Read Ebook: The Armed Ship America; Or When We Sailed from Salem by Otis James Kennedy J W Illustrator

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Ebook has 799 lines and 37810 words, and 16 pages

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"THE OLD GUNNER STRAIGHTENED HIMSELF UP, SURVEYING BOTH SIMON AND ME." 30

"'I AM NOT ASKING YOU LADS TO TELL TALES OUT OF SCHOOL,' THE CAPTAIN SAID." 46

"SUDDENLY I SAW, RISING OUT FROM THE FORECASTLE HATCHWAY, A WHITE MASS." 62

"'WE DON'T COUNT ON GIVING A DOUBLE PORTION TO ANY ONE OF YOU THIS NOON.'" 87

"WHAT A CHEER WENT UP FROM OUR MEN." 131

"WE DIVIDED OURSELVES INTO TWO WATCHES." 135

"IN ANOTHER INSTANT THE BOARDING PIKE WOULD HAVE FOUND ITS WAY THROUGH MY BODY." 140

THE ARMED SHIP AMERICA; OR, WHEN WE SAILED FROM SALEM.

AN OPPORTUNITY.

It is not my intention to claim that Simon Ropes, son of that famous mariner, Captain Joseph Ropes, or myself, Nathan Crowninshield, nephew and cousin of the well-known Salem firm of ship-owners, the Messrs. George Crowninshield and Sons, bore any important part in the war between the United States and Great Britain which was begun in the year 1812; but that we two lads did all which might be expected from youngsters of our age is a fact that can be proven by more than one sailing-master or seaman hailing from the Massachusetts coast.

Then Simon, who was the elder, had just turned fifteen years, and I was three months his junior.

If, perchance, this poor attempt at what a clerkly mind might fashion into a most entertaining story should at any time come into the possession of others, it is well that I repeat why it has been written, lest strangers think I did it simply for the self-glorification of Simon and myself, instead of which the tale has been preserved, if it so chance it be preserved any length of time, for the purpose of making public the doings of all on board that armed ship hailing from Salem, which wrought so much injury to British shipping.

Our ship was Salem built, of three hundred and fifty tons burthen, carrying twenty guns, and with a complement of from one hundred and fifty to one hundred and seventy-five men.

She was then, and I believe of a verity is now, the fastest ship afloat, being credited with having brought into port, during this last war, one million, one hundred thousand dollars' worth of property; with having destroyed nearly as much more, and netting her owners, between September of 1812 and April, 1815, six hundred thousand dollars.

She is owned by the Messrs. George Crowninshield and Sons, the senior member of which firm is my uncle, a whole-souled, generous man, as all who know him can testify, and none better than myself; for from the time my father, Captain Benjamin Crowninshield, died, which was in 1810, Uncle George cared for the widow and son of his brother more tenderly than the majority of men care for their own.

Captain Joseph Ropes, Simon's father, was allowed to be the most skilful navigator and the ablest sailing-master in the United States.

In view of what has been done since then by privateersmen from Portland and Baltimore, it would seem as if that which has just been set down is a rash statement, and yet must I hold to it, for when the war broke out Captain Joseph could have commanded any vessel, outside the navy, which struck his fancy.

The ship was well worthy such a master, and certain it was she would never come to grief through any carelessness or misjudgment of his.

While the ship was being fitted for sea, Simon and I, as may be supposed, were constantly on board of her, watching the men as they put in place the twenty formidable-looking guns, and listening to the yarns told by old Joshua Seabury, who had, during the war with Tripoli, proven himself as good a gunner as he was seaman, than which no greater praise could be bestowed.

"Master Josh," we lads designated him, and very careful were we to tack on the "Master" since the day he flogged Daniel Kelley with a rope's end, for daring to call him "Josh."

We little dreamed, during the early days of the war, that through the old man's friendship we would become members of the famous ship's crew, for where there were so many eager to sign articles it did not seem likely Captain Ropes would lumber his craft with green lads.

Well, this condition of affairs, so far as we two lads were concerned, went on throughout the month of August, and until the ship was so far in readiness for the cruise that the water and provisions were being put on board. Then Simon and I were literally astounded by a proposition which the old gunner made as if it was the natural outcome of events.

We two lads were lounging around the gun-deck after the day's work had come to a close. Master Josh was seated on a small-arms-chest smoking his pipe and enjoying a well-earned rest before turning in.

On this night the scheme was not a success, much to our disappointment. He answered Simon's questions curtly, while his mind seemed to be far away from that which he ordinarily was only too willing to hold forth on, and I was beginning to feel as if we had been in a certain measure defrauded of our rights, when Master Josh said suddenly, startling me almost out of my wits by the boldness of the idea:

"Are you two lads countin' on shippin' aboard this 'ere craft?"

"Do you mean Nathan and me?" Simon asked, in astonishment.

"Ay, lad, and why not 'Nathan and me'?"

"Well, what of that?" and the old man puffed vigorously at his pipe.

"I reckon we would stand little chance against those who are begging Captain Ropes for permission to ship aboard this craft," I said, and for the hundredth time there came into my heart the thought that, if we might be allowed to join the crew, it was possible we could show ourselves worthy the great honour; but yet I realised how hopeless was such an ambition.

"How old was your father when he first went to sea?" Master Josh asked of Simon.

"Nearly three years younger than I am now."

"An' I allow some captain gave him a chance, else he never'd earned the name he's made."

"That goes without saying," Simon replied, as if in bewilderment, for he failed to understand what the old man was driving at.

"Then it stands to reason he should do as good a service for his own son; an' if George Crowninshield can't serve his nephew a friendly turn at a time when everything is to be gained, things have come to a pretty pass."

Simon and I stared at the old man in silence, for it seemed much as if he had taken leave of his senses.

The old gunner smoked on, as if the subject had come to an end so far as he was concerned, and, the hope which had been so often in my heart growing stronger, I ventured to ask, but with a certain hesitation as if I were simply proving my folly:

"Do you suppose, Master Josh, that it would be of any use for Simon and me to beg of Captain Ropes or Uncle George that we be allowed to go on this cruise?"

"Do you suppose, Nathan Crowninshield, that Captain Ropes or Uncle George would get down on their knees an' beg you two to come on this 'ere cruise, if it so be you never let on that you was achin' for the chance?" Master Josh asked, mockingly.

I caught at the words eagerly, believing, as I afterward came to know was the truth, that in them lay a suggestion to us.

Instead of continuing the conversation, Master Josh smothered the fire in the bowl of his pipe with his thumb, and, without giving further heed to us, walked forward, leaving Simon and me staring at each other as we tried to put into shape the thoughts aroused by his words, which were forming themselves in our minds.

How long we sat there gazing at each other like a couple of stupids I know not, but after a certain time it flashed across me that we were showing ourselves dull indeed by not following the advice contained in the old man's words, and moving closely to Simon, as if fearing some one might overhear and make sport of us for having such high and mighty notions, I whispered:

"Surely it can do no harm if we apply for berths on board this ship?"

"Are you so puffed up as to believe that we might be allowed to sign articles?" Simon asked, in a scornful tone, and, now grown bold because of increased hope, I said, as if having weighed well the matter, although of a verity it had come only with Master Josh's speech:

"There's an old saying, that if nothing be ventured nothing can be gained, and surely we shall be in no serious condition if your father and my uncle refuse permission for us to become members of the crew."

"We are like to gain their laughter and scorn; but nothing more," Simon replied.

"Well, and surely that is not so serious a matter. In these times two men will hardly give many hours to making sport of a couple of lads, and, as Master Josh has said, they will never ask us to join the crew unless we show a desire."

"I am not of the mind to make such a simple of myself," Simon replied, doggedly; whereat, nettled by his words, I said, bravely:

"If you but come with me I will do the talking, and afterward, if it so be your pleasure, you may deny that there was in your mind any idea we might be taken on."

He looked at me for a moment as if questioning whether I was in my right mind, and then said, in the tone of one who would drive a sharp bargain:

"If you make the request known this night, Nathan Crowninshield, I will stand by your side while the words are spoken, and take upon myself such blame as may follow; but it must be done before we go to bed, for I'll not try to sleep while there's any prospect of such a possibility."

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