 Chapter 18 of the pilot by James Fenimore Cooper, this LibriVox recording is in the public domain. Chapter 18 thus guided on their course they bore, until they neared the mainland shore, when frequent on the hollow blast, while shouts of merriment were cast, Lord of the Isles. The joyful shouts and hearty cheers of the aerial's crew continued for some time after her commander had reached her deck. Barnstable answered the congratulations of his officers by cordial shakes of the hand, and after waiting for the ebolicion of delight among the seamen to subside a little, he beckoned with an air of authority for silence. I thank you, my lads, for your good will, he said, when all were gathered around him in deep attention. They have given us a tough chase, and if you had left us another mile to go, we had been lost. That fellow is a king's cutter, and though his disposition to run to Leeward is a good deal mollified, yet he shows signs of fight, at any rate he is stripping off some of his clothes, which looks as if he were game. Luckily for us, Captain Manuel has taken all the marines ashore with him, though what he has done with them or himself is a mystery, or we should have had our decks lumbered with live cattle. But as it is, we have a good working breeze, tolerably smooth water, and a dead match. There is a sort of national obligation on us to whip that fellow, and therefore without more words about the matter, let us turn to and do it, that we may get our breakfasts. Through this specimen of marine eloquence, the crew cheered as usual, the young men burning for the combat, and the few old sailors who belonged to the schooner, shaking their heads with infinite satisfaction, and swearing by sundry strange oaths that their captain could talk when there was need of such thing, like the best dictionary that ever was launched. During this short harangue and those subsequent comments, the aerial had been capped under a cloud of canvas to the wind as she could lie, and as this was her best sailing, she had stretched swiftly out from the land to a distance whence the cliffs and the soldiers who were spread along their summits became plainly visible. Barnstable turned his glass repeatedly from the cutter to the shore as different feelings predominated in his breast before he again spoke. If Mr. Griffith has stowed away among those rocks, he at length said, he shall see as pretty an argument discussed in as few words as he ever listened to, provided the gentlemen in yonder cutter have not changed their minds as through the road they intend to journey. What thank you, Mr. Mary. I wish with all my heart and soul, sir, return the fearless boy that Mr. Griffith was safe aboard us. It seems the country is alarmed, and God knows what will happen if he is taken. As to the fellow to windward, he'll find it easier to deal with the aerial's boat than with her mother, but he carries a broad sail, I question if he means to show play. Never doubt him, boy, said Barnstable, he is working off the shore like a man of sense, and besides, he has the spectacles on, trying to make out what tribe of Yankee Indians we belong to. You will see him come to the wind presently, and send a few pieces of iron down this way by way of letting us know where to find him. Much as I'd like your first lieutenant, Mr. Mary, I would rather leave him on the land this day than see him on my decks. I want no fighting captain to work this boat for me, but tell the drummer, sir, to beat two quarters. The boy, who was staggering under the weight of his melodious instrument, had been expecting this command, and without waiting for the midshipman to communicate the order, he commenced that short rubber-dub air that will at any time rouse a thousand men from the deepest sleep and cause them to fly to their means of offense with a common soul. The crew of the aerial had been collected in groups studying the appearance of the enemy, cracking their jokes and waiting only for this usual order to repair to the guns, and at the first tap of the drum they spread with steadiness to the different parts of the little vessel where the various duties called them. The cannon were surrounded by small parties of vigorous and athletic young men. The few marines were drawn up in a ray with muskets. The officers appeared in their boarding caps with pistols stuck in their belts, and naked sabers in their hands barn-stable paste his little quarter-deck with a firm tread, dangling a speaking trumpet by its lanyard on his forefinger, or occasionally applying the glass to his eye, which, when not in use, was placed under his arm, while his sword was resting against the foot of the main mast. A pair of heavy-ships pistols were thrust into his belt also, and piles of muskets, boarding-pikes, and naked sabers were placed on different parts of the deck. The laugh of the seaman was heard no longer, and those who spoke uttered their thoughts only in low and in distinct whispers. The English cutter held her away from the land until she got an offing of more than two miles. When she reduced her sails to a yet smaller number and heaving into the wind, she fired a gun in a direction opposite to that which pointed to the aerial. Now, I would wager a quintal of codfish master coffins at barn-stable against the best cask or porter that was ever brewed in England that fellow believes a Yankee schooner can fly in the wind's eye. If he wishes to speak to us, why don't he give his cutter a little sheet and come down? The coxswain had made his arrangements for the combat with much more method and philosophy than any other man in the vessel. When the drum beat to quarters, he threw aside his jacket, vest, and shirt with as little hesitation as he stood under an American son, and with all the discretion of a man who had engaged in an undertaking that required the free use of his utmost powers, as he was known to be a privileged individual in the aerial, and one whose opinions in all matters of seamanship were regarded as oracles by the crew and were listened to by his commander with no little demonstration of respect, the question excited no surprise. He was standing at the breach of his long gun with his brawny arms folded on a breast that had been turned to the color of blood but long exposure, his grizzled locks fluttering in the breeze, and his tall form towering far above the heads of all near him. He hugs the wind, sir, as if it was his sweetheart was his answer, but he'll let go his whole soon, and if he don't, we can find a way to make him fall to leeward. Keep a good full, cried the commander in a stern voice, and let the vessel go through the water. That fellow walks well, long time, but we are too much for him on a bow line, though if he continued to draw ahead in this manner, it will be night before we can get alongside him. Aye, aye, sir, return the coxswain, them cutters carries a press of canvas, when they seem to have but little, their gaffes are all the same as young booms and spread a broad head to their mainsails, but it's no hard matter to knock a few claws out of their bolt ropes when she will both drop a star and to leeward. I believe there is good sense in your scheme this time, said Barnes-Table, for I am anxious about the frigid's people, though I hate a noisy chase. Speak to him, Tom, and let us see if he will answer. Aye, aye, sir, cried the coxswain, sinking his body in such a manner as to let his head fall to a level with the cannon that he controlled when, after diver's orders and sundry movements to govern the direction of the peace, he applied a match with a rapid motion to the priming, and a man's body of white smoke rushed from the muzzle of the cannon, followed by a sheet of vivid fire, until losing its power, it yielded to the wind, and as it rose from the water, spread like a cloud, and passing through the masts of the schooner was driven for it to leeward and soon blended in the mists which were swiftly scutting before the fresh breezes of the ocean. Although many curious eyes were watching this beautiful sight from the cliffs, there was too little of novelty in the exhibition to attract a single look of the crew of the schooner from the more important examination of the effect of the shot on their enemy. Barnes-Table sprang lightly on a gun and watched the instant when the ball would strike with keen interest while long Tom threw himself aside from the line of the smoke with a similar intention, holding one of his long arms extended toward his name's sake with a finger on the vent and supporting his frame by placing the hand of the other on the deck, as his eyes glanced through an opposite porthole in an attitude that most men might have disbared of imitating with success. There go the chips, cried Barnes-Table, Bravo, master coffin, you never planted iron in the ribs of an Englishman with more judgment. Let him have another piece of it, and if he liked the sport we'll play a game of long bowls with him. Aye aye sir, return the coxswain who the instant he witnessed the effects of his shot had returned to superintend the reloading of his gun. If he holds on half an hour longer I'll dub him down to our own size when we can close and make an even fight of it. The drum of the Englishman was now for the first time heard rattling across the waters and echoing the call to quarters that had already proceeded from the aerial. Aye, you have sent him to his guns, said Barnes-Table, we shall now hear more of it. Wake him up, Tom, wake him up. We shall start him on end or put him to sleep altogether shortly, said the deliberate coxswain who never allowed himself to be at all hurried, even by his commander. My shot are pretty much like a shoal of porpoises and commonly sail into each other's wake. Stand by, heave her breech forward, so get out of that you damned young reprobate and let my harpoon alone. What are you at there, Master Coffin, cried Barnes-Table, are you tongue tied? Here's one of the boys skylarking with my harpoon in the least guppers, and by and by when I shall want it most, there'll be no man's land to hunt for it in. Never mind the boy, Tom, send him aft here to me and I'll polish his behavior, give the Englishman some more iron. I want the little villain to pass up my cartridges, return the angry old seamen, but if you'll be so good, sir, as to hit him a crack or two now and then, as he goes by you to the magazine, the monkey will learn his manners, and the schooner's work will be all the better done for it. A young, herring-faced monkey to meddle with a tool ye don't know the use of, if your parents had spent more of their money on your education, unless on your outfit you'd been a gentleman to what ye are now. Hurrah, Tom, hurrah, cried Barnes-Table, a little impatiently, is your namesake never to open his throat again? Aye, aye, sir, already grumbled the coxswain, depressed a little, so, so, a damned young baboon behaved curmudgeon, overhauled that forward fall more, stand by with your match, but I'll pay him fire. This was the actual commencement of the fight for as the shot of Tom Kaufman traveled as he had intimated very much in the same direction, their enemy found the sport becoming too hot to be endured in silence, and the report of the second gun from the aerial was instantly followed by that of the whole broadside of the alacrity, the shot of the cutter flew in a very good direction, but her guns were too light to give them efficiency at that distance. And as one or two were heard to strike against the bends of the schooner and fall back innocuously into the water, the coxswain whose good humor became gradually restored as the combat thickened remarked with his customary apathy, them count for no more than love taps. Does the Englishman think that we are firing salutes? Stir him up, Tom, every blow you give him will help to open his eyes cried Barnstable, rubbing his hands with glee as he witnessed the success of his efforts to close. Thus far the coxswain and his crew had the fight on the part of the aerial together to themselves, the men who were stationed at the smaller and shorter guns standing in perfect idleness by their sides, but in ten or fifteen minutes the commander of the alacrity who had been staggered by the weight of the shot that had struck him found that it was no longer in his power to retreat if he wished it. When he decided on the only course that was left for a brave man to pursue and steered boldly in such a direction as would soonest bring him in contact with his enemy without exposing his vessel to be raked by his fire. Barnstable watched each movement of his foe with eagle eyes and when the vessel had got within a lessened distance he gave the order for a general fire to be opened. The action now grew warm and spirited on both sides. The power of the wind was counteracted by the constant explosion of the cannon and instead of driving rapidly to leeward a white canopy of curling smoke hung above the aerial or rested on the water lingering in her wake so as to mark the path by which she was approaching to a closer and still deadlier struggle. The shouts of the young sailors as they handled their instruments of death became more animated and fierce while the coxswain pursued his occupation with the silence and skill of one who labored in a regular vocation. Barnstable was unusually composed and quiet maintaining the grave of a commander on whom rested the fortunes of the contest at the same time that his dark eyes were dancing with the fire of suppressed animation. Give it them he occasionally cried in a voice that might be heard amid the bellowing of the cannon. Never mind their cordage my lads drive home their boats and make your marks below their ridge ropes. In the meantime the Englishman played a manful game. He had suffered a heavy loss by the distant cannonade which no medal he possessed could retort upon his enemy but he struggled nobly to repair the error in judgment with which he had begun the contest. The two vessels gradually drew nire to each other until they both entered into the common cloud created by the fire which thickened and spread around them in such a manner as to conceal their dark halls from the gaze of the curious and interested spectators on the cliffs. The heavy reports of the cannon were now mingled with the rattling of muskets and pistols and streaks of fire might be seen glancing like flashes of lightning through the white cloud which enshrouded the combatants and many minutes of painful uncertainty followed before the deeply interested soldiers who were gazing at the scene discovered on whose banners victory had alighted. We shall follow the combatants into their misty wreath and display to the reader the events as they occurred. The fire of the arrow was much the most quick and deadly both because she had suffered less and her men were less exhausted and the cutter stood desperately on to decide the combat after grappling hand to hand. Farm stable anticipated her intention and well understood her commander's reason for adopting this course but he was not a man to calculate coolly his advantages when pride and daring invited him to a more severe trial. Accordingly he met the enemy halfway and as the vessels rushed together the stern of the schooner was secured to the bowels of the cutter by the joint efforts of both parties. The voice of the English commander was now plainly to be heard in the uproar calling to his men to follow him. Away their borders repel borders on the starboard quarter shouted barn stable through his trumpet. This was the last order that the gallant young sailor gave with this instrument for as he spoke he cast it from him and seizing his saber flew to the spot where the enemy was about to make his most desperate effort the shouts execrations and tauntings of the combatants now succeeded to the roar of the cannon which could be used no longer with the effect though the fight was still maintained with spirit to discharges of the small arms sweep him from his decks cried the English commander as he appeared on his own bow works surrounded by a dozen of his bravest men drive the rebellious dogs into the sea. Away their marines retorted barn stable firing his pistol at the advancing enemy leave not a man of them to sup his grog again. The tremendous and close volley that succeeded this order nearly accomplished the command of barn stable to the letter and the commander of the alacrity perceiving that he stood alone reluctantly fell back on the deck of his own vessel in order to bring on his men once more. Border graybeards and boys gliders and all shouted barn stable springing in advance of his crew a powerful arm arrest of the movement of the dauntless semen and before he had time to recover himself he was drawn violently back to his own vessel by the irresistible grasp of his coxswain. The fellows in his flurry said Tom and it wouldn't be wise to go within reach of his flukes but I'll just step ahead and give him a set with my harplune without waiting for a reply the coxswain reared his tall frame on the bulwarks and was in the attitude of stepping on board of his enemy when a sea separated the vessels and he fell with a heavy dash of the waters into the ocean as 20 muskets and pistols were discharged at the instant he appeared the crew of the aerial supposed his fault to be occasioned by his wounds and were rendered doubly fierce by the light and the cry of their commander to revenge long Tom board her long Tom or death they threw themselves forward in irresistible numbers and forced a passage with much blood shed to the forecastle of the alacrity the Englishman was overpowered but still remained undaunted he rallied his crew and bore up most gallantly to the fray thrust the pikes and blows of sabers were becoming close and deadly while muskets and pistols were constantly discharged by those who were kept at a distance by the pressure of the throng of closer combatants barn stable let his men in advance and became a mark of peculiar vengeance to his enemies as they slowly yielded before his vigorous assaults chance had placed the two commanders on opposite sides of the cutter's deck and the victory seemed to incline towards either party whenever these daring officers directed the struggle in person but the Englishman perceiving that the ground he maintained in person was lost elsewhere made an effort to restore the battle by changing his position followed by one or two of his best men a marine who preceded him leveled his musket within a few feet of the head of the American commander and was about to fire when Mary glided among the patents and passed his dirk into the body of the man who fell at the blow shaking his peace with horrid implications the wounded soldier prepared to deal his vengeance on his youthful assailant when the fearless boy leaped within its muzzle and buried his own keen weapon in his heart hurrah shouted the unconscious barn stable from the edge of the quarter deck where attended by a few men he was driving all the way for him revenge long time and victory we have them exclaimed the Englishman handle your pikes we have them between two fires the battle would probably have terminated very differently from what previous circumstances had indicated had not a wild looking figure appeared in the cutter's channels at that moment issuing from the sea and gaining the deck at the same instant it was long time the iron visage rendered fierce by his previous and his grizzled locks drenched with the briny element from which he had risen looking like Neptune with his trident without speaking he poised his harpoon and with a powerful effort pinned the unfortunate Englishman to the mast of his own vessel. Starn all cried Tom by a sort of instinct when the blow was struck and catching up the musket of the submarine he dealt out terrible and fatal blows with his butt on all who approached him utterly disregarding the use of the bayonet on its muzzle the unfortunate commander of the alacrity brandished his sword with frantic gestures while his eyes rolled in horrid wildness when he writhed for an instant in his passing agonies and then as his head dropped lifeless upon his gored breast he hung against the hull of dismay to his crew a few of the Englishman stood chained to the spot in silent horror at the site the most of them fled to their lower deck or hastened to conceal themselves in the secret parts of the vessel leaving to the Americans the undisputed possession of the alacrity two-thirds of the cutter's crew suffered either in life or limbs by this short struggle nor was the victory obtained by barn stable without paying the price of several valuable lives the first burst of conquest was not however the moment to appreciate the sacrifice and loud and reiterated shouts proclaimed the exaltation of the conquerors as the flush of victory subsided however recollection returned and barn stable issued such orders as humanity and his duty rendered necessary while the vessels were separating the bodies of the dead and wounded were removing the conqueror paste the deck of his prize as if lost in deep reflection he passed his hand frequently across his blackened and bloodstained brow while his eyes would rise to examine the vast canopy of smoke that was hovering above the vessels like a dense fog exhaling from the ocean the result of his deliberations was soon announced to the crew all your flags he cried set the Englishman's colors again and show the enemy's jack above our ensign in the aerial the appearance of the whole channel fleet within half gunshot would not have occasioned more astonishment among the victors than this extraordinary mandate the wondering seamen suspended their several employments to gaze at the singular change that was making in the flags those symbols that were viewed with a sort of reverence but none presumed to comment openly on the procedure except long Tom who stood on the quarter deck of the prize straightening the pliable iron of the harpoon which he had recovered with as much care and diligence as if it were necessary to the maintenance of their conquest like the others however he suspended his employment when he heard this order and manifested no reluctance to express his dissatisfaction at the measure if the Englishmen grumble at the fight and think it not fair play mutter the old coxswain let us try it over again sir as they are somewhat short of hands they can send a boat to the land and get off a gang of them lazy ripped tiles the soldiers who stand looking at us like so many red lizards crawling on a beach and we'll give them another chance but dammy I see the use of whipping them if this is to be the better end of the matter what's that you're gremlin there like a dead northeaster you horse mackerel said barn stable where are our friends and countrymen who are on the land are we to leave them to swing on gibbets or rot in dungeons the coxswain listened with great earnestness and when his commander has spoken he struck the palm of his broad hand against his brawny thigh with a report like a pistol and answer I see how it is sir you reckon the red coats have Mr. Griffith in tow just run the schooner into shore water captain barn stable and drop an anchor where we can get the long gun to bear on them and give me the whale boat and five or six men to back me they must have long legs if they get an offering before I run them aboard full do you think a boat crew could contend with 50 armed soldiers soldiers echo tom whose spirits have been strongly excited by the conflict snapping his fingers with ineffable disdain that for all the soldiers that were ever rigged one whale could kill a thousand of them and here stands the man that has killed his round hundred of whales but sure you grandpa's do you turn braggart in your old age it's no bragging sir to speak a logbook truth but if captain barn stable thinks that old tom coffin carries a speaking trumpet for a figurehead that impasse the word forward to man the boats no no my old master at the marling spike said barn stable kindly I know the too well thou brother of Neptune but shall we not throw the bread room dust in those Englishman's eyes by wearing their bunting a while till something may offer to help our captured countrymen the coxswain took his head and cogitated a moment as if struck with sundry new ideas when he answered I sir that's blue water philosophy as deep as the sea let the reptiles clue up the corners of their mouths to their eyebrows now when they come to hear the rail Yankee truth of the matter they will sheet them down to their leather neck cloths with this reflection the coxswain was much consoled in the business of repairing damages and securing the prize proceeded without further interruption on his part the few prisoners who were unhurt were rapidly transferred to the aerial while barn stable was attending to this duty an unusual bustle through his eyes to one of the hatchways where he beheld a couple of his marines dragging forward a gentleman whose demeanor and appearance indicated the most abject terror after examining the extraordinary appearance of this individual for a moment in silent amazement lieutenant exclaimed who have we hear some amateur in fights and inquisitive wonder seeking noncombatant who has volunteered to serve as king and perhaps draw a picture or write a book to serve himself pray sir in what capacity did you serve in this vessel the captive ventured a side long glance at his interrogator in whom he expected to encounter Griffith but perceiving that it was a face he did not know he felt a revival of confidence that enabled him to reply I came here by accident being on board the cutter at the time her late commander determined to engage you it was not in his power to land me as I trust you will not hesitate to do your conjecture of my being a noncombatant is perfectly true interrupted barn stable it requires no spy glass to read that name written on you from stem to stern but for certain weighty reasons he paused to turn at a signal given him by young Mary who whispered eagerly in his ear to his Mr. Dylan kinsman of Colonel Howard I've seen him often sailing in the wake of my cousin Sicily Dylan exclaimed barn stable rubbing his hands with pleasure what kid of that name he with the savanna face size of black and skin of the same color he's grown a little whiter with fear but he's a prize at this moment worth 20 equities these exclamations were made in a low voice and at some little distance from the prisoner whom he now approached and addressed policy and consequently duty require that I should detain you for a short time sir that you shall have a sailors welcome to whatever we possess to lessen the weight of captivity barn stable precluded any reply by bowing to his captive and turning away to superintendent management of his vessels in a short time it was announced that they were ready to make sale when the aerial enterprise were brought close to the wind and commenced beating slowly along the land as if intending to return to the bay whence the latter had sailed that morning as they stretched into the shore on the first tack the soldiers on the cliffs rent the air with their shouts and acclamations to which barn stable pointing to the assumed symbols that were fluttering in the breeze from his mass directed his crew to respond in the most cordial manner as the distance and the want of boats prevented any further communication the soldiers after gazing at the receding vessels for a time disappeared from the cliffs and were soon lost from the sight of the adventurous mariners our after our was consumed in the tedious navigation against an adverse tide and the short day was drawing to a close before they approached the mouth of their destined haven while making one of their numerous stretches to and from the land the cutter in which barn stable continued past the victim of their morning sport riding on the water the waves curling over his huge carcass as on some rounded rock and already surrounded by their sharks who were praying on his defenseless body see master coffin cried the lieutenant pointing out the object to his coxswain as they glided by it the shovel gentlemen are regaling daintily you have neglected the Christian's duty of burying your dead the old seamen cast a melancholy look at the dead whale and replied if I had the creature in Boston Bay or on the sandy point of money more would be the making of me but riches and honor are for the great and the larnet and there's nothing left for poor Tom coffin to do but to veer and haul on his own rolling tackle that he may write out on the rest of the gale of life without springing any of his old spars how now long Tom cried his officer these rocks and cliffs will shift wreck you on the shoals of poetry yet you grow sentimental them rocks might rack any vessel that struck them said the literal coxswain and as for poetry I want none better than the good old song of captain kid but it's enough to raise solemn thoughts and a cape poach Indian to see an 80 barrel whale devoured by sharks is an awful waste of property I've seen the death of two hundred of the creatures though it seems to keep the rations of poor old Tom as short as ever the coxswain walked out while the vessel was passing the whale and sitting himself on the taff rail with his face resting gloomily on his bony handy fastened his eyes on the object his solicitude and continued to gaze at it with melancholy regret while it was to be seen glistening in the sunbeams as it rolled its glittering side of white into the air or the rays fell and reflected on the black and rougher coat of the back of the monster in the meantime the navigators diligently pursued their way for the haven we have mentioned and to which they steered with every appearance of the fearlessness of friends and the exaltation of conquerors a few eager and gratified spectators lined the edges of the small bay and barn stable concluded his arrangement for deceiving the enemy by admonishing his crew that they were now about to enter on a service that would require their utmost intrepidity and sagacity. End of Chapter 18 Chapter 19 of the pilot by James Fenimore Cooper is in the public domain Chapter 19 our trumpet called you to this gentle parl King John as Griffith and his companions rushed from the offices of St. Ruth into the open air they encountered no one to intercept their flight or communicate the alarm worn by the experience of the earlier part of the same night the sentinels were posted though fully prepared to bear down all resistance and were soon beyond the probability of immediate detection they proceeded for the distance of half a mile with rapid strides and with the stern and sullen silence of men who expected to encounter immediate danger resolved to breast it with desperate resolution but as they plunged into a cops that clustered around the ruin which has been already mentioned they lessened their exertions to a more deliberate pace and a short regarded dialogue ensued we have had a timely escape said Griffith I would much rather have endured captivity than have been the cause of introducing confusion and bloodshed in the peaceful residence of Colonel Howard I would say that you had been of this opinion some hours earlier returned the pilot with a severity in his tones that conveyed more meaning than his words I may have forgotten my duty sir in my anxiety to inquire into the condition of a family in whom I feel a particular interest return Griffith in a manner in which pride evidently struggled with respect but this is not a time for regrets I apprehend that we follow you on an errand of some moment where actions would be more acceptable than any words of apology what is your pleasure now I much fear that our project will be defeated said the pilot gloomily the alarm will spread with the morning fogs and there will be musterings of the yeoman and consultations of the gentry that would drive all thoughts of amusement from their minds the rumor of a descent will at any time force sleep from the shores of this island to at least ten leagues inland I you have probably passed some pleasant nights with your eyes open among them yourselves master pilot said manual they may thank the Frenchman Thoreau in the old business of 56 and our own daredevil the bloody Scotchman as the causes of their quarters being so often beaten up after all Thoreau with his fleet did know more than bully them a little and the poor fellow was finally extinguished by a few small cruisers like a drummer's boy under a grenadiers cap but honest Paul sang a different tune for his countrymen to dance to and I believe you will shortly dance yourself manual interrupted Griffith quickly and in very pleasure that you have escaped an English prison say rather an English jibbit continued the elated marine for had a court martial or court civil discuss the manner of our entrance into this island I doubt whether we should have fared better than the daredevil himself honest blank exclaimed the impatient Griffith enough of this nonsense captain we have other matters to discuss now what course have you determined to pursue Mr. Gray the pilot started like a man aroused from a deep musing at this question and after a pause of a moment he spoke in a low tone of voice as if still under the influence of deep melancholy feeling the night has already run into the morning watch and his backward to show himself in this latitude in the heart of winter I must depart my friends to rejoin you some ten hours hence it will be necessary to look deeper into our scheme before we hazard anything and no one can do the service but myself where shall we meet again I have reason to think that there is an unfrequented ruin at no great distance from us said Griffith perhaps we might find both shelter and privacy among its deserted walls thought is good return the pilot and will answer a double purpose could you find the place where you put the marines in ambush captain manual has a dog or nose and can he follow a clean scent exclaimed the marine do you think senior pilot that a general ever puts his forces in an ambush God where he can't find them himself for God I knew well enough where the rascals lay snoring on their knapsacks some half an hour ago and I would have given the oldest majority in washington's army to have had them wear a small intimation from myself could have brought them in line ready dress for a charge I know not how you fare gentlemen but with me the sight of twenty such vagabonds would have been a joyous spectacle we would have tossed that captain burrow cliff and his recruits on the point of our bayonets as the devil would pitch come come manual say Griffith a little angrily you constantly forget our situation and our Aaron can you lead your men hither without discovery before the day dawns I want but the shortest half hour that a bad watch ever traveled over to do it in then follow and I will appoint a place of secret rendezvous rejoin Griffith Mr. Gray can learn our situation at the same time the pilot was seen to beckon through the gloom of the night for his companions to come forward when they proceeded with cautious steps in quest of the desired shelter a short search brought them in contact with a part of the ruinous walls which spread over a large surface and which in places rear their black fragments against the sky casting a deeper obscurity across the secret recesses of the wood this will do said Griffith when they have skirted for some distance the outline of the crumbling fabric bring up your men to this point where I will meet you and conduct them to some more secret place for which I shall search during your absence a perfect paradise after the cable tears of the aerial exclaim manual I doubt not but a good spot might be selected among these trees for a steady drill a thing my soul has pined after four six long months away away quite Griffith here is no place for idle parades if we find shelter from discovery and capture until you shall be needed in a deadly struggle to be well retracing his steps to the skirts of the wood when he suddenly termed it asked shall I post a small picket a mere corporal's guard in the open ground and in front and make a chain of sentinels to our works we have no works we want no sentinels returned his impatient commander our security is only to be found in secrecy lead up your men under the cover of the trees and let those three bright stars be your landmarks bring them in a range with the northern corner of the wood enough mr. Griffith interrupted manual a column of troops is not to be steered like a ship by compass and bearings and distances trust me sir the march shall be conducted with proper discretion though in a military manner any reply or expostulation was prevented by the sudden disappearance of the marine whose retreating footsteps were heard for several moments as they moved at a deliberate pace through the underwood during this short interval the pilot stood reclining against the corner of the ruins in profound silence but when the sounds of manuals march were no longer audible he advanced from under the deeper shadows of the wall and approached his youthful companion we are indebted to the marine for our escape he said I hope we are not to suffer by his folly he is what barn stable calls a rectangular man returned Griffith and will have his way in matters of his profession though a daring companion in a hazardous expedition if we can keep him from exposing us by his silly parade we shall find him a man who will do his work like a soldier sir when need happens it is all I ask until the last moment he and his command must be torpid for if we are discovered in the attempt of ours with some 20 bayonets and a half pike or two would be useless against the force that would be brought to crush us the truth of your opinion is too obvious return Griffith these fellows sleep a week at a time in a gale at sea but the smell of the land wakes them up and I fear it will be hard to keep them close during the day it must be done sir by the strong hand of force said the pilot sternly if it cannot be done by admonition if we had no more than the recruits of that drunken martinet to cope with it would be no hard task to drive them into the sea but I learned in my prison that horse are expected on the shore with the dawn there is one they call Dylan who is on the alert to do us mischief the miscreant mother Griffith then you also have had communion sir with some of the inmates of Saint Ruth it behooves a man who is embarked in a perilous enterprise to seize all opportunities to learn his hazard said the pilot evasively if the report be true I fear we have but little hopes of succeeding in our plans may then let us take the advantage of the darkness to regain the schooner the coast of England swarm with hostile cruisers and a rich trade is flowing into the bosom of this island from the four quarters of the world we shall not seek long for a foe worthy to contend with nor for the opportunities to cut up the Englishman in his sinews of war as well Griffith returned the pilot in his still low tones that seemed to belong to a man who never knew ambition nor felt human passion I grow sick of this struggle between merit and privileged rank it is in vain that I scour the waters which the king of England boastingly calls his own and capture his vessels in the very mouths of his harbors if my reward is to consist only of isolated promises and hollow professions but your proposition is useless to me I have at length obtained a ship of a size sufficient to convey my person to the shores of honest plain dealing America and I would enter the hall of Congress on my return attended by a few of the legislators of this learned aisle who think they possess the exclusive privilege to be wise and virtuous and great such a retinue might doubtless be grateful both to your own feelings and those who would receive you said Griffith modestly but it effect the great purposes of our struggle or is it an exploit when achieved worth the hazard you incur Griffith felt the hand of the pilot on his own pressing it with a convulsive grasp as he replied in a voice if possible even more desperately calm than his former tones there is a glory in it young man if it be purchased with danger it shall be rewarded by fame it is true I wear your republican livery and call the Americans my brothers but it is because you combat in behalf of human nature were your cause less holy I would not shed the meanest drop that flows in English veins to serve it but now it hallows every exploit that is undertaken in its favor and the names of all who contend for it shall belong to posterity is there no merit in teaching these proud islanders that the arm of liberty can pluck them from the very empire of their corruption and depression then let me go and ascertain what we most wish to know you have been seen there and might attract you little know me interrupted the pilot the deed is my own if I succeed I shall claim the honor and it is proper that I incur the hazard if I fail it will be buried in oblivion like 50 others of my schemes which had I power to back me would have thrown this kingdom in consternation from the lookouts on the boldest of its headlines to those on the turrets of Windsor castle but I was born without nobility of 20 generations to corrupt my blood and dead my soul and I'm not trusted by the degenerate wretches who rule the French marine Tiz said that ships of two decks are building from our own oak said Griffith and you have only to present yourself in America to be employed most honorably I the republics cannot doubt the man who has supported their flag without lowering it an inch in so many bloody conflicts I do go there Griffith but my way lies on this path my pretended friends have bound my hands often but my enemies never neither shall they now ten hours will determine all I wish and with you I trust the safety of the party till my return be vigilant but be prudent if you should not appear at the appointed hour exclaimed Griffith as he beheld the pilot turning to depart where am I to seek and how serve you seek me not a return to your vessel my earliest years were passed on this coast and I can leave the island should it be necessary as I entered it aided by this disguise my own knowledge in such an event look to your charge and forget me entirely Griffith could distinguish the silent wave of his hand when the pilot concluded and the next instant he was left alone for several minutes the young man continued where he had been standing musing on the singular endowments and restless enterprise of the being with whom chance had best unexpectedly brought him in contact and with whose fate and fortune his prospects had by the intervention of unlooked for circumstances become intimately connected when the reflections excited by recent occurrences had passed away he entered within the sweeping circle of the ruinous walls and after a very cursory survey of the state of the dilapidated building he was satisfied that it contained enough secret places to conceal his men until the return of the pilot should warn them that the hour had come when they must attempt the seizure of the devoted sportsman or darkness should again facilitate their return to the aerial it was now about the commencement of that period of deep night which semen distinguished as the morning watch and Griffith ventured to the edge of the little wood to listen if any sounds or to malt indicated that they were pursued on reaching a point where as I could faintly distinguish distant objects the young man paused and bestowed a closed and wary investigation on the surrounding scene the fury of the gale had sensibly abated but a steady current of sea air was rushing through the naked branches of the oaks lending a dreary and mournful sound to the gloom of the dim prospect at the distance of a short half mile the confused outline of the pile of St. Ruth rose proudly against the streak of light which was gradually increasing above the ocean and there were moments when the young semen even fancied that he could discern the bright caps that topped the waves of his own disturbed element the long dull roar of the surf as it tumbled heavily on the beach or dashed with unbroken violence against the hard boundary of rocks was born along by the blast distinctly to his ears it was a time and a situation to cause the young semen to ponder deeply on the changes and chances of his hazardous profession only a few short hours had passed since he was striving with his utmost skill and with all his collected energy to guide the enormous fabric in which so many of his comrades were now quietly sleeping on the broad ocean from that very shore in which he now stood in cool indifference through the danger the recollection of home America is youthful and enduring passion and the character and charms of his mistress blended in a sort of wild and feverish confusion which was not however without its pleasures in the art and fancy of the young man and he was slowly approaching step by step toward the abbey when the sound of footsteps proceeding evidently from the measured tread of disciplined men reached his ears he was instantly recalled to his recollection by this noise which increased as the party deliberately approached and in a few moments he was able to distinguish the line of men marching in order towards the edge of the wood from which he had himself so recently issued retiring rapidly under the deeper shadow of the trees he waited until it was apparent the party intended to enter under its cover also when he ventured to speak who comes and all what Aaron he cried a skulker and to burrow like a rabbit or jump from whole to whole like a warth rat said manual sulkly here have I been marching within half musket shot of the enemy without daring to pull a trigger even on their outposts because our muscles are plugged with that universal extinguisher of gunpowder called prudence for God Mr. Griffith I hope you may never feel the temptation to do an evil deed which I felt just now to throw a volley of small shot into that dog kennel of a place if it were only to break its windows and let in the night air upon the sleeping sot who is dozing away the fumes of some as good old self side harkey Mr. Griffith one word in your ear a short conference took place between the two officers apart from the men at the close of which as they rejoined the party manual might be heard urging his plans on the reluctant ears of Griffith in the following words I could carry the old dungeon without waking one of the snores and consider sir we might get a stock of as rich cordial from its sellers as ever oiled the throat of a gentleman tis idle tis idle said Griffith impatiently we are not robbers of Henry's nor wine gauges to be prying into the vaults of the English gentry captain manual but honorable men employed in the sacred cause of liberty in our country into the ruin and let them seek their rest we may have worked for them with the dawn evil was the hour when I quitted the line of the army to place a soldier under the orders of an awkward squad of Terry jackets mother manual as he proceeded to execute an order that was delivered with an air of authority that he knew must be obeyed as pretty an opportunity for a surprise and a forage thrown away as ever across the path of a partisan but by all the rights of man I'll have an encampment in some order ear you sergeant detail a corporal and three men for a picket and station them in the skirts of this wood we shall have a continental in advance of our position and things shall be conducted with some air of discipline Griffith heard this order with great inward disgust but as he anticipated the return of the pilot before the light could arrive to render his weak exposure of their situation apparent he for bore exercising his power to alter the arrangement manual had therefore the satisfaction of seeing his little party quartered as he thought in military manner before he retired with Griffith and his men into one of the vaulted apartments of the ruin which by its open and broken doors invited their entrance here the Marines dispose themselves to rest by the two officers succeeded in passing the tedious hours without losing their characters for watchfulness by conversing with each other or at while suffering their thoughts to roam in the very different fields which fancy would exhibit to men of such different characters in this manner our after our past in listless quiet for sullen expectation until the day had gradually advanced and it became dangerous to keep the sentinels and picket in a situation where they were liable to be seen by any straggler who might be passing near the wood manual remonstrated against any alteration as being entirely on military for he was apt to carry his notions of tactics to extremes whenever he came in collision with a sea officer but in this instance his superior was firm and the only concession the captain could obtain was the permission to place a solitary sentinel within a few feet of the vault though under the cover of the crumbling walls of the building itself with this slight deviation in their arrangements the uneasy party remained for several hours longer impatiently waiting the period when they should be required to move the guns first fired from the alacrity had been distinctly audible and were practiced by Griffith whose practiced ear detected the metal of the piece that was used as not proceeding from the schooner when the rapid the distant rumbling of the spirited cannonade became audible it was with difficulty that Griffith could restrain either his own feelings or the conduct of his companions within those bounds that prudence and their situation required the last gun was however fired and not a man had left the vault and conjectures as to the result of the fight succeeded to those which had been made on the character of the combatants during the action some of the marines would raise their heads from the fragments which serve them as the pillows on which they were seeking disturbed and stolen slumbers and after listening to the cannon would again compose themselves to sleep like men who felt no concern in a contest in which they did not participate others more live to events and last drowsy lavishly expended their rude jokes on those who were engaged in the struggle or listened with a curious interest to mark the progress of the battle by the uncertain index of its noise when the fight had been sometime concluded manual indulged his ill humor more at length there has been a party of pleasure within a league of us Mr. Griffith he said at which but for our present subterranean quarters we might have been guests and thus laid some claim to the honor of sharing in the victory but it is not too late to push the party on as far as the cliffs where we shall be inside of the vessels and we may possibly establish a claim to our share of the prize money there is but little wealth to be gleaned from the capture of a king's cutter return Griffith and there would be less honor for barn stable encumbered with our additional and useless numbers useless repeated manual there is much good service to be got out of 23 well-drilled and well-chosen marines look at those fellows Mr. Griffith and then tell me I think them and encumbrance in the hour of need Griffith smiled and glanced his eye over the sleeping group for when the firing had seized the whole party had again sought their repose and he could not help admiring the athletic and sinewy limbs that lay scattered around the gloomy vault in every posture that ease or when dictated from the stout frames of the men his glance was directed to the stack of firearms from whose glittering tubes and polished bayonets strong rays of light were reflected even in that dark apartment manual followed the direction of his eyes and watched the expression of his countenance with inward exultation but he had the forbearance to await his reply before he manifested his feeling more openly I know them to be true men said Griffith when needed but what says he who goes there what noise is that repeated the sentinel who was placed at the entrance of the vault Griffith sprang at the same instant from their places of rest and stood unwilling to create the slightest sounds listening with the most intense anxiety to catch the next indications of the cause of their guardian's alarm a short stillness like that of death succeeded during which Griffith whispered tis the pilot is our has been long passed the words were hardly spoken when the clashing of steel in fierce and sudden contact was heard and at the next instant the body of the sentinel fell heavily along the stone steps that led to the open air and rolled lifelessly to their feet with a bayonet that had caused his death projecting from a deep wound in his breath away away sleepers away shadow Griffith to arms quite manual in a voice of thunder the alarm Marines suddenly aroused from their slumbers at these thrilling cries sprang to own their feet in a confused cluster and at that fatal moment a body of living fire darted into the vault which we echoed with the reports of twenty muskets the uproar the smoke and the groans which escaped from many of his party could not restrain Griffith another instant his pistol was fired through the cloud which concealed the entrance of the vault and he followed the lead messenger trailing a half pike and shouting to his men come on follow my labs they are nothing but soldiers even while he spoke the ardent young semen was rushing up the narrow passage but as he gained the open space his foot a thriving body of the victim of his shot and he was precipitated headlong into a group of armed men fire manual fire and shouted the infuriated prisoner fire while you have them in a cluster I fire Mr. manual said burrow cliff with great coolness and shoot your own officer hold him up boys hold him up in front the safest place as Nia's to him fire repeated Griffith making desperate efforts to release himself from the grasp of five or six men fire and disregard me if he do he deserves to be hung said burrow cliff such fine fellows are not sufficiently plenty to be shot at like wild beasts and chains take him from before the mouth of the vault boys and spread yourself to your duty at the time Griffith issued from the cover manual was mechanically employed in placing his men in order and the Marines a customer to do everything in concert and array lost a moment to advance the soldiers of burrow cliff reloaded their muskets and fell back behind different portions of the wall where they could command the entrance to the vault with their fire without much exposure to themselves this disposition was very coolly reconordered by manual in person through some of their crevices in the wall and he hesitated to advance against the force he beheld while so advantageously posted in this situation several shots were fired by either party without effect until burrow cliff perceiving the inefficacy of that motive attack summon the garrison of the vault to a parlay surrender to the forces of his Majesty King George the 30 cry and I promise you quarter where you release your prisoner and give us free passage to our vessels that's manual the garrison to march out with all honors of war and officers to retain their side arms inadmissible return burrow cliff with great gravity the honor of his Majesty's arms and the welfare of the realm forbid such a treaty but I offer you safe quarters and honorable treatment officers to retain their side arms your prisoner to be released in the whole party to return to America on parole not to serve until exchanged not granted said burrow cliff the most that I can yield is a good portation of the generous south side and if you are the man I take you for you will know how to prize such an offer in what capacity do you summon us to yield as men entitled to the benefit of the laws of arms as rebels to your king you are rebels all gentlemen return the deliberate burrow cliff and as such he must yield those so far as good treatment and good fair goes you are sure of it while in my power in all other respects you lie at the mercy of his most gracious Majesty then let his Majesty show his gracious face and come and take us for I'll be the a separation of the marine was interrupted by Griffith whose blood and had sensibly cooled and whose generous feelings were awakened behalf of his comrades now that his own fate seemed decided hold manual he cried make no rash owes captain burrow cliff I'm Edward Griffith a lieutenant in the navy of the united american states I pledge you my honor to a parole release him said burrow cliff Griffith advanced between the two parties and spoke so as to be heard by both I propose to descend to the vault and ascertain the loss and present string of captain manuals party if the letter be not greater than I apprehend I shall advise him to a surrender on the usual conditions of civilized nations goes said the soldier but stay is he a half and half and amphibious for sure I mean marine he is sir a captain in the core the very man interrupted burrow cliff I thought I recollected the liquid signs of his voice it would be well to speak to him of the good fare of st. Ruth and you may add that I know my man I shall besiege instead of storming him with a certainty of a surrender when his canteen is empty the vault he is in holds no such beverage as the sellers of the abbey Griffith found in spite of the occasion and his vexation and making a slight inclination of his head he passed into the vault giving notice to his friends by his voice in order to reprise them who approach he found six of the marines including the sentinel lying dead on the ragged pavement and four of his wounded but stifling their groans by the order of their commander that they might not inform the enemy of his weakness with the remainder of his command manual had entrenched himself behind the fragment of a wall that intersected the vault and regardless of the dismaying objects before him maintained his boulder front and as momentous in air as if the fate of a wall town depended on his resolution and ingenuity you see mr. Griffith he cried when the young sailor approached this gloomy but really formidable arrangement that nothing short of artillery can dislodge me as for that drinking Englishman about letting send down his men by platoons of eight or ten and up howl them up on those steps four and five deep but artillery can and will be brought if it should be necessary said Griffith and there's not the least chance of your eventual escape it may be possible for you to destroy a few of the enemy but you are too humane to wish to do it unnecessarily no doubt return manual with a grim smile and yet me thinks I could find present pleasure in shooting seven of them yes just seven which is one more than they have struck off my roster remember your own wounded added Griffith they suffer for want of aid while you protract a useless defense a few smother groans from the sufferers seconded this appeal and manual yielded though with a very ill grace to the necessity of the case go then and tell him that we will surrender as prisoners of war he said on the conditions that he grants me my sidearms and that suitable care shall be taken of the sick be particular to call them sick for some lucky accident may yet occur before the combat is identified and I would not have him learn our loss Griffith without waiting for a second bidding hasten to burrow cliff with his intelligence his sidearms repeated the soldier when the other had done what are they I pray thee a marling spike for if his equipment speed no better than thine own my worthy prisoner there is little need to quarrel about their ownership had I but ten of my meanest men armed with such half-pikes and captain burrow cliff and his party were put at deadly strike with us retorted Griffith he might find occasion to value our weapons more highly for such fiery gentlemen as yourself would have routed my command return burrow cliff with undisturbed composure I trembled for my ranks when I saw you coming out of the smoke like a blazing comet from behind the cloud and I shall never think of summer sets without returning inward thanks to their inventor but our treaties made let your comrades come forth and rest Griffith communicated the result to the captain of Marines when the letter led the remnant of his party out of his sunken fortress into the open air the men who had manifested throughout the whole business that cool subordination and unyielding front mixed with the dauntless spirit that to this day distinguishes the core of which they were members followed their commander in sullen silence and stack their arms with as much regularity and precision as if they had been ordered to relieve themselves after a march when this necessary preliminary had been observed burrow cliff unmasked his forces and our adventures found themselves once more in the power of the enemy and under circumstances which rendered the prospect of a speedy release from their captivity nearly hopeless end of chapter 19 chapter 20 of the pilot by James Benamore Cooper this box recording is in the public domain chapter 20 if your father will do me any honor so if not let him kill the next Percy himself I look to be either Earl or Duke I can assure you fall staff manual cast sundry discontented and sullen looks from his captors to the remnant while the process opinioning the latter was conducted with much discretion under the directions of sergeant drill when meeting in one of his dissatisfied glances with the pale and disturbed features of Griffith he gave then to his ill humor by saying this results from neglecting the precautions of military discipline have the command been with men who I may say without boasting have been accustomed to the duties of the field proper pickets would have been posted and instead of being caught like so many rabbits in a burrow to be smoked out with brimstone we should have had an open field for the struggle or we might have possessed ourselves of these walls which I could have made good for two hours at least against the best regiment that ever wore King George's things defend the artworks before retreating to the Citadel cry burrow cliff is the game of war and shows science but had you kept closer to your burrow the rabbits might now have all been frisking about in that pleasant abode the eyes of a timid hind were greeted this morning while journey near this wood with a passing sight of armed in strange attire and as he fled with an intent of casting himself into the sea as fear will sometimes urge one of his kind to do he luckily encountered me on the cliffs who you mainly saved his life by compelling him to conduct us hither there is often wisdom and science my worthy contemporary and arms but there are sometimes safety in ignorance you have succeeded sir and have a right to be pleasant said manual seating himself gloomily on a fragment of the ruin and fastening his looks on that melancholy spectacle of the lifeless bodies as they were successively brought from the vault and placed at his feet but these men have been my own children and you will excuse me if I cannot retort your pleasantries ah captain burrow clip you are a soldier and know how to value merit I took those very fellows who sleep on these stones so quietly from the hands of nature and made them the pride of our art they were no longer men but brave lads who ate and drank wheeled and marched loaded and fired laughed or were sorrowful spoke or were silent only at my will as for soul there was but one among them all and that was in my keeping grown my children grown freely now there is no longer a reason to be silent I've known a single musket bullet cut the buttons from the coats of five of them in a row without raising the skin of a man I could ever calculate with certainty how many it would be necessary to be bent in all regular service but this accursed Ben D. D. business has robbed me of the choices of my treasures you stand at ease now my children grown it will soften your anguish burrow clip appeared to participate in some degree in the feelings of his captain and he made a few appropriate remarks in the way of condolence while he was on the road that were making by his own men to move at length his orderly announced that substitutes for boroughs were provided to sustain the wounded and inquired if it were his pleasure to return to their quarters who has seen the horse demanded the captain which way did they march have they gained any tidings of the discovery of this party of the enemy not from us your honor returned the sergeant along the coast before we left the cliffs and it was said their officer intended to scour the shore for several miles and spread the alarm let him it is all such gay gallants are good for drill honor is almost as scarce an article with our arms just now as promotion we seem but the degenerate children of the heroes of poik the aids you command me sergeant some battle fought by his majesty's troops against the French your honor returned the orderly a little at a loss to comprehend the expression of his officer's eye fellow you grow dull on victory exclaimed borough cliff come hither I would give you orders do you think Mr. Drill there is more honor or likely to be more profit in this little morning's amusement I can stand under I should not your honor we have both pretty broad shoulders that are not weakened by undue burdens of this nature interrupted his captain significantly if we let the news of this affair reach the ears of those hungry dragoons they would charge upon us open mouth like a pack of famished beagles and claim at least half the credit and certainly all the profit but your honor there was not a man of them even no matter drill I've known troops that have been engaged and have suffered cheated out of their share of victory by a well worded dispatch you know fellow that in the smoke and confusion of a battle a man can only see what passes near him and common prudence requires that he only mentioned in his official letters what he knows can't be easily contradicted. Thus your Indians and indeed all allies are not entitled to the right of a general order any more than to the right of a parade now I dare say you've heard of a certain battle of Blenheim Lord your honor is the pride of the British army that and the Culloden was when the great Corporal John beat the French King and all his Lords and nobility with half his nation in arms to back him I there is a little of the barrick readings in the account but it is substantially true know you how many French were in the field that day Mr. Drill I've never seen the totals of their muster sir imprint but judging by the difference between the nations I should suppose some hundreds of thousands and yet to oppose this vast army the Duke had only ten or twelve thousand well fed Englishmen you look astounded sergeant while your honor that does seem rather an overmatch for an old soldier to swallow the random shot would sweep away so small a force and yet the battle was fought and the victory won but the Duke of Marlborough had a certain Mr. Eugene with some fifty or sixty thousand high Duchess to back him you never heard of Mr. Eugene not a syllable your honor I always thought that Corporal John was a gallant and great general you thought right Mr. Drill so would a certain nameless gentleman be also if his majesty would sign a commission to that effect however a majority is on the high road to a regiment and with even a regiment a man is comfortable in playing English Mr. Drill we must get our prisoners into the abbey with as little noise as possible in order that the horse may continue their gambles along the coast without coming to devour our meal all the fuss must be made at the war office for that trifle you may trust me I think I know who holds a quill that is as good in its way as the sword he wears Drill is a short name and can easily be written within the folds of a letter Lord your honor said the gratified I'm sure such an honor is more but your honor can ever command me I do and it is to be close and to make your men keep close until it shall be time to speak when I pledge myself there shall be noise enough as he continued it has been a devil of a bloody fight sergeant look at the dead and wounded the wood on each flank supported by a ruin in the center oh ink ink can be spilled on the details with great effect go fellow and prepare to march thus enlightened on the subject of his commander's ulterior views the non-commissioned agent of the captain's wishes proceeded to give suitable instructions to the rest of the party and to make the more immediate preparations for a march were soon completed the bodies of the slain were left unsheltered the seclusion of the ruin being deemed a sufficient security against the danger of any discovery until darkness should favor their removal in conformity with Beryl Cliff's plan to monopolize the glory the wounded were placed on rude litters composed of the muskets and blankets of the prisoners when the conquers and banquish moved together in a compact body from the ruin in such a manner as to make the former serve as a mask to conceal the letter from the curious gaze of any casual passenger there was but little indeed to apprehend on this head for the alarm and terror consequent on the exaggerated reports that flew through the country effectively prevented any intruders on the usually quiet and retired domains of St. Ruth the party was emerging from the wood when the cracking of branches and rustling of dried leaves announced however that an interruption of some sort was about to occur if it should be one of their rascally patrols exclaimed Beryl Cliff with very obvious displeasure they trample like a regiment of cavalry but gentlemen you will acknowledge yourselves that we were retiring from the field of battle when we met the reinforcement that it should prove to be such we are not disposed sir to deny you the glory of having achieved your victory single-handed said Griffith glancing his eyes uneasily in the direction of the approaching sounds expecting to see the pilot issue from the thicket in which he seemed to be entangled instead of any detachment of his enemies clear the way Caesar quite a voice at no great distance from them break through the lines on my right poppy press forward my fine fellow so we may be too late to smell even the smoke of the fight hum ejaculated the captain with his philosophic indifference of manner entirely reestablished this must be a Roman legion just a work from a trance of some 17 centuries and that the voice of a centurion we will halt Mr. Drillan view the manner of an ancient March while the captain was yet taking a violent effort disengaged the advancing party from the thicket of brambles in which they have been entangled when two blacks each bending under a load of firearms preceded Colonel Howard into the clear space where Borough Cliff had halted his detachment some little time was necessary to enable the veteran to arrange his disordered dress and to remove the perspiring effects of the unusual toil from his soldiers before he could observe the addition to the captain's numbers we heard you fire cried the old soldier making at the same time the most diligent application of his bandana and I determined to age you with a sort T which when judiciously timed has been the means of raising many a siege though had Montcom rested quietly within his walls the planes of Abram might never have drunk his blood oh his decision was so Julie and according to all rules of war exclaimed manual and had I followed his example this day might have produced a different tail why who have we here quite the Colonel in astonishment who is it that pretends to criticize battles and sieges dressed in such a garb Tisa Dukes incognitorum my worthy host said Borough Cliff which means in our English language a captain of Marines in the service of the American Congress what have you then met the enemy I and by the fame of the immortal wolf you have captured them cried the delighted veteran I was pressing on with a part of my garrison to your assistance for I had seen that you were marching in this direction and even the report of a few muskets was heard interrupted the conqueror I know not what you call a few my gallant and ancient friend you may possibly have shot at each other by the week in the days of wolf and Abercrombie and Braddock but I too have seen smart firing and can hazard an opinion in such matters there was as pretty a role made by firearms at the battles on the Hudson has ever rattled from a drum it is all over and many live to talk of it but this has been the most desperate affair for the numbers I ever was engaged in I speak always with a reference to the numbers the wood is pretty well sprinkled with dead and we have contrived to bring off a few of the desperately wounded with us as you may perceive bless me exclaim the surprise veteran that such an engagement should happen within musket shot of the Abbey and I know so little of it my faculties are on the wane I fear for the time has been when a single discharge would rouse me from the deepest sleep the bayonet is a silent weapon returned the composed captain with a significant wave of his hand to the Englishman's pride and every experienced officer knows that one thrust from it is worth the fire of a whole platoon what did you come to the charge cried the Colonel by the Lord Borough Cliff my gallant young friend I would have given twenty tears of rice and two able-bodied Negroes to have seen the fray it would have been a pleasant spectacle to witness sans disputation returned the captain but victory is ours without the presence of Achilles this time I have them all that survived the affair at least all that have put foot on English soil I and the king's cutter has brought in the schooner added Colonel Howard thus perish all rebellion forever more whereas Kit my kinsman Mr Christopher Dillon I would ask him what the laws of the realm next prescribe to loyal subjects here will be worked for the jurors of middle of sex Captain Borough Cliff if not for our secretary of states warrant whereas Kit my kinsman the ductile the sagacious the loyal Christopher the casique known as as more than one bailiff has said of sundry clever fellows in our regiment when there has been a pressing occasion for their appearance said the soldier but the cornet of horse has given me reason to believe that his provincial lordship who repaired on board the cutter to give intelligence of the position of the enemy continued there to share the dangers of the honors of naval combat I dislike him quite the Colonel rubbing his hands with glee dislike him he has forgotten the law and his peaceful occupations at the sounds of military preparation and has carried the head of a statesman into the fight with the ardor and thoughtlessness of a boy the casique is a man of discretion observed the captain with all his usual dryness of manner and will doubtless obligations to posterity in himself though he be found entangled in the mazes of a combat but I marvel that he does not return for some time has now elapsed since the schooner struck her flag as my own eyes have witnessed you will pardon me gentlemen say Griffith advancing towards them with uncontrollable interest but I have unavoidably heard part of your discourse and cannot think you will find it necessary to withhold the whole truth from a disarmed captain say you that a schooner has been captured this morning it is assuredly true said borough cliff with a display of nature and delicacy in his manner that did his heart infinite credit but I forbear to tell you because I thought your own misfortunes would be enough for one time Mr. Griffith this gentleman is Colonel Howard to whose hospitality you will be indebted for some favors before we separate Griffith echoed the Colonel in quick reply Griffith what a sight for my old eyes to witness the child of worthy gallant loyal Hugh Griffith a captive and taken in arms against his prince young man young man what would I honest father what would his bosom friend my own poor brother Harry have said had it pleased God that they had survived to witness this burning shame and lasting stigma on that respectable name had my father lived he would now have been upholding the independence of his native land said the young man proudly I wish to respect even the prejudices of Colonel Howard and beg he will forbear urging a subject on which I fear we never shall agree never while thou art to be found in the ranks of rebellion cried the Colonel oh boy boy how I could have loved and cherished the if the skill and knowledge obtained in the service of thy Prince were now devoted to the maintenance of his unalienable rights I love that father worthy Hugh even as I loved my own brother Harry and his son should still be dear to you interrupted Griffith taking the reluctant hand of the Colonel into both his own Edward Edward continued the softened veteran how many of my daydreams have been destroyed by thy perversity nay I know not that kid discreet and loyal as he is could have found such a favor in my eyes as thyself there is a cast of thy father in that face and smile Ned that might have won me to anything short of treason and then Cicely provoking tender mutinous kind affectionate good Cicely would have been a link to unite us forever the youth cast a hasty glance at the deliberate Griff who if he had obeyed the impatient expression of his eye would have followed the party that was slowly bearing the wounded towards the abbey before he yielded to his feelings and answered nay sir let this then be the termination of our misunderstanding your lovely niece shall be that link and you shall be to me as your friend Hugh would have been had he lived and to say see you twice a parent to the veteran averting his face to conceal the working of his muscles you talk idly my word is now plighted to my kinsman kit and thy scheme is impracticable nothing is impracticable sir to youth and enterprise when aided by age and experience like yours return Griffith this war must soon terminate this war echoed the colonel shaking loose the grasp which Griffith held on his arm I what of this war young man is it not an accursed attempt to deny the rights of our gracious sovereign and to place tyrants reared in kennels on the throne of princes a scheme to elevate the wicked at the expense of the good a project aid unrighteous ambition under the mask of sacred liberty and the popular cry of equality as if there could be liberty without order or equality of rights where the privileges of the sovereign are not as sacred as those of the people you judge us harshly colonel Howard said Griffith I judge you interrupted the old soldier who by this time thought the youth resembled anyone rather than his friend Hugh it is not my province to judge you at all if it were but the time will come the time will come I'm a patient man and can wait the course of things yes yes age cools the blood and we learn to suppress the passions and impatience of you but if the ministry would issue a commission of justice for the colonies and put the name of old George Howard in it I'm a dog if there should be a rebel alive in 12 months sir turning sterling to burcliffe in such a case I could prove a Roman and hang hang yes I do think sir I could hang my kinsman Mr. Christopher Dillon spare the casique such a natural eladation before his time he turned the captain with a grave wave of his hand behold pointing towards the wood there is a more befitting subject for the gallows Mr. Griffith yonder man calls himself your comrade the eyes of colonel Howard and Griffith followed the direction of his finger and the latter instantly recognized the pilot standing in the skirts of the wood with his arms folded apparently surveying the condition of his friends that man said Griffith in confusion and hesitating to utter even the equivocal truth that suggested itself that man does not belong to our ship's company and yet he has been seen in your company return the incredulous burlcliffe he was the spokesman in last night's examination colonel Howard and doubtless commands the rear guard of the rebels you say true cry the veteran Pompey Caesar present fire the black started at the sudden orders of their master of whom they stood in the deepest on presenting their muskets they averted their faces and shutting their eyes obeyed the bloody mandate charge shattered the colonel flourishing the ancient sword with which he had armed himself and pressing forward with all the activity that a recent fit of the gout would allow charge and exterminate the dogs with the bayonet push on dress boys dress if your friend stands this charge said burlcliffe to Griffith with unmoved composure his nerves are made of iron such a charge would break the cold streams with Pompey in the ranks I trust in God cry Griffith he will have forbearance enough to respect the weakness of colonel Howard he presents a pistol but he will not fire the Romans deem it prudent to halt they counter march to the rear oh la colonel Howard my worthy host fall back on your reinforcements the wood is full of armed men they cannot escape us I only wait for the horse to cut off the retreat the veteran who had advanced within a short distance of the single man who thus deliberately awaited the attack halted at this summons and by a glance of his eye ascertain that he stood alone believing the words of burlcliffe to be true he fully retired keeping his face manfully towards his enemy until he gained the support of the captain recall the troops burlcliffe he cried and let us charge into the wood they will fly before his majesty's arms like guilty scoundrels as they are as for the Negroes I'll teach the black rascals to desert their masters such a moment they say fear is pale but dammy burlcliffe if I don't believe his skin is black I've seen him of all colors blue white black and party colored said the captain I must take the command of matters on myself however my excellent host let us retire into the abbey and trust me to cut off the remainder of the rebels in this arrangement the colonel reluctantly acquiesced and the three followed the soldier to the dwelling at a pace that was adapted to the infirmities of its master the excitement of the onset and the current of his ideas had united however to finish every amicable thought from the breast of the colonel and he entered the abbey with a resolute determination of seeing just as dealt to Griffith and his companions even though it should push them to the foot of the gallows as the gentleman disappeared from his view among the shrubbery of the grounds the pilot replaced the weapon that was hanging from his hand in his bosom and turning with a saddened and thoughtful brow he slowly re-entered the end of chapter 20 chapter 21 of the pilot by James Venom or Cooper this LibriVox recording is in the public domain chapter 21 when these prodigies do so conjointly meet let not men say these are their reasons they are natural I believe they are portentous things unto the climate that they point upon, Casca the reader will discover by referring to the time consumed in the foregoing events that the aerial with their prize did not anchor in the bay already mentioned until Griffith and his party had been for several hours in the custody of their enemies the supposed capture of the little schooner was an incident that excited but little interest and no surprise among the people who were accustomed to consider their semen as invincible and Barnstable had not founded a difficult task to practice his deception on the few rustics whom curiosity induced to venture alongside the vessels during the short continuance of daylight when however the fogs of evening began to rise along the narrow basin and the curvatures of its margin were lost in the single outline of its dark and gloomy border the young semen thought it time to apply himself in earnest to his duty the alacrity containing all his own crew together with the aerials wounded was gotten silently underway and driving easily before the heavy air that swept from the land drifted from the harbor until the open sea lay before her when her sails were spread and she continued to make the best of her way in quest of the frigate Barnstable had watched this movement with breathless anxiety for on and eminence that completely commanded the waters to some distance a small but rude battery had been erected for the purpose of protecting the harbor against the depredations and insults of the smaller vessels of the enemy and a guard of sufficient force to manage the two heavy guns it contained was maintained in the work at all times he was ignorant how far his stratagem had been successful and it was only when he heard the fluttering of the alacrity's canvas as she opened it to the breeze he felt that he was yet secure will reach the Englishman's ears said the boy Mary who stood on the full castle of the schooner by the side of his commander listening with breathless interest to the sounds they set a sentinel on the point as the sun went down and if he is a trifle better than a dead man or a marine asleep he will suspect something is wrong never returned barnstable with a long breath that announced all his apprehensions were removed he will be more likely to believe it a mermaid fanning herself this cool evening than to suspect the real fact what say you master coffin will the soldiers smell the truth they're a dumb race said the coxswain casting his eyes over his shoulders to ascertain that none of their own marine guard was near him now there was our sergeant who ought to know something seeing that he has been afloat these four years maintained dead in the face and eyes of what every man who has ever doubled good hope knows to be true that there was no such vessel to be fallen in within them seas as the flying Dutchman and then again when I told him that he was a no nothing and asked him if the Dutchman was a more unlikely thing than that there should be places where the inhabitants split the year into two watches and had day for six months and night the rest of the time the greenhorn laughed in my face and I do believe he would have told me I lied but for one thing and what might that be asked barnstable gravely why sir return Tom stretching his bony fingers as he surveyed his broad palm by the little light that remained though I am a peaceful man I can be roused and you have seen the flying Dutchman I never doubled the e-scape though I can find my way through Le Maire in the darkest night that ever fell from the heavens but I have seen them that have seen her and spoken her too well be it so you must turn flying Yankee yourself tonight master Colton man your boat at once sir and arm your crew the coxswain paused a moment before he proceeded to obey this unexpected order and pointing towards the batter he inquired with infinite flam for work sir shall we take the cutlaces and pistols or shall we want the pikes there may be soldiers in our way with their bayonet said barnstable musing arm as usual but throw a few long pikes into the boat and Harkie master Colton out with your tub and whale line for I see you have rigged yourself a new in that way the coxswain who was moving from the forecast short at this new mandate and with an air of remonstrance ventured to say trust an old whaler captain barnstable who has been used to these craft all his life a whale boat is made to pull with a tub and a line in it as naturally as a ship is made to sail with ballast and out with it out with it interrupted the other with an impatient gesture that is coxswain new signified a positive determination even aside what he deemed his commanders prejudice Tom applied himself without further delay to the execution of the orders barnstable laid his hand familiarly on the shoulder of the boy and led him to the stern of his little vessel in profound silence the canvas hood that covered the entrance to the cabin was thrown partly aside and by the light of the lamp that was burning in the small apartment it was easy to overlook from the deck what was passing beneath them Dylan sat supporting his head with his two hands in a manner that shaded his face but in an attitude that denoted deep and abstract amusing I would that I could see the face of my prisoner said barnstable in an undertone that was audible only to his companion the eye of a man is a sort of lighthouse to tell one how to steer into the haven of his confidence boy and sometimes a beacon sort of warn you there is no safe anchorage near him returned the ready boy rogue muttered barnstable your cousin Kate spoke there if my cousin plowden were here Mr barnstable I know that her opinion of young gentlemen would not be at all more favorable and yet I have determined to trust him listen boy and tell me if I'm wrong you have a quick wit like some others of your family may suggest something advantageous the gratified midshipman swelled with the conscious pleasure of possessing his commander's confidence and followed to the taff rail over which barnstable leaned while he delivered the remainder of his communication I've gathered from the longshoremen who have come off this evening to stare at the vessel which the rebels have been able to build at a party of semen and Marines have been captured in an old ruin near the Abbey of St. Ruth this very day is Mr Griffith exclaimed the boy I the wit of your cousin Catherine was not necessary to discover that now I have proposed to this gentleman with the Savannah face that he should go into the Abbey and negotiate an exchange I will give him for Griffith and the crew of the alacrity for manuals command and the tigers the tigers cried the lad with emotion have they got my tigers to would do God that Mr Griffith permitted me to land it was no boys worth they were about and room was scarcer in their boat than live lumber but this Mr Dylan has accepted my proposition and has pledged himself that Griffith shall return within an hour after he is permitted to enter the Abbey will he redeem his honor from the pledge he may Submarine using a moment for I believe he thinks the presence of Mr Griffith under the same roof with Miss Howard a thing to be prevented if possible he may be true in this instance though he has a hollow look he has bad looking lighthouses I will own said Barnes-Dabin yet he is a gentleman and promises fair it is unmanly to suspect him in such a matter and I will have faith now listen sir the absence of older heads must throw great responsibility on your young shoulders watch that battery as closely as if you were at the mast head of your frigate on the lookout for an enemy the instant you see lights moving in it cut and run into the offering you will find me somewhere under the cliffs and you will stand off and on keeping the Abbey in sight until you fall in with us Mary gave an attentive ear to these and divers other solemn injunctions that he received from his commander who having sent the officer next to himself in authority in charge of the prize the third in command being included in the list of the wounded was compelled to entrust his beloved schooner to the vigilance of a lad whose years gave no promise of the experience and skill that he actually possessed when his admonitory instructions were ended barn stable stepped again to the opening in the cabin hood and for a single moment before he spoke once more examined the countenance of his prisoner with a keen eye Dylan had removed his hands from below his shallow features and as if conscious of the scrutiny his looks were to undergo had concentrated the whole expression of his forbidding aspect in a subtle gaze of hopeless submission to his fate at least so thought his captor and the idea touched some of the finer feelings in the rhythm of the generous young seaman discarding instantly every suspicion of his prisoners honor as a like and worthy of them both barn stable summoned him in a cheerful voice to the boat there was a flashing of the features of Dylan at this call which gave an indefinable expression to his countenance that again startled the sailor but it was so very transient and could so easily be mistaken for a smile of pleasure at his promise liberation at the doubts it engendered passed away almost as speedily as the equivocal expression itself barn stable was in the act of following his companion into the boat when he felt himself detained by a slight hold of his arm what would you have he asked of the midshipman who had given him the signal do not trust too much to that Dylan sir return the anxious boy in a whisper if you had seen his face as I did when the vinegar light fell upon it as he came up the cabin letter you would put no faith in him I should have seen no beauty said the generous lieutenant laughing but there is long time as hard featured a youth of two score and ten has ever washed in brine who has a heart as big I bigger than that of a kraken a bright watch to you boy and remember a keen I on the battery as he was yet speaking barn stable cross the gunwheel of his vessel and it was not until he was seated by the side of his prisoner that he continued aloud cast the stops off your sails Mr. Mary and see all clear to make a run of everything recollect you are shorthanded sir God bless you and do you hear if there is a man among you who shuts more than one eye at a time I'll make him when I get back open both wider than if Tom Cawthon's friend the flying Dutchman was booming down upon him God bless you Mary my boy give him the square sale if this breeze offshore holds on till morning shovel as barn stable gave the last order he fell back on his seat and drawing back his boat cloak around him maintained a profound silence until they have passed the two small headlands that fanned the mouth of the harbor the men pulled with their long vigorous strokes and the boat glided with amazing rapidity past the objects that could be yet indistinctly seen along the dim shore when however they had gained the open ocean and the direction of their little bark was changed to one that led them in a line with the coast and within the shadows of the cliffs the coxswain deeming that the silence was no longer necessary to their safety venture to break it as follows a square sale is a good sale to carry on a craft dead or for it and in a heavy sea but if 50 years can teach a man to know the weather it's my judgment that should the aerial break ground after the night turns at eight bells she'll need her main sale to hold her up to her course lieutenant started at this sudden interruption and casting his cloak from his shoulders he looked abroad on the waters as if seeking those portentous omens which disturbed the imagination of his coxswain how now Tom he said sharply have you turned croaker in your old age would see you to cause such an old woman's diddy there's no song of an old woman returned the coxswain with solemn earnestness but the warning of an old man and one who has spent his days where there were no hills to prevent the winds of heaven from blowing on him unless they were hills of salt water and foam a gesture there'll be a heavy northeaster setting in upon us before the morning watch is called barn stable knew the experience of his old messmate too well not to feel uneasiness at such an opinion delivered in so competent a manner but after again surveying the horizon the heavens and the ocean he said with a continued severity of manner your prophecy is idle this time master coffin everything looks like a dead calm this well as what is left from the last blow the mist overhead is nothing but the nightly fog and you can see with own eyes that it is driving seaworth even this land breeze is nothing but the air of the ground mixing with out of the ocean it is heavy with dew and fog but it's as sluggish as a dutch galley it I sir it is damp and there is little of it rejoin Tom but as it comes only from the shore so it never goes far on the water it is hard to learn the true signs of the weather captain barn stable and none get to know them well but such as studied little else or feel but little else there's only one who can see the winds of heaven and who can tell when a hurricane is to begin or where it will end still a man isn't like a whale or a porpoise that takes the air in his nostrils and never knows whether it is a south easter or a north easter that he feeds upon look brought off through leeward sir see the streak of clear sky shining under the mists take an old seafaring man's word for it captain barn stable that whenever the light shines out of the heavens in that fashion it is never done for nothing besides the sunset in a dark bank of clouds and the little moon we had was dry and windy barn stable listened attentively and with increasing concern for he well knew that his coxswain possessed a quick and almost unerring judgment of the weather notwithstanding the confused medley of superstitious omens and signs with which it was blended but again throwing himself back in his boat he muttered then let it blow Griffith is worth a heavier risk and if the battery can't be cheated it can be carried nothing further passed on the state of the weather Dylan had not ventured a single remark since he entered the boat and the coxswain had the discretion to understand that his officer was willing to be left to his own thoughts for nearly an hour they pursued their way with diligence the sinewy seaman who wielded the oars urging their light boat along the edge of the surf with unabated velocity and apparently with untired exertions occasionally barn stable would cast an inquiring glance at the little inlets that they passed or would note with a seaman's eye the small portions of sandy beach that were scattered here and there along the rocky boundaries of the coast when in particular a deeper inlet than common where a run of fresh water was heard gurgling as it met the tide he pointed out to his coxswain by a significant but silent gestures as a place to be especially noted Tom who understood the signal as intended for his own eye alone made his observations on the spot with equal task eternity but with all that minuteness that would distinguish one long accustomed to find his way whether by land or water by landmarks and the bearings of different objects soon after this silent communication between the lieutenant and his coxswain the boat was suddenly turned and was in the act of dashing upon the spit of sand before it when barn stable checked the movement by his voice hold water he said his the sound of oars the seaman held their boat at rest while a deep attention was given to the noise that had alarmed the ears of their commander see sir said the coxswain pointing towards the eastern horizon it is just rising into the streak of light to seeward of us now it settles in the truck I hear you have it again by heavens cried barn stable is a man of war stroke it pulls I saw the ore blades as they fell and listen to the sound neither your fishermen nor your smuggler pulls such a regular ore Tom had bowed his head nearly to the water in the act of listening and now raising himself he spoke with confidence that is the tiger I know the stroke of her crew as well as I do of my own Mr. Mary has made them learn the new fashion jerk as they dip their blades and they feather with such a roll in their Rolex I could square to the stroke the night glass that is commander impatiently I can catch them as they are lifted into the street you are right by every start in our flag Tom but there is only one man in her stern sheets by my good eyes I believe it is the accursed pilot sneaking from the land and leaving Griffith a manual to die in English prisons to shore with you beat your at once the order was no sooner given than it was obeyed and in less than two minutes the impatient barn stable Dylan and the coxswain were standing together on the sands the impression he had received that his friends were abandoned to their fate by the pilot urged the generous young seaman to hasten the departure of his prisoner as he was fearful every moment might interpose some new obstacle to the success of his plans Mr. Dylan he said the instant they were landed exact no new promise your honor is already plighted if those can make it stronger interrupted Dylan I will take them I shall send my coxswain with you to the abbey and you will either return with him in person within two hours or give Mr. Griffith and Captain manual to his guidance proceed sir you are conditionally free there is an easy opening by which to ascend the cliffs Dylan once more thanked his generous captor and then proceeded to force his way up the rough eminence follow and obey his instructions said barn stable to his coxswain allowed Tom long accustomed to implicit obedience handled his harpoon and was quietly following in the footsteps of his new leader when he felt the hand of a lieutenant on his shoulder you saw where the brook emptied over the hillock of sand said barn stable in and undertone Tom not a descent you will find us there writing without the surf will not do to trust too much to an enemy the coxswain made a gesture of great significance with his weapon that was intended to indicate the danger their prisoner would incur should he prove false when applying the wooden end of the harpoon to the rocks he ascended the ravine at a rate that soon brought him to the side of his companion end of chapter 21