The Buccaneer - A Tale

"Of a truth," he replied, "I mistook the apartment: ye cannot suppose,

most worthy commander of this enchanted and impish conservatory, that,

of my own free will, I would choose such company. Where is the

sinner?"--Dalton desired Springall to show him to the room of Mother

Hays.

The Buccaneer offered no comment on the fray, for he had often observed

that little good arises from lecturing people for their faults at the

very time you want their services. He explained to them briefly but

fully, and with as much clearness and wisdom as if he had been for hours

in deliberation, the danger by which they were encompassed; the more

than fear for their ship--that they themselves were in the most perilous

situation they had ever experienced, clogged by the land, and not free

on the sea: that as the evening was fast closing in, and the moon did

not rise until near midnight, their enemies could do little until after

the lapse of a few hours--that those who wished, might disperse

themselves along the shore, and escape to Sussex, or any other smuggling

station, as they best could; sending intimation to their friends as to

their movements: and he was the more particular in giving this

permission, as to each and every one had been distributed full pay and

profits;--that those who loved the Fire-fly, and would risk their lives

for her, or with her, were to conceal themselves along the coast, and

ere the moon rose, make their way a-board. This they could easily effect

under the thick darkness, and in so calm a night. There was not one who

could not steer a plank, in quiet water, from Essex to Sheerness; and in

default of that, they were all good swimmers.

"And now, my brave fellows," he added, "I may, or I may not, meet you on

the deck, where I have so often trod and triumphed. One great account I

have to settle with the land before I leave it. I may swing from a

gibbet before to-morrow's sun sets; or I may secure---- But if I am not

with you," he added, breaking off his sentence abruptly, "before the

moon rises, Mathews will take the helm; for I see by his eye that he

will not leave the ship he has mated with so much steadiness and good

seamanship for so long a time. The long-boat must have a light placed

like ours; and false canvass hung round, so as to make a bulk, while the

Fire-fly steals silently and darkly on her way. This, if well managed,

will give an hour's start--But you understand all that. Make up your

minds, among yourselves, who's for the land, who for the sea; and I will

join you again in five minutes." As Dalton (who was more agitated than

his crew had ever seen him) withdrew, he heard Roupall mutter-"Confound all she-things! This circumbendibus is all owing to his

daughter: 'twould be a precious good job if she had never been born, or

being born, was dead in earnest, which I hear she is not--He's not the

same skipper he was afore he took to land and sentimentality! Confound

all she-things, again say I! they are tiresome and troublesome."