spring up, when certainly we shall then overtake her, unless she is actually the Flying Dutchman in reality.” "I much doubt, sir, if that will be done so easily, if she gains the land before us," said the first Lieutenant. "The coast is full of creeks, which are navigable, to be sure, but then they are absolutely crawling with the enemy's 's row-boats." "Pshaw!-nonsense with your rowboats, Fyke;-why, what the deuce need we care for all the row-boats of Denmark, while the wind holds good? I'd pledge you my honour, I'd make my vessel run 'em down like ninepins." "And yet," replied his first Lieutenant, smiling, we have a vessel in our company at present, not near so large to be sure, but commanded by as spirited a young fellow as holds a commission in the fleet, which, no longer ago than last winter, was glad to run from these same row-boats. Nay, I've heard Farrell myself honestly confess, that had not the breeze fortunately freshened on the instant, he would have been compelled to strike his colours to them." "Indeed, Fyke! they must be hardier stuff than I could have supposed. By the by, how long has Farrell been on this station, d'ye know?" "Not exactly, sir; but this far I know, that he was cruizing here when I joined this brig, and that is nearly three years gone now." "O, in Captain Blunt's time, no doubt. I was at that time in the West Indies, snug enough, with the Sucking Turkey. But I say, Fyke, now I think on't, what though we should telegraph Farrell to board us? He must be well acquainted with this coast by this time, I should think, and might possibly suggest a useful hint or two -Don't you think so?" "Indeed, the idea is not amiss at all, in my opinion," replied the first Lieutenant." Farrell, undoubtedly, has made many captures lately, which I've always heard attributed to a practice he has of standing his own pilot on this coast. I have no doubt but he could give us some excellent information, if he chooses." "That's what I think myself, Fyke; and we can only try him, you know. If he fights shy, why there's an end to the matter. Be so good as direct Jerry with his flags, while I go below for a "It lies right a-head, sir," said the Pilot, without taking the glass from his eye. "I see it quite distinctly— we shall make it in less time than I thought." 66 "Ay, shall we indeed, Kenilkcoast?" said the Captain; "that will be exceedingly fortunate, however, for you see the fog gains ground upon us rapidly." "O, I care not a straw about the fog now," cried the Pilot; "a very short time will put me in possession of the land-marks, and then I'll be able to give you something like an opinion regarding the stranger to windward of us. In the meantime, Captain, I really think you should embrace the opportunity you now have of conferring on the subject with Captain Farrell-I hardly suppose you will get a better." "There are worse hints than that often given, my good friend," said the Captain; " and, depend upon it, it shall not be thrown carelessly away. In my absence, do you therefore keep a bright eye on the safety of my vessel, and let me know the instant you think yourself close enough to the land. Pinafore, you'll attend on Master Kenilkcoast, and bring me any message he may give you." Then leaving the forecastle, he hurried aft to the quarter-deck, and halting, said, "Well, Fyke, have you invited Farrell on board ?" "I have, sir; and they are now busied in lowering his boat." Ah, that is just what it should be. Minikin, come hither, boy; go and tell Mr Marlin to attend the side." "Ay, ay, sir," cried the young gentleinan, running forward in search of the boatswain. Captain Farrell came now on board, and was received with the utmost complaisance and respect by Captain Switchem and his officers. The ceremonial of introduction being happily got over, the chase became naturally the subject of discourse. flicting waters as to become nearly unmanageable, and compel them to desist from following me. As soon as we get through that passage, I'll point out the scene of my mishap to you." "Is this same Danske's Hellgates, as you phrase it, of any length, Farrell?” "O, I first observed her," replied Captain Farrell, to an interrogation put to him, "almost the minute after I bore down upon you; but as there is some whisper abroad of the Danish brig Laland being at sea, I determined to see who and what you were, before I made up my mind to close in with the coast; and, now that we are met, I will think it very miraculous indeed, if we let her slip through our fingers.' "Are you then so confident of making her your own?" said Captain Switchem. "O, no; not quite so certain as if I'd her astern of me, made fast to the end of a good strong hawser," said Captain Farrell; "though, by my honour, I'd not care a sous how soon I were put to that trouble. You are too recent in these seas, Captain Switchem, to have the smallest idea of what a long arrear of good hard blows I've got to clear away with these same North men. Sorry am I to confess I am very deeply their debtor on that score, which circumstance makes me, I confess, not a trifle the more anxious to seize the first opportunity that comes in my way of paying them off, with handsome interest, though it were only a part." "I've heard that affair of yours often talked of, Farrell, and must confess you made a lucky escape. Pray, on what part of the coast did it happen? -anywhere nigh this, eh?—for in that case, you know, we might stretch a point a little to do them a mischief; twould be an excellent drill to my fellows." "Why, sir," said Captain Farrell, "I'll be able, in a very short time, to conduct you to the very spot where these sandy-haired rascals had so very nearly peppered me, for we are getting onward towards it as fast as we may. I see our chase has every intention of leading us a dance through the Danske's Hellgates, as my fellows call it, and that was the very passage through which I effected my escape last winter. O, it was a humbling affair, to be compelled to run from a horde of open row-boats, which spun round me like a nest of hornets, sending me shot from all quarters. All was well, however, as soon as I made that channel; and, grieved and chagrined as I was, 'pon my soul 'twas impossible to keep from laughing when I saw the boats of the scoundrels so completely chucked about by the con "Oh, no-probably about half the length, or nearly so, of our own Pentland, but of excellent depth, and far more boisterous-a boat can barely live in it. The moment we enter it we'll have to shorten sail, for the high lands on either side of us make sudden squalls uncommonly frequent." "Ah, well, that's of small moment, Farrell, since I always consider a known danger as no danger at all, seeing we can have our remedy at hand. But, Heaven help me, what am I thinking of, to be so very destitute of good manners and hospitality? We are a good hour's distance from the land yet; let us go below, and have a little farther discourse. I've some excellent Rhenish, very much at your service.-Fyke, keep a sharp look-out, and tell me if anything happens." The two commanders accordingly adjourned to the cabin, and over their wine arranged their various plans of co-operation and signal so much to their mutual satisfaction, that it was not without some regret they heard the moment of separation announced. They were close upon the entrance of the channel, and Farrell's presence aboard his own vessel indispensable. "Oho!" he cried, looking out ahead the moment he came on deck, "she breasts the currents bravelythat is not her first essay, I'll be sworn. I say, Switchem, for I must be off in a moment now, I'll take the lead, if you please, and keep you in my wake until we clear the channel; I'll then burn a blue light, and you can make sail, for I see she leads the very way I told you of. Meantime, get all your gear in readiness, for I've little doubt but we'll need 'em ; and I'll send Toddrell to ye at the hour appointed." "But what if this fog should thicken?" said Captain Switchem. "But what if this fog should thicken?" said Captain Farrell. "O, as to that, have no apprehension. The nightbreeze generally springs up pretty early in the first watch, and it is commonly quite clear by midnight-at present I think the fog in our favour. All we have to do is to keep close to gether. Goodbye t'ye," he added, "my good sir-dear Fyke, goodbye -Gentlemen all, success and adieu!" So saying, Captain Farrell stepped into his gig and shoved off, the boatswain's pipe sung its shrill farewell, and gives us an opportunity of concluding this chapter. CHAPTER XIII. The signal was given, and though shatter'd and riven, And many a boat, in the shower of their shot, Drove her keel in the proud foeman's cand, my boys.--- WITH all their flying gear, then, completely thrown aside, and their courses cleared up, the two vessels of war lost no time in entering this troubled and narrow channel, which winds and rushes boisterously, from either sea, through the centre of that interesting group of islands known by the name of the Vigtins-the Tottumfog, greatly to the mortification of her first Lieutenant and Pilot, humbly attending in the wake of that " d-d little cockerell," as Kenilkcoast called her, the Whippersnapper. Though the evening still continued partially hazy, and the precipitous, black, naked rocks on either side rose often so prodigiously high as completely to exclude the curious eye from farther exploration than was afforded from their rugged sides, veined and variegated with the most beautiful colours, and along which a countless immensity of sea-fowl of all descriptions -winged their ceaseless way, yet ever and anon, through the oft-occurring yawning chasms into which the solid granite had been splintered by the contending waters, could they get a momentary glimpse of their chase, which, having cleared the perilous spot where the waters of either sea fought with endless hostility, was now far a-head, making the best of her way from them smoothly and swiftly. "By my honour," cried Captain Switchem, looking wistfully after her with his glass, "but he's making sail on her, Fyke. Well, come of her what will, we can't call it his fault; for he has shewn excellent seamanship and must be a clever fellow.--Keep a steady eye on Farrell, Fyke; I must go and look after matters." Under his own superintendance, therefore, the utmost bustle pervaded every corner of the vessel's interior. The decks were cleared of everything not absolutely necessary-the gunner's safety-screens were hung round the hatchways, completely excluding the remaining light from the lower deck, which was now rendered barely rible by the miserable twinkles of theser's rush-lights, made still more miserable by being placed in lanterns-and the magazine and arm-chests were rifled of their stores. Every face was animated and interesting-all ears were open-and, excepting those of command, every tongue was mute. 66 This business being at length accomplished, and everything according to his mind, Captain Switchem, aided by his first Lieutenant, next mustered the seamen and marines on deck fully armed, and carefully examined their various equipments-snapping their flints, examining their cartouch-boxes, and drawing his nail over the edge of their naked and highly polished cutlasses with evident satisfaction."Now, my lads," cried he, after ordering all hands aft on the quarterdeck, you've nothing farther to do at present, but patiently to stand by ready to execute with cheerfulness the orders given you. You had better therefore go to supper, and I'll advise every one of you to eat a hearty onefor after the hatches are put on, you know 'twill be impossible to allow of any skulking. Our chase continues ahead of us to be sure, and has cost us no small trouble; but what of that, my fine fellows-let us but once get through this narrow channel, and we have her once more in deep water and good sea-room. She must be ours, that's certain. The mainland is close at hand-she will be compelled to run in somewhere--and run in where she pleases, by my honour I'm determined to have her. Serjeant of marines, take the small-armed men's muskets and ammunition from them, and stow them abaft there in the meantime.-Place your cutlasses and pikes in their racks there, my lads, and be ready to jump for them when you're ordered.-Boatswain's mate, pipe to supper."-The order was speedily obeyed, Captain Switchem himself shewing the cheering example, by making an immediate retreat to his cabin to a very latehoured dinner. During this hurried meal, the subjects that came under discussion were as numerous as they were various; and it seemed by the general loudness of the vociferation, as though each individual was determined in this hour of license to make ample amends for his involuntary taciturnity. While some were, therefore, narrating their various feats and marvellous escapes aboard this ship or t'other during the war-others guessing and teazing their brains about what was likely to be their employment for the night-and a third party, more doubtful and composed, were arranging their little matters finally with one another, preparing for the worst-the vessel suddenly began to roll, and her timbers to crack in such an unusual manner, as instantly to attract the general attention, and to hurry not a few on deck to see what was the matter. "By the powers of Moll Kelly," cried the lively Mahony, who, followed by Edward, had been amongst the first who gained the forecastle, "if the devil the like of that I ever saw in my born days;-did you, Ned? Och, och, we're bewitched, that's sartain, dear!-else how the blazes could the crazy ould hooker get on in this manner,-soul of me, as lively and frisky as my grandmother's kitten running after its own darling tail, sure;-and leaping, and shivering, and tossing her head and her tail in the air like another mad-bull!-Och, and in faith we're bewitched, and that's all.-Don't you think so, Ned?" Edward replied not, but eagerly gazed on a scene at once to him novel, perilous, and sublime. They had now reached the spot where the opposing currents met; and there they stood before him, erect and high raised, grappling one another like two powerful and determined wrestlers, whilst the vessel for some time, like an intruder disagreeable to both, was bandied from one to the other with irresist ible force. By imperceptible degrees, however, and after a severe conflict, which the loud and repeated concussions of her timbers amply declared, she forced her way through this tumult of mighty waters, and joyfully declared her emancipation by instantly shooting away with a velocity and a smoothness altogether astonishing. "Well behaved, my good ould woman," cried Dennis, who had watched the vessel's progress with considerable interest; may you ever be able to give the devil, and his rocks, and · his winds, and his sands, and d-d lee-shores, the same clever double you have given just now to that plaguy boiling-pot! Did you ever see the like of that ashore now, Ned?-Och, botheration and turf, but it puts my own pipe out complately, that's been at sea all my life. Soul of me, if I know what to think on't; for I'd always be for supposing that these same waters would naturally be after running all the same way, instead of meeting one another in the teeth in that rascally manner, and joltering, and bellowing, and murdering each other, as thof they were paid for it.But, come, let us be after taking our bodies below, Ned, for you see it's all over now, and we may palaver here long enough without knowing anything of the matter at all, at all. Besides, I'm most savagely hungry, and mean to tuck into me as much as will keep me from starving for the first twelve hours to come.-Do you the same, darling; and don't let your small-guts be cursing you for a nig gard ere you once more get hold of the bread-bag." Continuing thus under easy sail, the night was well advanced ere they cleared this perilous channel-a circumstance which was formally announced to them by a blue light gleaming dimly through the haze from the stern of the Whippersnapper; and shortly afterwards, a light breeze springing up which dispersed the fog, top-gallant sails were set, the courses hauled aboard, and away they drove for the mainland at random, (having completely lost sight of the chase,) the Tottumfog speedily taking the lead from her companion, in despite of every exertion to the contrary. "You'll be satisfied now, old boy,' said the first Lieutenant, smiling, and advancing to the Pilot. "Ay, to be sure," answered the old man gruffly; " for she's no more now than in the place that belongs to her. D-n me, Lieutenant, but I was always accustomed to be with skippers who were the first to begin and the last to give over-I hates snivelling, and caution, and all that sort of stuff, as heartily, from my soul, as my old commander Harvey did psalm-singing. Crack on her, I say, and let's have the matter settled at once." "Spoke like yourself, my ancient calculator," cried the first Lieutenant; "'twere well for the service if spinks of your determination were more common." "Come, come, Lieutenant, belay if you please-d-n your sidewipes and flattery-he's a silly goose that doesn't know there's as good fish in the sea as ever came out on't." The two vessels, therefore, alike emulous in the cause, thus dashingly carried on, until the returning dawn summoned the look-out of the Tottumfog to his station at the mast-head, which he had hardly gained when he announced the land, and the chase running in to it, in the same breath. Crowding more sail on their vessels at this intelligence, and the breeze freshening up, a very short time brought them so close in shore, that they could plainly perceive the object of their solicitude, as she swiftly made her way towards the mouth of one of those numerous fiords, or inlets, so common on the coast of Norway, which she immediately entered, displaying for the first time the Danish standard, as she disappeared from their view. "I say, Lieutenant," cried the Pilot, pointing abaft to the Captain, who, after surveying the mouth of the inlet with great attention for some time, to which the vessel was rapidly approaching, was now in the act of giving orders to the signal-man-" I say, Lieutenant, will it be really possible he hasn't the pluck to dash in ?" "Silence, Kenilkcoast, silence," replied the first Lieutenant; "you know very well that is a very improper question to me." "O, it may be so in the new, though it was not so in the old school," replied the Pilot," that I'll be sworn to. No, no, Lieutenant, we spurned the idea of making a cat's-paw of our juniors to fight our battles, and then diddling them out of their laurels.In my day, it was the usual language of the telegraph, Stand by, young ship + mate, and I'll shew you how an old battered hulk can beat these fellows; but now the case is reversed-the young sapling fights the battle, while the lousy, cowardly" "In God's name, Kenilkcoast, hold your tongue," cried the first Lieutenant" you are absolutely out of all compass-I will not, cannot, hear you a word farther." "Well, well, Lieutenant, well, well," cried the mortified cynic, following the first Lieutenant with his eyes, as he slowly walked away—" all that may be very true. You won't hear truth, because it brushes some people -and belike yourself-I don't care a d-n; 'tis all one to Ben Kenilkcoast his word will be taken as soon as any on ye-so you may make it a courtmartial if you please."-Then giving his usual mouthful of tobacco an extra turn, and squirting the superfluous juice on the deck, he once more took his solitary stand on the forecastle. Though exceedingly cautious and circumspect, however, Captain Switchem was by no means deficient in courage. He had marked, in the bravado of exhibiting her national standard, a confidence in the chase, which not only told him what he had to expect, but that there was not a moment to be lost. Telegraphing, therefore, his companion to stand on and penetrate the fiord, he immediately shortened sail, got out his boats, and, thus prepared for action, followed slowly after, ready to act according to circum stances. This order was promptly obeyed by Captain Farrell, and the Whippersnapper, after dropping her boats, moved swiftly on and entered the fiord. The Tottumfog followed more slowly, and had barely got round an enormous rocky pile, which seemed placed at its mouth by the hand of nature, as a barrier against the devastations of the ocean, when her impatient and mortified ship's company beheld the Whippersnapper far a-head, making swiftly towards a little thickly-wooded point, which, descending abruptly from the surrounding high land, ran into this little inland sea like a natural pier. Behind this point, and close under the high land which completely over-topped it, the chase had taken shelter, and now lay at anchor with her sails furled, the tops of her masts being distinctly seen peering above the surrounding dwarfish fir and pine |