Miss B. F. A salt-water story. By the Author of 'Mary Powell'

Front matter

A SALT-WATER STORY BY THE AUTHOR OF 'MARY POWELL.' ' Full fathom five thy father lies ; Of his bones are corals made ; Those are pearls that were his eyes Nothing of him that doth fade Kut doth suffer a sea change, Into something rich and strange.' ' Come unto these yellow sands, And then take hands : . . . Foot it featly here and there ; And, sweet sprites, the burthen bear.' The Tempest. LONDON SAMPSON LOW, SON, AND MARSTON MILTON HOUSE, LUDGATE HILL 1866. [The right of Translation it reserved.] EDINBURGH _ T. CONSTABLE, PRINTER TO THE QUEEN, AND TO THE UNIVERSITY

Chapter I

bright, sparkling afternoon, with a fine, fresh breeze such as sailors love, brought the ' Lively Peggy' briskly into the little harbour of Hardsand. Two men and a boy appeared to be all the crew. On deck, with a spy-glass in her hand, stood a buxom, middle-aged female, attired in a close-fitting blue cloth coat with large white buttons. A snow-white collar of stitched linen contrasted well with the black silk handkerchief round her throat ; a round black hat, with ample but not immoderate brim, was tied firmly on by broad black strings. Laced leather boots and beaver gloves completed her equipment, which was excellently adapted for a small merchant vessel. As for her face, it was somewhat too massive to be handsome, and her healthy A complexion was too tanned and freckled to be fair ; but there was a bright rose-tint on her cheeks, that deepened into carmine on her lips.

Furthermore, her mouth, which boasted white even teeth, was beautified when she smiled by a dimple. Her dark chestnut hair was cropped short, almost like a boy's, but played in curls over her forehead, which her hat had protected from sunburn. Her dark grey eye had wonderful and vary ing expression, and could be soft, kindly, and humorous ; but it usually bespoke great determination. Such was Miss Biddy Frobisher, who now, in a quick, peremptory voice, cried, — 'Luff sir, luff!' The eldest seaman made some alteration in the tackling, and presently approached Miss Biddy, respectfully raising his hat. Well, Beale, what is it ?' If I might make so bold, Miss — ' Well, out with it — ' Instead of saying " Luff sir, luff — "' ' I ought to have said, " Will you be so good as to move the ship's head a little more to the left-hand side, if you please!"

Stuff and nonsense. Don't be so fond of preach ing, Beale.' ' No, Miss ; only — ' I don't want any onlys. You under stood what I wanted well enough, or you wouldn't have done it. And I'll tell you what, Beale, I 've something to say to you too before we get into port. Come close to me, there 's no need sor Coles and Bob to hear every word I say. That will do ; now I need not shout. Beale, you sailed with my father a good many years. If you don't want to sail with me, I can get some one else.' ' Goodness gracious, Miss Biddy, what ever should make you go for to say such a thing ? Have I been swearing ? Have I been spitting ? Have I been disobedient ? Many and many 's the time I 've carried you in these arms — ' ' Yes, yes, I know all that — ' And just because I said you didn't ought to say luff — ' ' Tell me in one word, Beale, would you have told my father he didn't ought to do anything ?' ' Well, no ; because, you see, he didn't need to be told — ' ' No, that was not the reason.

It was because he was your master, and you were his servant ; and now you are my servant, or you are nothing to me.' ' I 'm sure, Miss, I 'm quite agreeable.' 'No, that's the very thing you are not. You are not and cannot be agreeable to me if you don't do what I wish. Now, if I say luff, when I mean something else, just you do it ! and don't go exposing any little in advertence — ' ' Exposing of you ? Why, I 'd sooner — ' Hush, don't speak so loud, nor throw your arm about so. People have eyes as well as ears. If there are words that I use in a sense of my own that isn't your sense, just make a list of them, and put your words against them, and I '11 use yours instead.' ' Bless your heart, Miss — ' ' Give it me privately, I say, and don't go blabbing to Coles.' ' If I ever did such a mean thing, may I — ' ' No swearing, or you are paid off to-night!

I use expressions that you don't like some times, and you use expressions that I don't like very often. This shall be a God-fearing vessel, Beale. There was many a wrono word spoken on board the "Betsy;" and the " Betsy" went down.' ' Well, the old cap'n did rap out an oath pretty oft — ' ' Don't speak ill of the dead. My father is gone to his account ; and oh that I may square for him the account he left behind him in this world !' ' You 're a dutiful daughter, Miss Biddy, that we all know ; and if you don't carry your point, which I 'm afeard you never will, why, it's not to be expectivated ; and you're no ways answerable for your father's debts.' 'That's my affair. What I say is, that this is to be a God-fearing vessel, otherwise I cannot expect a blessing on my deed. See what a prosperous trip we have made !

That French brig was lost on the very spot we sailed over. Let us bear our mercies in mind.' Beale touched his hat and went aft, while Miss Biddy thoughtfully paced the little deck, with her hands in her coat pockets, and her spy-glass tucked under her arm. 'There are the girls!' she presently ex claimed joyfully. ' Ay, ay, sir,' responded Beale. ' He calls me sir,' thought she, 'but I'll let it pass. With all his queer ways he 's a true heart.' They ran alongside the quay, and a cus tom-house officer came on board. After a short dialogue with him, Miss Biddy stepped on shore, carrying a roll of ships' papers. Two young girls hastily ran up to her and kissed her. Many persons were standing about, who had watched the ' Lively Peggy' come in, and as Miss Biddy walked briskly along the pier, with a sister on each side, she exchanged many a cheerful greeting. 'Safe home, you see!' she cried to one. 'A prosperous trip!' to another. ' How do you do, Tom ?

Are you better ? How are you, Captain Spinks ? I must have a talk with you shortly.' ' Mrs. Graves, Bob has been a very good boy : he will soon be with you.' ' I am so glad you are come home, Biddy,' said her dark-eyed sister Bell. ' How freckled you are !' ' Take care you don't get freckled, Bell. It is of more importance at your age than mine. How is Mrs. Bertie? Have you seen much of her ?' ' O yes ; I have been there every day, hearing Perry his lessons. Charles is come home from Steephollow.' At this instant a middle-aged maid-servant, with her cap half blown off, came rushing down the quay, to give her mistress a breathless welcome, having done which, and received a cordial greeting, she fell into the rear. Having delivered her papers to the authorities, Miss Biddy rejoined her sisters; and the little group proceeded to a white wooden house with red-tiled roof and bright green shutters, which stood a little apart from the street, with a steep narrow garden before it.

They passed through the white gate and up the pebbled walk flanked by gay flower-beds, to the wide-open door of the house, which had been deserted by all but the cat. 'Well, old Malkin, how are you?' said Miss Biddy, as the cat rose and rubbed itself against her dress by way of greeting. Then taking it up in her arms, she looked about her with great satisfaction. The parlour into which the door opened was low and square. The wrainscot and raftered ceiling were painted white ; the window-seat was full of scarlet geraniums. There was an old bureau, an old mahogany sideboard, an oval table covered with green baize, a large chintz-covered easy-chair, several mahogany ones with horsehair seats, and, against the wall, a grim old portrait of a hard-featured naval commander. Soon they were sitting down to a soci able tea ; and the cabin-boy brought up Miss Biddy's bag and a large basket of fruit. ' See what pears and apples Guernsey boasts !' said Miss Biddy. ' Shouldn't you like to go there ? ' ' Not to live there,' said Hetty. ' So much as you are away from us, we are better among our friends.' ' Well, I think so too, Hetty.' 'Take me with you next trip, Biddy!' said Bell. ' No ; it wouldn't do for you.

You couldn't rough it as I do. I should amazingly like to go to Lisbon.' ' To Lisbon ?' exclaimed they both. ' O don't!' Miss Biddy laughed merrily, and said, ' Why not ?' ' You '11 be out of your soundings. Father never went to Lisbon.' ' That 's no reason.' ' But Beale never went to Lisbon,' said Hetty, earnestly, ' and that is a reason. Oh, Biddy, if you should be lost, where are we ?' 'Fiddlesticks! It will do Beale good to be out of his soundings, and take the conceit out of him.' ' Of course you would have a pilot,' said Bell. ' But you don 't understand Portu guese. I don't like to think of it, Biddy.' ' Don't, then. Perhaps it may not come to anything.' ' And this has really been a good trip ? ' ' Famous ; the cargo was so well chosen. Madame Roland was a capital adviser. She knew what was wanted in the market.

I have returned with a cargo of fruit.' What shall you do with it ?' Run up to London to-morrow. Going again so soon ?' ' Fruit won't bear delay. No more tea, thank you, Bell. I want to settle my accounts.' ' Oh, well, if you want a quiet room, I suppose I may as well water the garden.' ' Yes, do ; and I will look out at you from time to time. How goes on music. Bell ?' ' Oh, pretty well. I practise every day on Mrs. Bertie's piano; only it isa disadvantage not to have one to practise on at home.' ' Instead of saying that, think what an advantage it is to have one to practise on at Mrs. Bertie's. And French ?' ' I read some French every day. You know that is all I can do.' ' You would soon learn to patter away at it in Guernsey.' And then followed Guernsey anecdotes, which amused them till Miss Biddy sat down to her desk, and Bell went to water her flowers.

Chapter II

iss Biddy was not destined to settle her accounts without inter ruption ; for scarcely had she addressed herself to her task, when she was diverted from it by the en trance of her friend Mrs. Bertie, a widow lady of pleasing demeanour, whose mourn ing bore the air of faded gentility. ' I am so much obliged to you,' said Miss Biddy cordially, ' for keeping your eye on the girls in my absence. I did not expect any harm to befall them, but did not like to leave them without some one to look to in case of need.' ' My charge was quite a sinecure,' said Mrs. Bertie. ' Bell came daily to practise and to hear Perry say his lessons, but I saw very little of Hetty, who had generally fruit to gather, or a pudding to make, or some little employment that amused her. I was always glad to see her, but let her come or stay away as she liked.

They often brought their work in the evening, and sometimes we read a little, but oftener talked. The more I see of Bell the more I like her. And how pretty she grows !' ' Hush, she will hear you — she is just outside, tying up the pinks. There's your Charles helping her. Why did he not come in?' ' Charles is rather shy, and cannot bear paying a visit, even to you.' ' Charles looks anything but shy at this moment,' said Miss Biddy, gazing keenly at the unconscious youth. ' Do look at him and Bell ! ' ' He is making his first attempt at easy compliment, I should think,' said Mrs. Bertie, laughing quietly. ' Pretty well for a first attempt. See, he wants to put flowers in her hair, and she draws back her head. Oh, you rogue !' shaking her head at him, as he happened to look towards the house.

Very sheepishly he sauntered with his hands in his pockets towards a square bed of onions, which he attentively contemplated. ' Charles, you 're doing nothing,' cried Miss Biddy to him in her clear, full-toned voice. ' Can't you look after the slugs ?' He made a wry face, but pretended to do so for a minute or two, while she was watch ing him. ' I go to London to-morrow,' said Miss Biddy. ' I want to settle my business mat ters ; and I have brought over a cargo of fruit, which is perishable.' ' What a woman of business you are !' ' Ah, no,' said she ruefully. ' I was just reviewing my profits and losses as you came in, and though I have had some very encour aging successes, I have also had some very heavy losses. Men are so hard upon women, and take such advantage of them ! They know we are naturally quick-witted, and they keep us in the dark as much as they can.

However, I was not overreached by Monsieur Guillot, though within an inch of it. I had a fit of sneezing just as I was going to close with him, and in that moment a third person came in and said, ' Why, how is it, Mons. Guillot, that you are doing so and so ?' While they were talking I walked out, made inquiries, returned to make a fresh bargain with him, and got him to thank me too ! Instead of holding me cheap, he respected me as a woman of the world. Perhaps I shall become one at last, but it is against the grain.' ' How long shall you remain in London ?' ' Not more than twenty-four hours, I hope.' 'Where shall you sleep ?' ' Well, my father used to put up at a very respectable place somewhere near St. Paul's, and I want to go to Covent Garden.' ' St. Paul's is a good way from Covent Garden,' said Mrs. Bertie ; ' and I don't think it would be a very nice place for you.' 'St. Paul's, Covent Garden!' said Miss Biddy emphatically ; as much as to say, ' I know something of London !' 'Ah, that's another St. Paul's!' said Mrs. Bertie ; ' there are many St. Pauls' in Lon don.

But I can direct you to some very nice quiet people, where I went once with poor Mr. Bertie — ' Here the doorway was darkened by the heavy square-built form of an elderly man in a blue coat with metal buttons. He had a wooden leg. 'Oh, Captain Spinks, how do you do?' said Miss Biddy, rising to meet him. ' Well, I have not gone to the bottom, you see.' Captain Spinks, who was a retired smuggler, placed himself deliberately in the arm-chair that she set for him, and said oracularly, ' "There 's a sweet little cherub sits perch'd up aloft, To keep watch for the life of poor Jack." — So it was in my day, mum, and so it is in yours. Many a time have I gone out of harbour in an old tub that wasn't sea-worthy, and many a time have I got back. There 's many a sailor that don't go to the bottom ; and if so, why not a sailoress ?

I watched yrou when you put to sea, and I remarked to a friend, " That woman will come back. There 's that about her that . . . that woman will come back." So, when I say so again, perhaps you'll believe me.' ' Ay ; or if I don't come back, you won't know whether I believed in you or not. I believe in Providence, Captain Spinks.' ' That 's what I said in the words of the poet,' said Captain Spinks, ' who clothed the idea in expressions superior to mine. Well, and how did my old friend Jack Beale get on? He's a brick, if ever there was one.' ' Beale got on very well, as he always does, in spite of one or two inveterate faults — ' ' Ay, ay, mum, what may they be ?' ' Oh, I 'm not going to complain of him to others ; but he has a nasty habit of using improper expressions, and spitting in im proper places.' ' Oh, oh, if it 's nothin' agin his seamanship, we must excuse him, mum ; we must excuse him!

I don't hold him up for a lady's man — ' ' No, I should think not,' said Miss Biddy, laughing. ' But for a man as knows how to handle a vessel ; why, brush my wig ! (and I hope that's not swearing) he's — Hem! talk of a person and he appears.' For there was Beale, demurely looking in at the door, with a box under his arm. ' I knew this held summat for the young ladies, Miss,' said he, touching his hat, ' so I thought I 'd just step up with it myself.' ' Thank you kindly, Beale. Wait to have a glass of something. What would you like ? a glass of wine or some toddy ?' ' Thank 'ee, Miss, since you 're so obliging, I '11 be tasting the wine while the young ladies mixes the toddy.' 'Who's left on board, Beale, with the custom-house officer ?' ' Coles, Miss ; he came back half-an-hour ago, and brought a newspaper on board to read.' ' Here 's your wine, Beale.

We are going to have prayers presently, and if you like to wait, you shall have a glass of toddy after wards.' Here Captain Spinks, who had rather been hoping the toddy would come round, suddenly became afraid that the evening air would increase his asthma ; and, producing a large Bandana handkerchief, began to fold and tie it round his neck. Mrs. Bertie remembered it was time for her to send Perry to bed, and only outstayed Captain Spinks to give Miss Biddy the direction to the quiet lodging. Charles was summoned from his flirtation among the pinks to ac company his mother home, and Miss Biddy called her little household together half an hour earlier than usual, partly on Beale's account, and partly because she was very tired. Said Beale to his shipmate afterwards- — ' — And, Coles, there were two candlesticks as bright as gold on the table.

And Miss B Biddy opened the biggest Bible I ever seen out of church, and read beautiful about a storm at sea, and the Saviour asleep on a pillow : and her voice was so loud and so clear and so grand, that it made my flesh creep And we all down on our knees, and she prayed beautiful, and gave wonderful thanks. After that, Miss Bell mixed the toddy ; and, Coles, you may say what you like, but 'twas the stiffest glass I ever had in all my born days. Shouldn't I like another !'

Chapter III

T was universally known in Hardsand that Miss Biddy had returned from a prosperous trip, and therefore she met on every hand with smiles and gratulations ; ' for so long as thou doest good unto thyself, men will speak well of thee.' Time had been, when her chartering a vessel and sailing in it herself had been spoken of with contemptuous pity or open ridicule. Her first trip had been a failure, and the remarks that were made on it reached her ears and filled her heart with bitterness. Her father had been a sailor of the old school— hard-headed, hard-fisted, and some what hard-hearted. His early life had been hard ; and when he came into a little money he bought a share in a trader, then got on to two shares, then to three. His partner died, and he married his partner's widow, who became the mother of Biddy.

They used to have altercations sometimes, and Biddy, who loved them both, was not always happy. At length her mother died, leaving her little property settled on Biddy. After several years, Mr. Frobisher married again. This was a trial to his daughter, who had supposed she should be his housekeeper for life ; but her excellent nature was never more fully shown than in the friendliness with which she welcomed her step-mother to the home in which she was thenceforth to take a second place. Her young step-sisters found a second mother in her when they lost their own. Before Miss Biddy started for London, she went down to the quay to take a fare well look at the ' Lively Peggy,' and give some parting directions. Captain Spinks and Coles were standing beside it with their backs to her in such deep confabulation that when she spoke Coles started as if he had been shot.

However, Captain Spinks was not such a novice as to appear startled at anything; and, therefore, while Coles fell back several paces, and appeared intently engaged in doing something to a rope, the old smuggler, just as if he had had Biddy in his eye ever since she set foot on the quay, went on with — ' And so, as I was saying, Miss Biddy, whom, by-the-by, I wish a good morning, which there 's no need to wish you, for there never was finer weather, with a fine, stiff breeze coming right from the north. You '11 have no rain, mum, between this and Lon'on, or my name 's not Spinks.' ' But what were you saying to Coles ?' ' About the brig, in course. Admiring of her, mum, as I always do whenever I see her, as well as the lady that's her sailing master — I was saying to your ship's car penter — ' ' Coles is no ship's carpenter, though he can use a hammer and nail : you must not give him such fine names, Captain Spinks, for he 's too heady already ; and what be tween Beale and him, it's as much as I can do, sometimes, to hold my own.' ' 'Tis the nature of the masculine creation, mum.

Adam, you see, came aboard the earth afore Madam, and so his sons have always done their best or worst to keep the upper hand. I daresay, mum, you 've realized a pretty sum by this trip ?' 'That's as may be. I haven't sold my cargo yet; and if my leather purse were stuffed with gold, it would only go a little way towards what I want — ' ' But this vessel, mum, is now in such first rate condition that, with common care and luck, you '11 have all profit and no loss from this time forth — ' ' I hope with all my heart it may be so ; but it is in wiser hands than mine.' ' Where are those hands, mum, if I may be so bold ?' ' Fie, Captain Spinks, do you never read your Bible ?' At this instant a little warm fat hand was slipped into her own, familiarly closing on her fingers ; and looking downward she saw without much surprise, and certainly with anything but dissatisfaction, a very engag ing-looking little boy of seven years old, whose dress was neither of the upper nor lower rank, but ingeniously and economi cally contrived, with very little regard to the fashion.

His looks owed nothing to his apparel, nor did they need any adjunct, for his lovely golden-brown hair, speaking blue eyes, and radiant face, would have made him a cherub even in rags. ' May I go on board with you ?' said he, coaxingly. ' Yes, Perry, you may,' and she smilingly stooped down and kissed him. ' Have you been a good boy while I was away ? ' ' Yes — no — not very good, mamma says. My lessons were such a plague. I wish I needn't learn any.' ' Oh, but everybody must learn lessons !' ' Not sailors ?' ' Yes, sailors.' And though she had no more time to bestow in talking to him, she held fast by his hand while she gave her directions to Beale, and took him with her wherever she went. The little boy, whose name was Peregrine, though he was called Perry, was in a silent rapture of happiness.

He was very fond of the sea, of ships, and of sailors ; the greatest object of his desires was to go a voyage, but he had never yet been out of sight of land. He picked up and hoarded, however, every scrap of nauti cal phraseology and information that was within his reach, and being a very coaxing little fellow, he made friends with almost every sailor and fisherman in the place. To them his tongue would run nineteen to the dozen, and his frequent 'What's that?' ' what is it for ?' ' how do you do it ?' ' why do you do it ?' ' could / do it ?' procured him manya smiling explanation. Know ledge of the sort he loved he could accumu late and store away with curious aptitude, but for ordinary book-learning Master Pere grine Bertie had a lamentable disrelish. Many were the tears that smeared the dogs eared leaves of his grammar, which was copiously illustrated with original designs of brigs, schooners, and sailors.

In his pockets were always to be found samples of small cordage, tied with sailor's knots, or profes sionally coiled, along with marine specimens (often alive), and a toy compass which he knew how to box. In fact, the boy was born for a sailor, though his mother did not know of it, nor intend him to be one. When Miss Biddy quitted the brig, this endearing little fellow trotted beside her all up the quay, having added to his possessions sundry little treasures which Beale, knowing his tastes, and secretly doating on him, had stored away sor him on purpose, in the pockets of his capacious trousers. ' Wasn't it good of Mr. Beale to give me this— and these— and this ?' said he, exhibit ing his spoils to Miss Biddy with delight. ' Why, what can you do with them ?' said she, amused ; ' I call it a lot of rubbish.' ' Rubbish !' said Peregrine, amazed ; ' why, they 're the very things I want for my brig.

Only look at these blocks !' ' Oh, so you 're going to put to sea, are you ?' ' I wish I were. Oh, Miss Biddy, do take me with you next time ! Do ask mamma.' ' I 'm afraid it would be of no use, Perry.' ' O yes, she'd mind you. Now do, Miss Biddy ! I won't be the least trouble. Should you mind having me ?' ' No, I should like it very much; but I'm certain your mamma would say no.' ' Oh, just try her ! just try !' To change the subject, she said, ' Here comes Mr. Craikie.' ' I don't like Mr. Craikie,' said Peregrine, ' he always looks so like a wolf ' Hush—.' 'Well, but doesn't he? Do you like him?' ' Yes, to be sure ;' which was not the truth. Peregrine looked at her, in amaze that any one could make such an assertion ; but, returning to the charge, said,— ' If I am very good indeed, and don't get one black mark, will you take me ?' ' Perhaps I may,' said she absently, and little thinking how her words would be bottled up.

In fact, her mind was occupied by Mr. Craikie, whom she at once disliked, distrusted, and yet wished to conciliate. Mr. Craikie was a wine and spirit merchant, a monied man, and a notable character in the little borough. He was a low-party man, and most of the burghers were opposed to Government ; he was suspected of secret dealings with the smugglers, but nothing had ever been proved against him ; nobody had much opinion of his moral character, and it was certain that he had a hard, selfish nature. Unfortunately, he was one of the late Mr. Frobisher's creditors, and Biddy longed to pay off scores with him sooner than with any other, because he seemed to hold a power over her. True, she was not bound to reimburse him, but she knew that he knew she was trying to do so, and that he scoffed at what he held to be the futile attempt.