Gallant Tom : or, The Perils of a sailor ashore and afloat

Preface

. In presenting the new edition of " Gallant Tom" to the public, I cannot refrain from once more expressing my most cordial thanks for the distinguished favour with which it has been received both in this country and America, where it was reprinted, and met with the same extensive patronage that it enjoyed here. The present edition has been carefully revised and corrected ; the greatest pains have been bestowed upon the typography and the embellishments, and the Proprietor sincerely trusts that he has given general satisfaction to his numerous friends. In conclusion, I beg to acquaint the reader that I am now engaged in writing another nautical Romance, which will shortly appear in the "Penny Sunday Times," under the title of "Jack Junk, or the Tar for All Weathers," and which I trust will be found as worthy of the support of the public as any of my former productions.

July Uth, 1849. THE PERILS OF A SAILOR ASHO.RE AND AFLOAT. AN ORICINAL NAUTICAL ROMANCE. Britain's hardy sons of Neptune were assemble 1 on the benches before a small public^honse, known by tbe sign of " The Old Commodore," and kept by a superannuated old tar. nicknamed Mat Marlinspike, whose family consisted of his wife, a motherly, comfortaole-looking old dame, his daughter, the pretty Ellen, and a handsome boy about twelve years of age, named Richard, and who was supposed to be the nepheyof ila>,

Chapter I. Ashore

" It blew great guns, when Gallant Tom Was taking in a sail, And squalls came on in sight of bome, Tbat strengthened to a gale."— Dibbin. The moon was shining brilliantly upon the o cean at Plymouth, when a large party of No. 1. depart on his Srst voyage, and when I think of the perils he will be exposed to, my heart sinks within me ; for though ho is sot our own son, his fond endearments have rendered him the very soul and prop of our old days.' " True, dame," said Mat," Richard is a noble boy, and it grieves me to part with him ; but he possesses a gallant spirit, and longs to dis tinguish himself in the service of his king and country, and Heaven forbid that I should put the boy's courage under hatches. Besides, will he not be under as brave a tar as ever furled a sail, our Ellen's sweetheart, Tom Mainstay?"

" But when he is gone," added the old wo man, mournfully, " who will he left to cheer us in sur old age, and to raise the drooping spirits ef our daughter, in the absence of her lover ?" "Trust to Providence, dame," answered Mat, earnestly : "bat, sit down, my old lass, I have something to tell you — something of importance — 'tis a secret." "A secret?" reiterated his wife, with much curiosity. whom he had kindly taken under his protection on the death of bis only sister, about seven years before. It was the evening before the sailing of the fleet, under the command of the gallant Nelson, when they went to acheive the glorious victory of the Battle of the Nile. The grog passed freely round, toasts were drunk to the success of Britain's hearts of oak, and so merry had every one become, that the time passed away un heeded, until one of the party said — " Come, messmates, it is growing late, aud it is time for us to weigh anchor ; so, three cheers for Admiral Nelson and the British Navy, and then away."

The sailors charged their glasses, and drank the toast with an onthusiasm which made the place re-echo again. "So, my lads," said old Mat, coming forward, "you are homeward bound, then ?" " Why, yes," answered the sailor who had first spoken, "yer see, Master Mat, we must pass a few short hours with sweethearts and wives, for tc-morrow morning yon gallant fleet sets sail to join our noble commander in the Mediterranean to bang the Mounseers, and may hap many of us may he towed into the port of Eternity, and never see the fair craft again." " Right, right, my lads," observed Mat ; " so good night, and may your dreams be ef Nelson and victory," " I say. Mat,'1 said another of the sailors, " where's Tom .Mainstay, thathe has not joined us to-night ? — for when the mess is abandoned by Gallant Tom, everything seems as dull as a tar without flip.

He is as brave a fellow, and as taut a sailor as ever reefed a top sail." " Why, yer see, my lad," replied Mat, " Tom has been to town to buy some trinkum trankums to leave his sweetheart in remem brance of him, or he would have been aboard with ye, depend upon it." "Aye, aye," returned tbe tar, "must keep a weather-eye oa the fair craft, Mat. I say, what a happy lass your daughter ought to think herself, to have such a brave fellow as Tom Mainstay for a sweetheart. But, good night ; -—come, messmates " "Aye, aye," responded his companions, and tossing off the remainder of their grog , they departed to their homes, and the " Old Commo dore" was silent and vacated. " Aye, aye," said Mat, " and one that I have long wished to confide to you. But promise, dame, never to divulge what I am going to impart to any one, for on it, probably, the very life ef Richard depends."

" Mat, I promise to obey you," returned the dame, earnestly. "Enough, then," said Mat, taking a seat on one of the benches by her side — " listen." Just at this moment, y_e tall figure of a mulatto stalked round the<<forner of the house, and observing Mat and his wife in earnest con versation, he drew back, and seemed determined to listen. Why ho should possess any curiosity to overhear what they were talking about re. mains to he told. This man was called Saib, and was the cen fidcntial domestic of the Earl Fitzosbert, who at that time remained in the neighbourhood of Plymouth. He was looked upon with au eye of suspicion and abhorrence by every one, for he was known to be savage and revengeful, aud report was busy in attributing to him and his master many deeds of darkness, but of the truth of which no one had been at the paius of under taking to ascertain.

" You have ever thought, dame," continued Mat, addressing himself to his wife, " that Richard was the only child of my poor sister, who died about seven years ago, aud left him to my care ; but it is not so — the boy is no relation of mine." " Ah," said Mat, turning to his wife, " there goes as brave a set of lads as ever mounted the quarter deck ef a British man-of-war. Splice my timbers, it does my old eyes good to see them. Bat I say, dame, yeu look as dull as a frigate in a fog.' ' " In truth, Mat," said the old woman, sighj ing, " I am sad at heart. To-morrow morning, . with yonder fleet, our poor httle Richard wUl I "Amazement!" ejaculated Margaret, "who, then, are his parents ?" " That I do not know," answered Mat ; " but certain it is, that the boy comes from a noble stock; — hows'ever, I found him a long way from hence."

"Found him?" reiterated Margaret, with •ncreased astonishment ; you quite surprise me. Mat."' as ever child was hke the parent, He comes ; now, if the old man and his guests will only keep snug to the house for a few minutes, I'll spoil your singing, my hoy." Richard having stepped from the boat, bounded gaily towards the house, when he suddenly recognised Saib, and started back. "Oh," said the boy to himself, "there is that frightful black man, the servant and con fidant of the Earl Fitzosbert. I don't know how it is, but whenever I look upon his sable countenance, my heart sinks with horror. I'll run into the house, and meet my good uncle and aunt, and my coz. Ellen." " Stop bey," cried Saib, as he attempted to enter at the doorway ; " why do you pass me, as though I were something contagious?"

" I am in a hurry, good Saib, and ■" " Good Saib 1' ' laughed the black, sarcastically. — Ha ! ha ! ha ! But, no matter — drink, boy, drink." " Excuse me, Saib," said Richard, trembling. " I am too young to drink ; I——" " Oh, you'll aot drink with me, I suppose," interrupted the other, scowling, " because I ama black man.'' " I dare say I do," answered her husband, "but I shall astonish you a great deal more before I have done my story. You must know - but, holloa ! — what do you want 1" " Massa Mat, good evening to you,1' said Saib, coming for ward, when he found that the old man had discovered him. " Humph 1" returned Mat, sulkily : — ob, good evening to you. You are more free than welcome," he continued, aside. " I never look upon that fellow's face but he reminds me of the devil. If an artist wanted a correct likeness of his Satannic majesty, I don't think he could do better thaa get Saib to sitto him."

" Let me have a glass of grog, Massa Mat," said Saib, taking a seat. Mat made his exit into the house, beckoning his wife to follow him, and when they bad gone, Saib reflected for a second or two, and then clenching his fist, soliloquised— " My suspicions are all but confirmed — this brat is not the relation of Marliuspike, and his striking likeness te the late earl, almost convinces me that in him exists the young heir to the estates of Fitzosbert. Mat said he found him far at sea — it must be so ;— curses on the billows that did not overwhelm him iu the wreck ! Fool that I was to trust him to the ocean ! Why did I not plunge my knife into their hearts, when they were in my power. It will be a fice tale to tell my master. Bat, no matter, it may be better ; this night I am resolved shall place the boy in my clutches, and if the earl accedes to my wishes, he dies ! — Yes, the hand of Rosina and her wealth must be my reward fer the business.

Ha ! ha ! ha 1 She calls me black deg.— She shall find that the dog can bite." " Here's yonr grog," said Mat, returning from the house. "Ne, Saib," replied tbe boy, firmly, "you wrong me : — Heaven forbid that I should ever be so ungenerous as to des pise a fellow creature only for the colour of his skin. I will drink, just to prove to you how mistaken you were in forming such a supposition." And he took tho glass from the hand of Saib — " Here's victory to the British Navy." " Would it were poison," Saib muttered to himself. " And now, Saib," said the boy, "I must indeed be going — so, good night. "Hold, boyl" cried Saib, suddenly starting upoa his feet, and grasping his arm, " you must come with me." " Spare me, Saib ! — don't hurt me ; I never injured you !" exclaimed the terrified Richard, as the black attempted to drag him away ; " what mean you by this violence ?"

" Ask no questions, brat," cried Saib, fiercely — " Come, ceme." " Savage man, unhand me 1'' ejaculated Richard, struggling hard to escape from his held ; " you have some cruel design against me — for what reason I kaow not. I will alarm the inn!" " And here's your money," answered Saib , vexed at being interrupted in the train of his reflections; " and now you can begone." " Ob, to be sure, Master Japan," returned Mat, sarcastically, " I'm not fond cf looking on the likeness of——" "Of what?" angrily demanded Saib. " The devil, to be sure," answered Mat, with a laugh, as he retired into the house. "The Christian dog!" cried Saib, as he vanished; — "but, no matter; they shall find the black man as true a devil in heart as be is like him hi visage." " Boy," observed Saib,. his eyes rolling savagely, at the same time drawing a knife from his vest, " utter a word that may be heard bat a yard off, and I'll murder you on the spot.

But in spite of this threat, Richard shrieked with all his might, and at that moment a hearty voice was heard outside, shouting — " Hilly yeo ! hilly yeo !" and just as Saib was dragging him away, ia rushed Tom Mainstay, and clutching the throat of the black with th At this moment, the voice of a boy singing st no great distance sounded in his ears, and soon afterwards a boat approached the shore, containing Richard. Saib recognised him in a minute. *. " Here's the brat they have been speaking of," said he. " What a fool I must be not to know him before, for he is as Uke the late earl I ■1 GALLANT TOM. " you must nut founder in thc ocean of despair. I have weathered many a hard tight and a rough gale hitherto, and we must trust to Providence to protect me through this." "Oh, Tom," observed Ellen, "I dare not think of it." strength of a lion, dashed kim to the earth, at the same time wresting' the knife from him, and holding the boy under his protection.

" Why, you black pirate," cried the sailor, " damme, if I haven't a good mind to lower your topsail in less time than a boatswain could pipe all hands ! Sheer off, yer swab, or may I uevor taste salt junk again, but I'll send you to old Davy like a shot 1" As Tom Mainstay stood over the black ruffian, and thus taunted him, the eyes of tbe latter rolled fiercely in their sockets, and he was a'most choked with rage. " Tom Mainstay," exclaimed he, gathering himself on to his feet, "the black man never receives an insult without having a deadly revenue. Beware, when next we meet !" Thus sayiug, Saib skulked away, and the ssilor laughed at him contemptuously. " Ha ! ha! ha!" said he; " boldly spoken, my sable land-lubber; hut Tom Mainstay has weathered many a rough tempest at sea, and it would be stranfe indeed if ho was now tobc frightened by a puddle in a storm on shore.

Why, Dick, you seem alarmed." " Alarmed !" answered the hoy, proudly ; "oh, no, Tom, you mistake me ; I am only a little ruffled — for you know I am to be a sailor, and I should not have liked to have been deprived of thc opportunity I expect to have, of helping to drub the foes of my king and country." " Splice" my timbers'." cried Tom, shaking the boy's hand heartily, " a sailor already^ every inch of him. But, weigh anchor, and steer into the-, forecabin, for see, here comes my pretty Ellen— bless her blue twinklers." Richard obeyed this order, and left Tom to talk to his sweetheart. Ellen was considered the flower of Plymouth. Her feature* were rcular, and bewitchingly handsome; her eyes were a brilliant blue, her figure was perfect, and she had the prettiest little foot, and the most gracefully turned ancle, that could possibly be imagined.

To Tom she was fondly, devotedly attached, aud the thoughts of bein7' so soon separated from him, and the uncertainty of ever beholding him again, wrung her gentle heart, and clad her face in looks of the deepest sorrow. " Now, my pretty Ellen," said Tom, affectionately throwing one arm around the damsel's slender waist, and pressing her hand fervently, " tell me, why will you persist in hoisting signals of distress ?" "Ah, Tom," replied Ellen, "how can I be otherwise than sorrowful? Are you not *roin«' to leave me to-morrow, to bc exposed to all the terrors of a dreadful conflict, and should you perish — " She hid her face in her bosom, weeping, and could not finish the sentence. " Now, shiver my timbers !" ejaculated her lover, " if you put your pumps to work, you'll set my heart going at the rate of forty knots an hour.

As our chaplain says, when he is about to swallow a good jorum of rum, 'Damn fear, always keep up your spirits." ' Go, patter to lubbers and swans, do you see, About danger, and fear, and the like ; A stout British ship, and good sea-room give me, And itain't to a little I'll strike!" Como, lass, give us a kiss ! — Lor* love your pretty face. Yer know this is to be ny last cruise, Ellen ; and after I have assisted in banging the Mounseers, I shall return home with lots of prize-money, a whole cargo of love, get spliced to you, embark oa the ocean of matrimony, and in a short time, mayhap, become the commander of a little fleet of my own." , " What mpan you, Tom ?" inquired Ellen, timidly. "What do I mean, lass?" answered her lover; — "why, the pretty little, small craft that we shall have, to be sare."

And once more kissing thc blushing cheek of the maiden affectionately, he stepped with her into the house, where Mat and his wife were engaged in earnest conversation upoa the late outrage committed by Saib, and in vain endeavouring to conjecture what motive could have incited him to it. The Earl Fitzosbert had a handsome mansion near the house of Mat Marlinspike. He was a proud, haughty, and tyrannical nobleman, with a forbidding countenance, ami who was universally hated. He was immensely rich ; but there were strange rumours afloat as to the manner in which he obtained his wealth, which, if they were true, would make the earl a villain indeed. He had a ward, named Rosina, a beauteous girl, of the most amiable manners and disposition, and she was greatly pitied, for it was well known that she suffered much from the capricious and tyrannical disposition of her guardian, and the insolence of the black man, Saib, who exercised a singular authority over his master, and knew all his secrets.

A deep melancholy always seemed to absorb the feelings of Rosina, from which it was iu vain to attempt to arouse her : it was evident that her mind was suffering from some secret grief; but no one could imagine what it was, for she carefully evaded every question on the subject. "Why do you give way to these fits of sadness, miss ?" observed Patty, her maid, on thc day upon which we commenced this' " Come, come, lass,'' said Tom, soothingly, narrative, (fatty was a great favourite with llosina, and she confided to her breast verv many secrets.) " To ho sure," continued Patty, " thc earl does aot behave kind to you." I lost ia childhood, is so great, that in spite of everything, I cannot erase him from my thoughts. Mine has heen a strange life. As soon as I can remember, I found myself, with aa only brother, thc iamate of afisherman's hut some milos from hence.

We thought he were our father) although the cruelty with which he treated us made us fear, if not hate him. My t&r brother, who was three years older than me, loved me fondly, and his chief delight was to wander to the sea-beach, to gather thc pretty shells and pebbles to amuse me. One evening he went there alone, as usual : night set in — the next morning broke, but my poor brother never returned, nor have I since been able to learn what became of him." "The earl!" reiterated Rosina, "oh, men tion him not ; his very name is odious to me. Ob, my poor father, little did you think when you committed me to the care of th*' man, to wbat misery you were consigning rae. Patty, I am wretched *. even that hideous wretch, Saib, who is the confidant of the earl, has presumed to iasult me with his odious passioo, and the earl appears to encourage him.

But this is not all that oppresses me." " Dear me, miss," observed the waiting maid, " why, any one would imagine you were in love !" " Poor fellow !" exclaimed Patty. "A short time afterwards," resumed her mistress, after a pause, " our real father, who was rich and noble, came to claim us. His motive for so loag neglecting and disowiog his children, I never knew. Ile was wretched at the mvsterious disappearance of his son ; but though he tried every means, and offered large rewards, he never could gain any tidings of him. He died three yeais siace, and made his friend, the Earl Fitzosbert, my guardian." " What a melancholy story : — and you say that Gallant Tom is so like your poor lost brother, miss?" v*. " The very image of him ; and did I not know it were impossible, I could fancy it was him.

He haunts my imagination sleeping or waking. — Patty, I cannot live but in his pre sence." Rosina sighed, blushed, and hid her face for a moment in her handkerchief. " Alas ! there it is, Patty," she replied ; " I do indeed love one who never can be mine !" " What, won't he marry you, miss ?" said Patty ;— " then I'm sure he shows his want ef taste, and does not pay any compliment to your charms and accomplishments." "Listen, Patty," remarked Rosina, seriously, " and divulge not what I am about to tell you. He, who holds my heart, knows not of the passion he has inspired. He is betrothed to aaother, a worthy girl, aad deeply do I repent the iujury I am doing her, by encouraging an affection for him to whom her very soul is devoted. But, alas ! I cannot stifle my feelings." " You surprise me, miss '." ejaculated Patty ;, " hut, ma; I ask who is the youth that has thus taken possession of your heart?"

" You remember the night, Patty," answered her mistress, " when our boat upset at some distance from the shore, and I was immersed in t*ic rapid tide, aad was near being drowned — at that critical moment, a sailor plunged fear lessly into the deep, and at the imminent peril of his own life, brought me to shore ?" " Ah '." remarked Patty, " well do I remember that, miss; — it was Gallant Tom, as he is called, one of the bravest seamen ia the British fleet." " Oh, miss, pardon me, but I must say you talk very silly," observed Patty ; " why to morrow morning, you know, Tom sets sail with the noble fleet, now lying at anchor ia the port.' ' " And thither will I follow him !" suddenly exclaimed Rosina. " Impossible !" " You may deem me romantic, Patty," returned her lady, " hut am resolved ; I can no longer endure the tyranny of the earl, and the insolence of Saib ; so I have determined to assume male attire, and get on board the same ship iu which Tom is to sail.

I have ascer tained that there will be no great difficulty, as her number is not complete. Then, and then only will I venture to avow my love for him, and throw myself and fortune at his feet. Patty, you'll not betray me ?" " Betray you, miss?— Lor' bless you, not for the world. But this is indeed a romantic idea " He is, indeed," said Rosina, eagerly, and her blue eyes sparkling with pleasure at the thought ; — " from that moment, Patty, I loved him." " Lor', bless me !'" exclaimed the maid, " how you surrprise me !— What, love a eom 'mon sailor ?" ( " Accursed for ever be the wreteh !" cried Rosina, warmly, " who would despise honest poverty enshrined beneath a sailor's jacket. Oh, Patty, httle can you imagine the feelings I bear towards that noble youth; something more powerful than love seems to endear him i to me ; his strange likeness to a brother whom — a female sailor ! — but, dear me, have you well considered the perils of the undertaking?

You know they are going to fight, and suppose you should h« killed?" " I have considered everything, Patty," replied the lady, " and I am ready to encounter every danger. I have secured everything a few moments buried in rumination, then sud donly returning to his confidant, he said— " I will agree." .,,,., " Enough, thenl* cried the black, his largi eyes rolling with gratification ; " this instant .1 fly to execute the crime." , "Thanks, thanks, my good Saib," replied his master, "and when next we meet, tlie heii of Fitzosbert " ._ , ■ "Will be no more," added the black, hol lowly, as he hastened from the apartment, and left the earl to retire to his chamber. Three o'clock had chimed from a neighbouring church clock, however, before the villain Saib started on his deed of darkness. He had ascer tained that Richard slept in a room on the ground floor, and he had provided himself with proper implements to force the shutters, so that he might gain access to his destined victim.

AU was still around when Saib arrived at the little tavern. Every one had retired to rest; and the moment seemed propitious to his pur pose. He walked round to the hack of the house, and easily scaled the paling with which it was surrounded. He walked up to the window ef the back parlour, the room in which the boy slept, and listened; he conld hear tho strong breathing of the unconscious sleeper, and was convinced that everything favoured his purpose. "AU's right ! that sleep shall be changed into an eternal one," ejaculated the wretch, as he appUed the implements ha had brought with him for the purpose, and forced the shutters open, with very little noise. He looked into the room, and beheld the boy reclining, dressed, upon the bed, and no other person was in the chamber. Cautiously the viUain opened thc window, and the next moment was seen standing over the couch of the sleeping hoy, with the knife in his hand, ready to perpetrate the hellish deed.

" I have succeeded famously," he muttered to himself. "All is still; no person will hear his dying groans, and I may escape unper ceived and unsuspected. Now, for the deed ! — Die _ die ! damned offspring of a Christian dog!" Instantly he was about to draw his knife across the throat of the boy, when suddenly his arm was fiercely seized. He looked up, and beheld Tom Mainstay standing before him, with a pistol presented at his head, and attended by several more sailors. neccs.,.4. . aud this night,, is soon as the family are at rest, I bid adieu to this hateful house for ever." "Heigho!" sighed Patty; "and so yon mean to leave me ail alone, miss 1" " What other alternative have I ?" answered her mistress. "Whv, I'll teU yon," observed Patty, smiling archly ; " I have g»t a sweetheart, you know, miss, and a nice little man he is too, only not very brave— Toby Twitter, miss, and he's going on board the same ship as GaUant Tom is, to-morrow ; so I save been thinking, if you have no objection, I should dearly like to put on male attire also, and accompany you in this adventure, it it is only to watch the con duct of my poor little Toby."

" I shaU be dehghted with your company, Patty,'' said her mistress, joyfully. "Then it's a bargain," ejaculated the maid. " From this moment consider me a saUor. — Huzza! The blue jackets for ever! Oh, miss, shan't I make a jolly Jack tar ?" " Hark!" said Rosina, putting her finger on her lip, " I hear the voices of the Earl and Saib; — they are approaching this way. Let us begone, Patty, and make preparations for our perilous adventure." " Oh, yes, miss," said Patty ; " come along, for I am aU impatience to put on the breeches. They do say that our sex have a peculiar penchant for these little unwhisperables !" " Saib," exchimed the Earl Fitzosbert, to his sable myrmidon, as they entered the room, having first looked cautiously around, to ascer tain that nobody was observing them, — " Saib, this tale you have told me of the brat being stiU alive, perplexes me."

" Why shoald it alarm you, my lord ?'* returned the black ; " have I not said that I have the means of ridding yon of him this very night?" " But should you again fail ?" " Psha ! the black man's knife seldon misses its aim. You have known its power ere now, my lord ; — the proud estates ef Fitzosbert came not into your possession without——" •' I know, I know !" hastily interrupted the earl ; " but should this hated hoy be suffered still to survive, in time aU may be discovered, and my dearly-earned power wrested fr9m me, mdignominy and disgrace may light upon me." " I have offered you the means to rid you of rour fear," answered Saib ; "will you accept of them?" " Held ! you black shark !" exclaimed the gaUant saUor, " or damme, I'll send -a bullet through your mizon-top." At this critical moment, the noise awoke the boy, who started from his bed in astonishment and alarm, while at thc same juncture, Mat and his wife entered the room in a state of great consternation, which was not a little increased at the spectacle that ptesented itself.