The rules of the road at sea have been from time immemorial practically the same for sailing ships, and a vessel1 close hauled has the right of way of one going free on the wind. When the packet was first sighted she was running with the wind almost astern and making good time, as she tossed the white foam6 before her. Now, the Surprise was close hauled on the starboard tack7, and it would have required but a little careful sailing to bring her across the packet’s bows. The latter had flown a63 large English ensign, but Conyngham had shown no flag at all, although the big red and white striped ensign with the rattlesnake across the field lay on the deck ready to be hoisted8 to the peak.
Nearer and nearer the two vessels came. The helmsman on the packet was evidently perplexed9 as to the intentions of the approaching lugger, for he had swung his vessel off in order to give the latter room to cross his forefoot. But every time he did so the Surprise would luff a little, for it was Conyngham’s intention to get close under the packet’s stern and board her if possible without firing a shot.
The trick worked like magic. In a few minutes the Englishman was so close that the features of the helmsman could be seen distinctly. He was not in the least suspicious, for he gazed in silence at the approaching lugger, contemptuously smiling at her apparently11 clumsy sailing.
A man who had been walking up and down the deck came to the rail as if he supposed that the Surprise was about to hail him, and making ready to answer.
Conyngham had kept his men below well out of sight, though they were all armed with pistols and cutlasses ready to rush on deck at a given signal. Just before he came under the Englishman’s stern, he let go his sheets and swinging off suddenly, his bowsprit swept over the stranger’s taffrail, beneath which appeared the words “Prince of Orange” in big red letters. The cutter, whose sails, now deprived of the wind, flapped uselessly, lost headway. Another second, and the Surprise struck so gently that it hardly started the paint on her cutwater, a grapple was thrown on board, and from the forward64 hatch a score of men poured over the bows upon the other’s deck.
Captain Baxter, the English skipper, was in the cabin at breakfast with five passengers, four of them merchants and one a young secretary bearing dispatches to the Dutch Government, when the mate shouted through the transom that a strange vessel had run afoul of them, and that they were being boarded by pirates!
“Great heavens!” exclaimed one of the merchants in consternation12. “Pirates in the English Channel! Bless my soul, never!”
Before Captain Baxter could gain the foot of the companion-ladder a figure stepped into the cabin.
“Who are you, and what are you doing aboard my vessel?” roared the captain, reaching for a cutlass that hung from one of the berths13 that lined the sides.
“Hold! not so fast, my friend,” was the quiet answer. “Sure, it’s much better to take no unnecessary trouble. And my advice to you is to be as quiet as a mouse.”
As he spoke14, Conyngham shifted his hand to the butt15 of a pistol that protruded16 from under his long blue coat.
Though his words were lightly spoken, the Englishman saw a dangerous gleam in the captain’s dark eyes, and stood still, muttering.
“Are you a pirate?” he demanded, hoarsely17, at last.
“Far from that,” answered Conyngham, smiling and advancing farther into the little space. “If the gentlemen will seat themselves, I shall be glad to inform you of the circumstances. You are prisoners of the American cruiser Surprise, that I have the honor to command. But you need fear nothing, I assure you.”
A score of men poured over the bows.
65 “What is your name and under whose authority are you acting18?” demanded the young under-secretary, who had now found his tongue.
“My name is Conyngham,” was the reply, “and I am acting under authority of the president of the American Congress.”
“You will hang for it,” interposed one of the merchants. “I shall complain to the Government—such an outrage19, and in the English Channel, too!”
Conyngham smiled.
“You can write a letter to the Times if you see fit, my good sir,” he replied, “but at present there is no use of being bad-natured. Don’t allow me to disturb you in your meal, as I see you’ve just begun.”
At this moment a slight scuffle and some loud words came from the deck above. The captain again started to his feet.
“They’re securing the crew,” Conyngham said in explanation. “There is no use in making a fuss over the matter; we’re in complete possession. Be easy now.”
Just as he spoke the lank20 figure of the Yankee second mate appeared at the foot of the ladder. He saluted21 Conyngham, and grinned at the others as if enjoying their discomfiture22.
“I have to report, sir, that all’s well, and await your orders. There is one man we had to put into irons; the rest submitted quietly.”
“You see how matters stand, gentlemen,” Conyngham went on, “and before we cast off our lashings I shall have to ask you to accompany me to my vessel.”
“A most high-handed proceeding,” muttered the English merchant.
66 But his protestations were interrupted by the young secretary at this point.
“It’s always best,” said he, “to accept a bad position gracefully23, and I am sure if this gentleman,” he waved his hand toward Conyngham, “will allow us to remain on board here we shall much appreciate the favor. As for myself,” he added, “I will promise not to endeavor to escape. I am a bad swimmer at the best, and if our gallant24 friend, who, I perceive, at some time or other has been a subject of his Majesty25, will permit it, we should like to remain.”
“You certainly can do so, sir,” was the quiet reply, “and need not fear that I will disturb you; but as you seem to have lost your appetites, I shall first ask that you all come on deck.” With a polite bow he ushered26 the party to the companionway.
Perhaps he had divined the young Englishman’s purpose. At all events, the suspicion had crossed his mind that the latter only wished to obtain time to secrete27 or destroy some of the papers in the dispatch-box that showed beneath a locker28 on one side of the cabin. With some show of discontent, the party followed his suggestions, however, and went up on deck. Once there they could not conceal29 their surprise at the state of affairs. There was the strange vessel, that was but slightly larger than their own, still made fast to them, and rippling30 almost overhead was the big rattlesnake flag. Perhaps, despite Conyngham’s assurance, they had expected to see the Jolly Roger with the skull31 and cross-bones, and they were to all appearances relieved.
The English crew were all under hatches forward, and no one was in sight but five or six of the Surprise’s crew,67 who, to tell the truth, were piratical enough in appearance to belie32 even the striped flag.
Leaving a guard over his guests, Conyngham went below with the first mate and began a search of the cabin. When he came on deck again he plainly perceived the importance of his prize. But a complication had arisen that made him form his plans quickly. It would never do to delay the mails or interfere33 with the diplomatic correspondence intended for a friendly power, and there were letters for Prussia and Holland, besides those addressed to the British ambassador at Paris. The private property of the merchants was unmolested, but a report showed that the contents of the hold was of no little value, and under the usages of war it would be fair booty. So Conyngham ordered that Captain Baxter should accompany him on board the Surprise, and with ill grace the latter did so. After giving orders to the first mate, whom he left in command of the Prince of Orange, Conyngham ordered the two vessels to be cast loose from each other, and the course was laid southeast by east for Dunkirk once again. He realized that there would be a great row made upon his landing, but in view of the connivance34 of the French Government at the sale of the prizes brought in by Captain Wickes, that were allowed to be disposed of just outside the harbor limits of Nantes, he thought that with the aid of Franklin’s growing importance at the French court the Government would be more than lenient35 with him. He supposed at least they would allow him an opportunity to dispose of the vessel and its contents for what the commissioners36 in Paris most needed, namely, gold; and, thinking that he would place himself in a good position to ask any68 favors by his conduct in connection with the foreign mails, he held no anxiety concerning himself or his crew. Besides all this, he knew that in the commission that he held from Franklin he possessed37 a talisman38 that would save him from personal danger.
It had been his hope that he might fall in with one of the transports then engaged in carrying Hessian troops to America, and in the latter case he had decided39 upon two alternatives: one to make a prize of their vessel, even at the risk of recapture, and endeavor to get her into some American port, or to land them disarmed40 on the coast of France or Holland. But even the prospect41 of making another rich haul did not tempt10 him to remain longer on the cruising grounds. So, under all the sail he could carry, he laid his course for Dunkirk, the Prince of Orange staggering along in his wake.
That night it came on to blow, and in the darkness the two vessels were separated, so that at daylight of the next day nothing could be seen of the prize. The Channel was a gray, seething42 mass of flattened43 foam-tops.
At about noon a little brig was discovered laboring44 along making to the westward. The Surprise altered her course, and early in the afternoon had ranged alongside.
The wind was too high and the cross seas too boisterous45 to admit of lowering a boat, and the hails that were shouted through the speaking-trumpet could not be heard, so a shot was fired across the brig’s bow in order to make her show her flag. It was English! As soon as this was ascertained46 to be a fact, Captain Conyngham sailed boldly in under her lee, and once more the rattlesnake and the red and white stripes were tossed to the wind.
69 Another hail, accompanied by a second shot across the brig’s bows, and she hove to, lurching and plunging47. By working his vessel in still closer, even at the danger of colliding, Conyngham at last made himself understood, and on the threat of blowing the brig out of the water her captain obeyed the order to put her about and lay the course he was instructed to. At the same time he was told to hang a lantern over the stern and keep it lit all night. Then, like a constable48 following an unwilling49 prisoner, the Surprise trailed along, shortening sail in order to keep her position, and the brig, yawing and swinging uncomfortably as if loath50 to be on the move, preceded her. Before dark the wind had gone down and the sea abated51 enough for Conyngham to lower a boat and board his prize. She proved to be the Joseph, the property of English merchants, laden52 with silks and wine and bound for London. Placing a prize crew on board of her, this time the Surprise took the lead, and sailing noticeably better, the brig followed her. When day broke they were but a few leagues off the coast to the northward53 of Dunkirk, and to Conyngham’s delight he perceived a small vessel just to the south of him, and through the glass he could make her out to be the captured packet!
So good fortune had attended his first cruise, and with a hopeful and cheerful heart he sailed into the harbor. With his prizes close on either hand, he dropped anchor near to shore. Little did he know what a storm was to arise or what was to happen during the next few days. Perhaps if he had known, he would not have thought so much about the European mails.
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1
vessel
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| n.船舶；容器，器皿；管，导管，血管 | |
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vessels
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| n.血管( vessel的名词复数 )；船；容器；（具有特殊品质或接受特殊品质的）人 | |
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3
bowling
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| n.保龄球运动 | |
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westward
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| n.西方，西部；adj.西方的，向西的；adv.向西 | |
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cargo
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| n.(一只船或一架飞机运载的)货物 | |
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6
foam
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| v./n.泡沫，起泡沫 | |
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7
tack
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| n.大头钉；假缝，粗缝 | |
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8
hoisted
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| 把…吊起，升起( hoist的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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9
perplexed
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| adj.不知所措的 | |
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10
tempt
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| vt.引诱，勾引，吸引，引起…的兴趣 | |
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11
apparently
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| adv.显然地；表面上，似乎 | |
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12
consternation
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| n.大为吃惊，惊骇 | |
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13
berths
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| n.（船、列车等的）卧铺( berth的名词复数 )；（船舶的）停泊位或锚位；差事；船台vt.v.停泊( berth的第三人称单数 )；占铺位 | |
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14
spoke
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| n.（车轮的）辐条；轮辐；破坏某人的计划；阻挠某人的行动 v.讲，谈（speak的过去式）；说；演说；从某种观点来说 | |
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15
butt
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| n.笑柄；烟蒂；枪托；臀部；v.用头撞或顶 | |
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16
protruded
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| v.（使某物）伸出，（使某物）突出( protrude的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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17
hoarsely
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| adv.嘶哑地 | |
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acting
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| n.演戏，行为，假装；adj.代理的，临时的，演出用的 | |
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outrage
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| n.暴行，侮辱，愤怒；vt.凌辱，激怒 | |
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20
lank
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| adj.瘦削的；稀疏的 | |
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saluted
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| v.欢迎，致敬( salute的过去式和过去分词 )；赞扬，赞颂 | |
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22
discomfiture
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| n.崩溃；大败；挫败；困惑 | |
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23
gracefully
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| ad.大大方方地；优美地 | |
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24
gallant
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| adj.英勇的，豪侠的；(向女人)献殷勤的 | |
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25
majesty
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| n.雄伟，壮丽，庄严，威严；最高权威，王权 | |
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26
ushered
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| v.引，领，陪同( usher的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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27
secrete
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| vt.分泌；隐匿，使隐秘 | |
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28
locker
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| n.更衣箱，储物柜，冷藏室，上锁的人 | |
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29
conceal
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| v.隐藏，隐瞒，隐蔽 | |
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30
rippling
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| 起涟漪的，潺潺流水般声音的 | |
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skull
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| n.头骨；颅骨 | |
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32
belie
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| v.掩饰，证明为假 | |
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33
interfere
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| v.(in)干涉，干预；(with)妨碍，打扰 | |
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34
connivance
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| n.纵容；默许 | |
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35
lenient
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| adj.宽大的，仁慈的 | |
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36
commissioners
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| n.专员( commissioner的名词复数 )；长官；委员；政府部门的长官 | |
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37
possessed
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| adj.疯狂的；拥有的，占有的 | |
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38
talisman
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| n.避邪物，护身符 | |
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39
decided
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| adj.决定了的，坚决的；明显的，明确的 | |
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40
disarmed
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| v.裁军( disarm的过去式和过去分词 )；使息怒 | |
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41
prospect
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| n.前景，前途；景色，视野 | |
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42
seething
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| 沸腾的，火热的 | |
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43
flattened
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| [医]（水）平扁的，弄平的 | |
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44
laboring
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| n.劳动，操劳v.努力争取(for)( labor的现在分词 )；苦干；详细分析；（指引擎）缓慢而困难地运转 | |
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45
boisterous
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| adj.喧闹的，欢闹的 | |
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46
ascertained
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| v.弄清，确定，查明( ascertain的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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47
plunging
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| adj.跳进的，突进的v.颠簸( plunge的现在分词 )；暴跌；骤降；突降 | |
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48
constable
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| n.(英国)警察，警官 | |
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49
unwilling
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| adj.不情愿的 | |
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50
loath
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| adj.不愿意的；勉强的 | |
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51
abated
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| 减少( abate的过去式和过去分词 )； 减去； 降价； 撤消（诉讼） | |
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52
laden
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| adj.装满了的；充满了的；负了重担的；苦恼的 | |
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53
northward
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| adv.向北；n.北方的地区 | |
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