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38 chapters
Preface.
Preface.
John Deane was a real person, and I hope that the readers of this my book about him will be as much pleased with it as I was with the history of his adventures, placed in my hands by a friend who long resided at Nottingham. He was born at that town A.D. 1679. Though of gentle parentage, in his early days he followed the occupation of a drover. He then went to sea, and became a Captain in the Navy; after that he was a Merchant Adventurer. He next took service under Peter the Great, and commanded
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Chapter One.
Chapter One.
“Pray Heaven he may!” ejaculated the Jacobite squire. “And now, daughter, let me counsel you to deport yourself with becoming dignity and reserve during our visit to the Deane family. Mr Deane is, I own, a man of credit and honour, and would never desire to injure a human being. I am, moreover, indebted to him for certain sums advanced on my estate, and of dire necessity only accepted; so that I wish he should be treated with all courtesy and respect. But he is an obstinate supporter of this vil
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Chapter Two.
Chapter Two.
The quiet, though far from retiring-mannered Jasper had enjoyed the honour of handing down the fair Alethea, and had dexterously managed to place himself by her side. Jack, who sat opposite, observed that she listened attentively to his conversation, which, although he could not catch the substance of it, he saw was of an interesting character. Dr Nathaniel Deane, however, took upon himself the entertainment of a larger portion of the guests, Mrs Deane occasionally keeping up the ball of convers
37 minute read
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Chapter Three.
Chapter Three.
“Don’t say that, Jack,” answered Smedley: “we cannot afford to lose you. We want a good leader in all our work, and you are just the man for us. As for the boat, she is down by the edge of Colwick Causeway, under the bushes; and Ned Bligh has got mufflers for the oars, and all ready; so come with us now, and don’t be bothering your head about the future.” The young men were soon walking along the sward of Colwick Park, with the great trees throwing their shadows across it, when the moon, often h
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Chapter Four.
Chapter Four.
One of Jack’s first visitors was Mr Strelley. “I have come to thank you, Mr John Deane, for saving my property,” he said, as he took his seat by his side. “You have not only benefited me very greatly, but I can scarcely tell you how many poor families would have been thrown out of work if my factory had been destroyed.” Jack of course made a suitable answer. “I just did what I saw ought to be done,” said Jack. “Really, Mr Strelley, I do not think you have anything to thank me for.” “There may be
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Chapter Five.
Chapter Five.
“‘It’s his Majesty!’ exclaimed the colonel of the regiment. “On hearing this, a loud shout of joy burst from the men, who were all Protestant yeomen. “‘Gentlemen!’ said William, ‘you shall be my guards to-day. I have heard much of you; let us now see something of each other, and what we can do.’ “With this he led them forward against the enemy, who at length took to flight, and in a short time there was no doubt that the battle was won. “Since I have read that account, I have always looked upon
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Chapter Six.
Chapter Six.
“I am afraid, then, we must be content with small beginnings,” said the Squire. “A good time will come if we wait for it; and if William dies, though I would have no hand in hastening his death, there would be no doubt that the people would be glad enough to get King James back again.” “As to that, his life is as good as James’s,” observed Pearson; “and if we have not a strong party in readiness to take advantage of any thing that may occur, I fear the Puritan Nonconformists generally will still
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Chapter Seven.
Chapter Seven.
These quiet rests were generally succeeded by the bustle which was to be found in the various towns and markets through which they passed; but though for the moment the impressions received appear to have worn off, in after-years Jack remembered his old friend’s quaint remarks with no small amount of satisfaction and profit. Brinsmead’s droves were often joined by others belonging to different masters. They usually travelled as far as possible in the earliest morning hours, to secure the freedom
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Chapter Eight.
Chapter Eight.
“Let us see how they manage for themselves first,” answered Brinsmead. “I don’t see what business they have to upset their waggon just at this moment. It is my belief that they could have prevented the accident had they chosen, from the way it went over.” Meantime the drovers with shouts and blows were turning back the herd, to prevent them rushing into the water, which they were about to do when they found they could pass no other way. “Shall we help you?” cried Jack to the carters. “We should
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Chapter Nine.
Chapter Nine.
“Don’t look that way, lad,” he observed; “they are seducing follies, just invented by Satan to lead the young astray, and no good ever came to those who have frequented such places. I would I were the chief magistrate, to put them all down; but the Evil One must have his way, I’m afraid, though it will be a happy day when he is driven out of the world.” The magistrates’ booth held an important position in the array of lath and canvas, which had been erected as soon as the harvest had been got of
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Chapter Ten.
Chapter Ten.
“I told you that I cannot deliver it out here,” answered Pearson; “so come along with me and my reverend friend, Master Simon Stirthesoul; for you have not a chance of meeting with Brinsmead again before nightfall; and I will see you afterwards to your lodgings, if you cannot find the way by yourself.” Jack instinctively gave a hopeless glance round once more for his friend, and then seeing no signs of him, agreed to accompany Pearson and the minister. Pearson seemed anxious not to let Jack esca
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Chapter Eleven.
Chapter Eleven.
“‘Come, madame, this is no place for you!’ I heard a person say close to me. He seized my arm, and almost dragged me along the beach. ‘I know of a place near here where you can be concealed,’ he said. ‘I will conduct you to it; there is no time to lose.’ “Again I entreated him to look for Elise. “‘That will be useless,’ he answered: ‘she is in God’s hands, and He will preserve her! You can do nothing now.’ “He forced me on; and I could not indeed help feeling the justice of his remarks. “Assiste
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Chapter Twelve.
Chapter Twelve.
On saying this the speaker presented a letter to Brinsmead, which the latter handed to Jack to read, observing, “You’re a better scholar than I am, Mr Deane, and I’ll beg you just to see what friend McKillock has to say.” Jack took the epistle, which was somewhat dirty, the superscription being in a large though not over-legible hand. He saw, however, that it was addressed to Master Brinsmead, drover, at Saint Faith’s. On opening it, Jack saw that it purported to be signed by Jock McKillock, int
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Chapter Thirteen.
Chapter Thirteen.
Jack thought this very likely, and did not press the point, but suddenly another idea occurred to him. “I might surely visit Harwood Grange?” he observed; “no one would be looking for me there, and I should like to see Mr Harwood and gain some information respecting the persons to whom I am to deliver these letters.” “I will think about that, my lad, as we ride on,” answered Pearson. “Our direct road will take us a good deal to the east of Sherwood Forest, and your visit to the Grange would caus
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Chapter Fourteen.
Chapter Fourteen.
Jack’s heart beat at the thought of the proposed visit. The inconvenience and disappointment which he had gone through, seemed as nothing when he contemplated again seeing Alethea. It did not occur to him that he was rushing into a trap in which he was very likely to lose his liberty altogether. They had proceeded about forty or fifty miles to the south, when a horseman was seen approaching them. He drew up as he reached Pearson, and exchanged greetings with him. He then turning round, and allow
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Chapter Fifteen.
Chapter Fifteen.
Jack replied that circumstances would prevent him returning home. He naturally felt disinclined to tell Alethea more of the truth than was necessary. They had little time for conversation before the servant announced that supper was ready, when two other persons were seen crossing the hall in the direction of the supper-room. “Some friends I told you that you might possibly meet,” observed the Squire to Jack, as they took their seats at the table. From the dress of the strangers, Jack at once ca
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Chapter Sixteen.
Chapter Sixteen.
Burdale’s horse seemed better accustomed to the country than was Jack’s. After having gone a considerable distance, he left Jack some way behind. The marks of the horse’s feet had immediately been lost, by the spongy ground returning to its former state. Jack, however, thought there could be no difficulty in pushing on directly behind him. He had not, however, gone far before he found that, instead of following Burdale’s direction to turn neither to the right nor left, he had by some means got o
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Chapter Seventeen.
Chapter Seventeen.
“Now there’s another thing we shall have to do: we must just each of us carry a piece of lighted turf, for the birds can smell as well as see; and they don’t mind the smoke, and that carries away any scent by which we might betray ourselves. Now, we will go round to the side from which the wind blows directly over the pond. Stoop down, master, if you please. I will first go and fasten the net over the end of the pipe, that the birds may fly into it, as I hope there will be many of them doing bef
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Chapter Eighteen.
Chapter Eighteen.
She took his hand, and put on his finger as she spoke a massive gold ring of a peculiar make, with a chameleon and a vessel under full sail engraved on it. “It is all I have to give, but I entreat you to accept it, that you may be reminded how grateful I am for the kindness you have shown me since you came to live here!” Jack did not like to refuse the gift, and yet he thought that he ought not to accept it. “I should ever remember you without it,” he answered. “But it is too valuable. Give me s
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Chapter Nineteen.
Chapter Nineteen.
“This will, I hope, satisfy you, gentlemen, that we are not acting without due authority; moreover, you should be aware that the Duke of Berwick came over to England a few months ago, and visited many of the principal adherents of King James, who are all ready, on the signal which we shall make them, to rise in arms, and raise the standard of our lawful king. He is also at the present moment prepared to put himself at the head of an army of 20,000 French soldiers, who are drawn out of the differ
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Chapter Twenty.
Chapter Twenty.
Charnock, who had been a Fellow of Magdalen College, Oxford, and had become its Popish vice-president, was an indefatigable agent of the Jacobites. So completely imbued had he become with Jesuitical principles, that he had persuaded himself that he had full right to murder the king, having as he supposed a commission from the person he considered the legal proprietor of the throne. He offered to disclose all he knew of the consultations and designs of the Jacobites, if his life were spared, and
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Chapter Twenty One.
Chapter Twenty One.
He little expected to find any body else whom he had met before; but he had not been long on board, when a seaman came up to him, and, putting out his hand, exclaimed— “What, Jack Deane, don’t you know me?” “Yes,” said Jack, at last, wringing him by the hand; “but I should not have recognised you in that dress and with that ugly cut down your cheek, if I did not remember your voice.” “Yes; I have seen some service already,” answered the seaman. “I have a bullet through my leg, and this pretty li
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Chapter Twenty Two.
Chapter Twenty Two.
Jack had frequently spoken to the man whose countenance he thought he knew when he first came on board, but the latter denied ever having seen him before. Jack now saw him standing at a gun not far from the one where he was stationed. The man looked very pale, and, like Smedley, was not joining in the jokes of his shipmates. Jack watched his countenance, and now was more convinced than ever that he was Burdale. As the “Weymouth” drew near, the stranger hoisted French colours, and finding that es
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Chapter Twenty Three.
Chapter Twenty Three.
“Can I do any thing for you?” he asked. “We have met before, I think?” “We have; but you cannot help me much, I suspect. Still, I thank you kindly for the offer. I knew you also when you came on board, and was glad to find that you had escaped the trouble into which I thought you would have fallen.” The ice was thus broken, and Jack, while wishing to be of use to the wounded man, whose time on earth he thought was likely to be short, determined to gain all the information he could from him respe
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Chapter Twenty Four.
Chapter Twenty Four.
“I will do it!” cried Jack. “Who will follow me?” Several men instantly volunteered, and Jack, jumping into the boat, led the way on board. The Frenchmen, perhaps, were not expecting an attack, for they made no resistance. Jack had snatched a slow-match as he left the other vessel. With this, light was set to different parts of the ship on board which he now found himself. The astonished crew were either drunk or frightened, and did nothing to put out the flames, but were seen to lower a boat an
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Chapter Twenty Five.
Chapter Twenty Five.
“Thank you, thank you, my kind friend!” said the wounded man. “Your promise gives me hopes which I dared not before entertain. My name is De Mertens. My dear wife was tall and graceful, and noted for her beauty, and our little girl was called Elise, or, as you would call her in England, Elizabeth.” “This is indeed very strange!” exclaimed Jack; “for I met a lady at the house of the very gentleman I spoke of—Mr Gournay—who told me that her name was De Mertens, and that her husband had been carrie
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Chapter Twenty Six.
Chapter Twenty Six.
“Oh, did you not know that he left us last year to go to Nottingham, to be married to Mr Deane’s daughter? They sailed some time since for Mr Penn’s new colony in America, which they call Pennsylvania,” was the answer. “Several friends have gone out there from thence, and it’s one of the most flourishing settlements in the New World.” Jack accordingly hastened to Mr Gournay’s residence, and first asked to see Mrs Gournay. She received Jack very kindly, though she expressed her regret at finding
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Chapter Twenty Seven.
Chapter Twenty Seven.
Mrs Deane and Jack heartily responded to this sentiment. “You know Alethea, Jack? a pretty, sweet girl she is, I can assure you; though you saw so little of her, that you might not have discovered her good qualities,” continued the old gentleman. Jack’s heart sank somewhat. He expected to hear his father give an account of the intended marriage of Alethea to Jasper. The old gentleman went on for some time enlarging on her beauty and accomplishments, and other attractive qualities. “Your father m
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Chapter Twenty Eight.
Chapter Twenty Eight.
To return to John Deane. Soon after the “Breda” reached Port Royal, as she was likely to remain there for some time, and he was anxious for active employment, he got re-appointed to the “Venus,” which was sent to cruise for the protection of British commerce. As soon as the frigate was clear of the island, a bright look-out was kept for the French privateers or any other of the enemy’s vessels. The frigate had been cruising for a week or more, and had already got some distance from Jamaica, havi
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Chapter Twenty Nine.
Chapter Twenty Nine.
“We must watch our opportunity, and try to disarm them,” observed John Deane. “Work they must, by some means or other, or else they must be put in irons.” To do this, however, was no easy task, considering that there were as many Frenchmen as Englishmen, and the former were evidently desperate fellows. Hawke was fortunately able to speak French very well, and Jack directed him therefore to address the mutineers, and ask them again whether they would assist in putting the ship into order. A flat
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Chapter Thirty.
Chapter Thirty.
His companions waited anxiously for his return. “If he is taken, I have a fancy they would not hesitate to send a pistol-bullet through his head,” said Hawke. “I wish that I could have gone with him, Mr Deane.” “You would only have shared his fate, and so have gained nothing, and done him no good,” answered Jack. “Let us wait patiently: he has his wits about him, and he will take good care not to be caught.” Two or three hours passed by and still Burridge did not make his appearance. His compani
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Chapter Thirty One.
Chapter Thirty One.
Elizabeth, very naturally, took every opportunity of being with Jack alone, that she might hear more about her parents, of whom he had so much to tell, as also of his own adventures. The more he saw of her, the more he was struck by her natural refinement and intelligence, and the amount of information which she had been able to obtain. At length the secret was told to Dame Pearson. At first she would scarcely believe that Jack was the same youth she had formerly known, and she had to examine hi
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Chapter Thirty Two.
Chapter Thirty Two.
Between the rock on which Deane and Elizabeth stood, was a sandy bay, affording tolerably safe landing. This spot the pirates seemed to have overlooked, though the English were evidently aware of it, for while one party of boats pulled towards the mouth of the harbour, another, suddenly leaving the main body, made a dash towards the bay, for the purpose of landing before the pirates discovered it and were prepared to resist them. On came five boats at a rapid rate, the water foaming at their bow
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Chapter Thirty Three.
Chapter Thirty Three.
Great was the disappointment of the allies when they found that the Spaniards had landed the larger portion of the money with which the galleons had been freighted. Seldom, however, has a naval expedition been more judiciously planned and more completely carried out. This glorious and memorable victory, too, was obtained with a very inconsiderable loss on the side of the British; for, with the exception of the loss on board Vice-Admiral Hopson’s ship, as already described, very few seamen were e
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Chapter Thirty Four.
Chapter Thirty Four.
An instant afterwards she was seen carried before the gale, and ere many minutes had passed was thrown helplessly upon the Goodwins. Scarcely had she touched the fatal sands when her masts, bending like willow-wands, went by the board. The seas leaped triumphantly over her, and in the short time of one hour, scarce a timber of the stout ship hung together, while those who looked on knew well what must be the fate of all her brave crew. Not a man could be expected to live in that foaming sea. The
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Chapter Thirty Five.
Chapter Thirty Five.
“And how is sister Polly and her husband, Tom Dovedale? It seems an age since the day they were spliced.” “They live six doors off, and are wonderfully flourishing, for from morning to night they do little else than ‘laugh and grow fat,’” was the answer. “And Jasper, where is he?” was the next question. “The father of two fine cherubs, and Alethea as beautiful and cheerful as ever. He is a fortunate fellow, your brother Jasper. Cousin Nat now lives with him, and has given him up all his business
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Chapter Thirty Six.
Chapter Thirty Six.
“That’s a hard rule, sir,” answered Jack, “as we are likely enough to starve on the island we have just left, and if we remain at sea we shall perish in the next gale that comes on.” “You have your remedy,” said the pirate captain. “You may join our brave crew. You shall be an officer on board, and your men shall share with the rest.” “We cannot accept your offer,” answered Deane; “and perhaps for old acquaintance’ sake, Master Pearson, you will grant my request?” The pirate captain started on h
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Chapter Thirty Seven.
Chapter Thirty Seven.
Deane replied that he must think about it, as he had only lately married a wife, and had no inclination to leave her. “Oh, you must bring her with you!” was the answer. “You can establish her in the new city the Czar is building on the Neva; and, depend upon it, you will have no long cruises to make. Foreign officers can be found; but he will have a difficulty in making seamen out of his serfs. Free men only are fit to become seamen, in my opinion.” Captain Deane begged that his friend would giv
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