Miss Fairfax of Virginia: A Romance of Love and Adventure Under the Palmettos

by St. George Rathborne

  CHAPTER XI.

  THE LADY ON THE QUARTER DECK.

  The news which Captain Beven communicated almost in a whisper toRoderic had as startling an effect upon that gentleman as though theguns of the battery that frowned upon their anchorage had suddenly andwithout the least warning opened full upon their jaunty craft.

  He sprang to his feet as though urged by a shock from a concealedgalvanic battery.

  Instantly he remembered that Cleo had been close by a short timebefore, and his first act was to turn his head and look for her.

  The ladies had however quietly withdrawn, doubtless finding Rodericvery unsociable, and leaving him to the solace of his old pipe.

  Which was a very sensible thing for them to do, considering hisrudeness, he concluded.

  At any rate it left the coast clear, and all minor things had to giveway when this major passion that filled his heart, was concerned.

  "That is what I have been waiting to hear, Captain. Show me the boatyou mean?" he said, as quietly as the bounding of blood through hisveins would allow.

  "Step this way, sir."

  Captain Beven knew _why_ Roderic was so deeply interested in theSterling Castle, and as a man who had a family at home in some quietlittle English cathedral town he could respect these feelings of theardent lover.

  All the world feels an interest in the course of true love, and everydecent man stands ready to lend a hand if by so doing he may assist inthe anticipated happy outcome.

  In another minute they were leaning over the port quarter.

  "Yonder she lies, riding at anchor. The light is very dim, for the moonyou see sir, is just about going down, and presently we will be in thedark," said the man of navigation.

  Roderic glued his eyes on the indistinct form of what appeared to be asteamer, but beyond this fact he was unable to hazard a guess.

  "I see her plainly enough, but what makes you imagine or believe shemay be the vessel I am so anxious about?" he asked.

  Captain Beven was not at all offended.

  He knew Roderic had no idea of questioning his ability to determinesuch matters, but was only curious to hear the clinching of theargument by such means as he might advance.

  Hence, he made answer in the way Roderic most desired, laying down thelogic of events in quick succession.

  Beven, if he had any peculiarity, was rather inclined to speakingrapidly, and without any useless flow of language.

  Like Grant and other great men of like calibre, of whom history isfull, he believed in getting at the kernel of matters in the leastpossible stretch of time.

  "Something familiar about her appearance, even seen under suchdisadvantages. Never forget the cut of a boat on which I havesailed. Then I heard her bell sound--do you know, there are bellsand bells--some have a peculiar ring that you would recognize if youheard it on a camel in Egypt. The Sterling Castle had such a bell--Inever heard one just like it until a short bit ago when it soundedfour strokes. I tell you sir, it made me jump and rub my eyes, halfbelieving I was officer of the deck again on board the stanch oldSterling Castle. And last but not least, there came a man from theshore rowing past and heading for some German ship over yonder. Ihailed him, and as he came alongside asked him the question. As near asI could make out he said he believed she was called the Sherwin Castle,and had just arrived two hours before sundown. That settled it, sir."

  "I should think it did, captain. And so that is the boat. So near andyet so far. It is very aggravating, captain."

  "Very, sir," solemnly.

  "I have half a notion--" reflectively.

  "Thought you'd say that, sir," rubbing his hands gleefully, as thoughanticipating something.

  "To make a little run across to her."

  "Yes, sir, with what object in view?"

  "Oh! merely to ease my mind with respect to her identity, you mightsay," carelessly.

  "Of course--quite natural--young blood--always impetuous," commentedthe Benedict.

  "And incidentally to see whether I could find some golden opportunityto have a few words with one who is a passenger on board."

  "Ah! yes."

  The captain placed one finger alongside his nose.

  It was a habit he had when engaged in serious consideration, andRoderic, who had studied the old sea dog to advantage, felt sure therewould be some result to this incubation.

  Nor was he wrong in his surmise.

  "Well, it could be done, sir," he said.

  "I knew I could trust you to help me out, Heaven bless you, old chap,"said Owen, at once diving for the captain's hand and wringing it withimpetuous ardor quite unlike his usual self possessed manner; but Cupidhas wrought more marvelous changes than this in men.

  "It would not do to go prowling around the craft at this hour of thenight--we might be suspected of being Yankee spies and fired upon."

  "That is true," assented Owen, knowing full well the captain would notstop there.

  "Now, I know Captain Shackelford well, and it wouldn't be strange forme to run over to shake hands with the old war dog. Besides, a sailorhas respect for another man's affection regarding a craft he has madeseveral voyages on, and he'd understand why I want to tread the deck ofthe Castle once again. It revives recollections, you know, and throws aman back years."

  "Just so," commented Roderic, encouragingly.

  "Well, so far, good. Now, if so be you could change your looks a littlebit----"

  Roderic laughed exultantly.

  "I might row you over and go aboard."

  "Consider it done, Captain, and many thanks to you."

  "Don't forget they owe you no good will."

  "And would be only too glad to hang me up to the yardarm if discovered.Don't worry, my dear fellow. It has been my business to hide myidentity from all sorts of inquisitive people. This comes right in myline. When will you go?"

  "I can be ready in five minutes, sir, but----"

  "In five minutes I shall be here."

  Then he vanished.

  The captain chuckled so hard he shook like a pyramid of calves footjelly.

  "A boy after my own heart, God bless him, and all them that loves theladies, are my sentiments. My little woman at home came without anysuch hardships, but I honors them as think no danger too great, noprice too dear, when true affection calls. Only I _am_ surprised at hisnot falling in love with Miss Fairfax, for unless my old eyes deceiveme she worships the ground he walks on. Well, this is a queer worldanyhow, and remarkable things happen in it," with which sage remark theold sailor hurried away to fix up a little for his late visit on boardthe neighboring craft.

  When he returned to the spot the five minutes had expired.

  Roderic awaited him.

  The captain would never have suspected his identity only that he spoke.

  In that brief space of time Roderic had completely altered hisappearance--instead of a gentleman, well dressed and desirous of onlykilling time, he had the look of an ordinary everyday sailor.

  Even his face was altered--Captain Beven never could tell how it wasdone, and marveled greatly at the tricks of the trade--but in the semidarkness it did not look at all like Owen who addressed him laughinglyasking if he would do.

  "Most excellently. By the way I believe in being prepared foremergencies, even while not in the least expecting a display of force,"significantly.

  "Oh, that's all right," returned Owen, touching his pocket in aconvincing manner.

  The captain laughed.

  "Very good. Now, I'll take a couple of men with us to do the rowing.They shall remain in the boat while we go aboard. You can act like myboatswain, if you choose. I know the men to select, smart fellows whowill understand what we're up to, and I'll guarantee they'll not givethe game away. Wait a minute."

  The preliminaries were quickly adjusted.

  A boat being lowered they dropped in.

  The two men knew who their stranger sailor companion was, the captainhaving given them a few pointers, deeming it the part of wisdom th
atthey should not be kept in ignorance, and as Roderic had quickly madefirm friends of all the yacht's crew, by his cheery and hearty ways,they were genuinely interested in the successful outcome of his venture.

  Poor the sailor who has not sweetheart or wife in port--indeed, theyhave been often accused, doubtless falsely, of a predilection forhaving a girl in every port.

  The silvery crescent moon just hung trembling above the horizon,preparatory to taking the plunge that would hide her from view untilanother night rolled around.

  Roderic was duly impressed with the witchery of his surroundings, nordid the romantic nature of his own errand fail to stamp itself upon hismind.

  Thus they quitted the side of the yacht and headed directly for thesteamer whose vague outlines could just be dimly seen through the hazeand darkness.

  Hardly had they proceeded five boatlengths than Captain Beven who satbeside him in the stern-sheets, turning his head to take a last lovingglance at his own little craft, uttered an exclamation.

  This of course caused Roderic to follow suit.

  He saw instantly what had caught the old sailor's eye.

  A woman's white duck dress stirred by the night breeze drew hisattention to the quarter deck.

  It was Cleo, who had come on deck again, possibly to discover whetherhe had aroused from his state of dreamy forgetfulness.

  Did she know where they were going--was she aware of his presence inthe boat?

  Impossible.

  He might have called out, but that would hardly have been politic--sheshould hear the results of the adventure when they returned.

  His attention was now entirely occupied with the craft which theirboat, urged on by the strokes of the two men, was rapidly approaching.

  As she loomed out of the water, even Roderic could see she was fairlywell laden.

  He could imagine the cargo would be one that might prove of great valueto the forces of General Blanco, could it be landed at Havana in spiteof the Yankee fleet lying off that city.

  When they came close up Roderic saw the British flag floating from thestern.

  Then his eyes sought the smoke stack, and as near as he could judgein the uncertain light it appeared to answer the description he hadreceived of the Sterling Castle--the funnel was dark below and lightabove, probably buff, with the trade-mark of its line in relief.

  It mattered little, since Captain Beven was about to settle this matteronce and for all.

  Their approach had been noisy enough to attract attention, and as theycame up, a deep voice hailed them.

  It was a decidedly English voice, and the salutation lacked theextreme courtesy that might have been expected had the vessel floatedthe colors of Spain, France or Italy.

  "Hello! the boat--what d'ye want?"

  That was to the point, at least.

  Captain Beven made immediate answer to the effect that it was hisdesire to come aboard and pay his respects to his old friend theskipper, upon hearing which the man who had hailed from the deck sangout his readiness to receive them.

  It may be readily understood that Roderic found himself alongside theblockade runner with singular emotions stirring within his mind.

  The remarkable had happened again, for it was quite out of the commonthat the two vessels thus came together in the Azores.

  She was aboard this craft, the girl for whom his soul yearned.

  Perhaps he would even see her ere the lapse of many minutes.

  What bliss in the very thought--how could he help it if his traitorheart bounded tumultuously within its narrow confines?

  Still, he could not count upon it, since "there is many a slip twixtcup and lip."

  Perhaps she may have already retired for the night, since the hour waswearing late.

  This hardly struck him as possible, for after the storm, and thenecessity of being confined to the cabin, doubtless the senorita wouldbe only too glad to pass hours on deck, especially when the night wasso warm below.

  Other things might also influence her.

  The sounds coming over the water, how vividly they must remind herof dear San Juan, and after an enforced exile from her native cityit would be a pleasure to once more sit and drink in the music andlaughter and song that can always be heard in a Spanish or Portuguesetown after the heat of day has given place to the cool of evening.

  Captain Beven clambered aboard and as though he had already receivedhis orders to do likewise, Roderic followed suit.

  A number of English sailors stood around as if in curiosity.

  The captain had followed the second officer in the direction of thecabin, and Roderic moved in the same quarter, as though possessed ofsome curiosity regarding the vessel upon which his feet now pressed forthe first time.

  By degrees he thus shook off the inquisitive sailormen who had firstkept an eye on him.

  All the while he was getting closer to the quarter deck, knowing thathere if anywhere, he would be apt to find the object of his search.

  Beven had arranged for at least an hour's stay on board, so there wouldbe plenty of time to accomplish what he wished.

  When he heard the voice of Georgia near by it sent a thrill through hisheart.

  She was here within a dozen yards of him, this beautiful maid of SanJuan whose presence affected him so strangely, and under whose potentspell his heart delighted to remain a prisoner, rescue or no rescue.

  How was he to find an opportunity to address her with others near by?

  That must depend upon the good fortune that awaits upon Cupid'sdevotees--and Captain Beven, who might be trusted to put in a few goodstrokes in order to favor his protege.

  As Roderic slipped closer up to the little ladder that led to thequarter deck he could plainly discover that besides General Porfidiothere were two gentlemen present on the ground, and these he presentlymade out to be the redoubtable Jerome Wellington and a Spanish agent,possibly the same Senor Roblado, who had shown such a valiant spirit atthe bungalow on the Rathmines road, Dublin.

  Roderic was so eager to approach the girl that he could with a clearconscience have tossed both of these loquacious worthies overboard intothe waters of the harbor, had he been allowed the chance, and couldthis bold move have secured the desired private interview.

  He knew it would not--that he must possess his soul in patience andawait the logic of events.

  Don Porfidio was holding forth upon some favorite topic, and his gruffvoice sounded like the distant boom of breakers on a lee shore.

  Roderic bore no animosity toward the veteran--indeed, he had rathergrown fond of him in times past, and the fact that he was of kin toGeorgia added something to this feeling.

  At the same time he wished the big senor anywhere else than here justat present.

  There is such a thing as being in the way--at times even three can makea crowd.

  You see, Roderic was no different from the same old general runof lovers--every man must be a law unto himself when he findscircumstances surrounding him with a network of this kind.

  He bided his time and counted the minutes as though they werefreighted with lead, hoping that the gentlemen might suddenly beassailed by a most amazing thirst that would demand their presencebelow decks.

  Such a thing was apt to happen at any time where Don Porfidio wasconcerned, as Roderic knew full well from previous experience.

  Ah! some one approached.

  With his heart beating like a trip hammer from mingled eagerness andanticipation, he slunk back out of sight and waited, hoping that thismight be the earnestly hoped for deliverance.

  It was.

  Captain Beven had done his part well.

  The second officer of the blockade runner appeared on the quarter deckwith his usual bluff announcement.

  "Gentlemen all, the captain has a visitor who desires to make youracquaintance in the cabin. He has brought over a basket of champagnewith which to drink in memory of old days when he trod this deck inthe duties that I now perform. Gentlemen all, will you be pleased toaccompany me
?"

  Would they--Roderic could not but chuckle at the eager haste withwhich they bounded from their chairs, and apologizing to the lady forthis necessity that tore them from her charming company, came down theladder one after the other, to solemnly march toward the cabin.

  The game had worked.

  Roderic now had the coast clear and it would be his own fault if hefailed to improve the golden opportunity a happy fortune had placedbefore him.