Chapter 18

________________________________________________
_ CHAPTER EIGHTEEN.

Never did the _Ione_ go along at greater speed under the same canvas than she was doing in chase of the Greek brig; but fast as she went, she gained little, if anything, on the vessel she pursued. No two crafts could have been better matched. The chances were all, therefore, in favour of the escape of the latter. She was four miles ahead, and she kept that distance. She might carry away a mast or spar, and thus the _Ione_ might come up with her; or it might fall calm, and she might be overhauled by the boats, but the pursuer was just as likely to receive some damage, and thus she had most to fear a calm. If she could manage to hold her own till night came on, she would be able to haul her wind on either tack with very little danger of being discovered. The officers walked the deck with impatient steps. It was provoking to have a vessel just ahead of them, and which they all felt almost sure was the one they were in search of, and yet be unable to come up with her.

"If we could but get her within range of our guns, there would be some satisfaction in peppering at her," said Jemmy Duff, who, with several of his messmates had gone on the forecastle to have a better view of the chase. "I'd give a month's pay to have only one slap at her."

"That's not any overwhelming sum, Jemmy, though," observed Togle, laughing. "I'd give the whole of my half-pay for a year, and all the fortune you're ever likely to leave me, to have her within range of our guns for ten minutes."

"Mighty generous you are, indeed," said Jack Raby. "By that way of reckoning, whoever got the half-pay would be sadly out of pocket, as a midshipman's half-pay is nothing, and find himself; if he accepted the one, he would have to pay for your grub, and whoever gets Jemmy's fortune won't have much duty to pay, I'll bet."

"No; I must consider my rank in the service my fortune, whenever I have to propose to a young lady," answered Duff, putting his hand on his heart, with a sentimental look. "But, I say, can't we do something to get hold of that fellow ahead of us?"

"Why, I suppose he'll fetch the land one of these days, and then, if he can't sail over it, like the Yankee flat-bottomed crafts, which draw so little water that they can go across the country, when the dew is on the grass in the morning, we shall come up with him," replied Togle, with great gravity.

"I wonder you can joke about it, Togle," said Duff. "For my part, I hate the sort of work, it makes one feel all nohow, and sadly injures the appetite; I could scarcely eat my dinner to-day."

"One wouldn't have supposed so by the manner you stowed away the grub," answered Togle. "For my part, I don't feel so anxious, because I've made up my mind that we shall catch her some time or other. Let's see, it has just gone seven bells, so we've more than three hours of day-light, and much may happen in that time."

The men were, meantime, discussing the subject of the chase in their own fashion; nor did the three warrant officers, Brown, Black, and White, fail to express their opinions on the matter.

"My opinion is," said Mr Brown, "that them Grecian chaps know how to build crafts suited for going along in their own waters, as all must allow is the case in most parts; but just let us catch any one of them-- that fellow ahead, for example--outside the straits, wouldn't we just come alongside him in a quarter less time."

"As it is, he'll lead us a pretty chase, I fear," observed Mr Black. "It will be like one I heard of in the war time, when a Jersey privateer chased a French schooner from off the Start right round the Cape, and never caught her till she ran into the Hoorly."

"Ah! but there was a longer chase than that which I have heard talk of, when the _Mary Dunn_, of Dover, during the Dutch war, followed a Dutchman right round the world, and never caught her at all," said Mr White, who piqued himself on being facetious. "Now, I'm thinking this present affair will be, somehow, like that, unless as how we manage to go faster than we now goes along, which ain't very likely, or she goes slower, which she don't seem to have a mind to do."

During the day, Captain Fleetwood scarcely quitted the deck. Up and down he paced, with his glass under his arm, now and then stopping and taking an anxious look at the chase, again to continue his walk, or else he would stand loaning against the bulwarks for a length of time together, without moving, unconscious of its lapse; his thoughts evidently fixed on the vessel ahead, and penetrating, in fancy, her interior. Indeed, none of the officers remained below longer than was necessary to take their meals, and every glass was in requisition to watch the chase.

Towards the evening, the wind, although keeping steady in the same quarter, gave indications of falling light, and there seemed every probability of what most on board had prognosticated would not take place--a calm.

"The wind has dropped very much, sir," said Mr Saltwell to the captain.

"It has," replied Captain Fleetwood. "I know what you would say--Get the boats ready for hoisting out. We'll overhaul her in them, if it falls calm, as I trust it will. As yet, she goes faster ahead than we should pull. I will go with them, and you, Saltwell, must take charge of the ship."

The first lieutenant signified his comprehension of his commander's orders, and immediately set about carrying them into execution.

The prospect of a calm was seen by all on board, and the news that the chase was to be attacked with the boats, should such happen, gave the greatest satisfaction, every one being anxious to go in them. Notwithstanding the dangers and hardships of boat service, it is one Jack likes excessively, on account of its excitement and variety. The commander intended to lead in the first gig. Linton was to command the cutter, and Tompion, one of the mates, the second gig, which were the only boats to be employed.

The arrangements had scarcely been concluded, when a loud flap of the canvas against the masts gave indication of the cessation of the breeze. Still, however, the brig had considerable way through the water. Linton was looking through his glass at the vessel ahead.

"She still seems to have the breeze," he observed to Saltwell. "I hope the fellow is not going to carry it off with him."

"I suspect he'll soon find it leave him," replied Saltwell. "But I wish it would be quick about it, for otherwise it will be getting dark before we get alongside."

"As long as we can make out the enemy, that will not much signify," replied Linton. "There will be less chance of our being hit."

"Yes; but remember, in boarding in the dark, you are fighting on the enemy's ground," observed Saltwell. "He knows his position and resources, and has you at a disadvantage. Give me daylight, and let me see my enemy's face."

"Ah! there seems a prospect of our having it, for the sails begin to flap heavily, and, by Jove, the chase is no better off," exclaimed Linton. "See, he has got the wind already up and down his mast."

"Huzza!" cried Jemmy Duff, who was midshipman of the cutter. "There's farewell to the wind for Mr Grego."

"Lower the boats, Mr Saltwell," was heard in the deep tones of the captain's voice.

The first lieutenant repeated the order. Mr Brown's whistle was next heard piping the boats away, and getting out the cutter, and in another minute the crews and the respective officers were in them, waiting for the commander to shove off. He had gone below for an instant for his sword, and when he stepped into his boat, though he looked pale, there was resolution in his eye to dare the worst, and if needs be to suffer the worst. With a hearty cheer from their shipmates, the boats shoved off, and pulled with lusty strokes towards the stranger. They had no positive right as yet to consider her an enemy, except from the fact of her having led them a somewhat longish chase; but as it was not much out of their course, they had no reason to complain. The _Ione_ still kept under sail, slowly drawing ahead.

The stranger appeared to be no way disconcerted at their approach, but as she was almost entirely becalmed, she hauled up her foresail to get it out of the way, and seemed quietly to be waiting for them.

"Can you make out what those fellows are about, sir?" asked Jemmy Duff of his superior. "They don't seem to be afraid of us."

"Just stand up in the bows, and try what you can do to arouse their fears, Duff," said Linton, laughing. "We must have sharp eyes to know how they look at this distance, and perhaps as they know that they cannot get away from us, they think it better to put a bold face on the matter."

The sun was just about to sink in the waves as the boats came within range of the stranger's guns, but she allowed them to pull on without molestation, and as they got still nearer, they saw that she had no boarding nettings triced up, though, through the open ports, the crew were seen at their quarters, and the guns were run out ready for action. She appeared to be crowded with men in the Greek costume. They had but little time for observing anything before they were close to her.

"What do those boats want here?" hailed the voice of some one standing on her poop.

"These are the boats of His Britannic Majesty's brig, _Ione_," answered Captain Fleetwood, standing up in the stern sheets of his gig. "What brig is that?"

Linton every instant expected a shower of grape as the answer of the stranger.

There was a pause.

"The Independent Greek Government's brig, _Ypsilante_," was at length the answer. "What is your object in visiting us?"

"I am in search of a pirate who has attacked an English ship," replied Captain Fleetwood; "I wish to gain some information about her."

"I shall be glad to see you on board, then," said the same person.

And he was heard to issue several orders in his own language.

"Keep under her stern in case of treachery," said the captain to Linton and Tompion. "I will go on board--I still have my doubts about her character."

In another minute the gallant Fleetwood was ascending the side of the Greek brig, alone. Side ropes were handed to him, and the side was manned in man-of-war fashion, and he found a group of officers assembled at the gangway to receive him. The captain, a fine-looking man, was distinguishable by the richness of his dress and his dignified bearing. He received his visitor very courteously.

"I have led you a long chase, I am afraid," he observed, speaking English, "but the reason I did so you will allow was a good one, for I was myself chasing another vessel all the time, and of course could not heave to, that I might inform you, nor had I the means of signalising you to that effect."

"What do you believe to be the vessel you were chasing?" inquired Fleetwood, anxiously.

"A Greek, I am sorry to say, and a sister vessel of this brig. She has lately plundered a vessel laden with arms, and as they are much required by the patriots, I was dispatched to try and fall in with her."

"What is her name, or rather who commands her?" asked Fleetwood.

"Her name is the _Sea Hawk_, and she is commanded by the noted pirate, Zappa," replied the Greek captain.

"The very vessel I am in search of," said Fleetwood. "But is it not more likely that he should have gone somewhere to dispose of his booty than that he should remain cruising about here?"

"He has had time to deposit his booty, and to return to look for more," replied the Greek. "If we could get hold of him, we should make him disgorge all he possesses as a ransom for himself and followers."

"What, and let him loose again on the world to commit further piracies?" exclaimed Fleetwood.

The Greek captain laughed, as he replied:--"Why, it would not do to hang men limply for being guilty of a little piracy. Some of our leading chiefs might object to the precedent. But I will gladly aid you in looking for Signor Zappa; and if you catch him, of course you will be at liberty to treat him as you think fit. To be frank with you, I do not think you will find him unprepared in his strong-hold, and he will not yield up his vessel without many hard blows."

"What! are you acquainted with the situation of his stronghold?" exclaimed Fleetwood, eagerly.

"Well!" answered the Greek captain. "And if you will step into my cabin, I will point it out to you on the chart."

By this time the sun had gone down, and the gloom of the evening prevented the countenances of those surrounding him from being distinguishable, adding somewhat to the wildness of their appearance and the fierceness of their moustachioed countenances. As he stood on the poop he looked over the taffrail, where he could see the two boats keeping off just within hail, and in the distance the lights hoisted at the mast-head of his own ship to guide him on his return.

It must not be supposed that Fleetwood had not all this time his misgivings as to the character of the vessel he was on board. She might be the famed _Sea Hawk_, Zappa's own brig, and the man he was speaking to, one of the pirate's lieutenants; for he suspected that Zappa would not venture to present himself in person for fear of being recognised. Notwithstanding this, with an unfaltering step he followed the officer into the cabin.

The cabin was small, and fitted up in a way suitable to that of a vessel engaged in an arduous and dangerous service--a couple of sofas, a table, and chairs, were the chief articles of furniture, with some shelves, a buffet, and a stand for arms.

"I can but offer you rough entertainment," said the Greek, courteously placing a seat for his guest. "We are so engaged in hunting down those scoundrel Turks that we have little time to think of luxuries--such as I have, I shall place before you." As he spoke, he clapped his hands in oriental fashion, and a servant appeared. "Bring wine and bread, and such food as you have," he said, and the man vanished.

Fleetwood would have declined the proffered hospitality, on the plea of being anxious to return to his ship; but his host insisted on having the refreshment brought in, observing,--"It is the custom in the East, remember, to eat salt together as a sign of amity, so you cannot refuse me."

As he spoke, the servant returned, bringing in the very frugal fare he had ordered--a jar of wine, some olives, and bread of rather brownish hue, with some goats' milk cheese, were placed on the table.

"It is not the sort of fare you would give me on board your ship; but, such as it is, I offer it to you," said the Greek captain.

"It is more than I expected," answered Fleetwood, bowing. "But may I ask, have you been on board any British ship of war?"

"I have served on board on the _L--_ as a midshipman, and have since, on several occasions, acted as pilot and interpreter. You see in me, Captain Fleetwood, one who is solicitous to be of use to you; and, as you appear to be anxious to meet this Signor Zappa, I will now show you where you are most likely to fall in with him."

The evident frankness and cordiality of these expressions at once dissipated all Fleetwood's previous misgivings, and in a few words, while he was partaking of the refreshment placed before him, he detailed what had occurred, and his belief that the pirate had made prisoner of an English lady, even if he had not murdered the rest of those on board.

While he was speaking, the Greek brought down a chart of the Archipelago, and pointed out the island of Lissa, a minute description of which he gave.

"But, Captain Fleetwood," he observed, "with your brig, or indeed with the whole British navy at command, you can scarcely capture that island, especially while the pirate holds hostages so dear to you in his hands. Take my advice, attempt nothing by force; your only chance of success is by stratagem. By following a plan I will venture to suggest to you, if you will undergo the danger, which I will not deny is very great, I think there is a prospect of your being able to rescue your friends. Once, however, arouse the suspicions of the pirate and his followers, they will put the place in so strong a state of defence, and will keep so vigilant a watch over their prisoners, that an attack on the island will be useless. Remember, when I tell you this, I am well acquainted with the place and the people, and I feel assured of the soundness of my advice."

Captain Fleetwood thanked him very much, and assured him that he was eager to hear the plan he would advise him to follow.

On this, Captain Teodoro Vassilato, for such was the name of his new Greek friend, explained it to him, and promised him his assistance in carrying it out. What it was it is not necessary here to detail, as it will be fully developed in a future part of this story.

Linton sat in the boat keeping way with the Greek brig, which still glided slowly ahead, till he began to lose his patience, and at last he grew alarmed at the non-arrival of his commander. Could any treachery have been practised? he thought, and had Fleetwood's generous boldness led to his destruction? He longed to penetrate the intention of that dark mass ahead of him, which lay rolling uneasily, as the glassy swell at long intervals heaved noiselessly under her keel, as it glided onwards. He remembered, too, all the suspicions which had been entertained of the craft, and he longed to pull alongside, and to demand what had become of his captain. But he had been directed to remain where he was till his return, and he was too good a disciplinarian not to obey orders. The gig, he believed, was still alongside, with the people in her, but it was so dark, it was difficult to make that out. He had almost resolved to send Tompion in the second gig to ascertain this, when he heard the splash of oars in the water, and his doubts were soon after relieved by the return of Captain Fleetwood.

"I have kept you some time, gentlemen," said the captain. "But I have gained some important information to guide our proceedings. Now give way and follow me."

The boats were soon on board, and hoisted in, and during the night a breeze from the northward springing up, the _Ione_ continued her voyage to Cephalonia, which it was expected she would make during the course of the day. The forenoon watch had just been set, and the officers were going to breakfast, when the look-out at the mast-head, who had just gone aloft, hailed the deck to say that there was an object on the lee bow, floating deep in the water, but he could not distinguish what it was.

"What does it look like, though?" asked the first lieutenant.

"It's more like a boat bottom up, or a thick piece of timber, than anything else," was the answer; "but I think it's a boat, sir."

"It's not worth while going out of our course to ascertain," observed Linton.

"I am not so certain of that," exclaimed Saltwell. "It may be part of the wreck of the _Zodiac_. At all events, I shall inform the captain."

He accordingly went into the cabin, and on his return the ship was kept away, and Captain Fleetwood came on deck.

"Aloft there, can you see it now?" hailed Mr Saltwell.

"Yes, sir, we're steering right for it, and I make no doubt it's a boat."

The brig was making good way through the water, and soon approached the object, which proved to be a boat with her keel up. She was then hove-to, a boat was lowered to tow the swamped boat alongside. When this was done, a rope was passed under her stern, she was lifted till the tackle fall could be hooked on to the ring-bolt in it, when she was easily turned over, and as she was hoisted up the water was baled out. Every one was eager to learn what boat she was.

It was soon perceived that she had been much shattered and damaged, for the gunnel on one side had been almost knocked away, and the bows had been stove in; but the injury had been repaired by one or more coats of tarred canvas, nailed over her bow and bottom, in a very rough way. The captain at once pronounced her to be an English-built boat, but she had no name by which it could be discovered to what vessel she belonged.

"Some poor fellows have been cast away on the rocks, and tried to make their escape in her," remarked Linton. "They must have encountered another squall in that ricketty craft, and she must have capsized and drowned them all."

"It looks too like it," said Saltwell. "But if they had got on any rocks they would have taken a longer time to put her to rights. What think you of her being launched from the deck of a sinking vessel?"

"The same idea struck me," observed Mr Norton, the master. "I suspect, if we had the means of ascertaining, that she will be found to be one of the boats of the lost _Zodiac_."

"I fear it; and if so, all must have perished," said Saltwell. "It would be cruel to suggest it to the captain."

"He already has thought of that," observed the master.

"What shall we do with the boat, sir?" inquired the first lieutenant of the captain. "Shall we cast her adrift?"

"No--get her in on deck, and overhaul her more thoroughly," was the answer.

This was done; and while the carpenter was examining her, and making remarks on the curious way she had been patched up, he found, in the stern sheets, a silk handkerchief, which had been thrust into a hole, over which, evidently, there had not been time to nail any canvas. It had thus been fixed in so tightly, that the water had not been able to wash it out.

The carpenter drew it forth, and opened it.

"Ah, here is a name in a corner, which will go far to prove to whom the boat belonged," he exclaimed. "If I know how to read, these letters on it spell--'J. Bowse.' What do you say, Brown?"

"There's no doubt about it," answered the boatswain, shaking his head. "And by the same token, it belonged to the master of the _Zodiac_, for he used to be very proud of having his handkerchief marked in that way, as it was Mistress Bowse's own handy work; and, t'other day, when he was aboard of us, he, poor fellow, showed me that very handkerchief, and said his missis had worked him another set just afore he came away."

The discovery was reported to the captain; but he made no remark on it. He, apparently, had before come to the conclusion, that the boat had belonged to the unfortunate _Zodiac_.

"Land ahead," was cried out from aloft, and resounded through the ship; and before the middle of the afternoon-watch, the lofty mountains of Cephalonia rose in view, with the lower lands of Zante to the southward.

The wind freshened, and backing round more to the westward, the _Ione_ stood boldly in for the entrance of the magnificent harbour of Argostoli, and, before nightfall, anchored within a mile of the town.

Captain Fleetwood immediately hurried on shore. With a heart beating with anxiety, he made inquiries about the _Zodiac_; but nothing had been heard of her, or her passengers and crew. He did not yet despair, and taking an interpreter with him, who was strongly recommended, he returned on board, the anchor was got up, and the _Ione_ stood out of the harbour of Argostoli.

There was little chance of the grass growing under her keel. _

Read next: Chapter 19

Read previous: Chapter 17

Table of content of Pirate of the Mediterranean: A Tale of the Sea


GO TO TOP OF SCREEN

Post your review
Your review will be placed after the table of content of this book