THE BUCCANEER. A TALE. BY Anna Maria (Frielding), wife of Funnel Carter MRS. S. C. HALL. Author of "Sketches of Irish Character," &c. &c. Stay! methinks I see A person in yond cave. Who should that bee? BEN JONSON. IN TWO VOLUMES, VOL. I. Philadelphia: CAREY, LEA & BLANCHARD. 21484.12.3 21487,19 HARVARD COLLEGE LIBRARY 1863. Mar. 30 coift of Win Adams Muurve Crubrike, GRIGGS & DICKINSON, PRINTERS, 1608 43-206 THE BUCCANEER. CHAPTER I. With roomy decks, her guns of mighty strength, DRYDEN. IT was between the hours of ten and twelve on a fine night of February, in the year sixteen hundred and fifty-six, that three men moored a light skiff in a small bay, overshadowed by the heavy and sombre_rocks that distinguish the Isle of Shepey from other parts along the coast of Kent, the white cliffs of which present an aspect at once so cheerful and so peculiar to the shores of Britain. The quiet sea seemed, in the murky light, like a dense and motionless mass, save when the gathering clouds passed from the brow of the waning moon, and permitted her beams to repose in silver lines on its undulating bosom. It was difficult to account for the motive that could have induced any mariner to land upon so unpropitious a spot, hemmed in as it was on every side, and apparently affording no outlet but that by which they had entered-the trackless and illimitable ocean. Without a moment's deliberation, however, the steersman, who had guided his boat into the creek, sprang lightly to the shore: another followed; while the third, folding himself in the capacious cloak his leader had thrown off, resumed his place, as if resolved to take his rest, at least, for a time. "Little doubt of our having foul weather, master," observed the younger of the two, in a half querulous, half positive tone, as standing on a huge bank of sea-weed, he regarded first the heavens, and then the earth, with the scru tinizing gaze of one accustomed to pry into their mysteries, His companion answered not, but commenced unrolling a rich silk scarf, that had enveloped his throat, and twisting it into loose folds, passed it several times around his waist, having previously withdrawn from a wide leathern belt that intervened between his jacket and trousers, a brace of curiously-fashioned pistols, which he now handed to the young sailor, while he elevated the hilt of his dagger, so that, without removing or disturbing the silken sash, he could use it in an instant. Having fully ascertained this point, by drawing the weapon more than once from its sheath, he again deposited the pistols in his belt, and buttoned his vest nearly to the throat; then drew the ends of his sash still more tightly, and placing a hand on either side, turned towards the cliffs, measuring their altitude with an eye, which, though deficient in dignity, was acute, and peculiarly fierce in expression. The seaman, for such was his calling, was about five feet eight or nine inches in height. His hair, as it appeared from beneath a cap singularly at variance with the fashion of the time, curled darkly round a face, the marked features of which were sufficiently prominent, even in that uncertain light, to denote a person of no ordinary mind or character. His figure was firm and well proportioned, and, though he might have numbered nearly fifty years, it had lost neither strength nor elasticity. His whole bearing was that of a man whom nothing could have turned from a cherished purpose, were it for good or evil: though his eye was, as we have described it, fierce and acute, it was also restless and impatient as the waves upon which he had toiled from his earliest years. Again he surveyed the cliff, and, stepping close to its base, applied the point of a boat-spear to remove the sea-weed that spring and high tides had heaped against it; he then summoned the youth to his assistance, who, after a few moments' search, exclaimed, "Here it is, master-here is one-here another-but, my eyes! are we to trust our necks to such footing as this? I'd rather mount the top-gallant of the good ship Providence in the fiercest nor-wester that ever blow'd, than follow such a lubberly tack." "Then go back to the boat, sir," replied the elder, as he began, with cautious yet steady daring, to ascend, a course attended with evident danger, "Go back to the boat, sirand, here, Jeromio! you have not been taught your duty on board the Providence, and, I presume, have no scruples, like our friend Oba Springall. Jeromio! I say, hither and up with me!" "I am here, sir," replied the youth, whose momentary dread had been dispelled by this attempt to promote a rival to the post of honour; "I am here, sir:" muttering, however, soon afterwards to himself, as the difficulties of the way increased, "He thinks no more of his life than if he were a sprat or a spawn." No other word was breathed by either of the adventurers, as they threaded the giddy path, until about midway, when the elder paused, and exclaimed, "Ahoy there, boy! there are two steps wanting; you had better, indeed, go back. To me, the track has been long familiar; not so to you." The youth thought of his master's taunt and Jeromio, and resolved to take his chance. 66 Ay, ay, sir, no danger when I follow you." But the peril was, in truth, appalling, though its duration was brief. Below, the sea that was now rapidly covering the small creek, rudely agitated and opposed by a rising breeze, dashed and foamed against the rocks. To fall from such a height would be inevitable destruction. There was scarcely sufficient light to mark the inequality of the ascending cliffs; and a spectator, gazing on the scene, must have imagined that those who clung to such a spot were supported by supernatural agency. The Skipper nothing daunted, struck the spear, that had served as a climbing-stick, firmly into the surface of mingled clay and stone, and then, by a violent effort, flung himself upwards, catching with his left hand at a slight projection that was hardly visible; thus hanging between earth and heaven, he coolly disengaged the staff, and placed it under the extended arm, so as to form another prop; and feeling, as it were, his way, he burrowed with his foot a resting in the cliff, from which he sprang on a narrow ledge, and was in safety. He then turned to look for his young companion, to whom he extended the boat-spear that had been of such service. mated by his master's success and example, Springall's selfpossession was confirmed; and both soon stood on the brow of the precipice, Ani "Sharp sailing that, boy," observed the elder, as the youth panted at his side." "Ay, ay, sir," replied Springall, wiping his face with the sleeve of his jacket. "Take a drop, master,” he continued, drawing a tin bottle from his bosom, "twill warm ye after such a cursed cruise." The Skipper nodded as he accepted the flask, " I hope you are as well armed on all points as on this; but don't take in too great a reef, or it will make you a heavy sailor before your time: drop anchor now, and keep watch here till farther orders." |