A tar of the old school

Front matter

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.

THE UNITED STATES AND THE MACEDONIAN

A

Chapter I. The Yankee Barque And The Corsair

APTAIN WOODS looked serious, and from his perch on the foretopgallant yard once more pointed his glass at the stranger.

“ Come up, Paul ! ” he soon after called down to his son.

Paul Woods was the second mate of the barque, and, though only sixteen, had excellent judgment in things relating to his calling, and was thoroughly trusted by his father. He had made the most of his limited opportunities for education, and was now an excellent seaman and knew something more than the elements of navigation. He was tall for his age, good-looking, well-proportioned, and had such pliant, powerful muscles that he was nearly the strongest, and was certainly the most active, man on the ship. He had sailed with his father for about three years, or since the death of his mother, and had risen to his i

A TAR OF THE OLD SCHOOL.

present station through his own merits. Though he was an only child, his father had not babied him, and all the time that he had lived forward he had fared precisely like the other sailors. He was naturally proud, — in the proper sense of the word, — and, though his surroundings were coarse and, at times, corrupt, he had always kept his self-respect, and, without advice from his father, had maintained himself in the way he knew the father desired. On the present occasion he was in the weather fore-rigging, trying, with a small glass, to make something out of the strange ship, when the anxious call already mentioned reached him, and hurried him forthwith aloft.

“ Has she got a bad look, father ? ” he asked, as he swung astride the yard.

“ She appears to be figuring to cut us off, and that certainly looks suspicious,” answered the captain. “ I can’t think why a lateen-rigger like her should have any legitimate call to act so.”

Paul took the glass, focussed it, and brought it to bear.

“ She does seem to be working so as to meet us,” he remarked. “ She is one of those long xebecs, and I guess a fast sailer. Well, what do you mean to do ? ”

“ Hold my course, Paul, but get ready to fight,” responded the old man, with a fierce flash of the eyes. “ If she isn’t too strong, we’ll at least make her earn her money.”

“ That’s what I hoped you’d say,” quietly answered Paul. “ I don’t believe in being ruined, and perhaps made slaves of, when there’s, a good crew and fight- #

THE YANKEE BARQUE AND THE CORSAIR. 1 3

ing materials aboard. Will you go down and see to getting ready, or shall I ? ”

“I’ll go. You let me know of any change,” said the captain, briefly.

He climbed back into the rigging and descended hastily to the deck.

In those days — it was 1 803 — this part of the world, meaning especially the southern shores of the Mediterranean, was infested by the Barbary corsairs. They were not numerous, and concerted action by the leading civilised nations of the world would have swept them off the seas ; but, instead, they were tolerated, and, as one would almost think, encouraged. Some have even claimed that certain of the European nations were willing to have this shameful state of things continue, commercial jealousy operating as the cause, though others have argued that general indifference and custom kept it alive. Whatever the reason, it is at least certain that for years before this about all of maritime Europe and the United States paid these wretches tribute. Perhaps it should be added, as throwing a little light on the matter, that the corsairs of this period did not, as a rule, seriously abuse their captives. They generally held them for ransom, or retained them in a comparatively mild condition of slavery. Nevertheless, there were many instances of a departure from these customs, and the rovers were constantly, on one pretext or another, breaking their contracts and seizing men and ships. It will be understood, then, why Captain Woods was uneasy when he saw a rakish-looking, lateen-rigged

A TAR OF THE OLD SCHOOL.

craft lay her course to cut him off. The barque, except a small house, constituted all the old man’s earthly possessions, and when, besides this, his own and his son’s liberty were endangered, it naturally brought an anxious look to his face. The barque was fast, but the xebec was doubtless faster, especially in the present light wind, and, unfortunately, she was to leeward. If the barque could beat her at all, it must be before the wind, and this advantage the xebec’s position deprived her of. As to a fighting force, Captain Woods had under him two mates, a cook, cabin-boy and twelve seamen.

While Paul was keeping a close and anxious watch on the strange craft, the old skipper was making his preparations to fight. The men were mainly young, sturdy fellows, all but two or three hailing from New England, and were of as good material for fighting as one could wish to see. The first mate, Mr. Prince, was a youngish, energetic man, bold and clear-headed, and had seen a little sea-fighting. Physically, he was short, but broad and burly, and was, perhaps, the strongest man on the ship. The cook was rather old and not very strong, and the cabin-boy, little Sim Burton, was too young and small to include in the fighting list. Finally, Captain Woods, himself, though now past sixty, was still strong and robust, though not so enduring and active as he had been. In figure he was tall, but a little stooped, and was broad-shouldered and large-framed. Summing up the force, therefore, sixteen men, including Paul, might be counted on. To arm this force, the captain had

THE YANKEE BARQUE AND THE CORSAIR. 1 5

twelve cutlasses, fifteen pistols and four rifles, besides some axes and hatchets. In addition to this, each sailor was, of course, provided with a knife. For ordnance there was only one small gun, a brass swivel. It was at present mounted in the bow, but being small, could readily be moved. It did not take the captain long to get his force armed and prepared, having first briefly talked with them and made sure that they were willing to fight. His plan of battle was very simple, and hardly needed explanation. The swivel was to be brought aft and trained so as to sweep the deck, and the crew were to defend the attacked bulwark. Only keep cool, the captain

said, and when the time came, make a fierce resistance, and they might beat the rascals off.

Such things had been done, and it was to be remembered that the defenders had several advan-

tages, among them being the superior height of the barque’s sides.

“All this, of course,” the captain summed up, “is supposing that we are right concerning this craft. As yet we are not dead sure, and she may turn out to be innocent and harmless.”

Ending with this crumb of hope, he walked over to the weather gangway, where he halted and anxiously waited for the next report from aloft. The stranger was now in plain sight from the deck, but was, as yet, too far off to be made much of.

The strain of the situation was soon relieved. Paul all at once slung the glass over his shoulder, looked down, and shouted :

“ She must be an Algerine . 1 She is getting ready to fight. There are lots of men on her decks.”

“Very well. You may lay down,” called back his father.

The situation now began to look the little company squarely in the face, and, to tell the truth, it was desperate enough. According to Paul’s report, they would probably have to deal with forty to sixty pirates, — the fact that her decks were covered with men would not necessarily imply more than this, as she was a small vessel, — and all well armed. It is no wonder that some of the men now looked dubious, and that there were several pale faces.

“ But we will at least try them,” the captain persisted, “and see if a hot dose won’t drive them off. If we can only drop them to leeward, and the wind strengthen, which looks likely, we may leave them wallowing in our wake.”

By this time Paul had reached the deck, and his father turned to him and handed him a cutlass and a pistol. “ Don’t expose yourself needlessly,” he said, in a low tone. Then turning, and addressing Mr. Prince, he went on : “ Should you say that it would be best to shorten sail ? You have had some experience with these fellows.”

“I don’t believe I should,” answered the mate. “ Such small craft don’t carry large guns, and it isn’t

1 Corsairs from all the Barbary states were often loosely called Algerines. Algiers, up to this time, was more noted as a pirate stronghold than either Tunis or Tripoli.

THE YANKEE BARQUE AND THE CORSAIR. I f

their aim to cripple the rigging. They want to keep their prizes in as good shape as possible.”

“Very well; let everything stand, then,” returned the captain. “What do you think of the situation ? ” he added, in a lower tone. “ Do you believe that we have a little show ? ”

“ I don’t see much of a one,” answered the mate, in the same key. “ I think they are too many for us. At the same time, I wouldn’t strike. I’d fight awhile, anyway, and then you can probably make good terms. They don’t want dead men so much as they do live. Besides, we may sicken ’em by a hot peppering, as you said, and manage to drop ’em astern.”

“All right; we’ll try it,” said the captain, setting his lips.

Paul had now come near enough to join in the discussion, and his father briefly repeated the mate’s opinion.

“Well, I should think that might be so,” he remarked. “ We shall have an advantage because they will try to take us alive, and, if we have to surrender, they won’t be likely to kill us. But that makes me think of something. Everything must depend, if we do give them that hot dose you speak of, in getting promptly clear. It will be necessary to have somebody to stand by and cast off the grapplings. Do you want me to see to it ? ”

“Yes, and let one of the hands — call it John Gardner — see to it with you,” was the answer. “ Both of you take axes, for there may be cutting away to do.”

“ I want to ask one more thing,” said Paul, after a moment’s reflection. “ Perhaps you’ve thought of it, but won’t it be a good plan to give them a little hot water ? ”

“ I had thought of it, and told Joe to heat a boilerfull,” answered the captain ; “ but it had slipped my mind, and I am not sure that he has done it. You may see to it, if you please.”

There was time for few more preparations, for the corsair was now within long musket range. It could be seen that her decks, as Paul had discovered, were crowded with ruen, and already there was a distinct sparkle of weapons. The fellows seemed to be dressed mainly in black and white, though with some patchwork effects of bright colours, and here and there one glittered, as he moved, suggestive that he wore a piece of old-fashioned armour. The craft herself had three masts, with a square sail and a small lateen rig on the foremast, and long lateen yards on the main and mizzen. She could not have been over a hundred tons burden.

Still nearer she crept, and then, all at once, she fired a gun and sent up a little flag. It broke out at the forward truck, and was blood-red, without a letter or device.

“That settles the doubt, if there was any,” said Mr. Prince.

“ She wants us to heave to, I suppose, but instead I’ll answer with our flag, and hold on,” said the captain.

The flag was kept handy, and in a trifle of seconds

THE YANKEE BARQUE AND THE CORSAIR. 1 9

it broke out at the mizzen peak. As it extended its length, and displayed the fifteen stars , 1 the men broke into a low cheer.

“ Stand by, everybody ! ” cried the captain, the next moment.

The xebec had suddenly swung her bows and, with wonderful celerity, headed up and ran obliquely toward the barque’s quarter.

“ All ready ! ” said the captain, low and hoarsely. “Take them as they show above the rail.”

The next moment the graceful but deadly little craft swept in, and, with collapsed foresails, grazed along the side. In response to shouted orders, the grapplings were thrown and caught over the bulwarks. Then, with a sudden outbreak of wild yells, the pirates rose in a mass and leaped, like so many great cats, for the barque’s rail.

1 No new stars had then been added to the flag of 1794.

Chapter II. Unavailing Pluck

F OR a moment it might have seemed to an observer that the pirates were to have it all their own way. Not a man was in sight to oppose them as they sprang up and clutched the barque’s rail, and they pulled themselves unmolested to the top, and showed their row of fierce, bearded faces and half-naked, tanned, or swarthy figures. But this was for the moment only. Mr. Prince, acting under orders, had held his men back, — had they crowded to the rail they would have been targets for the rest of the gang below, — and only as the boarders lined the bulwarks did he give the word for the sudden and furious resistance. The American eye has always been true, and though the untrained tars were terribly excited, and many of them knew little of firearms, they managed to get some sort of bead, for, as their rifles and pistols banged, four of the straddled figures suddenly collapsed and pitched off the rail.

“ That’s the talk ! That makes the cut-throats sick! ” roared Mr. Prince. “Now all ready with the cutlasses ! ”

The men scarcely needed encouragement, for their nerves were steadying and their fighting spirit was

UNAVAILING PLUCK.

rising. They leaned a little forward, in their readiness, and the lumps in the sides of their jaws showed, and their big, strong hands belittled the weight of their cutlasses and axes. Two or three spit out quids of tobacco as though to add the last touch of preparation.

They were scarcely braced and ready before the pirates, two leaders heading them, jumped off the rail and broke toward them. Mr. Prince stood at the after end of the line, and at this crisis took one short step ahead. The nearest of the pirate leaders, a tall, swarthy, spindling-bearded man, with a lean neck, made a kind of cat-like dart and jabbed a short spear swiftly at the mate’s breast. If he had turned his head to the left, at the moment, the thrust would have lost its sustaining force, for he would have seen that it was his last deed on earth. The mate had glanced up the deck, and at that very instant jumped swiftly back, and as his feet touched the planks the air was full of a deafening noise.

Captain Woods was of course looking for his opportunity, and at that moment found it. The gun had as a charge rifle-balls, buckshot, and small nails, and it was trained squarely on the rushing line. The blaze of its fire was followed by a great burst of thick smoke which rolled down the deck, and for a moment blotted out all the arrayed figures. Then began to come out of the obscurity sharp dog-like cries and deep groans, and the cloud thinned, letting through the widely spread line of stern sailor faces, and over against them the savage or bewildered countenances of the board-

A TAR OF THE OLD SCHOOL.

in g party. The rest of the cloud was gone the next instant, and at that heads that were not in sight till then appeared, and they were joined to maimed and bloody bodies. Figures to the number of four or five were lying still on the planks.

“ Hurrah ! ” thundered the powerful bass voice of Mr. Prince, breaking out almost like another gun. " Now’s our time, boys ! Come on and give it to ’em ! ”

The men joined in a wild kind of screaming hurrah, and broke like a torrent across the deck. The mate led them, and in a twinkling they were slashing and thrusting like mad at the confused pirates.

Paul Woods, from his station forward, had breathlessly noticed all their doings, and though he had thought it prudent to step in board a little, as the swivel was fired, — for it pointed dangerously near his way, — he came instantly back, and as the charge was made was crouching at the foot of the shrouds. He saw Mr. Prince strike a tremendous blow at the second leader, a big, brown-bearded man, and saw the mate’s weapon snap off at the hilt, though the blow beat down the other sword almost upon its owner’s head. The next instant he saw one of the sailors jump in and strike at the brown-bearded man, but only to receive a sudden kind of rebounding stroke that laid the man’s shoulder open and sent him staggering to the deck. Meantime, Mr. Prince had snatched up a discharged rifle, and, with the butt uppermost, as a club, was again renewing the fight. This little check, however, at such an important point, had given the other pirates time to rally, and the sailors were all at

UNAVAILING PLUCK.

once met by a flashing show of yataghans and long daggers.

Paul looked once swiftly aft, and was just in season to see his father pick up a cutlass. It w^s enough, for it showed Paul that the critical moment had come, and with a hurried word to John Gardner — who was crouching a few paces behind him — to stay where he was and be ready for orders, he shortened his hold on his axe and ran like a footracer to where the tangle of fighters joined.

He was terribly excited, but by a mighty effort kept his head. Close to him two half-naked pirates were closing in on one of the sailors. The man was thrusting desperately at them, but was bleeding from a cut on the arm, and was evidently about to go down. Paul took a step and let go at the nearest pirate’s legs. The man half turned, but the blow was too quick, and he was driven almost off his feet, and came in a collapsed heap to the deck. The other pirate turned his head, but at that moment the sailor improved his chance, and drove in a final thrust. The man took a step back and rolled like a felled tree into the scuppers.

Paul now threw away his axe and drew his cutlass. He was in the act of starting for the other end of the line, when some of the fighters swayed one side, and he saw that which caught his attention. Mr. Prince was still battling with the big Turk, but was now evidently having the worst of it, and was already retreating. The Turk, his yataghan advanced, was keeping up a rapid play of short stabs and blows,

A TAR OF THE OLD SCHOOL.

at the same time gathering himself together, as though for a rush. The mate was still using his clubbed gun, but handled it with an effort, and was clearly tiring. His bare hands and arms, too, were bleeding from several wounds. It was evident enough what the end would probably be, and that before long, and though Paul was anxious to join his father, he changed his plan and prepared to get the mate out 'of his difficulty.

As it happened, the big leader just then grew impatient, and, with a startling shout, made a fierce dash. The mate stood him off for a moment, but then gave way and backed out into the middle of the deck. This was Paul’s chance, and, like his father at the swivel, he improved it. The Turk — for such he seemed to be, rather than a Moor or Arab — was not looking that way, and for an instant was a perfect target. Paul had one loaded pistol left, but he did not use it, and, instead, lowered his cutlass and drove it at the Turk’s exposed side. It seemed as though he must run the man through, for the movement was executed like a flash, and there was no one by to interfere. But to his amazement, the point of the steel merely made a kind of dent or soft impression, and then glanced off. The tunic that the fellow wore was at the same time slit, and for the moment showed under it a glimpse of bright steel.

Paul had put so much force into the thrust that when it brought up his hand was nearly forced from its grip, and his whole arm was all but numbed. But he had the presence of mind to jump instantly

M ¥

“IT WAS EVIDENT ENOUGH WHAT THE END WOULD BE.”

UNAVAILING PLUCK.

back, thus escaping any return blow that the Turk could manage to give, and the next moment he whipped out his pistol.

But at this point something that was again unexpected happened, and suddenly put an end to the three-cornered fight. Though the Turk’s shirt of mail had held against the point of the cutlass, it was not stiff enough to resist the bruising and jamming effect of the thump, and the fellow slowly bent over sidewise, and lowered his yataghan. Mr. Prince saw his opportunity, and jumped in, raising his clubbed gun, and Paul checked the aim that he was in the act of taking. The vengeful blow was already coming down, when a pistol somewhere behind the Turk went off, and the mate let the gun slip through his fingers and sank to his knees. Paul cried out in sorrow and dismay, and once more raised the pistol, but just then the Turk bounded one side, and was for the moment covered by a struggling knot of both pirates and sailors.

There was no time for further delay, for the fight was growing every moment hotter, and the old captain must be already taking a part in it, and Paul ran back till he had cleared the zigzag line and sprang around to the starboard quarter-deck. There the old captain was, to be sure, bareheaded and in his shirt-sleeves, hacking, away to maintain his part of the line. Two sailors, were near him, and at the moment the three were fighting four of the pirates. Paul drew a quick breath, — it gave him a new, halfhorrified, half-furious feeling to see his father in such

2 6

A TAR OF THE OLD SCHOOL.

peril, — and then threw himself, with all his powerful young might, upon the nearest of the assailants.

Just what happened in the next few moments Paul always declared that he could not remember. He knew that he hacked and thrust like a demon ; that the man he was opposed to suddenly had a queer appearance of grinning, and then abruptly dropped to his knees ; that all around him was a gritting noise and clashing of steel, and the slapping of advancing and retreating feet. The next that came out plainly, he said, was a tumultuous kind of break in the line of the pirates, leaving a short, open space in the deck, and then the darting up of three of the panting crew.

“ Stand by ! Face about ! ” thundered the old captain’s voice, and all at once Paul was able to steady himself, and get the sense of the situation. It seemed that the pirates had finally broken in the defending line, probably doing so first at the forward or bow end, and had then made a kind of helter-skelter rush, striking down all but these three of the remaining crew. As for the cause of the retreat of those who were attacking the captain and his immediate company, Paul did not stop to reason much about it, but guessed that it was because the fellows were growing a little disheartened, and were glad to take advantage of the change in the general situation. This bit of observation and reflection took Paul but a moment, and he caught the first word of the order that his father now gave.

“ Stand by, all ! Here, Jim and Milt, take these pistols. Sim, hand me that rifle. If these fellers will give us quarter, of course I’ll strike ; otherwise, let’s die like men.”

Paul felt a strange, sickening thrill run over him. It was the first time that day that he had been really afraid. He seemed to see his father and his shipmates going down before that last rush, and felt the pang of entering steel in his own vitals. For a moment the cutlass trembled in his hand, and he half shut his eyes.

“ I’d rather drown than be stuck or shot,” said a thin, high voice just behind him; “and if it comes to that I’m going to jump overboard. That won’t be cowardly, will it, cap’n ? ”

The speaker was little Sim Burton, the ship’s boy.

“ No indeed, Simmy ! Make it as easy for yourself as you can,” the captain answered, not without a little jar in his voice.

“I’ve got a pistol. It’s a Fourth of July one, but I guess it’ll kill a man,” the boy reflectively spoke up again. “ Anyhow, I’ll try it. I mean if they won’t let us strike.”

The colour, which had begun to leave Paul’s cheeks, suddenly came back. He looked around at the boy and smiled.

“They seem to be hangin’ in the wind, sir,” here spoke up Milton Brown. “ Do you think they’re going to parley ? ”

“ It looks like it,” answered the captain, after a quick glance. “Yes, I think that is what the delay means.”

In fact, the big brown-bearded officer, and an old,

A TAR OF THE OLD SCHOOL.

dried-up, but richly dressed pirate, had exchanged a few words, and the big man was pushing his way to the front. The main body of the gang — enough to fill the waist of the barque — were standing at ease, a few talking, and five or six tying up their wounds. The big pirate thrust those in his way unceremoniously aside, and stepped in front of the line.

“Captain,” he said in very good English, addressing the determined old skipper, “his Excellency, our commander, has concluded to grant you quarter. Throw down your arms, therefore, and step one by one this way.”

“There’s no help for it,” said the old man, with a long breath. “They’re too many for us. We accept quarter,” he answered the pirate.

He threw down his cutlass, stood his rifle against the bulwarks, and walked out into the deck. At a sign from the big Turk, a fellow with an armload of handcuffs came forward and fettered the old man’s wrists. Paul then laid down his arms and was treated in the same way, and one by one the others followed. There were just six in the little band, all that were left of the ship’s company.

The pirate commander then returned to his own vessel, and the big Turk — whose hurt did not seem to be serious — took command. There were only a moderate number of wounded men to see to, for the lightly hurt of the pirates had returned to the xebec, and the American wounded had been some time since despatched. At least, there were none left when the fighting stopped. The Turkish officer

UNAVAILING PLUCK.

then went on to rid the ship of the dead bodies. No ceremony was used, whether with friend or foe, but one by one they were prcked up and pitched over the rail. Among the last, to Paul’s surprise, was the body -of the cook. He had not been seen since the captain had ordered him to prepare the copper of hot water, and it was probable that he was shot and killed — no doubt by a random bullet — while carrying out this order. The most pressing things now being done, the prisoners were massed in a gang and taken below, and the pirate commander told off from his followers a prize-crew. The grapplings that held the two vessels together were then cast off, the barque was put about and her course laid about southwest. The xebec, in the meantime, had filled away, and was taking the lead in the same direction.

The prisoners had been halted in the main cabin, and while two swarthy pirates mounted guard over them, a petty officer motioned for them to sit> and when they were down clapped leg-irons on each man. He then said something to the guards, and went on deck. Left to themselves, the poor fellows tried to pluck up a little courage and exchanged a few words, but as the guards scowled and looked uneasy, they desisted and prepared to wait stoically for what should next be in store for them.