The Pirate, and The Three CuttersMarryat, Frederick
General
The Pirate, and The Three Cutters
Marryat, Frederick
Great Britain. Royal Navy -- Fiction; Pirates -- Fiction; Sea stories; Seafaring life -- Fiction; Smugglers -- Fiction
'My lord, I am quite satisfied with what you have said; and I only hope
that, in future, you will not interfere with a poor smuggler, who may be
striving, by a life of danger and privation, to procure subsistence for
himself, and, perhaps, his family. I stated to these ladies my intention
of anchoring the yacht this night at Cowes, and leaving her as soon as
she was in safety. Your unexpected presence will only make this
difference, which is, that I must previously obtain your lordship's
assurance that those with you will allow me and my men to quit her
without molestation, after we have performed this service.'
'I pledge you my word, Mr. Pickersgill, and I thank you into the
bargain. I trust you will allow me to offer some remuneration.'
'Most certainly not, my lord.'
'At all events, Mr. Pickersgill, if, at any other time, I can be of
service, you may command me.'
Pickersgill made no reply.
'Surely, Mr. Pickersgill----'
'Pickersgill! how I hate that name!' said the smuggler, musing. 'I beg
your lordship's pardon--if I may require your assistance for any of my
unfortunate companions----'
'Not for yourself, Mr. Pickersgill?' said Mrs. Lascelles.
'Madam, I smuggle no more.'
'For the pleasure I feel in hearing that resolution, Mr. Pickersgill,'
said Cecilia, 'take my hand and thanks.'
'And mine,' said Mrs. Lascelles, half crying.
'And mine too,' said Lord B., rising up.
Pickersgill passed the back of his hand across his eyes, turned round,
and left the cabin.
'I'm so happy!' said Mrs. Lascelles, bursting into tears.
'He's a magnificent fellow,' observed Lord B. 'Come, let us all go on
deck.'
'You have not seen my aunt, papa.'
'True; I'll go in to her, and then follow you.'
The ladies went up on deck. Cecilia entered into conversation with Mr.
Stewart, giving him a narrative of what had happened. Mrs. Lascelles sat
abaft at the taffrail, with her pretty hand supporting her cheek,
looking very much _à la Juliette_.
'Mrs. Lascelles,' said Pickersgill, 'before we part, allow me to
observe, that it is _you_ who have induced me to give up my
profession----'
'Why me, Mr. Pickersgill?'
'You said that you did not like it'
Mrs. Lascelles felt the force of the compliment. 'You said just now that
you hated the name of Pickersgill: why do you call yourself so?'
'It was my smuggling name, Mrs. Lascelles.'
'And now that you have left off smuggling, pray what may be the name we
are to call you by?'
'I cannot resume it till I have not only left this vessel, but shaken
hands with, and bid farewell to, my companions; and by that time, Mrs.
Lascelles, I shall be away from you.'
'But I've a great curiosity to know it; and a lady's curiosity must be
gratified. You must call upon me some day, and tell it me. Here is my
address.'
Pickersgill received the card with a low bow: and Lord B. coming on
deck, Mrs. Lascelles hastened to meet him.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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