CHAPTER THIRTEEN.
At the time the _Ruby_ reached Port Royal harbour the merchants atKingston were constantly receiving accounts of depredations committed ontheir vessels by a piratical squadron under the command of a Frenchman.They could obtain no exact information as to the size or number of thepirate ships; they were generally supposed to be small craft. Theyallowed none of those they captured to escape, and either sent themerchantmen to the bottom, and made their crews walk the plank, orcarried them off to the then little-known islands of the Bahama group.On the merchants making application to Captain Benbow, he willinglyundertook to go in search of the pirate fleet, and forthwith got hisship ready for sea. He also purchased a couple of large boats, partlydecked over and suited for those seas, fitted with sails and long oars,so that they could move rapidly both in a calm and in a breeze. Hewould willingly also have obtained a tender, but he could find no vesselsuited for the purpose in the harbour. All preparations being made, the_Ruby_ sailed at daylight with a land breeze, and soon had run the whiteforts and batteries surrounding Kingston out of sight, though the BlueMountains, rising high above them, were visible long afterwards.
"I am thankful that we are clear out of the place," observed Roger tohis friend Simon Bates, with whom he seemed to have a great deal to talkabout when no one else was near. "I was never quite at my ease, fearingthat some of the inquisitive authorities might have come on board."
"I have been so wonderfully preserved that I entertained no fears on thesubject," answered Bates. "My great wish now is to fall in with thesepirates and to take an active part in their capture."
"We will keep a bright look-out for them at all events," said Roger;"and if we can lay any of them aboard, I am sure you will do your part,and the Captain has every wish to give you an opportunity ofdistinguishing yourself."
The _Ruby_ had, however, been a week at sea without the pirates beingseen. Roger and Bates were always on the look-out. They were afraidthat they might have got an inkling of the _Ruby's_ whereabouts, andwere keeping out of her way. She at last stood round the northern sideof Jamaica, and the next day fell in with an English merchantman, themaster of which reported that he had been chased by several strangesail; but, his vessel being a fast one, by setting all the canvas hecould carry, he had made his escape. He reported that they were farfrom small craft; two or three were good-sized frigates, and the restwere of a considerable burden.
"So much the better," said Captain Benbow. "It will induce them toattack us; we must do our best to send them to the bottom one after theother."
The merchantman having proceeded on her course to the west, the _Ruby_continued standing on to the westward. It was Roger's morning watch;the wind had been light during the latter part of the night. Soon afterdawn broke the look-out shouted, "Two sail on the starboard bow." Rogerran aloft to have a look at them. They were frigates, as far as hecould judge at the distance they were off, and he hoped might prove tobe part of the pirate squadron. Watching the strangers narrowly, heobserved a third vessel,--then a fourth, some way farther off. Thisleft him little doubt that they formed part of the piratical squadron ofwhich the _Ruby_ was in search. Having satisfied himself on this point,he came below and went to inform the Captain, who was quickly on deck.
"I am in great hopes that you are right, Willoughby," he said, after hehad taken a survey of the strangers. "We will make the _Ruby_ look asmuch like a merchantman as possible, and perhaps draw them down uponus."
This was easily done in a light wind; the vessel's course was changed tothe northward, the yards were irregularly braced. The strangers,whether they suspected the ruse or not, stood on, expecting, if theywere pirates, probably to gain an easy victory over the lumberingmerchantman. Captain Benbow now ordered his ship to be got ready foraction; and, collecting his crew aft, told them that they were likely tohave a pretty sharp encounter, and that much depended on the way theyworked their guns and trimmed sails, as he might direct them. Threelarge vessels were seen approaching, while two more appeared in thedistance; they were evidently not aware of the character of the _Ruby_,or they would have come on in very different fashion. It appeared as ifthe object of each of them was to be the first to get up to pillage herbefore the arrival of her consorts. When, however, the leading frigategot almost within range, it seemed to strike her captain that the _Ruby_was not altogether like a heavy merchantman. Instead of coming on, shesuddenly hauled her tacks aboard and stood back towards her consorts.The _Ruby_ on this made all sail in chase; the frigate, however, was afast craft and kept well ahead. As they saw the _Ruby_ coming, thestrangers in succession hauled to the wind and steered to the westward,the frigate which had been leading making signals to the rest, till allfive were collected together. At first they appeared as if theyintended to try and make their escape, and Roger had begun to fear thatthey would get off altogether.
"Hurrah!" he cried out at length to Bates, "they intend to come up tothe scratch after all;" and he pointed to the strangers, which had nowformed in two divisions, the two larger frigates in one, the third andtwo smaller vessels in another. As they carried together more thantwice as many guns as the _Ruby_, they might have had a fair hope ofgaining the victory. Captain Benbow, on seeing this, steered for thetwo frigates. As soon as he came within range of the leading one, heopened the whole of his starboard broadside on her; then, standing on,regardless of her shot, which came whizzing on board, he gave the secondfrigate a similar dose. Meantime the three vessels of the seconddivision, standing towards the _Ruby_, commenced firing at her. Thefight now became fast and furious; the pirates, for such there could beno doubt they were, though they had showed no flags, keeping on the_Ruby's_ quarters, poured in a galling fire on her. Several of her menwere killed, and others wounded; but her crew, labouring actively at herguns, ran them in and out, loading and firing with wonderful rapidity,effecting no small damage on their assailants. At length the piratesgave signs of having had the worst of it; the two smaller vessels oncemore hauled their tacks on board and stood away to the westward, and oneof the frigates soon followed their example.
"Now, lads, we must capture one or two of the remainder," cried Benbow;and steering for the leading vessel, he poured a well-directed broadsideinto her. The second frigate, trying to support her consort, wasseverely punished, her deck being strewn with the dead and wounded. Shenow set all sail, and stood out of the fight, leaving her consort to herfate. Still the pirate fought desperately, frequently firing high, inthe hopes of knocking away some of the _Ruby's_ spars and reducing herto her own condition; but no great damage was done, and the _Ruby_, nowsailing round and round the frigate, reduced her to a complete wreck.At length a man was seen to spring aft with a white flag, which he wavedabove his head, and then threw down on the deck as a token of surrender.The _Ruby_ standing close to her, Captain Benbow ordered her toheave-to, and then, doing the same, lowered three boats with armedcrews, sending Roger in command of one, Kemp of another, and Bates of athird.
"Remember that these pirates are treacherous fellows," he observed."Secure them as quickly as possible, and look to the magazines."
The decks, as the British seamen clambered up the side, presented afearful spectacle, covered as they were with dead and wounded, manydying without any attempt having been made to render them assistance.The rigging hung in festoons, the canvas shot through and through, yardsand blocks scattered about the deck.
"Where is your captain?" asked Roger.
"We have no captain; he was killed early in the action," answered one ofthe men.
"And your officers?"
"They are all killed. We fought as long as one remained alive."
As several bodies looked like those of officers, Roger thought that thiswas probably the case. He and his companions, however, had first toobey the Captain's orders and to secure the crew. They sulkilysubmitted to have their arms lashed behind them, and were ordered, assoon as this operation was performed, to stand on one side of the decku
nder charge of four of the seamen with loaded muskets, while Roger andKemp took one party of their men forward to search for any of the crewwho might have concealed themselves. Bates conducted another down belowin the afterpart of the ship. He had just reached the Captain's cabinwhen he detected a smell of brimstone. He rushed towards the spot fromwhence it proceeded, and discovered a slow match leading towards theprincipal magazine. Some of his men showed an inclination to rush up ondeck.
"Come back, cowards!" he exclaimed. "We must put this out;" and,dashing forward, he cut the match for some way before the part which wasburning, upon which setting his foot, he quickly stamped it out, cryingto his men at the same time to cut the other end. It evidently had beena long time burning, and was probably ignited by one of the officerssince killed. Ordering some buckets of water to be brought below, hesearched round in the neighbourhood of the other magazine. An attempthad evidently been made to fire this one also, but the match hadprovidentially gone out. The victors and vanquished would otherwiseprobably have been blown up together. Several pirates were discoveredconcealed in the after part of the ship. Roger did his best toascertain if any of them were officers, but without success. As thepirate's boats were knocked to pieces, Captain Benbow made a signal thatone of the _Ruby's_ should remain on board, while the other returnedwith as many prisoners as they could carry. As he was eager to go inchase of the piratical squadron, Kemp was directed also to return,leaving Roger in command of the prize, with Bates as his lieutenant.They forthwith loaded the two boats with the prisoners, but still aconsiderable number remained.
"We can keep these fellows under, I should hope," said Roger to hismessmate; "but it will be necessary to have a watchful eye on them. Ifthey can work us any mischief they are sure to do it."
As soon as the two boats got alongside the _Ruby_, she made sail in thedirection that the pirates had taken, while Roger set to work to repairsome of the damage the prize had received, so that she might be in a fitstate to encounter a strong breeze, should one spring up. He had beendirected, having done this, to steer a certain course for Port Royal,Captain Benbow intending to follow and accompany her in with anotherprize or two. Roger collected all the remaining pirates in the hold,with their arms and legs lashed, three sentries with loaded musketsbeing placed over them. These were all he could spare, as the rest ofhis crew were required to get the ship into order. He and Bates exertedthemselves to the utmost. Bates was now assisting in knotting andsplicing, now hurrying below to see that the sentries were vigilant. Hehad looked to the priming of the pistols which he carried in his belt,and kept his sword by his side. He had from the first expressed hisregret that so many prisoners had been left on board.
"I know the tricks of these fellows," he remarked. "They are capable offreeing themselves from fetters, and they make nothing of slipping outof rope lashings, however apparently secure."
"Well, let us get the yards across, and fresh sails bent, and therigging set up, and we shall have more hands at liberty to watch them,"said Roger.
Working away, they took a frequent look at the _Ruby_, till she had runthem out of sight. Short-handed as they were, much remained to be done.When the sun set, and darkness covered the ocean, the sea remainedcalm, so that the prize floated motionless. No sail had yet been set,as the crew, of course, after their exertions, required rest. Rogertherefore divided the men into two watches, he taking charge of one andBates of the other. Bates begged to take the first watch of serving,that Roger and his men might then, after rest, be more wide-awake towatch the pirates.
The prize had drifted considerably nearer the Cuba coast than when shehad been captured. Bates, who was vigilant on every point, keptcontinually going below, while he turned his eye frequently towards thedistant land. The watch was nearly out when, as he listened, he fanciedhe heard the sound of oars in the water. He well knew the sort ofcharacters who inhabited the quays scattered about on that part of thecoast of Cuba, and that if they had discovered the condition of thevessel they might have seen before sunset, they would be very likely tocome out and try to capture her. He at once, therefore, sent down tocall Roger, who was on deck in a moment.
"We must be prepared, at all events," said Roger; and, the other watchbeing called, such of the pirate's guns as remained undamaged wereloaded and run out. The necessary preparations for the defence werequickly made. In a short time the sound of approaching boats becamemore clearly audible. Roger was of opinion that there were three ofthem, each pulling a good number of oars.
"We must not stand on any ceremony," observed Roger. "They are certainnot to be coming with any good intentions, and the sooner we send themto the right-about the better. We will therefore fire at them as soonas we can see them clearly enough to take a steady aim." He gave theorders to his crew. Bates meantime had gone below to have a look at theprisoners; he found them considerably excited; they had overheard theremarks of the seamen, and knew that boats were approaching. They wereprobably too well aware of the character their crews. Bates had turnedhis lantern round on all the prisoners, and they appeared to be fastbound as before. He charged the sentries, however, to be very vigilant,suggesting to them that their lives would be the first to be sacrificedshould the prisoners break loose. He then returned on deck, just intime to assist in firing the guns, as the strange boats came in sight.The guns must have been well aimed, for they could hear two of the shotsstrike, shrieks and cries rising from the boats, telling that severalhad been wounded. The third, however, came on, when Bates, who hadcarefully trained his gun, fired; almost the instant afterwards she haddisappeared; the shot had gone through her. Crowded with men she musthave sunk immediately. Whether any were saved it was impossible to say.
"They brought their fate upon themselves," observed Roger. "We have tothank you, Bates, for discovering their approach, and for settling themafterwards."
The other two boats had disappeared in the darkness, evidently findingthat they had caught a Tartar, making their way as fast as they could tothe shore. The British raised a hearty cheer; before the joyous ringhad died away, shouts and cries rose from the hold, from whence a coupleof shots were heard.
"Follow me, lads!" cried Bates, and he sprang below, taking care tocarry a lantern which he had left in readiness. Nearly all the pirateshad by some unaccountable means broken loose. He fired his pistols attwo who appeared to be the most active, then drawing his sword rushedamong the crowd. One of the sentries had been killed, but the otherswere defending themselves, after firing, with the butt-ends of theirmuskets.
"Down, all of you, or not one of you shall be allowed to live," Batesshouted, in a voice which awed the pirates; for almost immediately theyceased struggling, and those who were trying to release their companionsgave up the attempt. Several had been unable to free themselves. Hadthey succeeded in getting on deck, while the crew were engaged with theboats, a number of the British seamen might have been killed, even ifthe pirates had not ultimately gained their object.
"You have saved us a second time this night, Bates," said Roger. "Imust take care that Captain Benbow knows how you have behaved."
In the struggle it was found that no less than five pirates had beenkilled; but still there were enough remaining to make it necessary to beas vigilant as ever. The moment daylight returned Roger and Bates againset to work with their crew to repair damages. At length they managedto make sufficient sail, a light breeze springing up, to send the vesselthrough the water at a good rate. As they were so far to the westward,they had been directed, should the wind be suitable, to go round theeast end of Jamaica. They therefore hoped with a favourable breeze toget into Port Royal in five or six days. It was an anxious time,however, for both of the young officers. The prize had been sorelybattered, and as she heeled over the water rushed in through numerousshot-holes which had only been imperfectly plugged. They did their bestto remedy this, but had to keep the crew at the pumps for the best partof both watches. Roger proposed making the prisoner
s work at the pumps,but Bates thought the risk too great for the advantage they would havegained. Desperate fellows as they were, the pirates might suddenlyrise, and with handspikes, or any weapons they could get hold of, attackthem.
"We must keep all weapons out of their way, and tell them that we willshoot them through the head without scruple should they make any attemptof the sort," answered Roger.
The crew, to whom the idea of making the prisoners work had occurred, atthe same time asked why half a dozen should not be brought on deck andset to at the pumps? Bates, against his better judgment, consented.Six were accordingly brought up in order to turn to. They sulkilyobeyed, but the boatswain's mate, who acted as boatswain, stood by withthe cat in hand ready to keep them at their work, while the same numberof men remained on guard, armed with pistols and muskets, ready to shootany who should show the slightest sign of mutiny. This kept the firstgang in good order. Then, having laboured till they could labour nolonger, they were exchanged for another party. By this means the crewwere greatly relieved, and leisure was given to them to stop the leaks.At night all were confined below. At length Morant Point, at the eastend of Jamaica, was sighted, and, the breeze being favourable, the prizeran along the southern side of the island till she came off thepalisades that formed the southern side of Kingston harbour. They hadto wait till the sea-breeze set in, then with flying sheets ran throughthe entrance and brought up off Port Royal. When it was known that theprize was a pirate captured by Captain Benbow, numbers came off to seeher, and congratulated Roger and Bates on their success. Roger tookcare that it should be known what essential service his messmate hadrendered in preserving the vessel, declaring that he believed withouthim they would have been retaken. Among the visitors on board wereseveral merchants and planters, who expressed their thanks to Mr Bates.
"The capture of this vessel will make some amends for the loss of ashipload of slaves, fellows sent out in consequence of having joinedMonmouth's rebellion," said one of them. "I had a list forwarded to me.I expected to get a good deal of work out of the fellows before YellowJack carried them off."
"I should like to see it," said Mr Bates. "Perhaps she is the vessel,the wreck of which we fell in with, nearly all her crew and passengershaving died."
The merchants promised to bring it off, and in the list Mr Bates readthe name of Stephen Battiscombe. He returned it, remarking, "I havelittle doubt that your slaves have all long since gained their libertyby the only means they expected--death. We will do our best to capturethe remainder of the pirates to make amends to you for your loss."
Roger was glad to get rid of his prisoners, who were handed over to theauthorities; he also obtained hands from Port Royal to refit the prizewith all despatch, knowing that Captain Benbow would certainly employher as the tender to the _Ruby_, to assist him in his search for thepiratical squadron, should he have failed to catch them. Several dayspassed, and, the _Ruby_ not appearing, Roger began to fear that someaccident might have happened to her. At length, to his greatsatisfaction, the canvas of a large ship was seen over the palisades,and the _Ruby_ made her signal. The sea-breeze soon afterwards settingin, she entered the harbour, and brought up near the prize. Rogerimmediately went on board. Captain Benbow had waited, he said, in vainfor the pirates; they had run in among the Bahama Islands, and hidthemselves away, while it was impossible to follow them withoutexperienced pilots, who were not to be found.
"We must wait therefore another opportunity of discovering them," heobserved. "In the meantime we will refit the prize, to the command ofwhich I intend to appoint you, Willoughby, with Bates as yourlieutenant. I will send Charlie Ross to assist you, with several freshhands."
Several weeks passed, for the dockyard people in those days were notvery rapid in their movements.
At length a merchant vessel came in, stating that she had been chasedoff Montego Bay, at the north-west end of the island, by severalsuspicious-looking craft, but that she had got into that harbour, andremained there till the pirates had disappeared.
"Then the rascals are once more afloat," said Captain Benbow, when heheard of this. "We must go in search of them with the aid of yourfrigate. I hope we shall capture a few more, if not the whole of them."
No time was lost in getting under way, Captain Benbow's only regretbeing that he had not a larger number of small craft to ferret thepirates out of their holes. He had, however, the two boats, which werelikely to be of use. The prize had been so transmogrified by thedockyard riggers at Port Royal that even her old friends would not haveknown her.
It should have been said that most of the pirates had been hung at PortRoyal, as people in those days thought nothing of stringing up a coupleof dozen of human beings at a time without any very strict examinationas to their guilt. Two had escaped by turning King's evidence, oncondition of their acting as pilots to the squadron in search of theircomrades, should they be required to do so.
Captain Benbow considered that he should be most likely to meet with thepiratical fleet by sailing to the westward. Accordingly, the _Ruby_ and_Pearl_ stood in that direction, and, having a fair breeze, in a shorttime got round the western point, and entered the Channel betweenJamaica and Cuba. They had a long cruise, however, without sighting thepirates, or falling in with any vessel which had escaped from them. TheCaptain began to fear that by some means they had heard of him, and werekeeping out of his way. He determined, should he fall in with them, tosink all he could come up with, rather than allow the rest to escape.He had been at sea a month, when not far from the spot where the piratefleet had before been, he sighted one evening, soon after dark, brightflames ascending from the ocean. Captain Benbow immediately made asignal to Roger to stand on in that direction as fast as sails couldcarry him, while the _Ruby_ followed.
"What do you think those flames come from?" asked Roger of Bates.
"From a burning ship, most probably one set on fire by the pirates,"answered Bates. "They little thought we were so near them. We willsummon the pilot, Jacques Tronson, and learn what he thinks about thematter. He knows that he is to be shot through the head if he misleadsus. Besides which, I think he has seen the error of his ways, andwishes to be honest."
Tronson was summoned, and acknowledged that he considered it the work ofhis late friends. Probably they were not far off, engaged in stowingaway the cargo of the burning ship.
"Then we will try and get up alongside one of them before the _Ruby_appears, and they take to flight," said Roger.
Tronson engaged, so far as he could, to enable them to do this. The_Pearl_ stood on. Unfortunately the flames of the burning ship, fallingon her white canvas, would betray her approach to the pirates, who atpresent, however, were not likely to have observed her. Suddenly, asthe _Pearl_ was about a couple of miles away, the flames were seen torush upwards, and a loud explosion reached them. She had been blowninto the air, and her burning masts and spars were seen coming down likerockets from the sky; then all was total darkness. The _Pearl_ passedclose to the spot where she had been. Not long after, the look-out,Charlie Ross, who was looking out forward, saw a large ship hove-to onthe starboard bow. He hurried aft with the information to Roger.Tronson was summoned to give his opinion. He declared his belief thatshe was one of the pirate squadron.
"Then we will stand on and hail her. If she does not give asatisfactory answer we will run alongside and compel her to strike. Thesound of our guns will soon lead the _Ruby_ to the spot," said Roger.
Roger, hoping to take the pirate by surprise, determined to board her,under the expectation that her crew might be either engaged in stowingthe cargo of the captured vessel, or carousing after their victory.Bates was to lead the boarders over the quarter, while Charlie Ross wasto guard the forecastle to prevent the _Pearl_ being boarded in return.He considered it his duty to remain on board to direct operations. The_Pearl_ drew nearer and nearer to the stranger. Upon getting close toher, Roger asked what ship she was. An unintelligible answer wasreturned.
Accordingly, firing a double-shotted broadside into thestranger, he ordered the _Pearl_ to be run alongside. Grappling-ironswere thrown over her bulwarks and into her rigging. At the same momentBates, leading nearly half the crew, sprang on board. Roger was not outin his calculations. The greater number of the officers and men werebelow, drinking hard and fast, as Tronson had thought likely. Somesprang to their arms, but many were cut down before they had time to doso. Some cried out for quarter, others fired up the hatchway. TheBritish crew fired down in return. The deck in five minutes was sweptclear of every human being. An attempt was made to blow up the ship,frustrated, happily, by Bates, and in ten minutes he and his handful ofmen had mastered the whole of the pirate crew. He and they shouted,"Victory! We have got full possession of her."
"Well done, Bates!" cried Roger. "Lash the fellows' arms behind as fastas you can, and send them aboard." Just as he had said this, three sailwere seen standing towards them. These were evidently more of thepirates intending to rescue their consort. Roger kept his prize fast,and ordered Bates, as soon as he had secured his prisoners, to work hisstarboard guns, while he commenced firing from his larboard broadside.There was a great probability of his being overpowered, for they allappeared to be large craft. When the _Ruby_ hove in sight the _Pearl's_crew uttered a cheer as they saw her, and she stood on towards theirassailants, who, seeing her size, hauled her tacks aboard, and stoodaway to the north-east. Not to be delayed, the pirates were bundledcrop and heel into the boats and conveyed on board the _Ruby_, whileBates, who was told to take command of the new prize, with the _Pearl_,stood in the direction they were supposed to have gone, the _Ruby_steering in the same direction. The pilot was of opinion that they hadgone round Cape Maze, at the eastern end of Cuba, and were making forone of the Bahamas, among which they had every prospect of escaping.
"But what do you say, Tronson? Can you pilot us off the harbour whereyou suppose they have taken refuge?" asked Roger. "You will receive ahandsome reward if you bring us in sight of the pirates; whether we takethem or not must depend on our own exertions; we do not expect you toenable us to do that, you may be sure."
Tronson did not answer for a minute; at last he said, "Trust me, sir,that I would not assist you to get sight of them, unless I thought youwould succeed, as, should I fall into their hands I should be treated ina way I do not like to think about. I know the island well where theyhave gone to, and I can take you off the mouth of the harbour; but ifthe big ship accompanies us, we shall have to make a longer course thanthey have taken, as she cannot cross the Bahama banks. They, however,will not expect us, and if we can manage to reach the island some timeafter nightfall, we may take them by surprise, if you go in with yourboats, and perhaps obtain an easy victory. I will draw you a map of thechannel and the harbour, and give you such full directions that I do notthink you can miss your way."
Roger was fully satisfied that the plan Tronson proposed was the one tosucceed, and was eager for the morning, to lay it before the Commodore.All night long the ship stood on without sighting any vessels ahead. Atdaylight, the wind having dropped, Roger made a signal to the Commodorethat he desired to speak to him, and being ordered in return to come onboard the _Ruby_, he lowered his boat and quickly reached her deck.Captain Benbow was well pleased with the plan Roger suggested, whichexactly suited his spirit. As soon as they came off the island, the_Ruby's_ two large boats were to be lowered, with three other smallerones, while the _Pearl_ and the new prize should each send another.Thus they would have seven boats with well-armed crews, the two largercarrying guns in their bows. As the wind was light, several days werepassed before the little squadron got clear of the passage and was ableto steer in the direction of the island to which Tronson had agreed tocarry them. As so large a number of the crews would be away in theboats, the prisoners were doubly secured, and reminded that they wouldbe instantly shot should they show the slightest sign ofinsubordination. The weather was fine and sea smooth, though there wassufficient breeze to carry the ships through the water at the rate offive or six knots an hour. Navigation now became very intricate, butTronson behaved with apparent fidelity, and skilfully piloted them amidthe shoals and reefs; without him it was evident that they would havebeen unable to proceed. Just before darkness came on, he pointed out toRoger an island, or a collection of islands, with a few slightelevations rising blue and indistinct out of the calm water.
"That is the place to which the pirates have gone; if you manage as Iadvise you, you may trap the whole of them before to-morrow is manyhours old."
As the ships could not as yet be seen from the shore, and darkness wasfast approaching, the Commodore stood on till, by Tronson's advice, theybrought up about a mile from the entrance of the harbour. As all lightswere kept concealed, it was hoped that the pirates would not discoverthem. The crews who had been told off manned the boats, and were eagerfor the undertaking. Much to their satisfaction, the Commodore hadselected only tarpaulins to command them, Kemp having one of the largeboats, Roger the other, while Bates had charge of the one belonging tohis prize, also of good size; the master, boatswain, and Charlie Rosscommanded the other three. Roger and Bates were to lead, the _Ruby's_three smaller boats to follow, and Kemp bring up the rear to assistwhere most required. An hour before dawn they shoved off. Roger,supposing Tronson had given him correct information, so thoroughlyacquainted himself with the passage in the inner lagoon where the piratevessels were said to lie at anchor, that he expected to have nodifficulty in finding his way. The passage was soon gained, and withmuffled oars the boats pulled on for a considerable distance; the cliffsformed the side of the channel, and had an enemy been aware of theircoming, they would have found it trying work to get through. Not asound, however, was heard, except when here and there birds rose fromamong the branches, roused by the appearance of the boats; in otherplaces the shores were covered thickly with trees, the channel nowturning in one direction, now in another. At length Roger saw beforehim a wide lagoon, on the shores of which appeared a few buildings. Hisattention was occupied chiefly by seeing four vessels anchored almost inthe centre; one of them a frigate, the other three of smaller size, butstill somewhat formidable craft. Roger determined to attack thefrigate, Bates having before agreed to board the same vessel, while theother boats he knew would attack the remainder of the pirate's squadron.That they were the vessels they were in search of there could be nodoubt. The pirates, following their usual custom in harbour, had eitherbeen carousing on board, or had gone on shore, and, trusting to theirsecure position, were not even keeping an anchor watch. The Britishboats were up to them and alongside before the alarm was given; Rogerboarded on one quarter, Bates on the bow; but, as they climbed up theside, the pirates came swarming from below. The officers turned out oftheir cabins, shouting to their men to drive back their assailants.Some ran to the guns, others got hold of their hangers and small-arms.Roger found a strong party collecting to oppose him. Twice he hadgained the bulwarks, when he and his men were driven back; the thirdtime, he had gained the bulwarks, and was about to leap down on deck,when a thrust of a pike sent him back wounded into his boat. His men,however, fought their way up the side, and succeeded in gaining afooting, driving back the pirates, who were attempting to defend theafter part of the ship. Bates in the meantime had been more successful;he and the whole of his men having got on board, and furiously attackingthe pirates had driven them off the forecastle, when with flashinghangers they beat them back aft foot by foot till they were joined byRoger's crew. For some time Bates did not discover Roger's absence; atlength he became anxious when he failed to hear his friend's well-knownvoice. He had no opportunity of asking questions; and shouting to themen of both the boats to keep together, he attacked the pirates, who hadrallied on the starboard quarter under their officers, and threatened tomake a desperate attack to try and drive back their assailants. Bates,however, shouted to his men to follow, and dashed forward and attackedthe officer whom he had discovered to be the l
eader of the party. Bateswas an unusually good swordsman; in a moment the pirate's sword waswhirled out of his hand, the second blow stretching him on the deck.Their leader's fall somewhat disconcerted the rest; but they weredesperate fellows, and again and again made attempts to break throughthe British; but several fell, and they had not advanced an inch. Inthe meantime the great guns from the other vessels were thundering away,and the pistol-shots and the clashing of hangers were heard amidst thecries and shrieks of the combatants. The issue of the contest seemeddoubtful even to Bates; for he saw some of the pirates slipping down theafter hatchway, and he knew too well that their intention was either toblow up the ship, or to get forward and attack him in the rear. Still,shouting to his men, he made a desperate effort to drive those beforehim overboard. Just at this juncture he heard a hearty British cheer,and old Kemp's voice shouting: "Come on, come on, my lads; we'll settlethe scoundrels in quarter less than no time."
The pirates, seeing this addition to their opponents, began to give way;some cried for quarter, others, panic-stricken, leaped over the sides;several tried to escape below, a few only fighting to the last; but Kempcoming up, they were quickly overpowered, most of them being killed,except those who had asked for quarter.
"Look below!" cried Bates. "They may mean mischief." Kemp, taking thehint, followed those who had disappeared down the hatchway, while Batesand his men secured the prisoners. In a short time old Kemp returned."Was not a moment too soon to stop these fellows blowing up the ship,"he exclaimed. "But the rascals, though they had the mind, wanted theheart to fire the train."
"And where is your captain?" asked Bates of one of the prisoners.
"There he lies," answered the man, pointing to the gaily-dressed personwhom Bates had cut down. It was often very difficult to distinguish theofficers from the men by their dress; and as far as Bates and Kemp couldascertain, the whole of the former had been killed, they having foughtto the last, well knowing, should they be captured, a rope's-end and theyard-arm would be their doom. The moment the last of the prisoners hadbeen secured, Bates anxiously inquired for Roger Willoughby, his mindmisgiving him lest he should have been killed. Some of his men answeredthat the last they had seen of him was falling back into the boat.Bates on this sprang down the side.
"Thank Heaven you won!--hurrah, hurrah!" exclaimed a voice; it was thatof Roger, who lay at the bottom, unable to move owing to his wound.
"I am thankful, my dear fellow, that you are alive; we must have you upon deck and look to your hurts," said Bates.
"Let them be looked to here," said Roger. "I do not think they are verybad. Lend me a hand-kerchief to bind up this scratch in my side, andsend a hand down here to place me in a more comfortable position than Iam in at present."
Bates, having attended to his friend, had to return on board, while hesent a couple of men, who had been accustomed to look after the sick,down to assist him. In the meantime the three other vessels had beencaptured in succession by the boats of the squadron, Kemp havingassisted with his crew in overpowering them. The next question was thepossibility of carrying them out, as a proof to the merchants of Jamaicathat the pirate horde had been destroyed. The chief difficulty was toeffectually secure the prisoners. Old Kemp suggested that the shortestway would be to hang them up at once, or shoot them, but to this Bateswould not agree.
"No, no; they are human beings, and it is our duty to give them time forrepentance," he answered. "We must carry them to Jamaica, and leavethem to be dealt with according to law."
They were therefore all brought on board the frigate and secured in thehold, with a strong guard placed over them.
"Now," observed Kemp, "at all events we will burn down their storehouseson shore, so that not a trace may be left of the pirates' stronghold."
Three of the boats, under the command of Charlie Ross, were accordinglysent to effect this; and in a few minutes flames were seen bursting upfrom various points along the shore, the buildings, owing to thecombustible materials which they contained, burning furiously: not oneremained standing. When Ross returned, he acknowledged that he hadfallen in with a number of women and children, but as he had not theheart to injure them,--he had received no orders to do so,--he hadallowed them to escape up the country. Roger had by this time recoveredsufficiently to be lifted on board, and desired to be carried forward toassist in piloting out the vessels. Sail was immediately made on allthe ships, the frigate leading, with the boats keeping ahead inreadiness to tow her round should there come a squall of wind. Theystood out towards the entrance of the harbour, intricate as was thepassage; and though it seemed on two or three occasions that the frigatemust drive on shore, yet she escaped clear, and the whole squadron gotthrough in safety and stood towards the _Ruby_ and her consorts. Sheand they were seen preparing for action, Captain Benbow evidentlyfearing that his boats had been overpowered, and that the pirates werecoming out to attack him. The British flag run up at the peak soonpleasantly undeceived him, and the hearty cheers which rose from thedecks of the prizes, replied to from the scanty crews of the _Ruby_ and_Pearl_, showed him that his gallant fellows had gained the victory.Old Kemp at once returned to the _Ruby_ to receive the Captain's orders,and signal was soon afterwards made for Bates to come on board. CaptainBenbow, shaking him by the hand in the presence of all the officers andcrew, complimented him highly on the gallant way in which he hadcaptured the pirate frigate, and assured him that it would be a greatsatisfaction to recommend him for immediate promotion. Roger had in themeantime been conveyed on board, to be attended to by the surgeon, withseveral other men who had been wounded, though, strange to say,desperately as the pirates had fought, not one of the British crew hadbeen killed. Bates took charge of the _Pearl_, and old Kemp of thelargest of the prizes, while other officers were appointed to theremainder, Charlie Ross among them. The whole squadron, piloted byTronson, who had gained high credit for his faithfulness, made sail forJamaica. Each carried the British ensign, and a certain number ofprisoners on board. They arrived in safety, and were greeted by salvosof artillery from the forts, flags flying from all the redoubts onshore, and ships in the harbour. The merchants declared that a mostimportant action had been performed, as at one blow the most powerfulcollection of pirates in those seas had been annihilated. The officerswere received on shore and treated with festivities of all sorts. Nextto the Commodore, Captain Simon Bates--as he was now called, beingcommander of a frigate--received the most honour. Being often on shore,he made inquiries about the unfortunate ship sent out some years beforeon account of Monmouth's rebellion, and he could hear of very fewsurvivors. Several had succumbed to the climate, and others had beensent to the different estates in the interior, of whom he could gain nofurther tidings. He was the means, however, of rescuing his oldacquaintance, Simon Stubbs, and helping two or three others. Simon'sowner was very unwilling to part with him, and Bates had to pay a largeamount to obtain his liberty. Although the exploit which has beendescribed was among the most important performed at that period, CaptainBenbow and his subordinates employed themselves in putting down piracyfor the remainder of their stay in the West Indies.
At length, to the infinite satisfaction of the British crews, the orderwas received to return home.
CHAPTER FOURTEEN.
Commodore Benbow's squadron met with tolerably severe weather on itspassage to Old England. Not that the Commodore was much given to thinkabout foul weather or fine; blow high or blow low, it was all the sameto him; but as the gales were from the eastward, the squadron wasconsiderably delayed, and at length, being in want of water, theCommodore put into Plymouth. Among the first who went on shore wasSimon Bates, who was anxious once more to visit his native land. RogerWilloughby accompanied him.
"I congratulate you, my dear fellow," said Roger, "on being once more afree man, with no one to suspect, except your own immediate relatives,the errant Captain Bates."
They heard a great deal of talking going round, people speaking in anexcited
manner, and just then arrived at an inn, from the sign-board ofwhich the countenance of the Prince of Orange was portrayed. Theyinstantly made inquiries.
"Have you not heard? On the 5th of November last the Dutch William,sailing from Holland with a fleet of six hundred vessels, landed atBrixham, and marched with an army of cavalry, artillery, and infantry onto Exeter, while he has since been joined by numerous noblemen andgentlemen of influence."
"This is indeed glorious news!" exclaimed Captain Bates, or ratherStephen Battiscombe.
"Yes, it is a very different affair from the landing of the unfortunateDuke of Monmouth and his handful of men," answered his friend. "Thistime we shall gain the victory, and drive James Stuart from his throne."
The Governor of Plymouth had sent word to the Prince that the garrisonhe commanded, and most of the inhabitants of the city, were ready tojoin him. The Prince was advancing towards London.
The captains returned to their ships, and Benbow resolved to remain onboard his vessel till he could ascertain what side the rest of the fleetwere likely to take. On his saying that he would sail eastward to lookafter the British fleet in the Medway, the men of all the ships came aftto their respective captains.
"We were forced aboard these ships you see, Captain," said the principalspeaker, "but we did not come to fight for King James. We came to serveour country, and now we find that there is a good chance of our gettinga Protestant King. We have made up our minds to join him, whatever therest of the fleet may do."
"I am not the man to say you nay," answered Stephen Battiscombe. "Iobtained my liberty without having to thank King James for it, and I ambound, therefore, neither by honour nor principle to serve him.Moreover, I am pretty confident that such will be the principlesexhibited by the remainder of the fleet."
Captain Benbow replied that his object was the same as that of hismen,--to serve his country.
They had not long to wait. On the 11th of December the reign of Jamesended, when he secretly left Whitehall, throwing his signet-ring intothe Thames. That of William and Mary commenced on the 13th February, onwhich day they accepted the crown of England. Now, neither Benbow norRoger hesitated to offer his allegiance to William and Mary.Battiscombe had long been anxious to go home and comfort his father, andhe easily obtained leave from the Commodore to take his frigate round toLyme, and Roger obtained leave to go with him. With joyous hearts theymade sail. Roger led in the _Pearl_, and Stephen followed. From thefact of his having kept to his adopted name, Mr Battiscombe was notaware of his arrival, though the Colonel and Mr Willoughby were eagerlylooking out for Roger. They hired horses at Lyme, and set off,accompanied by Charlie Ross. The day was advancing when they came insight of the Manor House. As they got near the house, they saw a younglady walking at a brisk pace along the road, for the evening was cold.She first gazed at Roger, and then at Charlie, who was a tall fairyouth, very like what Stephen had been. Turning round, she sprangtowards him, recognising in a moment her betrothed lover, still loved byher. Throwing himself from his horse, their hands were clasped, and itwas some minutes before she thought of greeting her old playmate, RogerWilloughby.
"It is but natural," he answered. "And right glad I am to bring honestStephen back to you, and I am sure the Colonel will be as glad as myfather."
Roger was not mistaken. A hearty greeting was given them by MadamPauline.
His duty to his father compelled Stephen, however, to set off forLangton Hall sooner than he otherwise would have wished. Roger declaredthat he must go with him. It was a mournful yet a joyous meeting:mournful, as it recalled the death of poor Andrew; and joyful, not onlyas he came back a free man, but having gained credit, honour, and aconsiderable amount of prize-money. Stephen had no wish to continue inthe navy, for Captain Benbow had impressed upon him the fact that, if hedid, he must make his ship his wife, and he cherished the hope that hemight ere long recompense Alice, as far as he had the power, for herlong and devoted attachment to him. He had obtained permission from theCommodore to leave his ship under the command of Charlie Ross. He knewthat she would be well looked after during his absence.
Among the captains who remained faithful to James was Captain Benbow,although his crew, as well as those of most others, desired at once tojoin William of Orange; but as soon as William and Mary had beendeclared Sovereigns of England, he and many others, to the greatsatisfaction of their crews, sailed up the Thames to offer theirallegiance. Shortly after this, Stephen and Roger received a summonsfrom their old captain to come up to London. They had there the honourof being introduced to the King, who complimented them on theirgallantry, and confirmed them both in their rank, at he did also withothers who had followed Benbow, while he himself was permanently made aCommodore. Stephen, however, thanking His Majesty for his kindness,begged leave to retire from the service, while expressing his desire atthe same time to serve him on shore in whatever capacity the King mightthink fit to employ him.
Roger returned with Stephen to the country, and was best man at hismarriage with Mistress Alice.
Roger stuck to his ship, and took an active part afterwards in therelief of Derry. There was soon plenty to do, as the French at oncedeclared war against England, with the intention of replacing JamesStuart on the throne,--an event by God's Providence happily prevented.There was one short adventure which took place early in Roger's careerthat reminded him of his first meeting with an individual who afterwardsgained a name and fame in history. He was standing up channel in the_Pearl_, when he fell in with a ship which mounted thirty-six guns.Hoisting the British colours, he soon made out her number as the_Nonsuch_. She had two other ships in tow, apparently her prizes, andboth considerably damaged. A signal was made for assistance, and the_Pearl_ being hove-to, Roger went on board. He found that she had beencommanded by Captain Coyle, who had engaged two French ships off theisland of Guernsey, one mounting thirty, the other twenty-two guns, thefirst being commanded by Captain Jean Bart and the other by Forbin.Captain Coyle and the master, both brave officers, had been killed earlyin the action, and there being no lieutenants on board, the commanddevolved on the boatswain, Robert Simcock, who continued the fight. Thetwo French captains, who were very much out of spirits at being madeprisoners, were on board, and complained bitterly of the way in whichthey were treated. Roger, introducing himself, spoke to Mr Simcock,and invited his old acquaintance to come on board his ship, andaccompany him to Plymouth, to which port they were bound. Captain Bartwillingly agreed, provided his friend Captain Forbin had the sameadvantage. "For, to tell the truth," he said, "our captor, though avery gallant fellow, does not quite understand how to treat gentlemen."
They were not long in reaching Plymouth, when the Governor and otherofficials received the two French captains with all courtesy, but, ofcourse, had to watch them carefully, and at night they and the doctor ofone of their ships were imprisoned in a strong room with iron-barredwindows. Of course Simcock was highly applauded for his gallantry.Directly the news was received at the Admiralty, he was made a captain,and appointed to the command of the ship in which he had so bravelyfought. Meantime the two gallant French captains were supposed to besafely shut up in prison, though treated all the time with everyconsideration. On the morning they were to have been carried up toLondon, it was found that the whole of the trapped birds had escaped,with exception of the stout lieutenant, who had a wounded leg, but hadbeen so fast asleep that he had not the slightest conception of what hadoccurred.
"We shall meet again, my friend, some day," said Commodore Benbow whenhe heard of it.
They did meet, for the Commodore was employed for several yearsafterwards in blockading Dunkerque. The Frenchman frequently,notwithstanding, managed to get out, and commit no small amount ofdamage on English shipping; in truth, he fully merited the name heobtained among his countrymen.
Benbow, now an Admiral, was frequently sent to the West Indies, when hebeat the enemy, and did much for English commerce. He set out on hislast expedition in Se
ptember 1701, accompanied by his old and faithfulfollower, Roger Willoughby. The manner in which several of his captainscowardly betrayed him when he had the French in his power, is too wellknown to be repeated. The French Admiral, Du Casse, though fullyexpecting to be captured, for he was well aware of the cause, wrote toAdmiral Benbow a pithy letter, saying that he had indeed thought thatnight to have supped in the Englishman's cabin, but as he had escapedthrough the cowardice of some of his enemy's captains, he advised him tohang them up forthwith. The Admiral, being badly wounded during thefierce engagement which took place, directed himself to be placed in acradle while he remained on deck directing the operations till thebattle was over, when the fleet returned to Jamaica. Roger Willoughbyremained by his beloved chief during the court-martial which sat uponthe pusillanimous captains, and for a month afterwards, when the Admiralsank under his wounds. After the Admiral's death, Roger Willoughbyreturned to England, and among the first items of news he heard was thatthe brave French Admiral, who had been born the same day as Benbow, hadalso paid the debt of Nature. After this he served his country noblyfor several years, when at length, returning to Eversden Manor, he tookup his abode there, his father and uncle being dead, and Madam Pauline,who had a life-interest in it, being its sole occupant.
Although the times of Benbow present subjects of great interest to thosewho are fond of historical tales, the author has been unable to do morethan introduce a few of those he intended when he designed the work. Hehopes, notwithstanding, that his readers will not find it lessinteresting than its many predecessors.
Roger Willoughby: A Story of the Times of Benbow Page 13
