Mr Midshipman Easy (55 page)
Read Mr Midshipman Easy Online
Authors: Captain Frederick Marryat
The run was prosperous, the weather was fine, and the prizes did not part company.
On the sixteenth day the
Rebiera
and her convoy anchored in Palermo Bay. The wind was light in the morning that they stood in, and as Jack had a large blue flag with
Rebiera
in white letters hoisted at the main, Don Philip and Don Martin were on board and greeting our hero, before the
Rebiera's
anchor had plunged into the clear blue water.
The information which our hero received, after having been assured of the health of Agnes and her parents, was satisfactory. The disappearance of the friar had, at first, occasioned much surprise; but as the servants of Don Rebiera swore to his return without the black, and the letter of Don Rebiera, sent to the convent, requesting his presence, was opened and read, there was no suspicion against the family. A hundred conjectures had been afloat, but gradually they had subsided, and it was at last supposed that he had been carried off by the banditti, some of whom had been taken, and acknowledged that they had seized a friar, on a day which they could not recollect. The reader will remember that it was Mesty.
The
Rebiera
received pratique, and Jack hastened on shore with Don Philip and his brother, and was once more in company of Agnes, who, in our hero's opinion, had improved since his departure. Most young men in love think the same after an absence, provided it is not too long. The prizes were sold and the money distributed, and every man was satisfied, as the cargoes fetched a larger sum than they had anticipated.
We must pass over the
pros
and
cons
of Don Rebiera and his lady, the pleading of Jack for immediate nuptials, the unwillingness of the mother to part with her only daughter, the family consultation, the dowry, and all these particulars. A month after his arrival Jack was married, and was, of course, as happy as the day was long.
A few days afterwards, Mr Oxbelly advised departure, as the expenses of the vessel were heavy, and it was his duty so to do. Don Philip and Don Martin obtained leave to go to England, with their sister and her husband. Nevertheless, Jack, who found Palermo a very pleasant residence, was persuaded by the Don and his wife to remain there a month, and then there was crying and sobbing, and embracing, and embarking; and at last the
Rebiera,
whose cabins had been arranged for the reception of the party, weighed and made sail for Malta, Jack having promised to call upon the governor.
In four days they anchored in Valette Harbour, and Jack paid his respects to his old friend, who was very glad to see him. The governor sent his own barge for Mrs Easy, and she was installed in the state apartments, which were acknowledged to be very comfortable. Our hero had, as usual, a long story to tell the governor, and the governor listened to it very attentively, probably because he thought it would be the last, which opportunity Jack employed to narrate the unfortunate end of his father.
“I would not have said so at the time, Mr Easy, but now the wound is healed, I tell you, that it is the best thing that could have happenedâpoor old gentleman! he was mad indeed.”
Our hero remained a fortnight at Malta, and then Signora Easy was re-embarked, and once more the
Rebiera
made sail.
“Fare you well, my lad; what I have seen of your brothers-in-law pleases me much; and as for your wife, it will be your own fault if she is not all that you would wish. If ever I come to England again, I will pay my first visit to Forest Hill. God bless you!”
But Sir Thomas never did go back to England, and this was their final adieu. Once more the
Rebiera
pursued her course, stopped a day or two at Gibraltar, shared the proceeds of the captured gun-boat, and then made sail for England, where she arrived without adventure or accident in three weeks. Thus ended the last cruise of Mr Midshipman Easy. As soon as their quarantine at the Motherbank was over, they disembarked, and found Dr Middleton and Mr Hanson waiting for them at the George Hotel. Our hero scarcely had time to introduce his wife, when the waiter said, that a lady wished to speak to him. She did not wait to know if Jack was visible, but forced her way past him. Jack looked at her large proportions, and decided at once that it must be Mrs Oxbelly, in which conjecture he was right.
“Pray, sir, what do you mean by carrying off my husband in that way?” exclaimed the lady, red with anger.
“God forbid that I should have to carry your husband, Mrs Oxbelly, he is rather too heavy.”
“Yes, sir, but it's little better than kidnapping, and there's a law for kidnapping children at all events. I shall send my lawyer to you, that you may depend upon.”
“You hardly can consider your husband as a child, Mrs Oxbelly,” replied Jack, laughing.
“Very well, sir, we shall see. Pray, where is he now?”
“He is on board, Mrs Oxbelly, and will be delighted to see you.”
“I'm not quite so sure of that.”
“He's very anxious to see little Billy,” said Gascoigne.
“What do you know of little Billy, young man?”
“And more than anxious to be on shore again. He's quite tired of sleeping single, Mrs Oxbelly.”
“Ah, very well, he has been talking, has he? very well,” exclaimed the lady, in a rage.
“But,” said Easy, “I am happy to say, that with pay and prize-money, during his short absence, he has brought home nearly five hundred pounds.”
“Five hundred pounds!âyou don't say so, sir?” exclaimed Mrs Oxbelly; “are you sure of that?”
“Quite sure,” rejoined Gascoigne.
“Five hundred pounds!âWell, that is comfortableâdear me! how glad I shall be to see him! Well, Mr Easy, it was hard to part with him in so unhandsome a wayâbut all's for the best in this world. What a dear nice lady your wife is, Mr Easyâbut I won't intrudeâI beg pardon. Where is the brig, Mr Easy?”
“Now coming into harbour,” replied Gascoigne; “if you bargain, you can get off for twopence.”
“Five hundred pounds!” exclaimed Mrs Oxbelly, whose wrath was now appeased.
“By all power, she no fool of a woman dat,” said Mesty, as she retreated curtseying. “I tink Mr Oxbelly very right sleep tingle.”
We have now come to the end of our hero's adventures: that afternoon they all started for Forest Hill, where everything was ready for their reception. The
Rebiera's
men were paid off, and were soon distributed on board of his Majesty's ships; the vessel was sold, and Mr Oxbelly retired to Southsea, to the society of his wife and little Billy. Whether he obtained from his wife a divorce
de thoro
is not handed down.
Our hero, who was now of age, invited all within twenty miles of home to balls and dinners, became a great favourite, kept a pack of hounds, rode with the foremost, received a deputation to stand for the county, on the conservative interest, was elected without much expense, which was very wonderful, and took his seat in Parliament. Don Philip and Don Martin, after two months' stay, took their passage back to Palermo, fully satisfied with the prospects of their sister as to competence and happiness. Jack had no occasion to argue the point with Agnes; she conformed at once to the religion of her husband, proved an excellent and affectionate wife, and eventually the mother of four children, three boys and a girl.
Mesty held his post with dignity, and proved himself trustworthy. Gascoigne, by the interest of the conservative member, soon obtained the rank of post-captain, and was always his devoted and sincere friend. And thus ends the history of Mr Midshipman Easy.
THE END
1 Mizzen-royal
2 Main-royal
3 Fore-royal
4 Mizzen-top gallant
5 Main-top gallant
6 Fore-top gallant
7 Mizzen-top
8 Main-top
9 Fore-top
10 Driver
11 Main-course
12 Fore-course
1 Main-top-gallant-stay-sail
2 Mizzen-top-mast-stay-sail
3 Main-top-mast-stay-sail
4 Mizzen
5 Mizzen-stay-sail
6 Main-stay-sail
7 Fore-stay-sail
8 Fore-top-mast-stay-sail
9 Standing jib
10 Flying jib
LOSSARY
abaft | (Also |
amidships | The middle of the ship either lengthwise (midway between stem and stern) or widthwise. |
a-taunto | (Also |
banns | The notice of a forthcoming marriage, read in church for three consecutive Sundays before the wedding. |
battery | An emplacement for artillery. Also, a number of pieces of artillery. |
belay | Secure a rope by giving it several cross-turns around each end of a cleat-pin, etc. Also used as a command meaning “stop!” or “enough!” or “disregard!” |
belaying pin | A heavy wooden or iron pin which can be fixed in position and upon which a rope may be belayed. Sometimes used as a weapon. |
binnacle | The receptacle, near the helm, for the ship's compass. |
bitts | A frame composed of two upright timbers (pins) and a cross-piece fastened horizontally between them near their upper ends. Ropes or cables may be belayed to the bitts or may be wrapped around the bitts. |
blackguard | A scoundrel or villain. |
blunderbuss | A short, large-bored, hand-held gun loaded with shot and used at short range. |
boatswain | (Also |
bombardier | Artilleryman. |
booms | Long poles (spars) rigged from the ends of yards to extend sails. |
bow-chaser | A forward-firing, long-range gun at the bow of a ship. |
bower-anchor | (Also |
brace | A rope to swing yards and sails horizontally around the mast. |
brails | Small ropes used to truss up the mizzen sail. |
brevet rank | A nominal rank conferred by an official government document, without corresponding pay. |
brig | A two-masted ship rigged similarly to a frigate but lacking a mizzen-mast. |
broached-to | A ship turned to present its side to the wind and waves. |
broadside | The simultaneous firing of all guns on one side of a ship. |
bulwark | The portion of a ship's side that extends above the deck. |
canister | (Also |
caparison | An ornamental saddle cover or similar trappings and harness. |
capstern | (Also |
carronade | A very short, large-calibre naval gun, somewhat like a mortar. |
censer | An incense burner used in religious ceremonies. |
clew | The lower edge of a sail. As a verb, to draw up the lower edge of a sail to the boom in preparation for furling. |
cochineal | A scarlet dye made from the dried bodies of a species of Mexican insect. |
codicil | A written supplement to a last will and testament. |
companion-hatch | The opening in a deck leading to a cabin. |
cooperage | The place of business of a barrel-maker. |
corvette | A small man-of-war with one tier of guns. |
coxswain | The steersman of a ship's boat, usually the petty officer in charge of the barge used by a commanding officer. |
cross bulk-heads | Substantial upright partitions located below deck, running widthwise across a ship, dividing it into compartments. |
cross-trees | A pair of horizontal struts, attached to a mast to spread rigging or support a top (platform). |
cutter | A short, wide ship's boat fitted for rowing or sailing, used for carrying passengers and light stores. |
damme | An oath meaning “damn me.” |
davit | A curved timber, used as a crane, to hoist the flukes of the anchor without damaging the ship's side. |
dead lights | Wooden shutters that can be sealed over the cabin windows to prevent the ship from taking on water in bad weather. |
embayed | In a bay, as when a vessel is trapped there by the wind. |
ensign | The flag flown on the gaff or stern to identify the vessel's nationality. |
escritoire | A writing desk with drawers. |
escutcheon | The shield on which a coat-of-arms is displayed. Figuratively, a family reputation. |
felucca | A small Mediterranean vessel propelled by lateen sails or oars. |
flotilla | A small fleet. |
flukes | The triangular blades at the ends of the arms of an anchor. |
forecastle | (Also |
foretop | The platform at the head of the lower fore-mast. |
frigate | A fast, maneuverable three-masted man-of-war, usually carrying between 26 and 38 guns on a single gundeck. |
funnel | The cylindrical metal band around the head of a mast to which rigging is attached. |
gaff | A pole used to extend the head of the mizzen or spanker sail. |
galliot | A small, fast, single-masted galley used in the Mediterranean. |
garrison | A body of troops stationed in a town for defensive purposes. |
gig | A light, narrow clinker-built ship's boat that may be rowed or sailed. |
gibbet | An upright post with a projecting arm used for hanging criminals or for displaying their bodies after they were hung. |
goose-wings | A sail with its middle drawn up to the yard, used when the wind is strong and the ship is scudding. |
grape | Multiple small cast-iron balls, sometimes in a canvas bag, used as shot in a cannon. |
grapnel | A small anchor, with four or five flutes and no stock, used for small boats or as a boarding hook. |
grego | A rough Mediterranean jacket with a hood. |
gunwale | The upper edge of a ship's side. |
halyards | (Also |
handspike | A wooden bar used as a lever on a handle on a windlass or for moving artillery pieces. |
hatchway | An opening in a ship's deck through which one can descend into the ship or lower cargo. |
hawsers | Small cables used, for example, to hoist up (sway) a top-mast. |
houris | Beautiful women. (Originally, the virgins promised as wives to true believers in Muslim paradise.) |
hove-to | Brought (a vessel) to a standstill without anchoring. |
jolly-boat | A clinker-built ship's boat, wide and smaller than a cutter, usually hoisted at the stern of a vessel. |
jury mast | A makeshift mast put up as a replacement for one that has been destroyed. |
jury rigging | Temporary replacement rigging. |
kedge | To move a ship by hauling in the hawser of a small anchor dropped by a boat a small distance away. |
keel | The lengthwise timber “backbone” of a ship. |
larboard | Left side. |
lateen | A triangular sail suspended from a long yard attached to the mast at a 45° angle. |
lee | (Also |
long nine | A long-barrelled gun that fires nine-pound balls. |
loom | The indistinct appearance of an object near the horizon. Also, the handle of an oar between the grip and the oarlock. |
luff | To turn further into the wind. |
magazine | The compartment deep in a ship where the gunpowder is stored. |
main-top | The platform at the head of the lower main mast. |
man-of-war | A vessel equipped for warfare or belonging to a recognized navy. |
middies | Midshipmen. |
midshipman | A young British naval officer, ranking below a lieutenant. |
mole | A massive structure of stone serving as a pier or breakwater. |
mole-head | The seaward end of a mole. |
mufti | Plain clothes worn by a member of the military, as contrasted with a uniform. Also, a Muslim cleric. |
nugatory | Trifling. |
osier | A pliant willow shoot. |
palaver | A conference between tribespeople and traders or travelers. Also, unnecessary, idle talk. |
pinnace | A small two-masted, schooner-rigged vessel often used for intrafleet communication. |
planeshear | (Also plank sheer) The outermost deck planking on a man-of-war. It forms a shelf below the gunwale. |
pratique | Permission to use a port after a ship passes quarantine. |
provender | Food and provisions for livestock or people. |
purser | The naval warrant officer who looks after the ship's provisions and “slops” (clothing sold to the sailors). |
quarter | The rear half of a vessel. |
quarter-master | A naval petty officer in charge of signals, steering, and stowing the hold. |
ratiocination | The process of logical reasoning. |
rattan | A palm stem used as a walking stick or an instrument of punishment. |
relieving tackle | A tackle used at the front end of the tiller in action or in bad weather. |
round | (Also |
sally-port | A landing place reserved for naval vessels; the opening in a ship's side used for entry. |
sarcenet | (Also |
scion | An heir. |
scud | Run before the wind with minimal sail. |
scuppers | Openings in a ship's side to allow water to drain from the deck. |
sea-mews | European seagulls. |
sheet-anchor | A back-up anchor, often the largest anchor onboard a ship, to be used in emergencies. |
sheet home | To pull a sail into place by tugging on the sheet (the rope attached to the lower corner). |
sloop | A light man-of-war. |
snaffle | A mild restraint. Originally, a simple horse's bridle and bit without a curb and with a single rein. |
speronare | (Also |
staves | (Plural of |
steward | The seaman who caters for the captain and officer's mess. |
studding-sail | (Also |
syncope | Fainting. |
