish; Mr Forster can beof no service to us: but he will be on deck. Let go, Laura."

  Newton was released. "I am much obliged to you, Miss Isabel," said Newton,with his foot on the ladder; "but I have no time now to express mythanks--not to be on deck--"

  "I know it, Mr Forster: go up, I beseech you; do not wait a moment:" andNewton sprang up the ladder; but not before he had exchanged with Isabel aglance which, had he been deficient in courage, would have nerved him forthe approaching combat. We must leave the ladies with Mr Ferguson (who hadno pleasant office), while we follow Newton on deck. The stranger had bornedown with studding-sails, until within three miles of the Indiamen, whenshe rounded to. She then kept away a little, to close nearer, evidentlyexamining the force opposed to her. The Indiamen had formed the line ofbattle in close order, the private signal between English men-of-war andEast India ships flying at their mast-heads.

  "Extremely strange, that she does not answer the private signal," said thecolonel to the second mate.

  "Not at all, if she don't know how."

  "You are convinced, then, that she is a French frigate?"

  "No, not positive; but I'll bet you ten to one she is:--bet off if eitherof us are killed, of course!"

  "Thanky; I never bet," answered the colonel, turning away.

  "What do you think of her, Mr Mathews?" said Captain Drawlock to the firstmate, who had his eye on the ship.

  "She is English built and English rigged, sir, that I'll swear; look at herlower yard-arms, the squaring of her topsails. She may be French now, butthe oak in her timbers grew in Old England."

  "I agree with you," said Newton: "look at the rake of her stern; she isEnglish all over."

  "Then, why don't she answer the private signal?" said Captain Drawlock.

  "She's right in the wind's eye of us, sir, and our flags are blowing end onfrom her."

  "There goes up her bunting, sir," cried the first mate.

  "English, as I said. The commodore is answering, sir. Up with the ensignthere abaft. All's right, tell the ladies."

  "I will; I'll go and inform them," said the colonel; who immediatelydescended to impart the joyful intelligence.

  The frigate bore down, and hove to. The commodore of the India squadronwent on board, when he found that she was cruising for some large Dutchstore-ships and vessels armed _en flute_, which were supposed to havesailed from Java. In a quarter of an hour, she again made sail and partedcompany, leaving the Indiamen to secure their guns, and pursue theircourse.

  There are two parties whose proceedings we had overlooked; we refer to MissTavistock and Dr Plausible. The latter handed the lady to her cabin, easedher down upon her couch, and taking her hand gently, retained it in hisown, while with his other he continued to watch her pulse.

  "Do not alarm yourself, my dear Miss Tavistock; your sensibility isimmense. I will not leave you. I cannot think what could have induced youto trust yourself on such a voyage of danger and excitement."

  "Oh! Dr Plausible, where my affections are centred there is nothing, weakcreature that I am, but my soul would carry me through: indeed I am allsoul. I have a dear friend in India."

  "He is most happy," observed the doctor, with a sigh.

  "_He_, Dr Plausible! you quite shock me! Do you imagine for a moment that Iwould go out to follow any gentleman? No, indeed, I am not going out onspeculation, as some young ladies. I have enough of my own, thank God! Ikeep my carriage and corresponding establishment, I assure you."--(The verything that Dr Plausible required.)

  "Indeed! my dear Miss Tavistock, is it then really a female friend?"

  "Yes! the friend of my childhood. I have ventured this tedious, dangerousvoyage, once more to fold her in my arms."

  "Disinterested affection! a heart like yours, miss, were indeed a treasureto be won. What a happy man would your husband be!"

  "Husband! Oh, Dr Plausible, don't mention it: I feel convinced,--positivelyconvinced, that my constitution is not strong enough to bear matrimony."

  The doctor's answer was too prolix for insertion; it was a curious compounddissertation upon love and physic, united. There was devoted attention,extreme gentle treatment, study of pathology, advantage of medicalattendance always at hand, careful nursing, extreme solicitude, fragilityof constitution restored, propriety of enlarging the circle of her innocentaffections, ending at last in devoted love, and a proposal--to share hercarriage and establishment.

  Miss Tavistock assumed another faint--the shock was so great; but thedoctor knelt by her, and kissed her hand, with well affected rapture. Atlast, she murmured out a low assent, and fell back, as if exhausted withthe effort. The doctor removed his lips from her hand to her mouth, to sealthe contract; and, as she yielded to his wishes, almost regretted that hehad not adhered to his previous less assuming gallantry.