Vietnam or Thailand ? Vote for the TOP Country of the Week !
Updated: July 25, 2025
These words greeted Mark Vandean as, after a few struggles, his head shot up from the black water into the bright moonlight, and, giving it a good shake, he struck out for the boat. The cold plunge had braced him up, clearing away the brain mists caused by exhaustion in the fight; and now once more he was himself, ready to save his own life, and think, as an officer should, about his men.
The preparations took almost less time than the talking, and then, freshly nerved by the exciting scene on deck, Mark Vandean and his men climbed on board to collect for a rush, just as the blacks were making a desperate stand.
Confused and still half-steeped in sleep, Mark blundered about for a few moments before he reached the door, and was then thrown back, for the schooner heeled over, and then there was a tremendous bump, which made her shiver. "Mr Vandean, sir, quick!
Then, unknown to him, time went on, and he opened his eyes again, and lay and listened to some one making a noise that is to say, the person who made it believed that he was singing, but Mark Vandean did not believe anything of the kind, and lay quite still, and laughed gently as from close to his head there came in a low, harsh, croaking buzz, with the faintest suggestion of a tune
"A splendid prize, Vandean," said Mr Russell, as they drew near and saw the admirable build of the vessel, which looked nearly new. "She was evidently on her way for a cargo of the poor wretches. We ought to have taken her afterwards, when she was laden." "Yes, we should have done more good then. But if they had no slaves on board, why did they run? Oh!"
"Yes, sir, soon as I'm wanted, sir. I did go down before with Mr Vandean." "Did he go down, then?" "Oh yes, sir. We was there ever so long. Just you go down and see, sir; it's very interesting. Never was in the hold of a slave ship, sir, I s'pose? It's something to talk about, I can tell you. Wonderful dark, and all you can see is the niggers' eyes.
"You'll come, Vandean," he said; and the lad leaped into the cutter, which was rapidly rowed away through the muddy water, just as the schooner's boats disappeared round a headland covered with trees, which screened the outlet of a stream far larger than had been imagined, and for which without doubt now the schooner's captain had been making.
"And it would be cowardly to give up such a chance." "Cowardly begging your pardon, sir ain't half bad enough word for it, Mr Vandean? sir." "One moment I feel that I ought not to risk it, and the next I feel that I ought, Tom," said Mark, slowly.
"You see if we've got no marks to show the officers and men, they won't believe we've been in so much trouble, sir. My heye! wouldn't the skipper have given it to you, Mr Vandean, if you'd took us back without this craft." Mark had plenty of anxieties to cope with. So long as the weather kept fine, he had no great difficulty about the navigation.
Then, as there was silence once more, the captain turned to him. "Mr Vandean," he said, "I thank you we all thank you for what you have done. I name you, of course, in my despatch, but it is folly to talk to you of promotion for years to come. That is certain, however, if you go on in the course you have followed since you joined my ship.
Word Of The Day
Others Looking