CHAPTER ELEVEN.
Beatrice Willoughby was seated, with her embroidery before her, in thewithdrawing-room of the old hall where her childhood's happier days hadbeen passed. Her dress showed that she had lost some near relative. Intruth, the Lady Willoughby, her mother, had been summoned to happierrealms, and she and Hugh were left orphans, alone in the world, all inall to each other. Hugh had altered much for the better. He felt hisresponsibilities--that his dear sister was greatly dependent on him--andher happiness had become his chief care. She was not, however,dependent for support on him, for she had a handsome dower, which wouldenable her to live as became her rank. She was not alone; Hugh wasthere, seated at a window, engrossed in a book of travels, for to seethe wide world had become the great desire of his heart. Unable himselfto wander forth to foreign lands, he obtained every book in his powerwhich described distant countries and the adventures of those who hadvisited them.
Beatrice had a more sociable companion than her brother in sweetConstance Raymond, who, having lost the old knight her father, hadlately taken up her abode with her friend. Both girls were mistressesof themselves, and enjoyed no small satisfaction in feeling theirindependence. Hugh no longer affected Mistress Constance. He had beenso long in her company that he had learned to look on her in the lightof a sister whom it was his duty to protect and support as he felt thathe should his own sister Beatrice. In truth, sweet Mistress Constance,being a year or more older than Hugh, and of a somewhat vehement if notimperious temper, had herself done much to cure him of the tendersentiment which at one time seemed about to spring up in his bosom.
The young people were not, however, without one who acted the part of aguardian, although he could not claim the legal right of being so. Thiswas honest John Langton--Captain John Langton--a devoted friend andfollower of their honoured father, Sir Hugh Willoughby. Sickness hadprevented him from going that fatal voyage from which the brave knightnever returned. Captain Langton was an experienced seaman; he had mademany voyages to various regions, and was a man of great judgment anddiscretion. Although the snow of the winter of life had alreadysprinkled his head, his health and strength were unimpaired, while thespirit of adventure which had tempted him abroad in his younger days laysmouldering within his bosom, ready to burn up should occasion blow uponit. He lived in a small mansion close by the hall, where he was analmost daily visitor.
It may be supposed that the very constant subject of conversationbetween the two young maidens was the fate of him who had been so longabsent, and of whom since they had last received tidings more than twoyears had passed--long, long years they had been to them. Still theylived on in hope of hearing of Edward, or some day of seeing him walkin, full of health and strength, and to hear him recount the adventureshe had gone through. As to the wealth he had coveted, it matteredlittle to them whether he brought it or not, provided he was never againtempted to go in search of it. There was another, too, in whose fate,though he knew not of it, the lovely Constance was interested. WhenEdward had written home he had spoken little of his own deeds, but hehad enlarged greatly on the gallantry of his friend Waymouth, and herenthusiastic imagination adding lustre to his acts, she had pictured himto herself as worthy of being a hero of romance, and had withouthesitation encouraged that sentiment towards him, which, if not love,was nearly allied to it.
Hugh, who had come to the end of his book, and was gazing out of thewindow, wondering when he should have the opportunity of visiting thescenes described therein, suddenly exclaimed--
"There is a stranger coming along the paths. His dress, much the worsefor wear, betokens him to be a seafaring man, and his features are darkand weather-beaten. Maybe he brings tidings from the distant Easternseas."
The hearts of his fair hearers beat quick as they heard these words.Who could this weather-beaten stranger be? They in the same breathentreated Hugh to hasten out and to bring in the seaman lest he shouldpass by, not that it was likely he would so do without stopping to askan alms or the means of proceeding on his way. He was evidentlyfootsore and weary, and probably hungry and poor, and as such aloneclaimed their compassion. Hugh gladly hurried out, and soon returnedwith the wayfarer. He was a man of middle age, and, though hiscountenance spoke of toil and torrid climes, he was stout of limb andbroad of shoulder, and had no lack of work in him; and, though hisgarments were worn almost to tatters, they had once been of a richdescription. He doffed his battered beaver as he entered the hall, andstood before the fair dames in a humble posture, waiting till theyaddressed him.
"Whence come you, stranger, and what brings you into these parts?" askedBeatrice in a gentle voice calculated to give encouragement to theperson she addressed.
She spoke not without hesitation, and in truth she had no greatexpectation of hearing aught of him she loved.
"I come, lady, from far-distant regions; my calling is on the sea, mybirthplace near Gloucester; and landing at Plymouth without rhino in mypurse, food in my pouch, or friends to afford me any, I have beenworking my way as best I could to that home where I hope to find restand quiet after all my toils," answered the stranger bluntly.
"What took you to those foreign lands?" asked Beatrice, somewhatdisappointed with the answer.
"My own folly, and, maybe, greed of gain," he replied in the same tone."I gained wisdom, and might have gained wealth had it not taken toitself wings and flown away."
"But with whom did you sail to those far-distant realms? Surely youwent not alone?" said Constance in a tone which showed that she mightnot be inclined to brook a saucy answer.
"Your pardon, fair ladies; I saw not the drift of your questions,"replied the seaman. "I sailed in the company of a brave admiral,Captain Lancaster, on board his tall ship the Red Dragon, with severalother goodly ships, the Serpent, the Lion, the Lion's Whelp--"
"Can you give us tidings of any on board the Lion?" exclaimed Beatrice,eagerly interrupting him.
The stranger shook his head.
"Bad tidings only, I fear, sweet ladies," he answered with some feeling."Of all that gallant company, captains, and officers, and men, I am theonly one, to the best of my belief, who yet breathes the air of heaven--except," he added, seeing the effect his words were producing on hisfair auditors, "one of the ships, storm-driven, found a haven of which Iknow nothing; the remainder of the brave squadron I saw go down into theocean depths with all their gallant crews--"
"What--what was the name of the ship which may have escaped thatdreadful doom?" exclaimed both the fair girls at once in accentsscarcely articulate from agitation.
"The Lion was the ship, once commanded by Captain Wood, and, when hebecame admiral, by Captain Antony Waymouth, as brave an officer as everheld a sword," answered the seaman, evidently now wishing to speak tothe purpose. "We had long been parted from him, I being still on boardthe Red Dragon, when a fierce tempest arose--so fierce I had neverbefore encountered. One by one we saw consorts, long battered by thewaves and shattered in battles innumerable, go down, all on boardperishing. Scarcely could the Red Dragon keep afloat, much less renderassistance to others. Her turn came. We had been driving to the east,hoping to find a haven where we might repair our damages, when, even insight of land, the tempest still raging, a whole plank, it seemed,started, for, without many minutes for preparation, the big ship beganto settle bodily down into the sea. There was no time to cut loose theboats--no time to form a raft. I felt the deck sink under me; shrieksand cries arose. I clutched a large spar which had been left unsecuredon deck, and found myself floating amid the foaming waves. Mycompanions in misfortune gradually disappeared. One by one they sankdown till I was alone. The storm subsided. For nearly, two days Iclung to the spar, and when my strength was well-nigh gone, a ship ofthe Hollanders, sailing from land, took me aboard. The gale had butsunk to rest for a season. It rose again, and the stout ship was drivenbefore it far to the east amid islands with which no one on board wasacquainted. We explored among them for a long time, but the hurricanes
eason was not over. Our captain observed signs of a coming storm, andwith a sagacity for which those Hollanders are justly famed he broughtup inside a reef, where, sheltered from the sea, we might lie safely atanchor. While there, the gale continuing, I saw a ship approaching, andfeared greatly that she might be dashed on the reef. Anxiously Iwatched her as she drew near. I knew her at once, having so long sailedin her company. She was the once tall ship the Lion, now sadlyshattered and shorn of her beauty. She escaped the reef but by half acable's length, it seemed, and on she drove to the westward. As long asI could see her from the mast-head, to which I ascended, escaping alldangers, she drove in the same direction. Scarcely could I hope,however, with the numberless islands which besprinkle that ocean, shecould drive clear of them all. Still she may have escaped. The galecontinued for many days. Sometimes the wind dropped, but the skipperrefused to leave the shelter of the reef, and sure enough before longthe storm raged again more furiously than ever. It was his opinion,too, that the gale would continue blowing on towards the east, so that aship might be driven half round the world by it before she would againfind herself in a calm. But I weary you, fair ladies."
"Go on, go on, good friend!" exclaimed Beatrice, her bosom heaving withagitation. "Didst ever gain further tidings of the Lion?"
"No, lady, not from that day to this," answered the seaman. "All I knowis that it was the Hollander's opinion if any of her company survivethey must be dwelling on one of the islands of the Pacific, on whoseshore, undoubtedly, the ribs of the good ship are lying."
"Beatrice! Hugh! let us go and search for them!" exclaimed Constance,springing up with her eyes streaming, and her hands clasped in anappealing attitude, first turning to one and then to the other."Stranger, could you guide a ship in the direction in which you thinkthey were driven? We would search every shore, we would visit everyisland in that mighty Pacific, till we found them. It were a shame ifwe were to allow my noble brother Edward and that gallant Captain AntonyWaymouth to perish on some desert isle without making an effort to savethem, and bring them back to their native shores. Hugh, the credit ofyour manhood is at stake an' you decline to help us, and I know Beatricetoo well to doubt that she will bear me company, and go I will round andround the world if I can find men to man the ship."
"I promise you, sweet coz, that if you go I will bear you company, and Iwill answer for brother Hugh," said Beatrice, taking her friend's hand."I would, however, that good Master John Langton could have a word withthis stranger; he would understand far more of his account than, withour small knowledge of sea affairs, we can do. What is thy name,friend? We will ask Captain Langton to come up to the hall to seethee."
The seaman looked somewhat puzzled as he replied--
"I am known, lady, as simple Josiah Weedon, and I will gladly talk withMaster Langton, but I have an aged mother and sister, and a wife who wassorely displeased at my leaving her before, and I doubt that she willlet me quit home again; yet to please two such sweet ladies as you are,and to bring back to the world two such gallant gentlemen as CaptainAntony Waymouth, and his lieutenant Master Edward Raymond, I would againrisk the dangers of the sea and part from my loving spouse, provided wewere simply to make the voyage out and home, spending some fixed time inthe search."
"Thanks, Master Weedon, thanks!" exclaimed Constance enthusiastically;"we would join our prayers with yours to persuade your wife to let youcome, if that would avail."
"My better-half, ladies, is one woman in a thousand. If she will, shewill, you may depend on't; if she won't, she won't, and there's an endon't. I will hie me home, and should she consent I will send you word;if not, you will know that I am kept bound in the chains of matrimony."
Suddenly Hugh recollected that probably the stranger was hungry, whichhe confessed to be the case. Refreshment was therefore placed for himin the dining-hall, to which he set himself to do ample justice, andwhile he was discussing it Beatrice sent a messenger to summon MasterLangton. The old captain soon appeared. His astonishment at hearingthe account given by Weedon was very great, but far greater was it onhearing of the resolution to which his fair friends had so suddenlyarrived. He knew Constance too well by this time to attempt to combatit. Before he made any remark, however, he had a long conversation withthe stranger. He seemed perfectly satisfied that he was honest and hisstatements true, though he doubted much the likelihood of the missingship being found. It was not a matter to be settled in a hurry; muchdiscussion would be required, and he could not find it in his heart tooppose the scheme altogether.
Pressed by Hugh, Master Weedon gladly consented to remain that night atthe hall to rest, and if he ate and drank abundantly he deserved hisprovender in return for the way he plied his tongue for Hugh's benefit.Hugh would scarcely have allowed him to sleep had he not cried out thathis tongue could wag no more. Next morning, while discussing the aleand beef and wheaten bread placed before him at breakfast, he wascompelled by the young man to begin again, and before he was permittedto go on his way he had given Hugh a large amount of information aboutthose eastern seas and strange lands among which he had so longwandered. The ladies had filled a satchel with good food, and pressedon the seaman a purse with a store of coin to enable him with ease toreach his journey's end. There was little doubt that the subject wouldbe discussed by the two maidens and Hugh. In truth, morning, noon, andeven, it was the only matter about which they could speak; even CaptainLangton caught much of their enthusiasm. Hugh was fully as warm as hissister or Constance. Means would not be wanting between them to fit outa tall ship able to sail round the world. John Langton must be captain;they would take no refusal. Master Josiah Weedon should be pilot if hiswife would let him go, and if not, no doubt he could give suchdirections to Captain Langton as would enable him to sail in thedirection they desired, where they might perchance discover the Lion.At length their importunity, if not their reasoning, succeeded inovercoming all Master Langton's scruples, and he consented to search fora suitable ship, to fit her out and store her, and to find the necessaryofficers and crew. Not many days had elapsed, and just as CaptainLangton was about to set off for Plymouth, when Josiah Weedon arrivedhabited exactly as before.
"Fair ladies, Master Hugh, I am ready to sail with you to any part ofthe world you may desire," he exclaimed as he entered the house."Things are changed since I left home, and beshrew me I was an idiot toexpect it to be otherwise. My good old mother is in her grave; had shebeen alive I should have had a different tale to tell. My sister ismarried and gone far away I know not whither, and my wife, why she hasgone away with my sister and a new husband of her own into the bargain,and not a soul in the place would acknowledge me. My doublet isthreadbare and tattered. Josiah Weedon was always the best-dressed manin the village. I was a wretched beggar. Josiah Weedon was to comeback with a dozen packhorses laden with gold and precious stones. Manymore bitter remarks were made, and finally I was kicked out of thevillage as a rogue and vagabond, and glad enough to hurry back that Imay lay my sword and services at your feet, fair ladies, right willingto do your behests in any way you may command me."
The young people did not doubt the truth of Master Weedon's story, and,after he had fed, Hugh hurried him off to Captain Langton that he mightaccompany him the next morning to Plymouth. While the captain and pilotwere selecting a ship and fitting her out, Hugh, with his sister andConstance, was engaged with those learned in the law in arranging forthe necessary funds and the disposal of their estates, should they notlive to return to the shores of Old England. Yet so sanguine is youththat not one of them ever for a moment believed that they should notreturn successful. Hugh was the least likely to be disappointed; hewould, at all events, see much of the world, and would meet with manyadventures. He forgot that it is possible to meet with disagreeable aswell as agreeable adventures.
Before long Captain Langton wrote word that he had purchased a stoutship, which Constance insisted should be called the Esperanza, or Hope.Captain Langton was well known, an
d he had little difficulty inselecting a goodly company, especially when the object of the voyage wasunderstood. Many young gallants offered their services on hearing thatMistress Beatrice Willoughby and Mistress Constance Raymond werethemselves going on it, and were much disappointed on having themcourteously refused. Captain Langton selected as his officers staid,steady, and trusty men, who were likely to keep one object in view--their duty--and not to depart from it.
The tall ship Esperanza, with banners and streamers flying and the whitecanvas spread to the breeze, sailed down Plymouth Sound on her way tothe far-off lands of the East. Never ship bare richer freight, fornever sailed over the salt seas two fairer damsels with more loving,faithful hearts. Fair blew the breeze, calm was the sea, just rippledby the joyous wind, and bright the sky overhead. Even John Langtoncaught some of the enthusiasm of his young charges, and could not helppredicting a favourable termination to the adventure. Well was the goodship called the Esperanza, for all on board felt hope reigning in theirbosoms except Master Weedon, the pilot. When rallied on his gravity hereplied--
"I prithee do not ask me to rejoice at the prospect of the future whohave been oft so cruelly deceived. If matters turn out well, good; itwill be time enough to rejoice then; if ill, it will be but as I expect.I shall at least have the satisfaction of knowing that I have notlaughed in vain. Meantime I will do my duty, and guide the ship towardsthose regions where the fair dames and their brother desire to proceed.May their star be a happier one than mine!"
This was the usual style of Weedon's remarks. Inside a rough shellthere was a tender heart, which had been sorely wounded by the receptionhe had encountered on his return to the place of his birth.
Hugh Willoughby, on the contrary, was full of life and animation. Everything he saw was new and strange, and afforded him delight, and helooked forward without doubt to the complete success of theirenterprise. The ship sailed on without interruption till the burningrays of the sun, which shone down on the deck, making the pitch tobubble up out of the seams, and driving the ladies to seek the shadow ofthe sails, warned them that they were already in southern latitudes.The elder seamen laughed at the notion of the weather being hot.
"Do you call this hot?" said Master Weedon. "Why, good friends, we werewont during calms in those eastern seas to cook our victuals on the bareplanks or on a sheet of tin placed on the deck. I can certify that weshall have it far hotter than this."
The breeze still held fair, though coming off the land of Africa, saidto lie some twenty leagues away on the larboard beam.
"A sail! a sail!" was shouted by the seaman on the watch in the top."To the eastward, and seemingly approaching us," he replied to thequestions put to him.
Mariners sailing over the ocean in those days had to be on their guardagainst foes in every direction. Every preparation was made to give thestranger a warm reception should he prove an enemy. The heavy guns andall fire-arms were loaded; battle-axes, pikes were got up, and placedwith slow matches in readiness for use; swords were girded on, and thedeck of the Esperanza--generally so quiet and peaceful--assumed athoroughly warlike appearance.
When all things were ready, Hugh approached the ladies.
"Fair friend and sweet sister, I am about to exert some little authorityover you," he said. "Should yonder stranger prove to be a foe, you mustdescend into the hold, where you will be free from danger. When we havedriven off, or captured, or sunk the enemy, we will summon you from yourprison-house to rejoice with us in our victory, and to reward those whohave exhibited most valour in the fight."
To this arrangement neither Beatrice nor Constance showed anyinclination to agree.
"But suppose one of the foeman's shot was to deprive you of life,"argued Hugh. "In battle, methinks, bullets pay little respect topersons."
"We shall but die in the performance of our duty and in the execution ofour mission," answered Constance.
Hugh, not quite comprehending her remark, observed--
"Yes; but one might die, and one might escape--and alack for thesurvivor!"
Still the ladies insisted on remaining.
"Take your will, take your will, fair ladies. I would not quarrel withyou at such a time," he said in a mournful tone. "But I pray thatneither of you may be killed, though, perchance, a bullet may tear openthat fair cheek, or a splinter may deprive sweet Beatrice of an eye.Although I doubt not Edward's love would stand the test, it would be asorry plight in which to greet him should we haply discover the landwhere the Lion is cast away."
The fair damsels looked at each other.
"Brother Hugh, we will follow your counsel and seek shelter in the hold,where we may offer up prayers for your safety," said Beatrice humbly,Constance signifying, at the same time, that she agreed with her friend.
The stranger approached. A crescent was seen on her green ensign. Shewas undoubtedly a Sallee Rover. They were in the latitude where thosevultures of the ocean were wont to cruise. Hugh hurried the ladiesbelow. The ports of the Esperanza were closed, and many of the crewhidden away under the bulwarks, so that she looked but little able todefend herself. Not that any ship in those days went to sea unarmed--aswell might a lamb attempt to sport among a troop of hungry lions. TheSallee Rover approached, with her infidel banners flying, her brazentrumpets braying, and her deck covered with turbaned swarthy Moors,expecting to obtain an easy victory.
John Langton kept his good ship on her course without replying. He wellknew that, should victory not be obtained, the alternative must bedeath, or--worse than death--a life-long slavery. Not a man on boardbut resolved to triumph or to go down fighting for his own sake, butmuch more for the sake of the fair ladies he had sworn to serve andprotect.
Louder blew the trumpets of the Moors as their ship came within shot ofthe Esperanza. Nearer and nearer they drew. Their purpose, it seemed,was to run the English ship on board, and to overcome her crew bysuperior numbers. Captain Langton watched for the best moment to fire.Already the dark-skinned infidels stood, with their scimitars in hand,crowding the side, and some in the rigging, ready to spring on board.
"Raise the ports, and give it them!" shouted the brave English captain.
His gallant crew cheerfully obeyed, and the next instant twenty Moorswere seen struggling or dead, prostrate on the deck of the Rover, whichmade a vain attempt to haul her tack aboard and sheer off. Again theEnglish crew loaded their guns ready to fire, as with a crash she ranalongside. This time they were pointed at her hull, and fearful was theexecution they caused. Many of the Moors endeavoured to spring on thedeck of the Esperanza, but they were driven headlong back with pikes andbattle-axes, too late to regain their ship, which broke clear of theEnglishman, and they fell headlong into the sea. Then fearful shrieksarose as the Esperanza sailed on--the Sallee Rover was sinking. Wasmercy to be shown to those who never showed it to others? The choicewas not allowed them. Before the canvas could be taken off the Englishship, the Rover had sunk beneath the sea, and not a Moor remainedstruggling on the surface.
Beatrice and Constance, finding that the firing and turmoil of battlehad ceased, entreated that they might come on deck. They gazed aroundin astonishment on every side; no foe was there; and except a few of thecrew with limbs bound up, and here and there the white splinters wherethe shot from the Rover had struck the bulwarks, not a vestige of thefight was to be seen. Even then the eyes of most on board were gazingat the spot where the Rover had gone down, as if they expected to seeher emerge again from her watery grave. The damsels could scarcelybelieve their senses.
"Heaven has fought for us," said Captain Langton. "We did our duty, butno power of ours could have accomplished what has been done. I praythat it may prove the first of many successes leading to that which maycrown our hopes."
"I pray so too, kind friend," answered Beatrice, her eyes filling withtears as she thought of the danger from which they had been preserved.
Such was the tone of feeling of the voyagers--ay, and of many of theboldes
t adventurers--of those days. They gave Heaven the praise for alltheir deliverances and successes, and threw the blame when they failedon their own folly and neglect. There were clear-sighted,right-judging, and truly pious men in those days, who were laying thefoundation of England's glory and power. The age which produced aShakespeare produced many other gigantic intellects and true men.
The Esperanza sailed on, hope swelling the hearts of her owners and afair wind her canvas, till Afric's southern cape, known by the name shebore, that of Bona Esperanza, appeared in sight.
Master Weedon counselled that they should not enter Table Bay, butproceed on to Saldanha Bay as more convenient for watering, and wherethey were less likely to receive interruption. As they drew near twotall ships were seen at anchor. They might be foes more likely thanfriends, where foes were so numerous and friends so few. The captainseemed doubtful whether it were wise to enter.
"We may fight them if they oppose us, and conquer them as we did theRover," cried Hugh. "Maybe when they know our errand, whatever theirnation, they may be inclined to aid us."
Master Weedon seemed rather doubtful of this, but Captain Langton sidedwith Hugh, and the Esperanza was accordingly steered towards the bay,running up a white flag as a signal of truce at the fore. It was wellthat this precaution was taken, for the strangers proved to be twoHollanders, always jealous of the English who appeared in those parts.The captains, however, when they found that their trade was not to beinterfered with, and that there were two fair ladies on board theEsperanza, proved themselves to be honourable and courteous gentlemen.They begged permission to visit the English ship, and offered all theaid in their power to forward the object of the adventurers.
This aid was gratefully accepted, and picked men from their crews beingsent by them the rigging of the Esperanza was quickly set up, and otherrepairs effected, and wood and water got on board, so that slid was ableto sail to the east in their company. Scarcely were the three ships outof sight of land when several sail were espied coming from the west.The Hollanders hailed to notify that they must be part of a Portugalfleet which they had reason to expect ere long in those seas. Shouldthe Portugals espy them they would assuredly make chase and not spareeither ships or crews should they come off victorious. As more strangeships were seen coming up, flight was their only prudent course. Allsail was made, accordingly, to escape. The strangers had espied them,for they also crowded on canvas in pursuit. Captain Langton informedthe Hollanders that no English fleet had of late sailed with so manyships as now appeared.
"Then they are Portugals, and we must escape them if we value our livesor liberty," was the answer.
Though the Hollanders were stout ships, yet the Portugals had fasterkeels, it seemed, for in spite of the wide spread of canvas set by theformer they gained rapidly on them. The Esperanza might have gone farahead; and though the Hollanders hailed and begged Captain Langton so todo, he replied that it went against his stomach to do such an act--todesert those who had befriended him. Hugh applauded his resolution, andBeatrice and Constance agreed with him. The Esperanza thereforeshortened sail that she might not run away from her heavier-sailingconsorts. They insisted, however, that she should keep a short distanceahead, that they might bear the first onslaught.
There was ample time to make every preparation for the fight, and theshades of evening were coming on before the leading ships of thePortugals got up with the stout Hollanders. It was now to be seenwhether to sail fast or to fight stoutly were of most avail. Sofiercely did the Hollanders receive their assailants that the firstthree of them dropped astern in confusion; others coming up were treatedin the same manner. Hugh was so delighted with the bravery of theHollanders that he begged Captain Langton to drop astern into the fight.
"No, no, the post of honour is the station assigned to them," answeredthe captain. "Should any of the Portugals pass our friends it will thenbe our duty to fight them. Let us not wish to deprive the braveHollanders of the glory they are winning for themselves."
CHAPTER TWELVE.
The Hollanders sailed steadily on: the wind freshened. Still more ofthe Portugal ships were coming up: the three friends held steadily ontheir way. The Hollanders sent heavy shot from their sterns, sorelydiscomposing their pursuers. The wind, too, was increasing, and cloudswere gathering, and darkness coming on. It was clear that the Portugalswere being drawn away from their intended port. This encouraged theHollanders to hold out; yet they contended against fearful odds. Nowthe whole Portugal fleet, crowding on still more sail, pressed up tooverwhelm them. It would have been wiser of the said Portugals had theyallowed their expected prey to pass on their way unmolested. A terrificblast struck their ships, rending sails and snapping spars and topmastsin every direction, and throwing the whole fleet into confusion; whilethe stout Hollanders, with their stronger canvas, glided calmly on,uninjured by the gale, though sorely battered by the shot of the enemy.Darkness speedily came on, and shut out their foes from their sight.When morning broke, not an enemy's ship was to be seen. Captain Langtonhailed the Hollanders gratefully to acknowledge the gallant protectionthey had afforded the Esperanza; whereon the two captains appeared, and,waving their hats, assured him that it was their delight and pleasure toserve ladies as fair and excellent as those who sailed on board her.The heavy sea running prevented any further communication for some days.Thus escorted, the Esperanza sailed on towards Batavia; whence it wasproposed that she should take fresh departure towards the little-knownseas to the east, whither the Lion had been seen driving. Space willnot allow an account of all the attentions paid to Beatrice andConstance at Batavia, and the magnificent _fete_ which the governor gavein their honour; for, even in those good old days, fair ladies were notoften found sailing round the world in search of lost lovers andmothers, albeit the so doing was a most praiseworthy and commendableact. Certes, few damsels would be so confident as were these twoheroines, that, should they succeed in their search, the brothers orlovers would be ready to exhibit that amount of gratitude which Beatriceand Constance looked for as their reward. It was reported thatConstance, who was known only to be looking for her brother, receivedand refused uncounted offers of marriage from the governor, as well asfrom all the chief unmarried officers of the colony who could aspire tothat honour, and that she was entreated to reconsider the subject, andto return to their fair port; while Beatrice was assured, with all thedelicacy of which the mind and language of a Hollander is capable, that,should she not succeed in her search, it would be entirely her own faultshould she remain long in single blessedness.
Happily, the sickly season had not commenced at Batavia, before theEsperanza was once more ready for sea; and thus the adventurers escapedthe fate which has overtaken so many voyagers who have visited thosesickness-causing shores. The governor and all the chief officersaccompanied the ladies to their boat; the whole population gathered tosee them embark; handkerchiefs waved, shouts arose, prayers for theirsafety were uttered; and the guns from the forts and all the shipping inthe harbour fired as the anchor of the Esperanza was won from its oozybed, and, the sails being spread, she glided forth on her perilous way.
It was reported that the governor and several of his officers shed tearsas they thought of all the numberless dangers to which those fair dameswould be exposed; but on that point the author of this faithfulchronicle feels some doubt, for reasons which he does not consider rightto disclose.
The fair damsels themselves felt few alarms or doubts: they weregrateful for all the kindness they had received, and still more thankfulthat they had escaped from the place, and were once more on the freeocean. They had no longer cause to dread interruption from Portugals orfrom the ships of other civilised nations. The Governor of Batavia hadgiven them letters charging all true Hollanders to render them everyassistance in their power, and they hoped by watchfulness and prudenceto escape from the hands of the savage people inhabiting the countriestowards which they were sailing. They were well supplied withprovisions and ammuniti
on, and hoped that they might be delayed in noplace, except to make the necessary inquiries for the Lion, and to takein water and wood; for, albeit heroines are described in romances asperforming long journeys without food or shelter, ships cannot sail overthe ocean without stopping to take in fresh supplies of water that theircrews may drink, and wood with which to cook their victuals.
As yet, not a word respecting the Lion or her possible fate had theyheard. Still their spirits did not flag while they approached the spotwhere Master Weedon had last beheld her. Seamen were stationed in thetops to keep a lookout for any strange sail, or for islands where theinformation they sought might be obtained. Again want of space preventsa description of the many places at which they touched, and the strangepeople they beheld. The Esperanza held her course to the east,skilfully navigated, and escaping many dangers. Right well andfaithfully did Master Weedon fulfil his engagement: he pointed out thevery reef within which the Hollander had taken shelter when he had seenthe Lion drive by.
"Henceforward," he concluded, "I will submit to the superior knowledgeof Captain Langton in the guidance of our good ship."
Due east the Esperanza now sailed. Mariners in those days troubled nottheir heads about circular storms or any such theories; and therefore itwas concluded, that if a gale was blowing from the west, before whichthe Lion was driven, she most assuredly would be found to the east. Nowon one hand, now on the other, islands were espied and visited; but noinformation was obtained. Either there were no natives, or they fled atthe approach of the strange ship; or, when natives were found, no meansexisted of exchanging ideas between the voyagers and them.
At length an isle appeared ahead; its mountains, as first seen, scarcelyto be distinguished from the sky, as they rose out of the blue ocean,now growing more and more distinct, till they assumed new andpicturesque forms, some exhibiting dark and rugged rocks, loftyprecipices, towering pinnacles, or rounded and gentle slopes coveredwith umbrageous groves. Here bays or inlets were seen, and greenvalleys and dark ravines extending far inland. A reef appeared,extending partly round the island, with openings in it through which theship might sail, and find a secure anchorage within. No dangersappeared ahead; and, skilfully piloted, the Esperanza came to an anchor.Captain Langton, however, like a wise leader, observed carefully how hemight speedily again get to sea should circumstances require it. Wordswould fail to describe the beauty of the island to which the adventurershad come,--the brightness of the atmosphere, the purity of the air, thesparkling waterfalls, the yellow sand, the tall palm-trees, the gorgeousflowers, the groves, the valleys, and the mountains before mentioned.There were natives; for their habitations of considerable size andvaried form were perceived amid the trees. Before long, some were seencoming off in canoes; but it seemed that the ship was a strange thing tothem, for none of them dared approach her. As observed at a distance,they were dark-skinned men, tall of figure, with much rude ornament, andtheir hair curiously dressed out in various forms. Still it waspossible that they might be mild and gentle of disposition; and as theadventurers were anxious to hold communication with them, Master Weedonoffered to visit the shore, and, presenting trinkets and such-likethings which had been brought for the purpose, invite them on board.
It was with no small amount of anxiety that he was watched, as, withfour men in his boat, he approached the beach. No one drew nearer tillhe had landed: when, taking the treasures he had brought from the boat,he held them up, first towards one canoe, then towards another; and thenhe placed them on the sand, and returned to his boat. Thus tempted, thesavages landed, and quickly made their way towards the articles on thebeach. They were soon seized on and examined; and in a brief space oftime afterwards the savages seemed as ready to go on board the ship asthey before seemed desirous of keeping away from her. Before long,canoes appeared from many other quarters. Captain Langton, observingthis, considered a while, and then called Hugh to him.
"There is a saying, Master Hugh, that we should look upon all men ashonest till we find them rogues; but methinks it were safer in theseregions to consider all rogues till we find from long experience thatthey are honest," he observed. "Now, I suspect, from the way thesepeople at first avoided us, they had some reason to believe we would dothem harm; but that, seeing that such is not our thought, they now comewithout fear of us. From this I argue that some other ship has beenhere, to whose company they gave cause of offence; and they mightsuppose that our ship is the same, or that we have come to avenge theinjury they may have done our friends. We will not say this to theladies, lest it alarm them without cause; but we will take dueprecautions against treachery, of which they are assuredly capable, ortheir looks belie them."
Hugh fully agreed with Captain Langton in his opinion, and Master Weedonand the other officers of the ship were warned to be on their guard.Many of the savages had by this time collected round the ship, and a fewchiefs and others came on board. Beatrice and Constance had retired totheir cabin; for they neither liked the appearance of the savages, nordesired to be seen of them. They looked curiously at every thing onboard, especially at the guns, of the use of which they clearly had someidea. As evening drew on, they took their departure, seemingly onexcellent terms with their white visitors. The seamen began to considerthem very well-behaved savages; but Captain Langton warned them not totrust to appearances, nor would he allow any of the crew to visit theshore.
The next day, some large canoes came sailing up from other parts of thecoast, and many more savages assembled round the ship. Nearly half theship's company had been below, either asleep or engaged in variousoccupations, when the savages were on board the first day. CaptainLangton, remembering this, determined to keep half the people concealed,and at the same time well armed, while those on deck also were armed;the guns, were loaded, the slow matches ready, the cable was hove short,and the sails loosed.
"Maybe the savages mean us well, and these precautions may prove not tohave been necessary," he observed to Hugh, who seemed to think that hewas over-careful; "but suppose they mean us ill, and purpose suddenlysetting on us, we shall have cause to be thankful that we took them. Iknow what savages are; and I need not tell thee, if they were tosucceed, what would be the fate of those you love best, and of all onboard. I like not the looks of these gentry; though, for naked savages,their manners are wondrously courteous."
Hugh could not but agree that his friend was right; though it wastantalising not to be allowed to wander along that glittering strand, orthrough those shady groves, or to climb those picturesque hills he gazedat with so much admiration. Water and fuel were, however, to be gotoff, and, if possible, vegetables: as to meat, as no animals were seen,it was concluded that none was to be obtained. Three or four chiefs andabout a dozen followers were allowed on board, and to them was explainedby signs what was required. The chiefs quickly understood, and, aftertalking some time together, ordered away ten of the canoes to the shore;still leaving, however, the same number alongside, full of men armedwith clubs and spears. They themselves, however, showed no inclinationto quit the ship, but rather to remain to acquaint themselves with everything about her. They seemed much disconcerted at not being allowed togo below; and for some time sat moodily on the deck, addressing no one.When, however, the canoes were seen coming off, they again rose to theirfeet, and their animation returned: but, instead of ten, there were nowthirty canoes; ten appeared to be laden with calabashes of water, tenwith wood chopped fit for burning, and ten with roots and vegetables.
"Surely these people mean us no ill, or they would not thus attend toour wants," cried Hugh, who had from the first been unwilling tomistrust them.
"Wait till we see how they proceed," answered Captain Langton.
The savages now thronged more thickly than ever round the ship. Manysprang on board, and they began to hand up the calabashes and wood; butHugh observed, on looking down over the side, that there was no largequantity of either wood or water, and that many more people had come onboard than were nece
ssary to perform the work. The seamen had rolledsome casks up to the side, that the water might be emptied into them; sothat, for that purpose, no one need have come on deck. The savages,too, began to mingle among the crew; and Captain Langton observed thatthree or four attached themselves especially to each seaman, and at thesame time that more canoes were coming off from the shore. Matters hadalready proceeded far enough. Ordering his men to be on their guard,and to separate themselves from the savages, he signified to the chiefsthat he was ready to pay them with the articles he had promised, butthat their countrymen must leave the ship. The chiefs gazed around:there were at least four savages, to one Englishman on board, and tentimes as many around the ship. A signal was made, and in an instanteach black man raised his club to strike a sailor.
"Hugh, beware!" cried Captain Langton, presenting his pistol at thebreast of a chief whose club was about to dash out young Willoughby'sbrains.
Hugh sprang aside; the savage fell, whirling his club in the air. Theseamen, mostly on the watch, avoided the blows of the savages, returningthem with interest with their sharp hangers or battle-axes. The reportof the captain's pistol was the signal for those below to appear. Upthrough the hatches they sprang, shooting, cutting down, and drivingbefore them, the treacherous blacks. They quickly fought their way upto the guns, one of which, discharged, made the natives in the canoespaddle off in terror towards the shore. Not so the chiefs. Two seamenlay stretched lifeless on the deck from the blows of their clubs; otherswere wounded. They themselves stood whirling their heavy weapons aroundthem. A shot laid one low; another, the youngest, driven to thebulwarks, having hurled his club at his foes, sprang overboard, andattempted to reach the canoes by swimming; while a third, fighting tothe last, was cut down by Master Weedon's hanger. A few of the canoeswere struck by the shots; but the greater number escaped unhurt to theshore.
While the guns were still firing, Beatrice and Constance appeared ondeck, and entreated that the savages might be spared. Although CaptainLangton and Master Weedon considered such leniency ill bestowed, theyobeyed the wishes of the fair ladies they served.
The nature of these savages was, however, before long, proved. Not manyhours had passed when warlike sounds of horns and drums, with shrieksand cries, were heard; and round a point were seen coming towards theship a fleet of large canoes, each like two vessels joined together withone mast and huge sail. Five, ten, nearly twenty, were counted. Nearlya hundred men were on board each; and, by their fierce and franticgestures, there could be no doubt what were their intentions. It waspossible that the guns of the Esperanza might have destroyed many ofthem, if not the whole: but such a wise commander as Captain Langtonconsidered that nothing would be gained by remaining, and much might belost; and, as the wind was fair to pass through the nearest passage inthe reef, he ordered the anchor to be tripped, the sails to be sheetedhome; and, before the canoes got near, the Esperanza, under all sail,was standing out to sea.
"Once on the open ocean, with a fair breeze, I care not how many ofthose savages come round us," cried the captain, as he guided the shiptowards the passage in the reef.
Every man was at his station to trim the sails; for, should the ficklewind change or fall, the Esperanza might be cast helplessly on therugged mass of coral near which she was passing. The savages showedthat they had no intention of abandoning their prey, while strongerproof was given of Captain Langton's wisdom in being cautious of them.The rocks, over which the water formed and leaped, were on every side.
The Esperanza glided on. It seemed that a person might spring from heryard-arms to the rocks. It was here the savages must have hoped toovertake her. They were close astern, and the warriors on their deckseven now began to cast their darts towards the ship. Had there been buta few minutes' delay in getting under way, they would have comealongside at a moment most perilous to the safety of the ship. A loudcheer burst from the lips of the British seamen as they found themselvesonce more on the open ocean. Still their persevering foes came on. Bytheir numbers alone, should they once succeed in getting alongside, theymight gain the victory. The after-guns were pointed towards theheadmost canoes; but though struck by the shot, and though several oftheir warriors were killed, they yet came on. So rapidly, too, did theyglide over the water, that many of them ranged up on either side.Little could they, however, have expected the shower of shot and bulletswhich crashed down upon them, tearing open the sides of their frailvessels, rending their sails, shattering the masts, and sweeping thewarriors off their decks. It would have been scant mercy to themselveshad the adventurers shown mercy. Some of the canoes got alongside; andthe enraged savages, attempting to climb up, were driven back with pikeand pistol and battle-axe, while the big guns, playing down on them,tore open the sides of their canoes, and sent them to the bottom,leaving those on board to swim for their lives. Soon the whole seaastern of the ship was alive with the forms of the savages as they swamon, either to reach the canoes of their friends or to gain the shore.The breeze increased. The Esperanza rushed through the water. In vainthe savages attempted to get on board: numbers had been slain, halftheir finest canoes had been sunk or disabled. With gratitude andrejoicing the adventurers saw the remainder, suddenly altering theirsails, dash towards the shore.
On this one occasion, not an Englishman had been wounded. They waitedtill they had got far out to sea before they committed to the deep thebodies of their poor shipmates killed in the morning. The breeze whichhad enabled them to escape from the savages increased rapidly to a gale,and the gale to a fearful storm. They would thankfully have been withinthe shelter of some friendly port. Dangers seemed thickening aroundthem. On drove the ship; the wild seas reared their foaming heads oneither side, the wind howled and whistled through the rigging, thethunder roared, the lightning flashed. Darkness came on; but still thehelpless ship drove before the tempest.
Brave Hugh remembered whose son he was, and never lost heart. He wentinto the cabin, where his sister and Constance were seated,--their handsclasped together,--for the purpose of encouraging them; for the way inwhich the stout ship rolled and pitched and tumbled about, the timbersand bulkheads groaned and creaked, the water washed overhead, combinedwith the sounds before described and the shouts of the seamen, made himconclude that they would be overcome with terror.
"Why should we be alarmed?" asked Beatrice, looking up. "We have beenprotected hitherto: why not to the end? We calculated the risks we wereto run before we embarked: we are prepared for all the dangers we mayhave to encounter."
"Brave sister!" cried Hugh as he left the cabin to return to his duty ondeck. "I pray that Edward, for whom you have sacrificed so much, mayprove worthy of you, should we succeed in finding him."
All night long the ship drove on before the gale. No object even acable's length ahead could have been discerned, except when the brightflashes of lightning, darting from the inky clouds, played over thefoam-crests of the heavy seas. Who could tell at what moment the goodship might be cast on some coral reef or on some desert shore, and bedashed to fragments? What prospect that the life of any one of themwould be saved? or if by any unexpected means their lives should bepreserved, that they should escape from falling into the power ofsavages such as those whom they had lately encountered?
Dawn approached. With daylight, dangers might be seen, and perchanceavoided. The spirits of all rose. Those on the watch ahead looked outeagerly for the first faint streaks of light in the eastern sky.Suddenly a cry arose,--a fearful cry to those who knew its import,--
"Land ahead! Breakers ahead!"
"Down with the helm! Haul the starboard tacks aboard, the sheets wellaft!" cried Captain Langton in a tone which showed no sign oftrepidation. "We may yet weather yonder reef, if the mast provesfaithful. Courage, friends; courage!"
Each order was promptly obeyed. The ship heeled over to the blast,staggering through the seas. The reef might be avoided; but there was apoint beyond that it seemed impossible to weather. Captai
n Langtonshook his head.
"Heaven may preserve our lives, but the fate of the good ship issealed," he answered to Hugh's inquiries. "Be prepared to bring yoursweet sister and Mistress Raymond on deck. Assure them that each man onboard will cheerfully yield up his own life so that theirs may bepreserved."
Hugh entered the cabin. In a short time he returned, conducting the twofair girls. They gazed around, not without terror; and yet theyretained a calmness and self-possession which many of the other sexmight have envied. On one side was the raging sea, on the other asmiling island; but dark rocks, the dread of mariners, intervened.
"Heaven will assuredly hear our prayer, and cause the wild waves to takeus, rather than that we should fall into the hands of savages such asthose from whom we have just escaped," said Beatrice in answer to aremark of her friend.
"Yet there are savages. Even now I see a numerous band moving along theshore!" exclaimed Constance.
"Still be of courage, sweet sister. The ship may hold together; and wehave arms with which to fight, and brave men to use them."
The seamen, though striving to the utmost, knew that the unavoidablecatastrophe was approaching. Already the ship was embayed, and thecaptain was looking out for some spot where she might, with the bestchance of preserving their lives, be allowed to drive on shore, shouldthe last resource fail. The anchors had been got ready to let go.Trusty seamen stood with gleaming axes to cut away the masts. Hughhurried his charges under shelter; for Captain Langton's uplifted handshowed what was about to occur. The shrouds were severed, the axesstruck the tall masts, and one by one they fell into the raging sea.One anchor was let go, and speedily another.
"Do the anchors hold?" was the cry.
"Ay, ay," was the answer. "The ship no longer drives; the wind isfalling; the sea breaks here with far less force than farther out.Heaven be praised! Even now the ship may be saved!"
Such were the exclamations uttered by those on board the Esperanza. Theship had driven into a bay, where, against all expectation, the anchorsheld. Should the gale not again increase, fresh masts might be procuredfrom the shore, and the voyage be continued. All depended on thecharacter of the natives. Persons were observed moving on the beach,and apparently watering the ship; but the sea was yet too rough to allowany boats to come off with safety. Gradually the wind went down, andCaptain Langton resolved to communicate with the shore, in order toascertain the character of the inhabitants, that, at all events, theladies, and a party to guard them, might be placed in safety till hecould get the ship into a secure harbour. The shore was anxiouslyscanned by all. The natives were still there. One man, who possessedthe best eyesight in the ship, affirmed that the savages were white, andwore clothes; though, as might be supposed, his assertion met with theridicule it deserved.
"We shall soon know the truth," cried Hugh, who, with his sister andConstance, had been the most eager of the spectators; "for here come twocanoes, which will speedily be alongside."
"Who can those be? not savages, surely," cried Constance, as the leadingcanoe drew near.
"My heart tells me, e'en though my eyes might play me false," exclaimedBeatrice, trembling as she had not with the terror of the expectedshipwreck.
In another minute, Edward Raymond had sprung up the side of theEsperanza, and had pressed her in his arms; scarcely heeding, for aninstant, his own sweet sister Constance.
"Among faithful, loving, daring women, surpassing all! Now we arerewarded for all our toils and dangers!" he exclaimed, as he lookedagain and again at the countenance of his beloved Beatrice to assurehimself that it was she who rested on one arm, while his other handpressed that of his devoted sister.
In the second canoe came Antony Waymouth.
Constance received him, as in duty bound, as a relative, albeit adistant one. Whether or not he came up to the picture her imaginationhad painted of a perfect knight, our chronicle says not. Certain,however, is it, that from the moment his eyes beheld her, and he heardof the sacrifice she had made to friendship in accompanying the fairBeatrice, his heart became enslaved, under the belief that she would bewilling to make a far greater sacrifice for love.
Thus had the chief object of the voyage of the Esperanza beenaccomplished,--the long-lost adventurers were found. Much, however, hadstill to be done. The boats were lowered, and the ladies, with HughWilloughby and a few of the mariners who were sick, were conveyed onshore. The savages, it was found, had made their escape from theisland; and, believing that the spirit who protected the white man hadcome there to punish them for their crime, no more returned to it.
The Esperanza was, the next day, towed into the harbour where lay thebattered hull of the Lion. All her company were thankful that they hadnot repaired her before, and sailed away; and it was unanimously agreedthat her rich freight should be transferred to the Esperanza, in whichship all should sail back to Old England. The masts intended for theLion were placed in the Esperanza, which, in a wonderfully short spaceof time, was got ready for sea. Certain it is, that, conducted byMaster Walker, a service was held, both crews being present, to returnthanks for their preservation thus far, and to offer up prayers fortheir protection for the future. And, moreover, it seemed clear andundoubted, if ladies have to wander round the world, it is advisable,meet, and convenient, if possible, that they should have husbands toprotect them: therefore the same excellent minister was called on tounite in the bonds of holy matrimony Master Antony Waymouth and MistressConstance Raymond, and Master Edward Raymond, the brother of the aboveConstance, and Mistress Beatrice Willoughby, before the Esperanza oncemore sailed on her homeward voyage to Old England.
Traversing the vast Pacific towards the east, and rounding the southernpoint of the New World, the Esperanza reached Plymouth; and never shipreturned home with richer freight of gold and of precious stones, ortruer or more loving hearts. And here, in the peaceful haven, endethour "Chronicle of the Sea."
THE END.
Antony Waymouth; Or, The Gentlemen Adventurers Page 11
