The Golden Hawk; or the Wanderings of John Malcolm, etc

Front matter

THE GOLDEN HAWK; OK, THE WANDERINGS OF JOHN MALCOM. "THE CHAIRMEN, WHO HAD BEEN SEPARATED FROM THEIR MISTRESS DCRING THE FIGHT, CAME DP." THE GOLDEN HAWK; OR, THE WANDERINGS OF JOHN MALCOM. BY CLIVE HOLLAND. WITH ORIGINAL ILLUSTRATIONS W. J. WAR-REN. LONDON:. SIMPKIN, MARSHALL, & CO. stationers' hall court. 1888. LONDON: PRINTED BY WYMAN AND SONS, 71-76, GREAT QUEEN STREET, LINCOLN'S-INN FIELDS, W.C. TO MV FATHER, MOTHER, AND BROTHER, THIS BOOK IS AFFECTIONATELY DEDICATED. PKEFACE. fPHIS book was principally written for those who love a tale of the Sea and Sailors, but with the hope that others might find the adventures of John Malcom and the voyage of the Golden Hawk not altogether lacking in interest. Should the following pages prove the means of plea santly passing a weary or an idle hour, the object of the writer will have been accom plished.

London, February, 1888. LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS. " THE CHAIRMEN, WHO HAD BEEN SEPARATED FROM THEIR MISTRESS DURING- THE FIGHT came up " . . . . . Frontispiece. "IN THE SALOON * * * * WE FOUND THREE LADIES" p. 130 " BENDING FORWARD MY HAND CLASPED THE BONY FINGERS OF ANOTHER " . . . p. HAWK.

Chapter I. What Befel John Malcom

MY first recollections are of so shadowy a nature that at my age they only come to me in a dreamy way. But, nevertheless, I sometimes see, when sitting of an evening with pipe in mouth and blazing logs on hearth, and my chair well drawn into the ingle, a shadowy figure of a tall, fair lady dressed in black, who, I had been told when a boy, was my mother. Although she died before I was old enough to remember her distinctly, I still have a green place in my old storm-beaten heart for the sad lady, who always looked so kind and used to take me in her arms, and wet my head with tears. My father I never saw, being but two years old or thereupon, when he suffered, for his. B Haivk. share in the rising of '45, the penalty of the law, and the vengeance of the Hanoverian usurper, as did many other noble gentlemen.

Our estates were forfeited, and given to one of the cringing Germans, of whom the Elector was so fond. "When my poor father came to his death, and our all being gone, my mother returned to her father's house, the Parsonage in a little Lancashire village, stricken with grief, and laid hold upon by a fever which held her in its grip for more than five weary weeks, and left her at length low, but with a burning, bitter hate of the Hanoverian George and his German tribe. Here she remained till her death, which happened when I was but seven years old. For the next few years my memory is almost a blank, all that I can call to mind being the bare fact that during the period succeeding my mother's death, till I was cast forth upon the world an almost friend less orphan, at the age of fourteen, my grandfather endeavoured to teach me (a sorry pupil, I fear) the rudiments of reading and writing, with such scraps of Arithmetic, Latin, and Science as time would allow, not forgetting the reading of " The Whole Duty op Man," and works of like nature.

What I remember far better (to my shame be it recorded) is the instruction gained from honest Jock, who was my grandfather's right-hand man in the garden and man agement of the home acre, in the art of cudgelling and small sword. The latter art, strange in a common serving man, he had gained whilst serving on the rightful king's side in '45. Many a day have I spent in the old barn, endeavouring to break honest Jock's head with the cudgel, or run him through with the small sword, which I never could per suade him to sharpen. Sometimes it hap pened that my grandfather would catch us at it, and he would exclaim, " Ay, Jock ! The home acre will profit as little as John with all this cudgelling and sword drill, and it will only arouse the war like spirit in the lad, which was the cause of his poor father's ruin.

But, there, what's in the boy will out, I suppose." And with these words he would hasten B away to his duties, or on some errand of mercy. But all that he said could never check my ardour for warlike exercise ; and before I was twelve I was a good hand with the sword, and could, so Jock said, have held my own with most. It was a sad day that saw me cast forth upon the troublous world from the shelter of the roof that I had learned to call home. With but few guineas in pouch and no friends, mine indeed was a sorry state. I thought my grandfather was rich, but, be it as it may, little saw I of his riches, even after the furniture and the books he prized so greatly were sold. He was always an open handed man, and much beloved by his flock, as all will tell. It little concerns how I fared the first days following* the burial of my only re maining relative, nor how kind honest Jock (his face grows upon the paper before me now) out of sheer pity offered me shelter beneath his roof; nor indeed the reasons which decided me to push my way in the world unaided.

It was with a fairly blithe heart and quick step that I turned my back upon the village, which I was to see again only after many years of wandering to and fro on land and sea. Being but fourteen (although a strong lad enough and big) it is little wonder that I should set my face South, and make my Journey towards the great city of London, of whose glories I had heard my grandfather speak. In fact he never tired talking of the journey he had once made to it when a young man and the sights he saw there. I, of course, had little enough idea how to reach it, but trusted to asking my road and lifts by the way, from kindly stage waggoners. Having heard much of the doings of footpads and the like, I placed my slender store of guineas, contained in a little bag, at the back of my leg just in the bend of the knee, keeping in my pocket only so much money as served for the purchase of my food day by day, and for my night's lodgings, when I slept at an inn.

I had cause to be glad of this precaution, as time proved. For the first day or two I got on fairly, for I was able to keep to the main road. But on the third or fourth day, I have forgotten which, anxious to reach a certain village ere night-fall, I made my way by lanes and little frequented roads, which in those days were in the sorriest condition and hardly better than a ploughed field. Never, during the whole of my journey to London, did I get so scratched, bruised and tumbled as in the last two miles of that day's travel. It was as dark as ever it is in September long before I reached the village I sought. At length I walked through it and came to a rest at the King's Head, which King I didn't trouble to think. But all the talk I heard in the inn parlour, lead me to suppose that it was the right one, and I am pretty sure that the host favoured nothing the Germans.

The chief men of the village were gathered for their evening's pipe and glass, but only the schoolmaster and those of the better sort could indulge in the former, the Indian weed being rather costly. The schoolmaster had a news sheet, which he read aloud between his whiffs, and sips of home brewed. There was much talk at this time of another French invasion, for the memory of the '45 was still fresh, and as I later on found from their talk, many men remembered seeing the Prince pass by, along the main road, when he marched South on Derby. And not a few had seen his retreat a short time later, and him marching with the common foot soldier Highlanders. Talking they soon got from the marching and soldiering part, to the hanging and quartering of the better sort, and the fines and transportations of the commoner folk.

When they mentioned the names of many brave gentlemen who had suffered for their loyalty to their Prince, and my father's among the rest, I upped and told who I was, and for the rest of the evening was patted on the back and treated to hot mulled ale (for the nights were already chill) till I was packed off to bed by the host's kindly wife, with reek of smoke in my hair and more than enough of mulled ale in my head. The next and following days saw me good stages on towards the capital. And it was not until my journey was nearly done, and I was within five and twenty miles of London that anything of importance happened. It was somewhere near nine in the evening, Tlie Golden Hawk. 8 and I was comfortably seated in a stage waggon, the driver of which had taken me up at the last village he passed, when, in the midst of a dark lane through which we were slowly bumping and jolting our way, whilst he was treating me to some of his adven tures in past years, we were suddenly called upon to halt. 1 looked out, and some thirty paces further on I saw two men on horses ; but before I could say aught of it to my friend the driver, they rode up to the side of the waggon.

They were dressed in suits of dark cloth, and but for the glint of a pistol barrel (which I caught peeping from between the folds of their cloaks) and their command for us to stop, they might have passed for worthy gentlemen, and travellers. We were not likely to be deceived long, for, asking the waggoner whether there were passengers, they poked their heads and pistols through the cart tilt, and demanded of the lady and two farmers who were within, their purses, and that quickly, for they said they had no time to lose. Even I, poor lad, was rifled of all the loose cash I had upon me, and that was little (not more than five shillings may be), thanks to my care of hiding the rest. Then the highwaymen, with a word to the driver to say naught of anything that had happened, rode off at a brisk pace.

Nought else befel me, and early next day I reached my journey's end. The kindly teamster would take nothing for the ride he had given me, and as he was going to the Surrey side opposite Chelsea, put me down in the neighbourhood of Moor fields, first telling me of an house of enter tainment in a little street near the Fleet, where, by mentioning his name, I should be well looked after at small charge. This house I soon found, and the good dame who kept it took quite a fancy to me, as was quite evident by the care she had for my comfort during the time I remained at her house. I asked for one of the cheapest rooms, for boy though I was, I well knew my little store of money could not last for ever. So, in the end, I was lodged in one of the upper chambers under the old tiled roof, because, as she explained, it was just as com fortable as the other rooms, and a great deal cheaper.

The Golden Hawk. The next day I was up with the sun, and as I looked out of my attic window I was struck with amazement to behold the rows of houses. Away to the left, over the forest of chimney stacks, many of which were of grotesque and unshapely form, I could see a great round dome, which the hostess told me was the top of Paul's Cathedral. And not very far off I could also catch a glimpse of green fields, and some few trees. Soon afterward, having had some food, I went out to see the town and try and get something to do, so that I might earn my living, for my small stock of money was gradually getting lower and lower, and when it was gone I must, I foresaw, either beg or starve. Now, as my appetite and health were both good, the latter calamity by no means suited my humour, and as for the first, my pride would never have let me do that.

So this being the case I sallied forth in search of fortune. I did little that first day, but gaze about me like the country lad I was; first on the shops, which quite dazed me ; then on the smart gentlemen with laced coats, wigs and swords, and the fine ladies in their silk and satin dresses, and large hoops, many of which took up the whole side walks. What I did see (and never forgot) was the river Thames, swirling through the bridges, flowing, as I learned, towards the sea I had heard speak of but never seen. I also saw, quite by chance, the sale of two black pages, whose master was just dead. I felt quite sorry for them, although I had heard tell that " Africs " had but little feeling and dull pates.

Chapter II To The Rescue

— A FAIR MAIDEN. WHEN I reached the house at which I was abiding, I found myself full tired, having walked many a mile that day, led on by the strange sights which were so amazing to a country lad like me. After several mis haps, such as taking the wrong street and getting nearly knocked down by the chair men, who were running about hither and thither with ladies of fashion seated in their sedans, and at whom I sadly fear I must have widely stared, I reached the sign of " The Blackamoor." I had my supper, and then, after listening to the news, which a gentleman read aloud, I betook myself to bed. Awaking early, I thought that whilst alone — A Fair Maiden. 13 I had a good opportunity for counting my little stock of money. This I did, and found I still had left five guineas and a half, loose silver about six shillings, and some coppers.

I saw by this that, although in no pre sent want, I must find both something to do, and inquire the cost of my present board and lodging. What should I do ? that was the question. I had often longed for the sea and to be a sailor, but this seemed very far off to me seated in the top story of a London coffee house, surrounded by chimneys and house roofs. I thought on this a long while, till the sun had risen over houses and church steeples, bathing them in red light, and roll ing away the mist which had crept up from the river, but I could come to no determina tion, nor could I settle on anything. Being by this time very hungry, so I went down into the common room to get some break fast, and also my account. After a good meal, I went to my friend the hostess, and told her as I thought of leaving (which I nevermeant todo justthen, if the charges were low) I wished to know how much I owed her.

Very little was the bill, and when I had paid it, I was only two shillings and three pence the poorer. I felt sure the good dame had made her charge to suit my pocket, and told her so. She only laughed and said, clapping me on the shoulder the while, " I'm sure you're a nice, honest lad, and welcome to anything I can do for you. Have you found some work ? or are you going on to another place ? " I was obliged to say, although I flushed up, and I dare reckon looked clownish enough whilst doing so, that I had neither work nor wish to leave London at the present. " Then," said she, " why don't you stay at ' The Blackamoor.' " I'll do my best for you, and what you can't pay must stay." I hastily assured her that I should be only too glad to fall in with her suggestion, and that although I had as yet but little of this world's goods, I had still some money left to pay her kindness with.

I did not, however, tell her how much I had, thinking that the bills might grow larger if my wealth was made apparent. I hope that in this I wronged — A Fair Maiden. 15 not the good old hostess, who was kind enough to me whilst I stayed beneath her hospitable roof. But one never knows what may hap, gold is a sore temptation to man, and often leads to greed. So it came to pass that I stayed on at " The Blackamoor." I took my little bundle of clothes and treasures up the dark, winding stairs to my room again, and then once more sallied forth with my stout ashen stick in search of work and adventure. This same stick was the gift of good old Jock, who pressed it upon me at parting, with the remark that " a better one as a weapon of defence no one needed." I made my way well enough down Fleet Street, which by its bustle and din made my head veritably whirl.

My only thought seemed, where can all these ladies in coaches and sedans, gentlemen on foot, stage wag goners, porters, lackeys, footmen, merchants, and even seamen, come from ? I was well hustled and pushed aside more than once, and had walked some distance before I got free from the daze into which I was thrown by the din and bustle. As I passed beneath Temple Bar I shuddered and fancied I saw the heads and limbs of the unfortunate but gallant gentlemen, who suffered for their share in the '45, grinning hideously at me from the top.* I was just beneath the arch, when I called to mind, that I had heard it said my poor father had been sent to London. Turning giddy at the thought, I pushed my way down the street, not daring to look back at the awful Bar. At length I arrived at the great church of St. Paul, by way of Ludgate Hill.

The vast pile with its enor mous dome fairly amazed me, I had heard of it from mj grandfather, but he had only spoken of it once or twice. It was about eleven o'clock, and seeing many people walking up the great steps outside, and so into the church, I thought I would go in also. I pushed my way through the great door, which was always opening and shutting, * The heads and quarters of those executed for high treason in 1746 were stuck up on different gates at Carlisle and York. Temple Bar also had its share of the ghastly trophies. — C. H. — A Fair Maiden. 17 pulled off my cap, and then began to look about me. I could hardly believe I was in a church ; straight before me was apparently a long wide street, with a carved wall on my left, and as it seemed to me numberless pillars also carved and supporting the arches of the roof on my right.

Along this walk (evidently a place of much resort) were fine gentlemen with ruffles, smart coats, and swords ; and ladies still finer, in dresses of silks and velvets such as I had never before seen, fluttering their fans, many of them talking to and smiling at the gentlemen. I walked through this crowd, and whilst doing so noticed that I was regarded with curious eyes, perhaps not without reason, for my clothes, although of the best cloth, were cut and made by the old tailor who did all the work of our small village. I had nearly reached the other end, of what I afterwards learnt was called the nave, when the great organ began to peal forth its music. The sound, with, it seemed, countless echoes in arches and roof, made my heart throb, and feel as if it would come up into my throat, and when the rolling sounds changed c in softer ones to the Miserere I fairly wept, realizing as I did for almost the first time my utter lonesomeness.

But even feelings like these give way to those of a more animal nature, and by noon I, beginning to feel the need of some refreshment, left the church and found my way to a cook-shop of some repute (" The Golden Key "), and had my midday meal. I sat some time after I had done eating listening to the talk of the merchants, fine gentlemen, and officers of His Majesty King George the II. , who were gathered in and about the house in great numbers. Most of the talk was political or of trade, but that of some of the officers was of a Mr. Clive, who was, report said, engaged in subduing the Indians, and in fighting the French ; the news of his great victory over the Nabob or Prince of Bengal at Plassy, having but just reached England, causing great rejoicing. The talk of a French Invasion, and the possi bilities of a Stuart restoration moreover, bad not yet become a thing of the past.

After hearing my fill I sauntered somewhat sadly down Ludgate, and turned towards the river- — A Fair Maiden. 19 side, then wandered on westward past the Temple with its Gardens, the resort of beauty, wit, and fashion. Barges, wherries, and other craft both of pleasure and commerce, were making their way up or down stream, some under sail. Just as I passed the Temple steps which lead to the water's edge, a boat was rowed up and a party of ladies and gentlemen landed, and took their way through the gardens. I afterwards learnt that they were some of the Royal Family. By this time the sun was setting, and casting long shadows over the green river, and I had walked some miles (perhaps three or more) and had no exact knowledge of where I might be. I could, however, see that I was nearing the better part of the town ; having passed some fine houses, evidently (from their size) belonging to the quality.

I now determined to turn back, for the fresh evening air from the river again made me so hungry that I was anxious to return to " The Blackamoor." This being the case, and having no idea that I had come so far, I turned sharp up a by-street to my c left, thinking that I should by this find my way into Fleet Street or the Strand. I had gone on some little distance, and it was now nearly dark, the street or lane being both narrow and rough ; I had met no one and was beo-inningto feel rather anxious lest o o I should have lost myself, but as I was un willing to turn back, and expected every moment to arrive at the main street, I pushed boldly on, tightening my grip of my stick, having heard of the footpads who swarmed the darker streets at nightfall. I had gone but some thirty yards further when I heard screams and sounds of blows.

Looking in front of me I could just see a sedan and some men fighting — five, I thought — one of whom was dragging some one from the chair. I saw in a moment that the men who were attacking the chair-bearers had no good intentions. So grasping my stout stick firmly I raised a loud halloo, and dashed into the midst of them. Two of the men at once fled, but not before one had given me a parting blow with something across my left arm ; I felt a sharp pain, that was all. I looked round and saw a lady near the chair, — A Fair Maiden. 21 struggling with one of the villains, who was pulling at something round the lady's neck ; his back was turned towards me, so that he knew nothing of my presence until he felt my stick laid full across his head. I hit with all my strength, and he fell in the road-way stunned, dragging the young lady after him.

By this time the chair men, who had been separated from their mistress during the fight, came up and helped me to raise the young lady and secure the footpad, who was still quite stunned. The watch then came running down the street with lights, and took our captive in charge. I now for the first time had the opportunity of seeing the young lady, and also that my coat sleeve was stained with blood from the wound on my arm. After the watch came to our aid I had more time to look about me. I first turned my attention towards the fair occupant of the sedan. I was but young, and further, from the country, so no wonder when I gazed upon the face of a young lady, very little — if at all — my senior, I thought her the fairest I had ever seen. I can even at this time recall her features and form with startling accuracy, although that night when I first saw her is more than half a century ago.

She stands before me now as she stood then. Rather tall for her age, and of a slight figure ensured by art, with clear blue eyes, which sparkled in the light of the watch's lanthorn s, a fine open, oval face, the fore head invaded by wisps of golden hair, which was then innocent of powder, and a sweet, laughing mouth, smiling as well as speaking her thanks, and which was Nature's gift. As to her dress, all I remember is that it was of white — satin I think — and was cut away at the neck, as was then the mode, and trimmed with cherry-coloured ribbons. I stood, I know, some minutes, stupidly staring at the beautiful vision, which through war and peace, winter and summer, and many years and voyagings to and fro, has never faded or become dim. I had taken off my hat and remained bareheaded before her, till at last she spoke in a low voice, hurriedly saying, " I thank you very much for the great — A Fair Maiden. 23 service you have rendered me.

I am sure my father will also." Then her eyes travelled up and down me, at length resting on my wounded arm, the coat sleeve of which was rapidly becoming stained with blood. " But you are hurt ; I'm so sorry," she said. " How did it happen ?" I explained to her it was a mere scratch, but I could see she was frightened, for she immediately pulled her handkerchief from her pocket, and, calling one of the chairmen to hold the lanthorn nearer, tore it rapidly into strips. She then ordered the other man to rip up my sleeve with his knife. This was soon done, and an ugly gash (although but a flesh wound) was laid bare. Cold and soothing as the delicate white hand, which rested on my arm whilst the wound was being bandaged, was, I could not help a start of pain when the linen was first bound round it.

However, I tried to bear it without flinching, feeling the while that never had a lad a fairer doctor. When the cut was dressed to my fair lady's satisfaction, and the maimed sleeve pulled gently over the bandage, she spoke to me again, saying, " I must go now, for indeed I am very late already, and all will wonder what has be come of me. See, I will write my father's name and address for you on my tablet lest you forget, because he must thank you for the service rendered, himself. Come to morrow, do not forget." After this, putting the tablet in my hand, she stepped into her chair and was soon out of sight in the darkness.

Chapter III. In Which

I JOIN "THE FALCON." I NOW thought it was full time that I should be finding my way to " The Blacka moor," as I was both hungry and weak from my wound. After some slips by the way, for my head was not over clear, and my thoughts wandered in pursuit of the fair lady of the sedan, I found myself partly by for tune and part by asking, at the door of my lodging. I had scarce entered when I ran almost against my hostess, who at once noticed my wounded arm. " Why, lad," she said, " what has happened ? I fear you've been brawling with some fine gentleman. But there, let's see what the damage is. Step in here and tell me all about it." She led me into her private parlour, where she made out her bills, and soon had my slit sleeve turned back, and the bandage off as far as she could. The wound was dried over, and the linen strip stuck to it ; so calling for some warm water she carefully washed it, and then dressed with some heal ing balsam of her own making, which I am fain to admit was very soothing.