Part 26 (1/2)

”I think we have done them at last,” said the captain; ”what do you think, leftenant?” giving me a hearty but very friendly slap on the back. ”Come, what say; shall we take a cool bottle of London particular after the fatigues of the day?”

”Wait a little,” said I, ”wait a little.”

”What are you looking at there to windward?” said the captain, who perceived that my eye was fixed on a particular point.

Before I had time to answer, Thompson came up to me and said, ”There is the s.h.i.+p, sir,” pointing to the very spot on which I was gazing. The captain heard this; and, as fear is ever quicksighted, he instantly caught the object.

”Running is of no use now,” said he; ”we have tried her off the wind, our best going; she beats us at that: and on a wind, I don't think so much of her; but still, with this smooth water and fine breeze, she ought to move better. Solomon, there is something wrong, give a look all round.”

Solomon went forward on the starboard side, but saw nothing. As he looked over the gangway and bow, coming round on the lee side of the forecastle, he saw some canvas hanging on one of the night-heads. ”What have we here?” said he. No one answered. He looked over the fore-chains, and found the whole lower studding-sail towing in the water.

”No wonder she don't move,” said the mate; ”here is enough to stop the _Const.i.tution_ herself. Who took in this here lower studding-sail?-- But, never mind, we'll settle that to-morrow. Come over here, you forecastle men.”

Some of the Americans came over to him, but not with very great alacrity. The sail could not be pulled in, as the vessel had too much way; and while they were ineffectually employed about it, the flash of a gun was seen to windward; and as the report reached our ears, the shot whistled over our heads, and, darted like lightning through the boom mainsail.

”Hurrah for old England!” said Thompson; ”the fellow that fired that shot shall drink my allowance of grog to-morrow.”

”Hold your tongue, you d.a.m.ned English rascal,” said the second mate, ”or I'll stop your grog for ever.”

”I don't think you will,” said the North Briton, ”and if you take a friend's advice, you won't try.” Thompson was standing on the little round-house or p.o.o.p; the indignant mate jumped up and collared him.

Thompson disengaged him in the twinkling of an eye, and with one blow of his right hand in the pit of the man's stomach, sent him reeling over to leeward. He fell--caught at the boom-sheet--missed it, and tumbled into the sea, from whence he rose no more.

All was now confusion. ”A man overboard!”--another shot from the frigate--another and another in quick succession. The fate of the man was forgotten in the general panic. One shot cut the aftermost main-shroud; another went through the boat on the booms. The frigate was evidently very near us. The men all rushed down to seize their bags and chests; the captain took me by the hand, and said, ”Sir, I surrender myself to you, and give you leave now to act as you think proper.”

”Thompson,” said I, ”let go the main-sheet and the main-brace.” Running forward myself, I let go the main-tack, and bowlines; the main yard came square of itself. Thompson got a lantern, which he held up on the starboard quarter.

The frigate pa.s.sed close under the stern, showing a beautiful pale side, with a fine tier of guns; and, hailing us, desired to know what vessel it was.

I replied that it was the _True-blooded Yankee_, of Boston--that she had hove-to and surrendered.

CHAPTER TWENTY ONE.

”It is not,” says Blake, ”the business of a seaman to mind state affairs, but to hinder foreigners from fooling us.”

Dr Johnson's ”LIFE OF BLAKE.”

The frigate came to the wind close under our lee, and a boat from her was alongside in a very few minutes. The officer who came to take possession leaped up the side, and was on the deck in a moment. I received him, told him in few words what the vessel was, introducing the captain and Green, both of whom I recommended to his particular notice and attention for the kindness they had shown to me. I then requested he would walk down into the cabin, leaving a mids.h.i.+pman whom he brought with him in charge of the deck, and who, in the mean while, he directed to haul the mainsail up, and make the vessel snug. The prisoners were desired to pack up their things, and be ready to quit in one hour.

When lights were brought into the cabin, the lieutenant and myself instantly recognised each other.

”Bless my soul, Frank,” said he, ”what brought you here?”

”That,” said I, ”is rather a longer story than could be conveniently told before to-morrow; but may I ask what s.h.i.+p has taken the Yankee? I conclude it is the _R---_; and what rank does friend Talbot hold in her?”

”The frigate,” said he, ”_is_ the _R---_, as you conjectured. We are on the Cape station. I am first of her, and sent out here on promotion for the affair of Basque roads.”

”Hard, indeed,” said I, ”that you should have waited so long for what you so n.o.bly earned; but come, we have much to do. Let us look to the prisoners, and if you will return on board, taking with you the captain, mate, and few of the hands, whom I will select as the most troublesome and the most careless, I will do all I can to have the prize, ready for making sail by daylight, when, if Captain T--- will give me leave, I will wait on him.”

This was agreed to. The people whom I pointed out were put into the boat, four of whose crew came aboard the brig to a.s.sist me. We soon arranged everything, so as to be ready for whatever might be required.