The Pirate of the Mediterranean | Page 6

money than take a share of a merchantman, and go

master of her. No sooner said than done. Up I went to London, where I
knew a respectable shipowner. He was glad enough to favour my
wishes, for he knew he could trust me; and I soon became part owner
and master of the Zodiac, a fine brig, of a hundred and sixty tons. I
have made two voyages in her, and am now bound to the eastward to
Cephalonia and Zante. I sail to-morrow or next day, according to
circumstances. If you'll step up here, sir, I think you'll see her, for we've
hauled out ready for a start, as soon as my passengers come on board."
As the master of the merchantman spoke, he advanced to a part of the
ramparts over which they could look down upon the great harbour,
where, some way below the custom-house, was seen a merchant brig,
laden and ready for sea.
"She's as fine a sea boat as ever floated, I can assure you, sir. It's a
pleasure to be her master," he continued, as he pointed with pride to her.
Every good seaman is fond of his vessel, and overlooks her faults,
whatever they may be, as a good husband does those of his wife.
"I am heartily glad of your success, Bowse, I can assure you," said the
midshipman warmly; "I owe you much; for you gave me my first
lessons in seamanship, and I shall never forget them. You must come
and dine with us to-morrow, and I shall introduce you as my friend,
Captain Bowse."
"No, sir--no, pray don't do so," answered the mariner; "I've served on
board a man-of-war, and I know my place and rank better. Captains of
king's ships, if you please, sir,--but masters of merchantmen. I know
the difference between a collier and a seventy-four, I think. But I'll dine
with your mess, sir, with much pleasure, if I don't go to sea
to-morrow."
"We shall expect you, then, if we see the Zodiac still in the harbour,"
said Raby. "I see you've got a spy-glass there, let me take a squint at
her. You carry six guns, I observe; and I must say I like the look of
your craft."
"Very necessary, too, in the places to which we trade," answered the

master. "Those Greek chaps among the islands don't scruple to plunder
any vessels they may find unarmed, particularly in these times; but the
truth is, two of those are quakers--their look is much worse than their
bite. However, between this and Cephalonia there's no danger."
"Why, you know, if any pirates attacked you, and were caught, you'd
have the satisfaction of having them strung up by King Tom, like those
chaps yonder," said Raby. "By the bye, Duff, did you ever observe
King Tom's Rubber of Whist?"
"No," answered Duff. "What do you mean?"
"Take that glass, and look at the outer bastion of Port Ricasoli. What do
you see there?"
"Four figures, which are hanging by their necks from gibbets,"
answered Duff. "What are they?"
"Those are four Englishmen,--at least, one, by the way, was a Yankee,
their master,--who turned pirates, and tried to scuttle another English
brig, and to drown the people. It's too long a story to tell you now. But
old King Tom got hold of them, and treated them as you see."
"That fellow, Delano, the Yankee master, was a terrible villain,"
observed Captain Bowse, shuddering. "It was not the first black deed of
the sort he had done, either. One doesn't know what punishment is bad
enough for such scoundrels. It's a hundredfold worse when such-like
acts are done by our countrymen, than when Greeks or Moors do them,
because one does not expect anything better from their hands. But I see,
sir, you are casting an eye at one of those strange-looking native crafts
standing in for the land with the sea breeze."
Raby had the telescope at his eye, and he was pointing it towards a sail
which was rapidly approaching the shore. So broad and lofty was the
canvass, that the hull looked like the small car of a balloon, in
comparison to it, as if just gliding over the surface of the blue and
unruffled sea.

The view both up and down the harbour, and in every direction, was
very interesting. Directly facing them was Port Ricasoli, with its tiers
of guns threatening any invader, and the black, wave-washed rocks at
its base. A little to the right, in a sort of bay between it and Port Saint
Angelo, appeared the white and elegant buildings of the Naval Hospital;
and further on, towering upwards from the water, the last-mentioned
fort, with its numerous rows of heavy guns, having behind it the
Dockyard creek, or