Part 38 (2/2)

In the first place, the history of many lighthouses is by no means so happy as that of this one. In the second place, all lighthouses are not of equal importance. Few stand on an equal footing with the Bell Rock, either in regard to its national importance or its actual pedestal. In the last place, it is our subject of consideration at present, and we object to odious comparisons while we sing its praises!

Whatever may be said of the other lights that guard our sh.o.r.es, special grat.i.tude is due to the Bell Rock--to those who projected it--to the engineer who planned and built it--to G.o.d, who inspired the will to dare, and bestowed the skill to accomplish, a work so difficult, so n.o.ble, so prolific of good to man!

The nature of our story requires that we should occasionally annihilate time and s.p.a.ce.

Let us then leap over both, and return to our hero, Ruby Brand.

His period of service in the Navy was comparatively brief, much more so than either he or his friends antic.i.p.ated. Nevertheless, he spent a considerable time in his new profession, and, having been sent to foreign stations, he saw a good deal of what is called ”service”, in which he distinguished himself, as might have been expected, for coolness and courage.

But we must omit all mention of his warlike deeds, and resume the record of his history at that point which bears more immediately on the subject of our tale.

It was a wild, stormy night in November. Ruby's s.h.i.+p had captured a French privateer in the German Ocean, and, a prize crew having been put aboard, she was sent away to the nearest port, which happened to be the harbour of Leith, in the Firth of Forth. Ruby had not been appointed one of the prize crew; but he resolved not to miss the chance of again seeing his native town, if it should only be a distant view through a telescope. Being a favourite with his commander, his plea was received favourably, and he was sent on board the Frenchman.

Those who know what it is to meet with an unexpected piece of great good fortune, can imagine the delight with which Ruby stood at the helm on the night in question, and steered for _home_! He was known by all on board to be the man who understood best the navigation of the Forth, so that implicit trust was placed in him by the young officer who had charge of the prize.

The man-of-war happened to be short-handed at the time the privateer was captured, owing to her boats having been sent in chase of a suspicious craft during a calm. Some of the French crew were therefore left on board to a.s.sist in navigating the vessel.

This was unfortunate, for the officer sent in charge turned out to be a careless man, and treated the Frenchmen with contempt. He did not keep strict watch over them, and the result was, that, shortly after the storm began, they took the English crew by surprise, and overpowered them.

Ruby was the first to fall. As he stood at the wheel, indulging in pleasant dreams, a Frenchman stole up behind him, and felled him with a handspike. When he recovered he found that he was firmly bound, along with his comrades, and that the vessel was lying-to. One of the Frenchmen came forward at that moment, and addressed the prisoners in broken English.

”Now, me boys,” said he, ”you was see we have konker you again. You behold the sea?” pointing over the side; ”well, that bees your bed to-night if you no behave. Now, I wants to know, who is best man of you as onderstand die cost? Speak de trut', else you die.”

The English lieutenant at once turned to Ruby.

”Well, cast him loose; de rest of you go b'low--good day, ver' moch indeed.”

Here the Frenchman made a low bow to the English, who were led below, with the exception of Ruby.

”Now, my goot mans, you onderstand dis cost?”

”Yes. I know it well.”

”It is dangereoux?”

”It is--very; but not so much so as it used to be before the Bell Rock Light was shown.”

”Have you see dat light?”

”No; never. It was first lighted when I was at sea; but I have seen a description of it in the newspapers, and should know it well.”

”Ver goot; you will try to come to dat light an' den you will steer out from dis place to de open sea. Afterwards we will show you to France.

If you try mischief--voila!”

The Frenchman pointed to two of his comrades who stood, one on each side of the wheel, with pistols in their hands, ready to keep Ruby in order.

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