"She can"t stand this long," observed Captain Lumley. "Fire away, my lads."
"The Circe and Vixen are coming down to us, sir," observed the first lieutenant; "we do not want them, and they will only be an excuse for the Frenchman to surrender to a superior force. If they recaptured the vessels taken, they would be of some service."
"Very true. Mr. Campbell, make their signal to pursue captured vessels."
Alfred ran aft to obey the orders. The flags had just flown out at the mast-head, when he received a bullet through his arm: for the French, unable to use the major portion of their guns, had, when the fog cleared up, poured in incessant volleys of musketry upon the decks of the Portsmouth. Alfred desired the quarter-master to untie his neck handkerchief for him, and bind up his arm. Having so done, he continued to do his duty. A bold attempt was now made by the French to clear their vessel by cutting the fastening of her bowsprit, but the marines of the Portsmouth were prepared for them, and after about twenty gallant fellows had dropped down on the booms and gangways of the Portsmouth, the attempt was given up, and four minutes afterward the French colors were hauled down. She was boarded from her bowsprit by the first lieutenant and a party of seamen. The lashings were cast off, and the vessels cleared of each other, and then the English seamen gave three cheers in honor of the victory.
CHAPTER V.
The French sixty-gun ship proved to be the Leonidas; she had been sent out with two large frigates on purpose to intercept the convoy, but she had parted with her consorts in a gale of wind. Her loss of men was very great; that on board of the Portsmouth was trifling. In a couple of hours the Portsmouth and her prize in tow were ready to proceed with the convoy, but they still remained hove to, to wait for the frigates which were in chase of the captured vessels. All of these were speedily come up with except the London Merchant, which sailed so remarkably well. At last, to the great joy of Alfred (who as soon as the bullet had been extracted and his arm dressed, had held his telescope fixed upon the chase), she hove to, and was taken possession of. Before night, the convoy were again collected together, and were steering for their destination. The next morning was clear, and the breeze moderate. Mrs.
Campbell, who, as well as all the rest, was very anxious about Alfred, requested Captain Wilson to run down to the Portsmouth, that they might ascertain if he was safe. Captain Wilson did as she requested, and writing in chalk "all well" in large letters upon the log-board, held it over the side as he pa.s.sed close to the Portsmouth. Alfred was not on deck--fever had compelled him to remain in his hammock--but Captain Lumley made the same reply on the log-board of the Portsmouth, and Mr.
and Mrs. Campbell were satisfied.
"How I should like to see him," said Mrs. Campbell.
"Yes, madam," observed Captain Wilson, "but they have too much to do on board of the Portsmouth just now; they have to repair damages and to look after the wounded; they have a great quant.i.ty of prisoners on board, as you may see, for a great many are now on the booms; they have no time for compliments."
"That is very true," replied Mr. Campbell, "we must wait till we arrive at Quebec."
"But we did not see Alfred," said Emma.
"No, miss, because he was busy enough below, and I dare say no one told him. They have said that all"s well, and that is sufficient; and now we must haul off again, for with such a heavy ship in tow, Captain Lumley will not thank me if I am always coming so close to him."
"I am satisfied, Captain Wilson; pray do nothing that might displease Captain Lumley. We shall soon see Alfred, I dare say, with the spy-gla.s.s."
"I see him now," said Mary Percival, "he has his telescope, and he is waving his hat to me."
"Thank G.o.d," replied Mrs. Campbell; "now I am satisfied."
The Portsmouth cast off the French line-of-battle ship, as soon as they had jury-masts up and could make sail on them, and the convoy proceeded to the mouth of the St. Lawrence.
"Captain Wilson," said Percival, whose eyes were fixed on the water, "what animals are those, tumbling about and blowing,--those great white things?"
"They are what are called the white whale, Percival," replied Captain Wilson; "they are not often seen, except about here."
"Then what is the color of the other whales?"
"The northern whales are black--they are called the black whales; but the southern, or spermaceti whales, are not so dark in color."
Captain Wilson then, at Percival"s request, gave him an account of how the whales were caught, for he had been several voyages himself in the northern whale fishery.
Percival was never tired of asking questions, and Captain Wilson was very kind to him, and always answered him. John, generally speaking, stood by when Captain Wilson was talking, looking very solemn and very attentive, but not saying a word.
"Well John," said Emma to him after the conversation had been ended, "what was Captain Wilson telling you about?"
"Whales," replied John, walking past her.
"Well, but is that all you can tell me, John?"
"Yes," replied John, walking away.
"At all events, Miss Emma, he keeps all his knowledge to himself,"
observed Captain Wilson, laughing.
"Yes; I shall know nothing about the whale-fishery, unless you will condescend to tell me yourself, that is evident," replied Emma, taking the offered arm of Captain Wilson, who, at her request, immediately resumed the subject.
In three weeks from the day of the action they had anch.o.r.ed off the town of Quebec.
As soon as they had anch.o.r.ed, Alfred obtained leave to go on board of the London Merchant, and then, for the first time, his family knew that he had been wounded. His arm was still in a sling, but was healing fast.
I shall pa.s.s over the numerous inquiries on his part, relative to their capture and recapture, and on theirs, as to the action with the French ship.
While they were in conversation, Captain Lumley was reported to be coming on board in his boat. They went on the deck of the vessel to receive him.
"Well, Mrs. Campbell," said Captain Lumley after the first salutations were over, "you must congratulate me on my having captured a vessel somewhat larger than my own; and I must congratulate you on the conduct and certain promotion of your son Alfred. He has richly deserved it."
"I am very thankful, Captain Lumley, and do most heartily congratulate you," replied Mrs. Campbell; "I only regret that my boy has been wounded."
"The very thing that you should, on the contrary, be thankful for, Mrs.
Campbell," replied Captain Lumley. "It is the most fortunate wound in the world, as it not only adds to his claims, but enables me to let him join you and go to Canada with you, without it being supposed that he has quitted the service."
"How so, Captain Lumley?"
"I can discharge him to sick-quarters here at Quebec. If they think any thing about it at all at home, it will be that his wound is much more severe than it really is; and he can remain on half-pay as long as he pleases. There are plenty ready to be employed. But I can not wait any longer. I am going on sh.o.r.e to call upon the Governor, and I thought I would just see you on my way. You may a.s.sure yourselves that if I can be of any use to you, I will not fail to exert any little influence I may have."
Captain Lumley then took a cordial leave of the whole party, telling Alfred that he might consider himself as discharged from the ship, and might rejoin his family.
"Heaven sends us friends when we most need them and least expect them,"
said Mrs. Campbell, as she watched the boat pulling away. "Who would have imagined, when we anch.o.r.ed at Cork, that such good fortune should have awaited us; and that, at the very time Alfred had given up his profession for our sake, his promotion in the service was awaiting him?"
Shortly afterward Mrs. Campbell and Henry went on sh.o.r.e with Captain Wilson to look out for lodgings, and present the letters of introduction which he had received for some Quebec merchants. As they were looking for lodgings in company with a Mr. Farquhar, who had kindly volunteered to a.s.sist them, they met Captain Lumley on his return from the Governor.
"I am glad to have met you, Mrs. Campbell," said Captain Lumley; "I found on paying my respects to the Governor, that there is what they call the Admiralty House here, which is kept furnished by Government for the senior officers of his Majesty"s ships. It is at my disposal; and as the Governor has requested me to take up my abode at Government House, I beg you will consider it at your service. You will find better accommodation there than in lodgings, and it will save you considerable expense."
"We need look no further, Mrs. Campbell," said Mr. Farquhar.
Mrs. Campbell expressed her acknowledgments to Captain Lumley, and returned on board with this pleasing intelligence.
"Oh, Alfred, how much we are indebted to you, my dear boy," said Mrs.
Campbell.
"To me, mother?--to Captain Lumley, I should rather think."
"Yes, to Captain Lumley, I grant; but still it has been your good conduct when under his command which has made him attached to you; and it is to that we owe his acquaintance, and all the kindness we have received from him."