Andromeda; or, the Maid of the 'Golden Age.' A story ... With ... illustrations

Front matter

Why I was sent to Sea, Frontispiece, ANDROMEDA OR THE MAID OF THE "GOLDEN AGE" ® gforg of feife (&ftoat BY H. E. MACLEAN WITH EIGHT ILLUSTRATLONS LONDON SAMPSON LOW, MARSTON, SEARLE, & RIVINGTON Limited cSt. 5nn3tan'3 3)oase Fetter Lane, Fleet Street, E.C. 1889 [All Rights reserved] ABERDEEN UNIVERSITY PRESS. LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS. Why I WAS sent to Sea, Frontispiece. " Mr. Hawse, do your duty," 60 Saving the Passengers of the "Golden Age,"- - - 67 Sling the Monkey, 73 Meda tremblingly turned towards him, ... - !g0 Harry Saving the Sailor, 207 Harry shot very well, 266 On Board the Yacht, ANDROMEDA; OR, THE MAID OF THE "GOLDEN AGE".

Chapter I. That

boy shall go to sea ! " "Well, really, my dear, I think it is the best thing to do with him." This stern fiat, accompanied by a thump on the table, was issued by a stalwart gentleman of forty-five years of age, seated at his library table, and was addressed to his wife, some five years his junior, who was engaged in knitting some stockings for the boy referred to by her husband. Captain Malcolm was a retired post-captain in Her Majesty's Navy, who had succeeded to the estate of his elder brother, a bachelor, some ten years before our story commences. On his promotion to post rank, about five years before he came into the property, he had married a lady, the daughter of a Cumberland baronet, Sir Oswald Ormathwaite, of Ormathwaite Grange, but their union had not been blessed with any olive branches.

Ostleburn Hall, the property of Captain Malcolm, was also in Cumberland, some fifteen miles from Ormathwaite and twenty from " Merry Carlisle ". It was a property of about four thousand acres, and, running down from the Hall to the banks of the river Eden, which formed its natural boundary for about two miles, was composed of woods and shrubberies near the river ; while higher up towards the Hall it was let in farms of three or four hundred acres apiece, with the exception ANDROMEDA ; OR, THE of one hundred acres round the Hall, which formed the home farm, shrubberies, gardens, &c. The Hall itself was a rambling edifice of two storeys, most of it about two hundred years old. Captain Malcolm's father, however, had added a wing to it, which contained a drawing room with a bow-window, a library, a vestibule, and entrance hall ; above these were the best bedrooms, and a third storey contained some very habitable attics.

Between the library and the drawing-room there were a deep recess and fire-proof safe, chiefly occupied by old pictures and the various curiosities which generally accumulate in old country-houses ; the dining room was in the older part of the building, and was a large rectangular room, with oaken panels all round, and a polished oak floor. The panels were filled with tapestry, which was kept covered up except on particular occasions ; while between them were hung shields, lances, swords, &c. A large fireplace, capable of containing a Yule-log of the largest size, occupied the centre of the longer side facing the windows ; the latter looked on to a terrace — or terraces, for there were three, each some fifteen feet lower as they receded from the house. Beyond the terraces lay a meadow which stretched away to the high road : the latter ran from the village to Penrith in one direction, and Carlisle in the other.

The other rooms do not require any particular description, while behind the older part of the house were the stables, offices, laundry, &c. Our hero has all this time been shut up in one of the attics referred to, and I really think he ought to have a new chapter to himself.

Chapter II. Harry Malcolm

the orphan nephew of the Captain, was a son of a younger brother who had been killed in India in the Sikh war. His mother had brought him home, a child of four years old, and she herself had died two years afterwards, leaving him to the care of his uncle, who was also his god father. At the time our narrative opens — midsummer, 1855 — Harry was a well-grown lad of thirteen, and had been at a school near Woolwich for about four years. Possessed of abilities above the average, he had always been able to take a good place in his class, but he was always in mischief, the result of high spirits and thoughtlessness. Most of his relations having been in the Army or Navy, Harry had always supposed he was destined for one or other of the services, but had no pre dilection for either. Perhaps he would have said the Army had he been asked the question which he preferred ; but two events occurred which decided his uncle on sending him to sea.

Harry had invested all his spare cash in the purchase of a cannon, about ten inches long, mounted on an iron fieldpiece carriage, and this formidable piece of ordnance he had brought home with him to Ostleburn Hall. He had con structed a one-gun battery on some open ground behind the stables, and until a week before had not done any particular damage. At that time, however, he had read in some book of "Voyage and Venture" the story of English officers being blown away from guns in India, and looking about for a fit and proper victim, he had fixed on an unfortunate frog as the most appropriate. He had also observed an iron pipe about two inches in diameter and ten feet long. This pipe he laid on two bricks at each end. Into one end he inserted the muzzle of his cannon, and tied the frog on to the other.

Just as he fired his gun and blew the frog to smithereens, his uncle came round the corner, and, comprehending the situation at a glance, he seized Harry by the scruff of the neck and applied his stick pretty vigorously to Harry's back. "Please, uncle, it was only a frog,'' said Harry. "Do you think frogs have no feelings, you young scamp? What put this idea into your head?" asked Captain Malcolm. "Well, you know, uncle, I had been reading about the Sikhs blowing people's heads off in India, and then in the ANDROMEDA J OR, THE natural history it says a frog is a pachyderm, so I thought perhaps it would not hurt him much, and then " "You deserve that I should try whether you are thick skinned or not. young villain, do not let me catch you at any cruelty again." So saying, Captain Malcolm marched off leaving Harry to his own reflections.

The latter did not last long. So, replac ing his gun in the battery and the pipe where he had found it, Harry proceeded to the kitchen garden to look for some fruit. He did not get into any further mischief until the day our story opens. On this day, being wet, Harry had been told not to go out till it left off raining, and, after mooning about the house, had discovered his uncle clearing out some of the things in the safe between the library and the drawing-room. "Oh, do let me help you, uncle," said Harry. " Very well, my lad, take care not to tear any of those old pictures," said his uncle. After Captain Malcolm had got at the documents he wanted, and whilst perusing them, Harry was standing with his back against the edge of the open door of the safe, and his feet about two feet apart. In this position it is not natural that any boy should keep still.

Harry therefore, by working his shoulders, had given the door a motion of two or three inches each way, when, as ill-luck would have it, his foot slipped, the door shut to with a bang, Harry falling against the outside, and locking his uncle carefully inside. Now Captain Malcolm on entering the safe had taken the key out and put it in his pocket, and as the keyhole did not go through to the inside, there was no possible means of opening the door. Fortunately, the safe was a very large one, running the whole length of the library, viz., twenty feet, while it was at least twelve feet high and four wide. Harry gave one look at the door and then ran to tell his aunt. " Please, aunt, I have shut uncle up in the safe." " Oh, you horrid boy ! Go and send Buller here at once." ". 5 Now Buller was the butler, and had been a marine.

As soon as he understood that his master was shut up in the safe he sent a groom off instanter for the village blacksmith, and hastened to his mistress. Mrs. Malcolm was trying to make her husband hear, but the door fitted too tight ; she managed, however, to slip a piece of paper through asking what to do, and Captain Malcolm immediately wrote on the back of it with a pencil, which he fortunately always carried : " Send to Carlisle for a locksmith, and lock Harry up in his room ". No time was lost in carrying out both those orders. Cap tain Malcolm remained in the safe till 5 p.m., when the lock smith from Carlisle managed to open it. Having been shut up for seven hours he had had plenty of time for reflection, and being above all things a just man, he blamed himself more for taking the key inside than he did Harry for shutting him in accidentally.

So, giving orders that Harry should have some supper in the housekeeper's room, and then be sent to bed, he ordered a glass of sherry and a biscuit for himself, and by the time he had eaten his dinner, felt none the worse for his seven hours' solitary confinement.

Chapter III. After

dinner, Captain and Mrs. Malcolm retired to the library, where they usually sat of an evening ; the drawing-room, being too large for comfort, was seldom used except when they entertained company. Captain Malcolm, who was a very punctual man in all his ways, finished his correspondence ready for the morning's post, and, after a short interval of thought, issued that resolve with which we commenced the first chapter. " That boy shall go to sea ! " " Well, really, my dear, I think it is the best thing to do with him." ANDROMEDA ; OR, THE "Dr. Switchem, in his leport, says that though Harry is always ready with his lessons, that he is always in a scrape, and, as he is always the leader in all mischief, he is the cause of idleness in others, many of whom cannot afford to waste time as Harry can.

I regard to-day's occurrence as being as much my own fault as Harry's ; but still I think it is time to send him to sea, if he has no decided objection to go. I will write at once to my old friend Maynard ; I know he will give me a nomination if he gets a ship, as he expects to do shortly." " Very well, my dear, and I will get as many stockings and things ready as possible." Captain Malcolm wrote his letter, and shortly afterwards the worthy couple retired. Next morning, after breakfast, Captain Malcolm called Harry to him, saying : " I want to talk to you seriously, Harry ; I do not mean about shutting me up in the safe, I am aware that was unin tentional on your part ; but do you ever think that you are leading other boys into mischief at school ? " "Well, uncle, I never thought of it at all ; but I have so much spare time at school that I suppose my idle hands always find something or other to do which is against rules."

" How would you like to go to sea ? " "Very much, I think, uncle." " What makes you think so, Harry ? " "Well, you know, uncle, when I was at Gravesend, I saw lots of sailors, and they were always so jolly ; besides, I am sure I should like to go all over the world." " Well, Harry, I will give you a week to think of it. I have already written to an old friend of mine, and do not doubt I can soon obtain a nomination for you." " Oh, thank you, uncle," cried Harry, who already saw him self in imagination dressed in a tail-coat, with a cutlass and a pigtail. He then went off to find Buller, the butler, who was a great crony of his. ". 7 " Buller," he said, "uncle says I am to go to sea." " Ah ! Master Harry, you'll soon get licked into shape," replied Buller. " Oh ! I have had plenty of lickings at school, and they never did me any good."

" Ah ! young master, but you'll find the gunner's daughter rather different to a cane or a birch, I'm thinking. To lock your uncle up in the safe, and him a post-captain too! 'Owdacious' I calls it." "Well, but it was an accident, you know." " I knows that plenty of uncles would have locked their nephews up for a spell in the same place to see how they liked a few hours in the dark. Only your uncle, you see, he always does the right thing, Master Harry. But come, you must clear out of this, sir, or I shall never get my plate cleaned." So Harry, dismissed from the pantry, strolled into the library, and looked for a book which might tell him something of sea life. He shortly came across Marryat's novels; he seized on Midshipman Easy, and retired to a mulberry tree in which a forked branch formed an easy seat, a favourite place with Harry, where he devoured books and mulberries at the same time.

When the gong sounded for lunch, Harry got down and went into the house, where, after washing the juice of that succulent fruit off his hands and face, he appeared at the luncheon table with his beloved book under his arm. "What are you reading so studiously, Harry?" asked his aunt, smiling. " Oh, aunt, it is Midshipman Easy ; and to think that such books should have been in the library and I know nothing about them." " Well, if you have taken to Marryat's novels, I suppose you will fall in love with the sea, and make your mind up to go at once, Harry." " Well, aunt, I hope I shall have lots of adventures like him, anyway. Couldn't I take old Buller with me?" ANDROMEDA \ OR, THE " I think Buller is better on shore ; he would hardly care to give up his comfortable place and go to sea again."

Harry continued to pore over one or other of Marryat's novels until the end of his holidays, when he went back to Dr. Switchem's near Woolwich, with a strong determination to keep out of mischief.

Chapter IV. Captain

Malcolm received an answer from his friend Captain Maynard in a few days, saying that he expected to get a ship in the course of three months, and would be very glad to nominate his old friend's nephew. Captain Malcolm wrote to Dr. Switchem, asking him to prepare Harry to pass his examination into the Navy. In a short time he received an answer to the effect that Harry could work out the papers which had been given at recent examinations, and was certain to pass with facility if he did not lose his head. In October, 1855, Captain Maynard wrote to say that he had been appointed to H. M.S. Andromeda, twenty-two guns, and that he had nominated Harry Malcolm and his own son Frank to the two cadetships to which he was entitled ; adding that the examination would be held in the first week in December at the Royal Naval College, Portsmouth.

Harry shortly after displayed to the envious eyes of his schoolfellows his nomination to a cadetship in Her Majesty's Navy, conditional on his passing an examination which would be held at Portsmouth on the 2nd December. On the 30th November he went up to London, where he was met by his uncle, who introduced him to Captain Maynard and his son Frank, and on the following day Captain Malcolm took the two boys down to Portsmouth, Captain Maynard being obliged to return to Plymouth, where H. M.S. Andromeda was fitting out. On arrival at Portsmouth, the three drove to the George Inn in High Street, where, after a good dinner, Captain Mai- ". 9 colm left the two boys to become better acquainted, while he went to call on some former shipmates. Left to themselves, the two lads soon became confidential.

Having discussed their respective schools, masters, ponies, &c, &c, they went out for a stroll on the ramparts, and on the way back actually ran up against the original " Blue Possesses " mentioned by Marryat. Harry proposed to go in and ask if Midshipman Easy or Peter Simple was still remembered there, but was reminded that these celebrities, however real they might be to him, were, after all, fictitious. Frank Maynard was a clever, reserved boy, fond of reading and acquiring information, but with plenty of fun in him. Six months older than Harry, he was a couple of inches taller, but of a slighter make, and dark complexion, with black hair, forming a contrast to Harry, who was fair, with brown curly hair and light grey eyes. After listening to the fifes and drums playing the tattoo, they found their way back to the " George," and retired to a double bedded room to dream, doubtless, of a glorious career, which should begin as soon as they had passed their examination.

Next morning they were aroused by the reveille in the barracks close to them ; but as it was pitch-dark they did not get up until disturbed by " Boots," who had been ordered to call them at 7 a.m. At eight they met Captain Malcolm at breakfast, and afterwards proceeded leisurely along towards the College, which is situated in the dockyard. Passing along the Hard, Captain Malcolm pointed out the Victory, at that time flagship of the Port Admiral : there were no other large ships in the harbour at the time, but a fleet of ten ships was lying at anchor at Spithead. On arrival at the College they found that the medical examination only took place on that day, so that, both of them being sound in wind and limb and enjoying good eyesight, they soon found themselves free for the day. " Well, boys, where would you like to go to ?

" asked Captain Malcolm. "Oh, on board the Victory I" cried both in a breath. ANDROMEDA; OR, THE 10 " Well, but you will both have to go on board the Victory to report yourselves if you pass your examination, so I think we had better employ ourselves to-day in looking over the dockyard ; but let us first go and see if I know anybody about the Admiral's office." On arrival there, Captain Malcolm found that a line-of-battle ship lying in the large basin was commanded by an old friend of his, so they soon found their way on board H. M.S. Neptune, ninety guns, recently come home from the Crimea. Captain Malcolm gave his card to the officer of the watch, and was shown into the captain's cabin, where they were cordially received by Captain Martin. The latter sent for a midshipman, and told him to show Harry and Frank over the ship, and bring them up to lunch at twelve o'clock.

The midshipman, whose name was Seymour, showed them all over the ship, and then ushered them into the gunroom, where they found about thirty youths, from the mate of twenty-four to the youngster of fifteen years of age. As the ship had just returned from the Crimea, Harry and Frank were desirous of hearing some adventures. They were speedily gratified, each middy trying to cap the other's yarn. Luckily for their be wildered senses, a messenger-boy summoned Seymour and themselves to the captain's cabin, where they found luncheon ready, and were soon seated to their first meal on board a man of-war. Midshipmen generally wait to be spoken to at their captain's table, so that the conversation was confined to the two captains, till Captain Martin, turning to Harry, said : " Well, youngster, how do you think you will like to live on board ship?

" " Oh ! very much, sir, only I would not like to sleep in that place where they have cock-fights." "What's this, Seymour?" asked Captain Martin. "Oh ! the cockpit, sir.'' "Hum. Well, youngsters, what else did you see to admire?" "All the holes where the Russian shot came in, sir." ". 11 " Eh ! where was that ? " " Between the guns in the gunroom, sir, and " " Seymour, I am afraid you have been humbugging these boys," said Captain Martin. " Well, sir, it was the scuttle between the guns in the gun room, and they asked if the shot came in there, and somebody said yes." " Ah ! well, Malcolm, we were midshipmen ourselves about thirty years ago. In the meantime you boys had better not believe all you are told. Seymour, go with Captain Malcolm and these youngsters, and show them over the dockyard."

The afternoon was spent in seeing everything of interest, the boys particularly being taken with the " Nasmyth steam hammer," then recently erected, which cracked a nut or welded an anchor with equal facility ; the rope-walk also took their fancy; the model room, with its quaint old figureheads, also coming in for their approbation. About five o'clock they found their way back to the Nep tune. Here they found that Captain Martin had gone on shore, so Captain Malcolm asked Seymour if he could get leave to come and dine with him. "Ah ! yes, sir, my leave is good," replied Seymour. "I will go and ask the commander." In a few minutes he returned, having obtained leave, and the four left the ship together and proceeded to the ' ' George Inn ". Here they were glad to rest for a couple of hours before dinner, as the stones in the dockyard pavement appeared to have been put in with the rough side up, making it very trying walking.

After dinner Captain Malcolm asked Seymour what amusements were going on. " Well, there is always the ' Bell,' sir, but the theatre is in commission at present ; I think it is open to-night. Waiter, bring a bill of the theatre, if you have one." " Yessir/' said the waiter, bringing a bill from an adjacent table. ANDROMEDA ; OR, THE " Here we are, sir," said Seymour, reading: "This evening, 2nd December, 1855. The thrilling tragedy of 'Luke the Charcoal Burner,' for this week only." " What do you say, boys? Shall we go and see ' Luke the Charcoal Burner ' ? " " Oh ! yes, please," said both the boys. " Very well ; waiter, call a cab." " Yessir." "But, Seymour, will you be able to get into the dockyard after the theatre is over ? " " Oh, yes, sir, I am in uniform ; besides, I know all the peelers.'' " Well, let us be off then," said Captain Malcolm.

On arrival at the theatre, Captain Malcolm took a box, much to the delight of the boys, who had thus a good view of the audience as well as of the stage. Portsmouth was at that time seldom visited by any first class talent ; however, as it was the boys' first visit to any theatre, they were sufficiently amused, and were quite dis appointed when the curtain fell for the last time. " Let me see," said Captain Malcolm. " It is a quarter past eleven ; I think a little supper would do us no harm. Seymour, do you know where we can get some supper ? " "Oh, yes, sir," said Seymour, "we always go to the 'Nectis' for supper — splendid oysters there, and lobsters no end." " Hum ! very unwholesome at this time of night, but you youngsters have digestions like ostriches." They soon arrived at the "Nectis," which was situated at the end of High Street nearest the theatre, and Captain Mai colm, asking what they could have for supper, ordered a Welsh rare-bit and a dozen oysters apiece.

The supper soon appeared, flanked by some bottled ale and stout, and was done ample justice to by the three younger ones ; Captain Malcolm being content with his Welsh rare-bit. Twelve o'clock struck as the reckoning was discharged. ". 13 " By J°ve, Harry, what would your aunt say to this dissipa tion ? " said Captain Malcolm. Harry's only reply was a grin, and after wishing Seymour good-night the three arrived at the George Inn, where they were soon in bed and asleep. Seymour walked to the dockyard, and got on board the Neptune a little before one o'clock a.m.

Chapter V The

next two days were occupied with the examination, the day following was required by the examiners to work out the papers of the candidates ; and on the morning of the 6th December, all the embryo Nelsons assembled to learn their fate. The second name called out was Frank Maynard, and the sixth Harry Malcolm ; and as twenty-five candidates were successful, Captain Malcolm was very well satisfied with the place Harry had taken. The boys were told to go on board H. M.S. Victory and get their names put on the books, receiving at the same time their certificates. Captain Malcolm accompanied them on board, and after entering their names on the ship's books, they were told they had a fortnight's leave to get their outfit. Of course, they did not leave the Victory until they had seen the spot where Nelson fell.

On their return Captain Malcolm proposed that they should go on board the Neptune to wish Captain Martin and Seymour adieu. Captain Martin asked them to stay to lunch ; and Captain Malcolm took the opportunity of asking him if he did not think it would be a good thing for Seymour to join a sailing ship, as all ships now being built were steamers ; and as the Neptune had been over three years in commission, she would probably be paid off in less than a year, adding that the Andromeda, which was just commissioned by Captain Maynard, ANDROMEDA ; OR, THE was a fine sailing corvette, just the ship to learn seamanship in, and was ordered to the Pacific, where they would have long sea cruises and a very healthy station. Captain Martin said he quite agreed that it would be a very good thing for Seymour, as in a ship of the Andromeda's class he would soon have an opportunity of doing lieutenant's duty ; adding that he was a high-spirited, honourable lad, and would make a good friend to Harry and Frank.

"Just what I thought of him," replied Captain Malcolm. " If you would ask Seymour if he would like to join the Andromeda, I am sure Maynard would apply for him on my recommendation." Captain Martin sent for Seymour and told him what was proposed. Seymour said he would be very glad to go, if he could get some leave to visit his friends. Captain Martin told him he would back his application and explain it to the Admiral, after which they sat down to luncheon, Seymour congratulating Harry and Frank on their success at the examination, and telling them they were very likely going to be shipmates in the Andromeda. They were both very glad to hear this, looking on Seymour with his Crimean medal as a hero, and indeed he had distinguished himself on two or three occasions ; but as "on their own merits, modest men are dumb," Sey mour had not said anything about himself.

After taking leave of Captain Martin and Seymour, Captain Malcolm took the boys to the " George," where they got their luggage, paid the bill, and started off for the railway station, arriving in London about seven o'clock. They immediately drove to Captain Maynard's house in Sloane Square, where they found Frank's mother and two sisters, delighted to welcome the naval cadets of a few hours' standing. Next day Captain Malcolm took them to the army and navy outfitter he had formerly dealt with, and after choosing their chests, dirks, &c, they proceeded to a mathematical instru- ". 15 ment maker, where Captain Malcolm chose two sextants, and made each of the boys a present of a good box of instruments. As pantomime season had not begun, and Captain Malcolm was becoming anxious to get back to his wife, he and Harry started next day for Ostleburn Hall, promising to bring Harry up again to see the Christmas pantomimes, unless the Andromeda could not get on without her two junior officers.

Harry took his sextant with him by his uncle's advice, and during the fortnight or so that he remained at Ostleburn, he had a daily lesson from his uncle in its use, observing the sun at noon in a looking-glass laid on the lawn, and taking angles all over the place. On the 20th December, Captain and Mrs. Malcolm and Harry left for London, and arrived there next morning, going to stay with Mrs. Maynard. Captain Malcolm, after inspecting their chests and outfits, to which he added a good spy-glass apiece, gave directions that they should be forwarded to Plymouth to an agent. Captain and Mrs. Malcolm remained in London till after Christmas, taking all the young people to the pantomimes and all the sights at that festive season, and on the 30th he received a letter from Captain Maynard requesting him to send Harry and Frank down to join, so that they might have time to learn their way about the ship, and shake into their places before they went to sea.