m::^'\l 




4 








cl^/e^/*' /'iC (/j//rr//f //'/'. 




LI E> RARY 

OF THE 

UN IVLRSITY 

Of ILLINOIS 

623 

C35Gs 

V.3 



THE 



SPITFIRE, 



A TALE OF THE SEA. 



CAPTAIN CHAMIER, R.N. 



AUTHOR OF 



" THE LIFE OF A SAILOR," " JACK ADAMS," &c. 



IN THREE VOLUMES. 



VOL III. 



LONDON: 
HENRY COLBURN, PUBLISHER, 

GREAT MARLBOROUGH STREET. 

1840. 



LONDON : 
SCHULZE AND CO. 13, POLAND STUEET. 



^55 



THE SPITFIRE. 



CHAPTER I. 



Four months had elapsed since the ball; 
not a tiding had been heard — no letter came 
to remove the doubts and despondency of 
Laura Mackenzie ; and even Law's advice, as 
to her removal into Cornwall, had been un- 
avaihng. He had received no tidings of his 
client ; but the secret cause in which he was 
retained, had, by his activity, become so cer- 
tain, that had the mysterious stranger appeared, 
proceedings would instantly have been be- 
gun. 

" I would have an answer, my dear Laura,'^ 
said Lady de Lancy, as they sat alone in 

VOL. III. B 



2 THE SPITFIRE. 

solitary grandeur, '^ that I can understand. 
You see how my father's attentions increase, 
even as you seem more retiring ; come, Laura, 
do make yourself my mamma, and I will be an 
obedient child.'^ 

'^ It sounds strangely in my ears, the re- 
quest that I should marry your father, and you 
yourself are a mother ; you might call me your 
child's grandmother; and that," said Laura, 
archly, " would make me look a young and inte- 
resting bride." 

*^ Although, my dear Laura, that might 
sound strangely, as you say, divest it of all 
imagination, and the difference is really nothing 
very alarming. My father married when he 
was only twenty, and, at this moment, I am 
not yet that age ; you are nineteen — so that 
all the immense difference is only twenty 
years.'' 

" That is true," said Laura, musing; " but 
at any rate, you must admit, that in marrying 
him, I should marry a man old enough to be 
my father." 

" And so does every woman," replied Mar- 



THE SPITFIRE. 3 

garet, ^^ who marries any one sixteen years 
older than herself; it certainly is a manner of 
making the picture disagreeable ; but look 
around you, and experience will convince you 
of this fact. If the woman is older than the 
man, the marriage is generally one of con- 
venience on the part of the man, and never 
continues to run smoothly ; it is against na- 
ture, and our own minds convince us of it. If 
the parties are equal in age, the woman is never 
sufficiently disposed to give way to the opinions 
and wishes of the man ; and when both quarrel 
for a supremacy of government, the marriage 
must be unhappy, for it would be an eternal 
scene of quarrels, disputes, controverted opi- 
nions, and useless recriminations, if such is 
the case with a parity of years; five years 
would scarcely give a due preponderance, and 
ten, hardly too much ; between ten and fifteen, 
there is but little to quarrel about, and having 
got as far as fifteen, an additional five years is 
not worth arguing about.^' 

" Well done, indeed, Margaret ; you should 
have followed your father's profession, you 

B 2 



4 THE SPITFIRE. 

would soon learn to make the worse the better 
cause, and to persuade your listeners that mar- 
rying a man who is a grandfather, to a girl 
of nineteen, is much more desirable than to 
marry her to one she loves, of twenty-four 
years of age. I admire the good feeling which 
leads you to support your father's pretensions, 
but you must excuse me, if I become a judge 
in my own case, examine the evidences of my 
own heart, and sum up differently from your 
expectations.'^ 

" I own I am warm in the cause, Laura ; 
and perhaps my own personal convenience 
renders me more so. You see how we are 
situated — not a soul comes near this large and 
frowning castle, to me, a prison only enlivened 
by your society ; of course, then, I am anxious 
to preserve the being, who makes my life com- 
paratively comfortable. We should be one 
family — all friends.^' 

" And yet," said Laura, " I doubt much the 
friendship which really exists between Sir 
Ronald and your father; one seems always 
sneaking as if the other was afraid of him ; 



THE SPITFIRE. 5 

the frown of your husband is answered by the 
imperative look of your father ; and occasion- 
ally the words are sharp and angry between 
them. Now, we could be the same friends, 
and live in this castle, if I were married to 
Albert." 

Margaret started ; but women, even with 
themselves, require much thought to evade a 
question or prompt a reply. ^^ Albert and 
his brother have quarrelled — where is he ? who 
can find him ? what are all his useless vows of 
affection, when he disappears like a shadow, 
and is no longer seen ? Months have elapsed 
and no letter has arrived for you ; why, it is 
common charity to believe him dead, rather 
than forgetful of his vows." 

Margaret knew her ground well; the very 
word, dead, changed all the current of her 
thoughts ; and leaving the vulnerable part of 
Margaret's sentence without attack, she merely 
ejaculated " Dead !" 

" Yes," continued Lady de Lancy, ^^ dead. 
Has he ever failed to write to you before ? If 
he commands a ship, and traffics with India, 



6 THE SPITFIRE. 

although the voyage is long, and oftentimes 
perilous, yet has he ever found means of con- 
veyance for his letters ; and even when busied 
in robbing some merchant of Montezuma's 
plume, even then from Mexico, a place almost 
unknown to us, excepting from fabulous his- 
tory, which has paved the streets with gold, 
Hke a second El Dorado, even then, his letters 
came. If he lives, he has forgotten you; if he 
is dead, the sooner he is forgotten the bet- 
ter." 

^^ I know, Margaret, you say this without 
any intention of hurting my feelings, but you 
wound them most dreadfully, and wound me 
in a manner difficult, indeed, to be cured ; still, 
I can alleviate the pain I cannot entirely ob- 
literate, by affirming my unaltered intention 
to be true to him, and never allow another to 
occupy his place, until I am certain that death 
has removed him beyond all doubt, all possi- 
bility of his return. I am not insensible to 
your father's kindness, but I could live here 
with Albert, and be happy ; but with your 
father for my husband, I must be miserable. 



THE SPITFIRE. 7 

I will not hurt your feelings by a further allu- 
sion to my constancy, which neither fortune 
nor circumstances can change." 

" Poor girl/' said Margaret, with a show of 
pity, " poor girl ! it is hard to live on, and 
each day to confirm your worst fears. Tell 
me, how much longer time will you give me 
to resume this conversation ? If, at the end of 
a month from this day, no letter arrives. Law 
*is ignorant, and that doting wizard, Herbert 
has not seen him, will you consent to be my 
father's wife ?" 

" I cannot answer that to you, which should 
be answered to him -, before that time, we shall 
have intelligence of Albert; but if at its expira- 
tion there should come no tidings, then I will 
promise you to lend a more wiUing ear than 
at present to the communication." 

" But,'' said Margaret, willing by detraction 
to do more than she could hope to do by 
argument, " the public papers might mention 
his execution ; the deserters, in these times, 
are shot — or hung — " 



8 THE SPITFIRE. 

" But your husband would avert such a 
disgrace to his name ?'^ 

" My husband is a patriot, he knows no 
good but his country's good; examples pre- 
vent a repetition of offence, and the im- 
partiality of the law, which would condemn 
the high as well as the lowly born, is the 
pride of our countrymen. It would be im- 
politic to interfere with a just administration 
of the law/* 

" It would be a crime to allow a brother to 
perish without an effort to save him." 

" We should try of course my dear, to move 
Sir Ronald to apply to the government, but — " 

" But,*' interrupted Laura, with great emo- 
tion, '^ the certain death of the brother would 
be no very disagreeable news/' 

^' Remember your promise of the month — " 

" My word is pledged, and that is sacred/^ 

This comfortable little fencing, with the 
peculiar sharpness of the thrusts and probes, 
did not inhance the friendship of these ladies ; 
Laura was satisfied that either her prospects of 
wealth, her jewels, or some unknown cause 



THE SPITFIRE. 9 

Operated to make this marriage so desirable to 
Margaret; and yet Rawlinson lived in good 
style, was lavish of his presents, and was ever 
ready to dip his hand into his pocket. If Laura 
mentioned the wants of the poor, he never re- 
laxed in his endeavours to alleviate the distress 
of the poor orphan, and his daughter never lost 
an opportunity of forwarding his views ; yet 
there was no certainty of wealth, the uncle, 
although Laura agreed to every proposition of 
Mr. Law's, still continued to make further 
propositions, to require larger sums to be 
added to him, and Rawlinson invariably re- 
commended Laura to acquiesce in all demands, 
however unjust. He seemed so generously 
disposed, that the match could not be for 
money ; when once that point was established 
in her mind, love began to make a little 
advance, for there are few who are insensible 
to the undeviating kindness of a fellow crea- 
ture; it must engender friendship, and friend- 
ship is the gravel walk to the shrubbery of 
love. 

The time passed, the family evenings were 

b3 



10 THE SPITFIRE. 

more sociable ; only one retained his austerity, 
only one seemed to have a heaviness of heart, 
which no time could chase away. Sir Ronald 
was ever silent, ever cheerless 5 the wit ofRaw- 
linson on his exquisite mimickry of the country 
folks although it convulsed the ladies, never 
drew the slightest smile from the face of Sir 
Ronald : he was ever lost in his own thoughts, 
ever disposed to silence and restraint ; he had 
been informed of Laura's answers to his wife's 
request ; the time stole on, and the day before 
the total elapse of the month arrived. 

They had breakfasted, and merry were the 
looks of Rawlinson and his daughter at their 
victim. But Sir Ronald never appeared to 
notice them ; he had, on entering the room, 
taken her hand^ and in a whisper, conveyed his 
wish, that she should come secretly to his 
library. She rather startled at his proposi- 
tion, but resolved to obey the summons. She 
thought perhaps, that Sir Ronald was about to 
offer her some present^ or to give that, which 
the privilege of age sanctions — the unwelcome 
article, advice. Laura was all kindness, all 



THE SPITFIRE. 11 

compliance ; she was innocent of the world and 
its ways, and could not believe that people 
would commit a bad action, when they had 
apparently nothing to gain by so doing; her 
mother had taught her, that honesty prospered, 
whilst sooner or later, dishonesty was dis- 
covered and disgraced. She therefore viewed 
all round her as her best and truest friends ; 
for no motive but friendship could be assigned 
for her long visit, excepting the growing affec- 
tion of Rawlinson. 

No sooner was that early meal finished, at 
which Rawhnson latterly had always been a 
guest, than Laura, with timid steps, entered 
the sanctum of Sir Ronald. She found the 
Baronet hard at his studies — the bible was 
the object ; he was endeavouring to trace 
whether the reformed church could lay claim 
to be the representative of the primitive 
church, and how far the Romanist, by having 
forced into their tenets, certain opinions, which 
they say are traditional, had separated itself 
from the church in the time of Ireneus, 



12 THE SPITFIRE. 

Clement and Polycarp. It was a subject upon 
which Sir Ronald loved to dwell, for in the 
dissensions of the various churches, he was 
led to imagine, that the truth was not firm in 
either, and hence he shaped his course his 
own way and endeavoured to reconcile to 
himself the strange doctrines he believed. He 
carefully placed a mark in the book, and scratch- 
ed the margin with his nail, as if to resume 
on another occasion the search which amused 
him. 

" Sit down, Miss Mackenzie,'^ he said ; " I 
claim half an hour's conversation with you, on 
a point of much importance. I am informed, 
that to-morrow you are to give my wife a 
promise, to receive the addresses of Mr. Raw- 
linson, — nay, hang not down your head, the most 
excellent, the most virtuous, the mildest, the 
meekest of your sex, need not blush to own a 
well placed attachment; marriage is the object 
of your Hves, it is the beacon, the light for 
which you anxiously watch, until you either 
reach the harbour in security, or are wrecked 



THE SPITFIRE. 13 

on the hopeless rocks, which peep through the 
surface of the water, and on which to guard 
you from them, the beacon is placed. I ven- 
ture to ask you a plain question, which you, 
as a sensible girl, under my roof and protection, 
may answer as fearlessly, as if you addressed 
your father. Are your affections placed upon 
Rawhnson, or upon my brother ?'' 

" I answer the question. Sir Ronald, relying 
upon your promise of respect. I have no 
disguise ; I have told your wife that I loved 
your brother, and I love him still, although 
the pride of our sex might justly complain 
of his neglect. It is, I fear, a bad act, but I 
have allowed my pride to better my feelings ; 
it is a species of revenge upon him for his 
neglect, that has allowed me, for one moment, 
to encourage Mr. Rawhnson.'^ 

" The world,'^ said Sir Ronald, in his caustic 
manner, " accuse your sex of the weakness of 
babbling, and add, that a secret known to one 
woman, is shortly confided to another, and 
enlarges its circles as a stone thrown into 
water ; nay, men have been found to declare 



14 THE SPITFIRE. 

that a woman only keeps one secret, and that 
is the secret of her own dishonour ; — that you 
are prone to prattle, is certain ; but that you 
are deficient always in prudence, I doubt. On 
me depends your happiness, or your misery. 
Nay, start not, I shall not harm you ; if your 
skin was as fine as a butterfly's wing, not the 
slightest spot should be seen from my touch. 
Can yoUy you a woman, keep a sec]:et, which 
concerns yourself ?" 

Sir Ronald asked the question in his com- 
mon, slow, impressive, manner, at the same 
time, looking as if he doubted the possibihty 
of such a wonderful and almost unnatural 
effort. 

" Sir," Laura replied, with all the dignity 
of an offended woman, " if you disbelieve the 
power of our sex to keep a secret, why 
do you insult the sex by offering one?" 

" Miracles have occurred," said Sir Ronald, 
" and in these latter days are beUeved ; let a 
miracle be wrought upon you ; keep the secret 
which I shall relate to you, carefully; and, 
above all, do not whisper it : nay, not the 



THE SPITFIRE. J 5 

slightest intimation of it must be given, for 
upon you the bolt would fall, not upon 
me." 

Laura*s curiosity was excited, the allusion to 
some personal mischief lurked under the last 
expression, and her fears were in no way alle- 
viated by regarding the cold, fixed, features of 
the Baronet, who seemed as immoveable as a 
statue. *' I beg you, Sir Ronald, to continue ; 
the adversities I have already suffered have 
purchased me some experience, and I think 
after your remark and caution I can venture, 
even without the miracle, to keep close here 
the secret with which you intrust me.'^ 

" It may seem rude, nay harsh — but I advise 
it ; leave Raven Castle as soon after to-morrow 
as possible j if you love Albert, cherish that 
love ; before long he will appear again. If you 
see him," he said with much earnestness, " tell 
him a repentant brother sues for his forgive- 
ness, and join your endeavours to my words 
for that which has hitherto rendered me un- 
happy. To-morrow, give your answer boldly ; 
say you love Albert, and that you cannot 



16 THE SPITFIRE. 

reconcile yourself to the paltry excuse of female 
revenge ; attribute his silence to its proper 
cause ; not to neglect, but to miscarriage ; the 
seas are treacherous, and the voracious wave 
bursts upon the reeling vessel and sinks her. 
It is possible your letters might be lost ; wait 
and do not, for a moment's pique, allow a vil- 
lain, a heartless villain, to clutch such innocence 
as that.'' 

Laura startled ; the brother had sued for 
forgiveness to an offended brother ; and now 
rose up in all bitterness against the father of 
his wife ; — she stood eagerly watching him, and 
never attempted to answer, 

" You do wisely," he continued ; " whenever 
a man is incHned to garrulity, hsten and learn 
his mind ; it is sufficient to answer, when the 
answer urges him to a reply. The word vil- 
lain, I leave in your heart to ponder over ; give 
him no licence to talk or to dally with you ; be 
to him civil but firm ; haughty when the inso- 
lence of his glance falls upon you, proud, and 
dignified when he addresses you. Give him 
no excuse for being byyour i^ide, but write this 



THE SPITFIRE. 17 

day to Mr. Law and place yourself under his 
protection ; but of this letter say not one word; 
ask him to come down and receive you ins- 
tantly; and mind that, for to-morrow, answer, 
another week is requisite. You must not crush 
that villain's hopes entirely, and moreover from 
to-morrow you must never leave this castle's 
gate, nay, not a furlong, until you leave it alto- 
gether. Before long, you will return to it, and 
I shall be happier in your return. I have done 
one good action ; let me beg of you to think of 
these words in the solitude of your owm cham- 
ber." He led her to the door, bowed, and in 
an instant was alone. 

When villains work, the eyes of some are 
ever on the alert ; Laura found Margaret in her 
room, and in spite of her summoning her best 
courage to her aid, she found herself trembhng 
like a leaf. 

'' You have been long, Laura ; I should have 
been jealous of your beauty and its power, bu 
that I know your goodness. Come, relate to me 
your secret conversation?" 

Laura hesitated, then turning suddenly round 



18 THE SPITFIRE. 

she kissed her friend and said, " It related to 
nothing very particular/' 

" I know him better, Laura, he never has 
had any one in his study these two years, half 
so long as you have been there this day ; you 
could not have gazed at each other in stupid 
silence all this time ; Sir Ronald^s eyes only 
fatigue themselves over books, and his tongue 
breaks its restraint only when my father or 
Blackburn are present. Come, Laura, begin, 
there can be no secret between my husband 
and yourself; no, that is impossible, and if 
the impossibility could be erased, so improper 
that I will not grow jealous by suspicion.*' 

^' I cannot answer you more than this. Sir 
Ronald implied that Albert lived, and would 
soon be here." 

Lady de Lancy started from her seat, 
" Here 1'^ she exclaimed " here ! then let him 
come, for my resolve is taken ;" she instantly 
left the room and Laura was pleased at the 
unusual solitude of her chamber. For some time 
she pondered over the advice, and she felt 
from Margaret's sudden manner that she had 



THE SPITFIRE. 19 

betrayed that which it would have been more 
advantageous to have denied. She locked her 
door, fearing from the injunction not to leave 
the castle, that some danger was at hand, and 
yet, who from ? Margaret was her only friend, 
and Rawlinson her professed admirer ; but as 
her invitation to remain at Raven Castle had 
evidently ceased, she resolved to act up to 
every word she had heard, and she sat down 
and wrote to Mr. Law. She felt some fear, as 
she resolved to go that instant and put the 
letter in the post herself. She had to pass Lady 
de Lancy's chamber ; there, not intentionally, 
she overheard some words between Rawlinson 
and his daughter ; the former was just with 
some anger asserting : " I tell you it is impos- 
sible, we cannot do it before to-morrow, I am 
not ready^ neither is Blackburn here ; he has 
gone to his sick mother, and returns late to- 
night.'' 

" A curse upon the weakness," said Marga- 
ret, " which needs the aid of another to secure 
a child." Laura passed on ; her heart beat vio- 
lently ; she skimmed like a shadow through the 



20 THE SPITFIRE. 

large and desolate apartments, and ran to the 
village ; she placed the letter in the box, and 
felt all the relief a general would experience, 
who, being nearly surrounded, finds means to 
send his order for the approach of a near ally. 

Margaret met her on her return. " You must 
have been anxious about your letter. Laura ; 
why trouble yourself about that which is every 
day done by a servant. Now, may I ask to 
whom you wrote ?" 

'^ To Mr. Law,'^ replied Laura. 

" You have ever consulted my father about 
that correspondence, why now desert his ad- 
vice and trust to your own ; women's letters 
seldom are conclusive in the eyes of legal men. 
Of course you kept a copy ?" 

" No," replied Laura, " on this occasion, 
I never made a copy.'' 

^^ I guess it,'' said Margaret with a laugh, 
^' I guess it, you foolish girl, you have written 
to Law to ask your last hope as to Albert's 
return ; that is it, you dare not deny it, for you 
ever speak the truth. Come, tell me, girl, have 
I guessed right ?" 



THE SPITFIRE. 21 

*^ Not exactly, Margaret/^ replied Laura, as 
she endeavoured to pass on to her room. 

" Oh, then you have written for more money 
to give to the poor. Remember, Laura, I have 
fifty pounds of yours, and that is surely enough 
to give in charity in our small village ; to be 
sure the poor all bless you for a guardian saint, 
and as you pass, the boys and girls bow down 
to you as the mistress of Raven Castle — was 
that the object of your letter ?" 

*^ I do not want money, Margaret ; I am too 
poor to do all I could wish for the needy, and 
if I was even at the last shilling of my money 
here and wanted more, I would not insult your 
friendship by applying for it elsewhere.'^ 

" Ah ! you cunning girl, that is evading the 
question. I asked if that was the purport of 
the letter ?" 

" No," replied Laura in a good humour, 
" puzzle your ingenuity a little more, and, I 
will answer for it, you do not guess the sub- 
ject ; when meet I you next dear, you shall try 
again." 

Laura rushed past her and threw herself 



22 THE SPITFIRE. 

upon the sofa in her own room^ whilst Lady de 
Lancy, baffled in her hope, felt the desire of 
fathoming this incident more and more. She 
walked slowly to and fro, in the long drawing 
room, her eyes resting upon the broad expanse 
of the ocean ; there was a speck upon it, the 
glass magnified it into a ship. 



THE SPITFIRE. 23 



CHAPTER II. 

Ever since the appearance of the Jew and 
the Spaniard at Raven Castle^ a very good look 
out had been estabhshed, and Blackburn had 
been, from his peculiar cleverness in distinguish- 
ing a smuggler from a coaster, or the coaster 
smuggler appointed as a kind of signal man ; 
but as days and months had elapsed and no ves- 
sel had appeared likely to be officered by such a 
man as Albert, the vigilance relapsed into 
indifference, and half the schooners from Balti- 
more might have landed at the only landing 
place, and no notice have been taken of them. 
The sudden discovery of this vessel, which 
Lady de Lancy had honoured by noticing ; her 
coming at the very moment when her anxiety 
was the greatest, the cunning manner Laura 
had evaded her questions, and the circum- 



24 THE SPITFIRE. 

stance of the letter, made the sudden discovery 
of this vessel an object of more interest than 
if half the navy had manoeuvred off the coast. 
A note was instantly dispatched to Rawlinson, 
and the dark looking Blackburn was placed on 
the look out. The vessel, although a very 
rakish looking craft, skimmed by with a fair 
wind, and soon was lost in the distance, to 
leeward. 

^' She is gone. Sir," said Blackburn ; " and 
without the wind changes she could not regain 
her ground until to-morrow.'* 

" That's right," said Rawlinson : " shut that 
door ', when you and I talk, we don't want any 
long-eared nimble-tongued women to overhear 
us ; firstly, what brought you back before your 
time ?" 

" I went faster than I thought : I met a 
man in a gig, who gave me a lift on the road, 
and I was equally fortunate in my return.'' 

*^ Why it's a miracle man, two gigs going 
along so deserted a road as this ! Well, you got 
to the cottage — now go on." 

" It's just the place as will suit your purpose, 



THE SPITFIRE. 25 

Sir. It stands at least a quarter of a mile from 
theroad^andisnot visiblefrom it; it is small, tidy, 
and comfortable — a woman might scream murder 
until her throat was sore, and no blessed crea- 
ture but an old woman of seventy understand 
the language." 

" Does she live in the house ?" 

" At present ; but she is to go to a small 
kind of gardener's house which is not far off, 
yet far enough to be out of sight and hearing ; 
or if you particularly require it, I can put her 
out of both.'' 

^^ Did you make any agreement about the 
price ?" 

" I said I wanted it for myself, for three 
months during the winter ; that I was fond of 
rummaging the mountains for birds, and that 
for the present, an uncle of mine who had just 
married a young woman, would live in it, but 
that I should come and see them safe.'' 

" Did you mention when the young lady 
would arrive ?" 

^' I said in a few days ; in the mean time, 1 told 
them to light some fires, for the house felt cold, 

VOL. III. C 



26 THE SPITFIRE. 

and asked the old woman to put on her spec- 
tacles and dislodge some spiders which seem to 
have the range of the apartments unmo- 
lested/' 

'^ It is all well arranged ; but did you see if 
there were any kitchen utensils ?" 

" Quite enough for three of us ; the old lady 
says she can cook a bit, when she can get it to 
cook, but that for the last month she has not 
seen a soul with a blue apron and steel hanging 
to him, and poor old soul she doubted, if the 
butchers had not left the country and gone to 
town to see the illuminations for the large ship 
fight, that I told her about/' 

" We must send some things there to-mor- 
row, and then all is prepared." 

" Aye ! all, but one thing -, you forget, mas- 
ter, that in these concerns any rope in England 
might be strong enough to hang all concerned. 
Now I have no doubt that when it came to the 
law of the business, you would slip your neck out 
of the noose and leave me to dangle at the 
gibbets ; and so before we begin, I should like 
to touch a little of the blunt/^ 



THE SPITFIRE. 27 

*' What will you undertake to get her in 
safety there for ?'* 

^^ Why, if am to find carriage, and get one as 
won't say a word that is English you know, 
and place her there until you come and feed 
the Uke of her well, and run the risk of being 
hung in the bargain. I am thinking, thirty 
pounds not too much to ask." 

" Say twenty, and I'll pay the money." 

^' Gentlemen ought never to quarrel about 
trifles, split the difference, say twenty-five 
pounds ; give us twenty now, and the five 
when it's all snug V 

" Pve no objection to come into half the 
proposition, but I propose it should be reversed, 
that is, that I give you five pounds now, and 
the twenty when the job^s done." 

" Well, I knows your honor well ; you never 
went from your word as a matter of business 
yet, and so^ as you see, I'll agree to it. Count 
them out in gold, they always look so 
pretty." 

'' There, take your five pounds, and now it's 
understood." 

C 2 



2R THE SPITFIRE. 

" Yes, the money part ; understood well 
enough, but how is the job to be done ?" 

" You must look out like a cat after its prey, 
and pounce upon her when she takes those 
sentimental walks, about four o'clock." 

^^ But suppose it rains, and she does not 
walk, why I shall be obliged to pay for the 
chaise, and soon have no more of this money 
than would jingle on a tombstone." 

'^ Don't take her in a post-chaise, you lout 
you, get your own covered cart with a trotter 
in it, place her out of sight, then what nobody 
sees, nobody suspects.'* 

" You are a man of wisdom, surely," said 
Blackburn, " lord love me, why I intended to 
take her like a lady." 

" Take her in a hearse if you like, only take 
her." 

"The day. Sir?" 

" Any day after to-morrow ; here take this key 
of the shrubbery, it will admit you by the gate 
opposite. Sir Ronald you know will not no- 
tice your being there, and Lady de Lancy will 
imagine you were sent to assist the gardener. 



THE SPITFIRE. 2.9 

By the bye, I will arrange that, it mil give you 
a risrht to be there at all times — be here to- 
morrow at twelv^e.'^ 

" I shan't fail, if you desire it.'' 

" Prudence, Blackburn, prudence ; do not 
go to the public house and show the money, 
or boast of having so much in your possession, 
it would excite suspicion, and the rector's mind 
is not at rest about that pocket handkerchief, 
although he has ascertained that Herbert is 
alive. You must appear poor, although you 
will soon grow rich. Does Sir Ronald ever 
speak to you now?" 

^^ Yes, Sir ; whenever he meets me, he gives 
me something and so on, but he never men- 
tions that^ you know." 

^^ Good, Blackburn, that will do ; be here to 
your time, and remember, that those who faith- 
fully serve me, I never forget." 

" No l" said Blackburn, as he got clear of 
the house, " and hang me if ever I intend you 
shall; this is a good business, and I'll turn 
it to more advantage than smuggling. The 
key of the shrubbery that leads right to the 



30 THE SPITFIRE. 

back part of the house where the plate is 
sometimes left : if I do it^ who will accuse me ? 
Sir Ronald^ no, he is safe, this red headed fel- 
low ? — There's little fear of that ; but one at a 
time ; I do his business for him now, and I 
mistake if the lout — I shan't forget that in a 
hurry, won't return him the compliment with 
interest; why, what if she screams a bit, 
Johnny can drive the cart, and I can gag her, 
only these young ones have such sharp voices, 
and open their mouths so wide, that it requires 
a truss of straw to choke them. Now, I'll just 
go home and teach Johnny to drive a bit, for 
as to work, I've given up that for the next 
three months. Cold weather in the morning 
never agreed with me yet, and my wife likes late 
breakfasts." Thus murmuring to himself, the 
worst person in the parish walked leisurely 
home, only occasionally stopping to call some of 
his old friends by their names, asking them 
how they liked toiling like dray horses, and 
shaking his pockets, promised them some beer 
if they did their work well. 

It was not of course unobserved by the 



THE SPITFIRE. 31 

neighbours how comfortable Mrs. Blackburn 
appeared, how little she worked, how well her 
children were dressed, how idle was her hus- 
band, and how frequently he was to be seen 
at dusk walking suspiciously towards the coast ; 
yet smuggling was rarely heard of, and no 
thefts disgraced the village ; but one thing was 
evident, Blackburn was always unemployed ; 
but Blackburn had always more money in his 
pockets, and was more boisterous from his 
punctuahty of payment at the pubhc house, 
than any one of its frequenters. On the day 
in question he was peculiarly facetious ; and 
although he seemed much elated, he seemed 
more cautious than usual. 

The following day was the one on which 
Laura was to give her answer ; and on that 
morning she was later, and Margaret earlier 
than ever ; no letters had arrived, and the 
usual arguments of the infidelity of men, and 
the base usage to which the female sex were 
habituated, were resorted to. Rawlinson, 
from a matter of delicacy, was not present, so 



32 THE SPITFIRE. 

the tea and toast arguments and remarks, went 
on much as usual. 

" Come, Laura/' said Margaret, " you must 
see how anxious I am to contribute to the 
happiness of my father ; what is your determi- 
nation ; you fixed upon this day yourself, and 
therefore I have less hesitation in asking you. 
I am well aware that your modesty would have 
prevented your speaking, and therefore I began 
the subject." 

Laura for some moments was silent 3 she did 
not wish to give her pain from whom she had 
received so much kindness -, but her mind was 
made up, and delay only made the matter 
worse, as it rendered her subject to the accusa- 
tion of duplicity. " I have, Margaret, come 
to the determination to which I intend to 
adhere ; I have long in silence, and in secrecy, 
nursed the love I have confessed for Albert, 
that love would have died a secret, had not 
Albert's confession of it in the ball-room made 
it public ; he left me under a sacred promise, 
that nothing but his death should prevent his 



THE SPITFIRE. 33 

return. It is true he has never written one 
word, but the letters may have miscarried. 
It is true he has not returned, but the winds 
might not have been propitious, or the voyage 
so expeditiously made as he had calculated ; 
besides, Margaret, I have a scruple which I 
shall mention, firstly imploring you not to 
think I mean it as any thing personal. I can- 
not so quickly change ; I have examined my 
heart, and find it wholly his — and do not be 
angry with me, I cannot so suddenly change from 
youth to a grandfather ; your kindness to me 
merits this explanation. I see his attentions, 
but I cannot return his affection. I therefore 
feel myself the means of creating some unhap- 
piness, which I would not do intentionally on 
this ground, for I never can be sufficiently 
grateful to you ; it is my intention to leave the 
castle within a day or two." 

^*' And that,'^ interrupted Margaret, " was 
the subject of your letter to Mr. Law ?'* 

" It was ; I expect him down to-morrow 
night, and I have no doubt you will be, ac- 



c 3 



34 THE SPITFIRE. 

cording to your known hospitality, delighted 
to see him for one night." 

" As your friend, my dear Laura, he is most 
welcome, but he is so wayward a man, that I 
doubt if he will accept of the invitation." 

There was a sneering manner in the expres- 
sion, a lighting up of the countenance which 
now blazed with anger, that even Laura, inno- 
cent as she was, could not mistake, she burst 
into tears, and rushing towards Margaret, said, 
" Forgive me, dear Margaret, for the displea- 
sure I have occasioned you ; but it is no easy 
matter for one so deeply engaged to Albert, 
to remodel her heart, to rub out all that has 
rendered so many days of happiness, and to fill 
the void occasioned by such an event, by to 
me, almost a stranger." 

^' A stranger, why he has known you twice 
the time of Albert." 

" Time is time, but love measures not time 
by its minutes : it flies when with those we 
love, it lingers long, terribly long, when we are 
not so disposed." 



THE SPITFIRE. 35 

" I am sorry, my dear/' said Margaret, 
rising, "that you have found your sojourn here 
so terribly long. I had hoped that you were 
comfortable, during the time your prospects 
were in jeopardy, and I regret even the small 
time you have to remain, since those long 
flagging hours may linger into months in ima- 
gination, in the presence of those you cannot 
love." 

" Unkind, ungenerous Margaret,^' said 
Laura, rising from her seat, " all that gratitude 
for a great kindness can demand, I owe and 
cheerfully acknowledge the debt to you, — nay, 
1 can never forget it, and I should well merit 
the name of the most ungrateful of women, if I 
did not acknowledge it ; but still it is my duty 
to speak plainly on the other subject. That I 
have done ; and I feel my heart relieved, by 
having boldly declared that no other shall 
reign here, whilst Albert de Lancy lives." 

" It is useless saying more ; I will instantly 
relate your determination to my father ; he will 
no longer intrude his unwelcome company upon 
Miss Laura Mackenzie. You may dry those 



36 THE SPITFIRE. 

tears, they make the eyes unbecomingly red ; 
but I forget, as you have no lover to rebuke 
your appearance, it is indifferent ; — pray do not 
allow the servant for whom I have rung to wit- 
ness the finale of this scene, remember Mr. 
Law is most welcome." 

Laura rushed to her room, and there gave 
vent to her sorrows; there was not one to whom 
she could communicate her grief; the gaunt 
severe countenance of Sir Ronald, although it 
had once relaxed into kindness, was not very 
inviting for a young lady. Margaret's manner 
was enough to rebuke the greatest affection ; 
and Rawlinson she hated; even the lady's-maid 
she knew she could not trust; and perhaps there 
is no moment so truly distressing to the young 
and the innocent, as when they have a load upon 
their minds, and can find no kind spirit to share 
in, or to listen to the tale. 

From Laura's window she overlooked the 
shrubbery ; she saw the servant run with a 
note to Rawlinson's house, and she saw the 
man return with the answer ; she felt lighter, 
the news was communicated, there was nothing 



THE SPITFIRE. 37 

more to be concealed ; but she had yet a pang 
to suffer. The servant brought back a note for 
her, in which Mr. RawUnson pathetically re- 
gretted her determination, and promised no 
longer to intrude his society upon that of 
Laura's, at the same time mentioning his 
willingness to assist her, to the utmost of his 
power, in any legal matters, should such ne- 
cessity arise before the appearance of Mr. 
Law. 

The letter was scarcely read before Lady de 
Lancy entered ; her eyes were red, her coun- 
tenance apparently humbled; she began by soli- 
citing pardon for her former haste and unkind- 
ness, it was merely the moment of disappoint- 
ment. She had so much dwelt upon the hope, 
that she could not command her prudence or 
her temper, when that hope was dashed to the 
ground; she had pictured to herself the 
delight her father would have experienced, 
by the announcement that his affections had 
been favourably received; his letter was written 
in the meekest manner, it breathed his love 



38 THE SPITFIRE. 

for Laura^ but excused her determination on 
the score of his age. 

" It is now over, dear Laura ; you will feel 
yourself relieved from the conscientious dis- 
charge of your duty, and my father will seek 
elsewhere a companion, now he can no longer 
hope to share his hfe with you. Come, child, 
dry your tears, you are a good girl to weep at 
the pain you unconsciously give another, and I 
love you more since I have seen how firm you 
are, when placed in so trying a situation ; the 
fresh air will revive us both, shall we ride to- 
day?'' 

The sudden change in Lady de Lancy's 
countenance, as she asked the question, the 
strict caution, nay injunction, of Sir Ronald, 
alarmed Laura ; and she refused upon the plea 
that her head ached most violently, and that 
the motion of the horse would render it worse. 

" As you like," said Lady de Lancy. '•• My 
dear, I feel always better for a rapid ride, when 
I am low spirited ; there is nothing exhilarates 
so much as the quick pace ; I shall ride and 



THE SPITFIRE. 39 

only regret that I have not you for a compa- 
nion/' 

" Does Sir Ronald go with you, Marga- 
ret ?'' 

" No, I shall be all alone and melancholy 
from solitude, but I advise you to walk if you 
do not ride. At this time of the year, we must 
avail ourselves of every moment, for soon the 
snow and the bleak winds, will keep us at 
home.'* 

" I can take my usual turn in the garden^ 
by and bye, when no one wiU see how wretched 
I have been throughout the day ; believe me, 
dear Margaret, there is no pang like that we 
feel we inflict upon another ; the revengeful 
and the mean watch the effect of the word they 
utter, and feel an inexpressible pleasure in wit- 
nessing the pain it occasions ; the innocent and 
the bold shrink from inflicting a wound they 
would not openly avow, I trust in an hour or 
two I shall feel better, in the mean time, I envy 
you the ride I could not now enjoy." 

" It will give you some occupation, dear 
Laura, to collect a nosegay, there are but few 



40 THE SPITFIRE. 

flowers left in the garden, but yet towards the 
little gate there are some. That warm corner 
always supplies us, when the pride of the par- 
terre is flown. 

" I will bring you the best the garden af- 
fords, be assured ; now good bye, do not lose the 
fine part of the day in talking to me ; there is a 
large cloud gathering and you will have some 
rain." 

Laura was alone ; she now weighed the ap- 
parently frivolous conversation of Margaret. 
Throughout she saw one drift, to get her out of 
the house, if even for a walk ; whilst the words 
of Sir Ronald evidently uttered to warn her of 
some danger, were imperative as to her re- 
maining close at home ; and yet, argued the in- 
nocent girl, what danger can await me in the 
premises of the magistrate ; he who can, 
by one dash of his pen avert impending danger, 
and who if aware of such danger, is ever the 
first to guard against it. It must have been 
meant as a caution to me, not to throw myself 
in the way of Rawlinson, who might insult me 
by a repetition of his offer, even after so posi- 



THK SPITFIRE. 41 

tive a refusal. Who can enter into this garden ? 
and if twenty entered, who could within bow 
shot of the house insult me^? and yet the words 
were imperative, he said : '^ never leave this 
castle's gate, even for a furlong ;" and then, I 
was not flatly to refuse him, but to dally with 
his aflfections until the week expired, this I 
have omitted ; my honour rose against dupli- 
city, I could not reconcile myself to such an 
act ; for then I should have nurtured what I 
intended to blight. These, and such thoughts 
occupied the mind of I^aura, as she began to 
select several of her choicest goods, and w4th 
peculiar care amused herself in packing them 
for the long journey she had to make; the 
jewel case was her greatest care, there was the 
splendid plume, sparkling in the bright day- 
light ; she placed it on her head and with a httle 
of that vanity which prevents a lady from pass- 
ing a looking glass without looking into it, she 
boldly faced the mirror, and varied the position 
of the magnificent jewellery, as it best suited 
her fair and delicate features. Others were 
tried, the whole box was emptied; she then 



42 THE SPITFIRE. 

busied herself in taking a list of the articles 
with the descriptions of them, and then for 
the first time, she became aware of the large 
fortune she possessed, and the delicacy of Al- 
bert in thus placing within her reach a suffi- 
ciency, an elegant sufficiency in the event of 
his death. At last even the female love of 
looking at trinkets, of handling ornaments and 
at gazing at one's own face, (the last lasts the 
longest,) ceased ; the box was carefully enve- 
loped in tliick paper, and it was directed to 
Mr. Law's house —or chambers — in Chancery 
Lane. 

The weather was still fine, the nosegay pro- 
mised, and Laura the pretty innocent Laura 
was soon equipped ready for her walk; she 
gave a last look at the glass — what female heart 
can resist this innocent gratification ? and with 
a sigh, occasioned perhaps by the recollections 
of him who had so generously shielded her 
against poverty, she descended the stairs and 
walked to the garden. As she passed, she saw 
Blackburn dressed like a gardener — for gardeners 
have uniforms — was busily employed in turning 



THE SPITFIRE. 43 

over some ground ; she was for some time close 
to him before he spoke, he then addressed her 
with great civiUty and respect saying, that there 
were some flowers further down, whilst those 
which she was now gathering were nearly faded, 
those beyond were in their best bloom. " I'll 
show you where they are,'^ he continued, and 
walking onwards he led the way towards the 
little gate, which opened not far from Rawlin- 
son's house; Laura well knew that through 
that gate Rawlinson passed and repassed, and 
she was apprehensive that her ill luck might 
throw her in his way, and subject her to some 
very unpleasant conversation; Blackburn stopp- 
ed to dig up a weed and Laura passed him. 

" Now I have her,'^ said the cool villain to 
himself, " and yet how to open that cursed gate 
to force her through ? all is ready outside, it is 
but one effort, and in a moment she would be 
safe.'' Such were the first ideas of the villain, 
but the possession of the key led him to hope 
that he might, in the first place, possess him- 
self of the jewels, which had often been the 
subject of conversation in the village. The 



44 THE SPITFIRE. 

Jew*s visit had been babbled in the servant's 
hall, and all things done in a castle, or all 
things done in a country village, serve by the 
excitement they give, to dissipate the horrid 
monotony of such human banishments ; hence 
old tattlers and retailers of gossip and scandal 
congregate in villages, or exist in country 
towns. 

Laura was in the act of gathering the flowers 
when the unhesitating villain got close to her, 
he had wound up his resolution to the deed, 
and was on the point of advancing when Sir 
Ronald's deep voice, was heard calling upon 
Blackburn ; he startled, so did Laura. ^^ Go 
to your work. Sir,'* said the Baronet, fixing 
upon him an intelligent eye ; the ruffian seemed 
awed by the unusual tone of his master ; whilst 
Sir Ronald advanced and assisting Laura to 
collect her flowers, walked with her back to 
the house ; as she entered, he said : " The 
weather is getting too cold for one of your de-, 
licacy, you have not followed my injunctions 
or advice in all things." 



THE SPITFIRE. 45 



CHAPTER III. 

That day passed off, the dinner was dull 
and heavy^ but afterwards Laura was agreeably 
surprised to find Sir Ronald did not retire as 
usual to his room, and to his classical re- 
searches. He was disposed to join in the con- 
versation, and when relaxing into his habitual 
apathy, or rather burying himself in his own 
thoughts, he asked for some music to cheer 
him up, and Laura ran hastily to the window, 
near which the piano was placed, in the 
moonlight, she saw two men, who seemed 
cautious to avoid discovery, by hiding them- 
selves, as the light appeared at the window. 
It was not yet winter enough to shut out the 
stars and the moon, nor bleak enough to close 
the rooms for the season. 



46 THE SPITFIRE. 

Laura sung delightfully, not in that miserable 
manner we sometimes see, when the coun- 
tenance is distorted, the mouth forced wide 
open, and the breath pumped up with diffi- 
culty — painful to the victim, disgusting to the 
listener. Her pure voice came as from a 
flute ; there was no effort, no straining after 
effect, the close and accurate shake was as 
clear and as marked as the note of the thrush ; 
and unconsciously she went from song to song. 
Sir Ronald left his chair, and walked to the 
piano ; but Laura remarked, that although he 
was apparently attentive to her song, that 
his eyes wandered from her to the window, 
until at last he took up his position there, 
apparently gazing at the stars, astronomy 
being with him a favourite science. 

" How still and beautiful every thing looks, '^ 
said Laura, as she rose from the piano, and 
stood by the side of the man, who within a 
few hours had grown a great favorite with the 
lovely girl. 

" All is still as death,'^ said Sir Ronald, 
** and man sleeps, whilst the watchful eye in 



THE SPITFIRE. 4? 

those thousand stars are awake and beaming ; 
that beautiful harmony cannot be the result of 
chance. An astronomer sees in the arrangement 
of the firmament above as much uniformity of 
design, as the surgeon discovers in the ana- 
tomy of the human being ; and if from the 
lowest animal, which creeps through its exis- 
tence, or the wide spreading wings of the 
eagle, up to the master piece in man, we trace 
the same wisdom, the same wonderful design, 
the same harmony, that the astronomer re- 
marks in the wonderful arrangements of 
omnipotence ; who can doubt the unerring wis- 
dom of that great, that wonderful architect ? 
Yet man, he at least, who contributes to all 
the wants of man, borne down by his daily toil ; 
gladly wraps himself in the warm blankets, 
and sleeps unconscious of the glory, the sub- 
limity of night, whilst those whose minds 
might revel in the luxury of its knowledge, 
lose their existence in the frivolous amuse- 
ments of crowded rooms, and waste their 
breath in the degrading conversation of fashion 
and its follies. It is melancholy to think, 



48 THE SPITFIRE. 

that now, whilst the deepest knowledge could be 
gleaned from that living book, all men sleep !'* 

'^ Not all/' said Laura with a smile, as she 
interrupted the baronet, in one of his many 
moral moments, ^' for I saw two men just 
now, pass from that walk into the other." 

'^ Hah !" ejaculated Sir Ronald, his eyes 
rivetted to the last indicated spot, and at that 
moment he saw, or thought he saw, what 
Laura had remarked. 

" Upon my word," said Lady de Lancy, as 
she advanced to the window, " these moonlight 
murmurs, and the morning t^te-a-t^te, seem 
wonderfidly to have drawn you together. 
Laura, I shall be jealous of you, if Sir Ronald 
explains the stars to you by night, and in the 
morning devotes his time and attentions to 
you ; come from the window, I see nothing so 
very unusual in a bright evening, or moon-lit 
night. Laura, another song ; that sweet voice 
of yours, gave me a delightful musing, which, 
having died with the sound that awakened it 
to life, leaves me ten times more sad than 
heretofore, as, to borrow one of Sir Ronald's 



THE SPITFIRE. 49 

wise remarks, the lightning brightens for a se- 
cond, and then leaves the wonder-stricken mortal 
in more profound darkness. Come, come, stars 
will shine another night, and we can study 
them alone ; music, Laura, music ! it's rarely 
we have heard you, and now on the eve of 
your departure, you make us regret the loss, 
even in anticipation." 

" Sing, Laura," said Sir Ronald, keeping his 
eyes fixed upon the spot, '^ sing !" 

Laura comphed, whilst Margaret, taking hre 
husband's hand, and with an impressive look, 
endeavoured to draw him from the window. 

" It shall not be, I say,'^ said Sir Ronald 
aloud, as he advanced and rang the bell ; " in 
my house the simplest servant shall be pro- 
tected; and shall my visitor be subjected to 
insult ? I see the drift, Margaret, of all this, 
and thank those stars for the kind light they 
have shed upon this subject." 

The servant came, Sir Ronald- whispered, 
and the man withdrew, whilst the unconscious 
Laura kept warbling to the most inattentive 
audience ; the time crept on, and the general 

VOL. III. D 



50 THE SPITFIRE. 

hour of retiring to bed had passed^ before 
Lady de Lancy hinted the hour, and com- 
plained of the sleepiness which her ride had 
occasioned. She kissed her guest warmly, 
apparently sincerely, and after thanking Laura 
for her kindness they separated. 

Laura was no sooner in her own chamber 
than she knelt down, as was her custom, and 
fervently prayed for the protection of that 
great power, who watches over the innocent, 
and guards the weak and defenceless, by the 
powerful shield of his omnipotence. It was 
perhaps the happiest hour of her existence, 
when she knelt in the seclusion of her own 
chamber^ and there rendered thanks for all 
the blessings bestowed upon her ; her devotion 
was disturbed by a slight tap at her door, and 
Lady de Lancy in her dressing gown entered ; 
this unexpected, unusual visit alarmed Laura, 
who instantly summoned all her courage to 
meet the conversation. 

" I cannot sleep, dear Laura, and yet I felt 
fatigued ; my father had for the first time these 
two years, excepting when away from his re- 



THE SPITFIRE. 51 

sidence, missed his evening visit, and I can fancy 
how lonely, how desponding he must be, in 
the solitude of his own house. I cannot ask 
you to alter your determination, for I saw 
how much happier you became, when you 
announced this morning that resolution to 
which you had come, and I, like a bad spirit, 
uneasy in my own abode, am come to pester my 
best friend with my uneasiness." Laura was 
silent, she seemed at any rate to have profited 
by the remark of Sir Ronald, that when people 
were inclined to speak, listen. 

" You are silent, Laura, silent and reserved, I 
cannot tell the reason ; you cannot wonder 
that a girl should forward the views of her 
father, or aid him in his endeavours to find a 
companion, some more worldly minded would 
thwart him ; for at his death, his large fortune 
must descend to me ; but I am not one of 
those who find a pleasure in the increase of 
wealth. Here it is useless, I could not spend it, 
I would rather give some to portion a gir], 
whose husband he is to become, and lose all 

D 2 



0^ 



a^"^' 



KV)X^ 



OH^^ 



^^^^'>K*^ 



52 THE SPITFIRE. 

prospects in the future, than see him miserable 
in his soHtude/* 

" It will be but a few days, and I shall relieve 
you, my dear Margaret, of the unfortunate 
beauty which has attracted his notice ; pray do 
not make me miserable by forcing all of this 
day again upon my mind/* 

" I see you are already making preparations 
for departure ; this case addressed to Mr. Law, 
seems the jewel case ; take care of it, for it is 
valuable ; but I fear it has been acquired in a 
manner not strictly consonant with honor.'^ 

'^ Good night,^' said Laura, interrupting her, 
" good night." She locked her door as Lady de 
Lancy withdrew, and feeling overpowered by the 
remark she opened her window, a sudden 
breeze extinguished the light, and with the 
exception of the moon's beams, the unhappy 
girl was in darkness. She preferred undressing 
in the dark, to the chance of a further conver- 
sation with Lady de Lancy. It was a beautiful 
night; scarcely an autumnal leaf in pre- 
matura death, fell from the trees ; all was cal- 



THE SPITFIRE. 53 

culated to lead the mind into serious thoughts, 
and to one already melancholy, night had 
its charms, which darkness enhanced. She 
wrapped herself closely up, and kneeling at 
the window, she began again her prayers. 
Laura was not a girl who prayed because she 
had been made to pray, and custom esta- 
blished the dull routine over which many fall 
asleep ; her prayers arose from a heart deeply 
impressed with the necessity of calling upon 
Him, who is the father of the fatherless, and 
the words came forth, slowly, solemnly, sin- 
cerely, unlike those who huddle into their 
beds, and devote one minute out of twenty 
four hours to repeat a few words which were 
made familar to them in the nursery, and at 
the close of which, the word Amen becomes a 
part of the sentence, uttered with such rapi- 
dity, that no stop intervenes ; unlike those, 
Laura shaped her prayer to her wants. The 
words rose spontaneously from the heart -, she 
was a religious girl. Her prayers were finished 
without interruption, and she sat a little dis- 
tance from the window, to avoid the cold air. 



54 THE SPITFIRE. 

when suddenly she heard the whispering voice 
of a man beneath the casement ; she Ustened, 
she heard it was the voice of Rawhnson, and 
she could not mistake the other, it was that of 
Sir Ronald de Lancy. 

" I tell you/' the first said, " her fortune is 
immense ; far beyond ours or her best expec- 
tations ; you have gained yours by an act doubly 
culpable, and now you will not let me grasp the 
object by which that fortune must come.'* 

" Not in my house I swear ! if I roll a corpse 
upon the staircase, and lie dead upon my 
father's couch, no one shall harm her here. 
The lowest Arab, who takes a stranger beneath 
his miserable roof, is responsible, by the com- 
mon law of hospitality, for his welfare, and his 
security. I may be a bad christian, but I will 
not be worse than a dirty Arab of a desert." 

" For God's sake, finish these allusions, we 
are arranging about my fortune, and you talk 
about Arabs and deserts ; she must be mine, 
and you must aid me." 

" Your's she may be certainly with her con- 



THE SPITFIRE. 55 

sent, and I should not interpose to prevent it, 
but in my house — " 

" Your house !" interrupted RawUnson, 
whose violent temper was in the ascendant; 
" Your house ! — your fortune ! I could strip 
the peacock of its gaudy feathers, and leave 
the carcass of the jack-daw upon the lawn. 
Beware ! — " 

" Who is that V said Sir Ronald. 

Laura crept to the window, and she saw a 
third party with a long ladder. 

" To your bed, Blackburn,^' said Sir Ronald, 
" I swear that if this attempt is further followed 
I will lay you a corpse at my feet ; go, this 
instant go, or — the cock of a pistol was heard, 
this is your last moment." 

Blackburn had got much too good a situation 
to lose it, and its comforts, all at once ; he very 
quietly, in spite of Rawlinson's signs, placed 
the ladder on the ground, and said, " Don't 
be desperate, that's a gemman," and walked 
oiF. 

"What would the world say, Rawhnson, if such 
a deed were done in ray house ? think better of 



56 THE SPITFIRE. 

it ', your precipitation would hurry the impend- 
ing ruin^ for I feel that sooner or later this 
false tenure"— here the voice died in the dis- 
tance, and the rest of the sentence was in- 
audible. 

^^ What can this mean ?'^ said Laura, as she 
gently closed the window, and cautiously fasten- 
ed the shutters. " I must be the object — and, 
those fatal jewels, the attraction; could Mar- 
garet have known this and by way of apprizing 
me of my danger, opened the window ? — My 
mind misgives me; she could not do it to facili- 
tate her father's object, it is impossible ; and 
how could this plan be executed ? perhaps to 
enter my window, and then to save the scandal 
which would kill me, force a marriage ! I will 
not believe that one of our sex could ever as- 
sist a man to such a diabolical consummation/' 
There was no sleep to induce those beautiful 
dreams, which make the awakement to life a 
pain ; there was no silent, sUght, still slumber 
in which the object of a daily thought stands 
and converses with us in plain reality, when 
the sentiments of the heart are lavished on him 



THE SPITFIRE. ^7 

we adore, and dreams of love and pleasure 
weaken us into lassitude; no, as her eyes 
closed and the mind was but half-absorbed in 
sleep, the window would open in imagination 
and the scared girl with a beating heart, and 
quickened pulse, would start almost from her 
bed with scarcely time to check the screams 
upon her tongue ; — again the influence of fa- 
tigue would weigh down her eye lids ; — the 
door opens — the figure of Blackburn with a 
nosegay would enter, and the frightened girl in 
cold perspiration, startles again to life. She 
could not divest herself of the idea that she 
heard the measured step of Sir Ronald guard- 
ing her, and once, so evident was the sound, 
that she felt secure for a time. The long hours 
seemed ten times longer, and the first dawn 
was hailed with all the delight of those who 
pay their early adorations to the living object of 
Omnipotence, and bow before the sun ; then 
indeed came security, and then that soft re- 
freshing sleep which obliterates misery, and 
leaves the few hours of its power a bpse of 
life — a total obHvion in which not one thought, 

D 3 



58 THE SPITFIRE. 

not one supposed action could be traced. Who 
is there, who enjoys sound health who can say- 
he lives the allotted period of his existence, 
six hours of every twenty four ? A fourth of life 
must be subtracted; we may reach seventy 
years of existence, but we actually live but 
fifty two or fifty three years. 

" What cannot wine perform ?" says Horace. 
Rawlinson had become desperate over his 
bottle, he had formed his determination ; he 
finked himself with a rogue, and he was deter- 
mined to gain his end ; he knew that sooner or 
later, as Sir Ronald said " something would 
come to light concerning the will.'^ He saw 
that Sir Ronald sincerely repented the rash act 
to which he had consented, and that although 
the hand of fellowship in all its best sincerity, 
might be held out by one brother to another, 
that he, hated, despised by Albert, could not 
hope to be spared ; he was now planning the 
desperate scheme of providing sufficient funds 
for his maintenance, and of retiring to America. 
His first object was Laura ! with her consent 
he knew he could not succeed. The man once 



THE SPITFIRE. 59 

dipped in crime has seldom any aversion to 
dive deeper ; the first plunge is the serious one; 
man gets accustomed to evil as infants may 
be taught to swallow olives. The practised 
duellist faces his adversary with more coolness 
than the novice although the novice be the braver 
man ; custom makes even crime familiar, 
until a crowning murder finishes the career, 
and the gallows becomes the record of the ill 
spent life. 

To obtain Laura any how, was a sure fortune. 
Rawlinson always had on his lips — money de 
jure mar it ; he must be married, and of that, 
if his first scheme succeeded he was certain ; to 
forward that scheme, he sacrificed every consi- 
deration, and his daughter aided and abetted 
in the act. 

Another day had passed, the next would 
bring Law's answer ; in those days the mails 
were slow to forward communications ; no rail- 
road speed was known ; no dehvery of letters 
in five hours, at the distance of one hun- 
dred miles, ever entered the imagination as 
likely to occur. People made wills, when they 



60 THE SPITFJRE. 

travelled so great a distance, and the rumble of a 
carriage was as rare as the rumble of an earth- 
quake. 

Rawlinson knew the full value of time, and 
was one of those men who availed himself of 
every opportunity; his watchful eye never 
slumbered when his point might be lost by any 
inattention, and now his worthy coadjutor, 
Blackburn, whose covered cart stood hard by 
with Johnny as the driver, was at his new em- 
ployment, although he had been desired by 
Sir Ronald to give up the spade, and leave his 
situation in the shrubbery. Rawlinson had 
superseded the order ; crime levels all distinc- 
tion — all authority ; the early part of the day 
was passed without a chance of success, but 
about two o'clock, a gleam of hope appeared, 
and Laura was seen carefully sauntering down 
the shrubbery; Blackburn instantly con- 
cealed himself; she passed, humming a tune 
and twisting a thread round some of the fading 
beauties of the garden. She appeared lost in a 
profound reverie, and heedless of where she 
walked. 



THE SPITFIRE. 61 

Far otherwise was the watchful Blackburn ; 
his eyes were ever on her, whilst his body was 
concealed by some trees, behind one of which 
he slipped as she advanced. His pulse beat high. 
She was walking to her ruin, as incautiously 
as innocence ever walks before suspicion alarms 
her ; he trod as lightly as a zephyr ; he unfolded 
from under his green apron, a shawl, which 
he held wrapped round his left arm, and with 
his right extended to keep his balance even, 
he trod as circumspectly as a rope dancer. 

Laura advanced to the warm corner, whilst 
Blackburn, stealing between the trees, opened 
the door which led upon the road ; he returned, 
creeping cautiously to within a few paces of 
her ; he waited with admirable patience, until 
the unconscious girl stooped down to select 
some flowers ; he stepped nimbly, but stealthily 
towards her, threw the shawl over her head, 
and fastening his arms round her waist, keep- 
ing the shawl firmly over her, caught her 
up in his powerful grasp, and carried, in spite 
of her fruitless exertions to liberate herself, 
and her half-stifled screams for assistance. 



62 THE SPITFIRE. 

the struggling Laura to the cart. He never 
spoke, but placed her concealed from any 
person, with his hand tight over her mouth, 
whilst the young fry of treachery, whipped 
the willing horse, and the cart was quickly 
conveyed through the village. On gaining the 
other side, the hand was relaxed, and the faint 
eifort of Laura, to cry for assistance, relapsed 
into silence. Then came all the misery that 
a vivid imagination pourtrays to a distressed 
mind ; she at once comprehended the conver- 
sation she had overheard, and the warning 
voice of Sir Ronald ; how he could be ac- 
quainted with such an idea, and not at once 
take more efficient means to repress the as- 
sault, never occurred to her. She saw in all he 
had done the action of a friend, but by whom 
she was entrapped she could not tell ; it could 
not be Rawlinson, that she was assured, but 
that she was a prisoner from his plan, and his 
desire she could not doubt. The wheels seem 
to turn rapidly round, and each moment, as it 
were, estranged her from Raven Castle, and cast 
an additional gloom upon her mind, she could 



THE SPITFIREj 63 

not move, for once or twice she had endea- 
voured to rise, meaning to regain her liberty, 
but the strong hand of him who was guilty 
of abduction, held her down ; he used no more 
violence than was requisite on such an occasion, 
and throughout the whole journey not a word 
was spoken. At last she felt the cart turn off 
the high road, the quick trot subsided into a 
slow walk, whilst the cart, as it vibrated from 
side to side, bore witness from the jolting, 
that the road was not much frequented by any 
but carts, the ruts were deep, or the ground 
naturally uneven. Her destiny was soon to be 
known, each minute now appeared an age, 
as each effort of the almost wearied animal 
conveyed her beyond the reach and the sight 
of friends. She now began to think of the 
value of her jewels, and the means of convert- 
ing those to her safety ; she spoke clearly, but 
not loudly, and she offered her abductor any 
sum to restore her to Raven Castle. 

'^ Any sum,^' said Blackburn, who now felt 
himself in security " is no sum ; when we deal 
for money, we always know the weight.'' 



64 THE SPITFIRE. 

" Will one hundred pounds bribe you to do 
a just act ?'' 

^^ Aye, Miss, that it would ; but don't you 
see, a hundred guineas are not carried in every 
lady's pockets, so I presume you have not got 
that about you." 

" No, I have not," said Laura, " but I have 
that at Raven Castle, which will procure more 
than ten times the sum/' 

" That's a sight of money. Johnny, my boy, 
you go to school and get flogged for those 
crooked figures you make on the slate, how 
much will ten times a hundred guineas 
make?" 

" That's more figures than ever I made yet,'^ 
replied the boy. 

" It will make a thousand guineas,^' said 
Laura, " and I will give you one hundred of 
them to-morrow, if you will return me to 
where you took me from." 

" Aye, Miss, and then the magistrate and 
the goaler will come, and you'll kiss the book, 
and tell the truth, and I, honest Joe Black- 
burn, will have to go to prison." 



THE SPITFIRE. 65 

" By the most sacred oath that ever fell 
from the lips of human creatures, I never will 
mention your name, or this circumstance to 
any one. I will return to the house, feign 
some excuse for my long absence, give you 
the money, and pray that you may be forgiven 
the sins you may have committed." 

" Let's look at your face, for you speak like 
a parson.^^ He took the shawl from her head, 
and Laura raised herself up. 

" Gently, gently, my little lady,^' replied 
Blackburn, " your eyes won^t serve you much 
here, for if you were put down now, without 
you followed the track of the wheel, which by 
to-morrow will be lost, you never would find 
your way back, so look at me full in the face 
and tell me all about these guineas.^' 

Laura, with much earnestness, related what 
she had before said ; " Think, '^ she added, 
" what you would feel, if your only daughter 
was thus torn from you ; if she you loved were 
in an instant snatched from your sight, per- 
haps never again to see you ; in spite of the 
committal of the deed, you are a man, a hus- 



66 THE SPITFIRE. 

band, a father, and tlie appeal of innocence 
must reach your heart.'^ 

" There, Miss, you may cut short that fine 
speech ; IVe no more heart than a turnip, and 
I'm just about as cool, so do you see all the 
business about father, mother, and son, is so 
much waste of words. Stop, Johnny, a bit, you 
are jolting the lady into a jelly, and before she 
melts away, we may as well see what we can 
make of this matter," the cart stopped. " There 
now. Miss, take breath, for its rough work for 
that tender build of yours. I've often wondered 
you don't drop in halves, you're so precious thin 
about the ribs. Now as I told you, don't think 
to gammon me about long words and such 
like, but do you hear, talk about those guineas, 
you have not got them in the house, have 
you ?" 

" No," said Laura, but she added, suddenly 
recollecting herself, " I have fifty pounds in 
money there, and you shall have that two 
minutes after you arrive.'* 

" If I was only sure of that, and the other 
half to come next day, we might do a little 



THE SPITFIRE. 67 

business here, and take from both. Ah/' said 
he, " as the thought occurred to him, " I am to 
get twenty guineas when you are lodged safely, 
and you are not far off, so that I must take you 
there first, and make you over, as we do a keg 
of run spirits.^' 

" To whom ? for God's sake tell me to 
whom ?" 

" Why to an old woman, who can't eat 
you." 

Laura felt a sudden hope, her own sex would 
not desert her; and she had spirit enough 
to face any woman, and fight for her 
liberty. 

" A woman," she said, " what can be the 
object of this ?" 

" I dare say now, that you'd like a man 
better," continued the ruffian, not heeding the 
blush which coloured the poor girl's face ; well 
that's natural, and you shall have a man to 
take care of you this evening. Fm sorry I'm 
obhged to leave you, but I've a little business 
in hand near the cliff, just about where the 
Baronet pushed old Herbert over, and left him 



68 THE SPITFIRE. 

hanging, like the tail of a boy's kite to a tree.'' 
Laura's heart sunk within her; if her own safety- 
had not been uppermost, what would she not 
have done to have pursued her inquiries con- 
cerning that affair. 

" For heaven's sake," she said, preferring 
even Blackburn's company to that of some 
stranger, " do not leave me, do not leave one so 
young, so helpless, at such a minute." 

" Why, Johnny my boy, bless my heart if 1 
don't think she's in love with me ; don't you 
hear how she asks me to stay with her, why 
she won't leave me. Bless your pretty little 
mouth, I could kiss it until to-morrow morn- 
ing ; don't look so shamed about it, why its 
nothing ; put down your claws, or I'll soon let 
you know who's master now." The struggle 
was short, and Blackburn kissed her ; " Now 
about this money, I've no time to waste ; here's 
a bargain for you ; I shall take you to the 
cottage, I shall take the twenty guineas from 
your man, Rawlinson ; there don't shiver and 
shake, like a boy going to school on a frosty 
morning, and keep your teeth quiet, they make 



THE SPITFIRE. 69 

as much noise as a watchman's rattle in 
London ; well, I shall leave you wdth him." 

^' For God's sake," said Laura, kneeling 
before him, " if ever any words of innocence 
could move your heart, do not leave me ?" 

" I never knew a woman fall so desperate in 
love in my Hfe ; I wonder you ain't ashamed of 
yourself; I shall leave you, but I'll go back and 
tell the Baronet where you are ; he'll come fast 
enough, and then you^ll be rescued, and to- 
morrow — you know — the money; a hundred 
guineas, and not a word said against honest 
Joe Blackburn." 

" And is it for twenty guineas, this is to 
happen ? Listen, good man ;" and Laura put 
her delicate hand upon the ruffian's sleeve, "for 
every guinea that man is to give you, I will 
give you five to restore me safe, and uninjured. 
— now — " 

" No !" said Blackburn, after due considera- 
tion ; '^ no, that's unpossible, it can't be. I am 
an honourable man, and amongst us, as does 
business without an act of parhament, honour 
is honour, and no mistake. I have pledged my 



70 THE SPITFIRE. 

honour to place you in his hands, and here's 
some of the guineas I received for it ; I could 
not do it, not I ; I teach my son John never 
to break his honour with any of us, and he'd 
just as soon bite his tongue off and give it to 
the dog to eat, as say a word about this ; why if 
he told a he, do you think one of us would not 
turn him out of the gang, as a disgrace to the 
whole body of us ? — certain, sure, we should ; 
and what^s more, never speak to him again, as 
long as he lived. '^ 

" Is there any thing in the whole world, I 
can offer you to save me from that man ? — If 
you will trust me, I will give you enough to 
place you in independence, to save you all the 
labour of your life ; to make your son an 
honest man, and to redeem yourself." 

" There now, I've done with you ; drive on 
Johnny, gently my boy. You're just hke that fat 
parson of our's, who promises us all manner of 
good things when we are dead, and can't 
claim them ; if you had stuck at the first thing, 
there was a chance, but to talk about aU that 
nonsense, I can't beUeve you, and like the rest 



THE SPITFIRE, 7^ 

of you women, you see, you can't get into a 
fright, without teUing a lie." 

*' Stop, boy, stop 1" said the almost frantic 
girl ; *^ stop, and hear me ; implore your father 
to hear me again. Pray, Sir, do not leave me 
here; take me back, and God will reward 
you !" 

" I thought as much,^' said the villain ; " al- 
ways long credits; exactly what the parson 
says ; go on, Johnny, and don^t stop without I 
tell you ; there^s the cottage, go to the back 
way/' 

" Mercy ! mercy ! mercy !" said Laura, " if 
you are dead to that call, may He above, be 
dead to your^s hereafter.'* 

"Hereafter! how far is that oflf ? — next 
winter?'^ 

" Soon, too soon it will come, and when you 
are on your death-bed, and each moment hur- 
rying you to eternity, whilst your memory 
runs over the many crimes which have branded 
your guilt, then shall the mercy you deny to 
the innocent— the defenceless, give you no 
hope of forgiveness — no prospect of heaven." 



72 THE SPITFIRE. 

^' Johnny, do you hear, how precious mad 
she's got; she^s talking about dying in our 
beds ; why we never bargained for that ; and 
then about mercy, and heaven, and forgive- 
ness — '^ 

" My eye, father !" said the boy. with a par- 
ticular knowing look ; " we wants a dictionary 
to look out these words ; I never heard one of 
them ever since I left school, and became an 
honest boy. Through this gate ?' 

" Yes, right on to the yard. Now before 
we get out, Miss, if you can talk sense, let us 
have a little of it ; that goes a great way — do 
you stand to your bargain about the one hun- 
dred guineas ?" 

" I do, I do, and I pray you take the other 
offer — release me now — I will crawl back to . 
the house — the secret shall be kept, and 
double the sum paid to-morrow.'^ 

" We are all agreed -about the first, so that's 
a do ; give us your hand upon it ; as for the 
other part, if it was not for my honour, I'd 
borrow a fresh horse and drive you back like a 
lady." 



THE SPITFIRE. 73 

" When will he come ?'* 

" I dare say it won't be long, first ; he's 
very fond of you ; I fancy I see him rubbing 
his hands, and twisting his fingers in his car- 
rotty hair. Don't say a word about the kiss.'' 

" How long will it be before Sir Ronald can 
arrive ?'' 

"What's the hour?" 

Laura looked at her watch — it was nearly 
four. 

" 1 dare say he'll be here about eight, or 
nine, or perhaps if the night's cold, he might 
come to-morrow morning. Now, then, give me 
your hand, and do you hear, the less you say 
the better." The unresisting Laura stepped 
from the cart, and was conveyed into the 
house. 



VOL. Ill, 



74 THE SPITFIRE. 



CHAPTER IV. 

Rawlinson soon learnt the abduction of 
Laura, and knowing very well the cottage to 
which she had been forcibly removed he soon 
prepared to follow. Now was his only time — 
he felt that his extravagance would finish in a 
direct denial of Sir Ronald to advance him 
more ; for although the Baronet most sincerely 
repented the misdeeds of former days, yet he 
was prudent enough to save money for the 
day which might come. Frequently he had up- 
braided Rawlinson with his extravagance, and 
words had so often been exchanged between 
them of a hostile nature that each began to 
fear the tongue more than the hand of his ad- 
versary. Rawlinson knew no God but money, 



THE SPITFIRE. 75 

and now he had it nearly within his grasp ; he 
had prepared one of those drunken companions 
whose names do for witnesses as well as the 
more trustworthy of society, to accompany 
him and his bride into Scotland ; there it would 
require but little ceremony to unite Laura to 
her persecutor. With almost drunken hope, 
Rawlinson left his house, taking with him a 
sufficiency of dress to last for a week. 

In the mean time, the forlorn and miserable 
Laura was seated in a small room, with Black- 
bum for her only companion ; John had been 
sent to apprise Rawlinson of the success of the 
scheme, and the old woman, who once had 
ventured to lend the poor Laura some assist- 
ance, was sent to her own cottage, \\dth a 
mighty curse from Blackburn, to keep her 
warm in her sohtude. 

" You see, girl," said Blackburn, to Laura, 
" that in this world we are never safe ; it was 
but a fe^v' minutes ago, and you were walking in 
the garden ; by to-morrow, perhaps you w411 be 
far away from here.'^ 



E 'I 



76 THE SPITFIRE. 

The affrighted girl startled at the idea, and 
asked " what he meant ?" 

" Why he is a curious man, and I am not 
answerable for what he does ; I heard him say 
something about Scotland, and then returning 
here for a month, or so ; but I'll do my best to 
speak to Sir Ronald, and if he chooses^ he can 
always help it." 

" Chooses r^ said Laura, '^ can you doubt 
his willingness to assist me ?'' 

" He may be willing enough to assist you, 
l^ut you see. Miss, I am not so sure, if he dare 
do it." 

" What do you mean ?^' 

The loquacious Blackburn, who when with 
men was the very personification of discretion, 
was rather off his guard with a young lady, and 
spoke at random. "Why you see," he continued, 
" they are a pair of them: the son's a good son 
and does as the father wishes him ; and the fa- 
ther's the best man alive for a trick ; so now you 
understand me: then there's the lady — why 
she opened your shutters for me to get in the 



THE SPITFIRE. 77 

other night, so I'm thinking, that between the 
three, with myself as an assistant, you are in 
a nice mess/' 

It was quite in vain I^aura again and again 
implored her only companion to assist her in 
her flight — he was silent; — she made a desperate 
attempt to escape by the door, but in an in- 
stant she found the arm of Blackburn round 
her waist, herself lifted like a feather off her 
legs, and conveyed to the further end of the 
room ; he merely said : 

'' Not so fast, my pretty bird — ^lionour, is ho- 
nour ; you may get away after I have let you, if 
you can, but as I told you, Fm bound to de- 
liver you safely into his hands, and so I will." 

" Hear me," said the girl, as she threw 
herself on her knees before Blackburn, '^ hear 
me, and have mercy upon me. I am engaged 
to be married to Albert de Lancy,'' Blackburn 
startled, and took hold of her hands, '^ he is to 
be my husband — the man all the village respects 
and loves. I am a poor destitute orphan, there 
is no hand to rescue me, no ear to hear my 
prayer, but His, (she pointed upwards,) and 



78 THE SPITFIRE. 

yours), the eye of Him is over us, He sees us 
now. If you are a man, as you say you are, rise 
up my friend, and save me ; Albert shall repay 
you a thousand fold, I will repay you more, 
much more than I promised ; and He who is the 
Father of the fatherless, will bless and reward 
you hereafter.'^ 

Shocked by the force of the appeal, Black- 
burn looked at her with an eye of compassion, 
and endeavoured to raise her from the kneeling 
position. " No," she said, " here must I re- 
main, and you, an Englishman, will remember, 
that an unprotected girl knelt to you, as to 
a God ; implored your protection, and you 
refused it. Think, if your own daughter was 
taken from you by force, secreted in a miser- 
able hovel, until the man she most hated came 
to use her with violence, to force her to be his 
wife, perhaps worse, how would you resent 
such injury, feeling as, and being, a man." 

'^ I would wring the rascal's neck as easily 
as I would dispose of a barn door fowl ?" 

" Then be a man now. Now before it is too 
late, before he comes. I am stronger than you 



THE SPITFIRE. 79 

think, no difficulty, no danger can daunt 
me. Come, and He above will reward 
you/' 

" If I could give him back his five pounds. 
and not hear the echo of my own voice, I would 
do it ; but there is honour amongst us." 

" Honour, Blackburn ! can there be honour 
in doing that which the heart tells you is 
wrong ? Oh mercy, mercy ! Great God, instruct 
me to shape my words, that he may hear me, 
and vouchsafe my prayer ! I implore you by 
your parents, who reared you, and who now 
sleep in death ; — by your own wife, your child, 
your own conscience, shield me, protect me, 
take me from this cursed house, or leave me 
to myself, and let me escape. Why there is a 
tear standing in your eye, before it runs down 
as the record of this crime, save me !" She 
sprang upon her feet, she felt she was not 
detained, she rushed to the door, it was but 
one bound more, and she reached the outer 
one — it was locked, and Blackburn had the 
key ; she called him, she implored him, and as 
she returned once more to follow up her sue- 



80 THE SPITFIRE. 

cess^ she saw Rawlinson approaching ; it was 
too late, the change from hope to sudden 
despair overcame her, she gave a loud shriek, 
and fell motionless on the floor. 

It was long ere she awoke : she was in bed, 
and by her side was the old woman, who had 
busily employed herself in rubbing her fore- 
head with cold water ; on the first motion of 
returning life and sense, words soon followed; 
the unhappy girl implored one of her own sex 
to assist her, and was refused, not from any 
unwillingness to do so good an act, but from 
the position of Rawlinson and his threats ; he 
had sworn to murder the old woman if she 
attempted such an act, and had placed, in the 
most ingenious manner, the wire of a bell to the 
door, so that every attempt at an escape 
would be a signal to the ruffian of the inten- 
tion ; besides which, he was at that moment 
posting up and down, like a sentinel before the 
door. 

Laura, on hearing his footsteps, placed her 
hand in an imploring attitude, and, with 
streaming eyes, looked at the old woman ; 



THE SPITFIRE. 81 

that she was answered in the affirmative was 
evident from the old creature taking her apron, 
and wiping away a tear from her old, and 
already dimmed eyes. 

Those who meditate crime are ever watch- 
ful ; Rawlinson had heard the voice, and 
opened the door ; he did not disguise his 
intentions, he spoke out. 

" Laura,'^ he began, " your conduct is 
shameful, but once more I am ready to forgive 
you ; few husbands would have borne this in- 
sult, and not have visited it strongly against 
the offender ; but I forgive you ; nay, do not 
attempt to speak in vindication of your 
behaviour, even this poor old woman is a 
witness that you, my wife, left my home with 
a vile labourer, a common fellow, and a felon, 
and carefully concealing yourself in a covered 
cart, came to her house." 

" Believe him not, good woman,'^ gasped 
Laura, " I am not his wife, as heaven is my 
witness, never, never !" 

" Shameful, shameful creature,'' ejaculated 
Rawlinson, with a mockery of feeling wonder- 

£ 3 



82 THE SPITFIRE. 

fully imitated ; " hear her, old woman, she 
denies being my wife, and see the record of 
her lie upon her finger ; here is our marriage 
ring." 

" Away/^ said Laura, as she tore her hand 
from Rawlin son's grasp, and taking the ring, 
which at the first moment the wily attorney 
had placed on her finger, she threw it from 
her, " never was I so disgraced, and never will 
I be your wife ! There is a just Providence, who 
will protect the innocent." 

It was evident that the old woman believed 
Rawlinson^s story. She had seen Laura 
arrive, she had remarked the agitation of the 
girl, the anxiety of Blackburn to avoid detec- 
tion, and his eager manner, when he dispatched 
his son ; the fainting fit at the discovery of the 
retreat, the imploring cry for mercy, all rose 
to confirm in her mind, the guilt of Laura. 

'^ I can forgive you even this time, Laura, 
for I love you tenderly, affectionately ; we must 
lose no longer time here, or the scandal will 
be abroad ; the carriage is ready, I leave you to 
dress, but mind, I will not delay." As he 



THE SPITFIRE. 83 

finished his sentence, he walked leisurely out, 
he turned to the old woman, and said, '^ Assist 
her but do not inquire into that which does 
not concern you ; whatever expense has been 
incurred, shall be more than repaid.'^ 

The door was closed ere Laura recovered 
from her astonishment. A thousand wild 
thoughts had rushed upon her 5 she imagined 
that during her fainting, she might have been 
married, and ignorant of the extent of the 
law, she fancied herself torn for ever from 
Albert; then memory recalled every word, 
until she had swooned away ; she saw that the 
marriage could not have been solemnized. 
Where was the priest, the book, the witness, 
for no one had entered the house ? Assuming 
as much courage as innocence could inspire, 
she rose and dressed herself, " I call upon you 
to remember this day, this hour,"' she said, 
" write it down, for one day you will be called 
upon to speak of it." 

" Poor lady !" she answered, *' how could 
you do so rash an act, and run away from so 
kind, so forgiving a hus?^and ?" 



S4 THE SPITFIRE. 

Laura looked at her fully in the face, as she 
said, " Silence, and dare not insult me so 
much as to believe him, in preference to me." 

Country people will talk ; their tongues are 
heaven's licences, although the devil may record 
their sayings. " I never knew. Miss," she laid a 
pecuhar stress upon this word, " a man who 
was going to be hung, who did not say he was 
innocent, until the rope was round his neck, 
then it's too late, and he tells the truth ; I 
remember when mother Grant's daughter 
ran away with farmer Hodge's plough boy — " 

" Silence ! I say, and respect my feelings if you 
cannot believe my innocence ! from this house 
I will not go, but by force ; that wretch, whom 
I scorn, shall never master me but by strength, 
and death itself shall be preferable to my being 
called his wife. Leave me, I say ! for since I 
cannot get my own sex to credit or assist me, 
T will trust in the truth of the proverb, that 
all tyrants are cowards, and I will maintain my 
virtue and my liberty, by the courage which 
ever attends innocence and modesty. Leave 
me." 



THE SPITFIRE. 85 

'^ No, no, Miss, I must not leave you, and I 
cannot if I would ; this door is locked outside, 
those shutters are barred outside, and without 
the foot of the chimney sweep, heaven preserve 
the poor forlorn boys ! I or you must be con- 
tent to remain until your husband's return." 

" Have I not told you he is not my hus- 
band, and do you still discredit me ?^' 

" Your words would make me believe your 
story ; his authority, his boldness, his unre- 
serve, make me, against my will, believe him. 
What can I do ? Pm very old, and am fright- 
ened ; for heaven's sake, leave my house, 
although 'tis his for a month, he has paid for 
it." 

" Old woman, if you are not a greater 
knave than fool, listen to one whose hair is, 
not grey with experience, but who has com- 
mon sense for a guide ; if my husband had paid 
for this cottage for a month, I should have 
known of it. Is it likely I should have run away 
from one, to bring my lovers to another of his 
houses, eh ?" 

" Well, well,'* sighed the old woman, " they 



86 • THE SPITFIRE. 

say wisdom comes with age, and experience 
grows with observation; I must be a drone 
indeed, not to see this, for a woman of your 
age and beauty would surely know all the 
plans of an old and love smitten husband. I 
believe you, and yet if you say the truth, how 
came you here ?'* 

" He employed that villain Blackburn to 
tear me away from Sir Ronald de Lancy's 
castle; he is the father-in-law to the Baro- 
net." 

The old woman held her long skinny fingers 
together, and said, " It's true, the world is 
coming to an end, the great and the low are 
vagabonds alike, and we shall be swallowed up 
by an earthquake." 

" Nonsense, woman, is there no way of 
escape ?" 

" None whatever !" 

" How far are we from Raven Castle ?" 
" Nine miles at least, and that not counting 
the half mile from the high road." 
^' Is there no cottage near ?" 
" Not within two miles, and that over a 



THE SPITFIRE. 8/ 

hill, which is only passable by daylight ; the 
path is so narrow, that goats hardly trust 
themselves in the dark.'^ 

'' Good God, I shall die even of the exertion 
of my own heart ; alone, friendless confined — 
how can I escape this wretch, this demon 
habited as a man ?" 

" Say what I can do, and I'll do it ; though 
he kill me/' 

" Have you no signal, which in the event 
of fire, might bring neighbours to your assist- 
ance ?" 

" None but that the flame would make ; 
and then its a weary way for them to tread; 
besides they might sleep, for they are all 
labourers, and retire early to bed, and then 
the cottage would burn to the ground. But 
heaven guard my old eyes from such a sight." 

" Have you no one you could send to the 
high-road, there to wait until some one pass- 
ed ; fear not for a reward, my liberation shall 
ensure you an old age of independence/' 

•^ I have no one, no, not a soul ; my only 



88 THE SPITFIRE. 

girl returns to-night from her school ; she will 
go to my cottage, and how can I get there ?'* 

" Let me try the door," said Laura ; she 
tried it fearlessly, but it was fastened. 

^' Who is that ?^' said Rawlinson, as he 
unlocked the door, and entered the apartment. 
There was no answer, Laura stood before him 
undaunted, unshaken, her eye the meekest, the 
bluest, seemed lit up with unusual fire; and 
it met the keen glance of the villanous 
attorney undismayed. 

" A tragedy queen !" said Rawlinson, as he 
advanced towards her, " come, come. Madam, 
leave these heroics, and dwindle into the 
woman ; are you ready to leave this — di- 
rectly r 

" Instantly, when the man appears with 
whom I can trust myself; with you, I will never 
leave this cottage." 

" Then I must use the power the law allov/s 
a husband ; I must take you by force, you are 
my wife, and you shall obey me.^* 

" Surely, Sir,'^ said the old woman, " you 



THE SPITFIRE. 89 

would not use violence against such a slender 
girl as this.*' 

'' Away, you old fool, to your cottage ; leave 
the room." 

" Indeed I will do no such thing ; here will I 
stay, and if my voice can make me heard, poor 
old Margey's throat shall be hoarse with 
bawling." 

" Oh bawl away, old fool, until you are 
tired; come, I have no time to lose, come 
Laura," and he seized her by the hand. 

" Never !" said the girl, as she resisted his 
endeavour to drag her by force, '' Never, never ! 
Mercy, mercy ! help, help !" 

It has a fearful sound upon the ear, that 
shrill shriek of an aifrighted woman, and in the 
stillness of the night, it reaches as far as 
a trumpet sound. But Rawlinson knew the 
distance it had to travel, the solitude of the 
surrounding country, the perfect loneUness of 
the cottage, and he shrunk not from the purpose 
he was resolved to execute. Laura was but a 
child in his powerful arms; and after a few 



90 THE SPITFIRE. 

ineffectual struggles, her strength gradually 
gave way, and she was carried almost unresist- 
ingly in his arms. He caught her up like a doll ; 
even the shriek had ceased, but as he reached 
towards the door, he found his purpose 
thwarted by the old woman ; who having 
locked the door inside, stood quietly before the 
threshold. 

'^ Stand out of my way, you old hag of the 
devil; or I'll murder you on the spot." 

The old woman stood as immoveable as a 
statue. 

" You seek the violence yourself ;' in an 
instant the fainting form of Laura was laid upon 
the bed ; the old woman was roughly seized, the 
key wrestled from her by force, herself hauled 
fearfully against the further wall, the door 
opened, and Laura once more in the arms of 
her hated adversary. This time there was no 
resistance, the poor girl lay motionless on his 
arms, the old woman was senseless in the 
corner, the desperate prize was gained ; already 
had he passed the room door, when a knocking 



THE SPITFIRE. 91 

at the outward one arrested him in his pro- 
gress, with the girl in his arms ; he opened it. 
It was Blackburn, he had betrayed the 
place of refuge to Sir Ronald ; who, with Mr. 
Law, was in pursuit, and now sinking his 
treachery, he had returned quick as a horse^s 
speed could convey him to insure the friend- 
ship of the very man he had betrayed ; he 
knew Rawlinson could creep out of any diffi- 
culty, and he always liked the imagination 
which framed the anecdote of having a friend 
in both places. 

" What can be done, Blackburn ; could we 
not stand against these fellows, and boldly, 
take the girl away ?'" 

" Impossible, they have more than four to 
assist them, the postilions would aid them, 
and so would the grooms, for you are hated 
by some, and scorned by others. Here there is 
no retreat, you must cross the foot of the hill 
to the right ; you must then continue along a 
narrow path, which will carry you many 
miles lower down towards the coast; once 
there, you know the rest. The signals can be 



92 THE SPITFIRE. 

answered as Tisual, and we may yet meet 
together again." 

" And you, Blackburn, what will become of 
you?" 

" Never mind me, leave the girl anywhere — 
escape, and let the carriage you have kept 
waiting at the very turning wait until the 
pursuers come." At that moment the cry of 
some people was heard in the distance. Raw- 
linson cast a look at the pale face of the girl, 
and with a speed quickened, in proportion to 
the danger, he followed the road which Black- 
burn had described. No sooner was he gone, 
and the old woman sufficiently recovered to 
attend to Laura, than Blackburn shouted to 
the pursuers, and pointed out the cottage, 
in which the girl was concealed. Sir Ronald 
was eager in the pursuit, but Law was young 
and nimble, comparatively speaking. He had 
arrived at the castle about tw^o minutes after 
Blackburn's return ; his course was instan- 
taneously taken, the carriage was turned about, 
and money lavished upon the postilion, to 
urge their already fatigued horses to their 



THE SPITFIRE. 93 

utmost speed. His was a perilous position, but 
he had extracted a promise of pardon from 
Law, and Laura had pledged her word, 
never to whisper against him ; he would be 
king^s evidence, vagabonds are ever ready to 
sacrifice their friends, when the tide turns 
against them ; whilst it flows favourably, no one 
is more constant, more sincere ; but one adver- 
sity, or one slip by which the other can rise 
over the prostrate body of his friend, and 
farewell friendship. Laura had recovered 
before the arrival of those who hastened to 
rescue her;- and that moment was not lost 
by Blackburn, " For you," he said, I have 
sacrificed myself, my wife, my children, I must 
be taken to the goal, tried, condemned, whilst 
those around me perish from starvation; I 
have been the means of rescuing you — I throw 
myself at your mercy." 

" I told you that if you brought me my 
friends, I would not testify against you. I 
promised you money, you have saved me, trust 
to me and my generosity, go instantly and 
guide Sir Ronald here, for the sooner he is 



94 THE SPITFIRE. 

informed of his father-in-law's baseness, and the 
sooner I feel myself in security the better. 
Blackburn was about to speak, but Laura 
interrupted him, " go, my word is pledged, 
no harm shall happen to you/' 

It was not long before Sir Ronald and Mr. 
Law entered the apartment. Laura, unable to 
contain her feelings, which she had mastered 
beyond all conception, now became a woman ; 
she leapt into the arms of Sir Ronald, and gave 
way to her feelings unchecked, uncontrolled. 
Law saw this but dimly, for his eyes were 
full, but his words were at command. 

" Come, let us move from this, and quickly, 
we must return, but not to Raven Castle ; for 
that man. Sir Ronald,'^ pointing to Blackburn, 
" you are the best protector — I am the best for 
her." 

" Oh let me go back and take one leave of 
Margaret ; one last embrace ; my dresses, my 
jewels are there." 

'' Just like a woman," said Law, " she 
talks of dresses and jewels as unconcernedly 
as a paid lawyer does of his client's case ; you 



THE SPITFIRE. 95 

must never enter that house again, at least as 
yet/' he added cautiously, ^' the jewels are 
safe with Sir Ronald, the dresses are safe with 
Lady de Lancy." 

'^ And yet, Mr. Law,^' said Sir Ronald^ with 
great eagerness of manner, I think if I could 
pass one hour with you alone, you would not 
repent the time. I have much to say, and 
to you I would unburthen myself. You have 
already proved yourself the friend of my 
brother, and of Laura. I can make you a 
more valuable friend to both.'' 

^' Then why did you not say so at first ?'^ 
answered Mr. Law, " it's quite astonishing 
what words and time are saved, by coming to 
the point at once.'^ 

*^ Your consent, Mr. Law, to remain one 
night as my guest, lightens a heavy load 
here." 

" I fancy I may prove a very unwelcome 
guest to Lady de Lancy .^' 

" What relieves my mind, ought to reheve 
hers ; my determination is taken, it will save 



96 THE SPITFIRE. 

much time, much expense, much uneasi- 
ness.'^ 

As the party left the cottage, and bestowed 
some welcome money upon the old woman, 
Laura took the arm of Mr. Law, and from 
the answer of the legal adviser, which sounded 
like, " I have, and before long, I expect to see 
him ;'' there was no doubt that a question, the 
nearest the heart, had been asked. 

It was late when they had arrived ; there 
was no Lady de Lancy to welcome them, she 
was in the sanctuary of her own chamber, and 
the doubtful manner she received Laura might 
have convinced one less warm in her friend- 
ship, and more tried in the world, that her 
appearance boded any thing but pleasure. 
Laura knelt by her, and hid her head in her 
lap, giving way to all the generous feelings of 
the young, and as yet uninjured heart; she 
grieved, in all sincerity, that her father had 
taken so rash a step, and even endeavoured 
to shelter his character, under the all-powerful 
influence of love. Each word struck deeper 



THE SPITFIRE. 97 

and deeper into the heart of the faithless friend 
who was now foiled at every point ; she knew 
that Sir Ronald's conversation with Mr. Law 
would only be saved by her presence, and yet, 
the affected sorrow, for her father's rash act, 
almost forbade her intrusion ; but the moments 
were precious, the previous determination 
of Sir Ronald — his late moodiness — his 
sorrow — his sincere and boldly avowed 
repentance, made her dread the approach 
of that hour which now she thought had ar- 
rived ; it could be procrastinated by her pre- 
sence, and forgetting even the kneeling girl, 
who felt for her friend more than for her- 
self, she rushed from the room, and with 
the consummate coolness of the practised 
hypocrite, welcomed Mr. Law as he appeared 
in the drawing-room. 

Laura, who feared to be left alone for a 
moment, soon swelled the number, and the 
evening promised to pass off, so that Margaret 
might see her husband, and instil into him 
some of her courage, some of her resolution. 

That dawn of hope was soon overcast ; Sir 

VOL. III. F 



98 THE SPITFIRE. 

Ronald was reserved and silent, he sat near 
the fire-place, his head stooping forward, his 
whole mind perfectly absorbed ; when suddenly 
he rose, he called on Mr. Law to follow him, 
but Margaret's voice answered, and taking 
Mr. Law by the hand, she said, " Pardon me, 
Mr. Law, I have one word to say to Sir 
Ronald before you begin your conference.'' 
In vain Sir Ronald looked a disapproval, 
Lady de Lancy advanced towards him, and 
taking his arm, she led him, rather than fol- 
lowed his footsteps into his library ; there she 
relinquished her hold. She turned the key 
in the door, and withdrew it from the lock, 
and advancing towards her husband, placed her 
finger on her lips, and sat by him. 



THE SPITFIRE. 99 



CHAPTER V. 

The Spitfire was at sea, the fate of Carlos 
was known to her crew, and SnarUng had 
taken the oath which the fear of death had 
forced from the murderer. The Franciscan 
friar had passed from the scaffold unquestioned ; 
the law had taken its course without interrup- 
tion and the presence of a priest of the Inqui- 
sition excited no particular attention -, Carlos 
was supposed to have died in the right faith, 
and so far he was considered as a good and re- 
pentant Catholic, or the Inquisition might have 
deprived the eager populace of a sight which, 
to some, is as much regarded as a pleasure as 
a bull fight. 

" We must get out of the straits, Snarhng, 
and strike across the Atlantic. We have no 

F 2 



TOO THE SPITFIRE. 

chance here, the merchant ships of all coun- 
tries, but our own, are few and the ports are 
dangerous to enter, the Isle of Pines is more 
fruitful to us, and our success has ever been 
the greatest among the islands in that vicinity ; 
we might vary our cruize and go farther south, 
but I must see England again.'^ 

" And what would I give. Sir, to have an- 
other dance at Common Hard, to shake a 
flipper with an old messmate or shipmate, to 
drink another glass with a friend, or to do a 
bit of double shuffle and cut with my old girl ! 
I'm afraid to say out loud what I could whisper ; 
no man has grown old in our trade as yet, and 
strange as it is amongst us all, we never have 
had a deserter -, that oath keeps us as close as a 
nipper does the messenger to a frigate's ca- 
ble/' 

'^ We can talk over past days. Snarling, now 
in my cabin; the mate should ever know a 
part of the intentions of his Captain, and the 
officer should be a respectable distance from 
the men ; w^e shall all "miss Carlos ; for if ever 
a man had the power of disguising his person. 



THE SPITFIRE. lOX 

that was the man ; besides his knowledge of 
Spanish was invaluable ; there is Juan, who 
must now and then act his part, but he cannot 
be trusted out of sight; and here, Snarling, 
here we must remain until age and decrepitude 
force us to resign and Hve on that wretched 
island in a cave, with no soul to cheer us, no 
prospect of a return. I, too, who not willingly 
entered the service, who chose between life 
and death, and who never contemplated the 
sacred obligation until it was imposed upon 
me !— '^ 

" Aye, Sir, your's was a hard case, and yet 
you have made much money .^' 

" Of what use is it, Snarhng? I can live 
here, it is true ; but all the wealth of the world 
cannot buy my freedom ; besides I feel that the 
money is not honestly gained, we do it against 
the law." 

" I don't see that, Sir, we buy our letters of 
marque from all governments, and that gives 
us authority to take all vessels ; we are at war 
with all the world, and all the world with us ; 
besides, we never cut throats/' 



102 THE SPITFIRE. 

" Not now, tliank God, and yet we may be 
forced to defend ourselves against an equal 
force, who then can say the result?" 

^' There's no harm in that ; I've heard many 
a man who was no conjuror, say that self-pre- 
servation was the first law of nature ; besides, 
I don't see why we are not a little kingdom 
floating about with our own laws, our own au- 
thority for our own acts, and now we can put 
it in force, for there's a vessel broad on the 
bow/' 

" I will not touch her here. Snarling, the 
sea is too narrow, vessels eternally pass, the 
sea is alive with men of war, and we might be 
caught in the act." 

" She is edging down towards us, I 
think.^' 

" Give me the glass," said the Captain, 
" she is a Smyrna, man,^' he continued as he 
looked at the stranger, " they always look like 
men of war, but her upper sails are not square 
enough ; she would make a glorious prize, but 
the danger is greater than the profit, for they 
always go armed against the Algerines, and we 



THE SPITFIRE. lOS 

should have what I would avoid, much noise 
before the capture.'^ 

The eyes of all the crew who laid along the 
deck, and only ventured to peep at the vessel 
were occasionally directed at the Captain ; none 
dared gainsay his word, it was a law, and al- 
though every man fore and aft coveted the 
prize, none ventured to propose the capture. 
She passed close and evidently well prepared ; 
the rakish look of the Spitfire had excited sus- 
picions of her character, the tompions were out 
of her guns and her whole crew were on deck ; 
no notice was taken of her, and as she skimmed 
past with all her studding sails set, her crew 
were seen to leave their quarters and retire 
below. 

" That's a lucky fellow,^' said Snarling ; " had 
we met him outside of the straits, he would 
have been soon converted into dollars ; there 
he goes, little dreaming how near he was to 
the universal Shark of the Atlantic.'^ 

One or two smiled at the new name of the 
Spitfire, but the Captain looked at his mate 



104 THE SPITFIRE. 

with a frown, as if to warn him that such re- 
marks might lead to discontent. 

The next day saw the Spitfire clear of the 
straits ; she shaped a course for the Western 
Islands and in about ten days from her passing 
Gibraltar, she made the Peak of Pico, she 
passed between the islands until she came to 
Corvo, off which, and near Flores she intended 
to cruize. Both the outward and homeward 
bound vessels which trade between England 
and America occasionally make these islands. 
It is a kind of half-way house which gladdens 
the eyes of the wearied traveller, inviting him 
to repose or assuring him of his right road. 

It was not the first time that the Spitfire 
had called at Flores for stock ; here it is cheap 
and good, and from the island's highest point, 
the telescope could make out a vessel at least 
thirty miles distant. From that point there 
was nothing in sight, and the Captain returned 
to his vessel, resolved to stand out to sea and 
heave to, or keep the Spitfire under easy sail, 
always within sight of the islands ; accordingly 



THE SPITFIRE. 105 

she left the unsafe anchorage of Flores and 
stood out to sea. 

That night the Captain endeavoured to glean 
from Snarling all his previous history, to make 
him shake off the old sailor, and become more 
the officer, and he endeavoured to wean him a 
little from that affection to the bottle, which 
had never ceased since Tom first sung a song 
on the forecastle, or danced the seamen's horn- 
pipe in the waist, to the miserable scrape of a 
frigate's fiddler; he had deserted, shipped on 
board a vessel bound to Port au Prince, had 
been boarded by the pirate, when a less lenient 
Captain commanded and chose between death 
and piracy, the life of the latter. Snarling had 
entered the profession of pirate without much 
reluctance; for his opinion was, that die he 
must, therefore, the longer he put it off the 
better ; he was sure of it, and therefore could 
well accommodate himself to his fate, without 
hastening his departure. He took to his new 
caUing with much good temper, and always 
interfered to save the life of another ; his good 
qualities were many, his bad few, his temper 

F 3 



106 THE SPITFIRE. 

excellent, his strength enormous, his mind 
uneducated, his manners unpolished ; such 
was the Captain's associate. They had both 
talked over the oath, which bound them 
like galley slaves to the oar, and in spite of 
various hints given by both parties and also of 
conversations in which the pleasures of home 
were vividly pourtrayed, and all the charms of 
the quiet evening of life drawn, both separated 
without a word as to how this oath could be 
absolved, or how it was possible to liberate 
themselves from that they feared to break, and 
hated to uphold. 

It was night, a light breeze blew from the 
westward — the Spitfire was under easy sail, 
keeping that vigilant look out, which those 
who fear a surprise ever keep ; occasionally the 
night glass swept the horizon, and as the moon 
gave a greater light, the look out became more 
on the alert. 

The crew had been long without the excite- 
ment of a prize, and the fate of Carlos, although 
merited, weighed heavily upon them. The 
life and soul of the Spitfire was dead, the most 



THE SPITFIRE. 107 

desperate, and yet the gayest and almost the youn- 
gest was no more; the character of the schooner 
had been betrayed, and there was a general 
feeling of insecurity amongst the crew -, one, 
who was sworn to an oath which he never 
had mentioned mthout trembling, had broken 
it. The news could be circulated through the 
world— the different names under which she 
had sailed — the secret repository of the coun- 
terfeit papers — her retreat at the Isle of Pines 
— her general haunts — her description, nay 
even the names of the crew — colour of each 
man's hair, and the expression of each man's 
countenance was noted; well indeed might 
Snarling say, that all the world were anxious to 
see the Atlantic Shark. 

It was the fear, hitherto unknown, that made 
the look outs more vigilant, and the report of a 
vessel on the lee bow, which was hastily an- 
nounced, drew every man on deck ; whereas, 
formerly continued success had made them, in 
imagination, secure against discovery. Now 
there was no home but the Spitfire, and she 
had no safe anchorage even for a moment; 



103 THE SPITFIRE. 

henceforth, the anchor must be a stranger to the 
ground, and the land be the mark most to be 
feared; without indeed all their old haunts 
should be forsaken, and the Spitfire shift her 
cruizing ground far to the southward of the 
equator. 

The stranger was a brig, apparently a mer- 
chant vessel, but the Spitfire was not to be 
perilled upon an uncertainty — sail was made to 
keep clear of the land, and to be outside of the 
stranger at daybreak ; whilst every motion was 
watched with a degree of alarm never ex- 
perienced before. At dawn, her real character 
was established beyond a doubt — she was a 
merchant vessel making a run— she might be 
armed, but that was of small importance ; the 
Spitfire was instantly in chase, and from her 
sailing (she never had yet found her equal,) was 
soon ranging up alongside. The brig hove to — 
she had no means of defence, and the number 
of her crew being ascertained, the Captain was 
ordered to come on board the Spitfire, whilst a 
boat from the schooner went on board the 
brig. In this boat was the Captain, he feared to 



THE SPITFIRE. 109 

trust Snarling — his manner — ^his speech might 
betray him. As usual, all wore masks, and 
each man's figure was as much disguised 
as if he wore a domino. 

On gaining her decks every man was ordered 
to come aft, and none obeyed the order without 
fear, and trembling. It was to them as they 
anticipated, their last moments ; the younger 
part of the crew clung to the more hardy sailors, 
and he again, unaccustomed to face a foe of this 
description, whose face was disguised, exhibited 
an apprehension which would have been termed 
cowardice, if manifested against an open faced 
enemy. 

It was now no longer the intention of the 
Captain of the Spitfire to take the cargo from 
the vessel, for he was afraid to trust himself to 
any anchorage, for such a time as would be re- 
quisite to land, and to sell it ; — money — hard 
money, that which never betrays the owner, was 
his object, not a word was spoken. The crew 
of the brig were placed close aft, whilst the 
Captain made his observations below, attended 
by only one man. The bed places in the cabin 



110 THE SPITFIRE. 

were closed ; this at once struck the Captain 
of the Spitfire, as unusual and strange. He 
withdrew the shutters of one, a man was 
discovered gathered up into the smallest space, 
and covered with the bedding, he was entirely 
under all, and the strange appearance of the 
bed led to his discovery ; the Captain pointed 
to him, and his man understood the signal ; in 
a moment the concealed coward was lugged most 
unceremoniously from his lurking place, and fell 
upon deck without looking at his enemy ; he 
was ordered on deck, and given in charge to 
one of the Spitfire's crew. The cabin was then 
rummaged — the holds were examined — some 
money, which was found in the secret places, 
handed into the boat, and all which could be 
taken without a probable discovery, was 
handed over to the Spitfire ; but there remained 
one caution never omitted, to search the 
crew of the brig, and the Captain came on deck 
to be certain that no cruelty was practised ; he 
was walking aft, when his eye suddenly fell 
upon the man whom he had found under the 
bedding j he was trembling with fear, and 



THE SPITFIRE. Ill 

watching the tall figure in authority, which was 
now moving towards him. It was now, he 
thought, the last moment of his life, and in the 
cowardice of his heart, for not a word had yet 
been spoken — not a violence committed — he 
fell on his knees and implored mercy. 

It was odd to remark the various expressions 
on the prisoners' faces ; some seemed to lift 
their inward prayers with the passenger who 
was imploring that, which it was unnecessary 
to ask, some who had wound up their courage 
to the sticking post, looked with an eye of 
ineifable contempt, and manifested by their 
resolute bearing, their determination to meet 
their fate unmoved, without asking the favour, 
even of their lives. The younger ones hfted 
their eyes towards the black immoveable 
countenance, and their hands clasped closer 
together as they listened to the words of 
him, who evidently could give the signal of 
jdeath. The Captain stood close to the kneel- 
ing man, his arms were carelessly folded, but his 
eyes were fixed upon him ; suddenly he seemed 
to awaken from his reverie and .touching one 



112 THE SPITFIRE. 

of his men, whispered into his ear ; the seaman 
ran forward, and in an instant was seen ascend- 
ing the fore-rigging ; then rose an universal cry 
from all. It was imagined that the seaman 
had been sent aloft to reeve the yard rope, and 
that the death intended, was that of hanging. 
The younger men clasped his knees, and im- 
plored forgiveness ; some spoke hastily about a 
wife and children, whilst others in silence, 
watched the seaman with unmoved counte- 
nance. 

The long black arms waved a desire to 
be silent, the sailor was at the fore-top-mast 
head, he was soon in the top-gallant yard, and 
after having swept the horizon with cautious 
glance, he looked towards his Captain, and 
made a signal that nothing was in sight ; he 
was beckoned down, the poor trembling pas- 
senger was ordered into the boat, but before 
he descended the side, he was blindfolded ; the 
Captain accompanied him, the crew long kept 
in suspense, were now liberated, and with a 
lightness of heart, which hope ever inspires, 
they leapt about the decks hke madmen. 



THE SPITFIRE. 113 

The Captain of the brig was ordered on 
board his own vessel — he was ordered to part 
company, and pursue his course, but the 
passenger was kept on board the schooner. 

Glad enough to escape their very unwelcome 
visitors, few moments were lost on board the 
brig 5 the sails were filled, the large stud- 
ding sail crowded, and the Jane of Liverpool 
was soon leaving behind her the object of the 
pirate's search ; they hardly ventured to express 
their surprize at what had happened, until 
they saw the schooner still hove to, and as 
she grew less distinct, in size and shape, there 
was no alteration in her station. 

" He's welcome enough to aU he's got,*' 
said the Captain to the mate ; '^ he seemed to 
know more about that passenger than we 
did, for he has not taken a stiver which 
belonged to any one else, and I'm blessed if 
he has not even taken his clothes ; I thought 
that man was a vagabond from his eyes, but 
how the devil that fellow, who was as black as a 
crow, should know him and his traps, is a 
mystery; all his money is gone with him. 



114 THE SPITFIRE, 

and as he could not have got that lot honestly, 
why we are rid of a rogue, and he has paid 
his passage money/' 

The prisoner was kept on deck abaft, under 
the care of the helmsman, who, although, the 
vessel was hove to, stood near his post; he 
was kept closely blind-folded, not a word could 
he hear, excepting now and then a jingle of 
words which he could not understand, spoken 
in a language strange to his ears, and from 
voices anything but familiar or pleasant. In 
the mean time. Snarling was receiving his in- 
structions, which, being finished, the prisoner 
was taken below ; opposite to him was seated 
Snarling, behind him carefully silent, was the 
Captain. 

" Listen, you vagabond,'^ said Snarling, " and 
tell me the truth in answer to my questions, 
or by the pipes who played before Moses, your 
life is not worth a sick man's allowance of 
grog ; what is your name ?" 

" John Richardson.^' 

'^ Liar,'' said Snarling, taking his hand, " do 
you wish to keep company with the sharks ? 



THE SPITFIRE. 115 

have you no fear that the cat fish will nibble 
your toes off, or the sword fish touch you 
up with a pike as sharp as a marling-spike ; 
do you think, because your traps are marked 
J. R., your name must be Richardson ; speak 
again, and mind you, I don't come here to 
play the fi)ol, or to be fi)oled. Did you ever see 
a wet hammock hung up to dry ? and how do 
you think you'd feel sewed up in one, 
shrouded in canvass, like a sailor outward 
bound ? speak !" 

" My name is John Rawlinson/^ 

" I knew that, just as certainly as that seven 
bells was the time to mix the grog." 

" Where do you live when you are at 
home ?" 

" In London.'* 

" Oh you do — do you. On deck there, 
bring down the hot pincers. Til take a pinch 
of your carcase every time you tell a lie. Now 
then, where do you live, when you're at 
home ?'' 

" In Wales.'^ 



116 THE SPITFIRE. 

" You have told me two lies ; Pll save you 
one or two more. You are an attorney, but 
you are no sea lawyer ; tell me the reason why 
you left your house to cross the seas to 
America, for you are not hand-cuffed, and 
therefore not so great a vagabond as the usual 
cargoes of live lumber ? You see, 1 know 
something about you, or I should not have 
done you the favour to invite you on board 
my vessel, whilst your own is going away with 
a fine wind to New York/* 

" Surely you would not kill me ; I am an 
innocent man ; take all I have, but spare my 
life." 

" You greasy looking scoundrel," said Snarl- 
ing, in virtuous indignation ^ " do you think 
I*d waste my breath to stretch your neck ? 
Why if we hang an attorney, we should be 
haunted by lawyers for ever ; we have quite 
enough of you when alive. Now then, your 
history. Mind, I warn you, that if we tumble 
you overboard, and you cannot swim, so drown 
yourself, we are not answerable for your 



THE SPITFIRE. 117 

death; take care, we have a nice difference 
between hanging or swimming/' 

Rawlinson^ who was now aware of his des- 
titution, for once in his " life told the truth ; 
during the recital of which, the Captain seemed 
almost in convulsions; but when the last 
part came of the surprize and recapture of 
Laura, the presence of Law, and the flight 
of the attorney to Liverpool, where he had 
embarked for America, a calmness and atten- 
tion was observable. 

" Amongst your traps, you woman-stealer, 
there is a jewel which I have seen before ; you 
stole that?" 

" My sister gave it me/' 

" Why you have papers enough in your 
chest to furnish the pastry-cooks of New 
York for a couple of years ; what are they all 
about ? No, there clap a stopper on your jaw 
tackles, for if you begin to tell us the history of 
these yarns, they'll last for ever, so I'll have 
them inspected by my secretary ; in the mean 
time you may make use of every part of you 
but your eyes ; if you tumble overboard, that's 



118 THE SPITFIRE. 

your own work ; so away with you on deck, 
and mind, as sure as God made little apples, 
if you are detected squinting only out of those 
hawse holes of yours, your minutes will be 
shorter than my words/' 

Now was Rawlinson in the power of the 
man, who had promised never to lose sight of 
him; half the vindictive feelings which at first 
animated him, passed with the assurance of 
Laura's safety ; and all the malice of disap- 
pointed love, which lasts in spite of years of 
excitement and employment, rose against 
Margaret, who was the cause, the secret engine, 
by which the abduction was worked. The 
jewel he had recognized ; the papers were 
spread out before him : his prisoner was re- 
moved forward, and the handkerchief taken off; 
he was placed with his eyes towards the bul- 
wark, and given clearly to understand, that 
the slightest variation of his optics would 
lead to unpleasant results ; the schooner wore 
and stood with her head in shore, whilst the 
Captain, whose heart beat quickly, as if aware 
that some discovery attended his researches, 



THE SPITFIRE. Ill) 

desiring not to be disturbed, but in case of 
necessity, proceeded to peruse the documents, 
which his good and unexpected fortune had 
placed in his hands. 



120 THE SPITFIRE. 



CHAPTER VI. 

The red tape was removed from a packet of 
papers, and the Captain was placed before them 
in a state of unusual excitement, his head 
rested on his hands, his elbows were advanced 
unusually far upon the table, his eyes de- 
voured the contents, his frame shook with agi- 
tation. It was the original will of Sir Ronald de 
Lancy ; the artful scoundrel had practised a fur- 
ther fraud upon Sir Ronald ; not even the mar- 
riage of his daughter was sufficient to warrant his 
security ; he had copied the document, the ori- 
ginal still remained. All the fair inheritance 
of his birth had been made over to his brother, 
a brother still, although in law, one who could 
not claim the right ; the paper which, before 
his departure from Raven Castle, he had found 
in the bible recurred to his mind, and he who 



THE SPITFIRE. 121 

from circumstances the most untoward, had 
bound himself to a life which he abhorred, and 
which was merely upheld by the excitement, 
was by the will before him, not only a Ba- 
ronet, but the possessor of Raven Castle. 
Bitter were the tears he shed ! For ever must 
the Castle and its dependencies be to him no 
place of refuge ; the oath, if man believed in a 
God, bound him for ever to the Spitfire ; — that 
oath was a written document to which, since 
his first appointment to the command, he had 
never read; he feared to cast his eye upon 
it. 

How was he now to act ? Here, amongst the 
papers, was the description of his desertion, 
letters which had passed between Rawlinson 
and Sir Ronald, an accurate account of Her- 
bert's intended death, the examination of 
Blackburn, the list of sums to a vast extent re- 
mitted to the United States, the manner in 
which these sums were invested and the dis- 
covery of the whole life of Rawlinson from his 
first advice to his brother, to his embarkation 
on board the brig ; even his plan for the ab- 

VOL. III. G 



1^2 THE SPITFIRE. 

duction of Laura and its execution, with an 
account of the surprise and his suspicions that 
Blackburn had betrayed him. It appeared 
that his daughter, although informed of his in- 
tentions in some respects, was ignorant of the 
fortune her father had amassed ^ some parts of 
the journal in which he recorded his daily ac- 
tions, with a fidelity strange for villainy, was 
worthy of the man ; there was in it a mixture 
of folly, impudence sincerity, and caution.— 
Thus: 

" Monday the 1 3th January. Rose early ; 
the vigilant man must ever be active ; walked 
round the shrubbery and thought — thought 
that my new year should be as profitable 
as my last. Sir Ronald's a fool ; so is my 
daughter, for she believes me ; she actually be- 
lieves me such a fool as that I have spent my 
money and left the winter of age unprovided ; 
and thus, through her I work upon Sir Ronald. 
When a man receives his interest from his for- 
tune in the funds, he wishes life to grow 
shorter, for every day is an age until the next 
dividend becomes due; — I avoid that by a ge- 
neral steady increase. Have heard of Albert : 



THE SPITFIRE. 123 

he will not escape me. 1 must drive him 
abroad, and then those at home will cease to 
remember him ; Solomon never said so true or 
so wise a thins: as ' out of sio^ht out of mind.' 
Laura must be raine^ if only to insure the 
jewels ; I care not for her, she is much too 
honest, too meek, mild and melancholy for me ; 
but Montezuma's plume would sell well. Al- 
bert must be a brave man to leave the fashion 
of the trinket, and not fear discovery.^' 

There were days and days of such remarks, 
and the whole journal, will, account of money, 
and other papers of value were sealed up in a 
peculiar way, and directed only to be opened 
in the event of his death. 

In his own will, which was likewise amongst 
-the papers, there was one attempt at honesty : 
he had left his money to Albert to which he 
admitted it belonged, with a request that a 
church might be built where his house stood, 
in order that pious and good people might 
pray on the spot where he had concocted his 
villainies ; but he never mentioned the name of 

G 2 



124 THE SPITFIRE. 

Sir Ronald or his daughter in this post mortern 
act of justice and rehgion. 

It was nearly midnight before Albert had 
read the papers. Rawlinson had been shown a 
hammock in the fore peak and given to un- 
derstand, that any attempt to come on deck 
would be his first step towards a very long 
swim. With a resignation quite wonderful in 
such a villain, he quietly turned in, and in 
spite of his alarming situation, slept soundly. 

There was no friend to whom Albert could 
pour out his own soul ; and there is no greater 
satisfaction than having a friend to whom a 
man can unburthen his mind; he traced through 
the journal, the plots used for his discovery, 
his description as the deserter and many many 
ponderings upon the manner in which he had 
obtained the jewels. The conclusion of one 
day's remarks, was quite after his own best 
fashion, *^ Albert must be one of these things, 
— a pirate, a merchant or the devil." 

What was to be done ? in vain Albert 
thought of returning \ his oath and his know- 



THE SPITFIRE. 125 

ledge that the crew would soon manage to 
dispose of him, were obstacles he could not 
overcome. He had sworn to live or die with 
them, and there was no alternative; in the 
goodness of his heart, he forgave his brother ; 
he wrote a letter which the first opportunity 
was to convey, in which he mentioned that 
chance had placed the papers of Rawlinson in 
his hands, that he had become acquainted with 
the former circumstances of Sir Ronald's life, 
and that, in forgiving him, he left him the un- 
disturbed possession of Raven Castle with the 
title, rather than that the exposure should take 
place and the bright name of his father be tar- 
nished by the deeds of the son. But how to 
dispose of his prisoner ? if he landed him at 
Corvo or Flores, he might get to Terceira and 
thence home without much diflficulty. He 
might evade the law, he might manage to hush 
up the abduction, which for the sake of Laura 
might be consented to, even by her adviser ; 
to brand him with the villainy and to leave 
such a wretch to rot in some desert place, 
once occurred to him, but where was there 



1^6 THE SPITFIRE. 

such a place ? besides, he wished to avoid being 
identified by such a scoundrel ; he paced the 
deck half the middle watch. He gave no 
orders, he appeared far from vigilant as usual, 
and his whole mind seemed absorbed in some 
great undertaking ; at last his mind was made 
up ; he ordered the mate to make sail and to 
stand to the E. N. E. under as much sail as 
the schooner would bear. 

There was no murmur against this order, 
although the crew had that evening talked of 
the long wished for return to the Isle of Pines, 
another visit to Medellin during the fete, or a 
probable satisfactory visit to Tampico de las 
Tamulipas, where occasionally recruas of 
mules, laden with the produce of the mines, 
arrived. To the crew, the resource of that 
rich country was well known, and that to ship 
the treasure to Spain, the money often came 
to ports of considerable insignificancy ; but the 
word of the Captain was a law against which 
they never dared to revolt ; he had conducted 
them in safety through scenes of great diffi- 
culty, and where courage and coolness alone 



THE SPITFIRE. 127 

rendered success probable ; in the last days of 
Carlos he had ventured his life even on the 
same scaffold, and was prepared to have rescued 
him, had not the crew pronounced his doom ; 
they saw in their Captain a man ever ready to 
do good, but slow to do that which was cruel ; 
he liberated all prisoners and often, as the 
stripped wretches returned from their unseen 
plunderers, the hand of the man who ordered 
the plunder conveyed some assistance to his 
victims. He was the child of circumstances, 
placed in a situation against his will, and 
acting against the dictates of his own heart. 

At dawn of day, another vessel was seen : 
she was evidently bound to America, and was 
a merchant vessel; the Spitfire bore down 
upon her, the long gun signaled her to heave 
to, and the men in the masks boarded her ; 
they took with them Rawlinson, who received 
from the Captain, at his parting, a bag of money, 
in which there was also a note, written in a 
disguised hand. All his papers were carefully 
preserved, his clothes, with other articles of 
minor value, were restored to him, and the 



128 THE SPITFIRE. 

Captain of the stranger was ordered to receive 
him on board, and to land him at the port to 
which his ship was destined ; no outrage of any 
kind was committed, time appeared of more 
consequence than plunder ; and the out-lawed 
attorney was suffered to proceed to the place, 
for which he had embarked in another vessel, 
unhurt in person, and not much poorer in 
pocket ; he had only seen one face, and that 
was the face of a Spaniard, as brown as an 
olive, and as desperate as a ruffian. 

The Spitfire, on leaving the stranger, stood 
on her course, whilst the brig, equally anxious 
to part company with her very suspicious neigh- 
bo ur, crowded all sail towards America. 
Several other vessels were seen, but none 
were boarded 5 the third day, a large frigate 
was espied to leeward, she was evidently 
the look out frigate of some squadron, for 
signals were seen flying ; when first observed, 
she was under her three topsails jib and span- 
ker, and she was discovered by the Spitfire 
at least an hour before they saw the schooner. 
The eye of the man on the top-sail-yard of the 



THE SPITFIRE. 129 

schooner was never off the frigate ; the glass 
was not for a second idle, and it was one p. m 
when a voice declared that the strange frigate 
to leeward had set her courses, and top-gallant 
sails, and had hauled dead upon a wind in 
chase; the Spitfire was running parallel with her. 
Before this occurred, the one had been standing 
to the eastward, and the other to westward ; 
now both hauled on a wind, the Spitfire 
laying about N.W. by W. and the frigate 
about E. by N. As the Spitfire had been chased 
a thousand times, and a thousand times es- 
caped, not one of the crew ever supposed her 
possible to be overhauled, without some very 
untoward circumstances occurred, and then 
the talent of the Captain generally extricated 
her ; they, therefore, having trimmed the sail to 
the nicest point, and witnessed her rapidity of 
sailing, sat down as quietly, as if no vessel 
was near her ; indeed the great distance of the 
frigate, her top sails being scarcely above the 
horizon, and that dead to leeward, rendered 
the idea of a chase, considering the long nights, 
perfectly despicable. The Captain betook him- 

G 3 



130 THE SPITFIRE. 

self to a reperusal of his father's will ; some of 
the crew sung songs, others smoked ; whilst 
others again counted their money, and wond- 
ered when a cruize on shore would lighten them 
of the easily acquired wealth. 

At two o'clock, the Spitfire was abreast of the 
frigate, and she was observed to tack, and now 
the trial of sailing would soon be ascertained ; 
by way of seeing how much the Spitfire would 
forereach over her, bearings were accurately 
taken ; but no more sail was set, the schooner 
was under her fore and aft sails ; with a reefed 
top-sails, she could have carried more, but she 
was never pressed with her canvass ; the frigate 
appeared under single reefed top-sails, top-gal- 
lant-sails, jib and spanker. 

This trifling circumstance of the tacking of 
the frigate, gave rise to many an anecdote of 
the speed of the Spitfire, and it was remarked 
by Snarling, that the vessel herself seemed con- 
scious of being pursued, for she invariably 
sailed faster the more she was pressed in pur- 
suit; she was in truth a gallant vessel; her 
equal had never been found; she had been 



THE SPITFIRE. 131 

chased more than forty times in two years, 
and she never had once been obhged to carry 
all possible sail; as the schooner was only 
going one point from her course, the Captain 
considered her, as making the best of her pas- 
sage, and quieted all his thoughts, disagreeable 
as they occasionally were, that although the 
Spitfire was chased, she was making her course 
good. 

The wind remained very steady indeed : it 
neither increased, nor decreased ; some clouds 
seemed thickening to windward, and the 
mares' tails, and mackarel scales, also indi- 
cated the probable increase of the breeze when 
the sun went down. So secure had the crew 
of the Spitfire become in the unrivalled excel- 
lence of her sailing, that it was close upon 
sunset before Snarling was seen at the compass 
taking the bearings of the frigate. 

" I think/' said the man at the wheel, " that 
she has the wind a httle more to the eastward, 
than we have, for I think I see her plainer than 
I did." The glass was immediately in the 
hands of the Captain, who, hearing the con- 
versation, came on deck. 



132 THE SPITFIRE. 

" She has neared us a good deal, Snarling/^ 
he said, as he took his eyes from the glass; " I 
see below the reef points of his second reef; 
and when I left the deck, even with the rise of 
the sea, 1 could not see below the first/' 

" And she's forereached upon us, more than 
two points, '^ said Snarling. " I'm blessed if she 
must not be the flying Hcebe at last ; there's 
no other craft that ever came from a dock-yard^ 
either in France or England, who could hold a 
candle to us, but that frigate.' ' 

There was some little anxiety displayed by 
the Captain, as his mate told this very unplea- 
sant truth ; every sailor had heard of the flying 
Hcebe ; she might have gone in chase of the 
flying Dutchman, and perhaps have captured 
her. To meet with her, was any thing but 
pleasant ; but the nights were long, and in all 
probability she would be recalled. 

As the Captain pondered over this, the 
answering pendant was seen at the mast head 
of the frigate, and shortly afterwards a signal 
that Albert faithfully remembered. He made 
out the flags distinctly, " the chase is an 
enemy !" it appeared from the length of time 



THE SPITFIRE. 133 

the signal was flying, that the ship, to which 
she was signaHzing, was further off" than the 
Spitfire ; at last it was hauled down, and the 
answering pendant was seen responding to a 
telegraph; for it was dropped and hoisted 
about a dozen times. 

" She has leave to chase," said Albert; " how 
many are we going ?" 



134 THE SPITFIRE. 



CHAPTER VII. 

The Spitfire was going eight knots an hour, 
and she was hugging the wind^ yet it was evi- 
dentj to the most careless observer, that the 
frigate had not only weathered, but forereached^ 
the hull was visible from the top-sail -yard, but 
the evening had began to close in, and at that 
distance, the paint could not be distinguished. 

When the Spitfire lost sight of her, she 
shook a reef out of her top-sail, and tacked. 
The weather looked lowering to windward, and 
a squally night was anticipated ; a shght alter- 
ation was made in the trim, and when the log 
was hove, the vessel being one point free, she 
was going eleven knots. She was now standing 
away from her destination, and those gloomy 



THE SPITFIRE. 135 

forebodings which sometimes give warning of 
coming misfortunes, seemed to have settled on 
the crew. 

It had ever been the cautious practice of the 
Captain to avoid any man of war ; he preferred 
the risk of a chase to the risk of some of the 
crew recaUing his features; but for that, he 
might have borne down on the frigate, and 
dared an investigation ', his Enghsh letter of 
marque would have saved him, and his well 
tutored crew would have defied all cross ex- 
amination ; but the guilty are ever timid. Pre- 
vention says, a doctor is better than cure ; 
escape, said the pirate, is better than search, 
" We can but be overhauled, at last," said 
Snarling, " but it won't be to-morrow, or the 
Captain of that infernal craft must see through 
a cloud as clearly as if it was daylight." 

Not a light was shown from the Spitfire, the 
watch were on the alert, and the most vigilant 
look-out kept ; — the fate of Carlos was ever on 
their lips, and the long ceremony of his execu- 
tion, with all the horrors of a crowd of people 
to witness the last writhings of a condemned 



136 THE SPITFIRE. 

criminal ; the hiss of hatred the scowl of scorn, 
as one, the enemy of all, was legally murdered, 
gave a cold creeping of the flesh, which no ex- 
ertion could warm. 

The Spitfire's appearance was always against 
her; it was imposible to pass unnoticed the 
huge sails which seemed disproportionate to 
the low hull ; her canvass appeared to bury 
her by its power, yet no vessel half so lightly 
skimmed over the seas, or cut more silently 
through the water. 

The crowded sail was soon too much for the 
increasing wind ; but still there was a reluctance 
to reduce it ; the vessel seemed flying for its 
existence, and the smallest diminution of canvass 
was never anticipated by the Captain. 

" Well," said Snarling, as he looked to wind- 
ward, and caught a spray on his rough cheek, 
" this won't do ; if we don't shorten sail our- 
selves, yonder squall, which is coming along 
like a tornado, will soon save us the trouble of 
going aloft, by leaving the top-sail yard on 
deck ; why I never knew the craft to stagger 
before ; she trembles like a chap with the ague. 



THE SPITFIRE. 137 

or a man going to be exe 'Vhen he stopped 

the utterance of the word with a whistle. 

"We can hold on, Snarling," said the Captain, 
"through it. I don't think it^s a very stiff 
one." 

" Stiff enough to take the starch out of 
the finest top-sail that ever came out of Ports- 
mouth yard, Sir ; why it's as black as an un- 
dertaker, and one can almost hear it whistling 
a merry note at the mischief it was about to 
commit." 

" Stand by the top-sail halyard, forward ; 
get that weather brace well in, SnarUng, and 
let some hands stand by, to clew the yard down ; 
mind your weather helm, my lad, the squall 
seems drawing forward ; if, after this, the breeze 
does not slacken, we must shift the jib, and 
reef all the sails.'' 

" Better do it at once, Sir," said Snarling, 
" the night gets worse and worse, and if ever 
there was a breeze painted aloft, it was in the 
sky before sun set, and in that bur round the 
moon, which was large enough for an over shot 



138 THE SPITFIRE. 

wheel, for the water mill of the world ; my eyes 
and limbs, here it comes." 

The wind came howhng along, and the word 
to shorten sail was given ; it was partially too 
late; the top-sail was split, and the top-mast 
sprung, and work enough was cut for the crew, 
for at least an hour. 

" I thought so," said Snarling, "the more 
haste the worst speed ; if we had not 
been so cursedly afraid of that frigate, which I 
suppose, about this time is sixty miles off, we 
should not have had to swallow as much rain 
as would mix the grog for a crew of a seventy- 
four." 

^^ Don't be grumbling there," said the Cap- 
tain, rather sharply, " but look about you, 
shift the top-mast, get a reef down in the main 
sail, and make her snug for the night ; it will 
blow a gale before morning.'' 

" I always like grumbling, when I work," 
said Snarling, as he lent his best hand to re- 
pair the mischief. There were plenty of hands, 
and all good and desperate seamen to obey the 



THE SPITFIRE. 139 

orders. Reefs were taken in all the sails ; the jib 
shifted for a fourth jib, and by midnight, the 
Spitfire was surging through the sea, at the 
rate of twelve knots an hour ; they passed two 
vessels and saw the hght of an admiral's ship ; 
but the night was so dark that the schooner 
was unobserved. 

" Aye," said Snarling, as he kept his eye on 
the admiral's light, "there's the regular old 
channel groper ; three top- sails, a mizen and 
fore-top-mast stay-sail ; there they go, as much 
in line as a flight of wild geese ; all hands fast 
asleep and not a bad prize for some of them 
close along side ; keep that light in the binnacle 
you, Juan, concealed ; one at the time is plenty 
to chase us ; we are safe enough now, for the 
frigate will take a cruize to herself, and won't 
come back to this rendezvous for a week, or 
two." 

" When we are well passed these ships. 
Snarling,^' said the Captain, "bear right up, 
keep her about south, and carry as much sail 
as you can." 

" Aye, aye. Sir," answered Snarling, " that's 



140 THE SPITFIRE. 

just the way to double them all ; before day- 
light we shall be fifty miles to leeward^ and if 
the frigate has played Tom Cox's traverse, and 
tumbles upon us at daylight, it's not the Httle 
Spitfire which he'll take without a long run." 

Long before daylight the anxiety of the 
crew manifested itself ; it was the first time 
they had ever found their rival at sailing, and 
they knew that their suspicious movements 
would entail upon them a search which, with all 
their ingenuity, they could but ill bear. As the 
first streak of grey was discernable, the glasses 
were in use ; the only man in the whole crew 
who seemed quite indifferent to the observation 
being Snarling ; he declared the schooner had 
been badly steered, and that, as for any frigate 
ever built, beating the Spitfire, was just as 
unhkely as the Lord Mayor of London com- 
manding the channel fleet. Gradually the 
revolving world turned towards the sun, and 
the daylight grew distinct ; not a sail was in 
sight ; the glass had been directed carefully to 
every part of the horizon; there was not a speck; 
and Snarling, as he went down below for the 



THE SPITFIRE. 141 

first time since eight o'clock the preceding 
night, rubbed his hands as he said, "More 
frightened than hurt, and I think if we are so 
cursedly afraid of our throats, we had better 
wreck the craft on the Isle of Pines, and each 
man set up his own establishment/' 

A beam of joy lightened the face of the Captain. 
It was attributed to the absence of the frigate, 
but far other thoughts occupied his mind ; he 
now altered his course to W. N. W. hauling up 
close upon a wind. The only words which fell 
from his lips, after his order was given, being, 
'^ I should not like it to happen until one vessel 
was found which could beat us.'* 

The breeze increased as the sun rose, which 
it did, red and fiery ; there was no occasion to 
run the hazard of a sprung lower mast, sail was 
reduced ; and at noon this terror of the seas 
was tossed about, to use Snarling's expression 
like a boy in a blanket. The wind grew louder 
and stronger; the close reefed fore and aft- 
fore-sail, triced up high enough to allow a sea 

to pass under it, all the sail was set, and if 



142 THE SPITFIRE. 

ever the figurative expression of riding like a 
duck upon the water, was applicable to any 
vessel, that vessel was the Spitfire. Small as 
she was, comparatively speaking, with ships of 
the line, her decks were as dry ; the long sneak- 
ing vessel met the coming sea ; rose easily on its 
summit, and then sank slowly in the abyss. 
Even when the toppling sea came hurriedly 
along, its crest bursting with the foam, which 
the wind conveyed like a shower of rain, the 
gallant schooner faced it steadily •, and allowing 
it to burst upon her chest tree, distributed its 
gifts to all equally. 

There was no day long enough for the Captain, 
the perusal of Rawlinson's journal, which for 
years had marked the misery of the man, who, 
in a tone of levity, had recorded his day's 
operations, struck him at every line. Here 
was discovered the plot to find out and dis- 
patch Herbert ; the object of the visit to the 
cottage where Albert had met his enemy as a 
deserter ; the whole plan by which Laura was 
to have been captured, and the narrow escape 



THE SPITFIRE. 143 

of the Captain at the ball. Here Avas written, 
by the hand of his greatest enemy, the proba- 
ble result of his capture ; either death as a 
deserter ; or transportation for a felony, if not 
the gallows for a high-way robbery ; every 
word was recorded, the time was punctually 
marked, success sure, disgrace inevitable had 
he been captured. No bitter thought enven- 
omed the last action of Albert ; he had covered 
his enemy with generosity, he had not allowed 
him to be plundered; and he had set him for- 
ward in his cruize to a land of security, with 
only a hint, that on that misnamed land of 
liberty, he might, by repentance, work out for- 
giveness from Him, who is the father of all, 
which the laws of civilized community, never 
could have extended to such a sinner. 

These papers and packets, the most valua- 
ble of all prizes which ever had fallen into his 
hands, were carefully directed to Mr. Law, 
wdth instructions not to proceed in any suit, 
until further directions from Albert, or to be 
opened but by his order ; with this parcel, was 
a letter to Laura, congratulating her on her 
escape ; and praying her to have further confi- 



144 THE SPITFIRE. 

dence in one, the object of whose life, was 
once more to throw himself at her feet. 

His days passed merrily ; those well em- 
ployed find time for every thing; are ever 
cheerful, and have ever a moment to spare for 
the conversation of a friend ; the idle and 
the frivolous have never one second to spare, 
and consume a day in great excitement, en- 
deavouring to kill time, the most inveterate 
and most constant of all their enemies. 

The crew below had no task to perform on 
deck ; they sat down, and mended their clothes ; 
some more greedy than the rest counted their 
dollars ; but generally speaking, the crew like 
all gamblers were ever generous, and thought 
little of the hereafter. 

At sunset, there was no chance of an altera- 
tion of the weather ; the crew long accustomed 
to some occupation, began to talk over past 
events, and this hugging the English coast, 
which was evidently the Captain's intention 
was commented upon with much acrimony ; 
in short, opinions were circulated, which, 
had not the oath been remembered, might 
have led to unpleasant consequences. 



THE SPITFIRE. 145 

" Let's have a bottle of grog, a cigar, and a 
song," said Snarling ; " we must tune up 
another pipe, now Carlos is gone ; and if none 
of you will start an end, I'm just the one as 
will set the example/' 

The very proposition turned the tide of dis- 
cord. What sailor can be cast down, when 
grog is proposed, or a stave volunteered ? all 
seemed in an mstant prepared to join in the 
fun, while SnarUng, who was only acting in 
accordance with his Captain's wishes, soon 
found a subject to amuse his audience. 

Although smoking was not generally al- 
lowed between decks, yet as the wind was 
high, the weather cold and chilly, with occa- 
sional showers of rain, the crew huddled 
together, the cigars were hghted, the grog 
mixed, and swung to avoid its capsizing ; and 
Snarhng, by way of setting an example, turned 
up his pipe, and sung — 

There's a vessel which swirason the seas, 
She belongs to all parts of the world I 
She is found in the Mexican breeze, 
On the sea which the TiiFoon has curled. 
VOL. III. H 



146 THE SPITFIRE. 

Every craft which she meets is her prize ; 
But she deals not in blood or in slaughter, 
Though her deeds may be seen from the skies, 
The records are popped under water. 
She's at war, though she's never in strife, 
For she pounces at once on her prey. 
And hers is the conjuror's life, 
Which varies with each coming day. 
Success to the Spitfire — the craft ! 
Which chased, yet no vessel had caught her ; 
From her stem, to the transom abaft. 
She's the beauty, and pride of the water. 



" Well, I never thought to see the craft," 
said Juan, as Snarling finished, " which could 
gain upon us in a breeze, when we could carry 
the top-sail, and be in smooth water ; there 
was not sea enough to give a duck a head 
ache ; yet I'm blessed if that frigate did not 
creep up to us, as if we had been at an- 
chor.^' 

" She was built in France," said another, 
" and that accounts for her sailing so well ; 
those Frenchmen have the nimblest legs in the 
world." 



THE SPITFIRE. 14/ 

" Aye," said Snarling, "^ to run away with; 
bat they are never so quick to chase ; it was an 
Enghsh frigate, and that was the fleet to w^hich 
she belonged, that we crossed last night. It's 
the only ship in the world we need fear, it's 
the flying Hoebe." 

" I should like to know," said another, 
" why we did not take the cargo out of that 
craft the other day, and why that red-headed 
rascal was given his money back ? Our other 
Captain used to tell all about where we were 
going, and what was done ; but this man keeps 
rummaging some old papers, and when he 
gets half across the Atlantic, turns tail, and 
runs us smack into the jaws of the channel 
fleet." 

" It w^as a good night's work though, 
which made him our Captain ; and I dare 
say Carlos told him of it, before the screw 
choked his luff"; and if he had not have taken 
the oath, he would have left his head behind 
him ; near Puerto Cavallo." 

"He is the best man we ever had, or could 
H 2 



148 THE SPITFIRE. 

have/^ replied Snarling ; " for my part, I never 
liked that slaughtering innocent people, and 
robbing churches/^ 

" Why you set us going at Falmouth." 

" Not I ! It was Carlos, who swore he was 
doing his religion a service by plundering 
ours.*' 

" Well, that's all right," said Juan, " all the 
heretic parsons ought to be burnt ; but I think 
we are not the best people to quarrel about 
religion, although those who have the least, ge- 
nerally roar the loudest about it. Who'll tell us 
the yarn about the Captain, how he came here, 
and who he is, and what's his real name?" 

" Aye," said Snarling, " he's a clever fellow 
who can answer all these questions. I can tell 
how he came here, and I can tell you some of 
his names, for he has as many as would fill the 
open list of a seventy-four ; but which is the 
right, out of all these pursers' names I can't 
tell any more than the figure head." 

" Well then," said Juan, ^^ just tell us how 
he came here ?" 

" This is all about it," continued Snarling ; 



THE SPITFIRE. 149 

" it was at that business, as Puerto Cavallo, 
when Carlos got the girl aboard in boy's clothes, 
and we went on shore at night to the church ; 
that was the same girl, who he murdered at 
Cadiz. It was after we had exchanged some 
property with those men who left their money 
on the tables without counting it, that our 
Captain, who was the very devil at opening 
houses, went to the house of the father of the 
girl; he had pledged himself not to plunder 
him, but no sooner did he see some money 
than he began to place it in his pocket ; the 
girl called on Carlos to protect her father; 
high words arose and a row ensued, in the 
midst of which, our present Captain, dressed 
as an English sailor, appeared just as Carlos, to 
save the father of the girl, stabbed the Captain, 
A riot ensued ; the girl, on seeing the blood, 
rushed into the street, and called for assistance. 
Women always bawl out, or faint directly the 
danger's over ; they never do it at the time, and 
the guard seeing how the cat was jumping 
came down with muskets and baggonets, and 
pikes and points enough in all shapes, to have 



150 THE SPITFIRE. 

set up so many hemp cleaners' shackles. Some- 
how, this young shaver saw the clanger better 
than any of us 5 we were all for retreating into 
the house, and making good our defence there, 
but he called out that if we did we should be 
hemmed in until more men came to the assist- 
ance of the soldiers, and that then, we must 
either surrender, or make good our retreat 
through the same street, that it was then 
requisite to pass. ' Here,^ said he, as he took 
hold of four of us, Carlos was one, ' do you 
kick up a bit of a row here, whilst we retire to 
the next corner, and then make a retreat when 
you hear us shout, fire,' this was done all 
as orderly as the marines at exercise. The 
Spanish guard on hearing us blaze away — we 
had only pistols — retreated a little and then our 
lads rejoined us, as we, having accomplished our 
object, fell back towards the boats, taking ad- 
vantage of the moment of surprise we had 
occasioned. They soon recovered their courage, 
and on they came like mad lions making as 
much row as the present squall 3 but we had got 
close to the boats, and were on the open 



THE SPITFIRE. 151 

beach ; ' There my lads/ said he, ' I recollect it 
well — ^jump in, and be off, never mind me, I 
shall be shot, but I prefer it.' Carlos and my- 
self caught hold of him, and in spite of his 
exertions to be clear of us, we placed him in 
the boat ; the Spaniards seeing us afloat began 
to fire, and as we were close together, the balls 
came in rather too thick, and fast to please us ; 
the Captain made us separate, told us not to 
fire, but to get out to sea, and somehow every 
man obeyed him as naturally as if he had been 
sworn in. 

" When he got on board the craft, and saw 
what she was, he begged most poUtely to be 
sent on shore. That would never do, for he 
saw us all — knew us all, and he might have 
held up his hand against us in any court. It 
was hard to force a man who had served us, to 
jump over board, where sharks are just as plen- 
tiful as potatoes in Ireland ; so we said he 
should join us. He swore nothing on earth 
should ever make him belong to the Spitfire, 
and we were obliged to give him a chance, 



152 THE SPITFIRE. 

either to be handed over to Davy Jones's locker 
blindfolded, or be Captain of us. 

'^ It was a toss up which he took ; he did not 
care about death any more than an Indian 
prisoner; but when we came to place the black 
handkerchief over his eyes, and Carlos told 
him that he might say adios to all the women 
in the world, he gave a kind of hiccup, and a 
sigh, muttered something like a lawyer, which 
some said was Laura, and consented to remain, 
if he was Captain." 

" ^ Then,' said Carlos, ' you will take the 
oath?" 

" ^ Anything,' he answered, in a kind of des- 
pair, like a man with a tooth ache. 

" ^ Then kneel down,' said Carlos ; ' now 
swear upon this cross,' and he gave him the 
handle of a sword, ' that to-morrow you will 
take the oath, we shall direct you to take.* 

^' * Of what nature is it r' said he. 

" ' Of that nature,' Carlos whispered in his 
ear, Hhat may give you an opportunity of 
seeing her again, whilst without it, the black 



THE SPITFIRE. 153 

handkerchief, and the shark will be nearer you 
than at present/ 

" ' I swear/ he said, " though heaven is my 
witness, how much against me it is to do 
so/ 

" He's mighty squeamish thought I, about 
his oath, and the command of the finest craft 
afloat/' 

" Excepting that frigate yesterday," inter- 
rupted Juan. 

" Excepting, you hold your tongue," said 
SnarUng, " I won't tell you the rest of the 
yarn/' 

" Spin away mate, and don't be angry/' 

" Well, the next day came, and we all 
mustered in clean rigging, armed with cutlasses 
and bare headed, as he came up the hatchway. 
We all drew our weapons, knelt down and held 
the points to our hearts ; we then swore the 
oath, to be true to him, never to murmur 
against his orders, to assist him against any, 
with our fives, who dared dispute his command; 
to live, to die with him, and as long as the 

H 3 



154 1 HE SPITFIRE. 

Spitfire floated, to be his slaves — his sub- 
jects/^ 

^' I never took that oath/' said Juan. 

" You were a boy, when we caught you, but 
in a month you will be sworn ; we all know 
from experience, that with us there must be 
but one captain, one king. We then, every 
one of us, drew some blood with the point of 
the sword, and as he took a taste of us, we 
bowed our heads to the deck, and he placed 
his foot on the neck of each of us. 

" It was then his turn. — Lord love you, that 
man who is as cool as the snow on the 
Mexican mountain of Orizava, became just as 
white, and just as cold as it ; whilst the next 
moment, the large drops of perspiration ran 
down him, as if a man had watered his head 
with a watering pot. He could not speak for 
some time, so we gave him some wine to wash 
the blood down, and Carlos, holding the glass, 
bade him wound himself, so that we might 
unite ourselves to him by the bond of blood. 
It was not fear which made him hesitate to tap 



THE SPITFIRE. I55 

his arm ; not fear of the pain, but it was some- 
thing which warned him of the solemnity of the 
affair. The large crucifix was before his eyes ; 
those Avho had sworn to obey him, were around 
him, and he saw from the manner we expressed 
ourselves, that he would have to bind himself, 
until death, unto us, and to the Spitfire : but 
his imagination, heightened as it was, never 
could contemplate the oath, about to be ad- 
ministered ; at last with a desperate stab, as if 
he could not feel bodily pain, he plunged the 
sharp point of a dirk into his arm, and the 
blood flowed copiously. Carlos made him say 
* As I bound myself to you with blood, so bind 
yourselves to me ; this blood is now yours, 
as yours is mine; from this moment we 
are one in cause, one in heart, one in 
blood ; you are my relations by that tie, and 
none others have I but you, until death shall 
part us.' 

^* We all again knelt down, and each man 
drank a drop of the blood, each man made the 
sign of the cross, and each man repeated aloud 



156 THE SPITFIRE. 

the words— the same words which the Captain 
had said. It seemed a weight off the Captain's 
mind, as he thought the ceremony was conclud- 
ed, and his heart seemed to beat quicker, when 
he was told to kneel down, and hold the small 
silver crucifix which is always put upon any 
dead man before we bury him ; the parch- 
ment was placed in his hand, and he read 
aloud the oath, which binds him for ever to 
us." 

" What is it ?" said Juan. 

" That which I would not repeat in this gale 
of wind ; not whilst this storm rages, and that 
power which is invoked manifests itself in it ; 
but the oath was such, that he trembled like 
an infant, as he pledged his soul to his obe- 
dience to it ; there was no power left unim- 
plored to shower down damnation on his heart, 
if he swerved from it ; he is ours, as we aer 
his ; — the tie cannot be dissolved, until not a 
plank remains of the Spitfire; not a man 
breathes who is now in her ! The shores of all 
nations become the places of our recreation. 



THE SPITFIRE. 157 

as of our crimes. The power invested in Mor- 
gan of old, is invested in our Captain ; the 
names of the great buccaneers, such as Francis 
Lolonois, Pierre le Grand, Morgan, Sawkins, 
Sharp, WatHng and Lawrence de Graflf, and 
others, are by us looked upon as a former 
race of kings ; to whose sovereignty our Cap- 
tain has succeeded ; and never yet, excepting 
in the case of Sharp and Watling, has any Cap- 
tain been cashiered. The breaking of our king 
is as culpable an act, as the regicide who has 
broken his oath of allegiance ; and each man 
would rise to kill the mutineer, who dared 
hatch treason against his commander. Think 
of that, Juan, and you know the substance of 
the oath. The whole world may melt away, 
but as long as the Spitfire lasts, we are one 
crew, under one Captain ; and now, my lads, 
hurrah for the hammocks ! and never mind 
which way we steer, for the world is our 
plaything, and our profit ; we shall soon return 
to our cavern in the Isle of Pines, and there 
we shall see those who have served Uke us. 



158 THE SPITFIRE. 

in a good old age, surrounded by luxuries, and 
enjoying as much pleasure as their silvered 
heads could desire." 



THE SPITFIRE 159 



CHAPTER YIII. 

Not very diflferently had the Captain passed 
his time ; he was in the solitude of his own 
cabin ; the wind howled and roared^ the creak- 
ing vessel rolled over the high seas, the foam 
of the wave flew harmlessly over the schooner^ 
as she reeled and lurched in the gale. The 
useless helm was lashed half a turn a lee, 
whilst the fore and aft-fore-sail, nearly splitting 
with the \aolence of the wind, kept the Spit- 
fire from falling too far to leeward. 

With his legs twisted round those of his 
table, which was lashed to the deck, and by 
the aid of a lamp, which swung to and fro 
with increased violence as the schooner met 
the sea, the Captain read again the will of his 



160 THE SPITFIRE. 

father ; he knew it by heart, and yet there 
was a pleasure in seeing the signature of his 
parent. The kindness which manifested itself 
throughout, the tender regard for his wife's hon- 
our, the justice of the parent! in replacing it, he 
saw the oath which bound him for ever to the 
lawless life he had pursued, and must continue 
to pursue ; he took this fatal document, and 
supporting his burning forehead in his hands, 
he again perused it ; he had never dared to 
touch it ; but now the very elements tempted 
him to look ; the night was such that the 
foulest imagination might conjure up as the 
dark hour for framing such a document. The 
lightning's flash as it burst superior to the lamp's 
flickering flame, rejoiced, more than alarmed 
the Captain whilst the long roll of the nearing 
thunder, seemed music to his mind. 

He paused at one sentence. " I swear by 
all above in heaven, and all registered in hell, 
by the storm, by the wind, the thunder's 
thunder, and the lightning's flash, never to 
leave her as long as a plank remains to float 
upon, not whilst one of the crew survive in 



THE SPITFIRE. 161 

the battle, as long as she floats I am her 
Captain, the chosen chief, which no subter- 
fuge can evade, no law annul ; from this day 
to the day of my death, I am the brother of 
every man amongst you ; and so may those 
elements, and those powers crush me with 
eternal torments, cursing me with all horrible 
diseases whilst living, wasting away in the 
leprosy of contamination, until an everlasting 
hell receives me — if I in this forfeit my word, 
or evade the act/' 

There was another clause which bound him 
to do his utmost to preserve the vessel under 
every circumstance, and those bound to the 
Spitfire. The chain of servitude was clogged to 
his leg 5 it was useless repining ; he read and 
re-read the several sentences, but each was 
dependant upon the other, and where, appa- 
rently the quick eye of hope detected a flaw, the 
next paragraph crushed that hope, and rendered 
all evasion impossible. 

Even at this moment the gathering clouds 
to windward, and the bright gleam of the 
forked lightning warned him of his oath 3 there 



162 THE SPITFIRE. 

were precautions to be taken against the wind 
and the hghtning ; and the Captain, having ut- 
tered a hasty prayer for forgiveness, went 
on deck. 

To windward all was dark and dreary ; the 
moon, which occasionally for a second was 
seen, as the skud blew from its face the dark 
veil of clouds which enveloped it, was sur- 
rounded by the ominous ring; whilst the 
lightning to windward, came rapidly on, as the 
thunder clouds were rolled to leeward. 

He gave his orders coolly and collectedly, and 
then retiring to the weather-quarter, he watched 
the flashes, and counted the seconds which 
elapsed before the roll of the thunder began, 
thus estimating the distance. It was but a mile 
to windward, and in less than a minute, the cloud 
might burst over them, and had not Laura's 
figure skimmed over his recollections of the 
past — for her remembrance caused all his 
crime — he would have implored the lightning 
to burst upon the schooner, and by its tre- 
mendous power absolve the oath, and leave 
the crew to struggle for existence. 



THE SPITFIRE. 163 

The idea had scarcely passed, when a flash 
broke close alongside it ; fell about a foot 
to windward, whilst the next struck the fore- 
top-mast, spht it from its head to his heel, 
wounded the head of the fore- mast, and pass- 
ed apparently, through the vessel ; the shock 
and the glare startled those below, one of 
whom, gave the alarm of fire so palpably visi- 
ble was the spark, whilst the voice of the Cap- 
tain, summoning his crew, followed the roar 
of the thunder, which seemed actually on board 
of the schooner. The peak halyards gave way, 
and the gaff came down, as quick as thought 
a small storm try-sail was shown abaft, and 
the Spitfire's head kept up to the sea. All v/as 
confusion forward, the top-mast soon fell, and 
carried with it the head of the wounded fore- 
mast ; the bowsprit was unsupported, but it 
remained firm, whilst the fore-mast stood, 
although unsupported by a single rope. 

Every man on board the Spitfire had been 
nursed in the lap of danger ; there was no 
murmur at the untoward event ; the wreck was 



164 THE SPITFIRE. 

cleared away, the lower and top-sail-yard, with 
the sail of the latter preserved, and the fore- 
cap luckily saved ; yet there stood the solitary 
spar, broken off about four feet below the cap. 
Each sea was now looked at with horror ; the 
vessel was unmanageable as to escape, and 
would become Uable to be overhauled by any 
of the numerous cruizers, which, at that time, 
swarmed on the seas. There was no occasion, 
as in other vessels, to cheer the crew on to 
exertion — their lives were on the event, and 
each man being an able seaman, knew without 
the continued instructions, what was required. 
By two o'clock all was snug; but, although 
every man had attempted to swarm up the 
naked spar, not one had succeeded. The seas 
rolled heavily, and the Spitfire, deprived of the 
sail under which a schooner should always be 
hove to, laboured more than was usual. 

No one had been more active than SnarHng ; 
three times he had succeeded in getting a few 
feet above the deck, but each time he had 
been obliged to slacken his hold, he gave it 



THE SPITFIRE. 165 

up at last, fairly exhausted, although as he laid 
on his back, he kept his eye on the spar, and 
vowed to save it yet. 

Not less anxious was the Captain, and equally 
emulous of Snarling were all the crew ; their 
general safety was in their speed ; thus unex- 
pectedly arrested, the vessel rolled heavily and 
at each pitch every eye was directed aloft ; still 
the foremast stood and still the gale in- 
creased. 

It was a moment of intense anxiety when 
the morning clouds rolled away and daylight 
became perceptible ', far as the eye could reach, 
no vessel appeared to alarm them. Fatigued as 
they were, they never relaxed in their exertions, 
sheers were erected in a manner which the 
dexterity of practised seamen alone can accom- 
plish, large cleats were nailed to the foremast 
head, the old rigging sliortened served for 
shrouds ; by two o'clock in the evening, the 
Spitfire was under her usual sail, a topmast 
pointed and every thing ready in the event of 
an emergency ; the wind having shifted a cou- 
ple of points to the westward the Spitfire 

steered a course to make the Scilly Islands. 



166 THE SPITFIRE. 

It was now that Snarling ventured to sug- 
gest to Albert the impending danger of running 
into an English port^ to replace the short fore- 
mast. " Our character," said the hard work- 
ing sailor is a little damaged in Europe, and at 
our own place at the Isle of Pines, we have 
lower masts all ready, cut, and dry and seasoned; 
and if I may be as bold as to say it. Sir, I 
think now we look more suspicious than ever, 
and less capable of giving leg bail.^' 

" Snarling,'' said the Captain, " last night 
I read over the oath which binds us in one 
bond ; there I see the power with which you 
have invested me. Say not another word, I 
have an object in view dearer to me than my 
exiled life, and that object I must and will ac- 
complish. I do not intend to stay in any port 
to refit, I care not if we never anchor, but I 
must once more go to London. The thief who 
escapes the hounds of justice, the duellist who 
comes unscathed from frequent rencontres, 
the sailor who braves and surmounts a thou- 
sand dangers, all grow bold from their hair 
breadth escapes ; the eye, the nerve, the ear, 
become familiar with danger, and are firm from 



THE SPITFIRE. 167 

frequent incidents ; perilous, desperate, so have 
I become ! I found myself on the scaffold with 
Carlos, the very chair in which he was exe- 
cuted I touched, aye, even when he was in it 
and calling for assistance to the priest below ! 
I have been within five minutes of the hands 
of justice in England ; but I escaped their 
grasp and now accustomed to be near, but 
ever to evade, I go once more, and for the last 
time. Henceforth we must shift our grounds; 
old England must be our greatest enemy ; we 
must not talk, Snarling, of Portsmouth har- 
bour and all the scenes we have witnessed in 
our first burst of dehght; no, no, my old 
friend, we must forget our friends, our rela- 
tions, our homes, and be driven like a weed in 
the Florida stream, wheresoever the wind and 
the sea impel us." 

" I hope not, Sir," said Snarling, " and Fm 
not the man to hang my head down at either 
danger or difficulty ; but never again to see the 
shores of old England, never again to hear the 
cheerful song, or shuffle a dance with my old 



168 THE SPITFIRE. 

friend, that's more than I bargained for when 
my lips muttered out the oath. Who cares for 
a little danger to see the land again ?" 

" Why just now, you told me how dange- 
rous it was.'^ 

" But I forgot at that moment what you 
have now brought to my mind. D — it, I'd 
rather be hung in England than ride a horse 
with ribbons on his tail like a colonel of ca- 
valry in Mexico I I'd rather sweep the streets 
with a log to my leg in Portsmouth, than be 
governor of St. Jago de Cuba." 

'' I am sorry I spoke of it, Snarling," said 
Albert, as his keen searching eye watched every 
movement of the weather beaten tar. 

" It makes a man think a bit. Sir ; for I 
never got into this scrape any more than your- 
self with my eyes open. I was obliged to enter 
for the craft, or to walk about looking for 
pearls in oyster shells at the bottom of the sea, 
but I always had a hope that one day or an- 
other, something might turn up, which would 
land us in England." 



THE SPITFIRE. 169 

^' I do not see any chance^ Snarling, ex- 
cepting one^ which might get us out of the 
scrape." 

" Say what it is, Sir, and you know Tom 
SnarUng well enough to trust him." 

'^ Another time, Snarling, another time, we 
are all young yet, and I dare say you have not 
saved money enough." 

" Money enough. Sir, why do you think I 
want to walk about with my hands in my 
pockets, wondering how long I'm to live, and 
be very busy doing nothing ? I'm yet young 
enough for a frigate, and I'll be in one yet 
before I die." 

It was but a few days after this conver- 
sation, which had been brought on by Albert 
merely to see how much love of home was 
left in the breast of his mate, that the Spitfire 
made the Ram Head, and Albert thought of 
landing, giving instructions to Snarling, to 
keep the schooner at sea, until the tenth day, 
when he was again to stand in and make the 
land. A certain flush of Snarling's countenance 
alarmed him, and he at once resolved not to 

VOL.. III. I 



170 THE SPITFIRE. 

hazard his crew, by the wavering disposition of 
his mate ; he was close to one of the Cawsand 
bay boats and he recognized instantly one of 
those men who formerly had screened him 
when he deserted. He feared to trust himself 
into his hands and without hesitation tacked 
and stood out to sea. It was sunset and the 
dark nights of December afforded him a shelter 
from observation. 

Whilst Snarling paced the deck with hurried 
steps, Albert busied himself in arranging his 
papers, and settling in his mind the letters he 
was about to write. He inclosed the packet 
to Law, with an injunction, that it was on no 
account to be opened, but in the event of his 
death, which would be made known, when it 
occurred, to the lawyer. He was directed not 
to pursue any inquiries, concerning Sir Ro- 
nald de Lancy, or in any manner to disturb 
Lady de Lancy with rumours concerning the 
flight of Rawlinson ; and there was another 
letter which caused him much pain and time 
directed to Laura Mackenzie. It ran thus : — 

" My long silence might have caused dis- 



THE SPITFIRE. l?! 

pleasuie, but circumstances can be pleaded in 
extenuation. I know all that has happened and 
more than you are aware of. I fear no rival in 
your affections, for my heart is confident of the 
honesty of your own ; you have pledged it to 
one whose wayward life estranges him from 
you, but you are ever present in the calm, the 
breeze, or the storm ; there is not a moment 
when your image deserts my mind, and seeing 
you thus ever by my side, I derive comfort and 
confidence in your absence. The man who in- 
sulted you has met his fate ; he has been re- 
lieved by the one, who next to yourself he 
would have injured ; he has received good from 
him whose revenge could not be better sa- 
tiated ; — you will never hear of him more ; his 
silence is sealed, although he lives in America. 
Of this strange communication, I pray you 
think kindly. I know of your being under the 
guardianship of Mr. Law ; by this conveyance 
he receives my will, with injunctions to open 
it and meet its wishes, if, at the end of six 
months, I do not appear and claim my bride ; 
I am close to you now, but I dare not see you 

I 2 



J 7^ THE SPITFIRE. 

and you are ever present to me, Laura. My 
own, my dearest Laura, be in accordance with 
my wishes for this time, and at the expiration 
of the six months you shall be mine never to 
part, or I shall be no more, and my wealth 
yours. In all seasons, be kind and good to 
Herbert; for him I have made ample provision 
hereafter; place confidence in that excellent 
man who has befriended you already, listen to 
his advice and be to him a daughter ; but if I 
yet can control you by my counsel, by my 
wishes, if the heart of Laura is not estranged 
from me, never write to Raven Castle ; from 
that you are doomed to be a stranger until my 
return, then you may claim as a right, what 
has been accorded you as a civility. You may 
show this to your adviser ; he will see more in 
it than perhaps you can divine. Believe in my 
love, in my constant unalterable affection ; be- 
fore six months are elapsed, I shall live in your 
presence, or die an exile ; but 1 cling to the 
present, and in that hope urge you to believe 
me coming until the last moment of my allotted 
time. God bless you, and keep you under the 



THE SPITFIRE. 173 

shadow of his protection. Again I say, believe, 
trust in me, 

Your devoted, 
Albert de Lancy." 

This, with a packet of papers and deeds and 
journals were landed by Albert himself at 
Plymouth, booked and directed to Mr. Law ; 
he then returned to the Spitfire and with a 
heart considerably relieved, he stretched across 
the x\tlantic to the Isle of Pines. 

Although frequently chased, the Spitfire made 
good her passage, and took to the cavern of 
the pirates a considerable booty, in which were 
luxuries plundered from various vessels ; these 
luxuries were handed over to the superannuated 
men, who wearied out life in utter seclusion; 
they had one or two canoes in which they 
amused themselves fishing, but they never 
dared hazard a trip to any other island, or to 
the main land. In the cavern far from the 
beach which surrounded the narrow inlet, old 
men and women lingered out life, having spent 
their early days in crime, and their old age in 



l74 THE SPITFIRE. 

idleness — too slothful to be rioters —too timid 
to depart ; day after day, and night after night 
passed in the usual monotonous routine — ^love 
was withered, play alone survived there. By the 
light of a large lamp which once adorned a 
church, seated on carpets which covered the 
boards, these men of crime, and women, once of 
lasciviousness, gambled away their remaining 
days and nights, at monte ; they had plenty of 
money, which although coveted, was useless, 
excepting on the arrival of the Spitfire, when 
some of the crew had articles of small value, of 
which they were anxious to dispose. 

The dark sombre appearance of this cavern, 
which for years and years had been the resort, 
in times past, of the buccaneers, once or twice 
a year resounded with the gay notes of the 
human voice. The arrival of the Spitfire was 
the signal of general rejoicing ; then all the long 
pent up restraint of drunkenness broke adrift ; 
all the excesses to which a life of continued ex- 
citement prompts the inclination, were at once 
resorted to ; the old endeavoured to become 
young, the young certain of becoming debili- 



THE SPITFIRE. 1 75 

tated, orgies revolting to decency had been 
long customary when the schooner arrived, and 
drunken riots led to brawls and discontent \ the 
night was wearied by the excesses, and the 
cool morning aroused them to the trifling la- 
bour, such inebriation allowed. There were no 
inhabitants but themselves; the small inlet 
which concealed the schooner from the sea, 
was unknown to the cruizers who seldom or 
ever landed on the island, and were ever seen 
by the vigilant pirates, who instantly withdrew 
to the cave, the mouth of which, even if dis- 
covered, would not tempt being explored. 

On this island there were three or four ne- 
groes — the race doomed from the time of Adam 
to be slaves, these poor fellows had intended to 
run away from their masters on the Island of 
Cuba, and in order to procure money for their 
departure, they had taken a canoe, and landed 
in the Isle of Pines, to turn turtle during the 
night, and to sell them the next morning. 
They had made two successful trips, perceived 
by the pirates, and the third time, their last 
intended trip, they were surprised, seized and 



176 THE SPITFIRE. 

made greater slaves their canoe was soon 
converted into fuel ; by day they were unable 
to escape, and by night they were always 
secured. The drunken revel was their only 
hope, but before the night's debauch began, 
some wary pirate always secured them more 
firmly than before. 

On this night a murder was committed, 
which Albert could not restrain, for his autho- 
rity ceased when the crew landed. In the heat 
of excitement a bet was laid, that one of the 
crew was a better marksman than the other, 
and various means were devised to put the 
skill of each of the noisy braggadacios to the 
test. 

" What's the use," said one, " of blazing 
away at a tree, when we shall quarrel about the 
exact centre ? There's old Mungo, who is now 
getting a leg as big as an elephant's, who can 
scarcely crawl, and who is useless to us, and 
loathsome to himself, stick him against the 
tree, and the one who kills him wins the 
bet.'' 

Albert, who never allowed himself to be the 



THE SPITFIRE. 177 

least inebriated, at once saw that a deed of 
horror would in all probabiUty be carried into 
execution. To interfere with any show of autho- 
rity would have led to some act of desperation 
of the old pirates, who were lords of the island, 
and to reason with drunken men was a waste 
of words. He however tried to turn their 
thoughts in another direction. He sat down, 
filled his glass, sung a song ; a mark of hilarity 
long since disused by one whose every mo- 
ment was a torment ; he talked of their feats 
of plunder; their once daring inroad to the 
city of Mexico, their narrow escape from 
Puebla, their forced concealment in the woods 
of the Pinal ; their frequent scenes of excite- 
ment at Medellin at Campeche^ or on the coast 
of Honduras, but all in vain. No sooner had 
his story ended, than the same clamorous half 
drunken comrade recollected the wound his 
vanity had received, the bet he had made, and 
his disposition to put his skill to the test. 
Again, Albert endeavoured, by making him 
dead drunk, to avoid the horrible scene which 
might ensue. He was just in that state, to 

I 3 



178 THE SPITFIRE. 

know that further intoxication would render 
his vision incorrect ; he was at that unfortunate 
pitch, when an excited man is ahve to any plot, 
and cautious to avoid the consequences. 
Words ran high, and one of the old men un- 
fortunately backed largely the skill of the 
quietest man; the whole crew seemed seized 
with the same hellish delight of slaughter, from 
which they had^ for two years been held back 
by the authority of their Captain ; their desire 
was fanned by one of the old superannuated 
wretches, who declared that Mungo was more 
troublesome than all the negroes put together, 
and that all hands had become tired of beating 
him in order to force him to his work, whilst 
the fainting wretch laid down and received 
their stripes without a murmur over his legs, 
now labouring under elephantiasis. 

Once more, Albert for a second stopped their 
intentions by startling apprehensions of disco- 
very by the noise of the muskets. A drunken 
man is ever valorous : wine places the drunkard 
who, when sober is a coward, on a par with the 
most valiant; his reason which prompts his 



THE SPITFIRE. 179 

fear is quenched by wine, and as the danger is 
undervalued, it is despised. 

" Put him up, lug the lazy lumber to the 
tret ; he won't walk there without assistance, 
but we'll soon lead him along like a bull by the 
horns, and save him his morning's beating." 

The poor object of this brutal bet was at 
that moment happy; exhausted nature had 
lulled him to sleep, and in spite of the noisy 
brawl, the hoarse voices, the curses, execrations, 
clamorous choruses, or angry discussions, he 
slept soundly, quietly, even when his name was 
called. " Mungo, come here, you sleepy hound," 
resounded through the cavern, which at last 
awoke the victim ; but the poor fellow awoke to 
intense pain, and was unable to rise ; the delay 
occasioned a desire to inflict more cruelty ; one 
proposed trying the application of a red hot 
nail,, others suggested the stick, and amidst 
the noise and the revelry, the excitement and 
the cruelty, the unfortunate black aroused him- 
self, in spite of torments almost beyond imagi- 
nation, and tottered to the table. 



180 THE SPITFIRE. 

*' Carry this rope/' said one, as he threw 
some fathoms of small cord over his shoulders, 
" carry this, and the lantern, and stay by the 
first tree." 

The grey-headed negro, smarting under every 
step, slowly proceeded to the spot ; and there 
sitting at its roots, he calmly awaited some 
other order ; he was ignorant of the bet, and 
of his destiny. 

The party rose, and once again the voice of 
Albert, in the tone of command, called upon 
his crew to obey him, and desist ; instantly one 
of the older men interfered, for he would not 
allow the oath which bound the Spitfire crew 
to them, whilst at the island, to be weakened 
in force, by any giving orders, but those in 
whom all authority was reposed. It was now 
useless, indeed the last endeavour had only 
rendered the crew more clamorous, more deter- 
mined. All intervention was now at an end ; 
the half drunken disputants selected their arms, 
and furnished themselves with ammunition, 
and during this interval, Albert endeavoured 



THE SPITFIRE. 181 

once more to save the black, by carrying him 
to the schooner, and there asserting his au- 
thority. 

The uneven ground rendered the attempt 
abortive, and the gallant fellow fell in the at- 
tempt ; too soon came the revellers ; the unfor- 
tunate wretch was lashed to a tree, and the 
murderers retired about one hundred yards; 
the miserable lantern which shed its trea- 
cherous light, was placed upon a nail exactly 
over the head of Mungo, who stood with all 
the patient resignation of that much injured 
class, when their oppressors practice their 
wanton cruelties and barbarities ; he then 
scarcely murmured ; he saw their object, and 
in a tone piteous to hear, asked -, " Why for 
kiU poor Mungo ?'^ even then the love of 
life subjected as it was, to every indignity, 
every torment, rose above the fear of death. 
So true it is, that the most loathsome Hfe 
imagination can suggest, is paradise to what 
in death. Here was the slave, the miserable, 
we fear oppressed, and injured slave, who 
would have supphcated for existence, although 



182 THE SPITFIRE. 

that existence would have been one of mi- 
sery. 

^^ Never mind, Mungo/' said one fellow, as 
he measured the ground, " you have at least 
an hour to stand upon those large legs. I'll 
bet they don't hit you to kill you under that 
time; so you have lots of minutes to get 
ready for the change.^' 

Once more the interposing voice of Albert 
was heard ; he offered to buy Mungo, at an 
enormous price ; but he was the general pro- 
perty, and the consent of all was requisite; 
this, it was useless to hope for. " For my 
sake,^' he said, " grant the request at my sup- ' 
plication.'* Now the lawless pirate was a mo- 
ment freed from his oath, and then shewed his 
freedom. Beaten back and insulted, Albert 
shook hands with the black, who blessed him, 
and prayed that he might soon be free from 
such associates ; in the prayer no one more 
earnestly joined than the Captain, but his heart 
sickened, when he thought how impossible, or 
improbable, such an event could be. He then 
retired to the furthest corner of the cave, as if 



THE SPITFIRE. 183 

to avoid the sound, which would convey to 
him the death of the innocent black. Shot 
after shot, laugh after laugh, and groan suc- 
ceeding groan, informed him of the progress 
of this heUish sport; the black had been 
wounded several times, but no fortunate sight 
directed the coup- de-grace ; quite in vain they 
sought to decide their bet, neither could suc- 
ceed in being the murderer, although their 
heart's warmest wishes were on each shot. At 
last the first man who had proposed the sport, 
in a rage at his continued misses, ran to the 
poor black, and placing the muzzle against his 
heart, discharged the gun. The head fell in- 
stantly forward, and the cords alone supported 
the murdered slave. 

The scene of revelling was then renewed, 
and the first streak of dawn appeared before 
the disgusting debauch had finished ; when 
the drunkard and the murderer sunk into tem- 
porary forgetfulness, to awake to sickness of 
body and of mind. There was one man who 
paced the island in all the excitement of men- 



184 THE SPITFIRE. 

tal anguish. It was the Captain ; his cautious 
habit warned him to sweep the horizon, before 
he ventured to think of the last night's action. 
There was a vessel lying becalmed, some few 
miles from the island, with her boat lowered 
down ; the idle sail flapped against the mast, 
as the last of the land breeze died away, and 
the heat of the sun became oppressive ; on the 
smooth surface of this clear mirror of the 
skies, floated a man of war brig ; if any of the 
crew landed, the body of the black might 
betray them. In an instant he hurried to the 
cave, and called Snarling, who, with himself, 
had made an attempt to save the poor fellow ; 
and who, seeing the general disposition to 
drunkenness, had for once conquered his 
desire to participate in this sailors' recreation, 
and slept on board the schooner. 

It was an instant of much alarm ; true, the 
Spitfire's fore-mast was replaced, the sails 
bent, and a light breeze gently swept the 
island, sufiicient to have blown her clear of the 
harbour ; but her crew were drunk 5 not a man 



THE SPITFIRE. l85 

saving the two slaves, who still were ignorant 
of Mungo^s death could stand, and here close 
to them, was a man-of-war-brig. 

The first great object was to bury the dead, 
and those who had endeavoured to save, now 
buried the body ; there was no ceremony, no 
service, both dug the grave, and in the state in 
which he died, he was interred. 

" This is a sad end. Snarling,^' said Albert, 
as he endeavoured to cool himself, after the 
exertion ; ^* and how soon we may share this 
man's fate, we can little guess ; the drunkards 
might have selected you as easily as Mungo, 
and our own men might have bet upon our 
death.'' 

" Not whilst there is two of us sober, at any 
rate," said Snarling. *^ I wish I was clear of 
this net of the devil's ; he'll make a haul of us 
all, as sure as Mungo was his likeness ; what^s 
to be done now, if the brig sends a boat ?'^ 

" I scarcely know, and can scarcely collect 
my senses sufficient to think ; fortunately, if 
they land, they will, in all probability, land on 
the nearest point ; then, without they traverse 



18G THE SPITFIRE. 

the whole island, the schooner will be safe ; 
but if they venture into the wood, the foot- 
steps of last night's folly may lead them to 
the cave ; the slaves would soon hail them as 
liberators ; and joining them, we should be 
sacrificed. There is the canoe which might save 
us, and as prudent men, we had better make 
preparations, by placing some provisions, the 
mast and sails in the canoe ; go and get her 
ready, whilst I watch the movement of the 
brig." 



THE SPITFIRE. 187 



CHAPTER IX. 

Whilst Snarling turned his attention to 
the canoe, as a place of refuge, he had time to 
think that a residence in Cuba with their for- 
mer reputations so honorably gained in robbing 
the conducta at St. Jago, and having a per- 
fect knowledge how expeditiously the Spa- 
niards divested themselves of pirates whenever 
they fell into their hands, would not be quite 
so pleasant; and as to going farther in the 
canoe, that had its difficulties and its dangers, 
as land where they would, their deeds were 
recorded, he walked in silence, whilst his 
thoughts reverted to his past life, his fu- 
ture prospects, his present danger. It is in 



188 THE SPITFIRE. 

moments like these, that the mind runs 
over years of the past in a second, and at the 
same time, mirrors the futm-e. Snarhng had 
very little in either state, of consolation ; and 
he would gladly have allowed the oath to 
escape his memory, if the superstition of a 
seaman, had not fixed it indelibly there. 

The Captain watched with intense anxiety the 
brig which for ever kept changing her posi- 
tion, as the current in its caprice, or a slight 
flaw of air swept past her. The boat was at 
first employed in throwing water over the 
sides of the brig, a custom common in hot 
climates. She was then made fast astern, 
and Albert from his place of concealment, felt 
a rehef incomprehensible, as he saw the last 
man leave her, and actually heard the pipe 
to breakfast, which sound he well remembered. 
He was safe for a minute, but how to turn that 
moment to advantage. The drunken crew were 
proof against all attempts to rouse them from 
their slumbers. His endeavours to awaken the 
crew to the danger so very near, was ineffectual, 
and he returned to watch the brig. To his great 



THE SPITFIRE. 189 

astonishment, he saw the boat had shoved off, 
and was pulHng towards the island. There were 
only five hands in all, four of which, appeared 
like midshipmen whilst the fifth was in all pro- 
babihty the boat keeper. He ran to Snarling, 
and summoned him to his side, desiring him to 
bring muskets and pistols for both; again he 
made a desperate effort to arouse one, who ap- 
peared less drunk than the rest^ but failing in 
all attempts, they concealed the entrance of 
the cave, by pieces of wood and shrubs, kept 
for the occasion. The papers of the Jonathan 
Dobbs were got in readiness, and every other 
one carefully concealed ; all precautions taken, 
they awaited the arrival of their enemies with as 
much coolness and caution as was requi- 
site. 

The boat pulled direct to the shore, and in 
a few minutes, the four young men, one of 
whom was a lieutenant, and each carrying 
guns, landed. They trod cautiously along the 
beach, as if tracing the marks of the turtle, 
which are plentiful in those parts, in order to 
discover their eggs; but failing in this, they 



190 THE SPITFIRE. 

appeared resolved to dive into the woods. 
Albert heard them give an order to the boat 
keeper, that in the event of any signal being 
hoisted from the brig, to discharge his musket. 
" Keep a good look out, do you hear, for di- 
rectly the sea breeze comes down, the signal 
will be made.'* 

" The sea breeze," murmured Albert, " never 
comes when it is wanted ; there is not a cloud 
to the eastward, and to-day, the land breeze 
lasted an hour longer than usual ', it will be 
eleven, three hours more, before we can ex- 
pect this breeze : creep away. Snarling, to the 
farthest point, and take care not to be seen.'* 

There would have been but little cause for 
alarm, had not the impatience of the Captain 
betrayed them. The midshipmen on arrival in 
the wood, discovered in the sandy soil, which 
is plentiful in the Isle of Pines, the mark of a 
man's foot ; " And that," said the youngest, 
" is fresh, it has been done not five minutes 
ago." 

" Some negroes I suppose, who came over 
from the main land for turtle ?*' 



THE SPITFIRE. 191 

" Not SO, Sir 1" said the forward youngster, 
'' for negroes wear no shoes ; and this is the 
print of rather a genteel foot, such a one, as 
might walk up the streets of Kingston, and 
half the blackies in the world would call out, 
massa buckra wid him lilly foot ; see here. Sir, 
there are the marks of two men 1^' 

Tlie lieutenant looked, and it w^as decided 
to trace the foot marks. " You see. Sir," con- 
tinued the sharp youngster, " these are no 
turtle hunters, or they would have gone to the 
beach ; they seem to have come thus far— one 
has advanced ten yards further, then both 
have retreated ; Mc. Coy, you Irish bog trotter, 
keep your hoof off the track, or you^ll tread 
the four into one, and w^e shall be all adrift in 
our search." 

A laugh at the Irish boy followed, and the 
party headed by the youngster, tracked the 
marks. His tongue was not idle as he walked 
along; and the conversation, as the unerring 
track directed them in the pursuit, led them in 
the steps of Albert ; the place were Snarling 



192 THE SPITFIRE. 

had separated was marked. Two followed him, 
each prepared for action, whilst the lieutenant 
followed those of Albert. Whenever a hard 
piece of ground could be found, or a small 
bush could defend the soil, on it Albert trod ; 
but SnarUng intent upon gaining a greater dis- 
tance, forgot such prudent caution, and in his 
hurry, rounded a small knoll, from which the 
schooner was visible. No sooner did the 
youngster see her than he called out at the top 
of his shrill voice, that there was a prize in the 
creek. The Captain heard it, and as the lieute- 
nant turned, he took a more circuitous route, 
and appeared just over the vessel. 

" What the devil have we here V said the 
youngster, whose eyes were every where ; '^ why 
there have been a dozen men here ; and here is 
the exact mark of a musket, and blood enough 
under this tree, to have floated a jolly boat; 
even the sand has not swallowed it all, and 
the stain is evident.'' 

" Killing a pig, you spalpeen," said the 
Irish boy. 



THE SPITFIRE. 193 

" Pig, Paddy, do you think they tie a pig to a 
tree, to cut its throat with a musket ?" 

So intent had the party been, that not one 
had seen Albert, who, conceahng himself, left 
Snarhng to pass off the schooner, and manu- 
facture lies as fast as he could. The ends of 
cartridges which had been bitten off, were 
found by the youngster ; and so closely did he 
follow like a blood-hound, that he stepped to 
the grave of the black man, and called atten- 
tion to the spot where Paddy's pig was bu- 
ried. 

Snarhng, observing the shrewdness of this 
hound of pirates, boldly advanced, and saluted 
the lieutenant almost before he saw him. 

'^ I calculate," he began, " you're looking 
after turtle this morning ?" 

"Halloo!" said the lieutenant, looking up, 
*^ what the devil brought you here ?" 

" My schooner I expect." 

-" Why, you are no yankee ; you are either 
Robinson of the Swiftsure, or you are his 
ghost." 

" Then," said Snarhng with as unchangea- 

VOL. III. K 



194 THE SPITFIRE. 

ble a face as a turtle ; " I expect I'm his 
ghost, for I'm not him/^ 

The lieutenant still continued to eye him 
carefully ; and the youngster, who had left the 
grave to hear the news, cut in, unasked, with his 
remarks. He was a privileged person, one of 
those spoilt midshipmen, whose tongue was 
ever ready with some flippant remark, and who, 
owing to the indiscrimination of the oldsters, 
mistook impertinence for wit. 

" Halloa, Jonathan," he said, " that jacket 
of yours was never cut in New York." 

^^ It belonged," replied Snarling," I calculate, 
to a Philadelphia lawyer ; a chap who grew so 
tall, that they cut him in pieces, on account of 
his impertinence, and I expect you are a walking 
piece of him.'^ 

^^ Put that in your pipe and smoke it," eja- 
culated the Irishman. 

" Then I took his head for my share, and 
there's no sense left in America." 

Snarling looked at him not much Uke a 
quiet American merchant ; his scowl, which 
manifested a person accustomed to resent in- 



THE SPITFIRE. 195 

juries, rather than bear them, darkened his 
countenance. 

" What schooner is that ?" said the lieute- 
nant. 

^' Mine/' said Snarling. 

" Don't you know the difference/' inter- 
rupted the youngster, " between what and 
whose ; I expect, at any rate, you have no 
Philadelphia lawyer's head." 

" I'll try the thickness of yours,^' said the 
pirate, rather off his guard. 

" Silence, youngster,^' said the lieute- 
nant. 

" I should like to see that yankee doodle 
put his paw upon me," murmured the 
youngster, " and I would not be long before 
I put a ball through him." 

Snarling overheard him, he looked at him, 
as if he could have crushed him, and the pru- 
dent part he ought to pla}'' was quite for- 
gotten. 

" Do you allow your boys to insult a gen- 
tleman that way ?'^ he asked. 

The youngster burst into a fit of laughter, 
k2 



19(3 THE SPITFIRE. 

at tlie word gentleman, in whicli lie was joined 
by the other two, and hardly deserted by the 
lieutenant, over whose countenance a smile 
was perceptible ; whilst Snarling, who preferred 
action rather tlian words, seemed winding him- 
self up, to take vengeance upon the musquitoe, 
who, even in his insigniiicance, so much an- 
noyed him. 

" Let us hear no more of this," said the lieu- 
tenant, who saw the symptoms of hostiUty in 
Snarling, and who was quite aware that the 
schooner had more than one man to navigate 
her ; indeed the cautious manner in which the 
crew were concealed, began to alarm the 
officer; he was perfectly unprotected, and 
although his duty led him to examine the 
schooner, yet he was confident that great 
prudence was requisite. 

As yet, only the masts had been visible ; but 
as he advanced, and the long, magnificent hull 
of this beautiful vessel appeared, he became 
alarmed, lest he should be detained, should. she 
be one of those vessels which had lately com- 
mitted serious depredations in those seas, and 



THE SPITFIRE. 197 

which rejoiced in the uncomfortable name of 
pirates. What else could she be ? The long gun 
was visible, the smaller guns were there; 
thirty men could not have worked her pro- 
perly ; and yet one man alone was visible, and 
this man, to the eye of the lieutenant, a de- 
serter, whom he recollected himself on board 
the Swiftsure. The manner of Snarling, 
the bold, resolute daring bearing, convinced 
him that ci\dlity was the best policy. Once on 
board the brig, he was secure, then indeed the 
schooner could be entrapped ; he therefore 
prepared to retreat, but in this he was inter- 
rupted by the arrival of the Captain, who salut- 
ing the lieutenant, begged him to inspect the 
vessel. The Captain had been close the whole 
time, and came forward, fearing a discovery if the 
intruders suddenly returned. 

" Aye," said the youngster, who imagined 
that no people under the sun dared insult his 
Britannic Majesty's uniform ; ^^ this is the 
gentleman in the tippy bobby boots, there are 
at least thirty more of them somewhere." The 
Heutenant gave him a look, but the youngster 
continued to his Irish messmate, " What with 



198 THE SPITFIRE. 

the pig Paddy, the ends of the cartridges, the 
blood and the grave, I think we have stumbled 
upon as pretty a prize as ever floated ; and 
when I'm prize-master, I'll take the shine out 
of the Philadelphia lawyer there." 

" She is the Jonathan Dobbs,"said the Cap- 
tain " and I am her commander, the papers are 
here, and you can inspect them.'' 

The lieutenant, who was fearful of giving 
trouble, looked at his watch, and saying, " The 
breeze will soon be down, I must return on 
board,'' was on the point of retracing his steps, 
when the youngster said, " Come along, Pat, 
let's see how we'll divide the cabin," and pre- 
pared to leap into the vessel, when Snarling 
caught him by the collar, and turned him 
round, without the slightest effort, saying: 
' When you are ordered^ on board, young 
gentleman ; then your obedience will be an ex- 
cuse for your bad manners." 

" Wait a little, my yankee skipper," said the 
youngster, " and I'll dance over those decks 
without your leave." 

The Captain interposed, he was anxious to 
save time ; he requested the youngster to go on 



THE SPITFIRE. 199 

board, and by way of bravado, he instantly 
leapt on her decks. She looked longer as he 
stood on board of her ; he could not control 
his wonder ; the tall main-mast raked so much, 
that its head plumbed the taffrail, whilst the 
fore-yard seemed long enough to make a fri- 
gate the same spar. He said with a kind of 
enthusiasm ; '' Here's a vessel, she answers 
the description of the pirate vessel of St. Jago 
deCuba!'' 

There was a sudden flush suffused the face of 
the Captain, which did not escape the lieutenant. 
He called his youngster out of the schooner, 
and mentioning that the creek was unknown 
to the generality of vessels, asked merely, as 
a pretext for saying something, " What was the 
reason which brought the Jonathan Dobbs 
into the creek ?" 

" We sprung our top-mast," replied the Cap- 
tain, " and seeing the tall pines here, I ventured 
to cut down one, and to make the mast ; it was 
then we discovered the creek, and I came in 
for security, whilst my men worked j it saved 



200 THE SPITFIRE. 

me some expense, and gave me an opportu- 
nity of caulking her bows ; if you step this way, 
you will see how requisite it was.'^ 

" Well,'^ said the youngster out-loud, '^ I 
say, Paddy, this is a second nonsuch, two decks 
and no bottom, five guns and two men ; the 
top-mast is an end, and it's not a new one, 
but the fore-mast, (I wonder if these two gen- 
tlemen cut that out of the wood,) has never yet 
been greased." 

" What an eye you have for an observation," 
said Snarling, " if you come with me into the 
wood, I'll show you the top-mast, that's the 
sprung one." 

There was no inclination on the part of the 
youngster to accept this civil invitation ; for 
at that moment the musket of the boatmen 
was heard. " There's the signal,'^ said the 
lieutenant, " we must go back." 

" You will find this a shorter way,^' said 
Snarling, as he volunteered to lead them a com- 
plete round. 

" I fancy your shoes are a good track," said 



THE SPITFIRE. 203 

the youngster, ^^ we came here by that guide, 
and we had better go back by the same 
pilot." 

'^ As you wish," said the Captain, and he fol- 
lowed the guide in the person of the midship- 
man. As he passed the trees, he said ; " I won- 
der if burying pigs makes the pork better." 
He was considered a licensed talker ; no one 
noticed the remark, but as the party drew 
away from the schooner, their pace was quick- 
ened ; not a word was spoken, excepting by 
the youngster, who kept up a fire of his wit 
at his messmates, every now and then point- 
ing to the print of Snarling' s gentlemanly 
foot-mark, and gaining courage as he neared his 
boat, he remarked, " That for boots, they cer- 
tainly were as much like the bottom of a 
scrubbing brush, as any covering for feet he 
had ever seen." 

On gaining sight of the boat, the Captain and 
Snarling took their departure ; they hastily 
retreated to the cave, whilst the youngster, 
now no longer controlled in the slightest man- 



202 THE SPITFIRE. 

ner, declared the vessel a pirate, and the crew 
afraid to appear. 

" We will soon be after her, at any rate," 
said the lieutenant, '*' directly the sea breeze 
comes dovv'n, and the clouds are showing in 
some force to the eastward, we must not lose 
a moment." Her sails were bent, " and 
as to catching such a clipper as that in any 
breeze — " 

^' A turtle,'' said the youngster, "in search of 
an Italian greyhound." 

" Now then, give way, youngster, come and 
steer ; we must not do like midshipmen fatigu- 
ed, keep looking how much farther we have to 
pull, but as prize money is dear to us, and 
pirates most enviable prizes, we must pull like 
Britons." 

The time consumed on the island, by the 
ingenuity of Albert, had tended to restore 
some of the drunkards to a greater disposition 
to wakefulness, and the rough manner in which 
they were handled by Snarling, and the Cap- 
tain, made ten of them sufficiently awake 



THE SPITFIRE. 203 

to stagger to the schooner. The first ob- 
ject was to get to sea, for when she was gone, 
the brig would be led away in pursuit, and 
the nest of hornets would remain undis- 
turbed. The rest of the crew were carried to 
the schooner, and in spite of being dipped in 
the water alongside, continued dead drunk, and 
incapable of being aroused to any action. 

The termination of the creek was in the 
centre of the island, where, around the anchor- 
age, the tall pines shot up far beyond the 
height of the schooner's mast, and there secure 
from all winds, the Spitfire remained unseen 
from the sea, and scarcely perceptible, even 
when close on board of her. There was not 
now a breath of wind — the crew were all on 
board, and the elder pirates left in possession of 
their cave, quite unable to make any defence in 
the event of an attack. 

A good look out was kept on the boat — she 
had at least, three miles to pull, and three miles 
to young gentlemen, whose hand« are not 
much accustomed to such hard work, was a 



204 THE SPITFIRE. 

distance not so easily performed. In spite of 
all the injunctions of the lieutenant, the crew did 
look to the distance they had to achieve, but 
their spirits were high ; there was a suspicious 
vessel close to them ; prize money was gleam- 
ing before their eyes, and promotion might be 
the result of an instant attack. 

Most anxiously the Captain watched the pro- 
ceeding on board the brig. The schooner was 
warped to the entrance of the creek, even here 
she was concealed, and although her sails were 
loosened, and the vessel only held by a hawser, 
yet the pines which grow nearly to the very 
water's edge, concealed her. The Captain had 
placed himself behind one of the trees with his 
glass, and his vigilance was soon rewarded ; 
the yards of the brig, which had been braced 
up on the starboard tack, were now squared, 
and a boat was soon swinging in the tackles, 
and hoisted out ; at this, he smiled in de- 
rision ; but suddenly recollecting the state of 
his crew, he became seriously alarmed. Snar- 
ling came and reported the Spitfire in as perfect 



THE SPITFIRE. 205 

readiness, for any event, as she could be made. 
" What's in the wind now. Sir ?" asked Snar- 
ling. 

" She is hoisting her boats out, and even now 
there is the carriage of the boat's gun going 
into her launch/^ 

" I think," said Snarling, " she had better 
leave that alone, for long Tom of ours will soon 
set all those boys swimming, and in this nice 
calm day we have plenty of sharks at hand to 
save us making prisoners." 

" This day. Snarling, is the most sorrowful 
of my existence ; I am pledged by an oath too 
solemn to break, and too cautiously worded to 
evade, to use my utmost endeavours to save 
the schooner, and protect the crew ; I would 
as soon die, as fire upon that boat, and if I 
could, at this trying moment, escape in the 
canoe without compromising myself, most 
gladly would I avail myself of the shelter, al- 
most hopeless as it is." 

" Upon this occasion," said Snarling, " I 
would just as soon rid myself of the unpleasant 



206 THE SPITFIRE 

remembrance of the lieutenant; — he has too 
good a memory to be a good neighbour. What 
are they at now ?" 

^' There's the gun in the slings ; the quarter 
boats are down, and there are now four boats 
in all ; we have no time to lose, we must cast 
off the schooner, and sweep her as far as we 
can between the island and the main land ; if 
a breeze comes, we can work to windward 
through the narrow passage, whilst any attempt 
to follow us there, would be the loss of the 
brig/^ 

" But supposing the sea breeze should not 
come down in spite of the appearance of those 
clouds, we are then caught by the boats/' 

" If obliged to defend ourselves, we shall be 
enabled so to do, and in the event of a defeat, 
we must seek shelter on the Island of Cuba. 
I have no fear of the sea breeze, although it is 
late to-day ; even now, I see it on the horizon 5 
long before the boats can reach us, it will be 
down. Come to our work, Snarling, and I most 
sincerely hope that we may not be obliged to 
resort to arms } see, even the Captain of an 



THE SPITFIRE. 207 

English man of war brig may make a mistake 
which will allow his adversary to escape : his 
boats will be half way on shore, before the 
breeze comes, and whilst he heaves to, to hoist 
them in again, we shall show him how long are 
our legs, and how quickly we can use them/^ 

The Spitfire now cast off, and was towed 
clear of the creek. When she resorted to her 
sweeps, she was within three miles of the brig, 
and both vessels were in sight of each other. 
As she came round the point, and became 
visible, an unusual activity seemed to prevail 
on board of her pursuer ; the boats were sent 
ahead, and the brig's bow towed round towards 
the island, whilst the men were seen descending 
the side, into the launch ; shortly, her four 
boats cast off, and taking the launch in tow, 
they made towards the schooner. 

It was not until this moment, that any hasty 
expression escaped the schooner's Captain; had 
his crew been sober, he would have swept her 
nearly as fast as the boats pulled; but now, he 
only weakened the already half exhausted men, 
who still hovered between drunkenness and so- 



208 THE SPITFIRE. 

briety. Directly, the Spitfire was clear of the 
island, so as to take the sea breeze when it 
came down, the sweeps were abandoned, 
and the vessel prepared for action. 

By this time, all the crew were awakened : 
but half were worse than useless, as they reeled 
about in all the lassitude and discontent of re- 
turning sobriety. The rest, about twenty in 
all, were alive to the danger that awaited them; 
half an hour would bring their enemies along- 
side ; more numerous than themselves, cheer- 
ed on by an officer, whose promotion would 
reward his bravery; — anxious, and eager for 
the contest, with assistance at hand, and with 
comrades who watched the result; on the 
other hand was the hope of escape — the long 
catalogue of unatoned crimes, half unmanned 
the timid pirate ; all around was hostile ; at 
sea, the brig on shore, the plundered inhabi- 
tants of Cuba ; despair prompted resistance ; 
a certain death was the result of their capture ; 
the youngster's remark as to the description of 
the schooner, was a proof that her character 



THE SPITFIRE. 209 

was justly estimated, and the pirate's usual 
desperate conduct was necessary, for death was 
close on board of him. 

" It's merely the cloud beneath the sun, 
that makes the horizon dark," said Snarling, 
with the utmost indifference, as he stood by 
his Captain ; " there's not enough wind out 
there to shake a lady's curl. What's to be 
done now ?'^ 

The Captain looked at him, as he said, with 
much energy, " I hope the first shot may hit 
me ; — 1 would rather die than fire upon them j 
but I would rather do that, than meet a death 
which awaits us all at Jamaica." 

"I'm not afraid of that. Sir; they would 
not take the pride of the sea in four hours, in 
those boats ; all we have got to do, is to give 
our men a little spirits, just enough to wind 
them up a bit, and just let me catch that 
Philadelphia lawyer, and his mother shall have 
his ears sent home in a brown paper parcel. 
Shall we trice up the boarding nettings, and 
give them a gun to let them know, that long 



210 THE SPITFIRE. 

Tom reaches a few yards beyond two miles? 
We must fight, Sir. The oath, remember the 
oath." 



THE SPITFIRE. 211 



CHAPTER X. 

The boats now approached rapidly, and the 
sea breeze, if it was the breeze to windward, 
remained stationary ; it certainly never neared 
the schooner, although it looked black and 
cloudy to windward, and aloft the little clouds 
swept away hastily to the westward. 

" It is a fearful alternative,^' said the Captain ; 
" but I am like a bear hemmed in by its hun- 
ters, I must either die unresistingly, or make 
one desperate effort at escape ; it is over, all 
my pride of birth gives way to the fear of death. 
We will defend the schooner and fight." 

Snarling looked up with great surprise, and 
said coolly, ^' Fight ! was there ever any 
doubt about that ? I expect not, as the young- 



212 TtlE SriTFIRK. 

ster would say. I have taken a good swig of 
your humanity draught ; that half and half 
spirit and water mixture, which we talk over 
when the tide of danger is out, but now that 
it's flood tide of that unwelcome commodity, 
and the gentleman with the black cap and the 
rope's end within hail, I'm blessed if I swing 
without a struggle ; besides,^' continued this 
amphibious creature, " I should like to prove to 
young Philadelphia there, who is squeaking out 
to his men to come and hang us, that I'Ve 
sense enough to know, that the longer I live, 
the more likely I am to have time to repent. 
There's cast off." 

The boats had now got within a mile, when 
they cast off the tow, and appeared to make 
two divisions ; the launch and the jolly boat 
seemed inclined to make an attack on the 
starboard and the cutter and the gig on the 
larboard quarter ; having done this, they gave 
three cheers, in which the youngster's voice 
was heard above the rest ; for a woman's 
scream and a boy's squeak reach as far as the 
shot, whilst the grumble of the explosion in a 



THE SPITFIRE. 213 

stiff breeze is hardly heard by the man who 
fired the gun. 

'^ They hunt me to despair/' said the Captain 
to himself; " the voice of mercy would be stilled 
in my behalf, and the degradation of a public 
execution I can never abide. I have not shed 
one drop of blood in my own defence, or for 
my ow^n fortune. There is no alternative now ; 
our preparations may daunt, whilst our inacti- 
vity may tempt them. I feel clogged to my 
oath ; these men would die for me, I must at 
least defend them. Fire the long gun. Snar- 
ling, over them.^' 

" Aye, aye. Sir; I'll see how near 1 can drop 
it to the Philadelphia lawyer;" and strange it 
was, that even then Snarling felt more anxious 
for vengeance on the boy than he feared the 
coming: host of seamen. The shot fell so close 
to the gig that for a moment the crew rested 
on their oars. 

" They are wiping the spray off their rosy 
cheeks,'' said Snarling. " I'll give them a bath 
yet, and save them the trouble of drying their 
clothes." 

The schooner kept her bow sweeps out, and 



214 THE SPITFIRE. 

presented her broadside to the coming foe. As 
the boats endeavoured to get on her quarter, 
the Spitfire's head was easily turned and the 
fatigue rendered greater to the assailants ; they 
were now well within half a mile, and a couple 
of marines in the launch began to open a fire 
of musketry, directed principally aloft and 
with the hope of cutting away some of the 
rigging, so that, in the event of the breeze, the 
brig might gain upon the chase, before she 
could repair her damages. 

The Captain now mustered his men, the 
danger had aroused them all ; they had armed 
themselves for the fight, and there was a spirit of 
determination, coolness and contempt, visible 
amongst this selected crew which satisfied their 
Captain, that the boats had but a bad chance. 

" Now then, young Philadelphia," said 
Snarling. " I dare say you have often played at 
cricket ; catch this ball." The gun was fired 
and the gig sunk, the cutter instantly backed 
round to save the men, and the launch and the 
jolly boat laid on their oars, until they could 
proceed with the cutter. 

Snarling took the glass and amused himself 



THE SPITFIRE. 215 

with his remarks, as the crew of the gig were 
lugged into the cutter. " Now's our time/' he 
said, ^^ we might feed half the sharks in the 
seas this morning, if sinking such a set of raga- 
muffins could benefit us. Whew ! if they don't 
fire their carronade better than that in the 
launch, we might pipe to dinner, and not one 
shot would decrease the number of our mess.'* 

" The brig has got the sea breeze," said 
the Captain, as he watched the increase of^sail 
which was soon crowded, " and now comes our 
chance; if that carronade should wound a 
lower mast, we must be taken ; for the brig 
will be close on board of us, before we can 
catch the breeze.^' 

" They are a gallant set of fellows in the 
boats," said Snarling ; " in spite of the example 
of the swim, see how they come on, and 
there's young Philadelphia flourishing his 
cheese-toaster, as if he would spit us all. 
They'll be alongside now before the breeze 
comes." 

. " I would rather not fire any more, SnarUng. 
I think we might get away without any blood- 



216 THE SPITFIRE. 

shed yet, have every thing ready to crowd all 
sail ; that brig makes too much foam about the 
bows to be much of a clipper, but the cursed 
breeze seems hardly to keep half a mile a head 
of her." 

" It never rains, but it pours,^^ said Snarling, 
" and misfortunes come down like hail stones 
when they begin. I'm blessed if there ain't the 
niggers got adrift from the cave waving a flag 
to the boats, there's an end to our anchorage ; 
and as to the senior officers, every man will 
dangle to cocoa nut trees, and swing about in 
the sea breeze like bundles of dirty clothes." 

" One part of the oath,^' said Albert, " will 
be absolved, and thus we shall be relieved 
from the necessity of returning to this place, 
which, from this day, will be examined by 
every cruizer in these seas." 

" Did you ever see a set of niggers on a 
holiday, making such a row as those fellows. 
Why as I'm alive they have got old Jones with 
a rope round his neck ! I suspect they are 
going to pay him off for the liberty our crqw 
took with Mungo. It's all up in that quarter. 



THE SPITFIRE. 21? 

there'll be death enough on the island, without 
our going back to swell the numbers; Lord 
l.ove those fellows in that launch, they would 
not hit a church in an hour ; that's five shots 
they have fired and not one hit, they are 
coming close enough now." 

The voices of the gallant fellows, as they 
pulled towards their superior in force, was now 
distinctly heard. They saw the approaching 
breeze and they struggled to gain their prize, 
before the presence of the brig should rob 
them of half the honour. A light air had 
caught the schooner, which now had steerage 
way upon her ; as the light flaws of wind he- 
ralded the stronger breeze, the crews of the 
boats redoubled their efforts and were within 
half pistol shot. Snarling kept his eye upon 
them, over the taffrail, and when he saw the 
youngster draw a pistol to take a shot, he 
raised himself up and allowed a fair mark ; the 
ball whizzed close by his ear. " Now it's my 
turn, young lawyer,^' he called out, as he drew 
his pistol ; the gallant httle fellow heard him 

VOL. III. L 



218 THE SPITFIRE. 

distinctly, for they were close under the stern, 
he took a steady aim and was on the point of 
firing, when the Captain knocked the pistol in 
the air, saying : " Take no revenge on a boy, we 
are safe ; although within'four boatTiooks length 
of us, they will never touch us ; hurrah, the 
breeze has caught us aloft." 

Had the launch, when the breeze was ob- 
served to have caught the schooner, given up 
the useless hope of catching her and had con- 
tented herself with firing her carronade at the 
^ggii^g? some mischief might have been done; 
but hope scarcely ever flags when promotion is 
in sight. The gallant officer urged his crew 
to redoubled efl^orts; they pulled as only British 
seamen pull in such desperate enterprizes ; the 
eye of expectation failed to see the increasing 
distance of the schooner, until at last even hoi^e 
dwindled and the carronade was resorted to, 
but entirely without efifect for each shot 
verified the old saying, ' the more haste the 
less speed.' The gun was no sooner loaded, 
than it was fired without much aim, and the 



THE SPITFIRE. 219 

Spitfire having caught the strength of the 
breeze, was now running to leeward under all 
her canvass, untouched even by the long nine 
pounders of the brig, which passed over and 
over her. 

But the Captain had calculated rightly ; it 
was now useless persevering in the chase ; the 
schooner soon showed her superiority of sailing; 
the brig overtook her boats, and in order to 
hoist them in, it was requisite to heave to. 

No sooner was this done than the schooner 
hove to also ; she was about half a mile out 
of shot, and hoisted American colours ; her 
object was now to watch the motions of the 
brig, secure in her decided superiority. She 
ran but little risk by this apparent imprudence, 
the Captain being resolved if possible, to act 
up to the purport of the oath, which bound 
the crew of the Spitfire to the assistance of 
their comrades in every manner, within the 
range of possibility. 

The brig soon stood close in shore, and her 
boats were seen to land. It was now evident 
that the nest, or the retreat of the pirates must 

L 2 



220 THE SPITFIRE. 

be discovered ; there was no possibility of re- 
sistance, the schooner therefore made sail, and 
hauling close on a wind, manifested an inten- 
tion of getting to windward of the island ; but 
observing that the brig, when her boats re- 
turned, still hovered about under her easy sail, 
she bore up and ran away towards the gulf of 
Mexico. She was soon out of sight to leeward, 
when shortening sail, she kept close under the 
land of Cuba, and hauled close on a wind ; re- 
solved once more to visit the island, and to 
remove some bags of money, which, in their 
store holes, might have eluded the search of 
the brig ; besides which, it was most requisite 
to learn the fate of their companions, and seek 
another asylum for the future. 

About six in the evening, the sea breeze 
died away, and by seven, the Spitfire was 
creeping along close to the shore, favoured by 
the land breeze ; at the close of day, there was 
nothing in sight, and the Isle of Pines was on 
the starboard bow ; by two in the morning, 
the boat was sent with orders, not on any ac- 
count to land near the creek, but cautiously 



THE SPITFIRE. 221 

to explore the island, landing at a point, fur- 
thest removed from the cave. This ticklish 
duty was confided to Snarling ; his men were 
armed, and discretion urged as strongly requi- 
site ; for simple as the affair appeared, it was 
not without much danger and much difficulty. 
The Spitfire hove to between the island and 
the main land, keeping close in shore, and 
under the smallest sail. 

It was a night of much anxiety to her Captain; 
the only spot on the whole earth to which he 
could, unmolested, have retired, was perhaps dis- 
covered ; and those who had passed a youth of 
crime, in which murder, theft and spoliation were 
reckoned, surprized. Here the pirate died of lin- 
gering age, at least free from the apprehension 
of the law ; and here on an almost desert island, 
the youth of crime might be atoned by an age 
of patience and prayer. It was the only refuge 
for the wandering bark which seemed outlawed 
from every nation ; she was the wild bird 
chased from every shore, and like the sea gull, 
made her home upon the waters ; one only spot 



2-22 THE SPITFIRE. 

was a haven to her, and that was now per- 
haps discovered. 

With the recklessness of men accustomed to 
desperate deeds, the boat's crew indulging in 
their usual levity, left the schooner. Snarling 
promised himself some recreation if the Phila- 
delphia lawyer fell into his hands ; and the 
rest who felt the cave their only safe home, 
vowed undisguised vengeance against any in- 
truders. This was merely vented alongside, 
for when they shoved oiF, the muffled oar, the 
cautious stroke, glided the silent boat to her 
destination ; as they approached the shore, not a 
word was spoken, the oars were barely lifted 
above the surface of the water, and then dipped 
silently again, avoiding as much as possible, the 
phosphorescent appearance which the slightest 
movement on the surface occasioned ; at last 
the boat's keel grated upon the sand ; all but 
two landed ; they were desired to keep her 
afloat, and sufficiently far off', to prevent any 
one suddenly seizing her bow, and making a 
prize of her. 



THE SPITFIRE. 223 

Snarling, as far as his nautical talents were 
concerned, was an able seaman in every sense 
of the word ; he was an adept at a sur- 
prise, or at plundering a church, or rob- 
bing a conducta of mules ; but he had ne- 
ver commanded one of those silent parties, 
where so much discretion and caution are re- 
quired ; instead of advancing too stealthily, all 
hands went on together, cautiously it is true, but 
not with that prudent concealment which was 
so requisite. The moon was bright, the stars, 
like so many lamps, illumined the hea- 
vens, and objects were discernible when clear 
of the trees, at any great distance. One of the 
crew hinted, that the obscurity of the wood 
would enable them to reach the cave undis- 
covered ; others hinted, that the brig was far 
away, and that they might sing a song, with 
the lungs of a boatswain, and not disturb any 
thing but the turtle; another suggested, the 
open ground as least liable to impede their pro- 
gress, whilst another laughed at all danger, and 
recommended getting over the business with 
the greatest dispatch. 



224 THE SPITFIRE. 

In the multitude of counsellors, there is 
wisdom we are told ; but to a wavering mind, 
there is no calamity greater than in listening 
to the tongues of many, each eager to advocate 
his own views ; the waverer is swayed to and fro, 
as each man states his reason, and generally 
resigns himself to the voice of his. friend, al- 
though that friend could flatter but not ad- 
vise. 

Snarling was a man prompt in action, when 
the object was visible before him ; one who 
always relied more upon force and boldness, 
than stratagem, a despiser of danger, one des- 
perate as a wounded tiger, without that animal's 
cunning in concealment ; he therefore fell into 
the hint given by him who was for the more 
speedy arrival at their end, although they 
walked in the open moonlight; this being 
resolved upon, the crew advanced all in a 
cluster, and just as evident to any one expect- 
ing such a visitation, as if it was done in broad 
daylight. 

As they advanced towards the cave, and as 



THE SPITFIRE. 225 

they glanced their eyes along the creek, they 
became less reserved, and talked aloud. 

" There's no boat there," said one; " we have 
it all our own way, and the sooner we finish 
the business the better/' 

" Shove ahead for the cave,*' said ano- 
ther, 

*' If the rest of our companions, and the 
blacks are gone, we know the worst," said 
Snarling ; " and then the sooner we get up the 
bags of dollars and doubloons the better. Here 
we are, now for it.^^ 

" Spitfire !^' said Snarling, as he gave a sig- 
nal, the one always used to awake the atten- 
tion of the pirates ; there was no answer. 

^^ Strike a light, shipmate, and let's see the 
worst of it," said Snarling. " Now then, lads, 
one and all into the cave f the lantern, which 
had been brought for the occasion, was lighted, 
and in obedience to the order, all descended 
into the opening, all equally anxious to save 
what they themselves had concealed. 

The cave at first, was long, narrow and low, 

L 3 



226* THE SPITFIRE. 

but after about forty feet had been passed, it 
opened into a spacious place, for which several 
excavations had been made by the pirates of 
former days, when the West Indies was infested 
by the buccaneers, and when the Island ol 
Pines was their principal resort ; these had 
been enlarged by succeeding adventurers, and 
at last had been finished, and brought to some 
degree of comfort; from these places of 
concealment for powder, ammunition, gold, 
provisions, and arms had been made, and most 
of the openings were kept so cautiously closed, 
that few would have made the discovery ; the 
island in fact, was worked as regularly under 
ground as a wasp's nest ; for it had been the 
resort of pirates from their earliest date, and 
each improved the work of their predecessor. 

There was no soul in the cave to welcome 
the men, who, true to their oaths, had come 
to succour, and to save ; each part was rum- 
maged, in vain. The voice of the pirates re- 
echoed along the excavation ; there was no re- 
ply; in one corner, a number of small pieces of 
the pine tree, split into long sticks, and used as 



THE SPITFIRE. 227 

candles, was discovered ; each man instantly- 
procured a light, and the scene of the last 
night^s carouse was again illumined; bottles 
and glasses were thrown about ; the remnant 
of the supper still remained, and the whole 
presented a view of a cave, after a multitude 
had feasted therein. It was now determined to 
examine every stow hole of the retreat, and it 
was evident not one of these had been found 
out. There, untouched, as a trifling quantity of 
earth was removed, lay the wealth of the 
pirates. Bags of dubloons, and boxes of dol- 
lars ; gold coins of each nation ; silver, copper, 
and paper monies of all sorts and descriptions, 
in large quantities were drawn forth, and 
placed in the large cave, ready for removal. 

The magazine and store of arms were found 
likewise untouched, and the casks of powder 
were rolled nearer to the mouth of the cave, 
away from the lights ; they had more than the 
boat could carry at one trip, and haste was 
requisite to make two before the morning 
dawned. Another cell produced boxes of 
clothes, containing, from the garb of a monk, to 



228 THE SPITFIRE. 

the dress of a mountebank ; they were thrown 
about in wild confusion, whilst the cellar, af- 
fording, as it did, a plentiful supply was resort- 
ed to, by those who required stimulants to 
exertion ; but of all the produce of the cave, 
the money and the powder was the most valua- 
ble, and these were the first to be removed. 

On a closer examination, a pistol was found 
which had evidently belonged to an officer of 
the brig, and in another corner was the dirk of 
the young midshipman. Snarling looked at 
this, and recognised it; a bitter smile came over 
his countenance, and he vowed a secret ven- 
geance against the unfledged boy, who had 
hurt him more by his words than the dirk 
could have done. " Now, lads," he said, " let's 
have a glass each, and then to work ; the best 
plan will be, to bring the boat into the creek, 
close up to the cave, and then we shall soon 
ship our stores, and be ofl^" to another part of 
the world." 

The crew worked hard, and the proposi- 
tion was received with considerable applause. 
Some bottles of old brandy were produced. 



THE SPITFIRE. 229 

and some glasses speedily supplied; but as 
the weather was hot, it was proposed by 
Snarling, that nothing stronger than half and 
half should be taken ; it was agreed to, and 
one of the youngest was desired to go to the 
well for some water. These wells being made by 
sinking a cask with small holes in the bottom 
of it, in the sand near the shore ; whether the 
water thus procured, is a filtration from the 
sea, or an oozing of a deep underground spring, 
for shallow springs are rarely found, is unde- 
cided ; but it is a mode by which ships are 
supplied with water, in many places of the 
world. A pitcher, which had long been used 
for the occasion, was given, and he started to 
the aperture on his mission, whilst the rest sat 
round the table preparing their glasses. It 
was but a minute, and the trembling pirate stood 
amongst them, having dropped the pitcher from 
his hand ; he could not speak, but his blanched 
cheek and quivering lip, announced some un- 
usual panic. 

" What is it?'^ said Snarling, as he jumped 



230 J HE SPITFIRE. 

from his seat, and drew his cutlass, " speak 
man !" 

" Can't you drop a word, a word Sam ?" 
said another, with consummate coolness, "just 
as quickly as you dropped the pitcher/' 

The trembling pirate placed his finger to his 
lips, and in the expression of his countenance, 
the necessity of silence was urged 3 his hands, 
like those of a palsied man, gave the lips a 
tremulous motion, and the fear became univer- 
sal; with his right hand, he pointed to the 
mouth of the cave, and then struggling within 
himself as if to whisper, his voice broke 
through the restraint, and he said " The mouth 
is choked up.'^ 

" Hell, and the devil," said Snarling " speak, 
man; what do you mean ?'* 

" The cave is closed, and I heard voices in 
whispers, round the entrance." 

There was one universal shudder, and Snar- 
ling' s signal for silence, was obeyed by those 
who feared to speak ; the lights were removed 
to one of the passages above mentioned, and 
the mate himself crept cautiously to the 



THE SPITFIRE. 231 

mouth ', it was too true ; large trees wliich had 
previously been cut down, and sawed to lit the 
entrance, were placed across, whilst upright held 
these securely in their place ; the moon's ray 
was sufficient to show the imprisoned pirate 
the impossibility of forcing an outlet ; whilst 
the entrance was guarded by only two men, 
for only one could advance at a time from the 
cavern, and that in a bent position he listened, 
and he heard the voice of the youngster, whose 
cunning had prepared the trap for them. 

" We have them now," he said, " like a nest 
of hornets, with the hole stopped up, and now 
we are all ready for them — we had better give 
the alarm at once. Have they secured their 
boat ?" 

" Randall is just returned, he has got the 
boat, and the two men, who were left in it. The 
boat has been scuttled according to the lieute- 
nant^s orders, who will be here in a minute." 

" I think my friend in the box there," said 
the youngster, "will remember the Philadel- 
phia lawyer as long as he lives, which will be 
about half an hour from this date. We'll 



232 THE SPITFIRE. 

smoke them like wasps ; I was always a capital 
hand at that when at school." 

Snarling's return with the intelligence only 
magnified the apprehensions before entertained; 
there was no possible outlet, and it now was 
too evident, that in walking along in the bright 
moonlight they had been watched, and allowed 
to enter the cave, and from the manner in 
which it was blocked up, it was likewise evident 
that the wood had been prepared during the day, 
and every precaution taken to insure the cap^ 
ture of the pirates that the crew of the brig had 
cautiously concealed themselves, and now su- 
perior in strength, and in position, they were 
laughing at their own success. 

" There's only one thing left for it,'' said Snar- 
ling, whose whole mind was running on the 
ruin of the midshipman, more than his 
own safety; "and that's done as quickly as 
the screw killed Carlos. We are left the 
choice of two deaths, for as to escape, that is 
out of the power of even ourselves." 

" Don't let's be in a hurry," said the cool 
gentleman ; " I remember a parson in England 



THE SPITFIRE. 233 

who always said^ ' sufficient for the day, is the 
evil thereof !' and that being the case^ let us 
see what can be done ; now, there^s an animal, 
they call a mole, which works its way up, or 
down in the earthy and I'm a thinking, that if 
we were to begin with a good will, we might 
get out of this uncomfortable fix, as Jonathan 
says, without giving young Philadelphia the 
trouble of removing his blockading trees. 
Give us that bottle, Sam, and don't be shiver- 
ing, and changing colour, like a dying dol- 
phin ?'' 

'^ Where, and how are we to begin ?' said 
Snarling. 

" At the further end of the cave," replied 
the first man ; " and whilst those gentlemen 
are watching for us at the entrance, we'll creep 
out at the back door." 

'^ But the boat is taken and scuttled." 

" All the better, because then we must 
fight the harder ; come along, lads.'' 

It was evident that the plan proposed could 
never succeed ; the cave ran downwards from 
its mouth, with a gentle, but regular inclina- 



234 THE SPITFIRE. 

tion, whilst above, it was known to all, the 
ground gradually rose ; the attempt was made, 
but it was soon relinquished, for a long iron 
was driven with continued strokes in an up- 
ward direction, several feet ; it was evident, 
from the increased strength required to force 
it onward, that it had not perforated entirely 
through, and although it was relinquished at 
one point, it was tried at another with appa- 
rently less success ; but another affair soon 
drew their attention from their undertaking, it 
was the squeaking voice of the youngster, 
which being more shrill than that of the older 
person, reached the furthermost point, at which 
the pirates were at work. 

" Now," said Snarling, " what is to be 
done, do we surrender, or do we resist to the 
last ?" 

" Why, we can but surrender after all," said 
the cool seaman ; " we have provisions enough 
for a month, or a year, and we have wine by 
dozens ; hold on, to be sure, if we have 
nothing left but our eye lashes, to cling with ; 
although we have failed here, we may yet sue- 



THE SPITFIRE. 235 

ceed elsewhere. Take no notice of the 
squeaker. Hand here that iron rod, and let 
us try again, in the opposite direction.'^ 

The crew of the brig having secured the two 
pirates, and destroyed the boat, now began to 
think of decisive measures, in regard to the 
people in the cave ; only a few were kept at its 
mouth, as it was impossible to force an exit 
there ; the rest were dispersed within a short 
distance of each other, to listen if any attempt 
were made to force an egress elswhere. 

" I say," began Snarling, to the cool man, 
'' I want to speak a word with you before we 
part; just a whisper over this wine." 

" Tm your man," replied the other, ^^ let's 
have it, clear off the reel.'^ 

This attracted the attention of the rest; 
Snarhng and his companion were earnest in 
their remarks, until the latter starting up, and 
banging his hand against the table, said, 
'^ There's not your equal for boldness, Snarling, 
in all the world, and America besides ; we'll do 
it, and the sooner we set about it the better, 



236 THE SPITFIRE, 

for if we do it at all, it must be before day- 
light/' 

" Better say nothing about it, until the last 
moment, Bill.*' 

" Certainly not, replied the sailor, " half 
the world are scared at an open declaration, 
whilst the other half face twenty times the 
danger when it is wrapped up in a secret. 
Here, my lads, let^s blockade them out, roll the 
powder casks as gently as you can towards the 
mouth of the cave, never mind a shot ; get 
them close up, and we'll barricade them out, 
.and then have a jollification.'' 

The order was speedily obeyed, and the 
smallest barrels were carried, and safely de- 
posited about six feet from the orifice of the 
cave ; one being placed upon the other, until 
the aperture was completely stopped; the 
pirates then retreated into one of the passages, 
and began to think of their situation ; whilst 
employed, they viewed it not with the appre- 
hension which it merited ; now released from 
labour, they saw themselves encaged — se- 
cured. 



THE SPITFIRE. 237 

Snarling was the only one absent; the cool 
sailor talked to his comrades of hair breadth 
escapes, and laughed at the present difficulty, 
as one sure to be overcome ; " Its only one 
struggle, and we shall be free, so let us see 
ourselves well armed, and ready for the fight. '^ 
Each man's pistols were examined, the balls 
were drawn and cut into four pieces, as being 
more destructive in close quarters ; the cut- 
lasses were looked to, and all hands declared 
themselves ready when Snarling appeared. 

" Now, my lads, the halter, or the Spitfire, 
a gaol, or freedom. Are you ready for a 
rush ?" 

Each answered, "ready," and each asked 
"how they were to make a rush, or who was to 
lead ?'' 

" We'll all go together," said Snarling, " but 
I must have Philadelphia Bill, that youngster's 
more hateful to me, than a hundred men." 

^' What ! do you think about a boy, who 
could scarcely harm you, if you let him poke at 
you for a fortnight ?" 

" Why do people feel more hurt. Bill, if a 



238 THE SPITFIRE. 

fool says a sharp thing, than if it came from a 
clever fellow ?" 

" Can't say, shipmate.'^ 

" A musquitoe," said Snarling, " stings 
sharper than a big blue bottle can bite. Are 
you ready, lads ?" 

« All ready.'' 

" When you hear a noise loud enough to 
startle you, make a rush to the mouth of the 
cave, and then every man for himself, and God 
for us all." 

It never occurred to any of these men, the 
mockery of calling on Him for assistance, when 
their object was blood and slaughter. More 
enlightened people than seamen fall into the 
same extravagance, and pray that the Omnipo- 
tent power may fight on their side. 

" We are all ready," said Snarling, as he 
advanced as near to the powder barrels as he 
could, and spoke as loudly as he was able to 
^' Surrender on terms ?" 

" Terms !" said the youngster, whose gal- 
lantry and readiness, made him a favorite, " I 
suppose a choice of smoking, or hanging.'' 

i< We give no terms," said the lieutenant 



THE SPITFIRE. 239 

interrupting, ^^ you are our prisoner, and your 
delaying to surrender, will not make your cap- 
ture one jot the less certain.'* 

'^ We'll dig you out of the earth like wasps," 
said the youngster, " and give your eggs to 
fatten the chickens." 

" Then," continued Snarling, ^^ you refuse to 
let us go free, even if we put enormous wealth 
in your hands ?'^ 

" Well, Sir !" said the youngster, " that is an 
insult, that the hangman can only revenge ; it is 
an insult to our senses, as well as to our 
honour ; if the money is there, we shall find it, 
and no thanks to them; so that the second 
insult of the bribery and corruption, merges into 
the first." 

" Don't talk so fast, youngster; tell him 
again, that we have no terms to offer, and that 
an unconditional surrender, will save blood- 
shed, and leave them at the last hour some 
small praise." 

" Aye, aye Sir ! do you hear yon chap in 
the cave ? The lieutenant says, that the only 
terms he can offer you are these, either to 
hang yourselves down there, or to be hung at 



240 THE SPITFIRE. 

Jamaica ; and as it is a matter of no importance 
to us, if the worms or the birds pick at your 
carcasses, you may take your choice.'^ 

Scarcely had the youngster finished his in- 
terpretation of his orders, when SnarUng calUng 
out to his men to be in readiness, grasped a 
lighted pine stick, a second afterwards, a dread- 
ful explosion occurred; the mouth of the cave 
was enlarged more than thirty feet ; the earth 
was thrown aloft in the air, and fell far away at 
sea ; the roots of the tall pines, the growth of 
years were torn from their firm hold, the long 
stems were hurled in various directions, and 
the shrivelled skeletons of human beings, black- 
ened, scorched, disfigured ; fell headlong like 
arrows into the deep. The whole island shook; 
the sound of the dreadful explosion reverber- 
ated along the shores of Cuba ; a sudden calm 
prevailed, as if nature held her breath with 
alarm, and the noise of fallen stones, huge 
trees, or heavy spars alone disturbed the 
death-like horror of the moment. 

Not a man issued from the cave ; the death 
they merited from the law, they inflicted upon 



THE SPITFIRE. 241 

themselves ; fifty times the quantity of powder 
requisite for the consummation of their plot had 
been used ; the earth, at the surface near the 
aperture, was blown far, far away ; whilst the 
instantaneous concussion^ produced by the 
explosion, rent the earth from the interior of 
the cave, and buried the pirates beneath its 
enormous weight. 

They might have struggled for a moment, 
but there remained by the side of their ill- 
gotten wealth, the bodies of the thieves ; and 
there, not far from the cave, was disinterred by 
the rude shock, as a kind of evidence against 
the murderers, the corpse of the poor black 
slave. 

Only one voice was heard, and it the next 
day recorded the fact. " That blow up^" said 
a young shrill tone, " would have puzzled any 
but a Philadelphia lawyer." 



VOL. III. M 



242 THE SPITFIRE. 



CHAPTER XL 

" The time is nearly expired/' said Mr. 
Law, as he sat by the side of Laura Macken- 
zie ; " five months and three weeks have elapsed, 
since the date of his letter ; in another week, 
the mystery will be unravelled, or we shall read 
from his will, the secrets of his heart." 

^^ I shiver with cold," said Laura, as she 
drew nearer the fire, ** this dark, windy, gusty 
night, is well chosen to speak of deaths and 
wills !" 

" It is sometimes difficult to begin a con- 
versation, fair lady ; some find a snuft box a 
good preface ; others talk of the weather, 
others more absent, or forgetful of former, 
friendships] inquire particularly after the 



THE SPITFIRE. 243 

health of a person, who had been buried a 
year, and almost forgotten six months ; but 
with us the ice is broken, the subject broached ; 
and as it must be discussed, the sooner we do 
it with the least expenditure of words the 
better." 

^^Then talk of his return, his probable return, 
as with one exception he has been faithful to 
his word ; teach me to trust in that, speak of 
him kindly, and encourage that hope, which is 
the solace of my existence V 

" I don^t think, Miss Laura, that all these 
words would be necessary in a marriage settle- 
ment." 

" Nonsense, Mr. Law," said Laura, as she 
allowed her hand to remain in his grasp ; " you 
are my best, my only friend — oh, what should 
I have done, if you had forsaken me ?" 

" There is One above, who protects the in- 
nocent, and shields the orphan : but to our 
business ; in a weeVs time that parcel must be 
opened." 

" Not if he comes back — and return he will !" 
interrupted the impassioned girl. 

M 2 



244 THE SPITFIRE. 

" Fm quite aware of that, girl, you might have 
saved your breath ; if he comes back, all the 
papers go to the housemaid to light the fires 5 
but if he does not, and the time is short, we 
must look on him as dead, and Sir Albert de 
Lancy will never have a slab in the church to 
record his name, without you or I put it there/* 

" Sir Albert de Lancy !" muttered Laura, 
" his brother is not dead, as he has a son ?" 

" Thank you for this information, your news 
is particularly fresh to night : but I repeat, no, 
that^s a waste of words, but what I said would 
be the case." 

"Do not be angry with me, Mr. Law,'' said 
Laura, as a tear startled in her eye. 

" Angry ! you angel, not I ; it is an office, 
which habit makes me answer now and then 
rather rudely ; for when I first rose in my pro- 
fession, I had a clerk who never could relate 
a fact, without encumbering it with so much 
extraneous matter, that it took my mind half 
an hour to unload the subject of what never 
belonged to it ; this made me hasty, and per- 
haps my custom of reproach, when one leaves 



THE SPITFIRE. 245 

the subject in discussion^ makes me ruder than 
I am by nature. If I were a member in the 
house of commons, I should always be called 
to order : there they waste more time upon 
frivolities than a nursery load of girls sur- 
rounded by twopenny toys, and the last thing 
they talk of is the subject of discussion.'^ 

'' How the wind howls, and the rain patters 
against the windows ; how I pity the sailor, who, 
exposed to the inclemency of such weather, 
feels doubly the horror of his situation from 
the remembrance of happier days, and a warm- 
er habitation !" 

'* Aye, aye. Miss Laura, if Albert had not 
been a sailor, you would have let that wind 
whistle without a remark, and left all the 
sailors of England to be wrecked without a 
sigh. But, to our point ; are you prepared to 
bear the idea that Sir Albert de Lancy is dead, 
if he does not return to the day ?'* 

*' I will never believe it until the fact is too 
evident to be doubted, or years have passed 
and the sea never betrayed its secret. Why be 
rigid as to the day ? Give him another month. 



246 THE SPITFIRE. 

believe me, Mr. Law, he will return ; — the 
wind, perhaps, has been treacherous, some tri- 
fling occurrence might have detained him in 
port or even now his vessel might be in 
security in some neighbouring harbour, protect- 
ed from this dreadful storm." 

" Or—" 

'^ Or," interrupted Laura, " she may be 
wrecked ; do not you say so ? for you seem to 
look into events with a kind of prophetic 
eye.'^ 

" You area wonder of constancy, Laura, and 
should stand alone, apart from your sex ; such 
feelings of yours must not be dulled, such 
hopes must not be blighted, we will talk no 
more about it, excepting as far as regards 
those papers. His injunctions relative to them 
are positive, and I dare not disobey the m ; but 
you have one consolation, although I consider 
him dead, it is no reason he should be so and 
that being disposed of, let us talk about your 
own affairs. In the first place, a reconcilation 
has taken place between your uncle and our- 
selves : he has relinquished all claims upon the 



THE SPITFIRE. 24? 

estate, on a promise on our parts, that a sum 
of ten thousand pounds should be settled 
immediately upon his son, a midshipman in 
the West Indies, and a boy of much promise ; 
this lad has had a miraculous escape from an 
explosion occasioned by some pirates, and is 
on his return home, having suffered much from 
the hurt he received ; it appears every man was 
killed but himself — fever followed the explo- 
sion, and the boy has been sent home for the 
recovery of his health. I yielded to this pro- 
position on your part ; in the first place, under 
your own instructions, to give almost all, 
rather than your uncle should expose himself 
by going into court, where he must not only 
be beaten, but would render himself odious 
from his desire to leave one so generous 
as yourself in poverty, and secondly, from 
his giving up every part of the money him- 
self, for the sake of his child. This last gave 
me some hopes, that he had been urged on 
from the knowledge, that the boy would be 
left in slender circumstances, had the father 
died. I could not but applaud the feeling which 



248 THE SPITFIRE. 

prompted even the cruelty to you; these 
parchments are merely the deeds conveying the 
money to the trustees, which you are to sign 
if my arrangement meets your approval." 

" Give me a pen, I needed not this long 
explanation, from one so coy of his words. 
Whatever you thirik is best, that I will always 
do, but I have a request to make, that my 
uncle may visit me, with his son, and that the 
terms I exact for complying in this matter, are, 
that the subject is never alluded to, and that 
one expression of thanks violates the con- 
tract." 

" Generous little devil," said Law, mutter- 
ing between his teeth, " there, this is one of 
the spirits sent on earth to wean men from 
their devotion, and lead them into idola- 
try." 

"What's that fine speech, my dear friend ?" 

" You must have a witness before you sign 
that parchment. Fm afraid the wind has 
given me cold, for my eyes feel very 
heavy.'* 

" Never mind your cold, it will save you 



THE SPITFIRE. 249 

from seeing too plainly any idol in any shrine ; 
let us sign this parchment, my mind will be 
happier when this good uncle of mine finds 
his son in affluence." 

Mr. Law's clerk was called in ; he knew his 
master too well to say a word, he spread out 
the deed, whilst Mr. Law amused himself with 
a pocket handkerchief, and gave sundry indi- 
cations of a very sudden cold, by blowing his 
nose, wiping his eyes, and endeavouring to 
get up a cough. The clerk pointed out the 
place of signature, and in a moment Laura 
dashed her name i it was properly attested, and 
the deed removed, when Laura, throwing her 
arms round the neck of her legal adviser, gave 
him a kiss, and said, " There^s your fee, as far 
as regards my heart ; if he could but return 
before the time, I should be the happiest 
girl in England." 

" I should have said you were the best, if 
you had not kissed me ; gads, my life, I feel 
almost young again, myself, and now, that our 
work is done, we will have some tea, and then 
you shall sing me a song, but not one of those 

M 3 



250 THE SPITFIRE. 

moonlight ditties, child — something gay, lively, 
funny, any thing, to let me feel for half an 
hour, the pleasure I now experience." Laura 
was instantly at the piano, having rung the 
bell, and Mr. Law's fingers were nearly tired 
with snapping an accompaniment ; his feet, fin- 
gers, arms, hands and legs, seemed all to come 
in for a share of the work, as he either whistled 
or hummed the air which Laura sung; and 
when the song was concluded he bowed his 
head with much gravity, and remarked, that 
he was afraid to encore it, as his accompani- 
ment might not be appreciated. It was sung 
again, and Law, as he wished her good night, 
remarked that for forty years, he never had 
felt unalloyed pleasure, until this evening ; that 
now he believed, he might forget the misery of 
the past, and sometimes hear from Lady de 
Lancy, the same song as she had sung that 
evening. 

Laura took his hand ; " Unkind man," she 
said, playfully, " you have enjoyed your even- 
ing, and leave me to a sleepless night." 



THE SPITFIRE. 251 

" How so, child ?' said old Law as he pat- 
ted her on the hand. 

" Because you have hinted at a secret, in 
the title of Sir Albert de Lancy, and you have 
left a woman condemned to vigilance of 
thought, in endeavouring to unravel the mys- 
tery. I cannot sleep but under a promise, (if 
nothing at variance with your honor prevents 
youV that you will, within five days reveal it to 
me.'' 

" You said if he came back, you should be 
the happiest girl in England. If he does 
come back, he will explain it himself, if not, 
you had better not seek to know a secret, 
which is generally a burthen to a female heart 
to carry without sharing the load with another, 
and which, when known, would lead you to 
think worse of human nature ; therefore pro- 
mise to wait contented but a few days, and if 
he returns, I'd promise you all the pleasures 
derived from a title, and with Raven Castle, to 
leave as an heir-loom. Good night, child, if 
virtue is peace of mind, contentment, and hap- 
piness, your pillow will not this night be turn- 



252 THE SPITFIRE. 

ed upon in broken slumbers, but sleep, such 
as alone the good experience, or the poor 
receive as a recompence for the labour 
imposed by men, will be your reward. — How 
very hard it blows, I hope my chimney pots 
will not render a coroner's inquest necessary to 
be held in my house 1'^ 

Laura watched her benefactor as he slowly 
ascended the stairs, then musing to herself, 
followed the train of thought which Mr. Law's 
conduct had inspired. Ungenerous, she 
thought, to fix a term of reproach upon a whole 
community, or brand with opprobrium a sect 
in religion ; this one man redeems a thousand 
villanies, which the low caviller, the hungry 
attorney might fix upon his profession ; where 
is a man so much to be envied, as when hav- 
ing the power to defend the weak, and oppose 
the oppressor, he disregards all personal profit, 
and works in the cause of the destitute ? Who 
could be more envied than the physician, who 
seeks by his knowledge to assuage the pains 
and aches of the wretched, or who gives some 
portion of his time to the friendless, and the 



THE SPITFIRE. 253 

poor ; but the attorney, who honestly defends 
his client, and who rescues the lamb from the 
claws of the wolf. " God bless him/' said 
Laura, " if the prayers of a grateful heart avail 
in heaven, God bless him." 

The gale of wind, which blew with unabated 

fury, was the cause of wrecks innumerable, 

upon the shores of England and Ireland ; and 

although Laura scanned with eager eye, every 

paragraph which had reference to the disasters, 

nothing occurred to make her more uneasy, as 

to the fate of her lover. The Spitfire was no 

where mentioned, neither was there any doubt, 

as to the name and characters of the vessels 

wrecked upon the coast. If the crew were 

swallowed up in the surf, the stern frame and 

portions of cargo washed on shore, gave some 

clue to the trade of the vessel. For four days 

the wind continued, and although Mr. Law 

had the good fortune to avoid the coroner's 

inquest, some of his neighbours were not so 

fortunate ; deaths by accident were frequent, 

trees were blown down like laths, old men and 

women tottering with infirmity, were thrown 



254 THE SPITFIRE. 

with violence upon the pavement, and the 
newspapers teemed with " Horrid accidents 
occasioned hy the storm." 

There was one man whose mind was more 
agitated than the elements ; it was the repent- 
ant sinner, who for a moment was still con- 
sidered the lawful owner of Raven Castle, 
and who, in the solitude of his retirement, 
dreaded lest each breeze should bear on its 
howl the call of some officer of justice, or the 
voice of his brother reproaching him v/ith the 
abduction of Laura Mackenzie. 



THK SPITFrRE. 265 



CHAPTER XII. 

"If Snarling had been alive now, he would 
have called this a gale hard enough to blow 
the devil's horns oif his head ; it makes as 
much row as the explosion ; and if it had come 
on a moment after the blow up, half those 
trees from the Isle of Pines, would have 
landed on the lizard point." 

" Curse the gale,'^ said another of the very 
reduced crew of the Spitfire, " I should care 
little for that if we could get rid of that cursed 
frigate, which we cannot shake off; there she 
is, gaining on us, under her reefed courses, and 
close reefed top-sails ; she rises over the sea like 
a duck, whilst we, pressed down by our can- 
vass, are more like divers than swimmers, and 



25G THE SPITFIRE. 

then those cursed Mother Carey's chickens, 
which even in this breeze make a noise loud 
enough to be heard, seem to rejoice in the 
gale, and promise its continuance/' 

" They are wonderful birds to be sure,'^ re- 
phed the other, " they seem to breathe better 
in a breeze, which if a man opened his mouth 
would blow half the teeth down his throat, and 
then they set on the water and tumble over the 
break of the sea as if it could only wash their 
eyes, and clean their beaks. What's the Cap- 
tain about? I never knew him take a chase 
like this, so unconcernedly." 

" Ever since the last affair at the Pines, he 
has taken every thing unconcernedly, and why 
we come poking our noses in English waters, 
when we might have picked up a few more 
hands from La Guyra, Havannah, or Vera 
Cruz, no one can telL^' 

'^ I think, Tom, our character was blown up- 
on a little after that affair, and perhaps we 
are better out of those latitudes. When once 
those Admirals want to promote a favourite, or 
give a young nobleman a chance of being no- 



THE SPITFIRE. 25? 

ticed in one of their despatches, they would 
not mind letting half the stations be neglected 
to gain their point ; then you know, they are 
looked upon as good men by the parents, and 
all the old weather beaten chaps who have 
toiled for years and years, until they have as 
much white hair on their heads as would twist 
up into a locket chain of a fathom and a half in 
length, see the beardless youngster clapped 
over their heads, and are told to be quiet, and 
contented, because he was the son of a lord ; 
w^ell, a pirate vessel. Bob, and such a one as us 
who make no bones of robbing a church, or 
of plundering a craft, would be just the thing 
for them. Lord love you, the boats would 
advance under three deafening cheers, the 
defence would be the most determined, and 
bloody, and the young gentleman, hardly big 
enough to rap at his father's door, without 
standing on sixpenn'orth of halfpence, would 
lead the boarders, throw the Captain overboard, 
and after running a score of us through the 
body, spitting us like so many larks for roast- 
ing, and performing prodigious feats of valour. 



268 THE SPITFIRE. 

(those are the words Bob,) he hawls down the 
black flag with his own hands, and hoists the 
British ensign at the peak of the conquered 
pirate." 

" My eye, Tom, what a secretary you would 
make for a commander in chief; Fm blessed 
if you would not make a hero out of that 
young Philadelphia lawyer, who stuck so fast 
in Snarling's throat, that he could scarcely say 
a word without blessing him ; that's the way 
they work it, is it?'^ 

" Aye, that's the way ; the industrious are 
the road makers for the idle ; the labourer tills 
the ground and drags out his existence at 
twelve shillings a week, until he is too old to 
work, and then he gets a retiring pension for 
life in a workhouse. I was brought up to 
that, but finding other j)eople profited by my 
labour, I took to our trade, made war with all 
the world, and am an independent gentleman, 
ready to be hanged at a moment's warning." 

^^ How the craft surges through this sea, and 
just look how nobly that frigate stems it, she is 
gaining upon us, but without something gives 



THK SPITFIRE. 259 

way she'll never near us sufficiently, to keep 
sight of us these dark nights ; we had better 
tell the Captain how we get on ; I never knew 
him so drunk, or so drowsy before ; he thinks 
nothing can touch the schooner, but the flying 
Hebe, and although they have altered the 
paint of that frigate, FU swear she is the same 
which gave us such a tug before, and which 
has now got us in a more uncomfortable posi- 
tion than the last time we saw her.'^ 

" Take a peep. Bob, there's that Captain 
measuring a chart, instead of measuring the 
distance between us and the frigate ; he seems 
more intent upon that, than some priests at 
their prayers." 

To the seaman's remarks, that the frigate 
evidently gained upon them, the Captain paid 
no attention ; but turning round, abruptly, 
desired some one to go aloft, and look out for 
the land, on the lee bow. 

Half an hour afterwards, it was distin- 
guished, it was the coast of Ireland ; and the 
part first made out, was Achile head, on the 
western part of the island. The frigate was at 



260 THE SPITFIRE. 

this time, on the schooner's weather quarter, at 
least six miles distant, fore-reaching a Httle, but 
very little; the wind was about N. N. W. 
blowing very fresh. 

It had been the Captain's endeavours to 
reach the coast of Wales, by passing to the 
northward of Ireland, making his course be- 
tween Fair head, and the Mull of Cantyre. 
The frigate when first seen, was on his weather 
quarter about a point, and trusting to the 
superiority of the Spitfire's sailing, he had con- 
tinued his course under a press of sail, until 
the land was made broad on his lee bow. He 
now began to see the danger of his situation, 
and the more he pondered over the chart, the 
more he became sensible of the perils to be 
encountered ; he could not attempt to tack, 
the wind and sea were too high for that ma- 
noeuvre, and even if done, the frigate from her 
position would have cut him off, if he bore up, 
the frigate would have made an angle, and 
have enclosed him between the land and her- 
self; if he contiimed, he might weather cape 
Urris, but if the wind headed him half a point. 



THE SPITFIRE. S61 

he must be forced into Donegal bay; and 
even if the wind remained true, it was a mira- 
cle, if he could round the Bloody Foreland. 
To windward was a fearful enemy, a ship of 
extraordinary fleetness ; one which in the 
annals of the navy of England, has never had 
an equal : and she under every advantage from 
her power and weight in a sea way ; to leeward 
was a danger to all seamen, the most appalling 
— a lee-shore, on which the long sea of the 
Atlantic broke with terrific force, whitening the 
coast with its spray, and offering but few very 
few inlets, to save the tempest tossed seaman, 
in his dangerous extremity. 

The compasses in vain measured the distance 
upon the chart, it was evident the Spitfire 
could not pass more than four miles, a most 
insignificant distance to windward off cape 
Urris, and then the slightest variation would 
throw her into the bay of Donegal. The few 
books on board, relative to navigation, had 
reference principally to the coasts on which 
the Spitfire was accustomed to cruize, and the 
want of a man acquainted with the part on 



26*2 THE SPITFIRE. 

which she now was, contributed to augment 
the apprehension of the Captain. 

The seamen, with the indifference of men, 
ever accustomed to hair breadth escapes, con- 
tinued their conversation, unmindful and with- 
out knowing the danger to be encountered ; on 
the weather quarter, they knew was sure death ; 
for a vessel which they had plundered the 
morning previous to the increase of the wind, 
had been boarded in their sight by the frigate, 
and the character of the Spitfire had been ascer- 
tained from those who had suffered by her 
lawless aggression. Although the stranger gained 
a little, that little was scarcely heeded; the 
dark night would assist her escape, and the song 
and the glass would enliven the moments, and 
banish the idea of danger. 

Far different was it with the Captain : every 
minute rendered his situation more painful, 
and every half hour rendered the danger more 
difficult to remedy. Once, whilst pondering 
over the charts, and observing the few chances 
of escape, he thought of bearing up for black 
Sod bay ; and running down between Achile 



THE SPITFIRE. 263 

island^ and the main, escaping by the small 
outlet to the southward, towards the isle of 
Clare ; buthe was not informed of the dangers of 
the coast, and it would be dark before he could 
enter the straight; and this his only chance of 
escape, was lost in the indetermination of his 
mind, to avail himself of it. 

As the evening drew to a close, the land was 
observed gradually increasing to the northward, 
until the last head-land, which was cape Urris, 
was not more than three points, on the lee 
bow. The sun, over which the clouds had 
passed with fearful rapidity, was sinking red 
and fiery ; dark clouds seemed gathering to 
windward, whilst over their heads, the scud 
flew fast around them, the sea broke furiously, 
and in the air sea gulls, and mother Carey's 
chickens swept upon their strong wings over 
the surface of the foaming water, or swam over 
the toppling sea. 

Never, until this moment, had the Captain 
of the Spitfire been apprehensive of his fate ; 
for those who escape detection grow bolder as 
their crimes increase, and famiharity with dan- 



264 THE SPITFIRE. 

ger renders the mind superior to difficulties ; 
but here was no possibility of blinding himself 
to the fate which awaited him : to windward was 
the gallows, to leeward, the impervious horror 
of the leeward shore. The sun sank, and was 
lost in the ocean, and darkness and night ap- 
proached ; (the long, long night of December, 
rendered longer from the apprehension, that it 
was the last his eyes might see,) soon drew its 
sable curtain over the world ; the wind grew 
more boisterous, and the sea broke more fre- 
quently over them, still did the Spitfire maintain 
her well deserved character, she rose cleverly 
to the sea, and in spite of the weight of her 
canvass, which pressed her much_, she behaved, 
uncommonly well. 

It was strange in this dreadful moment to 
hear the voice of the seamen singing, the hoarse 
wind making the base as it rattled through 
the rigging, and occasionally a burst of 
laughter, as if no danger was near, followed 
the merry song, whilst the Captain paced his 
deck, stopping for every sea, turning shorter, 
and shorter, each moment looking to leeward. 



THE SPITFIRE. 265 

expecting to see the high bluff point of cape 
Urris, on his lee bow, then fixing his eye on 
the canvass, and trying, by a gentle luff, to see 
if the wind had varied more to the westward ; 
no, the wind to which the fickle mind is fre- 
quently assimilated, was that night as steady 
as unflinching bravery ; it never broke the 
schooner off a point, to give one moment's hope 
of escape, by vv^earing, or allowed her to look 
to windward of her former course, and thus 
bring the land broader on her lee beam ; the 
error had been committed. The schooner after 
dark, instead of wearing and running all risks 
of detection in gaining the open sea, had con- 
tinued to the eastward, and perhaps in this 
error, some forgiveness might be demanded, 
since in this direction, was the one only object 
of the Captain's thoughts, one from whose love, 
he had never swerved, and one who would 
believe him dead, and mourn him within ten 
days of the night now in question. It is hard 
to turn a lover from the abode of his love, and 
discretion and prudence are lost when the heart 
is fixed upon one only object. 

VOL. Ill, N 



266 THE SPITFIRE. 

For a long time, the Captain wavered in his 
determination to apprize his crew of the utter 
hopelessness of their situation, for if he did, he 
knew that some, reckless of danger, despising 
all preparation for death, would resort to 
drunkenness, whilst others if such formed a 
part of his crew, which was doubtful, would, 
after a partial intoxication betake themselves 
to prayers, and in the emergency of the moment, 
lose the presence of mind so absolutely neces- 
sary for escape. " No,'' said he to himself, " as 
they live so must they die ; of what avail would 
be the half drunken prayer for forgiveness, and 
mercy wafted on the wind accompanied by a 
deep curse for a companion ; the death bed con- 
fession, and the last cry for mercy, are the 
results of fear, not of contrition; and better 
not to insult their Maker, by a vow, which if by 
his gracious hand, the danger was evaded, 
would be obviated by the oath so frequently 
recorded. No,'' he continued musing, " it is 
better they should die unreclaimed, than meet 
death with a lie quivering on their lips.'' He 
now turned his thoughts to her he loved ; he 



THE SPITFIRE. 267 

retired to his cabin, and there wrote two 
letters, couched in terms of the warmest affec- 
tion, desiring her never to seek out his mode 
of life, and in one parting sentence, in which he 
wrote as it were his soul, he implored her to 
lift her angel voice to heaven in his behalf, and 
in the very jaws of death, he confirmed his 
former love. These letters he placed in bottles 
which he securely corked, and kept them in 
readiness to be thrown overboard, as the dan- 
ger grew more imminent ; once more he attempt- 
ed to pray, but at that moment the remem- 
brance of all his former wrongs, prompted some 
malice in his heart, and the recollection of his 
life alarmed him from his purpose ; all was 
done that he could do, or would have done, 
save the record of his life, that was too long, 
and too painful, to be committed to paper at 
such a moment; for when he had finished a 
letter, in which he forgave his brother, and 
called upon him to be the friend and protector 
of Laura Mackenzie, as in impassioned lan- 
guage, he recorded the discovery of Rawlinson 
and his papers, and dwelt with mildness and 

N 2 



268 THE SPITFIRE. 

moderation, upon the accumulated injury he 
had suiFered from his brother ; he called down a 
blessing instead of a curse upon the author of 
all his crimes, and implored Providence to 
prosper and protect him. His name was 
scarcely written, when the man on deck called 
with a loud voice, " Land upon the lee bow 1" 
The Captain was instantly on deck; there, too 
palpable for a doubt was the land of cape Urris, 
and as an occasional glimpse of moonhght 
gleamed through the clouds, the boihng surf 
was distinguished. It is said, when an earth- 
quake is going to occur, that animals are sensi- 
ble of the approaching danger ; that horses are 
imquiet, and refuse to lie down, and that dogs 
moan aloud, and become drowsy and inactive ; 
whether the voice of fate calling upon her 
victims, or the alarm these words, " land to 
leeward," in a gale of wind, ever conveys to a 
seaman's mind, roused the sleeping wretches to 
look upon the danger with which they were 
surrounded, is unknown ; but every man was 
on deck — a general consternation ensued — and 
the panic was universal. 



THE SPITFIRE. 269 

The danger, although imminent, was yet 
some hours distant^ during which time, much 
acrimony of remark occurred ; some accused 
the Captain of the violation of his oath, in 
having brought the vessel into that dilemma, 
which by prudence, might have been avoided ; 
others who always were most active with 
advice, urged the necessity of attempting to 
tack, and in spite of the frigate, which was 
visible on the quarter, run by her, and trust to 
the heels of the Spitfire, although it was evi- 
dent she had at last found her superior in the 
flying Hcebe; the very idea of a chance, 
suggested to the crew the necessity of the 
attempt, and the Captain, who saw a certain 
capture on the one hand, and a certain wreck 
on the other, in vain upbraided his crew 
with the cowardice of their intention, 
and boldly called upon them to perish, ra- 
ther than be hung before thousands of spec- 
tators, amidst the hooting and reviUngs of the 
mob. 

" We may escape," they said, " by this 
effort." 



270 THE SPITFIRE. 

" And we may dl be saved/^ said the Cap- 
tain coolly ; " although the schooner be lost, 
nay, we can insure a better chance, she will 
yet fetch the harbour of Killibegs, we can 
run in, and setting fire to the vessel, escape on 
shore, whilst the flames will draw attention in a 
contrary direction to ourselves." 

To this plan, which if they had found that 
narrow and dangerous entrance, might have 
been crowned mth success, there was a louder 
opposition, and when one of the crew detected 
the Captain in throwing over the bottles, he 
called his shipmates around him, and boldly 
accused his commander of a violation of his 
oath, of which these preparations were an evi- 
dence. 

" I call upon you, by your oaths," said the 
commander, " to obey me to the last, as you 
have pledged yourselves to do !" 

" You have violated the oath, and you no 
longer command us -, — put down the helm. Bob, 
and round with her.'^ 

In vain the Captain attempted to enforce his 
authority, fear and consternation rendered the 



THE SPITFIRE. 2? I 

crew callous to his threats, and disobedient to 
his orders ; all talked at once, each man was 
clamorous to be heard, and the confusion and 
dismay, was above all control. 

" Down with the helm, Bob, she'll stay ; 
although the sea's as high as the clouds, and 
the wind is as loud as the noise of a long 
gun." 

" Fool !" said the Captain, " would you hasten 
the end you are endeavouring to avert, if she 
misses stays, she will drift upon cape Urris 
and then not a soul will be saved. Look at the 
surf as it boils upon the shore, and the foam 
which hisses and breaks upon the reef, whilst 
the spray almost covers its highest peak ; let 
her go past the cape, and then — " 

" Aye, then indeed," interrupted a voice, 
" we may talk if we can, we shall be land 
locked, and the devil himself with his tail for 
a tow rope, would never creep us to wind- 
ward. Down with the helm, Bob, we can 
run by the frigate, who cares for a shot or two, 
and who can point a gun in a sea-way like 

this r 



^72 THE SPITFIRE. 

" Stop one moment/^ said the commander 
" before you attempt this rashness ; ever since 
I have commanded you, have I not done my 
utmost to preserve the vessel, and the crew ? 
have 1 ever broken the oath, which bound me 
to you all ? No one answers, then you assent. 
Now I warn you, that the vessel, beautiful sea 
boat as she is, will never stay in this gale, and 
this head sea, you have no room to wear, and 
you will fall either a certain prize to the fri- 
gate, andbe led to execution upon your arrival in 
England ; or you will force the vessel upon that 
reef, from which not one of us can possibly be 
saved ; if we forge ahead into Donegal bay, we 
may either, run into Killibegs, and trust to 
our legs for an escape, or we may wreck the 
vessel in some bay, more sheltered, than 
those rocks, to which at present we are so 
near." 

" Down with the helm. Bob ; never mind 
his long yarn.'^ 



THE SPITFIRE. 273 



CHAPTER XIII. 

The Captain's expostulations were all in vain; 
death, however ignominious, appeared more 
consonant with their wishes, than the dangers 
of the lee shore. The vessel v/as under her 
fore and aft fore- sail, and main-sail only, the 
wind was high, and the sea was more irregular 
than further seaward. 

The helm was put down, and the obedient 
vessel flew up into the wind ; but her way was 
suddenly lost, a heavy sea struck her on the 
chestree, the fore-sail flapped heavily in the 
squall, which at that unlucky moment rather 
strengthened the wind, and shaking furiously, 
ultimately split ; another sea struck her on the 
weather bow, and the schooner refusing to stay 
broke off upon the larboard tack again. The 

N 3 



i274 THE spitfirp:. 

fore-sail was instantly hoisted, and to avoid 
drifting on the rocks, the Spitfire was kept a 
point away, and rounded cape Urris, about a 
couple of miles from the reef. The crew of 
that vessel were accustomed to activity in all 
emergencies, and now clear of the reef, they 
began to think the Captain's proposition the 
best ; they all declared they would follow his 
orders, and talked loudly of the oath, from 
which they had released him, 

" Never," he said, " will I command the 
schooner again ; you have violated all discipline, 
you have taken the command yourselves, and 
you may retain it ; now the frigate will soon 
come up with us, and she has a retreat to sea- 
ward, whenever she likes, or a harbour in 
Killibegs, under her lee ; but our trial is to 
come, and at least, I hope we may meet our 
end like men, and not go down to our destiny 
degraded by drunkenness. We have but a few 
minutes left us ; our oath is absolved, we are 
now at the termination of life, free, the chain 
which bound us, the shackle which secured 
ns, has dropt from us, we are no longer pirates. 



THE SPITFIRE. 2/5 

but repentant men. It is useless attempting 
an escape, by means of the harbour of Killi- 
begs ; under this sail we cannot fetch it, our 
journey of life is bounded by those rocks, and 
our longest distance is to Donegal bay." 

" Don^t stand jabbering there," said Bob, 
" about souls, heaven^s, mercy and such ; if we 
go, we do go, but I'm blessed if we do go, 
without an effort to escape. Up with the new 
fore and aft fore-sail, unbend the old one, cut 
adrift the spars on the booms, and give the 
boat a chance for a swim ; if the gallant little 
Spitfire strikes, the frigate's shots, there they 
go to leeward half a mile, will never injure us, 
and she will be obliged to keep clear of us to 
save herself ; — whilst there is life, there is hope. 
To work, to work.^' 

A new courage seemed to be instilled by the 
words of Bob. The new foresail was soon set, 
and the schooner, disregarding the fire of the 
Hoebe now steering evidently for Killibegs, 
kept close to the wind, intending, as Bob said, 
coolly to look out, for the smoothest part, in 
which to strand her. 



276 THE SPITFIRE. 

To windward, the gale promised to increase ; 
to leeward, the land became every minute more 
clearly distinguished ; the beautiful vessel still 
clung to the wind, in spite of its power, and 
rose over the broken sea in spite of its force ; 
but all was of no avail ; she was embayed, the 
high land of Cape Urris was on her weather 
quarter, and Cape MaHn, and the Bloody 
Farland, were, although far distant, broad on 
the weather bow, whilst all to leeward was a 
coast defended by a reef of rocks, over which 
the sea broke with tremendous fury. Still 
with the appalling sight before their eyes, still 
with the expectation of instant death, with- 
out the remotest chance of escape, the crew of 
the pirate vessel indulged in occasional levity, 
and fearless of all consequences laughed at the 
danger, as one not a bit more serious than 
many others, they had escaped. 

Far diiFerent was the thought of the Captain; 
his life of crime could scarcely be atoned for, 
by an hour of sincere repentance, although 
that life had been the consequence of a good 
action ; but in the solitude of his cabin, whilst 



THE SPITFIRE. 277 

the loud wind, and the noisy sea would have 
drowned his words, he offered up his prayers 
in sincerity, and he believed those prayers, 
were heard. 

Awakened from his devotion by the sudden 
thought, that in this life, it behoves every man 
to use his utmost endeavours to preserve the 
blessing which God has bestowed upon us, 
and that in danger and in difficulty, we are left 
to our own resources, and called upon by our 
own feelings to put our shoulders to the 
wheel, he again assumed the command, prayer 
could scarcely be expected to still the wind, or 
cause its variation, and those, who on such an 
occasion, lost the moment which might have 
been seized, and turned to advantage, merit 
neither pity nor forgiveness ; we are not in this 
world, like the idle servant, to leave our talents 
unemployed, or believe that the uniformity of 
the great Creator's designs are to be changed, 
because a few despairing prayers are in the 
moment of danger, hastily offered. 

*^ It is my duty,^' said the commander, " to 
use my utmost endeavours, to save you, but if 



278 THE SPITFIRE. 

I succeed, I declare myself no longer bound by 
any obligation to remain with you; again, I 
oifer myself in this almost hopeless situation, 
and if you are willing to obey me in danger, 
and in difficulty, I will do my utmost to that 
end/^ 

"Why no one ever thought you would 
desert us," said Bob, " upon a pinch, like this ; 
of course, you have been overhauling the log 
book of your life, and added up your reckon- 
ings as to the course, and distance run, and 
the same to steer to the other place ; you know 
you've hove the log for the last time, and now 
as you think you'll never have to turn the 
glass again, you are come on deck to die like 
a man, and not slink below like a coward, in a 
carnage. Bless your heart, there's not a man 
fore and aft the Spitfire, who cares a straw 
about his life, as long as you stick to us." 

" I will do my best, my lads, but I see no 
escape ; still, with coolness and attention, we 
may save some lives, although the vessel is 
split into planks not large enough to make — *' 

" Coffins for the crew. Sir," said Bob, with a 



THE SPITFIRE. 279 

smile, "we don^t want them, all our chaps 
sleep in hammocks, and they fit their backs 
better." 

" How far can you see the land to leeward ?" 
said the Captain. 

" About a point before the beam, from that, 
right aft." 

The Captain went below; on his table a 
chart had been previously opened, the corners 
of which were fastened down by small nails, a 
swinging lamp gave a feeble light, although 
quite strong enough to show the dangerous 
position of the schooner, an order was given to 
take the exact bearing of Cape Urris, and the 
distance was easily measured ; over the Cap- 
tain's head, was a compass, he anxiously 
inspected the position of the Spitfire, and 
ascertained that there was no possibility of 
reaching Killibegs, to which place the frigate 
had evidently steered, leaving the pirate to 
the fate, she had ccurted. The various 
openings on the coast to leeward were careful- 
ly examined, until hope itself grew sick, for in 
those days, the charts were not made with the 



280 THE SPITFIRE. 

surprizing accuracy of the present times, and 
the numerous crosses alone indicated the dan- 
ger, to be apprehended, without pointing out, 
with sufficient accuracy to avoid them, the ac- 
tual positions of each. There appeared one 
small spot on which no cross existed, and there 
alone could hope suggest the possibility of es- 
cape. Still the Spitfire plunged on in a despe- 
rate struggle against wind and wave, although 
she drifted fast to leeward, and now began to 
give more evident proof of her nearing the 
shore, from the irregular roll occasioned by the 
rebound of the sea from the rocks. 

It was not until then, that the slightest re- 
mark, indicative of an absolute conviction of 
their danger, escaped from the crew, and then 
appeared the consummate coolness of those 
men who had faced death a hundred times, 
without ever fearing his approach. 

" I say, Bob," said one man, " now's the 
time to clap on another suit of clothes, and get 
ready for a start." 

" Aye, and I advise you to put some money 
in your pockets, for who can tell, if it does not 



THE SPITFIRE. 281 

pass in the other world, and is just as useful in 
buying a friend/' 

" I shall just take a parting glass to the 
health of the black-eyed girl, at Vera Cruz,'^ 
said a mongrel Spaniard. 

" There's nothing like a cigar to keep the cold 
water from chilling you/' remarked a sturdy 
Portuguese, whilst another Englishman bring- 
ing upon deck, a piece of beef and biscuit, 
declared that no man could swim if his stomach 
was empty, and although all knew the danger, 
not a man talked of dying, excepting as a joke, 
not one offered up a prayer for forgiveness, it 
seemed to be a mark of their desperate lives, 
to meet death unappalled, as an Indian chief 
withstands the torture without an expression of 
pain. 

The awful moment had now nearly arrived, 
and the clouds no longer hid the danger from 
sight ; the moon — the same moon which show- 
ed to the Hebe the narrow and dangerous 
opening of the harbour of Killibegs, in her 
clear light, brought to view the boiling surf, 
which rolled over the vessels, close to leeward. 



282 THE SPITFIRE. 

whilst it showed how far the reef extended 
from the main land. 

There was no man cooler than the Captain ; 
he had a night glass in his hand, and apparent- 
ly unawed by the terrors which surrounded 
him, he swept the reef from east to west^ in 
hopes of discovering the inlet which he had 
studied on the chart. 

The crew began to watch their leader with 
more intense anxiety. 

" A man to the lead^" said the Captain, 
'^ see both anchors clear," he continued, after a 
moment's pause. 

" Seven fathoms;'* said the man with the 
lead. 

" Does the bottom feel hard ?" 

" It's all rocks together. Sir.'' 

" Now, my lads, our chance depends upon 
ourselves, and our good luck 3 stand by to 
take in all the sails, and let go both anchors at 
once, we must veer away to the clinch. I 
fear the rocks will soon wear the cable away, 
then, if that occurs, we must run up the fore- 
sail, and run the schooner on shore, end on. 



THE SPITFIRE. 283 

through that place, which does not seem to be 
quite so rocky as the generahty of the coast.'' 
There was no time lost in availing themselves 
of this almost hopeless chance ; the sails were 
reduced, the anchors let go, the cables veered ; 
but as the Spitfire fell off, the cables flew 
through the hawse holes with the most fearful 
rapidity ; all attempts to check them, by means 
of stoppers or of choaking the hawse, was im- 
possible, as no one could approach them. 
With anxious look each man now awaited the 
result, it was but a moment of hope ; the sud- 
den jerk, as the cables ran out to the clinch, 
snapped them both, the foresail was instantly 
run up, and the schooner was now before the 
wdnd, running on the rocks ; each sea lifted 
her on its bosom, and then leaving her in a 
fearful valley between the one which ran hiss- 
ing and foaming towards the rocks, and the 
succeeding one, which, breaking as it advanced, 
threatened to bury her in its tremendous 
mass. 

Every man now came aft ; each one seemed 
careful to avail himself of the nearest place to 



284 THE SPITFIRE. 

the tafFrail, whilst Bob, who had strung up his 
nerves to meet the awful moment with cool- 
ness, stood at the helm, and steered the craft. 
Each sea rose higher and higher, and each one, 
as the schooner approached the shore, broke 
before it reached her ; then on it came howling 
and hissing with tremendous force, the foam 
roaring alongside, as the curling top not un- 
frequently threatened to poop and swamp the 

schooner. 

At that awful moment, when the struggle 

for existence was so close, no hand was pointed, 

no voice implored the aid or protection, or no 

sigh for past crime was offered to heaven 3 

each seaman grasped the taffrail, or glued his 

eager hands to a cleat, whilst their eyes were 

fixed upon the boiling hell of waters, which 

seemed extended to receive them, and when 

the noise of the coming sea, breaking before it 

arrived, struck upon their ears, they crouched 

down, keeping their eyes upon the reef; but 

there were two, who seemed of iron nerve, 

above all fear — one was the helmsman, who 

carefully watched the sea, and by his adroit 



THE SPITFIRE. 285 

management of the helm, prevented the reel- 
ing vessel from broaching to ; the other was 
the Captain, who prepared to die, yet fearful of 
his death, coolly watched the tremendous 
breakers, and yet hoped ; for hope never dies, 
to pass the outer reef, and be thrown in com- 
paratively smooth water ; not one hundred 
yards before them, roared the boiling surge, the 
vessel was carried onward, and dashed towards 
the rocks ; as the sea left her, the keel just 
touched, but not hard enough even to stop her 
way, although every man was sensible of the 
shock ; then came the last and most fearful sea, 
each man crouched down, the helmsman for- 
sook his post, for the vessel threatened to be 
overwhelmed, the Captain clung to the main 
mast ; the hissing foam broke upon her as the 
tremendous surge roared by lifting her upon 
its bosom, and propelling her with the most 
fearful rapidity upon the reef; she struck, one 
loud cry was heard above the noise of the 
angry elements — one scream, and in that 
scream, the first prayers which had fallen from 
the Hps of the hardened scoffer, towered above 



286 THE SPITFIRE. 

the wind, and '^ the Lord save us !'' was audi- 
ble ; in that shriek was the only appeal for 
mercy, the slight vessel broke into separate 
planks, the large masts were hurled from their 
hold, the long gun sunk upon the reef, and not 
a soul was visible ; all were separated, some, for 
one second, made an ineffectual struggle against 
the whirlpool which sucked them down in its 
vortex ; others, dashed upon the sharp pointed 
rocks, had hardly strength to turn their bleed- 
ing sides before they choaked ; and others 
turned over in the sea, were instantaneously 
swallowed up ; the boat was carried over the 
reef and swam ; whilst the numerous spars, all 
of which had been previously cut adrift, were 
caught in the rocks, or hurled away beyond the 
breakers ; the foremast head caught against the 
reef, and the next sea turned the spar com- 
pletely over, the mainmast, to which one 
person clung with all the energy of a dying 
man first landed on the reef, and on its upper 
surface, the only surviving man of the Spitfire, 
still breathed ; the folloA\dng sea lifted it clear 
of the rocks, and it floated with its gasping 



THE SPITFIRE. 28? 

load in the smooth water near the boat, and 
there reheved from the continued break of the 
sea, it floated in security, affording a safe 
asylum to the man, who grasped it firmly, and 
gave him time to recover some portion of his 
strength. 

Near the mast floated pieces of the wreck, 
planks which but a few minutes before, formed 
part of the most beautiful vessel which ever 
swam the seas ; whilst the reef retained the 
mangled bodies of the pirates, with some of 
their ill-gotten wealth. An hour had scarcely 
elapsed ere the boat was tenanted, the oars 
which -the prudent foresight of the Captain 
had caused to be secured underneath the 
thwarts, were soon released and in the clear 
moonlight, might have been seen one man di- 
ligently sculling the boat towards a sandy 
beach not far distant, and he the only survivor 
of the Spitfire ! 



288 THE SPITFIRE, 



CHAPTER XIV. 

The rough niglit was followed by a rough 
morning ; along the shore of Donegal Bay, was 
strewed the planks and portions of a wreck ; 
but not a vestige was seen of any of sufficient 
size to speak confidently as to her build or her 
rig. Each sea, as it rolled to the beach, turned 
over some corpse and threw the dead upon the 
shore, the mangled bodies, bloated, swollen, 
disfigured, of at least twenty men were found 
at daylight, whilst a boat lay on the beach. 

The wild inhabitants of that part of the 
coast were soon on the alert ; there can be no 
harm in robbing the dead ; for of what use can 
their money be to them, and who is to trouble 
himself in endeavouring to find out the next 
of kin to a drowned man ? 



THE SPITFIRE. 289 

That the vessel had come from foreign parts, 
was evident from the coin found in the pockets 
of the seamen ; but there was no trace of the 
name, save the very doubtful one of Dobbs, 
which was found on a part of the stern frame. 
The principal portion of the wreck was safely 
removed to the huts in the vicinity, and the 
earliest strangers, who arrived to dispute the 
slender remains on the beach, were the officers 
of the Hoebe who had been sent to survey the 
whole Bay of Donegal to Cape Urris, by their 
Captain; he being well aware that the schooner 
must have been wrecked. This party con- 
sisted of some seamen and marines, with the 
officers who had orders to seize any of the 
survivors, and to be more diligent in search for 
the men, than in saving portions of the wreck. 
It was evident one or more had escaped, for 
the boat had been guided into a very narrow 
creek, to the head of which she could not have 
drifted, besides the painter of the boat was 
made fast to a small stump of a tree. A dili- 
gent search was immediately established, but 
there was no trace, with the exception of the 

VOL. III. O 



290 THE SPITFIRE. 

footstep of one man, who had evidently lept 
from the bow of the boat and whose footmarks 
were deep in the sand. Beyond the beach 
all trace was lost, and in spite of the vigilance 
and activity of the officers, no tidings could be 
learnt concerning the fortunate man who had 
thus escaped uninjured the dangers of the 
wreck. The sea still roared over the reef, and 
all attempts to examine that grave in which 
the secret was buried, was impossible ; the 
peasantry retired to their miserable huts, re- 
joicing at this unexpected windfall, and the 
detachment from the Hoebe returned to their 
frigate, not having gained the slightest informa- 
tion, excepting as regarded the name of Dobbs. 
It was ten at night, the gale had long since 
passed, and few remembered its force and its 
consequences but the underwriters of Lloyd's ; 
there indeed the breeze and the gale leaves 
lasting impressions; for that which attacks 
the pocket, always assails the mind and the 
memory. The streets of London still thronged 
with the industrious and the weary, all seeking 
their homes, and amongst this busy tribe, the 



THE SPITFIRE. 291 

tall figure of a man whose hasty stride be- 
tokened his extreme haste, pushed his way 
through the crowd, and regardless of all insults 
which were conveyed to his ears, passed ra- 
pidly on. It is said that when a man is an- 
xious to advance rapidly in London, he should 
make up his mind to go leisurely, he will 
avoid by this means sudden contact, which oc- 
casionally leads to considerable altercation and 
delay, and will verify the old adage, of slowly 
but surely. 

'' The time expires to-night," said Laura to 
her old friend, " it is Saturday and to-morrow 
is a day of rest.'* 

" We will give him to-morrow for a chance,*^ 
said Mr. Law, " it is a Dies non, and even the 
attorney may repose, the debtor on that day 
may breathe untouched the open air, and all 
save the felon walk under the protection of the 
Sabbath ; we will, I say, give him the chance 
of the next twenty-four hours.'' 

" Hah '/' said Laura, " there is a rap at the 
door." 

" I heard it, and therefore you need not 

o 2 



292 THE SPITFIRE. 

have announced it, you lose a great quantity 
of breath in useless remarks." 

Laura looked at her strange friend, he would 
as soon have cut his throat, as have uttered 
one word which could annoy his charge ; but it 
was habitual, he could not abide an useless 
remark. 

" Each rap,'^ continued Laura, " alarms me 
now, and in the alarm I feel a pleasure, which 
only expectation can experience, how slowly 
the servant moves at this unusual summons.'* 

'^ Poor girl, poor girl," said Law, '^ yours 
is true love, it does not ' bend with the re- 
mover to remove.' Your ears are now more 
attentive than the faithful house dog's, your 
heart beats quickly even at a sound, as com- 
mon as the Jew's cry of old clothes, and the 
poor servant whose day's work is over and 
who ought now to be in bed, is chided because 
he does not rush to welcome the very dis- 
turber of his repose." 

*' An old man. Sir," said the servant, 
'* wishes to speak with you for a moment." 

'^ Does he look like a Jew, or a sailor?" said 



THE SPITFIRE. 293 

Laura. The man could not refrain from a 
smile, as two more opposite characters could 
not be well imagined. 

" Has he a smooth face ?'' said Mr. Law, 
catching a certain disposition to be jocose ; " or 
does he wear top-boots, for a Jew without a 
beard, or a sailor in top-boots, are two of the 
most unlikely occurrences in life." 

Mr. Law was informed, that in the opinion 
of his servant, the person was neither a Jew, nor 
a sailor, but a very respectable looking perso- 
nage very anxious to see Mr. Law. 

" Show him up,'' said Mr. Law ; " now my 
little dear, I dare say you think this some 
young man with an old face." Anxiously indeed 
did Laura look for the entrance of the stranger, 
who hobbled up stairs but slowly ; at last he 
made his appearance, it was Herbert. The 
cottage had been lent to the invahd midship- 
man's uncle, and Herbert had obtained per- 
mission to come to London on his own busi- 
ness. 

" And what's your business, Herbert,^' said 
Laura with much kindness, " do you want any 



294 THE SPITFIRE. 

money, only say what you want, and if it is in 
my power you shall receive it V 

" I want/^ said Herbert, who had grown 
very old and a little childish ; and who endea- 
voured to stop his tears as he spoke, " I want 
to see my master, my dear young master, and 
then to die." 

^^ You are not singular/^ said Law, '^ in one 
of your wishes, we all want to see your young 
master ; but as to the dying, we only die of 
love here ; go down to the kitchen, Tom, take 
care of Herbert, give him a good supper, a 
glass of warm wine, and a comfortable bed ; 
and no man will talk about dying after that ; 
poor fellow, age has sadly shaken him, and in 
his present situation, he is but little qualified, 
as an evidence of a fact, which occurred years 
ago." 

" What fact, Mr. Law ?'' 

" Ladies should never ask questions, when, 
in all probability, they will get no answer; — 
there, don't pout girl, let me see, don't be angry, 
Laura, but I am going to ask you a favour, 
difficult to grant -, don't speak to me for ten 



THE SPITFIRE. 295 

minutes/' here, this curious old gentleman 
covered his eyes with his hands, and in that 
state remained about seven minutes, when he 
sprang to the bell, and pulled it violently, 
" mind,^' he said to the servant, " mind, 
I see Herbert before he goes to bed ^ now, 
girl, you may talk again/' 

The attention of Laura was too much fixed 
to heed his remarks ; her eyes seemed fixed, her 
attention rivetted, and her hands, which she 
had clasped together, gradually appeared to be 
forcing each other still closer. Law thought 
she had gone mad, he stood before her looking 
close upon her face; but she took not the 
slightest notice of him. 

" Thank God \" she suddenly exclaimed, " it 
is him ! he is here !" 

'' Him !" said old Law turning round, — 
'^ here, — where ? why, child, you frighten me ; 
there is no one here, not a soul, but our- 
selves." 

" There ! again, open that window, and my 
life upon it, your client, my promised husband, 
is within ten yards of your door.^' 



296 THE SPITFIRE. 

Law caught her arm, as she rushed towards 
the window, beheving her mad ; but although 
excited almost to madness, she still had suffi- 
cient command over herself, not to frighten 
her friend. Listen, Sir," she said, " you will 
hear a tune, which no one ever whistled but 
Albert — now — there !'^ 

Law inclined his ear on one side, and he 
certainly did hear some one whistling; but 
why Albert, if it was him, should stand out in 
the cold whisthng, when he might have walked 
in and talked,'^ puzzled the solicitor, ^^ why 
does he not come in if it is him, child ? BJess 
you, its some one who has heard the tune, and 
being very much embarrassed for company, 
is making a little musical society for him- 
self." 

" Perhaps he thinks it is too late, that we are 
all in bed, and he is unwilling to disturb us." 

" Perhaps, Miss, he's a greater fool, than I 
I took him for ; — here you, Samuel, Thomas, 
Robert, what the devil's your aiame ? go into 
the street, and ask that gentleman who is 
whistling, to walk up 3 tell him^ we are not gone 



THE SPITFIRE. 29? 

to bed, and we shall be happy to see him ; we 
like his music, it certainly is very original.'* 

Tom concluded his master was mad, and 
being one of those domestics who will think, 
thought it just as advisable to reconnoitre^ be- 
fore he introduced some desperate character 
into a room, in which sat only an old man, and 
a young woman. He cautiously opened the 
door, and surveyed, as well as he could, the 
vicinity of his master's house. He was not 
long in that situation, when he was accosted by 
a man — " Here, honest fellow," the stranger 
began, " do you think a piece of gold can unlock 
your lips ?" 

" Very probably, Sir," replied the servant, 
" providing always, and nevertheless, as master 
says, the question is asked at a respectable 
distance." 

" Who is your master ?" 

" My master is the wonder of the parish. Sir, 
he is called the honest lawyer, and his name is 
Law ?" 

" Well, like master like man, no doubt ; 
another answer, and then for the reward 3 do 

o 3 



298 THE SPITFIRE. 

you know were one. Miss Laura Mackenzie 
lives ?*' 

" I say, Sir, I beg your pardon, but are you 
the gemman, who was whistHng the original 
air ?^' 

" Yes, to be sure I was," replied the stran- 
ger. 

" Then master's compliments, and he begs 
you'll walk up ; he is afraid you'll catch the 
rheumatism, if you swallow so much cold air ?'* 

" What are you talking about there ?" said 
Mr. Law, who being afraid his order was a 
little imprudent, came down to welcome the 
stranger, in the company of his servant. 

" My true, my valued friend," said Albert 
as he threw off his cloak, '^ behold me within a 
day of my time ?' 

^' Within three hours of your death,'^ said 
Law ; " come up stairs.'^ 

'' One question before I move V 

" It will be answered on the landing place 
above, '^ said the solicitor, " or I mistake my 
woman.'' 

" In this, however, Mr, Law was mistaken. 



THE SPITFIRE. 299 

for no hand welcomed the stranger, no voice sa- 
luted his ear ; but on the sofa, in perfect insen- 
sibihty reclined the beautiful figure of Laura 
Mackenzie. She was in that state removed up 
stairs, but not before love had stolen its own 
property — a kiss ; the old house-keeper was 
summoned and Laura was made over to her 
care and attention. 

" Welcome, Sir Albert de Lancy," said Law, 
^^ the whole mystery is unravelled, and he who 
now usurps your title, or rather retains it 
until you claim it, is anxious to make every 
reparation in his power, to leave the country, 
to live upon your pardon, and your genero- 
sity/' 

*' We will speak of this on Monday, of 
affairs dearer to my heart, I would now talk ; 
is Laura the same constant, affectionate girl ?" 

" She has but one thought, one hope, your 
return ; day after day, has she began with that 
theme, and it was the last subject on her lips 
at night; your visit, I hope, is longer than 
usual, for with all my best wishes, to enter 
into an explanation on your affairs, half an 



300 THE SPITFIRE. 

hour, is the most time I have ever commanded, 
and half of that, in a jigging ball room." 

" I am in no hurry now ; my time is my own, 
I am free at last ; another inquiry, and then for 
to-night I am satisfied — Herbert, my old ser- 
vant, Herbert, does he live ?'^ 

'^ And eats I promise you. I should think, at 
this moment, the old man is at his supper, in 
the servant's hall, drinking your health in a 
glass of warm wine, nicely spiced. He is get- 
ting old, and to establish the case against your 
brother, is after all, a very doubtful evidence.'^ 

" Thank God, Mr. Law, we need no evi- 
dence, because it is not my intention to pursue 
him, or disturb him. I have had reason to 
understand that he is not only sincerely re- 
pentant for all the injustice used towards 
me, and that injustice has occasioned me a 
life—'' 

'^ Of excitement, '^ said Law, remarking how 
suddenly he stopped ; '^ of energy, it has given 
you an opportunity of amassing a large fortune 
by your own honorable exertion, which has 
made the honest and industrious thrive under 



THE SPITFIRE. 301 

your guidance, and protection, and there must 
be hundreds who bless your name. It is a 
vast consolation in old age, to look back on a 
bright retrospect of life, where no palpable 
injustice towards our fellow creatures, darkens 
the distant horizon, and where the gloom of 
the valley of death, is dissipated by the bright 
rays of a man's memory/' 

Albert fixed his bright eyes upon the speaker, 
as if to read, if the words uttered, were a mock- 
ery, or a believed truth. But the honest man 
before him, spoke what he thought, believing 
that continued application to trade, had 
rendered his client a wealthy man. 

" I have done with trade now," said Albert ; 
" henceforth, I shall lead a domestic life, and in 
its quiet, seek repose here.^' He placed his 
hand on his heart, then suddenly starting, 
he asked for the papers he had entrusted to 
the care of his solicitor. 

" On Monday we can arrange all that 
matter." 

" On Monday !'' repHed Albert, " it is an 
age ', I cannot wait that time, you have not 



302 THE SPITFIRE. 

opened the packet^ surely ? I am here to my 
time/' 

^' If that packet can afford you one moment's 
comfort, by being returned unopened, 1 will 
fetch it, myself. My word of honor, I hope, is 
sufficient to assure you, that no man has touch- 
ed it." He went to his office, and in a few 
minutes, placed the packet in Albert's hand. 
Without considering the bad compliment paid 
to his friend, he scrutinized the seals minutely, 
and satisfied himself, that the parcel had never 
been opened ; he then carefully placed them in 
the centre of the fire, and as he watched their 
total demolition, he muttered, " Thus perishes 
the last witness but one.'' 

Mr. Law had never seen his client, but 
either in a hurry, or under great excitement, 
and this act was regarded by that wise man, as 
a very natural occurrence, for these were sup- 
posed documents, only available in case of 
death. The word " witness'' puzzled him a 
little, but Law was never suspicious, he was 
an honest man, himself, and believed others to 
be the same. 



THE SPITFIRE. 303 

" I have but a few more words to say," said 
Albert ; " before we part ; the whole secret of 
my brother's conduct, must remain for ever a 
secret ; he must not be disturbed, either by 
word or deed, in his possessions ; he is a more 
worthy representative of our family, than my- 
self j we must endeavour to remove any pre- 
judice against him, which might have been 
occasioned by that unfortunate abduction of 
Rawlinson." 

" How came you to know of that V asked 
Law, in surprize ; " for no one has communi- 
cated with you, since that event/^ 

The question startled Albert, and he told a 
falsehood to conceal the truth ; so true it is, 
that the least fault, the least deviation from 
rectitude of conduct, requires a volume of lies 
to conceal the fact, and the character thus sup- 
ported, remains upon the precarious pedestal 
of accumulated falsehoods. " I forget how I 
heard it, but I did hear it/^ 

" There's no doubt of that since you know 
it, the circumstance occasioned considerable 
noise in the county, and Mr. Molesworth 



304 THE SPITFIRE 

totally estranged himself from your brother, 
rather your house, in consequence." 

" He was ever an honest man. Does he 
know the circumstance of the t\411 ?" 

" What will ? What circumstance ? Why, 
man, you are very absent to-night, and you 
look every moment like a false witness under 
cross examination." 

" Good night, Mr. Law ; I am not fit to 
talk on these subjects ; now you will not fail to 
remember me most affectionately to Laura, 
and to-morrow, I will myself seek an oppor- 
tunity of reviving in her heart, the sentiments 
she so often expressed towards myself." 

" You must speak then, before you come 
into the room, or she will forestall your inten- 
tions, by throwing her arms round your neck, 
and confessing her love — good night.'^ 



THE SPITFIRE. 305 



CHAPTER XV. 

" It is very strange/^ said Law to himself, 
as he mused over the papers on the Monday, 
and compared them with a letter he held in his 
hand. " Here is a case worthy of the ingenui- 
ty of a lawyer to fathom, but the draught of 
these marriage settlements, must be done first ; 
young people are always in a hurry to be mar- 
ried, and as often in a hurry to be released, 
afterwards ; yet it is strange — firstly, we have 
the fact in this extroardinary confession of 
Rawlinson, sent to me this morning, which 
seems to have already been known to my client, 
then the fact, that the original will was taken 
from him by a pirate vessel, on the stern of 
which was marked Jonathan Dobbs. On Sa- 



306 THE SPITFIRE. 

turday night I could have sworn, when that 
packet was placed on the fire so cautiously, 
that I saw, as the paper blazed, and the parch- 
ment more slowly consumed, '^ The last will 
and testament of Ronald de Lancy,'' as plain 
as the anxiety of him who caused its destruc- 
tion; then comes the fact from the little 
powder monkey, that the vessel kno^^Ti as the 
West India pirate, had the same name on her 
stern, at the Isle of Pines. Now we have a 
vessel of this name wrecked in Donegal Bay, 
chased by the Hcebe ; her stern frame, as they 
called it, having been washed on shore ; one 
man certainly being saved, by this long rig- 
marole account of a boat and a painter ; there 
ought to be nautical attorneys ; and the sudden 
appearance of Albert deLancy, just giving him 
due time with all expedition, to reach this 
house ; now leave out the case of the will, the 
knowledge of the abduction, and the words, 
^ thus perishes the last witness but one,' and 
I confess, the case would fall to the ground ; 
then again, how account for his riches, his sud- 
den abandonment of his claim against his 



THE SPITFIRE. 307 

brother, his diamonds, his appearance as a Jew, 
the return of Rawlinson^s coat, the Spanish mo- 
ney given to the servants, at Raven Castle, whew ! 
I had better go on with the marriage settlements, 
and yet the girl with the fortune should be 
protected. He gives no account of his trading 
here or there, and a deserter does not generally 
become a wealthy man, in a few years. There 
is a manly honesty in his countenance which 
defies suspicion, but no man who is guilty, can 
at all times command even his own heart's 
blood, which mounting in his face betrays him. 
I have it, I will unravel this mystery without 
alarming Laura, or her betrothed husband ; yet 
it would be a pity to separate them, they sit for 
hours holding each others hands, repeating 
again and again, like the useless words which 
swell a 'legal document, their vows of love and 
affection —and there the day passes hke a dream 
of happiness j her eyes too, are never one 
moment withdrawn from his, and so absorbed 
are they in visions of future delight, that I have 
passed through the room a dozen times, and 



308 THE SPITFIRE. 

neither of them have remarked me. Strange 
infatuation, which the consummation of their 
wishes so often, nay, so certainly endangers. 
A man cannot be in love with his wife, nor his 
wife with him. That question has been set- 
tled, judgment passed, years ago, by those who 
best understood love, and who held a court of 
love in France ; that's authority as good as a 
decision in law, by Lord Mansfield. Wilking," 
he continued, calling his clerk ; " here are the 
sums to be entered on the marriage settlements, 
w^hen the rough draught is finished, bring 
them here. I will write a letter." 

Thus pondered Law over the strange case 
of his client, whilst, as he had murmured, the 
happy couple, quite estranged from the world, 
were again and again repeating their vows of 
constancy, their unalterable attachment, and 
hastening through life, by avoiding its mi- 
series. 

'' Now you are mine, Albert,'^ said Laura, 
as he pressed her hand warmly; "now, the 
world is inclosed in this room, come, tell me of 



THE SPITFIRE. 309 

your roving life, your voyages in distant coun- 
tries, some adventures, whicli the sailor must 
encounter ?'* 

" When we are married, and the time begins 
to hang heavily with my Laura, then will I tell 
her of distant countries where gold is as com- 
mon as the sand on the beach ; but now, I can 
only think of you, your constancy, your firm- 
ness in every action of your life, and when 
your lips confirm again and again, the love you 
bear me. I could sit for hours, and rejoice at 
your expressions : let us now only talk of our 
love, our near marriage, our future place of 
residence ; we have many a year to pass toge- 
ther, and the anecdotes of youth cheer the de- 
cline of life/' 

" How often do you wish me to say, ^ I love 
you,' when the day is fixed for the marriage, 
and all but the company invited — ^' 

" Ah, there indeed is room for conversation. 
I am a man, Laura, who hates all pubHc exhi- 
bition, of what should be essentially private ; 
I despise the gaudy parade, which makes even 
the postihon, who drives you from your house. 



310 THE SPITFIRE. 

an advertisement to the public, that he con- 
ducts a new couple to their honey moon home. 
I would rather quietly walk into a church un- 
married, and walk out again with my wife under 
my arm, unnoticed, unregarded, than stand the 
gaze of a score of loiterers, more attracted by 
the prospect of the breakfast, than allured by 
any sincerity of regard to those, who mutually 
surrender their liberty. I think cockades and 
cakes two abominations, which the world's 
wisdom will soon consign to oblivion." 

" Your wish, dear Albert, is my law ; the 
wedding shall be as quiet as you could desire. 
I only know two people, who I wish to be pre- 
sent — my uncle, and his son." 

'^ And our mutual friend, and adviser. 
Law ?" 

" We cannot exclude old Herbert \" 

'* Not for the world, and I confess, hating as 
I do, the swell of company, that I would rather 
see Ronald and Margaret present. The altar 
of our union should unite all the family, and 
the house should no longer be divided against 
the house. Tell me, Laura, is your heart so 



THE SPITFIRE. 311 

fond, that nothing could estrange it from mine, 
no report calculated to injure my character, 
startle you from your intentions, would you 
wed me through good or ill report, and braving 
the malice of enemies, dare to place your hand 
in mine ?" 

" Oh ! if you knew how long the time has 
seemed, since last we met, how often, how 
very often, I have sat at the window watching 
each figure as it passed the house, hoping until 
hope grew faint with its own exhaustion, to 
see my Albert. If you knew how I have pray- 
ed for you when the wind increased, and the 
constant rain pattered against the glass, how 
every hour has been fraught with some remem- 
brance of you, then you would no longer ask 
that cruel question, which involves a doubt of 
my love, my affection, and my constancy/' 

" Generous girl ! How often have I heard 
men swear with equal fervour, and yet believe 
the slightest accusation, the lightest breath of 
scandal, and desert the almost unprotected 
girl." 

" It is not so with our sex; vre love ardently, 



312 THE* SPITFIRE. 

sincerely, and half the pleasure, half the reward 
of affection, is in the devotedness to the object. 
I would not hesitate this moment, if the cere- 
mony had been performed, of leaving my 
country, and my relations, to share, either 
your glory, or your shame, and not one word 
should escape my lips, to censure, or condemn 
you." 

" Remember these words, dear Laura ; we 
cannot always appear the same as we do at 
present ; there are changes in life, which often 
change our sentiments, our regards.'^ 

^^ I never would designate an attachment as 
love, if that love varied with every trifling cir- 
cumstance. ^ Love is not love which alters, 
when it alteration finds,' as Shakespeare says. 
I am not ashamed to own my love, I should 
only feel ashamed, if I were forced to renounce 
it; that cannot happen, we have known each 
other long, we have proved our constancy in 
years, the time approaches, when my future 
conduct shall convince you of the sincerity of 
affection. Why do you look so dull ? so 
pale?'' 



THE SPITFIRE. 313 

^' Nothing, nothing, my dear, I wish only 
we were married, and in the retirement of the 
country, in the happiness of our mutual socie- 
ty, allow life to pass quietly, and unmolestedly 
away. On this day week, you are to be mine. 
Oh, that the day had passed ; for I look with 
distrust to it, fearing that some unforeseen cir- 
cumstance may rob me of my heart's dearest 
wish." 

" Why, you are worse than a boarding 
school girl, calculating the hours before her 
holydays, and conjuring up a thousand impro- 
babilities to make herself miserable. It has 
been my hope for years. I am not ashamed 
to confess the well placed attachment, I 
should only feel ashamed if I cease to merit 
vour love." 



VOL. III. 



314 THE SPITFIRE. 



CHAPTER VIII. 

The lingering delays of the law at last died 
of their exhaustion ; the day previous to the 
one fixed for the marriage had arrived ; the 
deeds were signed ; the money of the settle- 
ment was paid to the trustees ; and all the 
preliminary arrangements were completed ; the 
uncle of Laura was introduced to his future 
nephew ; but the young midshipman had suf- 
fered so much from the fatigue of travelling 
that he was unable to be presented to the 
happy couple, but he had sent a gallant mes- 
sage, that he would die in the church, rather 
than be absent from such a ceremony. 

There was yet one awkward scene : it was the 
meeting between the two brothers. The rigid 



THE SPITFIRE. 315 

countenance of Sir Ronald had not relaxed its 
severity ; increasing years, and continued contri- 
tion had furrowed his face; his eye, once 
proud and daring, was no longer fixed upon the 
person with whom he conversed, but in every 
action every word, the influence of conscience, 
overcame his resolution, and he dared not look 
even his brother in the face ; such is the result 
of crime ! Had he but mastered the feeling of 
humiliation, in all probability his brother 
would have been as conscious-stricken as him- 
self; but the latter being in the right on this 
occasion, was the bravest. 

" I crave your pardon," said Sir Ronald to 
his brother, " for the injustice I did you.^' 

'^ Brother," said Albert, " I require no soli- 
citation of pardon ; we meet as friends, and let 
us not run the risk of a quarrel, by referring to 
acts and deeds better forgotten by both, better 
obliterated from memory ; there is my hand, I 
ask no restitution of rights, no liquidation of 
debts. The title is yours, the castle is yours, I 
only ask, before 1 retire from this country, 
your friendship, your aff'ection.'^ 

p 2 



316 THE SPITFIRE. 

" I have meditated the same retirement 
beyond^ if possible, the seclusion in which I 
have lately lived ; there is no charm in life, when 
suspicion dogs us, or when we apprehend sus- 
picion — the hunted criminal dreads the sudden 
intrusion of the officer, and he who has an ac- 
complice in guilt, walks within reach of the 
gallows. I would only retain the title for one 
reason ; it is difficult for a woman to lay aside 
the appellation which has sounded sweetly in 
her ears. Flattering her pride, might save me 
uneasiness ; her father !" — 

^^ Name him no more, Ronald, he will remain 
for ever where he is ; and it would save your 
wife much pain^ by stopping all reference to 
her father, if you rumoured his death." 

" It shall be done. I have already disposed 
of his house, by pulling it down. My child may 
yet restore the honour of our name, since you 
refuse to become its uj^-holder, by bearing the 
title.'' 

^^ I have no wish for titles, those empty 
names, in which the frivolous rejoice; I 
would rather make one for myself, than 



THE SPITFIRE. 317 

inherit the proudest dukedom ; enough of this ; 
the title and the fortune rest with you, and if 
I have no children, my fortune will revert to 
your son. To-morrow, I am to be married ; 
from that moment, we shall never meet again ; 
nay, do not start, I have reasons sufficiently 
strong to induce me never to inhabit this 
country; its forms, its customs, its regulations 
of society, its stiff, formal manner, are to me dis- 
gusting. I have seen much of the world, and I 
have learned, that happiness is not confined to 
any soil : each man must make his own ; the 
innocent have their's prepared for them. This 
then is our meeting, and to-morrow is our se- 
paration ; this hour has restored m.e to partial 
happiness since I have reconciled a brother; 
hereafter, my name may be bruited abroad as 
one of the wonders of the w^^rld, as a man grown 
rich by industry; and may no bleak wind of 
suspicion, rob me of its value ! Say not a word 
to Laura, as to my intentions of leaving En- 
gland ; the w^oman, who marries a sailor, must 
share in his wandering disposition : we do not 
exact much from each other, only friendship, 
and that at a distance." 



318 THE SPITFIRE. 

" There is yet one question, Albert, I would 
ask, and unless it is answered, I cannot live in 
security or happiness ?" 

^^ Go on, brother, ask freely ; to restore you 
to permanent happiness, I would answer any 
question, however much I might msh it un- 
answered." 

" It is of Rawlinson*s destination, and of 
certain papers V 

" I answer thus briefly, and let my words si- 
lence any future disposition, to refer to this sub- 
ject ; he is in America, and every paper, every 
parchment — you forced the answer brother — 
or I should not have mentioned the document 
which flushed your cheek — is burnt ; there is 
not a record, not even one of the many notes 
which passed between you and your father-in- 
law, which can rise from the ashes of that 
grate, to scare you from Raven Castle." 

" Oh what a weight of care, you have taken 
from my heart ; and yet how could you know of 
these papers, how — '' 

" Brother, farewell ! to-morrow we meet atthe 
church ; your question is answered ; rest con- 



THE SPITFIRE. 319 

tented with the assurance of that fact. Laura 
is now with Margaret ; I would see her with 
any one, rather than alone." 

The once haughty Baronet, although as- 
sured of the evidences against him being des- 
troyed, could not regain the cool look, the 
searching eye, for which he had once been so 
celebrated ; still he felt himself more secure, 
and as he endeavoured to steel his mind against 
the inquisitive eyes of the beholders, he turned 
round, and saw the figure of the aged Herbert 
standing near the door ; he startled back to- 
wards the window, and being quite unprepared 
for the intrusion, he ejaculated, ^^ God of hea- 
ven ! what power has brought you here ?'' 

" I come to take leave of my old master's 
son," said Herbert ; " these gray hairs could 
not descend in the grave, until my tongue had 
mentioned my heart's warmest wish — your for- 
giveness ! I bear no enmity ; my silence is 
sealed, my appearance now confirms what you 
may have heard from others, my having es- 
caped a death." — 

" Hush ! hush, good Herbert P' 



320 THE SPITFIRE. 

" I forgive you, Sir, and may you live in 
peace !" 

" Stay, Herbert, this purse may purchase you 
some comforts in your age." 

" If, in m}'- poverty, Sir, I did not injure my 
old master's son, my age will not require a 
bribe to keep a secret. Good bye. Sir, good 
byeP' 

The old man bowed lowly; the abashed 
criminal returned the purse to his pocket ; and 
he turned away from the door ashamed at the 
rebuke which his insulting offer had drawn 
from an old servant. 

Far different had been the course pursued 
by Margaret ; she had assumed a perfect free- 
dom of manner, as if she had no cause for re- 
pentance ; and Laura as innocent as her friend 
was guilty, soon forgot all her lurking suspicion, 
and with the generosity of a girl, she censured 
herself for having ever suspected such a friend 
as Margaret, of any sinister intentions. Mar- 
garet's object was to glean from Laura some 
account of Albert, and in short, to obtain from 
her all the inteUigence in her possession ; but 



THE SPITFIRE. 321 

in vain her ingenuity was expended ; Laura had 
nothing to tell ; she only knew her future hus- 
band was Albert de Lancy; how he acquired 
his wealth she was ignorant, and although the 
questions were put with all the ingenuity, of 
a clever and deceitful woman, no satisfac- 
tory answer, was elicted. She then endea- 
voured to alarm Laura, hinting, that the wealth 
was fictitious; but this likewise failed, for a 
large sum had already been placed in the 
hands of trustees ; the last subject, was the 
one touched with the most exquisite delicacy, 
the discovery of the fraud practiced upon Al- 
bert ; Laura's innocent reply, to some allusion 
to Raven Castle, awoke all the suspicions in 
Margaret's bosom. " Mr. Law,^' she said, 
" calls me Lady de Lancy, and has promised 
me for to morrow's present, the property of 
Raven Castle !" 

There was no longer any deceit in Margaret's 
manner, the very rage in which she resented 
the implication, alarmed her companion, who, 
in her turn, soothed the anger of her pretended 
friend, by declaring her belief, that Mr. Law 



322 THE SPITFIRE. 

had said it as a jest; but the words struck deep 
upon her mind 3 she aheady thought herself, 
Hke the bird in the fable, despoiled of the fea- 
thers which belonged to a prouder bird, herself 
the miserable crow, without the peacock's plu- 
mage. Guilt is ever suspicious ; Margaret in 
an instant thought of a thousand plans to avoid 
the exposure she anticipated, and in the agony 
of thought, became absent in mind ; questions 
were asked, which she neither heard, or an- 
swered, and to some remark relative to Herbert, 
she startled for a moment, then passing her 
hand over her forehead, murmured, '^ I am 
very, very ill !" suddently left the room. Her 
husband was apprized of it, and he instantly 
ran to her assistance. " Stand back,'' said the 
haughty hypocrite, " you have no right here. 
I married Sir Ronald de Lancy, not an adven- 
turer. The title I will keep to my death. 
Though I wander through the world, I will not 
descend to be called like a shop-keeper's wife, 
and hear the girl who was my bridesmaid, 
usurp not only my name, but my residence.*^ 
" Margaret,'^ said Sir Ronald, in his usual 



THE SPITFIRE. 323 

slow manner, "your pride has ever been my 
unhappiness. I am the cause of your displea- 
sure, but remember my crime does not ex- 
cuse your fault ; you swore to be my wife in 
sickness or in health, in weal or in woe ; now 
show yourself not unworthy of your sex, and 
in being restored to your title, and to Raven 
Castle, learn to respect my brother, who 
refuses what is his, and who leaves to us and 
to our child, the inheritance of which he has 
been robbed/' 

" Been robbed V said the haughty woman, 
" he was unfit for the office, so he resigned it. 
I tell you, Sir Ronald, he m.ust be ignorant of 
the facts ; he has made a virtue of ceding a 
right which he could not have maintained, and 
he has, with the same cleverness, that he has 
turned the ungrateful world to account, made 
even you grateful for a gift, he never believed 
was his to offer." 

" Be silent, woman, and learn to respect one 
who respects his name too much to cast the 
slightest slander upon it; he does not claim 
the title, although by some extraordinary occur- 



321 THE SPITFIRE. 

rence^ your father's papers have fallen into his 
hands ; he is aware of every fact, so be modest 
and reserved, where haughtiness and boldness 
might be our ruin." 

^^ Then, I have no occasion for Blackburn^s 
assistance, he is not far from this door. Go, 
Sir Ronald, send him back to the country. I 
am quite recovered now, in a minute I will see 
Albert ; but go dispatch that man, or he might 
mar the marriage.'^ 

Blackburn had not escaped the vigilance of two 
persons, who accidentally passing the square, 
recognized him loitering in a suspicious man- 
ner — the rector of the village of Raven, and 
his son ; the surly dark countenance of the 
wretch might have attracted less inquisitive 
people than the rector, nor were they less as- 
tonished when they recognized Sir Ronald de 
Lancy, who, after whispering to his tenant, 
gave him money, and instantly returned. 

The evening before the marriage, all who 
were to assist at the ceremony, but the young 
midshipman, were present; there was that 
forced gaiety which betrays itself, and which 



THE SPITHRE. 326 

occasions the ghost of laughter, rather than its 
reaUty. In Mr. Law's face, there was an 
evident thoughtfuhiess, and his abstraction of 
mind was more remarkable, as he never found 
fault with the length of a remark, or the waste 
of a word; his eye seemed to wander from 
Albert to Laura, and from Laura to Albert, but 
he never betrayed his thoughts, although from 
broken expressions, such as, ''strange coinci- 
dents — tally exactly — impossible — charming 
girl — fine looking man — we shall see, &c., al- 
tered his face entirely \" 

This last remark was occasioned by the 
altered appearance in Albert. When he ar- 
rived in London, he wore mustachios, and a 
large forest of whiskers, as if cultivated to 
plant out his features ; he was much sunburnt, 
and his face, from the profusion of hair, looked 
round and plump ; the day before the present, 
he had cut down the forest, and shaved 
off the mustachios ; his face now looked thin 
and peaked, the cheek bones looked higher and 
more prominent, the eyes appeared larger and 
lighter, and few who saw him, for the first time 
a fortnight before, could have recognized him 



326 THE SPITFIRE. 

again ; it was his principal occupation, instead 
of looking at his bride, to watch every one else 
of the company, and Law remarked, that when 
any one seemed remarking him, he grew uneasy, 
and flushed. 

" One bumper to the bride," said Law, as 
he seemed to have overcome all reluctance; 
" one bumper to her before we part ; to- 
morrow at nine o'clock, we meet here ; your 
son, Sir," he continued, addressing Laura's 
uncle, ^^will, I hope, be present, he must be 
welcome, and may be useful. Laura Macken- 
zie, to )^our health, may you never regret the 
alliance, or I never blush for my client/' 

The toast was drank, and more than one 
remarked the sudden alteration in Albert's 
countenance, but it soon cleared up again. 
After one, or tv/o dismal attempts at hilarity^ 
the party separated, and if any prophecy of the 
future could have been drawn from that even- 
ing's heaviness, it would have been a bold pair 
who ventured on the morrow's marriage. 

^^ You are resolved, Laura, on this match ?" 
said Law, when the company had withdrawn. 
" Why ask me such a question ? You fed 



THE SPITFIRE. 327 

my brightest hopes, you nursed the growing 
love, and now you ask me, if I am resolved ? 
As surely as there is a power above us, nothing 
shall make me waver ; he is my heart's only 
object. I would sooner rot in a goal with him, 
than live in Raven Castle with another/^ 

The morning came, the bride was dressed, 
the breakfast seemed untouched, for on these 
occasions the eye is more regaled, than the 
palate. The carriages were prepared ; the 
bridegroom was already in the church; near the 
altar sat a pale youngster, with an eye restless, 
and inquisitive. It was fixed upon the bride- 
groom, and at each turn as the anxious partner 
of Laura's future life paced the church in all 
the anxiety of the event, the youngster en- 
deavoured to stand up more closely to observe 
him; his colour came and then forsook his face; 
the clerk brought him, unasked, some water, 
which he refused ; and when he beckoned him 
away, his eye was fixed upon Albert de Lancy. 
At last the party arrived, and his cousin, even 
at that moment, approached to be made 
acquainted with him ; his excessive agitation 



328 THE SPITFIRE. 

alarmed her, and Law who supported her, 
asked the cause. 

" Oh, Sir,'^ said the youngster, " if I could 
but delay this marriage for a week, I should be 
so happy!" 

Laura started back, and asked, " For what 
reason }" 

" I cannot swear to the man now, but by 
that time, T could have proof/^ 

" Of what ?" said Laura. 

"Heis— " 

" Who ?" said Laura. 

" The pirate of the West Indies, the Cap- 
tain of the Spitfire !'^ 

There was a moment^s hesitation, when 
Laura, drawing herself proudly up, walked to 
the altar, and giving her hand to her future 
husband, in ten minutes' time left the church, 
his companion, his wife ! 

THE END. 



LONDON : 
SCHCLZE AND CO, 13, POLAND STREET. 







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