Arthur Conan Doyle

Micah Clarke Arthur Conan Doyle

At Havant, near Portsmouth, young Micah Clarke grew up under the domination of his strong Puritan father, Joseph Clarke. He led a vigorous, active life, but he spent much time praying and hymn singing. He heard many tales of Cromwell and the Puritans from his father, who had fought in the wars of those troubled times. Except for a year at an established Church school, Micah's education was taken in hand by his father himself. At the age of twenty, Micah was the strongest man in the village. As was their custom, Micah and his good friend Reuben set out to fish in Langston Bay. They pulled up to their favorite fishing ground just as the sun was setting, threw out the large anchor stone, and set their lines. Not far away a king's ship stood in the channel. The two youths watched her until their attention was drawn to a large brig not over a quarter mile distant. The ship seemed to be out of control, for she yawed as if there were no hand at the tiller. While they watched, they heard two musket shots aboard the brig. A cannon shot sounded a few minutes later, and the ball passed close to their boat as the brig came about and headed down the channel. Reuben urged his friend to pull hard, for there was a man in the water. They could soon see him swimming easily along; as they came alongside, the swimmer expertly hoisted himself aboard. He was a tall, lean man, over fifty years old but wiry and strong. Their passenger looked them over coolly, drew out a wicked knife, and ordered them to head for the French coast. When Micah lifted his oar and threatened to knock the man over the head, their passenger gave in meekly and handed over his knife with good grace. He told them that he had jumped overboard from the brig after he and his brother, the captain, had exchanged musket shots during a quarrel.