The Blockade Runners by Verne, Jules, 1828-1905

The Blockade Runners by Jules Verne
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Title: The Blockade Runners
Author: Jules Verne
Release Date: September, 2005 [EBook #8992]

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*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE BLOCKADE RUNNERS ***
Produced by Norman M. Wolcott
1
[Redactorâs Note: The Blockade Runners (number V008 in the T&M numerical listing of Verne's works) is a
translation of Les forceurs de blocus (1871). The Blockade Runners, a novella, was included along with A
Floating City in the first english and french editions of this work. This translation, which follows that of
Sampson and Low (UK) and Scribners (US) is by âN. DâAnversâ, pseudonymn for Mrs. Arthur Bell (d. 1933)
who also translated other Verne books. It is also included in the fifteen volume Parke edition of the works of
Jules Verne (1911). There is another translation by Henry Frith which was published by Routledge (1876).
Both of these stories are about ships; Floating City about the largest ship of the time, the Great Eastern, and
Blockade Runners about one of the fastest, the Dolphin.
This HTML version was prepared from public domain sources by Norman M. Wolcott, 2003,
[email protected] .]
The Blockade Runners
Table of Contents
I THE DOLPHIN
II GETTING UNDER SAIL
III THINGS ARE NOT WHAT THEY SEEM
IV CROCKSTONâS TRICK
V THE SHOT FROM THE IROQUOIS, AND MISS JENNYâS
ARGUMENTS
VI SULLIVAN ISLAND CHANNEL
VII A SOUTHERN GENERAL
VIII THE ESCAPE
IX BETWEEN TWO FIRES
X ST. MUNGO
THE BLOCKADE RUNNERS
Chapter I
THE DOLPHIN
The Clyde was the first river whose waters were lashed into foam by a steam-boat. It was in 1812 when the
steamer called the Comet ran between Glasgow and Greenock, at the speed of six miles an hour. Since that
time more than a million of steamers or packet-boats have plied this Scotch river, and the inhabitants of
Glasgow must be as familiar as any people with the wonders of steam navigation.
The Blockade Runners by Jules Verne 2

However, on the 3rd of December, 1862, an immense crowd, composed of shipowners, merchants,
manufacturers, workmen, sailors, women, and children, thronged the muddy streets of Glasgow, all going in
the direction of Kelvin Dock, the large shipbuilding premises belonging to Messrs. Tod & MacGregor. This
last name especially proves that the descendants of the famous Highlanders have become manufacturers, and
that they have made workmen of all the vassals of the old clan chieftains.
Kelvin Dock is situated a few minutesâ walk from the town, on the right bank of the Clyde. Soon the immense
timber-yards were thronged with spectators; not a part of the quay, not a wall of the wharf, not a factory roof
showed an unoccupied place; the river itself was covered with craft of all descriptions, and the heights of
Govan, on the left bank, swarmed with spectators.
There was, however, nothing extraordinary in the event about to take place; it was nothing but the launching
of a ship, and this was an everyday affair with the people of Glasgow. Had the Dolphin, then â for that was the
name of the ship built by Messrs. Tod & MacGregor â some special peculiarity? To tell the truth, it had none.
It was a large ship, about 1,500 tons, in which everything combined to obtain superior speed. Her engines, of
500 horse-power, were from the workshops of Lancefield Forge; they worked two screws, one on either side
the stern-post, completely independent of each other. As for the depth of water the Dolphin would draw, it
must be very inconsiderable; connoisseurs were not deceived, and they concluded rightly that this ship was
destined for shallow straits. But all these particulars could not in any way justify the eagerness of the people:
taken altogether, the Dolphin was nothing more or less than an ordinary ship. Would her launching present
some mechanical difficulty to be overcome? Not any more than usual. The Clyde had received many a ship of
heavier tonnage, and the launching of the Dolphin would take place in the usual manner.
In fact, when the water was calm, the moment the ebb-tide set in, the workmen began to operate. Their mallets
kept perfect time falling on the wedges meant to raise the shipâs keel: soon a shudder ran through the whole of
her massive structure; although she had only been slightly raised, one could see that she shook, and then
gradually began to glide down the well greased wedges, and in a few moments she plunged into the Clyde.
Her stern struck the muddy bed of the river, then she raised herself on the top of a gigantic wave, and, carried
forward by her start, would have been dashed against the quay of the Govan timber-yards, if her anchors had
not restrained her.
The launch had been perfectly successful, the Dolphin swayed quietly on the waters of the Clyde, all the
spectators clapped their hands when she took possession of her natural element, and loud hurrahs arose from
either bank.
But wherefore these cries and this applause? Undoubtedly the most eager of the spectators would have been at
a loss to explain the reason of his enthusiasm. What was the cause, then, of the lively interest excited by this
ship? Simply the mystery which shrouded her destination; it was not known to what kind of commerce she
was to be appropriated, and in questioning different groups the diversity of opinion on this important subject
was indeed astonishing.
However, the best informed, at least those who pretended to be so, agreed in saying that the steamer was
going to take part in the terrible war which was then ravaging the United States of America, but more than this
they did not know, and whether the Dolphin was a privateer, a transport ship, or an addition to the Federal
marine was what no one could tell.
âHurrah!â cried one, affirming that the Dolphin had been built for the Southern States.
âHip! hip! hip!â cried another, swearing that never had a faster boat crossed to the American coasts.
THE DOLPHIN 3
Thus its destination was unknown, and in order to obtain any reliable information one must be an intimate
friend, or, at any rate, an acquaintance of Vincent Playfair & Co., of Glasgow.
A rich, powerful, intelligent house of business was that of Vincent Playfair & Co., in a social sense, an old
and honourable family, descended from those tobacco lords who built the finest quarters of the town. These
clever merchants, by an act of the Union, had founded the first Glasgow warehouse for dealing in tobacco
from Virginia and Maryland. Immense fortunes were realised; mills and foundries sprang up in all parts, and
in a few years the prosperity of the city attained its height.
The house of Playfair remained faithful to the enterprising spirit of its ancestors, it entered into the most
daring schemes, and maintained the honour of English commerce. The principal, Vincent Playfair, a man of
fifty, with a temperament essentially practical and decided, although somewhat daring, was a genuine
shipowner. Nothing affected him beyond commercial questions, not even the political side of the transactions,
otherwise he was a perfectly loyal and honest man.
However, he could not lay claim to the idea of building and fitting up the Dolphin; she belonged to his
nephew, James Playfair, a fine young man of thirty, the boldest skipper of the British merchant marine.
It was one day at the Tontine coffee-room under the arcades of the town hall, that James Playfair, after having
impatiently scanned the American journal, disclosed to his uncle an adventurous scheme.
âUncle Vincent,â said he, coming to the point at once, âthere are two millions of pounds to be gained in less
than a month.â
âAnd what to risk?â asked Uncle Vincent.
âA ship and a cargo.â
âNothing else?â
âNothing, except the crew and the captain, and that does not reckon for much.â
âLet us see,â said Uncle Vincent.
âIt is all seen,â replied James Playfair. âYou have read the Tribune, the New York Herald, The Times, the
Richmond Inquirer, the American Review?â
âScores of times, nephew.â
âYou believe, like me, that the war of the United States will last a long time still?â
âA very long time.â
âYou know how much this struggle will affect the interests of England, and especially those of Glasgow?â
âAnd more especially still the house of Playfair & Co.,â replied Uncle Vincent.
âTheirs especially,â added the young Captain.
âI worry myself about it every day, James, and I cannot think without terror of the commercial disasters which
this war may produce; not but that the house of Playfair is firmly established, nephew; at the same time it has
THE DOLPHIN 4
correspondents which may fail. Ah! those Americans, slave-holders or Abolitionists, I have no faith in them!â
If Vincent Playfair was wrong in thus speaking with respect to the great principles of humanity, always and
everywhere superior to personal interests, he was, nevertheless, right from a commercial point of view. The
most important material was failing at Glasgow, the cotton famine became every day more threatening,
thousands of workmen were reduced to living upon public charity. Glasgow possessed 25,000 looms, by
which 625,000 yards of cotton were spun daily; that is to say, fifty millions of pounds yearly. From these
numbers it may be guessed what disturbances were caused in the commercial part of the town when the raw
material failed altogether. Failures were hourly taking place, the manufactories were closed, and the workmen
were dying of starvation.
It was the sight of this great misery which had put the idea of his bold enterprise into James Playfairâs head.
âI will go for cotton, and will get it, cost what it may.â
But, as he also was a merchant as well as his uncle Vincent, he resolved to carry out his plan by way of
exchange, and to make his proposition under the guise of a commercial enterprise.
âUncle Vincent,â said he, âthis is my idea.â
âWell, James?â
âIt is simply this: we will have a ship built of superior sailing qualities and great bulk.â
âThat is quite possible.â
âWe will load her with ammunition of war, provisions, and clothes.â
âJust so.â
âI will take the command of this steamer, I will defy all the ships of the Federal marine for speed, and I will
run the blockade of one of the southern ports.â
âYou must make a good bargain for your cargo with the Confederates, who will be in need of it,â said his
uncle.
âAnd I shall return laden with cotton.â
âWhich they will give you for nothing.â
âAs you say, Uncle. Will it answer?â
âIt will; but shall you be able to get there?â
âI shall, if I have a good ship.â
âOne can be made on purpose. But the crew?â
âOh, I will find them. I do not want many men; enough to work with, that is all. It is not a question of fighting
with the Federals, but distancing them.â
THE DOLPHIN 5
âThey shall be distanced,â said Uncle Vincent, in a peremptory tone; âbut now, tell me, James, to what port of
the American coast do you think of going?â
âUp to now, Uncle, ships have run the blockade of New Orleans, Wilmington, and Savannah, but I think of
going straight to Charleston; no English boat has yet been able to penetrate into the harbour, except the
Bermuda. I will do like her, and, if my ship draws but very little water, I shall be able to go where the
Federalists will not be able to follow.â
âThe fact is,â said Uncle Vincent, âCharleston is overwhelmed with cotton; they are even burning it to get rid
of it.â
âYes,â replied James; âbesides, the town is almost invested; Beauregard is running short of provisions, and he
will pay me a golden price for my cargo!â
âWell, nephew, and when will you start?â
âIn six months; I must have the long winter nights to aid me.â
âIt shall be as you wish, nephew.â
âIt is settled, then, Uncle?â
âSettled!â
âShall it be kept quiet?â
âYes; better so.â
And this is how it was that five months later the steamer Dolphin was launched from the Kelvin Dock
timber-yards, and no one knew her real destination.
Chapter II
GETTING UNDER SAIL
The Dolphin was rapidly equipped, her rigging was ready, and there was nothing to do but fit her up. She
carried three schooner-masts, an almost useless luxury; in fact, the Dolphin did not rely on the wind to escape
the Federalists, but rather on her powerful engines.
Towards the end of December a trial of the steamer was made in the gulf of the Clyde. Which was the more
satisfied, builder or captain, it is impossible to say. The new steamer shot along wonderfully, and the patent
log showed a speed of seventeen miles an hour, a speed which as yet no English, French, or American boat
had ever obtained. The Dolphin would certainly have gained by several lengths in a sailing match with the
fastest opponent.
The loading was begun on the 25th of December, the steamer having ranged along the steamboat-quay a little
below Glasgow Bridge, the last which stretches across the Clyde before its mouth. Here the wharfs were
heaped with a heavy cargo of clothes, ammunition, and provisions which were rapidly carried to the hold of
the Dolphin. The nature of this cargo betrayed the mysterious destination of the ship, and the house of Playfair
could no longer keep it secret; besides, the Dolphin must not be long before she started. No American cruiser
Chapter II 6
had been signalled in English waters; and, then, when the question of getting the crew came, how was it
possible to keep silent any longer? They could not embark them, even, without informing the men whither
they were bound, for, after all, it was a matter of life and death, and when one risks oneâs life, at least it is
satisfactory to know how and wherefore.
However, this prospect hindered no one; the pay was good, and everyone had a share in the speculation, so
that a great number of the finest sailors soon presented themselves. James Playfair was only embarrassed
which to choose, but he chose well, and in twenty-four hours his muster-roll bore the names of thirty sailors
who would have done honour to her Majestyâs yacht.
The departure was settled for the 3rd of January; on the 31st of December the Dolphin was ready, her hold full
of ammunition and provisions, and nothing was keeping her now.
The skipper went on board on the 2nd of January, and was giving a last look round his ship with a captainâs
eye, when a man presented himself at the fore part of the Dolphin, and asked to speak with the Captain. One
of the sailors led him on to the poop.
He was a strong, hearty-looking fellow, with broad shoulders and ruddy face, the simple expression of which
ill-concealed a depth of wit and mirth. He did not seem to be accustomed to a seafaring life, and looked about
him with the air of a man little used to being on board a ship; however, he assumed the manner of a Jack-tar,
looking up at the rigging of the Dolphin, and waddling in true sailor fashion.
When he had reached the Captain, he looked fixedly at him, and said, âCaptain James Playfair?â
âThe same,â replied the skipper. âWhat do you want with me?â
âTo join your ship.â
âThere is no room; the crew is already complete.â
âOh, one man, more or less, will not be in the way; quite the contrary.â
âYou think so?â said James Playfair, giving a sidelong glance at his questioner.
âI am sure of it,â replied the sailor.
âBut who are you?â asked the Captain.
âA rough sailor, with two strong arms, which, I can tell you, are not to be despised on board a ship, and which
I now have the honour of putting at your service.â
âBut there are other ships besides the Dolphin, and other captains besides James Playfair. Why do you come
here?â
âBecause it is on board the Dolphin that I wish to serve, and under the orders of Captain James Playfair.â
âI do not want you.â
âThere is always need of a strong man, and if to prove my strength you will try me with three or four of the
strongest fellows of your crew, I am ready.â
GETTING UNDER SAIL 7

âThat will do,â replied James Playfair. âAnd what is your name?â
âCrockston, at your service.â
The Captain made a few steps backwards in order to get a better view of the giant who presented himself in
this odd fashion. The height, the build, and the look of the sailor did not deny his pretensions to strength.
âWhere have you sailed?â asked Playfair of him.
âA little everywhere.â
âAnd do you know where the Dolphin is bound for?â
âYes; and that is what tempts me.â
âAh, well! I have no mind to let a fellow of your stamp escape me. Go and find the first mate, and get him to
enrol you.â
Having said this, the Captain expected to see the man turn on his heels and run to the bows, but he was
mistaken. Crockston did not stir.
âWell! did you hear me?â asked the Captain.
âYes, but it is not all,â replied the sailor. âI have something else to ask you.â
âAh! You are wasting my time,â replied James, sharply; âI have not a moment to lose in talking.â
âI shall not keep you long,â replied Crockston; âtwo words more and that is all; I was going to tell you that I
have a nephew.â
âHe has a fine uncle, then,â interrupted James Playfair.
âHah! Hah!â laughed Crockston.
âHave you finished?â asked the Captain, very impatiently.
âWell, this is what I have to say, when one takes the uncle, the nephew comes into the bargain.â
âAh! indeed!â
âYes, that is the custom, the one does not go without the other.â
âAnd what is this nephew of yours?â
âA lad of fifteen whom I am going to train to the sea; he is willing to learn, and will make a fine sailor some
day.â
âHow now, Master Crockston,â cried James Playfair; âdo you think the Dolphin is a training-school for
cabin-boys?â

âDonât let us speak ill of cabin-boys: there was one of them who became Admiral Nelson, and another
Admiral Franklin.â
âUpon my honour, friend,â replied James Playfair, âyou have a way of speaking which I like; bring your
nephew, but if I donât find the uncle the hearty fellow he pretends to be, he will have some business with me.
Go, and be back in an hour.â
Crockston did not want to be told twice; be bowed awkwardly to the Captain of the Dolphin, and went on to
the quay. An hour afterwards he came on board with his nephew, a boy of fourteen or fifteen, rather delicate
and weakly looking, with a timid and astonished air, which showed that he did not possess his uncleâs
self-possession and vigorous corporeal qualities. Crockston was even obliged to encourage him by such words
as these:
âCome,â said he, âdonât be frightened, they are not going to eat us, besides, there is yet time to return.â
âNo, no,â replied the young man, âand may God protect us!â
The same day the sailor Crockston and his nephew were inscribed in the muster-roll of the Dolphin.
The next morning, at five oâclock, the fires of the steamer were well fed, the deck trembled under the
vibrations of the boiler, and the steam rushed hissing through the escape-pipes. The hour of departure had
arrived.
A considerable crowd, in spite of the early hour, flocked on the quays and on Glasgow Bridge; they had come
to salute the bold steamer for the last time. Vincent Playfair was there to say good-bye to Captain James, but
he conducted himself on this occasion like a Roman of the good old times. His was a heroic countenance, and
the two loud kisses with which he gratified his nephew were the indication of a strong mind.
âGo, James,â said he to the young Captain, âgo quickly, and come back quicker still; above all, donât abuse
your position. Sell at a good price, make a good bargain, and you will have your uncleâs esteem.â
On this recommendation, borrowed from the manual of the perfect merchant, the uncle and nephew separated,
and all the visitors left the boat.
At this moment Crockston and John Stiggs stood together on the forecastle, while the former remarked to his
nephew, âThis is well, this is well; before two oâclock we shall be at sea, and I have a good opinion of a
voyage which begins like this.â
For reply the novice pressed Crockstonâs hand.
James Playfair then gave the orders for departure.
âHave we pressure on?â he asked of his mate.
âYes, Captain,â replied Mr. Mathew.
âWell, then, weigh anchor.â
This was immediately done, and the screws began to move. The Dolphin trembled, passed between the ships
in the port, and soon disappeared from the sight of the people, who shouted their last hurrahs.

The descent of the Clyde was easily accomplished, one might almost say that this river had been made by the
hand of man, and even by the hand of a master. For sixty years, thanks to the dredges and constant dragging, it
has gained fifteen feet in depth, and its breadth has been tripled between the quays and the town. Soon the
forests of masts and chimneys were lost in the smoke and fog; the noise of the foundry hammers and the
hatchets of the timber-yards grew fainter in the distance. After the village of Partick had been passed the
factories gave way to country houses and villas. The Dolphin, slackening her speed, sailed between the dykes
which carry the river above the shores, and often through a very narrow channel, which, however, is only a
small inconvenience for a navigable river, for, after all, depth is of more importance than width. The steamer,
guided by one of those excellent pilots from the Irish sea, passed without hesitation between floating buoys,
stone columns, and biggings, surmounted with lighthouses, which mark the entrance to the channel. Beyond
the town of Renfrew, at the foot of Kilpatrick hills, the Clyde grew wider. Then came Bouling Bay, at the end
of which opens the mouth of the canal which joints Edinburgh to Glasgow. Lastly, at the height of four
hundred feet from the ground, was seen the outline of Dumbarton Castle, almost indiscernible through the
mists, and soon the harbour-boats of Glasgow were rocked on the waves which the Dolphin caused. Some
miles farther on Greenock, the birthplace of James Watt, was passed: the Dolphin now found herself at the
mouth of the Clyde, and at the entrance of the gulf by which it empties its waters into the Northern Ocean.
Here the first undulations of the sea were felt, and the steamer ranged along the picturesque coast of the Isle of
Arran. At last the promontory of Cantyre, which runs out into the channel, was doubled; the Isle of Rattelin
was hailed, the pilot returned by a shore-boat to his cutter, which was cruising in the open sea; the Dolphin,
returning to her Captainâs authority, took a less frequented route round the north of Ireland, and soon, having
lost sight of the last European land, found herself in the open ocean.
Chapter III
THINGS ARE NOT WHAT THEY SEEM
The Dolphin had a good crew, not fighting men, or boarding sailors, but good working men, and that was all
she wanted. These brave, determined fellows were all, more or less, merchants; they sought a fortune rather
than glory; they had no flag to display, no colours to defend with cannon; in fact, all the artillery on board
consisted of two small swivel signal-guns.
The Dolphin shot bravely across the water, and fulfilled the utmost expectations of both builder and captain.
Soon she passed the limit of British seas; there was not a ship in sight; the great ocean route was free; besides,
no ship of the Federal marine would have a right to attack her beneath the English flag. Followed she might
be, and prevented from forcing the blockade, and precisely for this reason had James Playfair sacrificed
everything to the speed of his ship, in order not to be pursued.
Howbeit a careful watch was kept on board, and, in spite of the extreme cold, a man was always in the rigging
ready to signal the smallest sail that appeared on the horizon. When evening came, Captain James gave the
most precise orders to Mr. Mathew.
âDonât leave the man on watch too long in the rigging; the cold may seize him, and in that case it is
impossible to keep a good look-out; change your men often.â
âI understand, Captain,â replied Mr. Mathew.
âTry Crockston for that work; the fellow pretends to have excellent sight; it must be put to trial; put him on
the morning watch, he will have the morning mists to see through. If anything particular happens call me.â
This said, James Playfair went to his cabin. Mr. Mathew called Crockston, and told him the Captainâs orders.
Chapter III 10
âTo-morrow, at six oâclock,â said he, âyou are to relieve watch of the main masthead.â
For reply, Crockston gave a decided grunt, but Mr. Mathew had hardly turned his back when the sailor
muttered some incomprehensible words, and then cried:
âWhat on earth did he say about the mainmast?â
At this moment his nephew, John Stiggs, joined him on the forecastle.
âWell, my good Crockston,â said he.
âItâs all right, all right,â said the seaman, with a forced smile; âthere is only one thing, this wretched boat
shakes herself like a dog coming out of the water, and it makes my head confused.â
âDear Crockston, and it is for my sake.â
âFor you and him,â replied Crockston, âbut not a word about that, John. Trust in God, and He will not forsake
you.â
So saying, John Stiggs and Crockston went to the sailorâs berth, but the sailor did not lie down before he had
seen the young novice comfortably settled in the narrow cabin which he had got for him.
The next day, at six oâclock in the morning, Crockston got up to go to his place; he went on deck, where the
first officer ordered him to go up into the rigging, and keep good watch.
At these words the sailor seemed undecided what to do; then, making up his mind, he went towards the bows
of the Dolphin.
âWell, where are you off to now?â cried Mr. Mathew.
âWhere you sent me,â answered Crockston.
âI told you to go to the mainmast.â
âAnd I am going there,â replied the sailor, in an ununconcerned tone, continuing his way to the poop.
âAre you a fool?â cried Mr. Mathew, impatiently; âyou are looking for the bars of the main on the foremast.
You are like a cockney, who doesnât know how to twist a cat-oâ-nine-tails, or make a splice. On board what
ship can you have been, man? The mainmast, stupid, the mainmast!â
The sailors who had run up to hear what was going on burst out laughing when they saw Crockstonâs
disconcerted look, as he went back to the forecastle.
âSo,â said he, looking up the mast, the top of which was quite invisible through the morning mists; âso, am I
to climb up here?â
âYes,â replied Mr. Mathew, âand hurry yourself! By St. Patrick, a Federal ship would have time to get her
bowsprit fast in our rigging before that lazy fellow could get to his post. Will you go up?â
Without a word, Crockston got on the bulwarks with some difficulty; then he began to climb the rigging with
most visible awkwardness, like a man who did not know how to make use of his hands or feet. When he had
THINGS ARE NOT WHAT THEY SEEM 11

reached the topgallant, instead of springing lightly on to it, he remained motionless, clinging to the ropes, as if
he had been seized with giddiness. Mr. Mathew, irritated by his stupidity, ordered him to come down
immediately.
âThat fellow there,â said he to the boatswain, âhas never been a sailor in his life. Johnston, just go and see
what he has in his bundle.â
The boatswain made haste to the sailorâs berth.
In the meantime Crockston was with difficulty coming down again, but, his foot having slipped, he slid down
the rope he had hold of, and fell heavily on the deck.
âClumsy blockhead! land-lubber!â cried Mr. Mathew, by way of consolation. âWhat did you come to do on
board the Dolphin! Ah! you entered as an able seaman, and you cannot even distinguish the main from the
foremast! I shall have a little talk with you.â
Crockston made no attempt to speak; he bent his back like a man resigned to anything he might have to bear;
just then the boatswain returned.
âThis,â said he to the first officer, âis all that I have found; a suspicious portfolio with letters.â
âGive them here,â said Mr. Mathew. âLetters with Federal stamps! Mr. Halliburtt, of Boston! An Abolitionist!
a Federalist! Wretch! you are nothing but a traitor, and have sneaked on board to betray us! Never mind, you
will be paid for your trouble with the cat-oâ-nine-tails! Boatswain, call the Captain, and you others just keep
an eye on that rogue there.â
Crockston received these compliments with a hideous grimace, but he did not open his lips. They had fastened
him to the capstan, and he could move neither hand nor foot.
A few minutes later James Playfair came out of his cabin and went to the forecastle, where Mr. Mathew
immediately acquainted him with the details of the case.
âWhat have you to say?â asked James Playfair, scarcely able to restrain his anger.
âNothing,â replied Crockston.
âAnd what did you come on board my ship for?â
âNothing.â
âAnd what do you expect from me now?â
âNothing.â
âWho are you? An American, as letters seem to prove?â Crockston did not answer.
âBoatswain,â said James Playfair, âfifty lashes with the cat-oâ-nine-tails to loosen his tongue. Will that be
enough, Crockston?â
âIt will remain to be seen,â replied John Stiggsâ uncle without moving a muscle.

âNow then, come along, men,â said the boatswain.
At this order, two strong sailors stripped Crockston of his woollen jersey; they had already seized the
formidable weapon, and laid it across the prisonerâs shoulders, when the novice, John Stiggs, pale and
agitated, hurried on deck.
âCaptain!â exclaimed he.
âAh! the nephew!â remarked James Playfair.
âCaptain,â repeated the novice, with a violent effort to steady his voice, âI will tell you what Crockston does
not want to say. I will hide it no longer; yes, he is American, and so am I; we are both enemies of the
slave-holders, but not traitors come on board to betray the Dolphin into the hands of the Federalists.â
âWhat did you come to do, then?â asked the Captain, in a severe tone, examining the novice attentively. The
latter hesitated a few seconds before replying, then he said, âCaptain, I should like to speak to you in private.â
Whilst John Stiggs made this request, James Playfair did not cease to look carefully at him; the sweet young
face of the novice, his peculiarly gentle voice, the delicacy and whiteness of his hands, hardly disguised by
paint, the large eyes, the animation of which could not bide their tenderness â all this together gave rise to a
certain suspicion in the Captainâs mind. When John Stiggs had made his request, Playfair glanced fixedly at
Crockston, who shrugged his shoulders; then he fastened a questioning look on the novice, which the latter
could not withstand, and said simply to him, âCome.â
John Stiggs followed the Captain on to the poop, and then James Playfair, opening the door of his cabin, said
to the novice, whose cheeks were pale with emotion, âBe so kind as to walk in, miss.â
John, thus addressed, blushed violently, and two tears rolled involuntarily down his cheeks.
âDonât be alarmed, miss,â said James Playfair, in a gentle voice, âbut be so good as to tell me how I come to
have the honour of having you on board?â
The young girl hesitated a moment, then, reassured by the Captainâs look, she made up her mind to speak.
âSir,â said she, âI wanted to join my father at Charleston; the town is besieged by land and blockaded by sea. I
knew not how to get there, when I heard that the Dolphin meant to force the blockade. I came on board your
ship, and I beg you to forgive me if I acted without your consent, which you would have refused me.â
âCertainly,â said James Playfair.
âI did well, then, not to ask you,â resumed the young girl, with a firmer voice.
The Captain crossed his arms, walked round his cabin, and then came back.
âWhat is your name?â said he.
âJenny Halliburtt.â
âYour father, if I remember rightly the address on the letters, is he not from Boston?â
âYes, sir.â

âAnd a Northerner is thus in a southern town in the thickest of the war?â
âMy father is a prisoner; he was at Charleston when the first shot of the Civil War was fired, and the troops of
the Union driven from Fort Sumter by the Confederates. My fatherâs opinions exposed him to the hatred of
the slavist part, and by the order of General Beauregard he was imprisoned. I was then in England, living with
a relation who has just died, and left alone, with no help but that of Crockston, our faithful servant, I wished to
go to my father and share his prison with him.â
âWhat was Mr. Halliburtt, then?â asked James Playfair.
âA loyal and brave journalist,â replied Jenny proudly, one of the noblest editors of the Tribune, and the one
who was the boldest in defending the cause of the negroes.â
âAn Abolitionist,â cried the Captain angrily; âone of those men who, under the vain pretence of abolishing
slavery, have deluged their country with blood and ruin.â
âSir!â replied Jenny Halliburtt, growing pale, âyou are insulting my father; you must not forget that I stand
alone to defend him.â
The young Captain blushed scarlet; anger mingled with shame struggled in his breast; perhaps he would have
answered the young girl, but he succeeded in restraining himself, and, opening the door of the cabin, he called
âBoatswain!â
The boatswain came to him directly.
âThis cabin will henceforward belong to Miss Jenny Halliburtt. Have a cot made ready for me at the end of
the poop; thatâs all I want.â
The boatswain looked with a stupefied stare at the young novice addressed in a feminine name, but on a sign
from James Playfair he went out.
âAnd now, miss, you are at home,â said the young Captain of the Dolphin. Then he retired.
Chapter IV
CROCKSTONâS TRICK
It was not long before the whole crew knew Miss Halliburttâs story, which Crockston was no longer hindered
from telling. By the Captainâs orders he was released from the capstan, and the cat-oâ-nine-tails returned to its
Place.
âA pretty animal,â said Crockston, âespecially when it shows its velvety paws.â
As soon as he was free, he went down to the sailorsâ berths, found a small portmanteau, and carried it to Miss
Jenny; the young girl was now able to resume her feminine attire, but she remained in her cabin, and did not
again appear on deck.
As for Crockston, it was well and duly agreed that, as he was no more a sailor than a horse-guard, he should
be exempt from all duty on board.
Chapter IV 14
In the meanwhile the Dolphin, with her twin screws cutting the waves, sped rapidly across the Atlantic, and
there was nothing now to do but keep a strict look-out. The day following the discovery of Miss Jennyâs
identity, James Playfair paced the deck at the poop with a rapid step; he had made no attempt to see the young
girl and resume the conversation of the day before.
Whilst he was walking to and fro, Crockston passed him several times, looking at him askant with a satisfied
grin. He evidently wanted to speak to the Captain, and at last his persistent manner attracted the attention of
the latter, who said to him, somewhat impatiently:
âHow now, what do you want? You are turning round me like a swimmer round a buoy: when are you going
to leave off?â
âExcuse me, Captain,â answered Crockston, winking, âI wanted to speak to you.â
âSpeak, then.â
âOh, it is nothing very much. I only wanted to tell you frankly that you are a good fellow at bottom.â
âWhy at bottom?â
âAt bottom and surface also.â
âI donât want your compliments.â
âI am not complimenting you. I shall wait to do that when you have gone to the end.â
âTo what end?â
âTo the end of your task.â
âAh! I have a task to fulfil?â
âDecidedly, you have taken the young girl and myself on board; good! You have given up your cabin to Miss
Halliburtt; good! You released me from the cat-oâ-nine-tails; nothing could be better. You are going to take us
straight to Charleston; thatâs delightful, but it is not all.â
âHow not all?â cried James Playfair, amazed at Crockstonâs boldness.
âNo, certainly not,â replied the latter, with a knowing look, âthe father is prisoner there.â
âWell, what about that?â
âWell, the father must be rescued.â
âRescue Miss Halliburttâs father?â
âMost certainly, and it is worth risking something for such a noble man and courageous citizen as he.â
âMaster Crockston,â said James Playfair, frowning, âI am not in the humour for your jokes, so have a care
what you say.â
CROCKSTONâS TRICK 15
âYou misunderstand me, Captain,â said the American. âI am not joking in the least, but speaking quite
seriously. What I have proposed may at first seem very absurd to you; when you have thought it over, you will
see that you cannot do otherwise.â
âWhat, do you mean that I must deliver Mr. Halliburtt?â
âJust so. You can demand his release of General Beauregard, who will not refuse you.â
âBut if he does refuse me?â
âIn that case,â replied Crockston, in a deliberate tone, âwe must use stronger measures, and carry off the
prisoner by force.â
âSo,â cried James Playfair, who was beginning to get angry, âso, not content with passing through the Federal
fleets and forcing the blockade of Charleston, I must run out to sea again from under the cannon of the forts,
and this to deliver a gentleman I know nothing of, one of those Abolitionists whom I detest, one of those
journalists who shed ink instead of their blood!â
âOh, it is but a cannon-shot more or less!â added Crockston.
âMaster Crockston,â said James Playfair, âmind what I say: if ever you mention this affair again to me, I will
send you to the hold for the rest of the passage, to teach you manners.â
Thus saying, the Captain dismissed the American, who went off murmuring, âAh, well, I am not altogether
displeased with this conversation: at any rate, the affair is broached; it will do, it will do!â
James Playfair had hardly meant it when he said an Abolitionist whom I detest; he did not in the least side
with the Federals, but he did not wish to admit that the question of slavery was the predominant reason for the
civil war of the United States, in spite of President Lincolnâs formal declaration. Did he, then, think that the
Southern States, eight out of thirty-six, were right in separating when they had been voluntarily united? Not
so; he detested the Northerners, and that was all; he detested them as brothers separated from the common
family â true Englishmen â who had thought it right to do what he, James Playfair, disapproved of with regard
to the United States: these were the political opinions of the Captain of the Dolphin. But, more than this, the
American war interfered with him personally, and he had a grudge against those who had caused this war; one
can understand, then, how he would receive a proposition to deliver an Abolitionist, thus bringing down on
him the Confederates, with whom he pretended to do business.
However, Crockstonâs insinuation did not fail to disturb him; he cast the thought from him, but it returned
unceasingly to his mind, and when Miss Jenny came on deck the next day for a few minutes, he dared not
look her in the face.
And really it was a great pity, for this young girl, with the fair hair and sweet, intelligent face, deserved to be
looked at by a young man of thirty. But James felt embarrassed in her presence; he felt that this charming
creature who had been educated in the school of misfortune possessed a strong and generous soul; he
understood that his silence towards her inferred a refusal to acquiesce in her dearest wishes; besides, Miss
Jenny never looked out for James Playfair, neither did she avoid him. Thus for the first few days they spoke
little or not at all to each other. Miss Halliburtt scarcely ever left her cabin, and it is certain she would never
have addressed herself to the Captain of the Dolphin if it had not been for Crockstonâs strategy, which
brought both parties together.
The worthy American was a faithful servant of the Halliburtt family; he had been brought up in his masterâs
house, and his devotion knew no bounds. His good sense equalled his courage and energy, and, as has been
seen, he had a way of looking things straight in the face. He was very seldom discouraged, and could
generally find a way out of the most intricate dangers with a wonderful skill.
This honest fellow had taken it into his head to deliver Mr. Halliburtt, to employ the Captainâs ship, and the
Captain himself for this purpose, and to return with him to England. Such was his intention, so long as the
young girl had no other object than to rejoin her father and share his captivity. It was this Crockston tried to
make the Captain understand, as we have seen, but the enemy had not yet surrendered; on the contrary.
âNow,â said he, âit is absolutely necessary that Miss Jenny and the Captain come to an understanding; if they
are going to be sulky like this all the passage we shall get nothing done. They must speak, discuss; let them
dispute even, so long as they talk, and Iâll be hanged if during their conversation James Playfair does not
propose himself what he refused me to-day.â
But when Crockston saw that the young girl and the young man avoided each other, he began to be perplexed.
âWe must look sharp,â said he to himself, and the morning of the fourth day he entered Miss Halliburttâs
cabin, rubbing his hands with an air of perfect satisfaction.
âGood news!â cried he, âgood news! You will never guess what the Captain has proposed to me. A very noble
young man he is. Now try.â
âAh!â replied Jenny, whose heart beat violently, âhas he proposed to â â
âTo deliver Mr. Halliburtt, to carry him off from the Confederates, and bring him to England.â
âIs it true?â cried Jenny.
âIt is as I say, miss. What a good-hearted man this James Playfair is! These English are either all good or all
bad. Ah! he may reckon on my gratitude, and I am ready to cut myself in pieces if it would please him.â
Jennyâs joy was profound on hearing Crockstonâs words. Deliver her father! She had never dared to think of
such a plan, and the Captain of the Dolphin was going to risk his ship and crew!
âThatâs what he is,â added Crockston; âand this, Miss Jenny, is well worth an acknowledgment from you.â
âMore than an acknowledgment,â cried the young girl; âa lasting friendship!â
And immediately she left the cabin to find James Playfair, and express to him the sentiments which flowed
from her heart.
âGetting on by degrees,â muttered the American.
James Playfair was pacing to and fro on the poop, and, as may be thought, he was very much surprised, not to
say amazed, to see the young girl come up to him, her eyes moist with grateful tears, and, holding out her
hand to him, saying:
âThank you, sir, thank you for your kindness, which I should never have dared to expect from a stranger.â
âMiss,â replied the Captain, as if he understood nothing of what she was talking, and could not understand, âI
do not know â â
âNevertheless, sir, you are going to brave many dangers, perhaps compromise your interests for me, and you
have done so much already in offering me on board an hospitality to which I have no right whatever â â
âPardon me, Miss Jenny,â interrupted James Playfair, âbut I protest again I do not understand your words. I
have acted towards you as any well-bred man would towards a lady, and my conduct deserves neither so
many thanks nor so much gratitude.â
âMr. Playfair,â said Jenny, âit is useless to pretend any longer; Crockston has told me all!â
âAh!â said the Captain, âCrockston has told you all; then I understand less than ever the reason for your
leaving your cabin, and saying these words which â â
Whilst speaking the Captain felt very much embarrassed; he remembered the rough way in which he had
received the Americanâs overtures, but Jenny, fortunately for him, did not give him time for further
explanation; she interrupted him, holding out her hand and saying:
âMr. James, I had no other object in coming on board your ship except to go to Charleston, and there,
however cruel the slave-holders may be, they will not refuse to let a poor girl share her fatherâs prison; that
was all. I had never thought of a return as possible; but, since you are so generous as to wish for my fatherâs
deliverance, since you will attempt everything to save him, be assured you have my deepest gratitude.â
James did not know what to do or what part to assume; he bit his lip; he dared not take the hand offered him;
he saw perfectly that Crockston had compromised him, so that escape was impossible. At the same time he
had no thoughts of delivering Mr. Halliburtt, and getting complicated in a disagreeable business: but how dash
to the ground the hope which had arisen in this poor girlâs heart? How refuse the hand which she held out to
him with a feeling of such profound friendship? How change to tears of grief the tears of gratitude which
filled her eyes?
So the young man tried to reply evasively, in a manner which would ensure his liberty of action for the future.
âMiss Jenny,â said he, ârest assured I will do everything in my power for â â
And he took the little hand in both of his, but with the gentle pressure he felt his heart melt and his head grow
confused: words to express his thoughts failed him. He stammered out some incoherent words:
âMiss â Miss Jenny â for you â â
Crockston, who was watching him, rubbed his hands, grinning and repeating to himself:
âIt will come! it will come! it has come!â
How James Playfair would have managed to extricate himself from his embarrassing position no one knows,
but fortunately for him, if not for the Dolphin, the man on watch was heard crying:
âAhoy, officer of the watch!â
âWhat now?â asked Mr. Mathew.
âA sail to windward!â
James Playfair, leaving the young girl, immediately sprang to the shrouds of the mainmast.
Chapter V
THE SHOT FROM THE IROQUOIS, AND MISS JENNYâS ARGUMENTS
Until now the navigation of the Dolphin had been very fortunate. Not one ship had been signalled before the
sail hailed by the man on watch.
The Dolphin was then in 32Â° 51â lat., and 57Â° 43â W. longitude. For forty-eight hours a fog, which now
began to rise, had covered the ocean. If this mist favoured the Dolphin by hiding her course, it also prevented
any observations at a distance being made, and, without being aware of it, she might be sailing side by side, so
to speak, with the ships she wished most to avoid.
Now this is just what had happened, and when the ship was signalled she was only three miles to windward.
When James Playfair had reached the cross-trees, he saw distinctly, through an opening in the mist, a large
Federal corvette in full pursuit of the Dolphin.
After having carefully examined her, the Captain came down on deck again, and called to the first officer.
âMr. Mathew,â said he, âwhat do you think of this ship?â
âI think, Captain, that it is a Federal cruiser, which suspects our intentions.â
âThere is no possible doubt of her nationality,â said James Playfair. âLook!â
At this moment the starry flag of the North United States appeared on the gaff-yards of the corvette, and the
latter asserted her colours with a cannon-shot.
âAn invitation to show ours,â said Mr. Mathew. âWell, let us show them; there is nothing to be ashamed of.â
âWhatâs the good?â replied James Playfair. âOur flag will hardly protect us, and it will not hinder those
people from paying us a visit. No; let us go ahead.â
âAnd go quickly,â replied Mr. Mathew, âfor, if my eyes do not deceive me, I have already seen that corvette
lying off Liverpool, where she went to watch the ships in building: my name is not Mathew, if that is not the
Iroquois on her taffrail.â
âAnd is she fast?â
âOne of the fastest vessels of the Federal marine.â
âWhat guns does she carry?â
âEight.â
âPooh!â
Chapter V 19
âOh, donât shrug your shoulders, Captain,â said Mr. Mathew, in a serious tone; âtwo out of those eight guns
are rifled, one is a sixty-pounder on the forecastle, and the other a hundred-pounder on deck.â
âUpon my soul!â exclaimed James Playfair, âthey are Parrottâs, and will carry three miles.â
âYes, and farther than that, Captain.â
âAh, well! Mr. Mathew, let their guns be sixty or only four-pounders, and let them carry three miles or five
hundred yards, it is all the same if we can go fast enough to avoid their shot. We will show this Iroquois how
a ship can go when she is built on purpose to go. Have the fires drawn forward, Mr. Mathew.â
The first officer gave the Captainâs orders to the engineer, and soon volumes of black smoke curled from the
steamerâs chimneys.
This proceeding did not seem to please the corvette, for she made the Dolphin the signal to lie to, but James
Playfair paid no attention to this warning, and did not change his shipâs course.
âNow,â said he, âwe shall see what the Iroquois will do; here is a fine opportunity for her to try her guns. Go
ahead full speed!â
âGood!â exclaimed Mr. Mathew; âshe will not be long in saluting us.â
Returning to the poop, the Captain saw Miss Halliburtt sitting quietly near the bulwarks.
âMiss Jenny,â said he, âwe shall probably be chased by that corvette you see to windward, and as she will
speak to us with shot, I beg to offer you my arm to take you to your cabin again.â
âThank you, very much, Mr. Playfair,â replied the young girl, looking at him, âbut I am not afraid of
cannon-shots.â
âHowever, miss, in spite of the distance, there may be some danger.â
âOh, I was not brought up to be fearful; they accustom us to everything in America, and I assure you that the
shot from the Iroquois will not make me lower my head.â
âYou are brave, Miss Jenny.â
âLet us admit, then, that I am brave, and allow me to stay by you.â
âI can refuse you nothing, Miss Halliburtt,â replied the Captain, looking at the young girlâs calm face.
These words were hardly uttered when they saw a line of white smoke issue from the bulwarks of the
corvette; before the report had reached the Dolphin a projectile whizzed through the air in the direction of the
steamer.
At about twenty fathoms from the Dolphin the shot, the speed of which had sensibly lessened, skimmed over
the surface of the waves, marking its passage by a series of water-jets; then, with another burst, it rebounded
to a certain height, passed over the Dolphin, grazing the mizzen-yards on the starboard side, fell at thirty
fathoms beyond, and was buried in the waves.
âBy Jove!â exclaimed James Playfair, âwe must get along; another slap like that is not to be waited for.â
THE SHOT FROM THE IROQUOIS, AND MISS JENNYâS ARGUMENTS 20

âOh!â exclaimed Mr. Mathew, âthey will take some time to reload such pieces.â
âUpon my honour, it is an interesting sight,â said Crockston, who, with arms crossed, stood perfectly at his
ease looking at the scene.
âAh! thatâs you,â cried James Playfair, scanning the American from head to foot.
âIt is me, Captain,â replied the American, undisturbed. âI have come to see how these brave Federals fire; not
badly, in truth, not badly.â
The Captain was going to answer Crockston sharply, but at this moment a second shot struck the sea on the
starboard side.
âGood!â cried James Playfair, âwe have already gained two cables on this Iroquois. Your friends sail like a
buoy; do you hear, Master Crockston?â
âI will not say they donât,â replied the American, âand for the first time in my life it does not fail to please
me.â
A third shot fell still farther astern, and in less than ten minutes the Dolphin was out of range of the corvetteâs
guns.
âSo much for patent-logs, Mr. Mathew,â said James Playfair; âthanks to those shot we know how to rate our
speed. Now have the fires lowered; it is not worth while to waste our coal uselessly.â
âIt is a good ship that you command,â said Miss Halliburtt to the young Captain.
âYes, Miss Jenny, my good Dolphin makes her seventeen knots, and before the day is over we shall have lost
sight of that corvette.â
James Playfair did not exaggerate the sailing qualities of his ship, and the sun had not set before the masts of
the American ship had disappeared below the horizon.
This incident allowed the Captain to see Miss Halliburttâs character in a new light; besides, the ice was
broken, henceforward, during the whole of the voyage; the interviews between the Captain and his passenger
were frequent and prolonged; be found her to be a young girl, calm, strong, thoughtful, and intelligent,
speaking with great ease, having her own ideas about everything, and expressing her thoughts with a
conviction which unconsciously penetrated James Playfairâs heart.
She loved her country, she was zealous in the great cause of the Union, and expressed herself on the civil war
in the United States with an enthusiasm of which no other woman would have been capable. Thus it
happened, more than once, that James Playfair found it difficult to answer her, even when questions purely
mercantile arose in connection with the war: Miss Jenny attacked them none the less vigorously, and would
come to no other terms whatever. At first James argued a great deal, and tried to uphold the Confederates
against the Federals, to prove that the Secessionists were in the right, and that if the people were united
voluntarily they might separate in the same manner. But the young girl would not yield on this point; she
demonstrated that the question of slavery was predominant in the struggle between the North and South
Americans, that it was far more a war in the cause of morals and humanity than politics, and James could
make no answer. Besides, during these discussions, which he listened to attentively, it is difficult to say
whether he was more touched by Miss Halliburttâs arguments or the charming manner in which she spoke;
but at last he was obliged to acknowledge, among other things, that slavery was the principal feature in the
THE SHOT FROM THE IROQUOIS, AND MISS JENNYâS ARGUMENTS 21

war, that it must be put an end to decisively, and the last horrors of barbarous times abolished.
It has been said that the political opinions of the Captain did not trouble him much. He would have sacrificed
his most serious opinion before such enticing arguments and under like circumstances; he made a good
bargain of his ideas for the same reason, but at last he was attacked in his tenderest point; this was the
question of the traffic in which the Dolphin was being employed, and, consequently, the ammunition which
was being carried to the Confederates.
âYes, Mr. James,â said Miss Halliburtt, âgratitude does not hinder me from speaking with perfect frankness;
on the contrary, you are a brave seaman, a clever merchant, the house of Playfair is noted for its respectability;
but in this case it fails in its principles, and follows a trade unworthy of it.â
âHow!â cried James, âthe house of Playfair ought not to attempt such a commercial enterprise?â
âNo! it is taking ammunition to the unhappy creatures in revolt against the government of their country, and it
is lending arms to a bad cause.â
âUpon my honour, Miss Jenny, I will not discuss the right of the Confederates with you; I will only answer
you with one word: I am a merchant, and as such I only occupy myself with the interests of my house; I look
for gain wherever there is an opportunity of getting it.â
âThat is precisely what is to be blamed, Mr. James,â replied the young girl; âprofit does not excuse it; thus,
when you supply arms to the Southerners, with which to continue a criminal war, you are quite as guilty as
when you sell opium to the Chinese, which stupefies them.â
âOh, for once, Miss Jenny, this is too much, and I cannot admit â â
âNo; what I say is just, and when you consider it, when you understand the part you are playing, when you
think of the results for which you are responsible, you will yield to me in this point, as in so many others.â
James Playfair was dumfounded at these words; he left the young girl, a prey to angry thoughts, for he felt his
powerlessness to answer; then he sulked like a child for half an hour, and an hour later he returned to the
singular young girl who could overwhelm him with convincing arguments with quite a pleasant smile.
In short, however it may have come about, and although he would not acknowledge it to himself, Captain
James Playfair belonged to himself no longer; he was no longer commander-in-chief on board his own ship.
Thus, to Crockstonâs great joy, Mr. Halliburttâs affairs appeared to be in a good way; the Captain seemed to
have decided to undertake everything in his power to deliver Miss Jennyâs father, and for this he would be
obliged to compromise the Dolphin, his cargo, his crew, and incur the displeasure of his worthy Uncle
Vincent.
Chapter VI
SULLIVAN ISLAND CHANNEL
Two days after the meeting with the Iroquois, the Dolphin found herself abreast of the Bermudas, where she
was assailed by a violent squall. These isles are frequently visited by hurricanes, and are celebrated for
shipwrecks. It is here that Shakespeare has placed the exciting scene of his drama, The Tempest, in which
Ariel and Caliban dispute for the empire of the floods.
Chapter VI 22
The squall was frightful; James Playfair thought once of running for one of the Bermudas, where the English
had a military post: it would have been a sad waste of time, and therefore especially to be regretted; happily
the Dolphin behaved herself wonderfully well in the storm, and, after flying a whole day before the tempest,
she was able to resume her course towards the American coast.
But if James Playfair had been pleased with his ship, he had not been less delighted with the young girlâs
bravery; Miss Halliburtt had passed the worst hours of the storm at his side, and James knew that a profound,
imperious, irresistible love had taken possession of his whole being.
âYes,â said he, âthis brave girl is mistress on board; she turns me like the sea a ship in distress â I feel that I
am foundering! What will Uncle Vincent say? Ah! poor nature, I am sure that if Jenny asked me to throw all
this cursed cargo into the sea, I should do it without hesitating, for love of her.â
Happily for the firm of Playfair & Co., Miss Halliburtt did not demand this sacrifice; nevertheless, the poor
Captain had been taken captive, and Crockston, who read his heart like an open book, rubbed his hands
gleefully.
âWe will hold him fast!â he muttered to himself, âand before a week has passed my master will be quietly
installed in one of the best cabins of the Dolphin.â
As for Miss Jenny, did she perceive the feelings which she inspired? Did she allow herself to share them? No
one could say, and James Playfair least of all; the young girl kept a perfect reserve, and her secret remained
deeply buried in her heart.
But whilst love was making such progress in the heart of the young Captain, the Dolphin sped with no less
rapidity towards Charleston.
On the 13th of January, the watch signalled land ten miles to the west. It was a low-lying coast, and almost
blended with the line of the sea in the distance. Crockston was examining the horizon attentively, and about
nine oâclock in the morning he cried:
âCharleston lighthouse!â
Now that the bearings of the Dolphin were set, James Playfair had but one thing to do, to decide by which
channel he would run into Charleston Bay.
âIf we meet with no obstacles,â said he, âbefore three oâclock we shall be in safety in the docks of the port.â
The town of Charleston is situated on the banks of an estuary seven miles long and two broad, called
Charleston Harbour, the entrance to which is rather difficult. It is enclosed between Morris Island on the south
and Sullivan Island on the north. At the time when the Dolphin attempted to force the blockade Morris Island
already belonged to the Federal troops, and General Gillmore had caused batteries to be erected overlooking
the harbour. Sullivan Island, on the contrary, was in the hands of the Confederates, who were also in
possession of Moultrie Fort, situated at the extremity of the island; therefore it would be advantageous to the
Dolphin to go as close as possible to the northern shores to avoid the firing from the forts on Morris Island.
Five channels led into the estuary, Sullivan Island Channel, the Northern Channel, the Overall Channel, the
Principal Channel, and lastly, the Lawford Channel; but it was useless for strangers, unless they had skilful
pilots on board, or ships drawing less than seven feet of water, to attempt this last; as for Northern and Overall
Channels, they were in range of the Federalist batteries, so that it was no good thinking of them. If James
Playfair could have had his choice, he would have taken his steamer through the Principal Channel, which
SULLIVAN ISLAND CHANNEL 23

was the best, and the bearings of which were easy to follow; but it was necessary to yield to circumstances,
and to decide according to the event. Besides, the Captain of the Dolphin knew perfectly all the secrets of this
bay, its dangers, the depths of its water at low tide, and its currents, so that he was able to steer his ship with
the greatest safety as soon as he entered one of these narrow straits. The great question was to get there.
Now this work demanded an experienced seaman, and one who knew exactly the qualities of the Dolphin.
In fact, two Federal frigates were now cruising in the Charleston waters. Mr. Mathew soon drew James
Playfairâs attention to them.
âThey are preparing to ask us what we want on these shores,â said he.
âAh, well! we wonât answer them,â replied the Captain, âand they will not get their curiosity satisfied.â
In the meanwhile the cruisers were coming on full steam towards the Dolphin, who continued her course,
taking care to keep out of range of their guns. But in order to gain time James Playfair made for the
south-west, wishing to put the enemiesâ ships off their guard; the latter must have thought that the Dolphin
intended to make for Morris Island Channel. Now there they had batteries and guns, a single shot from which
would have been enough to sink the English ship; so the Federals allowed the Dolphin to run towards the
south-west, contenting themselves by observing her without following closely.
Thus for an hour the respective situations of the ships did not change, for James Playfair, wishing to deceive
the cruisers as to the course of the Dolphin, had caused the fires to be moderated, so that the speed was
decreased. However, from the thick volumes of smoke which escaped from the chimneys, it might have been
thought that he was trying to get his maximum pressure, and, consequently his maximum of rapidity.
âThey will be slightly astonished presently,â said James Playfair, âwhen they see us slip through their
fingers!â
In fact, when the Captain saw that he was near enough to Morris Island, and before a line of guns, the range of
which he did not know, he turned his rudder quickly, and the ship resumed her northerly course, leaving the
cruisers two miles to windward of her; the latter, seeing this manoeuvre, understood the steamerâs object, and
began to pursue her in earnest, but it was too late. The Dolphin doubled her speed under the action of the
screws, and distanced them rapidly. Going nearer to the coast, a few shell were sent after her as an acquittal of
conscience, but the Federals were outdone, for their projectiles did not reach half-way. At eleven oâclock in
the morning, the steamer ranging near Sullivan Island, thanks to her small draft, entered the narrow strait full
steam; there she was in safety, for no Federalist cruiser dared follow her in this channel, the depth of which,
on an average, was only eleven feet at low tide.
âHow!â cried Crockston, âand is that the only difficulty?â
âOh! oh! Master Crockston,â said James Playfair, âthe difficulty is not in entering, but in getting out again.â
âNonsense!â replied the American, âthat does not make me at all uneasy; with a boat like the Dolphin and a
Captain like Mr. James Playfair, one can go where one likes, and come out in the same manner.â
Nevertheless, James Playfair, with telescope in his hand, was attentively examining the route to be followed.
He had before him excellent coasting guides, with which he could go ahead without any difficulty or
hesitation.
SULLIVAN ISLAND CHANNEL 24

Once his ship was safely in the narrow channel which runs the length of Sullivan Island, James steered
bearing towards the middle of Fort Moultrie as far as the Pickney Castle, situated on the isolated island of
Shuteâs Folly; on the other side rose Fort Johnson, a little way to the north of Fort Sumter.
At this moment the steamer was saluted by some shot which did not reach her, from the batteries on Morris
Island. She continued her course without any deviation, passed before Moultrieville, situated at the extremity
of Sullivan Island, and entered the bay.
Soon Fort Sumter on the left protected her from the batteries of the Federalists.
This fort, so celebrated in the civil war, is situated three miles and a half from Charleston, and about a mile
from each side of the bay: it is nearly pentagonal in form, built on an artificial island of Massachusetts granite;
it took ten years to construct and cost more than 900,000 dollars.
It was from this fort, on the 13th of April, 1861, that Anderson and the Federal troops were driven, and it was
against it that the first shot of the Confederates was fired. It is impossible to estimate the quantity of iron and
lead which the Federals showered down upon it. However, it resisted for almost three years, but a few months
after the passage of the Dolphin it fell beneath General Gillmoreâs three hundred-pounders on Morris Island.
But at this time it was in all its strength, and the Confederate flag floated proudly above it.
Once past the fort, the town of Charleston appeared, lying between Ashley and Cooper Rivers.
James Playfair threaded his way through the buoys which mark the entrance of the channel, leaving behind the
Charleston lighthouse, visible above Morris Island. He had hoisted the English flag, and made his way with
wonderful rapidity through the narrow channels. When he had passed the quarantine buoy, he advanced freely
into the centre of the bay. Miss Halliburtt was standing on the poop, looking at the town where her father was
kept prisoner, and her eyes filled with tears.
At last the steamerâs speed was moderated by the Captainâs orders; the Dolphin ranged along the end of the
south and east batteries, and was soon moored at the quay of the North Commercial Wharf.
Chapter VII
A SOUTHERN GENERAL
The Dolphin, on arriving at the Charleston quay, had been saluted by the cheers of a large crowd. The
inhabitants of this town, strictly blockaded by sea, were not accustomed to visits from European ships. They
asked each other, not without astonishment, what this great steamer, proudly bearing the English flag, had
come to do in their waters; but when they learned the object of her voyage, and why she had just forced the
passage Sullivan, when the report spread that she carried a cargo of smuggled ammunition, the cheers and
joyful cries were redoubled.
James Playfair, without losing a moment, entered into negotiation with General Beauregard, the military
commander of the town. The latter eagerly received the young Captain of the Dolphin, who had arrived in
time to provide the soldiers with the clothes and ammunition they were so much in want of. It was agreed that
the unloading of the ship should take place immediately, and numerous hands came to help the English
sailors.
Chapter VII 25
Before quitting his ship James Playfair had received from Miss Halliburtt the most pressing injunctions with
regard to her father, and the Captain had placed himself entirely at the young girlâs service.
âMiss Jenny,â he had said, âyou may rely on me; I will do the utmost in my power to save your father, but I
hope this business will not present many difficulties. I shall go and see General Beauregard to-day, and,
without asking him at once for Mr. Halliburttâs liberty, I shall learn in what situation he is, whether he is on
bail or a prisoner.â
âMy poor father!â replied Jenny, sighing; âhe little thinks his daughter is so near him. Oh that I could fly into
his arms!â
âA little patience, Miss Jenny; you will soon embrace your father. Rely upon my acting with the most entire
devotion, but also with prudence and consideration.â
This is why James Playfair, after having delivered the cargo of the Dolphin up to the General, and bargained
for an immense stock of cotton, faithful to his promise, turned the conversation to the events of the day.
âSo,â said he, âyou believe in the triumph of the slave-holders?â
âI do not for a moment doubt of our final success, and, as regards Charleston, Leeâs army will soon relieve it:
besides, what do you expect from the Abolitionists? Admitting that which will never be, that the commercial
towns of Virginia, the two Carolinas, Georgia, Alabama, fall under their power, what then? Will they be
masters of a country they can never occupy? No, certainly not; and for my part, if they are ever victorious,
they shall pay dearly for it.â
âAnd you are quite sure of your soldiers?â asked the Captain. âYou are not afraid that Charleston will grow
weary of a siege which is ruining her?â
âNo, I do not fear treason; besides, the traitors would be punished remorselessly, and I would destroy the town
itself by sword or fire if I discovered the least Unionist movement. Jefferson Davis confided Charleston to me,
and you may be sure that Charleston is in safe hands.â
âHave you any Federal prisoners?â asked James Playfair, coming to the interesting object of the conversation.
âYes, Captain,â replied the General, âit was at Charleston that the first shot of separation was fired. The
Abolitionists who were here attempted to resist, and, after being defeated, they have been kept as prisoners of
war.â
âAnd have you many?â
âAbout a hundred.â
âFree in the town?â
âThey were until I discovered a plot formed by them: their chief succeeded in establishing a communication
with the besiegers, who were thus informed of the situation of affairs in the town. I was then obliged to lock
up these dangerous guests, and several of them will only leave their prison to ascend the slope of the citadel,
where ten confederate balls will reward them for their federalism.â
âWhat! to be shot!â cried the young man, shuddering involuntarily.
A SOUTHERN GENERAL 26
âYes, and their chief first of all. He is a very dangerous man to have in a besieged town. I have sent his letters
to the President at Richmond, and before a week is passed his sentence will be irrevocably passed.â
âWho is this man you speak of?â asked James Playfair, with an assumed carelessness.
âA journalist from Boston, a violent Abolitionist with the confounded spirit of Lincoln.â
âAnd his name?â
âJonathan Halliburtt.â
âPoor wretch!â exclaimed James, suppressing his emotion. âWhatever he may have done, one cannot help
pitying him. And you think that he will be shot?â
âI am sure of it,â replied Beauregard. âWhat can you expect? War is war; one must defend oneself as best one
can.â
âWell, it is nothing to me,â said the Captain. âI shall be far enough away when this execution takes place.â
âWhat! you are thinking of going away already.â
âYes, General, business must be attended to; as soon as my cargo of cotton is on board I shall be out to sea
again. I was fortunate enough to enter the bay, but the difficulty is in getting out again. The Dolphin is a good
ship; she can beat any of the Federal vessels for speed, but she does not pretend to distance cannon-balls, and
a shell in her hull or engine would seriously affect my enterprise.â
âAs you please, Captain,â replied Beauregard; âI have no advice to give you under such circumstances. You
are doing your business, and you are right. I should act in the same manner were I in your place; besides, a
stay at Charleston is not very pleasant, and a harbour where shells are falling three days out of four is not a
safe shelter for your ship; so you will set sail when you please; but can you tell me what is the number and the
force of the Federal vessels cruising before Charleston?â
James Playfair did his best to answer the General, and took leave of him on the best of terms; then he returned
to the Dolphin very thoughtful and very depressed from what he had just heard.
âWhat shall I say to Miss Jenny? Ought I to tell her of Mr. Halliburttâs terrible situation? Or would it be better
to keep her in ignorance of the trial which is awaiting her? Poor child!â
He had not gone fifty steps from the governorâs house when he ran against Crockston. The worthy American
had been watching for him since his departure.
âWell, Captain?â
James Playfair looked steadily at Crockston, and the latter soon understood he had no favourable news to give
him.
âHave you seen Beauregard?â he asked.
âYes,â replied James Playfair.
âAnd have you spoken to him about Mr. Halliburtt?â
âNo, it was he who spoke to me about him.â
âWell, Captain?â
âWell, I may as well tell you everything, Crockston.â
âEverything, Captain.â
âGeneral Beauregard has told me that your master will be shot within a week.â
At this news anyone else but Crockston would have grown furious or given way to bursts of grief, but the
American, who feared nothing, only said, with almost a smile on his lips:
âPooh! what does it matter?â
âHow! what does it matter?â cried James Playfair. âI tell you that Mr. Halliburtt will be shot within a week,
and you answer, what does it matter?â
âAnd I mean it â if in six days he is on board the Dolphin, and if in seven days the Dolphin is on the open
sea.â
âRight!â exclaimed the Captain, pressing Crockstonâs hand. âI understand, my good fellow, you have got
some pluck; and for myself, in spite of Uncle Vincent, I would throw myself overboard for Miss Jenny.â
âNo one need be thrown overboard,â replied the American, âonly the fish would gain by that: the most
important business now is to deliver Mr. Halliburtt.â
âBut you must know that it will be difficult to do so.â
âPooh!â exclaimed Crockston.
âIt is a question of communicating with a prisoner strictly guarded.â
âCertainly.â
âAnd to bring about an almost miraculous escape.â
âNonsense,â exclaimed Crockston; âa prisoner thinks more of escaping than his guardian thinks of keeping
him; thatâs why, thanks to our help, Mr. Halliburtt will be saved.â
âYou are right, Crockston.â
âAlways right.â
âBut now what will you do? There must be some plan: and there are precautions to be taken.â
âI will think about it.â
âBut when Miss Jenny learns that her father is condemned to death, and that the order for his execution may
come any day â â
âShe will know nothing about it, that is all.â
âYes, it will be better for her and for us to tell her nothing.â
âWhere is Mr. Halliburtt imprisoned?â asked Crockston.
âIn the citadel,â replied James Playfair.
âJust so! . . . On board now?â
âOn board, Crockston!â
Chapter VIII
THE ESCAPE
Miss Jenny, sitting at the poop of the Dolphin, was anxiously waiting the Captainâs return; when the latter
went up to her she could not utter a word, but her eyes questioned James Playfair more eagerly than her lips
could have done. The latter, with Crockstonâs help, informed the young girl of the facts relating to her
fatherâs imprisonment. He said that he had carefully broached the subject of the prisoners of war to
Beauregard, but, as the General did not seem disposed at all in their favour, he had thought it better to say no
more about it, but think the matter over again.
âSince Mr. Halliburtt is not free in the town, his escape will be more difficult; but I will finish my task, and I
promise you, Miss Jenny, that the Dolphin shall not leave Charleston without having your father on board.â
âThank you, Mr. James; I thank you with my whole heart.â
At these words James Playfair felt a thrill of joy through his whole being.
He approached the young girl with moist eyes and quivering lips; perhaps he was going to make an avowal of
the sentiments he could no longer repress, when Crockston interfered:
âThis is no time for grieving,â said he; âwe must go to work, and consider what to do.â
âHave you any plan, Crockston?â asked the young girl.
âI always have a plan,â replied the American: âit is my peculiarity.â
âBut a good one?â said James Playfair.
âExcellent! and all the ministers in Washington could not devise a better; it is almost as good as if Mr.
Halliburtt was already on board.â
Crockston spoke with such perfect assurance, at the same time with such simplicity, that it must have been the
most incredulous person who could doubt his words.
âWe are listening, Crockston,â said James Playfair.
âGood! You, Captain, will go to General Beauregard, and ask a favour of him which he will not refuse you.â
Chapter VIII 29
âAnd what is that?â
âYou will tell him that you have on board a tiresome subject, a scamp who has been very troublesome during
the voyage, and excited the crew to revolt. You will ask of him permission to shut him up in the citadel; at the
same time, on the condition that he shall return to the ship on her departure, in order to be taken back to
England, to be delivered over to the justice of his country.â
âGood!â said James Playfair, half smiling, âI will do all that, and Beauregard will grant my request very
willingly.â
âI am perfectly sure of it,â replied the American.
âBut,â resumed Playfair, âone thing is wanting.â
âWhat is that?â
âThe scamp.â
âHe is before you, Captain.â
âWhat, the rebellious subject?â
âIs myself; donât trouble yourself about that.â
âOh! you brave, generous heart,â cried Jenny, pressing the Americanâs rough hands between her small white
palms.
âGo, Crockston,â said James Playfair; âI understand you, my friend; and I only regret one thing â that is, that I
cannot take your place.â
âEveryone his part,â replied Crockston; âif you put yourself in my place you would be very much
embarrassed, which I shall not be; you will have enough to do later on to get out of the harbour under the fire
of the Feds and Rebs, which, for my part, I should manage very badly.â
âWell, Crockston, go on.â
âOnce in the citadel â I know it â I shall see what to do, and rest assured I shall do my best; in the meanwhile,
you will be getting your cargo on board.â
âOh, business is now a very unimportant detail,â said the Captain.
âNot at all! And what would your Uncle Vincent say to that? We must join sentiment with work; it will
prevent suspicion; but do it quickly. Can you be ready in six days?â
âYes.â
âWell, let the Dolphin be ready to start on the 22nd.â
âShe shall be ready.â
THE ESCAPE 30
âOn the evening of the 22nd of January, you understand, send a gig with your best men to White Point, at the
end of the town; wait there till nine oâclock, and then you will see Mr. Halliburtt and your servant.â
âBut how will you manage to effect Mr. Halliburttâs deliverance, and also escape yourself?â
âThatâs my look-out.â
âDear Crockston, you are going to risk your life then, to save my father!â
âDonât be uneasy, Miss Jenny, I shall risk absolutely nothing, you may believe me.â
âWell,â asked James Playfair, âwhen must I have you locked up?â
âTo-day â you understand â I demoralise your crew; there is no time to be lost.â
âWould you like any money? It may be of use to you in the citadel.â
âMoney to buy the gaoler! Oh, no, it would be a poor bargain; when one goes there the gaoler keeps the
money and the prisoner! No, I have surer means than that; however, a few dollars may be useful; one must be
able to drink, if needs be.â
âAnd intoxicate the gaoler.â
âNo, an intoxicated gaoler would spoil everything. No, I tell you I have an idea; let me work it out.â
âHere, my good fellow, are ten dollars.â
âIt is too much, but I will return what is over.â
âWell, then, are you ready?â
âQuite ready to be a downright rogue.â
âLet us go to work, then.â
âCrockston,â said the young girl, in a faltering voice, âyou are the best man on earth.â
âI know it,â replied the American, laughing good-humouredly. âBy the by, Captain, an important item.â
âWhat is that?â
âIf the General proposes to hang your rebel â you know that military men like sharp work â â
âWell, Crockston?â
âWell, you will say that you must think about it.â
âI promise you I will.â
The same day, to the great astonishment of the crew, who were not in the secret, Crockston, with his feet and
hands in irons, was taken on shore by a dozen sailors, and half an hour after, by Captain James Playfairâs
THE ESCAPE 31
request, he was led through the streets of the town, and, in spite of his resistance, was imprisoned in the
citadel.
During this and the following days the unloading of the Dolphin was rapidly accomplished; the steam cranes
lifted out the European cargo to make room for the native goods. The people of Charleston, who were present
at this interesting work, helped the sailors, whom they held in great respect, but the Captain did not leave the
brave fellows much time for receiving compliments; he was constantly behind them, and urged them on with a
feverish activity, the reason of which the sailors could not suspect.
Three days later, on the 18th of January, the first bales of cotton began to be packed in the hold: although
James Playfair troubled himself no more about it, the firm of Playfair and Co. were making an excellent
bargain, having obtained the cotton which encumbered the Charleston wharves at very far less than its value.
In the meantime no news had been heard of Crockston. Jenny, without saying anything about it, was a prey to
incessant fears; her pale face spoke for her, and James Playfair endeavoured his utmost to ease her mind.
âI have all confidence in Crockston,â said he; âhe is a devoted servant, as you must know better than I do,
Miss Jenny. You must make yourself quite at ease; believe me, in three days you will be folded in your
fatherâs arms.â
âAh! Mr. James,â cried the young girl, âhow can I ever repay you for such devotion? How shall we ever be
able to thank you?â
âI will tell you when we are in English seas,â replied the young Captain.
Jenny raised her tearful face to him for a moment, then her eyelids drooped, and she went back to her cabin.
James Playfair hoped that the young girl would know nothing of her fatherâs terrible situation until he was in
safety, but she was apprised of the truth by the involuntary indiscretion of a sailor.
The reply from the Richmond cabinet had arrived by a courier who had been able to pass the line of outposts;
the reply contained Jonathan Halliburttâs death-warrant. The news of the approaching execution was not long
in spreading through the town, and it was brought on board by one of the sailors of the Dolphin; the man told
the Captain, without thinking that Miss Halliburtt was within hearing; the young girl uttered a piercing cry,
and fell unconscious on the deck. James Playfair carried her to her cabin, but the most assiduous care was
necessary to restore her to life.
When she opened her eyes again, she saw the young Captain, who, with a finger on his lips, enjoined absolute
silence. With difficulty she repressed the outburst of her grief, and James Playfair, leaning towards her, said
gently:
âJenny, in two hours your father will be in safety near you, or I shall have perished in endeavouring to save
him!â
Then he left the cabin, saying to himself, âAnd now he must be carried off at any price, since I must pay for
his liberty with my own life and those of my crew.â
The hour for action had arrived, the loading of the cotton cargo had been finished since morning; in two hours
the ship would be ready to start.
THE ESCAPE 32
James Playfair had left the North Commercial Wharf and gone into the roadstead, so that he was ready to
make use of the tide, which would be high at nine oâclock in the evening.
It was seven oâclock when James left the young girl, and began to make preparations for departure. Until the
present time the secret had been strictly kept between himself, Crockston, and Jenny; but now he thought it
wise to inform Mr. Mathew of the situation of affairs, and he did so immediately.
âVery well, sir,â replied Mr. Mathew, without making the least remark, âand nine oâclock is the time?â
âNine oâclock, and have the fires lit immediately, and the steam got up.â
âIt shall be done, Captain.â
âThe Dolphin may remain at anchor; we will cut our moorings and sheer off, without losing a moment.â
âJust so.â
âHave a lantern placed at the mainmast-head; the night is dark, and will be foggy; we must not risk losing our
way in returning. You had better have the bell for starting rung at nine oâclock.â
âYour orders shall be punctually attended to, Captain.â
âAnd now, Mr. Mathew, have a shore-boat manned with six of our best men. I am going to set out directly for
White Point. I leave Miss Jenny in your charge, and may God protect us!â
âMay God protect us!â repeated the first officer.
Then he immediately gave the necessary orders for the fires to be lighted, and the shore-boat provided with
men. In a few minutes the boat was ready, and James Playfair, after bidding Jenny good-bye, stepped into it,
whilst at the same time he saw volumes of black smoke issuing from the chimneys of the ship, and losing
itself in the fog.
The darkness was profound; the wind had fallen, and in the perfect silence the waters seemed to slumber in
the immense harbour, whilst a few uncertain lights glimmered through the mist. James Playfair had taken his
place at the rudder, and with a steady hand he guided his boat towards White Point. It was a distance of about
two miles; during the day James had taken his bearings perfectly, so that he was able to make direct for
Charleston Point.
Eight oâclock struck from the church of St. Philip when the shore-boat ran aground at White Point.
There was an hour to wait before the exact time fixed by Crockston; the quay was deserted, with the exception
of the sentinel pacing to and fro on the south and east batteries. James Playfair grew impatient, and the
minutes seemed hours to him.
At half-past eight he heard the sound of approaching steps; he left his men with their oars clear and ready to
start, and went himself to see who it was; but he had not gone ten feet when he met a band of coastguards, in
all about twenty men. James drew his revolver from his waist, deciding to make use of it, if needs be; but what
could he do against these soldiers, who were coming on to the quay?
The leader came up to him, and, seeing the boat, asked:
THE ESCAPE 33
âWhose craft is that?â
âIt is a gig belonging to the Dolphin,â replied the young man.
âAnd who are you?â
âCaptain James Playfair.â
âI thought you had already started, and were now in the Charleston channels.â
âI am ready to start. I ought even now to be on my way but â â
âBut â â persisted the coastguard.
A bright idea shot through Jamesâs mind, and he answered:
âOne of my sailors is locked up in the citadel, and, to tell the truth, I had almost forgotten him; fortunately I
thought of him in time, and I have sent my men to bring him.â
âAh! that troublesome fellow; you wish to take him back to England?â
âYes.
âHe might as well be hung here as there,â said the coast-guard, laughing at his joke.
âSo I think,â said James Playfair, âbut it is better to have the thing done in the regular way.â
âNot much chance of that, Captain, when you have to face the Morris Island batteries.â
âDonât alarm yourself. I got in and Iâll get out again.â
âProsperous voyage to you!â
âThank you.â
With this the men went off, and the shore was left silent.
At this moment nine oâclock struck; it was the appointed moment. James felt his heart beat violently; a
whistle was heard; he replied to it, then he waited, listening, with his hand up to enjoin perfect silence on the
sailors. A man appeared enveloped in a large cloak, and looking from one side to another. James ran up to
him.
âMr. Halliburtt?â
âI am he,â replied the man with the cloak.
âGod be praised!â cried James Playfair. âEmbark without losing a minute. Where is Crockston?â
âCrockston!â exclaimed Mr. Halliburtt, amazed. âWhat do you mean?â
âThe man who has saved you and brought you here was your servant Crockston.â
THE ESCAPE 34
âThe man who came with me was the gaoler from the citadel,â replied Mr. Halliburtt.
âThe gaoler!â cried James Playfair.
Evidently he knew nothing about it, and a thousand fears crowded in his mind.
âQuite right, the gaoler,â cried a well-known voice. âThe gaoler is sleeping like a top in my cell.â
âCrockston! you! Can it be you?â exclaimed Mr. Halliburtt.
âNo time to talk now, master; we will explain everything to you afterwards. It is a question of life or death.
Get in quick!â
The three men took their places in the boat.
âPush off!â cried the captain.
Immediately the six oars dipped into the water; the boat darted like a fish through the waters of Charleston
Harbour.
Chapter IX
BETWEEN TWO FIRES
The boat, pulled by six robust oarsmen, flew over the water. The fog was growing dense, and it was with
difficulty that James Playfair succeeded in keeping to the line of his bearings. Crockston sat at the bows, and
Mr. Halliburtt at the stern, next the Captain. The prisoner, only now informed of the presence of his servant,
wished to speak to him, but the latter enjoined silence.
However, a few minutes later, when they were in the middle of the harbour, Crockston determined to speak,
knowing what thoughts were uppermost in Mr. Halliburttâs mind.
âYes, my dear master,â said he, âthe gaoler is in my place in the cell, where I gave him two smart blows, one
on the head and the other on the stomach, to act as a sleeping draught, and this when he was bringing me my
supper; there is gratitude for you. I took his clothes and his keys, found you, and let you out of the citadel,
under the soldiersâ noses. That is all I have done.â
âBut my daughter â ?â asked Mr. Halliburtt.
âIs on board the ship which is going to take you to England.â
âMy daughter there! there!â cried the American, springing from his seat.
âSilence!â replied Crockston, âa few minutes, and we shall be saved.â
The boat flew through the darkness, but James Playfair was obliged to steer rather by guess, as the lanterns of
the Dolphin were no longer visible through the fog. He was undecided what direction to follow, and the
darkness was so great that the rowers could not even see to the end of their oars.
âWell, Mr. James?â said Crockston.
Chapter IX 35
âWe must have made more than a mile and a half,â replied the Captain. âYou donât see anything, Crockston?â
âNothing; nevertheless, I have good eyes; but we shall get there all right. They donât suspect anything out
there.â
These words were hardly finished when the flash of a gun gleamed for an instant through the darkness, and
vanished in the mist.
âA signal!â cried James Playfair.
âWhew!â exclaimed Crockston. âIt must have come from the citadel. Let us wait.â
A second, then a third shot was fired in the direction of the first, and almost the same signal was repeated a
mile in front of the gig.
âThat is from Fort Sumter,â cried Crockston, âand it is the signal of escape. Urge on the men; everything is
discovered.â
âPull for your lives, my men!â cried James Playfair, urging on the sailors, âthose gun-shots cleared my route.
The Dolphin is eight hundred yards ahead of us. Stop! I hear the bell on board. Hurrah, there it is again!
Twenty pounds for you if we are back in five minutes!â
The boat skimmed over the waves under the sailorsâ powerful oars. A cannon boomed in the direction of the
town. Crockston heard a ball whiz past them.
The bell on the Dolphin was ringing loudly. A few more strokes and the boat was alongside. A few more
seconds and Jenny fell into her fatherâs arms.
The gig was immediately raised, and James Playfair sprang on to the poop.
âIs the steam up, Mr. Mathew?â
âYes, Captain.â
âHave the moorings cut at once.â
A few minutes later the two screws carried the steamer towards the principal channel, away from Fort Sumter.
âMr. Mathew,â said James, âwe must not think of taking the Sullivan Island channel; we should run directly
under the Confederate guns. Let us go as near as possible to the right side of the harbour out of range of the
Federal batteries. Have you a safe man at the helm?â
âYes, Captain.â
âHave the lanterns and the fires on deck extinguished; there is a great deal too much light, but we cannot help
the reflection from the engine-rooms.â
During this conversation the Dolphin was going at a great speed; but in altering her course to keep to the right
side of the Charleston Harbour she was obliged to enter a channel which took her for a moment near Fort
Sumter; and when scarcely half a mile off all the guns bearing on her were discharged at the same time, and a
shower of shot and shell passed in front of the Dolphin with a thundering report.
BETWEEN TWO FIRES 36

âToo soon, stupids,â cried James Playfair, with a burst of laughter. âMake haste, make haste, Mr. Engineer!
We shall get between two fires.â
The stokers fed the furnaces, and the Dolphin trembled all over with the effort of the engine as if she was on
the point of exploding.
At this moment a second report was heard, and another shower of balls whizzed behind the Dolphin.
âToo late, stupids,â cried the young Captain, with a regular roar.
Then Crockston, who was standing on the poop, cried, âThatâs one passed. A few minutes more, and we shall
have done with the Rebs.â
âThen do you think we have nothing more to fear from Fort Sumter?â asked James.
âNothing at all, but everything from Fort Moultrie, at the end of Sullivan Island; but they will only get a
chance at us for half a minute, and then they must choose their time well, and shoot straight if they want to
reach us. We are getting near.â
âRight; the position of Fort Moultrie will allow us to go straight for the principal channel. Fire away then, fire
away!â
At the same moment, and as if in obedience to James Playfair, the fort was illuminated by a triple line of
lightning. A frightful crash was heard; then a crackling sound on board the steamer.
âTouched this time!â exclaimed Crockston.
âMr. Mathew!â cried the Captain to his second, who was stationed at the bows, âwhat has been damaged?â
âThe bowsprit broken.â
âAny wounded?â
âNo, Captain.â
âWell, then, the masts may go to Jericho. Straight into the pass! Straight! and steer towards the island.â
âWe have passed the Rebs!â cried Crockston; âand, if we must have balls in our hull, I would much rather
have the Northerners; they are more easily digested.â
In fact, the Dolphin could not yet consider herself out of danger; for, if Morris Island was not fortified with
the formidable pieces of artillery which were placed there a few months later, nevertheless its guns and
mortars could easily have sunk a ship like the Dolphin.
The alarm had been given to the Federals on the island, and to the blockading squadron, by the firing from
Forts Sumter and Moultrie. The besiegers could not make out the reason of this night attack; it did not seem to
be directed against them. However, they were obliged to consider it so, and were ready to reply.
It occupied James Playfairâs thoughts whilst making towards the passes of Morris Island; and he had reason to
fear, for in a quarter of an hourâs time lights gleamed rapidly through the darkness. A shower of small shell
fell round the steamer, scattering the water over her bulwarks; some of them even struck the deck of the

Dolphin, but not on their points, which saved the ship from certain ruin. In fact, these shell, as it was
afterwards discovered, could break into a hundred fragments, and each cover a superficial area of a hundred
and twenty square feet with Greek fire, which would burn for twenty minutes, and nothing could extinguish it.
One of these shell alone could set a ship on fire. Fortunately for the Dolphin, they were a new invention, and
as yet far from perfect. Once thrown into the air, a false rotary movement kept them inclined, and, when
falling, instead of striking on their points, where is the percussion apparatus, they fell flat. This defect in
construction alone saved the Dolphin. The falling of these shells did her little harm, and under the pressure of
her over-heated boilers she continued to advance into the pass.
At this moment, and in spite of his orders, Mr. Halliburtt and his daughter went to James Playfair on the poop;
the latter urged them to return to their cabins, but Jenny declared that she would remain by the Captain. As for
Mr. Halliburtt, who had just learnt all the noble conduct of his deliverer, he pressed his hand without being
able to utter a word.
The Dolphin was speeding rapidly towards the open sea. There were only three miles more before she would
be in the waters of the Atlantic; if the pass was free at its entrance, she was saved. James Playfair was
wonderfully well acquainted with all the secrets of Charleston Bay, and he guided his ship through the
darkness with an unerring hand. He was beginning to think his daring enterprise successful, when a sailor on
the forecastle cried:
âA ship!â
âA ship?â cried James.
âYes, on the larboard side.â
The fog had cleared off, and a large frigate was seen making towards the pass, in order to obstruct the passage
of the Dolphin. It was necessary, cost what it might, to distance her, and urge the steam-engine to an increase
of speed, or all was lost.
âPort the helm at once!â cried the Captain.
Then he sprang on to the bridge above the engine. By his orders one of the screws was stopped, and under the
action of the other the Dolphin, veering with an extraordinary rapidity, avoided running foul of the frigate, and
advanced like her to the entrance of the pass. It was now a question of speed.
James Playfair understood that in this lay his own safety, Miss Jennyâs, her fatherâs, and that of all his crew.
The frigate was considerably in advance of the Dolphin. It was evident from the volumes of black smoke
issuing from her chimneys that she was getting up her steam. James Playfair was not the man to be left in the
background.
âHow are the engines?â cried he to the engineer.
âAt the maximum speed,â replied the latter; âthe steam is escaping by all the valves.â
âFasten them down,â ordered the Captain.
And his orders were executed at the risk of blowing up the ship.

The Dolphin again increased her speed; the pistons worked with frightful rapidity; the metal plates on which
the engine was placed trembled under the terrific force of their blows. It was a sight to make the boldest
shudder.
âMore pressure!â cried James Playfair; âput on more pressure!â
âImpossible!â replied the engineer. âThe valves are tightly closed; our furnaces are full up to the mouths.â
âWhat difference! Fill them with cotton soaked in spirits; we must pass that frigate at any price.â
At these words the most daring of the sailors looked at each other, but did not hesitate. Some bales of cotton
were thrown into the engine-room, a barrel of spirits broached over them, and this expensive fuel placed, not
without danger, in the red-hot furnaces. The stokers could no longer hear each other speak for the roaring of
the flames. Soon the metal plates of the furnaces became red-hot; the pistons worked like the pistons of a
locomotive; the steamgauge showed a frightful tension; the steamer flew over the water; her boards creaked,
and her chimneys threw out volumes of smoke mingled with flames. She was going at a headlong speed, but,
nevertheless, she was gaining on the frigate â passed her, distanced her, and in ten minutes was out of the
channel.
âSaved!â cried the Captain.
âSaved!â echoed the crew, clapping their hands.
Already the Charleston beacon was disappearing in the south-west; the sound of firing from the batteries grew
fainter, and it might with reason be thought that the danger was all past, when a shell from a gun-boat cruising
at large was hurled whizzing through the air. It was easy to trace its course, thanks to the line of fire which
followed it.
Then was a moment of anxiety impossible to describe; every one was silent, and each watched fearfully the
arch described by the projectile. Nothing could be done to escape it, and in a few seconds it fell with a
frightful noise on the fore-deck of the Dolphin.
The terrified sailors crowded to the stern, and no one dared move a step, whilst the shell was burning with a
brisk crackle.
But one brave man alone among them ran up to the formidable weapon of destruction. It was Crockston; he
took the shell in his strong arms, whilst showers of sparks were falling from it; then, with a superhuman
effort, he threw it overboard.
Hardly had the shell reached the surface of the water when it burst with a frightful report.
âHurrah! hurrah!â cried the whole crew of the Dolphin unanimously, whilst Crockston rubbed his hands.
Some time later the steamer sped rapidly through the waters of the Atlantic; the American coast disappeared
in the darkness, and the distant lights which shot across the horizon indicated that the attack was general
between the batteries of Morris Island and the forts of Charleston Harbour.

Chapter X
ST. MUNGO
The next day at sunrise the American coast had disappeared; not a ship was visible on the horizon, and the
Dolphin, moderating the frightful rapidity of her speed, made quietly towards the Bermudas.
It is useless to recount the passage across the Atlantic, which was marked by no accidents, and ten days after
the departure from Queenstown the French coast was hailed.
What passed between the Captain and the young girl may be imagined, even by the least observant
individuals. How could Mr. Halliburtt acknowledge the devotion and courage of his deliverer, if it was not by
making him the happiest of men? James Playfair did not wait for English seas to declare to the father and
daughter the sentiments which overflowed his heart, and, if Crockston is to be believed, Miss Jenny received
his confession with a happiness she did not try to conceal.
Thus it happened that on the 14th of February, 18 â , a numerous crowd was collected in the dim aisles of St.
Mungo, the old cathedral of Glasgow. There were seamen, merchants, manufacturers, magistrates, and some
of every denomination gathered here. There was Miss Jenny in bridal array and beside her the worthy
Crockston, resplendent in apple-green clothes, with gold buttons, whilst Uncle Vincent stood proudly by his
nephew.
In short, they were celebrating the marriage of James Playfair, of the firm of Vincent Playfair & Co., of
Glasgow, with Miss Jenny Halliburtt, of Boston.
The ceremony was accomplished amidst great pomp. Everyone knew the history of the Dolphin, and everyone
thought the young Captain well recompensed for his devotion. He alone said that his reward was greater than
he deserved.
In the evening there was a grand ball and banquet at Uncle Vincentâs house, with a large distribution of
shillings to the crowd collected in Gordon Street. Crockston did ample justice to this memorable feast, while
keeping himself perfectly within bounds.
Everyone was happy at this wedding; some at their own happiness, and others at the happiness around them,
which is not always the case at ceremonies of this kind.
Late in the evening, when the guests had retired, James Playfair took his uncleâs hand.
âWell, Uncle Vincent,â said he to him.
âWell, Nephew James?â
âAre you pleased with the charming cargo I brought you on board the Dolphin?â continued Captain Playfair,
showing him his brave young wife.
âI am quite satisfied,â replied the worthy merchant; âI have sold my cotton at three hundred and seventy-five
per cent. profit.â
Chapter X 40
End of The Blockade Runners
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Title: The Blockade Runners

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The Blockade Runners by Jules Verne

The Blockade Runners

THE BLOCKADE RUNNERS

The Blockade Runners by Jules Verne 2

âAnd what to risk?â asked Uncle Vincent.

âA ship and a cargo.â

âLet us see,â said Uncle Vincent.

âScores of times, nephew.â

âA very long time.â

âTheirs especially,â added the young Captain.

âUncle Vincent,â said he, âthis is my idea.â

âThat is quite possible.â

âAnd I shall return laden with cotton.â

âWhich they will give you for nothing.â

âAs you say, Uncle. Will it answer?â

âIt will; but shall you be able to get there?â

âI shall, if I have a good ship.â

âOne can be made on purpose. But the crew?â

âWell, nephew, and when will you start?â

âIt shall be as you wish, nephew.â

âIt is settled, then, Uncle?â

âShall it be kept quiet?â

âYes; better so.â

GETTING UNDER SAIL

âTo join your ship.â

âThere is no room; the crew is already complete.â

âI am sure of it,â replied the sailor.

âBut who are you?â asked the Captain.

âI do not want you.â

GETTING UNDER SAIL 7

âCrockston, at your service.â

âWhere have you sailed?â asked Playfair of him.

âAnd do you know where the Dolphin is bound for?â

âYes; and that is what tempts me.â

âWell! did you hear me?â asked the Captain.

âHe has a fine uncle, then,â interrupted James Playfair.

âHah! Hah!â laughed Crockston.

âHave you finished?â asked the Captain, very impatiently.

âAnd what is this nephew of yours?â

GETTING UNDER SAIL 8

For reply the novice pressed Crockstonâs hand.

James Playfair then gave the orders for departure.

âHave we pressure on?â he asked of his mate.

âYes, Captain,â replied Mr. Mathew.

âWell, then, weigh anchor.â

GETTING UNDER SAIL 9

THINGS ARE NOT WHAT THEY SEEM

âI understand, Captain,â replied Mr. Mathew.

âWhat on earth did he say about the mainmast?â

âWell, my good Crockston,â said he.

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