Ballou Maturin Murray - Fanny Campbell, The Female Pirate Captain стр 7.

I dont mind shipping in her for such a purpose, said Jack Herbert, only shes got such a cursed bad captain. King George never had a more faithful representative of his own black character than the English captain of that brig yonder. I know it, said Jack confidently; why, do ye see theyve been trying to get me on board there these ten days.

But, my good fellow, I shall be one of your officers, and shall look after your comfort come, think better of this, youll ship, eh?

After some considerable hesitation, Jack replied: In this case I must, for damme, if I can bear to think of what those honest fellows are suffering off there in Cuba.

Theres my hand, my honest fellow, said the stranger. I will go and enter your name on the shipping list, and meet you again to-night, when I will have a more explicit conversation with you and tell you more of my proposed course of conduct for the coming voyage.

The stranger, whoever he was, had Fannys interest near at heart, and had evidently made himself master of the relation of each to the other, as well as the whole matter of young Lovells confinement in prison.

Soon after the stranger left Jack Herbert, on his way to the shore, he was passing along one of the narrow and crooked lanes of the North End, as that part of the town was then called, and as it is known to this day, when he heard the groans of some one in distress. He sought the door of a low and poorly built house, from whence the sounds issued, and entering, he found a poor woman suffering from severe sickness, lying there upon a bed of straw. By her side sat a man of about twenty-five years of age, offering her such little comforts and attentions as were in his power.

The room was desolate, and the stranger could see that want and poverty dwelt there. He asked the man what he could do to serve them, and whether he could not procure something for the sufferer, who was moaning most piteously.

Arrah, shes past the nade of it now, said the man.

Go and get a physician, said the gentleman.

Get a Doctor is it? And wholl pay.

Ill see to that, go quick.

Youll pay, will ye?

Certainly, be quick I say.

The physician came at once, but informed them that the woman could not live but a few hours at most, and after prescribing a gentle anodyne he retired.

The stranger paid the Doctor his fee, and after giving some money to the man and bidding him procure whatever should be necessary for his mother, he was just about to leave the miserable apartment when the man said:

Hiven bless yees for a jintleman as ye is. Where might I be afther finding ye when I could pay yer back ye know?

Never mind that, my good fellow, at all, it is of no consequence. Ill call in and see you in the morning.

So do, yer honor, and long life to all such as yees.

Leaving the poor Irishman in the midst of his grateful acknowledgements, the stranger approached the shore, and making a signal with his hat, a boat was despatched from the brig to carry him on board. He was a noble looking young sailor, and his manner and bearing bespoke a degree of refinement not usual in one of his class. He was of ordinary height, well formed in every limb, and he looked as if his experience as a seaman must have been gained in the navy, for while his countenance wore the browned hue which exposure to the elements always imparts, yet was he one who evidently had never labored before the mast. He was young, certainly not much over twenty years of age, but there was a look of authority about the mild yet determined expression of his countenance, that told of more matured experience.

He was dressed in blue sailors pants, and a short Pea Jacket descending about half way to the knee, within the lining of which a close observer might have seen a brace of pistols and the silver haft of a knife, so designed as to cut at both sides while it was bent like the Turkish hanger. As he waved his tarpaulin hat for a signal to the brig, the night breeze played with his short, curly hair, throwing it in dainty curls about his forehead, which, protected by the hat so constantly worn by the seaman, was white as alabaster, and showed in singular contrast with the browned cheek and open neck.  Altogether you would have pronounced him a kings officer in disguise.

The boat received him, and he was soon on board the brig.

Well, Mr. Channing, said the captain of the vessel, who met him as soon as he arrived on board, have you engaged the man whom you promised to get for me yesterday?

Yes, sir.

When will he join us? we sail with the morning tide you know.

He will be on board to-morrow morning in good season, sir.

Dont let him fail, sir, for it will completely man us into our single hand, Mr. Channing. It does seem a pity to sail without the full complement when we have so nearly got it.

Ill see this man again to-night sir, and make sure of him.

That will be well, sir, replied the Captain.

This conversation was held on the quarter deck of the brig Constance which was of about four hundred tons burthen, and a most beautiful specimen of the naval architecture of the day. She was bound ostensibly to the West Indies, but the plan was (as Mr. Channing told Jack Herbert that night) that after touching there she was to proceed to England.

She was well armed carrying a long tom amidships, and half a dozen six pounders, and a crew when her complement was complete, of twenty men before the mast. She was designed as a strong armed trader, and having letters of marque, she was expected to take any vessel belonging to the enemies of England (under whose flag she sailed) provided she was strong enough. Her commander was a tyrant in his disposition and much addicted to the intemperate use of spirituous liquors.

His first mate was a weak, imbecile young man, put on board originally as a sort of supercargo, by the owners, being a son of the principle share holder. The third officer was Mr. Channing whom we have introduced to the reader, and who appeared to be the only person on board worthy of trust as an officer. The captain trusted almost entirely to his first mate who was also inclined to throw all responsibility upon his second, as we shall have occasion to see.

The next morning Mr. Charming called on the poor Irishman as he had promised to do. He learned that the poor woman his mother, had expired during the night, and he found her son with his face buried in his hands, the very picture of honest grief.

I condole with you my good man, said Channing, but you should remember that your mother has gone to a better world, where she will know no more want, no pain nor hunger where the wicked cease from troubling, and the weary are at rest.

Do you belave that? asked Terrance Mooney.

Most certainly, the humblest of Gods creatures is his especial care, and he will gather all his children home in due time, said the mate of the brig to the weeping son of the deceased.

And no purgatory nather.

If there be any purgatory, my good man, it is here on this earth where there is so much sin and consequent misery.

Arrah, thats consoulin to be sure if its all true, but the praist tells a mighty dale about that place.

If he would preach more about the love and kindness of our heavenly father, and less of these imaginary places, he would serve the cause of his maker much more faithfully, and lead more sinners to repentance, said Channing.

Wouldnt I be happy if I thought the ould lady had gone to Paradise to live wid the saints? said Terrence.