The Buccaneer - A Tale

Another pause succeeded the rhapsody of Jack Roupall and then Springall

inquired how it was that he could not open the strong room where the

preacher had been left to his prayers.

"How it was? why, because I had not the key. And I am sure there's

nothing in it. I was in with the skipper after the long-legged puritan

was out, and I could see only squashed fruit, broken boxes, and old

good-for-nothing rags. Whatever had been worth moving was moved; but

that room will mount as high as any of them, I warrant me. I laid a good

lot of combustibles to the door. Ah! there was the gleam of a spear, to

my thinking." And he arose as he spoke, groaning out a curse against

Springall the moment after. "My back--a murrain upon you and upon me

too!--aches like the rheumatism from the weight of that old hag's

coffin, which you would have me carry from the Gull's Nest out yonder,

for fear it should be blown up with the crag. What did it signify if it

was, I wonder?"

"You wouldn't like the body of your own mother to go heavenward after

such a fashion, sinner as ye are, would ye, Jack?"

"They are coming," observed the rover, without heeding Springall's

words, "they are coming."

It was a fine sight to see even a small number of such well-disciplined

soldiers winding their way under the shadow of the hill nearest the

scene of so many adventures.

Roupall and the youth crept stealthily down the cliff by a secret path;

then, with the greatest deliberation, Jack struck a light, and prepared

to fire the train they had connected with those within the nest, to

which we alluded at the commencement of our narrative; while Springall

proceeded to perform a similar task a little lower down the Crag,

towards the window from whence the preacher, Fleetword, slung the packet

which so fortunately arrived at the place of its destination.

The instant their purpose was effected by a signal agreed upon between

them they quickly withdrew, and sheltered beneath the shade of a huge

rock left bare by the receding tide, where no injury could befal them.

It was well they did so, for in a moment the report as of a thousand

cannon thundered through the air, and fragments of clay, rock, and

shingle fell, thick as hail, and heavy as millstones, all around.

Immediately after a piercing cry for aid burst upon their ear, and

spread over land and water.

"God of Heaven!" exclaimed Springall, "it is not possible that any human

creature could have been within the place!" and he stretched himself

forward, and looked up to where the cry was uttered.