James Playfair was pacing to and fro on the poop, and, as may be
thought, he was very much surprised, not to say amazed, to see the
young girl come up to him, her eyes moist with grateful tears, and,
holding out her hand to him, saying:
"Thank you, sir, thank you for your kindness, which I should never have
dared to expect from a stranger."
"Miss," replied the Captain, as if he understood nothing of what she
was talking, and could not understand, "I do not know--"
"Nevertheless, sir, you are going to brave many dangers, perhaps
compromise your interests for me, and you have done so much already in
offering me on board an hospitality to which I have no right whatever--"
"Pardon me, Miss Jenny," interrupted James Playfair, "but I protest
again I do not understand your words. I have acted towards you as any
well-bred man would towards a lady, and my conduct deserves neither so
many thanks nor so much gratitude."
"Mr. Playfair," said Jenny, "it is useless to pretend any longer;
Crockston has told me all!"
"Ah!" said the Captain, "Crockston has told you all; then I understand
less than ever the reason for your leaving your cabin, and saying these
words which--"
Whilst speaking the Captain felt very much embarrassed; he remembered
the rough way in which he had received the American's overtures, but
Jenny, fortunately for him, did not give him time for further
explanation; she interrupted him, holding out her hand and saying:
"Mr. James, I had no other object in coming on board your ship except
to go to Charleston, and there, however cruel the slave-holders may be,
they will not refuse to let a poor girl share her father's prison; that
was all. I had never thought of a return as possible; but, since you
are so generous as to wish for my father's deliverance, since you will
attempt everything to save him, be assured you have my deepest
gratitude."
James did not know what to do or what part to assume; he bit his lip;
he dared not take the hand offered him; he saw perfectly that Crockston
had compromised him, so that escape was impossible. At the same time he
had no thoughts of delivering Mr. Halliburtt, and getting complicated
in a disagreeable business: but how dash to the ground the hope which
had arisen in this poor girl's heart? How refuse the hand which she
held out to him with a feeling of such profound friendship? How change
to tears of grief the tears of gratitude which filled her eyes?
So the young man tried to reply evasively, in a manner which would
ensure his liberty of action for the future.
"Miss Jenny," said he, "rest assured I will do everything in my power
for--"
And he took the little hand in both of his, but with the gentle
pressure he felt his heart melt and his head grow confused: words to
express his thoughts failed him. He stammered out some incoherent words:
"Miss--Miss Jenny--for you--"
Crockston, who was watching him, rubbed his hands, grinning and
repeating to himself:
"It will come! it will come! it has come!"
How James Playfair would have managed to extricate himself from his
embarrassing position no one knows, but fortunately for him, if not for
the -Dolphin-, the man on watch was heard crying:
"Ahoy, officer of the watch!"
"What now?" asked Mr. Mathew.
"A sail to windward!"
James Playfair, leaving the young girl, immediately sprang to the
shrouds of the mainmast.
Chapter V
THE SHOT FROM THE -IROQUOIS,- AND MISS JENNY'S ARGUMENTS
Until now the navigation of the -Dolphin- had been very fortunate. Not
one ship had been signalled before the sail hailed by the man on watch.
The -Dolphin- was then in 32° 51' lat., and 57° 43' W. longitude. For
forty-eight hours a fog, which now began to rise, had covered the
ocean. If this mist favoured the -Dolphin- by hiding her course, it
also prevented any observations at a distance being made, and, without
being aware of it, she might be sailing side by side, so to speak, with
the ships she wished most to avoid.
Now this is just what had happened, and when the ship was signalled she
was only three miles to windward.
When James Playfair had reached the cross-trees, he saw distinctly,
through an opening in the mist, a large Federal corvette in full
pursuit of the -Dolphin-.
After having carefully examined her, the Captain came down on deck
again, and called to the first officer.
"Mr. Mathew," said he, "what do you think of this ship?"
"I think, Captain, that it is a Federal cruiser, which suspects our
intentions."
"There is no possible doubt of her nationality," said James Playfair.
"Look!"
At this moment the starry flag of the North United States appeared on
the gaff-yards of the corvette, and the latter asserted her colours
with a cannon-shot.
"An invitation to show ours," said Mr. Mathew. "Well, let us show them;
there is nothing to be ashamed of."
"What's the good?" replied James Playfair. "Our flag will hardly
protect us, and it will not hinder those people from paying us a visit.
No; let us go ahead."
"And go quickly," replied Mr. Mathew, "for, if my eyes do not deceive
me, I have already seen that corvette lying off Liverpool, where she
went to watch the ships in building: my name is not Mathew, if that is
not the -Iroquois- on her taffrail."
"And is she fast?"
"One of the fastest vessels of the Federal marine."
"What guns does she carry?"
"Eight."
"Pooh!"
"Oh, don't shrug your shoulders, Captain," said Mr. Mathew, in a
serious tone; "two out of those eight guns are rifled, one is a
sixty-pounder on the forecastle, and the other a hundred-pounder on
deck."
"Upon my soul!" exclaimed James Playfair, "they are Parrott's, and will
carry three miles."
"Yes, and farther than that, Captain."
"Ah, well! Mr. Mathew, let their guns be sixty or only four-pounders,
and let them carry three miles or five hundred yards, it is all the
same if we can go fast enough to avoid their shot. We will show this
-Iroquois- how a ship can go when she is built on purpose to go. Have
the fires drawn forward, Mr. Mathew."
The first officer gave the Captain's orders to the engineer, and soon
volumes of black smoke curled from the steamer's chimneys.
This proceeding did not seem to please the corvette, for she made the
-Dolphin- the signal to lie to, but James Playfair paid no attention to
this warning, and did not change his ship's course.
"Now," said he, "we shall see what the -Iroquois- will do; here is a
fine opportunity for her to try her guns. Go ahead full speed!"
"Good!" exclaimed Mr. Mathew; "she will not be long in saluting us."
Returning to the poop, the Captain saw Miss Halliburtt sitting quietly
near the bulwarks.
"Miss Jenny," said he, "we shall probably be chased by that corvette
you see to windward, and as she will speak to us with shot, I beg to
offer you my arm to take you to your cabin again."
"Thank you, very much, Mr. Playfair," replied the young girl, looking
at him, "but I am not afraid of cannon-shots."
"However, miss, in spite of the distance, there may be some danger."
"Oh, I was not brought up to be fearful; they accustom us to everything
in America, and I assure you that the shot from the -Iroquois- will not
make me lower my head."
"You are brave, Miss Jenny."
"Let us admit, then, that I am brave, and allow me to stay by you."
"I can refuse you nothing, Miss Halliburtt," replied the Captain,
looking at the young girl's calm face.
These words were hardly uttered when they saw a line of white smoke
issue from the bulwarks of the corvette; before the report had reached
the -Dolphin- a projectile whizzed through the air in the direction of
the steamer.
At about twenty fathoms from the -Dolphin- the shot, the speed of which
had sensibly lessened, skimmed over the surface of the waves, marking
its passage by a series of water-jets; then, with another burst, it
rebounded to a certain height, passed over the -Dolphin-, grazing the
mizzen-yards on the starboard side, fell at thirty fathoms beyond, and
was buried in the waves.
"By Jove!" exclaimed James Playfair, "we must get along; another slap
like that is not to be waited for."
"Oh!" exclaimed Mr. Mathew, "they will take some time to reload such
pieces."
"Upon my honour, it is an interesting sight," said Crockston, who, with
arms crossed, stood perfectly at his ease looking at the scene.
"Ah! that's you," cried James Playfair, scanning the American from head
to foot.
"It is me, Captain," replied the American, undisturbed. "I have come to
see how these brave Federals fire; not badly, in truth, not badly."
The Captain was going to answer Crockston sharply, but at this moment a
second shot struck the sea on the starboard side.
"Good!" cried James Playfair, "we have already gained two cables on
this -Iroquois-. Your friends sail like a buoy; do you hear, Master
Crockston?"
"I will not say they don't," replied the American, "and for the first
time in my life it does not fail to please me."
A third shot fell still farther astern, and in less than ten minutes
the -Dolphin- was out of range of the corvette's guns.
"So much for patent-logs, Mr. Mathew," said James Playfair; "thanks to
those shot we know how to rate our speed. Now have the fires lowered;
it is not worth while to waste our coal uselessly."
"It is a good ship that you command," said Miss Halliburtt to the young
Captain.
"Yes, Miss Jenny, my good -Dolphin- makes her seventeen knots, and
before the day is over we shall have lost sight of that corvette."
James Playfair did not exaggerate the sailing qualities of his ship,
and the sun had not set before the masts of the American ship had
disappeared below the horizon.
This incident allowed the Captain to see Miss Halliburtt's character in
a new light; besides, the ice was broken, henceforward, during the
whole of the voyage; the interviews between the Captain and his
passenger were frequent and prolonged; he found her to be a young girl,
calm, strong, thoughtful, and intelligent, speaking with great ease,
having her own ideas about everything, and expressing her thoughts with
a conviction which unconsciously penetrated James Playfair's heart.
She loved her country, she was zealous in the great cause of the Union,
and expressed herself on the civil war in the United States with an
enthusiasm of which no other woman would have been capable. Thus it
happened, more than once, that James Playfair found it difficult to
answer her, even when questions purely mercantile arose in connection
with the war: Miss Jenny attacked them none the less vigorously, and
would come to no other terms whatever. At first James argued a great
deal, and tried to uphold the Confederates against the Federals, to
prove that the Secessionists were in the right, and that if the people
were united voluntarily they might separate in the same manner. But the
young girl would not yield on this point; she demonstrated that the
question of slavery was predominant in the struggle between the North
and South Americans, that it was far more a war in the cause of morals
and humanity than politics, and James could make no answer. Besides,
during these discussions, which he listened to attentively, it is
difficult to say whether he was more touched by Miss Halliburtt's
arguments or the charming manner in which she spoke; but at last he was
obliged to acknowledge, among other things, that slavery was the
principal feature in the war, that it must be put an end to decisively,
and the last horrors of barbarous times abolished.
It has been said that the political opinions of the Captain did not
trouble him much. He would have sacrificed his most serious opinion
before such enticing arguments and under like circumstances; he made a
good bargain of his ideas for the same reason, but at last he was
attacked in his tenderest point; this was the question of the traffic
in which the -Dolphin- was being employed, and, consequently, the
ammunition which was being carried to the Confederates.
"Yes, Mr. James," said Miss Halliburtt, "gratitude does not hinder me
from speaking with perfect frankness; on the contrary, you are a brave
seaman, a clever merchant, the house of Playfair is noted for its
respectability; but in this case it fails in its principles, and
follows a trade unworthy of it."
"How!" cried James, "the house of Playfair ought not to attempt such a
commercial enterprise?"
"No! it is taking ammunition to the unhappy creatures in revolt against
the government of their country, and it is lending arms to a bad cause."
"Upon my honour, Miss Jenny, I will not discuss the right of the
Confederates with you; I will only answer you with one word: I am a
merchant, and as such I only occupy myself with the interests of my
house; I look for gain wherever there is an opportunity of getting it."
"That is precisely what is to be blamed, Mr. James," replied the young
girl; "profit does not excuse it; thus, when you supply arms to the
Southerners, with which to continue a criminal war, you are quite as
guilty as when you sell opium to the Chinese, which stupefies them."
"Oh, for once, Miss Jenny, this is too much, and I cannot admit--"
"No; what I say is just, and when you consider it, when you understand
the part you are playing, when you think of the results for which you
are responsible, you will yield to me in this point, as in so many
others."
James Playfair was dumfounded at these words; he left the young girl, a
prey to angry thoughts, for he felt his powerlessness to answer; then
he sulked like a child for half an hour, and an hour later he returned
to the singular young girl who could overwhelm him with convincing
arguments with quite a pleasant smile.
In short, however it may have come about, and although he would not
acknowledge it to himself, Captain James Playfair belonged to himself
no longer; he was no longer commander-in-chief on board his own ship.
Thus, to Crockston's great joy, Mr. Halliburtt's affairs appeared to be
in a good way; the Captain seemed to have decided to undertake
everything in his power to deliver Miss Jenny's father, and for this he
would be obliged to compromise the -Dolphin-, his cargo, his crew, and
incur the displeasure of his worthy Uncle Vincent.
Chapter VI
SULLIVAN ISLAND CHANNEL
Two days after the meeting with the -Iroquois-, the -Dolphin- found
herself abreast of the Bermudas, where she was assailed by a violent
squall. These isles are frequently visited by hurricanes, and are
celebrated for shipwrecks. It is here that Shakespeare has placed the
exciting scene of his drama, -The Tempest-, in which Ariel and Caliban
dispute for the empire of the floods.
The squall was frightful; James Playfair thought once of running for
one of the Bermudas, where the English had a military post: it would
have been a sad waste of time, and therefore especially to be
regretted; happily the -Dolphin- behaved herself wonderfully well in
the storm, and, after flying a whole day before the tempest, she was
able to resume her course towards the American coast.
But if James Playfair had been pleased with his ship, he had not been
less delighted with the young girl's bravery; Miss Halliburtt had
passed the worst hours of the storm at his side, and James knew that a
profound, imperious, irresistible love had taken possession of his
whole being.
"Yes," said he, "this brave girl is mistress on board; she turns me
like the sea a ship in distress--I feel that I am foundering! What will
Uncle Vincent say? Ah! poor nature, I am sure that if Jenny asked me to
throw all this cursed cargo into the sea, I should do it without
hesitating, for love of her."
Happily for the firm of Playfair & Co., Miss Halliburtt did not demand
this sacrifice; nevertheless, the poor Captain had been taken captive,
and Crockston, who read his heart like an open book, rubbed his hands
gleefully.
"We will hold him fast!" he muttered to himself, "and before a week has
passed my master will be quietly installed in one of the best cabins of
the -Dolphin-."
As for Miss Jenny, did she perceive the feelings which she inspired?
Did she allow herself to share them? No one could say, and James
Playfair least of all; the young girl kept a perfect reserve, and her
secret remained deeply buried in her heart.
But whilst love was making such progress in the heart of the young
Captain, the -Dolphin- sped with no less rapidity towards Charleston.
On the 13th of January, the watch signalled land ten miles to the west.
It was a low-lying coast, and almost blended with the line of the sea
in the distance. Crockston was examining the horizon attentively, and
about nine o'clock in the morning he cried:
"Charleston lighthouse!"
Now that the bearings of the -Dolphin- were set, James Playfair had but
one thing to do, to decide by which channel he would run into
Charleston Bay.
"If we meet with no obstacles," said he, "before three o'clock we shall
be in safety in the docks of the port."
The town of Charleston is situated on the banks of an estuary seven
miles long and two broad, called Charleston Harbour, the entrance to
which is rather difficult. It is enclosed between Morris Island on the
south and Sullivan Island on the north. At the time when the -Dolphin-
attempted to force the blockade Morris Island already belonged to the
Federal troops, and General Gillmore had caused batteries to be erected
overlooking the harbour. Sullivan Island, on the contrary, was in the
hands of the Confederates, who were also in possession of Moultrie
Fort, situated at the extremity of the island; therefore it would be
advantageous to the -Dolphin- to go as close as possible to the
northern shores to avoid the firing from the forts on Morris Island.
Five channels led into the estuary, Sullivan Island Channel, the
Northern Channel, the Overall Channel, the Principal Channel, and
lastly, the Lawford Channel; but it was useless for strangers, unless
they had skilful pilots on board, or ships drawing less than seven feet
of water, to attempt this last; as for Northern and Overall Channels,
they were in range of the Federalist batteries, so that it was no good
thinking of them. If James Playfair could have had his choice, he would
have taken his steamer through the Principal Channel, which was the
best, and the bearings of which were easy to follow; but it was
necessary to yield to circumstances, and to decide according to the
event. Besides, the Captain of the -Dolphin- knew perfectly all the
secrets of this bay, its dangers, the depths of its water at low tide,
and its currents, so that he was able to steer his ship with the
greatest safety as soon as he entered one of these narrow straits. The
great question was to get there.
Now this work demanded an experienced seaman, and one who knew exactly
the qualities of the -Dolphin-.
In fact, two Federal frigates were now cruising in the Charleston
waters. Mr. Mathew soon drew James Playfair's attention to them.
"They are preparing to ask us what we want on these shores," said he.
"Ah, well! we won't answer them," replied the Captain, "and they will
not get their curiosity satisfied."
In the meanwhile the cruisers were coming on full steam towards the
-Dolphin-, who continued her course, taking care to keep out of range
of their guns. But in order to gain time James Playfair made for the
south-west, wishing to put the enemies' ships off their guard; the
latter must have thought that the -Dolphin- intended to make for Morris
Island Channel. Now there they had batteries and guns, a single shot
from which would have been enough to sink the English ship; so the
Federals allowed the -Dolphin- to run towards the south-west,
contenting themselves by observing her without following closely.
Thus for an hour the respective situations of the ships did not change,
for James Playfair, wishing to deceive the cruisers as to the course of
the -Dolphin-, had caused the fires to be moderated, so that the speed
was decreased. However, from the thick volumes of smoke which escaped
from the chimneys, it might have been thought that he was trying to get
his maximum pressure, and, consequently his maximum of rapidity.
"They will be slightly astonished presently," said James Playfair,
"when they see us slip through their fingers!"
In fact, when the Captain saw that he was near enough to Morris Island,
and before a line of guns, the range of which he did not know, he
turned his rudder quickly, and the ship resumed her northerly course,
leaving the cruisers two miles to windward of her; the latter, seeing
this manoeuvre, understood the steamer's object, and began to pursue
her in earnest, but it was too late. The -Dolphin- doubled her speed
under the action of the screws, and distanced them rapidly. Going
nearer to the coast, a few shell were sent after her as an acquittal of
conscience, but the Federals were outdone, for their projectiles did
not reach half-way. At eleven o'clock in the morning, the steamer
ranging near Sullivan Island, thanks to her small draft, entered the
narrow strait full steam; there she was in safety, for no Federalist
cruiser dared follow her in this channel, the depth of which, on an
average, was only eleven feet at low tide.
"How!" cried Crockston, "and is that the only difficulty?"
"Oh! oh! Master Crockston," said James Playfair, "the difficulty is not
in entering, but in getting out again."
"Nonsense!" replied the American, "that does not make me at all uneasy;
with a boat like the -Dolphin- and a Captain like Mr. James Playfair,
one can go where one likes, and come out in the same manner."
Nevertheless, James Playfair, with telescope in his hand, was
attentively examining the route to be followed. He had before him
excellent coasting guides, with which he could go ahead without any
difficulty or hesitation.
Once his ship was safely in the narrow channel which runs the length of
Sullivan Island, James steered bearing towards the middle of Fort
Moultrie as far as the Pickney Castle, situated on the isolated island
of Shute's Folly; on the other side rose Fort Johnson, a little way to
the north of Fort Sumter.
At this moment the steamer was saluted by some shot which did not reach
her, from the batteries on Morris Island. She continued her course
without any deviation, passed before Moultrieville, situated at the
extremity of Sullivan Island, and entered the bay.
Soon Fort Sumter on the left protected her from the batteries of the
Federalists.
This fort, so celebrated in the civil war, is situated three miles and
a half from Charleston, and about a mile from each side of the bay: it
is nearly pentagonal in form, built on an artificial island of
Massachusetts granite; it took ten years to construct and cost more
than 900,000 dollars.
It was from this fort, on the 13th of April, 1861, that Anderson and
the Federal troops were driven, and it was against it that the first
shot of the Confederates was fired. It is impossible to estimate the
quantity of iron and lead which the Federals showered down upon it.
However, it resisted for almost three years, but a few months after the
passage of the -Dolphin- it fell beneath General Gillmore's three
hundred-pounders on Morris Island.
But at this time it was in all its strength, and the Confederate flag
floated proudly above it.
Once past the fort, the town of Charleston appeared, lying between
Ashley and Cooper Rivers.
James Playfair threaded his way through the buoys which mark the
entrance of the channel, leaving behind the Charleston lighthouse,
visible above Morris Island. He had hoisted the English flag, and made
his way with wonderful rapidity through the narrow channels. When he
had passed the quarantine buoy, he advanced freely into the centre of
the bay. Miss Halliburtt was standing on the poop, looking at the town
where her father was kept prisoner, and her eyes filled with tears.
At last the steamer's speed was moderated by the Captain's orders; the
-Dolphin- ranged along the end of the south and east batteries, and was
soon moored at the quay of the North Commercial Wharf.
Chapter VII
A SOUTHERN GENERAL
The -Dolphin-, on arriving at the Charleston quay, had been saluted by
the cheers of a large crowd. The inhabitants of this town, strictly
blockaded by sea, were not accustomed to visits from European ships.
They asked each other, not without astonishment, what this great
steamer, proudly bearing the English flag, had come to do in their
waters; but when they learned the object of her voyage, and why she had
just forced the passage Sullivan, when the report spread that she
carried a cargo of smuggled ammunition, the cheers and joyful cries
were redoubled.
James Playfair, without losing a moment, entered into negotiation with
General Beauregard, the military commander of the town. The latter
eagerly received the young Captain of the -Dolphin-, who had arrived in
time to provide the soldiers with the clothes and ammunition they were
so much in want of. It was agreed that the unloading of the ship should
take place immediately, and numerous hands came to help the English
sailors.
Before quitting his ship James Playfair had received from Miss
Halliburtt the most pressing injunctions with regard to her father, and
the Captain had placed himself entirely at the young girl's service.
"Miss Jenny," he had said, "you may rely on me; I will do the utmost in
my power to save your father, but I hope this business will not present
many difficulties. I shall go and see General Beauregard to-day, and,
without asking him at once for Mr. Halliburtt's liberty, I shall learn
in what situation he is, whether he is on bail or a prisoner."
"My poor father!" replied Jenny, sighing; "he little thinks his
daughter is so near him. Oh that I could fly into his arms!"
"A little patience, Miss Jenny; you will soon embrace your father. Rely
upon my acting with the most entire devotion, but also with prudence
and consideration."
This is why James Playfair, after having delivered the cargo of the
-Dolphin- up to the General, and bargained for an immense stock of
cotton, faithful to his promise, turned the conversation to the events
of the day.
"So," said he, "you believe in the triumph of the slave-holders?"
"I do not for a moment doubt of our final success, and, as regards
Charleston, Lee's army will soon relieve it: besides, what do you
expect from the Abolitionists? Admitting that which will never be, that
the commercial towns of Virginia, the two Carolinas, Georgia, Alabama,
fall under their power, what then? Will they be masters of a country
they can never occupy? No, certainly not; and for my part, if they are
ever victorious, they shall pay dearly for it."
"And you are quite sure of your soldiers?" asked the Captain. "You are
not afraid that Charleston will grow weary of a siege which is ruining
her?"
"No, I do not fear treason; besides, the traitors would be punished
remorselessly, and I would destroy the town itself by sword or fire if
I discovered the least Unionist movement. Jefferson Davis confided
Charleston to me, and you may be sure that Charleston is in safe hands."
"Have you any Federal prisoners?" asked James Playfair, coming to the
interesting object of the conversation.
"Yes, Captain," replied the General, "it was at Charleston that the
first shot of separation was fired. The Abolitionists who were here
attempted to resist, and, after being defeated, they have been kept as
prisoners of war."
"And have you many?"
"About a hundred."
"Free in the town?"
"They were until I discovered a plot formed by them: their chief
succeeded in establishing a communication with the besiegers, who were
thus informed of the situation of affairs in the town. I was then
obliged to lock up these dangerous guests, and several of them will
only leave their prison to ascend the slope of the citadel, where ten
confederate balls will reward them for their federalism."
"What! to be shot!" cried the young man, shuddering involuntarily.
"Yes, and their chief first of all. He is a very dangerous man to have
in a besieged town. I have sent his letters to the President at
Richmond, and before a week is passed his sentence will be irrevocably
passed."
"Who is this man you speak of?" asked James Playfair, with an assumed
carelessness.
"A journalist from Boston, a violent Abolitionist with the confounded
spirit of Lincoln."
"And his name?"
"Jonathan Halliburtt."
"Poor wretch!" exclaimed James, suppressing his emotion. "Whatever he
may have done, one cannot help pitying him. And you think that he will
be shot?"
"I am sure of it," replied Beauregard. "What can you expect? War is
war; one must defend oneself as best one can."
"Well, it is nothing to me," said the Captain. "I shall be far enough
away when this execution takes place."
"What! you are thinking of going away already."
"Yes, General, business must be attended to; as soon as my cargo of
cotton is on board I shall be out to sea again. I was fortunate enough
to enter the bay, but the difficulty is in getting out again. The
-Dolphin- is a good ship; she can beat any of the Federal vessels for
speed, but she does not pretend to distance cannon-balls, and a shell
in her hull or engine would seriously affect my enterprise."
"As you please, Captain," replied Beauregard; "I have no advice to give
you under such circumstances. You are doing your business, and you are
right. I should act in the same manner were I in your place; besides, a
stay at Charleston is not very pleasant, and a harbour where shells are
falling three days out of four is not a safe shelter for your ship; so
you will set sail when you please; but can you tell me what is the
number and the force of the Federal vessels cruising before Charleston?"
James Playfair did his best to answer the General, and took leave of
him on the best of terms; then he returned to the -Dolphin- very
thoughtful and very depressed from what he had just heard.
"What shall I say to Miss Jenny? Ought I to tell her of Mr.
Halliburtt's terrible situation? Or would it be better to keep her in
ignorance of the trial which is awaiting her? Poor child!"
He had not gone fifty steps from the governor's house when he ran
against Crockston. The worthy American had been watching for him since
his departure.
"Well, Captain?"
James Playfair looked steadily at Crockston, and the latter soon
understood he had no favourable news to give him.
"Have you seen Beauregard?" he asked.
"Yes," replied James Playfair.
"And have you spoken to him about Mr. Halliburtt?"
"No, it was he who spoke to me about him."
"Well, Captain?"
"Well, I may as well tell you everything, Crockston."
"Everything, Captain."
"General Beauregard has told me that your master will be shot within a
week."
At this news anyone else but Crockston would have grown furious or
given way to bursts of grief, but the American, who feared nothing,
only said, with almost a smile on his lips:
"Pooh! what does it matter?"
"How! what does it matter?" cried James Playfair. "I tell you that Mr.
Halliburtt will be shot within a week, and you answer, what does it
matter?"
"And I mean it--if in six days he is on board the -Dolphin-, and if in
seven days the -Dolphin- is on the open sea."
"Right!" exclaimed the Captain, pressing Crockston's hand. "I
understand, my good fellow, you have got some pluck; and for myself, in
spite of Uncle Vincent, I would throw myself overboard for Miss Jenny."
"No one need be thrown overboard," replied the American, "only the fish
would gain by that: the most important business now is to deliver Mr.
Halliburtt."
"But you must know that it will be difficult to do so."
"Pooh!" exclaimed Crockston.
"It is a question of communicating with a prisoner strictly guarded."
"Certainly."
"And to bring about an almost miraculous escape."
"Nonsense," exclaimed Crockston; "a prisoner thinks more of escaping
than his guardian thinks of keeping him; that's why, thanks to our
help, Mr. Halliburtt will be saved."
"You are right, Crockston."
"Always right."
"But now what will you do? There must be some plan: and there are
precautions to be taken."
"I will think about it."
"But when Miss Jenny learns that her father is condemned to death, and
that the order for his execution may come any day--"
"She will know nothing about it, that is all."
"Yes, it will be better for her and for us to tell her nothing."
"Where is Mr. Halliburtt imprisoned?" asked Crockston.
"In the citadel," replied James Playfair.
"Just so! . . . On board now?"
"On board, Crockston!"
Chapter VIII
THE ESCAPE
Miss Jenny, sitting at the poop of the -Dolphin-, was anxiously waiting
the Captain's return; when the latter went up to her she could not
utter a word, but her eyes questioned James Playfair more eagerly than
her lips could have done. The latter, with Crockston's help, informed
the young girl of the facts relating to her father's imprisonment. He
said that he had carefully broached the subject of the prisoners of war
to Beauregard, but, as the General did not seem disposed at all in
their favour, he had thought it better to say no more about it, but
think the matter over again.
"Since Mr. Halliburtt is not free in the town, his escape will be more
difficult; but I will finish my task, and I promise you, Miss Jenny,
that the -Dolphin- shall not leave Charleston without having your
father on board."
"Thank you, Mr. James; I thank you with my whole heart."
At these words James Playfair felt a thrill of joy through his whole
being.
He approached the young girl with moist eyes and quivering lips;
perhaps he was going to make an avowal of the sentiments he could no
longer repress, when Crockston interfered:
"This is no time for grieving," said he; "we must go to work, and
consider what to do."
"Have you any plan, Crockston?" asked the young girl.
"I always have a plan," replied the American: "it is my peculiarity."
"But a good one?" said James Playfair.
"Excellent! and all the ministers in Washington could not devise a
better; it is almost as good as if Mr. Halliburtt was already on board."
Crockston spoke with such perfect assurance, at the same time with such
simplicity, that it must have been the most incredulous person who
could doubt his words.
"We are listening, Crockston," said James Playfair.
"Good! You, Captain, will go to General Beauregard, and ask a favour of
him which he will not refuse you."
"And what is that?"
"You will tell him that you have on board a tiresome subject, a scamp
who has been very troublesome during the voyage, and excited the crew
to revolt. You will ask of him permission to shut him up in the
citadel; at the same time, on the condition that he shall return to the
ship on her departure, in order to be taken back to England, to be
delivered over to the justice of his country."
"Good!" said James Playfair, half smiling, "I will do all that, and
Beauregard will grant my request very willingly."
"I am perfectly sure of it," replied the American.
"But," resumed Playfair, "one thing is wanting."
"What is that?"
"The scamp."
"He is before you, Captain."
"What, the rebellious subject?"
"Is myself; don't trouble yourself about that."
"Oh! you brave, generous heart," cried Jenny, pressing the American's
rough hands between her small white palms.
"Go, Crockston," said James Playfair; "I understand you, my friend; and
I only regret one thing--that is, that I cannot take your place."
"Everyone his part," replied Crockston; "if you put yourself in my
place you would be very much embarrassed, which I shall not be; you
will have enough to do later on to get out of the harbour under the
fire of the Feds and Rebs, which, for my part, I should manage very
badly."
"Well, Crockston, go on."
"Once in the citadel--I know it--I shall see what to do, and rest
assured I shall do my best; in the meanwhile, you will be getting your
cargo on board."
"Oh, business is now a very unimportant detail," said the Captain.
"Not at all! And what would your Uncle Vincent say to that? We must
join sentiment with work; it will prevent suspicion; but do it quickly.
Can you be ready in six days?"
"Yes."
"Well, let the -Dolphin- be ready to start on the 22nd."
"She shall be ready."
"On the evening of the 22nd of January, you understand, send a gig with
your best men to White Point, at the end of the town; wait there till
nine o'clock, and then you will see Mr. Halliburtt and your servant."
"But how will you manage to effect Mr. Halliburtt's deliverance, and
also escape yourself?"
"That's my look-out."
"Dear Crockston, you are going to risk your life then, to save my
father!"
"Don't be uneasy, Miss Jenny, I shall risk absolutely nothing, you may
believe me."
"Well," asked James Playfair, "when must I have you locked up?"
"To-day--you understand--I demoralise your crew; there is no time to be
lost."
"Would you like any money? It may be of use to you in the citadel."
"Money to buy the gaoler! Oh, no, it would be a poor bargain; when one
goes there the gaoler keeps the money and the prisoner! No, I have
surer means than that; however, a few dollars may be useful; one must
be able to drink, if needs be."
"And intoxicate the gaoler."
"No, an intoxicated gaoler would spoil everything. No, I tell you I
have an idea; let me work it out."
"Here, my good fellow, are ten dollars."
"It is too much, but I will return what is over."
"Well, then, are you ready?"
"Quite ready to be a downright rogue."
"Let us go to work, then."
"Crockston," said the young girl, in a faltering voice, "you are the
best man on earth."
"I know it," replied the American, laughing good-humouredly. "By the
by, Captain, an important item."
"What is that?"
"If the General proposes to hang your rebel--you know that military men
like sharp work--"
"Well, Crockston?"
"Well, you will say that you must think about it."
"I promise you I will."
The same day, to the great astonishment of the crew, who were not in
the secret, Crockston, with his feet and hands in irons, was taken on
shore by a dozen sailors, and half an hour after, by Captain James
Playfair's request, he was led through the streets of the town, and, in
spite of his resistance, was imprisoned in the citadel.
During this and the following days the unloading of the -Dolphin- was
rapidly accomplished; the steam cranes lifted out the European cargo to
make room for the native goods. The people of Charleston, who were
present at this interesting work, helped the sailors, whom they held in
great respect, but the Captain did not leave the brave fellows much
time for receiving compliments; he was constantly behind them, and
urged them on with a feverish activity, the reason of which the sailors
could not suspect.
Three days later, on the 18th of January, the first bales of cotton
began to be packed in the hold: although James Playfair troubled
himself no more about it, the firm of Playfair and Co. were making an
excellent bargain, having obtained the cotton which encumbered the
Charleston wharves at very far less than its value.
In the meantime no news had been heard of Crockston. Jenny, without
saying anything about it, was a prey to incessant fears; her pale face
spoke for her, and James Playfair endeavoured his utmost to ease her
mind.
"I have all confidence in Crockston," said he; "he is a devoted
servant, as you must know better than I do, Miss Jenny. You must make
yourself quite at ease; believe me, in three days you will be folded in
your father's arms."
"Ah! Mr. James," cried the young girl, "how can I ever repay you for
such devotion? How shall we ever be able to thank you?"
"I will tell you when we are in English seas," replied the young
Captain.
Jenny raised her tearful face to him for a moment, then her eyelids
drooped, and she went back to her cabin.
James Playfair hoped that the young girl would know nothing of her
father's terrible situation until he was in safety, but she was
apprised of the truth by the involuntary indiscretion of a sailor.
The reply from the Richmond cabinet had arrived by a courier who had
been able to pass the line of outposts; the reply contained Jonathan
Halliburtt's death-warrant. The news of the approaching execution was
not long in spreading through the town, and it was brought on board by
one of the sailors of the -Dolphin-; the man told the Captain, without
thinking that Miss Halliburtt was within hearing; the young girl
uttered a piercing cry, and fell unconscious on the deck. James
Playfair carried her to her cabin, but the most assiduous care was
necessary to restore her to life.
When she opened her eyes again, she saw the young Captain, who, with a
finger on his lips, enjoined absolute silence. With difficulty she
repressed the outburst of her grief, and James Playfair, leaning
towards her, said gently:
"Jenny, in two hours your father will be in safety near you, or I shall
have perished in endeavouring to save him!"
Then he left the cabin, saying to himself, "And now he must be carried
off at any price, since I must pay for his liberty with my own life and
those of my crew."
The hour for action had arrived, the loading of the cotton cargo had
been finished since morning; in two hours the ship would be ready to
start.
James Playfair had left the North Commercial Wharf and gone into the
roadstead, so that he was ready to make use of the tide, which would be
high at nine o'clock in the evening.
It was seven o'clock when James left the young girl, and began to make
preparations for departure. Until the present time the secret had been
strictly kept between himself, Crockston, and Jenny; but now he thought
it wise to inform Mr. Mathew of the situation of affairs, and he did so
immediately.
"Very well, sir," replied Mr. Mathew, without making the least remark,
"and nine o'clock is the time?"
"Nine o'clock, and have the fires lit immediately, and the steam got
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