Part 47 (2/2)

”When they look in and see two naval officers, with a brace of pistols and swords by their sides, the highwaymen will probably ride on. They are generally, I fancy, arrant cowards, and prefer pillaging old dowagers, who are likely to afford good booty without any risk,” said Nettles.h.i.+p.

Notwithstanding Nettles.h.i.+p's a.s.sertions, I half expected to be stopped, but we reached London in safety. When he had time Nettles.h.i.+p accompanied me about to see the sights, but when he was engaged I had to go out by myself, and consequently very often lost my way. I always, however, managed to get back to our lodgings without having to obtain a guide. I will not here describe the adventures I met with. As, according to Nettles.h.i.+p's advice, I looked upon every one who spoke to me as a rogue, I escaped being fleeced, as some of my s.h.i.+pmates were who ventured into the metropolis by themselves. Our leave had nearly expired, and we had to be down at Portsmouth the following evening.

When we went to the coach office to secure our places, we were told that the whole coach had been engaged, it was supposed by a gentleman who was going to take down his family.

”But we must go,” said Nettles.h.i.+p to me, ”even if we travel in the boot, for I've not got money enough left to pay for posting, and I should not like to expend it so even if I had.”

We waited until the coach drove up to the office, expecting to see a dignified gentleman with his wife and daughters inside, and his sons and servants on the outside. What was our surprise, then, to behold only a jovial Jack Tar, with his arms akimbo, seated on the roof, looking as dignified and independent as the Sultan on his throne.

”Come, there's plenty of room,” I said to Nettles.h.i.+p. ”No one else seems to be coming; the gentleman who took the coach has probably delayed his journey.”

Nettles.h.i.+p put the question to the coachman.

”There's the gentleman who's taken the coach,” he replied, pointing with his thumb over his shoulder. ”He says it's his, and that no one else is to ride, inside or out. He has paid his money, and we can't interfere.”

All this time Jack was regarding us with supercilious glances. I felt very indignant, and proposed opening the door and getting inside, whatever the seaman might say, but the doors were locked, and the shutters drawn up.

”That will never do,” observed Nettles.h.i.+p. ”Let me tackle him, though it won't do to give him soft sawder. I say, my man, you lately belonged to the _Hero_, didn't you?” he asked.

”Yes, I did, but I'm free of her now,” answered Jack.

”You fought some pretty smart actions in her, I've a notion. We have heard speak of them. My young messmate and I were out in the West Indies, and belonged to the _Liffy_. She ran ash.o.r.e. Then we joined the old _Cerberus_, which went down in the Atlantic; and then we went on board the _Hector_, which fought the two French frigates. We had a narrow squeak for our lives, for she went the way of our former s.h.i.+p.

And now we belong to the _Jason_, and shall have to keep the middle watch to-night, which is what you'll not have to do, I fancy. Now if we overstay our leave and don't get down, you know what the consequences will be.”

”I've some notion of it,” said Jack. ”What is it you're driving at?”

”If you'll just let us get inside your coach we'll say you're a mighty good fellow; and if you don't, we'll leave you to call yourself what you think you would be,” answered Nettles.h.i.+p.

”Come, I like an outspoken fellow,” said Jack. ”Jump in, youngsters; I'll give you a pa.s.sage down, and nothing to pay for it. You guard there, with your long horn, open the door and let the young gentlemen in, but mind you, you take up n.o.body else, not if the First Lord and all the Admiralty come and axe for places.”

In we sprang with our valises, and we heard Jack shout--

”Make sail, coachee, and see how many knots you can run off the reel.”

The coachman smacked his whip, and away we rattled through the villages of Knightsbridge, Kensington, and Hammersmith. The coach pulled up at the ”Green Dragon” at the latter place, and some parcels were offered, but Jack kept his eyes about him, and would not let one be taken on board. In an authoritative tone he ordered the landlord to bring us out a tankard of ale, and likewise treated the coachman and guard. As we knew it would please him, we did not refuse the draughts. He flung the landlord a sovereign.

”There's payment for you, old boy,” he cried out. ”Don't mind the change; and, I say, you may treat as many thirsty fellows as you like with it. Now drive on, coachee.”

Thus Jack went on at each stage, sitting, while the coach was in motion, with his arms folded, looking as proud as a king on his throne. I thought at one time that he would have quarrelled with us because we declined to taste any more of the ale he offered. He was pretty well half-seas over by the time we arrived at Portsmouth. When he came to the door to help us out, Nettles.h.i.+p began to thank him.

”I don't want your thanks, young masters,” he answered gruffly. ”I've had my spree, and maybe before long I shall be at your beck and call; but I'm my own master now, and intend to remain so as long as the gold pieces jingle in my pocket. Maybe I'll have another ride up to London in a day or two, and if you like the trip, I'll give it you. You may thank me or not as you like.”

Nettles.h.i.+p and I saw that it would be no use saying more, so, wis.h.i.+ng him good evening, we took our way down to the Hard. I turned for a moment, and saw our friend rolling up the middle of the street with his hands in his pockets, as proud as the grand bashaw.

A few nights after this Tom Pim and I, having leave on sh.o.r.e, took it into our heads to go to the theatre. In the front row of seats sat our friend who had given us so seasonable a lift down from London. The seats on either side of him were vacant, and when any one attempted to occupy them he told them to be off. He had taken three seats that he might enjoy himself. There he was, with his arms folded, looking as if he thought himself the most important person in the house. There were a good many more seamen on the other benches,--indeed, the house was more than half filled with them, some in the pit, others in the upper boxes and galleries. The play was ”The Brigand's Bride.” The lady evidently had a hard time of it, and appeared to be in no way reconciled to her lot, her great wish being clearly to make her escape. In this attempt she was aided by a young n.o.ble in silk attire, who made his appearance whenever the brigand, a ferocious-looking ruffian, was absent. The lady made piteous appeals to the audience for sympathy, greatly exciting the feelings of many of them, though Tom and I were much inclined to laugh when we saw the brigand and the lover hob-n.o.bbing with each other behind a side scene, which, by some mischance, had not been shoved forward enough. At length the young count and the brigand met, and had a tremendous fight, which ended in the death of the former, who was dragged off the stage. Soon afterwards, the lady rushed on to look for him, and the brigand, with his still reeking sword, was about to put an end to her existence, when, stretching out her hands, she exclaimed--

”Is there no help for me on earth? Am I, the hapless one, to die by the weapon of this cruel ruffian?”

”No, that you shan't, my pretty damsel,” cried our friend Jack, forgetting all the stern selfishness in which he had been indulging himself,--”not while I've got an arm to fight for you.”

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