On the 24th of February, 1815, the look-out at Notre-Dame de la Garde signalled the three-master, the Pharaonย from Smyrna, Trieste, and Naples.
As usual, a pilot put off immediately, and rounding the Chรขteau dโIf, got on board the vessel between Cape Morgiou and Rion island.
Immediately, and according to custom, the ramparts of Fort Saint-Jean were covered with spectators; it is always an event at Marseilles for a ship to come into port, especially when this ship, like theย Pharaon, has been built, rigged, and laden at the old Phocee docks, and belongs to an owner of the city.
The ship drew on and had safely passed the strait, which some volcanic shock has made between the Calasareigne and Jaros islands; had doubled Pomรจgue, and approached the harbor under topsails, jib, and spanker, but so slowly and sedately that the idlers, with that instinct which is the forerunner of evil, asked one another what misfortune could have happened on board. However, those experienced in navigation saw plainly that if any accident had occurred, it was not to the vessel herself, for she bore down with all the evidence of being skilfully handled, the anchor a-cockbill, the jib-boom guys already eased off, and standing by the side of the pilot, who was steering theย Pharaonย towards the narrow entrance of the inner port, was a young man, who, with activity and vigilant eye, watched every motion of the ship, and repeated each direction of the pilot.
The vague disquietude which prevailed among the spectators had so much affected one of the crowd that he did not await the arrival of the vessel in harbor, but jumping into a small skiff, desired to be pulled alongside theย Pharaon, which he reached as she rounded into La Rรฉserve basin.
When the young man on board saw this person approach, he left his station by the pilot, and, hat in hand, leaned over the shipโs bulwarks.
He was a fine, tall, slim young fellow of eighteen or twenty, with black eyes, and hair as dark as a ravenโs wing; and his whole appearance bespoke that calmness and resolution peculiar to men accustomed from their cradle to contend with danger.
โAh, is it you, Dantรจs?โ cried the man in the skiff. โWhatโs the matter? and why have you such an air of sadness aboard?โ
โA great misfortune, M. Morrel,โ replied the young man, โa great misfortune, for me especially! Off Civita Vecchia we lost our brave Captain Leclere.โ
โAnd the cargo?โ inquired the owner, eagerly.
โIs all safe, M. Morrel; and I think you will be satisfied on that head. But poor Captain Leclereโโโ
โWhat happened to him?โ asked the owner, with an air of considerable resignation. โWhat happened to the worthy captain?โ
โHe died.โ
โFell into the sea?โ
โNo, sir, he died of brain-fever in dreadful agony.โ Then turning to the crew, he said, โBear a hand there, to take in sail!โ
All hands obeyed, and at once the eight or ten seamen who composed the crew, sprang to their respective stations at the spanker brails and outhaul, topsail sheets and halyards, the jib downhaul, and the topsail clewlines and buntlines. The young sailor gave a look to see that his orders were promptly and accurately obeyed, and then turned again to the owner.
โAnd how did this misfortune occur?โ inquired the latter, resuming the interrupted conversation.
โAlas, sir, in the most unexpected manner. After a long talk with the harbor-master, Captain Leclere left Naples greatly disturbed in mind. In twenty-four hours he was attacked by a fever, and died three days afterwards. We performed the usual burial service, and he is at his rest, sewn up in his hammock with a thirty-six-pound shot at his head and his heels, off El Giglio island. We bring to his widow his sword and cross of honor. It was worth while, truly,โ added the young man with a melancholy smile, โto make war against the English for ten years, and to die in his bed at last, like everybody else.โ
โWhy, you see, Edmond,โ replied the owner, who appeared more comforted at every moment, โwe are all mortal, and the old must make way for the young. If not, why, there would be no promotion; and since you assure me that the cargoโโโ
โIs all safe and sound, M. Morrel, take my word for it; and I advise you not to take 25,000 francs for the profits of the voyage.โ
Then, as they were just passing the Round Tower, the young man shouted: โStand by there to lower the topsails and jib; brail up the spanker!โ
The order was executed as promptly as it would have been on board a man-of-war.
โLet goโand clue up!โ At this last command all the sails were lowered, and the vessel moved almost imperceptibly onwards.
โNow, if you will come on board, M. Morrel,โ said Dantรจs, observing the ownerโs impatience, โhere is your supercargo, M. Danglars, coming out of his cabin, who will furnish you with every particular. As for me, I must look after the anchoring, and dress the ship in mourning.โ
The owner did not wait for a second invitation. He seized a rope which Dantรจs flung to him, and with an activity that would have done credit to a sailor, climbed up the side of the ship, while the young man, going to his task, left the conversation to Danglars, who now came towards the owner. He was a man of twenty-five or twenty-six years of age, of unprepossessing countenance, obsequious to his superiors, insolent to his subordinates; and this, in addition to his position as responsible agent on board, which is always obnoxious to the sailors, made him as much disliked by the crew as Edmond Dantรจs was beloved by them.
โWell, M. Morrel,โ said Danglars, โyou have heard of the misfortune that has befallen us?โ
โYesโyes: poor Captain Leclere! He was a brave and an honest man.โ
โAnd a first-rate seaman, one who had seen long and honorable service, as became a man charged with the interests of a house so important as that of Morrel & Son,โ replied Danglars.
โBut,โ replied the owner, glancing after Dantรจs, who was watching the anchoring of his vessel, โit seems to me that a sailor needs not be so old as you say, Danglars, to understand his business, for our friend Edmond seems to understand it thoroughly, and not to require instruction from anyone.โ
โYes,โ said Danglars, darting at Edmond a look gleaming with hate. โYes, he is young, and youth is invariably self-confident. Scarcely was the captainโs breath out of his body when he assumed the command without consulting anyone, and he caused us to lose a day and a half at the Island of Elba, instead of making for Marseilles direct.โ
โAs to taking command of the vessel,โ replied Morrel, โthat was his duty as captainโs mate; as to losing a day and a half off the Island of Elba, he was wrong, unless the vessel needed repairs.โ
โThe vessel was in as good condition as I am, and as, I hope you are, M. Morrel, and this day and a half was lost from pure whim, for the pleasure of going ashore, and nothing else.โ
โDantรจs,โ said the shipowner, turning towards the young man, โcome this way!โ
โIn a moment, sir,โ answered Dantรจs, โand Iโm with you.โ Then calling to the crew, he said, โLet go!โ
The anchor was instantly dropped, and the chain ran rattling through the port-hole. Dantรจs continued at his post in spite of the presence of the pilot, until this manลuvre was completed, and then he added, โHalf-mast the colors, and square the yards!โ
โYou see,โ said Danglars, โhe fancies himself captain already, upon my word.โ
โAnd so, in fact, he is,โ said the owner.
โExcept your signature and your partnerโs, M. Morrel.โ
โAnd why should he not have this?โ asked the owner; โhe is young, it is true, but he seems to me a thorough seaman, and of full experience.โ
A cloud passed over Danglarsโ brow.
โYour pardon, M. Morrel,โ said Dantรจs, approaching, โthe vessel now rides at anchor, and I am at your service. You hailed me, I think?โ
Danglars retreated a step or two. โI wished to inquire why you stopped at the Island of Elba?โ
โI do not know, sir; it was to fulfil the last instructions of Captain Leclere, who, when dying, gave me a packet for Marshal Bertrand.โ
โThen did you see him, Edmond?โ
โWho?โ
โThe marshal.โ
โYes.โ
Morrel looked around him, and then, drawing Dantรจs on one side, he said suddenlyโ
โAnd how is the emperor?โ
โVery well, as far as I could judge from the sight of him.โ
โYou saw the emperor, then?โ
โHe entered the marshalโs apartment while I was there.โ
โAnd you spoke to him?โ
โWhy, it was he who spoke to me, sir,โ said Dantรจs, with a smile.
โAnd what did he say to you?โ
โAsked me questions about the vessel, the time she left Marseilles, the course she had taken, and what was her cargo. I believe, if she had not been laden, and I had been her master, he would have bought her. But I told him I was only mate, and that she belonged to the firm of Morrel & Son. โAh, yes,โ he said, โI know them. The Morrels have been shipowners from father to son; and there was a Morrel who served in the same regiment with me when I was in garrison at Valence.โโ
โPardieu!ย and that is true!โ cried the owner, greatly delighted. โAnd that was Policar Morrel, my uncle, who was afterwards a captain. Dantรจs, you must tell my uncle that the emperor remembered him, and you will see it will bring tears into the old soldierโs eyes. Come, come,โ continued he, patting Edmondโs shoulder kindly, โyou did very right, Dantรจs, to follow Captain Leclereโs instructions, and touch at Elba, although if it were known that you had conveyed a packet to the marshal, and had conversed with the emperor, it might bring you into trouble.โ
โHow could that bring me into trouble, sir?โ asked Dantรจs; โfor I did not even know of what I was the bearer; and the emperor merely made such inquiries as he would of the first comer. But, pardon me, here are the health officers and the customs inspectors coming alongside.โ And the young man went to the gangway. As he departed, Danglars approached, and said,โ
โWell, it appears that he has given you satisfactory reasons for his landing at Porto-Ferrajo?โ
โYes, most satisfactory, my dear Danglars.โ
โWell, so much the better,โ said the supercargo; โfor it is not pleasant to think that a comrade has not done his duty.โ
โDantรจs has done his,โ replied the owner, โand that is not saying much. It was Captain Leclere who gave orders for this delay.โ
โTalking of Captain Leclere, has not Dantรจs given you a letter from him?โ
โTo me?โnoโwas there one?โ
โI believe that, besides the packet, Captain Leclere confided a letter to his care.โ
โOf what packet are you speaking, Danglars?โ
โWhy, that which Dantรจs left at Porto-Ferrajo.โ
โHow do you know he had a packet to leave at Porto-Ferrajo?โ
Danglars turned very red.
โI was passing close to the door of the captainโs cabin, which was half open, and I saw him give the packet and letter to Dantรจs.โ
โHe did not speak to me of it,โ replied the shipowner; โbut if there be any letter he will give it to me.โ
Danglars reflected for a moment. โThen, M. Morrel, I beg of you,โ said he, โnot to say a word to Dantรจs on the subject. I may have been mistaken.โ
At this moment the young man returned; Danglars withdrew.
โWell, my dear Dantรจs, are you now free?โ inquired the owner.
โYes, sir.โ
โYou have not been long detained.โ
โNo. I gave the custom-house officers a copy of our bill of lading; and as to the other papers, they sent a man off with the pilot, to whom I gave them.โ
โThen you have nothing more to do here?โ
โNoโeverything is all right now.โ
โThen you can come and dine with me?โ
โI really must ask you to excuse me, M. Morrel. My first visit is due to my father, though I am not the less grateful for the honor you have done me.โ
โRight, Dantรจs, quite right. I always knew you were a good son.โ
โAnd,โ inquired Dantรจs, with some hesitation, โdo you know how my father is?โ
โWell, I believe, my dear Edmond, though I have not seen him lately.โ
โYes, he likes to keep himself shut up in his little room.โ
โThat proves, at least, that he has wanted for nothing during your absence.โ
Dantรจs smiled. โMy father is proud, sir, and if he had not a meal left, I doubt if he would have asked anything from anyone, except from Heaven.โ
โWell, then, after this first visit has been made we shall count on you.โ
โI must again excuse myself, M. Morrel, for after this first visit has been paid I have another which I am most anxious to pay.โ
โTrue, Dantรจs, I forgot that there was at the Catalans someone who expects you no less impatiently than your fatherโthe lovely Mercรฉdรจs.โ
Dantรจs blushed.
โAh, ha,โ said the shipowner, โI am not in the least surprised, for she has been to me three times, inquiring if there were any news of theย Pharaon.ย Peste!ย Edmond, you have a very handsome mistress!โ
โShe is not my mistress,โ replied the young sailor, gravely; โshe is my betrothed.โ
โSometimes one and the same thing,โ said Morrel, with a smile.
โNot with us, sir,โ replied Dantรจs.
โWell, well, my dear Edmond,โ continued the owner, โdonโt let me detain you. You have managed my affairs so well that I ought to allow you all the time you require for your own. Do you want any money?โ
โNo, sir; I have all my pay to takeโnearly three monthsโ wages.โ
โYou are a careful fellow, Edmond.โ
โSay I have a poor father, sir.โ
โYes, yes, I know how good a son you are, so now hasten away to see your father. I have a son too, and I should be very wroth with those who detained him from me after a three monthsโ voyage.โ
โThen I have your leave, sir?โ
โYes, if you have nothing more to say to me.โ
โNothing.โ
โCaptain Leclere did not, before he died, give you a letter for me?โ
โHe was unable to write, sir. But that reminds me that I must ask your leave of absence for some days.โ
โTo get married?โ
โYes, first, and then to go to Paris.โ
โVery good; have what time you require, Dantรจs. It will take quite six weeks to unload the cargo, and we cannot get you ready for sea until three months after that; only be back again in three months, for theย Pharaon,โ added the owner, patting the young sailor on the back, โcannot sail without her captain.โ
โWithout her captain!โ cried Dantรจs, his eyes sparkling with animation; โpray mind what you say, for you are touching on the most secret wishes of my heart. Is it really your intention to make me captain of theย Pharaon?โ
โIf I were sole owner weโd shake hands on it now, my dear Dantรจs, and call it settled; but I have a partner, and you know the Italian proverbโChi ha compagno ha padroneโโHe who has a partner has a master.โ But the thing is at least half done, as you have one out of two votes. Rely on me to procure you the other; I will do my best.โ
โAh, M. Morrel,โ exclaimed the young seaman, with tears in his eyes, and grasping the ownerโs hand, โM. Morrel, I thank you in the name of my father and of Mercรฉdรจs.โ
โThatโs all right, Edmond. Thereโs a providence that watches over the deserving. Go to your father; go and see Mercรฉdรจs, and afterwards come to me.โ
โShall I row you ashore?โ
โNo, thank you; I shall remain and look over the accounts with Danglars. Have you been satisfied with him this voyage?โ
โThat is according to the sense you attach to the question, sir. Do you mean is he a good comrade? No, for I think he never liked me since the day when I was silly enough, after a little quarrel we had, to propose to him to stop for ten minutes at the island of Monte Cristo to settle the disputeโa proposition which I was wrong to suggest, and he quite right to refuse. If you mean as responsible agent when you ask me the question, I believe there is nothing to say against him, and that you will be content with the way in which he has performed his duty.โ
โBut tell me, Dantรจs, if you had command of theย Pharaonย should you be glad to see Danglars remain?โ
โCaptain or mate, M. Morrel, I shall always have the greatest respect for those who possess the ownersโ confidence.โ
โThatโs right, thatโs right, Dantรจs! I see you are a thoroughly good fellow, and will detain you no longer. Go, for I see how impatient you are.โ
โThen I have leave?โ
โGo, I tell you.โ
โMay I have the use of your skiff?โ
โCertainly.โ
โThen, for the present, M. Morrel, farewell, and a thousand thanks!โ
โI hope soon to see you again, my dear Edmond. Good luck to you.โ
The young sailor jumped into the skiff, and sat down in the stern sheets, with the order that he be put ashore at La Canebiรจre. The two oarsmen bent to their work, and the little boat glided away as rapidly as possible in the midst of the thousand vessels which choke up the narrow way which leads between the two rows of ships from the mouth of the harbor to the Quai dโOrlรฉans.
The shipowner, smiling, followed him with his eyes until he saw him spring out on the quay and disappear in the midst of the throng, which from five oโclock in the morning until nine oโclock at night, swarms in the famous street of La Canebiรจre,โa street of which the modern Phocรฉens are so proud that they say with all the gravity in the world, and with that accent which gives so much character to what is said, โIf Paris had La Canebiรจre, Paris would be a second Marseilles.โ On turning round the owner saw Danglars behind him, apparently awaiting orders, but in reality also watching the young sailor,โbut there was a great difference in the expression of the two men who thus followed the movements of Edmond Dantรจs.