Great Britain -- History, Naval -- 19th century -- Fiction; Napoleonic Wars, 1800-1815 -- Fiction
Before morning we were again at anchor in the Rendezvous Bay, and the
tents were pitched as before. We remained there for more than a
fortnight, during which my intimacy with the captain was even greater
than before. He appeared to endeavour to do all in his power to restore
my confidence in him, and he succeeded. Still, I must say, that I began
to be weary of this sort of life. My dreams were ever of murder and
bloodshed; and more than once I felt inclined to make my escape: but I
had promised, and the remembrance of my promise prevented me.
One afternoon the man on the look-out made the usual signal for a vessel
in sight. Vincent went up immediately, and I followed him. It was a
schooner, very long, with very taut, raking masts. Vincent examined her
for some time, and then gave me the glass, and asked me what I thought
of her. I replied, that I thought she was a man-of-war schooner.
"You are right," said he, "I know her well; it is the Arrow, and she has
come out to cruise for me. This is the third time that she has been
sent after me. Once we exchanged a few broadsides, but another
man-of-war hove in sight, and I was compelled to leave her. She shall
not accuse me of running from her, now that she is alone, and by
to-morrow morning I will give her the opportunity of making the report
of my capture if she can; but if I capture her, you may guess the rest."
We remained till nearly sunset watching the motions of the schooner.
Vincent then went down the hill to give orders for sailing, leaving me
with the glass. I again directed it to the schooner, and perceived that
she was making signals.
Then she is not alone, thought I; and Vincent may not capture her quite
so easily as he expects. I looked in vain for the other vessel; I could
not see her; I therefore concluded that she must be somewhere under the
land, and hidden by it from my sight.
The signals were repeated till dusk when I went down the hill, and found
that all was bustle and activity, Vincent superintending himself the
preparations for sailing. I did not interrupt him to tell him that I
had perceived the schooner making signals. I had an idea, somehow or
another, that I should regain my liberty, and was as anxious as Vincent
that the Stella should be under weigh.
Before ten o'clock everything was ready. Vincent had told his men that
the English man-of-war schooner was outside, and that he intended to
fight her; the men appeared delighted at the proposal, and as resolute
and determined as men should be.
As soon as the Stella was clear of the bay, everything was got ready for
action, and I must say that nothing could be more rapid or more quiet
than their movements. We stood out until we had gained an offing of
five miles, and then made a reach along the shore towards the Havannah.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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