Syd Belton Part 79

Neither could suggest anything, for the water-casks were filled, the stores were up in safety, and the men had a supply of fresh fish, in the shape of the shark just caught--a toothsome dainty that some sailors consider excellent for a change.

All was ready; every man at his post; and after buckling on his dirk, Syd thought to himself, "What an impostor I am! What impudence it is for me to pretend to command these men!"

But as he went out amongst them, somehow it did not seem as if they thought so. There was a bright eagerness in their faces, and whenever he spoke it was to be answered with a cheery "Ay, ay, sir!" and his orders were executed with alacrity.

It was a small party to command, if this should prove to be a French man-of-war come to dispute the right of the English to this rocky speck off their possessions.

But the matter was soon to be proved. From time to time Syd climbed to the flagstaff to watch the stranger, which was approaching fast, and also to sweep the distant horizon in search of help in what promised to be his dire need.

And here it may as well be stated that in planting his garrison on the rock, it had been the intention of Captain Belton--an idea endorsed by his consort--to let a party of his men hold the place, so as to keep any party from Saint Jacques from taking possession, and from thence annoying his ships. Such a venture could only be made with boats from the town, and these he felt that it would be easy for the little garrison to beat off. It never entered into his calculations that the rock could be attacked by a man-of-war, for he and his consort would be there watching the channel which led up to the town, and theirs would be the duty to repel any formidable attack.

The gale, which had risen to a hurricane, changed all this, and that upon which the captain did not count had come to pa.s.s.

For a French frigate was sailing steadily up the broad channel--a vessel whose captain was evidently quite at home among the coral reefs and shoals which spread far and near, and its nearing was watched with eager eyes.

From time to time Roylance was sent to report the state of affairs to Mr Dallas, who lay on his rough couch, apparently quite calm and confident, but with a red patch burning in either cheek, as he bitterly felt his helplessness and inability to do more than give a word or two of advice. But this advice he did give, when the frigate was about a mile off.

"We are so weak here," he said to Roylance, "that Mr Belton had better keep his men well out of sight, and not invite inquiry or molestation.

The vessel may not be coming here, and if they see no one will pa.s.s on."

Roylance communicated this to Syd.

"But there is one thing they will see," he said.

"What?"

"The flagstaff."

"Yes; I had forgotten that, and it is too late to take it down; the men would be seen."

All this time the frigate was steadily approaching, for if her course was to reach the town that slept so calmly in the sunshine, she would come within about half a mile of the rock as she pa.s.sed.

The orders were given for the men to keep out of sight at the lower gun, the heavy piece being drawn back from the opening in the stone wall built up in front; and Roylance, who had charge there, lay down behind a piece of rock, where he could watch the vessel's course.

Syd went on himself to the upper gun, after bidding the man at the flagstaff keep out of sight.

Terry was walking up and down impatiently as the lad approached, and the latter looked at him wonderingly, for only a short time before they had parted apparently the best of friends.

"Look here, Mr Belton," said Terry, losing not a moment in developing his new grievance, "I want to know why Roylance has been sent down to the lower gun, where the work is of more importance than this."

"More importance?" said Syd.

"Yes; I suppose you have been advised to do it as a slight upon me. You would not have done it of your own accord."

"I was not advised to do anything of the kind," said Syd, quietly; "I did what I thought was best. If there is any difference in the two posts, this is the more important, because every one would have to retreat here in case the lower gun was taken."

"Surely I ought to know which is the more important, sir," cried Terry, loudly, "and I see now it is a question of favouritism or friendliness.

But I shall protest against it, and so I tell you."

"There is no time to discuss such a matter as this now, Mr Terry," said Syd. "You are to hold this gun in readiness to cover the retreat if the lower work becomes untenable; and now you must keep yourself and men hidden, and the gun drawn back."

"What for?" said Terry, with asinine obstinacy.

"I cannot stop to explain why."

"But I insist, sir. Am I to play the part of coward without having the privilege of knowing why such a distasteful course is to be adopted? I am sure if Mr Dallas knew--"

"Do as you're told, sir," cried Syd, warmly. "Not a man is to be seen.

Run that gun in, my lads."

Then, as the order was obeyed, much to Terry's disgust, Syd said quietly--

"The men are to keep out of sight, so that the French ship may pa.s.s on.

You understand?"

"Oh, yes: I understand," sneered Terry, as Syd went away, and then crept up under the shelter of the side of one of the rifts to the flagstaff, where he lay down beside the watch and opened his gla.s.s, so that he was able to examine the coming vessel at his ease.

Twenty-eight guns he counted, and as he kept on watching he could even see the movements of the men on deck. All calm and quiet there; the men in knots, the officers seated, or leaning over the side. There could be no doubt about it; the man-of-war was on a peaceable mission, as far as the rock was concerned, and would pa.s.s on.

Once or twice Sydney saw an officer glance in his direction, but only to turn away again. But he made no report to any one else, and the frigate sailed on in the hot evening sunshine.

Syd felt his spirits rise. He had proved himself to be no coward, though he shrank from the awful responsibility of giving orders or committing acts which might cause the shedding of blood. The Frenchman was sailing steadily on, and the lad drew his breath more freely, as he said, almost unconsciously, to the man watching by his side--

"There'll be no fighting, my lad."

"Well, sir," replied the man, who happened to be Rogers, "I dunno as I want to fight. If I'm told to, course I shall, but it takes a lot with me to get my monkey up; and I'd rather look like a coward any day than have to fire at a man or give him a chop with my cutlash."

"Quite right, Rogers. I don't think those who bounce most are the bravest. How bright and clean it looks on board ship! I wonder how soon the _Sirius_ will come back. Ah, there she goes," he continued, as he used the gla.s.s, "sailing straight away for Saint Jacques; one could almost like to be in her for a change. Hallo!"

He looked eagerly through his gla.s.s at the pa.s.sing ship, and became suddenly aware of the fact that something had attracted the attention of the officers of the French frigate, for one of the men went up quickly to an officer on the quarter-deck, and through the gla.s.s Sydney could see the gold lace of his uniform glisten as he raised one hand and pointed at the rock.

"How vexatious!" said Syd, aloud; "that officer must have seen the flagstaff."

"No, sir; I don't think so," said Rogers.

"Nonsense, man! they have seen it. Look, they're throwing the ship up in the wind, and--yes--they're going to lower a boat. Look at the men swarming across the deck like ants. They must have seen the flagstaff.

What a pity it was not taken down!"

"Beg pardon, sir; I don't think it was the flagstaff."

"What, then? They couldn't see the guns."

"No, sir; but they could have seen Mr Terry."

"How? Why?"

"He got up on the gun-carriage, and stood down below there, staring out to sea."