Dikes and Ditches; Or, Young America in Holland and Belgium
by Oliver Optic · English · Gutenberg #25485 · 510,304 chars · public domain (US)
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Title: Dikes and Ditches; Or, Young America in Holland and Belgium
Author: Oliver Optic
Release date: May 16, 2008 [eBook #25485]
Language: English
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*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK DIKES AND DITCHES; OR, YOUNG AMERICA IN HOLLAND AND BELGIUM ***
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YOUNG AMERICA ABROAD
By
OLIVER OPTIC
DIKES AND DITCHES
BOSTON
Lee & Shepard.
[Illustration: A SQUALL IN THE GERMAN OCEAN.--Page 36.]
[Illustration]
DIKES AND DITCHES;
OR,
YOUNG AMERICA IN HOLLAND AND BELGIUM.
A STORY OF TRAVEL AND ADVENTURE.
BY
OLIVER OPTIC.
BOSTON:
LEE AND SHEPARD, PUBLISHERS.
NEW YORK:
LEE, SHEPARD & DILLINGHAM, 49 GREENE STREET.
1874.
Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1868, by
WILLIAM T. ADAMS,
In the Clerk's Office of the District Court of the District of Massachusetts.
ELECTROTYPED AT THE
_Boston Stereotype Foundry,_
No. 19 Spring Lane.
TO
My Fellow-Voyager in the Steamship Persia
DURING A PLEASANT TRIP ACROSS THE ATLANTIC,
IN 1865,
_STEPHEN S. HOE_,
WHOSE NAME EVER REMINDS ME OF MY PERSONAL INDEBTEDNESS
FOR MUCH OF THE PLEASURE OF THE VOYAGE; NOT ONLY
TO MY YOUNG FRIEND WHOSE NAME I MENTION HERE,
BUT ALSO TO HIM WHO SAT OPPOSITE TO US AT
TABLE, WHOSE NAME, ASSOCIATED WITH
ONE OF THE PROUDEST ACHIEVEMENTS
OF AMERICAN INVENTIVE GENIUS,
I NEED NOT MENTION, FOR
NO WORD OF MINE
COULD HONOR
IT,
_THIS VOLUME_
IS RESPECTFULLY DEDICATED.
YOUNG AMERICA ABROAD.
BY OLIVER OPTIC.
A Library of Travel and Adventure in Foreign Lands. First and
Second Series; six volumes in each Series. 16mo. Illustrated.
_First Series._
I. _OUTWARD BOUND;_ OR, YOUNG AMERICA AFLOAT.
II. _SHAMROCK AND THISTLE_; OR, YOUNG AMERICA
IN IRELAND AND SCOTLAND.
III. _RED CROSS_; OR, YOUNG AMERICA IN ENGLAND AND
WALES.
IV. _DIKES AND DITCHES_; OR, YOUNG AMERICA IN
HOLLAND AND BELGIUM.
V. _PALACE AND COTTAGE_; OR, YOUNG AMERICA
IN FRANCE AND SWITZERLAND.
VI. _DOWN THE RHINE_; OR, YOUNG AMERICA IN
GERMANY.
_Second Series._
I. _UP THE BALTIC_; OR, YOUNG AMERICA IN DENMARK
AND SWEDEN.
II. _NORTHERN LANDS_; OR, YOUNG AMERICA IN
PRUSSIA AND RUSSIA.
III. _VINE AND OLIVE_; OR, YOUNG AMERICA IN SPAIN
AND PORTUGAL.
IV. _SUNNY SHORES_; OR, YOUNG AMERICA IN ITALY
AND AUSTRIA.
V. _CROSS AND CRESCENT_; OR, YOUNG AMERICA
IN GREECE AND TURKEY.
VI. _ISLES OF THE SEA_; OR, YOUNG AMERICA HOMEWARD
BOUND.
PREFACE.
DIKES AND DITCHES, the fourth of the "YOUNG AMERICA ABROAD" series, is a
continuation of the history of the Academy Ship and her consort in the
waters of Holland and Belgium. As in its predecessors, those parts of
the book which lie within the domain of history and fact are intended to
be entirely reliable; and great care has been used to make them so. The
author finds his notes so copious, and his recollections of the Low
Countries so full of interest, that he has felt obliged to devote a
considerable portion of the work to the geography and history of the
country, and to the manners and customs of the people; but there is so
much that is novel in the region itself, and so much that is stirring
and even "sensational" in the history of the sturdy patriots of Holland,
that he hopes his young friends will not complain of the proportion in
which he has mingled his material. It would be a very great happiness to
him to have excited a sufficient degree of interest in these countries
to induce the boys and girls to read Mr. Motley's inimitable works, "The
Rise of the Dutch Republic," and "The History of the United
Netherlands." The writer is confident that young people will find these
volumes quite as attractive as the story books of the day.
DIKES AND DITCHES has its independent story of the adventures of the
students. Though the Academy Squadron has thus far been remarkably
fortunate in the character of its instructors, Professor Hamblin proves
to be an exception, and the crews of the ship and her consort are
unhappily plunged into sundry disciplinary tribulations by his
overstrained dignity, and by his want of discretion. The young
commander of the Josephine suffers from the evils of a divided
authority, which brings him into conflict with the senior instructor
before experience suggests the remedy. While the principal is compelled
to punish the students for their misconduct in "hazing" the obnoxious
professor, he also finds it necessary to abate the nuisance of a
conceited, overbearing, and tyrannical pedagogue. Boys cannot be
expected to be angels in school, until their instructors have soared to
this sublime height.
The author of the series, more than ever encouraged by the hearty and
generous favor of his readers, submits this volume to their
consideration, trusting that they will at least appreciate his earnest
efforts not only to please, but to instruct them.
HARRISON SQUARE, MASS.,
April 9, 1868.
CONTENTS.
CHAPTER PAGE
I. THE PROFESSOR AND THE CAPTAIN. 11
II. A SQUALL IN THE GERMAN OCEAN. 27
III. SOMETHING ABOUT DIKES. 43
IV. UP THE SCHELDT TO FLUSHING. 59
V. CAPTAIN SCHIMMELPENNINK. 76
VI. PROFESSOR HAMBLIN CHANGES HIS MIND. 93
VII. THE LECTURE ON BELGIUM. 110
VIII. ANTWERP AND RUBENS. 129
IX. TROUBLE ON BOARD THE JOSEPHINE. 146
X. WHO WAS CAPTAIN OF THE JOSEPHINE. 162
XI. ON THE WAY TO GHENT. 179
XII. IN BELGIUM'S CAPITAL. 195
XIII. THREE CHEERS FOR THE KING OF BELGIUM. 213
XIV. THE VICE-PRINCIPAL. 230
XV. THE PROFESSOR'S CHARGE. 245
XVI. CAPTAIN KENDALL'S DEFENCE. 262
XVII. MORE ABOUT THE DIKES AND DITCHES. 278
XVIII. AN EXCURSION AMONG THE DIKES. 293
XIX. A RUN THROUGH HOLLAND. 310
XX. ADIEU TO HOLLAND AND PROFESSOR HAMBLIN. 328
DIKES AND DITCHES;
OR,
YOUNG AMERICA IN HOLLAND AND BELGIUM.
CHAPTER I.
THE PROFESSOR AND THE CAPTAIN.
The Young America, with every rag of canvas set, including
studding-sails alow and aloft, rolled and pitched gracefully on the long
swells of the German Ocean. The wind was very light from the north-west,
and there was hardly enough of it to give the ship steerage-way. A mile
off, on her starboard bow, was the Josephine, beclouded in the quantity
of sail she carried, but hardly leaving a wake in the blue waters behind
her. The hummocks and the low land of the shores of Holland and Belgium
were in sight; but, with the present breeze, there was but little hope
of reaching the mouth of the Scheldt that night, though it was hardly
twenty miles distant.
The regular course of instruction was in progress in both vessels, the
starboard watch of each being in the steerage, attending to their
studies, while the port watch were on deck, in charge of the sailing
department. Mr. Lowington paced the deck of the ship, and, with the
habit of an old sailor, frequently cast his eyes aloft to see what sails
were drawing. Occasionally, from a custom begotten of his solicitude for
his charge, he glanced at the Josephine.
The squadron did not make even a mile an hour; and when the watch was
changed, at four o'clock, there was not a breath of air to ruffle the
glassy waves. The ship rolled and pitched on the swells, and the sails
slapped against the masts and rigging under the effect of her motion.
The young seamen on deck, without being in a hurry, were annoyed and
vexed, as all sailors are in a calm. They partook of the heaviness of
the scene, and gaped and yawned, from mere inactivity, and the want of
something to occupy their minds.
The calm was only the prelude of a lively scene. To the westward, beyond
the low coast line dimly seen in the distance, was a dense mass of black
clouds, rising rapidly towards the zenith. Low, muttering, muffled
thunder came over the sea. The sun went into the inky veil; and then the
lightnings flashed, faintly at first, but glaring brighter and brighter
as the darkness increased.
Mr. Lowington still paced the deck; but, instead of looking aloft now,
he cast frequent glances at the officer of the deck, who was watching
the dense black clouds. The principal said nothing; for, whatever views
he had in regard to the working of the ship, it was his policy never to
interfere until absolutely necessary. The officers were encouraged to do
their own thinking, and were expected to take all necessary precautions
for the safety of the ship at the right time. The second lieutenant was
in charge of the deck, and as yet he had taken no step which indicated
that he was conscious of any peril.
"Mr. Lavender," said he, at last, when the principal's movements had
begun to be a little nervous.
The second midshipman, who was the third officer in rank on duty,
stepped up to the lieutenant and touched his cap.
"Tell the captain there is a shower coming up, and that the clouds look
squally," added Mr. Ellis, the officer of the deck.
Lavender touched his cap, and went down into the steerage, where the
captain was reciting his French lesson to Professor Badois.
"Excuse me," said Captain Haven. "I must go on deck, for I suppose Mr.
Lowington wouldn't give an order to take in sail if the masts were blown
out of the ship."
The commander of the Young America went on deck in a hurry. He and all
below had observed the sudden darkness which pervaded the steerage, and
they were rather glad to have something stirring occur to break up the
monotony of the calm. The captain looked at the black clouds, and
promptly directed the officer of the deck to take in the studding-sails,
which was done by the watch.
The clouds wore that peculiar appearance which indicates wind--an aspect
which the old sailor readily recognizes. Captain Haven was familiar
enough with the weather signs to understand what was coming; but the
young sailor is almost as much afraid of taking in sail too soon as of
being too tardy in doing so. There is as much vanity in carrying sail as
in wearing fine clothes. The captain did not wish to be too cautious,
for that would cause a smile upon the faces of the ship's crew.
He looked at Mr. Lowington, who seemed to be perfectly satisfied, or
rather his attention was directed entirely to the Josephine, which had
not yet taken in her huge fore square-sail. Then he studied the
threatening pile of black clouds, which had now nearly reached the
zenith; while the thunder rattled, and the lightnings flashed with
blinding glare.
"Take in topgallant-sails and royals," said Captain Haven to the officer
of the deck, now satisfied that his reputation for carrying sail could
not suffer in the face of such admonitory indications.
Mr. Ellis called on the entire starboard watch to obey his orders; for
only a quarter watch was required to handle the ship under ordinary
circumstances, the other portion of the watch being idlers on deck. The
light sails were taken in; and Mr. Lowington made no comment, as he
sometimes did, after an evolution had been performed, in order to
express his approval or otherwise of the action of the captain.
The Josephine was most strangely deficient in caution on the present
occasion, and the principal was evidently much disturbed by the conduct
of her captain, who was usually very prudent, without being timid. There
she was, with all her extra sail set and flapping in the calm, while a
tempest was brewing before her.
"Captain Kendall must be asleep," said Mr. Lowington, nervously, to
Peaks, the adult boatswain of the ship.
"And the officers too," replied the old salt, hitching up his trousers.
"We ought to fire a gun to wake them up."
"It is not like Captain Kendall to be caught napping when a squall is
gathering," added the principal.
"I should think the thunder would wake them up. It's heavy for these
parts. That squall will come all at once when it does come. It will take
their sails right out of the bolt-ropes."
Mr. Lowington walked aft again, and on the quarter-deck met Flag-officer
Gordon, who had also been observing the Josephine, and wondering at her
continued neglect of the most ordinary precautions.
"Mr. Lavender," said the commander of the squadron.
The midshipman, ever ready to do the meagre duties assigned to him,
touched his cap to Captain Gordon.
"Pass the word for the signal-officer," added the flag-officer.
"That's right, Captain Gordon!" exclaimed the principal. "If the
officers of the Josephine don't do better than this, they must be
broken. I am astonished."
"So am I, sir. Captain Kendall is usually very careful, and what he
don't see isn't worth seeing."
"Be as expeditious as possible, for the squall will soon be upon us."
The signal-officer appeared with the midshipman and quartermaster in
charge of the signals. Captain Gordon ordered the number, "Take in
sail," to be set.
Paul Kendall was severely criticised on board of the ship; but, before
he has suffered too much in the estimation of his sympathizing friends,
let our readers be transferred to the steerage of the Josephine, in
which, as the consort of the Academy Ship, the same rules and
regulations prevailed. The port watch were at their studies, while the
starboard watch had the deck, in charge of Mr. Terrill, the first
lieutenant. This was the captain's study time, for he was a member of
the several classes, and in school hours was subject to the discipline
of the professors, the same as other students.
When the squall began to gather, Professor Hamblin was hearing the
recitation in Greek. The learned gentleman did not think a scholar knew
anything unless he possessed a considerable knowledge of Greek. It was
his favorite branch, and the class in this language was his pet. He was
a strict disciplinarian, and never allowed anything to interrupt the
recitation in Greek if he could possibly avoid it. No scholar, not even
the captain, as the regulations then were, could leave the class without
his permission. It is true, the rule had not been made, or even been
considered, with special reference to the commander of the vessel; but
Paul had always quietly submitted to it, even at some inconvenience and
sacrifice to himself. No emergency had arisen, since the Josephine went
into commission, which required the setting aside of the rule, and it
was supposed the professors would have judgment enough to use it with
proper discretion.
Professor Hamblin, so far as Greek roots were concerned, was not lacking
in judgment; but he knew no more about a ship than Cleats, the
boatswain, did about Greek. He was a very learned man, and lived in a
Greek and Latin atmosphere. The dead languages were the chief end of man
to him. He was cold, stern, and precise, except that, when hearing a
class in Greek, he warmed up a little, and became more human, especially
if the students manifested a becoming interest in his favorite branch.
Unfortunately for Paul Kendall, he was not an enthusiastic devotee of
the Greek language and literature. He lived too much in the present to
be enamoured of anything so old, and, as it seemed to him, so
comparatively useless. But he was faithful in the discharge of all the
academic requirements of the institution, not excepting even those
branches which he disliked. Though he was always very respectful to
Professor Hamblin, he was candid enough to say that he did not like
Greek. He was, therefore, no favorite of the learned gentleman, who
thought his abilities and his scholarship were over-estimated--because
he did not like the dead languages.
"Mr. Terrill directs me to inform you that a squall is coming up," said
Ritchie, the third master, as he touched his cap to Captain Kendall.
"No interruption! No interruption!" interposed Professor Hamblin, very
ill-naturedly.
The third master touched his cap, as the captain bowed to him in
acknowledgment that he had heard the message, and then retired. The
professor was vexed: perhaps he was a little more ill-natured than
usual, on account of being slightly seasick--an effect produced by the
uneasy roll of the vessel in the calm.
"Now, Mr. Kendall, go on with the dual of [Greek: admev]," added he, as
Ritchie retired.
"I must beg you will excuse me, Professor Hamblin," said Paul, with the
utmost deference, as he rose from the bench on which he was seated.
"Go on with the dual!" replied the professor, sternly.
Paul looked at the snapping gray eye of the learned gentleman, and was
assured that he had a will of his own. As the captain of the Josephine,
he did not wish to set an example of insubordination, which others might
adopt before they were certain that the emergency required it. He had
not seen the gathering clouds, and he had full confidence in the
judgment and skill of Terrill, who was in charge of the deck. The rule
was that the professors should be obeyed in study hours. This had always
been the regulation on board the ship; but, then, the principal, who was
a sailor himself, was always present to prevent any abuse of power.
Paul decided to yield the point for a time, at least, and he recited his
lesson as directed by the professor. Half an hour later, Ritchie
appeared again, with another message from the first lieutenant, to the
effect that the squall was almost upon them. This was about the time
that Flag-officer Gordon had sent for the signal-officer, on board of
the ship.
"You must excuse me now, Professor Hamblin, for I must go on deck," said
Paul, as respectfully as he could speak.
"I can't spare you; I haven't finished the exercise yet," replied Mr.
Hamblin, sourly. "This is a plan to break up the lesson in Greek,
because some of the young gentlemen don't like to study it."
"I beg your pardon, sir; but the officer of the deck sends me word that
the squall is upon us. You can hear the thunder and see the lightning,"
added Paul.
"I am not afraid of thunder and lightning," growled the professor. "My
classes are not to be broken up on any frivolous pretences. Mr.
Lowington assured me I had full powers over all during study hours; and
I tell you to be seated, and go on with your recitation."
"But the vessel is in danger, sir," protested Paul.
"I'm not afraid, and you need not be. Take your seat, sir, or I will
report you to the principal."
Paul's face flushed. No officer or professor had before ever threatened
to report him to Mr. Lowington. Mr. Hamblin was as ignorant as a baby
upon nautical matters, and while the Josephine rolled easily on the
waves, and the sails flapped idly against the masts, he could imagine no
peril.
"I am sorry to disobey your order, sir; but in this instance I must,"
said Paul, firmly, though his voice trembled with emotion.
"Very well, sir," replied the professor, angrily, "I shall report you to
the principal, and if I have any influence with him, you will be removed
from your present position."
Paul did not wait to hear any more, but hastened on deck. His quick eye
discovered the peril of the moment. The squall was indeed upon them. At
the peak of the Young America hung the signal which had been hoisted;
but it was not necessary to look in the book for its meaning.
"Mr. Terrill, call all hands--quick!" said Captain Kendall, in sharp
tones.
"All hands on deck, ahoy!" roared the boatswain's mate, as he piped his
shrill whistle at the main hatch.
The students flew from their seats at the mess table, deserting the two
professors without an apology. With only two exceptions, the officers
and crew of the Josephine were all old sailors. Most of them had been on
board the ship for two years, and a sudden squall was no new thing to
them. They leaped into their stations, and when the orders were given
they knew exactly what to do.
"Stand by sheets and halyards!" shouted the first lieutenant. "Man the
jib, and flying jib halyards, and downhauls!"
"All ready forward, sir," reported the second lieutenant, whose place
was on the forecastle.
"Man the topgallant clewlines and buntlines!" continued Terrill.
"All ready, sir!"
"Ease off the sheets! Settle away the halyards! Clew up! Lay aloft, and
furl topgallant-sail!"
The topgallant men sprang up the rigging like so many cats, for all
hands had been thoroughly waked up by the impending peril.
"Let go the flying jib halyard! Haul down! Lay out and stow the flying
jib!"
"Man the topsail clewlines and buntlines!"
"All ready, sir," replied the second lieutenant.
"Let go the topsail sheets! Clew up! Settle away the halyards! Haul taut
the braces!"
All this was done in half the time it takes to read it; and the light
sails of the Josephine were furled. The main gaff-topsail was taken in,
and then the schooner had only her jib, foresail, and mainsail. It was
not necessary to take these in until the peril became more imminent; but
Paul ordered the foresail to be lowered, and reefed, for the vessel was
supposed to lie to best under this sail. The Young America had furled
everything except her topsails, jib, and spanker.
Professor Hamblin had not yet recovered from his astonishment, and he
was as indignant as a learned Greek scholar could be. Professor Stoute
and himself were the only persons left in the steerage; but while the
former laughed, the latter stormed.
"I have been insulted, Mr. Stoute," said the learned gentleman. "That
boy has disobeyed me, as though I were a person of no consequence."
"Why, he was perfectly respectful to you," laughed the good-natured
professor. "You must remember that he is the captain of the ship, and
that everything depends upon him."
"He left the class contrary to my orders; and not satisfied with that,
he calls all the rest of the students on deck," added Mr. Hamblin,
wrathfully. "I had not finished the Greek lesson."
"But there's a squall coming up," pleaded Mr. Stoute.
"What if there was a squall coming up. The principal assured me there
were hands enough on deck to work the vessel under all ordinary
circumstances."
"But you don't understand the matter, Mr. Hamblin," continued the jolly
professor.
"Do you mean to insult me too, Mr. Stoute?" demanded the irate
fountain-head of Greek literature.
"Certainly not; I beg your pardon, Mr. Hamblin," replied Mr. Stoute,
laughing more heartily than before. "I do not profess to comprehend
these nautical affairs; but I presume it was necessary to call all
hands, or the captain would not have done so."
"It was not necessary. I am willing to take the responsibility of that
assertion myself, and I shall report this disrespect and disobedience of
the captain to Mr. Lowington. If he chooses to sustain the delinquent in
such gross misconduct, I will leave the vessel at the first port we
enter."
"Mr. Lowington will certainly do justice to both of you."
"Excuse me, Mr. Stoute; he must do justice to _me_. I have been a
schoolmaster and a professor in college all my lifetime, and I do not
wish to have any one speak of settling a case between me and one of my
pupils. There is only one side to such a question," replied Mr. Hamblin,
whose dignity was terribly damaged by the incident of the afternoon.
"Well, Mr. Hamblin, I wish to be respectful; but I also mean to be
candid. I feel compelled to say that I believe you are all wrong."
"All wrong, sir!"
"Yes, sir; all wrong. Look at the question for one moment."
"I don't wish to look at it. Between teacher and pupil there can be no
issues of any kind. It is my place to command, my scholar's to obey, in
the school-room."
"Now, really, Mr. Hamblin," continued the laughing professor, rubbing
his hands, as though he enjoyed the controversy, "while I agree with you
on the general principle, I must differ from you in its application to
this particular case. Your pupil is the commander of the vessel. Our
very lives depend upon his prudence and skill. It was necessary to take
in sail."
"Very well. Wasn't half the crew on deck for that purpose?" interposed
Mr. Hamblin.
"But who shall determine whether it is necessary or not to take in
sail?"
"The officer who has the care of the vessel for the time being, of
course. Then there are Mr. Cleats, and Mr. Gage, and the servants to
help them reduce the sails, if needed. There is not the least necessity
for disturbing the classes."
"But no one except the captain can give the order to take in a single
sail in the daytime. This vessel is under naval discipline, you are
aware; but I think you cannot have read the rules. Here they are," added
Mr. Stoute, taking the printed regulations of the ship from his pocket.
"Officer of the Deck. He is not to make or take in sail in the daytime,
except in a squall, without directions from the captain; but in the
night he may take in sail, acquainting the captain with his reasons,
which he must enter on the log."
"Well, this is a squall--isn't it?" growled Mr. Hamblin.
"Perhaps it will be; but it seems to me quite proper that the captain
should go on deck when there is any danger. For my part, I have some
regard for my fat body, and I don't care about leaving it here at the
bottom of the German Ocean," chuckled Mr. Stoute; and he always laughed
with especial gusto when he had said anything which he thought was
funny. "The captain can leave any of my classes when he is sent for to
look out for the vessel."
"Mr. Stoute, this is a question of discipline; and higher considerations
than those of merely personal comfort and security should be brought to
bear upon it. It would be impossible for me to impart to my pupils a
knowledge of that noblest language of the historic past, if they are to
be permitted to leave the class when they choose to do so. I shall refer
this matter to Mr. Lowington for his decision. He must suspend the
captain, or he must suspend me. If I cannot control my scholars, I will
not attempt to instruct. It would be preposterous to do so. I shall take
a boat, and go on board of the ship at once, for this difficulty admits
of no delay."
Professor Hamblin, in high dudgeon, took his hat, and went up the
ladder. Mr. Stoute shook his fat sides, laughing at the ire of his
distinguished and learned associate. He was desirous of seeing his
companion start for the ship in the approaching tempest, and he followed
him on deck.
"Captain Kendall," said Mr. Hamblin, sternly, as he walked up to the
young commander, heedless of the rattling thunder and the flashing
lightning.
Paul bowed politely, and looked at the professor, intimating that he was
ready to hear him. It was noticeable that Mr. Hamblin always called the
commander "Mr. Kendall" when he was in the steerage attending to his
studies, and "Captain Kendall" on deck, or in the cabin. The professor
intended to indicate, by this choice of terms, that he was captain
during school hours.
"Captain Kendall, I desire a boat immediately," added Mr. Hamblin.
"A boat!" exclaimed Paul, astonished at the request at such a time.
"I said a boat, Captain Kendall. I purpose to refer the matter of your
disobedience to Mr. Lowington without any unnecessary delay."
"But, Mr. Hamblin, there is a squall coming up."
"I am aware of that; but I demand the boat."
"It would be dangerous, sir. The boat would certainly be swamped."
"I will take the responsibility of that."
"I should be very happy to furnish the boat, sir; but I cannot expose a
crew to such a storm as will soon break upon us," replied Paul.
"You refuse--do you?" demanded the professor, angrily.
"I feel compelled to do so, sir."
"In my hearing, Mr. Lowington instructed you to furnish the professors
with a boat at any time when they desired it."
"I will furnish the boat, sir; but I will not expose the crew to such
peril. I will hoist out the third cutter for you, sir, if you wish."
"I demand a sufficient number of sailors to row the boat."
"You will pardon me, sir; but I will not send any seamen into a boat
until the squall is over. It is unreasonable to ask such a thing."
"Unreasonable, sir! How dare you tell me I am unreasonable?" stormed the
professor, stamping his foot upon the deck.
Paul bowed, but made no reply. He was placed in a very disagreeable and
painful position. He knew that it was madness to send a boat off while
the squall was impending. Mr. Hamblin was wrathy. The long billows were
black and smooth, and the sails hung idly on the gaffs. There was no
danger then, and the learned gentleman had been so fortunate as never to
see any of the perils of the ocean. His passage to England in the
steamer had been a remarkably pleasant one. Nothing like a gale, or even
a high wind, had interrupted its serenity, and the professor had imbibed
a certain contempt for the perils of the ocean. He had never seen them;
and, if mere boys were able to work such a vessel as the Josephine, a
learned man like himself need not tremble in their presence.
CHAPTER II.
A SQUALL IN THE GERMAN OCEAN.
"Mr. Cleats!" said Professor Hamblin, in the most sternly solemn and
impressive manner, as he rushed up to the adult boatswain of the
Josephine.
"Here, sir!" responded the old salt, touching his cap as politely as
though the learned gentleman had been an admiral.
"I want a boat, sir," continued the professor, fiercely.
"Your honor must apply to the captain," answered Cleats, touching his
cap again.
"I have applied to him, and he has refused me. I desire you to take a
boat, and row me to the ship. The carpenter can assist you."
"Bless your honor's heart, I can't go without the captain's orders,"
added Cleats, opening his eyes as wide as though he had been invited to
head a mutiny.
"I will protect you from any harm, Mr. Cleats. I will represent the
matter to Mr. Lowington."
"I never do anything, your honor, without orders from the captain. It
would be mutiny for me to do so, and I should be hung at the fore
yard-arm."
"Nonsense, Mr. Cleats! Will you listen to reason?"
"Sartain, your honor. I always listen to reason; but there isn't any
reason in leaving the ship without the captain's orders."
"But the captain says I may have the boat; and I only want a couple of
men to row it."
"I will pull the boat with the greatest pleasure, sir, if the captain
orders me to do so; or the first lieutenant, for that matter, sir. I
always obey orders, sir, if it sinks the ship."
"I have a complaint to make against the captain for disobedience of my
orders, and he will not permit me to go on board of the ship to prefer
the charge."
"Whew!" whistled the boatswain, as long and loud as though the sound had
been made with his own shrill pipe. "A complaint against the captain! I
beg your honor's pardon, but that can't be. Nobody can have a complaint
against the captain."
"I do not wish to argue the matter with you. Will you do what I ask, or
not?"
"I beg your honor's pardon, but I will not," replied Cleats, who seemed
to have no doubt in regard to his own course, whatever rupture there
might be among the powers above him.
"That's enough," growled Mr. Hamblin, turning on his heel.
"There's a big squall coming, your honor," added Cleats, loud enough for
the professor to hear him. "The boat wouldn't live a minute in it."
"I am not afraid of the squall," replied the learned gentleman, pausing.
"Will you row the boat?"
"No, sir; I would rather not," answered Cleats, shaking his head.
At this moment a heavy roaring, rushing sound came over the sea from
the direction of the land. The water was covered with a dense white
mist. The sound increased in volume till it vied with the booming
thunder, and the surface of the sea was lashed into a snowy foam by the
coming tempest.
"Down with the jib and mainsail!" shouted Captain Kendall, sharply.
"Stand by the mainsail halyards!" said Terrill, through his speaking
trumpet. "Man the jib halyards and downhaul!"
"All ready, sir," replied the second lieutenant, forward; for all hands
were still at their stations, in anticipation of the emergency.
"All ready, sir," added the fourth lieutenant, whose place was on the
quarter-deck.
"Let go the mainsail halyards!" added the first lieutenant; and the
order was repeated by the fourth lieutenant. "Down with it, lively!"
The heavy sail, assisted by twenty pairs of willing and eager hands,
rattled down in an instant, and was speedily secured.
"Let go the jib halyards! Haul down!" said the second lieutenant, on the
forecastle, when the order to take in the jib reached him.
The hands "walked away" with the downhaul, and the jib was on the
bowsprit in an instant.
"Lay out and stow the jib!" added the officer. "Mind your eye there! The
squall is upon us!"
The roar of the squall--heard at first miles away--swept along over the
ocean, carrying a tempest of foam and spray before it, and came down
upon the Josephine. Though she carried no sail, the force of the wind
was enough to heel her down, while the spray leaped over her decks in
the furious blast. The scene was grand and sublime. The thunders roared;
the lightnings seemed to hiss in their fury, as they darted through the
moist atmosphere; and the wind, hardly less than a hurricane, howled in
unison with the booming thunderbolts.
At first, on the long swells of the ocean, which a moment before had
been as smooth and glassy as a mirror, thousands of little white-capped
waves gathered, throwing up volumes of fine spray, which was borne away
by the tempest; so that the air was laden with moisture. Though the
squall came heavy in the beginning, it did not attain its full power for
several minutes. The effect even of the onslaught of the tempest was
tremendous, and officers and crew clung to the rigging and the wood-work
of the vessel, fearful that the savage blast would take them bodily from
their feet, and bear them away into the angry ocean.
"Down with the helm!" roared Captain Kendall to the quartermaster, who,
with four of the strongest seamen, had been stationed at the wheel.
The action of the fierce wind upon the vessel's side was powerful enough
to give her steerage-way without any sail, and her head came up to the
gale, so that she took the blast on her port bow. Thus far, the effect
upon the ocean did not correspond with the violence of the tempest; for
even the severest blow does not immediately create a heavy sea. But, if
the tempest continued even for a few minutes, this result was sure to
follow. There is no especial peril in a squall, if the seaman has had
time to take in sail, unless in a heavy sea; but it does not take long
for a hurricane, in the open ocean, to stir up the water to its maddest
fury.
Professor Hamblin was walking up and down in the waist,--a very pretty
type of the squall itself,--when the initial stroke of the tempest came
upon the Josephine. His "stove-pipe" hat, as non-nautical as anything
could be, which he persisted in wearing, was tipped from his head, and
borne over the rail into the sea. This accident did not improve his
temper, and he was on the point of asking the captain to send a boat to
pick up his lost tile, when the full force of the squall began to be
expended upon the vessel. He found himself unable to stand up; and he
reeled to the mainmast, where Professor Stoute was already moored to the
fife-rail.
"Wouldn't you like the boat now, Mr. Hamblin?" chuckled the jolly
professor, hardly able to speak without having his words blown down his
throat.
"I've lost my hat," growled the learned gentleman, almost choked with
ill-nature within, and the ill-wind without.
"Ask the captain to send a boat for it," laughed Mr. Stoute. "There he
stands! Upon my word, he is a wonder to me! He handles the vessel like
an old admiral who has been imbedded in salt for forty years!"
"Any boy could do it!" snarled the irate professor.
"It is fortunate that Captain Kendall went on deck when he did," added
Mr. Stoute. "We should all have gone to the bottom if they hadn't taken
in sail in season."
"You distress yourself with mighty bugbears," sneered Mr. Hamblin. "I am
very sorry to see you encouraging insubordination among your pupils,
and--"
And a blast more savage than any which had before struck the vessel
ended the professor's speech; for, while it drenched him with salt
water, it gave him all he wanted to do to hold on for his life. He
worked himself round under the lee of the mainmast, and held on with
both hands at the fife-rail, his breath blown down into his lungs by the
wind.
The squall was not one of those which come and go in a few moments; and,
in a short time, the sea had been lashed into a boiling, roaring,
foam-capped maelstrom. The Josephine rolled and pitched most fearfully.
Below there was a fierce crashing of everything movable, while the winds
howled a savage storm-song through the swaying rigging. By the captain's
order, the crew had, with great difficulty, extended several life-lines
across the deck, for the safety of those who were compelled to move
about in executing the various manoeuvres which the emergency
required.
The angry professor began to cool off under the severe regimen of the
tempest. He was drenched to the skin by the spray, and it required the
utmost activity on his part to enable him to keep his hold upon the
fife-rail. Now the vessel rolled, and pitched him upon his moorings; and
then rolled again, jerking him, at arm's length, away from them, his
muscles cracking under the pressure. Professor Stoute, determined to be
on the safe side, had passed the end of the lee topgallant brace around
his body, and secured himself to one of the belaying pins. Nothing ever
disturbed his equanimity, and though he was doubtless fully impressed by
the sublimity of the storm, he was just as jolly and good-natured as
ever.
The captain and the executive officer were holding on at one of the
life-lines on the quarter-deck. Paul looked as noble and commanding as
though he had been a foot taller, with a full beard grown upon his face.
He appeared to be master of the situation, and Professor Stoute regarded
him with an admiration strongly in contrast with the disgust of his
fellow-teacher. The competent captain of the ship is always little less
than a miracle of a man to his passengers, especially in a storm, when
he is confident and self-reliant. They feel that everything--their very
lives, and the lives of those they love--are dependent upon him, and
they look up to him as to an oracle of skill and wisdom.
"It's coming heavier and heavier," said Terrill, as the Josephine gave a
fearful lurch.
"Ay, ay! It's nothing less than a hurricane," replied Paul.
"It's the biggest squall I ever was in," added Terrill, blowing the salt
water out of his mouth, after a pint of spray had slapped him in the
face.
"It is kicking up an awful sea."
"That's so."
"Keep your helm hard down, Blair!" shouted Paul to the quartermaster in
charge of the wheel.
"She don't mind it now, sir!" yelled the quartermaster, at the top of
his lungs.
"She's falling off, Mr. Terrill," added Paul.
"I see she is, sir."
"We must keep her head up to it, or our decks will be washed. Hard down,
Blair!"
"She don't mind it, sir!"
"Set the close-reefed foresail, Mr. Terrill," said the captain. "But be
careful of the hands."
Terrill, with the trumpet in his hand, sprang from the life-line to the
fife-rail, so as to be nearer to the hands who were to execute the
captain's order. The unpleasant plight of Mr. Hamblin attracted his
attention, in spite of the pressure of the emergency. His gyrations, as
he bobbed about under the uneasy motions of the vessel, gave him a
ludicrous appearance, which even the positive expression of suffering on
his face did not essentially mitigate. He had evidently come to a
realizing sense of the perils of the sea, and was a pitiful sight to
behold.
"Man the foresail outhaul!" shouted Terrill, through his trumpet. "Mr.
Martyn!"
"Here, sir!" replied the second lieutenant; but his voice sounded like a
whisper in the roar of the hurricane.
"Double the hands on the outhaul!" added Terrill. "Stand by the brails!"
"All ready, forward, sir!" reported Martyn.
"Stand by the fore-sheets!--Mr. Cleats!" continued the executive
officer.
"Here, sir!" said the old sailor, who, with the carpenter, was holding
on at the weather-rail.
"Will you and Mr. Gage assist at the sheet?"
"Ay, ay, sir! This is heavy work. I hope she'll carry that foresail."
"She must carry it, or carry it away," added Terrill. "We are falling
off badly."
"So we are; it ought to be done," answered the boatswain, as he began to
overhaul the sheets.
It was with the greatest difficulty that any one could stand up on deck.
The billows were momentarily increasing, and the Josephine had fallen
off into the trough of the sea, and rolled helplessly in the surging
waves, so that her fore yard appeared almost to dip in the brine. The
outhaul was run out on the deck, and manned by all the hands that could
get hold of it. The lee sheet was extended in like manner, and the whole
after guard, besides the two adult forward officers, were called to walk
away with it.
"O, dear!" groaned Mr. Hamblin, after the vessel had given an unusually
heavy lee lurch, the jerk of which had nearly knocked the breath out of
his body.
"What's the matter, your honor?" demanded Cleats, who always pitied a
landlubber in a gale.
"Do you think there's any danger, Mr. Cleats?" gasped the professor.
"Danger! Bless your honor's heart! there's never any danger in a good
ship, well manned," replied the veteran tar, as he knocked a kink out of
the sheet. "Look at the captain! When he gets scared, you may."
"It is really terrible!" puffed the learned professor.
"Wouldn't your honor like the boat now?" growled the boatswain, with a
hearty chuckle.
"All ready at the sheets, sir!" screamed Robinson, the fourth
lieutenant, who had charge of the waist at quarters.
"Hold on, Mr. Terrill!" shouted the captain, as the Josephine rolled on
her lee side till the water bubbled up in her scuppers. "Wait till I
give you the word!"
Paul was waiting for a favorable moment, when the blast should lull a
little, to set the reefed foresail.
"You must get out of the way, gentlemen!" said Terrill, roaring out the
words through his trumpet. "The sheet blocks will knock you over!"
Mr. Stoute unmoored himself, and made a dive at the life-line, where the
captain was holding on; but, being rather clumsy in his obesity, he
missed his aim, and was thrown into the scuppers. Mr. Cleats went to his
assistance, and picked him up while he lay upon his back, with his legs
and arms thrown up like a turtle trying to turn over. Mr. Hamblin was
not encouraged by this experiment of his associate.
"Why don't you go below, sir?" shouted Terrill, placing his trumpet
close to the professor's head.
"I can't move," replied he.
"Mr. Gage will help you," added the lieutenant.
The carpenter assisted Mr. Hamblin to the companion-way, while the
boatswain had succeeded in rolling Mr. Stoute up to the same point. The
doors were opened, and the head steward helped them down the ladder.
"All ready!" shouted Captain Kendall, when the favorable moment came for
setting the foresail.
"Let go the brails!" bellowed the executive officer. "Haul out!"
The ready seaman promptly obeyed the order, at the instant when the
vessel, having rolled over as far as her centre of gravity would permit
her to go in the trough of the sea, was poised as it were on a balance,
waiting for the recoil of the wave that was to throw her down on the
weather roll. The close-reefed foresail flew out from the brails, and
began to thresh tremendously in the fierce blast.
"Slack the weather vang!" continued Terrill to the hands who had been
stationed at this rope. "Walk away with the sheet!"
It required a tremendous pull to haul home the sheet of the foresail,
banging furiously in the tempest; but there was force enough to
accomplish it, though not till the vessel had made her weather roll,
which lifted half the line of seamen from their feet. The close-reefed
foresail was trimmed so as to lay the schooner to with her head up to
the sea. The billows were increasing in volume so fearfully that it was
no longer prudent to permit the vessel to roll in the trough of the sea,
where she was in danger of being overwhelmed by the combing waves.
"Mind your helm, Blair!" called the first lieutenant, springing aft to
the wheel. "Port a little! Don't let the sail be taken aback!"
The head of the Josephine came up handsomely to the sea, and it was thus
proved that the double-reefed foresail was just the sail for such an
emergency. It was only to be demonstrated whether the sail would be
blown out of the bolt-ropes or not. If it had been an old one, such
would probably have been its fate; but being nearly new, and of the best
material, it stood the strain to the end.
"Mind your eye, Blair!" roared Terrill. "Starboard!"
"Starboard, sir!" replied the quartermaster.
"Touch her up when it comes so heavy," added the lieutenant.
The vessel had fallen off, and took the wind so far on the beam that she
buried her scuppers deep in the waves. The order to "touch her up," or
luff her up into the wind, so as partially to spill the sail, was given
to ease off the tremendous pressure. The Josephine minded her helm, and
luffed so that she righted herself.
"Steady, Blair!" called the lieutenant. "Port! Not too much, or you'll
broach her to!"
"Sail ho!" suddenly shouted several of the seamen in the forward part of
the vessel.
"Where away?"
"Right over the lee bow! She has capsized!"
Paul and Terrill ran to the rail, and discovered a small vessel, lying
over on her beam ends.
"That's a Dutch galiot!" exclaimed Cleats, who promptly recognized the
craft. "That's a trick they have of turning bottom upwards."
"Port!" shouted Terrill, who did not take his eye off the foresail of
the Josephine for more than an instant at a time.
The attention of the quartermaster and the helmsman had been attracted
by the announcement of the wreck, and they had permitted the Josephine
to luff up until the foresail began to shake. The atmosphere was so
thick that the galiot was seen but for an instant, and it then
disappeared in the dense mists. Captain Kendall trembled with emotion
when he saw the disabled vessel; but it was impossible to do anything
for her until the hurricane subsided.
Fortunately the worst of it had already passed, and a few moments later
it ceased almost as suddenly as it commenced. The rain began to fall in
torrents, while a fresh breeze and a tremendous sea were all that
remained of the hurricane--for such it was, rather than an ordinary
squall.
"Set the jib and mainsail, Mr. Terrill," said Captain Kendall. "We must
endeavor to find that wreck."
These sails were accordingly hoisted, the Josephine came about, and
stood off in the direction towards which the galiot was supposed to have
drifted. The Young America had not been seen since the squall came up;
but Paul conjectured that she had run away before it. He was deeply
interested in the fate of those on board of the wreck, and trusted he
should be able to render them some assistance, if all on board of her
had not already perished.
The rain poured down furiously; but it did not dampen the enthusiasm of
the young officers and crew, though they were already drenched to the
skin. The reefed foresail was taken in, for it was found that the jib
and mainsail were all the schooner needed. She stood on for an hour or
more, without obtaining a sight of the wreck, though every eye on board
was strained to catch the first glimpse of it.
"We must have passed her," said the captain.
"It is so thick we can't see her, even if we should go within half a
mile of her."
"Come about, and stand a little more to the southward!" added Captain
Kendall. "Let the fog-horns be blown. We may get a signal of some kind
from them."
"I am afraid they were lost overboard; and that there is no one left to
make a signal," answered Terrill, sadly.
The vessel was put about, and headed as indicated by the captain. The
fog-horns were blown at intervals, and every one on board listened
eagerly for a reply. These efforts were not unavailing, for a response
was obtained after the Josephine had run half an hour on her present
course. A hoarse shout was heard on the weather beam, which was
unmistakably a cry of distress.
"Steady as she is!" said Paul to the executive officer, as soon as the
sounds were reported to him, and the direction from which they came.
"Are you not going about, Captain Kendall?" asked Terrill, with a look
of anxiety on his dripping face.
"Certainly; but if we go about here, we should fall to leeward of the
wreck," replied Paul.
The Josephine stood on for a few moments longer, and then tacked.
"Blow the horns, and keep a sharp lookout forward," added the captain,
who was quite as anxious as any other person on board; but he kept
apparently cool, in deference to the dignity of his high office.
"I see her!" shouted Wheeler, the boatswain, who had gone out on the
flying jib-boom.
"Where away is she?" demanded Martyn, from the forecastle.
"Well on the lee bow, sir."
"Are we headed for her?"
"Ay, ay, sir! We shall go clear of her to windward."
"Wreck on the lee bow, sir," reported the second lieutenant to Terrill,
who in turn reported to the captain.
"Clear away the first cutter, Mr. Terrill," said Paul.
"All the first cutters, ahoy!" shouted the boatswain's mate.
"Mr. Pelham will have charge of the boat," added Captain Kendall, who
had great confidence in the zeal and ability of this officer.
"The wreck! The wreck!" shouted all hands, as the disabled galiot came
into view.
On the rail of the vessel, whose starboard half was completely submerged
in the water, were two men, making violent gestures, and shouting to the
crew of the Josephine. Not a word they said could be understood, but it
was easy enough for Yankees to guess the meaning of their words. The
schooner was thrown up into the wind, the jib lowered, and she lay to
under the mainsail. Pelham and the crew of the first cutter took their
places in the boat, and were lowered into the stormy sea. The falls were
cast off the instant she struck the water; the coxswain gave his orders
rapidly, and the cutter went off, rising and falling on the huge waves
like a feather.
The distance was short; but even this was a hard pull in such a violent
sea. Pelham was cool and steady, and his self-possession encouraged the
crew to their best efforts. The boat ran up under the lee of the wreck,
and made fast to one of the masts. As soon as it was secured, both of
the men on the rail began to jabber in an unintelligible language.
"_Parlez-vous francais?_" shouted Pelham, who had some knowledge of the
polite language.
But the men made no response; and it was evident that no long speeches
need be made on the present occasion. Pelham made signs to them to come
down into the boat, which they did. They were not satisfied, but
continued to talk in their own language, and to point earnestly to the
after part of the wreck. One of them repeated a word so many times, that
the officer of the boat was enabled at last to separate it from the
confused jumble of sentences.
"_Vrow?_" said he.
The man nodded earnestly, and pointed with redoubled vigor to the after
part of the galiot.
_Vrow_ means wife; and Pelham concluded that the skipper's lady was in
the cabin, but whether dead or alive he did not know.
CHAPTER III.
SOMETHING ABOUT DIKES.
It was evident to those on board of the Josephine that there was some
reason for the delay of the boat in not bringing off the survivors of
the wreck. The energetic motions of the men on the disabled vessel could
be dimly seen through the mist and rain.
"Hoist the jib, Terrill," said Captain Kendall. "We will run up to the
wreck, and ascertain what the trouble is."
"Man the jib halyards! Stand by the jib sheet!" added Terrill.
"All ready, sir!"
"Let go the downhaul! Hoist away!" continued the first lieutenant. "Port
the helm!"
The mainsail was trimmed, the jib sheet hauled down, and the schooner
filled away again. She ran close under the lee of the galiot, just far
enough off to clear her masts.
"What's the matter, Mr. Pelham?" called Terrill through his trumpet.
"There's a woman in the cabin," replied Pelham.
"Clear away the gig!" said Captain Kendall, as the Josephine passed out
of hailing distance of the wreck. "Mr. Martyn will take charge of the
boat."
The gig's crew were piped away, and the falls were manned. The second
lieutenant stood ready at the gangway to take his place in the boat. The
operation of hoisting out a boat was not so difficult and dangerous as
it had been when the first cutter went off, for the sea was every moment
abating its fury.
"Mr. Cleats and Mr. Gage will go in the boat with a couple of axes,"
added the captain, who had been studying the position of the wreck.
The first lieutenant gave the order to the adult forward officers, who
presented themselves at the gangway provided with their implements,
ready to do the work assigned to them. By this time the weather had
begun to clear off, and a streak of blue sky appeared in the west. The
low land and the white cliffs and sand hills were seen again; but the
coast was different from that which they had observed before the tempest
burst upon them.
"Mr. Martyn, you will cut away the masts of the wreck; but first
endeavor to save the woman in the cabin," added the captain, when the
crew of the boat had taken their places, and everything was in readiness
to lower the boat.
"I will do the best I can," replied Martyn, as he stepped into the gig.
"If the galiot does not right when the masts are cut away, report to
me."
The boat went off on her mission of mercy, and those left on board of
the schooner watched her progress with the most intense interest. All
felt that they were not "playing sailor" then, but that the issues of
life and death depended upon the exertions of the two boats' crews.
"Have you any idea where we are, Captain Kendall?" asked Terrill, gazing
earnestly at the distant shore, which was now revealing itself with
greater clearness.
Paul took a spy-glass and carefully surveyed the shore. Terrill took
another glass, and both of them went up into the main rigging, so as to
obtain a better view of the shore.
"There are some church steeples near the coast, and farther back there
is a great number of them," said Terrill.
"All right," replied Paul, as he returned to the deck, followed by the
first lieutenant.
"Do you make out the coast?" asked the latter.
"Yes; we are on Thornton's Ridge. Throw the lead!" replied Paul, with
some anxiety, as he took the glass and pointed it in the direction
opposite the shore.
"By the mark five!" reported the quartermaster, who was heaving the lead
in the fore chains.
"That proves it," exclaimed Paul. "We are on Thornton's. The steeples on
the shore are Blankenburg, and those farther off are the Bruges
steeples. We are about twelve miles to the eastward of the North Hinder,
where there is a light-vessel. We have been drifting to the southward.
We will tack now, and stand over to windward of the wreck."
The Josephine went about again, and stood up to the point indicated by
the captain. The wind had now subsided to a gentle breeze, and the sea
was abating its violence in a corresponding degree. The lead was thrown
continually, but not less than three fathoms was indicated at any time.
Cleats and Gage, with their sharp axes, were dealing heavy blows at the
masts of the galiot, while the crew of the gig and first cutter were
clearing away the standing rigging. By the time the schooner reached the
position to windward of the wreck, the work had been accomplished. The
two boats had backed away from the wreck, and suddenly the hull righted.
A few more strokes of the axes severed the shrouds, which could not be
reached while the vessel lay upon her side.
Pelham, who was on the deck of the vessel when she righted, rushed to
the companion-way, which had been submerged before. He was closely
followed by the two men. The cabin was half full of water; but he found
there a woman and a young girl of sixteen, who had been clinging for
life to an upper berth. The gallant lieutenant plunged up to his middle
in the water, and bore the girl to the ladder. At the same time, the
older of the men performed a similar service for the woman. He was
evidently the husband of the woman and the father of the girl. When he
returned to the deck, he embraced the woman and the girl, and lavished
upon them the most tender caresses.
"Mr. Pelham, you will convey these people to the Josephine, and report
what has been done to the captain," said Martyn, who was the superior
officer.
The first cutter was hauled up to the gangway of the galiot, and Pelham
by signs invited the family to embark. They comprehended his meaning,
and the females were assisted into the boat. The older man, who was
apparently the skipper of the vessel, exhibited some reluctance at
leaving his craft. His heart seemed to be broken by the calamity which
had befallen him, and he wept bitterly, uttering piteous exclamations,
which could not be understood by the Josephines, as Pelham hurried him
into the cutter.
The party continued their sad wailings till the boat reached the
schooner. The women were assisted to the deck, where they stood staring
with blank amazement at the vessel and her crew. The skipper was
bewildered by the misfortune that overshadowed him.
"I am glad to see you, sir," said Paul, as the disconsolate captain came
up the accommodation ladder.
"No use, Captain Kendall," said Pelham, smiling. "They can't speak a
word of English."
"Do you know anything about the vessel?" asked Paul.
"I read her name on the stern, as we came back, and wrote it down; for a
Yankee would choke to death in uttering it," replied Pelham, as he
produced a piece of wet paper. "It is the 'Wel tevreeden, Dordrecht.'"
"That's Dutch. She hails from Dort," added Paul.
"Where are the professors?" asked Terrill. "Can they speak Dutch?"
The professors, who had seen enough of rough weather for one day, had
been making themselves as comfortable as possible in the cabin. The
Dutchman and his family were conducted below by the first lieutenant.
"What have you here?" demanded Mr. Stoute, who had just come from his
berth, in which he had bolstered himself up, in order, as he expressed
it, to know exactly where he was.
"We have just saved them from the wreck of a Dutch galiot. They can't
speak a word of English, and we wish you to talk to them."
"In Dutch?" laughed Mr. Stoute. "I cannot do it."
"What is the matter, Mr. Terrill?" inquired Professor Hamblin, who had
also taken to his berth to save his limbs from being broken.
"A vessel has been wrecked, and we have saved two men and two women. Can
you talk Dutch?" asked the first lieutenant, going to the door of the
professor's state-room.
Mr. Hamblin proved to be no wiser than his associate, so far as the
Dutch language was concerned; and it was found to be impossible to hold
any communication with the wrecked persons except by signs. They were
committed to the care of the steward, by whom everything was done to
render them comfortable. The captain's state-room was given to the
women, and they were supplied with hot coffee and other refreshments.
"What is the condition of the wreck, Mr. Pelham?" asked Captain Kendall,
as soon as the unfortunate persons had been provided for.
"She is half full of water," replied the second master. "The crew of the
gig were pumping her out when we left."
"Do you know anything about her cargo?"
"No, sir. Her hatches were battened down, and we could not see what was
in the hold."
The first lieutenant was directed to detail a working party for the
wreck, to assist in pumping her out, and the first cutter returned to
the galiot with sixteen hands. Orders were sent to Martyn to use every
exertion to save the vessel and her cargo. It was now nearly dark; but
the weather was favorable, and Paul hoped to get the dismasted galiot
into port on the following day.
The cutter reached the wreck, and the crew of the gig, who had been
pumping and baling diligently, were relieved by fresh hands. The work
went on with renewed energy. The hatches had been taken off, and the
cargo was found to consist of butter, cheese, and manufactured goods.
The boatswain had explored the hold, and declared that the merchandise
was not badly damaged. The galiot had taken in less water than was
supposed, from her position on the waves. After four hours of severe
toil by the young seamen, the pumps sucked. The hull was tight, and the
working party were greatly encouraged by the success of their efforts.
The boatswain and carpenter, assisted by the boys, rigged a jury-mast
out of the foremast of the galiot, which had been saved for the purpose.
A jib and foresail were bent upon it, and the "Wel tevreeden" was in
condition to make a harbor. It was midnight when the work was completed,
and the report sent to Captain Kendall. Martyn, Pelham, and a crew of
ten, to be assisted by Cleats and Gage, were detailed to take the galiot
into the Scheldt.
During the first part of the night it had been a dead calm, which had
greatly assisted the labors of the working party. About four o'clock, on
the morning of Sunday, a light breeze from the westward sprang up, and
the order was given by signal for the galiot to make sail, and to follow
the Josephine. There was hardly a four-knot breeze, with the tide
setting out; and the progress of the galiot, under her short sail, was
very slow.
Nothing had been seen of the Young America since the storm shut down
upon her and concealed her from the view of those on board of the
Josephine. Paul knew that Mr. Lowington would be exceedingly anxious
about him and his vessel; but he was proud and happy in the reflection
that he had carried the Josephine safely through the perils which had
surrounded her. He had not closed his eyes during the night, as indeed
no one connected with the sailing department of the schooner had done.
The professors and the wrecked party had all turned in as usual, while
Paul kept vigil on deck with the first lieutenant.
"Sail ho!" cried the lookout forward, about seven o'clock in the
morning.
A small vessel was discovered approaching the Josephine from the
direction of the shore, or rather of the mouth of the Scheldt, whose
western estuary forms a broad bay about twelve miles in width. As the
small craft came near, it was evident that she was a pilot boat. She
carried a red flag at her mast-head, on which was a number in white
figures. On her principal sail there was a large letter "P," and under
it "ANTWERPEN." When she hove in sight, the jack was hoisted at the
foremast-head of the Josephine, which is the signal for a pilot. As the
little cutter rounded to, the words "_Bateau Pilote_" with her number,
were seen on the stern.
She was a Belgian pilot-boat. The mouth of the Scheldt, and its course
for forty miles, are in Holland, and off the mouth of the river both
Dutch and Belgian pilots offer their services to inward-bound vessels;
but the sea pilots take vessels only to Flushing, the river pilotage
being a separate charge. Mr. Lowington had instructed Paul, as the
squadron was bound to Antwerp, to prefer a Belgian pilot, who would take
the vessel up to that city, and charge the pilotage in one bill.
A canoe put off from the "Bateau Pilote," and a weather-beaten Belgian
sailor leaped upon the deck. He opened his eyes very wide when he had
taken a single glance at the vessel and her crew. He seemed to be as
much confounded as the Liverpool pilot had been on a similar occasion.
The professors were at breakfast in the cabin, and not a single man
appeared on deck.
"_L'Amerique?_" said the pilot, glancing at the flag which floated at
the peak.
"_Oui_," replied Paul, laughing.
"_Ou est le capitaine, monsieur?_" added the pilot, looking around him
again.
"_Je suis capitaine,_" replied Paul.
"_Est-il possible!_"
"_C'est possible._ You speak English?--_parlez-vous anglais?_" added
Paul.
"I speak _un pere_," replied the pilot. "What vessel that is?" he
continued, pointing to the galiot, which was following in the wake of
the Josephine.
"She is a Dutch vessel, that was upset yesterday. We saved her. The
captain and his family are on board, but none of us have been able to
speak a word to him."
"Where bound are you?"
"To Antwerp. We have a crew on board of the galiot. We will not attempt
to take her to Antwerp."
"She have taken a pilot," said the Belgian, as another man from the
"Bateau Pilote" boarded her. "She shall be taken to Flushing."
"You will put into Flushing, then, so that I can obtain the men on board
of her."
"I will--yes."
"Did a ship--the Young America--go up the river last night?" asked Paul.
"No; no ship. We see a ship off the Rabs when the storm came. She come
about, and go to sea before the wind."
This was what Paul supposed the Young America had done. He had no fears
in regard to the safety of the ship as long as she had plenty of sea
room. She would soon return, and the pilot-boat would be able to report
the Josephine to the anxious people on board of her. The Belgian pilot
took charge of the vessel; and after he had headed her towards the
channel by which he intended to enter the river, he began to ask
questions in regard to the juvenile officers and crew. He did not speak
English any more fluently than Paul did French, and they did not get
along very well. Mr. Stoute, having finished his breakfast, came on
deck. He taught the French in the Josephine, and was very happy to find
an opportunity to air his vocabulary.
The skipper of the galiot came up from the cabin soon after with his
family. As the pilot spoke Dutch, the story of the unfortunate captain
was obtained at last. The vessel had been caught in the squall, and
knocked down. Two men on deck had been washed away and drowned. The
companion-way being open, the water had rushed in and prevented the
vessel from righting. The women, who lived on board all the time, as is
frequently the case with the families of Dutch skippers, had climbed up
and obtained a hold upon the berths on the port side of the cabin. By
these means they were saved from drowning; but the cabin doors, being on
the starboard side, were under water, so that they could not escape
while the vessel lay on her beam-ends.
The Josephine, followed by the "Wel tevreeden," entered the river. It
was a beautiful day, warm and pleasant; and the officers and crew, in
spite of the hardships of the preceding night, were eager to obtain
their first view of the new country whose waters they were now entering.
It was still over sixty miles, by the course of the Scheldt, to Antwerp;
but the sights on the river and on the shore were novel and interesting.
The vessels which sailed up and down the river were essentially
different from any they had ever seen, with the exception, perhaps, of
the wrecked galiot. They looked more like huge canal-boats than
sea-going vessels. Some of them had wings, or boards, at their sides,
which were let down when the craft was going on the wind, thus serving
the same purpose as a centreboard. Others were rigged so that their
masts could be lowered to the deck in passing bridges.
Maps, guide-books, and other volumes of reference were in great demand
among the students, and Professor Stoute was continually questioned by
all hands. Mr. Hamblin was too grouty to permit any such familiarity,
and doubtless he was saved from exposing his ignorance of the
interesting country which the voyagers had now entered.
The West Scheldt, upon whose waters the Josephine was now sailing, is
sometimes called the Hond. On the left, and in plain sight from the
deck, was Walcheren, the most extensive of the nine islands which
constitute the province of Zealand, the most southern and western
division of the kingdom of Holland. Zeeland, or Zealand, means
_sea-land_; and its territory seems to belong to the ocean, since it is
only by the most persevering care that the sea is prevented from making
a conquest of it. These islands are for the most part surrounded and
divided by the several mouths of the Scheldt, all of which are
navigable.
Our readers who have been on the sea-shore where the coast is washed by
the broad ocean, or any considerable bay, have observed a ridge of sand,
gravel, or stones thrown up from ten to twenty feet higher than the land
behind. This was caused by the action of the sea. The exterior shore of
Holland, that is, the land bordering upon the open ocean, has generally
a ridge of sand of this description. The sand-hills or hummocks which
are observed on the shores of Holland and Belgium are produced by the
ceaseless beating of the stormy waves.
In Holland, these ridges, or chains of sand-hills, are called "dunes."
They extend, with little interruption, from the Straits of Dover to the
Zuyder Zee. The ridge is from one to three miles wide, and rising from
twenty to fifty feet in height. The sand of which the "dunes" are
composed is generally so fine that it is readily blown by a sharp wind;
and they were as troublesome as the sands of Sahara in a simoom. In a
dry and windy day, the atmosphere would become dim from the sand smoke
of the dunes, and the material was conveyed in this manner far into the
interior of the country, covering up the rich soil, so that it became
necessary to dig up the sand. To overcome this evil, a kind of coarse
reed grass is annually sown on the dunes, which forms a tough sod, and
prevents the sand from being blown away.
The dunes form a natural barrier to the progress of the sea; but these,
of themselves, are insufficient to accomplish the purpose; for in the
highest tides the waters sweep through the openings or valleys between
the sand-hills. Immense dikes and sea-walls are erected to complete the
security of the country from the invasions of the ocean. The embankments
which protect the islands of Zealand are over three hundred miles in
length in the aggregate, and involve an annual expense of two millions
of guilders--more than eight hundred thousand dollars--in repairs.
"The great dike of West Kappel is there," said the pilot to Captain
Kendall, as he pointed to the land on the northern shore of the estuary.
"I don't see anything," replied Paul.
"There is nothing particular to see on this side of the dike,"
interposed Professor Stoute, laughing at the astonishment of the
captain. "What did you expect to see?"
"I hardly know. I have heard so much about the dikes of Holland, that I
expected to see a big thing when I came across one of them," added Paul.
"They are a big thing; but really there is very little to see."
"But what is a dike, sir?" asked Paul, curiously. "I never supposed it
was anything more than a mud wall."
"It is nothing more than that, only it is on a very large scale, and it
must be constructed with the nicest care; for the lives and property of
the people depend upon its security. When they are going to build a
dike, the first consideration, as in putting up a heavy building, is the
foundation. I suppose you have seen a railroad built through a marsh, or
other soft place."
"Yes, sir; the railroad at Brockway went over the head of the bay, where
the bottom was very soft. As fast as they put in gravel for the road,
the mud squashed up on each side, making a ridge almost as high as the
road itself. They built a heavy stone wharf at Brockway, the year before
we sailed, and the weight of it lifted up the bottom of the shallow bay
a hundred feet from it, so that boats get aground there now at half
tide."
"That is the idea exactly: The foundation is not solid; and that is
often the chief difficulty in building a dike. The immense weight of the
material of which it is constructed crowds the earth out from under it,
and it sinks down faster than they can build it. In such places as this
they find it necessary to drive piles, to build the embankment on."
"They must cost a heap of money, then."
"The annual expense even for repairs of dikes in Holland is about three
millions of dollars of our money. Speaking of that very dike of West
Kappel," added the professor, pointing to its long, inclined escarpment,
"it is said if it had been originally built of solid copper, the prime
cost would have been less than the amount which has since been expended
upon it in building, rebuilding, restoring, and repairing it. But the
money spent on dikes is the salvation of Holland. The entire country
would be washed away in a few years, if they were suffered to decay."
"I see there are trees growing on the shore, farther up the river,"
added Paul.
"Those trees are willows; and wherever it is possible for them to
thrive, they encourage their growth for two reasons: first, because the
roots of the trees strengthen the dike; and, secondly, because the
willow twigs are wanted in repairing and securing the embankment. The
foundations of sea-dikes vary from a hundred and twenty to one hundred
and fifty feet in width. The rampart is made of clay, which, as being
impervious to water, forms the entire structure when the material is
available in sufficient quantities. The maximum height of the dikes is
forty feet; but of course they vary in this respect with the elevation
of the land to be protected by them."
"But I should think the mud and clay would be washed away by the beating
of the sea."
"So they are sometimes; and to guard against such an event, which is a
calamity in this country, the dike is covered with a kind of thatch-work
of willow twigs, which has to be renewed every three or four years.
Occasionally the outer surface of the embankment is faced with masonry,
the stone for which has to be brought from Norway."
"A ship there is coming in," interrupted the pilot, pointing to seaward.
She was several miles distant, standing in under all sail. She was
examined with the spy-glasses, and every one was rejoiced to learn that
it was the Young America.
CHAPTER IV.
UP THE SCHELDT TO FLUSHING.
"I am very glad to see the ship again," said Paul to Professor Stoute.
"I supposed she would get in before us, we were detained so long by the
wreck," replied Mr. Stoute.
"Probably she stood off and on during the night, seeking for us," added
Paul, as he again looked through the spy-glass at the ship. "She seems
to be sound in all her upper works, so far as I can see."
"I dare say the ship would be safe enough as long as Mr. Lowington and
Mr. Fluxion are on board of her."
"Yes, sir; I didn't suppose any harm had come to her; but Mr. Lowington
will naturally be very anxious about us. He has made us out by this
time, and is satisfied that we are still on the top of the water. There
are the steeples of a town," said Paul, pointing to the Walcheren shore.
"That must be Middleburg."
"This island was inundated in 1808," continued Mr. Stoute, after the
pilot had assured him that the steeples seen in the interior of the
island were those of Middleburg. "Though the sea is as diligently
watched as the advance-guard of an invading army, the great dike of
West Kappel broke through, and a large part of the island was under
water. Middleburg has its own dikes and ditches, the former constituting
the wall of the town, upon the top of which there is a public promenade.
This dike or mound kept the water out of the city after the sea-dike had
given way. The inundation rose as high as the roofs of the houses in the
town, but was fortunately kept at bay by the strength of the walls."
"Were you ever in Holland, Mr. Stoute?" asked Paul, with a significant
smile.
"Never," laughed the professor; "but the schoolmaster must not be abroad
when boys ask as many questions as the students on board of this vessel.
As soon as I learned that we were coming to Holland, I read up
everything I could find relating to the country, and I assure you my
interest in the country has been doubled by my studies. We have in our
library quite a collection of works relating more or less directly to
Holland. The New American Encyclopaedia contains very full and reliable
articles on the subject. We have a full list of Murray's Hand-Books,
which form a library in themselves, and which impart the most minute
information. Indeed, half the books of travel which are written are
based upon Murray's invaluable works. Then we have Motley's History of
the Dutch Republic, and the two volumes of his United Netherlands which
have been published. My knowledge of Holland and Belgium comes mainly
from these works."
"I haven't had time to look up these matters yet. I have given
considerable extra time to my French. As soon as we are moored, I
suppose Mr. Mapps will give us his lecture on the country; and I intend
to make that the basis of my reading."
"Then I will not say anything more about the dikes," laughed Mr. Stoute.
"You can do the matter up more systematically by your intended course."
"I am very glad to get all I can without the trouble of hunting it up,"
replied Paul, as he glanced again at the Young America. "I may have more
time than I want to study up these subjects."
"Why so?"
"I suppose I am to be court-martialed for disobedience as soon as Mr.
Lowington arrives," replied Paul, fixing his eyes upon the deck. "Mr.
Hamblin has not spoken to me since I left the class yesterday
afternoon."
"It is not proper for me to say anything about that to you, Captain
Kendall," added Mr. Stoute.
"I feel that I have tried to do my duty; and, whatever happens to me, I
shall endeavor to be satisfied."
Professor Stoute walked away, apparently to avoid any further
conversation on the disagreeable subject. Paul did not feel quite easy
about the difficulty which had occurred between him and the dignified
professor. He had hoped and expected that the storm would justify his
action in the opinion of the learned gentleman; but Mr. Hamblin
carefully avoided him, and he was confident he intended to prefer
charges against him as soon as the principal arrived.
The Josephine was now entering the port of Flushing. The pilot was
talking with the Dutch skipper very earnestly, and occasionally glancing
at the "Wel tevreeden." The latter seemed to be very uneasy, and to
manifest a great deal of solicitude in regard to his vessel,
notwithstanding she was safe, though the cargo had been damaged, and she
had lost her masts and part of her standing rigging.
"Captain Schimmelpennink to you wish to talk," said the pilot, stepping
up to Paul.
"Who?" exclaimed Paul, almost stunned by the sound of the Dutchman's
name.
The pilot repeated it, but not much more to the edification of the young
commander than before.
"I can't talk Dutch," laughed Paul.
"I for you will speak the English," added the Belgian.
This was hardly more encouraging than the Dutch of the disconsolate
skipper; but Paul consented to the conference.
"The galiot to you belongs for the labor you have to save him,"
continued the pilot.
With some difficulty, with the assistance of Mr. Stoute, who, however,
was not familiar with French nautical terms, Paul learned that Captain
Schimmelpennink was much disturbed about the ultimate disposal of the
"Wel tevreeden." According to maritime law, recognized by all countries,
the captain, officers, and crew of the Josephine were entitled to
salvage for saving the vessel. As, without assistance, it was probable
that the galiot would have been totally lost, the salvors would be
entitled to the greater part of the value of the wreck when it should be
sold. One half, two thirds, or even three fourths, is sometimes awarded
to those who save a vessel, the proportion depending upon the condition
of the wreck.
It appeared that the captain of the galiot was much distressed on this
account. He declared that he was a poor man; that his vessel was all the
property he had in the world; that one of the men lost overboard in the
squall was his own brother, and the other his wife's brother; and misery
had suddenly come upon him in an avalanche. By the exertions of Martyn
and others from the Josephine, a portion of the sails and standing
rigging of the galiot had been saved, so that only about one fourth of
the value of the vessel had been sacrificed by the tempest. But now the
skipper was in great trouble because two thirds or three fourths of the
remaining value of his property was to be decreed to the salvors by a
maritime court.
Paul did not feel that it would be right for him to settle, or even
discuss, this question, and he referred the skipper to Mr. Lowington,
assuring him that he was a fair man, and would deal kindly with him. But
this did not satisfy the unfortunate man. It was bad enough to lose one
fourth of his property,--for the vessel was not insured,--without having
the greater part of the remainder wrested from him by a court.
"All hands, moor ship, ahoy!" shouted the boatswain, when the schooner
was approaching one of the great canals of Flushing, or Vlissingen, as
the Dutch call it.
The anchor was let go, the sails lowered and stowed, and the Josephine
was once more at rest. The galiot came in, and anchored a cable's length
from her. Communication between the two vessels was immediately opened,
and Lieutenant Martyn made his report of the voyage since he sailed
from Thornton's Ridge. No events of any importance had occurred, and his
story could not be said to be at all sensational.
In less than an hour the Young America ran into the port, and moored
near the Josephine. The moment her anchor had buried itself in the mud
of the harbor, her officers and crew were in the rigging, gazing
earnestly at the consort. It was possible they had noticed the galiot
under a jury-mast, and in some manner connected her with the Josephine;
but they could have had no other clew to the exciting incidents which
had transpired since the two vessels parted company the day before.
"I desire to renew my request for a boat, Captain Kendall," said
Professor Hamblin, stiffly, the moment the rattling cable of the ship
was heard.
"Certainly, sir. I shall be very happy to furnish a boat for you,"
replied Paul, politely. "Mr. Terrill, you will pipe away the first
cutters for Mr. Hamblin."
"Yes, sir," replied the first lieutenant, touching his cap. "Boatswain,
pipe away the first cutters for Mr. Hamblin."
"Mr. Terrill, you will pipe away the crew of the gig for me. I will go
on board of the ship," added the captain.
"Yes, sir," answered Terrill. "Boatswain's mate, pipe away the gigsmen
for the captain."
"All the first cutters, on deck, ahoy!" shouted the boatswain.
"All the gigsmen, on deck, ahoy!" piped the boatswain's mate.
Professor Hamblin stamped his foot on deck when he heard these orders,
given almost in the same breath. He did not seem to consider that there
was anything to be done except to attend to his affair.
"Captain Kendall," said he, walking up to the young commander, with a
brisk, nervous step, "I wish to see Mr. Lowington alone."
"Certainly, sir; I will not object to your seeing him alone. If I can do
anything to favor your views, I shall be happy to assist."
"You have ordered your gig, and you said you were going on board the
ship," added the learned gentleman, his wrath not at all appeased by the
conciliatory reply of Paul.
"I am, sir."
"Am I to understand that you are going to see the principal in reference
to my communication with him?" demanded Mr. Hamblin.
"No, sir. It is my duty to report any unusual event which occurs in the
navigation of this vessel," answered Paul, respectfully.
"It is quite proper for you to regard your own disobedience as an
unusual event," retorted the professor.
"I was not thinking of that, sir. I am quite willing to leave that
matter with Mr. Lowington, and to abide by his decision. I refer to the
storm, and the wreck of the Dutch galiot. Those were unusual events."
"It would be more proper, and more respectful to me, for you to defer
your affairs till after I have seen the principal. This is the Sabbath
day," added Mr. Hamblin, solemnly. "I do not desire to have this
controversy opened to-day."
"Then, sir, I suggest that you defer it until to-morrow," added Paul.
"This is a question of discipline, and admits of no delay. If the
professors of this vessel are to be disobeyed and insulted, it is not
proper for me to remain in her another hour."
"Insulted, sir?" exclaimed the young commander, blushing under this
charge.
"Yes, sir; insulted, sir!" replied Mr. Hamblin, angrily. "Did you not
leave the class? That was disobedience, which, under the circumstances,
perhaps I might have forgiven, if you had not added insult to injury.
Not contented with your own misconduct, you immediately ordered all
hands to be called, and every member of my class was taken away."
"As to-day is Sunday, sir, I will not attempt to explain my conduct. I
am very sorry that any difficulty has occurred; but I think Mr.
Lowington will understand the matter. Your boat is ready, Mr. Hamblin,"
added Paul, pointing to the gangway, where the third lieutenant was
waiting for his passenger.
"Do I understand that you insist upon going on board of the ship
immediately?" demanded the professor.
"Yes, sir. It is my duty to report to the principal without delay. There
is a signal at the peak of the ship now," replied Paul.
"Signal for the captain to report on board of the ship, sir," said the
signal-officer, touching his cap to his commander.
Mr. Hamblin went over the side into the first cutter, which pulled away
towards the ship. The gig immediately took her place, and the captain
stepped into her. The cutter reached the Young America first, and the
angry professor ran up the ladder with unwonted briskness. The principal
was standing on the quarter, waiting to see the captain of the
Josephine, for he was anxious to learn whether she had sustained any
damage or lost any one overboard in the fierce storm. He knew that
nothing but the most skilful seamanship could have prevented the decks
of the schooner from being washed in the tremendous sea that prevailed
during the hurricane.
To Mr. Lowington every moment of time since the two vessels of the
squadron parted company the day before had been burdened with the most
intense solicitude for the fate of the consort and her crew. The fact
that she had been dilatory in taking in sail, when no one could know at
what instant the squall would break upon her, had indicated a degree of
recklessness which increased his anxiety. Mr. Fluxion had been sent to
the fore cross-trees with a powerful glass early in the morning, and the
Josephine had been discovered by the ship long before the Young America
was seen by the pilot.
During the night the ship had cruised off and on in search of her
consort, but the Josephine had drifted to the southward, and had sailed
in that direction, after the fury of the tempest had wasted itself, in
looking for the wreck of the galiot. The report of Mr. Fluxion on the
cross-trees that she was entering the Hond, relieved the principal's
anxiety in part; but he was still fearful that some of her crew had been
washed overboard. As soon as the anchor was let go, he had ordered the
signal for Captain Kendall to be hoisted.
Mr. Hamblin was the first person from the Josephine who presented
himself to the principal. There was something in the professor's
countenance which looked ominous, and Mr. Lowington's fears seemed to be
confirmed by the unusual solemnity of the learned gentleman's
expression. Mr. Lowington's heart rose up into his throat; for
independently of the sorrow which the loss of one or more of the
Josephine's crew would cause him, he realized that such a calamity would
be the death-blow to his favorite experiment. The entire charge of her
had been committed to a boy of sixteen, and he blamed himself severely
because he had not placed an experienced officer on board of her, who
might at least act in great emergencies. Though Mr. Cleats was an old
sailor, he was not a navigator.
The principal was in this state of suffering, bordering upon anguish,
when the irate professor of Greek and Latin came on board. Mr. Lowington
tried to think that nothing had happened, but it was impossible. If any
one had been lost, the Josephine's flag would be at half mast, or some
other signal would have been made. Mr. Hamblin's face looked like death
itself, only his brow was contracted, and his lips were compressed as
though anger and sorrow were combined in his expression.
"What has happened, Mr. Hamblin?" demanded the principal, manifesting
more emotion than any one on board had ever before observed in his
manner.
"I am sorry to say, Mr. Lowington, that an unpleasant event has occurred
on board of the Josephine," the professor began, very solemnly.
"I feared it," gasped Mr. Lowington. "Who was it?"
"The captain--"
"Captain Kendall!" groaned Mr. Lowington, striking his bewildered head
with both hands. "Good Heaven! I am responsible for this!"
"What is the matter, Mr. Lowington?" demanded the astonished professor.
"What did you say about Captain Kendall?" asked the principal, catching
at the straw which the learned gentleman's question seemed to hold out
to him.
"I prefer to speak to you alone about it, Mr. Lowington," added the
professor, glancing at the group of officers and instructors that were
gathering around him. "I will endeavor to control my emotions in stating
this unpleasant business."
Mr. Lowington, apparently happy to have even a moment's respite from the
grief and gloom which must follow the sad intelligence of the loss of
Captain Kendall, led the way to the professors' cabin.
"Now, sir, what is it? Let me know the worst!" exclaimed the principal,
dropping upon the sofa like a man whose strength had all been taken from
him. "I have been dreading it for many long and weary hours."
"Dreading it?" repeated the confused professor. "Dreading what, sir?"
"That the Josephine had suffered severely in the storm," replied the
principal, impatiently. "You have come to tell me that Captain Kendall
was lost overboard?" And Mr. Lowington heaved a long sigh.
"No, sir," protested Mr. Hamblin.
"Didn't you say that a very unpleasant affair had happened on board?"
demanded the principal, eagerly.
"I did; but it was not the loss of the captain."
"Who was it?" asked Mr. Lowington, catching his breath, in the heaviness
of his anxiety.
"I really don't understand you, sir," said the learned gentleman,
astonished and confounded by what he regarded as the singular conduct of
the principal.
"Has any one been lost overboard from the Josephine?" demanded Mr.
Lowington, in a loud tone, for he was impatient under the shuffling
manner of the professor.
"No, sir; no one, that I am aware of."
"That you are aware of!" exclaimed Mr. Lowington, sternly.
"Of course, if any one had been lost, I should have heard of it,"
answered Mr. Hamblin, who did not quite like the tone of the principal.
"Then the officers and crew are all safe--are they?"
"They are, sir--all safe."
"Thank God!" ejaculated Mr. Lowington, heartily, an awfully heavy load
removed from his mind.
"I have come on board, sir, to make a complaint against the captain of
the Josephine. This is the unpleasant business which brings me here,"
added the learned gentleman, decidedly.
"Indeed!"
But even this, disagreeable as it was, came as a relief to the
overcharged heart of Paul's best friend, who had received a terrible
shock from the confused state-ment of the professor. Yet it was very
strange that any one should have a complaint to make against Paul
Kendall, who had always been noble and manly, gentle and conciliating.
"Yesterday, just before the storm came on, Mr. Kendall was reciting with
the Greek class," continued Mr. Hamblin. "Word came to him that his
presence was required on deck. He asked my permission to go on deck. As
I could not see the necessity of his leaving the class before the lesson
was finished, I refused to give him permission."
"Did he leave then?"
"Not then; but half an hour later another message came to him, and he
left, contrary to my orders, and contrary to my protest," added the
professor, waxing indignant as he recounted his wrongs.
"What was the message that came the second time?" asked Mr. Lowington,
mildly.
"I do not remember precisely what it was--I am not versed in sea terms;
but I do remember that Mr. Kendall left the class contrary to my express
order. Not contented with this, he called all hands, and broke up the
school, when there was no need of it. Such conduct is utterly subversive
of school discipline, and--"
"Excuse me, Mr. Hamblin, but as to-day is Sunday, I must defer hearing
any more of your complaint until to-morrow," continued Mr. Lowington,
rising from his chair.
"I desire to have this question settled before I resume my position in
the Josephine," said the professor, cut by the apparent coolness of the
principal.
"I will hear what Captain Kendall has to say about it."
"Sir," exclaimed the learned gentleman, "am I to understand that you are
not satisfied with the truth of my statement?"
"By no means. I wish to hear from Captain Kendall his excuse for leaving
the class. I am not able to determine whether it was satisfactory."
"I have already determined that question myself. I think I observed to
you that there was not a sufficient excuse for his leaving the class."
"I will defer the discussion of the matter till to-morrow," replied Mr.
Lowington.
"I do not object to the delay, sir; but I do object to having any of the
statements of the pupil counterbalance those I have made."
"Do you wish me to condemn him without a hearing?"
"I do not wish you to condemn him at all. I simply ask to be sustained
in the discharge of my duty as a teacher."
"I will hear what more you have to say to-morrow, Mr. Hamblin."
"Very well, sir; but you must allow me to remain on board of the ship
until to-morrow, for I cannot return to the Josephine till this
unpleasant matter has been adjusted."
"As you please," replied the principal, as he hastened on deck, where a
cheer, half suppressed in deference to the day, had a few moments before
been heard.
As Paul came down from the rail of the ship, he was greeted with
applause; for, without knowing what had occurred after they lost sight
of the consort, the students in the ship realized that Paul had taken
his vessel safely through the storm. He bowed and blushed at this
demonstration, and hastened to meet Mr. Lowington, who was just coming
up from his interview with the professor. He had purposely delayed his
passage to the ship, in order to afford Mr. Hamblin time to make his
charges. It was plain that he had done so now, and Paul was not a little
anxious for the result.
"Captain Kendall, I am very glad to see you," said Mr. Lowington,
warmly, as he extended his hand to the young commander.
"Thank you, sir; I am just as glad to see you," replied Paul, taking the
proffered hand, and concluding that the professor had not materially
prejudiced the principal against him.
"I have been very anxious about you, Captain Kendall," added Mr.
Lowington. "I have imagined that all sorts of terrible things had
happened to you and the Josephine. Is all well on board?"
"Yes, sir; but we are all very tired. We were up all night, and the crew
had to work very hard."
"All night?"
"We went to the assistance of that galiot, sir. We saved four persons,
and brought the vessel in, as you see her now. She was knocked down in
the squall, and lost two men. We found her on her beam-ends."
"Indeed, Captain Kendall, you have had your hands full," replied Mr.
Lowington, pleased with the gallant conduct of his young friend.
"The captain of the galiot,--he has a name as long as the main
royal-mast backstay, and I can't remember it,--the captain is on board
of the Josephine, and wishes to see you very much. I referred the whole
matter to you, sir."
"I will see him at once."
"He don't speak a word of English--only Dutch."
"Mr. Fluxion speaks Dutch, and he shall go with me. I will return with
you in your boat," added the principal.
The professor of mathematics was called, and they embarked in the
Josephine's gig. On the way Paul briefly detailed the events which had
occurred since the squall came on, explaining the means by which the
shipwrecked party had been saved, and the vessel righted. He generously
bestowed great praise upon his officers and crew for their zealous
efforts both in working the Josephine, and in saving the galiot and her
crew.
"I have been worried about you, Captain Kendall. You did not seem to be
as prudent as usual when the storm was threatening. Ten minutes before
the squall came up you had every rag of canvas set, including your fore
square-sail. You ought to have reduced sail half an hour sooner,
especially as there was no wind, and not a sail was drawing. You should
have taken your precautions sooner, for you can't tell the precise
moment when a hurricane will burst upon you. All light sails and all
extra ones should be taken in when there is a possibility of a squall."
"I was attending the Greek class," replied Paul; but he resolved to make
no allusion to the difficulty between Mr. Hamblin and himself.
Paul's reply gave the principal an idea of the occasion of the
unpleasantness, but he refrained from any further remark on the subject.
"The Dutch captain is much troubled about the salvage on his vessel, for
the Belgian pilot told him the Josephine would be entitled to two thirds
or three fourths of the property saved," continued Paul.
"Salvage!" said the principal, with a smile. "Well, I suppose you are
entitled to it."
"I hope you will give the Dutchman the vessel and cargo. He feels very
badly. He has lost a brother and a brother-in-law, and now he is afraid
of losing nearly all that was saved. I hope you will not take any
salvage. I am sure the Josephines would all vote to have you make no
claim for it."
"Excellent! I hope they will," replied the principal, as he ascended to
the schooner's deck, followed by Mr. Fluxion and Paul.
CHAPTER V.
CAPTAIN SCHIMMELPENNINK.
At the request of the principal, Mr. Fluxion acted as interpreter in the
conversation with the Dutch skipper. The unfortunate man stated his
case, and bewailed the heavy loss to which he had been subjected by the
tempest.
"Call all hands, if you please, Captain Kendall," said Mr. Lowington,
when he had heard the statement as translated by Mr. Fluxion.
Paul gave the required order, and in a few moments the crew were at
quarters. The principal took his place on the main hatch, and all the
Josephines waited with interest to hear what he had to say.
"Young gentlemen, since we parted company in the squall yesterday, I
have suffered a great deal of anxiety on your account. The ship ran off
before the gale, while the Josephine lay to. If you had not sailed to
the southward after the tempest, we should not have lost sight of you
for more than a few hours. I acknowledge that I reproached myself
severely for intrusting the vessel to the sole care of students. But I
find that she has been as well handled as though she had been under
command of an old and experienced man. I wish to say to you that Captain
Kendall has acquitted himself remarkably well in the emergency. Though
he did not take in his light sails quite as soon as he should,
everything else was done with the skill and prudence of a veteran."
At this point the students on board, who knew very well why Paul had not
taken in the light sails sooner, looked at one another and smiled
significantly. The difficulty between the professor and the captain had
been fully discussed among them, and it hardly need be said that Paul
was fully justified by his shipmates.
"I want to add," continued the principal, "that the conduct of Captain
Kendall--with the exception I have mentioned--is fully and cordially
approved. I must say that his behavior, his skill and energy, seem fully
to justify the experiment undertaken in the Josephine. Your commander
has made a full report of the vessel, and it gives me great pleasure to
say that he awards the highest praise to his officers and crew for their
zeal and fidelity. He informs me that officers and seamen labored with
untiring energy to rescue the unfortunate persons on board of the
galiot, and also to save the vessel itself. These efforts have been
entirely successful.
"It is at all times the duty of the seaman to save life and property on
the high seas. No one knows how soon we may need the kind offices of
brother sailors of any nation; and what we expect to receive from others
we should at all times be prepared to render to them. You have done
nobly. I congratulate you upon your success; and I thank you for the
zeal with which you have discharged your several duties. Nothing so much
as the dependence of one seaman upon another, in the hour of shipwreck
and disaster, unites the seamen of all nations in one fraternity. Young
gentlemen, you have done something for your ship, and something for your
country; for every true American feels proud and happy when he learns
that an American vessel has saved even a single shipwrecked mariner. I
am sure your friends will be proud of you when they read your record for
the last twenty-four hours.
"According to maritime law, young gentlemen, you are entitled to salvage
upon the vessel you have saved. Under ordinary circumstances, you would
be justified in claiming from one half to three fourths of the value of
this vessel. The galiot, I am informed, was not insured. The value of
the vessel and cargo is perhaps four or five thousand dollars. I have no
doubt the court would give you what would amount to two or three
thousand dollars, at least; for without assistance the vessel would
probably have been a total loss.
"Captain Schimmelpennink, I am told, is the sole owner of the 'Wel
tevreeden.' He and his family lived on board of her. It was their only
home, and she was their only worldly possession. At an expense of a few
hundred dollars, he can restore her to her original condition. If sold
in her present state, she would not bring half her actual value.
Deducting the salvage from this amount, the unfortunate captain would
lose at least three fourths of his property, the accumulation of his
lifetime."
"We'll no rob the poor mon," interposed McLeish, the Scotch boy, who was
now on his good behavior.
"It will be no robbery, McLeish. You would take but your just dues,"
replied the principal, with a smile.
"We'll no tak it," added McLeish.
"No, sir!" "No, sir!" "No, sir!" responded the students in every
direction.
"Not a dollar of it, sir!" said Paul, warmly.
"Thank you, young gentlemen," continued Mr. Lowington, whose face
indicated the pleasure he felt. "You have voluntarily suggested what I
was about to propose to you. To-day is Sunday, and your conduct is
worthy of the day. I should not have mentioned the matter until
to-morrow, if I had not desired to relieve the unfortunate captain from
his anxiety and suspense. Your conduct will gladden his heart. We will
take a vote on this question, that there may be no mistake in regard to
your intentions. Those in favor of abandoning the claim for salvage will
signify it by raising the right hand."
Every hand was raised, and most of the boys added an emphatic "Ay!" to
the hand vote.
"All up!" shouted the students, looking around them to find any one who
was behind the others in this benevolent deed.
"Every one," replied Mr. Lowington, smiling. "Mr. Fluxion, I will thank
you to communicate to the master of the galiot the action of the ship's
company."
The Dutchman stood watching the proceedings of the party with a look of
sad bewilderment. His wife and daughter were near him, as sad and
confused as himself. The boys looked at him with interest as the
professor of mathematics explained to him what had taken place. The
expression which lighted up his face, as he comprehended the action of
the students, was an ample reward for their generous conduct.
"Tell him he may take possession of his vessel as soon as he pleases,"
added the principal.
Mr. Fluxion communicated this permission to the skipper; and when he
heard it he cast a longing glance at the "Wel tevreeden," which he
seemed to regard in the same light as his wife and daughter.
"How much will it cost to repair the galiot?" asked one of the students,
stepping forward from a group which had been whispering together for a
moment very earnestly.
"I do not know the price of materials in Holland," replied Mr.
Lowington. "Perhaps the captain and the pilot may be able to give you
some information on this subject."
Mr. Fluxion, the pilot, and the master of the galiot consulted together
for some time. The jib and foresail, and a portion of the standing and
running rigging, had been saved, and the Belgian and the Dutchman made a
computation of the cost of labor and material.
"About twelve hundred guilders," said Mr. Lowington, after Mr. Fluxion
had reported the result of the conference.
"How much is that, sir?" asked one of the boys, blankly.
"One hundred pounds, English," said Paul, who had already studied up
Dutch currency. "About five hundred dollars."
"I move you, sir, that a subscription paper be opened to raise the money
to repair the galiot," said Lynch.
"Second the motion," added Groesbeck.
"Young gentlemen, I think you have done all that could be expected of
you," said Mr. Lowington. "I do not mean to represent to you that
Captain Schimmelpennink is an object of charity, though I am informed
that he has not the means of paying for these repairs. But, since you
desire it, I will put the matter to vote."
The motion was carried unanimously, as the one remitting the claim for
salvage had been. The principal suggested that it was proper to appoint
a committee to attend to the subscriptions; and Terrill, Pelham, and
Lynch were appointed to perform this duty. Nothing was said to the
skipper of the galiot about this proposition; and Mr. Lowington having
warmly commended the students for their generous sympathy with the
unfortunate man, the crew were dismissed.
A boat was sent to the "Wel tevreeden" with the captain and his party.
The subscription paper was immediately opened. Terrill took the paper to
Mr. Lowington first, who headed it with sixty guilders. The principal
and the students seemed to make their financial calculations in English
money, on the basis of twelve guilders to the pound. Mr. Fluxion put
down twenty-four guilders, and the students twelve guilders each; for no
one was willing to be behind the others.
Mr. Lowington returned to the ship; and when dinner was over, most of
the Josephines turned in, for there was a fearful gaping on board as
soon as the excitement had subsided. Hardly any of the crew had closed
their eyes during the preceding night, and all of them were very tired.
At five o'clock, the white flag containing a blue cross, which is the
signal for divine service, appeared on the Young America. The service
had been postponed, to enable the Josephines to obtain a little needed
rest: it was never dispensed with except at sea, in very heavy weather.
Though the religious exercises were made unusually impressive by Mr.
Agneau, after the storm and the wreck, it must be confessed that some of
the consort's company went to sleep during the hour; but they were
forgiven, even by the chaplain, when their zealous labors to save life
and property were considered.
For some reason of his own, Mr. Lowington invited the Dutch skipper and
his family to attend the service, and a boat was sent for the party.
They came on board, and were regarded with deep interest by the crew,
though doubtless they were not much edified by the exercises, as they
knew not a word of English.
"Captain Kendall," said the first lieutenant of the schooner, when they
returned to their cabin, "I think I have money enough to build a new
galiot for Captain Schumblefungus, or whatever his name is. I don't
wonder that a man with such a name as that should be cast away,
especially if the mate had to speak it before he let go the halyards."
"How much have you?" asked Paul.
"I don't know," replied Terrill, producing a whole bundle of money
orders, with which the students had paid their subscriptions. "Mr.
Lowington made a speech to the Young Americans after he returned on
board. He told them what we had done, and what we intended to do. The
fellows in the ship wanted to have a finger in the pie; and I believe
every one of them has put down his twelve guilders."
"I am very glad to hear that; for I pitied the Dutch captain from the
bottom of my heart," added Paul.
"All the professors gave twelve guilders, except old Hamblin--"
"Professor Hamblin," interposed Paul, gently rebuking his friend for
using that disrespectful appellative.
"Professor Hamblin; but I have no respect for him, and I can't always
help speaking what I think. He is a solemn old lunatic, as grouty as a
crab that has got aground."
"We will not speak of him," said Paul, mildly.
"Well, they all subscribed except him; and I'm sure I've got more than
twelve hundred guilders. Why, even the cooks and stewards gave
something."
"I'm glad you have been so fortunate."
"Captain Spunkenfungle's eyes will stick out a foot or two when he hears
what we have done for him."
"And I'm sure we shall be as happy as he; for such gifts, you know, are
twice blessed."
The sums on the subscription papers were added up by Terrill and Pelham.
"Sixteen hundred and fifty-four guilders!" exclaimed the former, when
the result had been reached.
"Four hundred and fifty-four guilders more than the sum required," added
Paul, delighted by the intelligence.
"Shall we give it all to the skipper?" asked Pelham.
"I don't know. We will leave that to Mr. Lowington," replied Paul.
"I don't think we ought to give him any more than enough to make up his
loss. That would tempt him to wreck his galiot again, if there was an
American flag in sight," said Terrill.
"I see no reason why he should be left any better off than before the
disaster," continued the captain. "We can keep the money as a charity
fund; and I have no doubt we shall soon find a chance to make good use
of it."
The embarrassment of having a surplus was better than that of a
deficiency would have been, and the sleepy officers of the Josephine
were not likely to be kept awake by it. All hands turned in at an
earlier hour than usual. The anchor watch were as sleepy as the others;
but the discipline of the vessel was rigidly adhered to, for the
principal did not believe in neglecting any necessary precaution simply
because the crew were tired. As seamen, the students were taught to
realize that fatigue and want of sleep on shipboard would not justify
any disregard of their regular routine duty.
In the morning everything went on as usual. It had not been the
intention of Mr. Lowington to put into Flushing, and no one was allowed
to go on shore. The wind was fortunately fresh from the westward; the
pilots were still on board; and the signal for sailing was hoisted on
board of the Young America. Just before the squadron weighed anchor, Mr.
Fluxion went on board of the galiot, and informed the skipper that all
the expenses of the repairs of his vessel would be paid by the students
of the institution. The professor reported that the poor man was beside
himself with joy when he received this intelligence. He expressed his
gratitude in extravagant terms, which had no English equivalents. Mr.
Fluxion gave him eighty pounds in gold, and promised to see him again
before the repairs were completed.
Orders to weigh anchor were given, and the two vessels stood out of the
port of Flushing into the broad river. At Paul's invitation, Dr.
Winstock came on board for the passage up the river. Mr. Hamblin still
remained a guest of the ship, and the surgeon volunteered to take his
place, though he acknowledged that his Greek roots were little better
than decayed stumps in his memory.
There is nothing picturesque on the Scheldt; and it was no great
hardship for the students to be compelled to attend to their lessons in
the steerage half the time during the trip. The country is very
low--some of it below the level of the sea; and there was little to be
seen on shore, though the students on deck found enough to interest
them.
Mr. Hamblin was the only unhappy person in the squadron, even the
Knights of the Red Cross finding enough in this new and strange land to
occupy their time without plotting mischief. The learned gentleman did
not like the way in which the principal appeared to be "sustaining" him.
Mr. Lowington had called the crew together, and told them what the
Josephines had done, praising them in what seemed to the professor to be
the most extravagant language. He did not like it: it was hardly less
than an insult to commend the student against whom he had preferred
charges of disobedience and insubordination.
He was vexed that no notice was taken of his complaints--that the matter
had been deferred a single hour. In his opinion, Captain Kendall should
have been promptly suspended. The moral effect of such a course would
have been grand. Mr. Hamblin had spoken; and he felt that he had spoken.
If he was not sustained, he could not return to the Josephine. He had
spoken; and it was the principal's place to speak next.
Mr. Lowington did not speak. He was busy all the morning; and when the
vessels sailed, not a word had been said in allusion to the topic which,
in Mr. Hamblin's estimation, overshadowed all others. If the principal
did not think of it all the time, he ought to do so; for the academic
branch of the institution would be a failure if discipline was not
enforced. The ship stood on her way before the fresh westerly breeze,
and still Mr. Lowington did not mention the matter. The professor waited
till he felt he was utterly ignored, and was sacrificing his dignity
every moment that he permitted the question to remain unsettled.
"Mr. Lowington," said he at last, with a mighty effort,--for it was the
principal's duty to speak first,--"I made a complaint to you yesterday.
Thus far no notice whatever seems to have been taken of it."
"Perhaps the longer we wait the easier it will be to settle the
question," replied Mr. Lowington, pleasantly, though he dreaded the
discussion that must ensue.
"If I am not to be sustained in the discharge of my duties, it is
useless for me to attempt to perform them to your satisfaction or my
own."
"You shall be sustained in the discharge of your duties, Mr. Hamblin.
But we will discuss this matter in the cabin, if you please," added the
principal, as he led the way below.
"Unless an instructor is sustained, of course he can do nothing," said
the professor, as he seated himself in the cabin.
"Certainly not. I will hear your complaint now, Mr. Hamblin," replied
the principal.
The learned gentleman stated his grievance in about the same terms as on
the day before.
"You say that a message was sent down to the captain. Do you know what
that message was?" asked the principal.
"I do not remember it precisely. It was something about a squall."
"Very likely it was," answered Mr. Lowington, dryly. "There was a squall
coming up at the time--was there not?"
"I knew there was a shower coming up."
"You declined to let him go on deck?"
"I did, sir. The recitation in Greek was not half finished," replied the
professor, who deemed this a sufficient reason for declining.
"Captain Kendall did not go on deck when the first message was sent
down?"
"No, sir; we continued the recitation for half an hour longer without
interruption. Then the messenger came again. I told Mr. Kendall not to
leave the class; but, in direct opposition to my order, he went on
deck. Not satisfied with this, though he knew that half the students
were engaged in the recitations, he ordered all hands to be called. Of
course the students were glad enough to get away from their lessons; and
all of them stampeded from the steerage, in spite of my protest, and
without even a word of apology."
"Did they?" added Mr. Lowington, with difficulty avoiding the disrespect
of laughing in the face of the learned gentleman.
"They did; and it must be as clear to you as it is to me, that such
conduct is utterly subversive of anything like good discipline."
"May I ask what punishment you propose as suitable for such an offence
as that of Captain Kendall?"
"I am perfectly willing to leave that matter to you, sir; but I should
think that simple suspension from his office would be sufficient,
considering the position of Mr. Kendall."
"Mr. Hamblin, it is your misfortune, not your fault, that you were
brought up on shore instead of at sea," added the principal. "You have
made a very great mistake, sir."
"I, sir!" exclaimed the learned gentleman, springing up from his seat as
though such an event as that indicated by Mr. Lowington had never
occurred in his life.
"Captain Kendall also made a mistake," continued the principal.
"He did indeed, sir. It is always a very great mistake to disobey one's
teacher."
"I do not mean that."
"May I ask what you do mean, sir?"
"His mistake was in not going on deck when the messenger sent to him by
the officer of the deck reported that a squall was coming up."
"But I refused the permission," said the professor, warmly.
"Then he should have gone without your permission," added Mr. Lowington,
decidedly.
"Am I to understand, sir, that you counsel disobedience among the boys
on the Josephine?"
"No, sir; I counsel obedience to the laws of God and man, and to the
orders of one's superior. Mr. Hamblin, is it possible that you could not
understand the circumstances of that occasion?" continued the principal.
"A squall was coming up, and you desired to detain the captain of your
vessel in the steerage!"
"But half the crew were on deck. I am told that Mr. Terrill is a
competent seaman. He knew enough to take down the sails, if necessary."
"Such a course would have been without a precedent, and in violation of
one of the rules of the ship."
"Did you not tell me that all the students, including the captain,--you
mentioned him especially,--were subject to the orders of the professors
in school hours?"
"I certainly did; but if I had supposed that there was an instructor in
either vessel so utterly wanting in discretion, I should have qualified
the statement. Captain Kendall is in command of the Josephine. He is
responsible for the safety of the vessel and for the lives of those on
board."
"He might have sent up word to take down the sails," growled Mr.
Hamblin, disgusted beyond measure at the decision of the principal.
"Did any one ever hear of a captain working his vessel while in the
steerage?" retorted Mr. Lowington, impatiently, as he took a pen and
wrote a few lines on a sheet of paper. "Was Captain Kendall respectful
to you?"
"No, sir."
"What did he say that was disrespectful?"
"Disobedience is always disrespectful. He used no disrespectful words."
"I did not suppose he did. In a word, if Captain Kendall had gone on
deck when the first messenger went to him, I should have justified and
sustained him. I will go a step farther: he ought to have done so."
"Then I am to understand that I am a mere cipher on board of the
Josephine," demanded Mr. Hamblin.
"You are to understand, sir, that the first duty of the captain of a
ship is to his vessel and to those on board of her. Why, sir, I thought
the young gentleman was insane, and I was intensely anxious, when I saw
his vessel with all her light sails on while a squall, so clearly
indicated as that of Saturday, was impending. I blamed him very much.
The squall was as likely to come half an hour sooner as when it did
come. If it had struck her with all sail set, it would have taken the
masts out of her--perhaps foundered her. If several of the students had
been lost, what satisfaction would it be to me or their friends to know
that the disaster occurred because the professor of Greek refused to let
the captain go on deck!"
"Perhaps I was wrong, sir."
"_Perhaps_ you were! If you do not know that you were, you are not fit
for the position to which I assigned you."
"I see that you fully sustain Mr. Kendall," groaned the professor.
"I only blame him because he did not disobey you the first time instead
of the second."
"Was it necessary for him to call all hands?" demanded Mr. Hamblin,
triumphantly.
"It was emphatically necessary! If he had gone on deck when the first
message reached him, it might not have been necessary, though I should
have sustained him in doing so; for the safest side is always the best
side. May I ask you to read this order?" added the principal, as he
handed the sheet upon which he had written to the learned professor.
Mr. Hamblin read the order aloud.
Captain Kendall is hereby authorized and directed to leave any
class in which he may be engaged, whenever, in his own judgment,
the management of his vessel requires him to do so. The instructors
in the consort are requested to respect this order.
R. LOWINGTON.
Professor Hamblin dropped the paper, took off his spectacles, looked on
the floor a moment, and seemed to feel that the nautical academy was not
the paradise of schoolmasters.
"Mr. Lowington, I feel obliged to tender my resignation of the position
I occupy," said the learned gentleman, haughtily.
"Very well, sir. Though the want of an instructor in your department
will be a serious inconvenience to me, I shall accept your resignation
if you are not willing to respect this order," replied the principal.
That ended the conference, and Paul was sustained.
CHAPTER VI.
PROFESSOR HAMBLIN CHANGES HIS MIND.
Professor Hamblin went on deck, walked up and down, and made himself as
miserable as possible. He was the senior instructor of the Josephine,
and was the superintendent of her academic department. He had been a
schoolmaster or a professor for forty years, and was fully steeped in
the dogmatism of the pedagogue. He was disposed to be overbearing and
tyrannical, though perhaps his profession, rather than his nature, had
implanted this tendency in his character. Certainly the almost absolute
sway of the schoolmaster encourages such an unfortunate development of
the lower faculties of human nature.
It is necessary that the parent or the teacher should have this absolute
sway. Practically, his will is law, and the child has no alternative but
to rebel or obey. The limit to his authority is only placed on the line
where tyranny ends and actual abuse begins. It is true that public
opinion has its influence upon the teacher or parent; but there is room
for much petty oppression before the limit of endurance is reached. A
man may be an efficient teacher, and produce splendid intellectual
results, while he is a tyrant and an oppressor; indeed, his tyranny and
oppression may be the very means by which his success is accomplished.
The rights of the pupil are not recognized by such men. The scholar is
regarded as a machine, rather than an immortal soul. Though Mr. Hamblin
was a very pious man, in his own way, and was very careful in his
observance of all the forms of law and tradition, he was a tyrant at
heart. He ruled with an iron will, and willingly suffered no one in the
school-room to hold an opinion different from his own. He was not
popular in the Josephine; he had never been a popular teacher anywhere,
though he had been a successful one, so far as intellectual results were
concerned. His success seemed to justify him, and certainly it added to
the strength of his tyrannical will.
The good schoolmaster recognizes and respects the rights of the scholar.
While he is an unflinching disciplinarian, expecting an unquestioning
obedience, he does not believe in his own infallibility. He is kind and
considerate, and regards his pupil as an embryo man, "endowed with
certain inalienable rights," which none may trample upon with impunity.
He is both just and merciful, his heart being filled with love to God
and love to man.
Such was not Mr. Hamblin. The greatest sin of a student was to have a
will of his own. He had not the power or the inclination to harmonize
that will with the requirements of duty, and he broke it down, not by
coarse abuse, but by making the pupil so uncomfortable that a total
submission was better than a reasonable independence. In mild-tempered
boys, like Paul Kendall, the task was an easy one, when no principle was
at stake.
The professor walked up and down the deck, brooding over his grievances.
He could not afford to abandon his situation on the one hand, and it
seemed impossible to acknowledge that he was wholly wrong on the other
hand. When he had thoroughly cooled off, he was willing to own that it
was necessary for the captain to go on deck, and that if he had
comprehended the situation he should have given him permission to do so.
But he knew nothing about the management of a vessel. How should a
professor of Greek and Latin be expected to understand a matter which
even the most ignorant could comprehend, and of which even a boy of
sixteen had made himself master? Boys could play base-ball, but he did
not know how; and it seemed just as much beneath his dignity to be
familiar with practical navigation.
He was sorry now that he had not given Captain Kendall permission to go
on deck; for it was impossible to refute the arguments of the principal;
but at the same time he had not overstepped the duties of his office. He
had been informed that all the students, even to the captain, were
subject to his will and pleasure during school hours, and therefore he
had a perfect right to detain the captain. It was not his fault that a
blunder had been made; he had not made it.
The order which Mr. Lowington had shown him would remedy the difficulty
in future, and prevent its repetition; but if that order was
promulgated, it would assure the pupils that Captain Kendall had been
fully sustained, and that the professor had not been sustained. Mr.
Hamblin shuddered at the thought; for justifying a student at the
expense of the instructor was an enormity which he could not
countenance. The captain's will would remain unbroken, and the professor
would occupy a secondary position on board of the Josephine.
The learned gentleman walked the deck hour after hour, endeavoring to
devise a plan by which he could return to his position without the
sacrifice of any portion of his dignity. Mr. Lowington, in saying that
the professor's resignation would be a serious inconvenience to him, had
left the door open for him to revise his final action. The squadron was
eventually to visit Greece and other classic lands, and he was very
anxious to continue his travels, not only without expense to himself,
but while in the receipt of a handsome salary. Such an opportunity to
see Europe could never again be presented to him, and he was not willing
to sacrifice it.
Professor Hamblin was becoming more reasonable; but there was the
untamed will of Captain Kendall, an unconquered fortress, in his path.
Perhaps Mr. Lowington, now that the excitement of the first interview
had subsided, might help him out of the embarrassing dilemma, though his
decided manner was not very encouraging. The professor determined to
have another interview, and as soon as he saw the principal alone he
opened the subject again.
"What you said about my resignation, Mr. Lowington, gives me some
uneasiness. It is not my wish to subject you to any inconvenience by
leaving you, in a foreign land, where much delay must necessarily ensue
before you can obtain a suitable person to fill my place," said he, in a
tone of embarrassment.
"It would disturb my plans very much; but I cannot endanger the vessel
and the lives of those on board of her. The position of Captain Kendall
is anomalous, you will perceive."
"I am quite willing now to say that if I had understood the situation, I
should have permitted Mr. Kendall to leave the class."
"And I am quite willing to say that your services as an instructor are
entirely satisfactory to me," added the principal, with a smile.
They were more satisfactory to him than they were to the students of the
Josephine.
"Then we seem to be in full accord with each other on these points,"
replied the professor, hopefully. "I trust some arrangement may be made
to reconcile the differences of opinion on the question of discipline.
You do not sustain me, Mr. Lowington."
"I cannot, sir. If I did, I should expect the Josephine to go to the
bottom with all on board, in the first gale of wind she encounters,
should Captain Kendall happen to be reciting his Greek at the time."
"I think I understand the matter better now, and in a similar emergency
I should permit him to leave the class."
"In matters of seamanship and navigation, I have more confidence in the
judgment of Captain Kendall than in yours. He must be absolute in his
position as captain of the vessel."
"Of course, sir; and in the composition of a soup doubtless you would
have more confidence in the judgment of your cook than in mine," added
the professor, cynically; for, intellectually, the cook and the captain
appeared to be on the same level to him; and as a professor of Greek, he
did not regard it as any more derogatory to his dignity not to know
anything of the principles of seamanship than to be ignorant of the art
of making a soup.
"The order which I have written, and which I shall transmit to Captain
Kendall as soon as the squadron comes to anchor, will set the matter
right," said Mr. Lowington.
"Do you insist on issuing that order?" asked Mr. Hamblin.
"I do."
"Let me say that Mr. Stoute did not indorse my course, and that in
future I will give Mr. Kendall permission to leave the class whenever he
desires to do so."
"That is very well, sir; but, under the circumstances, I cannot permit
the captain to be embarrassed even by the necessity of asking
permission. If, by any diffidence on his part, he should delay asking
leave to go on deck, serious mishaps might occur."
"Then I am to be subject to the will of that boy?" said the professor,
disgusted at the thought.
"Not unless you are connected with the sailing department of the vessel.
You are simply prevented from exercising your will over him, to the
detriment of his duties as a navigator."
"In this light the case looks different to me," added the professor, who
was laboring to recede from his position as gracefully as possible. "I
am willing to permit the captain to have his own will in all matters
pertaining to the management of the vessel, as I am to allow the cook
entire freedom in making his soup."
"Then nothing more need be said, and you can resume your position on
board of the Josephine at once."
"I am not entirely satisfied about that order, Mr. Lowington," added Mr.
Hamblin.
"Why not?"
"Because that sustains Mr. Kendall and condemns me in a public and
formal manner."
"That is precisely what I intend to do."
"It amounts to sacrificing me, by placing me in a derogatory position. I
have not transcended the power given me, and it is not right that I
should be formally condemned."
"The order passes no judgment upon the past; it relates to the future
only. Captain Kendall must understand that he has full liberty to go
when and where he pleases, in the discharge of his duty. I am confident
he will not abuse this liberty."
"But I am to stand before him in this business as a whipped puppy.
Couldn't you give him the order verbally, and explain my position to
him?"
"What is your position?" demanded the principal, with a smile.
"I mean simply that in detaining him I erred through a want of knowledge
of seamanship."
"I can explain that; but I think it would be better for you to do so."
"For me!" gasped the professor. "Why, sir, that would be an apology!"
"It would be merely an explanation, which would come more gracefully
from you than from any other person."
"I don't think so, sir. It would be lowering myself before him."
"As you please, Mr. Hamblin. I will explain the matter myself, when I
give him the order."
"If you could give him the order verbally, it would be better."
"No; he must have the written order to show to any professor who
disputes his authority. But Captain Kendall will never give you any
trouble. He is manly and gentle, and he will not take advantage of his
position."
"I think he will have abundant ground to manifest his triumph."
"He will not do anything of the kind. If any officer of the Josephine
treats you with disrespect, he shall be suspended at once from office."
"That is very proper, sir," added Mr. Hamblin, heartily.
The learned gentleman let himself down as easily as possible. He had
consented to remain rather than subject the principal to the great
inconvenience and delay of procuring a new instructor. Captain Kendall
was to be independent only in the sailing department, in which he had no
disposition to interfere, any more than with the cook. He regarded it as
a bitter necessity which compelled him to return to the Josephine; for
he could not forego the pecuniary advantage and the opportunity of
visiting the classic lands which the voyage presented; but, though he
yielded with what grace he could command, he was dissatisfied with Mr.
Lowington, and more dissatisfied with Paul.
To go back to the consort unsustained was almost like going to a dungeon
for a capital crime, to which nothing but personal interest induced him
to submit. If the captain did not enjoy his triumph, it would be a
degree of forbearance which he could not comprehend. But he was quite
certain that the captain would "put on airs," abuse his absolute
liberty, and perhaps snub his teacher before the class. Mr. Hamblin
expected this, and made up his mind to be on the lookout for it.
After dinner Mr. Lowington suggested that his services must be much
needed on board of the Josephine, and proposed to send him to her at
once. Mr. Hamblin consented, and as the consort kept astern of the ship,
the latter was hove to, and the professor's barge lowered. Mr. Lowington
went with the learned gentleman, and agreeably to his promise, made a
full explanation to Paul, while the instructor, without a word to any
one, hastened to the steerage, and called his class, just as though
nothing had occurred. It was observed that he was unusually sour,
crabbed, and precise, and all the students were anxious to know how the
question of discipline had been settled.
"Read this order, if you please, Captain Kendall," said the principal,
when he had conducted him to the cabin, where they were alone.
"I have no desire to leave my class, unless my duty to the vessel
requires it," added Paul, after he had read the order.
"I did not suppose you had; but you will keep that order in your pocket,
and remember that your first duty is to your ship and crew."
"I suppose you have learned by this time, sir, the reason why we did not
take in sail sooner on Saturday," continued Paul, blushing deeply.
"I have. Professor Hamblin feels very badly about this matter. At the
time of it, he believed he was right, for he knows less about a vessel
than even the chaplain of the ship. He acknowledges now that he was in
error. Our rules did not before apply with sufficient distinctness to
your particular case, as captain of the vessel, responsible for her
proper navigation. Mr. Hamblin did not overstep the letter of his duty
in refusing you permission to go on deck, and I only blame him for his
want of judgment. By this order, which corrects the ship's rules, you
are made independent in all matters relating to the management of the
vessel."
"I think there can be no trouble now, sir," replied Paul, delighted to
find that his conduct was approved.
"I hope not; and I do not expect any."
Mr. Lowington returned to the ship, satisfied that he had healed the
wounds of both the sufferers. Paul was happy, and he determined to treat
the professor with the utmost deference and kindness, and thus remove
the remembrance of the difficulty. At four o'clock, after the squadron
had passed Beveland, and entered the Belgian territory, Paul went down
to recite his Greek, as usual. He could not help seeing that Mr.
Hamblin's lip quivered, and that he was laboring under strong emotions,
when he took his place at the mess table. The captain was hardly less
embarrassed, but he hoped an opportunity would soon occur for him to
perform some kind act for the irritated gentleman.
When the recitation was nearly finished, and both parties had recovered
their self-possession, the vessel gave a sudden "bump," which nearly
tipped the professor off his stool; but he righted himself, and was too
much absorbed in his favorite study to think of the incident for a
moment.
"Mr. Terrill directs me to report to you that the vessel is aground!"
said one of the midshipmen, in breathless haste, touching his cap to the
captain.
Paul blushed deeply, and was intensely annoyed at this repetition of the
circumstances of Saturday; but there was no alternative but for him to
go on deck.
"Will you excuse me, Mr. Hamblin?" asked Paul, rising.
The professor bowed, but made no reply in words. He wondered if the
vessel had not been run aground on purpose to mortify and annoy him. He
was inclined to think that such was the case, and that it had been done
to enable the captain to display his absolute authority.
Paul went on deck; but the pilot assured him that the accident would not
subject the vessel to half an hour's delay, for the tide was rising very
rapidly. He had run her a little too near a shoal, while the Young
America, by keeping in mid channel, had gone clear. There was nothing
for the captain to do on deck, and he returned to his class. The
Josephine came off the ground within the half hour, and by putting on
more sail overhauled the ship before she reached Antwerp.
"Here is the city, Paul," said Dr. Winstock, as the Josephine rounded a
bend in the river. "You can see the spire of Antwerp Cathedral."
"I see it, sir. I have heard a great deal about it. This is farther than
we have been from the sea since we sailed."
"Yes, it is a long pull from the sea for a sailing vessel; but Antwerp
is the only convenient port for visiting the greater part of Belgium. We
are only a short distance from Brussels, Ghent, Malines, and Liege. I
suppose we shall visit no other port in Belgium; indeed, there is no
other convenient one, except Ostend."
"There is a whole fleet of British steamers at anchor opposite the
town," said Paul, when the Josephine had gone a little farther.
"A great many merchant steamers come up the river. There are regular
lines to London and Harwich. By the latter route you may leave Antwerp
at four in the afternoon and be in London at nine the next morning,
though the Ostend or Calais line is quicker and better."
"Those are large steamers," added Paul, as the squadron approached the
fleet at anchor.
"Why, that's the Victoria and Albert!" exclaimed the doctor, pointing to
the largest of the ships. "That is the yacht of the Queen of England."
"It is a pretty large yacht," replied Paul. "What are the other
steamers?"
"They are the consorts of the yacht. The one that lies nearest to her is
the Osborne, which was formerly the queen's state vessel. The others are
merely a kind of guard of honor."
"Does it take five steamships to bring the queen over to Antwerp?" asked
Paul, laughing.
"She must go in state when she goes," added the doctor. "The Victoria
and Albert is a ship of twenty-four hundred tons. I hope we shall have
an opportunity to go on board of her."
"I hope we shall; but that is hardly to be expected."
"They do not exhibit her when she is in English waters, but I think they
do when she is abroad."
"All ready to moor ship, Mr. Terrill," said Paul, as the Young America
gave the signal.
The Josephine ran up to a point near the ship, and within a couple of
cables' length of the royal squadron let go her anchor. Port officers
came on board, and explained the harbor regulations; among them, one
whose duty it was to determine the amount due the pilot. This official
"hooked" the vessel, or measured her draught. As the Josephine drew
about ten feet of water, the charge was one hundred and ninety-eight
francs.
Everything was made snug on board; the ropes were carefully coiled, and
all the running rigging hauled taut; for, lying near the queen's yacht,
Paul desired to have the vessel present her best appearance. The work of
the day was ended, and the students were at liberty to observe the
strange scenes around them. There was the city of Antwerp, but it was
not much different from any other city. The Scheldt formed a crescent in
front of the town, and there was a multitude of vessels lying at the
quays, as the space on the shore is called. The river is about fifteen
hundred feet wide, and deep enough to float a ship of the line. The city
is very strongly fortified, on both sides of the river.
"Here we are, for a week or two," said Pelham to the first lieutenant,
after all the ship's duty had been performed.
"I suppose so," replied Terrill. "It seems to me just as though we had
been sailing down hill ever since we came into the river. Hark!"
It was just six o'clock, and the chime of bells on the great Cathedral
played a silver-toned melody which was almost enchanting.
"I should not object to hearing that every hour," said Pelham, when the
tune was finished. "Do they play the same tune over again?"
"I'm sure I don't know," replied Terrill.
"They have a different tune for each hour of the day, and play the
entire music of an opera," interposed Dr. Winstock. "They give a short
strain at the quarter hour, and a longer one at the half hour."
"That will be music all day long."
"Yes, and all night long," added the surgeon, as he walked away with the
captain.
"I wish he were going to stay on board instead of that solemn old
lunatic, the Greek and Latin humbug" said Terrill, who had a habit of
speaking his mind very plainly.
"Do you know how the row was settled between him and the captain?" asked
Pelham.
"I do not; but I am confident Mr. Lowington sustained the captain,"
answered Terrill. "I was in hopes that we had got rid of him when he
went on board of the ship yesterday, and I was mad when I saw him coming
back to-day noon."
"There is not a fellow in the Josephine that didn't have the same
thought," added Pelham. "I don't see why a man need try to make himself
as disagreeable as he does. All the students were willing to treat him
with respect, and get their lessons well; but he is as crank as an
alderman."
"I wish we could get rid of him," suggested Terrill.
"Of course we can't do that," replied Pelham, who was not disposed to
get into any more scrapes.
"We might make the Josephine uncomfortable for him," suggested Terrill.
"We might; but I think we had better not," added the prudent Pelham,
made wise by experience, as the bell for the cabin supper rang.
Professor Hamblin looked unusually gloomy and morose, but he labored
perseveringly to keep up his dignity. Paul sat at the head of the table,
ordinarily with his officers on each side of him in the order of their
rank; but on the present occasion, Dr. Winstock occupied the place at
his right. At the opposite end of the board was Mr. Hamblin, with the
fat professor on his right. Behind the captain's chair stood the head
steward, while the second steward was stationed near the instructors.
Mr. Hamblin occasionally cast a furtive glance at the young commander;
but Paul seemed to be as composed as though nothing had happened to
disturb the friendly relations between them. Though he did not observe
it, Terrill persisted that the learned gentleman looked "ugly," and
would make another row as soon as he could get a chance.
"I can see through the mainsail when there is a hole in it," said the
executive officer to Pelham, when they went on deck again. "If there
wasn't mischief in Mr. Hamblin's eye, there never was mischief in any
man's eye."
"What do you mean?" asked Pelham.
"You know the old lunatic threatened to have the captain suspended for
leaving the class. He failed in that, and if he don't try it again, I'm
mistaken in the man."
"Of course he won't make any more complaints till he has something to
complain of, and Paul won't give him a chance."
"I don't suppose he will voluntarily; but his conduct will be distorted.
I tell you the professor is ugly, and he hates the captain as badly as a
Christian can."
"He hasn't improved his popularity on board by what he has done."
"Every fellow on the Josephine is down upon him. There'll be a row on
board soon, in my opinion," added Terrill, as Dr. Winstock and Paul came
on deck.
A boat was lowered to send the surgeon on board the ship. Paul
accompanied him; and on the way they went up to the gangway of the
Victoria and Albert, and ascertained that visitors would be admitted to
the ship on the following day, from ten till four.
CHAPTER VII.
THE LECTURE ON BELGIUM.
"All hands, attend lecture on board ship, ahoy!" shouted the boatswain
of the Josephine, as the signal to this effect appeared on the Young
America.
Ordinarily this call was not an agreeable one; for the students had
voted that it was "dull music" to listen to a stupid lecture on
geography and history; but in the present instance it was not so. The
information communicated in regard to England and Scotland was so
familiar to them that it was robbed of its interest; but the
school-books contained only very meagre allusions to Holland and
Belgium. Many of them had read Mr. Motley's eloquent descriptions of the
bravery and devotion to principle of the Dutch people in their civil
wars and in their terrible conflict with the Spaniards, and they were
desirous of knowing more about the country and its inhabitants.
Holland is in itself an exceedingly interesting country. The students
had seen something of its dikes and ditches, and were anxious to see
more. The region seemed to be very much like a ship; for it was
necessary to keep the water out as much as possible, and to pump out
that which leaked in or rained in. The boys were to go on shore, and
they desired to understand something of the history of the country, in
order to appreciate the various objects which commemorated mighty events
in the past. The citadel of Antwerp was in sight at a bend up the river,
and they were curious to know its antecedents.
On both vessels the libraries had been ransacked for information by the
more enthusiastic of the pupils, and many interesting facts had been
gleaned from the volumes; but those who knew the most about the country
were the most anxious to know more. With only a few exceptions,
therefore, the "call to lecture," on the present occasion, was a welcome
one. The boats were lowered, and all hands in the Josephine, including
the professors, went on board of the ship, leaving the vessel in charge
of the adult forward officers.
Mr. Mapps had already made his preparations in the steerage, and on the
foremast hung a large Dutch map of the Netherlands. The students filed
in and took their seats. The professor looked unusually pleasant and
enthusiastic, probably because he felt that his wares were in demand.
"Young gentlemen, before you is the map of the Netherlands," he began.
"For our present purpose, the term must include both Holland and
Belgium; for until 1830 the two were one country, the latter having had,
for no long period, a separate political existence till that time.
"The Dutch name of the country is _Nederlanden_; the French name,
_Pays-Bas_; both of which have the same meaning--'low countries.' By
this time you have realized the literal significance of the term; for
nearly all the region consists of an immense low plain, intersected by
rivers or arms of the sea. A reference to the physical geography of
Europe shows you that the great northern plain, containing nine times
the area of France, or about one half the area of Europe, extends from
the Ural Mountains to the German Ocean.
"Doubtless the whole region now included in the Netherlands was once a
mere swamp, a wild and useless morass, unfit for the habitation of man.
Three great rivers, you perceive on the map, have their course, in whole
or in part, through Holland and Belgium--the Rhine, the Maas, or Meuse,
and the Scheldt.
"By a reference to your navigation charts, young gentlemen, you will
often find banks and bars thrown up at the mouths of rivers. At the
mouth of the Scheldt, several miles from the shore, there are Thornton's
Ridge, The Rabs, Schouwen Bank, Steen Banks, and others of similar
formation. At the mouth of the Mississippi, in our own country, you are
aware that large vessels find great difficulty in getting over the bar.
If we take a tumbler full of Mississippi water, after heavy rains in the
north-west, and let it stand a few moments, a thick sediment settles at
the bottom. This sediment forms the bar at the mouth of the river. The
sand and mud are carried down by the current, and when the water has a
chance to rest, it deposits its burden upon the bottom."
"But why in that particular place?" asked an interested student.
"Because the current of the river comes to a halt where it meets the
inflowing tide of the gulf, or when it has spent its force. These bars
are sometimes formed by currents resulting from the combined action of
the sea and the flow of the river, or by winds. A heavy gale has been
known to change the aspect of a coast, to shut up a harbor, or to open
one where there had before been no inlet. Cape Cod presents some
remarkable instances of these physical revolutions.
"The great rivers of the Netherlands, in like manner, have brought down
their sands and mud, and deposited them on what now forms the shore of
the country. The forces of the ocean, against which the Dutchman of
to-day has to contend for the preservation of his life and property,
assisted in making this country a habitable region. Certain westerly and
south-westerly winds drive the waters of the Atlantic into the German
Ocean. The coast of the country, you see by the map, is exposed to the
longest sweep of the wind from the north-west, and the most violent
tempests to which Holland is exposed come from that direction. Now, what
is the effect of these storms?"
"They pile up the sand-bars," replied Captain Kendall.
"Precisely so; the dunes and ridges of sand which border the country
from the straits of Dover to the Texel are caused by these violent winds
from the north-west. The effect of this piling up of the sands was
eventually to limit, in a measure, the boundary of the sea. The dunes
and ridges formed the foundation for the dikes which the industrious and
persevering Dutchman has erected upon them, and by which he has made
his country. For the want of time, I shall defer the physical features
of Holland, and a more particular description of its dikes and ditches,
to a future occasion. In what country are we now?"
"In Belgium, sir," replied McLeish, who always answered when he could,
though in general knowledge he was far behind his American classmates.
"What is the French name?"
"_La Belgique._"
"The German?"
"_Belgien._"
"What is the French adjective?"
"_Belge._"
"There is a liberal newspaper published at Brussels, the capital of
Belgium, which is often quoted as political authority in the United
States, called the _Independance Belge_. What does the term mean?"
"'The Belgian Independent,' or 'The Independent Belgian,'" laughed
Pelham.
"But the first word is a noun."
"'The Belgian Freeman,' or something of that sort."
"Doubtless it will bear that rendering, though it means literally
'Belgian Independence.' Belgium is bounded on the north, and partly on
the east, by Holland; mostly on the east by the Rhenish provinces of
Prussia, forming a part of Germany; on the south-west by France; and on
the north-west by the German Ocean. It has an area of eleven thousand
three hundred and thirteen miles; that is, it is about the size of
Maryland, or of Massachusetts and Connecticut united.
"Its population in 1863 was about five millions, equal to the aggregate
of New York and Massachusetts. In New England, in 1860, there were fifty
persons to the square mile; in Massachusetts, which is the most densely
peopled of the United States, one hundred and seventy; but Belgium has
four hundred and forty souls to the square mile, and is the most
thickly-settled country in the world.
"Belgium contains nine provinces, the largest of which, in area, is
Luxembourg, though it is one of the smallest in population. The largest
in population is East Flanders."
"Flanders!" exclaimed Terrill; "I was hoping you would say something
about Flanders, for I had an idea it was Belgium."
"It is a part of it. Flanders has belonged to France, Spain, Austria,
and Holland, at times; but it was divided into two provinces by the King
of Holland, and became a part of the United Kingdom of Belgium when it
was established in 1830. It figures largely in history, and 'our army in
Flanders' is a proverb.
"The soil of Belgium is generally sandy and poor; but, by skill and
industry, the people obtain large crops from it. In a country so densely
peopled there could not be many large farms, and the majority of the
farmers cultivate what would not be more than a garden in America; but
the system of agriculture is not surpassed by that of any country in the
world. Flax-raising is the principal occupation of the farmers; but
grasses and roots receive particular attention. Horses, cattle, and
sheep are raised in great numbers.
"The manufactures of Belgium are very celebrated. The laces of Brussels
and Mechlin (Malines) have the highest reputation. Linen goods, carpets,
woollens, cottons, hosiery, are largely produced. The foreign and
domestic commerce of Belgium, largely carried on through the port of
Antwerp, is extensive.
"Belgium is a flat country, as we have said. There are no mountains,
though in the provinces of Liege and Brabant the American traveller will
find a variety of scenery similar to that in the eastern part of
Massachusetts and Connecticut. This portion of Belgium is a beautiful
garden.
"The government, according to the charter of 1831, is a constitutional,
representative, and hereditary monarchy; that is, it has a constitution,
a parliament, and the oldest son of the king is his successor. The
king's person is declared to be sacred, and his ministers, instead of
himself, are held responsible for the government acts. The legislative
branch consists of a senate and a chamber of representatives; but the
king must sign their acts before they can become laws.
"The members of both houses of the legislature are chosen by the people,
and are called deputies. Only citizens who pay a certain amount of
direct taxes can vote. The deputies who live out of the town in which
the session is held are paid sixty-two dollars a month. They are elected
for four years, half every two years. The political privileges of the
people are only less than those of our own country.
"The present king is Leopold I.[A] He is seventy-four years old, and for
the last fifty years has been a man of mark in Europe. He was for some
time in the service of the Emperor of Russia, and went to England with
the allied sovereigns, in 1814, where he became acquainted with, and
afterwards married, the Princess Charlotte, daughter of George IV.; but
she died within two years. In 1830 Leopold was elected King of Greece;
but he finally refused the crown, because the conditions he made were
not complied with. In 1831 he was elected King of the Belgians, and was
crowned the same year. The next year he married Louise, the daughter of
Louis Philippe, King of France. Leopold, Duke of Brabant, will succeed
him. He has several other sons and daughters, among them Marie
Charlotte, wife of Maximilian, Archduke of Austria, who has been elected
Emperor of Mexico. Leopold is one of the richest men in Europe.
[Footnote A: Leopold I. died Dec. 10, 1865, and was succeeded by his
son, Leopold II.]
"Nearly all the people of Belgium are Roman Catholics, there being but
about thirteen thousand Protestants and two thousand Jews; but the
largest religious liberty is allowed to all sects. A portion of the
salary of ministers of all denominations is paid from the national
treasury. While the Catholics receive seven hundred thousand dollars
from the state, the Protestants obtain eleven thousand, and the Jews two
thousand dollars. The salary paid by the state to the archbishop is four
thousand two hundred dollars, and to a bishop about three thousand.
"The history of Flanders is substantially the early history of Belgium.
Many changes were made in the territorial limit of the country from time
to time, in the hands of its different owners. The first mention of
this country in history is in the time of Julius Caesar, who conquered
the Low Countries, and the Romans held them till the year 400, when they
were joined to the empire of the Franks. They formed part of the vast
realm of Charlemagne.
"After the Romans had abandoned the territory, several independent
nobles established themselves in the southern part of the Netherlands.
Among them were the Counts of Flanders, who became very powerful and
influential men. They are to be regarded as the founders of the Flemish
provinces. Having no male heirs, their possessions went to the house of
Burgundy. Philip, Duke of Burgundy, married Margaret, Countess of
Flanders, and, upon the death of her father, she brought to him the
country of Flanders and other valuable possessions.
"During the succeeding hundred years, Namur, Brabant, Limbourg,
Hainault, Holland, Zealand, Friesland, and Luxembourg, all of which now
belong to Holland and Belgium, were added to the territories of the
Dukes of Burgundy. At this period appears the powerful but rash and
cruel Charles the Bold. His life was spent in open or secret strife with
Louis XI., king of France, whose suzerain, or nominal vassal, he was.
The king was instrumental in stirring up rebellion in several cities of
the Low Countries, which the duke put down with his accustomed severity.
"Charles, in revenge, having leagued with some discontented French
princes, Louis secretly fomented an insurrection in Liege. When the blow
was first struck, the crafty king was paying a visit to his cousin of
Burgundy, as he called the duke, who, on hearing the news, retained his
sovereign as a prisoner, threatening to kill him for his perfidy. The
cunning prince tried to pacify his enraged host. He was but partially
successful, and could only obtain his liberty by submitting to the most
humiliating terms. The duke compelled his royal guest to march in person
with him to the revolted city, and assist his vassal in putting down the
rebellion he had himself instigated.
"Charles the Bold was slain in battle, and his death ending his line of
dukes, Louis seized upon several of the provinces. Mary, the daughter of
Charles, was married to the Archduke of Austria, who claimed the
Burgundian provinces in right of his wife. He obtained possession,
however, of only Franche-comte and the Low Countries. The conflicting
claims for these territories kept Austria and France at war for a long
time.
"The Archduke Maximilian, who married Mary of Burgundy, became Emperor
of Germany on the death of his father. He had two children by her,
Philip and Margaret, the former of whom married Joanna, daughter of
Ferdinand and Isabella of Spain. They were the parents of Charles V.,
Emperor of Germany and King of all Spain. During this period the Low
Countries were governed by Maximilian, Philip, and Charles, deriving
their right from Charles the Bold.
"Charles V. was succeeded as King of Spain by Philip II., his son, who
also inherited the Flemish provinces. Mr. Motley's incomparable History
of the Rise of the Dutch Republic, commences at this point, with the
abdication of Charles V., and the accession of Philip II. I hope all who
have not read this work will do so, as many of you can, here in the
midst of the scenes described in its glowing pages.
"Philip was a bigot and a tyrant, and his despotism, which included the
establishment of the Inquisition, drove the people to madness, and
provoked them to rebellion. During the reign of Charles V. the
Reformation had made considerable progress in Germany, and its
principles were firmly planted in the Low Countries. Philip imposed upon
himself the duty of rooting out the obnoxious doctrines, and of
restoring the supremacy of the Catholic church.
"After his accession to the Netherlands, the king remained four years in
the country, and then departed for Spain, from which he did not again
return. He made his sister regent, and she was to be assisted by
Granvelle, Bishop of Arras. William, Prince of Orange, and the Counts
Egmont and Horn, were associated with the bishop as councillors, but
they had no real power or influence.
"The despotic conduct of Granvelle, and the attempt on his part to
introduce the Inquisition, by order of his royal master, excited the
most desperate opposition. The people organized under the lead of the
Prince of Orange, and Egmont and Horn, and an insurrection broke out in
Flanders, in 1566. These Protestant rebels have been styled iconoclasts,
or image-breakers, for they broke into the churches, overturned the
images, defaced the valuable paintings, and otherwise injured the church
property.
"The famous Cathedral of Notre Dame, which you can see from the deck of
the ship, was ravaged by the mob. The statues of Christ, the Virgin, and
the Saints were hurled from their pedestals; the rich paintings, the
choicest works of Flemish art, were cut to pieces; the organs were torn
down, the altars overturned, and the gold and silver vessels used in the
mass were carried off. For three days these tumultuous proceedings
continued, and were suppressed only when the fury of the mob had ceased,
by the Knights of the Golden Fleece, of which the Prince of Orange was a
member. The career of this remarkable man is closely identified with the
history of the Netherlands during this period. He was opposed to the
violence of the mob, not only from prudential motives, but because his
own religious views were not yet in sympathy with the Protestant
reformers, though he afterwards fully embraced their doctrines.
"The patriots of the Low Countries were, in the beginning of these
troubles, both Catholic and Protestant; but the sacrilegious conduct of
the mob detached the former from the cause, and as the Catholics were
more numerous in the southern than in the northern provinces, they
finally turned the scale in favor of Philip II. in their own section,
while the people of Holland established their independence.
"Philip then sent the savage and relentless Duke of Alva to suppress the
new religion in the Netherlands. Egmont and Horn were beheaded at
Brussels, and the Prince of Orange retired into Germany, appealing to
the Protestant princes for assistance. With an army he had raised in
Germany, and with money obtained there and of Queen Elizabeth of
England, he marched into the Netherlands, and called his people to arms.
A long and terrible war ensued, in which the Dutch suffered up to the
limit of human endurance, and displayed a heroism which is without
parallel in the history of the nations.
"The Prince of Orange was created Stadtholder; almost unlimited powers
were conferred upon him, and for years he struggled against the most
stupendous obstacles. The Dutch, being a maritime people, established a
navy, which inflicted many heavy blows upon the Spanish power. The
severity of Alva so goaded the Netherlanders that the whole country was
in arms against him. He failed to reduce them to subjection, and was
recalled. His next two eminent successors died of fever, and the Duke of
Parma was then sent as regent of Philip. In 1579 the northern provinces
declared their independence, and established the Dutch Republic, or the
Seven United Provinces, of which the Prince of Orange was stadtholder.
"Philip was so incensed at the success of the Prince of Orange that he
offered a large reward to any one who would take his life, and a
fanatical Burgundian shot him at Delft, in 1584. With this event Mr.
Motley closes his History of the Rise of the Dutch Republic.
"Belgium adhered to Spain, or, rather, the Duke of Parma succeeded in
reducing it to subjection after the murder of the stadtholder. In 1598
Philip gave the Flemish provinces to his daughter Isabella. But on her
death without children, the country again reverted to Spain. After more
than a century of strife, including the Thirty Years' War, the repeated
quarrels between England and Spain, and France and Spain, and the War of
the Spanish Succession, during which period the Low Countries were
often the battle-ground, Belgium passed into the hands of the Austrians.
"In settling up the disastrous strife of the century, the treaty-making
powers had given several of the Belgian fortresses to Holland, in order
to check the ambition of France, and the Dutch closed the Scheldt. After
an interval of peace under Maria Theresa of Austria, her son, Joseph
II., attempted to break through portions of the treaties, and obliged
the troops of Holland to evacuate his territory, but he could not open
the river. He was rash in his proceedings, and a rebellion was organized
against him.
"About this time commenced the French Revolution, whose influence
extended to the Low Countries, and in 1789 the Austrian garrison at
Brussels was forced to surrender. But the people were not united, and
their dissensions enabled the Austrians to regain their power. The
French Directory sent an army to assist the Belgians, the Austrians were
driven from the country, and Belgium was incorporated with France.
"Napoleon, while he controlled the destinies of France, devoted much
attention to the Flemish provinces, and especially to the city of
Antwerp. When you go on shore you will see immense docks and
fortifications built by him. He intended to make it a great naval
station, and it would have been of vast importance to him in carrying
out his plans for the invasion of England. The works on the opposite
side of the river, called 'Tete de Flandre,' were the beginning of an
immense military town. During this period England was almost continually
at war with France, and several expeditions were sent against Holland
and Belgium.
"When Napoleon abdicated, the Flemish Provinces were restored to
Austria; but when the allies who had overthrown Napoleon finally
disposed of their conquests, Holland and Belgium were united, and given
to the Stadtholder, who had adhered to the allies. He was styled William
I., King of the Netherlands.
"The two sections could not agree; the Dutch regarded Belgium as a
conquered province, and were not at all conciliatory in their treatment
of the new acquisition. The Belgians were essentially French in their
habits, and disliked the Dutch. In 1830 they revolted against their
masters, the insurrection extended to the principal cities, and the king
called upon the great powers who had given him the country. A congress
assembled in London at his request, which, however, decreed the
independence of Belgium.
"The people first elected a son of Louis Philippe king; but he declined,
and Leopold was then chosen. King William, of Holland, protested, and in
spite of the treaty, held the city of Antwerp. A French army was sent to
the assistance of Leopold; Antwerp capitulated, but it was not till 1839
that Holland made a treaty with Belgium, acknowledging her independence.
Leopold strengthened his position by marrying a daughter of the King of
France; and his son and heir, the Duke of Brabant, was married to Marie,
Archduchess of Austria.
"In 1848, when Louis Philippe was overthrown in France, some disturbance
occurred, and Leopold offered to abdicate; but his proposition was not
accepted, and he wisely and skilfully led his government through all the
troubles of that excitable period. He is a wise and prudent statesman,
and as such has had a great deal of influence in Europe.
"Now, young gentlemen, I trust you will not be satisfied with this
meagre sketch of the interesting country we are now visiting, but will
read up the subject so that you will understand it better."
Mr. Mapps left his position, and the studies of the morning were
commenced. After dinner the usual shore liberty was given, the
allowances paid in French francs, a supply of which had been procured in
London, and the students were landed. Instead of going on shore
immediately, Dr. Winstock and Paul paid a visit to the Victoria and
Albert.
At the gangway they found the steward of the ship, who volunteered to
conduct them through the vessel. There was nothing strikingly peculiar
in the exterior of the yacht, except that she had large, square windows,
composed of a single pane of glass, in her upper saloons and cabins; but
the steward informed the visitors that these were replaced in heavy
weather by wooden shutters, having only the small, round ports in them.
Between the paddle-boxes was a large open space, covered over by the
hurricane deck. On each side, abaft the wheels, was a small apartment,
or pavilion, with large glass windows, elegantly cushioned and
furnished, where the royal passengers could sit in rough weather, and
look out upon the sea. On the hurricane deck was a spacious
dining-saloon.
From the open space between the wheels, the steward conducted Dr.
Winstock and Paul to a passage-way, at the after end of which was a
saloon called the breakfast-room. Its length corresponded with the width
of the vessel, and one side was round, being formed at the stern of the
vessel, in which were several of the large square windows, so that the
apartment was very light and pleasant.
On each side of the passage-way were several apartments, arranged in
suits. Returning to the open space amidships, the party entered the
forward room on the starboard side.
"This is the room of the first lady in waiting," said the steward, as
they went in.
"I should say the first lady in waiting was well accommodated," said
Paul, laughing, as he glanced at the spacious apartment.
"But she may be a countess," replied the steward, leading the way to the
next room. "This is the queen's bed-chamber."
There was a large bed in this room, which looked just like anybody's
bed; but it was by no means so elegant as the young republican had
anticipated. The apartment was rich and costly in its furnishings, but
there was none of the magnificence which one would have expected to find
in the room of a queen.
"This is the dressing-room of Prince Albert," added the steward,
entering the next room. "Her majesty allows no one to occupy it since
the death of his highness."
Beyond this, on the same side, were shown several rooms appropriated to
the use of the princesses. They corresponded in style with those of the
queen; but in nothing connected with the yacht was there any gaudy
display. The party went to the opposite side, and were shown several
rooms like those they had just seen, which were occupied by the princes.
The forward room on the port side was the drawing-room. It was larger
than any other except the breakfast-room, but did not appear to be
extravagantly furnished; everything seemed to be provided for comfort
rather than show.
The conductor then led them forward, where, on each side of a passage,
were four rooms, each provided with a handsome, narrow bedstead, which
the steward said were for the use of the lords and ladies in waiting.
Forward of these, in the bow of the vessel, was the kitchen, a
three-cornered room like that on the Young America, with a large galley
or cooking-range in the middle.
Below the royal apartments, in the after part of the ship, were the
cabins for the servants. As the steward led his guests towards the
gangway, Dr. Winstock took out his purse.
"Never mind that just now," interposed their conductor, "especially as
there is the captain."
Paul wondered if the doctor intended to insult a person of so much
consequence as the steward of the queen's yacht must be, by offering him
money. He glanced at the captain, who was a fine-looking man, in naval
uniform, as the steward led the way to the accommodation steps. The
doctor slyly slipped a couple of English shillings into the man's hand,
and they went down into their boat.
"What did you give him, sir?" asked Paul.
"Two shillings."
"Well, it seems to me the steward of any American passenger steamer
would be angry if you gave him two shillings for his services."
"If I had not met these men before, I should not have dared to do it;
but it is expected," replied the doctor.
The boat pulled up to the Quai Vandyck, and Paul for the first time put
his foot upon the continent of Europe.
CHAPTER VIII.
ANTWERP AND RUBENS.
"Where shall we go first, Paul?" asked Dr. Winstock, when they landed
upon the quay.
"I don't know, sir; I think I shall be interested wherever we go. This
is a big city--isn't it?"
"Its population is hardly more than half of what it was in the days of
its greatest prosperity. In the days of Charles V. it is said that
twenty-five hundred vessels were frequently seen at one time in the
river. It had two hundred thousand inhabitants, and was then the richest
and most thriving commercial city in Europe. You perceive that this long
line of quays affords plenty of wharf room. Indeed the name of the city
is said to be derived from a Flemish phrase, '_aen't werf_,' which means
on the wharf, or on the quay."
"Mr. Motley tells another story about its name. He says the people claim
that the city is very old, and that a giant by the name of Antigonus,
established himself on the river at this place, and set up a kind of
custom-house. He required half the merchandise of those who went up the
river. He used to cut off the right hands of those who attempted to
smuggle, and throw them into the river. In this way _Hand werpen_, or
hand throwing, came to be the name of the place," said the young
commander.
"I suppose that story is as true now as it ever was. But where shall we
go?" asked the doctor.
"I want to get a little nearer to that Cathedral," replied Paul.
"That is really the most noted thing in Antwerp, and we will walk up
there; and I think we shall be able to see the pictures on the church,
which are required to produce an income. The Cathedral used to be open
till one o'clock, free to the public, but the curtains were carefully
drawn over these great works of art; after this hour visitors were
admitted upon the payment of one franc, and the pictures were exhibited.
Doubtless the same regulation is in force now."
A walk of a few moments brought them to the Place Verte, a little park
enclosed, with a colossal statue of Rubens in the centre.
"Everything in Antwerp is Rubens," said the doctor. "The people believe
in him still, and almost worship his memory."
"Why should they? He was only a great painter--was he?" added Paul.
"He was more than that: he was quite distinguished as a statesman and a
diplomatist. He was ambassador to England, Holland, and other countries.
His celebrity as an artist, and his influence with the crowned heads of
several nations, caused him to be regarded with deep interest by the
people. He lived in a splendid mansion, for the immense income which he
derived from his pencil enabled him to support an elegant
establishment. He had a great number of pupils, and at one period in his
career they painted no inconsiderable part of his pictures. He had
orders from all the crowned heads of Europe, and in many of his works he
could only make the designs and give the finishing touches to them. He
was very industrious, and painted rapidly, as he must have done to
produce so many pictures."
"He humbugged his customers then--didn't he?"
"His assistants did only the heavy work, while Rubens furnished the
design, and gave the work its finishing touches. The celebrated
sculptors do not perform all the drudgery of chiselling out a statue.
Wherever you go in Antwerp, you will hear of Rubens. You will find his
works in all the galleries, you will visit his house in the Rue Rubens,
his pictures will be shown to you in every church, and you will see his
tomb in St. Jacques."
"They have Rubens on the brain, as we should say at home," laughed Paul.
"Yes, and they have it badly. From this point you have a good view of
the Cathedral," added the doctor, as they paused near the statue of
Rubens, where they could see the building over the tops of the trees.
"The steeple is very handsome. It is of the most beautiful and delicate
workmanship you will see."
"I should think it would blow down."
"It is banded together with a framework of iron, and the stones are held
together with copper bolts."
"How high is it?" asked Paul, as he gazed up at the lofty spire.
"There you have me, Paul! I don't know. In Murray's Guide-Book it is
set down at four hundred and three feet. The man up in the tower there
says it is four hundred and sixty-six. Other authorities put it at less
than four hundred. My guide assured me it was one hundred and
forty-seven French metres in height; but this, reduced to English
measure, would give four hundred and eighty-three feet. My own idea is,
that Murray is right," replied Dr. Winstock, as they walked over to the
church.
"What's this?" asked Paul, pointing to a beautiful iron canopy in Gothic
style, near the foot of the church tower.
"That's a draw-well. It is the handiwork of Quentin Matsys."
"I don't know him."
"He was a blacksmith until he was twenty years old, when he fell in love
with the fair daughter of a painter. The story goes that the father
would not permit his daughter to marry any man that was not an artist,
and the blacksmith abandoned his anvil for the easel. He had a genius
for art, and soon painted better than his masters. He won his bride, and
achieved a great reputation in his new art. The picture of The Misers,
which you saw at Windsor Castle, was executed by him."
They bought a couple of tickets and were admitted to the church. The
interior was grand and imposing; but the chief attraction was the
pictures, which were now unveiled, and a small audience was present
examining them. Several artists were making copies of them. In the south
transept hangs Reubens's masterpiece, The Descent from the Cross.
Paul did not pretend to be a connoisseur in paintings, and could neither
understand nor appreciate the fine writing he read about them in books,
or the "hifalutin" which affected men bestowed upon them; but in the
presence of the grand old painting, he was awed and silenced. It
produced a deep impression upon his mind and heart, and for the first
time in his life he realized the sublime in art. The figure of The Dead
Christ seemed to be real, so painfully natural were the hanging head of
the Savior, and the relaxed muscles of the body. The young student gazed
long and earnestly at the picture, studying it as a whole and in detail.
It is said that Rubens paid this picture as the price of the land on
which he erected his house in Antwerp. In the north transept of the
Cathedral hangs its companion piece, The Elevation of the Cross; but its
reputation is far inferior to his masterpiece, grand as it is.
Paul walked about the church, and examined other pictures and works of
art; and then, after paying the keeper of the tower a franc, they
commenced the long ascent to the spire and chimes.
"These churches and these pictures are certainly very fine," said Paul,
as they stopped at a window to rest. "We don't have them in our country.
There isn't a church there that will compare with any of these
cathedrals, to say nothing of the celebrated pictures, such as we have
just seen."
"That's very true; and I am thankful that our people make a better use
of their money. Here in Belgium, as in most countries of Europe, poverty
is the curse of the people. They do not receive the reward of their
labor. The government and the church take the lion's share of their
earnings, and thus keep them down. This Cathedral was commenced in 1352,
and finished in 1411, though another spire was to have been built.
Nearly sixty years were employed in its erection, and probably it cost
millions of dollars. Of course the people had to pay for it. The greater
portion of the expense of it lies dormant here, it being merely an
ornamental structure. It gratifies people's tastes, it is true; but God
could be acceptably worshipped in a less costly edifice. If the capital
locked up in this church had been invested in schools, colleges, and
other educational institutions, it would be a blessing to the country.
What is paid in Europe to build these grand structures for worship, and
to support the trappings of royalty, is in our own country appropriated
to public schools; and the nation reaps the benefit of them every year
of its existence."
"That's so," replied Paul, emphatically; "and when any foreigner says
anything to me again about our want of costly cathedrals, I shall call
his attention to our schools."
"That's right; you are an American to the core," laughed the doctor.
"But I don't see any reason why we should not have as great painters in
the United States as in Europe," added Paul.
"I do see the reason. Probably we have just as much talent for art in
our nation, but the people find that it doesn't pay so well as
developing the resources of a new country. When it is possible in
America for a man to win the wealth and distinction which Rubens won,
we shall be as successful in art as Europe has been; for Washington
Allston, Benjamin West, and others have demonstrated the capacity of our
people in this direction. The encouragement which artists receive makes
the men. There are not many persons in our country who are willing to
pay ten, fifty, or a hundred thousand dollars for a picture. So much
money in a painting is dead capital among an energetic people who need
all they can get to carry on agricultural, commercial, and manufacturing
enterprises."
"Of course people will follow that calling which pays best, either in
money or in reputation."
"Certainly, and the number of Dutch and Flemish artists assures us that
painting has been a cherished art in the Low Countries. Vandyck was
another celebrated painter of this country. He was born in Antwerp, and
was a pupil of Rubens. There is a story that The Descent from the Cross
was thrown down by the carelessness of a student, and badly injured by
the fall. Vandyck, who was then a pupil of the great Flemish master,
undertook to repair the mischief with his brush, and did it so well that
Rubens declared the work was superior to his own. This story is current
in the guide-books, and in the mouths of the _commissionaires_, who
point out the places on the face of the Virgin and on the arm of one of
the Marys where the pupil touched it up. But there is no truth in it,
since the picture was hung up in the Cathedral before Vandyck entered
the studio of Rubens."
"I suppose these people like to tell good stories, whether true or not."
"Yes; and you will find a man up in this steeple who believes that his
spire is the tallest in the world," added Dr. Winstock.
They continued on their long ascent till they reached the region of the
bells, where they found the attendant who glories in magnifying the
wonders of the chimes and the spire. He had a small furnished apartment,
which the visitors were invited to enter, and where he dispensed
refreshments, of which no total abstinence man could partake. The
doctor, knowing what the man had to say, skilfully turned his attention
away from his favorite topic, until they were sufficiently
refreshed--not by the _eau de vie_ and _noyau_, but by the rest--to
explore the bell towers.
The bells composing the chime were fixed in the lofts, which were filled
with wires, cranks, and other machinery, used in operating them. In one
place there was a bank of keys like those of an organ, where a person
could play any tune he pleased upon the bells. The keeper had a history
to relate of each bell, many of which were contributed by kings,
princes, and lords, and bore their names. In another tower there was an
immense bell, at the baptism of which--for church bells are duly
consecrated in Catholic countries--the Emperor Charles V. stood as
godfather. It requires sixteen men to ring it; but its peals rouse the
Antwerpers only on great occasions, such as a visit of the king.
Dr. Winstock and Paul waited among the chimes till they had played the
hourly tune, and then continued their progress to the heights above.
The custodian of the steeple said there were six hundred and sixteen
steps from the bottom to the top, and a person does not care to make the
journey more than once in his lifetime. The winding stairs passed close
to the Gothic openings of the tower, and they had an opportunity closely
to observe the delicate workmanship of the structure, which Charles V.
said should be kept in a glass case, and Napoleon compared to Mechlin
lace.
At last, out of breath, they reached the highest point of the spire, and
looked far down upon the lofty roof of the church. The buildings of the
city looked like card houses, and a company of Belgian soldiers,
marching in the streets, appeared like the pygmies who inhabited them.
In the distance could be seen the towers of Ghent, Brussels, Mechlin,
and Flushing, the wandering Scheldt, and the low country for a vast
distance. The magnificent view, and the information it afforded, amply
repaid them for the toil of ascending, and Paul made the Cathedral the
subject of an entire letter to Miss Grace Arbuckle.
It was easier to go down than to come up, and when they had passed out
into the Place Verte, the doctor declared that he must lunch before he
walked any farther. The Hotel de l'Europe faced the Park, and Paul was
desirous of seeing the interior of it. They entered through an archway,
there being no doors on the street. There was a spacious area, or
court-yard, through which alone the house could be reached. In other
respects the establishment was similar to those in the United States.
On the continent, as in England, none but working people take breakfast
much before nine o'clock, and the hour varies from this time till noon.
Of late years the practice in American hotels corresponds with that of
European ones. In the dining-room of the Hotel de l'Europe there are
many small tables, and one or two long ones, the latter being used at
table d'hote, which is served at five o'clock. A hotel bill is added, to
give the reader an idea of the prices:--
"HOTEL DE L'EUROPE.
_Place Verte._
ANVERS.
Note a M. Smith,
Chambre No. 40, A.
Fr. Cen.
Aout 4. 1/2 Poulet et Salade, 3.00
1 The Complet, 1.50
Appartement, 2.50
Bougie, .50
Service, 1.00
5. 1 Dejeune et Bifstek, 3.00
1 Bifstek, Pomme de Terre, 1.50
-----
13.00
Pour Acquit,
J. W. BARBER."
"One The Complet" consists of simply tea and bread and butter, and as a
franc is about twenty cents, its price is thirty cents. A centime is the
hundredth of a franc, and fifty centimes is ten cents. If the guest adds
a beefsteak and potatoes, or any other dish, to his meal, it just
doubles the cost. The "bougie" is a candle, which is charged all over
Europe, at from a quarter of a franc up to a franc. The traveller also
pays for his soap, or provides it himself. When an "old stager" pays a
franc for a candle, or a piece of soap, he rolls the part unused up in a
paper and puts it into his trunk; and, if at his next stopping-place, he
finds a candle in his room, he orders the waiter to remove it, and will
not submit to be charged for it.
Table d'hote is a more formal meal, and in some large hotels much parade
is made over it. The bill of fare is usually very meagre compared with
that of the Fifth Avenue Hotel in New York, and every dish in the
programme is presented to the guest. The charge for this meal, at
first-class houses outside of Paris, is usually four francs, or eighty
cents.
Dr. Winstock and Paul took a seat in the _Salle a manger_. The student
was principally anxious to know what they had to eat, and in what manner
they served it, for he was of an inquiring mind, and fond of making
comparisons. The most common lunch consists of cold chicken and salad,
the latter being simply lettuce prepared with oil and vinegar. Paul was
disappointed, for the lunch differed hardly a shade from the same thing
at home. Even the gentlemanly Belgian waiter, dressed in seemly black,
spoke good English, and the "demi-poulet" was wasted upon him.
"Where shall we go now, Paul?" asked the doctor, as they left the
dining-room.
"I leave that to you, sir. You seem to be quite at home here," replied
Paul.
"We will take a carriage, and we can do up the city in a few hours."
A one-horse barouche was called, and a _commissionaire_--a kind of guide
or interpreter, who assists strangers in doing their business, or in
seeing the sights of the city--presented himself to be employed; but Dr.
Winstock, who was familiar with the place, declined his services.
"What was that man?" asked Paul, as the carriage drove off to the Rue
des Soeurs Noires, where the Dominican Church of St. Paul is located.
"He is a _commissionaire_, interpreter, or _valet de place_. Many
travellers regard such men as swindlers; but for my own part I have
found them very useful. When I first visited Antwerp I employed one. I
found him intelligent and gentlemanly, and, so far as I could judge, not
disposed to swindle me himself or to let others do so. I paid him five
francs a day, and I am sure he saved me more money than I paid him,
besides taking me in the easiest and most convenient way to the various
points in the city."
"I should think such men would be very necessary, especially to those
who cannot speak the language."
"In Amsterdam and Rotterdam I should have been on my beam-ends without
them. I never could imagine where they obtained their bad name, unless
it was from Englishmen, who are generally afraid of being cheated, and
take the alarm before there is any real danger."
The driver stopped before the Church of St. Paul, and the passengers
alighted. There was nothing worthy of note in the church; but outside of
it, in a kind of garden, one of the most singular and remarkable
exhibitions is open to the visitor. It is called "Calvary," and is a
representation of the "several stages," as they are termed, in the life
of Christ. An artificial mound is raised on the side next to the church
edifice, which is covered with a kind of rock-work, in imitation of
Mount Calvary. In various parts of the area are placed the statues of
saints, angels, patriarchs, and prophets.
On the summit of the mound is represented the crucifixion, with a figure
of the Savior on the cross. At the foot of it is the sepulchre, which is
claimed to be a perfect copy of the Holy Sepulchre at Jerusalem, though
travellers who have seen it say it bears no resemblance whatever to the
original. In the tomb, on a kind of shelf, rests the crucified Christ,
represented by a figure clothed in silk and muslin!
Near the tomb an ideal of Purgatory is exhibited, consisting of wood
carvings. The making-up of the scene appears to be a kind of cage, like
those one sees in a menagerie, with bars in front of it to prevent the
escape of the unhappy mortals temporarily confined there. Within the den
are carved and painted several figures of men, in the midst of darting,
leaping flames, upon whose faces there is an expression of intense
anguish. Doubtless the intention of those who conceived this astounding
exhibition was to impress upon the mind of the spectator the sufferings
of the unrepentant wicked. It is hardly possible that this effect could
ever have been produced upon the minds of sensible men. The spectacle is
not only in exceedingly bad taste, but it is positively repulsive, not
to say sacrilegious.
Such was the opinion of Paul Kendall, who could hardly conceal his
disgust; and ten minutes in the place exhausted his patience. He was
silent, so deep was his feeling of dissatisfaction, until he was again
seated in the _voiture_. The next objects of interest were the docks and
basins, which were reached after a short drive from St. Paul's. They
merely passed along the quay, making no stop, as the works could be seen
from the carriage.
"That is the house of the Hanseatic League," said the doctor, pointing
to a large ancient building.
"What is the Hanseatic League?" asked Paul, who had never even heard of
it.
"It was a commercial alliance between some of the cities of Germany for
the protection and development of their trade. It had its origin in the
thirteenth century, for the purpose of preventing piracy and shipwreck,
and to encourage commerce, and, indeed, all branches of industry. It
established great warehouses or factories in different parts of Europe,
and became an exceedingly powerful association, so much so that it
dictated the policy of sovereigns on their thrones, and even declared
and carried on war with several of the powers of Europe. In the
fourteenth century, the League defeated the King of Norway and Sweden.
It unseated the King of Sweden, and gave his crown to another, and
having declared war against Denmark, sent a fleet of two hundred and
fifty ships, and thousands of troops to carry it on. In fact, the
association prepared for war with England, and Edward IV. made important
concessions to avoid it. Of course the crowned heads were jealous of
its power and influence, and it was eventually broken up; but it laid
the foundation of the commercial policy of the nations. The League died
out in 1630; but Hamburg, Lubec, and Bremen formed a new one, under the
name of the Hanse Towns; and Frankfort-on-the-Main afterwards joined
them."
"I have heard of the Hanse Towns," added Paul; "but I never knew what
the term meant before."
"The docks and basins here are mainly the work of Napoleon. The great
conqueror intended to make Antwerp the first seaport of the north. The
mouth of the Thames is less than a hundred miles from the mouth of the
Scheldt, and he knew that, with a naval station equal to any in the
possession of England, he could, in time of war, cripple or destroy the
commerce of his great rival. He expended ten millions of dollars on
these docks, basins, and fortifications. The English were alarmed, and
in 1809 sent the Walcheren expedition, which obtained a foothold on that
island, but were defeated by disease and death, for seven thousand
British soldiers perished by marsh fever. By the peace of Paris in 1814,
after the battle of Waterloo, it was stipulated that the dock-yards
should be destroyed, for they were a standing threat to the maritime
powers; but these basins were preserved for commercial purposes. The
largest one will accommodate thirty-four ships of the line."
The travellers continued on their way through some of the principal
streets till they arrived at the Church of St. Jacques, which is richer
in its ornaments than the Cathedral, containing exquisitely wrought
marbles, carved wood, painted glass. This magnificent church contains
the burial vaults of the noble families of the city, and among them that
of Rubens, which is marked by a white marble tablet with a long
inscription upon it, embedded in the pavement of his private chapel. The
Holy Family, which forms the altar-piece of the church, was painted by
the great master. In 1793, when the mob, incited by the furious spirit
of the French Revolution, broke into the church, pillaging altars and
tombs alike, that of Rubens was spared from desecration by the universal
respect for his memory, though not another tomb in St. Jacques escaped
their impious touch.
The house of Rubens, situated in a street of the same name, was visited;
an outside view of the Bourse, or Exchange, the Hotel de Ville, or Town
Hall, and of other public buildings, was obtained. The Citadel, built
under the direction of the cruel Duke of Alva, to overawe the rebellious
Antwerpers, was an object of interest. After the expulsion of the
Spaniards in 1577, the people, including those of high and low degree,
men, women, and children, assisted in its demolition; but it was
speedily rebuilt, and has played an important part in subsequent sieges
and insurrections. The city is surrounded by a continuous line of
fortifications and ditches, extending from a point on the river below
the city to a point above it; and outside of this line there are a
number of detached forts to keep a hostile force from approaching near
enough to the city to shell it.
When the carriage reached the Quai Vandyck, most of the students had
returned, and the boats were in waiting. They chattered like magpies
about the wonders they had seen. When Captain Kendall went on board, the
mail-bag was handed to him, and the boys were eager to obtain their
letters from home and elsewhere.
"A letter for you, Mr. Hamblin," said the captain, as he handed the
professor a formidable envelope, postmarked "Anvers."
The learned gentleman seemed to be astonished, and bore the missive to
his state-room.
CHAPTER IX.
TROUBLE ON BOARD THE JOSEPHINE.
Almost every one on board of the Josephine had a letter, and some had
two or three. Paul had one from Grace, dated at Paris, in which she
expressed a
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