Diamond Rock; or, On the right track

Front matter

THF. DEFENCE OF DIAMOND ROCK. Page 254. DIAMOND "TyNeLsoH Sc-Sb/ss | QMDOr., (flDINBURGIi &? y\Jew Vork Diamond Rock OR On the right track BY J. MACDONALD OXLEY Author of " Up Among the Ice-Floes,' &°c. &>c. T. NELSON AND SONS London. Edinburgh, aud New York CONTENTS. I. DICK HOLLAND JOINS HIS SHIP, .... .... 9 II. LEARNING THE ROPES, .... .... .... 26 III. THE BAPTISM OP FIRE, .... .... .... 43 IV. A PLEASANT EXPERIENCE, .... .... 60 V. A TRIP INLAND, .... .... .... 77 VI. WORK AFTER PLAY, .... .... .... 93 VII. IN ACTUAL SERVICE, .... .... .... 109 VIII. OVERCOMING AND BEING OVERCOME, .... 125 IX. THE TABLES TURNED, .... .... .... 138 X. IN THE HANDS OF THE ENEMY, .... .... 153 XI. UNDER THE BRITISH FLAG AGAIN, ... .... 169 XII. SCENES ON SHORE, .... .... ... 185 XIII. HUNTING PRIVATEERS, .... .... ... 200 XIV.

GOOD FOR EVIL, .... .... .... 216 XV. DIAMOND ROCK, .... .... .... 234 XVI. A GALLANT DEFENCE, .... .... .... 251 XVII. AN HONOURABLE SURRENDER, .... .... 268 XVIII. TRAFALGAR AND HOME AGAIN, .... .... DIAMOND ROCK.

Chapter I. Dick Holland Joins His Ship

IT was the day of her departure for a three years' cruise upon the West Indian station, and his gracious Majesty's stanch frigate Gryphon presented a scene of confusion well calculated to bewilder any body but a veteran boatswain, accustomed to see order brought out of chaos on shipboard with wonderful expedition. The deck was crowded with sheep, swine, and fowls for the officers' table ; with barrels of beef, pork, and biscuits for the sailors' mess ; with trunks, port manteaus, bags, and boxes, containing the kits of the crew ; not to mention a miscellaneous crowd of friends and relatives come to bid a reluctant, tearful good bye ; of tradesmen and duns anxiously endeavouring to get payment of unsettled scores ; and of dealers in all sorts of small wares, making the most of their opportunities ere the command would issue to clear the ship.

In a corner apart from all this bustle stood a little group that seemed to have thought only for itself, and to be quite oblivious of the turmoil around. It was composed of three persons — a slight, sweet-faced lady dressed in black, whose pale cheeks showed signs of much weeping ; a stout, grizzled, honest featured man-servant, holding tightly to a bag that looked as if it might contain a goodly store of travellers' comforts ; and, finally, a boy of about fourteen years of age, who, as befits the hero of our story, must have more particular description. There was not much of him to begin with. He stood not more than four feet ten in his stockings, and his fighting weight could not have much ex ceeded one hundred pounds all told. Yet one did not need to look at him twice in order to feel convinced that, light and small as he seemed, he might prove himself an antagonist by no means to be despised in a fair fight.

His frame was well-knit and symmetrical ; his chest full and deep, so much so that at school he bore the nickname of " Dicky-bird," in allusion to his swelling bust ; his features were regular and clear-cut ; his naturally fair complexion was tanned to a light olive by con stant exposure to the sun ; his blonde hair curled crisply back from a broad forehead ; and there were stamped upon his countenance, and expressed in every movement of his body, energy, resolution, and sanguine courage to a degree that gave good augury for his future career. He now, poor little chap, found himself in a sore strait betwixt contending emotions. He felt keenly as any fond son could the parting from his mother, and her own unrestrained grief made it all the harder for him to keep back the tears that ever threatened to flood his smooth cheeks.

Yet, at the same time, he fully recognized the dignities and responsibilities of his new position, and it seemed to him that no place had been left upon the programme for crying. So it was a hard struggle between pride and tender ness of heart, and it may just as well be confessed that neither side had it altogether its own way. Mrs. Holland's grief was not without good excuse. The boy before her was the only son of his mother, and she was a widow. Her husband had been one of the most gallant and faithful captains in his Majesty's navy, and after a brief but brilliant career had come home invalided, to linger out a year or two in growing weakness until the end came, while he was still comparatively a young man. It was Mrs. Holland's hope and prayer that the boy, who was the joy and solace of her life, would be content to choose some shore-going occupation, when the time came for him to begin life for himself.

But destiny had decided otherwise. The love of the sea was born in little Dick as surely as it had been in his father before him. To have bound him down to anything else would simply have been to miserably mar his life ; and so it came about that, sacrificing her own desires to her son's, Mrs. Holland sought and obtained for him the appointment to the Gryphon, which rejoiced his heart while it almost broke hers. The command came to " clear the ship " as they were still talkingearnestly, Mrs. Holland mingling prayers with motherly injunctions, and Dick promising loyally to do everything she wished. Again and again did the weeping woman press her son to her bosom, and cover his face with kisses ; and then at last, not daring to linger any longer, drew the veil over her face, and taking the arm of the man-servant, hastened off the ship, and was soon lost in the crowd that thronged the pier.

With a tremendous sigh Dick dashed away the tears that trembled on his cheeks, drew himself up to his full height, and followed his mother with his eyes as long as she was in sight, saying softly, — " Dear, darling mother ; how hard it goes with her to say good-bye to me ! but I'll write her big, long letters that will comfort her heart." To Master Dick's credit be it said that although at school he would rather at any time have taken a good whipping than write a composition, he faith fully carried out his pledge of letter-writing, never letting a week pass without some sort of a scrawl ; and the packets of rather illegible but unmistakably affectionate epistles that at regular intervals reached Brier Cottage, in sunny Kent, brought with them comfort beyond expression to the expectant woman, in whose eyes they were of surpassingly more im portance than an admiral's despatches.

Dick now proceeded to look about him. Although the shore folk had by this time all landed, the con fusion on board seemed in nowise abated. The ship was slowly gliding out into mid-channel, her huge sails flapping loudly, and blocks creaking noisily as the canvas swelled into the spaces between the yards ; agile sailors were darting hither and thither, up and down, in obedience to the shrill whistling and hoarse shouting of shaggy boatswains ; on the after-deck a group of officers in jaunty uniforms had gathered, and not knowing what else to do, Dick made his way towards them. No one noticed him at first as he stood there quietly, cap in hand. Then one of the officers did catch sight of him, and surprised at seeing a midshipman on the quarter-deck without any apparent business to be there, addressed him sharply, — " What are you doing here, sir ?

" Much taken aback at this unexpected question, poor Dick in some confusion was about to explain, when another officer, whose uniform betokened higher rank, overhearing the question, turned to see to whom it was addressed, and realizing the situation at a glance, said in a much kindlier tone, — " One of the new midshipmen, no doubt. — Come forward, sir, and report yourself." Dropping his bag, Dick made a low bob, in his best style, and approached this officer, who was no other than Captain Fitewell himself, one of the bravest and most capable commanders in the navy. " Well, sir, will you be good enough to name your self ? " said the captain. " Richard Holland, if you please, sir," answered Dick, with another bob. " Oh ho ! " exclaimed the captain, his bronzed face relaxing into a genial smile.

" So you are little Dick Holland. Right well did I know your father, my boy, and many a year we knocked about to gether. I'm very glad to have you on my ship. If you've got the same stuff in you as was in your father, you're bound to make a good officer ; and if you take him for your pattern, you'll always find in me a friend when you need one. Let me shake hands with you." As Dick advanced with outstretched hand, he had the greatest difficulty in keeping from bursting into tears. His feelings had been under severe strain all day, and this unexpected warmth of greeting, following close upon the lieutenant's sharp challenge, all but broke down his last defence. However, by a heroic effort he kept himself under control ; and looking up into Captain Fitewell's kindly face with brimming eyes, returned his hand-clasp with all the vigour of which he was capable.

The captain smiled at the ardour of his grip, and then turning to the officer who had first addressed Dick, said, — " Lieutenant Wadham, will you be good enough to introduce Midshipman Holland to the gun-room ? " Thus dismissed, Dick made another bob, recovered possession of the bag, and, with his heart in his mouth, followed his guide down the companion-way to the gun-room. He at once found himself in the midst of a very babel. Some ten or twelve lads, ranging in years from fourteen to twenty, were scattered about a long, narrow room, lighted only by three small port-holes, skylarking in the wildest manner. Some of the elders had evidently been indulging in more wine than was good for them, and were disposed to be either provokingly pugnacious or fulsomely affectionate, while the younger boys had to endure their insults or endearments, which were equally unwelcome, as best they might.

" Here you are ; make yourself at home," said the lieutenant curtly, and turning on his heel, left poor Dick to find his own way without even so much as an introduction. With a sinking heart but steady countenance Dick stood surveying the scene. It was not at all in accordance with his anticipations. The coarse speech spattered with oaths, and the rough, witless horse-play; the plain, bare, almost squalid look of the room, and the close, rank atmos phere, all tended to fill him with disgust. A great qualm of home-sickness came over him. He felt as though he should sufi'ocate if he did not rush up on deck again ; and he was just about to do so, when one of the lads, catching sight of him as he stood doubtfully in the doorway, shouted out, — " Hollo ! here's the new mid. — Say, just come up here and report yourself."

Thus addressed, Dick instantly gave up the idea of returning to the deck, and instead took a step further into the room. By this time all eyes were upon him, and he had to bear their scrutiny, until he was studied from head to heel. " Come here and report yourself, I tell you," was demanded of him again ; and, by way of compliance, Dick moved as far as the table, and then stood still, not knowing what to say or do. The boys ranged themselves on the other side, as though they constituted a board of inquiry and he was on trial before them. Then one, who was apparently the oldest and the most under the influence of wine, proceeded to examine him with drunken gravity. " What's your name ? " (423) " Richard Holland." " Who was your father ? " " Captain Holland, of H. M.S. Firefly." This answer evidently made a good impression, for it showed that he came rightfully by his naval aspirations.

" How old are you ? " " Fourteen last October." There was a murmur of surprise at this, for Dick's shortness of stature had conveyed the impression that he must be a year or two younger. " Does your mother know you're out ? " The question hit poor Dick harder than his examiner could have imagined. He had for a moment, in the bewildering novelty of his surroundings, almost for gotten his mother, and now the picture of her pale, tear-stained face as she tore herself away from him came back with well-nigh overwhelming force. His own face flushed crimson, then blanched again. His lower lip trembled suspiciously, and his eyes became misty. It was only by a tremendous effort that he could control himself sufficiently to answer in a tone scarce audible, — " My mother has just bidden me good-bye."

There was something in this answer and the effect it produced upon many of the listeners that went against the grain of the big fellow who had appointed himself Dick's inquisitor ; and with a sneering laugh he filled a tumbler from a bottle that stood near him, and holding it out to the boy, said in a tone of rough command, — " Here, then ; drink her health like a man." Instead of accepting the proffered glass, Dick re treated a step and put his hands behind his back. He would not comply with this order for two reasons. In the first place, he had been brought up to believe that strong drink in any form was better left alone than trifled with, and he had pledged himself to his mother to have nothing to do with it under any circumstances. In the second place, even if he had been wont to take his wine, like many boys of his age, the thought of drinking his mother's health under such circumstances would have filled him with repugnance.

He felt as though it would be nothing short of desecration. Nettled by his hesitation to obey, the other, whose name was Bulstrode, and who was the bully of the gun-room, roared out fiercely, — " Do you hear me ? Drink the old woman's health, I say, and no heel-taps, mind you." The disrespectful allusion to his mother stung Dick to the quick. His face flushed again, but this time it was with anger. His fists closed tightly. He straightened himself up, and looking his tormentor full in the face, said as quietly as he could, — " I hear you perfectly well, but I have not the slight est intention of obeying you." A murmur of mingled admiration and apprehension went round the little company at this plucky reply. Bulstrode was accustomed to have it pretty much his own way among the middies, and this frank de fiance delighted them while it enraged him.

" You haven't the slightest intention of obeying me, hey ? " he shouted furiously ; " then, by , I'll make you," and with that he threw himself across the table and grasped Dick by the shoulders. Now Dick had no lack of courage, but he also pos sessed a good share of common-sense. Had he obeyed his first impulse, he would have clinched with Bul strode, and fought him as best he might. This, how ever, would have been a very foolish thing to do ; for not only was Bulstrode more than a match for him in every way, but in all probability some of the others would give him assistance, if necessary. Dick thought of this, and although his fists were shut tight, he kept them by his side and looked steadily into his assailant's angry countenance. His composed bearing rather disconcerted the bully, who had expected some show of resistance which would justify further violence.

He therefore did no more than give Dick a shake, saying, — " Are you going to drink that health ? " " I have given you my answer already," Dick replied. " Then I'll give you mine," growled Bulstrode. — " Here, mates," he cried ; " come along, and we'll make this puppy do as he is bid." With evident reluctance, yet lacking the strength of mind to refuse, several of the others approached, and Dick presently found himself stretched upon the table, his arms, legs, and head held fast, while Bul strode endeavoured to force open his mouth to pour the wine down. Dick kept his teeth clinched in spite of the bully's efforts, and the latter, growing more and more enraged, snatched up a marline-spike that chanced to be at hand, and was just about to thrust the sharp end into Dick's mouth, with the cer tainty of inflicting hurt, when suddenly there came from the door a voice demanding in tones of author ity, — " What's all this about ?

What mischief are you up to there ? " A hush instantly fell upon the noisy group. Those who had hold of Dick let go, and drew back from the table in a confused way, and Bulstrode threw the marline-spike hurriedly into a dark corner. The moment he was released Dick sat up, and as his tormentors seemed to have completely lost their tongues, the officer whose appearance had created such a sensation, and who was no other than the first lieutenant, Mr. M'Kinstry, turned to him for a reply, repeating his question in a much milder tone. Now, indignant as Dick rightfully felt at the rude reception given him, he had no more idea of being an informer than he had of voluntarily yielding to Bulstrode's orders. So, getting down on the floor, he made his best bow to the lieutenant, and replied, in as unconcerned a tone as he could muster, — " Oh, it's nothing much, sir !

They were just initiat ing me ; that's all.'' There was a murmur of relief from the boys at this manful response, and a look of warm approval came into Lieutenant M'Kinstry's face. He liked that kind of spirit in a boy, and he was shrewd enough not to spoil the good effect Dick's answer had produced by pressing his inquiry any further ; so, pretending to be quite satisfied, he said in an off-hand way, — " That's all, hey ? Well, don't carry your skylark ing too far, you know. — And, by the way, Mr. Bul strode, a word with you." With a very uncomfortable, hang-dog expression, Bulstrode followed the lieutenant out of the room, much to the relief of Dick, who felt that now he would have a better chance to make friends with his new companions. In this he judged rightly, for no sooner had the bully disappeared than the middies crowded around him, shaking him by the hand, clapping him on the back, and otherwise manifesting their readiness to admit him to a friendly footing without further parley.

He had made a good start with them. They were delighted with his frank, fearless manner, his bright, handsome face, and his sturdy little figure, and he soon found himself feeling at his ease. Names were given, ages compared, and experiences of home and school exchanged with all that freedom from con ventional restriction which comes natural to boys of that age, and Dick quite forgot his homesickness while his tongue wagged as merrily as anybody's. In the meantime the Gryphon was making her way into the chops of the English Channel under the influence of a spanking north-wester, and presently began to pitch and toss in a lively, irregular fashion, that caused Dick to discover something which, thanks to the superb health he had enjoyed from his cradle, was previously unknown to him — namely, that he had a stomach with a mind of its own, and that this afore said stomach held very decided opinions on the subject of rough weather.

The dialogue that ensued between them might be set down somewhat in this way : — Dick speaks : " What's the matter with you down there ? What are you grumbling about ? " Stomach replies : " Matter enough. I can't bear this provoking pitching and tossing. Why can't the vessel behave herself ? " " Because it can't, and there's no helping it ; so just keep still, will you ? " " I'll keep still if the ship will ; but if the ship 's going to tumble about as she's doing now, why, I'm going to tumble about too." And tumble about it did, until at last poor Dick was fain to give up the contest and lie down upon a locker with his head pillowed upon his bag, feeling himself to be the most miserable specimen of humanity alive. Oh dear, how sick and weaK and despairing he was ! Surely nobody ever was quite so bad.

While he lay there, finding it none too easy a task to keep his place on the hard, smooth cover of the locker, dinner was brought in, and despatched by the other middies with a relish that showed they had no internal qualms, although it seemed incomprehensible to Dick that anybody should have an appetite under such circumstances. As soon as the hammocks were slung he crawled into his, feeling more dead than alive. It was much more comfortable there than on the hard locker, but he continued to feel very wretched. His homesickness came back to him with redoubled force. He longed for his mother as never before in his life. Oh, how welcome would have been her soft cool hand upon his burning forehead, and her gentle voice lovingly cheering him ! Who can blame him if, thinking of this and feeling as he did, he drew the blankets over his head, buried his face in the pillow, and gave way to the tears that had hitherto been so bravely kept back, mingling with them broken prayers that God would take good care of both his mother and himself until they should be reunited.

Chapter II. Learning The Ropes

BY the time the Gryphon had exchanged the chops of the Channel for the billows of Bis cay, Dick managed to get well on his sea-legs, and started in to master his new duties with a vim and apt intelligence that soon won for him the good-will of his superior officers, and still further intensified the ill-will of Bulstrode, who tried hard to have him set down as a prig, in which, however, he had not much encouragement. It was not long before Dick began to feel thoroughly at home. 'Tis true the salt, tough "junk," the thick, greasy soup, the heavy, gummy " duff," the rocky " hard tack," and the strong black tea and coffee, entirely in nocent of milk, were poor substitutes for the tooth some if not sumptuous country fare he had been ac customed to at Brier Cottage ; but then the sea life gave him an appetite keener than even the Kentish downs could, and there never was much left on his plate at the end of the meal.

As for the sleeping ac commodations, why, what better bed could a hearty boy wish than a well-slung hammock with plenty of blankets ? and if it was a trifle draughty between decks sometimes, that only showed there was no lack of pure air. He soon discovered that a midshipman's life at sea was far from being an idle one. There were hard lessons in navigation to be learned, pistol and cutlass drill to be mastered, long watches on deck to keep, and so forth. But he was determined to lose no time in getting a good grip of his work, and he made rapid progress. He had the good sense not to hesitate in asking questions about anything he did not know. No foolish pride tied his tongue, and as his manner was uniformly respectful, his inquiries met with a ready response from even the gruffest of the officers.

They recognized the sterling stuff that was in the lad, in spite of his diminutive size, and deemed him worth encouraging. Among the sailors he grew to be a great favourite. His frank, unpretentious manner, his cheery wThistle, his hearty laugh, and above all his courteous way of giving orders, which seemed to imply that the men had feelings worth respecting, completely won their honest hearts. They nicknamed him the " Bantam " among themselves, in allusion to his alert springy step and small stature, and it was the general opinion in the forecastle that Mr. Dick Holland would certainly be an admiral in due time, provided he kept out of Davy Jones's locker all right. He was not the only new middy on the Gryphon. The day before he came on board another lad joined the ship, being brought down by his elder brother, who seemed to have little sympathy for the poor lad's evident shrinking from the ordeal before him.

This was Arthur Tenderly, a slight, pale, fair-haired lad, with gentle blue eyes and a shy weak face, who had been pitched into the navy sorely against his will, partly because his father did not know what else to do with him, having three or four elder sons to pro vide for, and partly because it was hoped that the active, hardy, adventurous life might make a man of him. He was utterly unsuited to his novel and try ing surroundings, and made little effort to accustom himself to them ; so that, as was inevitable, he became the butt and fag of the gun-room. Among all his companions only one showed him any sympathy or consideration, and that was Dick. This was due in some measure to his looking upon him with a certain fellow-feeling, because they were both fresh recruits, and also to the fact that if Dick was small of body he had the heart of a giant, and always sympathized with the under dog in the fight.

Tenderly soon came to regard Dick as his champion — which seemed somewhat absurd, in view of the fact that he was half a head taller, though only a month or so older — and attached himself to him with a de votion which pleased Master Dick, even though it rather bored him at times. In allusion to this at tachment, Arthur was appropriately nicknamed " the Tender," and the last syllable of his name was rarely heard in the gun-room. Tenderly got permission to have his hammock slung alongside of Dick's, and took a great deal of comfort in having his doughty little friend close at hand. For there was plenty of rough horse-play and practical jokes, involving hard knocks, on board the Gryphon, in spite of the efforts of the first lieutenant, who strongly disapproved of such proceedings. One night when neither Dick nor Arthur was on watch, and were able to turn into their hammocks early, the former, for some reason or other, possibly because of an over-indulgence at dinner in the plum-duff which happened to be particularly good, could not get to sleep with his usual promptitude.

He was lying awake, feeling very cozy and comfortable in his snug hammock, and listening to the noises on the deck — the shrill whistling of the wind through the maze of rigging, the creaking of the blocks, and the gruff shouts of the men — when, by the aid of the lantern swung at the companion-way, which did little more than make darkness visible, he made out a form creeping stealthily in his direction, and at once suspected some trick was about to be played. Half shutting his eyes he carefully watched from under the lids the move ments of the figure. He at first thought his hammock was to be attacked, and chuckled inwardly, saying to himself, — " Aha, my boy ! perhaps I'll teach you to let sleep ing dogs lie ! " But instead of coming to him the figure made for Tenderly, and before Dick could take in the situation there was a sound as of a keen knife cutting through cords, and instantly the sleeping boy's hammock dropped head-foremost to the deck, a dull thud pro claiming that its occupant was stunned by the fall.

With the agility of a monkey Dick sprang from his hammock, and flung himself upon the intruder, who, quite unprepared for so sudden an assault, was easily tumbled over. " You sneaking coward ! " hissed Dick, in a fine ex cess of righteous indignation, " to play such a scurvy trick on poor Tenderly." Just as he spoke he identified his prisoner. It was Bulstrode, who had just come off his watch on deck, and thought to have a little fun — save the mark ! — at the expense of " the Tender " before turning in. For a moment the bully had been so bewildered by Dick's swift attack that he made no resistance, but recog nizing his captor in the next moment he spluttered out, " Let me up, you young puppy, or I'll break every bone in your body," and put forth his strength to free himself. It was a most unequal struggle.

Besides their dis parity in size and weight, Dick had only his night clothes on, while Bulstrode was in his pea-jacket, and, like the brute he was, he dug his nails into Dick's unprotected flesh, as they struggled together, so that the latter was fain to cry out, — " All right : I'll let you up, but you're a miserable coward, all the same." Puffing and panting Bulstrode rose to his feet, and looking the very picture of fury, was about to aim a heavy blow at Dick, who stood up to him unflinch ingly, when the voice of the first lieutenant broke in upon them, demanding, — " Hold there ! Mr. Bulstrode, stand to one side. — Mr. Holland, may I ask you the meaning of this dis turbance ? Dick drew himself up, saluted respectfully, and without speaking pointed to where Tenderly lay just as he had fallen, not having moved since his sudden descent to the deck.