One of Clive's Heroes: A Story of the Fight for IndiaStrang, Herbert
History
One of Clive's Heroes: A Story of the Fight for India
Strang, Herbert
Adventure stories; British -- India -- Juvenile fiction; India -- History -- 18th century -- Juvenile fiction
The _Good Intent_ dropped anchor off the jetty running out from the
docks north of the fort. Captain Barker had already given orders that
no shore leave was to be allowed to the crew, and as soon as he had
stepped into the long-boat, accompanied by Diggle, the men’s discontent
broke forth in angry imprecations, which Mr. Toley wisely affected not
to hear.
No time was lost in unloading the portion of the cargo intended for
Angria. The goods were carried along the jetty by stalwart Marathas
clad only in loin-cloths, to be stored in rude cabins with penthouse
roofs. As Desmond knew, the heavy chests that taxed the strength of the
bearers contained for the most part muskets and ammunition. The work
went on for the greater part of the day, and at nightfall neither the
captain nor Diggle had returned to the vessel.
Next day a large quantity of Indian produce was taken on board. Desmond
noticed that as the bales and casks reached the deck, some of the crew
were told off to remove all marks from them.
"What’s that for?" repeated Bulger, in reply to a question of Desmond’s.
"Why, ’cos if the ship came to be overhauled by a Company’s vessel, it
would tell tales if the cargo had Company’s marks on it. That wouldn’t
do by no manner o’ means."
"But how should they get Company’s marks on them?"
Bulger winked.
"You’re raw yet, Burke," he said. "You’ll know quite as much as is good
for you by the time you’ve made another voyage or two in the _Good
Intent_."
"But I don’t intend to make another voyage in her. Mr. Diggle promised
to get me employment in the country."
"What? You still believes in that there Diggle? Well, I don’t want to
hurt no feelin’s, and I may be wrong, but I’ll lay my bottom dollar
Diggle won’t do a hand’s turn for you."
The second day passed, and in the evening Captain Barker, who had
hitherto left Mr. Toley in charge, came aboard in high good humour.
"I may be wrong," remarked Bulger, "but judgin’ by cap’n’s face, he’ve
been an’ choused the Pirate--got twice the vally o’ the goods he’s
landed."
"I wonder where Mr. Diggle is?" said Desmond.
"You en’t no call to mourn for him, I tell you. He’s an old friend of
the Pirate, don’t make no mistake; neither you nor me will be any the
worse for not seein’ his grinnin’ phiz no more. Thank your stars he’ve
left you alone for the last part of the voyage, which I wonder at, all
the same."
Next day all was bustle on board in preparation for sailing. In the
afternoon a peon[#] came hurrying along the jetty, boarded the vessel,
and handed a note to the captain, who read it, tore it up, and dismissed
the messenger. He went down to his cabin, and coming up a few minutes
later, cried:
[#] Messenger.
"Where’s that boy Burke?"
"Here, sir," cried Desmond, starting up from the place where, in
Bulger’s company, he had been splicing a rope.
"Idling away your time as usual, of course. Here, take this chit[#] and
run ashore. ’Tis for Mr. Diggle, as you can see if you can read."
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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