The Missing Ship | Page 9

from Bristol, to which port the Dragon belonged,
immediately the news reached us, in search of French homeward-bound
ships, hoping to get hold of them before they had heard of the breaking
out of war. We had, as you may judge, a quick run to the southward,
having on our way made three captures, and by having to send prize
crews away in them our strength was considerably diminished. Still our
captain, Simon Avery--you may have heard of him, sir--was not the
man to give up while there was a chance of falling in with other vessels.
Short-handed as we were, we had to keep watch and watch; and
yesterday morning, while the watch below were asleep, and most of the
hands on deck much in the same state, the ship was struck by a squall,
and before sheet or brace could be let go, over she went and began to
fill. I had just time, with three others, to get hold of a half-hatch, to cut
some spars adrift, and to shove off to a distance, when down she went,
carrying with her every soul on board. I don't wish to harrow the young
lady's feelings by describing the scene. A few floated up and shouted
out for help, but we couldn't give it, for our own raft was already
loaded. Before many minutes were over, even the stoutest swimmers

had sunk beneath the surface. I had got hold of an axe and a coil of rope,
and we managed to lash the spars to a grating. While so employed, one
of the men slipped off; as he couldn't swim, he was drowned, and thus
we had more room. The sea rapidly got up, and now another of my
companions was washed away, and then the last. I secured myself to
the raft, resolved to struggle for life while I had strength; but had not,
fortunately, your ship stood towards me, and your brave mate gallantly
hauled me on board, I should to a certainty have been lost."
"I am very thankful, sir, that my mate was the means of saving you,"
said Captain Tracy; "you cannot praise him too highly. He has sailed
with me since he first came to sea, and though he took to the life
somewhat later than most people do, he has become a better seaman
than many of his elders."
"I don't doubt it, sir; I should judge from his looks that he is all you
describe him to be," answered the stranger.
"You say," resumed Captain Tracy, "that the English and French are at
loggerheads again--can you tell me whether any king's ships have been
sent out for the protection of our commerce, or, what is of more
consequence to us, whether many French privateers are already afloat?"
"As to that, it was reported that a fleet was fitting out at Portsmouth
with all despatch to be placed under the command of Sir Edward
Hawke; and it was said that Admiral Byng was to be sent to the
Mediterranean with a squadron. Another fleet was already at sea, under
the command of Admiral Holburne; and the news has arrived that he
came up with and attacked the French fleet, commanded by Admiral
Macnamara, off the American coast, and captured two 64-gun ships,
with a considerable number of troops on board. It is evident, therefore,
that the English are no longer asleep, as they have been for some time
past, and are intending to carry on the war with vigour. With regard to
the Frenchmen, they are pretty wide awake, though they may not have
expected to be attacked so suddenly; and as far as I was able to learn,
they have not been slow in sending both men-of-war and privateers to
sea--and I would advise you to stand clear of any strange sail we may
fall in with: it is wiser to avoid a friend than to run the risk of being

caught by a foe."
"This is bad news indeed you give me, sir," said Captain Tracy,
"though I have to thank you for it, as it is better to be forewarned; and
you may depend on it, I will follow your advice. Had I thought it likely
that war would break out, I should not have brought my young
daughter to sea; but she was anxious to come as she had no one to look
after her, and I intended this to be my last voyage, for I have knocked
about enough on the ocean to long to settle down quietly on shore. We
know that we must run all risks, but I cannot bear the thought of what
might happen should we be captured by a picarooning privateer, for
most of them are but little better than pirates." He said this