Volume II Part 45 (1/2)
The loud dash and furrowing of the wave, the roar of the wind, and the cry of the boatman as he gave the soundings, were often the only audible sounds. No one was inclined to converse, and the roll and pitching of the boat when they approached the river's mouth made the jailer and his friends still less willing to disturb their comrades.
After nearly four hours the lights of the little fis.h.i.+ng hamlet of Lytham were pa.s.sed, and they were fast entering upon the open sea. The stranger came out of the cabin, stationing himself by the steersman.
They were evidently on the look-out for signals. It was not yet daybreak, and the wind was from the north, a bitter and a biting air, that made the jailer's teeth to chatter as he raised himself up to examine their course and situation as well as the darkness would permit.
”How long run we on through these great blubbering waves ere we end our voyage? This night wind is worse than a Robin Hood's thaw.”
”We will hoist signals shortly,” was the reply; ”if the s.h.i.+p is within sight, she will answer and bring to.”
”Have ye any prog[iv] aboard?” inquired the officer.
A bottle was handed to him. He drank eagerly of the liquor, and gave the remainder to his a.s.sistants.
”I wish with all my heart,” said he, ”the prisoner were safe out of my custody, and I on my way back. I had as lief trot a hundred miles on land bare-back as sit in this confounded swing for a minute. How my head reels!”
He leaned against one of the benches, to all appearance squeamish and indisposed.
A faint light now flickered on the horizon and disappeared. Again. It seemed to rise above the deep. They were evidently approaching towards it, and the stranger spoke something in a low tone to the steersman.
”Yonder it be, I reckon,” said the jailer, lifting up his head on hearing an unusual bustle amongst the crew. ”I am fain to see it, for I am waundy qualmish dancing to this up-an'-down tune, wi' nought but the wind for my fiddle.”
”And who pays the piper?” asked a wavering voice from below.
”Thee Simon Catterall, b.u.mbailiff, catchpole, thieftaker, and”----
Here a sudden lurch threw the jailer on his beam-ends. A pause was the result, which this worthy official was not inclined to interrupt.
A light hitherto concealed, was now hoisted up to the masthead. This was apparently answered by another signal at no great distance.
”Friends!” said the stranger; ”and now hold on to your course.”
They had pa.s.sed the banks and were some leagues from sh.o.r.e. Morning was feebly dawning behind them, when the dark hull of a s.h.i.+p, rapidly enlarging, seemed to rise out, broad and distinct, from the thin mist towards the west. The loud and incessant moan of the waves, the dash and recoil of their huge tops breaking against the sides of the vessel, with voices from on board, were distinctly heard, and immediately the boat was alongside.
The transfer of their cargo was a work of more difficulty, partly owing to the clumsiness and unseamanlike proceedings of the men who had charge of the prisoner, and partly owing to the light being yet too feeble for objects to be distinctly seen. A considerable interval in consequence elapsed ere the jailer, his a.s.sistants, and their charge were hoisted on the deck, not of a trim, gallant war-s.h.i.+p, well garrisoned and appointed, but of a lubberly trading vessel, redolent of tar, grease, and fish-odours, bound for merry Scotland.
”Yoh-o-ih! There--helm down--back maintopsail. So, masters, we had nigh slipped hawser and away. Why, here have we been beating about and about for three long nights; by day we durst not be seen in-sh.o.r.e. Yon cruiser overhauls everything from a crab to a crab-louse. What! got part of your company in the gyves! Where is the earl?”
”Here!” said the prisoner, coolly.
”Hold, captain,” cried the wondering jailer, ”the vessel goes not on her voyage until I and two of my friends here depart with the boat; we go not farther with our prisoner. The remaining two will suffice to see him delivered up at head-quarters. Yet, this cannot be.” Here the bewildered officer looked round. ”I have a warrant to commit this rebel unto the safe keeping of--ay, the captain of his majesty's cutter, the _Dart_. But this,” surveying the deck with a suspicious glance, ”is as frowsy and fusty a piece of s.h.i.+p-timber as ever stowed coals and cods' tails between her hatches. I pray we be not nabbed!”
said he in a supplicating tone to his head craftsman.
The prisoner himself seemed as much surprised as any of the group; but the stranger, now addressing him, unravelled the mystery.
”My lord; I am no traitor; though until now labouring under that imputation; but you are amongst friends. Thanks to a woman's wits, we are, despite guards, bolts, and fetters, aboard the vessel which was waiting for us when you were surprised and seized, unfortunately, as we were trying our escape towards the coast. With the aid of my parent, I have been at last successful. You are now free!” It was Katherine who said this.
She changed her hitherto m.u.f.fled voice as she continued:--”Captain, we have nabbed as cunning a jailer as ever took rogue to board in a stone crib. We will trouble thee to use thy craft; undo these fetters, prithee. He must with you, captain, till you can safely leave him and his companions ash.o.r.e; but use him well for his vocation's sake. My lord, through weal and woe I have been your counsellor--your friend; but we must now part--'tis fitting we should. While you were in jeopardy, that alone could excuse my flight. Should better times come!”----Her voice faltered; she could not proceed; and old Grimes drew his hat over his face.