Chapter V: Captain Cleat in His True Colours

UNFORTUNATELY, the wind that had served us so well in clearing the harbour soon fell light, and barely drifting with the tide, the _Damsel of Lyme_ stood slowly down the Solent.

I now had time to ponder over recent events, for Captain Cleat, roundly cursing the faint breeze, had retired to his cabin, leaving one of the seamen, a red-faced, curly-headed lout with a vile temper--as I soon found out--at the tiller. This seaman rejoiced in the name of James, but whether 'twas his Christian name or otherwise I could never find out. When he was not spluttering with rage he was peevish, often complaining like a spoilt child; and looking back, I cannot call to mind which mood was to be preferred. From my first day afloat I got to loathe my shipmate, while he took every opportunity to make my lot uncomfortable.

The other seaman, known as "Old Garge," as a tall, sparsely-built man of about forty. He, too, roundly detested his shipmate, but since James was in petty authority, being regarded as first mate of the pinnace, he thought fit to keep in with him. Nevertheless, Garge was of a kindly nature, despite his rough exterior, and, when out of James' sight and hearing, did not hesitate to show me a deal of consideration.

The pinnace still carried way, being borne rapidly westward by the strong tide. We were abreast of Lymington River, when I heard Captain Cleat bellow out for James to come aft. It was such a roar that the Captain gave--though he was always shouting when on shipboard--that even the surly seaman showed signs of surprise and ran aft in no leisurely manner.

Presently up the after-hatchway appeared the head and shoulders of Captain Hannibal Cleat. Then he paused to give vent to a string of curses, and with a heave, assisted by his man, he brought into view my friend Jack Staynton.

Even I could scarcely recognise him. His face and hands, being moist with sweat, were smothered with a charcoal-like substance, while his smart clothes were soiled and discoloured by the same gritty stuff.

To the accompaniment of a liberal dose of handcuffs and kicks, my unfortunate companion was dropped upon the deck like a sack, where he lay entreating the Captain to forbear and hear him, while I stood by helplessly looking on at the inhuman treatment bestowed by a man who had been Master Staynton's guest for weeks past.

At last the lad contrived to make Captain Cleat understand that he was Jack Staynton. Thereupon he withheld his hand.

"Then what are you doing aboard the _Damsel of Lyme_?" he demanded with an oath. "Sink me, I took you for a stowaway! How did you get here?"

"I hid," replied Jack. "You said you wanted another 'prentice----"

"In the face of what I told you, you tried to fool me, eh?" interrupted Captain Cleat. "Now, you couldn't have got down that hatch by yourself. Who helped you? that leather-livered cub, Roy, I'll swear."

Jack did not reply; thereupon the Captain called me.

"Here, you lying son of a sea-cook; what made you try and play the fool like this?" Then in a softer tone he added: "Jack, dost know what's on your clothes? 'Tis gunpowder, so stand aside and shake the grains clear to lee'ard."

I trembled in spite of myself, for I remembered having offered to light Jack's hiding-place with a candle lamp.

"I'm not to be thwarted," continued my master. "To that end I'll put you aboard the first vessel we meet. Unless mine eyes deceive me, there's a shallop standing in past Hurst Castle. Think of your parents' anxiety, Jack."

Somehow or other I did not think that these last words rang true, and there was a strange expression in the Captain's eye that boded no good for me when once my comrade was clear of the ship.

"Nay, sir," quoth Jack. "Concerning my parents, they have already decided to send me to sea; moreover, I have told Master Ridge to let them know ere nightfall. That being so, why cannot I remain? You need not fear to treat me as the others, and, grammercy, I've had a full share already, methinks."

"Nay," replied Captain Cleat shortly. "'Tis useless to think of it."

With that he walked over to where James had resumed his place at the tiller, and bade him steer towards the little craft we had sighted. She was a fishing-boat, and the wind being light and contrary, they had taken to their oars, and were attempting to take advantage of the counter eddy that swirls past the walls of Hurst Castle.

"'Tis not to be, Ralph," said Jack, "so the best of friends must part. But the Captain seems of a strange nature--far different from when he was at our home. Methinks you will find him a hard master."

{Illustration: "THE TWENTY-NINTH DAY OF JUNE!" HE EXCLAIMED
IMPATIENTLY. [_p. 30._}

"He dealt brutally with you," I replied.

"Ay, I wot I am one mass of bruises. But, there, 'twas done in a temper, and he knew not who I was. Now, Ralph, I want you----"

My companion's request was interrupted by the Captain shouting for him to come aft, for the shallop, in reply to a hail, had rounded-to and lay alongside our quarter.

"In you jump, young master," ordered the Captain. "These men will land you at Portsmouth as soon as can be done; 'twill cost thy father a mark; but do you present him with my compliments and say 'tis a sum well spent."

With that, and before Jack could bid me farewell, Captain Cleat lifted him clear of the low bulwarks and dropped him into the arms of one of the fishermen.

For a long time I watched the distance slowly lengthen between the two vessels, till a beam wind springing up that was favourable to both, the shallop was lost to view in the haze.

Suddenly I was interrupted by the Captain's strident voice:

"Boy, come aft--I want you."

I hastened to obey, and standing bareheaded before him, was cowed by the malevolent expression upon his bearded face.

"Now, you insubordinate young whelp, I would have words with you. First tell me, why did you break into my cabin, being contrary to my orders?"

"I knew of no such order, sir, neither did I break into the place."

"You lying, prevaricating young sea-lawyer!" he stormed. "I'll teach you to obey. Take off your doublet."

Slowly I did as he ordered. My senses were numbed, yet I knew that I was to be soundly whipped. I remember looking longingly at the shore, and had it been nearer I would have sprung overboard and made an effort to reach it. Captain Cleat must have read my mind, for he shouted, "Wouldst add the crime of breaking ship to your other villainies? Oh that a youth so wholly wicked should have been palmed off on me!" and he seized me by the arm.

I remembered his grip when outside the quay gate. 'Twas vice-like then, but now 'twas like to snap my arm. Then tearing my doublet from my back, he called to James to trice me to the mast.

Taking his place at the tiller, the Captain watched the proceedings with a fiendish leer, while his assistant was not one whit less eager to carry out his orders.

'Twas over at last, and with my back torn and bruised with the savage rope's ending, I was cast loose and told to make myself scarce. Blindly I groped my way to the forepeak, where Old Garge, who had heard the noise on deck, but had not thought it prudent to show himself, washed my wounds with fresh water, and told me to lie down in my bunk.

Early next morning I was awakened by the tramp of feet on deck. "Up with you," said Garge; "they're changing watch, and 'tis your trick."

Painfully I gained the open air. Away on our starboard hand was a long line of lofty rugged granite cliffs fringed with a line of white foam, while seaward the skyline was unbroken.

But 'twas not the land that attracted my attention; on deck were six ferocious-looking rascals besides Captain Cleat and his minion James. I vaguely remembered having seen the men before, till, like a flash, the truth came to me. They were the former crew of the _Damsel of Lyme_, who, being convicted of piracy, were to have been drowned at the foreshore this very day!

Observing my unrestrained look of surprise, Captain Cleat called me over to where he stood.

"Well, sirrah! cannot I ship a number of new hands without causing you to gape like the mouth of the bottomless pit? Know you that these new shipmates of ours were transferred from the barque _Nonsuch_ during the night, they having had good and just cause to take up their discharges from that ship?"

"But they are the same men as I saw marched off under guard from this----"

I stopped suddenly, for the Captain's look of surprise at my announcement gave place to a grim smile.

"Sink me, young Roy!" he exclaimed, "you are far smarter than I thought. Ay, you are right, and being a sensible lad, you will keep your own counsel--and mine--in this matter. There's a quick fortune to be made upon the sea, my hearty, and we are going to do it. A fair share for each of the crew, but 'twill mean hard work and no shrinking at trifles. When Captain Hannibal Cleat means to do a thing he is not to be turned from his purpose. Thus, for example, 'twas I who secured these men's release and brought them safely aboard, here to follow once again their calling. But, mark you, one unguarded word, and you are food for the sharks. E'en if you give us the slip you are doomed, for be it a score or more years hence the end will be sure and certain. More, you are even now one of the crew of a pirate ship, and if captured will assuredly be hanged in chains, for who would take your word, being caught red-handed? Now for'ard you go, and learn your trade at the hands of the crew."

Quickly I went, for I had good cause to remember the rope's end. I was well-nigh stunned by the startling news, yet the fact was plain enough. Captain Hannibal Cleat had shown himself in his true colours.