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Updated: June 29, 2025
"I hope soon we may be near enough to send a shot across her fore-foot." The chase sailed well, and though the frigate gained on her it was not at a rate to satisfy Morton's impatience. It was getting dusk as they drew near; his glass had scarcely ever been off the chase. "That must be the `Osterley; and yet it is strange," he exclaimed. "What can have happened to her?"
The former crew of the "Osterley" were employed in collecting all the property of the passengers, and in carrying it on board the ship, greatly to the satisfaction of its owners. Four seamen had fallen in the attack, and nearly twenty of the enemy. They were all hurriedly interred, friends and foes sleeping side by side on the shores of that lovely bay.
"I shall," said Lord Ashcroft in the tone of one bent on performing a sacred duty. "I don't see anything to laugh at." The duke again remained silent; but twice he laughed sudden, short laughs. Lord Ashcroft looked at him suspiciously. "I don't know quite what's happening to you, Osterley," he said presently in a tone hardly meant to be pleasant. "You're changing."
He kept away a little towards her. The "Thisbe" showed her number. The "Osterley" signalised, "We have all safe on board. An enemy to the south-east." There was no time for further greeting. The frigate made all sail and stood on. The tables were now fairly turned. The Frenchman made her out, and going about, stood away to the southward.
The "Osterley" had not arrived, and considerable alarm was expressed by those who had been expecting her. The non-arrival of the "Osterley" at Bombay created considerable anxiety in all those who had friends on board, or who were otherwise interested in her in their feelings or purses. At length the fears for her safety became so great that Captain Calder was requested to sail in search of her.
He rose slowly and walked slowly to the door, assuming slowly as he went an air of deep, but patient, resignation. He opened the door gingerly. On the threshold stood the beautiful, high-spirited and wilful Duchess of Osterley. "Caroline, by Jove! Why, I thought you were out of England, still hiding Marion from Osterley," he cried, and smiled with pleasure at the sight of her beautiful face.
At last, seeing the obstinacy of these men, a party of horse was ordered to go round from Osterley; and, entering the town on the north side, where, though the horse made some resistance, it was not considerable, the town was presently taken.
"And it will look bad devilish bad a man of your age kidnapping a child of twelve and frightening her to such an extent that she was afraid to tell you who she really was. Look here, am I to give you in charge here and now, and thresh the matter out in a police court? That will please Osterley!" "Hold on a bit hold on a bit," said Mr. Wilkinson faintly. "You're really not joking?"
Sail was taken off the "Osterley," and she was hove-to, that she might wait for the return of the frigate. A very important question now arose as to what port they should steer for. The passengers very naturally begged that they might be carried to Bombay, but Morton conceived that they ought to return to Calcutta. However, that was a point Captain Calder could alone decide.
Captain Winslow and the officers and the crew of the "Osterley," who had been hutted at a distance from the rest, on hearing the firing, had broken through the sentries, and hurried to the spot. Arms were put into their hands, and they were directed to hold the centre fort, while the passengers were once more conveyed on board.
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