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diff --git a/19977-h/19977-h.htm b/19977-h/19977-h.htm new file mode 100644 index 0000000..18a3287 --- /dev/null +++ b/19977-h/19977-h.htm @@ -0,0 +1,9200 @@ +<!DOCTYPE HTML PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD HTML 4.01 Transitional//EN"> +<html> +<head> +<meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=ISO-8859-1"> +<title>The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Blue Pavilions, by Sir Arthur Thomas Quiller-Couch</title> +<style type="text/css"> + body {background:#fdfdfd; + color:black; + font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; + font-size: medium; + margin-top:100px; + margin-left:12%; + margin-right:12%; + text-align:justify; } + h1, h2, h3, h4, h5 {text-align: center; } + p {text-indent: 4%; } + p.noindent {text-indent: 0%; } + hr.full { width: 100%; + height: 5px; } + hr.narrow { width: 40%; + text-align: center; } + blockquote.footnote { font-size: small; } + .caption { font-size: small; + font-weight: bold; } + .center { text-align: center; } + .ind1 {margin-left: 1em; } + .ind2 {margin-left: 2em; } + .ind3 {margin-left: 3em; } + .ind4 {margin-left: 4em; } + .ind5 {margin-left: 5em; } + .ind6 {margin-left: 6em; } + .ind7 {margin-left: 7em; } + .ind8 {margin-left: 8em; } + .ind9 {margin-left: 9em; } + .ind10 {margin-left: 10em; } + .ind11 {margin-left: 11em; } + .ind12 {margin-left: 12em; } + .ind13 {margin-left: 13em; } + .ind14 {margin-left: 14em; } + .ind15 {margin-left: 15em; } + .ind16 {margin-left: 16em; } + .ind17 {margin-left: 17em; } + .ind18 {margin-left: 18em; } + .ind19 {margin-left: 19em; } + .ind20 {margin-left: 20em; } + .large {font-size: large; } + table { font-size: medium; } + a:link {color:blue; + text-decoration:none} + link {color:blue; + text-decoration:none} + a:visited {color:blue; + text-decoration:none} + a:hover {color:red} + pre {font-size: 65%; } +</style> +</head> +<body> +<h1>The Project Gutenberg eBook, The Blue Pavilions, by Sir Arthur Thomas +Quiller-Couch</h1> +<pre> +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at <a href = "http://www.gutenberg.org">www.gutenberg.org</a></pre> +<p>Title: The Blue Pavilions</p> +<p>Author: Sir Arthur Thomas Quiller-Couch</p> +<p>Release Date: November 30, 2006 [eBook #19977]</p> +<p>Language: English</p> +<p>Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1</p> +<p>***START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE BLUE PAVILIONS***</p> +<br><br><center><h3>E-text prepared by Lionel Sear</h3></center><br><br> +<hr class="full" noshade> +<br> +<br> +<br> +<br> +<br> + +<h2>THE BLUE PAVILIONS.</h2> +<h4>BY</h4> +<h2>Arthur Thomas Quiller Couch (Q).</h2> +<br><br> +<h5>This e-text was prepared from a reprint of a version published in 1891.</h5> +<br><br><br> + + +<br><br><br><br> +<p> + +<h2>CONTENTS.</h2> +<p> </p> +<center> +<table cellpadding="1"> +<tr><td align="right" valign="top">Chapter </td> <td> </td></tr> +<tr><td align="right" valign="top"> </td> <td><a href="#1" >DEDICATION</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align="right" valign="top">I. </td> <td><a href="#2" >CAPTAIN JOHN AND CAPTAIN JEMMY.</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align="right" valign="top">II. </td> <td><a href="#3" >THE DICE-BOX.</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align="right" valign="top">III. </td> <td><a href="#4" >THE TWO PAVILIONS.</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align="right" valign="top">IV. </td> <td><a href="#5" >THE TWO PAVILIONS (continued).</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align="right" valign="top">V. </td> <td><a href="#6" >A SWARM OF BEES.</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align="right" valign="top">VI. </td> <td><a href="#7" >THE EARL OF MARLBOROUGH SEEKS RECRUITS.</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align="right" valign="top">VII. </td> <td><a href="#8" >THE CAPTAINS MAKE A FALSE START.</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align="right" valign="top">VIII. </td> <td><a href="#9" >FATHER AND SON</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align="right" valign="top">IX. </td> <td><a href="#10" >THE FOUR MEN AT THE "WHITE LAMB".</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align="right" valign="top">X. </td> <td><a href="#11" >THE TRIBULATIONS OF TRISTRAM.</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align="right" valign="top">XI. </td> <td><a href="#12" >THE GALLEY "L'HEUREUSE".</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align="right" valign="top">XII. </td> <td><a href="#13" >WILLIAM OF ORANGE.</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align="right" valign="top">XIII. </td> <td><a href="#14" >CAPTAIN SALT EFFECTS ONE SURPRISE AND PLANS TWO MORE.</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align="right" valign="top">XIV. </td> <td><a href="#15" >THE GALLEYS AND THE FRIGATE.</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align="right" valign="top">XV. </td> <td><a href="#16" >BACK AT THE TWO PAVILIONS.</a></td></tr> +</table> +</center> +<p> </p> +<p> </p> + + + + +<h2>THE BLUE PAVILIONS.</h2> +<br> +<p><a name="1"></a> </p> +<br> + +<h4>TO A FORMER SCHOOLFELLOW.</h4> + +<p> +MY DEAR —,</p> + +<p>I will not write your name, for we have long been strangers; and I, +at any rate, have no desire to renew our friendship. It is now ten +years and more from the end of that summer term when we shook hands +at the railway-station and went east and west with swelling hearts; +and since then no report has come of you. In the meantime you may +have died, or grown rich and esteemed; but that you have remained the +boy I knew is clearly beyond hope.</p> + +<p>You were a genius then, and wrote epic poetry. I assume that you +have found it worth while to discontinue that habit, for I never see +your name among the publishers' announcements. But your poetry used +to be magnificent when you recited it in the shadow of the deserted +fives-court; and I believe you spoke sincerely when you assured me +that my stories, too, were something above contempt.</p> + +<p>To the boy that was you I would dedicate a small tale, crammed with +historical inaccuracy. To-day, no doubt, you would recognise the +story of Captain Seth Jermy and the <i>Nightingale</i> frigate, and point +out that I have put it seventeen years too early. But in those days +you would neither have known nor cared. And the rest of the book is +far belated.</p> +<blockquote><blockquote> +<p><span class = "ind18">Q.</span></p> + +<p><span class = "ind10">Shiplake, 20 <i>November</i>, 1891.</span></p> +</blockquote></blockquote> + +<br> +<p><a name="2"></a> </p> +<br> +<h2>CHAPTER I.</h2> + +<h4>CAPTAIN JOHN AND CAPTAIN JEMMY.</h4> + +<p>At noonday, on the 11th of October, 1673, the little seaport of +Harwich, beside the mouth of the River Stour, presented a very lively +appearance. More than a hundred tall ships, newly returned from the +Dutch War, rode at anchor in the haven, their bright masts swaying in +the sunshine above the thatched and red-tiled roofs of the town. +Tarry sailors in red and grey kersey suits, red caps and flat-heeled +shoes jostled in the narrow streets and hung about St. Nicholas's +Churchyard, in front of the Admiralty House, wherein the pursers sat +before bags and small piles of money, paying off the crews. +Soldiers crowded the tavern doors—men in soiled uniforms of the +Admiral's regiment, the Buffs and the 1st Foot Guards; some with +bandaged heads and arms, and the most still yellow after their +seasickness, but all intrepidly toasting the chances of Peace and the +girls in opposite windows. Above their laughter, and along every +street or passage opening on the harbour—from Cock and Pye Quay, +from Lambard's stairs, the Castleport, and half a dozen other +landing-stages—came wafted the shouts of captains, pilots, +boatswains, caulkers, longshore men; the noise of artillery and +stores unlading; the tack-tack of mallets in the dockyard, where Sir +Anthony Deane's new ship the <i>Harwich</i> was rising on the billyways, +and whence the blown odours of pitch and hemp and timber, mingling +with the landward breeze, drifted all day long into the townsfolk's +nostrils, and filled their very kitchens with the savour of the sea.</p> + +<p>In the thick of these scents and sounds, and within a cool doorway, +before which the shadow of a barber's pole rested on the cobbles, +reclined Captain John Barker—a little wry-necked gentleman, with a +prodigious hump between his shoulders, and legs that dangled two +inches off the floor. His wig was being curled by an apprentice at +the back of the shop, and his natural scalp shone as bare as a +billiard-ball; but two patches of brindled grey hair stuck out from +his brow above a pair of fierce greenish eyes set about with a +complexity of wrinkles. Just now, a coating of lather covered his +shrewish underjaw.</p> + +<p>The dress of this unlovely old gentleman well became his rank as +captain of his Majesty's frigate the <i>Wasp</i>, but went very ill with +his figure—being, indeed, a square-cut coat of scarlet, laced with +gold, a long-flapped blue waistcoat, black breeches and stockings. +Enormous buckles adorned the thick-soled shoes which he drummed +impatiently against the legs of his chair.</p> + +<p>The barber—a round, bustling fellow—stropped his razor and prattled +gossip. On a settle to the right a couple of townsmen smoked, +listened, and waited their turn with an educated patience.</p> + +<p>"Changes, indeed, since you left us, Captain John," the barber began, +his razor hovering for the first scrape.</p> + +<p>"Wait a moment. You were about to take hold of me by the nose. +If you do it, I'll run you through. I thought you'd like to be +warned, that's all. Go on with your chatter."</p> + +<p>"Certainly, Captain John—'tis merely a habit—"</p> + +<p>"Break yourself of it."</p> + +<p>"I will, sir. But, as I was saying, the changes will astonish you +that have been at sea so long. In the first place, a riding-post +started from hence to London and from London hither a-gallop with +brazen trumpet and loaded pistols, to keep his Majesty certified +every day of the Fleet's doings, and the Fleet of his Majesty's +wishes; and all Harwich a-tremble half the night under its +bedclothes, but consoled to find the King taking so much notice of +it. And the old jail moved from St. Austin's Gate, and a new one +building this side of Church Street, where Calamy's Store used to +stand—with a new town-hall, too—"</p> + +<p>Here, as he paused to scrape the captain's cheek, one of the two +townsmen on the settle—a square man in grey, with a red waistcoat— +withdrew the long pipe from his mouth and groaned heavily.</p> + +<p>"What's that?" asked the hunchback snappishly.</p> + +<p>"That, sir, is Mr. Pomphlett," the barber explained. "He disapproves +of the amount spent in decorating the new hall with pillars, rails, +balusters, and what not; for the king's arms, to be carved over the +mayor's seat and richly gilt, are to be a private gift of Mr. Isaac +Betts, and the leathern fire-buckets to be hung round the wall—"</p> + +<p>Mr. Pomphlett emitted another groan, which the barber good-naturedly +tried to drown in talk. Captain Barker heard it, however.</p> + +<p>"There it is again!"</p> + +<p>"Yes, sir. You see Mr. Pomphlett allows his public spirit to run +high. He says—"</p> + +<p>The little captain jerked round in his chair, escaping a gash by a +hair's-breadth, and addressed the heavy citizen—</p> + +<p>"Mr. Pomphlett, sir, it was not for the sake of listening to your +observations upon public affairs that I came straight off my ship to +this shop, but to hear the news."</p> + +<p>The barber coughed. Mr. Pomphlett feebly traced a curve in the air +with his pipe-stem, and answered sulkily—</p> + +<p>"I s-said nun-nothing. I f-felt unwell."</p> + +<p>"He suffers," interposed Mr. Pomphlett's neighbour on the settle, a +long-necked man in brown, "from the wind; don't you, Pomphlett?"</p> + +<p>Mr. Pomphlett nodded with an aggrieved air, and sucked his pipe.</p> + +<p>"Death," continued the man in brown, by way of setting the +conversation on its legs again, "has been busy in Harwich, Barker."</p> + +<p>"Ah! now we come to business! Barber, who's dead?"</p> + +<p>"Alderman Croten, sir."</p> + +<p>"Tut-tut. Croten gone?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, sir; palsy took him at a ripe age. And Abel's gone, the Town +Crier; and old Mistress Pinch's bad leg carried her from us last +Christmas Day, of all days in the year; and young Mr. Eastwell was +snatched away by a chain-shot in the affair with the Smyrna fleet; +and Mistress Salt—that was daughter of old Sir Jabez Tellworthy, and +broke her father's heart—she's a widow in straitened circumstances, +and living up at the old house again—"</p> + +<p>"<i>What!</i>"</p> + +<p>Captain Barker bounced off his chair like a dried pea from a shovel.</p> + +<p>"There now! Your honour's chin is wounded."</p> + +<p>"P'sh! give me your towel." He snatched it from the barber's arm and +mopped away the blood and lather from his jaw. "Mistress Salt a +widow? When? How?"</p> + +<p>"I thought, maybe, your honour would know about it."</p> + +<p>"Don't think. Roderick Salt dead? Tell me this instant, or—"</p> + +<p>"He was drowned, sir, in a ditch, they tell me, but two months after +he sailed with his company of Foot Guards, in the spring of this +year. It seems 'twas a ditch that the Marshal Turenne had the +misfortune to forget about—"</p> + +<p>"My hat—where is it? Quick!"</p> + +<p>Already Captain Barker had plucked the napkin from his throat, caught +up his sword from a chair, and was buckling on the belt in a +tremendous hurry.</p> + +<p>"But your honour forgets the wig, which is but half curled; and your +honour's face shaved on the one side only."</p> + +<p>The hunchback's answer was to snatch his wig from between the +apprentice's tongs, clap it on his head, ram his hat on the top of +it, and flounce out at the shop door.</p> + +<p>The streets were full of folk, but he passed through them at an +amazing speed. His natural gait on shipboard was a kind of +anapaestic dance—two short steps and a long—and though the crowd +interrupted its cadence and coerced him to a quick bobbing motion, as +of a bottle in a choppy sea, it hardly affected his pace. Here and +there he snapped out a greeting to some ship's captain or townsman of +his acquaintance, or growled testily at a row of soldiers bearing +down on him three abreast. His angry green eyes seemed to clear a +path before him, in spite of the grins which his hump and shambling +legs excited among strangers. In this way he darted along High +Street, turned up by the markets, crossed Church Street into West +Street, and passed under the great gate by which the London Road left +the town.</p> + +<p>Beyond this gate the road ran through a tall ravelin and out upon a +breezy peninsula between the river and the open sea. And here +Captain Barker halted and, tugging off hat and wig, wiped his crown +with a silk handkerchief.</p> + +<p>Over the reedy marsh upon his right, where a windmill waved its lazy +arms, a score of larks were singing. To his left the gulls mewed +across the cliffs and the remoter sandbanks that thrust up their +yellow ridges under the ebb-tide. The hum of the little town sounded +drowsily behind him.</p> + +<p>He gazed across the sandbanks upon the blue leagues of sea, and +rubbed his fingers softly up and down the unshaven side of his face.</p> + +<p>"H'm," he said, and then "p'sh!" and then "p'sh!" again; and, as if +this settled it, readjusted his wig and hat and set off down the road +faster than ever.</p> + +<p>A cluster of stunted poplars appeared in the distance, and a long +thatched house; then, between the trees, the eye caught sight of two +other buildings, exactly alike, but of a curious shape and colour. +Imagine two round towers, each about forty feet in height, daubed +with a bright blue wash and surmounted with a high-pitched, conical +roof of a somewhat darker tint. Above each roof a gilt vane +glittered, and a flock of white pigeons circled overhead or, +alighting, dotted the tiles with patches of silver.</p> + +<p>A bend of the road broke up this cluster of trees and buildings. +The long thatched house fell upon the left of the highway, and in +front of it a sign-post sprang into view, with a drinking-trough +below. Directly opposite, the two blue roofs ranged themselves side +by side, with long strips of garden and a thick privet hedge between +them and the road. And behind, in the direction of the marsh, the +poplars stretched in an irregular line.</p> + +<p>Now the nearer of these blue pavilions was the home of Captain +Barker, who for more than two years had not crossed its threshold. +Yet he neither paused by its small blue gate nor glanced up the +gravelled path. Nor, though thirsty, did he turn aside to the porch +of the Fish and Anchor Inn; but kept along the privet hedge until he +came to the second blue gate. Here he drew up and stood for a moment +with his hand on the latch.</p> + +<p>A trim lawn stretched before him to the door of the pavilion, and +here, on a rustic seat before an equally rustic table, sat a long +lean gentleman, in a suit of Lincoln green faced with scarlet, who +gazed into a pewter tankard. His sword lay on the turf beside him, +and a hat of soft cloth edged with feathers hung on the arm of the +bench.</p> + +<p>This long gentleman looked up as the gate clicked, stretched out his +legs, rose, and disappeared within the pavilion, returning after a +minute with a jug of beer and a fresh tankard.</p> + +<p>"Paid off your crew already?"</p> + +<p>The little hunchback took a pull, answered "No" as he set down the +tankard, and looked up at the weathercock overhead.</p> + +<p>"Wind's in the south-east."</p> + +<p>The long man looked at the little one and pursed up his mouth. +His face proclaimed him of a like age with Captain Barker. +It did not at all match his figure, being short as a bull-dog's; and +like a bull-dog he was heavily jowled. Many weathers had tanned his +complexion to a rich corn-colour. His name was Jeremy Runacles, and +for two years, that had ended on this very morning, he had commanded +the <i>Trident</i> frigate. As he climbed down her ladder into his gig he +had left on the deck behind him a reputation for possessing a shorter +temper than any three officers in his Majesty's service. At present +his steel-blue eyes seemed gentle enough.</p> + +<p>"You've something to tell," he said, after a minute's silence.</p> + +<p>The hunchback kicked at a plantain in the turf for two minutes +longer, and asked—</p> + +<p>"How's the little maid, Jemmy?"</p> + +<p>"Grown. She's having her morning nap."</p> + +<p>"She want's a mother."</p> + +<p>"She'll have to do with a nurse."</p> + +<p>"You don't want to marry again?"</p> + +<p>"No."</p> + +<p>"That's a lie."</p> + +<p>Before Captain Runacles could resent this, the little man turned his +back and took six paces to the party hedge and six paces back.</p> + +<p>"I say, Jemmy, do you think we could fight?"</p> + +<p>"Not decently."</p> + +<p>"I was thinking that. I don't see another way out of it, though."</p> + +<p>He kicked the plantain out of the ground, and, looking up, said very +softly—"Meg's a widow."</p> + +<p>Captain Jeremy Runacles sat down on the rustic bench. A hot flush +had sprung into his face and a light leapt in his eyes; but he said +nothing. Captain Barker cocked his head on one side and went on—</p> + +<p>"Yes, you lied, Jemmy. That fellow, as I guess, ran off and left +her, finding that the old man had the courage to die without coming +to reason. He went back to his regiment, sailed, and was drowned in +a ditch. She's back at the old house, and in want."</p> + +<p>"You've seen her?"</p> + +<p>"Look here, Jemmy. You and I are a couple of tomfools; but we try to +play fair."</p> + +<p>"Upon my soul, Jack," observed Captain Jemmy, rising to his feet +again, "we can't fight. You're too good a fellow to kill."</p> + +<p>"H'mph, I was thinking that."</p> + +<p>As if by consent, the pair began to pace up and down the turf, one on +either side of the gravelled path. At the end of three minutes +Captain Jack looked up.</p> + +<p>"After all, you've been married once, whereas I—"</p> + +<p>"That doesn't count," the other interrupted. "I married in an +unguarded moment. I was huffed with Meg."</p> + +<p>"No, I suppose it doesn't count."</p> + +<p>They resumed their walk. Captain Jemmy was the next to speak.</p> + +<p>"It seems to me Meg must decide."</p> + +<p>"Yes, but we must start fair."</p> + +<p>"The devil! we can't propose one in each ear. And if we race for +it—"</p> + +<p>"You must give me half a mile's start."</p> + +<p>"But we can write."</p> + +<p>"Yes; and deliver our letters together at the door."</p> + +<p>"On the other hand, I've always heard that women look upon a written +proposal of marriage as rather tame."</p> + +<p>"That objection would hardly apply to two in one day. And, besides, +she knows about us."</p> + +<p>"We'll write," said Captain Jemmy.</p> + +<p>He went into the pavilion to search for pens and paper, while Captain +Barker stepped down to the Fish and Anchor to borrow a bottle of ink.</p> + +<p>"There must be preliminaries," the little man observed, returning and +setting the ink down in the centre of the rustic table, on which +already lay a bundle of old quills and some quarto sheets of yellow +paper.</p> + +<p>"As for instance?"</p> + +<p>"<i>Imprimis</i>, a thick folio book for me to sit on. The carpenter +built this table after your measure."</p> + +<p>"I will fetch one."</p> + +<p>"Also more beer."</p> + +<p>"I will draw some."</p> + +<p>"Thirdly, a time-keeper. My stomach's empty, but it can hold out for +another hour. We'll give ourselves an hour; start together and +finish together."</p> + +<p>Captain Runacles fished a silver whistle from his waistcoat pocket +and blew on it shrilly. The blue and white door of the pavilion was +opened, and a slight old man in a blue livery appeared on the step +and came ambling down the path. The weight of an enormous head, on +the top of which his grey wig seemed to be balanced rather than +fitted, bowed him as he moved. But he drew himself up to salute the +two captains.</p> + +<p>"Glad to welcome ye, Captain John, along with master here. Hey, but +you've aged—the pair o' ye."</p> + +<p>"Simeon," said his master, "draw us some beer. Aged, you say?"</p> + +<p>"Aye—aged, aged: a trivial, remediless complaint, common to folk. +Valiant deeds ye'll do yet, my masters; but though I likes to be +hopeful, the door's closin' on ye both. Ye be staid to the eye, +noticeably staid. The first sign o't, to be marked at forty or so, +is when a woman's blush pales before wine held to the light; the +second, and that, too, ye've passed—"</p> + +<p>"Hurry, you old fool! As it happens you've been proving us a pair of +raw striplings."</p> + +<p>"Hee-hee," tittered the old man sardonically, and catching up the +tankards trotted back to the house, with his master at his heels. +Captain Barker, left alone, rearranged his neckcloth, contemplated +his crooked legs for a moment with some disgust, and began to trot up +and down the grass-plot, whistling the while with great energy and no +regard for tune.</p> + +<p>The pair reappeared in the doorway—Captain Runacles bearing an +hour-glass and a volume of "Purchas," and Simeon the tankards, +crowned with a creamy froth.</p> + +<p>"Have you picked your quill?"</p> + +<p>"Yes," answered the hunchback, settling himself on top of the brown +folio. "No, 'tis a split one."</p> + +<p>The pens were old, and had lain with the ink dry upon them ever since +the outbreak of the Dutch War. The two men were half a minute in +finding a couple that would write. Then Captain Runacles turned the +hour-glass abruptly; and for an hour there was no sound in the +pavilion garden but the scratching of quills, the murmur of pigeons +on the roof, and the creaking of the gilded vane above them.</p> + + +<br> +<p><a name="3"></a> </p> +<br> +<h2>CHAPTER II.</h2> + +<h4>THE DICE-BOX.</h4> + +<p>That same afternoon, at four o'clock, Captain Barker and Captain +Runacles entered Harwich and advanced up the West Street side by +side. Each had a bulky letter in his side-pocket, and the address +upon each letter was the same. They talked but little.</p> + +<p>On the right-hand side of West Street, as you enter the town, and a +hundred yards or more from the town gate, there stood at that time a +two-storeyed house of more pretensions than its fellows—from which +it drew back somewhat. A line of railings, covered with ironwork of +a florid and intricate pattern, but greatly decayed, shut it off from +the roadway. The visitor, on opening the broad iron gate over which +this pattern culminated in the figure of a Triton blowing a +conch-shell, found himself in a pebbled court and before a massive +front-door.</p> + +<p>Neglect hung visibly over house and court alike as the two captains +entered by the iron gate and looked around them with more trepidation +than they had ever displayed in action. Grass sprouted between the +pebbles and a greenish stain lay upon the flagstones. The drab +frontage was similarly streaked; dust and rain together had set a +crust upon the windows, and tufts of dark mossy grass again +flourished in the gutter-pipes beneath the eaves.</p> + +<p>Surveying this desolation, Captain Jemmy uttered a grunt and Captain +John a "p'sh!" They fumbled in their pockets, drew out their two +letters, and moved to the blistered front-door. A bell-pull, as +rusty as the railings outside, depended by the jamb. Captain Jemmy +tugged at it. It was noteworthy that whenever any effort had to be +put forth, however small, the tall man stepped forward and the +hunchback looked on. It was Captain Jemmy, for instance, who had, a +moment before, pushed back the gate.</p> + +<p>He had to tug thrice before a discordant bell sounded within the +house, and twice again before footsteps began to shuffle along the +passage.</p> + +<p>A bolt was let down and the big door fell open, disclosing a small +serving-girl, who stared upon the visitors with round eyes.</p> + +<p>"Is your mistress within?"</p> + +<p>"Mistress Salt is within, sirs; but—"</p> + +<p>"But what?"</p> + +<p>"She—she can't see you!" The girl burst into tears.</p> + +<p>"Who the devil asked her to see us?" rapped out Captain Barker.</p> + +<p>"You are to take these two letters," interposed Captain Runacles. +Each captain held out his letter. "You are to take these two—blow +your nose and dry your eyes—letters to your mistress at once—mind +you, <i>at once</i>—and together—<i>together</i>, you understand, and—what +in thunder are you whimpering about?"</p> + +<p>"I c-c-can't, sirs."</p> + +<p>"Can't! Why, in the name of—don't drip on 'em, I tell you! Why, in +the name of—"</p> + +<p>The iron gate creaked behind them, and the two captains turned their +heads. A portly, broad-shouldered gentleman, in a suit of snuff +colour, came slowly across the court, with both hands behind him, and +a cane rapping against his heels.</p> + +<p>"Dr. Beckerleg."</p> + +<p>"Hey? Why—Captain Barker! Captain Runacles! Glad to see you +both—glad to see you both home again! Also I'd be glad to know what +you're both doing here, at such a time."</p> + +<p>The captains looked at each other and coughed. They turned towards +the doorway. The serving-girl had disappeared, taking their letters +with her. Captain Barker faced round upon the Doctor.</p> + +<p>"You said 'at such a time,' sir."</p> + +<p>"I did."</p> + +<p>"And why not at this time, as well as another?"</p> + +<p>"God bless me! Is it possible you don't know?"</p> + +<p>"It is not only possible, but certain."</p> + +<p>The Doctor bent his head, pointed up at a window, and whispered; then +went softly up the three steps into the house.</p> + +<p>He left the two friends staring at each other. They stood and stared +at each other for three minutes or more. Then Captain Barker spoke +in a hoarse whisper.</p> + +<p>"Jemmy, do you know anything about this—this kind of business?"</p> + +<p>"Nothing. I was abroad, you know, when my own little maid—"</p> + +<p>"Yes, I remember. But I thought, perhaps—say, I can't go home +till—till I've seen the Doctor again."</p> + +<p>"Nor I."</p> + +<p>A dull moan sounded within the house.</p> + +<p>"Oh, my God!" groaned Captain Runacles; "Meg—Meg!"</p> + +<p>A lattice was opened softly above them and the doctor leant out.</p> + +<p>"Go away—you two!" he whispered and waved his hand towards the gate.</p> + +<p>"But, Doctor—"</p> + +<p>"H'sh! I'll come and tell you when it's over. Where shall you be?"</p> + +<p>"At the Three Crowns, down the street here."</p> + +<p>"Right."</p> + +<p>The lattice was closed again very gently. Captain Barker laid his +hand upon the tall man's sleeve.</p> + +<p>"Jemmy, we're out of this action. I thought I knew what it meant to +lay-to and have to look on while a fight went forward; but I didn't. +Come—"</p> + +<p>They passed out of the courtyard and down the street towards the +Three Crowns. Beneath the sign of that inn there lounged a knot of +officers wearing the flesh-coloured facings of the Buffs, and within +a young baritone voice was uplifted and trolling, to the +accompaniment of clinking glasses, a song of Mr. Shirley's:</p> + +<blockquote><blockquote> +<p class = "noindent">You virgins that did late despair<br> +<span class = "ind1">To keep your wealth from cruel men,</span><br> + Tie up in silk your careless hair:<br> +<span class = "ind1">Soft Peace is come again!…</span></p> +</blockquote></blockquote> +<br> +<p>There was one sitting-room but no bedroom to be had at the Three +Crowns. So they ordered up a dinner which they could not touch, but +sat over in silence for two weary hours, drinking very much more +burgundy than they were aware of. Captain Jemmy, taking up three +bottles one after another and finding them all empty, ordered up +three more, and drew his chair up to the hearth, where he sat kicking +the oaken logs viciously with his long legs. The little hunchback +stared out on the falling night, rang for candles, and began to pace +the room like a caged beast.</p> + +<p>Before midnight Captain Runacles was drunk. Six fresh bottles stood +on the table. The man was a cask. Even in the warm firelight his +face was pale as a sheet, and his lips worked continually.</p> + +<p>Captain Barker still walked up and down, but his thin legs would not +always move in a straight line. His eyes glared like two globes of +green fire, and he began to knock against the furniture. Few men can +wait helplessly and come out of it with credit. Every time Captain +John hit himself against the furniture Captain Jemmy cursed him.</p> + +<blockquote><blockquote> +<p class = "noindent">Tie up in silk your careless hair;<br> +<span class = "ind1">Soft Peace is come again!</span></p> +</blockquote></blockquote> + +<p>—Sang the little man, in a rasping voice. "Your careless hair," he +hiccoughed; "your careless hair, Meg!"</p> + +<p>Then he sat down on the floor and laughed to himself softly, rocking +his distorted body to and fro.</p> + +<p>"Bah!" said his friend, without looking round. "You're drunk." +And he poured out more burgundy. He was outrageously drunk himself, +but it only affected his temper, not his wits.</p> + +<p>"Meg," he said, "will live. What's more, she'll live to marry me."</p> + +<p>"She won't. She'll die. Hist! there's a star falling outside."</p> + +<p>He picked himself up and crawled upon the window-seat, clutching at +the red curtains to keep his footing.</p> + +<p>"Jemmy, she'll die! What was it that old fool said to-day? +The door's closing on us both. To think of our marching up, just +now, with those two letters; and the very sun in heaven cracking his +cheeks with laughter at us—us two poor scarecrows making love thirty +years after the time!"</p> + +<p>His wry head dropped forward on his chest.</p> + +<p>After this the two kept silence. The rest of the house had long +since gone to rest, and the sound of muffled snoring alone marked the +time as it passed, except when Captain Jemmy, catching up another oak +log, drove it into the fire with his heel; or out in the street the +watch went by, chanting the hour; or a tipsy shouting broke out in +some distant street, or the noise of dogs challenging each other from +their kennels across the sleeping town.</p> + +<p>A shudder of light ran across the heavens, and over against the +window Captain Barker saw the east grow pale. For some while the +stars had been blotted out and light showers had fallen at intervals. +Heavy clouds were banked across the river, behind Shotley; and the +roofs began to glisten as they took the dawn.</p> + +<p>Footsteps sounded on the roadway outside. He pushed open the window +and looked out. Doctor Beckerleg was coming up the street, his hat +pushed back and his neckcloth loosened as he respired the morning +air.</p> + +<p>The footsteps paused underneath, by the inn door; but the little +Captain leant back in the window-seat without making a sign. He had +seen the Doctor's face. Before the fire Captain Jemmy brooded, with +chin on breast, hands grasping the chair-rail and long legs stretched +out, one on each side of the hearth. The knocking below did not +rouse him from this posture, nor the creaking of feet on the stairs.</p> +<br> +<p> +Doctor Beckerleg stood in the doorway and for a moment contemplated +the scene—the empty bottles, the unsnuffed candles guttering down +upon the table, and the grey faces of both drunken men. Then he +turned and whispered a word to the drawer, who had hurried out of bed +to admit him and now stood behind his shoulder. The fellow shuffled +downstairs.</p> + +<p>Captain Barker struggled with a question that was dried up in his +throat. Before he could get it out the Doctor shook his head.</p> + +<p>"She is dead," he announced, very gravely and simply.</p> + +<p>The hunchback shivered. Captain Runacles neither spoke nor stirred +in his chair.</p> + +<p>"A man-child was born at two o'clock. He is alive: his mother died +two hours later."</p> + +<p>Captain Barker shivered again, plucked aimlessly at a rosette in the +window-cushion, and stole a quick glance at his comrade's back. +Then, putting a finger to his lip, he slid down to the floor and +lurched across to the Doctor.</p> + +<p>"She was left penniless?" he whispered.</p> + +<p>"That, or almost that, 'tis said," replied Dr. Beckerleg in the same +key, though the question obviously surprised him. "Her father left +his money to the town, as all know—"</p> + +<p>"Yes, yes; I knew that. Her husband—"</p> + +<p>"Hadn't a penny-piece, I believe: pawned her own mother's jewels and +gambled 'em away; thereupon left her, as a dog his cleaned bone."</p> + +<p>The little man laid a hand on his collar, and as the doctor stooped +whispered low and rapidly in his ear.</p> + +<p>Their colloquy was interrupted.</p> + +<p>"I'll adopt that child!" said Captain Runacles from the hearth. +He spoke aloud, but without turning his head.</p> + +<p>Captain Barker hopped round, as if a pin were stuck into him.</p> + +<p>"You!—adopt Meg's boy!"</p> + +<p>"I said that."</p> + +<p>"But you won't."</p> + +<p>"I shall."</p> + +<p>"I'm sorry to disappoint you, Jemmy; but I intend to adopt him +myself."</p> + +<p>"I know it. You were whispering as much to the Doctor there."</p> + +<p>"You have a little girl already."</p> + +<p>"Precisely. That's where the difference comes in. This one, you'll +note, is a boy."</p> + +<p>"A child of your own!"</p> + +<p>"But not of Meg's."</p> + +<p>Captain Runacles turned in his chair as he said this, and, reaching a +hand back to the table, drained the last bottle of burgundy into his +glass. His face was white as a sheet and his jaw set like iron. +"But not of Meg's," he repeated, lifting the glass and nodding over +it at the pair.</p> + +<p>His friend swayed into a chair and sat facing him, his chin but +just above the table and his green eyes glaring like an owl's.</p> + +<p>"Jemmy Runacles, <i>I</i> adopt that boy!"</p> + +<p>"You're cursedly obstinate, Jack."</p> + +<p>"Having adopted him, I shall at once quit my profession and devote +the residue of my life to his education. For a year or two—that is, +until he reaches an age susceptible of tuition—I shall mature a +scheme of discipline, which—"</p> + +<p>"My dear sir," the Doctor interposed, "surely all this is somewhat +precipitate."</p> + +<p>"Not at all. My resolution was taken the instant you entered the +room."</p> + +<p>"That hardly seems to me to prove—"</p> + +<p>The little man waved aside the interruption and continued: +"Tristram—for I shall have him christened by that name—"</p> + +<p>"He'll be called Jeremiah," decided Captain Runacles shortly.</p> + +<p>"I've settled upon Tristram. The name is a suitable one, and +signifies that its wearer is a child of sorrow."</p> + +<p>"Jeremiah also suggests lamentations, and has the further merit of +being my own name."</p> + +<p>"Tristram—"</p> + +<p>"Jeremiah—"</p> + +<p>"Gentlemen, gentlemen," cried Dr. Beckerleg, "would it not be as well +to see the infant?"</p> + +<p>"I can imagine," Captain Barker answered, "nothing in the infant that +is likely to shake my resolution. My scheme of discipline will be +based—"</p> + +<p>"Decidedly, Jack, I shall have to run you through," said his friend +gloomily. Indeed, the Doctor stood in instant fear of this +catastrophe; for Captain Runacles' temper was a byword, and not even +his customary dark flush looked so dangerous as the lustreless, +sullen eyes now sunk in a face that was drawn and pinched and +absolutely wax-like in colour. To the Doctor's astonishment, +however, it was the little hunchback who now jumped up and whipped +out his sword.</p> + +<p>"Run me through!" he almost screamed, dancing before the other and +threatening him with absurd flourishes—"Run me through?"</p> + +<p>"Listen, gentlemen; listen, before blood is spilt! To me it appears +evident that you are both drunk."</p> + +<p>"To me that seems an advantage, since it equalises matters."</p> + +<p>"But whichever of you survives, he will be unable to forgive himself; +having sinned not only against God, but also against logic."</p> + +<p>"How against logic?"</p> + +<p>"Permit me to demonstrate. Mrs. Salt, whom (as I well know) you +esteemed, is lost to you; and in her place is left a babe whom— +healthy though he undoubtedly is—you cannot possibly esteem without +taking a great deal for granted, especially as you have not yet set +eyes on him. Now it is evident that, if one of you should kill the +other, a second life of approved worth will be sacrificed for an +infant of purely hypothetical merits. As a man of business I condemn +the transaction. As a Christian I deprecate the shedding of blood. +But if somebody's blood must be shed, let us be reasonable and kill +the baby!"</p> + +<p>Captain Barker lowered his point.</p> + +<p>"Decidedly the question is more difficult than I imagined."</p> + +<p>"At least it cannot be settled before eating," said Dr. Beckerleg, as +the drawer entered with a tray. "You will forgive me that I took the +liberty of ordering breakfast as soon as I looked into this room. +Without asking to see your tongues, I prescribed dried herrings and +home-brewed ale; for myself, a fried sole, a beef-steak reasonably +under-done, a kidney-pie which the drawer commended on his own +motion, with a smoked cheek of pork, perhaps—"</p> + +<p>"You wish us to sit still while you devour all this?"</p> + +<p>"I am willing to give each side of the argument a fair chance."</p> + +<p>"But I find nothing to argue about!" exclaimed Captain Runacles, +pushing his plate from him after a very faint attempt to eat. +"My mind being already made up—"</p> + +<p>"And mine," interrupted Captain Barker.</p> + +<p>"If I suggest that both of you adopt the child," Dr. Beckerleg begun.</p> + +<p>"Still he must be educated; and our notions of education differ. +Moreover, when we differ—as you may have observed—we do so with +some thoroughness."</p> + +<p>"Let me propose, then, a system of alternation, by which you could +adopt the boy for six months each, turn and turn about."</p> + +<p>"But if—as would undoubtedly happen—each adoptive parent spent his +six months in undoing the other's work, it must follow that, at the +end of any given period, the child's mind would be a mere <i>tabula +rasa</i>. Suppose, on the other hand, we failed to wipe out each +other's teaching, the unfortunate youth would be launched upon life +with half his guns pointed inboard and his needle jerking from one +pole to the other. Consider the name, Jeremiah Tristram!"</p> + +<p>"It is heterogeneous," admitted the Doctor.</p> + +<p>"He would be called Tristram Jeremiah," Captain Barker put in.</p> + +<p>"Well, but that is not less heterogeneous. O wise Solomon!" cried +the Doctor, with his mouth full of kidney-pie; "had I but the +authority you enjoyed in a like dispute, I would resign to you all +the credit of originality!"</p> + +<p>"As it is, however, you are wasting our time, and it becomes clear +that we must fight, after all."</p> + +<p>"By no means; for I have this moment received an inspiration. +Drawer!"</p> + +<p>The drawer answered this summons almost before it was uttered, by +appearing in the doorway with a dish of eggs and a fresh tankard.</p> + +<p>"Set the dish down and attend," commanded Dr. Beckerleg. "You have a +dice-box and dice in the house?"</p> + +<p>"No, sir. His worship the Mayor—"</p> + +<p>"My good fellow, the regulations against play in this town are well +known to me; also that the Crowns is an orderly house. Let me +suggest, then, that you have several gentlemen of the army lodging +under this roof; that one of these, if politely asked, might own that +he had come across such a thing as a dice-box during his sojourn in +the Low Countries. It may even be that in the sack of some +unpronounceable town or other he has acquired a specimen, and is +bringing it home in his valise to exhibit it to his family. Be so +good as to inform him that three gentlemen, in Room No. 6, who are +about to write a tractate on the amusements of the Dutch—"</p> + +<p>"By your leave, sir, I don't know how it may be on campaign; but in +this house we never awaken a soldier for any reason which he cannot +grasp at once."</p> + +<p>"In that case let him have his sleep out before you vex him with our +apologies. But meanwhile bring the dice."</p> + +<p>The fellow went out, whispered to the chamber-maid, and returned in +less than five minutes with a pair of dice and a leathern box much +worn with use.</p> + +<p>"They belong," he whispered, "to a young gentleman of the Admiral's +regiment, who was losing heavily last night."</p> + +<p>"Thank you; they are the less likely to be loaded. You may retire +for a while. My friends," the Doctor continued, as soon as they were +alone, "Aristotle invented Chance to account for the astonishing fact +that there were certain things in the world which he could not +explain. I appeal to it for as cogent a reason. Indeed, had +Mistress Margaret—whose soul God has this night resumed—had she, I +say, been spared to receive and ponder the two letters which I saw +you deliver at her door; and had she invited me, as a tried friend, +to decide between them, I feel sure I should have ended by putting a +dice-box into her hands. Do not blush. No true man need blush that +he has loved such a woman: and you are both true men, if a trifle +obstinate—<i>justi et tenaces propositi</i>. Men of your character, +Flaccus tells us, do not blench at the thunderbolts of Jove himself; +and truly, I can well imagine his missile fizzing harmlessly into +your party hedge, unable to decide between the pavilion of Captain +John and the pavilion of Captain Jeremy. But Chance, being witless, +discriminates without trouble; and because she is blind, her +arbitraments offend nobody's sensibility. Do you consent?"</p> + +<p>The two captains looked at the dice-box and nodded.</p> + +<p>"The conditions?"</p> + +<p>"One throw," said Captain Runacles.</p> + +<p>"And the highest cast to win," added Captain Barker.</p> + +<p>"You, Captain Barker, are the senior by a year, I believe. Will you +throw first?"</p> + +<p>The little man caught up the box, rattled the dice briskly, and +threw—four and three.</p> + +<p>Captain Runacles picked them up, and made his cast deliberately—six +and ace.</p> + +<p>"Gentlemen, you must throw again. Fortune herself seems to hesitate +between you."</p> + +<p>Captain Barker threw again, and leant back with a sob of triumph.</p> + +<p>"Two sixes, upon my soul!" murmured the Doctor.</p> + +<p>"I'm afraid, Captain Jeremy—" Captain Jeremy took the dice up, +turned them between finger and thumb, and dropped them slowly into +the box. As he lifted his hand to make the cast he looked up and saw +the gleam in his friend's greenish eyes.</p> + +<p>The next moment box and dice flew past the hunchback's head and out +at the open window.</p> + +<p>"That's my throw," Captain Runacles announced, standing up and +turning his back on the pair as he staggered across the room for his +hat. But the little man also had bounced up in a fury.</p> + +<p>"That's a vile trick! I make the best throw, and you force me to +fight."</p> + +<p>"Ah," said the other, facing slowly about and putting on his hat. +"I didn't see it in that light. Very well, Jack, I decline to fight +you."</p> + +<p>"You apologise?"</p> + +<p>"Certainly."</p> + +<p>The little man held out a hand. "I might have known, Jemmy, you were +too good a fellow—" he began.</p> + +<p>"Oh, stow away your pretty speeches and take back your hand. I can't +prevent your playing the fool with Meg's child; but if I had a decent +excuse, you may make up your mind I'd use it. As it is, the sight of +you annoys me. Good morning!"</p> + +<p>He went out, slamming the door after him, and they heard him descend +the stairs and turn down the street.</p> + +<p>"A day's peace," mused Captain Barker, "strikes me as more expensive +than a year's war. It has cost me my two dearest friends."</p> + +<p>He strode up and down the room muttering angrily; then looked up and +said:</p> + +<p>"Take me to Meg; I want to see her."</p> + +<p>"And the child?"</p> + +<p>"To be sure. I'd clean forgotten the child."</p> + +<p>Dr. Beckerleg led the way downstairs. A pale sunshine touched the +edge of the pavement across the road, and while Captain Barker was +settling the bill, the doctor stepped across and picked a dice-box +out of the gutter.</p> + +<p>"Luckily I found the dice, too; they were lying close together," said +he, as his companion came out. He turned the box round and appeared +to be reflecting; but next moment walked briskly into the bar and +returned the dice to the drawer, with a small fee.</p> + +<p>"She is not much changed?" asked the Captain, as they moved down the +street arm in arm.</p> + +<p>"Eh? You were saying? No, not changed. A beautiful face."</p> + +<p>Though middle-aged and lined with trouble it was, as Dr. Beckerleg +said, a beautiful face that slept behind the dusty window above the +court where the sparrows chattered. From a chamber at the back of +the house the two men were met, as they climbed the stairs, by the +sound of an infant's wailing. Dr. Beckerleg went towards this, after +opening for the Captain the door of a room wherein no sound was at +all.</p> + +<p>When, half an hour later, Captain Barker came out and closed this +door gently, Dr. Beckerleg, who waited on the landing, forbore to +look a second time at his face. Instead he stared fixedly at the +staircase wall and observed:</p> + +<p>"I think it is time we turned our attention upon the child."</p> + +<p>"Take me to him by all means."</p> + +<p>Margaret's son was reclining, very red and angry, in the arms of +an old woman who attempted vainly to soothe him by tottering up +and down the room as fast as her decrepit legs would carry her. +The serving-girl, who had opened the door on the previous evening, +stood beside the window, her eyes swollen with weeping.</p> + +<p>"He is extremely small," said the Captain.</p> + +<p>"On the contrary, he is an unusually fine boy."</p> + +<p>"He appears to me to want something."</p> + +<p>"He wants food."</p> + +<p>"Bless my soul! Has none been offered to him?"</p> + +<p>"Yes; but he refuses it."</p> + +<p>"Extraordinary!"</p> + +<p>"Not at all. I understand—do I not?—that you have adopted this +infant."</p> + +<p>The Captain nodded.</p> + +<p>"Then your parental duties have already begun. You must come with me +at once and choose a wet nurse."</p> + +<p>As they passed through the hall to the front-door, Captain Barker +perceived two letters lying side by side upon a table there. +He snatched them up hastily and crammed one into his pocket. +Then, handing the other to Dr. Beckerleg:</p> + +<p>"You might give that to Jemmy when you see him, and—look here, as +soon as the child is out of the house, I think—if you went to +Jemmy—he might like to see Meg, you know."</p> + + +<br> +<p><a name="4"></a> </p> +<br> +<h2>CHAPTER III.</h2> + +<h4>THE TWO PAVILIONS.</h4> + +<p>Captain Barker and Captain Runacles had been friends from boyhood. +They had been swished together at Dr. Huskisson's school, hard by the +Water Gate; had been packed off to sea in the same ship, and +afterwards had more than once smelt powder together. Admiral Blake +and Sir Christopher Mings had turned them into tough fighters by sea; +and Margaret Tellworthy had completed their education ashore, and +made them better friends by rejecting both. In an access of misogyny +they had planned and built their blue pavilions, beside the London +road, vowing to shut themselves up and look on no woman again. +This happened but a short time before the first Dutch War, in which +the one served under Captain Jonings in the <i>Ruby</i> and the other had +the honour to be cast ashore with Prince Rupert himself, aboard the +<i>Galloper</i>. Upon the declaration of peace, in the autumn of 1667, +they had returned, and, forgetting their vow, laid siege again to +their mistress, who regretted the necessity of refusing them thrice +apiece.</p> + +<p>Upon his third rejection, Jeremy Runacles was driven by indignation +to offer his hand at once to Mistress Isabel Seaman, sister of that +same Robert Seaman who, as Mayor of Harwich, admitted Sir Anthony +Deane to the freedom of the Corporation, and had the honour to +receive, in exchange, twelve fire-buckets for the new town-hall. +As Mistress Isabel inherited a third of the profits amassed by her +father in the rope-making trade, she was considered a good match. +Captain Barker, however, resented the marriage on the ground that she +was out of place in a pavilion expressly designed for a confirmed +bachelor. When, after a few months, her husband also began to hold +this view, Mrs. Runacles, instead of reminding him that he, and he +alone, was to blame for her intrusion, did her best to make matters +easy by quitting this world altogether on St. Bartholomew's Eve, +1670, leaving behind her the smallest possible daughter. But as this +daughter at once required a nurse, the alleviation proved to be +inconsiderable—as Mr. Runacles would have delighted to point out to +his wife, had she remained within earshot. As it was, he took +infinite pains to select a suitable nurse, and forthwith neglected +the child entirely—a course of conduct which was not so culpable as +might be supposed, since (with the sole exception of Mrs. Runacles) +he had never been known to err in choosing a subordinate. In times +of peace he gave himself up to studying the mathematics, in which he +was a proficient, and to the designing of such curious toys as +sundials, water-clocks, pumps, and the like; which he so multiplied +about the premises, out of pure joy in constructing them, that +Simeon, his body-servant, had much ado to live among the many +contrivances for making his life easier.</p> + +<p>Although the two pavilions were exactly similar in shape and +colour, their gardens differed in some important respects. +On Captain Runacles' side of the hedge all was order—trim turf +and yews accurately clipped, though stunted by the sea winds. +Captain Barker's factotum, Narcissus Swiggs by name, was a slow man +with but a single eye. His orbit in gardening was that of the four +seasons, but he had the misfortune to lag behind them by the space of +three months; while the two sides of the gravel path, though each +would be harmonious in itself, could only be enjoyed by shutting one +eye as you advanced from the blue gate to the blue front-door. +The particular pride of Captain Barker's garden, however, was a +collection of figure-heads set up like statues at regular intervals +around the hedge. The like of it could be found nowhere. +Here, against a background of green, and hanging forward over a green +lawn, were an Indian Chief, a Golden Hind, a Triton, a Centaur, an +effigy of King Charles I., another of Britannia, a third of the god +Pan, and a fourth of Mr. John Phillipson, sometime alderman and +shipowner of Harwich. Though rudely modelled, the majority received +an extremely lifelike appearance from their colouring, which was +renewed every now and then under the Captain's own supervision. +He asserted them to be beautiful, and his acquaintances were content +with the qualification that to an unwarned visitor, in an uncertain +light, they might be disconcerting.</p> + +<p>To this paradise Captain Barker introduced his newly adopted son, +with the wet-nurse that the Doctor had found for him: and after +explaining matters to Narcissus—who had heard of the <i>Wasp's</i> +arrival in port and had been vaguely troubled by a long conversation +with Simeon, next door—installed the new-comers in the two rooms +under the roof of the pavilion and sat down to meditate and wait for +the child's development.</p> + +<p>On the fourth morning after the installation, Narcissus appeared and +demanded a higher wage. This was granted.</p> + +<p>On the sixth morning, Narcissus appeared again.</p> + +<p>"That there nurse—" he began.</p> + +<p>"What of her?"</p> + +<p>"As touching that there nurse, your instructions were to feed her +up."</p> + +<p>"Well?"</p> + +<p>"I've fed her up."</p> + +<p>"Well?"</p> + +<p>"She's ate till she's sick."</p> + +<p>The Captain sent post-haste for Dr. Beckerleg.</p> + +<p>"That woman's green with bile," the Doctor announced. "You've been +over-feeding her."</p> + +<p>"I did it to strengthen the child."</p> + +<p>"No doubt; but this sort of woman will eat all that's put before her. +Lower her diet."</p> + +<p>This was done. The woman recovered in a couple of days and resigned +her place at once, declaring she was starved.</p> + +<p>A second wet-nurse was sought for and found. The child thrived, was +weaned, and began to cut his teeth without any trouble to mention. +Twice a day Captain Barker visited his nursery and studied him +attentively.</p> + +<p>"I'll own that I'm boggled," he confessed to Dr. Beckerleg. +"You see, a child is the offspring of his parents."</p> + +<p>"That is undeniable!" the Doctor answered.</p> + +<p>"And science now asserts that he inherits his parents' aptitudes: +therefore, to train him <i>secundum naturam</i>, I must discover these +aptitudes and educate or check them."</p> + +<p>"Decidedly."</p> + +<p>"Well, but his mother was an angel, and his father the dirtiest scamp +that ever cheated the halter."</p> + +<p>"I should advise you to strike a mean. What of the child himself?"</p> + +<p>"He does nothing but eat."</p> + +<p>"It appears to me that, striking a mean between the two extremes you +mention, we arrive at mere man. I perceive a great opportunity. +Suppose you teach him exactly what Adam was taught."</p> + +<p>"Gardening?"</p> + +<p>"Precisely. He will start with some advantage over Adam, there being +no Eve to complicate matters."</p> + +<p>"He shall be taught gardening," the little Captain decided.</p> + +<p>"The pursuit will accord well with his temperament, which is notably +pacific. The child seldom or never cries. At the same time we +cannot quite revert to the Garden of Eden. His life will, almost +certainly, bring him more or less into contact with his fellow-men."</p> + +<p>"We must expect that."</p> + +<p>"Therefore, as a mere measure of precaution, it might be as well to +instruct him in the use of the small-sword."</p> + +<p>"I will look after that. There is nothing I shall enjoy more +than teaching him—precaution. We have now, I think, settled +everything—"</p> + +<p>"By no means." The Doctor put a hand into his tail-pocket, and after +some difficulty with the lining pulled out a small book bound in +green leather and tied with a green ribbon. "Here," he announced, +"is the first volume of a treatise on education."</p> + +<p>"Plague take your books! You're as bad as Jemmy, yonder. I tell you +I'll not addle the boy's head with books."</p> + +<p>"But this treatise has the advantage to be unwritten."</p> + +<p>Dr. Beckerleg untied the ribbon, and holding out the book, turned +over a score of pages. They were all blank.</p> + +<p>"Undoubtedly that is an advantage. But then, it hardly seems to me +to be a treatise."</p> + +<p>"No: but it will be when you have written it."</p> + +<p>"I?"</p> + +<p>"Certainly, you intend to train Tristram in accordance with nature. +On what do we base our knowledge of nature? On experiment and +observation. For many reasons your experiments with the child must +be limited; but you can observe him daily—hourly, if you like. +In this volume you shall record your observations from day to day, +<i>nulla dies sine linea</i>. It is the first present I make to him, as +his godfather: and in doing so I set you down to write the most +valuable book in the world, a complete History of a Human Creature."</p> + +<p>Captain Barker took the volume.</p> + +<p>"But I shall never live to finish it."</p> + +<p>"We hope not. The beauty, however, of this history will be that at +any point in its progress we may consult it for Tristram's good, and +learn all that, up to that point, God has given us eyes to see. +It may be that in deciding to make him a gardener we have been +mistaken. That book will enlighten us."</p> + +<p>"There's one blessing," said Captain Barker, tucking the book under +his arm; "whatever pursuit the boy may follow, he'll want to follow +it unmolested. And therefore, in any case, I must teach him to use +the small-sword."</p> + +<p>During the first few months, almost every entry in the Captain's +green volume dealt with Tristram's appetite. Nor did this fluctuate +enough to make the record exciting. He was a slow, phlegmatic +infant, with red cheeks and an exuberant crop of yellow curls. +He slept all night and a good third of the day, and, beyond cutting +ten teeth in as many months, exhibited no precocity. Nothing +troubled him, if we except an insatiable hunger. He was weaned with +extreme difficulty, and even when promoted to bread and biscuits and +milk puddings, continued to recognise his nurse's past service and +reward it with so sincere an affection that the woman accepted an +increase of wage and cheerfully consented to stay on and take care of +him.</p> + +<p>Captain Barker saw nothing in all this to shake his first resolution +of making the boy a gardener, but rather found in each successive day +a reason the more for making haste to learn something about +horticulture himself, in order that when the time came he might be +able to teach it. At length he took counsel with Narcissus Swiggs +and unfolded his desire.</p> + +<p>Mr. Swiggs listened sleepily, and as soon as his master had done gave +him a month's notice.</p> + +<p>"What the devil's the use of that?" Captain Barker asked.</p> + +<p>"I thought you weren't satisfied, that's all."</p> + +<p>"If I weren't, I should kick you out without half these words. +You've been thinking of yourself all this while."</p> + +<p>"I mostly does."</p> + +<p>"Then don't, while I'm talking." And Captain Barker explained his +scheme a second time.</p> + +<p>"No use," pronounced Mr. Swiggs at the close, shaking his head +ponderously.</p> + +<p>"Why not?"</p> + +<p>Mr. Swiggs swept his hand before him, summing up the whole landscape +with one majestic semicircle.</p> + +<p>"Where is your soil?" he asked. "And where is your water? +Springs?"—he paused a couple of seconds—"There ain't none. All +that mortal man can do, I does."</p> + +<p>"And what is that?"</p> + +<p>"I does without."</p> + +<p>"But the marsh behind us—"</p> + +<p>"Salt."</p> + +<p>"Narcissus Swiggs, you have been in my service twenty years."</p> + +<p>"Twenty-three."</p> + +<p>"During that time you have once or twice argued with me. I ask you, +as a Christian man, to tell me truly what you got by it."</p> + +<p>"Naught."</p> + +<p>"Just so. On this occasion, however, I've listened with great +patience to all your objections—"</p> + +<p>"Not a tithe of 'em."</p> + +<p>"They're all you'll have a chance of making, at any rate. And I +answer them thus: If the worst comes to the worst, I'll cover the +whole of this property with a couple of tubs, one to catch rain-water +and t'other filled with garden mould. If the sea rots 'em, I'll have +the whole estate careened, and its bottom pitched and its seams +stopped with oakum. I'll rig up a battery here, and if the +water-butt runs dry you shall blaze away at the guns till you fetch +the rain down, as I've seen it fetched down before now by a +cannonade. But I mean to have a garden here, and a garden I'll +have."</p> + +<p>Faithful to this resolve, Captain Barker set to work to study the art +in which Tristram was to be instructed, and, being by nature a hater +of superficiality, determined to begin by acquainting himself with +everything that had been written about the nature and habits of +plants from the earliest ages to that present day. He engaged a +young demy of Magdalen College, Oxford—son of Mr. Lucas, saddler, of +the High Street, Harwich—who was much pinched to continue his +studies at the University, to extract and translate for him whatever +Aristotle, Theophrastus and others of the Peripatetic school had +written on the subject; to search the college libraries for +information concerning the horticulture of China and Persia, the +hanging gardens of Babylon, those planted by the learned Abdullatif +at Bagdad, and the European paradises of Naples, Florence, Monza, +Mannheim and Leyden to draw up plans and a particular description of +the Oxford Physic Garden, by Magdalen College, as well as the +plantations of Worcester, Trinity and St. John's Colleges; and to +ransack the bookshops of that seat of learning for such works as +might be procurable in no more difficult tongue than the Latin. +In this way Captain Barker became possessed of a vast number of +monkish herbals, Pliny's <i>Historia Naturalis</i>, the <i>Herbarum Vivas +Eicones</i> of Brunsfels, the treatises of Tragus, Fuchsius, Matthiolus, +Ebn Beithar and Conrad Gesner, the <i>Stirpium Adversaria Nova</i> and +<i>Plantarum seu Stirpium Historia</i> of Matthew Lobel, with the works +of such living botanists as Henshaw, Hook, Grew and Malpighi. +As the Captain had no thought of resuming a seafaring life, +he felt confident of digesting in time these masses of learning, +though it annoyed him at first to find himself capable of +understanding but a tenth of what he read. On summer evenings he +would sit out on the lawn, with a folio balanced on his knee, and do +violence to Mr. Swiggs's ears with such learned terms as +"Boraginiae," "Cucurbitaceae," "Leguminosae," and as winter drew in, +master and man would hold long consultations indoors over certain +plants, the portraits of which in the herbals seemed familiar enough, +though their habitats often proved, on further reading, to lie no +nearer than Arabia Felix or the Spice Islands. Nevertheless, they +took some practical steps. To begin with, the soil of the garden +before the Blue Pavilion was entirely changed—Captain Barker +importing from The Hague no less than thirty tons of the mould most +approved by the Dutch tulip-growers. A tank, too, was sunk at the +back of the building towards the marsh, as a receptacle and reservoir +for rain-water; and by Tristram's fourth birthday his adoptive father +began to build, on the south side of the house, a hibernatory, or +greenhouse, differing in size only from that which Solomon de Caus +had the honour to erect for the Elector Palatine in his gardens at +Heidelberg. +</p> +<br> +<p>Meanwhile Captain Runacles, who watched these operations from +the other side of the privet hedge and picked up many scraps of +rumour from the antique Simeon, was consumed with scorn and envy. +The two friends no longer spoke. At the back of the Fish and Anchor, +across the road, there stretched at this time the largest and fairest +bowling-green in the east of England—two good acres of smooth turf, +stretching almost to the edge of the sea-cliff, on which side the +wall was cut down to within a foot of the ground, so that the gossips +as they played, or sat and smoked on the benches about the green, +might have a clear view of the ships entering or leaving the harbour, +or of others that, hull-down on the horizon, took the sunset on their +sails. Hither it had always been the custom of the two captains to +repair at the closing in of the day, and drink their beer together as +they watched this or that vessel more or less narrowly avoiding the +shoals below. Nor would they commonly retire, unless the weather was +dirty, until the sea-coal fire was lit above the town-gate and the +lesser lighthouse upon the town-green answered with its six candles. +Now, however, though they met here as usual, no salutation was +exchanged. On benches as far apart as possible they drank their beer +in silence and watched the players. The situation was understood by +everybody at the inn; and at first some awkward attempts were made to +heal the breach. But Captain Jeremy's scowl and the light in Captain +John's green eyes soon convinced the busybodies that they were +playing with fire, and likely to burn their fingers.</p> + +<p>In his home Captain Runacles grew restless. To cure this, he set to +work and finished a large dial which he had long intended to present +to the Corporation of Harwich, to set up over the town-gate. +The Corporation accepted the gift and employed their clerk to write a +letter of thanks. The language of this letter was so flattering that +Captain Runacles made another dial for the Exchange. Being thanked +for this also, he presented an excellent pendulum clock of his own +making, to be placed over his Majesty's arms upon the principal gate +of the dockyard, with a bell above the clock to strike the hours of +the day, as well as to summon the men to their work; and two more +dials, the one for the new town-hall, the other for the almshouses +near St. Helen's Port. Again the Corporation thanked him as +profusely as before, but asked him to be at the expense of affixing +these dials, which, both by their beauty and number, were rapidly +making Harwich unique among towns of its size. Upon this Captain +Runacles, in a huff, forswore all further munificence, and applied +himself to the construction of a pair of compasses capable of +dividing an inch into a thousand parts, and to the sinking of a well +in the marsh behind his pavilion. The design of this well was +extremely ingenious. It was worked by means of a wheel, nine feet in +diameter, with steps in its circumference like those of a treadmill, +and so weighted that by walking upon it, as if up a flight of stairs, +a person of eleven or twelve stone would draw up a bucket—two +buckets being so hung, at the ends of a rope surrounding the wheel, +that while one ascended, full of water, the other, which was empty, +sank down and was refilled. These buckets being too heavy for a man +to overturn to pour out the water, he bored a hole in each, and +contrived to plug the holes so that the weight of the bucket as it +bumped upon the trough prepared for it at the well's edge jogged out +the plug and sent the water running down the trough into whatever +pail or vessel stood ready to catch it. Nor is it astonishing that +he lost his temper when, after these preparations, he found the well +was not deep enough, and the water as much infected with brine as if +he had gathered it from the surface of the marsh.</p> + +<p>It was on the day following this disappointment that, while walking +to and fro the length of his turfed garden, between three and four in +the afternoon (for his habits were methodical), he heard a child's +voice lifted on the far side of the party hedge:</p> + +<p>"Dad!"</p> + +<p>"Eh? What is it?" answered the voice of Captain Barker, from his new +tulip-bed, across the garden.</p> + +<p>"What thing is this?"</p> + +<p>"A nymph." Captain Runacles guessed by this that the four-year-old's +question had reference to one of the figure-heads disposed along the +hedge.</p> + +<p>"What is a nymph?"</p> + +<p>"A sort of girl."</p> + +<p>"I don't like this sort of girl. She's got no legs."</p> + +<p>"Come over here and look at this tulip."</p> + +<p>"There's a much better sort of girl next door," Tristram continued, +unheeding.</p> + +<p>"What do you know about her?" sharply inquired his guardian.</p> + +<p>"Oh, I see her often at the top window, and sometimes out walking. +Nurse says we're not to speak, so we put out our tongues at each +other."</p> + +<p>"Tristram, come over here and look—"</p> + +<p>"She's got funny curls, and puts her doll to bed in the window-seat +every night. I like that sort of girl. When I grow up," the young +bashaw proceeded, "I shall have lots of that sort of girl all over +the garden, instead of these wooden things."</p> + +<p>Captain Barker treated this Oriental day-dream with silence.</p> + +<p>"Dad—why am I worth more than all the girls in the world?"</p> + +<p>"Who said you were?"</p> + +<p>"Nurse. She says you think so. She says the big man next door would +give his eyes to have a boy like me; but he can't make nothing of a +girl, and don't try. Narcissus—"</p> + +<p>"Hallo!" replied the heavy voice of Mr. Swiggs.</p> + +<p>"Have you got a boy?"</p> + +<p>"No, sir: 'nmarried."</p> + +<p>"What did you give your eye for, then?"</p> + +<p>"Losh!" ejaculated Narcissus, as Captain Barker pounced on the +youngster and haled him off to the tulip-bed. The interrogatory was +stayed for a while.</p> + +<p>Captain Runacles, who had caught every word, strode half a dozen +times up and down his grass-plot: then summoned Simeon.</p> + +<p>"Tell nurse to send Miss Sophia down to me."</p> + +<p>Five minutes later a small child of seven appeared in the doorway, +and, after hesitating there for a moment, stepped timidly across the +turf. Her figure and movements were ungainly and her complexion +appeared unnaturally sallow against a dark grey frock. A wet brush, +applied two minutes before with inconsiderate zeal, had taken all the +curl out of her dark hair and smoothed it in preposterous bands on +either side of her brow. Her arms hung stiff and perpendicular, and +she fidgeted with her short skirt as she advanced.</p> + +<p>Captain Runacles stopped short in his walk and surveyed her.</p> + +<p>"H'm," he said. "Don't shuffle."</p> + +<p>The little girl looked up, dropped her eyes again quickly, and let +her hands hang limp beside her. She was shaking from head to foot.</p> + +<p>"You are a girl."</p> + +<p>"Pardon, father," she mumbled in a low whisper.</p> + +<p>"Next door there lives a small boy. You are in the habit of putting +out your tongue at him. Why?"</p> + +<p>"I—I—"</p> + +<p>Her voice wavered and she broke into a fit of sobbing.</p> + +<p>"Tut, tut! Stop that noise; I haven't scolded you. On the contrary, +I sent for you in the hope that you might always be able to put out +your tongue at that boy. Sophia, dry your eyes and attend, please. +Would you like to be an accomplished woman?"</p> + +<p>"If it please you, father."</p> + +<p>"Now may the devil fly away with the whole sex! If they <i>do</i> happen +to desire anything good in itself, it's always to please some man or +another. Sophia, I ask you if, for your own sake, and for the sake +of knowledge, you will be my pupil; if you care to pursue—" Captain +Runacles checked himself, not because he had any idea that he was +talking over the head of a girl of seven, but because a general +proposition had occurred to him.</p> + +<p>"Woman's notion of a pursuit," he said, clasping his hands behind him +and regarding his daughter's tear-stained face with severity— +"woman's notion of a pursuit is entirely passive. Her only idea is +to be pursued, and even so her mind runs on ultimate capture. +Sophia," he continued, himself forgetting for the moment his view of +knowledge as <i>sui causa optandum</i>, "would you like to please me by +licking that boy across the hedge into a cocked-hat?"</p> + +<p>"But—oh, father!"</p> + +<p>"What is it?"</p> + +<p>She could not answer for a moment. Nor did he know that she besought +God every night to change her into a boy that she might find some +grace in his sight.</p> + +<p>"You have one advantage," said her father coldly, as she struggled to +keep down her tears. "Your rival across the hedge is in a fair way to +be turned into a fool. We will begin to-morrow. In a week or so I +shall be able to pronounce some opinion on your capacity. Now run +indoors to your nurse—why, bless my soul!"</p> + +<p>The child had trotted forward, and, taking his hand, kissed it +passionately. He looked into her face, and, finding it white as a +sheet, lifted her in his arms and carried her into the pavilion.</p> + + +<br> +<p><a name="5"></a> </p> +<br> +<h2>CHAPTER IV.</h2> + +<h4>THE TWO PAVILIONS (continued).</h4> + +<p>"We must have an apiarium," Captain Barker announced a week later.</p> + +<p>"What's that?" Mr. Swiggs asked.</p> + +<p>"Half a dozen beehives, at least."</p> + +<p>"No room."</p> + +<p>"There is nothing," pursued Captain Barker, "that gives such +character to a garden as an apiarium unless it be fishponds. +I will have both."</p> + +<p>"No water."</p> + +<p>"The fishponds shall be constantly supplied with running water. +I will have three ponds at different levels, connected with miniature +waterfalls and approached by an <i>allee verte</i>. The glimpse of water +between green hedges will be extremely refreshing to the eye. +The apiarium shall stand close to these ponds—as Virgil commends:"</p> + +<blockquote><blockquote> +<p class = "noindent">At liquidi fontes et stagna virentia musco<br> + Adsint, et tenuis fugiens per gramina rivus</p> +</blockquote></blockquote> + +<p>"—And shall be surrounded with beds of violets and lavender and such +blue flowers as bees especially love. When, Narcissus, I glance over +the hedge at the back of the house and behold Captain Runacles' two +acres lying waste, cumbered like a mining country with the ruins of +his mechanical toys, I have a mind to—"</p> + +<p>"He'll neither sell nor lend."</p> + +<p>"I perceive that in time we must set about draining so much of the +marsh outside as belongs to me. There, if anywhere, the fishponds +must lie. In the meantime there is a full rood of ground beyond the +northern hedge that we may consider. By cutting a path through the +privet there and enclosing this parcel, we gain for our bees a +quadrangle which will not only give them their proper seclusion, but +may be planted in the classical style without detriment to the +general effect of our garden. The privet serving as a screen.…"</p> + +<p>Invigorated by Mr. Swiggs's opposition, the little man continued for +twenty minutes to revel in details, and ended by rushing his +companion off to examine the ground. In his hot fit he forgot all +about Tristram, who, tired of listening, had slipped away among the +gooseberry-bushes, with a half-eaten slice of bread and butter in his +hand.</p> + +<p>The fruit proved green and hard—for it was now the third week of +May—and by the time his bread and butter was eaten the boy had a +fancy to explore farther. He wandered through the strawberry-beds, +and, finding nothing there but disappointment, allowed himself to run +lazily after a white butterfly, which led him down to the front of +the pavilion, over the parterres of budding tulips and across to an +east border gay with heart's-ease, bachelor's buttons, forget-me-nots +and purple honesty. The scent of budding yews met him here, blown +softly across from Captain Runacles' garden. The white butterfly +balanced himself on this odorous breeze, and, rising against it, +skimmed suddenly over the hedge and dropped out of sight.</p> + +<p>Now there was set, under an archway in this hedge, a blue door, the +chinks of which were veiled with cobwebs and the panels streaked with +the silvery tracks of snails. By this <i>pervius usus</i> (as Captain +Runacles called it) the two friends had been used to visit each +other, but since the quarrel it had never been opened. No lock had +been fixed upon it, however. Only the passions of two obstinate men +had kept it shut for four years and more.</p> + +<p>The child contemplated this door for a minute, then lifted himself on +tip-toe and stretched his hand up towards the rusty latch. It was a +good six inches above his reach.</p> + +<p>He glanced back over his shoulder. Nobody was in sight. His eyes +fell on a stack of flower-pots left by Narcissus beside the path. +He fetched one, set it upside-down in front of the door and climbed +atop of it.</p> + +<p>This time he reached the latch and lifted it with some difficulty. +His weight pressed the door open and he fell forward, sprawling on +hands and knees, into the next garden.</p> + +<p>He picked himself up, and was on the point of fetching a prolonged +howl, but suddenly thought better of it and began to stare instead.</p> + +<p>Barely six paces in front of him, and in the centre of a round +garden-bed, a small girl was kneeling. She held a rusty table-knife, +the blade of which was covered with mould; and as she gazed back at +him the boy saw that her face was stained with weeping.</p> + +<p>"Hallo!"</p> + +<p>"Hallo!"</p> + +<p>"I was just thinking of you, little boy, and beginning to despise +you, when plump—in you tumbled."</p> + +<p>"But, I say—look here, you know—I've been told what despising is, +and if you despise me you ought to say why."</p> + +<p>"Because I've been ordered to. I'm going to do it out of this book +here. Listen: 'A point is that which has no parts and no magnitude,' +and that's only the beginning. Oh, my dear, I'll wither you up—you +just wait a bit!"</p> + +<p>She dug the knife viciously into the earth.</p> + +<p>"I don't care," said Tristram affably.</p> + +<p>"P'r'aps you don't know what 'Don't Care' came to?"</p> + +<p>"No, I don't."</p> + +<p>"Well, he came to—a place. It was a good deal deeper down than this +hole I'm digging."</p> + +<p>"What's the hole for?"</p> + +<p>"My doll, here. I've got to put away childish things; so I'm going +to cover her right up and never see her face again. Oh! oh!"</p> + +<p>She began to sob as if her heart would break.</p> + +<p>"I wouldn't cry if I were you. I didn't cry just now when I tumbled +off the flower-pot."</p> + +<p>"You don't know what it is to be a mother."</p> + +<p>"No, but I can dig ever so much better than you. Look here. +I've got a spade of my own, and I'll show you how to dig properly, if +you like."</p> + +<p>He ran off and returned with it in less than a minute. In another +minute they were engrossed in the burial rites, the girl still +playing at tragedy, but enjoying herself immensely.</p> + +<p>"We must read something over the remains," she announced.</p> + +<p>"Why?"</p> + +<p>"Because it's always done, unless the dead person is buried with a +stake through his inside."</p> + +<p>"Then we'd better take her out again and put a stake through her; +because I can't read."</p> + +<p>"Haven't you begun to learn yet?"</p> + +<p>"No."</p> + +<p>"Well," said Sophia, picking up the Euclid, "you can hold a corner of +the book and listen to what I read, and perhaps you can repeat some +of it after me, you contemptible boy."</p> + +<p>They were standing over the doll's grave, side by side, and chanting +in antiphon the fourth proposition of the First Book of Euclid, when +Captain Runacles came round the corner of the house and halted to rub +his eyes.</p> + +<p>At the sound of his footstep on the gravel Sophia snatched the +book from Tristram and looked desperately round. It was too late. +Her father was glaring down upon them both, with his hands behind him +and his chin stuck forward.</p> + +<p>"You miserable child!"</p> + +<p>He pronounced it deliberately, syllable by syllable, and turned upon +Tristram.</p> + +<p>"Will you kindly explain, sir, to what I owe the honour of your +presence in my garden?"</p> + +<p>Tristram, who had never before been addressed with harshness, failed +to understand the tone of this speech, and answered with amiable +directness—</p> + +<p>"I tumbled in, off a flower-pot."</p> + +<p>"Indeed!"</p> + +<p>"Yes; and I stayed because I liked the girl here."</p> + +<p>"You do her infinite honour."</p> + +<p>"I'm going away now because I'm hungry. But I'll come back again +after dinner, all right."</p> + +<p>"No," said Captain Runacles grimly; "on that point you must allow me +to correct you. You infernal young cub, if I catch you here again—"</p> + +<p>"Hi! Captain!" interrupted a voice at the foot of the garden.</p> + +<p>Doctor Beckerleg stood beside the blue gate and held it open to admit +another visitor, whose dress and appearance were unfamiliar to the +Captain. He paused midway in his threat and removed his eyes from +the children. Sophia crept towards the house, while Tristram seized +his opportunity and slipped away to the safe side of the privet +hedge.</p> + +<p>"Let me present," said the Doctor, "Mr. Josias Finch, of Boston, New +England."</p> + +<p>"Attorney-at-law," Mr. Finch added, lifting his hat politely.</p> + +<p>He was a little man with a triple chin and small, intelligent eyes +that twinkled deep in a round, fat face. His dress was of a +slate-coloured material, decorated with silver buttons, and he wore a +voluminous wig.</p> + +<p>"With news for you, Captain."</p> + +<p>"Important news," Mr. Finch echoed. He pulled out a silver snuff-box +and offered it to Captain Runacles. "You don't indulge? But you +will suffer me, no doubt. Ah," he went on, inhaling a pinch, "it has +been a long journey, sir, and my stomach abhors sea-voyaging."</p> + +<p>"Shall we step into the house?" suggested Captain Runacles.</p> + +<p>"By all means, sir. My business is simple, but may require some +elucidation. May I suggest that Dr. Beckerleg accompanies us? +He is already acquainted with the drift of my commission, for reasons +I will expound hereafter."</p> + +<p>"Of course. Come in, Doctor." He led the pair into his dining-room. +"I may as well state, Mr. Finch, that my temper is somewhat +impatient. If you come as a friend, my hospitality is yours for as +long as you care to use it; but I'd take it kindly if you came to the +heart of your business at once."</p> + +<p>"To be sure, sir, and a very proper attitude. I plunge, then, into +the middle of affairs. You will doubtless remember Silvanus +Tellworthy, younger brother of the late Sir Jabez Tellworthy whose +virtues recently ceased to adorn this neighbourhood."</p> + +<p>"Perfectly."</p> + +<p>"His conscience led him to exchange this country, in the thirty-fifth +year of his age, for a soil more amical to his religious opinions."</p> + +<p>"I have heard 'twas for fear of the attentions of a widow in Harwich; +but proceed."</p> + +<p>"After amassing a considerable fortune he died, sir, of a paralytical +stroke, upon the 12th of November last."</p> + +<p>"I am sorry to hear it."</p> + +<p>"That was the common expression of Boston at the time. Dismissing +for a more leisurely occasion the consideration of his civic virtues, +I may say that I had the honour to possess his confidence in the +double capacity of friend and legal adviser. It fell to me to draw +up his will, some few years before his decease; and now I am left to +the task of giving it effect. He was a childless man, and, with the +exception of some trifling legacies to the town of Boston and a few +private friends, bequeathed his wealth to his only niece, Margaret, +daughter of the Sir Jabez Tellworthy already mentioned, and her +heirs."</p> + +<p>Captain Runacles uncrossed his legs and addressed Dr. Beckerleg.</p> + +<p>"Doctor, haven't you brought this gentleman to the wrong pavilion?"</p> + +<p>"Wait a moment."</p> + +<p>"I should rather say," Mr. Finch continued, "that a life interest +only was bestowed upon Margaret Salt, the bulk of the estate going to +the anticipated heirs of her body, and being (also by anticipation) +apportioned among them on a principle of division which need not +occupy our attention, for (as it turns out) she has left but one +child. My client made this will soon after receiving the news of his +niece's marriage with Captain Roderick Salt, and before he had any +reason to suspect that gentleman's real character. It was therefore +natural that in selecting a couple of trustees he regarded the +Captain as the man who, of all others, might be reckoned on to look +after the interests of the child or children. When, however, the +unamiable qualities of Captain Salt reached his ear, he would +doubtless have made some alteration in the will, but for the tidings +of that officer's death in the Low Countries. He had such confidence +in the surviving trustee—"</p> + +<p>"Man alive!" Captain Runacles broke in, "if you are talking of +yourself, let me advise you to quit England by the first ship that +sails. The child is already furnished with a guardian—a guardian, +my dear sir, who will nullify your legal claim upon the child by the +simple expedient of taking your life."</p> + +<p>"But, excuse me—"</p> + +<p>"You will waive your claim, of course. But let me advise you also to +conceal it; for Captain Barker is quite capable, should he get hold +of this will, of regarding your mere existence as an insult."</p> + +<p>"But, dear me—if you'll allow me to speak—I am not talking of +myself."</p> + +<p>"No?"</p> + +<p>"No; I am not the child's legal guardian."</p> + +<p>"I congratulate you. But who is it, then?"</p> + +<p>"It is you, Captain Runacles."</p> + +<p>"What!" The Captain leapt up and glared at Mr. Finch incredulously.</p> + +<p>"Here is a copy of the will; read for yourself. My friend, Silvanus +Tellworthy, remembered you as a friend of his early days and as a man +of probity. He had heard also, from time to time, news of your +public actions that increased his esteem. He was informed—pardon me +if I mention it—of your sincere and honourable affection for his +niece; and, indeed, hoped, I may say—"</p> + +<p>"No more on that point, if you please."</p> + +<p>"Sir, I am silent, and ask your pardon."</p> + +<p>"But—but—Doctor, this is simply astounding. Do you hear what this +gentleman says?—that I—I alone—am Tristram's guardian after all?"</p> + +<p>Mr. Finch and Dr. Beckerleg exchanged an anxious look. The Doctor +cleared his throat and took up the story.</p> + +<p>"No, my dear Captain, I regret that you make one mistake. You said +'alone.'"</p> + +<p>"What? Is there another trustee?"</p> + +<p>"There is the man already mentioned—Roderick Salt."</p> + +<p>"Tut, tut—he's dead."</p> + +<p>"I fear, on the contrary, that he's alive."</p> + +<p>"But he was drowned, confound him!"</p> + +<p>"Some meddling Netherlander, cursed with too much humanity, must have +baulked the will of Heaven by dragging him out of the ditch and +reviving him. He was rescued, sir, and clapped into prison; escaped +by turning traitor and entering the service of the Prince of Orange— +in what capacity I dare not say, but likely enough as a spy, or +perhaps a kidnapper of soldiers. There are plenty of the trade along +the frontiers just now. He has changed his name, but has been +recognised by more than one Harwich man at The Hague, and again at +Cuxhaven. For a year now I have heard nothing of him. Belike he is +off upon a dirty mission to some German principality no bigger than +your back-garden; ambassadors of his size are as easy to find on the +Continent of Europe as a needle in a bottle of hay. Or maybe he +wanders on some gaming campaign of his own."</p> + +<p>The face of Captain Runacles, as the Doctor proceeded, went through +three rapid changes of colour—white, scarlet and purple.</p> + +<p>"You knew all this?" he shouted, the congested veins standing out +upon his temples; "you knew all this, and kept us in the dark?"</p> + +<p>"I did. It affected the child in no way. The fellow clearly knew +nothing, or cared nothing, about Tristram. Even supposing—which was +absurd—that he would wish to burden himself with the boy, I felt +pretty sure of Barker's ability to cope with him at the briefest +notice. Moreover, considering his mode of life, I hoped by waiting a +very short while to be able to tell you that Captain Salt's career +was ended by the halter. You see, he was evidently not born to be +drowned, and I drew the usual inference. But Mr. Finch's news puts a +very different complexion on the business. Tristram being heir, as I +understand, to some fifteen hundred pounds per annum—"</p> + +<p>"Mr. Finch," said the Captain calmly, stepping to the door and +locking it, "have you, by any chance, the intention of seeking out my +co-trustee?"</p> + +<p>"H'm: I am bound, sir, to consider my duty as a professional man."</p> + +<p>"Let me entreat you also to reconsider it."</p> + +<p>The little attorney glanced over his shoulder at the closed door.</p> + +<p>"Sir," he replied with dignity, "I perceive that I have been +unfortunate enough to give you a wrong notion of my character. +Let me say that, in interpreting my duty, I am even less likely to be +coerced by threats than by the strict letter of the law. I will not +be dragooned. And I decide nothing until you have opened that door."</p> + +<p>"And that's mighty well said," commented Dr. Beckerleg.</p> + +<p>Captain Jemmy slipped back the bolt.</p> + +<p>"I shall nevertheless hold you to account," he growled.</p> + +<p>"Thank you; I am accustomed to responsibility. And now let me say +that as the child seems to be in good hands—"</p> + +<p>"On the contrary, he's in outrageously bad ones."</p> + +<p>"—Or rather, in the hands of an upright and kindly gentleman, I +think we may perhaps agree that these rumours about Captain Salt +are—shall we say?—too good to be true. May I ask Dr. Beckerleg +here if he believes in ghosts?"</p> + +<p>"Firmly," answered the Doctor, hiding a smile.</p> + +<p>"I have known occasions," the attorney went on, with a serious face, +"when a cautious belief in ghosts has proved of the very highest +service in dealing with apparently intractable problems. Or suppose +we call it an hypothesis, liable to correction?"</p> + +<p>"That's it," assented the Captain heartily. "I can believe Roderick +Salt to be a ghost until he comes to me and proves that he is not."</p> + +<p>"Decidedly."</p> + +<p>"And then I'll make him one."</p> + +<p>The corners of Mr. Finch's mouth twitched perceptibly.</p> + +<p>"Gently, dear sir! Remember, please, that I am only concerned with +the immediate situation. To-morrow I start again for Bristol, +leaving the future to be dealt with as your prudence may direct. +But I have no doubt," he added, with a bow "that you will act, in all +contingencies, with a single eye to the child's welfare. It is +understood, then, that the child, Tristram Salt, remains under the +care of Captain Barker, your friend, and his adoptive father—"</p> + +<p>"Not at all."</p> + +<p>"I think so," said Dr. Beckerleg quietly, looking straight into the +Captain's eyes.</p> + +<p>"That's for me to decide, Doctor."</p> + +<p>"Tut, tut! it was decided the moment you were born."</p> + +<p>"I think," Mr. Finch interposed, "it is time I gave Captain Runacles +some necessary information about the boy's inheritance."</p> + +<p>It was close upon four o'clock when the little blue door which, until +that morning, had remained shut for over four years was opened a +second time and Captain Runacles stepped through into Captain +Barker's domain. His wig was carefully brushed and he carried a +gold-headed cane. Whatever emotion he may have felt was concealed by +the upright carriage and solemn pace proper to a visit of state.</p> + +<p>Captain Barker, who stood at the lower end of the garden and stooped +over his beloved tulips, started at the sound of footsteps, looked +round, and hastily plucking his wig from the handle of a spade that +stood upright in the mould by his elbow, arranged it upon his bald +scalp and awaited the other's advance.</p> + +<p>The pair did not shake hands.</p> + +<p>"I have come to speak with you about—er—Tristram." The name stuck +in Captain Jeremy's throat.</p> + +<p>"The boy strayed into your premises to-day. I know it. If you are +aggrieved by such a trifle—"</p> + +<p>"I am not. If you doubt the sufficiency of my excuse for calling +upon you, let me say at once that I come as the boy's guardian."</p> + +<p>"Upon my word—"</p> + +<p>"As his legal guardian."</p> + +<p>"Bah! This is too much! Do you conceive yourself to be jesting?"</p> + +<p>"Have you ever known me to jest?"</p> + +<p>"Not wilfully."</p> + +<p>"Not, at any rate, upon parchment. Be so good as to run your eye +over this."</p> + +<p>The little man took the copy of Silvanus Tellworthy's will and +fumbled it between his fingers.</p> + +<p>"Is this some dirty trick of lawyer's work?"</p> + +<p>"It is."</p> + +<p>"Do you really wish me to read it?"</p> + +<p>"Unless you prefer me to explain."</p> + +<p>"I do—vastly."</p> + +<p>"Very well, then."</p> + +<p>And Captain Runacles proceeded to explain the will in a hard, +methodical voice, nodding his head whenever he reached a point of +importance at the parchment which rustled between Captain Barker's +fingers. For a while this rustle sounded like the whisper of a +gathering storm.</p> + +<p>"It follows from this," concluded Captain Runacles, "that I am +responsible for the child's upbringing. Can you carry the reasoning +a step farther?"</p> + +<p>The little man looked up. The wrath had clean died out of his +puckered face; and in place of it there showed a blank despair, +mingled with loathing and unspeakable bitterness of soul.</p> + +<p>"Yes, I can," he replied very slowly, and turning away his face leant +a hand on the spade beside him. "Oh, Jemmy, Jemmy!" he muttered.</p> + +<p>There was no entreaty in the words, but they pierced Captain Jemmy's +heart like two stabs of a knife. He took a step forward and +stretched out a hand as if to lay it on his old friend's shoulder. +The little man jumped aside, faced him again, hissing out one word—</p> + +<p>"<i>You!</i>"</p> + +<p>The arm dropped.</p> + +<p>"Jack—I'm sorry; but you have drawn the wrong conclusion."</p> + +<p>The pair looked each other in the face for a moment, and Captain +Runacles went on, but more coldly and as if repeating a task—</p> + +<p>"Yes, the wrong conclusion. For my own part, as you once pointed +out, I have a girl. I may add that I propose to train up Sophia; and +I haven't the faintest doubt that, in spite of her sex, I can train +her to knock your Tristram into a cocked-hat in every department of +useful knowledge. At the same time it has occurred to me that, as +his guardian, I am at least bound to give the boy every chance. +You are teaching him gardening?"</p> + +<p>Captain Barker nodded, with a face profoundly puzzled.</p> + +<p>"You object to it?" he asked.</p> + +<p>"Decidedly, under your present conditions. You are cramped for +space."</p> + +<p>"We are using every inch between the road and the marsh."</p> + +<p>"You forget my back-garden, which lies waste at present."</p> + +<p>"My dear Jemmy!"</p> + +<p>"By knocking a hole in the party hedge you gain two and a half acres +at least. Then, as to water—you depend on the rainfall."</p> + +<p>"That's true."</p> + +<p>"But there's an excellent spring between this and Dovercourt; and the +owner will sell."</p> + +<p>"It's half a mile away."</p> + +<p>"God bless my soul! I suppose I am not too old to design a conduit."</p> + +<p>Captain Jack's arm stole into Captain Jemmy's.</p> + +<p>"You'll be saying next," the latter went on, "that I'm too old to set +about draining the marsh. Then, as to sundials: you're amazingly +deficient in sundials. Now half a dozen here and there—and a +fish-pond or two—unless you'd like to have a moat. I could run you +a moat around the back, and keep it supplied with fresh water all the +year round. By the way, talking of moats and fresh water, did I tell +you that Roderick Salt was not drowned, after all?"</p> + +<p>"Eh? How did he die, then?"</p> + +<p>"He's not dead."</p> + +<p>"Good God!"</p> + +<p>"He has been seen at The Hague, and again at Cuxhaven, by men of this +very port. Beckerleg will give you their names."</p> + +<p>"But you tell me—the will, here, says—that he's joint guardian—"</p> + +<p>"Yes: it's serious, if he finds out. Mr. Finch—I may say I've a +large respect for that attorney—Mr. Finch suggests that it may have +been his ghost. I think, Jack, we must take that explanation."</p> + +<p>"Rubbish!"</p> + +<p>"Ghosts have some useful properties."</p> + +<p>"Name one or two."</p> + +<p>"Well, to start with, they can be disbelieved in until seen."</p> + +<p>"I begin to see."</p> + +<p>"Then, again, should one appear, he can be believed in and walked +through. This is a rule without exceptions. If you have reason to +believe that a ghost stands before you, your first step would be to +make a hole in him to convince yourself."</p> + +<p>"But if one should be mistaken?"</p> + +<p>"If the apparition gives up the ghost, so to speak, and you find +yourself mistaken, I see no harm in owning it. As co-trustee of +aggrieved man, I will at any time listen to your apologies. By the +by, I have asked Mr. Finch to call upon you to-morrow and explain his +theory, among other matters of business. You will understand that I +bear no affection towards this boy of yours: on the contrary, I +sincerely desire my Sophia to shame him with her attainments. +It is a mere matter of my duty towards him; and I'll be obliged if +you keep him, as far as possible, out of my sight. Now about those +dials—"</p> + +<p>Captain Barker understood, but replied only by tightening for a +moment the hand that rested on his comrade's sleeve. The old friends +moved on beside the flower-borders and fell into trivial converse to +hide a joy as deep as that of sweethearts who have quarrelled and now +are reconciled.</p> + + +<br> +<p><a name="6"></a> </p> +<br> +<h2>CHAPTER V.</h2> + +<h4>A SWARM OF BEES.</h4> + +<p>The green volumes in which, for the next thirteen years, Captain +Barker kept accurate chronicle of Tristram's progress, and of every +fact, however trivial, that seemed to illustrate it, have since been +lost to the world, as our story will show. There were thirty-seven +of these volumes; and as soon as one was filled Dr. Beckerleg +presented another. It is our duty to take up the tale on the 1st of +May, 1691—the very day upon which misfortune stopped Captain +Barker's pen and (as it turned out) closed his <i>magnum opus</i> for +ever.</p> + +<p>Let us record only that during these thirteen years Tristram added so +much to his stature as to astonish his friends whenever they looked +at him; and that he took little interest in the affairs of the world +beyond the privet hedge—affairs which just then were extremely +unsettled and disturbed the sleep and appetite of a vast number of +people. To begin with, King Charles had died without doing his +faithful subjects the honour of explaining whether he did so as a +Protestant or a Papist, an uncertainty which caused them endless +trouble. The religion of his brother and successor, though quite +unambiguous, put them to no less vexation by being incurably wrong; +and after four years of heated controversy they felt justified in +flocking, more in sorrow than in anger, round the standard of +William, Prince of Orange, who agreed with them on first principles +and had sailed into Torbay before an exceedingly prosperous breeze. +King James having escaped to Saint Germains, King William reigned in +his stead, to the welfare of his people and the disgust of Captain +Barker and Captain Runacles, who from habit were unable to regard a +Dutchman otherwise than as an enemy to be knocked on the head. +Moreover, they retained a warm respect for the seamanship of their +ejected Sovereign, under whom they had frequently served, when as +Duke of York he had commanded the British Fleet.</p> + +<p>Now, shortly after daybreak upon May morning, 1691—which fell on a +Friday—his Majesty King William the Third set out from Kensington +for Harwich, where a squadron of five-and-twenty sail, under command +of Rear-Admiral Rooke, lay waiting to escort him to The Hague, +there to open the summer campaign against King Lewis of France. +This expedition raised his Majesty's spirits for more than one +reason. Not only would it take him for some months out of a country +he detested, and back to his beloved Holland—the very flatness of +which was inexpressibly dear to his recollection, though he had left +it but a month or two—but the prospect of this year's campaign had +awakened quite an extraordinary enthusiasm in England. For the first +time since Henry the Eighth had laid siege to Boulogne, an English +army commanded by an English king was about to exhibit its prowess on +Continental soil. It became the rage among the young gentlemen of +St. James's and Whitehall to volunteer for service in Flanders. +The coffee-houses were threatened with desertion, and a prodigious +number of banquets had been held by way of farewell. The regiments +which marched into Harwich on the last day of April to await the King +were swollen with recruits eager for glory. Addresses of duty and +loyalty met his Majesty at every halting-place, and acclamations +followed the royal coach throughout the route. The townsfolk of +Harwich, in particular, had hung out every scrap of bunting they +could find, besides erecting half a dozen triumphal arches, which by +their taste and magnificence were calculated to leave the most +favourable impression in the Sovereign's mind.</p> + +<p>The first of these arches, bearing the inscription <i>God Save King +William, Defender of our Faith and Liberty</i>, was erected on the +London road, a dozen paces beyond the Fish and Anchor Inn, Captain +Barker having refused the landlord—who desired to build the arch +right in front of his inn-door—permission to set up any pole or +support against the privet hedge. In fact, he and Captain Runacles +had sworn very heartily to sit indoors, pull down their blinds and +withhold their countenances from the usurper.</p> + +<p>Nature, however, which regards neither the majesty of kings nor the +indignation of their subjects, made frustrate this unamiable design.</p> + +<p>At twenty minutes past four that afternoon a hiveful of Captain +Barker's bees took it into their heads to swarm.</p> + +<p>It was a warm afternoon, and the little man sat in his library +composing a letter to Mr. John Ray, of Cambridge University, whose +forthcoming <i>Historia Plantarum</i> he believed himself to be enriching +with one or two suggestions on hibernation. Narcissus Swiggs was +down at the Fish and Anchor drinking King William's health. +Tristram, who was supposed to be at work clipping the privet hedge +around the apiarium, was engaged in the summer-house, at the far end +of it, upon business of his own.</p> + +<p>This business—the nature of which shall be explained hereafter— +completely engrossed him. Nor did he even hear the restless hum of +the bees at the mouth of the hive, ten paces away, nor the noisy +bustle of the drones. It was only when the swarm poured out upon the +air with a whir of wings and, darkening for an instant the sunny +doorway of the summer-house, sailed over the yew hedge towards the +road, that Tristram leapt to his feet and ran at full speed towards +the pavilion.</p> + +<p>"The bees have swarmed!" he called out, thrusting his head in at the +library window.</p> + +<p>Captain Barker dropped his pen, bounced up, and came rushing out by +the front-door.</p> + +<p>"Where?"</p> + +<p>"Down towards the road."</p> + +<p>Years had not tamed the little hunchback's agility. Without +troubling to fetch hat or wig, he raced down the garden path, and had +almost reached the gate before Tristram caught him up.</p> + +<p>"Up or down did they go?" he asked, standing in the middle of the +road, uncertain in which direction to run.</p> + +<p>"Across, most likely; but higher up than this, by the line they +took," Tristram answered, pointing in the direction of the town. +"Hullo!"</p> + +<p>"What is it?"</p> + +<p>"Why, look: there—under the arch!"</p> + +<p>Beneath the very centre of the triumphal arch, and directly under the +sacred name of King William, there hung a black object larger than a +man's head and in shape resembling a bunch of grapes. It was the +swarm, and a very fine one, numbering—as Captain Barker estimated— +twenty thousand workers at the very least. He ran under the arch, +and nearly cricked his neck staring up at them.</p> + +<p>His excited motions had been seen by a small knot of wagoners and +farm-hands, who were drinking and gossiping on the benches before the +Fish and Anchor, to wile away the time of waiting for the King's +arrival. At first they thought the royal cavalcade must be in sight, +though not expected for an hour or more; and hurried up in twos and +threes.</p> + +<p>"What's the to-do, Captain?"</p> + +<p>"Where's that lumbering fool Narcissus?" demanded Captain Barker, +stamping his foot and pointing to the cluster over his head.</p> + +<p>Mr. Swiggs came forward, wiping his mouth with the back of his hand. +He had been the last to arrive, having lingered a minute to attend to +the half-emptied mugs of his more impatient fellows.</p> + +<p>"Here," he announced.</p> + +<p>"Fetch a ladder, and bring one of the new hives—the one I rubbed +with elder-buds the day before yesterday. Tristram, run to the house +for my gloves and a board. Quick, I say—here, somebody kick that +one-eyed dawdler! What the plague? Haven't there been kings enough +in England these last fifty years that you waste a good afternoon on +the look-out for the newest?"</p> + +<p>"You'll be careful of my arch, Captain?" the landlord hazarded +nervously. "His Majesty'll be coming along presently—"</p> + +<p>"I'll be careful of my bees. D'ye want me to leave them there till +he passes, and maybe to lose the half of my swarm down the nape of +his royal neck? I can't help their wearing the orange: they were +born o' that colour, which is more than you can say, landlord, or any +man Jack here present. But I can prevent their swarming and buzzing +in his Majesty's path like any crowd of turncoats. Ah, here comes +Tristram with the ladder! Set it here, my boy. Take care—don't run +a hole through <i>King William</i>—leave that to his new friends. So— +now pull on the gloves and step up, while I come after with the +hive!"</p> + +<p>Tristram, having fixed the ladder firmly a little to the right of the +swarm, began to ascend. Captain Barker, giving orders to Narcissus +to stand by with the flat board, took the empty hive, and holding it +balanced upside-down in the hollow of his palm, was preparing to +follow on Tristram's heels, when an interruption occurred.</p> + +<p>Round the corner of the road from Harwich town came a red-coated +captain, riding on a grey charger, and behind him a company of foot +marching eight abreast, with a sergeant beside them.</p> + +<p>"Hullo!" cried the Captain, halting his company and riding forward. +He was a thin and foppish young gentleman in a flaxen wig, and spoke +with a high sense of authority, having but recently sacrificed the +pleasures of his coffee-house and a fine view of St. James's Park to +seek even in the cannon's mouth a bubble reputation that promised to +be fashionable.</p> + +<p>"Hullo! what's the meaning of this?"</p> + +<p>"Bees," answered Captain Barker shortly. "Narcissus, is the board +ready?"</p> + +<p>"Do you know, sir, that his Majesty is shortly expected along here?"</p> + +<p>"To be sure I do."</p> + +<p>"Then, sir, you are obstructing the road. This is most irregular."</p> + +<p>"Not at all—most regular thing in the world. A little early, +perhaps, for the first swarm."</p> + +<p>"Be so good as to take down that ladder at once, and let my company +pass."</p> + +<p>"A step higher, Tristram," said the little man, turning a deaf ear to +this order. "Better use the right hand. Wait a moment, while I get +the hive underneath."</p> + +<p>"Take down that ladder!" shouted the red-coated officer.</p> + +<p>"You must wait a moment, I'm afraid."</p> + +<p>"You refuse?"</p> + +<p>"Oh dear, yes! Keep back, sir, for the bees are easily frightened."</p> + +<p>"Sergeant!" foamed the young man, "come and remove this ladder!"</p> + +<p>He spurred his horse up to the arch as the sergeant stepped forward. +The beast, being restive, rubbed against the ladder with his flank +and shook it violently just as Tristram dislodged the swarm overhead. +Captain Barker reached out, however, and caught them deftly in the +upturned hive. Into it they tumbled plump. But the little man, +exasperated by the shock, had now completely lost his temper. +With sudden and infernal malice he inverted the beehive and clapped +it, bees and all, on the officer's head.</p> + +<p>With that he skipped down to the ground, and Tristram, foreseeing +mischief, slid down after him quick as thought.</p> + +<p>The officer roared like Hercules caught in the shirt of Nessus. +Nor for a few seconds could he get rid of his diabolical helmet: for +a couple of bees had stung the charger, which began to plunge and +caper like a mad thing, scattering the crowd right and left with his +hoofs. When at length he shook the hive off, the furious swarm +poured out upon the air, dealing vengeance. The soldiers, whose red +coats attracted them at once, fled this way and that, howling with +pain, pursued now by the bees and now chased into circles by the +lashing heels of the grey horse. The poor brute was stung by degrees +into a frenzy. With a wild leap, in which his four legs seemed to +meet under his belly, he pitched his master clean over the crupper +and, as a wind through chaff, swept through the people at a gallop +and off along the road towards the town.</p> + +<p>"Phew!" whistled Captain John Barker: and stepping quickly to the +prostrate officer he whipped the unhappy gentleman's sword from its +sheath and handed it to Tristram.</p> + +<p>"We'd best get out of this."</p> + +<p>"That's not easy. There's a score of soldiers between us and the +gate; and the sergeant looks like mischief."</p> + +<p>"Bless my soul, what a face I've put on that young man!"</p> + +<p>The officer, who had been stunned for a moment by his fall, was soon +recalled to life by the pain of the stings. He sat up and looked +round. Already his face had about as much feature as a turnip. +His eyes were closing fast, and a lump as large as a plover's egg +hung on his under-lip.</p> + +<p>"Seize those men!" he shouted, and began a string of oaths, but +stopped because the utterance caused him agony.</p> + +<p>The sergeant, who had been bending over him, drew his side-arm and +advanced—a hulking big fellow with a pimply face and an ugly look in +his eye.</p> + +<p>"Dad," said Tristram, "you made me promise once never to run a man +through unless he molested me in the midst of a peaceful pursuit."</p> + +<p>"Well?"</p> + +<p>"It appears to me that bee-keeping is a peaceful pursuit."</p> + +<p>"Decidedly."</p> + +<p>"And that this fellow is going to molest me."</p> + +<p>"It looks like it."</p> + +<p>"Then I may run him through?"</p> + +<p>"Say rather that you must."</p> + +<p>"Thank you, dad. I felt sure of it; but this is the first time I've +had to decide, and as it was a promise—You'd best get behind me, I +think. Set your back to the arch. Now, sir."</p> + +<p>"You are my prisoners," the sergeant announced.</p> + +<p>"Pardon me. Let me direct your notice to this weapon, which is in +<i>carte</i>—you seem to have overlooked it."</p> + +<p>"You are making matters worse."</p> + +<p>"That is very likely. Guard, sir, if you please!"</p> + +<p>"You mean to resist?"</p> + +<p>"Ah, have you grasped that fact, at last?"</p> + +<p>The sergeant rushed upon him and crossed swords. His first lunge was +put aside easily, and he was forced to break ground.</p> + +<p>"Hullo! So you can really fence!" he panted, feinting and aiming a +furious thrust at Tristram's throat.</p> + +<p>"Upon my word," said Tristram, parrying, and running him through the +thigh as he recovered, "this gentleman seems astonished at +everything!"</p> + +<p>As the sergeant dropped, Captain Barker darted from behind Tristram +and pounced upon a musket which one of the soldiers had abandoned +when first assailed by the bees.</p> + +<p>"This gets serious," he muttered. "Those fellows yonder are fixing +bayonets."</p> + +<p>Indeed, some half a dozen of the red-coats had already done so, and +surrender seemed but a matter of a few moments.</p> + +<p>"Give me the musket," said Tristram placidly, "and take the sword. +My arm is longer than yours. Now get behind my shoulder again. +Don't expose yourself, but if one of these fellows slips under my +guard, I leave him to you."</p> + +<p>"Good boy!" murmured the little man, exchanging weapons. It is a +fact that tears of pride filled his eyes.</p> + +<p>"There are six of them. Excuse me, dad, if I ask you to look out for +your head. I am going to try a <i>moulinet</i>."</p> + +<p>The six soldiers came on in a very determined manner, each man +presenting his bayonet at Tristram's chest. They had little doubt of +his instant submission, and were considerably surprised when +Tristram, lifting the musket by its barrel, began to whirl it round +his head with the fury of a maniac. The foremost, as the butt +whizzed by his cheek, drew back a pace.</p> + +<p>"Run the rebels through!" cursed the officer behind them.</p> + +<p>The leader shortened his grasp on his bayonet, and, watching his +opportunity, dashed under Tristram's arm. At the same instant +Captain Barker popped out, and with a quiet pass spitted him clean +through the right lung.</p> + +<p>"All together, you sons of dogs!" yelled the sergeant, who had +dragged himself to a little distance, and was stanching the flow of +blood from his wounded thigh.</p> + +<p>Two of the soldiers heard the advice and came on together with a +rush. The first of them caught the full swing of Tristram's musket +on the side of his stiff cap and went down like an ox. The second +took Captain Barker's sword through the left arm and dropped his +bayonet. But before either Tristram or the Captain could disengage +his weapon the other three assailants were upon them, and the fight +was over.</p> + +<p>"Surrender!" cried one, holding his point against Tristram's chest.</p> + +<p>"Must I?" the latter inquired, turning to Captain Barker.</p> + +<p>"H'm, there seems to be no choice."</p> + +<p>"And you also, sir."</p> + +<p>"Certainly. Here is my sword; it belongs to your captain yonder, +whom you may recognise by his uniform. Assure him, with my +compliments—"</p> + +<p>He was interrupted by the clatter of hoofs, and two gentlemen on +horseback came cantering up the road and drew rein suddenly.</p> + +<p>"Hey! What have we here?" demanded a foreign voice.</p> + +<p>The soldiers turned and presented arms in a flurry. The taller of +the two horsemen was an extremely handsome cavalier in a nut-brown +peruque and scarlet riding-suit on which several orders glistened. +He bestrode a black charger of remarkable size and beauty; and +seemed, by his stature and presence, to domineer over his companion, +a small man with a hooked nose and an extremely emaciated face, who +wore a plain habit of dark purple and rode a sorrel blood-mare of no +especial points. Nevertheless it was this little man who had spoken, +and at the sound of his voice a whisper ran through the crowd:</p> + +<p>"The King!"</p> + +<p>It was, in fact, his Majesty King William III., who, tired of the +slow jolting of the royal coach along the abominable road of that +period, had exchanged that equipage for his favourite mare and +cantered ahead of his escort, refreshing his senses in the strong +breeze that swept from seaward across the level country.</p> + +<p>"Sir, will you be good enough to explain?" he demanded again, +addressing the unfortunate officer, who had picked himself up from +the road and stood covered with shame and swellings.</p> + +<p>"Your Majesty, the two prisoners here were engaged in obstructing +your Majesty's high-road."</p> + +<p>"They seem to be still doing so."</p> + +<p>"And knowing that your Majesty was shortly expected to pass, I +proceeded to remove them."</p> + +<p>"But what is this? A company of my foot-guards in confusion! +One-two-three-four of them wounded—if, indeed, one is not killed +outright! Do you tell me that this old man and this boy have done it +all, besides bruising the faces of a dozen more?"</p> + +<p>"They and a swarm of cursed bees, your Majesty."</p> + +<p>"This is incredible!… Bees?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, your Majesty," put in Captain Barker, "he is telling you the +truth. You see, it happened that my bees swarmed this afternoon, and +had no better taste than to alight on this arch, under which your +Majesty was shortly expected to pass. We were about to hive them +when this young gentleman came along at the head of his company, and +there arose a discussion, at the end of which I hived him instead."</p> + +<p>"But these wounded men—"</p> + +<p>"Ah, your Majesty, it was unfortunate; but one can never tell where +these discussions will end."</p> + +<p>"Three of my men and a sergeant placed <i>hors de combat</i>—a dozen more +unfit to be seen—an officer dismounted, and his whole company +scattered like a flock of geese! I am seriously annoyed, sir. What +is your name?"</p> + +<p>"Sire, I am called Captain Barker, and was formerly an officer in the +fleet of his late Majesty King Charles the Second."</p> + +<p>"Barker… Barker? I seem to remember your name. Captain John +Barker, are you not?"</p> + +<p>"That is so."</p> + +<p>"Sometime in command of the <i>Wasp</i> frigate?"</p> + +<p>"Your Majesty has a perfect recollection of his most insignificant +enemies."</p> + +<p>King William bit his lip.</p> + +<p>"My memory is good, Captain Barker, as you say. Why did you quit the +service?"</p> + +<p>"For private reasons."</p> + +<p>"Come, sir; you were, if I remember right, a gallant commander. +With such their country's service stands above private reasons. +Of late your country's claim has been urgent upon all brave men; and, +by the havoc I see around, you are not past warfare."</p> + +<p>"Well, but—"</p> + +<p>"Speak out."</p> + +<p>"Sire, all my life I have fought against Dutchmen."</p> + +<p>"You found them worthy foes, I expect."</p> + +<p>"In all respects."</p> + +<p>"Would they be less worthy allies?"</p> + +<p>"Not at all. But consider, sire, the habits of a lifetime. +From boyhood I never met a Dutchman whom it was not my duty to knock +down. To-day, if I sailed in an English ship-of-war, what should I +find? Dutchmen all around me. Your Majesty, I cannot speak the +Dutch language except with a cutlass. I distrust my habits. +They would infallibly lead to confusion. In the heat of action, for +instance—"</p> + +<p>The little man stopped abruptly. It seemed that his speech gave +uncommon pleasure to the tall gentleman on the black charger, whose +face twitched with a barely perceptible smile. King William, on the +other hand, was frowning heavily.</p> + +<p>"Sir," he said, "your tongue runs dangerously near sedition."</p> + +<p>"I am sorry your Majesty thinks so."</p> + +<p>"You are also very foolish. I find you incurring my just anger, and +hint, as plainly as I can, at an honourable way of escape. Captain +Barker, are you aware that your case is serious?"</p> + +<p>"I am, sire. Nevertheless, I decline to escape by the road you are +good enough to leave open."</p> + +<p>"Your reasons?"</p> + +<p>"They are private, as I had the honour to inform your Majesty."</p> + +<p>"My lord," said the King, turning irritably to his companion, +"what shall I do to this intractable old man? You have a voice in +this, seeing that he has spoilt four of your favourite guards."</p> + +<p>The tall man in scarlet bent and muttered a word or two in a low +voice.</p> + +<p>"Ah, to be sure: I had forgotten the youngster. Is this your son, +sir?"</p> + +<p>"By adoption only."</p> + +<p>"A strapping fellow," said his Majesty, eyeing Tristram from head to +foot.</p> + +<p>"And as good as he's tall. Sire, his offence—if offence it be— +arose from the affection he bears me, and from no worse cause. +He would not willingly hurt a fly."</p> + +<p>"What is he called?"</p> + +<p>"Tristram."</p> + +<p>"He has a second name, I suppose?"</p> + +<p>"Tristram Salt, then, in full."</p> + +<p>The man in scarlet at these words gave a quick, penetrating glance at +the speaker, and for an instant seemed about to speak; but closed his +lips again, and fell to regarding Tristram with interest, as King +William went on:</p> + +<p>"He ought to be in my army."</p> + +<p>"Your Majesty does him much honour, but—"</p> + +<p>"But?"</p> + +<p>"May it please your Majesty, I had other intentions concerning him."</p> + +<p>"My lord of Marlborough," said the King, turning coldly from the +little man and pointing with his gloved hand towards Tristram, +"allow me to present you with a recruit."</p> + +<p>Captain Barker's face was twisted with a spasm of fury. But as he +stammered for words another voice was lifted, and Captain Runacles +came through the crowd. He had been fetched from his laboratory by +Mr. Swiggs, and had arrived on the scene in time to hear the last +sentence.</p> + +<p>"Your Majesty! Listen to me!"</p> + +<p>King William was turning calmly to ride back to his escort. But at +sight of the intruder's commanding and venerable figure he checked +his mare.</p> + +<p>"Pray, sir, who are you? And what have you to say?"</p> + +<p>"I'm Jeremy Runacles, and this lad's guardian."</p> + +<p>"He is peculiarly unfortunate in the loyalty of his protectors."</p> + +<p>"Sire, I have served my country in times past."</p> + +<p>"I know it, Captain Runacles. But it seems that you, too, fight only +against the Dutch."</p> + +<p>"Your Majesty has, it appears, done me the honour to study my poor +record."</p> + +<p>"My word, sir! Does that surprise you?"</p> + +<p>"No, sire, it reassures me. For you must be aware that I am no +rebel."</p> + +<p>"H'm."</p> + +<p>"Though, to be sure, I cannot help my tastes."</p> + +<p>"You may suffer for them, none the less."</p> + +<p>"I am ready to pay for them. Since your Majesty has taken a fancy to +this young man—"</p> + +<p>"Who, by the way, has maltreated a whole company of my guards."</p> + +<p>"—Permit me, as his guardian, to ransom him. He has large estates."</p> + +<p>"You forget, sir," exclaimed the King haughtily, "that I am punishing +him. Do you entertain the idea of bribing me?"</p> + +<p>"I forget nothing, sire. I even remember that this is England, and +not Holland."</p> + +<p>"My lord," said William, turning to the Earl of Marlborough, "I pray +you dispose of the recruit as you think fit. Have him removed, and +have the highroad cleared of these rebels; for I see my escort down +the road."</p> + +<p>And touching the sorrel with his heel, his Majesty cantered back to +meet the approaching cavalcade.</p> + + +<br> +<p><a name="7"></a> </p> +<br> +<h2>CHAPTER VI.</h2> + +<h4>THE EARL OF MARLBOROUGH SEEKS RECRUITS.</h4> + +<p>Night had fallen. It was past eight o'clock, and Captain John and +Captain Jemmy sat facing each other, one on each side of the empty +fireplace, in Captain John's library. They were in complete +darkness—for the red glow of tobacco in the pipe which Captain Jemmy +puffed dejectedly could hardly be called a light. For half an hour +no word had been spoken, when somebody tapped at the door.</p> + +<p>"What is it?" asked Captain Barker.</p> + +<p>"A gentleman to see you," answered the voice of Mr. Swiggs.</p> + +<p>"What's his name?"</p> + +<p>"He won't say."</p> + +<p>"Tell him I am busy to-night."</p> + +<p>Narcissus withdrew, and knocked again a minute later.</p> + +<p>"He says he must see you."</p> + +<p>"Have you turned him out?"</p> + +<p>"I told him you were busy with Captain Jemmy. 'Who's Captain Jemmy?' +he asks. 'Captain Jemmy Runacles,' I answers. 'All the better,' +says he."</p> + +<p>"Excuse me," said a voice at the door; "but my business concerns both +of you gentlemen. Also it concerns Tristram Salt."</p> + +<p>"Narcissus, bring a couple of candles."</p> + +<p>While Mr. Swiggs was executing this order an oppressive silence +filled the room. The stranger's dark shadow rested motionless by the +doorway. Above the breathing of the three men could only be heard +the far-off sound of Harwich bells still ringing their welcome to +King William.</p> + +<p>When the candles were brought in and Narcissus had retired again +after closing the shutters, the stranger removed the broad-brimmed +hat and heavy cloak which he had worn till that moment, and tossed +them negligently on the table before him.</p> + +<p>It was the scarlet-coated cavalier who had ridden beside the King +that afternoon.</p> + +<p>"The Earl of Marlborough!"</p> + +<p>"The same, sirs; and your servant."</p> + +<p>"Be kind enough, my lord, to state the message you bring from your +master, and to leave this house as soon as it is delivered."</p> + +<p>To Captain Barker's astonishment, the Earl showed no sign of +resenting this speech.</p> + +<p>"You are wrong," he answered quietly; "William of Orange is not my +master. If I mistake not, you and I, gentlemen, acknowledge but one +sovereign ruler, King James."</p> + +<p>At these bold words, uttered in the calmest voice, the two captains +caught their breath and stared at each other. Captain Runacles was +the first to recover. He laughed incredulously.</p> + +<p>"Your lordship appears to have forgotten Salisbury."</p> + +<p>Any other man would have winced at this taunt. But the Earl of +Marlborough met it with the face of a statue.</p> + +<p>"Captain Runacles, I have neither forgotten it nor am likely to. +The remembrance of that affair has followed me night and day. +I cannot—even now that I am pardoned—rid myself of its horror. +I cannot eat; I cannot sleep. I see my crime in its true light, and +am appalled by its enormity. And yet—God help me!—I thought at the +time I was saving my country. Gentlemen, you, who have faced no such +responsibility as then confronted me, will be apt to judge me without +mercy. I know not if I can persuade you that my remorse is honest. +But consider—Here am I at William's right hand, already rich and +powerful, and possessing limitless prospects of increased power and +riches. Yet am I ready to sacrifice everything, to brave everything, +to bring utter ruin on my fortune, if only I can rid myself of this +nightmare of shame. Is this the attitude of insincerity?"</p> + +<p>"Upon my word, my lord, I'd give something to know why the devil you +tell all this to us."</p> + +<p>"I hardly know myself," answered the Earl, sighing deeply, but still +without a grain of expression on his handsome face. "A man haunted +as I am can hardly account for all his utterances. I have come to do +you a service, and, having done it, might have withdrawn without a +word. But the sight of you recalled the honest words you spoke to +the usurper this afternoon. Sirs, I envied you then; and just now an +insane longing took hold of me to set myself right with two such +inflexible friends of King James."</p> + +<p>"Would it not be more to the point if you first obtained pardon from +King James himself?"</p> + +<p>"I have done so."</p> + +<p>"Well, my lord, I cannot yet see what your affairs have to do with +us. But if it will give you any pleasure that we should believe +these remarkable statements—"</p> + +<p>"I have assured you that it will."</p> + +<p>"Then perhaps you will produce some proof of them in black and +white."</p> + +<p>The Earl drew a folded paper from his breast and spread it upon the +table before them. It was an affectionate letter of pardon, dated a +month back from the Court of Saint Germains, written throughout and +signed by the hand of King James himself.</p> + +<p>"Thank you, my lord. When his Majesty writes thus, it is not for his +subjects to bear rancour. Will you kindly state your immediate +business?"</p> + +<p>"It concerns the young man Tristram Salt. You desire that he should +be restored to you?"</p> + +<p>"My lord," said Captain Barker, "that young man is more to me than +many sons."</p> + +<p>"You are indignant at the recollection of this afternoon?"</p> + +<p>"What has that to do with it?"</p> + +<p>"Much. But let me continue. Your adopted son, Captain Barker, +is at this moment lying in the hold of his Majesty's frigate the +<i>Good Intent</i>. He is in irons."</p> + +<p>"In irons!"</p> + +<p>"Yes, sir. He has undoubtedly imbibed your opinions with regard to +the Dutch, for he began his military career by blacking the eyes of a +gentleman of that nation, who, as ill-luck will have it, is his +superior officer."</p> + +<p>"The devil!"</p> + +<p>"To-morrow morning he will receive six dozen lashes—perhaps more. +I take the most cheerful view in order to spare your feelings; but +most decidedly it will be six dozen, unless—"</p> + +<p>"Unless—what?"</p> + +<p>"Unless I remit the sentence. The young man, you understand, was +placed under my care."</p> + +<p>"My lord, you will pardon him?"</p> + +<p>"With pleasure. Nay, I will restore him to you this very night—"</p> + +<p>Captain Barker leapt up from his seat in a transport of gratitude, +and would have caught the Earl's hand had not his friend dragged him +back by the coat-tails.</p> + +<p>"—On conditions," his lordship concluded.</p> + +<p>"Name them."</p> + +<p>"In a moment. We are agreed, I believe, that to blacken a Dutchman's +eyes is no great sin. There are too many Dutchmen around his +Majesty—as you, sirs, had the courage to inform his Majesty this +afternoon."</p> + +<p>"Did we say that?"</p> + +<p>"I understood you to hint it, at any rate. I assure you that I am +never so much disposed to regret my change of allegiance on that +November night at Salisbury as when I look around and see how little +my own countrymen have profited by that action."</p> + +<p>"A while ago," interposed Captain Runacles sharply, "it was the crime +itself that pursued you with remorse." + +"The results, sir, have helped me to see the crime in its proper +light."</p> + +<p>"My lord, I have the deepest respect for your genius; but at the same +time it appears to me that you lack something."</p> + +<p>"Indeed? It would be a kindness to point out in what respect—"</p> + +<p>"Let me call it—a gift. But I interrupt you."</p> + +<p>"To proceed, then. We are at one on the question of these Dutchmen; +at one also on the question of William's high-handed action this +afternoon. Let me propose a plan by which you can effectively mark +your disgust of both, while at the same time you recover the young +man on whom you set so much store. Gentlemen, you are not past +serving your country on the seas."</p> + +<p>"King William hinted as much to-day," replied Captain Barker, "and I +gave him my answer."</p> + +<p>"I appeal to you not in the name of William, but in the name of your +true sovereign, King James."</p> + +<p>"That is another matter, I'll admit. Would you mind putting the +question definitely?"</p> + +<p>"I must have your word to regard what I am about to say as a secret."</p> + +<p>"If it does not bind us in any way."</p> + +<p>"It does not. You are free to accept or reject my offer."</p> + +<p>"We promise, then."</p> + +<p>"Listen: I am in a position to offer each of you the command of one +of his Majesty's ships."</p> + +<p>"As a condition of getting back Tristram tonight?"</p> + +<p>The Earl nodded.</p> + +<p>"But excuse me—"</p> + +<p>"Ah, I know what you will say. It is a sacrifice of your leisure. +I admit it; but from certain expressions of yours this afternoon I +gathered that your love for this lad might overcome your natural +disinclination."</p> + +<p>"You mistake. I was about to say that this offer of yours strikes us +as rather barren. At least it might have been kept until King James +is restored to his country. In that event he may very well prefer to +give his commands to younger men; but in any event he will find us +obedient to his royal wish."</p> + +<p>"That is a very loyal attitude. But, as it happens, you would be +required to enter into your commands before his Majesty's +restoration." + +"Explain yourself, my lord."</p> + +<p>"I am not in a position to speak with authority or exactness +of the events which will shortly take place in the British fleet. +I am a mere soldier, you understand. But let us suppose a case. +King William sails early to-morrow, with Rear-Admiral Rooke's +squadron, for the Maese. Let us suppose that no sooner is his +Majesty landed at The Hague and safe in his own beloved realm than +our gallant English sailors display a just distaste for their Dutch +commanders by setting those commanders ashore, and running—let us +say—for Calais, where their true Sovereign waits to be conveyed +across to the country which his rival has quitted. Obviously, for +this purpose, the fleet would need, on the spot, capable officers to +step into the shoes of the deposed Dutchmen."</p> + +<p>"You propose that Jack and I shall be two of these officers?" asked +Captain Runacles slowly, with a glance at his comrade.</p> + +<p>"I think it advisable that you should be at The Hague. You +understand that I merely sketch out a possible course of events."</p> + +<p>"Of course. Do you think it likely that the British squadron— +supposing it to behave as you say—would receive support at Calais?"</p> + +<p>"I fancy it might find a large squadron of his French Majesty's fleet +waiting there to co-operate."</p> + +<p>"And the army?"</p> + +<p>"It is possible that events might happen, about that time, among our +regiments in Flanders."</p> + +<p>"That, in other words, they would desert to King Lewis?"</p> + +<p>"You put it crudely, Captain Runacles. I believe that our gallant +soldiers will act with a single eye to their country's welfare; and I +am sure they will do nothing that can be constructed as a blot upon +their country's flag."</p> + +<p>"I also am tolerably certain of that, my lord," answered Captain +Jemmy drily. "Come, Jack—your answer?"</p> + +<p>The little hunchback had been leaning back, during the last minute or +two, with his face in the shadow; but at these words he bent forward. +His cheeks were white and drawn.</p> + +<p>"Why must I give the answer, Jemmy?" + +"Because the lad is your son. It rests with you to save him or not."</p> + +<p>Captain Barker stood up.</p> + +<p>"You'll abide by my decision?"</p> + +<p>"Certainly." Captain Runacles crossed his legs and eyed the visitor +deliberately.</p> + +<p>"Then," said the little man, dragging out the words syllable by +syllable, "there, my lord, are your hat and cloak. Oblige me by +quitting this house of mine at once."</p> + +<p>"God bless you, Jack!" muttered his friend. The Earl's brow did not +even flush at the rebuff. Throughout his career this extraordinary +man was able to overlook the contempt of others as easily as he +disregarded their sufferings. Probably, as Captain Runacles had +said, he lacked a gift.</p> + +<p>On this occasion he picked up his hat and cloak without a trace of +discomposure.</p> + +<p>"I understand you to refuse my offer?" he said.</p> + +<p>"Yes."</p> + +<p>"You prefer that the young man should receive six dozen lashes +to-morrow morning."</p> + +<p>Captain Barker winced and his mouth contracted painfully.</p> + +<p>"My lord, I took that boy from his dead mother when he was a few +hours old. Never in his life has a hand been laid upon him in anger. +He will hardly understand what it means. But he has been taught to +know honour and to cherish it. I choose as he would choose, were he +here."</p> + +<p>"Are you going, my lord?" added Captain Jemmy. "You have your +answer."</p> + +<p>"Not quite yet, I fancy. Captain Barker, you told me you took this +lad from his dead mother. She was a Mistress Salt, I believe."</p> + +<p>"Excuse me if I fail to see—"</p> + +<p>"You will see in a moment. I am not wrong, perhaps, in supposing +that lady to have been the wife of Roderick Salt, sometime my comrade +in the Foot Guards. He married in Harwich, I remember; and in many +respects the resemblance which this lad bears to him is remarkable."</p> + +<p>"There is no likeness in their characters, my lord."</p> + +<p>"I daresay not; indeed, I hope not. But suppose now I inform you +that Roderick Salt is still alive—"</p> + +<p>The Earl broke off and looked at the two captains narrowly.</p> + +<p>"Did you know that?" he asked.</p> + +<p>There was no answer.</p> + +<p>"I seem to remember an expression which you, Captain Runacles, let +fall this afternoon. You told his Majesty that Tristram Salt owned +large estates. Is the boy's father aware of this?"</p> + +<p>Again he paused for an answer, but none came.</p> + +<p>"These estates are administered under trust, I presume. Who are the +legal trustees?"</p> + +<p>"I am," Captain Jemmy replied, with a sudden effort.</p> + +<p>"You alone?"</p> + +<p>Captain Jemmy, after struggling for a moment with the wrath in his +throat, answered:</p> + +<p>"I refuse to say."</p> + +<p>"Well, well, the affair seems to need some explanation, but doubtless +admits of a very good one. It is none of my business, and I do not +ask you to satisfy me. But I cannot help thinking that Roderick Salt +will be hardly more astonished to find that his son is a man of large +estates than disposed to make inquiries."</p> + +<p>"What do you mean, my lord?"</p> + +<p>"I mean that, as father and son happen at this moment to lie aboard +the same vessel, the <i>Good Intent</i>—"</p> + +<p>The chair which Captain Barker had been grasping and tilting +impatiently fell to the floor with a crash.</p> + +<p>"—I foresee a scene of happy recognition and mutual explanations. +We will suppose the father to learn the truth before to-morrow's +punishment is inflicted. We will picture his feelings"—the Earl +paused, and fired a shot more or less at a venture—"when he becomes +aware that, though by law enabled to buy his son off from military +service, he has by chicanery been rendered powerless. We will +imagine him an enforced spectator, wincing as each stroke draws +blood."</p> + +<p>"You will do this thing! You will tell him!"</p> + +<p>"My dear sirs, I shall hate to do it. In proof that I speak +sincerely, let me say that my offer still remains open. May I now +count on your accepting it?"</p> + +<p>"No!" thundered the little man, springing forward in a fury. +Captain Jemmy caught him by the arm, however, and forced him back to +the arm-chair. The Earl shrugged his shoulders.</p> + +<p>"Truly you are a Roman parent," said he, bowing ironically; "but you +will excuse me if I find it time to seek the lad's natural father. +Remember, if you please, gentlemen, your promise of silence."</p> + +<p>He opened the door and passed quietly through the hall and out of the +house. In the road at the foot of the garden a sergeant stepped out +of the shadow and saluted him.</p> + +<p>The Earl gave a muttered order.</p> + +<p>"Where is my horse?" he asked.</p> + +<p>"A little up the road, my lord. The orderly is walking him up and +down to keep him warm."</p> + +<p>The Earl nodded and walked on. A hundred yards farther he came up +with them, and, climbing into the saddle, trotted off towards +Harwich, the orderly at his heels.</p> + +<p>At the Cock and Pye Stairs a boat was waiting. He dismounted and, +giving his horse over to the orderly, stepped on board and was rowed +swiftly out towards the harbour, where the lights of the squadron +flickered and its great hulls brooded over the jet-black water. +As the boat crossed under the tilted stern and high, flaming lanterns +of Rear-Admiral Rooke's ship, the <i>Foresight</i>, the sentry on deck +sang out his challenge.</p> + +<p>It was answered. The boat dropped alongside and the Earl climbed +upon deck. Turning at the top of the ladder, he gave his boatman the +order to wait for half an hour, and acknowledging the sentry's +salute, made his way aft, and down the companion-stairs to the cabin +set apart for him.</p> + +<p>In the passage below was a second sentry, pacing up and down; and by +the Earl's door an orderly standing ready.</p> + +<p>"Send Captain Salt to me. After that, you may retire."</p> + +<p>The man saluted and went off on his errand, and the Earl stepped into +his cabin. The furniture of this narrow apartment consisted of a +hanging-lamp, a chair or two, a chest heaped with dispatch-boxes and +a swing-table upon which a map of the Low Countries was spread amid +regimental lists and reports, writing materials, works on +fortification, official seals and piles of papers not yet reduced to +order. Pushing aside the map and a treatise by the Marechal de +Vauban that lay face downwards upon it, the Earl drew a blank sheet +of paper towards him, dipped pen in ink, and after a moment's +consideration scribbled a sentence. Then, sprinkling it quickly with +sand, he folded the paper, and was about to seal it, when a light tap +sounded on the cabin-door.</p> + +<p>"Come in," said the Earl quietly, holding the sealing-wax to the +flame, and without troubling to turn.</p> + +<p>The man who stood on the threshold demands a somewhat particular +description.</p> + +<p>He was tall and of an eminently graceful figure. The uniform which +he carried—that of a captain in the 1st or Royal Regiment of Foot— +well set off his small waist, deep chest and square shoulders. +His complexion was clear and sanguine, albeit no longer retaining the +candour of youth; his wig was carefully curled, and in colour a light +golden-brown. Though in fact his age was not far short of fifty, he +looked hardly a day older than thirty-five.</p> + +<p>In many respects his resemblance to Tristram was exceedingly close. +The stature and proportions were Tristram's; the nose like Tristram's +in shape, but slightly longer; the eyes of the same greyish blue, +though in this case deep lines radiated from the outer corners. +Above all, there was a fugitive, baffling likeness, that belonged to +no particular feature, but to all. On the other hand, the difference +in expression between the two faces was hardly less striking: for +whereas Tristram's beamed a modest kindliness on his fellows, this +face looked out on the world with an unshrinking audacity. Beside it +the Earl of Marlborough's handsome countenance seemed to lack +intelligence; but the Earl's countenance was then, and remains +to-day, an impenetrable mask.</p> + +<p>"You sent for me, my lord?" Captain Salt's voice was silvery in tone +and pleasant to hear as running water.</p> + +<p>"I did," said the Earl, pressing his seal upon the letter and sitting +down to direct it. "You have the lists?"</p> + +<p>The other drew a bundle of papers from his breastpocket, and +advancing, laid them upon the table. The Earl put the letter aside, +opened the bundle and ran his eye over its contents.</p> + +<p>"You are sure of all these men?"</p> + +<p>"Quite."</p> + +<p>"You seem to have enough. We mustn't overdo this, you understand? +It wouldn't do for the affair to—succeed."</p> + +<p>Captain Salt smiled.</p> + +<p>"If they carry off a vessel or two," the Earl went on, "it's no great +loss, and it will give Saint Germains the agreeable notion that +something is about to happen. They've been plaguing me again. +This time it's an urgent letter in my royal master's own hand. +He calls on me to bring over the whole army in the very first +action—the born fool! Can he really believe I love him so dearly? +Has he really persuaded himself that I've forgotten—?"</p> + +<p>He checked himself; but for the first time that evening his face was +suffused with a hot flush. For, in fact, he was thinking of his +sister, Arabella Churchill; and John Churchill, though he had made no +scruple to profit by his sister's shame, had never forgiven it.</p> + +<p>Captain Salt filled up the pause in his dulcet voice: "We want, my +lord, such a mutiny as, without succeeding, shall convince England of +the strong dissatisfaction felt by our forces at the favouritism +shown by his Majesty towards the Dutch."</p> + +<p>"Salt," said his lordship, eyeing him narrowly, "you are remarkably +intelligent."</p> + +<p>"Why, my lord, should I conceal my thoughts when they tally with my +honest hopes? I look around, and what do I see? Dutchmen filling +every lucrative post; Dutchmen crowding the House of Lords; Dutchmen +commanding our armies; Dutchmen pocketing our fattest revenues. +England is weary of it. I, as an Englishman, am weary of it. +My lord, if I dared to say it—"</p> + +<p>"Would you mind looking out and observing if the sentry is at his +post?"</p> + +<p>Captain Salt stepped to the door and opened it. The sentry was at +the far end of the passage, engaged in his steady tramp to and fro.</p> + +<p>"My lord," he said, closing the door softly and returning, "let this +mutiny fail! It will serve its purpose if it brings home to the +understanding of Englishmen the iniquity of this plague of Dutchmen. +Let that feeling ripen. You will return before the winter, and by +that time you may strike boldly. Then, from your place in the House +of Lords, you can move an address—"</p> + +<p>"Go on," murmured the Earl, as he paused for a moment.</p> + +<p>"—An address praying that all foreigners may be dismissed from his +Majesty's service."</p> + +<p>The Earl looked up swiftly and checked his fingers, which had been +drumming on the table.</p> + +<p>"Decidedly you are intelligent," he said very slowly.</p> + +<p>"What can William do if that address is carried, as it may be? +To yield will be to discard his dearest friends: to resist will mean +a national rising. He will lose his crown."</p> + +<p>"And then?"</p> + +<p>"My lord, <i>may it not be possible to eject William without restoring +James?</i>"</p> + +<p>"Ah!"</p> + +<p>"There is the Princess Anne."</p> + +<p>The Earl looked into his companion's eyes and read his own thoughts +there. James was a Papist, William a Dutchman; but the Princess Anne +was an Englishwoman and a Protestant. And the Earl and his Countess +held the Princess Anne under their thumbs. Let her succeed to the +throne, and he would be, to all intents, King of England. Nay, he +would hold the balance of Europe in his palm.</p> + +<p>"My friend," he said, under his breath, "you are too dangerous." +Aloud he gave the talk a new turn.</p> + +<p>"This mutiny will not succeed," he observed reflectively. "The men +who intend to rise must be informed against."</p> + +<p>"It appears so."</p> + +<p>"But not too soon. They must not succeed, as I said; but they must +have time enough to show their countrymen that the discontent is +serious, and to convince James that only an accident has prevented +their coming over to him in a body."</p> + +<p>"That is clear enough."</p> + +<p>"The only question," the Earl pursued, "is—who is to give the +information at the proper moment?"</p> + +<p>"Undoubtedly that is a difficulty."</p> + +<p>"I thought—excuse me if I come to the point—I thought that <i>you</i> +might do so."</p> + +<p>"My lord!"</p> + +<p>"You object?"</p> + +<p>"Decidedly I do. Already I have risked too much in this business."</p> + +<p>"I can think of nobody," said the Earl coldly, "so well suited for +the task. William thinks you are his spy, and would receive your +information without suspicion. He does not guess that, owing to my +knowledge of your past—of the affair of the dice at Antwerp, for +instance, or that trivial letter from Saint Germains which I happen +to possess—"</p> + +<p>Captain Salt's sanguine cheeks were by this time white as death.</p> + +<p>"If you insist—" he stammered in a hoarse voice that bore no +resemblance to his natural tone.</p> + +<p>"I'm afraid I must. At the same time I mean to reward you," the Earl +continued pleasantly; "and a portion of the reward shall be paid in +advance. My dear captain, I have the most delightful surprise for +you. You were once a married man, and the lady you married was a +native of this port."</p> + +<p>"Thank you, my lord; I was aware of the fact."</p> + +<p>"You left her."</p> + +<p>"I did."</p> + +<p>"And in your absence she bore you a son."</p> + +<p>"I have since heard a rumour to that effect," said Captain Salt +coldly.</p> + +<p>"Cherish that son, for his worth to you is inestimable. He lies, at +this moment, on board the <i>Good Intent</i>—I regret to say in irons. +His Majesty enlisted him this afternoon, somewhat against his will, +and he began very unluckily by kicking his superior officer from one +end of the frigate to the other. It was the natural ebullition of +youth, and the sergeant was a Dutchman. Therefore in this letter I +have pardoned him. Take it—a boat is waiting for you—and convey it +to his captain. Thereafter seek the poor lad out and imprint the +parental kiss upon both cheeks. Reveal yourself to him!"</p> + +<p>"Your lordship is excessively kind, but I stand in no immediate need of +filial love."</p> + +<p>"My dear sir, I promise you that this son means thousands in your +pocket. He means to you a calm old age, surrounded by luxuries which +are hardly to be gained by espionage, however zealously practised."</p> + +<p>"In what way, may I inquire?"</p> + +<p>"I will inform you when you have done the small service I asked just +now."</p> + +<p>Captain Salt took the letter and moved towards the door.</p> + +<p>"By the way," the Earl said, "it may be painful to you to be reminded +of your former connection with Harwich; but did you happen to know, +in those days, two gentlemen, captains in King Charles's Navy, and +natives, I believe, of this town—Barker and Runacles?"</p> + +<p>"I did. They were both, at one time, suitors for the hand of my late +wife."</p> + +<p>"Indeed? I have been trying to enlist them for this business of the +mutiny."</p> + +<p>"They were a simple pair, I remember, and would serve our purpose +admirably."</p> + +<p>"I found them a trifle too simple. Well, I won't keep you just now. +Remember the help I expect from you; but we will talk that over in a +day or two. Meanwhile, keep a parent's eye upon your son (he's +called Tristram), for through him your reward will be attained. +Good night."</p> + + +<br> +<p><a name="8"></a> </p> +<br> +<h2>CHAPTER VII.</h2> + +<h4>THE CAPTAINS MAKE A FALSE START.</h4> + +<p>It was past midnight when Captain Runacles left his friend's pavilion +and let himself through the little blue door to his own garden. +The heavens were clear and starry, and he paused for a moment on the +grass-plot, his hands clasped behind him, his head tilted back and +his eyes fixed on the Great Bear that hung directly overhead.</p> + +<p>"Poor Jack!" he muttered, shaking his head at the constellation, as +if gently accusing Fate. His nature had been considerably softened +by the little man's distress, and he had come away with a generous +trouble in his heart.</p> + +<p>"I shan't sleep a wink to-night," he decided; and went on +inconsequently, "After all, a girl is less anxiety than a boy. +People don't find it worth their while to kidnap a girl and flog her +with a cat-o'-nine-tails. A turn of a die, and I'd have been in +Jack's shoes to-night; while, as it is—"</p> + +<p>As it was, however, he seemed hardly to enjoy his good fortune, for +he added, still looking up:</p> + +<p>"Plague seize it! I shan't sleep a wink—I know I shan't. What a +magnificent show of stars! Let me see, how long is it before +daybreak? One-two-three-five hours only. I won't go to bed at all— +I'll have a turn at the telescope."</p> + +<p>He stole into the house softly and climbed up the spiral staircase. +A faint light shone out on the first landing from the half-open door +of his workroom. He entered and turned up the lamp.</p> + +<p>Its light revealed a scene of amazing disorder. The walls were +covered with books and charts; the floor was littered with +manuscripts, mathematical instruments, huge folios, piled +higgledy-piggledy, carpenter's tools, retorts, bottles of chemicals. +In one corner, beside a door leading to his bedroom, stood a +turning-lathe three inches deep in sawdust and shavings; in another, +a human skeleton hung against the wall, its feet concealed by the +model of a pumping-engine. Hard by was nailed a rack containing a +couple of antique swords, a walking-cane and a large telescope.</p> + +<p>Captain Runacles took down this telescope and tucked it under his +arm. Then, unhitching a dressing-gown of faded purple from a peg +behind the door, he turned the lamp low again and stepped out upon +the landing. Here he paused for a minute and listened. The house +was still. From the floor below ascended the sound of breathing, +regular and stertorous, which proved that Simeon was asleep.</p> + +<p>He put his hand on the stair-rail and ascended to the next floor, +passing his daughter's room on tiptoe. Above this, a flight of steps +that was little more than a ladder led up into the obscurity of the +attics. He climbed these steps, and, entering a lumber-room, where +he had to duck his head to avoid striking the sloping roof, felt his +way to a shuttered window, with the bolt of which he fumbled for a +moment. When at length he drew the shutter open, a whiff of cold air +streamed into the room and a parallelogram of purple sky was visible, +studded with stars and crossed by the bars of a little balcony.</p> + +<p>Captain Runacles stepped out upon this balcony. He had constructed +it two years before, and it ran completely round the roof. Under his +feet he heard the pigeons murmuring in their cote. Below were spread +the dim grass-plots and flower-beds of the two gardens; and, far upon +his right, the misty leagues of the North Sea. Full in front of him, +over Harwich town, hung the dainty constellation of Cassiopeia's +chair, and all around the vast army of heaven moved, silent and +radiant. One seemed to hear its breathing up there, across the deep +calm of the firmament.</p> + +<p>He turned to the western horizon, to the spot where the Pleiades had +just set for the summer months, and lifting his glass moved it slowly +up towards Capella and the Kids, thence on to Perseus, and that most +gorgeous tract of the Milky Way which lies thereby. Now, in the +sword-handle of Perseus, as it is called, are set two clusters of +gems, by trying to count which the Captain had, before now, amused +himself for hours together. He was about to make another attempt, +and in fact had reached fifty-six, when he felt a light touch on his +elbow.</p> + +<p>He faced quickly round. Behind him, on the balcony, stood his +daughter.</p> + +<p>"Don't be angry," she entreated in a whisper. "I heard you come up. +I couldn't sleep until I saw you."</p> + +<p>He looked at her sternly. Her feet were bare, and she wore but a +dark cloak over her night-rail. In the years since we last saw her +she had grown from an awkward girl into a lovely woman. Thick waves +of dark hair, disarranged with much tossing on her pillow, fell upon +her shoulders and straggled over the lace upon her bosom. The face +they framed was pale in the starlight, but the lips were red, and the +black eyes feverishly bright.</p> + +<p>"Father," she went on, "I have something I must tell you."</p> + +<p>Then, as he continued to regard her with displeasure, she broke off, +and put the question that of all her trouble was uppermost.</p> + +<p>"What has become of Tristram?"</p> + +<p>"He has gone to make the campaign against the French. He was +enlisted to-day. It was—unexpected," her father answered slowly, +with his eyes fixed on hers.</p> + +<p>"He went unwillingly," she said, speaking in a quick whisper; "he +was dragged off—trepanned! Simeon told me about it, and besides, I +know—"</p> + +<p>"What do you know?"</p> + +<p>"I know he never went willingly. Oh, father, listen"—with a swift +and pretty impulse she stepped forward, and reaching up her clasped +hands laid them on his shoulder—"Tristram—Tristram is very fond of +me."</p> + +<p>"Good Lord!"</p> + +<p>Captain Jemmy raised a hand to disengage her grasp from his shoulder, +but let it fall again.</p> + +<p>"He told me so this morning at sunrise," she went on rapidly. "You +see, it was May morning, and I went out to gather the dew, and he was +there, in the garden already, and he said—well, he said what I told +you; and being so masterful—"</p> + +<p>"I can't say I've observed that quality in the young man; but no +doubt you've had better opportunities of judging."</p> + +<p>"You shan't talk like that!" she broke out almost fiercely. It was +curious that this girl, who until this moment had always trembled +before her father, now began to dominate him by force of her passion.</p> + +<p>"Oh, I mustn't, eh? Devil take the fellow! He tumbles out of one +mess into another, and plays skittles with my peace of mind, and in +return I'm not allowed a word!"</p> + +<p>"Father, you will fetch him back?"</p> + +<p>"Now, how the—"</p> + +<p>"But you must."</p> + +<p>"Indeed!"</p> + +<p>"Because I love him dearly—there! I have nobody left but you, +father." She knelt and caught his hand, exchanging audacity for +entreaty in a second.</p> + +<p>"Little maid," said her father, with a tenderness as sudden, +"get up—your feet must be as cold as ice, on these slates. +Go in, and go to bed."</p> + +<p>"Let me stay a little. I can't sleep indoors. It was so happy this +morning, and to-night the trouble is so heavy!"</p> + +<p>Captain Jemmy vanished into the lumber-room for a moment, and +reappeared, tugging an old mattress after him and bearing a tattered +window-curtain under his left arm. He spread the mattress on the +balcony, motioned his daughter to sit, and wrapped her feet warmly in +his purple dressing-gown. Then, as she lay back, he spread the +curtain over her, tucking it close round her young body. She thanked +him with dim eyes.</p> + +<p>"Sophia," he began, with much severity, "you say you have only your +old father in the world, and I'm bound to say you seem to find it +little enough. My dear, are you aware that you've just been +disappointing my dearest hopes?"</p> + +<p>"Don't say that!"</p> + +<p>"I begin to think I mustn't say anything. I have brought you up +carefully, instructing you in all polite learning, and even in some +of the abstruser sciences. I have meant you, all along, to be the +ornament of your sex, and now—the devil take it!—you prefer, after +all, to be an ornament of the other! I intended you, by your +accomplishments, to make that young man look foolish."</p> + +<p>"And I assure you, father dear, he did look foolish this morning, and +again this afternoon in the summer-house."</p> + +<p>"Now, upon my soul, Sophia! I call your attention to the fact I've +been suspecting ever since you began to speak, that you're at the +bottom of all to-day's mischief. If that unfortunate youth hadn't +been making love to you when he should have been attending to the +bees, the chances are they would never have taken it into their heads +to swarm upon that accursed arch, and consequently…"</p> + +<p>There was nothing which Captain Runacles enjoyed so thoroughly as to +discover the connection between effects and their causes. When such +a chance offered, it was a common experience with him to be drawn +into prolixity. But he was pained and surprised, nevertheless, after +twenty minutes' discourse (in which he proved Sophia, and Sophia +alone, to be responsible for the disasters of the day), to find that +she had dropped asleep. He looked down for a minute or so upon her +closed lids, then moved to the rail of the balcony and ejaculated +under his breath:</p> + +<p>"O woman—woman! Wise art thou as the dove, and about as harmless as +the serpent!"</p> + +<p>He considered the heavens for some moments, and added with some +tartness but with a far-off look at the stars, as though aiming the +remark at the late Mrs. Runacles:</p> + +<p>"Her charm, at any rate, is not derived from her mother!"</p> + +<p>He turned abruptly and considered her as she slept under the stars. +Stooping after a minute or two, and lifting her very gently, he bore +her into the house and down to her own room. As they descended the +ladder from the attic, she stirred and opened her eyes drowsily:</p> + +<p>"You will bring Tristram back?" she murmured, but so softly that he +had to bend his head to catch the syllables.</p> + +<p>Her eyes closed again before he could answer. He carried her to her +bed and laid her upon it; then, after waiting a while to assure +himself that she was fast asleep, retraced his steps softly to the +little balcony.</p> + +<p>He was pacing it, round and round, like a caged beast, when the stars +grew faint and the silver ripple of the dayspring broke over the sea. +For two hours and more he had been thinking hard, and he rested his +elbows on the balcony and paused for a minute or two to watch the red +ball of the sun as it heaved above the waters. To the north, beyond +the roofs of Harwich, he saw the lights of the royal squadron still +clear in the grey dawn. Next his gaze turned to the triumphal arch +in the road below, which wore a peculiarly dissipated look at this +hour. Then it strayed back to the garden below him and beyond the +party hedge; and was suddenly arrested.</p> + +<p>On a rustic seat, in the far corner, sat Captain Barker, trying to +read in a book.</p> + +<p>The little man, too, had obviously passed the night out of his bed. +His clothes were dishevelled and his attitude was one of extreme +dejection. He kept his head bowed over the book and was wholly +unaware of the eyes that watched him from the opposite pavilion.</p> + +<p>But his friend above on the balcony displayed the most nervous +apprehension of being seen. He took his hand from the rail, as if +fearful of making the slightest sound, and stole back through the +window into the lumber-room. Once within the house, however, he +behaved with the briskest determination. Descending first of all to +his own room, he washed his face and towelled it till it glowed. +Then, changing his coat and wig, he took up hat and cane, descended +to the front-door, and crossing the grass-plot, let himself into +Captain Barker's garden.</p> + +<p>Captain Barker still sat and read in his book; and as he read the +tears coursed down his wrinkled cheeks. For it was the first of the +famous green volumes.</p> + +<p>He looked up as his friend advanced; and Captain Jemmy was forced to +regard the weathercock on the roof for a minute or so to make sure of +the quarter in which the wind lay.</p> + +<p>"It's due west," said Captain John, as he stared up; "and it's +ebb-tide till nine o'clock. They'll sail early."</p> + +<p>"H'm; I shouldn't wonder. You're early out of bed."</p> + +<p>"Well, for the matter of that, so are you—eh?"</p> + +<p>"I haven't been to bed."</p> + +<p>"Nor have I."</p> + +<p>"I've been thinking," said Captain Runacles.</p> + +<p>"And I've been trying not to think."</p> + +<p>"Well, but I've come to a conclusion. Go and get your hat, Jack."</p> + +<p>"Why?"</p> + +<p>"We've got to fetch Tristram back."</p> + +<p>"How?"</p> + +<p>"By tossing our consciences over the hedge and going to see King +William."</p> + +<p>The little man shook his head.</p> + +<p>"No, Jemmy. You mean it kindly, and God bless you! But I can't do +it."</p> + +<p>"Why not? If <i>I</i> can do it—"</p> + +<p>"You'd repent it, Jemmy. You're letting your love for me carry you +too far."</p> + +<p>"What put it into your head that I'd do this for love of <i>you</i>?"</p> + +<p>"For Tristram, then."</p> + +<p>"Damn Tristram! That youngster strikes me as causing a fuss quite +out of proportion to his intrinsic worth."</p> + +<p>"Well, but—"</p> + +<p>"My dear Jack, I have reasons for wishing Tristram back. You needn't +ask what they are, because I shan't tell you; but they're at least +as intelligible as all the reasons you can find in that volume." +He caught it out of his friend's hand, and read: "<i>June 12th.—T. +to-day refused his biscuit and milk at six in the morning, but took +it an hour later. Peevish all night; in part (I think) because not +yet recovered of his weaning, and also because his teeth (second pair +on lower jaw) are troubling him. Query: If the biscuit should be +boiled in the milk, or milk merely poured over the biscuit</i>—" Here +he glanced up, and seeing the anguish on the hunchback's face, handed +back the book.</p> + +<p>"I beg your pardon, Jack. But get your hat and come along."</p> + +<p>"You forget, Jemmy. We gave our word, you know."</p> + +<p>Captain Runacles stared.</p> + +<p>"Trouble has unhinged your wits, my friend. Did you seriously +imagine I intended to disclose to his Majesty the proposal we heard +last night?"</p> + +<p>"What, then?"</p> + +<p>"My notion was that we should go and offer him our swords and our +services in ransom for Tristram. He may rebuff us. On the other +hand, there's a chance that he will not. You remember that he began, +yesterday, by offering you this way of escape. You are to take me +with you and beg for a renewal of that offer. Maybe he'll demur. +You'll then point out that you have two men's service to tender him +in lieu of one. I <i>have</i> smelt powder in my time, Jack, and I once +had the luck to run De Ruyter's pet captain through the sword-arm and +to carry his ship. It's the very devil that I never could master the +fellow's Dutch name sufficiently to remember it; but his Majesty—who +has a greater grasp of his mother tongue—may be able to recall it, +and the recollection may turn the scale. Anyhow, we'll try."</p> + +<p>"You can serve this William?"</p> + +<p>"I can; for the matter stands thus: We go and say, 'Your Majesty has +laid hands on a young man. Will it please your Majesty to take two +old men in exchange?' We're a couple of old hulks, Jack; but we may +serve, as well as a youngster, to be battered by the French."</p> + +<p>"But suppose that this plot breaks out?—I mean that which the Earl +hinted at."</p> + +<p>"My friend, that proposal may be divided into two parts. The first +is mutiny; the second is desertion to the French. How do you like +them? Could you stand by and help either?"</p> + +<p>"Why, no," answered Captain Barker, with a brightening face; +"because, after all, one could always die first."</p> + +<p>"To be sure. Make haste, then, and fetch your hat, or we shall be +too late to save the boy."</p> + +<p>Captain Runacles waited at the foot of the garden, while his friend +hurried into the house and returned in something like glee.</p> + +<p>"We are lucky. Narcissus tells me his Majesty is sleeping ashore at +Thomas Langley's house in Church Street. It seems that his cabin was +not put rightly in order aboard the <i>Mary</i> yacht, and he won't embark +until he has broken his fast."</p> + +<p>"Come along, then!" said Captain Jemmy, opening the gate. "We may +catch him before he goes on board."</p> + +<p>But scarcely had the pair set foot in the road outside when a voice +commanded them to halt.</p> + +<p>In front of them, barring the highway towards Harwich, stood a +sergeant, with half a dozen soldiers at his back. They seemed to +have sprung out of the hedge.</p> + +<p>"Pardon, gentlemen; but you are walking towards Harwich."</p> + +<p>"We are."</p> + +<p>"My orders are to forbid it."</p> + +<p>"Who gave you that order?"</p> + +<p>"The General."</p> + +<p>"What? The Earl of Marlborough?"</p> + +<p>"Yes."</p> + +<p>"So this is how he trusts our word!" muttered Captain Runacles. +"But, excuse me," he added aloud, "our business is with his Majesty."</p> + +<p>"I am truly sorry, gentlemen."</p> + +<p>"You decline to let us pass?"</p> + +<p>"I hope you will not insist."</p> + +<p>"Well, but I have an idea. You can march us into Harwich as your +prisoners. Take us into his Majesty's presence—that's all I ask, +and I don't care how it's done. You shall have our <i>parole</i> if you +please."</p> + +<p>The sergeant shook his head. "It's against my orders."</p> + +<p>"Then we must try to pass you."</p> + +<p>"Suffer me to point out that we are seven to two."</p> + +<p>"Thank you. But this is an affair of conscience."</p> + +<p>"Nevertheless—"</p> + +<p>"Confound it, sir!" broke in the little hunchback. "You are here, it +seems, to frustrate our intentions; but I'm hanged if you shall +criticise them too. Guard, sirs, if you please!"</p> + +<p>And whipping out their swords, these indomitable old gentlemen fell +with fury on their seven adversaries and engaged them.</p> + +<p>The struggle, however, lasted but a minute. Six bayonets are not to +be charged with a couple of small-swords; and just as Captain Barker +was on the point of spitting himself like an over-hasty game chicken, +the sergeant raised his side-arm and dealt him a cut over the head. +Hat and wig broke the blow somewhat; but the little man dropped with +a moan and lay quite still in the road.</p> + +<p>Hearing the sound, Captain Jemmy turned, dropped his sword, and ran +to lift his friend. The stroke had stunned him, and a trickle of +blood ran from a slight scalp-wound and mingled with the dust.</p> + +<p>"Jack, Jack!" sobbed his friend, kneeling and peering eagerly into +his face. The hunchback opened his eyes a little and stared up +vacantly.</p> + +<p>As he did so the dull roar of heavy guns broke out in the direction +of Harwich, shaking the earth under Captain Jemmy's feet. It was the +town's parting salute to his Majesty King William the Third. And at +the same moment the leading ship of the royal squadron swung out of +harbour on the ebb-tide and, rounding the Guard Sandbank, stood +majestically towards the open sea, her colours streaming and white +canvas bellying over the blue waters.</p> + + +<br> +<p><a name="9"></a> </p> +<br> +<h2>CHAPTER VIII.</h2> + +<h4>FATHER AND SON.</h4> + +<p>Tristram, meanwhile, was lying in darkness on board the <i>Good +Intent</i>, a frigate of twenty-six guns, converted for the nonce into a +transport-ship to accommodate three companies of his Majesty's Second +Household Regiment, the Coldstreams. To this regiment the Earl had +thought fit to attach him at first, not only on account of his fine +inches, but also to keep him out of his father's way, being unwilling +that the two should meet until he had visited the Blue Pavilions and +endeavoured to bring Captain Barker and Captain Runacles to terms.</p> + +<p>It cannot be said that his first acquaintance with military life had +lifted Tristram's spirits. The frigate—to which he had been +conveyed without further resistance—struck him as smelling extremely +ill below decks; and he was somewhat dashed by the small amount of +room at his service. Moreover, the new suit into which he was +promptly clapped, though brilliant in colour, had been made for a +smaller man, and obstructed his breathing, which would have been +difficult enough in any case. On the gun-deck, where he found +himself, it was impossible to stand upright and equally impossible to +lie at length, every foot of room between the tiers of nine-pounders +being occupied by kits, knapsacks, chests and mattresses littered +about in all conceivable disorder, and the intervals between these +bridged by the legs of his brothers-in-arms. As the Coldstreams were +an exceedingly well-grown regiment, and for the most part deeply +absorbed just then in dicing, quarrelling, chuck-penny and lively +discussions on the forthcoming campaign, Tristram had found the +utmost difficulty in avoiding the sheaves of legs between him and the +empty mattress assigned for his use. In his dejection of spirits it +was a comfort to find that none of his future comrades turned a head +to observe him. He cast himself down on the mattress and gave vent +to a profound sigh.</p> + +<p>"Alas, Sophia!" he ingeminated, "how liable to misconception—though +doubtless wise on the whole—are the rulings of Providence, which in +one short hour has torn me from your soft embrace to follow a calling +which I foresee I shall detest!"</p> + +<p>Unluckily this emotion, though warranted by his circumstances, proved +too great for the ready-made suit which he wore. At the first sigh +two buttons burst from his jacket, one of which flew a full twelve +inches and gently struck the cheek of a Dutch sergeant who was taking +forty winks upon the adjacent mattress.</p> + +<p>"Vat the devil for?" exclaimed Sergeant Klomp, opening his eyes and +glaring upon the recruit.</p> + +<p>"I beg your pardon," said Tristram.</p> + +<p>"Zat was in fon, hey?"</p> + +<p>"On the contrary—"</p> + +<p>"Vat for, if not?"</p> + +<p>"It was accidental, I assure you. I was unbosoming myself—"</p> + +<p>"So; I will deach you to onbosom yourself of his Majesty's buttons. +Agsidental! You shall not be agsidental to me!" Sergeant Klomp +rolled his eyes, and, picking up his cane, which lay beside him, rose +to his feet and advanced with menace on his face.</p> + +<p>Tristram hastily applied his syllogism. "It is right," he said to +himself, "to resist when molested in a peaceful occupation. +Sighing is a peaceful occupation. Therefore I must resist this man." +In obedience to this valid conclusion he hit Sergeant Klomp in the +stomach as he advanced, caught the cane out of his hand and +belaboured him the entire length of the gun-deck. It was impossible +to do this without discommoding the legs of the company and annoying +them beyond measure. And consequently, at the end of ten minutes, +Tristram found himself in irons in the lazarette, condemned to pass +the night with two drunken men, whose snores were almost comforting +in the pitchy darkness; for, as he told himself, human propinquity, +if not exactly sympathy, is the first step towards it. He had been +listening to this snoring for four hours, when a hatchway above him +was lifted, and a lantern shone down into the lazarette. It was +carried by a corporal, who came cautiously down the ladder, lighting +the footsteps of an officer who followed and held a handkerchief to +his nose, for the smell of the bilge was overpowering.</p> + +<p>"Pah!" exclaimed this officer, as he arrived at the ladder's foot, +and peered around. "Set the light down on the floor and leave us. +What a hole!"</p> + +<p>He waited whilst the corporal re-ascended the ladder and disappeared; +then, picking up the lantern, held it aloft and let its rays shine +full on Tristram's face.</p> + +<p>"Ah," he said, after regarding our hero in silence for a few seconds, +"it is unmistakable!" And with that he sighed heavily.</p> + +<p>"Pardon me, sir," said Tristram, "but the sight of me appears to +cause you sorrow."</p> + +<p>"On the contrary, it fills me with joy."</p> + +<p>"I am glad to hear you say so, because, as I am fastened here in +these irons, it would have been out of my power to relieve you of my +presence. Since you are glad, however—"</p> + +<p>"Unspeakably."</p> + +<p>"—You would do me a great favour by saying why."</p> + +<p>"Because—look at me, dear lad—because you are my only son!"</p> + +<p>"In that I really think you must be mistaken. There are two +gentlemen yonder in the corner who at present are asleep. Are you +quite sure one of these is not the object of your search?"</p> + +<p>"Quite sure, my dear lad. It is unmistakable, as I said. You are +Tristram?"</p> + +<p>"I am; though I don't see why it should be unmistakable."</p> + +<p>"Those eyes—that voice! It is impossible you should not be +Margaret's son!"</p> + +<p>"My mother's name was Margaret," Tristram answered; "that's true +enough. She died when I was born."</p> + +<p>"Tristram," said his visitor, lowering the lantern and bowing his +head, "I was her unworthy husband, and am your father, Roderick +Salt."</p> + +<p>"That would certainly be plausible, but for one difficulty."</p> + +<p>"What is it?"</p> + +<p>"My father was drowned some months before I was born."</p> + +<p>"You are mistaken. He was partially drowned, but not quite."</p> + +<p>"I admit that alters the case."</p> + +<p>"Shall I tell you how it happened?"</p> + +<p>"By all means, sir; for I think the story must be interesting. +At the same time I ought to warn you that I already possess a father, +on whom you can scarcely improve."</p> + +<p>"To whom do you refer?"</p> + +<p>"He is called Captain Barker by those who love him less than I."</p> + +<p>"Is it he, then, that has brought you up? Curse him!"</p> + +<p>Tristram opened his eyes. "Why should you curse him?" he asked.</p> + +<p>"Because he has stolen your love from me."</p> + +<p>"But—excuse me—it is only this moment that I have heard you were +competing for it."</p> + +<p>"He has told you evil concerning me."</p> + +<p>"On the contrary, he has never uttered your name. It was my nurse +who told me one day that you were drowned; and even this turns out to +be a mistake, as you were about to prove."</p> + +<p>"My son, your words and bearing cut me to the heart. It is no less +than I have deserved, perhaps; though, could you know all, I am sure +you would judge me leniently. But at least I can give you some small +proof of my love. Let me first release you from those irons."</p> + +<p>He set the lantern on the floor, drew a small key from his pocket and +unlocked his son's fetters.</p> + +<p>"Thank you. That is decidedly more agreeable," said Tristram, +stretching his stiffened limbs.</p> + +<p>"You were suffering before I came?"</p> + +<p>"Why, truly," Tristram replied, shrugging his shoulders as he glanced +around; "I find military life duller than I expected. And since this +is the first night I have spent from home—"</p> + +<p>"My poor boy! Doubtless, too, you were brooding on what would happen +to-morrow morning."</p> + +<p>"Say rather on what happened this morning," corrected Tristram, his +thoughts reverting to Sophia.</p> + +<p>"But surely the prospect of to-morrow's punishment—"</p> + +<p>"Oh, will there be a punishment to-morrow?"</p> + +<p>"Why, you kicked a sergeant from one end of his Majesty's ship to the +other! Did you imagine you could do that with impunity?"</p> + +<p>"I assure you he deserved it."</p> + +<p>"Nevertheless, you would have been flogged on deck to-morrow had I +not come with a pardon."</p> + +<p>"You astonish me: and really you have been very kind to me. +Still, it would have been quite unjust."</p> + +<p>Captain Salt regarded his son quietly for a moment or two. In truth +he was somewhat staggered by this simplicity.</p> + +<p>"You wish to escape from this service?" he asked.</p> + +<p>"I dislike it more and more. Besides—"</p> + +<p>"Tell me your desires; for, believe me, my son, I have no dearer wish +than to further them."</p> + +<p>Tristram held out a hand and took his father's.</p> + +<p>"Forgive me, sir, for my coldness just now. Remember that I had +never seen, had scarcely heard of, you before. You are very good to +me. I believe, by looking in your eyes, that you love me; and I +believe—I know—that in time I should love you greatly in return. +But you must pardon that which I am going to say. Sir, I cannot help +loving best those who have dealt lovingly with me all my life. I was +homesick—" he broke off, as a lump rose in this throat.</p> + +<p>"You shall go home," said Captain Salt.</p> + +<p>Still holding his hand, Tristram stared at him incredulously.</p> + +<p>"Why should you doubt me, my son? Do you think I despise those +feelings, or can neglect them? No; I honour them, though bitterly +regretting that, as fate has willed it, they can never be entertained +for me."</p> + +<p>"Don't say that, my father."</p> + +<p>"Why should I blink the truth?" Captain Salt turned and brushed away +a fictitious tear. "No, Tristram; you shall go back to those you +love better. I only ask you to be patient for a few days; for, +indeed, I have but a certain amount of influence with those who +enlisted you to-day against your will. Listen. Early to-morrow the +squadron sets sail. If the wind holds we shall be within the Maese +by Sunday morning. As soon as your regiment disembarks you shall be +a free man: for not till then shall I have an opportunity of speaking +with his Majesty. The squadron will be returning at once to this +port, and I trust you may return with it. In the meantime you must +give me your word to remain where you are; for though the punishment +is remitted, you are still under arrest. I have seen your captain, +however, and you will find matters made very light for you. +The sentry will bring you food and drink."</p> + +<p>He stopped, for Tristram had fallen on one knee and was passionately +kissing his hand.</p> + +<p>"How ill you must think of me!" he murmured; "and how can I thank +you?"</p> + +<p>"By keeping one tender thought or two for a father who held aloof +from you, while it was for your good, and came to you when, for the +first time, you wanted him. Mine has been a hard life, Tristram, and +not altogether a good one. By asking you to share it, I had done you +Heaven knows what injury."</p> + +<p>This was true enough, and it struck the speaker as so pathetic that +he managed even to squeeze up a tear.</p> + +<p>"But come," he went on, with a sudden change to vivacity, "tell me +how you happened into this scrape?"</p> + +<p>And so, with the lantern between them casting long spokes of light on +the ship's timbers, the rafters and the two drunken sleepers in the +corner, father and son sat and talked for the better part of an hour; +at the end of which time Captain Salt, who dexterously managed to do +nine-tenths of the listening, was pretty well posted in the affairs +of the Blue Pavilions and their inmates, and knew almost as much of +Tristram's past history as if he had spent a day with the +thirty-seven green volumes. It was past two in the morning when he +arose to return to his own ship.</p> + +<p>At parting he kissed Tristram on both cheeks. "Farewell, dear lad!" +he said, with a manner that was admirably paternal. "We shall not +meet again till the ships cast anchor in the Maese. Meanwhile steel +your heart and look forward to a better fortune."</p> + +<p>He picked up the lantern and, climbing the ladder, nodded back +reassuringly as he lifted the hatch. At the same time he was +secretly a good deal perplexed; for in all that he had learnt there +was nothing to throw light on the Earl's words. "Now, why the devil +is the lad to be looked after?" he wondered. For in fact Tristram +had said nothing of the inheritance. And the reason for this was the +very simple one that he himself knew nothing about it, Captain Barker +and Captain Runacles having long ago agreed to keep it a secret from +him until he should come of age. They had arrived at this resolution +after many weeks of discussion, and beyond a doubt their wisdom had +been justified in the course of the last hour.</p> + +<p>There was no perplexity visible, however, in the kindly smile which +Tristram beheld and returned with interest. A moment after he was +left in blank darkness. But, being by this time tired out, as well +as greatly comforted, he curled himself up on the bare floor, and +within five minutes had dropped off into a dreamless sleep.</p> + +<p>It was morning when he awoke, though he could not tell the hour; for +the only light that reached his prison was filtered through the hatch +above, which somebody had kindly tilted open. The sounds that woke +him were those of feet moving to and fro in the captain's cabin +overhead, and, far forward in the ship, the clatter of boots as the +soldiers turned out. He looked about him and made two discoveries. +In the first place, his two drunken companions had vanished, or had +been removed; and secondly, their place was taken by a loaf and a tin +pannikin.</p> + +<p>He reached out a hand for these, and began without hesitation the +first meal in his life of which the green volumes were to keep no +record. With less hunger he might have found it nauseous; for the +bread was incredibly mouldy and had been gnawed all round the crust +by rats, while the liquor in the pannikin was a mixture of fiery rum +and unclean water. The first gulp fetched the tears; but, after +sputtering a bit, he managed to swallow a good half of it. As he +breakfasted he heard a deal of muffled shouting above, and then a +distant clanking sound that was unfamiliar. The <i>Good Intent</i> was +weighing anchor.</p> + +<p>These noises, however, did not trouble Tristram, who was minded by +this time to bear his fortune with hardihood. Only the thought of +Sophia vexed him while he ate, and he sighed once or twice with a +violence that set the rats scampering. Then it struck him that his +morning prayers were unsaid, and, scrambling on his knees, he +committed himself to the care of Heaven, and afterwards felt still +easier at heart. Also, being a prudent youth in some respects, he +decided to reserve half of the loaf in case no more should be brought +for the day; and, because his hunger was excessive, it took some time +to decide on the amount to be set aside. Indeed, he was still +discussing this with himself when the <i>Good Intent</i> shook with the +roar of the royal salute.</p> + +<p>For the moment Tristram imagined that he must be in the midst of a +sea-fight at the very leat. But his apprehensions were presently +distracted by the motions of the ship under him—motions which at +length became erratic and even alarming. For the <i>Good Intent</i> was +not only heaving up and down, but seemed to be tearing forward in a +series of vehement rushes, with intervals of languid indecision. +Tristram's stomach soon began to abhor these intervals, and in a +little while he found himself wondering to what end he had set aside +half a loaf from his breakfast. For, as it seemed to him, he was +going to die, and the sooner the better.</p> + +<p>"Decidedly," he thought, "my breakfast was poisoned, else I could +never feel like this."</p> + +<p>The <i>Good Intent</i> took another lurch forward, and a clammy sweat +broke out on both sides of his forehead.</p> + +<p>"If I have enemies so wicked," sighed he, "may God forgive them!" +And, uttering this Christian wish, he fell forward with his forehead +against the boards.</p> + +<p>A little past noon the sentry brought him a fresh loaf, with a plate +of fat bacon and another pannikin. The sea being choppy, by this +time the vessel echoed from end to end with groans and lamentations.</p> + +<p>"Is it a massacre?" Tristram asked, sitting up and regarding the man +with wild eyes. But the sight of the bacon, which was plentifully +doused with vinegar, conquered him afresh. The sentry chuckled and +went away.</p> + +<p>To be short, our hero passed two-and-twenty hours in this extremity +of wretchedness, and was only aroused, early next morning, by a +corporal who thrust his head in at the hatchway and bade him arise +and come on deck with all speed, as the regiment was about to +disembark. And, as a matter of fact, when Tristram tottered up the +ladder into the fresh air which swept the deck, he found that, though +he had been beyond remarking any difference in the ship's motion, she +was now lying at anchor, and within a cable's length from a desolate +shore, which began in sandhills and ended in mist.</p> + +<p>The rain was pouring perpendicularly from a leaden sky and drenching +the decks. The soldiers, in their great-coats, huddled together as +they waited for the boats, and shrugged their shoulders to keep the +drops from trickling down the napes of their necks. Somebody gave +Tristram a great-coat and knapsack, and pointed out the group to +which he was to attach himself. He obeyed, though scarcely aware of +what he did: for his head was light, his hunger was ravenous, and his +legs were trembling beneath him. A soldier cursed close by, and he +cursed too, echoing the man's words without knowing why. Another man +slapped him on the back, mistaking him for a crony, and begged his +pardon. "It really makes no difference," said Tristram politely, and +at once fell to wondering if this remark were absurd or no. Beyond +the grey veils of rain he spied, now and then, a cluster of red roofs +and a steeple close beside the shore.</p> + +<p>"What place is that yonder?" he asked the man who stood at his elbow.</p> + +<p>"Vlaardingen," said the fellow gruffly. It was Sergeant Klomp, and +Tristram turned it over in his mind whether to offer an apology or +no. While he was still debating, a brisk young officer came along +and called out:</p> + +<p>"Get ready, boys. This is our turn."</p> + +<p>In less than a minute after, for no apparent reason, the crowd around +Tristram surged forward to the bulwarks, and he was carried along +with the rush. Then he found himself swaying unsteadily down a +flight of steps and calling to the men behind not to hustle and +precipitate him into one or other of the two longboats that lay +below. Into the nearer of these his company swept him, and poured in +at his heels until the gunwale was nearly level with the water. +The rowers pushed off in the nick of time, and pulled their freight +slowly across the sullen tide, while the rain beat down relentlessly.</p> + +<p>As they neared the shore, a landing-stage, or low jetty, of sunk +piles disengaged itself from the mist. This was the sole object that +diversified the melancholy line of sandbanks, and towards it they +were steered, Tristram looking eagerly out under the peak of his cap, +from which a rivulet of water was by this time coursing down his +nose.</p> + +<p>Half a dozen grey figures were standing on the jetty, and, as the +soldiers scrambled up its dripping steps, one of them advanced and +touched Tristram by the elbow. It was his father.</p> + +<p>"Safe and sound, my boy? <i>Parbleu!</i> but it's easy to see you're no +accomplished sailor; but that's all the better."</p> + +<p>Tristram was feeling too faint to contest this, though it appeared to +him to be disputable.</p> + +<p>"Let us get ahead of this mob," his father went on. "Come, use your +best foot—it's no great distance."</p> + +<p>He struck off the sodden track and dived into the mist, Tristram +following close at his heels. Their way lay over hillocks and +hollows of sand in which they sank ankle-deep at every step. +In two minutes they lost sight of the regiment, and were walking with +their faces set, as it seemed, towards a wall of grey atmosphere, +impenetrable by the eye. After five minutes of this Tristram +groaned. He had eaten nothing for twenty-four hours, and his limbs +were weak as water.</p> + +<p>"Courage, my son! A few paces more."</p> + +<p>Almost as he spoke a building loomed out of the mist, and they found +themselves before a doorway, over which hung the sign of "The Four +Seasons." A sentry, who stood beside the entrance, presented arms +and let them pass. Captain Salt led the way indoors and up a rickety +staircase to the right, on the first landing of which they found two +pages in waiting.</p> + +<p>"Say that Captain Salt desires to see his Majesty."</p> + +<p>One of the pages tapped at the door, and, having delivered the +message, commanded them to enter. The place in which Tristram now +found himself was a low-browed room, smelling highly of sawdust and +stale tobacco. It was bisected by a long table of clean white deal, +at the end of which were seated three gentlemen whose attire bespoke +a considerable estate. All three looked up as the pair entered, and +in the centre our hero at once recognised his Majesty, with the Earl +of Marlborough upon his left hand, and upon his right a general of a +plain but shrewd and honest countenance, who glanced at Captain Salt +for a moment and resumed the writing upon which he was engaged.</p> + +<p>King Willliam set down the bundle of papers that he had been conning +with a sour expression, as if tasting bad wine, and ordered the +Captain to come forward, which he did, with a profound salute.</p> + +<p>"I have examined the lists, Captain Salt. They tally with other +information which my admirals and generals have been able to give me; +though, as they have not your advantages, their knowledge is of +necessity scantier."</p> + +<p>Beneath his words there lurked a contempt which made the Captain +wince.</p> + +<p>"Your Majesty, I have endeavoured to do my duty—such as it is."</p> + +<p>"You say well. The disgrace lies with those who make it necessary."</p> + +<p>"I am glad your Majesty should regard it in that light."</p> + +<p>"Rest assured that I do, and admit the magnitude of the service you +have done us. I understand you have come for your reward."</p> + +<p>"Say rather that I have brought it."</p> + +<p>"Explain yourself."</p> + +<p>"I ask no reward, your Majesty, but the discharge of this young +recruit." As he spoke Captain Salt drew Tristram forward from the +doorway, where he was standing awkwardly.</p> + +<p>"This is very extraordinary. I expected some request for money, I +will confess."</p> + +<p>"There are some things which rank above money," said the Captain with +feeling.</p> + +<p>"We are told so," replied William drily. "But might I ask for an +instance or two?"</p> + +<p>"There is paternal love. Your Majesty, this young man is my son." +The Captain, at this point, brushed away a tear with the back of his +hand.</p> + +<p>"Why—but surely I remember his face?"</p> + +<p>"That is probable: for you yourself, sire, did him the honour to +enlist him, no longer ago than last Friday."</p> + +<p>"I remember the occasion. But it did not then appear—at least, to +my recollection—that he was a son of yours, Captain Salt."</p> + +<p>"Will your Majesty be good enough to note the likeness between us?"</p> + +<p>"I do not doubt your word. I merely remark that the two gentlemen +who then interceded for him omitted to mention his parentage."</p> + +<p>"Their names, I believe—"</p> + +<p>"They were two gallant but wrong-headed gentlemen of his late +Majesty's navy—Captain John Barker and Captain Jeremiah Runacles."</p> + +<p>"It is to those gentlemen, who have guarded him from his infancy, +that I would restore this young man."</p> + +<p>"This is very magnanimous conduct."</p> + +<p>"A father, sire, may for his son's good disregard his own yearnings. +I would, with permission, escort him back to Harwich and assure +myself of his happiness. Your Majesty need have no doubt of my +return with the next transport."</p> + +<p>"Indeed, Captain Salt, I myself should advise you, for your own +safety, to be out of the way until this small storm has blown over. +Present yourself as soon as you return. Sir," he continued, +addressing Tristram, "you are discharged from my service, which, I +must say, has not bettered your looks. Return to your guardians and, +if they will allow you, cultivate some small amount of loyalty."</p> + +<p>"I thank your Majesty very heartily," Tristram replied ingenuously, +"and I regret if the plant has, until now, found no place in our +garden."</p> + +<p>"The squadron will sail again for England at midnight," said William +with a faint smile; then, turning to the Earl of Marlborough, "My +lord, will you write out the order?"</p> + +<p>At this moment one of the pages entered with a note for the King.</p> + +<p>"Let him come in," said William, after opening it and running his eye +over the contents; then, addressing Captain Salt, "I fear this puts +an end to our conversation for the time. If you will wait below, the +necessary papers shall be brought to you. Farewell, young man; and +when you embrace them, assure Captain Barker and Captain Runacles +that I have still some hope of their finding a better mind."</p> + +<p>They bowed and withdrew, giving place to the newcomer, who entered at +that moment—an old gentleman in a suit of dark blue edged with +silver. As he passed them in the doorway his eyes scanned Tristram +narrowly, and he appeared to hesitate for a moment as if desirous of +putting a question to the youth.</p> + +<p>Unconscious of this look, Tristram followed his father down the +stairs of the auberge. They had hardly reached the bottom, however, +when a voice called from the landing above, and the Earl of +Marlborough descended after them.</p> + +<p>"Here are the papers," he said. "But, young sir, would you mind +waiting here for a minute or two while I speak with your father in +private?"</p> + +<p>With this he opened a door upon the left and led the way through a +dark passage to a covered skittle-alley at the back of the house. +It was a deserted and ramshackle arcade and offered the poorest cover +from the rain, which dripped through the roof and drifted under the +eaves. The skittles lay here and there, as if the last player, weary +of the game, had been tossing them about at haphazard. Here the Earl +paused, looked around him, and began in a low voice.</p> + +<p>"My friend, I regret to perceive that you begin to act without +instructions."</p> + +<p>"In what way?"</p> + +<p>"You propose to return at once to Harwich with this son of yours."</p> + +<p>"Certainly, my lord. It appears to me that I have deserved a holiday +by this week's work."</p> + +<p>"You shall take one; but not at Harwich just yet."</p> + +<p>"And why not at Harwich?"</p> + +<p>"For two reasons. In the first place you do no good, but harm, in +returning thither at this moment. Understand that I am only asking +you to defer the visit for a week or two. At present I am awaiting +certain necessary information, without which you will hardly lay your +hands on the good fortune I intend for you."</p> + +<p>"You are mysterious, my lord. This boy of mine—"</p> + +<p>"Will bring you wealth and dignity, I promise, if you allow me to +conduct the affair. If not—"</p> + +<p>"What is the other reason?"</p> + +<p>"The other reason," replied the Earl, looking down and moving a +skittle gently with the toe of his boot—"the other reason is that I +require you to spend the first part of your holiday elsewhere."</p> + +<p>"Where may that be?"</p> + +<p>"At Saint Germains."</p> + +<p>"My lord, you risk my neck with much composure!"</p> + +<p>"There is no risk at all, unless—"</p> + +<p>"Pray finish your sentence."</p> + +<p>"—Unless you refuse," said the Earl significantly.</p> + +<p>"Proceed, my lord." Captain Salt's face flushed scarlet; then a sweat +broke out on his temples, where an instant before the veins had +swelled with rage.</p> + +<p>"There is nothing to prevent your starting at once. You have altered +the fuses, I suppose?"</p> + +<p>"Yes."</p> + +<p>"And made all the arrangements?"</p> + +<p>"Nothing is omitted. The guns will be fired twenty minutes too soon, +at ten minutes after nine. As William knows nothing about the +signal, and has made his dispositions for half-past nine, the poor +fellows will have some fun for their pains, after all."</p> + +<p>"Excellent!" said the Earl smiling. "It only remains for you to +start. Here are the papers; I advise you to keep them carefully +sorted. This, in cipher, is for James. It is full of promises; and +in addition, to keep his spirits up, you can give him an account of +the mutiny, pointing out how near it came to success. A boat shall +take you to Sevenbergen; after that you know the road—the usual one. +The word is <i>Modena</i>. You will take your son with you, of course, +and persuade him (if you can) that he is travelling back to Harwich +by the shortest road."</p> + +<p>"That will be difficult."</p> + +<p>"From Paris return to Dunkirk, and there await a letter from me. +By that time I hope to be able to send you information, on the +strength of which you may at once sail for Harwich. Meanwhile guard +that young man as the apple of your eye.…"</p> + +<p>We will return to the subject of this amiable advice. Tristram had +been kicking his heels for ten minutes or more in the draughty +passage, and wondering if he should ever know the taste of food +again, when the door opened on the landing above, and the old +gentleman in blue and silver descended the stairs from his audience. +He was clearly in something of a hurry, and strode past our hero as +if unaware of his presence, but turned on his heel at the end of the +passage and came swiftly back.</p> + +<p>"I ask your pardon, young man," he began, in a quick, foreign voice, +"but I thought I heard his Majesty speaking to you of a Captain +Runacles as I entered the room. Forgive me if I seem too +inquisitive, but do you happen to know Captain Jeremiah Runacles?"</p> + +<p>"I know no reason, sir, against my answering. I know him well, and +love him."</p> + +<p>"Ha? Where does he live?"</p> + +<p>"In Harwich."</p> + +<p>"He keeps hale?"</p> + +<p>"In excellent health for his age."</p> + +<p>"Could he still answer for himself with a small-sword?—I mean not +with a young adversary, but, say, with a man of my age?"</p> + +<p>"I have not the slightest doubt of it, sir." Tristram stared at the +old gentleman, who was of a tall unwieldy figure, short bull neck and +choleric complexion.</p> + +<p>"You will see him again shortly?"</p> + +<p>"With God's help I shall see him in three days' time."</p> + +<p>"Then I'd be obliged by your taking him a message from me. Tell him, +sir, that I, Captain Van Adrienssen, may be heard of at The Hague at +any time, and have not forgotten a certain promise of his (to cut my +comb) which he uttered at one time when our ships lay alongside off +the Texel. Assure him that, though night parted us, I still retain +the boot which he flung at my head and into my ship. Say that I have +been waiting ever since for the man who fits that boot, and warn him +that we are both well stricken in years and have little time left in +which to try conclusions. You have that by heart?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, sir."</p> + +<p>"Repeat it."</p> + +<p>Tristram did so.</p> + +<p>"Very well; now be careful to deliver it."</p> + +<p>And, nodding his head sharply, the old gentleman hurried away on his +business just as the Earl and Captain Salt returned from their +colloquy.</p> + + +<br> +<p><a name="10"></a> </p> +<br> +<h2>CHAPTER IX.</h2> + +<h4>THE FOUR MEN AT THE "WHITE LAMB".</h4> + +<p>"Well, my son," began Captain Salt, as the Earl reascended the +stairs. "Thanks be that we are alone together at last! Do I not +keep my promises?"</p> + +<p>"Indeed, father, you are kind. There is only one thing—"</p> + +<p>"What is that?"</p> + +<p>"I should prefer to return to Harwich alive; and seeing that I have +eaten nothing for a day and a half—"</p> + +<p>His father interrupted him by taking his arm and hurrying him off to +the kitchen of the auberge, where a fat woman was basting a couple of +ducks before a roaring fire.</p> + +<p>"Pardon me, mistress," he began in Dutch; "but can you give this +young man a breakfast?"</p> + +<p>The hostess seemed to be annoyed.</p> + +<p>"What does he want?" she inquired sharply.</p> + +<p>The question being interpreted to Tristram, he answered that he +wanted everything, but that in the meantime the ducks would serve to +break the edge of his fast.</p> + +<p>"But these are for his Majesty."</p> + +<p>"What have you besides?"</p> + +<p>"Salt fish."</p> + +<p>"I will begin with salt fish."</p> + +<p>"Bacon."</p> + +<p>"I see," said Tristram, nodding up at a regiment of hams that +depended from a rack overhead; "I will eat these also. What else?"</p> + +<p>"Cheese."</p> + +<p>"On second thoughts, I will begin with cheese while the fish is being +prepared. Is that all?"</p> + +<p>"Mother of God! Is it not enough?"</p> + +<p>"How can I tell yet? Let me see your bread and cheese."</p> + +<p>The woman left her ducks, and in a minute had dumped down a loaf and +a huge round cheese of an orange colour before our hero.</p> + +<p>"When do we start?" he asked, with his mouth full.</p> + +<p>"Shortly after dark."</p> + +<p>"Then I have plenty of time."</p> + +<p>"I should hope so. Hostess, bring a bottle of wine."</p> + +<p>"Two bottles," Tristram interrupted.</p> + +<p>"It will get into your head."</p> + +<p>"I hope so, for my head is something light at present."</p> + +<p>"You propose, then, to spend the day in eating and drinking?"</p> + +<p>"Unless you know of some better amusement with which we can beguile +the time."</p> + +<p>"None whatever. And as I must leave you for some time while I make +arrangements for our return—"</p> + +<p>"I shall not be lonely," said Tristram, with a glance at the ducks, +followed by an upward look of resignation directed at the rows of +hams.</p> + +<p>It was dark when Captain Salt returned, and found his son on the +settle where he had left him. Tristram was not sitting, however, but +stretched at length and breathing heavily. At the farther end of the +table sat the host and hostess of the inn, engaged in making out the +bill.</p> + +<p>"One—two—three—six bottles!" exclaimed his father, counting the +ruins on the board. "Why, the boy is drunk!"</p> + +<p>"No, father," Tristram interrupted, sitting up and rubbing his eyes; +"not so much drunk as asleep, and not so much asleep but that I could +see the landlord here add three empty bottles to the two I had +finished, without counting one that came full to the table and was +emptied by him for his supper."</p> + +<p>Captain Salt shot a searching glance at the couple, who coloured and +seemed confused.</p> + +<p>"What is this?" he cried, examining the reckoning. "Two ducks!"</p> + +<p>"Ah, I'm afraid it is true that I ate one of the ducks."</p> + +<p>"But they were for his Majesty!"</p> + +<p>"It appears they were cooked on the chance of pleasing his Majesty, +who left, however, without inquiring for them. The landlord and his +wife have just eaten the other. Is it time to start?"</p> + +<p>"Yes."</p> + +<p>Tristram jumped up and stretched himself, smiling amiably on the host +and hostess, who returned his look with no very good will. Captain +Salt, having made the proper deductions calmly, paid the reckoning, +and they left the house.</p> + +<p>Outside the weather was still dirty, and a wind, which had gradually +risen since the morning, blew in their faces charged with chilly +moisture. The mist, however, had cleared a little, and Tristram, as +he rammed his hat tightly on his head before facing the night, could +see the lights of the squadron far out upon the black and broken +waters of the Maese.</p> + +<p>"In what ship do we return?" he asked.</p> + +<p>The wind apparently drowned his question; for Captain Salt started +off without replying and led the way down across the sandbanks. +It seemed to Tristram that their path lay to the left of that by +which they had approached the inn early in the morning. He was +straining his eyes on the look out for the wooden landing-stage, when +suddenly, on climbing a ridge somewhat higher than the rest, he saw +the white fringe of the waves glimmering close under his feet and the +inky shadow of a boat, in which sat a couple of dark forms. One of +them, hearing the low whistle uttered by Captain Salt, scrambled +forward to the bows and held out a hand.</p> + +<p>Tristram looked at his father, who nodded. They entered the boat in +silence, and within a minute were being rowed rapidly across the +tide. It struck our hero that the oars made remarkably little noise, +in spite of the energy with which they were plied. He was about to +speak, but checked himself on seeing his father raise a finger to his +lips. "What is the meaning of this?" he wondered. His enormous meal +had made him drowsy; and deciding that, if not allowed to speak, he +might at least nod, he closed his eyes.</p> + +<p>He opened them again with a start. From the shore behind them the +roar of guns had just burst out upon the night.</p> + +<p>This was his first impression; but the sound was not repeated, and in +a moment or two he fancied he must have been dreaming of the salute +he had heard in the lazarette of the <i>Good Intent</i>, as the squadron +sailed out of Harwich. The boat was still moving with unabated +speed, and the dark, choppy water stretched all round them. +Through the murky night the ships' lanterns still shone steadily +enough, but farther off than before, and at a sharp angle behind his +right shoulder.</p> + +<p>"It seems we are not steering very straight for the fleet," he could +not help remarking.</p> + +<p>"We are not steering for the fleet," said his father.</p> + +<p>"But I thought—"</p> + +<p>He broke off as a series of sharp flashes danced out in the distance, +followed by the rattle of musketry and a dull, confused shouting.</p> + +<p>"You perceive," Captain Salt remarked, "that the squadron is not the +safest means of reaching Harwich."</p> + +<p>"What are they doing out there?"</p> + +<p>"They are killing each other."</p> + +<p>"That sounds very unpleasant."</p> + +<p>"And as the night is too dark to distinguish faces with any +certainty, I thought you would prefer to go home by another way."</p> + +<p>"A longer way?"</p> + +<p>"It is certainly a trifle longer; but then, as it won't expose you to +the risk of being killed—"</p> + +<p>"That's true. I won't grudge the time."</p> + +<p>The explosions of musketry, meanwhile, had been following each other +faster and faster, and at length became incessant.</p> + +<p>"Bravo!" muttered Captain Salt to himself; "this will take some time +to quell."</p> + +<p>"What did you say?"</p> + +<p>"I was thinking, my son, that 'tis lucky you have somebody to look +after you."</p> + +<p>Tristram sought for his father's hand and pressed it. "I am not +ungrateful, as you think."</p> + +<p>"Why should I think so? You will have more yet to thank me for, I +hope."</p> + +<p>The boat at this moment swung to the left, around a sandy promontory +that hid the jets of firearms behind them; but waves of light still +flickered across the black sky and the shouting still went on, though +growing fainter as they hurried forward. By one of the flashes, more +vivid than the rest and accompanied by the crackle of a whole volley, +Tristram saw that the boat was now being propelled down a narrow +channel, both shores of which he could just perceive across the +gloom.</p> + +<p>Captain Salt suddenly raised both hands to his mouth, and hollowing +the palms, uttered three mournful cries, long and loud, like the +wailing of a gull.</p> + +<p>Within half a minute the sound was echoed back from the darkness on +the right shore, for which the boat immediately headed. After thirty +strokes Tristram felt the sand rub beneath the keel, and they came to +a stand.</p> + +<p>"Show the light!" his father called, jumping out into the water that +hardly covered the insteps of his riding-boots.</p> + +<p>The red glow of a lantern appeared as if by magic, and revealed a man +standing but twenty yards ahead on a gentle slope of sand. He held +the lantern in one hand, and his right arm was slipped through the +bridles of two horses that waited, side by side, and ready saddled, +their breath smoking out on the night wind.</p> + +<p>"Dear me," Captain Salt observed, reaching a hand to Tristram, and +helping him to land; "I forgot to ask if you could ride."</p> + +<p>"A very little, my father."</p> + +<p>"You will find it difficult, then, to trot. Therefore we will +gallop."</p> + +<p>"You intend me to climb upon one of these beasts?"</p> + +<p>"That is easy enough."</p> + +<p>"I do not deny it; but I suppose you also wish me to stay on."</p> + +<p>"Come; we must lose no time."</p> + +<p>"Luckily the soil of Holland, as far as I am acquainted with it, is +soft and sandy. On the other hand—"</p> + +<p>"Well?"</p> + +<p>"I was about to remark that they grow an immense quantity of tulips +in this country, which demand a harder soil."</p> + +<p>"We shall pass none."</p> + +<p>"That is fortunate. For when I reach home and they ask me, +'Well, what have you done in Holland?' it would be sad to own, +'I have done little beyond rolling on a bed of tulips.'"</p> + +<p>With this he climbed into the saddle and thrust his feet well into +the stirrups, while his father whispered a word or two to the +boatmen, who were about to push off on their return journey.</p> + +<p>"Are you ready, my son?" he asked, returning and mounting beside him.</p> + +<p>"Quite."</p> + +<p>"Forward, then!"</p> + +<p>The two horses broke into a trot. "Ugh," exclaimed Tristram, bobbing +up and down.</p> + +<p>"I told you we must go faster. Stick your knees tightly into the +saddle—so."</p> + +<p>The wind and the night began to race by Tristram's ears as his horse +leapt forward. The motion became easier, but the pace was terrifying +to a desperate degree; for it seemed that he sat upon nothing, but +was being whirled through the air as from a catapult at the heels of +his father, who pounded furiously through the darkness a dozen +yards ahead. For three minutes at least he felt at every stride an +extreme uncertainty as to his chances of realighting in the saddle. +It reminded him of cup-and-ball, and he reflected with envy that the +ball in that game is always attached to the cup with a string.</p> + +<p>At the end of ten minutes Captain Salt reined up, and Tristram's +horse, after being carried past for twenty yards by his mere impetus, +stopped of his own accord and to his rider's intense satisfaction.</p> + +<p>"Look," said the Captain, pointing to the sky behind them, which was +now illumined by a broad scarlet glare.</p> + +<p>"What is that?"</p> + +<p>"One of the ships on fire."</p> + +<p>"Then I am better off where I am."</p> + +<p>"Did you doubt it?"</p> + +<p>"I was beginning to.… How much farther must we ride?"</p> + +<p>"Two leagues."</p> + +<p>Tristram groaned, and they set off again, but more slowly, for the +road now was paved with bricks instead of the loose sand over which +they had travelled hitherto, and moreover it ran, without fence or +parapet, along the top of a formidable dyke, the black waters of +which far beneath him caused Tristram the most painful apprehension. +Captain Salt, guessing this, slackened the pace to a walk. The glare +still reddened the sky behind: but either the firing had ceased or +they had passed beyond sound of it. At any rate, they heard only the +water lapping in the dykes and the wind that howled over the wastes +around.</p> + +<p>Tristram had long since lost his hat, and his nose was bleeding from +a sharp blow against his horse's neck. He was trying to stanch the +flow when the chimes of a clock pealed down the wind from somewhere +ahead and upon his right. His father halted again, and after +scanning the gloom for a minute uttered again the three calls that +were like the wailing of a gull.</p> + +<p>Again the signal was answered, this time from their left, and the +spark of a lantern appeared. "Dismount, my son," said the Captain, +setting the example and leading his horse by the bridle towards the +light; "we leave our horses here."</p> + +<p>"For others?"</p> + +<p>"No, for a canal-boat."</p> + +<p>"This country may be flat," thought Tristram; "but decidedly the +travelling is not monotonous."</p> + +<p>As he drew near the lantern, he saw indeed that they were on the edge +of a canal, wherein lay a long black barge, with a boy on horseback +waiting on the tow-path, a little ahead of it. On the barge's deck +by the tiller an immensely fat boatman leant and smoked his pipe, +which he withdrew placidly from his lips as Captain Salt gave the +password to the man with the lantern and handed over the smoking +horses.</p> + +<p>"<i>Modena!</i>"</p> + +<p>The fat man spat, stood upright and prepared for business as the +passengers stumbled on board. Not a word more was spoken until +Tristram found himself in a long, low cabin divided into two parts by +a deal partition. By the light of a swinging lamp he saw that a +bench ran along the after-compartment, and asked if he might stretch +himself out to sleep.</p> + +<p>"By all means," said his father. "I was going to propose it myself. +We shall travel without halting till morning."</p> + +<p>"Then 'good night.'"</p> + +<p>"You appear in a hurry."</p> + +<p>"It seems to me that it's my turn."</p> + +<p>The barge was hardly in motion before Tristram began to snore. +Nor did he awake till the sun was up and shining in through the +little opening by the stern, through which he could see the legs of +the fat steersman on deck. While he rubbed his eyes his father +appeared at the cabin door with a bundle in one hand and a big +market-basket in the other.</p> + +<p>"You sleep late, my son. I have already been marketing, as you see."</p> + +<p>"Then we are at a standstill."</p> + +<p>"Yes, but we move on again in three minutes."</p> + +<p>"What have you bought?"</p> + +<p>"Your breakfast. See—" and the Captain spread on the cabin table an +enormous sausage, two loaves of bread and a bottle of red wine.</p> + +<p>"That is good, for I warn you I am hungry."</p> + +<p>"But first of all you must dress."</p> + +<p>"Am I not already dressed?"</p> + +<p>"Let me point out that the uniform of a private soldier in his +Majesty's Coldstream Guards differs in so many respects from the +native costume of these parts that it can hardly fail to excite +remark. Listen: I have here two suits of clothes, in which we must +travel for the next day or two; I as a private gentleman and you as +my lackey."</p> + +<p>"I begin to see that this way back to Harwich has its difficulties as +well as the other," sighed Tristram while they changed their suits. +This reflection threw him into a melancholy which lasted throughout +the day, insomuch that he hardly found heart to go on deck, but sat +on his bench in the cabin, feeding his heart on the prospect of +Sophia's joy at his return and listening to his father, who sat and +whistled on the cabin hatch, to the thuds of the towing-horse's +hoofs, and to the monotonous "huy!" and "vull!" of the boatman +whenever their barge encountered another and one of the twain +slackened rope to allow passage.</p> + +<p>Occasionally they were hailed from the bank by travellers who desired +to journey downstream; but the invariable answer was that this barge +had been hired by a nobleman who wished to travel without company and +at his leisure. As Tristram, however, knew nothing of the Dutch +language, he imagined these to be but kindly salutations of the +inhabitants designed to enliven a voyage which (as he judged) must be +inexpressibly tedious to anyone who made it with any other purpose +than that of being restored to Sophia's embrace.</p> + +<p>Towards sunset he went on deck, and observed his father steadily +gazing at the left bank of the canal, parallel to which, and at a +distance of five hundred yards or less, there ran an embankment with +a highroad along the top of it. Following the direction of Captain +Salt's eyes, he descried a party of four horsemen about half a mile +behind them advancing down this road at a steady trot. The Captain +had paused in his whistling—which had been pretty continuous all +day—and was regarding these horsemen with great interest.</p> + +<p>"I do not like them," he said reflectively, and spoke a few words to +the steersman, who glanced back over his shoulder.</p> + +<p>"You have met them before?" Tristram inquired.</p> + +<p>"Not that I know of. Nevertheless, I do not like them."</p> + +<p>Tristram thought this odd, for it was impossible at that distance to +descry the features of the riders.</p> + +<p>"We will go below," his father announced, rising in a leisurely +manner.</p> + +<p>They did so, and stood by the cabin door, so that their forms were +hidden while they could see perfectly all that passed on the bank. +The four horsemen drew near and trotted by at the same pace without +seeming to turn their heads towards the canal. Two rode horses of a +dark bay colour, the third a dapple grey, and the fourth a sorrel. +As soon as they had passed out of sight, Captain Salt ascended to the +deck again and entered into a long conversation in Dutch with the fat +boatman. As this did not amuse Tristram any more than the windmills +of which the scenery was mainly composed, he remained below and, +stretching himself again on the bench, began to dream of Sophia.</p> + +<p>Three hours later he awoke, said his prayers, and was preparing to go +to sleep again, when his father entered the cabin.</p> + +<p>"Hullo! What are you doing?"</p> + +<p>"I was just thanking Heaven, which, against my inclinations, makes +our journey a slow one."</p> + +<p>"You do not wish to reach home in a hurry?"</p> + +<p>"On the contrary, I desire it ardently. But having remarked that +whenever I travel fast I am either seasick or jolted raw, I feel +grateful for every restraint put upon my ardour."</p> + +<p>"In that case I almost fear to announce that we shall move faster +to-morrow."</p> + +<p>"I am willing to be coerced," said Tristram, and dropped off again.</p> + +<p>It was but an hour after dawn when his father aroused him. The boat +lay moored by a little quay, beyond which his eye travelled to +clusters of red roofs glowing in the easterly sunshine, and a +dominant spire, the weathercock of which dazzled the eye with its +brightness. The town was just waking up, as could be perceived from +the blue wreaths of smoke that poured out of the chimneys.</p> + +<p>Captain Salt was in an evident hurry. Without giving Tristram time +to wash in the fore-cabin, he hustled him on shore and up a narrow +street to an inn, over the archway of which hung the sign of a White +Lamb with a flag between its forelegs. Here they rang a bell, and +were admitted after ten minutes by a sleepy chambermaid, who led them +upstairs to a low-browed sitting-room facing the street, as they +perceived when she drew back the shutters. At the back of this room +lay two bedchambers; and Tristram withdrew into the nearer, while his +father ordered breakfast.</p> + +<p>It happened that these two bedrooms overlooked a broad court or +stable-yard behind the White Lamb. Captain Salt, having given his +instructions, retired, whistling cheerfully, to perform his toilet. +He was in the best of spirits, and broke now and again into snatches +of song, which he trolled out in a tenor voice of great richness and +flexibility. Tristram listened in admiration on the other side of +the partition. The songs were those of Tom d'Urfey and his +imitators, and dealt in a strain of easy sentimentality with +hay-rakes, milking-pails and all the apparatus of a country life +as etherealised by a cockney fancy; but the Captain sang with +such a gusto, such bravura, and such an appealing tremolo in the +pathetic passages, that you might have mistaken the splashing of +water in his basin, as he broke off to wash his face, for tears of +uncontrollable regret that he had not been born a "swain" (as he put +it). Suddenly, however, one of his roulades ceased with more +abruptness than usual and the enchanted Tristram waited in vain for +the ditty to be resumed. The fact was that Captain Salt had glanced +out of the window and seen at a stable door across the court a man +stooping with his back to the inn and washing down the legs of a dark +bay horse.</p> + +<p>The Captain contemplated this group for a moment; then hastily +donning his coat and turning into the parlour looked out upon the +street.</p> + +<p>Immediately under the signboard of the White Lamb, and before the +front-door, stood a couple of men who chatted as they passed a +tankard of beer to each other. Captain Salt could not see their +faces owing to the extreme width of their hat-brims. But he turned a +shade paler, and drawing back from the window stepped to the door, +which opened upon the landing. Moving softly to the balusters, he +peered over. Directly beneath him, at the foot of the stairs, sat +yet another man in a broad-brimmed hat, who was engaged very +tranquilly in polishing a pistol with an oily rag. The barrel +glimmered in the light that shone down the well of the staircase from +a skylight above Captain Salt's head.</p> + +<p>He retired to the parlour again and, after trying the lock of the +door, walked to and fro in deep thought for awhile. Then, from the +bedroom, he fetched his sword and belt, with the two pistols which he +had carried throughout the journey. He was examining the priming of +these very narrowly when Tristram appeared, red and glowing from his +ablutions. Almost at the same instant footsteps were heard ascending +the stairs. The Captain went quickly to the door pistol in hand.</p> + +<p>It was only the waitress, however, with the tray containing their +breakfast. He told her to set it down, looked at the tray and, +announcing that he was hungrier than he had imagined, desired her to +bring up a ham, another loaf, and four bottles of wine. Tristram +stared.</p> + +<p>"You seem puzzled, my son."</p> + +<p>"It is my turn again. Let me remind you that two days ago you +marvelled at my appetite."</p> + +<p>"But this has to last us for a whole day, and perhaps longer."</p> + +<p>"Are we not, then, to proceed farther to-day?"</p> + +<p>"I doubt if we can."</p> + +<p>"Decidedly this journey gets slower and slower."</p> + +<p>The waitress came back with the additional provisions and set them on +the table. As soon as she was gone Captain Salt locked the door.</p> + +<p>"Why is that?"</p> + +<p>"Merely that I don't wish to be interrupted."</p> + +<p>They ate their breakfast in silence. Tristram, as soon as it was +over, rose, and, strolling across the room, was about to gaze out +upon the street, when his father begged him to come away from the +window.</p> + +<p>"Why?"</p> + +<p>"My son, you should obey your father without questioning," the +Captain answered somewhat tartly.</p> + +<p>"Forgive me."</p> + +<p>Tristram had been taught to obey, but considering the wide views for +which this country was notorious, he began to reflect with +astonishment on the small amount he was able to see. Also he +remarked, as the morning wore on, that his father was perpetually at +one window or another, moving from parlour to bedroom and back, and +scanning now the street, now the stable-yard, yet always with a +certain amount of caution. Captain Salt, indeed, was gradually +working himself into a state of restless irritation. The man in the +stable-yard groomed away at the four horses, one after another, +saddled them, led them back to the stable again, then composed +himself to sleep on the stool outside the stable door, with a straw +in his mouth and his hat-brim well over his eyes. The others still +lounged in the sunshine before the inn door. He could hear the sound +of their voices and occasional laughter, but not the words of their +conversation.</p> + +<p>It was about six in the evening when the Captain was struck with an +idea. At first it staggered him a little: then he thought it over +and looked at it from several sides. Each time he reviewed the plan +he got rid of a scruple or two, and by degrees began to like it +exceedingly. His restlessness diminished, and in the end he became +quite still.</p> + +<p>Tristram, yawning before the fire, glanced up and found his father's +eyes fixed upon him.</p> + +<p>"My company wearies you, dear lad?"</p> + +<p>The dear lad disclaimed weariness. But Captain Salt advanced, +sighed, and laid a hand on his shoulder.</p> + +<p>"Yes, Tristram; let us not deceive ourselves. I have done you a +wrong, for which you must forgive me. I hoped, by delaying your +return and keeping you near me—I hoped that perhaps—" Here he +sighed again, and appeared to struggle with an inward grief. +"Do not make it hard for me by bearing malice!" he implored, breaking +off his explanation.</p> + +<p>"I don't quite understand. Are you telling me that you have kept me +here unnecessarily?"</p> + +<p>"Alas! my boy—I hoped that your affection for me might grow with +this opportunity, as mine has grown for you."</p> + +<p>Tristram thought that to spend a morning in pacing from one window to +another was an odd way of encouraging affection; but he merely +answered:</p> + +<p>"My dear father, I have a confession to make."</p> + +<p>"A confession?"</p> + +<p>"One that will not only explain my eagerness to get home, but also +will, I trust, soothe your disappointment. The fact is, I am in +love."</p> + +<p>"Oh! that certainly alters matters. With whom?"</p> + +<p>"With Sophia."</p> + +<p>"Who is Sophia?"</p> + +<p>"She is Captain Runacles' only daughter, and lives on the other side +of our hedge."</p> + +<p>"My dear lad, why did you not tell me this? Detain you! No. +You shall fly on the wings of the wind. We will set out this very +afternoon on the swiftest horses this inn can furnish."</p> + +<p>Tristram winced. "There are limits even to a lover's zeal," he +murmured.</p> + +<p>"No, no. Ah, my boy!—I too have been in love—I can find the key to +your feelings by searching my memory. May you be happier than I!"</p> + +<p>He passed the back of his hand across his eyes and continued more +cheerfully, hilariously almost:</p> + +<p>"But away with an old man's memories! I was young then, and ardent +as you. Nay, as I look upon you I see my very self reflected across +a score of sorrowful years. We are extraordinarily alike, Tristram. +Stand up and measure with me, back to back."</p> + +<p>They did so. The Captain found himself the taller by a mere shade.</p> + +<p>"It is the wig," he said. "Come, twist up your natural hair and let +me see you in this wig."</p> + +<p>Tristram obeyed, and his father fell back in astonishment. "It is +extraordinary!"</p> + +<p>"Certainly I perceive the likeness," admitted Tristram, contemplating +himself in the mirror that hung above the mantelpiece.</p> + +<p>"It is nothing to what could be produced by the merest touch or two +of art. Give me five minutes, and I warrant you shall deceive the +waitress here."</p> + +<p>He drew the curtain, took down a candle from the mantelshelf, lit it +and set it on the table; then, picking up the cork of an empty +bottle, held it to the flame for two seconds or so and began to +operate on his son's face.</p> + +<p>"Ah!" he said, "to think that each wrinkle, each line, that I copy +with a piece of cork has been traced in the original by a separate +sorrow! Tristram, your presence makes me young again, young and +childish. And in return I make you old—a pretty recompense!"</p> + +<p>Tristram, whose nature was profoundly serious, stood up very stiff +and blinked at the hand which wandered over his face, touching it +here and there as softly as with a feather.</p> + +<p>"Are we not wasting time?" he protested.</p> + +<p>"Not at all: and to prove it, I am about to send you downstairs to +order horses. It is wonderful! I wager the people of the inn shall +not know you. Order a couple of fleet horses to be waiting in an +hour from now: that will give us plenty of time to reach Nieupoort, +and take a night's rest before sailing to-morrow. Here, kick off +those clumsy boots and take mine; also my cloak here, and sword. +Your breeches and stockings will do. Afterwards you can stroll out +into the town, if you will, and purchase a keepsake for Sophia. +I, myself, will buy a ring at Nieupoort for you to fit upon her +pretty finger, if you succeed in tricking the folk below-stairs. +Farewell, my son, and God bless you!—only, be back within the hour."</p> + +<p>As the door closed upon Tristram, Captain Salt advanced to the +keyhole and listened.</p> + +<p>"A sound skin," he muttered to himself, "is better than a dull son. +Moreover, at the worst he'll be taken back to The Hague, and there +the Earl will keep him from me." He examined his pistols for a +moment, opened the door softly, and, creeping out on the landing, +began to listen with all his ears.</p> + +<p>Meanwhile our hero marched downstairs, and, encountering the waitress +in the passage below, gave the order for the horses. The waitress +summoned a lethargic, round-bellied man from an inner parlour, who +bowed as well as his waist would let him, and straddled out to the +stables to repeat the order. Somewhat pleased to find he had not +been recognised, Tristram sauntered up the dusky passage and forth at +the front-door. As he passed out leisurably, he took careless note +of a party of three men seated a few paces to the right of the door +around a rough wooden table. On the other hand, the effect of his +exit upon this party was extraordinary. For a moment they gazed +after him, their faces expressing sheer amazement. Then they +whispered together and stared again. Finally all three stood on +their legs and buckled on their sword-belts. Two of them started off +to follow Tristram, who had by this time reached the street corner, +and was gazing up at the house fronts on each hand with rapt +interest. The third man waited until they had gone a dozen yards, +and then blew a whistle. In less than half a minute he was joined by +the man from the stable-yard, and after a short colloquy this pair +also linked arms and strolled up the street.</p> + +<p>It was drawing towards sunset, and lights began to appear in several +of the houses as Tristram passed along. The few foot-passengers in +the street wished him "Good night" in the Dutch tongue, and he +answered their salutations amiably in English, guessing the good will +in their voices. He was greatly pleased, also, by the number of +villas and small gardens that diversified the houses of business, +each with a painted summer-house over-topping the wall and a painted +motto on the gate. He longed to explore these gardens and take home +to Harwich some report of the famous Dutch tulip-beds on which +Captain Barker was perpetually descanting. A row of these +garden-walls enticed him down a street to the right and out towards +the suburbs, where the prospect at the end of the road was closed by +a long line of windmills.</p> + +<p>All this while he had been sauntering along at the idlest pace, with +a score of pauses. Suddenly he bethought him that it must be time to +return, and was about to do so when his eye was caught by a little +shop on the other side of the road. He could not read the +inscription above it; but the window was crowded with bulbs and roots +of all kinds and bags of seed in small stacks. He crossed the road +and entered the low door, meaning to buy a present for Sophia, whom +for the last half an hour he had completely forgotten.</p> + +<p>The proprietor of the shop sat inside behind a low counter, reading a +book by the light of a defective oil-lamp, the smoke of which had +smeared the rafters in a large, irregular circle. He was a little, +wizened man, with a pair of horn spectacles, which he pushed high +upon his brow as his customer entered.</p> + +<p>"Since my father has engaged to buy Sophia a ring," said Tristram to +himself, "I will get her a tulip. We will sit hand in hand and watch +it unfold."</p> + +<p>The prospect so engaged his fancy that he entered and began a +sentence in excellent English. The shopman replied by shaking his +head and uttering a few unintelligible words.</p> + +<p>This was dashing. Tristram cast about for a few seconds, and began +again in dog-Latin, a tongue which he had acquired in order to read +the herbals to Captain Barker on winter evenings. To his delight the +little man answered him promptly. Within a minute they were charmed +with each other; within two, they had the highest opinion of each +other; within ten, the counter was heaped with trays of the rarest +bulbs, insomuch that Tristram found a grave difficulty in choosing +that which should give the greatest pleasure to his Sophia. But, +alas, in changing clothes with his son, Captain Salt had found it +unnecessary to change breeches! Tristram put a hand into his pocket +and discovered that it contained one coin only—the shilling with +which he had been presented when forcibly enlisted in his Majesty's +Coldstream Guards.</p> + +<p>The Latin of the enthusiastic shopman was becoming almost Ciceronian, +when Tristram pulled out the coin, and holding it under his nose +briefly stated the case. Then the wizened face fell a full inch, and +the eloquent voice broke off to explain that an English shilling, +though doubtless a valid tender in England, was not worth more than a +stiver, if that, to a Dutch tradesman.</p> + +<p>Tristram apologised, adding that, if the shopman had a pennyworth of +any kind of seed, he would purchase it as a small reparation for his +intrusion on the time of so learned a man.</p> + +<p>The shopman took the shilling and tossed upon the counter a packet of +pepper-cress seed.</p> + +<p>Our hero pocketed it, and was leaving the shop; but paused on the +threshold and began to renew his apologies.</p> + +<p>The little man had picked up his book again, and turned a deaf ear.</p> + +<p>Tristram stepped out into the street. As he did so a hand was laid +on his arm, and a voice said in good English:</p> + +<p>"I arrest you in the name of King William!"</p> + + +<br> +<p><a name="11"></a> </p> +<br> +<h2>CHAPTER X.</h2> + +<h4>THE TRIBULATIONS OF TRISTRAM.</h4> + +<p>"I think there must be some mistake," said Tristram, as he turned in +surprise and saw a tall man of soldierly presence, with three +stalwart comrades immediately behind him.</p> + +<p>"No mistake at all," said the tall man, with conviction. "My orders +are to arrest and convey you back to The Hague."</p> + +<p>"But I am about to leave Holland, and this will cause me considerable +delay."</p> + +<p>"Undoubtedly."</p> + +<p>"In that case," Tristram replied, springing back a pace and whipping +out his sword, "I must decline to follow you."</p> + +<p>"Bah! This is folly."</p> + +<p>"On the contrary, it is the conclusion of a valid syllogism which I +will explain to you if you have time."</p> + +<p>"Seize him!" was the only answer. The four men drew their swords and +rushed forward together. Perceiving that he must be skewered against +the shop door if he awaited their onset, Tristram contented himself +with disarming his foremost assailant; then, springing wildly back on +his left heel, he spun round and began to run down the street for +dear life.</p> + +<p>His movement had been so sudden that he gained a dozen yards before +his enemies recovered from their surprise and set off in pursuit. +Sword in hand, Tristram flew along the causeway, under the high +garden-walls, for the open country and the windmills ahead. He heard +the feet pounding after him, but luckily did not look behind. +Therefore he was ignorant that his leading pursuer carried a brace of +pistols in his belt and was pulling one out as he ran.</p> + +<p>It was so, however; and in half a minute the pistol cracked out +behind him—as it seemed, at the very back of his ear.</p> + +<p>He sped on nevertheless, not knowing if he were wounded or not, but +very wisely deciding that this was the surest way to find out.</p> + +<p>As it happened, this pistol-shot proved of the greatest service to +him. For an inquisitive burgher, hearing the outcries along the +road, had popped his head out of his garden door at the very moment +that Tristram whizzed by, followed by the detonation. The burgher, +too, was uncertain about the bullet, but determined on the instant to +take the gloomier view. He therefore fell across the pavement on his +stomach and bellowed.</p> + +<p>The distraction was so sudden that two of the pursuers tripped over +his prostrate form and fell headlong. Their swords clanged on the +cobbles. With the clang there mingled the sound of a muffled +explosion.</p> + +<p>"Curse the idiot! You've killed him, Dick."</p> + +<p>The pair picked themselves up as their comrades leapt past them. +Dick snatched up his second pistol, and resumed the pursuit without +troubling his head about the burgher.</p> + +<p>The burgher picked himself up and extracted the ball—from the folds +of his voluminous breeches. Then he went indoors for ointment and +plaster, the flame of the powder having scorched him severely. +Later he had the bent guelder (which had diverted the bullet) +fastened to a little gold chain, and his wife wore it always on the +front of her bodice. Finally it became an heirloom in a thriving +Dutch family.</p> + +<p>But he was a very slow man, and all this took a considerable time. +Meanwhile we have left Tristram running, about thirty yards ahead of +his foremost enemy.</p> + +<p>He gained the end of the quiet suburb, still maintaining his +distance, and scanned the landscape in front. Evening was descending +fast. To his right he saw the waters of a broad canal glimmering +under the grey sky. Straight before him the high-road ran, without +so much as a tree to shelter him, for miles. On the horizon a score +of windmills waved their arms like beckoning ghosts. He was a good +swimmer. It flashed upon him that his one hope was to make for the +canal and strike for the farther bank. There was a reasonable chance +of shaking off one or more of his pursuers by this device.</p> + +<p>He leapt the narrow ditch that ran parallel with the road, and began +to bear across the green meadows in a line which verged towards the +canal-bank, at an angle sufficiently acute to prevent his foes from +intercepting him by a short cut. By their shouts he judged that his +guess was fairly correct, and the prospect of having to swim the +canal daunted them somewhat. He looked over his shoulder. The pace +had told upon three of them, but one man had actually gained on him, +and could not be more than twenty strides behind.</p> + +<p>"I shall have to settle with this fellow," he thought. "He is going +to catch me up before I reach the bank."</p> + +<p>His first wind was failing him, and his heart began to thump against +his ribs. He spied a beaten path at this point that trended across +the meadow at a blunter angle than the one he was following. +Almost unconsciously he began to reason as follows:</p> + +<p>"A beaten path is usually the shortest cut: also, to follow it is +usually to escape the risk of meeting unforeseen obstacles. But if I +change the angle at which I am running for one more obtuse, I give my +pursuer the advantage of ten yards or so. Yes; but I shorten the +distance to be covered, and, moreover, this is a long-distance man, +and he is wearing me down."</p> + +<p>Though this process of reasoning appeared to him deliberate enough, +in point of fact he had worked it out and put the conclusion into +practice in a couple of bounds. As he darted aside and along the +footpath he could hear the momentary break in his antagonist's +stride.</p> + +<p>Tristram had hardly turned into this footpath, however, before he saw +the occasion of it. Just before him lay a plank, and beneath the +plank a sunken dyke, dividing the meadow so unexpectedly that at +fifty yards' distance the green lips seemed to meet in one continuous +stretch of turf. And yet the dyke was full forty feet wide. +He leapt on to the swaying bridge and across to the farther edge, +almost without a glance at the sluggish black water under his feet.</p> + +<p>It is probable that his sudden weight jolted the plank out of its +position. For hardly was he safe on the turf again when he heard a +sharp cry. Throwing a look behind, he saw his pursuer totter, clutch +at the slipping timber, and, still clutching at it, turn a somersault +and disappear.</p> + +<p>Tristram ran on. Then a series of shouts rang in his ear, and he +looked behind again. The other three men had come up, and were +running aimlessly to and fro upon the farther bank. From the pit at +their feet rose a gurgling and heartrending appeal for help. It was +plain the poor fellow was drowning, and equally plain that his +comrades could not swim. Tristram took a couple of strides, and +halted. Then he faced about and walked back towards the dyke, his +heart still knocking against his ribs.</p> + +<p>"Help! help!" resounded from the depths of the dyke.</p> + +<p>"Gentlemen," said Tristram, "are you aware that your comrade is +perishing?"</p> + +<p>They stared at him helplessly. Without more to-do he slipped off his +shoes, and sliding down the bank, flung himself forward into the icy +water. In two strokes he was able to grasp the drowning man by the +collar and began to tug him towards the bank.</p> + +<p>But it appeared that the fellow had other views on the right method +of being saved: for, casting his arms about Tristram's neck and +wreathing them tightly, he not only resisted all efforts to drag him +ashore, but began to throttle his rescuer. In the struggle both went +under.</p> + +<p>As the water closed over them the drowning man relaxed his hold a +little, and Tristram, breaking free, rose to the surface coughing and +spouting like a whale. Another moment, and a hand appeared above the +water, its fingers hooked like a bird's talons. This grisly appeal +determined Tristram to make another attempt. He kicked out, seized +the uplifted arm just around the wrist, and with half a dozen fierce +strokes managed to gain the bank at the feet of his enemies. +While he dug a hand into the soft mud and paused for a moment to +shift his hold and draw breath, one of the three unclasped a leathern +belt and dangled it over the brink. Tristram reached out, caught it +by the buckle, and was helped up with his burden. Two pairs of +strong arms grasped and pulled him forward.</p> + +<p>"Turn him—on his face and let the water—run out; then on his back— +give him air!" he gasped, and with that fainted clean away on the +green turf.</p> + +<p>When his senses came back, the three men were bending over him.</p> + +<p>"Where is the other one?" he asked feebly.</p> + +<p>"Oh, Dick's all right." And indeed Dick was sitting up a few paces +off, and coughing violently.</p> + +<p>"But look here, you've played us a pretty trick!" the voice went on.</p> + +<p>Tristram did not know that his wig had been lost in the struggle, or +that the burnt cork which Captain Salt had applied was now running +across his face in a vague smear. He had forgotten all about his +disguise.</p> + +<p>"I was thinking," he answered simply, "that you might give me the +start I held before this happened. Fifteen yards, gentlemen, is as +near as I can guess it. Don't you think that would be fair!"</p> + +<p>"But why should we chase you at all?"</p> + +<p>"Upon my word, sirs, <i>I</i> don't know. I took it for granted that you +must have some motive."</p> + +<p>"So we had; but it appears that you are not Captain Salt."</p> + +<p>"That is certain. A man cannot well be his own father."</p> + +<p>"But you are disguised to resemble him."</p> + +<p>"Ah! I remember. It was a fancy of his to dress me thus, an hour +back. But stop a minute—I begin to perceive. You were after my +father?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, to arrest him. The King suspects him of carrying treasonable +papers."</p> + +<p>As the full treachery of his father's conduct began to dawn upon +Tristram, they heard the clatter of hoofs on the road at their back, +and turned. A thin moon hung in the twilight sky. It was just that +hour before dark when the landscape looks flat to the eye, and forms +at a little distance grow confused in outline. Yet they could see +the horseman plainly enough to recognise him. It was Captain Salt +who flew past, well out of pistol-shot, and headed southwards at a +stretch-gallop, his hands down and his shoulders bent as he rode.</p> + +<p>"Devil seize him if he hasn't got my mare!" roared the man Dick, +forgetting his cough and leaping to his feet. "I can tell the sorrel +a mile away!"</p> + +<p>Then followed a dismayed silence as they watched the escaping rider.</p> + +<p>"She's the best nag of the four, too," one of the men muttered +gloomily.</p> + +<p>"Boys," said the fellow who had first arrested Tristram, "he's done +us for a certainty. In an hour or two he'll reach the French +outposts. We must go back and patch up the best story we can find. +Young man," he added, turning sharply, "I'd like to be certain you're +as big a fool as you make out. Where d'ye come from, and where are +ye bound for?"</p> + +<p>Tristram told his story ingenuously enough.</p> + +<p>"We'll have to search you."</p> + +<p>They searched him and found a sealed packet.</p> + +<p>"What is this?"</p> + +<p>"Pepper-cress seed."</p> + +<p>"Pepper-cress be damned!" was the only comment.</p> + +<p>However, when the packet was opened it was found that he spoke the +truth.</p> + +<p>"Well, we can't take you along with us, or we shall have to tell his +Majesty the truth; which is something more improbable than I care to +risk. Moreover, you've saved a comrade—"</p> + +<p>"And many thanks for it, my lad," Dick added, shaking Tristram by the +hand.</p> + +<p>"Therefore you're free to go. The question is, where you do want to +go?"</p> + +<p>"Harwich."</p> + +<p>"Harwich is a long way; and you've lost your passport. However, +there's a chance you may find a boat on the coast to smuggle you +over. Cross the canal yonder, and bear away to the west. There's a +road'll take you to Nieupoort. But first you'll have to pass this +cursed dyke, unless you care to follow us back to the town and walk +round."</p> + +<p>"Thank you, no; I'll push on. I've crossed the dyke twice already +this evening, and a second wetting won't matter much. Besides, I see +my sword and shoes lying on the other bank."</p> + +<p>He said farewell, slid down into the dyke again, and swam across. +Then, regaining his property, he turned, called back another "Good +night!" and bore resolutely across the meadow, the water squishing in +his shoes at every step. The one purpose in his head was to reach +the coast. He was young and sick of heart, but his gentle mind +abhorred from considering his father's baseness. He thought only of +home and Sophia.</p> + +<p>In a minute or two he began to run; for the night air searched his +sodden clothes and chilled him. The sky was starless, too, but he +saw the dull gleam of the canal, and made for it. Then he followed +the towpath southward for half a mile, and came to a bridge, and +crossing it found himself upon a firm high-road leading (as it +seemed) straight towards the west, for it certainly diverged from the +canal at something like a right angle. Unfortunately, Tristram could +not see in the gloom that the canal here took a sharp bend inland, +and in consequence he tramped on with his face set almost due south, +nothing doubting of his direction, but hoping, as each hour passed, +that the next would bring him within sound of the surf. The road ran +straight for mile after mile. Now and again he passed a small +cabaret brightly lit and merry with a noise of talk and laughter +that warmed his heart for a moment. In the stretches of darkness +between he met one or two wayfarers, who wished him "Good night" in +gruff voices and passed on. Not understanding what they said, he +made no reply, but pushed forward briskly, breaking into a run +whenever the cold began to creep upon him. By and by the road was +completely deserted. The lights no longer shone from the lower +floors of the wayside cottages, but, after lingering for a while in +the bedroom windows, vanished altogether. The whole country slept. +Then followed hour after hour of dogged walking. A thick haze +encircled the moon, and under it a denser exhalation began to creep +up from the sodden land. In the silence the fog gathered till it +seemed to bar the way like a regiment of white ghosts, wavering and +closing its ranks as the wind stirred over the levels. This wind +breathed on his right cheek steadily. He never guessed that it came +from the sea, nor remembered that when he ran towards the canal it +had been blowing full in his face.</p> + +<p>It was in the chilliest hour—the one before dawn—that a voice +suddenly called out from the fog ahead:</p> + +<p>"<i>Qui va la?</i>"</p> + +<p>Tristram halted, then took another step forward in some uncertainty.</p> + +<p>The voice repeated its challenge in an angrier tone; and this time +our hero stood stock-still. The misfortune was that he knew not a +word of the French language.</p> + +<p>Once more the voice called. Then a trigger clicked, a yellow flare +leapt out on the fog with a roar, and something sang by Tristram's +ear. He jumped off the road and pelted across the meadow to his +right. A second shot was sent after him, but this time very wide of +its mark. Then, as it seemed, at his very feet a dozen black forms +rose out of the earth. He tripped over one and went floundering on +to his nose. As his hands touched the ground, a score of bright +sparks flew up and were extinguished. With a cry of pain he rolled +upon his back, and was at once pinned to the ground by a dozen firm +hands.</p> + +<p>He had blundered full-tilt across the embers of a French camp-fire.</p> + +<p>A lantern was lit and thrust close to his face. He blinked painfully +for a moment or two, and then perceived that he lay within a circle +of fierce, grey-coated soldiers, who were putting him a score of +questions in a tongue which he felt sure it would take him a year to +master.</p> + +<p>He endeavoured to say so.</p> + +<p>"Ar-r-rh!" exclaimed one of the soldiers, spitting contemptuously, +"<i>C'est un Anglais</i>."</p> + +<p>"<i>Espion!</i>"</p> + +<p>"<i>J'en reponds</i>." He gave an order, and in a trice Tristram's wrists +were strapped together with a handkerchief. Then he was heaved up on +his feet, and a couple of men took him, each by an arm. They were +about to march him off, when a voice hailed them, and up rode a +general officer, with two dragoons cantering behind him for escort.</p> + +<p>"<i>Qu'y a-t-il, mes enfants?</i>" He had plainly been disturbed by the +noise of the firing.</p> + +<p>The soldiers murmured, "M. de Soisson!" and presented arms. +Then they explained matters, and thrust Tristram forward, holding the +lantern uncomfortably near his face.</p> + +<p>M. de Soisson began an interrogatory in good French. As the prisoner +shook his head, he harked back and repeated his questions in +extremely bad English. Tristram answered them truthfully, which had +the effect of raising disbelief in M. de Soisson's breast. After ten +minutes this disbelief grew to such an extent that the peppery +officer turned to the sergeant and ordered Tristram to be taken off +to the barn where the deserters were kept under guard.</p> + +<p>This barn lay a mile to the rear, across half a dozen meadows, over +which Tristram was hurried at a quick trot, with the point of a +bayonet at his back to discountenance delay. On arriving at the +building he was held while the sergeant unlocked the door. Then he +was kicked into inner darkness. He stumbled over the legs of a man +who cursed him volubly, and dropped on to a heap of straw. +Within ten minutes he was asleep, utterly worn out both in body and +mind.</p> + +<p>Three hours passed, and then the door of the barn was flung open and +another sergeant appeared with a squad of soldiers at his back. +He strode through the barn, kicking the sleepers, among whom was our +hero. Tristram sat up and rubbed his eyes. He was one of at least +three dozen poor wretches, hollow-eyed, lean of cheek, and shivering +with famine, whom the sergeant proceeded to drive into a small crowd +near the entrance, shouting an order which was repeated outside. +Six men appeared, each carrying a load of chains. With these he +fastened his prisoners together, two-and-two, by the wrist and ankle, +and marched them out into the open air.</p> + +<p>Outside the rain was descending sullenly, and in this downpour the +captives waited for a mortal hour. Then three men came along, +bearing trays heaped up with thick hunks of brown bread. A hunk was +doled out to each of the gang, and Tristram ate his portion greedily, +slaking his thirst afterwards by sucking at the sleeve of his cloak. +He had hardly done when the sergeant gave the word to march.</p> + +<p>That day they tramped steadily till sunset, when they reached the +town of Courtrai, and were halted on the outskirts. Here they +remained for half an hour in the road while the sergeant sought for +quarters. Tristram's comrade—that is to say, the man who was +attached to him by the wrist and ankle—was sulky and extremely +dejected. As for Tristram, his very soul shuddered as he looked back +upon the journey. He was wet to the skin and aching; his teeth +chattered with an ague; his legs were so weary that he could scarcely +drag them along. But worse than the shiverings, the weariness, and +the weight of his fetters, were the revolting sights he had witnessed +along the road—men dropping with hunger and faintness, kicked to +their feet again, prodded with bayonets till the blood ran, knouted +with a thick whip if they broke step, jeered at when they shrieked +(as some did) for mercy. There was worse to come, and he alone of +all the gang was ignorant of it. Very merciful was the confusion of +tongues which hid that knowledge from him for a few hours.</p> + +<p>At length they were marched back half a mile and turned into a barn, +narrower than their shelter of the previous night. Nor was there any +straw in it. They slept on the hard bricks, pillowing their heads on +each other's legs, or lay awake and listened to their fellows' moans. +Two sentries with loaded muskets kept guard by the door, and looked +in whenever a chain clanked or some unfortunate began to rave in his +sleep. Before morning a third of the gang was sickening for +rheumatic fever or typhus. At six o'clock the sergeant entered and +examined them. Then he retired, and came back in another hour with a +covered wagon, into which the sick were hoisted and packed like +herrings. All who had power to move their legs were afterwards +turned out and treated to a pound and a half of the "King's bread" +and a drink of water before starting. Tristram was one of these. +The fever had relieved him of his companion, and this day he marched +with more comfort, albeit his wrists were bound together and a rope +of ten yards or more tied him by the waist to a couple of fettered +deserters in front.</p> + +<p>The weather had lifted somewhat; but the roads were still heavy, and +their pace was regulated by the covered wagon, which seemed to loiter +malevolently, as if to get every possible jolt out of the rutted +highway. With every jolt came a scream from one or more of the sick +men inside. Some, however, were past screaming, and babbled +continuously in high delirium; and the ceaseless, monotonous talk of +these tortured Tristram's ears from Courtrai to Lille.</p> + +<p>They reached Lille long after dark, and were driven through the +streets, between the bright windows of happier men, to the gloomy +tower of Saint Pierre, that at this time was set apart for +galley-slaves. On entering the prison they were marshalled in a long +corridor, where a couple of jailers searched them all over. +Nothing was found on Tristram but his packet of pepper-cress seed, +which the searchers obligingly returned. As soon as this ceremony +was over, all who were not broken with fever were led up two flights +of stone stairs. An iron door was opened, and the sound of heavy +snoring struck their ears. Inside they perceived by the light of the +jailer's lantern a dozen figures stretched on straw pallets, and +between the sleepers as many more empty couches, for which the +newcomers were left to scramble. Tristram secured one as the door +clanged and left them in pitch-black night, but gave it up to a +pitiful wretch who crept near and kissing his hand implored leave to +share it. Curling himself up upon the bare floor, he was quickly +asleep and dreaming of Sophia.</p> + +<p>A hand shook his shoulder and aroused him. Looking up, he saw a +couple of villainous faces, which he did not recognise as belonging +to the gang he had been walking with for two days. It was morning, +as he could perceive by the light that was strained through a +cobwebbed grating over his head.</p> + +<p>The two men demanded if he wished to be tossed in a blanket. +Tristram, not understanding, shook his head.</p> + +<p>They thereupon demanded money and began to threaten. Tristram hit +one violently in the eye, and catching the other by the throat +pounded his head against the wall of the dungeon. He was surprised +at the strength left in him, and also at a fury which he had never +felt before in his life. A few of the prisoners roused themselves +listlessly and laughed. He kicked the two fellows out of the way and +lay down again.</p> + +<p>Later in the morning he witnessed the game they had meant to play +with him. One of his comrades, a wretched boy, blue with starvation, +denied them money, for the simple reason that he had none in his +pocket. Four of the old hands thereupon produced a filthy +counterpane of coarse cloth and stretched their victim upon it. +Then each took a corner, and raising it as high as they could reach, +they let the counterpane fall on the stone flooring with a horrible +thud. Tristram leapt forward indignantly and caught one of these +ruffians a blow on the back of the neck that sent him down like an +ox. Upon this the other three dropped their sport and fell upon him, +like angry women, tooth and nail. Nobody interfered. He was driven +back against the wall, where he leant, just contriving to keep his +adversaries at arm's length with his fists, and feeling, now that the +first spurt of wrath had left him, that within three minutes he must +faint from hunger and weakness.</p> + +<p>There is no knowing how the affair would have ended had not the door +been thrown open at this moment. A couple of priests advanced +between the files of prisoners, who sat up at once and started to +howl out a dismal litany at the top of their lungs. Tristram's +assailants left him hurriedly, and, shrinking back to their pallets, +began to lift their voices with the rest. The noise was like that of +a cat's battle, and the priests marched to and fro while it +continued, smiling to left and right and exhorting the poor devils to +an increase of fervour. One of them spied Tristram and whispered to +his brother; and the pair seemed about to address him, when three +jailers entered with large trays, bearing the prisoners' breakfasts. +The litany ceased and the singers glanced at these trays with greedy +eyes.</p> + +<p>It proved to be the best meal that Tristram had swallowed since his +misfortunes began, there being a pint of soup to each man in addition +to the usual brown bread. After devouring it, Tristram sat with his +back to the wall, wondering if the three ruffians would renew their +attack; but they appeared to have forgotten their resentment, and +even his presence. Some of his fellow-miserables fell to chatting; +others to plaiting ropes out of the straw on which they lay; while +some occupied themselves in keeping a look out for the rats that +swarmed everywhere and stole out in the dim light to gnaw the pieces +of bread which the prisoners saved and hid away for future use.</p> + +<p>About four in the afternoon the great door was flung open again and +the chief jailer appeared, with four turnkeys and the soldiers of the +prison guard, all armed to the teeth with pistols, swords and +bayonets. Their object, it turned out, was to examine the four walls +and the floor very minutely, to see if the prisoners were making any +holes or planning any attempt to escape. They spent a full half an +hour in routing out the prisoners and searching high and low with +their lanterns, using great roughness and the most abominable talk. +Tristram watched their movements for some time, but at length curled +himself up in his corner, which had already been explored. He was +closing his eyes, and putting a finger in each ear to shut out the +riot, when a smart blow descended across his thighs.</p> + +<p>One of the soldiers was belabouring him with the flat of a sword, as +a hint to stand up.</p> + +<p>Tristram did so, and now observed that a dozen of the men with whom +he had marched during the two previous days were collected in a +little group by the door. He was taken by the arms and hustled +forward to join them. As he came close and could see their faces in +the dingy twilight, he saw also that, though big, strapping fellows, +the most of them were weeping, and shivering like conies in a trap.</p> + +<p>He was still wondering at the cause of their agitation when the +jailer reopened the door and they were marched out, down the stone +stairs, then sharply to the right and along a narrow corridor. +A lamp flickered at the farther end, over a small door studded with +iron nails; and before this door another small company of soldiers +was drawn up in two rows of six, with their backs to either wall of +the corridor. Between them the prisoners were forced to defile, +still cringing and weeping, as the small door opened and they passed +into the chamber beyond.</p> + +<p>And now for the first time Tristram felt thoroughly alarmed. +The chamber was narrow and lofty, and without any window that he +could perceive. But just now it was full of a red light that poured +out through the eyes of a charcoal brazier in the far corner. +Two grim figures in leathern aprons stood over this brazier, with the +glare on their brutal faces—the one puffing with a pair of bellows +till the room was filled with suffocating vapours, the other diving a +handful of irons into the glowing centre, wherein five or six already +glowed at a red heat.</p> + +<p>Beside them, and watching these operations with a business-like air, +stood a gentleman in a handsome suit and plumed hat.</p> + +<p>"<i>Premiree fournee!</i>" announced the sergeant in a loud tone, +marshalling the prisoners along the wall. Four or five of them had +by this time broken out into loud sobs and cries for mercy. +The gentleman scarcely turned his head, but continued to watch the +heating of the irons. At length, satisfied that all was ready, he +turned and walked in front of the line, examining each prisoner +attentively with an absolutely impassive face.</p> + +<p>Coming to Tristram—who by this time was committing his fate to +Heaven—he paused for a moment, and beckoning the sergeant put a +question or two. The sergeant shrugged his shoulders and spread out +both palms apologetically. Then the gentleman addressed a sentence +to Tristram, and receiving no answer but a shake of the head, cast +about for a moment and began again in English.</p> + +<p>"You are Englishman?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, sir."</p> + +<p>"Not French deserter?"</p> + +<p>"Certainly not."</p> + +<p>"Then what the devil you do here?"</p> + +<p>This was a question that seemed to require a deal of answering. +While Tristram was perpending how best to begin, his interrogator +spoke again:</p> + +<p>"Speak out. I am M. de Lambertie, Grand Provost of Flanders. +You had better speak me the truth."</p> + +<p>Our hero began a recital of his woes, condensing as well as he could. +After a minute, M. de Lambertie interrupted him.</p> + +<p>"I beg your pardon. I speak the English ver' well; but <i>mordieu</i> if +I can comprehend a word as you speak it! <i>Tenez donc</i>—You are a spy?"</p> + +<p>"Not a bit."</p> + +<p>"Well, well," said the Grand Provost, altogether gravelled, "you +<i>must</i> be something—come!"</p> + +<p>He called the sergeant again; who plainly could give no information, +and was quite as plainly surprised that any fuss should be made over +an affair so trivial. Indeed, the sergeant ventured to suggest that +Tristram should be branded on the off-chance of its turning out for +his good.</p> + +<p>"But no," said M. de Lambertie, "I am a man of justice and of logic. +It is incredible that a youth who cannot speak a word but English +should be a deserter from our Majesty's army. Moreover, I am a +physiognomist, and his face is honest. Therefore," concluded the man +of logic, "he shall go to the galleys."</p> + +<p>This was interpreted to Tristram, who found the argument fallacious, +but fell on his knees and kissed M. de Lambertie's hand.</p> + +<p>"Take him away," said the Grand Provost. He was dragged to his feet +and led to the door, followed by the desperate eyes of his comrades. +He heard their sobs and outcries renewed above the steady pant of the +bellows. Then the door clanged. The soldiers took him upstairs and +cast him back into the great dungeon.</p> + +<p>The next morning he started in a chain of thirty-five slaves for the +galleys at Dunkirk.</p> + + +<br> +<p><a name="12"></a> </p> +<br> +<h2>CHAPTER XI.</h2> + +<h4>THE GALLEY "L'HEUREUSE."</h4> + +<p>The archers, or constables, in charge of the slaves took them +through Ypres and Furnes; and as the distance is about twelve +leagues, it was not till the third day that Tristram saw the spires +and fortifications of Dunkirk rising against the greyish sea. +But in that time he learnt much, being tied to a brisk rotund +Burgundian, the cheerfullest of the gang, who had made two campaigns +with the English Foot Guards in Turenne's time, and had picked up a +smattering of their language. He knew, at any rate, enough English +to teach Tristram some rudiments of French on the road, and gave him +much information that went far to alter his notions of the world.</p> + +<p>Tristram was deeply shocked at the sight of one or two of the men +whom he had left in the hands of M. de Lambertie. He now ceased to +wonder at the agony of apprehension they had exhibited, and, while +compassionating their horrible case, did not forget to thank God for +having interposed to save him from a similar fate.</p> + +<p>"Ah, yes," said his comrade tranquilly; "they are deserters. +Formerly they used to have their noses cut off, as well as their +ears; but this was found to breed infection, and now they are merely +slit—besides, of course, being branded with the fleur-de-lis on +either cheek. But what matters their appearance to them, seeing that +their sentence is for life?"</p> + +<p>Tristram shuddered. "This King of yours," said he, "must be the +first-cousin to the devil."</p> + +<p>"They are all alike, <i>mon cher</i>. What, for instance, has your King +done for you? But speak not so loud." He took a few steps in +silence, and added: "After all, one must distinguish between crimes. +If the poor <i>faussoniers</i> are treated to the galleys it is absurd to +suppose that nothing worse must befall a deserter."</p> + +<p>"What is a <i>faussonier?</i>"</p> + +<p>"There is one yonder, comrade—that young peasant who walks like a +calf and seems to know not whither he is bound. He is condemned +because he bought some salt for his young wife, who was ill."</p> + +<p>"Is that a crime?"</p> + +<p>"It depends where you buy it. You must know, my friend, that in most +of the provinces of France salt is very dear. A pint will cost you +four francs and a little over. Therefore the poor cannot afford it +for their soup, and some, for lack of it, go fasting most of the +week. So they starve and languish and fall sick, as did this young +man's wife. But in my native Burgundy—blessed be its name!—and +also in the country of Doubs, salt is cheap enough. Now this young +man dwelt close on the frontier of Burgundy—I have seen him times +and again at the vintage work—and because he was very fond of his +wife, and could not bear to see her die, he ventured across the +frontier to buy salt cheaply; and, being taken, he has been condemned +to the galleys for six years. In the meantime his wife will perish. +But the King's taxes must be paid. Else how shall we exterminate his +enemies?"</p> + +<p>"But," Tristram exclaimed, trembling with indignation, "how can you +be cheerful in this fearful land?"</p> + +<p>"What! I? Well, I am cheerful, to begin with, because my nose is +not slit."</p> + +<p>"That appears to me a very slight reason."</p> + +<p>"You would not say so if you had run so near it as I."</p> + +<p>"Are you a deserter, then?"</p> + +<p>"Thanks for your good opinion, comrade! No. I was never guilty of +disloyalty to King Lewis, But I killed my wife's mother, <i>pardieu!</i>— +which the judge seemed to think almost as vile, till I sent a friend +to grease his palm with the last sou of my patrimony. And, by good +fortune, it became greasy enough to let me slip out of the worst."</p> + +<p>"A murderer!" gasped our innocent youth, drawing away from his side.</p> + +<p>"She was talkative," the little man explained, with composure. +"But let us converse upon other subjects. Only I must warn you that +on board the galleys, whither we are bound, a man can recoil from his +neighbour but just so far as his chain allows."</p> + +<p>In such converse they beguiled the way, talking low whenever an +archer drew near, and whispering together at night until they dropped +asleep in the filthy stables where they were packed, their chains +secured at either end to the wall, and so tightly that they had +barely liberty to lie down, and none to turn, or even stir, in their +sleep. By degrees Tristram grew even to like this volatile and +disreputable comrade, whose conscience was none of his own growing, +but of the laws he lived under.</p> + +<p>On reaching Dunkirk, however, they were parted, Tristram being +assigned to the galley <i>L'Heureuse</i>, while the Burgundian was told +off to <i>La Merveille</i>, then commanded by the Chevalier de +Sainte-Croix.</p> + +<p>"You are in luck, comrade," he said, as they parted under the +Rice-bank fort, beside the pier; "<i>L'Heureuse</i> is the Commodore's +galley, and the only one in which a poor devil of a slave has an +awning above his head to keep the rain and sun off. Ah, what it is +to have six feet of stature and a pair of shoulders!"</p> + +<p>It turned out as he said. <i>L'Heureuse</i>, commanded by the Commodore +de la Pailletine, was the head of a squadron of six galleys then +quartered in the port of Dunkirk. But it is necessary here to say a +word or two about these strange vessels which the Count de Tourville +had recently brought round to the north coast of France from +Marseilles and the ports of the Mediterranean. They were narrow +craft, ranging from 120 feet to 150 feet long, and from eighteen feet +to twenty feet by the beam. In the hold they were not more than +seven feet deep; so that, with a full crew on board, the deck stood +less than a couple of feet from the water's edge; for the number of +men they held was prodigious. The Commodore's galley alone was +manned by 336 slaves, and 150 men of all sorts, either officers, +soldiers, seamen, or servants. This, however, was the biggest +complement of all; for while <i>L'Heureuse</i> had fifty-six oars, with +six slaves to tug at each, none of the rest carried more than fifty, +with five rowers apiece. The prow of each galley was of iron, +pointed like a beak, and so sharp that when rowed at full speed +against a hostile ship it was like to sink her, or at least to drive +deep and hold on while the boarders poured up and over her side. +In addition to this formidable weapon, each carried four guns right +forward, besides a heavier piece which was worked on a circular +platform amidships, and when not required for service was stowed by +the mainmast for ballast. Each galley had two masts, though they +were next to useless, for it is easy to see that vessels so laden and +open at the decks were fit only for the lightest breezes, and in foul +weather must run to harbour for their lives.</p> + +<p>Before embarking in the boat which was to take him on board, Tristram +was led up to the Rice-bank, where a barber shaved his head, and +where he was forced to exchange the suit he wore for a coarse canvas +frock, a canvas shirt and a little jerkin of red serge, sleeveless, +and slit on either side up to the arm-holes. The design of this (as +a warder explained to him) was to allow his muscles free play, which +Tristram pronounced very considerate, repeating this remark when he +received a small scarlet cap to keep the cold from his shaven head. +He was next offered a porringer of soup, consisting chiefly of oil, +with a dozen lentils floating on the top; and having consumed it, was +rowed off to be introduced to his new companions. On considering his +circumstances, he found but one which could be called consoling. +It was that he had been allowed to retain and stow in his waist-belt +his little packet of pepper-cress seed—a favour for which he thanked +his persecutors with tears in his eyes.</p> + +<p>It happened that his galley was bound that afternoon on a cruise of a +few miles along the coast and indeed was lifting anchor as he was +hauled up the side. He had, therefore, but a hasty view of his +surroundings before he was chained to his bench, facing the great +oar. He saw only a long chamber, crossed by row upon row of white, +desperate faces. Down the middle, by the ends of the benches, ran a +gangway, along which three overseers paced leisurably, each with a +tall, flexible wand in his hand. The stench in the place was +overpowering, and Tristram was on the point of swooning when the +fellow who was chained beside him growled a word of advice:</p> + +<p>"Look sharp and slip your jacket off."</p> + +<p>Tristram obeyed without understanding. He saw that all the figures +around him were naked to the waist, and therefore pulled off shirt as +well as jacket, but not quickly enough to prevent a stroke, which +hissed down on his shoulders and made him set his teeth with anguish. +The man beside him uttered a sharp cry. He too had felt the cut, or +part of it; for the overseer's wand did not discriminate.</p> + +<p>The handle of the great oar swung towards Tristram. Noting how his +neighbour's hands were laid upon it, and copying his example, he +began to tug with the rest, rising from his bench and falling back +upon it at each stroke; and at the end of each stroke, where +ordinarily a boat's oars rattle briskly against the tholepins, the +time was marked with a loud clash of chains, and often enough with a +sharp cry from some poor wretch who had been caught lagging and +thwacked across the bare shoulders. The fatigue after a time grew +intolerably heavy. While the sun smote down through the awning, the +heat of their exercise seemed never to pass up through it, but beat +back upon their faces in sickening waves, stopping their breath. +Of the world outside their den they could see nothing but a small +patch of grey sea beyond the hole in which their oar worked. +The sweat poured off their chests and backs in streams, until their +waist-bands clung to the flesh like soaked sponges. Some began to +moan and sob; others to entreat Heaven for a respite, as if God were +directing their torture and taking delight in it; others again broke +out into frightful imprecations, cursing their Maker and the hour of +their birth. And while the oars swung and the chains clashed and the +cries redoubled their volume, the three keepers moved imperturbably +up and down the gangway, flicking their whips to left and right, and +drawing blood with every second stroke. At length, when Tristram's +head was reeling and the backs of the bench-full just in front were +melting before his eyes and swimming in a blood-red haze, the order +was yelled to easy. The men dropped their faces forward on the oars, +and rested them there while they panted and coughed, catching the +breath again into their heaving bodies. Then one or two began to +laugh and utter some poor drolleries; presently the sound spread, and +within three minutes the whole pit was full of chatter and uproar. +They seemed to forget their miseries even as they wiped the blood off +their shoulders.</p> + +<p>And now, while the cold wind began to creep underneath the awning and +dry the sweat around their loins, Tristram had time to take stock of +his companions, and even to ask a question or two of the slave that +had spoken to him. They were all stalwart fellows, the Commodore +having the pick of all the <i>forçats</i> drafted to his port, and +exercising it with some care, because he prided himself on the speed +of his vessel. Not a few wore on their cheeks the ghastly red +fleur-de-lis, which he now knew for the mark of deserters, murderers, +and the more flagrant criminals; others, he learned, were condemned +for the pettiest thefts, and a large proportion for having no better +taste than to belong to the Protestant religion. The man beside him, +for instance, was a poor Huguenot from Perigord, who had been caught +on the frontier in the act of escaping to a country in which he had a +slightly better chance of calling his soul his own. All these were +white men; but at the end of each bench, next the gangway, sat a Turk +or Moor. These were bought slaves, procured expressly to manage the +stroke of the oar, and for their skill treated somewhat better than +the Christians. They earned the same pay as the soldiers, and were +not chained, like other slaves, to the benches, but carried only a +ring on the foot as a badge of servitude. Indeed, when not engaged +in service, they enjoyed a certain amount of liberty, being allowed +to go on shore and trade, purchasing meat for such of the white men +as had any money or were willing to earn some by clearing their +neighbours' clothes of vermin—a common trade on board these galleys, +where the confined space, the dirt and profuse sweating at the oar +bred all manner of loathsome pests.</p> + +<p>It was by degrees that Tristram learnt all this, as during the week +that followed he found time to chat with the Huguenot and improve his +acquaintance with the French tongue. By night he was provided with a +board, a foot and a half wide, on which to stretch himself; and as he +lay pretty far aft, was warned against scratching himself, lest the +rattle of his chains should disturb the officers, whose quarters were +divided from the slaves' by the thinnest of wooden partitions. +By day, indeed, these officers, as well as the chaplain, had the use +of the Commodore's room, a fairly spacious chamber in the stern, +shaped on the outside like a big cradle, with bulging windows and a +couple of lanterns on the taffrail above, that were lit when evening +closed in. But at night, or in foul weather, M. de la Pailletine +reserved this apartment for his own use.</p> + +<p>At six o'clock every morning the slaves were roused up and began +their day with prayers, which the chaplain conducted, taking +particular care that the Huguenots were hearty in their responses. +The Turks—or <i>Vogue-avants</i> as they were called—were never molested +on the score of religion; but while Mass was being said were put out +of the galley into a long-boat, where they diverted themselves by +smoking and talking till the Christians were through with their +exercises.</p> + +<p>When these were done the daily portion of biscuit—pretty good, +though coarse—was doled out to each man, and at ten o'clock a +porringer of soup. Also, on days when the galleys were taken for a +cruise, each slave received something less than a pint of wine, +morning and evening, to keep up his strength. But it must not be +imagined from this that their work was light during the rest of the +week. When the weather kept them in harbour, all such as knew any +useful trade were taken off the galley to the town of Dunkirk, and +there set to work under guard, some at the making of new clothes or +the repairing of old ones; others at carpentry, plumbing, or +shoemaking; others, again, at repairing the fortifications, and so +on—thus allowing room for the residue to scrub out the galley, wash +down the benches and decks, and set all ship-shape and in order: of +which residue Tristram was one, being versed in no trade but that of +gardening, for which there seemed to be no demand. But at length, +having an eye for colour, he was given a paint-pot and brushes, +slung over the galley's stern, and set to work to touch up the +window-frames of the Commodore's cabin. The position was +uncomfortable at first, since the board on which he was slung was but +eight inches wide, and the galley's stern rose to a considerable +height above the water. Looking down, he reflected that, with the +heavy chain on his leg, he was safe to drown if he slipped; and in +spite of his miserable situation, he had not the least desire to die, +being full of trust in Providence and assured that, so long as he +lived, there would always be a chance of regaining his beloved +Sophia. And pretty soon he grew to delight in the work, not for its +own sake alone, but because it separated him for a time from the +sight of his companions and their misery. The paint was blue, which +reminded him of the Pavilions at home, and he began to throw his soul +into the job, with the result that the Commodore expressed much +satisfaction with it, and gave him instructions to repaint the whole +of the stern, including the magnificent board with the inscription +<i>L'HEUREUSE</i> in gilt letters, and the royal arms of France surrounded +with decorations in the flamboyant style.</p> + +<p>Thus it happened that, one fine morning in the middle of June, he was +hanging out over the stern in his usual posture, and, having finished +the letters <i>L'HEU</i>, took a look around on the brightness of the day +before dipping his brush and starting again. The galley with her +five consorts lay in the Royal Basin under the citadel, and a mile in +from the open sea, towards which the long line of the pier extended, +its tall forts dominating the sand-dunes that stretched away to right +and left. The sands shone; the sea was a silvery blue, edged with a +dazzle where its breakers touched the shore; a clear northerly breeze +came sweeping inland and hummed in the galley's rigging as it flew +by. From the streets of Dunkirk sounded the cheerful bustle of the +morning's business; and as Tristram glanced up at the glistening +spire of the Jesuits' church, its clock struck out eleven o'clock as +merrily as if it played a tune.</p> + +<p>It was just at this moment, as he turned to dip his brush, that he +caught sight of a small boat approaching across the basin. It was +rowed by a waterman, and in the stern-sheets there sat a figure the +sight of which caused Tristram's heart to stop beating for a moment, +and then to resume at a gallop. He caught hold of the rope by which +he hung, and looked again.</p> + +<p>Beyond a doubt it was his father, Roderick Salt!</p> + +<p>Now just as Tristram underwent this shock of surprise, from a point +about three yards above his head another person was watching the boat +with some curiosity. This was the Commodore, M. de la Pailletine, +who stood on the poop with his feet planted wide and his hands +clasped beneath his coat-tails. He was wondering who this visitor +could be.</p> + +<p>Captain Salt was elegantly dressed, and the cloak thrown back from +his broad chest revealed a green suit, thick with gold lace, and a +white waistcoat also embroidered with gold. The bullion twinkled in +the sunshine as the boat drew near and, crossing under Tristram's +dangling heels, dropped alongside the galley. And as it passed, the +son, looking straight beneath him, determined in his heart that, bad +as his present plight might be, he would endure it rather than trust +himself in his father's hands again. The Captain stepped briskly up +the ladder and gained the galley's deck. He had given the young man +a glance and no more. It was not wonderful that he had failed to +recognise in the young <i>forçat</i> with the shaven head and rough, +stubbly beard the son whom he had abandoned more than a month before. +Besides, he was busy composing in his mind an introductory speech to +be let off on M. de la Pailletine, in whose manner of receiving him +he anticipated some little frigidity.</p> + +<p>However, he stepped on deck and advanced towards the officer on the +poop with a pleasant smile, doffing his laced hat with one hand and +holding forward a letter in the other. M. de la Pailletine took his +hands from beneath his coat-tails and also advanced, returning the +salute very politely.</p> + +<p>"The Commodore de la Pailletine, I believe?"</p> + +<p>"The same, monsieur."</p> + +<p>The two gentlemen regarded each other narrowly for an instant; then, +still smiling, Captain Salt presented his letter, and stood tapping +the deck with the toe of his square-pointed shoe and looking amiably +about him while the Commodore glanced at the seal, broke it, and +began to read.</p> + +<p>At the first sentence the muscles of M. de la Pailletine's forehead +contracted slightly.</p> + +<p>"Just as I expected," said the Englishman to himself, as he stole a +glance. But he continued to wear his air of good-fellowship, and his +teeth, which were white as milk and quite even, showed all the time.</p> + +<p>Meanwhile the Commodore's brow did not clear. He was a wiry, tall +man, of beautiful manners and a singularly urbane demeanour, but he +could not hide the annoyance which this letter caused him. +He finished it, turned abruptly to the beginning, and read it through +again; then looked at Captain Salt with a shade of severity on his +face. "Sir," he said, in a carefully regulated voice, "you may count +on my obeying his Majesty's commands to the letter." He laid some +stress on the two words "commands" and "letter."</p> + +<p>"I thank you, monsieur," answered the Englishman, without allowing +himself to show that he perceived this.</p> + +<p>"I am ordered"—again the word "ordered" was slightly +emphasised—"I am ordered to make you welcome on board my galley. +Therefore I must ask you to consider yourself at home here for so long +as it may please you to stay."</p> + +<p>He bowed again, but very stiffly, nor did he offer to shake hands. +Captain Salt regarded him with his head tilted a little to one side, +and his lips pursed up as if he were whistling silently. As a matter +of fact he was whispering to himself, "You shall rue this, my +gentleman!" But aloud he asked the somewhat puzzling question:</p> + +<p>"Is that all, monsieur?"</p> + +<p>"Why, yes," answered M. de la Pailletine, "except that you need have +no doubt I shall treat you with the respect which is your due, or +rather—"</p> + +<p>"Pray proceed."</p> + +<p>"—Or rather, with the respect which his Majesty thinks is your due."</p> + +<p>"And which you do not."</p> + +<p>"Excuse me, sir; I do not venture to set up my opinion against that +of King Lewis."</p> + +<p>"Yes, yes, of course; but, monsieur, I was trying to get at your own +feelings. You do not think that a man who enlists against his own +country, even on the side of his rightful King, can be entitled to +any respect?"</p> + +<p>"Excuse me—" began the Commodore; but Captain Salt interrupted with +a gentle wave of the hand.</p> + +<p>"Tut, tut, my dear sir! Pray do not imagine that I resent this +expression of your feelings. On the contrary, I am grateful to you +for treating me so frankly. I have consolations. Your sovereign"— +he pointed to the letter which M. de la Pailletine was folding up and +placing in his breast-pocket—"has a more intelligent sense of my +merits and my honour."</p> + +<p>"Doubtless, monsieur," the Commodore answered; "but permit me to +suggest that the discussion of these matters is out of place on deck. +Suffer me, therefore, to conduct you to my cabin, which is at your +disposal while you choose to honour us."</p> + +<p>The Englishman bowed and followed his host below. Nor could +Tristram, who had heard every sentence of their conversation, feel +sufficiently thankful that he had finished painting the cabin windows +three days before, and was not obliged to expose his face to the +chance of recognition. And yet it is doubtful if he would have been +recognised, so direly had tribulation altered him. He finished his +work for the morning with less artistry than usual, and was drawn +upon deck shortly before the dinner-hour, by which time the galley's +complement was brought on board for a short cruise. As Tristram rose +and fell to his oar, that afternoon, he heard his father's voice just +over his head, and then the Commodore's answering it. Their tones +were not cordial; but their feet were pacing side by side, and it was +obvious that the Englishman had already in some measure abated the +Commodore's dislike.</p> + +<p>Indeed, in the course of the next week Tristram learnt enough to be +sure that his father was making steady progress in the affections of +the officers of the galley. At first there is little doubt that the +Captain was moved to capture their good will from a merely vague +desire, common to all men of his character, to stand well in the +opinion of everybody he met. He had arrived at Saint Germains, and +had ridden thence to meet King James, who was returning from Calais +in a dog's temper over the failure of the mutinous ships to meet him +at that port. Captain Salt presented the Earl's letter, and by +depicting the mutiny in colours which his imagination supplied, +laying stress on the enthusiasm of the crews, and declaring that the +success of their plot was delayed rather than destroyed by the +cunning of the usurper, he contrived to inspire hope again in the +breast of the cantankerous and exiled monarch, who kept him at his +side during the rest of the journey back to Paris, and there +introduced him to the favour of King Lewis. The latter monarch, who +happened to be bored, asked Captain Salt what he could do for him.</p> + +<p>Captain Salt, remembering the Earl's promise, suggested that a +descent on the English coast might be made from Dunkirk, if his +Majesty were still disposed to befriend the unfortunate House of +Stuart.</p> + +<p>King Lewis yawned, remembered that he had a certain number of galleys +languishing at Dunkirk for want of exercise, and suggested that +Captain Salt had better go and see for himself what they were likely +to effect.</p> + +<p>Captain Salt went. His main purpose was to live in comfortable +quarters at the King's expense, while awaiting for the promised +letter from the Earl of Marlborough. On the eighth day after his +arrival, a small fishing-smack with a green pennant came racing past +the two castles at the entrance of Dunkirk pier, slackened her +main-sheet, spun down between the forts with the wind astern, +rounded, and cast anchor in the Royal Basin. Her crew then lowered a +little cockleshell of a dinghy, which she carried inboard, and a +tanned, red-bearded man pulled straight for the Commodore's galley.</p> + +<p>He bore a letter addressed to Captain Roderick Salt. It was written +in cipher, but read as follows:</p> + +<blockquote><blockquote> +<p class = "noindent"> Dear S.,—Portland suspected you and had you followed. I saw his + eye upon you during your last interview with William. It was + clever to get through, nor can I discover how you managed it: for + the account given by your pursuers is plainly absurd. I've been + turning over their cock-and-bull story, which finds credence + here, and cannot fit it with the probabilities. Yet they seem + William's men. I find that the horse on which one of them + returned is not the same as that upon which he rode away; nor + does their narrative account for this. But the main point is + that you are safe. By the way, I hope you have kept your son at + your side; for I have now received the information about which I + dropped you some hints. It appears that he inherits from a + great-uncle (one Silvanus Tellworthy) certain American estates, + of which you and a Captain Runacles, of Harwich, are the legal + administrators. I fancy this has been kept from you; and, if so, + a descent upon Harwich may be used to furnish you with a + provision for your old age. Still, there is a present danger + that you may be declared a traitor, and your goods confiscate, + which would spoil all. This (since naught has been proved + against you, and the aim of your journey not known) you may avert + by keeping your eyes open at Dunquerque, and writing a report of + it to Wm. Such a report, aptly drawn, may not only check + Portland, but justify me, as knowing your intent from the start, + and that it was a move for Wm's, good.—M.</p> +</blockquote></blockquote> + +<p>On reading this Captain Salt cursed several times; and paced the deck +in meditation for a whole afternoon. Then an idea struck him.</p> + +<p>During the week that followed he made excellent progress in the +affections of the officers of <i>L'Heureuse</i>. He had a face full of +<i>bonhomie</i>, an engaging knack of seeming to flatter his companions +while he merely listened to their talk, a fund of anecdote, and +(as we know) a voice for singing that conciliated all who had an ear +for music. All these advantages he used. For the next few days the +officers came late to bed, and Tristram and his companions could +allay the irritation of their skins as they listed. Night after +night shouts of laughter came from the Commodore's room: and with the +savour of delicate meats there now reached them the notes of a tenor +voice that moved many of the most abandoned to tears.</p> + +<p>The end was that the officers admitted him to their counsels, which +may have been the reason that the galleys, that until now had taken +but the shortest cruises, began to risk more daring expeditions, and +once or twice adventured within a league of the English coast. +But no occasion was found for landing and burning a town—which was +the object continually debated at the officers' board. In fact, the +weather did not favour it; and, moreover, the whole line of coast was +guarded by patrolling parties, ready to give warning to the +train-bands stationed at convenient distances, so that the crews ran +no inconsiderable risk of being surprised and cut to pieces if they +landed, not to speak of having their galleys taken behind them by the +British cruisers. And none knew better than M. de la Pailletine that +the slaves, if left without sufficient guard to coerce them, were as +likely as not to murder their overseers and hand their galleys over +to the first enemy they met.</p> + +<p>Nothing of any consequence, therefore, was done for six weeks; and at +the end of that time Captain Salt sought out the Commodore, and +announced that he had received a letter from a friend in Paris +summoning him thither on private business. The Commodore, who had +really grown to like the Englishman, expressed his regret. +He suspected nothing.</p> + + +<br> +<p><a name="13"></a> </p> +<br> +<h2>CHAPTER XII.</h2> + +<h4>WILLIAM OF ORANGE.</h4> + +<p>On the third day after Captain Salt departed for Paris certain events +befell at The Hague which demand our attention.</p> + +<p>The campaign of 1691 in Flanders was conducted on both sides with the +utmost vigour and the least possible result. Between May and +September the armies marched and counter-marched, walked up to each +other and withdrew with every expression of defiance. No important +action was fought, though for some time less than a league divided +their hostility. William, whose patience was worn out almost sooner +than the shoe-leather of his subjects, left the command in +Marlborough's hands, and retired to his park at Loo, whence, in the +beginning of July, he posted to The Hague to attend a meeting of the +States-General.</p> + +<p>On the 17th day of that month, and at ten o'clock in the morning—at +which time the King was taking the air in his famous park on the +outskirts of the town—a couple of old gentlemen were advancing upon +The Hague from the westward, along the old Scheveningen road. +They walked slowly, by reason of their years, but with a certain +solemnity of pace which indicated that, in their own opinion at +least, they were bound upon an errand of importance. At intervals +they paused to mop their faces; and at every pause they regarded the +landscape with contempt. One of these old gentlemen was thin and +wiry, with a jaw that protruded like a bulldog's. His companion, for +whose sake he corrected every now and then his long stride, was a +little hunchback of ferocious demeanour, who looked out on the world +from a pair of terrifying green eyes. In place of a wig he wore a +bandage round his scalp.</p> + +<p>The reader will not need to be told the names of this pair of old +gentlemen. After his treatment at the hands of the Earl of +Marlborough's soldiers, Captain Barker had been confined to his +pavilion by nothing short of main force, which Dr. Beckerleg had with +difficulty prevailed on Captain Runacles to exert. The inflammation +of the patient's wound increasing with his irascibility, the Doctor +ended by placing a padlock of his own on the front-door and another +on the garden gate, and promising the little man his liberty on the +first day he was fit to travel.</p> + +<p>Captain Barker flung a monastic herbal at the doctor's head; +whereupon the bleeding broke out afresh. Then he fainted.</p> + +<p>Ten weeks afterwards Dr. Beckerleg removed his padlocks, setting free +not only the little Captain, but also Mr. Swiggs, who throughout the +time had kept diligent watch by his master's bedside.</p> + +<p>Narcissus walked out to take a look at the garden. Ten weeks of +neglect had played havoc with the beds. He contemplated it for some +time, and went down to the Fish and Anchor for a mug of beer. +There he was welcomed by his cronies, who had missed him sorely; or +said so, at any rate.</p> + +<p>Captain Barker went to pack his handbag. When Narcissus returned he +was gone. Captain Runacles was gone also.</p> + +<p>"Any orders?" said Narcissus to Simeon.</p> + +<p>"Not as I know by."</p> + +<p>Narcissus went back to the Fish and Anchor.</p> +<br> +<p> +The two friends entered The Hague, brisking up their pace and +stepping gallantly abreast. Turning to their left, they came, +towards the centre of the town, upon a fair sheet of water, with +avenues of pleasant trees planted along its northern brink, and +behind these trees a public road faced with shops and cabarets, each +shaded by a coloured awning. It was the breakfast-hour, and beneath +these awnings sat a crowd of soldiers of the guard, citizens and +citizens' wives, eating, chattering, smoking, clinking their glasses +and contemplating from their cool shelter the water that twinkled +between the trees and the throng that moved up and down the +promenade. The two captains were hungry and thirsty. They advanced, +and, finding a small table unoccupied, ordered breakfast.</p> + +<p>Their appearance, and more especially the bandage around Captain +Barker's head, attracted some attention. More than one group turned +to stare as the little man began in execrable Dutch to explain his +wants to the drawer. The fellow, too, was more than ordinarily +dense, and a tempestuous scene was plainly but a matter of a minute +or so, when a tall ensign of the guard rose from a neighbouring +table, and, lifting his hat, addressed the Englishmen in their own +language. "Pardon, gentlemen, but I cannot help overhearing your +difficulty; and think, with your leave, I may remove it."</p> + +<p>Captain Barker scowled for a moment, and seemed about to take deeper +umbrage. But the tall young man seemed quite unconscious of this, +and smiled down with the serenest good will.</p> + +<p>"Do not say no. I have been in England, and I love all men of your +country."</p> + +<p>"Jack," growled Captain Runacles, "this is one of a new generation of +Dutchmen. We are getting old, my boy."</p> + +<p>The young man's manner was so sincere that Captain Barker gave way +with a fair grace—the more readily because there was something in +the amiable face which recalled his lost Tristram. In less than a +minute he was stating his desires, which were promptly translated +into fluent Dutch. The drawer ran off on his errand.</p> + +<p>"Since you have been so kind, sir," said the little hunchback +politely, "perhaps you can do us another favour."</p> + +<p>"What is that?"</p> + +<p>"We have come across from Harwich for the purpose of seeking an +audience with his Majesty, King William. Can you tell us when and +where we are likely to find him?"</p> + +<p>"His Majesty is just now at the House in the Wood."</p> + +<p>"Where may that be?"</p> + +<p>"Not two miles beyond the town. On fine days, such as the present, +he gives audience every morning, between nine and ten o'clock, in the +open air, walking up and down an alley, which is called for that +reason the Promenade of Audience; and again, if no other business +prevents him, at five o'clock in the afternoon, when the day grows +cool." He pulled out a stout watch and consulted it. "By six o'clock +I must be back there, for at that time my duty begins. But if you +will let me accompany you and pass you through the park gates, I will +gladly hasten my return, and start—shall we say?—at half-past +four."</p> + +<p>He would take no denial, but rose and left them, waving his hand, +smiling, and turning, after a dozen steps, to call back and assure +them he would be punctual.</p> + +<p>"He has the very same eyes," Captain Barker muttered, watching him as +he disappeared between the trees.</p> + +<p>"I remarked it, too," assented Captain Runacles, who understood the +allusion at once. "I'd no notion there was such another pair of eyes +in the world."</p> + +<p>"We'd better adopt him, Jerry," the little man went on, with a wry +and hopeless smile; "for it's little chance we have of finding the +other one." He gulped as he uttered the last three words, and +blinked at the broad sunshine behind the awning.</p> + +<p>"The fact is, Jack, the doctor let you out too soon."</p> + +<p>"Eh?"</p> + +<p>"You're not fit to travel, but ought to be between the blankets at +this moment."</p> + +<p>"Jerry, that's false, and you know it."</p> + +<p>"Oh, do I? Then you'd best give over talking nonsense, or by the +Lord I'll take you off and put you to bed this instant! And, what's +more, I'll call in a Dutch doctor."</p> + +<p>Captain Barker could not deny that the rest beneath the awning was +welcome. The road from Scheveningen had been hot and dusty, and his +illness had left him weaker than even his comrade imagined. They sat +sipping their beer and gazing at the crowd till the town chimes rang +out and announced half-past four. At the first note they saw their +young friend advancing from the Buitenhof.</p> + +<p>"Here I am, you see. But I have taken a liberty, I fear, since +leaving you."</p> + +<p>"Eh? What have you been doing?" Captain Runacles inquired.</p> + +<p>"Why, sir, perceiving that your friend was but lately recovered from +an illness, and remembering that though the distance to the House in +the Wood is but two miles or less, the distance there and back is +almost four, I have brought him a litter. Perhaps I did wrong?"</p> + +<p>He pointed to the litter, which two men in blue blouses were bringing +across the road.</p> + +<p>"Not at all, sir. On the contrary, your thoughtfulness puts me to +shame," answered Captain Runacles, with something like a blush.</p> + +<p>Captain Barker also thanked him, and added, "Decidedly, it might be +Tristram's very self"—a remark which the young officer did not +understand in the least. But he smiled happily. The mere pleasure +of doing a kindness and finding it appreciated was so strong in this +youth that he almost regretted he had not sacrificed a fortnight's +pay and hired a chariot and six horses.</p> + +<p>Captain Barker climbed into the litter, and the party set out at a +leisurely pace, which brought them to the park gates in a little more +than half an hour. A couple of sentries kept guard here, and within +the lodge a dozen others were playing at dominoes and laughing like +children.</p> + +<p>"If you will permit me," said their conductor, as Captain Barker +alighted, "I will conduct you as far as the Promenade of Audience. +Otherwise you will have to go with one of my comrades, and probably +with one who is ignorant of English."</p> + +<p>Taking their consent for granted, he marched them past the sentries +and through the iron gates. A broad avenue of yews confronted them, +with a gravelled carriage-drive that stretched away till lost amid +interlacing boughs. A couple of gentlemen were advancing down this +avenue in brisk conversation. They were about to pass our friends +when the elder of the pair—an old gentleman in blue, with a ruddy +complexion and apoplectic neck—glanced up casually, uttered an +exclamation, and came to a halt.</p> + +<p>Leaving his companion to stare, he advanced towards Captain Runacles +and saluted him with punctilio.</p> + +<p>"This is a great pleasure," he observed in very good English.</p> + +<p>"I'm very glad of that, sir," Captain Runacles answered, "though 'pon +my life I don't know why it should be."</p> + +<p>"I have been expecting you."</p> + +<p>"Indeed?"</p> + +<p>"Will you be good enough to withdraw with me behind these yews, in +order that our conversation may not be observed from the lodge +windows?"</p> + +<p>"Certainly, if you wish it."</p> + +<p>The whole party followed him, much puzzled. He led them between a +couple of gigantic trees, glanced around him, and asked suddenly:</p> + +<p>"The young man, I presume, gave you my message?"</p> + +<p>"Now, what in the world—" began Captain Runacles with a bewildered +stare. But the little hunchback was quicker.</p> + +<p>"What young man, sir?" he cried sharply. "Do you mean Tristram +Salt?"</p> + +<p>"I really don't know his name; but he was accompanied, to be sure, by +a Captain Salt when I met him at Vlaardingen."</p> + +<p>Captain Barker groaned.</p> + +<p>"But excuse me," pursued the old gentleman in blue, still addressing +Captain Runacles, "I spoke not only of a young man, but of a message. +Did he deliver it?"</p> + +<p>"If you mean Tristram Salt, I have not clapped eyes on him since the +1st of May last."</p> + +<p>"Then I will deliver it myself. You do not appear to know me—"</p> + +<p>"Not from Adam."</p> + +<p>"My name is Cornelius van Adrienssen, and you, Captain Runacles, once +flung a boot at my head."</p> + +<p>"Did I, indeed! It was in a moment of extreme irritation, no doubt."</p> + +<p>"We were engaged off the Texel—June the 5th, '71, was the date. +You were on board the <i>Galloper</i>, I on the <i>Zeelandshoop</i>. +Night parted us—"</p> + +<p>"I begin to remember the incident."</p> + +<p>"Then I need not proceed. Let me merely remark that I have kept that +boot."</p> + +<p>"Whatever for?"</p> + +<p>"What for, sir?" cried the choleric old gentleman, now fairly hopping +with rage. "What for? To throw it back, sir—that's why."</p> + +<p>"My dear Captain van Adrienssen, is not this rather childish? +Twenty years is a long time to harbour resentment."</p> + +<p>"You shall fight me, sir."</p> + +<p>"Tut, tut!"</p> + +<p>"I regret that I have not the boot with me to fling back at you—"</p> + +<p>"You have a pair on your feet, sir," suggested the Englishman, whose +temper was rising.</p> + +<p>"—But this shall do instead!" and taking his glove Captain van +Adrienssen dashed it in Captain Runacles' face.</p> + +<p>"By the Lord, you shall pay for this!"</p> + +<p>"I am ready, sir."</p> + +<p>They tugged off their coats and pulled out their swords.</p> + +<p>"Sirs, sirs!" cried the young ensign; "remember you are in his +Majesty's park."</p> + +<p>But before his sentence was out the two swords were crossed, and the +old gentlemen attacking each other with the unregulated ardour of a +pair of schoolboys.</p> + +<p>"Jerry, Jerry," murmured Captain Barker, "you never had much science, +but this is fool-work."</p> + +<p>Captain Runacles heard, straightened his arm and controlled himself. +He had little science, but an extremely tough wrist. As for Captain +van Adrienssen, the veins of his neck were so swollen with passion +that his wig curled up at the edge and stood out straight behind him +in the absurdest fashion.</p> + +<p>"The boot—the boot!" he kept exclaiming, stamping with each lunge. +"Take that for the boot, sir!" He aimed a furious thrust in tierce +at Captain Runacles' breast.</p> + +<p>"And that for the glove, sir!" retorted his adversary, parrying and +running his blade on and through the exposed arm by the elbow.</p> + +<p>The arm dropped. Captain van Adrienssen scowled, looked round, and +was caught in his companion's arms as he fell.</p> + +<p>"And now, sir, let me express my regret," began Captain Jerry, +advancing and stooping over him.</p> + +<p>"I'll have you yet!" retorted this implacable old gentleman; and with +that fainted away. He awoke to find his arm bandaged and the little +group still standing around him.</p> + +<p>"Peter," he said, sitting up with an effort; "get my coat."</p> + +<p>"But, Captain, you cannot put it on," remonstrated Peter, a squarely +built man with eyes of a porcelain blue.</p> + +<p>"Then how in the world do you suppose that I'm to get past the +sentries?"</p> + +<p>"You'll be carried."</p> + +<p>"And let every man of them know that this gentleman and I have been +fighting in his Majesty's park! Tut, tut; you'll have them both +arrested in a jiffy. Give me my coat!"</p> + +<p>"You cannot get your arm into it."</p> + +<p>"My worthy Peter, you're my excellent lieutenant and a fair seaman; +but I begin to doubt if you'll ever make a captain. You've no +resource. Take your knife. Now slit down the inner seam of the +sleeve—so. Now lift me up and help me into it."</p> + +<p>He stood on his legs. His face was a trifle pale, but he kept his +jaw set firmly.</p> + +<p>"Now button the sleeve at the wrist."</p> + +<p>"But it still gapes above."</p> + +<p>"Of course it does. Therefore we will walk arm-in-arm; only you must +hold me very gently. There, that's it." He nodded stiffly, and was +moving away on Peter's arm when Captain Barker interposed.</p> + +<p>"Excuse me, Captain van Adrienssen, but just outside the park gate +you'll find a litter, which I am happy to place at your service."</p> + +<p>"Thank you, sir, but I'll not use it."</p> + +<p>"You will," said Peter decidedly.</p> + +<p>"Why, sir, we have to start for Amsterdam to-night."</p> + +<p>"You'll get no farther than The Hague," said Peter; "and there you'll +be put to bed."</p> + +<p>They walked slowly off, arm-in-arm. Drawing near the sentries, +Captain van Adrienssen groaned.</p> + +<p>"Going to faint?" Peter asked.</p> + +<p>"Not till I get outside."</p> + +<p>He was as good as his word, and they went through the gates without +exciting suspicion. The litter was there, and Peter, beckoning to +the men, explained the case in a whisper. His companion offered no +opposition. Indeed, no sooner was he placed in the litter than he +swooned away.</p> +<br> +<p> +King William was still strolling in his favourite avenue when the two +captains approached, led by their friend the ensign, who was +beginning to wish himself well out of the business. At his Majesty's +side paced William Bentinck, Earl of Portland, whom we have already +met, in the course of this narrative, in the little inn at +Vlaardingen. The two were alone and in earnest converse, but looked +up as the party approached along the avenue.</p> + +<p>"H'm, it appears to me that I know these two shapes," said William.</p> + +<p>"They are odd enough to be remembered."</p> + +<p>"That is the figure which honesty cuts in the country over which I +have the misfortune to rule—or rather to reign. My friend, these +are two honest Englishmen, and therefore worth observation. +Moreover, they are about to give me the devil of a time. +Well, gentlemen," he continued, lifting his voice as they approached, +"what is your business?"</p> + +<p>"We desire your Majesty to listen to us."</p> + +<p>"On a matter of importance?"</p> + +<p>"To us—yes. It has brought us from England."</p> + +<p>"Speak, then."</p> + +<p>"Your Majesty," Captain Barker began, his voice trembling slightly, +"we have come to offer you, and to beg that you will accept, our +swords and our service."</p> + +<p>"That is very pretty, sir," answered William, after a pause, during +which his eye kindled with some triumph; "but unless I do you an +injustice, Captain Barker and Captain Runacles, there is some +condition attached to this surrender."</p> + +<p>"None, sire, but that which your Majesty's self imposed less than +three months back. We are come to redeem, if we may, the young man +of whom you then robbed us."</p> + +<p>"Robbed!"</p> + +<p>"Forgive me, sire—deprived. See, your Majesty; we are two old men, +but active; battered somewhat, but not ignorant; worn, but not worn +out. We are at your service: take us, use us as you will. We will +serve you faithfully, loyally, without question, until we die or your +enemies break us. Only restore our son, Tristram Salt."</p> + +<p>"Gentlemen, I will not say but that I am gratified by this—" +William paused, saw the hope spring into their eyes, and added, with +assumed coldness—"only it happens that you come too late."</p> + +<p>The two honest faces fell.</p> + +<p>"Too-late?" Captain Barker stammered, staring stupidly at the King. +"Is my boy—dead?" The question came in a dull, sick tone, that +softened their Sovereign's heart within him.</p> + +<p>"Forgive me, gentlemen; I had no right to play thus with your +feelings. You have come too late only because I gave the young man +his discharge more than two months ago, with a passport to take him +back to England."</p> + +<p>"But he has not arrived!"</p> + +<p>"He started, at any rate; and in company with one who appeared to +have the best right to take care of him—I mean his father, Captain +Roderick Salt."</p> + +<p>Captain Barker groaned.</p> + +<p>"May it please your Majesty," said Captain Jemmy, thrusting himself +forward, "but Roderick Salt's the damn'dest villain in your service; +and that's saying a good deal. I mean no offence, of course."</p> + +<p>"Of course not," commented the Earl of Portland, who was hugely +delighted.</p> + +<p>"I believe that opinion is held by some," his Majesty observed, with +a side-glance at his friend.</p> + +<p>"Not by me," said Portland tranquilly. "There are worse than Salt— +whom, after all, your Majesty has neither enriched nor ennobled."</p> + +<p>William frowned. For a moment or two he stood, scraping the gravel +gently with the side of his boot. At last he spoke:</p> + +<p>"Gentlemen, I thank you for your offer; and some day I may take +advantage of it to command you: for honest men (however wrong-headed) +and good commanders"—this with a slight bow—"are always scarce. +For the moment, however, I should feel that I wronged you by +accepting your service."</p> + +<p>"Your Majesty is good to us. But our word holds."</p> + +<p>"I thank you. I had guessed that. Nevertheless, I advise you, just +now, to return to England and wait. I have some knowledge of Captain +Salt's movements; and when last your lad was heard of he had parted +company with his father and was making for the coast. I have some +quickness in reading character; and there is a certain placid +obstinacy in that young man which persuades me he will reach Harwich +in time. Return, therefore, and wait with what patience you may. +Moreover, Captain Barker, I perceive that you are recovering from +some wound."</p> + +<p>"Which explains, sire, the tardiness of my submission. I was +starting to seek an audience on the morning that you sailed from +Harwich, when your soldiers—"</p> + +<p>"My soldiers?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, sire; but perhaps they erred from abundance of zeal."</p> + +<p>Portland looked at the speaker shrewdly. "You know more than you +tell us, my friend," he said quietly.</p> + +<p>"Possibly, my lord; but it is nothing that can affect his Majesty +now."</p> + +<p>"You are under some promise?" William asked gravely.</p> + +<p>"We are, sire; but be assured that if it touched your welfare we had +never come to lay our services at your disposal."</p> + +<p>"I believe you, my friends. And now, about starting for England—I +was about to propose that as Captain van Adrienssen's frigate—</p> + +<p>"Captain van Adrienssen!"</p> + +<p>"You know him? He is about to sail from Amsterdam in the frigate +<i>Merry Maid</i> to escort a convoy of thirty-six merchantmen to the +Thames. If you start at once you will overtake him."</p> + +<p>"Unfortunately, sire, Captain van Adrienssen will not be able to +start for many days."</p> + +<p>"Eh?"</p> + +<p>"He is unwell."</p> + +<p>"Unwell? Why, it is not an hour since he left me!"</p> + +<p>"Nevertheless—"</p> + +<p>"Let me explain, sire," said Captain Runacles, stepping forward +again. "It happened thus. We met Captain van Adrienssen on our way +from The Hague."</p> + +<p>"Yes, yes."</p> + +<p>"And it appeared—though I had forgotten it—that twenty years ago I +had the imprudence to throw a boot at his head. It was off the +Texel—"</p> + +<p>"Have you lost your senses?"</p> + +<p>"I beg your Majesty to listen. The sight of me revived that painful +recollection. We pulled out our swords and fell on each other, +forgetting, alas! that now we are both servants of your Majesty. +It is annoying; but before we could remember it, Captain van +Adrienssen was wounded."</p> + +<p>William's brow was black as night.</p> + +<p>"A duel?" he said sternly.</p> + +<p>"Your Majesty, it could hardly be dignified by that name. +Say rather—"</p> + +<p>"What shall I do with these incorrigibles?" asked the King, turning +to Portland. "At this time, too, when I've not a single other +commander of value within call!"</p> + +<p>"If I may advise you, sire—But, first, will you command these +gentlemen to retire?"</p> + +<p>William dismissed them with a wave of the hand, and they withdrew to +a little distance among the trees, where they waited in considerable +trepidation.</p> + +<p>It was a full half an hour before Portland came towards them, trying +to hide a smile.</p> + +<p>"Pouf!" he said, "that was a tough business, gentlemen. I have +persuaded his Majesty to accept the offer he declined a while ago, +and to use your services."</p> + +<p>"In what way, my lord?"</p> + +<p>"You will go at once to The Hague and find out the condition of +Captain van Adrienssen. If, as I suspect, he be unfit to travel, you +will, with this authority, take over his papers and post to +Amsterdam, where you will find the <i>Merry Maid</i> frigate with her +convoy. You are to escort this convoy to the Thames—but you will +read your instructions in the papers which Van Adrienssen will give +you. You, Captain Barker, are the senior, I believe. Yes? +I thought so; and therefore you will take command. Unless your +friend declines to act on this occasion as your lieutenant—"</p> + +<p>"My lord, how can we thank you?"</p> + +<p>"By serving his Majesty," answered Portland; and added significantly, +"rather than the Earl of Marlborough."</p> + +<p>The two friends walked away, treading on air. But perhaps their +friend the ensign, from whom they parted affectionately at the foot +of the avenue, was happier even than they. For not only did his +heart rejoice at their good fortune, but his Majesty had failed to +inquire whether the duel had been fought within or without the park +gates.</p> + + +<br> +<p><a name="14"></a> </p> +<br> +<h2>CHAPTER XIII.</h2> + +<h4>CAPTAIN SALT EFFECTS ONE SURPRISE AND PLANS TWO MORE.</h4> + +<p>On the sixth day after his departure Captain Salt returned to Dunkirk +unexpectedly.</p> + +<p>He arrived about four in the afternoon and was rowed at once to the +Commodore's galley. He climbed on deck and looked about him. The +lieutenant stepped forward. Captain Salt shook hands and asked:</p> + +<p>"Where is the Commodore?"</p> + +<p>"In his cabin."</p> + +<p>"Alone?"</p> + +<p>"No; he is holding a council of war. All his captains are there."</p> + +<p>Captain Salt whistled softly to himself.</p> + +<p>"How long have they been sitting?" he asked.</p> + +<p>"Less than ten minutes. In fact they have but just arrived."</p> + +<p>"Thank you. I'll go down and look in."</p> + +<p>"My friend," he said to himself, as he walked aft and descended the +ladder, "the chance has come sooner than you expected. You'll have +to play this game boldly."</p> + +<p>He knocked at the cabin door and entered, with the dust of travel +thick upon him. He had ridden thirty-six miles since breakfast along +dusty roads and under a broiling sun. Nevertheless his manner was +cool enough as he bowed to all present.</p> + +<p>"I must apologise, gentlemen, for the state of my clothes; but I +heard you were sitting and could not rest until I had saluted you."</p> + +<p>They welcomed him heartily as he dropped into a vacant chair. +M. de la Pailletine reached across the table and shook hands with +him.</p> + +<p>"It is very thoughtful of you," said the Commodore. "We were about +to draw up a plan of the cruises to be taken this week and shall be +glad to have your advice."</p> + +<p>"I'm afraid, gentlemen, I'm too weary to offer much advice. But that +need not prevent my listening with attention to the wisdom of +others."</p> + +<p>There was the faintest shade of derision in his voice, if they had +any cause for suspecting it. As it was, however, not a man present +had the slightest mistrust of him. He had conquered all their +prejudices.</p> + +<p>The Commodore resumed the short speech he had been making; and when +he had concluded, one captain followed another with criticism and +fresh proposals—Captain Baudus, of <i>Le Paon</i>, the Chevalier de +Sainte-Croix, of <i>La Merveille</i>, Captain Denoyre, of the +<i>Sanspareil</i>. During their speeches Captain Salt sat perfectly +silent, either resting his head on his hands and stifling his yawns +as though politely concealing his weariness, or drumming quietly with +his fingers on the table and staring up at the ceiling like one lost +in thought.</p> + +<p>But, all of a sudden, as M. de la Pailletine was in the act of +offering some remarks upon a scheme of Captain Denoyre's for a +descent upon the Isle of Thanet, the Englishman, still yawning, got +upon his legs and said very carelessly:</p> + +<p>"I regret to interrupt <i>M. le Chef d'escadre</i>, but we waste time."</p> + +<p>The Commodore paused, open-mouthed, in the middle of a sentence, and +stared.</p> + +<p>"Yes, yes," repeated Captain Salt, nodding at him with the coolest +assurance; "we are really wasting time. Be so good as to lend me +your attention while I sketch out a little plan that I have drawn up +for a descent upon Harwich."</p> + +<p>The officers round the board were fairly taken aback by this stroke +of impudence. The Commodore was the first to recover his presence of +mind, and said, drawing himself up:</p> + +<p>"Monsieur appears not to have observed that I was speaking."</p> + +<p>"Pardon, sir, but I observed that you were speaking overmuch. +But let me proceed. Harwich, as you know, is a port at the mouth of +the River Stour, at the extreme north-east corner of Essex. I give +you this information, gentlemen, as I am not sure if any of you have +travelled so far."</p> + +<p>The captains looked at one another and the eldest among them, +M. Baudus, of <i>Le Paon</i>, stood up.</p> + +<p>"Monsieur will forgive the remark," he said, "but it appears to me +that he forgets his place." + +"Tut, tut," answered the Englishman, with an air of slight +impatience; "I must trouble you to sit down, sir, and attend. +Really," he continued, looking around, "I must insist upon the +attention of everyone, as I shall need your intelligent co-operation. +My plan is this: I mean to make this a night attack. We should leave +the harbour here in four days' time—that is to say, on the 23rd, if +the weather holds, and not later than six o'clock in the morning. +It may possibly be earlier, but that will depend to some extent on +the wind."</p> + +<p>M. de la Pailletine by this time was white with passion. He began to +comprehend that his guest would not dare to speak thus without some +high authority to back him.</p> + +<p>"Are we to understand, sir, that in this proposed expedition we sail +under your orders?"</p> + +<p>"Certainly."</p> + +<p>"May I ask to see your authority?"</p> + +<p>"Of course you may."</p> + +<p>Captain Salt put a hand into his breast and drew out a folded paper. +Laying this on the table, he let his eyes travel round with a quiet +smile.</p> + +<p>It was signed in the handwriting and sealed with the seal of his +Majesty King Lewis.</p> + +<p>M. de la Pailletine picked up the paper with a shaking hand and read +it through. There was no room for demur. The King commanded him, as +chief of the squadron of galleys lying in Dunkirk, to place his +ships, officers, and crews at Captain Salt's disposal and to follow +his instructions implicitly throughout the expedition. Moreover, the +Intendant was ordered to furnish whatever stores, artillery, etc., +Captain Salt should find necessary to the success of his design. +If he should require it, the fighting strength of the galleys should +be supplemented by drafts from the regiments stationed in the +citadel, the Rice-bank, and Forts Galliard, Rever and Bon Esperance.</p> + +<p>The Commodore read all this and laid the paper down on the table. +The officers around him scanned his face and saw there was no hope of +resistance. Nevertheless, for a moment they looked mutinous.</p> + +<p>Their superior officer, however, set the example of graceful +obedience. He stood up and looked the Englishman straight in the +face. Then he spoke with a voice that trembled a little over the +opening words, but after that proceeded smoothly and composedly +enough.</p> + +<p>"Monsieur, it is my honour to serve his Majesty without reservation, +even when he chooses to put a slight upon his tried servants. +Unfold your scheme. We will listen and lend you our best +co-operation."</p> + +<p>"I thank you, monsieur. Is that all?"</p> + +<p>"No, sir; not quite all. You will permit me in addition to remark +that you are a very dirty blackguard, and that if you choose to +resent this criticism, I am your very obedient servant."</p> + +<p>"Ah, yes! We will discuss that, if you please, as soon as this +business is over. Meanwhile let me proceed with my remarks."</p> + +<p>That same evening Captain Salt assumed the command and within half an +hour it was patent to every slave in the squadron that something +beyond the ordinary was afoot. The new commander began to issue +orders at once. Curiously enough, one of the first of these was +given to the fishing-smack with the green pennant, which had brought +him the Earl of Marlborough's letter five days before and had lain at +anchor ever since in the Basin. It was pretty well known to everyone +in Dunkirk that this little craft plied to and fro in the Jacobite +service and was allowed to pass the forts without challenge. +Indeed, she had a special permit. Therefore nobody wondered when +Captain Salt paid her red-bearded skipper a visit that evening, on +his way to the citadel; nor was the skipper astonished to receive a +letter for the Earl of Marlborough's secret agent at Ostend, and be +bidden to leave the harbour that night.</p> + +<p>Yet the red-bearded skipper would have been considerably astonished +had he been able to read the cipher in which this letter was written, +or had he the faintest idea that the small mark on the corner of the +wrapper meant that it was to be translated at once and dispatched +post-haste to King William.</p> + +<p>For, indeed, the Captain was now playing not merely a double, but a +triple and perhaps a quadruple game. He was not only playing for +William against James, and for James against William, but for the +Earl against both, and for himself above all. For the moment he +wished to get to Harwich with power over the two old men who (as he +conceived it) were defrauding him of his privileges; and to obtain +full possession of those privileges he must stand well with William, +who at present suspected him.</p> + +<p>What better proof could he offer that his journey had been all in his +master's interest than by engaging the six galleys at Dunkirk in an +attack upon Harwich, and forewarning the King of his design? Or how +could the Earl have a better chance of clearing himself of the King's +suspicions than by receiving this warning and passing it on to the +King?</p> + +<p>Unfortunately this accomplished schemer omitted to take account of +three accidents, for the simple reason that he could not have +anticipated them: first, the two old men whom he meant to terrify at +Harwich were at that moment in Holland; and, second, the son, in +whose name he meant to terrify them, slept every night within a foot +of his head, a galley-slave, disguised beyond recognition and filled +with a just resentment. Number three will be mentioned hereafter.</p> + +<p>The little fishing-smack sailed out of Dunkirk that evening, an hour +after sunset.</p> + +<p>During the next three days Captain Salt worked hard. Sufficient +stores were laid in to last for a week's cruise. The slaves who +worked on shore were brought on board. The galleys' beaks were +tested, the guns examined, oars and rigging carefully overhauled. +A fresh supply of ammunition was drawn from the citadel and the +fighting crew of each vessel increased by fifty men, with a few Swiss +artillerymen from the batteries of Bourgogne, Auguenois and Santerre. +In all this M. de la Pailletine lent the readiest aid. He had +postponed his animosity to the day when they should return to +harbour; and to the casual eye he and the Englishman were excellent +friends.</p> + +<p>By the night of August 22nd all was ready.</p> + +<p>At nine o'clock next morning the six galleys started in solemn +procession past the forts and out into the open sea, which was smooth +as glass. A light but steady breeze breathed across the sky from the +Northeast. They could have hoped for nothing better. The broad +lateen sails were spread, and the slaves sat quietly before their +oars, ready to row, though for hour after hour there was no need of +rowing. The six vessels kept within easy distance of each other, and +Captain Salt, on the deck of <i>L'Heureuse</i>, directed their movements +with a serenity that cheered even the poor men on the benches below +him. As the awning shook and the masts creaked gently above them, +they stretched their limbs, drew long breaths, and felt that after +all it was good to live.</p> + +<p>So steady did the wind keep all day that about five in the evening +they brought the English coast in sight. It was the opinion of all +the captains that they should run up for Harwich at once; but the +Englishman had other views.</p> + +<p>"It is too early," he told M. de la Pailletine. "There are cruisers +about, and if we are seen the game will be spoiled."</p> + +<p>He gave orders to lower the sails and stand off till nightfall. +The captain, of course, obeyed.</p> + +<p>They had not lain to above an hour when the man who had been sent to +the masthead of <i>L'Heureuse</i> shouted out:</p> + +<p>"A fleet to the north!"</p> + +<p>"Whither bound?" called up Captain Salt.</p> + +<p>"Steering west."</p> + +<p>"What number?"</p> + +<p>The man was silent for a moment, then answered:</p> + +<p>"Thirty-six sail, all merchant-built, and an escort."</p> + +<p>"What is she like?"</p> + +<p>"A frigate, of about thirty guns."</p> + + +<br> +<p><a name="15"></a> </p> +<br> +<h2>CHAPTER XIV.</h2> + +<h4>THE GALLEYS AND THE FRIGATE.</h4> + +<h4><i>I.—The Frigate.</i></h4> + +<p>The <i>Merry Maid</i> had left the Texel by the narrow gut called +De Witt's Diep, with her convoy following in line and in +admirable order. The breeze was fair for England. A full round +moon rose over the sandbanks behind them as Captain Barker sent the +pilots ashore and stood easily out to sea, for the most of his +merchant-ships were sluggish sailers, and not a few overladen. +So clear was the night that, as he paced the quarter-deck with the +dew falling steadily around him, he could not only count their +thirty-six lanterns, but even discern their piled canvas glimmering +as they stole like ghosts in his wake.</p> + +<p>That night he left his watch for an hour only, when shortly before +dawn Captain Runacles came to relieve him, threatening mutiny unless +he retired to snatch a little slumber. But the sun was scarce up +before the little man reappeared. The pride of his old profession +was working like yeast within him. His breast swelled and his chin +lifted as he found the convoy still sailing in close order, obeying +his signals smoothly and intelligently as a trained pack obeys its +huntsman. He was delighted with the frigate and her crew, who were +English to a man. To be sure there was a fair sprinkling of Dutchmen +among the soldiers; but his heart had begun to warm somewhat towards +that nation. As he shambled to and fro, jerking out from time to +time some necessary orders, he saw that he had the respect of all +these fellows, even while they smiled at him. They felt that this +distorted little framework held a man. He divined this with the +quick sensibility that marks all deformed people. His green eyes +kindled. In the pride of his soul he had almost forgotten Tristram.</p> + +<p>The sight of the English coast, dim and purple beneath the declining +sun, brought it back to him with a pang. After all, Tristram was +still lost, and his journey to Holland had been a failure therefore. +With a sudden contempt for all that a moment before he had been +enjoying, he turned to his friend and asked him to take charge for a +while.</p> + +<p>Nothing more was said, but Captain Runacles guessed what drove the +little man below like a wounded beast, and began to pace the deck +gloomily.</p> + +<p>"He'll never take it up again," he muttered. "It's all very well, +and he thinks he's getting comfort out of it. But it won't do."</p> + +<p>He paused for a moment, contemplated the distant coast and resumed +his tread, repeating: "It won't do, Jack; it won't do a bit, my boy."</p> +<br> +<p> +Captain Barker sat in his cabin alone, staring at a knot of wood on +the table before him. There were traces of tears on his cheeks.</p> + +<p>Somebody tapped at the door.</p> + +<p>"What is it?"</p> + +<p>"The devil," answered Captain Runacles' voice, coolly. "Six galleys +to the south, between us and the Thames!"</p> + +<p>Captain Barker sprang up and hurried up on deck.</p> + +<p>"So those are the craft I've heard so much about," he remarked, +taking down the glass through which he had been eyeing them for a +couple of minutes.</p> + +<p>"What do you propose, Jack?"</p> + +<p>"Propose? Why, propose to do what I'm here for—to save the convoy."</p> + +<p>"That's very pretty. But do you know how fast those sharks can +move?"</p> + +<p>"No, I don't. But I know they can outpace us. Nevertheless, I'll +save the convoy."</p> + +<p>"How?"</p> + +<p>"There's only one way."</p> + +<p>"And that is—"</p> + +<p>"By losing the frigate."</p> + +<p>Captain Runacles looked at him for a second, and then placed a hand +on his shoulder. This simple gesture expressed all his heart. +Captain Barker turned briskly.</p> + +<p>"Signal the convoy," he shouted, "to make all sail and run for the +Thames!"</p> + +<h4><i>II.—The Galleys.</i></h4> + +<p>M. de la Pailletine was in some respects a weak man. He was +impatient. Up to this moment his behaviour in an extremely galling +position had been perfect. He had been content to bide his time and +had furthered every order issued by his rival with the cheerfullest +alacrity.</p> + +<p>But when the man at the masthead announced the advance of the +merchant fleet, he allowed himself to be tempted and turned to +Captain Salt who stood beside him.</p> + +<p>"You will follow them, of course?"</p> + +<p>"Of course I shall do nothing of the sort. On the contrary, I intend +to steer to the south, out of their sight."</p> + +<p>"You will fling away this splendid prize?"</p> + +<p>"Let me remind you, monsieur, that we are bound for Harwich."</p> + +<p>"But this is folly, Captain Salt! Harwich will remain where it is, +and we can ravage it at any time. Never again may we have so fine an +opportunity of capturing thirty-six merchantmen and a British frigate +almost without a blow."</p> + +<p>"Excuse me, M. de la Pailletine, but I do not allow my orders to be +criticised."</p> + +<p>"Then listen to me, sir," retorted the Commodore, his face red with +fury, as he drew from his coat the orders which the King had +addressed to him. "You see this paper? Very well; I destroy it." +He tore it into shreds, and let the pieces flutter over the galley's +side.</p> + +<p>"Are you aware of what that action means?" Captain Salt was white to +the lips.</p> + +<p>"I am, sir."</p> + +<p>"It is treason."</p> + +<p>"You think so, perhaps. But a Frenchman should best know what is due +to the King of France. Nevertheless, I shall summon the captains to +confirm my action. Will you attend them in my cabin?"</p> + +<p>"Thank you; no, sir. I am quite sure that they will support you. +It remains to see what his Majesty will say when I report your +contempt of his orders."</p> + +<p>"That is for the future to decide. Meanwhile be good enough to +recollect that I command the squadron from this moment. Should you +choose to volunteer, well and good. If not, my cabin is at your +disposal as soon as the captains have left it."</p> + +<p>He bowed and turned away to summon the captains.</p> + +<p>They came in haste, and were, of course, unanimous; though it is +difficult to say how far they were influenced by sound argument and +how far by pique and a desire to thwart the Englishman. While they +sat, Captain Salt remained on deck cursing quietly and examining the +approaching enemy with no pleasant stare.</p> + +<p>Orders were issued to all the six galleys to attack the fleet. +Four were told off against the merchantmen and commanded to make all +speed to get between them and the Thames; while <i>L'Heureuse</i> herself +and <i>La Merveille</i> (commanded by the Chevalier de Sainte-Croix) were +to attack and take possession of the frigate.</p> + +<p>Immediately they began to make all possible haste with sails and +oars. Captain Salt withdrew to the cabin in dudgeon and M. de la +Pailletine took his place. From their benches below the slaves heard +his voice shouting out orders right and left, and at once they had to +catch up their oars and row. The English fleet when first spied was +coming right across their course, and still held on its way when it +perceived the Frenchman's intent. In pursuance of this intent the +four galleys made off with all speed to place themselves between the +merchantmen and the coast, while the Commodore and the Chevalier de +Sainte-Croix bore down on the frigate, straight as an arrow.</p> + +<p>And now began a hard time for Tristram and his companions below. +They tugged and sweated, and presently <i>L'Heureuse</i> began to leap +through the water. Above the swish of the long sweeps rose a tumult +of oaths, imprecations, outcries, sobs, as the overseers plied their +whips, not caring where they struck. Overhead they heard the guns +running out, the rolling of shot and trampling of feet, the shouts +and replies of officers and men. They could see nothing of the +frigate for which they were bound, but from the confusion and hurry +expected every moment to feel the shock as the galley's beak drove +into her.</p> +<br> +<p> +Then for a second or two all the noise ceased.</p> +<br> +<p> +The reason was this. For some little while the frigate held on +her course for the mouth of the Thames. Not a sail more did she +carry than when she first came in sight. It almost seemed as +if her captain had not seen the enemy sweeping to destroy him. +For thirty-five minutes she held quietly on beside her convoy. +And then the helm was shifted, and she came down straight into the +Frenchman's teeth.</p> + +<p>It was a gallant stroke, and a subtle—so subtle that M. de la +Pailletine mistook its meaning and gave a great shout of joy. +He fancied he saw the English delivered into his hand. But his +rejoicing was premature.</p> + +<p>To begin with, he perceived the next moment that the frigate, by +hastening the attack, had caught his galley alone. Into this +trap he had been led partly by the excellence of his crew. +Not only was his the fleetest vessel of the six, but he had always +been jealous to choose the strongest <i>forçats</i> to man it. +Moreover, M. de Sainte-Croix had been slow in starting, and by this +time <i>La Merveille</i> was a league or more behind her consort.</p> + +<p>Still the Commodore was in no way disturbed. He admitted to his +lieutenant beside him that the frigate was showing desperate +gallantry; but he never doubted for a moment that his galley alone, +with two hundred fighting-men aboard, would be more than a match for +her.</p> + +<p>Down came the <i>Merry Maid</i>, closer and closer, her red-crossed flag +fluttering bravely at the peak; and on rushed the galley, until the +two were within cannon-shot. M. de la Pailletine gave the order, and +sent a shot to meet her from one of the four guns in the prow. +As the thunder of it died away and the smoke cleared, he waited for +the Englishman's reply. There was none. The frigate held on her +course, silent as death.</p> + +<h4><i>III.—The Frigate.</i></h4> + +<p>The two English captains stood on the quarterdeck, side by side, +the tall man and the dwarf. Beyond issuing an order or two, neither +had spoken a word for twenty minutes. Once Captain Barker glanced +over his shoulder to see how the merchantmen were faring, and +calculated that within half an hour their enemies would intercept +them. Then he looked down on his men, who stood ready by the guns, +motionless, with lips set, repressing the fury of battle; and beyond +them to the galley as she came, churning the sea, her oars rising and +falling like the strong wings of a bird.</p> + +<p>"My God!" he said softly, "if only Tristram were here to see!"</p> + + + +<h4><i>IV.—The Galleys.</i></h4> + +<p>When the frigate failed to answer his salute, M. de la Pailletine +jumped to a fresh conclusion.</p> + +<p>"<i>Mordieu!</i>" he cried, "here is another English captain who, +like our friend Salt, is weary of carrying his Sovereign's colours. +He doesn't mean to strike a blow. A minute and we shall see his flag +hauled down."</p> + +<p>But the minute passed, and another, and yet a third, and the English +flag still flew.</p> + +<p>By this time they were within musket-shot. One by one the four guns +had spoken from the galley's prow and still there was no answer. +On the brink of the tragedy there was silence for an instant. +Then a few of the French musketeers seemed to find this intolerable +and fired without receiving the order. Followed a silence again, and +still the <i>Merry Maid</i> came on as if to impale herself on the +galley's beak.</p> + +<p>And then, suddenly, when in five minutes the vessels must have +collided, round flew the frigate's wheel. For a minute and a half +she fetched up as if awaking to the consequences of her folly; +shuddered and shook against the wind; and, as her sails filled again, +fetched away on the westerly tack for her life.</p> + +<p>For a full two minutes the French were taken aback.</p> + +<p>"Fools, fools!" shouted M. de la Pailletine, beside himself with joy.</p> + +<p>The order flew for the slaves on the larboard benches to hold water +for a minute and the galley's head came round. Nothing gives more +spirit than a flying enemy. From mouth to mouth ran the whisper that +the English were showing their heels; and in a moment these poor +devils, who owed all their misery to France, were pulling like +madmen. Jeers rose from the deck.</p> + +<p>"If Monsieur the Englishman does not strike within two minutes, down +he goes to the bottom."</p> + +<p>"The idiot, to expose his stern!"</p> + +<p>"On the whole, it is just as well that <i>La Merveille</i> is so far +behind. We shall have all the glory to ourselves—eh, my children?"</p> +<br> +<p> +On board the frigate Captain Barker said four words only:</p> + +<p>"Take the wheel, Jemmy."</p> + +<p>Captain Runacles stepped to it and the steersman gave place.</p> + +<p>In truth the hunchback, though this was his first acquaintance with a +galley, knew well enough that she would strike for the frigate's +stern as the weakest point. This was precisely what he wished her to +do.</p> + +<p>Captain Runacles stood with his hand on the wheel and waited, +glancing back over his shoulder.</p> + +<p>Captain Barker stood by the taffrail with one eye upon the galley and +his face turned in profile to his friend. His right hand was lifted.</p> +<br> +<p> +The Commodore had made all his dispositions. The galley was to +plunge her beak straight into the <i>Merry Maid's</i> stern, and its crew, +after one discharge of cannon to clear the frigate's poop, were to +board at once. The men stood ready with their hatchets and cutlasses +and set up a wild yell as they drove straight for her. From below +the slaves echoed it with a melancholy wail.</p> + +<p>On they tore. As they yelled again, <i>L'Heureuse's</i> beak was but +thirty yards from her prey. A few more leaps and it would strike.</p> + +<p>"One—two—"</p> + +<p>The little man looked back in their faces and smiled.</p> + +<p>"Three—four—five—"</p> + +<p>He dropped his hand. Quick as lightning Captain Jerry spun the wheel +round. The stern swung sharply off, her sea-way gauged to a nicety.</p> + +<p>The next moment the galley flew past. Her beak, missing the stern, +rushed on, tearing great splinters out of the <i>Merry Maid's</i> flank. +Her starboard oars snapped like matchwood, hurling the slaves +backwards on their benches and killing a dozen on the spot. Then she +brought up, helplessly disabled, right under the frigate's side.</p> + +<p>And then at length the English cheer rang forth. In an instant the +grappling-irons were out and the frigate held her foe, clasped, +strained close against her ribs, close under her depressed guns.</p> + +<p>And at length, too, with a blinding flash and a roar, those English +guns spoke. A minute had done it all. Sixty seconds before the +gallant vessel had lain apparently at the Frenchman's mercy. Now the +Frenchman was fastened inextricably, while the crowd upon deck stood +as much exposed as if the galley were a raft.</p> + +<p>Down swept the grape-shot, tearing ghastly passages through them. +They were near enough to be scorched by the flame of it. Down and +across it rent them, as they crouched and fought with each other to +get away and hide. There was no hiding. Before the breath of it +they went down in rows, strewing the deck horribly, mangled, riddled, +blown in miserable pieces.</p> + +<p>In a trice, too, the English masts and rigging were swarming with +musketeers and sailors who poured hand-grenades among them like hail, +scattering wounds and death. The Frenchmen no longer thought of +attacking. Such was the panic among officers as well as common men +that they were incapable even of resistance. Scores who were neither +killed nor wounded lay flat on their faces, counterfeiting death and +hoping to find safety.</p> + +<p>This carnage lasted, perhaps, for less than five minutes. +<i>L'Heureuse's</i> consort was still near upon a league behind, and the +other four galleys were still busily chasing the merchantmen.</p> + +<p>Captain Barker looked and was well content. But he had much work +still before him, and to do it properly he must husband his +ammunition.</p> + +<p>He gave the order to board. Forty or fifty men dropped over the +<i>Merry Maid's</i> side, cutlass in mouth, and rushed along the galley's +deck, hewing down all who ventured to oppose them and sparing only +the slaves, who made no resistance. At last, and merely by the +weight of numbers, they were driven back. But this did the Frenchmen +no good. Instantly the frigate opened fire again and murdered them +by scores.</p> + +<p>It was in this extremity that M. de la Pailletine cast his eyes +around and found himself forced to do what Captain Barker from the +first had meant him to do. The four galleys that had started after +the convoy were by this time sweeping along on the full tide of +success. In another five minutes the pathway to the Thames would be +blocked and all the merchant vessels at their mercy.</p> + +<p>M. de la Pailletine hoisted the flag of distress. He called them to +his help.</p> + +<p>A wild hurrah broke out from the crew of the frigate. The order +meant their destruction: for how could the <i>Merry Maid</i> contend +against six galleys? Yet they cheered, for they had guessed what +their captain had in his mind. And the little man's greenish eyes +sparkled as he heard.</p> + +<p>"Good boys!" he said briefly, turning to his friend. "The convoy is +saved, my lad: and O! but Jemmy, you did it prettily!"</p> + + + +<h4><i>V.—The Galley (in the hold).</i></h4> + +<p>Let us go back for a minute or two to Tristram.</p> + +<p>The oar at which he tugged was one of the starboard tier; and when +<i>L'Heureuse</i> missed her stroke, as we have told, it went like a +sugar-stick, flinging him and his companions back across the bench. +Farther than this they could not fly, because the stout chains which +fastened them were but ten feet long. Tristram, indeed, was hurled +scarcely so far as the rest, for his seat was the inmost from the +gangway, and right against the galley's side; so that he got the +shortest swing of the oar.</p> + +<p>They scrambled up just as the fire of grape-shot opened. And then +Tristram made an appalling discovery.</p> + +<p>The hole through which their oar was worked had been split wider by +the crash; and now, looking out, he saw that it lay just opposite the +mouth of an English cannon. In this position they had been brought +up by the frigate's grappling-irons.</p> + +<p>It took him but an instant to see also that the cannon, as it stared +him in the face, was loaded.</p> + +<p>The two vessels, moreover, lay so close that by reaching up with his +hand he could have laid his hand on its muzzle.</p> + +<p>It was a horrible moment. There were four Frenchmen and a Turk +ranged along the bench beside him. He looked into their faces. They +were ashen grey to the lips. No one could move to get out of the +way: the chains prevented that. The Huguenot was praying wildly. +Only the Turk preserved his composure, and even he had turned pale +under his bronze skin.</p> + +<p>Somebody cried: "Lie flat!"</p> + +<p>In a second every one of Tristram's companions had flung himself flat +on the bench. Tristram glanced again at the gun. Even at that +moment he had enough presence of mind to note that it was pointed +downwards, and at such an angle that those who lay flat must +infallibly receive all its contents. He noted this even while it +seemed that every one of his faculties was frozen up. He felt that +he could move neither hand nor foot; and somehow he knew that since, +because of the chain, he could not leave the bench, he must sit +upright. And so he stiffened his back, laid his hands on his lap, +and waited with his eyes on the gun.</p> + +<p>Through the port-hole he could see the English gunner. He saw the +fuse in his hand. He counted the seconds; wondered, even, how the +fellow could be so deliberate. He heard the explosions all around, +and speculated. Would the next be his turn? Or the next? Would it +be painful? What was the next world like? And would his body be +badly mangled?</p> + +<p>The gunner had the match ready, when the lad's lips moved and a cry +broke from them—a cry which astonished him as he uttered it, for he +had no notion that his brain was busy with such matters.</p> + +<p>"O! my Father, have pity on my poor soul! I have loved all men and +one woman. Give comfort to her, and have mercy on my poor soul!"</p> + +<p>As the last word dropped from his lips, a great calm fell upon him +and his eyes rested quietly on the gunner's hand as the man set the +lighted match to the touch-hole of the gun.</p> +<br> +<p>It was night when Tristram opened his eyes again. A pale ray of +moonlight slanted across his face. His head was pillowed on +something soft and warm. He lay for awhile and stared at the +moonlight; and by degrees he made out that it was pouring through a +rent in the galley's side. Then he turned his head and lifted +himself a little to see what it was on which his head rested. It was +the dead body of one of the three overseers, who had been killed +almost by the first shot fired by the frigate.</p> + +<p>He pulled himself up and crept towards the bench; then put a hand +down to his feet. The ring was there, but no chain. Next he felt +along the bench with a wish—quite stupid—to get back to his seat. +His comrades were still lying on their faces. He imagined for a +moment that their foolish fears still held them there and he laughed +feebly. He was weak, but felt no pain from any wound, nor suspected +that he was hurt.</p> + +<p>Then he began to eye the fellows roguishly, taking a malicious +pleasure in the continuance of their terror. He tittered again and +suddenly found himself out of patience with them.</p> + +<p>"Come, get up—get up! The danger's all over long ago."</p> + +<p>He received no answer and put out his hand towards the nearest. +It was the Turk—a fellow who had been a janizary, and had the +reputation of not knowing what fear was.</p> + +<p>"Hullo, Ysouf! Get up, for shame—get up, man! And you—that we +called so brave!"</p> + +<p>Ysouf lay still. Tristram bent forward and took his hand.</p> + +<p>The hand came away from the body. It was icy cold.</p> + +<p>Still holding it, Tristram leant back and stared; and as he stared +a pettish anger took him. He tossed the hand back on the body. +And now for the first time he began to hear; and as this lost sense +crept back to him he knew that the place was full of moaning, and +that somewhere close feet were trampling to and fro. The noise +caused him agony, and he put his two hands to his ears.</p> + +<p>He was sitting in this posture when he felt something warm and moist +trickle down his body, which was naked to the waist. He took a hand +from his ear and put it to his breast. It was all wet, but in the +darkness nothing could be distinguished. Suspecting, however, that +it must be blood from some wound, and following the smear with his +fingers, he found that his shoulder, near the clavicle was pierced +right through. There was no pain.</p> + +<p>Then he began to feel himself all over, and found another gash in the +left leg, below the knee. He searched no more, feeling that it was +useless, as he was bound to die in a little while. The men before +him and behind him were dead. Of eighteen men on the three benches +he—who had been blown the full length of the coursier—was the only +one left; and all owing to the explosion of one cannon only. +But such was the manner of grape-shot: after the cartouche of powder, +a long tin box of musket-balls rammed in; and as the box breaks, +destruction right and left.</p> + +<p>As he sat, waiting listlessly for death, the sense of pain came +suddenly upon Tristram; and then he swooned away.</p> + + + +<h4><i>VI.—The Frigate.</i></h4> + +<p>As soon as the galleys saw M. de la Pailletine's signal and turned +reluctantly back from their chase, the capture of the <i>Merry Maid</i> +became but a question of time. <i>La Merveille</i> was the first to come +up, and, striking fairly at her stern, riddled her windows with a +gust of artillery and prepared to board: a feat that was thrice +prevented by Captain Runacles and a couple of dozen marines, English +and Dutch. Then followed Captain Denoyre with the <i>Sanspareil</i>, who +approached from the starboard side and lost both his masts as he did +so. In fact, the execution done upon his galley was only second to +that suffered by <i>L'Heureuse</i>. But as <i>Le Paon</i> followed from the +same quarter, with the <i>Nymphe</i> and the <i>Belle Julie</i> heading down as +fast as oars could take them, Captain Barker cast a look back and +touched his old friend's arm.</p> + +<p>The first of the merchantmen was entering the Thames.</p> + +<p>"Better get back to the fo'c's'le, Jemmy, and entrench yourself."</p> + +<p>Captain Runacles nodded. "And you?" he asked.</p> + +<p>"Oh, I'm going down to the cabin—first of all." Captain Runacles +nodded again. They looked straight into each other's eyes, shook +hands, and parted.</p> + +<p>It was obvious that the men of the <i>Merry Maid</i> could no longer keep +the deck. She was hemmed in on every side and it only remained to +board her.</p> + +<p>Twenty-five grenadiers from each galley were ordered upon this +service. Those of <i>La Merveille</i> were the first to start and they +swarmed over the stern without opposition. But no sooner were they +crowded upon the frigate's deck than a volley of musketry mowed them +down. Captain Runacles and his heroes then ran back and entrenched +themselves in the forecastle; and to advance to close the hatchway +was certain death. Nor were they forced to surrender until long +after the English flag was hauled down: and, indeed, were only +silenced when M. de la Pailletine hit on the happy idea of setting +fifty men to work with axes to lay open the frigate's deck. A score +and a half of men were lost over this piece of work. However, the +forecastle was carried at last by means of it; and the prisoners were +brought on deck—among them Captain Runacles, with his right hand +disabled.</p> + +<p>"Are you the gallant captain of this frigate?" asked M. de la +Pailletine, doffing his hat; for as yet he had received no sword in +token of the <i>Merry Maid's</i> surrender.</p> + +<p>"No, sir," Captain Runacles answered; "I have the honour to be his +lieutenant."</p> + +<p>"He is killed, perhaps?"</p> + +<p>"I fancy not."</p> + +<p>"Then where is he?"</p> + +<p>"Excuse me, monsieur, it strikes me he has yet to be taken."</p> + +<p>"But the ship is ours!"</p> + +<p>"Well, monsieur, you have hauled down our colours and I can't deny +it. But as for the frigate, I doubt if you can call it yours just +yet."</p> + +<p>"What do you mean, sir?"</p> + +<p>"Why, simply that you have not yet taken Captain Barker; and excuse +me if, knowing Captain Barker better than you can possibly do, I warn +you that that part of the ship which he sees fit to occupy at this +moment will probably be dangerous for some time to come."</p> + +<p>As if to corroborate his words, at this moment the hush which had +fallen upon the frigate's deck was broken by the report of a firearm, +and two French grenadiers rushed upon deck from below and came +forward hurriedly, one with a hand clapped to a wound in his +shoulder.</p> + +<p>"That," said Captain Runacles, "is probably Captain Barker. There is +a shutter to his cabin door."</p> + +<p>"But this is trivial," exclaimed the French Commodore, frowning.</p> + +<p>"If Monsieur will excuse me, it is scarcely so trivial as it +looks. Captain Barker is within ten paces of the powder-magazine. +Moreover, between him and the powder-magazine there is a door."</p> + +<p>M. de la Pailletine jumped in his shoes. He rushed aft to the +companion leading to the captain's cabin and called on him to +surrender.</p> + +<p>"Go away!" answered a very ill-tempered voice from below.</p> + +<p>"But, sir, consider. Your ship is in our hands—"</p> + +<p>"Then come and take it."</p> + +<p>"—Your gallant officers have surrendered. You have behaved like a +hero and there is not one of your enemies but honours you. Monsieur, +it is magnificent—but come out!"</p> + +<p>"I shan't."</p> + +<p>"Monsieur, even this noble obstinacy extorts my veneration; but +permit me to inquire: How can you help it?"</p> + +<p>"Very simply, sir. Time is of no concern to me. I have plenty of +victuals and ammunition down here; and if any man comes to take my +sword I shall kill him."</p> + +<p>"You cannot kill five or six hundred men."</p> + +<p>"No; when I am bored, I shall fire the powder-magazine."</p> + +<p>"Monsieur—"</p> + +<p>There was no answer but the sound of a man blowing his nose violently +and the ring of a ramrod as it was thrust home. It was absurd that +one man should hold a ship against hundreds. Nevertheless, it was +so, and the Commodore did not see his way out of it.</p> + +<p>"Permit me, sir," said Captain Runacles, stepping forward, "to add my +assurance, if such be needed, that Captain Barker is a man of his +word."</p> + +<p>The Commodore essayed gentler tactics.</p> + +<p>"Listen, monsieur!" he called down.</p> + +<p>"Go away!"</p> + +<p>"I have the pleasure to announce to you that you shall meet only with +such treatment as your bravery deserves. Dismiss all apprehension of +imprisonment—"</p> + +<p>At this point he skipped backwards with such violence as to knock a +couple of sailors sprawling. A bullet had embedded itself in the +timbers at his feet.</p> + +<p>He determined to use summary measures, and ordered twelve grenadiers, +with fixed bayonets, to advance to the cabin door, break it open, and +overpower the Englishman.</p> + +<p>The twelve men advanced as they were bidden. The sergeant was +half-way down the ladder, with his detachment at his heels, when the +report of a musket was heard and down he dropped with a ball in his +leg. The grenadiers hesitated. Another shot followed. It was +pretty clear that the besieged man had plenty of firearms loaded and +ready. They scrambled up the steps again. "It was all very well," +they said; "but as they could only advance in single file, exposing +their legs before they could use their arms, the Englishman from +behind his barricade could shoot them down like sheep."</p> + +<p>M. de la Pailletine stamped and swore, upbraiding them for their +cowardice. He was about to order them down again when a diversion +occurred.</p> + +<p>A door slammed below, a wheezing cough was heard, and Captain +Barker's head appeared at the top of the ladder.</p> + +<p>"Which of you is the French captain?"</p> + +<p>M. de la Pailletine lifted his hat.</p> + +<p>"H'mph!"</p> + +<p>He stepped up on deck and the French officers drew back in sheer +amazement. They looked at this man who had defied them for pretty +near an hour. They had expected to see a giant. Instead they saw a +tiny man, hump-backed, wry-necked, pale of face, with a twisted +smile, and glaring green eyes, that surveyed them with a malicious +twinkle. His wig was off, and his bandaged scalp, as well as his +face, was smeared black with powder; and it appeared that he could +not even walk like other men, for he moved across the deck with a +gait that was something between a trot and a shamble and +indescribably ludicrous.</p> + +<p>Yet all this abated his dignity no whit. He trotted straight up to +M. de la Pailletine (whose astonishment mastered his manners for the +moment, so that he stared and drew back), and working his jaw, as a +man who has to swallow a bitter pill which sticks in his mouth, he +held out his sword without ceremony.</p> + +<p>"Here you are," he said: "I've done with it; can't waste words."</p> + +<p>"Sir," the Commodore answered, bowing, "believe me, I receive it with +little gratification. The victory is ours, no doubt; but the honour +of it you have wrested from us. Sir, I am a Frenchman; but I am a +sailor, too; and my heart swells over such a feat as yours. +Suffer me, then, to remind you that your present captivity is but the +fortune of war, against which you have struggled heroically; that +your self-sacrifice has saved your fleet; and that, as France knows +how to appreciate gallantry in her adversaries, your bondage shall be +merely nominal."</p> + +<p>"H'mph," said the little man, "fine talk, sir, fine talk! As for the +ships, I saw the last of 'em slip into the Thames ten minutes since, +from my cabin window. Sorry to keep you parleying so long, but +couldn't come out before."</p> + +<p>He blew his nose violently, cocked his head on one side, and added— +". . . though, to be sure, sir, your words are devilish kind— +devilish kind, 'pon my soul!"</p> + +<p>M. de la Pailletine, with a pleasant smile, held out his sword to +him.</p> + +<p>"Take it back, monsieur—take back a weapon no man better deserves to +wear. Forget that you are my prisoner: and, if I may beg it, +remember rather that you are my friend."</p> + +<p>The face of the little hunchback flushed crimson. He hesitated, took +back the sword clumsily, hesitated again, then swiftly held out his +hand to M. de la Pailletine, with a smile as beautiful as his body +was deformed.</p> + +<p>"Sir, you have beaten me. I fought your men for awhile, but I can't +stand up against this."</p> + + + +<h4><i>VII.—The Galley.</i></h4> + +<p>There was one man, however, who soon had reason to repent that the +little man had been given his sword again.</p> + +<p>Dark had fallen when M. de la Pailletine conducted him courteously +over the frigate's side and across the deck of <i>L'Heureuse</i> towards +his own cabin. Flinging the door open, he bowed, motioning Captain +Barker to precede him.</p> + +<p>As the hunchback entered, a figure rose from beside the table under +the swinging-lamp. It was Roderick Salt, who had been sitting there +and sulking since the engagement began.</p> + +<p>Captain Barker jumped back a foot and stared.</p> + +<p>"<i>You!</i>"</p> + +<p>Captain Salt had been expecting the Commodore, and was waiting to pay +him a dozen satirical compliments on the issue of the engagement. +Triumph shone in his eyes. It went out like a candle-flame before a +puff of wind.</p> + +<p>"YOU!"</p> + +<p>In a flash the hunchback was running on him with drawn sword. +M. de la Pailletine, in a trice, interposing, knocked the blade up +and out of his hand. But he rushed on, and, dealing the traitor a +sound blow on the face with his fist, began to kick and cuff and +pummel him without mercy.</p> + +<p>"Take him off—take him off!" gasped Captain Salt, but offered not +the least resistance.</p> + +<p>The Commodore, amused and secretly pleased, caught the little man in +his arms and dragged him away by main force.</p> + +<p>"Messieurs," he said, slipping between them, and still panting with +the effort, "circumstances compel me to leave you together for a +while. But before I go, I must exact a <i>parole</i> from both of you +that you will keep the peace towards each other."</p> + +<p>"But, monsieur," Captain Barker exclaimed, "I want to kill him!"</p> + +<p>"Doubtless; but if, sir, you have that consideration for me which you +professed by shaking hands with me just now, you will refrain. +Captain Salt will tell you, sir, that we have a small affair to +discuss together as soon as we reach France again. When that +discussion is over, no doubt he will be at your service."</p> + +<p>The pair gave their promise reluctantly, and, as the Commodore left +the cabin, sat down, facing each other across the table—Captain Salt +with his back to the shattered stern-windows, which, a week or two +before Tristram had touched up with fresh paint and simple +enthusiasm.</p> + +<p>They knew nothing of this. Yet the first question asked by Captain +Barker, after he had glared at his enemy in silence for twenty +minutes, was:</p> + +<p>"Where is Tristram?"</p> + +<p>"Tristram?"</p> + +<p>"Ay; your son. You have seen him and have been with him."</p> + +<p>"I do not know. I lost him."</p> + +<p>"When? Where?"</p> + +<p>"Two months since. We were travelling south together—"</p> + +<p>"What right had you—"</p> + +<p>"Excuse me, I was about to put a similar question. To begin with, +you do not deny, I suppose, that the lad is my son?" He paused a +second or two, and listened; for a sudden shout had gone up from the +galley's deck above them. He continued, "Secondly, the boy is heir +to considerable estates; thirdly, he has been so for many years; +fourthly, I am legally an administrator of those estates; fifthly, +you knew that I was alive—what the devil is that noise?"</p> + +<p>"Never mind the noise. Proceed with your remarks."</p> + +<p>"I have simply to say that you, Captain Barker, together with your +friend Runacles, have for years been playing off a fraud on the law, +and that I am going to exact my rights to the last farthing."</p> + +<p>"Really, you must excuse me; but do you—a traitor, on board a French +ship—imagine that you possess any rights in England?"</p> + +<p>There was certainly a loud trampling of feet on the galley's deck at +this moment. But Captain Barker knew that the French would make +haste to clear their dead at once and get into motion with their +prize, for the merchantmen must, before this, have given the alarm, +and the coast was continually patrolled by British cruisers.</p> + +<p>"You have a very imperfect knowledge of my position, Captain Barker; +and it naturally leads you to jump to very wrong conclusions. +To begin with, you imagine me a traitor."</p> + +<p>"I do."</p> + +<p>"To whom? To King William, I suppose?"</p> + +<p>"Well, as William is the king whose law seems most likely to +interfere with your present threats, I will instance King William."</p> + +<p>"You are mistaken. Until you came into sight this squadron was +advancing on Harwich under my command. You understand? Well, before +it started I had sent word to William of its intention. In other +words, from first to last I designed the whole expedition in his +interests. Had we gone on, by this time half a dozen British +frigates would have been upon us."</p> + +<p>"<i>My God! And they are here!</i>"</p> + +<p>As Captain Barker yelled it out, a broad flame illumined the cabin, +and the crash of broken glass and rending timbers mingled with a roar +that shook the seas for miles.</p> + +<p>And in the light of this thunderous broadside Captain Salt rose +slowly, lifted his arms, swayed and dropped forward, striking the +table with his brow; then slid down upon the floor, stone-dead.</p> + + + +<h4><i>VIII.—The Galley (in the hold).</i></h4> + +<p> +From his second swoon Tristram awoke to find the light of a lantern +flashing in his face.</p> + +<p>The <i>Merry Maid's</i> flag had scarcely been hauled down before night +fell; and almost with its falling, while the men of the other galleys +were helping to clear <i>L'Heureuse's</i> decks, they perceived lights +twinkling off the mouth of the Thames.</p> + +<p>At once concluding that these were the lights of English men-of-war +sent to pursue them, they used the utmost dispatch. Their first +concern was to throw the dead overboard and stow the wounded in the +hold. But so closely they were pressed by the fear of losing their +prize and being made prisoners, that it is to be feared as many of +the living were thrown over for dead as of those who were dead in +reality.</p> + +<p>This, at any rate, came near to being Tristram's fate. For when the +keeper came to unchain the killed and wounded of his seat he was +still without consciousness lying among the corpses, bathed in their +blood and his own.</p> + +<p>"A clean sweep of this bench," said the keeper.</p> + +<p>He and his fellows, therefore, without further examination, did but +unchain the slaves and then fling them over. It was sufficient that +the body neither spoke nor cried.</p> + +<p>Tristram's comrades, it is true, were in no doubtful plight. +The hand of death had impressed them beyond chance of mistake. +They were thrown over limb by limb.</p> + +<p>Tristram's was the only body that remained entire, and to all +appearance he too was dead. Now, he had been chained by the left +leg, in which (as we have said) he was severely wounded. The keeper, +not knowing that the chain had been blown away, grasped this leg in +his hand, felt for the ring and tried to wrench it open.</p> + +<p>Fortunately he tugged so lustily and inflicted so sharp a pang in the +wounded limb that Tristram opened his eyes and sobbed with the +anguish of it. The fellow let go his grasp.</p> + +<p>Then, suddenly perceiving what their intention had been, the poor +youth screamed out at the top of his voice:</p> + +<p>"Please do not throw me over. I'm not dead yet!"</p> + +<p>Upon this they carried him to a small chamber in the hold and tossed +him down among a heap of groaning wounded, upon a cable made up into +a <i>rouleau</i>, perhaps the hardest bed on which a sick man can lie. +About him were stretched indiscriminately petty officers, sailors, +soldiers, and slaves. The air could reach this den only through a +scuttle about two feet square, and the heat and stench were therefore +something intolerable. A surgeon was at work among the sufferers. +Reaching Tristram at length, he stopped the bleeding of his wounds +with a little spirits of wine. He had no bandages; nor did he come +again to see if his patient were dead or alive.</p> + +<p>But, indeed, our hero was past caring for this, and when he regained +consciousness after a third swoon it was to find himself in other +hands.</p> + +<p>For the pursuing English, aided by the wind (which had shifted a +little farther to the northward), had swept down upon the galleys and +taken them, with their prize, and were now towing them triumphantly +into Sheerness.</p> + + + +<h4><i>IX.—At Sheerness.</i></h4> + +<p> +At ten o'clock next morning, after a prodigious breakfast at +Sheerness, Captain Barker and Captain Runacles (whose wounded arm +was slung in a silk kerchief) strolled down to the waterside to have +a look at the strange vessels they had so obstinately defied. +They explored with especial care the unfortunate <i>L'Heureuse</i>, +visiting first the Commodore's cabin, upon the boards of which the +blood of Roderick Salt was hardly dry. It cannot be said that they +felt much sorrow for his fate; for to pity a traitor was a height to +which the faith of this pair of imperfect Christians did not soar. +But they uttered no word of exultation, and quickly resumed their +examination of the deck and hold, discussing this or that rent, +debating over every splinter, proving that such and such a groove was +ploughed by a ball from such and such an angle, and so on.</p> + +<p>From the deck they descended to the long chamber where now row upon +row of battered and deserted benches told of a tragedy more pitiful +than any that can befall men who are free to stand up and fight for +their lives.</p> + +<p>"Merciful Heaven!" exclaimed the little hunchback, standing with +his arms folded and gloomily conjuring up the scene of yesterday; +"Jemmy, we must have mown the poor brutes down like swathes of meadow +grass. See here—"</p> + +<p>He bent to examine a bench along which a broadening groove ran from +end to end, telling a frightful tale.</p> + +<p>But Captain Runacles did not answer. He was standing by a battered +hole in the galley's starboard side and looking down at the floor. +A sunbeam fell through the hole and slanted along the planks of the +flooring. His eyes were following this sunbeam, and his face was +like a ghost's.</p> + +<p>"Jemmy; come and look—here's a whole benchful accounted for at one +swoop." Still Jemmy did not reply. The sunbeam drifting between the +benches before him fell on a little patch of earth—a patch collected +by one of the slaves whose comrades, humouring his whim, had brought +him a handful or two in their pockets whenever they returned from +shore. Upon this patch of earth were sunk the prints of a pair of +feet, far apart; and between these footprints glimmered two lines of +green, with two other lines uniting them.</p> + +<p>They were two lines of pepper-cress, unharmed and fresh as if they +grew in some sheltered garden, open only to the sun and rain. And as +Captain Jemmy looked, the two green lines resolved themselves into +two words; thus bracketed:</p> + +<blockquote><blockquote> +<span class = "ind10">SOPHIA</span><br> +<span class = "ind9">TRISTRAM</span> +</blockquote></blockquote><br> + +<p>"Jemmy—Jemmy, confound you! Do you hear?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, yes." Captain Runacles turned suddenly and took his friend by +the arm. "Yes—I see—very curious. Now let's go."</p> + +<p>"You're in a great hurry."</p> + +<p>"Yes, I want to go up and have a look at the wounded in hospital."</p> + +<p>"Why, what's taken you? We haven't looked at the beak yet; and +that's the most important of all."</p> + +<p>"Very well, come along, and examine it while I run up to the +hospital. Come"—he took the little man's arm—"I won't be gone ten +minutes."</p> + +<p>"Now, why on earth you've taken this fancy—" began Captain Barker as +he regained the deck. And then he put his hands behind him and +stared; for Captain Jemmy was already hurrying away for his life.</p> + +<p>It was fifteen minutes before he returned, and the little man was +hanging over the bows with half his body over the bulwarks and his +head twisted to get a better view of the formidable beak.</p> + +<p>"Jack!"</p> + +<p>"Oh, you're back. I say, just lean over here—"</p> + +<p>"Jack!" Captain Runacles caught him by the coat-tails, and tore him +back. "Now listen; you're not to speak; you're not to ask questions; +you're not to open your mouth. You've just to come—that's all."</p> + +<p>He took the little man and hurried him ashore. He was breathless; +but he ran Captain Barker over the gang-plank like a charging bull.</p> + +<p>"One moment, Jemmy—Jemmy! Damme I <i>will</i> ask—!"</p> + +<p>"Ask away, then—and wait for the answer!"</p> +<br> +<p>And so it happened that Tristram, stretched in the hospital at +Sheerness, with his head to the wall, and thirty wounded men on +either side of him, heard in his painless dose a sharp cry, and then +a voice that seemed to call him across miles of empty space.</p> + +<p>"O! my dear God! Tristram—my son, my son!"</p> + +<p>He opened his eyes feebly, smiled, and whispering one word—"Dad!"— +sank back into a dreamless slumber.</p> + + +<br> +<p><a name="16"></a> </p> +<h2>CHAPTER XV.</h2> +<br> +<h4>BACK AT THE BLUE PAVILIONS.</h4> + +<p> +Four weeks afterwards Tristram was put into a boat and taken up to +London, whence after two days' rest he was removed by easy stages +home to Harwich.</p> + +<p>At the gate of Captain Barker's pavilion he passed into the care of +Dr. Beckerleg, who put him to bed at once and dared him to get up. +As he was borne up the garden-path Sophia peeped through a chink of +the little blue door; and got not another glimpse of her lover for +another six weeks.</p> + +<p>It was a soft and sunny morning in October month when Dr. Beckerleg, +having given his patient leave to dress and set foot outside the door +for the first time, stepped down into the garden to seek the two +captains and send them upstairs to help the invalid.</p> + +<p>As he opened the front-door a searching odour caused him to pause in +the porch and sniff. He traced this odour round to the back of the +house, and there found Captain Barker, Captain Runacles and Narcissus +Swiggs. Between them they had managed to clear the garden of an +enormous crop of weeds, of which they were now making a bonfire. +Behind the thick and yellowish coils of smoke Dr. Beckerleg could +just discern the forms of the two captains. By their gestures they +seemed to be engaged in an acrimonious discussion. Narcissus, little +heeding, stolidly poked the bonfire with a charred stake.</p> + +<p>"I will not!" said Captain Runacles.</p> + +<p>"But I say that you shall!" said Captain Barker.</p> + +<p>"The lad is yours, and yours only."</p> + +<p>"He is yours also."</p> + +<p>"By a cast of dice you won him."</p> + +<p>"By law he was given back to you."</p> + +<p>"You have brought him up."</p> + +<p>"You found him again when I lost him."</p> + +<p>"Yes, by means of an art which you taught him."</p> + +<p>"Gentlemen, gentlemen," interposed the doctor, advancing, "what is +all this fuss?"</p> + +<p>"Why," began Captain Barker, "I was proposing that, for the future, +we should take equal shares in the superintendence of Tristram's +education; and he won't listen to it."</p> + +<p>"Certainly I won't," Captain Runacles assented stoutly.</p> + +<p>The doctor looked from one to the other with a good-humoured smile.</p> + +<p>"And why won't you?" he asked, addressing Captain Jemmy.</p> + +<p>"Why won't I? Because, as you are aware—for you were present—we +once cast the dice over this boy, and Jack won."</p> + +<p>"Did he?"</p> + +<p>"You know he did. He flung two sixes. Bless my heart, doctor, you +<i>must</i> remember that!"</p> + +<p>"I do, perfectly. And you—what did you throw?"</p> + +<p>"I—well, I—"</p> + +<p>"You threw the dice, and the box with 'em, out of the window: that's +what you did."</p> + +<p>"Very well, then. That settles it. I don't back out of my luck."</p> + +<p>"Gentlemen," said Dr. Beckerleg, clearing his throat, "I have +something to tell you. It is a fact, and I don't pretend to explain +it. You know the proverb about doctors and their unbelief. Well, if +I had been inclined—and I am not—to deny a controlling wisdom in +this scheme of things, I should have been startled somewhat when +Captain Barker flung those two sixes. That apparent chance should +give an approval so decided to Captain Barker's adoption of this +orphan child was, to say the least, remarkable: for I thought then, +and now I am sure, that no better father could be found for the +babe."</p> + +<p>"That's what I say," Captain Runacles put in.</p> + +<p>"Do not interrupt me, please. I say no <i>better</i> father could be +found. I did not say that none could be found as good. My dear +Runacles, you tossed the dice out of the window and flounced off in a +huff. As they had been borrowed, and without their owner's consent, +I thought fit to step across the street and pick them up. They were +lying not a yard apart in the gutter. You were wrong, captain, in +not giving them a look."</p> + +<p>"Why?"</p> + +<p>"<i>Simply because, as they lay, two sixes were uppermost.</i>"</p> + +<p>The two captains stared at him.</p> + +<p>"I give you my word," he said quietly.</p> + +<p>"My dear Jack—"</p> + +<p>"That settles it, Jemmy."</p> + +<p>They took each other's hand.</p> + +<p>"But excuse me," said Dr. Beckerleg, "this is not what I came to tell +you. Just now I have given Tristram leave to stroll out into the +garden for an hour and he is waiting for you to dress him."</p> + +<p>But here the doctor made a mistake, for when they went upstairs there +was no sign of Tristram. He and his clothes had disappeared.</p> + +<p>They ran down to the front-door and looked around. There was no sign +of him.</p> + +<p>Finally Dr. Beckerleg advanced to the little blue door in the hedge, +opened it, and poked his head into Captain Runacles' garden. Then he +turned softly and, putting a finger to his lip, beckoned to the +others. They advanced on tip-toe and peeped through.</p> + +<p>Beside a garden-bed, half a dozen yards away, and with their backs to +the door, knelt Sophia and Tristram. The youth's left arm was around +the girl's waist, and the youth's hair mingled with the girl's as +unconscious of observation they bent over the mould. It was the same +mould in which Sophia, years before, had buried her doll, and now +Tristram was helping Sophia to sprinkle it with pepper-cress seed; +holding her right hand as she traced this:</p> + +<br> +<center> +<img src="images/hearts.jpg" +alt="The Astonishing History of Troy Town"> +</center> +<br> + + +<p>The watchers withdrew as softly as they had advanced. But on his way +back to the bonfire Captain Barker darted into the house and emerged +again with an armful of green volumes.</p> + +<p>"What's the meaning of this?" asked Dr. Beckerleg.</p> + +<p>The little man trotted round and shot his burden right on top of the +pile which Narcissus had by this time stirred into a blaze.</p> + +<p>"There doesn't seem to be any further use for 'em," he explained, +panting and running back to the house.</p> + +<p>He fetched another armful, and then another; and as he discharged the +last upon the bonfire, turned and laid a hand upon Captain Runacles' +arm.</p> + +<p>"Jemmy, old friend, we needn't to have made such a fuss about it, +after all."</p> + +<br> +<br> +<br> +<br> +<hr class="full" noshade> +<p>***END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE BLUE PAVILIONS***</p> +<p>******* This file should be named 19977-h.txt or 19977-h.zip *******</p> +<p>This and all associated files of various formats will be found in:<br /> +<a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/1/9/9/7/19977">http://www.gutenberg.org/1/9/9/7/19977</a></p> +<p>Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed.</p> + +<p>Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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