Salt Water Part 15

The fact was, I wanted d.i.c.ky's company when I could go on sh.o.r.e myself, which the surgeon told me I might do in a few days; and when asking for myself, I intended putting in a word with Mr Du Pre in his favour.

When I crawled on deck I found the ship had taken up her moorings in Dockyard Creek, a branch of the Grand Harbour, from which it runs at right angles, on the opposite side to Valetta. Most deservedly is the Grand Harbour so called, for in beauty, size, and security it is unsurpa.s.sed; and it is singular that it should exist in an island of dimensions so limited. Malta has an individuality of its own. It is like no other spot in the world; and when one looks at the magnificent lines of batteries, bristling with cannon, and the ma.s.s of churches, monasteries, and houses, which towers above them, one can scarcely believe that the whole has been hewn out of the solid rock of which the island is composed. But I am not going to describe Malta. In three or four days more I was quite well, and having succeeded in obtaining leave from Mr Du Pre for d.i.c.ky to accompany me on sh.o.r.e, we landed at the Nix Mangiare steps, and took our way through the town. The first thing we did was to hire horses to take a ride into the country. Both of us could stick on pretty well (what midshipman cannot?); but as for science, we had none of it. At first we trotted on gaily enough, and then our horses broke into a gallop, which we enjoyed very much.

"Capital goers, these!" exclaimed d.i.c.ky. "If they keep up at this rate, I vote we take a regular circuit of the island."

"Faith, then, I'm ready for that same," said I; and on we galloped.

So delighted were we at the way our steeds went, that we sat the saddles and held our reins rather loosely. On a sudden they both came to a full stop, and up simultaneously went their heels in the air. Over their heads we flew, and alighted some dozen yards off; while the well-trained beasts, with neighs of derision which were truly provoking, galloped back to their stables, leaving us to find our way into Valetta as best we could. By-the-bye, the horse-master had taken very good care to get paid first. d.i.c.ky sat up on the ground and rubbed his head, to discover if it was broken. I followed his example, and finding no bones dislocated, my spirits rose again. We looked at each other, when there appeared something so ludicrously forlorn in the expression of our countenances, that we both burst out into fits of laughter. We indulged in our mirth for some time, and then got up and commenced our walk back into the town. Fortunately we had not got any very great distance from the walls, so the walk was easy of accomplishment. We had proceeded about a mile or so, when two midshipmen hove in sight, galloping along in high glee on the very horses which had just disburdened themselves of us.

"Hillo! you fellows, those are our horses," sang out d.i.c.ky; "just get off now, will you?"

But he might as well have called a whirlwind to halt; for helter-skelter, past us they dashed, without minding us a bit. d.i.c.ky was highly indignant.

"Well, I never was so treated in my life!" he exclaimed.

"Wait a bit," said I; for I had a shrewd suspicion that the horses would play their present riders the same trick they had served us; and sure enough, in about ten minutes, we heard a clattering of hoofs behind us, and, looking round, saw the knowing old steeds coming, galloping along by themselves.

"Now, now's the time, d.i.c.ky," I sang out. "You catch one and I'll catch the other, and we'll still have our ride out. The horses are ours, there's no doubt of it."

Sooner said, however, than done. The beasts came on very steadily till they got close to us, and then they began rearing and frisking, and kicking up such a dust that it was impossible to catch hold of their bridles; and, it must be confessed, we were glad enough to get out of their way without being trampled over.

"Where are the brutes?" I asked, feeling very foolish.

"Where are they?" echoed d.i.c.ky, looking the same. "There they go, as steady as cart-horses. Hang it! they knew we were midshipmen."

Our only satisfaction was to see a third set of riders come out on the same brutes, and to be able to laugh in our sleeves, while we wished them a pleasant ride across the island. What became of all the riders I don't know. The steeds again pa.s.sed us just before we reached the gates.--Three or four evenings after this, the officers of the ship were asked to a ball, and the captain took d.i.c.ky and me. We did not know anybody, and were hard up for partners, till the skipper introduced us each to a Maltese girl. They were both very short, though that was a fault on the right side; but they were also very fat and very dark, and could not speak a word of English; and one squinted, and the other had lost an eye. Their noses turned up, and their lips were thick and large. They were not beauties, certainly; but we danced with them all the evening, changing every now and then for variety, though I had to look hard to make out which was my original partner, as I only knew them apart by the defect in their eyes. d.i.c.ky asked me if I didn't think them as pretty as Alice Marlow, at which I very nearly knocked him down in the ball-room. But he appeased me by a.s.suring me with the greatest gravity, that he admired the squinting one very much, and should certainly, if he were older, make her Mrs Sharpe. He did nothing but talk about her for two days afterwards; and, as we did not know her real name, we called her Miss Smaitch, which, though not euphonious, did as well as any other. On the third day he dined with an officer in the dockyard who had a numerous family of daughters, to one of whom he transferred his affections, and they remained steady for nearly a week, about which time we left Malta. To return to the ball, however. When d.i.c.ky and I were not dancing, we amused ourselves by watching what was going forward, especially in observing the occupations of our superior officers.

"I say, D'Arcy, who is that young lady Mr Vernon is dancing with, I wonder? She is a stunner, isn't she, my boy?" said d.i.c.ky, sidling up to me, and pointing with his chin towards a very beautiful girl, to whom our second lieutenant had just then given his hand, and was leading up to form a quadrille.

There was a roseate blush on her cheek, and a brightening glance in her eye, as she looked up at the gallant officer, which betokened more than ordinary satisfaction at being chosen his partner in the dance. The colour increased, and the eyes brightened still more, while a smile played round her ruby lips, as Mr Vernon uttered, in a low tone, a few words in her ear.

d.i.c.ky observed it. "I twig something there," he whispered. "What will you bet me, D'Arcy, that Mr Vernon doesn't splice that same young lady, now? It's a regular case, depend on it. I thought there was something going on, he's been so constantly on sh.o.r.e since we came into harbour.

He's a right good fellow, and I wish him joy."

"I hope, if it is a case, that he'll not marry till the ship is out of commission," I remarked. "I should be sorry indeed to lose him. But we must not talk so loud, or we shall be overheard."

Just then the captain came up, to make d.i.c.ky dance with Miss Smaitch. I was left alone to watch proceedings. From what I saw, I was fully convinced that Master Sharpe's conjectures were well founded, and that Mr Vernon and the fair unknown were certainly deeply in love with each other, and most probably engaged. She certainly, as far as I could judge from mere appearance, was well worthy the love of any man. Young as I was, she made a deep impression on me; and even at this distance of time I can bring her Hebe-like figure before me, with almost the vivid colours of reality. She was not tall, but her figure was full of grace and life. Her complexion was beautifully fair; her eyes were blue; and the expression of her countenance was soft, feminine, and full of sweetness; at the same time, the arch smile which occasionally played over it showed that she was not dest.i.tute of sense and wit.

While I was looking on, I was joined by Adam Stallman, one of the senior mates of the _Harold_. I have slightly mentioned him before. He was of a somewhat grave and taciturn disposition, but generous and kind, and as brave and honourable as any knight _sans peur et sans reproche_. He read much and thought more, and was ready to give good advice when asked for it; but innate modesty prevented him from volunteering to afford it, except on rare occasions, when he saw that it was absolutely necessary to preserve a person from following a path which might lead him to ruin.

d.i.c.ky and I were favourites of his; for though he kept us in order, and more than once had inflicted a sound cobbing on my chum (certainly well deserved), he was very kind to us.

"I say, Stallman, can you tell me who the young lady is with whom Mr Vernon is dancing?" said I.

"Why do you ask?" he inquired.

"Because she is very beautiful," I replied.

The colour heightened on his generally impa.s.sive, well-bronzed features, as his eye fell on the lady whom I indicated. "Yes," he answered, with a firm voice, "that lady is Miss Blanche Norman, the daughter of Major Norman, who is out here for his health. But wouldn't you like to dance, youngster?"

I told him that I had been engaged by the captain to dance with Miss Smaitch Number 2.

"Well, come to me if you want a partner," he said, and moved on.

I saw him soon afterwards go up and shake hands with Miss Norman. His lip momentarily quivered, I saw; but his countenance otherwise remained firm. She received him as an old acquaintance, and seemed glad to see him.

I took it into my head that Adam was in love with her, or had been; but that, as he had little besides his pay to depend on, he could not indulge a dream of marrying. From what I afterwards learned, I was right in this conjecture. Poor fellow! he had loved her well and deeply, but he had never told his love. She might have suspected his attachment, but with the tact and delicacy of a right-minded woman, she did not allow him to discover that she did so, but endeavoured, by the frank kindness of her words and manner, to take away the bitterness from the wound she was inflicting. I do not mean to say, however, that at the time I knew this, but I made a pretty shrewd guess at the truth.

In a little time d.i.c.ky came hurrying up to me with a look full of importance.

"I say, D'Arcy, I've found out all about it. I heard our medico tell Old Nip (meaning the purser) that Vernon proposed a few days ago to Miss Norman, and was accepted; so they are regularly engaged, you know, and he has a right to dance with her as often as he likes. What fun for him! I know that I should like to be in his place. That's her father: not the tall man with the white hair, but the shorter one next him. He looks almost too young to be her father, doesn't he? Perhaps his being ill makes him look so. They are soon going home; but they are to stop at Gibraltar, so the doctor says."

"I am afraid you've been an eavesdropper, d.i.c.ky, to hear all this," I observed; "and that, you know, is not a very creditable character."

"I know that as well as you do," he answered; "but I could not help myself, for I was jammed up in the refreshment room between two fat Maltese ladies and the supper-table, and I couldn't have moved without the risk of staving in their sides with my elbows. Old Nip and the medico were on the other side of them, sipping their negus, and didn't see me."

"That's all right; and small blame to you, d.i.c.ky," said I. "Well, I heartily wish Mr Vernon joy; and if his love don't run smooth, and he ever wants a helping hand, I only hope he'll let me give it him."

"There's nothing I should like better too, independent of my regard for Mr Vernon," observed d.i.c.ky, pompously.

I remember that we long discussed the probabilities of Mr Vernon's requiring our services; and we came to the conclusion that, though we should be delighted to help him to obtain the lady's hand in any way he might require, in principle the running away with a lady was decidedly wrong.

The subject was changed by our seeing the purser lead out one of the fat ladies, behind whom d.i.c.ky had been hid, to attempt a waltz. Never was there a more extraordinary performance. Neither of them had a notion of the dance. They floundered and flolloped, and twisted and turned, and tumbled against all the other couples, till they spread consternation around; and at last found themselves the sole performers in the room.

As poor Nip went twirling round, much in the way that a child's humming-top does when it begins to stagger preparatory to stopping, he perceived a suppressed laugh on the lips and in the eyes of the surrounding spectators; and suspecting that he might be the cause of it, gave a convulsive gripe at his partner's waist, or at the part where her waist should be, in order to bring himself to an anchor. The effort was too great for his powers, and both he and she came with a run to the floor, close to where d.i.c.ky and I were standing. There they kicked and struggled in vain efforts to rise. At this d.i.c.ky could no longer contain himself, but, regardless of the purser's anger, burst into a loud fit of laughter. However, we ran forward to do our best to get the hero and heroine on their legs again, though we were too much convulsed to be of much a.s.sistance.

"I'll pay you off for this, Master Sharpe," whispered the purser, looking up fiercely.

"I couldn't help it, indeed I could not," answered d.i.c.ky in an apologetic tone; "you did look so funny."

"I'll wring your ears off, you young puppy," cried poor Nip, rising and shaking himself, in his rage forgetting the fair sharer of his misfortune.

"Look to your partner, Mr Cheesnip," said Captain Poynder, coming up, and guessing the cause of the purser's anger. "Here, Sharpe, help me to put the lady on her legs."

By some pulling and hauling, and by others shoving behind, we got Madame Cheesnip, as we ever after called her, into a perpendicular position; but she was too much shaken to dance again, especially with the cause of her misfortune. Indeed, for the rest of the evening the ladies fought very shy of poor Nip, and we took good care to keep out of his way.

d.i.c.ky and I stayed to the last, spending our time very satisfactorily between our two partners and the refreshment and supper rooms; and I am afraid to mention the vast amount of sandwiches, cakes, and bonbons which d.i.c.ky consumed, washed down by cups of coffee, lemonade, and negus. At length, when nearly everybody was gone, with the exception of a few other midshipmen, and the musicians could no longer wag their bows, we deemed it time also to retire. We had got leave to stay on sh.o.r.e, but it just then occurred to us that we had forgot to order our beds.

"Never mind," said d.i.c.ky; "we are certain to find them at some hotel or other."

As we were putting on our cloaks, we found that there were five or six more midshipmen belonging to other ships in the same predicament as ourselves. To get beds at that hour of the morning, we discovered was not so easy, as all the Hotels, from some cause or other, were full. We hunted about for some time, and were proposing trying to get on board our ships,--though d.i.c.ky Sharpe declared he should take up his berth inside one of the casks generally found down on the sh.o.r.e of the harbour, with their heads off; but we advised him not, as they are the usual abode of the beggar boys who infest Nix Mangiare stairs, and would be apt to have more inhabitants than one,--when some of the party who were on ahead, shouted out that they had found as cozy a place of shelter as they could wish. We were in the upper part of the town, which, as most of my readers probably know, is at a considerable elevation above the water. As it had lately begun to rain hard, and we had no desire to wander farther, there was a general rush made to the front. The cozy place to which we were invited, turned out to be an old family coach, which was standing at the top of a narrow lane intended to be used only by foot pa.s.sengers. However, it was a place where some midshipmen had lately amused themselves by galloping up and down; but, to prevent such an exhibition of horsemanship, a guard had been stationed at the bottom, to prevent any similar attempt for the future.

But to return to the coach. The first comers had taken possession, and one after the other the rest scrambled in, till by the time d.i.c.ky and I, who were rather behind, got up, it could hold no more: at all events those inside decided that such was the case. This was not what we had bargained for, and neither of us was inclined to yield his right to a share and shelter without a struggle. The doors had not been shut; and while d.i.c.ky boarded on one side, I tried to get in on the other. Wet caps and fists were dashed in our faces, but, undaunted, we strove on.

I had actually forced my way in, and was stretching over my hand to my chum, who had got his feet on the step, when some one exclaimed, "By Jupiter! she is under way." And, sure enough, our struggles had set the lumbering old vehicle moving. On it went, rolling and rattling down the steep pathway, which we had totally forgotten. To get out was impossible, without the certainty almost of knocking our heads against the walls of the houses on either side, of being jammed between them and the wheels, or of being run over. We hauled d.i.c.ky in to save his life, and away we all went together, the vehicle every moment increasing its velocity. The path, from sloping from each side to the centre, kept her on a straight course, or we should have brought up against some steps, or a kerbstone, and been saved from the approaching catastrophe. But no such good fortune was in store for us. Rolling and rattling, and screeching and creaking, and b.u.mping and thumping, downward went the carriage, we inside keeping up a chorus of shouts and shrieks. Most of us laughed; but one or two, who were strangers to the place, were in a mortal fright, not knowing whether we might find a precipice at the bottom, and be shot over, perhaps into the sea. Very soon, too, we reached some steps, down which we went, of course faster than ever, with terrific bounds, till the cranky old vehicle could no longer stand the unusual movement.

"Who goes there?" shouted the sentry at the bottom of the steps.

"Turn out the guard," echoed the sergeant, not able to make out the cause of the unusual commotion. Just then the carriage split asunder, and sent us flying, with swords, dirks, and hats, in different directions.

"Arrah, was ever such an egg hatched before?" exclaimed the sergeant, who was an Irishman, running up and seizing hold of the first he could lay hands on. "Come, young gentlemen, I must march you off to the guard-house."

"March the coach off, if you please, sergeant; but we are innocent, like the new-hatched babes which we are," cried d.i.c.ky Sharpe, who was one of those in custody. "The order is against people on horseback coming this way: we hadn't even horses to our egg-sh.e.l.l."