Chapter 32
Chapter 32 of John Dean of Nottingham, Historic Adventures by Land and Sea. For more information or to volunteer, please visit LibriVox.org. Recording by Dion Gines, Salt Lake City, Utah. John Dean of Nottingham, Historic Adventures by Land and Sea by William Henry Giles Kingston. Chapter 32, The Island Captured
The game is not over yet, observed Dean, who, with Elizabeth, stood still on the rock, watching the progress of the fight. The crew of the frigate are busily employed in repairing damages. As soon as that is done and the other two ships come up, depend upon it, they will attack the island, and with the strong force the English will then have, the pirates will be utterly unable to resist them. Alas, alas, I wish we could have escaped from the island before this had occurred. I
tremble for the fate of my poor mother, for such I must still call her, and what will become of Master Pearson, for as far as I can judge, he seems to be the head of the whole community. for the kindness with which he has ever treated you. If he escapes with his life from the battle, I will use all my influence to protect him, answered Dean. At the same time, I think it likely he will fight to the last. He seems a man who would not yield as long as a hope of success
remains. Let me go then and tell my poor mother of what has occurred and prepare her for the worst, exclaimed Elizabeth. Oh no stay here let me entreat you he answered you will be safer on this rock and I may possibly be able to make some signal to the boats as they come in and thus you will escape the desperate struggle which is likely to take place when the crews land and attack the pirates. Or stay, if you can persuade Mistress Pearson to come here. She will be safer than in
her own house, but you must not go alone. I will accompany you and try and bring her back. To this plan, Elizabeth willingly agreed, and she and Dean immediately hurried forward towards the village. The alarm of the poor lady was very great when she heard what was likely to occur, but she positively refused to quit the house. Go, go, she replied to Elizabeth's entreaties. Leave me to my fate. Mr. Dean will protect you better than I can, and you are not bound either
to that unhappy man, my husband, or to me. Dean had now some difficulty in persuading Elizabeth to return with him, for she was unwilling to leave poor Mistress Pearson to the danger to which she would be exposed should the village be stormed, as it was too likely to be. At length, however, she yielded to her and Jack's united entreaties and returned to the rock with Dean. By the time they reached it, the other English vessels had almost come up with their crippled consort,
and a considerable flotilla of boats was seen collecting round them. The pirates, meantime, having warped their vessel into the harbor, had placed her across its mouth so that her guns pointed directly down towards an enemy approaching in that direction. A considerable number of the people were also engaged on shore in throwing up rustworks at various points likely to be assailed. Guns were being brought down from the stores and from the other vessels up the harbor,
and every effort was being made which desperate men could think of to defend the place. The English seemed to guess what the pirates were about by the rapidity of their movements, for not a moment was lost after the vessels had met, before the boats began to pull at a rapid rate towards the mouth of the harbor. There were twelve boats in all, carrying a considerable body of men.
The ships, at the same time, stood in as close as they could venture to cover the attack with their guns. Between the rock on which Dean and Elizabeth stood was a sandy bay, affording tolerably safe landing. This spot the pirates seemed to have overlooked, though the English were evidently aware of it, for while one party of boats pulled towards the mouth of the harbor, another, suddenly leaving the main body, made a dash towards the bay for the purpose of landing before the pirates discovered
it and were prepared to resist them. On came five boats at a rapid rate, the water foaming at their bows as their crews urged them through it. Dean could, with difficulty, resist the temptation of hurrying forward to meet them, but he could not leave Elizabeth, nor could he place her in the danger to which she would be exposed had he carried her with him. As soon as the ships came close enough, they opened their fire at the hastily thrown up forts at the harbor's mouth, while the
flotilla of boats dashed forward for the purpose of storming them before the enemy had recovered from the effects of the cannonading. The pirates, however, had been too long accustomed to desperate fighting of all sorts to be easily daunted, and the places of those who fell were quickly supplied by others who rushed forward to work their guns. Before, however, they could load and fire them, the boat's crews, springing on shore, rushed forward and attacked them, hanger in hand,
and quickly mastered the fort. The pirate ship now opened her fire upon the boats advancing up the harbor. This told with great effect, and again and again they were struck, but still undaunted they pulled on. Meantime, the other boats had reached the bay, and their crews also quickly threw themselves on shore. The pirates did not perceive their intention till it was too late to prevent them, and now, in steady order, they were soon advancing up from the shore towards the fort,
which was also greatly annoying the boats in their advance. Taken in the rear, its defenders were quickly cut down, and now the party of English bluejackets rushed up towards the pirate ship, but some of her guns being directed at them and others at the boats, no great loss was sustained by either. So quickly, indeed, did the party advance that very few shot took effect among them. At length they got close up to the ship and opened a hot fire of musketry upon her,
killing and wounding the men at her guns. The boats were thus able to advance with much less molestation than before, and, getting alongside, their crews, with loud shouts, dashed on board. The pirates fought desperately, but nothing could resist the courage of the English. The outlaws were seen jumping overboard on either side, and many were shot while attempting to swim on shore. No quarter was asked for by them. They had seldom given it themselves. Still, however,
they exhibited great courage and hardihood, fighting desperately to the last. Meantime, a party of them, who had remained on shore, manning several boats, put off to the rescue of their comrades. Thus, before the English could prevent them, a considerable number had managed to escape from the ship, taking their way to a point up the harbor where they could land without being molested. The men of war's boats had been left with their boatkeepers in the bay. As soon as Dean saw that
he could reach them without running the risk of encountering the pirates, he determined to place Elizabeth on board them. If we stay here, we shall very probably fall in with the buccaneers, who are likely to fly to this rock in the hope of defending themselves. Our way is now clear to the boats, and I will carry you there, he said, taking Elizabeth's arm. Whatever you think best, I am ready to do, she answered, and they hurried towards the bay. Fortunately, the officer in charge of the
boats belonged to Dean's own ship, and recognizing him, at once received Elizabeth on board. Now I have placed you in safety. I will go back and endeavor to protect our kind friend, Mistress Pearson, he said. Elizabeth thanked him warmly, though she evidently at the same time dreaded losing sight of him. Dean knew well there was no time to be lost, for the sound of the firing and the shouts and cries of the combatants told him that they were approaching the village.
He hurried back, therefore, taking a sheltered way among the trees. He had just reached the house when he saw a number of buccaneers rushing towards the village with the intention, he judged, of attempting to defend themselves behind the walls of the buildings. He found Mistress Pearson standing pale with terror at the sound of the guns which had reached her ears, not knowing which party had been successful. Dean once more entreated her to fly. If you remain, you will too
probably lose your life in the struggle, he said. Scarcely waiting for her answer, he had drawn her to the door when he was seen by some of the pirates. Down with the villain! Down with the traitor who has brought the enemy upon us, they shouted. They raised their muskets, but Mistress Pearson, standing between them and Dean, prevented them from firing. Some of the fiercest were, however, rushing forward with the intention of cutting him down. When the cry arose,
the enemy are upon us, defend yourselves lads, and they had to face about to receive the charge of the British sailors who dashed out from among the trees towards them. Several bullets whistled by Dean's and the poor dame's ears. The fighting was desperate. The pirates defended themselves, knowing that they should receive no quarter, but in spite of their bravery they were cut down on all sides. Dean had two or three times amid the clouds of smoke caught sight of Pearson,
who was leading on the men, shouting to them to fight boldly. More seamen arriving, led on by a superior officer, the pirates at length began to retreat. As they reached the house of their chief, however, they made a stand. Some threw themselves inside and began to fire through the windows, and others got behind the walls where they were sheltered from the fire of their enemies. Dean attempted to carry poor Dame Pearson to a place of shelter. Paralyzed with fear,
she could scarcely move. He found himself, therefore, surrounded by the combatants and in great risk every instant of being shot. The pirates here made a desperate stand, but the British seamen, again rushing on, cut down numbers with their hangars. Just then the house burst out into flames and surrounded by smoke, Dean could not be distinguished from the pirates who stood on the other side of him. Two or three seamen were on the point of
cutting him down when their officer interposed his sword. Hold lads, he shouted, as I live. There is my friend John Dean and protecting a lady too. This timely exclamation saved Dean's life. He had no time, however, to exchange greetings with the officer, whom he recognized as the captain of his own ship, as the latter had to lead on his men in pursuit of the flying pirates. The good dame now entreated him to look for her husband, but he remembered that after the commencement of the fight, he had nowhere seen him. What had become of him, he could not tell, and all he could do was to assure her he had not seen him fall.
Jack was anxious to convey her to the boats that she might be carried on board and placed in safety, but just as he was leaving the village, Captain Davis returned, saying that all the pirates to be found had been killed or made prisoners. I am thankful indeed to hear it, Captain Davis, said Dean, and now I will ask you to assist me in conveying this lady on board.
Captain Davis exclaimed Mistress Pearson let me see you sir that was my maiden name and I had a brother who went to sea from whom I have been parted for many long years can you be Richard Davis the youngest son of Colonel Davis of Knoll Park yes indeed I am madam answered the captain coming up to her. I was one of a numerous family, all of whom, to the best of my belief, have long since been dead. One of them is still alive, answered Mistress Pearson,
though a most unhappy woman. Do you not remember your sister Maria? Come, let me gaze on your countenance, for my heart tells me that in you I shall find one of my brothers. Yes, yes, I recognize your features, though I scarcely could expect you to know mine, so sadly changed as they must be. She had taken the captain's hand and gazed into his face as she spoke. No, I should not remember you, he answered, but yet I remember the voice of the kind sister
who was always ready to suffer for the sake of her wild brothers. Yes, Maria, I know that you are my sister, and I am thankful that I have been the means of rescuing you from this place. How you came here you must tell me by and by, and now I would wish you to go at once on board the frigate under the charge of Mr. Dean while we make a further search round the island for any fugitives who may have concealed themselves. Mistress Pearson trembled as her brother spoke these words,
There is one for whom I would intercede, she said. Mr. Dean will tell you about him. He has ever been a kind husband to me, and never till lately did I suspect his occupations. If he has escaped death, let me entreat you not to hunt him down, and I feel sure that he will turn to some nobler course where he will redeem the crimes he has committed. Captain Davis very wisely made no answer to this appeal, but directed Dean, with a party of the seamen as a guard, to convey his newfound sister
down to the boats, and to place her at once on board the frigate. He, meantime, having collected his men, commenced a further search for the pirates, some of whom, he was convinced, must have concealed themselves. The day was thus spent, though with no further success, and as night was coming on, a large party being placed on board the captured ships. The remainder returned in the boats to the vessels outside. The next day the search was continued, but no signs were discovered of the
chief and other officers and men who were supposed to have escaped with him. The numerous prizes were carried out of the harbor, while all the huts and storehouses and other buildings were set on fire and destroyed, so that in a short time the whole island was reduced to that state of desolation in which the pirates had found it. While the rest of the squadron returned to Jamaica, one vessel was left to cruise off the island, on the chance of Pearson and his followers,
should they have been concealed on it, attempting to make their escape. When Jack arrived on board the Venus, he found the two young midshipmen, Hock and Lovett, and the old quartermaster, Burridge, who welcomed him warmly. They told him that they had managed to make their escape exactly as they had proposed while the buccaneers were carousing, and had, fortunately, fallen in with the squadron which had been dispatched on purpose to try and discover their haunts.
End of chapter 32
