On the morning of the day that the above arrangement was made by the parties concerned, Captain Hazard observed that Morton had despatched his breakfast very hastily, and was on deck, waiting for his boat's crew to finish their meal, long before the Captain and Mr. Coffin1 had shown any symptoms of pausing in their discussion of salt beef, coffee, and pilot bread.
"What can be the matter with Mr. Morton lately?" said the old seaman2 to his second officer; "he was never so fond of going ashore3 anywhere else, and now here he's off and into his boat, like a struck black-fish."
"Why, I some expect," said Coffin, "there's a petticoat in the wind."
"The devil! who?"
"Well, I rather guess it's that pretty blue-eyed, English-looking girl, that came on board with old Don Blow-me-down, when he first came in here."
"They say she's Don Strombolo's niece."
"They may tell that to the marines; she don't look no more like the rest on 'em than the devil looks like a parson."
"I don't know" said Coffin gravely, "how the devil looks; but they say he can put on the appearance of an angel of light, and I don't see why 'taint5 jist as easy for him to put on a black coat, and come the parson over us poor sinners."
"Well, well; she's a sweet pretty girl, and looks kind o' as though she wasn't over and above in good spirits."
"Well, now; I some guess I know a little something about that."
"Why how the d---- did you come to make yourself busy?"
"Why, you see, there's an old woman keeps a pulparia[1] close to the old Don's rookery."
"Hum! so, Mr. Sam Coffin, when you're cruising for information, you overhaul6 the women's papers first and foremost."
"Why you see, Captain Hazard, if you ask one of these men here a civil question, all you can get out of the critter is that d--d 'quien sabe,' and blast the any thing else."
"Can sarvy! why that sounds like Chinaman's talk; what does it mean?"
"It means 'who knows,' and that's the way they answer pretty much all questions."
"Well, what was't you was going to say about the girl?"
"Well, the old woman told me the girl's mother was an Englishwoman."
"I told you she wasn't clear Spanish--and being a girl, so, why she takes altogether after the mother."
"And the old woman said furdermore, that her mother wasn't a Catholic; she was a what-d'ye-call-'em."
"A Protestant, I s'pose you mean."
"Yes, yes, a Protestant--that's it. Well, you see, her mother did not die till this girl, her darter, was nigh upon sixteen years old, and it's like the old lady eddicated her arter the same religion she was brought up in herself."
"Aye, now I begin to see into it all."
"Well, so you see, as nigh as I can make out, for the old woman wouldn't talk right out--only kept hinting along like."
"Hum! a woman generally can hint a d--d sight more than when she speaks right out."
"Well, so it seems this Isabella, being half English and whole Protestant, won't exactly steer7 by their compass in religious matters."
"Poor girl! poor innocent little creature!"
"Well, I got a talking 'long with the old woman, and, arter a good deal of trouble, I got hold of pretty much the whole history about this 'ere girl. So she told me, amongst other things, that the girl's uncle wanted her to marry one of them officers that was aboard that day."
"Which of them?"
"That thundering cockroach-legged thief, that was copper-fastened with gold lace and brass8 buttons chock up to his ears, with a thundering great broadsword triced up to his larboard quarter and slung9 with brass chains."
"Ah! I recollect him."
"And so do I, blast his profile. He cut more capers10 than the third mate of a Guineaman over a dead nigger, and went skylarking about decks like a monkey in a china-shop."
"I took notice that he looked marline-spikes at Mr. Morton for paying so much attention to the girl."
"Aye, that he did; but I worked him a traverse in middle latitude11, sailing on that tack12. I got him and the rest on 'em into the steerage, and Mr. Morton and the girl had a good half hour's discourse13 to themselves in the cabin."
"I should be sorry to have Mr. Morton try to engage the poor girl's affections; and if I thought he had any improper14 intentions towards her, I would go ashore immediately, and speak to the old governor about it."
"Well now, Captain Hazard, I guess there isn't no danger on that tack. Mr. Morton may go adrift now and then among the girls, and where's the man that doesn't? No, no; Charlie Morton isn't none of them sort that would gain a poor girl's affections only to ruin her. No no; he's too honorable and noble-spirited for such a rascally15 action as that."
"Well, I am of your opinion. So now, Mr. Coffin, we'll set up our fore-rigging for a full do; for we must sail Wednesday evening, right or wrong."
"Ay, ay, sir."
When Morton returned to the ship at night, he hastened to lay before Captain Hazard the history of his love, and his plans for bringing it to a successful crisis, declaring that his intentions were strictly16 honorable, and that the lady might easily pass upon the crew as a passenger. The old seaman heard him to an end, as he urged his request with all the fervor17 of youthful eloquence18 and love; and, having scratched his head for a while, as if to rouse himself, and be convinced that he was awake, replied:
"A queer sort of business this altogether, my son; I don't exactly know what to make of it--what will your father say to your bringing home a young cow-whale, in addition to your share of the oil?"
"Make yourself easy on that score, my dear sir; I know my father wishes to have me quit going to sea, and marry."
"Yes, but is not a wife, brought into your family in this way, liable to be looked upon as a sort of contraband19 article--run goods like?"
"I am not much afraid of that, on my father's part," said Morton; "and if," he continued, laughing, "if the grave old ladies of my acquaintance find fault, I can quiet them in a moment, by quoting the conduct of the tribe of Benjamin, in a similar situation, by way of precedent20."
"Ah, Charlie! your scheme, I am afraid, is all top-hamper, and no ballast; wont21 the enemy give chase? I am sure that Don--Don--what's his name, that young officer, more than suspects your good standing22 in the young lady's affections: wont he alarm the coast, and put the old folks up to rowing guard round her, so that you can't communicate? Ay, that he will."
"Trust me for that, sir; if I cannot weather upon any Spaniard that ever went unhanged, either Creole or old Castilian, I'll agree to go to the mines for life."
"Don't be too rash, my dear boy; though the Spaniards are only courageous23 behind shot-proof walls, and when they number three to one, they are deceitful as well as cruel; and, if their suspicions are once excited, they will murder you at once, and her too, poor girl! and think they are doing God service, because you are both Protestants."
"I can only repeat, trust to my prudence24 and management; I have too much at stake to hazard it lightly."
"Then remember, Charles, we sail Wednesday evening: it will be star-light, but not too dark to see your way. I will defer25 sailing till eleven o'clock, if that will suit your schemes."
"It will exactly; or if you sail the moment I return, so much the better."
With these words, they separated--Morton, overjoyed at the completion of his preliminary arrangements, all night, like Peter Pindar's dog,
And couldn't sleep for thinking."
The appointed day at length arrived; but the destinies, who had hitherto spun27 the thread of the two lovers' fate as smooth and even as a whale-line yarn28, now began to fill it full of kinks. Well did the ancients represent them as three haggard, blear-eyed, wrinkled, spiteful, old maids, who would not allow any poor mortal to live or die comfortably, and who took a malicious29 pleasure in disturbing "the course of true love." The inexorable Atropos brandished30 her scissors, and at one snip31 severed32 the thread asunder33.
Daring the night there had been a tremendous thunder-squall, and the morning showed huge "double-headed" clouds, mustering34 in different parts of the horizon, and, apparently35, waiting some signal to bid them commence operations; others, dark and suspicious looking, but of a less dense36 consistence, were seen scampering37 across the firmament38 in all directions, like aids-de-camp before a general engagement; the land-breeze had been interrupted by the night-squall, and the wind, what little there was, blew from every point of the compass but the usual one; the shags, that tenanted the top of Pedro Blanco, seemed unusually busy, as if anticipating a change of weather; and, in short, every thing announced that the delightful39, salubrious, dry season had come to an end, and the empire of continual rain, and drizzle40, and cloud, and mud, and putrid41 fevers, and rheumatism42, and every thing disagreeable, had commenced. Still the day was delightful after ten o'clock, and the weather as clear as ever.
Morton had seen these indications of the approach of wet weather with no small anxiety; he knew full well that the governor and his family would pass the rainy season at Tepic, a city about ninety miles from the coast, or at some of the other large towns, in the more elevated and healthy regions inland. With Captain Hazard's permission, he hastened to the town, and to Juanita's house, but Isabella was not to be seen. After waiting for some time, a little girl brought him a short note, simply saying that she would see him in the evening, but could not before. With this promise he was obliged to content himself, and rode slowly back to the Porte. He was punctually on shore again at sunset, and once more hastened to town, having hired another horse, and directed his boat's crew not to go away from the quay43. Having secured his horses at a certain place near the zig-zag descent towards the harbor already mentioned, he passed into the plaza44, and was struck with consternation45 and despair, at seeing assembled before Don Gaspar's door, horses and mules46 in abundance, caparisoned for a journey. In fact, there was indisputable proof that the family were, in military parlance47, on the route.
He hastened to the good dame48 Juanita's, and, in a few minutes, Isabella entered the room, and, throwing off, in her distress49, all unnecessary reserve, threw herself weeping into his arms.
"All is over, dear Charles, all is lost--I set out to-night for Tepic, and we shall never meet again but in heaven."
"All is not lost, my own Isabella; every thing is in readiness--fly then with me--while your family are in confusion you will not immediately be missed, and, before an hour passes, you shall be safe on board."
"No, no; I dare not, I cannot."
To all his entreaties51 she seemed deaf, positively52 refusing to consent to escape with him; but whether from fear of being overtaken, or from maidenly53 timidity, it would be, perhaps, difficult to decide. At last, Morton, who was nearly beside himself with disappointment and vexation, relapsed into a short and stupified silence.
"Isabella," said he, at length, and with composure that startled her, "reflect for one moment upon your situation; you know your uncle's temper; you know he is not a man that will easily give up any of his plans--this is your only chance for escape from the fate you dread54; do not then reject it."
She only answered with tears, and continued to repeat, as if mechanically, "I dare not; no, no, I cannot." Morton was silent a few moments, when a sudden ray of hope enlivened his gloomy reverie.
"Hear me, dearest; there is one, and only one, chance left yet. If your uncle urges you to marry, entreat50 him for one year's delay. Before that time expires, I trust to be here again. Vessels55 are constantly fitting out from the United States to this part of the world--if such a thing can be effected by mere57 human agency, I will be on board one of them, if not, I both can and will purchase and fit out a vessel56 myself. Promise me then, my love, that you will use all possible means to defer any matrimonial schemes your uncle may form for at least two years. But I trust, if my life and health are spared, that, before half that time has expired, I shall be here, to claim your first promise."
"I will, I will, dear Charles; I will not deceive you. I know my uncle loves me, and will grant me that delay. And now we must part; I shall be missed, and I dare not stay a moment longer. For heaven's sake, keep out of sight of--you can guess who I mean."
A parting scene between two lovers had always better be left to the imagination of the readers; because the author, unless he is gifted with the power of a Scott, a James, an Edgeworth, or a Sedgwick, is sure to disappoint the reader, and himself besides. My reader must therefore draw the picture, and color it, to his or her own peculiar58 taste, and fancy an interchange of kisses, locks of hair, rings, crooked59 sixpences, garters, or any thing else that constitutes circulating medium or stock in Love's exchange market.
The Orion had dropped out to the roads, and, with her anchor a short stay-peak, her topsails sheeted home but not hoisted60, and her whole crew on deck, waited only for her first officer. Between nine and ten o'clock the sound of approaching oars61 was heard, but in a moment the practised ears of Captain Hazard and his second officer perceived that the advancing boat pulled very leisurely62.
"Poor Charlie is coming off empty-handed," said Coffin.
"Yes, I was afraid the bird had flown, or the enemy was alarmed. I am sorry for it from my very heart, for he will be low spirited all the passage home."
"Well, I aint so sure about that--I've always found salt water a sartain cure for love."
"I dare say you have, Mr. Coffin; but love is like strong grog, it operates differently upon different constitutions and dispositions63."
"Well, I s'pose that's pretty nigh the case. A good, stiff glass of grog, in a cold, rainy night, makes me feel as bright as a new dollar for a while, but then it soon passes off."
"I am afraid poor Morton's love is too deep-seated to be worked off by salt water or absence. But here comes the boat--hail her, Mr. Coffin."
"Boat ahoy!"
"O-ri-on."
"Are you alone, Mr. Morton?" said the captain in a low voice, as that gentleman came over the side.
"Yes, sir, but not without hopes another time."
The two officers then descended64 to the cabin, and Morton explained the cause of his failure, and expressed his determination to make another attempt as soon as possible after his arrival in New England. Captain Hazard insisted upon his turning in immediately, to recover from the fatigue65 and anxiety he had undergone during the day, and to his remonstrances66 laughingly observed that he was not in a proper state of mind to be trusted with the charge of a night-watch, and that Robinson, the oldest boat-steerer, should take his place. Coffin earnestly recommended a glass of hot punch, as "composing to the nerves;" but the patient declined, though he permitted Captain Hazard to qualify a tumbler of warm wine and water with thirty drops of laudanum.
The topsails were now hoisted aloft, the topgallant-sails set, and the anchor weighed; and, with a fresh breeze off the land, the first officer sound asleep and dreaming of "the girl he left behind him," a press of sail, and the starboard watch under the charge of Mr. Coffin, spinning tough yarns67 on the forecastle and calculating the probable amount of their voyage, the stout68 Orion left the Bay of St. Blas at the rate of eleven geographical69 miles per hour.
[Footnote 1: Pulparia, a small shop, generally pronounced pulparee.--Diabolus Typographicus.]
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1
coffin
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| n.棺材，灵柩 | |
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seaman
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| n.海员，水手，水兵 | |
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ashore
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| adv.在(向)岸上，上岸 | |
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recollect
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| v.回忆，想起，记起，忆起，记得 | |
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taint
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| n.污点；感染；腐坏；v.使感染；污染 | |
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6
overhaul
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| v./n.大修，仔细检查 | |
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steer
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| vt.驾驶，为…操舵；引导；vi.驾驶 | |
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brass
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| n.黄铜；黄铜器，铜管乐器 | |
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slung
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| 抛( sling的过去式和过去分词 )； 吊挂； 遣送； 押往 | |
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capers
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| n.开玩笑( caper的名词复数 )；刺山柑v.跳跃，雀跃( caper的第三人称单数 ) | |
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latitude
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| n.纬度，行动或言论的自由(范围)，(pl.)地区 | |
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12
tack
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| n.大头钉；假缝，粗缝 | |
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13
discourse
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| n.论文，演说；谈话；话语；vi.讲述，著述 | |
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14
improper
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| adj.不适当的，不合适的，不正确的，不合礼仪的 | |
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15
rascally
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| adj. 无赖的，恶棍的 adv. 无赖地，卑鄙地 | |
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16
strictly
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| adv.严厉地，严格地；严密地 | |
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17
fervor
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| n.热诚；热心；炽热 | |
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18
eloquence
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| n.雄辩；口才，修辞 | |
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19
contraband
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| n.违禁品，走私品 | |
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precedent
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| n.先例，前例；惯例；adj.在前的，在先的 | |
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wont
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| adj.习惯于；v.习惯；n.习惯 | |
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standing
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| n.持续，地位；adj.永久的，不动的，直立的，不流动的 | |
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23
courageous
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| adj.勇敢的，有胆量的 | |
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24
prudence
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| n.谨慎，精明，节俭 | |
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defer
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| vt.推迟，拖延；vi.(to)遵从，听从，服从 | |
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26
winking
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| n.瞬眼，目语v.使眼色( wink的现在分词 )；递眼色（表示友好或高兴等）；（指光）闪烁；闪亮 | |
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spun
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| v.纺，杜撰，急转身 | |
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yarn
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| n.纱，纱线，纺线；奇闻漫谈，旅行轶事 | |
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malicious
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| adj.有恶意的，心怀恶意的 | |
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brandished
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| v.挥舞( brandish的过去式和过去分词 )；炫耀 | |
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snip
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| n.便宜货，廉价货，剪，剪断 | |
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severed
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| v.切断，断绝( sever的过去式和过去分词 )；断，裂 | |
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asunder
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| adj.分离的，化为碎片 | |
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34
mustering
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| v.集合，召集，集结（尤指部队）( muster的现在分词 )；（自他人处）搜集某事物；聚集；激发 | |
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apparently
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| adv.显然地；表面上，似乎 | |
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dense
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| a.密集的，稠密的，浓密的；密度大的 | |
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scampering
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| v.蹦蹦跳跳地跑，惊惶奔跑( scamper的现在分词 ) | |
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firmament
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| n.苍穹；最高层 | |
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39
delightful
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| adj.令人高兴的，使人快乐的 | |
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40
drizzle
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| v.下毛毛雨；n.毛毛雨，蒙蒙细雨 | |
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putrid
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| adj.腐臭的；有毒的；已腐烂的；卑劣的 | |
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rheumatism
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| n.风湿病 | |
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quay
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| n.码头，靠岸处 | |
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plaza
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| n.广场，市场 | |
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consternation
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| n.大为吃惊，惊骇 | |
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46
mules
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| 骡( mule的名词复数 )； 拖鞋； 顽固的人； 越境运毒者 | |
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parlance
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| n.说法；语调 | |
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dame
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| n.女士 | |
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distress
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| n.苦恼，痛苦，不舒适；不幸；vt.使悲痛 | |
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entreat
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| v.恳求，恳请 | |
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entreaties
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| n.恳求，乞求( entreaty的名词复数 ) | |
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52
positively
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| adv.明确地，断然，坚决地；实在，确实 | |
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maidenly
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| adj. 像处女的, 谨慎的, 稳静的 | |
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dread
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| vt.担忧，忧虑；惧怕，不敢；n.担忧，畏惧 | |
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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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vessel
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| n.船舶；容器，器皿；管，导管，血管 | |
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mere
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| adj.纯粹的；仅仅，只不过 | |
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peculiar
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| adj.古怪的，异常的；特殊的，特有的 | |
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crooked
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| adj.弯曲的；不诚实的，狡猾的，不正当的 | |
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hoisted
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| 把…吊起，升起( hoist的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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oars
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| n.桨，橹( oar的名词复数 )；划手v.划（行）( oar的第三人称单数 ) | |
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leisurely
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| adj.悠闲的；从容的，慢慢的 | |
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dispositions
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| 安排( disposition的名词复数 )； 倾向； （财产、金钱的）处置； 气质 | |
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descended
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| a.为...后裔的，出身于...的 | |
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fatigue
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| n.疲劳，劳累 | |
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remonstrances
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| n.抱怨，抗议( remonstrance的名词复数 ) | |
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67
yarns
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| n.纱( yarn的名词复数 )；纱线；奇闻漫谈；旅行轶事 | |
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geographical
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| adj.地理的；地区(性)的 | |
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