The Briny Deep; or, the Log of 'The Flying Cloud.' A story ... By Captain Tom [Signed: T. A. B, i.e. Captain Thomas A. Boulton.] Illustrated by Captain W. W. May

Front matter

THE BRINY DEEP GRIFFITH, FARRAN & CO.'S FIVE SHILLING SERIES OF TALES OF TRAVEL AND ADVENTURE. Crown 8vo, well printed on good paper, and strongly bound in cloth, elegant, bevelled boards, gilt edges. Kach volume contains from 300 to 400 pages of solid reading. Fully illustrated by eminent artists. A SOLDIER BORN ; or, The Adventures of a Subaltern in the Crimea and Indian Mutiny. By J. Percy Groves, late XXVIIth Innisldllings, author of "From Cadet to Captain," "Charmouth Grange." Illustrated by Alfred Pearce. A Book for the older boys, full of adventure. In following thj fortunes of hisxhero_ the author has also endeavoured to follow the fortunes of the g$th Regiment, during the period in -which the hero is supposed to have served in it. In doing this the author has had the advantage of referring to the Regimental Records of the 95th, as welt as to interesting private papers placed in his hand* by an officer to that distinguished corps.

FROM CADET TO CAPTAIN. A Tale of Military Life. By J. Percy Groves. Illustrated by Stanley Berkeley. THE CRUISE OF THE THESEUS. By Arthur Knight. Eight Illustrations by Frank Feller. A story of modern naval life, full of stirring adventures by sea and land, such as delight the iiearts of the spirited boys of Old England. WHO WAS PHILIP? By the Rev. H. C. Adams. Illustrated by A. W. Cooper. A tale of boy life at a public school, by the English boys' favourite veteran writer. The interest mainly turns on the presence in the school ofthe hero, whose birth and family are unknown alike to his schoolfellows and himself. Suitable for the older boys. MYSTERY OF BEECHY GRANGE (THE) ; or, The Msstng Host. By the Rev. H. C. Adams, Author of "Hair-breadth Escapes," &c. WHO DID IT? or, HOLMWOOD Priorv.

A Tale of School Life. By the Rev. H. C. Adams. With Eight Full-page Illustrations by A. W. Cooper. HAIR-BREADTH ESCAPES; or. The Adventures of Three Boys in South Africa. By Rev. H. C. Adams. FRIENDS THOUGH DIVIDED. A Story of the Cavaliers and Roundheads. By Geo. A. Henty. With Eight Full-page Illustrations. IN TIMES OF PERIL: A Tale of India. By Geo. A. Hentv With Sixteen Full-page Illustrations. GRIFFITH, P.y^^.blStbEN* & WELSH, West Corner of St. P-io'n*£p|tagfcHYARD, London A cruise ashore in China, and dangerous fracas with the Celestial roughs. Page 145. THE BRINY DEEP; OR, THE LOG OF -THE FLYING CLOUD." of ©lint {Times in tlje iRrabant i^erbirc. BY CAPTAIN TOM. ILLUSTRATED BY CAPTAIN W. IV. MAY. LONDON : GRIFFITH, FARRAN, OKEDEN & WELSH, SUCCESSORS TO NEWBERY AND HARRIS, WEST CORNER ST. PAUL'S CHURCHYARD. E. P. DUTTON £f CO., NEW YORK. 1886. [ The rights oj translation and of reproduction are reserved. ]

Preface

. In introducing the following narrative to the public generally, the Author has simply given the everyday life (of passengers especially) on board his own merchant vessel, and of various incidents that occurred during a passage from London to Rio de Janeiro. They are in the chief taken from facts, fiction being interlarded in the shape of anecdotes given at various times. The characters have been portrayed from life as nearly as possible. His aim has been to recite faithfully and truly the vicissitudes attendant upon a sea faring* life, and to brino* such before those of o __* his younger readers who have a disposition to make the sea their profession, so that they may pause and reflect whether they could make up their minds to undergo the hardships which must necessarily crop up at various VI

PREFACE.

. times. They must, however, bear in mind, that no knowledge of the world is obtained without some degree of hardship, either on land or sea. He has pointed out to them plainly that ' It is not all gold that glitters ; ' at the same time the calling is a noble one, and the wonders of the mighty deep being developed, it well repays them for their daring. They also have the consolation of knowing, that in all the perils they may have to encounter, - A sweet little cherub sits up aloft, To watch over the life of poor Jack.' T. A. B. Gloucester Place, Hyde Park, W. CONTENTS. CHAP. PACE I. MY SHIP AND CREW . . . . . I II. PASSENGERS ARRIVE ..... 14 III. A BREEZE IN THE CHANNEL .... 30 IV. DANGER IN THE DOWNS .... 47 V. SLIPPING ANCHOR 55 VI. THE SNAKE AND DIAMOND RING . . . 6S VII. LEAVING THE LAND ..... 80 VIII.

A STORM A MAN OVERBOARD ... 93 IX. A BUDGET OF INCONGRUITIES . . . 104 X. A DISAGREEMENT . . . . . .122 XI. A FIGHT AT THE 'FEAST OF LANTERNS' . 138 XII. FLYING-FISH HOW THEY WERE CAUGHT 15° XIII. A STRANGE SAIL IN SIGHT . . . .167 XIV. A PIRATE MEANS TAKEN TO BEAT HER OFF 183 XV. THE PIRATES' ATTACK — THE FIGHT . .196 XVI. BURIAL AT SEA . . . . . .212 226 XVII LISTENERS HEAR NO GOOD OF THEMSELVES XVIII. LOSING THE SUN ...... CONTENTS. CHAP. PAGE XIX. CROSSING THE LINE ..... 255 XX. AFTER A STORM COMES A CALM . . -277 XXI. PORPOISES CAUGHT 294 XXII. A BATHE AND A SHARK .... 308 XXIII. A 'PAMPERO' . . . ... -315 XXIV. LAND HO! — WHITEHEAD'S INFIDELITY — CON- CLUSION LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS. PAGE The " Flying Cloud " making Ramsgate Harbour during a terrific gale 5 The " Flying Cloud " leaving the Docks 14 Dick Deering rescues a seaman from drowning, who had fallen into the surging sea from the dismasted schooner ... 37 The "Flying Cloud" perceives a piratical-looking schooner to windward bearing down upon her ..... 182 A cruise ashore in China, and dangerous/^for. with the Celestial roughs 145 o The Pirates' attack on the main deck of the "Flying Cloud" gallantly beaten off by the ship's crew 203 A large shark discovered under the counter of the " Flying Cloud," and captured by the Captain 253 The "Flying Cloud" in a heavy "pampero" off the Brazil coast THE BRINY DEEP.

Chapter I. My Ship And Crew

' Breathes there a man with soul so dead Who never to himself hath said, This is my own, my native land ? ' Scott. I was born in Stoke Newington (Middlesex), not the Stoke Newington of to-day, but when my father's house stood in its own grounds, surrounded by verdant fields and rich pastures, when the green lanes were occasionally the haunts of highwaymen, and building societies were unheard of — in a word, when it was a country suburb of London, where one could feel the fresh breath of heaven, and could walk for A TIIE BRINY DEEP. miles after leaving the Hi°.h Street without seeing a house or meeting a living soul. But the fields wherein I played, the trees I used to climb, are gone for ever, and street upon street of crowded houses, some with only a narrow strip of garden, and some with none at all, have taken their places, and it has become a portion of the vast metropolis.

This of course is the advance of civilisation, growing industry, and modern improvements, but I delight to picture it as it was, for at that time my character was formed, and there I imbibed that ardent love of travel, adventure, and careless life, that afterwards influenced my eventful career. It is not my intention to inflict upon my reader the details of my boyhood, the descrip tion of fond and indulgent parents, or the pecca dilloes of their wayward son — myself. Suffice it to say, that at the age of twelve I became acquainted with an old sea captain, one who had travelled more than once around the world — an achievement in those days, before fast steamers and overland routes were known, that made a man a hero, and little if at all MY SHIP AND CREW. 3 inferior, in my imagination, to the heathen deities.

It was this old captain who modelled for me my first boat, cutter-rigged, and mounted with four little brass guns. He it was who, in the summer evenings, wandered with me to the sea, and, launching the tiny craft, explained to me the art of sailing, the names of the sails, ropes, &c, and filled my young head with the thoughts of the glory of the sea. He it was also who taught me to make a ' Turk's head ' or splice a rope, instructed me in the rudiments of navigation, and — shall I own it ? — before I was fourteen he had taught me to smoke a pipe, and drink a ' tot of grog,' as he called it, like a true British tar. For hours I sat by his side, listening to the wonders he had seen, the perils by land and sea he had encountered, the shipwrecks by which he had more than once nearly lost his life, the ' moving incidents by flood and field,' and as I listened my heart longed to engage in those stirring scenes, and I determined to become a sailor.

THE BRINY DEEP. My father, when he heard of my desire, did all he could to dissuade me from the idea, but I was obstinate in heart, although to outward seeming obedient, and I was backed up by my veteran friend. ' Look here,' he would say to my father, ' the lad has the stuff in him to make a sailor, and what's the use of taking the wind out of his canvas, and making him drop his anchor alongside a desk ? Hang it ! he'll never sail under the colours of a quill-driver, so let him steer his own course, whether he go to " wind'ard " or " lu'ard." ' My mother, dear soul, also implored me to give up the project I had formed ; but entreaties, and even threats, could not deter me. School hours became a burthen, and with the excep tion of geography, books of travel, and my studies with the old captain of navigation and sailing, I could not bring my mind to learn, nor had I the heart to try.

At an early age, therefore, my father (who was a Proctor) took me from school and placed me as clerk to a large and influential mercantile firm in Old Thames Street, London, hoping that The "Flying Cloud" making Ramsgate Harbour during a terrific gale. Page MY SHIP AND CREW. 5 in the turmoil and rush of a commercial life I should forget my predilection for roaming. For his sake and that of my dear mother, I tried to apply myself to the routine of a counting-house, but fate was against me. A fellow-clerk of mine (one of those narrow minded, sordid beings too often found at the desk, whose ideas of the world extend but from Temple Bar to Aldgate Pump, and whose souls aspire to nothing beyond the pleasure of £ s. d.) made a point of continually jeering at my restless spirit, taking no pains to conceal how he despised me for the little interest I took in the accounts of the office.

Thus an ill feeling sprang up between us, and, ere six months had elapsed, we quarrelled over a trifling inac curacy in an account, and in the heat of temper he called me a useless fool. Young and impetuous as I then was, I struck him between the eyes, knocking him off" his high, four-legged stool. In a moment the office was in an uproar, a short, sharp struggle ensued, and before they could separate us, I had beaten him so severely that he was unable to attend to his duties again for three or four days. Of course I was stigmatised as the offender, and with the epithets 'savage' and ' brute ' sounding in my ears, I turned on my heel and left the firm, never to return. This was the turning-point of my peculiar life ; after receiving the censure of my parents and the plaudits of the old captain for having (to use his own words) ' raked the land-shark fore and aft,' I remained quietly at home for six months.

My father, then seeing my pro clivity for the sea could not be altered, procured for me a berth as midshipman in the Honourable East India Company's Navy, where I remained for some considerable time. After this I joined several ships in various capacities, and the more I saw of the sea, its wonders and adventures, the more I was devoted to it. With my father's influence I worked my way up the ladder and became a captain. It was about this time that my dear old veteran friend, after a brief but ineffectual struq-o-.e with the ' King of Terrors,' died, leaving me a considerable sum of money, with which I purchased a splendid vessel, and commenced trading on my own account, and this had been my dearest MY SHIP AND CKEW. 7 hope. It was truly a turn in Fortune's wheel for my good, an opportune and lucky coinci dence.

Deeply and truly grieved as I was to lose the friend who, next to my parents, I loved and respected most on earth, I could not but feel joy at making so rapid a stride, and becoming at one and the same time captain and owner of a ship. Having arrived at that period of my life that I intend to make the starting-point of this narrative, I can in nauti cal language ' heave ahead,' endeavouring to describe the dangers I encountered, and the pleasures I enjoyed, upon the briny deep. My vessel was the Flying Cloud, barque rigged, of 500 tons, A 1, a small craft com pared with the present large style of ship building; but she was manned by British tars, and constructed of British oak. Coppered and copper fastened, there was scarcely a vessel afloat that could outvie her beautiful lines, or present a smarter appearance when under her broad spread of canvas.

I spared no expense in making her all she should be ; she was fitted in every way for a long and dangerous voyage. Her armoury consisted of twenty-four muskets, twenty-four boarding-pikes, with the same number of pistols and cutlasses, and on the main deck six brass twelve-pounders. Those who know the dangers of the deep in the days gone by, will, I doubt not, under stand that this was far from being an unneces sary precaution, for pirates infested the seas, and eood arms and ammunition were as much thought of then as good provisions are now. Indeed, at the time of which I write, no tinned meats were known, but ' salt horse ' (as the sailors called the beef) and 'salt junk' (pork), with pea-soup and ' plum duff' (pudding), were the staple dishes, while the delicacies prin cipally comprised ' burgoo ' (Scotch oatmeal) and rice and molasses, called by Jack, why I know not, ' strike me blind.' We were manned by the usual complement — first and second mates, three petty officers, viz., boatswain, sailmaker, carpenter, and eighteen A B's (able-bodied seamen), and last, although far from least, the cook.

As supernumeraries there were two young MY SHIP AND CREW. 9 gentlemen, called midshipmen by courtesy, who aimed at becoming sailors, and who were taught navigation, two apprentices (two boys), and first and second steward. The A B's were all men who could be called the true type of the old sailor of days gone by, fine, hearty, happy-looking fellows, who could reef, steer, and splice, and knew the rules of the road at sea. As the first and second mates will play a somewhat important part in this narrative, I may as well describe them here. The first mate, Mr. Thompson, was a short square-built fellow, with a stolid cast of coun tenance, utterly incapable of the expression of surprise, or indeed any other visible emotion. He had a fiery red beard and moustache, and a habit of laughing immoderately.

When most annoyed or excited, his eyes, although small, were bright and piercing as an eagle's. His hands, large, muscular, and covered with hair, were generally stuck in his capacious pockets, the latter being a receptacle for nearly every thing, from a quid of tobacco to a sailmaker's palm and needle. Certainly he was not prepossessing by any means at first sight, but upon closer acquaint ance none could resist his hearty genial manner and evident good-nature. Added to this he was every inch a sailor, and brave as a lion. Harold Somers, the second mate, was taller by a head, with light curly hair, laughing blue eyes, a blonde moustache that hardly concealed the most perfect teeth, a slight but well-knit wiry frame, and a general easy, don't-care style, combined with the highest good-humour and reckless daring.

No wonder his sweethearts were numerous in every port, his com pany sought by his superiors, and his manners admired by those beneath him. So much for my mates ; and I may here say that I never met two men, before or since, so dissimilar, and yet whom I liked so much. There is one more member of my crew deserving of special mention, not only on account of the important role he will play in these pages, but also on account of his marked eccentricity of character, namely, Dick Deering, the bo'sun. But to describe him accurately I fear I have not the power, for, MY SHIP AND CREW. 11 as Jack would say, he was ' half man, half horse, half alligator.' He was an old man o'-war's man, I should say about forty, but as he was perfectly ignorant himself* of the year in which he was born (as he had never seen to his knowledge either father or mother, and declared that he did not believe he ever had 'em), it was merely a matter of speculation.

His face was tanned to a mahogany brown ; his chest and arms, nearly always bare, ex cept in the coldest weather, were of the same colour, and completely covered with numerous devices that had been tattooed at various times ; his hair was raven black, and worn in long curls ; his ears were adorned with rings ; his face, although so tanned, had a noble ex pression, with clear, quick, honest eyes, that never flinched. His well-formed mouth, with lips neither too thick nor too thin, gave the whole countenance a look of determination and defiance, that would perhaps have merged into arrogance, but for the lines that denoted the humorous, and the kindly smile that, ever and anon flitting over his finely cut features, showed that beneath that rough exterior beat a heart as soft as woman's in love or distress, but dauntless as a hero's in time of danger.

Of more than ordinary height, with muscles that would have put a pugilist in the shade, erect and powerful, he looked a very tower of strength. Education he had none, nor wished it, beyond his duties and his ship. He was a very baby in learning, and utterly ignorant of the deceits of the world. ' What do I want with edication ? ' he would say ; ' I goes to sea, and does my duty. When I'm ashore I spends my pay, rolls in the gutter, and goes to sea again. Edication be blowed ! But he had gained his knowledge of the sea from the best master, practical experience, and with that had contracted another accom plishment, if such it can be called ; he could swear more than any other man I ever knew, not with the slightest intention of harm or wrong-doing, but from mere force of habit. His watch below on Sunday was usually spent in overhauling and setting straight his sea chest, and on this day his oaths were few and far beween.

But from Monday morning until Saturday night, every word he uttered, every MY SHIP AND CREW. 13 order given, was accompanied by a volley of eccentric anathemas, invented by himself mostly, and hence peculiarly his own, which were not impeded by the huge quid of tobacco that was always stowed away in his cheek. I have described these three characters to give an idea of those with whom I was more closely connected ; the others, although good honest fellows, I need not particularise. May be some will read this narrative, and recognise their own portraits (for none of them are fancy sketches). Should it be so, I wish them jolly good -luck for 'Auld lang syne;' but years have passed, and some, perhaps, are dead. Then can I only hope they rest in happiness and peace in that ' undiscovered country ' from whose bourne no traveller returns.

Chapter II Passengers' Arrival And Description

' They look up with their pale and sunken faces, And their looks are sad to see.' — E. B. Browning. We were lying in the inner basin of the Lon don Docks, taking in a general cargo for Rio Janeiro, including Government stores, composed of live shells, which latter were received on board while en route down the river, gunpowder, and other ammunition, for the English men-of war on that station. Loading being finished, hatches battened down, and the sails bent by the riggers, we were hauled to the outer basin, and, just before high water, to the flood-gates of the dock, where we were met by the good old tug Grumbler, that was to tow us as far as Gravesend. All our men were aboard, The "Flying Cloud'' leaving the Docks. Page 14. and, I am happy to say, tolerably sober, with the exception of two or three who had not recovered from the effects of the previous night's carousal ; but even these still had the power and instinctive knowledge necessary to the bowsing along of the tow-rope, and getting it aboard the steamer.

Then came perhaps the saddest moments of a sailor's life, the parting with those one loves, to traverse the uncertain paths of the deep, and combat with the change of clime, the very elements, and perchance the foe ; for who shall say that those tender adieux may not be the last ever heard in this changing world from the loving lips that may be cold in death before the breezes waft us back to our native shores ? It stirs the soul, and none can comprehend it, none can tell it, but those who have passed through the ordeal. My mother sobbed her fond farewell, my father, in tremulous tones, bid me a sincere God-speed, and I started off, my heart melt ing with love (yet beating with pride at the thought of my first command), to join my ship, which I did just as she was passing through the dock-gates.

The Jacks were in the fore-rigging, shouting good-bye to their sweethearts, friends, and wives, who in return waved their handkerchiefs and hats, laughing and crying, until we were clear of the gates, when they with one accord set up a hearty cheer, which was returned with a will by our men. The tug hauled us into mid stream of old Father Thames, the pilot shouted his orders, and in a few minutes we were standing through the Pool on our way to Gravesend. The intricacies of the Thames are too well known to need dwelling upon ; we passed Green wich, Blackwall, Woolwich, and other noted places, and then reached Gravesend (where my agent informed me the passengers would join). Then the pilot shouted out to the chief mate, who was standing on the port cathead — - 'Is your anchor all clear?' ' All clear,' was the response.

Opposite the 'Ship Hotel' the order was given to 'let go,' and down went the anchor into a bed of mud. Then came the runnino backward and forward, as they ' light to ' the chain and ' clap on ' the stopper. Thus we brought up the gallant little ship, her head swung to the tide, and there she lay, in all her glory, yards squared and all 'a-taunto,' ready to start the following morning at high tide. The sun was sinking in the west, throwing long and fantastic shadows on the murky water, illuminating with its golden rays the windows, spires, and roofs of the buildings ashore. I was smoking a cigar on the poop when the cry of ' Ship ahoy ' attracted my attention, and looking over the side I perceived a boat-load of passengers waiting to come aboard. I need hardly say that most captains who care at all for society (and I must own that I do and always did), feel great interest as to the class of persons embarking with them as passengers not only because they are to share the cuddy during the voyage, and become as it were one of a family pro tem., but he must also feel that in a measure they blindly place themselves in his hands, and look to him to steer them safely to their destined port.

It is to him they trust the safety of their lives, and to him they look for comfort while on board. All know that a bright, jovial, courteous B captain can make the cuddy a resort of pleasure and enjoyment, while he who is morose (as un happily is sometimes the case) can fill it with gloom and discontent ; and how far better is it to hear a passenger say, when the trip is ended, 'Well, good-bye, Captain. Thanks for your kindness ; I never had a more delightful passage,' than to hear the murmur, ' Thank Heaven, it's over ; I don't believe I was ever so uncomfortable in my life.' But to return : I gave an order to throw a line to the boat alongside and to man the side-ropes. I was far from being displeased with the appearance of those who came aboard as I greeted them at the gangway. They comprised in all eight individuals, viz., Mr. and Mrs. Bridger and two daughters, Miss Black, Lieut. Travers, R.N., Mr. Gerard Bravo, and Mr. Adolphus Whitehead.

The last-named gentleman attracted no little attention from all hands ; his occupation, or intentions, we could not then or after venture to fathom. He was dressed in a long black surtout, black trousers, and a ' bell-topper ' or tall hat, and these garments added doubtless to the peculiar appearance he presented, and made his naturally tall and spare frame look even more elongated and attenuated. With great difficulty (caused by trepidation), he ascended the ladder, and on reaching the deck turned to go for'ard, evidently not knowing the stem from the stern ; however, I shook him by the hand, upon which he asked me if I could direct him to his ' bedroom.' I sent the steward to show him his berth, and walked into the cuddy with the others, where after a glass of wine, and a few commonplace remarks about the weather, &c, we sauntered on deck.

My passengers then saw to their luggage being safely aboard, and in less than an hour were all quietly sleeping in their bunks, with the exception of Mr. Bravo and Lieut. Travers, who were walking the poop deck together, enjoying the fragrant weed, and evidently already becoming great chums. Having no stewardess, I made myself as useful as possible in seeing everything arranged for the comfort of the ladies, and giving the steward particular instructions to see that they were well cared for. The following morning, December 20, 1840, the hands were mustered, live stock, meat, and vegetables put aboard, and all things made ready for a start. The pilot gave the order to man the windlass. The weather was anything but pleasant, the snow and sleet were falling fast, and the air biting shrewdly. For all that, the men, having slept off the ill effects of the poison in which they had been indulging, turned to with a will, their cheery voices bursting out into a jovial ' shanty ' (sea song), keeping time to the clack-clack of the pall as the chain was wound in, and stretched along the deck, until the anchor was ' a-weigh ' and up to the bows ready for catting.

The river pilot now left us, and the Downs pilot took charge : a light westerly breeze was blowing. Sail was made on the ship, which, feeling the little force of the wind, glided with the tide down the river towards the Nore, like a thing of life and light. Towards night the breeze freshened, and veered a point or two ; the watch was set, and the Nore light passed at about 10.30 p.m. Next day (the 21st) we brought the ship to the wind, to land the pilot in the Downs, off Deal, and I took charge to scratch our way down Channel. A moderate breeze continued, and we passed the South Foreland and Dover close aboard. The following morning came in fine, with (for a day in December) a warm sun and light wind from S.S.E., all drawing sail set. The Flying Cloud, with her spick-and-span new canvas swelling to the breeze, showed herself off to the best advantage.

The smooth sea reflected the sun's rays. As one by one the passengers came on deck, all seemed gay and happy except Mr. Adolphus White head, who, by his pale face and longing eyes, as he gazed at terra firma, plainly indicated that he was far from comfortable in his mind ; perhaps he thought he had made a pitiable mistake in trusting his person on the bosom of the ocean, or was reflecting if it were possible for him to even now slip ashore and for feit his passage-money. The passengers being all now seated round the companion hatch, I had a chance for the first time of surveying them quietly, or, as Jack would say, taking their altitudes. They were evidently delighted with the temporary sunshine. Mr. and Mrs. Bridger appeared a homely, affable couple, who must in their younger days have been classed as beyond the average of good-looking people.