Paddy Finn Part 13

"Who gave you leave to go on sh.o.r.e, my men?" asked the lieutenant.

"Plaise yer honour," answered Tim Connor, "we were only going for a spree, and intended being off again in the mornin'."

Dan Hoolan sat sulkily, with his hands between his knees, not deigning to reply.

"You'll find that you'll have to pay somewhat heavily for your spree,"

remarked the lieutenant.

"Seeing as we've not had it," I heard Tim mutter.

By the time we had got back to the boat she had almost disappeared, and we could only pick up a few of the remaining articles she had contained.

A sharp look-out was kept on the two men, who had evidently intended to desert. No further words were exchanged with them. Both sat with downcast looks, probably well aware of the punishment they had brought on themselves.

On reaching the ship they were handcuffed, and placed under charge of a sentry. Tom and I had to keep our watch, and got but little sleep that night.

As soon as we could we presented our note to Mr Saunders.

"Why, you lads are always wanting to go on sh.o.r.e," he observed dryly; "one would suppose you were born on sh.o.r.e. However, as you conduct yourselves well, you may have the leave your friend asks for, and may return by the first boat to Kingston."

"Thank you, sir," we answered, highly delighted. "And may Sinnet and Chaffey go too?" I asked.

"Were they invited?" he inquired.

"We were desired to bring two more of our mess, and we thought that they could be best spared, sir."

"Yes, they may go," said Mr Saunders.

Without delay we conveyed the pleasant intelligence to them. Before long we were again pulling up the harbour, and thus escaped seeing the punishment inflicted on my unfortunate countrymen. I knew that they deserved it, and therefore didn't trouble my head much about the matter.

We repaired at once to Mammy Custard's, and had not been there long before Mr Talboys made his appearance.

"Glad you have got leave, my young friends," he said, shaking us all by the hands, as we introduced Sinnet and Chaffey. "The carriages will soon be at the door; but you must take some refreshment before we start, to fortify the inner man for the fatigues of the journey."

Having told Mammy Custard to place luncheon on the table, and desired us to commence operations without waiting for him, he went out, and left us to discuss the viands and refreshing beverages.

We had just finished when Mr Talboys returned, with his daughter, in one buggy, into which he invited me to mount, while he told Tom, Sinnet, and Chaffey to get into the other, which was driven by a black boy. As soon as we had taken our seats, the carriages dashed off, and away we went in a fine style out of Kingston. I'm no hand at describing scenery, nor can I remember the names of the tropical trees which grew in rich profusion on both sides of the road, the climbing plants, the gaily-coloured flowers, and other vegetable wonders. Miss Lucy and I chatted away right merrily. I couldn't help thinking how jealous Tom would be, and I would very gladly for his sake have changed places with him.

"And what do you think of Jamaica?" asked her papa after we had gone some distance.

"It's a wonderfully fine country, sir," I answered. "And if it were not that I love Ballinahone more than any other place on earth, I shouldn't be sorry to take up my abode here when I become a post-captain or an admiral, and wish to settle down for life, should peace be established, and my country not be requiring my services."

"We have our little drawbacks, however," observed Mr Talboys. "You have not been here in the hot season yet. We now and then have an outbreak of the blacks, for the rascals--strange to say--are not contented with their lot. Occasionally too, we are attacked by foreign foes, but we Jamaica men are right loyal, and are prepared to defend our sh.o.r.es against all comers."

"I thought that the blacks were merry peaceable fellows, who never think of rebellion," I observed.

"Nor would they, if they were not put up to it by designing knaves. But in different parts of the island we have had half a dozen outbreaks within my recollection, and not a few before it. Some have been instigated by the enemies of our country; others by newly imported slaves, who have been chiefs, or kings, as they call themselves, in Africa; and on some occasions the Maroons have taken it into their foolish heads to rebel. They are, as you're doubtless aware, free blacks, who live an independent vagabond life on the mountains, and are too ignorant and savage to know that they have no chance of success."

"But I hope, sir, that they're quiet now, or it can't be very pleasant for you to live so far away from the city."

Mr Talboys laughed. "My negroes are quiet and obedient, and I should get information in good time were anything likely to happen," he answered.

"No one would think of attacking our house," put in Miss Lucy. "We are well prepared, and they would gain nothing by the attempt."

We drove on through fine and wild romantic scenery, each turn of the road bringing us to some new point of view. We pa.s.sed a beautiful waterfall, the bottom and sides of which appeared as if composed of gla.s.s or porcelain; it consisted of a number of steps rising up the sides of the hill. These, my friend told me, were incrustations which had formed themselves over the roots of trees growing on either side.

The water came flowing down over them, transparent as crystal, and as the rays of sunlight played between the waving branches of the trees, the water glittered with a thousand variegated tints. We descended from our carriages to enjoy a more perfect view. Tom and Charley took it into their heads to attempt walking across some of the steps. Tom ran lightly over them; but Chaffey, while following in his wake, being twice as heavy, broke through the incrustation, and in he soused. He quickly managed, however, to scramble out again, though not until he was wet through nearly up to his middle.

"Why, I thought it was all hard stone," he exclaimed as he reached dry ground.

We all had a hearty laugh at his expense. In that climate a ducking doesn't much matter, and he was dry again before we had proceeded much further on our journey.

Late in the evening we caught sight of a long low building, with a broad verandah, surrounded with plantations, and a garden of fruit-trees on the gentle slope of a hill. As we got near, a shout from the master brought out several black boys, accompanied by a number of barking dogs, who welcomed us by leaping round the horses' heads, and yelping and frisking about with delight.

Mr Talboys jumped out, and Lucy leapt into his arms, while I descended on the other side. A stout lady in a sky-blue dress, accompanied by three small damsels in low white frocks, and a little boy in scanty clothing, appeared at the top of the steps. Lucy, running up, kissed them all round, and then Mr Talboys introduced us in due form to his wife and younger daughters.

After a little conversation Madam Talboys led us into a handsome hall, with a table in the centre, on which ample preparations for supper were spread, the light from a dozen wax candles falling on the cut gla.s.s, the silver forks and glittering steel, and an epergne filled with fragrant flowers, surrounded by dishes containing salads, fruits of every description, and other cold viands.

"The young gentlemen would like to wash their hands before they commence operations," said Mr Talboys; and he ushered us into a room off the great hall, in which were four snow-white beds, with muslin curtains closely drawn round them, and wash-hand basins filled with deliciously cool water.

We lost no time in plunging our faces into them, arranging our hair, and making ourselves neat and comfortable.

"I say, we have fallen into pleasant quarters," exclaimed Chaffey. "We owe it all to you, Tom. If you hadn't paid attention to Miss Lucy, we should not have been here."

"Belay the slack of that," cried Tom. "Our host might overhear you, and he wouldn't be pleased; nor would Miss Lucy herself."

We were quickly ready; and just as we returned to the hall several black boys entered, each carrying a steaming dish, on which we fell to, when helped, with keen appet.i.tes. Two other gentlemen came in,--an overseer and a head clerk on the estate. We all laughed and talked at a great rate. The overseer, Mr Rabbitts, at the request of our host, sang a good song. The clerk followed with another. Then Miss Lucy got her guitar, and warbled very sweetly. Altogether we were merry as crickets.

At length our host remarked that we must be tired, and led us to our sleeping-room. We soon had our heads upon the pillows, with the mosquito curtains drawn close around us.

Though midshipmen are rightly supposed to sleep soundly, I was awakened by fancying that the doctor was running his lancet into me, and was about to a.s.sure him that he was operating by mistake on me instead of on some other patient, when I heard a loud whizzing, buzzing sound. I hadn't been careful enough in closing the curtains, and a big mosquito had got in, and was revelling in my fresh blood. I tried in vain to catch the active creature, who was soon joined by others of his abominable race. The humming concert was increased by countless other sounds, which came through the open window,--the croaking of frogs and tree-toads, the chirping and whistling of insects and reptiles, while I could see a party of fireflies glistening among the curtains of the bed.

Now and then a huge beetle would make its way into the room, and go buzzing about round and round, till to my infinite relief it darted out of the window! But the noises and the stings of the mosquitoes drove sleep from my eyelids. Presently I heard some one talking outside; it was a n.i.g.g.e.r's voice, deep and husky.

"If de picaroons c.u.m, den dey c.u.m soon, and cut all our troats."

"Garramarcy, you don't say so!" exclaimed another. "Better tell ma.s.sa; he know what do."

"Me tink better run away and hide," said the first speaker. "Ma.s.sa want to stop and fight, and den we hab to fight too, and get killed."

"But if we run away and don't tell ma.s.sa, he get killed, and Missy Lucy, and missus, and de piccaninnies. Me tink tell ma.s.sa fust and den run away."

"But if um tell ma.s.sa, he make um stop and fight. No, no, Cato; you one fool. Wiser to run away, and not say where um go."

The arguments of the first speaker appeared to prevail with his companion. They probably were not aware that any one was sleeping in the room overhead.

As far as I could judge, the matter appeared serious. I recollected the conversation I had had in the morning about the Maroons and the rebel blacks.

Without further thought I jumped from my bed, and rushing to the window, sang out, "Stop, you cowardly rascals. If you move I'll fire at you.

Tell your master what you have heard, and he'll act as he considers necessary."