Joseph Wilmot, or, The Memoirs of a Man-Servant — page 260: what you’re looking at

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and the din of the cannon thundered over the water. The French ships commenced their salute almost immediately afterwards; and Durazzo’s countenance expressed a calmly exultant satisfac- tion. Searcely were the salutes finished, when Mr. Lanover made his appearance upon deck, with a sealed letter in his hand. “T think, Mr. Wilmot,” said Captain Durazzo, addressing me with a certain air of formality which I knew full well to be assumed, “ your break- fast is by this time ready.” I took the hint, and descended to my state-room, where the young page was in prompt attendance upon me. I was at no loss to conjecture what missive it was that Mr. Lanover had brought up in his hand: it no doubt contained his instructions to his confederate—or rather instrument Dor- chester—and was written in that cipher which the humpback had shown him at the coffee-house in Civita Vecchia. I now felt that matters must be coming to a crisis, and that Durazzo would speedily have to decide whether he intended to continue succouring the projects of Lanover, or whether he would by some means or another con- trive to baffle them. I felt very, very anxious ; and I thouzht it quite probable that the day would not end without relieving me from suspense either in respect to the best or the worst. Having finished my breakfast, I returned to the deck: but Durazzo was no longer there—neither was Mr. Lanover. Had the corsair-chief gone on shore P had he volunteered to become the bearer of Lanover’s missive ? and did he intend to keep it back, so as to favour my hopes and aspira- tions? I felt exceedingly anxious; and the longer I thought upon the whole subject, the less did I comprehend how Durazzo, if he meant tu prove iriendly to me, could frustrate the designs of Lanover without suffering the humpback to per- ceive that he was thus purposely treated. While I was in the midst of my meditations, the corsair- chief made his appearance upon the deck : he had not therefore gone to the town. Without imme- - diately entering into conversation with me, he busied himself with such details as necessarily fell under his supervision as the commander of the ship. ; °% I walked about, wondering how everything was to end,—endeavouring to buoy myself up with hope, yet trembling lest I should be disappointed : and thus another hour passed. It was now about eleven in the forenoon; and Durazzo came and rejoined me in my walk. He spoke only of in- different matters,—until at length I began to fear that the impression made upon him on the pre- vious evening had passed away, and that he was once more resolved to observe his compact with Lanover. He seemed to penetrate what was pass- ing in my mind; and stopping short, he looked over the bulwark in the direction of Lezhorn,— pointing thither likewise, as if desiring me to note particular objects of interest. “IT have not forgotten, Wilmot,” he said, “what took place between us last evening: but I have a difficult part to perform. ‘lLanover has written his instructions to the agent whom he is employing in that town; and I was compelled to send the letter on shore. We must trust to the chapter of accidents. Frankly speaking, I hope rr eens 247 Lanover will be baffled: but it must not appear as if I plotted against him. Great as the confidence is which my officers and crew now repose in me, they would become equally full of suspicion—they would think that if I were capable of proving false to a compact so solemnly made, I might even to suit my own interest betray them should an emergency arise.” “A thousand thanks,” I answered, though cautiously avoiding any outward betrayal of ex- citement, “for the hope which you have given me !” Let as not be seen too much together P” said Durazzo. “ Lanover is as wily as a serpent—and he already wonders wherefore I so frequently con- verse with you.” Taking the hint, I walked away to another part of the vessel; and for the next hour Durazzo went below again, It waz about mid-day when a boat, which had been sent ashore, returned to the Athene; and I perceived that the mate. who was in command, was dressed entirely in plain clothes. I therefore concluded that he had been the bearer of Lanover’s despatch to Mr. Dorchester. As I looked over the ship’s side towards Leghorn—the Athene being about two miles distant from the buildings of the town itself, though barely a mile from the entrance of the mole—I said to myself, “How short a space separates me from my be- loved Annabel! What if at this moment she be looking upon the sea, and contemplating this vessel P Ah, how little can she suspect that I am here a captive for the present—but strenuously labouring, or at least yearning for the assurance of her safety! Perhaps one of the very buildings which I am now regarding, may be the hotel where she and her relatives reside ?” 2 And then I again wondered how everything was to terminate. Presently I perceived a galley IE eR EES SRE ET ERS ET 12 AES a ee JOSEPH WILMOT; OR, THE MEMOIRS OF A MAN-SERVANT. coming from the direction of the English frigate, and evidently pulling towards the Athene. As it drew nearer, I distinguished an officer seated in the stern; and by the single epaulette on his shoulder, I knew him to bea lieutenant. As the galley approached, the second lieutenant of the Athene descended into the cabin, evidently to an- nounce the circumstance to Captain Durazzo: for the corsair-chief immediately afterwards came upon deck, He wore his handsome uniform, which was that of a Captain-Commander in the Greek service : but on the present occasion the red fez with its purple tassel, was discarded—and a cocked hat with gold tassels, was now worn in its place. He beckoned me towards him; and in the presence of his lieutenant, said with a cold formal air of autho- rity, ‘Mr. Wilmot, an officer from the English frigate is coming on board, doubtless for some pur- pose of courtesy on the part of his commander. It will be sufficient if you solemnly pledge your word to remain profoundly silent, and to keep at a dis- tance during our interview. Otherwise I shall be compelled to consign you to your state-room, under the guard of a sentinel,” While thus speaking with that air which I knew to be necessarily assumed in the presence of his lieutenant, Constantine Durazzo seized an oppor- tunity to make me a rapid sign, to the effect that I was to give the pledge demanded of me as a proof of my continued docile resignation to the thraldom in which I was placed. “ Although,” I accordingly answered, assuming OO) S (CO)