Part 22 (2/2)

Towards it the slaver was steered. She grounded in smooth water. A boat was lowered, and into it some of her crew tumbled, while others appeared to be swimming on sh.o.r.e.

By the time they got up to the brig's quarter and climbed on board, all the crew had escaped with the exception of two men, one of whom was dying, the other was dead.

”Oh, Terence,” exclaimed Jack, as he looked at them, ”this is very dreadful!”

”What?” asked Adair, surprised.

”That my hand should have done that,” answered Jack, gravely; ”to know that one has been killing people is bad enough, but to see them afterwards--oh, I wish that I hadn't done it!”

”Then, you see, Jack, the slaver would have got off, and taken 300 or 400, or more, poor black people away from their homes and families, a third of whom would have probably died miserably on board, and the rest would have been destined to spend their lives in abject slavery, and to become the parents of a race of slaves. Those Spaniards, or Portuguese, or whatever they are, have brought about their own deaths. Every shot you fired contributed to prevent a vast amount of wretchedness and suffering.”

Leaving the wounded man to Wa.s.ser's care, they went below to examine their prize. They found that she was fully equipped for carrying 700 or 800 slaves, instead of only 300 or 400, as Terence had supposed. She had two bra.s.s guns, an ample supply of arms and ammunition of every sort, so that she was as well able to act the pirate as the slaver.

They could not decide what to do with her. They feared if they left her that her crew would return and burn her, while at the same time they were anxious to get back to the frigate. After waiting some time their course was decided by seeing the _Ranger_ in the offing.

”Terence,” said Jack, ”you must go off to her. Leave me and the rifles, with d.i.c.k Needham to load them; and if the pirates appear I will keep them at bay till you return.”

In vain Terence expostulated. Jack would have it so, and he was compelled to obey.

Thus were Jack and st.u.r.dy d.i.c.k Needham left alone on board the stranded vessel. They watched the gig as she pulled away, till she was lost in the distance.

”Now, Needham,” said Jack, ”if the pirates come back, which is more than likely, we must be prepared to give them a warm reception. See you load the rifles and I'll fire them.” Jack very quickly got over his scruples about killing his enemies.

”Ay, ay, sir,” answered d.i.c.k, not at first quite comprehending what a warm reception meant. ”But, sir, as they've left plenty of ammunition on board and these two bra.s.s guns, besides no end of muskets, we might give 'em a warmer still. If you think fit, sir, we'll load the guns with langrage, and range the muskets along the deck; and then any spare moment when you are using the rifles I might be popping them off.”

Jack highly approved of d.i.c.k's notion, and only wished that the slaver's crew would come back, that he might carry it into execution. They both had been so busy that they had not thought of the poor wretched Spaniard. Suddenly Jack recollected him. He had been placed in the shade, under the p.o.o.p-deck. He was still breathing.

”_Eu moro de sede_ (I die of thirst, I die of thirst),” groaned the miserable man, showing his glazed eyes. His parched lips showed how much he was suffering.

”d.i.c.k, bring some water for this poor fellow,” cried Rogers.

”Oh! senhor, you are very kind. I am a wretch, I know; but, as I hope to be forgiven, I forgive the man who shot me.”

These were very nearly the last words the Spaniard uttered. A cry from Needham called Jack out on deck. There appeared on the beach the whole crew of the slaver, and in addition some twenty or thirty others, white men and negroes. They evidently did not perceive that anybody was on board, and began deliberately to launch the boat by which they had reached the sh.o.r.e, and which Terence had neglected to tow off before he left the brig. Jack waited till they had shoved off.

”Now, d.i.c.k,” said he, creeping to one of the ports, ”stand by to load, and hand me the rifles while I--do my duty.” He was going to say, ”pick them off.”

Shot succeeded shot, and three men were hit before the pirates knew where their enemies were concealed. The boat was seen to put back, the people in her leaping in a desperate hurry on sh.o.r.e.

”It won't do to let them fancy that they are safe yet,” cried Jack.

”Hand me another rifle.” He continued firing away, seldom failing to hit the man he aimed at.

”Hurrah! hurrah!” shouted Needham. ”They are running off, they are running off.” So they were, but they had not gone far before a man was seen galloping up on horseback. Jack thought he looked remarkably like Don Diogo. He began striking right and left with a sword at the fugitives, and was evidently urging them to make an attempt to regain the brig. At last he succeeded in inducing another party to embark, but he himself remained on sh.o.r.e. Several times Jack had aimed at him, but he seemed to bear a charmed life. None of the bullets took effect.

Jack was afraid of firing at him again, for his rifle ammunition was almost expended. Finding the firing cease, the pirates gained courage and pulled boldly towards the brig.

”Now's the time for our dose of langrage, sir,” cried Needham. Jack nodded his consent. d.i.c.k ran out one of the guns. Jack pointed it and fired. Then they sprang to the other, and fired that. Shrieks and cries followed, and the boat in a sinking condition put back to the sh.o.r.e. Don Diogo got off his horse, and stamped with rage. He could not make it out, but the men would not make another attempt. In a minute more they had all disappeared. As soon as they were clear off Jack and Needham set to work to examine the vessel more minutely, in the hopes of discovering some small quant.i.ty of water, or other liquid which they could drink. Vain again was their search, but on opening a locker Jack observed a box thickly bound with bra.s.s. He tried to pull it out, but could not move it alone, so he summoned Needham to his a.s.sistance.

It was very heavy.

”We'll see what is in it,” said Jack. Perhaps had he reflected, he might have waited to deliver it over unopened to Captain Lascelles.

However, this did not occur to him at the moment. A cold chisel and hammer were soon found, and on the chest being forced open rolls of glittering gold coin lay exposed to view.

<script>