Beadle's New York Dime Library No. 11 — page 11: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

a le ek. ey ee _ zeal on the captain's = to give it and all e — ere eee lO ——$—_— - ee —_———- --- — —_ ~ - — listened to; and then Jack shut his eyes, and in a few minutes was fast asleep. The master had reported to the first lieutenant, and the first lieutenant to the captain, when he came on board the next morning, the conduct of Mr. Easy, who was sent for in the cabin, to hear if he had anything to | offer in extenuation of his offense. Jack made an ora- tion, which lasted more than half an hour, in which all the arguments he had brought forward to Jolliffe in the preceding chapter were entered fully into. Mr. Jolliffe was then examined, and also Mr, Smallsole was interrogated: after which the captain and the first lieu- tenant were left alone. “ Sawbridge,’’ said Captain Wilson, “ how true it is, that any deviation from what is right invariably leads us into a scrape. I have done wrong; wishing to get this boy out of his father’s hands, and fearful that he would not join the ship, and imagining him to be by no means the shrewd fellow that he is in reality, I repre- sented the service in a much more favorable light oa I should have done; all that he says I told him I did tell him, and it is I who really led the boy into error. Mr. Smallsole has behaved tyrannically and unjustly; he | punished the lad for no crime; so that between the master and me, I am now on the horns of a dilemma. If I punish the boy, I feel that I am punishing him more for my own fault and the fault of others, than his own. If I do not punish him, I allow a flagrant and open vio- lation of Heskolise to pass uncensured, which will be injurious to the service.” ‘He must be punished, sir,’’ replied Sawbridge. **Send for him,’’ said the captain. Jack made his appearance, with a very polite bow. ‘Mr. ,as you po pe that the articles of war contained all the rules and regulations of the service I take it for granted that you have erred through ignor- ance. But recollect, that although you have erred through ignorance, such a violation of discipline, if passed unnoticed, will have a very injurious effect with he men, whose obedience is enforced by the example shown to them ¥ the officers. I feel so convinced of your zeal, which you showed the other day in the case of Easthupp, that I am sure you will see the pro- Lowery’ of my en the men, by punishing you, hat discipline must enforced, a..d I shall therefore send for you on the quarter-deck, and order you to go to the mast-head in prpetans of the ship’s company, as it was in presence of the ship’s company that you re- ‘‘With the greatest pleasure, Captain Wilson,’’ re- plied Jack. “And in future, Mr. Easy, although I shall ever set my face against it, recollect that if any officer punishes you, and you imagine that you are unfairly treated, ne submit to the punishment, and then apply to me for ,”’ replied Jack, ‘‘ now that Iam aware of your wishes.”’ * You will oblige me, Mr, Easy, by going on the quar- ter-deck, and wait there till I come up.”’. Jack made his best bow and exit. “ Old Jolliffe told me that I should have to go,” said Jack to himself, ‘‘and he was right, so far; but han me if I hadn’t the best of the argument, and that’s all I care about.’” Captain Wilson sent for the master, and reprimanded him for his oppression, as it was evident there was no ground for punishment, and he forbade him ever to mast-head another midshipman, but to rt his con- duct to the first lieutenant or himself. He then pro- ceeded to the quarter-deck, and, calling for Mr. Easy, gave him what appeared a very severe reprimand which Jack looked upon very quietly, because it wasal zeal on own to take it. Our hero was then ordered up to the mast-head. Jack took off his hat, and took three or four steps, in obedience to the order—and then returned and made his best bow—inquired of Captain Wilson whether he wished him to go to the fore or to the main-mast head. “To the main, Mr. Easy,” replied the captain, biting his li Puce ascended three spokes of the Jacob’s ladder, when he again — and took off his hat. “T beg your pardon, Captain Wilson—yon have not informed me whether it was your wish that I should go to the top-mast or the top-gallant cross-trees.”’ ‘* To the top-gallant cross-trees, Mr. Easy,” replied the captain. Soak ascended, taking it very easy; he stopped at the main-top for a ° es the ee ead, to look about ; and, a , fain e spot agreed upon, where he seated himself, and, taking out the articles of war, commenced them ohne to ascertain whether he could not have stre ened his argu- ments. He had not, however, read through the seventh article before the hands were turned up. ‘Up an- chor!” and Mr. Sawbridge called, * All down from aloft!’ Jack took the hint, folded up his docu- ments, and came down as leisurely as he went up. Jack was a much better philosopher than his father. The a 44 was soon under way, and made all sail, ae: or Cape de Gatte, where Captain Wilson h pick up a Spanish vessel or two, on his way to Toulon to receive orders of the admiral. A succession So? light anaes "~~ — ——e a” v ous; bu e boats were constantly Sab unaiiin tee vessels along shore, and Jack eney asked to be employed on this service: indeed, althoug so short a time afloat, he was, from his age and strength, one of the most effective midshipmen, and to be trusted, provided a whim did not come into his head ; but hitherto Jack had anes been under orders, and ———— uitted himself very well. en the arpy nn it so happened that there were several cases of dysentery in the ship, and Mr. Asper and Mr. Jolliffe were two of those who were suffe . This reduced the number of officers; and, at the same time, they had received information from the men of a fishing-boat, who, to obtain their own release, had given the intelligence, that a small convoy was coming down from as soon as the wind was fair, under the protection of two gun-boats. Captain Wilson kept well off shore until the wind c and then, allowing for the time that the ves- sels w take to run down the distance between Tar- ragona and Rosas, in the night to intercept them; but it again fell and the boats were there- oe — out, with directions to proceed along the ore, as it was su paves that . mary far distant. ” r. Sawbridge had the command of the tion in the pinnace; the first cutter was in charge 0 ord met Mr. Minus; and, as the other offi- cers were sick, Mr. Sawbridge, who liked Jack more and more every day, at his particular request gave him the vessels could not sh a eee eee —EE Se : —— + — — = —— —— ee ee -_ — | the command of the second cutter. As soon as he | voy, that, forsome time, they Eh ee forgot to look to heard of it, Mesty declared that he would go with him; windward. At last Mesty turned his a ty that way. _but without permission that was not possible. Jack ‘*‘Dam um, I see right last night; look, Massa Rony obtained leave for Mesty to go in lieu of a marine; there | one chip, one brig tree lateen—dem for us, By de pow- _were many men sick of the dysentery, and Mr. Saw- er, but we make bon prize to-night.”’ bridge was not sorry*to take an idler out of the shipin- The vessels found out by Mesty were not above three man, especially as Mesty was miles to windward; they were under all sail, beating known to be a good hand. _ | up for the protection of a battery, not far distant. | It was ten o’clock at night when the boats quitted the | ‘“‘Now, massa, suppose they see our boat, dey tmk _ship; and, as it was possible that they might not re- | something; keep boat alongside, and _ shift her when turn till late the next day, one day’s biscuit and rum we go’bout every time; better not sail so fast now— 'were put on board each, | suffer from exhaustion. The boats pulled in shore, and and den, when it dark, we take ‘em.”’ | then coasted for three hours without seeing anything; | All gee Bs advice was good, with the exception per- | the night was fine overhead, but there was no moon. | haps of advising our hero how to disobey orders and It still continued calm, and the men began to feel fa- take acruise. To prevent the vessel from approach- | tigued, when, just as they were within a mile of a low ing too near the others, and at the same time to let her oint, they perceived the convoy over the land, coming have the appearance of doing her best, a sail was towed he with their sails squared, before a light breeze. overboard under the bows, and after that they watched Mr. Sawbridge immediately ordered the boats to lie the motions of the Harpy. | upon their oars, awaiting their coming, and arranging The distance was toogreat to distingush very clearly, for the attack. but Mesty shinned up the mast of the vessel, and re- The white latteen sails of the -boat in advance ported progress. were now Lage distinguishable from the rest, which ‘‘By Jesus, dare one gun—two gun—go it, H ‘ were all huddled together in her wake. Downshecame Won't she ab um, sure enough. Now gunboat fi t like a beautiful swan in the water, her sails just filled our gunboat—no, dat not ours. Now our gunboat fire— with the wind, and running about three knots an hour. dat pretty—fire away. Ah, now de Harpy cum up. All | Mr. Sawbridge kept her three masts in one, that they ‘mung ‘em. Bung, bung, bung—rattle de grape, by — not be perceived, and winded the boats with gosh. Lab notion de Spaniard is very pee consider- their heads the same way, so that they might dash on able trouble just now, gg tee All hove to, so board of her with a few strokes of the oars. Sofavor- help me gosh—not more ing; Harpy take um able was the course of the gun-boat, that she stood —dare gun-boat hove-to, she strike um colors. _right between the launch on one bow, and the two cut-_ By all powers, but suppose dey tink me no share prize- ters on the other; and they were not perceived until money—dey find it not little mistake. Now, my lads, | they were actually alongside; the resistance was trif- it all over, and,” continued Mesty, sliding down the ! ling, but some muskets and pistols had been fired, and mast, “I tink you better not show yourself too much; the alarm was given. Mr. Sawbridge took possession, only two men stay on deck, and dem two take off um | with the crew of the launch, and brought the vessel to jackets.” the wind, as he perceived that at the alarm all the con- _Mesty’s report was correct; the Harpy had captured voy had done the same, directing the cutters to board the other gun-boat, and the whole convoy. The only the est vessels, and secure as many as they could, drawback to their good fortune was the disap ce | while he would do the same with the launch, as he of Mr. Easy and the cutter: it was supposed that a brought them to; but the other ganhont, which had shot from the gunboat must have sunk her, and that not yet been seen, and had been forgotten, now made the whole crew were drowned. Captain Wilson and her appearance, and came down in a gallant mannerto Mr. Sawbridge seriously regretted the loss of our hero, the support of her comrade. as they thought that he would have turned out a shin- Mr. go woridge threw half his men into the launch, | ing character as soon as he had sown his wild oats; so | as she carried a heavy carronade, and sent her toas- did Mr. Asper, because our hero’s purse went with him; sist the cutters, which had made right for the gun- sodid Jolliffe, because he had en an affection for “doat A smart firing of round and grape was opened him; so did little Gossett, because he anticipated no upon the boats, which continued to advance upon her; mercy from Vigors. On the other hand, there were | but the officer cae one ane Srge gun-b fin that some who were glad that he was gone; and as for the he had no support from consort, and concludi ship’s company in general, they lamented the loss of that she had been captured, hauled his wind n, and , the poor cutter’s crew for twenty four hours, which, in stood out in the o . Our hero pulled after her, | a man-of-war, is a very long while, and then they although he could not see the other boats; but thought no more about them. We must leave the the breeze had freshened, and all pursuit was use- Harpy to make the best of her way to Toulon, and now less; he therefore directed his course to the con- follow our hero. voy, and, after a hard pull, contrived to get on| The cutter’s crew knew very well that Jack was act- board of a one-masted xebeque, of about fifty ing contrary to orders, but anything was to thema tons. Mesty, who had eyes as as a needle, had change from the monotony of a man-of-war; and they, observed that when the alarm wes ven, several of the _ as well as Mesty, highly approved of a holiday. , s of a workin convoy had not rounded the point, and he therefore | It was, however, necessary that they should soon pro d, as this vessel was very light, that they should proceed to business, for they had but their allowance e short tacks with her, to weather the point, asif of bread and grog for one day, and in the vessel they they were escaping, and by that means be able, par- found nothing except a few heads of garlic, for the | ae aed if it fell calm ag att eb some p me. | pean pg down er x" urchased their ack tho ce good. e€ convoy who rovisions as they require em. ere were oO rounded the point had all stood out to seaward with three prisoners on board. and they had been put Sook the gun-boat, and had now a fresh breeze. To chase in the hold among the beans; a bag of which had been them was therefore useless; and. the only chance was roused on deck, and a part put into the kettle to make to do as Mesty had proposed. He therefore stood out soup. Jack did not much admire the fare of the first into the breeze, and, after half an hour, tacked inshore, | day—it was bean soup for breakfast, bean soup for eee Bala ig ge os the low yes ge ae’ ene if you pow nunssy = g the intervals it ng no v es out again. us e| wass an soup, and nothing else. | made three or four tacks, and had gained, perhaps, six | One of the men could speak & little Lin Franca, “Mr. Sawbridge wants us to come back, Mesty.”’ | also one of the = The ship carried guns, and that “Mr. Sawbridge mind him own. business,” replied | was all that they knew about them. As the sun went Mesty, ‘‘ we nebber take all dis trouble to ply to wind- | down the vessels dropped their anchors off the battery. w or noting.” | The breeze continued light, and the vessel which con- ‘* But, Mesty, we must obey orders.”’ tained Jack and his fortunes was about four miles to “Yes, sar, when we have him thumb upon you ; but | leeward. As for the Harpy, they had long lost sight of now, must do what tink most proper. By de powers, | her, and it was now time to proceed to some arrange- ut esha Yous the ship. Tpyand made avery long speach He betated oar ‘* Find her gs by-and-by, Massa Easy.” e men that his zeal had induced him not to return to ** But the think that we are lost.’ the ship until he had brought something with him **So anit the better, nebba look after Massa | worth having—that they had nothing but beans to ; I guess we have a fine cruise any how. Morrow eat during the whole day, which was anything but we e large vessel—make sail, take more, den we go | agreeable, and that, therefore, it was absolutely neces- to Toulon.’ | sary that they should better their condition; that there ‘** But I don’t know my way to Toulon ; I know it lies | was a large ship not four miles off, and that he in- up this way, and that’s all.”’ : _ tended to take her; and as soon as he had taken her he “Dat enough, what you want more? Massa Easy, | intended to take some more; that he trusted to their *pose you not find fleet, fleet soon find you. By God, zeal to support him on this occasion, and that he ex- nobody nebba lost here. Now, Massa Easy, let um go | pected to do a great deal during the cruise. He pointed ‘bout Somebody else burn biscuit and boil | out to them, that they must consider themselves as on a to-morrow for CP, Benwersen. pres ange ! board wf a eae wees Pre ome by the a, of oO tink, Massa Easy—lI boil kettle, an ce my . War, which were written for em —and that ar erates ” . a 9 | case they forgot them, he had a copy in his reo th asy was very much of a mind with Mesty ; “for,’’ar- which he would read for them to-morrow mo , as ed » Moin * if I go back now, I only bring a small vessel | Soon as they were comfortably settled on board of the alf full of beans, and I shall be ee to show my ship. He then appointed Mesty as first lieutenant; the ce. | ROW Th eta Oe ee Ue TET | ‘Sash ba aiden to eae, walnkis tecreeeet amie me ‘iter . ‘ey ve a gun-boat to show for their _ swain’s mates, leaving two more for the ship’s com- ht’s work, and it will appear that there wes harder | pany, who were divi eo into the larboard and star- fighting than there has been, and Mr, Saw e may | board watch. The cu “pe crew were perfe con- benefit by it.’ (Jack was a very knowing fellow to | tent with Jack’s speech and their brevet ra and have learnt so much about the service already.) after that they commenced a more important eee ed when, Ce One. ed cm, coueeigler we (nome aman Muaatara Milviber orig aia oil oO ’ Vv : | ting weak rien—wihakol I wh dp. or I'll not go which was, that they should anchor not ar aheadle back again. t's not often that one gets acemmand the ship, and wait till about two o’clock in the mo ; before being two months at and, hang me, now I've | when they would drop silently down upon her in ot it if I won’t keep it; and Mr. Smallsole may mast- cutter, and take ession. head whom he pleases. I’m sorry for poor tt, About nine o’clock the vessel was anchored as they © though; if Vigors supposes me dead, how he will mur- , and Jack was a little astonished to find that ro der the r little fellow—however, it is all for the good | the ship was much larger than he had any idea of; for, of the sareinés and I’ll revenge him when I come back. although polacca- , She was nearly the same ton- Hang me if I won't take a cruise.” | bege as the rer’ e§ sh prisoners were first “T talk to the men, they say they all tick to you | tied hand and foot, and laid upon the beans, that they like leech. Now dat job settled, I tink we better go | might give no alarm, the sails were furled and all was ‘bout again.” : | ne me | A short time after this decision on the part of our of the ship, on the contrary, there was hero, the day broke; Jack first looked to leeward, and | noise and revelry; and about half-past ten a boat was perceived the gunboat and gy A stan in for the | seen to leave her and pull for the shore; after which, ore about ten miles distant, followed by the Harpy, | the noise gradually ceased, the lights one by one dis- under all sail. He could also perceive the captured gun- appeared, and then all was silent. boat lying-to in shore to preven: their corte. * What do you think, Mesty?”’ said Jack; “do you " b um all, by gosh!” cried Mesty, ‘“‘Iab think we take her?” notion dat she soon settle um hash.” “Isittake her, you mane? enough, we'll take They were so busy looklug at the Harpy and the con- , her; stopa bit a) icboo : Sc G (0) that the crews might not keep further off till they drop anchor for the night;' ech. He pointed out to. a a es