Part 31 (1/2)
The stranger, seeing them looking at him, got up, and approaching them with his hand extended, said--
”What, do I see some old friends? Rogers! Adair! Very glad to see you. How de do? How de do? You remember me, surely. I'm Pigeon.”
Thus addressed, it would not have been in the nature of either of the two mids.h.i.+pmen to have refused to shake hands with their old schoolfellow, bully though he had been. They invited him to join them; and when they had dined they all three sat over their wine together, talking merrily of former days.
”I'm going out to China in the diplomatic line,” observed Pigeon, in his old tone. ”I have a notion that I shall be able to manage the Celestials. There are few people who can deceive me.”
These, and a few other similar remarks, showed that Pigeon in one respect was little changed from what he had been in his early days.
When or how he was going out to China he did not say.
They had been chatting away for some time when another cab rattled up to the inn, and presently at the door of the coffee-room who should appear, to the delight of Rogers and Adair, but Murray himself. They dragged him into the room, each eager to know what s.h.i.+p he was come to join.
Paddy gave a shout of delight when he heard that he was appointed to the _Dugong_. He told them besides that she was certainly under orders for China, to sail as soon as ready for sea, and that the _Blenny_ was also to be sent there.
The old schoolfellows, as may be supposed, pa.s.sed a very pleasant evening, their pleasure being heightened with the antic.i.p.ation of being together in whatever work they might be engaged. Even Bully Pigeon was sufferable (as Paddy observed), if he was not altogether agreeable. He had a number of strange adventures to narrate, of which he was the hero.
Although his accounts were not implicitly believed, it was agreed that, at all events, they were possible, which was somewhat in his favour.
Two weeks after this, her Majesty's s.h.i.+ps _Dugong_ and _Blenny_ were gliding under all sail across the Bay of Biscay.
”The frigate looks something like a dowager with her small daughter following in her wake, sir,” observed Jack, glancing his eye from the brig to her big consort, as he walked the deck with his captain.
”We must try and make the little daughter win a name for herself out among the Celestials,” said Captain Hemming in return.
”That we will, sir, if we get the chance,” answered Jack.
”Ay, Rogers, but we must make the chance,” remarked his captain with emphasis.
”So we will, sir,” said Jack warmly. ”There is not a man on board who'll not be glad of it.”
Captain Hemming had a sincere regard and respect for Jack, as Jack had for him. They had both seen each other well tried and never found wanting, and they could thus converse frankly and without reserve.
Neither Hemming nor Jack were people to talk without fully intending to perform. Indeed, those who knew them felt sure that when dash or cool courage, or perseverance and intelligence, were especially required, they would show that they possessed them all. Jack liked his s.h.i.+p and most of his brother officers, as well as his captain, and was a general favourite with them. He had brought two companions, Adair's old African follower, Queerface, which he had given to Jack; and a fine Newfoundland dog, Sancho by name. Jack had intended leaving Queerface at home, as Paddy remarked, to remind his brothers and sisters of him. The compliment was somewhat doubtful. But the monkey had played so many curious tricks, and had committed so much mischief, that no one would undertake the charge of him; and therefore, like a bad boy, he was sent off to sea again in disgrace. As was natural, Sancho and Queerface became very intimate, though not at the same time perfectly friendly.
Each, it appeared, was striving for the mastery. Queerface, monkey though he was, gained the day; and one of his great amus.e.m.e.nts was to mount Sancho's back, and to make him run round and round the deck with him, whipping him on and chattering away all the time most vociferously, to the great amus.e.m.e.nt of the seamen, if not always to that of the first lieutenant.
Jack had another charge to look after, a young mids.h.i.+pman, Harry Bevan by name, who had been especially committed to his charge. The little fellow had been a petted somewhat spoilt child, an only son, yet go to sea he would; and his parents never had refused him anything, so they let him have his will, though it almost broke their hearts. Jack promised to take the best care of him he could. Harry was not exactly a pickle, but he had very little notion of taking care of himself; so Jack had quite enough to do to look after him, in addition to Queerface and Sancho. Harry and Sancho were very great friends, but Queerface evidently looked upon him as a rival in his master's affections, and bore him no good-will. This feeling of the monkey was increased by the tricks which the young mids.h.i.+pman played him whenever he had the opportunity. At last he was never able to approach Queerface without a rope in his hand, which he held behind his back, or doubled up in his pocket. The monkey, in the most sagacious way, would skip about till he had ascertained whether the weapon was there or not. If it was there, as soon as he caught sight of it, he would spring up into the rigging and sit on a ratline, as quiet and demure as a judge, without attempting to retaliate.
On board the frigate there was little to interrupt the usual routine.
Murray had carried one of his parrots with him, and the sagacious bird afforded almost as much amus.e.m.e.nt as did Bully Pigeon, who soon showed that he was very little altered from what he had been in his youth. He could not bully, but he could give abundant evidence of being still an arrant donkey. Pigeon now called himself a philosopher, and used to be very fond of broaching his philosophical principles, as he denominated his nonsense. One day, when dining in the gun-room, he began as usual.
As he drank his wine he grew bolder and bolder in his a.s.sertions. At last he declared that he did not believe that there was a place of punishment after death. He had taken it into his head that the surgeon would side with him.
”I'm sure, doctor, a sensible man like you will not a.s.sert that such is a fact?” he continued. ”What use would there be in it?”
”I'll tell you what, ma laddie, there's one vary good use it will be put to, and that will be to stow away all such vicious, ignorant donkeys as you are,” answered the doctor with great emphasis and deliberation.
Pigeon was no way disconcerted at this somewhat powerful rebuke, but continued as before. Indeed, nothing is so difficult as to make a conceited fool cease from talking folly. At last the first lieutenant struck his fist on the table with a force which made all the gla.s.ses ring, as he exclaimed--
”I'll tell you what, Mr Pigeon. This s.h.i.+p belongs to a Christian Queen, and while I'm the senior officer present I'll not allow you to sneer against religion, or a word to be spoken which her gracious Majesty would not approve of. Now, sir, hold your tongue, or I'll report your conduct, and have you put under arrest.”
The diplomatist, though looking very silly, began again, but another loud rap on the table silenced him. It did not, however, silence Murray's parrot, who had found its way, as it often did, into the cabin, and the moment the voices ceased Polly set up such a roar of laughter, that Pigeon fancied that she was laughing at him. The silly fellow's rage knew no bounds. There was, however, nothing else on which he dared to vent it, except on the loquacious bird. A bottle of port wine stood near. He seized it by the neck to throw it at Polly, who, unconscious of the coming storm, only chattered the louder. The stopper was out.
As he lifted it above his head, a copious shower of the ruddy juice descended over his white s.h.i.+rt and waistcoat, and head and face, so blinding him that he missed his aim, but broke the bottle, while Polly gave way to louder laughter than ever, in which everybody most vociferously joined. The wretched Pigeon had to make his escape to his cabin to change his dress, nor did he venture out again for the rest of the day, some of the time being pa.s.sed in listening to the not very complimentary remarks made upon him and his so-called philosophy. If anything would have cured him of his folly, that might have done so. He had some glimmering suspicion that he was wrong, but he had no hearty desire to be right, and when that is the case a man is certainly in a bad way.
Day after day the two s.h.i.+ps sailed on in sight of each other. The brig was very fast, and, though so much smaller, could outsail the frigate, which was not remarkable for speed. Frequently, when they were together, Polly used to take a flight, to pay her old friend Queerface a visit, and he always seemed delighted to see her. He exhibited his pleasure by all sorts of antics, though he could not express what he felt so fluently with his tongue as she did. At length the Cape of Good Hope was doubled without the _Flying Dutchman_ having been seen, though the philosopher Pigeon kept a bright lookout for him. One night he declared that he saw the phantom bark sailing right up in the wind's eye, but it was found to be only the _Blenny_ following the frigate under easy sail with a fair wind astern. Pont de Galle, in the island of Ceylon, celebrated for the rich spices it exported, and supposed to be one of the most ancient emporiums of commerce, was visited, and at last the most modern and yet the largest emporium in the Indian seas, Singapore, was reached. This wonderful city, which was founded as late as 1824 by Sir Stamford Raffles, on a spot where, though formerly the site of a Malay capital, at that time but a few huts stood, is now the most wealthy and flouris.h.i.+ng on the sh.o.r.es of those eastern seas. Here vessels bring produce and manufactures from all parts of the world, again to be distributed among all the neighbouring countries. There are no duties levied of any sort or description, so that people of all nations are encouraged to come there with their goods. The Chinese especially flock to the port, and great numbers are settled in the city and throughout the island, largely contributing by their persevering industry to its prosperity. Who does not know the look of a Chinese, with his piggish eyes, thatched-like hat, yellow-brown skin, black tail, and wide short trousers? The streets swarmed with them, ever busy, ever toiling to collect dollars, the most industrious people under the sun-- yet the least lovable or attractive. Their houses may be known by the red lintels of the door-posts covered with curious characters and designs; while at night the persevering people may be seen still working away by the light of huge paper lanterns covered with the strangest of devices. The whole island is not larger than the Isle of Wight, but already there are a hundred thousand people living on it, collected from all quarters of the globe. There are numerous very handsome houses in the town, mostly roofed with red-brick tiles, while the higher spots in the neighbourhood are chiefly occupied by the villas of the European merchants and other princ.i.p.al residents. Such was the place before which her Majesty's s.h.i.+ps _Dugong_ and _Blenny_ brought up, outside a fleet of strange-looking junks, with flags of all colours, devices, and shapes flying at their mast-heads, while in different part of the extensive roads were s.h.i.+ps belonging to nearly all the countries in the world, English, American, and Dutch, however, predominating.
Although just then the British and Chinese empires were linked in the bonds of peace, the s.h.i.+ps of war of the former had plenty to do in keeping in order the numerous hordes of pirates which infested those seas, and considerably impeded her commerce, plundering her merchantmen, and cutting the throats of the crews whenever opportunity offered.