The Pirate of the Mediterranean Part 23

"It has," replied Captain Fleetwood. "I know what you would say--Get the boats ready for hoisting out. We'll overhaul her in them, if it falls calm, as I trust it will. As yet, she goes faster ahead than we should pull. I will go with them, and you, Saltwell, must take charge of the ship."

The first lieutenant signified his comprehension of his commander's orders, and immediately set about carrying them into execution.

The prospect of a calm was seen by all on board, and the news that the chase was to be attacked with the boats, should such happen, gave the greatest satisfaction, every one being anxious to go in them.

Notwithstanding the dangers and hardships of boat service, it is one Jack likes excessively, on account of its excitement and variety. The commander intended to lead in the first gig. Linton was to command the cutter, and Tompion, one of the mates, the second gig, which were the only boats to be employed.

The arrangements had scarcely been concluded, when a loud flap of the canvas against the masts gave indication of the cessation of the breeze.

Still, however, the brig had considerable way through the water.

Linton was looking through his gla.s.s at the vessel ahead.

"She still seems to have the breeze," he observed to Saltwell. "I hope the fellow is not going to carry it off with him."

"I suspect he'll soon find it leave him," replied Saltwell. "But I wish it would be quick about it, for otherwise it will be getting dark before we get alongside."

"As long as we can make out the enemy, that will not much signify,"

replied Linton. "There will be less chance of our being hit."

"Yes; but remember, in boarding in the dark, you are fighting on the enemy's ground," observed Saltwell. "He knows his position and resources, and has you at a disadvantage. Give me daylight, and let me see my enemy's face."

"Ah! there seems a prospect of our having it, for the sails begin to flap heavily, and, by Jove, the chase is no better off," exclaimed Linton. "See, he has got the wind already up and down his mast."

"Huzza!" cried Jemmy Duff, who was midshipman of the cutter. "There's farewell to the wind for Mr Grego."

"Lower the boats, Mr Saltwell," was heard in the deep tones of the captain's voice.

The first lieutenant repeated the order. Mr Brown's whistle was next heard piping the boats away, and getting out the cutter, and in another minute the crews and the respective officers were in them, waiting for the commander to shove off. He had gone below for an instant for his sword, and when he stepped into his boat, though he looked pale, there was resolution in his eye to dare the worst, and if needs be to suffer the worst. With a hearty cheer from their shipmates, the boats shoved off, and pulled with l.u.s.ty strokes towards the stranger. They had no positive right as yet to consider her an enemy, except from the fact of her having led them a somewhat longish chase; but as it was not much out of their course, they had no reason to complain. The _Ione_ still kept under sail, slowly drawing ahead.

The stranger appeared to be no way disconcerted at their approach, but as she was almost entirely becalmed, she hauled up her foresail to get it out of the way, and seemed quietly to be waiting for them.

"Can you make out what those fellows are about, sir?" asked Jemmy Duff of his superior. "They don't seem to be afraid of us."

"Just stand up in the bows, and try what you can do to arouse their fears, Duff," said Linton, laughing. "We must have sharp eyes to know how they look at this distance, and perhaps as they know that they cannot get away from us, they think it better to put a bold face on the matter."

The sun was just about to sink in the waves as the boats came within range of the stranger's guns, but she allowed them to pull on without molestation, and as they got still nearer, they saw that she had no boarding nettings triced up, though, through the open ports, the crew were seen at their quarters, and the guns were run out ready for action.

She appeared to be crowded with men in the Greek costume. They had but little time for observing anything before they were close to her.

"What do those boats want here?" hailed the voice of some one standing on her p.o.o.p.

"These are the boats of His Britannic Majesty's brig, _Ione_," answered Captain Fleetwood, standing up in the stern sheets of his gig. "What brig is that?"

Linton every instant expected a shower of grape as the answer of the stranger.

There was a pause.

"The Independent Greek Government's brig, _Ypsilante_," was at length the answer. "What is your object in visiting us?"

"I am in search of a pirate who has attacked an English ship," replied Captain Fleetwood; "I wish to gain some information about her."

"I shall be glad to see you on board, then," said the same person.

And he was heard to issue several orders in his own language.

"Keep under her stern in case of treachery," said the captain to Linton and Tompion. "I will go on board--I still have my doubts about her character."

In another minute the gallant Fleetwood was ascending the side of the Greek brig, alone. Side ropes were handed to him, and the side was manned in man-of-war fashion, and he found a group of officers a.s.sembled at the gangway to receive him. The captain, a fine-looking man, was distinguishable by the richness of his dress and his dignified bearing.

He received his visitor very courteously.

"I have led you a long chase, I am afraid," he observed, speaking English, "but the reason I did so you will allow was a good one, for I was myself chasing another vessel all the time, and of course could not heave to, that I might inform you, nor had I the means of signalising you to that effect."

"What do you believe to be the vessel you were chasing?" inquired Fleetwood, anxiously.

"A Greek, I am sorry to say, and a sister vessel of this brig. She has lately plundered a vessel laden with arms, and as they are much required by the patriots, I was dispatched to try and fall in with her."

"What is her name, or rather who commands her?" asked Fleetwood.

"Her name is the _Sea Hawk_, and she is commanded by the noted pirate, Zappa," replied the Greek captain.

"The very vessel I am in search of," said Fleetwood. "But is it not more likely that he should have gone somewhere to dispose of his booty than that he should remain cruising about here?"

"He has had time to deposit his booty, and to return to look for more,"

replied the Greek. "If we could get hold of him, we should make him disgorge all he possesses as a ransom for himself and followers."

"What, and let him loose again on the world to commit further piracies?"

exclaimed Fleetwood.

The Greek captain laughed, as he replied:--"Why, it would not do to hang men limply for being guilty of a little piracy. Some of our leading chiefs might object to the precedent. But I will gladly aid you in looking for Signor Zappa; and if you catch him, of course you will be at liberty to treat him as you think fit. To be frank with you, I do not think you will find him unprepared in his strong-hold, and he will not yield up his vessel without many hard blows."

"What! are you acquainted with the situation of his stronghold?"

exclaimed Fleetwood, eagerly.

"Well!" answered the Greek captain. "And if you will step into my cabin, I will point it out to you on the chart."

By this time the sun had gone down, and the gloom of the evening prevented the countenances of those surrounding him from being distinguishable, adding somewhat to the wildness of their appearance and the fierceness of their moustachioed countenances. As he stood on the p.o.o.p he looked over the taffrail, where he could see the two boats keeping off just within hail, and in the distance the lights hoisted at the mast-head of his own ship to guide him on his return.

It must not be supposed that Fleetwood had not all this time his misgivings as to the character of the vessel he was on board. She might be the famed _Sea Hawk_, Zappa's own brig, and the man he was speaking to, one of the pirate's lieutenants; for he suspected that Zappa would not venture to present himself in person for fear of being recognised.

Notwithstanding this, with an unfaltering step he followed the officer into the cabin.

The cabin was small, and fitted up in a way suitable to that of a vessel engaged in an arduous and dangerous service--a couple of sofas, a table, and chairs, were the chief articles of furniture, with some shelves, a buffet, and a stand for arms.

"I can but offer you rough entertainment," said the Greek, courteously placing a seat for his guest. "We are so engaged in hunting down those scoundrel Turks that we have little time to think of luxuries--such as I have, I shall place before you." As he spoke, he clapped his hands in oriental fashion, and a servant appeared. "Bring wine and bread, and such food as you have," he said, and the man vanished.

Fleetwood would have declined the proffered hospitality, on the plea of being anxious to return to his ship; but his host insisted on having the refreshment brought in, observing,--"It is the custom in the East, remember, to eat salt together as a sign of amity, so you cannot refuse me."

As he spoke, the servant returned, bringing in the very frugal fare he had ordered--a jar of wine, some olives, and bread of rather brownish hue, with some goats' milk cheese, were placed on the table.

"It is not the sort of fare you would give me on board your ship; but, such as it is, I offer it to you," said the Greek captain.

"It is more than I expected," answered Fleetwood, bowing. "But may I ask, have you been on board any British ship of war?"