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diff --git a/7435-h/7435-h.htm b/7435-h/7435-h.htm new file mode 100644 index 0000000..0f7a4ee --- /dev/null +++ b/7435-h/7435-h.htm @@ -0,0 +1,21847 @@ +<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?> + +<!DOCTYPE html + PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Strict//EN" + "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-strict.dtd" > + +<html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" lang="en"> + <head> + <title> + Springhaven, by R. D. Blackmore + </title> + <style type="text/css" xml:space="preserve"> + + body { margin:5%; background:#faebd0; text-align:justify} + P { text-indent: 1em; margin-top: .25em; margin-bottom: .25em; } + H1,H2,H3,H4,H5,H6 { text-align: center; margin-left: 15%; margin-right: 15%; } + hr { width: 50%; text-align: center;} + .foot { margin-left: 20%; margin-right: 20%; text-align: justify; text-indent: -3em; font-size: 90%; } + blockquote {font-size: 97%; font-style: italic; margin-left: 10%; margin-right: 10%;} + .mynote {background-color: #DDE; color: #000; padding: .5em; margin-left: 10%; margin-right: 10%; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 95%;} + .toc { margin-left: 10%; margin-bottom: .75em;} + .toc2 { margin-left: 20%;} + div.fig { display:block; margin:0 auto; text-align:center; } + div.middle { margin-left: 20%; margin-right: 20%; text-align: justify; } + .figleft {float: left; margin-left: 0%; margin-right: 1%;} + .figright {float: right; margin-right: 0%; margin-left: 1%;} + .pagenum {display:inline; font-size: 70%; font-style:normal; + margin: 0; padding: 0; position: absolute; right: 1%; + text-align: right;} + pre { font-style: italic; font-size: 90%; margin-left: 10%;} + +</style> + </head> + <body> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + +The Project Gutenberg EBook of Springhaven, by R. D. Blackmore + +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 www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: Springhaven + A Tale of the Great War + +Author: R. D. Blackmore + +Release Date: June 6, 2006 [EBook #7435] +Last Updated: September 6, 2018 + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: UTF-8 + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK SPRINGHAVEN *** + + + + +Produced by Don Lainson; David Widger + + + + + +</pre> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <h1> + SPRINGHAVEN: + </h1> + <h2> + A Tale of the Great War <br /> <br /> By R. D. Blackmore <br /> <br /> 1887 + </h2> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <blockquote> + <p class="toc"> + <big><b>CONTENTS</b></big> + </p> + <p> + <br /> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0001"> CHAPTER I -- WHEN THE SHIP COMES HOME </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0002"> CHAPTER II -- WITH HER CREW AND CARGO </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0003"> CHAPTER III -- AND HER TRUE COMMANDER </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0004"> CHAPTER IV -- AND HER FAITHFUL CHAPLAIN </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0005"> CHAPTER V -- OPINION, MALE AND FEMALE </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0006"> CHAPTER VI -- AS OTHERS SEE US </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0007"> CHAPTER VII -- A SQUADRON IN THE DOWNS </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0008"> CHAPTER VIII -- A LESSON IN THE AENEID </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0009"> CHAPTER IX -- THE MAROON </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0010"> CHAPTER X -- ACROSS THE STEPPING-STONES </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0011"> CHAPTER XI -- NO PROMOTION </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0012"> CHAPTER XII -- AT THE YEW-TREE </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0013"> CHAPTER XIII -- WHENCE, AND WHEREFORE? </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0014"> CHAPTER XIV -- A HORRIBLE SUGGESTION </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0015"> CHAPTER XV -- ORDEAL OF AUDIT </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0016"> CHAPTER XVI -- FOX-HILL </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0017"> CHAPTER XVII -- SEA-SIDE LODGINGS </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0018"> CHAPTER XVIII -- FRENCH AND ENGLISH </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0019"> CHAPTER XIX -- IN THE LINE OF FIRE </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0020"> CHAPTER XX -- AMONG THE LADIES </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0021"> CHAPTER XXI -- A GRACIOUS MERCY </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0022"> CHAPTER XXII -- A SPECIAL URGENCY </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0023"> CHAPTER XXIII -- YOH-HEAVE-OH! </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0024"> CHAPTER XXIV -- ACCORDING TO CONTRACT </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0025"> CHAPTER XXV -- NO CONCERN OF OURS </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0026"> CHAPTER XXVI -- LONG-PIPE TIMES </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0027"> CHAPTER XXVII -- FAIR IN THEORY </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0028"> CHAPTER XXVIII -- FOUL IN PRACTICE </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0029"> CHAPTER XXIX -- MATERNAL ELOQUENCE </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0030"> CHAPTER XXX -- PATERNAL DISCIPLINE </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0031"> CHAPTER XXXI -- SORE TEMPTATION </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0032"> CHAPTER XXXII -- THE TRIALS OF FAITH </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0033"> CHAPTER XXXIII -- FAREWELL, DANIEL </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0034"> CHAPTER XXXIV -- CAULIFLOWERS </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0035"> CHAPTER XXXV -- LOYAL, AYE LOYAL </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0036"> CHAPTER XXXVI -- FAIR CRITICISM </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0037"> CHAPTER XXXVII -- NEITHER AT HOME </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0038"> CHAPTER XXXVIII -- EVERYBODY'S MASTER </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0039"> CHAPTER XXXIX -- RUNNING THE GAUNTLET </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0040"> CHAPTER XL -- SHELFING THE QUESTION </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0041"> CHAPTER XLI -- LISTENERS HEAR NO GOOD </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0042"> CHAPTER XLII -- ANSWERING THE QUESTION </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0043"> CHAPTER XLIII -- LITTLE AND GREAT PEOPLE </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0044"> CHAPTER XLIV -- DOWN AMONG THE DEAD MEN </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0045"> CHAPTER XLV -- FATHER, AND CHILD </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0046"> CHAPTER XLVI -- CATAMARANS </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0047"> CHAPTER XLVII -- ENTER AND EXIT </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0048"> CHAPTER XLVIII -- MOTHER SCUDAMORE </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0049"> CHAPTER XLIX -- EVIL COMMUNICATIONS </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0050"> CHAPTER L -- HIS SAVAGE SPIRIT </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0051"> CHAPTER LI -- STRANGE CRAFT </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0052"> CHAPTER LII -- KIND ENQUIRIES </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0053"> CHAPTER LIII -- TIME AND PLACE </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0054"> CHAPTER LIV -- IN A SAD PLIGHT </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0055"> CHAPTER LV -- IN SAVAGE GUISE </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0056"> CHAPTER LVI -- THE SILVER VOICE </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0057"> CHAPTER LVII -- BELOW THE LINE </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0058"> CHAPTER LVIII -- IN EARLY MORN </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0059"> CHAPTER LIX -- NEAR OUR SHORES </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0060"> CHAPTER LX -- NO DANGER, GENTLEMEN </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0061"> CHAPTER LXI -- DISCHARGED FROM DUTY </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0062"> CHAPTER LXII -- THE WAY OUT OF IT </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0063"> CHAPTER LXIII -- THE FATAL STEP </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0064"> CHAPTER LXIV -- WRATH AND SORROW </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0065"> CHAPTER LXV -- TRAFALGAR </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0066"> CHAPTER LXVI -- THE LAST BULLETIN </a> + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0001" id="link2HCH0001"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> <br /> <br /> + </p> + <h2> + CHAPTER I + </h2> + <h3> + WHEN THE SHIP COMES HOME + </h3> + <p> + In the days when England trusted mainly to the vigor and valor of one man, + against a world of enemies, no part of her coast was in greater peril than + the fair vale of Springhaven. But lying to the west of the narrow seas, + and the shouts both of menace and vigilance, the quiet little village in + the tranquil valley forbore to be uneasy. + </p> + <p> + For the nature of the place and race, since time has outlived memory, + continually has been, and must be, to let the world pass easily. Little to + talk of, and nothing to do, is the healthy condition of mankind just + there. To all who love repose and shelter, freedom from the cares of money + and the cark of fashion, and (in lieu of these) refreshing air, bright + water, and green country, there is scarcely any valley left to compare + with that of Springhaven. This valley does not interrupt the land, but + comes in as a pleasant relief to it. No glaring chalk, no grim sandstone, + no rugged flint, outface it; but deep rich meadows, and foliage thick, and + cool arcades of ancient trees, defy the noise that men make. And above the + trees, in shelving distance, rise the crests of upland, a soft gray lias, + where orchards thrive, and greensward strokes down the rigor of the rocks, + and quick rills lace the bosom of the slope with tags of twisted silver. + </p> + <p> + In the murmur of the valley twenty little waters meet, and discoursing + their way to the sea, give name to the bay that receives them and the + anchorage they make. And here no muddy harbor reeks, no foul mouth of + rat-haunted drains, no slimy and scraggy wall runs out, to mar the meeting + of sweet and salt. With one or two mooring posts to watch it, and a course + of stepping-stones, the brook slides into the peaceful bay, and is lost in + larger waters. Even so, however, it is kindly still, for it forms a + tranquil haven. + </p> + <p> + Because, where the ruffle of the land stream merges into the heavier + disquietude of sea, slopes of shell sand and white gravel give welcome + pillow to the weary keel. No southerly tempest smites the bark, no long + groundswell upheaves her; for a bold point, known as the “Haven-head,” + baffles the storm in the offing, while the bulky rollers of a strong + spring-tide, that need no wind to urge them, are broken by the shifting of + the shore into a tier of white-frilled steps. So the deep-waisted smacks + that fish for many generations, and even the famous “London trader” (a + schooner of five-and-forty tons), have rest from their labors, whenever + they wish or whenever they can afford it, in the arms of the land, and the + mouth of the water, and under the eyes of Springhaven. + </p> + <p> + At the corner of the wall, where the brook comes down, and pebble turns + into shingle, there has always been a good white gate, respected (as a + white gate always is) from its strong declaration of purpose. Outside of + it, things may belong to the Crown, the Admiralty, Manor, or Trinity + Brethren, or perhaps the sea itself—according to the latest ebb or + flow of the fickle tide of Law Courts—but inside that gate + everything belongs to the fine old family of Darling. + </p> + <p> + Concerning the origin of these Darlings divers tales are told, according + to the good-will or otherwise of the diver. The Darlings themselves + contend and prove that stock and name are Saxon, and the true form of the + name is “Deerlung,” as witness the family bearings. But the foes of the + race, and especially the Carnes, of ancient Sussex lineage, declare that + the name describes itself. Forsooth, these Darlings are nothing more, to + their contemptuous certainty, than the offset of some court favorite, too + low to have won nobility, in the reign of some light-affectioned king. + </p> + <p> + If ever there was any truth in that, it has been worn out long ago by + friction of its own antiquity. Admiral Darling owns that gate, and all the + land inside it, as far as a Preventive man can see with his spy-glass upon + the top bar of it. And this includes nearly all the village of + Springhaven, and the Hall, and the valley, and the hills that make it. And + how much more does all this redound to the credit of the family when the + gazer reflects that this is nothing but their younger tenement! For this + is only Springhaven Hall, while Darling Holt, the headquarters of the + race, stands far inland, and belongs to Sir Francis, the Admiral's elder + brother. + </p> + <p> + When the tides were at their spring, and the year 1802 of our era in the + same condition, Horatia Dorothy Darling, younger daughter of the aforesaid + Admiral, choosing a very quiet path among thick shrubs and under-wood, + came all alone to a wooden building, which her father called his + Round-house. In the war, which had been patched over now, but would very + soon break out again, that veteran officer held command of the coast + defense (westward of Nelson's charge) from Beachy Head to Selsey Bill. No + real danger had existed then, and no solid intent of invasion, but many + sharp outlooks had been set up, and among them was this at Springhaven. + </p> + <p> + Here was established under thatch, and with sliding lights before it, the + Admiral's favorite Munich glass, mounted by an old ship's carpenter (who + had followed the fortunes of his captain) on a stand which would have + puzzled anybody but the maker, with the added security of a lanyard from + the roof. The gear, though rough, was very strong and solid, and afforded + more range and firmer rest to the seven-feet tube and adjustments than a + costly mounting by a London optician would have been likely to supply. It + was a pleasure to look through such a glass, so clear, and full of light, + and firm; and one who could have borne to be looked at through it, or + examined even by a microscope, came now to enjoy that pleasure. + </p> + <p> + Miss Dolly Darling could not be happy—though her chief point was to + be so—without a little bit of excitement, though it were of her own + construction. Her imagination, being bright and tender and lively, rather + than powerful, was compelled to make its own material, out of very little + stuff sometimes. She was always longing for something sweet and thrilling + and romantic, and what chance of finding it in this dull place, even with + the longest telescope? For the war, with all its stirring rumors and + perpetual motion on shore and sea, and access of gallant visitors, was + gone for the moment, and dull peace was signed. + </p> + <p> + This evening, as yet, there seemed little chance of anything to enliven + her. The village, in the valley and up the stream, was hidden by turns of + the land and trees; her father's house beneath the hill crest was out of + sight and hearing; not even a child was on the beach; and the only + movement was of wavelets leisurely advancing toward the sea-wall fringed + with tamarisk. The only thing she could hope to see was the happy return + of the fishing-smacks, and perhaps the “London trader,” inasmuch as the + fishermen (now released from fencible duty and from French alarm) did + their best to return on Saturday night to their moorings, their homes, the + disposal of fish, and then the deep slumber of Sunday. If the breeze + should enable them to round the Head, and the tide avail for landing, the + lane to the village, the beach, and even the sea itself would swarm with + life and bustle and flurry and incident. But Dolly's desire was for scenes + more warlike and actors more august than these. + </p> + <p> + Beauty, however, has an eye for beauty beyond its own looking-glass. + Deeply as Dolly began to feel the joy of her own loveliness, she had + managed to learn, and to feel as well, that so far as the strength and + vigor of beauty may compare with its grace and refinement, she had her own + match at Springhaven. Quite a hardworking youth, of no social position and + no needless education, had such a fine countenance and such bright eyes + that she neither could bear to look at him nor forbear to think of him. + And she knew that if the fleet came home she would see him on board of the + Rosalie. + </p> + <p> + Flinging on a shelf the small white hat which had scarcely covered her + dark brown curls, she lifted and shored with a wooden prop the southern + casement of leaded glass. This being up, free range was given to the + swinging telescope along the beach to the right and left, and over the + open sea for miles, and into the measureless haze of air. She could manage + this glass to the best advantage, through her father's teaching, and could + take out the slide and clean the lenses, and even part the object-glass, + and refix it as well as possible. She belonged to the order of the clever + virgins, but scarcely to that of the wise ones. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0002" id="link2HCH0002"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER II + </h2> + <h3> + WITH HER CREW AND CARGO + </h3> + <p> + Long after the time of those who write and those who read this history, + the name of Zebedee Tugwell will be flourishing at Springhaven. + </p> + <p> + To achieve unmerited honor is the special gift of thousands, but to + deserve and win befalls some few in every century, and one of these few + was Zebedee. To be the head-man of any other village, and the captain of + its fishing fleet, might prove no lofty eminence; but to be the leader of + Springhaven was true and arduous greatness. From Selsey Bill to + Orfordness, taking in all the Cinque Ports and all the port of London, + there was not a place that insisted on, and therefore possessed, all its + own rights so firmly as this village did. Not less than seven stout + fishing-smacks—six of them sloops, and the seventh a dandy—formed + the marine power of this place, and behaved as one multiplied by seven. + All the bold fishermen held their line from long-established ancestry, and + stuck to the stock of their grandfathers, and their wisdom and freedom + from prejudice. Strength was condensed into clear law with them—as + sinew boils down into jelly—and character carried out its force as + the stamp of solid impress. What the father had been, the son became, as + the generation squared itself, and the slates for the children to do their + copies were the tombstones of their granddads. Thus brave Etruria grew, + and thus the Rome which was not built in a day became the flower of the + world, and girt in unity of self seven citadels. + </p> + <p> + There was Roman blood—of the Tenth Legion, perhaps—in the + general vein of Springhaven. There was scarcely a man who pretended to + know much outside of his own business, and there was not a woman unable to + wait (when her breath was quite gone) for sound reason. Solidity, + self-respect, pure absence of frivolous humor, ennobled the race and + enabled them to hold together, so that everybody not born in Springhaven + might lament, but never repair, his loss. + </p> + <p> + This people had many ancient rules befitting a fine corporation, and among + them were the following: “Never do a job for a stranger; sleep in your own + bed when you can; be at home in good time on a Saturday; never work harder + than you need; throw your fish away rather than undersell it; answer no + question, but ask another; spend all your money among your friends; and + above all, never let any stranger come a-nigh your proper fishing ground, + nor land any fish at Springhaven.” + </p> + <p> + These were golden laws, and made a snug and plump community. From the + Foreland to the Isle of Wight their nets and lines were sacred, and no + other village could be found so thriving, orderly, well-conducted, and + almost well-contented. For the men were not of rash enterprise, hot labor, + or fervid ambition; and although they counted things by money, they did + not count one another so. They never encouraged a friend to work so hard + as to grow too wealthy, and if he did so, they expected him to grow more + generous than he liked to be. And as soon as he failed upon that point, + instead of adoring, they growled at him, because every one of them might + have had as full a worsted stocking if his mind had been small enough to + forget the difference betwixt the land and sea, the tide of labor and the + time of leisure. + </p> + <p> + To these local and tribal distinctions they added the lofty expansion of + sons of the sea. The habit of rising on the surge and falling into the + trough behind it enables a biped, as soon as he lands, to take things that + are flat with indifference. His head and legs have got into a state of + firm confidence in one another, and all these declare—with the rest + of the body performing as chorus gratis—that now they are come to a + smaller affair, upon which they intend to enjoy themselves. So that, while + strenuous and quick of movement—whenever they could not help it—and + sometimes even brisk of mind (if anybody strove to cheat them), these men + generally made no griefs beyond what they were born to. + </p> + <p> + Zebedee Tugwell was now their chief, and well deserved to be so. Every + community of common-sense demands to have somebody over it, and nobody + could have felt ashamed to be under Captain Tugwell. He had built with his + own hands, and bought—for no man's work is his own until he has paid + for as well as made it—the biggest and smartest of all the fleet, + that dandy-rigged smack, the Rosalie. He was proud of her, as he well + might be, and spent most of his time in thinking of her; but even she was + scarcely up to the size of his ideas. “Stiff in the joints,” he now said + daily—“stiff in the joints is my complaint, and I never would have + believed it. But for all that, you shall see, my son, if the Lord should + spare you long enough, whether I don't beat her out and out with the craft + as have been in my mind this ten year.” + </p> + <p> + But what man could be built to beat Zebedee himself, in an age like this, + when yachts and men take the prize by profundity of false keel? Tugwell + yearned for no hot speed in his friends, or his house, or his wife, or his + walk, or even his way of thinking. He had seen more harm come from one + hour's hurry than a hundred years of care could cure, and the longer he + lived the more loath he grew to disturb the air around him. + </p> + <p> + “Admirable Nelson,” he used to say—for his education had not been so + large as the parts allotted to receive it; “to my mind he is a brave young + man, with great understanding of his dooties. But he goeth too fast, + without clearing of his way. With a man like me 'longside of 'un, he'd + have brought they boats out of Bulong. See how I brings my boats in, most + particular of a Saturday!” + </p> + <p> + It was Saturday now, when Miss Dolly was waiting to see this great + performance, of which she considered herself, as the daughter of an + admiral, no mean critic. And sure enough, as punctual as in a + well-conducted scheme of war, and with nice forecast of wind and tide, and + science of the supper-time, around the westward headland came the bold + fleet of Springhaven! + </p> + <p> + Seven ships of the line—the fishing line—arranged in perfect + order, with the Rosalie as the flag-ship leading, and three upon either + quarter, in the comfort and leisure of the new-born peace, they spread + their sails with sunshine. Even the warlike Dolly could not help some + thoughts of peacefulness, and a gentle tide of large good-will submerged + the rocks of glory. + </p> + <p> + “Why should those poor men all be killed?” she asked herself, as a new + thing, while she made out, by their faces, hats, fling of knee or elbow, + patch upon breeches, or sprawl of walking toward the attentive telescope, + pretty nearly who everybody of them was, and whatever else there was about + him. “After all, it is very hard,” she said, “that they should have to + lose their lives because the countries fight so.” + </p> + <p> + But these jolly fellows had no idea of losing their lives, or a hair of + their heads, or anything more than their appetites, after waging hot war + upon victuals. Peace was proclaimed, and peace was reigning; and the + proper British feeling of contempt for snivelly Frenchmen, which produces + the entente cordiale, had replaced the wholesome dread of them. Not that + Springhaven had ever known fear, but still it was glad to leave off + terrifying the enemy. Lightness of heart and good-will prevailed, and + every man's sixpence was going to be a shilling. + </p> + <p> + In the tranquil afternoon the sun was making it clear to the coast of + Albion that he had crossed the line once more, and rediscovered a charming + island. After a chilly and foggy season, worse than a brave cold winter, + there was joy in the greeting the land held out, and in the more versatile + expression of the sea. And not beneath the contempt of one who strives to + get into everything, were the creases and patches of the sails of smacks, + and the pattern of the resin-wood they called their masts, and even the + little striped things (like frogs with hats on, in the distance) which had + grown to believe themselves the only object the sun was made to shine + upon. + </p> + <p> + But he shone upon the wide sea far behind, and the broad stretch of land + before them, and among their slowly gliding canvas scattered soft touches + of wandering light. Especially on the spritsail of the Rosalie, whereunder + was sitting, with the tiller in his hand and a very long pipe in his + mouth, Captain Zebedee Tugwell. His mighty legs were spread at ease, his + shoulders solid against a cask, his breast (like an elephant's back in + width, and bearing a bright blue crown tattooed) shone out of the scarlet + woolsey, whose plaits were filled with the golden shower of a curly beard, + untouched with gray. And his face was quite as worthy as the substance + leading up to it, being large and strengthful and slow to move, though + quick to make others do so. The forehead was heavy, and the nose thickset, + the lower jaw backed up the resolution of the other, and the wide apart + eyes, of a bright steel blue, were as steady as a brace of pole-stars. + </p> + <p> + “What a wonderful man!” fair Dolly thought, as the great figure, looking + even grander in the glass, came rising upon a long slow wave—“what a + wonderful man that Tugwell is! So firmly resolved to have his own way, so + thoroughly dauntless, and such a grand beard! Ten times more like an + admiral than old Flapfin or my father is, if he only knew how to hold his + pipe. There is something about him so dignified, so calm, and so majestic; + but, for all that, I like the young man better. I have a great mind to + take half a peep at him; somebody might ask whether he was there or not.” + </p> + <p> + Being a young and bashful maid, as well as by birth a lady, she had felt + that it might be a very nice thing to contemplate sailors in the distance, + abstract sailors, old men who pulled ropes, or lounged on the deck, if + there was one. But to steal an unsuspected view at a young man very well + known to her, and acknowledged (not only by his mother and himself, but + also by every girl in the parish) as the Adonis of Springhaven—this + was a very different thing, and difficult to justify even to one's self. + The proper plan, therefore, was to do it, instead of waiting to consider + it. + </p> + <p> + “How very hard upon him it does seem,” she whispered to herself, after a + good gaze at him, “that he must not even dream of having any hope of me, + because he has not happened to be born a gentleman! But he looks a + thousand times more like one than nine out of ten of the great gentlemen I + know—or at any rate he would if his mother didn't make his clothes.” + </p> + <p> + For Zebedee Tugwell had a son called “Dan,” as like him as a tender pea + can be like a tough one; promising also to be tough, in course of time, by + chafing of the world and weather. But at present Dan Tugwell was as tender + to the core as a marrowfat dallying till its young duck should be ready; + because Dan was podding into his first love. To the sympathetic telescope + his heart was low, and his mind gone beyond astronomical range, and his + hands (instead of briskly pairing soles) hung asunder, and sprawled like a + star-fish. + </p> + <p> + “Indeed he does look sad,” said Miss Dolly, “he is thinking of me, as he + always does; but I don't see how anybody can blame me. But here comes + daddy, with dear old Flapfin! I am not a bit afraid of either of them; but + perhaps I had better run away.” + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0003" id="link2HCH0003"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER III + </h2> + <h3> + AND HER TRUE COMMANDER + </h3> + <p> + The nature of “Flapfin”—as Miss Dolly Darling and other young people + were pleased to call him—was to make his enemies run away, but his + friends keep very near to him. He was one of the simplest-minded men that + ever trod the British oak. Whatever he thought he generally said; and + whatever he said he meant and did. Yet of tricks and frauds he had quick + perception, whenever they were tried against him, as well as a marvellous + power of seeing the shortest way to everything. He enjoyed a little gentle + piece of vanity, not vainglory, and he never could sec any justice in + losing the credit of any of his exploits. Moreover, he was gifted with the + highest faith in the hand of the Almighty over him (to help him in all his + righteous deeds), and over his enemies, to destroy them. Though he never + insisted on any deep piety in his own behavior, he had a good deal in his + heart when time allowed, and the linstocks were waiting the signal. His + trust was supreme in the Lord and himself; and he loved to be called “My + Lord Admiral.” + </p> + <p> + And a man of this noble type deserved to be met with his own nobility. But + the English government, according to its lights—which appear to be + everlasting—regarded him as the right man, when wanted, but at other + times the wrong one. They liked him to do them a very good turn, but would + not let him do himself one; and whenever he looked for some fair chance of + a little snug prize-money, they took him away from the likely places, and + set him to hard work and hard knocks. But his sense of duty and love of + country enabled him to bear it, with grumbling. + </p> + <p> + “I don't care a rope's end,” he was saying, with a truthfulness simple and + solid as beefsteak is, “whether we have peace or war; but let us have one + or the other of them. I love peace—it is a very fine thing—and + I hate to see poor fellows killed. All I want is to spend the rest of my + life ashore, and lay out the garden. You must come and see what a bridge I + have made to throw across the fish-pond. I can do well enough with what I + have got, as soon as my farm begins to pay, and I hope I may never hear + another shotted cannon; but, my dear Lingo, you know as well as I do how + much chance there is of that.” + </p> + <p> + “Laudo manentem. Let us praise her while we have got her. Parson Twemlow + keeps up my Latin, but you have forgotten all yours, my friend. I brought + you down here to see the fish come in, and to choose what you like best + for dinner. In the days when you were my smallest youngster, and as proud + as Punch to dine with me, your taste was the finest in the ship, because + your stomach was the weakest. How often I thought that the fish would eat + you! and but for your wonderful spirit, my friend, that must have happened + long ago. But your nature was to fight, and you fought through, as you + always do. A drumstick for your praise of peace!” + </p> + <p> + Admiral Darling, a tall, stout man in the sixty-fifth year of his age, + looked down at his welcome and famous guest as if he knew a great deal + more of his nature than the owner did. And this made that owner, who + thought very highly of his own perception, look up and laugh. + </p> + <p> + “Here comes the fish!” he cried. “Come along, Darling. Never lose a moment—that's + my rule. You can't get along as fast as I can. I'll go and settle all the + business for you.” + </p> + <p> + “Why should you be in such a hurry always? You will never come to my age + if you carry on so. You ought to tow a spar astern. Thank God, they don't + know who he is, and I'll take good care not to let them know. If this is + what comes of quick promotion, I am glad that I got on slowly. Well, he + may do as he likes for me. He always does—that's one thing.” + </p> + <p> + Stoutly grumbling thus, the elder and far heavier Admiral descended the + hill to the white gate slowly, as behooved the owner. And, by the time he + halted there, the other had been upon the beach five minutes, and taken + command of the fishing fleet. + </p> + <p> + “Starboard there! Brail up your gaff! Is that the way to take the ground? + Ease helm, Rosalie. Smartly, smartly. Have a care, you lubber there. + Fenders out! So, so. Now stand by, all! There are two smart lads among + you, and no more. All the rest are no better than a pack of Crappos. You + want six months in a man-of-war's launch. This is what comes of peace + already!” + </p> + <p> + The fishermen stared at this extraordinary man, who had taken all the + business out of Master Tugwell's hands; but without thinking twice about + it, all obeyed him with a speed that must have robbed them of a quantity + of rust. For although he was not in uniform, and bore no sword, his dress + was conspicuous, as he liked to have it, and his looks and deeds kept suit + with it. For he wore a blue coat (very badly made, with gilt buttons and + lappets too big for him), a waistcoat of dove-colored silk, very long, + coming over the place where his stomach should have been, and white plush + breeches, made while he was blockading Boulogne in 1801, and therefore had + scarcely any flesh upon his bones. Peace having fattened him a little, + these breeches had tightened upon him (as their way is with a boy having + six weeks' holiday); but still they could not make his legs look big, + though they showed them sharp and muscular. Below them were brisk little + sinewy calves in white silk hose, with a taper descent to ankles as fine + as a lady's, and insteps bright with large silver buckles. Yet that which + surpassed all the beauty of the clothes was the vigor of the man inside + them, who seemed to quicken and invigorate the whole, even to the right + sleeve, doubled up from the want of any arm inside it. But the loss of the + right arm, and the right eye also, seemed to be of no account to the + former owner, so hard did he work with the residue of his body, and so + much did he express with it. + </p> + <p> + His noble cocked hat was in its leathern box yet, for he was only just + come from Merton; but the broad felt he wore was looped up in front, and + displayed all the power of his countenance, or rather the vigor; for power + is heavy, and his face was light and quickness. Softness also, and a + melancholy gift of dreaminess and reflection, enlarged and impressed the + effect of a gaze and a smile which have conquered history. + </p> + <p> + “Why don't 'ee speak up to 'un, Cap'en Zeb?” cried young Harry Shanks, of + the Peggy, the smartest smack next to the Rosalie. “Whoever can 'a be, to + make thee so dumb? Doth 'a know our own business afore our own selves? If + 'ee don't speak up to 'un, Cap'en Zeb, I'll never take no more commands + from thee.” + </p> + <p> + “Harry Shanks, you was always a fool, and you always will be,” Master + Tugwell replied, with his deep chest voice, which no gale of wind could + blow away. “Whether he be wrong or right—and I won't say but what I + might have done it better—none but a fool like you would dare to set + his squeak up against Admirable Lord Nelson.” + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0004" id="link2HCH0004"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER IV + </h2> + <h3> + AND HER FAITHFUL CHAPLAIN + </h3> + <p> + “I am not a man of the world, but a man of the Word,” said Parson Twemlow, + the Rector of Springhaven; “and I shall not feel that I have done my duty + unless I stir him up to-morrow. His valor and glory are nothing to me, nor + even his value to the country. He does his duty, and I shall do mine. It + is useless to talk to me, Maria; I never shall have such a chance again.” + </p> + <p> + “Well, dear, you know best,” replied Mrs. Twemlow; “and duty is always the + highest and best and most sacred consideration. But you surely should + remember, for Eliza's sake, that we never shall dine at the Hall again.” + </p> + <p> + “I don't care a snap for their dinners, or the chance of Eliza catching + some young officer; and very few come while this peace goes on. I won't + shirk my duty for any of that.” + </p> + <p> + “Nothing would ever make you shirk your duty, Joshua. And I hope that you + know me too well to suppose that I ever would dream of suggesting it. But + I do want to see you a Canon, and I know that he begins to have influence + in the Church, and therefore the Church is not at all the place to allude + to his private affairs in. And, after all, what do we know about them? It + does seem so low to be led away by gossip.” + </p> + <p> + “Maria,” said the Rector, severely sorry, “I must beg you to leave me to + my conscience. I shall not refer to his private affairs. I shall put + leading truths in a general way, and let him make the home application.” + </p> + <p> + “Put the cap on if it fits. Very well: you will injure yourself, and do no + one any good. Lord Nelson won't know it; he is too simple-minded. But + Admiral Darling will never forgive us for insulting him while he is + staying at the Hall.” + </p> + <p> + “Maria! Well, I have long given up all attempts at reasoning with you. If + I see a man walking into a furnace, do I insult him by saying beware?” + </p> + <p> + “As I am beyond all reason, Joshua, it is far above me to understand that. + But if you escape insulting him, what you do is far worse, and quite + unlike a gentleman. You heap a whole pile of insults upon your own brother + clergymen.” + </p> + <p> + “I do not at all understand you, Maria: you fly off in such a way from one + thing to another!” + </p> + <p> + “Not at all. Anybody who is not above paying attention must understand me. + When he is at Merton he goes to church, and his Rector is bound to look + after him. When he is at sea, he has his Chaplain, who preaches whenever + the weather permits, and dare not neglect his duties. But the strongest + point of all is this—his very own father and brother are clergymen, + and bound to do their best for him. All these you insult, and in so many + words condemn for neglecting their duty, because you are unable to resist + the pleasure of a stray shot at a celebrated man when he comes down here + for hospitality.” + </p> + <p> + “My dear, you have put the matter in a new light,” said the Rev. Joshua + Twemlow; “I would be the last man in the world to cast a slur upon any + brother clergyman. But it is a sad denial to me, because I had put it so + neatly, and a line of Latin at the end of it.” + </p> + <p> + “Never mind, dear. That will do for some one else who deserves it, and has + got no influence. And if you could only put instead of it one of your + beautifully turned expressions about our debt of gratitude to the noble + defender of our country—” + </p> + <p> + “No, no, Maria!” said her husband, with a smile; “be content without + pushing your victory further than Nelson himself would push it. It may be + my duty to spare him, but I will not fall down and worship him.” + </p> + <p> + Joshua Twemlow, Bachelor of Divinity, was not very likely to worship + anybody, nor even to admire, without due cause shown. He did not pretend + to be a learned man, any more than he made any other pretense which he + could not justify. But he loved a bit of Latin, whenever he could find + anybody to share it with him, and even in lack of intelligent partners he + indulged sometimes in that utterance. This was a grievance to the Squire + of the parish, because he was expected to enjoy at ear-shot that which had + passed out of the other ear in boyhood, with a painful echo behind it. But + the Admiral had his revenge by passing the Rector's bits of Latin on—when + he could remember them—to some one entitled to an explanation, which + he, with a pleasant smile, vouchsafed. This is one of the many benefits of + a classical education. + </p> + <p> + But what are such little tags, compared with the pith and marrow of the + man himself? Parson Twemlow was no prig, no pedant, and no popinjay, but a + sensible, upright, honorable man, whose chief defect was a quick temper. + In parish affairs he loved to show his independence of the Hall, and + having a stronger will than Admiral Darling, he mostly conquered him. But + he knew very well how far to go, and never pressed the supremacy of the + Church beyond endurance. + </p> + <p> + His wife, who was one of the Carnes of Carne Castle, some few miles to the + westward, encouraged him strongly in holding his own when the Admiral + strove to override him. That was her manner of putting the case; while + Admiral Darling would rather have a score of nightmares than override any + one. But the Carnes were a falling as much as the Darlings were a rising + family, and offense comes down the hill like stones dislodged by the + upward traveller. Mrs. Twemlow knew nothing she disliked so much as any + form of haughtiness; it was so small, so petty, so opposed to all true + Christianity. And this made her think that the Darlings were always + endeavoring to patronize her—a thing she would much rather die than + put up with. + </p> + <p> + This excellent couple had allowed, however, their only son Erle, a very + fine young man, to give his heart entirely to Faith Darling, the Admiral's + eldest daughter, and to win hers to an equal extent; and instead of + displaying any haughtiness, her father had simply said: “Let them wait two + years; they are both very young, and may change their minds. If they keep + of the same mind for two years, they are welcome to one another.” + </p> + <p> + For a kinder-hearted man than Admiral Darling never saw the sun. There was + nothing about him wonderful in the way of genius, heroism, + large-mindedness, or unselfishness. But people liked him much better than + if he combined all those vast rarities; because he was lively, genial, + simple, easily moved to wrath or grief, free-handed, a little fond, + perhaps, of quiet and confidential brag, and very fond of gossip. + </p> + <p> + “I tell you,” he said to Lord Nelson now, as they walked down the hill to + the church together that lovely Sunday morning, “you will not have seen a + finer sight than our fishermen in church—I dare say never. Of course + they don't all go. Nobody could expect it. But as many as a reasonable man + could desire come there, because they know I like it. Twemlow thinks that + they come to please him; but he finds a mighty difference in his + congregation when I and my daughters are out of the parish. But if he goes + away, there they are all the same, or perhaps even more, to get a change + from him. That will show which of us they care about pleasing.” + </p> + <p> + “And they are quite right. I hate the levelling system,” the hero of the + Nile replied. “A man should go to church to please his landlord, not to + please the parson. Is the Chaplain to settle how many come to prayers?” + </p> + <p> + “That is the right way to look at the thing,” said the larger-bodied + Admiral; “and I only wish Twemlow could have heard you. I asked him to + dine with us yesterday, as you know, because you would have done him so + much good; but he sent some trumpery excuse, although his wife was asked + to come with him. She stopped him, no doubt; to look big, I dare say; as + if they could dine with a Lord Nelson every day!” + </p> + <p> + “They can do that every day, when they dine with a man who has done his + duty. But where is my pretty godchild Dolly? Horatia seems too long for + you. What a long name they gave me! It may have done very well for my + granduncle. But, my dear Lingo, look sharp for your Dolly. She has no + mother, nor even a duenna—she has turned her off, she said + yesterday. Your daughter Faith is an angel, but Dolly—” + </p> + <p> + “My Dolly is a little devil, I suppose! You always found out everything. + What have you found my Dolly at? Perhaps she got it at her baptism.” A + word against his pet child was steel upon flint to Admiral Darling. + </p> + <p> + “I am not concerned with your opinion,” Lord Nelson answered, loftily. + “But Horatia Dorothy Darling is my godchild by baptism, and you will find + her down in my will for a thousand pounds, if she behaves well, and if it + should please the Lord to send me some of the prize-money I deserve.” + </p> + <p> + This was announced in such a manner, with the future testator's useful eye + bearing brightly on his comrade, and his cocked hat lifted as he spoke of + the great Awarder of prizes, that no one able to smile could help a + friendly and simple smile at him. So Admiral Darling forgot his wrath, + which never had long memory, and scorning even to look round for Dolly, in + whom he felt such confidence, took the mighty warrior by the good arm and + led him toward the peaceful bells. + </p> + <p> + “Hurry; we shall be late,” he said. “You remember when we called you + 'Hurry,' because of being always foremost? But they know better than to + stop the bells till they see me in the church porch. Twemlow wanted to + upset that, for the parsons want to upset everything. And I said: 'Very + well; then I shall square it by locking the gate from your shrubbery. That + will give me five minutes to come down the hill.' For my grandfather put + up that gate, you must know, and of course the key belongs to me. It saves + Twemlow a cable's-length every time, and the parsons go to church so often + now, he would have to make at least another knot a month. So the bells go + on as they used to do. How many bells do you make it, Mr. Nelson?” + </p> + <p> + “Eight bells, sir,” Lord Nelson replied, saluting like the middy in charge + of the watch. And at this little turn they both laughed, and went on, with + memory of ancient days, to church. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0005" id="link2HCH0005"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER V + </h2> + <h3> + OPINION, MALE AND FEMALE + </h3> + <p> + The fine young parsons of the present generation are too fond of asking us + why we come to church, and assigning fifty reasons out of their own heads, + not one of which is to our credit or theirs; whereas their proper business + is to cure the fish they have caught, instead of asking how they caught + them. Mr. Twemlow had sense enough for this, and treated the largest + congregation he had ever preached to as if they were come for the good of + their souls, and should have it, in spite of Lord Nelson. But, alas! their + bodies fared not so well, and scarcely a man got his Sunday dinner + according to his liking. Never a woman would stay by the fire for the sake + of a ten-pound leg of mutton, and the baker put his shutters up at half + past ten against every veal pie and every loin of pork. Because in the + church there would be seen this day (as the servants at the Hall told + every one) the man whom no Englishman could behold without pride, and no + Frenchman with it—the victor of the Nile, and of Copenhagen, and + countless other conflicts. Knowing that he would be stared at well, he was + equal to the occasion, and the people who saw him were so proud of the + sight that they would talk of it now if they were alive. + </p> + <p> + But those who were not there would exhibit more confidence than conscience + by describing every item of his raiment, which verily even of those who + beheld it none could do well, except a tailor or a woman. Enough that he + shone in the light of the sun (which came through a windowful of + bull's-eyes upon him, and was surprised to see stars by daylight), but the + glint of his jewels and glow of his gold diverted no eye from the calm, + sad face which in the day of battle could outflash them all. That + sensitive, mild, complaisant face (humble, and even homely now, with + scathe and scald and the lines of middle age) presented itself as a great + surprise to the many who came to gaze at it. With its child-like + simplicity and latent fire, it was rather the face of a dreamer and poet + than of a warrior and hero. + </p> + <p> + Mrs. Cheeseman, the wife of Mr. Cheeseman, who kept the main shop in the + village, put this conclusion into better English, when Mrs. Shanks + (Harry's mother) came on Monday to buy a rasher and compare opinions. + </p> + <p> + “If I could have fetched it to my mind,” she said, “that Squire Darling + were a tarradiddle, and all his wenches liars—which some of them be, + and no mistake—and if I could refuse my own eyes about gold-lace, + and crown jewels, and arms off, happier would I sleep in my bed, ma'am, + every night the Lord seeth good for it. I would sooner have found hoppers + in the best ham in the shop than have gone to church so to delude myself. + But there! that Cheeseman would make me do it. I did believe as we had + somebody fit to do battle for us against Boney, and I laughed about all + they invasion and scares. But now—why, 'a can't say bo to a goose! + If 'a was to come and stand this moment where you be a-standing, and say, + 'Mrs. Cheeseman, I want a fine rasher,' not a bit of gristle would I trim + out, nor put it up in paper for him, as I do for you, ma'am.” + </p> + <p> + And Widow Shanks quite agreed with her. + </p> + <p> + “Never can I tell you what my feelings was, when I seed him a-standing by + the monument, ma'am. But I said to myself—'why, my poor John, as is + now in heaven, poor fellow, would 'a took you up with one hand, my lord, + stars and garters and crowns and all, and put you into his sow-west + pocket.' And so he could have done, Mrs. Cheeseman.” + </p> + <p> + But the opinion of the men was different, because they knew a bee from a + bull's foot. + </p> + <p> + “He may not be so very big,” they said, “nor so outrageous thunderin', as + the missus looked out for from what she have read. They always goes by + their own opinions, and wrong a score of times out of twenty. But any one + with a fork to his leg can see the sort of stuff he is made of. He 'tended + his duty in the house of the Lord, and he wouldn't look after the women; + but he kept his live eye upon every young chap as were fit for a + man-of-war's-man—Dan Tugwell especial, and young Harry Shanks. You + see if he don't have both of they afore ever the war comes on again!” + </p> + <p> + Conscious of filling the public eye, with the privilege of being upon + private view, Lord Nelson had faced the position without flinching, and + drawn all the fire of the enemy. After that he began to make reprisals, + according to his manner, taking no trouble to regard the women—which + debarred them from thinking much of him—but settling with a steady + gaze at each sea-faring man, whether he was made of good stuff or of + pie-crust. And to the credit of the place it must be said that he found + very little of that soft material, but plenty of good stuff, slow, + perhaps, and heavy, but needing only such a soul as his to rouse it. + </p> + <p> + “What a fine set of fellows you have in your village!” he said to Miss + Darling after dinner, as she sat at the head of her father's table, for + the Admiral had long been a widower. “The finest I have seen on the south + coast anywhere. And they look as if they had been under some training. I + suppose your father had most of them in the Fencibles, last summer?” + </p> + <p> + “Not one of them,” Faith answered, with a sweet smile of pride. “They have + their own opinions, and nothing will disturb them. Nobody could get them + to believe for a moment that there was any danger of invasion. And they + carried on all their fishing business almost as calmly as they do now. For + that, of course, they may thank you, Lord Nelson; but they have not the + smallest sense of the obligation.” + </p> + <p> + “I am used to that, as your father knows; but more among the noble than + the simple. For the best thing I ever did I got no praise, or at any rate + very little. As to the Boulogne affair, Springhaven was quite right. There + was never much danger of invasion. I only wish the villains would have + tried it. Horatia, would you like to see your godfather at work? I hope + not. Young ladies should be peaceful.” + </p> + <p> + “Then I am not peaceful at all,” cried Dolly, who was sitting by the + maimed side of her “Flapfin,” as her young brother Johnny had nicknamed + him. “Why, if there was always peace, what on earth would any but very low + people find to do? There could scarcely be an admiral, or a general, or + even a captain, or—well, a boy to beat the drums.” + </p> + <p> + “But no drum would want to be beaten, Horatia,” her elder sister Faith + replied, with the superior mind of twenty-one; “and the admirals and the + generals would have to be—” + </p> + <p> + “Doctors, or clergymen, or something of that sort, or perhaps even worse—nasty + lawyers.” Then Dolly (whose name was “Horatia” only in presence of her + great godfather) blushed, as befitted the age of seventeen, at her daring, + and looked at her father. + </p> + <p> + “That last cut was meant for me,” Frank Darling, the eldest of the family, + explained from the opposite side of the table. “Your lordship, though so + well known to us, can hardly be expected to know or remember all the + little particulars of our race. We are four, as you know; and the elder + two are peaceful, while the younger pair are warlike. And I am to be the + 'nasty lawyer,' called to the bar in the fullness of time—which + means after dining sufficiently—to the great disgust of your little + godchild, whose desire from her babyhood has been to get me shot.” + </p> + <p> + “LITTLE, indeed! What a word to use about me! You told a great story. But + now you'll make it true.” + </p> + <p> + “To wit—as we say at Lincoln's Inn—she has not longed always + for my death in battle, but henceforth will do so; but I never shall + afford her that gratification. I shall keep out of danger as zealously as + your lordship rushes into it.” + </p> + <p> + “Franky going on, I suppose, with some of his usual nonsense,” Admiral + Darling, who was rather deaf, called out from the bottom of the table. + “Nobody pays much attention to him, because he does not mean a word of it. + He belongs to the peace—peace—peace-at-any-price lot. But when + a man wanted to rob him last winter, he knocked him down, and took him by + the throat, and very nearly killed him.” + </p> + <p> + “That's the only game to play,” exclaimed Lord Nelson, who had been + looking at Frank Darling with undisguised disgust. “My young friend, you + are not such a fool after all. And why should you try to be one?” + </p> + <p> + “My brother,” said the sweet-tempered Faith, “never tries to be a fool, + Lord Nelson; he only tries to be a poet.” + </p> + <p> + This made people laugh; and Nelson, feeling that he had been rude to a + youth who could not fairly answer him, jumped from his chair with the + lightness of a boy, and went round to Frank Darling, with his thin figure + leaning forward, and his gray unpowdered hair tossed about, and upon his + wrinkled face that smile which none could ever resist, because it was so + warm and yet so sad. + </p> + <p> + “Shake hands, my dear young friend,” he cried, “though I can not offer the + right one. I was wrong to call you a fool because you don't look at things + as I do. Poets are almost as good as sailors, and a great deal better than + soldiers. I have felt a gift that way myself, and turned out some very + tidy lines. But I believe they were mainly about myself, and I never had + time to go on with them.” + </p> + <p> + Such little touches of simplicity and kindness, from a man who never knew + the fear of men, helped largely to produce that love of Nelson which + England felt, and will always feel. + </p> + <p> + “My lord,” replied the young man, bending low—for he was half a + cubit higher than the mighty captain—“it is good for the world that + you have no right arm, when you disarm it so with your left one.” + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0006" id="link2HCH0006"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER VI + </h2> + <h3> + AS OTHERS SEE US + </h3> + <p> + Admiral Darling was very particular in trying to keep his grounds and + garden tolerably tidy always. But he never succeeded, for the simple + reason that he listened to every one's excuses; and not understanding a + walk or a lawn half so well as the deck of a battle-ship, he was always + defeated in argument. + </p> + <p> + “Here's a state of things!” he used to say in summer-time; “thistles full + of seed within a biscuit-heave of my front door, and other things—I + forget their names—with heads like the head of a capstan bursting, + all as full of seeds as a purser is of lies!” + </p> + <p> + “Your lordship do not understand them subjects,” Mr. Swipes, the head + gardener, was in the habit of replying; “and small blame to you, in my + opinion, after so many years upon the briny wave. Ah! they can't grow them + things there.” + </p> + <p> + “Swipes, that is true, but to my mind not at all a satisfactory reason for + growing them here, just in front of the house and the windows. I don't + mind a few in the kitchen-garden, but you know as well as I do, Swipes, + that they can have no proper business here.” + </p> + <p> + “I did hear tell down to the Club, last night,” Mr. Swipes would reply, + after wiping his forehead, as if his whole mind were perspired away, + “though I don't pretend to say how far true it may be, that all the land + of England is to be cultivated for the public good, same as on the + continence, without no propriety or privacy, my lord. But I don't + altogether see how they be to do it. So I thought I'd better ask your + lordship.” + </p> + <p> + “For the public good! The public-house good, you mean.” The Admiral + answered nine times out of ten, being easily led from the track of his + wrath, and tired of telling Swipes that he was not a lord. “How many times + more must I tell you, Swipes, that I hate that Jacobin association? Can + you tell me of one seaman belonging to it? A set of fish-jobbers, and men + with barrows, and cheap-jacks from up the country. Not one of my tenants + would be such a fool as to go there, even if I allowed him. I make great + allowances for you, Swipes, because of your obstinate nature. But don't + let me hear of that Club any more, or YOU may go and cultivate for the + public good.” + </p> + <p> + “Your lordship knows that I goes there for nothing except to keep up my + burial. And with all the work there is upon this place, the Lord only + knows when I may be requiring of it. Ah! I never see the like; I never + did. And a blade of grass the wrong way comes down on poor old Swipes!” + </p> + <p> + Hereupon the master, having done his duty, was relieved from overdoing it, + and went on other business with a peaceful mind. The feelings, however, of + Mr. Swipes were not to be appeased so lightly, but demanded the immediate + satisfaction of a pint of beer. And so large was his charity that if his + master fell short of duty upon that point, he accredited him with the good + intention, and enabled him to discharge it. + </p> + <p> + “My dear soul,” he said, with symptoms of exhaustion, to good Mrs. Cloam, + the housekeeper, who had all the keys at her girdle, about ten o'clock on + the Monday morning, “what a day we did have yesterday!” + </p> + <p> + “A mercy upon me, Mr. Swipes,” cried Mrs. Cloam, who was also short of + breath, “how you did exaggerate my poor narves, a-rushing up so soft, with + the cold steel in both your hands!” + </p> + <p> + “Ah! ma'am, it have right to be a good deal wuss than that,” the + chivalrous Swipes made answer, with the scythe beside his ear. “It don't + consarn what the masters say, though enough to take one's legs off. But + the ladies, Mrs. Cloam, the ladies—it's them as takes our heads + off.” + </p> + <p> + “Go 'long with you, Mr. Swipes! You are so disastrous at turning things. + And how much did he say you was to have this time? Here's Jenny Shanks + coming up the passage.” + </p> + <p> + “Well, he left it to myself; he have that confidence in me. And little it + is I should ever care to take, with the power of my own will, ma'am. Why, + the little brown jug, ma'am, is as much as I can manage even of our small + beer now. Ah! I know the time when I would no more have thought of + rounding of my mouth for such small stuff than of your growing up, ma'am, + to be a young woman with the sponsorship of this big place upon you. + Wonderful! wonderful! And only yesterday, as a man with a gardening mind + looks at it, you was the prettiest young maiden on the green, and the same—barring + marriage—if you was to encounter with the young men now.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh,” said Mrs. Cloam, who was fifty, if a day, “how you do make me think + of sad troubles, Mr. Swipes! Jenny, take the yellow jug with the three + beef-eaters on it, and go to the third cask from the door—the key + turns upside down, mind—and let me hear you whistle till you bring + me back the key. Don't tell me nonsense about your lips being dry. You can + whistle like a blackbird when you choose.” + </p> + <p> + “Here's to your excellent health, Mrs. Cloam, and as blooming as it finds + you now, ma'am! As pretty a tap as I taste since Christmas, and another + dash of malt would 'a made it worthy a'most to speak your health in. Well, + ma'am, a leetle drop in crystal for yourself, and then for my business, + which is to inquire after your poor dear health to-day. Blooming as you + are, ma'am, you must bear in mind that beauty is only skin-deep, Mrs. + Cloam; and the purtier a flower is, the more delicate it grows. I've + a-been a-thinking of you every night, ma'am, knowing how you must 'a been + put about and driven. The Admiral have gone down to the village, and Miss + Dolly to stare at the boats going out.” + </p> + <p> + “Then I may speak a word for once at ease, Mr. Swipes, though the Lord + alone knows what a load is on my tongue. It requires a fine gardener, + being used to delicacy, to enter into half the worry we have to put up + with. Heroes of the Nile, indeed, and bucklers of the country! Why, he + could not buckle his own shoe, and Jenny Shanks had to do it for him. Not + that I blame him for having one arm, and a brave man he is to have lost + it, but that he might have said something about the things I got up at a + quarter to five every morning to make up for him. For cook is no more than + a smoke-jack, Mr. Swipes; if she keeps the joint turning, that's as much + as she can do.” + </p> + <p> + “And a little too fond of good beer, I'm afeard,” replied Mr. Swipes, + having emptied his pot. “Men's heads was made for it, but not women's, + till they come to superior stations in life. But, oh, Mrs. Cloam, what a + life we lead with the crotchets of they gentry!” + </p> + <p> + “It isn't that so much, Mr. Swipes, if only there was any way of giving + satisfaction. I wish everybody who is born to it to have the very best of + everything, likewise all who have fought up to it. But to make all the + things and have nothing made of them, whether indigestion or want of + appetite, turns one quite into the Negroes almost, that two or three + people go on with.” + </p> + <p> + “I don't look at what he hath aten or left,” Mr. Swipes made answer, + loftily; “that lieth between him and his own stommick. But what hath a' + left for me, ma'am? He hath looked out over the garden when he pleased, + and this time of year no weeds is up, and he don't know enough of things + to think nothing of them. When his chaise come down I was out by the gate + with a broom in my hand, and I pulled off my hat, but his eye never seemed + to lay hold of me.” + </p> + <p> + “His eye lays hold of everything, whether he makes 'em feel or no. One + thing I'm sure of—he was quite up to Miss Dolly, and the way she + carries on with you know who, every blessed Sunday. If that is what they + go to church for—” + </p> + <p> + “But, my dear soul,” said the genial Swipes, whose heart was enlarged with + the power of good beer, “when you and I was young folk, what did we go to + church for? I can't speak for you, ma'am, being ever so much younger, and + a baby in the gallery in long clothes, if born by that time; but so far as + myself goes, it was the girls I went to look at, and most of 'em come as + well to have it done to them.” + </p> + <p> + “That never was my style, Mr. Swipes, though I know there were some not + above it. And amongst equals I won't say that there need be much harm in + it. But for a young man in the gallery, with a long stick of the vile-base + in his hand, and the only clean shirt of the week on his back, and nothing + but a plank of pitch to keep him, however good-looking he may be, to be + looking at the daughter, and the prettiest one too, though not the best, + some people think, of the gentleman that owns all the houses and the haven—presumption + is the smallest word that I can find to use for it; and for her to allow + it, fat—fat something in the nation.” + </p> + <p> + “Well, ma'am,” said Mr. Swipes, whose views were loose and liberal, “it + seems a little shock at first to those on trust in families. But Dannel is + a brave boy, and might fight his way to glory, and then they has the pick + of the femmels up to a thousand pound a year. You know what happened the + miller's son, no further off than Upton. And if it hadn't been for Dannel, + when she was a little chit, where would proud Miss Dolly be, with her + feathers and her furbelows? Natur' is the thing I holds by, and I sees a + deal of it. And betwixt you and me and the bedpost, ma'am, whoever hath + Miss Dolly will have to ride to London on this here scythe. Miss Faith is + the lass for a good quiet man, without no airs and graces, and to my + judgment every bit as comely, and more of her to hold on by. But the Lord + 'a mercy upon us. Mrs. Cloam, you've a-been married like my poor self; and + you knows what we be, and we knows what you be. Looks 'ain't much to do + with it after the first week or two. It's the cooking, and the natur', and + the not going contrairy. B'lieve Miss Dolly would go contrairy to a + hangel, if her was j'ined to him three days.” + </p> + <p> + “Prejudice! prejudice!” the housekeeper replied, while shaking her finger + severely at him. “You ought to be above such opinions, Mr. Swipes, a + superior man, such as you are. If Miss Faith came into your garden reading + books, and finding fault here and there, and sniffing at the flowers, a + quarter so often as pretty Dolly does, perhaps you wouldn't make such a + perfect angel of her, and run down her sister in comparison. But your + wonderful Miss Faith comes peeping here and poking there into pots and + pans, and asking the maids how their mothers are, as if her father kept no + housekeeper. She provoked me so in the simple-room last week, as if I was + hiding thieves there, that I asked her at last whether she expected to + find Mr. Erle there. And you should have seen how she burst out crying; + for something had turned on her mind before.” + </p> + <p> + “Well, I couldn't have said that to her,” quoth the tender-hearted Swipes—“not + if she had come and routed out every key and every box, pot, pan, and + pannier in the tool-house and stoke-hole and vinery! The pretty dear! the + pretty dear! And such a lady as she is! Ah, you women are hard-hearted to + one another, when your minds are up! But take my word for it, Mrs. Cloam, + no one will ever have the chance of making your beautiful Miss Dolly cry + by asking her where her sweetheart is.” + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0007" id="link2HCH0007"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER VII + </h2> + <h3> + A SQUADRON IN THE DOWNS + </h3> + <p> + “My dear girls, all your courage is gone,” said Admiral Darling to his + daughters at luncheon, that same Monday; “departed perhaps with Lord + Nelson and Frank. I hate the new style of such come-and-go visits, as if + there was no time for anything. Directly a man knows the ways of the + house, and you can take him easily, off he goes. Just like Hurry, he never + can stop quiet. He talks as if peace was the joy of his life, and a quiet + farm his paradise, and very likely he believes it. But my belief is that a + year of peace would kill him, now that he has made himself so famous. When + that sort of thing begins, it seems as if it must go on.” + </p> + <p> + “But, father dear,” exclaimed the elder daughter, “you could have done + every single thing that Lord Nelson has ever contrived to do, if you had + only happened to be there, and equally eager for destruction. I have heard + you say many times, though not of course before him, that you could have + managed the battle of the Nile considerably better than he did. And + instead of allowing the great vessel to blow up, you would have brought + her safe to Spithead.” + </p> + <p> + “My dear, you must have quite misunderstood me. Be sure that you never + express such opinions, which are entirely your own, in the presence of + naval officers. Though I will not say that they are quite without + foundation.” + </p> + <p> + “Why, papa,” cried Miss Dolly, who was very truthful, when her own + interests were not involved, “you have often said twice as much as that. + How well I remember having heard you say—” + </p> + <p> + “You young people always back up one another, and you don't care what you + make your poor father say. I wonder you don't vow that I declared I could + jump over the moon with my uniform on. But I'll tell you what we'll do, to + bring back your senses—we will go for a long ride this fine + afternoon. I've a great mind to go as far as Stonnington.” + </p> + <p> + “Now how many times have you told us that? I won't believe it till we get + there,” young Dolly answered, with her bright eyes full of joy. “You must + be ashamed of yourself, papa, for neglecting your old friend's son so + long.” + </p> + <p> + “Well, to tell you the truth, I am, my dear,” confessed the good-natured + Admiral; “but no one but myself has the least idea of the quantity of + things I have to do.” + </p> + <p> + “Exactly what old Swipes said this very morning, only much more + impressively. And I really did believe him, till I saw a yellow jug, and a + horn that holds a pint, in the summer-house. He threw his coat over them, + but it was too late.” + </p> + <p> + “Dolly, I shall have to put you in the blackhole. You belong too much to + the rising generation, or the upstart generation is the proper word. What + would Lord Nelson say? I must have him back again. He is the man for + strict discipline.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, I want to ask one thing about my great godfather. You know he only + came down with one portmanteau, and his cocked-hat box, and two hampers. + But when I went into his bedroom to see, as a goddaughter should, that his + pillow was smooth, there he had got tacked up at the head of his bed a + picture of some very beautiful lady, and another at the side, and another + at the foot! And Jenny Shanks, who couldn't help peeping in, to see how a + great hero goes to sleep, wishes that she may be an old maid forever if + she did not see him say his prayers to them. Now the same fate befall me + if I don't find out who it is. You must know, papa, so you had better tell + at once.” + </p> + <p> + “That hussy shall leave the house tomorrow. I never heard of anything so + shameless. Mrs. Cloam seems to have no authority whatever. And you too, + Dolly, had no business there. If any one went to see the room comfortable, + it should have been Faith, as the lady of the house. Ever since you + persuaded me that you were too old for a governess, you seem to be under + no discipline at all.” + </p> + <p> + “Now you know that you don't mean that, papa. You say those cruel things + just to make me kiss you,” cried Dolly, with the action suited to the + word, and with her bright hair falling upon his snowy beard the father + could not help returning the salute; “but I must know who that lady is. + And what can he want with three pictures of her?” + </p> + <p> + “How should I know, Dolly? Perhaps it is his mother, or perhaps it is the + Queen of Naples, who made a Duke of him for what he did out there. Now be + quick, both of you, or no ride to-day. It is fifteen long miles to + Stonnington, I am sure, and I am not going to break my neck. As it is, we + must put dinner off till half past six, and we shall all be starved by + that time. Quick, girls, quick! I can only give you twenty minutes.” + </p> + <p> + The Admiral, riding with all the vigor of an ancient mariner, looked well + between his two fair daughters, as they turned their horses' heads inland, + and made over the downs for Stonnington. Here was beautiful cantering + ground, without much furze or many rabbit-holes, and lovely air flowing + over green waves of land, to greet and to deepen the rose upon young + cheeks. Behind them was the broad sea, looking steadfast, and spread with + slowly travelling tints; before them and around lay the beauty of the + earth, with the goodness of the sky thrown over it. The bright world + quivered with the breath of spring, and her smile was shed on everything. + </p> + <p> + “What a lovely country we have been through! I should like to come here + every day,” said Faith, as they struck into the London road again. “If + Stonnington is as nice as this, Mr. Scudamore must be happy there.” + </p> + <p> + “Well, we shall see,” her father answered. “My business has been upon the + coast so much, that I know very little about Stonnington. But Scudamore + has such a happy nature that nothing would come much amiss to him. You + know why he is here, of course?” + </p> + <p> + “No, I don't, papa. You are getting so mysterious that you never tell us + anything now,” replied Dolly. “I only know that he was in the navy, and + now he is in a grammar school. The last time I saw him he was about a yard + high.” + </p> + <p> + “He is a good bit short of two yards now,” said the Admiral, smiling as he + thought of him, “but quite tall enough for a sailor, Dolly, and the most + active young man I ever saw in my life, every inch of him sound and quick + and true. I shall think very little of your judgment unless you like him + heartily; not at first, perhaps, because he is so shy, but as soon as you + begin to know him. I mean to ask him to come down as soon as he can get a + holiday. His captain told me, when he served in the Diomede, that there + was not a man in the ship to come near him for nimbleness and quiet + fearlessness.” + </p> + <p> + “Then what made him take to his books again? Oh, how terribly dull he must + find them! Why, that must be Stonnington church, on the hill!” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, and the old grammar school close by. I was very near going there + once myself, but they sent me to Winchester instead. It was partly through + me that he got his berth here, though not much to thank me for, I am + afraid. Sixty pounds a year and his rations isn't much for a man who has + been at Cambridge. But even that he could not get in the navy when the + slack time came last year. He held no commission, like many other fine + young fellows, but had entered as a first-class volunteer. And so he had + no rating when this vile peace was patched up—excuse me, my dear, + what I meant to say was, when the blessings of tranquillity were restored. + And before that his father, my dear old friend, died very suddenly, as you + have heard me say, without leaving more than would bury him. Don't talk + any more of it. It makes me sad to think of it.” + </p> + <p> + “But,” persisted Dolly, “I could never understand why a famous man like + Sir Edmond Scudamore—a physician in large practice, and head doctor + to the King, as you have often told us—could possibly have died in + that sort of way, without leaving any money, or at least a quantity of + valuable furniture and jewels. And he had not a number of children, papa, + to spend all his money, as I do yours, whenever I get the chance; though + you are growing so dreadfully stingy now that I never can look even + decent.” + </p> + <p> + “My dear, it is a very long sad story. Not about my stinginess, I mean—though + that is a sad story, in another sense, but will not move my compassion. As + to Sir Edmond, I can only tell you now that, while he was a man of great + scientific knowledge, he knew very little indeed of money matters, and was + not only far too generous, but what is a thousand times worse, too + trustful. Being of an honorable race himself, and an honorable sample of + it, he supposed that a man of good family must be a gentleman; which is + not always the case. He advanced large sums of money, and signed bonds for + a gentleman, or rather a man of that rank, whose name does not concern + you; and by that man he was vilely betrayed; and I would rather not tell + you the rest of it. Poor Blyth had to leave Cambridge first, where he was + sure to have done very well indeed, and at his wish he was sent afloat, + where he would have done even better; and then, as his father's troubles + deepened, and ended in his death of heart complaint, the poor boy was left + to keep his broken-hearted mother upon nothing but a Latin Grammar. And I + fear it is like a purser's dip. But here we are at Stonnington—a + long steep pitch. Let us slacken sail, my dears, as we have brought no + cockswain. Neither of you need land, you know, but I shall go into the + schoolroom.” + </p> + <p> + “One thing I want to know,” said the active-minded Dolly, as the horses + came blowing their breath up the hill: “if his father was Sir Edmond, and + he is the only child, according to all the laws of nature, he ought to be + Sir Blyth Scudamore.” + </p> + <p> + “It shows how little you have been out—as good Mrs. Twemlow + expresses it—that you do not even understand the laws of nature as + between a baronet and a knight.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, to be sure; I recollect! How very stupid of me! The one goes on, and + the other doesn't, after the individual stops. But whose fault is it that + I go out so little? So you see you are caught in your own trap, papa.” + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0008" id="link2HCH0008"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER VIII + </h2> + <h3> + A LESSON IN THE AENEID + </h3> + <p> + In those days Stonnington was a very pretty village, and such it continued + to be until it was ravaged by a railway. With the railway came all that is + hideous and foul, and from it fled all that is comely. The cattle-shed, + called by rail-highwaymen “the Station,” with its roof of iron Pan-pipes + and red bull's-eyes stuck on stack-poles, whistles and stares where the + grand trees stood and the village green lay sleeping. On the site of the + gray-stone grammar school is an “Operative Institute,” whose front (not so + thick as the skin of a young ass) is gayly tattooed with a ringworm of + wind-bricks. And the old manor-house, where great authors used to dine, + and look out with long pipes through the ivy, has been stripped of every + shred of leaf, and painted red and yellow, and barge-boarded into “the + Temperance Tap.” + </p> + <p> + Ere ever these heathen so furiously raged, there was peace and content, + and the pleasure of the eyes, and of neighborly feeling abundance. The men + never burst with that bubble of hurry which every man now is inflated + with; and the women had time enough to mind one another's affairs, without + which they grow scandalous. And the trees, that kept company with the + houses, found matter for reflection in their calm blue smoke, and the + green crop that promised a little grove upon the roof. So that as the road + went up the hill, the traveller was content to leave his legs to nature, + while his eyes took their leisure of pleasant views, and of just enough + people to dwell upon. + </p> + <p> + At the top of the hill rose the fine old church, and next to it, facing on + the road itself, without any kind of fence before it, stood the grammar + school of many generations. This was a long low building, ridged with + mossy slabs, and ribbed with green, where the drip oozed down the + buttresses. But the long reach of the front was divided by a gable + projecting a little into the broad high-road. And here was the way, + beneath a low stone arch, into a porch with oak beams bulging and a + bell-rope dangling, and thence with an oaken door flung back into the dark + arcade of learning. + </p> + <p> + This was the place to learn things in, with some possibility of keeping + them, and herein lay the wisdom of our ancestors. Could they ever have + known half as much as they did, and ten times as much as we know, if they + had let the sun come in to dry it all up, as we do? Will even the + fourteen-coated onion root, with its bottom exposed to the sun, or will a + clever puppy grow long ears, in the power of strong daylight? + </p> + <p> + The nature and nurture of solid learning were better understood when + schools were built from which came Shakespeare and Bacon and Raleigh; and + the glare of the sun was not let in to baffle the light of the eyes upon + the mind. And another consideration is that wherever there is light, boys + make a noise, which conduces but little to doctrine; whereas in soft + shadow their muscles relax, and their minds become apprehensive. Thus had + this ancient grammar school of Stonnington fostered many scholars, some of + whom had written grammars for themselves and their posterity. + </p> + <p> + The year being only at the end of March, and the day going on for five + o'clock, the light was just right, in the long low room, for correction of + manners and for discipline. Two boys had been horsed and brushed up well, + which had strengthened the conscience of all the rest, while sobs and rubs + of the part affected diffused a tender silence. Dr. Swinks, the + head-master, was leaning back in his canopied oaken chair, with the pride + inspired by noble actions. + </p> + <p> + “What wonderfully good boys!” Dolly whispered, as she peeped in through + the dark porch with Faith, while her father was giving the horses in + charge to the hostler from the inn across the way; “I declare that I shall + be frightened even to look at Mr. Scudamore, if this is a specimen of what + he does. There is scarcely a boy looking off his book. But how old he does + look! I suppose it must be the effect of so much hard teaching.” + </p> + <p> + “You silly thing,” her sister answered; “you are looking at the great + head-master. Mr. Scudamore is here at the bottom of the school. Between + these big hinges you can see him; and he looks as young as you do.” + </p> + <p> + Miss Dolly, who dearly loved any sly peep, kept her light figure back and + the long skirt pulled in, as she brought her bright eyes to the slit + between the heavy black door and the stone-work. And she speedily gave her + opinion. + </p> + <p> + “He is nothing but a regular frump. I declare I am dreadfully + disappointed. No wonder the title did not come on! He is nothing but a + very soft-natured stupe. Why, the boys can do what they like with him!” + </p> + <p> + Certainly the scholars of the Virgil class, which Blyth Scudamore was + dealing with, had recovered from the querimonies of those two sons of + Ovid, on the further side of Ister, and were having a good laugh at the + face of “Captain Scuddy,” as they called their beloved preceptor. For he, + being gifted with a gentle sense of humor, together with a patient love of + the origin of things, was questing in his quiet mind what had led a boy to + render a well-known line as follows: “Such a quantity of salt there was, + to season the Roman nation.” Presently he hit upon the clue to this great + mystery. “Mola, the salted cake,” he said; “and the next a little error of + conjugation. You have looked out your words, Smith, but chanced upon the + wrong ones.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, Captain Scuddy,” cried the head boy, grinning wisely, though he might + have made just the same blunder himself; “after that, do tell us one of + your sea-stories. It will strike five in about five minutes. Something + about Nelson, and killing ten great Frenchmen.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, do,” cried the other little fellows, crowding round him. “It is ever + so much better than Virgil, Captain Scuddy!” + </p> + <p> + “I am not Captain Scuddy, as I tell you every day. I'm afraid I am a great + deal too good-natured with you. I shall have to send a dozen of you up to + be caned.” + </p> + <p> + “No, you couldn't do that if you tried, Captain Scuddy. But what are you + thinking of, all this time? There are two pretty ladies in riding-habits + peeping at you from the bell porch. Why, you have got sweethearts, Captain + Scuddy! What a shame of you never to have told us!” + </p> + <p> + The youngest and fairest of all the boys there could scarcely have blushed + more deeply than their classical tutor did, as he stooped for his hat, and + shyly went between the old desks to the door in the porch. All the boys + looked after him with the deepest interest, and made up their minds to see + everything he did. This was not at all what he desired, and the sense of + it increased his hesitation and confusion. Of the Admiral's lovely + daughters he had heard while in the navy, and now he was frightened to + think that perhaps they were come here to reconnoitre him. But luckily the + Admiral was by this time to the fore, and he marched into the school-room + and saluted the head-master. + </p> + <p> + “Dr. Swinks,” he said, “I am your very humble servant, Vice-Admiral of the + Blue, Charles Darling, and beg a thousand pardons for intrusion on deep + learning. But they tell me that your watch is over in some half a minute. + Allow me to ask for the son of an old friend, Blyth Scudamore, late of the + Diomede frigate, but now of this ancient and learned grammar school. When + his labors are over, I would gladly speak with him.” + </p> + <p> + “Boys may go,” the head-master pronounced, as the old clock wheezed + instead of striking. “Sir, my valued young coadjutor is advancing from the + fourth form toward you.” + </p> + <p> + The Doctor was nice in his choice of words, and prided himself on + Johnsonian precision, but his young coadjutor's advance was hardly to be + distinguished from a fine retreat. Like leaves before the wind, the boys + rushed out by a back door into the play-ground, while the master solemnly + passed to his house, with a deep slow bow to the ladies; and there was + poor Scudamore—most diffident of men whenever it came to lady-work—left + to face the visitors with a pleasing knowledge that his neckcloth was + dishevelled, and his hair sheafed up, the furrows of his coat broadcast + with pounce, and one of his hands gone to sleep from holding a heavy + Delphin for three-quarters of an hour. + </p> + <p> + As he came out thus into the evening light, which dazed his blue eyes for + a moment, Miss Dolly turned away to hide a smile, but Faith, upon her + father's introduction, took his hand and looked at him tenderly. For she + was a very soft-hearted young woman, and the tale of his troubles and + goodness to his mother had moved her affection toward him, while as one + who was forever pledged—according to her own ideas—to a hero + beyond comparison, she was able to regard young men with mercy, and with + pity, if they had none to love. “How hard you have been at work!” she + said; “it makes us seem so lazy! But we never can find any good thing to + do.” + </p> + <p> + “That's a cut at me,” cried the Admiral. “Scudamore, when you come to my + age, be wiser than to have any daughters. Sure enough, they find no good + to do; and they not only put all the fault of that on me, but they make me + the victim of all the mischief they invent. Dolly, my darling, wear that + cap if it fits. But you have not shaken hands with Mr. Scudamore yet. I + hope you will do so, some hundreds of times.” + </p> + <p> + “Not all at once, papa; or how thankful he would be! But stop, I have not + got half my glove off; this fur makes them stick so.” + </p> + <p> + Miss Dolly was proud of her hands, and lost few chances of getting them + looked at. Then with a little smile, partly at herself for petulance, + partly to him for forgiveness, she offered her soft warm rich white hand, + and looked at him beautifully as he took it. Alack and alas for poor + “Captain Scuddy”! + </p> + <p> + His eyes, with a quick shy glance, met hers; and hers with soft inquiry + answered, “I wonder what you think of me?” Whenever she met a new face, + this was her manner of considering it. + </p> + <p> + “Scudamore, I shall not allow you any time to think about it,” Admiral + Darling broke in suddenly, so that the young man almost jumped. “Although + you have cut the service for a while, because of our stingy peacefulness, + you are sure to come back to us again when England wants English, not + Latin and Greek. I am your commanding officer, and my orders are that you + come to us from Saturday till Monday. I shall send a boat—or at + least I mean a buggy—to fetch you, as soon as you are off duty, and + return you the same way on Monday. Come, girls, 'twill be dark before we + are home; and since the patrols were withdrawn, I hear there's a + highwayman down this road again. That is one of the blessings of peace, + Scudamore; even as Latin and Greek are. 'Apertis otia portis'—Open + the gates for laziness. Ah, I should have done well at old Winton, they + tell me, if I had not happened to run away to sea.” + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0009" id="link2HCH0009"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER IX + </h2> + <h3> + THE MAROON + </h3> + <p> + If yet there remained upon our southern coast a home for the rarer + virtues, such as gratitude, content, liberality (not of other people's + goods alone), faith in a gracious Providence, and strict abstinence from + rash labor, that home and stronghold was Springhaven. To most men good + success brings neither comfort, nor tranquillity, nor so much as a stool + to sit upon, but comes as a tread-mill which must be trodden without any + getting to the top of it. Not so did these wise men take their luck. If + ever they came from the fickle wave-bosom to the firm breast of land on a + Saturday, with a fine catch of fish, and sold it well—and such was + their sagacity that sooner would they keep it for cannibal temptation than + sell it badly—did they rush into the waves again, before they had + dried their breeches? Not they; nor did their wives, who were nearly all + good women, stir them up to be off again. Especially at this time of year, + with the days pulling out, and the season quickening, and the fish coming + back to wag their tails upon the shallows, a pleasant race of men should + take their pleasure, and leave flints to be skinned by the sons of flint. + </p> + <p> + This was the reason why Miss Dolly Darling had watched in vain at the + Monday morning tide for the bold issue of the fishing fleet. The weariless + tide came up and lifted the bedded keel and the plunged forefoot, and + gurgled with a quiet wash among the straky bends, then lurched the boats + to this side and to that, to get their heft correctly, and dandled them at + last with their bowsprits dipped and their little mast-heads nodding. + Every brave smack then was mounted, and riding, and ready for a canter + upon the broad sea: but not a blessed man came to set her free. Tethered + by head and by heel, she could only enjoy the poised pace of the + rocking-horse, instead of the racer's delight in careering across the free + sweep of the distance. + </p> + <p> + Springhaven had done so well last week, that this week it meant to do + still better, by stopping at home till the money was gone, and making + short work afterward. Every man thoroughly enjoyed himself, keeping sober + whenever good manners allowed, foregoing all business, and sauntering + about to see the folk hard at work who had got no money. On Wednesday, + however, an order was issued by Captain Zebedee Tugwell that all must be + ready for a three days' trip when the tide should serve, which would be at + the first of the ebb, about ten in the morning. The tides were slackening + now, and the smacks had required some change of berth, but still they were + not very far from the Admiral's white gate. + </p> + <p> + “I shall go down to see them, papa, if you please,” Dolly said to her + father at breakfast-time. “They should have gone on Monday; but they were + too rich; and I think it very shameful of them. I dare say they have not + got a halfpenny left, and that makes them look so lively. Of course + they've been stuffing, and they won't move fast, and they can't expect any + more dinner till they catch it. But they have got so much bacon that they + don't care.” + </p> + <p> + “What could they have better, I should like to know?” asked the Admiral, + who had seen hard times. “Why, I gave seven men three dozen apiece for + turning their noses up at salt horse, just because he whisked his tail in + the copper. Lord bless my soul! what is the nation coming to, when a man + can't dine upon cold bacon?” + </p> + <p> + “No, it is not that, papa. They are very good in that way, as their wives + will tell you. Jenny Shanks tells me the very same thing, and of course + she knows all about them. She knew they would never think of going out on + Monday, and if I had asked her I might have known it too. But she says + that they are sure to catch this tide.” + </p> + <p> + “Very well, Dolly. Go you and catch them. You are never content without + seeing something. Though what there is to see in a lot of lubberly craft + pushing off with punt-poles—” + </p> + <p> + “Hush, papa, hush! Don't be so contemptuous. What did my godfather say the + other day? And I suppose he understands things.” + </p> + <p> + “Don't quote your godfather against your father. It was never intended in + the Catechism. And if it was, I would never put up with it.” + </p> + <p> + Dolly made off; for she knew that her father, while proud of his great + impartiality, candor, and scorn of all trumpery feeling, was sometimes + unable to make out the reason why a queer little middy of his own should + now stand upon the giddy truck of fame, while himself, still ahead of him + in the Navy List, might pace his quarter-deck and have hats touched to + him, but never a heart beat one pulse quicker. Jealous he was not; but + still, at least in his own family— + </p> + <p> + Leaving her dear father to his meditations, which Faith ran up to kiss + away, fair Dolly put on a plain hat and scarf, quite good enough for the + fishermen, and set off in haste for the Round-house, to see the expedition + start. By the time she was there, and had lifted the sashes, and got the + spy-glass ready, the flow of the tide was almost spent, and the brimming + moment of the slack was nigh. For this all the folk of the village waited, + according to the tradition of the place; the manhood and boyhood, to + launch forth; old age, womanhood, and childhood, to contribute the comfort + of kind looks and good-by. The tides, though not to be compared to the + winds in fickleness, are capricious here, having sallies of irregularity + when there has been a long period of northeast winds, bringing a + counter-flow to the Atlantic influx. And a man must be thoroughly + acquainted with the coast, as well as the moon and the weather, to + foretell how the water will rise and fall there. For the present, however, + there was no such puzzle. The last lift of the quiet tide shone along the + beach in three straight waves, shallow steps that arose inshore, and spent + themselves without breaking. + </p> + <p> + “Toorn o' the tide!” the Captain shouted; “all aboord, aboord, my lads! + The more 'ee bide ashore, the wuss 'ee be. See to Master Cheeseman's + craft! Got a good hour afront of us. Dannel, what be mooning at? Fetch 'un + a clout on his head, Harry Shanks; or Tim, you run up and do it. Doubt the + young hosebird were struck last moon, and his brains put to salt in a + herring-tub. Home with you, wife! And take Dan, if you will. He'd do more + good at the chipping job, with the full moon in his head so.” + </p> + <p> + “Then home I will take my son, Master Tugwell,” his wife answered, with + much dignity, for all the good wives of Springhaven heard him, and what + would they think of her if she said nothing? “Home I will take my son and + yours, and the wisest place for him to abide in, with his father set agin + him so. Dannel, you come along of me. I won't have my eldest boy gainsaid + so.” + </p> + <p> + Zebedee Tugwell closed his lips, and went on with his proper business. All + the women would side with him if he left them the use of their own minds, + and the sound of his wife's voice last; while all the men in their hearts + felt wisdom. But the young man, loath to be left behind, came doubtfully + down to the stern of the boat, which was pushed off for the Rosalie. And + he looked at the place where he generally sat, and then at his father and + the rest of them. + </p> + <p> + “No gappermouths here!” cried his father, sternly. “Get theezell home with + the vemmelvolk. Shove off without him, Tim! How many more tides would 'ee + lose?” + </p> + <p> + Young Dan, whose stout legs were in the swirling water, snatched up his + striped woolsey from under the tiller, threw it on his shoulder, and + walked off, without a farewell to any one. The whole of Springhaven that + could see saw it, and they never had seen such a thing before. Captain Zeb + stood up and stared, with his big forehead coming out under his hat, and + his golden beard shining in the morning sun; but the only satisfaction for + his eyes was the back of his son growing smaller and smaller. + </p> + <p> + “Chip of the old block!” “Sarve 'ee right, Cap'en!” “Starve 'un back to + his manners again!” the inferior chieftains of the expedition cried, + according to their several views of life. But Zebedee Tugwell paid no heed + to thoughts outside of his own hat and coat. “Spake when I ax you,” he + said, urbanely, but with a glance which conveyed to any too urgent + sympathizer that he would be knocked down, when accessible. + </p> + <p> + But, alas! the less-disciplined women rejoiced, with a wink at their + departing lords, as Mrs. Zebedee set off in chase of her long-striding + Daniel. The mother, enriched by home affections and course of duties well + performed, was of a rounded and ample figure, while the son was tall, and + thin as might be one of strong and well-knit frame. And the sense of wrong + would not permit him to turn his neck, or take a glance at the enterprise + which had rejected him. + </p> + <p> + “How grand he does look! what a noble profile!” thought Dolly, who had + seen everything without the glass, but now brought it to bear upon his + countenance. “He is like the centurion in the painted window, or a Roman + medallion with a hat on. But that old woman will never catch him. She + might just as well go home again. He is walking about ten miles an hour, + and how beautifully straight his legs are! What a shame that he should not + be a gentleman! He is ten times more like one than most of the officers + that used to come bothering me so. I wonder how far he means to go? I do + hope he won't make away with himself. It is almost enough to make him do + it, to be so insulted by his own father, and disgraced before all the + village, simply because he can't help having his poor head so full of me! + Nobody shall ever say that I did anything to give him the faintest + encouragement, because it would be so very wicked and so cruel, + considering all he has done for me. But if he comes back, when his father + is out of sight, and he has walked off his righteous indignation, and all + these people are gone to dinner, it might give a turn to his thoughts if I + were to put on my shell-colored frock and the pale blue sash, and just go + and see, on the other side of the stepping-stones, how much longer they + mean to be with that boat they began so long ago.” + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0010" id="link2HCH0010"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER X + </h2> + <h3> + ACROSS THE STEPPING-STONES + </h3> + <p> + Very good boats were built at this time in the south of England, stout, + that is to say, and strong, and fit to ride over a heavy sea, and plunge + gallantly into the trough of it. But as the strongest men are seldom swift + of foot or light of turn, so these robust and sturdy boats must have their + own time and swing allowed them, ere ever they would come round or step + out. Having met a good deal of the sea, they knew, like a man who has felt + a good deal of the world, that heavy endurance and patient bluffness are + safer to get through the waves somehow than sensitive fibre and elegant + frame. + </p> + <p> + But the sea-going folk of Springhaven had learned, by lore of generations, + to build a boat with an especial sheer forward, beam far back, and deep + run of stern, so that she was lively in the heaviest of weather, and + strong enough to take a good thump smiling, when unable to dance over it. + Yet as a little thing often makes all the difference in great things, it + was very difficult for anybody to find out exactly the difference between + a boat built here and a boat built ten or twenty miles off, in imitation + of her. The sea, however, knew the difference in a moment between the true + thing and the counterfeit, and encouraged the one to go merrily on, while + it sent back the other staggering. The secret lay chiefly in a hollow + curve forward of nine or ten planks upon either side, which could only be + compassed by skilful use of adze and chisel, frame-saw and small tools, + after choice of the very best timber, free from knots, tough, and + flexible. And the best judge of these points was Zebedee Tugwell. + </p> + <p> + Not having cash enough just at present (by reason of family expenses, and + the high price of bread and of everything else) to set upon the stocks the + great smack of the future, which should sail round the Rosalie, Captain + Tugwell was easing his mind by building a boat for stormy weather, such as + they very seldom have inshore, but are likely to meet with outside the + Head. As yet there were not many rowing boats here fit to go far in + tumbling water, though the few that could do it did it well, and Tugwell's + intention was to beat them all, in power, and spring, and buoyancy. The + fame of his meaning was spread for as much as twenty leagues along the + coast; and jealous people laughed, instead of waiting for him to finish + it. + </p> + <p> + Young Daniel had been well brought up in the mysteries of his father's + craft, and having a vigorous turn of wrist, as well as a true eye and + quick brain, he was even outgrowing the paternal skill, with experiments + against experience. He had beautiful theories of his own, and felt certain + that he could prove them, if any one with cash could be brought to see + their beauty. His father admitted that he had good ideas, and might try + them, if any fool would find the money. + </p> + <p> + Wroth as he had been at the sharp rebuff and contumely of his father, + young Daniel, after a long strong walk, began to look at things more + peaceably. The power of the land and the greatness of the sea and the + goodness of the sky unangered him, and the air that came from some oyster + beds, as the tide was falling, hungered him. Home he went, in good time + for dinner, as the duty of a young man is; and instead of laughing when he + came by, the maids of Springhaven smiled at him. This quite righted him in + his own opinion, yet leaving him the benefit of the doubt which comes from + a shake in that cradle lately. He made a good dinner, and shouldered his + adze, with a frail of tools hanging on the neck of it, and troubled with + nothing but love—which is a woe of self-infliction—whistled + his way to the beach, to let all the women understand that he was not a + bit ashamed. And they felt for him all the more, because he stood up for + himself a little. + </p> + <p> + Doubtful rights go cheap; and so the foreshore westward of the brook being + claimed by divers authorities, a tidy little cantle of it had been leased + by Admiral Darling, lord of the manor, to Zebedee Tugwell, boat-builder, + for the yearly provent of two and sixpence sterling. The Admiral's man of + law, Mr. Furkettle, had strongly advised, and well prepared the necessary + instrument, which would grow into value by-and-by, as evidence of title. + And who could serve summary process of ejectment upon an interloper in a + manner so valid as Zebedee's would be? Possession was certain as long as + he lived; ousters and filibusters, in the form of railway companies and + communists, were a bubble as yet in the womb of ages. + </p> + <p> + This piece of land, or sand, or rush, seemed very unlikely to be worth + dispute. If seisin corporeal, user immemorial, and prescription for + levance and couchance conferred any title indefeasible, then were the + rabbits the owners in fee-simple, absolute, paramount, and source of + pedigree. But they, while thoroughly aware of this, took very little heed + to go into it, nor troubled their gentle natures much about a few yards of + sand or grass, as the two-legged creatures near them did. Inasmuch as they + had soft banks of herb and vivid moss to sit upon, sweet crisp grass and + juicy clover for unlabored victuals—as well as a thousand other + nibbles which we are too gross to understand—and for beverage not + only all the abundance of the brook (whose brilliance might taste of men), + but also a little spring of their own which came out of its hole like a + rabbit; and then for scenery all the sea, with strange things running over + it, as well as a great park of their own having countless avenues of rush, + ragwort, and thistle-stump—where would they have deserved to be, if + they had not been contented? Content they were, and even joyful at the + proper time of day. Joyful in the morning, because the sun was come again; + joyful in the middle day to see how well the world went; and in the + evening merry with the tricks of their own shadows. + </p> + <p> + Quite fifteen stepping-stones stepped up—if you counted three that + were made of wood—to soothe the dignity of the brook in its last + fresh-water moments, rather than to gratify the dry-skin'd soles of + gentlefolk. For any one, with a five-shilling pair of boots to terminate + in, might skip dry-footed across the sandy purlings of the rivulet. And + only when a flood came down, or the head of some springtide came up, did + any but playful children tread the lichened cracks of the stepping-stones. + And nobody knew this better than Horatia Dorothy Darling. + </p> + <p> + The bunnies who lived to the west of the brook had reconciled their minds + entirely now to the rising of that boat among them. At first it made a + noise, and scratched the sand, and creaking things came down to it; and + when the moon came through its ribs in the evening, tail was the quarter + to show to it. But as it went on naturally growing, seldom appearing to + make much noise, unless there was a man very near it, and even then + keeping him from doing any harm—outside the disturbance that he + lives in—without so much as a council called, they tolerated this + encroachment. Some of the bolder fathers came and sat inside to consider + it, and left their compliments all round to the masters of the enterprise. + And even when Daniel came to work, as he happened to do this afternoon, + they carried on their own work in its highest form—that of play—upon + the premises they lent him. + </p> + <p> + Though not very large, it was a lively, punctual, well-conducted, and + pleasant rabbit-warren. Sudden death was avoidable on the part of most of + its members, nets, ferrets, gins, and wires being alike forbidden, foxes + scarcely ever seen, and even guns a rare and very memorable visitation. + The headland staves the southern storm, sand-hills shevelled with long + rush disarm the western fury, while inland gales from north and east leap + into the clouds from the uplands. Well aware of all their bliss, and + feeling worthy of it, the blameless citizens pour forth, upon a mild + spring evening, to give one another the time of day, to gaze at the labors + of men upon the sea, and to take the sweet leisure, the breeze, and the + browse. The gray old conies of curule rank, prime senators of the sandy + beach, and father of the father-land, hold a just session upon the head + borough, and look like brown loaves in the distance. But these are conies + of great mark and special character, full of light and leading, because + they have been shot at, and understand how to avoid it henceforth. They + are satisfied to chew very little bits of stuff, and particular to have no + sand in it, and they hunch their round backs almost into one another, and + double up their legs to keep them warm, and reflect on their friends' gray + whiskers. And one of their truest pleasures is, sitting snug at their own + doors, to watch their children's gambols. + </p> + <p> + For this is the time, with the light upon the slope, and the freshness of + salt flowing in from the sea, when the spirit of youth must be free of the + air, and the quickness of life is abounding. Without any heed of the cares + that are coming, or the prick-eared fears of the elders, a fine lot of + young bunnies with tails on the frisk scour everywhere over the warren. Up + and down the grassy dips and yellow piles of wind-drift, and in and out of + the ferny coves and tussocks of rush and ragwort, they scamper, and caper, + and chase one another, in joy that the winter is banished at last, and the + glorious sun come back again. + </p> + <p> + Suddenly, as at the wave of a wand, they all stop short and listen. The + sun is behind them, low and calm, there is not a breath of wind to stir + their flax, not even the feather of a last year's bloom has moved, unless + they moved it. Yet signal of peril has passed among them; they curve their + soft ears for the sound of it, and open their sensitive nostrils, and pat + upon the ground with one little foot to encourage themselves against the + panting of their hearts and the traitorous length of their shadows. + </p> + <p> + Ha! Not for nothing was their fear this day. An active and dangerous + specimen of the human race was coming, lightly and gracefully skimming the + moss, above salt-water reach, of the stepping-stones. The steps are said + to be a thousand years old, and probably are of half that age, belonging + to a time when sound work was, and a monastery flourished in the valley. + Even though they come down from great Hercules himself, never have they + been crossed by a prettier foot or a fairer form than now came gayly over + them. But the rabbits made no account of that. To the young man with the + adze they were quite accustomed, and they liked him, because he minded his + own business, and cared nothing about theirs; but of this wandering maiden + they had no safe knowledge, and judged the worst, and all rushed away, + some tenscore strong, giving notice to him as they passed the boat that he + also had better be cautious. + </p> + <p> + Daniel was in a sweet temper now, by virtue of hard labor and gratified + wit. By skill and persistence and bodily strength he had compassed a curve + his father had declared impossible without a dock-yard. Three planks being + fixed, he was sure of the rest, and could well afford to stop, to admire + the effect, and feel proud of his work, and of himself the worker. Then + the panic of the conies made him turn his head, and the quick beat of his + heart was quickened by worse than bodily labor. + </p> + <p> + Miss Dolly Darling was sauntering sweetly, as if there were only one sex + in the world, and that an entirely divine one. The gleam of spring sunset + was bright in her hair, and in the soft garnish of health on her cheeks, + and the vigorous play of young life in her eyes; while the silvery glance + of the sloping shore, and breezy ruffle of the darkening sea, did nothing + but offer a foil for the form of the shell-colored frock and the sky-blue + sash. + </p> + <p> + Young Daniel fell back upon his half-shaped work, and despised it, and + himself, and everything, except what he was afraid to look at. In the + hollow among the sand-hills where the cradle of the boat was, fine rushes + grew, and tufts of ragwort, and stalks of last year's thistles, and + sea-osiers where the spring oozed down. Through these the white ribs of + the rising boat shone forth like an elephant's skeleton; but the builder + entertained some hope, as well as some fear, of being unperceived. + </p> + <p> + But a far greater power than his own was here. Curved and hollow ships are + female in almost all languages, not only because of their curves and + hollows, but also because they are craft—so to speak. + </p> + <p> + “Oh, Captain Tugwell, are you at work still? Why, you really ought to have + gone with the smacks. But perhaps you sent your son instead. I am so glad + to see you! It is such nice company to hear you! I did not expect to be + left alone, like this.” + </p> + <p> + “If you please, miss, it isn't father at all. Father is gone with the + fishing long ago. It is only me, Daniel, if you please, miss.” + </p> + <p> + “No, Daniel, I am not pleased at all. I am quite surprised that you should + work so late. It scarcely seems respectable.” + </p> + <p> + At this the young man was so much amazed that he could only stare while + she walked off, until the clear duty of righting himself in her good + opinion struck him. Then he threw on his coat and ran after her. + </p> + <p> + “If you please, Miss Dolly—will you please, Miss Dolly?” he called, + as she made off for the stepping-stones; but she did not turn round, + though her name was “Miss Dolly” all over Springhaven, and she liked it. + “You are bound to stop, miss,” he said, sternly; and she stopped, and + cried, “What do you mean by such words to me?” + </p> + <p> + “Not any sort of harm, miss,” he answered, humbly, inasmuch as she had + obeyed him; “and I ask your pardon for speaking so. But if you think twice + you are bound to explain what you said concerning me, now just.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, about your working so late, you mean. I offered good advice to you. I + think it is wrong that you should go on, when everybody else has left off + long ago. But perhaps your father makes you.” + </p> + <p> + “Father is a just man,” said young Tugwell, drawing up his own integrity; + “now and then he may take a crooked twist, or such like; but he never + goeth out of fair play to his knowledge. He hath a-been hard upon me this + day; but the main of it was to check mother of her ways. You understand, + miss, how the women-folk go on in a house, till the other women hear of + it. And then out-of-doors they are the same as lambs.” + </p> + <p> + “It is most ungrateful and traitorous of you to your own mother to talk + so. Your mother spoils you, and this is all the thanks she gets! Wait till + you have a wife of your own, Master Daniel!” + </p> + <p> + “Wait till I am dead then I may, Miss Dolly,” he answered, with a depth of + voice which frightened her for a moment; and then he smiled and said, “I + beg your pardon,” as gracefully as any gentleman could say it; “but let me + see you safe to your own gate; there are very rough people about here now, + and the times are not quite as they used to be, when we were a-fighting + daily.” + </p> + <p> + He followed her at a respectful distance, and then ran forward and opened + the white gate. “Good-night, Daniel,” the young lady said, as he lifted + his working cap to her, showing his bright curls against the darkening + sea; “I am very much obliged to you, and I do hope I have not said + anything to vex you. I have never forgotten all you did for me, and you + must not mind the way I have of saying things.” + </p> + <p> + “What a shame it does appear—what a fearful shame it is,” she + whispered to herself as she hurried through the trees—“that he + should be nothing but a fisherman! He is a gentleman in everything but + birth and education; and so strong, and so brave, and so good-looking!” + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0011" id="link2HCH0011"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XI + </h2> + <h3> + NO PROMOTION + </h3> + <p> + “Do it again now, Captain Scuddy; do it again; you know you must.” + </p> + <p> + “You touched the rim with your shoe, last time. You are bound to do it + clean, once more.” + </p> + <p> + “No, he didn't. You are a liar; it was only the ribbon of his shoe.” + </p> + <p> + “I'll punch your head if you say that again. It was his heel, and here's + the mark.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, Scuddy dear, don't notice them. You can do it fifty times running, if + you like. Nobody can run or jump like you. Do it just once more to please + me.” + </p> + <p> + Kitty Fanshawe, a boy with large blue eyes and a purely gentle face, + looked up at Blyth Scudamore so faithfully that to resist him was + impossible. + </p> + <p> + “Very well, then; once more for Kitty,” said the sweetest-tempered of + mankind, as he vaulted back into the tub. “But you know that I always + leave off at a dozen. Thirteen—thirteen I could never stop at. I + shall have to do fourteen at least; and it is too bad, just after dinner. + Now all of you watch whether I touch it anywhere.” + </p> + <p> + A barrel almost five feet in height, and less than a yard in breadth, + stood under a clump of trees in the play-ground; and Blyth Scudamore had + made a clean leap one day, for his own satisfaction, out of it. Sharp eyes + saw him, and sharp wits were pleased, and a strong demand had arisen that + he should perform this feat perpetually. Good nerve, as well as strong + spring, and compactness of power are needed for it; and even in this + athletic age there are few who find it easy. + </p> + <p> + “Come, now,” he said, as he landed lightly, with both heels together; “one + of you big fellows come and do it. You are three inches taller than I am. + And you have only got to make up your minds.” + </p> + <p> + But all the big fellows hung back, or began to stimulate one another, and + to prove to each other how easy it was, by every proof but practice. + “Well, then, I must do it once more,” said Blyth, “for I dare not leave + off at thirteen, for fear of some great calamity, such as I never could + jump out of.” + </p> + <p> + But before he could get into the tub again, to prepare for the clear + spring out of it, he beheld a man with silver buttons coming across the + playing-field. His heart fell into his heels, and no more agility remained + in him. He had made up his mind that Admiral Darling would forget all + about him by Saturday; and though the fair image of Dolly would abide in + that quiet mind for a long while, the balance of his wishes (cast by + shyness) was heavily against this visit. And the boys, who understood his + nature, with a poignant love—like that of our friends in this world—began + to probe his tender places. + </p> + <p> + “One more jump, Captain Scuddy! You must; to show the flunky what you can + do.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, don't I wish I was going? He'll have turtle soup, and venison, and + two men behind his chair.” + </p> + <p> + “And the beautiful young ladies looking at him every time he takes a + mouthful.” + </p> + <p> + “But he dare not go courting after thirteen jumps. And he has vowed that + he will have another. Come, Captain Scuddy, no time to lose.” + </p> + <p> + But Scudamore set off to face his doom, with his old hat hanging on the + back of his head—as it generally did—and his ruddy face and + mild blue eyes full of humorous diffidence and perplexity. + </p> + <p> + “If you please, sir, his honour the Hadmiral have sent me to fetch 'e and + your things; and hoss be baiting along of the Blue Dragon.” + </p> + <p> + “I am sorry to say that I forgot all about it, or, at least, I thought + that he would. How long before we ought to start?” + </p> + <p> + “My name is Gregory, sir—Coachman Gregory—accustomed always to + a pair, but doesn't mind a single hoss, to oblige the Hadmiral, once in a + way. About half an hour, sir, will suit me, unless they comes down to the + skittle-alley, as ought to be always on a Saturday afternoon; but not a + soul there when I looked in.” + </p> + <p> + Any man in Scudamore's position, except himself, would have grieved and + groaned. For the evening dress of that time, though less gorgeous than of + the age before, was still an expensive and elaborate affair; and the young + man, in this ebb of fortune, was poorly stocked with raiment. But he + passed this trouble with his usual calmness and disregard of trifles. “If + I wear the best I have got,” he thought, “I cannot be charged with + disrespect. The Admiral knows what a sailor is; and, after all, who will + look at me?” Accordingly he went just as he was, for he never wore an + overcoat, but taking a little canvas kit, with pumps and silk stockings + for evening wear, and all the best that he could muster of his Volunteer + equipment. + </p> + <p> + The Admiral came to the door of the Hall, and met him with such hearty + warmth, and a glance of such kind approval at his open throat and glowing + cheeks, that the young man felt a bound of love and tender veneration + towards him, which endured for lifetime. + </p> + <p> + “Your father was my dearest friend, and the very best man I ever knew. I + must call you 'Blyth,'” said the Admiral, “for if I call you 'Scudamore,' + I shall think perpetually of my loss.” + </p> + <p> + At dinner that day there was no other guest, and nothing to disturb the + present one, except a young lady's quick glances, of which he endeavored + to have no knowledge. Faith Darling, a gentle and beautiful young woman, + had taken a natural liking to him, because of his troubles, and + simplicity, and devotion to his widowed mother. But to the younger, Dolly + Darling, he was only a visitor, dull and stupid, requiring, without at all + repaying, the trouble of some attention. He was not tall, nor handsome, + nor of striking appearance in any way; and although he was clearly a + gentleman, to her judgment he was not an accomplished, or even a clever + one. His inborn modesty and shyness placed him at great disadvantage, + until well known; and the simple truth of his nature forbade any of the + large talk and bold utterance which pleased her as yet among young + officers. + </p> + <p> + “What a plague he will be all day tomorrow!” she said to her sister in the + drawing-room. “Father was obliged, I suppose, to invite him; but what can + we do with him all the day? Sundays are dull enough, I am sure, already, + without our having to amuse a gentleman who has scarcely got two ideas of + his own, and is afraid to say 'bo' to a goose, I do believe. Did you hear + what he said when I asked him whether he was fond of riding?” + </p> + <p> + “Yes; and I thought it so good of him, to answer so straightforwardly. He + said that he used to be very fond of it, but was afraid that he should + fall off now.” + </p> + <p> + “I should like to see him. I tell you what we'll do. We will make him ride + back on Monday morning, and put him on 'Blue Bangles,' who won't have seen + daylight since Friday. Won't he jump about a bit! What a shame it is, not + to let us ride on Sundays!” + </p> + <p> + Ignorant of these kind intentions, Scudamore was enjoying himself in his + quiet, observant way. Mr. Twemlow, the rector of the parish, had chanced—as + he often chanced on a Saturday, after buckling up a brace of sermons—to + issue his mind (with his body outside it) for a little relief of + neighbourhood. And these little airings of his chastening love—for + he loved everybody, when he had done his sermon—came, whenever there + was a fair chance of it, to a glass of the fine old port which is the true + haven for an ancient Admiral. + </p> + <p> + “Just in time, Rector,” cried Admiral Darling, who had added by many a + hardship to his inborn hospitality. “This is my young friend Blyth + Scudamore, the son of one of my oldest friends. You have heard of Sir + Edmond Scudamore?” + </p> + <p> + “And seen him and felt him. And to him I owe, under a merciful Providence, + the power of drinking in this fine port the health of his son, which I do + with deep pleasure, for the excellence both of end and means.” + </p> + <p> + The old man bowed at the praise of his wine, and the young one at that of + his father. Then, after the usual pinch of snuff from the Rector's long + gold box, the host returned to the subject he had been full of before this + interruption. + </p> + <p> + “The question we have in hand is this. What is to be done with our friend + Blyth? He was getting on famously, till this vile peace came. Twemlow, you + called it that yourself, so that argument about words is useless. Blyth's + lieutenancy was on the books, and the way they carry things on now, and + shoot poor fellows' heads off, he might have been a post-captain in a + twelvemonth. And now there seems nothing on earth before him better than + Holy-Orders.” + </p> + <p> + “Admiral Darling is kind enough to think,” said Scudamore, in his mild, + hesitative way, blushing outwardly, but smiling inwardly, “that I am too + good to be a clergyman.” + </p> + <p> + “And so you are, and Heaven knows it, Blyth, unless there was a chance of + getting on by goodness, which there is in the Navy, but not in the Church. + Twemlow, what is your opinion?” + </p> + <p> + “It would not be modest in me,” said the Rector, “to stand up too much for + my own order. We do our duty, and we don't get on.” + </p> + <p> + “Exactly. You could not have put it better. You get no vacancies by shot + and shell, and being fit for another world, you keep out of it. Have you + ever heard me tell the story about Gunner MacCrab, of the Bellerophon?” + </p> + <p> + “Fifty times, and more than that,” replied the sturdy parson, who liked to + make a little cut at the Church sometimes, but would not allow any other + hand to do it. “But now about our young friend here. Surely, with all that + we know by this time of the character of that Bony, we can see that this + peace is a mere trick of his to bamboozle us while he gets ready. In six + months we shall be at war again, hammer and tongs, as sure as my name is + Twemlow.” + </p> + <p> + “So be it!” cried the Admiral, with a stamp on his oak floor, while + Scudamore's gentle eyes flashed and fell; “if it is the will of God, so be + it. But if it once begins again, God alone knows where France will be + before you and I are in our graves. They have drained all our patience, + and our pockets very nearly; but they have scarcely put a tap into our + energy and endurance. But what are they? A gang of slaves, rammed into the + cannon by a Despot.” + </p> + <p> + “They seem to like it, and the question is for them. But the struggle will + be desperate, mountains of carnage, oceans of blood, universal mourning, + lamentation, and woe. And I have had enough trouble with my tithes + already.” + </p> + <p> + “Tithes are dependent on the will of the Almighty,” said the Admiral, who + paid more than he altogether liked; “but a war goes by reason and good + management. It encourages the best men of the day, and it brings out the + difference between right and wrong, which are quite smothered up in peace + time. It keeps out a quantity of foreign rubbish and stuff only made to be + looked at, and it makes people trust one another, and know what country + they belong to, and feel how much they have left to be thankful for. And + what is the use of a noble fleet, unless it can get some fighting? Blyth, + what say you? You know something about that.” + </p> + <p> + “No, sir, I have never been at close quarters yet. And I doubt—or at + least I am certain that I should not like it. I am afraid that I should + want to run down below.” + </p> + <p> + Mr. Twemlow, having never smelled hostile powder, gazed at him rather + loftily, while the young man blushed at his own truth, yet looked up + bravely to confirm it. + </p> + <p> + “Of all I have ever known or met,” said Admiral Darling, quietly, “there + are but three—Nelson and two others, and one of those two was + half-witted—who could fetch up muzzle to muzzle without a feeling of + that sort. The true courage lies in resisting the impulse, more than being + free from it. I know that I was in a precious fright the first time I was + shot at, even at a decent distance; and I don't pretend to like it even + now. But I am pretty safe now from any further chance, I fear. When we cut + our wisdom-teeth, they shelf us. Twemlow, how much wiser you are in the + Church! The older a man gets, the higher they promote him.” + </p> + <p> + “Then let them begin with me,” the Rector answered, smiling; “I am old + enough now for almost anything, and the only promotion I get is stiff + joints, and teeth that crave peace from an olive. Placitam paci, Mr. + Scudamore knows the rest, being fresh from the learned Stonnington. But, + Squire, you know that I am content. I love Springhaven, Springhaven loves + me, and we chasten one another.” + </p> + <p> + “A man who knows all the Latin you know, Rector—for I own that you + beat me to the spelling-book—should be at least an Archdeacon in the + Church, which is equal to the rank of Rear-Admiral. But you never have + pushed as you should do; and you let it all off in quotations. Those are + very comforting to the mind, but I never knew a man do good with them, + unless they come out of the Bible. When Gunner Matthew of the Erigdoupos + was waiting to have his leg off, with no prospect before him—except + a better world—you know what our Chaplain said to him; and the + effect upon his mind was such, that I have got him to this day upon my + land.” + </p> + <p> + “Of course you have—the biggest old poacher in the county. He shoots + half your pheasants with his wooden leg by moonlight. What your Chaplain + said to him was entirely profane in the turn of a text of Holy-Writ; and + it shows how our cloth is spoiled by contact with yours”—for the + Admiral was laughing to himself at this old tale, which he would not + produce before young Scudamore, but loved to have out with the Rector—“and + I hope it will be a good warning to you, Squire, to settle no more old + gunners on your property. You must understand, Mr. Scudamore, that the + Admiral makes a sort of Naval Hospital, for all his old salts, on his own + Estates.” + </p> + <p> + “I am sure it is wonderfully kind in him,” the young man answered, + bravely, “for the poor old fellows are thrown to the dogs by the country, + when it has disabled them. I have not seen much of the service, but quite + enough to know that, Mr. Twemlow.” + </p> + <p> + “I have seen a great deal, and I say that it is so. And my good friend + knows it as well as I do, and is one of the first to lend a helping hand. + In all such cases he does more than I do, whenever they come within his + knowledge. But let us return to the matter in hand. Here is a young man, a + first-rate sailor, who would have been under my guardianship, I know, but + for—but for sad circumstances. Is he to be grinding at Virgil and + Ovid till all his spirit goes out of him, because we have patched up a + very shabby peace? It can never last long. Every Englishman hates it, + although it may seem to save his pocket. Twemlow, I am no politician. You + read the papers more than I do. How much longer will this wretched compact + hold? You have predicted the course of things before.” + </p> + <p> + “And so I will again,” replied the Rector. “Atheism, mockery, cynicism, + blasphemy, lust, and blood-thirstyness cannot rage and raven within a few + leagues of a godly and just nation without stinking in their nostrils. + Sir, it is our mission from the Lord to quench Bony, and to conquer the + bullies of Europe. We don't look like doing it now, I confess. But do it + we shall, in the end, as sure as the name of our country is England.” + </p> + <p> + “I have no doubt of it,” said the Admiral, simply; “but there will be a + deal of fighting betwixt this and then. Blyth, will you leave me to see + what I can do, whenever we get to work again?” + </p> + <p> + “I should think that I would, sir, and never forget it. I am not fond of + fighting; but how I have longed to feel myself afloat again!” + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0012" id="link2HCH0012"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XII + </h2> + <h3> + AT THE YEW-TREE + </h3> + <p> + All the common-sense of England, more abundant in those days than now, + felt that the war had not been fought out, and the way to the lap of peace + could only be won by vigorous use of the arms. Some few there were even + then, as now there is a cackling multitude, besotted enough to believe + that facts can be undone by blinking them. But our forefathers on the + whole were wise, and knew that nothing is trampled more basely than right + that will not right itself. + </p> + <p> + Therefore they set their faces hard, and toughened their hearts like + knotted oak, against all that man could do to them. There were no + magnificent proclamations, no big vaunts of victory at the buckling on of + armour, but the quiet strength of steadfast wills, and the stern resolve + to strike when stricken, and try to last the longest. And so their + mother-land became the mother of men and freedom. + </p> + <p> + In November, 1802, the speech from the throne apprised the world that + England was preparing. The widest, longest, and deadliest war, since the + date of gunpowder, was lowering; and the hearts of all who loved their kin + were heavy, but found no help for it. + </p> + <p> + The sermon which Mr. Twemlow preached in Springhaven church was + magnificent. Some parishioners, keeping memory more alert than conscience, + declared that they had received it all nine, or it might be ten, years + since, when the fighting first was called for. If so, that proved it none + the worse, but themselves, for again requiring it. Their Rector told them + that they thought too much of their own flesh-pots and fish-kettles, and + their country might go to the bottom of the sea, if it left them their own + fishing-grounds. And he said that they would wake up some day and find + themselves turned into Frenchmen, for all things were possible with the + Lord; and then they might smite their breasts, but must confess that they + had deserved it. Neither would years of prayer and fasting fetch them back + into decent Englishmen; the abomination of desolation would be set up over + their doorways, and the scarlet woman of Babylon would revel in their + sanctuaries. + </p> + <p> + “Now don't let none of us be in no hurry,” Captain Tugwell said, after + dwelling and sleeping upon this form of doctrine; “a man knoweth his own + trade the best, the very same way as the parson doth. And I never knew no + good to come of any hurry. Our lives are given us by the Lord. And He + never would 'a made 'em threescore and ten, or for men of any strength + fourscore, if His will had been to jerk us over them. Never did I see no + Frenchman as could be turned to an Englishman, not if he was to fast and + pray all day, and cut himself with knives at the going down of the sun. My + opinion is that Parson Twemlow were touched up by his own conscience for + having a nephew more French than English; and 'Caryl Carne' is the name + thereof, with more French than English sound to it.” + </p> + <p> + “Why, he have been gone for years and years,” said the landlord of the + Darling Arms, where the village was holding council; “he have never been + seen in these parts since the death of the last Squire Carne, to my + knowledge.” + </p> + <p> + “And what did the old Squire die of, John Prater? Not that he were to be + called old—younger, I dare say, than I be now. What did he die of, + but marrying with a long outlandish 'ooman? A femmel as couldn't speak a + word of English, to be anyhow sure of her meaning! Ah, them was bad times + at Carne Castle; and as nice a place as need be then, until they dipped + the property. Six grey horses they were used to go with to London + Parliament every year, before the last Squire come of age, as I have + heered my father say scores of times, and no lie ever come from his mouth, + no more than it could from mine, almost. Then they dropped to four, and + then to two, and pretended that the roads were easier.” + </p> + <p> + “When I was down the coast, last week, so far as Littlehampton,” said a + stout young man in the corner, “a very coorous thing happened me, + leastways by my own opinion, and glad shall I be to have the judgment of + Cappen Zeb consarning it. There come in there a queer-rigged craft of some + sixty ton from Halvers, desiring to set up trade again, or to do some + smoogling, or spying perhaps. Her name was the Doctor Humm, which seem a + great favorite with they Crappos, and her skipper had a queer name too, as + if he was two men in one, for he called himself 'Jacks'; a fellow about + forty year old, as I hauled out of the sea with a boat-hook one night on + the Varners. Well, he seemed to think a good deal of that, though contrary + to their nature, and nothing would do but I must go to be fated with him + everywhere, if the folk would change his money. He had picked up a decent + bit of talk from shipping in the oyster line before the war; and I put his + lingo into order for him, for which he was very thankful.” + </p> + <p> + “And so he was bound to be. But you had no call to do it, Charley Bowles.” + Captain Tugwell spoke severely, and the young man felt that he was wrong, + for the elders shook their heads at him, as a traitor to the English + language. + </p> + <p> + “Well, main likely, I went amiss. But he seemed to take it so uncommon + kind of me hitching him with a boat-hook, that we got on together + wonderful, and he called me 'Friar Sharley,' and he tried to take up with + our manners and customs; but his head was outlandish for English grog. One + night he was three sheets in the wind, at a snug little crib by the river, + and he took to the brag as is born with them. 'All dis contray in one year + now,' says he, nodding over his glass at me, 'shall be of the grand + nashong, and I will make a great man of you, Friar Sharley. Do you know + what prawns are, my good friend?' Well, I said I had caught a good many in + my time; but he laughed and said, 'Prawns will catch you this time. One + tousand prawns, all with two hondred men inside him, and the leetle prawns + will come to land at your house, Sharley. Bootiful place, quiet sea, no + bad rocks. You look out in the morning, and the white coast is made black + with them.' Now what do you say to that, Cappen Tugwell?” + </p> + <p> + “I've a-heered that style of talk many times afore,” Master Tugwell + answered, solidly; “and all I can say is that I should have punched his + head. And you deserve the same thing, Charley Bowles, unless you've got + more than that to tell us.” + </p> + <p> + “So I might, Cappen, and I won't deny you there. But the discourse were + consarning Squire Carne now just, and the troubles he fell into, before I + was come to my judgment yet. Why, an uncle of mine served footman there—Jeremiah + Bowles, known to every one, until he was no more heard of.” + </p> + <p> + Nods of assent to the fame of Jeremiah encouraged the stout young man in + his tale, and a wedge of tobacco rekindled him. + </p> + <p> + “Yes, it were a coorous thing indeed, and coorous for me to hear of it, + out of all mast-head of Springhaven. Says Moosoo Jacks to me, that night + when I boused him up unpretending: 'You keep your feather eye open, my + tear,' for such was his way of pronouncing it, 'and you shall arrive to + laglore, laglore—and what is still nobler, de monnay. In one two + tree month, you shall see a young captain returned to his contray + dominion, and then you will go to his side and say Jacks, and he will make + present to you a sack of silver.' Well, I hailed the chance of this pretty + smart, you may suppose, and I asked him what the sailor's name would be, + and surprised I was when he answered Carne, or Carny, for he gave it in + two syllables. Next morning's tide, the Doctor Humm cleared out, and I had + no other chance of discourse with Moosoo Jacks. But I want to know what + you think, Cappen Zeb.” + </p> + <p> + “So you shall,” said the captain of Springhaven, sternly. “I think you had + better call your Moosoo Jacks 'Master Jackass,' or 'Master Jackanapes,' + and put your own name on the back of him. You been with a Frenchman hob + and nobbing, and you don't even know how they pronounce themselves, + unchristian as it is to do so. 'Jarks' were his name, the very same as + Navy beef, and a common one in that country. But to speak of any Carne + coming nigh us with French plottings, and of prawns landing here at + Springhaven—'tis as likely as I should drop French money into the + till of this baccy-box. And you can see that I be not going to play such a + trick as that, John Prater.” + </p> + <p> + “Why to my mind there never was bigger stuff talked,” the landlord spoke + out, without fear of offence, for there was no other sign-board within + three miles, “than to carry on in that way, Charley. What they may do at + Littlehampton is beyond my knowledge, never having kept a snug crib there, + as you was pleased to call it. But at Springhaven 'twould be the wrong + place for hatching of French treacheries. We all know one another a deal + too well for that, I hope.” + </p> + <p> + “Prater, you are right,” exclaimed Mr. Cheeseman, owner of the main shop + in the village, and universally respected. “Bowles, you must have an + imagination the same as your uncle Jerry had. And to speak of the Carnes + in a light way of talking, after all their misfortunes, is terrible. Why, + I passed the old castle one night last week, with the moon to one side of + it, and only me in my one-horse shay to the other, and none but a man with + a first-rate conscience would have had the stomach to do so. However, I + seed no ghosts that time, though I did hear some noises as made me use the + whip; and the swing of the ivy was black as a hearse. A little drop more + of my own rum, John: it gives me quite a chill to think of it.” + </p> + <p> + “I don't take much account of what people say,” Harry Shanks, who had a + deep clear voice, observed, “without it is in my own family. But my own + cousin Bob was coming home one night from a bit of sweethearting at + Pebbleridge, when, to save the risk of rabbit-holes in the dark, for he + put out his knee-cap one time, what does he do but take the path inland + through the wood below Carne Castle—the opposite side to where you + was, Master Cheeseman, and the same side as the moon would be, only she + wasn't up that night. Well, he had some misgivings, as anybody must; still + he pushed along, whistling and swinging his stick, and saying to himself + that there was no such thing as cowardice in our family; till just at the + corner where the big yew-tree is, that we sometimes starboard helm by when + the tide is making with a nor'west wind; there Bob seed a sight as made + his hair crawl. But I won't say another word about it now, and have to go + home in the dark by myself arter'ards.” + </p> + <p> + “Come, now, Harry!” “Oh, we can't stand that!” “We'll see you to your + door, lad, if you out with it, fair and forcible.” + </p> + <p> + Of these and other exhortations Harry took no notice, but folded his arms + across his breast, and gazed at something which his mind presented. + </p> + <p> + “Harry Shanks, you will have the manners”—Captain Tugwell spoke + impressively, not for his own sake, for he knew the tale, and had been + consulted about it, but from sense of public dignity—“to finish the + story which you began. To begin a yarn of your own accord, and then drop + it all of a heap, is not respectful to present company. Springhaven never + did allow such tricks, and will not put up with them from any young + fellow. If your meaning was to drop it, you should never have begun.” + </p> + <p> + Glasses and even pipes rang sharply upon the old oak table in applause of + this British sentiment, and the young man, with a sheepish look, submitted + to the voice of the public. + </p> + <p> + “Well, then, all of you know where the big yew-tree stands, at the break + of the hill about half a mile inland, and how black it looms among the + other stuff. But Bob, with his sweetheart in his head, no doubt, was that + full of courage that he forgot all about the old tree, and the murder done + inside it a hundred and twenty years ago, they say, until there it was, + over his head a'most, with the gaps in it staring like ribs at him. 'Bout + ship was the word, pretty sharp, you may be sure, when he come to his wits + consarning it, and the purse of his lips, as was whistling a jig, went as + dry as a bag with the bottom out. Through the grey of the night there was + sounds coming to him, such as had no right to be in the air, and a sort of + a shiver laid hold of his heart, like a cold hand flung over his shoulder. + As hard as he could lay foot to the ground, away he went down hill, + forgetting of his kneecap, for such was the condition of his mind and + body. + </p> + <p> + “You must understand, mates, that he hadn't seen nothing to skeer him, but + only heard sounds, which come into his ears to make his hair rise; and his + mind might have put into them more than there was, for the want of + intarpreting. Perhaps this come across him, as soon as he felt at a better + distance with his wind short; anyhow, he brought up again' a piece of + rock-stuff in a hollow of the ground, and begun to look skeerily backward. + For a bit of a while there was nothing to distemper him, only the dark of + the hill and the trees, and the grey light a-coming from the sea in front. + But just as he were beginning for to call himself a fool, and to pick + himself onto his legs for trudging home, he seed a thing as skeered him + worse than ever, and fetched him flat upon his lower end. + </p> + <p> + “From the black of the yew-tree there burst a big light, brighter than a + lighthouse or a blue thunder-bolt, and flying with a long streak down the + hollow, just as if all the world was a-blazing. Three times it come, with + three different colours, first blue, and then white, and then red as new + blood; and poor Bob was in a condition of mind must be seen before saying + more of it. If he had been brought up to follow the sea, instead of the + shoemaking, maybe his wits would have been more about him, and the narves + of his symptom more ship-shape. But it never was borne into his mind + whatever, to keep a lookout upon the offing, nor even to lie snug in the + ferns and watch the yew-tree. All he was up for was to make all sail, the + moment his sticks would carry it; and he feared to go nigh his sweetheart + any more, till she took up with another fellow.” + </p> + <p> + “And sarve him quite right,” was the judgment of the room, in high fettle + with hot rum and water; “to be skeered of his life by a smuggler's signal! + Eh, Cappen Zebedee, you know that were it?” + </p> + <p> + But the captain of Springhaven shook his head. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0013" id="link2HCH0013"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XIII + </h2> + <h3> + WHENCE, AND WHEREFORE? + </h3> + <p> + At the rectory, too, ere the end of that week, there was no little shaking + of heads almost as wise as Zebedee Tugwell's. Mrs. Twemlow, though nearly + sixty years of age, and acquainted with many a sorrow, was as lively and + busy and notable as ever, and even more determined to be the mistress of + the house. For by this time her daughter Eliza, beginning to be + twenty-five years old—a job which takes some years in finishing—began + at the same time to approve her birth by a vigorous aim at the mastery. + For, as everybody said, Miss Eliza was a Carne in blood and breed and + fibre. There was little of the Twemlow stock about her—for the + Twemlows were mild and humorous—but plenty of the strength and dash + and wildness and contemptuous spirit of the ancient Carnes. + </p> + <p> + Carne a carne, as Mr. Twemlow said, when his wife was inclined to be + masterful—a derivation confirmed by the family motto, “Carne non + caret carne.” In the case, however, of Mrs. Twemlow, age, affliction, + experience, affection, and perhaps above all her good husband's larger + benevolence and placidity, had wrought a great change for the better, and + made a nice old lady of her. She was tall and straight and slender still; + and knew how to make the most, by grave attire and graceful attitude, of + the bodily excellence entailed for ages on the lineage of Carne. Of moral + goodness there had not been an equally strict settlement, at least in male + heredity. So that Mrs. Twemlow's thoughts about her kith and kindred were + rather sad than proud, unless some ignorance was shown about them. + </p> + <p> + “Poor as I am,” said Mr. Twemlow, now consulting with her, “and poor as + every beneficed clergyman must be, if this war returns, I would rather + have lost a hundred pounds than have heard what you tell me, Maria.” + </p> + <p> + “My dear, I cannot quite see that,” his wife made thoughtful answer; “if + he only had money to keep up the place, and clear off those nasty + incumbrances, I should rejoice at his coming back to live where we have + been for centuries.” + </p> + <p> + “My dear, you are too poetical, though the feeling is a fine one. Within + the old walls there can scarcely be a room that has a sound floor to it. + And as for the roof, when that thunder-storm was, and I took shelter with + my pony—well, you know the state I came home in, and all my best + clothes on for the Visitation. Luckily there seems to be no rheumatism in + your family, Maria; and perhaps he is too young as yet to pay out for it + till he gets older. But if he comes for business, and to see to the relics + of his property, surely he might have a bedroom here, and come and go at + his liking. After all his foreign fanglements, a course of quiet English + life and the tone of English principles might be of the greatest use to + him. He would never wish to see the Continent again.” + </p> + <p> + “It is not to be thought of,” said Mrs. Twemlow. “I would not have him to + live in this house for fifty thousand pounds a year. You are a great deal + wiser than I am, Joshua; but of his nature you know nothing, whereas I + know it from his childhood. And Eliza is so strong-willed and stubborn—you + dislike, of course, to hear me say it, but it is the fact—it is, my + dear. And I would rather stand by our daughter's grave than see her fall + in love with Caryl Carne. You know what a handsome young man he must be + now, and full of French style and frippery. I am sure it is most kind of + you to desire to help my poor family; but you would rue the day, my dear, + that brought him beneath our quiet roof. I have lost my only son, as it + seems, by the will of the Lord, who afflicts us. But I will not lose my + only daughter, by any such folly of my own.” + </p> + <p> + Tears rolled down Mrs. Twemlow's cheeks as she spoke of her mysterious + affliction; and her husband, who knew that she was not weak-minded, + consoled her by sharing her sorrow. + </p> + <p> + “It shall be exactly as you like,” he said, after a quiet interval. “You + say that no answer is needed; and there is no address to send one to. We + shall hear of it, of course, when he takes possession, if, indeed, he is + allowed to do so.” + </p> + <p> + “Who is to prevent him from coming, if he chooses, to live in the home of + his ancestors? The estates are all mortgaged, and the park is gone, turned + into a pound for Scotch cattle-breeding. But the poor old castle belongs + to us still, because no one would take the expense of it.” + </p> + <p> + “And because of the stories concerning it, Maria. Your nephew Caryl is a + brave young fellow if he means to live there all alone, and I fear he can + afford himself no company. You understand him so much better: what do you + suppose his motive is?” + </p> + <p> + “I make no pretence to understand him, dear, any more than his poor father + could. My dear brother was of headstrong order, and it did him no good to + contradict him, and indeed it was dangerous to do so; but his nature was + as simple as a child's almost, to any one accustomed to him. If he had not + married that grand French lady, who revelled in every extravagance, though + she knew how we all were impoverished, he might have been living and in + high position now, though a good many years my senior. And the worst of it + was that he did it at a time when he ought to have known so much better. + However, he paid for it bitterly enough, and his only child was set + against him.” + </p> + <p> + “A very sad case altogether,” said the rector. “I remember, as if it were + yesterday, how angry poor Montagu was with me. You remember what words he + used, and his threat of attacking me with his horsewhip. But he begged my + pardon, most humbly, as soon as he saw how thoroughly right I was. You are + like him in some things, as I often notice, but not quite so generous in + confessing you were wrong.” + </p> + <p> + “Because I don't do it as he did, Joshua. You would never understand me if + I did. But of course for a man you can make allowance. My rule is to do it + both for men and women, quite as fairly as if one was the other.” + </p> + <p> + “Certainly, Maria—certainly. And therefore you can do it, and have + always done it, even for poor Josephine. No doubt there is much to be + pleaded, by a candid and gentle mind, on her behalf.” + </p> + <p> + “What! that dreadful creature who ruined my poor brother, and called + herself the Countess de Lune, or some such nonsense! No, Joshua, no! I + have not so entirely lost all English principle as to quite do that. + Instead of being largeness, that would be mere looseness.” + </p> + <p> + “There are many things, however, that we never understood, and perhaps + never shall in this world,” Mr. Twemlow continued, as if talking to + himself, for reason on that subject would be misaddressed to her; “and + nothing is more natural than that young Caryl should side with his mother, + who so petted him, against his poor father, who was violent and harsh, + especially when he had to pay such bills. But perhaps our good nephew has + amassed some cash, though there seems to be but little on the Continent, + after all this devastation. Is there anything, Maria, in his letter to + enable us to hope that he is coming home with money?” + </p> + <p> + “Not a word, I am afraid,” Mrs. Twemlow answered, sadly. “But take it, my + dear, and read it to me slowly. You make things so plain, because of + practice every Sunday. Oh, Joshua, I never can be sure which you are + greatest in—the Lessons or the Sermon. But before you begin I will + shoot the bolt a little, as if it had caught by accident. Eliza does rush + in upon us sometimes in the most unbecoming, unladylike way. And I never + can get you to reprove her.” + </p> + <p> + “It would be as much as my place is worth, as the maids say when imagined + to have stolen sugar. And I must not read this letter so loud as the + Lessons, unless you wish Lizzie to hear every word, for she has all her + mother's quick senses. There is not much of it, and the scrawl seems + hasty. We might have had more for three and fourpence. But I am not the + one to grumble about bad measure—as the boy said about old Busby. + Now, Maria, listen, but say nothing; if feminine capacity may compass it. + Why, bless my heart, every word of it is French!” The rector threw down + his spectacles, and gazed at his wife reproachfully. But she smiled with + superior innocence. + </p> + <p> + “What else could you expect, after all his years abroad? I cannot make out + the whole of it, for certain. But surely it is not beyond the compass of + masculine capacity.” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, it is, Maria; and you know it well enough. No honest Englishman can + endure a word of French. Latin, or Greek, or even Hebrew—though I + took to that rather late in life. But French is only fit for women, and + very few of them can manage it. Let us hear what this Frenchman says.” + </p> + <p> + “He is not a Frenchman, Joshua. He is an Englishman, and probably a very + fine one. I won't be sure about all of his letter, because it is so long + since I was at school; and French books are generally unfit to read. But + the general meaning is something like this: + </p> + <p> + 'MY BELOVED AND HIGHLY VALUED AUNT,—Since I heard from you there are + many years now, but I hope you have held me in memory. I have the + intention of returning to the country of England, even in this bad time of + winter, when the climate is most funereal. I shall do my best to call + back, if possible, the scattered ruins of the property, and to institute + again the name which my father made displeasing. In this good work you + will, I have faith, afford me your best assistance, and the influence of + your high connection in the neighbourhood. Accept, dear aunt, the + assurance of my highest consideration, of the most sincere and the most + devoted, and allow me the honour of writing myself your most loving and + respectful nephew, + </p> + <p> + 'CARYL CARNE.' + </p> + <p> + Now, Joshua, what do you think of that?” + </p> + <p> + “Fine words and no substance; like all French stuff. And he never even + mentions me, who gave him a top, when he should have had the whip. I will + not pretend to understand him, for he always was beyond me. Dark and + excitable, moody and capricious, haughty and sarcastic, and devoid of love + for animals. You remember his pony, and what he did to it, and the little + dog that crawled upon her stomach towards him. For your sake I would have + put up with him, my dear, and striven to improve his nature, which is sure + to be much worse at six-and-twenty, after so many years abroad. But I + confess it is a great relief to me that you wisely prefer not to have him + in this house, any more at least than we can help it. But who comes here? + What a hurry we are in! Lizzie, my darling, be patient.” + </p> + <p> + “Here's this plague of a door barred and bolted again! Am I not to have an + atom of breakfast, because I just happened to oversleep myself? The + mornings get darker and darker; it is almost impossible to see to dress + oneself.” + </p> + <p> + “There is plenty of tinder in the house, Eliza, and plenty of good tallow + candles,” Mrs. Twemlow replied, having put away the letter, while her + husband let the complainant in. “For the third time this week we have had + prayers without you, and the example is shocking for the servants. We + shall have to establish the rule you suggest—too late to pray for + food, too late to get it. But I have kept your help of bacon hot, quite + hot, by the fire. And the teapot is under the cozy.” + </p> + <p> + “Thank you, dear mother,” the young lady answered, careless of words, if + deeds were in her favour, and too clever to argue the question. “I suppose + there is no kind of news this morning to reward one for getting up so + early.” + </p> + <p> + “Nothing whatever for you, Miss Lizzie,” said her father, as soon as he + had kissed her. “But the paper is full of the prospects of war, and the + extent of the preparations. If we are driven to fight again, we shall do + it in earnest, and not spare ourselves.” + </p> + <p> + “Nor our enemies either, I do hope with all my heart. How long are we to + be afraid of them? We have always invaded the French till now. And for + them to talk of invading us! There is not a bit of spirit left in this + island, except in the heart of Lord Nelson.” + </p> + <p> + “What a hot little patriot this child is!” said the father, with a quiet + smile at her. “What would she say to an Englishman, who was more French + than English, and would only write French letters? And yet it might be + possible to find such people.” + </p> + <p> + “If such a wretch existed,” cried Miss Twemlow, “I should like to crunch + him as I crunch this toast. For a Frenchman I can make all fair allowance, + because he cannot help his birth. But for an Englishman to turn Frenchman—” + </p> + <p> + “However reluctant we may be to allow it,” the candid rector argued, “they + are the foremost nation in the world, just now, for energy, valour, + decision, discipline, and I fear I must add patriotism. The most wonderful + man who has appeared in the world for centuries is their leader, and by + land his success has been almost unbroken. If we must have war again, as I + fear we must, and very speedily, our chief hope must be that the Lord will + support His cause against the scoffer and the infidel, the libertine and + the assassin.” + </p> + <p> + “You see how beautifully your father puts it, Eliza; but he never abuses + people. That is a habit in which, I am sorry to say, you indulge too + freely. You show no good feeling to anybody who differs from you in + opinion, and you talk as if Frenchmen had no religion, no principles, and + no humanity. And what do you know about them, pray? Have you ever spoken + to a Frenchman? Have you ever even seen one? Would you know one if you + even set eyes upon him?” + </p> + <p> + “Well, I am not at all sure that I should,” the young lady replied, being + thoroughly truthful; “and I have no wish for the opportunity. But I have + seen a French woman, mother; and that is quite enough for me. If they are + so, what must the men be?” + </p> + <p> + “There is a name for this process of feminine reasoning, this cumulative + and syncopetic process of the mind, entirely feminine (but regarded by + itself as rational), a name which I used to know well in the days when I + had the ten Fallacies at my fingers' ends, more tenaciously perhaps than + the Decalogue. Strange to say, the name is gone from my memory; but—but—” + </p> + <p> + “But then you had better go after it, my dear,” his wife suggested with + authority. “If your only impulse when you hear reason is to search after + hard names for it, you are safer outside of its sphere altogether.” + </p> + <p> + “I am struck with the truth of that remark,” observed the rector; “and the + more so because I descry a male member of our race approaching, with a hat—at + once the emblem and the crown of sound reason. Away with all fallacies; it + is Church-warden Cheeseman!” + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0014" id="link2HCH0014"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XIV + </h2> + <h3> + A HORRIBLE SUGGESTION + </h3> + <p> + “Can you guess what has brought me down here in this hurry?” Lord Nelson + asked Admiral Darling, having jumped like a boy from his yellow + post-chaise, and shaken his old friend's broad right hand with his slender + but strenuous left one, even as a big bell is swung by a thin rope. “I + have no time to spare—not a day, not an hour; but I made up my mind + to see you before I start. I cannot expect to come home alive, and, except + for one reason, I should not wish it.” + </p> + <p> + “Nonsense!” said the Admiral, who was sauntering near his upper gate, and + enjoying the world this fine spring morning; “you are always in such a + confounded hurry! When you come to my time of life, you will know better. + What is it this time? The Channel fleet again?” + </p> + <p> + “No, no; Billy Blue keeps that, thank God! I hate looking after a school + of herring-boats. The Mediterranean for me, my friend. I received the + order yesterday, and shall be at sea by the twentieth.” + </p> + <p> + “I am very glad to hear it, for your sake. If ever there was a restless + fellow—in the good old times we were not like that. Come up to the + house and talk about it; at least they must take the horses out. They are + not like you; they can't work forever.” + </p> + <p> + “And they don't get knocked about like me; though one of them has lost his + starboard eye, and he sails and steers all the better for it. Let them go + up to the stable, Darling, while you come down to the beach with me. I + want to show you something.” + </p> + <p> + “What crotchet is in his too active brain now?” the elder and stronger man + asked himself, as he found himself hooked by the right arm, and led down a + track through the trees scarcely known to himself, and quite out of sight + from the village. “Why, this is not the way to the beach! However, it is + never any good to oppose him. He gets his own way so because of his fame. + Or perhaps that's the way he got his fame. But to show me about over my + own land! But let him go on, let him go on.” + </p> + <p> + “You are wondering, I dare say, what I am about,” cried Nelson, stopping + suddenly, and fixing his sound eye—which was wonderfully keen, + though he was always in a fright about it—upon the large and + peaceful blinkers of his ancient commander; “but now I shall be able to + convince you, though I am not a land-surveyor, nor even a general of + land-forces. If God Almighty prolongs my life—which is not very + likely—it will be that I may meet that scoundrel, Napoleon + Bonaparte, on dry land. I hear that he is eager to encounter me on the + waves, himself commanding a line-of-battle ship. I should send him to the + devil in a quarter of an hour. And ashore I could astonish him, I think, a + little, if I had a good army to back me up. Remember what I did at Bastia, + in the land that produced this monster, and where I was called the + Brigadier; and again, upon the coast of Italy, I showed that I understood + all their dry-ground business. Tush! I can beat him, ashore and afloat; + and I shall, if I live long enough. But this time the villain is in + earnest, I believe, with his trumpery invasion; and as soon as he hears + that I am gone, he will make sure of having his own way. We know, of + course, there are fifty men as good as myself to stop him, including you, + my dear Darling; but everything goes by reputation—the noise of the + people—praise-puff. That's all I get; while the luckier fellows, + like Cathcart, get the prize-money. But I don't want to grumble. Now what + do you see?” + </p> + <p> + “Well, I see you, for one thing,” the Admiral answered, at his leisure, + being quite inured to his friend's quick fire, “and wearing a coat that + would be a disgrace to any other man in the navy. And further on I see + some land that I never shall get my rent for; and beyond that nothing but + the sea, with a few fishing-craft inshore, and in the offing a sail, an + outward-bound East Indiaman—some fool who wouldn't wait for convoy, + with war as good as proclaimed again.” + </p> + <p> + “Nothing but the sea, indeed? The sweep of the land, and the shelter of + the bay, the shoaling of the shore without a rock to break it, the + headland that shuts out both wind and waves; and outside the headland, off + Pebbleridge, deep water for a fleet of line-of-battle ships to anchor and + command the land approaches—moreover, a stream of the purest water + from deep and never-failing springs—Darling, the place of all places + in England for the French to land is opposite to your front door.” + </p> + <p> + “I am truly obliged to you for predicting, and to them for doing it, if + ever they attempt such impudence. If they find out that you are away, they + can also find out that I am here, as commander of the sea defences, from + Dungeness to Selsey-Bill.” + </p> + <p> + “That will make it all the more delightful to land at your front door, my + friend; and all the easier to do it. My own plan is to strike with all + force at the head-quarters of the enemy, because the most likely to be + unprepared. About a year ago, when I was down here, a little before my + dear father's death, without your commission I took command of your + fishing-craft coming home for their Sunday, and showed them how to take + the beach, partly to confirm my own suspicions. There is no other landing + on all the south coast, this side of Hayling Island, fit to be compared + with it for the use of flat-bottomed craft, such as most of Boney's are. + And remember the set of the tide, which makes the fortunes of your + fishermen. To be sure, he knows nothing of that himself; but he has sharp + rogues about him. If they once made good their landing here, it would be + difficult to dislodge them. It must all be done from the land side then, + for even a 42-gun frigate could scarcely come near enough to pepper them. + They love shoal water, the skulks—and that has enabled them to + baffle me so often. Not that they would conquer the country—all brag—but + still it would be a nasty predicament, and scare the poor cockneys like + the very devil.” + </p> + <p> + “But remember the distance from Boulogne, Hurry. If they cannot cross + twenty-five miles of channel in the teeth of our ships, what chance would + they have when the distance is nearer eighty?” + </p> + <p> + “A much better chance, if they knew how to do it. All our cruisers would + be to the eastward. One afternoon perhaps, when a haze is on, they make a + feint with light craft toward the Scheldt—every British ship crowds + sail after them. Then, at dusk, the main body of the expedition slips with + the first of the ebb to the westward; they meet the flood tide in + mid-channel, and using their long sweeps are in Springhaven, or at any + rate the lightest of them, by the top of that tide, just when you are + shaving. You laugh at such a thought of mine. I tell you, my dear friend, + that with skill and good luck it is easy; and do it they should, if they + were under my command.” + </p> + <p> + If anybody else had even talked of such a plan as within the bounds of + likelihood, Admiral Darling would have been almost enraged. But now he + looked doubtfully, first at the sea (as if it might be thick with prames + already), and then at the land—which was his own—as if the + rent might go into a Frenchman's pocket, and then at his old and admired + friend, who had ruined his sleep for the summer. + </p> + <p> + “Happily they are not under your command, and they have no man to compare + with you;” he spoke rather nervously; while Nelson smiled, for he loved + the praise which he had so well earned; “and if it were possible for you + to talk nonsense, I should say that you had done it now. But two things + surely you have overlooked. In the first place, the French can have no + idea of the special opportunities this place affords. And again, if they + had, they could do nothing, without a pilot well acquainted with the spot. + Though the landing is so easy, there are shoals outside, very intricate + and dangerous, and known to none except the natives of the place, who are + jealous to the last degree about their knowledge.” + </p> + <p> + “That is true enough; and even I should want a pilot here, though I know + every spit of sand eastward. But away fly both your difficulties if there + should happen to be a local traitor.” + </p> + <p> + “A traitor at Springhaven! Such a thing is quite impossible. You would + laugh at yourself, if you only knew the character of our people. There + never has been, and there never will be, a Springhaven man capable of + treachery.” + </p> + <p> + “That is good news, ay, and strange news too,” the visitor answered, with + his left hand on his sword, for he was now in full though rather shabby + uniform. “There are not many traitors in England, I believe; but they are + as likely to be found in one place as another, according to my experience. + Well, well, I am very glad you have no such scoundrels here. I won't say a + single word against your people, who are as fine a lot as any in the south + of England, and as obstinate as any I could wish to see. Of an obstinate + man I can always make good; with a limp one I can do nothing. But bear in + mind every word you have heard me say, because I came down on purpose + about it; and I generally penetrate the devices of the enemy, though they + lead me on a wild-goose-chase sometimes, but only when our own folk back + them up, either by lies or stupidity. Now look once more, for you are + slower as well as a great deal wiser than I am. You see how this + land-locked bight of Springhaven seems made by the Almighty for + flat-bottomed craft, if once they can find their way into it; while the + trend of the coast towards Pebbleridge is equally suited for the covering + fleet, unless a gale from southwest comes on, in which case they must run + for it. And you see that the landed force, by crowning the hill above your + house and across the valley, might defy our noble Volunteers, and all that + could be brought against them, till a hundred thousand cutthroats were + established here. And Boney would make his head-quarters at the Hall, with + a French cook in your kitchen, and a German butler in your cellar, and my + pretty godchild to wait upon him, for the rogue loves pretty maidens.” + </p> + <p> + “That will do. That is quite enough. No wonder you have written poems, + Nelson, as you told us the last time you were here. If my son had only got + your imagination—but perhaps you know something more than you have + told me. Perhaps you have been told—” + </p> + <p> + “Never mind about that,” the great sea-captain answered, turning away as + if on springs; “it is high time for me to be off again, and my chaise has + springs on her cables.” + </p> + <p> + “Not she. I have ordered her to be docked. Dine with us you shall this + day, if we have to dine two hours earlier, and though Mother Cloam rage + furiously. How much longer do you suppose you can carry on at this pace? + Look at me. I have double your bodily substance; but if I went on as you + do—you remember the twenty-four-pounder old Hotcoppers put into the + launch, and fired it, in spite of all I could say to him? Well, you are + just the same. You have not got the scantling for the metal you carry and + are always working. You will either blow up, or else scuttle yourself. + Look here, how your seams are opening!” Here Admiral Darling thrust his + thumb through the ravelled seam of his old friend's coat, which made him + jump back, for he loved his old coat. “Yes, and you will go in the very + same way. I wonder how any coat lasts so much as a month, with you inside + it.” + </p> + <p> + “This coat,” said Nelson, who was most sweet-tempered with any one he + loved, though hot as pepper when stirred up by strangers—“this coat + is the one I wore at Copenhagen, and a sounder and kinder coat never came + on a man's back. Charles Darling, you have made a bad hit this time. If I + am no more worn out than this coat is, I am fit to go to sea for a number + of years yet. And I hope to show it to a good many Frenchmen, and take as + many ships, every time they show fight, as there are buttons on it.” + </p> + <p> + “Then you will double all your captures at the Nile;” such a series of + buttons had this coat, though mostly loose upon their moorings, for his + guardian angel was not “domestic”; “but you may be trusted not to let them + drift so. You have given me a lesson in coast-defence, and now you shall + be boarded by the ladies. You possess some gifts of the tongue, my friend, + as well as great gifts of hand and eye; but I will back my daughters to + beat you there. Come up to the house. No turning of tail.” + </p> + <p> + “I spoke very well in the House of Lords,” said Nelson, in his simple way, + “in reply to the speech of his Majesty, and again about the Commissioner's + Bill; or at least everybody tells me so. But in the House of Ladies I hold + my tongue, because there is abundance without it.” + </p> + <p> + This, however, he failed to do when the matter came to the issue; for his + godchild Horatia, more commonly called Dolly, happened to be in the mood + for taking outrageous liberties with him. She possessed very little of + that gift—most precious among women—the sense of veneration; + and to her a hero was only a man heroic in acts of utility. “He shall do + it,” she said to Faith, when she heard that he was come again; “if I have + to kiss him, he shall do it; and I don't like kissing those old men.” + </p> + <p> + “Hush!” said her elder sister. “Dolly, you do say things so recklessly. + One would think that you liked to kiss younger men! But I am sure that is + not your meaning. I would rather kiss Lord Nelson than all the young men + in the kingdom.” + </p> + <p> + “Well done, Faith! All the young men in the kingdom! How recklessly you do + say things! And you can't kiss him—he is MY godfather. But just see + how I get round him, if you have wits enough to understand it.” + </p> + <p> + So these two joined in their kind endeavour to make the visitor useful, + the object being so good that doubtful means might be excused for it. In + different ways and for divers reasons, each of these young ladies now had + taken to like Blyth Scudamore. Faith, by power of pity first, and of grief + for her own misfortunes, and of admiration for his goodness to his widowed + mother—which made his best breeches shine hard at the knees; and + Dolly, because of his shy adoration, and dauntless defence of her against + a cow (whose calf was on the road to terminate in veal), as well as his + special skill with his pocket-knife in cutting out figures that could + dance, and almost sing; also his great gifts, when the tide was out, of + making rare creatures run after him. What avails to explore female reason + precisely?—their minds were made up that he must be a captain, if + Nelson had to build the ship with his one hand for him. + </p> + <p> + “After that, there is nothing more to be said,” confessed the vanquished + warrior; “but the daughters of an Admiral should know that no man can be + posted until he has served his time as lieutenant; and this young hero of + yours has never even held the King's commission yet. But as he has seen + some service, and is beyond the age of a middy, in the present rush he + might get appointed as junior lieutenant, if he had any stout seconders. + Your father is the man, he is always at hand, and can watch his + opportunity. He knows more big-wigs than I do, and he has not given + offence where I have. Get your father, my dears, to attend to it.” + </p> + <p> + But the ladies were not to be so put off, for they understood the + difference of character. Lord Nelson was as sure to do a thing as Admiral + Darling was to drop it if it grew too heavy. Hence it came to pass that + Blyth Scudamore, though failing of the Victory and Amphion—which he + would have chosen, if the choice were his—received with that + cheerful philosophy (which had made him so dear to the school-boys, and + was largely required among them) his appointment as junior lieutenant to + the 38-gun frigate Leda, attached to the Channel fleet under Cornwallis, + whose business it was to deal with the French flotilla of invasion. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0015" id="link2HCH0015"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XV + </h2> + <h3> + ORDEAL OF AUDIT + </h3> + <p> + England saw the growing danger, and prepared, with an even mind and + well-girt body, to confront it. As yet stood up no other country to help + or even comfort her, so cowed was all the Continent by the lash, and spur + of an upstart. Alone, encumbered with the pack of Ireland, pinched with + hunger and dearth of victuals, and cramped with the colic of Whiggery, she + set her strong shoulder to the wheel of fortune, and so kept it till the + hill was behind her. Some nations (which owe their existence to her) have + forgotten these things conveniently; an Englishman hates to speak of them, + through his unjust abhorrence of self-praise; and so does a Frenchman, by + virtue of motives equally respectable. + </p> + <p> + But now the especial danger lay in the special strength of England. + Scarcely any man along the coast, who had ever come across a Frenchman, + could be led (by quotations from history or even from newspapers) to + believe that there was any sense in this menace of his to come and conquer + us. Even if he landed, which was not likely—for none of them could + box the compass—the only thing he took would be a jolly good + thrashing, and a few pills of lead for his garlic. This lofty contempt on + the part of the seafaring men had been enhanced by Nelson, and throve with + stoutest vigour in the enlightened breasts of Springhaven. + </p> + <p> + Yet military men thought otherwise, and so did the owners of crops and + ricks, and so did the dealers in bacon and eggs and crockery, and even + hardware. Mr. Cheeseman, for instance, who left nothing unsold that he + could turn a penny by, was anything but easy in his mind, and dreamed such + dreams as he could not impart to his wife—on account of her tendency + to hysterics—but told with much power to his daughter Polly, now the + recognised belle of Springhaven. This vigilant grocer and butterman, tea, + coffee, tobacco, and snuffman, hosier also, and general provider for the + outer as well as the inner man, had much of that enterprise in his nature + which the country believes to come from London. His possession of this was + ascribed by all persons of a thoughtful turn to his ownership of that + well-built schooner the London Trader. Sailing as she did, when the + weather was fine, nearly every other week, for London, and returning with + equal frequency, to the women who had never been ten miles from home she + was a mystery and a watchword. Not one of them would allow lad of hers to + join this romantic galleon, and tempt the black cloud of the distance; + neither did Mr. Cheeseman yearn (for reasons of his own about city prices) + to navigate this good ship with natives. Moreover, it was absurd, as he + said, with a keen sense of his own cheapness, to suppose that he could + find the funds to buy and ply such a ship as that! + </p> + <p> + Truth is a fugitive creature, even when she deigns to be visible, or even + to exist. The truth of Mr. Cheeseman's statement had existed, but was long + since flown. Such was his worth that he could now afford to buy the London + Trader three times over, and pay ready money every time. But when he first + invested hard cash in her—against the solid tears of his prudent + wife—true enough it was that he could only scrape together one + quarter of the sum required. Mrs. Cheeseman, who was then in a condition + of absorbing interest with Polly, made it her last request in this world—for + she never expected to get over it—that Jemmy should not run in debt + on a goose-chase, and fetch her poor spirit from its grave again. James + Cheeseman was compelled—as the noblest man may be—to dissemble + and even deny his intentions until the blessed period of caudle-cup, when, + the weather being pleasant and the wind along the shore, he found himself + encouraged to put up the window gently. The tide was coming in with a long + seesaw, and upon it, like the baby in the cradle full of sleep, lay + rocking another little stranger, or rather a very big one, to the lady's + conception. + </p> + <p> + Let bygones be bygones. There were some reproaches; but the weaker vessel, + Mrs. Cheeseman, at last struck flag, without sinking, as she threatened to + do. And when little Polly went for her first airing, the London Trader had + accomplished her first voyage, and was sailing in triumphantly with a box + of “tops and bottoms” from the ancient firm in Threadneedle Street, which + has saved so many infants from the power that cuts the thread. After that, + everything went as it should go, including this addition to the commercial + strength of Britain, which the lady was enabled soon to talk of as “our + ship,” and to cite when any question rose of the latest London fashion. + But even now, when a score of years, save one, had made their score and + gone, Mrs. Cheeseman only guessed and doubted as to the purchase of her + ship. James Cheeseman knew the value of his own counsel, and so kept it; + and was patted on both shoulders by the world, while he patted his own + butter. + </p> + <p> + He wore an apron of the purest white, with shoulder-straps of linen tape, + and upon his counter he had a desk, with a carved oak rail in front of it + and returned at either end. The joy of his life was here to stand, with + goodly shirt sleeves shining, his bright cheeks also shining in the sun, + unless it were hot enough to hurt his goods. He was not a great man, but a + good one—in the opinion of all who owed him nothing, and even in his + own estimate, though he owed so much to himself. It was enough to make any + one who possessed a shilling hungry to see him so clean, so ready, and + ruddy among the many good things which his looks and manner, as well as + his words, commended. And as soon as he began to smack his rosy lips, + which nature had fitted up on purpose, over a rasher, or a cut of gammon, + or a keg of best Aylesbury, or a fine red herring, no customer having a + penny in his pocket might struggle hard enough to keep it there. For the + half-hearted policy of fingering one's money, and asking a price + theoretically, would recoil upon the constitution of the strongest man, + unless he could detach from all cooperation the congenial researches of + his eyes and nose. When the weather was cool and the air full of appetite, + and a fine smack of salt from the sea was sparkling on the margin of the + plate of expectation, there was Mr. Cheeseman, with a knife and fork, amid + a presence of hungrifying goods that beat the weak efforts of imagination. + Hams of the first rank and highest education, springs of pork sweeter than + the purest spring of poetry, pats of butter fragrant as the most delicious + flattery, chicks with breast too ample to require to be broken, and + sometimes prawns from round the headland, fresh enough to saw one + another's heads off, but for being boiled already. + </p> + <p> + Memory fails to record one-tenth of all the good things gathered there. + And why? Because hope was the power aroused, and how seldom can memory + endorse it! Even in the case of Mr. Cheeseman's wares there were people + who said, after making short work with them, that short weight had enabled + them to do so. And every one living in the village was surprised to find + his own scales require balancing again every time he sent his little girl + to Cheeseman's. + </p> + <p> + This upright tradesman was attending to his business one cold day in May, + 1803, soon after Nelson sailed from Portsmouth, and he stood with his + beloved pounds of farm-house butter, bladders of lard, and new-laid eggs, + and squares of cream-cheese behind him, with a broad butter-spathe of + white wood in his hand, a long goose-pen tucked over his left ear, and the + great copper scales hanging handy. So strict was his style, though he was + not above a joke, that only his own hands might serve forth an ounce of + best butter to the public. And whenever this was weighed, and the beam + adjusted handsomely to the satisfaction of the purchaser, down went the + butter to be packed upon a shelf uninvaded by the public eye. Persons too + scantily endowed with the greatest of all Christian virtues had the + hardihood to say that Mr. Cheeseman here indulged in a process of high art + discovered by himself. Discoursing of the weather, or the crops, or + perhaps the war, and mourning the dishonesty of statesmen nowadays, by + dexterous undersweep of keen steel blade, from the bottom of the round, or + pat, or roll, he would have away a thin slice, and with that motion jerk + it into the barrel which he kept beneath his desk. + </p> + <p> + “Is this, then, the establishment of the illustrious Mr. Cheeseman?” The + time was yet early, and the gentleman who put this question was in riding + dress. The worthy tradesman looked at him, and the rosy hue upon his + cheeks was marbled with a paler tint. + </p> + <p> + “This is the shop of the 'umble James Cheeseman,” he answered, but not + with the alacrity of business. “All things good that are in season, and + nothing kept unseasonable. With what can I have the honor of serving you, + sir?” + </p> + <p> + “With a little talk.” The stranger's manner was not unpleasantly + contemptuous, but lofty, and such as the English shopman loves, and calls + “aristocratic.” + </p> + <p> + “To talk with a gentleman is a pleasure as well as an honour,” said + Cheeseman. + </p> + <p> + “But not in this public establishment.” The visitor waved both hands as he + spoke, in a style not then common with Englishmen—though they are + learning eloquent gesticulation now. “It is fine, Mr. Cheeseman; but it is + not—bah, I forget your English words.” + </p> + <p> + “It is fine, sir, as you are good enough to observe”—the humble + James Cheeseman was proud of his shop—“but not, as you remarked, + altogether private. That can hardly be expected, where business is + conducted to suit universal requirements. Polly, my dear, if your mother + can spare you, come and take my place at the desk a few minutes. I have + business inside with this gentleman. You may sell almost anything, except + butter. If any one wants that, they must wait till I come back.” + </p> + <p> + A very pretty damsel, with a cap of foreign lace both adorning and adorned + by her beautiful bright hair, came shyly from a little door behind the + counter, receiving with a quick blush the stranger's earnest gaze, and + returning with a curtsey the courteous flourish of his looped-up + riding-hat. “What a handsome gentleman!” said Polly to herself; “but there + is something very sad and very wild in his appearance.” Her father's + conclusion was the same, and his heart misgave him as he led in this + unexpected guest. + </p> + <p> + “There is no cause for apologies. This place is a very good one,” the + stranger replied, laying down his heavy whip on the table of a + stone-floored room, to which he had been shown. “You are a man of + business, and I am come upon dry business. You can conjecture—is it + not so?—who I am by this time, although I am told that I do not bear + any strong resemblance to my father.” + </p> + <p> + He took off his hat as he spoke, shook back his long black hair, and fixed + his jet-black eyes upon Cheeseman. That upright dealer had not recovered + his usual self-possession yet, but managed to look up—for he was + shorter by a head than his visitor—with a doubtful and enquiring + smile. + </p> + <p> + “I am Caryl Carne, of Carne Castle, as you are pleased to call it. I have + not been in England these many years; from the death of my father I have + been afar; and now, for causes of my own, I am returned, with hope of + collecting the fragments of the property of my ancestors. It appears to + have been their custom to scatter, but not gather up again. My intention + is to make a sheaf of the relics spread by squanderers, and snapped up by + scoundrels.” + </p> + <p> + “To be sure, to be sure,” cried the general dealer; “this is vastly to + your credit, sir, and I wish you all success, sir, and so will all who + have so long respected your ancient and honourable family, sir. Take a + chair, sir—please to take a chair.” + </p> + <p> + “I find very little to my credit,” Mr. Carne said, dryly, as he took the + offered chair, but kept his eyes still upon Cheeseman's; “but among that + little is a bond from you, given nearly twenty years agone, and of which + you will retain, no doubt, a vivid recollection.” + </p> + <p> + “A bond, sir—a bond!” exclaimed the other, with his bright eyes + twinkling, as in some business enterprise. “I never signed a bond in all + my life, sir. Why, a bond requires sureties, and nobody ever went surety + for me.” + </p> + <p> + “Bond may not be the proper legal term. It is possible. I know nothing of + the English law. But a document it is, under hand and seal, and your + signature is witnessed, Mr. Cheeseman.” + </p> + <p> + “Ah well! Let me consider. I begin to remember something. But my memory is + not as it used to be, and twenty years makes a great hole in it. Will you + kindly allow me to see this paper, if you have it with you, sir?” + </p> + <p> + “It is not a paper; it is written upon parchment, and I have not brought + it with me. But I have written down the intention of it, and it is as + follows: + </p> + <p> + “'This indenture made between James Cheeseman (with a long description), + of the one part, and Montagu Carne (treated likewise), of the other part, + after a long account of some arrangement made between them, witnesseth + that in consideration of the sum of 300 pounds well and truly paid by the + said Montagu Carne to Cheeseman, he, the said Cheeseman, doth assign, + transfer, set over, and so on, to the said Carne, etc., one equal + undivided moiety and one half part of the other moiety of and in a certain + vessel, ship, trading-craft, and so forth, known or thenceforth to be + known as the London Trader, of Springhaven, in the county of Sussex, by + way of security for the interest at the rate of five per cent. per annum, + payable half-yearly, as well as for the principal sum of 300 pounds, so + advanced as aforesaid.'” + </p> + <p> + “If it should prove, sir, that money is owing,” Mr. Cheeseman said, with + that exalted candour which made a weak customer condemn his own eyes and + nose, “no effort on my part shall be wanting, bad as the times are, to + procure it and discharge it. In every commercial transaction I have found, + and my experience is now considerable, that confidence, as between man and + man, is the only true footing to go upon. And how can true confidence + exist, unless—” + </p> + <p> + “Unless a man shows some honesty. And a man who keeps books such as + these,” pursued the visitor, suggesting a small kick to a pile of ledgers, + “can hardly help knowing whether he owes a large sum or whether he has + paid it. But that is not the only question now. In continuation of that + document I find a condition, a clause provisional, that it shall be at the + option of the aforesaid Montagu Carne, and his representatives, either to + receive the interest at the rate before mentioned and thereby secured, or, + if he or they should so prefer, to take for their own benefit absolutely + three-fourths of the net profits, proceeds, or other increment realised by + the trading ventures, or other employment from time to time, of the said + London Trader. Also there is a covenant for the insurance of the said + vessel, and a power of sale, and some other provisions about access to + trading books, etc., with which you have, no doubt, a good acquaintance, + Mr. Cheeseman.” + </p> + <p> + That enterprising merchant, importer of commodities, and wholesale and + retail dealer was fond of assuring his numerous friends that “nothing ever + came amiss to him.” But some of them now would have doubted about this if + they had watched his face as carefully as Caryl Carne was watching it. Mr. + Cheeseman could look a hundred people in the face, and with great vigour + too, when a small account was running. But the sad, contemptuous, and + piercing gaze—as if he were hardly worth penetrating—and the + twirl of the black tuft above the lip, and the firm conviction on the + broad white forehead that it was confronting a rogue too common and + shallow to be worth frowning at—all these, and the facts that were + under them, came amiss to the true James Cheeseman. + </p> + <p> + “I scarcely see how to take this,” he said, being clever enough to suppose + that a dash of candour might sweeten the embroilment. “I will not deny + that I was under obligation to your highly respected father, who was + greatly beloved for his good-will to his neighbours. 'Cheeseman,' he used + to say, 'I will stand by you. You are the only man of enterprise in these + here parts. Whatever you do is for the good of Springhaven, which belonged + to my family for centuries before those new-fangled Darlings came. And, + Cheeseman, you may trust to the honour of the Carnes not to grind down a + poor man who has his way to make.' Them were his words, sir; how well I + recollect them!” + </p> + <p> + “Too well almost,” replied the young man, coldly, “considering how scanty + was your memory just now. But it may save time, and painful efforts of + your memory, if I tell you at once that I am not concerned in any way with + the sentiments of my father. I owe him very little, as you must be well + aware; and the matter betwixt you and me is strictly one of business. The + position in which I am left is such that I must press every legal claim to + the extremest. And having the option under this good document, I have + determined to insist upon three-quarters of the clear proceeds of this + trading-ship, from the date of the purchase until the present day, as well + as the capital sum invested on this security.” + </p> + <p> + “Very well, sir, if you do, there is only one course left me—to go + into the Court of Bankruptcy, see all my little stock in trade sold up, + and start in life again at the age of fifty-seven, with a curse upon all + old families.” + </p> + <p> + “Your curse, my good friend, will not add sixpence to your credit. And the + heat you exhibit is not well adapted for calculations commercial. There is + one other course which I am able to propose, though I will not give a + promise yet to do so—a course which would relieve me from taking + possession of this noble ship which has made your fortune, and perhaps + from enforcing the strict examination of your trading-books, to which I am + entitled. But before I propose any such concession, which will be a grand + abdication of rights, one or two things become necessary. For example, I + must have some acquaintance with your character, some certitude that you + can keep your own counsel, and not divulge everything that arrives within + your knowledge; also that you have some courage, some freedom of mind from + small insular sentiments, some desire to promote the true interests of + mankind, and the destruction of national prejudices.” + </p> + <p> + “Certainly, sir; all of those I can approve of. They are very glorious + things,” cried Cheeseman—a man of fine liberal vein, whenever two + half-crowns were as good as a crown. “We are cramped and trampled and + down-trodden by the airs big people give themselves, and the longing of + such of us as thinks is to speak our minds about it. Upon that point of + freedom, sir, I can heartily go with you, and every stick upon my premises + is well insured.” + </p> + <p> + “Including, I hope, the London Trader, according to your covenant. And + that reminds me of another question—is it well-found, well-manned, + and a good rapid ship to make the voyage? No falsehood, if you please, + about this matter.” + </p> + <p> + “She is the fastest sailer on the English coast, built at Dunkirk, and as + sound as a bell. She could show her taffrail, in light weather, to any + British cruiser in the Channel. She could run a fine cargo of French + cognac and foreign laces any day.” + </p> + <p> + “It is not my desire,” Caryl Carne replied, “to cheat the British Revenue. + For that purpose exist already plenty of British tradesmen. For the + present I impress upon you one thing only, that you shall observe silence, + a sacred silence, regarding this conversation. For your own sake you will + be inclined to do so, and that is the only sake a man pays much attention + to. But how much for your own sake you are obliged to keep your counsel, + you will very soon find out if you betray it.” + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0016" id="link2HCH0016"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XVI + </h2> + <h3> + FOX-HILL + </h3> + <p> + When it was known in this fine old village that young Squire Carne from + foreign parts was come back to live in the ancient castle, there was much + larger outlay (both of words and thoughts) about that than about any + French invasion. “Let them land if they can,” said the able-bodied men, in + discussion of the latter question; “they won't find it so easy to get away + again as they seem to put into their reckoning. But the plague of it all + is the damage to the fishing.” + </p> + <p> + Not that the squadron of Captain Tugwell was shorn as yet of its number, + though all the young men were under notice to hold themselves ready as + “Sea-Fencibles.” The injury to their trade lay rather in the difficulty of + getting to their fishing-grounds, and in the disturbance of these by + cruisers, with little respect for their nets and lines. Again, as the + tidings of French preparation waxed more and more outrageous, Zebedee had + as much as he could do to keep all his young hands loyal. All their solid + interest lay (as he told them every morning) in sticking to the + Springhaven flag—a pair of soles couchant, herring salient, and + mackerel regardant, all upon a bright sea-green—rather than in + hankering after roll of drum and Union-Jack. What could come of these but + hardship, want of victuals, wounds, and death; or else to stump about on + one leg, and hold out a hat for a penny with one arm? They felt that it + was true; they had seen enough of that; it had happened in all their own + families. + </p> + <p> + Yet such is the love of the native land and the yearning to stand in front + of it, and such is the hate of being triumphed over by fellows who kiss + one another and weep, and such is the tingling of the knuckles for a blow + when the body has been kicked in sore places, that the heart will at last + get the better of the head—or at least it used to be so in England. + Wherefore Charley Bowles was in arms already against his country's + enemies; and Harry Shanks waited for little except a clear proclamation of + prize-money; and even young Daniel was tearing at his kedge like a lively + craft riding in a brisk sea-way. He had seen Lord Nelson, and had spoken + to Lord Nelson, and that great man would have patted him on the head—so + patriotic were his sentiments—if the great man had been a little + taller. + </p> + <p> + But the one thing that kept Dan Tugwell firm to his moorings at + Springhaven was the deep hold of his steadfast heart in a love which it + knew to be hopeless. To die for his country might become a stern duty, + about which he would rather not be hurried; but to die for Miss Dolly + would be a wild delight; and how could he do it unless he were at hand? + And now there were so many young officers again, landing in boats, coming + in post-chaises, or charging down the road on horseback, that Daniel, + while touching up the finish of his boat with paint and varnish and + Venetian Red, was not so happy as an artist should be who knows how to + place the whole. Sometimes, with the paint stirred up and creaming, and + the ooze of the brush trimmed warily, through the rushes and ragwort and + sea-willow his keen, unconquerable eyes would spy the only figure that + quelled them, faraway, shown against the shining water, or shadowed upon + the flat mirror of the sand. But, alas! there was always another figure + near it, bigger, bulkier, framed with ugly angles, jerking about with the + elbow sticking out, instead of gliding gracefully. Likely enough the + lovely form, brought nearer to the eyes and heart by love, would flit + about beautifully for two sweet moments, filling with rapture all the + flashes of the sea and calm of the evening sky beyond; and then the third + moment would be hideous. For the figure of the ungainly foe would stride + across the delicious vision, huge against the waves like Cyclops, and like + him gesticulant, but unhappily not so single-eyed that the slippery fair + might despise him. Then away would fly all sense of art and joy in the + touch of perfection, and a very nasty feeling would ensue, as if nothing + were worth living for, and nobody could be believed in. + </p> + <p> + That plaguesome Polypheme was Captain Stubbard, begirt with a wife, and + endowed with a family almost in excess of benediction, and dancing + attendance upon Miss Dolly, too stoutly for his own comfort, in the hope + of procuring for his own Penates something to eat and to sit upon. Some + evil genius had whispered, or rather trumpeted, into his ear—for he + had but one left, and that worked very seldom, through alarm about the + bullet which had carried off its fellow—that if he desired, as he + did with heart and stomach, to get a clear widening by 200 pounds of his + strait ways and restricted means, through Admiral Darling it might be + done, and Miss Dolly was the proper one to make him do it. For the + Inspectorship of Sea-Fencibles from Selsea-Bill to Dungeness was worth all + that money in hard cash yearly; and the late Inspector having quitted this + life—through pork boiled in a copper kettle—the situation was + naturally vacant; and the Admiral being the man for whose check the + Inspectorship was appointed, it is needless to say that (in the spirit of + fair play) the appointment was vested in the Admiral. + </p> + <p> + The opinion of all who knew him was that Captain Stubbard was fairly + entitled to look for something higher. And he shared that opinion, taking + loftier aim than figures could be made to square with, till the latter + prevailed, as they generally do, because they can work without victuals. + For although the brave Captain had lost three ribs—or at any rate + more than he could spare of them (not being a pig)—in the service of + his country, he required as much as ever to put inside them; and his + children, not having inherited that loss as scientifically as they should + have done, were hard to bring up upon the 15 pounds yearly allowed by + Great Britain for each of the gone bones. From the ear that was gone he + derived no income, having rashly compounded for 25 pounds. + </p> + <p> + In the nature of things, which the names have followed, the father is the + feeder; and the world is full of remarks unless he becomes a good clothier + also. But everything went against this father, with nine little Stubbards + running after him, and no ninepence in any of his pockets, because he was + shelfed upon half-pay, on account of the depression of the times and of + his ribs. But Miss Dolly Darling was resolved to see him righted, for she + hated all national meanness. + </p> + <p> + “What is the use of having any influence,” she asked her good father, + “unless you employ it for your own friends? I should be quite ashamed to + have it said of me, or thought, that I could get a good thing for any one + I was fond of, and was mean enough not to do it, for fear of paltry + jealousy. Mean is much too weak a word; it is downright dishonest, and + what is much worse, cowardly. What is the government meant for, unless it + is to do good to people?” + </p> + <p> + “Certainly, my dear child, certainly. To the people at large, that is to + say, and the higher interests of the country.” + </p> + <p> + “Can there be any people more at large than Captain Stubbard and his wife + and children? Their elbows are coming out of their clothes, and they have + scarcely got a bed to sleep upon. My income is not enough to stop to + count, even when I get it paid punctually. But every farthing I receive + shall go—that is to say, if it ever does come—into the lap of + Mrs. Stubbard, anonymously and respectfully.” + </p> + <p> + “Pay your bills, first,” said the Admiral, taking the weather-gage of the + discussion: “a little bird tells me that you owe a good trifle, even in + Springhaven.” + </p> + <p> + “Then the little bird has got a false bill,” replied Dolly, who was not + very easy to fluster. “Who is there to spend sixpence with in a little + hole of this kind? I am not a customer for tea, coffee, tobacco, snuff, or + pepper, nor even for whiting, soles, or conger. Old Cheeseman imports all + the fashions, as he says; but I go by my own judgment. And trumpery as my + income is, very little of it goes into his till. But I should like to know + who told you such a wicked story, father?” + </p> + <p> + “Things are mentioned in confidence, and I put them together,” said the + Admiral. “Don't say another word, or look as if you would be happier if + you had something to cry about. Your dear mother used to do it; and it + beats me always. I have long had my eye upon Captain Stubbard, and I + remember well that gallant action when his three ribs flew away. We called + him Adam, because of his wife coming just when his middle rib went, and + his name was Adam Stubbard, sure enough. Such men, in the prime of their + life, should be promoted, instead of being disabled, for a scratch like + that. Why, he walks every bit as well as I do, and his watch-ribbon covers + it. And nine children! Lord bless my heart! I scarcely know which way to + turn, with only four!” + </p> + <p> + Within a short fortnight Captain Stubbard was appointed, with an office + established at the house of Widow Shanks—though his real office + naturally was at the public-house—and Royal Proclamations aroused + the valour of nearly everybody who could read them. Nine little Stubbards + soon were rigged too smart to know themselves, as the style is of all + dandies; and even Mrs. Stubbard had a new belt made to go round her, when + the weather was elastic. + </p> + <p> + “These are the things that prove the eye of an All-wise Providence over + us,” said the Captain to the Admiral, pointing out six pairs of short + legs, galligaskined from one roll of cloth; “these are the things that + make one feel the force of the words of David.” + </p> + <p> + “Certainly, yes, to be sure!” replied the gallant senior officer, all at + sea as to the passage suggested. “Good legs they have got, and no mistake; + like the polished corners of the temple. Let them go and dip them in the + sea, while you give the benefit of your opinion here. Not here, I mean, + but upon Fox-hill yonder; if Mrs. Stubbard will spare you for a couple of + hours, most kindly.” + </p> + <p> + Of the heights that look down with a breezy air upon the snug nest of + Springhaven, the fairest to see from a distance, and to tread with brisk + foot, is Fox-hill. For the downs, which are channelled with the springs + that form the brook, keep this for their own last spring into the air, + before bathing in the vigorous composure of the sea. All the other hills + fall back a little, to let Fox-hill have the first choice of aspect—or + bear the first brunt, as itself would state the matter. And to anybody + coming up, and ten times to a stranger, this resolute foreland offers more + invitation to go home again, than to come visiting. For the bulge of the + breast is steep, and ribbed with hoops coming up in denial, concrete with + chalk, muricated with flint, and thornily crested with good stout furze. + And the forefront of the head, when gained, is stiff with brambles, and + stubbed with sloes, and mitred with a choice band of stanch sting-nettles. + </p> + <p> + “It would take a better Frenchman,” said the Admiral, with that brevity + which is the happy result of stoutness up steep hill, “than any of 'they + flat-bottoms,' as Swipes, my gardener, calls them, to get through these + prickles, Stubbard, without Sark-blewing. Such a wonderfully thin-skinned + lot they are! Did I ever tell you the story of our boatswain's mate? But + that takes a better sailing breeze than I've got now. You see where we + are, don't you?” + </p> + <p> + “Certainly, Admiral,” replied Captain Stubbard, disdaining to lay hand to + his injured side, painfully as it yearned for pressure; “we have had a + long pull, and we get a fine outlook over the country for leagues, and the + Channel. How close at hand everything looks! I suppose we shall have rain, + and we want it. I could thump that old castle among the trees into smash, + and your church looks as if I could put a shot with a rifle-gun into the + bell-chamber.” + </p> + <p> + “And so you could. What I want to show you is that very point, and the + importance of it. With a battery of long twenty-fours up here, the + landing, the bay, and all the roads are at our mercy. My dear old friend + Nelson drew my attention to it.” + </p> + <p> + “It is plain as a pikestaff to Tom, Dick, or Harry:” Captain Stubbard was + a frank, straightforward man, and much as he owed to the Admiral's aid, + not a farthing would he pay in flattery. “But why should we want to + command this spot? There is nothing to protect but a few common houses, + and some half-score of fishing-craft, and a schooner that trades to + London, and yonder old church, and—oh yes, to be sure, your own + house and property, Admiral.” + </p> + <p> + “Those must take their chance, like others. I hope I know better than to + think of them in comparison with the good of the country. But if we fail + to occupy this important post, the enemy might take us by surprise, and do + so.” + </p> + <p> + “Possible, but most improbable. This little place lies, by the trend of + the coast, quite out of their course from Boulogne to London; and what is + there here to tempt them? No rich town to sack, no great commerce to rob, + no valuable shipping to lay hands on.” + </p> + <p> + “No; but there's my house and my two girls; and I don't want my old roof + burned, and my daughters put to wait on Boney. But to think of + self-interest is below contempt, with our country going through such + trials. Neither should we add any needless expense to a treasury already + overburdened.” + </p> + <p> + “Certainly not. It would be absolutely wicked. We have a long and costly + war before us, and not a shilling should be spent except in case of clear + necessity.” + </p> + <p> + “I am very glad indeed to find your opinion so decided, so untainted with + petty self-interest.” As Admiral Darling spoke he closed a little silver + telescope, with which he had been gazing through the wooded coronet of the + hill. “I thought it my duty to consult you, Stubbard, before despatching + this letter, which, being backed by Nelson's opinion, would probably have + received attention. If a strong battery were thrown up here, as it would + be in a fortnight from the receipt of this bit of foolscap, the + appointment of commandant would rest with me, and I could appoint nobody + but your good self, because of your well-known experience in earthworks. + The appointment would have doubled your present pay, which, though better + than nothing, is far below your merits. But your opinion settles the + question otherwise, and I must burn my letter. Let us lose no more time. + Mrs. Stubbard will call me a savage, for keeping you away so long.” + </p> + <p> + “Important business,” replied the Captain, “will not wait even for ladies, + or, rather, they must try to wait for it, and give way to more reasonable + urgency. Some time is required for considering this matter, and deciding + what is most for the interest of the nation. Oblige me with your + spy-glass, Admiral. There is one side on which I have neglected to look + out, and that may of all be the most important. A conclusion arrived at by + yourself and Nelson is not to be hastily set aside. Your knowledge of the + country is so far beyond mine, though I may have had more to do with + land-works. We ought to think twice, sir, if the government will pay for + it, about a valuable job of this kind.” + </p> + <p> + With these words Captain Stubbard began to use the telescope carefully, + forming his opinion through it, and wisely shaking his head, now and then, + with a longer and longer focus. Then he closed the glass, and his own lips + firmly—whereby a man announces that no other should open his against + them—and sternly striding the yard exact, took measurement for the + battery. The hill was crowned with a ring of Scotch firs, casting a quiet + shade upon the warlike haste of the Captain. If Admiral Darling smiled, it + was to the landscape and the offing, for he knew that Stubbard was of + rather touchy fibre, and relished no jokes unless of home production. His + slow, solid face was enough to show this, and the squareness of his + outline, and the forward thrust of his knees as he walked, and the + larkspur impress of his lingering heels. And he seldom said much, without + something to say. + </p> + <p> + “Well,” cried the Admiral, growing tired of sitting so long upon a fallen + trunk, “what conclusion do you feel inclined to come to? 'Tis a fine + breezy place to clear the brain, and a briny air to sharpen the judgment.” + </p> + <p> + “Only one tree need come down—this crooked one at the southeast + corner.” Captain Stubbard began to swing his arms about, like a windmill + uncertain of the wind. “All gentlemen hate to have a tree cut down, all + blackguards delight in the process. Admiral, we will not hurt your trees. + They will add to our strength, by masking it. Six long twenty-fours of the + new make, here in front, and two eighteens upon either flank, and I should + like to see the whole of the Boulogne flotilla try to take yonder shore by + daylight. That is to say, of course, if I commanded, with good old salts + to second me. With your common artillery officers, landlubbers, + smell-the-wicks, cross-the-braces sons of guns, there had better not be + anything at all put up. They can't make a fortification; and when they + have made it, they can't work it. Admiral Darling, you know that, though + you have not had the bad luck to deal with them as I have. I may thank one + of them for being up here on the shelf.” + </p> + <p> + “Of one thing you may be quite certain,” replied the commander of the sea + defence; “if we have any battery on this Fox-hill, it shall be constructed + and manned by blue-jackets. I have a large draft of them now at + discretion. Every man in Springhaven will lend a hand, if paid for it. It + would take at least a twelvemonth to get it done from Woolwich. A seaman + does a thing before a landsman thinks about it.” + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0017" id="link2HCH0017"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XVII + </h2> + <h3> + SEA-SIDE LODGINGS + </h3> + <p> + To set a dog barking is easier than to stop him by the soundest reasoning. + Even if the roof above his honest head, growing loose on its nails, is + being mended, he comes out to ask about the matter, and in strong terms + proclaims his opinion to the distance. + </p> + <p> + After this kind behaved the people about to be protected by this battery. + They had dreamed of no danger till they saw their houses beginning to be + protected, and for this—though it added to their importance—they + were not truly thankful. They took it in various ways, according to their + rich variety of reflection; but the way in which nobody took it was that + of gratitude and humility. + </p> + <p> + “Everything upside down,” they said, “everything gone clean topsy-turvy! + And the deep meaning of it is to rob our fishing, under pretence of the + Nationals. It may bring a good bit of money to the place, for the lining + of one or two pockets, such as John Prater's and Cheeseman's; but I never + did hold so much with money, when shattery ways comes along of it. No + daughter of mine stirs out-of-doors after sundown, I can tell them.” + </p> + <p> + Thus were the minds of the men disturbed, or at any rate those of the + elder ones; while the women, on the whole, were pleased, although they + pretended to be contemptuous. “I'll tell you what I think, ma'am,” Mrs. + Cheeseman said to Widow Shanks quite early, “if you take a farthing less + than half a guinea a week for your dimity-parlour, with the window up the + hill, and the little door under the big sweet-briar, I shall think that + you are not as you used to be.” + </p> + <p> + “And right you would be, ma'am, and too right there;” Mrs. Shanks sighed + deeply as she thought of it. “There is nobody but you can understand it, + and I don't mind saying it on that account to you. Whenever I have wanted + for a little bit of money, as the nature of lone widows generally does, it + has always been out of your power, Mrs. Cheeseman, to oblige me, and quite + right of you. But I have a good son, thank the Lord, by the name of Harry, + to provide for me; and a guinea a week is the agreement now for the + dimity-parlour, and the three leg'd bed, and cold dinner to be paid for + extra, such as I might send for to your good shop, with the money ready in + the hand of my little girl, and jug below her apron for refreshment from + the Darling.” + </p> + <p> + “Well, I never! My dear soul, you have taken all my breath away. Why, it + must be the captain of all the gunners. How gunpowder do pay, to be sure!” + </p> + <p> + “Lor, ma'am, why, don't you know,” replied Mrs. Shanks, with some + contempt, “that the man with three ribs is the captain of the gunners—the + man in my back sitting-room? No dimity-parlour for him with his family, + not for a guinea and a half a week. But if I was to tell you who the + gentleman is, and one of the highest all round these parts, truthful as + you know me, Mrs. Cheeseman, you would say to yourself, what a liar she + is!” + </p> + <p> + “Mrs. Shanks, I never use coarse expressions, even to myself in private. + And perhaps I could tell you a thing or two would astonish you more than + me, ma'am. Suppose I should tell you, to begin with, who your guinea + lodger is?” + </p> + <p> + “That you could never do, Mrs. Cheeseman, with all your time a-counting + changes. He is not of the rank for a twopenny rasher, or a wedge of cheese + packed in old petticoat.” + </p> + <p> + These two ladies now looked at one another. They had not had a quarrel for + almost three months, and a large arrear of little pricks on either side + was pending. Sooner or later it would have to be fought out (like a feud + between two nations), with a houseful of loss and woe to either side, but + a thimbleful of pride and glory. Yet so much wiser were these women than + the most sagacious nations that they put off to a cheaper time their + grudge against each other. + </p> + <p> + “His rank may be royal,” said the wife of Mr. Cheeseman, “though a + going-downhill kind of royalty, perhaps, and yet he might be glad, Mrs. + Shanks, to come where the butter has the milk spots, and none is in the + cheese, ma'am.” + </p> + <p> + “If such should be his wish, ma'am, for supper or for breakfast, or even + for dinner on a Sunday when the rain comes through the Castle, you may + trust me to know where to send him, but not to guarantee him at all of his + money.” + </p> + <p> + “They high ones is very apt to slip in that,” Mrs. Cheeseman answered, + thoughtfully; “they seem to be less particular in paying for a thing than + they was to have it good. But a burnt child dreads the fire, as they say; + and a young man with a castleful of owls and rats, by reason of going for + these hundred years on credit, will have it brought home to him to pay + ready money. But the Lord be over us! if I don't see him a-going your way + already! Good-by, my dear soul—good-by, and preserve you; and if at + any time short of table or bed linen, a loan from an old friend, and + coming back well washed, and it sha'n't be, as the children sing, 'A + friend with a loan has the pick of your bone, and he won't let you very + long alone.'” + </p> + <p> + “Many thanks to you for friendly meaning, ma'am,” said the widow, as she + took up her basket to go home, “and glad I may be to profit by it, with + the time commanding. But as yet I have had neither sleepers or feeders in + my little house, but the children. Though both of them reserves the right + to do it, if nature should so compel them—the three-ribbed gentleman + with one ear, at five shillings a week, in the sitting-room, and the young + man up over him. Their meaning is for business, and studying, and keeping + of accounts, and having of a quiet place in bad weather, though feed they + must, sooner or later, I depend; and then who is there but Mr. Cheeseman?” + </p> + <p> + “How grand he do look upon that black horse, quite as solid as if he was + glued to it!” the lady of the shop replied, as she put away the money; + “and to do that without victuals is beyond a young man's power. He looks + like what they used to call a knight upon an errand, in the picture-books, + when I was romantic, only for the hair that comes under his nose. Ah! his + errand will be to break the hearts of the young ladies that goes down upon + the sands in their blue gowns, I'm afraid, if they can only manage with + the hair below his nose.” + </p> + <p> + “And do them good, some of them, and be a judgment from the Lord, for the + French style in their skirts is a shocking thing to see. What should we + have said when you and I were young, my dear? But quick step is the word + for me, for I expect my Jenny home on her day out from the Admiral, and no + Harry in the house to look after her. Ah! dimity-parlours is a thing as + may happen to cut both ways, Mrs. Cheeseman.” + </p> + <p> + Widow Shanks had good cause to be proud of her cottage, which was the + prettiest in Springhaven, and one of the most commodious. She had fought a + hard fight, when her widowhood began, and the children were too young to + help her, rather than give up the home of her love-time, and the cradle of + her little ones. Some of her neighbours (who wanted the house) were sadly + pained at her stubbornness, and even dishonesty, as they put it, when she + knew that she never could pay her rent. But “never is a long time,” + according to the proverb; and with the forbearance of the Admiral, the + kindness of his daughters, and the growth of her own children, she stood + clear of all debt now, except the sweet one of gratitude. + </p> + <p> + And now she could listen to the moaning of the sea (which used to make her + weep all night) with a milder sense of the cruel woe that it had drowned + her husband, and a lull of sorrow that was almost hope; until the dark + visions of wrecks and corpses melted into sweet dreams of her son upon the + waters, finishing his supper, and getting ready for his pipe. For Harry + was making his own track well in the wake of his dear father. + </p> + <p> + Now if she had gone inland to dwell, from the stroke of her great calamity—as + most people told her to make haste and do—not only the sympathy of + the sea, but many of the little cares, which are the ants that bury heavy + grief, would have been wholly lost to her. And amongst these cares the + foremost always, and the most distracting, was that of keeping her + husband's cottage—as she still would call it—tidy, + comfortable, bright, and snug, as if he were coming on Saturday. + </p> + <p> + Where the brook runs into the first hearing of the sea, to defer its own + extinction it takes a lively turn inland, leaving a pleasant breadth of + green between itself and its destiny. At the breath of salt the larger + trees hang back, and turn their boughs up; but plenty of pretty shrubs + come forth, and shade the cottage garden. Neither have the cottage walls + any lack of leafy mantle, where the summer sun works his own defeat by + fostering cool obstruction. For here are the tamarisk, and jasmin, and the + old-fashioned corchorus flowering all the summer through, as well as the + myrtle that loves the shore, with a thicket of stiff young sprigs arising, + slow of growth, but hiding yearly the havoc made in its head and body by + the frost of 1795, when the mark of every wave upon the sands was ice. And + a vine, that seems to have been evolved from a miller, or to have + prejected him, clambers with grey silver pointrels through the more glossy + and darker green. And over these you behold the thatch, thick and long and + parti-coloured, eaved with little windows, where a bird may nest for ever. + </p> + <p> + But it was not for this outward beauty that Widow Shanks, stuck to her + house, and paid the rent at intervals. To her steadfast and well-managed + mind, the number of rooms, and the separate staircase which a solvent + lodger might enjoy, were the choicest grant of the household gods. The + times were bad—as they always are when conscientious people think of + them—and poor Mrs. Shanks was desirous of paying her rent, by the + payment of somebody. Every now and then some well-fed family, hungering + (after long carnage) for fish, would come from village pastures or town + shambles, to gaze at the sea, and to taste its contents. For in those days + fish were still in their duty, to fry well, to boil well, and to go into + the mouth well, instead of being dissolute—as nowadays the best is—with + dirty ice, and flabby with arrested fermentation. In the pleasant + dimity-parlour then, commanding a fair view of the lively sea and the + stream that sparkled into it, were noble dinners of sole, and mackerel, + and smelt that smelled of cucumber, and dainty dory, and pearl-buttoned + turbot, and sometimes even the crisp sand-lance, happily for himself, + unhappily for whitebait, still unknown in London. Then, after long rovings + ashore or afloat, these diners came back with a new light shed upon them—that + of the moon outside the house, of the supper candles inside. There was + sure to be a crab or lobster ready, and a dish of prawns sprigged with + parsley; if the sea were beginning to get cool again, a keg of + philanthropic oysters; or if these were not hospitably on their hinges + yet, certainly there would be choice-bodied creatures, dried with a dash + of salt upon the sunny shingle, and lacking of perfection nothing more + than to be warmed through upon a toasting-fork. + </p> + <p> + By none, however, of these delights was the newly won lodger tempted. All + that he wanted was peace and quiet, time to go through a great trunk full + of papers and parchments, which he brought with him, and a breath of fresh + air from the downs on the north, and the sea to the south, to enliven him. + And in good truth he wanted to be enlivened, as Widow Shanks said to her + daughter Jenny; for his eyes were gloomy, and his face was stern, and he + seldom said anything good-natured. He seemed to avoid all company, and to + be wrapped up wholly in his own concerns, and to take little pleasure in + anything. As yet he had not used the bed at his lodgings, nor broken his + fast there to her knowledge, though he rode down early every morning and + put up his horse at Cheeseman's, and never rode away again until the dark + had fallen. Neither had he cared to make the acquaintance of Captain + Stubbarb, who occupied the room beneath his for a Royal Office—as + the landlady proudly entitled it; nor had he received, to the best of her + knowledge, so much as a single visitor, though such might come by his + private entrance among the shrubs unnoticed. All these things stirred with + deep interest and wonder the enquiring mind of the widow. + </p> + <p> + “And what do they say of him up at the Hall?” she asked her daughter + Jenny, who was come to spend holiday at home. “What do they say of my new + gentleman, young Squire Carne from the Castle? The Carnes and the Darlings + was never great friends, as every one knows in Springhaven. Still, it do + seem hard and unchristianlike to keep up them old enmities; most of all, + when the one side is down in the world, with the owls and the bats and the + coneys.” + </p> + <p> + “No, mother, no. They are not a bit like that,” replied Jenny—a maid + of good loyalty; “it is only that he has not called upon them. All + gentlefolks have their proper rules of behaviour. You can't be expected to + understand them, mother.” + </p> + <p> + “But why should he go to them more than they should come to him, + particular with young ladies there? And him with only one horse to their + seven or eight. I am right, you may depend upon it, Jenny; and my mother, + your grandmother, was a lady's-maid in a higher family than Darling—it + depends upon them to come and look him up first, and he have no call to + knock at their door without it. Why, it stands to reason, poor young man! + And not a bit hath he eaten from Monday.” + </p> + <p> + “Well, I believe I am right, but I'll ask Miss Dolly. She is that sharp, + she knows everything, and I don't mind what I say to her, when she thinks + that she looks handsome. And it takes a very bad dress, I can tell you, to + put her out of that opinion.” + </p> + <p> + “She is right enough there:” Mrs. Shanks shook her head at her daughter + for speaking in this way. “The ugliest frock as ever came from France + couldn't make her any but a booty. And the Lord knows the quality have + come to queer shapes now. Undecent would be the name for it in our ranks + of women. Why, the last of her frocks she gave you, Jenny, how much did I + put on, at top and bottom, and you three inches shorter than she is! And + the slips they ties round them—oh dear! oh dear! as if that was to + hold them up and buckle them together! Won't they have the groanings by + the time they come to my age?” + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0018" id="link2HCH0018"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XVIII + </h2> + <h3> + FRENCH AND ENGLISH + </h3> + <p> + Admiral Darling was now so busy, and so continually called from home by + the duties of his commandership, that he could not fairly be expected to + call upon Mr. Caryl Carne. Yet that gentleman, being rather sensitive—which + sometimes means very spiteful—resented as a personal slight this + failure; although, if the overture had been made, he would have ascribed + it to intrusive curiosity, and a low desire to behold him in his ruins. + But truly in the old man's kindly heart there was no sour corner for ill + blood to lurk in, and no dull fibre for ill-will to feed on. He kept on + meaning to go and call on Caryl Carne, and he had quite made up his mind + to do it, but something always happened to prevent him. + </p> + <p> + Neither did he care a groat for his old friend Twemlow's advice upon that + subject. “Don't go near him,” said the Rector, taking care that his wife + was quite safe out of hearing; “it would ill become me to say a word + against my dear wife's own nephew, and the representative of her family. + And, to the utmost of my knowledge, there is nothing to be said against + him. But I can't get on with him at all. I don't know why. He has only + honored us with a visit twice, and he would not even come to dinner. Nice + manners they learn on the Continent! But none of us wept when he declined; + not even his good aunt, my wife. Though he must have got a good deal to + tell us, and an extraordinary knowledge of foreign ways. But instead of + doing that, he seems to sneer at us. I can look at a question from every + point of view, and I defy anybody to call me narrow-minded. But still, one + must draw the line somewhere, or throw overboard all principles; and I + draw it, my dear Admiral, against infidels and against Frenchmen.” + </p> + <p> + “No rational person can do otherwise”—the Admiral's opinion was + decisive—“but this young man is of good English birth, and one can't + help feeling sorry for his circumstances. And I assure you, Twemlow, that + I feel respect as well for the courage that he shows, and the + perseverance, in coming home and facing those vile usurers. And your own + wife's nephew! Why, you ought to take his part through thick and thin, + whatever you may think of him. From all I hear he must be a young man of + exceedingly high principle; and I shall make a point of calling upon him + the first half-hour I get to spare. To-morrow, if possible; or if not, the + day after, at the very latest.” + </p> + <p> + But the needful half-hour had not yet been found; and Carne, who was wont + to think the worst of everybody, concluded that the Darling race still + cherished the old grudge, which had always been on his own side. For this + he cared little, and perhaps was rather glad of it. For the old + dwelling-place of his family (the Carne Castle besieged by the Roundheads + a hundred and sixty years agone) now threatened to tumble about the ears + of any one knocking at the gate too hard. Or rather the remnants of its + walls did so; the greater part, having already fallen, lay harmless, and + produced fine blackberries. + </p> + <p> + As a castle, it had been well respected in its day, though not of mighty + bulwarks or impregnable position. Standing on a knoll, between the ramp of + high land and the slope of shore, it would still have been conspicuous to + traveller and to voyager but for the tall trees around it. These hid the + moat, and the relics of the drawbridge, the groined archway, and cloven + tower of the keep—which had twice been struck by lightning—as + well as the windows of the armoury, and the chapel hushed with ivy. The + banqueting hall was in better repair, for the Carnes had been hospitable + to the last; but the windows kept no wind off, neither did the roof + repulse the rain. In short, all the front was in a pretty state of ruin, + very nice to look at, very nasty to live in, except for toads, and bats, + and owls, and rats, and efts, and brindled slugs with yellow stripes; or + on a summer eve the cockroach and the carrion-beetle. + </p> + <p> + At the back, however, and above the road which Cheeseman travelled in his + pony-chaise, was a range of rooms still fit to dwell in, though poorly + furnished, and floored with stone. In better times these had been the + domain of the house-keeper and the butler, the cook and the other upper + servants, who had minded their duty and heeded their comfort more truly + than the master and mistress did. For the downfall of this family, as of + very many others, had been chiefly caused by unwise marriage. Instead of + choosing sensible and active wives to look after their home affairs and + regulate the household, the Carnes for several generations now had wedded + flighty ladies of good birth and pretty manners, none of whom brought them + a pipkinful of money, while all helped to spend a potful. Therefore their + descendant was now living in the kitchens, and had no idea how to make use + of them, in spite of his French education; of comfort also he had not much + idea, which was all the better for him; and he scarcely knew what it was + to earn and enjoy soft quietude. + </p> + <p> + One night, when the summer was in full prime, and the weather almost + blameless, this young Squire Carne rode slowly back from Springhaven to + his worn-out castle. The beauty of the night had kept him back, for he + hated to meet people on the road. The lingering gossips, the tired + fagot-bearers, the youths going home from the hay-rick, the man with a gun + who knows where the hares play, and beyond them all the truant + sweethearts, who cannot have enough of one another, and wish “good-night” + at every corner of the lane, till they tumble over one another's cottage + steps—all these to Caryl Carne were a smell to be avoided, an + eyesore to shut the eyes at. He let them get home and pull their boots + off, and set the frying-pan a-bubbling—for they ended the day with a + bit of bacon, whenever they could cash or credit it—and then he set + forth upon his lonely ride, striking fear into the heart of any bad child + that lay awake. + </p> + <p> + “Almost as good as France is this,” he muttered in French, though for once + enjoying the pleasure of good English air; “and better than France would + it be, if only it were not cut short so suddenly. There will come a cold + wind by-and-by, or a chilly black cloud from the east, and then all is + shivers and rawness. But if it only remained like this, I could forgive it + for producing me. After all, it is my native land; and I saw the loveliest + girl to-day that ever I set eyes on. None of their made-up and highly + finished demoiselles is fit to look at her—such simple beauty, such + charms of nature, such enchanting innocence! Ah, that is where those + French girls fail—they are always studying how they look, instead of + leaving us to think of it. Bah! What odds to me? I have higher stakes to + play for. But according to old Twemlow's description, she must be the + daughter of that old bear Darling, with whom I shall have to pick a bone + some day. Ha! How amusing is that battery to me! How little John Bull + knows the nature of French troops! To-morrow we are to have a grand + practice-day; and I hope they won't shoot me in my new lodgings. Nothing + is impossible to such an idiot as Stubbard. What a set of imbeciles I have + found to do with! They have scarcely wit enough to amuse oneself with. + Pest of my soul! Is that you, Charron? Again you have broken my orders.” + </p> + <p> + “Names should be avoided in the open air,” answered the man, who was + swinging on a gate with the simple delight of a Picard. “The climate is of + France so much to-night that I found it my duty to encourage it. For what + reason shall not I do that? It is not so often that I have occasion. My + dear friend, scold not, but accept the compliment very seldom truthful to + your native land. There are none of your clod-pates about to-night.” + </p> + <p> + “Come in at once. The mere sound of your breath is enough to set the + neighbourhood wondering. Could I ever have been burdened with a more + French Frenchman, though you speak as good English as I do?” + </p> + <p> + “It was all of that miserable Cheray,” the French gentleman said, when + they sat in the kitchen, and Jerry Bowles was feeding the fine black + horse. “Fruit is a thing that my mouth prepares for, directly there is any + warmth in the sun. It puts itself up, it is elevated, it will not have + meat, or any substance coarse. Wine of the softest and fruit of the finest + is what it must then have, or unmouth itself. That miserable Cheray, his + maledictioned name put me forth to be on fire for the good thing he + designs. Cherays you call them, and for cherays I despatched him, + suspended between the leaves in the good sun. Bah! there is nothing ever + fit to eat in England. The cherays look very fine, very fine indeed; and + so many did I consume that to travel on a gate was the only palliation. + Would you have me stay all day in this long cellar? No diversion, no + solace, no change, no conversation! Old Cheray may sit with his hands upon + his knees, but to Renaud Charron that is not sufficient. How much longer + before I sally forth to do the things, to fight, to conquer the nations? + Where is even my little ship of despatch?” + </p> + <p> + “Captain,” answered Caryl Carne, preparing calmly for his frugal supper, + “you are placed under my command, and another such speech will despatch + you to Dunkirk, bound hand and foot, in the hold of the Little Corporal, + with which I am now in communication. Unless by the time I have severed + this bone you hand me your sword in submission, my supper will have to be + postponed, while I march you to the yew-tree, signal for a boat, and lay + you strapped beneath the oarsmen.” + </p> + <p> + Captain Charron, who had held the command of a French corvette, stared + furiously at this man, younger than himself, so strongly established over + him. Carne was not concerned to look at him; all he cared about was to + divide the joint of a wing-rib of cold roast beef, where some good + pickings lurked in the hollow. Then the French man, whose chance would + have been very small in a personal encounter with his chief, arose and + took a naval sword, short but rather heavy, from a hook which in better + days had held a big dish-cover, and making a salute rather graceful than + gracious, presented the fringed handle to the carver. + </p> + <p> + “This behaviour is sensible, my friend, and worthy of your distinguished + abilities.” Carne's resolute face seldom yielded to a smile, but the smile + when it came was a sweet one. “Pardon me for speaking strongly, but my + instructions must be the law to you. If you were my commander (as, but for + local knowledge, and questions of position here, you would be), do you + think then that you would allow me to rebel, to grumble, to wander, to + demand my own pleasure, when you knew that it would ruin things?” + </p> + <p> + “Bravo! It is well spoken. My captain, I embrace you. In you lives the + spirit of the Grand Army, which we of the sea and of the ships admire + always, and always desire to emulate. Ah, if England possessed many + Englishmen like you, she would be hard to conquer.” + </p> + <p> + The owner of this old English castle shot a glance at the Frenchman for + any sign of irony in his words. Seeing none, he continued, in the friendly + vein: + </p> + <p> + “Our business here demands the greatest caution, skill, reserve, and + self-denial. We are fortunate in having no man of any keen penetration in + the neighbourhood, at least of those in authority and concerned with + public matters. As one of an ancient family, possessing the land for + centuries, I have every right to be here, and to pursue my private + business in privacy. But if it once gets talked about that a French + officer is with me, these stupid people will awake their suspicions more + strongly by their own stupidity. In this queer island you may do what you + like till the neighbourhood turns against you; and then, if you revolve + upon a pin, you cannot suit them. You understand? You have heard me + before. It is this that I never can knock into you.” + </p> + <p> + Renaud Charron, who considered himself—as all Frenchmen did then, + and perhaps do now—far swifter of intellect than any Englishman, + found himself not well pleased at this, and desired to know more about it. + </p> + <p> + “Nothing can be simpler,” the Englishman replied; “and therefore nothing + surer. You know the old proverb—'Everything in turn, except scandal, + whose turn is always.' And again another saying of our own land—'The + second side of the bread takes less time to toast.' We must not let the + first side of ours be toasted; we will shun all the fire of suspicion. And + to do this, you must not be seen, my dear friend. I may go abroad freely; + you must hide your gallant head until matters are ripe for action. You + know that you may trust me not to keep you in the dark a day longer than + is needful. I have got the old shopkeeper under my thumb, and can do what + I please with his trading-ship. But before I place you in command I must + change some more of the crew, and do it warily. There is an obstinate + Cornishman to get rid of, who sticks to the planks like a limpet. If we + throw him overboard, we shall alarm the others; if we discharge him + without showing cause, he will go to the old Admiral and tell all his + suspicions. He must be got rid of in London with skill, and then we ship + three or four Americans, first-rate seamen, afraid of nothing, who will + pass here as fellows from Lancashire. After that we may run among the + cruisers as we like, with the boldness and skill of a certain Captain + Charron, who must be ill in his cabin when his ship is boarded.” + </p> + <p> + “It is famous, it is very good, my friend. The patience I will have, and + the obedience, and the courage; and so much the more readily because my + pay is good, and keeps itself going on dry land as well as sea.” + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0019" id="link2HCH0019"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XIX + </h2> + <h3> + IN THE LINE OF FIRE + </h3> + <p> + No wonder there had been a great deal of talking in the village all that + evening, for the following notice had appeared in a dozen conspicuous + places, beginning with the gate of the church-yard, and ending with two of + the biggest mooring-posts, and not even sparing the Admiral's white gate, + where it flapped between the two upper rails. It was not printed, but + written in round hand, with a liberal supply of capitals, on a stiff sheet + of official paper, stamped with the Royal Arms at the top. And those who + were in the secret knew that Master Bob Stubbard, the Captain's eldest + son, had accomplished this great literary feat at a guerdon of one + shilling from the public service funds every time he sucked his pen at the + end of it. + </p> + <p> + “By order of His Majesty King George III. To-morrow being Wednesday, and + the fishing-boats at sea, Artillery practice from Fox-hill fort will be + carried on from twelve at noon until three P.M. at a mark-boat moored half + a mile from the shore. Therefore His Majesty's loyal subjects are warned + to avoid the beach westward of the brook between the white flagstaffs, as + well as the sea in front of it, and not to cross the line of fire below + the village but at their own risk and peril. + </p> + <p> + “(Signed) ADAM JACKSON STUBBARD, R.N., commanding Fox-hill Battery.” + </p> + <p> + Some indignation was aroused by this; for Mrs. Caper junior (who was Mrs. + Prater's cousin) had been confined, out of proper calculation, and for the + very first time, the moment the boats were gone on Monday; and her house, + being nearest to the fort, and in a hollow where the noise would be + certain to keep going round and round, the effect upon her head, not to + mention the dear baby's, was more than any one dared to think of, with the + poor father so far away. And if Squire Darling had only been at home, not + a woman who could walk would have thought twice about it, but gone all + together to insist upon it that he should stop this wicked bombardment. + And this was most unselfish of all of them, they were sure, because they + had so long looked forward to putting cotton-wool in their ears, and + seeing how all the enemies of England would be demolished. But Mrs. Caper + junior, and Caper, natu minimus, fell fast asleep together, as things + turned out, and heard not a single bang of it. + </p> + <p> + And so it turned out, in another line of life, with things against all + calculation, resenting to be reckoned as they always do, like the + countless children of Israel. For Admiral Darling was gone far away + inspecting, leaving his daughters to inspect themselves. + </p> + <p> + “You may just say exactly what you consider right, dear,” said Miss Dolly + Darling to her sister Faith; “and I dare say it makes you more + comfortable. But you know as well as I do, that there is no reason in it. + Father is a darling; but he must be wrong sometimes. And how can he tell + whether he is wrong or right, when he goes away fifty miles to attend to + other people? Of course I would never disobey his orders, anymore than you + would. But facts change according to circumstances, and I feel convinced + that if he were here he would say, 'Go down and see it, Dolly.'” + </p> + <p> + “We have no right to speculate as to what he might say,” replied Faith, + who was very clear-headed. “His orders were definite: 'Keep within the + grounds, when notice is given of artillery practice.' And those orders I + mean to obey.” + </p> + <p> + “And so do I; but not to misunderstand them. The beach is a part of our + grounds, as I have heard him say fifty times in argument, when people + tried to come encroaching. And I mean to go on that part of his grounds, + because I can't see well from the other part. That is clearly what he + meant; and he would laugh at us, if we could tell him nothing when he + comes home. Why, he promised to take us as far as Portsmouth to see some + artillery practice.” + </p> + <p> + “That is a different thing altogether, because we should be under his + control. If you disobey him, it is at your own risk, and I shall not let + one of the servants go with you, for I am mistress of the household, if + not of you.” + </p> + <p> + “What trumpery airs you do give yourself! One would think you were fifty + years old at least. Stay at home, if you are such a coward! I am sure dear + daddy would be quite ashamed of you. They are popping already, and I mean + to watch them.” + </p> + <p> + “You won't go so very far, I am quite sure of that,” answered Faith, who + understood her sister. “You know your own value, darling Dolly, and you + would not go at all, if you had not been forbidden.” + </p> + <p> + “When people talk like that, it goads me up to almost anything. I intend + to go, and stand, as near as can be, in the middle of the space that is + marked off 'dangerous.'” + </p> + <p> + “Do, that's a dear. I will lend you my shell-silk that measures twenty + yards, that you may be sure of being hit, dear.” + </p> + <p> + “Inhuman, selfish, wicked creature!” cried Dolly, and it was almost + crying; “you shall see what comes of your cold-bloodedness! I shall pace + to and fro in the direct line of fire, and hang on my back the king's + proclamation, inside out, and written on it in large letters—'By + order of my sister I do this.' Then what will be said of you, if they only + kill me? My feelings might be very sad, but I should not envy yours, + Faith.” + </p> + <p> + “Kiss me, at any rate, before you perish, in token of forgiveness;” and + Dolly (who dearly loved her sister at the keenest height of rebellion) ran + up and kissed Faith, with a smile for her, and a tear for her own + self-sacrifice. “I shall put on my shell-pink,” she said, “and they won't + have the heart to fire shells at it.” + </p> + <p> + The dress of the ladies of the present passing period had been largely + affected by the recent peace, which allowed the “French babies”—as + the milliners' dolls were called—to come in as quickly as they were + conceived. In war time scores of these “doxy-dummies”—as the rough + tars called them—were tossed overboard from captured vessels or set + up as a mark for tobacco-juice, while sweet eyes in London wept for want + of them. And even Mr. Cheeseman had failed to bring any type genuinely + French from the wholesale house in St. Mary's Axe, which was famed for + canonical issue. But blessed are the patient, if their patience lasts long + enough. The ladies of England were now in full enjoyment of all the new + French discoveries, which proved to be the right name, inasmuch as they + banished all reputable forms of covering. At least, so Mrs. Twemlow said; + and the Rector went further than she did, obtaining for his sympathy a + recommendation to attend to his own business. But when he showed the + Admiral his wife's last book of patterns—from a drawer which he had + no right to go to—great laughter was held between the twain, with + some glancing over shoulders, and much dread of bad example. “Whatever you + do, don't let my girls see it; I'll be bound you won't let your Eliza,” + said the Admiral, after a pinch of snuff to restore the true balance of + his principles; “Faith would pitch it straight into the fire; but I am not + quite so sure that my Dolly would. She loves a bit of finery, and she + looks well in it.” + </p> + <p> + “Tonnish females,” as the magazine of fashion called the higher class of + popinjays, would have stared with contempt at both Faith and Dolly Darling + in their simple walking-dress that day. Dowdies would have been the name + for them, or frumps, or frights, or country gawks, because their attire + was not statuesque or classic, as it should have been, which means that + they were not half naked. + </p> + <p> + Faith, the eldest sister, had meant to let young Dolly take the course of + her own stubbornness; but no sooner did she see her go forth alone than + she threw on cloak and hat, and followed. The day was unsuited for classic + apparel, as English days are apt to be, and a lady of fashion would have + looked more foolish, and even more indecent, than usual. A brisk and + rather crisp east wind had arisen, which had no respect for persons, and + even Faith and Dolly in their high-necked country dresses had to handle + their tackle warily. + </p> + <p> + Dolly had a good start, and growing much excited with the petulance of the + wind and with her own audacity, crossed the mouth of the brook at a very + fine pace, with the easterly gusts to second her. She could see the little + mark-boat well out in the offing, with a red flag flaring merrily, defying + all the efforts of the gunners on the hill to plunge it into the bright + dance of the waves. And now and then she heard what she knew to be the + rush of a round shot far above her head, and following the sound saw a + little silver fountain leap up into the sunshine and skim before the + breeze; then glancing up the hill she saw the gray puff drifting, and + presently felt the dull rumble of the air. At the root of the smoke-puffs, + once or twice, she descried a stocky figure moving leisurely, and in spite + of the distance and huddle of vapour could declare that it was Captain + Stubbard. Then a dense mass of smoke was brought down by an eddy of wind, + and set her coughing. + </p> + <p> + “Come away, come away this very moment, Dolly,” cried Faith, who had + hurried up and seized her hand; “you are past the danger-post, and I met a + man back there who says they are going to fire shells, and they have got + two short guns on purpose. He says it will be very dangerous till they get + the range, and he begged me most earnestly not to come on here. If I were + anybody else, he said, he would lay hands on me and hold me back.” + </p> + <p> + “Some old fisherman, no doubt. What do they know about gun practice? I can + see Captain Stubbard up there; he would rather shoot himself than me, he + said yesterday.” + </p> + <p> + While Dolly was repeating this assurance, the following words were being + exchanged upon the smoky parapet: “If you please, sir, I can see two women + on the beach, half-way between the posts a'most.” “Can't help it—wouldn't + stop for all the petticoats in the kingdom. If they choose to go there, + they must take their chance. A bit more up, and to you, my good man. Are + you sure you put in twenty-three? Steady! so, so—that's beautiful.” + </p> + <p> + “What a noisy thing! What does it come here for? I never saw it fall. + There must be some mistake. I hope there's nothing nasty inside it. Run + for your life, Faith; it means to burst, I do believe.” + </p> + <p> + “Down on your faces!” cried a loud, stern voice; and Dolly obeyed in an + instant. But Faith stood calmly, and said to the man who rushed past her, + “I trust in the Lord, sir.” + </p> + <p> + There was no time to answer. The shell had left off rolling, and sputtered + more fiercely as the fuse thickened. The man laid hold of this, and tried + to pull it out, but could not, and jumped with both feet on it; while + Faith, who quite expected to be blown to pieces, said to herself, “What + pretty boots he has!” + </p> + <p> + “A fine bit of gunnery!” said the young man, stooping over it, after + treading the last spark into the springy sand. “The little artillery man + is wanted here. Ladies, you may safely stay here now. They will not make + two hits in proximity to each other.” + </p> + <p> + “You shall not go,” said Faith, as he was hurrying away, “until we know + who has been so reckless of his life, to save the lives of others. Both + your hands are burned—very seriously, I fear.” + </p> + <p> + “And your clothes, sir,” cried Dolly, running up in hot terror, as soon as + the danger was over; “your clothes are spoiled sadly. Oh, how good it was + of you! And the whole fault was mine—or at least Captain Stubbard's. + He will never dare to face me again, I should hope.” + </p> + <p> + “Young ladies, if I have been of any service to you,” said the stranger, + with a smile at their excitement, “I beg you to be silent to the Captain + Stubbard concerning my share in this occasion. He would not be gratified + by the interest I feel in his beautiful little bombardments, especially + that of fair ladies. Ha, there goes another shell! They will make better + aim now; but you must not delay. I beseech you to hasten home, if you + would do me kindness.” + </p> + <p> + The fair daughters of the Admiral had enjoyed enough of warfare to last + them till the end of their honeymoon, and they could not reject the + entreaty of a man who had risked his life to save them. Trembling and + bewildered, they made off at the quickest step permitted by maiden + dignity, with one or two kindly turns of neck, to show that he was meant + to follow them. But another sulphurous cloud rushed down from the + indefatigable Stubbard, and when it had passed them, they looked back + vainly for the gentleman who had spoiled his boots. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0020" id="link2HCH0020"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XX + </h2> + <h3> + AMONG THE LADIES + </h3> + <p> + It would have surprised the stout Captain Stubbard, who thought no small + beer of his gunnery, to hear that it was held in very light esteem by the + “Frenchified young man overhead,” as he called Caryl Carne, to his + landlady. And it would have amazed him to learn that this young man was a + captain of artillery, in the grand army mustering across the sea, and one + of the most able among plenty of ability, and favoured by the great First + Consul. + </p> + <p> + In the gully where the Tugwell boats were built, behind a fringe of rough + longshore growth, young Carne had been sitting with a good field-glass, + observing the practice of the battery. He had also been able to observe + unseen the disobedient practices of young ladies, when their father is + widely out of sight. Upon Faith, however, no blame could fall, for she + went against her wish, and only to retrieve the rebellious Dolly. + </p> + <p> + Secure from the danger, these two held council in the comfort of the + Admiral's Round-house. There Miss Dolly, who considered it her domain, + kept sundry snug appliances congenial to young ladies, for removing all + traces of sudden excitement, and making them fit to be seen again. Simple + and unfashionable as they were in dress, they were sure to have something + to do to themselves after the late derangement, ere ever they could run + the risk of meeting any of the brave young officers, who were so + mysteriously fond of coming for orders to Springhaven Hall. + </p> + <p> + “You look well enough, dear,” said Faith at last, “and much better than + you deserve to look, after leading me such a dance by your self-will. But + one thing must be settled before we go back—are we to speak of this + matter, or not?” + </p> + <p> + “How can you ask such a question, Faith?” Miss Dolly loved a bit of + secrecy. “Of course we must rather bite our tongues out, than break the + solemn pledges which we have given.” She had cried a good deal, and she + began to cry again. + </p> + <p> + “Don't cry, that's a darling,” said the simple-hearted sister. “You make + the whole world seem so cruel when you cry, because you look so innocent. + It shall be as you please, if I can only think it right. But I cannot see + how we gave a pledge of any sort, considering that we ran away without + speaking. The question is—have we any right to conceal it, when + father has a right to know everything?” + </p> + <p> + “He would be in such a sad passion,” pleaded Dolly, with a stock of fresh + tears only waiting, “and he never would look again at poor Captain + Stubbard, and what would become of all his family?” + </p> + <p> + “Father is a just and conscientious man,” replied the daughter who + inherited those qualities; “he would not blame Captain Stubbard; he would + blame us, and no others.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, I could not bear to hear you blamed, Faith. I should have to say that + it was all my fault. And then how I should catch it, and be punished for a + month! Confined to the grounds for a month at least, and never have a bit + of appetite. But I am not thinking of myself, I am quite sure of that. You + know that I never do that much. I am thinking of that heroic gentleman, + who stamped out the sparks so cleverly. All the time I lay on the sand I + watched him, though I expected to be blown to pieces every single moment. + Oh! what a nasty sensation it was! I expected to find all my hair turned + grey. But, thank Heaven, I don't see a streak in it!” To make sure of + that, she went to the glass again. + </p> + <p> + “If all mine had turned grey, 'twould be no odds to nobody—as + Captain Zeb says about his income—because I am intended for an old + maid.” Miss Darling, whose beauty still lacked many years of its prime, + turned away for a moment, because her eyes were glistening, and her sister + was tired of the subject. “But for yours there are fifty to weep, Dolly. + Especially perhaps this young gentleman, towards whom you feel so much + gratitude.” + </p> + <p> + “How unkind you are, Faith! All the gratitude I owe him is for saving your + life. As for myself, I was flat upon the sand, with a heap of sea-weed + between me and the thing. If it had gone off, it would have gone over me; + but you chose to stand up, like a stupid. Your life was saved, beyond all + doubt, by him; and the way you acknowledge it is to go and tell his chief + enemy that he was there observing him!” + </p> + <p> + “Well, I never!” Faith exclaimed, with more vigour than grace of language. + “A minute ago you knew nothing of him, and even wondered who he was, and + now you know all about his enemies! I am afraid that you stick at + nothing.” + </p> + <p> + “I don't stick thinking, as you do, Miss,” Dolly answered, without + abashment, and knowing that the elder hated to be so addressed; “but + things come to me by the light of nature, without a twelvemonth of + brown-study. When I said what you remind me of, in such a hurry, it was + perfectly true—so true that you need have no trouble about it, with + all your truth. But since that, a sudden idea flashed across me, the sort + of idea that proves itself. Your hero you are in such a hurry to betray + can be nobody but the mysterious lodger in Widow Shanks' dimity-parlour, + as she calls it; and Jenny has told me all she knows about him, which is a + great deal less than she ought to know. I meant to have told you, but you + are so grand in your lofty contempt of what you call gossip, but which I + call good neighbourly intercourse! You know that he is Mr. Caryl Carne, of + course. Everybody knows that, and there the knowledge seems to terminate. + Even the Twemlows, his own aunt and uncle, are scarcely ever favoured with + his company; and I, who am always on the beach, or in the village, have + never had the honour of beholding him, until—until it came to this”—here + she imitated with her lips the spluttering of the fuse so well that her + sister could not keep from laughing. “He never goes out, and he never asks + questions, any more than he answers them, and he never cares to hear what + fish they have caught, or anything else, about anybody. He never eats or + drinks, and he never says a word about the flowers they put upon his + table; and what he does all day long nobody knows, except that he has a + lot of books with him. Widow Shanks, who has the best right to know all + about him, has made up her mind that his head has been turned by the + troubles of his family, except for his going without dinner, which no + lunatic ever does, according to her knowledge. And he seems to have got + 'Butter Cheeseman,' as they call him, entirely at his beck and call. He + leaves his black horse there every morning, and rides home at night to his + ancestral ruins. There, now, you know as much as I do.” + </p> + <p> + “There is mischief at the bottom of all this,” said Faith; “in these + dangerous times, it must not be neglected. We are bound, as you say, to + consider his wishes, after all that he has done for us. But the tale about + us will be over the place in a few hours, at the latest. The gunners will + have known where their bad shot fell, and perhaps they will have seen us + with their glasses. How will it be possible to keep this affair from + gossip?” + </p> + <p> + “They may have seen us, without seeing him at all, on account of the smoke + that came afterwards. At any rate, let us say nothing about it until we + hear what other people say. The shell will be washed away or buried in the + sand, for it fell upon the shingle, and then rolled towards the sea; and + there need be no fuss unless we choose to make it, and so perhaps ruin + Captain Stubbard and his family. And his wife has made such pretty things + for us. If he knew what he had done, he would go and shoot himself. He is + so excessively humane and kind.” + </p> + <p> + “We will not urge his humanity to that extreme. I hate all mystery, as you + know well. But about this affair I will say nothing, unless there is cause + to do so, at least until father comes back; and then I shall tell him if + it seems to be my duty.” + </p> + <p> + “It won't be your duty, it can't be your duty, to get good people into + trouble, Faith. I find it my duty to keep out of trouble, and I like to + treat others the same as myself.” + </p> + <p> + “You are such a lover of duty, dear Dolly, because everything you like + becomes your duty. And now your next duty is to your dinner. Mrs. Twemlow + is coming—I forgot to tell you—as well as Eliza, and Mrs. + Stubbard. And if Johnny comes home in time from Harrow, to be Jack among + the ladies, we shall hear some wonders, you may be quite sure.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, I vow, I forgot all about that wicked Johnny. What a blessing that he + was not here just now! It is my black Monday when his holidays begin. + Instead of getting steadier, he grows more plaguesome. And the wonder of + it is that he would tie your kid shoes; while he pulls out my jaconet, and + sits on my French hat. How I wish he was old enough for his commission! + To-morrow he will be dancing in and out of every cottage, boat, or gun, or + rabbit-hole, and nothing shall be hidden from his eyes and ears. Let him + come. 'I am accustomed to have all things go awry,' as somebody says in + some tragedy. The only chance is to make him fall in love, deeply in love, + with Miss Stubbard. He did it with somebody for his Easter week, and + became as harmless as a sucking dove, till he found his nymph eating + onions raw with a pocketful of boiled limpets. Maggie Stubbard is too + perfect in her style for that. She is twelve years old, and has lots of + hair, and eyes as large as oysters. I shall introduce Johnny to-morrow, + and hope to keep him melancholy all his holidays.” + </p> + <p> + “Perhaps it will be for his good,” said Faith, “because, without some high + ideas, he gets into such dreadful scrapes; and certainly it will be for + our good.” + </p> + <p> + After making light of young love thus, these girls deserved the shafts of + Cupid, in addition to Captain Stubbard's shells. And it would have been + hard to find fairer marks when they came down dressed for dinner. Mrs. + Twemlow arrived with her daughter Eliza, but without her husband, who was + to fetch her in the evening; and Mrs. Stubbard came quite alone, for her + walkable children—as she called them—were all up at the + battery. “Can't smell powder too young in such days as these,” was the + Captain's utterance; and, sure enough, they took to it, like sons of guns. + </p> + <p> + “I should be so frightened,” Mrs. Twemlow said, when Johnny (who sat at + the foot of the table representing his father most gallantly) had said + grace in Latin, to astonish their weak minds, “so nervous all the time, so + excessively anxious, the whole time that dreadful din was proceeding! It + is over now, thank goodness! But how can you have endured it, how can you + have gone about your household duties calmly, with seven of your children—I + think you said—going about in that fiery furnace?” + </p> + <p> + “Because, ma'am,” replied Mrs. Stubbard, who was dry of speech, and fit + mother of heroes, “the cannons are so made, if you can understand, that + they do not shoot out of their back ends.” + </p> + <p> + “We are quite aware of that”—Miss Twemlow came to her mother's + relief very sharply—“but still they are apt to burst, or to be + overloaded, or badly directed, or even to fly back suddenly, as I have + heard on good authority.” + </p> + <p> + “Very likely, miss, when they are commanded by young women.” + </p> + <p> + Eliza Twemlow coloured, for she was rather quick of temper; but she did + not condescend to pay rudeness in kind. + </p> + <p> + “It would hardly be a lady-like position, I suppose,” she answered, with a + curve of her graceful neck—the Carnes had been celebrated for their + necks, which were longer than those of the Darlings; “but even under the + command of a most skilful man, for instance Captain Stubbard, little + accidents will happen, like the fall of a shell upon the beach this + afternoon. Some people were close to it, according to the rumour; but + luckily it did not explode.” + </p> + <p> + “How providential!” cried Mrs. Twemlow; “but the stupid people would have + gone without much pity, whatever had befallen them, unless they were + blind, or too ignorant to read. Don't you think so, Faith, my dear?” + </p> + <p> + “I don't believe a single word of that story,” Mrs. Stubbard cut short the + question; “for the simple reason that it never could have happened. My + husband was to direct every gun himself. Is it likely he would have + shelled the beach?” + </p> + <p> + “Well, the beach is the proper place for shells; but if I had only known + it, wouldn't I have come a few hours earlier?” said Johnny. “Even now + there must be something left to see; and I am bound to understand that + sort of thing. Ladies, I entreat you not to think me rude, if I go as soon + as ever you can do without me. I think I have got you nearly everything + you want; and perhaps you would rather be without me.” + </p> + <p> + With many thanks and compliments—such a pretty boy he was—the + ladies released him gladly; and then Mrs. Twemlow, having reasons of her + own, drew nigh to Mrs. Stubbard with lively interest in her children. At + first, she received short answers only; for the Captain's wife had drawn + more sour juices than sweet uses from adversity. But the wife of the man + of peace outflanked the better half of the man of war, drove in her + outposts, and secured the key of all her communications. + </p> + <p> + “I can scarcely believe that you are so kind. My dear Mrs. Twemlow, how + good you are! My Bob is a nice boy, so manly and clever, so gentle and + well-behaved, even when he knows that I am not likely to find him out. But + that you should have noticed it, is what surprises me—so few people + now know the difference! But in the House of God—as you so well + observe—you can very soon see what a boy is. When I tell him that he + may ride your grey pony, I wish you could be there to watch the fine + expression of his face. How he does love dumb animals! It was only last + Saturday, he knocked down a boy nearly three times his own size for poking + a pin into a poor donkey with the fish. And Maggie to have a flower-bed on + your front lawn! They won't let her touch a plant, at our cottage, though + she understands gardening so thoroughly. She won't sleep a wink to-night, + if I tell her, and I had better keep that for the morning. Poor children! + They have had a hard time of it; but they have come out like pure gold + from the fire—I mean as many of them as can use their legs. But to + be on horseback—what will Bob say?” + </p> + <p> + “You must have met with very little kindness, Mrs. Stubbard, to attach any + importance to such mere trifles. It makes me blush to think that there can + be a spot in England where such children as yours could pass unnoticed. It + is not a question of religious feeling only. Far from it; in fact, quite + the opposite; though my husband, of course, is quite right in insisting + that all our opinions and actions must be referred to that one standard. + But I look at things also from a motherly point of view, because I have + suffered such sad trials. Three dear ones in the churchyard, and the + dearest of all—the Almighty only knows where he is. Sometimes it is + more than I can bear, to live on in this dark and most dreadful + uncertainty. My medical man has forbidden me to speak of it. But how can + he know what it is to be a mother? But hush! Or darling Faith may hear me. + Sometimes I lose all self-command.” + </p> + <p> + Mrs. Twemlow's eyes were in need of wiping, and stout Mrs. Stubbard's in + the same condition. “How I wish I could help you,” said the latter, + softly: “is there anything in the world that I can do?” + </p> + <p> + “No, my dear friend; I wish there was, for I'm sure that it would be a + pleasure to you. But another anxiety, though far less painful, is worrying + me as well just now. My poor brother's son is behaving most strangely. He + hardly ever comes near us, and he seems to dislike my dear husband. He has + taken rooms over your brave husband's Office, and he comes and goes very + mysteriously. It is my duty to know something about this; but I dare not + ask Captain Stubbard.” + </p> + <p> + “My dear Mrs. Twemlow, it has puzzled me too. But thinking that you knew + all about it, I concluded that everything must be quite right. What you + tell me has surprised me more than I can tell. I shall go to work quietly + to find out all about it. Mystery and secrecy are such hateful things; and + a woman is always the best hand at either.” + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0021" id="link2HCH0021"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XXI + </h2> + <h3> + A GRACIOUS MERCY + </h3> + <p> + As a matter of course, every gunner at the fort was ready to make oath by + every colour of the rainbow, that never shot, shell, wad, sponge, or even + powder-flake could by any possibility have fallen on the beach. And before + they had time to grow much more than doubly positive—that is to say, + within three days' time—the sound of guns fired in earnest drowned + all questions of bad practice. + </p> + <p> + For the following Sunday beheld Springhaven in a state of excitement + beyond the memory of the very oldest inhabitant, or the imagination of the + youngest. Excitement is a crop that, to be large, must grow—though + it thrives all the better without much root—and in this particular + field it began to grow before noon of Saturday. For the men who were too + old to go to sea, and the boys who were too young, and the women who were + never of the proper age, all these kept looking from the best lookouts, + but nothing could they see to enable them to say when the kettle, or the + frying-pan, or gridiron, would be wanted. They rubbed their eyes + grievously, and spun round three times, if time had brought or left them + the power so to spin; and they pulled an Irish halfpenny, with the harp + on, from their pockets, and moistened it with saliva—which in + English means spat on it—and then threw it into the pocket on the + other side of body. But none of these accredited appeals to heaven put a + speck upon the sea where the boats ought to have been, or cast upon the + clouds a shade of any sail approaching. Uneasily wondering, the grannies, + wives, and little ones went home, when the nightfall quenched all + eyesight, and told one another ancient tales of woe. + </p> + <p> + Yet there is a salve for every sore, a bung for every bunghole. Upon the + Sunday morning, when the tide was coming in, and a golden haze hung upon + the peaceful sea, and the seven bells of the old grey church were speaking + of the service cheerfully, suddenly a deep boom moved the bosom of + distance, and palpitated all along the shore. Six or seven hale old + gaffers (not too stiff to walk, with the help of a staff, a little further + than the rest) were coming to hear parson by the path below the warren, + where a smack of salt would season them for doctrine. They knew from long + experience, the grandmother of science, that the mist of the sea, coming + on at breakfast-time, in the month of August (with the wind where it was + and the tides as they were), would be sure to hold fast until dinner-time. + Else, good as they were, and preparing punctually once a week for a better + world, the hind buttons of their Sunday coats would have been towards the + church, and the front ones to the headland. For the bodies of their sons + were dearer to them, substantially dearer, than their own old souls. + </p> + <p> + They were all beginning to be deaf, or rather going on with it very + agreeably, losing thereby a great deal of disturbance, and gaining great + room for reflection. And now when the sound of a gun from the sea hung + shaking in the web of vapour, each of these wise men gazed steadfastly at + the rest, to see his own conclusion reflected, or concluded. A gun it was + indeed—a big well-shotted gun, and no deafness could throw any doubt + on it. There might not be anything to see, but still there would be plenty + to hear at the headland—a sound more arousing than the parson's + voice, a roar beyond that of all the gallery. “'Tis a battle!” said one, + and his neighbour cried, “A rare one!” They turned to the parish church + the quarters of farewell, and those of salutation to the battle out at + sea. + </p> + <p> + It was all over the village, in the time it takes to put a hat on, that + the British and the French fleets were hammer and tongs at it, within the + distance you may throw an apple off Springhaven headland. + </p> + <p> + Even the young women knew that this was quite impossible, because there + was no water there for a collier-brig to anchor; nevertheless, in the + hurry and scare, the thoughts of that new battery and Lord Nelson, and + above all in the fog, they believed it. So that there was scarcely any + room to stand, at the Watch-point, inside the Shag-rock; while in church + there was no one who could help being there, by force of holy office, or + example. + </p> + <p> + These latter were not in a devout frame of mind, and (but for the look of + it) would have done more good by joining the other congregation. For the + sound of cannon-shot came into their ears, like balls of unadulterated + pepper, and every report made them look at one another, and whisper—“Ah! + there goes some poor fellow's head.” For the sacred building was + constructed so that the sounds outside of it had more power than the good + things offered in the inside. + </p> + <p> + However, as many, or as few, as did their duty, by joining the good + company of the minister, found themselves all the better for it, and more + fresh for a start than the runagates. Inasmuch as these latter had nearly + got enough of listening without seeing anything, while the steady + church-goers had refreshed the entire system by looking about without + listening. And to show the truant people where their duty should have + bound them, the haze had been thickening all over the sea, while the sun + kept the time on the old church dial. This was spoken of for many years, + throughout the village, as a Scriptural token of the proper thing to do. + </p> + <p> + “Well, and what have 'e seen?” asked the senior church-warden—not + Cheeseman, who was only the junior, and had neither been at church nor on + the headland—but Farmer Graves, the tenant of the Glebe and of + Up-farm, the Admiral's best holding; “what have 'e seen, good people all, + to leave parson to prache to hisself a'most a sarmon as he's hathn't + prached for five year, to my knowledge? Have 'e seen fat bulls of Basan?” + </p> + <p> + “Naw; but us have heer'd un roar,” replied one who was sure to say + something. “Wust of it is, there be no making out what language un do roar + in.” + </p> + <p> + “One Englishman, I tell 'e, and two Frenchmen,” said an ancient tar who + had served under Keppel; “by the ring of the guns I could swear to that + much. And they loads them so different, that they do.” + </p> + <p> + Before the others had well finished laughing at him, it became his turn to + laugh at them. The wind was in the east, and the weather set fair, and but + for the sea-mist the power of the sun would have been enough to dazzle all + beholders. Already this vapour was beginning to clear off, coiling up in + fleecy wisps above the glistening water, but clinging still to any bluff + or cliff it could lay hold on. + </p> + <p> + “Halloa, Jem! Where be going of now?” shouted one or two voices from the + Oar-stone point, the furthest outlook of the Havenhead hill. + </p> + <p> + “To see them Frenchy hoppers get a jolly hiding,” Jem Prater replied, + without easing his sculls. He was John Prater's nephew, of the “Darling + Arms,” and had stopped behind the fishing to see his uncle's monthly beer + in. “You can't see up there, I reckon, the same as I do here. One English + ship have got a job to tackle two Crappos. But, by George! she'll do it, + mates. Good bye, and the Lord defend you!” + </p> + <p> + He had nobody but his little brother Sam, who was holding the tiller, to + help him, and his uncle's boat (which he had taken without leave) was + neither stout nor handy. But the stir of the battle had fetched him forth, + and he meant to see the whole of it without taking harm. Every Englishman + had a full right to do this, in a case of such French audacity, and the + English sea and air began to give him fair occasion. For now the sun had + swept the mist with a besom of gold wire, widening every sweep, and + throwing brilliant prospect down it. The gentle heave of the sea flashed + forth with the white birds hovering over it, and the curdles of fugitive + vapour glowed like pillars of fire as they floated off. Then out of the + drift appeared three ships, partly shrouded in their own fog. + </p> + <p> + The wind was too light for manoeuvring much, and the combatants swung to + their broadsides, having taken the breath of the air away by the fury of + their fire. All three were standing to the north-north-west, under easy + sail, and on the starboard tack, but scarcely holding steerage-way, and + taking little heed of it. Close quarters, closer and closer still, muzzle + to muzzle, and beard to beard, clinched teeth, and hard pounding, were the + order of the day, with the crash of shattered timber and the cries of + dying men. And still the ships came onward, forgetting where they were, + heaving too much iron to have thought of heaving lead, ready to be + shipwrecks, if they could but wreck the enemy. + </p> + <p> + Between the bulky curls of smoke could be seen the scars of furious + battle, splintered masts and shivered yards, tattered sails and yawning + bulwarks, and great gaps even of the solid side; and above the ruck of + smoke appeared the tricolor flag upon the right hand and the left, and the + Union-jack in the middle. + </p> + <p> + “She've a'got more than she can do, I reckon,” said an old man famous in + the lobster line; “other a one of they is as big as she be, and two to one + seemeth onfair odds. Wish her well out of it—that's all as can be + done.” + </p> + <p> + “Kelks, you're a fool,” replied the ancient navyman, steadying his + spy-glass upon a ledge of rock. “In my time we made very little of that; + and the breed may be slacked off a little, but not quite so bad as that + would be. Ah! you should a' heard what old Keppel—on the + twenty-seventh day of July it was, in the year of our Lord 1778. Talk + about Nelson! to my mind old Keppel could have boxed his compass backward. + Not but what these men know how to fight quite as well as need be + nowadays. Why, if I was aboard of that there frigate, I couldn't do much + more than she have done. She'll have one of them, you see if she don't, + though she look to have the worst of it, till you comes to understand. The + Leader her name is, of thirty-eight guns, and she'll lead one of they into + Portsmouth, to refit.” + </p> + <p> + It was hard to understand the matter, in its present aspect, at all as the + ancient sailor did; for the fire of the Leda ceased suddenly, and she fell + behind the others, as if hampered with her canvas. A thrill of pain ran + through all the gazing Britons. + </p> + <p> + “How now, old Navy-Mike?” cried the lobster man. “Strike is the word, and + no mistake. And small blame to her either. She hathn't got a sound thread + to draw, I do believe. Who is the fool now, Mike? Though vexed I be to ask + it.” + </p> + <p> + “Wait a bit, old lobster-pot. Ah, there now, she breezes! Whistle for a + wind, lads, whistle, whistle. Sure as I'm a sinner, yes! She's laying her + course to board the Frenchman on the weather quarter. With a slant of wind + she'll do it, too, if it only holds two minutes. Whistle on your nails, my + boys, for the glory of old England.” + </p> + <p> + In reply to their shrill appeal—for even the women tried to whistle—or + perhaps in compulsory sequence of the sun, the wind freshened briskly from + the sunny side of east. The tattered sails of the brave ship filled, with + the light falling through them upon one another, the head swung round at + the command of helm, the pennons flew gaily and the ensign flapped, and + she bore down smoothly on the outer and therefore unwounded side of the + enemy. + </p> + <p> + “That's what I call judgmatical,” old Mike shouted, with a voice that + rivalled cannon; “whoever thought of that deserves three epulets, one on + each shoulder and one upon his head. Doubt if old Keppel would have + thought of that, now. You see, mates, the other Crappo can't fire at her + without first hitting of her own consort. And better than that—ever + so much better—the tilt of the charge will throw her over on her + wounds. Master Muncher hath two great holes 'twixt wind and water on his + larboard side, and won't they suck the briny, with the weight of our bows + upon the starboard beam? 'Twill take fifty hands to stop leaks, instead of + stopping boarders.” + </p> + <p> + The smoke was drifting off, and the sun shone bravely. The battle had been + gliding toward the feet of the spectators; and now from the height of the + cliff they could descry the decks, the guns, the coils of rope, the + turmoil, and dark rush of men to their fate. Small fights, man to man, + demanded still the power of a telescope, and distance made the trenchant + arms of heroes, working right and left, appear like the nippers of an + earwig. The only thing certain was that men were being killed, and glory + was being manufactured largely. + </p> + <p> + “She've a doed it, she've a doed it rarely. There's not a d——d + froggy left to go to heaven; or if there be so he's a' battened down + below,” old Mike shouted, flourishing his spy-glass, which rattled in its + joints as much as he did; “down comes the blood, froth, and blue blazes, + as they call the Republican emrods, and up goes the Union-jack, my + hearties. Three cheers! three cheers! Again! again! again!” + </p> + <p> + From the sea far below, and far away, came also the volume of a noble + English shout, as the flag began to flutter in the quickening breeze, and + the sea arose and danced with sunshine. No one, who had got all his blood + left in him, could think of anything but glory. + </p> + <p> + “My certy, they had better mind their soundings, though!” said the old + navy-man, with a stitch in his side and a lump in his throat, from loud + utterance; “five fathoms is every inch of it where they be now, and the + tide making strong, and precious little wind to claw off with. Jem Prater! + Jem Prater! Oar up, and give signal. Ah, he's too far off to do any good. + In five minutes more they'll be on the White Pig, where no ship ever got + off again. Oh, thank the Lord, mates, thank the Lord, for his mercy + endureth forever! The other froggy is stuck hard and fast, and our lads + will just fetch out in time.” + </p> + <p> + Old Navy-Mike had made no mistake. The consort of the captured frigate, a + corvette of twenty-four guns, had boldly stood on with the intention of + rounding to the wind, crossing the bows of the other twain, and retrieving + the fortunes of the day perhaps, by a broadside into the shattered upper + works of the terribly hampered British ship. The idea was clever and + spirited, and had a very fair chance of success; but the land below the + sea forefended it. Full of fine ardour and the noble thirst for fame, + speeding on for the palm of high enterprise and the glory of the native + land, alas, they stuck fast in a soft bit of English sand! It was in their + power now to swear by all they disbelieved in, and in everything visible + and too tangible; but their power was limited strictly to that; and the + faster they swore, the faster they were bound to stick. + </p> + <p> + Springhaven dined well, with its enemy so placed, and a message from the + Leda by Jem Prater, that the fishing fleet was rescued, and would be home + to early supper, and so much to be talked about all dinner-time, that for + once in his life nearly everybody found it more expedient to eat with his + fork than his knife. Then all who could be spared from washing up, and + getting ready for further cookery, went duly to church in the afternoon, + to hear the good rector return humble thanks for a Gracious Mercy to the + British arms, and to see a young man, who had landed with despatches, put + a face full of gunpowder in at window, to learn whether Admiral Darling + was there. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0022" id="link2HCH0022"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XXII + </h2> + <h3> + A SPECIAL URGENCY + </h3> + <p> + Admiral Darling was not in church. His duty to his country kept him up the + hill, and in close consultation with Captain Stubbard, who was burning to + fire his battery. + </p> + <p> + “I never knew such bad luck in all my life. The devil has been appointed + First Lord of the weather ever since I came to Springhaven.” As Stubbard + declared these great truths he strode about in his little fortress, + delivering a kick at the heels of things which had no right to be + lumbering there. “To think that I should never have seen those beggars, + when but for the fog I could have smashed them right and left. Admiral, + these things make a Christian an infidel.” + </p> + <p> + “Nonsense, sir!” said the Admiral, sternly, for a man of his kind nature; + “you forget that without the fog, or rather the mist—for it was only + that—those fellows would never have come within range. We have very + great blessings to be thankful for, though the credit falls not to our + battery. The Frenchmen fought wonderfully well, as well as the best + Englishman could have done, and to capture them both is a miracle of luck, + if indeed we can manage to secure them. My friend, young Honyman, of the + Leda, has proved himself just what I said he would be; and has performed a + very gallant exploit, though I fear he is severely wounded. But we shall + know more now, for I see a young fellow jumping up the hill, like a + kangaroo, and probably he comes for orders. One thing we have learned, + Stubbard, and must take the hint to-morrow—put a hut on the Haven + head, and keep a watchman there. Why, bless my heart, it is Blyth + Scudamore that's coming! There is nobody else that can skip like that.” + </p> + <p> + The young lieutenant entered between two guns—the gunners were + dismissed in great disgust to dinner—with his pleasant face still a + little grimed with gunpowder, and flushed by his hurry up the steep + hill-side. + </p> + <p> + “This for you, sir,” he said, saluting the Admiral, presenting his letter, + and then drawing back; “and I am to wait your convenience for reply.” + </p> + <p> + “What next will the service come to,” asked the Admiral of Captain + Stubbard, “when a young man just commissioned gives himself such mighty + airs? Shake hands, Blyth, and promise you will come and dine with us, + unless you are ordered to return on board at once. How is your good + captain? I knew him when he wore Nankins. Jem Prater brought word that he + was wounded. I hope it is not serious.” + </p> + <p> + “No, sir; not much to speak of. He has only lost three fingers. That was + why I wrote this letter—or report, I ought to call it, if anybody + else had written it. Oh, sir! I cannot bear to think of it! I was fifth + luff when the fight began, and now there is only one left above me, and he + is in command of our biggest prize, the Ville d'Anvers. But, Admiral, here + you will find it all, as I wrote it, from the lips, when they tied up the + fingers, of Captain Honyman.” + </p> + <p> + “How could you tie them up when they were gone?” Captain Stubbard + enquired, with a sneer at such a youth. He had got on very slowly in his + early days, and could not bear to see a young man with such vacancies + before him. “Why, you are the luckiest lad I ever saw! Sure to go up at + least three steps. How well you must have kept out of it! And how happy + you must feel, Lieutenant Scudamore!” + </p> + <p> + “I am not at all happy at losing dear friends,” the young man answered, + gently, as he turned away and patted the breech of a gun, upon which there + was a little rust next day; “that feeling comes later in life, I suppose.” + </p> + <p> + The Admiral was not attending to them now, but absorbed in the brief + account of the conflict, begun by Captain Honyman in his own handwriting, + and finished by his voice, but not his pen. Any one desirous to read this + may do so in the proper place. For the present purpose it is enough to say + that the modesty of the language was scarcely surpassed by the brilliancy + of the exploit. And if anything were needed to commend the writer to the + deepest good will of the reader, it was found in the fact that this + enterprise sprang from warm zeal for the commerce of Springhaven. The Leda + had been ordered on Friday last to protect the peaceful little fishing + fleet from a crafty design for their capture, and this she had done with + good effect, having justice on her side, and fortune. The particulars of + the combat were not so clear, after the captain's three fingers were gone; + but if one made proper allowance for that, there was not very much to + complain of. The Admiral considered it a very good report; and then put on + his spectacles, and thought it still better. + </p> + <p> + “Why! why! why!” he said—for without affectation many officers had + caught the style of His then Gracious Majesty—“What's this? what's + this? Something on the other side, in a different man's handwriting, and + mighty difficult to read, in my opinion. Stubbard, did you ever see such a + scrawl? Make it out for me. You have good eyes, like a hawk, or the man + who saw through a milestone. Scudamore, what was his name? You know.” + </p> + <p> + “Three fingers at five pounds apiece per annum as long as he lives!” + Captain Stubbard computed on his own: “fifteen pounds a year perhaps for + forty years, as you seem to say how young he is; that comes to just 600 + pounds, and his hand as good as ever”—(“I'll be hanged if it is, if + he wrote this!” the Admiral interjected)—“and better, I must say, + from a selfish point of view, because of only two nails left to clean, and + his other hand increased in value; why, the scale is disgraceful, + iniquitous, boobyish, and made without any knowledge of the human frame, + and the comparative value of its members. Lieutenant Scudamore, look at + me. Here you see me without an ear, damaged in the fore-hatch, and with + the larboard bow stove in—and how much do I get, though so much + older?” + </p> + <p> + “Well, if you won't help me, Stubbard,” said the Admiral, who knew how + long his friend would carry on upon that tack, “I must even get Scudamore + to read it, though it seems to have been written on purpose to elude him. + Blyth, my dear boy, can you explain it?” + </p> + <p> + “It was—it was only something, sir”—the lieutenant blushed, + and hesitated, and looked away unmanfully—“which I asked Captain + Honyman to leave out, because—because it had nothing to do with it. + I mean, because it was of no importance, even if he happened to have that + opinion. His hand was tied up so, that I did not like to say too much, and + I thought that he would go to sleep, because the doctor had made him drink + a poppy head boiled down with pigtail. But it seems as if he had got up + after that—for he always will have his own way—while I was + gone to put this coat on; and perhaps he wrote that with his left hand, + sir. But it is no part of the business.” + </p> + <p> + “Then we will leave it,” said Admiral Darling, “for younger eyes than mine + to read. Nelson wrote better with his left hand than ever he did with his + right, to my thinking, the very first time that he tried it. But we can't + expect everybody to do that. There is no sign of any change of weather, is + there, Stubbard? My orders will depend very much upon that. I must go home + and look at the quicksilver before I know what is best to do. You had + better come with me, Scudamore.” + </p> + <p> + Admiral Darling was quite right in this. Everything depended upon the + weather; and although the rough autumn was not come yet, the prime of the + hopeful year was past. The summer had not been a grand one, such as we get + about once in a decade, but of loose and uncertain character, such as an + Englishman has to make the best of. It might be taking up for a golden + autumn, ripening corn, and fruit, and tree, or it might break up into + shower and tempest, sodden earth, and weltering sky. + </p> + <p> + “Your captain refers to me for orders,” said Admiral Darling to Scudamore, + while they were hastening to the Hall, “as Commander of the Coast Defence, + because he has been brought too far inshore, and one of the Frenchmen is + stranded. The frigate you boarded and carried is the Ville d'Anvers, of + forty guns. The corvette that took the ground, so luckily for you, when + half of your hands were aboard the prize, is the Blonde, teak-built, and + only launched last year. We must try to have her, whatever happens. She + won't hurt where she is, unless it comes on to blow. Our sands hold fast + without nipping, as you know, like a well-bred sheep-dog, and the White + Pig is the toughest of all of them. She may stay there till the equinox, + without much mischief, if the present light airs continue. But the worst + job will be with the prisoners; they are the plague of all these affairs, + and we can't imitate Boney by poisoning them. On the whole, it had better + not have happened, perhaps. Though you must not tell Honyman that I said + so. It was a very gallant action, very skilful, very beautiful; and I hope + he will get a fine lift for it; and you too, my dear Blyth, for you must + have fought well.” + </p> + <p> + “But, Admiral, surely you would have been grieved if so many of your + tenants, and their boats as well, had been swept away into a French + harbour. What would Springhaven be without its Captain Zebedee?” + </p> + <p> + “You are right, Blyth; I forgot that for the moment. There would have been + weeping and wailing indeed, even in our own household. But they could not + have kept them long, though the loss of their boats would have been most + terrible. But I cannot make out why the French should have wanted to catch + a few harmless fishing-smacks. Aquila non captat muscas, as you taught the + boys at Stonnington. And two ships despatched upon a paltry job of that + sort! Either Captain Honyman was strangely misinformed, or there is + something in the background, entirely beyond our knowledge. Pay attention + to this matter, and let me know what you hear of it—as a friend, + Blyth, as a friend, I mean. But here we are! You must want feeding. Mrs. + Cloam will take care of you, and find all that is needful for a warrior's + cleanup. I must look at the barometer, and consider my despatches. Let us + have dinner, Mrs. Cloam, in twenty minutes, if possible. For we stand in + real need of it.” + </p> + <p> + Concerning that there could be no doubt. Glory, as all English officers + know, is no durable stay for the stomach. The urgency of mankind for + victuals may roughly be gauged by the length of the jaw. Captain Stubbard + had jaws of tremendous length, and always carried a bag of captain's + biscuits, to which he was obliged to have recourse in the height of the + hottest engagement. Scudamore had short jaws, well set up, and powerful, + without rapacity. But even these, after twelve hours of fasting, demanded + something better than gunpowder. He could not help thinking that his host + was regarding the condition of affairs very calmly, until he remembered + that the day was Sunday, when no Briton has any call to be disturbed by + any but sacred insistency. At any rate, he was under orders now, and those + orders were entirely to his liking. So he freshened up his cheerful and + simple-minded face, put his sailor-knot neckcloth askew, as usual, and + with some trepidation went down to dinner. + </p> + <p> + The young ladies would not have been young women if they had not received + him warmly. Kind Faith, who loved him as a sister might—for she had + long discovered his good qualities—had tears in her beautiful eyes, + as she gave him both hands, and smiled sweetly at his bashfulness. And + even the critical Dolly, who looked so sharply at the outside of + everything, allowed her fair hand to stay well in his, and said something + which was melody to him. Then Johnny, who was of a warlike cast, and hoped + soon to destroy the French nation, shook hands with this public benefactor + already employed in that great work. + </p> + <p> + “I shall scarcely have time for a bit of dinner,” said Admiral Darling, as + they sat down. “I have sent word to have the Protector launched, and to + give little Billy a feed of corn. All you young people may take your + leisure. Youth is the time that commands time and space. But for my part, + if I can only manage this plate of soup, and a slice of that fish, and + then one help of mutton, and just an apple-fritter, or some trifle of that + sort, I shall be quite as lucky as I can hope to be. Duty perpetually + spoils my dinner, and I must get some clever fellow to invent a plate that + will keep as hot as duty is in these volcanic times. But I never complain; + I am so used to it. Eat your dinners, children, and don't think of mine.” + </p> + <p> + Having scarcely afforded himself an hour, the Admiral, in full uniform, + embarked upon little Billy, a gentle-minded pony from the west country, + who conducted his own digestion while he consulted that of his rider. At + the haven they found the Protector ready, a ten-oared galley manned by + Captain Stubbard's men, good samples of Sea-Fencibles. And the Captain + himself was there, to take the tiller, and do any fighting if the chance + should arise, for he had been disappointed all the morning. The boat which + brought Scudamore had been recalled by signal from the Leda, and that + active young officer having sought her vainly, and thereby missed the + Protector, followed steadily in Mr. Prater's boat, with the nephew, Jem, + pulling the other oar, and Johnny Darling, who raged at the thought of + being left behind, steering vaguely. And just as they rounded the + harbour-head, the long glassy sweep of the palpitating sea bore inward and + homeward the peaceful squadron, so wistfully watched for and so dearly + welcome. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0023" id="link2HCH0023"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XXIII + </h2> + <h3> + YOH-HEAVE-OH! + </h3> + <p> + “Her condition was very bad, as bad as could be, without going straight to + the bottom,” the Admiral said to the Rector that night, as they smoked a + pipe together; “and to the bottom she must have gone, if the sea had got + up, before we thrummed her. Honyman wanted to have her brought inside the + Head; but even if we could have got there, she would ground at low water + and fill with the tide. And what could we do with all those prisoners? + With our fresh hands at the pumps, we very soon fetched the water out of + her, and made her as tight as we could; and I think they will manage to + take her to Portsmouth. She has beautiful lines. I never saw a smarter + ship. How she came to the wind, with all that water in her! The wind is + all right for Portsmouth, and she will be a fine addition to the Navy.” + </p> + <p> + “But what is become of the other vessel, craft, corvette, or whatever you + call her? You say that she is scarcely hurt at all. And if she gets off + the White Pig's back in the night, she may come up and bombard us. Not + that I am afraid; but my wife is nervous, and the Rectory faces the sea so + much. If you have ordered away the Leda, which seems to have conquered + both of them, the least you can do is to keep Captain Stubbard under arms + all night in his battery.” + </p> + <p> + “I have a great mind to do so; it would be a good idea, for he was very + much inclined to cut up rough to-day. But he never would forgive me, he is + such a hog at hammock—as we used to say, until we grew too elegant. + And he knows that the Blonde has hauled down her colours, and Scudamore is + now prize-captain. I have sent away most of her crew in the Leda, and I am + not at all sure that we ought not to blow her up. In the end, we shall + have to do so, no doubt; for nothing larger than a smack has ever got off + that sand, and floated. But let our young friend try; let him have a fair + trial. He has the stuff of a very fine seaman in him. And if he should + succeed, it would be scored with a long leg for him. Halloa! Why, I + thought the girls were fast asleep long ago!” + </p> + <p> + “As if we could sleep, papa, with this upon our minds!” Dolly waved an + open letter in the air, and then presented it. “Perhaps Faith might, but I + am sure I never could. You defied us to make out this, which is on the + other leaf; and then, without giving us fair play, you took it to the desk + in your Oak-room, and there you left it. Well, I took the liberty of going + there for it, for there can't be any secret about a thing that will be + printed; and how are they to print it, if they can't contrive to read it? + How much will you pay me for interpreting, papa? Mr. Twemlow, I think I + ought to have a guinea. Can you read it, now, with all your learning, and + knowledge of dead languages?” + </p> + <p> + “My dear, it is not my duty to read it, and not at all my business. It + seems to be written with the end of a stick, by a boy who was learning his + letters. If you can interpret it, you must be almost a Daniel.” + </p> + <p> + “Do you hear that, papa, you who think I am so stupid? Faith gave it up; + she has no perseverance, or perhaps no curiosity. And I was very nearly + beaten too, till a very fine idea came into my head, and I have made out + every word except three, and perhaps even those three, if Captain Honyman + is not very particular in his spelling. Can you tell me anything about + that, papa?” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, Dolly, just what you have heard from me before. Honyman is a good + officer; a very good one, as he has just proved. No good officer ever + spells well, whether in the army or the navy. Look at Nelson's letters. I + am inclined to ascribe my own slow promotion to the unnatural accuracy of + my spelling, which offended my lords, because it puzzled them.” + </p> + <p> + “Then all is straight sailing, as you say, papa. But I must tell you first + how I found it out, or perhaps you won't believe me. I knew that Captain + Honyman wrote this postscript, or whatever it is, with his left hand, so I + took a pen in my own left hand, and practised all the letters, and the way + they join, which is quite different from the other hand. And here is the + copy of the words, as my left hand taught my right to put them down, after + inking ever so many fingers: + </p> + <p> + “'We never could have done it without Scudamore. He jumped a most + wonderful jump from our jib-boom into her mizzen chains, when our grapples + had slipped, and we could get no nearer, and there he made fast, though + the enemy came at him with cutlasses, pikes, and muskets. By this means we + borded and carried the ship, with a loss as above reported. When I grew + faint from a trifling wound, Luff Scudamore led the borders with a cool + courage that discomfited the fo.'” + </p> + <p> + “Robert Honyman all over!” cried the Admiral, with delight. “I could swear + that he wrote it, if it was written with his toes. 'Twas an old joke + against him, when he was lieutenant, that he never could spell his own + title; and he never would put an e after an o in any word. He is far too + straightforward a man to spell well; and now the loss of three fingers + will cut his words shorter than ever, and be a fine excuse for him. He was + faint again, when I boarded the Leda, partly no doubt through strong + medical measures; for the doctor, who is an ornament to his profession, + had cauterised his stumps with a marlinspike, for fear of inflammation. + And I heard that he had singed the other finger off. But I hope that may + prove incorrect. At any rate, I could not bear to disturb him, but left + written orders with Scudamore; for the senior was on board the prize. + Dolly, be off to bed, this moment.” + </p> + <p> + “Well, now,” said the Rector, drawing near, and filling another + deliberative pipe, “I have no right to ask what your orders were, and + perhaps you have no right to tell me. But as to the ship that remains in + my parish, or at any rate on its borders, if you can tell me anything, I + shall be very grateful, both as a question of parochial duty, and also + because of the many questions I am sure to have to answer from my wife and + daughter.” + </p> + <p> + “There is no cause for secrecy; I will tell you everything:” the Admiral + hated mystery. “Why, the London papers will publish the whole of it, and a + great deal more than that, in three days' time. I have sent off the Leda + with her prize to Portsmouth. With this easterly breeze and smooth water, + they will get there, crippled as they are, in some twenty-four hours. + There the wounded will be cared for, and the prisoners drafted off. The + Blonde, the corvette which is aground, surrendered, as you know, when she + found herself helpless, and within range of our new battery. Stubbard's + men longed to have a few shots at her; but of course we stopped any such + outrage. Nearly all her officers and most of her crew are on board the + Leda, having given their parole to attempt no rising; and Frenchmen are + always honourable, unless they have some very wicked leader. But we left + in the corvette her captain, an exceedingly fine fellow, and about a score + of hands who volunteered to stay to help to work the ship, upon condition + that if we can float her, they shall have their freedom. And we put a + prize crew from the Leda on board her, only eight-and-twenty hands, which + was all that could be spared, and in command of them our friend Blyth + Scudamore. I sent him to ask Robert Honyman about it, when he managed to + survive the doctor, for a captain is the master of his own luffs; and he + answered that it was exactly what he wished. Our gallant frigate lost + three lieutenants in this very spirited action, two killed and one heavily + wounded. And the first is in charge of the Ville d'Anvers, so there was + nobody for this enterprise except the gentle Scuddy, as they call him. He + is very young for such a business, and we must do all we can to help him.” + </p> + <p> + “I have confidence in that young man,” said Mr. Twemlow, as if it were a + question of theology; “he has very sound views, and his principles are + high; and he would have taken holy orders, I believe, if his father's + assets had permitted it. He perceives all the rapidly growing dangers with + which the Church is surrounded, and when I was in doubt about a line of + Horace, he showed the finest diffidence, and yet proved that I was right. + The 'White Pig,' as the name of a submarine bank, is most clearly of + classic origin. We find it in Homer, and in Virgil too; and probably the + Romans, who undoubtedly had a naval station in Springhaven, and + exterminated the oyster, as they always did—” + </p> + <p> + “Come, come, Twemlow,” said the Admiral, with a smile which smoothed the + breach of interruption, “you carry me out of my depth so far that I long + to be stranded on my pillow. When your great book comes out, we shall have + in perfect form all the pile of your discoveries, which you break up into + little bits too liberally. The Blonde on the Pig is like Beauty and the + Beast. If gentle Scuddy rescues her, it won't be by Homer, or Horace, or + even holy orders, but by hard tugs and stout seamanship.” + </p> + <p> + “With the blessing of the Lord, it shall be done,” said the Rector, + knocking his pipe out; “and I trust that Providence may see fit to have it + done very speedily; for I dread the effect which so many gallant + strangers, all working hard and apparently in peril, may produce upon the + females of this parish.” + </p> + <p> + But the Admiral laughed, and said, “Pooh, pooh!” for he had faith in the + maids of Springhaven. + </p> + <p> + For these there was a fine time now in store—young men up and down + everywhere, people running in and out with some new news, before they + could get their hats on, the kettle to boil half a dozen times a day, and + almost as much to see as they could talk of. At every high-water that came + by daylight—and sometimes there were two of them—every maid in + the parish was bound to run to the top of a sand-hill high enough to see + over the neck of the Head, and there to be up among the rushes all + together, and repulse disdainfully the society of lads. These took the + matter in a very different light, and thought it quite a pity and a piece + of fickle-mindedness, that they might go the round of crab-pots, or of + inshore lug-lines, without anybody to watch them off, or come down with a + basket to meet them. + </p> + <p> + For be it understood that the great fishing fleet had not launched forth + upon its labours. Their narrow escape from the two French cruisers would + last them a long time to think over, and to say the same thing to each + other about it that each other had said to them every time they met. And + they knew that they could not do this so well as to make a new credit of + it every time, when once they were in the same craft together, and could + not go asunder more than ten yards and a half. And better, far better, + than all these reasons for staying at home and enjoying themselves, was + the great fact that they could make more money by leisure than by labour, + in this nobly golden time. + </p> + <p> + Luck fostered skill in this great affair, which deserves to be recorded + for the good of any village gifted with like opportunity. It appears that + the British Admiralty had long been eager for the capture of the Blonde, + because of her speed and strength and beauty, and the mischief she had + done to English trade. To destroy her would be a great comfort, but to + employ her aright would be glorious; and her proper employment was to + serve as a model for English frigates first, and then to fight against her + native land. Therefore, no sooner did their lordships hear what had + happened at Springhaven than they sent down a rider express, to say that + the ship must be saved at any price. And as nothing could be spared from + the blockading force, or the fleet in the Downs, or the cruising squadron, + the Commander of the coast-defence was instructed to enrol, impress, or + adapt somehow all the men and the matter available. Something was said + about free use of money in the service of His Majesty, but not a penny was + sent to begin upon. But Admiral Darling carried out his orders, as if he + had received them framed in gold. “They are pretty sure to pay me in the + end,” he said; “and if they don't, it won't break me. I would give 500 + pounds on my own account, to carry that corvette to Spithead. And it would + be the making of Scudamore, who reminds me of his father more and more, + every time I come across him.” + </p> + <p> + The fleet under Captain Tugwell had quite lately fallen off from seven to + five, through the fierce patriotism of some younger members, and their + sanguine belief in bounty-money. Captain Zeb had presented them with his + experience in a long harangue—nearly fifty words long—and they + looked as if they were convinced by it. However, in the morning they were + gone, having mostly had tiffs with their sweethearts—which are + fervent incentives to patriotism—and they chartered themselves, and + their boats were numbered for the service of their Country. They had done + their work well, because they had none to do, except to draw small wages, + and they found themselves qualified now for more money, and came home at + the earliest chance of it. + </p> + <p> + Two guineas a day for each smack and four hands, were the terms offered by + the Admiral, whose hard-working conscience was twitched into herring-bones + by the strife between native land and native spot. “I have had many + tussles with uncertainty before,” he told Dolly, going down one evening, + “but never such vexation of the mind as now. All our people expect to get + more for a day, than a month of fine fishing would bring them; while the + Government goes by the worst time they make, and expects them to throw in + their boats for nothing. 'The same as our breeches,' Tugwell said to me; + 'whenever we works, we throws in they, and we ought to do the very same + with our boats.' This makes it very hard for me.” + </p> + <p> + But by doing his best, he got over the hardship, as people generally do. + He settled the daily wages as above, with a bonus of double that amount + for the day that saw the Blonde upon her legs again. Indignation + prevailed, or pretended to do so; but common-sense conquered, and all set + to work. Hawsers, and chains, and buoys, and all other needful gear and + tackle were provided by the Admiralty from the store-house built not long + ago for the Fencibles. And Zebedee Tugwell, by right of position, and + without a word said for it—because who could say a word against it?—became + the commander of the Rescue fleet, and drew double pay naturally for + himself and family. + </p> + <p> + “I does it,” he said, “if you ask me why I does it, without any intention + of bettering myself, for the Lord hath placed me above need of that; but + mainly for the sake of discipline, and the respectability of things. + Suppose I was under you, sir, and knew you was getting no more than I was, + why, my stomach would fly every time that you gave me an order without a + 'Please, Zebedee!' But as soon as I feels that you pocket a shilling, in + the time I take pocketing twopence, the value of your brain ariseth plain + before me; and instead of thinking what you says, I does it.” + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0024" id="link2HCH0024"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XXIV + </h2> + <h3> + ACCORDING TO CONTRACT + </h3> + <p> + When the Blonde had been on the White Pig for a week, in spite of all the + science of Scudamore, ready money of the Admiral, and efforts of the + natives, there began to be signs of a change in the weather. The sea was + as smooth, and the sky as bright, and the land as brown as ever; but the + feel of the air was not the same, and the sounds that came through it were + different. “Rain afore Friday,” said Captain Zeb, “and a blow from sowwest + afore Sunday. 'Twill break up the Blunder, I reckon, my lads.” + </p> + <p> + With various aspects they looked at him, all holding sweet converse at the + Darling Arms, after the manifold struggles of the day. The eyes of the + younger men were filled with disappointment and anger, as at a sure seer + of evil; the elder, to whom cash was more important, gazed with anxiety + and dismay; while a pair, old enough to be sires of Zebedee, nodded + approval, and looked at one another, expecting to receive, but too + discreet to give, a wink. Then a lively discourse arose and throve among + the younger; and the elders let them hold it, while they talked of + something else. + </p> + <p> + On the following morning two dialogues were held upon different parts of + Springhaven shore, but each of great import to the beautiful captive still + fast aground in the offing. The first was between Captain Zebedee Tugwell + and Lieutenant Scudamore. The gentle Scuddy, still hoping against hope, + had stuck fast to his charge, upon whose fortunes so much of his own + depended. If he could only succeed in floating and carrying her into + Portsmouth, his mark would be made, his position secured far quicker than + by ten gallant actions; and that which he cared for a hundredfold, the + comfort of his widowed mother, would be advanced and established. For, + upon the valuation of the prizes, a considerable sum would fall to him, + and every farthing of it would be sent to her. Bright with youthful hope, + and trustful in the rising spring of tide, which had all but released them + yesterday, according to his firm belief, he ran from the Hall through the + Admiral's grounds, to meet the boat which was waiting for him, while he + was having breakfast and council with his chief. Between the Round-house + and the old white gate he heard a low whistle from a clump of shrubs, and + turning that way, met Tugwell. With that prince of fishermen he shook + hands, according to the manner of Springhaven, for he had learned to + admire the brave habit of the man, his strong mind, and frank taciturnity. + And Tugwell on his part had taken a liking to the simple and cheerful + young officer, who received his suggestions, was kind to all hands, and so + manfully bore the daily disappointment. + </p> + <p> + “Nobody in there?” asked Zeb, with one finger pointing to the Round-house; + “then sit down on this bit of bank, sir, a minute. Less chance to be shot + at by any French ship.” + </p> + <p> + The bit of bank really was a bit of hollow, where no one could see them + from the beach, or lane, or even from the Round-house. Scudamore, who + understood his man, obeyed; and Tugwell came to his bearings on a clump of + fern before him. + </p> + <p> + “How much will Government pay the chaps as fetches her out of that snug + little berth? For division to self and partners, how much? For division to + self and family, how much?” + </p> + <p> + “I have thought about that,” the lieutenant answered, with little surprise + at the question, but much at the secrecy thrown around it; “and I think it + would be very unsafe to count upon getting a penny beyond the Admiral's + terms—double pay for the day that we float her.” + </p> + <p> + Captain Zebedee shook his head, and the golden sheaf of his Olympian beard + ruffled and crisped, as to an adverse wind. + </p> + <p> + “Can't a'most believe it,” he replied, with his bright eyes steadily + settled on Scudamore's; “the English country, as I belongs to, can't quite + 'a coom to that yet!” + </p> + <p> + “I fear that it has indeed,” Blyth answered, very gravely; “at least I am + sure of this, Master Tugwell, that you must not look forward to any + bounty, bonus, or premium, or whatever it is called, from the Authorities + who should provide it. But for myself, and the difference it will make to + me whether we succeed or fail, I shall be happy, and will give my word, to + send you 50 pounds, to be divided at your discretion among the smacks. I + mean, of course, as soon as I get paid.” + </p> + <p> + Scudamore was frightened by the size of his own promise; for he had never + yet owned 50 pounds in the solid. And then he was scared at the wholesale + loss of so large a sum to his mother. + </p> + <p> + “Never fear, lad,” honest Tugwell replied, for the young man's face was + fair to read; “we'll not take a farden of thy hard airnings, not a brass + farden, so help me Bob! Gentlefolks has so much call for money, as none of + us know nothing of. And thou hast helped to save all the lot of us from + Frenchies, and been the most forwardest, as I hear tell. But if us could + 'a got 50 pounds out of Government, why so much more for us, and none the + less for they. But a Englishman must do his duty, in reason, and when 'a + don't hurt his self by the same. There's a change in the weather, as + forbids more sport. You shall have the Blunder off to-morrow, lad. + Wouldn't do to be too sudden like.” + </p> + <p> + “I fear I am very stupid, Master Tugwell. But I don't see how you can + manage it so surely, after labouring nine days all in vain.” + </p> + <p> + Zebedee hesitated half a moment, betwixt discretion and the pride of + knowledge. Then the latter vanquished and relieved his mind. + </p> + <p> + “I trust in your honour, sir, of course, to keep me clear. I might have + brought 'e off the Pig, first day, or second to the latest, if it were + sound business. But with winter time coming, and the week's fishing lost, + our duty to our families and this place was to pull 'e on harder, sir, to + pull 'e aground firmer; and with the help of the Lord we have a-doed it + well. We wasn't a-going to kill the goose as laid the golden eggs. No + offence to you, sir; it wasn't you as was the goose.” + </p> + <p> + Master Tugwell rubbed his pockets with a very pleasant smile, and then put + his elbows on his great square knees, and complacently studied the + lieutenant's smaller mind. + </p> + <p> + “I can understand how you could do such a thing,” said Scudamore, after he + had rubbed his eyes, and then looked away for fear of laughing, “but I + cannot understand by what power on earth you are enabled to look at me and + tell me this. For nine days you have been paid every night, and paid + pretty well, as you yourself acknowledge, to haul a ship off a shoal; and + all the time you have been hauling her harder upon it!” + </p> + <p> + “Young man,” replied Tugwell, with just indignation, “a hofficer should be + above such words. But I forgive 'e, and hope the Lord will do the same, + with allowance for youth and ill-convenience. I might 'a knowed no better, + at your age and training.” + </p> + <p> + “But what were you paid for, just answer me that, unless it was to pull + the Blonde off the sand-bank? And how can you pretend that you have done + an honest thing by pulling her further upon the bank?” + </p> + <p> + “I won't ask 'e, sir, to beg my pardon for saying what never man said to + me, without reading the words of the contraction;” Zeb pulled out a paper + from his hat, and spread it, and laid a stone at every corner; “this + contraction was signed by yourself and Squire Darling, for and on behalf + of the kingdom; and the words are for us to give our services, to pull, + haul, tow, warp, or otherwise as directed, release, relieve, set free, and + rescue the aforesaid ship, or bark, or vessel, craft, or—” + </p> + <p> + “Please not to read all that,” cried Scuddy, “or a gale of wind may come + before you are half-way through. It was Admiral Darling's lawyer, Mr. + Furkettle, who prepared it, to prevent any chance of misunderstanding.” + </p> + <p> + “Provided always,” continued Tugwell, slowly, “and the meaning, condition, + purport, object, sense, and intention of this agreement is, that the + aforesaid Zebedee Tugwell shall submit in everything to the orders, + commands, instructions, counsel, directions, injunctions, authority, or + discretion, whether in writing or otherwise, of the aforesaid—” + </p> + <p> + “I would not interrupt you if I could help it”—Scudamore had a large + stock of patience (enhanced by laborious practice at Stonnington), but who + might abide, when time was precious, to see Zebedee feeling his way with + his fingers along the bottom and to the end of every word, and then + stopping to congratulate himself at the conquest of every one over two + syllables? “But excuse me for saying that I know all these conditions; and + the tide will be lost, if we stop here.” + </p> + <p> + “Very good, sir; then you see how it standeth. Who hath broken them? Not + us! We was paid for to haul; and haul we did, according to superior + orders. She grounded from the south, with the tide making upp'ard, + somewhere about three-quarter flow; and the Squire, and you, and all the + rest of 'e, without no knowledge of the Pig whatsomever, fastens all your + pulley-haulies by the starn, and says, 'now pull!' And pull we did, to the + tune of sixteen guineas a day for the good of Springhaven.” + </p> + <p> + “And you knew all the time that it was wrong! Well, I never came across + such people. But surely some one of you would have had the honesty—I + beg pardon, I mean the good-will—to tell us. I can scarcely imagine + some forty men and boys preserving such a secret for nine whole days, + hauling for their lives in the wrong direction, and never even by a wink + or smile—” + </p> + <p> + “Springhaven is like that,” said Master Tugwell, proudly; “we does a thing + one and all together, even if us reasons consarning it. And over and above + that, sir, there is but two men in Springhaven as understands the White + Pig, barring my own self. The young 'uns might 'a smelt a rat, but they + knew better than to say so. Where the Blunder grounded—and she hath + airned her name, for the good of the dwellers in this village—is the + chine of the Pig; and he hath a double back, with the outer side higher + than the inner one. She came through a narrow nick in his outer back, and + then plumped, stem on, upon the inner one. You may haul at her forever by + the starn, and there she'll 'bide, or lay up again on the other back. But + bring her weight forrard, and tackle her by the head, and off she comes, + the very next fair tide; for she hath berthed herself over the biggest of + it, and there bain't but a basketful under her forefoot.” + </p> + <p> + “Then, Master Tugwell, let us lose no time, but have at her at once, and + be done with it.” Scudamore jumped up, to give action to his words; but + Tugwell sate aground still, as firmly as the Blonde. + </p> + <p> + “Begging of your pardon, sir, I would invite of you not to be in no sart + of hurry hasting forwardly. Us must come off gradual, after holding on so + long there, and better to have Squire Darling round the corner first, sir. + Not that he knoweth much about it, but 'a might make believe to do so. And + when 'a hath seen us pull wrong ways, a hundred and twenty guineas' worth, + a' might grudge us the reward for pulling right ways. I've a-knowed 'un + get into that state of mind, although it was his own tenants.” + </p> + <p> + The lieutenant was at length compelled to laugh, though for many reasons + loth to do so. But the quiet contempt for the Admiral's skill, and the + brief hint about his character, touched his sense of the ludicrous more + softly than the explanation of his own mishaps. Then the Captain of + Springhaven smiled almost imperceptibly; for he was a serious man, and his + smiles were accustomed to be interior. + </p> + <p> + “I did hear tell,” he said, stroking his beard, for fear of having + discomposed it, “that the Squire were under compulsion to go a bit + westward again to-morrow. And when he cometh back he would be glad to find + us had managed the job without him. No fear of the weather breaking up + afore Friday, and her can't take no harm for a tide or two. If you thinks + well, sir, let us heave at her to-day, as afore, by superior orders. Then + it come into your mind to try t'other end a bit, and you shift all the + guns and heavy lumber forrard to give weight to the bows and lift the + starn, and off her will glide at the first tug to-morrow, so sure as my + name is Zebedee. But mind one thing, sir, that you keep her, when you've + got her. She hath too many furriner natives aboard of her, to be any way + to my liking.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, there need be no doubt about them,” replied Blyth; “we treat them + like ourselves, and they are all upon their honour, which no Frenchman + ever thinks of breaking. But my men will be tired of waiting for me. I + shall leave you to your plans, Tugwell.” + </p> + <p> + “Ah, I know the natur' of they young men,” Captain Zebedee mused, as he + sate in his hollow, till Scudamore's boat was far away; “they be full of + scruples for themselves and faith in other fellows. He'll never tell + Squire, nor no one else here, what I laid him under, and the laugh would + go again' him, if he did. We shall get to-day's money, I reckon, as well + as double pay to-morrow, and airn it. Well, it might 'a been better, and + it might be wuss.” + </p> + <p> + About two miles westward of the brook, some rocks marked the end of the + fine Springhaven sands and the beginning of a far more rugged beach, the + shingles and flint shelves of Pebbleridge. Here the chalk of the Sussex + backbone (which has been plumped over and sleeked by the flesh of the + valley) juts forth, like the scrags of a skeleton, and crumbles in low but + rugged cliffs into the flat domain of sea. Here the landing is bad, and + the anchorage worse, for a slippery shale rejects the fluke, and the water + is usually kept in a fidget between the orders of the west wind and scurry + of the tide. + </p> + <p> + This very quiet morning, with the wind off shore, and scarcely enough of + it to comb the sea, four smart-looking Frenchmen, with red caps on their + heads, were barely holding way upon the light gig of the Blonde, while + their Captain was keeping an appointment with a stranger, not far from the + weed-strewn line of waves. In a deep rocky channel where a land-spring + rose (which was still-born except at low water), and laver and dilsk and + claw-coral showed that the sea had more dominion there than the sky, two + men stood facing each other; and their words, though belonging to the most + polite of tongues, were not so courteous as might be. Each man stood with + his back to a rock—not touching it, however, because it was too wet—one + was as cold and as firm as the rock, the other like the sea, tumultuous. + The passionate man was Captain Desportes, and the cold one Caryl Carne. + </p> + <p> + “Then you wish me to conclude, monsieur,” Carne spoke as one offering + repentance, “that you will not do your duty to your country, in the + subject set before you? I pray you to deliberate, because your position + hangs upon it.” + </p> + <p> + “Never! Never! Once more, Captain, with all thanks for your consideration, + I refuse. My duty to my own honour has first place. After that my duty to + my country. Speak of it no more, sir; it quite is to insult me.” + </p> + <p> + “No, Captain Desportes, it is nothing of that kind, or I should not be + here to propose it. Your parole is given only as long as your ship + continues upon the sand. The moment she floats, you are liberated. Then is + the time for a noble stroke of fortune. Is it not so, my dear friend?” + </p> + <p> + “No, sir. This affair is impossible. My honour has been pledged, not until + the ship is floating, but until I am myself set free in France. I am sorry + not to see things as you see them for me; but the question is for my own + consideration.” + </p> + <p> + Captain Desportes had resented, as an honest man must do, especially when + more advanced in years, the other's calm settlement, without invitation, + of matters which concerned his own conscience. And as most mankind—if + at all perceptive—like or dislike one another at a glance, + Desportes, being very quick and warm of nature, had felt at first sight a + strong repulsion from the cold and arrogant man who faced him. His age was + at least twice that of Carne, he had seen much service in the better days + of France, and had risen slowly by his own skill and valour; he knew that + his future in the service depended upon his decision in this matter, and + he had a large family to maintain. But his honour was pledged, and he held + fast by it. + </p> + <p> + “There is one consideration,” Carne replied, with rancour slowly kindling + in his great black eyes, “which precedes all others, even that of honour, + in the mind of a trusted officer. It is not that of patriotism—which + has not its usual weight with monsieur—but it is that of obedience, + discipline, loyalty, faith, towards those who have placed faith in him. + Captain Desportes, as commander of a ship, is entrusted with property; and + that confidence is the first debt upon his honour.” + </p> + <p> + To Desportes, as to most men of action, the right was plainer than the + reason. He knew that this final plea was unsound, but he did not see how + to contest it. So he came back to fact, which was easier for him. + </p> + <p> + “How am I to know, monsieur, what would be the wishes of those who have + entrusted me with my position? You are placed in authority by some means + here, in your own country, but against it. That much you have proved to + me, by papers. But your credentials are general only. They do not apply to + this especial case. If the Chief of the State knew my position, he would + wish me to act as I mean to act, for the honour and credit of our nation.” + </p> + <p> + “Are you then acquainted with his signature? If so, perhaps you will + verify this, even if you are resolved to reject it.” + </p> + <p> + Carne drew a letter from an inner pocket, and carefully unfolded it. There + were many words and minute directions upon various subjects, written by + the hand of the most minute, and yet most comprehensive, of mankind. + </p> + <p> + “There is nothing in this that concerns you,” he said, after showing the + date, only four days old, “except these few words at the end, which + perhaps you may like to read, before you make final decision. The + signature of the Chief is clear.” + </p> + <p> + Captain Desportes read aloud—“It is of the utmost importance to me, + that the Blonde should not be captured by the enemy, as the Ville d'Anvers + has been. You tell me that it is ashore near you, and the Captain and crew + upon parole, to be liberated if they assist in the extrication of the + vessel. This must not be. In the service of the State, I demand that they + consider not at all their parole. The well-known speed and light draught + of that vessel have rendered her almost indispensable to me. When the + vessel is free, they must rise upon the enemy, and make for the nearest of + our ports without delay. Upon this I insist, and place confidence in your + established courage and management, to accomplish it to my satisfaction.” + </p> + <p> + “Your orders are clear enough,” said Caryl Carne. “What reason can you + give, as an officer of the Republic, for disobeying them?” + </p> + <p> + Desportes looked at his ship in the distance, and then at the sea and the + sky, with a groan, as if he were bidding farewell to them. Carne felt sure + that he had prevailed, and a smile shed light, but not a soft light, on + his hard pale countenance. + </p> + <p> + “Be in no rash haste,” said the French sea-captain, and he could not have + found words more annoying to the cold proud man before him; “I do not + recognise in this mandate the voice of my country, of the honourable + France, which would never say, 'Let my sons break their word of honour!' + This man speaks, not as Chief of a grand State, not as leader of noble + gentlemen, but as Emperor of a society of serfs. France is no empire; she + is a grand nation of spirit, of valour, above all, of honour. The English + have treated me, as I would treat them, with kindness, with largeness, + with confidence. In the name of fair France, I will not do this thing.” + </p> + <p> + Carne was naturally pale, but now he grew white with rage, and his black + eyes flashed. + </p> + <p> + “France will be an empire within six months; and your honour will be put + upon prison diet, while your family starve for the sake of it.” + </p> + <p> + “If I ever meet you under other circumstances,” replied the brave + Frenchman, now equally pale, “I shall demand reparation, sir.” + </p> + <p> + “With great pleasure,” replied Carne, contemptuously; “meanwhile monsieur + will have enough to do to repair his broken fortunes.” + </p> + <p> + Captain Desportes turned his back, and gave a whistle for his crew, then + stepped with much dignity into his boat. “To the Blonde, lads,” he cried, + “to the unsullied Blonde!” Then he sate, looking at her, and stroked his + grizzled beard, into which there came trickling a bitter tear or two, as + he thought of his wife and family. He had acted well; but, according to + the measure of the present world, unwisely. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0025" id="link2HCH0025"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XXV + </h2> + <h3> + NO CONCERN OF OURS + </h3> + <p> + The very next morning it was known to the faithful of Springhaven that the + glory of the place would be trebled that day, and its income increased + desirably. That day, the fair stranger (which had so long awakened the + admiration of the women, and the jealousy of the men) would by the + consummate skill of Captain Zeb—who had triumphed over all the + officers of the British Navy—float forth magnificently from her + narrow bed, hoist her white sails, and under British ensign salute the new + fort, and shape a course for Portsmouth. That she had stuck fast and in + danger so long was simply because the cocked hats were too proud to give + ear to the wisdom in an old otter-skin. Now Admiral Darling was baffled + and gone; and Captain Tugwell would show the world what he could do, and + what stuff his men were made of, if they only had their way. From old + Daddy Stakes, the bald father of the village, to Mrs. Caper junior's baby—equally + bald, but with a crop as sure of coming as mustard and cress beneath his + flannel—some in arms, some on legs, some upon brave crutches, all + were abroad in the soft air from the west, which had stolen up under the + stiff steel skirt of the east wind, exactly as wise Captain Zeb predicted. + </p> + <p> + “My dear,” said Mrs. Twemlow to the solid Mrs. Stubbard, for a very sweet + friendship had sprung up between these ladies, and would last until their + interests should happen to diverge, “this will be a great day for my dear + husband's parish. Perhaps there is no other parish in the kingdom capable + of acting as Springhaven has, so obedient, so disciplined, so faithful to + their contract! I am told that they even pulled the vessel more aground, + in preference to setting up their own opinions. I am told that as soon as + the Admiral was gone—for between you and me he is a little + overbearing, with the very best intentions in the world, but too confident + in his own sagacity—then that clever but exceedingly modest young + man, Lieutenant Scudamore, was allowed at last to listen to our great man + Tugwell, who has long been the oracle of the neighbourhood about the sea, + and the weather, and all questions of that kind. And between you and me, + my dear, the poor old Admiral seems a little bit jealous of his + reputation. And what do you think he said before he went, which shows his + high opinion of his own abilities? Tugwell said something in his rough and + ready way, which, I suppose, put his mightiness upon the high ropes, for + he shouted out in everybody's hearing, 'I'll tell you what it is, my man, + if you can get her off, by any of your'—something I must not repeat—'devices, + I'll give you fifty guineas, five-and-twenty for yourself, and the rest to + be divided among these other fellows.' Then Zebedee pulled out a Testament + from his pocket, for he is a man of deep religious convictions, and can + read almost all the easy places, though he thinks most of the hard ones, + and he made his son Dan (who is a great scholar, as they say, and a very + fine-looking youth as well) put down at the end what the Admiral had said. + Now, what do you think of that, dear Mrs. Stubbard?” + </p> + <p> + “I think,” replied that strong-minded lady, “that Tugwell is an arrant old + fox; and if he gets the fifty guineas, he will put every farthing into his + own pocket.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, no! He is honest as the day itself. He will take his own twenty-five, + and then leave the rest to settle whether he should share in their + twenty-five. But we must be quick, or we shall lose the sight. Quite a + number of people are come from inland. How wonderfully quickly these + things spread! They came the first day, and then made up their minds that + nothing could be done, and so they stopped at home. But now, here they are + again, as if by magic! If the ship gets off, it will be known halfway to + London before nightfall. But I see Captain Stubbard going up the hill to + your charming battery. That shows implicit faith in Tugwell, to return the + salute of the fair captive! It is indeed a proud day for Springhaven!” + </p> + <p> + “But it isn't done yet. And perhaps it won't be done. I would rather trust + officers of the navy than people who catch crabs and oysters. I would go + up to the battery, to laugh at my husband, but for the tricks the children + play me. My authority is gone, at the very first puff of smoke. How + children do delight in that vile gunpowder!” + </p> + <p> + “So they ought, in the present state of our country, with five hundred + thousand of Frenchmen coming. My dear Mrs. Stubbard, how thankful we + should be to have children who love gunpowder!” + </p> + <p> + “But not when they blow up their mother, ma'am.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, here comes Eliza!” cried Mrs. Twemlow. “I am so glad, because she + knows everything. I thought we had missed her. My dear child, where are + Faith and Dolly Darling gone? There are so many strangers about to-day + that the better class should keep together.” + </p> + <p> + “Here are three of us at any rate,” replied the young lady, who considered + her mother old-fashioned: “enough to secure one another's sanctity from + the lower orders. Faith has gone on to the headland, with that heroic + mannikin, Johnny. Dolly was to follow, with that Shanks maid to protect + her, as soon as her hat was trimmed, or some such era. But I'll answer for + it that she loses herself in the crowd, or some fib of that sort.” + </p> + <p> + “Eliza!” said her mother, and very severely, because Mrs. Stubbard was + present, “I am quite astonished at your talking so. You might do the + greatest injury to a very lively and harmless, but not over-prudent girl, + if any one heard you who would repeat it. We all know that the Admiral is + so wrapped up in Dolly that he lets her do many things which a mother + would forbid. But that is no concern of ours; and once for all, if such + things must be said, I beg that they may not be said by you.” + </p> + <p> + In the present age, Mrs. Twemlow would have got sharp answer. But her + daughter only looked aggrieved, and glanced at Mrs. Stubbard, as if to + say, “Well, time will show whether I deserve it.” And then they hastened + on, among the worse class, to the headland. + </p> + <p> + Not only all the fishing-smacks, and Captain Stubbard's galley, but every + boat half as sound as a hat, might now be seen near the grounded vessel, + preparing to labour or look on. And though the White Pig was allowed to be + three-quarters of a mile from the nearest point, the mighty voice of + Captain Zeb rode over the flickering breadth of sea, and through the soft + babble of the waves ashore. The wind was light from southwest, and the + warp being nearly in the same direction now, the Blonde began to set her + courses, to catch a lift of air, when the tide should come busily working + under her. And this would be the best tide since she took the ground, last + Sunday week, when the springs were going off. As soon as the hawsers were + made fast, and the shouts of Zebedee redoubled with great strength (both + of sound and of language), and the long ropes lifted with a flash of + splashes, and a creak of heavy wood, and the cry was, “With a will! with a + will, my gay lads!” every body having a sound eye in it was gazing + intently, and every heart was fluttering, except the loveliest eyes and + quickest heart in all Springhaven. + </p> + <p> + Miss Dolly had made up her mind to go, and would have had warm words ready + for any one rash enough to try to prevent her. But a very short note which + was put into her hand about 10 A.M. distracted her. + </p> + <p> + “If you wish to do me a real service, according to your kind words of + Saturday, be in the upper shrubbery at half past eleven; but tell no one + except the bearer. You will see all that happens better there than on the + beach, and I will bring a telescope.” + </p> + <p> + Dolly knew at once who had written this, and admired it all the more + because it was followed by no signature. For years she had longed for a + bit of romance; and the common-sense of all the world irked her. She knew + as well as possible that what she ought to do was to take this letter to + her sister Faith, and be guided by her advice about it. Faith was her + elder by three years or more, and as steadfast as a rock, yet as tender as + young moss. There was no fear that Faith would ride the high horse with + her, or lay down the law severely; she was much more likely to be too + indulgent, though certain not to play with wrong. + </p> + <p> + All this the younger sister knew, and therefore resolved to eschew that + knowledge. She liked her own way, and she meant to have it, in a harmless + sort of way; her own high spirit should be her guide, and she was old + enough now to be her own judge. Mr. Carne had saved her sister's life, + when she stood up in that senseless way; and if Faith had no gratitude, + Dolly must feel, and endeavour to express it for her. + </p> + <p> + Reasoning thus, and much better than this, she was very particular about + her hat, and French pelerine of fluted lawn, and frock of pale violet + trimmed on either side with gathered muslin. Her little heart fluttered at + being drawn in, when it should have been plumped up to her neck, and very + nearly displayed to the public; but her father was stern upon some points, + and never would hear of the classic discoveries. She had not even Grecian + sandals, nor a “surprise fan” to flutter from her wrist, nor hair oiled + into flat Lesbian coils, but freedom of rich young tresses, and of + graceful figure, and taper limbs. There was no one who could say her nay, + of the lovers of maiden nature. + </p> + <p> + However, maidens must be discreet, even when most adventurous; and so she + took another maid to help her, of respected but not romantic name—Jenny + Shanks, who had brought her that letter. Jenny was much prettier than her + name, and the ground she trod on was worshipped by many, even when her + shoes were down at heel. Especially in this track remained the finer part + of Charley Bowles's heart (while the coarser was up against the + Frenchmen), as well as a good deal of Mr. Prater's nephew's, and of + several other sole-fishers. This enabled Jenny to enter kindly into tender + questions. And she fetched her Sunday bonnet down the trap-ladder where + she kept it—because the other maids were so nasty—as soon as + her letter was delivered. + </p> + <p> + “Your place, Jenny, is to go behind,” Miss Dolly said, with no small + dignity, as this zealous attendant kept step for step with her, and swung + her red arm against the lady's fair one. “I am come upon important + business, Jenny, such as you cannot understand, but may stay at a proper + distance.” + </p> + <p> + “Lor, miss, I am sure I begs your pardon. I thought it was a kind of + coorting-match, and you might be glad of my experience.” + </p> + <p> + “Such things I never do, and have no idea what you mean. I shall be much + obliged to you, Jenny, if you will hold your tongue.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh yes, miss; no fear of my telling anybody. Wild horses would never pull + a syllable out of me. The young men is so aggravating that I keep my + proper distance from them. But the mind must be made up, at one time or + other.” + </p> + <p> + Dolly looked down at her with vast contempt, which she would not lower + herself by expressing, even with favour of time and place. Then turning a + corner of the grassy walk, between ground-ash and young larches, they came + upon an opening planted round with ilex, arbutus, juniper, and laurel, and + backed by one of the rocks which form the outworks of the valley. From a + niche in this rock, like the port-hole of a ship, a rill of sparkling + water poured, and beginning to make a noise already, cut corner's—of + its own production—short, in its hurry to be a brook, and then to + help the sea. And across its exit from the rock (like a measure of its + insignificance) a very comfortable seat was fixed, so that any gentleman—or + even a lady with divided skirts—might freely sit with one foot on + either bank of this menacing but not yet very formidable stream. So that + on the whole this nook of shelter under the coronet of rock was a + favourite place for a sage cock-pheasant, or even a woodcock in wintry + weather. + </p> + <p> + Upon that bench (where the Admiral loved to sit, in the afternoon of peace + and leisure, observing with a spy-glass the manoeuvres of his tranquil + fishing fleet) Caryl Carne was sitting now, with his long and strong legs + well spread out, his shoulders comfortably settled back, and his head cast + a little on one side, as if he were trying to compute his property. Then, + as Dolly came into the opening, he arose, made a bow beyond the compass of + any true Briton, and swinging his hat, came to meet her. Dolly made a + curtsey in the style impressed upon her by her last governess but one—a + French lady of exceedingly high ancestry and manners—and Carne + recognised it as a fine thing out of date. + </p> + <p> + “Jenny, get away!” said Dolly—words not meant for him to hear, but + he had grave command of countenance. + </p> + <p> + “This lays me under one more obligation:” Carne spoke in a low voice, and + with a smile of diffidence which reminded her of Scudamore, though the two + smiles were as different as night and day. “I have taken a great liberty + in asking you to come, and that multiplies my gratitude for your + good-will. For my own sake alone I would not have dared to sue this great + favour from you, though I put it so, in terror of alarming you. But it is + for my own sake also, since anything evil to you would be terrible to me.” + </p> + <p> + “No one can wish to hurt me,” she answered, looking up at him bravely, and + yet frightened by his gaze, “because I have never harmed any one. And I + assure you, sir, that I have many to defend me, even when my father is + gone from home.” + </p> + <p> + “It is beyond doubt. Who would not rush to do so? But it is from those who + are least suspected that the danger comes the worst. The most modest of + all gentlemen, who blushes like a damsel, or the gallant officer devoted + to his wife and children, or the simple veteran with his stars, and scars, + and downright speech—these are the people that do the wrong, because + no one believes it is in them.” + </p> + <p> + “Then which of the three is to carry me off from home, and friends, and + family—Lieutenant Scudamore, Captain Stubbard, or my own godfather, + Lord Nelson?” + </p> + <p> + This young man nourished a large contempt for the intellect of women, and + was therefore surprised at the quickness and spirit of the girl whom he + wished to terrify. A sterner tone must be used with her. + </p> + <p> + “I never deal in jokes,” he said, with a smile of sad sympathy for those + who do; “my life is one perpetual peril, and that restrains facetiousness. + But I can make allowance for those who like it.” + </p> + <p> + Miss Dolly, the pet child of the house, and all the people round it—except + the gardener, Mr. Swipes, who found her too inquisitive—quick as she + was, could not realise at once the possibility of being looked down upon. + </p> + <p> + “I am sorry that you have to be so grave,” she said, “because it prevents + all enjoyment. But why should you be in such continual danger? You + promised to explain it, on Saturday, only you had no time then. We are all + in danger from the French, of course, if they ever should succeed in + landing. But you mean something more than that; and it seems so hard, + after all your losses, that you should not be safe from harm.” + </p> + <p> + With all her many faults—many more than she dreamed of—fair + Dolly had a warm and gentle heart, which filled her eyes with tender + loveliness, whenever it obtained command of them. Carne, who was watching + them steadfastly for his own purpose, forgot that purpose, and dropped his + dark eyes, and lost the way to tell a lie. + </p> + <p> + “If I may ask you,” he said, almost stammering, and longing without + knowledge for the blessing of her touch, “to—to allow me just to + lead you to this seat, I may perhaps be able—I will not take the + liberty of sitting at your side—but I may perhaps be able to explain + as much of my affairs as you can wish to hear of them, and a great deal + more, I fear, a great deal more, Miss Darling.” + </p> + <p> + Dolly blushed at the rich tone in which he pronounced her name, almost as + if it were an adjective; but she allowed him to take her hand, and lead + her to the bench beneath the rock. Then, regardless of his breeches, + although of fine padusoy, and his coat, though of purple velvet, he sate + down on the bank of the rill at her feet, and waited for her to say + something. The young lady loved mainly to take the lead, but would liefer + have followed suit just now. + </p> + <p> + “You have promised to tell me,” she said, very softly, and with an unusual + timidity, which added to her face and manner almost the only charm they + lacked, “some things which I do not understand, and which I have no right + to ask you of, except for your own offer. Why should you, without injuring + any one, but only having suffered loss of all your family property, and of + all your rights and comforts, and living in that lonely place which used + to be full of company—why should you be in danger now, when you have + nothing more to be robbed of? I beg your pardon—I mean when all your + enemies must have done their worst.” + </p> + <p> + “You are too young yet to understand the world,” he answered, with a + well-drawn sigh; “and I hope most truly that you may never do so. In your + gentle presence I cannot speak with bitterness, even if I could feel it. I + will not speak harshly of any one, however I may have been treated. But + you will understand that my life alone remains betwixt the plunderers and + their prey, and that my errand here prevents them from legally swallowing + up the spoil.” + </p> + <p> + Miss Dolly's idea of the law, in common with that of most young ladies, + suggested a horrible monster ravening to devour the fallen. And the fall + of the Carnes had long been a subject of romantic interest to her. + </p> + <p> + “Oh, I see!” she exclaimed, with a look of deep wisdom. “I can quite + understand a thing like that, from what I have heard about witnesses. I + hope you will be very careful. My sister owes so much to you, and so do + I.” + </p> + <p> + “You must never speak of that again, unless you wish to grieve me. I know + that I have said too much about myself; but you alone care to know + anything about me; and that beguiles one out—out of one's wits. If I + speak bad English, you will forgive me. I have passed so many years on the + Continent, and am picking up the language of my childhood very slowly. You + will pardon me, when I am misled by—by my own signification.” + </p> + <p> + “Well done!” cried the innocent Dolly. “Now that is the very first piece + of bad English you have used, to the best of my belief, and I am rather + quick in that. But you have not yet explained to me my own danger, though + you asked me to come here for that purpose, I believe.” + </p> + <p> + “But you shall not be so; you shall not be in danger. My life shall be + given for your defence. What imports my peril compared with yours? I am + not of cold blood. I will sacrifice all. Have faith in me purely, and all + shall be done.” + </p> + <p> + “All what?” Dolly asked, with a turn of common-sense, which is the most + provoking of all things sometimes; and she looked at him steadily, to + follow up her question. + </p> + <p> + “You cannot be persuaded that you are in any danger. It is possible that I + have been too anxious. Do you speak the French language easily? Do you + comprehend it, when spoken quickly?” + </p> + <p> + “Not a word of it. I have had to learn, of course, and can pronounce very + well, my last mistress said; but I cannot make it out at all in the way + the French people pronounce it, when one comes to talk with them.” + </p> + <p> + “It is very wrong of them, and the loss is theirs. They expect us to copy + them even in their language, because we do it in everything else. Pardon + me—one moment. May I look at the great enterprise which is to + glorify Springhaven? It is more than kind of you to be here instead of + there. But this, as I ventured to say, is a far better place to observe + the operation. Your words reminded me of Captain Desportes, who has been, + I think, your father's guest. A very gallant sailor, and famed for the + most unexpected exploits. Without doubt, he would have captured all three + ships, if he had not contrived to run his own aground.” + </p> + <p> + “How could he capture his own ship? I thought that you never dealt in + jokes. But if you dislike them, you seem to be fond of a little mystery. I + like the French captain very much, and he took the trouble to speak slowly + for me. My father says that he bears his misfortune nobly, and like a + perfect gentleman. Mr. Scudamore admires him, and they are great friends. + And yet, sir, you seem inclined to hint that I am in danger from Captain + Desportes!” + </p> + <p> + “Ha! she is afloat! They have succeeded. I thought that they had so + arranged it. The brave ship spreads her pinions. How clever the people of + Springhaven are! If you will condescend to look through this glass, you + will see much embracing of the Saxon and the Gaul, or rather, I should + say, of the Saxon by the Gaul. Old Tugwell is not fond to be embraced.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, let me see that! I must see that!” cried Dolly, with all reserve and + caution flown; “to see Capp'en Zeb in the arms of a Frenchman—yes, I + declare, two have got him, if not three, and he puts his great back + against the mast to disentangle it. Oh, what will he do next? He has + knocked down two, in reply to excessive cordiality. What wonderful + creatures Frenchmen are! How kind it is of you to show me this! But excuse + me, Mr. Carne; there will be twenty people coming to the house before I + can get back almost. And the ship will salute the battery, and the battery + will return it. Look! there goes a great puff of smoke already. They can + see me up here, when they get to that corner.” + </p> + <p> + “But this spot is not private? I trust that I have not intruded. Your + father allows a sort of foot-path through this upper end of his grounds?” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, to all the villagers, and you are almost one of them; there is no + right of way at all; and they very seldom come this way, because it leads + to nowhere. Faith is fond of sitting here, to watch the sea, and think of + things. And so am I—sometimes, I mean.” + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0026" id="link2HCH0026"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XXVI + </h2> + <h3> + LONG-PIPE TIMES + </h3> + <p> + Daily now the roar and clank of war grew loud and louder, across the + narrow seas, and up the rivers, and around the quiet homes of England. If + any unusual cloud of dust, any moving shade, appeared afar, if the tramp + of horses in the lane were heard, or neigh of a colt from the four-cross + roads, people at dinner would start up and cry, “The French, the French + have landed!” while the men in the fields would get nearer the hedge to + peep through it, and then run away down the ditch. + </p> + <p> + But the nation at large, and the governing powers, certainly were not in + any great fright. Nay, rather they erred, if at all, on the side of + tranquillity and self-confidence; as one who has been fired at with + blank-cartridge forgets that the click of the trigger will not tell him + when the bullet has been dropped in. The bullet was there this time; and + it missed the heart of Britannia, only through the failure of the powder + to explode all at once. + </p> + <p> + It was some years before all this was known; even Nelson had no perception + of it; and although much alarm was indulged in on the sly, the few who + gave voice to it were condemned as faint-hearted fellows and “alarmists.” + How then could Springhaven, which never had feared any enemies, or even + neighbours, depart from its habits, while still an eye-witness of what had + befallen the Frenchman? And in this state of mind, having plenty to talk + of, it did not (as otherwise must have been done) attach any deep + importance to the strange vagaries of the London Trader. + </p> + <p> + That great Institution, and Royal Exchange, as well as central embassy of + Fashion, had lately become most uncertain in its dates, which for years + had announced to loose-reckoning housewives the day of the week and the + hour to buy candles. Instead of coming home on a Saturday eve, in the van + of all the fishing fleet, returning their cheers and those of customers on + the beach, the London Trader arrived anywhen, as often in the dark as + daylight, never took the ground at all, and gave a very wide berth to + Captain Zeb Tugwell, his craft, and his crews. At times she landed + packages big and bulky, which would have been searched (in spite of London + bills of lading) if there had been any Custom-house here, or any keen + Officer of Customs. But these were delivered by daylight always, and + carted by Mr. Cheeseman's horse direct to his master's cellars; and + Cheeseman had told everybody that his wife, having come into a little + legacy, was resolved in spite of his advice to try a bit of speculation in + hardware, through her sister miles away at Uckfield. Most of the + neighbours liked Mrs. Cheeseman, because she gave good weight (scarcely + half an ounce short, with her conscience to her family thrown in against + it), as well as the soundest piece of gossip to be had for the money in + Springhaven. And therefore they wished her well, and boxed their + children's ears if they found them poking nose into her packages. Mrs. + Cheeseman shook her head when enquired of on the subject, and said with + grave truth that the Lord alone can tell how any of poor people's doings + may turn out. + </p> + <p> + Some other things puzzled the village, and would in more sensible times + have produced a sensation. Why did Mr. Cheeseman now think nothing of as + much as three spots on his white linen apron, even in the first half of + the week? Why was he seldom at John Prater's now, and silent in a corner + even when he did appear? What was become of the ruddy polish, like that of + a Winter Redstrake, on his cheeks, which made a man long for a slice of + his ham? Why, the only joke he had made for the last three months was a + terrible one at his own expense. He had rushed down the street about ten + o'clock one morning, at a pace quite insane for a middle-aged man, with no + hat on his head and no coat on his back, but the strings of his apron + dashed wild on the breeze, and his biggest ham-carver making flashes in + his hand. It was thought that some boy must have run off with a penny, or + some visitor changed a bad shilling; but no, there was no such good reason + to give for it. + </p> + <p> + The yearning of all ages, especially dotage, is for a relapse to the + infantile state when all playthings were held in common. And this wisest + of all places (in its own opinion) had a certain eccentric inclination + towards the poetic perfection when it will be impossible to steal, because + there will be nothing left worth stealing. Still everybody here stuck to + his own rights, and would knock down anybody across them, though finding + it very nice to talk as if others could have no such standing-point. + Moreover, they had sufficient common-sense to begin with the right end + foremost, and to take a tender interest in one another's goods, moveable, + handy, and divisible; instead of hungering after hungry land, which feeds + nobody, until itself well fed and tended, and is as useless without a + master as a donkey or a man is. The knowledge of these rudiments of + civilization was not yet lost at Springhaven; and while everybody felt and + even proved his desire to share a neighbour's trouble, nobody meddled with + any right of his, save his right to be assisted. + </p> + <p> + Among them throve the old English feeling of respect for ancient families, + which is nowadays called “toadyism” by those whom it baulks of robbery. To + trade upon this good-will is almost as low a thing as any man can do, even + when he does it for good uses. But to trade upon it, for the harm of those + who feel it, and the ruin of his country, is without exception the very + lowest—and this was what Caryl Carne was at. + </p> + <p> + He looked at the matter in a wholly different light, and would have + stabbed any man who put it as above; for his sense of honour was as quick + and hot as it was crooked and misguided. His father had been a true Carne, + of the old stamp—hot-blooded, headstrong, stubborn, wayward, + narrow-minded, and often arrogant; but—to balance these faults and + many others—truthful, generous, kind-hearted, affectionate, staunch + to his friends, to his inferiors genial, loyal to his country, and + respectful to religion. And he might have done well, but for two sad evils—he + took a burdened property, and he plunged into a bad marriage. + </p> + <p> + His wife, on the other hand, might have done well, if she had married + almost anybody else. But her nature was too like his own, with feminine + vanity and caprice, French conceit, and the pride of noble birth—in + the proudest age of nobility—hardening all her faults, and hammering + the rivets of her strong self-will. To these little difficulties must be + added the difference of religion; and though neither of them cared two + pins for that, it was a matter for crossed daggers. A pound of feathers + weighs as much as (and in some poise more than) a pound of lead, and the + leaden-headed Squire and the feather-headed Madame swung always at + opposite ends of the beam, until it broke between them. Tales of rough + conflict, imprisonment, starvation, and even vile blows, were told about + them for several years; and then “Madame la Comtesse” (as her husband + disdainfully called her) disappeared, carrying off her one child, Caryl. + She was still of very comely face and form; and the Squire made known to + all whom it concerned, and many whom it did not concern, that his French + wife had run away with a young Frenchman, according to the habit of her + race and kind. In support of this charge he had nothing whatever to show, + and his friends disbelieved it, knowing him to be the last man in the + world to leave such a wrong unresented. + </p> + <p> + During the last three generations the fortunes of the Carnes had been + declining, slowly at first, and then faster and faster; and now they fell + with the final crash. The lady of high birth and great beauty had brought + nothing else into the family, but rather had impoverished it by her + settlement, and wild extravagance afterwards. Her husband Montagu Carne + staved off the evil day just for the present, by raising a large sum upon + second mortgage and the security of a trustful friend. But this sum was + dissipated, like the rest; for the Squire, being deeply wounded by his + wife's desertion, proved to the world his indifference about it by + plunging into still more reckless ways. He had none to succeed him; for he + vowed that the son of the adulteress—as he called her—should + never have Carne Castle; and his last mad act was to buy five-and-twenty + barrels of powder, wherewith to blow up his ancestral home. But ere he + could accomplish that stroke of business he stumbled and fell down the old + chapel steps, and was found the next morning by faithful Jeremiah, as cold + as the ivy which had caught his feet, and as dead as the stones he would + have sent to heaven. + </p> + <p> + No marvel that his son had no love for his memory, and little for the land + that gave him birth. In very early days this boy had shown that his French + blood was predominant. He would bite, and kick, and scratch, instead of + striking, as an English child does, and he never cared for dogs or horses, + neither worshipped he the gamekeeper. France was the proper land for him, + as his mother always said with a sweet proud smile, and his father with a + sneer, or a brief word now condemned. And France was the land for him (as + facts ordained) to be nourished, and taught, and grown into tall manhood, + and formed into the principles and habitude and character which every + nation stamps upon the nature of its members. + </p> + <p> + However, our strong point—like that of all others—is absolute + freedom from prejudice; and the few English people who met Caryl Carne + were well pleased with his difference from themselves. Even the + enlightened fishermen, imbued with a due contempt for Crappos, felt a + kindly will towards him, and were touched by his return to a ruined home + and a lonely life. But the women, romantic as they ought to be, felt a + tender interest in a young man so handsome and so unlucky, who lifted his + hat to them, and paid his way. + </p> + <p> + Among the rising spirits of the place, who liked to take a larger view, on + the strength of more education, than their fathers had found confirmed by + life, Dan Tugwell was perhaps the foremost. In the present days he might + have been a hot radical, even a socialist; but things were not come to + that pass yet among people brought up to their duty. And Dan's free + sentiments had not been worked by those who make a trade of such work now. + So that he was pleased and respectful, instead of carping and + contradictory, when persons of higher position than his own would discuss + the condition of the times with him. Carne had discovered this, although + as a rule he said little to his neighbours, and for reasons of his own he + was striving to get a good hold upon this young fellow. He knew that it + could not be done in a moment, nor by any common corruption; the mind of + the youth being keen, clear-sighted, and simple—by reason of + soundness. Then Carne accidentally heard of something, which encouraged + and helped him in his design upon Dan. + </p> + <p> + Business was slack upon the sea just now, but unusually active upon land, + a tide of gold having flowed into Springhaven, and bubbled up in + frying-pans and sparkled in new bonnets. The fishing fleet had captured + the finest French frigate—according to feminine history—that + ever endeavoured to capture them. After such a prisoner, let the fish go + free, till hunger should spring again in the human breast, or the part + that stands up under it. The hero of the whole (unlike most heroes) had + not succeeded in ruining himself by his services to his country, but was + able to go about patting his pocket, with an echo in his heart, every time + it tinkled, that a quantity more to come into it was lying locked up in a + drawer at home. These are the things that breed present happiness in a + noble human nature, all else being either of the future or the past; and + this is the reason why gold outweighs everything that can be said against + it. + </p> + <p> + Captain Tugwell, in his pithy style, was wont to divide all human life + into two distinctive tenses—the long-pipe time and the short-pipe + time. The long-pipe time was of ease and leisure, comfort in the way of + hot victuals and cool pots, the stretching of legs without strain of + muscle, and that ever-fresh well-spring of delight to the hard worker, the + censorial but not censorious contemplation of equally fine fellows, + equally lazy, yet pegging hard, because of nothing in their pockets to + tap. Such were the golden periods of standing, or, still better, sitting + with his back against a tree, and a cool yard of clay between his gently + smiling lips, shaving with his girdle-knife a cake of rich tobacco, and + then milling it complacently betwixt his horny palms, with his resolute + eyes relaxing into a gentle gaze at the labouring sea, and the part (where + his supper soon would be) warming into a fine condition for it, by + good-will towards all the world. As for the short-pipe times, with a + bitter gale dashing the cold spray into his eyes, legs drenched with + sleet, and shivering to the fork, and shoulders racked with rheumatism + against the groaning mast, and the stump of a pipe keeping chatter with + his teeth—away with all thought of such hardship now, except what + would serve to fatten present comfort. + </p> + <p> + But fatherly feeling and sense of right compelled Captain Zeb to check + idle enjoyment from going too far—i. e., further than himself. Every + other member of his family but himself, however good the times might be, + must work away as hard as ever, and earn whatever victuals it should + please the Lord to send them. There was always a job to be found, he knew + that, if a young man or maid had a mind for it; and “no silver no supper” + was the order of his house. His eldest son Dan was the first to be driven—for + a good example to the younger ones—and now he was set to work full + time and overtime, upon a heavy job at Pebbleridge. + </p> + <p> + Young Daniel was not at all afraid of work, whenever there was any kind of + skill to be shown, or bodily strength to be proved by it. But the present + task was hateful to him; for any big-armed yokel, or common wood-hewer, + might have done as much as he could do, and perhaps more, at it, and could + have taken the same wage over it. Mr. Coggs, of Pebbleridge, the only + wheelwright within ten miles of Springhaven, had taken a Government + contract to supply within a certain time five hundred spoke-wheels for + ammunition tumbrils, and as many block-wheels for small artillery; and to + hack out these latter for better men to finish was the daily task of Dan + Tugwell. + </p> + <p> + This job swelled his muscles and enlarged his calves, and fetched away all + the fat he had been enabled to form in loftier walks of art; but these + outward improvements were made at the expense of his inner and nobler + qualities. To hack and hew timber by the cubic foot, without any growing + pleasure of proportion or design, to knit the brows hard for a struggle + with knots, and smile the stern smile of destruction; and then, after a + long and rough walk in the dark—for the equinox now was impending—to + be joked at by his father (who had lounged about all day), and have all + his money told into the paternal pocket, with narrow enquiries, each + Saturday night. But worst of all to know that because he was not born with + a silver spoon in his mouth, he had no heart—no heart that he could + offer where he laid it; but there it must lie, and be trodden on in + silence, while rakish-looking popinjays—But this reflection stopped + him, for it was too bitter to be thought out, and fetched down his + quivering hand upon his axe. Enough that these things did not tend to a + healthy condition of mind, or the proper worship of the British + Constitution. However, he was not quite a Radical yet. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0027" id="link2HCH0027"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XXVII + </h2> + <h3> + FAIR IN THEORY + </h3> + <p> + One Saturday evening, when the dusk was just beginning to smoothe the + break of billow and to blunt the edge of rock, young Dan Tugwell swung his + axe upon his shoulder, with the flag basket hanging from it in which his + food had been, and in a rather crusty state of mind set forth upon his + long walk home to Springhaven. As Harry Shanks had said, and almost + everybody knew, an ancient foot-path, little used, but never yet + obstructed, cut off a large bend of the shore, and saved half a mile of + plodding over rock and shingle. This path was very lonesome, and infested + with dark places, as well as waylaid with a very piteous ghost, who never + would keep to the spot where he was murdered, but might appear at any + shady stretch or woody corner. Dan Tugwell knew three courageous men who + had seen this ghost, and would take good care to avoid any further + interview, and his own faith in ghosts was as stanch as in gold; yet such + was his mood this evening that he determined to go that way and chance it, + not for the saving of distance, but simply because he had been told in the + yard that day that the foot-path was stopped by the landowner. “We'll see + about that,” said Dan; and now he was going to see about it. + </p> + <p> + For the first field or two there was no impediment, except the usual stile + or gate; but when he had crossed a little woodland hollow, where the fence + of the castle grounds ran down to the brow of the cliff, he found entrance + barred. Three stout oak rails had been nailed across from tree to tree, + and on a board above them was roughly painted: “No thoroughfare. + Tresspassers will be prosecuted.” For a moment the young man hesitated, + his dread of the law being virtuously deep, and his mind well assured that + his father would not back him up against settled authorities. But the + shame of turning back, and the quick sense of wrong, which had long been + demanding some outlet, conquered his calmer judgment, and he cast the + basket from his back. Then swinging his favourite axe, he rushed at the + oaken bars, and with a few strokes sent them rolling down the steep + bank-side. + </p> + <p> + “That for your stoppage of a right of way!” he cried; “and now perhaps + you'll want to know who done it.” + </p> + <p> + To gratify this natural curiosity he drew a piece of chalk from his + pocket, and wrote on the notice-board in large round hand, “Daniel + Tugwell, son of Zebedee Tugwell, of Springhaven.” But suddenly his smile + of satisfaction fled, and his face turned as white as the chalk in his + hand. At the next turn of the path, a few yards before him, in the gray + gloom cast by an ivy-mantled tree, stood a tall dark figure, with the + right arm raised. The face was indistinct, but (as Dan's conscience told + him) hostile and unforgiving; there was nothing to reflect a ray of light, + and there seemed to be a rustle of some departure, like the spirit + fleeing. + </p> + <p> + The ghost! What could it be but the ghost? Ghosts ought to be white; but + terror scorns all prejudice. Probably this murdered one was buried in his + breeches. Dan's heart beat quicker than his axe had struck; and his feet + were off to beat the ground still quicker. But no Springhaven lad ever + left his baggage. Dan leaped aside first to catch up his basket, and while + he stooped for it, he heard a clear strong voice. + </p> + <p> + “Who are you, that have dared to come and cut my fence down?” + </p> + <p> + No ghost could speak like that, even if he could put a fence up. The + inborn courage of the youth revived, and the shame of his fright made him + hardier. He stepped forward again, catching breath as he spoke, and eager + to meet any man in the flesh. + </p> + <p> + “I am Daniel Tugwell, of Springhaven. And no living man shall deny me of + my rights. I have a right to pass here, and I mean to do it.” + </p> + <p> + Caryl Carne, looking stately in his suit of black velvet, drew sword and + stood behind the shattered barrier. “Are you ready to run against this?” + he asked. “Poor peasant, go back; what are your rights worth?” + </p> + <p> + “I could smash that skewer at a blow,” said Daniel, flourishing his axe as + if to do it; “but my rights, as you say, are not worth the hazard. What + has a poor man to do with rights? Would you stop a man of your own rank, + Squire Carne?” + </p> + <p> + “Ah, that would be a different thing indeed! Justice wears a sword, + because she is of gentle birth. Work-people with axes must not prate of + rights, or a prison will be their next one. Your right is to be disdained, + young man, because you were not born a gentleman; and your duty is to + receive scorn with your hat off. You like it, probably, because your + father did. But come in, Daniel; I will not deny you of the only right an + English peasant has—the right of the foot to plod in his father's + footsteps. The right of the hand, and the tongue, and the stomach—even + the right of the eye is denied him; but by some freak of law he has some + little right of foot, doubtless to enable him to go and serve his master.” + </p> + <p> + Dan was amazed, and his better sense aroused. Why should this gentleman + step out of the rank of his birth, to talk in this way? Now and then Dan + himself had indulged in such ideas, but always with a doubt that they were + wicked, and not long enough to make them seem good in his eyes. He knew + that some fellows at “the Club” talked thus; but they were a lot of idle + strangers, who came there chiefly to corrupt the natives, and work the + fish trade out of their hands. These wholesome reflections made him doubt + about accepting Squire Carne's invitation; and it would have been good for + him if that doubt had prevailed, though he trudged a thousand miles for + it. + </p> + <p> + “What! Break down a fence, and then be afraid to enter! That is the style + of your race, friend Daniel. That is why you never get your rights, even + when you dare to talk of them. I thought you were made of different stuff. + Go home and boast that you shattered my fence, and then feared to come + through it, when I asked you.” Carne smiled at his antagonist, and waved + his hand. + </p> + <p> + Dan leaped in a moment through the hanging splinters, and stood before the + other, with a frown upon his face. “Then mind one thing, sir,” he said, + with a look of defiance, while touching his hat from force of habit, “I + pass here, not with your permission, but of right.” + </p> + <p> + “Very well. Let us not split words,” said Carne, who had now quite + recovered his native language. “I am glad to find a man that dares to + claim his rights, in the present state of England. I am going towards + Springhaven. Give me the pleasure of your company, and the benefit of your + opinion upon politics. I have heard the highest praise of your abilities, + my friend. Speak to me just as you would to one of your brother fishermen. + By the accident of birth I am placed differently from you; and in this + country that makes all the difference between a man and a dog, in our + value. Though you may be, and probably are, the better man—more + truthful, more courageous, more generous, more true-hearted, and certain + to be the more humble of the two. I have been brought up where all men are + equal, and the things I see here make a new world to me. Very likely these + are right, and all the rest of the world quite wrong. Englishmen always + are certain of that; and as I belong to the privileged classes, my great + desire is to believe it. Only I want to know how the lower orders—the + dregs, the scum, the dirt under our feet, the slaves that do all the work + and get starved for it—how these trampled wretches regard the + question. If they are happy, submissive, contented, delighted to lick the + boots of their betters, my conscience will be clear to accept their + homage, and their money for any stick of mine they look at. But you have + amazed me by a most outrageous act. Because the lower orders have owned a + path here for some centuries, you think it wrong that they should lose + their right. Explain to me, Daniel, these extraordinary sentiments.” + </p> + <p> + “If you please, sir,” said Dan, who was following in the track, though + invited to walk by the side, of Caryl Carne, “I can hardly tell you how + the lower orders feel, because father and me don't belong to them. Our + family have always owned their own boat, and worked for their own hand, + this two hundred years, and, for all we know, ever since the Romans was + here. We call them the lower orders, as come round to pick up jobs, and + have no settlement in our village.” + </p> + <p> + “A sound and very excellent distinction, Dan. But as against those who + make the laws, and take good care to enforce them, even you (though of the + upper rank here) must be counted of the lower order. For instance, can you + look at a pheasant, or a hare, without being put into prison? Can you dine + in the same room with Admiral Darling, or ask how his gout is, without + being stared at?” + </p> + <p> + “No, sir. He would think it a great impertinence, even if I dared to do + such a thing. But my father might do it, as a tenant and old neighbour. + Though he never gets the gout, when he rides about so much.” + </p> + <p> + “What a matter-of-fact youth it is! But to come to things every man has a + right to. If you saved the life of one of the Admiral's daughters, and she + fell in love with you, as young people will, would you dare even lift your + eyes to her? Would you not be kicked out of the house and the parish, if + you dared to indulge the right of every honest heart? Would you dare to + look upon her as a human being, of the same order of creation as yourself, + who might one day be your wife, if you were true and honest, and helped to + break down the absurd distinctions built up by vile tyranny between you? + In a word, are you a man—as every man is on the Continent—or + only an English slave, of the lower classes?” + </p> + <p> + The hot flush of wrath, and the soft glow of shame, met and deepened each + other on the fair cheeks of this “slave”; while his mind would not come to + him to make a fit reply. That his passion for Dolly, his hopeless passion, + should thus be discovered by a man of her own rank, but not scorned or + ridiculed, only pitied, because of his want of manly spirit; that he + should be called a “slave” because of honest modesty, and even encouraged + in his wild hopes by a gentleman, who had seen all the world, and looked + down from a lofty distance on it; that in his true estimate of things + there should be nothing but prejudice, low and selfish prejudice, between—Well, + he could not think it out; that would take him many hours; let this + large-minded man begin again. It was so dark now, that if he turned round + on him, unless he was a cat, he would be no wiser. + </p> + <p> + “You do well to take these things with some doubt,” continued Carne, too + sagacious to set up argument, which inures even young men in their own + opinions; “if I were in your place, I should do the same. Centuries of + oppression have stamped out the plain light of truth in those who are not + allowed it. To me, as an individual, it is better so. Chance has ordained + that I should belong to the order of those who profit by it. It is against + my interest to speak as I have done. Am I likely to desire that my fences + should be broken, my property invaded, the distinction so pleasing to me + set aside, simply because I consider it a false one? No, no, friend + Daniel; it is not for me to move. The present state of things is entirely + in my favour. And I never give expression to my sense of right and wrong, + unless it is surprised from me by circumstances. Your bold and entirely + just proceedings have forced me to explain why I feel no resentment, but + rather admiration, at a thing which any other land-owner in England would + not rest in his bed until he had avenged. He would drag you before a bench + of magistrates and fine you. Your father, if I know him, would refuse to + pay the fine; and to prison you would go, with the taint of it to lie upon + your good name forever. The penalty would be wrong, outrageous, ruinous; + no rich man would submit to it, but a poor man must. Is this the truth, + Daniel, or is it what it ought to be—a scandalous misdescription of + the laws of England?” + </p> + <p> + “No, sir; it is true enough, and too true, I am afraid. I never thought of + consequences, when I used my axe. I only thought of what was right, and + fair, and honest, as between a man who has a right, and one who takes it + from him.” + </p> + <p> + “That is the natural way to look at things, but never permitted in this + country. You are fortunate in having to deal with one who has been brought + up in a juster land, where all mankind are equal. But one thing I insist + upon; and remember it is the condition of my forbearance. Not a single + word to any one about your dashing exploit. No gentleman in the county + would ever speak to me again, if I were known to have put up with it.” + </p> + <p> + “I am sure, sir,” said Daniel, in a truly contrite tone, “I never should + have done such an impudent thing against you, if I had only known what a + nice gentleman you are. I took you for nothing but a haughty land-owner, + without a word to fling at a poor fisherman. And now you go ever so far + beyond what the Club doth, in speaking of the right that every poor man + hasn't. I could listen to you by the hour, sir, and learn the difference + between us and abroad.” + </p> + <p> + “Tugwell, I could tell you things that would make a real man of you. But + why should I? You are better as you are; and so are we who get all the + good out of you. And besides, I have no time for politics at present. All + my time is occupied with stern business—collecting the ruins of my + property.” + </p> + <p> + “But, sir—but you come down here sometimes from the castle in the + evening; and if I might cross, without claiming right of way, sometimes I + might have the luck to meet you.” + </p> + <p> + “Certainly you may pass, as often as you please, and so may anybody who + sets value on his rights. And if I should meet you again, I shall be glad + of it. You can open my eyes, doubtless, quite as much as I can yours. + Good-night, my friend, and better fortunes to you!” + </p> + <p> + “It was worth my while to nail up those rails,” Carne said to himself, as + he went home to his ruins. “I have hooked that clod, as firm as ever he + hooked a cod. But, thousand thunders! what does he mean, by going away + without touching his hat to me?” + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0028" id="link2HCH0028"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XXVIII + </h2> + <h3> + FOUL IN PRACTICE + </h3> + <p> + “I hope, my dear, that your ride has done you good,” said the Rector's + wife to the Rector, as he came into the hall with a wonderfully red face, + one fine afternoon in October. “If colour proves health, you have gained + it.” + </p> + <p> + “Maria, I have not been so upset for many years. Unwholesome indignation + dyes my cheeks, and that is almost as bad as indigestion. I have had quite + a turn—as you women always put it. I am never moved by little + things, as you know well, and sometimes to your great disgust; but to-day + my troubles have conspired to devour me. I am not so young as I was, + Maria. And what will the parish come to, if I give in?” + </p> + <p> + “Exactly, dear; and therefore you must not give in.” Mrs. Twemlow replied + with great spirit, but her hands were trembling as she helped him to pull + off his new riding-coat. “Remember your own exhortations, Joshua—I + am sure they were beautiful—last Sunday. But take something, dear, + to restore your circulation. A reaction in the system is so dangerous.” + </p> + <p> + “Not anything at present,” Mr. Twemlow answered, firmly; “these mental + cares are beyond the reach of bodily refreshments. Let me sit down, and be + sure where I am, and then you may give me a glass of treble X. In the + first place, the pony nearly kicked me off, when that idiot of a Stubbard + began firing from his battery. What have I done, or my peaceful flock, + that a noisy set of guns should be set up amidst us? However, I showed + Juniper that he had a master, though I shall find it hard to come + down-stairs tomorrow. Well, the next thing was that I saw James Cheeseman, + Church-warden Cheeseman, Buttery Cheeseman, as the bad boys call him, in + the lane, in front of me not more than thirty yards, as plainly as I now + have the pleasure of seeing you, Maria; and while I said 'kuck' to the + pony, he was gone! I particularly wished to speak to Cheeseman, to ask him + some questions about things I have observed, and especially his sad + neglect of public worship—a most shameful example on the part of a + church-warden—and I was thinking how to put it, affectionately yet + firmly, when, to my great surprise, there was no Cheeseman to receive it! + I called at his house on my return, about three hours afterwards, having + made up my mind to have it out with him, when they positively told me—or + at least Polly Cheeseman did—that I must be mistaken about her 'dear + papa,' because he was gone in the pony-shay all the way to Uckfield, and + would not be back till night.” + </p> + <p> + “The nasty little story-teller!” Mrs. Twemlow cried. “But I am not at all + surprised at it, when I saw how she had got her hair done up, last + Sunday.” + </p> + <p> + “No; Polly believed it. I am quite sure of that. But what I want to tell + you is much stranger and more important, though it cannot have anything at + all to do with Cheeseman. You know, I told you I was going for a good long + ride; but I did not tell you where, because I knew that you would try to + stop me. But the fact was that I had made up my mind to see what Caryl + Carne is at, among his owls and ivy. You remember the last time I went to + the old place I knocked till I was tired, but could get no answer, and the + window was stopped with some rusty old spiked railings, where we used to + be able to get in at the side. All the others are out of reach, as you + know well; and being of a yielding nature, I came sadly home. And at that + time I still had some faith in your friend Mrs. Stubbard, who promised to + find out all about him, by means of Widow Shanks and the Dimity-parlour. + But nothing has come of that. Poor Mrs. Stubbard is almost as stupid as + her husband; and as for Widow Shanks—I am quite sure, Maria, if your + nephew were plotting the overthrow of King, Church, and Government, that + deluded woman would not listen to a word against him.” + </p> + <p> + “She calls him a model, and a blessed martyr”—Mrs. Twemlow was + smiling at the thought of it; “and she says she is a woman of great + penetration, and never will listen to anything. But it only shows what I + have always said, that our family has a peculiar power, a sort of + attraction, a superior gift of knowledge of their own minds, which makes + them—But there, you are laughing at me, Joshua!” + </p> + <p> + “Not I; but smiling at my own good fortune, that ever I get my own way at + all. But, Maria, you are right; your family has always been distinguished + for having its own way—a masterful race, and a mistressful. And so + much the more do the rest of mankind grow eager to know all about them. In + an ordinary mind, such as mine, that feeling becomes at last irresistible; + and finding no other way to gratify it, I resolved to take the bull by the + horns, or rather by the tail, this morning. The poor old castle has been + breaking up most grievously, even within the last twenty years, and you, + who have played as a child among the ruins of the ramparts, would scarcely + know them now. You cannot bear to go there, which is natural enough, after + all the sad things that have happened; but if you did, you would be + surprised, Maria; and I believe a great part has been knocked down on + purpose. But you remember the little way in from the copse, where you and + I, five-and-thirty years ago—” + </p> + <p> + “Of course I do, darling. It seems but yesterday; and I have a flower now + which you gathered for me there. It grew at a very giddy height upon the + wall, full of cracks and places where the evening-star came through; but + up you went, like a rocket or a race-horse; and what a fright I was in, + until you came down safe! I think that must have made up my mind to have + nobody except my Joshua.” + </p> + <p> + “Well, my dear, you might have done much worse. But I happened to think of + that way in, this morning, when you put up your elbow, as you made the + tea, exactly as you used to do when I might come up there. And that set me + thinking of a quantity of things, and among them this plan which I + resolved to carry out. I took the trouble first to be sure that Caryl was + down here for the day, under the roof of Widow Shanks; and then I set off + by the road up the hill, for the stronghold of all the Carnes. Without + further peril than the fight with the pony, and the strange apparition of + Cheeseman about half a mile from the back entrance, I came to the copse + where the violets used to be, and the sorrel, and the lords and ladies. + There I tethered our friend Juniper in a quiet little nook, and crossed + the soft ground, without making any noise, to the place we used to call + our little postern. It looked so sad, compared with what it used to be, so + desolate and brambled up and ruinous, that I scarcely should have known + it, except for the gray pedestal of the prostrate dial we used to moralise + about. And the ground inside it, that was nice turf once, with the rill + running down it that perhaps supplied the moat—all stony now, and + overgrown, and tangled, with ugly-looking elder-bushes sprawling through + the ivy. To a painter it might have proved very attractive; but to me it + seemed so dreary, and so sombre, and oppressive, that, although I am not + sentimental, as you know, I actually turned away, to put my little visit + off, until I should be in better spirits for it. And that, my dear Maria, + would in all probability have been never. + </p> + <p> + “But before I had time to begin my retreat, a very extraordinary sound, + which I cannot describe by any word I know, reached my ears. It was not a + roar, nor a clank, nor a boom, nor a clap, nor a crash, nor a thud, but if + you have ever heard a noise combining all those elements, with a small + percentage of screech to enliven them, that comes as near it as I can + contrive to tell. We know from Holy Scripture that there used to be such + creatures as dragons, though we have never seen them; but I seemed to be + hearing one as I stood there. It was just the sort of groan you might have + expected from a dragon, who had swallowed something highly indigestible.” + </p> + <p> + “My dear! And he might have swallowed you, if you had stopped. How could + you help running away, my Joshua? I should have insisted immediately upon + it. But you are so terribly intrepid!” + </p> + <p> + “Far from it, Maria. Quite the contrary, I assure you. In fact, I did make + off, for a considerable distance; not rapidly as a youth might do, but + with self-reproach at my tardiness. But the sound ceased coming; and then + I remembered how wholly we are in the hand of the Lord. A sense of the + power of right rose within me, backed up by a strong curiosity; and I said + to myself that if I went home, with nothing more than that to tell you, I + should not have at all an easy time of it. Therefore I resolved to face + the question again, and ascertain, if possible, without self-sacrifice, + what was going on among the ruins. You know every stick and stone, as they + used to be, but not as they are at present; therefore I must tell you. The + wall at the bottom of the little Dial-court, where there used to be a + sweet-briar hedge to come through, is entirely gone, either tumbled down + or knocked down—the latter I believe to be the true reason of it. + Also, instead of sweet-briar, there is now a very flourishing crop of + sting-nettles. But the wall at the side of the little court stands almost + as sound as ever; and what surprised me most was to see, when I got + further, proceeding of course very quietly, that the large court beyond + (which used to be the servants' yard, and the drying-ground, and general + lounging-place) had a timber floor laid down it, with a rope on either + side, a long heavy rope on either side; and these ropes were still + quivering, as if from a heavy strain just loosened. All this I could see, + because the high door with the spikes, that used to part the Dial-court + from this place of common business, was fallen forward from its upper + hinge, and splayed out so that I could put my fist through. + </p> + <p> + “By this time I had quite recovered all my self-command, and was as calm + as I am now, or even calmer, because I was under that reaction which + ensues when a sensible man has made a fool of himself. I perceived, + without thinking, that the sound which had so scared me proceeded from + this gangway, or timberway, or staging, or whatever may be the right word + for it; and I made up my mind to stay where I was, only stooping a little + with my body towards the wall, to get some idea of what might be going + forward. And then I heard a sort of small hubbub of voices, such as + foreigners make when they are ordered to keep quiet, and have to carry on + a struggle with their noisy nature. + </p> + <p> + “This was enough to settle my decision not to budge an inch, until I knew + what they were up to. I could not see round the corner, mind—though + ladies seem capable of doing that, Maria—and so these fellows, who + seemed to be in two lots, some at the top and some at the bottom of the + plankway, were entirely out of my sight as yet, though I had a good view + of their sliding-plane. But presently the ropes began to strain and creak, + drawn taut—as our fishermen express it—either from the upper + or the lower end, and I saw three barrels come sliding down—sliding, + not rolling (you must understand), and not as a brewer delivers beer into + a cellar. These passed by me; and after a little while there came again + that strange sepulchral sound, which had made me feel so uneasy. + </p> + <p> + “Maria, you know that I can hold my own against almost anybody in the + world but you; and although this place is far outside my parish + boundaries, I felt that as the Uncle of the present owner—so far at + least as the lawyers have not snapped him up—and the brother-in-law + of the previous proprietor, I possessed an undeniable legal right—quo + warranto, or whatever it is called—to look into all proceedings on + these premises. Next to Holy Scripture, Horace is my guide and guardian; + and I called to mind a well-known passage, which may roughly be rendered + thus: 'If the crushed world tumble on him, the ruins shall strike him + undismayed.' With this in my head, I went softly down the side-wall of the + Dial-court (for there was no getting through the place where I had been + peeping) to the bottom, where there used to be an old flint wall, and a + hedge of sweet-briar in front of it. You remember the pretty conceit I + made—quaint and wholesome as one of Herrick's—when you said + something—but I verily believe we were better in those days than we + ever have been since. Now don't interrupt me about that, my dear. + </p> + <p> + “Some of these briars still were there, or perhaps some of their + descendants, straggling weakly among the nettles, and mullein, and other + wild stuff, but making all together a pretty good screen, through which I + could get a safe side-view of the bottom of the timber gangway. So I took + off my hat, for some ruffian fellows like foreign sailors were standing + below, throwing out their arms, and making noises in their throats, + because not allowed to scream as usual. It was plain enough at once to any + one who knew the place, that a large hole had been cut in the solid castle + wall, or rather, a loophole had been enlarged very freely on either side, + and brought down almost to the level of the ground outside. On either side + of this great opening stood three heavy muskets at full cock, and it made + my blood run cold to think how likely some fatal discharge appeared. If I + had been brought up to war, Maria, as all the young people are bound to be + now, I might have been more at home with such matters, and able to + reconnoitre calmly; but I thought of myself, and of you, and Eliza, and + what a shocking thing it would be for all of us—but a merciful + Providence was over me. + </p> + <p> + “Too late I regretted the desire for knowledge, which had led me into this + predicament, for I durst not rush off from my very sad position, for my + breath would soon fail me, and my lower limbs are thick from the exercise + of hospitality. How I longed for the wings of a dove, or at any rate for + the legs of Lieutenant Blyth Scudamore! And my dark apprehensions gained + double force when a stone was dislodged by my foot (which may have + trembled), and rolled with a sharp echo down into the ballium, or whatever + it should be called, where these desperadoes stood. In an instant three of + them had their long guns pointed at the very thicket which sheltered me, + and if I had moved or attempted to make off, there would have been a + vacancy in this preferment. But luckily a rabbit, who had been lying as + close as I had, and as much afraid of me perhaps as I was of those + ruffians, set off at full speed from the hop of the stone, and they saw + him, and took him for the cause of it. This enabled me to draw my breath + again, and consider the best way of making my escape, for I cared to see + nothing more, except my own house-door. + </p> + <p> + “Happily the chance was not long in coming. At a shout from below—which + seemed to me to be in English, and sounded uncommonly like 'now, then!'—all + those fellows turned their backs to me, and began very carefully to lower, + one by one, the barrels that had been let down the incline. And other + things were standing there, besides barrels: packing-cases, crates, very + bulky-looking boxes, and low massive wheels, such as you often see to + artillery. You know what a vast extent there is of cellars and vaults + below your old castle, most of them nearly as sound as ever, and occupied + mainly by empty bottles, and the refuse of past hospitality. Well, they + are going to fill these with something—French wines, smuggled + brandy, contraband goods of every kind you can think of, so long as high + profit can be made of them. That is how your nephew Caryl means to redeem + his patrimony. No wonder that he has been so dark and distant! It never + would have done to let us get the least suspicion of it, because of my + position in the Church, and in the Diocese. By this light a thousand + things are clear to me, which exceeded all the powers of the Sphinx till + now.” + </p> + <p> + “But how did you get away, my darling Joshua?” Mrs. Twemlow enquired, as + behoved her. “So fearless, so devoted, so alive to every call of duty—how + could you stand there, and let the wretches shoot at you?” + </p> + <p> + “By taking good care not to do it,” the Rector answered, simply. “No + sooner were all their backs towards me, than I said to myself that the + human race happily is not spiderine. I girt up my loins, or rather fetched + my tails up under my arms very closely, and glided away, with the silence + of the serpent, and the craft of the enemy of our fallen race. Great care + was needful, and I exercised it; and here you behold me, unshot and + unshot-at, and free from all anxiety, except a pressing urgency for a bowl + of your admirable soup, Maria, and a cut from the saddle I saw hanging in + the cellar.” + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0029" id="link2HCH0029"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XXIX + </h2> + <h3> + MATERNAL ELOQUENCE + </h3> + <p> + Sufficient for the day is the evil thereof; and more than sufficient with + most of us. Mr. Twemlow and his wife resolved discreetly, after a fireside + council, to have nothing to say to Carne Castle, or about it, save what + might be forced out of them. They perceived most clearly, and very deeply + felt, how exceedingly wrong it is for anybody to transgress, or even go + aside of, the laws of his country, as by Statute settled. Still, if his + ruin had been chiefly legal; if he had been brought up under different + laws, and in places where they made those things which he desired to deal + in; if it was clear that those things were good, and their benefit might + be extended to persons who otherwise could have no taste of them; above + all, if it were the first and best desire of all who heard of it to have + their own fingers in the pie—then let others stop it, who by duty + and interest were so minded; the Rector was not in the Commission of the + Peace—though he ought to have been there years ago—and the + breach of the law, if it came to that, was outside of his parish boundary. + The voice of the neighbourhood would be with him, for not turning against + his own nephew, even if it ever should come to be known that he had reason + for suspicions. + </p> + <p> + It is hard to see things in their proper light, if only one eye has a fly + in it; but if both are in that sad condition, who shall be blamed for + winking? Not only the pastor, but all his flock, were in need of wire + spectacles now, to keep their vision clear and their foreheads calm. + Thicker than flies around the milk-pail, rumours came flitting daily; and + even the night—that fair time of thinking—was busy with + buzzing multitude. + </p> + <p> + “Long time have I lived, and a sight have I seed,” said Zebedee Tugwell to + his wife, “of things as I couldn't make no head nor tail of; but nothing + to my knowledge ever coom nigh the sort of way our folk has taken to go + on. Parson Twemlow told us, when the war began again, that the Lord could + turn us all into Frenchmen, if we sinned against Him more than He could + bear. I were fool enough to laugh about it then, not intaking how it could + be on this side of Kingdom Come, where no distinction is of persons. But + now, there it is—a thing the Almighty hath in hand; and who shall + say Him nay, when He layeth His hand to it?” + </p> + <p> + “I reckon, 'a hath begun with you too, Zeb,” Mrs. Tugwell would answer, + undesirably. “To be always going on so about trash trifles, as a woman + hath a right to fly up at, but no man! Surely Dan hath a right to his + politics and his parables, as much as any lame old chap that sitteth on a + bench. He works hard all day, and he airns his money; and any man hath a + right to wag his tongue of night-time, when his arms and his legs have + been wagging all day.” + </p> + <p> + “Depends upon how he wags 'un.” The glance of old Tugwell was stern, as he + spoke, and his eyebrows knitted over it. “If for a yarn, to plaise + children or maidens, or a bit of argyment about his business, or talk + about his neighbours, or aught that consarns him—why, lads must be + fools, and I can smoke my pipe and think that at his age I was like him. + But when it comes to talking of his betters, and the Government, and the + right of everybody to command the ship, and the soup—soup, what was + it?” + </p> + <p> + “Superior position of the working classes, dignity of labour, undefeasible + rights of mankind to the soil as they was born in, and soshallistick—something.” + </p> + <p> + “So—shall—I—stick equality,” Mr. Tugwell amended, + triumphantly; “and so shall I stick him, by the holy poker, afore the end + of the week is out. I've a-been fool enough to leave off ropesending of + him now for a matter of two years, because 'a was good, and outgrowing of + it like, and because you always coom between us. But mind you, mother, + I'll have none of that, next time. Business I means, and good measure it + shall be.” + </p> + <p> + “Zeb Tugwell,” said his wife, longing greatly to defy him, but frightened + by the steadfast gaze she met, “you can never mean to say that you would + lay your hand on Dan—a grown man, a'most as big as yourself, and a + good half-head taller! Suppose he was to hit you back again!” + </p> + <p> + “If he did, I should just kill him,” Zeb answered, calmly. “He would be + but a jellyfish in my two hands. But there, I'll not talk about it, + mother. No need to trouble you with it. 'Tis none of my seeking—the + Lord in heaven knows—but a job as He hath dutified for me to do. + I'll go out, and have my pipe, and dwell on it.” + </p> + <p> + “And I may lay a deal of it on myself,” Mrs. Tugwell began to moan, as + soon as he was gone; “for I have cockered Dan up, and there's no denying + it, afore Tim, or Tryphena, or Tabby, or Debby, or even little Solomon. + Because he were the first, and so like his dear father, afore he got on in + the world so. Oh, it all comes of that, all the troubles comes of that, + and of laying up of money, apart from your wife, and forgetting almost of + her Christian name! And the very same thing of it—money, money, and + the getting on with breeches that requireth no mending, and the looking + over Church-books at gay young ladies—all of it leadeth to the same + bad end of his betters, and the Government, and the Soshallistick Quality. + </p> + <p> + “Why, with all these mercies,” continued Mrs. Tugwell, though not in a + continuous frame of mind, as Daniel came in, with a slow heavy step, and + sat down by the fire in silence, “all these mercies, as are bought and + paid for, from one and sixpence up to three half-crowns, and gives no more + trouble beyond dusting once a week—how any one can lay his eyes on + other people's property, without consideration of his own, as will be + after his poor mother's time, is to me quite a puzzle and a pin-prick. Not + as if they was owing for, or bought at auction, or so much as beaten down + by sixpence, but all at full price and own judgment, paid for by airnings + of labour and perils of the deep. And as Widow Shanks said, the last time + she was here, by spoiling of the enemies of England, who makes us pay + tremenjious for 'most everything we lives on. And I know who would + understand them crackeries, and dust them when I be gone to dust, and see + her own pretty face in them, whenever they has the back-varnish.” + </p> + <p> + Dan knew that the future fair owner and duster designed by his mother was + Miss Cheeseman, towards whom he had cherished tender yearnings in the + sensible and wholesome days. And if Polly Cheeseman had hung herself on + high—which she might have done without a bit of arrogance—perhaps + she would still have been to this young man the star of fate and glory, + instead of a dip, thirty-two to the pound; the like whereof she sold for a + farthing. Distance makes the difference. “He that won't allow heed shall + pay dear in his need;” the good mother grew warm, as the son began to + whistle; “and to my mind, Master Dan, it won't be long afore you have + homer things to think of than politics. 'Politics is fiddle-sticks' was + what men of my age used to say; sensible men with a house and freehold, + and a pig of their own, and experience. And such a man I might have had, + and sensible children by him, children as never would have whistled at + their mother, if it hadn't been for your poor father, Dan. Misguided he + may be, and too much of his own way, and not well enough in his own mind + to take in a woman's—but for all that he hath a right to be honoured + by his children, and to lead their minds in matters touching of the King, + and Church, and true religion. Why only last night, no, the night afore + last, I met Mrs. Prater, and I said to her—” + </p> + <p> + “You told me all that, mother; and it must have been a week ago; for I + have heard it every night this week. What is it you desire that I should + do, or say, or think?” + </p> + <p> + “Holy mercy!” cried Mrs. Tugwell, “what a way to put things, Dan! All I + desire is for your good only, and so leading on to the comfort of the + rest. For the whole place goes wrong, and the cat sits in the corner, when + you go on with politics as your dear father grunts at. No doubt it may all + be very fine and just, and worth a man giving his life for, if he don't + care about it, nor nobody else—but even if it was to keep the French + out, and yourn goeth nearer to letting them in, what difference of a + button would it make to us, Dan, compared to our sticking together, and + feeding with a knowledge and a yielding to the fancies of each other?” + </p> + <p> + “I am sure it's no fault of mine,” said Daniel, moved from his high ropes + by this last appeal; “to me it never matters twopence what I have for + dinner, and you saw me give Tim all the brown of the baked potatoes the + very last time I had my dinner here. But what comes above all those little + bothers is the necessity for insisting upon freedom of opinion. I don't + pretend to be so old as my father, nor to know so much as he knows about + the world in general. But I have read a great deal more than he has, of + course, because he takes a long time to get a book with the right end to + him; and I have thought, without knowing it, about what I have read, and I + have heard very clever men (who could have no desire to go wrong, but + quite the other way) carrying on about these high subjects, beyond me, but + full of plain language. And I won't be forced out of a word of it by + fear.” + </p> + <p> + “But for love of your mother you might keep it under, and think it all + inside you, without bringing of it out, in the presence of your elders. + You know what your father is—a man as never yet laid his tongue to a + thing without doing of it—right or wrong, right or wrong; and this + time he hath right, and the law, and the Lord, and the King himself, to + the side of him. And a rope's-end in his pocket, Dan, as I tried to steal + away, but he were too wide-awake. Such a big hard one you never did see!” + </p> + <p> + “A rope's end for me, well turned twenty years of age!” cried Daniel, with + a laugh, but not a merry one; “two can play at that game, mother. I'll not + be ropes ended by nobody.” + </p> + <p> + “Then you'll be rope-noosed;” the poor mother fell into the settle, away + from the fire-light, and put both hands over her eyes, to shut out the + spectacle of Dan dangling; “or else your father will be, for you. Ever + since the Romans, Dan, there have been Tugwells, and respected ten times + more than they was. Oh do 'e, do 'e think; and not bring us all to the + grave, and then the gallows! Why I can mind the time, no more agone than + last Sunday, when you used to lie here in the hollow of my arm, without a + stitch of clothes on, and kind people was tempted to smack you in + pleasure, because you did stick out so prettily. For a better-formed baby + there never was seen, nor a finer-tempered one, when he had his way. And + the many nights I walked the floor with you, Dan, when your first tooth + was coming through, the size of a horse-radish, and your father most + wonderful to put up with my coo to you, when he had not had a night in bed + for nigh three weeks—oh, Dan, do 'e think of things as consarneth + your homer life, and things as is above all reason; and let they blessed + politics go home to them as trades in them.” + </p> + <p> + Mrs. Tugwell's tender recollections had given her a pain in the part where + Dan was nursed, and driven her out of true logical course; but she came + back to it, before Dan had time to finish the interesting pictures of + himself which she had suggested. + </p> + <p> + “Now can you deny a word of that, Dan? And if not, what is there more to + say? You was smacked as a little babe, by many people kindly, when ever so + much tenderer than you now can claim to be. And in those days you never + could have deserved it yet, not having framed a word beyond 'Mam,' and + 'Da,' and both of those made much of, because doubtful. There was nothing + about the Constitooshun then, but the colour of the tongue and the + condition of the bowels; and if any fool had asked you what politics was, + you would have sucked your thumb, and offered them to suck it; for + generous you always was, and just came after. And what cry have bigger + folk, grown upright and wicked, to make about being smacked, when they + deserve it, for meddling with matters outside of their business, by those + in authority over them?” + </p> + <p> + “Well, mother, I daresay you are right, though I don't altogether see the + lines of it. But one thing I will promise you—whatever father does + to me, I will not lift a hand against him. But I must be off. I am late + already.” + </p> + <p> + “Where to, Dan? Where to? I always used to know, even if you was going + courting. Go a-courting, Dan, as much as ever you like, only don't make no + promises. But whatever you do, keep away from that bad, wicked, Free and + Frisky Club, my dear.” + </p> + <p> + “Mother, that's the very place I am just bound to. After all you have + said, I would have stayed away to-night, except for being on the list, and + pledged in honour to twenty-eight questions, all bearing upon the grand + issues of the age.” + </p> + <p> + “I don't know no more than the dead, what that means, Dan. But I know what + your father has got in his pocket for you. And he said the next time you + went there, you should have it.” + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0030" id="link2HCH0030"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XXX + </h2> + <h3> + PATERNAL DISCIPLINE + </h3> + <p> + “The Fair, Free, and Frisky”—as they called themselves, were not of + a violent order at all, neither treasonable, nor even disloyal. Their + Club, if it deserved the name, had not been of political, social, or even + convivial intention, but had lapsed unawares into all three uses, and most + of all that last mentioned. The harder the times are, the more + confidential (and therefore convivial) do Englishmen become; and if + Free-trade survives with us for another decade, it will be the death of + total abstinence. But now they had bad times, without Free-trade—that + Goddess being still in the goose-egg—and when two friends met, + without a river between them, they were bound to drink one another's + health, and did it, without the unstable and cold-blooded element. The + sense of this duty was paramount among the “Free and Frisky,” and without + it their final cause would have vanished long ago, and therewith their + formal one. + </p> + <p> + None of the old-established folk of the blue blood of Springhaven, such as + the Tugwells, the Shankses, the Praters, the Bowleses, the Stickfasts, the + Blocks, or the Kedgers, would have anything to do with this Association, + which had formed itself among them, like an anti-corn-law league, for the + destruction of their rights and properties. Its origin had been + commercial, and its principles aggressive, no less an outrage being + contemplated than the purchase of fish at low figures on the beach, and + the speedy distribution of that slippery ware among the nearest villages + and towns. But from time immemorial the trade had been in the hands of a + few staunch factors, who paid a price governed by the seasons and the + weather, and sent the commodity as far as it would go, with soundness, and + the hope of freshness. Springhaven believed that it supplied all London, + and was proud and blest in so believing. With these barrowmen, hucksters + and pedlars of fish, it would have no manifest dealing; but if the factors + who managed the trade chose to sell their refuse or surplus to them, that + was their own business. In this way perhaps, and by bargains on the sly, + these petty dealers managed to procure enough to carry on their weekly + enterprise, and for a certain good reason took a room and court-yard handy + to the Darling Arms, to discuss other people's business and their own. The + good reason was that they were not allowed to leave the village, with + their barrows or trucks or baskets, until the night had fallen, on penalty + of being pelted with their own wares. Such was the dignity of this place, + and its noble abhorrence of anything low. + </p> + <p> + The vision of lofty institutions, which one may not participate, inspires + in the lower human nature more jealousy than admiration. These higglers + may have been very honest fellows, in all but pecuniary questions, and + possibly continued to be so in the bosom of their own families. But here + in Springhaven, by the force of circumstances they were almost compelled + to be radicals: even as the sweetest cow's milk turns sour, when she can + just reach red clover with her breath, but not her lips. But still they + were not without manners, and reason, and good-will to people who had + patience with them. This enabled them to argue lofty questions, without + black eyes, or kicking, or even tweak of noses; and a very lofty question + was now before them. + </p> + <p> + To get once into Admiral Darling's employment was to obtain a vested + interest; so kind was his nature and so forgiving, especially when he had + scolded anybody. Mr. Swipes, the head gardener for so many years, held an + estate of freehold in the garden—although he had no head, and would + never be a gardener, till the hanging gardens of Babylon should be hung on + the top of the tower of Babel—with a vested remainder to his son, + and a contingent one to all descendants. Yet this man, although his hands + were generally in his pockets, had not enough sense of their linings to + feel that continuance, usage, institution, orderly sequence, heredity, and + such like, were the buttons of his coat and the texture of his breeches, + and the warmth of his body inside them. Therefore he never could hold + aloof from the Free and Frisky gatherings, and accepted the chair upon + Bumper-nights, when it was a sinecure benefice. + </p> + <p> + This was a Bumper-night, and in the chair sat Mr. Swipes, discharging + gracefully the arduous duties of the office, which consisted mainly in + calling upon members for a speech, a sentiment, or a song, and in default + of mental satisfaction, bodily amendment by a pint all round. But as soon + as Dan Tugwell entered the room, the Free and Friskies with one accord + returned to loftier business. Mr. Swipes, the gay Liber of the genial + hour, retired from the chair, and his place was taken by a Liberal—though + the name was not yet invented—estranged from his own godfather. This + was a hard man, who made salt herrings, and longed to cure everything + fresh in the world. + </p> + <p> + Dan, being still a very tender youth, and quite unaccustomed to public + speaking, was abashed by these tokens of his own importance, and heartily + wished that he had stopped at home. It never occurred to his simple mind + that his value was not political, but commercial; not “anthropological,” + but fishy, the main ambition of the Free and Frisky Club having long been + the capture of his father. If once Zeb Tugwell could be brought to treat, + a golden era would dawn upon them, and a boundless vision of free-trade, + when a man might be paid for refusing to sell fish, as he now is for + keeping to himself his screws. Dan knew not these things, and his heart + misgave him, and he wished that he had never heard of the twenty-eight + questions set down in his name for solution. + </p> + <p> + However, his disturbance of mind was needless, concerning those great + issues. All the members, except the chairman, had forgotten all about + them; and the only matter they cared about was to make a new member of + Daniel. A little flourish went on about large things (which nobody knew, + or cared to know), then the table was hammered with the heel of a pipe, + and Dan was made a Free and Frisky. An honorary member, with nothing to + pay, and the honour on their side, they told him; and every man rose, with + his pot in one hand and his pipe in the other, yet able to stand, and to + thump with his heels, being careful. Then the President made entry in a + book, and bowed, and Dan was requested to sign it. In the fervour of + good-will, and fine feeling, and the pride of popularity, the young man + was not old enough to resist, but set his name down firmly. Then all shook + hands with him, and the meeting was declared to be festive, in honour of a + new and noble member. + </p> + <p> + It is altogether wrong to say—though many people said it—that + young Dan Tugwell was even a quarter of a sheet in the wind, when he + steered his way home. His head was as solid as that of his father; which, + instead of growing light, increased in specific, generic, and differential + gravity, under circumstances which tend otherwise, with an age like ours, + that insists upon sobriety, without allowing practice. All Springhaven + folk had long practice in the art of keeping sober, and if ever a man + walked with his legs outside his influence, it was always from defect of + proper average quite lately. + </p> + <p> + Be that as it may, the young man came home with an enlarged map of the + future in his mind, a brisk and elastic rise in his walk, and his head + much encouraged to go on with liberal and indescribable feelings. In + accordance with these, he expected his mother to be ready to embrace him + at the door, while a saucepan simmered on the good-night of the wood-ash, + with just as much gentle breath of onion from the cover as a youth may + taste dreamily from the lips of love. But oh, instead of this, he met his + father, spread out and yet solid across the doorway, with very large arms + bare and lumpy in the gleam of a fireplace uncrowned by any pot. Dan's + large ideas vanished, like a blaze without a bottom. + </p> + <p> + “Rather late, Daniel,” said the captain of Springhaven, with a nod of his + great head, made gigantic on the ceiling. “All the rest are abed, the + proper place for honest folk. I suppose you've been airning money, + overtime?” + </p> + <p> + “Not I,” said Dan; “I work hard enough all day. I just looked in at the + Club, and had a little talk of politics.” + </p> + <p> + “The Club, indeed! The stinking barrow-grinders! Did I tell you, or did I + forget to tell you, never to go there no more?” + </p> + <p> + “You told me fast enough, father; no doubt about that. But I am not aboard + your boat, when I happen on dry land, and I am old enough now to have + opinions of my own.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, that's it, is it? And to upset all the State, the King, the House of + Lords, and the Parliamentary House, and all as is descended from the + Romans? Well, and what did their Wusships say to you? Did they anoint you + king of slooshings?” + </p> + <p> + “Father, they did this—and you have a right to know it;” Dan spoke + with a grave debative tone, though his voice became doubtful, as he saw + that his father was quietly seeking for something; “almost before I knew + what was coming, they had made me a member, and I signed the book. They + have no desire to upset the kingdom; I heard no talk of that kind; only + that every man should have his own opinions, and be free to show what can + be said for them. And you know, father, that the world goes on by reason, + and justice, and good-will, and fair play—” + </p> + <p> + “No, it don't,” cried the captain, who had found what he wanted; “if it + had to wait for they, it would never go on at all. It goes on by + government, and management, and discipline, and the stopping of younkers + from their blessed foolery, and by the ten commandments, and the proverbs + of King Solomon. You to teach your father how the world goes on! Off with + your coat, and I'll teach you.” + </p> + <p> + “Father,” said Dan, with his milder nature trembling at the stern + resolution in his father's eyes, as the hearth-fire flashing up showed + their stronger flash, “you will never do such a thing, at my age and + size?” + </p> + <p> + “Won't I?” answered Zebedee, cracking in the air the three knotted tails + of the stout hempen twist. “As for your age, why, it ought to know better; + and as for your size, why, the more room for this!” + </p> + <p> + It never came into Daniel's head that he should either resist or run away. + But into his heart came the deadly sense of disgrace at being flogged, + even by his own father, at full age to have a wife and even children of + his own. + </p> + <p> + “Father,” he said, as he pulled off his coat and red striped shirt, and + showed his broad white back, “if you do this thing, you will never set + eyes on my face again—so help me God!” + </p> + <p> + “Don't care if I don't,” the captain shouted. “You was never son of mine, + to be a runagate, and traitor. How old be you, Master Free and Frisky, to + larn me how the world goes on?” + </p> + <p> + “As if you didn't know, father! The fifteenth of last March I was twenty + years of age.” + </p> + <p> + “Then one for each year of your life, my lad, and another to make a man of + thee. This little tickler hath three tails; seven threes is twenty-one—comes + just right.” + </p> + <p> + When his father had done with him, Dan went softly up the dark staircase + of old ship timber, and entering his own little room, struck a light. He + saw that his bed was turned down for him, by the loving hand of his + mother, and that his favourite brother Solomon, the youngest of the + Tugwell race, was sleeping sweetly in the opposite cot. Then he caught a + side view of his own poor back in the little black-framed looking-glass, + and was quite amazed; for he had not felt much pain, neither flinched, nor + winced, nor spoken. In a moment self-pity did more than pain, indignation, + outrage, or shame could do; it brought large tears into his softened eyes, + and a long sob into his swelling throat. + </p> + <p> + He had borne himself like a man when flogged; but now he behaved in the + manner of a boy. “He shall never hear the last of this job,” he muttered, + “as long as mother has a tongue in her head.” To this end he filled a wet + sponge with the red proofs of his scourging, laid it where it must be + seen, and beside it a leaf torn from his wage-book, on which he had + written with a trembling hand: “He says that I am no son of his, and this + looks like it. Signed, Daniel Tugwell, or whatever my name ought to be.” + </p> + <p> + Then he washed and dressed with neat's-foot oil all of his wounds that he + could reach, and tied a band of linen over them, and, in spite of + increasing smarts and pangs, dressed himself carefully in his Sunday + clothes. From time to time he listened for his father's step, inasmuch as + there was no bolt to his door, and to burn a light so late was against all + law. But nobody came to disturb him; his mother at the end of the passage + slept heavily, and his two child-sisters in the room close by, Tabby and + Debby, were in the land of dreams, as far gone as little Solly was. Having + turned out his tools from their flat flag basket, or at least all but + three or four favourites, he filled it with other clothes likely to be + needed, and buckled it over his hatchet-head. Then the beating of his + heart was like a flail inside a barn, as he stole along silently for one + terrible good-bye. + </p> + <p> + This was to his darling pet of all pets, Debby, who worshipped this + brother a great deal more than she worshipped her heavenly Father; + because, as she said to her mother, when rebuked—“I can see Dan, + mother, but I can't see Him. Can I sit in His lap, mother, and look into + His face, and be told pretty stories, and eat apples all the time?” Tabby + was of different grain, and her deity was Tim; for she was of the Tomboy + kind, and had no imagination. But Debby was enough to make a sound and + seasoned heart to ache, as she lay in her little bed, with the flush of + sleep deepening the delicate tint of her cheeks, shedding bright innocence + fresh from heaven on the tranquil droop of eyelid and the smiling curve of + lip. Her hair lay fluttered, as if by play with the angels that protected + her; and if she could not see her heavenly Father, it was not because she + was out of His sight. + </p> + <p> + A better tear than was ever shed by self-pity, or any other selfishness, + ran down the cheek she had kissed so often, and fell upon her coaxing, + nestling neck. Then Dan, with his candle behind the curtain, set a long + light kiss upon the forehead of his darling, and with a heart so full, and + yet so empty, took one more gaze at her, and then was gone. With the + basket in his hand, he dropped softly from his window upon the pile of + seaweed at the back of the house—collected to make the walls + wholesome—and then, caring little what his course might be, was led + perhaps by the force of habit down the foot-path towards the beach. So + late at night, it was not likely that any one would disturb him there, and + no one in the cottage which he had left would miss him before the morning. + The end of October now was near, the nights were long, and he need not + hurry. He might even lie down in his favourite boat, the best of her size + in Springhaven, the one he had built among the rabbits. There he could say + good-bye to all that he had known and loved so long, and be off before + dawn, to some place where he might earn his crust and think his thoughts. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0031" id="link2HCH0031"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XXXI + </h2> + <h3> + SORE TEMPTATION + </h3> + <p> + When a man's spirit and heart are low, and the world seems turned against + him, he had better stop both ears than hearken to the sound of the sad sea + waves at night. Even if he can see their movement, with the moon behind + them, drawing paths of rippled light, and boats (with white sails pluming + shadow, or thin oars that dive for gems), and perhaps a merry crew with + music, coming home not all sea-sick—well, even so, in the summer + sparkle, the long low fall of the waves is sad. But how much more on a + winter night, when the moon is away below the sea, and weary waters roll + unseen from a vast profundity of gloom, fall unreckoned, and are no more + than a wistful moan, as man is! + </p> + <p> + The tide was at quarter-ebb, and a dismal haze lay thick on shore and sea. + It was not enough to be called a fog, or even a mist, but quite enough to + deaden the gray light, always flowing along the boundary of sky and sea. + But over the wet sand and the white frill of the gently gurgling waves + more of faint light, or rather perhaps, less of heavy night, prevailed. + But Dan had keen eyes, and was well accustomed to the tricks of darkness; + and he came to take his leave forever of the fishing squadron, with a + certainty of knowing all the five, as if by daylight—for now there + were only five again. + </p> + <p> + As the tide withdrew, the fishing-smacks (which had scarcely earned their + name of late) were compelled to make the best of the world until the tide + came back again. To judge by creakings, strainings, groanings, and even + grindings of timber millstones [if there yet lives in Ireland the + good-will for a loan to us], all these little craft were making dreadful + hardship of the abandonment which man and nature inflicted on them every + thirteenth hour. But all things do make more noise at night, when they get + the chance (perhaps in order to assert their own prerogative), and they + seem to know that noise goes further, and assumes a higher character, when + men have left off making it. + </p> + <p> + The poor young fisherman's back was getting very sore by this time, and he + began to look about for the white side-streak which he had painted along + the water-line of that new boat, to distract the meddlesome gaze of rivals + from the peculiar curve below, which even Admiral Darling had not noticed, + when he passed her on the beach; but Nelson would have spied it out in + half a second, and known all about it in the other half. Dan knew that he + should find a very fair berth there, with a roll or two of stuff to lay + his back on, and a piece of tarpauling to draw over his legs. In the faint + light that hovered from the breaking of the wavelets he soon found his + boat, and saw a tall man standing by her. + </p> + <p> + “Daniel,” said the tall man, without moving, “my sight is very bad at + night, but unless it is worse than usual, you are my admired friend + Daniel. A young man in a thousand—one who dares to think.” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, Squire Carne,” the admired friend replied, with a touch of hat + protesting against any claim to friendship: “Dan Tugwell, at your service. + And I have thought too much, and been paid out for it.” + </p> + <p> + “You see me in a melancholy attitude, and among melancholy surroundings.” + Caryl Carne offered his hand as he spoke, and Dan took it with great + reverence. “The truth is, that anger at a gross injustice, which has just + come to my knowledge, drove me from my books and sad family papers, in the + room beneath the roof of our good Widow Shanks. And I needs must come down + here, to think beside the sea, which seems to be the only free thing in + England. But I little expected to see you.” + </p> + <p> + “And I little expected to be here, Squire Carne. But if not making too + bold to ask—was it anybody that was beaten?” + </p> + <p> + “Beaten is not the right word for it, Dan; cruelly flogged and lashed, a + dear young friend of mine has been, as fine a young fellow as ever lived—and + now he has not got a sound place on his back. And why? Because he was + poor, and dared to lift his eyes to a rich young lady.” + </p> + <p> + “But he was not flogged by his own father?” asked Dan, deeply interested + in this romance, and rubbing his back, as the pain increased with + sympathy. + </p> + <p> + “Not quite so bad as that,” replied the other; “such a thing would be + impossible, even in England. No; his father took his part, as any father + in the world would do; even if the great man, the young lady's father, + should happen to be his own landlord.” + </p> + <p> + A very black suspicion crossed the mind of Dan, for Carne possessed the + art of suggesting vile suspicions: might Admiral Darling have discovered + something, and requested Dan's father to correct him? It was certain that + the Admiral, so kind of heart, would never have desired such severity; but + he might have told Captain Tugwell, with whom he had a talk almost every + time they met, that his eldest son wanted a little discipline; and the + Club might have served as a pretext for this, when the true crime must not + be declared, by reason of its enormity. Dan closed his teeth, and English + air grew bitter in his mouth, as this belief ran through him. + </p> + <p> + “Good-night, my young friend; I am beginning to recover,” Carne continued, + briskly, for he knew that a nail snaps in good oak, when the hammer falls + too heavily. “What is a little bit of outrage, after all? When I have been + in England a few years more, I shall laugh at myself for having loved fair + play and self-respect, in this innocent young freshness. We must wag as + the world does; and you know the proverb, What makes the world wag, but + the weight of the bag?” + </p> + <p> + “But if you were more in earnest, sir—or at least—I mean, if + you were not bound here by property and business, and an ancient family, + and things you could not get away from, and if you wanted only to be + allowed fair play, and treated as a man by other men, and be able to keep + your own money when you earned it, or at least to buy your own victuals + with it—what would you try to do, or what part of the country would + you think best to go to?” + </p> + <p> + “Dan, you must belong to a very clever family. It is useless to shake your + head—you must; or you never could put such questions, so impossible + to answer. In all this blessed island, there is no spot yet discovered, + where such absurd visions can be realized. Nay, nay, my romantic friend; + be content with more than the average blessings of this land. You are not + starved, you are not imprisoned, you are not even beaten; and if you are + not allowed to think, what harm of that? If you thought all day, you would + never dare to act upon your thoughts, and so you are better without them. + Tush! an Englishman was never born for freedom. Good-night.” + </p> + <p> + “But, sir, Squire Carne,” cried Dan, pursuing him, “there is one thing + which you do not seem to know. I am driven away from this place to-night; + and it would have been so kind of you to advise me where to go to.” + </p> + <p> + “Driven away!” exclaimed Carne, with amazement. “The pride of the village + driven out of it! You may be driving yourself away, Tugwell, through some + scrape, or love affair; but when that blows over you will soon come back. + What would Springhaven do without you? And your dear good father would + never let you go.” + </p> + <p> + “I am not the pride, but the shame, of the village.” Dan forgot all his + home-pride at last. “And my dear good father is the man who has done it. + He has leathered me worse than the gentleman you spoke of, and without + half so much to be said against him. For nothing but going to the Club + to-night, where I am sure we drank King George's health, my father has + lashed me so, that I am ashamed to tell it. And I am sure that I never + meant to tell it, until your kindness, in a way of speaking, almost drove + it out of me.” + </p> + <p> + “Daniel Tugwell,” Carne answered, with solemnity, “this is beyond belief, + even in England. You must have fallen asleep, Dan, in the middle of large + thoughts, and dreamed this great impossibility.” + </p> + <p> + “My back knows whether it has been a dream, sir. I never heard of dreams + as left one-and-twenty lines behind them. But whether it be one, or + whether it be twenty, makes no odds of value. The disgrace it is that + drives me out.” + </p> + <p> + “Is there no way of healing this sad breach?” Carne asked, in a tone of + deep compassion; “if your father could be brought to beg your pardon, or + even to say that he was sorry—” + </p> + <p> + “He, sir! If such a thing was put before him, his answer would be just to + do it again, if I were fool enough to go near him. You are too mild of + nature, sir, to understand what father is.” + </p> + <p> + “It is indeed horrible, too horrible to think of”—the voice of this + kind gentleman betrayed that he was shuddering. “If a Frenchman did such a + thing, he would be torn to pieces. But no French father would ever dream + of such atrocity. He would rather flog himself within an inch of his own + life.” + </p> + <p> + “Are they so much better, then, and kinder, than us Englishmen?” In spite + of all his pain and grief, Dan could not help smiling at the thought of + his father ropesending himself. “So superior to us, sir, in every way?” + </p> + <p> + “In almost every way, I am sorry to confess. I fear, indeed, in every way, + except bodily strength, and obstinate, ignorant endurance, miscalled + 'courage,' and those rough qualities—whatever they may be—which + seem needful for the making of a seaman. But in good manners, justice, the + sense of what is due from one man to another, in dignity, equality, + temperance, benevolence, largeness of feeling, and quickness of mind, and + above all in love of freedom, they are very, very sadly far beyond us. And + indeed I have been led to think from some of your finer perceptions, Dan, + that you must have a share of French blood in your veins.” + </p> + <p> + “Me, sir!” cried Dan, jumping back, in a style which showed the distance + between faith and argument; “no, sir, thank God there was never none of + that; but all English, with some of the Romans, who was pretty near equal + to us, from what I hear. I suppose, Squire Carne, you thought that low of + me because I made a fuss about being larruped, the same as a Frenchman I + pulled out of the water did about my doing of it, as if I could have + helped it. No Englishman would have said much about that; but they seem to + make more fuss than we do. And I dare say it was French-like of me, to go + on about my hiding.” + </p> + <p> + “Daniel,” answered Caryl Carne, in alarm at this British sentiment; “as a + man of self-respect, you have only one course left, if your father refuses + to apologise. You must cast off his tyranny; you must prove yourself a + man; you must begin life upon your own account. No more of this drudgery, + and slavery for others, who allow you no rights in return. But a nobler + employment among free people, with a chance of asserting your courage and + manhood, and a certainty that no man will think you his bondslave because + you were born upon his land, or in his house. My father behaved to me—well, + it does not matter. He might have repented of it, if he had lived longer; + and I feel ashamed to speak of it, after such a case as yours. But behold, + how greatly it has been for my advantage! Without that, I might now have + been a true and simple Englishman!” + </p> + <p> + Carne (who had taken most kindly to the fortune which made him an untrue + Englishman) clapped his breast with both hands; not proudly, as a + Frenchman does, nor yet with that abashment and contempt of demonstration + which make a true Briton very clumsy in such doings; while Daniel Tugwell, + being very solid, and by no means “emotional”—as people call it + nowadays—was looking at him, to the utmost of his power (which would + have been greater by daylight), with gratitude, and wonder, and + consideration, and some hesitation about his foreign sentiments. + </p> + <p> + “Well, sir,” said Dan, with the usual impulse of the British workman, “is + there any sort of work as you could find for me, to earn my own living, + and be able to think afterwards?” + </p> + <p> + “There is work of a noble kind, such as any man of high nature may be + proud to share in, to which it is possible that I might get an entrance + for you, if there should be a vacancy; work of high character, such as + admits of no higgling and haggling, and splitting of halfpence, but an + independent feeling, and a sense of advancing the liberty of mankind, + without risking a penny, but putting many guineas into one's own pocket, + and so becoming fitted for a loftier line of life.” + </p> + <p> + “Is it smuggling, sir?” Daniel asked, with sore misgivings, for he had + been brought up to be very shy of that. “Many folk consider that quite + honest; but father calls it roguery—though I never shall hear any + more of his opinions now.” + </p> + <p> + “Sigh not, friend Daniel; sigh not so heavily at your own emancipation.” + Carne never could resist the chance of a little bit of sarcasm, though it + often injured his own plots. “Smuggling is a very fine pursuit, no doubt, + but petty in comparison with large affairs like ours. No, Dan Tugwell, I + am not a smuggler, but a high politician, and a polisher of mankind. How + soon do you think of leaving this outrageous hole?” + </p> + <p> + Despite the stupid outrage upon himself, Dan was too loyal and generous of + nature to be pleased with this description of his native place. But Carne, + too quick of temper for a really fine intriguer, cut short his + expostulations. + </p> + <p> + “Call it what you please,” he said; “only make your mind up quickly. If + you wish to remain here, do so: a man of no spirit is useless to me. But + if you resolve to push your fortunes among brave and lofty comrades, + stirring scenes, and brisk adventures, meet me at six to-morrow evening, + at the place where you chopped down my rails. All you want will be + provided, and your course of promotion begins at once. But remember, all + must be honour bright. No shilly-shallying, no lukewarmness, no + indifference to a noble cause. Faint heart never won fair lady.” + </p> + <p> + The waning moon had risen, and now shone upon Carne's face, lighting up + all its gloomy beauty, and strange power of sadness. Dan seemed to lose + his clear keen sight beneath the dark influence of the other's gaze; and + his will, though not a weak one, dropped before a larger and stronger. “He + knows all about me and Miss Dolly,” said the poor young fisherman to + himself; “I thought so before, and I am certain of it now. And, for some + reason beyond my knowledge, he wishes to encourage it. Oh, perhaps because + the Carnes have always been against the Darlings! I never thought of that + before.” + </p> + <p> + This was a bitter reflection to him, and might have inclined him the right + way, if time had allowed him to work it out. But no such time was + afforded; and in the confusion and gratitude of the moment, he answered, + “Sir, I shall be always at your service, and do my very best in every way + to please you.” Caryl Carne smiled; and the church clock of Springhaven + solemnly struck midnight. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0032" id="link2HCH0032"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XXXII + </h2> + <h3> + THE TRIALS OF FAITH + </h3> + <p> + He following day, the 27th of October, was a dark one in the calendar of a + fair and good young lady. Two years would then have passed since Faith + Darling, at the age of twenty, had received sad tidings, which would make + the rest of her life flow on in shadow. So at least she thought, forgetful + (or rather perhaps unconscious, for she had not yet learned the facts of + life) that time and the tide of years submerge the loftiest youthful + sorrow. To a warm and stedfast heart like hers, and a nature strong but + self-controlled, no casual change, or light diversion, or sudden interest + in other matters, could take the place of the motive lost. Therefore, + being of a deep true faith, and staunch in the belief of a great God, good + to all who seek His goodness, she never went away from what she meant, + that faith and hope should feed each other. + </p> + <p> + This saved her from being a trouble to any one, or damping anybody's + cheerfulness, or diminishing the gaiety around her. She took a lively + interest in the affairs of other people, which a “blighted being” declines + to do; and their pleasures ministered to her own good cheer without, or at + any rate beyond, her knowledge. Therefore she was liked by everybody, and + beloved by all who had any heart for a brave and pitiful story. Thus a + sweet flower, half closed by the storm, continues to breathe forth its + sweetness. + </p> + <p> + However, there were times when even Faith was lost in sad remembrance, and + her bright young spirit became depressed by the hope deferred that maketh + sick the heart. As time grew longer, hope grew less; and even the cheerful + Admiral, well versed in perils of the deep, and acquainted with many a + wandering story, had made up his mind that Erle Twemlow was dead, and + would never more be heard of. The rector also, the young man's father, + could hold out no longer against that conclusion; and even the mother, + disdaining the mention, yet understood the meaning, of despair. And so + among those to whom the subject was the most interesting in the world, it + was now the strict rule to avoid it with the lips, though the eyes were + often filled with it. + </p> + <p> + Faith Darling at first scorned this hard law. “It does seem so unkind,” + she used to say, “that even his name should be interdicted, as if he had + disgraced himself. If he is dead, he has died with honour. None who ever + saw him can doubt that. But he is not dead. He will come back to us, + perhaps next week, perhaps to-morrow, perhaps even while we are afraid to + speak of him. If it is for my sake that you behave thus, I am not quite so + weak as to require it.” + </p> + <p> + The peculiar circumstances of the case had not only baffled enquiry, but + from the very beginning precluded it. The man with the keenest eyes, + sharpest nose, biggest ears, and longest head, of all the many sneaks who + now conduct what they call “special enquiries,” could have done nothing + with a case like this, because there was no beginning it. Even now, in + fair peace, and with large knowledge added, the matter would not have been + easy; but in war universal, and blank ignorance, there was nothing to be + done but to sit down and think. And the story invited a good deal of + thinking, because of its disappointing turn. + </p> + <p> + During the negotiations for peace in 1801, and before any articles were + signed, orders were sent to the Cape of Good Hope for the return of a + regiment of the line, which had not been more than three months there. But + the Cape was likely to be restored to Holland, and two empty transports + returning from India were to call under convoy, and bring home these + troops. One of the officers was Captain Erle Twemlow, then about + twenty-five years of age, and under probation, by the Admiral's decree, + for the hand of the maiden whose heart had been his from a time to itself + immemorial. After tiresome days of impatience, the transports arrived + under conduct of a frigate; and after another week, the soldiers embarked + with fine readiness for their native land. + </p> + <p> + But before they had cleared the Bay, they met a brig-of-war direct from + Portsmouth, carrying despatches for the officer in command of the troops, + as well as for the captain of the frigate. Some barbarous tribes on the + coast of Guinea, the part that is called the Ivory Coast, had plundered + and burnt a British trading station within a few miles of Cape Palmas, and + had killed and devoured the traders. These natives must be punished, and a + stern example made, and a negro monarch of the name of Hunko Jum must have + his palace burned, if he possessed one; while his rival, the king of the + Crumbo tribe, whose name was Bandeliah, who had striven to protect the + traders, must be rewarded, and have a treaty made with him, if he could be + brought to understand it. Both sailors and soldiers were ready enough to + undertake this little spree, as they called it, expecting to have a + pleasant run ashore, a fine bit of sport with the negroes, and perhaps a + few noserings of gold to take home to their wives and sweethearts. + </p> + <p> + But, alas! the reality was not so fine. The negroes who had done all the + mischief made off, carrying most of their houses with them; and the palace + of Hunko Jum, if he possessed one, was always a little way further on. The + Colonel was a stubborn man, and so was the sea-captain—good Tories + both, and not desirous to skulk out of scrapes, and leave better men to + pick up their clumsy breakages. Blue and red vied with one another to + scour the country, and punish the natives—if only they could catch + them—and to vindicate, with much strong language, the dignity of + Great Britain, and to make an eternal example. + </p> + <p> + But white bones are what the white man makes, under that slimy sunshine + and putrefying moon. Weary, slack-jointed, low-hearted as they were, the + deadly coast-fever fell upon them, and they shivered, and burned, and + groaned, and raved, and leaped into holes, or rolled into camp fires. The + Colonel died early, and the Naval Captain followed him; none stood upon + the order of their going; but man followed man, as in a funeral, to the + grave, until there was no grave to go to. The hand of the Lord was + stretched out against them; and never would one have come back to England, + out of more than five hundred who landed, except for the manhood and + vigour of a seaman, Captain Southcombe, of the transport Gwalior. + </p> + <p> + This brave and sensible man had been left with his ship lying off to be + signalled for, in case of mishap, while his consort and the frigate were + despatched in advance to a creek, about twenty leagues westward, where the + land-force triumphant was to join them. Captain Southcombe, with every + hand he could muster, traced the unfortunate party inland, and found them + led many leagues in the wrong direction, lost among quagmires breathing + death, worn out with vermin, venom, and despair, and hemmed in by savages + lurking for the night, to rush in upon and make an end of them. What need + of many words? This man, and his comrades, did more than any other men on + the face of this earth could have done without British blood in them. They + buried the many who had died without hope of the decent concealment which + our life has had, and therefore our death longs for; they took on their + shoulders, or on cane wattles, the many who had made up their minds to + die, and were in much doubt about having done it, and they roused up and + worked up by the scruff of their loose places the few who could get along + on their own legs. And so, with great spirit, and still greater patience, + they managed to save quite as many as deserved it. + </p> + <p> + Because, when they came within signal of the Gwalior, Captain Southcombe, + marching slowly with his long limp burdens, found ready on the sand the + little barrel, about as big as a kilderkin, of true and unsullied + Stockholm pitch, which he had taken, as his brother took Madeira, for + ripeness and for betterance, by right of change of climate. With a little + of this given choicely and carefully at the back of every sick man's + tongue, and a little more spread across the hollow of his stomach, he + found them so enabled in the afternoon that they were glad to sit up in + the bottom of a boat, and resign themselves to an All-wise Providence. + </p> + <p> + Many survived, and blessed Captain Southcombe, not at first cordially—for + the man yet remains to be discovered who is grateful to his doctor—but + gradually more and more, and with that healthy action of the human bosom + which is called expectoration, whenever grateful memories were rekindled + by the smell of tar. But this is a trifle; many useful lives were saved, + and the Nation should have thanked Captain Southcombe, but did not. + </p> + <p> + After these sad incidents, when sorrow for old friends was tempered by the + friendly warmth afforded by their shoes, a muster was held by the Major in + command, and there was only one officer who could neither assert himself + alive, nor be certified as dead. That one was Erle Twemlow, and the + regiment would rather have lost any other two officers. Urgent as it was, + for the safety of the rest, to fly with every feather from this + pestilential coast, sails were handed, boats despatched, and dealings + tried with Hunko Jum, who had reappeared with promptitude, the moment he + was not wanted. From this noble monarch, and his chiefs, and all his + nation, it was hard to get any clear intelligence, because their own was + absorbed in absorbing. They had found upon the sands a cask of Admiralty + rum, as well as a stout residue of unadulterated pitch. Noses, and + tongues, and historical romance—for a cask had been washed ashore + five generations since, and set up for a god, when the last drop was + licked—induced this brave nation to begin upon the rum; and fashion + (as powerful with them as with us) compelled them to drink the tar + likewise, because they had seen the white men doing it. This would have + made it hard to understand them, even if they had been English scholars, + which their ignorance of rum proved them not to be; and our sailors very + nearly went their way, after sadly ascertaining nothing, except that the + cask was empty. + </p> + <p> + But luckily, just as they were pushing off, a very large, black head + appeared from behind a vegetable-ivory tree, less than a quarter of a mile + away, and they knew that this belonged to Bandeliah, the revered king of + the Crumbos, who had evidently smelled rum far inland. With him they were + enabled to hold discourse, partly by signs, and partly by means of an old + and highly polished negro, who had been the rat-catcher at the factory now + consumed; and the conclusion, or perhaps the confusion, arrived at from + signs, grunts, grins, nods, waggings of fingers and twistings of toes, + translated grandiloquently into broken English, was not far from being to + the following effect: + </p> + <p> + To wit, that two great kings reigned inland, either of them able to eat up + Hunko Jum and Bandeliah at a mouthful, but both of them too proud to set + foot upon land that was flat, or in water that was salt. They ruled over + two great nations called the Houlas, and the Quackwas, going out of sight + among great rivers and lands with clear water standing over them. And if + the white men could not understand this, it was because they drank + salt-water. + </p> + <p> + Moreover, they said that of these two kings, the king of the Houlas was a + woman, the most beautiful ever seen in all the world, and able to jump + over any man's head. But the king of the Quackwas was a man, and although + he had more than two thousand wives, and was taller by a joint of a bamboo + than Bandeliah—whose stature was at least six feet four—yet + nothing would be of any use to him, unless he could come to an agreement + with Mabonga, the queen of the Houlas, to split a durra straw with him. + But Mabonga was coy, and understanding men, as well as jumping over them, + would grant them no other favour than the acceptance of their presents. + However, the other great king was determined to have her for his wife, if + he abolished all the rest, and for this reason he had caught and kept the + lost Englishman as a medicine-man; and it was not likely that he would + kill him, until he failed or succeeded. + </p> + <p> + To further enquiries Bandeliah answered that to rescue the prisoner was + impossible. If it had been his own newest wife, he would not push out a + toe for her. The great king Golo lived up in high places that overlooked + the ground, as he would these white men, and his armies went like wind and + spread like fire. None of his warriors ate white man's flesh; they were + afraid it would make them cowardly. + </p> + <p> + A brave heart is generally tender in the middle, to make up for being so + firm outside, even as the Durian fruit is. Captain Southcombe had walked + the poop-deck of the Gwalior many a time, in the cool of the night, with + Erle Twemlow for his companion, and had taken a very warm liking to him. + So that when the survivors of the regiment were landed at Portsmouth, this + brave sailor travelled at his own cost to Springhaven, and told the Rector + the whole sad story, making it clear to him beyond all doubt, that nothing + whatever could be done to rescue the poor young man from those savages, or + even to ascertain his fate. For the Quackwas were an inland tribe, + inhabiting vast regions wholly unknown to any European, and believed to + extend to some mighty rivers, and lakes resembling inland seas. + </p> + <p> + Therefore Mr. Twemlow, in a deep quiet voice, asked Captain Southcombe one + question only—whether he might keep any hope of ever having, by the + mercy of the Lord, his only son restored to him. And the sailor said—yes; + the mistake would be ever to abandon such a hope, for at the moment he + least expected it, his son might stand before him. He pretended to no + experience of the western coast of Africa, and niggers he knew were a very + queer lot, acting according to their own lights, which differed according + to their natures. But he was free to say, that in such a condition he + never would think of despairing, though it might become very hard not to + do so, as time went on without bringing any news. He himself had been in + sad peril more than once, and once it appeared quite hopeless; but he + thought of his wife and his children at home, and the Lord had been + pleased to deliver him. + </p> + <p> + The parson was rebuked by this brave man's faith, who made no pretence + whatever to piety; and when they said Goodbye, their eyes were bright with + the goodwill and pity of the human race, who know trouble not inflicted as + yet upon monkeys. Mr. Twemlow's heart fell when the sailor was gone, quite + as if he had lost his own mainstay; but he braced himself up to the heavy + duty of imparting sad news to his wife and daughter, and worst of all to + Faith Darling. But the latter surprised him by the way in which she bore + it; for while she made no pretence to hide her tears, she was speaking as + if they were needless. And the strangest thing of all, in Mr. Twemlow's + opinion, was her curious persistence about Queen Mabonga. Could any black + woman—and she supposed she must be that—be considered by white + people to be beautiful? Had Captain Southcombe ever even seen her; and if + not, how could he be in such raptures about her attractions? She did not + like to say a word, because he had been so kind and so faithful to those + poor soldiers, whom it was his duty to bring home safe; but if it had not + been for that, she might have thought that with so many children and a + wife at Limehouse, he should not have allowed his mind to dwell so fondly + on the personal appearance of a negress! + </p> + <p> + The Rector was astonished at this injustice, and began to revise his + opinion about Faith as the fairest and sweetest girl in all the world; but + Mrs. Twemlow smiled, when she had left off crying, and said that she liked + the dear child all the better for concluding that Ponga—or whatever + her name was—must of necessity and at the first glance fall + desperately in love with her own Erle. Then the Rector cried, “Oh, to be + sure, that explained it! But he never could have thought of that, without + his wife's assistance.” + </p> + <p> + Two years now, two years of quiet patience, of busy cheerfulness now and + then, and of kindness to others always, had made of Faith Darling a lady + to be loved for a hundred years, and for ever. The sense of her sorrow was + never far from her, yet never brought near to any other by herself; and + her smile was as warm, and her eyes as bright, as if there had never been + a shadow on her youth. To be greeted by her, and to receive her hand, and + one sweet glance of her large goodwill, was enough to make an old man feel + that he must have been good at some time, and a young man hope that he + should be so by-and-by; though the tendency was generally contented with + the hope. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0033" id="link2HCH0033"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XXXIII + </h2> + <h3> + FAREWELL, DANIEL + </h3> + <p> + Thoughtful for others as she always was, this lovely and loveable young + woman went alone, on the morning of the day that was so sorrowful for her, + to bear a little share of an elder lady's sorrow, and comfort her with + hopes, or at any rate with kindness. They had shed tears together when the + bad news arrived, and again when a twelvemonth had weakened feeble hope; + and now that another year had well-nigh killed it in old hearts too + conversant with the cruelties of the world, a little talk, a tender look, + a gentle repetition of things that had been said at least a hundred times + before, might enter by some subtle passage to the cells of comfort. Who + knows how the welted vine leaf, when we give it shade and moisture, crisps + its curves again, and breathes new bloom upon its veinage? And who can + tell how the flagging heart, beneath the cool mantle of time, revives, + shapes itself into keen sympathies again, and spreads itself congenially + to the altered light? + </p> + <p> + Without thinking about it, but only desiring to do a little good, if + possible, Faith took the private way through her father's grounds leading + to the rectory, eastward of the village. It was scarcely two o'clock, and + the sun was shining, and the air clear and happy, as it can be in October. + She was walking rather fast, for fear of dropping into the brooding vein, + when in the little fir plantation a man came forth on her path, and stood + within a few yards in front of her. She was startled for an instant, + because the place was lonely, and Captain Stubbard's battery crew had + established their power to repulse the French by pounding their + fellow-countrymen. But presently she saw that it was Dan Tugwell, looking + as unlike himself as any man can do (without the aid of an artist), and + with some surprise she went on to meet him. + </p> + <p> + Instead of looking bright, and bold, and fearless, with the freedom of the + sea in his open face, and that of the sun in his clustering curls, young + Daniel appeared careworn and battered, not only unlike his proper self, + but afraid of and ashamed of it. He stood not firmly on the ground, nor + lightly poised like a gallant sailor, but loosely and clumsily like a + ploughman who leaves off at the end of his furrow to ease the cramp. His + hat looked as if he had slept in it, and his eyes as if he had not slept + with them. + </p> + <p> + Miss Darling had always been fond of Dan, from the days when they played + on the beach together, in childhood's contempt of social law. Her old + nurse used to shut her eyes, after looking round to make sure that there + was “nobody coming to tell on them,” while as pretty a pair of children as + the benevolent sea ever prattled with were making mirth and music and + romance along its margin. And though in ripe boyhood the unfaithful Daniel + transferred the hot part of his homage to the more coquettish Dolly, Faith + had not made any grievance of that, but rather thought all the more of + him, especially when he saved her sister's life in a very rash boating + adventure. + </p> + <p> + So now she went up to him with a friendly mind, and asked him softly and + pitifully what trouble had fallen upon him. At the sweet sound of her + voice, and the bright encouragement of her eyes, he felt as if he was + getting better. + </p> + <p> + “If you please, miss,” he said, with a meek salutation, which proved his + panisic ideas to be not properly wrought into his system as yet—“if + you please, miss, things are very hard upon me.” + </p> + <p> + “Is it money?” she asked, with the true British instinct that all common + woes have their origin there; “if it is, I shall be so glad that I happen + to have a good bit put by just now.” + </p> + <p> + But Dan shook his head with such dignified sadness that Faith was quite + afraid of having hurt his feelings. “Oh, I might have known,” she said, + “that it was nothing of that kind. You are always so industrious and + steady. But what can it be? Is it anything about Captain Stubbard and his + men, because I know you do not like them, and none of the old Springhaven + people seem to do so? Have you been obliged to fight with any of them, + Daniel?” + </p> + <p> + “No, miss, no. I would not soil my hand by laying it on any of such chaps + as those. Unless they should go for to insult me, I mean, or any one + belonging to me. No, miss, no. It is ten times worse than money, or + assault and battery.” + </p> + <p> + “Well, Daniel, I would not on any account,” said Faith, with her desire of + knowledge growing hotter by delay, as a kettle boils by waiting—“on + no account would I desire to know anything that you do not seem to think + my advice might help you to get out of. I am not in a hurry, but still my + time is getting rather late for what I have to do. By the time I come back + from the rectory, perhaps you will have made up your mind about it. Till + then, good-bye to you, Daniel.” + </p> + <p> + He stepped out of the path, that she might go by, and only said, “Then + goodbye, miss; I shall be far away when you come back.” + </p> + <p> + This was more than the best-regulated, or largest—which generally is + the worst-regulated—feminine mind could put up with. Miss Darling + came back, with her mind made up to learn all, or to know the reason why. + </p> + <p> + “Dan, this is unworthy of you,” she said, with her sweet voice full of + sorrow. “Have I ever been hard or unkind to you, Dan, that you should be + so afraid of me?” + </p> + <p> + “No, miss, never. But too much the other way. That makes it so bad for me + to say good-bye. I am going away, miss. I must be off this evening. I + never shall see Springhaven no more, nor you, miss—nor nobody else.” + </p> + <p> + “It is quite impossible, Dan. You must be dreaming. You don't look at all + like yourself to-day. You have been doing too much over-time. I have heard + all about it, and how very hard you work. I have been quite sorry for you + on Sundays, to see you in the gallery, without a bit of rest, still + obliged to give the time with your elbow. I have often been astonished + that your mother could allow it. Why, Dan, if you go away, you will break + her heart, and I don't know how many more in Springhaven.” + </p> + <p> + “No, miss, no. They very soon mends them. It is the one as goes away that + gets a deal the worst of it. I am sure I don't know whatever I shall do, + without the old work to attend to. But it will get on just as well without + me.” + </p> + <p> + “No, it won't,” replied Faith, looking at him very sadly, and shaking her + head at such cynical views; “nothing will be the same, when you are gone, + Daniel; and you ought to have more consideration.” + </p> + <p> + “I am going with a good man, at any rate,” he answered, “the freest-minded + gentleman that ever came to these parts. Squire Carne, of Carne Castle, if + you please, miss.” + </p> + <p> + “Mr. Caryl Carne!” cried Faith, in a tone which made Daniel look at her + with some surprise. “Is he going away? Oh, I am so glad!” + </p> + <p> + “No, miss; not Squire Carne himself. Only to provide for me work far away, + and not to be beholden any more to my own people. And work where a man may + earn and keep his own money, and hold up his head while adoing of it.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, Dan, you know more of such things than I do. And every man has a + right to be independent, and ought to be so, and I should despise him + otherwise. But don't be driven by it into the opposite extreme of + disliking the people in a different rank—” + </p> + <p> + “No, miss, there is no fear of that—the only fear is liking some of + them too much.” + </p> + <p> + “And then,” continued Faith, who was now upon one of her favourite + subjects past interruption, “you must try to remember that if you work + hard, so do we, or nearly all of us. From the time my father gets up in + the morning, to the time when he goes to bed at night, he has not got five + minutes—as he tells us every day—for attending to anything but + business. Even at dinner, when you get a good hour, and won't be disturbed—now + will you?” + </p> + <p> + “No, miss; not if all the work was tumbling down. No workman as respects + himself would take fifty-nine minutes for sixty.” + </p> + <p> + “Exactly so; and you are right. You stand up for your rights. Your dinner + you have earned, and you will have it. And the same with your breakfast, + and your supper too, and a good long night to get over it. Do you jump up + in bed, before you have shut both eyes, hearing or fancying you have heard + the bell, that calls you out into the cold, and the dark, and a wet + saddle, from a warm pillow? And putting that by, as a trouble of the war, + and the chance of being shot at by dark tall men”—here Faith + shuddered at her own presentment, as the image of Caryl Carne passed + before her—“have you to consider, at every turn, that whatever you + do—though you mean it for the best—will be twisted and turned + against you by some one, and made into wickedness that you never dreamed + of, by envious people, whose grudge against you is that they fancy you + look down on them? Though I am sure of one thing, and that is that my + father, instead of looking down upon any honest man because he is poor, + looks up to him; and so do I; and so does every gentleman or lady. And any + one who goes about to persuade the working-people—as they are + called, because they have to use their hands more—that people like + my father look down upon them, and treat them like dogs, and all those + wicked stories—all I can say is, any man who does it deserves to be + put in the stocks, or the pillory, or even to be transported as an enemy + to his country.” + </p> + <p> + Dan looked at the lady with great surprise. He had always known her to be + kind and gentle, and what the old people called “mannersome,” to every + living body that came near her. But to hear her put, better than he could + put them, his own budding sentiments (which he thought to be new, with the + timeworn illusion of young Liberals), and to know from her bright cheeks, + and brighter eyes, that her heart was in every word of it, and to feel + himself rebuked for the evil he had thought, and the mischief he had given + ear to—all this was enough to make him angry with himself, and + uncertain how to answer. + </p> + <p> + “I am certain that you never thought of such things,” Miss Darling + continued, with her gentle smile returning; “you are much too industrious + and sensible for that. But I hear that some persons are now in our parish + who make it their business, for some reason of their own, to spread + ill-will and jealousy and hatred everywhere, to make us all strangers and + foes to one another, and foreigners to our own country. We have enemies + enough, by the will of the Lord (as Mr. Twemlow says), for a sharp trial + to us, and a lesson to our pride, and a deep source of gratitude, and + charity, and good-will—though I scarcely understand how they come in—and, + above all, a warning to us to stick together, and not exactly hate, but + still abhor, everybody who has a word to say against his own country at a + time like this. And ten thousand times as much, if he is afraid to say it, + but crawls with crafty poison into simple English bosoms.” + </p> + <p> + “There is nothing of that, miss, to my knowledge, here,” the young + fisherman answered, simply; “Springhaven would never stand none of that; + and the club drinks the health of King George every night of their + meeting, and stamps on the floor for him. But I never shall help to do + that any more. I must be going, miss—and thank you.” + </p> + <p> + “Then you will not tell me why you go? You speak of it as if it was + against your will, and yet refuse to say what drives you. Have you been + poaching, Dan? Ah, that is it! But I can beg you off immediately. My + father is very good even to strangers, and as for his doing anything to + you—have no fear, Dan; you shall not be charged with it, even if you + have been in Brown Bushes.” + </p> + <p> + Brown Bushes, a copse about a mile inland, was the Admiral's most sacred + spot, when peace allowed him to go shooting, because it was beloved by + woodcocks, his favourite birds both for trigger and for fork. But Daniel + only shook his head; he had not been near Brown Bushes. Few things perhaps + will endure more wear than feminine curiosity. But when a trap has been + set too long, it gets tongue-bound, and grows content without contents. + </p> + <p> + “Daniel Tugwell,” said Miss Darling, severely, “if you have not been + fighting, or conspiring against society, or even poaching, I can well + understand that you may have reasons for not desiring my assistance or + advice. And I only wonder that under such circumstances you took the + trouble to wait for me here, as you appear to have done. Good-bye.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, don't be cross, miss! please not to be cross,” cried Daniel, running + after her; “I would tell you all about it this very instant moment, if it + were behoving to me. You will hear all about it when you get to Parson + Twemlow's, for I saw mother going there, afore she had her breakfast, + though I was not concernable to let her see me. If the Squire had been + home, she would have gone up to Hall first. No, miss, no. I done nothing + to be ashamed of; and if you turn back on me, you'll be sorry afterwards.” + </p> + <p> + Faith was more apt to think that she had been too sharp than to be so in + behaviour to any one. She began at once, with a blush for her bad ideas, + to beg Dan's pardon, and he saw his way to say what he was come to say. + </p> + <p> + “You always were too good, Miss Faith, too good to be hard upon any one, + and I am sure you have not been hard upon me; for I know that I look + disrespectable. But I couldn't find words to say what I wanted, until you + spoke so soft and kind. And perhaps, when I say it, you'll be angry with + me, and think that I trespass upon you.” + </p> + <p> + “No, I won't, Dan; I will promise you that. You may tell me, as if I were + Mr. Swipes, who says that he never lost his temper in his life, because he + is always right, and other people wrong.” + </p> + <p> + “Well, miss, I'm afraid that I am not like that, and that makes me feel so + uncomfortable with the difference between us. Because it is all about Miss + Dolly, and I might seem so impudent. But you know that I would go through + fire and water to serve Miss Dolly, and I durstn't go away forever without + one message to her. If I was in her own rank of life, God Almighty alone + should part us, whether I was rich or whether I was poor, and I'd like to + see any one come near her! But being only an ignorant fellow without any + birth or book-learning, I am not such a fool as to forget that the breadth + of the world lies between us. Only I may wish her well, all the same—I + may wish her well and happy, miss?” + </p> + <p> + “Certainly you may.” Faith blushed at the passion of his words, and sighed + at their despair. “You have saved her life. She respects and likes you, + the same as my father and I do. You may trust me with your message, Dan.” + </p> + <p> + “I suppose it would not be the proper thing for me to see her once before + I go; just for one minute, with you standing by her, that I might—that + she might—” + </p> + <p> + “No,” answered Faith, though it grieved her to say it; “we must not think + of that, Dan. It could do you no good, and it might do her harm. But if + you have any message, to be useful to her—” + </p> + <p> + “The useful part of it must be through you, miss, and not sent to her at + all, I think, or it would be very impertinent. The kind part is to give + her my good-bye, and say that I would die to help her. And the useful part + is for yourself. For God's sake, miss, do keep Miss Dolly out of the way + of Squire Carne! He hath a tongue equal to any woman, with the mind of a + man beneath it. He hath gotten me body and soul; because I care not the + skin of a dab what befalls me. But oh, miss, he never must get Miss Dolly. + He may be a very good man in some ways, and he is wonderful free-minded; + but any young lady as marries him had better have leaped into the Culver + Hole. Farewell, miss, now that I have told you.” He was gone before Faith + could even offer him her hand, but he took off his hat and put one finger + to his curls, as he looked back from the clearing; and her eyes filled + with tears, as she waved her hand and answered, “Farewell, Daniel!” + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0034" id="link2HCH0034"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XXXIV + </h2> + <h3> + CAULIFLOWERS + </h3> + <p> + “They cocks and hens,” Mr. Swipes used to say in the earlier days of his + empire—“bless you, my lord, they cocks and hens knows a good bit of + gardening as well as I do. They calls one another, and they comes to see + it, and they puts their heads to one side and talks about it, and they say + to one another, 'Must be something good there, or he wouldn't have made it + so bootiful'; and then up go their combs, and they tear away into it, like + a passel of Scotchmen at a scratching-match. If your lordship won't put a + lock on the door, you will never taste a bit of good vegetable.” + </p> + <p> + Admiral Darling was at length persuaded to allow Mr. Swipes the privilege + of locking himself in the kitchen-garden; and then, for the purpose of + getting at him, a bell was put in the gable of the tool-house, with a long + handle hanging outside the door in the courtyard towards the kitchen. Thus + he was able to rest from his labours, without incurring unjust reproach; + and gradually as he declined, with increasing decision, to answer the bell + when it rang, according to the highest laws of nature it left off ringing + altogether. So Mr. Swipes in the walled kitchen-garden sought peace and + ensued it. + </p> + <p> + One quiet November afternoon, when the disappearance of Dan Tugwell had + been talked out and done with, a sad mishap befell this gardener, during + the performance, or, to speak more correctly, the contemplation of his + work. A yawn of such length and breadth and height and profundity took + possession of him that the space it had so well occupied still retained + the tender memory. In plainer words, he had ricked his jaw, not from + general want of usage, but from the momentary excess. + </p> + <p> + “Sarves me right,” he muttered, “for carrying on so, without nothing + inside of 'un. Must go to doctor, quick step, and no mistake.” + </p> + <p> + In this strait he set off for John Prater's (for it was a matter of luck + to get ale at the Hall, and in such emergency he must not trust to + fortune), and passing hastily through the door, left it unlocked behind + him. Going down the hill he remembered this, and had a great mind to go + back again, but the unanimous demand of his system for beer impelled him + downwards. He never could get up that hill again without hydraulic + pressure. + </p> + <p> + All might have gone well, and all would have gone well, except for the + grievous mistake of Nature in furnishing women with eyes whose keenness is + only exceeded by that of their tongues. The cook at the Hall, a superior + person—though lightly esteemed by Mrs. Cloam—had long been + ambitious to have a voice in the selection of her raw material. If + anything was good, who got the credit? Mr. Swipes, immediately. But if + everything was bad, as more often happened, who received the blame? Mary + Knuckledown. Her lawful name was “Knuckleup,” but early misfortunes had + reduced her to such mildness that her name became converted—as she + expressed it—in harmony with her nature. Facts having generally been + adverse to her, she found some comfort in warm affection for their natural + enemies and ever-victorious rivals—words. Any words coming with a + brave rush are able to scatter to the winds the strongest facts; but big + words—as all our great orators know—knock them at once on the + head and cremate them. But the cook was a kind-hearted woman, and liked + both little and big words, without thinking of them. + </p> + <p> + She had put down her joint, a good aitch-bone, for roasting—than + which, if well treated, are few better treats—to revolve in the + distant salute of the fire (until it should ripen for the close embrace, + where the tints of gold and chestnut vie), when it came into her provident + mind with a flash that neither horse-radish nor cauliflower had yet been + delivered by Mr. Swipes. She must run out and pull the long handle in the + yard, and remind him gently of her needs, for she stood in some awe of his + character, as a great annalist of little people's lives. + </p> + <p> + Leaving the small dog Dandolo with stern orders to keep the jack steadily + going, with a stick on the dresser to intimidate one eye, and a sop in the + dripping-pan to encourage the other, Mrs. Knuckledown ran into the + court-yard, just in time to see the last swing of the skirt of that noble + gardener's coat, as he turned the wall corner on his march towards the + tap. She longed to call him back, but remembered just in time how + fearfully cross that had made him once before, and she was yielding with a + sigh to her usual bad luck, when an eager and triumphant cluck made her + look about. The monarch and patriarch of cocks, a magnificent old Dorking, + not idly endowed with five claws for the scratch, had discovered something + great, and was calling all his wives, and even his sons, as many as yet + crowed not against him, to share this special luck of fortune, or kind + mood of Providence. In a minute or two he had levied an army, some + half-hundred strong, and all spurring the land, to practise their liberal + claws betimes for the gorgeous joy of scattering it. Then the grand old + cock, whose name was “Bill,” made them all fall in behind him, and + strutting till he almost tumbled on his head, led the march of destruction + to the garden door. + </p> + <p> + But, alas, he had waited for his followers too long, eager as they were + for rapine. When he came to his portal of delight, there stood, stout as + Britannia herself, and sweeping a long knife for her trident, the valiant + cook, to protect her cauliflowers. “You be off, Bill,” she cried. “I don't + want to hurt you, because you have been a good bird in your time, but now + you be growing outrageous.” Bill made a rush for it, but losing a slice of + his top-heavy comb, retired. + </p> + <p> + “Now's my opportunity,” said Mary to herself, “for to cut my own cabbage + for once in my life, and to see what that old beast does in here. Oh my! + The old villain, and robber that he is! Bamboozlement is the language for + it.” Embezzlement she should have said, and to one who knew as she did how + badly the table of the master was supplied, the suspicion was almost + unavoidable. For here she saw in plenteous show, and appetising + excellence, a many many of the very things she had vainly craved from Mr. + Swipes. And if it was so now in November, what must it have been two + months ago? Why, poor Miss Faith—Mary Knuckledown's idol, because of + her kindness and sad disappointment—had asked a little while ago for + a bit of salsify, not for herself—she never thought of herself—but + for a guest who was fond of it; also the Admiral himself had called out + for a good dish of skirrets. But no; Mr. Swipes said the weather and the + black blight had destroyed them. Yet here they were; Mary could swear to + them both, with their necks above-ground, as if waiting for the washing! + Cauliflowers also (as the cooks call broccoli of every kind), here they + were in abundance, ten long rows all across the middle square, very + beautiful to behold. Some were just curling in their crinkled coronets, to + conceal the young heart that was forming, as Miss in her teens draws her + tresses around the first peep of her own palpitation; others were showing + their broad candid bosoms, with bold sprigs of nature's green lace + crisping round; while others had their ripe breasts shielded from the air + by the breakage of their own broad fringe upon them. + </p> + <p> + Mary knew that this was done by Mr. Swipes himself, because he had brought + her some in that condition; but the unsuspicious master had accepted his + assurance that “they was only fit for pigs as soon as the break-stalk + blight come on 'em”; and then the next day he had bought the very same, + perhaps at ninepence apiece, from Mr. Cheeseman's window, trimmed and + shorn close, like the head of a monk. “I'll see every bit of 'un, now that + I be here.” Mrs. Knuckledown spoke aloud, to keep up her courage. “Too bad + for that old beast to keep us locked out from the very place us ought to + have for pommylarding, because he saith all the fruit would go into our + pockets. And what goes into his'en, I should like to know? Suppose I lock + him out, as he hath locked us out. He won't be back yet for half an hour, + anyway. Wish I could write—what a list I would make, if it was only + of the things he denieth he hath got!” + </p> + <p> + Strong in her own honesty and loyalty to her master, the cook turned the + key in the lock, and left Swipes to ring himself into his own garden, as + he always called it. That is to say, if he should return, which was not + very likely, before she had time for a good look round. But she saw such a + sight of things she had longed for, to redeem her repute in the vegetable + way, as well as such herbs for dainty stuffing, of which she knew more + than cooks generally do, that her cap nearly came off her head with + amazement, and time flew by unheeded. Until she was startled and terrified + sadly by the loud, angry clang of the bell in the gable. Not only was Mr. + Swipes come back, but he was in a furious rage outside, though his fury + was chilled with some shivers of fear. At first, when he found the door + locked against him, he thought that the Admiral must have come home + unexpected, and failing to find him at work, had turned the key against + him, while himself inside. If so, his situation would be in sad peril, and + many acres of lies would be required to redeem it. For trusting in his + master's long times of absence, and full times of public duty when at + home, Mr. Swipes had grown more private stock, as he called it, and denied + the kitchen more, than he had ever done before, in special preparation for + some public dinners about to be given at the Darling Arms, by military + officers to naval, and in turn by the latter to the former; for those were + hospitable days, when all true Britons stuck their country's enemy with + knife and fork, as well as sword. + </p> + <p> + But learning, as he soon did at the stables, that the Admiral was still + away, and both the young ladies were gone for a ride with Miss Twemlow, + the gardener came back in a rage, and rang the bell. “Oh, whatever shall I + do?” the trembling Mary asked herself. “Best take the upper hand if I can. + He's a thief, and a rogue, and he ought to be frighted. Does he know I + can't write? No, for certain he dothn't. One of his big lies about me was + a letter I wrote to poor Jonadab.” + </p> + <p> + With her courage renewed by the sense of that wrong, she opened the door, + and stood facing Mr. Swipes, with a piece of paper in her hand, which a + woman's quick wit bade her fetch from her pocket. + </p> + <p> + “Halloa, madam!” the gardener exclaimed, with a sweep of his hat and a low + salute, which he meant to be vastly satirical; “so your ladyship have come + to take the air in my poor garden, instead of tending the spit. And what + do your ladyship think of it, so please you? Sorry as I had any dung + about, but hadn't no warning of this royal honour.” + </p> + <p> + “Sir,” said Mrs. Knuckledown, pretending to be frightened a great deal + more than she was—“oh, sir, forgive me! I am sure I meant no harm. + But the fowls was running in, and I ran up to stop them.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, that was how your ladyship condescended; and to keep out the fowls, + you locked out me! Allow me the royal and unapparelled honour of showing + your ladyship to her carriage; and if I ever catch her in here again, I'll + pitch you down the court-yard pretty quick. Be off, you dirty baggage, or + I won't answer for it now!” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, you are too kind, Mr. Swipes; I am sure you are too gentle, to + forgive me, like of that! And the little list I made of the flowers in + your garden, I shall put it in a teapot till the Quality wants something.” + </p> + <p> + Mr. Swipes gave a start, and his over-watered eyes could not meet those of + Mary, which were mildly set upon them. “List!” he muttered—“little + list! What do you please to mean, Miss?” + </p> + <p> + “Well, the 'dirty baggage' means nothing unparalleled, sir, but just the + same as anybody else might do. Some people calls it a Inventionary, and + some an Emmarandum, and some a Catalogue. It don't interfere with you, Mr. + Swipes; only the next time as Miss Dolly asks, the same as she was doing + the other day—” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, she was, was she? The little ——-!” Mr. Swipes used a word + concerning that young lady which would have insured his immediate + discharge, together with one from the Admiral's best toe. “And pray, what + was her observations, ma'am?” + </p> + <p> + “It was Charles told me, for he was waiting at dinner. Seems that the + turnip was not to her liking, though I picked out the very best of what + few you sent in, so she looks up from her plate, and she says: 'Well, I + cannot understand it! To me it is the greatest mistress in the world,' she + says, 'that we never can get a bit of vegetable fit for eating. We've + got,' she says, 'a kitchen-garden close upon two acres, and a man who + calls himself head gardener, by the name of Swipes'—my pardoning to + you, Mr. Swipes, for the young lady's way of saying it—'and his two + sons, and his nephew, and I dare say soon his grandsons. Well, and what + comes of it?' says she. 'Why, that we never has a bit of any kind of + vegetable, much less of fruit, fit to lay a fork to!' Charles was + a-pricking up his ears at this, because of his own grumbles, and the + master saw it, and he says, 'Hush, Dolly!' But she up and answers + spiritly: 'No, I won't hush, papa, because it is too bad. Only you leave + it to me,' she says, 'and if I don't keep the key from that old thief—excoose + me, Mr. Swipes, for her shocking language—'and find out what he + locks up in there, my name's not Horatia Dorothy Darling.' Oh, don't let + it dwell so on your mind, Mr. Swipes! You know what young ladies be. They + says things random, and then goes away and never thinks no more about it. + Oh, don't be upset so—or I shall have to call Charles!” + </p> + <p> + Mr. Swipes took his hat off to ease his poor mind, which had lost its way + altogether in other people's wickedness. “May I never set eyes on that + young man no more!” he exclaimed, with more pathetic force than reasoning + power. “Either him or me quits this establishment to-morrow. Ah, I know + well why he left his last place, and somebody else shall know to-morrow!” + </p> + <p> + “What harm have poor Charles done?” the cook asked sharply; “it wasn't him + that said it; it was Miss Dolly. Charley only told me conferentially.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, I know what 'conferentially' means, when anything once gets among the + womenkind! But I know a thing or two about Miss Dolly, as will give her + enough to do at home, I'll warrant, without coming spying after me and my + affairs. Don't you be surprised, cook, whatever you may hear, as soon as + ever the Admiral returneth. He's a soft man enough in a number of ways, + but he won't put up with everything. The nasty little vixen, if she don't + smart for this!” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, don't 'e, now don't 'e, Mr. Swipes, that's a dear!” cried the + soft-hearted Mrs. Knuckledown; “don't 'e tell on her, the poor young + thing. If her hath been carrying on a bit with some of them young + hofficers, why, it's only natteral, and her such a young booty. Don't 'e + be Dick-tell-tale, with a name to it, or without. And perhaps her never + said half the things that Charles hath contributed to her.” The truth was + that poor Dolly had said scarcely one of them. + </p> + <p> + “Bain't no young hofficer,” Mr. Swipes replied, contemptuously; “ten times + wuss than that, and madder for the Admiral. Give me that paper, Miss, and + then, perhaps, I'll tell 'e. Be no good to you, and might be useful to + me.” + </p> + <p> + Mary could not give up the paper, because it was a letter from one of her + adorers, which, with the aid of Jenny Shanks, she had interpreted. “No, + no,” she said, with a coaxing look; “by-and-by, Mr. Swipes, when you have + told me who it is, and when you have promised not to tell on poor Miss + Dolly. But nobody sha'n't see it, without your permission. We'll have + another talk about that to-morrow. But, oh my! look at the time you have + kept me, with all the good things to make a hangel's mouth water! Bring me + two cauliflowers in two seconds. My beef will want basting long ago; and + if Dandy hathn't left his job, he'll be pretty well roasted hisself by + now.” + </p> + <p> + Mr. Swipes went muttering up the walk, and was forced to cut two of the + finest cauliflowers intended for Cheeseman's adornment to-morrow. This + turned his heart very sour again, and he shook his head, growling in + self-commune: “You see if I don't do it, my young lady. You speaks again + me, behind my back, and I writes again you, before your face; though, in + course, I need not put my name to it.” + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0035" id="link2HCH0035"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XXXV + </h2> + <h3> + LOYAL, AYE LOYAL + </h3> + <p> + One of the dinners at the Darling Arms, and perhaps the most brilliant and + exciting of the whole, because even the waiters understood the subject, + was the entertainment given in the month of December, A.D. 1803, not only + by the officers of two regiments quartered for the time near Stonnington, + but also by all the leading people round about those parts, in celebration + of the great work done by His Majesty's 38-gun frigate Leda. Several + smaller dinners had been consumed already, by way of practice, both for + the cooks and the waiters and the chairman, and Mr. John Prater, who + always stood behind him, with a napkin in one hand and a corkscrew in the + other, and his heart in the middle, ready either to assuage or stimulate. + As for the guests, it was always found that no practice had been required. + </p> + <p> + “But now, but now”—as Mr. Prater said, when his wife pretended to + make nothing of it, for no other purpose than to aggravate him, because + she thought that he was making too much money, in proportion to what he + was giving her—“now we shall see what Springhaven can do for the + good of the Country and the glory of herself. Two bottles and a half a + head is the lowest that can be charged for, with the treble X outside, and + the punch to follow after. His lordship is the gentleman to keep the + bottle going.” + </p> + <p> + For the Lord-Lieutenant of the county, the popular Marquis of Southdown, + had promised to preside at this grand dinner; and everybody knew what that + meant. “Short tongue and long throat,” was his lordship's motto in the + discharge of all public business, and “Bottle to the gentleman on my + left!” was the practical form of his eulogies. In a small space like this, + there would be no chance for a sober-minded guest to escape his searching + eye, and Blyth Scudamore (appointed to represent the officers of the Leda, + and therefore the hero of the evening) felt as happy as a dog being led to + be drowned, in view of this liquid ordeal. For Blyth was a temperate and + moderate young man, neither such a savage as to turn his wine to poison, + nor yet so Anti-Christian as to turn it into water. + </p> + <p> + Many finer places had been offered for the feast, and foremost amongst + them the Admiral's house; but the committee with sound judgment had + declined them all. The great point was to have a place within easy reach + of boats, and where gallant naval officers could be recalled at once, if + the French should do anything outrageous, which they are apt to do at the + most outrageous time. But when a partition had been knocked down, and the + breach tacked over with festoons of laurel, Mr. Prater was quite justified + in rubbing his red hands and declaring it as snug a box as could be for + the business. There was even a dark elbow where the staircase jutted out, + below the big bressemer of the partition, and made a little gallery for + ladies to hear speeches, and behold the festive heroes while still fit to + be beholden. And Admiral Darling, as vice-chairman, entering into facts + masculine and feminine, had promised his daughters and Miss Twemlow, under + charge of the rector's wife and Mrs. Stubbard, a peep at this heroic + scene, before it should become too convivial. The rescuers also of the + Blonde, the flesh and bone, without which the master brain must still have + lain stranded, were to have a grand supper in the covered skittle-alley, + as the joints came away from their betters, this lower deck being in + command of Captain Tugwell, who could rouse up his crew as fast as his + lordship roused his officers. + </p> + <p> + Admiral Darling had been engaged of late in the service of his Country so + continually, and kept up and down the great roads so much, or in and out + of any little port where sailors grew, that his own door had nearly + forgotten his shadow, and his dining-room table the reflection of his + face. For, in those days, to keep a good table implied that the table must + be good, as well as what was put upon it; and calico spread upon + turpentine was not yet considered the proper footing for the hospitable + and social glass. + </p> + <p> + “When shall Twemlow and I have a hobnob again?” the Admiral asked himself + many a time. “How the dear old fellow loves to see the image of his glass + upon the table, and the ruby of his port reflected! Heigho! I am getting + very stiff in the back, and never a decent bit of dinner for'ard. And as + for a glass of good wine—oh Lord! my timbers will be broken up, + before it comes to mend them. And when I come home for even half an hour, + there is all this small rubbish to attend to. I must have Frank home, to + take this stuff off my hands, or else keep what I abominate, a private + secretary.” + </p> + <p> + Among the pile of letters that had lain unopened was one which he left to + the last, because he disliked both the look and the smell of it. A dirty, + ugly scrawl it was, bulged out with clumsy folding, and dabbed with wax in + the creases. With some dislike he tore it open; and the dislike became + loathing, as he read: + </p> + <p> + “Hon'd Sir. These foo lines comes from a umble but arty frend to command. + Rekwesting of your pardon sir, i have kep a hi same been father of good + dawters on the goings on of your fammeley. Miss Faith she is a hangel sir + but Miss Dolly I fere no better than she ort to be, and wonderful fond of + been noticed. I see her keeping company and carryin on dreadful with a + tall dark young man as meens no good and lives to Widow Shankses. Too + nites running when the days was short she been up to the cornder of your + grounds to meat he there ever so long. Only you hask her if you don't + believe me and wash her fase same time sir. Too other peple besides me + nose it. Excoose hon'd sir this trubble from your obejiant servant + </p> + <p> + “FAX AND NO MISSTAKE.” + </p> + <p> + The Admiral's healthy face turned blue with rage and contempt, and he + stamped with his heel, as if he had the writer under it. To write a + stabbing letter, and to dare to deal the stab, and yet fear to show the + hand that deals it, was at that time considered a low thing to do. Even + now there are people who so regard it, though a still better tool for a + blackguard—the anonymous post-card—is now superseding it. + </p> + <p> + All the old man's pleasure, and cheer, and comfort, and joy in having one + day at home at last, were dashed and shattered and turned into wretched + anxiety by this vile scrawl. He meant to have gone down, light of heart, + with a smiling daughter upon either arm, to the gallant little festival + where everybody knew him, and every one admired and loved him. His two + pretty daughters would sit upstairs, watching from a bow-window (though + themselves unseen) all the dashing arrivals and the grand apparel. Then + when the Marquis made his speech, and the King and Queen and Royal Family + rode upon the clouds, and the grandeur of Great Britain was above the + stars of heaven, the ladies in the gallery would venture just to show + themselves, not for one moment with a dream of being looked at, but from + romantic loyalty, and the fervour of great sentiments. People pretending + not to know would ask, “Who are those very lovely ladies?” And he would + make believe to know nothing at all about it, but his heart would know + whether he knew it or not. + </p> + <p> + On the very eve of all this well-earned bliss, when it would have + refreshed his fagged body and soul—which were now not so young as + they used to be—to hear from some scoundrel without a name, that his + pet child, the life of his life, was no better than she ought to be, which + being said of a woman means that she is as bad as she can be! This fine + old gentleman had never received such a cowardly back-handed blow till + now, and for a moment he bent under it. + </p> + <p> + Then, greatly ashamed of himself, he arose, and with one strong word, + which even Mr. Twemlow might have used under such provocation, he trod the + vile stuff under foot, and pitched it with the fire-tongs into the fire. + After this he felt better, and resolving most stoutly that he never would + let it cross his mind again, made a light and cheerful answer to the + profligate one—his young girl who came seeking him. + </p> + <p> + “Oh, father, and you ought to be dressed!” she cried. “Shall we keep His + Majesty the Lord-Lieutenant waiting? Don't let us go at all. Let us stop + at home, papa. We never see you now, more than once in a month; and we + don't want to see you from a staircase hole, where we mustn't even blow a + kiss to you. I have got such a lot of things to tell you, dear father; and + I could make you laugh much more than they will.” + </p> + <p> + “But, my darling—all these grand things?” said the father, gently + fingering but half afraid to look at her, because of what had been in his + own mind; “the sweetest Navy blue, and the brightest Army red, and little + bits of silver lace so quiet in between them! I am sure I don't know what + to call a quarter of it; but the finest ship ever seen under full sail, + with the sun coming through her from her royals to her courses—” + </p> + <p> + “Now, papa, don't be so ridiculous. You know that I am not a fine ship at + all, but only a small frigate, about eighteen guns at the outside, I + should say—though she would be a sloop of war, wouldn't she?—and + come here at any rate for you to command her, if you are not far too lofty + an Admiral.” + </p> + <p> + “Do you love your old father, my dear?” said he, being carried beyond his + usual state by the joy in her eyes as she touched him. + </p> + <p> + “What a shame to ask me such a question? Oh, papa, I ought to say, 'Do you + love me?' when you go away weeks and months almost together! Take that, + papa; and be quite ashamed of yourself.” + </p> + <p> + She swept all her breast-knots away anyhow—that had taken an hour to + arbitrate—and flung back her hair that would never be coiled, and + with a flash of tears leaping into laughing eyes, threw both arms round + her father's neck, and pressed her cool sweet lips to his, which were not + at all in the same condition. + </p> + <p> + “There, see what you've done for me now!” she cried. “It will take + three-quarters of an hour, papa, to make me look fit to be looked at + again. The fashions are growing so ridiculous now—it is a happy + thing for us that we are a hundred years behind them, as Eliza Twemlow had + the impudence to say; and really, for the daughter of a clergyman—” + </p> + <p> + “I don't care that for Eliza Twemlow,” the Admiral exclaimed, with a snap + of his thumb. “Let her show herself as much as there is demand for. Or + rather, what I mean to say is, let Miss Twemlow be as beautiful as nature + has made her, my dear; and no doubt that is very considerable. But I like + you to be different; and you are. I like you to be simple, and shy, and + retiring, and not to care twopence what any one thinks of you, so long as + your father is contented.” + </p> + <p> + Dolly looked at her father, as if there were no other man in the world for + the moment. Then her conscience made her bright eyes fall, as she + whispered: “To be sure, papa. I only put these things on to please you; + and if you don't like them, away they go. Perhaps I should look nicer in + my great-aunt's shawl. And my feet would be warmer, oh ever so much! I + know where it is, and if you prefer the look of it—” + </p> + <p> + “No, no!” cried the simple old father, as the girl tripped away in hot + haste to seek for it; “I forbid you to make such a guy of yourself. You + must not take my little banter, darling, in such a matter-of-fact way, or + I must hold my tongue.” + </p> + <p> + “Thank God,” he continued to himself, as Miss Dolly ran away, to repair + her damages; “the simple little soul thinks of nobody but me! How could I + be such a fool as to imagine harm of her? Why, she is quite a child, a + bigger child than I am. I shall enjoy my evening all the more for this.” + </p> + <p> + And truly there seemed to be no reason why all the guests at that great + festival, save those who had speeches to make, should not enjoy their + evening thoroughly. Great preparations had been made, and goodly presents + contributed; plenty of serving-men would be there, and John Prater (now + growing white-headed and portly) was becoming so skilful a caterer that if + anything was suggested to him, he had always thought of it long ago. The + only grief was that the hour should be so late—five o'clock, an + unchristian time, as they said, for who could have manners after starving + so long? + </p> + <p> + There was some sense in this; but the unreasonable lateness of the hour + could not be helped, because the Lord-Lieutenant had to wait upon the King + at eight o'clock that morning. That he could do so, and yet be in + Springhaven by five, seemed almost impossible; for only ten years ago the + journey took two days. But the war seemed to make everything go quicker, + and it was no use to wonder at anything. Only if everything else went + quicker, why should dinner (the most important of them all) come slower? + And as yet there was nobody to answer this; though perhaps there is no one + to ask it now. + </p> + <p> + All things began very beautifully. The young ladies slipped in unobserved, + and the elder blessings of mankind came after, escorting themselves with + dignity. Then the heroes who had fought, and the gallants who had not had + the luck yet, but were eager for it, came pleasantly clanking in, well + girt to demolish ox and sheep, like Ajax, in lack of loftier carnage. The + rector said grace, and the Marquis amen, and in less than two minutes + every elbow was up, and every mouth at business. There was very little + talking for the first half hour. In those days emptiness was not allowed + to make the process of filling a misery. + </p> + <p> + While these fine fellows were still in the prime of their feeding, bent + over and upon it, two men with empty stomachs, and a long way between them + and their victuals, stood afar regarding them. That is to say, just far + enough to be quite out of sight from the windows, in the gloom of the + December evening; but at the same time near enough, to their own + unhappiness, to see and even smell the choice affairs across the road. + </p> + <p> + “For what, then, hast thou brought me here?” the shorter man sharply asked + the tall one, both being in an uncomfortable place in a hedge, and with + briars that scratched them. “Is it to see other people eat, when to eat + myself is impossible? You have promised to show me a very fine thing, and + leagues have I traversed to please you. Fie, then, what is it? To see eat, + eat, eat, and drink, drink, drink, and have nothing for myself!” + </p> + <p> + “My friend,” said the tall man, “I have not brought you here with any + desire to improve your appetite, which is always abundant, and cannot be + gratified for several hours, and with poor stuff then, compared to what + you are beholding. Those men are feeding well. You can see how they enjoy + it. There is not a morsel in their mouths that has not a very choice + flavour of its own distinguished relish. See, there is the venison just + waiting to be carved, and a pheasant between every two of them. If only + the wind was a little more that way, and the covers taken off the + sauce-boats, and the gravy—ah, do I perceive a fine fragrance, or is + it a desirous imagination?” + </p> + <p> + “Bah! you are of the cold-blood, the wicked self-command. For me it is + either to rush in, or rush away. No longer can I hold my nose and mouth. + And behold they have wine—grand wine—the wine of Sillery, of + Medoc, of Barsac, and of Burgundy! By the bottles I can tell them, and by + all the Saints—” + </p> + <p> + “Be not so excited, for you cannot smack the lips. It is too late now to + envy them their solids, because they have made such speed with them. But + listen, my dear friend”—and here the tall man whispered into the ear + of his brisk companion, who danced with delight in the ungenial hedge, + till his face was scarred with brambles. + </p> + <p> + “It is magnificent, it is droll, it is what you call in England one grand + spree, though of that you understand not the signification. But, my faith, + it is at the same time barbarous, and almost too malignant.” + </p> + <p> + “Too benevolent Charron,” said the tall stern man, “that shall rest upon + my conscience, not on yours. The object is not to spoil their noisy revel, + but to gain instruction of importance. To obtain a clear idea of the + measures they adopt—ah, you see, you are as quick as lightning. This + urgent message is upon official paper, which I have taken from the desk of + that very stupid Stubbard. Take the horse Jerry holds at the corner, and + the officer's hat and cape provided are ample disguise for so dark a + night. Take the lane behind the hills, and gallop two miles eastward, till + you come to the shore again, then turn back towards the village by way of + the beach, and you will meet the Coast-guard on duty, a stupid fellow + called Vickers. Your horse by that time will be piping and roaring: he can + go like the wind, but his own is broken. The moment you see Vickers, begin + to swear at your horse. I have practised you in d—ns, for an + emergency.” + </p> + <p> + “Ten thousand thunders, I can say d—n now to equal and surpass the + purest born of all Britons.” + </p> + <p> + “Not so loud, my friend, until by-and-by. The Coast-guard will come to + you, and you pull up with your horse hanging down his head, as if + dead-beaten. Using your accomplishment again, you say: 'Here, take this on + to Admiral Darling. My nag is quite done, and I must get to Stonnington to + call Colonel James. For your life, run, run. You'll get a guinea, if you + look sharp.' Before he can think of it, turn your horse, and make back to + the lane, as if for Stonnington. But instead of that, gallop back to our + ruins; and we'll go up the hill, and see what comes of it.” + </p> + <p> + “It is very good, it is magnificent. But will not the sentinel perceive my + voice and accent?” + </p> + <p> + “Not he; he is a very honest and therefore stupid fellow. Give him no + time, answer no questions. Be all in a rush, as you so generally are. I + would do it myself, but I am too well known. Say, will you undertake it? + It will be a fine joke for you.” + </p> + <p> + About half an hour after this, the Lord-Lieutenant having hammered on the + table with an empty bottle, stood up to propose the chief toast of the + evening—the gallant crew of the Leda, and the bold sailors of + Springhaven. His lordship had scarcely had a bottle and a half, and was + now in the prime of his intellect. A very large man, with a long brocaded + coat of ruby-coloured cloth, and white satin breeches, a waistcoat of + primrose plush emblazoned with the Union-jack (then the popular device) in + gorgeous silks with a margin of bright gold, and a neckcloth pointed and + plaited in with the rarest lace, worth all the rest put together—what + a pity it seemed that such a man should get drunk, or at any rate try so + hard to do it. There was not a pimple on his face, his cheeks were rosy + and glistening, but not flushed; and his eyes were as bright and clear and + deep as a couple of large sapphires. + </p> + <p> + This nobleman said a few words, without any excitement, or desire to + create it, every word to the point, and the best that could be chosen not + to go beyond the point. There was no attempt at eloquence, and yet the + speech was eloquent, because it suggested so much more than was said. More + excitable natures, overcome by half a bottle, resolved to have the other + half, in honour of that toast. + </p> + <p> + Then the Marquis did a very kind and thoughtful thing, for which he + deserved a bottle of the Royal Tokay, such as even Napoleon could not + obtain. When the cheering was done, and every eye was fixed upon the + blushing Scudamore—who felt himself, under that fixture, like an + insect under a lens which the sun is turning into a burning-glass—the + Chairman perceived his sad plight, and to give him more time and more + spirit, rose again. + </p> + <p> + “Gentlemen,” he said, “or I would rather call you brother Englishmen at + this moment, I have forgotten one thing. Before our young hero replies to + his health, let us give him that spirited song 'Billy Blue,' which is well + known to every man here, I'll be bound. Tell the drummer down there to be + ready for chorus.” Billy Blue, though almost forgotten now (because the + enemy would not fight him), the blockader of Brest, the hardy, skilful, + and ever watchful Admiral Cornwallis, would be known to us nearly as well + as Nelson, if fame were not a lottery. + </p> + <p> + As the Lord-Lieutenant waved his hand, the company rose with one accord, + and followed the lead of his strong clear voice in the popular song, + called + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + “BILLY BLUE” + + 1 + + “'Tis a terrible time for Englishmen; + All tyrants do abhor them; + Every one of them hath to fight with ten, + And the Lord alone is for them. + But the Lord hath given the strong right hand, + And the courage to face the thunder; + If a Frenchman treads this English land, + He shall find his grave thereunder. + + CHORUS + + Britannia is the Ocean-Queen, and she standeth staunch and + true, + With Nelson for her faulchion keen, and her buckler Billy Blue. + + 2 + + “They are mustering on yon Gallic coasts, + You can see them from this high land, + The biggest of all the outlandish hosts + That ever devoured an island. + There are steeds that have scoured the Continent, + Ere ever one might say, 'Whoa, there!' + And ships that would fill the Thames and Trent, + If we would let them go there. + + CHORUS + + But England is the Ocean-Queen, and it shall be hard to do; + Not a Frenchman shall skulk in between herself and her Billy + Blue. + + 3 + + “From the smiling bays of Devonshire + To the frowning cliffs of Filey, + Leaps forth every son of an English sire, + To fight for his native isley. + He hath drawn the sword of his father now + From the rusty sheath it rattled in; + And Dobbin, who dragged the peaceful plough, + Is neighing for the battle-din. + + CHORUS + + For Albion still is Ocean-Queen, and though her sons be few, + They challenge the world with a dauntless mien, and the flag + of Billy Blue. + + 4 + + “Then pledge me your English palm, my lad; + Keep the knuckles for Sir Frenchman; + No slave can you be till you change your dad, + And no son of yours a henchman. + The fight is to come; and we will not brag, + Nor expect whatever we sigh for, + But stand as the rock that bears the flag + Our duty is to die for. + + CHORUS + + For Englishmen confront serene whatever them betideth; + And England shall be Ocean's Queen as long as the world + abideth.” + </pre> + <p> + What with the drum and the fifes of one of the regiments now at + Stonnington, and the mighty bass of some sea-captains vehement in chorus, + these rough and rolling lines were enough to frighten a thousand + Frenchmen, while proving the vigour of British nerve, and fortitude both + of heart and ear. When people have done a thing well, they know it, and + applaud one another to include themselves; and even the ladies, who were + meant to be unseen, forgot that and waved their handkerchiefs. Then up and + spoke Blyth Scudamore, in the spirit of the moment; and all that he said + was good and true, well-balanced and well-condensed, like himself. His + quiet melodious voice went further than the Lord-Lieutenant's, because it + was new to the air of noise, and that fickle element loves novelty. All + was silence while he spoke, and when he ceased—great uproar. + </p> + <p> + “That lad will do,” said the Marquis to his supporter on the right hand; + “I was just like him at that age myself. Let me draw this cork—it is + the bottle of the evening. None but my own fellows understand a cork, and + they seem to have got away somewhere. What the doose are they about—why, + halloa, Darling! What's the meaning of all this, at such a time?” + </p> + <p> + “Well, my lord, you must judge for yourself,” said the Admiral, who had + made his way quietly from the bottom of the table. “We know that false + alarms are plentiful. But this looks like business, from the paper it is + written on; and I know that old Dudgeon is as solid as myself. Vickers the + Coast-guard brought it in, from an officer whose horse was blown, who had + orders to get somehow to Stonnington.” + </p> + <p> + “Is Vickers a knave, or a fool who is likely to be made the victim of a + very low joke? There are hundreds of jealous scoundrels eager to spoil + every patriotic gathering. Ah, this looks rather serious, though, if you + can vouch for the paper.” + </p> + <p> + “I can vouch for the paper, my lord, and for Vickers; but not for + Dudgeon's signature. Of that I have no knowledge—though it looks + right enough, so far as I know. Shall I read it aloud, and let officers + who are not under my command judge for themselves, as I shall judge for + those I have the honour to command?” + </p> + <p> + The Lord-Lieutenant, with his cork just squeaking in the neck of the + bottle, nodded; and the Admiral, with officers crowding round, read aloud + as follows, part being in type, and part in manuscript: + </p> + <p> + “Commander of Coast-defence at Hythe, to Vice-Admiral Darling, + Springhaven. + </p> + <p> + “French fleet standing in, must have slipped Cornwallis. Do all you can. + Not a moment to lose. + </p> + <p> + (Signed) “BELLAMY DUDGEON.” + </p> + <p> + “Well, it may be true, or it may be a lie,” said the Marquis, pouring + carefully; “my opinion is the latter; but I have nothing to do with it + officially, according to the new arrangements. Every gentleman must judge + for himself. And I mean to abide by my own judgment, which strongly + recommends me to finish this bottle.” + </p> + <p> + “Probably you are right enough; and in your place perhaps I should do the + same,” the Admiral answered, quietly; “but be the alarm either true or + false, I am bound to act otherwise. All Naval Officers present will be + good enough to follow me, and prepare to rejoin if ordered. We shall very + soon know from the signal-point, unless fog has set in suddenly, whether + we are bound to beat a general alarm.” + </p> + <p> + All the sons of the sea arose quietly, and were despatched with brief + orders to the right and left, to communicate with their signal stations, + while Stubbard hurried back to his battery. + </p> + <p> + “What cold blood they do display!” whispered the Frenchman, who had + returned with the author of the plot to watch the issue from a point of + vantage. “My faith, they march slowly for their native land! Not less than + six bottles of great French wine did I anticipate to steal through the + window, while they fell out precipitous. But there sits a man big enough + to leave me nothing—not even a remainder of my own body. Soul of St. + Denis, can it be that they question the word of a gentleman?” + </p> + <p> + “Not they!” replied Carne, who was vexed, however; “they are taking things + easily, according to the custom of the nation. But two good things we have + done, friend Charron; we have learned their proceedings, and we have + spoiled their feasting.” + </p> + <p> + “But not at all; they are all coming back to enjoy it all the more!” cried + the Frenchman. “Oh that I were an Englishman, to get such a dinner, and to + be so loyal to it!” + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0036" id="link2HCH0036"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XXXVI + </h2> + <h3> + FAIR CRITICISM + </h3> + <p> + Few things can be worse for a very young woman than to want to be led by + somebody, and yet find nobody fit to do it. Or at any rate, through + superior quickness and the knowledge of it, to regard old friends and + relatives of experience as very slow coaches, and prigs or prudes, who + cannot enter into quick young feelings, but deal in old saws which grate + upon them. + </p> + <p> + Not to moralise about it—for if young ladies hate anything, it is + such moralising—Miss Dolly Darling was now in that uncomfortable + frame of mind when advice is most needed, yet most certain to be spurned. + She looked upon her loving and sensible sister as one who was fated to be + an old maid, and was meant perhaps by nature for that condition, which + appeared to herself the most abject in the world. And even without that + conclusion about Faith she would have been loth to seek counsel from her, + having always resented most unduly what she called her “superior air of + wisdom.” Dolly knew that she was quicker of wit than her sister—as + shallow waters run more rapidly—and she fancied that she possessed a + world of lively feelings into which the slower intellect could not enter. + For instance, their elder brother Frank had just published a volume of + poems, very noble in their way, and glowing with ardour for freedom, + democracy, and the like, as well as exhibiting fine perception of sound, + and great boldness in matters beyond sounding, yet largely ungifted with + knowledge of nature, whether human or superior. + </p> + <p> + “Better stick to his law-books,” the Admiral had said, after singing out + some of the rhyme of it to the tune of “Billy Benbow”; “never sit on the + wool-sack by spewing oakum this way.” + </p> + <p> + Faith had tried, as a matter of duty, to peruse this book to its cover; + but she found it beyond even her good-will, and mild sympathy with + everything, to do so. There was not the touch of nature in it which makes + humble people feel, and tickles even the very highest with desire to enter + into it. So Faith declared that it must be very clever, and no doubt very + beautiful, but she herself was so stupid that she could not make out very + clearly what it was all about. + </p> + <p> + “Well, I understand every word of it,” Miss Dolly cried, with a literary + look. “I don't see how you can help doing that, when you know all about + Frank, who wrote it. Whenever it is not quite clear, it is because he + wants us to think that he knows too much, or else because he is not quite + certain what he wants to mean himself. And as for his talk about freedom, + and all that, I don't see why you should object to it. It is quite the + fashion with all clever people now, and it stops them from doing any + mischief. And nobody pays much attention to them, after the cruel things + done in France when I was seven or eight years old. If I see Frank, I + shall tell him that I like it.” + </p> + <p> + “And I shall tell him that I don't,” said Faith. “It cannot do anybody any + good. And what they call 'freedom' seems to mean making free with other + people's property.” + </p> + <p> + These poems were issued in one volume, and under one title—The + Harmodiad—although there must have been some half-hundred of them, + and not more than nine odes to freedom in the lot. Some were almost + tolerable, and others lofty rubbish, and the critics (not knowing the + author) spoke their bright opinions freely. The poet, though shy as a + mouse in his preface, expected a mountain of inquiry as to the identity of + this new bard, and modestly signed himself “Asteroid,” which made his own + father stare and swear. Growing sore prematurely from much keelhauling—for + the reviewers of the period were patriotic, and the English public + anti-Gallic—Frank quitted his chambers at Lincoln's Inn, and came + home to be comforted for Christmas. This was the wisest thing that he + could do, though he felt that it was not Harmodian. In spite of all + crotchets, he was not a bad fellow, and not likely to make a good lawyer. + </p> + <p> + As the fates would have it (being naturally hostile to poets who defy + them), by the same coach to Stonnington came Master Johnny, in high + feather for his Christmas holidays. Now these two brothers were as + different of nature as their sisters were, or more so; and unlike the + gentler pair, each of these cherished lofty disdain for the other. Frank + looked down upon the school-boy as an unlicked cub without two ideas; the + bodily defect he endeavoured to cure by frequent outward applications, but + the mental shortcoming was beneath his efforts. Johnny meanwhile, who was + as hard as nails, no sooner recovered from a thumping than he renewed and + redoubled his loud contempt for a great lout over six feet high, who had + never drawn a sword or pulled a trigger. And now for the winter this book + would be a perpetual snowball for him to pelt his big brother with, and + yet (like a critic) be scarcely fair object for a hiding. In season out of + season, upstairs down-stairs, even in the breakfast and the dinner + chambers, this young imp poked clumsy splinters—worse than thorns, + because so dull—into the tender poetic side; and people, who laugh + at the less wit the better, laughed very kindly, to please the boy, + without asking whether they vexed the man. And the worst of it was that + the author too must laugh. + </p> + <p> + All this might be looked down at by a soul well hoisted upon the guy-ropes + of contempt; and now and then a very solid drubbing given handsomely (upon + other grounds) to the chief tormentor solaced the mind of unacknowledged + merit. But as the most vindictive measure to the man who has written an + abusive letter is to vouchsafe him no reply, so to the poet who rebukes + the age the bitterest answer it can give is none. Frank Darling could + retaliate upon his brother Johnny, and did so whenever he could lay hold + of him alone; but the stedfast silence of his sister Faith (to whom one of + his loftiest odes was addressed), and of his lively father, irked him far + more than a thousand low parodies. Dolly alone was some comfort to him, + some little vindication of true insight; and he was surprised to find how + quickly her intelligence (which until now he had despised) had + strengthened, deepened, and enlarged itself. Still he wanted some one + older, bigger, more capable of shutting up the mouth, and nodding (instead + of showing such a lot of red tongue and white teeth), before he could be + half as snug as a true poet should be, upon the hobs of his own fire. And + happily he found his Anti-Zoilus ere long. + </p> + <p> + One day he was walking in a melancholy mood along the beach towards + Pebbleridge, doubting deeply in his honest mind whether he ever should do + any good, in versification, or anything else. He said to himself that he + had been too sanguine, eager, self-confident, ardent, impetuous, and, if + the nasty word must be faced, even too self-conceited. Only yesterday he + had tried, by delicate setting of little word-traps, to lead Mr. Twemlow + towards the subject, and obtain that kind-hearted man's comforting + opinion. But no; the gentle Rector would not be brought to book, or at any + rate not to that book; and the author had sense enough to know without a + wink that his volume had won volumes of dislike. + </p> + <p> + Parnassus could never have lived till now without two heads—one to + carry on with, while the other is being thumped to pieces. While the + critics demolish one peak, the poet withdraws to the other, and assures + himself that the general public, the larger voice of the nation, will + salute him there. But alas, Frank Darling had just discovered that even + that eminence was not his, except as a desert out of human sight. For he + had in his pocket a letter from his publishers, received that dreary + morning, announcing a great many copies gone gratis, six sold to the trade + at a frightful discount, and six to the enterprising public. All these + facts combined to make him feel uncommonly sad and sore to-day. + </p> + <p> + A man of experience could have told him that this disappointment was for + his good; but he failed to see it in that light, and did not bless the + blessing. Slowly and heavily he went on, without much heed of anything, + swinging his clouded cane now and then, as some slashing reviews occurred + to him, yet becoming more peaceful and impartial of mind under the long + monotonous cadence and quiet repetitions of the soothing sea. For now he + was beyond the Haven head—the bulwark that makes the bay a pond in + all common westerly weather—and waves that were worthy of the name + flowed towards him, with a gentle breeze stepping over them. + </p> + <p> + The brisk air was like a fresh beverage to him, and the fall of the waves + sweet music. He took off his hat, and stopped, and listened, and his eyes + grew brighter. Although the waves had nothing very distinct to say in + dying, yet no two (if you hearkened well), or at any rate no two in + succession, died with exactly the same expression, or vanished with + precisely the same farewell. Continual shifts went on among them, and + momentary changes; each in proper sequence marching, and allowed its + proper time, yet at any angle traversed, even in its crowning curl, not + only by the wind its father, but by the penitent return and white + contrition of its shattered elder brother. And if this were not enough to + make a samely man take interest in perpetually flowing changes, the sun + and clouds, at every look and breath, varied variety. + </p> + <p> + Frank Darling thought how small his griefs were, and how vain his vanity. + Of all the bubbly clots of froth, or frayed and shattered dabs of drift, + flying beside him or falling at his feet, every one was as good as his + ideas, and as valuable as his labours. And of all the unreckoned waves + advancing, lifting their fugitive crests, and roaring, there certainly was + not one that fell with weight so futile as his own. Who cared even to hear + his sound? What ear was soothed by his long rhythm, or what mind solaced + by the magnitude of his rolling? + </p> + <p> + Suddenly he found that some mind was so. For when he had been standing a + long while thus, chewing the salt cud of marine reflections, he seemed to + hear something more intelligible than the sea. With more surprise than + interest he walked towards the sound, and stood behind the corner of a + jutting rock to listen. In another second his interest overpowered his + surprise, for he knew every word of the lines brought to his ears, for the + very simple reason that they were his own. Round the corner of that rock, + so absorbed in admiration that he could hear no footstep, a very fine + young man of the highest order was reading aloud in a powerful voice, and + with extremely ardent gesticulation, a fine passage from that greatly + undervalued poem, the Harmodiad, of and concerning the beauties of Freedom— + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + “No crown upon her comely head she bore, + No wreath her affluent tresses to restrain; + A smile the only ornament she wore, + Her only gem a tear for others' pain. + Herself did not her own mishaps deplore, + Because she lives immortal as the dew, + Which falling from the stars soon mounts again; + And in this wise all space she travels through, + Beneficent as heaven, and to the earth more true. + + “Her blessings all may win who seek the prize, + If only they be faithful, meek, and strong, + And crave not that which others' right denies, + But march against the citadel of wrong. + A glorious army this, that finds allies + Wherever God hath built the heart of man + With attributes that to Himself belong; + By Him ordained to crown what He began, + And shatter despotism, which is the foul fiend's ban.” + </pre> + <p> + Frank thought that he had never heard nobler reading, sonorous, clear, + well timed, well poised, and of harmonious cadence. The curved rock gave a + melodious ring, and the husky waves a fine contrast to it, while the + reader was so engrossed with grandeur—the grandeur of Frank's own + mind!—that his hat could evidently not contain his head, but was + flung at the mercy of his feet. What a fine, expressive, and commanding + face! + </p> + <p> + If Frank Darling had been a Frenchman—which he sometimes longed to + be, for the sake of that fair Liberty—the scene, instead of being + awkward, would have been elegant, rapturous, ennobling. But being of the + clumsy English race, he was quite at a loss what to do with himself. On + paper he could be effusive, ardent, eloquent, sentimental; but not a bit + of that to meet the world in his own waistcoat. He gave a swing to his + stick, and walked across the opening as if he were looking at sea-gulls. + And on he would have walked without further notice, except a big gulp in + his throat, if it had not been for a trifling accident. + </p> + <p> + Somehow or other the recitative gentleman's hat turned over to the wind, + and that active body (which never neglects any sportive opportunity) got + into the crown, with the speed of an upstart, and made off with it along + the stones. A costly hat it was, and comely with rich braid and satin + loops, becoming also to a well-shaped head, unlike the chimney-pot of the + present day, which any man must thank God for losing. However, the owner + was so wrapped up in poetry that his breeches might have gone without his + being any wiser. + </p> + <p> + “Sir,” said Frank Darling, after chasing the hat (which could not trundle + as our pots do, combining every possible absurdity), “excuse me for + interrupting you, but this appears to be your hat, and it was on its way + to a pool of salt-water.” + </p> + <p> + “Hat!—my hat?” replied the other gentleman. “Oh, to be sure! I had + quite forgotten. Sir, I am very much obliged to you. My hat might have + gone to the devil, I believe, I was so delightfully occupied. Such a thing + never happened to me before, for I am very hard indeed to please; but I + was reading, sir; I was reading. Accept my thanks, sir; and I suppose I + must leave off.” + </p> + <p> + “I thought that I heard a voice,” said Frank, growing bold with fear that + he should know no more, for the other was closing his book with great + care, and committing it to a pouch buckled over his shoulder; “and I fear + that I broke in upon a pleasant moment. Perhaps I should have pleased you + better if I had left this hat to drown.” + </p> + <p> + “I seem ungrateful,” the stranger answered, with a sweet but melancholy + smile, as he donned his hat and then lifted it gracefully to salute its + rescuer; “but it is only because I have been carried far away from all + thoughts of self, by the power of a much larger mind. Such a thing may + have occurred to you, sir, though it happens very seldom in one life. If + so, you will know how to forgive me.” + </p> + <p> + “I scarcely dare ask—or rather I would say”—stammered the + anxious poet—“that I cannot expect you to tell me the name of the + fortunate writer who has moved you so.” + </p> + <p> + “Would to Heaven that I could!” exclaimed the other. “But this great poet + has withheld his name—all great poets are always modest—but it + cannot long remain unknown. Such grandeur of conception and force of + language, combined with such gifts of melody, must produce universal + demand to know the name of this benefactor. I cannot express myself as I + would desire, because I have been brought up in France, where literature + is so different, and people judge a work more liberally, without recourse + to politics. This is a new work, only out last week; and a friend of mine, + a very fine judge of literature, was so enchanted with it that he bought a + score of copies at once, and as my good stars prevailed, he sent me one. + You are welcome to see it, sir. It is unknown in these parts; but will + soon be known all over Europe, unless these cruel wars retard it.” + </p> + <p> + With a face of deep gravity, Caryl Carne put into Frank Darling's hand a + copy of his own book, quite young, but already scored with many loving + marks of admiration and keen sympathy. Frank took it, and reddened with + warm delight. + </p> + <p> + “You may not understand it at first,” said the other; “though I beg your + pardon for saying that. What I mean is, that I can well suppose that an + Englishman, though a good judge in general, would probably have his + judgment darkened by insular prejudices, and the petty feeling which calls + itself patriotism, and condemns whatever is nobler and larger than itself. + My friend tells me that the critics have begun to vent their little spite + already. The author would treat them with calm disdain!” + </p> + <p> + “Horribly nasty fellows!” cried Frank. “They ought to be kicked; but they + are below contempt. But if I could only catch them here—” + </p> + <p> + “I am delighted to find,” replied Carne, looking at him with kind + surprise, “that you agree with me about that, sir. Read a few lines, and + your indignation against that low lot will grow hotter.” + </p> + <p> + “It cannot grow hotter,” cried the author; “I know every word that the + villains have said. Why, in that first line that I heard you reading, the + wretches actually asked me whether I expected my beautiful goddess to wear + her crown upon her comely tail!” + </p> + <p> + “I am quite at a loss to understand you, sir. Why, you speak as if this + great work were your own!” + </p> + <p> + “So it is, every word of it,” cried Frank, hurried out of all reserve by + excitement. “At least, I don't mean that it is a great work—though + others, besides your good self, have said—Are you sure that your + friend bought twenty copies? My publishers will have to clear up that. + Why, they say, under date of yesterday, that they have only sold six + copies altogether. And it was out on Guy Fawkes' Day, two months ago!” + </p> + <p> + Caryl Carne's face was full of wonder. And the greatest wonder of all was + its gravity. He drew back a little, in this vast surprise, and shaded his + forehead with one hand, that he might think. + </p> + <p> + “I can hardly help laughing at myself,” he said, “for being so stupid and + so slow of mind. But a coincidence like this is enough to excuse anything. + If I could be sure that you are not jesting with me, seeing how my whole + mind is taken up with this book—” + </p> + <p> + “Sir, I can feel for your surprise,” answered Frank, handing back the + book, for which the other had made a sign, “because my own is even + greater; for I never have been read aloud before—by anybody else I + mean, of course; and the sound is very strange, and highly gratifying—at + least, when done as you do it. But to prove my claim to the authorship of + the little work which you so kindly esteem, I will show you the letter I + spoke of.” + </p> + <p> + The single-minded poet produced from near his heart a very large letter + with much sealing-wax endorsed, and the fervent admirer of his genius + read: + </p> + <p> + “DEAR SIR,—In answer to your favour to hand, we beg to state that + your poetical work the Harmodiad, published by our firm, begins to move. + Following the instructions in your last, we have already disposed of more + than fifty copies. Forty-two of these have been distributed to those who + will forward the interests of the book, by commending it to the Public; + six have been sold to the trade at a discount of 75 per cent.; and six + have been taken by private purchasers, at the full price of ten shillings. + We have reason to anticipate a more rapid sale hereafter. But the + political views expressed in the poems—as we frankly stated to you + at first—are not likely to be popular just now, when the Country is + in peril, and the Book trade incommoded, by the immediate prospect of a + French invasion. We are, dear sir, your obedient servants, TICKLEBOIS, + LATHERUP, BLINKERS, & Co.—To Mr. FRANK DARLING, Springhaven + Hall.” + </p> + <p> + “You cannot call that much encouragement,” said Frank; “and it is a most + trusty and honourable house. I cannot do what a friend of mine has done, + who went to inferior publishers—denounce them as rogues, and call + myself a martyr. If the book had been good, it would have sold; especially + as all the poets now are writing vague national songs, full of slaughter + and brag, like that 'Billy Blue' thing all our fishermen are humming.” + </p> + <p> + “You have nothing to do but to bide your time. In the long-run, fine work + is sure to make its way. Meanwhile I must apologise for praising you to + your face, in utter ignorance, of course. But it must have made you feel + uncomfortable.” + </p> + <p> + “Not at all; far otherwise,” said the truthful Frank. “It has been the + very greatest comfort to me. And strange to say, it came just when I + wanted it most sadly. I shall never forget your most kind approval.” + </p> + <p> + “In that case I may take the liberty of introducing myself, I trust. You + have told me who you are, in the most delightful way. I have no such claim + upon your attention, or upon that of the world at large. I am only the + last of an ill-fated race, famous for nothing except ruining themselves. I + am Caryl Carne, of yonder ruin, which you, must have known from + childhood.” + </p> + <p> + Frank Darling lifted his hat in reply to the other's more graceful + salutation, and then shook hands with him heartily. “I ought to have known + who you are,” he said; “for I have heard of you often at Springhaven. But + you have not been there since I came down, and we thought that you had + left the neighbourhood. Our little village is like the ear of the tyrant, + except that it carries more false than true sound. I hope you are come to + remain among us, and I hope that we shall see you at my father's house. + Years ago I have heard that there used to be no especial good-will between + your family and mine—petty disputes about boundaries, no doubt. How + narrow and ridiculous such things are! We live in a better age than that, + at any rate, although we are small enough still in many ways.” + </p> + <p> + “You are not; and you will enlarge many others,” Carne answered, as if the + matter were beyond debate. “As for boundaries now, I have none, because + the estates are gone, and I am all the richer. That is the surest way to + liberate the mind.” + </p> + <p> + “Will you oblige me,” said Frank, to change the subject, for his mind did + not seek to be liberated so, and yet wished its new admirer to remain in + admiration, “by looking along the shore towards Springhaven as far as you + can see, and telling me whether any one is coming? My sisters were to + follow me, if the weather kept fine, as soon as they had paid a little + visit at the rectory. And my sight is not good for long distances.” + </p> + <p> + “I think I can see two ladies coming, or at any rate two figures moving, + about a mile or more away, where the sands are shining in a gleam of + sunlight. Yes, they are ladies. I know by their walk. Good-bye. I have a + way up the cliff from here. You must not be surprised if you do not see me + again. I may have to be off for France. I have business there, of which I + should like to talk to you. You are so far above mean prejudice. If I go, + I shall carry this precious volume with me. Farewell, my friend, if I may + call you so.” + </p> + <p> + “Do wait a minute,” cried the much admiring Frank; “or walk a few yards + with me towards Springhaven. It would give me such pleasure to introduce + you to my sisters. And I am sure they will be so glad to know you, when I + tell them what I think. I very seldom get such a chance as this.” + </p> + <p> + “There is no resisting that!” replied the graceful Carne; “I have not the + honour of knowing a lady in England, except my aunt Mrs. Twemlow, and my + cousin Eliza—both very good, but to the last degree insular.” + </p> + <p> + “It is very hard to help being that, when people have never been out of an + island. But I fear that I am taking you out of your way.” + </p> + <p> + In a few minutes these two young men drew near to the two young women, + whose manners were hard put to hide surprise. When their brother + introduced Mr. Carne to them, Faith bowed rather stiffly, for she had + formed without reason a dark and obstinate dislike to him. But the + impetuous Dolly ran up and offered him both her hands, and said, “Why, Mr. + Carne saved both our lives only a few days ago.” + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0037" id="link2HCH0037"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XXXVII + </h2> + <h3> + NEITHER AT HOME + </h3> + <p> + Though Admiral Darling had not deigned to speak to his younger daughter + about that vile anonymous charge, he was not always quite comfortable in + his inner mind concerning it. More than once he thought of asking Faith's + opinion, for he knew her good sense and discretion; but even this was + repugnant to him, and might give her the idea that he cherished low + suspicions. And then he was called from home again, being occupied among + other things with a vain enquiry about the recent false alarm. For Carne + and Charron had managed too well, and judged too correctly the character + of Vickers, to afford any chance of discovery. So that, when the Admiral + came home again, his calm and—in its fair state—gentle nature + was ruffled by the prosperity of the wicked. + </p> + <p> + “Oh, he is a fine judge of poetry, is he?” he said, more sarcastically + than his wont; “that means, I suppose, that he admires yours, Frank. + Remember what Nelson said about you. The longer I live, the more I find + his views confirmed.” + </p> + <p> + “Papa, you are too bad! You are come home cross!” cried Dolly, who always + took Frank's part now. “What does my godfather know of poetry, indeed? If + he ever had any ear for it, the guns would have ruined it long ago.” + </p> + <p> + “No mostacchio in my house!” said the master, without heeding her. “I + believe that is the correct way to pronounce the filthy thing—a + foreign abomination altogether. Who could keep his lips clean, with that + dirt over them? A more tolerant man than myself never lived—a great + deal too tolerant, as everybody knows. But I'll never tolerate a son of + mine in disgusting French hairiness of that sort.” + </p> + <p> + “Papa, you are come home as cross as a bear!” cried Dolly, presuming on + her favour. “Lord Dashville was here the other day with a very nice one, + and I hear that all Cavalry Officers mean to have one, when they can. And + Mr. Carne, Frank's friend, encourages it.” + </p> + <p> + “The less you have to say about that young man, the better. And the less + he has to say to any child of mine, the better, both for him and her, I + say. I know that the age is turned upside down. But I'll not have that + sort of thing at my table.” + </p> + <p> + When a kind and indulgent father breaks forth thus, the result is + consternation, followed by anxiety about his health. Faith glanced at + Dolly, who was looking quite bewildered, and the two girls withdrew + without a word. Johnny was already gone to visit Captain Stubbard, with + whose eldest daughter Maggie and the cannons of the battery he was by this + time desperately in love; and poor Frank was left to have it out with the + angry father. + </p> + <p> + “I very seldom speak harshly, my boy,” said the Admiral, drawing near his + son gradually, for his wrath (like good vegetables) was very short of + staple; “and when I do so you may feel quite certain that there is sound + reason at the bottom of it”—here he looked as if his depth was + unfathomable. “It is not only that I am not myself, because of the many + hours spent upon hard leather, and vile chalks of flint that go by me half + asleep, when I ought to be snoring in the feathers; neither has it + anything to do with my consuming the hide of some quadruped for dinner, + instead of meat. And the bread is made of rye, if of any grain at all; I + rather think of spent tan, kneaded up with tallow ends, such as I have + seen cast by in bushels, when the times were good. And every loaf of that + costs two shillings—one for me, and one for Government. They all + seem to acknowledge that I can put up with that; and I make a strict point + of mild language, which enables them to do it again with me. And all up + and down the roads, everybody likes me. But if I was shot to-morrow, would + they care twopence?” + </p> + <p> + “I am sure they would, sir; and a good deal more than that,” answered + Frank, who perceived that his father was out of his usual lines of + thinking, perhaps because he had just had a good dinner—so ill do we + digest our mercies. “I am sure that there is nobody in Sussex, Kent, or + Hampshire who does not admire and respect and trust you.” + </p> + <p> + “I dare say, and rejoice to see me do the work they ought to do. They have + long nights in bed, every one of them, and they get their meals when they + want them. I am not at all astonished at what Nelson said. He is younger + than I am by a good many years, but he seems to have picked up more than I + have, in the way of common sentiments, and such like. 'You may do + everybody's work, if you are fool enough,' he said to me the last time I + saw him; 'and ease them of their souls as well, if you are rogue enough, + as they do in the Popish countries. I am nearly sick of doing it,' he + said, and he looked it. 'If you once begin with it, you must go on.' I + find it more true every day of my life. Don't interrupt me; don't go on + with comfortable stuff about doing good, and one's duty towards one's + Country—though I fear that you think very little of that. If I + thought I had done good enough to make up for my back-aches, and three + fine stumps lost through chewing patriotic sentiments, why, of course I + should be thankful, and make the best of my reward. But charity begins at + home, my boy, and one's shirt should be considered before one's cloak. A + man's family is the nearest piece of his country, and the dearest one.” + </p> + <p> + “I am sure, sir, I hope,” replied Frank, who had never heard his father + talk like this before, “that nothing is going on amiss with us here. When + you are away, I keep a sharp lookout. And if I saw anything going wrong, I + should let you know of it immediately.” + </p> + <p> + “No doubt you would; but you are much too soft. You are quite as easygoing + as I used to be at your age”—here the Admiral looked as if he felt + himself to be uncommonly hard-going now—“and that sort of thing will + not do in these days. For my own discomforts I care nothing. I could live + on lobscouse, or soap and bully, for a year, and thank God for getting + more than I deserved. But my children, Frank, are very different. From me + you would never hear a grumble, or a syllable of anything but perfect + satisfaction, so long as I felt that I was doing good work, and having it + appreciated. And all my old comrades have just the same feeling. But you, + who come after us, are not like that. You must have everything made to fit + you, instead of making yourselves fit them. The result will be, I have + very little doubt, the downfall of England in the scale of nations. I was + talking to my old friend St. Vincent last week, and he most heartily + agreed with me. However, I don't mean to blame you, Frank. You cannot help + your unfortunate nature for stringing ends of words together that happen + to sound alike. Johnny will make a fine Officer, not in the Navy, but of + Artillery—Stubbard says that he has the rarest eyes he ever came + across in one so young, and he wishes he could put them into his Bob's + head. He shall not go back to Harrow; he can spell his own name, which + seems to be all they teach them there, instead of fine scholarship, such + as I obtained at Winton. But to spell his own name is quite enough for a + soldier. In the Navy we always were better educated. Johnny shall go to + Chatham, when his togs are ready. I settled all about it in London, last + week. Nothing hurts him. He is water-proof and thunder-proof. Toss him up + anyhow, he falls upon his feet. But that sort of nature very seldom goes + up high. But you, Frank, you might have done some good, without that nasty + twist of yours for writing and for rhyming, which is a sure indication of + spinal complaint. Don't interrupt me; I speak from long experience. Things + might be worse, and I ought to be thankful. None of my children will ever + disgrace me. At the same time, things would go on better if I were able to + be more at home. That Caryl Carne, for instance, what does he come here + for?” + </p> + <p> + “Well, sir, he has only been here twice. And it took a long time to + persuade him at all. He said that as you had not called upon him, he felt + that he might be intruding here. And Faith, who is sometimes very + spiteful, bowed, as much as to say that he had better wait. But Dolly, who + is very kind-hearted, assured him that she had heard you say at least a + dozen times: 'Be sure that I call upon Mr. Carne to-day. What will he + think of my neglect? But I hope that he will set it down to the right + cause—the perpetual demands upon my time.' And when she told him + that, he said that he would call the next day, and so he did.” + </p> + <p> + “Ah!” cried the old man, not well pleased; “it was Dolly who took that + little business off my shoulders! She might have been content with her + elder sister's judgment, in a family question of that sort. But I dare say + she thought it right to make my excuses. Very well, I'll do that for + myself. To-morrow I shall call upon that young man, unless I get another + despatch to-night. But I hear he wants nobody at his ruins. I suppose he + has not asked even you to go there?” + </p> + <p> + “No, sir; I think he took his little place here, because it would be so + painful for him to receive any friends at that tumble-down castle. He has + not yet been able to do any repairs.” + </p> + <p> + “I respect him for that,” said the Admiral, with his generous sympathies + aroused; “they have been a grand old family, though I can't say much for + those I knew—except, of course, Mrs. Twemlow. But he may be a very + fine young fellow, though a great deal too Frenchified, from all I hear. + And why my friend Twemlow cold-shoulders him so, is something of a mystery + to me. Twemlow is generally a judicious man in things that have nothing to + do with the Church. When it comes to that, he is very stiff-backed, as I + have often had to tell him. Perhaps this young man is a Papist. His mother + was, and she brought him up.” + </p> + <p> + “I am sure I don't know, sir,” answered Frank. “I should think none the + worse of him if he were, unless he allowed it to interfere with his proper + respect for liberty.” + </p> + <p> + “Liberty be hanged!” cried the Admiral; “and that's the proper end for + most of those who prate about it, when they ought to be fighting for their + Country. I shall sound him about that stuff to-morrow. If he is one of + that lot, he won't come here with my good-will, I can assure him. What + time is he generally to be found down there? He is right over Stubbard's + head, I believe, and yet friend Adam knows nothing about him. Nor even + Mrs. Adam! I should have thought that worthy pair would have drawn any + badger in the kingdom. I suppose the youth will see me, if I call. I don't + want to go round that way for nothing. I did want to have a quiet day at + home, and saunter in the garden, as the weather is so mild, and consult + poor Swipes about Spring crops, and then have a pipe or two, and take my + gun to Brown Bushes for a woodcock, or a hare, and come home with a fine + appetite to a good dinner. But I never must hope for a bit of pleasure + now.” + </p> + <p> + “You may depend upon it, sir,” said Frank, “that Caryl Carne will be + greatly pleased to see you. And I think you will agree with me that a more + straightforward and simple-minded man is not to be found in this country. + He combines what we are pleased to call our national dignity and + self-respect with the elegant manners, and fraternal warmth, and bonhomie—as + they themselves express it—of our friends across the water.” + </p> + <p> + “You be off! I don't want to be cross any more. Two hundred thousand + friends there at this moment eager to burn down our homes and cut our + throats! Tired as I am, I ought to take a stick to you, as friend Tugwell + did to his son for much less. I have the greatest mind not to go near that + young man. I wish I had Twemlow here to talk it over. Pay your fine for a + French word, and be off!” + </p> + <p> + Frank Darling gravely laid down five shillings on his dessert plate, and + walked off. The fine for a French word in that house, and in hundreds of + other English houses at this patriotic period, was a crown for a + gentleman, and a shilling for a lady, the latter not being liable except + when gentlemen were present. The poet knew well that another word on his + part would irritate his father to such a degree that no visit would be + paid to-morrow to the admirer of the Harmodiad, whose admiration he was + longing to reward with a series of good dinners. And so he did his utmost + to ensure his father's visit. + </p> + <p> + But when the Admiral, going warily—because he was so stiff from + saddle-work—made his way down to the house of Widow Shanks, and + winking at the Royal Arms in the lower front window, where Stubbard kept + Office and convenience, knocked with the knocker at the private door, + there seemed to be a great deal of thought required before anybody came to + answer. + </p> + <p> + “Susie,” said the visitor, who had an especial knack of remembering + Christian names, which endeared him to the bearers, “I am come to see Mr. + Carne, and I hope he is at home.” + </p> + <p> + “No, that 'a bain't, sir,” the little girl made answer, after looking at + the Admiral as if he was an elephant, and wiping her nose with unwonted + diligence; “he be gone away, sir; and please, sir, mother said so.” + </p> + <p> + “Well, here's a penny for you, my dear, because you are the best little + needle-woman in the school, they tell me. Run and tell your mother to come + and see me.—Oh, Mrs. Shanks, I am very glad to see you, and so + blooming in spite of all your hard work. Ah, it is no easy thing in these + hard times to maintain a large family and keep the pot boiling. And + everything clean as a quarter-deck! My certy, you are a woman in a + thousand!” + </p> + <p> + “No, sir, no. It is all the Lord's doing. And you to the back of Him, as I + alway say. Not a penny can they make out as I owes justly, bad as I be at + the figures, Squire. Do 'e come in, and sit down, there's a dear. Ah, I + mind the time when you was like a dart, Squire!” + </p> + <p> + “Well, and now I am like a cannon-ball,” said the Admiral, who understood + and liked this unflattering talk; “only I don't travel quite so fast as + that. I scarcely get time to see any old friends. But I came to look out + for a young friend now, the gentleman you make so comfortable upstairs. + Don't I wish I was a young man without incumbrance, to come and lodge with + such a wonderful landlady!” + </p> + <p> + “Ah, if there was more of your sort, sir, there'd be a deal less trouble + in the world, there would. Not that my young gentleman is troublesome, + mind you, only so full of them outlandish furrin ways—abideth all + day long without ating ort, so different from a honest Englishman. First I + used to think as he couldn't afford it, and long to send him up a bit of + my own dinner, but dursn't for the life of me—too grand for that, by + ever so—till one day little Susie there comes a-running down the + stairs, and she sings out, with her face as red as ever a boiled lobster: + 'Looky see, mother! Oh, do 'e come and looky see! Pollyon hath got a heap + of guineas on his table; wouldn't go into the big yellow pudding-basin!' + And sure enough he had, your Honour, in piles, as if he was telling of + them. He had slipped out suddenly, and thought the passage door was + bolted. What a comfort it was to me, I can't configurate. Because I could + eat my dinner comfortable now, for such a big heap of money never I did + see.” + </p> + <p> + “I am very glad—heartily glad,” exclaimed the smiling Admiral. “I + hope he may get cash enough to buy back all the great Carne property, and + kick out those rascally Jews and lawyers. But what makes Susie call him + that?” + </p> + <p> + “Well, sir, the young ones must have a nickname for anything beyond them; + and because he never takes any notice of them—so different from your + handsome Master Frank—and some simility of his black horse, or his + proud walk, to the pictur', 'Pollyon' is the name they give him, out of + Pilgrim's Progress. Though not a bit like him, for such a gentleman to pay + his rent and keep his place untroublesome I never had before. And a + fortnight he paid me last night, afore going, and took away the keys of + all three doors.” + </p> + <p> + “He is gone, then, is he? To London, I dare say. It would be useless to + look for him at the castle. My son will be disappointed more than I am. To + tell you the truth, Mrs. Shanks, in these days the great thing is to stick + to the people that we know. The world is so full, not of rogues, but of + people who are always wanting something out of one, that to talk with a + thoroughly kind, honest person, like yourself, is a real luxury. When the + gentleman comes back, let him know that I have called.” + </p> + <p> + “And my Jenny, sir?” cried the anxious mother, running after him into the + passage; “not a word have you said about my Jenny. I hope she show no sign + of flightiness?” + </p> + <p> + “Jenny is as steady as the church,” replied the Admiral. “We are going to + put her on a pound a year from next quarter-day, by Mrs. Cloam's advice. + She'll have a good stocking by the time she gets married.” + </p> + <p> + “There never was such a pleasant gentleman, nor such a kind-hearted one, I + do believe,” said Widow Shanks, as she came in with bright eyes. “What are + they Carnes to the Darlings, after all? As different as night and day.” + </p> + <p> + But the Admiral's next visit was not quite so pleasant; for when he got + back into the village road, expecting a nice walk to his luncheon and his + pipe, a man running furiously almost knocked him down, and had no time to + beg his pardon. The runner's hat was off his head, and his hair blowing + out, but luckily for itself his tongue was not between his teeth. + </p> + <p> + “Has the devil got hold of you at last, Jem Prater?” the Admiral asked, + not profanely; for he had seen a good deal of mankind, and believed in + diabolical possession. + </p> + <p> + “For Parson! for Parson!” cried Jem, starting off again as hard as he + could go. “Butter Cheeseman hath hanged his self in his own scales. And + nobody is any good but Parson.” + </p> + <p> + Admiral Darling was much disturbed. “What will the world come to? I never + knew such times,” he exclaimed to himself, with some solemnity; and then + set off, as fast as his overridden state permitted, for the house of Mr. + Cheeseman. Passing through the shop, which had nobody in it, he was led by + the sound of voices into a little room beyond it—the room in which + Mr. Cheeseman had first received Caryl Carne. Here he beheld an + extraordinary scene, of which he often had to dream thereafter. + </p> + <p> + From a beam in the roof (which had nothing to do with his scales, as Jem + Prater had imagined), by a long but not well-plaited cord, was dangling + the respected Church-warden Cheeseman. Happily for him, he had relied on + his own goods; and the rope being therefore of very bad hemp, had failed + in this sad and too practical proof. The weight of its vendor had added to + its length some fifteen inches—as he loved to pull out things—and + his toes touched the floor, which relieved him now and then. + </p> + <p> + “Why don't you cut him down, you old fools?” cried the Admiral to three + gaffers, who stood moralising, while Mrs. Cheeseman sat upon a barrel, + sobbing heavily, with both hands spread to conceal the sad sight. + </p> + <p> + “We was afraid of hurting of him,” said the quickest-witted of the + gaffers; “Us wanted to know why 'a doed it,” said the deepest; and, “The + will of the Lord must be done,” said the wisest. + </p> + <p> + After fumbling in vain for his knife, and looking round, the Admiral ran + back into the shop, and caught up the sharp steel blade with which the + victim of a troubled mind had often unsold a sold ounce in the days of + happy commerce. In a moment the Admiral had the poor Church-warden in his + sturdy arms, and with a sailor's skill had unknotted the choking noose, + and was shouting for brandy, as he kept the blue head from falling back. + </p> + <p> + When a little of the finest eau de vie that ever was smuggled had been + administered, the patient rallied, and becoming comparatively cheerful, + was enabled to explain that “it was all a mistake altogether.” This + removed all misunderstanding; but Rector Twemlow, arriving too late for + anything but exhortation, asked a little too sternly—as everybody + felt—under what influence of the Evil One Cheeseman had committed + that mistake. The reply was worthy of an enterprising tradesman, and + brought him such orders from a score of miles around that the resources of + the establishment could only book them. + </p> + <p> + “Sir,” he said, looking at the parson sadly, with his right hand laid upon + his heart, which was feeble, and his left hand intimating that his neck + was sore, “if anything has happened that had better not have been, it must + have been by reason of the weight I give, and the value such a deal above + the prices.” + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0038" id="link2HCH0038"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XXXVIII + </h2> + <h3> + EVERYBODY'S MASTER + </h3> + <p> + The peril of England was now growing fast; all the faster from being in + the dark. The real design of the enemy escaped the penetration even of + Nelson, and our Government showed more anxiety about their great adversary + landing on the coast of Egypt than on that of England. Naval men laughed + at his flat-bottomed boats, and declared that one frigate could sink a + hundred of them; whereas it is probable that two of them, with their + powerful guns and level fire, would have sunk any frigate we then + possessed. But the crafty and far-seeing foe did not mean to allow any + frigate, or line-of-battle ship, the chance of enquiring how that might + be. + </p> + <p> + His true scheme, as everybody now knows well, was to send the English + fleet upon a wild-goose chase, whether to Egypt, the west coast of + Ireland, or the West Indies, as the case might be; and then, by a rapid + concentration of his ships, to obtain command of the English Channel, if + only for twenty-four hours at a time. Twenty-four hours of clearance from + our cruisers would have seen a hundred thousand men landed on our coast, + throwing up entrenchments, and covering the landing of another hundred + thousand, coming close upon their heels. Who would have faced them? A few + good regiments, badly found, and perhaps worse led, and a mob of militia + and raw volunteers, the reward of whose courage would be carnage. + </p> + <p> + But as a chip smells like the tree, and a hair like the dog it belongs to, + so Springhaven was a very fair sample of the England whereof (in its own + opinion) it formed a most important part. Contempt for the body of a man + leads rashly to an under-estimate of his mind; and one of the greatest men + that ever grew on earth—if greatness can be without goodness—was + held in low account because not of high inches, and laughed at as “little + Boney.” + </p> + <p> + However, there were, as there always are, thousands of sensible Englishmen + then; and rogues had not yet made a wreck of grand Institutions to + scramble for what should wash up. Abuses existed, as they always must; but + the greatest abuse of all (the destruction of every good usage) was + undreamed of yet. And the right man was even now approaching to the + rescue, the greatest Prime-Minister of any age or country. + </p> + <p> + Unwitting perhaps of the fine time afforded by the feeble delays of Mr. + Addington, and absorbed in the tissue of plot and counterplot now + thickening fast in Paris—the arch-plotter in all of them being + himself—the First Consul had slackened awhile his hot haste to set + foot upon the shore of England. His bottomless ambition for the moment had + a top, and that top was the crown of France; and as soon as he had got + that on his head, the head would have no rest until the crown was that of + Europe. + </p> + <p> + But before any crown could be put on at all, the tender hearts of + Frenchmen must be touched by the appearance of great danger—the + danger which is of all the greatest, that to their nearest and dearest + selves. A bloody farce was in preparation, noble lives were to be perjured + away, and above all, the only great rival in the hearts of soldiers must + be turned out of France. This foul job worked—as foul Radical jobs + do now—for the good of England. If the French invasion had come to + pass, as it was fully meant to do, in the month of February, 1804, perhaps + its history must have been written in French, for us to understand it. + </p> + <p> + So, at any rate, thought Caryl Carne, who knew the resources of either + side, and the difference between a fine army and a mob. He felt quite sure + that his mother's country would conquer his father's without much trouble, + and he knew that his horn would be exalted in the land, when he had guided + the conqueror into it. Sure enough then he would recover his ancestral + property with interest and be able to punish his enemies well, and reward + his friends if they deserved it. Thinking of these things, and believing + that his own preparations would soon be finished, he left Widow Shanks to + proclaim his merits, while under the bold and able conduct of Captain + Renaud Charron he ran the gauntlet of the English fleet, and was put + ashore southward of Cape Grisnez. Here is a long reach of dreary exposure, + facing the west unprofitably, with a shallow slope of brown sand, and a + scour of tide, and no pleasant moorings. Jotted as the coast was all along + (whereon dry batteries grinned defiance, or sands just awash smiled + treachery) with shallow transports, gun-boats, prames, scows, bilanders, + brigs, and schooners, row-galleys, luggers, and every sort of craft that + has a mast, or gets on without one, and even a few good ships of war + pondering malice in the safer roadsteads, yet here the sweep of the west + wind, and the long roll from the ocean following, kept a league or two, + northward of the mighty defences of Boulogne, inviolate by the petty + enmities of man. Along the slight curve of the coast might be seen, beyond + Ambleteuse and Wimereux, the vast extent of the French flotilla, ranged in + three divisions, before the great lunette of the central camp, and hills + jotted with tents thick as limpets on a rock. + </p> + <p> + Carne (whose dealings were quite unknown to all of the French authorities + save one, and that the supreme one) was come by appointment to meet his + commander in a quiet and secluded spot. It was early February now, and + although the day was waning, and the wind, which was drawing to the north + of west, delivered a cold blow from the sea, yet the breath of Spring was + in the air already, and the beat of her pulse came through the ground. + Almost any man, except those two concerting to shed blood and spread fire, + would have looked about a little at the pleasure of the earth, and felt a + touch of happiness in the goodness of the sky. + </p> + <p> + Caryl Carne waited in the shelter of a tree, scarcely deserving to be + called a tree, except for its stiff tenacity. All the branches were driven + by the western gales, and scourged flat in one direction—that in + which they best could hold together, and try to believe that their life + was their own. Like the wings of a sea bird striving with a tempest, all + the sprays were frayed alike, and all the twigs hackled with the self-same + pile. Whoever observes a tree like this should stop to wonder how ever it + managed to make itself any sort of trunk at all, and how it was persuaded + to go up just high enough to lose the chance of ever coming down again. + But Carne cared for nothing of this sort, and heeded very little that did + not concern himself. All he thought of was how he might persuade his + master to try the great issue at once. + </p> + <p> + While he leaned heavily against the tree, with his long sea-cloak flapping + round his legs, two horsemen struck out of the Ambleteuse road, and came + at hand-gallop towards him. The foremost, who rode with short stirrups, + and sat his horse as if he despised him, was the foremost man of the world + just now, and for ten years yet to come. + </p> + <p> + Carne ran forward to show himself, and the master of France dismounted. He + always looked best upon horseback, as short men generally do, if they ride + well; and his face (which helped to make his fortune) appeared even more + commanding at a little distance. An astonishing face, in its sculptured + beauty, set aspect, and stern haughtiness, calm with the power of + transcendant mind, and a will that never met its equal. Even Carne, void + of much imagination, and contemptuous of all the human character he + shared, was the slave of that face when in its presence, and could never + meet steadily those piercing eyes. And yet, to the study of a neutral dog, + or a man of abstract science, the face was as bad as it was beautiful. + </p> + <p> + Napoleon—as he was soon to be called by a cringing world—smiled + affably, and offered his firm white hand, which Carne barely touched, and + bent over with deference. Then the foaming horse was sent away in charge + of the attendant trooper, and the master began to take short quick steps, + to and fro, in front of the weather-beaten tree; for to stand still was + not in his nature. Carne, being beckoned to keep at his side, lost a good + deal of what he had meant to say, from the trouble he found in timing his + wonted stride to the brisk pace of the other. + </p> + <p> + “You have done well—on the whole very well,” said Napoleon, whose + voice was deep, yet clear and distinct as the sound of a bell. “You have + kept me well informed; you are not suspected; you are enlarging your + knowledge of the enemy and of his resources; every day you become more + capable of conducting us to the safe landing. For what, then, this hurry, + this demand to see me, this exposing of yourself to the risk of capture?” + </p> + <p> + Carne was about to answer; but the speaker, who undershot the thoughts of + others before they were shaped—as the shuttle of the lightning + underweaves a cloud—raised his hand to stop him, and went on: + </p> + <p> + “Because you suppose that all is ripe. Because you believe that the slow + beasts of islanders will strengthen their defences more by delay than we + shall strengthen our attack. Because you are afraid of incurring + suspicion, if you continue to prepare. And most of all, my friend, because + you are impatient to secure the end of a long enterprise. But, Captain, it + must be longer yet. It is not for you, but for me, to fix the time. Behold + me! I am come from a grand review. We have again rehearsed the + embarkation. We have again put two thousand horses on board. The horses + did it well; but not the men. They are as brave as eagles, but as clumsy + as the ostrich, and as fond of the sand without water. They will all be + sea-sick. It is in their countenances, though many have been practised in + the mouths of rivers. Those infamous English will not permit us to proceed + far enough from our native land to acquire what they call the legs of the + sea. If our braves are sea-sick, how can they work the cannon, or even + navigate well for the accursed island? They must have time. They must + undergo more waves, and a system of diet before embarkation. Return, my + trusted Captain, and continue your most esteemed services for three + months. I have written these new instructions for you. You may trust me to + remember this addition to your good works.” + </p> + <p> + Carne's heart fell, and his face was gloomy, though he did his best to + hide it. So well he knew the arrogance and fierce self-will of his + commanding officer that he durst not put his own opposite view of the case + directly before him. This arrogance grew with the growth of his power; so + that in many important matters Napoleon lost the true state of the case + through the terror felt by his subordinates. So great was the mastery of + his presence that Carne felt himself guilty of impertinence in carrying + his head above the level of the General's plume, and stooped unconsciously—as + hundreds of tall men are said to have done—to lessen this anomaly of + Nature. + </p> + <p> + “All shall be done to your orders, my General,” he replied, submissively. + “For my own position I have no fear. I might remain there from year to + year without any suspicion arising, so stupid are the people all around, + and so well is my name known among them. The only peril is in the landing + of stores, and I think we should desist from that. A few people have been + wondering about that, though hitherto we have been most fortunate. They + have set it down so far to smuggling operations, with which in that + tyrannical land all the lower orders sympathise. But it would be wiser to + desist awhile, unless you, my General, have anything of moment which you + still desire to send in.” + </p> + <p> + “What sort of fellow is that Sheeseman?” asked Napoleon, with his + wonderful memory of details. “Is he more to be confided in as a rogue or + as a fool?” + </p> + <p> + “As both, sir; but more especially as a rogue, though he has the + compunctions of a fool sometimes. But he is as entirely under my thumb, as + I am under that of my Commander.” + </p> + <p> + “That is very good,” answered the First Consul, smiling with the sense of + his own power; “and at an hour's notice, with fifty chosen men landed from + the London Trader—ah, I love that name; it is appropriate—you + could spike all the guns of that pretentious little battery, and lock the + Commander of the Coast-Defence in one of his own cellars. Is it not so, my + good Captain? Answer me not. That is enough. One question more, and you + may return. Are you certain of the pilotage of the proud young fisherman + who knows every grain of sand along his native shore? Surely you can bribe + him, if he hesitates at all, or hold a pistol at his ear as he steers the + leading prame into the bay! Charron would be the man for that. Between you + and Charron, there should be no mistake.” + </p> + <p> + “He requires to be handled with much delicacy. He has no idea yet what he + is meant to do. And if I understand his nature, neither bribes nor fear + would move him. He is stubborn as a Breton, and of that simple character.” + </p> + <p> + “One can always befool a Breton; but I hate that race,” said Napoleon. “If + he cannot be made useful, tie a round shot to him, throw him overheard, + and get a gentler native.” + </p> + <p> + “Alas, I fear that we cannot indulge in that pleasure,” said Carne, with a + smile of regret. “It cost me a large outlay of skill to catch him, and the + natives of that place are all equally stubborn. But I have a plan for + making him do our work without being at all aware of it. Is it your wish, + my General, that I should now describe that plan?” + </p> + <p> + “Not now,” replied Napoleon, pulling out a watch of English make, “but in + your next letter. I start for Paris in an hour's time. You will hear of + things soon which will add very greatly to the weight and success of this + grand enterprise. We shall have perfidious Albion caught in her own noose, + as you shall see. You have not heard of one Captain Wright, and the + landing-place at Biville. We will have our little Biville at Springhaven. + There will be too many of us to swing up by a rope. Courage, my friend! + The future is with you. Our regiments are casting dice for the fairest + English counties. But your native county is reserved for you. You shall + possess the whole of it—I swear it by the god of war—and + command the Southern army. Be brave, be wise, be vigilant, and above all + things be patient.” + </p> + <p> + The great man held up his hand, as a sign that he wanted his horse, and + then offered it to Caryl Carne, who touched it lightly with his lips, and + bent one knee. “My Emperor!” he said, “my Emperor!” + </p> + <p> + “Wait until the proper time,” said Napoleon, gravely, and yet well + pleased. “You are not the first, and you will not be the last. Observe + discretion. Farewell, my friend!” + </p> + <p> + In another minute he was gone, and the place looked empty without him. + Carne stood gloomily watching the horsemen as their figures grew small in + the distance, the large man behind pounding heavily away, like an English + dragoon, on the scanty sod, of no importance to anybody—unless he + had a wife or children—the little man in front (with the white plume + waving, and the well-bred horse going easily), the one whose body would + affect more bodies, and certainly send more souls out of them, than any + other born upon this earth as yet, and—we hope—as long as ever + it endureth. + </p> + <p> + Caryl Carne cared not a jot about that. He was anything but a + philanthropist; his weaknesses, if he had any, were not dispersive, but + thoroughly concentric. He gathered his long cloak round his body, and went + to the highest spot within his reach, about a mile from the watch-tower at + Cape Grisnez, and thence he had a fine view of the vast invasive fleet and + the vaster host behind it. + </p> + <p> + An Englishman who loved his Country would have turned sick at heart and + faint of spirit at the sight before him. The foe was gathered together + there to eat us up on every side, to get us into his net and rend us, to + tear us asunder as a lamb is torn when its mother has dropped it in flight + from the wolves. For forty square miles there was not an acre without a + score of tents upon it, or else of huts thrown up with slabs of wood to + keep the powder dry, and the steel and iron bright and sharp to go into + the vitals of England. Mighty docks had been scooped out by warlike hands, + and shone with ships crowded with guns and alive with men. And all along + the shore for leagues, wherever any shelter lay, and great batteries + protected them, hundreds of other ships tore at their moorings, to dash + across the smooth narrow line, and blacken with fire and redden with blood + the white cliffs of the land they loathed. + </p> + <p> + And what was there to stop them? The steam of the multitude rose in the + air, and the clang of armour filled it. Numbers irresistible, and + relentless power urged them. At the beck of the hand that had called the + horse, the grey sea would have been black with ships, and the pale waves + would have been red with fire. Carne looked at the water way touched with + silver by the soft descent of the winter sun, and upon it, so far as his + gaze could reach, there were but a dozen little objects moving, puny + creatures in the distance—mice in front of a lion's den. And much as + he hated with his tainted heart the land of his father, the land of his + birth, some reluctant pride arose that he was by right an Englishman. + </p> + <p> + “It is the dread of the English seaman, it is the fame of Nelson, it is + the habit of being beaten when England meets them upon the sea—nothing + else keeps this mighty host like a set of trembling captives here, when + they might launch forth irresistibly. And what is a great deal worse, it + will keep me still in my ruined dungeons, a spy, an intriguer, an + understrapper, when I am fit to be one of the foremost. What a fool I am + so to be cowed and enslaved, by a man no better endowed than myself with + anything, except self-confidence! I should have looked over his head, and + told him that I had had enough of it, and if he would not take advantage + of my toils, I would toil for him no longer. Why, he never even thanked + me, that I can remember, and my pay is no more than Charron's! And a + pretty strict account I have to render of every Republican coin he sends. + He will have his own head on them within six months, unless he is + assassinated. His manners are not those of a gentleman. While I was + speaking to him, he actually turned his back upon me, and cleared his + throat! Every one hates him as much as fears him, of all who are in the + rank of gentlemen. How would it pay me to throw him over, denounce my own + doings, excuse them as those of a Frenchman and a French officer, and bow + the knee to Farmer George? Truly if it were not for my mother, who has + sacrificed her life for me, I would take that course, and have done with + it. Such all-important news would compel them to replace me in the + property of my forefathers; and if neighbours looked coldly on me at + first, I could very soon conquer that nonsense. I should marry little + Dolly, of course, and that would go half-way towards doing it. I hate that + country, but I might come to like it, if enough of it belonged to me. Aha! + What would my mother say, if she dreamed that I could have such ideas? And + the whole of my life belongs to her. Well, let me get back to my ruins + first. It would never do to be captured by a British frigate. We had a + narrow shave of it last time. And there will be a vile great moon + to-night.” + </p> + <p> + With these reflections—which were upon the whole more to his credit + than the wonted web of thought—Carne with his long stride struck + into a path towards the beach where his boat was waiting. Although he knew + where to find several officers who had once been his comrades, he kept + himself gladly to his loneliness; less perhaps by reason of Napoleon's + orders than from the growing charm which Solitude has for all who begin to + understand her. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0039" id="link2HCH0039"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XXXIX + </h2> + <h3> + RUNNING THE GAUNTLET + </h3> + <p> + Though Carne had made light, in his impatient mood, of the power of the + blockading fleet, he felt in his heart a sincere respect for its vigilance + and activity. La Liberte (as the unhappy Cheeseman's schooner was called + within gunshot of France) was glad enough to drop that pretentious name, + and become again the peaceful London Trader, when she found herself beyond + the reach of French batteries. The practice of her captain, the lively + Charron, was to give a wide berth to any British cruiser appearing singly; + but whenever more than one hove in sight, to run into the midst of them + and dip his flag. From the speed of his schooner he could always, in a + light wind, show a clean pair of heels to any single heavy ship, and he + had not yet come across any cutter, brig of war, or light corvette that + could collar the Liberte in any sort of weather. Renaud Charron was a + brave young Frenchman, as fair a specimen as could be found, of a truly + engaging but not overpowering type, kindly, warm-hearted, full of + enterprise, lax of morals (unless honour—their veneer—was + touched), loving excitement, and capable of anything, except skulking, or + sulking, or running away slowly. + </p> + <p> + “None of your risky tricks to-night!” said Carne, as he stood on the + schooner's deck, in the dusk of the February evening, himself in a dark + mood growing darker—for his English blood supplied the elements of + gloom, and he felt a dull pleasure in goading a Frenchman, after being + trampled on by one of French position. “You will just make straight, as + the tide and shoals allow, for our usual landing-place, set me ashore, and + follow me to the old quarters. I have orders to give you, which can be + given only there.” + </p> + <p> + “My commanding officer shall be obeyed,” the Frenchman answered, with a + light salute and smile, for he was not endowed with the power of hating, + or he might have indulged that bad power towards Carne; “but I fear that + he has not found things to his liking.” + </p> + <p> + “What concern is that of yours? Your duty is to carry out my orders, to + the utmost of your ability, and offer opinion when asked for.” + </p> + <p> + The light-hearted Frenchman shrugged his shoulders. “My commanding officer + is right,” he said; “but the sea is getting up, and there will be wind, + unless I mistake the arising of the moon. My commanding officer had better + retire, until his commands are needed. He has been known to feel the + effects of high tossing, in spite of his unequalled constitution. Is it + not so, my commander? I ask with deference, and anxiety.” + </p> + <p> + Carne, who liked to have the joke on his side only, swore at the moon and + the wind, in clear English, which was shorter and more efficacious than + French. He longed to say, “Try to keep me out of rough water,” but his + pride, and the fear of suggesting the opposite to this sailor who loved a + joke, kept him silent, and he withdrew to his little cuddy, chewing a + biscuit, to feed, if it must be so, the approaching malady. + </p> + <p> + “We shall have some game, and a fine game too,” said Renaud Charron to + himself, as he ordered more sail to be made. “Milord gives himself such + mighty airs! We will take him to the cross-run off the Middle Bank, and + offer him a basin through the key-hole. To make sea-sick an Englishman—for, + after all, what other is he?—will be a fine piece of revenge for + fair France.” + </p> + <p> + Widow Shanks had remarked with tender sorrow—more perhaps because + she admired the young man, and was herself a hearty soul, than from any + loss of profit in victualling him—that “he was one of they folk as + seems to go about their business, and do their jobs, and keep their skins + as full as other people, without putting nort inside of them.” She knew + one of that kind before, and he was shot by the Coast-guard, and when they + postmartyred him, an eel twenty foot long was found inside him, doubled up + for all the world like a love-knot. Squire Carne was of too high a family + for that; but she would give a week's rent to know what was inside him. + </p> + <p> + There was no little justice in these remarks, as is pretty sure to be the + case with all good-natured criticism. The best cook that ever was roasted + cannot get out of a pot more than was put in it; and the weight of a cask, + as a general rule, diminishes if the tap is turned, without any redress at + the bung-hole. Carne ran off his contents too fast, before he had arranged + for fresh receipts; and all who have felt what comes of that will be able + to feel for him in the result. + </p> + <p> + But a further decrease was in store for him now. As the moon arose, the + wind got higher, and chopped round to one point north of west, raising a + perkish head-sea, and grinning with white teeth against any flapping of + sails. The schooner was put upon the starboard tack as near to the wind as + she would lie, bearing so for the French coast more than the English, and + making for the Vergoyers, instead of the Varne, as intended. This carried + them into wider water, and a long roll from the southwest crossing the + pointed squabble of the strong new wind. + </p> + <p> + “General,” cried Charron, now as merry as a grig, and skipping to the door + of Carne's close little cabin, about an hour before midnight, “it would + afford us pleasure if you would kindly come on deck and give us the + benefit of your advice. I fear that you are a little confined down here, + and in need of more solid sustenance. My General, arise; there is much + briskness upon deck, and the waves are dancing beautifully in the full + moon. Two sail are in sight, one upon the weather bow, and the other on + the weather quarter. Ah, how superior your sea-words are to ours! If I + were born an Englishman, you need not seek far for a successor to Nelson, + when he gets shot, as he is sure to be before very long.” + </p> + <p> + “Get out!” muttered Carne, whose troubles were faintly illuminated by a + sputtering wick. “Get out, you scoundrel, as you love plain English. Go + direct to the devil—only let me die in peace.” + </p> + <p> + “All language is excusable in those affected with the malady of the sea,” + replied the Frenchman, dancing a little to encourage his friend. “Behold, + if you would get up and do this, you would be as happy inside as I am. But + stay—I know what will ease you in an instant, and enable you to + order us right and left. The indefatigable Sherray put a fine piece of fat + pork in store before we sailed; I have just had it cooked, for I was + almost starving. It floats in brown liquor of the richest order, such as + no Englishman can refuse. Take a sip of pure rum, and you will enjoy it + surely. Say, my brave General, will you come and join me? It will cure any + little disquietude down here.” + </p> + <p> + With a pleasant smile Charron laid his hand on the part of his commander + which he supposed to be blameable. Carne made an effort to get up and kick + him, but fell back with everything whirling around, and all human + standards inverted. Then the kindly Frenchman tucked him up, for his face + was blue and the chill of exhaustion striking into him. “I wish you could + eat a little bit,” said Charron, gently; but Carne gave a push with his + elbow. “Well, you'll be worse before you are better, as the old women say + in your country. But what am I to do about the two British ships—for + they are sure to be British—now in sight?” But Carne turned his + back, and his black boots dangled from the rim of his bunk as if there was + nothing in them. + </p> + <p> + “This is going a little too far,” cried Charron; “I must have some orders, + my commander. You understand that two English ships are manifestly bearing + down upon us—” + </p> + <p> + “Let them come and send us to the bottom—the sooner the better,” his + commander groaned, and then raised his limp knuckles with a final effort + to stop his poor ears forever. + </p> + <p> + “But I am not ready to go to the bottom, nor all the other people of our + fourteen hands”—the Frenchman spoke now to himself alone—“neither + will I even go to prison. I will do as they do at Springhaven, and + doubtless at every other place in England. I will have my dish of pork, + which is now just crackling—I am capable of smelling it even here—and + I will give some to Sam Polwhele, and we will put heads together over it. + To outsail friend Englishman is a great delight, and to out-gun him would + be still greater; but if we cannot accomplish those, there will be some + pleasure of outwitting him.” + </p> + <p> + Renaud Charron was never disposed to make the worst of anything. When he + went upon deck again, to look out while his supper was waiting, he found + no change, except that the wind was freshening and the sea increasing, and + the strangers whose company he did not covet seemed waiting for no + invitation. With a light wind he would have had little fear of giving them + the go-by, or on a dark night he might have contrived to slip between or + away from them. But everything was against him now. The wind was so + strong, blowing nearly half a gale, and threatening to blow a whole one, + that he durst not carry much canvas, and the full moon, approaching the + meridian now, spread the white sea with a broad flood of light. He could + see that both enemies had descried him, and were acting in concert to cut + him off. The ship on his weather bow was a frigate, riding the waves in + gallant style, with the wind upon her beam, and travelling two feet for + every one the close-hauled schooner could accomplish. If the latter + continued her present course, in another half-league she would be under + the port-holes of the frigate. + </p> + <p> + The other enemy, though further off, was far more difficult to escape. + This was a gun-brig, not so very much bigger than La Liberte herself—for + gun-brigs in those days were very small craft—and for that very + reason more dangerous. She bore about two points east of north from the + greatly persecuted Charron, and was holding on steadily under easy sail, + neither gaining much upon the chase nor losing. + </p> + <p> + “Carry on as we are for about ten minutes,” said Charron to his mate, Sam + Polwhele; “that will give us period to eat our pork. Come, then, my good + friend, let us do it.” + </p> + <p> + Polwhele—as he was called to make believe that he and other hands + were Cornishmen, whereas they were Yankees of the sharpest order, owing no + allegiance and unhappily no good-will to their grandmother—this man, + whose true name was Perkins, gave the needful orders, and followed down. + Charron could talk, like many Frenchmen, quite as fast with his mouth full + as empty, and he had a man to talk to who did not require anything to be + said twice to him. + </p> + <p> + “No fear of me!” was all he said. “You keep out of sight, because of your + twang. I'll teach them a little good English—better than ever came + out of Cornwall. The best of all English is not to say too much.” + </p> + <p> + The captain and his mate enjoyed their supper, while Carne in the distance + bore the pangs of a malady called bulimus, that is to say, a giant's + ravening for victuals, without a babe's power of receiving them. For he + was turning the corner of his sickness now, but prostrate and cold as a + fallen stalactite. + </p> + <p> + “Aha! We have done well. We have warmed our wits up. One glass of what you + call the grog; and then we will play a pleasant game with those + Englishmen!” Carne heard him say it, and in his heart hoped that the + English would pitch him overboard. + </p> + <p> + It was high time for those two to finish their supper. The schooner had no + wheel, but steered—as light craft did then, and long afterwards—with + a bulky ash tiller, having iron eyes for lashing it in heavy weather. + Three strong men stood by it now, obedient, yet muttering to one another, + for another cable's length would bring them into danger of being run down + by the frigate. + </p> + <p> + “All clear for stays!” cried Polwhele, under orders from Charron. “Down + helm! Helm's alee! Steady so. Let draw! Easy! easy! There she fills!” And + after a few more rapid orders the handy little craft was dashing away, + with the wind abaft the beam, and her head about two points north of east. + “Uncommon quick in stays!” cried Polwhele, who had taken to the helm, and + now stood there. “Wonder what Britishers will think of that?” + </p> + <p> + The British ship soon let him know her opinion, by a roar and a long + streak of smoke blown toward him, as she put up her helm to consider the + case. It was below the dignity of a fine frigate to run after little + smuggling craft, such as she voted this to be, and a large ship had been + sighted from her tops down channel, which might afford her nobler sport. + She contented herself with a harmless shot, and leaving the gun-brig to + pursue the chase, bore away for more important business. + </p> + <p> + “Nonplussed the big 'un; shall have trouble with the little 'un,” said + Master Polwhele to his captain. “She don't draw half a fathom more than we + do. No good running inside the shoals. And with this wind, she has the + foot of us.” + </p> + <p> + “Bear straight for her, and let her board us,” Charron answered, + pleasantly. “Down with all French hands into the forepart of the hold, and + stow the spare foresail over them. Show our last bills of lading, and ask + them to trade. You know all about Cheeseman; double his prices. If we make + any cash, we'll divide it. Say we are out of our course, through supplying + a cruiser that wanted our goods for nothing. I shall keep out of sight on + account of my twang, as you politely call it. The rest I may safely leave + to your invention. But if you can get any ready rhino, Sam Polwhele is not + the man to neglect it.” + </p> + <p> + “Bully for you!” cried the Yankee, looking at him with more admiration + than he expected ever to entertain for a Frenchman. “There's five ton of + cheeses that have been seven voyages, and a hundred firkins of Irish + butter, and five-and-thirty cases of Russian tongues, as old as old Nick, + and ne'er a sign of weevil! Lor' no, never a tail of weevil! Skipper, you + deserve to go to heaven out of West Street. But how about him, down + yonder?” + </p> + <p> + “Captain Carne? Leave him to me to arrange. I shall be ready, if they + intrude. Announce that you have a sick gentleman on board, a passenger + afflicted with a foreign illness, and having a foreign physician. Mon + Dieu! It is good. Every Englishman believes that anything foreign will + kill him with a vault. Arrange you the trading, and I will be the doctor—a + German; I can do the German.” + </p> + <p> + “And I can do the trading,” the American replied, without any rash + self-confidence; “any fool can sell good stuff; but it requireth a good + man to sell bad goods.” + </p> + <p> + The gun-brig bore down on them at a great pace, feeling happy certitude + that she had got a prize—not a very big one, but still worth + catching. She saw that the frigate had fired a shot, and believed that it + was done to call her own attention to a matter below that of the frigate. + On she came, heeling to the lively wind, very beautiful in the moonlight, + tossing the dark sea in white showers, and with all her taut canvas arched + and gleaming, hovered with the shades of one another. + </p> + <p> + “Heave to, or we sink you!” cried a mighty voice through a speaking + trumpet, as she luffed a little, bringing her port broadside to bear; and + the schooner, which had hoisted British colours, obeyed the command + immediately. In a very few seconds a boat was manned, and dancing on the + hillocks of the sea; and soon, with some danger and much care, the + visitors stood upon the London Trader's deck, and Sam Polwhele came to + meet them. + </p> + <p> + “We have no wish to put you to any trouble,” said the officer in command, + very quietly, “if you can show that you are what you profess to be. You + sail under British colours; and the name on your stern is London Trader. + We will soon dismiss you, if you prove that. But appearances are strongly + against you. What has brought you here? And why did you run the risk of + being fired at, instead of submitting to his Majesty's ship Minerva?” + </p> + <p> + “Because she haven't got any ready money, skipper, and we don't like three + months' bills,” said the tall Bostonian, looking loftily at the British + officer. “Such things is nothing but piracy, and we had better be shot at + than lose such goods as we carry fresh shipped, and in prime condition. + Come and see them, all with Cheeseman's brand, the celebrated Cheeseman of + Springhaven—name guarantees the quality. But one thing, mind you—no + use to hanker after them unless you come provided with the ready.” + </p> + <p> + “We don't want your goods; we want you,” answered Scudamore, now first + luff of the brig of war Delia, and staring a little with his mild blue + eyes at this man's effrontery. “That is to say, our duty is to know all + about you. Produce your papers. Prove where you cleared from last, and + what you are doing here, some thirty miles south of your course, if you + are a genuine British trader.” + </p> + <p> + “Papers all in order, sir. First-chop wafers, as they puts on now, to save + sealing-wax. Charter-party, and all the rest. Last bills of lading from + Gravesend, but you mustn't judge our goods by that. Bulk of them from St. + Mary Axe, where Cheeseman hath freighted from these thirty years. If ever + you have been at Springhaven, Captain, you'd jump at anything with + Cheeseman's brand. But have you brought that little bag of guineas with + you?” + </p> + <p> + “Once more, we want none of your goods. You might praise them as much as + you liked, if time permitted. Show me to the cabin, and produce your + papers. After that we shall see what is in the hold.” + </p> + <p> + “Supercargo very ill in best cabin. Plague, or black fever, the German + doctor says. None of our hands will go near him but myself. But you won't + be like that, will you?” + </p> + <p> + Less for his own sake than his mother's—who had none but him to help + her—Scudamore dreaded especially that class of disease which is now + called “zymotic.” His father, an eminent physician, had observed and had + written a short work to establish that certain families and types of + constitution lie almost at the mercy of such contagion, and find no mercy + from it. And among those families was his own. “Fly, my boy, fly,” he had + often said to Blyth, “if you ever come near such subjects.” + </p> + <p> + “Captain, I will fetch them,” continued Mr. Polwhele, looking grave at his + hesitation. “By good rights they ought to be smoked, I dare say, though I + don't hold much with such stuff myself. And the doctor keeps doing a heap + of herbs hot. You can see him, if you just come down these few steps. + Perhaps you wouldn't mind looking into the hold, to find something to suit + your judgment—quality combined with low figures there—while I + go into the infected den, as the cleverest of my chaps calls it. Why, it + makes me laugh! I've been in and out, with this stand-up coat on, fifty + times, and you can't smell a flue of it, though wonderful strong down + there.” + </p> + <p> + Scudamore shuddered, and drew back a little, and then stole a glance round + the corner. He saw a thick smoke, and a figure prostrate, and another tied + up in a long white robe, waving a pan of burning stuff in one hand and a + bottle in the other, and plainly conjuring Polwhele to keep off. Then the + latter returned, quite complacently. + </p> + <p> + “Can't find all of them,” he said, presenting a pile of papers big enough + to taint Sahara. “That doctor goes on as bad as opening a coffin. Says he + understands it, and I don't. The old figure-head! What does he know about + it?” + </p> + <p> + “Much more than you do, perhaps,” replied Blyth, standing up for the + profession, as he was bound to do. “Perhaps we had better look at these on + deck, if you will bring up your lantern.” + </p> + <p> + “But, Captain, you will have a look at our hold, and make us a bid—we + need not take it, any more than you need to double it—for as prime a + lot of cheese, and sides of bacon—” + </p> + <p> + “If your papers are correct, it will not be my duty to meddle with your + cargo. But what are you doing the wrong side of our fleet?” + </p> + <p> + “Why, that was a bad job. There's no fair trade now, no sort of dealing on + the square nohow. We run all this risk of being caught by Crappos on + purpose to supply British ship Gorgeous, soweastern station; and blow me + tight if I couldn't swear she had been supplied chock-full by a Crappo! + Only took ten cheeses and fifteen sides of bacon, though she never knew + nought of our black fever case! But, Captain, sit down here, and overhaul + our flimsies. Not like rags, you know; don't hold plague much.” + </p> + <p> + The young lieutenant compelled himself to discharge his duty of inspection + behind a combing, where the wind was broken; but even so he took good care + to keep on the weather side of the documents; and the dates perhaps flew + away to leeward. “They seem all right,” he said, “but one thing will save + any further trouble to both of us. You belong to Springhaven. I know most + people there. Have you any Springhaven hands on board?” + </p> + <p> + “I should think so. Send Tugwell aft; pass the word for Dan Tugwell. + Captain, there's a family of that name there—settled as long as we + have been at Mevagissey. Ah, that sort of thing is a credit to the place, + and the people too, in my opinion.” + </p> + <p> + Dan Tugwell came slowly, and with a heavy step, looking quite unlike the + spruce young fisherman whom Scudamore had noticed as first and smartest in + the rescue of the stranded Blonde. But he could not doubt that this was + Dan, the Dan of happier times and thoughts; in whom, without using his + mind about it, he had felt some likeness to himself. It was not in his + power to glance sharply, because his eyes were kindly open to all the + little incidents of mankind, but he managed to let Dan know that duty + compelled him to be particular. Dan Tugwell touched the slouched hat upon + his head, and stood waiting to know what he was wanted for. + </p> + <p> + “Daniel,” said Scudamore, who could not speak condescendingly to any one, + even from the official point of view, because he felt that every honest + man was his equal, “are you here of your own accord, as one of the crew of + this schooner?” + </p> + <p> + Dan Tugwell had a hazy sense of being put upon an untrue balance. Not by + this kind gentleman's words, but through his own proceedings. In his + honest mind he longed to say: “I fear I have been bamboozled. I have cast + my lot in with these fellows through passion, and in hasty ignorance. How + I should like to go with you, and fight the French, instead of getting + mixed up with a lot of things I can't make out!” + </p> + <p> + But his equally honest heart said to him: “You have been well treated. You + are well paid. You shipped of your own accord. You have no right to peach, + even if you had anything to peach of; and all you have seen is some queer + trading. None but a sneak would turn against his shipmates and his ship, + when overhauled by the Royal Navy.” + </p> + <p> + Betwixt the two voices, Dan said nothing, but looked at the lieutenant + with that gaze which the receiver takes to mean doubt of his meaning, + while the doubt more often is—what to do with it. + </p> + <p> + “Are you here of your own accord? Do you belong to this schooner of your + own accord? Are you one of this crew, of your own free-will?” + </p> + <p> + Scudamore rang the changes on his simple question, as he had often been + obliged to do in the Grammar-school at Stonnington, with the slow-witted + boys, who could not, or would not, know the top from the bottom of a + sign-post. “Do you eat with your eyes?” he had asked them sometimes; and + they had put their thumbs into their mouths to enquire. + </p> + <p> + “S'pose I am,” said Dan at last, assuming stupidity, to cover hesitation; + “yes, sir, I come aboard of my own free-will.” + </p> + <p> + “Very well. Then I am glad to find you comfortable. I shall see your + father next week, perhaps. Shall I give him any message for you?” + </p> + <p> + “No, sir! For God's sake, don't let him know a word about where you have + seen me. I came away all of a heap, and I don't want one of them to bother + about me.” + </p> + <p> + “As you wish, Dan. I shall not say a word about you, until you return with + your earnings. But if you found the fishing business dull, surely you + might have come to us, Dan. Any volunteers here for His Majesty's + service?” Scudamore raised his voice, with the usual question. “Good pay, + good victuals, fine promotion, and prize-money, with the glory of fighting + for their native country, and provision for life if disabled!” + </p> + <p> + Not a man came forward, though one man longed to do so; but his sense of + honour, whether true or false, forbade him. Dan Tugwell went heavily back + to his work, trying to be certain that it was his duty. But sad doubts + arose as he watched the brave boat, lifting over the waves in the + moonlight, with loyal arms tugging towards a loyal British ship; and he + felt that he had thrown away his last chance. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0040" id="link2HCH0040"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XL + </h2> + <h3> + SHELFING THE QUESTION + </h3> + <p> + There is a time of day (as everybody must have noticed who is kind enough + to attend to things) not to be told by the clock, nor measured to a nicety + by the position of the sun, even when he has the manners to say where he + is—a time of day dependent on a multiplicity of things unknown to us + (who have made our own brains, by perceiving that we had none, and working + away till we got them), yet palpable to all those less self-exalted + beings, who, or which, are of infinitely nobler origin than we, and have + shown it, by humility. At this time of day every decent and good animal + feels an unthought-of and untraced desire to shift its position, to come + out and see its fellows, to learn what is happening in the humble grateful + world—out of which man has hoisted himself long ago, and is + therefore a spectre to them—to breathe a little sample of the turn + the world is taking, and sue their share of pleasure in the quiet earth + and air. + </p> + <p> + This time is more observable because it follows a period of the opposite + tendency, a period of heaviness, and rest, and silence, when no bird sings + and no quadruped plays, for about half an hour of the afternoon. Then + suddenly, without any alteration of the light, or weather, or even + temperature, or anything else that we know of, a change of mood flashes + into every living creature, a spirit of life, and activity, and stir, and + desire to use their own voice and hear their neighbour's. The usual + beginning is to come out first into a place that cannot knock their heads, + and there to run a little way, and after that to hop, and take a peep for + any people around, and espying none—or only one of the very few + admitted to be friends—speedily to dismiss all misgivings, take a + very little bit of food, if handy (more as a duty to one's family than + oneself, for the all-important supper-time is not come yet), and then, if + gifted by the Lord with wings—for what bird can stoop at such a + moment to believe that his own grandfather made them?—up to the + topmost spray that feathers in the breeze, and pour upon the grateful air + the voice of free thanksgiving. But an if the blade behind the heart is + still unplumed for flying, and only gentle flax or fur blows out on the + wind, instead of beating it, does the owner of four legs sit and sulk, + like a man defrauded of his merits? He answers the question with a skip + and jump; ere a man can look twice at him he has cut a caper, frolicked an + intricate dance upon the grass, and brightened his eyes for another round + of joy. + </p> + <p> + At any time of year almost, the time of day commands these deeds, unless + the weather is outrageous; but never more undeniably than in the month of + April. The growth of the year is well established, and its manner + beginning to be schooled by then; childish petulance may still survive, + and the tears of penitence be frequent; yet upon the whole there is—or + used to be—a sense of responsibility forming, and an elemental + inkling of true duty towards the earth. Even man (the least observant of + the powers that walk the ground, going for the signs of weather to the + cows, or crows, or pigs, swallows, spiders, gnats, and leeches, or the + final assertion of his own corns) sometimes is moved a little, and + enlarged by influence of life beyond his own, and tickled by a pen above + his thoughts, and touched for one second by the hand that made him. Then + he sees a brother man who owes him a shilling, and his soul is swallowed + up in the resolve to get it. + </p> + <p> + But well in the sky-like period of youth, when the wind sits lightly, and + the clouds go by in puffs, these little jumps of inspiration take the most + respectable young man sometimes off his legs, and the young maid likewise—if + she continues in these fine days to possess such continuation. Blyth + Scudamore had been appointed now, partly through his own good deserts, and + wholly through good influence—for Lord St. Vincent was an ancient + friend of the excellent Admiral Darling—to the command of the + Blonde, refitted, thoroughly overhauled at Portsmouth, and pronounced by + the dock-yard people to be the fastest and soundest corvette afloat, and + in every way a credit to the British navy. “The man that floated her shall + float in her,” said the Earl, when somebody, who wanted the appointment, + suggested that the young man was too young. “He has seen sharp service, + and done sharp work. It is waste of time to talk of it; the job is done.” + “Job is the word for it,” thought the other, but wisely reserved that + great truth for his wife. However, it was not at all a bad job for + England. And Scudamore had now seen four years of active service, counting + the former years of volunteering, and was more than twenty-five years old. + </p> + <p> + None of these things exalted him at all in his own opinion, or, at any + rate, not very much. Because he had always regarded himself with a proper + amount of self-respect, as modest men are almost sure to do, desiring less + to know what the world thinks of them than to try to think rightly of it + for themselves. His opinion of it seemed to be that it was very good just + now, very kind, and fair, and gentle, and a thing for the heart of man to + enter into. + </p> + <p> + For Dolly Darling was close beside him, sitting on a very pretty bench, + made of twisted oak, and turned up at the back and both ends, so that a + gentleman could not get very far away from a lady without frightening her. + Not only in this way was the spot well adapted for tender feelings, but + itself truly ready to suggest them, with nature and the time of year to + help. There was no stream issuing here, to puzzle and perpetually divert + the human mind (whose origin clearly was spring-water poured into the + frame of the jelly-fish), neither was there any big rock, like an + obstinate barrier rising; but gentle slopes of daisied pasture led the eye + complacently, sleek cows sniffed the herbage here and there, and brushed + it with the underlip to fetch up the blades for supper-time, and placable + trees, forgetting all the rudeness of the winter winds, began to disclose + to the fond deceiving breeze, with many a glimpse to attract a glance, all + the cream of their summer intentions. And in full enjoyment of all these + doings, the poet of the whole stood singing—the simple-minded + thrush, proclaiming that the world was good and kind, but himself perhaps + the kindest, and his nest, beyond doubt, the best of it. + </p> + <p> + “How lovely everything is to-day!” Blyth Scudamore spoke slowly, and + gazing shyly at the loveliest thing of all, in his opinion—the face + of Dolly Darling. “No wonder that your brother is a poet!” + </p> + <p> + “But he never writes about this sort of thing,” said Dolly, smiling + pleasantly. “His poems are all about liberty, and the rights of men, and + the wrongs of war. And if he ever mentions cows or sheep, it is generally + to say what a shame it is to kill them.” + </p> + <p> + “But surely it is much worse to kill men. And who is to be blamed for + that, Miss Darling? The Power that wants to overrun all the rest, or the + Country that only defends itself? I hope he has not converted you to the + worship of the new Emperor; for the army and all the great cities of + France have begged him to condescend to be that; and the King of Prussia + will add his entreaties, according to what we have heard.” + </p> + <p> + “I think anything of him!” cried Dolly, as if her opinion would settle the + point. “After all his horrible murders—worst of all of that very + handsome and brave young man shot with a lantern, and buried in a ditch! I + was told that he had to hold the lantern above his poor head, and his hand + never shook! It makes me cry every time I think of it. Only let Frank come + back, and he won't find me admire his book so very much! They did the same + sort of thing when I was a little girl, and could scarcely sleep at night + on account of it. And then they seemed to get a little better, for a time, + and fought with their enemies, instead of one another, and made everybody + wild about liberty, and citizens, and the noble march of intellect, and + the dignity of mankind, and the rights of labour—when they wouldn't + work a stroke themselves—and the black superstition of believing + anything, except what they chose to make a fuss about themselves. And + thousands of people, even in this country, who have been brought up so + much better, were foolish enough to think it very grand indeed, especially + the poets, and the ones that are too young. But they ought to begin to get + wiser now; even Frank will find it hard to make another poem on them.” + </p> + <p> + “How glad I am to hear you speak like that! I had no idea—at least I + did not understand—” + </p> + <p> + “That I had so much common-sense?” enquired Dolly, with a glance of subtle + yet humble reproach. “Oh yes, I have a great deal sometimes, I can assure + you. But I suppose one never does get credit for anything, without + claiming it.” + </p> + <p> + “I am sure that you deserve credit for everything that can possibly be + imagined,” Scudamore answered, scarcely knowing, with all his own + common-sense to help him, that he was talking nonsense. “Every time I see + you I find something I had never found before to—to wonder at—if + you can understand—and to admire, and to think about, and to—to + be astonished at.” + </p> + <p> + Dolly knew as well as he did the word he longed to use, but feared. She + liked this state of mind in him, and she liked him too for all his + kindness, and his humble worship; and she could not help admiring him for + his bravery and simplicity. But she did not know the value yet of a + steadfast and unselfish heart, and her own was not quite of that order. So + many gallant officers were now to be seen at her father's house, half a + cubit taller than poor Blyth, and a hundred cubits higher in rank, and + wealth, and knowledge of the world, and the power of making their wives + great ladies. Moreover, she liked a dark man, and Scudamore was fair and + fresh as a rose called Hebe's Cup in June. Another thing against him was + that she knew how much her father liked him; and though she loved her + father well, she was not bound to follow his leadings. And yet she did not + wish to lose this useful and pleasant admirer. + </p> + <p> + “I am not at all ambitious,” she replied, without a moment's hesitation, + for the above reflections had long been dealt with, “but how I wish I + could do something to deserve even half that you say of me! But I fear + that you find the air getting rather cold. The weather is so changeable.” + </p> + <p> + “Are you sure that you are not ambitious?” Scudamore was too deeply + plunged to get out of it now upon her last hint; and to-morrow he must be + far away. “You have every right to be ambitious, if such a word can be + used of you, who are yourself the height of so many ambitions. It was the + only fault I could imagine you to have, and it seems too bad that you + should have none at all.” + </p> + <p> + “You don't know anything about it,” said Dolly, with a lovely expression + in her face of candour, penitence, and pleasantry combined; “I am not only + full of faults, but entirely made up of them. I am told of them too often + not to know.” + </p> + <p> + “By miserably jealous and false people.” It was impossible to look at her + and not think that. “By people who cannot have a single atom of + perception, or judgment, or even proper feeling. I should like to hear one + of them, if you would even condescend to mention it. Tell me one—only + one—if you can think of it. I am not at all a judge of character, + but—but I have often had to study it a good deal among the boys.” + </p> + <p> + This made Miss Dolly laugh, and drop her eyes, and smoothe her dress, as + if to be sure that his penetration had not been brought to bear on her. + And the gentle Scuddy blushed at his clumsiness, and hoped that she would + understand the difference. + </p> + <p> + “You do say such things!” She also was blushing beautifully as she spoke, + and took a long time before she looked at him again. “Things that nobody + else ever says. And that is one reason why I like you so.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, do you like me—do you like me in earnest? I can hardly dare to + dream even for one moment—” + </p> + <p> + “I am not going to talk about that any more. I like Mr. Twemlow, I like + Captain Stubbard, I like old Tugwell—though I should have liked him + better if he had not been so abominably cruel to his son. Now I am sure it + is time to go and get ready for dinner.” + </p> + <p> + “Ah, when shall I dine with you again? Perhaps never,” said the young man, + endeavouring to look very miserable and to inspire sadness. “But I ought + to be very happy, on the whole, to think of all the pleasures I have + enjoyed, and how much better I have got on than I had any right in the + world to hope for.” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, to be the Commander of a beautiful ship, little more than a year + from the date of your commission. Captain Stubbard is in such a rage about + it!” + </p> + <p> + “I don't mean about that—though that of course is rare luck—I + mean a much more important thing; I mean about getting on well with you. + The first time I saw you in that fine old school, you did not even want to + shake hands with me, and you thought what a queer kind of animal I was; + and then the first time or two I dined at the Hall, nothing but fine + hospitality stopped you from laughing at my want of practice. But + gradually, through your own kind nature, and my humble endeavours to be of + use, I began to get on with you better and better; and now you are + beginning almost to like me.” + </p> + <p> + “Not almost, but altogether,” she answered, with quite an affectionate + glance. “I can tell you there are very few, outside of my own family, that + I like half so well as I like you. But how can it matter to you so much?” + </p> + <p> + She looked at him so that he was afraid to speak, for fear of spoiling + everything; and being a very good-natured girl, and pleased with his deep + admiration, she sighed—just enough to make him think that he might + hope. + </p> + <p> + “We are all so sorry to lose you.” she said; “and no one will miss you so + much as I shall, because we have had such pleasant times together. But if + we can carry out our little plot, we shall hear of you very often, and I + dare say not very unfavourably. Faith and I have been putting our heads + together, and for our own benefit, and that of all the house, if we can + get you to second it. My father jumped at the idea, and said how stupid we + were not to think of it before. You know how very little he can be at home + this summer, and he says he has to sacrifice his children to his country. + So we suggested that he should invite Lady Scudamore to spend the summer + with us, if she can be persuaded to leave home so long. We will do our + very utmost to make her comfortable, and she will be a tower of strength + to us; for you know sometimes it is very awkward to have only two young + ladies. But we dare not do anything until we asked you. Do you think she + would take compassion upon us? A word from you perhaps would decide her; + and Faith would write a letter for you to send.” + </p> + <p> + Scudamore reddened with delight, and took her hand. “How can I thank you? + I had better not try,” he answered, with some very tender play of thumb + and fore-finger, and a strong impulse to bring lips too into action. “You + are almost as clever as you are good; you will know what I mean without my + telling you. My mother will be only too glad to come. She knows what you + are, she has heard so much from me. And the reality will put to shame all + my descriptions.” + </p> + <p> + “Tell me what you told her I was like. The truth, now, and not a word of + afterthought or flattery. I am always so irritated by any sort of + flattery.” + </p> + <p> + “Then you must let me hold your hands, to subdue your irritation; for you + are sure to think that it was flattery—you are so entirely ignorant + of yourself, because you never think of it. I told my dear mother that you + were the best, and sweetest, and wisest, and loveliest, and most perfect, + and exquisite, and innocent, and unselfish of all the human beings she had + ever seen, or heard, or read of. And I said it was quite impossible for + any one after one look at you to think of himself any more in this world.” + </p> + <p> + “Well done!” exclaimed Dolly, showing no irritation, unless a gleam of + pearls inside an arch of coral showed it. “It is as well to do things + thoroughly, while one is about it. I can understand now how you get on so + fast. But, alas, your dear mother will only laugh at all that. Ladies are + so different from gentlemen. Perhaps that is why gentlemen never + understand them. And I would always a great deal rather be judged by a + gentleman than a lady. Ladies pick such a lot of holes in one another, + whereas gentlemen are too large-minded. And I am very glad upon the whole + that you are not a lady, though you are much more gentle than they make + believe to be. Oh dear! We must run; or the ladies will never forgive us + for keeping them starving all this time.” + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0041" id="link2HCH0041"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XLI + </h2> + <h3> + LISTENERS HEAR NO GOOD + </h3> + <p> + “Not that there is anything to make one so very uneasy,” said Mr. Twemlow, + “only that one has a right to know the meaning of what we are expected to + put up with. Nothing is clear, except that we have not one man in the + Government who knows his own mind, or at any rate dares to pronounce it. + Addington is an old woman, and the rest—oh, when shall we have Pitt + back again? People talk of it, and long for it; but the Country is so + slow. We put up with everything, instead of demanding that the right thing + shall be done at once. Here is Boney, a fellow raised up by Satan as the + scourge of this island for its manifold sins; and now he is to be the + Emperor forsooth—not of France, but of Europe, continental Europe. + We have only one man fit to cope with him at all, and the voice of the + nation has been shouting for him; but who pays any attention to it? This + state of things is childish—simply childish; or perhaps I ought to + say babyish. Why, even the children on the sea-shore know, when they make + their little sand walls against the tide, how soon they must be swept + away. But the difference is this, that they don't live inside them, and + they haven't got all that belongs to them inside them. Nobody must suppose + for a moment that a clergyman's family would fail to know where to look + for help and strength and support against all visitations; but, in common + with the laity, we ask for Billy Pitt.” + </p> + <p> + “And in another fortnight you will have him,” replied Captain Stubbard, + who was dining there that day. “Allow me to tell you a little thing that + happened to my very own self only yesterday. You know that I am one of the + last people in the world to be accused of any—what's the proper word + for it? Mrs. Stubbard, you know what I mean—Jemima, why the deuce + don't you tell them?” + </p> + <p> + “Captain Stubbard always has more meaning than he can well put into + words,” said his wife; “his mind is too strong for any dictionary. + Hallucination is the word he means.” + </p> + <p> + “Exactly!” cried the Captain. “That expresses the whole of what I wanted + to say, but went aside of it. I am one of the last men in the world to + become the victim of any—there, I've lost it again! But never mind. + You understand now; or if you don't, Mrs. Stubbard will repeat it. What I + mean is that I see all things square, and straight, and with their own + corners to them. Well, I know London pretty well; not, of course, as I + know Portsmouth. Still, nobody need come along with me to go from Charing + Cross to St. Paul's Church-yard; and pretty tight I keep all my hatches + battened down, and a sharp pair of eyes in the crow's-nest—for to + have them in the foretop won't do there. It was strictly on duty that I + went up—the duty of getting a fresh stock of powder, for guns are + not much good without it; and I had written three times, without answer or + powder. But it seems that my letters were going the rounds, and would turn + up somewhere, when our guns were stormed, without a bit of stuff to make + answer.” + </p> + <p> + “Ah, that's the way they do everything now!” interrupted Mr. Twemlow. “I + thought you had been very quiet lately; but I did not know what a good + reason you had. We might all have been shot, and you could not have fired + a salute, to inform the neighbourhood!” + </p> + <p> + “Well, never mind,” replied the Captain, calmly; “I am not complaining, + for I never do so. Young men might; but not old hands, whose duty it is to + keep their situation in life. Well, you must understand that the air of + London always makes me hungry. There are so many thousands of people there + that you can't name a time when there is nobody eating, and this makes a + man from the country long to help them. Anyhow, I smelled roast mutton at + a place where a little side street comes up into the Strand; and although + it was scarcely half past twelve, it reminded me of Mrs. Stubbard. So I + called a halt, and stood to think upon a grating, and the scent became + flavoured with baked potatoes. This is always more than I can resist, + after all the heavy trials of a chequered life. So I pushed the door open, + and saw a lot of little cabins, right and left of a fore and aft gangway, + all rigged up alike for victualling. Jemima, I told you all about it. You + describe it to the Rector and Mrs. Twemlow.” + </p> + <p> + “Don't let us trouble Mrs. Stubbard,” said the host; “I know the sort of + thing exactly, though I don't go to that sort of place myself.” + </p> + <p> + “No, of course you don't. And I was a little scared at first, for there + was sawdust enough to soak up every drop of my blood, if they had + pistolled me. Mrs. Twemlow, I beg you not to be alarmed. My wife has such + nerves that I often forget that all ladies are not like her. Now don't + contradict me, Mrs. Stubbard. Well, sir, I went to the end of this cockpit—if + you like to call it so—and got into the starboard berth, and shouted + for a ration of what I had smelled outside. And although it was far from + being equal to its smell—as the character is of everything—you + might have thought it uncommon good, if you had never tasted Mrs. + Stubbard's cooking, after she had been to the butcher herself. Very well. + I don't care for kickshaws, even if I could afford them, which has never + yet been my destiny. So I called for another ration of hot sheep—beg + your pardon, ladies, what I mean is mutton—and half a dozen more of + baked potatoes; and they reminded me of being at home so much that I + called for a pint of best pine-apple rum and a brace of lemons, to know + where I was—to remind me that I wasn't where I couldn't get them.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, Adam!” cried Mrs. Stubbard, “what will you say next? Not on weekdays, + of course, but nearly every Sunday—and the samples of his powder in + his pocket, Mr. Twemlow!” + </p> + <p> + “Jemima, you are spoiling my story altogether. Well, you must understand + that this room was low, scarcely higher than the cabin of a + fore-and-after, with no skylights to it, or wind-sail, or port-hole that + would open. And so, with the summer coming on, as it is now—though a + precious long time about it—and the smell of the meat, and the + thoughts of the grog, and the feeling of being at home again, what did I + do but fall as fast asleep as the captain of the watch in a heavy gale of + wind! My back was to the light, so far as there was any, and to make sure + of the top of my head, I fetched down my hat—the soft-edged one, the + same as you see me wear on fine Sundays. + </p> + <p> + “Well, I may have gone on in that way for an hour, not snoring, as Mrs. + Stubbard calls it, but breathing to myself a little in my sleep, when I + seemed to hear somebody calling me, not properly, but as people do in a + dream—'Stoobar—Stoobar—Stoobar,' was the sound in my + ears, like my conscience hauling me over the coals in bad English. This + made me wake up, for I always have it out with that part of me when it + mutinies; but I did not move more than to feel for my glass. And then I + perceived that it was nothing more or less than a pair of Frenchmen + talking about me in the berth next to mine, within the length of a + marlin-spike from my blessed surviving ear. + </p> + <p> + “Some wiseacre says that listeners never hear good of themselves, and upon + my word he was right enough this time, so far as I made out. The French + language is beyond me, so far as speaking goes, for I never can lay hold + of the word I want; but I can make out most of what those queer people + say, from being a prisoner among them once, and twice in command of a + prize crew over them. And the sound of my own name pricked me up to listen + sharply with my one good ear. You must bear in mind, Rector, that I could + not see them, and durst not get up to peep over the quarter-rail, for fear + of scaring them. But I was wearing a short hanger, like a middy's dirk—the + one I always carry in the battery.” + </p> + <p> + “I made Adam promise, before he went to London,” Mrs. Stubbard explained + to Mrs. Twemlow, “that he would never walk the streets without steel or + firearms. Portsmouth is a very wicked place indeed, but a garden of Eden + compared with London.” + </p> + <p> + “Well, sir,” continued Captain Stubbard, “the first thing I heard those + Frenchmen say was: 'Stoobar is a stupid beast, like the ox that takes the + prize up here, except that he has no claim to good looks, but the contrary—wholly + the contrary.' Mrs. Stubbard, I beg you to preserve your temper; you have + heard others say it, and you should now despise such falsehoods. 'But the + ox has his horns, and Stoobar has none. For all his great guns there is + not one little cup of powder.' The villains laughed at this, as a very + fine joke, and you may well suppose that I almost boiled over. 'You have + then the command of this beast Stoobar?' the other fellow asked him, as if + I were a jackass. 'How then have you so very well obtained it?' 'In a + manner the most simple. Our chief has him by the head and heels: by the + head, by being over him; and by the heels, because nothing can come in the + rear without his knowledge. Behold! you have all.' 'It is very good,' the + other villain answered; 'but when is it to be, my most admirable Charron?—how + much longer?—how many months?' 'Behold my fingers,' said the one who + had abused me; 'I put these into those, and then you know. It would have + been already, except for the business that you have been employed upon in + this black hole. Hippolyte, you have done well, though crookedly; but all + is straight for the native land. You have made this Government appear more + treacherous in the eyes of France and Europe than our own is, and you have + given a good jump to his instep for the saddle. But all this throws us + back. I am tired of tricks; I want fighting; though I find them quite a + jolly people.' 'I don't,' said the other, who was clearly a low scoundrel, + for his voice was enough to settle that; 'I hate them; they are of thick + head and thick hand, and would come in sabots to catch their enemy asleep. + And now there is no chance to entangle any more. Their Government will be + of the old brutal kind, hard knocks, and no stratagems. In less than a + fortnight Pitt will be master again. I know it from the very best + authority. You know what access I have.' 'Then that is past,' the other + fellow answered, who seemed to speak more like a gentleman, although he + was the one that ran down me; 'that is the Devil. They will have their + wits again, and that very fat Stoobar will be supplied with powder. + Hippolyte, it is a very grand joke. Within three miles of his head (which + is empty, like his guns) we have nearly two hundred barrels of powder, + which we fear to bring over in those flat-bottoms for fear of a volley + among them. Ha! ha! Stoobar is one fine fat ox!' + </p> + <p> + “This was all I heard, for they began to move, having had enough sugar and + water, I suppose; and they sauntered away to pay their bill at the hatch + put up at the doorway. It was hopeless to attempt to follow them; but + although I am not so quick in stays as I was, I slewed myself round to + have a squint at them. One was a slight little active chap, with dapper + legs, and jerks like a Frenchman all over. I could pardon him for calling + me a great fat ox, for want of a bit of flesh upon his own bones. But he + knows more about me than I do of him, for I never clapped eyes on him + before, to my knowledge. The other was better built, and of some + substance, but a nasty, slouchy-looking sort of cur, with high fur collars + and a long grey cloak. And that was the one called Hippolyte, who knows + all about our Government. And just the sort of fellow who would do so in + these days, when no honest man knows what they are up to.” + </p> + <p> + “That is true,” said the Rector—“too true by half. But honest men + soon will have their turn, if that vile spy was well informed. The + astonishing thing is that England ever puts up with such shameful anarchy. + What has been done to defend us? Nothing, except your battery, without a + pinch of powder! With Pitt at the helm, would that have happened? How + could we have slept in our beds, if we had known it? Fourteen guns, and + not a pinch of powder!” + </p> + <p> + “But you used to sleep well enough before a gun was put there.” Mrs. + Stubbard's right to spare nobody was well established by this time. + “Better have the guns, though they could not be fired, than no guns at + all, if they would frighten the enemy.” + </p> + <p> + “That is true, ma'am,” replied Mr. Twemlow; “but until the guns came, we + had no sense of our danger. Having taught us that, they were bound to act + up to their teaching. It is not for ourselves that I have any fear. We + have long since learned to rest with perfect faith in the Hand that + overruleth all. And more than that—if there should be a disturbance, + my nephew and my godson Joshua has a house of fourteen rooms in a + Wiltshire valley, quite out of the track of invaders. He would have to + fight, for he is Captain in the Yeomanry; and we would keep house for him + till all was over. So that it is for my parish I fear, for my people, my + schools, and my church, ma'am.” + </p> + <p> + “Needn't be afraid, sir; no call to run away,” cried the Captain of the + battery, having now well manned his own portholes with the Rector's sound + wine; “we shall have our powder in to-morrow, and the French can't come + to-night; there is too much moon. They never dare show their noses nor'ard + of their sands, with the man in the moon—the John Bull in the moon—looking + at them. And more than that, why, that cursed Boney—” + </p> + <p> + “Adam, in Mr. Twemlow's house! You must please to excuse him, all good + people. He has sate such a long time, without saying what he likes.” + </p> + <p> + “Jemima, I have used the right word. The parson will back me up in every + letter of it, having said the same thing of him, last Sunday week. But I + beg Mrs. Twemlow's pardon, if I said it loud enough to disturb her. Well, + then, this blessed Boney, if you prefer it, is a deal too full of his own + dirty tricks for mounting the throne of the King they murdered, to get + into a flat-bottomed boat at Boulogne, and a long sight too jealous a + villain he is, to let any one command instead of him. Why, the man who set + foot upon our shore, and beat us—if such a thing can be supposed—would + be ten times bigger than Boney in a month, and would sit upon his crown, + if he gets one.” + </p> + <p> + “Well, I don't believe they will ever come at all,” the solid Mrs. + Stubbard pronounced, with decision. “I believe it is all a sham, and what + they want is to keep us from attacking them in France. However, it is a + good thing on the whole, and enables poor Officers, who have fought well + for their country, to keep out of the Workhouse with their families.” + </p> + <p> + “Hearken, hearken to Mrs. Stubbard!” the veteran cried, as he patted his + waistcoat—a better one than he could have worn, and a larger one + than he could have wanted, except for the promised invasion. “I will back + my wife against any lady in the land for common-sense, and for putting it + plainly. I am not ashamed to say thank God for the existence of that + blessed Boney. All I hope is that he will only try to land at Springhaven—I + mean, of course, when I've got my powder.” + </p> + <p> + “Keep it dry, Captain,” said the Rector, in good spirits. “Your confidence + makes us feel comfortable; and of course you would draw all their fire + from the village, and the houses standing near it, as this does. However, + I pray earnestly every night that they may attempt it in some other + parish. But what was it you heard that Frenchman say about two or three + hundred barrels of powder almost within three miles of us? Suppose it was + to blow up, where should we be?” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, I don't believe a word of that. It must be brag and nonsense. To + begin with, there is no place where they could store it. I know all the + neighbourhood, and every house in it. And there are no caves on this coast + in the cliff, or holes of that kind such as smugglers use. However, I + shall think it my duty to get a search-order from Admiral Darling, and + inspect large farm-buildings, such as Farmer Graves has got, and another + man the other side of Pebbleridge. Those are the only places that could + accommodate large stores of ammunition. Why, we can take only forty + barrels in the fire-proof magazine we have built. We all know what liars + those Frenchmen are. I have no more faith in the 200 barrels of powder + than I have in the 2000 ships prepared on the opposite coast to demolish + us.” + </p> + <p> + “Well, I hope you are right,” Mr. Twemlow answered. “It does seem a very + unlikely tale. But the ladies are gone. Let us have a quiet pipe. A man + who works as hard as you and I do is entitled to a little repose now and + then.” + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0042" id="link2HCH0042"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XLII + </h2> + <h3> + ANSWERING THE QUESTION + </h3> + <p> + If Scudamore had not seen Dan Tugwell on board of the London Trader, and + heard from his own lips that he was one of her crew, it is certain that he + would have made a strict search of her hold, according to his orders in + suspicious cases. And if he had done this, it is probable that he never + would have set his nimble feet on deck again, for Perkins (the American + who passed as Sam Polwhele) had a heavy ship-pistol in his great rough + pocket, ready for the back of the young officer's head if he had probed + below the cheeses and firkins of butter. Only two men had followed the + lieutenant from their boat, the rest being needed for her safety in the + strong sea running, and those two at the signal would have been flung + overboard, and the schooner (put about for the mouth of the Canche, where + heavy batteries were mounted) would have had a fair chance of escape, with + a good start, while the gun-brig was picking up her boat. Unless, indeed, + a shot from the Delia should carry away an important spar, which was not + very likely at night, and with a quick surf to baffle gunnery. However, + none of these things came to pass, and so the chances require no + measurement. + </p> + <p> + Carne landed his freight with his usual luck, and resolved very wisely to + leave off that dangerous work until further urgency. He had now a very + fine stock of military stores for the ruin of his native land, and + especially of gunpowder, which the gallant Frenchmen were afraid of + stowing largely in their flat-bottomed craft. And knowing that he owed his + success to moderation, and the good-will of his neighbours towards evasion + of the Revenue, he thought it much better to arrange his magazine than to + add to it for a month or two. + </p> + <p> + Moreover, he was vexed at the neglect of his advice, on the part of his + arrogant Commander, a man who was never known to take advice from any mind + external to his own body, and not even from that clear power sometimes, + when his passionate heart got the uppermost. Carne, though of infinitely + smaller mind, had one great advantage—he seldom allowed it to be + curdled or crossed in its clear operations by turbulent bodily elements. + And now, when he heard from the light-hearted Charron, who had lately been + at work in London, that the only man they feared was about to take the + lead once more against the enemies of Great Britain, Caryl Carne grew + bitter against his Chief, and began for the first time to doubt his + success. + </p> + <p> + “I have a great mind to go to Mr. Pitt myself, tell him everything, and + throw myself upon his generosity,” he thought, as he sate among his ruins + sadly. “I could not be brought to trial as a common traitor. Although by + accident of birth I am an Englishman, I am a French officer, and within my + duty in acting as a pioneer for the French army. But then, again, they + would call me at the best a spy, and in that capacity outside the rules of + war. It is a toss-up how they might take it, and the result would depend + perhaps on popular clamour. The mighty Emperor has snubbed me. He is not a + gentleman. He has not even invited me to Paris, to share in the + festivities and honours he proclaims. I would risk it, for I believe it is + the safer game, except for two obstacles, and both of those are women. + Matters are growing very ticklish now. That old bat of a Stubbard has got + scent of a rat, and is hunting about the farm-houses. It would be bad for + him if he came prowling here; that step for inspectors is well contrived. + Twenty feet fall on his head for my friend; even his bull-neck would get + the worst of that. And then, again, there is that wretch of a Cheeseman, + who could not even hang himself effectually. If it were not for Polly, we + would pretty soon enable him, as the Emperor enabled poor Pichegru. And + after his own bona fide effort, who would be surprised to find him sus. + per coll.? But Polly is a nice girl, though becoming too affectionate. And + jealous—good lack! a grocer's daughter jealous, and a Carne + compelled to humour her! What idiots women are in the hands of a strong + man! Only my mother—my mother was not; or else my father was a weak + one; which I can well believe from my own remembrance of him. Well, one + point at least shall be settled to-morrow.” + </p> + <p> + It was early in May, 1804, and Napoleon having made away to the best of + his ability—which in that way was pre-eminent—with all + possible rivals and probable foes, was receiving addresses, and appointing + dummies, and establishing foolscap guarantees against his poor fallible + and flexible self—as he had the effrontery to call it—with all + the gravity, grand benevolence, confidence in mankind (as fools), + immensity of yearning for universal good, and intensity of planning for + his own, which have hoodwinked the zanies in every age, and never more + than in the present age and country. And if France licked the dust, she + could plead more than we can—it had not been cast off from her + enemy's shoes. + </p> + <p> + Carne's love of liberty, like that of most people who talk very largely + about it, was about as deep as beauty is declared to be; or even less than + that, for he would not have imperilled the gloss of his epiderm for the + fair goddess. So that it irked him very little that his Chief had smashed + up the Republic, but very greatly that his own hand should be out in the + cold, and have nothing put inside it to restore its circulation. “If I had + stuck to my proper line of work, in the Artillery, which has made his + fortune”—he could not help saying to himself sometimes—“instead + of losing more than a year over here, and perhaps another year to follow, + and all for the sake of these dirty old ruins, and my mother's revenge + upon this country, I might have been a General by this time almost—for + nothing depends upon age in France—and worthy to claim something + lofty and grand, or else to be bought off at a truly high figure. The + little gunner has made a great mistake if he thinks that his flat thumb of + low breed can press me down shuddering, and starving, and crouching, just + until it suits him to hold up a finger for me. My true course is now to + consider myself, to watch events, and act accordingly. My honour is free + to go either way, because he has not kept his word with me; he promised to + act upon my advice, and to land within a twelvemonth.” + </p> + <p> + There was some truth in this, for Napoleon had promised that his agent's + perilous commission in England should be discharged within a twelvemonth, + and that time had elapsed without any renewal. But Carne was clear-minded + enough to know that he was bound in honour to give fair notice, before + throwing up the engagement; and that even then it would be darkest + dishonour to betray his confidence. He had his own sense of honour still, + though warped by the underhand work he had stooped to; and even while he + reasoned with himself so basely, he felt that he could not do the things + he threatened. + </p> + <p> + To a resolute man it is a misery to waver, as even the most resolute must + do sometimes; for instance, the mighty Napoleon himself. That great man + felt the misery so keenly, and grew so angry with himself for letting in + the mental pain, that he walked about vehemently, as a horse is walked + when cold water upon a hot stomach has made colic—only there was + nobody to hit him in the ribs, as the groom serves the nobler animal. + Carne did not stride about in that style, to cast his wrath out of his + toes, because his body never tingled with the sting-nettling of his mind—as + it is bound to do with all correct Frenchmen—and his legs being + long, he might have fallen down a hole into ancestral vaults before he + knew what he was up to. Being as he was, he sate still, and thought it + out, and resolved to play his own game for a while, as his master was + playing for himself in Paris. + </p> + <p> + The next day he reappeared at his seaside lodgings, looking as comely and + stately as of old; and the kind Widow Shanks was so glad to see him that + he felt a rare emotion—good-will towards her; as the hardest man + must do sometimes, especially if others have been hard upon him. He even + chucked little Susy under the chin, which amazed her so much that she + stroked her face, to make sure of its being her own, and ran away to tell + her mother that the gentleman was come home so nice. Then he ordered a + special repast from John Prater's—for John, on the strength of all + his winter dinners, had now painted on his sign-board “Universal + Victualler,” caring not a fig for the offence to Cheeseman, who never came + now to have a glass with him, and had spoiled all the appetite inspired by + his windows through the dismal suggestions of his rash act on the + premises. Instead of flattening their noses and opening their mouths, and + exclaiming, “Oh, shouldn't I like a bit of that?” the children, if they + ventured to peep in at all, now did it with an anxious hope of horrors, + and a stealthy glance between the hams and bacon for something that might + be hanging up among the candles. And the worst of it was that the wisest + man in the village had failed to ascertain as yet “the reason why 'a doed + it.” Until that was known, the most charitable neighbours could have no + hope of forgiving him. + </p> + <p> + Miss Dolly Darling had not seen her hero of romance for a long time; but + something told her—or perhaps somebody—that he was now at + hand; and to make sure about it, she resolved to have a walk. Faith was + very busy, as the lady of the house, in preparing for a visitor, the + mother of Blyth Scudamore, whom she, with her usual kindness, intended to + meet and bring back from the coach-road that evening; for no less than + three coaches a day passed now within eight miles of Springhaven, and + several of the natives had seen them. Dolly was not to go in the carriage, + because nobody knew how many boxes the visitor might bring, inasmuch as + she was to stop ever so long. “I am tired of all this fuss,” cried Dolly; + “one would think Queen Charlotte was coming, at the least; and I dare say + nearly all her luggage would go into the door-pocket. They are dreadfully + poor; and it serves them right, for being so dreadfully honest.” + </p> + <p> + “If you ever fall into poverty,” said Faith, “it will not be from that + cause. When you get your money, you don't pay your debts. You think that + people should be proud to work for you for nothing. There is one house I + am quite ashamed to pass by with you. How long have you owed poor + Shoemaker Stickfast fifteen shillings and sixpence? And you take advantage + of him, because he dare not send it in to father.” + </p> + <p> + “Fashionable ladies never pay their debts,” Dolly answered, as she spun + round on one light heel, to float out a new petticoat that she was very + proud of; “this isn't paid for, nor this, nor this; and you with your slow + head have no idea how it adds to the interest they possess. If I am not + allowed to have a bit of fashion in my dress, I can be in the fashion by + not paying for it.” + </p> + <p> + “It is a most happy thing for you, dear child, that you are kept under + some little control. What you would do, I have not the least idea, if you + were not afraid of dear father, as you are. The worst of it is that he is + never here now for as much as two days together. And then he is so glad to + see us that he cannot attend to our discipline or take notice of our + dresses.” + </p> + <p> + “Ha! you have inspired me!” exclaimed Dolly, who rejoiced in teasing + Faith. “The suggestion is yours, and I will act upon it. From the village + of Brighthelmstone, which is growing very fine, I will procure upon the + strictest credit a new Classic dress, with all tackle complete—as + dear father so well expresses it—and then I will promenade me on the + beach, with Charles in best livery and a big stick behind me. How then + will Springhaven rejoice, and every one that hath eyes clap a spy-glass to + them! And what will old Twemlow say, and that frump of an Eliza, who + condescends to give me little hints sometimes about tightening up SO, + perhaps, and letting out so, and permitting a little air to come in HERE—” + </p> + <p> + “Do be off, you wicked little animal!” cried Faith, who in spite of + herself could not help laughing, so well was Dolly mimicking Eliza + Twemlow's voice, and manner, and attitude, and even her figure, less + fitted by nature for the Classic attire; “you are wasting all my time, and + doing worse with your own. Be off, or I'll take a stick to 'e, as old + Daddy Stakes says to the boys.” + </p> + <p> + Taking advantage of this state of things, the younger Miss Darling set + forth by herself to dwell upon the beauty of the calm May sea, and her own + pretty figure glassed in tidal pools. She knew that she would show to the + utmost of her gifts, with her bright complexion softly gleaming in the + sun, and dark gray eyes through their deep fringe receiving and returning + tenfold the limpid glimmer of the shore. And she felt that the spring of + the year was with her, the bound of old Time that renews his youth and + powers of going at any pace; when the desire of the young is to ride him + at full gallop, and the pleasure of the old is to stroke his nose and + think. + </p> + <p> + Dolly, with everything in her favour, youth and beauty, the time of year, + the time of day, and the power of the place, as well as her own wish to + look lovely, and to be loved beyond reason, nevertheless came along very + strictly, and kept herself most careful not to look about at all. At any + rate, not towards the houses, where people live, and therefore must look + out. At the breadth of sea, with distant ships jotted against the sky like + chips, or dotted with boats like bits of stick; also at the playing of the + little waves that ran at the bottom of the sands, just now, after one + another with a lively turn, and then jostled into white confusion, like a + flock of sheep huddled up and hurrying from a dog—at these and at + the warm clouds loitering in the sun she might use her bright eyes without + prejudice. But soon she had to turn them upon a nearer object. + </p> + <p> + “How absorbed we are in distant contemplation! A happy sign, I hope, in + these turbulent times. Miss Darling, will you condescend to include me in + your view?” + </p> + <p> + “I only understand simple English,” answered Dolly. “Most of the other + comes from France, perhaps. We believed that you were gone abroad again.” + </p> + <p> + “I wish that the subject had more interest for you,” Carne answered, with + his keen eyes fixed on hers, in the manner that half angered and half + conquered her. “My time is not like that of happy young ladies, with the + world at their feet, and their chief business in it, to discover some new + amusement.” + </p> + <p> + “You are not at all polite. But you never were that, in spite of your + French education.” + </p> + <p> + “Ah, there it is again! You are so accustomed to the flattery of great + people that a simple-minded person like myself has not the smallest chance + of pleasing you. Ah, well! It is my fate, and I must yield to it.” + </p> + <p> + “Not at all,” replied Dolly, who could never see the beauty of that kind + of resignation, even in the case of Dan Tugwell. “There is no such thing + as fate for a strong-willed man, though there may be for poor women.” + </p> + <p> + “May I tell you my ideas about that matter? If so, come and rest for a + moment in a quiet little shelter where the wind is not so cold. For there + is no such thing as Spring in England.” + </p> + <p> + Dolly hesitated, and with the proverbial result. To prove himself more + polite than she supposed, Caryl Carne, hat in hand and with low bows + preserving a respectful distance, conducted her to a little place of + shelter, so pretty and humble and secluded by its own want of art, and + simplicity of skill, that she was equally pleased and surprised with it. + </p> + <p> + “Why, it is quite a little bower!” she exclaimed; “as pretty a little nest + as any bird could wish for. And what a lovely view towards the west and + beyond Pebbleridge! One could sit here forever and see the sun set. But I + must have passed it fifty times without the least suspicion of it. How on + earth have you managed to conceal it so? That is to say, if it is your + doing. Surely the children must have found it out, because they go + everywhere.” + </p> + <p> + “One brat did. But I gave him such a scare that he never stopped roaring + till next Sunday, and it frightened all the rest from looking round that + corner. If any other comes, I shall pitch-plaster him, for I could not + endure that noise again. But you see, at a glance, why you have failed to + see it, as we always do with our little oversights, when humbly pointed + out to us. It is the colour of the ground and the background too, and the + grayness of the scanty growth that hides it. Nobody finds it out by + walking across it, because of this swampy place on your side, and the + shoot of flints down from the cliff on the other, all sharp as a knife, + and as rough as a saw. And nobody comes down to this end of the warren, + neither is it seen from the battery on the hill. Only from the back is it + likely to be invaded, and there is nothing to make people look, or come, + up here. So you have me altogether at your mercy, Miss Darling.” + </p> + <p> + Dolly thought within herself that it was much the other way, but could not + well express her thoughts to that effect. And being of a brisk and + versatile—not to say volatile—order, she went astray into a + course of wonder concerning the pretty little structure she beheld. + Structure was not the proper word for it at all; for it seemed to have + grown from the nature around, with a little aid of human hands to guide + it. Branches of sea-willow radiant with spring, and supple sprays of + tamarisk recovering from the winter, were lightly inwoven and arched + together, with the soft compliance of reed and rush from the marsh close + by, and the stout assistance of hazel rods from the westward cliff. The + back was afforded by a grassy hillock, with a tuft or two of brake-fern + throwing up their bronzy crockets among the sprayed russet of last year's + pride. And beneath them a ledge of firm turf afforded as fair a seat as + even two sweet lovers need desire. + </p> + <p> + “How clever he is, and how full of fine taste!” thought the simple-minded + Dolly; “and all this time I have been taking him for a gloomy, + hard-hearted, unnatural man. Blyth Scudamore never could have made this + lovely bower.” + </p> + <p> + In this conclusion she was altogether wrong. Scudamore could have made it, + and would have made it gladly, with bright love to help him. But Carne + never could, and would have scorned the pleasant task. It was Charron, the + lively Frenchman, who, with the aid of old Jerry, had achieved this pretty + feat, working to relieve his dull detention, with a Frenchman's playful + industry and tasteful joy in nature. But Carne was not likely to forego + this credit. + </p> + <p> + “I think I have done it pretty well,” he said, in reply to her smile of + admiration; “with such scanty materials, I mean, of course. And I shall + think I have done it very well indeed, if you say that you like it, and + crown it with new glory by sitting for a moment in its unpretentious + shade. If your brother comes down, as I hope he will, next week, I shall + beg him to come and write a poem here. The place is fitter for a poet than + a prosy vagabond like me.” + </p> + <p> + “It is very hard that you should be a—a wanderer, I mean,” Dolly + answered, looking at him with a sweet thrill of pity; “you have done + nothing to deserve it. How unfairly fortune has always treated you!” + </p> + <p> + “Fortune could make me a thousand times more than the just compensation + even now, if she would. Such a glorious return for all my bitter losses + and outcast condition, that I should—but it is useless to think of + such things, in my low state. The fates have been hard with me, but never + shall they boast that they drove me from my pure sense of honour. Oh yes, + it is damp. But let me cure it thus.” + </p> + <p> + For Dolly, growing anxious about his meaning, yet ready to think about + another proposal, was desirous to sit down on the sweet ledge of grass, + yet uneasy about her pale blue sarsenet, and uncertain that she had not + seen something of a little sea-snail (living in a yellow house, dadoed + with red), whom to crush would be a cruel act to her dainty fabric. But if + he was there, he was sat upon unavenged; for Carne, pulling off his light + buff cloak, flung it on the seat; after which the young lady could + scarcely be rude enough not to sit. + </p> + <p> + “Oh, I am so sorry now! Perhaps it will be spoiled,” she said; “for you + say that the fates are against you always. And I am sure that they always + combine against me, when I wear anything of that colour.” + </p> + <p> + “I am going the wrong way to work,” thought Carne. “What a little vixen it + is; but what a beauty!” For his love for her was chiefly a man's + admiration. And bodily she looked worthy now of all that could be done in + that way, with the light flowing in through the budded arch and flashing + upon the sweet flush of her cheeks. Carne gazed at her without a word or + thought, simply admiring, as he never had admired anything, except + himself, till now. Then she felt all the meaning of his gaze, and turned + away. + </p> + <p> + “But you must look at me and tell me something,” he said, in a low voice, + and taking both her hands; “you shall tell me what my fate must be. + Whether you can ever come to love me, as I have loved you, long and long.” + </p> + <p> + “You have no right to speak to me like that,” she answered, still avoiding + his eyes, and striving to show proper anger; “no gentleman would think of + taking advantage of a lady so.” + </p> + <p> + “I care not what is right or wrong. Look up, and tell me that you hate me. + Dolly, I suppose you do.” + </p> + <p> + “Then you are quite wrong”—she gave him one bright glance of + contradiction; “no. I have always been so sorry for you, and for all your + troubles. You must not ask me to say more.” + </p> + <p> + “But I must; I must. That is the very thing that I must do. Only say that + you love me, Dolly. Dolly darling, tell me that. Or let your lovely eyes + say it for you.” + </p> + <p> + “My lovely eyes must not tell stories”—they were gazing softly at + him now—“and I don't think I can say it—yet.” + </p> + <p> + “But you will—you shall!” he exclaimed, with passion growing as he + drew her near; “you shall not slip from me, you shall not stir, until you + have answered me one question—is there anybody else, my Dolly?” + </p> + <p> + “You frighten me. You forget who I am. Of course there are a great many + else, as you call it; and I am not to be called, for a moment, YOUR + DOLLY.” + </p> + <p> + “No, not for a moment, but forever.” Carne was accustomed to the ways of + girls, and read all their words by the light of their eyes. “Your little + heart begins to know who loves it better than all the world put together. + And for that reason I will leave you now. Farewell, my darling; I conquer + myself, for the sake of what is worth a thousand of it.” + </p> + <p> + Dolly was in very sad confusion, and scarcely knew what she might do next—that + is to say, if he still went on. Pleasant conceit and bright coquetry ill + supply the place of honest pride and gentle self-respect, such as Faith + was blest with. Carne might have kissed Dolly a hundred times, without + much resistance, for his stronger will had mastered hers; but she would + have hated him afterwards. He did not kiss her once; and she almost wished + that he had offered one—one little tribute of affection (as the + Valentines express it)—as soon as he was gone, and the crisis of not + knowing what to do was past. “I should have let him—I believe I + should,” she reflected, sagely recovering herself; “but how glad I ought + to be that he didn't! And I do hope he won't come back again. The next + time I meet him, I shall sink into the earth.” + </p> + <p> + For her hat had fallen off, and her hair was out of order, and she saw two + crinkles near the buckle of her waist; and she had not so much as a + looking-glass to be sure that she looked nice again. With a heavy sigh for + all these woes, she gathered a flossy bud of willow, and fixed it on her + breast-knot, to defy the world; and then, without heed of the sea, sun, or + sands, went home with short breath, and quick blushes, and some wonder; + for no man's arm, except her father's, had ever been round her waist till + now. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0043" id="link2HCH0043"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XLIII + </h2> + <h3> + LITTLE AND GREAT PEOPLE + </h3> + <p> + If ever a wise man departed from wisdom, or a sober place from sobriety, + the man was John Prater, and the place Springhaven, towards the middle of + June, 1804. There had been some sharp rumours of great things before; but + the best people, having been misled so often, shook their heads without + produce of their contents; until Captain Stubbard came out in his shirt + sleeves one bright summer morning at half past nine, with a large printed + paper in one hand and a slop basin full of hot paste in the other. His + second boy, George, in the absence of Bob (who was now drawing rations at + Woolwich), followed, with a green baize apron on, and carrying a + hearth-brush tied round with a string to keep the hair stiff. + </p> + <p> + “Lay it on thick on the shutter, my son. Never mind about any other + notices, except the one about young men wanted. No hurry; keep your elbow + up; only don't dab my breeches, nor the shirt you had on Sunday.” + </p> + <p> + By this time there were half a dozen people waiting; for this shutter of + Widow Shanks was now accepted as the central board and official panel of + all public business and authorised intelligence. Not only because all + Royal Proclamations, Offers of reward, and Issues of menace were posted on + that shutter and the one beyond the window (which served as a postscript + and glossary to it), but also inasmuch as the kind-hearted Captain, + beginning now to understand the natives—which was not to be done + pugnaciously, as he had first attempted it, neither by any show of + interest in them (than which they detested nothing more), but by taking + them coolly, as they took themselves, and gradually sliding, without any + thought about it, into the wholesome contagion of their minds, and the + divine gift of taking things easily—our Captain Stubbard may be + fairly now declared to have made himself almost as good as a native, by + the way in which he ministered to their content. + </p> + <p> + For nothing delighted them more than to hear of great wonders going on in + other places—of battles, plague, pestilence, famine, and fire; of + people whose wives ran away with other people, or highwaymen stopping the + coach of a bishop. Being full of good-nature, they enjoyed these things, + because of the fine sympathies called out to their own credit, and the + sense of pious gratitude aroused towards Heaven, that they never permitted + such things among them. Perceiving this genial desire of theirs, the stout + Captain of the Foxhill battery was kind enough to meet it with worthy + subjects. Receiving officially a London newspaper almost every other day, + as soon as it had trodden the round of his friends, his regular practice + was to cut out all the pieces of lofty public interest—the + first-rate murders, the exploits of highwaymen, the episodes of high life, + the gallant executions, the embezzlements of demagogues, in a word, + whatever quiet people find a fond delight in ruminating—and these he + pasted (sometimes upside down) upon his shutter. Springhaven had a good + deal of education, and enjoyed most of all what was hardest to read. + </p> + <p> + But this great piece of news, that should smother all the rest, seemed now + to take a terrible time in coming. All the gaffers were waiting who had + waited to see the result of Mr. Cheeseman's suicide, and their patience + was less on this occasion. At length the great Captain unfolded his broad + sheet, but even then held it upside down for a minute. It was below their + dignity to do anything but grunt, put their specs on their noses, and lean + chin upon staff. They deserved to be rewarded, and so they were. + </p> + <p> + For this grand poster, which overlapped the shutters, was a Royal + Proclamation, all printed in red ink, announcing that His Majesty King + George the 3rd would on the 25th of June then ensuing hold a grand review + upon Shotbury Down of all the Volunteer forces and Reserve, mounted, + footmen, or artillery, of the four counties forming the Southeast + Division, to wit, Surrey, Kent, Sussex, and Hants. Certain regiments of + the line would be appointed to act with them; and officers in command were + ordered to report at once, &c., &c. God save the King. + </p> + <p> + If Shotbury Down had been ten miles off, Springhaven would have thought + very little of the matter; for no one would walk ten miles inland to see + all the sojers that ever were shot, or even the “King and Queen, and their + fifteen little ones.” Most of the little ones were very large now; but the + village had seen them in a travelling show, and expected them to continue + like it. But Shotbury Down was only three miles inland; and the people + (who thought nothing of twenty miles along the coast) resolved to face a + league of perils of the solid earth, because if they only turned round + upon their trudge, they could see where they lived from every corner of + the road. They always did all things with one accord; the fishing fleet + all should stand still on the sand, and the houses should have to keep + house for themselves. That is to say, perhaps, all except one. + </p> + <p> + “Do as you like,” said Mrs. Tugwell to her husband; “nothing as you do + makes much differ to me now. If you feel you can be happy with them + thousands of young men, and me without one left fit to lift a big crock, + go your way, Zeb; but you don't catch me going, with the tears coming into + my eyes every time I see a young man to remind me of Dan—though + there won't be one there fit to stand at his side. And him perhaps + fighting against his own King now!” + </p> + <p> + “Whatever hath coom to Dannel is all along of your own fault, I tell 'e.” + Captain Tugwell had scarcely enjoyed a long pipe since the night when he + discharged his paternal duty, with so much vigour, and such sad results. + Not that he felt any qualms of conscience, though his heart was sometimes + heavy, but because his good wife was a good wife no longer, in the + important sphere of the pan, pot, and kettle, or even in listening to his + adventures with the proper exclamations in the proper places. And not only + she, but all his children, from Timothy down to Solomon, instead of a + pleasant chatter around him, and little attentions, and a smile to catch a + smile, seemed now to shrink from him, and hold whispers in a corner, and + watch him with timid eyes, and wonder how soon their own time would come + to be lashed and turned away. And as for the women, whether up or down the + road—but as he would not admit, even to himself, that he cared + twopence what they thought, it is useless to give voice to their opinions, + which they did quite sufficiently. Zebedee Tugwell felt sure that he had + done the right thing, and therefore admired himself, but would have + enjoyed himself more if he had done the wrong one. + </p> + <p> + “What fault of mine, or of his, poor lamb?” Mrs. Tugwell asked, with some + irony. She knew that her husband could never dare to go to see the King + without her—for no married man in the place would venture to look at + him twice if he did such a thing—and she had made up her own mind to + go from the first; but still, he should humble himself before she did it. + “Was it I as colted him? Or was it him as gashed himself, like the + prophets of Baal, when 'a was gone hunting?” + </p> + <p> + “No; but you cockered him up, the same as was done to they, by the wicked + king, and his wife—the worst woman as ever lived. If they hadn't + gashed theirselves, I reckon, the true man of God would 'a done it for + them, the same as he cut their throats into the brook Kishon. Solomon was + the wisest man as ever lived, and Job the most patient—the same as I + be—and Elijah, the Tishbite, the most justest.” + </p> + <p> + “You better finish up with all the Psalms of David, and the Holy Children, + and the Burial Service. No more call for Parson Twemlow, or the new + Churchwarden come in place of Cheeseman, because 'a tried to hang his + self. Zebedee Tugwell in the pulpit! Zebedee, come round with the plate! + Parson Tugwell, if you please, a-reading out the ten commandments! But 'un + ought to leave out the sixth, for fear of spoiling 's own dinner + afterwards; and the seventh, if 'a hopes to go to see King George the + third, with another man's woman to his elbow!” + </p> + <p> + “When you begins to go on like that,” Captain Tugwell replied, with some + dignity, “the only thing as a quiet man can do is to go out of houze, and + have a half-pint of small ale.” He put his hat on his head and went to do + it. + </p> + <p> + Notwithstanding all this and much more, when the great day came for the + Grand Review, very few people saw more of the King, or entered more kindly + into all his thoughts—or rather the thoughts that they made him + think—than Zebedee Tugwell and his wife Kezia. The place being so + near home, and the smoke of their own chimneys and masts of their smack as + good as in sight—if you knew where to look—it was natural for + them to regard the King as a stranger requiring to be taught about their + place. This sense of proprietary right is strong in dogs and birds and + cows and rabbits, and everything that acts by nature's laws. When a dog + sits in front of his kennel, fast chained, every stranger dog that comes + in at the gate confesses that the premises are his, and all the treasures + they contain; and if he hunts about—which he is like enough to do, + unless full of self-respect and fresh victuals—for any bones + invested in the earth to ripen, by the vested owner, he does it with a low + tail and many pricks of conscience, perhaps hoping in his heart that he + may discover nothing to tempt him into breach of self-respect. But now men + are ordered, in this matter, to be of lower principle than their dogs. + </p> + <p> + King George the third, who hated pomp and show, and had in his blood the + old German sense of patriarchal kingship, would have enjoyed a good talk + with Zebedee and his wife Kezia, if he had met them on the downs alone; + but, alas, he was surrounded with great people, and obliged to restrict + himself to the upper order, with whom he had less sympathy. Zebedee, + perceiving this, made all allowance for him, and bought a new Sunday hat + the very next day, for fear of wearing out the one he had taken off to His + Majesty, when His Majesty looked at him, and Her Majesty as well, and they + manifestly said to one another, what a very fine subject they had found. + Such was loyalty—aye, and royalty—in those times that we + despise. + </p> + <p> + But larger events demand our heed. There were forty thousand gallant + fellows, from the age of fifteen upwards, doing their best to look like + soldiers, and some almost succeeding. True it is that their legs and arms + were not all of one pattern, nor their hats put on their heads alike—any + more than the heads on their shoulders were—neither did they swing + together, as they would have done to a good swathe of grass; but for all + that, and making due allowance for the necessity they were under of + staring incessantly at the King, any man who understood them would have + praised them wonderfully. And they went about in such wide formation, and + occupied so much of their native land, that the best-drilled regiment + Napoleon possessed would have looked quite small among them. + </p> + <p> + “They understand furze,” said a fine young officer of the staff, who had + ridden up to Admiral Darling's carriage and saluted three ladies who kept + watch there. “I doubt whether many of the Regular forces would have got + through that brake half so well; certainly not without double gaiters. If + the French ever land, we must endeavour to draw them into furzy ground, + and then set the Volunteers at them. No Frenchman can do much with + prickles in his legs.” + </p> + <p> + Lady Scudamore smiled, for she was thinking of her son, who would have + jumped over any furze-bush there—and the fir-trees too, according to + her conviction; Dolly also showed her very beautiful teeth; but Faith + looked at him gratefully. + </p> + <p> + “It is very kind of you, Lord Dashville, to say the best of us that you + can find to say. But I fear that you are laughing to yourself. You know + how well they mean; but you think they cannot do much.” + </p> + <p> + “No, that is not what I think at all. So far as I can judge, which is not + much, I believe that they would be of the greatest service, if the Country + should unfortunately need them. Man for man, they are as brave as trained + troops, and many of them can shoot better. I don't mean to say that they + are fit to meet a French army in the open; but for acting on their flanks, + or rear, or in a wooded country—However, I have no right to venture + an opinion, having never seen active service.” + </p> + <p> + Miss Darling looked at him with some surprise, and much approval of his + modesty. So strongly did most of the young officers who came to her + father's house lay down the law, and criticise even Napoleon's tactics. + </p> + <p> + “How beautiful Springhaven must be looking now!” he said, after Dolly had + offered her opinion, which she seldom long withheld. “The cottages must be + quite covered with roses, whenever they are not too near the sea; and the + trees at their best, full of leaves and blossoms, by the side of the brook + that feeds them. All the rest of the coast is so hard and barren, and + covered with chalk instead of grass, and the shore so straight and + staring. But I have never been there at this time of year. How much you + must enjoy it! Surely we ought to be able to see it, from this high ground + somewhere.” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, if you will ride to that shattered tree,” said Faith, “you will have + a very fine view of all the valley. You can see round the corner of + Foxhill there, which shuts out most of it just here. I think you have met + our Captain Stubbard.” + </p> + <p> + “Ah, I must not go now; I may be wanted at any moment”—Lord + Dashville had very fine taste, but it was not the inanimate beauties of + Springhaven that he cared a dash for—“and I fear that I could never + see the roses there. I think there is nothing in all nature to compare + with a rose—except one thing.” + </p> + <p> + Faith had a lovely moss-rose in her hat—a rose just peeping through + its lattice at mankind, before it should open and blush at them—and + she knew what it was that he admired more than the sweetest rose that ever + gemmed itself with dew. Lord Dashville had loved her, as she was + frightened to remember, for more than a year, because he could not help + it, being a young man of great common-sense, as well as fine taste, and + some knowledge of the world. “He knows to which side his bread will be + buttered,” Mr. Swipes had remarked, as a keen observer. “If 'a can only + get Miss Faith, his bread 'll be buttered to both sides for life—his + self to one side, and her to do the tother. The same as I told Mother + Cloam—a man that knoweth his duty to head gardeners, as his noble + lordship doth, the same know the differ atwixt Miss Faith—as fine a + young 'ooman as ever looked into a pink—and that blow-away froth of + a thing, Miss Dolly.” + </p> + <p> + This fine young woman, to use the words of Mr. Swipes, coloured softly, at + his noble lordship's gaze, to the tint of the rose-bud in her hat; and + then spoke coldly to countervail her blush. + </p> + <p> + “There is evidently something to be done directly. All the people are + moving towards the middle of the down. We must not be so selfish as to + keep you here, Lord Dashville.” + </p> + <p> + “Why, don't you see what it is?” exclaimed Miss Dolly, hotly resenting the + part of second fiddle; “they are going to have the grand march-past. These + affairs always conclude with that. And we are in the worst part of the + whole down for seeing it. Lord Dashville will tell us where we ought to + go.” + </p> + <p> + “You had better not attempt to move now,” he answered, smiling as he + always smiled at Dolly, as if she were a charming but impatient child; + “you might cause some confusion, and perhaps see nothing. And now I must + discharge my commission, which I am quite ashamed of having left so long. + His Majesty hopes, when the march-past is over, to receive a march-up of + fair ladies. He has a most wonderful memory, as you know, and his nature + is the kindest of the kind. As soon as he heard that Lady Scudamore was + here, and Admiral Darling's daughters with her, he said: 'Bring them all + to me, every one of them; young Scudamore has done good work, good work. + And I want to congratulate his mother about him. And Darling's daughters, + I must see them. Why, we owe the security of the coast to him.' And so, if + you please, ladies, be quite ready, and allow me the honour of conducting + you.” + </p> + <p> + With a low bow, he set off about his business, leaving the ladies in a + state of sweet disturbance. Blyth Scudamore's mother wept a little, for + ancient troubles and present pleasure. Lord Dashville could not repeat + before her all that the blunt old King had said: “Monstrous ill-treated + woman, shameful, left without a penny, after all her poor husband did for + me and the children! Not my fault a bit—fault of the Whigs—always + stingy—said he made away with himself—bad example—don't + believe a word of it; very cheerful man. Blown by now, at any rate—must + see what can be done for her—obliged to go for governess—disgrace + to the Crown!” + </p> + <p> + Faith, with her quiet self-respect, and the largeness learned from sorrow, + was almost capable of not weeping that she had left at home her + apple-green Poland mantlet and jockey bonnet of lilac satin checked with + maroon. But Dolly had no such weight of by-gone sorrow to balance her + present woe, and the things she had left at home were infinitely brighter + than that dowdy Faith's. + </p> + <p> + “Is there time to drive back? Is there time to drive home? The King knows + father, and he will be astonished to see a pair of frumps, and he won't + understand one bit about the dust, or the sun that takes the colour out. + He will think we have got all our best things on. Oh, Lady Scudamore, how + could you do it? You told us to put on quite plain things, because of the + dust, and the sun, and all that; and it might come to rain, you said—as + if it was likely, when the King was on the hill! And with all your + experience of the King and Queen, that you told us about last evening, you + must have known that they would send for us. Gregory, how long would it + take you to go home, at full gallop, allow us half an hour in the house, + and be back here again, when all these people are gone by?” + </p> + <p> + “Well, miss, there be a steepish bit of road, and a many ockard cornders; + I should say 'a might do it in two hours and a half, with a fresh pair of + nags put in while you ladies be a-cleaning of yourselves, miss. Leastways, + if Hadmiral not object.” + </p> + <p> + “Hadmiral, as you call him, would have nothing to do with it”—Dolly + was always free-spoken with the servants, which made her very popular with + some of them—“he has heavier duty than he can discharge. But two + hours and a half is hopeless; we must even go as we are.” + </p> + <p> + Coachman Gregory smiled in his sleeve. He knew that the Admiral had that + day a duty far beyond his powers—to bring up his Sea-Fencibles to + see the King—upon which they had insisted—and then to fetch + them all back again, and send them on board of their several craft in a + state of strict sobriety. And Gregory meant to bear a hand, and lift it + pretty frequently towards the most loyal part of man, in the large + festivities of that night. He smacked his lips at the thought of this, and + gave a little flick to his horses. + </p> + <p> + After a long time, long enough for two fair drives to Springhaven and + back, and when even the youngest were growing weary of glare, and dust, + and clank, and din, and blare, and roar, and screeching music, Lord + Dashville rode up through a cloud of roving chalk, and after a little talk + with the ladies, ordered the coachman to follow him. Then stopping the + carriage at a proper distance, he led the three ladies towards the King, + who was thoroughly tired, and had forgotten all about them. His Majesty's + sole desire was to get into his carriage and go to sleep; for he was + threescore years and six of age, and his health not such as it used to be. + Ever since twelve o'clock he had been sitting in a box made of + feather-edged boards, which the newspapers called a pavilion, having two + little curtains (both of which stuck fast) for his only defence against + sun, noise, and dust. Moreover, his seat was a board full of knots, with a + strip of thin velvet thrown over it; and Her Majesty sitting towards the + other end (that the public might see between them), and weighing more than + he did, every time she jumped up, he went down, and every time she plumped + down, he went up. But he never complained, and only slowly got tired. + “Thank God!” he said, gently, “it's all over now. My dear, you must be + monstrous tired; and scarcely a bit to eat all day. But I locked some in + the seat-box this morning—no trusting anybody but oneself. Let us + get into the coach and have at them.” “Ja, ja, meinherr,” said the Queen. + </p> + <p> + “If it please your Majesties”—a clear voice entered between the + bonnet-hoods of the curtains—“here are the ladies whose attendance I + was ordered to require.” + </p> + <p> + “Ladies!—what ladies?” asked King George, rubbing his eyes, and + yawning. “Oh yes, to be sure! I mustn't get up so early to-morrow. Won't + take a minute, my dear. Let them come. Not much time to spare.” + </p> + <p> + But as soon as he saw Lady Scudamore, the King's good-nature overcame the + weariness of the moment. He took her kindly by the hand, and looked at her + face, which bore the mark of many heavy trials; and she, who had often + seen him when the world was bright before her, could not smother one low + sob, as she thought of all that had been since. + </p> + <p> + “Don't cry, don't cry, my dear,” said the King, with his kind heart + showing in his eyes; “we must bow to the will of the Lord, who gives sad + trials to every one of us. We must think of the good, and not the evil. + Bless me, keep your spirits up. Your son is doing very well indeed, very + well indeed, from all I hear. Good chip of the old block, very good chip. + Will cure my grandchildren, as soon as they want it; and nobody is ever in + good health now.” + </p> + <p> + “No, your Majesty, if you please, my son is in the Royal Navy, fighting + for his Country and his King. And he has already captured—” + </p> + <p> + “Three French frigates. To be sure, I know. Better than curing three + hundred people. Fine young officer—very fine young officer. Must + come to see me when he gets older. There, you are laughing! That's as it + should be. Goodbye, young ladies. Forty miles to go tonight, and very + rough roads—very rough indeed. Monstrous pretty girls! Uncommon glad + that George wasn't here to see them. Better stay in the country—too + good for London. Must be off; sha'n't have a bit o' sleep to-night, + because of sleeping the whole way there, and then sure to be late in the + morning, not a bit of breakfast till eight o'clock, and all the day thrown + upside down! Darlings, Darlings—the right name for them! But they + mustn't come to London. No, no, no. Too much wickedness there already. + Very glad George wasn't here to-day!” + </p> + <p> + His Majesty was talking, as he always did, with the firm conviction that + his words intended for the public ear would reach it, while those + addressed, without change of tone, to himself, would be strictly private. + But instead of offending any one, this on the whole gave great + satisfaction, and impressed nine people out of ten with a strong and + special regard for him, because almost every one supposed himself to be + admitted at first sight to the inner confidence of the King. And to what + could he attribute this? He would do his own merits great demerit unless + he attributed it to them, and to the King an unusual share of sagacity in + perceiving them. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0044" id="link2HCH0044"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XLIV + </h2> + <h3> + DOWN AMONG THE DEAD MEN + </h3> + <p> + That grand review at Shotbury was declared by all who took part in it, or + at all understood the subject, to have been a most remarkable and quite + unparalleled success. Not only did it show what noble stuff there is in + Englishmen, and how naturally they take to arms, but also it inspired with + martial feeling and happy faith the wives and mothers of all the gallant + warriors there. It would make the blood-stained despot cower upon his + throne of murder, and teach him the madness of invading any land so + fortified. + </p> + <p> + However, Napoleon failed to see the matter in that wholesome light, and + smiled a grim and unkind smile as he read Caryl Carne's report of those + “left-handed and uncouth manoeuvres.” “One of your Majesty's feeblest + regiments would send the whole of those louts to the devil; and I am bound + to impress once more, with all deference to your infallible judgment, the + vast importance of carrying out your grand designs at the first moment. + All is prepared on my part. One day's notice is all I need.” + </p> + <p> + So wrote Carne; and perhaps the truth, as usual, lay about half-way + between the two opinions. Even Carne was not admitted to a perfect + knowledge of his master's schemes. But to keep things moving and men + alert, the Emperor came to the coast at once, busy as he was in Paris, and + occupied for several weeks, with short intervals of absence, the house + prepared for him near Boulogne, whence he watched and quickened the + ripening of his mighty plans against us. + </p> + <p> + Now Carne himself, while working with new vigour and fresh enterprise, had + a narrow escape from invasion. Captain Stubbard, stirred up now and again + by Mr. Twemlow, had thoroughly searched all covered places, likely to + harbour gunpowder, within at least six miles of his fort, that is to say, + all likely places, save and except the right one. By doing this he had + done for himself—as regards sweet hospitality—among all the + leading farmers, maltsters, tanners, and millers for miles around. Even + those whose premises were not entered, as if they had been Frenchmen, had + a brother-in-law, or at least a cousin, whose wooden bars had been knocked + up. And the most atrocious thing of all, if there could be anything worse + than worst, was that the Captain dined one day, at a market-ordinary, with + Farmer, or you might say Squire Hanger—for the best part of his land + followed to him from his father—and had rum and water with him, and + spoke his health, and tucked Mrs. Hanger up into the shay, and rode + alongside to guarantee them; and then the next day, on the very same + horse, up he comes at Hanger-dene, and overhauls every tub on the + premises, with a parchment as big as a malt-shovel! Such a man was not fit + to lay a knife and fork by. + </p> + <p> + Some sense of the harm he had done to himself, without a bit of good to + any one, dwelt heavily in the Captain's mind, as he rode up slowly upon + the most amiable of the battery-horses—for all sailors can ride, + from long practice on the waves—and struck a stern stroke, with a + stick like a linstock, upon the old shutter that served for a door and the + front entrance to Carne Castle. There used to be a fine old piece of + workmanship in solid and bold oak here, a door divided in the middle—else + no man might swing it back—and even so pierced with a wicket, for + small people to get through. That mighty door was not worn out, for it was + not three hundred years old yet, and therefore scarcely in middle life; + but the mortgagees who had sacked the place of all that was worth a sack + to hold it, these had a very fine offer for that door, from a rich man + come out of a dust-bin. And this was one of the many little things that + made Caryl Carne unpleasant. + </p> + <p> + “I do not require production of your warrant. The whole place is open to + your inspection,” said Carne, who had long been prepared for this visit; + “open to all the winds and rains, and the lower part sometimes filled with + water. The upper rooms, or rather the few that remain of them, are + scarcely safe for a person of any weight to walk in, but you are most + welcome to try them, if you like; and this gentleman, I think, might not + fall through. Here are my quarters; not quite so snug as my little room at + the widow's; but I can offer you some bread and cheese, and a glass of + country cider. The vaults or cellars have held good wine in their time, + but only empty casks and broken bottles now.” + </p> + <p> + Captain Stubbard had known for many years the silent woes of poverty, and + now he observed with some good-will the young man's sad but haughty smile. + Then he ordered his young subaltern, his battery-mate, as he called him, + to ascend the broad crumbling staircase, and glance into the dismantled + chambers, while himself with the third of the party—a trusty old + gunner—should inspect the cellarage. + </p> + <p> + “We will not keep you long, sir,” he said to Carne; “and if you are kind + enough to show us the way, which is easily lost in a place of this kind, + we shall be all the quicker. Wilkins, when you have done up there, wait + here for us. Shall we want a light, sir?” + </p> + <p> + “In the winter, you could hardly do without one, but at this time of year, + I think you may. At any rate I will bring a lantern, and we can light it + if wanted. But the truth is that I know next to nothing of those + sepulchral places. They would not be very tempting, even without a ghost, + which they are said to have.” + </p> + <p> + “A ghost!” cried the Captain; “I don't like that. Not that I have much + faith in them; although one never can be sure. But at this time of day—What + is it like?” + </p> + <p> + “I have never seen her, and am quite content without it. It is said to be + an ancestress of mine, a Lady Cordelia Carne, who was murdered, when her + husband was away, and buried down there, after being thrown into the moat. + The old people say that whenever her ghost is walking, the water of the + moat bursts in and covers the floor of the vaults, that she may flit along + it, as she used to do. But of course one must not listen to that sort of + fable.” + </p> + <p> + “Perhaps you will go in front, sir, because you know the way. It is my + duty to inspect these places; and I am devilish sorry for it; but my duty + must be done.” + </p> + <p> + “You shall see every hole and corner, including the stone that was put up + to commemorate her murder and keep her quiet. But I should explain that + these vaults extend for the entire length of the building, except just in + the middle, where we now stand. For a few yards the centre of the building + seems to have never been excavated, as to which you will convince + yourself. You may call the cellars east and west, or right and left, or + north and south, or uphill and downhill, or anything else, for really they + are so much alike, and partitioned into cells so much alike, that I + scarcely know which is which myself, coming suddenly from the daylight. + But you understand those things much better. A sailor always knows his + bearings. This leads to the entrance of one set.” + </p> + <p> + Carne led the Captain and old Gunner Bob—as he was called in the + battery—along a dark and narrow passage, whose mouth was browed with + ivy. Half-way through, they found an archway on the right-hand side, + opening at right angles into long and badly lighted vaults. In this arch + there was no door; but a black step-ladder (made of oak, no doubt), very + steep and rather rickety, was planted to tempt any venturesome foot. + </p> + <p> + “Are you sure this ladder is safe?”—the Captain was by no means in + love with the look of it. “My weight has increased remarkably in the fine + air of Springhaven. If the bottom is rotten, the top won't help us.” + </p> + <p> + “Let me go first. It is my duty, as the owner; and I have no family + dependent on me. My neck is of no value, compared to yours, Captain.” + </p> + <p> + “How I have mistaken this young man!” thought the brave yet prudent + Stubbard. “I called him a Frenchified fool, whereas he is a downright + Englishman! I shall ask him to dinner next week, if Jemima can get a new + leg for the dripping-pan.” + </p> + <p> + Following warily, with Gunner Bob behind him, and not disdaining the + strong arm of the owner, the Captain of Foxhill was landed in the vault, + and being there, made a strict examination. He even poked his short sword + into the bung-holes of three or four empty barrels, that Bob might be + satisfied also in his conscience. “Matter of form,” he said, “matter of + form, sir, when we know who people are; but you might have to do it + yourself, sir, if you were in the service of your King. You ought to be + that, Mr. Carne; and it is not too late, in such days as these are, to + begin. Take my advice—such a fine young man!” + </p> + <p> + “Alas, my dear sir, I cannot afford it. What officer can live upon his pay + for a generation?” + </p> + <p> + “Gospel truth!” cried the Captain, warmly; “Gospel truth! and more than + that—he must be the last of his generation, or else send his young + 'uns to the workhouse. What things I could tell you, Mr. Carne! But here + we are at the end of the vaults; all empty, as I can certify; and I hope, + my dear sir, that you may live to see them filled with good wine, as they + used to be.” + </p> + <p> + “Thank you, but there is no hope of that. Shall we take the vaults of the + other end next, or examine the chapel, and the outer buildings—outer + ruins, I should say?” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, a little open air first, for goodness sake!” said the Captain, going + heavily up the old steps; “I am pretty nearly choked with all this mildew. + A little fresh air, before we undertake the other lot.” + </p> + <p> + As soon as the echo of their steps was dead, Charron, old Jerry, and + another man jumped down from a loop-hole into the vault they had left, + piled up a hoarding at the entrance, and with a crowbar swung back a heavy + oak hatch in the footings of the outer wall. A volume of water poured in + from the moat, or rather from the stream which had once supplied it. + Seeing this, they disappeared with a soft and pleasant chuckle. + </p> + <p> + The owner kept Stubbard such a time among the ruins, telling him some fine + old legends, and otherwise leading him in and out, that when a bit of food + and a glass of old Cognac was proposed by way of interlude, the Captain + heartily embraced the offer. Then Carne conducted his three visitors, for + Wilkins had now rejoined them, into a low room poorly furnished, and + regaled them beyond his promise. “Rare stuff!” exclaimed Stubbard, with a + wink at Carne. “Ah, I see that free-trade still exists. No concern of + mine, except to enjoy its benefits. Here's to your very good health, sir, + and I am proud to have made your acquaintance.” + </p> + <p> + “Have another drop; it can hurt no one,” Carne declared, and the Captain + acquiesced. + </p> + <p> + “Well, I suppose we must finish our job,” the official visitor at length + pronounced; “a matter of form, sir, and no offence; but we are bound to + carry out our duty. There is nothing left, except the other lot of vaults; + but the light begins to fail us, for underground work. I hope they are not + so dark as those we have been through.” + </p> + <p> + “Just about the same. You would hardly know one set from the other, as I + told you, except for the stone that records the murder. Perhaps we had + better light the lantern now?” + </p> + <p> + “By all means. I don't half like that story of the lady that walks on the + water. It does seem so gashly and unchristian altogether. Not that I have + any fear of ghosts—not likely, for I have never even seen one.” + </p> + <p> + “I have,” said Gunner Bob, in a deep voice, which made them all glance + through the ivy. “I have, and a fearful one it were.” + </p> + <p> + “Don't be a fool, Bob,” the Captain whispered; “we don't want to hear + about that now. Allow me to carry the lantern, Mr. Carne; it throws such + shadows from the way you hold it. Why, surely, this is where we were + before!” + </p> + <p> + “You might easily fancy so,” Carne answered, smiling, “especially with a + mind at all excited—” + </p> + <p> + “My mind is not excited, sir; not at all excited; but as calm as it ever + was in all its life.” + </p> + <p> + “Then two things will show you that these are the other vaults. The arch + is on your left hand, instead of on your right”—he had brought them + in now from the other end of the passage—“and this entrance, as you + see, has a door in it, which the other had not. Perhaps the door is to + keep the ghost in”—his laugh sounded hollow, and like a mocking + challenge along the dark roof—“for this is the part she is supposed + to walk in. But so much for the door! The money-lenders have not left us a + door that will stand a good kick. You may find our old doors in Wardour + Street.” + </p> + <p> + As he spoke, he set foot against the makeshift door, and away it went, as + he had predicted. Crashing on the steps as it fell, it turned over, and a + great splash arose at the bottom. + </p> + <p> + “Why, bless my heart, there is a flood of water there!” cried Stubbard, + peeping timidly down the steps, on which (if the light had been clear, and + that of his mind in the same condition) he might have seen the marks of + his own boots. “A flood of water, perhaps six feet deep! I could scarcely + have believed, but for that and the door, that these were not the very + vaults that we have examined. But what business has the water there?” + </p> + <p> + “No business at all, any more than we have,” Carne answered, with some + rudeness, for it did not suit him to encourage too warmly the friendship + of Captain Stubbard; “but I told you that the place becomes covered with + water whenever the ghost intends to walk. Probably there is not more than + a foot of water”—there was in fact about three inches—“and as + you are bound to carry out your duty—” + </p> + <p> + “My dear sir, I am satisfied, perfectly satisfied. Who could keep + gunpowder under water, or even in a flooded cellar? I shall have the + greatest pleasure in reporting that I searched Carne Castle—not of + course suspiciously, but narrowly, as we are bound to do, in execution of + our warrant—” + </p> + <p> + “If you would not mind looking in this direction,” whispered Carne, who + could never be contented, “I think I could show you, just beyond the + murder-stone—yes, and it seems to be coming towards us, as white as + a winding-sheet; do come and look.” + </p> + <p> + “No, sir, no; it is not my duty”—the Captain turned away, with his + hair upon the rise. “I was sent here to look for saltpetre, not spectres. + No officer in His Majesty's service can be expected—Bob, and + Wilkins, are you there?” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, sir, yes—we have had quite enough of this; and unless you give + the orders—” + </p> + <p> + “Here she comes, I do declare!” whispered Carne, with extraordinary + calmness. + </p> + <p> + “Bob, and Wilkins, give me one arm each. Make for daylight in close order. + You may be glad to see your grandmother, young man; but I decline to have + anything to say to her. Bob, and Wilkins, bear a hand; I feel a little + shaky in my lower timbers. Run for your lives, but don't leave me behind. + Run, lads, like the very devil!” For a groan of sepulchral depth, and big + enough to lift a granite tombstone, issued from the vault, and wailed + along the sombre archway. All the Artillerymen fled, as if the muzzle of + their biggest gun was slewed upon them, and very soon the sound of horses' + heels, urged at a perilous pace down the hill, rang back as the echo of + that grand groan. + </p> + <p> + “I think I did that pretty well, my Captain,” cried Charron, ascending + from the vault with dripping boots; “I deserve a glass of Cognac, if they + have left me any. Happy is Stoobar that he was contented, without breaking + his neck at the inspector's step.” + </p> + <p> + “He has satisfied his conscience,” Carne answered, grimly; “yet it cannot + be blameless, to make him run so fast. I am glad we have been saved from + killing them. It would have been hard to know what to do next. But he will + never trouble us here again.” + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0045" id="link2HCH0045"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XLV + </h2> + <h3> + FATHER, AND CHILD + </h3> + <p> + “Tell Miss Faith, when she comes in, that I shall be glad to see her,” + said Admiral Darling to his trusty butler, one hot afternoon in August. He + had just come home from a long rough ride, to spend at least one day in + his own house, and after overhauling his correspondence, went into the + dining-room, as the coolest in the house, to refresh himself a little with + a glass of light wine before going up to dress for dinner. There he sat in + an arm-chair, and looked at his hands, which were browned by the sun, and + trembling from a long period of heavy work and light sleep. He was getting + too old to endure it with impunity, yet angry with himself for showing it. + But he was not thinking of himself alone. + </p> + <p> + “I hope she will be sensible”—he was talking to himself, as elderly + people are apt to do, especially after being left to themselves; “I hope + she will see the folly of it—of living all her life as the bride of + a ghost; and herself such a beautiful, cheerful darling! Loving, + warm-hearted, sweet-tempered, adoring children, and adored by them; + obedient, gentle—I can't think of anything good that she hasn't got, + except common-sense. And even for that, I like her all the more; because + it is so different from all the other girls. They have got too much—one + lover out of sight, even for a month or two, gone fighting for his + Country, what do they do but take up with another, as I very greatly fear + our Dolly would? But Faith—Why, my darling, how well you look!” + </p> + <p> + “How I wish that I could say the same of you, dear father!” said the + lovely young woman, while kissing him, and smoothing with her soft hand + his wrinkled forehead; “you never used to have these little tucks and + gathers here. I would rather almost that the French should come and devour + us all, than see my father, whenever we do see him, once in a month, say, + gauffred like this—as their laundresses do it—and getting + reduced to the Classical shape, so that I can put one arm round him.” + </p> + <p> + “My darling,” said the Admiral, though proud at heart of the considerable + reduction of his stomach, “you should not say such things to me, to remind + me how very old I am!” + </p> + <p> + Fathers are crafty, and daughters childish, as behoves the both of them. + The Admiral knew, as well as if he had ordered it, what Faith would do. + And she must have perceived his depth, if only she had taken a moment to + think of it. Because when she plumped, like a child, into his arms, how + came his arms to be so wide open? and when two great tears rolled down her + cheeks, how sprang his handkerchief so impromptu out from beneath his + braided lappet? + </p> + <p> + “Tell me what harm I have done,” she asked, with a bright smile dawning + through the dew of her dark eyes; “what have I done to vex you, father, + that you say things fit to make me cry? And yet I ought to laugh, because + I know so well that you are only fishing for compliments. You are getting + so active that I shall be frightened to go for a walk or a ride with you. + Only I do love to see you look fat, and your darling forehead smooth and + white.” + </p> + <p> + “My dear child, I must get up my substance. This very day I begin in + earnest. Because I am to be a great man, Faith. How would you like to have + to call me 'Sir Charles'?” + </p> + <p> + “Not at all, darling; except when you deserve it, by being cross to me; + and that never, never happens. I wish there was more chance of it.” + </p> + <p> + “Well, dear, if you won't, the other people must; for His Majesty has been + graciously pleased to turn me into a Baronet. He says that I have earned + it; and perhaps I have; at any rate, he put it so nicely that without + being churlish I could not refuse. And it will be a good thing for Frank, + I hope, by bringing him back from his democratic stuff. To myself it is + useless; but my children ought to like it.” + </p> + <p> + “And so they will, father, for your own dear sake. Let me be the first to + salute you, father. Oh, Dolly will be in such a rage because you told me, + without telling her!” + </p> + <p> + “I never thought of that,” said the Admiral, simply; “I am afraid that I + shall get in for it. However, I have a right to please myself, and you + need not tell her until I do. But that is not all my news, and not by any + means the best of it. The King was reminded, the other day, of all that he + and his family owe to the late Sir Edmond Scudamore, and better late than + never, he has ordered your governess, as he called her, to be put on the + list for a pension of 300 pounds a year. Nothing that once gets into his + head can ever be got out of it, and he was shocked at seeing his old + physician's widow 'gone out as a governess—gone out as a governess—great + disgrace to the royal family!' I am very glad that it happened so.” + </p> + <p> + “And so am I. She ought to have had it long and long ago, especially after + the sad misfortune of her husband. You will let me tell her? It will be + such a pleasure.” + </p> + <p> + “Certainly, my dear; you are the very one to do it. Tell her that her + eldest pupil is come with a little piece of news for her; it will make her + smile—she has a very pretty smile, which reminds me of the gallant + Blyth. And now, my child, the third piece of news concerns yourself—your + good, and dutiful, and exceedingly sensible self. Ahem!” cried the + Admiral, as he always did, when he feared that he might have overstepped + the truth. + </p> + <p> + “I know what it is; you need not tell me,” Faith answered, confirming her + fear at once. “It is no use, father; it is no good at all—unless you + intend to forget your own promise.” + </p> + <p> + “That I shall never do,” he replied, while looking at her sadly; “no, my + dear child, I shall never attempt to drive instead of lead you. But you + have not heard me out as yet. You don't even know who it is I mean.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh yes, I do; I know well enough, father. I am not like Dolly, + universally admired. Because I do not want to be. You mean Lord Dashville—can + you tell me that you don't?” + </p> + <p> + “No, my dear”—Sir Charles was a little surprised that Faith should + be so quick, for (like most people of gentle nature) she was taken to be + slow, because she never snapped—“I cannot deny that it is Lord + Dashville, because that is the man, and no other. But how you could tell + surpasses me, and it shows that he must be very often in your mind:” the + Admiral thought he had caught her there. “Now can you say anything against + him? Is he not honest, manly, single-minded, faithful as yourself, I do + believe, good-looking, well-bred, a Tory, and a gentleman, certain to make + any woman happy whom he loves? Can you say a syllable against all that?” + </p> + <p> + “No,” replied Faith—a very long, slow “no,” as if she only wished + she could say something hard about him. + </p> + <p> + “Very well,” her father went on, with triumph, “and can you deny that he + is just the person you might have taken a great liking to—fallen in + love with, as they call it—if only he had come before your mind was + full of somebody else—a very fine young fellow, no doubt; but—my + darling, I won't say a word against him, only you know what I mean too + well. And are you forever to be like a nun because it has pleased the Lord + to take him from you?” + </p> + <p> + “Lord Dashville has not advanced himself in my good opinion, if he cares + for that,” said Faith, starting sideways, as a woman always does, from the + direct issue, “by going to you, when I declined to have anything more to + say to him.” + </p> + <p> + “My dear, you are unjust,” replied Sir Charles; “not purposely, I know, + for you are the most upright darling that can be, in general. But you + accuse young Dashville of what he never did. It was his good mother, the + Countess of Blankton, a most kind-hearted and lady-like person, without + any nonsense about her, who gave me the best cup of tea I ever tasted, and + spoke with the very best feeling possible. She put it so sweetly that I + only wish you could have been there to hear her.” + </p> + <p> + “Father, what is the good of it all? You hate turncoats even worse than + traitors. Would you like your daughter to be one? And when she would seem + to have turned her coat—for the ladies wear coats now, the horrid + ugly things!—for the sake of position, and title, and all that. If + Lord Dashville had been a poor man, with his own way to make in the world, + a plain Mister, there might have been more to be said for it. But to think + that I should throw over my poor darling because he will come home without + a penny, and perhaps tattoed, but at any rate turned black, for the sake + of a coronet, and a heap of gold—oh, father, I shall break down, if + you go on so!” + </p> + <p> + “My dear girl, I will not say a word to vex you. But you are famous for + common-sense, as well as every other good quality, and I would ask you to + employ just a little of it. Can you bear me to speak of your trouble, + darling?” + </p> + <p> + “Oh yes, I am so well accustomed to it now; and I know that it is nothing + compared to what thousands of people have to bear. Sometimes I am quite + ashamed of giving way to it.” + </p> + <p> + “You do not give way to it, Faith. No person can possibly say that of you. + You are my brave, unselfish, cheerful, sweet-natured, upright, and loving + child. Nobody knows, but you and I—and perhaps I know it even more + than you do—the greatness of the self-command you use, to be + pleasant and gay and agreeable, simply for the sake of those around you.” + </p> + <p> + “Then, father,” cried Faith, who was surprised at this, for the Admiral + had never said a word about such matters, “you think, after all, that I am—that + I am almost as good as Dolly!” + </p> + <p> + “You jealous little vixen, I shall recall every word I have said in your + favour! My child, and my pride, you are not only as good as Dolly, but my + best hope is that when Dolly grows older she may be like you. Don't cry, + darling; I can't stand crying, when it comes from eyes that so seldom do + it. And now that you know what I think of you, allow me to think a little + for you. I have some right to interfere in your life; you will allow that—won't + you?” + </p> + <p> + “Father, you have all right, and a thousand times as much, because you are + so gentle about using it.” + </p> + <p> + “I calls that bad English, as Zeb Tugwell says when he doesn't want to + understand a thing. But, my pretty dear, you must remember that you will + not have a father always. Who will look after you, when I am gone, except + the Almighty?—and He does not do it, except for the few who look + after themselves. It is my duty to consider these points, and they + override sentimentality. To me it is nothing that Dashville will be an + Earl, and a man of great influence, if he keeps up his present high + character; but it is something to me that I find him modest, truthful, not + led away by phantoms, a gentleman—which is more than a nobleman—and + with his whole heart given to my dear child Faith.” + </p> + <p> + Faith sighed heavily, partly for herself, but mainly, perhaps, for the + sake of a fine heart sadly thrown away on her. “I believe he is all that,” + she said. + </p> + <p> + “In that case, what more can you have?” pursued the triumphant Admiral. + “It is one of the clearest things I ever knew, and one of the most + consistent”—consistent was a great word in those days—“as well + as in every way desirable. Consider, not yourself—which you never do—but + the state of the Country, and of Dolly. They have made me a baronet, for + being away from home nearly every night of my life; and if I had Dashville + to see to things here, I might stay away long enough to be a lord myself, + like my late middy the present Duke of Bronte.” + </p> + <p> + Faith laughed heartily. “You call me jealous! My dear father, I know that + you could have done a great deal more than Lord Nelson has, because he + learned all that he knows from you. And now who is it that really defends + the whole south coast of England against the French? Is it Lord Nelson? He + has as much as he can do to look after their fleet in the Mediterranean. + Admiral Cornwallis and Sir Charles Darling are the real defenders of + England.” + </p> + <p> + “No, my dear, you must never say that, except of course in private. There + may be some truth in it, but it would be laughed at in the present + condition of the public mind. History may do me justice; but after all it + is immaterial. A man who does his duty should be indifferent to the + opinion of the public, which begins more and more to be formed less by + fact than by the newspapers of the day. But let us return to more + important matters. You are now in a very sensible frame of mind. You see + what my wishes are about you, and how reasonable they are. I should be so + happy, my darling child, if you would consider them sensibly, and yield + some little of your romantic views. I would not ask you unless I were sure + that this man loves you as you deserve, and in his own character deserves + your love.” + </p> + <p> + “Then, father, will this content you, dear? Unless I hear something of + Erle Twemlow, to show that he is living, and still holds to me, in the + course of another twelvemonth, Lord Dashville, or anybody else, may try—may + try to take his place with me. Only I must not be worried—I mean, I + must not hear another word about it, until the time has quite expired.” + </p> + <p> + “It is a very poor concession, Faith. Surely you might say half a year. + Consider, it is nearly three years now—” + </p> + <p> + “No, papa, I should despise myself if I were so unjust to one so unlucky. + And I only go so much from my own wishes because you are such a dear and + good father. Not a bit of it for Lord Dashville's sake.” + </p> + <p> + “Well, my poor darling,” the Admiral replied, for he saw that she was upon + the brink of tears, and might hate Lord Dashville if further urged, “half + a loaf is better than no bread. If Dashville is worthy of your constant + heart, he will stand this long trial of his constancy. This is the tenth + day of August, 1804. I hope that the Lord may be pleased to spare me till + the 10th of August, 1805. High time for them to come and lay the cloth. I + am as hungry as a hunter.” + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0046" id="link2HCH0046"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XLVI + </h2> + <h3> + CATAMARANS + </h3> + <p> + Napoleon had shown no proper dread of the valiant British volunteers, but + kept his festival in August, and carried on his sea-side plans, as if + there were no such fellows. Not content with that, he even flouted our + blockading fleet by coming out to look at them. And if one of our frigates + had shot straight, she might have saved millions of lives and billions of + money, at the cost of one greatly bad life. But the poor ship knew not her + opportunity, or she would rather have gone to the bottom than waste it. + </p> + <p> + Now the French made much of this affair, according to their nature; and + histories of it, full of life and growth, ran swiftly along the shallow + shore, and even to Paris, the navel of the earth. Frenchmen of letters—or + rather of papers—declared that all England was smitten with dismay; + and so she might have been, if she had heard of it. But as our neighbours + went home again, as soon as the water was six fathoms deep, few Englishmen + knew that they had tried to smell a little of the sea-breeze, outside the + smell of their inshore powder. They were pleased to get ashore again, and + talk it over, with vivid description of the things that did not happen. + </p> + <p> + “Such scenes as these tended much to agitate England,” writes a great + French historian. “The British Press, arrogant and calumnious, as the + Press always is in a free country, railed much at Napoleon and his + preparations; but railed as one who trembles at that which he would fain + exhibit as the object of his laughter.” It may have been so, but it is not + to be seen in any serious journal of that time. He seems to have + confounded coarse caricaturists with refined and thoughtful journalists, + even as, in the account of that inshore skirmish, he turns a gun-brig into + a British frigate. However, such matters are too large for us. + </p> + <p> + It was resolved at any rate to try some sort of a hit at all these very + gallant Frenchmen, moored under their own batteries, and making + horse-marines of themselves, whenever Neptune, the father of the horse, + permitted. The jolly English tars, riding well upon the waves, sent many a + broad grin through a spy-glass at Muncher Crappo tugging hard to get his + nag into his gun-boat and then to get him out again, because his present + set of shoes would not be worn out in England. Every sailor loves a horse, + regarding him as a boat on legs, and therefore knowing more about him than + any landlubber may feign to know. + </p> + <p> + But although they would have been loth to train a gun on the noble animal, + who was duly kept beyond their range, all the British sailors longed to + have a bout with the double tier of hostile craft moored off the shore + within shelter of French batteries. Every day they could reckon at least + two hundred sail of every kind of rig invented since the time of Noah, but + all prepared to destroy instead of succouring the godly. It was truly + grievous to see them there and not be able to get at them, for no ship of + the line or even frigate could get near enough to tackle them. Then the + British Admiral, Lord Keith, resolved after much consultation to try what + could be done with fire-ships. + </p> + <p> + Blyth Scudamore, now in command of the Blonde, had done much excellent + service, in cutting off stragglers from the French flotilla, and driving + ashore near Vimereux some prames and luggers coming from Ostend. He began + to know the French coast and the run of the shoals like a native pilot; + for the post of the Blonde, and some other light ships, was between the + blockading fleet and the blockaded, where perpetual vigilance was needed. + This sharp service was the very thing required to improve his character, + to stamp it with decision and self-reliance, and to burnish his quiet, + contemplative vein with the very frequent friction of the tricks of + mankind. These he now was strictly bound not to study, but anticipate, + taking it as first postulate that every one would cheat him, if permitted. + To a scrimpy and screwy man, of the type most abundant, such a position + would have done a deal of harm, shutting him up into his own shell harder, + and flinting its muricated horns against the world. But with the gentle + Scuddy, as the boys at school had called him, the process of hardening was + beneficial, as it is with pure gold, which cannot stand the wear and tear + of the human race until it has been reduced by them at least to the mark + of their twenty carats. + </p> + <p> + And now it was a fine thing for Scudamore—even as a man too + philanthropic was strengthened in his moral tone (as his wife found out) + by being compelled to discharge the least pleasant of the duties of a + county sheriff—or if not a fine thing, at least it was a wholesome + and durable corrective to all excess of lenience, that duty to his country + and mankind compelled the gentle Scuddy to conduct the western division of + this night-attack. + </p> + <p> + At this time there was in the public mind, which is quite of full feminine + agility, a strong prejudice against the use of fire-ships. Red-hot + cannon-balls, and shrapnel, langrage, chain-shot, and Greek-fire—these + and the like were all fair warfare, and France might use them freely. But + England (which never is allowed to do, without hooting and execration, + what every other country does with loud applause)—England must + rather burn off her right hand than send a fire-ship against the ships + full of fire for her houses, her cottages, and churches. Lord Keith had + the sense to laugh at all that stuff, but he had not the grand mechanical + powers which have now enabled the human race, not to go, but to send one + another to the stars. A clumsy affair called a catamaran, the acephalous + ancestor of the torpedo, was expected to relieve the sea of some thousands + of people who had no business there. This catamaran was a water-proof box + about twenty feet long, and four feet wide, narrowed at the ends, like a + coffin for a giant. It was filled with gunpowder, and ballasted so that + its lid, or deck, was almost awash; and near its stern was a box + containing clock movements that would go for about ten minutes, upon the + withdrawal of a peg outside, and then would draw a trigger and explode the + charge. This wondrous creature had neither oar nor sail, but demanded to + be towed to the tideward of the enemy, then have the death-watch set + going, and be cast adrift within hail of the enemy's line. Then as soon as + it came across their mooring cables, its duty was to slide for a little + way along them in a friendly manner, lay hold of them kindly with its long + tail, which consisted of a series of grappling-hooks buoyed with cork, and + then bringing up smartly alongside of the gun-boats, blow itself up, and + carry them up with it. How many there were of these catamarans is not + quite certain, but perhaps about a score, the intention being to have ten + times as many, on the next occasion, if these did well. And no doubt they + would have done well, if permitted; but they failed of their purpose, like + the great Guy Fawkes, because they were prevented. + </p> + <p> + For the French, by means of treacherous agents—of whom perhaps Caryl + Carne was one, though his name does not appear in the despatches—knew + all about this neat little scheme beforehand, and set their wits at work + to defeat it. Moreover, they knew that there were four fire-ships, one of + which was the Peggy of Springhaven, intended to add to the consternation + and destruction wrought by the catamarans. But they did not know that, by + some irony of fate, the least destructive and most gentle of mankind was + ordered to take a leading part in shattering man, and horse, and even good + dogs, into vapours. + </p> + <p> + Many quiet horses, and sweet-natured dogs, whose want of breeding had + improved their manners, lived in this part of the great flotilla, and were + satisfied to have their home where it pleased the Lord to feed them. The + horses were led to feed out of the guns, that they might not be afraid of + them; and they struggled against early prejudice, to like wood as well as + grass, and to get sea-legs. Man put them here to suit his own ideas; of + that they were quite aware, and took it kindly, accepting superior powers, + and inferior use of them, without a shade of question in their eyes. To + their innocent minds it was never brought home that they were tethered + here, and cropping clots instead of clover, for the purpose of inspiring + in their timid friends ashore the confidence a horse reposes in a brother + horse, but very wisely doubts about investing in mankind. For instance, + whenever a wild young animal, a new recruit for the cavalry, was haled + against his judgment by a man on either side to the hollow-sounding + gangway over dancing depth of peril, these veteran salts of horses would + assure him, with a neigh from the billowy distance, that they were not + drowned yet, but were walking on a sort of gate, and got their victuals + regular. On the other hand, as to the presence of the dogs, that requires + no explanation. Was there ever a time or place in which a dog grudged his + sprightly and disinterested service, or failed to do his best when called + upon? These French dogs, whom the mildest English mastiff would have + looked upon, or rather would have shut his eyes at, as a lot of curs below + contempt, were as full of fine ardour for their cause and country as any + noble hound that ever sate like a statue on a marble terrace. + </p> + <p> + On the first of October all was ready for this audacious squibbing of the + hornet's nest, and the fleet of investment (which kept its distance + according to the weather and the tides) stood in, not bodily so as to + arouse excitement, but a ship at a time sidling in towards the coast, and + traversing one another's track, as if they were simply exchanging + stations. The French pretended to take no heed, and did not call in a + single scouting craft, but showed every sign of having all eyes shut. + Nothing, however, was done that night, by reason perhaps of the weather; + but the following night being favourable, and the British fleet brought as + nigh as it durst come, the four fire-ships were despatched after dark, + when the enemy was likely to be engaged with supper. The sky was + conveniently overcast, with a faint light wandering here and there, from + the lift of the horizon, just enough to show the rig of a vessel and her + length, at a distance of about a hundred yards. Nothing could be better—thought + the Englishmen; and the French were of that opinion too, especially as + Nelson was not there. + </p> + <p> + Scudamore had nothing to do with the loose adventure of the fire-ships, + the object of which was to huddle together this advanced part of the + flotilla, so that the catamarans might sweep unseen into a goodly thicket + of vessels, and shatter at least half a dozen at once. + </p> + <p> + But somehow the scheme was not well carried out, though it looked very + nice upon paper. One very great drawback, to begin with, was that the + enemy were quite aware of all our kind intentions; and another scarcely + less fatal was the want of punctuality on our part. All the floating + coffins should have come together, like a funeral of fifty from a + colliery; but instead of that they dribbled in one by one, and were cast + off by their tow-boats promiscuously. Scudamore did his part well enough, + though the whole thing went against his grain, and the four catamarans + under his direction were the only ones that did their duty. The boats of + the Blonde had these in tow, and cast them off handsomely at the proper + distance, and drew the plugs which set their clock-springs going. But even + of these four only two exploded, although the clocks were not American, + and those two made a tremendous noise, but only singed a few French beards + off. Except, indeed, that a fine old horse, with a white Roman nose and a + bright chestnut mane, who was living in a flat-bottomed boat, broke his + halter, and rushed up to the bows, and gave vent to his amazement, as if + he had been gifted with a trumpet. + </p> + <p> + Hereupon a dog, loth to be behind the times, scampered up to his side, and + with his forefeet on the gunwale, contributed a howl of incalculable + length and unfathomable sadness. + </p> + <p> + In the hurly of the combat and confusion of the night, with the dimness + streaked with tumult, and the water gashed with fire, that horse and this + dog might have gone on for ever, bewailing the nature of the sons of men, + unless a special fortune had put power into their mouths. One of the + fire-ships, as scandal did declare, was that very ancient tub indeed—that + could not float on its bottom—the Peggy of Springhaven, bought at + thrice her value, through the influence of Admiral Darling. If one has to + meet every calumny that arises, and deal with it before going further, the + battle that lasted for a fortnight and then turned into an earthquake + would be a quick affair compared with the one now in progress. Enough that + the Peggy proved by the light she gave, and her grand style of burning to + the water's edge before she blew up, that she was worth at least the + hundred pounds Widow Shanks received for her. She startled the French more + than any of the others, and the strong light she afforded in her last + moments shone redly on the anguish of that poor horse and dog. There was + no sign of any one to help them, and the flames in the background + redoubled their woe. + </p> + <p> + Now this apparently deserted prame, near the centre of the line, was the + Ville de Mayence; and the flag of Rear-Admiral Lacrosse was even now + flying at her peak. “We must have her, my lads,” cried Scudamore, who was + wondering what to do next, until he descried the horse and dog and that + fine flag; “let us board her, and make off with all of them.” + </p> + <p> + The crew of his launch were delighted with that. To destroy is very good; + but to capture is still better; and a dash into the midst of the enemy was + the very thing they longed for. “Ay, ay, sir,” they cried, set their backs + to their oars, and through the broad light that still shone upon the + waves, and among the thick crowd of weltering shadows, the launch shot + like a dart to the side of the foe. + </p> + <p> + “Easy all! Throw a grapple on board,” cried the young commander; and as + the stern swung round he leaped from it, and over the shallow bulwarks, + and stood all alone on the enemy's fore-deck. And alone he remained, for + at that moment a loud crash was heard, and the launch filled and sank, + with her crew of sixteen plunging wildly in the waves. + </p> + <p> + This came to pass through no fault of their own, but a clever device of + the enemy. Admiral Lacrosse, being called away, had left his first officer + to see to the safety of the flag-ship and her immediate neighbours, and + this brave man had obtained permission to try a little plan of his own, if + assailed by any adventurous British boats in charge of the vessels + explosive. In the bows of some stout but handy boats he had rigged up a + mast with a long spar attached, and by means of a guy at the end of that + spar, a brace of heavy chain-shot could be swung up and pitched headlong + into any boat alongside. While the crew of Scudamore's launch were intent + upon boarding the prame, one of these boats came swiftly from under her + stern, and with one fling swamped the enemy. Then the Frenchmen laughed + heartily, and offered oars and buoys for the poor British seamen to come + up as prisoners. + </p> + <p> + Scudamore saw that he was trapped beyond escape, for no other British boat + was anywhere in hail. His first impulse was to jump overboard and help his + own drowning men, but before he could do so an officer stood before him, + and said, “Monsieur is my prisoner. His men will be safe, and I cannot + permit him to risk his own life. Mon Dieu, it is my dear friend Captain + Scudamore!” + </p> + <p> + “And you, my old friend, Captain Desportes! I see it is hopeless to + resist”—for by this time a score of Frenchmen were round him—“I + can only congratulate myself that if I must fall, it is into such good + hands.” + </p> + <p> + “My dear friend, how glad I am to see you!” replied the French captain, + embracing him warmly; “to you I owe more than to any man of your nation. I + will not take your sword. No, no, my friend. You shall not be a prisoner, + except in word. And how much you have advanced in the knowledge of our + language, chiefly, I fear, at the expense of France. And now you will grow + perfect, at the expense of England.” + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0047" id="link2HCH0047"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XLVII + </h2> + <h3> + ENTER AND EXIT + </h3> + <p> + The summer having been fine upon the whole, and a very fair quantity of + fish brought in, Miss Twemlow had picked up a sweetheart, as the + unromantic mothers of the place expressed it. And the circumstances were + of such a nature that very large interest was aroused at once, and not + only so, but was fed well and grew fast. + </p> + <p> + The most complete of chronicles is no better than a sponge of inferior + texture and with many mouths shut. Parts that are full of suctive power + get no chance of sucking; other parts have a flood of juice bubbling at + them, but are waterproof. This is the only excuse—except one—for + the shameful neglect of the family of Blocks, in any little treatise + pretending to give the dullest of glimpses at Springhaven. + </p> + <p> + The other excuse—if self-accusation does not poke a finger through + it—is that the Blockses were mainly of the dry land, and never went + to sea when they could help it. If they had lived beyond the two trees and + the stile that marked the parish boundary upon the hill towards London, + they might have been spotless, and grand, and even honest, yet must have + been the depth of the hills below contempt. But they dwelt in the village + for more generations than would go upon any woman's fingers, and they did + a little business with the fish caught by the others, which enabled it to + look after three days' journey as if it swam into town upon its own fins. + The inventions for wronging mankind pay a great deal better than those for + righting them. + </p> + <p> + Now the news came from John Prater's first, that a gentleman of great + renown was coming down from London city to live on fish fresh out of the + sea. His doctors had ordered him to leave off butcher's meat, and baker's + bread, and tea-grocer's tea, and almost every kind of inland victuals, + because of the state of his—something big, which even Springhaven + could not pronounce. He must keep himself up, for at least three months, + upon nothing but breezes of the sea, and malt-liquor, and farm-house bread + and milk and new-laid eggs, and anything he fancied that came out of the + sea, shelly, or scaly, or jellified, or weedy. News from a public-house + grows fast—as seeds come up quicker for soaking—and a strong + competition for this gentleman arose; but he knew what he was doing, and + brought down his cook and house-maid, and disliking the noise at the + Darling Arms, took no less than five rooms at the house of Matthew Blocks, + on the rise of the hill, where he could see the fish come in. + </p> + <p> + He was called at once Sir Parsley Sugarloaf, for his name was Percival + Shargeloes; and his cook rebuked his housemaid sternly, for meddling with + matters beyond her sphere, when she told Mrs. Blocks that he was not Sir + Percival, but only Percival Shargeloes, Esquire, very high up in the + Corporation, but too young to be Lord Mayor of London for some years. He + appeared to be well on the right side of forty; and every young lady on + the wrong side of thirty possessing a pony, or even a donkey, with legs + enough to come down the hill, immediately began to take a rose-coloured + view of the many beauties of Springhaven. + </p> + <p> + If Mr. Shargeloes had any ambition for title, it lay rather in a military + direction. He had joined a regiment of City Volunteers, and must have been + a Captain, if he could have stood the drill. But this, though not arduous, + had outgone his ambition, nature having gifted him with a remarkable power + of extracting nourishment from food, which is now called assimilation. He + was not a great feeder—people so blessed seldom are—but + nothing short of painful starvation would keep him lean. He had consulted + all the foremost physicians about this, and one said, “take acids,” + another said, “walk twenty miles every day with two Witney blankets on,” a + third said, “thank God for it, and drink before you eat,” and a fourth (a + man of wide experience) bade him marry the worst-tempered woman he knew. + Then they all gave him pills to upset his stomach; but such was its power + that it assimilated them. Despairing of these, he consulted a Quack, and + received the directions which brought him to Springhaven. And a lucky day + for him it was, as he confessed for the rest of his life, whenever any + ladies asked him. + </p> + <p> + Because Miss Twemlow was intended for him by the nicest adjustment of + nature. How can two round things fit together, except superficially? And + in that case one must be upper and the other under; which is not the + proper thing in matrimony, though generally the prevailing one. But take a + full-moon and a half-moon, or even a square and a tidy triangle—with + manners enough to have one right angle—and when you have put them + into one another's arms, there they stick, all the firmer for friction. + Jack Spratt and his wife are a case in point; and how much more pointed + the case becomes when the question is not about what is on the plate, but + the gentleman is in his own body fat, and the lady in her elegant person + lean! + </p> + <p> + Mr. Sugarloaf—which he could not bear to be called—being an + ardent admirer of the Church, and aware that her ministers know what is + good, returned with great speed the Rector's call, having earnest hopes of + some heart-felt words upon the difference between a right and left handed + sole. One of these is ever so much better than the other—according + to our evolutionists, because when he was a cod, a few milliards of years + back, he chose the right side to begin lying down on, that his descendants + in the thirty-millionth generation might get flat. His wife, from sheer + perversity, lay down upon the other side, and this explains how some of + their descendants pulled their eyes through their heads to one side, and + some (though comparatively few) to the other. And the worst of it is that + the fittest for the frying-pan did not survive this well-intended + involution, except at a very long figure in the market. + </p> + <p> + As it fell out upon that day, Miss Twemlow was sitting in the drawing-room + alone, waiting till her mother's hair was quite done up, her own abundant + locks being not done up at all, for she had lately taken to set her face + against all foreign fashions. “I have not been introduced to the King,” + she said, “nor even to the Queen, like those forward Darlings, and I shall + do my hair to please myself.” When her father objected, she quenched him + with St. Paul; and even her mother, though shocked, began to think that + Eliza knew what she was about. The release of her fine hair, which fell in + natural waves about her stately neck, made her look nearly ten years + younger than she was, for by this time she must have been + eight-and-twenty. The ladies of the Carne race, as their pictures showed + (until they were sold to be the grandmothers of dry-salters), had always + been endowed with shapely necks, fit columns for their small round heads. + And this young lady's hair, with no constraint but that of a narrow band + across the forehead, clustered and gleamed like a bower of acanthus round + that Parian column. + </p> + <p> + Mr. Shargeloes, having obeyed his orders always to dine early, was + thrilled with a vision of poetry and romance, as he crossed the first + square of the carpet. The lady sat just where the light fell best from a + filtered sunbeam to illumine her, without entering into the shady parts; + and the poetry of her attitude was inspired by some very fine poetry upon + her lap. “I don't care what the doctors say, I shall marry that girl,” + said Mr. Shargeloes to himself. + </p> + <p> + He was a man who knew his own mind, and a man with that gift makes others + know it. Miss Twemlow clenched in the coat upon his back the nail she had + driven through his heart, by calling him, at every other breath, “Colonel + Shargeloes.” He said he was not that; but she felt that he was, as indeed + every patriotic man must be. Her contempt for every man who forsook his + country in this bitter, bitter strait was at once so ruthless and so + bewitching that he was quite surprised into confessing that he had given + 10,000 pounds, all in solid gold, for the comfort of the Royal Volunteers, + as soon as the autumnal damps came on. He could not tell such an elegant + creature that what he had paid for was flannel drawers, though she had so + much strength of mind that he was enabled to tell her before very long. + </p> + <p> + A great deal of nonsense is talked about ladies who are getting the better + of their first youth, as if they then hung themselves out as old slates + for any man to write his name on. The truth is that they have better + judgment then, less trouble in their hearts about a gentleman's + appearance, and more enquiry in their minds as to his temper, tastes, and + principles, not to mention his prospects of supporting them. And even as + concerns appearance, Mr. Shargeloes was very good. Nature had given him a + fine stout frame, and a very pleasant countenance; and his life in the + busy world had added that quickness of decision and immediate sense of + right which a clever woman knows to be the very things she wants. + Moreover, his dress, which goes a very long way into the heart of a lady, + was most correct and particular. For his coat was of the latest Bond + Street fashion, the “Jean de Brie,” improved and beautified by suggestions + from the Prince of Wales himself. Bright claret was the colour, and the + buttons were of gold, bright enough to show the road before him as he + walked. The shoulders were padded, as if a jam pot stood there, and the + waist buttoned tight, too tight for any happiness, to show the bright + laticlave of brocaded waistcoat. Then followed breeches of rich purple + padusoy, having white satin bows at the knee, among which the little + silver bells of the Hessian boots jingled. + </p> + <p> + Miss Twemlow was superior to all small feeling, but had great breadth of + sympathy with the sterling truth in fashion. The volume of love, like a + pattern-book, fell open, and this well-dressed gentleman was engraved upon + her heart. The most captious young chit, such as Dolly herself, could + scarcely have called him either corpulent or old. Every day he could be + seen to be growing younger, with the aid of fresh fish as a totally novel + ingredient in his system; his muscle increased with the growth of + brain-power, and the shoemaker was punching a fresh hole in his belt, an + inch further back, every week he stopped there. After buckling up three + holes, he proposed. Miss Twemlow referred him to her dear papa; and the + Rector took a week to enquire and meditate. “Take a month, if you like,” + said Mr. Shargeloes. + </p> + <p> + This reply increased the speed. Mr. Twemlow had the deepest respect for + the Corporation, and to live to be the father of a Lord Mayor of London + became a new ambition to lead on his waning years. “Come and dine with us + on Saturday, and we will tell you all about it,” he said, with a pleasant + smile, and warm shake of the hand; and Shargeloes knew that the neck and + the curls would bend over the broad gold chain some day. + </p> + <p> + How grievous it is to throw a big stone into a pool which has plenty of + depth and length and width for the rings to travel pleasantly, yet not to + make one ring, because of wind upon the water! In the days that were not + more than two years old, Springhaven could have taken all this news, with + a swiftly expanding and smoothly fluent circle, with a lift of + self-importance at the centre of the movement, and a heave of gentle + interest in the far reflective corners. Even now, with a tumult of things + to consider, and a tempest of judgment to do it in, people contrived to be + positive about a quantity of things still pending. Sir Parsley Sugarloaf + had bought Miss Twemlow for 50,000 pounds, they said, and he made her let + her curls down so outrageous, because she was to be married at Guildhall, + with a guinea at the end of every hair. Miss Faith would be dirt-cheap at + all that money; but as for Miss Eliza, they wished him better knowledge, + which was sure to come, when it was no good to him. + </p> + <p> + “What a corner of the world this is for gossip!” Mr. Shargeloes said, + pleasantly, to his Eliza, having heard from his cook, who desired no new + mistress, some few of the things said about him. “I am not such a fool as + to care what they say. But I am greatly surprised at one thing. You know + that I am a thorough Englishman; may I tell you what I think, without + offending you? It is a delicate matter, because it concerns a relative of + your own, my dear.” + </p> + <p> + “I know what you mean. You will not offend me. Percival, I know how + straightforward you are, and how keen of perception. I have expected + this.” + </p> + <p> + “And yet it seems presumptuous of me to say that you are all blind here, + from the highest to the lowest. Except indeed yourself, as I now perceive. + I will tell you my suspicions, or more than suspicions—my firm + belief—about your cousin, Mr. Carne. I can trust you to keep this + even from your father. Caryl Carne is a spy, in the pay of the French.” + </p> + <p> + “I have long thought something, though not quite so bad as that,” Miss + Twemlow answered, calmly; “because he has behaved to us so very strangely. + My mother is his own father's sister, as you know, and yet he has never + dined with us more than once, and then he scarcely said a word to any one. + And he never yet has asked us to visit him at the castle; though for that + we can make all allowance, of course, because of its sad condition. Then + everybody thought he had taken to smuggling, and after all his losses, no + one blamed him, especially as all the Carnes had done it, even when they + were the owners of the land. But ever since poor Mr. Cheeseman, our + church-warden, tried to destroy himself with his own rope, all the parish + began to doubt about the smuggling, because it pays so well and makes the + people very cheerful. But from something he had seen, my father felt quite + certain that the true explanation was smuggling.” + </p> + <p> + “Indeed! Do you know at all what it was he saw, and when, and under what + circumstances?” Mr. Shargeloes put these questions with more urgency than + Miss Twemlow liked. + </p> + <p> + “Really I cannot tell you all those things; they are scarcely of general + interest. My dear father said little about it: all knowledge is denied in + this good world to women. But no doubt he would tell you, if you asked + him, when there were no ladies present.” + </p> + <p> + “I will,” said Mr. Shargeloes. “He is most judicious; he knows when to + speak, and when to hold his tongue. And I think that you combine with + beauty one of those two gifts—which is the utmost to be expected.” + </p> + <p> + “Percival, you put things very nicely, which is all that could be expected + of a man. But do take my advice in this matter, and say no more about it.” + </p> + <p> + Mr. Shargeloes feigned to comply, and perhaps at the moment meant to do + so. But unluckily he was in an enterprising temper, proud of recovered + activity, and determined to act up to the phosphate supplied by fish diet. + Therefore when the Rector, rejoicing in an outlet for his long pent-up + discoveries, and regarding this sage man as one of his family, repeated + the whole of his adventure at Carne Castle, Mr. Shargeloes said, briefly, + “It must be seen to.” + </p> + <p> + “Stubbard has been there,” replied Mr. Twemlow, repenting perhaps of his + confidence; “Stubbard has made an official inspection, which relieves us + of all concern with it.” + </p> + <p> + “Captain Stubbard is an ass. It is a burning shame that important affairs + should be entrusted to such fellows. The country is in peril, deadly + peril; and every Englishman is bound to act as if he were an officer.” + </p> + <p> + That very same evening Carne rode back to his ruins in a very grim state + of mind. He had received from the Emperor a curt and haughty answer to his + last appeal for immediate action, and the prospect of another gloomy + winter here, with dangers thickening round him, and no motion to enliven + them, was almost more than he could endure. The nights were drawing in, + and a damp fog from the sea had drizzled the trees, and the ivy, and even + his own moustache with cold misery. + </p> + <p> + “Bring me a lantern,” he said to old Jerry, as he swung his stiff legs + from the back of the jaded horse, “and the little flask of oil with the + feather in it. It is high time to put the Inspector's step in order.” + </p> + <p> + Jerry Bowles, whose back and knees were bent with rheumatism and dull + service, trotted (like a horse who has become too stiff to walk) for the + things commanded, and came back with them. Then his master, without a + word, strode towards the passage giving entry to the vaults which Stubbard + had not seen—the vaults containing all the powder, and the weapons + for arming the peasantry of England, whom Napoleon fondly expected to rise + in his favour at the sight of his eagles. + </p> + <p> + “How does it work? Quite stiff with rust. I thought so. Nothing is ever in + order, unless I see to it myself. Give me the lantern. Now oil the + bearings thoroughly. Put the feather into the socket, and work the pin in + and out, that the oil may go all round. Now pour in some oil from the lip + of the flask; but not upon the treadle, you old blockhead. Now do the + other end the same. Ah, now it would go with the weight of a mouse! I have + a great mind to make you try it.” + </p> + <p> + “What would you do, sir, if my neck was broken? Who would do your work, as + I do?” + </p> + <p> + They were under an arch of mouldy stone, opening into the deep dark + vaults, where the faint light of the lantern glanced on burnished leather, + brass, and steel, or fell without flash upon dull round bulk. The old man, + kneeling on the round chalk-flints set in lime for the flooring of the + passage, was handling the first step of narrow step-ladder leading to the + cellar-depth. This top step had been taken out of the old oak mortice, and + cut shorter, and then replaced in the frame, with an iron pin working in + an iron collar, just as the gudgeon of a wheelbarrow revolves. Any one + stepping upon it unawares would go down without the aid of any other step. + </p> + <p> + “Goes like spittle now, sir,” said old Jerry; “but I don't want no more + harm in this crick of life. The Lord be pleased to keep all them Examiners + at home. Might have none to find their corpusses until next leap-year. I + hope with all my heart they won't come poking their long noses here.” + </p> + <p> + “Well, I rather hope they will. They want a lesson in this neighbourhood,” + muttered Carne, who was shivering, and hungry, and unsweetened. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0048" id="link2HCH0048"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XLVIII + </h2> + <h3> + MOTHER SCUDAMORE + </h3> + <p> + If we want to know how a tree or flower has borne the gale that flogged + last night, or the frost that stung the morning, the only sure plan is to + go and see. And the only way to understand how a friend has taken + affliction is to go—if it may be done without intrusion—and + let him tell you, if he likes. + </p> + <p> + Admiral Darling was so much vexed when he heard of Blyth Scudamore's + capture by the French, and duty compelled him to inform the mother, that + he would rather have ridden a thousand miles upon barley-bread than face + her. He knew how the whole of her life was now bound up with the fortunes + of her son, and he longed to send Faith with the bad news, as he had sent + her with the good before; but he feared that it might seem unkind. So he + went himself, with the hope of putting the best complexion upon it, yet + fully expecting sad distress, and perhaps a burst of weeping. But the lady + received his tidings in a manner that surprised him. At first she indulged + in a tear or two, but they only introduced a smile. + </p> + <p> + “In some ways it is a sad thing,” she said, “and will be a terrible blow + to him, just when he was rising so fast in the service. But we must not + rebel more than we can help, against the will of the Lord, Sir Charles.” + </p> + <p> + “How philosophical, and how commonplace!” thought the Admiral; but he only + bowed, and paid her some compliment upon her common-sense. + </p> + <p> + “Perhaps you scarcely understand my views, and perhaps I am wrong in + having them,” Lady Scudamore continued, quietly. “My son's advancement is + very dear to me, and this will of course retard it. But I care most of all + for his life, and now that will be safe for a long while. They never kill + their prisoners, do they?” + </p> + <p> + “No, ma'am, no. They behave very well to them; better, I'm afraid, than we + do to ours. They treat them quite as guests, when they fall into good + hands. Though Napoleon himself is not too mild in that way.” + </p> + <p> + “My son has fallen into very good hands, as you yourself assure me—that + Captain Desportes, a gallant officer and kind gentleman, as I know from + your daughter's description. Blyth is quite equal to Lord Nelson in + personal daring, and possibly not behind him in abilities. Consider how + shockingly poor Nelson has been injured, and he feels convinced himself + that they will have his life at last. No officer can be a hero without + getting very sad wounds, and perhaps losing his life. Every one who does + his duty must at least be wounded.” + </p> + <p> + The Admiral, who had never received a scratch, was not at all charmed with + this view of naval duty; but he was too polite to enter protest, and only + made one of his old-fashioned scrapes. + </p> + <p> + “I am sure every time I have heard a gun coming from the sea, and + especially after dark,” the lady resumed, without thinking of him, “it has + made me miserable to know that probably Blyth was rushing into some deadly + conflict. But now I shall feel that he cannot do that; and I hope they + will keep him until the fighting grows milder. He used to send me all his + money, poor dear boy! And now I shall try to send him some of mine, if it + can be arranged about bank-notes. And now I can do it very easily, thanks + to your kindness, Sir Charles, his father's best friend, and his own, and + mine.” + </p> + <p> + Lady Scudamore shed another tear or two, not of sorrow, but of pride, + while she put her hand into her pocket, as if to begin the remittance at + once. “You owe me no thanks, ma'am,” said the Admiral, smiling; “if any + thanks are due, they are due to the King, for remembering at last what he + should have done before.” + </p> + <p> + “Would he ever have thought of me, but for you? It is useless to talk in + that way, Sir Charles; it only increases the obligation, which I must + entreat you not to do. How I wish I could help you in anything!” + </p> + <p> + “Every day you are helping me,” he replied, with truth; “although I am + away too often to know all about it, or even to thank you. I hope my dear + Faith has persuaded you not to leave us for the winter, as you + threatened.” + </p> + <p> + “Faith can persuade me to anything she pleases. She possesses the power of + her name,” replied the lady; “but the power is not called for, when the + persuasion is so pleasant. For a month, I must be away to visit my dear + mother, as I always have done at this time of year; and then, but for one + thing, I would return most gladly. For I am very selfish, you must know, + Sir Charles—I have a better chance of hearing of my dear son at + these head-quarters of the defence of England, than I should have even in + London.” + </p> + <p> + “Certainly,” cried the Admiral, who magnified his office; “such a number + of despatches pass through my hands; and if I can't make them out, why, my + daughter Dolly can. I don't suppose, Lady Scudamore, that even when you + lived in the midst of the world you ever saw any girl half so clever as my + Dolly. I don't let her know it—that would never do, of course—but + she always gets the best of me, upon almost any question.” + </p> + <p> + Sir Charles, for the moment, forgot his best manners, and spread his coat + so that one might see between his legs. “I stand like this,” he said, “and + she stands there; and I take her to task for not paying her bills—for + some of those fellows have had to come to me, which is not as it should be + in a country place, where people don't understand the fashionable system. + She stands there, ma'am, and I feel as sure as if I were an English + twenty-four bearing down upon a Frenchman of fifty guns, that she can only + haul her colours down and rig out gangway ladders—when, bless me and + keep me! I am carried by surprise, and driven under hatchways, and if + there is a guinea in my hold, it flies into the enemy's locker! If it + happened only once, I should think nothing of it. But when I know exactly + what is coming, and have double-shotted every gun, and set up + hammock-nettings, and taken uncommon care to have the weather-gage, 'tis + the Devil, Lady Scudamore—excuse me, madam—'tis the Devil to a + ditty-bag that I have her at my mercy. And yet it always comes to money + out of pocket, madam!” + </p> + <p> + “She certainly has a great power over gentlemen”—Blyth's mother + smiled demurely, as if she were sorry to confess it; “but she is + exceedingly young, Sir Charles, and every allowance must be made for her.” + </p> + <p> + “And by the Lord Harry, she gets it, madam. She takes uncommonly good care + of that. But what is the one thing you mentioned that would prevent you + from coming back to us with pleasure?” + </p> + <p> + “I scarcely like to speak of it. But it is about that self-same Dolly. She + is not fond of advice, and she knows how quick she is, and that makes her + resent a word from slower people. She has taken it into her head, I fear, + that I am here as a restraint upon her; a sort of lady spy, a duenna, a + dictatress, all combined in one, and all unpleasant. This often makes me + fancy that I have no right to be here. And then your sweet Faith comes, + and all is smooth again.” + </p> + <p> + “Dolly has the least little possible touch of the vixen about her. I have + found it out lately,” said the Admiral, as if he were half doubtful still; + “Nelson told me so, and I was angry with him. But I believe he was right, + as he generally is. His one eye sees more than a score of mine would. But, + my dear madam, if that is your only objection to coming back to us, or + rather to my daughters, I beg you not to let it weigh a feather's weight + with you. Or, at any rate, enhance the obligation to us, by putting it + entirely on one side. Dolly has the very finest heart in all the world; + not so steady perhaps as Faith's, nor quite so fair to other people, but + wonderfully warm, ma'am, and as sound as—as a roach.” + </p> + <p> + Lady Scudamore could not help laughing a little, and she hoped for her + son's sake that this account was true. Her gratitude and good-will to the + Admiral, as well as her duty to her son, made her give the promise sought + for; and she began to prepare for her journey at once, that she might be + back in good time for the winter. But she felt very doubtful, at leaving + the Hall, whether she had done quite right in keeping her suspicions of + Dolly from Dolly's father. For with eyes which were sharpened by jealousy + for the interests, or at least the affections, of her son, she had long + perceived that his lady-love was playing a dangerous game with Caryl + Carne. Sometimes she believed that she ought to speak of this, for the + good of the family; because she felt the deepest mistrust and dislike of + Carne, who strictly avoided her whenever he could; but on the other hand + she found the subject most delicate and difficult to handle. For she had + taken good care at the outset not to be here upon any false pretences. At + the very first interview with her host she had spoken of Blyth's + attachment to his younger daughter, of which the Admiral had heard already + from that youthful sailor. And the Admiral had simply said, as in Captain + Twemlow's case: “Let us leave them to themselves. I admire the young man. + If she likes him, I shall make no objection, when they are old enough, and + things are favourable.” And now if she told him of the other love-affair, + it would look like jealousy of a rival. Perhaps a hundred times a day, as + her love for gentle Faith grew faster than her liking for the sprightly + Dolly, she would sigh that her son did not see things like herself; but + bitter affliction had taught her that the course of this life follows our + own wishes about as much as another man's dog heeds our whistle. But, for + all that, this good lady hoped some day to see things come round as she + would like to bring them. + </p> + <p> + “No wonder that we like her son so much,” said Faith when they had done + waving handkerchiefs at the great yellow coach going slowly up the hill, + with its vast wicker basket behind, and the guard perched over it with his + blunderbus; “he takes after his mother in so many ways. They are both so + simple and unsuspicious, and they make the best of every one.” + </p> + <p> + “Including themselves, I suppose,” answered Dolly. “Well I like people who + have something on their minds, and make the worst of everybody. They have + so much more to talk about.” + </p> + <p> + “You should never try to be sarcastic, dear. And you know that you don't + mean it. I am sure you don't like to have the worst made of yourself.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, I have long been used to that. And I never care about it, when I know + it is not true. I am sure that Mother Scudamore runs me down, when I am + out of hearing. I never did like those perfect people.” + </p> + <p> + “Mother Scudamore, indeed! You are getting into a low way of talking, + which is not at all pretty in a girl. And I never heard her say an unkind + word about you. Though she may not have found you quite so perfect as she + hoped.” + </p> + <p> + “I tell you, Miss Darling,” cried Dolly, with her bright colour deepened, + and her grey eyes flashing, “that I don't care a—something that papa + often says—what she thinks about me, or you either. I know that she + has come here to spy out all my ways.” + </p> + <p> + “You should not have any to be spied out, Dolly,” Faith answered, with + some sternness, and a keen look at her sister, whose eyes fell beneath her + gaze. “You will be sorry, when you think of what you said to me, who have + done nothing whatever to offend you. But that is a trifle compared with + acting unfairly to our father. Father is the kindest man that ever lived; + but he can be stern in great matters, I warn you. If he ever believes that + you have deceived him, you will never be again to him what you have always + been.” + </p> + <p> + They had sent the carriage home that they might walk across the fields, + and this little scene between the sisters took place upon a foot-path + which led back to their grounds. Dolly knew that she was in the wrong, and + that increased her anger. + </p> + <p> + “So you are another spy upon me, I suppose. 'Tis a pretty thing to have + one's sister for an old duenna. Pray who gave you authority to lord it + over me?” + </p> + <p> + “You know as well as I do”—Faith spoke with a smile of superior + calmness, as Dolly tossed her head—“that I am about the last person + in the world to be a spy. Neither do I ever lord it over you. If anything, + that matter is very much the other way. But being so much older, and your + principal companion, it would be very odd of me, and as I think most + unkind, if I did not take an interest in all your goings on.” + </p> + <p> + “My goings on! What a lady-like expression! Who has got into a low way of + talking now? Well, if you please, madam, what have you found out?” + </p> + <p> + “I have found out nothing, and made no attempt to do so. But I see that + you are altered very much from what you used to be; and I am sure that + there is something on your mind. Why not tell me all about it? I would + promise to let it go no further, and I would not pretend to advise, unless + you wished. I am your only sister, and we have always been together. It + would make you so much more comfortable, I am certain of that, in your own + mind, darling. And you know when we were little girls, dear mother on her + death-bed put her hands upon our heads and said, 'Be loving sisters + always, and never let anything come between you.' And for father's sake, + too, you should try to do it. Put aside all nonsense about spies and + domineering, and trust me as your sister, that's my own darling Dolly.” + </p> + <p> + “How can I resist you? I will make a clean breast of it;” Dolly sighed + deeply, but a wicked smile lay ambushed in her bright eyes and upon her + rosy lips. “The sad truth is that my heart has been quite sore since I + heard the shocking tidings about poor old Daddy Stokes. He went to bed the + other night with his best hat on, both his arms in an old muff he found in + the ditch, and his leathern breeches turned inside out.” + </p> + <p> + “Then the poor old man had a cleaner breast than yours,” cried Faith, who + had prepared her heart and eyes for tears of sympathy; “he goes upon his + knees every night, stiff as they are, and his granddaughter has to help + him up. But as for you, you are the most unfeeling, mocking, godless, + unnatural creature that ever never cared what became of anybody. Here we + are at the corner where the path divides. You go home that way, and I'll + go home by this.” + </p> + <p> + “Well, I'm so glad! I really did believe that it was quite impossible to + put you in a rage. Now don't be in a hurry, dear, to beg my pardon.” + </p> + <p> + “Of that you may be quite sure,” cried Faith across the corner of the + meadow where the paths diverged; “I never was less in a passion in my + life; and it will be your place to apologise.” + </p> + <p> + Dolly sent a merry laugh across the widening interval; and Faith, who was + just beginning to fear that she had been in a passion, was convinced by + that laugh that she had not. But the weight lifted from her conscience + fell more heavily upon her heart. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0049" id="link2HCH0049"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XLIX + </h2> + <h3> + EVIL COMMUNICATIONS + </h3> + <p> + Although she pretended to be so merry, and really was so self-confident + (whenever anybody wanted to help her), Miss Dolly Darling, when left to + herself, was not like herself, as it used to be. Her nature was lively, + and her spirit very high; every one had petted her, before she could have + earned it by aught except childish beauty; and no one had left off doing + it, when she was bound to show better claim to it. All this made doubt, + and darkness, and the sense of not being her own mistress, very snappish + things to her, and she gained relief—sweet-tempered as she was when + pleased—by a snap at others. For although she was not given, any + more than other young people are, to plaguesome self-inspection, she could + not help feeling that she was no longer the playful young Dolly that she + loved so well. A stronger, and clearer, yet more mysterious will than her + own had conquered hers; but she would not confess it, and yield entire + obedience; neither could she cast it off. Her pride still existed, as + strong as ever, whenever temper roused it; but there was too much of + vanity in its composition, and too little of firm self-respect. Contempt + from a woman she could not endure; neither from a man, if made manifest; + but Carne so calmly took the upper hand, without any show of having it, + that she fell more and more beneath his influence. + </p> + <p> + He, knowing thoroughly what he was about, did nothing to arouse + resistance. So far as he was capable of loving any one, he was now in love + with Dolly. He admired her quickness, and pretty girlish ways, and gaiety + of nature (so unlike his own), and most of all her beauty. He had made up + his mind that she should be his wife when fitted for that dignity; but he + meant to make her useful first, and he saw his way to do so. He knew that + she acted more and more as her father's secretary, for she wrote much + faster than her sister Faith, and was quicker in catching up a meaning. + Only it was needful to sap her little prejudices—candour, to wit, + and the sense of trust, and above all, patriotic feeling. He rejoiced when + he heard that Lady Scudamore was gone, and the Rector had taken his wife + and daughter for change of air to Tunbridge Wells, Miss Twemlow being + seriously out of health through anxiety about Mr. Shargeloes. For that + gentleman had disappeared, without a line or message, just when Mr. + Furkettle, the chief lawyer in the neighbourhood, was beginning to prepare + the marriage-settlement; and although his cook and house-maid were furious + at the story, Mrs. Blocks had said, and all the parish now believed, that + Sir Parsley Sugarloaf had flown away to Scotland rather than be brought to + book—that fatal part of the Prayer-book—by the Rector and + three or four brother clergymen. + </p> + <p> + This being so, and Frank Darling absorbed in London with the publication + of another batch of poems, dedicated to Napoleon, while Faith stood aloof + with her feelings hurt, and the Admiral stood off and on in the wearisome + cruise of duty, Carne had the coast unusually clear for the entry and + arrangement of his contraband ideas. He met the fair Dolly almost every + day, and their interviews did not grow shorter, although the days were + doing so. + </p> + <p> + “You should have been born in France,” he said, one bright November + morning, when they sat more comfortable than they had any right to be, + upon the very same seat where the honest but hapless Captain Scuddy had + tried to venture to lisp his love; “that is the land you belong to, + darling, by beauty and manners and mind and taste, and most of all by your + freedom from prejudice, and great liberality of sentiment.” + </p> + <p> + “But I thought we were quite as good-looking in England;” Dolly lifted her + long black lashes, with a flash which might challenge the brilliance of + any French eyes; “but of course you know best. I know nothing of French + ladies.” + </p> + <p> + “Don't be a fool, Dolly;” Carne spoke rudely, but made up for it in + another way. “There never was a French girl to equal you in loveliness; + but you must not suppose that you beat them all round. One point + particularly you are far behind in. A French woman leaves all political + questions, and national matters, and public affairs, entirely to her + husband, or her lover, as the case may be. Whatever he wishes is the law + for her. Thy gods shall be my gods.” + </p> + <p> + “But you said they had great liberality of sentiment, and now you say they + have no opinions of their own! How can the two things go together?” + </p> + <p> + “Very easily,” said Carne, who was accustomed to be baffled by such little + sallies; “they take their opinions from their husbands, who are always + liberal. This produces happiness on both sides—a state of things + unknown in England. Let me tell you of something important, mainly as it + concerns yourself, sweet Dolly. The French are certain to unite with + England, and then we shall be the grandest nation in the world. No power + in Europe can stand before us. All will be freedom, and civilization, and + great ideas, and fine taste in dress. I shall recover the large estates, + that would now be mine, but for usury and fraud. And you will be one of + the first ladies in the world, as nature has always intended you to be.” + </p> + <p> + “That sounds very well; but how is it to be done? How can France unite + with England, when they are bitter enemies? Is France to conquer England + first? Or are we to conquer France, as we always used to do?” + </p> + <p> + “That would be a hard job now, when France is the mistress of the + Continent. No, there need be no conquering, sweet Dolly, but only a little + removal. The true interest of this country is—as that mighty party, + the Whigs, perceive—to get rid of all the paltry forms and dry bones + of a dynasty which is no more English than Napoleon is, and to join that + great man in his warfare against all oppression. Your brother Frank is a + leading spirit; he has long cast off that wretched insular prejudice which + defeats all good. In the grand new scheme of universal right, which must + prevail very shortly, Frank Darling will obtain that foremost place to + which his noble views entitle him. You, as his sister, and my wife, will + be adored almost as much as you could wish.” + </p> + <p> + “It sounds very grand,” answered Dolly, with a smile, though a little + alarmed at this turn of it; “but what is to become of the King, and Queen, + and all the royal family? And what is my father to do, and Faith? Although + she has not behaved well to me.” + </p> + <p> + “Those details will be arranged to everybody's satisfaction. Little + prejudices will subside, when it is seen that they are useless. Every + possible care will be taken not to injure any one.” + </p> + <p> + “But how is it all to be done?” asked Dolly, whose mind was practical, + though romantic. “Are the French to land, and overrun the country? I am + sure I never should agree to that. Are all our defenders to be thrown into + prison?” + </p> + <p> + “Certainly not. There will be no prisons. The French might have to land, + as a matter of form; but not to overrun the country, only to secure + British liberties and justice. All sensible people would hasten to join + them, and any opposition would be quenched at once. Then such a glorious + condition of mankind would ensue as has never been known in this world—peace, + wealth, universal happiness, gaiety, dancing everywhere, no more shabby + clothes, no more dreary Sundays. How do you like the thought of it?” + </p> + <p> + “Well, some of it sounds very nice; but I don't see the use of universal + justice. Justice means having one's own rights; and it is impossible for + everybody to do that, because of other people. And as for the French + coming to put things right, they had better attend to their own affairs + first. And as if any Englishman would permit it! Why, even Frank would + mount his wig and gown (for he is a full-fledged barrister now, you know), + and come and help to push them back into the sea. And I hope that you + would do so too. I am not going to marry a Frenchman. You belong to an old + English family, and you were born in England, and your name is English, + and the property that ought to belong to you. I hope you don't consider + yourself a Frenchman because your mother is a great French lady, after so + many generations of Carnes, all English, every bit of them. I am an + English girl, and I care very little for things that I don't see—such + as justice, liberty, rights of people, and all that. But I do care about + my relations, and our friends, and the people that live here, and the + boats, and all the trees, and the land that belongs to my father. Very + likely you would want to take that away, and give it to some miserable + Frenchman.” + </p> + <p> + “Dolly, my dear, you must not be excited,” Carne answered, in the manner + of a father; “powerful as your comprehension is, for the moment these + things are beyond it. Your meaning is excellent, very good, very great; + but to bring it to bear requires further information. We will sit by the + side of the sea to-morrow, darling, if you grant me a view of your + loveliness again; and there you will see things in a larger light than + upon this narrow bench, with your father's trees around us, and your + father's cows enquiring whether I am good to eat. Get away, cow! Do you + take me for a calf?” + </p> + <p> + One of the cows best loved by Dolly, who was very fond of good animals, + had come up to ask who this man was that had been sitting here so long + with her. She was gifted with a white face and large soft eyes—even + beyond the common measure of a cow—short little horns, that she + would scarcely think of pushing even at a dog (unless he made mouths at + her infant), a flat broad nose ever genial to be rubbed, and a delicate + fringe of finely pointed yellow hairs around her pleasant nostrils and + above her clovery lips. With single-hearted charity and enviable faith she + was able to combine the hope that Dolly had obtained a lover as good as + could be found upon a single pair of legs. Carne was attired with some + bravery, of the French manner rather than the English, and he wanted no + butter on his velvet and fine lace. So he swung round his cane of heavy + snakewood at the cow, and struck her poor horns so sharply that her head + went round. + </p> + <p> + “Is that universal peace, and gentleness, and justice?” cried Dolly, + springing up and hastening to console her cow. “Is this the way the lofty + French redress the wrongs of England? What had poor Dewlips done, I should + like to know? Kiss me, my pretty, and tell me how you would like the + French army to land, as a matter of form? The form you would take would be + beef, I'm afraid; not even good roast beef, but bouillon, potage, + fricandeau, friture—anything one cannot taste any meat in; and that + is how your wrongs would be redressed, after having had both your horns + knocked off. And about the same fate for John Bull, your master, unless he + keeps his horns well sharpened. Do I not speak the truth, monsieur?” + </p> + <p> + When Carne did anything to vex Miss Dolly—which happened pretty + often, for he could not stop to study much her little prejudices—she + addressed him as if he were a Frenchman, never doubting that this must + reduce him sadly in his self-esteem. + </p> + <p> + “Never mind matters political,” he said, perceiving that his power must + not be pressed until he had deepened its foundations; “what are all the + politics in the world compared with your good opinion, Beauty?” Dolly + liked to be called “Beauty,” and the name always made her try to deserve + it by looking sweet. “You must be quite certain that I would do nothing to + injure a country which contains my Dolly. And as for Madam Cow, I will beg + her pardon, though my cane is hurt a great deal more than her precious + horns are. Behold me snap it in twain, although it is the only handsome + one I possess, because it has offended you!” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, what a pity! What a lovely piece of wood!” cried Dolly; and they + parted on the best of terms, after a warm vow upon either side that no + nasty politics should ever come between them. + </p> + <p> + But Carne was annoyed and discontented. He came to the edge of the cliff + that evening below his ruined castle; for there are no cliffs at + Springhaven, unless the headland deserves that name; and there he sat + gloomily for some hours, revolving the chances of his enterprise. The + weather had changed since the morning, and a chill November wind began to + urge the waves ashore. The sky was not very dark, but shredded with loose + grey vapours from the west, where a heavy bank of clouds lay under the + pale crescent of a watery moon. In the distance two British cruisers + shone, light ships of outlook, under easy sail, prepared to send the + signal for a hundred leagues, from ship to ship and cliff to cliff, if any + of England's foes appeared. They shone upon the dark sea, with canvas + touched by moonlight, and seemed ready to spring against the lowering sky, + if it held any menace to the land they watched, or the long reach of water + they had made their own. + </p> + <p> + “A pest upon those watch-dogs!” muttered Carne. “They are always + wide-awake, and forever at their stations. Instead of growing tired, they + get sharper every day. Even Charron can scarcely run through them now. But + I know who could do it, if he could only be trusted. With a pilot-boat—it + is a fine idea—a pilot-boat entered as of Pebbleridge. The + Pebbleridge people hate Springhaven, through a feud of centuries, and + Springhaven despises Pebbleridge. It would answer well, although the + landing is so bad, and no anchorage possible in rough weather. I must try + if Dan Tugwell will undertake it. None of the rest know the coast as he + does, and few of them have the bravery. But Dan is a very sulky fellow, + very difficult to manage. He will never betray us; he is wonderfully + grateful; and after that battle with the press-gang, when he knocked down + the officer and broke his arm, he will keep pretty clear of the + Union-jack. But he goes about moping, and wondering, and mooning, as if he + were wretched about what he has to do. Bless my soul, where is my + invention? I see the way to have him under my thumb. Reason is an old coat + hanging on a peg; passion is the fool who puts it on and runs away with + it. Halloa! Who are you? And what do you want at such a time as this? + Surely you can see that I am not at leisure now. Why, Tugwell, I thought + that you were far away at sea!” + </p> + <p> + “So I was, sir; but she travels fast. I never would believe the old London + Trader could be driven through the water so. Sam Polwhele knows how to + pile it on a craft, as well as he do upon a man, sir. I won't serve under + him no more, nor Captain Charcoal either. I have done my duty by you. + Squire Carne, the same as you did by me, sir; and thanking you for finding + me work so long, my meaning is to go upon the search to-morrow.” + </p> + <p> + “What fools they must have been to let this fellow come ashore!” thought + Carne, while he failed to see the wisest way to take it. “Tugwell, you + cannot do this with any honour, after we have shown you all the secrets of + our enterprise. You know that what we do is of the very highest honour, + kind and humane and charitable, though strictly forbidden by a most + inhuman government. How would you like, if you were a prisoner in France, + to be debarred from all chance of getting any message from your family, + your wife, your sweetheart, or your children, from year's end to year's + end, and perhaps be dead for months without their knowing anything about + it?” + </p> + <p> + “Well, sir, I should think it very hard indeed; though, if I was dead, I + shouldn't know much more about it. But, without reproach to you, I cannot + make out altogether that our only business is to carry letters for the + prisoners, as now may be in England, from their loving friends to command + in their native country. I won't say against you, sir, if you say it is—that + is, to the outside of all your knowledge. And twenty thousand of them may + need letters by the sack. But what use they could make, sir, of cannon as + big as I be, and muskets that would kill a man a hundred yards of + distance, and bayonets more larger and more sharper than ever I see + before, even with the Royal Volunteers—this goes out of all my + calculation.” + </p> + <p> + “Daniel, you have expressed your views, which are remarkable—as + indeed they always are—with your usual precision. But you have not + observed things with equal accuracy. Do you know when a gun is past + service?” + </p> + <p> + “No, sir; I never was a poacher, no-how. Squire Darling, that is to say, + Sir Charles Darling now, according to a chap on board, he was always so + good upon his land that nobody durst go a-poaching.” + </p> + <p> + “I mean a cannon, Dan. They don't poach with cannon yet, though they may + come to do it, as the game-laws increase. Do you know when a cannon is + unsafe to fire, though it may look as bright as ever, like a worn-out + poker? All those things that have frightened you are only meant for + ornament. You know that every ancient building ought to have its armoury, + as this castle always had, until they were taken away and sold. My + intention is to restore it, when I can afford to do so. And having a lot + of worn-out weapons offered me for next to nothing, I seized the chance of + bringing them. When times are better, and the war is over, I may find time + to arrange them. But that is not of much importance. The great point is to + secure the delivery of letters from their native land to the brave men + here as prisoners. I cannot afford to do that for nothing, though I make + no profit out of it. I have so many things to think about that I scarcely + know which to consider first. And after all, what matters to us whether + those poor men are allowed to die, and be buried like dogs, without + knowledge of their friends? Why should we run the risk of being punished + for them?” + </p> + <p> + “Well, sir, that seems hard doctrine, if I may be allowed to say so, and + not like your kind-heartedness. Our Government have no right to stop them + of their letters.” + </p> + <p> + “It is a cruel thing. But how are we to help it? The London Trader is too + large for the purpose, and she is under suspicion now. I tell you + everything, Daniel, because I know that you are a true-hearted fellow, and + far above all blabbing. I have thought once or twice of obtaining leave to + purchase a stout and handy pilot-boat, with her licence and all that + transferred to us, and so running to and fro when needful. The only risk + then would be from perils of the sea; and even the pressmen dare not + meddle with a pilot-boat. By-the-by, I have heard that you knocked some of + them about. Tugwell, you might have got us all into sad trouble.” + </p> + <p> + “Was I to think of what I was doing, Squire Carne, when they wanted to + make a slave of me? I would serve King George with a good heart, in spite + of all that father has said against it. But it must be with a free will, + Squire Carne, and not to be tied hand and foot to it. How would you like + that yourself, sir?” + </p> + <p> + “Well, I think I should have done as you did, Dan, if I had been a British + sailor. But as to this pilot-boat, I must have a bold and good seaman to + command it. A man who knows the coast, and is not afraid of weather. Of + course we should expect to pay good wages; 3 pounds a week, perhaps, and a + guinea for every bag of letters landed safe. There are plenty of men who + would jump at such a chance, Dan.” + </p> + <p> + “I'll be bound there are, sir. And it is more than I am worth, if you mean + offering the place to me. It would suit me wonderful, if I was certain + that the job was honest.” + </p> + <p> + “Daniel Tugwell”—Carne spoke with great severity—“I will not + lose my temper, for I am sure you mean no insult. But you must be of a + very low, suspicious nature, and quite unfit for any work of a lofty and + unselfish order, if you can imagine that a man in my position, a man of my + large sentiments—” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, no, sir, no; it was not at all that”—Dan scarcely knew how to + tell what it was—“it was nothing at all of that manner of thinking. + I heartily ask your pardon, sir, if it seemed to go in that way.” + </p> + <p> + “Don't do that,” replied Carne, “because I can make allowances. I know + what a fine nature is, and how it takes alarm at shadows. I am always + tender with honest scruples, because I find so many of them in myself. I + should not have been pleased with you, if you had accepted my offer—although + so advantageous, and full of romantic interest—until you were + convinced of its honourable nature. I have no time for argument, and I am + sorry that you must not come up to the castle for supper, because we have + an old Springhaven man there, who would tell your father all about you, + which you especially wish to avoid. But if you feel inclined for this + berth—as you sailors seem to call it—and hesitate through some + patriotic doubts, though I cannot understand what they are, I will bring + you a document (if you meet me here to-morrow night) from Admiral Sir + Charles Darling, which I think will satisfy you.” + </p> + <p> + “And shall I be allowed to keep it, sir, to show, in case of trouble?” + </p> + <p> + “Very likely. But I cannot say for certain. Some of those official forms + must be returned, others not; all depends upon their rules. Now go and + make yourself comfortable. How are you off for money?” + </p> + <p> + “Plenty, sir, plenty. I must not go where anybody knows me, or to-morrow + half the talk at old Springhaven would be about me. Good-night, sir, and + God bless you.” + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0050" id="link2HCH0050"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER L + </h2> + <h3> + HIS SAVAGE SPIRIT + </h3> + <p> + At this time letters came very badly, not only to French prisoners in + England, but even to the highest authorities, who had the very best means + of getting them. Admiral Darling had often written to his old friend + Nelson, but had long been without any tidings from him, through no default + on the hero's part. Lord Nelson was almost as prompt with the pen as he + was with the sword, but despatches were most irregular and uncertain. + </p> + <p> + “Here at last we have him!” cried Sir Charles one morning early in + December; “and not more than five weeks old, I declare! Dolly, be ready, + and call Faith down. Now read it, my dear, for our benefit. Your godfather + writes a most excellent hand, considering that it is his left hand; but my + eyes are sore from so much night-work. Put on my specs, Dolly; I should + like to see you in them.” + </p> + <p> + “Am I to read every word, papa, just as it comes? You know that he + generally puts in words that are rather strong for me.” + </p> + <p> + “Nelson never thought or wrote a single word unfit for the nicest young + lady. But you may hold up your hand if you come to any strong expressions, + and we shall understand them.” + </p> + <p> + “Then I shall want both hands as soon as ever we come to the very first + Frenchman. But this is what my godfather says: + </p> + <p> + “'VICTORY, OFF TOULON, October 31st, 1804. + </p> + <p> + “'MY DEAR LINGO,—It was only yesterday that I received your letter + of July 21st; it went in a Spanish smuggling boat to the coast of Italy + and returned again to Spain, not having met any of our ships. And now I + hope that you will see me before you see this letter. We are certain to be + at war with Spain before another month is out, and I am heartily sorry for + it, for I like those fellows better than the French, because they are not + such liars. My successor has been appointed, I have reason to hope, and + must be far on his way by this time; probably Keith, but I cannot say. + Ministers cannot suppose that I want to fly the service; my whole life has + proved the contrary; if they refuse, I shall most certainly leave in March + or April, for a few months' rest I must have, or else die. My cough is + very bad, and my side where I was struck off Cape St. Vincent is very much + swelled, at times a lump as large as my fist is brought on by violent + coughing, but I hope and believe my lungs are sound. I hope to do good + service yet, or else I should not care so much. But if I am in my grave, + how can I serve the Country? + </p> + <p> + “'You will say, this is not at all like Nelson, to write about nothing but + his own poor self; and thank God, Lingo, I can say that you are right; for + if ever a man lived for the good of England and the destruction of those'”—here + Dolly held a hand up—“'Frenchmen, it is the man in front of this + ink-bottle. The Lord has appointed me to that duty, and I shall carry out + my orders. Mons. La Touche, who was preached about in France as the man + that was to extinguish me, and even in the scurvy English newspapers, but + never dared to show his snivelly countenance outside of the inner buoys, + is dead of his debosheries, for which I am deeply grieved, as I fully + intended to send him to the devil. + </p> + <p> + “'I have been most unlucky for some time now, and to tell the truth I may + say always. But I am the last man in the world to grumble—as you, my + dear Lingo, can testify. I always do the utmost, with a single mind, and + leave the thought of miserable pelf to others, men perhaps who never saw a + shotted cannon fired. You know who made eighty thousand pounds, without + having to wipe his pigtail—dirty things, I am glad they are gone out—but + my business is to pay other people's debts, and receive all my credits in + the shape of cannon-balls. This is always so, and I should let it pass as + usual, except for a blacker trick than I have ever known before. For fear + of giving me a single chance of earning twopence, they knew that there was + a million and a half of money coming into Cadiz from South America in four + Spanish frigates, and instead of leaving me to catch them, they sent out + Graham Moore—you know him very well—with orders to pocket + everything. This will create a war with Spain, a war begun with robbery on + our part, though it must have come soon in any case. For everywhere now, + except where I am, that fiend of a Corsican is supreme. + </p> + <p> + “'There is not a sick man in this fleet, unless it is the one inside my + coat. That liar La Touche said HE CHASED ME AND I RAN. I keep a copy of + his letter, which it would have been my duty to make him eat, if he had + ventured out again. But he is gone to the lake of brimstone now, and I + have the good feeling to forgive him. If my character is not fixed by this + time, it is not worth my trouble to put the world right. Yesterday I took + a look into the port within easy reach of their batteries. They lay like a + lot of mice holed in a trap, but the weather was too thick to count them. + They are certainly nearly twice our number; and if any one was here except + poor little Nelson, I believe they would venture out. But my reputation + deprives me always of any fair chance to increase it. + </p> + <p> + “'And now, my dear Lingo, allow me to enquire how you are getting on with + your Coast-defence. I never did attach much importance to their senseless + invasion scheme. The only thing to make it formidable would be some + infernal traitor on the coast, some devilish spy who would keep them well + informed, and enable them to land where least expected. If there is such a + scoundrel, may the Lord Almighty'”—here both Dolly's hands went up, + with the letter in them, and her face turned as white as the paper. + </p> + <p> + “'I have often told you, as you may remember, that Springhaven is the very + place I should choose, if I were commander of the French flotilla. It + would turn the flank of all the inland defences, and no British ship could + attack their intrenchments, if once they were snug below the windows of + the Hall. But they are not likely to know this, thank God; and if they + did, they would have a job to get there. However, it is wise to keep a + sharp lookout, for they know very well that I am far away. + </p> + <p> + “'And now that I have got to your own doors, which I heartily hope to do, + perhaps before you see this, let me ask for yourself and all your dear + family. Lingo, the longer I live the more I feel that all the true + happiness of life is found at home. My glory is very great, and satisfies + me, except when it scares the enemy; but I very often feel that I would + give it all away for a quiet life among those who love me. Your daughter + Faith is a sweet young woman, just what I should wish for a child of mine + to be. And Horatia, my godchild, will turn out very well, if a sharp hand + is kept over her. But she takes after me, she is daring and ambitious, and + requires a firm hand at the helm. Read this to her, with my love, and I + dare say she will only laugh at it. If she marries to my liking, she will + be down for a good thing in my will, some day. God bless us all. Amen. + Amen. + </p> + <p> + “'Yours affectionately, + </p> + <p> + “'NELSON AND BRONTE.'” + </p> + <p> + “Take it to heart, my dear; and so must I,” said the Admiral, laughing at + the face his daughter made; “your godfather is a most excellent judge of + everybody's character except his own. But, bless me, my dear, why, you are + crying! You silly little thing! I was only in fun. You shall marry to his + liking, and be down for the good thing. Look up, and laugh at everybody, + my darling. No one laughs so merrily as my pretty Dolly. Why, Faith, what + does she mean by this?” + </p> + <p> + To the coaxing voice of her father, and the playful glance that she used + to play with, Dolly had not rushed up at all, either with mind, or, if + that failed, with body, as she always used to do. She hurried towards the + door, as if she longed to be away from them; and then, as if she would + rather not make any stir about it, sat down and pretended to have caught + her dress in something. + </p> + <p> + “The only thing is to let her go on as she likes,” Faith said aloud, so + that Dolly might hear all of it; “I have done all I can, but she believes + herself superior. She cannot bear any sort of contradiction, and she + expects one to know what she says, without her saying it. There is nothing + to be done but to treat her the same way. If she is left to herself, she + may come back to it.” + </p> + <p> + “Well, my dear children,” said the Admiral, much alarmed at the prospect + of a broil between them, such as he remembered about three years back, “I + make no pretence to understand your ways. If you were boys, it would be + different altogether. But the Almighty has been pleased to make you girls, + and very good ones too; in fact, there are none to be found better. You + have always been bound up with one another and with me; and every one + admires all the three of us. So that we must be content if a little thing + arises, not to make too much of it, but bear with one another, and defy + anybody to come in between us. Kiss one another, my dears, and be off; for + I have much correspondence to attend to, besides the great Nelson's, + though I took him first, hoping for something sensible. But I have not + much to learn about Springhaven, even from his lordship. However, he is a + man in ten thousand, and we must not be vexed about any of his crotchets, + because he has never had children to talk about; and he gets out of + soundings when he talks about mine. I wish Lady Scudamore was come back. + She always agrees with me, and she takes a great load off my shoulders.” + </p> + <p> + The girls laughed at this, as they were meant to do. And they hurried off + together, to compare opinions. After all these years of independence, no + one should be set up over them. Upon that point Faith was quite as + resolute as Dolly; and her ladyship would have refused to come back, if + she had overheard their council. For even in the loftiest feminine nature + lurks a small tincture of jealousy. + </p> + <p> + But Dolly was now in an evil frame of mind about many things which she + could not explain even to herself, with any satisfaction. Even that + harmless and pleasant letter from her great godfather went amiss with her; + and instead of laughing at the words about herself, as with a sound + conscience she must have done, she brooded over them, and turned them + bitter. No man could have mixed up things as she did, but her mind was + nimble. For the moment, she hated patriotism, because Nelson represented + it; and feeling how wrong he had been about herself, she felt that he was + wrong in everything. The French were fine fellows, and had quite as much + right to come here as we had to go and harass them, and a little abatement + of English conceit might be a good thing in the long-run. Not that she + would let them stay here long; that was not to be thought of, and they + would not wish it. But a little excitement would be delightful, and a + great many things might be changed for the better, such as the treatment + of women in this country, which was barbarous, compared to what it was in + France. Caryl had told her a great deal about that; and the longer she + knew him the more she was convinced of his wisdom and the largeness of his + views, so different from the savage spirit of Lord Nelson. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0051" id="link2HCH0051"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER LI + </h2> + <h3> + STRANGE CRAFT + </h3> + <p> + While his love was lapsing from him thus, and from her own true self yet + more, the gallant young sailor, whose last prize had been that useful one + misfortune, was dwelling continually upon her image, because he had very + little else to do. English prisoners in France were treated sometimes very + badly, which they took good care to proclaim to Europe; but more often + with pity, and good-will, and a pleasant study of their modes of thought. + For an Englishman then was a strange and ever fresh curiosity to a + Frenchman, a specimen of another race of bipeds, with doubts whether + marriage could make parentage between them. And a century of intercourse, + good-will, and admiration has left us still inquisitive about each other. + </p> + <p> + Napoleon felt such confidence in his plans for the conquest of England + that if any British officer belonging to the fleet in the narrow seas was + taken (which did not happen largely), he sent for him, upon his arrival at + Boulogne, and held a little talk with any one who could understand and + answer. He was especially pleased at hearing of the capture of Blyth + Scudamore (who had robbed him of his beloved Blonde), and at once restored + Desportes to favour, which he had begun to do before, knowing as well as + any man on earth the value of good officers. “Bring your prisoner here + to-morrow at twelve o'clock,” was his order; “you have turned the tables + upon him well.” + </p> + <p> + Scudamore felt a little nervous tingling as he passed through the + sentries, with his friend before him, into the pavilion of the greatest + man in Europe. But the Emperor, being in high good-humour, and pleased + with the young man's modest face and gentle demeanour, soon set him at his + ease, and spoke to him as affably as if he had been his equal. For this + man of almost universal mind could win every heart, when he set himself to + do it. Scudamore rubbed his eyes, which was a trick of his, as if he could + scarcely believe them. Napoleon looked—not insignificant (that was + impossible for a man with such a countenance), but mild, and pleasing, and + benevolent, as he walked to and fro, for he never could stay still, in the + place which was neither a tent nor a room, but a mixture of the two, and + not a happy one. His hat, looped up with a diamond and quivering with an + ostrich feather, was flung anyhow upon the table. But his wonderful eyes + were the brightest thing there. + </p> + <p> + “Ha! ha!” said the Emperor, a very keen judge of faces; “you expected to + find me a monster, as I am portrayed by your caricaturists. Your + countrymen are not kind to me, except the foremost of them—the great + poets. But they will understand me better by-and-by, when justice + prevails, and the blessings of peace, for which I am striving perpetually. + But the English nation, if it were allowed a voice, would proclaim me its + only true friend and ally. You know that, if you are one of the people, + and not of the hateful House of Lords, which engrosses all the army and + the navy. Are you in connection with the House of Lords?” + </p> + <p> + Scudamore shook his head and smiled. He was anxious to say that he had a + cousin, not more than twice removed, now an entire viscount; but Napoleon + never encouraged conversation, unless it was his own, or in answer to his + questions. + </p> + <p> + “Very well. Then you can speak the truth. What do they think of all this + grand army? Are they aware that, for their own good, it will very soon + occupy London? Are they forming themselves to act as my allies, when I + have reduced them to reason? Is it now made entirely familiar to their + minds that resistance to me is as hopeless as it has been from the first + unwise? If they would submit, without my crossing, it would save them some + disturbance, and me a great expense. I have often hoped to hear of it.” + </p> + <p> + “You will never do that, sire,” Scudamore answered, looking calmly and + firmly at the deep gray eyes, whose gaze could be met by none of the + millions who dread passion; “England will not submit, even if you conquer + her.” + </p> + <p> + “It is well said, and doubtless you believe it,” Napoleon continued, with + a smile so slight that to smile in reply to it would have been + impertinent; “but England is the same as other nations, although the most + obstinate among them. When her capital is occupied, her credit ruined, her + great lords unable to obtain a dinner, the government (which is not the + country) will yield, and the country must follow it. I have heard that the + King, and the Court, and the Parliament, talk of flying to the north, and + there remaining, while the navy cuts off our communications, and the + inferior classes starve us. Have you heard of any such romance as that?” + </p> + <p> + “No, sire:” Scudamore scarcely knew what to call him, but adopted this + vocative for want of any better. “I have never heard of any such plan, and + no one would think of packing up, until our fleet has been demolished.” + </p> + <p> + “Your fleet? Yes, yes. How many ships are now parading to and fro, and + getting very tired of it?” + </p> + <p> + “Your Majesty's officers know that best,” Scudamore answered, with his + pleasant open smile. “I have been a prisoner for a month and more, and + kept ten miles inland, out of sight of the sea.” + </p> + <p> + “But you have been well treated, I hope. You have no complaint to make, + Monsieur Scutamour? Your name is French, and you speak the language well. + We set the fair example in the treatment of brave men.” + </p> + <p> + “Sire, I have been treated,” the young officer replied, with a low bow, + and eyes full of gratitude, “as a gentleman amongst gentlemen. I might say + as a friend among kind friends.” + </p> + <p> + “That is as it should be. It is my wish always. Few of your English + fabrications annoy me more than the falsehoods about that. It is most + ungenerous, when I do my best, to charge me with strangling brave English + captains. But Desportes fought well, before you took his vessel. Is it not + so? Speak exactly as you think. I like to hear the enemy's account of + every action.” + </p> + <p> + “Captain Desportes, sire, fought like a hero, and so did all his crew. It + was only his mishap in sticking fast upon a sand-bank that enabled us to + overpower him.” + </p> + <p> + “And now he has done the like to you. You speak with a brave man's + candour. You shall be at liberty to see the sea, monsieur; for a sailor + always pines for that. I will give full instructions to your friend + Desportes about you. But one more question before you go—is there + much anxiety in England?” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, sire, a great deal. But we hope not to allow your Majesty's armament + to enter and increase it.” + </p> + <p> + “Ah, we shall see, we shall see how that will be. Now farewell, Captain. + Tell Desportes to come to me.” + </p> + <p> + “Well, my dear friend, you have made a good impression,” said the French + sailor, when he rejoined Scudamore, after a few words with the Master of + the State; “all you have to do is to give your word of honour to avoid our + lines, and keep away from the beach, and of course to have no + communication with your friends upon military subjects. I am allowed to + place you for the present at Beutin, a pleasant little hamlet on the + Canche, where lives an old relative of mine, a Monsieur Jalais, an ancient + widower, with a large house and one servant. I shall be afloat, and shall + see but little of you, which is the only sad part of the business. You + will have to report yourself to your landlord at eight every morning and + at eight o'clock at night, and only to leave the house between those + hours, and not to wander more than six miles from home. How do these + conditions approve themselves to you?” + </p> + <p> + “I call them very liberal, and very handsome,” Scudamore answered, as he + well might do. “Two miles' range is all that we allow in England to French + officers upon parole. These generous terms are due to your kind + friendship.” + </p> + <p> + Before very long the gentle Scuddy was as happy as a prisoner can expect + to be, in his comfortable quarters at Beutin. Through friendly exchanges + he had received a loving letter from his mother, with an amiable + enclosure, and M. Jalais being far from wealthy, a pleasant arrangement + was made between them. Scudamore took all his meals with his host, who + could manage sound victuals like an Englishman, and the house-keeper, + house-cleaner, and house-feeder (misdescribed by Desportes as a servant, + according to our distinctions), being a widow of mark, sat down to + consider her cookery upon choice occasions. Then for a long time would + prevail a conscientious gravity, and reserve of judgment inwardly, + everybody waiting for some other body's sentiments; until the author of + the work, as a female, might no more abide the malignant silence of male + reviewers. + </p> + <p> + Scudamore, being very easily amused, as any good-natured young man is, + entered with zest into all these doings, and became an authority upon + appeal; and being gifted with depth of simplicity as well as high courtesy + of taste, was never known to pronounce a wrong decision. That is to say, + he decided always in favour of the lady, which has been the majestic + course of Justice for centuries, till the appearance of Mrs. ——-, + the lady who should have married the great Home-Ruler. + </p> + <p> + Thus the wily Scudamore obtained a sitting-room, with the prettiest + outlook in the house, or indeed in any house in that part of the world for + many leagues of seeking. For the mansion of M. Jalais stood in an elbow of + the little river, and one window of this room showed the curve of tidal + water widening towards the sea, while the other pleasantly gave eye to the + upper reaches of the stream, where an angler of rose-coloured mind might + almost hope to hook a trout. The sun glanced down the stream in the + morning, and up it to see what he had done before he set; and although M. + Jalais' trees were leafless now, they had sleeved their bent arms with + green velvetry of moss. + </p> + <p> + Scudamore brought his comfortable chair to the nook between these windows, + and there, with a book or two belonging to his host, and the pipe whose + silver clouds enthrone the gods of contemplation, many a pleasant hour was + passed, seldom invaded by the sounds of war. For the course of the roads, + and sands of the river, kept this happy spot aloof from bad + communications. Like many other streams in northern France, the Canche had + been deepened and its mouth improved, not for uses of commerce, but of + warfare. Veteran soldier and raw recruit, bugler, baker, and farrier, man + who came to fight and man who came to write about it, all had been turned + into navvies, diggers, drivers of piles, or of horses, or wheelbarrows, by + the man who turned everybody into his own teetotum. The Providence that + guides the world showed mercy in sending that engine of destruction before + there was a Railway for him to run upon. + </p> + <p> + Now Scudamore being of a different sort, and therefore having pleased + Napoleon (who detested any one at all of his own pattern), might have been + very well contented here, and certainly must have been so, if he had been + without those two windows. Many a bird has lost his nest, and his eggs, + and his mate, and even his own tail, by cocking his eyes to the right and + left, when he should have drawn their shutters up. And why? Because the + brilliance of his too projecting eyes has twinkled through the leaves upon + the narrow oblong of the pupils of a spotty-eyed cat going stealthily + under the comb of the hedge, with her stomach wired in, and her spinal + column fluted, to look like a wrinkled blackthorn snag. But still worse is + it for that poor thrush, or lintie, or robin, or warbler-wren, if he + flutters in his bosom when he spies that cat, and sets up his feathers, + and begins to hop about, making a sad little chirp to his mate, and + appealing to the sky to protect him and his family. + </p> + <p> + Blyth Scudamore's case was a mixture of those two. It would have been + better for his comfort if he had shut his eyes; but having opened them, he + should have stayed where he was, without any fluttering. However, he acted + for the best; and when a man does that, can those who never do so find a + word to say against him? + </p> + <p> + According to the best of his recollection, which was generally near the + mark, it was upon Christmas Eve, A.D. 1804, that his curiosity was first + aroused. He had made up his room to look a little bit like home, with a + few sprigs of holly, and a sheaf of laurel, not placed daintily as a lady + dresses them, but as sprightly as a man can make them look, and as bright + as a captive Christmas could expect. The decorator shed a little sigh—if + that expression may be pardoned by analogy, for he certainly neither + fetched nor heaved it—and then he lit his pipe to reflect upon home + blessings, and consider the free world outside, in which he had very + little share at present. + </p> + <p> + Mild blue eyes, such as this young man possessed, are often short-sighted + at a moderate range, and would be fitted up with glasses in these + artificial times, and yet at long distance they are most efficient, and + can make out objects that would puzzle keener organs. And so it was that + Scudamore, with the sinking sun to help him, descried at a long distance + down the tidal reach a peaceful-looking boat, which made his heart beat + faster. For a sailor's glance assured him that she was English—English + in her rig and the stiff cut of her canvas, and in all those points of + character to a seaman so distinctive, which apprise him of his kindred + through the length of air and water, as clearly as we landsmen know a man + from a woman at the measure of a furlong, or a quarter of a mile. He + perceived that it was an English pilot-boat, and that she was standing + towards him. At first his heart fluttered with a warm idea, that there + must be good news for him on board that boat. Perhaps, without his + knowledge, an exchange of prisoners might have been agreed upon; and what + a grand Christmas-box for him, if the order for his release was there! But + another thought showed him the absurdity of this hope, for orders of + release do not come so. Nevertheless, he watched that boat with interest + and wonder. + </p> + <p> + Presently, just as the sun was setting, and shadows crossed the water, the + sail (which had been gleaming like a candle-flame against the haze and + upon the glaze) flickered and fell, and the bows swung round, and her + figure was drawn upon the tideway. She was now within half a mile of M. + Jalais' house, and Scudamore, though longing for a spy-glass, was able to + make out a good deal without one. He saw that she was an English + pilot-boat, undecked, but fitted with a cuddy forward, rigged luggerwise, + and built for speed, yet fit to encounter almost any Channel surges. She + was light in the water, and bore little except ballast. He could not be + sure at that distance, but he thought that the sailors must be Englishmen, + especially the man at the helm, who was beyond reasonable doubt the + captain. + </p> + <p> + Then two long sweeps were manned amidship, with two sturdy fellows to tug + at each; and the quiet evening air led through the soft rehearsal of the + water to its banks the creak of tough ash thole-pins, and the groan of + gunwale, and the splash of oars, and even a sound of human staple, such as + is accepted by the civilized world as our national diapason. + </p> + <p> + The captive Scuddy, who observed all this, was thoroughly puzzled at that + last turn. Though the craft was visibly English, the crew might still have + been doubtful, if they had held their tongues, or kept them in submission. + But that word stamped them, or at any rate the one who had been struck in + the breast by the heavy timber, as of genuine British birth. Yet there was + no sign that these men were prisoners, or acting by compulsion. No French + boat was near them, no batteries there commanded their course, and the + pilot-boat carried no prize-crew to direct reluctant labours. At the mouth + of the river was a floating bridge, for the use of the forces on either + side, and no boat could have passed it without permission. Therefore these + could be no venturesome Britons, spying out the quarters of the enemy; + either they must have been allowed to pass for some special purpose, under + flag of truce, or else they were traitors, in league with the French, and + despatched upon some dark errand. + </p> + <p> + In a few minutes, as the evening dusk began to deepen round her, the + mysterious little craft disappeared in a hollow of the uplands on the + other side of the water, where a narrow creek or inlet—such as is + called a “pill” in some parts of England—formed a sheltered + landing-place, overhung with clustering trees. Then Scudamore rose, and + filled another pipe, to meditate upon this strange affair. “I am justly + forbidden,” he thought, as it grew dark, “to visit the camp, or endeavour + to learn anything done by the army of invasion. And I have pledged myself + to that effect. But this is a different case altogether. When Englishmen + come here as traitors to their country, and in a place well within my + range, my duty is to learn the meaning of it; and if I find treachery of + importance working, then I must consider about my parole, and probably + withdraw it. That would be a terrible blow to me, because I should + certainly be sent far inland, and kept in a French prison perhaps for + years, with little chance of hearing from my friends again. And then she + would give me up as lost, that faithful darling, who has put aside all her + bright prospects for my sake. How I wish I had never seen that boat! and I + thought it was coming to bring me such good news! I am bound to give them + one day's grace, for they might not know where to find me at once, and + to-night I could not get near them, without overstaying my time to be + in-doors. But if I hear nothing to-morrow, and see nothing, I must go + round, so as not to be seen, and learn something about her the very next + morning.” + </p> + <p> + Hearing nothing and seeing no more, he spent an uncomfortable Christmas + Day, disappointing his host and kind Madame Fropot, who had done all they + knew to enliven him with a genuine English plum-pudding. And the next day, + with a light foot but rather heavy heart, he made the long round by the + bridge up-stream, and examined the creek which the English boat had + entered. He approached the place very cautiously, knowing that if his + suspicions were correct, they might be confirmed too decisively, and his + countrymen, if they had fire-arms, would give him a warm reception. + However, there was no living creature to be seen, except a poor terrified + ox, who had escaped from the slaughter-houses of the distant camp, and + hoped for a little rest in this dark thicket. He was worn out with his + long flight and sadly wounded, for many men had shot at him, when he + desired to save his life; and although his mouth was little more than the + length of his tail from water, there he lay gasping with his lips + stretched out, and his dry tongue quivering between his yellow teeth, and + the only moisture he could get was running out instead of into his mouth. + </p> + <p> + Scudamore, seeing that the coast was clear, and no enemy in chase of this + poor creature, immediately filled his hat with fresh water—for the + tide was out now, and the residue was sweet—and speaking very gently + in the English language, for he saw that he must have been hard-shouted at + in French, was allowed without any more disturbance of the system to + supply a little glad refreshment. The sorely afflicted animal licked his + lips, and looked up for another hatful. + </p> + <p> + Captain Scuddy deserved a new hat for this—though very few + Englishmen would not have done the like—and in the end he got it, + though he must have caught a bad cold if he had gone without a hat till + then. + </p> + <p> + Pursuing his search, with grateful eyes pursuing him, he soon discovered + where the boat had grounded, by the impress of her keel and forefoot on + the stiff retentive mud. He could even see where a hawser had been made + fast to a staunch old trunk, and where the soil had been prodded with a + pole in pushing her off at the turn of tide. Also deep tracks of some very + large hound, or wolf, or unknown quadruped, in various places, scarred the + bank. And these marks were so fresh and bright that they must have been + made within the last few hours, probably when the last ebb began. If so, + the mysterious craft had spent the whole of Christmas Day in that snug + berth; and he blamed himself for permitting his host's festivities to + detain him. Then he took a few bearings to mark the spot, and fed the poor + crippled ox with all the herbage he could gather, resolving to come with a + rope to-morrow, and lead him home, if possible, as a Christmas present to + M. Jalais. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0052" id="link2HCH0052"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER LII + </h2> + <h3> + KIND ENQUIRIES + </h3> + <p> + That notable year, and signal mark in all the great annals of England, the + year 1805, began with gloom and great depression. Food was scarce, and so + was money; wars, and rumours of worse than war; discontent of men who owed + it to their birth and country to stand fast, and trust in God, and + vigorously defy the devil; sinkings even of strong hearts, and quailing of + spirits that had never quailed before; passionate outcry for peace without + honour, and even without safety; savage murmurings at wise measures and at + the burdens that must be borne—none but those who lived through all + these troubles could count half of them. If such came now, would the body + of the nation strive to stand against them, or fall in the dust, and be + kicked and trampled, sputtering namby-pamby? Britannia now is always + wrong, in the opinion of her wisest sons, if she dares to defend herself + even against weak enemies; what then would her crime be if she buckled her + corselet against the world! To prostitute their mother is the philanthropy + of Communists. + </p> + <p> + But while the anxious people who had no belief in foreigners were watching + by the dark waves, or at the twilight window trembling (if ever a + shooting-star drew train, like a distant rocket-signal), or in their + sleepy beds scared, and jumping up if a bladder burst upon a jam-pot, no + one attempted to ridicule them, and no public journal pronounced that the + true British flag was the white feather. It has been left for times when + the power of England is tenfold what it was then, and her duties a + hundredfold, to tell us that sooner than use the one for the proper + discharge of the other, we must break it up and let them go to pot upon + it, for fear of hurting somebody that stuck us in the back. + </p> + <p> + But who of a right mind knows not this, and who with a wrong one will heed + it? The only point is that the commonest truisms come upon utterance + sometimes, and take didactic form too late; even as we shout to our + comrade prone, and beginning to rub his poor nose, “Look out!” And this is + what everybody did with one accord, when he was down upon his luck—which + is far more momentous than his nose to any man—in the case of Rector + Twemlow. + </p> + <p> + That gentleman now had good reason for being in less than his usual cheer + and comfort. Everything around him was uneasy, and everybody seemed to + look at him, instead of looking up to him, as the manner used to be. This + was enough to make him feel unlike himself; for although he was resolute + in his way, and could manage to have it with most people, he was not of + that iron style which takes the world as wax to write upon. Mr. Twemlow + liked to heave his text at the people of his parish on Sunday, and to have + his joke with them on Monday; as the fire that has burned a man makes the + kettle sing to comfort him. And all who met him throughout the week were + pleased with him doubly, when they remembered his faithfulness in the + pulpit. + </p> + <p> + But now he did his duty softly, as if some of it had been done to him; and + if anybody thanked him for a fine discourse, he never endeavoured to let + him have it all again. So far was he gone from his natural state that he + would rather hear nothing about himself than be praised enough to demand + reply; and this shows a world-wide depression to have arrived in the + latitude of a British waistcoat. However, he went through his work, as a + Briton always does, until he hangs himself; and he tried to try some of + the higher consolation, which he knew so well how to administer to others. + </p> + <p> + Those who do not understand the difference of this might have been + inclined to blame him; but all who have seen a clever dentist with the + toothache are aware that his knowledge adds acuteness to the pain. Mr. + Twemlow had borne great troubles well, and been cheerful even under long + suspense; but now a disappointment close at home, and the grief of + beholding his last hopes fade, were embittered by mystery and dark + suspicions. In despair at last of recovering his son, he had fastened upon + his only daughter the interest of his declining life; and now he was vexed + with misgivings about her, which varied as frequently as she did. It was + very unpleasant to lose the chance of having a grandchild capable of + rocking in a silver cradle; but that was a trifle compared with the + prospect of having no grandchild at all, and perhaps not even a child to + close his eyes. And even his wife, of long habit and fair harmony, from + whom he had never kept any secret—frightful as might be the cost to + his honour—even Mrs. Twemlow shook her head sometimes, when the + arrangement of her hair permitted it, and doubted whether any of the Carne + Castle Carnes would have borne with such indignity. + </p> + <p> + “Prosecute him, prosecute him,” this good lady always said. “You ought to + have been a magistrate, Joshua—the first magistrate in the Bible was + that—and then you would have known how to do things. But because you + would have to go to Sir Charles Darling—whose Sir can never put him + on the level of the Carnes—you have some right feeling against + taking out a summons. In that I agree with you; it would be very dreadful + here. But in London he might be punished, I am sure; and I know a great + deal about the law, for I never had any one connected with me who was not + a magistrate; the Lord Mayor has a Court of his own for trying the + corporation under the chair; and if this was put properly before him by a + man like Mr. Furkettle, upon the understanding that he should not be paid + unless he won his case, I am sure the result would be three years' + imprisonment. By that time he would have worn out his coat with jailer's + keys upon it, which first attracted our poor Eliza; or if he was not + allowed to wear it, it would go out of fashion, and be harmless. No one + need know a word about it here, for Captain Stubbard would oblige us + gladly by cutting it out of the London papers. My dear, you have nobody + ill in the parish; I will put up your things, and see you off to-morrow. + We will dine late on Friday, to suit the coach; and you will be quite fit + for Sunday work again, if you keep up your legs on a chair all Saturday.” + </p> + <p> + “If ever I saw a straightforward man,” Mr. Twemlow used to answer, “it was + poor Percival Shargeloes. He is gone to a better world, my dear. And if he + continued to be amenable to law, this is not a criminal, but a civil + case.” + </p> + <p> + “A nice case of civility, Joshua! But you always stand up for your sex. + Does the coach take people to a better world? A stout gentleman, like him, + was seen inside the coach, muffled up in a cravat of three colours, and + eating at frequent intervals.” + </p> + <p> + “The very thing poor Percival never did. That disposes to my mind of that + foolish story. My dear, when all truth comes to light, you will do justice + to his memory.” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, I dare say. But I should like to do it now. If you entertain any + dark ideas, it is your duty to investigate them. Also to let me share + them, Joshua, as I have every right to do.” + </p> + <p> + This was just what the Rector could not do; otherwise he might have been + far more happy. Remembering that last conversation with his prospective + son-in-law, and the poor man's declaration that the suspicious matter at + the castle ought to be thoroughly searched out at once, he nourished a + dark suspicion, which he feared to impart to his better half, the aunt of + the person suspected. But the longer he concealed it, the more unbearable + grew this misery to a candid nature, until he was compelled, in + self-defence, to allow it some sort of outlet. “I will speak to the fellow + myself,” he said, heartily disliking the young man now, “and judge from + his manner what next I ought to do.” + </p> + <p> + This resolution gave him comfort, much as he hated any interview with + Carne, who treated him generally with cold contempt. And, like most people + who have formed a decision for the easing of the conscience, he accepted + very patiently the obstacles encountered. In the first place, Carne was + away upon business; then he was laid up with a heavy cold; then he was + much too hard at work (after losing so much time) to be able to visit + Springhaven; and to seek him in his ruins was most unsafe, even if one + liked to do it. For now it was said that two gigantic dogs, as big as a + bull and as fierce as a tiger, roved among the ruins all day, and being + always famished, would devour in two minutes any tempting stranger with a + bit of flesh or fat on him. The Rector, patting his gaiters, felt that + instead of a pastor he might become a very sweet repast to them, and his + delicacy was renewed and deepened. He was bound to wait until his nephew + appeared at least inside his parish. + </p> + <p> + Therefore the time of year was come almost to the middle of February when + Mr. Twemlow at last obtained the chance he required and dreaded. He heard + that his nephew had been seen that day to put up his horse in the village, + and would probably take the homeward road as soon as it grew too dark to + read. So he got through his own work (consisting chiefly of newspaper, + dinner, and a cool clay pipe, to equalise mind with matter), and having + thus escaped the ladies, off he set by the lobby door, carrying a good + thick stick. As the tide would be up, and only deep sand left for the + heavy track of the traveller, he chose the inland way across the lower + part of the Admiral's grounds, leading to the village by a narrow plank + bridge across the little stream among some trees. Here were banks of earth + and thicket, shadowy dells where the primrose grew, and the cuckoo-pint, + and wood-sorrel, and perhaps in summer the glowworm breathed her mossy + gleam under the blackberries. + </p> + <p> + And here Parson Twemlow was astonished, though he had promised himself to + be surprised no more, after all he had been through lately. As he turned a + sharp corner by an ivied tree, a breathless young woman ran into his arms. + </p> + <p> + “Oh!” cried the Rector, for he was walking briskly, with a well-nourished + part of his system forward—“oh, I hope you have not hurt yourself. + No doubt it was my fault. Why, Dolly! What a hurry you are in! And all + alone—all alone, almost after dark!” + </p> + <p> + “To be sure; and that makes me in such a hurry;” Miss Dolly was in sad + confusion. “But I suppose I am safe in my father's own grounds.” + </p> + <p> + “From everybody, except yourself, my dear,” Mr. Twemlow replied, severely. + “Is your father aware, does your sister know, that you are at this + distance from the house after dark, and wholly without a companion?” + </p> + <p> + “It is not after dark, Mr. Twemlow; although it is getting darker than I + meant it to be. I beg your pardon for terrifying you. I hope you will meet + with no other perils! Good-night! Or at least I mean, good-afternoon!” + </p> + <p> + “The brazen creature!” thought Mr. Twemlow, as the girl without another + word disappeared. “Not even to offer me any excuse! But I suppose she had + no fib handy. She will come to no good, I am very much afraid. Maria told + me that she was getting very wilful; but I had no idea that it was quite + so bad as this. I am sorry for poor Scudamore, who thinks her such an + angel. I wonder if Carne is at the bottom of this? There is nothing too + bad for that dark young man. I shall ascertain at any rate whether he is + in the village. But unless I look sharp I shall be too late to meet him. + Oh, I can't walk so fast as I did ten years ago.” + </p> + <p> + Impelled by duty to put best leg foremost, and taking a short-cut above + the village, he came out upon the lane leading towards the castle, some + half-mile or so beyond the last house of Springhaven. Here he waited to + recover breath, and prepare for what he meant to say, and he was sorry to + perceive that light would fail him for strict observation of his nephew's + face. But he chose the most open spot he could find, where the hedges were + low, and nothing overhung the road. + </p> + <p> + Presently he heard the sound of hoofs approaching leisurely up the hill, + and could see from his resting-place that Carne was coming, sitting + loosely and wearily on his high black horse. Then the Rector, to cut short + an unpleasant business, stood boldly forth and hailed him. + </p> + <p> + “No time for anything now,” shouted Carne; “too late already. Do you want + my money? You are come to the wrong man for that; but the right one, I can + tell you, for a bullet.” + </p> + <p> + “Caryl, it is I, your uncle Twemlow, or at any rate the husband of your + aunt. Put up your pistol, and speak to me a minute. I have something + important to say to you. And I never can find you at the castle.” + </p> + <p> + “Then be quick, sir, if you please;” Carne had never condescended to call + this gentleman his uncle. “I have little time to spare. Out with it.” + </p> + <p> + “You were riding very slowly for a man in a hurry,” said the Rector, + annoyed at his roughness. “But I will not keep you long, young man. For + some good reasons of your own you have made a point of avoiding us, your + nearest relatives in this country, and to whom you addressed yourself + before you landed in a manner far more becoming. Have I ever pressed my + attentions upon you?” + </p> + <p> + “No, I confess that you have not done that. You perceived as a gentleman + how little there was in common between the son of a devoted Catholic and a + heretic clergyman.” + </p> + <p> + “That is one way to put it,” Mr. Twemlow answered, smiling in spite of his + anger at being called a heretic; “but I was not aware that you had strong + religious views. However that may be, we should have many things in + common, as Englishmen, at a time like this. But what I came to speak of is + not that. We can still continue to get on without you, although we would + rather have met with friendly feeling and candour, as becomes relatives. + But little as you know of us, you must be well aware that your cousin + Eliza was engaged to be married to a gentleman from London, Mr. Percival + Shargeloes, and that he—” + </p> + <p> + “I am sure I wish her all happiness, and congratulate you, my dear sir, as + well as my aunt Maria. I shall call, as soon as possible, to offer my best + wishes. It was very kind of you to tell me. Goodnight, sir, good-night! + There is a shower coming.” + </p> + <p> + “But,” exclaimed the Rector, nonplussed for the moment by this view of the + subject, yet standing square before the horse, “Shargeloes has + disappeared. What have you done with him?” + </p> + <p> + Carne looked at his excellent uncle as if he had much doubt about his + sanity. “Try to explain yourself, my dear sir. Try to connect your ideas,” + he said, “and offer me the benefit another time. My horse is impatient; he + may strike you with his foot.” + </p> + <p> + “If he does, I shall strike him upon the head,” Mr. Twemlow replied, with + his heavy stick ready. “It will be better for you to hear me out. + Otherwise I shall procure a search-warrant, and myself examine your ruins, + of which I know every crick and cranny. And your aunt Maria shall come + with me, who knows every stone even better than you do. That would be a + very different thing from an overhauling by Captain Stubbard. I think we + should find a good many barrels and bales that had paid no duty.” + </p> + <p> + “My dear uncle,” cried Carne, with more affection than he ever yet had + shown, “that is no concern of yours; you have no connection with the + Revenue; and I am sure that Aunt Maria would be loth to help in pulling + down the family once more. But do as you please. I am accustomed to ill + fortune. Only I should like to know what this is about poor Cousin Eliza. + If any man has wronged her, leave the case to me. You have no son now, and + the honour of the family shall not suffer in my hands. I will throw up + everything, busy as I am, to make such a rascal bite the dust. And Eliza + so proud, and so upright herself!” + </p> + <p> + “Caryl,” said his uncle, moved more than he liked to show by this fine + feeling, “you know more, I see, than you liked to show at first, doubtless + through goodwill to us. Your dear aunt wished to keep the matter quiet, + for the sake of poor Eliza, and her future chances. But I said—No. + Let us have it all out. If there is wrong, we have suffered, not done it. + Concealment is odious to every honest mind.” + </p> + <p> + “Deeply, deeply odious. Upon that point there can be no two opinions”—he + forgets his barrels, thought the Rector—“but surely this man, + whatever his name is—Charleygoes—must have been hiding from + you something in his own history. Probably he had a wife already. City men + often do that when young, and then put their wives somewhere when they get + rich, and pay visits, and even give dinners, as if they were bachelors to + be sought after. Was Charleygoes that sort of a man?” + </p> + <p> + “His name is 'Shargeloes,' a name well known, as I am assured, in the + highest quarters. And he certainly was not sought after by us, but came to + me with an important question bearing on ichthyology. He may be a + wanderer, as you suggest, and as all the ladies seem to think. But my firm + belief is to the contrary. And my reason for asking you about him is a + very clear one. He had met you twice, and felt interest in you as a future + member of our family. You had never invited him to the castle; and the + last intention he expressed in my hearing was to call upon you without + one. Has he met with an accident in your cellars? Or have your dogs + devoured him? He carried a good deal of flesh, in spite of all he could do + to the contrary; and any man naturally might endeavour to hush up such an + incident. Tell me the truth, Caryl. And we will try to meet it.” + </p> + <p> + “My two dogs (who would never eat any one, though they might pull down a + stranger, and perhaps pretend to bite him) arrived here the first week in + January. When did Charleygoes disappear? I am not up in dates, but it must + have been weeks and weeks before that time. And I must have heard of it, + if it had happened. I may give you my honour that Orso and Leo have not + eaten Charleygoes.” + </p> + <p> + “You speak too lightly of a man in high position, who would have been Lord + Mayor of London, if he had never come to Springhaven. But living or dead, + he shall never be that now. Can you answer me, in the same straightforward + manner, as to an accident in your cellars; which, as a gentleman upon a + private tour, he had clearly no right to intrude upon?” + </p> + <p> + “I can answer you quite as clearly. Nothing accidental has happened in my + cellars. You may come and see them, if you have any doubt about it. And + you need not apply for a search-warrant.” + </p> + <p> + “God forbid, my dear fellow,” cried the uncle, “that I should intrude upon + any little matters of delicacy, such as are apt to arise between + artificial laws and gentlemen who happen to live near the sea, and to have + large places that require restoring! I shall go home with a lighter heart. + There is nothing in this world that brings the comfort of + straightforwardness.” + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0053" id="link2HCH0053"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER LIII + </h2> + <h3> + TIME AND PLACE + </h3> + <p> + In a matter like that French invasion, which had been threatened for such + a time, and kept so long impending, “the cry of wolf” grows stale at last, + and then the real danger comes. Napoleon had reckoned upon this, as he + always did upon everything, and for that good reason he had not grudged + the time devoted to his home affairs. These being settled according to his + will, and mob turned into pomp as gaily as grub turns into butterfly, a + strong desire for a little more glory arose in his mighty but + ill-regulated mind. If he could only conquer England, or even without that + fetch her down on her knees and make her lick her own dust off the feet of + Frenchmen, from that day forth all the nations of the earth must bow down + before him. Russia, Prussia, Austria, Spain, though they might have had + the power, never would have plucked the spirit up, to resist him hand in + hand, any more than skittle-pins can back one another up against the + well-aimed ball. + </p> + <p> + The balance of to-be or not-to-be, as concerned our country (which many + now despise, as the mother of such disloyal children), after all that long + suspension, hung in the clouds of that great year; and a very cloudy year + it was, and thick with storms on land and sea. Storm was what the + Frenchmen longed for, to disperse the British ships; though storm made + many an Englishman, pulling up the counterpane as the window rattled, + thank the Father of the weather for keeping the enemy ashore and in a + fright. But the greatest peril of all would be in the case of fog + succeeding storm, when the mighty flotilla might sweep across before our + ships could resume blockade, or even a frigate intercept. + </p> + <p> + One of the strangest points in all this period of wonders, to us who after + the event are wise, is that even far-sighted Nelson and his watchful + colleagues seem to have had no inkling of the enemy's main project. Nelson + believed Napoleon to be especially intent on Egypt; Collingwood expected a + sudden dash on Ireland; others were sure that his object was Jamaica; and + many maintained that he would step ashore in India. And these last came + nearest to the mark upon the whole, for a great historian (who declares, + like Caryl Carne, that a French invasion is a blessing to any country) + shows that, for at least a month in the spring of 1805, his hero was + revolving a mighty scheme for robbing poor England of blissful ravage, and + transferring it to India. + </p> + <p> + However, the master of the world—as he was called already, and meant + soon to be—suddenly returned to his earlier design, and fixed the + vast power of his mind upon it. He pushed with new vigour his + preparations, which had been slackened awhile, he added 30,000 + well-trained soldiers to his force already so enormous, and he breathed + the quick spirit of enterprise into the mighty mass he moved. Then, to + clear off all obstacles, and ensure clear speed of passage, he sent sharp + orders to his Admirals to elude and delude the British fleets, and + resolved to enhance that delusion by his own brief absence from the scene. + </p> + <p> + Meanwhile a man of no importance to the world, and of very moderate + ambition, was passing a pleasant time in a quiet spot, content to be + scarcely a spectator even of the drama in rehearsal around him. Scudamore + still abode with M. Jalais, and had won his hearty friendship, as well as + the warm good-will of that important personage Madame Fropot. Neither of + these could believe at first that any Englishman was kind and gentle, + playful in manner, and light-hearted, easily pleased, and therefore truly + pleasing. But as soon as they saw the poor wounded ox brought home by a + ford, and settled happily in the orchard, and received him as a free gift + from their guest, national prejudices dwindled very fast, and domestic + good feeling grew faster. M. Jalais, although a sound Frenchman, hated the + Empire and all that led up to it; and as for Madame Fropot, her choicest + piece of cookery might turn into cinders, if anybody mentioned + conscription in her presence. For she had lost her only son, the entire + hope of her old days, as well as her only daughter's lover, in that + lottery of murder. + </p> + <p> + Nine out of ten of the people in the village were of the same way of + thinking. A great army cannot be quartered anywhere, even for a week, + without scattering brands of ill-will all around it. The swagger of the + troops, their warlike airs, and loud contempt of the undrilled swain, the + dash of a coin on the counter when they deign to pay for anything, the + insolent wink at every modest girl, and the coarse joke running along + apish mouths—even before dark crime begins, native antipathy is sown + and thrives. And now for nearly four years this coast had never been free + from the arrogant strut, the clanking spur, and the loud guffaw, which in + every age and every clime have been considered the stamp of valour by + plough-boys at the paps of Bellona. So weary was the neighbourhood of this + race, new conscripts always keeping up the pest, that even the good M. + Jalais longed to hear that the armament lay at the bottom of the Channel. + And Scudamore would have been followed by the good wishes of every house + in the village, if he had lifted his hat and said, “Good-bye, my dear + friends; I am breaking my parole.” + </p> + <p> + For this, though encouraged by the popular voice, he was not sufficiently + liberal, but stayed within bounds of space and time more carefully than if + he had been watched. Captain Desportes, who had been in every way a true + friend to him, came to see him now and then, being now in command of a + division of the prames, and naturally anxious for the signal to unmoor. + Much discourse was held, without brag on either side, but with equal + certainty on both sides of success. And in one of these talks the + Englishman in the simplest manner told the Frenchman all that he had seen + on Christmas Eve, and his own suspicions about it. + </p> + <p> + “Understand this well,” continued Scudamore; “if I discover any treachery + on the part of my own countrymen, I shall not be able to stop here on the + terms that have been allowed me. Whatever the plan may be, I shall feel as + if I were a party to it, if I accepted my free range and swallowed my + suspicions. With your proceedings I do not meddle, according to fair + compact, and the liberal conditions offered. But to see my own countrymen + playing my country false is more than I could stand. You know more of such + things than I do. But if you were an Englishman, could you endure to stand + by and hide treachery, for the sake of your own comfort?” + </p> + <p> + “Beyond a doubt, no,” Captain Desportes answered, spreading his hand with + decision: “in such a case I should throw up my parole. But a mere + suspicion does not justify an act so ungracious to the commander, and + personally so unkind to me. I hoped that bright eyes might persuade you to + forego hard knocks, and wear none but gentle chains among us. Nature + intended you for a Frenchman. You have the gay heart, and the easy manner, + and the grand philosophy of our great nation. Your name is Blyth, and I + know what that intends.” + </p> + <p> + Scudamore blushed, for he knew that Madame Fropot was doing her best to + commit him with a lovely young lady not far off, who had felt a tender + interest in the cheerful English captive. But after trying to express once + more the deep gratitude he felt towards those who had been so wonderfully + kind and friendly, he asked with a smile, and a little sigh behind it, + what he must do, if compelled by duty to resign his present privileges. + </p> + <p> + “My faith! I scarcely know,” replied Desportes; “I have never had such a + case before. But I think you must give me a written notice, signed by + yourself and by M. Jalais, and allow a week to pass, and then, unless you + have heard from me, present yourself to the commandant of the nearest + post, which must be, I suppose, at Etaples. Rather a rough man he is; and + I fear you will have reason for regret. The duty will then remain with + him. But I beg you, my dear friend, to continue as you are. Tush, it is + nothing but some smuggler's work.” + </p> + <p> + Scudamore hoped that he might be right, and for some little time was not + disturbed by any appearance to the contrary. But early in the afternoon + one day, when the month of March was near its close, he left his books for + a little fresh air, and strolled into the orchard, where his friend the ox + was dwelling. This worthy animal, endowed with a virtue denied to none + except the human race, approached him lovingly, and begged to draw + attention to the gratifying difference betwixt wounds and scars. He + offered his broad brow to the hand, and his charitable ears to be tickled, + and breathed a quick issue of good feeling and fine feeding, from the + sensitive tucks of his nostrils, as a large-hearted smoker makes the air + go up with gratitude. + </p> + <p> + But as a burnt child dreads the fire, the seriously perforated animal kept + one eye vigilant of the northern aspect, and the other studious of the + south. And the gentle Scuddy (who was finding all things happy, which is + the only way to make them so) was startled by a sharp jerk of his dear + friend's head. Following the clue of gaze, there he saw, coming up the + river with a rollicking self-trust, a craft uncommonly like that craft + which had mounted every sort of rig and flag, and carried every kind of + crew, in his many dreams about her. This made him run back to his room at + once, not only in fear of being seen upon the bank, but also that he might + command a better view, with the help of his landlord's old spy-glass. + </p> + <p> + Using this, which he had cleaned from the dust of ages, he could clearly + see the faces of the men on board. Of these there were six, of whom five + at least were Englishmen, or of English breed. As the pilot-boat drew + nearer, and the sunlight fell upon her, to his great surprise he became + convinced that the young man at the tiller was Dan Tugwell, the son of the + captain of Springhaven. Four of the others were unknown to him, though he + fancied that he had seen two of them before, but could not remember when + or where. But he watched with special interest the tall man lounging + against the little door of the cuddy in the bows, whose profile only was + presented to him. Then the boat canted round towards the entrance of the + creek, and having his glass upon the full face of the man, he recognised + him as Caryl Carne, whom he had met more than once at Springhaven. + </p> + <p> + His darkest suspicions were at once redoubled, and a gush of latent + jealousy was added to them. In happier days, when he was near his + lady-love, some whispers had reached him about this fellow, whose + countenance had always been repulsive to him, arrogant, moody, and + mysterious. His good mother also, though most careful not to harass him, + had mentioned that Carne in her latest letter, and by no means in a manner + to remove his old misgivings. As a matter now of duty to his country and + himself, the young sailor resolved to discover, at any risk, what + traitorous scheme had brought this dark man over here. + </p> + <p> + To escape the long circuit by the upper bridge, he had obtained leave, + through M. Jalais, to use an old boat which was kept in a bend of the + river about a mile above the house. And now, after seeing that English + boat make for the creek where she had been berthed on Christmas Eve, he + begged Madame Fropot to tell his host not to be uneasy about him, and + taking no weapon but a ground-ash stick, set forth to play spy upon + traitors. As surely as one foot came after the other, he knew that every + step was towards his grave, if he made a mistake, or even met bad luck; + but he twirled his light stick in his broad brown hand, and gently invaded + the French trees around with an old English song of the days when still an + Englishman could compose a song. But this made him think of that + old-fashioned place Springhaven; and sadness fell upon him, that the son + of its captain should be a traitor. + </p> + <p> + Instead of pulling across the river, to avoid the splash of oars he + sculled with a single oar astern, not standing up and wallowing in the + boat, but sitting and cutting the figure of 8 with less noise than a + skater makes. The tide being just at slack-water, this gave him quite as + much way as he wanted, and he steered into a little bight of the southern + bank, and made fast to a stump, and looked about; for he durst not + approach the creek until the light should fade and the men have stowed + tackle and begun to feed. The vale of the stream afforded shelter to a + very decent company of trees, which could not have put up with the tyranny + of the west wind upon the bare brow of the coast. Most of these trees + stood back a little from the margin of high tide, reluctant to see + themselves in the water, for fear of the fate of Narcissus. But where that + clandestine boat had glided into gloom and greyness, a fosse of Nature's + digging, deeply lined with wood and thicket, offered snug harbourage to + craft and fraud. + </p> + <p> + Scudamore had taken care to learn the ups and downs of the riverside ere + this, and knew them now as well as a native, for he had paid many visits + to the wounded ox, whom he could not lead home quite as soon as he had + hoped, and he had found a firm place of the little river, easy to cross + when the tide was out. With the help of this knowledge he made his way to + the creek, without much risk of being observed, and then, as he came to + the crest of the thicket, he lay down and watched the interlopers. + </p> + <p> + There was the boat, now imbedded in the mud, for the little creek was + nearly dry by this time. Her crew had all landed, and kindled a fire, over + which hung a kettle full of something good, which they seemed to regard + with tender interest; while upon a grassy slope some few yards to the + right a trooper's horse was tethered. Carne was not with them, but had + crossed the creek, as the marks of his boots in the mud declared; and + creeping some little way along the thicket, Scudamore descried him walking + to and fro impatiently in a little hollow place, where the sailors could + not see him. This was on Scudamore's side of the creek, and scarcely fifty + yards below him. “He is waiting for an interview with somebody,” thought + Scuddy: “if I could only get down to that little shanty, perhaps I should + hear some fine treason. The wind is the right way to bring me every word + he says.” + </p> + <p> + Keeping in shelter when the traitor walked towards him, and stealing on + silently when his back was turned, the young sailor managed to ensconce + himself unseen in the rough little wattle shed made by his own hands for + the shelter of his patient, when a snow-storm had visited the valley of + the Canche last winter. Nothing could be better fitted for his present + purpose, inasmuch as his lurking-place could scarcely be descried from + below, being sheltered by two large trees and a screen of drooping ivy, + betwixt and below which it looked no more than a casual meeting of bushes; + while on the other hand the open space beneath it was curved like a human + ear, to catch the voice and forward it. + </p> + <p> + While Scudamore was waiting here and keenly watching everything, the light + began to falter, and the latest gleam of sunset trembled with the breath + of Spring among the buds and catkins. But the tall man continued his long, + firm stride, as if the watch in his pocket were the only thing worth + heeding. Until, as the shadows lost their lines and flowed into the + general depth, Carne sprang forward, and a horse and rider burst into the + silence of the grass and moss and trees. + </p> + <p> + Carne made a low obeisance, retired a little, and stood hat in hand, until + it should please the other man to speak. And Scudamore saw, with a start + of surprise, that the other man was Napoleon. + </p> + <p> + This great man appeared, to the mild English eyes that were watching him + so intently, of a very different mood and visage from those of their last + view of him. Then the face, which combined the beauty of Athens with the + strength of Rome, was calm, and gentle, and even sweet, with the rare + indulgence of a kindly turn. But now, though not disturbed with wrath, nor + troubled by disappointment, that face (which had helped to make his + fortune, more than any woman's had ever done for her) was cast, even if + the mould could be the same, in a very different metal. Stern force and + triumphant vigour shone in every lineament, and the hard bright eyes were + intent with purpose that would have no denial. + </p> + <p> + Refusing Carne's aid, he remained on his horse, and stroked his mane for a + moment, for he loved any creature that served him well, and was tender of + heart when he could afford it; which added to his power with mankind. + </p> + <p> + “Are all your men well out of earshot?” he asked; and receiving assurance + from Carne, went on. “Now you will be satisfied at length. You have long + been impatient. It is useless to deny it. All is arranged, and all comes + to a head within three months, and perhaps within two. Only four men will + know it besides yourself, and three of those four are commanders of my + fleet. A short time will be occupied in misleading those British ships + that beleaguer us; then we concentrate ours, and command the Channel; if + only for three days, that will be enough. I depart for Italy in three days + or in four, to increase the security of the enemy. But I shall return, + without a word to any one, and as fast as horses can lay belly to the + ground, when I hear that our ships have broken out. I shall command the + invasion, and it will be for England to find a man to set against me.” + </p> + <p> + “England will have difficulty, sire, in doing that,” Carne answered, with + a grim smile, for he shared the contempt of English Generals then + prevalent. “If the Continent cannot do it, how can the poor England? Once + let your Majesty land, and all is over. But what are your Majesty's orders + for me? And where do you propose to make the landing?” + </p> + <p> + “Never ask more than one question at a time,” Napoleon answered, with his + usual curtness; “my orders to you are to return at once. Prepare your + supplies for a moment's notice. Through private influence of some fair + lady, you have command of the despatches of that officer at Springport, + who has the control of the naval forces there. Ha! what was that? I heard + a sound up yonder. Hasten up, and see if there is any listener. It seemed + to be there, where the wood grows thick.” + </p> + <p> + Blyth Scudamore, forgetful of himself, had moved, and a dry stick cracked + beneath his foot. Carne, at the Emperor's glance and signal, sprang up the + bank, with the help of some bushes, drew his sword and passed it between + the wattles, then parted them and rushed through, but saw no sign of any + one. For Scuddy had slipped away, as lightly as a shadow, and keeping in a + mossy trough, had gained another shelter. Here he was obliged to slink in + the smallest possible compass, kneeling upon both knees, and shrugging in + both shoulders. Peering very sharply through an intertwist of suckers (for + his shelter was a stool of hazel, thrown up to repair the loss of stem), + he perceived that the Emperor had moved his horse a little when Carne + rejoined and reassured him. And this prevented Scudamore from being half + so certain as he would have liked to be, about further particulars of this + fine arrangement. + </p> + <p> + “No,” was the next thing he heard Napoleon say whose power of saying “no” + had made his “yes” invincible; “no, it is not to be done like that. You + will await your instructions, and not move until you receive them from my + own hand. Make no attempt to surprise anybody or anything, until I have + ten thousand men ashore. Ten thousand will in six hours attain to fifty + thousand, if the shore proves to be as you describe; so great is the merit + of flat-bottomed boats. Your duty will be to leave the right surprise to + us, and create a false one among the enemy. This you must do in the + distance of the West, as if my Brest fleet were ravaging there, and + perhaps destroying Plymouth. You are sure that you can command the signals + for this?” + </p> + <p> + “Sire, I know everything as if I sat among it. I can do as I please with + the fair secretary; and her father is an ancient fool.” + </p> + <p> + “Then success is more easy than I wish to have it, because it will not + make good esteem. If Nelson comes at all, he will be too late, as he + generally is too early. London will be in our hands by the middle of July + at the latest, probably much earlier, and then Captain Carne shall name + his own reward. Meanwhile forget not any word of what I said. Make the + passage no more. You will not be wanted here. Your services are far more + important where you are. You may risk the brave Charron, but not yourself. + Send over by the 20th of May a letter to me, under care of Decres, to be + opened by no hand but mine, upon my return from Italy, and let the + messengers wait for my reply. Among them must be the young man who knows + the coast, and we will detain him for pilot. My reply will fix the exact + date of our landing, and then you will despatch, through the means at your + command, any English force that might oppose our landing, to the West, + where we shall create a false alarm. Is all this clear to you? You are not + stupid. The great point is to do all at the right time, having + consideration of the weather.” + </p> + <p> + “All is clear, and shall be carried out clearly, to the best of your + Majesty's humble servant's power.” + </p> + <p> + Napoleon offered his beautiful white hand, which Carne raised to his lips, + and then the Emperor was gone. Carne returned slowly to the boat, with + triumph written prematurely on his dark stern face; while Scudamore's + brisk and ruddy features were drawn out to a wholly unwonted length, as he + quietly made his way out of the covert. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0054" id="link2HCH0054"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER LIV + </h2> + <h3> + IN A SAD PLIGHT + </h3> + <p> + “How shall I get out of this parole? Or shall I break it, instead of + getting out? Which shall I think of first, my honour, or my country? The + safety of millions, or the pride of one? An old Roman would have settled + it very simply. But a Christian cannot do things so. Thank God there is no + hurry, for a few days yet! But I must send a letter to Desportes this very + night. Then I must consider about waiting for a week.” + </p> + <p> + Scudamore, unable to think out his case as yet—especially after + running as if his wind could turn a vane—was sitting on the bank, to + let the river-bed get darker, before he put his legs into the mud to get + across. For the tide was out, and the old boat high and dry, and a very + weak water remained to be crossed (though, like nearly all things that are + weak, it was muddy), but the channel had a moist gleam in the dry spring + air, and anybody moving would be magnified afar. He felt that it would + never do for him, with such a secret, to be caught, and brought to book, + or even to awake suspicion of his having it. The ancient Roman of whom he + had thought would have broken parole for his country's sake, and then + fallen on his sword for his own sake; but although such behaviour should + be much admired, it is nicer to read of such things than to do them. + Captain Scuddy was of large and steady nature, and nothing came to him + with a jerk or jump—perhaps because he was such a jumper—and + he wore his hat well on the back of his head, because he had no fear of + losing it. But for all that he found himself in a sad quandary now. + </p> + <p> + To begin with, his parole was not an ordinary leave, afforded by his + captors to save themselves trouble; but a special grace, issuing from + friendship, and therefore requiring to be treated in a friendly vein. The + liberality of these terms had enabled him to dwell as a friend among + friends, and to overhear all that he had heard. In the balance of + perplexities, this weighed heavily against his first impulse to cast away + all except paramount duty to his country. In the next place, he knew that + private feeling urged him as hotly as public duty to cast away all thought + of honour, and make off. For what he had heard about the “fair secretary” + was rankling bitterly in his deep heart. He recalled at this moment the + admirable precept of an ancient sage, that in such a conflict of duties + the doubter should incline to the course least agreeable to himself, + inasmuch as the reasons against it are sure to be urged the most feebly in + self-council. Upon the whole, the question was a nice one for a casuist; + and if there had not been a day to spare, duty to his country must have + overridden private faith. + </p> + <p> + However, as there was time to spare, he resolved to reconcile private + honour with the sense of public duty; and returning to his room, wrote a + careful letter (of which he kept a copy) to his friend Desportes, now on + board, and commanding the flagship of one division of the flotilla. He + simply said, without giving his reason, that his parole must expire in + eight days after date, allowing one day for delivery of his letter. Then + he told M. Jalais what he had done, and much sorrow was felt in the + household. When the time had expired without any answer from Captain + Desportes, who meant to come and see him but was unable to do so, + Scudamore packed up a few things needful, expecting to be placed in + custody, and resolved to escape from it, at any risk of life. Then he + walked to Etaples, a few miles down the river, and surrendered himself to + the commandant there. This was a rough man—as Desportes had said—and + with more work to do than he could manage. With very little ceremony he + placed the English prisoner in charge of a veteran corporal, with orders + to take him to the lock-up in the barracks, and there await further + instructions. And then the commandant, in the hurry of his duties, forgot + all about him. + </p> + <p> + Captain Scuddy now found himself in quarters and under treatment very + trying to his philosophy. Not that the men who had him in charge were + purposely unkind to him, only they were careless about his comfort, and + having more important work to see to, fed him at their leisure, which did + not always coincide with his appetite. Much of his food was watery and + dirty, and seemed to be growing its own vegetables, and sometimes to have + overripened them. Therefore he began to lose substance, and his cheeks + became strangers to the buxom gloss which had been the delight of Madame + Fropot. But although they did not feed him well, they took good care of + him in other ways, affording no chance of exit. + </p> + <p> + But sour fruit often contains good pips. Scudamore's food was not worth + saying grace for, and yet a true blessing attended it: forasmuch as the + Frenchmen diminished the width of their prisoner, but not of the window. + Falling away very rapidly, for his mind was faring as badly as his body + (having nothing but regrets to feed upon, which are no better diet than + daisy soup), the gentle Scuddy, who must have become a good wrangler if he + had stopped at Cambridge, began to frame a table of cubic measure, and + consider the ratio of his body to that window, or rather the aperture + thereof. One night, when his supper had been quite forgotten by everybody + except himself, he lay awake thinking for hours and hours about his fair + Dolly and the wicked Carne, and all the lies he must have told about her—for + not a single syllable would Scudamore believe—and the next day he + found himself become so soft and limp, as well as reduced to his lowest + dimension, that he knew, by that just measure which a man takes of himself + when he has but a shred of it left, that now he was small enough to go + between the bars. And now it was high time to feel that assurance, for the + morning brought news that the order for his removal to a great prison far + inland was come, and would be carried out the next day. “Now or never” was + the only chance before him. + </p> + <p> + Having made up his mind, he felt refreshed, and took his food with + gratitude. Then, as soon as the night was dark and quiet, and the mighty + host for leagues and leagues launched into the realms of slumber, + springing with both feet well together, as he sprang from the tub at + Stonnington, Scuddy laid hold of the iron bars which spanned the window + vertically, opened the lattice softly, and peeped out in quest of + sentinels. There were none on duty very near him, though he heard one + pacing in the distance. Then flinging himself on his side, he managed, + with some pain to his well-rounded chest, to squeeze it through the narrow + slit, and hanging from the bar, dropped gently. The drop was deep, and in + spite of all precautions he rolled to the bottom of a grassy ditch. There + he lay quiet to rest his bruises, and watch whether any alarm was raised. + Luckily for him, the moon was down, and no one had observed his venture. + Crawling on all fours along a hollow place, he passed the outposts, and + was free. + </p> + <p> + Free in mind as well as body, acquitted from all claims of honour, and + able without a taint upon his name to bear most important news to England, + if he could only get away from France. This would be difficult, as he was + well aware; but his plan had been thoroughly considered in his prison, and + he set forth to make the best of it. Before his escape had been + discovered, he was under M. Jalais' roof once more, and found his good + friends resolved never to betray him. “But I must not expose you to the + risk,” said he, “of heavy fine and imprisonment. I shall have to say + good-bye to all your goodness in an hour. And I shall not even allow you + to know what road I take, lest you should be blamed for sending my + pursuers on the wrong one. But search my room in three days' time, and you + will find a packet to pay for something which I must steal for the + present. I pray you, ask nothing, for your own sake.” + </p> + <p> + They fed him well, and he took three loaves, and a little keg of cider, as + well as the bag he had packed before he surrendered himself at Etaples. + Madame Fropot wept and kissed him, because he reminded her of her lost + son; and M. Jalais embraced him, because he was not at all like any son of + his. With hearty good wishes, and sweet regret, and promises never to + forget them, the Englishman quitted this kind French house, and became at + once a lawful and a likely mark for bullets. + </p> + <p> + The year was now filled with the flurry of Spring, the quick nick of time + when a man is astonished at the power of Nature's memory. A great many + things had been left behind, mainly for their own good, no doubt—some + of the animal, some of the vegetable, some of the mineral kingdom even—yet + none of them started for anarchy. All were content to be picked up and + brought on according to the power of the world, making allowance for the + pinches of hard times, and the blows of east winds that had blown + themselves out. Even the prime grumbler of the earth—a biped, who + looks up to heaven for that purpose mainly—was as nearly content + with the present state of things as he can be with anything, until it is + the past. Scudamore only met one man, but that one declared it was a + lovely night; and perhaps he was easier to please because he had only one + leg left. + </p> + <p> + The stars had appeared, and the young leaves turned the freshness of their + freedom towards them, whether from the crisp impulse of night, or the + buoyant influence of kindness in the air. There was very little wind, and + it was laden with no sound, except the distant voice of an indefatigable + dog; but Scudamore perceived that when the tide set downwards, a gentle + breeze would follow down the funnel of the river. Then he drew the ancient + boat which he had used before to the mossy bank, and having placed his + goods on board, fetched a pair of oars and the short mast and brown sail + from the shed where they were kept, and at the top of a full tide launched + forth alone upon his desperate enterprise. + </p> + <p> + There was faint light in the channel, but the banks looked very dark; and + just as he cast loose he heard the big clock at Montreuil, a great way up + the valley, slowly striking midnight. And he took it for good omen, as he + swiftly passed the orchard, that his old friend the ox trotted down to the + corner, and showed his white forehead under a sprawling apple-tree, and + gave him a salute, though he scarcely could have known him. By this time + the breeze was freshening nicely, and Scudamore, ceasing to row, stepped + the mast, and hoisting the brown sail, glided along at a merry pace and + with a hopeful heart. Passing the mouth of the creek, he saw no sign of + the traitorous pilot-boat, neither did he meet any other craft in channel, + although he saw many moored at either bank. But nobody challenged him, as + he kept in mid-stream, and braced up his courage for the two great perils + still before him ere he gained the open sea. The first of these would be + the outposts on either side at Etaples, not far from the barracks where he + had been jailed, and here no doubt the sentinels would call him to + account. But a far greater danger would be near the river's mouth, where a + bridge of boats, with a broad gangway for troops, spanned the tidal + opening. + </p> + <p> + There was no bridge across the river yet near the town itself, but, upon + challenge from a sentry, Scudamore stood up and waved his hat, and shouted + in fine nasal and provincial French, “The fisherman, Auguste Baudry, of + Montreuil!” and the man withdrew his musket, and wished him good success. + Then he passed a sandy island with some men asleep upon it, and began to + fear the daybreak as he neared the bridge of boats. This crossed the + estuary at a narrow part, and having to bear much heavy traffic, was as + solid as a floating bridge can be. A double row of barges was lashed and + chained together, between piles driven deep into the river's bed; along + them a road of heavy planks was laid, rising and falling as they rose and + fell with tide, and a drawbridge near the middle of about eight yards' + span must suffice for the traffic of the little river. This fabric was + protected from the heavy western surges by the shoals of the bar, and from + any English dash by a strong shore battery at either end. At first sight + it looked like a black wall across the river. + </p> + <p> + The darkness of night is supposed to be deepest just before dawn—but + that depends upon the weather—and the sleep of weary men is often in + its prime at that time. Scudamore (although his life, and all that life + hangs on from heaven, were quivering at the puff of every breeze) was + enabled to derive some satisfaction from a yawn, such as goes the round of + a good company sometimes, like the smell of the supper of sleep that is to + come. Then he saw the dark line of the military bridge, and lowered his + sail, and unstepped his little mast. The strength of the tide was almost + spent, so that he could deal with this barrier at his leisure, instead of + being hurled against it. + </p> + <p> + Unshipping the rudder and laying one oar astern, Scudamore fetched along + the inner row of piles, for he durst not pass under the drawbridge, + steering his boat to an inch while he sat with his face to the oar, + working noiselessly. Then he spied a narrow opening between two barges, + and drove his boat under the chain that joined them, and after some + fending and groping with his hands in the darkness under the planks of the + bridge, contrived to get out, when he almost despaired of it, through the + lower tier of the supporters. He was quit of that formidable barrier now, + but a faint flush of dawn and of reflection from the sea compelled him to + be very crafty. Instead of pushing straightway for the bar and hoisting + sail—which might have brought a charge of grape-shot after him—he + kept in the gloom of the piles nearly into the left bank, and then hugged + the shadow it afforded. Nothing but the desolate sands surveyed him, and + the piles of wrack cast up by gales from the west. Then with a stout heart + he stepped his little mast, and the breeze, which freshened towards the + rising of the sun, carried him briskly through the tumble of the bar. + </p> + <p> + The young man knelt and said his morning prayer, with one hand still upon + the tiller; for, like most men who have fought well for England, he had + staunch faith in the Power that has made and guides the nations, until + they rebel against it. So far his success had been more than his own + unaided hand might work, or his brain with the utmost of its labours + second. Of himself he cast all thoughts away, for his love seemed lost, + and his delight was gone; the shores of his country, if he ever reached + them, would contain no pleasure for him; but the happiness of millions + might depend upon his life, and first of all that of his mother. + </p> + <p> + All by himself in this frail old tub, he could scarcely hope to cross the + Channel, even in the best of weather, and if he should escape the enemy, + while his scanty supplies held out. He had nothing to subsist on but three + small loaves, and a little keg of cider, and an old tar tub which he had + filled with brackish water, upon which the oily curdle of the tar was + floating. But, for all that, he trusted that he might hold out, and retain + his wits long enough to do good service. + </p> + <p> + The French coast, trending here for leagues and leagues nearly due north + and south, is exposed to the long accumulating power of a western gale, + and the mountain roll of billows that have known no check. If even a smart + breeze from the west sprang up, his rickety little craft, intended only + for inland navigation, would have small chance of living through the + tumult. But his first care was to give a wide berth to the land and the + many French vessels that were moored or moving, whether belonging to the + great flotilla, or hastening to supply its wants. Many a time he would + have stood forth boldly, as fast as the breeze and tide permitted; but no + sooner had he shaped a course for the open sea than some hostile sail + appeared ahead and forced him to bear away until she was far onward. Thus, + after a long day of vigilance and care, he was not more than five miles + from land when the sun set, and probably further from the English coast + than when he set forth in the morning; because he had stood towards the + south of west all day, to keep out of sight of the left wing of the enemy; + and as the straight outline of the coast began to fade, he supposed + himself to be about half-way between the mouth of the Canche and that of + the little Authie. + </p> + <p> + Watching with the eyes of one accustomed to the air the last communication + of the sun, and his postscript (which, like a lady's, is the gist of what + he means), Scudamore perceived that a change of weather might come + shortly, and must come ere long. There was nothing very angry in the sky, + nor even threatening; only a general uncertainty and wavering; “I wish you + well all round,” instead of “Here's a guinea apiece for you.” Scuddy + understood it, and resolved to carry on. + </p> + <p> + Having no compass, and small knowledge of the coast—which lay out of + range of the British investment—he had made up his mind to lie by + for the night, or at any rate to move no more than he could help, for fear + of going altogether in the wrong direction. He could steer by the stars—as + great mariners did, when the world was all discovery—so long as the + stars held their skirts up; but, on the other hand, those stars might lead + him into the thick of the enemy. Of this, however, he must now take his + chance, rather than wait and let the wind turn against him. For his main + hope was to get into the track where British frigates, and ships of light + draught like his own dear Blonde, were upon patrol, inside of the course + of the great war chariots, the ships of the line, that drave heavily. + Revolving much grist in the mill of his mind, as the sage Ulysses used to + do, he found it essential to supply the motive power bodily. One of Madame + Fropot's loaves was very soon disposed of, and a good draught of sound + cider helped to renew his flagging energy. + </p> + <p> + Throughout that night he kept wide-awake, and managed to make fair + progress, steering, as well as he could judge, a little to the west of + north. But before sunrise the arrears of sleep increased at compound + interest, and he lowered his sail, and discharged a part of the heavy sum + scored against him. But when he awoke, and glanced around him with eyes + that resented scanty measure, even a sleepy glance sufficed to show much + more than he wished to see. Both sky and sea were overcast with doubt, and + alarm, and evil foreboding. A dim streak lay where the land had been, and + a white gleam quivered from the sunrise on the waves, as if he were + spreading water-lilies instead of scattering roses. As the earth has its + dew that foretells a bright day—whenever the dew is of the proper + sort, for three kinds are established now—so the sea has a flit of + bloom in the early morning (neither a colour, nor a sparkle, nor a vapour) + which indicates peace and content for the day. But now there was no such + fair token upon it, but a heavy and surly and treacherous look, with lumps + here and there; as a man who intends to abuse us thrusts his tongue to get + sharp in his cheek. + </p> + <p> + Scudamore saw that his poor old boat, scarcely sound enough for the men of + Gotham, was already complaining of the uncouth manners of the strange + place to which she had been carried in the dark. That is to say, she was + beginning to groan, at a very quiet slap in the cheeks, or even a + thoroughly well-meaning push in the rear. + </p> + <p> + “You are welcome to groan, if you don't strain,” exclaimed the heartless + Captain Scuddy. + </p> + <p> + Even as he spoke he beheld a trickle of water glistening down the forward + bends, and then a little rill, and then a spurt, as if a serious leak was + sprung. He found the source of this, and contrived to caulk it with a + strand of tarred rope for the present; but the sinking of his knife into + the forward timber showed him that a great part of the bows was rotten. If + a head-sea arose, the crazy old frame would be prone to break in bodily, + whereas if he attempted to run before the sea, already beginning to rise + heavily from the west, there was nothing to save the frail craft from + being pooped. On every side it was a bad lookout, there was every sign of + a gale impending, which he could not even hope to weather, and the only + chance of rescue lay in the prompt appearance of some British ship. + </p> + <p> + Even in this sad plight his courage and love of native land prevailed + against the acceptance of aid from Frenchmen, if any should approach to + offer it. Rather would he lie at the bottom of the Channel, or drift about + among contending fishes, than become again a prisoner with his secret in + his mind, and no chance of sending it to save his country. As a forlorn + hope, he pulled out a stump of pencil, and wrote on the back of a letter + from his mother a brief memorandum of what he had heard, and of the + urgency of the matter. Then taking a last draught of his tarry water, he + emptied the little tub, and fixed the head in, after he had enclosed his + letter. Then he fastened the tub to an oar, to improve the chance of its + being observed, and laid the oar so that it would float off, in case of + the frail boat foundering. The other oar he kept at hand to steer with, as + long as the boat should live, and to help him to float, when she should + have disappeared. + </p> + <p> + This being done, he felt easier in his mind, as a man who has prepared for + the worst should do. He renewed his vigour, which had begun to flag under + constant labour and long solitude, by consuming another of his loaves, and + taking almost the last draught of his cider, and after that he battled + throughout the dreary day against the increase of bad weather. Towards the + afternoon he saw several ships, one of which he took to be a British + frigate; but none of them espied his poor labouring craft, or at any rate + showed signs of doing so. Then a pilot-boat ran by him, standing probably + for Boulogne, and at one time less than a league away. She appeared to be + English, and he was just about to make signal for aid, when a patch in her + foresail almost convinced him that she was the traitor of the Canche + returning. She was probably out of her proper course in order to avoid the + investing fleet, and she would run inside it when the darkness fell. + Better to go to the bottom than invoke such aid; and he dropped the oar + with his neckerchief upon it, and faced the angry sea again and the lonely + despair of impending night. + </p> + <p> + What followed was wiped from his memory for years, and the loss was not + much to be regretted. When he tried to think about it, he found nothing + but a roaring of wind and of waves in his ears, a numbness of arms as he + laboured with the oar tholed abaft to keep her heavy head up, a prickly + chill in his legs as the brine in the wallowing boat ran up them, and then + a great wallop and gollop of the element too abundant round him. + </p> + <p> + But at last, when long years should have brought more wisdom, he went + poaching for supper upon Welsh rabbits. That night all the ghastly time + came back, and stood minute by minute before him. Every swing of his body, + and sway of his head, and swell of his heart, was repeated, the buffet of + the billows when the planks were gone, the numb grasp of the slippery oar, + the sucking down of legs which seemed turning into sea-weed, the dashing + of dollops of surf into mouth and nose closed ever so carefully, and then + the last sense of having fought a good fight, but fallen away from human + arms, into “Oh Lord, receive my spirit!” + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0055" id="link2HCH0055"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER LV + </h2> + <h3> + IN SAVAGE GUISE + </h3> + <p> + “A man came out of the sea to-day, and made me believe we were all found + out,” said the gay Charron to the gloomy Carne, a day or two after poor + Scudamore's wreck. “I never beheld a more strange-looking creature as the + owner of our human face divine, as some of your poets have found to say. + He has hair from his head all down to here”—the little Captain + pointed to a part of his system which would have been larger in more + tranquil times—“and his clothes were so thin that one was able to + see through them, and the tint of his face was of roasted sugar, such as + it is not to obtain in England. A fine place for fat things, but not for + thin ones.” + </p> + <p> + “My friend, you arouse my curiosity,” the master of the feast, which was + not a very fat one, answered, as he lazily crossed his long legs; “you are + always apprehensive about detection, of which I have ceased to entertain + all fear, during the short time that remains. This stranger of yours must + have been very wet, if he had just appeared out of the sea. Was it that + which made his clothes transparent, like those of the higher class of + ladies?” + </p> + <p> + “You have not the right understanding of words. He was appeared out of the + sea, but the wood of a boat was spread between them. He was as dry as I + am; and that is saying much, with nothing but this squeezing of bad apples + for to drink.” + </p> + <p> + “Ah, we shall have better soon. What an impatient throat it is! Well, what + became of this transparent man, made of burnt sugar, and with hair below + his belt?” + </p> + <p> + “I tell you that you take it in a very different way. But he was a long + man, as long almost as you are, and with much less of indolence in the + moving of his legs. It was not sincerely wise for me to exhibit myself, in + the land. I was watching for a signal from the sea, and a large ship, not + of the navy but of merchants, was hanging off about a league and delaying + for her boat. For this reason I prevented him from seeing me, and that + created difficulty of my beholding him. But he was going along the basin + of the sea towards Springhaven—'Springport' it is designated by the + Little Corporal; ah ha, how the language of the English comes left to + him!” + </p> + <p> + “And how right it comes to you, my friend, through your fine self-denial + in speaking it with me! It is well for our cause that it is not sincerely + wise for you to exhibit yourself in the land, or we should have you making + sweet eyes at English young ladies, and settling down to roast beef and + nut-brown ale. Fie, then, my friend! where is your patriotism?” + </p> + <p> + “These English young ladies,” said the Frenchman, unabashed, “are very + fine, in my opinion—very fine indeed; and they could be made to + dress, which is sincerely an external thing. By occasion, I have seen the + very most belle, and charming and adorable of all the creatures ever made + by the good God. And if she was to say to me, 'Abandon France, my Captain, + and become my good husband'—and she has the money also—the + fair France would go to the bottom, and the good ship Charron hoist the + Union-jack.” + </p> + <p> + “This becomes serious:” Carne had long learned to treat his French + colleague with a large contempt: “I shall have to confine you in the + Yellow Jar, my friend. But what young lady has bewitched you so, and led + your most powerful mind astray?” + </p> + <p> + “I will tell you. I will make no secret of it. You have none of those + lofty feelings, but you will be able in another to comprehend them. It is + the daughter of the Coast-Defender—Admiral Charles Sir Darling.” + </p> + <p> + “Admiral Darling has two daughters. Which of them has the distinguished + honour of winning the regard of Captain Charron?” + </p> + <p> + “If there are two, it is so much more better. If I succeed not with one, I + will try with the other. But the one who has made me captive for the + present is the lady with the dark hair done up like this.” + </p> + <p> + In a moment Charron had put up his hair, which was thick but short, into a + double sheaf; and Carne knew at once that it was Faith whose charms had + made havoc of the patriotism of his colleague. Then he smiled and said, + “My friend, that is the elder daughter.” + </p> + <p> + “I have some knowledge of the laws of England,” the Frenchman continued, + complacently; “the elder will have the most money, and I am not rich, + though I am courageous. In the confusion that ensues I shall have the very + best chance of commending myself; and I confide in your honourable feeling + to give me the push forward by occasion. Say, is it well conceived, my + friend? We never shall conquer these Englishmen, but we may be triumphant + with their ladies.” + </p> + <p> + “It is a most excellent scheme of invasion,” Carne answered, with his slow + sarcastic smile, “and you may rely on me for what you call the push + forward, if a Frenchman ever needs it with a lady. But I wish to hear more + about that brown man.” + </p> + <p> + “I can tell you no more. But the matter is strange. Perhaps he was + visiting the fat Captain Stoobar. I feel no solicitude concerning him with + my angel. She would never look twice at such a savage.” + </p> + <p> + But the gallant French Captain missed the mark this time. The + strange-looking man with the long brown beard quitted the shore before he + reached the stepping-stones, and making a short-cut across the + rabbit-warren, entered the cottage of Zebedee Tugwell, without even + stopping to knock at the door. The master was away, and so were all the + children; but stout Mrs. Tugwell, with her back to the door, was tending + the pot that hung over the fire. At the sound of a footstep she turned + round, and her red face grew whiter than the ashes she was stirring. + </p> + <p> + “Oh, Mr. Erle, is it you, or your ghostie?” she cried, as she fell against + the door of the brick oven. “Do 'e speak, for God's sake, if He have given + the power to 'e.” + </p> + <p> + “He has almost taken it away again, so far as the English language goes,” + Erle Twemlow answered, with a smile which was visible only in his eyes, + through long want of a razor; “but I am picking up a little. Shake hands, + Kezia, and then you will know me. Though I have not quite recovered that + art as yet.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, Mr. Erle!” exclaimed Zebedee's wife, with tears ready to start for + his sake and her own, “how many a time I've had you on my knees, afore I + was blessed with any of my own, and a bad sort of blessing the best of 'em + proves. Not that I would listen to a word again' him. I suppose you never + did happen to run again' my Dan'el, in any of they furrin parts, from the + way they makes the hair grow. I did hear tell of him over to Pebbleridge; + but not likely, so nigh to his own mother, and never come no nigher. And + if they furrin parts puts on the hair so heavily, who could 'a known him + to Pebbleridge? They never was like we be. They'd as lief tell a lie as + look at you, over there.” + </p> + <p> + In spite of his own long years of trouble, or perhaps by reason of them, + Erle Twemlow, eager as he was to get on, listened to the sad tale that + sought for his advice, and departed from wisdom—as good-nature + always does—by offering useless counsel—counsel that could not + be taken, and yet was far from being worthless, because it stirred anew + the fount of hope, towards which the parched affections creep. + </p> + <p> + “But Lor bless me, sir, I never thought of you!” Mrs. Tugwell exclaimed, + having thought out her self. “What did Parson say, and your mother, and + Miss Faith? It must 'a been better than a play to see them.” + </p> + <p> + “Not one of them knows a word about it yet; nor anybody in Springhaven, + except you, Kezia. You were as good as my nurse, you know; I have never + had a chance of writing to them, and I want you to help me to let them + know it slowly.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, Mr. Erle, what a lovely young woman your Miss Faith is grown up by + now! Some thinks more of Miss Dolly, but, to my mind, you may as well put + a mackerel before a salmon, for the sake of the stripes and the + glittering. Now what can I do to make you decent, sir, for them duds and + that hair is barbarious? My Tabby and Debby will be back in half an hour, + and them growing up into young maidens now.” + </p> + <p> + Twemlow explained that after living so long among savages in a burning + clime, he had found it impossible to wear thick clothes, and had been + rigged up in some Indian stuff by the tailor of the ship which had rescued + him. But now he supposed he must reconcile himself by degrees to the old + imprisonment. But as for his hair, that should never be touched, unless he + was restored to the British Army, and obliged to do as the others did. + With many little jokes of a homely order, Mrs. Tugwell, regarding him + still as a child, supplied him with her husband's summer suit of thin + duck, which was ample enough not to gall him; and then she sent her + daughters with a note to the Rector, begging him to come at seven o'clock + to meet a gentleman who wished to see him upon important business, near + the plank bridge across the little river. Erle wrote that note, but did + not sign it; and after many years of happy freedom from the pen, his + handwriting was so changed that his own father would not know it. What he + feared was the sudden shock to his good mother; his father's nerves were + strong, and must be used as buffers. + </p> + <p> + “Another trouble, probably; there is nothing now but trouble,” Mr. Twemlow + was thinking, as he walked unwillingly towards the place appointed. “I + wish I could only guess what I can have done to deserve all these trials, + as I become less fit to bear them. I would never have come to this lonely + spot, except that it may be about Shargeloes. Everything now is turned + upside down; but the Lord knows best, and I must bear it. Sir, who are + you? And what do you want me for?” + </p> + <p> + At the corner where Miss Dolly had rushed into the Rector's open arms so + fast, a tall man, clad in white, was standing, with a staff about eight + feet long in his hand. Having carried a spear for four years now, Captain + Twemlow found no comfort in his native land until he had cut the tallest + growth in Admiral Darling's osier bed, and peeled it, and shaved it to a + seven-sided taper. He rested this point in a socket of moss, that it might + not be blunted, and then replied: + </p> + <p> + “Father, you ought to know me, although you have grown much stouter in my + absence; and perhaps I am thinner than I used to be. But the climate + disagreed with me, until I got to like it.” + </p> + <p> + “Erle! Do you mean to say you are my boy Erle?” The Rector was particular + about his clothes. “Don't think of touching me. You are hair all over, and + I dare say never had a comb. I won't believe a word of it until you prove + it.” + </p> + <p> + “Well, mother will know me, if you don't.” The young man answered calmly, + having been tossed upon so many horns of adventure that none could make a + hole in him. “I thought that you would have been glad to see me; and I + managed to bring a good many presents; only they are gone on to London. + They could not be got at, to land them with me; but Captain Southcombe + will be sure to send them. You must not suppose, because I am empty-handed + now—” + </p> + <p> + “My dear son,” cried the father, deeply hurt, “do you think that your + welcome depends upon presents? You have indeed fallen into savage ways. + Come, and let me examine you through your hair; though the light is + scarcely strong enough now to go through it. To think that you should be + my own Erle, alive after such a time, and with such a lot of hair! Only, + if there is any palm-oil on it—this is my last new coat but one.” + </p> + <p> + “No, father, nothing that you ever can have dreamed of. Something that + will make you a bishop, if you like, and me a member of the House of + Lords. But I did not find it out myself—which makes success more + certain.” + </p> + <p> + “They have taught you some great truths, my dear boy. The man who begins a + thing never gets on. But I am so astonished that I know not what I say. I + ought to have thanked the Lord long ago. Have you got a place without any + hair upon it large enough for me to kiss you?” + </p> + <p> + Erle Twemlow, whose hand in spite of all adventures trembled a little upon + his spear, lifted his hat and found a smooth front, sure to be all the + smoother for a father's kiss. + </p> + <p> + “Let us go home,” said the old man, trying to exclude all excitement from + his throat and heart; “but you must stay outside until I come to fetch + you. I feel a little anxious, my dear boy, as to how your dear mother will + get over it. She has never been strong since the bad news came about you. + And somebody else has to be considered. But that must stand over till + to-morrow.” + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0056" id="link2HCH0056"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER LVI + </h2> + <h3> + THE SILVER VOICE + </h3> + <p> + Many shrewd writers have observed that Britannia has a special luck—which + the more devout call Providence—in holding her own, against not only + her true and lawful enemies, but even those of her own bosom who labour + most to ruin her. And truly she had need of all her fortune now, to save + her from the skulking traitor, as well as the raging adversary. + </p> + <p> + “Now I will have my revenge,” said Carne, “on all who have outraged and + plundered me. Crows—carrion-crows—I will turn them into owls + without a nest. Prowling owls, to come blinking even now at the last of my + poor relics! Charron, what did that fellow say to old Jerry, the day I + tied the dogs up?” + </p> + <p> + “He said, my dear friend, that he missed from the paintings which he had + taken to his house the most precious of them all—the picture of your + dear grandmother, by a man whose name it is hard to pronounce, but a + Captain in the British Army, very much fond of beloving and painting all + the most beautiful ladies; and since he had painted the mother of Vash—Vash—the + man that conquered England in America—all his work was gone up to a + wonderful price, and old Sheray should have one guinea if he would exhibit + to him where to find it. Meedle or Beedle—he had set his heart on + getting it. He declared by the good God that he would have it, and that + you had got it under a tombstone.” + </p> + <p> + “A sample of their persecutions! You know that I have never seen it, nor + even heard of the Captain Middleton who went on his rovings from + Springhaven. And, again, about my own front-door, or rather the door of my + family for some four centuries, because it was carved as they cannot carve + now, it was put into that vile Indenture. I care very little for my + ancestors—benighted Britons of the county type—but these + things are personal insults to me. I seldom talk about them, and I will + not do so now.” + </p> + <p> + “My Captain, you should talk much about it. That would be the good relief + to your extensive mind. Revenge is not of the bright French nature; but + the sky of this island procreates it. My faith! how I would rage at + England, if it were not for the people, and their daughters! We shall see; + in a few days more we shall astonish the fat John Bull; and then his + little kittens—what do you call them?—calves of an ox, will + come running to us.” + </p> + <p> + “Enough of your foolish talk,” said Carne. “The women are as resolute as + the men. Even when we have taken London, not an English woman will come + near us, until all the men have yielded. Go down to your station and watch + for the boat. I expect an important despatch to-night. But I cannot stay + here for the chance of it. I have business in Springhaven.” + </p> + <p> + His business in Springhaven was to turn young love to the basest use, to + make a maiden (rash and flighty, but not as yet dishonourable) a traitor + to her friends and father-land, and most of all to her own father. He had + tried to poison Dolly's mind with doses of social nonsense—in which + he believed about as much as a quack believes in his own pills—but + his main reliance now was placed in his hold upon her romantic heart, and + in her vague ambitions. Pure and faithful love was not to be expected from + his nature; but he had invested in Dolly all the affection he could spare + from self. He had laboured long, and suffered much, and the red crown of + his work was nigh. + </p> + <p> + Riding slowly down the hill about half a mile from the village, Carne saw + a tall man coming towards him with a firm, deliberate walk. The stranger + was dressed very lightly, and wore a hat that looked like a tobacco leaf, + and carried a long wand in his hand, as if he were going to keep order in + church. These things took the eye afar, but at shorter range became as + nothing, compared with the aspect of the man himself. This was grand, with + its steadfast gaze—no stare, but a calm and kind regard—its + large tranquillity and power of receiving without believing the words of + men; and most of all in the depth of expression reserved by experience in + the forest of its hair. + </p> + <p> + Carne was about to pass in silent wonder and uneasiness, but the other + gently laid the rod across his breast and stopped him, and then waited for + him to ask the reason why. + </p> + <p> + “Have you any business with me, good sir?” Carne would have spoken rudely, + but saw that rudeness would leave no mark upon a man like this. “If so, I + must ask you to be quick. And perhaps you will tell me who you are.” + </p> + <p> + “I think that you are Caryl Carne,” said the stranger, not unpleasantly, + but as if it mattered very little who was Caryl Carne, or whether there + was any such existence. + </p> + <p> + Carne stared fiercely, for he was of touchy temper; but he might as well + have stared at a bucket of water in the hope of deranging its + tranquillity. “You know me. But I don't know you,” he answered at last, + with a jerk of his reins. + </p> + <p> + “Be in no hurry,” said the other, mildly; “the weather is fine, and time + plentiful. I hope to have much pleasant knowledge of you. I have the + honour to be your first cousin, Erle Twemlow. Shake hands with your + kinsman.” + </p> + <p> + Carne offered his hand, but without his usual grace and self-possession. + Twemlow took it in his broad brown palm, in which it seemed to melt away, + firm though it was and muscular. + </p> + <p> + “I was going up to call on you,” said Twemlow, who had acquired a habit of + speaking as if he meant all the world to hear. “I feel a deep interest in + your fortunes, and hope to improve them enormously. You shall hear all + about it when I come up. I have passed four years in the wilds of Africa, + where no white man ever trod before, and I have found out things no white + man knows. We call those people savages, but they know a great deal more + than we do. Shall I call to-morrow, and have a long talk?” + </p> + <p> + “I fear,” replied Carne, who was cursing his luck for bringing this fellow + home just now, “that I shall have no time for a week or two. I am engaged + upon important business now, which will occupy my whole attention. Let me + see! You are staying at the rectory, I suppose. The best plan will be for + me to let you know when I can afford the pleasure of receiving you. In a + fortnight, or three weeks at the latest—” + </p> + <p> + “Very well. I am never in a hurry. And I want to go to London to see about + my things. But I dare say you will not object to my roving about the old + castle now and then. I loved the old place as a boy, and I know every + crick and cranny and snake-hole in it.” + </p> + <p> + “How glad they must have been to see you—restored from the dead, and + with such rich discoveries! But you must be more careful, my good cousin, + and create no more anxiety. Glad as I shall be to see you, when time + allows that indulgence, I must not encourage you to further rovings, which + might end in your final disappearance. Two boar-hounds, exceedingly fierce + and strong, and compelled by my straitened circumstances to pick up their + own living, are at large on my premises night and day, to remonstrate with + my creditors. We fear that they ate a man last night, who had stolen a + valuable picture, and was eager for another by the same distinguished + artist. His boots and hat were found unhurt; but of his clothes not a + shred remained, to afford any pattern for enquiry. What would my feelings + be if Aunt Maria arrived hysterically in the pony-carriage, and at great + personal risk enquired—” + </p> + <p> + “I fear no dogs,” said Erle Twemlow, without any flash of anger in his + steadfast eyes. “I can bring any dog to lick my feet. But I fear any man + who sinks lower than a dog, by obtaining a voice and speaking lies with + it. If you wish, for some reason of your own, to have nought to do with + me, you should have said so; and I might have respected you afterwards. + But flimsy excuses and trumpery lies belong to the lowest race of savages, + who live near the coast, and have been taught by Frenchmen.” + </p> + <p> + Erle Twemlow stood, as he left off speaking, just before the shoulder of + Carne's horse, ready to receive a blow, if offered, but without + preparation for returning it. But Carne, for many good reasons—which + occurred to his mind long afterwards—controlled his fury, and + consoled his self-respect by repaying in kind the contempt he received. + </p> + <p> + “Well done, Mr. Savage!” he said, with a violent effort to look amiable. + “You and I are accustomed to the opposite extremes of society, and the + less we meet, the better. When a barbarian insults me, I take it as a foul + word from a clodhopper, which does not hurt me, but may damage his own + self-respect, if he cherishes such an illusion. Perhaps you will allow me + to ride on, while you curb your very natural curiosity about a civilized + gentleman.” + </p> + <p> + Twemlow made no answer, but looked at him with a gentle pity, which + infuriated Carne more than the keenest insult. He lashed his horse, and + galloped down the hill, while his cousin stroked his beard, and looked + after him with sorrow. + </p> + <p> + “Everything goes against me now,” thought Caryl Carne, while he put up his + horse and set off for the Admiral's Roundhouse. “I want to be cool as a + cucumber, and that insolent villain has made pepper of me. What devil sent + him here at such a time?” + </p> + <p> + For the moment it did not cross his mind that this man of lofty rudeness + was the long-expected lover of Faith Darling, and therefore in some sort + entitled to a voice about the doings of the younger sister. By many quiet + sneers, and much expressive silence, he had set the brisk Dolly up against + the quiet Faith, as a man who understands fowl nature can set even two + young pullets pulling each other's hackles out. + </p> + <p> + “So you are come at last!” said Dolly. “No one who knows me keeps me + waiting, because I am not accustomed to it. I expect to be called for at + any moment, by matters of real importance—not like this.” + </p> + <p> + “Your mind is a little disturbed,” replied Carne, as he took her hand and + kissed it, with less than the proper rapture; “is it because of the brown + and hairy man just returned from Africa?” + </p> + <p> + “Not altogether. But that may be something. He is not a man to be laughed + at. I wish you could have seen my sister.” + </p> + <p> + “I would rather see you; and I have no love of savages. He is my first + cousin, and that affords me a domestic right to object to him. As a + brother-in-law I will have none of him.” + </p> + <p> + “You forget,” answered Dolly, with a flash of her old spirit, which he was + subduing too heavily, “that a matter of that sort depends upon us, and our + father, and not upon the gentlemen. If the gentlemen don't like it, they + can always go away.” + </p> + <p> + “How can they go, when they are chained up like a dog? Women may wander + from this one to that, because they have nothing to bind them; but a man + is of steadfast material.” + </p> + <p> + “Erle Twemlow is, at any rate—though it is hard to see his material + through his hair; but that must come off, and I mean to do it. He is the + best-natured man I have ever yet known, except one; and that one had got + nothing to shave. Men never seem to understand about their hair, and the + interest we feel concerning it. But it does not matter very much, compared + to their higher principles.” + </p> + <p> + “That is where I carry every vote, of whatever sex you please”—Carne + saw that this girl must be humoured for the moment. “Anybody can see what + I am. Straightforward, and ready to show my teeth. Why should an honest + man live in a bush?” + </p> + <p> + “Faith likes it very much; though she always used to say that it did seem + so unchristian. Could you manage to come and meet him, Caryl? We shall + have a little dinner on Saturday, I believe, that every one may see Erle + Twemlow. His beloved parents will be there, who are gone quite wild about + him. Father will be at home for once; and the Marquis of Southdown, and + some officers, and Captain Stubbard and his wife will come, and perhaps my + brother Frank, who admires you so much. You shall have an invitation in + the morning.” + </p> + <p> + “Such delights are not for me,” Carne answered, with a superior smile; + “unhappily my time is too important. But perhaps these festivities will + favour me with the chance of a few words with my darling. How I long to + see her, and how little chance I get!” + </p> + <p> + “Because, when you get it, you spend three-quarters of the time in + arguing, and the rest in finding fault. I am sure I go as far as anybody + can; and I won't take you into my father's Roundhouse, because I don't + think it would be proper.” + </p> + <p> + “Ladies alone understand such subjects; and a gentleman is thankful that + they do. I am quite content to be outside the Roundhouse—so called + because it is square, perhaps—though the wind is gone back to the + east again, as it always does now in an English summer, according to a man + who has studied the subject—Zebedee Tugwell, the captain of the + fleet. Dolly, beloved, and most worthy to be more so, clear your bright + mind from all false impressions, whose only merit is that they are yours, + and allow it to look clearly at a matter of plain sense.” + </p> + <p> + She was pleased to have compliments paid to her mind, even more than to + her body—because there was no doubt about the merits of the latter—and + she said: “That is very nice. Go on.” + </p> + <p> + “Well, beauty, you know that I trust you in everything, because of your + very keen discretion, and freedom from stupid little prejudice. I have + been surprised at times, when I thought of it in your absence, that any + one so young, who has never been through any course of political economy, + should be able to take such a clear view of subjects which are far beyond + the intellect of even the oldest ladies. But it must be your brother; no + doubt he has helped you to—” + </p> + <p> + “Not he!” cried the innocent Dolly, with fine pride; “I rather look down + upon his reasoning powers; though I never could make such a pretty tink of + rhymes—like the bells of the sheep when the ground is full of + turnips.” + </p> + <p> + “He approves of your elevated views,” said Carne, looking as grave as a + crow at a church clock; “they may not have come from him, because they are + your own, quite as much as his poetry is his. But he perceives their + truth, and he knows that they must prevail. In a year or two we shall be + wondering, sweet Dolly, when you and I sit side by side, as the stupid old + King and Queen do now, that it ever has been possible for narrow-minded + nonsense to prevail as it did until we rose above it. We shall be admired + as the benefactors, not of this country only, but of the whole world.” + </p> + <p> + Miss Dolly was fairly endowed with common-sense, but often failed to use + it. She would fain have said now, “That sounds wonderfully fine; but what + does it mean, and how are we to work it?” But unluckily she could not + bring herself to say it. And when millions are fooled by the glibness of + one man—even in these days of wisdom—who can be surprised at a + young maid's weakness? + </p> + <p> + “You wish me to help you in some way,” she said; “your object is sure to + be good; and you trust me in everything, because of my discretion. Then + why not tell me everything?” + </p> + <p> + “You know everything,” Carne replied, with a smile of affection and sweet + reproach. “My object is the largest that a man can have; and until I saw + you, there was not the least taint of self-interest in my proceedings. But + now it is not for the universe alone, for the grandeur of humanity, and + the triumph of peace, that I have to strive, but also for another little + somebody, who has come—I am ashamed to say—to outweigh all the + rest in the balance of my too tender heart.” + </p> + <p> + This was so good, and so well delivered, that the lady of such love could + do no less than vouchsafe a soft hand and a softer glance, instead of + pursuing hard reason. + </p> + <p> + “Beauty, it is plain enough to you, though it might not be so to stupid + people,” Carne continued, as he pressed her hand, and vanquished the doubt + of her enquiring eyes with the strength of his resolute gaze, “that bold + measures are sometimes the only wise ones. Many English girls would stand + aghast to hear that it was needful for the good of England that a certain + number, a strictly limited number, of Frenchmen should land upon this + coast.” + </p> + <p> + “I should rather think they would!” cried Dolly; “and I would be one of + them—you may be quite sure of that.” + </p> + <p> + “For a moment you might, until you came to understand.” Carne's voice + always took a silver tone when his words were big with roguery; as the man + who is touting for his neighbour's bees strikes the frying-pan softly at + first, to tone the pulsations of the murmuring mob. “But every safeguard + and every guarantee that can be demanded by the wildest prudence will be + afforded before a step is taken. In plain truth, a large mind is almost + shocked at such deference to antique prejudice. But the feelings of old + women must be considered; and our measures are fenced with such securities + that even the most timid must be satisfied. There must be a nominal + landing, of course, of a strictly limited number, and they must be secured + for a measurable period from any ill-judged interruption. But the great + point of all is to have no blood-guiltiness, no outbreak of fanatic + natives against benefactors coming in the garb of peace. A truly noble + offer of the olive-branch must not be misinterpreted. It is the finest + idea that has ever been conceived; and no one possessing a liberal mind + can help admiring the perfection of this plan. For the sake of this + country, and the world, and ourselves, we must contribute our little + share, darling.” + </p> + <p> + Carne, with the grace of a lofty protector, as well as the face of an + ardent lover, drew the bewildered maiden towards him, and tenderly kissed + her pretty forehead, holding up his hand against all protest. + </p> + <p> + “It is useless to dream of drawing back,” he continued; “my beauty, and my + poor outcast self, are in the same boat, and must sail on to success—such + success as there never has been before, because it will bless the whole + world, as well as secure our own perfect happiness. You will be more than + the Queen of England. Statues of you will be set up everywhere; and where + could the sculptors find such another model? I may count upon your + steadfast heart, I know, and your wonderful quickness of perception.” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, if I could only see that everything was right. But I feel that I + ought to consult somebody of more experience in such things. My father, + for instance, or my brother Frank, or even Mr. Twemlow, or perhaps Captain + Stubbard.” + </p> + <p> + “If you had thought of it a little sooner, and allowed me time to reason + with them,” Carne replied, with a candid smile, “that would have been the + very thing I should have wished, as taking a great responsibility from me. + But alas, it would be fatal now. The main object now is to remove all + chance of an ill-judged conflict, which would ruin all good feeling, and + cost many valuable lives, perhaps even that of your truly gallant father. + No, my Dolly, you must not open your beautiful lips to any one. The peace + and happiness of the world depend entirely upon your discretion. All will + be arranged to a nicety, and a happy result is certain. Only I must see + you, about some small points, as well as to satisfy my own craving. On + Saturday you have that dinner party, when somebody will sit by your side + instead of me. How miserably jealous I shall be! When the gentlemen are at + their wine, you must console me by slipping away from the ladies, and + coming to the window of the little room where your father keeps his + papers. I shall quit everything and watch there for you among the shrubs, + when it grows dark enough.” + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0057" id="link2HCH0057"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER LVII + </h2> + <h3> + BELOW THE LINE + </h3> + <p> + Of the British Admirals then on duty, Collingwood alone, so far as now + appears, had any suspicion of Napoleon's real plan. + </p> + <p> + “I have always had an idea that Ireland alone was the object they have in + view,” he wrote in July, 1805, “and still believe that to be their + ultimate destination—that they [i. e., the Toulon fleet] will now + liberate the Ferrol squadron from Calder, make the round of the bay, and + taking the Rochefort people with them, appear off Ushant, perhaps with 34 + sail, there to be joined by 20 more. Cornwallis collecting his + out-squadrons may have 30 and upwards. This appears to be a probable plan; + for unless it is to bring their great fleets and armies to some point of + service—some rash attempt at conquest—they have been only + subjecting them to chance of loss; which I do not believe the Corsican + would do, without the hope of an adequate reward. This summer is big with + events.” + </p> + <p> + This was written to Lord Nelson upon his return to Europe, after chasing + that Toulon fleet to the West Indies and back again. And a day or two + later, the same Vice-Admiral wrote to his friend very clearly, as before: + </p> + <p> + “Truly glad will I be to see you, and to give you my best opinion on the + present state of affairs, which are in the highest degree intricate. But + reasoning on the policy of the present French government, who never aim at + little things while great objects are in view, I have considered the + invasion of Ireland as the real mark and butt of all their operations. The + flight to the West Indies was to take off the naval force, which is the + great impediment to their undertaking. The Rochefort squadron's return + confirmed me. I think they will now collect their force at Ferrol—which + Calder tells me are in motion—pick up those at Rochefort, who, I am + told, are equally ready, and will make them above thirty sail; and then, + without going near Ushant or the Channel fleet, proceed to Ireland. + Detachments must go from the Channel fleet to succour Ireland, when the + Brest fleet—21 I believe of them—will sail, either to another + part of Ireland, or up the Channel—a sort of force that has not been + seen in those seas, perhaps ever.” + </p> + <p> + Lord Nelson just lately had suffered so much from the disadvantage of not + “following his own head, and so being much more correct in judgment than + following the opinion of others,” that his head was not at all in a + receptive state; and like all who have doubted about being right, and + found the doubt wrong, he was hardened into the merits of his own + conclusion. “Why have I gone on a goose-chase?” he asked; “because I have + twice as many ears as eyes.” + </p> + <p> + This being so, he stuck fast to the conviction which he had nourished all + along, that the scheme of invasion was a sham, intended to keep the + British fleet at home, while the enemy ravaged our commerce and colonies + afar. And by this time the country, grown heartily tired of groundless + alarms and suspended menace, was beginning to view with contempt a camp + that was wearing out its own encampment. Little was it dreamed in the + sweet rose gardens of England, or the fragrant hay-fields, that the curl + of blue smoke while the dinner was cooking, the call of milkmaids, the + haymaker's laugh, or the whinny of Dobbin between his mouthfuls, might be + turned (ere a man of good appetite was full) into foreign shouts, and + shriek of English maiden, crackling homestead, and blazing stack-yard, + blare of trumpets, and roar of artillery, cold flash of steel, and the + soft warm trickle of a father's or a husband's blood. + </p> + <p> + But the chance of this hung upon a hair just now. One hundred and sixty + thousand soldiers—the finest sons of Mars that demon has ever yet + begotten—fifteen thousand warlike horses, ready to devour all the + oats of England, cannons that never could be counted (because it was not + always safe to go near them), and ships that no reckoner could get to the + end of, because he was always beginning again. + </p> + <p> + Who was there now to meet all these? Admiral Darling, and Captain + Stubbard, and Zebedee Tugwell (if he found them intrusive), and Erle + Twemlow, as soon as he got his things from London. There might be a few + more to come forward, as soon as they saw the necessity; but Mr. John + Prater could not be relied on—because of the trade he might expect + to drive; Mr. Shargeloes had never turned up again; and as for poor + Cheeseman, he had lost himself so entirely now that he made up the weight + of a pound of sausages, in the broad summer light, with a tallow candle. + Like others concerned in this history, he had jumped at the stars, and + cracked his head against a beam, in manner to be recorded. + </p> + <p> + The country being destitute thus of defenders—for even Stubbard's + battery was not half manned, because it had never been wanted—the + plan of invasion was thriving well, in all but one particular. The fleet + under Villeneuve was at large, so was that under Lallemand, who had + superseded Missiessy, so was the force of Gravina and another Spanish + admiral; but Ganteaume had failed to elude the vigilance of that hero of + storms, Cornwallis. Napoleon arrived at Boulogne on the 3rd of August, and + reviewed his troops, in a line on the beach some eight miles long. A finer + sight he had never seen, and he wrote in his pride: “The English know not + what is hanging over their ears. If we are masters of the passage for + twelve hours, England is conquered.” But all depended on Villeneuve, and + happily he could not depend upon his nerves. + </p> + <p> + Meanwhile the young man who was charged with a message which he would + gladly have died to discharge was far away, eating out his heart in + silence, or vainly relieving it with unknown words. At the last gasp, or + after he ceased to gasp for the time, and was drifting insensible, but + happily with his honest face still upward, a Dutchman, keeping a sharp + lookout for English cruisers, espied him. He was taken on board of a fine + bark bound from Rotterdam for Java, with orders to choose the track least + infested by that ravenous shark Britannia. Scudamore was treated with the + warmest kindness and the most gentle attention, for the captain's wife was + on board, and her tender heart was moved with compassion. Yet even so, + three days passed by with no more knowledge of time on his part than the + face of a clock has of its hands; and more than a week was gone before + both body and mind were in tone and tune again. By that time the stout + Dutch bark, having given a wide berth to the wakes of war, was forty + leagues west of Cape Finisterre, under orders to touch no land short of + the Cape, except for fresh water at St. Jago. + </p> + <p> + Blyth Scudamore was blest with that natural feeling of preference for + one's own kin and country which the much larger minds of the present + period flout, and scout as barbarous. Happily our periodical blight is + expiring, like cuckoo-spit, in its own bubbles; and the time is returning + when the bottle-blister will not be accepted as the good ripe peach. + Scudamore was of the times that have been (and perhaps may be coming + again, in the teeth and the jaw of universal suffrage), of resolute, + vigorous, loyal people, holding fast all that God gives them, and + declining to be led by the tail, by a gentleman who tacked their tail on + as his handle. + </p> + <p> + This certainty of belonging still to a firm and substantial race of men + (whose extinction would leave the world nothing to breed from) made the + gallant Scudamore so anxious to do his duty, that he could not do it. Why + do we whistle to a horse overburdened with a heavy load uphill? That his + mind may grow tranquil, and his ears train forward, his eyes lose their + nervous contraction, and a fine sense of leisure pervade him. But if he + has a long hill to surmount, with none to restrain his ardour, the sense + of duty grows stronger than any consideration of his own good, and the + best man has not the conscience needful to understand half his emotions. + </p> + <p> + Thus the sense of duty kept Blyth Scudamore full of misery. Every day + carried him further from the all-important issues; and the chance of + returning in time grew faint, and fainter at every sunset. The kindly + Dutchman and his wife were aware of some burden on his mind, because of + its many groaning sallies while astray from judgment. But as soon as his + wits were clear again, and his body fit to second them, Blyth saw that he + could not crave their help, against the present interests of their own + land. Holland was at enmity with England, not of its own accord, but under + the pressure of the man who worked so hard the great European mangle. + Captain Van Oort had picked up some English, and his wife could use tongue + and ears in French, while Scudamore afforded himself and them some little + diversion by attempts in Dutch. Being of a wonderfully happy nature—for + happiness is the greatest wonder in this world—he could not help + many a wholesome laugh, in spite of all the projects of Napoleon. + </p> + <p> + Little things seldom jump into bigness, till a man sets his microscope at + them. According to the everlasting harmonies, Blyth had not got a penny, + because he had not got a pocket to put it in. A pocketful of money would + have sent him to the bottom of the sea, that breezy April night, when he + drifted for hours, with eyes full of salt, twinkling feeble answer to the + twinkle of the stars. But he had made himself light of his little cash + left, in his preparation for a slow decease, and perhaps the fish had paid + tribute with it to the Caesar of this Millennium. Captain Van Oort was a + man of his inches in length, but in breadth about one-third more, being + thickened and spread by the years that do this to a body containing a + Christian mind. “You will never get out of them,” said Mrs. Van Oort, when + he got into her husband's large smallclothes; but he who had often jumped + out of a tub felt no despair about jumping out of two. In every way + Scudamore hoped for the best—which is the only right course for a + man who has done his own best, and is helpless. + </p> + <p> + Keeping out of the usual track of commerce, because of the privateers and + other pests of war waylaying it, they met no sail of either friend or foe + until they cast anchor at St. Jago. Here there was no ship bound for + England, and little chance of finding one, for weeks or perhaps for months + to come. The best chance of getting home lay clearly in going yet further + away from home, and so he stuck to the good ship still, and they weighed + for the Cape on the 12th of May. Everything set against poor Scuddy—wind, + and wave, and the power of man. It had been the 16th of April when he was + rescued from the devouring sea; some days had been spent by the leisurely + Dutchman in providing fresh supplies, and the stout bark's favourite maxim + seemed to be, “the more haste the less speed.” Baffling winds and a dead + calm helped to second this philosophy, and the first week of June was past + before they swung to their moorings in Table Bay. + </p> + <p> + “What chance is there now of my doing any good?” the young Englishman + asked himself, bitterly. “This place is again in the hands of the Dutch, + and the English ships stand clear of it, or only receive supplies by + stealth. I am friendless here, I am penniless; and worst of all, if I even + get a passage home, there will be no home left. Too late! too late! What + use is there in striving?” + </p> + <p> + Tears stood in his blue eyes, which were gentle as a lady's; and his + forehead (usually calm and smooth and ready for the flicker of a very + pleasant smile) was as grave and determined as the brow of Caryl Carne. + Captain Van Oort would have lent him 500 guilders with the greatest + pleasure, but Scudamore would not take more than fifty, to support him + until he could obtain a ship. Then with hearty good-will, and life-long + faith in each other, the two men parted, and Scudamore's heart was + uncommonly low—for a substance that was not a “Jack-in-the-box”—as + he watched from the shore the slow fading into dream-land of the + Katterina. + </p> + <p> + Nothing except patriotic feeling may justify a man, who has done no harm, + in long-continued misery. The sense of violent bodily pain, or of + perpetual misfortune, or of the baseness of all in whom he trusted, and + other steady influx of many-fountained sorrow, may wear him for a time, + and even fetch his spirit lower than the more vicarious woe can do. But + the firm conviction that the family of man to which one belongs, and is + proud of belonging, has fallen into the hands of traitors, eloquent liars, + and vile hypocrites, and cannot escape without crawling in the dust—this + produces a large deep gloom, and a crushing sense of doom beyond + philosophy. Scudamore could have endured the loss and the disillusion of + his love—pure and strong as that power had been—but the ruin + of his native land would turn his lively heart into a lump of stone. + </p> + <p> + For two or three days he roved about among the people of the water-side—boatmen, + pilots, shipping agents, store-keepers, stevedores, crimps, or any others + likely to know anything to help him. Some of these could speak a little + English, and many had some knowledge of French; but all shook their heads + at his eagerness to get to England. “You may wait weeks, or you may wait + months,” said the one who knew most of the subject; “we are very jealous + of the English ships. That country swallows up the sea so. It has been + forbidden to supply the English ships; but for plenty money it is done + sometimes; but the finger must be placed upon the nose, and upon the two + eyes what you call the guinea; and in six hours where are they? Swallowed + up by the mist from the mountain. No, sir! If you have the great money, it + is very difficult. But if you have not that, it is impossible.” + </p> + <p> + “I have not the great money; and the little money also has escaped from a + quicksand in the bottom of my pocket.” + </p> + <p> + “Then you will never get to England, sir,” this gentleman answered, + pleasantly; “and unless I have been told things too severely, the best man + that lives had better not go there, without a rock of gold in his pocket + grand enough to fill a thousand quicksands.” + </p> + <p> + Scudamore lifted the relics of his hat, and went in search of some other + Job's comforter. Instead of a passage to England, he saw in a straight + line before him the only journey which a mortal may take without paying + his fare. + </p> + <p> + To save himself from this gratuitous tour, he earned a little money in a + porter's gang, till his quick step roused the indignation of the rest. + With the loftiest perception of the rights of man, they turned him out of + that employment (for the one “sacred principle of labour” is to play), and + he, understanding now the nature, of democracy, perceived that of all the + many short-cuts to starvation, the one with the fewest elbows to it is—to + work. + </p> + <p> + While he was meditating upon these points—which persons of big words + love to call “questions of political economy”—his hat, now become a + patent ventilator, sat according to custom on the back of his head, + exposing his large calm forehead, and the kind honesty of his countenance. + Then he started a little, for his nerves were not quite as strong as when + they had good feeding, at the sudden sense of being scrutinized by the + most piercing gaze he had ever encountered. + </p> + <p> + The stranger was an old man of tall spare frame, wearing a shovel-hat and + long black gown drawn in with a belt, and around his bare neck was a steel + chain supporting an ebony cross. With a smile, which displayed the firm + angles of his face, he addressed the young man in a language which + Scudamore could not understand, but believed to be Portuguese. + </p> + <p> + “Thy words I am not able to understand. But the Latin tongue, as it is + pronounced in England, I am able to interpret, and to speak, not too + abundantly.” Scudamore spoke the best Latin he could muster at a moment's + notice, for he saw that this gentleman was a Catholic priest, and probably + therefore of good education. + </p> + <p> + “Art thou, then, an Englishman, my son?” the stranger replied, in the same + good tongue. “From thy countenance and walk, that opinion stood fast in my + mind at first sight of thee. Every Englishman is to me beloved, and every + Frenchman unfriendly—as many, at least, as now govern the state. + Father Bartholomew is my name, and though most men here are heretical, + among the faithful I avail sufficiently. What saith the great Venusian? + 'In straitened fortunes quit thyself as a man of spirit and of mettle.' I + find thee in straitened fortunes, and would gladly enlarge thee, if that + which thou art doing is pleasing to the God omnipotent.” + </p> + <p> + After a few more words, he led the hapless and hungry Englishman to a + quiet little cot which overlooked the noble bay, and itself was overlooked + by a tall flag-staff bearing the colours of Portugal. Here in the first + place he regaled his guest with the flank of a kid served with cucumber, + and fruit gathered early, and some native wine, scarcely good enough for + the Venusian bard, but as rich as ambrosia to Scudamore. Then he supplied + him with the finest tobacco that ever ascended in spiral incense to the + cloud-compelling Jove. At every soft puff, away flew the blue-devils, + pagan, or Christian, or even scientific; and the brightness of the + sleep-forbidden eyes returned, and the sweetness of the smile so long gone + hence in dread of trespass. Father Bartholomew, neither eating, drinking, + nor smoking, till the sun should set—for this was one of his + fast-days—was heartily pleased with his guest's good cheer, and + smiled with the large benevolence which a lean face expresses with more + decision than a plump and jolly one. “And now, my son,” he began again, in + Latin more fluent and classical than the sailor could compass after Cicero + thrown by, “thou hast returned thanks to Almighty God, for which I the + more esteem thee. Oblige me, therefore, if it irk thee not, among smoke of + the genial Nicotium, by telling thy tale, and explaining what hard + necessity hath driven thee to these distant shores. Fear not, for thou + seest a lover of England, and hater of France the infidel.” + </p> + <p> + Then Scudamore, sometimes hesitating and laughing at his own bad Latin, + told as much of his story as was needful, striving especially to make + clear the importance of his swift return, and his fear that even so it + would be too late. + </p> + <p> + “Man may believe himself too late, but the Lord ariseth early,” the good + priest answered, with a smile of courage refreshing the heart of the + Englishman. “Behold how the hand of the Lord is steadfast over those who + serve him! To-morrow I might have been far away; to-day I am in time to + help thee. Whilst thou wert feeding, I received the signal of a swift ship + for Lisbon, whose captain is my friend, and would neglect nothing to serve + me. This night he will arrive, and with favourable breezes, which have set + in this morning, he shall spread his sails again to-morrow, though he + meant to linger perhaps for three days. Be of good cheer, my son; thou + shalt sail to-morrow. I will supply thee with all that is needful, and + thank God for a privilege so great. Thou shalt have money as well for the + passage from Lisbon to England, which is not long. Remember in thy prayers—for + thou art devout—that old man, Father Bartholomew.” + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0058" id="link2HCH0058"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER LVIII + </h2> + <h3> + IN EARLY MORN + </h3> + <p> + One Saturday morning in the month of August, an hour and a half before + sunrise, Carne walked down to the big yew-tree, which stood far enough + from the brink of the cliff to escape the salt, and yet near enough to + command an extensive sea-view. This was the place where the young + shoemaker, belonging to the race of Shanks, had been scared so sadly that + he lost his sweetheart, some two years and a half ago; and this was the + tree that had been loved by painters, especially the conscientious + Sharples, a pupil of Romney, who studied the nicks and the tricks of the + bole, and the many fantastic frets of time, with all the loving care which + ensured the truth of his simple and powerful portraits. But Sharples had + long been away in the West; and Carne, having taste for no art except his + own, had despatched his dog Orso, the fiercer of the pair, at the only son + of a brush who had lately made ready to encamp against that tree; upon + which he decamped, and went over the cliff, with a loss of much personal + property. + </p> + <p> + The tree looked ghostly in the shady light, and gaunt armstretch of + departing darkness, going as if it had not slept its sleep out. Now was + the time when the day is afraid of coming, and the night unsure of going, + and a large reluctance to acknowledge any change keeps everything waiting + for another thing to move. What is the use of light and shadow, the fuss + of the morning, and struggle for the sun? Fair darkness has filled all the + gaps between them, and why should they be sever'd into single life again? + For the gladness of daybreak is not come yet, nor the pleasure of seeing + the way again, the lifting of the darkness leaves heaviness beneath it, + and if a rashly early bird flops down upon the grass, he cannot count his + distance, but quivers like a moth. + </p> + <p> + “Pest on this abominable early work!” muttered Carne with a yawn, as he + groped his way through the deep gloom of black foliage, and entered the + hollow of the ancient trunk; “it is all very well for sailors, but too + hard upon a quiet gentleman. Very likely that fellow won't come for two + hours. What a cursed uncomfortable maggoty place! But I'll have put the + sleep he has robbed me of.” He stretched his long form on the rough bench + inside, gathered his cloak around him, and roused the dull echo of the + honey-combed hollow with long loud snores. + </p> + <p> + “Awake, my vigilant commander, and behold me! Happy are the landsmen, to + whom the stars bring sleep. I have not slept for three nights, and the + fruits are here for you.” + </p> + <p> + It was the lively voice of Renaud Charron; and the rosy fan of the dawn, + unfolded over the sea and the gray rocks, glanced with a flutter of shade + into the deep-ribbed tree. Affecting a lofty indifference, Carne, who had + a large sense of his own dignity, rose slowly and came out into the better + light. “Sit down, my dear friend,” he said, taking the sealed packet; + “there is bread and meat here, and a bottle of good Macon. You are nearly + always hungry, and you must be starved now.” + </p> + <p> + Charron perceived that his mouth was offered employment at the expense of + his eyes; but the kernel of the matter was his own already, and he smiled + to himself at the mystery of his chief. “In this matter, I should implore + the tree to crush me, if my father were an Englishman,” he thought; “but + every one to his taste; it is no affair of mine.” Just as he was getting + on good terms with his refreshment, Carne came back, and watched him with + a patronising smile. + </p> + <p> + “You are the brother of my toil,” he said, “and I will tell you as much as + it is good for you to know. A few hours now will complete our enterprise. + Napoleon is at Boulogne again, and even he can scarcely restrain the rush + of the spirits he has provoked. The first Division is on board already, + with a week's supplies, and a thousand horses, ready to sail when a hand + is held up. The hand will be held up at my signal, and that I shall trust + you to convey to-night, as soon as I have settled certain matters. Where + is that sullen young Tugwell? What have you done with him?” + </p> + <p> + “Wonderfully clever is your new device, my friend,” Charron replied, after + a long pull at the bottle. “To vanquish the mind by a mind superior is a + glory of high reason; but to let it remain in itself and compel it to + perform what is desired by the other, is a stroke of genius. And under + your pharmacy he must do it—that has been proved already. The idea + was grand, very noble, magnificent. It never would have shown itself to my + mind.” + </p> + <p> + “Probably not. When that has been accomplished, we will hang him for a + traitor. But, my dear friend, I have sad news for you, even in this hour + of triumph. The lady of your adoration, the Admiral's eldest daughter, + Faith, has recovered the man for whom she has waited four years, and she + means to marry him. The father has given his consent, and her pride is + beyond description. She has long loved a mystery—what woman can help + it? And now she has one for life, a husband eclipsed in his own hair. My + Renaud, all rivalry is futile. Your hair, alas, is quite short and scanty. + But this man has discovered in Africa a nut which turns a man into the + husk of himself. No wonder that he came out of the sea all dry!” + </p> + <p> + “Tush! he is a pig. It is a pig that finds the nuts. I will be the butcher + for that long pig, and the lady will rush into the arms of conquest. Then + will I possess all the Admiral's lands, and pursue the fine chase of the + rabbits. And I will give dinners, such dinners, my faith! Ha! that is + excellent said—embrace me—my Faith will sit at the right side + of the table, and explain to the English company that such dinners could + proceed from nobody except a French gentleman commingling all the + knowledge of the joint with the loftier conception of the hash, the mince—the + what you call? Ah, you have no name for it, because you do not know the + proper thing. Then, in the presence of admiring Englishmen, I will lean + back in my chair, the most comfortable chair that can be found—” + </p> + <p> + “Stop. You have got to get into it yet,” Carne interrupted, rudely; “and + the way to do that is not to lean back in it. The fault of your system has + always been that you want to enjoy everything before you get it.” + </p> + <p> + “And of yours,” retorted Charron, beginning to imbibe the pugnacity of an + English landlord, “that when you have got everything, you will enjoy what? + Nothing!” + </p> + <p> + “Even a man of your levity hits the nail on the head sometimes,” said + Carne, “though the blow cannot be a very heavy one. Nature has not + fashioned me for enjoyment, and therefore affords me very little. But some + little I do expect in the great inversion coming, in the upset of the + scoundrels who have fattened on my flesh, and stolen my land, to make + country gentlemen—if it were possible—of themselves. It will + take a large chimney to burn their title-deeds, for the robbery has lasted + for a century. But I hold the great Emperor's process signed for that; and + if you come to my cookery, you will say that I am capable of enjoyment. + Fighting I enjoy not, as hot men do, nor guzzling, nor swigging, nor + singing of songs; for all of which you have a talent, my friend. But the + triumph of quiet skill I like; and I love to turn the balance on my + enemies. Of these there are plenty, and among them all who live in that + fishy little hole down there.” + </p> + <p> + Carne pointed contemptuously at Springhaven, that poor little village in + the valley. But the sun had just lifted his impartial face above the last + highland that baulked his contemplation of the home of so many and great + virtues; and in the brisk moisture of his early salute the village in the + vale looked lovely. For a silvery mist was flushed with rose, like a + bridal veil warmed by the blushes of the bride, and the curves of the + land, like a dewy palm leaf, shone and sank alternate. + </p> + <p> + “What a rare blaze they will make!” continued Carne, as the sunlight + glanced along the russet thatch, and the blue smoke arose from the + earliest chimney. “Every cottage there shall be a bonfire, because it has + cast off allegiance to me. The whole race of Darling will be at my mercy—the + pompous old Admiral, who refused to call on me till his idiot of a son + persuaded him—that wretched poetaster, who reduced me to the + ignominy of reading his own rubbish to him—and the haughty young + woman that worships a savage who has treated me with insult. I have them + all now in the hollow of my hand, and a thorough good crumpling is + prepared for them. The first house to burn shall be Zebedee Tugwell's, + that conceited old dolt of a fishing fellow, who gives me a nod of + suspicion, instead of pulling off his dirty hat to me. Then we blow up the + church, and old Twemlow's house, and the Admiral's, when we have done with + it. The fishing-fleet, as they call their wretched tubs, will come home, + with the usual fuss, to-night, and on Monday it shall be ashes. How like + you my programme? Is it complete?” + </p> + <p> + “Too much, too much complete; too barbarous,” answered the kindly hearted + Frenchman. “What harm have all the poor men done to you? And what insanity + to provoke enemies of the people all around who would bring us things to + eat! And worse—if the houses are consumed with fire, where will be + the revenue that is designed for me, as the fair son of the Admiral? No, + no; I will allow none of that. When the landing is made, you will not be + my master. Soult will have charge of the subjects inferior, and he is not + a man of rapine. To him will I address myself in favour of the village. + Thus shall I ascend in the favour of my charming, and secure my property.” + </p> + <p> + “Captain, I am your master yet, and I will have no interference. No more + talk; but obey me to the letter. There is no sign of any rough weather, I + suppose? You sailors see things which we do not observe.” + </p> + <p> + “This summer has not been of fine weather, and the sky is always changing + here. But there is not any token of a tempest now. Though there is a + little prospect of rain always.” + </p> + <p> + “If it rains, all the better, for it obscures the sea. You have fed enough + now to last even you till the evening; or if not, you can take some with + you. Remain to the westward, where the cliffs are higher, and look out + especially for British ships of war that may be appearing up Channel. Take + this second spy-glass; it is quite strong enough. But first of all tell + Perkins to stand off again with the pilot-boat, as if he was looking out + for a job, and if he sees even a frigate coming eastward, to run back and + let you know by a signal arranged between you. Dan Tugwell, I see, was + shipped yesterday on board of Prame No. 801, a very handy vessel, which + will lead the van, and five hundred will follow in her track on Sunday + evening. My excellent uncle will be at the height of his eloquence just + when his favourite Sunday-school boy is bringing an addition to his + congregation. But the church shall not be blown up until Monday, for fear + of premature excitement. By Monday night about two hundred thousand such + soldiers as Britain could never produce will be able to quell any childish + excitement such as Great Britain is apt to give way to.” + </p> + <p> + “But what is for me, this same Saturday night? I like very much to make + polite the people, and to marry the most beautiful and the richest; but + not to kill more than there is to be helped.” + </p> + <p> + “The breaking of the egg may cut the fingers that have been sucked till + their skin is gone. You have plagued me all along with your English + hankerings, which in your post of trust are traitorous.” + </p> + <p> + Charron was accustomed to submit to the infinitely stronger will of Carne. + Moreover, his sense of discipline often checked the speed of his temper. + But he had never been able to get rid of a secret contempt for his + superior, as a traitor to the race to which he really belonged, at least + in the Frenchman's opinion. And that such a man should charge him with + treachery was more than his honest soul could quite endure, and his quick + face flushed with indignation as he spoke: + </p> + <p> + “Your position, my commander, does not excuse such words. You shall answer + for them, when I am discharged from your command; which, I hope, will be + the case next week. To be spoken of as a traitor by you is very grand.” + </p> + <p> + “Take it as you please,” Carne replied, with that cold contemptuous smile + which the other detested. “For the present, however, you will not be + grand, but carry out the orders which I give you. As soon as it is dark, + you will return, keep the pilot-boat in readiness for my last despatch, + with which you will meet the frigate Torche about midnight, as arranged on + Thursday. All that and the signals you already understand. Wait for me by + this tree, and I may go with you; but that will depend upon circumstances. + I will take good care that you shall not be kept starving; for you may + have to wait here three or four hours for me. But be sure that you do not + go until I come.” + </p> + <p> + “But what am I to do if I have seen some British ships, or Perkins has + given me token of them?” + </p> + <p> + “Observe their course, and learn where they are likely to be at nightfall. + There will probably be none. All I fear is that they may intercept the + Torche. Farewell, my friend, and let your sense of duty subdue the small + sufferings of temper.” + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0059" id="link2HCH0059"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER LIX + </h2> + <h3> + NEAR OUR SHORES + </h3> + <p> + “This is how it is,” said Captain Tugwell, that same day, to Erle Twemlow: + “the folk they goes on with a thing, till a man as has any head left + twists it round on his neck, with his chin looking down his starn-post. + Then the enemy cometh, with his spy-glass and his guns, and afore he can + look round, he hath nothing left to look for.” + </p> + <p> + “Then you think, Tugwell, that the danger is not over?—that the + French mean business even now, when every one is tired of hearing of it? I + have been away so long that I know nothing. But the universal opinion is—” + </p> + <p> + “Opinion of the universe be dashed!” Master Zebedee answered, with a puff + of smoke. “We calls ourselves the universe, when we be the rope that drags + astarn of it. Cappen, to my mind there is mischief in the wind, more than + there hath been for these three years; and that's why you see me here, + instead of going with the smacks. Holy Scripture saith a dream cometh from + the Lord; leastways, to a man of sense, as hardly ever dreameth. The wind + was so bad again us, Monday afternoon, that we put off sailing till the + Tuesday, and Monday night I lay on my own bed, without a thought of + nothing but to sleep till five o'clock. I hadn't taken nothing but a quart + of John Prater's ale—and you know what his measures is—not a + single sip of grog; but the Hangel of the Lord he come and stand by me in + the middle of the night. And he took me by the hand, or if he didn't it + come to the same thing of my getting there, and he set me up in a dark + high place, the like of the yew-tree near Carne Castle. And then he saith, + 'Look back, Zeb'; and I looked, and behold Springhaven was all afire, like + the bottomless pit, or the thunder-storm of Egypt, or the cities of Sodom + and Gomorrah. And two figures was jumping about in the flames, like the + furnace in the plain of Dura, and one of them was young Squire Carne, and + the other was my son Daniel, as behaveth below his name. And I called out, + 'Daniel, thou son of Zebedee and Kezia Tugwell, come forth from the + burning fiery furnace'; but he answered not, neither heeded me. And then + Squire Darling, Sir Charles is now the name of him, out he come from his + Round-house, and by the white gate above high-water mark, to order out the + fire, because they was all his own cottages. But while he was going about, + as he doth for fear of being hard upon any one, out jumps Squire Carne, + from the thickest of the blazes, and takes the poor Squire by the forepart + of his neck, which he liketh to keep open when he getteth off of duty, and + away with him into the burning fiery furnace made of his own houses! That + was more than I could put up with, even under the Hangel, and I give such + a kick that Kezia, though she saith she is the most quietest of women, + felt herself a forced to bounce me up.” + </p> + <p> + “A dream of that sort deserves notice,” answered Erle, who had passed many + months among sailors; “and over and above that, I see proofs of a foolish + security in England, and of sharp activity in France. Last Monday I was + only five miles from Boulogne, on board of our frigate the Melpomene, for + I wanted the captain's evidence to help me in my own affairs; and upon my + word I was quite amazed at the massing of the French forces there, and the + evident readiness of their hundreds of troop-ships. Scores of them even + had horses on board, for I saw them quite clearly with a spy-glass. But + the officers only laughed at me, and said they were tired of seeing that. + And another thing I don't like at all is the landing of a French boat this + side of Pebbleridge. I was coming home after dark one night, and as soon + as they saw me they pushed off, and pretended to be English fishermen; but + if ever I saw Frenchmen, these were French; and I believe they had a ship + not far away, for I saw a light shown and then turned off. I examined the + place in the morning, and saw the footprints of men on a path up the + cliff, as if they had gone inland towards Carne Castle. When the Admiral + came home, I told him of it; but he seemed to think it was only some + smuggling.” + </p> + <p> + “Ah, there's smooglin' of a bad kind over there, to my belief. I wouldn't + tell your honour not a quarter what I thinks, because of the young + gentleman being near akin to you. But a thing or two have come to my ears, + very much again a young squire over that way. A man as will do what he + have done is a black one in some ways; and if some, why not in all?” + </p> + <p> + “Tell me what you mean,” said Twemlow, sternly. “After saying so much, you + are bound to say more. Caryl Carne is no friend of mine, although he is my + cousin. I dislike the man, though I know but little of him.” + </p> + <p> + “For sartin then a kind gentleman like you won't like him none the better + for betraying of a nice young maid as put her trust in him, as lively and + pretty a young maid as ever stepped, and might have had the pick of all + the young men in the parish.” + </p> + <p> + “What!” exclaimed Erle, with a sudden chill of heart, for Faith had not + concealed from him her anxiety about Dolly. “Tugwell, do you mean to say—” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, sir; only you must keep it to yourself, for the sake of the poor + young thing; though too many knows it already, I'm afeared. And that was + how poor Jem Cheeseman changed from a dapper money-turning man, as + pleasant as could be, to a down-hearted, stick-in-doors, honest-weighted + fellow. Poor little Polly was as simple as a dove, and her meant to break + none of the Lord's commandments, unless it was a sin to look so much above + her. He took her aboard her father's trading-craft, and made pretence to + marry her across the water, her knowing nothing of the lingo, to be sure; + and then when there come a thumping boy, and her demanded for the sake of + the young 'un that her marriage should be sartified in the face of all the + world, what does he do but turn round and ask her if she was fool enough + to suppose that a Carne had married a butter-man's daughter? With a few + words more, she went off of her head, and have never been right again, + they say; and her father, who was mighty proud to have a grandson heir to + an old ancient castle, he was so took aback with this disappointment that + he puzzled all the village, including of me, as I am free to own, by + jumping into his own rope. 'Twas only now just that I heard all this; and + as the captain of this here place, I shall ask leave of Cheeseman to have + it out with Master Carne, as soon as may be done without hurting the poor + thing. If she had been my child, the rope should have gone round his neck + first, if it come to mine there-arter!” + </p> + <p> + “The ——- villain!” Twemlow used a strong short word, without + adding heavily, it may be hoped, to the score against him. “And to think + that all this time he has been daring to address himself—But never + mind that now. It will be a bad time for him when I catch him by himself, + though I must not speak of Polly. Poor little Polly! what a pretty child + she was! I used to carry sugar-plums on purpose for her. Good-bye, + Tugwell; I must think about all this.” + </p> + <p> + “And so must I, sir. What a strapping chap 'a be!” Captain Zebedee + continued to himself, as Twemlow strode away with the light step of a + mountain savage, carrying a long staff from force of habit, and looking + even larger than himself from the flow of chestnut hair and beard around + him. “Never did see such a hairy chap. Never showed no signs of it when 'a + was a lad, and Miss 'Liza quite smooth in the front of her neck. Must come + of Hottentot climate, I reckon. They calls it the bush, from the folk been + so bushy. I used to think as my beard was a pretty good example; but, Lord + bless me and keep me, it would all go on his nose! If 'a spreadeth that + over the face of Squire Carne, 'a will ravish him, as the wicked doth + ravish the poor.” + </p> + <p> + Twemlow had many sad things to consider, and among them the impending loss + of this grand mane. After divers delays, and infinitude of forms, and much + evidence of things self-evident—in the spirit which drove Sir + Horatio Nelson to pin a certificate of amputation to the sleeve of his + lost arm—this Twemlow had established that he was the Twemlow left + behind upon the coast of Africa, and having been captured in the service + of his country, was entitled at least to restoration. In such a case small + liberality was shown in those days, even as now prevaileth, the object of + all in authority being to be hard upon those who are out of it. At last, + when he was becoming well weary, and nothing but an Englishman's love of + his country and desire to help in her dangers prevented him from turning + to private pursuits—wherein he held a key to fortune—he found + himself restored to his rank in the Army, and appointed to another + regiment, which happened to be short of officers. Then he flung to the + winds, until peace should return, his prospect of wealth beyond reckoning, + and locked in a black leather trunk materials worth their weight in + diamonds. But, as life is uncertain, he told his beloved one the secret of + his great discovery, which she, in sweet ignorance of mankind, regarded as + of no importance. + </p> + <p> + But as wars appear and disappear, nations wax and wane, and the holiest + principles of one age become the scoff of the next, yet human nature is + the same throughout, it would be wrong to cast no glance—even with + the French so near our shores—at the remarkable discovery of this + young man, and the circumstances leading up to it. For with keen insight + into civilized thought, which yearns with the deepest remorse for those + blessings which itself has banished, he knew that he held a master-key to + the treasuries of Croesus, Mycerinus, Attalus, and every other King who + has dazzled the world with his talents. The man who can minister to human + needs may, when he is lucky, earn a little towards his own; the man who + contributes to the pleasure of his fellows must find reward in his own; + but he who can gratify the vanity of his race is the master of their + pockets. + </p> + <p> + Twemlow had been carried from the deadly coast (as before related by + Captain Southcombe) to the mountainous district far inland, by the great + King Golo of the Quackwas nation, mighty warriors of lofty stature. Here + he was treated well, and soon learned enough of their simple language to + understand and be understood; while the King, who considered all white men + as of canine origin, was pleased with him, and prepared to make him + useful. Then Twemlow was sent, with an escort of chiefs, to the land of + the Houlas, as a medicine-man, to win Queen Mabonga for the great King + Golo. But she—so strange is the perversity of women—beholding + this man of a pearly tint, as fair as the moon, and as soft as a river—for + he took many months to get properly tanned—with one long gaze of + amazement yielded to him what he sought for another. A dwarf and a + whipster he might be among the great darkies around her—for he had + only six feet and one inch of stature, and forty-two inches round the + chest—but, to her fine taste, tone and quality more than covered + defect of quantity. The sight of male members of her race had never moved + her, because she had heard of their wickedness; but the gaze of this white + man, so tender and so innocent, set her on a long course of wondering + about herself. Then she drew back, and passed into the private hut behind, + where no one was allowed to disturb her. For she never had felt like this + before, and she wanted nobody to notice it. + </p> + <p> + But the Houla maidens, with the deepest interest in matters that came home + to them outside their understanding, held council with their mothers, and + these imparted to the angelic stranger, as plainly as modesty permitted, + the distressing results of his whiteness, and implored him to depart, + before further harm was done. Twemlow perceived that he had tumbled into a + difficult position, and the only way out of it was to make off. Giving + pledges to return in two moons at the latest, he made his salaam to the + sensitive young Queen, whose dignity was only surpassed by her grace, and + expecting to be shortened by the head, returned with all speed to the + great King Golo. Honesty is the best policy—as we all know so well + that we forbear to prove it—and the Englishman saw that the tale + would be darker from the lips of his black attendants. The negro monarch + was of much-enduring mind, but these tidings outwent his philosophy. He + ordered Twemlow's head to come off by dinner-time, and, alas, that royal + household kept very early hours; and the poor captain, corded to a tree, + sniffed sadly the growth of good roast, which he never should taste, and + could only succeed in succession of fare. For although that enlightened + King had discarded the taste of the nations around him, it was not half so + certain as the prisoner could have wished that his prejudice would resist + the relish of a candid rival in prime condition. + </p> + <p> + While Twemlow was dwelling upon this nice question, and sympathising + deeply with the animal on the spit, Tuloo, the head councillor of the + realm, appeared, an ancient negro full of wisdom and resource. Discovering + that the white man set more value on his head than is usual with these + philosophers, he proposed conditions which were eagerly accepted, and + releasing the captive, led him into his own hut. Here the man of wisdom + spat three times into his very ample bosom, to exorcise evil spells, and + took from a hole in the corner something which he handled very carefully, + and with a touch as light as possible. Following everything with his best + eyes, Twemlow perceived in the hand of Tuloo a spongy-looking substance of + conical form, and in colour and size very like a morel, but possessing a + peculiar golden glow. “Kneel here, my son, and move not until I tell you,” + the old man whispered, and was obeyed. Then he stripped off all covering + from the white neck and shoulders, and beginning immediately below the + eyes, brushed all the cheeks and the chin, throat and neck and upper part + of the bosom, with the substance in his hand, from which a yellow powder + passed, moist rather than dusty, into the open pores. “In one moon you + will be a beast of the woods, and in two you shall return to the Queen + that loves you,” said Councillor Tuloo, with a sly little grin. + </p> + <p> + But Twemlow was robbed of no self-respect by the growth of a forest about + him; and when he was sent again to Queen Mabonga, and the dewy glance of + love died at the very first wink into a stony glare—because of his + face being covered with hair—he said to himself that he knew where + he could inflict a very different impression upon ladies. For these cannot + have too much hair in England, at the back of their own heads, and front + of their admirers'. + </p> + <p> + Councillor Tuloo was gifted with a deep understanding of a thing which + looks shallow to a man who has never yet heard of false bottoms. He said + to King Golo: “I know what women are. As long as she never had thought + about men, you might crawl, and be only a hog to her. But her eyes have + been opened to this white man, and there is room for a black one to go + into them. And unless you are at hand, it will be done by some one else.” + </p> + <p> + In short, all was managed so beautifully that in six more moons the coy + Mabonga split the Durra straw with King Golo, amid vast rejoicings and in + din almost equal to that which a wedding in Wales arouses. But from time + to time it was considered needful to keep up her Majesty's repulsion by + serving Erle Twemlow with another dose of that which would have created + for the English fair capillary attraction. Thus he became a great + favourite with the King, who listened with deep interest to his + descriptions of the houseful of beads and buttons to be earned in England + by a little proper management of Tuloo's magic dust. Before very long it + was arranged that as soon as a good supply of Pong could be collected, + Twemlow should be sent back to the coast and placed under the charge of + Bandeliah, who was now a tributary of this great King. And here he might + have waited years and years—for the trading station was abandoned + now—but for the benevolence of Captain Southcombe, who, being driven + to the eastward of his course upon one of his returns from India, stood in + a little further to enquire about his friend, and with no small pleasure + conveyed him home. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0060" id="link2HCH0060"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER LX + </h2> + <h3> + NO DANGER, GENTLEMEN + </h3> + <p> + The little dinner at Springhaven Hall, appointed for that same Saturday, + had now grown into a large one. Carne had refused Dolly's offer to get him + an invitation, and for many reasons he was not invited. He ought to have + been glad of this, because he did not want to be there; but his nature, + like a saw's, was full of teeth, and however he was used, he grated. But + without any aid of his teeth, a good dinner, well planned and well served, + bade fair in due course to be well digested also by forty at least of the + forty-two people who sat down to consider it. For as yet the use of tongue + was understood, and it was not allowed to obstruct by perpetual motion the + duties of the palate. And now every person in the parish of high culture—which + seems to be akin to the Latin for a knife, though a fork expels nature + more forcibly—as well as many others of locality less favoured, + joined in this muster of good people and good things. At the outset, the + Admiral had intended nothing more than a quiet recognition of the goodness + of the Lord in bringing home a husband for the daughter of the house; but + what Englishman can forbear the pleasure of killing two birds with one + stone? + </p> + <p> + It was Stubbard who first suggested this, and Sir Charles at once saw the + force of it, especially with the Marquis of Southdown coming. Captain + Stubbard had never admired anybody, not even himself—without which + there is no happiness—much less Mr. Pitt, or Lord Nelson, or the + King, until justice was done to the race of Stubbard, and their hands were + plunged into the Revenue. But now, ever since the return of the war to its + proper home in England, this Captain had been paid well for doing the very + best thing that a man can do, i. e., nothing. He could not help desiring + to celebrate this, and as soon as he received his invitation, he went to + the host and put it clearly. The Admiral soon entered into his views, and + as guests were not farmed by the head as yet at tables entertaining + self-respect, he perceived the advantage of a good dinner scored to his + credit with forty at the cost of twenty; and Stubbard's proposal seemed + thoroughly well timed, so long was it now since the leaders of Defence had + celebrated their own vigilance. Twenty-two, allowing for the ladies + needful, were thus added to the score of chairs intended, and the founder + of the feast could scarcely tell whether the toast of the evening was to + be the return of the traveller, or the discomfiture of Boney. That would + mainly depend upon the wishes of the Marquis, and these again were likely + to be guided by the treatment he had met with from the government lately + and the commanders of his Division. + </p> + <p> + This nobleman was of a character not uncommon eighty years ago, but now + very rare among public men, because a more flexible fibre has choked it. + Steadfast, honourable, simple, and straightforward, able to laugh without + bitterness at the arrogant ignorance of mobs, but never to smile at the + rogues who led them, scorning all shuffle of words, foul haze, and snaky + maze of evasion, and refusing to believe at first sight that his country + must be in the wrong and her enemies in the right, he added to all these + exterminated foibles a leisurely dignity now equally extinct. Trimmers, + time-servers, and hypocrites feared him, as thieves fear an honourable + dog; and none could quote his words against one another. This would have + made him unpopular now, when perjury means popularity. For the present, + however, self-respect existed, and no one thought any the worse of his + lordship for not having found him a liar. Especially with ladies, who + insist on truth in men as a pleasant proof of their sex, Lord Southdown + had always been a prime favourite, and an authority largely misquoted. And + to add to his influence, he possessed a quick turn of temper, which + rendered it very agreeable to agree with him. + </p> + <p> + Lord Southdown was thinking, as he led Miss Darling to her chair at the + head of the table, that he never had seen a more pleasing young woman, + though he grieved at her taste in preferring the brown young man on her + left to his elegant friend Lord Dashville. Also he marvelled at hearing so + much, among the young officers of his acquaintance, concerning the beauty + of the younger sister, and so little about this far sweeter young person—at + least in his opinion. For verily Dolly was not at her best; her beautiful + colour was gone, her neck had lost its sprightly turn, and her gray eyes + moved heavily instead of sparkling. “That girl has some burden upon her + mind,” he thought as he watched her with interest and pity; “she has put + on her dress anyhow, and she does not even look to see who is looking at + her!” + </p> + <p> + For the “Belle of all Sussex,” as the young sparks entitled her, was ill + at ease with herself, and ready to quarrel with every one except herself. + She had conscience enough to confess, whenever she could not get away from + it, that for weeks and months she had been slipping far and further from + the true and honest course. Sometimes, with a pain like a stitch in the + side, the truth would spring upon her; and perhaps for a moment she would + wonder at herself, and hate the man misleading her. But this happened + chiefly when he was present, and said or did something to vex her; and + then he soon set it to rights again, and made everything feel delightful. + And this way of having her misgivings eased made them easier when they + came again with no one to appease them. For she began to think of what he + had done, and how kind and considerate his mind must be, and how hard it + must seem to mistrust him. + </p> + <p> + Another thing that urged her to keep on now, without making any fuss about + it, was the wonderful style her sister Faith had shown since that hairy + monster came back again. It was manifest that the world contained only one + man of any high qualities, and nobody must dare to think even twice about + any conclusion he laid down. He had said to her, with a penetrating glance—and + it must have been that to get through such a thicket—that dangerous + people were about, and no girl possessing any self-respect must think of + wandering on the shore alone. The more she was spied upon and admonished, + the more she would do what she thought right; and a man who had lived + among savages for years must be a queer judge of propriety. But, in spite + of all these defiant thoughts, her heart was very low, and her mind in a + sad flutter, and she could not even smile as she met her father's gaze. + Supposing that she was frightened at the number of the guests, and the + noise of many tongues, and the grandeur of the people, the gentle old man + made a little signal to her to come and have a whisper with him, as a + child might do, under courtesy of the good company. But Dolly feigned not + to understand, at the penalty of many a heart-pang. + </p> + <p> + The dinner went on with a very merry sound, and a genuine strength of + enjoyment, such as hearty folk have who know one another, and are met + together not to cut capers of wit, but refresh their goodwill and fine + principles. And if any dinner party can be so arranged that only five per + cent. has any trouble on its mind, the gentleman who whips away the + plates, at a guinea a mouth, will have to go home with a face of willow + pattern. + </p> + <p> + The other whose mind was away from her food, and reckless of its own + nourishment, was Blyth Scudamore's mother, as gentle a lady as ever tried + never to think of herself. In spite of all goodness, and faith in the + like, she had enough to make her very miserable now, whenever she allowed + herself to think about it, and that was fifty-nine minutes out of sixty. + For a brief account of her son's escape from Etaples had reached her, + through the kindness of Captain Desportes, who found means to get a letter + delivered to the Admiral. That brave French officer spoke most highly of + the honourable conduct of his English friend, but had very small hope of + his safety. For he added the result of his own inquiries to the statement + of M. Jalais, and from these it was clear that poor Scuddy had set forth + alone in a rickety boat, ill found and ill fitted to meet even moderate + weather in the open Channel. Another young Englishman had done the like, + after lurking in the forest of Hardelot, but he had been recaptured by the + French at the outset of his hopeless voyage. Scudamore had not been so + retaken; and the Captain (who had not received his letter until it was too + late to interfere, by reason of his own despatch to Dieppe) had + encountered a sharp summer gale just then, which must have proved fatal to + the poor old boat. The only chance was that some English ship might have + picked up the wanderer, and if so the highly respected Admiral would have + heard of it before he received this letter. As no such tidings had been + received, there could be little doubt about the issue in any reasonable + mind. But the heart of a woman is not a mind, or the man that is born of + her might as well forego the honour. + </p> + <p> + However, as forty people were quite happy, the wisest course is to rejoin + them. The ladies were resolved upon this occasion to storm the laws of + usage which required their withdrawal before the toasts began; and so many + gentle voices challenged the garrison of men behind their bottles that + terms of unusual scope were arranged. It was known that the Marquis would + make a fine speech—short, and therefore all the finer—in + proposing the toast of the evening, to wit, “Our King, and our Country.” + Under the vigorous lead of Mrs. Stubbard, the ladies demanded to hear + every word; after which they would go, and discuss their own affairs, or + possibly those of their neighbours. But the gentlemen must endure their + presence till his lordship had spoken, and the Admiral replied. Faith was + against this arrangement, because she foresaw that it would make them very + late; but she yielded to the wishes of so many of her guests, consoled + with the thought that she would be supported by some one on her left hand, + who would be her support for life. + </p> + <p> + When all had done well, except the two aforesaid, and good-will born of + good deeds was crowning comfort with jocund pleasure, and the long oak + table, rich of grain and dark with the friction of a hundred years, shone + in the wavering flow of dusk with the gleam of purple and golden fruit, + the glance of brilliant glass that puzzles the light with its claim to + shadow, and the glow of amber and amethyst wine decanted to settle that + question—then the bold Admiral, standing up, said, “Bring in the + lights, that we may see his lordship.” + </p> + <p> + “I like to speak to some intelligence,” said the guest, who was shrewd at + an answer. And Dolly, being quick at occasion, seized it, and in the + shifting of chairs left her own for some one else. + </p> + <p> + The curtains were drawn across the western window, to close the conflict + between God's light and man's, and then this well-known gentleman, having + placed his bottle handily—for he never “put wine into two whites,” + to use his own expression—arose with his solid frame as tranquil as + a rock, and his full-fronted head like a piece of it. Every gentleman + bowed to his bow, and waited with silent respect for his words, because + they would be true and simple. + </p> + <p> + “My friends, I will take it for granted that we all love our country, and + hate its enemies. We may like and respect them personally, for they are as + good as we are; but we are bound to hate them collectively, as men who + would ruin all we love. For the stuff that is talked about freedom, + democracy, march of intellect, and so forth, I have nothing to say, except + to bid you look at the result among themselves. Is there a man in France + whose body is his own if he can carry arms, or his soul if it ventures to + seek its own good? As for mind—there is only the mind of one man; a + large one in many ways; in others a small one, because it considers its + owner alone. + </p> + <p> + “But we of England have refused to be stripped of all that we hold dear, + at the will of a foreign upstart. We have fought for years, and we still + are fighting, without any brag or dream of glory, for the rights of + ourselves and of all mankind. There have been among us weak-minded + fellows, babblers of abstract nonsense, and even, I grieve to say—traitors. + But, on the whole, we have stood together, and therefore have not been + trodden on. How it may end is within the knowledge of the Almighty only; + but already there are signs that we shall be helped, if we continue to + help ourselves. + </p> + <p> + “And now for the occasion of our meeting here. We rejoice most heartily + with our good host, the vigilant Defender of these shores, at the + restoration to his arms—or rather, to a still more delightful + embrace—of a British officer, who has proved a truth we knew + already, that nothing stops a British officer. I see a gentleman struck so + keenly with the force of that remark, because he himself has proved it, + that I must beg his next neighbour to fill up his glass, and allow nothing + to stop him from tossing it off. And as I am getting astray from my text, + I will clear my poor head with what you can see through.” + </p> + <p> + The Marquis of Southdown filled his glass from a bottle of grand old + Chambertin—six of which had been laid most softly in a cupboard of + the wainscote for his use—and then he had it filled again, and saw + his meaning brilliantly. + </p> + <p> + “Our second point is the defeat of the French, and of this we may now + assure ourselves. They have not been defeated, for the very good reason + that they never would come out to fight; but it comes to the same thing, + because they are giving it over as a hopeless job. I have seen too many + ups and downs to say that we are out of danger yet; but when our fleets + have been chasing theirs all over the world, are they likely to come and + meet us in our own waters? Nelson has anchored at Spithead, and is rushing + up to London, as our host has heard to-day, with his usual impetuosity. + Every man must stick to his own business, even the mighty Nelson; and he + might not meddle with Billy Blue, or anybody else up Channel. Still, + Nelson is not the sort of man to jump into a chaise at Portsmouth if there + was the very smallest chance of the French coming over to devour us. + </p> + <p> + “Well, my friends, we have done our best, and have some right to be proud + of it; but we should depart from our nature if we even exercised that + right. The nature of an Englishman is this—to be afraid of nothing + but his own renown. Feeling this great truth, I will avoid offence by + hiding as a crime my admiration of the glorious soldiers and sailors here, + yet beg them for once to remember themselves, as having enabled me to + propose, and all present to pledge, the welfare of our King and Country.” + </p> + <p> + The Marquis waved his glass above his head, without spilling a single + drop, although it was a bumper, then drained it at a draught, inverted it, + and cleverly snapped it in twain upon the table, with his other hand laid + on his heart, and a long low reverence to the company. Thereupon up stood + squires and dames, and repeating the good toast, pledged it, with a deep + bow to the proposer; and as many of the gentlemen as understood the art, + without peril to fair neighbours, snapped the glass. + </p> + <p> + His lordship was delighted, and in the spirit of the moment held up his + hand, which meant, “Silence, silence, till we all sing the National + Anthem!” In a clear loud voice he led off the strain, Erle Twemlow from + his hairy depths struck in, then every man, following as he might, and + with all his might, sustained it, and the ladies, according to their wont, + gave proof of the heights they can scale upon rapture. + </p> + <p> + The Admiral, standing, and beating time now and then with his heel—though + all the time deserved incessant beating—enjoyed the performance a + great deal more than if it had been much better, and joined in the main + roar as loudly as he thought his position as host permitted. For although + he was nearing the haven now of threescore years and ten, his throat and + heart were so sea-worthy that he could very sweetly have outroared them + all. But while he was preparing just to prove this, if encouraged, and + smiling very pleasantly at a friend who said, “Strike up, Admiral,” he was + called from the room, and in the climax of the roar slipped away for a + moment, unheeded, and meaning to make due apology to his guests as soon as + he came back. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0061" id="link2HCH0061"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER LXI + </h2> + <h3> + DISCHARGED FROM DUTY + </h3> + <p> + While loyalty thus rejoiced and throve in the warmth of its own geniality, + a man who was loyal to himself alone, and had no geniality about him, was + watching with contempt these British doings. Carne had tethered his stout + black horse, who deserved a better master, in a dusky dell of dark-winged + trees at the back of the eastern shrubbery. Here the good horse might rest + unseen, and consider the mysterious ways of men; for the main approach was + by the western road, and the shades of evening stretched their arms to the + peaceful yawn of sunset. And here he found good stuff spread by nature, + more worthy of his attention, and tucking back his forelegs, fared as well + as the iron between his teeth permitted. + </p> + <p> + Then the master drew his green riding-coat of thin velvet closer round + him, and buttoned the lappet in front, because he had heavy weight in the + pockets. Keeping warily along the lines of shadow, he gained a place of + vantage in the shrubbery, a spot of thick shelter having loops of outlook. + Above and around him hung a curtain of many-pointed ilex, and before him a + barberry bush, whose coral clusters caught the waning light. In this snug + nook he rested calmly, leaning against the ilex trunk, and finished his + little preparations for anything adverse to his plans. In a belt which was + hidden by his velvet coat he wore a short dagger in a sheath of shagreen, + and he fixed it so that he could draw it in a moment, without unfastening + the riding-coat. Then from the pockets on either side he drew a pair of + pistols, primed them well from a little flask, and replaced them with the + butts beneath the lappets. “Death for at least three men,” he muttered, + “if they are fools enough to meddle with me. My faith, these Darlings are + grown very grand, on the strength of the land that belongs to us!” + </p> + <p> + For he heard the popping of champagne corks, and the clink of abundant + silver, and tuning of instruments by the band, and he saw the flash of + lights, and the dash of serving-men, and the rush of hot hospitality; and + although he had not enough true fibre in his stomach to yearn for a taste + of the good things going round, there can be little doubt, from what he + did thereafter, that his gastric juices must have turned to gall. + </p> + <p> + With all these sounds and sights and scents of things that he had no right + to despise, his patience was tried for an hour and a half, or at any rate + he believed so. The beautiful glow in the west died out, where the sun had + been ripening his harvest-field of sheafy gold and awny cloud; and the + pulse of quivering dusk beat slowly, so that a man might seem to count it, + or rather a child, who sees such things, which later men lose sight of. + The forms of the deepening distances against the departure of light grew + faint, and prominent points became obscure, and lines retired into masses, + while Carne maintained his dreary watch, with his mood becoming darker. As + the sound of joyful voices, and of good-will doubled by good fare, came to + his unfed vigil from the open windows of the dining-room, his heart was + not enlarged at all, and the only solace for his lips was to swear at + British revelry. For the dining-room was at the western end, some fifty + yards away from him, and its principal window faced the sunset, but his + lurking-place afforded a view of the southern casements obliquely. Through + these he had seen that the lamps were brought, and heard the increase of + merry noise, the clapping of hands, and the jovial cheers at the rising of + the popular Marquis. + </p> + <p> + At last he saw a white kerchief waved at the window nearest to him, the + window of the Admiral's little study, which opened like a double door upon + the eastern grass-plat. With an ill-conditioned mind, and body stiff and + lacking nourishment, he crossed the grass in a few long strides, and was + admitted without a word. + </p> + <p> + “What a time you have been! I was giving it up,” he whispered to the + trembling Dolly. “Where are the candles? I must strike a light. Surely you + might have brought one. Bolt the door, while I make a light, and close the + curtains quietly, but leave the window open. Don't shake, like a child + that is going to be whipped. Too late now for nonsense. What are you + afraid of? Silly child!” + </p> + <p> + As he spoke he was striking a light in a little French box containing a + cube of jade, and with very little noise he lit two candles standing on + the high oak desk. Dolly drew a curtain across the window, and then went + softly to the door, which opened opposite the corner of a narrow passage, + and made pretence to bolt it, but shot the bolt outside the socket. + </p> + <p> + “Come and let me look at you,” said Carne, for he knew that he had been + rough with her, and she was not of the kind that submits to that. “Beauty, + how pale you look, and yet how perfectly lovely in this evening gown! I + should like to kill the two gentlemen who sat next to you at dinner. + Darling, you know that whatever I do is only for your own sweet sake.” + </p> + <p> + “If you please not to touch me, it will be better,” said the lady, not in + a whisper, but a firm and quiet voice, although her hands were trembling; + “you are come upon business, and you should do it.” + </p> + <p> + If Carne had but caught her in his arms, and held her to his heart, and + vowed that all business might go to the devil while he held his angel so, + possibly the glow of nobler feelings might have been lost in the fire of + passion. But he kept his selfish end alone in view, and neglected the + womanly road to it. + </p> + <p> + “A despatch from London arrived today; I must see it,” he said, shortly; + “as well as the copy of the answer sent. And then my beauty must insert a + NOT in the order to be issued in the morning, or otherwise invert its + meaning, simply to save useless bloodshed. The key for a moment, the key, + my darling, of this fine old piece of furniture!” + </p> + <p> + “Is it likely that I would give you the key? My father always keeps it. + What right have you with his private desk? I never promised anything so + bad as that.” + </p> + <p> + “I am not to be trifled with,” he whispered, sternly. “Do you think that I + came here for kissing? The key I must have, or break it open; and how will + you explain that away?” + </p> + <p> + His rudeness settled her growing purpose. The misery of indecision + vanished; she would do what was right, if it cost her life. Her face was + as white as her satin dress, but her dark eyes flashed with menace. + </p> + <p> + “There is a key that opens it,” she said, as she pointed to the bookcase; + “but I forbid you to touch it, sir.” + </p> + <p> + Carne's only reply was to snatch the key from the upper glass door of the + book-shelves, which fitted the lock of the Admiral's desk, though the + owner was not aware of it. In a moment the intruder had unlocked the high + and massive standing-desk, thrown back the cover, and placed one + candlestick among the documents. Many of them he brushed aside, as useless + for his purpose, and became bewildered among the rest, for the Commander + of the Coast-defence was not a man of order. He never knew where to put a + thing, nor even where it might have put itself, but found a casual home + for any paper that deserved it. This lack of method has one compensation, + like other human defects, to wit, that it puzzles a clandestine searcher + more deeply than cypher or cryptogram. Carne had the Admiral's desk as + wide as an oyster thrown back on his valve, and just being undertucked + with the knife, to make him go down easily. Yet so great was the power of + disorder that nothing could be made out of anything. “Watch at the door,” + he had said to Dolly; and this suited her intention. + </p> + <p> + For while he was thus absorbed, with his back towards her, she opened the + door a little, and presently saw the trusty Charles come hurrying by, as + if England hung upon his labours. “Tell my father to come here this + moment; go softly, and say that I sent you.” As she finished her whisper + she closed the door, without any sound, and stood patiently. + </p> + <p> + “Show me where it is; come and find it for me. Everything here is in the + vilest mess,” cried Carne, growing reckless with wrath and hurry. “I want + the despatch of this morning, and I find tailors' bills, way to make + water-proof blacking, a list of old women, and a stump of old pipe! Come + here, this instant, and show me where it is.” + </p> + <p> + “If you forget your good manners,” answered Dolly, still keeping in the + dark near the door, “I shall have to leave you. Surely you have practice + enough in spying, to find what you want, with two candles.” + </p> + <p> + Carne turned for a moment, and stared at her. Her attitude surprised him, + but he could not believe in her courage to rebel. She stood with her back + to the door, and met his gaze without a sign of fear. + </p> + <p> + “There are no official papers here,” he said, after another short ransack; + “there must have been some, if this desk is the one. Have you dared to + delude me by showing the wrong desk?” + </p> + <p> + Dolly met his gaze still, and then walked towards him. The band had struck + up, and the company were singing with a fine patriotic roar, which rang + very nobly in the distance—“Britannia, rule the waves!” Dolly felt + like a Briton as the words rolled through her, and the melody lifted her + proud heart. + </p> + <p> + “You have deluded yourself,” she said, standing proudly before the baffled + spy; “you have ransacked my father's private desk, which I allowed you to + do, because my father has no secrets. He leaves it open half the time, + because he is a man of honour. He is not a man of plots, and wiles, and + trickery upon women. And you have deluded yourself, in dreaming that a + daughter of his would betray her Country.” + </p> + <p> + “By the God that made me, I will have your life!” cried Carne in French, + as he dashed his hand under his coat to draw his dagger; but the pressure + of the desk had displaced that, so that he could not find it. She thought + that her time was come, and shrieked—for she was not at all heroic, + and loved life very dearly—but she could not take her eyes from his, + nor turn to fly from the spell of them; all she could do was to step back; + and she did so into her father's arms. + </p> + <p> + “Ho!” cried the Admiral, who had entered with the smile of good cheer and + good company glowing on his fine old countenance; “my Dolly and a stranger + at my private desk! Mr. Carne! I have had a glass or two of wine, but my + eyes must be playing me extraordinary tricks. A gentleman searching my + desk, and apparently threatening my dear daughter! Have the kindness to + explain, before you attempt to leave us.” + </p> + <p> + If the curtain had not been drawn across the window, Carne would have made + his escape, and left the situation to explain itself. But the stuff was + thick, and it got between his legs; and before he could slip away, the + stout old Admiral had him by the collar with a sturdy grasp, attesting the + substance of the passing generation. And a twinkle of good-humour was in + the old eyes still—such a wonder was his Dolly that he might be + doing wrong in laying hands of force upon a visitor of hers. Things as + strange as this had been within his knowledge, and proved to be of little + harm—with forbearance. But his eyes grew stern, as Carne tried to + dash his hand off. + </p> + <p> + “If you value your life, you will let me go,” said the young man to the + old one. + </p> + <p> + “I will not let you go, sir, till you clear up this. A gentleman must see + that he is bound to do so. If I prove to be wrong, I will apologise. What! + Are you going to fire at me? You would never be such a coward!” + </p> + <p> + He dropped upon the floor, with a bullet in his brain, and his course of + duty ended. Carne dashed aside the curtain, and was nearly through the + window, when two white arms were cast round his waist. He threw himself + forward with all his might, and wrenched at the little hands clasped + around him, but they held together like clenched iron. “Will you force me + to kill you?” “You may, if you like”—was the dialogue of these + lovers. + </p> + <p> + The strength of a fit was in her despair. She set her bent knees against + the window-frame, and a shower of glass fell between them; but she + flinched not from her convulsive grasp. “Let me come back, that I may + shoot myself,” Carne panted, for his breath was straitened; “what is life + to me after losing you?” She made no answer, but took good care not to + release so fond a lover. Then he threw himself back with all his weight, + and she fell on the floor beneath him. Her clasp relaxed, and he was free; + for her eyes had encountered her father's blood, and she swooned away, and + lay as dead. + </p> + <p> + Carne arose quickly, and bolted the door. His breath was short, and his + body trembling, but the wits of the traitor were active still. “I must + have something to show for all this,” he thought as he glanced at the + bodies on the floor. “Those revellers may not have heard this noise. I + know where it is now, and I will get it.” + </p> + <p> + But the sound of the pistol, and shriek of the girl, had rung through the + guests, when the wine was at their lips, and all were nodding to one + another. Faith sprang up, and then fell back trembling, and several men + ran towards the door. Charles, the footman, met them there, with his face + whiter than his napkin, and held up his hands, but could not speak. Erle + Twemlow dashed past him and down the passage; and Lord Southdown said: + “Gentlemen, see to the ladies. There has been some little mishap, I fear. + Bob, and Arthur, come with me.” + </p> + <p> + Twemlow was first at the study door, and finding it fastened, struck with + all his force, and shouted, at the very moment when Carne stood before the + true desk of office. “Good door, and good bolt,” muttered Carne; “my rule + is never to be hurried by noises. Dolly will be quiet for a quarter of an + hour, and the old gentleman forever. All I want is about two minutes.” + </p> + <p> + Twemlow stepped back a few yards, and then with a good start delivered a + rushing kick; but the only result was a jar of his leg through the sole of + his thin dress sandal. + </p> + <p> + “The window!” cried the Marquis. “We'll stop here; you know the house; + take the shortest cut to the window. Whoever is there, we shall have him + so. I am too slow. Boy Bob, go with him.” + </p> + <p> + “What a fool I was not to think of that!” shouted Twemlow, as he set off + for the nearest house door, and unluckily Carne heard him. He had struck + up the ledge of the desk with the butt of the pistol he had fired, and + pocketing a roll of fresh despatches, he strode across the body of the + Admiral, and with a glance at Dolly—whose eyes were wide open, but + her face drawn aside, like a peach with a split stone—out he went. + He smiled as he heard the thundering of full-bodied gentlemen against the + study door, and their oaths, as they damaged their knuckles and knee-caps. + Then he set off hot-foot, but was stopped by a figure advancing from the + corner of the house. + </p> + <p> + This was not a graceful figure, as of gentle maiden, nor venerable and + slow of foot, as that of an ancient mariner, but a man in the prime of + strength, and largely endowed with that blessing—the mate of truth. + Carne perceived that he had met his equal, and perhaps his better, in a + bout of muscle, and he tried to escape by superior mind. + </p> + <p> + “Twemlow, how glad I am that I have met you! You are the very man I + wanted. There has been a sad accident in there with one of the Admiral's + pistols, and the dear old man is badly wounded. I am off for a doctor, for + my horse is at hand. For God's sake run in, and hold his head up, and try + to staunch the bleeding. I shall be back in half an hour with the man that + lives at Pebbleridge. Don't lose a moment. Particulars hereafter.” + </p> + <p> + “Particulars now!” replied Twemlow, sternly, as he planted himself before + his cousin. “For years I have lived among liars, and they called a lie + Crom, and worshipped it. If this is not Crom, why did you bolt the door?” + </p> + <p> + “You shall answer for this, when time allows. If the door was bolted, he + must have done it. Let me pass; the last chance depends on my speed.” + </p> + <p> + Carne made a rush to pass, but Twemlow caught him by the breast, and held + him. “Come back,” he said, fiercely, “and prove your words. Without that, + you go no further.” + </p> + <p> + Carne seized him by the throat, but his mighty beard, like a collar of + hemp, protected him, and he brought his big brown fist like a hammer upon + the traitor's forehead. Carne wrenched at his dagger, but failed to draw + it, and the two strong men rolled on the grass, fighting like two + bull-dogs. Reason, and thought, and even sense of pain were lost in brutal + fury, as they writhed, and clutched, and dug at one another, gashing their + knuckles, and gnashing their teeth, frothing with one another's blood, for + Carne bit like a tiger. At length tough condition and power of endurance + got the mastery, and Twemlow planted his knee upon the gasping breast of + Carne. + </p> + <p> + “Surrend,” he said, for his short breath could not fetch up the third + syllable; and Carne with a sign of surrender lay on his back, and put his + chin up, and shut his eyes as if he had fainted. Twemlow with + self-congratulation waited a little to recover breath, still keeping his + knee in the post of triumph, and pinning the foe's right arm to his side. + But the foe's left hand was free, and with the eyes still shut, and a + continuance of gasping, that left hand stole its way to the left pocket, + quietly drew forth the second pistol, pressed back the hammer on the + grass, and with a flash (both of eyes and of flint) fired into the + victor's forehead. The triumphant knee rolled off the chest, the body + swung over, as a log is rolled by the woodman's crowbar, and Twemlow's + back was on the grass, and his eyes were closed to the moonlight. + </p> + <p> + Carne scrambled up and shook himself, to be sure that all his limbs were + sound. “Ho, ho, ho!” he chuckled; “it is not so easy to beat me. Why, who + are you? Down with you, then!” + </p> + <p> + Lord Robert Chancton, a lad of about sixteen, the eldest son of the + Marquis, had lost his way inside the house, in trying to find a short-cut + to the door, and coming up after the pistol was fired, made a very gallant + rush at the enemy. With a blow of the butt Carne sent him sprawling; then + dashing among the shrubs and trees, in another minute was in the saddle, + and galloping towards the ancestral ruins. + </p> + <p> + As he struck into the main road through the grounds, Carne passed and just + missed by a turn of the bridle another horseman ascending the hill, and + urging a weary animal. The faces of the men shot past each other within a + short yard, and gaze met gaze; but neither in the dark flash knew the + other, for a big tree barred the moonlight. But Carne, in another moment, + thought that the man who had passed must be Scudamore, probably fraught + with hot tidings. And the thought was confirmed, as he met two troopers + riding as hard as ride they might; and then saw the beacon on the headland + flare. From point to point, and from height to height, like a sprinkle of + blood, the red lights ran; and the roar of guns from the moon-lit sea made + echo that they were ready. Then the rub-a-dub-dub of the drum arose, and + the thrilling blare of trumpet; the great deep of the night was heaved and + broken with the stir of human storm; and the staunchest and strongest + piece of earth—our England—was ready to defend herself. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0062" id="link2HCH0062"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER LXII + </h2> + <h3> + THE WAY OUT OF IT + </h3> + <p> + “My father! my father! I must see my father. Who are you, that dare to + keep me out? Let me know the worst, and try to bear it. What are any of + you to him?” + </p> + <p> + “But, my dear child,” Lord Southdown answered, holding the door against + poor Faith, as she strove to enter the room of death, “wait just one + minute, until we have lifted him to the sofa, and let us bring your poor + sister out.” + </p> + <p> + “I have no sister. She has killed my father, and the best thing she can do + is to die. I feel that I could shoot her, if I had a pistol. Let me see + him, where he lies.” + </p> + <p> + “But, my poor dear, you must think of others. Your dear father is beyond + all help. Your gallant lover lies on the grass. They hope to bring him + round, God willing! Go where you can be of use.” + </p> + <p> + “How cruel you are! You must want to drive me mad. Let his father and + mother see to him, while I see to my own father. If you had a daughter, + you would understand. Am I crying? Do I even tremble?” + </p> + <p> + The Marquis offered his arm, and she took it in fear of falling, though + she did not tremble; so he led her to her father's last repose. The poor + Admiral lay by the open window, with his head upon a stool which Faith had + worked. The ghastly wound was in his broad smooth forehead, and his fair + round cheeks were white with death. But the heart had not quite ceased to + beat, and some remnant of the mind still hovered somewhere in the + lacerated brain. Stubbard, sobbing like a child, was lifting and clumsily + chafing one numb hand; while his wife, who had sponged the wound, was + making the white curls wave with a fan she had shaped from a long official + paper found upon the floor. + </p> + <p> + Dolly was recovering from her swoon, and sat upon a stool by the bookcase, + faintly wondering what had happened, but afraid to ask or think. The + corner of the bookcase, and the burly form of Stubbard, concealed the + window from her, and the torpid oppression which ensues upon a fit lay + between her and her agony. Faith, as she passed, darted one glance at her, + not of pity, not of love, but of cold contempt and satisfaction at her + misery. + </p> + <p> + Then Faith, the quiet and gentle maid, the tranquil and the + self-controlled (whom every one had charged with want of heart, because + she had borne her own grief so well), stood with the body of her father at + her feet, and uttered an exceeding bitter cry. The others had seen enough + of grief, as every human being must, but nothing half so sad as this. They + feared to look at her face, and durst not open lips to comfort her. + </p> + <p> + “Don't speak. Don't look at him. You have no right here. When he comes to + himself, he will want none but me. I have always done everything for him + since dear mother died; and I shall get him to sit up. He will be so much + better when he sits up. I can get him to do it, if you will only go. Oh, + father, father, it is your own Faith come to make you well, dear, if you + will only look at me!” + </p> + <p> + As she took his cold limp hand and kissed it, and wiped a red splash from + his soft white hair, the dying man felt, by nature's feeling, that he was + being touched by a child of his. A faint gleam flitted through the dimness + of his eyes, which he had not the power to close, and the longing to say + “farewell” contended with the drooping of the underlip. She was sure that + he whispered, “Bless you, darling!” though nobody else could have made it + out; but a sudden rush of tears improved her hearing, as rain brings + higher voices down. + </p> + <p> + “Dolly too!” he seemed to whisper next; and Faith made a sign to Mrs. + Stubbard. Then Dolly was brought, and fell upon her knees, at the other + side of her father, and did not know how to lament as yet, and was + scarcely sure of having anything to mourn. But she spread out her hands, + as if for somebody to take them, and bowed her pale face, and closed her + lips, that she might be rebuked without answering. + </p> + <p> + Her father knew her; and his yearning was not to rebuke, but to bless and + comfort her. He had forgotten everything, except that he was dying, with a + daughter at each side of him. This appeared to make him very happy, about + everything, except those two. He could not be expected to have much mind + left; but the last of it was busy for his children's good. Once more he + tried to see them both, and whispered his last message to them—“Forgive + and love each other.” + </p> + <p> + Faith bowed her head, as his fell back, and silently offered to kiss her + sister; but Dolly neither moved nor looked at her. “As you please,” said + Faith; “and perhaps you would like to see a little more of your + handiwork.” + </p> + <p> + For even as she spoke, her lover's body was carried past the window, with + his father and mother on either side, supporting his limp arms and + sobbing. Then Dolly arose, and with one hand grasping the selvage of the + curtain, fixed one long gaze upon her father's corpse. There were no tears + in her eyes, no sign of anguish in her face, no proof that she knew or + felt what she had done. And without a word she left the room. + </p> + <p> + “Hard to the last, even hard to you!” cried Faith, as her tears fell upon + the cold forehead. “Oh, darling, how could you have loved her so?” + </p> + <p> + “It is not hardness; it is madness. Follow your sister,” Lord Southdown + said. “We have had calamities enough.” + </p> + <p> + But Faith was fighting with all her strength against an attack of + hysterics, and fetching long gasps to control herself. “I will go,” + replied Mrs. Stubbard; “this poor child is quite unfit. What on earth is + become of Lady Scudamore? A doctor's widow might have done some good.” + </p> + <p> + The doctor's widow was doing good elsewhere. In the first rush from the + dining-room, Lady Scudamore had been pushed back by no less a person than + Mrs. Stubbard; when at last she reached the study door she found it closed + against her, and entering the next room, saw the flash of the pistol fired + at Twemlow. Bravely hurrying to the spot by the nearest outlet she could + find, she became at once entirely occupied with this new disaster. For two + men who ran up with a carriage lamp declared that the gentleman was as + dead as a door-nail, and hastened to make good their words by swinging him + up heels over head. But the lady made them set him down and support his + head, while she bathed the wound, and sent to the house for his father and + mother, and when he could be safely brought in-doors, helped with her soft + hands beneath his hair, and then became so engrossed with him that the + arrival of her long-lost son was for several hours unknown to her. + </p> + <p> + For so many things coming all at once were enough to upset any one. Urgent + despatches came hot for the hand that now was cold for ever; not a moment + to lose, when time had ceased for the man who was to urge it. There were + plenty of officers there, but no one clearly entitled to take command. + Moreover, the public service clashed with the personal rage of the moment. + Some were for rushing to the stables, mounting every horse that could be + found, and scouring the country, sword in hand, for that infernal + murderer. Some, having just descried the flash of beacon from the + headland, and heard the alarm-guns from shore and sea, were for hurrying + to their regiments, or ships, or homes and families (according to the + head-quarters of their life), while others put their coats on to ride for + all the doctors in the county, who should fetch back the Admiral to this + world, that he might tell everybody what to do. Scudamore stood with his + urgent despatches in the large well-candled hall, and vainly desired to + deliver them. “Send for the Marquis,” suggested some one. + </p> + <p> + Lord Southdown came, without being sent for. “I shall take this duty upon + myself,” he said, “as Lord-Lieutenant of the county. Captain Stubbard, as + commander of the nearest post, will come with me and read these orders. + Gentlemen, see that your horses are ready, and have all of the Admiral's + saddled. Captain Scudamore, you have discharged your trust, and doubtless + ridden far and hard. My orders to you are a bottle of wine and a sirloin + of roast beef at once.” + </p> + <p> + For the sailor was now in very low condition, weary, and worried, and in + want of food. Riding express, and changing horses twice, not once had he + recruited the inner man, who was therefore quite unfit to wrestle with the + power of sudden grief. When he heard of the Admiral's death, he staggered + as if a horse had stumbled under him, and his legs being stiff from hard + sticking to saddle, had as much as they could do to hold him up. Yet he + felt that he could not do the right thing now, he could not go and deal + with the expedient victuals, neither might he dare intrude upon the ladies + now; so he went out to comfort himself by attending to the troubles of his + foundered horse, and by shedding unseen among the trees the tears which + had gathered in his gentle eyes. + </p> + <p> + According to the surest law of nature, that broken-down animal had been + forgotten as soon as he was done with. He would have given his four legs—if + he could legally dispose of them—for a single draught of sweet + delicious rapturous ecstatic water; but his bloodshot eyes sought vainly, + and his welted tongue found nothing wet, except the flakes of his own salt + foam. Until, with the help of the moon, a sparkle (worth more to his mind + than all the diamonds he could draw)—a sparkle of the purest water + gleamed into his dim eyes from the distance. Recalling to his mind's eyes + the grand date of his existence when he was a colt, and had a meadow to + himself, with a sparkling river at the end of it, he set forth in good + faith, and, although his legs were weary, “negotiated”—as the + sporting writers say—the distance between him and the object of his + desire. He had not the least idea that this had cost ten guineas—as + much as his own good self was worth; for it happened to be the first + dahlia seen in that part of the country. That gaudy flower at its first + appearance made such a stir among gardeners that Mr. Swipes gave the + Admiral no peace until he allowed him to order one. And so great was this + gardener's pride in his profession that he would not take an order for a + rooted slip or cutting, from the richest man in the neighbourhood, for + less than half a guinea. Therefore Mr. Swipes was attending to the plant + with the diligence of a wet-nurse, and the weather being dry, he had + soaked it overhead, even before he did that duty to himself. + </p> + <p> + A man of no teeth can take his nourishment in soup; and nature, inverting + her manifold devices—which she would much rather do than be beaten—has + provided that a horse can chew his solids into liquids, if there is a drop + of juice in their composition, when his artificial life has failed to + supply him with the bucket. This horse, being very dry, laid his tongue to + the water-drops that sparkled on the foliage. He found them delicious, and + he longed for more, and very soon his ready mind suggested that the wet + must have come out of the leaves, and there must be more there. Proceeding + on this argument, he found it quite correct, and ten guineas' worth of + dahlia was gone into his stomach by the time that Captain Scudamore came + courteously to look after him. + </p> + <p> + Blyth, in equal ignorance of his sumptuous repast, gave him a pat of + approval, and was turning his head towards the stable yard, when he saw a + white figure gliding swiftly through the trees beyond the belt of + shrubbery. Weary and melancholy as he was, and bewildered with the tumult + of disasters, his heart bounded hotly as he perceived that the figure was + that of his Dolly—Dolly, the one love of his life, stealing forth, + probably to mourn alone the loss of her beloved father. As yet he knew + nothing of her share in that sad tale, and therefore felt no anxiety at + first about her purpose. He would not intrude upon her grief; he had no + right to be her comforter; but still she should have some one to look + after her, at that time of night, and with so much excitement and danger + in the air. So the poor horse was again abandoned to his own resources, + and being well used to such treatment, gazed as wistfully and delicately + after the young man Scudamore as that young man gazed after his lady-love. + </p> + <p> + To follow a person stealthily is not conducive to one's self-respect, but + something in the lady's walk and gesture impelled the young sailor to + follow her. She appeared to be hastening, with some set purpose, and + without any heed of circumstance, towards a part of the grounds where no + house was, no living creature for company, nor even a bench to rest upon. + There was no foot-path in that direction, nor anything to go to, but the + inland cliff that screened the Hall from northeastern winds, and at its + foot a dark pool having no good name in the legends of the neighbourhood. + Even Parson Twemlow would not go near it later than the afternoon milking + of the cows, and Captain Zeb would much rather face a whole gale of wind + in a twelve-foot boat than give one glance at its dead calm face when the + moon like a ghost stood over it. + </p> + <p> + “She is going towards Corpse-walk pit,” thought Scuddy—“a cheerful + place at this time of night! She might even fall into it unawares, in her + present state of distraction. I am absolutely bound to follow her.” + </p> + <p> + Duty fell in with his wishes, as it has a knack of doing. Forgetting his + weariness, he followed, and became more anxious at every step. For the + maiden walked as in a dream, without regard of anything, herself more like + a vision than a good substantial being. To escape Mrs. Stubbard she had + gone upstairs and locked herself in her bedroom, and then slipped out + without changing dress, but throwing a dark mantle over it. This had + fallen off, and she had not cared to stop or think about it, but went on + to her death exactly as she went in to dinner. Her dress of white silk + took the moonlight with a soft gleam like itself, and her clustering curls + (released from fashion by the power of passion) fell, like the shadows, on + her sweet white neck. But she never even asked herself how she looked; she + never turned round to admire her shadow: tomorrow she would throw no + shade, but be one; and how she looked, or what she was, would matter, to + the world she used to think so much of, never more. + </p> + <p> + Suddenly she passed from the moonlight into the blackness of a lonely + thicket, and forced her way through it, without heed of bruise or rent. At + the bottom of the steep lay the long dark pit, and she stood upon the + brink and gazed into it. To a sane mind nothing could look less inviting. + All above was air and light, freedom of the wind and play of moon with + summer foliage; all below was gloom and horror, cold eternal stillness, + and oblivion everlasting. Even the new white frock awoke no flutter upon + that sullen breast. + </p> + <p> + Dolly heaved a sigh and shuddered, but she did not hesitate. Her mind was + wandering, but her heart was fixed to make atonement, to give its life for + the life destroyed, and to lie too deep for shame or sorrow. Suddenly a + faint gleam caught her eyes. The sob of self-pity from her fair young + breast had brought into view her cherished treasures, bright keepsakes of + the girlish days when many a lover worshipped her. Taking from her neck + the silken braid, she kissed them, and laid them on the bank. “They were + all too good for me,” she thought; “they shall not perish with me.” + </p> + <p> + Then, with one long sigh, she called up all her fleeting courage, and + sprang upon a fallen trunk which overhung the water. “There will be no Dan + to save me now,” she said as she reached the end of it. “Poor Dan! He will + be sorry for me. This is the way out of it.” + </p> + <p> + Her white satin shoes for a moment shone upon the black bark of the tree, + and, with one despairing prayer to Heaven, she leaped into the liquid + grave. + </p> + <p> + Dan was afar, but another was near, who loved her even more than Dan. + Blyth Scudamore heard the plunge, and rushed to the brink of the pit, and + tore his coat off. For a moment he saw nothing but black water heaving + silently; then something white appeared, and moved, and a faint cry arose, + and a hopeless struggle with engulfing death began. + </p> + <p> + “Keep still, don't struggle, only spread your arms, and throw your head + back as far as you can,” he cried, as he swam with long strokes towards + her. But if she heard, she could not heed, as the lights of the deep sky + came and went, and the choking water flashed between, and gurgled into her + ears and mouth, and smothered her face with her own long hair. She dashed + her poor helpless form about, and flung out her feet for something solid, + and grasped in dim agony at the waves herself had made. Then her dress + became heavily bagged with water, and the love of life was quenched, and + the night of death enveloped her. Without a murmur, down she went, and the + bubbles of her breath came up. + </p> + <p> + Scudamore uttered a bitter cry, for his heart was almost broken—within + an arm's-length of his love, and she was gone for ever! For the moment he + did not perceive that the clasp of despair must have drowned them both. + Pointing his hands and throwing up his heels, he made one vain dive after + her, then he knew that the pit was too deep for the bottom to be reached + in that way. He swam to the trunk from which Dolly had leaped, and judging + the distance by the sullen ripple, dashed in with a dive like a terrified + frog. Like a bullet he sank to the bottom, and groped with three fathoms + of water above him. Just as his lungs were giving out, he felt something + soft and limp and round. Grasping this by the trailing hair, he struck + mightily up for the surface, and drew a long breath, and sustained above + water the head that fell back upon his panting breast. + </p> + <p> + Some three hours later, Dolly Darling lay in her own little bed, as pale + as death, but sleeping the sleep of the world that sees the sun; while her + only sister knelt by her side, weeping the tears of a higher world than + that. “How could I be so brutal, and so hard?” sobbed Faith. “If father + has seen it, will he ever forgive me? His last words were—'forgive, + and love.'” + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0063" id="link2HCH0063"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER LXIII + </h2> + <h3> + THE FATAL STEP + </h3> + <p> + As Carne rode up the hill that night towards his ruined castle, the flush + of fierce excitement and triumphant struggle died away, and self-reproach + and miserable doubt struck into him like ague. For the death of Twemlow—as + he supposed—he felt no remorse whatever. Him he had shot in furious + combat, and as a last necessity; the fellow had twice insulted him, and + then insolently collared him. And Faith, who had thwarted him with Dolly, + and been from the first his enemy, now would have to weep and wail, and + waste her youth in constancy. All that was good; but he could not regard + with equal satisfaction the death of the ancient Admiral. The old man had + brought it upon himself by his stupid stubbornness; and looking fairly + upon that matter, Carne scarcely saw how to blame himself. Still, it was a + most unlucky thing, and must lead to a quantity of mischief. To-morrow, or + at the latest Monday, was to have crowned with grand success his years of + toil and danger. There still might be the landing, and he would sail that + night to hasten it, instead of arranging all ashore; but it could no + longer be a triumph of crafty management. The country was up, the + Admiral's death would spread the alarm and treble it; and worst of all, in + the hot pursuit of himself, which was sure to follow when people's wits + came back to them, all the stores and ammunition, brought together by so + much skill and patience and hardihood, must of necessity be discovered and + fall into the hands of the enemy. Farewell to his long-cherished hope of + specially neat retribution, to wit, that the ruins of his family should be + the ruin of the land which had rejected him! Then a fierce thought crossed + his mind, and became at once a stern resolve. If he could never restore + Carne Castle, and dwell there in prosperity, neither should any of his + oppressors. The only trace of his ancestral home should be a vast black + hole in earth. + </p> + <p> + For even if the landing still succeeded, and the country were subdued, he + could never make his home there, after what he had done to-night. Dolly + was lost to him for ever; and although he had loved her with all the ardor + he could spare from his higher purposes, he must make up his mind to do + without her, and perhaps it was all the better for him. If he had married + her, no doubt he could soon have taught her her proper place; but no one + could tell how she might fly out, through her self-will and long + indulgence. He would marry a French woman; that would be the best; perhaps + one connected with the Empress Josephine. As soon as he had made up his + mind to this, his conscience ceased to trouble him. + </p> + <p> + From the crest of the hill at the eastern gate many a bend of shore was + clear, and many a league of summer sea lay wavering in the moonlight. + Along the beach red torches flared, as men of the Coast-Defence pushed + forth, and yellow flash of cannon inland signalled for the Volunteers, + while the lights gleamed (like windows opened from the depth) where sloop + and gun-boat, frigate and ship of the line, were crowding sail to rescue + England. For the semaphore, and when day was out the beacon-lights, had + glowed along the backbone of the English hills, and England called every + Englishman to show what he was made of. + </p> + <p> + “That will do. Enough of that, John Bull!” Defying his native land, Carne + shook his fist in the native manner. “Stupid old savage, I shall live to + make you howl. This country has become too hot to hold me, and I'll make + it hotter before I have done. Here, Orso and Leo, good dogs, good dogs! + You can kill a hundred British bull-dogs. Mount guard for an hour, till I + call you down the hill. You can pull down a score of Volunteers apiece, if + they dare to come after me. I have an hour to spare, and I know how to + employ it. Jerry, old Jerry Bowles, stir your crooked shanks. What are you + rubbing your blear eyes at?” + </p> + <p> + The huge boar-hounds, who obeyed no voice but his, took post upon the + rugged road (which had never been repaired since the Carnes were a power + in the land), and sat side by side beneath the crumbling arch, with their + long fangs glistening and red eyes rolling in the silver moonlight, while + their deep chests panted for the chance of good fresh human victuals. Then + Carne gave his horse to ancient Jerry, saying, “Feed him, and take him + with his saddle on to the old yew-tree in half an hour. Wait there for + Captain Charron, and for me. You are not to go away till I come to you. + Who is in the old place now? Think well before you answer me.” + </p> + <p> + “No one now in the place but her”—the old man lifted his elbow, as a + coachman does in passing—“and him down in the yellow jug. All the + French sailors are at sea. Only she won't go away; and she moaneth worse + than all the owls and ghosts. Ah, your honour should never 'a done that—respectable + folk to Springhaven too!” + </p> + <p> + “It was a slight error of judgment, Jerry. What a mealy lot these English + are, to make such a fuss about a trifle! But I am too soft-hearted to blow + her up. Tell her to meet me in half an hour by the broken dial, and to + bring the brat, and all her affairs in a bundle such as she can carry, or + kick down the hill before her. In half an hour, do you understand? And if + you care for your stiff old bones, get out of the way by that time.” + </p> + <p> + In that half-hour Carne gathered in small compass, and strapped up in a + little “mail”—as such light baggage then was called—all his + important documents, despatches, letters, and papers of every kind, and + the cash he was entrusted with, which he used to think safer at + Springhaven. Then he took from a desk which was fixed to the wall a locket + bright with diamonds, and kissed it, and fastened it beneath his + neck-cloth. The wisp of hair inside it came not from any young or lovely + head, but from the resolute brow of his mother, the woman who hated + England. He should have put something better to his mouth; for instance, a + good beef sandwich. But one great token of his perversion was that he + never did feed well—a sure proof of the unrighteous man, as + suggested by the holy Psalmist, and more distinctly put by Livy in the + character he gives Hannibal. + </p> + <p> + Regarding as a light thing his poor unfurnished stomach, Carne mounted the + broken staircase, in a style which might else have been difficult. He had + made up his mind to have one last look at the broad lands of his + ancestors, from the last that ever should be seen of the walls they had + reared and ruined. He stood upon the highest vantage-point that he could + attain with safety, where a shaggy gnarl of the all-pervading ivy served + as a friendly stay. To the right and left and far behind him all had once + been their domain—every tree, and meadow, and rock that faced the + moon, had belonged to his ancestors. “Is it a wonder that I am fierce?” he + cried, with unwonted self-inspection; “who, that has been robbed as I + have, would not try to rob in turn? The only thing amazing is my patience + and my justice. But I will come back yet, and have my revenge.” + </p> + <p> + Descending to his hyena den—as Charron always called it—he + caught up his packet, and took a lantern, and a coil of tow which had been + prepared, and strode forth for the last time into the sloping court behind + the walls. Passing towards the eastern vaults, he saw the form of some one + by the broken dial, above the hedge of brambles, which had once been of + roses and sweetbriar. “Oh, that woman! I had forgotten that affair!” he + muttered, with annoyance, as he pushed through the thorns to meet her. + </p> + <p> + Polly Cheeseman, the former belle of Springhaven, was leaning against the + wrecked dial, with a child in her arms and a bundle at her feet. Her pride + and gaiety had left her now, and she looked very wan through frequent + weeping, and very thin from nursing. Her beauty (like her friends) had + proved unfaithful under shame and sorrow, and little of it now remained + except the long brown tresses and the large blue eyes. Those eyes she + fixed upon Carne with more of terror than of love in them; although the + fear was such as turns with a very little kindness to adoring love. + </p> + <p> + Carne left her to begin, for he really was not without shame in this + matter; and Polly was far better suited than Dolly for a scornful and + arrogant will like his. Deeply despising all the female race—as the + Greek tragedian calls them—save only the one who had given him to + the world, he might have been a God to Polly if he had but behaved as a + man to her. She looked at him now with an imploring gaze, from the + gentleness of her ill-used heart. + </p> + <p> + Their child, a fine boy about ten months old, broke the silence by saying + “booh, booh,” very well, and holding out little hands to his father, who + had often been scornfully kind to him. + </p> + <p> + “Oh, Caryl, Caryl, you will never forsake him!” cried the young mother, + holding him up with rapture, and supporting his fat arms in that position; + “he is the very image of you, and he seems to know it. Baby, say 'Da-da.' + There, he has put his mouth up, and his memory is so wonderful! Oh, Caryl, + what do you think of that—and the first time of trying it by + moonlight?” + </p> + <p> + “There is no time for this nonsense, Polly. He is a wonderful baby, I dare + say; and so is every baby, till he gets too old. You must obey orders, and + be off with him.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh no! You are come to take us with you. There, I have covered his face + up, that he may not suppose you look cross at me. Oh, Caryl, you would + never leave him behind, even if you could do that to me. We are not grand + people, and you can put us anywhere, and now I am nearly as well as ever. + I have put up all his little things; it does not matter about my own. I + was never brought up to be idle, and I can earn my own living anywhere; + and it might be a real comfort for you, with the great people going + against you, to have somebody, not very grand, of course, but as true to + you as yourself, and belonging altogether to you. I know many people who + would give their eyes for such a baby.” + </p> + <p> + “There is no time for this,” Carne answered, sternly; “my arrangements are + made, and I cannot take you. I have no fault to find with you, but + argument is useless.” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, I know that, Caryl; and I am sure that I never would attempt to + argue with you. You should have everything your own way, and I could + attend to so many things that no man ever does properly. I will be a slave + to you, and this little darling love you, and then you will feel that you + have two to love you, wherever you go, and whatever you do. And if I spoke + crossly when first I found out that—that I went away for nothing + with you, you must have forgiven me by this time, and I never will remind + you again of it; if I do, send me back to the place I belong to. I belong + to you now, Caryl, and so does he; and when we are away from the people + who know me, I shall be pleasant and cheerful again. I was only + two-and-twenty the day the boats came home last week, and they used to say + the young men jumped into the water as soon as they caught sight of me. + Try to be kind to me, and I shall be so happy that I shall look almost as + I used to do, when you said that the great ladies might be grander, but + none of them fit to look into my looking-glass. Dear Caryl, I am ready; I + don't care where it is, or what I may have to put up with, so long as you + will make room for your Polly, and your baby.” + </p> + <p> + “I am not at all a hard man,” said Carne, retreating as the impulsive + Polly offered him the baby, “but once for all, no more of this. I have + quite forgiven any strong expressions you may have made use of when your + head was light; and if all goes well, I shall provide for you and the + child, according to your rank in life. But now you must run down the hill, + if you wish to save your life and his.” + </p> + <p> + “I have run down the hill already. I care not a pin for my own life; and + hard as you are you would never have the heart to destroy your own little + Caryl. He may be called Caryl—you will not deny him that, although + he has no right to be called Carne. Oh, Caryl, Caryl, you can be so good, + when you think there is something to gain by it. Only be good to us now, + and God will bless you for it, darling. I have given up all the world for + you, and you cannot have the heart to cast me off.” + </p> + <p> + “What a fool the woman is! Have you ever known me change my mind? If you + scorn your own life, through your own folly, you must care for the brat's. + If you stop here ten minutes, you will both be blown to pieces.” + </p> + <p> + “Through my own folly! Oh, God in heaven, that you should speak so of my + love for you! Squire Carne, you are the worst man that ever lived; and it + serves me right for trusting you. But where am I to go? Who will take me + and support me, and my poor abandoned child?” + </p> + <p> + “Your parents, of course, are your natural supporters. You are hurting + your child by this low abuse of me. Now put aside excitement, and run + home, like a sensible woman, before your good father goes to bed.” + </p> + <p> + She had watched his face all the time, as if she could scarcely believe + that he was in earnest, but he proved it by leaving her with a wave of his + hat, and hastening back to his lantern. Then taking up that, and the coil + of tow, but leaving his package against the wall, he disappeared in the + narrow passage leading to the powder vaults. Polly stood still by the + broken dial, with her eyes upon the moon, and her arms around the baby, + and a pang in her heart which prevented her from speaking, or moving, or + even knowing where she was. + </p> + <p> + Then Carne, stepping warily, unlocked the heavy oak door at the entrance + of the cellarage, held down his lantern, and fixed with a wedge the top + step of the ladder, which had been made to revolve with a pin and collar + at either end, as before described. After trying the step with his hand, + to be sure that it was now wedged safely, he flung his coil into the vault + and followed. Some recollection made him smile as he was going down the + steps: it was that of a stout man lying at the bottom, shaken in every + bone, yet sound as a grape ensconced in jelly. As he touched the bottom he + heard a little noise as of some small substance falling, but seeing a + piece of old mortar dislodged, he did not turn round to examine the place. + If he had done so he would have found behind the ladder the wedge he had + just inserted to secure the level of the “Inspector's step.” + </p> + <p> + Unwinding his coil of tow, which had been steeped in saltpetre to make a + long fuse, with a toss of his long legs he crossed the barricade of solid + oak rails about six feet high securely fastened across the vault, for the + enclosure of the dangerous storage. Inside it was a passage, between + chests of arms, dismounted cannon, and cases from every department of + supply, to the explosive part of the magazine, the devourer of the human + race, the pulp of the marrow of the Furies—gunpowder. + </p> + <p> + Of this there was now collected here, and stored in tiers that reached the + roof, enough to blow up half the people of England, or lay them all low + with a bullet before it; yet not enough, not a millionth part enough, to + move for the breadth of a hair the barrier betwixt right and wrong, which + a very few barrels are enough to do with a man who has sapped the + foundations. Treading softly for fear of a spark from his boots, and + guarding the lantern well, Carne approached one of the casks in the lower + tier, and lifted the tarpaulin. Then he slipped the wooden slide in the + groove, and allowed some five or six pounds to run out upon the floor, + from which the cask was raised by timber baulks. Leaving the slide partly + open, he spread one end of his coil like a broad lamp-wick in the pile of + powder which had run out, and put a brick upon the tow to keep it from + shifting. Then he paid out the rest of the coil on the floor like a snake + some thirty feet long, with the tail about a yard inside the barricade. + With a very steady hand he took the candle from inside the horn, and + kindled that tail of the fuse; and then replacing his light, he recrossed + the open timber-work, and swiftly remounted the ladder of escape. “Twenty + minutes' or half an hour's grace,” he thought, “and long before that I + shall be at the yew-tree.” + </p> + <p> + But, as he planted his right foot sharply upon the top step of the ladder, + that step swung back, and cast him heavily backwards to the bottom. The + wedge had dropped out, and the step revolved like the treadle of a + fox-trap. + </p> + <p> + For a minute or two he lay stunned and senseless, with the lantern before + him on its side, and the candle burning a hole in the bubbly horn. Slowly + recovering his wits, he strove to rise, as the deadly peril was borne in + upon him. But instead of rising, he fell back again with a curse, and then + a long-drawn groan; for pain (like the thrills of a man on the rack) had + got hold of him and meant to keep him. His right arm was snapped at the + elbow, and his left leg just above the knee, and the jar of his spine made + him feel as if his core had been split out of him. He had no fat, like + Shargeloes, to protect him, and no sheath of hair like Twemlow's. + </p> + <p> + Writhing with anguish, he heard a sound which did not improve his + condition. It was the spluttering of the fuse, eating its merry way + towards the five hundred casks of gunpowder. In the fury of peril he + contrived to rise, and stood on his right foot with the other hanging + limp, while he stayed himself with his left hand upon the ladder. Even if + he could crawl up this, it would benefit him nothing. Before he could drag + himself ten yards, the explosion would overtake him. His only chance was + to quench the fuse, or draw it away from the priming. With a hobble of + agony he reached the barricade, and strove to lift his crippled frame over + it. It was hopeless; the power of his back was gone, and his limbs were + unable to obey his brain. Then he tried to crawl through at the bottom, + but the opening of the rails would not admit his body, and the train of + ductile fire had left only ash for him to grasp at. + </p> + <p> + Quivering with terror, and mad with pain, he returned to the foot of the + steps, and clung till a gasp of breath came back. Then he shouted, with + all his remaining power, “Polly, oh, Polly, my own Polly!” + </p> + <p> + Polly had been standing, like a statue of despair, beside the broken dial. + To her it mattered little whether earth should open and swallow her, or + fire cast her up to heaven. But his shout aroused her from this trance, + and her heart leaped up with the fond belief that he had relented, and was + calling her and the child to share his fortunes. There she stood in the + archway and looked down, and the terror of the scene overwhelmed her. + Through a broken arch beyond the barricade pale moonbeams crossed the + darkness, like the bars of some soft melody; in the middle the serpent + coil was hissing with the deadly nitre; at the foot of the steps was her + false lover—husband he had called himself—with his hat off, + and his white face turned in the last supplication towards her, as hers + had been turned towards him just now. Should a woman be as pitiless as a + man? + </p> + <p> + “Come down, for God's sake, and climb that cursed wood, and pull back the + fuse, pull it back from the powder. Oh, Polly! and then we will go away + together.” + </p> + <p> + “It is too late. I will not risk my baby. You have made me so weak that I + could never climb that fence. You are blowing up the castle which you + promised to my baby; but you shall not blow up him. You told me to run + away, and run I must. Good-bye; I am going to my natural supporters.” + </p> + <p> + Carne heard her steps as she fled, and he fancied that he heard therewith + a mocking laugh, but it was a sob, a hysterical sob. She would have helped + him, if she dared; but her wits were gone in panic. She knew not of his + shattered limbs and horrible plight; and it flashed across her that this + was another trick of his—to destroy her and the baby, while he fled. + She had proved that all his vows were lies. + </p> + <p> + Then Carne made his mind up to die like a man, for he saw that escape was + impossible. Limping back to the fatal barrier, he raised himself to his + full height, and stood proudly to see, as he put it, the last of himself. + Not a quiver of his haughty features showed the bodily pain that racked + him, nor a flinch of his deep eyes confessed the tumult moving in his mind + and soul. He pulled out his watch and laid it on the top rail of the old + oak fence: there was not enough light to read the time, but he could count + the ticks he had to live. Suddenly hope flashed through his heart, like + the crack of a gun, like a lightning fork—a big rat was biting an + elbow of the yarn where some tallow had fallen upon it. Would he cut it, + would he drag it away to his hole? would he pull it a little from its + fatal end? He was strong enough to do it, if he only understood. The fizz + of saltpetre disturbed the rat, and he hoisted his tail and skipped back + to his home. + </p> + <p> + The last thoughts of this unhappy man went back upon his early days; and + things, which he had passed without thinking of, stood before him like his + tombstone. None of his recent crimes came now to his memory to disturb it—there + was time enough after the body for them—but trifles which had first + depraved the mind, and slips whose repetition had made slippery the soul, + like the alphabet of death, grew plain to him. Then he thought of his + mother, and crossed himself, and said a little prayer to the Virgin. + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + Charron was waiting by the old yew-tree, and Jerry sat trembling, with his + eyes upon the castle, while the black horse, roped to a branch, was + mourning the scarcity of oats and the abundance of gnats. + </p> + <p> + “Pest and the devil, but the coast is all alive!” cried the Frenchman, + soothing anxiety with solid and liquid comforts. “Something has gone wrong + behind the tail of everything. And there goes that big Stoobar, blazing + with his sordid battery! Arouse thee, old Cheray! The time too late is + over. Those lights thrice accursed will display our little boat, and John + Bull is rushing with a thousand sails. The Commander is mad. They will + have him, and us too. Shall I dance by a rope? It is the only dancing + probable for me in England.” + </p> + <p> + “I have never expected any good to come,” the old man answered, without + moving. “The curse of the house is upon the young Squire. I saw it in his + eyes this morning, the same as I saw in his father's eyes, when the sun + was going down the very night he died. I shall never see him more, sir, + nor you either, nor any other man that bides to the right side of his + coffin.” + </p> + <p> + “Bah! what a set you are of funerals, you Englishmen! But if I thought he + was in risk, I would stay to see the end of it.” + </p> + <p> + “Here comes the end of it!” the old man cried, leaping up and catching at + a rugged cord of trunk, with his other hand pointing up the hill. From the + base of the castle a broad blaze rushed, showing window and battlement, + arch and tower, as in a flicker of the Northern lights. Then up went all + the length of fabric, as a wanton child tosses his Noah's ark. Keep and + buttress, tower and arch, mullioned window and battlement, in a fiery + furnace leaped on high, like the outburst of a volcano. Then, with a roar + that rocked the earth, they broke into a storm of ruin, sweeping the + heavens with a flood of fire, and spreading the sea with a mantle of + blood. Following slowly in stately spires, and calmly swallowing + everything, a fountain of dun smoke arose, and solemn silence filled the + night. + </p> + <p> + “All over now, thank the angels and the saints! My faith, but I made up my + mind to join them,” cried Charron, who had fallen, or been felled by the + concussion. “Cheray, art thou still alive? The smoke is in my neck. I + cannot liberate my words, but the lumps must be all come down by this + time, without adding to the weight of our poor brains. Something fell in + this old tree, a long way up, as high as where the crows build. It was + like a long body, with one leg and one arm. I hope it was not the + Commander; but one thing is certain—he is gone to heaven. Let us + pray that he may stop there, if St. Peter admits a man who was selling the + keys of his country to the enemy. But we must do duty to ourselves, my + Cheray. Let us hasten to the sea, and give the signal for the boat. La + Torche will be a weak light after this.” + </p> + <p> + “I will not go. I will abide my time.” The old man staggered to a broken + column of the ancient gateway which had fallen near them, and flung his + arms around it. “I remember this since I first could toddle. The ways of + the Lord are wonderful.” + </p> + <p> + “Come away, you old fool,” cried the Frenchman; “I hear the tramp of + soldiers in the valley. If they catch you here, it will be drum-head work, + and you will swing before morning in the ruins.” + </p> + <p> + “I am very old. My time is short. I would liefer hang from an English beam + than deal any more with your outlandish lot.” + </p> + <p> + “Farewell to thee, then! Thou art a faithful clod. Here are five guineas + for thee, of English stamp. I doubt if napoleons shall ever be coined in + England.” + </p> + <p> + He was off while he might—a gallant Frenchman, and an honest enemy; + such as our country has respected always, and often endeavoured to turn + into fast friends. But the old man stood and watched the long gap, where + for centuries the castle of the Carnes had towered. And his sturdy faith + was rewarded. + </p> + <p> + “I am starving”—these words came feebly from a gaunt, ragged figure + that approached him. “For three days my food has been forgotten; and bad + as it was, I missed it. There came a great rumble, and my walls fell down. + Ancient Jerry, I can go no further. I am empty as a shank bone when the + marrow-toast is serving. Your duty was to feed me, with inferior stuff at + any rate.” + </p> + <p> + “No, sir, no;” the old servitor was roused by the charge of neglected + duty. “Sir Parsley, it was no fault of mine whatever. Squire undertook to + see to all of it himself. Don't blame me, sir; don't blame me.” + </p> + <p> + “Never mind the blame, but make it good,” Mr. Shargeloes answered, + meagrely, for he felt as if he could never be fat again. “What do I see + there? It is like a crust of bread, but I am too weak to stoop for it.” + </p> + <p> + “Come inside the tree, sir.” The old man led him, as a grandsire leads a + famished child. “What a shame to starve you, and you so hearty! But the + Squire clean forgotten it, I doubt, with his foreign tricks coming to this + great blow-up. Here, sir, here; please to sit down a moment, while I light + a candle. They French chaps are so wasteful always, and always grumbling + at good English victual. Here's enough to feed a family Captain Charron + has throwed by—bread, and good mutton, and pretty near half a ham, + and a bottle or so of thin nasty foreign wine. Eat away, Sir Parsley; why, + it does me good to see you. You feeds something like an Englishman. But + you know, sir, it were all your own fault at bottom, for coming among them + foreigners a-meddling.” + </p> + <p> + “You are a fine fellow. You shall be my head butler,” Percival Shargeloes + replied, while he made such a meal as he never made before, and never + should make again, even when he came to be the Right Honourable the Lord + Mayor of London. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0064" id="link2HCH0064"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER LXIV + </h2> + <h3> + WRATH AND SORROW + </h3> + <p> + The two most conspicuous men of the age were saddened and cast down just + now—one by the natural kindly sorrow into which all men live for + others, till others live into it for them; and one by the petulant turns + of fortune, twisting and breaking his best-woven web. Lord Nelson arrived + at Springhaven on Monday, to show his affection for his dear old friend; + and the Emperor Napoleon, at the same time, was pacing the opposite cliffs + in grief and dudgeon. + </p> + <p> + He had taken his post on some high white land, about a league southward of + Boulogne, and with strong field-glasses, which he pettishly exchanged in + doubt of their power and truth, he was scanning all the roadways of the + shore and the trackless breadths of sea. His quick brain was burning for + despatches overland—whether from the coast road past Etaples, or + further inland by the great route from Paris, or away to the southeast by + special courier from the Austrian frontier—as well as for signals + out at sea, and the movements of the British ships, to show that his own + were coming. He had treated with disdain the suggestions of his faithful + Admiral Decres, who had feared to put the truth too plainly, that the + fleet ordered up from the west had failed, and with it the Master's mighty + scheme. Having yet to learn the lesson that his best plans might be + foiled, he was furious when doubt was cast upon this pet design. Like a + giant of a spider at the nucleus of his web, he watched the broad fan of + radiant threads, and the hovering of filmy woof, but without the mild + philosophy of that spider, who is versed in the very sad capriciousness of + flies. + </p> + <p> + Just within hearing (and fain to be further, in his present state of mind) + were several young officers of the staff, making little mouths at one + another, for want of better pastime, but looking as grave, when the mighty + man glanced round, as schoolboys do under the master's eye. “Send Admiral + Decres to me,” the Emperor shouted, as he laid down his telescope and + returned to his petulant to-and-fro. + </p> + <p> + In a few minutes Admiral Decres arrived, and after a salute which was not + acknowledged, walked in silence at his master's side. The great man, + talking to himself aloud, and reviling almost every one except himself, + took no more notice of his comrade for some minutes than if he had been a + poodle keeping pace with him. Then he turned upon him fiercely, with one + hand thrown out, as if he would have liked to strike him. + </p> + <p> + “What then is the meaning of all this?” He spoke too fast for the other to + catch all his words. “You have lost me three days of it. How much longer + will you conceal your knowledge? Carne's scheme has failed, through + treachery—probably his own. I never liked the man. He wanted to be + the master of me—of me! I can do without him; it is all the better, + if my fleet will come. I have three fleets, besides these. Any one of them + would do. They would do, if even half their crews were dead, so long as + they disturbed the enemy. You know where Villeneuve is, but you will not + tell me.” + </p> + <p> + “I told your Majesty what I thought,” M. Decres replied, with dignity, + “but it did not please you to listen to me. Shall I now tell your Majesty + what I know?” + </p> + <p> + “Ha! You have dared to have secret despatches! You know more of the + movements of my fleets than I do! You have been screening him all along. + Which of you is the worse traitor?” + </p> + <p> + “Your Majesty will regret these words. Villeneuve and myself are devoted + to you. I have not heard from him. I have received no despatches. But in a + private letter just received, which is here at your Majesty's service, I + find these words, which your Majesty can see. 'From my brother on the + Spanish coast I have just heard. Admiral Villeneuve has sailed for Cadiz, + believing Nelson to be in chase of him. My brother saw the whole fleet + crowding sail southward. No doubt it is the best thing they could do. If + they came across Nelson, they would be knocked to pieces.' Your Majesty, + that is an opinion only; but it seems to be shared by M. Villeneuve.” + </p> + <p> + Napoleon's wrath was never speechless—except upon one great occasion—and + its outburst put every other in the wrong, even while he knew that he was + in the right. Regarding Decres with a glare of fury, such as no other eyes + could pour, or meet—a glare as of burnished steel fired from a + cannon—he drove him out of every self-defence or shelter, and + shattered him in the dust of his own principles. It was not the difference + of rank between them, but the difference in the power of their minds, that + chased like a straw before the wind the very stable senses of the man who + understood things. He knew that he was right, but the right was routed, + and away with it flew all capacity of reason in the pitiless torrent of + passion, like a man in a barrel, and the barrel in Niagara. + </p> + <p> + M. Decres knew not head from tail, in the rush of invective poured upon + him; but he took off his hat in soft search for his head, and to let in + the compliments rained upon it. + </p> + <p> + “It is good,” replied the Emperor, replying to himself, as the foam of his + fury began to pass; “you will understand, Decres, that I am not angry, but + only lament that I have such a set of fools. You are not the worst. I have + bigger fools than you. Alas that I should confess it!” + </p> + <p> + Admiral Decres put his hat upon his head, for the purpose of taking it + off, to acknowledge the kindness of this compliment. It was the first + polite expression he had received for half an hour. And it would have been + the last, if he had dared to answer. + </p> + <p> + “Villeneuve cannot help it that he is a fool,” continued Napoleon, in a + milder strain; “but he owes it to his rank that he should not be a coward. + Nelson is his black beast. Nelson has reduced him to a condition of wet + pulp. I shall send a braver man to supersede him. Are French fleets + forever to turn tail to an inferior force of stupid English? If I were on + the seas, I would sweep Nelson from them. Our men are far braver, when + they learn to spread their legs. As soon as I have finished with those + filthy Germans, I will take the command of the fleets myself. It will be a + bad day for that bragging Nelson. Give me pen and paper, and send Daru to + me. I must conquer the Continent once more, I suppose; and then I will + return and deal with England.” + </p> + <p> + In a couple of hours he had shaped and finished the plan of a campaign the + most triumphant that even he ever planned and accomplished. Then his mind + became satisfied with good work, and he mounted his horse, and for the + last time rode through the grandest encampment the sun has ever seen, + distributing his calm smile, as if his nature were too large for tempests. + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + On the sacred white coast, which the greatest of Frenchmen should only + approach as a prisoner, stood a man of less imperious mould, and of sweet + and gentle presence—a man who was able to command himself in the + keenest disappointment, because he combined a quick sense of humour with + the power of prompt action, and was able to appreciate his own great + qualities without concluding that there were no other. His face, at all + times except those of hot battle, was filled with quiet sadness, as if he + were sent into the world for some great purpose beyond his knowledge, yet + surely not above his aim. Years of deep anxiety and ever urgent duty had + made him look old before his time, but in no wise abated his natural + force. He knew that he had duty before him still, and he felt that the + only discharge was death. + </p> + <p> + But now, in the tenderness of his heart, he had forgotten all about + himself, and even for the moment about his country. Nelson had taken the + last fond look at the dear old friend of many changeful years, so true and + so pleasant throughout every change. Though one eye had failed for the + work of the brain, it still was in sympathy with his heart; and a tear + shone upon either wrinkled cheek, as the uses of sadness outlast the + brighter view. He held Faith by the hand, or she held by his, as they came + forth, without knowing it, through nature's demand for an open space, when + the air is choked with sorrow. + </p> + <p> + “My dear, you must check it; you must leave off,” said Nelson, although he + was going on himself. “It is useless for me to say a word to you, because + I am almost as bad myself. But still I am older, and I feel that I ought + to be able to comfort you, if I only knew the way.” + </p> + <p> + “You do comfort me, more than I can tell, although you don't say anything. + For any one to sit here, and be sorry with me, makes it come a little + lighter. And when it is a man like you, Lord Nelson, I feel a sort of love + that makes me feel less bitter. Mr. Twemlow drove me wild with a quantity + of texts, and a great amount of talk about a better land. How would he + like to go to it himself, I wonder? There is a great hole in my heart, and + nothing that anybody says can fill it.” + </p> + <p> + “And nothing that any one can do, my dear,” her father's friend answered, + softly, “unless it is your own good self, with the kindness of the Lord to + help you. One of the best things to begin with is to help somebody else, + if you can, and lead yourself away into another person's troubles. Is + there any one here very miserable?” + </p> + <p> + “None that I can think of half so miserable as I am. There is great + excitement, but no misery. Miss Twemlow has recovered her Lord Mayor—the + gentleman that wore that extraordinary coat—oh, I forgot, you were + not here then. And although he has had a very sad time of it, every one + says that the total want of diet will be much better for him than any mere + change. I am ashamed to be talking of such trifles now; but I respect that + man, he was so straightforward. If my brother Frank had been at all like + him, we should never have been as we are this day.” + </p> + <p> + “My dear, you must not blame poor Frank. He would not come down to the + dinner because he hated warlike speeches. But he has seen the error of his + ways. No more treasonable stuff for him. He thought it was large, and + poetic, and all that, like giving one's shirt to an impostor. All of us + make mistakes sometimes. I have made a great many myself, and have always + been the foremost to perceive them. But your own brave lover—have + you forgotten him? He fought like a hero, I am told; and nothing could + save his life except that he wore a new-fashioned periwig.” + </p> + <p> + “I would rather not talk of him now, Lord Nelson, although he had no + periwig. I am deeply thankful that he escaped; and no doubt did his best, + as he was bound to do. I try to be fair to everybody, but I cannot help + blaming every one, when I come to remember how blind we have been. Captain + Stubbard must have been so blind, and Mrs. Stubbard a great deal worse, + and worst of all his own aunt, Mrs. Twemlow. Oh, Lord Nelson, if you had + only stopped here, instead of hurrying away for more glory! You saw the + whole of it; you predicted everything; you even warned us again in your + last letter! And yet you must go away, and leave us to ourselves; and this + is how the whole of it has ended.” + </p> + <p> + “My dear child, I will not deny that the eye of Nelson has a special gift + for piercing the wiles of the scoundrelly foe. But I was under orders, and + must go. The nation believed that it could not do without me, although + there are other men every bit as good, and in their own opinion superior. + But the enemy has never been of that opinion; and a great deal depends + upon what they think. And the rule has been always to send me where there + are many kicks but few coppers. I have never been known to repine. We all + err; but if we do our duty as your dear father did his, the Lord will + forgive us, when our enemies escape. When my time comes, as it must do + soon, there will be plenty to carp at me; but I shall not care, if I have + done my best. Your father did his best, and is happy.” + </p> + <p> + Faith Darling took his hand again, and her tears were for him quite as + much as for herself. “Give me one of the buttons of your coat,” she said; + “here is one that cannot last till you get home.” + </p> + <p> + It was hanging by a thread, and yet the hero was very loth to part with + it, though if it had parted with him, the chances were ten to one against + his missing it. However, he conquered himself, but not so entirely as to + let her cut it off. If it must go, it should be by his own hand. He pulled + out a knife and cut it off, and she kissed it when he gave it to her. + </p> + <p> + “I should like to do more than that,” he said, though he would sooner have + parted with many guineas. “Is there nobody here that I can help, from my + long good-will to Springhaven?” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, yes! How stupid I am!” cried Faith. “I forget everybody in my own + trouble. There is a poor young man with a broken heart, who came to me + this morning. He has done no harm that I know of, but he fell into the + power of that wicked—but I will use no harsh words, because he is + gone most dreadfully to his last account. This poor youth said that he + only cared to die, after all the things that had happened here, for he has + always been fond of my father. At first I refused to see him, but they + told me such things that I could not help it. He is the son of our chief + man here, and you said what a fine British seaman he would make.” + </p> + <p> + “I remember two or three of that description, especially young Dan + Tugwell.” Nelson had an amazing memory of all who had served under him, or + even had wished to do so. “I see by your eyes that it is young Tugwell. If + it will be any pleasure to you, I will see him, and do what I can for him. + What has he done, my dear, and what can I do for him?” + </p> + <p> + “He has fallen into black disgrace, and his only desire is to redeem it by + dying for his country. His own father has refused to see him, although he + was mainly the cause of it; and his mother, who was Erle Twemlow's nurse, + is almost out of her mind with grief. A braver young man never lived, and + he was once the pride of Springhaven. He saved poor Dolly from drowning, + when she was very young, and the boat upset. His father chastised him + cruelly for falling under bad influence. Then he ran away from the + village, and seems to have been in French employment. But he was kept in + the dark, and had no idea that he was acting against his own country.” + </p> + <p> + “He has been a traitor,” said Lord Nelson, sternly. “I cannot help such a + man, even for your sake.” + </p> + <p> + “He has not been a traitor, but betrayed,” cried Faith; “he believed that + his only employment was to convey private letters for the poor French + prisoners, of whom we have so many hundreds. I will not contend that he + was right in that; but still it was no very great offence. Even you must + have often longed to send letters to those you loved in England; and you + know how hard it is in war time. But what they really wanted him for was + to serve as their pilot upon this coast. And the moment he discovered + that, though they offered him bags of gold to do it, he faced his death + like an Englishman. They attempted to keep him in a stupid state with + drugs, so that he might work like a mere machine. But he found out that, + and would eat nothing but hard biscuit. They had him in one of their + shallow boats, or prames, as they call them, which was to lead them in + upon signal from the arch-traitor. This was on Saturday, Saturday night—that + dreadful time when we were all so gay. They held a pair of pistols at poor + Dan's head, or at least a man was holding one to each of his ears, and + they corded his arms, because he ventured to remonstrate. That was before + they had even started, so you may suppose what they would have done to us. + Poor Daniel made up his mind to die, and it would have eased his mind, he + says now, if he had done so. But while they were waiting for the signal, + which through dear father's vigilance they never did receive, Dan managed + to free both his hands in the dark, and as soon as he saw the men getting + sleepy, he knocked them both down, and jumped overboard; for he can swim + like a fish, or even better. He had very little hopes of escaping, as he + says, and the French fired fifty shots after him. With great presence of + mind, he gave a dreadful scream, as if he was shot through the head at + least, then he flung up his legs, as if he was gone down; but he swam + under water for perhaps a hundred yards, and luckily the moon went behind + a black cloud. Then he came to a boat, which had broken adrift, and + although he did not dare to climb into her, he held on by her, on the + further side from them. She was drifting away with the tide, and at last + he ventured to get on board of her, and found a pair of oars, and was + picked up at daylight by a smuggling boat running for Newhaven. He was + landed last night, and he heard the dreadful news, and having plenty of + money, he hired a post-chaise, and never stopped until he reached + Springhaven. He looks worn out now; but if his mind was easier, he would + soon be as strong as ever.” + </p> + <p> + “It is a strange story, my dear,” said Nelson; “but I see that it has done + you good to tell it, and I have known many still stranger. But how could + he have money, after such a hard escape?” + </p> + <p> + “That shows as much as anything how brave he is. He had made up his mind + that if he succeeded in knocking down both those sentinels, he would have + the bag of gold which was put for his reward in case of his steering them + successfully. And before he jumped overboard he snatched it up, and it + helped him to dive and to swim under water. He put it in his flannel shirt + by way of ballast, and he sticks to it up to the present moment.” + </p> + <p> + “My dear,” replied Lord Nelson, much impressed, “such a man deserves to be + in my own crew. If he can show me that bag, and stand questions, I will + send him to Portsmouth at my own expense, with a letter to my dear friend + Captain Hardy.” + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0065" id="link2HCH0065"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER LXV + </h2> + <h3> + TRAFALGAR + </h3> + <p> + Lord Nelson sailed from Portsmouth on the 15th of September, in his + favourite ship the Victory, to take his last command. He knew that he + never should come home, except as a corpse for burial, but he fastened his + mind on the work before him, and neglected nothing. “A fair fight, and no + favour,” was the only thing he longed for. + </p> + <p> + And this he did obtain at last. The French commander-in-chief came forth, + with all his mighty armament, not of his own desire, but goaded by + imperious sneers, and stings that made his manhood tingle. He spread the + sea-power of two nations in a stately crescent, double-lined (as the moon + is doubled when beheld through fine plate-glass)—a noble sight, a + paramount temptation for the British tow-rope. + </p> + <p> + “What a lot for we to take to Spithead!” was the British tar's remark, as + forty ships of the line and frigates showed their glossy sides, and canvas + bosomed with the gentle air and veined with gliding sunlight. A grander + spectacle never was of laborious man's creation; and the work of the Lord + combined to show it to the best advantage—dark headlands in the + distance standing as a massive background, long pellucid billows lifting + bulk Titanic, and lace-like maze, sweet air wandering from heaven, early + sun come fresh from dew, all the good-will of the world inspiring men to + merriness. + </p> + <p> + Nelson was not fierce of nature, but as gentle as a lamb. His great + desire, as he always proved, was never to destroy his enemies by the + number of one man spareable. He had always been led by the force of + education, confirmed by that of experience, to know that the duty of an + Englishman is to lessen the stock of Frenchmen; yet he never was free from + regret when compelled to act up to his conscience, upon a large scale. + </p> + <p> + It is an old saying that nature has provided for every disease its remedy, + and challenges men to find it out, which they are clever enough not to do. + For that deadly disease Napoleon, the remedy was Nelson; and as soon as he + should be consumed, another would appear in Wellington. Such is the + fortune of Britannia, because she never boasts, but grumbles always. The + boaster soon exhausts his subject; the grumbler has matter that lasts for + ever. + </p> + <p> + Nelson had much of this national virtue. “Half of them will get away,” he + said to Captain Blackwood, of the Euryalus, who was come for his latest + orders, “because of that rascally port to leeward. If the wind had held as + it was last night, we should have had every one of them. It does seem + hard, after waiting so long. And the sky looks like a gale of wind. It + will blow to-night, though I shall not hear it. A gale of wind with + disabled ships means terrible destruction. Do all you can to save those + poor fellows. When they are beaten, we must consider their lives even more + than our own, you know, because we have been the cause of it. You know my + wishes as well as I do. Remember this one especially.” + </p> + <p> + “Good-bye, my lord, till the fight is over.” Captain Blackwood loved his + chief with even more than the warm affection felt by all the fleet for + him. “When we have got them, I shall come back, and find you safe and + glorious.” + </p> + <p> + “God bless you, Blackwood!” Lord Nelson answered, looking at him with a + cheerful smile. “But you will never see me alive again.” + </p> + <p> + The hero of a hundred fights, who knew that this would be his last, put on + his favourite ancient coat, threadbare through many a conflict with hard + time and harder enemies. Its beauty, like his own, had suffered in the + cause of duty; the gold embroidery had taken leave of absence in some + places, and in others showed more fray of silk than gleam of yellow glory; + and the four stars fastened on the left breast wanted a little + plate-powder sadly. But Nelson was quite contented with them, and like a + child—for he always kept in his heart the childhood's freshness—he + gazed at the star he was proudest of, the Star of the Bath, and through a + fond smile sighed. Through the rays of that star his death was coming, ere + a quarter of a day should be added to his life. + </p> + <p> + With less pretension and air of greatness than the captain of a penny + steamer now displays, Nelson went from deck to deck, and visited every man + at quarters, as if the battle hung on every one. There was scarcely a man + whom he did not know, as well as a farmer knows his winter hands; and loud + cheers rang from gun to gun when his order had been answered. His order + was, “Reserve your fire until you are sure of every shot.” Then he took + his stand upon the quarter-deck, assured of victory, and assured that his + last bequest to the British nation would be honoured sacredly—about + which the less we say the better. + </p> + <p> + In this great battle, which crushed the naval power of France, and saved + our land from further threat of inroad, Blyth Scudamore was not engaged, + being still attached to the Channel fleet; but young Dan Tugwell bore a + share, and no small share by his own account and that of his native + village, which received him proudly when he came home. Placed at a gun on + the upper deck, on the starboard side near the mizzen-mast, he fought like + a Briton, though dazed at first by the roar, and the smoke, and the crash + of timber. Lord Nelson had noticed him more than once, as one of the + smartest of his crew, and had said to him that very morning, “For the + honour of Springhaven, Dan, behave well in your first action.” And the + youth had never forgotten that, when the sulphurous fog enveloped him, and + the rush of death lifted his curly hair, and his feet were sodden and his + stockings hot with the blood of shattered messmates. + </p> + <p> + In the wildest of the wild pell-mell, as the Victory lay like a pelted + log, rolling to the storm of shot, with three ships at close quarters + hurling all their metal at her, and a fourth alongside clutched so close + that muzzle was tompion for muzzle, while the cannon-balls so thickly flew + that many sailors with good eyes saw them meet in the air and shatter one + another, an order was issued for the starboard guns on the upper deck to + cease firing. An eager-minded Frenchman, adapting his desires as a + spring-board to his conclusions, was actually able to believe that + Nelson's own ship had surrendered! He must have been off his head; and his + inductive process was soon amended by the logic of facts, for his head was + off him. The reason for silencing those guns was good—they were + likely to do more damage to an English ship which lay beyond than to the + foe at the portholes. The men who had served those guns were ordered + below, to take the place of men who never should fire a gun again. Dan + Tugwell, as he turned to obey the order, cast a glance at the Admiral, who + gave him a little nod, meaning, “Well done, Dan.” + </p> + <p> + Lord Nelson had just made a little joke, such as he often indulged in, not + from any carelessness about the scene around him—which was truly + awful—but simply to keep up his spirits, and those of his brave and + beloved companion. Captain Hardy, a tall and portly man, clad in bright + uniform, and advancing with a martial stride, cast into shade the mighty + hero quietly walking at his left side. And Nelson was covered with dust + from the quarter-gallery of a pounded ship, which he had not stopped to + brush away. + </p> + <p> + “Thank God,” thought Dan, “if those fellows in the tops, who are picking + us off so, shoot at either of them, they will be sure to hit the big man + first.” + </p> + <p> + In the very instant of his thought, he saw Lord Nelson give a sudden + start, and then reel, and fall upon both knees, striving for a moment to + support himself with his one hand on the deck. Then his hand gave way, and + he fell on his left side, while Hardy, who was just before him, turned at + the cabin ladderway, and stooped with a loud cry over him. Dan ran up, and + placed his bare arms under the wounded shoulder, and helped to raise and + set him on his staggering legs. + </p> + <p> + “I hope you are not much hurt, my lord?” said the Captain, doing his best + to smile. + </p> + <p> + “They have done for me at last,” the hero gasped. “Hardy, my backbone is + shot through.” + </p> + <p> + Through the roar of battle, sobs of dear love sounded along the + blood-stained deck, as Dan and another seaman took the pride of our nation + tenderly, and carried him down to the orlop-deck. Yet even so, in the + deadly pang and draining of the life-blood, the sense of duty never + failed, and the love of country conquered death. With his feeble hand he + contrived to reach the handkerchief in his pocket, and spread it over his + face and breast, lest the crew should be disheartened. + </p> + <p> + “I know who fired that shot,” cried Dan, when he saw that he could help no + more. “He never shall live to boast of it, if I have to board the French + ship to fetch him.” + </p> + <p> + He ran back quickly to the quarterdeck, and there found three or four + others eager to give their lives for Nelson's death. The mizzen-top of the + Redoutable, whence the fatal shot had come, was scarcely so much as fifty + feet from the starboard rail of the Victory. The men who were stationed in + that top, although they had no brass cohorn there, such as those in the + main and fore tops plied, had taken many English lives, while the thick + smoke surged around them. + </p> + <p> + For some time they had worked unheeded in the louder roar of cannon, and + when at last they were observed, it was hard to get a fair shot at them, + not only from the rolling of the entangled ships, and clouds of blinding + vapour, but because they retired out of sight to load, and only came + forward to catch their aim. However, by the exertions of our marines—who + should have been at them long ago—these sharp-shooters from the + coign of vantage were now reduced to three brave fellows. They had only + done their duty, and perhaps had no idea how completely they had done it; + but naturally enough our men looked at them as if they were “too bad for + hanging.” Smoky as the air was, the three men saw that a very strong + feeling was aroused against them, and that none of their own side was at + hand to back them up. And the language of the English—though they + could not understand it—was clearly that of bitter condemnation. + </p> + <p> + The least resolute of them became depressed by this, being doubtless a + Radical who had been taught that Vox populi is Vox Dei. He endeavoured, + therefore, to slide down the rigging, but was shot through the heart, and + dead before he had time to know it. At the very same moment the most + desperate villain of the three—as we should call him—or the + most heroic of these patriots (as the French historians describe him) + popped forward and shot a worthy Englishman, who was shaking his fist + instead of pointing his gun. + </p> + <p> + Then an old quartermaster, who was standing on the poop, with his legs + spread out as comfortably as if he had his Sunday dinner on the spit + before him, shouted—“That's him, boys—that glazed hat beggar! + Have at him all together, next time he comes forrard.” As he spoke, he + fell dead, with his teeth in his throat, from the fire of the other + Frenchman. But the carbine dropped from the man who had fired, and his + body fell dead as the one he had destroyed, for a sharp little Middy, + behind the quartermaster, sent a bullet through the head, as the hand drew + trigger. The slayer of Nelson remained alone, and he kept back warily, + where none could see him. + </p> + <p> + “All of you fire, quick one after other,” cried Dan, who had picked up a + loaded musket, and was kneeling in the embrasure of a gun; “fire so that + he may tell the shots; that will fetch him out again. Sing out first, + 'There he is!' as if you saw him.” + </p> + <p> + The men on the quarter-deck and poop did so, and the Frenchman, who was + watching through a hole, came forward for a safe shot while they were + loading. He pointed the long gun which had killed Nelson at the smart + young officer on the poop, but the muzzle flew up ere he pulled the + trigger, and leaning forward he fell dead, with his legs and arms spread, + like a jack for oiling axles. Dan had gone through some small-arm drill in + the fortnight he spent at Portsmouth, and his eyes were too keen for the + bull's-eye. With a rest for his muzzle he laid it truly for the spot where + the Frenchman would reappear; with extreme punctuality he shot him in the + throat; and the gallant man who deprived the world of Nelson was thus + despatched to a better one, three hours in front of his victim. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0066" id="link2HCH0066"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER LXVI + </h2> + <h3> + THE LAST BULLETIN + </h3> + <p> + To Britannia this was but feeble comfort, even if she heard of it. She had + lost her pet hero, the simplest and dearest of all the thousands she has + borne and nursed, and for every penny she had grudged him in the flesh, + she would lay a thousand pounds upon his bones. To put it more poetically, + her smiles were turned to tears—which cost her something—and + the laurel drooped in the cypress shade. The hostile fleet was destroyed; + brave France would never more come out of harbour to contend with England; + the foggy fear of invasion was like a morning fog dispersed; and yet the + funds (the pulse of England) fell at the loss of that one defender. + </p> + <p> + It was a gloomy evening, and come time for good people to be in-doors, + when the big news reached Springhaven. Since the Admiral slept in the + green churchyard, with no despatch to receive or send, the importance of + Springhaven had declined in all opinion except its own, and even Captain + Stubbard could not keep it up. When the Squire was shot, and Master Erle + as well, and Carne Castle went higher than a lark could soar, and folk + were fools enough to believe that Boney would dare put his foot down + there, John Prater had done a most wonderful trade, and never a man who + could lay his tongue justly with the pens that came spluttering from + London had any call for a fortnight together to go to bed sober at his own + expense. But this bright season ended quite as suddenly as it had begun; + and when these great “hungers”—as those veterans were entitled who + dealt most freely with the marvellous—had laid their heads together + to produce and confirm another guinea's worth of fiction, the London press + would have none of it. Public interest had rushed into another channel; + and the men who had thriven for a fortnight on their tongues were driven + to employ them on their hands again. + </p> + <p> + But now, on the sixth of November, a new excitement was in store for them. + The calm obscurity of night flowed in, through the trees that belonged to + Sir Francis now, and along his misty meadows; and the only sound in the + village lane was the murmur of the brook beside it, or the gentle sigh of + the retiring seas. Boys of age enough to make much noise, or at least to + prolong it after nightfall, were away in the fishing-boats, receiving + whacks almost as often as they needed them; for those times (unlike these) + were equal to their fundamental duties. In the winding lane outside the + grounds of the Hall, and shaping its convenience naturally by that of the + more urgent brook, a man—to show what the times were come to—had + lately set up a shoeing forge. He had done it on the strength of the + troopers' horses coming down the hill so fast, and often with their cogs + worn out, yet going as hard as if they had no knees, or at least none + belonging to their riders. And although he was not a Springhaven man, he + had been allowed to marry a Springhaven woman, one of the Capers up the + hill; and John Prater (who was akin to him by marriage, and perhaps had an + eye to the inevitable ailment of a man whose horse is ailing) backed up + his daring scheme so strongly that the Admiral, anxious for the public + good, had allowed this smithy to be set up here. + </p> + <p> + John Keatch was the man who established this, of the very same family + (still thriving in West Middlesex) which for the service of the state + supplied an official whose mantle it is now found hard to fill; and the + blacksmith was known as “Jack Ketch” in the village, while his forge was + becoming the centre of news. Captain Stubbard employed him for battery + uses, and finding his swing-shutters larger than those of Widow Shanks, + and more cheaply lit up by the glow of the forge, was now beginning, in + spite of her remonstrance, to post all his very big proclamations there. + </p> + <p> + “Rouse up your fire, Ketch,” he said that evening, as he stood at the door + of the smithy, with half a dozen of his children at his heels. “Bring a + dozen clout-nails; here's a tremendous piece of news!” + </p> + <p> + The blacksmith made a blaze with a few strokes of his bellows, and swung + his shutter forward, so that all might read. + </p> + <p> + “GREAT AND GLORIOUS VICTORY. Twenty line-of-battle ships destroyed or + captured. Lord Nelson shot dead. God save the King!” + </p> + <p> + “Keep your fire up. I'll pay a shilling for the coal,” cried the Captain, + in the flush of excitement. “Bring out your cow's horn, and go and blow it + at the corner. And that drum you had to mend, my boy and girl will beat + it. Jack, run up to the battery, and tell them to blaze away for their + very lives.” + </p> + <p> + In less than five minutes all the village was there, with the readers put + foremost, all reading together at the top of their voices, for the benefit + of the rest. Behind them stood Polly Cheeseman, peeping, with the glare of + the fire on her sad pale face and the ruddy cheeks of her infant. “Make + way for Widow Carne, and the young Squire Carne,” the loud voice of + Captain Zeb commanded; “any man as stands afront of her will have me upon + him. Now, ma'am, stand forth, and let them look at you.” + </p> + <p> + This was a sudden thought of Captain Tugwell's; but it fixed her rank + among them, as the order of the King might. The strong sense of justice, + always ready in Springhaven, backed up her right to be what she had + believed herself, and would have been, but for foul deceit and falsehood. + And if the proud spirit of Carne ever wandered around the ancestral + property, it would have received in the next generation a righteous shock + at descrying in large letters, well picked out with shade: “Caryl Carne, + Grocer and Butterman, Cheese-monger, Dealer in Bacon and Sausages. + Licensed to sell Tea, Coffee, Snuff, Pepper, and Tobacco.” + </p> + <p> + For Cheeseman raised his head again, with the spirit of a true British + tradesman, as soon as the nightmare of traitorous plots and contraband + imports was over. Captain Tugwell on his behalf led the fishing fleet + against that renegade La Liberte, and casting the foreigners overboard, + they restored her integrity as the London Trader. Mr. Cheeseman shed a + tear, and put on a new apron, and entirely reformed his political views, + which had been loose and Whiggish. Uprightness of the most sensitive order—that + which has slipped and strained its tendons—stamped all his dealings, + even in the butter line; and facts having furnished a creditable motive + for his rash reliance upon his own cord, he turned amid applause to the + pleasant pastimes of a smug church-warden. And when he was wafted to a + still sublimer sphere, his grandson carried on the business well. + </p> + <p> + Having spread the great news in this striking manner, Captain Stubbard—though + growing very bulky now with good living, ever since his pay was doubled—set + off at a conscientious pace against the stomach of the hill, lest haply + the Hall should feel aggrieved at hearing all this noise and having to + wonder what the reason was. He knew, and was grateful at knowing, that + Carne's black crime and devilish plot had wrought an entire revulsion in + the candid but naturally too soft mind of the author of the Harmodiad. Sir + Francis was still of a liberal mind, and still admired his own works. But + forgetting that nobody read them, he feared the extensive harm they might + produce, although he was now resolved to write even better in the opposite + direction. On the impulse of literary conscience, he held a council with + the gardener Swipes, as to the best composition of bonfire for the + consumption of poetry. Mr. Swipes recommended dead pea-haulm, with the + sticks left in it to ensure a draught. Then the poet in the garden with a + long bean-stick administered fire to the whole edition, not only of the + Harmodiad, but also of the Theiodemos, his later and even grander work. + Persons incapable of lofty thought attributed this—the most sage and + practical of all forms of palinode—to no higher source than the + pretty face and figure, and sweet patriotism, of Lady Alice, the youngest + sister of Lord Dashville. And subsequent facts, to some extent, confirmed + this interpretation. + </p> + <p> + The old house looked gloomy and dull of brow, with only three windows + showing light, as stout Captain Stubbard, with his short sword swinging + from the bulky position where his waist had been, strode along the winding + of the hill towards the door. At a sharp corner, under some trees, he came + almost shoulder to shoulder with a tall man striking into the road from a + foot-path. The Captain drew his sword, for his nerves had been flurried + ever since the great explosion, which laid him on his back among his own + cannon. + </p> + <p> + “A friend,” cried the other, “and a great admirer of your valour, Captain, + but not a worthy object for its display.” + </p> + <p> + “My dear friend Shargeloes!” replied the Captain, a little ashamed of his + own vigilance. “How are you, my dear sir? and how is the system?” + </p> + <p> + “The system will never recover from the tricks that infernal Carne has + played with it. But never mind that, if the intellect survives; we all owe + a debt to our country. I have met you in the very nick of time. Yesterday + was Guy Fawkes' Day, and I wanted to be married then; but the people were + not ready. I intend to have it now on New-Year's Day, because then I shall + always remember the date. I am going up here to make a strange request, + and I want you to say that it is right and proper. An opinion from a + distinguished sailor will go a long way with the daughters of an Admiral. + I want the young ladies to be my bridesmaids—and then for the little + ones, your Maggy and your Kitty. I am bound to go to London for a month + to-morrow, and then I could order all the bracelets and the brooches, if I + were only certain who the blessed four would be.” + </p> + <p> + “I never had any bridesmaids myself, and I don't know anything about them. + I thought that the ladies were the people to settle that.” + </p> + <p> + “The ladies are glad to be relieved of the expense, and I wish to start + well,” replied Shargeloes. “Why are ninety-nine men out of a hundred + henpecked?” + </p> + <p> + “I am sure I don't know, except that they can't help it. But have you + heard the great news of this evening?” + </p> + <p> + “The reason is,” continued the member of the Corporation, “that they begin + with being nobodies. They leave the whole management of their weddings to + the women, and they never recover the reins. Miss Twemlow is one of the + most charming of her sex; but she has a decided character, which properly + guided will be admirable. But to give it the lead at the outset would be + fatal to future happiness. Therefore I take this affair upon myself. I pay + for it all, and I mean to do it all.” + </p> + <p> + “What things you do learn in London!” the Captain answered, with a sigh. + “Oh, if I had only had the money—but it is too late to talk of that. + Once more, have you heard the news?” + </p> + <p> + “About the great battle, and the death of Nelson? Yes, I heard of all that + this morning. But I left it to come in proper course from you. Now here we + are; mind you back me up. The Lord Mayor is coming to be my best man.” + </p> + <p> + The two sisters, dressed in the deepest mourning, and pale with long + sorrow and loneliness, looked wholly unfit for festive scenes; and as soon + as they heard of this new distress—the loss of their father's + dearest friend, and their own beloved hero—they left the room, to + have a good cry together, while their brother entertained the visitors. + “It can't be done now,” Mr. Shargeloes confessed; “and after all, Eliza is + the proper person. I must leave that to her, but nothing else that I can + think of. There can't be much harm in my letting her do that.” + </p> + <p> + It was done by a gentleman after all, for the worthy Rector did it. The + bride would liefer have dispensed with bridesmaids so much fairer than + herself, and although unable to advance that reason, found fifty others + against asking them. But her father had set his mind upon it, and together + with his wife so pressed the matter that Faith and Dolly, much against + their will, consented to come out of mourning for a day, but not into gay + habiliments. + </p> + <p> + The bride was attired wonderfully, stunningly, carnageously—as + Johnny, just gifted with his commission, and thereby with much slang, + described her; and in truth she carried her bunting well, as Captain + Stubbard told his wife, and Captain Tugwell confirmed it. But the eyes of + everybody with half an eye followed the two forms in silver-grey. That was + the nearest approach to brightness those lovers of their father allowed + themselves, within five months of his tragic death; though if the old + Admiral could have looked down from the main-top, probably he would have + shouted, “No flags at half-mast for me, my pets!” + </p> + <p> + Two young men with melancholy glances followed these fair bridesmaids, + being tantalized by these nuptial rites, because they knew no better. One + of them hoped that his time would come, when he had pushed his great + discovery; and if the art of photography had been known, his face would + have been his fortune. For he bore at the very top of it the seal and + stamp of his patent—the manifest impact of a bullet, diffracted by + the power of Pong. The roots of his hair—the terminus of blushes, + according to all good novelists—had served an even more useful + purpose, by enabling him to blush again. Strengthened by Pong, they had + defied the lead, and deflected it into a shallow channel, already + beginning to be overgrown by the aid of that same potent drug. Erle + Twemlow looked little the worse for his wound; to a lady perhaps, to a man + of science certainly, more interesting than he had been before. As he + gazed at the bride all bespangled with gold, he felt that he had in his + trunk the means of bespangling his bride with diamonds. But the worst of + it was that he must wait, and fight, and perhaps get killed, before he + could settle in life and make his fortune. As an officer of a marching + regiment, ordered to rejoin immediately, he must flesh his sword in lather + first—for he had found no razor strong enough—and postpone the + day of riches till the golden date of peace. + </p> + <p> + The other young man had no solace of wealth, even in the blue distance, to + whisper to his troubled heart. Although he was a real “Captain Scuddy” + now, being posted to the Danae, 42-gun frigate, the capacity of his cocked + hat would be tried by no shower of gold impending. For mighty dread of the + Union-jack had fallen upon the tricolor; that gallant flag perceived at + last that its proper flight was upon dry land, where as yet there was none + to flout it. Trafalgar had reduced by 50 per cent. the British sailor's + chance of prize-money. + </p> + <p> + Such computations were not, however, the chief distress of Scudamore. The + happiness of his fair round face was less pronounced than usual, because + he had vainly striven for an interview with his loved one. With all her + faults he loved her still, and longed to make them all his own. He could + not help being sadly shocked by her fatal coquetry with the traitor Carne, + and slippery conduct to his own poor self. But love in his faithful heart + maintained that she had already atoned for that too bitterly and too + deeply; and the settled sorrow of her face, and listless submission of her + movements, showed that she was now a very different Dolly. Faith, who had + always been grave enough, seemed gaiety itself in comparison with her + younger sister, once so gay. In their simple dresses—grey jaconet + muslin, sparely trimmed with lavender—and wearing no jewel or + ornament, but a single snow-drop in the breast, the lovely bridesmaids + looked as if they defied all the world to make them brides. + </p> + <p> + But the Rector would not let them off from coming to the breakfast party, + and with the well-bred sense of fitness they obeyed his bidding. Captain + Stubbard (whose jokes had missed fire too often to be satisfied with a + small touch-hole now) was broadly facetious at their expense; and Johnny, + returning thanks for them, surprised the good company by his manly tone, + and contempt of life before beginning it. This invigorated Scudamore, by + renewing his faith in human nature as a thing beyond calculation. He + whispered a word or so to his friend Johnny while Mr. and Mrs. Shargeloes + were bowing farewell from the windows of a great family coach from London, + which the Lord Mayor had lent them, to make up for not coming. For come he + could not—though he longed to do so, and all Springhaven expected + him—on account of the great preparations in hand for the funeral of + Lord Nelson. + </p> + <p> + “Thy servant will see to it,” the boy replied, with a wink at his sisters, + whom he was to lead home; for Sir Francis had made his way down to the + beach, to meditate his new poem, Theriodemos. + </p> + <p> + “His behaviour,” thought Dolly, as she put on her cloak, “has been + perfect. How thankful I feel for it! He never cast one glance at me. He + quite enters into my feelings towards him. But how much more credit to his + mind than to his heart!” + </p> + <p> + Scudamore, at a wary distance, kept his eyes upon her, as if she had been + a French frigate gliding under strong land batteries, from which he must + try to cut her out. Presently he saw that his good friend Johnny had done + him the service requested. At a fork of the path leading to the Hall, Miss + Dolly departed towards the left upon some errand among the trees, while + her brother and sister went on towards the house. Forgetting the dignity + of a Post-Captain, the gallant Scuddy made a cut across the grass, as if + he were playing prisoner's base with the boys at Stonnington, and + intercepted the fair prize in a bend of the brook, where the winter sun + was nursing the first primrose. + </p> + <p> + “You, Captain Scudamore!” said the bridesmaid, turning as if she could + never trust her eyes again. “You must have lost your way. This path leads + nowhere.” + </p> + <p> + “If it only leads to you, that is all that I could wish for. I am content + to go to nothing, if I may only go with you.” + </p> + <p> + “My brother sent me,” said Dolly, looking down, with more colour on her + cheeks than they had owned for months, and the snow-drop quivering on her + breast, “to search for a primrose or two for him to wear when he dines at + the rectory this evening. We shall not go, of course. We have done enough. + But Frank and Johnny think they ought to go.” + </p> + <p> + “May I help you to look? I am lucky in that way. I used to find so many + things with you, in the happy times that used to be.” Blyth saw that her + eyelids were quivering with tears. “I will go away, if you would rather + have it so. But you used to be so good-natured to me.” + </p> + <p> + “So I am still. Or at least I mean that people should now be good-natured + to me. Oh, Captain Scudamore, how foolish I have been!” + </p> + <p> + “Don't say so, don't think it, don't believe it for a moment,” said + Scudamore, scarcely knowing what he said, as she burst into a storm of + sobbing. “Oh, Dolly, Dolly, you know you meant no harm. You are breaking + your darling heart, when you don't deserve it. I could not bear to look at + you, and think of it, this morning. Everybody loves you still, as much and + more than ever. Oh, Dolly, I would rather die than see you cry so + terribly.” + </p> + <p> + “Nobody loves me, and I hate myself. I could never have believed I should + ever hate myself. Go away, you are too good to be near me. Go away, or I + shall think you want to kill me. And I wish you would do it, Captain + Scudamore.” + </p> + <p> + “Then let me stop,” said the Captain, very softly. She smiled at the turn + of his logic, through her tears. Then she wept with new anguish, that she + had no right to smile. + </p> + <p> + “Only tell me one thing—may I hold you? Not of course from any right + to do it, but because you are so overcome, my own, own Dolly.” The Captain + very cleverly put one arm round her, at first with a very light touch, and + then with a firmer clasp, as she did not draw away. Her cloak was not very + cumbrous, and her tumultuous heart was but a little way from his. + </p> + <p> + “You know that I never could help loving you,” he whispered, as she seemed + to wonder what the meaning was. “May I ever hope that you will like me?” + </p> + <p> + “Me! How can it matter now to anybody? I used to think it did; but I was + very foolish then. I know my own value. It is less than this. This little + flower has been a good creature. It has been true to its place, and hurt + nobody.” + </p> + <p> + Instead of seeking for any more flowers, she was taking from her breast + the one she had—the snow-drop, and threatening to tear it in pieces. + </p> + <p> + “If you give it to me, I shall have some hope.” As he spoke, he looked at + her steadfastly, without any shyness or fear in his eyes, but as one who + knows his own good heart, and has a right to be answered clearly. The + maiden in one glance understood all the tales of his wonderful daring, + which she never used to believe, because he seemed afraid to look at her. + </p> + <p> + “You may have it, if you like,” she said; “but, Blyth, I shall never + deserve you. I have behaved to you shamefully. And I feel as if I could + never bear to be forgiven for it.” + </p> + <p> + For the sake of peace and happiness, it must be hoped that she conquered + this feminine feeling, which springs from an equity of nature—the + desire that none should do to us more than we ever could do to them. + Certain it is that when the Rector held his dinner party, two gallant + bosoms throbbed beneath the emblem of purity and content. The military + Captain's snow-drop hung where every one might observe it, and some + gentle-witted jokes were made about its whereabouts that morning. + By-and-by it grew weary on its stalk and fell, and Erle Twemlow never + missed it. But the other snow-drop was not seen, except by the wearer with + a stolen glance, when people were making a loyal noise—a little + glance stolen at his own heart. He had made a little cuddy there inside + his inner sarcenet, and down his plaited neck-cloth ran a sly companionway + to it, so that his eyes might steal a visit to the joy that was over his + heart and in it. Thus are women adored by men, especially those who + deserve it least. + </p> + <p> + “Attention, my dear friends, attention, if you please,” cried the Rector, + rising, with a keen glance at Scuddy. “I will crave your attention before + the ladies go, and theirs, for it concerns them equally. We have passed + through a period of dark peril, a long time of trouble and anxiety and + doubt. By the mercy of the Lord, we have escaped; but with losses that + have emptied our poor hearts. England has lost her two foremost defenders, + Lord Nelson, and Admiral Darling. To them we owe it that we are now + beginning the New Year happily, with the blessing of Heaven, and my dear + daughter married. Next week we shall attend the grand funeral of the hero, + and obtain good places by due influence. My son-in-law, Percival + Shargeloes, can do just as he pleases at St. Paul's. Therefore let us now, + with deep thanksgiving, and one hand upon our hearts, lift up our glasses, + and in silence pledge the memory of our greatest men. With the spirit of + Britons we echo the last words that fell from the lips of our dying hero—'Thank + God, I have done my duty!' His memory shall abide for ever, because he + loved his country.” + </p> + <p> + The company rose, laid hand on heart, and deeply bowing, said—“Amen!” + </p> + <p> + THE END. <br /> <br /> + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Springhaven, by R. D. 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