The Two Shipmates | Page 7

you talked of marrying," said
Dick, again lowering his voice.
"I'd give my life for her sake," answered Ralph.
"That's not the question. Come, here's the place; say the word and you'll
be free," whispered Dick, not attending to his last remark.
"No, I cannot," answered Ralph firmly.

"An obstinate man will have his own way, and be sorry for it
afterwards," exclaimed Dick, in a tone of vexation. "But I'll see what I
can do in spite of you; there'll be another chance further on."
Dick staggered on as if he were still half-seas-over, gradually
increasing his distance from Ralph till he got alongside his friend Tom.
The latter was in no mood for talking, but he listened eagerly to what
Dick had to say.
"Ay, give the word, and I'm ready," answered Tom, after listening for
some time; "only just help me to get my hands out of limbo."
Dick had managed to liberate his own hands, and it was the work of a
moment to free his companion's, the darkness preventing their guards
from observing them.
They had by this time reached a street close to the water, though at
some distance from where the boats were waiting. Suddenly the
press-gang were assailed by the wildest shrieks and cries and showers
of abuse, uttered by a number of women and boys, who rushed out
from some narrow courts or other places where they had been
concealed. They did not confide their attack to words, but, supported by
some men, who, however, kept at a safe distance behind them, they
opened a volley of brickbats and stones at the heads of the sailors. The
latter turned to defend themselves and drive off their assailants, who
nimbly retreated, when pursued, in all directions, redoubling their
shrieks and cries. The officer, well knowing the object of the attack,
shouted to his men to stand fast; but some amid the din did not
understand what he said, and few were willing to obey his orders.
Tom, whose hands had been freed, tripped up the man nearest him, and
dashed down the street towards the water, followed by two of the
press-gang.
"Now's your time, mate," cried Dick, seizing Ralph by the arm; "come
along."
"I cannot," answered Ralph, firmly; "I promised to remain. Save

yourself if you can."
"You're a fool then," exclaimed Dick, and, springing past some of the
press-gang attacked by those in front, he dashed through the crowd. He
was, however, pursued, and quickly brought back.
"Luck's against me, hearties, but I'm not the lad to pipe my eye," he
exclaimed, in a tone of bravado. "Just give me another chance, and I'll
show you who has the fastest pair of heels."
The sailors laughed at Dick's sally, and thought him a hearty good
fellow, though they did not neglect, for all that, to lash his hands more
securely than at first.
In the meantime Tom had reached the wharf, but finding one side
blocked up, had doubled, in the hope of escaping in another direction,
when he saw two of the press-gang close to him. Numerous vessels of
all sizes lay in the harbour. Dread of having to serve on board of a
man-of-war made him desperate. Without hesitation he plunged into
the water, and swam off, hoping to reach one of the vessels, on board
which he might be received and concealed. His pursuers, expecting a
flogging should he escape, dashed in after him. The heads of the three
men could scarcely be discerned when the officer, with the main body,
reached the quay. In vain he shouted to Tom to return and not to risk
his life, while he ordered some of his men to push off in a boat and
overtake the swimmers. No boat was, however, to be found afloat in the
neighbourhood. Some were hauled up on a slip, but they were under
repair, and no oars were in them. The people who had been mobbing
the press-gang had collected on the quay, keeping at a safe distance,
and they now uttered cries of encouragement to Tom to persevere,
while they hurled execrations on the heads of his pursuers; their voices,
joined with those of the shouting seamen, creating the wildest possible
uproar. In a short time the splash of oars was heard, and a boat was
dimly seen at some distance from the shore. The officer shouted to the
people in her to take his men on board, but his orders were unheeded.
Almost within hail lay the Amity. Could Ralph once get on board her he
was safe. At that moment he caught sight of a lad running by.

"Here, boy," he cried out, in spite of the growls of some of the
press-gang near him, "there's a golden guinea for you if