Part 13

"I quickly left a place that had become detestable; and for the first time since my boyhood I visited that part of the coast near which was situated the dwelling of my family. Here I learned that my affectionate parents had long since mingled with the dust, leaving their hopeful heir, hated by all the neighbourhood for his detestable deeds and tyrannical disposition, the inheritor of their property. Finding that he had committed offences that deserved summary punishment, without asking his permission I brought him to trial: his guilt was undeniable; and I thought the ends of justice would be best accomplished if I turned him over for punishment to the people whom he had so cruelly wronged. What they did with him I do not exactly know, but I never heard of him afterwards. I then took possession of the old house,--had many alterations made in it, the more completely to fit it for my purpose--managed the approaches so as to render it inaccessible to all but friends, and used it as an asylum after my piratical expeditions. By Boor's assistance I carried on the same game which had made me famous in the Indian Seas, and with the same effect. The mere mentioning my name struck terror into the hearts of merchant-captains and their crews--all the feeble were frightened, and all the bold were in pursuit. But Boor by this time had become rich, and fancying that his connection with me was too hazardous to be continued any longer, after some fresh act of daring upon my part, when the whole coast seemed up in arms against me, as I ascertained, he gave secret information as to where I was most likely to be found. An expedition of several well armed ships was immediately fitted out, of which I had timely notice from another quarter, and sought to avoid; but when I thought I had given them the slip, and was bearing down upon what I imagined was a rich merchant vessel, I discovered that I was approaching into the very net from which I was most desirous of escaping; and was obliged to put up every stitch of canvass, and make use of every manoeuvre in the hope of getting away. My ship was a splendid sailer; but I found myself held in chase by vessels whose powers were equal to hers, and I should have inevitably been taken or killed in the struggle: but in the night a terrific storm came on; and as I was creeping along-shore, with the hope of avoiding the ships in chase, knowing that they would keep out at sea, she struck on a rock, in a short time went to pieces, and of all the crew none were saved but myself, my lieutenant, and my clerk.

"This catastrophe would have been enough to have damped the energies of any man; but I was made of different stuff. I had got some money about me, which I knew would be a letter of recommendation in any part of the world; so when we got on shore we lived in some sort of style, and there I fell in with one Captain Compass--a foolish, communicative creature, from whom I learned that he was going to Columbus, with the intention of endeavouring to get the command of one of the ships belonging to Master Porphyry the rich merchant, to whom he had strong letters of recommendation. By mutual consent we travelled together, and at the first favourable moment I took charge of his letters, and my lieutenant took charge of him. I lost no time in presenting myself with my credentials to Master Porphyry, by whom I was placed in the command of the Albatross--a vessel which, from the first moment I saw it, I had the strongest inclination to appropriate. I found that nothing could be done during the voyage to Africa; but upon my arrival at Caffreton I sought my old associate Boor, by whom I had been given over as lost, but whom the prospect of getting a rich cargo on the most advantageous terms induced to assist me as far as he was able. When my arrangements were completed, I called upon him, as he thought, to settle about the amount to be paid, but as I knew to put into execution a plan I had devised to punish him for his treachery. I was shown as usual into a little room at the back of his office, in which I had noticed a large iron cupboard wherein he secured his valuables. He kept haggling with me some time, and at last the price was agreed upon, and he gave me the money. Before he had the slightest suspicion of my intentions, I suddenly caught hold of him by the throat till I had squeezed the breath out of his wretched body: his struggles were feeble, and he hadn't time to utter a cry. I quickly thrust the lifeless carcass into the iron cupboard, locked it, put the key in my pocket, and walked away as if nothing had happened.

"Of what followed after I got on board, none of you here want being told; and I have only to add to those who are now my prisoners, that Master Porphyry I keep alive, because I consider it my interest to do so, and tell him, that if he falls into my plans he will insure his own safety and that of his companions; if he opposes them, he must expect to meet with the fate of hundreds who have preceded him."

Oriel Porphyry looked proudly, and made no reply.

"Well, captain, that is the most interesting 'munication that ever was--isn't it, Master Log?" inquired the lieutenant.

"Interesting--interesting!" exclaimed the captain's clerk, aroused from his sleep, and rubbing his drowsy eyes--"most interesting--most cruelly interesting--upon my word most ferociously interesting, Mister Scrum--I mean Lieutenant Rifle."

CHAP. X.

THE PIRATE'S RETREAT.

The Albatross was creeping up the Mozambique channel, with her captain at her helm, who showed an extraordinary degree of knowledge of the coast, piloting the ship through narrow passages lined with breakers, and surrounded by stupendous rocks, amid which the waves kept lashing each other into foam on every side. Threading the mazes of this intricate labyrinth, the ship was borne through a long opening between huge masses of granite, in which it seemed utterly impossible for any vessel to keep afloat, and then entered a snug little bay, perfectly concealed from observation by passing ships by the surrounding rocks, and there she cast anchor. Boats were let down, and the prisoners, well guarded, were taken ashore. Upon landing, they found themselves upon a clean shingly beach, leading to a soil of exceeding verdure, where trees of immense proportions bowed their luxuriant heads to the passing breeze; and parasitical and creeping plants, of wonderful variety and beautiful appearance, twisted and twined among the rocks, and over the gigantic trees. There the bread-fruit tree spread its welcome burden, and the raven palm held out its green abundance. Further on, the cocoa-nut bent down its branches, overladen with their grateful fruit--while limes, oranges, tamarinds, and figs, on every side, offered their refreshing stores. Among the flowering plants, the most remarkable was the _anramatico_, whose bell-shaped flower contained nearly half a gallon of water, always pure and fresh, and whose excellent fruit was formed like a cup and cover. Among these, several flamingoes were noticed, in their scarlet liveries, like sentinels upon duty--and troops of gaudy paroquets were chattering among the branches of the trees. There the green lizard ran along the bank, and the grey chameleon glided among the boughs.

The party proceeded on through fields of maize, rice, sugar-canes, yams, and bananas, into a thick forest of gloomy trees, from among which they disturbed the wild hogs at their roots, and the monkeys in their branches--occasionally they would meet with a porcupine, or a babyroussa--and more than once they came upon a troop of bisons, or a stray zebra, who were munching the green herbage. Flocks of pigeons were flying wildly about, and innumerable singing birds were endeavouring to create a living harmony in the forest. After proceeding in this manner about a mile, the captain and his followers began to ascend a steep rock, covered with every species of tropical verdure, and they passed, with increasing difficulty, from precipice to precipice till they came to an immense black chasm that yawned fearfully before them. Over this there was no passing. Here the captain fired a pistol, and the report, reverberating through the hollow rocks, was repeated with a thousand echoes, that called up from the dreary depths of the abyss flights of monstrous bats, several hawks, and two or three gigantic eagles, that whirled round and round over the heads of the intruders, and then disappeared in various directions. Immediately afterwards a troop of armed men, of the dark olive complexion of the country, clad in loose tunics, and lower garments reaching to the knee--with naked legs and arms--were seen descending the rock on the other side; and, as soon as they noticed the captain, they set up a cry of welcome, and danced and shouted in joyful recognition.

They immediately threw a thick rope across the chasm, which was made fast to a neighbouring tree--another rope was fastened within a foot of it--over these, two strong hoops were sent across, connected with each other, and affixed to a strong rope, and by resting the body within these, and holding the ropes by the arms, each individual of the party was dragged in safety to the other side of the rock. From thence they proceeded along a narrow path cut in the rock, winding upwards to the top, and then descended on the other side, where, at the foot of the descent, they beheld a low, heavy, antique mansion, strongly built, and almost hid among plantations of the raven palm. Here they were joined by several more of the same sort of men as those by whom they had been assisted over the chasm; and the delight they evinced at the return of their master was equally noisy and wild as that previously shown by their companions.

"Welcome, gentlemen," said the captain, turning to his prisoners, "welcome to my humble abode. It does not look so imposing as the mansions to which some of you have been accustomed, but I think you will find in it every thing likely to make your captivity endurable."

"Your abode looks most invitingly, noble captain," observed Zabra, apparently much delighted; "and if the interior accord with the promise of what we see, I doubt much if either of us will have any desire to quit its attractions."

Oriel Porphyry glanced angrily upon his friend, and again a suspicion of treachery entered his mind; but his attention was soon directed into another channel, when, upon entering the house, he found it fitted up in the most sumptuous style of Eastern taste. The spacious rooms were floored with marble, that threw a delicious coolness into the atmosphere, and flowers growing out of beautiful vases filled the air with fragrance. Here were ottomans and couches to attract the indolent--and at the open windows the grapes hung in clusters to tempt the thirsty. All the furniture was costly and elegant, and every room breathed an air of luxurious enjoyment.

Here the pirate chief kept his prisoners closely watched, but allowed them every comfort that his house afforded. The wounded men were carefully attended to; and through the skill of Doctor Tourniquet, and the benefit they derived from strolling about in the neighbourhood, which they were allowed to do when well guarded, they became convalescent. Zabra was more than ever in favour with the captain, and, by the same attractions, gained the good will of every one of the wild gang whom he commanded. They let him go where he pleased, and do as he pleased; and he had excited so complete a confidence in his captors, that they left him to roam about unguarded at all times, when the rest were watched with the most jealous care. Not only was he allowed this indulgence, but they showed him all the secrets of their retreat; conducted him into subterranean caves, where piles of the most valuable merchandise were stored, and led him into the vaults where their ammunition and weapons, in great abundance, were laid up ready for use. He also went several times with them from the house to the ship, till he could find his way alone.

Oriel Porphyry was not long allowed to remain in ignorance of the conditions upon which his life and the lives of his companions might be preserved; and these were, that he should sail in the Albatross on his destination, as if nothing had transpired--negotiate a sale of the merchandise it contained--and betray into the captain's hands such of his father's ships as he might meet with on his voyage. These proposals were immediately spurned; but the entreaties of Doctor Tourniquet and the professor, and his own consideration for the poor men whose safety was in his hands, at last induced him to adopt a temporising policy. He seemed to listen with some attention to the captain's propositions, and, as the pirates thought, not unwillingly; but he was only waiting for an opportunity to attempt some desperate struggle, by which the liberation of himself and friends might be effected. This apparent acquiescence gained for him a greater degree of liberty, and a less strict surveillance, than he had previously known; and then, when they found themselves entirely free from observation, Zabra and he often met together, and had long and earnest conferences. Zabra, too, took every opportunity to converse with Hearty and the others, who had recovered from their wounds, and all seemed to listen to him with extraordinary interest. These men had intimated to the captain, that they had no objection to join his band on condition that they were not separated from Master Porphyry; and as they associated with the pirates, with every appearance of sociality and sincerity, the captain, though he did not then allow their request, left them in a less guarded state than he had previously done. Then Zabra's communications with them became more frequent, and their conferences with one another appeared to increase in interest.

One day, when the captain, and about half his band, had gone out shooting wild hogs in the adjacent woods, the rest of the pirates, with their prisoners, were mingled together, talking and joking, and amusing themselves among the trees at the back of the house, and Hearty was looking anxiously every now and then as if he was waiting for some one to join his party. His companions also shared in the laugh, and in the sport which was proceeding, but it seemed as if their thoughts were otherwise employed. They were evidently inattentive to what was going on around them. They evinced a restlessness--an anxiety--an impatience not characteristic of men engaged in amusement; and now and then looks passed between them in which there appeared more meaning than was visible to the others. But the pirates heeded not these things. They thought only of the sport in which they were occupied; and being well armed, and much out-numbering their prisoners, who were without weapons, they had not the slightest fear or expectation of their attempting an escape. At last the boy Loop was observed turning the corner of the house, carrying a heavy bundle on his head. As soon as he was seen, Hearty and his companions hastily put their right arms into the upper part of their vests, each produced a pistol, and in an instant eight or ten of the pirates fell dead or wounded at their feet. With a shout, the sailors rushed towards the boy Loop, whose bundle, containing weapons, was soon appropriated, and then, amid yells and imprecations, cheers and shouts, there commenced a war of extermination between the two parties. The pirates were taken quite by surprise, and were put in confusion by the fierceness and suddenness of the attack. They still outnumbered their opponents, but while they gathered together, and were seeking to revenge their fallen comrades, a discharge of fire-arms in their rear from Oriel Porphyry, Zabra, Doctor Tourniquet, and the professor, still more diminished their numbers, and still more distracted their attention. They were not allowed a moment of inaction. At once from both sides came the attack. Pistols were only discharged, when it was almost impossible to miss; but the chief weapon was the sword, and with this Hearty, Boggle, Climberkin, and Ardent, well backed by their companions, and Oriel Porphyry, closely followed by Zabra, Fortyfolios, and the doctor, cut down all who opposed them. The conflict was fierce. Oriel Porphyry displayed an energy that nothing could resist. He hewed his way through the thickest of his foes, and they fell like reeds before his sword; while a stern scorn was breathing from his handsome features, and his fine manly figure seemed to dilate with the pride of conscious power. Close to his side came Zabra, whose exertions were not so effective; but his object seemed more to be to defend Oriel than to attack the pirates. Several times the arm that threatened the destruction of the young merchant was rendered powerless by the ready interference of his youthful friend, and the pistol levelled at his head dropped harmless to the ground. It soon became a struggle of man to man. Each singled out his opponent, and when he was disposed of, looked out for another. In a few minutes the state of the parties had changed exceedingly. A great number of the pirates had fallen, and the rest, unable to withstand the fierceness of the encounter, appeared desirous of making their escape. They were pressed so closely, that only three out of the whole band got away, and each of these was severely wounded.

"Now, my brave fellows, we have not a moment to lose," exclaimed Oriel Porphyry. "Zabra, you will lead the way. Climberkin, you are much hurt, I'm afraid?"

"O, it's nothing, sir," replied the man cheerfully, although he was bleeding from several deep gashes: "we've nearly all got a few scratches; but I wouldn't have cared being cut to pieces, now I behold these blood-thirsty villains so reg'larly done for."

"Well, we must get forward, or the others may be upon us. Let every one look to his weapons, and be in readiness to use them. You go on, Zabra: I will follow you in a few minutes."

The young merchant hastily re-entered the house, while the others proceeded up the acclivity, and before they reached the top, he joined them. "Hullo, my friends!" he cried, with a face glowing with excitement: "just take one parting glance at this den of infamy, and I will stake my existence it will give you pleasure."

They had scarcely turned round for the purpose of complying with this request, when they observed flames issuing from the windows of the house. In so dry a climate fire burnt rapidly, and very quickly the whole place was a sheet of flame. While they were gazing, a loud noise like an earthquake shook the ground upon which they stood, and they beheld the house lifted up high into the air--the walls crack--the timbers split into pieces--and in a moment the retreat of the pirates was a mass of smoking ruins, and the air was darkened with a thick smoke and a shower of ashes. The men gave three hearty cheers, and proceeded merrily on their way. They descended the mountain till they came to the chasm where the rude bridge they had previously used remained. First, Hearty got within the hoops, and with the assistance of the ropes dragged himself across: when the hoops were pulled back, each in succession passed over; and the last was in the act of crossing as the pirate chief and the rest of his followers appeared upon the summit of the mountain. A yell of mingled ferocity and hatred arose as they witnessed the escape of their prisoners; and with malignity in their eyes and curses on their lips, they, as rapidly as possible, commenced descending the rock with the intention of overtaking the fugitives.

"Cut the ropes! cut the ropes!" shouted Oriel, and in an instant the swords of all the party were hacking at the thick twists of hemp; and as the pirates descended on the other side they were severed, and the ends fell into the abyss. A volley of pistol bullets and a chorus of imprecations arose from the enraged and baffled villains, but they did no mischief, and they were only answered by a triumphant cheer from the crew of the Albatross. The fugitives now rapidly pursued their way till they came to the sea shore, where they found two boats high and dry; these were immediately launched into the sea, and pulling the oars vigorously, they were soon by the side of the Albatross. There were not above half a dozen of the pirates left in charge of the ship, but these had noticed the approach of the boats, and seeing who they contained, were prepared to give them a hostile reception. A gun was brought to bear upon them--they saw it pointed--fired--and in the next moment the shot whizzed over their heads. With another cheer of triumph the brave fellows mounted the ship's side. Every obstacle was used to prevent their boarding, and the few who were in the ship, from the determination with which they defended it, seemed likely still to remain its masters. At this instant, when Oriel and his party were unavailingly attempting to make good a footing upon the deck, assistance came from a quarter from whence any thing so welcome had never been anticipated.

Roly Poly was pursuing his avocations in the cook-house when he heard the affray, and looking out observed exactly the state of the opposing parties. By him the pirates had never been regarded with any thing like affection. They had treated him with great disrespect. They esteemed not his art, and spoke contemptuously of his skill. His resolve was soon made, and as quickly executed. Dipping a mop in a copper of boiling water, in which his cookery was going on, he hurried as fast as his fat limbs could carry him upon deck.

"See how Roly Poly come to 'sist him friends," cried he, exultingly, as he began to use his strange weapon among the pirates with a dexterity that scattered them right and left. "Ha! you call my boofliful puddin' 'choke dog'--take dat you libellious vagabone," and with a forcible sweep the scalding mop descended upon his face, sending him howling off his heels. "Ha! you say my lumptious soup wishy-washy,--take dat, you ignrant jackmorass!" and a resistless blow upon the ear levelled him with his companion, yelling with pain; and thus he proceeded till he had cleared a way for Oriel Porphyry and his coadjutors, who quickly silenced all opposition. "I hab you now, you fellar!" shouted Roly Poly, striding in triumph over one of his victims, and seemingly intent upon ramming the scalding mop down the man's throat. "Like your imprence, I tink, you fellar! to go for to say I boil sich nice puddin I make, in nassy dishcloth!"

"Hubble, bubble, hubble, bloo!" said the choking wretch.

"Now I gib you puddin debblis nice, you fellar!" cried the fat cook, ramming away with all his might.

"Hobble, a bobble, a gobble, a gloo!" were the only sounds that were heard in reply.

"Dis nebber boil in nassy dishcloth, you fellar!"

"Grow, a row, a row, ow, oo, oo, oo!"

"Like your 'bominable imprence, you fellar!"

"Rug, a rug, a glug."

"Take debblis good care you nebber say no more sich diclus impossumbilties. Ha! him dead as herrin' now," observed the unrelenting negro; and then adding, "But serb him berry right--berry right, indeed--a fellar!" he shouldered his mop, and turned on his heel.

"Up with the anchor, and get out to sea as fast as you can," exclaimed Oriel Porphyry.

"If I might advise, sir," said Hearty, respectfully, "I should recommend an unkimmon deal o' care in steerin through these shallows. I paid 'ticular notice when we entered this here rascally neighbourhood. I've a notion them varmint never had sich a reglar spiflification since they commenced their murderin rigs--and I'm sartan sure the ship'll be lost if we don't look out pretty sharpish."

"Well, what is best to be done?" asked Oriel. "You, of all of us, are best acquainted with these matters--what do you advise."