Having already so successfully enacted the part of a petitioner, I determined to try my luck once more, and accordingly hunted up the Honourable Mortimer, who had retired to his cabin. One of the hobbies of our somewhat eccentric “third” was the collection of choice weapons, several valuable specimens of which adorned his state-room. If he ever saw anything specially curious or choice in the shape of sword or pistol, he never rested until he had made it his own; but when once the coveted article had come into his possession he seemed to lose all further interest in it, and accordingly, being also a good-natured individual enough, he was always ready to lend from his stock, provided an undertaking were entered into to take due care of the borrowed article, and to faithfully return it.
To this accommodating friend I briefly stated my case, which was simply, that as there was just a bare possibility—I did not like to put it any stronger, remembering that he was one of the disappointed ones—of my being present at the storming of the redoubt, I was anxious to be provided with some more efficient weapon than my dirk, and that I would feel very much obliged to him if he would lend me one of his swords. This he at once did, bidding me take my choice, and I thereupon selected a beautiful Turkish scimitar, the curved blade of which, inlaid with a delicate scroll pattern in gold, was as keen as a razor. Tucking this under my arm, and thanking him duly for his kindness, I next hurried away to the armourer, and wheedled him out of a pair of ship’s pistols, together with the necessary ammunition; after which I returned to the deck and awaited my ally, calm in the consciousness that I was now prepared for any and every emergency. I was almost immediately afterwards joined by Bob, whose face beamed with delight as he directed my attention to a ship’s cutlass which he had girded to his thigh, and a pair of long-barrelled duelling-pistols which our fire-eating “second” had entrusted to his care. We at once trundled down over the side into our cockleshell of a boat, and, getting on board the “Mouette” with all speed, roused up the anchor and dodged about well in view of the admiral, keeping a sharp lookout for the “whiff” in the mizzen-rigging, which was our especial signal for service.
Chapter Eighteen.
The Storming of the Redoubt, and the Attack on Bastia.
As the afternoon wore on the wind grew light, and by eight bells it had so far died away that it was practically valueless to the boats which were to convey the naval brigade to the shore. The admiral, however, would not allow the men to row, being anxious that they should reach the scene of action fresh and vigorous; at the last moment, therefore, one of the lieutenants belonging to the “Victory” was sent onboard the “Requin”—or the “Shark,” as she was now almost universally called—with orders to get under weigh and tow the flotilla down to the cove.
At the same time our signal was made, in obedience to which we went through the fleet and took on board Lord Hood, Sir Hyde Parker, Vice-Admiral Hotham, Captain Purvis of the “Princess Royal,” Commodore Linzee, Captain Elphinstone of the “Robust,” Captain Nelson of the “Agamemnon,” and some half a dozen other officers who were going on shore to witness the attack.
By the time that we had embarked all our passengers, the “Shark” was under weigh and dodging about, waiting for the boats, which were alongside their respective ships, taking in their proper complement of men.
When all was ready, the boats shoved off and pulled for the brig, which was by this time hove-to in readiness for taking them in tow. Admiral Hood himself marshalled the boats in the order which he wished them to take; and two stout hawsers being passed out of the brig’s stern-ports, the boats were lashed to them in two divisions, larboard and starboard; and when everything was arranged to the satisfaction of our chief, he gave the order for the brig to fill, and away we went.