News now reached us but rarely; indeed, our little town, which had lately been so famous, seemed almost forgotten. Audrey and I, having recovered from the grief caused by the loss of our father, were very happy in our new home.
Mr Kerridge and Mr Harvey had arranged our affairs, so that we were not dependent upon others. At the same time it was necessary that I should have a profession. My inclinations prompted me to follow that of my father, but my friends found it difficult to settle with whom I should be sent to sea. Both Lancelot and d.i.c.k declared that they would go with me, though their fathers were not very willing that they should engage in so dangerous a calling. One day, the weather being fine, Lancelot proposed that we should make a trip to Dartmouth, taking Martin s...o...b..ok, now our constant companion, with us. Storing our boat with provisions for the voyage, we made sail.
We had a fine run to that beautiful little harbour, and having gone on sh.o.r.e, we spent more time than we had intended in purchasing various articles which were not to be procured at Lyme.
It was somewhat late in the evening when we stood out again, but as there was a moon we expected no difficulty in finding our way back; scarcely, however, had we got well out of the harbour than the wind shifted to the eastward, but as the tide was in our favour we agreed that by making a long leg to the southward we should fetch Lyme on the next tack.
To our disappointment, just as we were going about, the wind veered three points to the northward, and we found it blowing directly in our teeth. Unwilling to be defeated, we continued standing out to sea, expecting that when we went about we should be almost abreast of Lyme.
In a short time, however, the sky became covered with thick clouds, the wind came in fitful gusts, and the hitherto calm ocean was broken into foam-covered waves.
We reduced our sail as much as possible, and Martin, as the most experienced, took the helm. The night became darker and darker. We had no compa.s.s, and no land could be seen. Still, supposing that the wind was now remaining steady, we stood on, our stout boat riding buoyantly over the increasing seas. Martin at length expressed his fear that the wind had gone back to its old quarter, and judging by the heavy foam-crested seas which came rolling on, that we were no longer under shelter of the land.
We kept up our spirits, though I guessed by the tone of Martin"s voice that he was far from happy at our position. The tide, too, we knew by this time must have turned, and we should be unable to fetch Lyme.
We might, we agreed, run back to Dartmouth, but the attempt to find the entrance of the harbour in the darkness of the night would be difficult, if not dangerous.
Though Martin steered as well as the best of seamen, the rising seas came washing over our bows, and we all had to turn to and bale out the boat. This prevented us from thinking of the danger we were in.
At length, not without risk, putting an oar out, we got the boat round, and stood, as we supposed, towards the sh.o.r.e. By this time we were wet through to the skin, and in spite of our exertions our teeth were chattering with cold.
"I hope Mistress Margaret will have some bowls of hot porridge ready for us when we get in," said Lancelot.
"Oh, don"t talk of that," observed d.i.c.k. "Let us get in first. Shall we ever reach the sh.o.r.e, Martin, do you think?"
"That"s as G.o.d wills, Master d.i.c.k," answered Martin. "It"s our business to do our best."
Just then a sudden blast almost laid the boat over. Martin saved her by luffing-up. Scarcely had he done so than we saw a dark object away on the starboard hand.
"That"s a ship; she"s standing directly down upon us," cried Martin.
"Shout, lads, shout at the tops of your voices."
We all shrieked out, joining Martin"s deep ba.s.s, which rose above the howling of the storm. The next instant there came a crash, our boat had been run down, but before she sank, having been happily struck by the bow, and not by the stern of the ship, we found ourselves alongside, when Martin, seizing me by the arm and catching hold of the fore-chains, hauled me up as the boat disappeared beneath our feet. We hung there for a few seconds before we were discovered, though I caught sight of several figures leaning over the side. I uttered a cry of sorrow as I thought that my two friends were lost. In vain I looked down for them.
The next instant several willing hands a.s.sisted Martin and me on board.
"Oh, save d.i.c.k and Lancelot," I cried out. "Lower a boat; pick them up; don"t let them perish."
My heart bounded with joy when I heard Lancelot"s voice.
"Here I am, safe and sound," he cried out, running forward and shaking me by the hand, "thanks to our friends here, who hove me a rope just as I was sinking."
"And d.i.c.k, where is d.i.c.k?" I said.
"The youngster is on board, but he got a knock on the head. He"s coming round though," said a voice from the afterpart of the ship.
Martin, Lancelot, and I hurried aft, where we found d.i.c.k lying on the deck, supported by a seaman, who seemed as wet as he was. We were told that the gallant fellow had fastened a rope round his waist, plunged overboard and picked up d.i.c.k just as he was being washed by astern.
d.i.c.k quickly came to.
"Where is the boat!" he asked, lifting up his head.
"She"s gone to the bottom," answered Lancelot.
"Where are we?"
"On board a ship."
"What ship, what ship?" asked d.i.c.k, still confused.
"That"s more than I can say," answered Lancelot, "We shall soon know, however."
CHAPTER FOUR.
ON BOARD HIS MAJESTY"S FRIGATE.
Scarcely were we on board the ship than the gale came down with greater fury than before, so that the seamen being required to hand the sails left us to ourselves. Two or three persons, however, gathered round us, one of whom--the surgeon, I concluded--advised that we should be taken below, and stripped of our wet clothes, for our teeth were chattering with the cold.
Very thankful to be so treated, we had no time to ask questions before we found ourselves in the officers" cabin; d.i.c.k and I being placed in one bed, and Lancelot in another, while Martin was allowed to go forward among the men, to obtain such a.s.sistance from them as they were inclined to give.
After a short time some food and a cup of warm tea were brought us, having partaken of which, thanks to its genial warmth, we soon fell asleep.
Once I awoke when the rolling and pitching, the battering of the sea against the sides, and the noises overhead, told me that the gale was still blowing. I was soon asleep again, and when I opened my eyes it was broad daylight. No one was in the cabin. I roused my companions.
Our clothes had been brought back tolerably well dried, so we dressed, intending to go on deck and learn what ship we were on board of, and where we were bound.
The pistols, hangers, and other weapons hanging up against the bulkhead showed us she was a ship of war, and Lancelot discovered several prints ornamenting his cabin, which made us suspect that she did not belong to the Puritans.
"If they inquire who we are, as they are sure to do, what shall we say about ourselves?" asked d.i.c.k.
"Tell the truth and shame the devil! Whoever they are, we should be grateful to them for having saved our lives, and maybe, if we speak them fair, they"ll set us on sh.o.r.e at the first port they touch at," answered Lancelot.
"If they"re Cavaliers, there"s no port they can put into on the south coast without the certainty of being fired at," I observed, "though perhaps they may be induced to set us ash.o.r.e in one of their boats, and we can find our way back over land. I much wish to relieve the anxiety that Audrey and Cicely and your father must be feeling about us, for they will--should we not return--give us up for lost."
"We shan"t grow wiser by staying here," said Lancelot, as he led the way on deck.
"Halloa, young masters. Who are you?" exclaimed a gentleman in plumed hat, scarlet doublet, and sword hanging by a rich scarf at his side.
An officer approached and spoke to the gentleman, whom we guessed must be the captain.
I had time to look around; the sea had somewhat gone down, but it was still blowing fresh. Over the starboard quarter I observed a long point, which I at first thought was the Start, but afterwards learned was the Lizard. The frigate, for such I saw was the vessel we were on board of, was heeling over to the breeze, and the Union Jack waving from her peak showed me that she belonged to the Royalist party; indeed, when I remarked the varied costumes of the officers, the careless manners of the crew, and heard their strange oaths, I had no doubt about the matter.
Seeing that we were expected to reply to the question put to us, Lancelot advanced and informed the captain that we were young gentlemen belonging to Lyme, and were taking a pleasure trip when caught by the gale.
"Young Roundheads, I wot," answered the captain, with an oath. "You might have been left to drown with small loss to honest men. However, as you are now on board the frigate, you may remain, and we will see to what use we can put you. You have a companion, I understand. Is he a sailor?"
"Yes!" I answered, somewhat incautiously. "He spent his early life at sea, and visited many strange parts with my late father, Captain Bracewell."
"So much the better for him. He shall serve on board, and I will order his name to be entered on the books."
From the way we were first received, we fancied that we should have been treated like young gentlemen, but on his ordering us with an oath to go forward and do what we were told, such we found was not the captain"s intention. We obeyed, for we had no choice. On our way we encountered a big fellow with a knotted rope in his hand, who, from the chain with a whistle hanging to it round his neck, we knew was the boatswain.