Barney Blake, the Boy Privateer; or, The Cruise of the Queer Fish

by Herrick Johnstone

  CHAPTER IV.

  A PRIZE AND A JOHN BULL.

  BUTLER. Footman, why art so happy? Art going to be married?

  FOOTMAN. No, meester.

  B. Then thou art married already, and art going to be divorced?

  F. No, meester.

  B. What then?

  F. I've drawn a _prize_.

  --OLD PLAY.

  I was awakened about daylight by a tramping on deck, and presently TonyTrybrace's shrill boatswain's whistle pealed out, followed almostimmediately by his merry voice with:

  "Tumble up! tumble up, you lubbers, if you care for prize-money!"

  Every one heard what he said, and every one was on deck in a twinkling.

  The morning was just dawning, and, far off, set against the justbrightening sky, a sail was visible. I was rather provoked at havingbeen summoned up from my nap, because the vessel was a good five milesoff, and, if it was to be a stern chase, a long time would elapse beforewe could bring her to. Nevertheless, as I was on deck, and as my watchwould be on hand in an hour, I thought I might as well stay up and seethe thing out.

  The men were all stationed, as if for battle, as was the custom of thecaptain on the slightest provocation. This was certainly the safest andwisest plan, but sailors seldom lose a chance for grumbling. Our littlecaptain himself, however, if he brought the men up to the mark, neverfailed to toe it himself. There he was now, pacing the poop in hismerriest mood. He was always familiar with us, and now he had a smartword for everybody.

  "Take a peep through my telescope and tell me what you think of her,Barney."

  This was addressed to me, and as there was quite a compliment in therequest, I was not slow to comply. I sighted the strange craft well andexamined every inch of her as well as the imperfect light would permit.

  "Well, well, well," said the captain, impatiently. "What do you make ofher?"

  "She's a British brig," I replied. "She was built in London. Her name isthe Boomerang. Her captain's name is George Willis, and she's veryprobably loaded with rum and sugar from Jamaica."

  The captain was astounded.

  "Are you crazy?" he ejaculated.

  "I sincerely hope not, captain," was my smiling reply.

  "How do you know what you say to be true?"

  "Because I made a six months' cruise in that brig, captain, and I knowevery spar and ratlin of her from the mizzen-peak to the for'ardspankers."

  "Well, if that is so, you certainly are the Son of a Sea-Cook all overand a sailor worth promoting," said Captain Joker, laughing as he spoke."Clap on more sail!" he bawled. "Let out the r'yals to the full! Loosenthe jib-sheets! I'll catch the stranger if I have to scrape the sky indoing it."

  We sprung into the shrouds, and his orders were promptly executed. Thegale, which had been stiff before, also blew stronger, and we boundedfrom crest to crest like a sea-bird under the influence of the freshcanvas. But when the sun arose we were still three miles from thestranger, who evidently had a suspicion of our character and wascracking on all sail for escape. But we now let out our skysails andcame down on her rapidly. Our masts fairly groaned under the addedimpulse. We actually seemed lifted from billow to billow, rather than toplow through them.

  At eight bells we were a mile and a half from the flying ship and fireda shot from our swivel to bring her to. We saw the shot dance off andkick up the spray right under her bows, but she ran up the Union Jack ofEngland and kept on her way. Another shot from our bow-gun had no bettereffect. We, however, kept on our way, until within a mile, when we letfly again with the swivel, this time striking the vessel in the stern,and sending up a shower of splinters. We thought this would bring herto. But, she was plucky, and seemed determined to show fight. Scarcelyhad the boom of our Long Tom died away before a column of smoke shot outfrom the stern of the merchantman, and, before we could fairly make upour minds as to what was going to happen, the end of our bowsprit wasknocked off like a pipe-stem, as well as a big splinter gouged out ofour mainmast by a thirty-two pound shot.

  "She's determined not to be taken alive," said Tony Trybrace.

  "We'll see about that!" exclaimed our little captain; "just let _me_have a shy at her with that bow gun!"

  With that he jumped down from his station on the poop, sighted thebow-gun carefully, and, just as we rose majestically on the summit of ahuge wave, let her off. The ball danced over the crests with a charmingricochet, and we saw it strike the stranger fair and broad in themizzenmast, which instantly went by the board, trailing a tangled mazeof rigging and canvas into the sea.

  "I thought she'd think better of it, after a little while," exclaimedthe captain, triumphantly, as we saw the ensign of the stranger loweredin token of surrender, and, at the same time, she hove to. We came onwith a rush, and hauled to close under her bows.

  "What ship is that?" bawled Captain Joker through his trumpet.

  "The brig, Boomerang, of London," was the reply.

  "What are you loaded with?"

  "Rum and sugar."

  "Just stand where you are, and consider yourself a prize. You wereright, you Son-of-a-Sea-Cook," added the captain, turning to me. "I'llpromote you as soon as I get a chance."

  A boat was immediately lowered, placed in command of Pat Pickle, thesecond mate, and in her a dozen sailors, I among them, pulled for theprize. We boarded her, and she came up to our largest expectations. Ihere had the satisfaction of renewing my acquaintance with my oldskipper, Captain Willis, as well as with some of the crew. They allexpressed their regret at seeing me in the character of a privateersman,at which I was not at all put out, but recommended them to mercifultreatment, and succeeded in enlisting three of the crew, who wereCanadians, for a cruise on the Queer Fish.

  There was an Englishman on board the Boomerang, who was a passenger, butas he admitted that he was a consul to the South-American port of Rio deJaneiro, we made a prisoner of him in short order. This worthy will beara brief description. He was one of the most genuine examples of the JohnBull cockney genus it had ever been my fortune to fall in with. Rathershort--about five feet and a half, I should judge--he weighed fully twohundred pounds, was dressed in the genuine London plaid trowsers, gaitershoes and bell-crown hat of the time. His features were red and coarse,and his hair as red as fire. His name was Mr. Adolphus de Courcy. Hisindignation at learning that he was a prisoner was extreme, but, as thesecond mate didn't look as if he could bear much bullying, the dignitaryreserved his spleen for the captain's ears.

  Well, after we had supplied the Queer Fish with all the rum she would belikely to consume in the next six months, we put a prize crew on boardthe Boomerang, and started her for home, leaving her captain and crew onboard. We brought off Mr. Adolphus de Courcy, determining to keep himuntil we should fall in with some American cruiser to whose safe-keepingwe could transfer him. It took several hours to complete all thesearrangements, but they were completed at last, and we rowed back to theQueer Fish, leaving the prize crew behind us, and, shortly afterward,the two vessels parted company.

  As soon as we were on our own deck once more, Mr. Adolphus de Courcystrode up to our little captain with a majestic air.

  "'Ave I the honor to haddress the captain of this piratical craft?" heasked in a most grandiloquent way.

  "My name is Captain Joker, and this ship, which I have the honor andgood fortune to command, is the Queer Fish, a regular letter-of-marque,commissioned by the United States Government."

  "Wery vell, all I 'ave to say is, as 'ow I consider this transaction awery houtrageous haffair; and I demand hinstant release from yourvillainous ship."

  By this time the Boomerang was a mile or two away, and I saw a merrygleam in the little eyes of Captain Joker, which was premonitory of somefun.

  "How can I release you now, sir?" said he, with an air of some concern.

  "No matter 'ow, sir, I demand hinstant release from this willainouswessel," exclaimed the cockney, thinking that he had succeeded inbrowbeating the captain, and th
at he should now have it all his own way.

  "I understand you to mean what you say?" asked the captain.

  "Hexactly!" was the lofty reply. "I demand a hinstantaneous deliverancefrom this wile captivity! I demand it as a peaceable citizen of holdHingland, whose broad h?gis is powerful alike hon the land hand hon thebriny deep."

  "All right, sir, you shall have your wish: only be careful that you donot change your mind, as it will be of no use. Trybrace!" added CaptainJoker, singing out to the boatswain: "have that ar little gigprovisioned for two days, put in this little man's luggage, then put_him_ in, and cut him loose. He wants to leave the Queer Fish."

  "Ay, ay, sir," sung out Tony, cheery as a cricket; and he immediatelyset about giving the necessary directions.

  "I wish you a good-morning, sir," and, with this Captain Joker bowedcourteously to the cockney, and retired to the precincts.

  Mr. Adolphus de Courcy appeared at first unable to comprehend what wasto be done with him; but, when the truth dawned that he really was to beturned adrift, he seemed perfectly stunned.

  "Vill you 'ave the kindness to hexplain this 'ere little harrangement?"he said, going up to Tony, who was busily superintending the outfit ofthe little boat.

  "Ain't got no time, sir. The captain's orders were positive, and heain't in the habit of repeating them. Clew up that gearing at the bows,you lubbers. And caulk up that 'ere seam in the labbard side. Do yousuppose the gentleman wants ter go to Davy Jones's Locker afore he gitswell started on his way? Put in the water and the sea-biscuit. Now forthe gentleman's luggage. All right! Lower her!"

  The arrangements were all completed, and the little craft was loweredfrom the davits over the stern. She was so small, and her cargo was sogreat, that she settled down almost to the gunwales, and it wasquestionable how long she would float after the bulky form of thecockney should have occupied the small amount of room left vacant forhim at the stern.

  We all preserved a solemn silence. The wretched Englander keptflattering himself that it was a good joke until the final preparationsleft no room for a doubt.

  "All ready, sir," said Tony, touching his hat respectfully. "Will yerHonor be pleased to step inter yer Honor's craft?"

  "Ha! ha! a wery good joke hindeed!" exclaimed the cockney, with a forcedlaugh. "A wery good joke! 'Ave you got out a patent for it? I shouldlike to 'ave it, to hintroduce into hold Hingland."

  "It's no joke at all, yer Honor," said Tony, as sober as a judge. "Willyer Honor condescend to make haste? We cain't stand in the middle of theocean in this way, while there's so much prize-money lyin' about loose."

  "My wery good friend," said De Courcy, taking the boatswainaffectionately by the hand, "'ave you the serious intention of perwidinga fellow 'uman being with such han houtfit, and consigning him to themercy of the wast and 'eaving hocean?"

  "Them's the orders, sir."

  "I then demand to see the captain of this willainous crafthinstantaneously."

  "All right, sir. Dicky Drake, jist tell the skipper as how the gentlemanwants to bid him good-by."

  The message was sent, and Captain Joker made his appearance almostimmediately. His face was beaming with cordial farewells as he advancedwith outstretched hand toward the dumfounded De Courcy.

  "Good-by! good-by, my dear fellow, and a prosperous voyage!" heexclaimed, shaking him warmly by the hand.

  "Captain, I vant to know as 'ow--"

  "No thanks! no thanks! my dear sir: I make you a present of the boat.There, there, good-by!" and the captain, in the zeal of his farewell,almost thrust the poor fellow over the bulwarks.

  "But," persisted the latter, "I vant to know as 'ow--"

  "I tell you I will not hear any thanks at all! There, there, farewell!"

  The crew now crowded forward, with similar well-wishes, and theunfortunate cockney was fairly hustled over the ship's side into thefrail gig, which was almost swamped by his weight.

  "There are the oars, sir," sung out the captain. "I hope you will findthem easy to your hands. Farewell! _Bon voyage!_ Cut her loose, lads!"

  The order was executed at once, and the boat, with its occupant, driftedoff. At the same moment we let out our main sheet and continued on ourcourse. We looked back over the stern, and saw the little boat going upand down, in and out of the troughs of the great swells, with itsoccupant sitting in the stern, looking the very picture of despair.

  You needn't suppose that Captain Joker was cruel enough to leave thecockney in this predicament. He merely wanted to learn him a lesson ingood manners. And, just as the gig and its occupant were almost cut ofsight, we rounded to and bore down for her, tacking against the strongbreeze. To show you the captain's kindness of heart, just as we werepreparing to round to, a sail was signaled on our starboard bow. Tenchances to one it was another prize, and the temptations to keep on ourcourse were exceedingly strong in us all, especially in the skipper, whowas as fond of prize-money as any man I ever saw. Nevertheless, heordered us to round to and bear up for the gig. The mean old dog of afirst mate undertook to argue him into leaving the Englishman to hisfate, when he was met with a stern rebuke.

  "Mr. Saunders," (that was the name of the first mate) said he, "if youhave nothing but such heartless cruelty to urge, I will beg you to deferyour suggestions to a more fitting occasion. I am compelled to say, sir,that your heartlessness-not to say avarice--is astonishing, sir,astonishing!"

  But the merry captain could not remain long in a bad humor, even withsuch a flinty-minded old Sawney as Saunders. When we had got prettyclose to the gig, the forlorn, disconsolate aspect of Adolphus de Courcywas too much for a mirth loving nature to endure with solemnity, andJoker burst into laughter, as did the entire ship's company, who wereall congregated forward, looking over the bows.

  At a look from the captain, Tony Trybrace sung out:

  "Would your Honor like to come aboard?"

  A motion of the Britisher's head signified his assent to theproposition, and, with great difficulty, owing to the roughness of therunning sea, we grappled the boat, and hoisted the entire compoodle, bagand baggage, to the deck of the Queer Fish.

  The cockney had long ago resigned himself to despair, and when he foundhimself safe and dry at last, the revulsion was too great, and he burstinto tears.

  Captain Joker went up and took him by the hand, kindly.

  "My dear fellow," said he, "I had no intention of cutting you adriftmore than temporarily. It seemed to me that the tone which you assumedto me, on board my ship, was so very extraordinary for a prisoner toaddress his captor with, that a little lesson of this kind would not bebestowed in vain. Trust me, my dear sir, if I have caused you any pain,you compelled me to do so, and I'm sorry for it. As long as you remainupon my ship, pray consider my cabin your own. I would treat you as aguest rather than as a prisoner. Pray dine with me to-day. And dinner isalmost on the table."

  This magnanimity almost crushed the poor prisoner. He dried his tears,and said in a much manlier voice than heretofore, as he grasped the handof his generous foe:

  "Captain, you 'ave the goodness to treat me like ha gentleman. This 'ereis returning good for evil vith a wengeance, hand I beg to hacknowledgethat I ham halmost crushed by your noble hand belated sentiments."

  With that, they went down into the cabin together, and, from the way weheard the corks popping, they must have had a jolly time.

  The lesson was not lost upon the cockney. His tone to everybody wasthereafter greatly improved. He remained for some time with us, and,though we were frequently amused at his vanity and his antipathy to theletter H, we found him, in the main, a pretty good fellow.