The Jolly Roger Tales: 60+ Pirate Novels, Treasure-Hunt Tales & Sea Adventures. Лаймен Фрэнк Баум

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СКАЧАТЬ than any milder argument, introduced Christianity into those isles, and was respected as the patron of Kirkwall some time before he shared that honour with Saint Magnus the Martyr.

      It was no part of Cleveland’s purpose to mingle in the busy scene which was here going on; and, turning their route to the left, they soon ascended into undisturbed solitude, save where the grouse, more plentiful in Orkney, perhaps, than in any other part of the British dominions, rose in covey, and went off before them.1 Having continued to ascend till they had wellnigh reached the summit of the conical hill, both turned round, as with one consent, to look at and admire the prospect beneath.

      The lively bustle which extended between the foot of the hill and the town, gave life and variety to that part of the scene; then was seen the town itself, out of which arose, like a great mass, superior in proportion as it seemed to the whole burgh, the ancient Cathedral of Saint Magnus, of the heaviest order of Gothic architecture, but grand, solemn, and stately, the work of a distant age, and of a powerful hand. The quay, with the shipping, lent additional vivacity to the scene; and not only the whole beautiful bay, which lies betwixt the promontories of Inganess and Quanterness, at the bottom of which Kirkwall is situated, but all the sea, so far as visible, and in particular the whole strait betwixt the island of Shapinsha and that called Pomona, or the Mainland, was covered and enlivened by a variety of boats and small vessels, freighted from distant islands to convey passengers or merchandise to the Fair of Saint Olla.

      Having attained the point by which this fair and busy 1 It is very curious that the grouse, plenty in Orkney as the text declares, should be totally unknown in the neighbouring archipelago of Zetland, which is only about sixty miles’ distance, with the Fair Isle as a step between.

      prospect was most completely commanded, each of the strangers, in seaman fashion, had recourse to his spyglass, to assist the naked eye in considering the bay of Kirkwall, and the numerous vessels by which it was traversed. But the attention of the two companions seemed to be arrested by different objects. That of Bunce, or Altamont, as he chose to call himself, was riveted to the armed sloop, where, conspicuous by her square rigging and length of beam, with the English jack and pennon, which they had the precaution to keep flying, she lay among the merchant vessels, as distinguished from them by the trim neatness of her appearance, as a trained soldier amongst a crowd of clowns.

      “Yonder she lies,” said Bunce; “ I wish to God she was in the bay of Honduras — you Captain, on the quarterdeck, I your lieutenant, and Fletcher quartermaster, and fifty stout fellows under us — I should not wish to see these blasted heaths and rocks again for a while! — And Captain you shall soon be. The old brute Goffe gets drunk as a lord every day, swaggers, and shoots, and cuts, among the crew; and, besides, he has quarrelled with the people here so damnably, that they will scarce let water or provisions go on board of us, and we expect an open breach every day.”

      As Bunce received no answer, he turned short round on his companion, and, perceiving his attention otherwise engaged, exclaimed, — ” What the devil is the matter with you? or what can you see in all that trumpery small-craft, which is only loaded with stockfish, and ling, and smoked geese, and tubs of butter that is worse than tallow? — the cargoes of the whole lumped together would not be worth the flash of a pistol. — No, no, give me such a chase as we might see from the mast-head off the island of Trinidado. Your Don, rolling as’deep in the water as a grampus, deep-loaden with rum, sugar, and bales of tobacco, and all the rest ingots, moidores, and gold dust; then set all sail, clear the deck, stand to quarters, up with the Jolly Roger 1 — we near her — we make her out to be well manned and armed”

      “Twenty guns on her lower deck,” said Cleveland.

      “Forty, if you will,” retorted Bunce, “ and we have but ten mounted — never mind. The Don blazes away — never mind yet, my brave lads — run her alongside, and on board with you — to work with your grenadoes, your cutlasses, pole- axes, and pistols — The Don cries Misericordia, and we share the cargo without co licencio, Seignior!”

      1 The pirates gave this name to the black flag, which, with many horrible devices to enhance its terrors, was their favourite ensign.

      “By my faith,” said Cleveland, “thou takest so kindly to the trade, that all the world may see that no honest man was spoiled when you were made a pirate. But you shall not prevail on me to go farther in the devil’s road with you; for you know yourself that what is got over his back is spent — you wot how. In a week, or a month at most, the rum and the sugar are out, the bales of tobacco have become smoke, the moidores, ingots, and gold dust, have got out of our hands, into those of the quiet, ^honest, conscientious folks, who dwell at Port Royal and elsewhere — wink hard on our trade as long as we have money, but not a jot beyond. Then we have cold looks, and it may be a hint is given to the Judge Marshal; for, when our pockets are worth nothing, our honest friends, rather than want, will make money upon our heads. Then comes a high gallows and a short halter, and so dies the Gentleman Rover. I tell thee, I wilkleave this trade; and, when I turn my glass from one of these barks and boats to another, there is’not the worst of them which I would not row for life, rather than continue to be what I have been. These poor men make the sea a means of honest livelihood and friendly communication between shore and shore, for the mutual benefit of the inhabitants; but we have made it a road to the ruin of others, and to our own destruction here and in eternity. — I am determined to turn honest man, and use this life no longer!”

      “And where will your honesty take up its abode, if it please you?” said Bunce. — ”You have broken the laws of every nation, and the hand of the law will detect and crush you wherever you may take refuge. — Cleveland, I speak to you more seriously than I am wont to do. I have had my reflections, too; and they have been bad enough, though they lasted but a few minutes, to spoil me weeks of joviality. But here is the matter, — what can we do but go on as we have done, unless we have a direct purpose of adorning the yard-arm?”

      “We may claim the benefit of the proclamation to those of our sort who come in and surrender,” said Cleveland.

      “Umph!” answered his companion dryly; “the date of that day of grace has been for some time over, and they may take the penalty or grant the pardon at their pleasure. Were I you, I would not put my neck in such a venture.”

      “Why, others have been admitted but lately to favour, and why should not I? “ said Cleveland.

      “Ay,” replied his associate, “ Harry Glasby and some others have been spared; but Glasby did what was called good service, in betraying his comrades, and retaking the folly Fortune; and that I think you would scorn, even to be revenged of the brute Goffe yonder.”

      “I would die a thousand times sooner,” said Cleveland.

      “I will be sworn for it,” said Bunce; “ and the others were forecastle fellows — petty larceny rogues, scarce worth the hemp it would have cost to hang them. But your name has stood too high amongst the gentlemen of fortune for you to get off so easily. You are the prime buck of the herd, and will be marked accordingly.”

      “And why so, I pray you?” said Cleveland; “you know well enough my aim, Jack.”

      “Frederick, if you please,” said Bunce.

      “The devil take your folly! — Prithee keep thy wit, and let us be grave for a moment.”

      “For a moment — be it so,” said Bunce;’“but I feel the spirit of Altamont coming fast upon me, — I have been a grave man for ten minutes already.”

      “Be so then for a little longer,” said Cleveland; “ I know, Jack, that you really love me; and, since we have come thus far in this talk, I will trust you entirely. Now tell me, why should I be refused the benefit of this СКАЧАТЬ