Chapter XIV: A Timely Rescue

ERE long the loom of the land was lost to sight in the darkness, and with a freshening wind the pinnace tore seawards. Should the breeze hold we feared no danger of pursuit, for the _Damsel of Lyme_ could show a clean pair of heels to any bluff-bowed Spanish craft, and even outstrip their swift galleys, for the sea was too high to allow their oars to be used to advantage.

"Nevertheless, Ralph," quoth my father, "we'll hold westward till daybreak, so as to get a good offing. If those rascals come after us they will take it for granted that we are hugging the shore so as to make the shortest track to England. Now, since you know the ins and outs of this staunch craft, do you make an examination below deck, and let me know what water and provisions are aboard. After that you had better turn in, for by sunrise I'll warrant I can do a sound sleep."

Taking a lantern, I first explored the great cabin. 'Twas much in the same state as when Captain Cleat used it, though the rich hangings and silver vessels had vanished. Evidently the pinnace had been made ready for a long voyage, for there was wine in plenty, besides newly-made bread, so that without troubling about the stores in the hold there would be ample for our sustenance.

Then I bethought myself of the little magazine under the floor. Setting the lantern down at a safe distance, I whipped off the hatch, and, lying full length, groped with my hand. The powder had gone, but the place was nearly chock-full of seemingly long bundles of oiled canvas. One I pulled out, and, stripping off the wrappings, disclosed a brand-new arquebus. I tried another, with the same result. The cuddy contained a veritable armoury.

I next turned my attention to the after-hold. As far as I could make out by the aid of the lantern, this was also full of munitions of war, for there were steel headpieces, breast and back plates, pikes, swords, partisans, and halberds, the metal being carefully coated with tallow to preserve it from rust.

The forehold, besides containing plenty of provisions in casks, held quantities of pressed fodder, several ladders, mattocks, shovels, and other implements for use in siege work, and at least a dozen barrels that, from being painted red, I concluded contained powder.

Thence I made my way to the forepeak, wherein I had heretofore spent so many unhappy days and nights, which now, compared with the horrors of the prison of the Inquisition, seemed easy to be borne.

The place was much the same as before: the stove of sea-coal in the centre, and a double row of bunks on either side.

Whilst I stood, lantern in hand, a loud snore made me start so that I nearly dropped the light. Yet I took courage, and looked again.

In one of the bunks lay a soldier, fully accoutred even to his leathern hip-boots. He was sprawling on his back, his head thrown back and his mouth wide open; one hand trailed over the side of the bunk, while on the floor lay his steel helmet and an overturned leathern jack, from which the liquor had run to leeward owing to the heel of the ship. He was apparently the ship-keeper, and had been indulging in a heavy carouse, for his slumber was that of a man deep in drink.

Hastily I returned, and informed my parent of my discovery.

"Do you take the helm," said he. "I'll have him triced up soon enow. But stay," he added, "'tis best to make certain of him. I'll lash the helm, and do you come with me."

Taking up a coil of fine rope and a short iron bar, my father went for'ard, while I, having set down the lantern, stood by ready to give assistance should it be required.

But the Spaniard gave no trouble. He was still sleeping heavily. Without difficulty his legs and arms were securely pinioned, while, to make doubly sure, we shackled a short length of chain round his waist, fastening the other end to a pig of iron.

This done, we left him to be astounded, on awakening, at his change of fortune. In a way 'twas fortunate for him, for had he been discovered by his captain he would assuredly have been hanged, whereas we spared him his life.

Worn out with my exertions, I soon fell asleep. It was nearly high noon when I awoke, for my father, in spite of his fatigue, had forborne to waken me at daybreak.

"A few hours' slumber will set me right," he replied, when I reproached him for not rousing me before. "Meanwhile do you keep the pinnace due north. Methinks we have already made sufficiently to the westward to shake off pursuit."

Ere I had been two hours at the tiller, the wind, hitherto steady and true, began to pipe down, till the pinnace barely answered her helm. Oft the great lateen sails would flap idly, then as a puff struck them they would draw so quickly that the mast and cordage groaned under the sudden strain. Again the breeze would head us a little, so that I frequently had to put the vessel off her course.

This continued for some time, till the sea subsided somewhat, and thus eased the strain upon the tiller, for with the light breeze and the tumble of the waves, my arms were aching as I continuously checked the tendency of the rudder to fly hard over.

Being left more at my ease I happened to glance astern. To my surprise I saw a vessel barely two miles away on our starboard quarter and heading straight for us.

Instantly I called to my father, and as promptly he roused and came running on deck. One look was sufficient.

"'Tis a Spaniard sure enow; and a galley to boot!" he exclaimed. "And where has the wind gone?"

Just then another stray puff gave us steerage way, and the _Damsel of Lyme_ heeled gracefully to the welcome draught. But it did not last, and soon the pinnace was wallowing helplessly in the long, oily swell.

Being useless at the helm, I assisted my father to load the culverin and the sakers, putting a heavy stone ball cased in lead in the former, and a double charge of slag in the latter. Then behind the rudder head we raised a pair of stout hatches, so as to protect us from the fire of the arquebuses, which ere long would begin to sing around our heads, while the loading of a score of wheel-lock pistols completed our preparations for defence.

"We'll hold out till the last, Ralph," said my father resolutely. "They must never take us alive. But oh for a good breeze!"

The galley was now within range. Urged by fifty oars she was rapidly overhauling us, though the breeze had again sprung up sufficiently for our sails to draw. Ahead a dark patch upon the water denoted a strong wind, but with remorseless obstinacy the belt of light air still enveloped us.

Calmly my father sighted the long cannon, directing me with a motion of his hand to ease the pinnace till the muzzle pointed straight at the Spanish craft.

With a deafening roar the charge was fired, and we watched the shot travel straight for the galley. But to our disappointment it passed a span or so above the poop, though we were not sure that it had not struck some of the soldiers who were gathered upon the sloping deck.

With the utmost haste another charge was rammed home and fired.

This time the shot pitched fairly upon the bank of oars on the larboard side, breaking the ash poles like straws. Amid a roar of rage the galley swung round, till the shipmaster could prevail on the slaves who manned the starboard bank to desist from rowing.

Ere they could adjust their oars we had gained a good half-mile, but still the wind held provokingly light.

Then, hand over hand, the galley began to make good her lost ground, while we prepared to try another shot at our pursuers. But this time the missile fell short, and, throwing up a tall column of spray, rebounded well over the oncoming vessel. They were now within musket range, and instantly gave us a volley.

Crouching behind the improvised mantlet my father held the pinnace on her course, while I, having little hope yet praying for a fresh wind, lay flat upon the deck, sheltered by the sheer of our poop.

"Ralph," shouted my father, "stand by. The pinnace carries way. When they come nigh I mean to down helm and ram the galley amidships. Can we but hold our own 'gainst those who clamber on our fo'c'sle all may go well with us."

This plan seemed feasible, for the galley, instead of running straight under our quarter, was drawing abeam at the distance of a pistol shot, so that we had sufficient room to swing round and strike her fairly in the waist.

But my father's resolve was doomed to failure, for an unlucky shot cut through the sling of our mainyard, and the long, heavy spar came crashing upon our deck, the folds of the canvas trailing in the sea on both sides.

A roar of exultation came from the Spaniards; but their joy was short-lived, for my father loosed the contents of one of the sakers at them.

The heavy charge, spreading like a fan, well-nigh cleared her fo'c'sle, and, profiting by this diversion, we drew clear under foresail alone.

"A breeze!" shouted my father.

Astern the water was being churned into the little white-crested waves. Down swooped the wind, and before it fled the _Damsel of Lyme_ like a wounded sea-bird.

There was little need to tend the helm. Regardless of the bullets, that even now began to fall short, we gathered in the trailing canvas that threatened to check the vessel's way. Meanwhile the galley sternly continued the pursuit.

Speeding aloft with a coil of rope under his arm, my father prepared to haul down the main halyard block so as to bend it to the fallen spar, but while thus engaged I heard him shout, "A sail! Right ahead!"

Desisting in his work, he gained the deck and came aft.

"Heaven forfend it be a Spanish ship!" he muttered. "She's right in our course, and a vessel of no mean size."

With a still rising wind we held our own against our pursuers, but momentarily we were drawing rapidly nearer to the stranger.

She was a barque of about 200 tons, yellow hulled, with towering fo'c'sle and poop, though not so lofty as the majority of Spanish ships. She had struck her t'gallants, and under topsails and courses lay close-hauled on the starboard tack.

"What do you make of her?" I asked anxiously. "She shows no ancient."

"I know not; but we will show ours," replied my father. "Run below to the flag locker and see if an English flag is therein."

Amidst a medley of bunting I found one stained and ragged, yet 'twas the Cross of St. George, in spite of its woebegone state. Quickly it was hoisted to the fore-truck, where it fluttered out bravely in the strong breeze.

In reply the stranger hoisted her colours, but owing to her canvas it was at first impossible to distinguish them. But as the ancient drew clear above the topsail-yard we both cheered madly with sheer thanksgiving. It was the Cross of St. George.

The galley saw it too, and, sheering off, began to make for the shelter of a friendly port. But against the now heavy sea and with her oars greatly undermanned her progress was but slow.

Round swept the barque in pursuit, her double row of ordnance run out for action. As she passed us a voice hailed us in stentorian tones:

"Lay to, friend; we'll be with you ere night."

Then as she thrashed her way through the foam we saw written on her stern the words: "_Nonsuch_ of Dartmouth."