Part 19 (2/2)
”Thank ye, Monsieur Collet, none of your digitalis for eon, who observed the operation, which, however, few others seemed to care for
The attention of the idlers was soon drawn off frohts, towards a boat which pulled alongside, filled with musicians, who if they produced sounds not especially harh to be heard far and wide
”Huzza for the Banjee,” sung out some of the men forward ”Come, Smaitch, tip us a tune there--Go ahead, Banjee!” and on this requisition the perforreat delight of their hearers, who rewarded them with showers of pence
Not, however, of this character are the principal Banjee boats; which really contain very good musicians, who enliven the harbour with their sweet harmony, and are often some of the best performers from the Opera House Valetta harbour is in truth as lively and ani and picturesque a sheet of water as is to be found in any part of the world On the north side of where the shi+p lay were the dazzling white walls of the city towering towards the blue sky, with the Marina below the the quays; on the other side the frowning batteries of Fort Saint Angelo, and the Venetian looking canal, called Dockyard Creek;down to the water, the whole wearing an aspectabout in every direction, ht sterns rising high above the gunnel, and great big eyes painted on the bows--very often having the name of some shi+p or other on the red or blue caps, the tassel reaching to their waists, their gay waistcoats, their shi+rt-sleeves rolled up above their elbows exhibiting their brawny arms, their red sashes, their blue overall trousers, and their nankeen ones below, are not unworthy of remembrance But thetapering yards either wing and hen ski over when close-hauled upon it
Such in part was the scene viewed from the deck of the _Ione_
Captain Fleetwood satin his cabin He had read all his letters fro that was not satisfactory, and yet his thoughts were far fro froain any information about her He, however, had received no positive orders for sailing, and he trusted that toht arrive, and bring a letter for his of ill, when he recollected the suspicions he had entertained, and the warnings he had given to Bowse respecting the speronara and her crew A man who is in love, when he is absent from the object of his affections, is certainly very ination; for he is sure to e that all sorts ofher
He was aroused fro to see hi up, put on his cocked hat, buckled to his sword-belt, and ordering his gig to be manned, pulled on shore as fast as he could, and toiled upwards, by steps innuovernor's palace
”Ye will be surprised, doubtless, Captain Fleetwood, at overnor, in a kind tone, as he entered
”But sit down, mon, sit down and rest yourself, for I have a very extraordinary comitate ye; and I therefore considered it advisable to speak to ye on the subject myself”
”For Heaven's sake tell me what it is, sir,” exclai rong; and his fears having already pointed all round the compass, he had settled that it was in some way connected with Ada Garden
”Ye must be calm and tranquil,your object;” continued the governor, not noticing the interruption ”And as I considered ye a mon in every way calculated for the purpose I have in view, and, moreover, particularly suited, from other reasons, which ye yourself will allow, I instantly roaned He could not again venture to interrupt the governor, though he was bursting with impatience to have his fears relieved or confirmed ”Well, I see ye wish to be informed on the subject, which is very natural, Captain Fleetwood; and, therefore, I must premise that I have this day received notice of the arrival of a brig, aquarantine in Port Marsa Musceit Her master has written a statement which has been forwarded to me; and which, if correct, and I see no reason to doubt it, proves that further efforts are required to put down piracy and robbery andas long as I'm ruler here”
”Well, sir; well, sir,” ejaculated Fleetwood
”But ay, the state _Mary Jane_, Williae froitudedegrees east, sight the hull of a vessel dis much out of her course, she hauled up for her; and on a nearer approach she appeared to be water-logged, by her lowness in the water, and the heavy way in which she rolled; that on getting close to her, the _Mary Jane_ was hove to, and a boat lowered into the water, into which the first ot, and pulled on board her It appears that the ht that she had been brought into her present condition by a storm, from the appearance her shattered bulwarks presented; but that, cli up her side, she found a nu in the about the decks, evidently destroyed by shot He therefore caed with an eneuns; and it would require a large nu time, to send so many into her as he observed He soon discovered that there was no hu alive on board her; but on more minute examination, he was of opinion, frohting, and a number of people killed on them All the bodies, however, had been thrown overboard The hold of the shi+p had been ransacked, was almost empty, as were the cabins, which had evidently been fitted up for passengers, and there were a few articles of feear scattered about, which made him suppose that there had been ladies on board”
”Great Heaven!” ejaculated Captain Fleetwood, starting up ”The name, sir--the name?”
”The name is just what the ; for, you see, the master had a fancy to have it painted so low under the counter, that it could not be seen, sunk deep in the water as the shi+p noas At last, however, one of the men who accompanied him, found a book with the name of Bowse in it, which he concluded to be that of the roaned poor Fleetwood ”It was the _Zodiac_ She is lost--lost to roaned, as if death could alone relieve his heart from his load of misery
”Hoot, mon, hoot! ne'er say die while there's life!” exclaiovernor ”Ye have no positive proof that any one ye care for is dead or lost to ye I tell ye, the mate of the _Mary Jane_ found no one dead on board the vessel; and, as she had no boats re, it is just a plausible supposition that the survivors of the crew and the passengersin one of the up somewhere or other; for I do not pretend to deny that, when I first received notice of the outrage, I felt convinced thatthe sufferers”
”Too true, they were, sir,” replied Fleetwood, by a great effort, endeavouring to collect his thoughts for active service
”It was that supposition, and not ignorant also of your attach leddie, which ht be sent in the first place to search for the crew and passengers of the late brig the _Zodiac_; for I ought to say, she sank while the _Mary Jane_ was yet close to her; and then, it will be gratifying and soothing to your feelings, under the circumstances, to chastise the miscreants who have perpetrated this atrocity--and I do not suppose, Captain Fleetwood, that ye will be disposed to spare theave a look which indicated no inclination to be lenient
”We will hang every mother's son of theer bedisposition Ye understand, Captain Fleetwood--ye may take them alive if ye can; but ye may sink, burn, and destroy them all, sooner than let one escape”
”I comprehend, sir, clearly,” answered Fleetwood ”When can I sail?”
”I aovernor ”It is a considerate change of destination, to be sure; but I knew the duty would be gratifying to you; and, fortunately, your brig is the only vessel on the station fit to be sent on it, while the despatches can go home by the _Racehorse_ as well Sit quiet a few lance my eye over a paper I have to read”