"I 'm blest if I like this orderin' business," said one grizzled seaman1; "they said he was h—l on orders, but what I shipped for was prize money and a chance to get a lick at them bloody2 Britishers; not for to clean brass3 work, an' scrape spars, an' flemish down, an' holy-stone decks, which he won't let us spit terbacker on. I don't call this no fighting fur liberty, not by a durn sight."
"Shut up, Bill," replied another; "you've got to obey orders. This yere ain't no old tea wagon5, no fishing-boat, you old scowbanker, it's a wessel-o'-war; and may I never see Nantucket again if the old man," using a merchantman's expression, "ain't goin' to be captain of the old hooker while he's in it. And if you call this hard work and growl6 at this kind o' dissyplin'—well, all I got ter say, you'd oughter been on the old Radnor. Curse the British devils!" he cried, grinding his heel in the deck. "I 'd give twenty years of my life to be alongside her in a ship half her size; yes, even in this one, and I tell ye yon 's the man to put her there, if he gets a chance. Ain't that so, mates?"
"Ay, ay, Jack7, 'tis true," came a deep-toned chorus of approval.
"Besides," went on the forecastle orator8, "we all know'd wot kind of a officer he is. Fightin' and prize money is wot we all want; and here 's where we 'll git it, you 'll see, eh, mates?"
"Ay, ay; Jack's right, Bill."
"Then blow the dissyplin', say I; I'll take orders from a man wot ain't afraid o' nothin', wot hates the red rag we knows of, wot won't send me where he won't go himself. Fightin' and prize money, he 's our man. Besides, wot's the use o' kickin', we got to do it; we're bound by them articles of war we signed," continued this deep-sea philosopher. "Now, pass me my can o' grog, Tom, I 'm dry as a cod9. Here 's to America, and damn the British, too," continued this sea lawyer, drinking his toast amid shouts of approval from the men.
Left to himself, Seymour, after the men had received their grog, and other necessary duties had been attended to, turned the deck over to Lieutenant10 Wallingford, whose watch it was with Philip Wilton, and, descending11 the poop-deck ladder, disappeared through the same door which had received the two officers into the cabin.
Three weeks had elapsed since the raid upon the Wilton place, and the scene had shifted from Virginia to the sea, or rather to the great bay which gives entrance to it, from the Delaware River. It was a clear cold day in the early part of December, and the American Continental12 ship Ranger13 had just left her moorings off Philadelphia, with orders to proceed to English waters; stopping at Brest to receive the orders of the commissioners14 in Paris, and then, in case no better ship could be found, to ravage15 the English Channel and coast, as a warning that like processes, on the part of England on our own shores, should not go unpunished.
John Paul Jones, who had already given evidence, not only of that desperate courage and unyielding tenacity16 which had marked him as among the most notable of sea officers the world has seen,—lacking nothing but opportunity to have equalled, if not surpassed a Nelson—but of consummate17 seamanship and great executive ability as well, had been appointed to command the ship. Before proceeding18 on the mission, however, an important undertaking19 had been allotted20 to him. The commissioners had sent word from France, by a fast-sailing armed packet, of the near departure of a transport from England, called the Mellish, laden21 with two thousand muskets22, twenty field-pieces, powder, and other munitions23 of war, and ten thousand suits of winter clothes, destined24 for the army that was assembling at Halifax and Quebec for the invasion of the colonies, by way of the St. Lawrence River and Lake Champlain.
Congress had transmitted the letter from France to Captain Jones, with directions that he endeavor to intercept26 and capture this transport. The destitution27 of the American army at this period of the war was frightful28: devoid29 of clothes, arms, provisions, powder,—everything, in fact, which is apparently30 vital to the existence of an army; continually beaten, menaced by a confident, well-equipped, and disciplined enemy in overwhelming force, and before whom they had been habitually31 retreating, they were only held together by the indomitable will and heroic resolution of one man, George Washington. The fortunes of the colonies were never at a lower ebb32 than at that moment, and there was apparently nothing further to look forward to but a continuation of the disintegration33 until the end came. The meagre resources of the lax confederacy were already strained to the utmost, and the capture of a ship laden as this one was reported to be, would be of incalculable service. Clothes and shoes to cover the nakedness of the soldiery and protect them from the inclemency34 of the winter, now fast approaching, and arms to put in their hands, by means of which they could assume the offensive and attack the enemy, or at least defend themselves—what more could they desire! The desperate nature of the situation, the dire25 need of just such additions to the equipment of the army, had been plainly communicated to Captain Jones, and he was resolved to effect the capture if it were humanly possible. The matter had also been reported to General Washington; and such was his opinion of the necessity of a prompt distribution and a speedy forwarding of the supplies, if they could be secured, by the blessing35 of Providence36, and so little was his faith in the inefficient37 commissariat, which, moreover, had to endeavor to keep the balance between different colonies and different bodies of troops, more or less loosely coherent, that he had detailed38 one of his own staff officers to accompany the ship, with explicit39 instructions as to the exact distribution and the prompt forwarding which the needs of the troops rendered necessary, when the captured ship should reach port, which would probably be Boston, though circumstances might render it advisable to take the longer journey to Philadelphia. The officer to whom this duty had been allotted was Talbot, of whose capacity and energy General Washington already thought highly; the three weeks of their military association only confirming his previous opinion. It was understood that Seymour, who was Jones' first lieutenant, and would shortly be promoted to a captaincy, would bring back the transport if they were lucky enough to capture it. In case they were unsuccessful, Talbot was to report himself to the commissioners at Paris as military secretary, until further orders; and Seymour was to command the Ranger, when Jones should get a better ship in France.
The Ranger was a small sloop40 of war, a corvette of perhaps five hundred tons, with a raised poop and a topgallant forecastle, built at Portsmouth, New Hampshire; a new ship, and one of the first of those built especially for naval41 purposes. She was originally intended for twenty-six guns, but the number, through the wisdom of her captain, who had fathomed42 the qualifications of the ship, had been reduced to eighteen, four long twelves, and the rest six pounders, and smaller, with one long eighteen forward. She had been some days in commission, and the effect of Jones' iron discipline was already apparent in the absence of confusion and in the cleanness and order of the ship. The vessel43 had been very popular with the good people of Philadelphia, her commander and officers likewise, many of the latter, like Seymour, being natives of the town; and a constant stream of visitors had inspected her, at all permitted hours. The presence of these visitors, of course including many ladies, coupled with an inherent vanity and love of finery and neatness on the part of the captain,—and, to do him justice, his appreciation44 of the necessity for order and neatness,—had caused him to maintain his ship in the handsomest possible trim, and he had not scrupled45 to employ his private fortune to beautify the vessel in many small ways, the details of which would have escaped any eye but that of a seaman, though the general results were apparent.
That general appearance which should always distinguish a trim and well-ordered vessel of war from the clumsy and disorderly trader, was due entirely46 to his efforts. The crew, as we have seen, had chafed47 under the unusual restraints of this stern discipline; but they were unable, as, indeed, in the last resort they would have been unwilling48, to oppose it. Some of the older men, too, and some of those who had sailed with Jones in his already famous cruises, held out the hope of large prize money, and, what was better with many of them, the chance of a blow at the enemy, if any of her cruisers of anything like equal force appeared,—a chance sure to come about in the frequented waters of the English Channel. The crew of an American man-of-war at that period, at least the native portion of it, always in overwhelming majority, was of much higher class than the general run of seafaring men. Among those in the Ranger were several who had been mates of merchantmen,—Bentley again among the number,—men of some education, and able to serve their country as officers with credit, had the navy been increased as it should have been, and whose subordinate positions only indicated their intense patriotism49. The low and degraded element which sometimes is such a source of mischief50 and disaster in ships' crews, was conspicuous51 by its absence. The reputation of Captain Jones as a disciplinarian was very well known among sailors generally, and only his reputation as a fighter and a successful prize-taker would have enabled him to assemble the remarkable52 crew to which he had spoken, and which was to back him up so gallantly53 in many desperate undertakings54 and wonderful sea fights, of this and his succeeding phenomenal cruise.
Seymour had rapidly recovered from his wounds under Madam Talbot's careful nursing and ministrations, and when his orders reached him he had been ready, accompanied by Philip Wilton and Bentley, to join his ship at once.
He still carried the blood-stained handkerchief, and many and many a time had laid it, with its initials, "K. W.," embroidered55 by her own hand, upon his lips. This was not his only treasure, however. In a wallet in the breast pocket of his coat he carried and treasured a letter, only the veriest scrap4 of paper, with these few lines hastily written upon it.
These by a friendly hand. We are to accompany Lord Dunmore to England next week as prisoners in the ship Radnor. Both well, but very unhappy. I love you.——Katharine.
This note had been brought to him, the day before his departure from Fairview Hall, by one of the slaves from the Wilton place, who had in turn received it from a stranger who had handed it to him with the orders that it be given to Lieutenant Seymour if he were within the neighborhood; if not, it was to be destroyed. There was no address on the outside of the letter, which, indeed, was only a soiled and torn bit of paper, and unsealed. Seymour had hitherto communicated this news to no one, and was hesitating whether or no to tell Talbot, who had that day joined the ship.
Seymour found Talbot and the captain together, when, after giving his name to the negro boy, Joe, who waited in attendance, for Captain Jones was one of the most punctilious56 of men, he was ushered57 into the captain's cabin.
"Come in, Seymour," said the captain, genially58, laying aside the formal address of the quarter-deck. "Joe, a glass of wine for Mr. Seymour. Has the watch been set?"
"Yes, sir, and Lieutenant Wallingford has the deck."
"Ah, that's well; he knows the channel like a pilot. Sit down, man."
"Thank you, captain. How do you like your first experience on a ship-of-war, Talbot?"
"Very much, indeed," answered the young officer; "and if we shall only succeed in capturing the transport I shall like it much better."
"Well, gentlemen," said Captain Jones, "I will give you a toast. Here 's to a successful cruise, many prizes, good chances at the enemy, and, of course, first of all, the capture of the transport, though that will deprive me of the pleasure of your society. I intend to bear away to the northeast immediately we pass the Capes59, and I count upon striking the transport somewhere off Halifax. If we should succeed in capturing her, I am of the opinion, if her cargo60 proves as valuable as reported, that my best course would be to convoy61 her to one of our ports, or at least so far upon her way as to insure her safe arrival. The cargo would be too important to be lost or recaptured under any circumstances," he continued meditatively62. "Well, I think I would better go on deck for the present. You will excuse me, Mr. Talbot, I am sure. You will both dine with me to-night. Seymour, a word with you," he continued, opening the door and going out, followed by his executive officer.
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1
seaman
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| n.海员，水手，水兵 | |
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2
bloody
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| adj.非常的的；流血的；残忍的；adv.很；vt.血染 | |
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brass
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| n.黄铜；黄铜器，铜管乐器 | |
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scrap
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| n.碎片；废料；v.废弃，报废 | |
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wagon
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| n.四轮马车，手推车，面包车；无盖运货列车 | |
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6
growl
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| v.（狗等）嗥叫，（炮等）轰鸣；n.嗥叫，轰鸣 | |
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7
jack
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| n.插座，千斤顶，男人；v.抬起，提醒，扛举；n.（Jake）杰克 | |
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8
orator
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| n.演说者，演讲者，雄辩家 | |
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9
cod
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| n.鳕鱼；v.愚弄；哄骗 | |
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10
lieutenant
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| n.陆军中尉，海军上尉；代理官员，副职官员 | |
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descending
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| n. 下行 adj. 下降的 | |
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12
continental
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| adj.大陆的，大陆性的，欧洲大陆的 | |
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ranger
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| n.国家公园管理员，护林员；骑兵巡逻队员 | |
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14
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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15
ravage
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| vt.使...荒废，破坏...；n.破坏，掠夺，荒废 | |
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16
tenacity
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| n.坚韧 | |
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17
consummate
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| adj.完美的；v.成婚；使完美 [反]baffle | |
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18
proceeding
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| n.行动，进行，(pl.)会议录，学报 | |
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undertaking
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| n.保证，许诺，事业 | |
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allotted
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| 分配，拨给，摊派( allot的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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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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22
muskets
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| n.火枪，（尤指）滑膛枪( musket的名词复数 ) | |
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23
munitions
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| n.军火，弹药；v.供应…军需品 | |
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24
destined
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| adj.命中注定的；(for)以…为目的地的 | |
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25
dire
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| adj.可怕的，悲惨的，阴惨的，极端的 | |
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intercept
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| vt.拦截，截住，截击 | |
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27
destitution
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| n.穷困，缺乏，贫穷 | |
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28
frightful
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| adj.可怕的；讨厌的 | |
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29
devoid
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| adj.全无的，缺乏的 | |
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30
apparently
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| adv.显然地；表面上，似乎 | |
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habitually
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| ad.习惯地，通常地 | |
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32
ebb
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| vi.衰退，减退；n.处于低潮，处于衰退状态 | |
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33
disintegration
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| n.分散，解体 | |
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34
inclemency
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| n.险恶，严酷 | |
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35
blessing
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| n.祈神赐福；祷告；祝福，祝愿 | |
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providence
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| n.深谋远虑，天道，天意；远见；节约；上帝 | |
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37
inefficient
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| adj.效率低的，无效的 | |
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38
detailed
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| adj.详细的，详尽的，极注意细节的，完全的 | |
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explicit
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| adj.详述的，明确的；坦率的；显然的 | |
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40
sloop
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| n.单桅帆船 | |
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41
naval
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| adj.海军的，军舰的，船的 | |
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42
fathomed
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| 理解…的真意( fathom的过去式和过去分词 )； 彻底了解； 弄清真相 | |
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43
vessel
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| n.船舶；容器，器皿；管，导管，血管 | |
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44
appreciation
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| n.评价；欣赏；感谢；领会，理解；价格上涨 | |
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45
scrupled
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| v.感到于心不安，有顾忌( scruple的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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46
entirely
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| ad.全部地，完整地；完全地，彻底地 | |
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47
chafed
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| v.擦热（尤指皮肤）( chafe的过去式 )；擦痛；发怒；惹怒 | |
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48
unwilling
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| adj.不情愿的 | |
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49
patriotism
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| n.爱国精神，爱国心，爱国主义 | |
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50
mischief
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| n.损害，伤害，危害；恶作剧，捣蛋，胡闹 | |
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51
conspicuous
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| adj.明眼的，惹人注目的；炫耀的，摆阔气的 | |
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52
remarkable
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| adj.显著的，异常的，非凡的，值得注意的 | |
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53
gallantly
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| adv. 漂亮地，勇敢地，献殷勤地 | |
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54
undertakings
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| 企业( undertaking的名词复数 )； 保证； 殡仪业； 任务 | |
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55
embroidered
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| adj．绣花的 | |
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56
punctilious
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| adj.谨慎的，谨小慎微的 | |
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57
ushered
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| v.引，领，陪同( usher的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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58
genially
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| adv.亲切地，和蔼地；快活地 | |
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59
capes
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| 碎谷； 斗篷( cape的名词复数 )； 披肩； 海角； 岬 | |
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60
cargo
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| n.(一只船或一架飞机运载的)货物 | |
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61
convoy
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| vt.护送，护卫，护航；n.护送；护送队 | |
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62
meditatively
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| adv.冥想地 | |
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