Ben Burton: Born and Bred at Sea

by William Henry Giles Kingston

“Hillo! Who is that? Bless my heart, who are you?” exclaimed Oldershaw. “What! Ben Burton! Is it possible!”

We were all of us, it must be remembered, in Eastern dresses, finding them far more comfortable than those we had laid aside.

“Yes, and I am here too!” sung out Dicky Esse.

“I am heartily glad of it,” exclaimed Oldershaw. “We thought you had all been knocked on the head by the savages long ago. And have any more of you escaped?”

“Yes, sir,” said Toby Kiddle. “Here am I, and here’s Pat Brady, and these two men of the ‘Resolution,’ and fortunate men they are, for they are the only ones alive out of the whole ship’s company.”

Oldershaw now learned from us, for the first time, of the sad loss of the frigate. We told him also how well we had been treated by the Rajah. On this Oldershaw went up and shook him by the hand, and told Smith to assure him that no harm would be done him or his people, and that the captain of the frigate would be very much obliged to him for the way he had treated us. The old chief seemed highly pleased, and ordered pipes and coffee to be brought aft, and in ten minutes we were all seated in the after part of the prow, smoking the fragrant weed and sipping the warm beverage, while the Malays were doing the honours to our men. I need not say, however, that Oldershaw told us all to keep a bright look-out, so that, in case of treachery being intended, we might not be taken by surprise. The frigate stood on, and from the rapid firing we heard, it was pretty evident that she was roughly handling the other prows. The chief shrugged his shoulders. “It was the will of Allah,” he said: “if his people were killed, it was not his fault, nor was it ours, so he hoped it would not interfere with our present friendly relations.” Such, at least, was something like the interpretation which Smith gave us of his remarks. At length the frigate was seen running back. As she approached, we fired a gun to draw her attention, and in a short time she was up to us, shortening sail as she approached. Another boat now came off from her, when Esse and I went on board and reported ourselves to Captain Oliver. He was walking the quarter-deck when we appeared at the gangway. “What!” he exclaimed, “you my midshipmen! I thought when I saw you that you were a couple of young Malays. Come into the cabin, and let me hear your account. I am, indeed, heartily glad to hear that you have escaped.” Mr Schank expressed equal satisfaction at again seeing us, as, indeed, did all our shipmates. When he heard how well we had been treated by the old Rajah, he sent to request his presence on board, that he might thank him personally for his kindness to us. After some little delay, notice was given that the Rajah was coming on board in one of our boats. The sides were manned to do him honour, and in a short time he appeared at the gangway, no longer habited in the dingy costume in which we had seen him, but superbly dressed with a turban glittering with gems, and richly jewelled sword by his side, attended by four other persons also finely habited. Without the slightest embarrassment, he followed the captain, after a due amount of salaams had passed between them, into the cabin. He there took his seat with perfect composure, and Smith was summoned to act as interpreter. Captain Oliver again thanked him for his kindness to us, and then took occasion to express his regret that he should ever be engaged in deeds of which the English could not approve, such as robbing vessels and knocking their crews on the head, or sending them overboard. The old chief did not for a moment deny that such were his usual occupations, but observed quietly that his fathers had done the same before him, and, as it was necessary to live, he should be glad to hear if the English chief could point out any better occupation. “Surely,” he remarked, “you do just the same. What are all these guns for? For what are the arms you and your people carry, but to rob and kill your enemies?” and the old gentleman chuckled, fully believing that he had checkmated the infidel chief.

“Well, well,” answered Captain Oliver, “we will talk of that another time; but have you any favour to ask which it is in my power to grant, as I shall be glad to do anything to please you, to show my gratitude.”

The Rajah thought a moment. “No,” he said. “You have refrained from sending my vessel to the bottom when you had the power to do so, and I have no more to ask since you allow me to go free. But there is one favour. I should like again to see your dancing-man go through his wonderful performance.”

Until we explained the remark, Captain Oliver was puzzled to know what his guest meant. “What do you say, Schank. We have a few men on board who can dance, besides the Irishman, have we not?”

“Yes, sir, there are several,” observed Mr Schank.