Let us return, now, to our miserable1 and half-hearted pirate, far out upon the raging sea.
It must not be supposed that the Pacific Ocean is always peaceful. No—there are days and nights when its winds howl, and its billows roar, and heave, and fume2, with all the violence and fury of any other terrestrial sea.
On one such night, the pirate’s barque was tossed like a cork3 on the Pacific’s heaving bosom4, while the shrieking5 winds played, as it were, fiendishly with the fluttering shreds6 of sails which they had previously7 blown to ribbons.
Richard Rosco stood beside the weather-bulwarks holding on to one of the mizzen back-stays. His mate Redford assisted the man at the wheel.
Upwards8 of three years of Rosco’s rule had subdued9 Redford to the condition of a hypocritical and sly, but by no means a submissive, savage10. One or two spurts12 at the commencement of their career had satisfied the mate, as well as the men, that the only way to overcome Rosco was to take his life; and as Redford had not sufficient courage, and the men no desire, to do that, they pursued their evil courses in comparative harmony. Nevertheless, the pirate captain knew well that the savage Redford was more acceptable to the pirates than himself so he determined13 to carry out intentions which had been simmering in his brain for some time, and rid the pirate crew of his presence.
“We will sight the island to-morrow afternoon, sir, if this holds,” said the mate.
“I know it,” answered Rosco.
“There is no good anchorage around it,” continued the mate.
“So you have told me before,” returned the captain, “but it matters not; we shall not anchor.”
“Not anchor!” repeated Redford in surprise. “I understood that we were to land there to ship sandal-wood. The crew thought so too, and I’m quite sure—”
“Well—go on—what are you sure of?”
“Oh! nothing—only sure that Captain Rosco understands his own intentions best.”
Rosco made no reply, and nothing further passed between the inharmonious pair at that time. Next day the gale14 abated15, and, as Redford had predicted, Sugar-loaf Island was sighted in the afternoon.
Running close in under the shelter of the mountain, the barque was hove-to and a boat lowered.
“The crew will take arms with them, I suppose, sir?” asked the mate.
“Of course, though there will not be occasion for them, as there are no natives at this part of the island. I merely wish to ascend17 the hill to reconnoitre. You will go with me. Put your pistols in your belt, and fetch my rifle. We may get some fresh meat among the hills.”
Breech-loading rifles had just come into fashion at that time, and the pirate captain had possessed18 himself of a double-barrelled one, with which he became wonderfully expert. This weapon was put into the boat with a large pouch19 full of cartridges20. No comments were made in regard to this, the pirates having been accustomed to see their commander land in various places for a day’s shooting, the result of which was usually an acceptable addition of fresh food to their larder21.
“Remain by the boat, lads, till we return,” said Rosco, leaping out when the keel grated on the shore. “Come with me, Redford.”
The mate obeyed, following his commander towards the same ravine where, about four years before, they had seen poor Zeppa disappear among the recesses22 of the mountain. Redford felt a little surprise, and more than a little discomfort23, at the peculiar24 conduct of his captain; but he comforted himself with the thought that if he should attempt any violence, there was a brace25 of pistols in his belt, and a cutlass at his side. He even for a moment meditated26 using the pistols when he looked at Rosco’s broad back; but he knew that some of the men in the boat had a sort of sneaking27 fondness for their captain, and refrained—at least till he should get out of sight of the boat and into the shelter of the woods where his actions could not be seen, and any account of the affair might be coloured to suit his convenience.
Richard Rosco divined pretty well what was passing in his mate’s mind. He also knew that as long as they were in sight of the boat, his enemy would not dare to injure him; he therefore threw his rifle carelessly over his shoulder, and walked with the most easy air of nonchalance28 over the strip of level land that lay between the sea and the forest that fringed the mountain base.
On the instant of entering the mouth of the ravine, however, he wheeled suddenly round and said—
“Now, Redford, you will lead the way, and I will direct you.”
The mate was startled, and his right hand moved, as if by involuntary impulse, toward the handle of a pistol.
Instantly the muzzle29 of the captain’s rifle was pointed30 at his breast.
“drop your hand!” he said sternly. “Another such threat, and I will shoot you with as much indifference31 as I would a sneaking dog. Now go on and do as I bid you.”
Redford gave in at once. He was at Rosco’s mercy. Without a word he passed on in advance, and ascended32 the ravine with a quick, steady step. To say the truth, he knew well that while his commander, on the one hand, would not threaten what he did not mean to perform, on the other hand he would never shed human blood needlessly. He therefore felt less troubled than might have been expected.
They soon reached a small eminence33 or rocky plateau, from which was obtained a splendid view of the sea, with the barque floating like a large albatross on its surface. From that point the boat could also be clearly seen, and every step of the path by which they had reached the eminence.
“Now, Redford,” said Rosco, throwing his rifle into the hollow of his left arm, so as to bring the muzzle full on the mate’s chest, while, with the forefinger34 of his right hand, he lightly touched the triggers, “draw your pistols from your belt, and be very careful how you do it—very careful—for if, even by chance, you touch hammer or trigger, you are a dead man.”
There was something of banter35 in Rosco’s manner, yet this was associated with an air and tone of such calm decision that the mate felt curiously36 uncomfortable. He obeyed orders, however, promptly37, and stood with a pistol in each hand. It must have been a tantalising position, for, had they been cocked, he could have blown out Rosco’s brains in a moment. Indeed, he was sorely tempted38 to break the half-cock catch on the chance of one or both going off, but his commander’s eye and muzzle forbade it.
“drop them,” said Rosco, suddenly.
If they had been red-hot irons, the mate could scarcely have let them go more quickly. It almost seemed as if his guilty desire had passed into the weapons and intensified39 the laws of gravitation—they came to the rock with such a clatter40.
“That will do. Now, two paces step—back, march! Splendid. Why, Redford, I had no idea you were so well up in your drill,” said Rosco, stepping to the spot beside the pistols, which the mate had just vacated. “You are fit to act fugleman to the British army. Now, clasp your hands behind your back, and don’t unclasp them till I give you leave. It’s a new piece of drill but not difficult to learn.”
The cowed pirate was too much alarmed to be amused by this last sally. He stood, sulkily it is true, but anxiously, awaiting further orders.
“Look here, Redford,” continued the pirate captain. “I want to prove to you that the distance from this spot to the boat is about five hundred yards. You see that gull41 on the water? It is about the same distance off as the boat—well—”
He sighted his rifle for five hundred yards, took a rapid aim, fired, and the gull, leaping its own height out of the water, fell back dead.
“Oh! don’t start my fine fellow, you forget the other barrel!”
The reminder42 was in time to check an unwise impulse on the mate’s part.
“Now,” continued Rosco, assuming a more serious tone, “I have brought you here for a last conversation. You have long desired to command that vessel43, and I have long desired to resign the command. We shall both have our desires gratified this day. I intend to take up my abode44 here; you are free to go where you please—but not to come here again. Lay my words to heart, now, and let me advise you to impress them on your crew. If you ever venture to come to this island again, I promise you to shoot every man that puts his foot upon the shore, and to shoot all that follow, as long as my ammunition45 lasts. And, you see, I have brought a pretty large bag of it on shore, which I do not mean to waste on gulls46, or anything else. I mean to keep it entirely47 for your benefit, my worthy48 friend—so, after this warning, you will please yourself, and take your own course. Now, go down to the boat; row straight back to your ship, tell your crew whatever you choose as to our interview, and go where you please. But bear in mind that my rifle will cover you during every step that you take from this spot down to the beach, ay, and after you have left the beach too, until you are safe on board. Remember, also, that the rifle is sighted for one thousand yards, and that the barque is not much farther of............