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Title: Winds of Fortune
Author: Farnol, John Jeffery (1878-1952)
Date of first publication: 1934
Edition used as base for this ebook:
   London: Sampson Low, 1951
Date first posted: 19 January 2012
Date last updated: 19 January 2012
Project Gutenberg Canada ebook #906

This ebook was produced by
David T. Jones, Mary Meehan, Al Haines
& the Online Distributed Proofreading Canada Team
at http://www.pgdpcanada.net






                              WINDS OF FORTUNE

                              BY JEFFERY FARNOL


    SAMPSON LOW
    25 Gilbert Street London W1

    _New Impression 1951_

    MADE AND PRINTED IN GREAT BRITAIN
    BY PURNELL AND SONS, LTD. PAULTON (SOMERSET) AND LONDON


                   To
           CAPTAIN FRANK SHAW
         I DEDICATE THIS ROMANCE
            OF PERILOUS SEAS
                   IN
            TRUEST AFFECTION
                  AND
             MESSMATE AHOY!

    When the Sun is over the foreyard,
         forget not thy friend

    _Brighton, 1933_    JEFFERY FARNOL.





CONTENTS


  CHAPTER                                                            PAGE

         I. IN WHICH I BEGIN MY ASTONISHING NARRATION                   1

        II. TELLETH HOW I, A POOR FENCELESS LAMB, FELL AMONG
            WOLVES YET BORE MYSELF NOTHING LAMBLIKE                    11

       III. TELLETH HOW (AND TO MY HORROR) CERTAIN DEBTS WERE
            PAID                                                       18

        IV. TELLETH HOW, BEING A WOMAN, I GREW ACQUAINT WITH
            FEAR BECAUSE I WAS A WOMAN                                 23

         V. TELLETH HOW AND WHERE I SPENT THIS FIRST SO DREADFUL
            NIGHT                                                      28

        VI. HOW WE CAME ABOARDSHIP                                     34

       VII. TELLETH HOW I PLOTTED                                      44

      VIII. TELLETH HOW BY MY FOLLY CAME STRIFE AND BLOODSHED          55

        IX. TELLETH AMONG OTHER MATTERS HOW, SEATED ON A COIL
            OF ROPE, HE TALKED AND I HEARKENED PERFORCE                61

         X. SHOWETH HOW OUR BRAVE SHIP JUSTIFIED HER NAME              68

        XI. RELATETH THE ODIOUS HOW AND WHEREFORE OF MY WEDDING        81

       XII. TELLETH HOW WE FOUGHT YET ANOTHER SORT OF BATTLE           85

      XIII. SHOWETH SOMETHING OF CAPTAIN JAPHET HIS BUSINESS AND
            MY JUST ANGER THEREFOR                                     98

       XIV. TELLETH HOW I CAME TO A VENGEFUL RESOLUTION, AND
            WHEREFORE                                                 105

        XV. TELLETH BRIEFLY OF MANY WONDERS AND HOW I PLOTTED         116

       XVI. TELLETH OF A VENTURE BY NIGHT                             122

      XVII. GIVETH SOME DESCRIPTION OF STORM AND TEMPEST              125

     XVIII. THE WHICH IS OF BUT LITTLE MOMENT                         131

       XIX. HOW AND BY WHAT MEANS I WAS TRANSPORTED INTO A NEW
            WORLD                                                     133

        XX. TELLETH HOW WE CAME ASHORE AND OF A GOLDEN SKULL          140

       XXI. TELLETH HOW I SLEPT IN A ROPE                             146

      XXII. TELLETH HOW WE SET OUT IN THE DAWN                        150

     XXIII. WHICH IS, FOR THE MOST PART, A CHAPTER OF WEARINESS       156

      XXIV. TELLETH IN WHAT STRANGE FASHION WE HAD NEWS OF WAR        163

       XXV. SHOWETH HOW I RETURNED GOOD FOR EVIL                      172

      XXVI. TELLETH HOW JAPHET SAVED HIS ENEMY FROM DEATH MOST
            HORRID                                                    175

     XXVII. TELLETH HOW OUR CAPTAIN DESERTED US                       182

    XXVIII. TELLETH HOW WE ARE BORNE AWAY BY INDIANS                  187

      XXIX. TELLS HOW I FOUND MYSELF WIFE TO A GOD                    193

       XXX. TELLETH HOW THE GOLDEN SKULL WROUGHT A VERY MIRACLE       201

      XXXI. TELLETH HOW I BECAME ROYAL                                206

     XXXII. IN WHICH I MAKE AN ASTONISHING DISCOVERY                  211

    XXXIII. IN WHICH, AMONG OTHER MATTERS, JAPHET TELLETH ME
            TALE OF ROGUERY                                           224

     XXXIV. TELLETH HOW WE JOURNEYED INTO THE HEART OF THE
            MOUNTAIN AND THE DIVERS WONDERS THEREOF                   242

      XXXV. TELLETH HOW WE VOYAGED ON AND WITH US THE SPIRIT OF
            HATE                                                      250

     XXXVI. GIVETH EXPLANATION OF THIS TERRIBLE CRY AND OF A
            STRANGE WAYFARER                                          260

    XXXVII. TELLETH OF ONE THAT WAS VERY SOLITARY, A MAN
            REMORSEFUL                                                268

   XXXVIII. WHICH IS CHAPTER TO LITTLE PURPOSE                        272

     XXXIX. TELLING HOW WE HAD NEWS OF CAPTAIN SNAITH                 276

        XL. TELLETH HOW I RECEIVED A LETTER                           284

       XLI. WHICH IS CHAPTER SHOULD HAVE BEEN LONGER                  289

      XLII. HOW WE DISCOURSED BY THE WAY                              293

     XLIII. TELLETH HOW, LIKE POOR HUNTED CREATURES, WE TOOK
            TO THE WILDS                                              297

      XLIV. TELLETH HOW I MADE COMPACT TO KILL MYSELF AND
            WHEREFORE                                                 301

       XLV. TELLETH HOW MY MOST DREADFUL APPREHENSIONS WERE
            REALIZED                                                  310

      XLVI. TELLETH HOW I LOOKED ON A NOBLE DYING                     317

     XLVII. SHOWETH HOW INDEED BLOOD IS THICKER THAN WATER            326

    XLVIII. WHICH IS A CHAPTER OF RECRIMINATION                       330

      XLIX. IN WHICH WE START ON THE LAST STAGE OF OUR JOURNEY        339

         L. TELLETH OF A MIRACLE                                      343

        LI. HOW WITH THE THREAT OF DEATH CAME GREAT JOY               352

       LII. TELLETH HOW HELP CAME TO US                               361

      LIII. WHICH SHOWETH HOW I FELL TO STRANGE DREAM, AND
            WAKING DO HERE END MY NARRATIVE                           365




WINDS OF FORTUNE




CHAPTER I

IN WHICH I BEGIN MY ASTONISHING NARRATION


My nose I have never wished other than it is, for, though neither purely
Greek nor classically Roman, it is yet of a delicate tho' sufficing
assertiveness and suits the fashion of my countenance to a nicety. But
then my eyes--large, darkly blue and long-lashed (thank Heaven)--are
(alas!) too wide-set and beneath low sweep of brows themselves all too
mannishly thick (though my woman Deborah will not have it so and crieth
horror on my suggestion of plucking), tho' your slim, high-arching brows
suggestive of a youthful surprised innocence be at present all the mode.

Yet these same eyes of mine (thanks to their shape, size and lashes
aforesaid) can be emotionally various as and when I will; thus, my
mirror assures me, they can instantly flame to a steadfast scorn, flash
most passionate resentment or swoon with a tender languishment, and all
extreme convincingly.

Then again (and oh, the pity on't) my mouth, though naturally vivid, is
(alack) too large for beauty's perfection and do I attempt to pout in
rosebud fashion, it showeth too altogether detestably luscious.
Howsoever, my teeth being white and even, instead of pouting I can smile
engagingly.

As to my person, I am neither too tall nor too short, of shape truly
feminine and very justly proportioned; in this Nature hath shown such
discriminating kindliness that I, in gratitude therefor, take pains to
set off her noble handiwork to fullest advantage. As, for instance, the
patch so justly placed a little below my right eye and the artful
disorder of my auburn hair, loose braided and caught in curls (four)
above my left ear. Also, being long and graciously limbed, I detest
these hooped petticoats and distortionate panniers beneath which
deformity may go all unsuspect; thus myself doth favour the soft mystery
of clinging draperies that may, as it were, shadow forth some vision of
the delectable truth they hide.

Thus then Ursula Revell (that is, myself) doth stand confessed, _tat._
twenty-three, very serenely conscious of her good points bodily and
mental, and grieving (albeit secretly) for her bad, yet with faith in
herself and her destiny and therefore nothing diffident.

And I have revealed myself with this precise exactitude that such as may
chance to read this narration shall know in some sort what manner of
creature was I who sat in my boudoir beneath the dexterous hands of my
devoted maid Deborah, all unwitting the singular adventures, dire
perils, horrific fears, woeful doubts and fierce joys that were to
commence for me upon that sunny afternoon of July, in the year of Grace
Seventeen Hundred and Two.

"Beyond all question," said I, turning to glimpse the curve of my neck
in the looking-glass, "I shall never marry him, Deborah."

"La now, Miss Ursula, ma'm, why ever not?" bleated Deborah. "And him a
Vi-count, such great gentlemen! And what's more, one as you can't judge,
seeing, ma'm, as you've never seen him--"

"Not since childhood, but I've heard so much of him, Deb, that I already
despise him perfectly."

"Oh, ma'm, and him your uncle's very own choice."

"And this of itself is sufficing reason to refuse him since my Uncle
Crespin's choice is not and never could be mine.... And so indecently
sudden! Besides, I've no mind to be wed; marriage at best is an odious
business to women of sentiment."

"But, Mistress Ursula, I declare!" gasped Deborah, "oh, la, ma'm, if all
women thought so, where should us all be? And you to say so, Miss
Ursula, you as so many fine gentlemen be so ready to die for! There was
the Captain gentleman at the Wells, ever prepared to swound at your
pretty feet."

"And a heartless fortune-hunting wretch!" quoth I.

"Well, the sweet young nobleman with the soulful eyes as writ you that
pome--and the London _beaux_ nigh a-fighting for to hand you from your
coach and chair, whenso you go to Town! And the dooel as was fit over
you in Lincoln Inn Felds last time! Oh, you to speak so against holy
wedlock, and so many fine men a-dying to wife you!"

"This," said I, rising, "this is why I esteem horses nobler creatures
than men. Howbeit, I'll surely never be wed by this Viscount wretch--"

"Ah, but Mistress Ursula, oh, my dearie, you was made for love sure and
to mother pretty babes--"

"Horrors, woman! Hold thy naughty tongue--"

"But, ma'm--"

"Be silent!"

"Yes, Mistress Ursula, only if you so dare cross him, whatever will your
uncle say?"

"Rage and curse, to be sure, Deborah, but then, so shall I, for to-day I
mean to vindicate myself once and for all, and so away to Aunt Selina at
Shalmeston."

"Oh, 'tis sad, grievous sad you should ha' been left an orphant so
young!" sighed Deborah. "And nobody as do love ee true save ... only ...
poor me!" Here she dropped a large tear upon my hand, whereupon I
instantly kissed her comely face and cuddled her buxom form and snugged
my head into the warm soft hollow of her neck and shoulder, clean
forgetting the nicely ordered disorder of my hair.

"Sweet, true soul," said I, "dost know I love thee ... hast been my
comfort many's the time ... thou'rt so fragrant and good and
common-sensed--"

"And thou," she sobbed, "so lonely ever but for me ... and never to know
a mother's tender care--"

"My mother!" said I, now weeping also, "my mother that died so young ...
and I have sorely missed her ... to ha' known a mother's love 'stead o'
the drunken tantrums of a sottish uncle--"

"Hist now, dearie ... you'm so headstrong wild and Sir Crespin be so
turble fierce, and now if you disobey him--"

"I'm too old to be whipped these days, Deborah, and am my own mistress,
thank God, to choose my own way, be it up or down. So pack and make
ready, for I'll whisk thee away with me to Shalmeston. I'll ride my bay
mare and you pillion with Gregory. Howbeit, Uncle Crespin shall not
force me into wedlock 'gainst my will,--no, never!" said I, snapping my
teeth on the word. "I'll not marry--an' I ever should, then the man who
takes me to his heart shall be mine own choice; ay, by heavens, a choice
serenely deliberate and based on sure knowledge of him--or I'll die a
maid to lead apes in hell right joyfully!"

Thus said I, frowning on my reflection in the mirror and mighty
determined, little recking (poor soul) what wild, outrageous wedding
mine was to be indeed.

Then catching up riding cloak, hat and gauntlets, I went forth of my
chamber and adown the wide stair to face my guardian uncle and dare my
fate.

I found Sir Crespin somewhat fuddled, as was usual with him at this
hour, sprawled in great elbowchair, his long peruke awry, coat and
waistcoat loose and unbuttoned, and slopping wine-glass on his knee.
Perceiving myself, he rose unsteadily, waved his glass in jovial
salutation, dropped it, cursed it pettishly, filled another and favoured
me with a staggering bow.

"Ha--hail!" quoth he, 'twixt gasp and hiccough. "Hail to the wi-witching
bride! Adzooks, 'tis a blooming Hebe! No, 'slife, 'tis a glowing Venus!
Barrasdale's a dev-lish fort'nate dog!"

"Uncle Crespin," said I in tone of disgust and turning to an adjacent
mirror to set on my befeathered riding hat with due care, "you show more
odious drunk than usual!"

"And th-thou ... thou'rt a pert minx to say so!" he stammered angrily
and sank down in his chair again very sudden.

"Pray, is your Viscount arrived?" I demanded.

"Not yet--no, but ha' pa-patience, sweet carnality, aha, temper y'r hot
blood--"

"Sir Crespin," cried I, my eyes instantly aflame with bitter scorn, "you
are base as you seem! Be silent, sir, and hear me."

"Ha--silent? I? This to me--"

"Uncle Crespin, to serve some purpose of your own, you would marry me to
a man I have never seen but know by report for a very rakehell--"

"Nay, faith; no more than is the gent-gentlemanly fashion, girl. We be
all rakes and ever shall be whiles a man's a man and woman's the
te-tempting--"

"He is also a drunkard, Uncle."

"Why, the lad drinks, as gentlemen must and should, but marriage shall
settle him, I'll warrant--"

"Tho' not with me, Uncle Crespin. I'll none of him--"

"Hey? What--?"

"I utterly refuse even to contemplate such vile, detestable union, as I
am here to tell his lordship whenso you produce him--"

"Why ... damme, will ye dare cross me then?" gasped my uncle, clawing
himself up to his uncertain feet. "Ye curst termagant shrew, will ye
dare me to--?"

"Uncle," said I, catching up the heavy riding whip that chanced to hand,
"you know well how that I have dared you all my unhappy days. As a
child, I nothing feared you, despite your slaps and whippings; as a
woman and my own mistress, I despise you, yet was content to suffer you
here at my house of Revelsmead--"

"Ha--suffer me, by God--"

"But, good uncle mine, three weeks agone you proposed this marriage to
me first and I told you then I'd die rather. But now, Uncle, rather than
endure the shame of such wedlock or become the victim of your schemes,
I'll see this Viscount dead--ay, by my virginity and you too!"

"God's my life!" gasped my Uncle Crespin, actually recoiling before the
menace of my look. "The wench threatens murder!" Then he clenched his
great hands in sudden menace, but as he came at me, I raised the heavy
whip and stepped to meet him.... What shameful doings might have chanced
I scarce dare think, nor is there need, for in this moment a strange
voice stayed us, a something hoarse yet lazy voice at the open lattice.

"Dare I venture to intrude?"

Back reeled my uncle, to thud heavily into his elbowchair, and lowering
the whip I turned, as in through the open casement came the neatly
bewigged head and broad shoulders of a man; now, thinking him no other
than this expected Viscount, I instantly flashed him a look of such
passionate resentment that he blinked, bowed and withdrawing head and
shoulders, into the room came a leg in long, dusty, spurred riding boot;
then the other and finally himself, a very dusty person who flaunted
weather-beaten hat and whose full-skirted coat showed something
threadbare with hard usage. Hat thus aflourish, he bowed first to myself
and then to Uncle Crespin. And so, for a moment, we were dumb all three.
Then, to my surprise, my uncle demanded and most urgently:

"And who, sir, who a-plague may you be?"

Now at this I viewed the person with some faint feeling of interest.

A slim, lean man of no great stature, with bronzed visage nothing
remarkable save for quick, bright eyes, an aggressive nose and a mouth
whose grim lips (as he chanced to meet my look) curled up at me with
sudden elfish quirk, at the which freedom be sure I frowned; and now, as
he stood there, daring to smile on me, I sensed in this dusty,
weather-beaten, sunburned fellow a quick tho' latent vitality and
therewith a glimpse of such grimly fierce resolution that, despite his
sleepy voice and ease of bearing, a very strangely sinister creature I
thought him.

"You, sir," cried my Uncle Crespin, mighty imperious; "are ye deaf? D'
ye hear me? Who are ye--hey?" The stranger turned him slowly and,
seeming to view my uncle's flushed and angry face curiously, feature by
feature, made answer in his husky, languid voice.

"Sir, you may call me Captain Japhet Bly, hither despatched to convoy or
shall we say escort your niece the lady Ursula, that I dare affirm is
she that now doth so frown on me, safe to care of her aunt, my lady
Brandon at Shalmeston Manor. And here, sir, my credentials."

From the bosom of his dingy coat, he drew a sealed letter but instead of
putting it into my Uncle Crespin's clutching, outstretched hand, he gave
it to me; so, breaking the seal I opened the letter and read this in my
Aunt Selina's crabbed characters:

     My sweet child Crespin writes me thou art to wed and from my house.
     So come to-day with the bearer of this and find a mother's welcome
     from

     Your loving Aunt SELINA.

Having read, I placed this letter on the table to my uncle's hand and
he, having scanned it through, glared from it up to me.

"Ursula," quoth he, "begone to thy chamber!"

"Uncle," I answered, glancing into the mirror to see if my hat was
properly set, "fare you well. Do I give Aunt Selina any message from
you?"

"Damme--no!" cried he. "You bide here, madam, here at Revelsmead, I
say--"

"Not so, Uncle," I murmured, drawing on my gauntlets, "I ride this
moment for Shalmeston--"

"I forbid it!" he roared, upstarting to his feet. "I forbid ye to ride
there, or any other where, madam, d'ye hear me? And alone too! And with
this fellow, a stranger, a--"

"Captain Japhet Bly, sir," murmured the person, bowing, "very humbly at
lady Ursula's service."

"And not alone, Uncle; my faithful Deborah rides with me."

Now here, chancing to glance at the person, I caught him regarding me
with methought a something odd expression. And now my uncle, leaning
towards me across the table, spake me in tone and with look that was
almost an appeal.

"Ursula ... child, it was your dead parents' expressed wish and earnest
desire that you should in fulness of time wed a Barrasdale of
Aldbourne."

"Ay, truly," I answered, "but not _this_ Viscount Barrasdale; it was his
cousin they willed me to wed ... the gentle boy I mind so well that was
my companion and playfellow years ago ... the poor boy that died or--"

Over crashed the table and my uncle made at me with such evident fury of
purpose that once again I raised whip but, ere I could strike, the
Captain person interposed, and with quick and almost incredible ease
lifted Uncle Crespin struggling aloft and seated him, gasping and
speechless, in his cushioned elbowchair.

"Sir," said the person, "an' your niece be ready, permit me in all
humility to take my leave of you."

Now though his voice was sleepily soft as ever, very dreadfully changed
showed the face of him, with eyes glaring atwixt narrowed lids and lips
backdrawn from strong white teeth with such hateful look of animal
ferocity as vastly disgusted and yet (I do confess) pleasured me too,
seeing how for once my formidable uncle cowered in dumb amaze.

And now it was that Deborah tapped at door and peeped in timidly to say
the horses waited; so, with last look at my silenced uncle, I went forth
of the chamber and out of my house of Revelsmead that never yet had been
truly mine, and glancing round about me and up to the radiant sky, I
drew deep breath of the fragrant sunny air and felt all my body atingle
with a strange new rapture wonder-sweet. Then came Gregory with the
horses and there too was the Captain person, hand down-reaching for my
foot, to lift me into the saddle; but, misliking the man and his easy
assurance, I set this proffered hand aside with my whip and beckoning
Gregory, with his aid got me lightly (and as I think gracefully) to
horse and, chancing to glance at the person, saw him regarding me with
his grimly quirkish smile. I found the creature became annoying and so
glancing disdainful at his dusty boots and rusty spurs, addressed him
directly for the first time.

"Sir," said I, suiting tone with look, and suffering my habit to reveal
as much as it should but no more, "sir, for your proffered escort accept
my gratitude and farewell."

"Madam," he answered, with sudden chuckling laugh (extreme odious), "I
do begin to love this England better than I did."

Then, seeing Deborah vainly endeavouring to mount up behind Gregory, he
lifted her to the pillion, ordered her petticoats, smiled up into her
comely, blushing face, and swung himself astride his own sorry mount
whiles I looked on, pondering his words.

And thus with him beside me (and all too near) and Gregory and Deborah
behind, with the pack horses laden with such of my baggage and
portmanteaus as Deborah deemed necessary to my proper comfort, I set
forth on that road beset by shameful affrights that was to lead me
through fury of battle and raging tempest, through hardship, suffering
and perils a-many to that everlasting wonder of the which I had never
dreamed. Now as to what this abiding wonder is, how it cometh and
whence,--ye shall something know perchance that trouble to read
patiently to the end of this, my astonishing narration. And thus, with
the words wherewith I began, will I here end this my first chapter.




CHAPTER II

TELLETH HOW I, A POOR FENCELESS LAMB, FELL AMONG WOLVES YET BORE MYSELF
NOTHING LAMBLIKE


Beyond my park gates the road runneth broad and white, shaded on the one
side by hedgerows and tall trees until it reacheth a narrow bye-lane; we
were hard upon this lane when out upon us rode two horsemen, such
evil-looking rogues they and of aspect so desperate bold and truly
villainous that instinctively I reined up my horse, and what was my
amaze and disgust to see these manifest rogues were leering at and
saluting myself, for one of them, a great, long-limbed fellow, pulled
off weather-beaten hat to bow and flourish, saying hoarsely:

"Your humble servant, madam!"

"Ay, ay, messmate,--myself also, ma'm," quoth his companion, in voice
surprisingly musical, a lean, bony fellow whose peaked, bronzed face was
puckered by a livid scar that ran from sunken eye to blue, shaven chin.

Now as I sat regarding this egregious pair disgustfully, as methought
they deserved, Captain Bly's sleepy voice murmured beside me:

"Madam, you behold my very good friends, Barnabas Rokeby and Ezekiel
Penryn." Here, looking from the speaker to these same hangdog friends of
his, I was greatly minded to turn and ride back but, as if reading my
thought, he seized my horse's rein, so on I rode again, will I, nill I.

On we went by hill and dale, till we were come to open country: wide,
grassy levels where a myriad tiny flowers bloomed, with beyond these on
the one hand the gentle grandeur of the soft, swelling Downs and upon
the other a broad vale dotted here and there with tree-girt hamlet or
village, the darkling mystery of far-flung woodland and afar a vague
glamour that was the sea. It was as I viewed glad-eyed this so loved and
right familiar prospect that the Captain person uttered these strange,
very outlandish words:

"Stand by, messmates; I snuff foul weather down wind yonder."

Thus or some such said he and I, being in some small wonder, troubling
myself to glance at him, saw how he eased the pistols in the holsters of
his saddle and, looking where he looked, beheld afar a group of horsemen
galloping in rolling dust cloud.

As they approached, I saw these were four and could hear them laughing
and shouting gaily one to another; when they were come yet nearer, I
recognized them for neighbours all four,--gentlemen of my acquaintance
and persons of quality, to wit: Sir Harry Wilding, Mr. Brant, Mr.
Welland and Lord Holmby, and the cause of their riotous hilarity was all
too manifest in their flushed faces and extravagant gestures when,
beholding me, they reined up across the road, hats aflourish and voices
so loud in vociferous greeting that I frowned on them each and every,
and disdainful bade them go back to their wine-bibbing; whereat they but
laughed the louder.

"Nay, now," cried Sir Harry. "I do protest an' we be anyways fuddled,
sweet Mistress Ursula, 'twas in pledging joy and long life to thy lovely
self, so soon a bride, and abounding vigour to--"

"Be silent, sir!" cried I angrily.

"Aha--sweet coyness!" laughed Lord Holmby. "Howbeit we are come to bring
Geoffrey his blushing bride. And zounds, madam, I protest we find you in
dev-lish odd company, let me die! Be quit of 'em and entrust thy so
tempting self to us thy so devoted humble servants and very slaves to
command--"

But here, and before I might retort, the Captain person spoke in voice
rudely harsh and words wholly unintelligible.

"Avast!" cried he fiercely. "Belay and veer, my bully boys; veer and
stand away, lest we run ye aboard."

Lord Holmby blinked, swore and reached for his sword hilt, but even then
the Captain's horse moved, leapt and cannoned into Lord Holmby's sleek
animal so violently that his lordship was thrown and his mount, snorting
affright, galloped furiously away. The Captain's hands flashed down and
up and in either fist was a levelled pistol.

"Now, my pretty lads," quoth he, fiercely jovial, "d' ye give us room or
do I make ye--which?"

Sir Harry Wilding snatched out a pistol ... but ere he might discharge
it, Deborah screamed and I was deafened by sudden report, and through
drifting smoke cloud saw Sir Harry staring pallidly at the broken weapon
in his numbed and shaking hand; and whiles I soothed my frighted horse,
myself well-nigh stunned by the suddenness of it all, quoth the Captain:

"And there spoke Castor; here's Pollux shall talk e'en more to the
point, if need be. Messmates--their barkers!" roared this so violent
wretch, whereupon his two companions riding near snatched away the
pistols of these startled gentlemen whiles my lord Holmby, getting to
his legs, to scowl and dust his rumpled finery, cursed so unrestrainedly
that I would have cried shame, but ere I might do so the Captain's
booted foot whirled from stirrup and thrust his lordship down into the
dust again.

"There's dog of a lord for ye!" he growled; "a lewd cur to yap afore
lady. Bark again and I'll brain ye. Forrard's the word, messmates." So
forward we rode, the gentlemen giving us way and all of them with never
a word.

And after a while, finding the Captain rode beside me, I shot him a
glance askance and saw he was regarding me with his odious, leering
quirk.

"Well, ma'm Ursula," saith he in his sleepy voice, "how think ye o'
Japhet Bly? Doth he appeal the virgin soul o' thee to the instant
slavish obedience so necessary for what is to be?"

"But what should ever possibly be 'twixt myself and such as yourself?" I
demanded and looked at him and through him, and drooping my lashes in
contempt beyond all words, capped all this with a shudder, then glared
with sudden fury to his baleful sleepy voice and throaty chuckle.

"Mighty fine, ma'm, and yet beside the mark! your ladyship's high airs
and graces go by me, for I'm neither amorous, ogling fine gentleman,
delicate coxcomb nor languishing beau--"

"The which is sufficiently evident!" quoth I.

"Then, ma'm, when you think on me, I--"

"Oh, sir," I retorted disdainfully, "you are presumptuous to suppose
thing so impossible, for truly I do nowise trouble my thoughts with
you."

"Why then, you will, ma'm; you will anon! I dare prophesy you shall come
to think o' Japhet daily, hourly and by the minute. You shall watch his
every look, hang upon his least word and gesture,--faith, ye shall dream
of him waking and asleep."

"Ah, then now, sir, now," said I, turned on him and bitterly
contemptuous, "I do think on you now and with a very perfect disgust."

"Nay," says he, shaking his detestable head, "disgust shall not serve. I
must needs inspire thee with one or all o' these several passions, to
wit:--ardent love, unreasoning faith or blind fear; choose thou!" Now at
this I forgot rageful scorn in stark amazement for, seeing the wretch
was nowise drunk, I deemed he must be mad and as I surveyed his lean,
unlovely visage, his next words made me sure of this.

"For, ma'm Ursula, with your every look and gesture it becomes to me the
more certain that for your own future good I must presently marry you!"
Then, seeing me bereft of speech:

"Alas!" sighed he. "And I had thought to live and die a merry,
care-free bachelor!" Though raging indignation had made me dumb 'twas
but for a moment, and now I lashed him with every scornful epithet that
leapt to my tongue (and these a-many, thank Heaven); I poured upon him a
very torrent of bitter reproach and searing invective, and all with such
look as should certainly have struck shame to any but this oafish wretch
who, in the height of this tirade, fell chuckling so that I yearned to
cuff and scratch the hateful, lean face of him; and now becoming
breathless.

"Odious impertinent!" I gasped. "Vile, despicable, ill-bred wretch ...
detestable monster ... rather than stoop to such infamy I--"

"Would see me dead--I know!" he nodded. "But, ma'm, am I of such
abounding life and vigour I must needs live, it seems, an' live
henceforth to your passionate grief, for wed you I shall--"

Here or ever he might prevent, I wheeled my eager mare and bounding from
the road, set off at sudden furious gallop.

Before me the ground rose in a long ascent, a grassy slope becoming ever
steeper, but my dainty mare Rosabell was fleet and took it bravely,--up
and up, her sure hoofs pounding the velvet sward, her shapely body
rhythmically aswing, she bore me nowise distressed until the going was
easier; but then, hearing pursuit behind me, I sudden plied whip and
spur so fiercely that my poor mare, all unused to such harsh treatment,
snorted in painful affright, swerved violently in her stride, reeled and
went down, throwing me headlong.... Then powerful arms were about me and
a voice groaned:

"Now God forgive me!"

But these arms so strong were so reverent in their embrace, the voice so
unexpectedly gentle, that I ventured a peep through my lashes and saw
the face above me changed as his voice, indeed so transfigured that I
scarce could believe it the same. And now, seeing in him the cause of
my bruises (several) and reason of my downfall, I resolved he should not
revive me too soon nor without sufficient pain and labour, and that his
anxious dread lest he had wounded or killed me should grow to fear.

Thus when he presently set a silver flask to my lips, I shut my teeth
against it, yet none the less I must needs swallow some of the fiery
spirit, wherewith he deluged me so that I choked.... Yet I held my eyes
resolutely shut and lay in his arm limp as poor dead thing, nor stirred
even when with officious hand he must feel if my heart yet beat or
no--(as indeed it did, to be sure). The which fact seemed to reassure
him, for he sighed deeply and thereafter held me closer and very still,
seeming to be looking down on me earnestly. Then the compelling arm
lifted me higher, nearer to the face down-bent and for one long and most
abominable minute (wherein I held my breath appalled) I thought he would
have kissed me and braced myself to endure such shameful affliction; but
my fears proved groundless (thank my stars) for he presently drew away
and setting me down, waited for me to recover.

Thus after some while I sighed tremulously and opened swooning eyes to
see him sitting over against me, cross-legged upon the sward, busied
recharging the pistol he had fired; then glancing at me with his
quirkish smile:

"Didst think I would ha' kissed thee?" he enquired.

At this I merely shivered and closed my eyes again.

But presently I heard him stir and, looking up, saw him leading back my
mare, for the poor, dear creature for every affection had stayed near me
and now, approaching, was nuzzling his grimly cheek, her graceful head
above his shoulder.

"And now," says he, caressing my Rosabell like one that knew and loved
horses, "we will proceed, ma'm, an' you be able to mount."

"I'm not!" I murmured, faint-voiced.

"Then I will lift you," says he, "for on we must."

"No need is for such haste," said I.

"Ay, but there is," he answered.

So having no mind he should touch me again, perforce I got me upon my
legs and with his unasked assistance, back into the saddle.

But when I would have turned on the road, he stayed me. "Our way lieth
yonder!" said he, gesturing where in the distance (though nearer and
more plain from this eminence) gleamed the sea.

"But Shalmeston Manor lieth the other way!" said I, turning.

"I know it," he answered, swinging lightly astride his own horse, "but
you are riding with me to watch poor Japhet pay debts long overdue."

"Never!" cried I, gathering up my reins purposefully.

"At once!" said he, seizing them also; whereupon I instantly struck at
him with my whip only to have it seized, wrenched from me and tossed
away.

"So now, most gentle lady, let us ride."

And thus, with his great brown fist fast upon my mare's reins, he led me
whither he would.

"And what of my maid?" I demanded, raging.

"Shalt find her safe enough, I'll warrant me." After this, we rode on
together side by side and never a word between us.




CHAPTER III

TELLETH HOW (AND TO MY HORROR) CERTAIN DEBTS WERE PAID


We rode by bridle paths and unfrequented ways, for he seemed to know the
country hereabouts as well or better even than I; and we went at
leisured, ambling pace and rode in a silence unbroken save for the
jingle of bits and creak of saddle leather, since whenso he attempted
speech, I stared dumbly over him, beyond him, or turned my back on the
wretch; thus, instead of offering further speech, he fell a-singing of
some lewd rant full of "heavings" and "Yoho-ings" with mention of dead
men, murder and the like, until at last:

"Oh, be silent!" I exclaimed.

"As any stockfish, an' ye will, ma'm."

"What do you intend with me?"

"You've heard."

"Is it money you want,--a ... a ransom?"

"No, ma'm."

"What then?"

"Yourself."

"But you nothing know me."

"Better than I did and shall do e'en better anon."

"You ... you will dare abduct me?"

"Ay, ay, ma'm, abduct it is and more's the pity."

"Oh, Villainy!" raged I. "Shalt hang for this!"

"Peradventure, ma'm, tho' let's hope not, for both our sakes. Howbeit,
yonder lieth Shoreham and 'tis thither we go." Now as he spoke, I
spurred my poor Rosabell in wild and desperate hope of escape, but, even
as the mare reared, his brutal arm had plucked me from the saddle and I,
prone across his knees, was fighting him, desperate with rage and fear;
and even now this merciless tyrant must leer and mock at me, for:

"Easy now!" says he. "And oh, fie, shame on you, ma'm, for to be showing
thus a modest sailorman your legs ... besides, I've already remarked
their shapeliness alow and aloft--"

"Beast!" I cried, striking up at his mocking face; so he dropped me.

"Madam," said he in altered voice and look so changed that I caught my
breath, "some day poor Japhet will be loving you very truly and with
such reverence as shall be your own astonishment."

Then, riding after my mare, he brought her back.... And presently we
were going on again through these solitudes where showed no living
creature saving our two selves.

The kindly sun sank low and lower and with his going my courage began to
fail me and my poor heart to beat (and ever more distressfully) for
shameful dread of what this coming night must bring; though minding how
he had viewed me with a gentleness so unexpected, nay almost reverent,
in this I found me some small comfort ... and yet, as the evening
shadows lengthened and grew, so grew my doubts.

"Ma'm," said he at last and suddenly, "you sigh very prettily plaintive
and oft; now is this by reason of waxing passion o' love or yearning for
supper? If 'tis love," he went on, seeing I deigned him no reply, "then,
ma'm, here is thy Japhet; if 'tis mere lust for meat and drink, down
yonder is snug tavern where they shall be duly satisfied."

Looking whither he pointed, I saw a little valley below us where,
bowered amid trees, rose the roof and chimneys of a small inn that
methought very remote and desolate; and the sight of this inn, its
lonely situation where a woman's screams must go all unheard, this
filled me with such dreadful apprehension that I approached it with a
prayer upon my tremulous lips.

As we drew nearer, my companion set fingers to mouth and whistled
shrilly, whereupon and almost at once two men approached who lifted arms
in cheery salutation.

So came we to this inn or rather hedge tavern, which I saw bore a sign
naming it The Jolly Woodman.

"Is our bird safe, Absalom?" questioned my companion of these two men
who were staring up at me.

"Ay, ay, Cap'n!" answered one, a smallish, white-headed man, who yet
seemed strangely young in despite of his silvery hair.

"Why then, go fetch the gentleman's sword," quoth the Captain, "and do
you come with us, Ben, to take our horses." So saying, he led the way
round to the back of the inn where was a yard shut in by barns and
stables.

Here we dismounted and taking my hand (will I, nill I) he led me into a
fragrant barn and so brought me where, couched upon hay pile, lay a very
gorgeous gentleman, though his velvets and laces showed rumpled by
reason of the cords that bound him from belaced throat to silk-clad
ankles, while his face, half hidden in the long curls of his great
periwig, was further hidden by the dingy clout that was tied about his
mouth. Now even as I gazed pitiful upon this poor, so ill-used
gentleman, the Captain chuckled and using my hand to point with:

"Ma'm," says he, his wolfish mouth twisted in its odious, sneering
quirk, "you behold here a very person no less, ma'm, than my lord
Viscount Barrasdale,--ay, look on him, for 'tis indeed the noble
gentleman would have honoured you with himself in wedlock. Observe him,
lady--these speaking eyes how fierce and fiery they roll; is it for love
o' thee and thy worldly goods, or for instant bloody vengeance on thy
poor Japhet? Himself shall pronounce. Ben, unloose him."

With a swift dexterity, the prisoner was freed of his cruel bonds,
whereupon he rose and stood rubbing and chafing at arms and wrists, a
tall, comely gentleman despite his scowling look, a masterful gentleman
of full though commanding presence.

"What, Geoffrey," mocked the Captain. "I do protest thou'rt grown plump
as partridge, Geoff--" Uttering a snarling, inarticulate cry, very
dreadfully beastlike, this dignified gentleman leapt at his grim
tormentor but checked as suddenly and recoiled before the narrow,
twinkling steel that threatened to impale him; and sword thus in hand,
the Captain mocked him still.

"Patience, Geoffrey! Thy day was and is gone; mine is--now! Absalom
Troy!"

"Ay, ay, Cap'n."

"Heave the gentleman his bodkin!" I saw the white-headed man unsheathe
and toss a naked sword at the gentleman's feet who, snatching it up,
stood for a dreadful moment bending the supple blade this way and that,
staring on the Captain's leering visage with a strange, fixed intensity;
once he seemed about to speak but, as I held my breath, he leapt instead
to such sudden fury of action that I shrank in terror, my eyes upon
those clinking, whirling blades in horrified expectancy.

Now fain would I have closed my eyes but the murderous dart of those
twinkling points held me as it were enthralled. I heard the man Absalom
Troy beside me mutter a great oath and then the Captain spoke:

"I've cheated ye of your heiress, Geoff! See, there she stands to watch
me brand ye for damned villain ... so play your best, Geoffrey! Pink me
an' ye can, for, by God--" The flashing swords whirled furiously; I
heard the white-haired Absalom laugh thin and shrill, and then the
gentleman, dropping sword, reeled back, begemmed hand to his dreadfully
marred cheek that dripped blood horridly.

"Soho!" quoth the Captain, sheathing his cruel sword, "there's my mark,
Geoffrey; nor shall ye rub it off, no matter how long you live to
plague this poor world. How think you, ma'm?" And he turned where I
stood so faint and sick that now when I would have denounced and cried
my abhorrence of him, his face blurred, the ground swayed dizzily
beneath my stumbling feet and, for the first time in all my life, I
verily and truly swooned away.




CHAPTER IV

TELLETH HOW, BEING A WOMAN, I GREW ACQUAINT WITH FEAR BECAUSE I WAS A
WOMAN


Opening my eyes, I found myself outstretched voluptuously upon a great
bed and, starting up in instant horrid fear, was something reassured to
see myself still fully dressed save for my hat, cloak and spurred riding
boots; so down I sank again, being yet sickened by the savagery I had so
lately witnessed ... those murderous swords ... that gashed and bleeding
face ... the remorseless, mocking figure of this Captain Japhet Bly.

And thinking of him and of my own present helpless plight, my natural
courage and resolution well-nigh failed me; for if he could so use a
man, what mercy should poor defenceless woman expect of such monster
(thinks I, shuddering) and hid my burning face in the pillow, my pride
all forgot, my poor body trembling for shame of its all too alluring
womanhood. Then my heart leapt wildly, for a hand was upon the latch
and, starting to an elbow, I stared in a sick terror as the door
cautiously opened.

"Who ... who is it?" I gasped.

"Naught save me, ma'm!" answered a female voice, and I sank back in very
ecstasy of relief as into the room came a woman whose kindly, beaming
face showed gentle as her voice, so that crying I know not what, I
reached out my hands to her and next moment was laughing and weeping in
the shelter of her arms.

But presently, growing somewhat comforted, I looked up into her eyes and
reading there naught but goodness and a sweet sincerity, I poured out
the tale of my woes and haunting fears, beseeching her aid so humbly,
yet with such passion, that she came near crying too for very sympathy.

"Oh, but ma'm," she murmured, "oh, my dearie, ye dunnot understand and I
durst not tell ee--"

"Let me go," I whispered; "help me to escape ... give me a chance to
steal away. Be the gentle, kind creature you seem and help me--"

"Oh, but ma'm, 'twould never serve ... if ye but knew--"

"Money!" said I.... "My purse--here, take it! And you shall have
more ... much more, so much as you will--"

"Hush now, hush thee!" she sighed, her kindly face very troublous. "I
may not ... 'twould be in vain; he would take thee again and
perchance ... bloodshed ... prison."

"No matter, I'll risk my very life to win free of him," I pleaded.
"Where is he now?"

"Busied a-doctoring yon poor gentleman's face, a-binding and
a-plastering."

"But 'twas his own brutal hand that wrought the harm,--"

"And 'tis his own two hands that be now a-mending of it.... But, ma'm,
Mistress Ursula, ah, my lady, y' do ha' forgot me sure, and no wonder.
But I be Mercy Dale, as was once Mercy Brent, and you be that same
little lady Ursula growed up, as used to visit the Great House at East
Bourne, when I was second nursemaid. You'll not mind me, but you can't
ha' forgot the little Earl ... my lord Aldbourne, as was your
playfellow. You'll mind Charles, the little Earl, Mistress Ursula?"

"Yes, yes," I answered, "the little gentle boy that died--such gallant
little fellow--"

"Died?" says Mrs. Mercy, opening her large soft eyes at me, "Died--ay,
for sure! But how knew ye this?"

"I heard some such tale.... But oh, Mercy, an' you have any o' the old
love for poor me, be bold to help me now for--" I caught my breath and
we started from each other's arms, as a fist hammered on the door and a
harsh voice growled:

"Mrs. Mercy, ma'm, you an' lady below: Cap'n orders!"

"Yes, sir," answered Mercy, rising nimbly and smoothing her neat gown.
"Come you, my lady--'tis supper, tho' early--"

"No!" said I, clenching my hands and mighty resolute, "I'll not stir ...
his detested face ... no, I'll bide here an' I must."

"Nay, but my dearie, come your ways now wi' me--"

"No--no!" cried I, again leaping from the bed. "I have no hunger and ...
I do so loathe the mere sight of him I could not eat--"

"Oh, but madam, he ... there be naught o' harm shall touch ee. So come
now, ma'm, come wi' me, lest he grow angered like and come after ee to
take and make ee." Now at this, glancing from Mercy's pleading face to
the door and then askance at the great bed, I shivered and, giving her
my unwilling hand, suffered myself to be led forth and down a pair of
stairs to a certain door, but here I stayed her to whisper.

"Who ... who was it carried me up to bed?"

"Why, ma'm," she whispered back, "who but himself, the ... the Captain."
Then, setting my teeth, I threw open the door and stepped into a cosy
chamber, its lattices open to the sunset glow and empty save for myself;
moreover I saw the table was laid for but one.

"Thank God!" quoth I fervently.

"Eh,--what now, my dear lady?"

"I feared the infliction of the Captain's presence."

"Nay, ma'm, alack, I am prevented," murmured his detested, sleepy voice
and in at the window came the odious head of him. "You behold me, ma'm
humbly pleading you'll excuse my presence. Mrs. Mercy," says he,
finding me dumb, "you may serve her most gracious ladyship and feed her
well for what is to be."

"Yes, sir!" murmured the dame, with bobbing curtsey; then I was alone
and this brutish Captain leaning in at the casement.

"Ma'm," says he, so soon as the door was shut, "your shy timidity of
look and fear-averted eyes do gratify me extremely, for by these same I
judge your prideful spirit beginneth to bow, thy heart to leap, thy
flesh to chill, for fear o' this poor Japhet ... and all so very soon!"

Now at this I turned on him but, mindful of that room above stairs, I
checked the fiercely disdainful retort upon my lips and sinking wearily
upon the nearest chair, turned my back on him. So for a while was a
silence, wherein he seemed distractingly and utterly still, even as I;
then he chuckled and I heard his spurs go a-jingling off across the
yard. So came I to the lattice to look with yearning eyes towards those
far green slopes beyond which lay freedom, and for a moment had some
wild thought of flight till, chancing to espy the man Absalom watching
me, silvery head acock, I sighed dismally and turned from the window to
see the door open and there, to my joyous wonderment, my own devoted
Deborah.

"Oh, madam," cried she, and then we were in each other's arms. "Art
safe, ma'm?" she questioned in her breathless fashion. "Art safe ...
unharmed ... no wise touched ... this naughty villain...."

"All is well--so far, thank kind Heaven. But how came you here, my
Deb ... to my need, how?"

"Oh, ma'm ... my lady, 'twas him, this des'prate fightsome Captain,
himself bade me to thee, he did. But oh, alack for Gregory!"

"Ah, what ... what hath he done to poor Gregory?"

"Oh, shameous, ma'm! They ha' so plied him atwixt 'em that he lieth
sadly drunk and snoring. But oh, Mistress Ursula, what shall befall us
this night--you so beauteous and me so--so timid o' mankind and this
place full o' men ... clawsome tigers and ravensome wolves and us like
two poor frighted lambs.... Oh, Mistress Ursula, what ... what must us
do?"

"Keep together," I answered calmly as I might. "We must keep ever close,
Deborah, and seem unafraid--and whatsoever befalls, no matter how, no
matter where, you lie with me, this night."

"Ay, I will, ma'm, I will! I'll cling to thee so close wild tigers shall
not drag thee from me whiles I live,--no, nor any two-legged tiger
either."




CHAPTER V

TELLETH HOW AND WHERE I SPENT THIS FIRST SO DREADFUL NIGHT


Evening had fallen to glimmering dusk and we were sitting close
together, Deborah and I, two poor souls very woeful and forlorn, though
Deborah was still at her supper (by my leave) munching and sipping,
sipping and munching, till I could have boxed her ears, to see her thus
cowishly resigned.

"If ye would but peck a bit, ma'm," sighed she, viewing me above laden
fork, "a morsel now--"

"Woman," said I, shuddering, "a crumb would choke me."

"Nay, come now, my dearie ma'm, a snippet o' the beef, so tender and
heartsome--"

"You should know!" I retorted bitterly.

"Ay, I do so, ma'm," she nodded; then, filling her mouth she munched
again until I leapt to my feet in such strange frenzy as surprised
myself and so startled Deborah that the poor thing dropped her fork and
stared up at me with great fearful eyes.

"Lud, ma'm, what--what now?" she faltered.

"You ... me ... everything!" cried I. "How can you eat--how dare you
eat, and with death and worse all about us? Yet you so munch and munch
and my poor sick heart ready to burst."

"I ... I was so hungry, ma'm. And there be naught to hearten one like
good food and Mis' Ursula, dearie, things might be worse; us might be
poor corpses, or alive and shameous ravaged and abused--"

"'Tis an evil but deferred, mayhap," said I, and so miserably that up
she jumped (the dear one) to clasp and comfort me.

"There, there! my dearie," she murmured, patting me as I had been
timorous child. "I know 'tis wild and violent man and you no more than
poor tremblesome frighted maid, but--"

"Frighted--I?" cried I fiercely, whisking myself from her clinging arms.
"'Tis pure horror sets me a-trembling--loathly horror of a beast, not
fear of man; I fear none o' the odious sex and least of all this man ...
except he catch me alone.... This vile wretch--oh, damn him!" cried I
wildly. "How dare he thus use me--od rot him! Oh, but he shall answer
for this yet, tho' I die for it--he shall suffer plague and the devil
seize him--"

"Fie, ma'm, fie!" chuckled a voice at the window and, dim seen against
the dusk, the Captain's head thrust in at us. "Such tripping facility o'
phrase! I protest you can so outcurse and swear poor sailorman that I
blush for myself and envy you--"

"Captain Bly," said I, making the most of my inches, "an' you must creep
and listen, stretch wide your detestable ears and hear me. That
whatsoe'er befalls me and mine at your wicked hands, I swear to God that
some day, somehow, for that you shall pay and bitterly suffer--"

"Why, ma'm," says he with grim laugh, "Japhet hath known so much o'
suffering,--ay, and such suffering, that he and it shall meet like old
messmates."

"Yet look to it, sir," I continued; "dare so much as lay your wicked
hands on me, and, so soon as chance serve, I vow to kill you." Something
in my passionate utterance must have convinced him, for 'stead of
throaty chuckle I heard him draw his breath sharply and, finding him
silent, I said in the same even tone:

"You believe me, sir?"

"Faith," he answered. "I believe ye might try."

"Never doubt it!" I nodded. "Give me knife or pistol and I will prove my
words."

"Why, so you shall," he answered, nodding back at me; "yet not now, for
now we ride; so make you ready."

"How an' I refuse?"

"You shall be bound and gagged and thrown across horse--mighty
undignified." With which he turned and jingled away and presently horses
were stamping in the yard.

And so, because I needs must, I beckoned Deborah to aid me with my
cloak; then espying among the litter of the supper table a knife that
showed strong and with a point, I caught it up and hid it 'neath my
cloak whiles Deborah was setting on her own. Then in came Mercy, bearing
candles, and putting them down stood wringing her hands and looking
furtive towards the lattice; wherefore, deeming she yet had a mind to
aid me an' she dared, I spoke her, whispering:

"Mrs. Mercy, in my purse be fifteen guineas--take them oh, take them and
steal me a pistol--" But at the word she recoiled as I had struck her,
then leaning near,

"Ah, no--no!" says she in strange, gasping voice. "'Twere wickedness,
for he ... he is not as he seems ... he is noble gentleman ... hath
suffered much wrong ... bitter griefs ... ha' no fear, only be you
patient a little while--" The pleading voice ended in choking gasp as in
upon us strode the Captain himself.

For a moment he scowled from the woman to me and back again then, mutely
beckoning us forth, I swept by him and so out into the dim yard, where
men muttered together and horses stamped impatiently.

And presently, being mounted, we rode away from this inn of The Jolly
Woodman at leisured ambling pace (the horses plodding silent on the
velvet turf) through a vague countryside, tho' the sky was spangled with
stars and the glamour of a rising moon. They had mounted Deborah also
and she, not so used to the saddle as I, moaned plaintively ever and
anon. How far we rode thus or how long I know not, but up came the
gentle moon at last and very tenderly familiar she seemed.

Now, looking up at these wondrous lights twinkling from the floor of
heaven, I breathed a wordless prayer to that Great Creator of it all,
yea, of all that ever was or is or is yet to be, calling on Him now in
my extremity like woeful child to loving Father, since He that is so
mighty to shape this infinite universe is so tender to mark the fall of
a sparrow. Then I (that had been wont to pray but by rote all heedlessly
hitherto) now prayed with all my soul for strength and courage and
patience; that God would keep me alive and undefiled or teach me how
worthily to die. And presently my heart swelled with a new courage, my
dreadful apprehensions were all smoothed away, so that I now went with a
serene mind and my eyes uplift to heaven in very ecstasy of gratitude,
for it seemed God had verily heard my prayer.

Slowly the moon rose, very large and ever brighter, until she swam in
majesty like the pale queen that she is; and looking on her so familiar
gentle face she seemed, as it were, some kind friend watching over me,
though her tender radiance made our captors show the more villainous
than ever,--six of them I counted riding three and three before us and
behind; and they talked but rarely and then in hoarse mutterings, going
thus with little noise and by desolate ways like the furtive wretches
and gallow birds they were. From the evil menace of them I lifted my
gaze again up to the moon's placid beauty and had gone thus some while
when the three who rode immediately before me began to talk and I saw
they were Ezekiel Penryn, Barnabas Rokeby and the Captain.

"So," says Rokeby, "thy cake's dough, eh, Japhet; art cheated o' thy
dear vengeance, lad!"

"Hosanna!" exclaimed Penryn. "'Vengeance is Mine, saith the Lord!'"

"Ay, but Zeke, herein I hold myself the Lord's anointed," says Captain
Bly (and very blasphemous, methought). "'An eye for an eye,' reverend
sir."

"Why, there's reason in that, look you!" quoth Penryn unctuously. "'A
tooth for a tooth'; 'tis gospel. Then you'll after your man, eh,
Japhet?"

"Across the world, Zeke."

"And 'tis mighty well!" said Rokeby. "Here's no place, no rest for such
outcast dogs as we; 'tis rope or worse an' we be recognized--"

"Recognized, Barnabas?" quoth Penryn, with cackle of mirthless laughter.
"You--wi' that grim figurehead and greying hair! There be nary one shall
recognize such bloody cut-throat for what you was when you rode out wi'
us for the holy Protestant cause, God prosper it! Would your own mother
know ye? Curse me--no!"

"She's dead!" growled Barnabas. "I was able to learn thus much."

"And as for me," continued Penryn, his sweet voice very clear above the
creak of saddle leather, "would any o' the multitudes that thronged to
hear me preach, and stood whiles I lifted their souls to the very
footstool o' God, know me in this ruin that I now am? Damme, not one!"

"Twelve years!" said the Captain, turning to stare up at the moon now
high risen upon our left. "Twelve years!"

"Call 'em twenty!" growled Barnabas. "Didst try to find thy wife and
family, Zeke?"

"No, messmate, no! The children will be grown by now ... well, let 'em
think me dead ... as I should be, but for you and Japhet, with a curse!"

"Hast a wife too, Barnabas, I think?" questioned the Captain.

"I had, comrade, but she's wed again."

"Art sure, man?" says the Captain, laying hand on the speaker's broad
shoulder.

"Beyond doubt, comrade ... well, why not? We ha' come back out of hell
to find we are dead and forgot--eh, Japhet?"

"Ay," he nodded; "we be dead men all."

"Which, being dead, yet speak," quoth Penryn, with another cackle of
laughter. "Ay, and with hands, praise Jehovah, that yet can fight!
Alleluia! So give me bloody battle--eh, Barnaby?"

"Ay, Zeke.... And what says you, Japhet man?"

"That having lost my all, I'll take all that I may."

"Ay, and what o' this lady, ha? You, Japhet, that's had no truck wi'
women since that Spanish donna we took at Margarita. Come, what o' this
lass? She'll prove a handful, by her looks, I'll warrant--"

"And women aboardship mean strife," quoth Penryn, "bloodshed, Japhet,
and all the sins in the calendar; so, comrade, what's your mind?"

But now when I hearkened, my every sense on the alert, the Captain's
answer was lost in sound of clattering hoofs as, leaving the grassy
track, we came out upon a hard road. Now went I something dismayed at
their mention of a ship and greatly mystified by this talk of dead men.
But my anxious speculations were suddenly dispelled as, rounding a
shoulder of the Down we had been traversing, I saw below us what seemed
a farmhouse with barns and ricks and beyond, the sea, upon whose
restless, gleaming waters rode a great black ship, her lofty masts
soaring high against the moon 'mid an infinity of ropes and rigging.

Now this sight instantly renewed all my terrors and knowing in my poor
heart that this same ship was to be my prison and perchance the shameful
end of me,--this filled me with such wild despair that, resolved to die
in my dear England if needs must, I kicked foot from stirrup and thus,
with some desperate hope of escape one way or other, leapt from the
saddle.... I heard Deborah scream, had a vision of rearing horses, then
all breath and life itself seemed smitten out of me.




CHAPTER VI

HOW WE CAME ABOARDSHIP


Back from a blessed unconsciousness came I, little by little, to see
painted, carven beams above me with a great gilded lamp that swung
gently to and fro; and I watched this dreamily awhile till I became more
and more aware how my head throbbed and of a painful smarting in my leg;
and then 'twixt me and the lamp came Deborah's down-bent, anxious face.

"Oh, my dearie lamb!" sighed she, cool hand upon my aching brow. "Thank
Heaven you'm your own precious self again."

"Deborah," said I, glancing about, "are we ... where are we?"

"Safe in this gurt ship, ma'm."

"Safe?" cried I bitterly.

"Ay, dearie, though you was like poor dead thing and oh, a-bleeding
right horrorsome, poor bird."

"Why, how was this; what happened?"

"You fell, dearie ma'm."

"No, Deborah, I jumped."

"Oh, lud 'a' mercy and all they rampageous horses! You might ha' been
killed!"

"And why not?" sighed I wearily. "But why did I bleed and what aileth my
leg?"

"Ah, your pretty leg, ma'm!" cried Deborah, hands clasped and eyes
uprolling. "Your dear, beauteous leg all cut and gory! Your new
petticoat with the point lace all blood! But your sweet, lovesome
leg--look at it!" And lifting my garments, she showed me my leg all bare
and a bandage swathed just above the knee.... Now, seeing how deftly
this bandage was set, I sat upright very suddenly, staring down at it
in an evergrowing perturbation.

"Deborah," said I at last, my wide gaze still on this, "was it you ...
set this bandage?"

"Who else, ma'm?"

"Deborah," said I, looking at her now, "you could never have set bandage
so! You are telling me wicked lie!"

"Ay, I am, dearie," sighed she, "though meaning no wickedness. And I
vow, ma'm, he handled you as your pretty leg was made o' glass,--so
gentle! Ay, so tender as you was a flower--"

"He?" I gasped. "He? You mean--"

"Ay, I do, Mis' Ursula dearie; him, the Captain--"

For a moment I could but stare at her and, becoming conscious of my
naked leg, hid it passionately; then indeed I found words aplenty, nor
paused for breath until she began to sob and splash great tears and I,
'twixt anger and shame, nigh sobbing too.

"Oh, Deborah," gasped I, "how could you suffer it ... how could you, how
dared you suffer this vile man to ... such odious freedoms--"

"La, ma'm, I swear to holy heavens 'twas no such thing--"

"Yet let the monster touch me--"

"But oh, ma'm, you seemed so dead-like and me so distraught-like and him
so quick-like that your petticoats was up and your stocking was down ere
a body might wink. And then--Lord bless you, ma'm, your pretty leg might
ha' been a man's leg or a horse's leg, for aught he seemed to mind, or
leg o' chair or table. And oh, 'tis wrong, Mistress Ursula, ma'm, 'tis
shameous cruel in you to think your Deborah would allow o' such except
across my dying body ... me as hath loved and cared for ee all these
years and now to be suspicioned! Oh, Mistress Ursula, that you could
think such shame o' me!" So saying, this dear, devoted creature flung
herself on her knees beside me in such passionate grief that I could but
kiss and comfort her.

"But tell me, Deborah," said I, when she had suffered me to dry her
tears, "who stabbed me? Was it--the Captain?"

"Lord, no, ma'm--no!" she exclaimed. "However could ee think it? 'Twas
yourself, ma'm; leastways the knife as you took and hid in pocket o'
your cloak cut you, it did, when you jumped--"

"Where is the knife?"

"On the table yonder, ma'm."

"Bring it to me." With this knife clutched in hand, I sat up, despite
Deborah's protests, to see I had been lying on a broad-cushioned settee
or locker that extended along two sides of a chamber or rather cabin,
nobly furnished and panelled with strange, pretty woods, the great beams
above my head brave with paint and gilding and with goodly carpets
underfoot, all of the which finery of itself waked in me a new dread.

"Oh, 'tis fine grand ship, ma'm!" said Deborah.

"Indeed, my poor innocent, too grand!" said I, shivering. "'Tis my very
belief this is no better than pirate ship."

"Oooh!" exclaimed Deborah, clasping her hands, tho' with such look as
perfectly surprised me.

"How?" cried I. "D'ye not see what this means? This wicked ship and us
on't, beset by desperate, lawless men, murdering villains ... sailing us
away heaven knoweth where."

"'Tis turble, ma'm, for indeed the ship do shew full o' men, though to
be sure there's none of 'em nowise harmed us yet, and there be one, a
tall man wi' gold rings in's ears, as lifted me into the boat so kind
and gentle he might ha' been a body's own mother--"

"Gracious heaven above!" said I. "Are ye so brazen bold to have no fear?
My poor silly wretch, we may be beaten ... ravished and walking planks
very soon--ay, and eaten by sharks ... and you can do no more than clasp
your foolish hands and cry Ooh!"

"Nay, but Mis' Ursula, what should a poor body do?"

"Do?" quoth I, flashing scornful eyes at her. "You should be nigh dead
with horror and shrinking shame."

"Deed, my dearie, ma'm, I do be trembling all over me now."

"Oh, be silent!" said I.

"Yes, m' lady--"

"Nay, tell me, is my leg much wounded?"

"No, ma'm, glory be! 'Tis scarce more than scratch, though you bled
vastly--proud blood, he named it."

"Never mention the wretch!"

"Very well, ma'm. Shall I put you to bed?"

"No! Besides, I see no beds."

"There be a little room behind yon door wi' two, ma'm, though he named
'em bunks!"

"A detestable word! And I'll none of them, girl. I'll lie here on the
settee and watch the night out."

"Nay, but my lady, at least you'll be undressed?"

"Horrors, no! I'd lie in full armour an' I might."

"Why then, let me loose and make you easy."

"Not a string, woman!"

"Well, oh, my dearie, won't you please to eat somewhat? Ah, prithee peck
a bit if 'tis no more than wing o' chicken--"

"No, no!" cried I, shuddering. "The poor outraged soul of me mocks at
such idea, for how should any woman of a delicate sensibility think of
gross food ... besides, I see no chicken."

"Oh, but you ate naught at the inn and you must take somewhat, indeed."

"Ay, true," sighed I (for I must here confess, since 'tis writ in my
diary, I was well-nigh famished), "being but human I must needs eat lest
all strength and courage fail me.... Bring me your chicken wing." Thus
presently, and despite our woeful plight, I supped very well, though I
would touch no drop of wine, contenting myself with water.

"And now, ma'm, pray come thy ways to bed; there be clean sheets and--"

"No! First aid me into my stocking and shoe."

"Nay, they'm all gory, ma'm--"

"Then get me others."

No sooner was I reshod than:

"Deborah," says I, taking up the knife, "go you and bid Captain Bly to
me."

"The Captain--oh, my loveliness, whyever for--?"

"To show the monster I nothing fear him--"

"Oh, ma'm, but you do; you'm all ashiver wi' fright."

"To be sure I am, fool wench, and so 'tis I'll speak the wretch and show
myself bold and prepared for him."

"Wi' ... that knife, my dearie lamb?"

"Ay, indeed,--and a resolute spirit. Go you and bid him hither and
instantly." So away went Deborah, mighty unwilling, and was presently
back to say he was busied but would come anon. So I must needs wait the
wretch and in no little trepidation.

But when at last he entered, he found me standing to receive him and
sufficiently dignified I hope; though:

"Madam," says he with fulsome bow, "if you have sent for me to express
your gratitude for the small service I was enabled--"

"Gratitude, sir!" I repeated bitterly. "Service indeed--"

"In the matter of your scratched limb, madam."

"Be dumb, sir! I have sent for you to demand that you turn back this
ship and instantly restore me to ... to my friends."

"And your woman, gracious lady?"

"And my woman, of course."

"Alack now!" he sighed. "I fear this is out o' the question."

"Beware, Captain, I am no poor country lass to be thus brutally abducted
with impunity."

"True!" he nodded. "You are lady of vasty possessions; also you have red
hair. But then, I am a man of scant possessions and very desperate
fortune--"

"And shall answer for this outrage, sir, so sure as there is law in
England."

"But then, England is fading on our lee, ma'm,--the broad seas lie
before us."

"And what of myself?" cried I. "What is your purpose with me? What
shame, what misery, doth your brutality purpose for me?"

"And your woman, madam?"

"What vileness do you intend us?" I demanded.

"Am I permitted to be seated, madam?"

"You may sit--over there, sir."

"Gladly, madam," he answered, taking the distant chair I indicated and
crossing his legs, "for I can show you how to put the best face upon the
matter and find in apparent misfortune a blessing--"

"You have abducted me by base, impudent slight--"

"Will you snuff, madam? No? Very well, it is agreed you are certainly
abducted. But I have carried you away from the following evils, greater
or less, to wit--a bibulous uncle, a shallow-pated aunt, divers sighful
swains, a rascal that would ha' wed you for your aforesaid possessions
and a life of useless, pampered ease; from all this I ha' brought you to
something better--"

"Better?" cried I, bitterly scornful.

"Infinitely better!" he nodded. "I have placed you in situation shall
evoke in you all that is worst or best."

"So, sir," quoth I, supremely disdainful, "you will dare to play
Providence to me ... you!"

"Ma'm, indeed I am your Providence--"

"You!" I cried again, hot with such passionate scorn that I leapt afoot,
unmindful of my hurt, "you that should hang for curst rogue--ay, and
shall yet--"

"Out with it, ma'm!" quoth he. "Mindful of your limber-tongued uncle,
curse and damn me till you're breathless! How, are ye dumb? Then
hearkee! I ha' brought you to sea, my fine lady, for divers reasons,
and one of 'em this; to show you that you, in your proud selfishness,
know so little o' life, how desperate real life is. You shall learn,
perchance, to outface horror of wind and raging seas; you shall behold
how poor sailormen live, ay and die too, mayhap! 'Tis like you shall
grow acquaint with dangers and, seeing pain o' wounds, you shall forget
this mighty universe circles but about your puny self and come to know
there be something better things than pretty-turned speech, gallantry o'
bows and such fripperies. Thus and so experience shall learn you to be a
woman or, 'pon my soul, ma'm Ursula, though you be my wife I'll none o'
you."

"Abhorred wretch--vile man!" cried I, almost beside myself with fury.
"I'll die first! So do as you will but I fear neither you nor any of
your villainous company, these base rogues that do your bidding--"

"Hold there!" he exclaimed, angry in his turn at last. "You ha' seen but
six of us and these friends and comrades endeared to me by bitter
adversity, and some of them, moreover, of prouder birth than your
prideful self, madam--"

"Rogues and villains all!" cried I. "Ay, and villainous as their looks!"

"Their looks?" he repeated bitterly. "Ay, and small wonder, for, most
dainty ma'm, these be men, like those you may read of in the Scriptures,
that have come out of great tribulation; they have endured sickness,
hunger and the agony of thirst. They have known torment and shame o' the
lash. They have slaved 'neath pitiless sun till they swooned in their
fetters. Yet the blood and sweat of their agony knit them in a
comradeship greater than love of brother or woman, with a faith in each
other that made them able to endure; thus, though their bodies
languished, their spirit never quailed. So they endured, cheering each
other with unuttered word or stolen look, biding their time patiently
until one day,--" here he laughed grimly and tossed wide his arms in
strange wild gesture,--"they smote their smiters and won free ... aha,
to freedom, some few of them, and of these are the six you saw. And as
to their looks, ma'm, and most gracious lady,--well, a man may not come
forth of hell and naught to show for it. So, an' my comrades' grim
aspects displease your finical taste, 'tis no matter, for in this world
of action and vital reality you, and your like, count less than nothing.
And now, ma'm, be so good to get you to bed."

I merely looked at him; whereupon he continued:

"Your berths are aft, yonder; they were Barnaby's and mine."

At this, very naturally, I shuddered violently.

"How, ma'm," he questioned, eyeing me askance, "won't you to bed, then?"

"No!" I answered, mighty resolute. "I will not!"

"Why then," said he, yawning behind long finger, "I will!" And to my no
small dismay, the man, heeding me no whit, pulled off his coat, unbelted
his sword and removed his wig, which last he tied tenderly on the table;
and now, knowing not where to look, I glanced at Deborah, to see her all
eyes and her rosy lips gaping to pink and silent O. And then, before I
could find word,

"Mrs. Deborah," says he, unbuttoning his waistcoat, "since your lady is
minded to watch over my balmy slumber, bide you too, lest she be tempted
to tickle my defenceless ribs with her knife."

"Nay, sir," says she to him, choking back a giggle, "Oh, ma'm," quoth
she, sighing gustily at me.

"Deborah, you may go to bed," said I, seating myself, serenely resolute,
"I shall watch out this hateful night."

"Nay, my dearie," she wailed but, meeting my look, moaned and departed.

"Madam," said he, taking off the buckled shoes he now wore, "pray do not
trouble to douse the light, I've learned the trick o' sleeping at any
time." Having said which, he yawned, stretched himself on the cushioned
settee opposite, buried his grizzled head in the pillow and seemed
almost instantly to fall asleep.

Now sitting thus miserably wakeful and naught to hear save the
never-ending rhythmic creak of the great ship's timbers, the bubbling
hiss of the seas and the faint drone of the wind, and naught to look at
save this sleeping wretch that was the wicked cause of my present woeful
plight, I suffered myself to glance at him and thus looking, clenched my
hands passionately on the knife in my lap, bethinking me how many a
woman bolder than I might indeed have used it, maugre the consequence.
And gazing on him thus (tingling with abhorrence from the very roots of
my hair to the tips of my toes) I began to notice that despite silvered
hair his lean face, serene in slumber, showed younger than I'd deemed;
and that amid his short, thick hair (that methought might have curled)
ran a great scar that must once have been such dreadful hurt I marvelled
it had not killed him; also above his slim, sinewy hand that drooped,
just now, so weak, and helpless, showed yet another scar, a livid mark
that ran all jagged about his tanned wrist. This, together with his
grizzled hair and his grim haggardness of look, put me in mind how he
had spoken of coming out of great tribulation, so that for a moment I
could have almost pitied him, till came the thought that these
sufferings he had endured were (almost certainly) the just recompense
for his own evil doing. And now, scorning to pity such base fellow, I
began to cast about in my mind how I might make him suffer and bitterly
rue his outrageous dealing with my poor self. Here once again I came
very near despair, since every creak of this great hateful vessel was
bearing me farther from my loved England and the more surely into his
power. I bethought me also how he had threatened me with the terrors of
storm, with sight of blood and death ... I recalled, moreover, how he
had vaunted himself my Providence.... Here, glancing at the gleaming
knife in my lap and from this to my bosom, I yearned to put his cruel
steel to dreadful use but, knowing I could not, began to weep instead,
giving full vent to my grief though very silently; and yet he heard for,
sighing peevishly and without so much as troubling to open his hateful
eyes:

"Ma'm," quoth he, mumbling, "your selfish grief disturbs my repose, so
an' you must sob, sob you some other where."

How whiles I crouched thus, shamed by my tears (or rather that this
odious man should be 'ware of them), bitterly humiliated and angered
beyond all speech, came Deborah, peeping in at me like the faithful soul
she is, and now, quick to read my mute appeal, ran to clasp me in
comforting arms, would have led me out of his sight; but for very
pride's sake, I stayed her.

"At least, sir," said I, with as much dignity as I might, "at the least,
tell me whither you carry me?"

"Not I, ma'm," he answered ungraciously and mumbling in his pillow;
"suffice it that yourself and myself upon wide ocean are being wafted by
winds o' fortune to such fortune, good or ill, as Fortune shall decree.
Now peace, ma'm, away nor cheat a weary mariner of his sleep."

So with Deborah's arms about me, I went forth of this so detested
presence into a little dim place where were two beds, upon the nearest
of which I sank forthwith and, refusing to be undressed, after some
while wept myself miserably to sleep.




CHAPTER VII

TELLETH HOW I PLOTTED


I awoke, and very early, to bright sunshine and a piping wind, and not
troubling to waken Deborah, bathed and smoothed out my clothes as well
as I might (and my wound of small account). I took my hooded cloak and,
leaving Deborah still deep in slumber, stole up on deck, fired by such
bold and desperate purpose as now (in the light of after events) doth
make me tremble to think upon; and what this purpose was, you shall
presently understand.

Reaching the deck then, I breathed in very rapture of a soft, sweet,
buffeting wind that thrilled me with new vigour of life, a joyous wind
that drove the great ship foaming through a sea all asparkle in the
young sun's level beams and filled the white sails towering in a maze of
ropes and rigging to a blue heaven. From this lofty deck I could look
down on the shape and splendour of the ship, brave with carving, paint
and gilding, though marred and blackened here and there by marks of shot
and flame. I was viewing these ominous signs of past violence somewhat
aghast (for I have ever loved the sea and ships), when up carven ladder
from the deck below came a gentleman very splendid in velvet, lace, and
embroidery, a young man and handsome, though something too dark for an
Englishman, I thought. Perceiving me, he stopped like one amazed, then
took off his hat and bowed so humbly graceful that the feather of his
beaver swept the deck.

"_Donna mia_," said he in soft musical voice, "you show fair as the
morning. Suffer that I present myself. I am Don Luiz da Ramirez, most
devotedly at your service."

"Then, Don Luiz," said I, coming to the point at once, "serve me now! If
you be man of your word and gentleman of honour, lend me your help
'gainst a villain." At this, his eyes opened suddenly wide (and no
wonder); then, stepping near, he spoke, almost whispering.

"Tell me your will, Signorita."

"Turn this ship about and set me safe again in England."

"_Madre de dios!_" he murmured, falling back a step. "But the so
condemned Japhet ... our Captain, how of him?"

"He is but a man," said I. "And if you be the valiant gentleman you
seem, you will surely win or force him to sail me back to England."

"Why, this were mutiny, Signorita!" he murmured, with flash of white
teeth. "And for mutiny is death ... and yet! Ha now, an' I should
adventure my so precious life to your purpose, how then?"

"You would have my ... my undying gratitude," I answered, faltering at
something in his look.

"And ... what more?" he murmured, coming so near that I gave back in my
turn.

"Money," said I. "All you can ask, though it be--"

"Hist!" he whispered, finger on lip ... "You shall hear from me ... the
black fellow Tom!" So saying, he saluted me something hastily and
stepped, light and swift, across the broad deck as yet another man
appeared, an old man this, yet very upright; a mild-faced, gentle-eyed
ancient, whose square, rosy face, framed in flowing white hair, beamed
on me in such kindly fashion that my poor, lonely heart went out to him.

"Lady," said he, "you be early abroad."

"Indeed, sir," says I, clasping my hands, "I could not sleep--"

"Daughter," said he, bowing his reverend head, "I greet thee in the
Lord. A glad, sweet morning, child, a very morning o' God, may God bless
it to thee." Moved by this gentle voice and so kindly aspect, my eyes
filled with smarting tears and I reached him my two hands, to have them
caught in such vital clasp so strong and comforting that I bowed my head
upon his breast as any daughter might have done.

"Oh, sir," said I, "be verily my friend, for no poor soul ever needed
one more than poor me."

"That will I!" says he in hearty voice and, drawing my hand within his
arm, he began to walk me slowly to and fro.

"Oh, 'tis a sweet ship this _Deliverance_, child!" said he. "See how
nobly she meets and rides the seas, like any duck,--and three and thirty
guns. And as to weatherly, ha--going roomer or on a bowline, she handles
sweet as managed bloodhorse. Though it be a vain thing to take joy in
the legs of a man, any sailorman should take joy in such ship as our
'Avenging Deliverer.' Would God all her crew were worthy of her, for
though there be among us many o' the Elect, there be others,
daughter--others, alas."

"What others, sir?"

"Heathens, child, black and yellow. Limbs o' Satan should be lopped off.
Papistical idolators should be rooted out."

"And what of your Captain Bly?"

"Why faith now, 'tis a child o' grief, a lad o' wrongs, yet a stout lad
and notable seaman and navigator, and what's more, 'tis a right Puritan
lad o' late, even as I that was one o' Noll Cromwell's Ironsides,--'tis
marvellous dispraiser of women, this same Japhet."

"Yet there was the Spanish donna at La Margarita!" said I.

"Ay, and dark, sorry business was yon! Though how you should know--"

"I heard speak of it on the road. And pray, what of Don Luiz da
Ramirez?"

"A very son o' Belial! A man o' lies and blood, to be rooted out, child!
Yet content ye, for by the Lord's grace, thou shalt see me slit his
treacherous weasand anon." Thus speaking, he slapped hand to the long
sword on his hip that I had thought so out of keeping with his white
hair. "Nay, blench not from me, maiden," quoth he; "evil must be driven
hence though it be by the sword. Now speak me o' thyself--nay, first
know me for Lovepeace Farrance the gunner, once cornet of Oliver's
horse, and one that helped to slay a wicked king. But there came a
wickeder that tore poor Noll from's grave, hanged him on gibbet and
buried his poor bones shamefully. My comrades they hanged, me they sold
into slavery; howbeit, I live yet, by the Lord's grace. Now of thyself,
child."

So I told him briefly all that had befallen and of my dread of the
future. To all of the which he hearkened in a grim silence and no word
until I had done, then:

"So this was the way on't!" quoth he, shaking his head in troubled
fashion. "And yet--God knoweth this ship is no place for woman."

"Then, oh, Master Farrance," said I, clasping my hands in manner humbly
pitiful, "good Master Farrance, help me to win free of it, for it is a
wicked ship and I--"

"Wicked?" says he, opening his mild eyes at me. "Why, no--"

"Is it not a pirate ship--?"

"Why, some do so name us, for we do spoil the Amalekites as well as
smite 'em, take from the ungodly what we may, yet ... a pirate? No, no."

"Then what _is_ this ship and pray, sir, where is it taking me?"

"Why, as to that, child,--ha, there cometh Master Penryn that is man o'
the Lord having the Word, and was notable preacher once--a holy man. Ask
him; he shall answer thee roundly, I'll warrant! What Ezekiel--ho,
Zeke!" cried he in roaring voice. "Aft here, Zeke!"

Whereupon Master Penryn, this sweet-voiced, bony man (though now I
scarce knew him for he wore a noble, fullbottomed peruke; indeed, a very
precisely neat gentleman he showed these days), climbed the ladder very
nimbly and taking off his hat to me:

"So hast found the damsel, Brother," said he, "this white ewe lamb that
young Japhet hath reft hither so urgently." Now, quick to sense his
commiseration for me, I caught his bony hand, bowing my head over it.

"Sir," said I, in weeping tone, "pity me! If, as Master Lovepeace saith,
you are indeed man of God, pray for me, protect me from wrong, save me
from the evil of your Captain Japhet. Oh, Master Penryn, be my good
friend."

"Mistress Revell," saith he, touching my bowed head very gently, "never
doubt it."

"May I pray you call me Ursula."

"Then Ursula, the Lord is as near thee aboard this ship as ever He was,
nay perchance even nearer."

"But, oh, sir is not this wicked pirate ship?"

"Nay, hearkee--this is ship, Ursula, that saileth by the breath o' the
Lord about the Lord's business, and she is called the _Joyful
Deliverance_. See yonder at the main and here at the jackstaff flieth
our flag o' deliverance, bold to God's wind."

Now, looking whither he pointed, I saw a broad red flag that bore for
its symbol a great black hammer crossed by a broken shackle bolt very
plain to see.

"Look you--yon is the Hammer o' Mercy striking asunder the Fetters o'
Slavery. 'Tis the Symbol of Freedom. Ursula, there be eyes o' poor
wretches that, groaning 'neath the lash, beholding this flag, ha' forgot
their agony, have shouted for joy, because they knew it brought them
deliverance from their cruel bondage, back to life or quick and merciful
death. One thousand two hundred and three poor souls ha' we freed one
way or t'other, since first we took and named this ship _Joyful
Deliverance_.... But of yourself now, Mistress Ursula, since Japhet hath
gotten you aboard ... what now?"

"Ha, this is the question!" nodded Lovepeace. "Japhet hath ever forbid
women aboard--so now--what?"

"Oh, sir," I answered, venturing to steal a hand within the arm of each,
"truly I scarce dare think."

"Nay," answered Master Penryn, patting my hand, "Japhet is no brutish
satyr, no defiler of innocence. Hitherto he hath lived but for
vengeance."

"Verily, Brother," nodded Lovepeace; "but now that he is cheated of his
vengeance, how then? Moreover, he is young and this maid uncommon
comely! And a glass or so o' rum i' the lad's head--ha? Man is a fire,
woman's the tow, and the devil he comes and begins to blow! How then,
Zeke? What I say is, having broke his own rule anent women aboard, he
must abide the consequences, ay, and we must see to't as Christian men
and comrades sworn."

"Assuredly, Lovepeace! Beyond doubting, messmate. Mistress Ursula," says
he, squeezing my left arm, "we'll see thou'rt nothing harmed."

"Ay, so," quoth Lovepeace, squeezing my right arm, "we'll see thee
right, lass!" Thus these two strange white-headed men walked me to and
fro, talking thus of me and to me, and I taking mighty comfort in their
kindly friendship and to see them so resolute for my welfare, little
dreaming what was in their minds or what means they would take to my
salvation. And now up from below cometh the little man Absalom Troy who,
saluting my companions and scowling on me, spake in his Sussex drawl
that (despite his scowl) warmed my heart:

"Sirs, by your leaves, the Cap'n wants ye alow in 's cabin."

"Why, very well, Absalom," answered Master Penryn, glancing askance at
Lovepeace, who glanced sidelong at him.

"And why must ye scowl on the lady, Absalom?" demanded Lovepeace.

"Why, sir," answered Troy, finger to eyebrow, "I never knowed no manner
o' luck on no ship nowhen and nowhere, wi' unmarried fe-males aboard."

"Very well, Absalom, you can go forward!" nodded Lovepeace; then taking
leave of me, they descended to the lower deck. Thus alone I stood,
leaning upon the richly carven rail, watching this noble ship as she
rose buoyant to the rolling seas and so greatly heartened to think I had
already won me three friends against this my hated abductor that, what
with the glad wind, the joyous flash and sparkle of the wide ocean, I
could almost have sung, when on the deck below, though at some distance,
I saw divers swarthy fellows watching me and amongst these Don Luiz who,
catching my glance, waved his feathered hat gallantly and bowed--and
then, with flutter of petticoats, Deborah came running to clasp me in
her arms.

"Oh, Mis' Ursula!" she cried, "I've wondered whatever was come of ee ...
and a great blackamoor wi' gold rings in 's ears below, wi' all manner
o' food for us--and silver dishes!"

So down I went with her to find a great black fellow who seemed all
rolling eyes and flashing teeth, busy setting forth our meal.

"Tell me," said I breathlessly, "have you word for me?"

"Word, missy?" he repeated, goggling.

"A message from Don Luiz?"

"Laws, no, ma'm; I'se got no message from nobbudy."

"Are you Tom?"

"No, Missy; I's Peteran Paul, I is."

"Oh," says I at a loss; "why then, thank you and ... you may go
forrard!" At this he showed his white teeth again and vanished. Then I
sat to eat, with Deborah to serve me until I had her sit and share my
meal.

"For," says I, "we be two poor prisoners and sisters in woe." Whereat
she kissed me and vowing she couldn't so presume presently sat down at
my command and a cheery meal (or very nearly) we made together.

Breakfast done, I had her fetch my diary, this same battered volume that
is such vast use in the penning of this narrative, wherein I am boldly
setting forth all that I saw, thought, did and said (or very nearly),
nothing extenuating my own actions (as doth and shall appear). Nay here
and now I do confess that I came very near to wrecking my own life and
others therewith, for by my scheming came bloodshed, death and such dire
perils to myself as you shall hear, and which now I do grieve for and
tremble to think on.

I had been writing thus some while, when a knock on the door aroused me
and, thinking it might be the black Tom at last with word from Don Luiz,
I cried "Come in" and turning expectant, saw instead of this wished
messenger the lean, odious face of Captain Japhet, whereat I instantly
bent to my writing again, heeding him not at all.

"By your leave, sweet lady!" said he and seating himself opposite me at
the table and taking out his snuffbox, sat tapping it softly until I
could have struck him and, being unable to write a word, condescended to
glance at him.

"Well, sir?" I demanded.

"So, ma'm," says he, with his quirking smile. "It seems you must and
will be wed afore I'm ready for you."

"Wed?" says I, 'neath lifted brows.

"My good comrades, Ezekiel and Lovepeace (both very godly and virtuous
men) have wooed me on your account, ma'm; your very passionate
protestants, they have so pleaded, so argued and entreated that, seeing
they insist your honour and my ship's honour requires it, I am here to
say that since you are so desperate earnest to be wed eftsoons,--wed you
I will and so be done."

Now at this I sank back in my chair, weak with amazement and speechless
with indignation, while he inhaled a pinch of snuff and thereafter
stared up at the gilded roof beams with look so martyrlike that (I do
confess) I yearned to scratch him.

"What folly is this?" I demanded scornfully.

"Yours, ma'm, it seems!" he sighed mournfully. "For you have so filled
the ears of my two companions with your chaste fears and maidenly
terrors--and they men o' such fierce rectitude--that they are very
insistent that I, poor soul, must wed you forthwith."

"Never!" cried I.... "No, never in this world."

"Never?" he repeated. "'Tis true I had hoped to delay our union until
you should learn to know me better and more appreciate me, but--never?
What, then, if these my so insistent comrades,--and both such grimly
virtuous, determined men and, as I say, such passionate suitors on your
behalf; what o' these, ma'm?"

"Captain Japhet," said I, speaking firmly as I might, "do not drive me
too far, lest I bring death on you and ruin on your ship."

"I like the way you speak my name," he murmured, smiling at the snuffbox
in his fingers. "'Tis better name than methought. But how and why
destruction on my poor ship, ma'm?"

"Take warning!" I retorted. "Do not force a desperate woman to use all
her powers. And now be so good to leave me."

"With joy, ma'm," he answered, bowing, "tempered with woe, for to talk
with women is rare experience these days and you, though termagant and
something shrewish, are very woman. I leave you to explain matters to
your determined ambassadors as best you may." And so he left me; and
when my anger was sufficiently abated, I set myself to write into my
diary what had just passed betwixt us. In the middle of which I heard
Deborah utter affrighted exclamation and, glancing whither she pointed,
saw the door opening.

"Lord save us!" she exclaimed.

"Hush!" said I, rising, as swift and furtive came a mulatto youth, who
rolling eyes in terrified fashion handed me a crumpled paper,
whispering:

"Quick, m' lady ... if dey find me aft here, poor Tom shall be
whipped ... quick, ma'm, quick--read and follow Tom." So unfolding this
paper I saw these words very ill writ:

     Come, noble signorita, and learn how I shall deliver you. Trust the
     bearer and haste.

So, being quite desperate, heeding not Deborah's expostulations, I rose
and followed this shivering creature, who creeping before, now gestured
me to stop, now beckoned me on by devious ways, until I found myself
descending stairs into a dim place where stood rows of great cannon; and
here Don Luiz met me, hat in hand. Him I followed until we reached
another stairway and so up into the light once more; across a broad deck
he led me, through a massive door into a place long and low and lit by
window above, that showed me many wild-seeming men and these crowding
about us; and looking round about upon them, my mind misgave me, for
these were for the most part blackamoors and mulattos, and such white
faces as I saw filled me with a quick, instinctive dread. And now,
turning to Don Luiz, my dread waxed to a sick terror for this that I had
deemed a courtly gentleman was leering on me with such hateful evil that
I recoiled aghast.

"No!" I cried instinctively. "Ah, no! Let me out...." and I sprang for
the door, but he was before me and as I strove desperately to pass, I
knew the pain and shame of a blow that hurled me to the floor and
crouching thus, more dead than alive, I saw how he raised his foot
against me. But as I cowered, moaning, to meet his brutality, the
mulatto Tom bestrode me, flashing the sword he bore and crying
something in Spanish. Don Luiz recoiled, laughed and, sweeping off his
hat, bowed to me.

"Your pardon, bewitching lady," he sighed, "but you angered me, you
disobeyed and I am Don Luiz. For the little blow you alas caused me to
bestow, I now grieve and later you shall be kissed--ah, yes! But for now
that I win for you the ship one way or the other way--" Here he paused
and turned as came a thunderous hammering on the door and thereafter a
voice that filled me with such joyous and thankful relief as caused me
great wonder later on, for this was the voice of that so hated man,
Captain Japhet Bly.




CHAPTER VIII

TELLETH HOW BY MY FOLLY CAME STRIFE AND BLOODSHED


"Ramirez, open this door!"

"Bly, go you to the devil!"

"Ramirez, open this door!"

"On a condition!"

"This is mutiny, Ramirez!"

"Ay, so!" laughed Ramirez. "But then, we have your mistress here, and we
be nineteen determined men and armed, Captain, armed. And our condition
is--your woman for your ship. Take to the boats, you and such as will,
and on my faith, your lady shall be delivered to you scatheless, Master
Bly. Otherwise ..."

"Otherwise, Ramirez?"

"'Stead o' one lover, she shall have aplenty and we, _par Dios_, shall
fight till the ship sinks under us."

Now at this he was silent so long that Ramirez questioned furiously at
last.

"Damn you, will ye speak? What's your word?"

Answered the Captain, voice passionless as ever:

"Curse you, Ramirez, I'm thinking, man, thinking."

"Here's no time for thought!" cried Ramirez.

"Yet was I never so thoughtful as now, Ramirez."

The Captain's serene voice seemed to madden Ramirez, for he stamped
passionately, muttering fiercely and, whipping pistol from belt, peered
through one of the many loopholes cut in the stout timbering that ran
athwart the ship.

"Ha!" cried he in voice suddenly shrill. "Why are the yards aback?"

"Were you right sailorman, Ramirez, 'stead o' mere rogue, you'd know!"

"Enough--enough!" cried Ramirez, well-nigh beside himself. "Are you come
to terms? Do we take the ship or your woman--which? Speak, damn ye,
speak! What d' ye say?"

"Ramirez, I'll kill you for this."

"Pah, I'll adventure it. Meanwhile, till you've made up your mind, I'll
adventure some few pleasantries with your stately lady here."

"And you shall die little by little, my Ramirez; ay, so very slowly, you
shall plead and supplicate for death--"

"Ah, bah! Is this your answer?"

"Ay, damned rogue, this is my final answer!" For a moment Don Luiz stood
wide-eyed, like one at sudden loss, and I faint with horror and emotion
sharper yet, that Captain Japhet should leave me to such abomination;
then even as I stood, scarce believing he could doom me to such
unspeakable horror, Don Luiz, uttering passionate cry, levelled his
pistol through the loophole; but at that moment, scarce knowing what I
did, I leaped and seized his arm to such purpose that as he gave fire
the shot flew wide. Then, although half deafened by the report, I heard
Don Luiz cry out on me, and seeing all the bestial, merciless savagery
of him, I averted my eyes instinctively and thus, chancing to glance
upward, beheld the window open and through it a levelled musket and
behind this the grim face of Master Lovepeace Farrance: then was roaring
flame, gushing smoke and down through the swirling mist tumbled men who
shouted and smote, and all about me was roaring, furious tumult.

And after some while, this dreadful uproar subsided and the smoke
clearing, I saw men who knelt with empty hands upraised, and others who
lay very dreadfully still, while before and above them, in posture
fierce and threatening, stood old Lovepeace, grimmer than ever, with
Parson Penryn, his great wig over one fierce eye, and the Captain his
white teeth bared in cruel smile and a reddened sword in his hand.

"So, my rogues," says he, panting somewhat, "are ye done? D' ye cry
quarters, my bullies? Is this an end o' damned mutiny?"

"Ay ... ay, Captain ..." cried voices in wailing chorus. "Spare our
lives, Cap'n. We was led into 't, Cap'n. We be true men an' ye'll spare
us, sir. 'Twas Ramirez, Cap'n. Ay, ay, 'twas him as tricked us...."

"Where is he?" demanded the Captain, staring this way and that.

"Yonder he lieth, Japhet," answered Lovepeace, smoothing his snowy
locks. "And sweet in death, lad. I shot him, glory be! And now what for
these verminous dogs?"

"Death!" chanted Master Penryn in his sweet voice, straightening his
great wig with hands dreadfully smeared. "Let 'em hang with a curse!"

"Ay, Cap'n, swing 'em up to the main yard. Hang 'em and be done....
Let's do't forthright.... Up, ye mutinous lubbers!" cried other fierce
voices ... and to my horror, the conquerors fell to beating and kicking
the vanquished to their feet; this so wrought on me that despite my
bruises up sprang I, and coming betwixt the conquered wretches and their
tormentors:

"Shame!" cried I, fronting them with arms outspread above these abased
wretches. "You have beaten them till they cry for mercy; then as you may
all hope for mercy one day, show it now. These men have promised
amendment and one of them saved me from hurt.... Howbeit, you shall not
touch them, whiles I have strength to stand.... Let them go, I say--let
them go!"

Now at this, old Lovepeace stared on me, grim mouth agape, Master Penryn
took off his great wig, looked at it earnestly and put it on again,
while the Captain, head bowed, viewed me bright-eyed 'neath puckered
brows. Then he laughed suddenly, a soft, odd laugh.

"So be it, ma'm," said he. "Since you saved my life from murderer's
bullet, take these lives in exchange." Hereupon and to my no small
dismay, these beaten wretches, the wounded and the sound, came thronging
about me on their knees, crying out their gratitude and calling down
blessings on me, so that I presently turned and fled from that reeking
place into the sweet fresh wind. But here, a weakness coming upon me, I
sank upon a coil of rope and closed my eyes, till hearing footsteps
approaching, looked up to see this tall man Barnabas looking down upon
me.

"Mistress Ursula," said he in gentle voice and mighty courteous, "in
saving yon poor rogues, you have broke all 'stablished rules and
precedents among the Coast Brethren and won you as many doglike friends
shall bark to your bidding--yet such dogs bite."

"Sir, do you warn me?"

"Ay, I do," says he gently, "for yon poor rascals are the very
offscourings of this motley crew. One wonders how you came in such ill
company."

"Oh, sir," I answered, being very shamed and humble, "by my own
headstrong, detestable folly."

"Madam," said he, his comely face the more so for sudden, youthful
smile, "I perceive you are wise as you are courageous--almost."

"Nay," says I, the humbler for his praise, "I know myself very fool."

"And this is wisdom!" he nodded.

"Tell me, sir, they will not hang or whip these prisoners,--not one?"

"Nay, madam, their lives are promised and Japhet never breaks his word."

"I hear overmuch of your Captain Japhet."

"Why, he is our Captain."

"And would have left me to ... evil worse than death."

"No, no! Japhet is wily fellow, for see you while he held Ramirez in
parley, we were stealing outboard to take 'em suddenly from above."

"You are great friend of his?"

"'Tis so mine honour, madam."

"And hast known him long?"

"These twelve odd years."

"Are you Captain also?"

"No!" he answered, smiling. "I stand second in command."

"And who next?"

"Penryn."

"But he is a parson, or was."

"He is yet, but also a right sailorman. Then comes John Shaddock, the
master, stout old Lovepeace the gunner, with Richard Agnew his mate,
Absalom Troy the bosun, and so you have us all. And yonder cometh Japhet
now--"

"Ay, I see him," said I, rising: "pray lend me your arm as far as my
cabin." So with his assistance I hurried away and despite my bruises
until I reached that stair or gangway leading down to the cabin; and
being much taken with his comely person and gentle courtsey, I would
have had him sit with me and talk awhile, but:

"Thank you, Mistress Revell," said he, bowing like the very gentleman I
now perceived him to be, "but I am something foul with the little
business in the forecastle, and yourself still something discomposed, I
think, so, later if you will honour me." When he was gone, I came to the
mirror Deborah had set for me against the panelling and was aghast to
see my face all smirched, my hair half down and dragged to elf-locks,
and the delicate laces at my bosom all rent and torn. I was yet
contemplating this sorry wretch that was me, when, with no civility of
knocking, in strode Captain Japhet and stood looking on me with eyes so
sternly contemptuous that for once speech failed me and I averted my
gaze.

"Madam," said he at last, in voice scornful as his look, "the black
rascal Tom hath confessed he carried your letter from the arch mutineer
Ramirez."

"And what then, sir?" I demanded indignantly, though with glance still
averted and bitterly conscious of my draggle-tail appearance.

"This," says he, softly fierce; "were you a man, you should be trussed
up and well flogged and thereafter be clapped i' the bilboes--"

"But I am a woman, thank God."

"And like so many of your abhorred sex, a very plague. There be two men
forrard dead by reason o' you! Ay, my lady, you are such woman that two
men be dead and maybe others, and all by reason o' you and your cursed
womanly guile--"

"No!" cried I, horrified. "No! Never dare say so! Their deaths lie on
your own wicked head, for 'twas you forced me into your hateful ship;
'twas your own vile, odious, most detested self that every hour teaches
me to the more abominate you."

"And this," said he, "gives me to wonder why you should trouble to save
my so hated self."

"You are presumptuous to dare think I did save you, ay--or ever would."

"Peevish, silly child!" he answered and, turning on his heel, left me
raging. But even as I came once more to survey myself in the mirror,
tearfully and more rueful than ever, he was back again.

"I came but to warn you, madam," said he ungraciously, "that it may blow
to-night, and bid you when the ship rolls and pitches not to think we
are going to the bottom--"

"'Twould be happy release!"

"Mayhap,--and yet who knoweth; for should we sink, we sink together!"
Then, with his odious, chuckling laugh, he was gone. And presently came
Deborah to sigh over me and to bathe and tend my poor body, its bruises
which of themselves waked in me fierce desire for vengeance on this
vilest of men.




CHAPTER IX

TELLETH AMONG OTHER MATTERS HOW, SEATED ON A COIL OF ROPE, HE TALKED AND
I HEARKENED PERFORCE


With evening it seemed his prediction was to be fulfilled, for the ship
became very uneasy, an ever-growing agitation, so when the great
blackamoor whose name it seemed was PeteranPaul summoned and bowed us in
to sup, we found it a matter of no little difficulty to eat and
especially drink. Now Deborah and I, being Sussex born and bred, do love
the sea and moreover her father, John Purdy, is captain of a lugger and
would oft-times take us a-sailing to the French coast, so that we were
something inured to rough weather.

Thus it was that, supper done, I donned my cloak and despite Deborah's
remonstrations (and my bruises) went up the companion; but scarce was my
head above deck than my breath was stopped by the sweet rush of wind,
back went my hood, out streamed my hair, but up I went and, staggering
to the rail, clung there, deafened, buffeted yet wondrously heartened.
Westward the sun was sinking angry and red and amid dark, rolling
clouds, but in every foam-capped billow was a glory; above my head the
great sails, close-reefed, drove the noble ship through hissing spray,
while the wind, this great glad wind, piped and whistled in the rigging.

"Lord love you now!" boomed a voice in my ear. "You've a heart, lass, a
very stout sailorly heart, to stand there a-singing so joyous!" And I
found old Lovepeace beside me, his long white locks streaming even as my
own.

"Was I singing?" said I, speaking into his down-bent ear. "Nay, surely
not."

"Ay, but you was so!" he nodded. "Happy as a bird, merry as any grig,
daughter. Nay, but," says he, frowning and shaking grim head at me,
"since you and me has taken each other for shipmates true, and myself
old enow to be thy granddad, it behoveth me to very heartily reprove
thee, Ursula, thy most unmaidenly forwardness to traffic wi' such
notable villain and foul-lived dog as yon Ramirez, with a curse!"

"Nay," cried I, reaching to his ear, "he is dead and therefore above and
beyond our vain judgment, Lovepeace. And 'tis great wonder to me that
man so reverent-seeing as thyself should show joy in slaying any man."

"Nay, a papistical treacherous son of Belial, daughter! Is it not writ
o' such, 'They shall wither as the grass? They shall be harrowed with
harrows and sawn asunder wi' saws!'"

"Amen to that!" piped a melodious voice in my other ear, and Master
Penryn was beside me, his great wig replaced by close-fitting seaman's
bonnet. "We are of the Lord's elect, child, chosen instruments to be
unrelenting extirpation of evil and the ungodly, be it by exhortation,
supplication or extermination, by round shot or thrust o' steel. But
now, Ursula, needs must thou be chidden for thy naughty doing ... to
stoop for such vile, pestiferous company as--"

"Nay, sirs," cried I, drawing them near to speak above buffeting wind,
"'tis rather for me to chide ye both that ye should speak, and behind my
back, of marriage and to your detested Captain Japhet--"

"But your honour demands he right you by wedlock--"

"Ay!" bellowed old Lovepeace. "Your good name commands it."

"And myself," cried I, "utterly refuse to think o' such union--honour or
no!"

"God bless my soul!" ejaculated Master Penryn.

"Lord save us!" boomed Lovepeace, and they both looked at me and each
other in such dismayed perplexity that I began to laugh, trill on trill,
in the midst of which up the ladder comes Captain Japhet, to catch me at
it (and this the first time I had so such as smiled since finding myself
in his hateful ship) and, staring on me 'neath the vivid neckerchief
tied about his head in place of hat and wig:

"I should advise you go below, ma'm," quoth he. "How's she lie now,
Penryn?"

"Sir," cried I indignantly. "You insult me--"

"No!" said he, with his quirking leer. "I enquire our course of Mr.
Penryn, officer o' the watch."

"West and by south, sir!" answered Penryn.

"Hold her so, sir. And now, ma'm, I bid you get below. The wind's rising
and this deck is no place for you." Here Penryn and Lovepeace made their
bows to me and walked away together.

"Well, sir," I retorted, "I love the wind so shall tarry here a while."

"On the contrary, ma'm, you'll obey and instantly, or demme, I'll bundle
ye over my shoulder and carry ye."

"Odious wretch!" I shouted at him, high above bellowing wind.

"Ma'm," shouted he, "your futile repetitions weary me--begone!" And
because of the brutal look of him, I went, though at my leisure.

Reaching the companion or gangway, I paused for final glance about me
and saw with some little qualm how the seas had risen while the wind
seemed now to pipe an angrier note. So I descended the stair, though
mighty awkwardly by reason of the violent lurchings of the ship, so
that, reaching the cabin, I all but fell into Deborah's arms.

"Lord, Mis' Ursula, ma'm," gasped she, as we clung together, "you and me
has seen rough weather aboard my father's boat ere now but ... naught
the like o' this!"

"No matter," I answered, as we stumbled to the cushioned locker; "we
shall not suffer this to daunt us."

"No, ma'm--leastways, I hope not!" But, despite these brave words, my
apprehensions grew, what with the shrill, fierce clamour of the wind and
the shock and buffet of the thunderous, hissing seas that smote the
labouring vessel until we thought it great wonder she could endure. And
each moment the cruel power of howling wind and boisterous wave
increased upon us, or so it seemed to poor me, threatening our sure
destruction; and bethinking me by whose wicked will I must needs suffer
all this and my life now in such dire hazard, my anger 'gainst Captain
Japhet flamed anew, casting out fear. Insomuch that girding on my heavy
riding cloak, I put aside Deborah's detaining arms and made my way up
the companion, to find the door shut but, opening this with no little
to-do, I stumbled out into a bellowing riotous wind that seemed as
'twould blow me overboard; but setting my teeth, I fought my way to a
corner sheltered from its fury and here seated, knees to chin, I looked
about me with an awed, fearsome joy.... Before me loomed the ship with
dim lights here and there, her great yards close-reefed, her lofty masts
swaying dizzily against a whirling cloud wrack, whence peeped a fitful
moon whose fugitive beams showed mighty billows that foamed up and were
gone, a wild sea wherein the labouring vessel drove furiously, her
mighty bows soaring up to poise suspended, then plunging in clouds of
flying spray, down and down, until I held my breath lest she dive
headlong into these awful deeps....

Suddenly from somewhere near by a bell rang in mellow chime and the
shadowy decks that had seemed so deserted were thronged with men dim
seen, who laughed and shouted cheerily to each other and so vanished
again in the shadows. Then one came clambering up the nearest ladder
and, knowing him, despite storm gear and great sea boots, I crouched
back amid the shadows instinctively.

"Aft there," he bellowed, "how's her head?" To this a voice presently
wailed in hoarse reply which seemed to please him for:

"Ay, ay!" he roars. "She rides sweet to 't! Keep her so, Ben." Whereat
the voice wailed again and he set to marching back and forth, despite
the swaying deck, so that I yearned some obstacle might catch and trip
the hatefully assured legs of him and was even looking round for some
means whereby I might bring this about, when he espied me and came
clumping in his great boots.

"So, 'tis yourself again. Madam Mischief!" says he, stooping to peer
down at me and his face all wet with spray. "What do ye here?"

"Watch!" said I. "And wait for death!"

"And with eyes bright with the joy o' life!" said he, peering closer.
"And why must you be ever defying your Captain?" he demanded.

"You are no Captain of me, thank God!" I retorted scornfully. "And take
heed, sir, should this cruel wind wreck your ship and yon ravening sea
swallow me this night, I call heaven to witness you are my murderer."

"Oho!" quoth he, and sat down beside me on my coil of rope, whereupon I
instantly made to rise, but:

"Pray be seated, ma'm," said he, and with rude hand plucked me down
again, "for since you are here, let us talk!"

"Not a word!" cried I.

"Good!" he nodded, "for I will! And first 'tis no cruel wind this, but a
jolly, sailorman's wind; and as for dying, I'll vow in all your
ladyship's ladylike days you was never so much alive. Also 'tis become
so evident you love my ship, I protest were you gentlewoman of gentler
nature I could wed you, since I must, with better heart." Here he paused
as expecting me to retort on him, but finding me silent, he went on:

"And now, ma'm, since we must, alas! to matrimony anon, if you will
continue to keep thy chatterbox tongue thus wonderfully still, I'll
forthwith tell thee somewhat of thy spouse-elect--in fine, myself, ma'm,
this poor Japhet, what he was, is and would be--ay, and wherefore--"

"I had rather hearken to this howling wind!"

"The which is manifest lie!" quoth he. "For, ma'm Ursula, you are
passionate to know the who, how and what of me." Here I made a second
and more determined effort to rise, only to find his odious arm about me
that forced me brutally to panting, outraged submission.

"Beastly fellow, loose me!"

"Tender ma'm, bide you still and suffer thy poor, humble Japhet
discourse o' Japhet."

"Not a word!"

"Then alack for thee, ma'am, for now will I sing instead." And sure
enough while sea and wind raged about this sheltered corner, he begins
his fool song of "Heave yo-ho with a rumbleow" and the like
senselessness whiles I sat, as if unaware of him, my patient gaze uplift
to the flying clouds which were rent suddenly, torn and scattered, and
out shone the bright moon to show me such scene as for the moment lifted
me beyond all mere thoughts of myself ... and this a sea of raging
billows that seemed hurling us to destruction. But seeing how this brave
ship met their thunderous onset and rode their fury, waging such bitter
battle for our very lives, I must have cried out my admiration, for I
heard my companion laugh joyously; then his arm was about me, had swept
me to him and holding me thus detestably prisoned breast to breast, he
laughed again joyously.

"Faith, now!" said he. "Mine's none so bad a bargain; thou'rt fit mate
for a sailorman!" And now, reading his purpose in his eyes, I strove to
free my clenched hands; then he had loosed me and I, leaping to my
feet, was staggered by the furious wind that cast me into his arms
again, whereat cries he:

"Nay, fie, ma'm, not again so soon! Do not cuddle your man too often ...
learn a coy restraint, ma'm."

"Odious!" cried I, flashing my eyes at him through my wind-blown hair.
"Do not speak! Do not touch me!"

"Ay, ay, ma'm! Then make fast to my girdle here, lest the wind puff ye
overboard." And what with the gale and tumbling deck, I must needs
endure his aid (to my bitter mortification) and not another word until I
had reached the companionway. Then:

"Pleasant dreams, Ursula ma'm," said he; "ay, dream thou'rt cuddling
poor Japhet--" At this I left him and finding Deborah fast asleep,
undressed and put myself to bed, and hearkening to the hiss and tumult
of the great seas that raged so near, grew drowsy none the less with
pleasant sense of well-being, though my last conscious thought was
this--whether, indeed, this so hated man would indeed have kissed me?
And ... if so ...




CHAPTER X

SHOWETH HOW OUR BRAVE SHIP JUSTIFIED HER NAME


To record here the daily entries in my journal would be but vain
repetition and draw out this narration to wearisome length. Therefore,
though each and every day proved more or less eventful, I will begin
this chapter with that (to me) never-to-be-forgotten day when we first
sighted the two Moorish galleys, since in very truth this day, to wit
June the second, was to prove in some sense the most memorable in my
life.

It was afternoon and the day hot, for we were nearing the warm
latitudes. I was seated beneath an awning they had rigged for me behind
(or as I should say, abaft) the mizzenmast, when I espied them first,
two long shapes, black against the western glow, with lofty, peaked
sails, and plying long oars, for the wind was fallen light. And as I
watched their approach, their long, moving oars seemed like the
outsprawled, wriggling legs of some monstrous insect; indeed, very ugly
craft I thought them. Insomuch that, seeing Captain Japhet near by and
none other that I might question, I contrived to meet his glance,
whereupon he came beside my chair.

"Well, ma'm?" he enquired very ungraciously (and this the first time I
had noticed him in an hour). "What now?"

"Those evil-looking ships."

"Galleys," he nodded.

"Well, but why do they follow us?"

"Because 'tis so their nature, being pirates."

"Pirates!" I gasped, sitting upright of a sudden.

"Indeed, ma'm! And out of Algiers, by their trim."

"Why then, why not sail away from them--instantly?" I demanded.

"So we are, ma'm, and slowly as we may."

"But why--gracious heaven!--why slowly?"

"That they may come up with us for sure."

"Then you mean ... oh ... to fight with them?"

"Right heartily!" he nodded. "In two hours we should be hard at it."

"But there are two."

"Ay, they generally hunt in pairs." So saying, he went to the quarter
rail and leaning down thence,

"Below there," he cried. "Pass the word for Absalom Troy." And presently
up the ladder cometh Troy the boatswain who, touching an eyebrow, stood
very upright and I saw he was belted with a heavy sword and two pistols.

"Pipe the crew aft, Absalom!"

"Ay, ay, Cap'n," and setting whistle to lip, Absalom Troy blew thereon a
sweet and mellow blast, whereupon from gangways amidships and forward
came men so many that I wondered how and where they could all have been
bestowed, and with them came tall Barnabas with Penryn, Lovepeace and
divers other officers.

And now, coming to the rail, Captain Japhet looked down on them and
spoke much on this wise:

"Men and messmates all, in especial such as be new among us, hearkee:
This ship is the _Joyful Deliverance_, pledged to fight all slaveships,
no matter what flag they fly, and free all slaves. Yonder in our lee
four miles and coming up handily be Moorish pirates and lusty fighters,
perchance worth the looting--well and good. But aboard these floating
hells, slaving 'neath the lash to serve their oars, be men the like of
us, Christians and therefore brothers, whether they be Englishmen or no.
Therefore, Master Gunner, when we bring 'em to action, see your lads aim
high at masts and upper works; and you, messmates, when ye follow me
aboard 'em, do as little hurt to these poor slaves as ye may. I and
Master Barnabas here shall lead the boarders as ever and, whiles we
amuse their fighting men, Master Penryn with Master Farrance and such
o' ye as they ha' already chosen, shall free the slaves o' their
shackles."

So, with many cheers, away sped these men (and mighty cheerful) so that
presently the ship seemed deserted, yet from below rose a stir and hum
that told of grim yet joyful preparation.

And now, the others being all gone about this hateful business, Captain
Japhet turned to me.

"Ma'm Ursula," said he, glancing from me to those black galley ships
that showed much nearer now, "in an hour you will go below--"

"No, sir," said I firmly.

"You will be below your cabin on the orlop."

"What is that?"

"A deck, ma'm, well below the waterline, where no chance shot may reach.
I have furnished a place there--"

"And so," said I, rising, "you will thus adventure your ship and the
lives of your crew--ay, and my life, for sake of men you have never
seen."

"Ay, I will, ma'm."

"And why, sir--why?" I demanded. "Wherefore run this deadly peril?"

"You know, ma'm, you heard! Moreover, 'tis in fulfilment of an oath we
o' the _Deliverance_ swore years agone, ay, and one we have held by
since I took command o' this ship. For most of us have slaved aboard
such hellish craft ere now," and he showed me his scarred wrist.

"And suppose they capture us?" He laughed grimly.

"This _Deliverance_ is such fighting ship she shall fight even as she
sinks."

"Well, and if she sink, sir? How then--what of me?"

"You, eh, ma'm? Faith, you plague yourself with care for yourself most
damnably. Howbeit an' we sink, you die, ma'm, along with the rest on
us--"

"Thus, sir, should the worse befall, I must die by reason of your
selfish oath."

"Selfish oath?" he repeated, pondering the words. "Can such oath be
selfish?... Mayhap. Howbeit, in a while I and these my comrades (hale
and well) shall be risking death and wounds to win poor wretches from
misery to chance o' life--"

"And for loot!" cried I bitterly.

"Ay--this too!" he nodded, eyeing me askance. "We take what we may,
since the labourer is worthy of his hire."

"In fine, sir, spite all your sophistry anent freeing of slaves, poor
Deborah and I are to run peril of death by wind and battle that you may
go a-pirating on your own account."

"Madam," says he scowling, "when you are my wife, I think I shall begin
by thrashing you soundly." At this I turned my back, waving him to
begone, and with ogreish snort away he strode, yet presently was back
again and clapping hand on my shoulder, spun me round to face him. And
now, to my wonder, he spake me almost pleading:

"Ursula, why will you seem baser than you are,--such peevish, light,
selfish creature? Let us suppose death should take us to-day; well--we
die in right good cause; better so than in the hunting field or fevered
of a surfeit." Now, while he spoke, I saw old Lovepeace on the lower
deck with divers of his fellows casting loose the great cannon that
stood there and looking to their tackle, and this woke in me such
apprehension for the horror of bloodshed that should ensue that I turned
on the Captain, reviling him for manslayer and murderous ogre, and so
bitterly that he gave back before me like one amazed; then without
another word strode off, whiles I turned again to watch old Lovepeace
and his fellows so busied with their murderous cannons, and my poor
heart fluttering to know these soon would be thundering death and
destruction for sake of foreign rogues doomed to slavery for their
crimes.

Suddenly from atop our mainmast flutters that great scarlet flag, its
symbol of the Broken Fetter plain to see even at such height, and from
this I glanced again at the galleys, now so much closer that I could
almost count the great oars that rose and fell with rhythmic beat and
swing,--two long, low vessels that seemed creeping upon us with such
fell and murderous intent. And even as I watched them, my flesh a-chill,
I must needs remember his words anent dying in good cause, and from this
I got to reflecting how he had reviled me as light-minded, selfish and
the like. In the midst of which comes Deborah with her sewing.

"La, ma'm," says she above her flying needle, "here's you miles and
miles across ocean and but four shifts to your poor sweet back--and one
o' them I be a-mending now."

"Deborah," said I, between snapping teeth, "am I peevish, selfish and
light-minded?"

"Oh, my precious lamb, no, never. You be mine own sweet, tender bird--"

"And yet I've--sworn at you often, Deborah."

"Nay, but so tenderly, ma'm, and only now and then."

"I've slapped thee, Deborah, and pulled thy pretty hair over and over
again! I have, yes, I have, and don't dare deny it! You know I have."

"But oh, Mis' Ursula, you be so fiery-like and I know didst never mean
to hurt me."

"Ay, but I did! Oh, my Deborah, thou sweet, patient soul," cried I,
kissing her suddenly and to her own surprise. "Now should I ever buffet
thee again--strike me back: dost hear?"

"Oh, my dearie, I never nowise couldn't so forget my duty ... nay, my
own sweet, why dost weep?"

"Because," said I, burying face on her shoulder, "he is such vile,
detestable man and I--hate him."

"Do ee mean the Captain, ma'm? Hush now, for yon he comes this moment."
Drying my eyes, I glanced round to see him approaching and followed by a
squat, red-headed seaman bearing a lanthorn.

"Madam," says the Captain with his stateliest air, "I am come to show
you to the orlop."

"And how if I say I'll remain here, sir?"

"Tom Parsons,--aft here!" he commanded. "Now madam, obey, or Tom shall
carry ye like so much dunnage." And now I shivered with disgust to see
how this red-headed sailorman spat upon his great hands, then looked to
his Captain for further orders; and so because I needs must, I followed,
and Deborah too, whither we were led.

Downstairs we went and still down, into the very bowels of the ship,
until we reached a narrow chamber, or rather noisome den, ill-lit by
smoky, swinging lanthorn and furnished with a table and two narrow
couches.

"What foul and fetid prison is this?" said I, handkerchief to nostrils.

"At the least, madam," he answered, gesturing the man Parsons to be
gone, "here ye shall come to no harm, and that so precious body of
yours, that dainty flesh and blood that you prize so infinite much,
shall take no chance hurt. And if the reek o' bilge offends thy
delicacy,--well, 'tis better than searing bullet or to be crushed 'neath
falling spar. So content you, madam. And now have you aught to say to
me?"

"This, sir," I answered passionately. "I am not the craven wretch you
deem me.... I do not fear your cannons or swords and would peril life
gladly for any and with any man save such ... such--"

"Say it, ma'am, say it with round good oath," said he in his lazy voice.

"Such base, ravishing wretch as yourself!" I ended.

"And now, ma'am," said he, with his quirking smile, "hast aught else to
tell me,--any wish for poor Japhet--alive or dead. What--no? Then
farewell to thee, Ursula, until--we meet again." So saying, he went out,
closing and locking the door behind him. And now, when it was too late,
I beat upon the door, calling his name, until Deborah drew me gently
upon the couch and opening her large eyes, pleaded to know what it was
all about. But ere I could speak came the thunderous boom of a cannon,
that was presently answered remotely by another, so that I judged the
ships come near enough to begin the battle. But now ensued a long
interval of silence, wherein we clung together, hearkening expectant for
sounds louder and more fearful. And now my poor Deborah began to weep
softly, splashing me with her tears (that are ever so ready and copious)
and then she began to pray and in the middle:

"Oh!" she gasped. "If he is killed ... if he is killed!" and then she
moaned.

"Ah, true, Deborah," I whispered, well-nigh sobbing too. "If he should
be killed! And I so railed on him ... and not one kind word and his
hateful eyes so pleading." And then my words were drowned in such
dreadful roar and the ship itself so quivering and rocking that I
thought we must be blown up; till came other shots singly and together,
now very near and now afar, and ever before my eyes a face so pleading
and reproachful that hiding my face in Deborah's neck:

"If I had said but one kind word!" I gasped.

"Oh," sobbed Deborah, "if they kill my poor Ben, 'twill break my heart."

"Ben?" said I, wondering.

"Oh, 'twas him lifted me into the boat so gentle!" she wailed. "'Tis him
hath so looked and looked on me when he might and ... kissed me behind
your back, so clever, ma'm, and give me this little gold cross and 'oh,
lass,' says he and so modest, ma'm, ''twill keep ee from harm and my
heart goes wi' 't!' says he."

"Lord, Deborah, I had no thought of this--"

"No more had I, ma'm, leastways not much till he kissed me, and the
little cross; see here it be!" And drawing the cross from her bosom, she
pressed it to her rosy lips, kissing it so fervently that I was amazed,
for Deborah had proved something of a coquette ere now.

"Why, Deborah," said I, "you really love this man?"

"Ay, for sure, for sure!" she sobbed. "Wi' all my body and soul!"

"But gracious me, Deborah, you've scarce seen him."

"Ay, true, ma'm, yet enough to know he be the one ... the only man....
And now if he be killed ..." So now I set myself to comfort her as best
I might and she so sweetly grateful therefor as moved me to a tenderness
for her greater than I had ever known. Thus down in our noisome prison
we two poor souls shivered, and clasped and comforted each other, while
above us cannon roared and thundered and all about us and over us fierce
battle raged, whiles ever and anon above this dreadful tumult rose wild
shouts and hoarse cheering. Awhile thus we clung together (as I say),
being shocked and terrified by this universal din; but presently in the
dark above us I espied a trap-door, so I mounted the table and reaching
this trap found to my joy that I could lift it. So on the table I placed
a chair and with Deborah to steady this, up I climbed and, throwing back
the trap-door, saw nothing but gloom. Nevertheless, with Deborah's
unwilling aid, and deaf to her remonstrances, I scrambled through and
standing in the darkness looked about me until afar I saw a vague light
that I argued must be another trap-door.

"Deborah," says I, peering down at her anxious face, "bide you there--"

"Nay, ma'm, don't leave me!" she wailed. "For 'deed, I dursn't venture
me up there--" Thus assured, I turned and began to make my way toward
that vague radiance, when down I pitched over some obstacle. Shaken,
though all undeterred, I went on more cautiously and so presently came
to a ladder and climbing this, found myself on another deck where the
light, much stronger, showed me a gangway with steps. And there I paused
dismayed, for now the din of battle was much louder; above me was the
wild trampling of many feet and confused uproar of voices pierced ever
and anon by the hoarse shout of old Lovepeace, with the more dreadful
wailing of stricken men, while in my nostrils was the choking reek of
gunpowder.

And after some while, summoning all my resolution, I went creeping up
the stair into a place so thick with smoke that I could scarce see my
way and thus presently stumbled on something that stirred to my foot,
groaning dismally ... and now, as I recoiled, shocked and trembling, I
heard again old Lovepeace roar.

"High it is, my lads--aim high. Sweep their fo'castle and poop; so shall
the Lord make 'em as corn to the sickle--" Guiding myself by this
familiar roar, I presently came where he stood beside a great cannon,
peering along it through the porthole, yet scarce knew him, so black was
he with powder smoke and his long white hair streaked dreadfully with
blood.

"Oh, Master Lovepeace," cried I, "show me how to get up into the
daylight."

"How now!" he exclaimed, "Good lack, is 't thee, child? And here on my
gun deck.... Ahoy, Ben!" he roared. "Ben, come you and bear this lady
aloft."

"Ay, ay, sir," cried a voice behind me and then powerful arms swept me
up and I was looking into the face above me, a comely face despite its
grime and I saw he had great gold rings in his ears. And now, as he bore
me on and up, and with wondrous ease, said I:

"Are you the Ben that gave a gold cross to my maid Deborah?"

"Ay, I be so, lady," he answered, nodding.

"And do you then love her truly, Ben?"

"Ay, I do so, lady," said he, nodding more fervently and looking down on
me with such bright, honest eyes I must needs believe him.

"Why, then," said I, "should we ever win safe back to England, and your
love endure so long, there shall be a cottage for you when she's your
wife." Now at this he gaped at me, then:

"Lord!" he exclaimed, "Lord love me!" And so he brought me up into the
blessed daylight.

"At your service, lady!" quoth he, setting me down. "But I'm needed
alow; my gun be short-'anded like!" And so, touching an eyebrow at me,
he vanished back into the smoke of old Lovepeace's gun deck. And now,
when I turned to reach that which is called the poop, I stood suddenly
aghast, for there outstretched before me, and all about him a horrible
stain, lay poor Tom Parsons most dreadfully dead. For a moment I stood
sick and nigh aswoon at this ghastly sight then, stumbling to the great
mast, I sank down thereby, striving against a growing faintness; and as
I crouched, deafened by the wild clamour about me, my eyes smarting with
powder smoke, high and clear above this roaring hubbub one shouted:

"Forrard there, Ezekiel!"

"Ay, ay, Japhet!" cried Penryn's sweetly sonorous voice.

"Pass Farrance the word to cease fire."

"Ay, ay, Japhet!" And now, looking up, I saw him high above me on that
lofty deck they call the poop, gesturing to the steersman with his drawn
sword. And presently he cried again:

"Forrard there, Ezekiel!"

"Ay, ay, Japhet!"

"Stand by to grapple by the larboard."

"Ay so, Japhet."

And now, coming to the ship's side, he leaned there, peering down
through the drifting smoke.

"All's fast, Japhet!"

"Then pipe the boarders!" Hereupon rose the clear flute-like twitter of
Absalom Troy's silver pipe, and then as the men sprang, mustering
themselves, down the ladder came Captain Japhet to run and place himself
at their head.

"Boarders away!" he cried. I saw him leap to the ship's side, saw the
flash of his sword and then he had vanished and after him Penryn and the
rest of the men, cheering fiercely and brandishing swords, pikes and
axes, until the deck showed deserted save for one or two shapes that lay
so dreadfully mute and still.

Then I too had reached the ship's side and peering down saw that I shall
nevermore forget.

Directly below me lay one of the galleys, her tall mast shot away and
all aflash and aflicker with cruel steel, where men smote and stabbed at
each other with a dreadful fury. I saw Captain Japhet smitten to his
knees and his smiter transfixed on the long sword of Master Barnabas.
And then, what with these ghastly sights and the foul reek of this
galley, I shrank half-swooning once more. When I looked again, I beheld
Mr. Penryn and his fellows amid the rowing benches where men were
chained like beasts. And then, with a roar, the slaves broke free and,
like wild beasts indeed, leapt to action; barehanded, with their broken
shackles or weapons snatched haphazard, they fought and with such dire
ferocity that when I dared look again the battle was ended; and I
staring and staring amid that close-packed press for one that should be
there, yet one I could not see.

I beheld these new-freed slaves embracing their deliverers or dancing
half-naked in their rags, singing for joy while others wept and some
prayed, though many lay sprawled in death among the spattered rowing
benches; yet look where I might, nowhere could I see the one form I
sought. And then I heard his voice ring out strong above the din:

"Comrades all, stand by! Ye that were slaves are free, this galley yours
to bear ye where ye will. Only this,--first ye shall aid us to
trans-ship such o' the cargo as we will. And now, are there any among ye
that be Englishmen?"

"That am I.... And I.... I too!" cried divers of them.

"Why then, such o' ye as choose to ship 'neath the Broken Shackle along
of us, get aboard." And now, seeing them about to throw their dead into
the sea (friend and foe alike), I made my way back to the poop and from
this eminence saw how the _Deliverance_ was scarred here and there by
shot and her decks horridly splashed with deep and awful stains.
Nevertheless, I looked upon the great ship now with tender eyes, since
it seemed she was indeed a deliverance from such horror of cruelty as
till now had been far beyond my imagination.

The battle being done, I stood where I might watch the aftermath of this
dreadful business. And great wonder was it to me to see with what speed
and cheery goodwill these freed slaves aided their deliverers to strip
the galley of the richest of her cargo.

But presently hearing a scream, I turned from the busy scene and beheld
a man, very bloody, busied tending divers of the wounded where they lay,
and shuddering turned me aside, and thus espied another who watched, and
this none other than Captain Japhet himself. He lay awkwardly and his
face so deadly pale that I came nearer, whereat he glanced up.

"What, Madam Will-o'-the-Wisp!" said he.

"You are wounded then!" said I, stooping nearer.

"Ma'm," he answered, "you tell me that of which I'm pretty well 'ware.
Faith, I've been sure of it this half-hour, though 'tis no great matter
as wounds go, and I made shift to bandage it aboard the galley."

"Yet it bleeds," said I, shuddering.

"Yet 'twill serve till Crabtree our surgeon yonder can tend it, for
there be worse cases, alas!"

"Yet you are the Captain."

"And so--I wait."

"No!" said I. "For, since needs must, I will stay your bleeding."

"You?" says he with his odious smile.

"Come!" said I, frowning at him. "Aid me with your coat, lest I hurt
you." So between us off came the coat, the which I folded and set
beneath his head for pillow.

"Lord!" he murmured. "Now sink me,--can this be you?"

Instead of answering, I summoned a sailor who chanced near and bade him
bring me water, and dispatched another hotfoot for bandages and lint
from the surgeon's store. And when these were brought, I loosed the
sodden bandage from Captain Japhet's arm and recoiled shuddering at what
I saw.

"Alack and now will she languish!" says he in mocking voice. "What,
Purdy man, stand by with that water lest the lady swoon."

"Mocking devil!" said I 'twixt shut teeth, and clapping a cold compress
on his pulsing wound, was glad to see him wince. So having bathed thus
and bandaged his hurt, "There, sir," quoth I, "spare me your unwanted
thanks and get your most detested self to bed and out of my sight."

"Ma'm," says he, sitting up, "having saved my life upon a day, you must
now cherish my hurts? Now what shall this portend, think ye?"

"Oh, get you to bed!" cried I and so left him. But when, reaching the
poop, I looked back from this elevation, what should I see but this
Captain fellow (and despite his wound) hard at work beside the busy
surgeon and was minded to go back and proffer my assistance; but being
all foredone by my late experiences, went on down into the cabin and
finding my Deborah there, and all aflutter with anxiety, I suffered her
to undress me and having bathed my smoke-grimed, weary body got me to
bed. And lying there, aching yet content, whiles Deborah bustled softly
to and fro, my mind must run upon this man that, so fierce in fight,
could yet wait his turn with such patient humility and was even now
labouring to the comfort of his men.

"Deborah," said I, "the world methinks is upside down."

"Lud, my dearie, and what'll you mean by that, I wonder?"

"Ay--what?" I murmured. "'Tis this that troubles me--what? Black can
never be white, nor base lead pure gold, can it, Deborah?"

"No, never, ma'm."

"No, never!" I repeated, in ever-growing perplexity; maugre the which I
presently fell very sweetly asleep.




CHAPTER XI

RELATETH THE ODIOUS HOW AND WHEREFORE OF MY WEDDING


From this gentle slumber I woke up--starting and all of a tremble, to
feel Deborah's arms about me, clasping me in such fervour of affright as
set me a-quaking too, for many fists were pounding on the door and
therewith came a babblement of hoarse and drunken voices.

"The women! Have forth the women! Us wants the women!"

"Where ... where is the knife?" I gasped, my teeth chattering.

"Alas, ma'm, I dropped the nasty thing overboard."

"Then God help us!" cried I in despair; then leaping from bed, I cast a
robe about myself, looking wildly around for some way of escape from
these ravensome, two-legged beasts, but finding none (and all the time
the fists pounding and voices raving for us beyond the outer door), I
sank upon my knees, striving to pray, yet my mind so filled with sick
horror that I could scarce find words. Now as I cowered thus, half
swooning with the suddenness of it all, I heard Deborah scream, but in
such wild, glad relief that I glanced fearfully up and saw Captain
Japhet looking down on me; and in this moment, forgetting all save my
frantic, shameful dread of these raging monsters that clamoured beyond
the outer door, I lifted my hands clasped to him in passionate
supplication:

"Japhet!" cried I. "Captain Japhet, for pity's sake, let them not come
at us ... let them not touch us--"

"Us?" he repeated. "So canst think o' thy woman in such hour!" So saying
he barred the door and set his back against it while I crouched on my
bed, all miserable aquake, with Deborah trembling beside me. And now,
feeling myself something more secure, though the uproar yet continued, I
began to beg and then demand (though very humbly) that he summon aid to
our defence. "For there shame and death ravens for us!" gasped I,
shuddering.

"Nay, merely Rum!" said he, in voice like a groan. "There Rum roareth
and there's naught like rum can wake the devil aboard ship. Except for
rum, yon noisy fellows be honest lads and right sailormen. And what's
more, bold with rum, they do but demand their rights."

"What rights, in Heaven's name?" cried I.

"Ma'm," he answered with look so changed and sinister that all my
natural suspicion of him returned with a fearful dismay, "according to
the rules of our fellowship and my sworn oath as Captain, whatsoever
falleth prey to us of the _Deliverance_ must be shared, and these
fellows, rum-beguiled, do look on you as plunder, as indeed you are,
alas! Thus if I deny my pledge to them shall be bloody strife." Now
here, though I alternate burned with contempt and hatred of him and
chilled with dread, I dissembled all this and rising, faced him with my
gentlest look and spake in tone very tenderly pleading:

"Captain Japhet, despite the cruel wrong you have done me, the hardships
and perils you compel me to endure, there have been times when I thought
to sense in you something of the honourable gentleman. Sir, it is to
this, your nobler self, I now appeal for, sir, you will not, cannot,
yield us up to such shameful horror.... Oh, Captain Japhet!" I gasped,
hiding my face and forgetting alike all dignity of speech and bearing.
"Save us! Forget your pledge! Fight for me ... for two defenceless
women--" Here I sank crouching on my bed.

"Indeed and so I would," he answered, "were this your only means of
salvation. Ay, though you've enough bloodshed and men's lives to your
account as it is, I might turn this ship into the veriest shambles for
your sake, were there none other way to protect ye. But there is another
way and only one. I am here to propose an alternative by which your
safety and Mrs. Deborah's may be assured without more bloodshed and
never a soul of us harmed or anyways troubled--except myself. In fine,
madam, you must instantly wed me."

Now here, my emotions transcending all mere words, I could but look at
him and so eloquently that his pale cheek flushed and his aspect showed
more sinister than ever.

"Faith," said he bitterly, "that I am compelled to shackle myself to
wife so headstrong and infinite selfish is very damnably distressing for
myself, and yet better than the bloody and uncertain chance of battle;
yet once we be wed, you are safe from all men aboard this ship."

"All?" I faltered. "You ... you mean?..."

"I mean all, ma'm, and in especial myself. For though, for your own sake
I am thus compelled to marry you, pray know that whatsoever small
inclination I may once have had to you is o' late clean gone, killed by
your peevish arrogance; therefor you will understand here is to be no
folly o' love betwixt us, no kisses, ma'm, no fond embracements. I give
you the protection of my name; expect no more. This understood, let us
get on with the sorry business. Ezekiel Penryn waits within hail to do
our business; do I summon him? Ay or no?"

Up leapt I, shaken by such fury of indignation that yet for once I
feared to utter; I therefore sank down again so shamed and dismayed
beyond all relief of tears, a prey indeed to such violent conflict of
emotions, that I yearned to scream and swoon but dared not, by reason of
those monsters that still clamoured so brutishly for this poor,
shivering creature that was me. And now, Deborah, mistaking the cause of
my speechlessness, cast herself before me on her knees, weeping and
beseeching of me to thus submit myself a sacrifice (as it were) to our
common salvation, until at last in this distraction of mind and bodily
weakness, I signified my assent. I heard the Captain whistle shrilly,
heard a knock on the door that opening showed Mr. Penryn with old
Lovepeace behind him.

And thus, whiles that horror of voices raved beyond the outer door, I
stood supported by Deborah's arm while Master Penryn, very solemnly
deliberate, proceeded with the ceremony of this most hateful marriage
and I (thralled like one in nightmare) murmured the responses
submissively when he bade me. Little more do I remember until I found
myself alone and Deborah's arms about me and her weeping voice in my
ear.

"Oh, my blessed, lovely Innocent, to think as it should and must be so!"
And I gazed down through tears of bitter humiliation at that which I
must wear henceforth like badge of servitude, for on my 'spousal finger
was the gleam of a much worn, very battered signet ring.

And thus dismally was I wed.

"Deborah," said I at last and passionately, "go you and bolt every door
you may."

"Nay, but, dear heart, didn't he promise--"

"Nay, then, I will!" said I with shut teeth.




CHAPTER XII

TELLETH HOW WE FOUGHT YET ANOTHER SORT OF BATTLE


Howbeit this night we were nowise molested nor for two days did I see or
hear aught of this my unwanted husband, either by reason of his wound or
press of business, for the which I was sufficiently grateful; nor, when
taking the air on deck and meeting Lovepeace or Mr. Penryn, would I
suffer mention of his name, whereat they eyed me askance and would
presently leave me to my unhappy reflections.

I was sitting thus three days after my miserable wedding, that is to say
on July the fifth, writing into my journal with Deborah beside me plying
her needle yet stealing sly glance where on the deck below the man Ben
laboured with divers other men, repairing such of the gear as had been
injured in the battle, when a shadow fell athwart the page and glancing
up I looked into the gentle eyes of Mr. Barnabas, this right courtly
gentleman.

"Madam," said he, "your husband, Captain Japhet, lieth sick."

"By your leave, sir," I answered, rising to acknowledge his bow, "we
will call him Captain Japhet."

"As you will, madam; howbeit he languisheth of his wound."

"There is Mr. Crabtree the surgeon, sir."

"True enough," he sighed, "there is also myself, but Crabtree's skill
and my care seem all unavailing."

"Is it his wound so irks him indeed, sir?"

"Nay, this mends apace, but daily he loseth strength."

"Then what ails the man?"

"'Tis what puzzles Crabtree and troubles me, madam. If you would but
trouble to come and look at him ... will you, pray?"

Sighing, I rose (with no great willingness) and taking the arm Mr.
Barnabas proffered, suffered him to lead me whither he would. Thus
presently he brought me down into a little cabin so dark and airless
that I exclaimed against it indignantly, and beholding him who lay
there, stood dumbstruck to see him so altered, so thin and deadly pale
and most woefully listless. Yet at sight of me his pallid lips curved to
his quirking smile.

"Is't yourself, ma'm Ursula?" says he faintly; "here's vasty honour!...
Had I known they should ha' shaved me."

"Mr. Barnabas tells me you are sick."

"Why then, you may curse Barnabas for chatterbox and go about your own
concerns. Here's no place for you."

"He must be moved instantly," said I, turning to Mr. Barnabas.

"Ay, but whither, madam?" he enquired, eyeing me a little askance.

"Why, to the great cabin 'neath the poop, to my cabin. Deborah and I
shall tend him." But at this Captain Japhet crieth out on me
faint-voiced but mighty fierce:

"No! Damme, but I'll bide where I am."

"He will have light and air in the great cabin--Mr. Barnabas--"

"But I shall have peace and quiet here," quoth the Captain, excessive
peevish, "no fine-lady airs or shrewish tongue--"

"The poor creature shows a little feverish," said I, setting the tips of
my fingers to his scowling brow, "so let him be borne well lapped in
blankets."

"And I say I'll bide here!" cried he, feebly ferocious.

"There, there!" said I, patting his bristly cheek. "Mr. Barnabas and I
know what is best for you. Blankets, Mr. Barnabas, and mayhap a hot
brick to his feet; ask Mr. Crabtree. Meanwhile I go prepare against his
coming." And away I went, yet pausing in the alley without, heard him
swearing roundly at Mr. Barnabas, thus:

"Here was a scurvy trick, Barnaby, a devilish ill turn, shipmate, to
suffer yon hoity-toity, fleering madam to spy me in my weakness, and my
phiz all cursed bristles, damme! And I'll not go to endure her
reproachful looks and coals of fire, d'ye hear--"

How all this filled me with such a complacent satisfaction that as I
went my way, my mind full of schemes for tempering his odious
self-assurance and schooling his arrogance to a proper humility and
perchance remorse, I found I was singing to myself and what should I
sing but his own fool song and the words these:

    "Black Bartlemy 'twas hung him
    To the mainyard swayed and swung him
    With a yo heave ho
    And a rumbleow
    But a jolly stave we sung him
    With a ho and a heave yo ho."

Reaching the great cabin, I summoned Deborah and she instantly all of a
twitter to know the Captain must lie there, yet very quick and deft
preparing for him. Thus very presently, all being ready and our sick man
not yet arrived, I bade Deborah order my wind-blown hair and change me
into my second-best gown (we had brought but four, alas); but this
showing something too fine for a sick chamber, I donned one of Deborah's
prettiest aprons. This done and our invalid yet tarrying, I was about to
go to insist they remove him from his den, will he, nill he, when was
shuffle of footsteps and in came Mr. Barnabas with four sturdy fellows
(and one of them comely Ben), bearing their Captain on a pallet, who
muttered and growled in very surly fashion from very mountain of
blankets, etc.; and when the mariner had saluted and tramped away (and
he still muttering thus), cried I, very innocently tender:

"Oh, Mr. Barnabas, doth the poor wretch suffer pain that he so waileth?"
Now at this Captain Japhet propped himself feebly on an elbow the better
to glare at me while behind his back Mr. Barnabas smiled, answering:

"Chiefly in his temper, madam, as I guess. For I've brought him hither
against his orders."

"Orders?" I repeated like one astonished. "But a sick man cannot give
orders. Henceforth you should be Captain, for he is at present no more
than our poor invalid."

"'S heart!" exclaimed Barnabas, his boyish smile broadening. "How sayst
thou to this, Japhet, old lad?"

"Ay, ay," he sighed very meekly, "this ship is in your charge, Barnaby,
till I'm up and about again."

"And now lie you down," said I with compelling gentleness. "This pillow
'neath your poor, aching head--come!" He obeyed with the same unwonted
humility though his eyes were fiercely rebellious and:

"My head doth nowise ache, ma'm!" he muttered sullenly.

"Then compose yourself or it surely will anon. And now as to his diet,
Mr. Barnabas," said I, smoothing my apron; "it should be plain, of
course, a little thin water gruel--" Here the Captain snarled so
ferociously that Deborah actually jumped while Barnabas burst out
alaughing.

"Faith, Japhet!" he chuckled. "I leave thee in such sternly capable
hands, 'tis mighty relief to my anxieties."

"Why, then, sir," said I, patting our sick man's pillow (whereat he
flinched), "when you go, pray ask Mr. Crabtree hither to confer with me
how best to feed this poor soul."

"Madam Ursula," said he, taking my hand and kissing it very tenderly,
"God bless thee! Be firm as you seem and cow your invalid back to
health. I'll send you Crabtree very presently." So saying, away he
went, with his long, nimble stride.

"So, ma'm," said the Captain, so soon as door had shut, "you've been
new-tiring that red hair of yours; surely not for the sick eyes o' poor
Japhet."

"Lord, no, sir," I answered, sitting down to my journal and taking up
quill, "merely to keep it out of my own."

"'Tis an evil colour, red, ma'm, a fierce, savage, fighting colour, and
irks my sight--"

"Then close your poor eyes," I answered, forcing myself to a meekness
very near divine, "try to sleep and dream my irksome red is gentle
auburn. Shall I stroke that aching head and soothe thee to sleep?"

"Ay, do!" he laughed but with such look as set my cheeks aflame,
wherefore I stooped to my journal. "Ha! mock modesty," he jeered, "and I
so weak!" Here I began to write but so passionately that I dropped a
blot and yearned to fling the book at him but went on writing instead.

"What is it your pen so squeaketh of, ma'm?" he enquired.

"Indeed, sir," I answered in small, gentle voice, "it is some account of
the dire tribulations brought on me by a singular cruel person to wit,
Japhet Bly."

"Then, ma'm, pray God they be no greater."

"Amen!" I murmured fervently. "Though what more of humiliation I could
know passeth my understanding." And lifting my left hand, I shuddered at
the battered thing that gleamed there.

"Ah, ma'm," said he grimly, "I do confess it showeth but poorly there,
yet it serves well enough. It hath seen much and long usage. I bore yon
ring with me through hell because it was once my mother's."

"I can scarce believe you ever knew a gentle mother's love, Captain
Bly."

"I never did, she died so very young." Here I started to a sharp rapping
on the door that opened to admit Mr. Crabtree, the ship's chirurgeon, a
little quick man all wig and coat skirts, with a small, lined face, the
more sinister for the black patch he wore in place of his left eye, and
yet a mannerly person and well spoken and as it proved right able in his
profession.

"Good day, mem!" said he, saluting me with a bob of wig and swirl of
coat skirts, and glancing about with his one eye that seemed to see so
much. "This is very well. I ordered him brought here days ago ...
refused! Head-strong fellow very and, save your presence, mem, a dem'd
perverse, impatient patient into the bargain."

"I have already remarked it, sir," said I. "How is he now?"

"Dem'd contrary, mem, saving your grace! We've reduced our inflammation
but our fever little abates, we gain no strength, we languish, for,
'sbud, mem, we refuse t' eat and we must eat t' give Nature a chance,
demme."

"Should he not be bled, sir?"

"Step me vitals--no, mem! 'Tis blood we lack! There's more fine lads
killed by the dem'd lancet than all y'er rapiers and small swords,
b'ged!"

"Now Mr. Crabtree, as to feeding him,--slops, I suppose and--"

"Ay, soup, mem, with fish boiled--and a snack o' meat by degrees
increasing."

"And for drink, barley water, Mr. Crabtree?"

"Ay, mem, if such could be had aboardship; failing the which we must
take wine well tempered with water."

"Must he be tended night and day, sir?"

"No, mem, no--except our fever increase, which God forbid."

"And now," growled the Captain, "I humbly beseech you'll suffer me a
word."

"An' you will, sir, and what then?"

"This, and mark me, Crabtree! I say once for all I'll not be caged here
to be clucked over as I were some roupy chicken or plaguey fowl, d'ye
hear?"

"Ay, I hear," nodded the little doctor grimly, "and now hear you me,
sir--except you have air and light and proper nursing, we shall be
heaving ye overboard in shotted hammock pretty soon, ay so, demme!
Japhet, you're a stout captain, a prime sailorman, a good friend, but a
fond and feckless fool, and there's for ye, Captain and sir! Here y'are
now and here ye'll bide for all y'r curst pigheadedness. As for you, Mem
Ursula, keep an eye on the fool fellow lest he take a chill. Should he
prove anyways obstreperous, send for me and I'll tie him abed or post
two stout fellows to hold him,--ay, I will so, Japhet, or demme! I'll
drop in, mem, from time to time, though I'm a busy man these days."

"How are your poor wounded sailors, sir?"

"Famous, mem, famous! One amputation--leg. Three extractions--balls and
splinters, four dead.... Famous, eh, mem?"

"Yes, I ... suppose so," I murmured, thinking of the four dead, as with
swirl of coat skirts the little surgeon turned and sped away.

"'Pon my soul!" exclaimed the Captain suddenly, glaring up at me under
drawn brows, "you show mighty complacent, ma'am. I haven't seen you look
so pleased since you came aboard; is it thus my weakness affects you?"

"Nay, sir," I answered gently, "think rather that I bear my cruel wrongs
with what philosophy I may. I am one groweth more resolute and strong in
adversity."

"Ay and myself weak as any kitten!" he snarled.

"Though much less playful," sighed I. "But indeed, I've heard tell that
most men be peevish and impatient in sickness, lacking the sweetly
patient fortitude of women. Men suffer and swear, women endure in a
self-effacing silence."

"I know woman can swear right lustily!" he sneered.

"Alas!" sighed I. "Even the best, the noblest and sweetest of women is
but human--"

"Especially if she grow red hair," he added, whereat I turned my back on
the peevish wretch and signalling to Deborah where she sat sewing, I
set him in her care and seating myself at the table with great show of
aloofness and abstraction, bent to work upon my journal; but I had
scarce writ a word when he breaks out into his song of Yo-ho, but
presently stops for lack of breath; and then in voice suddenly loud:

"Ursula, ho, damme, can't ye talk to me--won't, hey?"

"Willingly," I answered, laying down my pen. "You see me at your
service."

"You're not--you're not!" cried he in voice high and querulous. "You're
not, I say, and never shall be, except you plead and sue and supplicate,
for Japhet's a proud fool ... a fool, ay, and damned in his folly,
being dead and forgot and yet would live again ... and must wed him a
wife and such a wife,--ha, folly! Waiting for the wind o' Fortune to
waft him to safe anchorage at last ... to secure haven, the harbour
o' Blissful Content. Better they had murdered me young ... or I'd
died ... drowned ... hanged ... killed in fight ... and so, blessedly
dead!"

Rising hastily, I went to him and perceiving his eyes so wildly bright
and cheek so flushed, saw the fever was increased in him to such degree
that I bade Deborah go instantly for Mr. Crabtree.

And now with voice and hand I strove to soothe him as best I might, only
to have him seize my hand, crushing it in such grip I might hardly
endure.

"So there y' are, ma'm," said he with fierce laugh. "Hale and strong,
and here lie I foredone, a sheer hulk all adrift to be wrecked on the
shoals of Hell's Delight. No joy in life for poor Japhet! See, there he
stands,--a desolate child, a lonely boy, a tortured youth ... a vengeful
man that being dead yet liveth.... And now he's gone adrift ... all
tangled in red hair!"

Here all strength seemed to leave him for he dropped my numbed hand to
sink back and lie mute and trembling, his eyes closed in weariness, and
I noticed how long and thick were his lashes. But as I viewed him thus
in his weakness, from beneath these lashes something sparkled and fell,
though his haggard face showed grimly set as ever: and yet this falling
tear moved me strangely. I caught my breath and touched his hair and
burning forehead with a new, shy tenderness, and so was pity born. And
suddenly, as he had sensed this in my touch, he opened his eyes and
frowned up at me.

"This cursed weakness!" he exclaimed, and then in harsher tone, "Madam,
I seek no pity of you."

"Nay but," I answered meekly, "how shall I not pity you?"

"By remembering I am your husband," he answered bitterly, "this should
serve." As indeed it did, for I flinched and drew away.

"You are ungracious!" said I and could have wept, yet would not.

"And what are you?" he retorted. "You that wed me for no reason but love
of yourself ... the saving of that so precious body! Well, you may keep
it for all o' me. I'll none of it, husband or no ... for I am Japhet ...
Japhet o' the _Deliverance_ ... to sail and fight, an outcast to the
end, for my witness is dead ... no proof with a curse! No home, no rest
for me ... I must sail and fight ... but for ever sail on like the
Flying Dutchman, damned Vanderdecken, till I rot...."

And now he brake out (and louder than ever) singing his song of Yo-Ho,
in the midst of which, and to my relief, came Mr. Crabtree.

"This is not so well!" quoth the little doctor, viewing our sick man
with his solitary bright eye. "No, not so well, or demme! Yet our fever
must run its course, we must be worse ere we are better. We must be
patient, we must be watchful...."

Of the many weary hours that followed I can write but little for they
seem to me now more like terror of nightmare and the records in my
journal be but brief scribblings. But as his sickness increased upon
him, there grew a sure and certain knowledge within me that not all the
little surgeon's art or medicaments might save him, but that I alone
stood 'twixt this man Japhet and the death he seemed to crave for, and
that except I watched over him and stayed near him, waking and asleep,
he must surely die; and this of itself wrought in me such fervour of
devotion that (maugre my hatred of him) I tended him as my own life (nay
very salvation) depended on his living, so that I could never endure to
leave him, scarce even to sleep or taste the sunny air on deck. And this
led to such misconceptions as irritated me well-nigh beyond bearing, as
when Ezekiel Penryn and old Lovepeace would come creeping a-tiptoe to
peer at our invalid, since Lovepeace (whispering) must vow there never
was spouse more gentle, more sweet and loving than myself; and Ezekiel,
lifting hands aloft, must murmur blessings on my tender wifely
solicitude. Even Mr. Barnabas, this kindly gentleman, must in his turn
mortify me thus: for meeting me as I stepped out on deck for breath of
air,

"Mistress Ursula," saith he, drawing my hand within his great arm to
steady me, since the ship was rolling somewhat before a sweet, fresh
wind, "our Japhet is mighty fortunate to have won the love and devotion
of such wife,--for," he continued hastily and before I might find
adequate retort, "your husband hath known little of joy and less of
gentleness in his life hitherto."

"Nay, sir," I answered, mighty troubled, "dear Mr. Barnabas, I would not
have you thus deluded. I do not love your Captain Japhet; nay, indeed,
truth bids me declare I hate him, as is but natural when you consider--"
here I stopped, for Mr. Barnabas was smiling down at me, yet when he
spoke his gentle voice seemed very reverent.

"Would God we might all find such hatred! And since Japhet is my loved
friend, pray let me be yours ... call me Barnabas. Now as to Japhet, he
is direly ill, indeed Crabtree tells me he is very nigh to death--"

"Said he so indeed?" quoth I, halting in quick panic.

"Ay, verily, Crabtree saith he would be dead now but for you and that
die he must except your love (or hatred) can win him to make a fight for
his life. Thus you may hold death at bay, since Japhet, thinking he hath
naught to live for, is very ready to be done with life. Well, if he die,
I lose my best friend and you a husband, ay, such man whose like you
shall never find again--"

But, waiting for no more, down sped I into the cabin, to behold Deborah
struggling to keep him in bed, and he crying out that I was strangling
him with my red hair; and yet at my touch he checked his delirious
outcries and, suffering me to lay him back, very presently seemed to
fall asleep....

Thus daily and nightly I watched him (though Deborah did all she might),
but, driven and harassed by this tormenting belief that I was
responsible for his living or dying, my respites were few and I dared
take little rest.... There were hours when he lay motionless and scarce
breathing ... one dreadful moment when I thought him dead and sent
Deborah or Ben running for Crabtree.

There were times when in his fierce delirium he would have leapt from
bed and I alone, or with my good Deborah, must strive desperately to
hold him down until the paroxysm was over. There were times, too, when
he shouted and sang or raved of storm and tempest or fury of battle ...
sometimes he would voice dreadful oaths and imprecations with words I
scarce dare guess at. He talked of brutal floggings, of prison and sick
men a-dying ... of fierce dogs that hunted him, of swamps and great
mountains and of the pangs of thirst and hunger. Anon he would rave in
Spanish or French and then again cry out of bitter wrongs and bloody
vengeance, of death and a lonely grave--a wild, rushing farrago of words
that yet conjured to my mind pictures of such dreadful doings and cruel
sufferings that more than once I must needs weep for the poor distraught
soul.... So came a night, near dawn, and he so weak and languishing
that, Deborah being asleep in the smaller cabin, I called Ben to fetch
Crabtree, who presently appeared in his nightcap and half-clad to bend
above the patient and question me anxiously:

"Hath he been conscious o' late, mem?"

"Once or twice for but a moment or so." Here Mr. Crabtree was silent so
long that in turn I questioned him at last.

"What is it? Oh, what now? Is he worse?"

"Mrs. Ursula," he answered, scanning me with his one eye and his look
very troubled, "you are worn out. Get you to bed. I'll watch in your
place. Get you some sleep, for we can do no more for him, no, demme--not
even you! It lacketh but an hour to dawn; if he can live till then, he
may weather it, but--"

"Why, then, die he shall not!" said I dully. "So go you, sir; leave me
alone with him till it be dawn."

Mr. Crabtree blinked his one eye at me, sighed dismally and went softly
away; and I, bowing my weary head between weary hands, praying that God
would suffer this my unloved, unwanted husband to live.

And then, faint whispering, my sick man spoke:

"Ursula, 'twould seem ... I am to bid thee Farewell. Here our ways
divide ... my course is run, thank God... this fevered dream endeth....
I'm drifting ... out--"

"No!" cried I, upstarting from my chair. "You shall not die, Japhet!"

"Ay but ... I shall!" he gasped. "None can let or stay me ... much less
my ... so loving wife--" Now here, seeing how he looked up at me with
ghost of his old quirkish smile, tears blinded me.

"Thy wife?" I repeated. "Ah, but she will!" And then my arms were fast
about him and, prone upon him thus, I bade death from him: I called on
him to live, kissing his brow, his eyes, his unresponsive lips,
striving to breathe into his failing body some of my own quick vitality,
praying speechlessly the while. How long I clasped him thus,
supplicating God and striving, as it were, face to face with death, I
know not, but presently he sighed, murmuring my name and, pillowing his
head against me like weary child, closed his eyes and sighing, fell
asleep; then I, not daring to stir lest I wake him, laid my head on his
pillow and lulled by his deep, slow breathing and the inward assurance
that my prayer was answered, I too fell to deep, refreshing slumber.

And it was thus that Mr. Crabtree, stealing hither in the dawn, found
us.

"For all the world," said he afterwards (and to my great confusion),
"sleeping like two babes and your two arms fast about him, my dear mem,
as you had plucked him to your heart from the very claws o' death, as I
do protest ye did in very truth, or demme!"




CHAPTER XIII

SHOWETH SOMETHING OF CAPTAIN JAPHET HIS BUSINESS AND MY JUST ANGER
THEREFOR


Within the week he was up and about again, yet so marvellous changed,
both in look and manner, it verily seemed that one Captain Japhet had
died and in his stead another had been born,--a gentleman this of such
grace of speech and bearing as put me to no small wonderment; moreover,
in his every look and tone I sensed a new respect for me and therewith a
sincerity that touched me not a little and waked in me sentiments all
undreamed.

Insomuch that Deborah became so daring she began to twit me and I
actually caught myself blushing very fool like. As thus:

"La, ma'm, how fine you are this morning!" or "Lud, madam, I protest you
were never so handsome and your sweet eyes so bright, and no wonder, for
he grows such stately gentleman these days and handsome as thy dear
self!" Until on a sunny day having seen me walking with him (and the
weather so fair), "Oh, my own precious lady," says she, embracing me so
soon as I entered the cabin to her, "to see you so gay and light-hearted
again makes me happy too ... only I be considering when you'll take him
within tender arms and be truly his--"

"Woman!" I gasped. "Be silent, thou creature, hold that naughty
tongue ... out o' my sight, thou saucy jade, lest I box those ears!"
Whereat she moaned and fled from me to the inner cabin, there to lament
and weep; whiles I stood wondering to find myself so mightily enraged.

After this I determined to see him less often and the weather growing
boisterous gave me excuse for going less frequently on deck; moreover,
as his strength increased, he took over command from Barnabas and was
thus busied in the thousand and one concerns of the ship. Then also
about this time I noticed an unwonted stir; men laughed and sang and
seemed for ever clambering up the rigging to peer round about the wide
ocean and hail the look-out man, who it seemed passed his time perched
dizzily atop the mainmast; and once I heard Japhet cry:

"Ten guineas for the lad first sights her."

Thus chancing upon Lovepeace and Ezekiel tramping side by side as was
their wont, I beckoned them.

"Sirs," said I, "what ship do we look for?"

"A stout ship named the _Lion_, my dear," answered Lovepeace, drawing my
right hand within his arm.

"Oh, an English ship?" I enquired eagerly.

"Ay, from trucks to keelson, Ursula," answered Ezekiel, possessing
himself of my left hand.

"And why do we seek her?"

"Well," answered old Lovepeace, shaking his white head, "that is
Japhet's business."

"Must I then ask him?"

"Nay, we can tell thee this, child," said Ezekiel, patting my hand in
his fatherly way, "there is one aboard this _Lion_ ship that Japhet hath
set his heart on."

"A woman?" I questioned.

"No, no, lass," quoth Lovepeace, scowling; "'tis a man and by all
accounts a very Amalekite, a son of Beelzebub and therefore damned."

"And for why should he want such man on his ship?"

"This you may ask o' Japhet, an' ye will, for yonder he cometh,"
answered Lovepeace. Turning about, I saw him approaching, and very
comely from bewigged head to buckled shoes; and now, even as his hand
came out for mine, a voice hailed high above us:

"Sail ho!"

"Where away?" roared Lovepeace.

"Larboard bow ... three points, sir!"

"Bid all hands make sail!" says Captain Japhet. The which command
Lovepeace roared forthwith and instantly all was cheery bustle; and
great wonder was it to see these men (of whom I had come to know many by
sight and name) run so nimbly up the rigging to loose out the great
sails, calling out cheerily to be answered as cheerily from the decks
below.

And presently, looking whither so many other eyes looked, I saw the
cause for all this bustle and to-do,--the far, faint glint of a sail
that grew slowly upon my sight until little by little the ship herself
rose in plain view while our own vessel, heeling under her mighty spread
of sails, drove furiously towards her through foaming sea that hissed
astern of us, until, chancing to glance from far-distant ship to Captain
Japhet perched high in the rigging above me, I saw him shut his
perspective glass and heard his cheery voice shouting divers orders
anent braces, top-gallant sheets, halyards and the like, so that our
ship _Deliverance_ was soon upon her old course again, or so I judged.
And presently finding him beside me:

"Pray tell me," said I, "what ship you seek and why?"

"Not yon," he answered; "the vessel I would lay aboard is larger."

"Ay, but why must you lay aboard on any ship?"

At this he laughed merrily and taking my hand, kissed it ere I knew. "I
love to hear thee talk sailorly--or so nearly so," said he, soft-voiced.
"And I would come up with this ship to pay a debt long overdue. Oh,
faith, 'tis joy to the eyes to see you sway to a heaving deck like
seasoned mariner; you've such admirable sea legs, you should have
sea-wise head also. Look now, and I'll explain something of a ship. The
right side we call starboard, the left larboard. Here where we stand is
the poop that leadeth yonder to the quarter-deck that is a ship's holy
of holies. Below there is the waist and beyond the forecastle. This mast
here is the mizzen, the next the main and t' other the foremast. And
these masts are each three in one, as mast, topmast and topgallant--"

"Nay, a mercy's sake," I laughed, "my poor head's all bemused. If I'm to
learn, as well I may, I will ask and you shall answer. For instance,
that tall pole yonder?"

"We call it the ensign staff."

"And these great black ropes?"

"These are backstays tarred against the weather and to be eased off or
haled alunto as required."

Thus as the swift hours sped I grew to verily love this noble ship
_Joyful Deliverance_ and took pains to learn something of the wonder of
her and other sea lore from Captain Japhet or any willing to instruct me
(and these very many). And ever this strangely wed husband of mine
became more endurable so that I know not how matters perchance might
have ended but for a discovery I made that reawakened all my old
animosity against him, nay, fired me with such passionate resentment,
such fierce contempt that (as it were) reared a mighty barrier betwixt
us the which I determined he never should surmount or I break down. And
the cruel reason for it all, was this.

I had of late permitted my Deborah (with Captain Japhet's permission) to
take her sewing down into the waist of the ship and sit with her adoring
Ben for half an hour or so towards evening, when the broad deck showed
deserted. Now this corner where they would sit was by a little window
that opened into my great cabin and often, as I was busied with my
needle or writing into my journal, I would hear the pleasant murmur of
their familiar, Sussex voices,--even as now; but of a sudden my hurrying
pen was arrested by mention of my own name in Ben's chuckling voice and
thereafter I heard Deborah catch her breath and fall a-giggling.
Instantly I arose and coming to this open window stood listening.

"Then ... oh, then," said Deborah, between her foolish giggles, "they
wasn't all ravensome monsters a-clawing after our two poor shiversome
bodies."

"Nary a one on 'em, lass! We was all on us the Cap'n's picked men as ha'
sailed wi' un since we took this stout ship, comrades sworn and true,
lass, as be ever alongside his honour, come battle or storm ... Lord love
ee, there couldn't never be such mutinous riot on no ship commanded by
Cap'n Japhet and you can lay to that! No, his best men were we and ecod,
Deb, 'twas me as roared and battered and sang out loudest. And it
worked; Lord love me, your fine lady, for all her pride, sings out for
quarters mighty quick, and now drownd me if they bean't a billing like
two turtle doves ... warms me very 'eart it do, lass, and minds me how
you and me might do likewise."

And now, my tenderest sentiments thus brutally outraged, in passion of
grief, anger and shame, I dashed down the quill I chanced to be yet
holding and away I sped to confront the monster who could thus wantonly
terrify a poor, trembling woman to his own stealthy and base purposes.

Coming on deck, almost the first man I saw was this most inhuman wretch
and very smiling and debonair. But meeting the flashing scorn of my
expressive eyes, his smile quickly faded and he halted in his advance
and stood to regard me (I was glad to see) with a very evident
apprehension. As well indeed he might!

"Captain Japhet Bly," I said, low-voiced and yet in tone sufficiently
arresting, "think black shame on yourself!"

"Being such as I am," he answered gently, "I have done so now and then;
but wherefore now, Ursula, pray why?"

"Why?" I repeated; and now, while my eyes scorched and seared the
calloused soul of him (or so I hoped), my tongue did its endeavour so
ably and to such bitter purpose as seemed to touch him to the very
quick, for his grey eyes wavered from mine and for a moment he bowed his
head, showing thus very different from the stately gentleman of a moment
since.

"To have so basely deceived me!" said I, 'twixt gnashing teeth, "to have
terrified me so vilely into this viler marriage! Oh, would I had some
man to avenge me on you, Captain Japhet ... you that have made me such
poor deluded creature for your whole ship's company to chuckle and fleer
at in corners."

"So?" he murmured, raising his head and I saw his lips uncurling in his
hateful, sneering smile and his voice was changed to its odious drawl.
"Your pride goeth limping again, eh, ma'm! And how should you be so
mighty assured of this--"

"Do not shame yourself by denial, sir."

"No, ma'm, I won't, since 'tis very truth. But how should you know it?"

"I heard but now."

"Whom did you hear?"

"Your fine man Ben. Howbeit, sir, for this last cruel affront, I hate
you most completely and never, never will I forgive it you."

"And you said 'never' twice, ma'm!" he sighed as, turning my back on
him, I hastened below.

How long I sat staring blankly at the unfinished page of my journal I
know not, but suddenly with rush and flutter of petticoats, came Deborah
to cast herself before me on her knees and with great eyes aswim in
tears.

"Oh, Mistress ... dear Mis' Ursula," she gasped, "they ha' took poor Ben,
they ha' dragged away my Ben! They ha' tied my Ben ... all tied up he be,
arm and leg and no shirt! And the whip! Oh, ma'm, they be a-going for to
lash my poor Ben's life out!"

"What for?" said I, though guessing and dreading the reason.

"Oh, dearie, I dunnot know.... But save him ... oh, for dear God's
blessed sake, save my Ben."

Up rose I, my hands clenched and teeth set, up to the deck and down the
starboard poop ladder; along the waist sped I until, beyond the mainmast
and nigh amidships, I beheld the wretched Ben tied arm and leg and his
brawny back bare and a hairy fellow who flourished a many-thonged whip.

"Stop!" cried I, and pushing my way through the gaping mariners (who
made way for me very readily), I snatched angrily at the cruel whip.

"Give me this!" I commanded, whereat the hairy man instantly obeyed and
fell back a step, goggling at me and gaping in speechless amaze.

"Now loose this man, instantly."

"But lady ..." quoth the hairy man, and turned in helpless fashion to
stare from me to where Captain Japhet stood. "How of it, Cap'n?" he
enquired hoarsely.

"Ay, ay, Jerry, take your orders," laughed the Captain, "cut him loose.
Sink me, 'twould seem I'm not longer captain of my own ship." And away
he strode and Lovepeace and Ezekiel with him, while poor Ben's comrades
freed him and all very mum. And now, to my amazement, this man Ben,
instead of deafening me with incoherent thanks, stood mute as his
fellows, his head adroop, the very picture of woeful misery.

"There, Ben," said I, tossing the heavy whip at his feet, "you are
free!"

"Ay, ma'm," he muttered humbly, "thanks to you, m' lady. I know as you
meant well, but you freed me agin orders, which don't nowise seem
nat'ral like nohow, nor yet right. So if 'tis all the same to ee, ma'm,
I'd rayther be tied up again all reg'lar and shipshape and take my
half-dozen according to orders, thanking you kindly, ma'm, I'm sure.
Seize me up again, shipmates!" But presently, seeing no man heeded him,
Ben threw his jacket about his nakedness and trudged heavily away, a
very woeful, much dejected man indeed.

And so back went I, revolving in my troubled mind what strange, perverse
creatures these male things called men truly are.

And here I would record that this day I saw abundance of flying fish, to
my great wonder.




CHAPTER XIV

TELLETH HOW I CAME TO A VENGEFUL RESOLUTION, AND WHEREFORE


This day at eight o'clock in the morning being Thursday the thirtieth of
July, we sighted land which I learned was called the Cape de Verde. And
now what joy to behold after all these weary leagues of ocean!

It was as I leaned me across the high, carven bulwark, feasting my eyes
on this glad sight, that Ezekiel Penryn, being officer of the watch,
came to lean beside me.

"Yonder," said he, pointing, "is Saint Vincent's Isle, Ursula."

"You have seen all this before, then, Mr. Ezekiel?"

"Ay, many times," he nodded.

"Then prithee tell me of it," said I, my yearning eyes upon the sweet
greeny slopes that with distance showed so much like my own so loved
South Downs.

"Well, child, it lieth in the latitude of sixteen degrees fifty and five
minutes and twenty-five degrees thirty-six minutes longitude from the
meridian of London. And what d'ye think of that?" he demanded, his
sombre eyes twinkling with an unsuspected humour.

"That you plunge me fathoms deep beyond my poor understanding," I
retorted. "Tell me of this island, what like it is ... would I might go
a-walking there."

"Ay, but not in the woods there, child, for mid those same trees, you
shall find multitudes of great spiders--ay, big as a walnut and their
webs mighty difficult to get through, being strong as ordinary thread
and vastly many. But here too is great plenty of guinea hens, with hogs
and goats and never a soul beside. These islands be eleven in number and
named Cape Verde of the Green Cape, because they be of the promontory
o' that name on the African shore and belong to the crown of Portugal,
and their names St. Vincent, St. Anthony, St. Lucy, St. Nicholas, Sal,
Bona Vista, Mayo, Santiago, Fogo, Romes and Brava. And there's for
thee!"

"You know them passing well."

"I should do," he answered grimly, "I've seen 'em often enough, God
knoweth! And the first time that ever I sighted them I was nigh wrecked
on yonder point and prayed God I might drown and end my misery, for this
was seventeen weary years agone."

"And pray, Ezekiel, what was your misery?"

"A breaking heart, child,--sickness o' mind and body ... for I was a
shackled bondslave, being shipped from all that I loved to a very hell
on earth of shame and suffering."

"My poor Ezekiel!" I murmured, and taking his bony hand to fondle it and
comfort him, saw 'neath laced ruffle much the same jagged scar I had
noticed so often on the wrist of Captain Japhet. "Ah, you also have
rowed aboard a slave ship then?" I questioned.

"That amid other torments!" he answered bitterly.

"And why--wherefore should they use thee so, Ezekiel, my dear?" And
speaking, I raised this poor, scarred hand to my cheek, caressing it
thus for very sympathy; and when, finding him silent I looked at him, I
beheld his stern, lined face grown marvellous gentle and his deep-set
eyes bright with tears.

"My dear," he murmured. "My child ..." And so we stood dumb awhile. At
last: "Oh, child," says he gently, "thy tender sympathy wakes
memories ... home, a wife, children, yet indeed I am nothing singular in
my tribulations; there are my good comrades ... all men o' suffering,
child. There is Lovepeace Farrance, Sir Barnabas, Japhet, Absalom Troy,
ay, and many beside, so if you can so pity this my grimly self--pity
these likewise."

"And why did you suffer such evil?"

"I marched out for Monmouth and the Protestant Cause, Ursula. You know
the tale of Sedgemoor Fight and the Bloody Assize. I and others, alas,
were sold away slaves to the plantations."

"And Captain Japhet--was he too at Sedgemoor?"

"Nay, child, he was too young ... even Barnabas, that fought at
Sedgemoor, was but a lad. By what accursed villainy Japhet came among us
wretched slaves I know not, for of himself he speaketh seldom, but 'twas
he schemed our final salvation ... 'twas he fired us with the desperate
purpose of winning us a ship, and so we did, a stout Spanish vessel she
was, and we no more than three and twenty ragged, ill-armed wretches.
And so we won free, yet all of us Ishmaels, men to be taken or slain by
any that could, homeless, friendless, of no country, our very names
forgot and naught in the world save our comradeship and faith in each
other. Thus we that suffered took oath to smite for such like sufferers
henceforth--wherefore our ensign o' the Broken Shackle.... And thus it
is that Japhet is our Captain, his will ours and ours his." After this,
we were silent awhile, I staring down at this hard-used hand I still
held warm between my own and he (as I knew) looking down on me.

"You think marvellous well of him," said I at last, "your Captain
Japhet."

"Ay, I do!" he answered simply.

"Yet he is bitter, lawless man and fierce."

"So are we all, child, and I think with reason. For there is never a man
aboard but hath suffered wrong and cruelty. And as for Japhet ... if you
could find in your heart to show him such gentle sympathy as you have
now for me--"

"No, Ezekiel," says I, kissing his hand ere he might prevent, "you are,
as I do think now, a noble martyr, but he--your cruel Japhet ... oh, dost
not see, Ezekiel? Even as you were reft from our dear England and all
that you so loved,--even thus hath he snatched poor me, plunging me into
hardship unimagined and all manner of peril, and lately hath ... by
basely ignoble deception, forced me into most detested marriage."

"But, child, this was by your own free will."

"'Twas by the wickedest guile and most abominable chicane!" cried I so
passionately that Ezekiel recoiled in amaze and then as we thus fronted
each other, I heard the Captain's sleepy, hated voice:

"How now, Zeke; hast thou too offended Her High Mightiness? Fie, Zeke,
fie! Speak me his knavery, ma'm, and we'll ha' the rogue to
court-martial, or should I say marine?" But turning my back on him, said
I to Ezekiel:

"Mr. Penryn, will you be so obliging to ask your Captain to relieve me
of his presence or I must go." Now at this, my good Ezekiel was dumb and
looked so unhappy that I was sorry for him and the Captain chuckled.

"Ay, ay, ma'm! Though this is my own quarter-deck and you but here by my
grace, your will commands; lo, most domineering, majestic ma'm, I obey!"
And off he went and presently after him Penryn and not a word. So I came
to the chair set for me hard beside the mizzen and there seated grew
very pensive till, roused by Absalom Troy's silver pipe, I looked up to
see the ship all a-bustle, where men pulled and hove on ropes with a
mighty "heave and yo-ho-ing" and I saw the great yards swung round (or I
should say aback) till the sails shivered; then down came headsails and
the _Deliverance_ slowed her pace (or to speak sailorly "lost way")
until she seemed almost still; then down plunged the anchor and we
stopped altogether (or "brought up"). Presently was more yo-ho-ing and I
saw they were heaving out our largest boat, which I think is called
"pinnace"; scarce was this in the water than down into it clambered
divers men, twenty I counted and all of them armed, whiles Captain
Japhet stood in corner to converse with Penryn, old Lovepeace, Barnabas
and other officers. Then down he clambers too, the men aboard give a
cheer answered cheerily by those in the boat, the sail is hoisted and
away they go towards this island called Saint Vincent; and I so curious
as to their purpose that, espying Lovepeace in the waist, I hailed him
to know.

"Well, Ursula," he answered, climbing the larboard poop ladder whereby I
stood. "'Tis in concern o' Japhet's that is therefore concern of us all,
and this to learn if certain personage he seeketh be come hither or no."

"And why are they so heavily armed, Lovepeace?"

"Armed!" says he, opening his eyes at me. "Lord, child, us do go ever
armed on such like occasions."

"Do they expect ... fighting?"

"Well, Ursula, this is as the good Lord seeth fit; howbeit our larboard
ports be up, triced as you'll notice, and guns double shotted agin the
possibility."

"Do you go ever in expectation of battle and bloodshed?" quoth I
bitterly.

"Ay, we do so, the Lord be praised! We lay sickle to corn and axe to
root whenso we may ... and there be Absalom Troy a-wafting me," and away
went Lovepeace, this kindly yet so ferocious old man that was so very
inaptly named. And after some while, I went down into the cabin to find
Deb busy as ever and singing happy as any bird and I so cross-grained I
chid her instantly to silence and sat down to write into my journal.

But this proving very wearisome, I turned instead to aid Deborah in the
mending and darning of my poor, hard used, weary garments: the which
becoming more wearisome, I tossed work aside and lying down on the
settee was so fortunate to fall asleep.

I awakened suddenly to a prodigious trampling of feet overhead and
finding Deborah gone, I rose and went up on deck. And almost the first
thing I saw was the pinnace coming back and at speed, for beside the
sail the mariners in her were plying their oars, and as it came nearer,
I could see Captain Japhet standing in the stern sheets, gesturing with
his arm. And then, as if in answer, I heard Ezekiel Penryn's melodious,
bell-like shout:

"At the windlass, stand by! Man the braces and square away!" And now, as
I watched in no little trepidation by reason of all this, from behind a
green headland crept a tall and stately ship. As I watched this distant,
lovely thing, from her side belched smoke and flame and a cannon ball
splashed the sea perilously near our pinnace and then came the dread
boom of the gun.... Very soon the pinnace was so near I could see
Captain Japhet looking down at a shapeless bundle that lay at his feet
with terrible look, for while his eyes glared, his lips curled back from
sharp, white teeth in dreadful, beastlike fashion. Then the pinnace was
alongside, the bundle was hoisted aboard, up-clambered the men and
Japhet after them.

"Capstan--heave!" cried Penryn and once again all was stir and bustle,
though I had no eyes for aught save this most direly changed Japhet, who
stood looking down at that shapeless bundle, which now stirred
convulsively and waked in me new horror. And now a gun from the pursuing
ship roared again and though still too far away to hit us, yet I could
see her foaming towards us under cloud of sail. Captain Japhet saw this
too for:

"Ply 'em with our stern chase, Master Gunner," says he.

"Ay so!" cried old Lovepeace, whipping out his ever-ready sword and
beckoning with it to divers of his fellows. "Aft wi' me, lads!" he
bellowed joyfully and was gone. And so began a duel with this ship, our
four stern guns against her two, since she could bring no more to bear
upon us, nor did any of her shots come anywhere near us, so far as I
could see; yet though we were now under sail again, she gained upon us
so quickly that it seemed she was the speedier vessel.

"We are foul, Japhet!" quoth Penryn, shaking his head. "Ay, fouler than
I expected."

"True enough!" nodded the Captain, nowise angered by such reproach and
his fierce gaze still bent on that (to me) now pitiful bundle at his
feet. "We'll careen and give her a pair o' boot tops so soon as occasion
serves."

Now what in the world he meant or whether I or the ship was the "she" in
question I did not know, and pondering this, I now seated myself behind
one of the guns lest he should see me and command me down into the
cabin, for now the pursuing ship had come so near that once or twice
their shot had whistled over us, while our guns boomed sullenly in
frequent answer.

"Didst hurt him, Japhet?" questioned Penryn, and peeping round my
cannon, I saw him nod down at that faint-stirring bundle.

"Neither hide nor hair, Zeke."

"Art still o' the same mind concerning him, Japhet?"

"Ay, damme!" snarled the Captain. "I shall sell him for slave!"

"Not to ... Rodriguez, comrade?"

"Ay, to Rodriguez in Hispaniola."

"You were more merciful to hang him and be done, lad."

"Ay, but what have I to do with mercy, Zeke man? What had he years
agone?"

"Ay, but Japhet, this was years agone and you a boy,--to-day you are a
man and ... with a wife, lad--"

"Wherefore remind me o' this damned folly?"

"Howbeit, Japhet, 'tis done, she is thy wife ... and I tell thee there
is far better, nobler thing than vengeance on thine enemy and this is to
forgive and, forgetting such emptiness, win for thyself the better
thing--"

"Now sink me! What's all this?" exclaimed the Captain fiercely. "Will ye
dare preach me forgiveness, you of 'em all? You, Zeke, that I've seen
ere now all spattered wi' blood o' your foes and glad of it; you that is
ever foremost in fight and readiest with steel or shot or hangman's
noose."

"Lookee, Japhet, I'm lonely man, as were we all, with none to care if we
perish or no, that live only by might of our swords--well and good! But
you are of us thus no longer--you are a husband with all a husband's
responsibilities. Japhet, thou'rt young and I do love thee, lad, and
thus do I counsel thee from my own broken heart ... 'stead of such
bloody vengeance, choose the sanctity of a home, the sweet haven that
only pure love and innocent children can bring a man--had I so chosen
seventeen years agone, I might have known such happiness, lad, and been
worthier man--"

"Why, Zeke!" quoth the Captain in altered tone and clasping his arm
about old Ezekiel's drooping shoulders. "Why, Zeke, old comrade, God
love thee now! But we are but what we are and I--"

"Thou, Japhet, art wed to sweet and lovely creature, that may--"

"So will I choose vengeance!" quoth he, with jeering laugh. "Say no
more, Zeke! Come now and watch old Lovepeace at work." And with his
odious laughter ringing in my ears and all my body in shuddering revolt
against him, I too determined on vengeance and upon himself in any and
every way and using such means as I might. But now hearing a cheer I
turned to look at our pursuer, this great ship, and saw her lofty fore
top mast sway, totter and tumble away to windward in slapping ruin;
crippled thus and the wind freshening we had soon left her far astern.

Then I arose and, speeding down into the cabin, caught up Deborah's
largest scissors and with no explanation to her pitiful wails as to why
the cannons were firing so, away I went! Reaching the deck, I walked
leisurely, the scissors hid in my sleeve, until I came where lay the
captive and, slitting up the canvas that swathed him, saw, despite torn
clothes and brutal handling, he was a very comely personage and richly
clad. Now as I looked down on him, he smiled up at me with such look and
flash of white teeth as somehow reminded me of Captain Japhet. I glanced
around and seeing no man heeded us for the moment, since all eyes
watched where our pursuer still thundered at us, I snipped here and
there with my scissors to such effect that his prisoning bonds fell away
and, sitting up with some effort, he contrived to bow, smiled again and
spoke:

"Angel of mercy!" he murmured. "My soul kneels to thee. Gracious lady,
receive my thanks. Pray, how come such as you on such pirate craft as
this would seem? And favour me with your name."

"Sir, mine is a long story. But my name is Ursula Revell."

"Ods life, madam! Not of Revelsmead in Sussex?"

"Yes ... yes, indeed, sir. Oh, dost know my dear Sussex?"

"Ay truly, madam, I live there when not in town. But this is marvel on
marvel, for my brother was to marry an Ursula Revell.... I am
Aldbourne."

"The Earl?" said I, looking my amazement.

"And your devoted servant. Yonder in quest of me cometh my ship the
_Lion_ out of Shoreham. 'Slife, madam, I'm yet all mazed with the speed
of it all.... I was suddenly beset by these villains as I walked me
ashore, gagged, bound fast, tossed into a boat and well--here I am!"

"But surely you know who 'twas carried you here so violently and why?"

"Not the least in the world, madam, except it be for ransom, of course."

"Sir, your abductor, ay, and mine also, is Captain Japhet Bly."

"Never heard o' the rogue."

"And this is his ship the _Joyful Deliverance_."

"Oho, then she is a pirate,--ay, a very notorious pirate, by all
accounts. I was warned against her at Grand Canary."

"Well, my lord," said I, looking down where he yet lay, leaning him
against the bulwark much at his ease, "now you are free, what will you
do?"

"Why," said he, with another flashing smile, so strangely familiar, "I
might jump overboard and drown, therefore I shall remain here and await
the event."

"But, my lord, he talks of selling you for slave."

"Doth he so, begad? Then, dear madam, 'tis very evident he knoweth not
who I am or the value of his prize."

"Oh, but he doth, sir, he doth!" chuckled a voice above us and glancing
up, we saw Captain Japhet leaning over the poop rail, smiling down on
us. "He knows you, sir, for very rank knave that calleth himself John
Christopher, Earl of Aldbourne." Now here, instead of dignified
rejoinder from the affronted earl, was silence, and glancing down at
him, I saw he leaned against the bulwark no longer, but was staring up
into Captain Japhet's sneering, grimly visage with an expression very
odd indeed, his gray eyes were wide and his handsome face had lost some
of its ruddiness; and as he sat thus strangely silent, Captain Japhet,
nodding at him, spoke again:

"Well, John Christopher, in a month or less you shall be no more than
mere chattel, a much poorer, very naked knave to sweat and cower 'neath
driver's whip, as many a better man hath done ... not a word, sir!
Meantime, you shall sit i' the bilboes to ponder your destiny.... Aft
there!" he called. "Pass the word for Absalom Troy and his mates!" And
when Troy appeared very presently with his two fellows, "Absalom," says
he, motioning to his dumb struck captive, "take me this dog and chain
him up in the lazarette ... secure him well, Bosun!"

"Ay, ay, Captain!" answered Troy, leering sideways on his prisoner; and
so the poor gentleman was dragged roughly to his feet and hustled away
below deck and still with never a word, but so pale and shaken that I
wondered if this could be due to fear or another emotion, and if so,
what? I was yet musing this when I found Captain Japhet beside me and my
poor wrist in such compelling grip that I dared not strive to free it.

"Ma'm Ursula," said he softly, yet in such tone as well might have
dismayed any other, "you show a strange inclination to the company of
rogues and damned rascals--"

"At the least, sir," I retorted on him and despite his threatening
aspect, "I do all I may to avoid yourself!"

"There was Ramirez, ma'm; he was but poor, vain rogue, well--he lieth
fathoms deep to-day by reason o' your meddling! And now here's you at it
again, collogueing with much finer, braver, infinite baser rascal than
ever was dead Ramirez. A potent, high-bred rascal this who yet, for the
black despair, the ruin and evil he wrought, shall pay nevertheless and
to the very uttermost, even though I myself--ay, and you too--should die
for 't! So, ma'm, be warned and meddle not again."

With this threat he left me; and I, looking down at my poor numbed
wrist, now and once more determined within myself that maugre his
threatening and come what might, this miserable Earl of Aldbourne should
escape and by my contrivance the dreadful fate designed for him, since
how better might I avenge myself on this detested Captain Japhet than by
thus cheating him of his own so dear and longed-for vengeance. So
presently I went down to my cabin, there to sit and scheme how this my
deserved and most determined purpose could be accomplished.




CHAPTER XV

TELLETH BRIEFLY OF MANY WONDERS AND HOW I PLOTTED


And now daily (while my schemes were maturing) so little chanced bearing
on the personal and more intimate side of this my narrative that I will
begin this chapter with brief extract from my journal, thus:

       *       *       *       *       *

_August 20th_

To-day the weather very hot and very little wind. About midday being
unable to endure my close cabin I went on deck. Towards noon saw very
many flying fish and one of them falling on board it was brought to me
by Jacob Fry, a young and very comely man out of the West country who
hath of late been making sheep's eyes at Deborah, as indeed have several
others of these mariners, and she, the sly baggage, very demurely kind
to them all and despite poor Ben's jealousy. But of the fish--its wings
are not so in fact but rather very large fins whereby they can so lift
themselves when the wind serves them and thus flutter aloft for no
little distance. This day too, after dinner, I had Deborah lay out my
poor wardrobe to my inspection and sadly mortified to see how my
garments do all begin to show signs of distress by reason of such
constant service, in especial my gowns as item: my fine flowered silk
spoiled by stain of tar and divers spots of blood, as when I tended
Captain Japhet's wound, and a small rent. My broidered taffety (also
something fouled by this vile tar; otherwise well enough) and my rich
velvet brocade which do show mighty well though very incommodious in
these sultry latitudes. Memo: To see Master Absalom Troy anent this
odious tar for its more careful use.

This matter of garments and no hope of replacing them put Deborah and
myself to no small perplexity in regard to the future. "And, oh," says
she, "you, dearie, wi' so many lovely things back in our England and no
one to wear 'em--which do seem wicked shame!" As indeed it doth.

Each day this vessel becomes more my hateful prison and much too small
for him and me, since we must be for ever much too nigh one another.
To-day we passed each other frequently without even a glance or least
courtesy of salutation.

       *       *       *       *       *

_August 21st_

Having slept poorly last night by reason of the extreme heat I woke late
and in such evil temper that more than once I came very near to pulling
my devoted Deborah's hair and slapping her pretty face. The vain wretch
hath made herself a new belaced cap (for Ben's behoof) and do become her
exceeding well, and she do know it. Going on deck I found the sun so
fierce I could not endure, so came down again and lay to be fanned by
Deb and yearning for my cool, sweet England.

And here I would mention the swift descent of night in these latitudes
and very grateful after the garish hot day. For these be nights of magic
lit by great moon of vivid, unearthly beauty or with such splendour of
stars as no words of mine may ever fully tell and wake in me such awe
and prayerful humility as I have ever known.

       *       *       *       *       *

_August 22nd_

This morning dressed very early (Deborah sleeping) and on deck to such
glory of sunrise as I would fain describe yet cannot find words adequate
thereto. Presently up the ladder cometh Ezekiel, being officer of the
deck, and great his wonder to see me abroad thus early and, taking my
arm, walks with me to and fro, speaking so tenderly eloquent of God's
vasty universe, the glories of sea and sky, the wonder of life, the
promise of atonement and his deep gratitude therefor that 'twas like a
prayer. And next he paints me such wondrous word-picture of these tropic
lands we were approaching, their wonder of birds, flowers and luscious
fruits, that I yearned to be there. After this he tells me of God's
abiding love for us poor creatures and how we should love each other
too, since God is in each one of us, and how, by love and service that
seeketh no recompense, only thus can come happiness and future
salvation; and my heart so touched that for a moment (oh, these precious
moments that come like holy angels with proffer of opportunity for
choice of abiding good or ill!) for such a moment then I wavered in my
so determined purpose of vengeance and could have wept (as would in very
truth I had). Thus was I visited as it were by angel of the Lord, yet
alas! heeded not (to my future misery and that of others beside), for
soon my mind was on other things. For, thinks I, looking on Ezekiel's
face just now so nobly transfigured, it is marvellous how such holy
gentleman could ever have killed other men, and he moreover ordained
minister of God. Thus we walked and conversed in the glory of this new
day that could never dawn again. And this wonderful Master Penryn (as I
say) more eloquent that I had ever heard him; but when I asked news of
the poor captive, he eyed me askance, said nothing and presently left
me.... After some while the Captain appeared and espying me from the
lower deck was so gracious to take off his hat and give me good morning,
whereupon I courtseyed, giving him the same, and with no more, away down
to my cabin.

       *       *       *       *       *

_August 23rd_

The heat very great so I in the cool of dawn walking the deck as
yesterday and very light clad. And whom should I see on lower deck but
Aldbourne, brought thither by Absalom Troy for exercise and, though
pale, well enough otherwise save for fetters that jangled dismally on
his wrists. Seeing me, he bowed, making prodigious clank with his irons,
and I to him, and would fain have had speech with him but Troy's
lowering visage forbade; moreover he presently hustled his prisoner
below again.... Now as I leaned against the bulwark gazing pensively
across the vast plain of ocean gleaming in a placid serenity far as eye
might reach, I heard a step below me and sensing who this was, stirred
not therefor, heeding him no whit. At last he spoke me and in his
pleasant, cultured voice.

"Ursula, how long must we seem thus strange to each other?"

I stared away (unseeing now) across the bright waters and strove to make
my back show coldly repellent as possible; therefore he questioned me
again, his tone pleasantly meek.

"Ursula dearest, how long must we be avoiding each other in this fool
fashion?"

"So long as I am on your wicked ship!" I answered, not even looking
towards him, "And for ever after!"

"Ursula, thou sweet, contrary vixen, when you lay with me in those
strong arms o' thine to snatch me back to life, kissing death from me
and vigour into me ... praying, weeping for me,--was this only
play-acting?"

"You were sick unto death--"

"And now I'm hale and well again, nay better than ever I was, and all by
reason o' thee." Here, what with his humility of voice and wistful
earnestness of look (for I could see him from my eye corners without
turning head) I verily began to wish he would snarl at me, or be-ma'm me
in his odious, sleepy voice, and strove desperately for some speech that
should anger him, but ere I might do so, he went on:

"In three weeks or less we shall, luck serving, run into secure haven,
there to clean and refit our ship, and whiles this is doing, I shall
take thee to certain island well beknown to me, a very paradise, and
there I shall woo thee, Ursula, and with such reverent humility as
shall amaze thee ... ay, and myself also."

"Never!" cried I in strange, desperate, breathless fashion. "I'll none
of your island for ... I'm nothing like to your Spanish donna of La
Margarita." At this I heard him gasp, saw his face grow red then pale,
saw him raise clenched hand as he would have struck me! Then he turned,
strode rapidly away and as rapidly back again and, looking up at me with
his grimly mocking air,

"Jealous fool!" said he and walked himself out of my sight.

       *       *       *       *       *

_August 24th_

This morning I hear how Ben and Jacob Fry, the Devonshire man, fell most
furiously a-fighting and, not contented with their fists, betook them to
their knives and are now, for drawing steel on each other, both prisoned
in irons, which it seems is a rule of the ship, and a very admirable
one. So now they languish in fetters and all, as I suspect, on account
of Deborah, as I told her, and the minx even as I write this, singing
away in our little cabin, happy as any wanton bird.

To-day I have been much on deck (and despite the fierce sun) and though
I have seen him very frequently he hath kept his distance and whenso our
glances have met, he to ferocity of scowling, so it seems the wretch
will trouble me no more--yet awhile, at least. And the reason I was so
often on deck is the strange sea fowls flying over us and abundance of
fish playing under us and all about the vessel and also a bird said to
be half bird and half fish and much like to a penguin, they tell me, and
I no wiser, knowing not what in the world a penguin may be.... Also were
many large creatures that leapt the waves, blowing gustily, that
Lovepeace tells me are grampuses, by all of which he saith I may guess
we are none so far from land--though nothing to see of it, look how I
will.

       *       *       *       *       *

_August 25th_

All this forenoon I have been in no little taking by reason lest Ben,
thus prisoned and in irons, shall balk me in the first steps towards my
vengeance. But towards nightfall he appeared, and one eye much swollen,
to speak as usual with Deborah, and she preening herself in the mirror
behind my back. But heeding her not, I beckoned Ben aside and put to him
certain question, whereupon, looking about us in very guilty fashion and
twisting his bonnet in great, powerful hands:

"Ay, ma'm!" he whispers. "Aught i' the world I'll do for your ladyship
and Deborah but ... if we'm caught, ma'm."

"No fear of this, Ben," I answered with as much assurance as might be,
"though even should we be I can see no harm in it."

"Why, p'raps not, my lady, only ... it be agin orders, do ee see--"

"And yet, for my sake, Ben."

"Aught i' the world, my lady," he repeated.

"Your poor eye shows very swollen, Ben," said I gently: "Go you and let
Deborah tend it." And away he went forthwith.

Thus, during all these days of sunny weather, I had been secretly busy
furthering my scheme as you shall hear.




CHAPTER XVI

TELLETH OF A VENTURE BY NIGHT


It was midnight and Deborah fast asleep when I arose, already dressed
for my adventure, and stole forth into the great cabin, there to sit me
down and wait patiently as might be. And every moment my sense of guilt
so grew (and therewith a strange feeling of disloyalty) that once or
twice I was minded to give up my secret purpose and creep back to bed
again. The ship rode very easily, for the wind was still light and the
sea very gently calm, so that as I waited thus, no sound was to hear
save the sweet, tinkling murmur of the placid sea and the faint,
rhythmic creaking of the stout timbering about me, the which by now had
become so much part of my life, as it were, that it passed all
unnoticed. At last, as I sat crouched there chin in hands and very
troubled for what I was determined to do, I lifted head suddenly to a
soft scratching at the door, so up leapt I and opening it saw Ben, his
comely face troubled as my own, and a lanthorn hid beneath his jacket;
speaking no word, he beckoned me and I followed. By darksome, narrow
ways he led me, scarce never daring to show a light, so that I must
clutch his jacket to guide myself; down thus went we from deck to deck,
where men snored or rats squeaked and scurried till, being come deep
down in the ship, I smelt again that noisome, fetid reek I had shuddered
at once before; then I heard a clank of fetters and Ben uncovered his
lanthorn, that seemed too dazzling for sight ... and while I stood thus
all unseeing, a voice cried passionately:

"Damnation! What now, cannot a man sleep even here?" And then I saw Lord
Aldbourne glaring up at me from pile of straw that was his bed: and
this cruelty and the misery of his clanking fetters so wrought on my
pity for him and burning detestation of his heartless oppressor, that
all my scruples were swept clean away.

"My lord," said I, advancing where he lay fast chained, "I come to say
you have one friend in this ship scheming to your deliverance; nay, two,
for this man will also help you for my sake."

"I'm grateful, madam," he answered, blinking up at me very woefully,
"but how shall any one help me, pent thus aboard this very accursed
ship?"

"Sir," I answered, "so soon as chance offer, you shall be freed of your
shackles."

"I'm grateful again, madam," he sighed, "but how shall chance offer and,
though I be free, how a God's name shall this serve me, save that I may
leap overboard and so end this misery?"

"My lord," I answered, "in a week or less this ship will come to
harbour; once she is anchored, you must contrive to slip overboard and
get ashore unseen."

"Ay, but even so, how shall this serve? For these pirate rogues seldom
dare venture into honest harbour but choose rather some barren coast or
desolate island. Well, madam, must I starve or be devoured by ravenous
beasts?"

"Nay, sir," I answered, somewhat nettled, "this, only God knoweth. But I
will certainly aid you the best I may to escape from this Captain
Japhet's cruel vengeance so soon as opportunity serve." Now at this, he
rose upon his knees and no more, by reason of his close shackles, and
taking my hands, kissed them very fervently.

"Angel of mercy!" said he with that quick, flashing smile, so strangely
familiar. "Sweet lady, whether I live or die, my gratitude is yours. The
memory of your sweet, valiant self shall make me bold to endure and
cheer my anguish--"

Here the silent Ben, venturing to pull at my sleeve, motioned me to be
gone, so with final words of comfort and assurance, I left this poor
prisoner to his misery and darkness.

Back we crept, Ben and I, silent as we had come, nor did I venture
speech until we had reached again the comparative safety of the upper
deck. Then:

"God bless you, Ben," said I, whispering; "nay--what ails you?" I
exclaimed for, the stars being very bright, I saw poor Ben all of a
tremble, his eyes glancing fearfully this way and that and his brow
shining moist. "Oh, what is it?" I whispered.

"One watched us, my lady," he answered, whispering also. "One spied on
us down in the lazarette."

"Who, Ben--who?" I gasped.

"Nay, I know not, ma'am, but--one did!"

"Art sure, Ben; didst see them plain? Did you hear aught?"

"Nay, I saw naught, my lady, nor heard ... I felt ... some un was
a-nigh ... a-watching of us and a-hearking--"

"No, no, this was but fancy, Ben. If you saw and heard naught, how
should any one be there and not make outcry or give alarm? No, no, 'twas
but fancy."

"Ay, mebbe so, my lady--and yet! Well, Lord love me, I hope so." And so
away he crept and I back to bed, to lie there long wakeful and in a
strange distress. Yet presently I fell asleep only to wake to rolling
crash of thunder more dreadful than I had ever heard in all my life (and
Deborah still blissfully asleep) and after some while, these dreadful
sounds abating gave place to rain, a sound so very woefully desolate
that I fell a-weeping until, once again, kind sleep took me.




CHAPTER XVII

GIVETH SOME DESCRIPTION OF STORM AND TEMPEST


I waked to find the ship labouring violently and all about me a
confusion of sounds and with Deborah bending over me.

"Oh, my lady," she wailed, "how can you sleep so sweet and the sea so
sudden and frightsome.... And no warm water for to bath your sweet
precious loveliness, ma'm, by reason as the galley fire be out, along of
a terrimendious sea as nigh drownded us all as dawn came, so Ben do tell
me."

"Help me to dress!" said I.

Going up on deck, I found the sea running very high yet with little
wind, so that catching sight of Ezekiel and Lovepeace I called to them,
and together they crossed the reeling deck, making no more of it than it
had been dry land.

"Good morrow, child!" said Ezekiel, kissing my right hand.

"God bless thee, daughter," quoth Lovepeace, kissing my left.

"But pray, why is the sea so violent and no wind?" I questioned.

"'Tis the aftermath of a storm miles away," answered Ezekiel.

"That shall come down on us ere long, if I can read the signs," quoth
old Lovepeace, pointing to windward, where a black cloud seemed rising
from black sea.

"True enough, comrade!" nodded Ezekiel. "Yon's blowing weather, beyond
doubt. I'll down to warn Japhet," and away he strode forthwith.

"And talking o' Japhet, daughter--lookee, whom the Lord had joined in
holy wedlock let no man, nor yet woman, put asunder? And how d'ye say to
this?"

"I say, Master Lovepeace, that there was nothing holy in my wedding, and
so I pray you no more of this."

"Why, then, as to Japhet again, he showeth mighty changed o' late and
why, daughter, why?"

"Nay, ask this of himself. Yet pray you, how is he changed?"

"He veereth like the wind and as uncertain. A man o' moods, that knoweth
not his own mind."

"How so, Lovepeace?"

"Well now, lookee--last night about midnight he altered course--"

"At midnight?" I repeated, in sudden apprehension. "Art sure."

"Nay, I'm sure o' naught these days, Ursula, save that now, 'stead o'
running fair for Hispaniola and Tortuga, we're bound the Lord only
knoweth where--and Japhet mayhap." At this moment, Captain Japhet
himself appearing on deck below to peer keenly towards that threatening
black cloud, down to him hasted Lovepeace, where now stood also
Barnabas, Ezekiel and Troy the boatswain. And then Troy's silver pipe
twittered and almost immediately the rigging seemed alive with men
busily taking in the sails and so speedily that soon the _Deliverance_
was showing only her headsails and lower courses, and these close
reefed. And now I saw the reason for this, for glancing whither all
other eyes looked, I beheld the black cloud was grown gigantic and
spread, black and ominous, over the sky.

I saw also how Japhet turned to glance up at me, saying somewhat to
Barnabas who, at his word, came hasting up the starboard ladder.

"Ursula," said he, taking my hand and drawing it fast within his arm,
"Japhet advises you to go below, for yonder cometh fury of wind."

"Nay, Barnabas," I answered, "I had rather stay and watch than be pent
down in the cabin."

"Why then, you must be secured out o' the wind: yon tempest will strike
us sudden and soon; come!" He brought me down the swaying ladder to the
lower deck and so to the great mainmast with its myriad ropes, whereto
he tied me about and about with smaller ropes that yet left me very free
to move, to stand or sit as I would. And now Troy's pipe twittered again
and a voice roared:

"Weather quarters!"

"The storm will strike our larboard quarter," saith Barnabas "so the
mast should protect you somewhat and no sea carry you adrift ... though
you were wiser to ha' gone below. And so fare thee well. Ursula; my post
is beside the steersman." And with his gentle smile away he went and
very splendid methought him in his graceful might.... And then he stood
before me, swaying to the roll of the vessel, a close seaman's bonnet on
his wigless head, his brown features grim and most ungentle.

"Well, Madame Venom, sweet Mistress Spite," says he, "soon by your
wilfulness, you shall see such elemental fury as shall make you forget
your own petty angers and me too awhile, for yonder come rushing mighty
winds, ma'm, to be loosed on us. Winds o' Destiny to plunge us fathoms
deep into rest and joyous content, let us hope, or Winds o' Fortune to
sweep us on and up to more experience of each other and a fuller
living.... How sayst thou, fair Madam Duplicity?"

"Abominable!" cried I. "How dare you so name me?"

"Ma'm, in face of God's tempest yonder I dare even your peevish anger.
Now, ma'm, I'll to my messmate Barnaby on the poop, but since you have
thrust yourself here wantonly in needless dangers, prithee know
this--should a block come down on ye with a run and spoil your beauty or
spar fall and crush you out of life, thy spouse, thus bereft, shall
grieve for thee and so fare thee well--wife!" And now, in this moment of
awesome expectation, though I hated to have him near me I dreaded to
see him go....

The ship seemed to rear herself up in sudden, fearful manner and with
shrieking roar the tempest burst upon us. Howling wind, flying spray--a
hissing curtain through which I glimpsed a horror that was the sea, a
rushing terror hugely green and white against a black and scowling
heaven, that tossed this poor reeling ship dizzily aloft and plunged her
furiously down. And now, though something sheltered by the great mast, I
could yet feel the mighty power of the wind ... and then even above its
shrieking tumult I heard a thunderous shock, saw a huge sea curling high
above the vessel and, closing my eyes in dreadful expectation of death,
was buried beneath it ... was wrenched at, buffeted and, drowning,
opened my eyes to see the deck aslope beneath me and this furious
torrent rushing by me, where I hung gasping in my bonds. After this,
consciousness left awhile till vaguely I became aware the ship had
somehow freed herself of water and was racing 'neath an inky sky, split
ever and anon by vivid lightning flash to show me mountainous seas that
rose in foaming summits to be flattened by the howling wind.... Suddenly
high above me I heard a splintering crash and then the bellowing roar of
old Lovepeace, followed by the shrill summons of Absalom's pipe, I saw
men, drowned shapes about me, that moved yet clung for their very lives,
and somewhere was a dismal shouting.... And then I saw him near by and
in my extremity of terror screamed out to him.

"Japhet ... oh, Japhet." But he never so much as glanced towards me.

"Aloft!" he shouted, flourishing the axe he held. "Stand by all!
Volunteers to go aloft wi' me to cut away the t'gallant--Follow me,
shipmates!" And thrusting the axe into his girdle, he swung himself into
the rigging and went clambering aloft, blinded by hissing spray, torn at
by furious wind and all alone; and I screaming on them to follow him.

Then up went Ben and after him Jacob Fry, and after these valiant men
many others, and the ship rolling so perilously I dared not watch them
climb, nor indeed had I strength to lift my hand, for what with my panic
fears and the battering my poor body had taken, I languished at last and
swooned to merciful heedlessness of all things.

A beam of sun aroused me, a warm, comforting ray that cherished me (as
it were) back to life and knowledge, and this kindly ray shooting
athwart a wrack of clouds through which I glimpsed blue sky and thanked
my most merciful God therefor. And now, looking down on myself I was all
shamed to see how my wet garments clung, betraying me from throat to
ankles as I had been bare; therefore I began to fumble with the cords
that bound me, when came hands to do this for me, brown strong hands,
very capable, that I recognized at once.

"Are we safe, sir?" I questioned, still watching these hands.

"Ay, ma'm, 'tis blown out sooner than I expected, so I am here to your
service." At this I murmured my thanks, whereat these hands were
instantly still.

"Such unwonted humility!" said he, in mocking sort.

"And I perish with cold, sir."

"Yet 'tis tropic sun might soon dry thee."

"Yet I would fain get me to my cabin, sir."

"As you will, ma'm." And the hands became busy again so that I soon
stood free; but now, when I essayed to walk, what with my poor,
stiffened limbs and dreadful rolling of the ship, I must have fallen but
for the support of his arm; so there stood I very miserable in my
unwonted weakness and hotly conscious of my garments.

"And what now, ma'm?" he questioned.

"I do but wait for recovery of my strength, sir."

"And in the meanwhile this fine bright sun shall dry you."

And when I had stood thus helpless a long minute:

"Pray, Captain Japhet, if you will be so good to call Barnabas to me--"

"And why Barnabas? I can lift and stumble with you so far as your cabin,
if you supplicate with sufficient humility, ma'm."

Now at this I made a second attempt to walk and might perchance have
succeeded after a fashion, but at my first awkward step his arms were
about me.

"Come--ask me!" said he. And now, when I would have retorted on him
angrily, I must needs begin to laugh like any hysteric fool, whereat he
laughed too.

"Come, ask me," he repeated, "or some o' the lads may be spying the
sweet, redundant shape o' thee! Bid me carry thee!"

And so I obeyed him perforce. And when we had gone thus a little way:

"Faith," he murmured. "There is more to thee than methought!"

"Sir, this is odious!"

"Nay, not odious; scarcely odious, child, such have their attractions."

"Captain Japhet, you shame me!"

"Then hide thy so modest, so maidenly blushes, on shoulder o' thy
spouse, the which is rightful place for such."

After this I suffered the wretch in silence till he brought me into my
cabin. And here (though he had borne me easily enough) he makes great
to-do, puffing and blowing, mopping his brow as the weight of poor me
had been all too much for him, and Deborah appearing in the midst of it
from our little cabin (and her poor face very white), I must needs begin
to laugh again and she, forgetting her past fears, begins to titter. And
seeing us in this posture:

"Oh, my sweet lady," cries she, "hath he brought thee home at last;
where now shall thy Deborah sleep this night?" At this was silence, nor
did I speak until he had left us, then, notwithstanding my bruises and
weakness, I boxed her naughty ears bitterly, chiding her forwardness
until she fled wailing before my fury of indignation.




CHAPTER XVIII

THE WHICH IS OF BUT LITTLE MOMENT


Scarce had I reached the deck next morning than I was greeted by such
rousing cheer as surprised me beyond words and pleased me not a little;
and as I stood confused by this so unexpected greeting of these
sailormen and very conscious of these many eyes that viewed me so kindly
and wondering what it might be all about, forth of their fellows stepped
Ben and Jacob Fry (who had grown marvellous friendly since striving so
recently to slay each other); so came these two as far as the poop
ladder and, halting there, looked up at me and then at each other; then
each knuckled an eyebrow, made a leg and finally, clearing his throat,
Ben addressed me:

"My lady--" he began, very hoarse and loud, whereat:

"Ay, ay, ma'm, lady it is!" quoth Jacob.... At this moment I caught
sight of Captain Japhet with Barnabas watching these strange proceedings
and growing the more self-conscious, yet showed myself very sweetly
serene (at least so I do hope).

"What is it?" I enquired, smiling down upon these two comely mariners.
"What would you, shipmates?" Now at this the men cheered louder than
ever; which done:

"My lady," said Ben for the second time, "Jacob and me and our messmates
all ask ee for to take this here as a mark o' our respex, ma'm, seeing
as how my lady you could risk the perils--"

"'Ardships, Ben, dangers o' wind and wave," prompted Jacob.

"Ay, ay, my lady," quoth Ben hoarser and louder than ever, "and
venturing your own body along of ours, my lady, so bold and
sailorly.... And here it be, ma'm!" He now gestured with one hand
whereupon two men stepped forward, bearing a great roll of canvas which
they unrolled, displaying a noble mat or rug made of rope or yarn very
artificially wrought. From this I looked at the many faces upturned to
mine.

"Oh, men of the _Deliverance_," said I, speaking on impulse, "I have
watched you in battle and seen you in storm of tempest and I am proud of
such valiant shipmates ... thank you--" And when I would have said more
I could not and they tossing up their hats and cheering me so heartily
that I fled lest they should see how I wept. But reaching the cabin, I
instantly despatched Deborah for my mat, the which was presently brought
and laid down, and mighty comfortable I found it, as indeed it still is,
for it is so well enwrought it biddeth fair to outlast me and mine and
all the strong, deft hands that went to its creation.

       *       *       *       *       *

_August 28th_

Opening my worn and battered journal I see that I have very deeply
underscored this date, as well indeed I might, for on this day we
sighted land, and in the nightfall of this most fateful day befell that
which was to plunge me into yet further perils, and a strange new world
wherein (though very grievously) I learned to outface terror, to smile
at pain, to endure all uncomplainingly and finally to forget my very
self in such wonder as I had never dreamed. For true it is (at the least
in my experience) that nothing truly great may be achieved or come to us
but by way of pain, suffering or travail in some sort. And how thus I
came to so endure, and wherefore, you shall learn that, having perused
my narrative thus far, shall read on patiently to the end.

But because this day was to so alter my world and my poor self with it,
I will, very properly, let it begin another chapter,--thus:




CHAPTER XIX

HOW AND BY WHAT MEANS I WAS TRANSPORTED INTO A NEW WORLD


_August 28th_

Deborah had bathed and well-nigh dressed me when sudden and plain above
all other sounds rose a cry that thrilled me from head to foot and set
my heart a-leaping with such wild, half-fearful ecstasy that it was like
some premonition to warn me back or lure me on,--the faint, long-drawn
cry of:

"Land-ho!"

Scarce waiting for Deb to finish with me, up rushed I on deck to glance
eagerly around and stand in petulant vexation for, look how I would,
nothing showed save the drear monotony of this everlasting sea. But now
Barnabas hailed me where he was perched high in the rigging overhead,
pointing me in a certain direction; yet even so--nothing of land could I
see, and was for returning to my cabin in a pet, when down he came and
with gentle patience at last contrived to point my erring eyes to
something on the distant horizon, a small, vague blur that seemed no
more than wisp of cloud; then seeing me so eager, he calls for his
perspective glass, explaining its manage and thus, steadying it across
the bulwark and pointing it this way and that, there presently burst on
my delighted sight a vision of green sun-kissed hills with flash and
sparkle of water, and I now more yearning to come near it than ever.

But the wind blew light all the morning and toward noon, as if to
aggravate me, failed us altogether, whereupon divers of the sailors fell
a-whistling for a breeze in shrill, cheery chorus, yet to none avail,
for when at last the wind arose it must blow contrary, so that the ship
must ply against it, this way and that, and sorely missing her maintop
mast that greatly methought also marred her stately beauty.

Thus day was far gone ere I looked my first upon this wondrous fair land
of palms, tree-girt hills, lush valleys and wide stretches of white sand
that I yearned to set foot upon.

As I stood viewing this alluring prospect with eyes of longing, came
Ezekiel to lean beside me and view it too.

"Know you this place and all the wonder of it?" I questioned eagerly.

"Somewhat, Ursula, for I have visited it but once to wood and water.
'Tis an island, as I do think, and never a human soul on it, though a
man might live there all his days and lack for naught, so rich and
bounteous is kind Nature in these latitudes." And now he paints me such
picture of the marvels to be seen there, the glory of flowers and birds
of wondrous plumage, the succulent fruits and herbs and vegetables, that
my eager yearning for all this increased on me a thousandfold.

Great was my annoyance therefore when I heard Troy's pipe sound, the
yards creak aback and found the ship was to anchor so near yet so far
from this delectable isle, so that bethinking me of the luscious fruits,
the sweet, fresh water and paradise of flowers, I stood staring away, my
heart in my eyes (as it were), even as poor Tantalus himself must have
done.

After some while and night about to fall, I mounted the poop to get me
below, when I saw they were heaving a boat over-side. Now Lovepeace
chancing near, I cried out to him for the reason.

"Nay, daughter," saith he, shaking his head like one all bemused, "the
Lord knoweth, for 'tis five mile and more to yon island and the wind
fails. Perchance Japhet is minded to pull so far,--though his orders are
for the morning ... but why launch boat now and risk her going adrift in
sudden squall passeth mine understanding. 'Tis queer lad o' late, our
Japhet!" And away strides old Lovepeace, shaking his head at me as I
were somehow responsible.

"Deb!" said I, the moment I stepped into our cabin, "go you and bid your
Ben to me and instantly!" And away she goes, blithe as any bird: and
presently back she comes and with her this faithful fellow, though
methought his comely features somewhat downcast.

"Ben," said I, "to-night we free the prisoner."

"Nay, but, my lady," he began, glancing this way and that, anywhere but
at me, "axing your grace, my lady, but--"

"At eleven o'clock, Ben--nay, so soon as the ship be asleep, you will
show me where I may steal the keys of his fetters, then back to your
hammock and leave the rest to me."

"But lady, an' he reacheth the island, how shall he there 'scape the
Cap'n's vengeance ... or I, for that matter?"

"Content you, Ben," I answered, "the prisoner's future is in God's
hands, and as for yourself, Captain Japhet shall not punish you for
doing my behest except he punish me too ... and once we are safe back in
dear England, I shall know how to reward your faithfulness. So come for
me, Ben, so soon as it be safe."

Supper done, I sat me down to write into my journal and thus sped the
time until Ben came stealing to signal me.

"Ma'm," he whispered, "there's none stirs alow or aloft save the anchor
watch, yet creep you soft."

Now will I pass over with brief mention how he showed me a hole dim-lit
called the armoury, with prodigious number of swords, muskets and the
like in racks, and in one corner bunches of keys a-dangle, more
especially those I sought and that by his directions I myself took: or
how I went creeping down into that noisome lazarette; or of the poor
prisoner's glad surprise at his sudden freedom and grateful thanks to
me; or of how I brought him, Ben guiding us, out into the stern
gallery, beneath which lay the boat, and how, with last whispers of
thanks, Lord Aldbourne swung himself down into the boat.... But scarce
had the Earl made this descent than Ben, this great, strong sailor that
had ever showed so gentle and submissive to my every command, seemed to
go mad, for deaf to my indignant remonstrances, he now snatched off the
kerchief I wore and therewith stifled my outcries; then he binds me hand
and foot and, thus mute and helpless in his powerful clutch, I was
lifted, swung dizzily in air and lowered down into the boat, where Lord
Aldbourne received me in his arms.

"Be still!" he whispered and then, as I struggled desperately 'gainst
the indignity of my bonds, he bound me the tighter until I might scarce
move finger and laying me down (and none too gently) began to paddle
slowly but very silently away from the ship. And now I could have
screamed yet might not, and helpless thus and wildly despairing, watched
this good ship _Deliverance_ loom up hugely against the dark, a vast
shape growing vaguer, with dim lights atwinkle here and there that
winked ever fainter upon my yearning sight until these too had vanished
and naught to behold but the blank, infinite immensity of mighty sea and
starless sky.

And now the Earl was rowing might and main. I could see the dim shape of
him, swinging back and forth with creak and splash of the oars. And
something in this gasping fury of effort, that was bearing me towards I
knew not what, something in his dumbness and the relentless sway of his
dim-seen body, filled me with sudden panic; and as I lay thus, shivering
in very sickness of dread, what must I think of but Captain Japhet's
hateful, sleepy voice ... and in this moment I yearned with all of me,
ay, body and soul, to hear him "be-ma'm" me now.

Slowly the mist, or clouds, thinned away and I beheld a glory of stars
that made a strange, quivering twilight, and in a little a radiance that
presaged a rising moon.

"Ursula ... madam ..." gasped the Earl and now I saw he had ceased
rowing and was leaning upon the heavy oars to peer at me, "so soon as I
catch ... my breath ... I'll lose those so charming limbs for thee,
though why or wherefore you had yourself so trussed up, I cannot think."
Presently he clambers where I lay and with very fumbling, awkward
fingers contrived to set me at liberty; and no sooner could I speak
than:

"Sir," said I, "have the goodness to row me back to the ship."

"Row you ... back?" he exclaimed, in tone of such amazed disbelief that
I could have struck him.

"Aye, back, sir--this instant," said I, glancing round about for some
glimpse of the ship and seeing none.

"But my dear ... Mistress Revell, will you actually tell me you are not
here by your own free will?"

"Heavens, sir," I cried angrily, "must I say such very obvious thing?
Let my cruel bonds speak!"

"Nay, madam, these may have been but feminine deception, and sweetly
excusable, for coyness is always admirable even for the behoof of rogue
pirates--"

"My lord," said I scornfully, "you make very odious suggestion."

"Then pardon me, for I'm all bemused ... but am I to understand you have
not then elected to flee yon company of rogues and throw in your lot
with me?"

"No such thing, sir!" I answered, my eager gaze still questing for the
ship, in the growing radiance.

"Nay, madam, we are out of earshot of your _Deliverance_; look yonder
rather; in half an hour or so we should be ashore, there is some current
taking us and so sparing me the labour. See, yonder is the island! And
yet, once there--then what?"

"I shall wait on the beach for my _Deliverance_; she must surely come so
soon as he misseth me."

"Gads my life, madam," exclaimed the Earl, staring on me like one
extremely surprised, "can you verily mean you wish to be back on that
accursed ship?"

"Ay, with all my heart!" I answered, for now indeed seeing this island
so near ... all desolate beach and horrid dark woods, I wished it a
thousand miles away.

"But, my dear child," he persisted, as one that could not bring himself
to believe my words true, "what of your so pressing interest in me and
constant kindnesses to me; am I to verily believe these sprang from no
more than mere disinterested good nature or compassion?"

"You are to know and believe, sir, this was no more than a tender
woman's sympathy for a very miserable, sorry wretch!"

"Zounds!" he exclaimed, frowning and rasping at his unshaven chin that,
with its unlovely bristles and despite his finery of curled peruke and
laces, lent him very sinister look. "You've a bold tongue, Madam
Ursula."

"Yet a bolder heart, sir!" said I, striving not to show the least hint
of my persistent fear of him.

"This is very well, madam, so long as 'tis such woman's heart and
groweth not ... overbold. But now for your attitude regarding myself;
this shall, I fear, prove very devilish awkward for you."

"Not the least in the world, sir," I answered, "for so soon as we land,
you being the man of honour your rank proclaims you, will express your
gratitude for the chance of liberty I have contrived for you and leave
me to wait the coming of ... my friends."

"Friends, say you, madam! And what shall these same fine friends say of
you ... think of you anent this our adventurous flight together?"

"Whatso they will!" I retorted.

"Ursula," said he, leaning nearer, "thou'rt a strange creature and this
I like,--thou'rt proud, wilful creature and this may be amended; thou'rt
a comely creature and this I like so well--"

"You grow foulsome, my lord!" said I to check him.

"Not I!" he smiled. "But, Ursula, though I have thus far eluded the
treacherous swamps and quicksands of matrimony yet, under these
circumstances and for thine own sake, hear me vow and declare there is
none I would liefer see my countess than thy so valiant, handsome self."

"Sir," retorted I, and with a sufficing coldness, "I protest you do
overwhelm me. But such high honour is not and cannot be for my lowly
self since I am already wed--"

"And here, sir, sitteth or lieth her lowly spouse!" said a sleepy,
mocking voice. And then, as we sat there dumbstruck, staring and utterly
confounded, up from beyond where lay the bulk of mast and sail rose the
grim, smiling face of Captain Japhet.

And despite his jeering look, there rushed on me such consciousness of
strength and security that I instantly frowned into his so unexpected,
mocking face.




CHAPTER XX

TELLETH HOW WE CAME ASHORE AND OF A GOLDEN SKULL


"So!" quoth he. "A runaway wife and a plausible, thrice damned villain!
Well, these sort well together."

"Captain Japhet," cried I, fiercely indignant, "since you have been
listening--peeping thus and prying, you know very well that I am no
runaway!"

"And yet, Madam Peerless Virtue, here you sit, consorting with a knave
that, conscious of his knavery, is dumb as a stock-fish."

"I save my breath!" retorted the Earl.

"Ay, you'll need it, Christopher John; this current fetcheth past the
island, so get to your oars now and row."

"And if I refuse?" demanded the Earl, with sudden ferocity.

"This!" answered the captain, taking up rope's end and with such evident
horrid purpose that I turned my back on them. "So up and pull, man; pull
and with a will!"

"And you are armed, I see!" said his lordship bitterly.

"Ay, I am, John, a brace o' barkers and two swords,--so set to work,
John, and lay your rogue's back into it--give away!" At this, perforce
Lord Aldbourne began to row again, whereupon Captain Japhet came and
seated himself beside me in the stern; and heeding me no whit, began to
talk with a very hateful jocosity.

"Row, John man, row and rowing, hearkee! I have planned to carry thee
into Hispaniola and there sell thee, for whatso that carcass o' thine
shall fetch, to one Don Miguel Rodriguez that is ever in need o' slaves
since the dogs have a habit o' dying on him. But this plaguey
meddlesome spouse o' mine, having a natural predilection for rogues o'
thy sort, hath--"

"Enough!" cried I, turning on him in fury of indignation, "enough, you
shall not so--" But here I caught my breath and shrank away, appalled by
such evil look as I had never seen ere now--even on his face.

"Spit not, Puss! Madam Cat, mew not!" said he with the same dreadful
jocularity. "As I say, Johnny man, this same prying spouse o' mine hath
set us upon another course, so must we tack about, d'ye see, ere we
bring up in Hispaniola and the slave pens of the noble Don. Thy
starboard oar, pull, man--and again,--so--as she is!"

By this time the moon had risen and all things very plain, so that
glancing back, I presently espied a vague shape, small with distance,
that I guessed for the _Deliverance_, the which seemed now a very ark of
refuge compared with the near prospect of this island that, now grown
large upon my sight, showed a wide, curving beach very white under the
moon and backed by sombre groves of dense leafage, sweeping in dark
waves, sloping up and away to a jagged rocky summit.

Guided by Captain Japhet's directions the Earl, breathless by this time
and well-nigh spent, brought the boat into a small rock-girt haven and
here, at the Captain's ungracious bidding and no offer to help me, I
must needs clamber ashore as best I might, while the Earl at his bidding
made the boat secure.

And thus it was that I set foot upon this so yearned-for island and
seeing Japhet's face and the two swords beneath his arm, wished myself
any otherwhere.

"Well, Johnny man," said he, unsheathing the two glittering blades and
setting them upright in the sand, "here we are and here shall we pass
the night; to-morrow we set forth on our travels. But sit down, John,
and fetch thy breath, for presently I must set my brand on thee as I did
upon brother Geoffrey back in England, my sign manual for all the world
to read hereafter--except thou pink me, Johnny."

"Have done with your devilish mockery!" exclaimed the Earl fiercely. "If
'tis a duel you mean, give me sword and let's to it!"

"Ay, ay, Johnny man, and with a will!" quoth the Captain gesturing.
"Here are the tools--choose thou." Uttering no word, the Earl snatched
the nearer and instantly made a stabbing thrust which Japhet narrowly
avoided.

"Ha, murder, is it?" snarled he and speaking, whipped pistol from belt
and levelled it.

"Well, shoot--damn you!" said the Earl between pale, passion-contorted
lips.

"Why, so I would Johnny man, were it not too good a death for
roguery ... too kindly quick. No, no, thou'rt destined to such living
hereafter shall make thee yearn for such sweet easement as a pistol
ball. But now to thy branding ... stand on guard, Johnny--now!" I saw
the wicked blue flicker of the blades, heard them ring together and
then, knowing this (in some sort) for my doing, I snatched off my cloak
and leaping, flung it about these darting blades and so grasped and held
them.

"Stop!" cried I, staring into Captain Japhet's sinister face. "If you
will to murder each other, spare me the horror of it." And then, ere he
might speak, the Earl loosed his sword and next moment I had sent it
whirling and flashing, to fall into the sea. This done, I turned again
to confront the Captain and front his anger as best I might, trembling,
to be sure, but with eyes that met his lowering gaze unflinching. And
now, when I had thus braced and strung myself to meet his furious tirade
or even blow, he neither spoke nor raised hand against me, only he
looked at me with his crooked, quirkish smile. Then he sheathed his
sword and grasping me by the arm:

"Well so, Johnny," saith he, "since madam hath put an end to our
gentlemanly diversion, we'll see thee safe abed,--come!" So he brought
us up the beach through a grove of strange trees into a place of rocks
that were riven into many caves, large and small, one of which had been
furnished with a rough door of ship's timbers that hung askew, all
warped by much weather; it was into this he gestured the Earl.

"There'll be lizards, mayhap, with a spider or so, but 'twill keep thee
well enough till dawn, for then we march--in with thee, Dog's-meat!"
quoth he. And when the Earl would have resisted, the Captain's pistol
muzzle drove him into that unlovely place, whereupon he clapped to the
heavy door and wedged it fast with such timbers as chanced to be there.
This done, he brings me along this rocky gorge to where yet another cave
opened beneath the steep into which he vanished suddenly and as I stood
at a loss, not knowing whether to follow him into this dreadful place or
no, I heard him groping about in the darkness and cursing very savagely.
Then was clatter of iron and out he came bearing a mattock, spade, etc.,
on his shoulder and, beckoning me to follow, led the way up a steep,
bush-grown track till we came to a plateau very lush and green with
strange, stately trees and such wonder of flowers and vegetation as
filled me with ecstasy. And these flowers grew over and about great
wrought stones, some of them strangely carven, so that here once, I
judged, must have stood some vast building or rather temple, for midway
in this plateau rose a great column all clinged about by vines and glory
of flowers, through which yet peeped a strange face carven in the stone
that seemed to leer and yet scowl down on me where the moon caught it,
the which I thought must be the face of some heathen idol and would fain
have asked about it, but Captain Japhet's face showed fiercely repellent
as the carven features above us; so I held my peace and seating myself,
watched his doings; as well indeed I might.

For, tossing aside the tools, he had taken out a compass and now was
pacing out distances from the idol, counting his steps very carefully;
after the which evolutions, he marks him a certain spot, throws off his
coat and waistcoat, and catching up spade and mattock falls a-digging.

And now as I watched him, the moon up and very bright above us, what
with his saturnine visage and the vivid kerchief knotted about his
wigless head, he seemed verily as much or more than the pirate Lord
Aldbourne had so certainly denounced him.

Thus I sat watching him and thus he laboured, pausing only to sweep
brawny arm across streaming brow and fetch his breath, and never a word
between us. And now, my mind running upon buried treasure, pirate hoards
and the like (and very naturally), I yearned to come where I might peep
down into the hole he had dug and yet (remembering my dignity) I stirred
not ... but suddenly he stooped and when I saw for what, I leapt afoot,
crying out for very horror since, instead of casket of gems, he was
clasping a ghastly human skull.

At my outcry of disgust, he glanced up, leapt from the grave and came
towards me, the grisly thing between his hands and turning it this way
and that:

"Well, but," saith he, "we must all come to this soon or late and
yet--not as this. You shrink from this as thing abhorrent and mayhap
'tis but natural, yet upon a day thousands bowed the knee afore this
poor thing: ay, and thousands died at its mere nod. In this small
compass lay the brain of mighty king and conqueror. This is said to be
the skull of Mayta Capac, ma'm, the Fourth Inca, and I think 'tis verily
so, for--lookee!" So saying, he began, and with a certain reverence, to
rub the damp earth from this dread thing until I stared amazed to see it
all agleam beneath the moon.

"Gold?" I murmured.

"Ay, ma'm, gold! Thin plates set and welded about it with such wondrous
craftsmanship it seemeth verily skull of gold. And here, if you dare
closer, you shall see that which maketh this long dead thing most
eloquent," and he pointed me graved marks and lines upon this skull
that formed rude pictures, with many strange symbols.

"But what doth it mean ... what signify these characters?"

"Ay, what," he repeated, throwing up his head to stare wide-eyed upon
the brilliant moon. "Well, ma'm," he murmured, "if fortune prove kind
and my luck hold, it meaneth wealth beyond computation, power to sway
men's destinies; fleets of ships to sail at my will, armies of men to do
my behests.... Here is vengeance, love, friendship, hatred, peace, war,
murders, blessings, all the good and all the ills this world may offer a
man. But for the present, since we march early, let's to bed, ma'm."

And tucking this golden skull beneath his arm, he clutched my wrist and
led me thus whither he would and my poor heart so beating methought it
would choke me.




CHAPTER XXI

TELLETH HOW I SLEPT IN A ROPE


Thus he leading and I following, mute and submissive like some poor lamb
to the slaughter, we came back to the boat.

"First we'll eat!" quoth he, gruffly ungracious as any coarse sailorman.
"You'll find the wherewithal in the locker under the stern seat yonder
and then gather sticks and driftwood for a fire, while I bestow the
skull in place of safety." Now at this I merely looked at him, whereat
he scowled and grew coarser yet.

"Come, tumble to 't, my lass; no standing off and on; here's no place
for fine lady megrims; you'll do your trick along o' me and yon lubberly
Johnnyman--so jump, ma'm, bustle to 't, d'ye hear?" For a moment I
defied him, but his looks became so brutal and my situation already so
desperate that I obeyed him with as much dignity as might be. Then off
he goes, singing to himself. Very soon he came striding back and, seeing
the pile of wood I had heaped together:

"Sink me!" he exclaimed. "'Tis to be hoped ye can cook better than build
a fire! How a-plague shall this kindle, think ye? Watch now and learn
against next time. Lookee--lay your small twigs alow and heavier
aloft--and thus like the gables of a house." After this, when he had got
his fire going (and very hatefully soon) and he demanding I should cook
supper, I vowed I could not and folding hands in my lap sat me down,
resolved to endure the extremity of his anger rather than show myself
his too willing slave thus: and so we sat opposite and frowning on each
other a long moment.

"Cannot or will not?" he demanded.

"Both!" I retorted; whereupon he stared up at the moon, fell a-whistling
and set about the business himself. And here I will confess he contrived
all things with that quick deftness which it seems most sailormen
possess; and was no bad cook, judging by the savoury odours that
presently began to tantalize me, since though hungry I had no mind to
eat with him, as I told him.

"How then," quoth he, "must I needs cook for and feed thee? For eat you
must and shall, against to-morrow's journey." And speaking, he makes ply
with a spoon and to such evident purpose, that I ate perforce, though
making wry faces over it. And this the first meal we had ever eaten
together.... This done:

"And what of your poor prisoner?" I demanded.

"To-morrow!" he answered. "He eats to-morrow. And now, lass," quoth he,
rising, "when you've washed these pans and platters, stow 'em i' the
satchel yonder and we'll to bed--"

"Do not call me 'lass'!" cried I.

"No?" quoth he, as mightily surprised.

"No!"

"Then what?"

"My name is--Ursula!"

"Ay, but then this argueth such familiarity, and we so wed, and so
alone,--no, no--Ursula is too plaguily, suggestively intimate, and I
being such poor, humble, modest mariner--"

"Oh, call me what you will!" said I, turning my back on him.

"Ay, ay, lass!" he cried cheerily. "Have at the dishes whiles I go
prepare a couch for thee." So I, himself out of sight, began my odious
task to cleanse these greasy dishes, etc., using only my finger tips;
and having placed them within the great leathern bag that seemed to hold
store of provisions, I sat gazing upon the unreal beauty of the scene
about me, the white strand, the great palm trees, the placid sea all
glorified by the moon's radiant splendour and yet, though strangely
stirred, thinking upon none of these but only of myself and this
strange Japhet that was my husband and now making my bed ... and in my
poor, trembling heart was mighty yearning for my dear, sane England ...
for Deborah ... then I heard his step behind me and, obedient to his
word, rose up and meekly followed.

He brought me to a cave and in this, where the moon's vivid beams might
not reach me, a heap of herbs and grasses, very fragrant, that was to be
my couch.

"There's for you, lass," said he, "and right proper bed you'll find it,
yet first--this!" and he showed me a length of rope.


"Well, what now?" I demanded.

"A device shall save ye walking in your sleep or, what's more, walking
in mine--"

"What folly!" said I, half laughing.

"Well, you might take a mind to release my prisoner Dog's-breakfast
yonder--"

"If you mean Lord Aldbourne--"

"Ay, I do, lass, I do. I've no mind to have my weasand slit, d'ye see?"

"How dare ye think such thing!" cried I in fury.

"Well you loosed him once afore, lass, once afore. So here's to make
sure you don't do it again."

"I'll not submit to be tied so!"

"Ay, but you will! A turn about you with this, amidships, my lass." Then
he had snatched me to him, had passed the rope about me and secured it
round my waist with cunning sailor's knot.

"Now, t'other end about me--so!" quoth he, suiting act to word. "Here
then shall we lie, ma'm, fast joined together i' the bonds o' matrimony,
which is one thing, and a good stout rope, which is another and for the
nonce a much better thing. Now lie you down, close your pretty eyes and
dream o' poor Japhet like good submissive lass."

So saying, he went from the cave and vanished. So down I lay, the
prisoning rope about me; and when after some while I ventured to give
this a little tug (as by accident) I felt him tug it in answer. And now,
strangely enough, either by reason of the open air or the sweetly
aromatic couch whereon I lay, sleep took me ere I knew it. But waking in
the night's pitchy darkness, for the moon was gone, glad was I of this
rope about me and, feeling it stir when as he turned in his slumber, the
darkness had no terrors for me, and I presently fell into peaceful sleep
again.




CHAPTER XXII

TELLETH HOW WE SET OUT IN THE DAWN


The same rope it was that roused and awoke me by its persistent
twitchings, so that opening sleepy eyes I beheld him standing in the
cave's mouth, his shapely figure dark against a flaming dawn.

"Up, slugabed!" saith he, giving another twitch to the rope. "Rouse out,
messmate, and stand by for breakfast!" So up rose I and feeling myself
all unlovely with sleep: to wit;--my poor garments sadly rumpled, my
hair disordered and my eyes heavy, forth came I into the bright, glad
dayspring and sinking before him in my most gracious and stateliest
curtsey:

"Good morrow, Sir Grimly Tyrant!" quoth I. Now at this he opened his
grey eyes at me and stood for a moment quite dumbstruck; then off came
his seaman's bonnet and he made me his reverence with extremest
punctilio:

"Madam Imperia, your very devoted, humble servant to command!" says he.
So there we stood, bowing and courtseying to each other very fool
like,--as we had been in St. James' instead of this lonely wilderness.

"Then my command is that you show me where I may find water, some pool
or freshet where I may lave sleep from me, and whiles this is a-doing,
you shall kindle a fire that I may presently prepare your Noble
Jailorship's breakfast--nay, first pray free me from these toils o'
servitude." So forthwith he loosed off the rope about me.

"And now for your ladyship's ablutions," saith he, "behind yon grove you
shall find all to your mind and I would advise you bathe and make the
most of it, since God knoweth when you shall know such luxury again."
Now as I went, following his directions, I became aware of wonders at
every turn, with such screaming, chattering, screeching and piping all
about me as well-nigh deafened me, above and around me birds fluttered
and flew and these of such diverse and wondrous plumage and vivid hues
they seemed like so many flying jewels, while everywhere strange flowers
bloomed in riotous beauty, with strange fruits so luscious-seeming I was
minded to pluck and taste of them, yet mindful of wise old Ezekiel's
warning, did not.

So came I suddenly into a little flowery glen and here in rocky basin
all festooned in flowers a crystal pool that brimmed and trickled with
soft, pretty tinkle. And here besides, neatly disposed upon white cloth,
my own comb and brushes and toilette necessaries every one, so that I
stood amazed (and no wonder). So I bathed me and what with the sun, the
fragrant air and this wonder of fruits and flowers about me, never
enjoyed anything more. Then having taken sufficiency of time that he
might have the fire lighted and perchance cook the meal himself, I
dressed me at leisure and with my toilette articles in the cloth beneath
my arm, went back, sweetly refreshed, all aglow with vigorous life and
the comfortable knowledge that despite my poor, ill-used gown, all was
with me as it should be, and very enjoyably hungry.

I found him busied at the fire that crackled merrily and (to my great
satisfaction) the breakfast ready, judging by its fragrant and delicious
aroma.

"Aha, doth it invite?" saith he. "In no coffeehouse in London or any
other where, shall you drink coffee the like o' this, taken from a
Spanish galleass out o' Java. Ha'n't you noticed its excellence aboard
the _Deliverance_?"

"Indeed and I have!" said I. And after some while, the pangs of hunger
something assuaged, "Sir," said I (and very graciously), "I would thank
you for ... for these," and I gestured to the cloth that held my
toilette things. "May I ask how they came hither?"

"Well," he answered, pouring me more of this wonderful coffee, "while
you were busily stealing my prisoner out o' my ship, I was as busily
stealing your fripperies out o' your cabin ... to Mrs. Deborah's
direction, to be sure."

"Then you ... you knew ..." says I faintly.

"Ay, I knew!" he nodded. "Whatso Ben did was by my orders, for sure."

"Then you crept ... you peeped and pried on me!" said I indignantly.

"Ay, I did, lass, I did!" he nodded, reverting to his coarse manner and
speech. "I watched a fool lass meddle in what nowise concerned her and
might have brought down on her own fool head such harms and miseries,
ay, such shame, ma'm, as I blush to speak on, being such plaguey modest
sailorman."

"You mean ... the Earl of Aldbourne?"

"Yea, lass, and no, lass, for I mean my Johnny, yon hunk o' dog's meat!
Wouldst care to be stranded here alone ... with our Johnny--think, fool
lass, think ... all last night! What should you be doing now? Not eating
with such hearty appetite, I'll warrant me!" Now here, despite the
hateful mockery of his tone, I stole a look at him and saw his face so
grimly stern I shivered at the vile horrors his words conjured to my too
vivid imagination; and then lest he should deem me so affected:

"And pray, what of my lord?" said I. "Is it part of your cruel vengeance
to starve the poor gentleman?"

"Not so, lass--no, no. A man must be hale and strong to suffer apt and
properly, as I do know. So I've tended Johnny's needs; he sitteth even
now guzzling sweet water and gnawing on a ship's biscuit."

"And pray, what is your lordly will toward us poor miserable wretches?"

"Well, ma'm," saith he, leaning broad back against convenient tree,
"seeing we've a good hour ere we march, I'll answer you fully as may
be."

"'Japhet,' says my good comrade Barnaby (thus or in like words), 'you
being now the only married man o' the Fellowship' (that is, himself,
myself, Zeke, Lovepeace, Crabtree and one Rob Stukeley you know not,
himself being ashore on venture of his own), 'why not settle down and
beget a family as a man should?' 'With whom?' says I, amazed at such
idea. 'With your wife,' says he. 'That, Barnaby,' says I, 'would be
notable thought were she any other's wife or I any other's husband.'
'But,' says Barnaby, 'but Ursula?' 'Lad,' says I, 'Ursula is far beyond
any buts....' Then cometh Zeke, preaching up home and children as
against empty vengeance, and old Lovepeace on the same tack, d' ye see,
lass,--and all so plaguily insistent, that the end of it is, for peace
and quietness' sake--ay, and to kill two birds with one stone, here we
are."

"Oh!" I murmured, drawing meaningless patterns in the sand with my
fingers. "And what are your two birds, pray?"

"Well, it is just as I am being lectured thus on my marital duties, that
you begin your creeping and colloguing with Shark's-bait yonder."

"Meaning my lord the Earl of Aldbourne!" quoth I.

"Meaning our Johnny! And seeing you so plaguey set on stealing my Johnny
away from me, puts in my mind a plan or method whereby he may suffer
more and you be cured once and for all of your curst prideful
wilfulness."

"Oh!" said I again. "Pray how?"

"This shall be seen anon. Howbeit, I call my comrades together and speak
them on this wise: 'Brethren,' says I, 'you'll have been wondering why I
altered course for yon island which yet is no island. Have ye forgot how
years agone I told ye how I had there hid the golden skull of the
Inca?--'Ye have,' says I, 'thinking perchance I spake but idle tale,
though ye should know me better.' 'Faith,' says they in chorus, 'we
do.'--'Very good,' says I. 'Then mark ye. Our ship is foul with long
voyaging and needeth cleansing out and in. Go ye then to Bartlemy's
Bay, that ye all do know, and there careen and refit. This shall take ye
a month or more. Meanwhile, I and my spouse shall land yonder, recover
the Inca's skull and therewith seek one Yupanaqui, that is a mighty
cacique and once my friend, anent a certain treasure long sought by many
and divers adventurers, of the which this skull is in some sense the
key.' So thus it was agreed atwixt us, lass, and so here we be, and
should you look for the _Joyful Deliverance_, you shall not see her, for
she's hull down long since, standing away south by east--"

Here I sprang to my feet and coming where I might behold the wide
stretch of ocean, caught my breath, for the ship was gone, even as he
had said.

"So then," cried I in angry dismay, "you have wilfully set me ashore,
helpless and at your hateful will; you have--"

"Marooned ye, ma'm, marooned's the word--"

"And how long must this endure?"

"Why, this depends, ma'm,--if your legs be stout as your spirit, we
should be aboard again in a month or say six weeks, though to be sure we
may be stung by serpents, devoured by wild beasts, drowned, bogged, or
slain by hostile Indians, but with luck, ma'm, and stout legs, it should
be five or six weeks."

"Well, my limbs are not stout!" said I (twixt hysteric laughter and
furious tears).

"A pity, lass, a pity. Yet constant labour shall harden 'em--"

"But I don't want them hardened."

"Not?" says he, like one vastly surprised. "Howbeit, lass, what with
climbing mountains, swimming rivers and what not, ye shall presently get
you such legs they shall bear you well as mine own: ay, and once aboard
the _Deliverance_, you shall run up the weather rigging in gale o' wind,
speedy and sure as any tarry pigtail--"

But here what must I do but burst out laughing and then a-weeping, and
the end of it was the wretch cleansed and stowed away the breakfast
platters himself and thus, at least, I was spared this odious business.

This done, away goeth he and presently comes back again, leading the
poor Earl with a rope round his neck and the poor man very deject and
woeful, and small wonder.

And now he forces my lord to gird the great leathern satchel upon his
back, then buckling on his sword and two pistols and a long musket
across his shoulder:

"Forward!" says he.

And incontinent forth we set on this journey wherein I was to learn so
much, more especially touching myself (my weakness and strength), and
learn with shame and wonder how near the primal animals we are. As shall
appear.




CHAPTER XXIII

WHICH IS, FOR THE MOST PART, A CHAPTER OF WEARINESS


We had gone perhaps three miles and the sun very oppressive, when I lost
the heel of my right shoe.

"Stop!" cried I.

"Avast, Johnny!" quoth he. "Belay, John! What's for thee, lass?"

"My shoe heel."

"Come adrift, hey? Then knock off t'other and be shipshape."

"Impossible!" said I.

"No such thing!" he answered. "Sit ye down." So down I sank, willingly
enough, as did the Earl, groaning querulously.

"Give me thy shoe, m' lass!"

"Take it!" quoth I, reaching forth my already weary foot, the which he
did and none too gently, and off came its dainty heel.

"But I cannot go without heels."

"Ay, but you can," he nodded. "You'll be amazed what ye can do afore the
week's out. So up wi' you, lass! Heave ahead, Carrion!" This to the
Earl, who looked more distressed than I by reason of his heavy load.

"Nay, give me a rest, man," panted he distressfully. "I'm used to coach,
or saddle, and this damned bundle--damn you, let me rest!"

"Nary respite till noon--up with ye, I say!" With which he kicked the
poor gentleman to his feet so cruelly I would have cried shame on him,
but ere I might do so, the Earl burst forth into such cursing and vile
abuse that I covered my ears--shocked and amazed so fine a gentleman
might stoop to such.

"Sing out your ribaldries afore a lass, will ye!" cried the Captain and
fetched him such a buffet as nearly felled him; after which shameful
exhibition on both their parts, we trudged on again. And presently saith
the Captain, going beside me:

"Lookee, ma'm, see how thin is your fine gentleman's gentility now, that
he can so readily lay tongue to such villainies as might your poor,
ignorant, ragged rascal--"

"And you!" cried I. "How better are you to so cruelly entreat him?"

"Oceans better, lass! Worlds better; with all my sins, I could never be
so black base as vicious Johnny."

"And who are you to thus pronounce judgment?"

"Japhet, ma'm, poor Japhet as wedded his spouse for spouse's sake, and
now laments for his own."

"Laments, forsooth!" quoth I scornfully.

"With all my woeful heart!" says he sighfully. And seeing the leering
mockery in his eyes, I said no more.

"How are your shoes?" quoth he at last; to the which be sure I made no
answer: and indeed, for such rough going I found my heelless shoes more
comfortable than I expected.

"I'm glad!" said he. "Vastly glad, lass!"

"Of what?" I questioned, speaking ere I knew.

"Your walking is so much easier. Such heels are well enough in a
withdrawing-room or in the Mall, but--ha, stays now, you wear 'em?"

"What of it?" I demanded.

"Throw 'em away--burn 'em--"

"I'll do no such thing!"

"Ay, but you will: when the sun groweth hotter yet and the going harder,
you'll curse 'em and yearn to be rid of 'em. And so you shall, I'll see
to 't--"

"Detestable man!" quoth I, whereat he did but chuckle. And thus went we
through a world methought very beautiful at the first, but as the sun
beat down more fervently and the flowery festoons reached their
loveliness (as it were) to catch and trip my aching feet, while shrubs
aromatic clutched my petticoat, ripping it with vicious thorns, this
made me begin to think all this garish beauty very sinister indeed; even
the birds, that shrilled and screeched, flaunting their gaudy plumage so
boldly before my startled eyes, were but a growing weariness like the
little apes that leapt and swung and chattered at me so impishly from
the dense foliage. As to the sky all adazzle with the merciless sun, I
longed for the cloudy skies and soft, sweet rain of my so-loved England.
At last, this glaring sun being directly above our heads and we entering
the blissful shade of trees:

"Belay!" says the Captain, halting, "Here will we bring to awhile and
eat. Also yonder, lass, is a rill; go drink and bathe your feet." But I
had seen this most welcome brook, as had also the Earl for, not staying
to loose off his heavy burden, he stumbled on before and casting himself
face down, began to drink in fierce gulps, groaning and gasping in a
rapture.

And now to see him thus foredone and all distressed, lapping up this
water like any driven beast, his state and dignity all forgot, though
pity for him swelled my heart, I could not but be repelled also.

And when I too had quenched my thirst and bathed my swollen, burning
feet (and oh, the blissful easement of it!) we ate our midday meal
together. The Captain bade us sit and tossing an evil-looking ship's
biscuit to my lord (much as he had been a very dog), set before me
viands so much better that ere he might prevent, I turned and thrust
them into the Earl's ready hands, who with no look or word of thanks
(like one sullenly ashamed) ate of them ravenously.

"Sink me, there's sad waste, lass!" grumbled the Captain, shaking
reproachful head at me, "for yon's the last of our dainties ... and to
waste 'em thus on rogue Johnny! Must be content with this now," and he
hands me another of those biscuits and therewith a shrivelled something
that I blenched from.

"Heaven's mercy!" I exclaimed, shuddering. "What would you have me eat?"

"Beef, lass," he answered, proffering it for my inspection, "flesh of an
ox, ma'm, bouccaned that it may keep--what, no? Well and good, shalt
devour it with sweet avidity anon." And so, because I would not eat this
nor touch his vile biscuit I ate naught.

Within this pleasant shade our Tyrant suffered us to rest awhile and I
so weary that I fell asleep; only to be roused by his touch, to hear him
bidding us on again.

So, obedient to his command, we continued our journey and the air so
close and heavy that ever and anon I must pause to breathe and he (for a
wonder) very patient.

And as we tramped thus, often I heard Lord Aldbourne groan and saw him
stagger 'neath his burden, at which times our Tyrant would urge him on
by thrust of brutal foot or hand, mocking him the while in hateful
fashion:

"What then, d'ye sweat, Johnny, d'ye sweat? Well and good, 'tis better
than your pill or bolus. That fine coat now, that noble periwig, must
you wear 'em, Johnny fool?" The Earl stopped and removing fine, belaced
hat, snatched off his great peruke and hurled it away with frantic
gesture; then, looking up and around him despairingly, trudged on again.

Nor were we permitted to rest until I, falling at last, made no effort
to rise but lay there, sobbing for very weariness; whereupon he stooped
and laying me across his shoulder as I had been bale of merchandise,
tramped on with me and I half aswoon until, in a place of rocks, he set
me down and to my joy beside a small, stilly pool; and stooping to this
placid water, I saw my eyes all swollen and blubbered with tears, my
hair all tumbled about me, yet too weary for caring, drank my fill and
stretching out where I lay, fell asleep till I waked to the flickering
light of a fire and him beyond it, busied with cooking supper.

"I thought," said I, sleepily and still outstretched, "that all our
dainty food was gone; you told me so."

"And so it is," he answered. "I'm preparing this bouccaned meat."

"It smells very good!"

"And will taste better."

"And what of the poor Earl?"

"Fettered and tied to tree, as dog should be."

"Whence came his fetters?"

"Out of the satchel, sure."

After this, I lay awhile watching his face so near me and very intent on
his cookery.

"Japhet," said I suddenly, whereat he as suddenly turned and looked at
me.

"Well, Ursula?"

"Why are you such hatefully cruel man? So relentlessly vindictive?"

"Some day you shall hear--mayhap."

"And why not now?"

"You are still too much the useless, prideful fine lady."

"I am what God made me, sir."

"And your own idle vanities, madam, God or Nature giveth us
possibilities, circumstance and ourselves mould and shape 'em."

"Why did you so trick and marry me, Japhet?"

"Ursula," he answered, looking from me to the spoon in his hand and
shaking his head at it, "upon my life I hardly know ... 'twas for divers
reasons ... yet which o' these I'm not yet sure on."

"What reasons?"

"Is this honest will to learn or mere idle curiosity?"

"How think you?" And here I made my eyes speak eloquently as they might.

"I think," he answered, "nay, I'm sure this pottage is ready, so let us
eat." The which we did forthwith and I found this _ragout_ well seasoned
and flavoured with such herbs and vegetables quite new to me, as I told
him and he incontinent telling me of ocas, ananas and other fruits and
vegetables and how the wilderness about us was of nature so kind no
traveller might starve, and the like, though I was scheming how to make
him tell me more concerning himself. But ere I might think on a way,
from the imminent shadows of the dense thickets rose sudden snarling
roar so wild and terrible that I started to my knees in speechless
panic, and yet was instantly comforted to see him nowise alarmed.

"In mercy's name, what was yonder?" I gasped.

"The Voice of the Wilderness," he answered.

"Wild beasts, Japhet?"

"Ay, but only four-legged ones, that shall not shoot us from ambush nor
dare our fire: it's the beast o' two legs is the greater menace, so be
tranquil. And now to sleep; get what rest you may, for to-morrow our
going shall be harder."

"Can it be so indeed?" sighed I dismally.

"Ay, for to-morrow we should reach the mountain country." At this, I
moaned and (he not heeding) quoth I:

"Then I must climb your cruel mountain barefoot, for my shoes are ruined
beyond repair--as you may see."

"Ay!" he nodded. "This I expected and have provided against," and
reaching deep into the great satchel, he drew thence a pair of buckled
shoes that I knew for Deborah's.

"These," said he, "being shoes to walk in rather than gauds to vanity,
should serve you very well until I can get you better."

"How better--in the wilderness?" says I, sad but ironical.

"Indian shoes, Madam Ursula, that you shall find a joy to walk in."

"Why, you may force me to walk in what you will," I murmured resignedly,
"but 'twill be rather agony than joy and my feet so sadly bruised and
blistered."

At this, he takes my feet, handling the poor things very tenderly and,
reaching into the satchel again, presently begins anointing and rubbing
them with some emollient very soothing. This done, he arose and made up
the fire, placed his arms, namely the musket, etc., to his hand, then
lying down:

"Now good night and go to sleep!" said he.

But as I lay staring on the fire that was at once our comfort and
defence, the dark thickets about us seemed all arustle with stealthy
menace, while from the awful mysteries beyond came strange cryings,
chatterings, dismal wailings, with many other dread sounds near and far,
so that indeed though nigh sick with weariness, I could but lie and
listen, starting to every sound, until at last:

"Japhet!" said I.

"Yes?" he answered sleepily.

"Last night, when no wild-beastly horrors threatened, you must secure me
with a rope: why not now?"

"To-night, Ursula, that same rope secures our Johnny."

"Well, I cannot sleep."

"Art so affrighted?"

"Terrified!" I moaned.

"Well, then, 'stead of rope, take this ... an' you will," and from where
he lay, he reached and clasped my bare foot.

"How's that, messmate? Shall it serve?"

"Ay, ay, Cap'n," I murmured; for indeed, though this hand was hard and
roughened by much service, it was large and comforting. And thus (and
before I knew it) I sank into sleep.




CHAPTER XXIV

TELLETH IN WHAT STRANGE FASHION WE HAD NEWS OF WAR


Next morning I found myself so grievously stiff and sore that when,
having swallowed such food as I could, he bade me rise, I merely looked
up at him, shaking my head dumbly like the pitiful creature I was; but
in his grim face was no whit of pity for me: instead he scowled
brutally.

"Come up with ye," quoth he: "up I say and get into your shoes."

"No, Japhet," I answered, humbly meek yet very resolute, "I can scarce
move, and to walk is beyond me."

"Yet walk you must and shall!" quoth he fiercely, whereat, yet looking
up at him, I blinked until my eyes filled and gazing on him through
these tears:

"Leave me," I sobbed, "oh, let me die!"

"Fool!" he snarled and stooping, plucked me up and set me upon my poor,
ill-used feet.

"Into your shoes!" says he fiercely.

"Pity!" I moaned and, sinking down, stretched myself at his feet again,
the which seemed to perplex the wretch (as indeed I'd hoped it might);
so now, covering my face, I sobbed aloud and very miserably.

"'Sdeath!" he exclaimed. "Were we alone you should be thrashed--"

"Nay, Sir Villainy," cried the Earl scornfully, "let not my presence
check your natural ferocity; wreak your brutish pleasure on your weeping
victim, I'll twiddle my thumbs or--"

"Peace! Worm's-meat!" quoth the Captain. "As for you," saith he,
stirring my grief-stricken form with his toe, "to lie there like a
broken, spiritless jade! Where now's your pride o' birth, your imperious
airs? And a God's name, what good are you, what use to yourself or any
other? You are but artifice shaped like woman to grace an artificial
world."

"Devil!" cried I, roused by his searing words and (above all) to be thus
spurned by his contemptuous foot, and, forgetting all my aches and
pains, up I leapt and sprang at him to rend and tear with nails and
teeth like any fury of the streets; and thus we strove shamelessly
together, I to come at him and he to keep me at arm's length until my
strength failed; then, lifting me all breathless in his arms:

"That's the spirit!" quoth he. "Ay, 'tis the spirit to dare fate and
conquer fortune and front the unknown, nothing fearing! God love thee,
comrade!" And (to my wonder) I felt his lips upon my hair, my brow, my
tearful eyes; then he was sitting and myself on his knees like any
child, and reaching the shoes, that had been Deborah's, he fitted them
upon my feet very gently kind and almost ere I knew it.

And so we set out on this the second day of our pilgrimage and thanks to
Deborah's shoes my swollen feet bore me better than I had dared hope or
deemed possible, so that, my bodily distress thus eased, I began to look
about me, admiring at the natural wonders of this strange, new world,
more especially the infinite variety of flowers and trees; at one of
which I must needs cry out in very rapture to see this great beautiful
thing all aflame with scarlet blossoms, whereupon my grim gaoler, silent
hitherto, condescends to tell me of it and how the Spaniards do name it
_arbol de fuego_, or tree of fire. And now, seeing me thus interested,
he began to point me other trees, as the candlewood, the pimento, the
cocus and palms that are of nature so generous they do give food and
drink and clothes beside; then the limes good against scurvy, calentures
and the like ills, and the ananas that grow fruit in strange fashion
like a fan. And turning aside into the denser boskage, presently brings
me some and barking one gives it me to eat and so mighty delectable I
found it I would have stayed to pluck me more but he forbade, telling me
we should find them in great plenty whereso we would.

And now our way began to trend upwards and I saw the track we had
followed was become a path and when I questioned him of this he answered
with the one word:

"Indians!" This instantly thrilled me with no little apprehension, more
especially as I saw him, from the tail of my eye, open the pan of his
musket to examine its priming; whereupon I demanded to know if these
Indians would fight us.

"Well, no," he answered, yet hitching his sword hilt ready to his hand,
"no, ma'm, except they mistake us for their natural enemies."

"And who are these?"

"Spaniards, all or any."

"And how shall they be sure we are no Spaniards?"

"This I shall tell them when we reach more convenient place." Hereupon I
glanced fearfully around, half expecting to see stealthy shapes
threatening us from the dense thickets right and left, but I too
indignant to demand his meaning.

On and up we went, the poor Earl, silent as ever, trudging on with his
burden, stumbling frequently yet, as I say, with never a word of
complaint; and now I noticed he had discarded his rich coat and
waistcoat and went in his shirt, and this wet and clinging with the
sweat of his travail; and seeing him so dumbly patient in his
sufferings, I went beside him.

"My lord," said I, loud enough for our cruel task-master to overhear,
"with each weary mile I do but the more admire at you."

"Madam," quoth he, betwixt gasp and groan, "you honour me."

"Ay, I do," said I, "I do with all my heart, because you do honour to
your own manhood. It taketh a brave heart to endure and no complaint
when Heartless Brutality drives."

"My dear lady," gasps the Earl, "but for my burden I would make you my
reverence. But hush now, lest thou anger Brutality and he do violence to
that sweet, tender body o' thine--"

"Yap not, cur," said the Captain and thrust at the Earl with his heavy
foot so violently that he staggered and fell, gasping; then struggling
to sitting posture, he looked up at his scowling oppressor and smiled.

"Sir," said he, "I am humbly grateful for this respite."

"Why then, Johnny, lie there and take your ease," nodded the Captain,
"ay and you too, ma'm; sing an anthem o' your woes together whiles I
speak who we are to hidden eyes and ask a question."

So down sat I beside the Earl, gladly enough, and both of us watching
our gaoler, wondering at his words; and he, laying by his musket,
gathers dry twigs and with tinder box makes him a fire: and when this is
well aglow, covers the flame with green leaves that give forth very
thick smoke that rises in that still air like tall column.

Next from the great satchel he takes my cloak and holding this spread
above the fire, breaks the smoke column; and now, by manage of the
cloak, he sends puffs of smoke up into the air at varying intervals, so
that (forgetting all but my wonderment) cried I:

"Japhet, is it so you talk with the Indians?"

"Ay, I do," he nodded sullenly.

"But this is wonderful."

"'Tis trick I learned of the Indians."

"Then they are wonderful."

"They are," he nodded.

"And will they answer with smoke?"

"Ay."

"Whereabouts must we look?"

"Yonder!" And glancing whither he pointed, I saw that which all the
morning I had taken for a cloud but which, seen now from where we stood,
I knew for a great mountain, vague and dreamlike with distance, soaring
up beyond the dark forests, sweeping up in grandeur until its
faint-gleaming, snow-capped summit seemed to pierce the very sky.

"Oh, Japhet!" quoth I and so was dumb, for this was the first great
mountain I had ever seen. And now my awed pleasure in this stupendous
wonder seemed to banish some of his black humour for, having stamped out
his fire, he came beside me.

"Yonder is Mount Hualpa," said he, soft-voiced; "at least, 'tis so the
Indians name it, and in its mighty shadow stands all that Spanish guns
and iniquity have left of a once famous city."

"Prithee tell me of it, Japhet."

"The Indians call this city Viracocha after the name of one o' their
Incas, and it is ruled by one Capac Yupanaqui."

"Capac Yupanaqui," I repeated. "'Tis sweet name and sings."

"Ay," he nodded, "the Inca dialects are strangely melodious."

"Can you speak them?"

"One or two."

"By your grace, Master Slave Driver," said the Earl, outstretched beside
his pack, "shall we not eat?"

"Ay, Johnny, 'tis well bethought on."

And now, while we made our midday meal, I questioned him and he
answered, thus:

    MYSELF:    Know you this Capac Yupanaqui?

    HE:        Truly. He is my brother.

    MYSELF:    Now, how may this be, and he an Indian?

    HE:        'Twas brotherhood sworn on the blood.

    MYSELF:    Oh! And wherefore?

    HE:        We suffered i' bondage together. He saved my life and but
               for him I should ha' died many times.

    THE EARL:  Permit me to remark that had you died but once I should
               be content.

    HE:        Gad so, Johnny man, I know it. Better for you, Johnny, had
               you and Geoffrey ended me whiles I was but lad, for being
               man to-day, I'm something harder to kill, it seems. For in
               such personal matters as murder, Johnny, it is best to
               trust none but ourselves.

    MYSELF:    What is this talk of murder?

    HE:        Nay, ask our Johnny.

    MYSELF:    What say you to this, my lord?

    THE EARL:  A rogue-pirate's babble, madam! Wind, lady, wind!

    HE:        That shall waft thee to perdition, Johnny lad.

The Earl merely shrugged his shoulders and went on eating.

    JAPHET:    Nor think to win quick death o' me by shot or sudden
               steel; thy death shall come less kindly, John.

    MYSELF:    And how far hence lieth this city you tell of.

    HE:        Thirty leagues, or thereabout.

"Merciful Heaven," cried I, aghast, "so many weary miles, and through
such hard travelling as this?"

"Worse!" he nodded. "We ha'n't reached the forest country yet. There be
swamps, and tangled thickets to force, except I find the Indian track,
with streams to ford and a great river to cross." Hearing this, I gazed
away at that far distant mountain in dismay.

"God help us!" cried I despairing.

"Amen!" quoth he, so smugly pious that I could have struck him; instead
of which I wept, telling him that this cruel wilderness would be the
death of me.

"Not it!" he scoffed. "Not it! Rather shall it bring you fuller life."
At this I railed on him the more.

"Ah, cruel, heartless wretch!" I gasped, "you drive me beyond my
strength--"

"Yet there you sit, ma'm, at your ease--"

"I am not able to endure such weary travail."

"And yet you will!" he nodded; "Each day shall better fit you, each mile
strengthen you."

"Never! Never!" cried I, wailing, "'Twill be my death!... I shall
perish, for 'tis a wicked country ... the wilderness is cruel!"

"Ay, so it is!" he nodded, "yet 'tis a cruelty that but rouseth the
brave spirit to greater valiance--"

"Well, I'm not valiant," I sobbed, "nor wish to be. So here in these
cruel solitudes, soon or late, I shall die, and by your wicked will, and
may God forgive you for--I won't!"

"God?" he repeated; "now, ma'm, you that call so apt upon your God, open
your ears and hear of mine: It is in the might of ocean, the vast
silences, the desolation of such wilderness as this that God reveals
Himself to such as have eyes to see, and such as do see grow bold for
death or life, able to stare Fear within the eye and quail not, to see
Death scowling in the way and yet march on, fearing yet unafraid ... and
if we die, our woes are bravely ended, but--if we live--"

"Well?" said I and, lifting my head to glance at him, saw his brown,
lean face transfigured quite, until reading the wonder in my eyes, he
laughed:

"Well, what then?" I demanded.

"Why then, lass, you would prove yourself such woman that even poor
Japhet would be proud to call--"

"Yes," I murmured, "to call--?"

"My good comrade!" And with the word he rose, and then stood so
strangely still that I cried on him to know the reason; for answer he
raised his hand to point, and looking whither he directed, I too arose
and stood at gaze, for plain to be seen though very far away, black
specks were rising upon the air that I knew for puffs of smoke floating
up against the blue--now one, now three or four in quick succession, now
one again, with varying intervals.... But when from these signals I
looked again at Japhet, I saw his face so troubled that I grew troubled
also and begged him tell me what dire news he read there.

"War!" said he. "Spanish troops are marching from the South; so, ma'm,
beside this wilderness its cruelty, you are very like to see what
Spanish soldiery can do in that way--which God forfend! Come, let us
march!"

And march we did forthwith and at such pace that the Earl gasped bitter
curses and I sued for respite, whereat, though he cursed the Earl in
turn and scowled on me, he moderated his pace yet would not suffer us to
halt until towards nightfall, spent and weary, we reached a place of
coolness shut in by vine-clad rocks and flowery thickets where water
plashed; and here we made camp.

So came night and the purple heaven ablaze with stars so beyond
description glorious, I gazed mute for wonder of them:

"Go you and bathe," saith he ungraciously. "Dog's-meat shall aid me with
the supper; and woman," says he, as I turned me wearily to obey, "as
Johnny hath shed his finery o' coat and wig, come back without your
stays; for an I find 'em on ye when ye return, sink me, but I'll cut 'em
from you myself. So see you to 't, ma'm, and spare a poor seaman's
modesty."

Deigning him no word, I followed the stream and finding a small pool all
abrim with floating stars, I bathed my aching weariness and found in
this such comfort no words may tell. And going back to the camp fire,
after some little while, mightily heartened and refreshed, what was my
surprise and indignation to feel his arms enfold me very ungently, his
rude hands clasping and squeezing my tender sides.

"Good lass!" quoth he. "To-morrow, without your busks and whalebones
and what nots, you shall travel even easier than to-day. Now come and
eat!"

And this night, lying with my sleepy eyes upturned to the myriad flaming
lights that strewed the floor of heaven, I must needs think of his
words--how God revealed Himself in the immensity of the wilderness about
me and now (thinks I) if thus indeed the Spirit of God be all about me,
what cause have I to fear it, nor even the beasts that prowled and
snarled in its dark solitudes, since these were of God ... and if I must
indeed perish, then, being also of God, back to His cherishing my weary
soul must fly.

Lulled by which comforting thought I sank to sweet and dreamless
slumber.




CHAPTER XXV

SHOWETH HOW I RETURNED GOOD FOR EVIL


This morning I waked very early to find the sun just a-peep and upon the
world a great quietude, a deep and solemn hush,--not a leaf rustled in
the warm, still air, not a bird piped and in the leagues of tangled
forests about us nothing stirred; it seemed that all created things
slumbered.

And something of this universal peace stole into my own heart, so that
instead of repining against my fate or frowning upon this new day that,
as I knew, must bring me further travail, I sat up and looked about me
with a new interest. And the first thing I looked upon was this man,
this Japhet who lay within a yard of me beside the smouldering fire, his
outflung arm across his sword and pistols; and his brown face (its
scowling grimliness all smoothed away in the deep unconsciousness of
slumber) showing, methought, strangely young and of an unexpected
comeliness. From him I glanced where sprawled the Earl, his visage all
asprout with beard and hair; and this set me wondering why Japhet must
trouble to shave himself and in the wilderness! And thinking I knew the
reason, I smiled and reaching my brush, comb, etc., whence I had laid
them ready overnight, I rose and crept away to bathe me in that little
placid pool I have mentioned, nor did I hurry myself about so joyous a
business: thus I had just donned my gown, now woefully travel-worn and
with cruel rents here and there, when I heard furious babble of
voices,--Japhet's fierce and harsh, the Earl's high-pitched and mocking,
and then sounds of desperate strife. Hastily donning my shoes, back fled
I running and saw them buffeting each other very spitefully, but Japhet
so much the quicker that or ever I might interpose, his cruel fist smote
the Earl violently to earth, where he lay half dead, his hairy face
dreadfully bespattered with blood.

"Murderous wretch!" cried I, and kneeling beside the stricken man, I
began to wipe his marred face with my tattered gown.

"Fool wench, let be!" cried the Captain. "Must you foul yourself with
his vile blood ... such beastly contamination,--let be!" And seizing me
in vicious grip, he dragged me to my feet.

"Beast!" I panted. "You've killed him at last."

"Have I so, ma'm? Then here's to revive him!" quoth he, and thrusting me
aside, he began to kick the Earl's inanimate form, whereupon this poor
tormented gentleman, that I had thought dead or at least aswoon, leapt
very nimbly to his feet and gasping fierce invective, sprang desperately
into the dense thickets and was gone; and now when I, driven beyond
endurance by such barbarity would have followed, the Captain snatched me
back and I struggling and beating at him till I was whirled face down
across his knee.... Of his shameful usage of me I will not write, but
when at last he freed me, smarting with his blows and shamed to the very
soul, I would in my madness have killed him to avenge my outraged
womanhood and, like any wild creature, leapt where lay his pistols, but
ere I might reach one, he had snatched up his sheathed sword and,
pinning me again, beat me therewith until (despite all my resolution) I
screamed for very pain.... Then I was free and turning to revile him
stood dumb, for there within a yard of us stood the Earl and in each
hand the Captain's pistols.

"Stand away from him, Ursula," says he, "and watch a rogue die!" And so
for a moment was a deadly stillness while these two men stared on each
other.

Then Lord Aldbourne, white teeth agleam 'twixt hairy lips, spoke again,
soft-voiced, smiling:

"Stand aside, Ursula, lest the powder scorch you!"

Almost as he spoke and ere either of them might guess my intent, I leapt
full at the Earl,--blinding flame and smoke, a deafening report and I,
half stunned, conscious of two forms that swayed to and fro above me
in fierce grapple ... I heard a groan, saw one fall with arms wide
tossed ... then a face was touching mine--Japhet's face--his arms were
fast about me ... arms no longer cruel and hands that stroked and patted
me caressingly and in my ear his voice:

"My beautiful ... my brave love...." And thus upon his breast, cradled
in his embrace, I closed my eyes and swooned away (or very nearly). And
what he murmured to my seeming unconscious ears, I will not write,
though I was to think of it for ever after--more especially when aught
of trouble or danger threatened.




CHAPTER XXVI

TELLETH HOW JAPHET SAVED HIS ENEMY FROM DEATH MOST HORRID


And when methought my swoon had accomplished all I might reasonably
expect, I opened my eyes, making their expression reproachful as I
might.

"The Earl--what of him?" I questioned faintly.

"Safe shackled--damn him, he well-nigh killed you!"

"And you ... beat me!" said I, in weeping voice.

"Ay, I did," he murmured.

"Are you not ashamed to have so ... so profaned me with ... your cruel
hand?"

"No!" he answered, folding me closer, "there can be no shame 'twixt you
and me henceforth, save dishonour. You risked your life for me--so is my
life yours and myself truly at your command."

"Yet you must beat me," I reproached him, "and with your sword, beside."

"Ay, faith," said he, sighing deeper than ever, "for this I do abhor
myself...." And here he falls to such talk of my tender loveliness,
etc., as it becomes me not to set down.

"Mine is not the nature that taketh kindly to such brutal chastisement,"
sighed I.

"No," he murmured, very humbly, "and yet you leapt 'twixt me and death!"
And here he kissed me full upon the lips, the which so greatly
disconcerted me, I knew not what to say until, freeing myself of his
arms, I rose to my feet, somewhat unsteadily, and then, or ever I might
speak, I beheld near-by the Earl, bleeding and helpless in his shackles,
flashing his teeth at me in a mocking smile.

"So, my lady, you prove the adage true--that dog, woman and walnut tree,
the more you whip them the better they be. 'Tis knowing rascal, our
pirate."

"Sir," I retorted, "your speech is odious as your looks; come then and I
will bathe your poor, bruised face." At this he arose forthwith and
bowing very lowly:

"Madam Ursula," says he, "such reproof toucheth me sensibly; I crave
your pardon."

"Then come and be washed, this moment!" said I.... And now as he knelt
beside the stream to my ministrations (the Captain watching us 'neath
drawn brows as he recharged his pistol), I could not help but smile to
think what children they both were (though of large growth, to be sure),
and therefore determined henceforth to keep peace between them and
despite themselves.

And when my lord had donned his pack and the Captain girded on his sword
and pistols, we set out on our journey through a country that this
morning seemed, as it were, to enfold me in its warm loveliness; yet I
was soon to learn how hatefully false was this beauty and what loathly
terrors and abomination of horror lay hid beneath this so beauteous
seeming: as shall be told.

We had climbed a hill and from this eminence there burst upon me such
scene of beauty as made me exclaim for sheer joy of it; mile on mile of
blossoming thickets all ablaze with varied colours and beyond this the
dark mystery of vast forests, these too splashed here and there with
glorious hues and, beyond these again, the blue of ocean, a vast expanse
where no ship sailed.

"Oh, the wonder of it!" I cried.

"Ay," Japhet nodded, "But look you yonder, there and there again!" and
he pointed where in the valley below and hard beside this Indian track
we followed, showed patches of vivid, lovely green.

"What is it?" I questioned.

"Death!" he answered, "So walk you where I walk. And yon, ye lubberly
mumps, yonder be quags, so tread warily. I would not lose our
dunnage,--d'ye hear?"

"Ay, I hear," sighed my lord patiently.

So down went we into this valley that looked so fair and pleasantly
vernal and I taking great heed to my feet and treading where he trod and
close upon his heels.

We had gone thus some little distance when I heard sudden outcry behind
us and, turning about, saw the Earl had stumbled from the path and was
being sucked down very horribly in a green slime, so that instinctively
I reached out my hands to his succour. Then Japhet was before me,
holding me back and looking down, smiling in cruel glee.

"So there y'are, Johnny!" he chuckled, "And dying by inches! How doth it
feel, Dog's-meat?" The Earl groaned, floundering more desperately, his
features convulsed with such agony of horror as I hope and pray never to
see again; and Japhet smiling down on him with such look as appalled me.

"Japhet!" I cried, beside myself with the terror of it, "save him, for
God's sake ... for your own sake! Oh, Japhet, show pity on him ...
forget your wicked vengeance--"

"Peace, woman!" he answered, "It is very well that he should suffer
somewhat--"

"Mercy!" gasped the Earl, his desperate struggles growing weaker, his
dreadful eyes outstarting from his haggard, sweat-streaked face; and
then, as I think, he swooned, for uttering a great cry, he bowed his
head and strove no more. Then laying by his pistols and unbuckling
sword-belt, Japhet reached out and grasped him by the hair and seizing
hold upon an out-jutting branch, began to drag his swooning foe from
that noisome, clutching slime when, to my further horror, the branch
snapped and Japhet himself was floundering in that green death.

"Japhet!" I gasped, reaching down my hands to him.

"No, no!" said he, pale, yet marvellous undismayed. "The rope ... pay it
about the sapling yonder and ... comrade, be speedy." And indeed he was
sinking fast and yet somehow contriving to keep the Earl's head above
that ravenous, whispering ooze.

"Oh, but where ... where is the rope?" cried I, running to and fro,
questing like one distraught.

"About thy ... pretty middle!" he gasped and even in this dread moment
smiled up at me. So I took the rope of salvation and securing it about
the tree, set it within his reach.

"But ... dear God ... you have but one hand!" I wailed.

"It shall serve us!" he panted; as indeed it did. For as I knelt there,
alternate crying to him and praying to God, slowly and by painful
degrees he won within my reach.

And now while his powerful hand inched along the rope, I grasped his
arm, that cracked and quivered beneath the strain. I heard his breath
come and go in terrible groaning gasps, but slowly, surely, he won free
of that clinging death and with the swooning Earl safe beside him, lay
with closed eyes, like one on the point of death; yet when I bent over
him in fearful panic lest this should indeed be so, he looked up at me
to gasp:

"Lost ... both ... my shoes!" After this, so soon as he might, he arose
and out of the mud-spattered pack he takes my cloak, wherefrom he tore
strips to bind about his feet, bidding the Earl do likewise: for when I
would have had him make camp here and rest after his prodigious
exertions:

"Zounds--no!" says he. "Here fevers shall creep o' night; no, we must on
to the highlands, so sheet home and square away, shipmate." And now, to
my no small wonder, he slings the great pack to his own shoulders, and
when the Earl (still weak and shaken by his dread experience) protested
himself able to this duty:

"Tush, Johnny," says he gruffly, "you would but hamper us or tumble into
another quag." So on we went and weary tramp we made of it and both of
them limping ere we came on what we sought,--to wit, a little waterfall
that lured us with its sweet babblement.

And now it was I who lit the fire and set about preparing supper, in the
midst of which, seeing him watch me where he sat leaning wearily against
a rock, said I:

"How shall you go and no shoes?"

"Turn cobbler!" he answered. "Hey, Crow's-bait, if ye've the strength,
bring hither the satchel." Up rose my lord and though staggering with
weariness brought it on the instant and as instantly sank down all
asprawl and looking like death, what with the dusk and fitful firelight.

And now, with his sharp seaman's knife, Japhet cuts him pieces of
leather from the satchel, shapes them, slits them and begins to sew them
with large needle and thread and what he told me sailormen call a
"palm", and all with such speed and deftness that soon he had made a
shoe, very rough to be sure, yet very admirable, as I told him.

"Why, 'twill serve until we can get better from the Indians," said he.

And now, supper being ready, I summoned them thereto: and to-night,
myself being cook, Lord Aldbourne ate with us. Also this night, and for
a wonder, the Captain suffered him to lie unshackled.

Now when I had washed and stowed away the utensils, I stretched myself
in sheltered corner and watched the quick, sure play of Japhet's hands
where he crouched busied with his task.

"So you become shoemaker to the Earl!" said I softly, seeing his
lordship lay already fast asleep.

"Ay, ma'm, the fool lost his also."

"And you saved him from dreadful death in the morass."

"Ay, ma'm, 'tis for worse death I saved him."

"No death could be more dreadful than that."

"Oh, I think so, lass, I think so," said he, nodding at the
half-finished shoe in his fingers. "A slave dieth slower beneath the
lash."

"Japhet, are you such implacably cruel man as you sound?"

"Think me worse, ma'm, and you'll come somewhere nigh the truth o' me."

"Hath the Earl indeed wronged you so greatly?"

"Ask him."

"Are you a man must for ever cherish the memory of your wrongs?"

"Well, and why not--having naught else to cherish?"

"Unhappy wretch!" said I.

"Oh, get you to sleep!" quoth he, and mighty surly; whereat, to be sure,
I instantly sat up to tell him that, though he had made me the victim of
his coarse brutality that morning, the odious blows he had made me then
endure shamed him beyond redemption and that such nature as mine should
never tamely submit to such savagery.

"Why harp on it, lass, why harp, except you'm minded to be so victimized
again? Say the word and we'll to 't forthwith, and with heart and hand.
What now? Are ye dumb? Then stow thy whids, hold thy clack and, since ye
talk o' savagery, of savages I'll tell thee, though of another sort.
Though how mere savages should build them mighty cities and drive them
mighty roads athwart vasty ravines and through mountains, roads fine as
any ever made by the old Romans,--all this passeth my understanding."

And forthwith (though to be sure, I yawned in his face) he begins to
tell me of this wondrous people called Inca; of their wondrous goldsmith
work, how they can fashion sprays of flowers in gold and silver natural
as life and with the simplest tools: and shall cast you images of birds,
beasts and fishes in all sorts of postures, everything so curious as
they had been alive. Then of their vasty temples and sumptuous palaces
which, considering their builders had no use of iron nor any of those
instruments and engines used by our masons, was the more amazing. But
above all (saith he) the fort or citadel of the great city of Cuzco
surpasseth imagination, the stones of it so immense that none may
conceive how they could be dug out of the quarries without the aid of
iron, nor transported so many leagues over such mountains and uncouth
ways, and all without the help of horses, oxen, sledges or other
conveniences, since these were all unknown. All this and more he
recounted, stitching away at his shoes, and I (forgetting to yawn) was
fain to hear more, as I told him.

"Why some of these wonders shalt see for thyself," says he, "for though
Yupanaqui's city is none so great as Cuzco, 'tis well enough, and
despite the curst Spaniards many of these mighty buildings yet endure,
their great stones so nicely joined you shall not get knife point
betwixt 'em; yet these folk, Ursula, had no squares, rules, cranes or
the like for raising and fitting them in place."

Thus talked he awhile until, the shoes finished, he rose, stretched
himself wearily and having made up the fire, lay down 'twixt me and the
sleeping Earl.

"And now to slumber," he sighed. "A fair good night to thee, Madam Bly."
And I, making no answer to this, he chuckled and as I think, went to
sleep. But as for me, I lay there, watching the fire and thinking upon
all these marvels and wonders I was to see, yet when at last I sank to
rest, what must I do but dream of--Japhet.




CHAPTER XXVII

TELLETH HOW OUR CAPTAIN DESERTED US


To describe this long journey day by day would doubtless prove wearisome
to the reader in fancy as it was to me in fact; therefore, passing over
much that I would fain relate yet may not, I will come to that day of
our travel (the tenth, as I think) when I looked, as it seemed, into the
very eyes of Death.

And because an all merciful Providence suffered me to live, needs must I
pause here to pay humble tribute to that Mighty Creator of this wondrous
universe and kindly God of our mortality that He hath endowed us poor,
finite creatures with part of Himself, so that if we do but call upon
Him in our extremity and second our prayer with effort sufficiently
determined, He shall assuredly endow us with courage of mind and
strength of body to meet all difficulties soever; yea, every hardship
and peril triumphantly by reason of our faith in Him that is our
Creator, and in ourselves because we are of Him. At the least, so was it
with me, as shall now be related.

And I will begin this chapter with myself bathing me and the world
aflame with dawn.

Thus then stood I, in rock-girt pool shut in by dense bush and thickets,
stooping to behold myself in this crystal mirror and very sedulously,
since my dread was lest this life of constant exposure, travel and
hardship and going ever afoot, might indeed affect my limbs as he had
prophesied, turning them into unsightly things all knobbed with muscle
and my poor body to unshapely brawn and leanness; for this was the first
time I had found opportunity to thus behold myself in very many days.
And great was my surprise and content to find these carking fears all
groundless; for here was no lumpishness of limb nor harsh, unlovely
haggardness of body; nay, indeed all was much the reverse, for what with
this open-air life and freedom of habit I found myself show so very
nearly all I would be, that I fell a-singing to myself--and then caught
my breath and stood dumb to see two eyes peering at me amid the green.

"Aha--Venus!" exclaimed Lord Aldbourne, parting the leaves with very
hateful assurance. "Phryne, Aspasia, and the golden, glorious Helen--"
Then a brown hand was choking him and behind him were Japhet's fierce
eyes, so down plunged I into the pool and they to instant furious
conflict.

And when he had dragged the Earl away, I dressed myself hastily and,
coming to our camping place, beheld Lord Aldbourne shackled to a tree
and Japhet belabouring him with a rope's end.

And after I thought this merited castigation had endured long enough, I
ventured to interfere, whereat he turned on me in such black rage as
much astonished but nothing daunted me.

"How now, ma'm Venus!" cried he in bitter mockery. "Do I thus afflict
one o' your Paphian Majesty's favoured worshippers? Doth Phryne--ha,
damme--do you stand thus on exhibition of a morning to the delectation
of this peeping fine gentleman, whiles poor Japhet lies a-snoring--"

Now at this shameful lying suggestion I actually blenched; then finding
no words for adequate rejoinder I caught up a stout stick that chanced
handy and smote my villainous traducer so heartily therewith that it
flew asunder.

"What, some o' my own medicine--?" he began, but I stopped him with a
gesture.

"Japhet," said I, looking into his hated eyes, "you know me for no such
shameless wanton and therefore you also know yourself for the base liar
I pronounce you! Now take yourself out o' my sight ... go and rid me of
the shame of you!"

"Go, is it?" he jeered, "and leave you to Dog's-meat yonder?"

"Ay, to him! To death! To anything! I had rather consort with wild
beasts and lie with loathsome toads and adders than such thing as
yourself. Go now or I will."

"How--leave you ... here in the wilderness? Fool woman; without me you
will perish."

"Vile man," I retorted, "there be worse things than death and you are
one of these--go!"

"Hum!" quoth he, shaking his head at me. "This is spleen! A megrim or
fit o' your ladylike vapours! Easy, lass, take that hoity-toity look off
your face and bid me stay and--"

"Go--go!" cried I. "And may the devil take you for wicked liar!"

For a moment he stood looking at me like one deliberating on two
courses, then, without another word or look, he belted sword and pistols
about him, shouldered his musket and was gone; nor did I move or speak
until my Lord Aldbourne addressed me:

"Ursula," says he, staring on me in wide-eyed dismay, "what a God's name
have you done?"

"Ay--what?" I murmured.

"You've wrought our deaths, madam, for without yon rogue we must
certainly perish, as he said, damn him!"

"Why then," quoth I, sinking down all sudden weak, "at the least we can
die but once." Yet, despite my brave words, I shuddered very miserably;
but, upon the very brink of tears, the sight of my companion drooping in
his bonds waked me to new vigour.

"Wretch!" quoth I scornfully. "To creep and pry on me so contemptibly
like any pitiful, callow youth 'stead of right man; 'twas yourself
brought this on us!"

"Ay--I do confess it!" sighed he. "But why should I thus demean myself,
think ye?"

"Because you are no more than you are," I answered wearily, "but what
matter now?"

"As you will, madam. But let me confess--though I dote on beauty, 'twas
not so much to gloat on yours as to plague this damnable Japhet
fellow--to see him writhe in torment on the rack o' jealousy--"

"Jealousy!" I repeated, almost whispering.

"Ay! Faith, there is no sharper torment to your proud spirit than
jealousy. And knowing he loveth you so slavishly, I played on this
whenso I might ... stealing after you as if with such foul intent, and
the fool up and after me--"

"And how are you sure he--loves me so--slavishly?"

"Tush, madam, you know this. Besides, I have not always slept o' night
when I seemed, and I've watched him hang over you as you slept ... touch
your feet ... kiss your gown--in fine, a sorry lovesick, calfish
rogue--"

"Oh!" said I and "Yes! And this was at night whiles I slept.... Were
there any other ... like fooleries?"

"Why now, I should talk more at ease would you free me of these accursed
fetters. I can show you the trick of them."

Scarce had I freed him of these hateful things than he snatched them up
and hurled them to fall jingling far among the flowery thickets; which
done, he bowed to me.

"For this relief, much thanks!" said he and motioning me to be seated,
sat down beside me in the shade, saying:

"And now the question is--what to do? For indeed we are in very parlous
case, Ursula."

"We are indeed!" sighed I. "Our plight is so truly desperate that I am
determined to bide here awhile."

"Ay, but why?"

"Because I think he will come back for us."

"But why, a God's name, should he?"

"Because for very shame he cannot thus desert us ... leave us to
perish."

"But Lord, ma'm, you bade him begone in no uncertain fashion."

"Well and having gone, he should have come back again, and so I do
believe he will."

"'Tis vain hope, I fear, Ursula. Rather let us decide how best to act in
this extremity, as--whether to go on, go back, or make for the coast."

"When we go it shall be forward, my lord."

"Why, I suppose one direction is good as another, though for my part
I--" He checked suddenly and looking whither he stared, my poor heart
leaped and seemed to stand still for, scowling at us from the adjacent
thicket was a tall, plumed Indian and in his hand a bow.




CHAPTER XXVIII

TELLETH HOW WE ARE BORNE AWAY BY INDIANS


For a long, breathless moment this fierce-looking barbarian stood
motionless, save that his bright eyes flashed from me to the Earl and
back again; and thus I saw he wore a cloak of feathers fastened with
golden clasp, about his head was golden circlet set with bright
feathers, in his girdle a long knife or sword, hafted with gold, and
upon his feet long shoes or buskins of soft hide with latchets of gold,
so that methought he must be some great personage. Nor was my estimation
wrong it seemed for, speaking no word, he gestured suddenly with his bow
and as suddenly befeathered warriors were all about us.

What wild terror possessed me in this moment no word may tell, but
dissembling my fears, I rose with what dignity I might and though my
knees quaked woefully, contrived to salute this lordly Indian with my
stateliest curtsey, making the most of my poor tattered gown; also,
thinking it might better dispose him towards us, I spoke (and boldly as
I could) the name I had learned from Japhet, pronouncing it as he had:

"Capac Yupanaqui." And great was my wonder and satisfaction to see how
these Indians every one abased themselves, hands reached forth palms
down, as in salutation to this dread and mighty name, insomuch that I
held myself proudly as I might, like one expectant of obedience rather
than as humble suppliant or the poor, terrified creature I really was.
And now to me cometh the tall chief, this stately man, and speaks me in
deep musical voice and with many graceful gestures, though all to no
purpose so that, smiling up at him, I shook my head:

"Espagnol?" he questioned, pointing first to me then the Earl, who stood
beside me something pale yet showing much at his ease, none the less.
"Espagnol?" says the chief again.

"No!" I answered, frowning and shaking my head as the mere suggestion
were abhorrent to me. "No,--English!" said I.

"Inglesi!" he nodded, then touching himself on the breast, "Huayana
Tupac Ayabuaca!" saith he; whereupon I immediately curtseyed to him
again, and pointing to my own breast, named myself, the which he
pronounced after me and very plainly considering:

"Urs--sla!" says he and points to the Earl.

"Lord Aldbourne!" I answered, whereupon he shook his head as such name
were beyond him and turning, called somewhat to his followers, whereupon
they instantly vanished and I very anxiously wondering what now? But
seeing their chief still look so friendly comforted me not a little.
From this stately Indian I glanced where stood the Earl, a sorry, jaded,
travel-worn figure by contrast, for he wore neither coat nor waistcoat,
and though he had used my scissors to trim his hair and beard, he had
botched it sadly; and yet, as he met my look, there was a high-bred,
easy dignity about him notwithstanding.

"Hadst thy wits with thee, Ursula," said he, "your Inca's name is
potent, 'twould seem. Faith, that head o' thine is a useful ornament and
may save us yet, or at least,--the better of us!" And he favoured me
with a graceful bow, whereat comes the chief and looking from one to
other of us bows likewise, then,

"Capac Yupanaqui!" saith he and pointing to the sun holds up four
fingers.

"Now what on earth shall he mean, think you?" questioned the Earl.

"Well," I answered thoughtfully, "first he shows us the sun and then
four fingers--what can this mean but four days?"

"'Slife, Ursula, I believe you've hit it! To be sure,--in four days'
journey he shall bring us to this Inca Capa what's-a-name. Ay, but--how
then? This methinks is indeed--the question,--what? Nay, child, why must
you be for ever scanning the path yonder? Art grieving for your plaguey
Captain, damn him?"

"But surely," said I. "Oh, surely he will not ... he cannot have
deserted us so heartlessly!"

"Well, but he hath, child." And yet, in despite of my companion's words,
nay, the very evidence of my own eyes, I still could not believe
it,--expecting every moment to hear his voice, to see him looking at me
with his so remembered, quirkish smile; and this so wrought on me that
turning to the chief:

"Huayana," said I, making my eyes eloquently plaintive as I might, "know
you one Captain ... Japhet ... Bly?"

Having listened to me pronounce the name very deliberately twice over
Huayana gravely shook his head and then back came his Indians, bearing
something betwixt a sailor's hammock and a sedan chair fashioned very
cunningly and slung upon stout poles.

"Aha, two of them!" murmured the Earl. "Zounds, Ursula, thanks to your
wit we shall journey in state, wherever it be."

Obedient to Huayana's stately gesture, we mounted into these machines
and away we went, each borne by four Indians, and very comfortable I
found myself, so that I must needs admire how these, that I had esteemed
mere savages, could construct such carriages so wondrously and so soon.

I wondered also to see at what speed we went, my bearers keeping pace to
an ambling trot that never seemed to tire and the motion so pleasant
that I might have slept but that I must be for ever looking this way and
that, hoping and expecting to catch sight of a certain lithe,
travel-stained figure that yet I never saw.

Hour after hour we travelled thus, pausing only to change bearers; and
often I would catch glimpses of the great mountain through the dense
foliage for it seemed we had reached the forest country, this same
mountain, showing ever vaster, grander and loftier, that he had told me
was called Hualpa, in whose shadow was the Inca's city though its name I
could not call to mind, try as I would. Chancing to catch Huayana
looking towards me, I beckoned and pointing to this great mountain.

"Hualpa, Huayana!" said I, whereupon and for the first time, he smiled,
and a sad and wistful smile I thought it.

"Hualpa," he answered; and then with sweep of his long arm that somehow
expressed to me a sense of size and power.

"Viracocha ... Capac Yupanaqui!" said he, with much beside that I could
make nothing of, though I smiled on him engagingly as possible.

The sun was high above us when from somewhere in the dense forest about
us rose a shrill, long-drawn, quavering scream so wild and unearthly as
chilled me with a sick dread and what added to my fear was to see how
our Indians had halted, every one, and now stood mute and still as so
many graven images; then spake Huayana and drawing his sword vanished
amid the thick boskage, vanished silently with his company, save for our
eight bearers, who crouched about our carriages, silent also and grimly
alert and each with an arrow on his bowstring. Now presently from the
forest came sounds of battle, shouts, screams, gasps, yet no din of
gunfire so that I judged it was not Spaniards who attacked us. And after
a while those dread sounds lulled, faded away and back came Huayana, his
left arm red with blood from a great gash below the elbow, the which he
was endeavouring to staunch with a handful of leaves. Now, seeing how
carelessly he did this, I sprang from my litter and took the leaves
from him (and all sodden with his blood) and tearing a strip from my
poor gown, bound this firmly above his hurt, thereby checking the
bleeding, and he watching mighty placid; then finding him insistent
about the leaves, I set these upon the wound, binding them firmly in
place. Scarce was this done than taking my hand he touches it to his
brow, louting to me in stately fashion; then showing me his sword, its
blade horridly stained.

"Chachapuya ... Ayamara!" says he and pointing to his stained blade,
held up three fingers, whereby I judged three of our enemies had died
thereby. And now he hands me back into my carriage with as much courtly
grace as any fine gentleman in St. James', or anywhere else.

And here I would record of these Indians how they are neither red nor
yellow but of a tender, glowing russet hue, their features pleasingly
regular, their eyes large and well set, their teeth very white and even,
their hair long and glossy black, their limbs well-shaped and very quick
and active. Indeed, many of their skins showed fairer than Japhet's
dark, sun-tanned visage: and it was of him I was thinking, and for him
my anxious glance was questing as I was borne on through these forest
ways.

And little by little there grew on me a certainty that he must be taken
prisoner by some of these roving Indians, or lying somewhere in these
hateful solitudes sore hurt and none to help, or dead and beyond all
human aid: for with every laggard hour sure was I in my heart that, with
all his hatefulness, Japhet was not the man to leave me in such
heartless fashion so miserably to perish. And now I must bethink me of
the Earl's words anent Japhet's fierce jealousy and of his "slavish
love": I pictured myself at night deep in slumber beside the camp fire
and Japhet "hanging over me" ... or reaching to touch my weary, all
unconscious feet ... or stooping to kiss my poor, worn gown ... to kiss
it and I all unknowing!... And my heart swelled with such strange pain,
such agony of regret, that I bowed my head and covering my face wept as
I had never wept in all my days. Now presently, hearing voices and
looking up, I saw a rocky eminence beside the way and thereupon four
plumed chiefs, their gold ornaments gleaming bravely in the westering
sun, and in their midst, grim and shabby by contrast whom should I see,
and through my bitter tears, but Japhet himself, leaning upon his musket
and looking down into my eyes with his half-mocking, quirkish smile.




CHAPTER XXIX

TELLS HOW I FOUND MYSELF WIFE TO A GOD


Here I must needs remark how vain and strangely contradictory is this
human nature of ours (or mine own, at least) that it shall make us yearn
and weep, nay, peril our very existence for that which, seeming out of
our reach, becometh therefore the very ideal and full perfection of our
dreams; yet once it be achieved and thus familiar, showeth so flawed we
instantly dispraise it--or seem to so do.

Thus then, no sooner did I behold him all safe and unharmed than,
forgetting all my late woeful grief, I could but think how basely the
cruel wretch had deserted me; so when he came hasting to greet me, I
accorded him the coldest of welcomes.

"Well, ma'm," said he, his smile fading, "our Huayana found you then?"

"Ay, by Heaven's kind mercy, sir," I answered frigidly.

"And my directions, ma'm."

"Oh!" said I, like one vastly amazed, "You sent him?"

"Ay!" he nodded. "But wherefore the astonishment?"

"'Tis but natural."

"Tush!" quoth he, scowling, "Why quibble? You knew in your secret
woman's heart I could never leave you to perish, and such miserable
death."

"You left me!" said I, matching his frown with one as sullen.

"Ay, ma'm, 'twas that or inflicting on you further corporal punishment
and, having deliberated the matter, I spared your person, though
unwillingly, and went forward to meet Huayana."

"Well, but how should you be sure of so meeting him?"

"Smoke signals, ma'm. Howbeit you have contrived to win Huayana's high
esteem, which is very well, for he is a mighty powerful cacique."

"Cacique?" I questioned.

"An overlord. Now come your ways and meet others of these caciques."

"And my poor gown scarce decent!" I mourned.

"But you've a face, ma'm, and a stately presence, or shall I say a
prideful arrogance? And 'tis such like these caciques shall heed, for
they being Indian lords, to wit gentlemen by nature, they see beyond the
husk of things. And lookee, Ursula, there be fools do name them savages,
barbarians and the like!" So he brought me to these stately men who,
with many words beyond my understanding and graceful gestures as told me
as much as any words might, gave me welcome. After this he brings me to
a green bower where bubbled a rill and here a hut wonderously contrived
with osiers, shaped like a great beehive of wattle and all decked about
with flowers, and inside a bed, stools, table, etc., to my comfort, so
that I could not but cry out for delight and wonder of it.

"But," says I, beholding all this, "how long must I live here?"

"Until to-morrow; we march in the cool of dawn."

"But all this for so short a time?"

"Ay, 'twas the work of many hands," saith he and beckoning me where I
might peep down through flowery vines, I beheld a great green hollow
where stood other like osier hutments, though none so large or pretty as
mine; and here very many men who talked softly with no sound of shout or
song or laughter, and upon my remarking on this, he tells me it is ever
so, these being a soft-spoken people by nature and moreover the last of
a race hath endured much of wrong and cruelty at the hands of the
oppressors to wit--the Spaniards.

And now, I seated upon one of my stools and he outstretched upon the
ling, he takes out pipe and tobacco and lighting it with his tinderbox,
begins puffing smoke with dreamy content (as I had seen him do once or
twice aboard ship) and the which methought a very coarse and loose
habit, as I told him.

"Why, 'tis more comforting than snuff, ma'm," says he, "besides, my
snuff's all gone, so by your gracious leave, I'll puff."

"Pray," says I, "how comes it you're so great among these Indians?"

"Oh, madam," saith he, smiling at me through the blue wreaths of his
tobacco, "these so wise children of Nature properly see and esteem poor
Japhet at his true worth."

"Surely 'tis because of the talisman you bear--the gold skull?"

"This!" said he clapping hand to the leathern bag girt about him and
that (as I think I have writ) he was never without. "No, Ursula, the
time for this is not yet. But on me I bear another talisman and no less
potent among these Inca folk."

"Pray you show me!" Hereupon he unbuttoned his weather-stained jerkin,
and baring his chest (that methought strangely white) showed me etched
and stained thereon, a pattern I took to be a daisy flower but which he
told me was a radiate sun, being the Inca symbol of royalty and the
godhead.

"Why then, you are royal among these people?"

"Ay, I am!" he nodded. "And, what is more, a god."

Now at this I could but look my amazement and incredulity whereat he
chuckled very boyishly.

"How doth it feel to be spouse of a royal god?" he questioned.

"A god!" I repeated. "You?"

"Verily!" he nodded, puffing his pipe. "And gifted with power of life
and death, as a god would be. Say but the word, ma'm, and at my order
you shall watch men die very painfully to your pleasure, for these
Indians, despite their mild seeming, be very expert torturers."

"But you ... you are an Englishman."

"Ay, but blood brother to the Inca, with power second but to his. So
here, an' I make you truly my wife, you shall live a very queen. And how
say you to this?"

"That 'stead of such queen I had rather be an English housewife."

"Yet this is a fair country, Ursula."

"Yet I love England far better, Japhet."

"Your England is no place for me, madam."

"You fear they shall hang you for piracy?"

"I know it, madam."

"Yet there is my home!" says I, sighing, whereat he snorted
contemptuous.

"Home?" quoth he bitterly. "'Sdeath, woman, you don't know the meaning
o' the word! You've no home in England; you've a house there, you've
lands and what not, but how then? It is not roof and walls that make
home, no nor company of sottish uncle and witless aunt."

"Sir, I think you grow impertinent."

"Madam, I speak truth,--and here's more! A wife's home is in the arms of
her husband, or should be. Well now, suppose I compel you to come home?"

"Then, 'stead of wife, I should be your slave, hating you and a misery
to myself--"

"Yourself!" he repeated scornfully. "Always and forever you, yours, or
yourself. How an I too should think but of myself? What is to prevent me
forcing you to my will?"

"Yourself!" I answered.

"Ha, damme," he exclaimed, flushing angrily, "will you mock me then?"

"God forbid!" said I, very meekly humble. "I do but recall the promise
you gave me such little while ago. 'Twas when the Earl made to shoot you
and nigh killed me instead. Well, have you forgot how you vowed your
life was mine henceforth and pledged yourself to be ever truly at my
command? And 'tis certain you will keep your pledge, because you are a
gentleman and--"

"Thankee for nothing!" quoth he. "No, no, I am a god and, being thus
sublime, do soar above all promises soever. And how say you to this?"

"That whatsoever other you may be, you are and always will be--Japhet!"
And here I gave him such look that he flushed again and this time not
with anger.

"So poor Japhet is to be put upon his honour, eh, ma'm?" said he, rising
and looking at his tobacco pipe that had gone out. "Well, to-night he is
a god and proffers such power and splendour as you shall never have
without him. So if ye be so minded,--sing out, ma'm, and thy god shall
come and make o' thee--his goddess."

With which he turned and left me. So then went I and bathed and combed
out my hair, that seemed prodigious grown. And after this they brought
me supper, goat's flesh, as I think, spiced and seasoned with strange
herbs and vegetables that I thought very delectable, and served in
covered dish of wondrous design that I found afterwards to be of gold.
Indeed, I later found they use this so precious metal very commonly and
seem little to esteem it.

And after some while, being weary, I got me to bed, but then despite my
languor I lay broad awake and thus unable to close my eyes, watched
through the open doorway of my little house, how stately rose the moon
and in such splendour that the flaming stars paled to her glory; and
thus I presently rose and donning shoes and gown, went forth to walk in
her tender radiance and drink deep of the cool, spicy breath of night.

Now the moon being low as yet, cast long shadows and among these shadows
I saw one that moved and as it came nearer saw this was Japhet; and I
found myself holding my breath very oddly as I watched him approach. He
was walking slowly and his head was bowed as in deep reverie and I
wondering what should bring him hither at such hour and to what intent.

Being come opposite my little lodge, he paused and then began to
approach it at the same leisured pace and with no precaution of furtive
stealth; and this pleasured me strangely. Reaching the doorway, he
peered within and seeing my bed vacant, began to look about in all
directions and with a very evident anxiety until, espying me at last, he
came hasting; and then all he said, and that very gently, was:

"Well?"

"I ... did not call or ... 'sing out' for you!" said I.

"Not with your lips," quoth he in the same soft tone; whereat I must
needs feel myself flushing like some guilty wretch,--very fool like.

"Then why must you come thus seeking me?" I demanded.

"Madam Bly, you mistake," says he, and shook his head at me reprovingly,
"hither came no potent god to seek and snatch reluctant goddess; no
no,--here is only poor Japhet Bly seeking answer to a problem."

"Yet you peeped in at my bed!"

"Ay, ma'm. But as cat may look at king, so poor Japhet would ha' peeped
at spouse."

"And you find her enthralled by the magic of the night."

"Ay, and sitting under tree, which is not altogether wise. Trees
hereabouts do sometimes harbour grimly tenants."

At this, I descended from my perch in fashion extreme hasty and
undignified; whereupon he must murmur something anent the "speedful
beauty of Atalanta's legs."

"So you have grubbed among the Classics, Sir Pirate?" says I, shaking my
scanty garments about me.

"A little, ma'm, a little,--between my throat-slitting business!" And
now we were walking side by side, very close together and (for the time
being) in a kinder fellowship than had ever been betwixt us ere now.

"And what is the problem keeps you thus wakeful?" I questioned.

"The Indians, and yourself, Ursula."

"Oh!" says I; and then: "Prithee, what of poor me?"

"Nay, first the Indians," said he, very grave and thoughtful. "To-morrow
most like will be battle, except I can by desperate chance avert it. For
in the forests afore us do lie strong companies of the Chachapuya with
their allies the Ayamara."

"Why, 'twas some of these fought with Huayana as we came," said I.

"Ay, so he told me, Ursula, and how you tended his hurt. Well now, these
be predatory tribes very warlike, that for the present have cast in
their lot with the Spaniards, though--and mark you this--at one time
they and these Aztecs were one great race. Now, Ursula, my problem is
this,--whether to adventure me among them, trusting to win them to their
old loyalty by this talisman of the Inca's skull; and if this be right
in me to run aught of hazard, considering you lie in my care and
helpless as any babe in this wild country?"

"The answer is manifest and simple," said I, "most decidedly--no!"

"Ay, there it is!" he sighed. "And yet ... could I but win these tribes
back to their old allegiance ... here would be many lives saved, and my
good Capac Yupanaqui more able to the defence of his ill-used people."

"But even to attempt this would set your life to great hazard?" said I.

"Somewhat!" he admitted. "But, Lord, I have perilled it so often ere now
that--"

"That you shall never hazard it so lightly again!" said I, mighty
determined.

"Indeed, ma'm, and why, pray?"

"Because I am your responsibility and intend to be even more so."

"As how, Ursula?"

"Thus, sir,--if to any purpose good or ill you jeopardize your life
henceforth, you shall peril mine also. Thus, Captain Japhet Bly, be
warned! If you go among these fierce tribes, I go with you!"

"Now, God love thee!" said he, almost whispering. "Hast no fear of
death, Ursula?"

"Indeed, yes!" said I, shuddering. "I do fear it so greatly that if I am
to die I had rather meet it with you beside me than alone or amid
strangers. Howbeit, if you run this danger, I vow by my honour you shall
take me with you."

We had paused beneath the outflung branch of a tree for a moment and
when he spoke it was in tone so humbly reverent as touched me to an awed
yet joyful wonderment.

"You!" he murmured. "With your dauntless soul ... your faith in me ...
with you beside me, how should I think of failure? What queen you could
make me ... for we might rule these people ... found a dynasty or ...
choosing the easier way, content us with a home ... and each other!...
Ursula?" said he and the word a question, while in his eyes spoke that
which set my heart a-beating and my knees a-tremble.

"Ursula!" said he again and reached forth his arms to me. And in these
outstretched arms I sensed all the joys, the sweet pains, doubts and
fears, and the thousand blissful cares and anxieties that go to make the
woman's life when she is wife and mistress of a home. And now, when I
would have spoken, I could not, and ere I might move, something touched
my hair like a caress, and glancing up to know what this might be, I
stood rigid with horror then screamed to see writhing thus upon me, its
foul, glistening coils seeming all about me, the stark, monstrous evil
of a great snake; one vision I had of it and then in this loathsome
fashion as it seemed--death smote me.




CHAPTER XXX

TELLETH HOW THE GOLDEN SKULL WROUGHT A VERY MIRACLE


I was upon my bed and his arms fast about me and I so thankful to find
myself alive I could have kissed him, yet did not. For presently,
remembering the horror, a new and frightful dread seized me and this
lest the snake had bitten me whiles I swooned and that I was sick and
dying of its loathsome venom. So that or ever Japhet might prevent, I
started up and away from him like a mad thing and Japhet after me,
crying I knew not what; for my flesh was all acreep and, wild with
affright and a too vivid imagination, I thought to feel the noxious
poison tingling and burning in my veins, creeping nearer my heart ...
stifling me.

"Oh, did it bite me--did it bite me?" I cried, and waiting for no
answer, pleaded for air and presently found myself out beneath the
stars, my burning cheek pillowed on the dewy earth, supplicating God
that I might not die in such abominable fashion.

And after some time, this horror abating, to my relief came tears, then
Japhet raised me in his arms and pillowing my head on his breast,
stroked back my tumbled hair as any tender father might have done,
calling God to witness the great snake had but touched me and that I was
nowise harmed.

"Oh, Japhet," I sobbed, "oh, Japhet, take me away from this terrible
country; back ... take me back to my dear, blessed England."

"Ay, I will, lass, I will," he promised.

"Swear me, Japhet ... swear you will carry me back to England so soon as
you may."

"I swear it, Ursula!" And now, because I could nowise endure this place
of horror, he bore me away to his own lodge where a small fire burned
and in its comfort he laid me down. Presently he brought me somewhat in
a cup, telling me it is a herbal infusion shall soothe and give me sweet
easement of all my fears, and setting it to my lips bade me drink, the
which I did, looking up into his eyes that showed so strangely gentle.
And in this dark hour of terror and weakness I knew myself his for the
taking; as I told him, "for," says I, drawing his arms about me and
nestling me in their protection:

"Needs must be, Japhet, since without you I must die."

"Ay, true!" says he bitterly. "I am your salvation here in this
wilderness. But 'sdeath, ma'm, I would not have a wife creep home to my
arms, driven there by craven fear!"

"Art hatefully proud man, Japhet, I think!"

"Ay and yet--only a man!" said he, turning from me to scowl at the fire.

"Well, then," I murmured, "must thy poor wife humbly kneel to sue and
supplicate thee?"

"Ay, lass, ay!" he growled in his gruff seaman's voice, "or let her come
to him when the sun's over the mainyard and she her proudest, most
fearless self; let her look into his eyes and speak him all her heart
commands. So wait, lass--"

"And wherefore--not now, Japhet?"

"Because this, that now clings me in her arms, is not the real Ursula;
'tis creature hysteric, ma'm, a vapourish megrim that witched by
fear ... the moon ... a passing emotion, would lure poor sailorman to
that she shall not bear to think on to-morrow most like, for with the
daylight cometh sanity, ma'm, and perchance a very ladylike remorse. So
get you to sleep, poor frighted child--these eyes close--so!" And with
his fingers, very gently, he closed my eyes.

Compelled thus and soothed by the potion, what could I do but obey....

And presently, as it seemed, methought I was back again and come safe
aboard the _Joyful Deliverance_, rolling to a gentle sea, and knew great
content therefore and sense of peace; but little by little I grew
conscious this was no ocean that rocked me and, opening my eyes, saw I
was being borne in my carriage with Indians all about me and, though I
looked anxiously, no sign of Japhet. Now I saw the shady forest was
behind us and before us a great open tract with other woodlands afar,
and beyond these, towering up and up in a sublime grandeur, the great
mountain now so near that I could see, amid the dense forests that
clothed its mighty slopes, the gleam and glitter of white water. I was
yet gazing up at this awesome spectacle when my bearers stopped suddenly
and no wonder, for, as though up-starting from the very earth, came very
many other Indians, plumed like our Aztecs yet their faces and bodies
hideously besmeared and painted; and as they advanced thus, very
dreadfully threatening and warlike, I heard again that fierce,
high-pitched quavering scream, that it seemed was their battle cry.

And now, as our Indians began setting themselves in posture of offence,
I leapt from my carriage, determined to find Japhet at all hazards. And
then I heard his voice loud and commanding, as I had often heard it ere
now above the rush of wind and seas, though what he called I know not,
since he spake some Indian dialect. And as he shouted thus, forth he
stepped before our embattled array, and, all alone, began to walk
towards these painted warriors that were advancing to our destruction.

Now seeing him thus so dreadfully solitary, I began to run nor stayed
until I stood breathless at his side.

"Japhet!" I panted.

"Sweetheart!" he murmured, with quick smile and laugh like a sob. "I
feared this of thee. Go back!"

"Not to loneliness!" said I, reaching him my hand.

"Yonder belike is death, Ursula!"

"Then I pray you hold fast my hand," said I, blenching, "never loose me
whiles we live, Japhet."

"God love thee, comrade; come, then!" saith he, taking my trembling hand
in his strong vital clasp. "Now make thy so sweet and shapely legs bear
thee proud and boldly like a goddess, for goddess thou art and must
be--'twas thus appeared the First Inca, Manco Capac, clasping the hand
of his wife Coya Mama Oello Huaco; so will we face yon Chachapuya to win
'em to our will or hand in hand together die."

So thus we went together towards these grim ranks that advanced against
us, screeching their battle cries in dreadful fashion, till, seeing we
nothing heeded, they fell mute; and now, perceiving us come on at the
same unhurried, stately pace, they halted to brandish their long lances
and bend their bows against us.

"Now for it, sweetheart!" says he, giving my hand a squeeze. "Now shall
we walk as gods or--kiss each other in death;" then he raised his right
hand and in it the golden skull of the Inca, crying in his clear, strong
voice as he did so:

"Mayta Capac, Inca!" and other words.

At which the threatening bows were lowered and those dense plumed ranks
swayed and were still. Thus motionless stood they until we had come so
near we might have touched them, yet no man of them spake a word.

Then, holding the skull aloft for all to see, he spake them again in
their own musical language and they hearkening, silent all, till he was
done; then came divers of them, that I supposed were chiefs or caciques,
to look upon the skull more nearly, yet not daring to touch, and, having
seen, cried out in their turn:

"Mayta Capac!"

And oh, the wonder of it! For, with rustling, murmurous sound, like wind
in trees, down sank they, rank on rank, one and all upon their faces (as
did also our Aztecs) and from friend and foe alike went up a great cry,
thrice repeated:

"Mayta Capac, Inca!"

Then these two great companies rose up and mingled one with another, but
not to smite or slay, for it seemed that the magic of the golden skull,
or the power of Japhet's words, had wrought a miracle of peace and
reconciliation.




CHAPTER XXXI

TELLETH HOW I BECAME ROYAL


Two days marched we, a vast company in all good fellowship and amity,
though silent; indeed, great wonder was it to me how so many armed men
should move with so little sound. And now I went in proud estate, my
litter brave with flowers, upon my brow a diadem of flowers all gold and
silver, that was a joy to see, and about me a feather mantle very
splendid and withal exceeding comfortable to wear. And with every hour
as we approached this vast mountain called Hualpa, my awe and wonder
grew.

It was upon this second day towards evening we came to sudden halt and,
to my surprise, from the fore or vanguard of our army rose sudden fierce
clamour of voices, pierced by those shrill, dreadful, wavering cries
that no one may hear unmoved and certainly not I. For, scrambling from
my litter and no thought of dignity, I must needs go seeking Japhet to
know the reason for this hubbub; and moreover we had scarce had chance
for a word all day. Now as I went, looking all about me for sight of
him, I suddenly espied my lord of Aldbourne, though at first I scarce
knew him, for he was clean-shaven once more and decked out like any
cacique, save for his shabby breeches, so that I should have laughed but
that he stared out of pallid face with eyes that glared such sickness of
horror.

"Stay ... stay!" cried he, waving me back in frantic manner. "Bide where
you are, Ursula; bide there for God' sake!"

"What then is it, Japhet ... is he hurt ... is he dead?" cried I.

"No, no, 'tis horrible ... stay now, for your own sake--"

But I broke from him and, speeding along a path 'twixt trees and
thickets, I checked, recoiled and stood dumb and rigid with horror, for
the first thing I saw was a little baby horribly dead and beyond this
mangled innocent a woman, young and shapely in her nakedness, and beyond
her dead form many others; a place of blood and death and ashes, and in
the midst a shrivelled tree, a column of torment whereto hung the
contorted shape of what had been an aged man, the chief or cacique (as I
guess) of this ravaged village.

And hard by this tortured thing stood Japhet, grasping his naked sword,
and I saw its long blade glitter as he gestured with it whiles he spake
the fierce-eyed warriors that stood close-ranked about this place of
ghastly death.

But even as I gazed, he and these grimly silent warriors swam upon my
failing sight, and creeping away, I sank down faint and sickened in mind
and body; and haunted by memory of the poor woman and the tiny babe,
this mutilated innocent, I called down God's vengeance upon those
inhuman monsters that had wrought such abomination. And little did I
guess in what manner God would answer this prayer or how I was doomed to
see these same terrible men, experience the evil of them, and see the
dreadful manner of their expiation.

Truly it is the blessed dispensation of a most merciful Providence that
the future is so hid from us that we can know nothing of the sorrows and
tribulations, the harms and dangers that shall beset us on life's
highway. For though to be forewarned is (mayhap) to be forearmed (in
some sort), yet to see and know the dread event afar, to watch it
drawing ever nearer would of itself prove such agony of suspense as must
but multiply the evil and, sapping our strength, body and will, leave us
all weak to front the dread emergency. So rather let it come sudden and
all unheralded, and we meet it as best we may, trusting in ourselves
and the infinite mercy and power of the God that made us (or so think
I).

And indeed, shamed and revolted by the horrors I had glimpsed amid the
ruin of that little Indian village, well indeed was it for me I should
have no least thought or forebodings of what was to befall and the
agonies of mind I was to endure; for looking back on this time, sure am
I now that had I known, the mere anticipation would have made me such
coward that this narrative would have had a very different ending.

It was in the late afternoon of this same day (and Mount Hualpa now
grown so that it filled the whole prospect) that I had my first sight of
Viracocha, this city where ruled the Inca Yupanaqui; for of a sudden the
forest was behind us and before us a wide plain, and uprising from this
green plain, all white and shining, the far-flung embattled walls and
towers of a fair city that, enclosed by these high walls and towers,
rose in flowery terraces, one above another, on the mighty slope of the
mountain,--great flat-roofed houses and domed buildings, topped by a
vast structure much like a pyramid that I thought must be a temple. As I
stared at all these wonders, rose a loud blaring of horns and out
through gates that opened beneath the centremost tower marched armed men
and very splendidly accoutred, and after these one upon a noble horse, a
man this who rode alone, though with ranks of other warriors behind him.
A tall man this and very shapely who managed his spirited charger very
dexterously, the which methought strange, since these Indians do seldom
use horses, it seems.

As he came nearer, I guessed this horseman for the Inca himself, for on
his head was a crown of feathers but these all of beaten gold; gold
shone upon his breast, his arms and thighs so that he seemed dight in
golden armour, and about his shoulders a short cloak of feathers; but
his face it was that held my gaze, for this seemed golden also, young
and aquiline, proud and something fierce, a lean, commanding hawk face
that made me think of Japhet's.

And even as I thought this, he reined in his noble horse and lifting one
hand aloft cried five or six sweetly sonorous words in loud imperious
voice, and then, in gentler tone and to my amazement:

"Japhet, old messmate," called he, "'tis joy to see thee again! Come
alongside--!" Then forth of our serried ranks stepped Japhet and with
lowly obeisance cried:

"Yupanaqui Inca" ... and divers other words; and then in English:

"Have with thee, Will, old comrade! But first my lady wife, Will." So
saying, and to my no small trepidation, he hastened to aid me from my
bowery litter.

"Come your ways," says he, "and remember these so beauteous legs do bear
a goddess."

"Japhet," says I, taking his hand, "I protest you make me blush!"

"Then will I again," quoth he, tucking my hand within his arm, "for I
vow it mightily becomes you."

Being come where the stately Inca awaited us, I made him a courtesy,
whereupon he bowed from the saddle and, looking from me to Japhet,
smiled, though in the same sad fashion as Huayana.

"Thy wife, Japhet!" saith he and in good English. "Thou that hadst
foresworn all women when the Donna Inez killed herself! Well ... 'tis my
joy to wish thee joy and to you, lady, all happiness. But since she is
thy wife, so is she royal, as I will proclaim." And wheeling his horse,
he called to the great silent assemblage, setting his hand lightly upon
my head; scarce had he finished speaking than soldiery and townsfolk,
down sank they, one and all, paying homage to me, though I scarce heeded
since I was wondering about this Donna Inez and why she had killed
herself....

"And now," quoth the Inca in English, "now to greet these o' the
Chachapuya; think you I may trust them, Japhet?"

"Ay, I'll warrant them, Will. We came on a burned village, the work of
their damned Spanish allies--ay, and English, as I hear, with a curse!"

And after some while borne in state, the mighty Inca riding upon my
right hand, with Japhet walking upon my left, I came into this City of
Viracocha and though wonders and marvels were all about me, I looked,
yet little heeded, since I must still be thinking of this Donna Inez and
wondering why she had killed herself. And this I determined to know, ay,
and that he should tell me right speedily.




CHAPTER XXXII

IN WHICH I MAKE AN ASTONISHING DISCOVERY


They brought me into a palatial house on one of the lower terraces and
with a train of women to wait upon me, but the poor, pretty creatures so
timid and awed at me that I must needs begin to laugh and straightway
kissed those that chanced nearest, so that we were soon merry together,
they chattering about me like so many birds. They bathed me, they rubbed
me with sweet herbs, they rayed me in rich tires, very strange and yet,
methought, becoming; they decked me with jewels and golden ornaments of
a marvellous craftsmanship and so brought me into a fair garden, whence
I might look down upon the city. But look how I might, nowhere could I
see aught of Japhet.

This garden was bright with flowers and planted with trees, very
artfully, that tempered the sun's fierce rays and with little freshets
that purled and tinkled prettily; here too was broad flight of steps
leading to the terrace below, and from this other steps leading ever
down from garden to garden and so at last into the city itself.

And from this eminence I could see how this city had once been even
greater, for beyond one of the flanking walls, and this new builded by
its looks, I glimpsed ruined buildings and fire-blackened walls, yet
these well-nigh hidden by vines and flowers that made of this desolation
a glory of colour.

Now as I stood thus in contemplation, I saw a man climbing these steps
towards me, an Indian cacique very richly bedight, though unlike his
fellows, being squat yet of powerful build; as he climbed the last
stair, he looked up at me and I stood amazed, for this Indian had red
hair and the bluest eyes I had ever seen. Being come up to me, he halted
and instead of saluting me with stately bow he touched finger to bristly
eyebrow.

"Best respects, ma'm!" quoth he with cheery smile.

"Why, you are English!" I cried.

"Hide and hair, ma'm. Jeremy Jervey, at your service."

"But this is wonderful!" said I, reaching him my hands in glad welcome.
"And do you know Captain Japhet Bly?"

"Ay," says he, taking my hands and touching them to his brow in the
Indian manner, "I do so. And wonderful is the only word for it, if you
did but know."

"Then tell me," said I, "pray tell me--but first, have you by chance
seen Captain Japhet?"

"Why, 'tis from his honour I be come, ma'm, he bid me tell as the Inca
and himself will ha' the honour to sup wi' your ladyship."

"Then prithee, say my ladyship is humbly at his godship's service. And
now, Master Jervey, tell me your story."

"Lord love you, my lady, 'twould take me a week."

"Why then, sit here beside me and tell what you may, for I'm all
solitary and none to talk with."

"Why then, ma'm, there's some o' your own waiting women can talk
English, after a fashion. Shall I call 'em?"

"Why yes,--but first tell me your story and how you come to know Captain
Japhet."

"Well, ma'm you see afore you Jeremy Jervey, as sailed out o' Falmouth
twenty odd year ago as gunner's mate aboard the _Falcon_, with Captain
Amos Trevoe and seventy odd stout lads and all of 'em dead."

"Terrible!" said I. "Were you shipwrecked?"

"Three times, lady. But the _Falcon_ was sunk off Porto Bello by a
Spanish squadron and all as remained of her crew being prisoners, died
in slavery or prison or burned by the Inquisition, and fifteen of 'em
buried very handsome up yonder in the Temple."

"And where did you first meet Captain Japhet?"

"Tugging at an oar in a great galleass called the _Tres Marias_. We was
chained to the same bench, him and me and my lord Yupanaqui, though we
called him Will, and the other poor wretch as slaved with us, for we
pulled four to an oar, d'ye see, was a parson out of Hampshire named
Penryn, as we called Zeke--"

"Oh, I know him!" cried I.

"Well, m'lady, one night, being ashore and shut in our slave pen, Japhet
slips his fetters, forces the guard to free us and away we go, arter
killing the guard and--well we got away, nine poor naked wretches as
ever was seen, and got us into the woods. But there we lost our bearings
and being nigh starvation, we separated. But Japhet and Penryn with the
Inca and myself kept together and for weeks we marched, enduring such
hardships as few men might, and the end of it was, being weak all and
clammed wi' hunger, we were taken by the soldiers of a Don Miguel
Maldonado, who sets us a-building of a fort: and in the slave gang along
wi' us there was a great fellow name o' Barnabas, and a very fierce and
ferocious man, name o' Lovepeace Farrance--"

"I know these also," quoth I breathlessly.

"Well, ma'm, young Japhet, being precious skilful in the treatment o'
wounds and such, men or animals, is sometimes let loose therefor, though
allus guarded, being accounted very desperate though young. But one day
seeing his chance, he downs his guards, frees us and off we sped."

"And got away?" cried I breathlessly.

"Ay, we did, for that same night we boarded a ship, tossed the
anchorwatch overboard, battened the crew under hatches and stood out to
sea."

"And were never taken?"

"No, ma'm. For with this little ship we took a greater--"

"And was this great ship the _Joyful Deliverance_?"

"No, ma'm, us called her _The Vengeance_ and she became the terror of
those seas, such bloody vengeance had we--"

"And how came you hither?"

"'Twas by chance o' wind and seas--"

"Ah, a wind of fortune," said I.

"Ay, you may call it so, though 'twas a right furious wind as drove us
ashore and wrecked us on these here coasts,--and all on our company
drowned save twenty and five--this ship being the _Tiger thirty-two_,
for d'ye see, as our powers increased, we took more ships until us had
four, namely _The Vengeance_, Cap'n Barnaby, _The Judgement_, Cap'n Zeke
Penryn, _The Venture_, Cap'n Stukeley, and _The Tiger_. Cap'n Japhet and
I were aboard _The Tiger_ and Will or the Inca Yupanaqui likewise. But
we ran foul o' two Spanishers, and being sore battered with their shot

down on us came storm o' wind as drove us ashore and the old _Tiger_ a
wreck. Then says Yupanaqui to we poor castaways, 'Messmates,' says he,
'this is my country and yonder, six odd leagues, is Viracocha, the city
of my father; march wi' me and ye shall find a fortun' o' gold--or
graves. How say ye?' 'Have with thee, comrade!' says Japhet; 'as well
die there as here.' And so says we all. So march us did and soon found
as Will, that had been master's mate, was a great lord amongst these
Indians, for he had but to speak and they fell down and worshipped and
followed him, ay, by the hundreds. So came we, like an army, upon this
city and found it held by the Spaniards and the people miserable slaves.
So, ma'm, though we had no ordnance for battering, we stormed and took
this city, though we lost half our company a-doing of it, and having
made an end of every Spaniard therein, Will became Yupanaqui the Inca
and, with Japhet and the rest on us and labour aplenty, we made good the
ruination, most of it; which done, Japhet marches to a bay, that was
ever a rendezvous with the Fraternity, called Bartlemy's Bay--"

"I've heard of it," said I.

"But as for me, lady, I bided here along o' Yupanaqui and you see me
to-day a cacique, Master of Ordnance, with all the gold and more wives
than I want, being twenty and two, ma'm, and others anxious to be signed
on. And there's my yarn, ma'm, spun short as I can make it."

"And a very wonderful story!" says I.

"Why, so you said afore, ma'm, and so say I."

"And you expected Captain Japhet's arrival here?"

"Ay, for sure; word came by the smoke. And never no man more heartily
glad to see an old shipmate than the Inca and me. And now, my lady, if
you're minded to come and take an observation o' my guns, I'll be right
proud to show ee." So saying, he reached me his hand, the which I took,
and together we began descending towards the city.

"Tell me," said I as we went thus together, "know you aught of the
Golden Skull of the Inca?"

"No, ma'm, except as Japhet had it of some cacique down Cuzco way; ye
see he was sore hurt and Japhet eased his dying, him having been
tortured--"

"Oh, this is vile, cruel country!" cried I.

"Well, mebbe so, now and then, ma'm, here and there--"

"Don't you ever yearn for our dear, sweet England, Jeremy? To be walking
its shady lanes, or standing atop of some wind-kissed hill--don't you?"

"Why, no," said he wistfully, "but there's a little back alley in
Deptford nigh to Mill Lane, wi' a little tavern o' one corner and at the
end a cottage, littlest of all, and a front room so narrer and strait a
man can scarce turn,--I won't say as I ha'n't wished myself there mighty
often, along o' my old mother.... And here's my guns, ma'm, as we took
out of a Spanish carrack. Twelve on 'em and all of 'em named arter my
sisters and brothers, for they was twelve too, d'ye see! Here's Tom and
John and Bess and Jarge and Caroline and Mary and Ben and Ruth and Dick
and Mercy and James and Willum, and all on 'em ready." And now he tells
me of converging angles, point-blank ranges, cross fires and the like,
in the midst of which:

"Jeremy," says I, "did you ever hear tell of one Donna Inez, that killed
herself? Do you know aught of this?"

"Well, ma'm, I do and I don't. And look you my guns so planted shall
sweep yon old forest road, which is the only way for horsemen--"

"Do you expect a battle then, Mr. Jeremy?"

"Ay, lady; we've news that Don Hernandez is marching agin us with a
great company, Spanish horse and Indian allies, ay, and with battery o'
field guns, to make an end of Viracocha and every soul in't. For these
Spanishers, d'ye see, wi' their ordnance, muskets and armour, agin the
poor Indians' bows and arrows and feathers, make battle a merry,
sportful pastime;--'tis like grown man fighting a child. Well, let 'em
come, says I, for when my guns open on 'em, they shall find this child
is growed to giant to learn 'em as battle aren't such merry business.
And now, ma'm--" he stopped suddenly and, glancing whither he looked, I
saw rising beyond the dark mystery of the forest, very far away yet
plain to sight, smoke that went up in puffs.

"These will be signals, Jeremy."

"Ay, ma'm."

"Do you understand them?"

"Ay, for sure!"

"What is the message?"

"War," he answered, speaking as he read, "Spaniards ... soldiers ...
horse and foot ... four batteries ... Indians o' the South ... a great
company ... to-morrow ... they come. Ha, well, the more the merrier.
Lady, I must to the Council." And away he hastened forthwith.

But as I wandered thus alone and full of anxiety, there met me the Earl
in his finery and six grave and stately Indians in his train.

"You go in right princely state, my lord!" said I.

"Ha, damme!" said he peevishly. "In right cursed estate, saving your
presence, madam, for these plaguey savages are for ever on my heels ...
twelve eyes to watch me ... twelve feet to pursue, twelve hands--"

"But, sir, it seems you have liberty to come and go--"

"Nay, the bilboes aboard ship were better than to be haunted thus. Look
at 'em!" quoth he, nodding towards his six attendants, "watching me,
silent and dumb as so many accursed ghosts."

"You make great to-do of nothing," said I, and told him of the great
army of Spaniards marching to our destruction; hearing this (and to my
amazement), he manifested the liveliest satisfaction.

"For," says he, "the very devil 's in 't if I cannot steal away and win
to them in the confusion."

"How?" cried I. "Would you trust yourself to these cruel Spaniards?"

"Ay, this would I!" quoth he, "rather than be at mercy of our pirate,
and slave for rogue Japhet or his friend this Inca, that talks good
enough English but, with heart of a savage, shall torture me to death at
merest nod from Japhet, damn him! No, no, these Dons are at the least,
gentlemen like myself and I had rather be prisoner to men of birth and
breeding--"

"Gentlemen!" cried I bitterly. "These Spaniards! You have seen tokens of
their dreadful gentleness--"

"Ay, to Indian savages, Ursula, but I am an English gentleman and,
what's more--" he stopped suddenly, as his six Indians as suddenly
abased themselves and, glancing up, I saw the Inca Yupanaqui looking at
us, and him so splendid, so commanding and truly regal, that
instinctively I rose and made him my reverence as did the Earl likewise.

"Madam Ursula, grant me your company," said he in English well-nigh
perfect; "let us walk." So saying, he took my hand and together we went
up from terrace to terrace until we had reached where stood the Temple,
builded of great stones, a strange, awesome structure and methought
grim. And here, seated upon carven stone bench, we were so high above
the city we could behold its every street and square with the wide plain
beyond its walls and, beyond this again, the mighty forests where ran
the ancient road straight as an arrow. Glancing from this wide prospect
to my strange and silent companion, I saw him so lost in contemplation
of this scene, I ventured to observe this kingly Inca more narrowly than
I had dared.

Now beholding him thus near, I felt vaguely disquieted to see his
features too strangely beautiful for any man and, though intellect
showed in his lofty brow and large, well-opened eyes, yet in the curve
of sensitive nostril, in the set of shapely mouth and smooth jut of
chin, I thought to read an inflexibility of will very like cruelty; thus
as I watched him and he thus lost in wistful contemplation of his city,
his seemed the sad, cruel, beautiful face of a dreaming, ruthless god.
And then soft and pensive he spoke:

"Ye white people do all love power and you are very white and in your
eyes a proud and valiant spirit. Well--yonder is power! Yonder is land
of promise. Help your Japhet to mould and rule a nation."

"Nay, my lord," said I, all amazed. "I seek no such power--"

"Yet you have it, lady, having Japhet, for he is a power--wise to
govern, bold to lead. With him beside me, I might weld these warring
tribes into a mighty nation should drive these accursed Spaniards back
into the sea--sweep them away. So, lady, you see all my need of him and
but for you he would stay!"

"But, my lord," said I, rising, "he hath pledged his word to take me
home--"

"Ay, this I know--I know, and he will so do, except you bid him stay."

"Sir, I live but to see my dear England again."

"Ay, lady, but if you die here, here should he abide--"

"Die?" said I, recoiling. "Do you threaten ... would you murder me?"

"One woman's life should weigh light against a nation's welfare," he
murmured.

"And how," cried I, "how can your nation's welfare depend on one man and
that man Japhet?"

"Nay, ask him, for yonder he cometh." And looking whither he pointed,
glad was I to see Japhet striding up the stair towards us.

"Well, messmate," cried he cheerily. "How now, Will man,--'stead o'
queenship and godship, this spouse o' mine chooseth her England, eh,
lad?"

"Ay, Japhet. She will tell ye I threatened murder. Well, I am the Inca
and Lord of Life, as ye do know, and could Death avail, this very night
Death should kiss her out o' life. As 'tis, Japhet, my dream--thou and I
leading and welding a mighty nation, is done ... the prophecy is yet to
be. Go when you will, comrade."

"Nay, my lord," said I, touched by something in his look as he turned
from us. "I had no mind to speak of your threat, for God forbid I should
come betwixt friendship such as yours--so, pray, come you and sup with
us."

"Nay, 'tis done!" he murmured, looking down at me with his slow, sad
smile. "And as for supper ... forgive, excuse me!" And with graceful
salutation, he turned and vanished into the great temple.

"Yonder went disappointment!" said Japhet, looking after him with
troubled eyes.

"A wretch!" said I. "And frighteth me, Japhet, for despite his noble
seeming and English speech, he is all savage Indian at heart and, for to
keep you here to his purpose, would kill poor me, I believe."

"Assuredly!" nodded Japhet.

"You think so, too?" I gasped.

"I know it, ma'm, beyond all doubt. This is why I took solemn oath
before him and his priests in the Temple yonder to march hence in a
week at most, whether you lived or died." Now at this, I could but sink
weakly down upon the seat again:

"Oh, for my dear England!" sighed I.

"England!" he snorted. "You and your England! And what then? To travel
'twixt country and town, ruffle it at Court, the Mall, the clubs and
coffeehouses; to jog to the markets, yawn on the bench, snore in
church,--you an ineffectual fine lady and I a round-paunched do-nothing
squire, both battening in a slumberous ease,--ha, the devil!"

At this I laughed, but presently growing angry:

"Sir," quoth I, "you may have your wicked pirates, your savage Incas and
hateful wilderness, but my choice is the sweet calm of joys of England
and the comforts and decencies of civilization; give me but these again
and you may return to your hateful godship."

"Ay," quoth he, scowling, "yourself being safe home again, poor Japhet
may go hang--"

"No," said I, "rather to be god and king of this wild people! For better
this, thinks you, than a do-nothing, round-paunched squire; so you shall
be free as air--"

"Free?" saith he, groaning, "Aleck, ma'm, you forget how a moment's
folly hath clamped on me the shackles matrimonial; thy woeful spouse am
I--"

"And yet had rather be a savage god!" I retorted, the which angered him
as I had hoped it might for:

"Fool, I have not said so!" quoth he, whereupon:

"Nay, Japhet," said I, all suddenly mild and plaintive, "do not rage
against me, for truly your Inca doth so affright me that in my heart I
am thanking God for thee and do marvel how He hath given thee such power
with this fierce people. But whence is your power; why doth this proud
Inca, himself so strong, seek aid of you; what doth it all mean?" For a
moment he sat, chin in fist, staring thoughtfully on the distance.

"In this great Temple of the Sun behind us," said he suddenly, "be
divers gravings and hieroglyphs very ancient that do foretell the
coming of one, a stranger, who shall make this people a great and mighty
race, and this stranger a white man from overseas yet marked with the
sacred symbol of the sun."

"Well?" I demanded, for he had fallen silent again.

"Well, ma'm, it befell upon a day I was chained naked to an oar aboard a
Spanish galley beside Yupanaqui, who presently hailed me for this same
long-expected deliverer because of certain mark he spied upon me."

"You mean that upon your breast."

"No, ma'm, that royal symbol was not on me then nor till I came hither
for the first time. No, this was yet another mark and not upon my chest.
Shall I show ye, ma'm?" But, seeing how the wretch leered on me, I knew
not how to answer, so said nothing; whereupon:

"Ha, Madam Prudery!" he mocked. "Now see it you shall, for the time is
come for less o' mystery betwixt us. Lookee then, nor close thy so
modest eyes!" So saying, he whipped off his long Indian buskin,
unbuttoned the leg of his breeches and, rolling it up, showed me the
mark of an old hurt shaped like a great star.

Now as I looked on this, the years rolled backward and I saw a slim boy
who lay half-swooning whiles I, a child and nigh swooning too, held my
kerchief to the dreadful hurt I dared not look on, and screamed for aid.

"'Twas when your pony threw you!" said I, in awed whisper.

"Ay," he nodded, "upon the tree stump beside the brook. Howbeit, here's
the mark that Yupanaqui and his priests do take for symbol of their
long-awaited deliverer."

"Oh, but you ..." I gasped, "then you are ... you must be--"

"Ay," he nodded, pulling on his buskin, "you have it at last, ma'm; I am
Charles Vivian Japhet, Earl of Aldbourne, as you should ha' guessed long
ere now."

"But the ... the Earl?..." I stammered, all bemused.

"Meaning our Johnny? Well, ma'm, he is the elder o' my two rogue cousins
that, with their father, my villainous uncle, shipped me off whiles yet
a lad and sold me into slavery. And now," said he, rising, "let us to
supper."

I went beside him quite dumb-struck, for I knew this indeed for very
truth, yet could scarce believe: then grew angered at myself that I
should never have guessed this; until bethinking me if the gentle,
delicate boy as I remembered him years ago, and seeing him to-day so
strong a man and withal so grimly fierce, small wonder was it I should
not have known; as I told him and roundly: "For," says I, "the sweet and
tender boy I knew is become such fierce great wretch, how should I know
you?"

"Ay, faith," he nodded; "a slave ship and such like is a something hard
school that kills or cures ... cruelty begets ferocity. Some day, ma'm,
if you can wheedle and woo me from my native shrinking modesty, you
shall see upon my naked back the sign manual of a slave--"

"Oh, silly man," said I, 'twixt laughing and weeping, "I have seen it
more than once and wept for those cruel scars."

"And yet, ma'm, saw naught o' this scar that should ha' told you who I
was."

"Sir," I retorted, "pray believe I saw no more of you than I could
help."

"Aha, Madam Finical Squeamishness," quoth he, with odious laugh, "sink
me, but I can well believe it!"

After this we went in silence until we had reached that terrace where
stood my sumptuous lodge, before which stood divers of my waiting women
to usher us within. Now at sight of them I stopped and:

"Japhet," said I, "who, pray, was the Donna Inez?"

For a long moment he was silent, keeping his face turned from me.

"She was a very sweet and noble lady of Spain," said he at last.

"Was she ... young?" I enquired softly.

"Just twenty turned."

"And ... beautiful?"

"Ay, truly," he answered, and his head still averted, "beyond
description."

"And you ... loved her ... Japhet?"

"Ay, I did," he murmured in voice more tender than I had ever heard from
his lips.

"Then why ... wherefore did she kill herself?"

"Madam," said he, turning on me a face suddenly grim, "by your kindness,
we will speak no more of this sweet lady."

"So, then ... you love her ... even yet?"

"Ay, I do!" he murmured. "I do indeed."

"And you will not confide in me the manner of her--"

"No!" cried he, turning on me so passionately that I recoiled; then he
was gone, striding like a madman and I all confounded, for in his eyes
murder had glared and his furrowed brow all sudden wet like one in
agony.... And so this night, at table set as for a banquet with dishes
of gold and surrounded by my handmaids, I supped alone and a very sorry
meal I made of it.




CHAPTER XXXIII

IN WHICH, AMONG OTHER MATTERS, JAPHET TELLETH ME TALE OF ROGUERY


The roar of Jeremy's great cannon awakened me to find my waiting women
all about my bed, crouched upon their knees and I in great consternation
as they; yet seeing how they one and all turned their great, fearful
eyes on me (the poor things!) as if in myself was their salvation, I
smiled on them, making light of my fears, and kissed them all a blithe
good morning, so that they were soon smiling too and chattering about me
in their pretty speech like so many pies. Soon as they had bathed and
dressed me, forth I went (and they clustering in my train) out into a
young morning, only to be deafened by another thunderous discharge of
cannon that echoed and re-echoed against the great mountain above us,
crash on crash, until it had rolled and rumbled away. And now I heard
sounds even more dreadful, the screams and outcries of anguished men and
stricken horses, drowned in crackling musketry fire with frenzied shouts
and noise of battle.

And coming where I might look down on all this, I saw the forest road
all strewn and cumbered with prone men and horses. And now I could not
but marvel at the fierce bravery of these Spaniards for, despite the
smoke and flame of Jeremy's guns, though many of these assailants were
smitten, others came on, in especial one--a cavalier completely armed
and a scarlet plume in his helmet who, spurring his brave horse, leapt
the rampire, cutting down Jeremy's gunners until his horse reared and
fell and I saw him no more. But already I had seen too much, so back
fled I to the comparative quiet of my chamber. Yet being here I could
nowise endure the suspense but must needs go wandering forth again, and
my devoted maids with me. Climbing to that highest terrace where stood
the Temple, and where no chance shot or flying arrow might reach us, I
paused to look down upon the dreadful scene below. I saw the wide forest
road and the plain itself bestrewn with the dead or maimed bodies of men
and horses (as hath been said) while from the forest on either side of
this road of death came puffs of musketry fire, with ever and anon the
belching smoke and flare of the enemy's cannon.

Then, to where Jeremy's twelve guns thundered in answer, a horseman came
galloping and though he was dight in helmet and corselet I knew by his
gestures this armed cavalier was Japhet. At his bidding (or so it
seemed), Jeremy's guns ceased their fire; whereupon the enemy, growing
bolder, began issuing forth of the woods, musketeers and pikemen very
many and with them hosts of painted Indians; on they came, shouting and
screaming their battle cries, pausing now and then to fire their pieces
of loose flights of arrows. From these I looked to our defenders and saw
the Inca clad in armour marshalling a great company at one gate, whiles
Japhet did the like at another; suddenly a trumpet sounded, the gates
swung wide, and forth they leapt to smite and be smitten, Japhet and his
company charging the left flank of the enemy, the Inca their right,
Japhet fighting afoot, the Inca upon his tall horse.

And now, though I scarce dared look, yet watch I must, striving ever to
follow the gleam and flash of Japhet's armour where he fought in that
reeling, close-locked battle, that desperate fray where deadly steel
flickered so busily amid jets of smoke and flame.... And now he was
gone, and I nigh frantic, and now I saw him again, only to lose sight of
him once more. Beset thus fiercely right and left, the enemy began to
give back and yet back, slowly at first and keeping their array, but
gradually this orderly retreat became confused, their ranks were
broken, rent asunder, and they were driven back into the woods a wild,
unordered rabble. And now from these leafy glooms came a ghastly hubbub
of merciless slaughter, horrid sounds suddenly hushed or fading into
distance....

And after some while forth of the woods came the victors, dragging or
goading their wretched captives before them in triumph, but never a
glimpse of Japhet; sometimes amid those returning bands I would catch
the glitter of helmet or breastplate and go speeding down citywards only
to find this to be some captured Spaniard.

Thus, as the weary hours dragged by, my anxious fears increased on me so
much that when my waiting women came, begging me to eat, the sight of
food so revolted me that I drove them away, all save one, a pretty,
gentle creature named Lualla that spoke English better than her
companions. With her beside me I roamed, miserably watching, praying,
and my eyes always in the one direction.

"He is dead, Lualla, oh, he is surely dead, or lying out yonder in that
hateful forest ... hurt ... wounded. Oh, Lualla, do you think he is
dead?"

"Not dead--no!" she answered in her soft, rich voice. "Inca not back ...
he with Inca; not dead--no!" And in these words I found me such comfort
I must needs kiss the gentle speaker very fervently.

"Howbeit," said I, "if he come not soon, I shall go seek him, Lualla."

"Then I go--me also!" she nodded, whereat I kissed her again.

It was long past noon when I espied a party of our Indians issue forth
of the woods and chief of these Jeremy, so down I went, hoping and
praying for sight or news of Japhet. I met Jeremy at the gate and
seizing his mailed arm (for he too was sheathed in steel), "Oh, Jeremy,"
cried I; "have you news of Captain Japhet?"

"Ay, ma'm, he's away in chase and hard astern of rogues as he hath sworn
to be the death on--"

"Is he well ... unharmed?"

"Yes, ma'm."

"And who," I demanded, as we went together, "who are these men he is
pursuing so vengefully?"

"Rogues as should die slow, ma'm, slow, being a renegade English
Captain, named Roger Snaith, and his fellow rogue, Cap'n Toby
Ingleby--but, ma'm, yonder is the prisoners; I shouldn't come no further
if I was you." And indeed I now became aware of a very dismal crying and
groaning; nevertheless I would not be turned back and coming into the
square, beheld these poor wretches, a woeful, blood-spattered company,
some of whom lay on the dusty earth faint with their wounds and pleading
for water. Now seeing no one heeded their piteous supplications, I
beckoned Lualla and, with her to aid me, brought water and began
ministering to these poor sufferers, though watched very much askance by
Jeremy and divers of the caciques; and one of those last daring to
oppose me, I (bethinking me of my goddess-ship) cried out on him, waving
him from me so imperially that he instantly abased himself and shrank
away, nor did any dare oppose us thereafter; nay, at my command through
Lualla, they sent Indians to bring us water as we required, for these
prisoners were many and all of them perishing with thirst. Thus we,
Lualla and I, laboured to their comfort and in this business I found
ease and respite for my own troublous anxiety. Now, coming to a wounded
prisoner who sat leaning him 'gainst the wall, very mute and patient, I
knew him for that same young cavalier who had led the attack against
Jeremy's guns--a slim, handsome man very young and who, ere I might
stoop to set the cup to his lips, must needs rise (and despite the pain
of his hurts), bowing to me like the gentleman he was, ere he would
suffer himself to drink.

"Seora," said he in halting English, "this poor gentleman from his
heart he thanks." Having drunk, he sighed and returned the cup with
another bow and smile that beautified his young, haggard features.

"Pray sir, who are you?" I enquired.

"Hilario de Rosca-Huenta y Villapea, and he shall no never forget your
so merciful goodness."

And when we had ministered to the prisoners, each and every, and done
what we might to staunch their wounds and ease their suffering, Lualla
and I went from that place of anguish.

Scarce had we reached the first terrace than was great braying of horns
and from the forest rode Yupanaqui and a great company, yet with never a
prisoner, the which set me a-wondering; but having assured myself that
Japhet was not with him, and I being weary and faint with hunger, I got
me to my lodge and, having eaten and bathed, lay down and fell to an
uneasy doze.

But after a while cometh Lualla (the dear thing!) her eyes adance for
joy like her pretty feet, crying:

"He come ... he come!" Up rose I and out to see this for very truth, for
there indeed marched Japhet, flashing in his armour amid an orderly
array, and down went I to meet him. But in the gate stood the Inca and
such throng that I, checking, determined not to meet him with so many
eyes to watch us.

"Well so, Japhet," cried Yupanaqui, "how now, messmate, didst
achieve ... didst up with him?"

"Ay, I did, Will; ay, faith I did," answered Japhet, his face all grim
and hateful to see beneath his lifted vizor. "Toby Ingleby shall murder
and ravish no more and here's proof--lookee," and he gestured to a tall
Indian behind him, who raised aloft a dripping spear and on its point
such hairy, pallid, blood-bedabbled thing that sickened me to see.

"Here's Toby Ingleby--Number One!" cried Japhet. "There remain Roger
Snaith and James Rogerson--"

"Lualla!" I gasped. "Oh, Lualla, help me--take me away or I shall
swoon--" But even as she ran to clasp me, a less gentle arm was about
me, a steel-clad arm and I looked up into Japhet's scowling visage.

"Loose me," I pleaded, but his arm became cruel.

"What, Madam Queasy," quoth he; "the devil's in't that you must for ever
be where you should not." So saying, and will I, nill I, he brought me
up to my lodge where at the mere sight of him my handmaids came running
to abase themselves before his lordly godship; but at his gesture they
rose and crept away every one, leaving us together.

"Well, my Lady Megrim," says he, scowling, "what now? Say it and be
done." But instead of fiercely upbraiding and reproaching him (since he
expected it), I shuddered from him, sank down upon my couch and looked
up at him, timidly askance like the poor, shocked creature I was.

"Oh," sighed I miserably, "it is now evident you are far more a
bloodthirsty Inca than English gentleman! You are indeed far better
suited to their cruel, savage ways than to the gentle quiet of my dear
England." But at this, instead of retorting on me furiously and railing
against England as I had expected, he falls to clinking and clanking to
and fro in his armour and never a word; therefore, sighing deeper, I
tried him again:

"And so, when you bring me safe to England, my lord--" but he stops me
with stamp and clang of his hateful armour.

"None o' that, thankee, ma'm," says he gruffly. "I'm Bly, Captain Japhet
Bly o' the _Deliverance_."

"Never!" I retorted, stamping my foot at him and wishing I might be
gruff also. "I know you beyond all doubt for my lord the Earl of
Aldbourne and as such I shall name you--"

"Howbeit, ma'm, you will never be my lady countess!" he snarled. Now at
this I could have scratched the wretch very joyfully, and being too
angry for proper rejoinder, was silent, whereupon says he, planting
himself before me with jangling clash:

"For lookee, since I'm determined to remain Captain Bly, you, ma'm,
will remain Ma'm Bly, ma'm, and there's for ye!"

"And so, my lord," I continued, meekly gentle, "when your lordship hath
fulfilled his promise (and I beg your lordship not to snort at
me)--fulfilled his promise and carried me safe to my loved England, I
will humbly ask you, my lord, to procure for me a bill of divorcement,
and leave your noble lordship to fly back to your lordship's fierce
Aztecs and turn Indian."

"Vastly fine!" says he, sneering; then finding no more words for it,
begins to clink and clank again until:

"Oh, for pity's sake," cried I, "be still! Sit down or take off that
detestable armour."

"Why, 'tis a very noble armour!" quoth he. "Steel o' proof, Ma'm Bly,
and inlaid wi' gold, lookee! An hundred years old mayhap, yet it hath
served me well this day."

"To kill men and ... cut off their heads!" I whispered, shuddering.

"Yes, faith!" said he, clapping hand to sword hilt. "The head of Cap'n
Tobias Ingleby--one o' three, ma'm that shall have like end, though I
die for't."

"Oh, barbarous!" cried I, and covering my face; but suddenly he had
caught and plucked away my hands and pulled me to my feet, so that I
must needs face him and very nearly.

"Barbarous, says you!" quoth he fiercely. "You that have experienced
nothing of barbarity all your smugly sheltered, easeful days!
Ursula,--fool madam, I tell you there are sweet, pure souls, in especial
one, ha' suffered such barbarity its contrivers should die a thousand
deaths 'stead o' one ... I might tell you such fearsome tale that"--he
choked on the word and I saw his furrowed brow all beaded with great
drops ere, loosing my hands, he turned away, as to hide his face from
me.

"What tale, Japhet?"

"A tale of such shameful evil I ... cannot tell of it, yet hear it you
shall, and when you've heard ... call me barbarous if you can." So
saying, he caught my hand, led me out upon the terrace and, setting
fingers to mouth, whistled thrice very loud and shrill. And presently in
answer, up towards us came Jeremy Jervey, who had done off his armour.

"Jerry," said the Captain, so soon as he was near us, "tell madam here
why I chased and killed Ingleby to-day."

So saying and without glancing towards me, away he goes to the terrace
below, there to stride to and fro like man driven by some frenzy.

"Well, what must you tell me, Jeremy?" said I, my gaze on that
distracted figure below me.

"Why, 'tis mighty black and foul yarn, ma'm, but if I must, well, stand
by! Years agone, lady, this here Cap'n Ingleby was one o' three as
wrought black shame on a sweet lady, poor soul, and she a noble lady o'
Spain--"

"Oh!" said I, catching my breath. "Was she this Donna Inez?"

"That same, ma'm," he answered and paused, eyeing me askance.

"'Twas she who killed herself and wherefore, Jeremy?"

"Ma'm--" said he and paused again.

"Well?" I questioned. "Tell me, Jeremy, tell me."

"Lady she was ... took ... by this Ingleby and two others, stripped,
ma'm, and ... brutalized ... killed herself for shame, she did, though
Japhet would have married her even so, for he loved her, d'ye see. But
she crept away and drowned her poor sweet self. And so 'tis Japhet took
solemn oath to kill 'em all three and come nigh a-doing of it more than
once ... and to-day he's made an end o' Toby Ingleby, glory be! So

there's the truth on't, ma'm, a yarn as aren't nowise fit for a pretty
lady's ears--"

What more he said I know not, for his bald words had conjured to my mind
such visions of hateful evil as dreaded me to think on, and my heart so
full of pity for this poor lady that, sinking upon the carven bench, I
bowed my head, praying for her present happiness, little dreaming how
narrowly I myself was to escape her terrible fate.

And in a little I was aware of Japhet beside me and him speaking in tone
ineffably kind and gentle.

"What then, canst weep for her, Ursula!" Then came his hand to touch my
head and gentle as his voice.

"Nay, now, dry your sweet tears," said he, "for she's a glorious saint
in heaven these many years."

"Indeed," I sobbed, "it is no wonder you honour and so love her--even
yet, Japhet." At this, he raised me and finding a tear upon my nose,
kissed it away. Then bringing me to my lodge:

"Ursula," says he, "'twas very salt tear yon, and, as I think, the most
unselfish those eyes ever shed. Now sleep awhile, for to-night we are to
see the secret wonders of Huaca,--behold all the marvels of the Temple
of the Sun, for to-night, Ursula, we restore to Capac Yupanaqui the
Fourth Inca, his long-lost skull, thou and I and Will, that is Manco
Yupanaqui, the Fifteenth Inca. And, what's more, to-morrow or so soon as
you will, we set out for Bartlemy's Bay and the _Deliverance_."

"Oh, Japhet!" cried I in ecstasy. "The _Deliverance_,--my _Joyful
Deliverance_ and--England?"

"Ay," he nodded, frowning, "'tis so I promised. But now get what sleep
you may. Lord knoweth when we shall to bed this night." With this he
left me and I so full of joy at the mere prospect that I knew sleep out
of the question; therefore, after tossing restlessly awhile, up I got
and out into the sunshine. Espying Jeremy with divers of his Indians
busied with his beloved guns, I went down to him, and, plucking him by
the arm, bade him walk with me and he showing something unwilling, I
told him how we must soon be bidding each other good-bye.

"Lord!" quoth he, shaking his head gloomily. "So soon! Is it you and
Cap'n Japhet, or do you take t'other un along?"

"T'other un?" I repeated. "If you speak of the Earl of--no, I mean Mr.
Barrasdale--I cannot say. Where is he, Jeremy?"

"Chained up along o' t'other prisoners for sure, lady."

"Oh, but wherefore?"

"Roving where he shouldn't ought, ma'm; Cap'n's orders! The which do
mind me as Japhet bid me keep a weather eye on you, likewise, 'for,'
says he, 'Jerry,' says he, 'my lady's forever a-standing off and on,
backing and filling, plying here and there when least expected, so
Jerry,' says he, 'should you run athwart her hawse,' he says, 'take her
in tow lest she run foul of aught'--them's his orders consarning your
ladyship and--"

"I can well believe it, Jeremy, for they sound extreme odious. But I'll
be at no man's orders, pray heaven, and shall come and go as I list. So
walk with me, Jeremy, or I go alone."

We had been following the stream that floweth through the city and were
come where it ran winding away, all bowered in trees and climbing vines,
very cool and pleasant to see.

"Come," said I, "let us sit down in this pleasant shade and hearken to
this pretty stream. It whispers and gurgles like a little river I know
in my dear Sussex, called the Adur. Know you Sussex, Jeremy?"

"No, ma'm. And as for setting down, ma'm, there's my guns, d'ye see, and
Cap'n Japhet's orders--"

"Sussex is the loveliest place in all the world, Jeremy,--or so think
I."

"Yes, ma'm. But--"

"So, hearkening to this stream, I have only to close my eyes, Jeremy,
and think myself back in our dear England."

"Ay, ma'm! Hows'ever if--"

"Indeed this is very pretty river; how do you call it?"

"The Popayan, lady, and 'tis much greater than you'd guess, for it
runneth through the forest wi' many Indian villages on its banks and
growing ever bigger till it meeteth another larger river that runneth
hundreds o' leagues till it reacheth the mighty River of Amazons."

"Ay, this is the greatest of all rivers, I've heard, Jeremy."

"Why 'tis so, lady, so great you may not see across the width of it, and
courseth through a wondrous country."

"And these Amazons--hast ever seen them?"

"Ay, I have, ma'm."

"Well, are they very fierce and terrible?"

"Ay and no, ma'm. Fine, buxom, upstanding lasses I thought 'em, and fair
like you, wi' very long hair bound about their heads in tresses and no
clothes to speak on, except here and theer, and wi' bows and arrers, d'
ye see. But lord, ma'm, I must to they guns o' mine. So if you will set
there, ma'm, why set, though the Cap'n's orders--"

"Very well, Jeremy, if you meet him, tell him where to find me." So
there sat I, hearkening to the soft, pretty murmur of these waters and
heartily wishing myself back in England beside another stream, wondering
if I should ever see it again and what the outcome of my wanderings must
be. And bending to peep at my reflection where the waters ran smooth and
still, I must needs think how marvellous changed was my life, and I
myself, from that vain and wilful Ursula Revell had viewed herself
feature by feature in the mirror of her bedchamber so many ages ago (as
it truly seemed). And this set me thinking on all that had befallen me,
the terrors, the dangers and, to be sure, of Japhet and the wild manner
of our marriage and how we had never said one word of love to each
other, no, not one. This led me to such thoughts as: Could I ever truly
love him? Then: Had I already begun to love him? And then again: Had I
not been loving him--ever since we had started out upon this wild
journey?

"No!" cried I so sudden and loud that I startled myself and a blue-green
parrot screeched at me and flew away. But "no" (thinks I), "for mine is
such a positive nature I should have no doubts were this indeed so."

These thoughts so wrought on me that I arose (my long hair all about me)
and began to walk beside this stream and as I went argued and debated
the matter with myself on this wise:

    I:       True love (for such as yourself knoweth no doubts, therefore
             being so full of doubts you love him not).

    MYSELF:  Then wherefore must I be for ever thinking of him?

    I:       Because, as he said, he is your salvation in this wild
             country.

    MYSELF:  Yet being truly the Earl of Aldbourne, he is a great
             gentleman.

    I:       Yet seemeth and showeth himself to you no more than gruff,
             rude sailorman.

    MYSELF:  Howbeit, being himself, he is the man his and my own
             long-dead parents had chosen to spouse me.

    I:       And he to-day no better than rogue pirate.

    MYSELF:  Yet one hath used me with respect--

    I:       Did he not whip thee? Oh, shame!

    MYSELF:  Well, he hath never forced me, no--not even a kiss.

    I:       Fool, how know you he will not yet--bethink you of the weary
             miles yet to go, the dark forests, the long nights and you
             so solitary and helpless.

    MYSELF:  I am no whit fearful and nothing afraid.

    I:       Be ashamed to say so or else know yourself in love and
             yearning to be his wife.

    MYSELF:  Odious thought!

Lost thus in meditation, I found I had turned away from the pleasant
river and was ascending a narrow path that wound upwards amid thick
vegetation towards mighty Hualpa that soared high above me, its lofty,
snow-capped pinnacle aflame with sunset, for evening was at hand, or
rather that brief period that in these latitudes interveneth between the
glaring heat of day and the cool fragrance of night. Having climbed this
path a good distance I paused to fetch my breath and to gaze upward at
the ever-changing glory of Mount Hualpa's mighty summit changing down
from gold to pink, to glowing red and this again to deepening purple,
when I heard a rustling among the thick undergrowth that shut in the
narrow track, and glanced towards this approaching and, as it seemed,
stealthy sound in no small trepidation, dreading lest it be some
prowling wild beast or another of those great and horrid snakes. Judge
them my vasty relief when I heard a breathless voice groan forth in
Spanish:

"_O Santa Maria!_" and other dolorous words, answered by another and
stronger voice:

"Courage, _compaero mio_."

Thinking I recognized this second voice, I pushed in among the dense
boskage and thus presently beheld this same very young Spanish cavalier
Don Hilario, half leading, half carrying one who seemed scarce able to
go. At sight of me, he eased his feeble companion to the ground and
sinking upon one knee reached forth his hands in gesture of
supplication.

"Seorita," he murmured, "my friend and myself, by your will now we live
perchance or die ... you show mercy to prisoners so many--show now mercy
on two,--this my comrade Seor Don Diego Espinosa and myself."

"Sir," I answered, clasping these appealing hands, "this will I. Down
yonder is a river with boats--piraguas. Come and I will show you," and I
turned to bring them to the path but, seeing this Don Diego so faint
with his hurts (and moreover grey-headed), I set my arm about him also,
whereupon he groaned forth alternate excuses and gratitude and thus very
slowly and painfully we made our way towards the river; and now,
strange to say, instead of them it was I that began to fret and agonize
lest they be espied or pursued and captured ere they could reach the
canoes; so that when at last the river showed before us I could
well-nigh have screamed, so wrought up was I. Reaching the piraguas or
canoes, I saw poor Don Diego's wounds bleeding afresh, so that I must
stay to reset and tighten the rough bandages the best I might, and he
all the time gasping forth words I could only guess at, since I had no
Spanish; and when we had got him aboard, this young Hilario must waste
precious time to kiss my hands, the hem of my cloak until, in my very
impatience for their safety, I pushed him into the canoe, and heaved a
sigh of relief to see them glide away on the swift current and both of
these poor gentlemen looking back on me with such eyes as I shall never
forget.

Thus stood I, waving my hand in farewell, until a bend in the river had
hidden them from sight. Then I turned about and started so violently
that I came near tumbling into the river, for within a yard of me stood
Japhet, his lips uncurled in their mocking, quirkish smile.

"Well, ma'm, so you must be at it again!" saith he. "Stealing away more
prisoners."

"Ay, I did!" I retorted. "And you must be spying on me, as usual. Well,
since you saw, why did you suffer it?"

"Lord, ma'm!" he exclaimed with helpless gesture, "as well bid me stay
yon river or the stars in their courses, for though I am for these
Indians a king and god, for thyself I am merest man."

Now at this I smiled on him and slipping my hand within his arm walked
him along beside this pretty stream and both of us silent awhile; and
then said I:

"Indeed, sir, you are such very man that sometimes, despite your show
of brutish ferocity, I do begin to think you have a heart ... very
generous ... and tender except in the case of your enemy the poor Earl
of--Mr. Barrasdale."

"Nay, give him his title, ma'm; our Johnny's heartily welcome to the
heritage he sinned for,--though I doubt his lordly carcass shall fetch
more i' the slave market than did poor Japhet's years agone."

"Have you--oh, Japhet, have you no thought of forgiveness?"

"Not a whit, ma'm, not a whit."

"Will nothing change your cruel purpose?"

"No!" he answered fiercely. "Nothing in this world."

"Then would you not forego your vengeance--for my sake?"

"Would you forego your England for mine?" he demanded. At this I was
silent awhile; then:

"Supposing I did?"

"I cannot suppose aught so impossible, ma'm."

"Then suppose," said I, keeping my face averted, "that to turn you from
such cruelty to your enemy, and he your cousin, to win you to mercy and
forgiveness, I ... give myself ... come to you as your wife?"

"What, lass,--what? Barter me your body for this? Fie now, such proffer
shameth you and would shame me. Would ye so tempt your poor, modest
sailorman--fie on you again, ma'm. Let us go back ere the night catch
us! Lord love me, I'm a-flushing and a-blushing as 'tis." Now, shamed
and furious at his hateful mockery, I snatched my hand from his arm and
struck at him (being quite beyond myself with mortification), but he
caught my fist and drawing it within his arm again, held it there,
strive and struggle how I would. And thus, perforce, I went on beside
him again back towards the town. And when we had gone some little way:

"My dear," said he, in tone all sudden gentle, "though we are truly wed,
yet shall you never be truly my wife until--" and here the wretch must
pause and wait for me to question him, the which, and despite all my
proper dignity and pride, at last I did; for:

"Well, sir, until--what pray?" I demanded, coldly as might be.

"Until," said he, pressing my arm close, "of your own accord you come
creeping into my arms and with your lips on mine, say--'Japhet, I have
come home to thy heart because I am all your own and love you body and
soul.'" Now these words conjured up such picture that though by now the
quick night was beginning to fall and he not even looking at me, I felt
my cheeks all hot and my body all ashiver; nevertheless I answered and
readily enough:

"Can you even think I ever shall?"

"Ay, I do!" he answered. "I do indeed."

"Oh!" said I. And then: "Why can you think such thing of me?"

"Wherefore do you so tremble and fear to look on me?" he questioned; and
I so self-conscious and fool-like that I knew not how to answer and so
was dumb as any oyster.

Thus we went on in silence till, reaching my terrace, I brought him
where was carven bench, remote and well secluded and sitting down,
beckoned him beside me.

"Faith now, my buxom beauty," says he, leering on me as any rude mariner
might have done, "'tis fair loverlike place this; hast brought me here
to kiss and fondle me?"

"Sir!" cried I indignantly; whereat he did but laugh at me, whiles I
watched him with eyes serene and unwavering until his merriment
subsiding:

"Japhet," said I, making my voice sweetly kind yet withal reproachful,
"why, 'stead of wasting the years to such ill purpose, oh, why did you
never come back to England and claim your heritage boldly and right
yourself by law?"

"Because for one thing, Ursula, possession is nine points of the law;
and for another thing, because by law my rogue uncle inherited, since I
was reported dead--"

"Indeed, I heard of this," cried I, "while I was away at school in
London. But how--"

"And being dead, ma'm, I was duly buried, ay, and I'll warrant me, with
as much pomp as any of my lordly ancestors. So there was an end of
Charles Vivian Japhet Barrasdale, Earl of Aldbourne."

"Nay, but how could such monstrous thing be?"

"Very easily, Ursula. The body they buried with such ceremonious pomp
was the battered corpse of a poor unknown youth that my rogue uncle and
Roger Brent, his head gamekeeper, found in an old hammerpond called
Tutley Blackwater--"

"I've seen it, Japhet."

"This unknown youth had been a poor, slim creature, much as I was then,
in my twentieth year, and it was this similarity (as I guess) inspired
my uncle and his two sons, John and Geoffrey, to their purpose. Howbeit,
they paid Roger Brent well, swore him to secrecy and had me waylaid and
carried off to sea. Thus, whiles they were burying the young Earl of
Aldbourne with so much honour, poor Japhet, direly seasick, was being
kicked and cuffed aboardship. To Hispaniola we sailed and there was I
sold a slave, for an hundred and three pieces of eight, and the marvel
is that I fetched so much."

"Oh, Japhet!" said I, my heart wrung for him. "Oh, Japhet! But when you
broke free and were a man ... captain of a ship ... why not sail home
and force these wicked wretches--?"

"Nay, Ursula; think, child--think! So many weary years! And I so vastly
changed that none might know me, much less swear to me. And little money
to fight my cause at law.... And yet indeed come back I did at last--ay,
ma'm, and in time to save you from wedding my roguish Cousin Geoffrey--"

"I should never have married him, Japhet!"

"Howbeit, ma'm, I'd word 'twas all arranged."

"But why did you return at last?"

"For that, by most strange chance, Ursula, I had found me such witness
as might ha' proved and won my suit."

"Ay, but who--who was it?" I questioned breathlessly. "Tell me how and
who--and why you are still only--poor Japhet?"

"Well, ma'm, we o' the Brotherhood of the 'Broken Shackle' on a day
fought and took a great galleass off the Main, and, among the poor
slaves in this floating hell, whom should I find but this same Roger
Brent that was head gamekeeper to my uncle--and him sick and nigh dead
with hardship and suffering. Well, I recognized him none the less, made
myself known and he told me all. And, moreover, how Cousin John being
the Earl, my uncle being dead, this Roger was such fool as to remind him
of poor young Japhet and the end of it was, he, too, was sent overseas
lest his tongue wag too freely. Well, Ursula, so soon as we might, I
sailed for England, but poor Roger was a sick man and within sight of
Shoreham Harbour he died."

"Oh, cruel!" cried I and could have wept.

"Nevertheless I landed, enquired for and found his sister Mercy, learned
how Geoffrey was to marry you, and John sailing in his ship the
_Lion_--and so all's told."




CHAPTER XXXIV

TELLETH HOW WE JOURNEYED INTO THE HEART OF THE MOUNTAIN AND THE DIVERS
WONDERS THEREOF


So marvellous bright was the moon that as we mounted the wide stairway
towards the Temple, I could see all things plain as day, in especial
Japhet and how for the first time he was arrayed splendidly as the Inca
himself; and very comely I thought him. Thus close beside him I entered
this vast building, first a hall very wide and lofty, lit by torches and
great candles, its walls wonderfully wrought and carved and in the midst
a colossal image at sight of which I caught my breath; for this was the
statue of no Indian, and by some strange chance these graven features,
lean, forceful and something irregular, might almost have been Japhet's
very own.

"The mark--above the knee!" said he in my ear. "Strange, oh, ma'm
Ursula; strange and devilish odd."

Crossing this vast hall, we came to and began to descend a stairway that
seemed to bring us nowhere, for it ended at a wall formed of one vast
stone whereon was graved that emblem of the sun in splendour with a
little altar below, where stood three priests. At sight of us they
prostrated themselves and, in the same moment, the great stone turned as
on an axis and we passed into such place of radiant splendour that for a
moment I was dazzled and bemused.

This also was a great hall but its walls and domed roof plated all with
wrought and shining gold. And here, standing beneath another huge,
radiate sun, but this itself of gold, and with long triple ranks of
motionless priests to right and left of him, stood Yupanaqui the Inca.
At our coming he raised his hands, whereat the many priests bowing
themselves before us in greeting, cried together words that sounded
like:

"_Pachacamac ... Haran Pacha!_"

Then spake the Inca; after which Japhet made reply and, throwing back
the cloak he wore, held aloft that strange golden skull that all eyes
might behold it; at sight of which Yupanaqui sank to his knees and the
priests abased themselves. Then, fixing me with his cruel eyes, the Inca
addressed me:

"Madam Bly," said he (and I thought it very odious name and nothing
suited to that splendid, stately place), "to-night, if it so please
you--with myself and Japhet and Oyarana, priest of my priests, you shall
tread where never woman trod, where death is, and waiteth, and will be.
Well, do you adventure it?"

Now, looking into his beautiful face, I thought again to read there
something so sinister, so coldly menacing that for a moment fear gripped
me and I was dumb; but glancing now at Japhet and seeing him so assured,
so very serene and resolute, I grew resolute also and stifling my fears
answered steadily as might be:

"Yes, I will go."

Now forth of the priestly ranks stepped one of complexion darker than
his fellows and on his breast the golden sun emblem and in his girdle a
long, golden knife and I wondered what use this knife should serve and
instinctively stole my hand into Japhet's and found me great comfort in
his close, vital clasp.

So thus, hand in hand, we followed whither the Inca and the chief priest
led; and this was downward as it seemed into the very bowels of the
earth. But now, instead of wide and noble stairway, were narrow flights
of steps with many landings and right-angled turns, and on every landing
a priest, holding a great taper in golden socket to light us. Thus came
we at last to a wall of rock with a dark opening or tunnel, and here
they gave us each a taper to light us.

"Oh, Japhet!" I murmured. "Where do they take us?"

"Faith," he answered, "I know no more than you. But thou'rt pale,
lass--"

"Hush!" said I, my candle shaking in my hand, for borne to us came a
sound like rageful wind that I presently knew for rush of some far-off
torrent of water.

"Japhet!" I gasped, "what dreadful place is this?"

"Nay," he answered, "say rather, how wonderful!"

So we went on after our guides along this dismal tunnel until, of a
sudden, we came out into a cavern, but of such vast immensity we seemed
to be traversing space for naught was to see save the rocky floor we
trod; and here that incessant rush of angry water seemed more fierce and
loud. In this dreadful gloom and awful silence (for our Indian buskins
made no sound) we crossed this mighty cavern--and then I beheld a sight
so terrifying that I recoiled and stood trembling (as well I might), for
we had reached the brink of a precipice, a frightful chasm I dared not
look into, and this yawning gulf spanned by a bridge of rock, a natural
causeway, so slender and narrow as turned me faint to see.

"Oh, Japhet!" I gasped, "there is death!"

"Ay, faith," he nodded, "for such fool as essayeth a leap; see, yonder
go Will and Oyarana; where they venture we may."

"No!" said I, shuddering away. "No, I dare not!"

"Never say so, ma'm!"

"Ah, Japhet, why must you force on me such dreadful chances?"

"Why, 'tis all in the way of education--"

"I cannot go! I will not!"

"Ay, but you will, lass, you will; even if I have to carry ye."

"Oh, God help me!" I wailed.

"Why, so He will, ma'm, if you are bold to do your share, using those
legs o' thine.... Come now, my arm about thee--so!"

"Go you, Japhet--leave me--"

"Not I. Come,--walk! And look not down!"

Then we were upon this narrow bridge. I glimpsed the horror of blackness
below, felt my brain reel, heard Japhet swear at me and we were over and
I nigh to swooning; but his fierce arm compelled me forward and the
faintness passing, I found we were traversing a rocky cleft so strait we
must go very close together.

"So, Ursula, you did it."

"And was like to die with horror."

"You should lay out on topgallant yard in a gale, lass."

"Never!" said I, whereat he laughed at me, but I ever the more conscious
of that sound of rushing water that had grown to muffled roar. The way
we followed now broadened, trending gently downwards and must be leading
us, as Japhet said, into the very heart of this great mountain Hualpa;
and:

"Lord!" quoth he, "these old Aztecs chose them secure berths to bury
their kings and hide their treasures."

"How much further?" said I.

"Why, it cannot be so far--see, Will beckons us yonder! Give me your
hand again...." As he spoke, the twinkling lights of our guides vanished
suddenly until, turning sharp bend, we saw them again; and now, not
content with Japhet's hand, I clutched his arm also, for the way had
narrowed again, with on my side the rock wall towering into gloom, and
on Japhet's side a black emptiness, a gulf that roared at us and whence
breathed a clammy air from unseen water that raged far below. And now
all about us such thunderous roar as deafened me and made speech
impossible.... Turning another sudden corner, we saw the reason for this
and there burst on us such stupendous spectacle as brought us to instant
stand.

Immediately before us foamed a mighty cataract, o'erleaping the rocky
path, a spuming, high-arching, down-plunging torrent that leapt,
out-curving from heights unseen, and rushed to fall in ceaseless
thunder down, down amid those roaring deeps. And there, standing beneath
this mighty watery arch was Yupanaqui, beckoning us on. So came we
beside him and (Oh, most wonderful) though we stood now right beneath
this arching torrent, no drop of water touched us,--no, not one. And
here, beneath the everlasting rush of this tremendous cascade, was
narrow doorway with dim stair, down which we went and so at last into a
chamber of no great magnitude and yet surely such place as few eyes had
ever seen. Gold shone everywhere, above, around, ay, even beneath our
very feet--this was indeed a great shrine of gold. And against one wall
the great sun emblem glowed upon us, radiant in very truth, for this
wondrous symbol flashed and glittered with gemmy fire seeming to shoot
flames of every hue; and I, all dazzled by this thing of glory,
speechless and entranced, would have looked no other where; but
Yupanaqui's voice aroused me, his commanding gesture distracted me.

"This now, behold the sacred place, Japhet--for here sit our Inca gods
and kings, the first six!" Now looking (and very unwillingly) whither he
pointed, I saw six shapes brown and shrivelled that seemed to leer down
at me from eyeless sockets and gnash white teeth at me 'twixt backdrawn
lips, shapes these more hideous by their splendid trappings. Three and
three sat they, these long-dead Inca kings, to right and left of a
great, black, low-set stone all carved about with writhing serpents and
horrid beasts.

"And here, Japhet, sitteth the Inca Capac Yupanaqui that builded this
city. 'Tis after him that I am named." So saying, he brought us where,
throned apart, sat a seventh Inca and this methought more terrible than
any, for, though more splendid than any, he sat grasping his jewelled
diadem in withered hands, since he had no head. Then Japhet took forth
the golden skull and gave it to the Inca Yupanaqui who, with the priest
to aid him, set it back upon the shoulders of his long-dead ancestor.

Whiles this was a-doing, my glance wandered here and there, viewing the
marvels of this golden sanctuary, in especial a golden coffer wherein
(to my breathless wonder) sparkled gems of many sorts. But suddenly,
moved by some premonition, I glanced at Yupanaqui to see his sad,
terrible eyes fixed on me ... then he gestured faintly with his hand and
turning, I saw the dark-faced priest flash out his knife and leap at me;
quick as he, I sprang away but, even so, he caught me by my hair ...
then I was deafened by a pistol shot ... and my assailant reeled back
and back, to fall upon that black stone, and the stone, sudden and
noiseless, turned beneath him and Oyarana was gone, as he had never
been, and Japhet staring wide-eyed, a smoking pistol in his hand. Then I
screamed and sank to my knees, faint with the quick horror of it all;
yet presently found I was kneeling beside one of the golden coffers, my
nerveless hands among its scintillant riches, and instinctively I
clutched up two hands full of these gems and so remained, staring
fearfully where Japhet and the Inca faced each other.

"By God," said Japhet, soft-voiced but mighty grim, "now, by God, Will,
this was foully done. I trusted thee, man; I trusted thee!"

"And I loved thee, Japhet, as a brother I loved thee ... of the blood."

"And would murder my wife--"

"She came betwixt us, Japhet! She is the ruin o' my hopes."

"So ye would ha' murdered her--eh, Will--being no better than mere
Indian, after all, my lord Yupanaqui."

"I am--the Inca!"

"And would ha' killed ... my wife."

"Well, the gods have chosen otherwise, Japhet."

"And before my eyes--damn you!" said Japhet, and into his other hand
came his second pistol, at sight of which up sprang I, scattering these
precious gems broadcast, and interposed, clasping that threatening hand.
But Yupanaqui laughed and contrived somehow to make it sound more woeful
than any tears.

"I pray thee let be, lady!" said he. "Fair is fair and nothing fear I
Death! Shoot, brother Japhet, and be done. Here is much wealth of gold
and gems--such baubles as ye of the noble white race do prize before
honour or aught in this world, as we Incas do know, alas! When I am
dead, take what ye may and joy go with thee, brother."

Uttering an inarticulate growl, Japhet thrust away his pistols and
turned to be gone.

"Come, Ursula," said he and reached me his hand. But I must stand
looking from the sparkling gems that bestrewed the golden floor to those
which sparkled in the coffer; perceiving which, the stately Inca smiled
on me and, sweeping up a double handful from the nearest coffer, bade me
open the doeskin gypsire that hung at my girdle, and into it poured this
glittering torrent. Then turning to Japhet:

"Sir," said he, "for the friendship that hath been betwixt us and
brotherhood that was, I bid you take now ... whatso you will." But,
answering not, Japhet seized my arm and led me out from that place of
riches and death. Nor was there one word spoke betwixt us on that
fearsome backward journey. And surely never was poor soul more thankful
than I to see the moon bright above us again and breathe deep of the
fragrant night.

"Sir," said the Inca, as we stood in the wide portal of this great
Huaca, "you will be away to-morrow, I think."

"Ay, to-morrow, Yupanaqui!" So saying, and without another word, or so
much as one backward glance, Japhet turned away. But presently I
stopped, and turning:

"Japhet," said I, "yonder is the loneliest man in the world, I think!"

"How? You mean Yupanaqui?"

"I mean your comrade Will."

"Nay, he is the Inca and a bloody-minded Indian!"

"Yet for sake of your old friendship, I would have you go back and speak
him kindly, Japhet."

"But Ursula, he would ha' murdered thee!"

"Out of love for you, Japhet. Come, let us go back--"

"Not I, ma'm, not I!"

"Is my welfare then so much to you, Japhet?"

"Now on my soul," quoth he bitterly, "for creature of intelligence ye do
ask the most fool questions!"

Now at this, and although he scowled, I could have kissed him--almost.
So he brought me to my lodge and then, telling me had much to do, he
bade me get me to sleep and so hurried away, fuming still.

And this night, being in bed and my women all gone, it was not of that
fearsome journey I must think, nor of the sudden awful end of Oyarana
the Priest, but only of the treasure of gems Yupanaqui had bestowed on
me, insomuch that I reached my wallet and having made sure no eyes
watched, I emptied forth these precious stones and sat trembling with
delight by reason of the exceeding beauty of them. With shaking fingers
I grouped and counted these wondrous lovely things and found them to be:

Twelve great sapphires,

Seventy-five pearls all very beautiful and extreme large,

Twenty-nine rubies, one very wonderful for size and colour,

Forty-one diamonds, very splendid, in especial six,

Nine emeralds, all these large.

In all, one hundred and sixty-six.

And now, having hidden them in the wallet again, I sat with this in my
hand, full of anxious thought as to how best I might keep such fortune
safe and unseen, and how guard against all chance of losing it by
accident or theft, so that what with this anxiety I was long in falling
to sleep.




CHAPTER XXXV

TELLETH HOW WE VOYAGED ON AND WITH US THE SPIRIT OF HATE


My eyes were aswim with tears as I kissed farewell to these gentle maids
had served me so tenderly, for though I yearned to be gone, it grieved
me to leave them, in especial my sweet Lualla; thus when at last came
Jeremy Jervey to summon me, he found us mingling our tears and all very
woeful and most especially my pretty Lualla.

Taking Jeremy's hand, I suffered him to lead me away, stumbling, since
tears were blinding me, and being thus deject, grew angry also:

"And pray," I demanded, "why must he trouble you; why could not his
lordly godship come for me himself?"

"Why now, lady, lookee, he do be that full o' business,--love my eyes, I
should say so! Ay, and what's more, so soon as 'twere known as he's
a-marching--these here Ayamaras and Cachapuyas must be for marching wi'
him. And so 'tis as he aren't a-going to march arter all, d'ye see."

"Not?" cried I in quick dismay (and despite my grief). "Do you mean
we ... I must bide here?"

"No, no, ma'm I mean ter say as you'm going by the river, ay--and in
Yupanaqui's own piragua or as you might say canoe, ma'm. Fifty odd miles
'twill take ye till it joins the Guanuco River; then in two days' march
ye should bring up in Bartlemy's Bay."

Now the prospect of gliding smoothly along this beautiful river, instead
of trudging wearily through the wild, pleased me greatly, as I told him.

"Ay, ay, ma'm," nodded Jeremy. "A piragua's a handy craft, so long as
ye don't go running foul of any alligators or--"

"Alligators?" I gasped, horrified.

"Ay, lady, you'll see plenty o' they. But, Lord, they won't nowise
trouble you, if you don't go a-troubling o' they. Well, I shall be main
sorry to bid ee good-bye ma'm."

"So shall I, Jeremy," I answered, giving his brawny arm a little
squeeze. "Why don't you come back with us?"

"Lord love ye, ma'm, and what o' my wives, ay, and all my children?"

"Have you so many children, Jeremy?"

"Ninety and four, ma'm, and others on the road; so, d'ye see, here I
must abide."

"Yes!" said I.... "Oh, yes."

"But Mrs. Ursula, ma'm, if you should ever chance Deptford way--but what
use, my old mother's dead years agone and Lord knoweth what's come o' my
brothers and sisters."

By this time we were in sight of the river where many Indians were
busied about a long canoe, stowing divers stores therein; a very shapely
craft I deemed it. And here I beheld my lord the Earl or rather, Mr.
Barrasdale, all clean-shaven and very sullen, his six grave Indians in
attendance.

"Aha!" he cried, catching sight of me. "Fore heaven, Ursula, I protest
you make a bewitching Indian! That scant and simple habit--from stately
head to proud feet proclaims thee truly goddess, veiling her glories in
peasant guise."

"Nay, thank heaven I'm done with my goddess-ship," said I, angered by
something in his tone and look. "And I go thus, sir, because I must,
since my own poor garments were merest rags and these Indian clothes are
cooler and leave me more free."

"Faith, 'tis evident!" he nodded. "And, 'pon my life, thou'rt delicious
so--"

"Mr. Barrasdale," said I, dwelling on the name, "you are fulsome!" At
this, he stared on me beneath wrinkling brows, then smiled disdainfully.

"Soho!" he exclaimed. "Our Piratical Slave-driver hath told you this
preposterous lie, then?"

"No, sir," I retorted. "This is a truth I found out for myself."

"Truth, d'ye say? Truth, madam? Pah, you never credit such arrant
folly--"

"Mr. Barrasdale, I know beyond all doubt that Japhet is truly Charles
Vivian Japhet Barrasdale, Earl of Aldbourne, and this I am ready to
swear in any court of law--"

"And now, madam, how can you dare be so sure?"

"This you shall hear in court of law, when he comes safe home to
England, sir. For the present know this,--do or say what you will, Mr.
Barrasdale, I am as sure your cousin Japhet is truly the Earl as you
yourself are certain in your secret heart. And I repeat,--to this I will
swear if ever we reach England--"

"If!" he repeated. "Ay--if, madam, for we are a very long way from
England!"

"Is this a threat, sir?" I demanded. But he merely smiled and, shrugging
his shoulders, turned away as came Japhet at last and clad in his
familiar, travel-worn garments, as I was glad to see, and with many
stately caciques, and chief among them Huayana who, coming to me, took
my hand, touching it to his brow; but nowhere could I see the Inca
Yupanaqui.

All being ready, we embarked, Mr. Barrasdale in the prow, then I, and
behind me in the stern, Japhet; and now, with Jeremy Jervey's hearty
good wishes ringing in our ears and the deep, sweet tones of the stately
caciques, we glided out and away from this strange and wonderful city of
Viracocha, Japhet paddling easily; the Earl--that is Mr. Barrasdale,
scowling on vacancy and I clutching at the treasure hidden within my
bosom. But after we had gone some little way, I turned about that I
might look my last on Viracocha and watch Japhet how he paddled.

"Easy, ma'm, easy!" said he, for my movement had shaken the canoe.
"These piraguas are something crank till you be used to them. In a while
you shall move as you will, ay, and walk in 'em too, but you must first
learn the way on't."

"And you shall show me how to paddle," said I, taking up one of several.
"And how beautifully they are carved."

"Ay, these folk be notable craftsmen."

Now, glancing back at the city, I saw it rising majestic, terrace upon
terrace, until it was crowned as it were and dominated by the great
Huaca; and upon this eminence, gazing down on us and awfully alone,
stood the Inca, as I told Japhet, who stopped paddling to glance back
also; whereupon that most solitary figure raised both arms, crossing
them above his head, and Japhet, after a moment's hesitation, laid down
his paddle and did the same; so that I must ask him what this meant.

"Why," said he, paddling on again, "we make the sign of amity and
brotherhood."

"I'm glad," said I, "yes, very glad!"

"Art a queer soul, Ursula," says he, looking at me and forgetting to
paddle. "A sweetly kind, marvellous forgiving creature--to all save poor
Japhet, of course. I wonder why?"

"'Tis soon told," I answered, shaking my head at him in sorrowful
reproach. "Poor Japhet is too assured, too fiercely masterful and, above
all--too set on his divers revenges."

"In fine, Ursula, this thy poor Japhet is no more than his poor self."

"Indeed," sighed I, "and there's the pity of it, for this poor wretch
might be a great earl and man truly noble."

"Enough o' this, ma'm. Say no more--"

"Ay, but I will, Japhet. For, mark you, though you lost one witness, a
just heaven hath sent you another; for here she sits, ready and able to
swear to your identity in any court in England so soon as we get
there--ay, and so I will do yet, whether you will or no,--as I told your
wicked cousin yonder, only this morning--"

At this Japhet stared at me for a moment in blank amazement then,
leaning near:

"God forbid!" he murmured. "Oh, girl, you were never such crass fool to
tell John this--no, no--"

"Ay, but I did," said I, boldly enough, though quailing beneath his
sudden fierce gaze. "Well, why not?"

"How then, are ye so blind, Ursula; don't you see it? D'ye suppose such
damned rogue, such cold, calculating villain, will ever suffer us to
reach England, there to prove and publicly proclaim his villainy? No, by
God; he'll die first or see to it that you do."

"I cannot believe it of him--" I began, and then remembering his covert
threat, when he had cast doubt on my ever reaching England (as I have
set down), I shivered. "Oh, Japhet," I murmured, "do you mean he would
actually ... kill me?"

"I mean he will certainly take any and every means to ensure your
silence--ay, for should you speak and prove his roguery, it would mean
shame and prison, and this were worse than death to him."

"And yet, Japhet, I cannot believe him so utterly wicked."

"Say ye so, ma'm, fool? Art indeed so purblind, so dull-witted not to
ha' sensed something o' the foul black soul of him? Howbeit, Ursula,
your curst folly hath made of him such dire menace to be watched and
warded against, so shall his lot be the harder."

Now though to be thus scornfully berated and railed on naturally angered
me, yet to hear Japhet put my own secret doubts and fears into words
kept me dumb, so that, turning my back on him, I watched where his
cousin sat crouched at the far end of this great canoe; and the longer I
watched the unconscious form of him (for he kept his face averted from
us), the more my apprehension increased upon me, and then, before I
might speak:

"What, Johnny man, pluck up!" cried Japhet in his hateful, jeering
voice. "Another eight or nine days and you shall be snug in your irons
aboard the _Deliverance_." At this Mr. Barrasdale turned and stared at
us and, reading all the dark menace in his look, I quailed
instinctively, but:

"Mr. John," said I, boldly enough, "you should know that I have informed
your cousin Japhet how I shall witness to his true identity, yes,
and ... testify against you, Mr. John, if we should ever reach England
again."

Mr. Barrasdale glanced from me to Japhet and back, with the same
sinister expression.

"Why, so you would, Ursula," he answered, "it was but natural. And
having told him, what said the noble gentleman?"

"Oh, Mr. John, he warns me that I have made you a menace to my safety
hereafter."

"And how think you, Madam Ursula?"

"I cannot," said I passionately (and almost against my own better
judgment), "I will not think such evil of you."

"Well, this is to be seen," he answered, smiling grimly. "Japhet should
know me--somewhat."

"Why, so I do, Johnny, man," laughed Japhet fiercely: "ay, every kink o'
the black and slimy soul of thee, and this giveth me pause how to
apportion thy fate, Johnny--as thus: whether shalt pine and languish
'neath slave whips, or be carried to England and there branded in smug
court o' law for the damned rogue and liar you are!"

Japhet had ceased paddling, Mr. Barrasdale crouched livid-faced, his
fists clenched, and thus for dreadful moment, they glared eye to eye, as
they would have leapt to slay each other, for all the world like two
savage beasts, as I told them very plainly as, sitting betwixt them, I
threw out an arm against each.

"Now then," cried I scornfully, "will you be murdering each other and me
too? Shame on ye both and especially you, Japhet ... see how we are
drifting!" And I showed him how our frail craft, all unmanaged, had
floated perilously shorewards, though the river had broadened out and
ran sluggish between dense, overhanging trees, and in the water all
about us gnarled roots and submerged logs.

"Eh, logs, ma'm, d'ye say?" quoth he, with grim smile,--"here be no
logs--watch now!" So saying, he splashed with his paddle and I choked
back a scream of horror, for these, that I had thought tree roots and
stumps, became imbued with dreadful life and movement, sinking from
sight or splashing away from us; and one fearsome monster opened great
jaws horridly fanged and of a loathsome pinkish-grey.

"Merely alligators, ma'm," saith Japhet. "Now were I black-hearted as
Cousin Johnny yonder, I should feed Cousin Johnny to 'em and so rid us
o' the trouble and menace of him,--how say you, Ma'm Bly?"

"Oh, paddle!" quoth I, shuddering. "Take me away from this hateful place
this moment, ere I grow sick."

"Ay, ay, ma'm! What, Johnny man, you hear? Take paddle and put your back
into 't." Mutely Mr. John obeyed and presently we were speeding along
these dreadful waters, and I glancing fearfully hither and yon; for now,
despite its everchanging beauty, this river was for me a thing of horror
with such monstrous evils to lurk about us all unseen; moreover, and
beyond these terrors was the dread of what might eventuate between these
two cousins: Japhet so implacable in his scornful hate and Mr. John so
fiercely defiant, a desperate man who bided his time, patiently waiting
the chance to smite his oppressor, I was very sure; the which belief so
wrought on me that I determined to be ever on the watch. Thus as our
long, graceful canoe skimmed smoothly over this crystal highway, I began
to scheme how I might keep the peace betwixt these so bitter enemies.
Indeed, as I hearkened to the ceaseless, rhythmic plash and beat of
their paddles, and they themselves so grimly silent, more than once, as
night approached, I uttered a voiceless prayer, beseeching God would
show me some way to win them to a kinder fellowship; yet scarce were we
landed to stretch our cramped limbs and make camp for the night, than
the first thing Japhet does is to take a pair of fetters from our
baggage and, pistol in hand, compel Mr. Barrasdale to lock them upon his
wrists, the which methought great shame, as I told him.

"How, ma'm, how?" quoth he, scowling. "Shame, say ye--why, so 'tis, yet
yourself is cause of it; your tongue hath clacked to such tune that
Johnny, being desperate may endeavour against us more than he hath dared
as yet; so if our Johnny's lot prove the harder, let him curse your
prattle, ma'm. Howbeit, I'll take such reasonable precautions 'gainst
dying suddenly in my sleep. And now water, ma'm--from the rill
yonder--sweet water; 'tis the reason we camp here, and bustle, ma'm. You
there, Johnny--sticks for the fire, whiles I secure the canoe."

And presently came darkness and though our fire burned cheerily and our
simple meal soon prepared, I for one ate with scant appetite, since what
with Japhet's scowling looks and the dismal clank of Mr. John's fetters,
the which he jangled often as he might, all this so wrought upon me that
I could at last by no means endure, so I turned on them, railing on them
for dumb fools, brute beasts, mute stock-fishes, and aught I could lay
tongue to. "For look how ye sit here," cried I, "grown men, yet like
naughty children or sullen, quarrelsome boys, glowering askance on one
another so hatefully mum-chance--"

"Ma'm," quoth Japhet, cocking an eyebrow, "silence is golden--"

"Ursula," said Mr. John, clashing his fetters. "Speech is wholly
inadequate."

"So I hold my peace, ma'm--"

"And I save my breath, Ursula, to better purpose."

"Ay, but to what purpose, Mr. John," cried I earnestly. "Oh, sir, I pray
you be bold to speak your mind. Oh, Japhet and you, Mr. John, the evils
committed, the harms endured are past and done with, so let them be
forgot betwixt ye and think only of the future."

"Why, Ursula, so I do," answered Mr. John, scowling on Japhet, "and very
evil future I am promised."

"Yes, verily!" nodded Japhet, scowling on him.

"So you see, Ursula," said Mr. John very grimly, "to thus tamely submit
to such fate is beyond nature, or mine at least. As to what purpose,
well--this is yet to be seen; only let my accursed gaoler be
wary--aha--waking and asleep--"

"Never doubt it, Johnny my rogue--"

"Ah, no--no!" cried I, kneeling between them. "See now Fate or Destiny
or God Himself hath brought you thus together for nobler purpose than
self-destroying hate or cruel vengeance that once achieved is but
emptiness. Mr. John, pledge me your word to attempt no sudden violence!
For the wickedness of years ago school yourself to endure patiently and
so win redemption and, as I hope and pray and do verily believe,
forgiveness at last--"

"Impossible!" cried he in sudden passion. "Behold these shameful fetters
on my wrist, Ursula! I were thrice fool to shackle myself further with
such promise--"

"Nor would I believe such promise from those perjured lips, sweet cousin
Johnny!" quoth Japhet, smiling, yet very hatefully. "Well, no more o'
this! Come now, so soon as the supper things be washed and stowed, I'll
seize you up fast to yonder tree, Johnny--"

"How then," cried I wildly. "Have you no mercy, Japhet, no faith in God
or man?"

"In God--ay!" he answered. "In man--sometimes, but in our John--not I,
ma'm; no, never a jot--"

"But think--think!" cried I. "So many weary miles and ever on the watch!
Hate ever rampant betwixt you ... sealing your lips ... not one kind
word--oh, anything but this dreadful, threatening silence--"

"Why then, I'll sing you chanty, lass, ay, and Johnny shall ring changes
in his fetters--clash, Johnny, clash!" And forthwith he began singing
his old song of Yo-ho, whereat, clasping hands to my ears, I could have
struck him, but screamed instead and so fell to passion of tears:

"God forgive you for such cruel mockery--God may but--not I!" And then,
as I sobbed thus upon my knees, and he staring on me quite dismayed,
from somewhere in the surrounding darkness sudden, loud and dreadfully
near rose a horrible screeching voice and the words it uttered these:

"The Innocent Blood ... the Innocent Blood--'od rot ye for damned
murderer, the fire everlasting--to hell--to hell--to hell!"




CHAPTER XXXVI

GIVETH EXPLANATION OF THIS TERRIBLE CRY AND OF A STRANGE WAYFARER


Terror and amaze hushed the sob upon my lips for in this voice was
something so wildly inhuman and the words themselves so dreadful that my
very flesh grew chill.

Japhet was up, peering narrow-eyed across the fire, pistol agleam in his
ever-ready hand, and no sound, as it seemed in all the world; then was
vague whirr of sound and silence again.

"What," gasped I, whispering, "what can it be ... Japhet--"


"How shall I know?" he answered gruffly and began to creep forward
towards the leafy gloom beyond the kindly firelight--but checked
suddenly, as once again rose that most fearsome cry yet now from such
distance as but intensified my terror, since I knew nothing human might
speed so fast and far. Thus, stricken motionless and dumb, we hearkened
all three until, for the third time we heard it, though now so faint
with distance the awful words were but a mumbling scream.

"Well," quoth Mr. John, passing fettered hand across his damp brow,
"whatever it was, 'tis gone, thank God."

"God, says you?" sneered Japhet. "God, eh, Johnny? Well, the Devil can
quote Scripture, they say. Now should your black soul be harbouring
schemes o' murder and what not--think rather on the Fire Everlasting and
heed yon devil's warning!"

"Ha, Japhet!" snarled Mr. John between snapping teeth, "ha, right
accursed cousin, think you on this--some night when you lie sunk in
slumber--I shall be awake! Some day when your painful vigilance nods,
Chance shall beckon me! Sometime, Japhet, I shall hold thee at point o'
sword or knife--or muzzle o' pistol. So, damned gaoler, be wary! Watch
ever and sleep light--"

"Sayst thou, Johnny, sayst thou?" quoth Japhet, soft-voiced. "Lookee
now! When we see a noxious insect, we step on it, or loathly reptile, we
kill it, Johnny."

Mr. John got him very nimbly to his feet and I saw his face deathly pale
as he crouched, peering where sat Japhet cross-legged and pistol in
hand; so for a moment they viewed each other and both of them dreadfully
still and mute.

"So then ... wouldst murder me, Japhet?"

"Ay," he nodded, "as I would any other ravening beast--'twere but
natural!" And speaking, he levelled the pistol across his knee and I
heard the click of trigger as he cocked it, whiles in the fierce jut of
his chin, grim mouth and glaring eyes I read such terrible purpose that
I screamed instantly, to distract him, and leaping up, planted myself
before his shrinking victim.

"Come then, Japhet," said I, gazing down on him, steady-eyed and
resolute. "Come, right noble lord and husband, shoot if you will ... and
when I'm dead, take your other pistol and murder your enemy--"

"Sink me--but here would be no murder, lass; it should be no more than
act of plain common sense, very reasonable--stand away now!"

"Howbeit," said I, not moving, "shoot me first, for, Japhet, I swear by
the God that seeth us, my husband shall not prove vile murderer and I
live to know it."

"And 'fore heaven!" exclaimed Mr. John. "Would I might call thee wife;
yet even so I'd scorn to shield me with thy sweet body!" Then, with
hands compelling yet gentle, he set me aside and took a pace nearer that
levelled pistol.

"Have at me, Japhet!" quoth he. "Here, man, 'twixt the eyes! Yet first
to nerve thy trigger, here on the brink of death, hear me say--'twas
indeed my father and I schemed thee out o' thy heritage, aha! Sent thee
into slavery, Japhet! And oh, man, the mere thought of the shames you
suffered, the pains you endured, is joy to me now, so perfectly do I
hate you! Come then shoot and make an end, murder me and be damned.
Come--give fire!"

Japhet uncocked and laying by both his pistols, rose.

"So, Johnny, here's the truth on't at last!" said he, in his sleepy
voice. "Expectant of death, ye dared speak truth and wert ready to pour
out thy rogue's blood in expiation! Well, so ye may, lad, so ye may,
but--not by my hand. If I kill thee, John, it shall be foot to foot in
fight. Meantime," saith he, reaching coil of stout cord where it lay
ready to hand, "I'll tie thee up, Johnny man, lest you steal on me in my
sleep and brain me with your fetters,--so come your ways, Johnny, come!"
Then he led Mr. John among a grove of trees and having there tied him
secure (for I watched him), back he cometh and with no word or look for
me, sits him in the firelight, his back 'gainst convenient tree, and
stares, and stares, thus silent and pensive, upon the leaping flame.

Now presently I rose and seated myself beside him, but with never a
word, he all unheeding and both of us gazing on the fire; after some
while I stole my hand into his, though still we spake not and he
apparently quite unaware, so that, nestling my fingers more boldly in
his firm clasp, at last I spoke, making him look at me, as thus:

     I:   Prithee, Japhet, why so silent and doleful?

     HE:  (_Gloomily_) I wonder at myself.

     I:   (_Happily_) Indeed and so do I ... so much that to-night,
          Japhet, I respect you far more than my poor words can tell: I
          honour you with all my heart.

     HE:  (_Sullenly_) Ho! And is this all?

     I:   (_Turning on him indignantly_) How, sir, is this so little?
          Doth it not satisfy your lordship?

     HE:  (_Turning on me_) No!

     I:   (_Averting my head_) Oh! Well, to-night I'm proud of thee.

     HE:  (_Bitterly_) Because I did not shoot a rogue?

     I:   (_Tenderly_) Because thou art so strong to conquer thyself
          and ... evil passions, Japhet. And--why?

     HE:  Let Echo answer. For here's myself telling myself I'm sorry
          fool to suffer that such villainy live to be our constant
          menace.

     I:   Nay, he is tied up very fast, we may sleep secure to-night.

     HE:  Yet suppose he win free some other night and we fast slumbering?

     I:   God's hand will be over us then as now.

     HE:  Such blind faith is beyond all reason.

     I:   Yet can move mountains. Faith is a mighty power, Japhet, and
          shall perchance turn evil to good and make this world a paradise
          at last.

     HE:  Yet--not for me!

     I:   For both of us, Japhet--mayhap.

     HE:  As how?

     I:   (_Leaning me against him, softly intimate_)
          Well,--to-night,--and thou so vile grim and fierce--when I
          cried on thee to shoot, yet, in my heart, I had faith in thee,
          Japhet, and lo, now, this hand (_here I wriggled my fingers in
          his clasp_) this dear hand goeth unfouled of thy enemy's blood
          and so--(here or ever he knew, I stooped suddenly and kissed
          it).

Now at this he was silent and so long that at last I must needs steal a
glance at him to find he was viewing me with such look as set my heart
a-leaping in such wild fashion that instinctively I shrunk from him,
whereat he snatched his hand from my clasp like any petulant boy.

"What, then," I questioned meekly, "have I angered thee?"

"No!" he answered very ungraciously. "But I'm a man little used to such
womanish caresses, d' ye see; so belay, lass, belay ... up and get thee
to bed, or sink me, but you'll be kissing my lips next, and then--ha,
get thee to roost! Under the tree yonder!"

So saying, up he got and busied himself mending the fire; and with never
another glance for me. So, after some while, I arose and, coming to the
tree he had indicated, found he had strewed ferns for my bed and set
thereby an Indian blanket to my comfort. Then I drew off my buskins, and
these all trimmed and adorned with arabesques of tiny pearls and
quillwork very pretty, loosed my girdle, drew off my upper garment and,
folding the blanket about me, lay down. And now I became aware of the
fortune of gems hidden in my bosom and, clutching it in both hands,
marvelled that I should have forgotten all about it and for so long; yet
even as I held it thus, I instantly forgot it again and rose to an
elbow, for Japhet was standing within a yard of me.

"Art sleepy, Ursula?" he enquired in his cultured, most gentle voice.

"No!" I answered, reaching out my hand to him. "Come you beside me."

"Why then, easy, ma'm, easy!" quoth he, in his odious sailorman's
speech. "No more kissing and what not to fright a modest mariner--"

"Nay, you may venture!" said I, snuggling under my blanket again;
whereat he seats himself beside me and very much nearer than I expected.

"Ursula, hast ever fired a pistol?"

"Oh, sir, be sure I have, once or twice."

"Good, then here's a brace for thee," and he shewed two little pistols
very fine and mounted with silver. "These shall be easy to carry on you,
being so small, yet they shall be deadly enough at point-blank. I had
them of Will ... Yupanaqui."

"But why must I bear the hateful things, Japhet?"

"To your own protection--ay, and mine. I may not be always near thee
when danger threatens, or asleep--"

"You mean--Mr. John?"

"Ay, him or any other menace. So take them, Ursula. Keep them near you
day and night."

"No!" said I, shaking my head. "Keep you the nasty things, I'll have
none other protection save you, Japhet."

"But damme, ma'm," says he suddenly peevish, "I cannot be for ever
watching over ye."

"Ha, curses, sir!" I retorted. "And pray why not?"

"Nay, but," says he, avoiding my gaze, "how should I?"

"Lord, man!" I exclaimed, sitting up the better to retort on him, "are
you not my natural protector? Have you not made yourself answerable for
me and my welfare, sleeping and waking, by day and by night, to the very
end of my life? You have! And shall I not therefore look to you for
food, drink, raiment, shelter and such other comforts as you may
contrive me? I shall! Therefore Captain Japhet Bly, most noble my lord,
since you forced me to wed you by an odious trick and are my husband,
alas!--to my husband will I look for protection and not your two nasty
little pistols--sir, have I your attention?"

"Indeed, ma'm!" he answered, bowing.

"Then what do you stare at?"

"These, madam--your white arms," said he, kissing the nearest or ever I
might prevent. "They are lovely as your legs or--"

"Japhet, have done!" gasped I, catching the blanket about me; "you
become very loosely wanton, sir!"

"Nay, ma'm," sighed he, "this was only poor Japhet, your humble spouse,
your meek, unwanted husband, dared remark his own property so address
his proud, unloving, lovely wife."

"Howbeit," said I, nestling down in my bed again, "she prefers her one
poor Japhet to your two pistols, sir."

"Alack and woe is me!" quoth he, shaking his head.

"Well?" I demanded, viewing his profile against the fire, the lofty brow
and resolute jut of nose and chin, "Well, prithee, what now?"

"Now," sighed he, "were you any other than my lady Finical Contrariness,
all prideful, passionate prudery--and I a creature less mild and
meek--now should I kiss thee. But I am but thy poor, humble Japhet
and--"

"Oh,--" gasped I and reaching suddenly, clasped his hand, "Ah, Japhet,"
said I, now upon the very brink of tears, "it is verily because you
might make of poor me your slave, yet suffer me to seem a very goddess
ruling you as I will ... it is because you show so tender of me and
forbearing that sometimes ... I ..."

"Yes, my dear?" he questioned gently, for I had choked upon a sob; but
his question I answered with another.

"Supposing I ... should fall in love with my husband?"

"I should esteem it a marvel, Ursula. And how then?"

"Why then, Japhet, his way would be mine,--and mine, his."

"And what of England?" said he.

"Nay, what of your vengeance on your cousin and these ship captains?" I
demanded.

"Hum!" quoth he, and kissing my hand, stood up. "Art plaguy determined
creature, ma'm!"

"I begin to think so," I answered.

"Ay, but--so am I!" said he, wry-smiling. "Moreover, I'm bound by sacred
oath.... As to love, my dear, in my intervals of piratical
throat-cutting, I have read that love, being passion o' the soul, riseth
'bove our human reason, coming all unsought and or ever we are
aware,--thus we love, not wisely and because we would, but blindly and
because we must, and were yours indeed such love, you would love me
despite yourself, ay, and my oath o' vengeance the which is such sacred
oath--"

"Your oath!" cried I scornfully and up I sat again, clean forgetting my
naked arms. "Will you waste your life to such idle purpose, nay the
bloody fulfilment of such wicked oath?"

"Ha, ma'm," quoth he, as bitterly contemptuous, "and must you bribe me
with your body to dishonour such oath--?"

"Bribe you!" gasped I, "my body--"

"Ay, ma'm, seduce me wi' vague promise o' supposititious love--"

"Oh, beast ... oh, hateful man!" cried I, "to dare think I would stoop
to such infamy. Out of my sight--"

But even as I spoke, I cowered, my passion of anger choked by quick
terror as in the very air above me rang that awful cry, wilder, harsher,
more dreadful than ever:

"The Innocent Blood! 'od rot ye for damned murderer! The Fire
Everlasting! To hell, to hell, to hell!"

I saw Japhet turn to front what might be; and then another voice spoke:

"Belay, Brother! Shoot not, friend, for friend am I." And into the light
of our fire stepped the oddest figure I had ever seen.

A bony man of undetermined age for, though the hair that bushed him,
head and face, was grizzled, his eyes glowed bright and he bore himself
with a youthful vigour; he was dressed something as an Indian; about his
middle was a wide belt whence dangled a broad-bladed knife, a pouch and
a human skull; girt to his shoulders was a leathern pack and upon the
crown of his broad-eaved hat, all vivid red and blue and green, was
perched a bright-eyed parrot bird.




CHAPTER XXXVII

TELLETH OF ONE THAT WAS VERY SOLITARY, A MAN REMORSEFUL


"Well," demanded Japhet none too kindly, as he uncocked the pistol he
had levelled, "who the devil are you and what would you?"

"I am Remorse, Brother, and would atone. Here 'pon my head sitteth
Conscience, to mind me what I am and what my ultimate fate--except by
service I win redemption! Oh, boy--ho, boy, speak and denounce me what I
am!" So saying, the man reached up and took the parrot on his wrist, and
the bird fluttered with its wings and once again filled the air with its
harsh and dreadful words.

"So there's for ye, good friends!" quoth the man. "Here stand I
manslayer proclaimed and murderer of my friend."

"And sink me," saith Japhet, eyeing the speaker askance, "you talk
wildly as your bird--"

"Yet, Brother, with reason."

"Well, who are you and what would you with us?"

"Talk with ye, Brother, and hearken to the good sweet English my ears do
hunger for; as to the who of me,--Matthew Swayne am I, A.M. and M.D.,
Doctor of Medicine and student of London, Padua and Leyden, and I go
hither and yon, up and down this river to doctor these poor savages--ay,
ministering to them body and soul, a servant and friend to the poorest,
seeking thus to purge me and win perchance forgiveness of an angered
God."

"Then you know this river and country hereabouts?"

"As my hand, Brother, every Indian village and township 'twixt here and
the River of Amazons, ay and beyond. And my home is everywhere or
anywhere, that is to say--here. So here, by your leaves, I'll bide a
while and talk."

"Nay, Master Swayne," says Japhet very ungraciously and beginning to
frown on this poor, strange man, "the hour is late and we must be on our
course by dawn--"

"Yea, Master Swayne," said I, "bide you and welcome, for the hour is
never too late to show kindness on such solitary wanderer as yourself."

"Madame, receive my humble thanks!" said he, favouring me with so deep a
bow the parrot on his shoulder made mighty ado with fluttering wings to
keep his balance. "It is long and long since I had the joy to speak with
an English lady. Yet first, sweet lady, ere you suffer me, let due
confession be made: Fifteen years agone, with malice aforethought and
having not the fear of God before my eyes, I, Matthew Swayne, did, in
moment of passion, discharge a pistol ball into the body of one Luke
Marshall, my friend, whereof he presently died. Now lady, oh, sweet
child, knowing me the lost and grievous soul I am, wilt endure me a
while, wilt suffer me, outcast wretch, to company with thee a space?"

"Ay, to be sure, sir," said I heartily. "Pray do."

"Then may the Lord requite thee!" quoth he and loosing off his great
pack, sat down over against me in the fireglow and on his shoulder the
parrot, silent now and viewing me very narrowly, turning its beautiful
plumed head this way and that to stare on me first with one round bright
eye and then the other; while Japhet near by watched neath sullen brow.

"You watch Jeremiah, lady--my parrot? 'Tis a conscience to plague me,
and I have taught him thus to trumpet forth my sin that all may know me
for what I am. And 'tis an apt bird, for besides English, he speaketh
divers Indian dialects."

"Indeed, sir, 'tis wonderful bird and beautiful to see, yet speaketh
terrible words."

"Ay, he doth, child, he doth indeed and with reason, child, for she was
one and we two: thus poor Luke that had been my friend and schoolfellow
became my enemy that I followed across the world and slew.... And as he
lay a-dying--'Oh, Matt,' says he, 'you'll grieve for this unto your
dying day: so am I avenged on thee and so do I forgive thee, for, Matt,
she died two years ago; thus have you sent me--up to her. Yet my blood
shall cry out on thee, Matt, shall foul thy soul, lad, till thy
Redemption.' 'Then, oh Luke,' says I, for seeing him dying thus, all my
hate was clean forgot. 'Oh, Luke, old friend,' says I, wetting his pale
face with my tears, 'how shall I ever win redemption?' 'By service,
Matt, serve and be redeemed. And so, poor soul, fare thee well!' After
this he lingers a while to moan and groan, with these my arms about him,
and towards nightfall dies.... Look now, here is poor Luke's skull--nay,
blench not, child; 'tis holy relic that I bear along to pray over; and
whenso death takes me, I'll die with my old comrade's head upon my
breast."

And here he takes the dreadful thing in his two hands, as it had indeed
been something sacred, looking down at it with such eyes as made me
forget horror in a pity I could not speak.

"What, Luke," quoth he tenderly, "what, Luke old friend, for the one
life I took I have saved very many; I have served, Luke, I have slaved
in sickness and health and shall so do whiles I have strength, yet God
showeth no sign save that I--I cannot die. Diseases, hardship, wounds,
much o' these have I known, yet do I flourish. And I dare scarce
pray.... How long, old friend, oh, Luke prithee, how long?" And
instantly the parrot fluttered its wings as it had been gifted with a
demoniac understanding and uttered its fearful answer: Whereat his
master bowed grey head and sat like one stricken, and so utterly
hopeless that to distract his woeful thoughts I questioned him
concerning his travels and work among the Indians.

"Aha, lady," saith he, looking on me bright-eyed, "I am chirurgeon,
apothecary and leech. Here in this case I bear my instruments surgical,
probe, forceps, scalpel, scissors. In my pack yonder be herbs and
simples a-many, with roots and barks for electuaries and infusions...."
And now he falls to such learned discourse as went far beyond my
understanding, so that I began to nod (do what I would) and presently
nodded myself into a doze; but rousing to mumble of voices, saw Japhet
and Master Swayne, cheek by jowl, and the doctor drawing as it were
designs upon the ground with a stick and each of them very intent,
though to what purpose I knew not nor cared for, my drowsiness
increasing upon me, I fell asleep.




CHAPTER XXXVIII

WHICH IS CHAPTER TO LITTLE PURPOSE


Awaking to a vivid dawn, I sat up and thus beheld Japhet still asleep
and couched so near that I might have touched him; and between us, ready
to hand, lay his pistols and sheathed sword; against a tree, within easy
reach, stood his long musket, but himself so lost in slumber that I (or
any other, for that matter) might have disarmed him very easily; the
which fact perturbed me not a little.

Now seeing him thus unconscious of me, and all things else, I leaned
nearer to gaze down on him, viewing his bronzed face feature by feature;
and, either by reason of our constant association or better
understanding, a very comely man I thought him. Then, and suddenly, I
saw the sly wretch was awake after all, for his lips curved to their
quirkish smile and he murmured, eyes fast shut the while:

"Buss me, lass, buss me and be done; if thou'rt for kissing thy Japhet,
kiss--nor keep him in suspense."

Here, or ever I could find reply, came the dismal clanking of Mr. John's
fetters, so up I rose and having mended the fire for preparing
breakfast, looked vainly round about for our strange visitant of last
night.

"So the poor doctor is gone sudden as he appeared, Japhet," said I.

"Why, 'twould seem so."

"The unfortunate creature was surely crazed, a little mad, I think."

"Ay, and yet a something reasonable madman."

Now here, lest my careful relation of these and the like small matters
(though a joy to me) prove tedious to others in the reading, I will pass
over much in regard to the growing intimacies of our daily intercourse
and will hasten on to describe those events which dread me to think on
even now, events indeed so very hatefully vile I would not here record
them but that I needs must do so, or leave my tale untold.

So will I pass over certain days of our journey, though each was various
as this mighty river that bore us through an everchanging country; and
every day my companions, these two cousins, 'stead of bearing themselves
like the kinsmen and gentlemen they were, showed more like unto
quarrelsome hobbledehoys, rageful enemies or ferocious beasts snarling
upon each other as eager for savage, rending strife. Thus, instead of
three, we were four, since with us ever went the sullen Spirit of Hate,
the which I set myself to combat when and howsoever I might and with
such womanly weapon as I possessed, to wit--my tongue. To this end I
watched them constantly and with instant word or gesture would mock at
their fierce looks and turn aside their bitter revilings, lest from such
word and look they fall to murderous action and do each other sudden
violence.

And thus was I employed upon this sunny morning as our long, graceful
piragua bore us along this crystal tide, 'neath great trees that arching
overhead made a green tunnel shot athwart by vivid beams of sunshine.

"Now out upon you--both!" cried I, looking from my sullen Japhet to
fierce-eyed Mr. John. "To so waste your breath on each other to such
idle purpose! I grow aweary of your vicious threats and murderous looks,
so, an you cannot endure sight of each other, look other where, and if
you must talk, speak to me or a mercy's sake be dumb!"

"And how a-plague," growls Japhet, forgetting to paddle, "how the
plague, ma'm, shall I be dumb and yonder black rogue vaunting his
rascality, twitting me with his villainy?"

"Or I," quoth Mr. John, also ceasing to paddle; "prithee, Ursula, how
shall I keep silent and my cut-throat cousin forever jibing at me and--"

"Oh, peace!" cried I. "Be silent both and hear me."

"Well, ma'm?" demanded Japhet. "And what then?"

"Say on, Ursula, I beg!" quoth Mr. John. "Your voice is sweet music
after Japhet's harsh ranting--"

"This!" said I, glancing at each fierce visage in turn. "Despite this
hate for each other that you nurse and cosset with such tender care, I
do believe that blood shall prove thicker than water and, should a
common danger threaten us, you would forget all save that you be kinsmen
and Englishmen and strive side by side for your own sakes--or mine. Nay,
scowl not, sirs, for I mind how you, Japhet, at peril of your life saved
Mr. John from dreadful death in the morass; and you, Mr. John, I dare to
swear would so peril your life for Japhet. And believing this, I am for
ever praying that some day soon or late the God of Circumstance, the God
of this great wilderness, the God that is also Father to us all, shall
lead and show you the folly of hate, the wisdom of forgetting past
wrongs and the joy of forgiveness.... To be sure," said I, finding them
both silent, "I know that being men, ye are no more than great, silly
children, blindly reckless and headstrong, but here in this perilous
wilderness be such men to forget your childish hate or, an' ye must be
children, be then children of God. Howbeit, it is for this I pray, Mr.
John; 'tis thus, Japhet, I do supplicate that so kind and merciful God
by Whose will we are yet alive."

Now after this they were silent both; and small wonder! Thus we went and
no sound at all save the soft ripple of our going until, rounding a bend
in the river, we came where this watery highway divided and became
two,--the one flowing broad and smooth upon our left, the other winding
narrow and shady with trees to our right; and it was into this narrow
stream that Japhet steered our course.

As the sun rose, glowing high and higher from a cloudless heaven, so
waxed the heat and never a breath of wind to temper its fierce beams,
nor trees to shade us, for the river had broadened so vastly we seemed
to be floating upon a great lake, whose sluggish waters served but to
throw back the fierce sun glare so that my dazzled eyes could scarce
endure to look on it.

And as we floated thus, seeming scarce to move betwixt the distant
tree-girt banks and no sound but tinkle of water at the bows and slow
rhythmic dip of the paddles, I began very heartily to wish myself safe
on board the _Joyful Deliverance_ and to yearn moreover for sight of
Barnabas and old Lovepeace Farrance and divers others, but more
especially for Ezekiel Penryn. And this set me to wondering how it
befell that these same men that at first meeting I had deemed very
hang-dog rogues should have so won upon my esteem that I could now think
upon them so kindly to long thus for sight and sound of them.

From this I got me to thinking of the future and to shyly dreamful
speculation of what it held in store for me--ay, and for this Japhet-man
plying tireless paddle behind me and so near that I might touch him. And
after some while, having him thus in my thoughts, I turned to steal a
glance at him; and in this moment he ceased paddling and threw up his
head with quick, stag-like motion, snuffing the air.

"What now?" I questioned, moved by the fierce alertness of him.

"Smoke!" he answered, "D'ye not smell it? Fire and destruction
yonder,--sniff, lass, sniff!" And in a little, sure enough, I was aware
of a faint, acrid reek, growing stronger, that chilled me with sudden
dreadful apprehension, for I had smelled such once before; and then, ere
I might voice my fear, Japhet stooped to throw back the blanket that
covered his cherished musket and pistols, crying as he did so:

"Paddle, rogue Johnny, paddle,--for thy master the Devil's abroad...."
Scarce had he uttered the words than as if in answer, faint, yet plain
to be heard, a harsh voice screeched:

"The Innocent Blood! The Innocent Blood! 'od rot ye for damned murderer!
The Fire Everlasting--to hell, to hell--to hell!"




CHAPTER XXXIX

TELLING HOW WE HAD NEWS OF CAPTAIN SNAITH


After some going, these placid waters narrowed suddenly to run furiously
between rocky banks so stupendously high we rode in a dank gloom with
naught to light us save a strip of sky very far above us, and this
dismal place full of the never-ending, echoing riot of this rushing,
angry flood. And now, seeing how our frail craft leapt, speeding betwixt
these mighty walls that hemmed us in and so dreadfully near, fear seized
me and I cowered down, staring upon this roaring flood and scowling
rocks that threatened our destruction.

And in this dire moment what should I hear, loud above this tumult, but
Japhet's voice singing his song of Yo-ho; the which so comforted me that
I could have kissed him, and into my poor heart welled that which cast
out my craven terror (or very nearly). And turning my head, I watched
him as he sang, his eyes keen and watchful, his hands quick and sure
upon the paddle, the which he dipped now and then to guide us through
these perilous waters that swept in a great curve and whirled us out
into peace and the blessed sunshine once more, where the river now ran
singing between groves of graceful trees that drooped flowering branches
to kiss, as it were, this pretty river. And beyond all this the first
thing I saw was a patched and weather-beaten canoe and in it paddling
towards us none other than Doctor Matthew Swayne, his parrot demurely
perched upon his shoulder. No sooner was he up with us than Japhet
questioned him, speaking the Indian dialect, in which same tongue Mr.
Swayne answered. Now this set me a-wondering, so that, though
understanding no word, I hearkened so keenly that I presently caught a
name uttered more than once by Mr. Swayne, and being thus assured I
instantly cut into their babblement.

"Japhet!" I demanded. "What is it he tells you of Captain Snaith?"

"Sink me, ma'm, but you've woundy long ears!" saith Japhet, opening his
grey eyes at me. "Ay, like any hare's ears--"

Turning my back on him, I addressed myself to Mr. Swayne.

"Pray, sir," I questioned, "what is the news you bring concerning this
Captain Snaith?"

"Evil, my child, very evil!" sighed the doctor. "This man o' blood hath
burned Tuyayani village yonder, slaying many o' the folk, and is now
marching 'gainst Pazaquil, that is a fair town, to slay more innocents,
and all this for base gold!"

"And so it is," added Japhet, taking up his paddle, "that I am for
Pazaquil also, to do my endeavour in defence o' these same innocents--"

"No, indeed!" said I. "You go but for vengeance on your Captain Snaith."

"This, too, ma'm, I'll not deny, for marching to join Snaith should be
the black villain Rogerson."

"So then," cried I, bitterly reproachful, "you will peril my life again
and thus wantonly to your own selfish, wicked purpose?"

"Not your life;" he answered sullenly. "You shall lie snug and safe
enough and should aught befall me, the doctor here shall bring you safe
to Bartlemy's Bay, 'tis but a scant five days' journey--"

"Oh!" I exclaimed angrily. "Have you not made me suffer dangers and
hardships a-many?"

"Ay, somewhat, lass, somewhat!" he nodded. "But faith--you thrive on
'em, your body showeth fair and more shapely, your spirit e'en more
courageous, though your shrewish temper seems nothing gentled, alas!
Howbeit--and once for all, Ursula, the oath I swore over that sweet,
murdered innocent is sacred to me and shall be fulfilled though I die
for it! Now, friend Matthew--lead on!" cried he, ere I might retort.
"Forward there, Johnny; give way and with a will."

Some half-hour's hard going brought us where we might behold the yet
smoking ruins of this village of Tuyayani; and gazing upon this black
and hideous desolation, Japhet ceased paddling and summoned Mr. Swayne
beside us:

"Friend Matt," he questioned, "how far hence lieth Pazaquil town?"

"Twenty miles about, I reckon it by water, Brother, but scarce six by
land."

"And what force hath the accursed Snaith beyond the forty odd men of his
own ship's company?"

"Indians, Brother, of the Cymaroona from the south, four to five
hundred, my friend Guatamoxin estimates 'em, and all picked warriors."

"Hum!" quoth Japhet, rubbing his chin. "So many, Matt?"

"So saith Guatamoxin, and 'tis a wise cacique, Brother."

"Is there any word of a Captain Rogerson and his company?"

"Not that I've heard tell on, Brother."

"And how many fighting men shall Guatamoxin muster, think ye, 'twixt
Tuyayani yonder and Pazaquil?"

"But scant two hundred, I fear, yet these mightily heartened at news o'
you and eager for your coming."

"You proclaimed me then?"

"Ay, I did, as prince and blood brother to the Inca Yupanaqui."

"Then needs must I turn god awhile," quoth Japhet, and slipping off his
doublet, rolled back his shirt, uncovering thus the sun symbol of
royalty. Then catching up his paddle, he nodded to Mr. Swayne and on we
went again. And surely never was such tortuous river as this (which I
learned was named Coca) and beyond each bend such sudden vistas of wild
and ever-changing beauty as no poor words of mine may tell; and so at
last to a sweep of shore, deeply embayed and backed by groves of trees,
rising gradually up and up, a mighty stretch of leafage, its divers
greens splashed here and there by festoons of vivid flowers wondrous to
behold.

Here Mr. Swayne ceased paddling, and, reaching into his canoe, took up a
great horn and sounded thereon three or four deep bellowing notes,
whereat and instantly amid this leafy wilderness, that had seemed so
utterly deserted, was sudden stir, steel flickered, feathers nodded and
out upon the shore stepped a tall man armed and decked for war.

"See Brother!" cried Mr. Swayne. "The Guatamoxin to greet you."

"And looks seasoned warrior, glory be!" quoth Japhet.

"Ay, friend Japhet, he's all o' that and cunning as he's brave."

As our canoe glided shoreward towards this solitary figure, Japhet
raised one hand in salutation and I saw he had doffed his hat and upon
his sunburned brow the golden circlet of kingship. Guatamoxin saw this
too for, as our canoe touched shore, he sank upon one knee, calling
aloud words that sounded like:

"_Huaycac Mayta!_" Whereupon forth of the groves stepped rank on rank of
warriors, many of them wounded or showing grim marks of recent battle,
and all their eyes on Japhet who, wading ashore, stood silent a moment,
staring back on them; then, flashing out his sword, he began to speak
them in loud, cheery voice, gesturing lightly with his glittering
weapon. And as they hearkened, great wonder was it (thought I) to see
how these warriors (and despite their late defeats) seemed to take fresh
heart....

And after some while, weapons glittering and feathers astir all about
us, I found myself walking with Japhet, my hand fast in his, my poor
mind in such maze of anxiety for all that was, and growing fear of what
was to be, that I began to question him breathlessly as to what he
purposed to do with these fierce warriors, with himself and most
especially me.

"Aha!" quoth he, casting an eye at me, "yourself as ever. Madam, it is
for thy sweetly selfish self that, instead of speeding ahead of ambush
and harrying Snaith and his rogues to the walls of Pazaquil, I lose
precious time and tarry thus to ensure thy safety."

"Why, then," cried I, snatching my hand from him, "be off to your
harrying! Go if you will--go and be killed--"

"Oh, Mrs. Bly, now shame on thee!" he mocked. "Is this thy tender,
wifely regard?"

"Ah, go!" cried I, 'twixt passion of anger and tears, "since your
revenge is dearer to you than I can ever be--go and let them kill
you ... but if they do ... Oh, Japhet, if you die, I will not live ...
nay, I'll perish too and in this hateful country leave my poor bones with
thine to--" Then he had swept me into his arms, holding me fast, breast
to breast.

"Thy bones!" he murmured, with odd, quick laugh. "These so sweetly
precious bones--" Suddenly he kissed me, holding me so strongly indeed
that the pistols in his belt hurt my tenderness yet I endured
unflinching, for now his lips were upon my hair, lips that whispered:

"Was it love peeped on me through thy tears, Ursula? Was it love cried
in thy voice ... was it, girl?"

"And if so, Japhet," I whispered back, "if 'twas indeed so, would it ...
ah, could it hold thee from thy vengeance?"

Japhet laughed harshly:

"Now out upon his hairy visage, our unshorn Matthew beckons us!" quoth
he. "Come, lass!" So saying, he loosed me, tucked my hand within his arm
and led me where Doctor Swayne and Guatamoxin the cacique stood waiting
us.

"Lookee, friend Matt," quoth he, clapping Mr. Swayne upon the back,
"this lady, this spouse of mine, this right buxom Madam Bly, I set in
charge o' thee awhile; look to her, Matt, look to her, for she indeed is
all the wife I have, so shield her well."

"With my life, Brother! Ay, and the noble gentleman, Seor Don Ignazio
Jesus de Campoflores, he shall be her safeguard also; and he hath power,
Brother, for he is truly a great gentleman; come you and meet him." We
had reached a stream a-winding 'twixt flowery banks and following this,
we presently came upon a great house, or rather castle, builded of
stone, its massive walls pierced by narrow, grated windows and a deep
archway that led us into a wide courtyard all set with a glory of
flowers 'mid which a fountain played, and with shady arcades around and
airy chambers opening beyond. Scarce had we entered this right pleasant
courtyard than what was my wonder to see a small though very stately
gentleman approaching with divers servants and slaves behind him, a most
unexpected and very resplendent personage, from the gems that glittered
in his shoe buckles to the great flowing periwig, whose glossy curls
framed and set off the high, proud dignity of his face.

Being come within a yard of us, he saluted us with such ceremony of
bowing that (and despite my Indian garb) I responded with courtsey
gracious as might be. Now, looking from this proud gentleman, in his
splendour of rich laces and velvets, to Japhet, in his shabby way-worn
garments, I read in the face of each that same proud dominance that
spoke of birth and leadership.

"Sir," said the Don in very fair English, and reaching Japhet a small,
white hand, "I give you welcome and Seor, beyond this, I can offer you
fifty musketeers, men chosen and trained by myself and veterans all.
Seora," said he, turning towards me with such tender smile that
transfigured him quite, "gentle lady, your presence honours me and fills
my cup with gratitude to overflowing for, by your valiant mercy, the
dead is alive, the lost is found--hearken! One of these cometh to speak
for himself."

As he uttered the words was clash of steel and I beheld Don Hilario,
fully armed, who at sight of me came hasting to fall on his knees,
kissing my hands in a youthful extravagance and naming me his good
angel, his deliverer, etc., whereat I (seeing Japhet so glum) smiled on
this comely young gentleman the more graciously.

Then Don Ignazio brought us within doors to a great and splendid chamber
where stood servants and slaves, Indians and blackamoors, to serve us
with all manner of luscious fruits and wines to our refreshment. And now
young Hilario must needs tell Japhet how I had comforted and abetted him
and his kinsman Tomasso in their escape; in the midst of which recital
came servants bearing a rich armour, the which Don Ignazio begged Japhet
to accept; but he demurring, the Don grew the more insistent, vowing it
was proof against anything save cannon shot and that he must thus
safeguard himself in duty to me, his lady wife. So the end of it was
Japhet was buckled into this harness, all save his legs. Then these two
courtly Spanish gentlemen bowed themselves out with their servants,
leaving us alone to say our farewells. And a miserable business it was,
so far as I was concerned, for besides being harassed by a natural
anxiety, I was deeply hurt and grieved that he should thus desert me and
to such purpose; therefore, 'stead of showing him the least wifely
tenderness, I was angry and therefore ungracious.

"So, Japhet, you will actually leave me?"

"And in safe care, thank God!" he answered.

"Well, make this a salve to your conscience, sir. But I have a
foreboding that in so wilfully going about to seek your own ends you are
mocking God and wantonly tempting that merciful Providence hath brought
us safe so far."

"Yet am I faithful to the oath I swore to that same God."

"Ay--your oath!" sighed I wearily. "Your oath that shall perchance bring
on us, and especially me, a peril more dreadful than ever and prove our
final ruin--"

"'Sdeath, madam!" he exclaimed in sudden pet. "Is it thus you send me
into action with such dismal prophecies o' woe and what not? Come now,
Ursula, no more of these Jeremiads! Speak me cheerily; smile--faith,
I'll e'en endure it if thou'lt--kiss me!"

"No!" quoth I angrily. "Since you thus peril the living to take
vengeance for the dead, let the memory of the dead suffice you. For I
know at last, beyond all doubt, you think more of your dead saint than
the mere living woman who now bids you begone to your battles and
revenges, since naught can let or stay you,--and oh, may God pity us!"
So saying, I turned my back on him, hoping for some other word, a touch
of his hand ... I heard him mutter fiercely, sigh deeply and go clashing
away in his hateful armour, out into the courtyard where Don Hilario was
mustering the files of his musketeers. So presently they marched forth,
and I gazing after them, though blind with smarting tears.




CHAPTER XL

TELLETH HOW I RECEIVED A LETTER


So, once again, I must needs endure the harrowing torment of suspense,
though Doctor Swayne and Don Ignazio bestirred themselves to divert me
and distract my thoughts and I (for mere courtesy's sake) strove to
respond as best I might. But as the laggard hours of this day dragged
their weary length I could by no means endure to sit inactive so, with
Doctor Swayne and my courteous host, I went a-walking.

I remember how (like the kindly gentlemen they were) they talked amain
to hold my interest, telling me among other matters how marvellous
fertile was this country where almost anything might be made to grow as
tobacco plants, sugar cane and the like; and how wondrous rich with its
mines of gold and silver and precious stones, and how the very rivers
hereabout do carry a wealth of gold dust in their waters; and yet
(thinks I) I would give it all for a strip of Downland in my dear Sussex
by the sea. But as we went conversing thus, to us came speeding three
liveried servants who, cringing to their knees, cried out in Spanish so
woefully excited as filled me with sudden sick apprehension.

"Sir," I cried breathlessly. "Oh, Don Ignazio, what dreadful news do
they bring?"

"Alas, madam," he answered, scowling on the three very fiercely, "these
lazy dogs o' mine have kept so ill a watch that your noble husband's
prisoner hath won free and stolen away--"

"Mr. John?" cried I. "Is he escaped? Oh, I am glad!"

"Glad?" repeated the Don, opening his fierce old eyes at me. "Glad, say
you, madam? Howbeit, these lax rogues shall to the whipping post, all
three." But this I would not hear of and, to the little Don's no small
amazement, pleaded with him so vehemently on his servants' behalf that
he could do no other than remit their punishment for my sake, as he told
them, bidding the three thank me for his leniency; the which they did
with an extreme of fervour and, at his gesture, betook themselves
speedily away. And now Don Ignazio suggested running down the poor
fugitive with his fierce hound dogs, to my horror, as I told him.

"But, madam," saith he, quite amazed, "what other do I keep hounds for
but to hunt me rogues and runaways? And then, besides, what shall your
noble husband say?"

"Oh, sir, in this he would agree with his wife," says I meekly.

Then cometh one Master Sebastiano, the major-domo and something pompous
person, who, with many bows and flourishes, tells us there is a
messenger come with a letter for the Seora.

"For me?" said I, all of a tremble. "Pray take me to him." So back went
we to the flowery courtyard (that they call a patio) and here, standing
beside the fountain, I beheld a tall, stately Indian, a seasoned warrior
and comely, though stained by recent battle, who at sight of me, lifted
one hand aloft in graceful salute and sank to a knee and, in this
posture, drew a folded paper from the pouch at his girdle and placed it
in my unsteady fingers; then smoothing out the paper, I read this:

     Beyond Pazaquil.

     MADAM,

     This fair town is saved, I am well and the enemy in full retreat,
     therefore I rejoice and you also, I dare hope. But Captain Snaith,
     he that you wot of, hath 'scaped me in the rout, so far, so do I
     curse (and very heartily) since I must stand after him until I can
     bring him to final action and accomplish--what must be. Thus if I
     am delayed, prithee temper thy wifely impatience, thy so tender,
     loverlike yearnings to nestle thee in thy man's arms, and pray for
     the success, health, happiness and love of

     THY JAPHET-MAN.

     _Post Scriptum._ Don Hilario is well and hath done valiantly. Say
     unto the noble Don Ignazio how that his musketeers are instant to
     command, cool in action and do him exceeding credit.

     _Nota Bene._ I hope to have finished Capt. S.--his business ere
     dawn. The bearer of this is one Caripuna and saved my life. Cherish
     him for this. He hath the English and can tell you of the fight, a
     pretty shrewd affair. He is also one in whom you may trust. I knew
     him when he was a very youth.

     And now I march again to what must be, and, win or lose, my mind is
     serene and I content (almost) for wheresoever Fate lead me, I bear
     thee in my heart.

     Now fare thee well until we meet again, as we surely must--here, or
     in the Infinite God knoweth where.

     J.

Now as I read this letter, I began to wish with all my heart that I had
kissed him when he, laughing as I knew to hide his diffidence, had so
proffered; and long before I had read to the end, my cheeks were wet
with tears; whereat the Don and Mr. Swayne, in their delicacy, would
have freed me of their presence, but smiling through my tears, I
beckoned them near and read them such parts of my letter as would
interest them. Then turning where stood the tall Indian, I reached him
my hand, the which he touched to his heart and brow.

"Caripuna," said I, pointing to the letter, "Captain Japhet writes here
that you speak English."

"Yes, lady," he answered gravely; "speak very good, a little."

"Then first I thank you for bearing this letter."

"Lady, I bear it for him and for you--very fast."

"And now, Caripuna, I wish you to tell us of the battle, what you
saw ... of Don Hilario and Captain Japhet."

"I see much! I tell much, lady!" Then while I sat beside the fountain,
with the Don and Doctor Swayne on either side of me, the Indian Caripuna
spake us, to the best of my memory, something on this wise:

"Battle--ah!" and he pointed to many tufts of silky hair adorning his
buskins and the leggings that clothed his stalwart limbs. "I am warrior
and have fought many fights but like this--ah, no! I see blood--ah,
much! I shoot arrow, I see men die. I follow Guatamoxin and my Captain
Japhet, for these mighty warriors and where they go, the fight deadly.
And in the fiercest of the battle my friend the Japhet he cry out
terribly--ah, he cry!"

"And what," I questioned, "what did he cry?"

"Lady, he make a fierce battle--ah! And he shout 'What--Snaith!' he cry,
'Ho, Roger Snaith, stand and fight!' he cry."

"Then you saw this Captain Snaith--"

"Yea, lady, a mighty man and fierce--ah! Yea, fierce as my Captain
Japhet."

"And did they--fight?"

"No, no--the battle so fierce and so many, and Snaith he keep away ... no
like my Japhet. And then, the muskets shoot them one way and warriors
from Pazaquil charge them the other way, so very many, and the Cymaroona
and the white men, what left of them, they run. Battle finish. Ah!"

"And your prisoners?" enquired Doctor Swayne, reaching instinctively for
the pouch of surgical instruments at his girdle, "what o' your
prisoners?"

"No prisoners!" answered Caripuna. "Kill all dead!"

"Ah, barbarity!" sighed the doctor.

"Nay, my friend," answered Don Ignazio. "It is a sound principle and
practical common sense in such wars as we must fight."

"So is war accursed and damnable, Brother."

"And what," said I, rising, "what of Captain Japhet and Don Hilario?"

"When battle end, lady, Captain be very weary. He sit, he write letter.
He call me his friend, he say give this into lady her own pretty hand.
Then he load pistols, he call to Guatamoxin and he go hunting white men
and their Captain Snaith. Don Hilario wish to go too, but my Japhet he
say no; he waste no more of the Don's musketeers. Then he shake hand
and--go."

"And when will he come back, Caripuna?"

"Ah, lady, Caripuna wise, but not know this."

"Well, then," said I, mighty determined, "if he be not come safe hither
to-morrow, then you and I, Caripuna, will go seek him."

"Caripuna go with lady, he know the forest, he read the sign, he find
his Captain Japhet dead or alive, he bring lady safe or him die too.
Ah!"

Sunset came at last with sudden night (as is Nature's way in these hot
latitudes) and I mighty glad to be rid of this most wearisome day. But
this night, though I knew again the sweet luxury of linen sheets and a
feather bed in chamber very sumptuous and airy, kind slumber refused me
its solace. Therefore, instead of sitting up to gloat upon my treasure
of jewels or even so much as thinking of them, I took Japhet's letter,
this the first he had ever writ me, and read it through again word by
word. Then, refolding it carefully, I thrust it into my bag of gems,
that I bore ever upon my breast, and with it thus against my heart
contrived, after some while, to fall asleep.




CHAPTER XLI

WHICH IS CHAPTER SHOULD HAVE BEEN LONGER


But in my slumber something disturbed me and, sighing drowsily, I awoke
and the moon's radiance very vivid about me, making all things bright;
and what was my wonder to see a great scarlet blossom upon the pillow
beside me. I was staring on this in no little wonderment when came
another to fall softly upon my bosom and, sitting up in bed, the wonder
was instantly explained; for there upon the floor beside my bed, wrapped
in his cloak and apparently asleep, lay Japhet. Now to see him thus
unexpectedly (and I all bemused with sleep) was such joyous relief that
I came very near leaping from the sheets to welcome him, but checked the
impulse and hugging the bedclothes about me, laughed at him instead, for
what must the wretch do but snore at me as he were sound asleep. And
when I had laughed and he had affected to snore thus a while, he turned
his head to cock a bright eye at me over his shoulder. Then, casting off
his cloak, he sat up cross-legged, shaking his head as in rebuke, though
his lips quirked at me.

"Fie, ma'm--now fie for shame!" quoth he. "How can you so sit and laugh
so shameless? And at such hour! And in thy bed! And a man beside thee!
Though, being merely poor Japhet--on the floor! Like the meekly humble
soul he is."

"But how," said I, "pray why are you here, my noble lord?"

"Aha!" he jeered. "Coy Madam Prudery, d'ye shrink and cower at sight of
a man and him thy meek and modest spouse? Will ye blush, ma'm and--"

"Fiddle-de-dee!" I retorted. "I am neither coy nor a prude, sir, and I
do not blush."

"Then shame on thee, woman! That I should be here in fair lady's
bedchamber and she, ye gods, my wife, and you so boldfaced crouching
there, a very dragon o' virtue (swathed in bedclothes to be sure),--a
sweetly frightful Gorgon. I had rather you had blushed and flushed and
what not. For hither crept I on soundless feet and watched thee glowing
in the sweet beatitude o' sleep, all maiden innocency and seeming
tenderness--"

"Nay, Japhet," said I, leaning down towards him from my warm nest, "'tis
you have been tender of me, for until now you have so respected my
slumbers that I have respected your gentler manhood the more; then pray
why have you stolen thus upon me to-night?"

"Madam, to save thy fair countenance and my own poor visage, to prevent
a wagging o' tongues. In fine, for the following cogent reasons, to wit:
Hither returning with young Hilario some hours since, forth comes the
Don, our noble host, to welcome us; he wines us, sups us and, scarce
waiting for our tale o' victory, tells me how my lady wife hath been
passioning for me all day long, and straightway, like the gallant
ancient he is, ushers me speedily upstairs to my wife's eager arms, as
he supposes, God bless him! And so, madam, being thine own poor Japhet,
here sit I all meekness upon the floor!"

"Oh!" said I.

"Ah!" sighed he, so dolefully that I looked at him and meeting his eyes,
flushed instantly like any fool, whereat he fell a-laughing at me.

"Well, and why," I demanded, "why must you throw flowers at me?"

"Well," he answered, as pondering the question, "there was naught else
to throw at thee--save a chair or so."

"Why did you wake me, Japhet?"

"For mere company's sake!"

"Oh!" said I again, and:

"Ah!" sighed he.

"Did the Don tell you Mr. John had escaped?"

"He did."

"Well--what say you?"

"Zounds! What should I say o' the poor fool knave?"

"Well, I'm vastly glad of it!" quoth I.

"Sayst thou, lass, and wherefore?"

"I shall sleep sweeter of a night."

"Being alone with me, lass?"

"Yes, Japhet."

"Hum!" quoth he and frowned up at the gilded ceiling.

"How will he fare, think you--Mr. John?"

"Well, he'll either wander i' the forests till he starve to death like a
fool, with plenty around him, or be killed by wild beasts, slain by
roving Indians or perish in some swamp or river; yet, if he have any
wit, he will make for the coast, follow it and be retaken by our
messmates o' the _Deliverance_."

"Well, Japhet," said I, leaning down to him again, "if he have such wit,
as I think he hath, if you should indeed find him prisoned again on the
_Deliverance_, will you ... ah, would you strive to forgive him or--or,
Japhet," sighed I, reaching forth my hand to him in the fervour of my
pleading, "will you promise me now for your own sake, for my sake
and ... the future--wilt pledge me to at least forgo thy vengeance on
him;--wilt promise me this, Japhet?"

For a long moment he sat gazing up at me beneath slow-knitting brows:
and then as I leaned thus waiting his answer, my heart beating in
strange, wild fashion, my hand reached out to touch his head and draw
him near, in this tremulous never-to-be-forgotten moment--he yawned,
stretched his arms and rose.

"Heigho!" quoth he. "Soon 'twill be dawn and I must sleep. But first, as
to forgiving rogue Johnny--no! Not for my sake, thy sake, nor all the
witching, warm enticement of thee; so cover thyself and tempt me no
more--"

"Tempt thee?" I gasped, well-nigh weeping at this cruel taunt. "How can
you, how dare you think such baseness of me? 'Tis wicked, hateful lie,
as well you know, and so are you hateful liar, a wantonly wicked,
hateful, odious, beastly fellow."

"Avast, lass, avast! Stint thy clack, a mercy's sake, for I'm plaguey
weary and must sleep."

"Then sleep!" said I scornfully. "Get you to farthest corner out of my
sight and trouble me no more."

"Never doubt it!" he retorted. "And yet who knows? I may walk in my
sleep. So take my sword and should I so, pink me gently into
wakefulness." So saying, he placed the sword to my hand, whereat I
instantly turned my back on him.

"And now good night to thee, sweet Madam Spitfire," sighs he very
mournfully, "it grieveth thy Japhet to see thee waste thy sweet and
luscious blandishments to none effect. Good night, sweet soul."




CHAPTER XLII

HOW WE DISCOURSED BY THE WAY


All the morning Japhet had been busied with Doctor Swayne, tending the
many wounded that had come in from yesterday's fierce battle. Thus it
was high noon and the day very hot when our long piragua was launched
and we, with many expressions of our gratitude, took leave of our
hospitable and very courtly host.

"_Par Sant Iago!_" said he, shaking his white head over us very
ruefully, "I grieve to see you go. We need such hardy gentlemen as
yourself, _El Capitan_, and such beauty as your lady wife should make
this fair world fairer."

"To-morrow," quoth Doctor Swayne scratching the bright, down-bent head
of the parrot on his shoulder, "to-morrow I might company with thee,
Brother, for so soon as I may leave my cases here, I am for the folk of
Chipayo. Tarry then until to-morrow."

"I thank you both--and all," answered Japhet, lifting his long musket to
his shoulder, "but we've reason for speed. And so, gentlemen, kind
friends, God be with you and fare ye well."

So we embarked and our graceful canoe bore us smoothly away from these
kind friends and secure harbourage to those hateful sufferings and dire
perils, the black menace of which had troubled my consciousness with
vague terrors, as I have already set down.

Now after we had paddled some way in silence (for Japhet had showed me
how with twist of blade to keep a straight course), I began to question
him thus:

     I:   Japhet, pray why such haste to be gone?

     HE:  For your sake.

     I:   How so?

     HE:  Well, for one thing, I would know you safe aboard ship.

     I:   And then what?

     HE:  Then, for another thing, ma'm, there be black villains alive,
          and apt for all manner of evil, that should be dead and quite
          beyond it.

     I:   Which black villains and what?

     HE:  Snaith! He escaped me, devil burn him!

     I:   Well, how since he hath eluded you--how now, what shall you do?

     HE:  (_Sullenly_) Faith, need you ask?

     I:   (_Ceasing to paddle_) Meaning you will pursue him, Japhet?

     HE:  Ay, to be sure. And after him, Rogerson, since I've word he's
          hereabout. And if you would paddle, ma'm, prithee paddle.

But instead of so doing, I folded my nerveless hands and bowed my head
in despair of this so terribly vindictive man. And so went we mile after
mile without speaking another word. At last I said suddenly, putting my
thoughts into words:

"You must have loved her very greatly, the poor creature that--killed
herself."

"Ay," he answered, "I did indeed!"

"And she so different to--myself!"

"As day to night, Ursula. She was so dark, so sweetly soft--all tender
shy gentleness, and you--"

"And I myself," cried I, "am all red-haired ferocity; oh, say it, say
it!"

"Nay," he answered. "I could not have put it so aptly. 'All red-haired
ferocity!' How true, how very, very true."

Here again was silence, mile after mile, until we came where a stream
curved away on our left hand, a winding stream bowered in lofty trees
very green and shady and cool; and into this we turned. And now, ceasing
to paddle, Japhet set fingers to mouth and whistled shrill and loud and
thereafter sat waiting, until round a bend shot a canoe at prodigious
speed, and in it none other than the Indian Caripuna, who, drifting
alongside, saluted us in his stately fashion and began talking with
Japhet in his own musical language. For some while they conversed thus
very earnestly then, lifting their hands to each other, Japhet took up
his paddle and Caripuna shot away from us at the same rapid pace. After
he had paddled some distance, saith Japhet:

"Are you for speech again, ma'm?"

"As you will," sighed I.

"Then be so good to say how you purpose to entreat and use poor meek
Japhet when you shall come aboardship?"

"This, sir, shall depend wholly on Japhet."

"How so, ma'm?"

"Whether he be truly meek and humble gentleman or fierce and arrogant
wretch as I prove him now."

"Alack, this same poor wretch may not change his nature."

"Then I'll none of him."

"Ay, but how of this woeful marriage?"

"I'll to England and take out bill of divorcement, or better, proceed
against him for abduction."

"Hum!" quoth he.

"Pray," I enquired, "wherefore hath Caripuna followed us and why must
you talk Indian?"

"All to good purpose, ma'm. But talking of ourselves,--let us suppose
that by some stupendous miracle, some tremendous convulsion of cosmos,
Japhet should indeed be changed and meekly say to thee: 'Ursula, since
it is thy will, so will I forgive all my enemies (ay, and thy enemies),
and forgetting all past wrongs done to myself (ay, and thyself), vow to
live henceforth but to pleasure thee and do thy behests obedient to thee
in all things'--how then?"

"Then I should despise him!" said I.

"Ay!" nodded Japhet. "And I too!"

"But," I went on, turning that I might see him, "if and by no stupendous
miracle save that of love, this same poor wretch became such very man
that with his arms about me he should say; 'Woman, hast filled my heart
so full of love no room is there for other passions, so, for thy sake,
I'll waste no more thought on what is past, but with thee and for thee
live to future purpose!' Such, man Japhet, I could truly honour and--I
believe--love. So his way should be my way, his will mine, and I his for
ever. Yea, indeed I might truly love such a man, Japhet."

"And small wonder!" he nodded. "For such man is no man at all but mere
thing of your fancy, a bodyless vision conjured of your own imagining.
Thus to love such were no more than to love yourself--"

"Ah, would you mock me?" cried I despairingly.

"God forbid!" he answered, very solemnly. "But if, 'stead of worshipping
your own dream, you could love our Japhet with all his failings, merely
for what he is and all that he is not, love him beyond all sense and
reason and despite your niminy-piminy self, love him purely because love
him you must, why then, ma'm, this I dare think were love indeed! And
how saith your ladyship?"

But instead of answering I was silent, since well knew I how that love
is indeed beyond all cool reason and may become a very tyrant, bending
us to his imperious will in despite of our better judgment; so now,
feeling Japhet's eyes on me, I averted my head lest he might read all
this in my face.

And it was in this moment of all others that calamity rushed upon us as,
sudden and faint with distance, yet plain to hear in this hot noontide
stillness, rose that long-drawn, high-pitched quavering scream that is
the Indian battle cry and the which surely no one may hear unmoved; so
that I turned to question Japhet, but caught my breath and recoiled to
see his features all convulsed and dreadfully transfigured.

"Japhet ... oh, my dear," I gasped; "what is it--?"

But all he said, and this 'twixt shut teeth, was:

"Paddle!"




CHAPTER XLIII

TELLETH HOW, LIKE POOR HUNTED CREATURES, WE TOOK TO THE WILDS


I felt our long canoe leap beneath the powerful strokes of Japhet's
paddle and plied my own strongly as I might and keeping time with his.
And thus went we at our best speed, dip and sweep, dip and sweep,
through the bubbling waters and with no respite, until my arms and
shoulders began to ache with the unaccustomed strain. On thus and on,
until my breath grew short and my heart so athrob with ceaseless effort
that I thought I could hear the heavy pounding of it; but after some
while, this sound becoming louder I knew it could not be my poor heart
and my wonder grew until, all at once, the knowledge rushed upon me that
this was the beat and thrash of paddles in fierce pursuit and venturing
to glance over my shoulder, fear seized me, for I saw afar three canoes
full of men whose paddles flashed.

But even as I glanced at our pursuers thus fearfully, from the foremost
canoe one hailed in rich clear voice:

"Japhet--ahoy! Stand by, messmate; bring to and let's alongside!"

Now this voice sounded so friendly and joyful that instinctively I
ceased my violent efforts and glancing at Japhet's set, grim face:

"Who?" gasped I, "who calls?"

"Snaith!" Now this name, and Japhet's terrible look as he spake it,
renewed my terrors to such degree that I plied my paddle more
desperately than ever, dip and sweep, dip and sweep,--despite the
growing agony of my aching limbs, on and on until the bright, speeding
waters, the swift, gliding banks--nay, the very firmament itself--seemed
reeling upon my blurred and failing sight, and I might scarce hold the
paddle; then as I laboured thus, scarce conscious that I did so, came
Japhet's voice to cheer me:

"Easy, my hearty ... yonder is the river at last.... What, Ursula, sweet
soul, art done then?... Now, God love thy valiant heart. Rest thee ...
lie down--so, whiles I try a shot at them."

Now as I lay panting and all foredone, I yet found strength to turn me
and watch Japhet who, outstretched beyond me, was sighting his long
musket against the leading canoe, the which to my despair was come much
nearer: For some while Japhet dwelt upon his aim; then I started to the
sudden roar of his piece and, through the billowing smoke, saw this
leading canoe swerve suddenly from its course, blocking the other two in
the narrow waterway, heard fierce shouts and cries and then that same
clear voice in loud command:

"No shooting, lads. I want the lady unspoiled--"

At this I cowered instinctively and as I lay thus reached out to touch
Japhet's foot, murmuring his name. But scarce heeding me, he seized his
paddle and once more we shot forward, I watching that huddle of canoes
until they were hid behind a sudden jut of land as we turned out of that
narrow stream into a wide river. Having by now recovered my breath, I
too laboured amain to urge us away from the oncoming menace behind, that
filled me with a sick horror beyond all words to describe, but that yet
goaded me to a very agony of wild and desperate effort, until I heard
again the comfort of Japhet's voice, breathless to be sure, but so
assured, so cheery and untroubled that (as it were) it stemmed the mad
torrent of my fears:

"Easy, comrade--easy, sweet lass! A stern chase is ever a long one
so ... easy it is, sweetheart."

Dip and sweep--dip and sweep--on and on, and still no sign of our
pursuers, so that my courage returned somewhat and I had even turned my
head once or twice to glance back and smile on Japhet--when came
disaster; for in full career, our light canoe smote upon some unseen
obstacle, almost turned over, righted itself and swept on, but with
water pouring in upon us through a rent in her frail prow.

"What--is she badly stove?" panted Japhet. "Ay--I see! Aft, lass, come
you aft--near to me and lift her bow." But though my added weight did
cause the forepart to rise, checking somewhat the inrush of water, yet
by the look on Japhet's face I knew our plight was become quite
desperate as, saying no word, he swung our stricken craft shorewards,
paddling amain as did I also, until I grew suddenly sick and weak, as
came a distant roar of fierce voices in hoarse, mocking triumph; and in
this moment, picturing Japhet's certain death and the unspeakable
abominations I must endure, I let fall my useless paddle and was ready
to die. But even now our long canoe, driven by Japhet's powerful arms,
plunged ashore, running its prow high and dry and fast aground.

"Jump, Ursula!" he cried. Now scarce had I obeyed than he hands me first
his musket, then his pistols, and after these tossed on land blankets, a
knapsack and divers other things, and I all the while imploring him to
hasten. Yet even so he must pause to belt on his sword and look back at
the canoes that seemed coming at such speed and I crying on him in very
agony of impatience to be gone. But when he stood beside me, he must
stay to sling his musket about him, to toss me the two blankets and
snatch up the knapsack.

Then nodding at me, his grey eyes very bright, his smiling lips very
grim:

"Come, my Ursula," says he, "it's woodcraft now, with stout hearts and
nimble legs, and praise God thine is truly valiant heart as I ha'
proved; and as for thy precious, sweet legs--"

"Oh, Japhet, let us run."

"No, no, lass. Take your time, follow me, tread where I tread and softly
as maybe. No crack o' twig, sweetheart; no rustle o' leaves if
possible."

And so, with terror of death and unspeakable shame behind me and unknown
perils before, I followed this Japhet into the wilderness, resolved
henceforth to live for him or die with him as Providence in its wisdom
should decree.




CHAPTER XLIV

TELLETH HOW I MADE COMPACT TO KILL MYSELF AND WHEREFORE


Now this part of my narrative is like to prove a hard matter to set down
as I would, for I went in such marvellous perturbation of spirits, my
brain so numbed by horror and sick despair, that I can scarce endure to
think on even now.

I remember struggling upwards from the river, through a trackless wild,
dense with vegetation and trees great and little but all so tangled and
knit together by clambering vines that our going was painfully slow, and
more than once Japhet must pause to cut us a passage with his sword; the
which frequent delays set me in a very fever of impatience and shivering
panic, lest our pursuers espy the flash of his long blade or hear its
ponderous strokes, as I told him.

"Well, let 'em--ay, let 'em!" quoth he, cutting away right heartily.

"But you said we must make no sound."

"Ay, I did; but d' ye see, the time for silence is not yet. Yonder to
starboard of us (that is to our right, sweet soul) runneth a freshet, a
rill excellent to our purpose."

"I see naught of it, Japhet."

"Yet 'tis there, sweetheart. I caught the merry sparkle of it ere I
beached the canoe. So give thanks therefor, since this same rill shall
prove our very good friend."

"How so?" I questioned, straining my ears for the dread sound of
pursuit.

"Come you and see, and pluck up thy dear heart," said he, whereat I
contrived to smile on him. Then on and up we went, forcing our way
through these close, leafy tangles until we came suddenly on a little
torrent that leapt, with pretty babblement, to join the great
smooth-flowing, silent river below. And now he points me up and along
this little riotous stream to where, pretty far upon the height above
us, stood a great tree plain to see by reason of its size and spread of
branches.

"There's for thee, Ursula," says he cheerily. "Get you into this stream
and wade to yonder tree and there wait thy Japhet."

"Ay, but why must you leave me?" I questioned anxiously. "What will you
do?"

"Outmatch brute villainy with guile, lass. I ha'n't fought and hunted
with Indians without learning me some o' their craft. So whiles you wade
in the stream, leaving no trace, I'll set Snaith and his rogues such
trail as babe might follow. So get thee to the tree and there abide my
coming." Saying which, he turned and vanished and (to my wonder) with
scarce a sound. Forthwith I began to wade up this stream, forcing my way
against its bubbling rush, and this so laborious that often I must pause
for rest and, more than once, came nigh falling by reason of its
strength and the precarious foothold; thus when at last I reached the
great tree, glad was I to sink down in its grateful shade.

From this eminence I could see a wide stretch of the river, yet look how
I would, nowhere could I see aught of the canoes or Captain Snaith's
company, so that I guessed they must be come inshore; and to think how
they should be thus stealing upon us, so silently and all unseen, waked
in me such fearful trepidation that the deadly stillness of the myriad
leaves around me, the brooding silence of this vasty wilderness, became
a menace that appalled me and I yearned amain for Japhet.

Now as I crouched thus, praying fervently in my soul and watching for
Japhet, this ominous silence was shattered by the sudden report of a
musket and this answered very presently by a dreadful hoarse screaming
that sank to a groan lost in uproar of voices in question and answer,
thin with distance yet plain in the stillness.

"Who was yon?"

"Pedro the Portingale."

"Dead--eh?"

"Ay, Cap'n, a harrer through the eye! 'Twas yon same cursed Indian."

"Did ye get him, Joe?"

"No, sir,--got ashore, 'e have."

"Then ashore it is, lads, and after him."

Up leapt I, like a wild thing eager to flee, yet, minding how Japhet had
bid me wait, I checked and cowered down among the great gnarled roots of
this tree, hiding myself well as I might. Now as I crouched thus in my
misery, a shadow fell athwart my vision and glancing up fearfully, I saw
Japhet smiling down on me and this sudden sight of him such joy that up
I sprang to meet him and so blindly that I stumbled and should have
fallen but for his ever-ready arms; and as I stood thus, clasped and
clasping, my cheek pillowed against his worn jerkin, I could have wept
for pure joy and relief.

"Oh, Japhet," I gasped, "you are so sudden! You came so silently--"

"Ay, I did," he answered gently, "for here is the time for silence
awhile." And now as I clung to him, he falls to stroking my hair,
comforting me as I had been a child.

"There, there, my dear!" he murmured. "Why so fearful? This is not like
our proud and valiant Ursula."

"Oh, Japhet," I murmured, pressing myself closer against him, "it is
horror for that man."

"Snaith?" said he and spat. "Take comfort my dear; have faith in thy
God, thyself and thy Japhet, for if there be any justice in earth or
heaven, Snaith shall make his final exit sudden and soon ... and yet not
too suddenly an' I may so contrive it."

"Come, Japhet, let's away--let us run."

"Nay, my dear," he answered, seating himself and drawing me beside him,
"let Snaith and his rogues do the running whiles we take our ease
awhile. I've set 'em a trail they shall not miss--aha, yonder they give
tongue, baying to it like very dogs--hark to 'em!" And even as he spoke,
from the leafy distances below us rose sudden triumphant shouts and
hallooing.

"What, Jerry! Ho, Tom! Cap'n ahoy! Here lays our course, mates; here be
their trail!" And to my joy as I listened, scarce breathing, these
voices drew away, growing ever fainter.

"And now," cried I, making to rise, "let us speed away in the opposite
direction."

"Why, so we will," said he, gently restraining me, "we do but wait for
Caripuna."

"Oh!" said I, glancing about expectantly, "will he go with us, then?"

"Ay, he will indeed, Ursula, and 'tis a faithful, noble heart and
notable warrior. He hath to-day accounted for two of Snaith's company
with his arrows and I one, which leaveth no more than fifteen all told."

"So many!" I gasped.

"Yet so few, considering they marched against Pazaquil forty odd strong,
my dear. And Ursula, here's news for thee," quoth he, viewing me grimly
askance, "of their company is my villain cousin, our Johnny!"

"Oh, art sure, Japhet?"

"Beyond doubt."

"Is the poor man their prisoner?"

"Not he. I watched them come ashore and lay so close I heard them salute
him as 'my lord' and saw he went armed. Well, like will to like, a rogue
to roguery and so be damned to him--saving your sweet presence."

"And so," said I, after a while and mighty doleful, "you are two men
against fifteen."

"Well, and what then, comrade?"

"Oh, let us away, for pity's sake, for if they should ever come up with
us, our case were surely hopeless."

"But, sweet soul, they shall not come up with us, for we shall be
following on their heels--"

"Following them?" I gasped.

"Ay, we shall indeed," he nodded, "every step--we hunt our hunters,
Caripuna and I."

"How then," cried I, well-nigh beside myself with fearful amazement,
"what folly ... what madness is this?"

"A folly so wise and madness so sane as shall be our salvation, I pray
God."

"Talk not of God," quoth I, in bitter reproach, "for you do but risk our
lives thus wantonly that you may contrive to meet and slay your enemy--"

"Amen!" said he, looking at me so smugly that I could have struck him
but that he caught my clenched hand suddenly and kissed it.

"Fie now," said he, opening out my unwilling fingers one by one, "abate
thy shrewish humours, sweet, gentle ma'm, and suffer poor Japhet to
explain. First, then; when dogs or worse pursue, they keep their eyes
before 'em; thus we travelling behind shall go unseen, the which is
reason, I think ma'm?"

"No," I retorted. "Reason bids us turn about and flee the opposite way."

"But the opposite way is west, ma'm, and Bartlemy's Bay lieth due
nor'-east, as doth the River of Amazons, and 'tis thither Snaith
marches, as I chance to know, to meet with his comrade--"

"Then," said I, "let us turn north or south--anywhere but in yon hateful
man's neighbourhood."

"Nay, prithee ha' patience and hear me out."

"Oh," quoth I, "say what you will, for I know you are determined to do
as you will."

"Ay, I am," he answered, "and for the following notable good reasons, to
wit:"

"Because," I cried angrily, "you are obstinate, a stiff-necked,
obdurate, headstrong, contumacious wretch!"

"Yet humbly at your ladyship's service."

"No," I retorted bitterly, "you serve only yourself. And in your wicked
pride dare to think two men may withstand fifteen."

"Ay, I do so," he answered, "for these two men are very able at their
weapons, skilled in forestry and the crafts and cunning of Indian
warfare, whereas these fifteen, though bold enough aboardship, are no
more than so many fools here in the wilderness, and moreover, being full
of sailorly superstitions, very apt to sudden affrights and dread of the
unknown. And we shall play on these fears; ay, ma'm, we'll plague 'em,
I'll warrant me! We'll so harass the rogues, smiting 'em unseen with
arrow and bullet, they shall believe us, 'stead of two men, a legion of
very devils. For, my dear, attack is ever the best defence."

"And while this is a-doing, I pray you what of me?"

"You shall be safe enough, child. Indeed, 'tis you are my only and
abiding anxiety, though a mighty precious one. But for care of you,
Caripuna and I might drive yon rogues and slaughter 'em like so many
sheep."

Now here, finding me silent, he begins humming very cheerily (and myself
nigh sick with fearful anxiety) so that, seeing him thus so serenely
assured, I began to cast about how I might shake his prideful
self-confidence. So I shuddered violently and sighed until, forgetting
his humming, he turned to view me with no little uneasiness, and ask
what troubled me.

"Oh, Japhet," I answered, bowing my head between my hands, "it were
strangely terrible if, despite all your cunning stratagems and care of
me, I should end by killing myself, as did your poor Spanish lady and
for the same ... shameful reason--"

Now this indeed roused him at last, though far beyond my expectation,
for even as I spoke, he leapt afoot as I had stabbed him and turned on
me in such wild fury of anger as amazed me.

"God's death!" cried he in terrible, choking voice. "Never say it ...
never think such vile thing...." Then he stood dumb, as if further
speech were beyond him, his eyes blazing at me from a face dreadfully
convulsed as by some sharp spasm: but while I yet viewed him aghast, he
turned his back on me and stood beside the little torrent, staring down
into its tumultuous waters, his shoulders bowed and head adroop in
posture very strangely humble in such as he.

"And so, Japhet," said I, finding him thus mute, "you shall give me one
of the little pistols, after all, that I may bear it hidden and yet
ready."

"To ... kill yourself?" says he in the same choked voice.

"Yes," I answered. "Yes!"

"Could you, Ursula? You are so young and so very--English."

"I am a woman!" cried I. "And though the thought of such death terrifies
me now, there are abominations may make death kindly welcome, ay, a
strong friend to lift me from all evil, I humbly pray--up to God. So
give me the pistol, for to know I may summon this friend when all else
fails. Oh, this shall make me your less fearful companion! Prithee give
me the pistol, Japhet."

Then all in a moment he had turned and was upon his knees before me, his
poor face all wet with tears and so changed it shocked me beyond words,
so that I reached out my hands and laid them upon his bowed shoulders.

"Oh, Ursula," he gasped in broken whisper, "thou lovely thing ... thou
sweet child ... dear, valiant woman, you'll mind as a boy I could pray,
but ... my life hath been so hard ... and when she died in such terrible
fashion, I cursed God, in my madness that He had not spared her sweet
body such evil ... and since then I have not troubled the Almighty with
my prayers.... But here and now I do pray again to God to make me strong
and wise to thy safety.... To keep thee thine own sweet self ... to ward
thee from such foul wrong as she knew ... ah, God, not again ... not
this woman also, that is more than life to me ... not again...."

Now, as he cried thus in a sort of frenzy, I drew him to me, pillowing
his head upon my bosom and, feeling how his stalwart frame shook and
quivered, I kissed his tear-wet cheek, murmuring I know not what to
comfort him.

"Here upon thy heart at last!" says he, after some while and nestling
closer.

"As you might have been ere now, but for your arrogant pridefulness and
stubborn vengeful ferocity, Japhet."

"Lord love me!" he murmured. "And wilt argue with me--even here?"

"And why not?" I retorted. "Vengeance destroyeth itself--it is not for
us poor humans, for remember how it is written, 'Vengeance is Mine, I
will repay, saith the Lord--'"

"Ay, but," he answered, "you shall read also how Christ said He brought
not peace but a sword, and how he belaboured the money changers that
desecrated the Temple. Here's refutation beyond argument! And shall not
a man smite the ravening beast that outrages Innocence? Ay, by heaven,
that will I."

At this I loosed my arms from him, whereupon he clasped me in his, and
nestling his head against me murmured:

"Loose not thy poor Japhet yet awhile, for his childish tears are scarce
dried--"

"These were not childish tears!" says I indignantly.

"No, God love thee!" he murmured, kissing my throat. "These were tears
wrung from the very heart o' me. I marvel they were not blood. But,
Ursula, ma'm, in this my dark, sweet hour, thy tender arms, thy lips,
though speechless, spake me a wondrous message; thy heart is whispering
it even now,--it hath a deep, strong beat, this same heart; shall it
ever speak me so again, I wonder, in lovelier hour holier even than
this, or--" The murmurous voice checked suddenly as from remote
distances broke a wild uproar of shouting crowned in rolling volley of
musketry. Japhet was afoot and had caught up his musket all in a
moment.

"Oh, why are they shouting?" cried I, leaping to clasp his arm. "What
can it mean?"

"One of two things," he answered, glancing at the priming of his musket.
"Prithee loose my arm for I--"

As he spoke, there rose that thrill wavering scream, whereat Japhet
grounded his long weapon and nodded.

"Caripuna!" said he and whistled a soft, babbling note, very birdlike,
that was presently taken up and answered; and after some while the
undergrowth on the opposite side of the stream parted with scarce a
rustle and the Indian stood to salute us with his long bow; him Japhet
questioned briefly in his own tongue, whereat Caripuna, grim-smiling,
answered as briefly, holding up one sinewy finger and bowing his sleek
head that was adorned with but a single feather.

"Oh, pray speak English," said I impatiently. "What doth he tell you,
Japhet?"

"That the fifteen are now fourteen."

"Ah--very good!" quoth Caripuna, showing me his bow that was all
garnished with gold wire and tufts of hair mighty handsome. "Caripuna,
he shoot. Death on arrow--ah!" And he pointed to a hairy something
adangle at his beaded girdle, perceiving which I recoiled in horror, for
this thing dripped horridly; and now, noting again all those tufts of
hair that decked his lithe shapeliness from thigh to ankle, I grew
faint.

"Nay, child," said Japhet, setting his arm about me, "he doeth but after
the manner of his nation. So if you must look on him, regard his face,
for 'tis right comely and what's more, honest and true, lass. Now come,
sweet comrade, let us march." So on went we side by side, the stately
Indian stalking noiseless before.




CHAPTER XLV

TELLETH HOW MY MOST DREADFUL APPREHENSIONS WERE REALIZED


With nightfall we were high above the leafage and the sun's last beam
showed we were traversing a narrow tableland or ridge that trended
steeply down and down upon our left to the broad river, vague with
distance; and to our right swept away league upon league of dark forest.
All about us as we went showed strange great rocks upstarting from the
earth but of such unlovely shapes, so writhen and contorted, as troubled
me with a vague terror.

Then came sudden night and so black dark that I might scarce see my way,
and these hideous rocks, as it were, pressing in upon me and looming yet
more dreadful in the pitchy gloom, so that at last being unable to
endure, I cried on Japhet and made pretence to stumble that he might aid
me; the which he did and very tenderly, bidding me take his arm, and
asking what ailed me, whereto I answered:

"It is so hateful dark and you so silent, and I'm aweary and hungry and
terrified, and you never speak to me."

"Yet was I thinking of thee, girl."

"Kindly, Japhet?"

"I was thinking how these hardships and perils you have endured have
ennobled and made you lovelier in spirit and handsomer of body--ay
thou'rt changed, lass."

"Well, pray go on, Japhet. How other am I changed?"

"You show more true woman than finical fine madam these days, you are
more tender, gentler--despite your fiery hair. Oh, faith, this hath been
a wondrous experience, this journey together."

"You speak as it were over."

"Ay," he sighed, "it will be ended very soon; another three or four days
and we should be aboard the _Deliverance_,--and I for one shall be sadly
sorry."

"So shall not I," said I fervently.

"And yet," quoth he wistfully, "'tis in my mind you shall come to yearn
for these days perchance, as I shall, most surely, for never had man
such comrade as thyself, nor one more valiant."

"Yet, Japhet, here am I all atremble, like veriest coward."

"Hum!" quoth he, giving my arm a squeeze. "You trembled at me once, my
dear."

"Ay, I did, for you shamed and terrified me."

"Lord," sighed he. "How woundily you misjudged your humble, gentle
Japhet!"

"Because he was nowise humble or gentle."

"Howbeit you shall never tremble at him again, sweet soul."

"No," I answered reproachfully, "I must needs tremble _for_ him
nowadays, it seems." Here, ere he might answer, Caripuna called to us
and approaching with his noiseless step, pointed down into the vasty
glooms upon our left; and looking whither he directed, I saw, far below
us in this dark immensity, a red spark that winked upon us from the
distance; and guessing what this must be, I shivered and clung the
faster to Japhet's arm.

"Captain Snaith, Japhet ... is it Captain Snaith yonder?" I faltered.

"Yes," he answered, 'twixt shut teeth, "the pestilent rogues are eating
their suppers. Well, let us do the like."

So we began to descend the steep upon our right, following Caripuna, who
seemed to have cat's eyes, for he went unfaltering in this darkness and
never at a loss, until he had brought us to a sheltered nook shut in by
rocks and leafage, where a little freshet gurgled pleasantly; and here
we made our camp for the night.

Being thus secluded, Japhet presently made a fire, whereat he and
Caripuna set about plucking and preparing a strange large fowl that had
fallen to one of Caripuna's silent, unerring shafts, but I so troubled
and foredone that, so soon as I had laved my weary feet in the brook, I
wrapped a blanket about me and lay down in the firelight, telling Japhet
I had no appetite; whereat he must from cook play physician, feeling my
pulse and demanding to see my tongue, etc., at the same time vowing I
had never looked more blooming. But seeing he mocked me, I turned my
back on him and, comforted by the leaping firelight and his nearness,
forgot my anxious fears awhile in a sweet and blessed sleep.

From this I was aroused by Japhet's cheery voice calling me to supper
and all about me a fragrance so savoury as set my mouth a-watering; in
fine, I found this bird extreme delicate in the eating, and moreover, we
supped from Inca dishes or tureens of beaten gold, very splendid.

Supper done, I washed these dishes and divers other cooking utensils
right dutifully, and stretched myself out where sat Japhet in the
firelight, but glancing across at Caripuna and noting how carefully he
was trimming the sight feathers of his arrows, up I sat again, moved by
sudden apprehension.

"Japhet," said I, with the utmost determination, "if you should indeed
be so mad to attempt any attack on Captain Snaith and his men, I'll be
mad also, for I shall go with you--"

"'Sdeath--no!" he exclaimed, starting round on me.

"'Slife--yes!" I retorted. "Where you go, I go."

"And if I forbid thee, woman?"

"We are not on your ship, Sir Captain Tyranny."

"Why, then," quoth he, viewing me askance, "I must contrive some device,
some scheme o' tactics against your confounding wilfulness."

"So, then," cried I in growing alarm, "you do purpose some such madness,
do you--do you?" But instead of answering, he fell a-singing his odious
song of Yo-ho; and the more earnestly I questioned, the louder he sang,
till I in a fury drew my blanket about me and lay down where I might
watch the tiresome wretch, resolved to be thus wakeful all night rather
than suffer him to steal away courting (as it were) wounds and death in
such heartless sly fashion. Now scarce had I set myself thus to keep
guard on him than, by some cruel perversity, a yearning for slumber
crept upon me, my weary eyes smarted so that perforce I closed them and
could have sunk to sleep, but instead I forced myself to sit up, leaned
me against a tree, rubbed my poor eyes, set my teeth against slumber,
vowing to keep awake, and so drowsed into such sleep that I mind nothing
more until the young sun's dazzling beam waked me, and starting up, I
saw Japhet within a yard of me and very fast asleep; and thinking he
showed strangely worn and haggard in this dawn light, I leaned nearer to
him and thus espied his hand bloody, and a rough and very inadequate
bandage girt about his left forearm. This sorry bandage I set myself
instantly to remove, as gently as might be, yet contrived he should wake
to answer for having thus perilled his life and (moreover) for his base
desertion of poor, sleeping me.

"So then," quoth I, sadly reproachful, so soon as he had opened blinking
eyes, "so then, Japhet, you must creep away to your fighting, and I
asleep and all defenceless! You could dare actually leave me to be
ravished by vile men, slain by foul serpents, or wake and perish of
fright or--"

"Sleep like a babe, sweet lass, ay, a pretty, buxom babe, and wake thus
all vivid with abundant life to revile the poor, meek fellow that now
bids thee a fair good morrow."

"And bring me this for your pains!" said I, pointing at his wound which
I was glad to see of no great moment.

"And which is worse," quoth he, shaking his head and sighing, "the same
ball put my musket out of action."

"Come you to the water, fool man, that I may bathe it."

"Thanks, gracious madam, I can do this for myself."

But as we wrangled thus, from the height above us came Caripuna's
birdlike call, at the which signal Japhet leapt where lay his sword and
pistols, snatched them and began to scramble up the ascent, all heedless
of my angry questions and expostulations until, seeing me about to
follow, he paused to scowl down on me, gesturing me back so imperiously
as angered me the more.

"Bide where you are!" cried he. "Your duty is to prepare breakfast
against our return,--bide and do it!" And away he went, faster than
ever. This set me in such fury that, scarce knowing what I did, I began
to ascend after him, speedily as I might, yet when I had gained the top
and paused to catch my breath, neither he nor Caripuna were in sight.
Now being all distraught, I began to run forward, calling his name, and
winning no answer, paused to listen for some sound of their going; but
as fortune willed, a small wind had got up that set the woods a-rustling
here and there. These sounds lured me on to run hither and thither like
any wild creature, until at last, wearied and despairing, I stood all
bemused, knowing not whither to turn; and presently feeling myself
utterly lost in this dreadful wilderness, panic seized me and I sped on
again, crying alternate on God and Japhet, like the poor demented
creature I was, wounding myself on thorns and falling over unseen
obstacles, but pushing on and ever on through these tangled mazes until
a clinging vine brought me down again headlong, and there lay I in such
woeful state of mind and body as turns me faint to think upon even now.

For some while I lay thus supine in very agony of despair until,
dreadfully plain and distinct, I heard the explosion of firearms in
rapid succession with fury of shouting; and stumbling to my feet, I
began to creep thitherward, because thereabouts I knew would be Japhet,
yet now I no longer dared call his name. Very slowly I went, pausing
often to glance fearfully about me, and straining my ears, though to no
purpose, for now was a dreadful, brooding silence.

Up rose the sun and up, his fierce rays piercing these leafy solitudes
to scorch me until, faint with this breathless heat (for the gentle
wind came too seldom), parched with thirst and wearied with my hopeless
wandering, I sank down at last, spent and all foredone.

How long I lay thus inanimate is beyond my guess, but when I opened my
weary eyes, the first things I espied were two worn and broken shoes
adorned with handsome silver buckles, sturdy legs in torn stockings, a
squat, powerful body in tattered finery of velvet and lace, topped by a
tanned visage that seemed all hair, teeth and eyes. For a long,
breathless moment we stared on each other, each of us alike silent and
motionless; and then:

"Oh, Tony!" he called in hushed, furtive manner. "Oh, Tony, come and
lookee here."

Ensued a leafy rustling and another face was peering at me over this
first man's shoulder, a smoothly handsome face and yet methought it more
evil than the other. So for a space we remained, silent and motionless
all three until, seeing how their eyes gloated on me, I leapt suddenly
afoot to run from them; but scarce had I gone a yard than their arms
were about me and their wicked, brutal hands had shamed me to trembling
submission.

"Well--a, my Tom, she is the prize--no? And to us. How say-a you, Tom?
What then?"

"Have her to the Cap'n, I reckon, messmate."

"Well--but--why him, Tom?"

"For that 'tis the lady as he hankers arter; 'tis her as us ha' been
chasing."

"Ay, ay, Tom; but--a why--a not--you and me first--?"

Here, shuddering at the evil of them, I screamed, whereupon they strove
to choke me to silence, but I fought them off, screaming the louder
until came running a little, ragged, fierce man who, snatching pistol
from belt, roared in marvellous great voice.

"Avast, sons o' dogs, stand off or I'll bowel ye," and into his other
hand came a long knife.

"Belay, Bosun," growled the fellow Tom, falling back before the little
man's threatening aspect. "Me and Tony weren't nowise arter no 'arm,
Ned, none in the world, Neddy."

"Ay, ay," boomed the little bosun, "'od rot the lying tongues o' ye!
Haul off, cast about, stand off and on. If the woman's here, t'others
should be skulking about--come, bouse about and stand away, and lively,
ye scratchings!"

Glancing on me with a bestial avidity, these two men turned and slouched
away, growling like the two-legged animals they were, while the bosun,
plucking a silver whistle from his rags, sounded a melodious call that
minded me tearfully of Absalom Troy and the dear _Joyful Deliverance_.
Thus presently came other ragged fellows to tongue their lips and goggle
at me and, with these, a gigantic Negro, whose black visage seemed all
fierce, rolling eyes and flashing teeth.

"Ay, here she be, my hearties," nodded the little bosun, gesturing
towards me with his pistol. "If she'll walk so be it; if she won't,
hoist and carry her."

So like the poor victim for the killing (and worse) went I with these
fierce men, sick to the very soul of me and heedless of all direction
until of a sudden I saw the river before me and found myself in a small
bay, shady with trees, where ran a little merry brook to join the river;
and seated beside this brook, eating and drinking together in great
amity, Mr. John and a long, dark, comely man in travel-stained finery,
whose dark features were off-set by trimly pointed beard, and whose
quick-moving hands flashed and sparkled with the rings that decked his
almost every finger. Catching sight of me, he seemed stricken
motionless; even his jaws ceased munching while his glance roved over
me, and into his wide eyes came such wild-beast glare that from him I
looked at Mr. John who, rising on the instant, bowed to me with graceful
flourish.

"Why, Madam Ursula," said he, glancing at me through drooping lashes,
"this is a joy wholly unexpected. And how doth our Japhet, my accursed
cousin? Cometh he with you?"

"God forbid!" said I fervently.




CHAPTER XLVI

TELLETH HOW I LOOKED ON A NOBLE DYING


As a kindly Providence tempers the wind to the shorn lamb, so God in His
mercy lendeth us on occasion a strength far above our own, lifting us
out of despair and above panic fear, enduing us with a courage so nearly
divine we may endure to the uttermost so long as we know ourselves the
children of His ever-loving care. Thus I, a lonely woman cast to the
merciless will of these men that showed more like savage beasts, yet
believing God my sure defence, stood serene and undismayed, even when
having chewed and swallowed, this dark-faced man spake in slow, cultured
speech:

"So--this is she, eh, my lord! This prime armful of beauty is your
Japhet's woman, ha?"

"She is his lady, Snaith; she is Japhet's wedded wife."

"His wife! Oh, most excellent! And such proud madam, such luscious
piece,--a voluptuous creature. How is she named, my lord?"

"Nay, ask herself."

"My name," said I, keeping my scornful gaze on Mr. John's averted face,
"is Ursula."

"Well, I like thee, Ursula, and shall doubtless like thee better anon,
for thou'rt a lovesome thing, I vow and protest. Our Japhet hath a
shrewd eye for women. There was one, I mind, a Spanish beauty at La
Margarita--though she was dark."

Now at these fearful words I quailed, my very soul grew sick and, in
this moment, my faith in a merciful Providence wavered, for God had
suffered this same poor lady to endure such evil she had chosen to die;
and wherefore should the Almighty contrive a special Providence on my
behalf? Ah, never have I known such mental anguish as in this moment of
dreadful doubt and loss.... And then I seemed to hear again Japhet's
wild cry to God--"Not again, not this woman too--not again!" And so now
prayed I in my heart and so passionately that all else became as it were
unreal; thus in a measure my faith and courage were restored and I
became aware that Captain Snaith was speaking me in his smooth,
deliberate tones.

"So come you, madam, hither to me, my Ursula! Quit your prudish
stateliness, your mock-modest airs; you and I must grow sudden acquaint
and sweetly intimate, for thou'rt mine, Ursula, and what I have, I hold
a while. Come, give's thy hand now, a kiss on those slim fingers and so
presently to thy honey mouth--"

"Ay, but," quoth Mr. John, refilling his cannikin, "bethink you,
Captain; such caresses should savour sweeter were they enjoyed before my
damned cousin Japhet's very face."

"Aha--true for you, my lord!" cried Snaith with sudden laugh. "Passion
o' Venus--yes! 'Sblood, Aldbourne, you must hate our Japhet as I
do--almost."

"More, Snaith, more! Well now, since you have his wife, I'll warrant me
he shall attempt her rescue, and soon, Captain! Madam Ursula is the lure
shall bring him in reach o' your claws. No more shooting from ambush,
to-night he'll give us desperate battle; ay, with darkness he and his
Indians will rush our camp."

"His Indians!" repeated the Captain, his dark face contorted with sudden
wild fury. "His accursed savages! Four o' my best and jolliest lads dead
and scalped since we came ashore."

Here he smiled up at me, though his eyes were a menace.

"Sweetheart," said he, reaching forth his hand to me with detestable
assurance, "tell thy new-found lover of these damned Indians; how many
march to Captain Japhet's order to molest us?"

"Sir," I answered, gazing beyond him towards the river, "were I to tell
you a thousand you would not believe."

"Not if you said fifty or twenty.... Well,--how many? And when you
answer--look at me, woman."

"No!" said I.

"How then," he laughed; "do I so affright thy modesty, shame thy tender
coyness? Am I so fearsome to behold?"

"Indeed," said I; "so do I use my eyes to better purpose."

"Well damme Aldbourne," he laughed, "but here's spirited beauty; no
puling, modest Timidity to weep and plead and swoon, but a woman to
battle with, a pride to vanquish, eh, my lord?"

"Ay, faith, she's all o' this and more, Snaith, more, being dame o'
breeding and English as I ... or you. And speaking o' battle, bringeth
us back to Japhet and his Indians and these at a guess shall be nine,
ten or a round dozen,--eh, Ursula?"

But instead of answering, I viewed this renegade John with such bitter
contempt that he had the grace to change colour.

"Come, my proud witch," cried Snaith, "sweet puss, be seated here
betwixt us--sit, I say! How, must I insist?" And up he rose, to grasp at
me with compelling clutch and in his eyes that wild-beast glare, but Mr.
John had risen too and as I fronted my aggressor boldly as I might,
though I read that in his merciless regard which appalled me, in this
moment Mr. John spoke and in his sleepy voice that ever reminded me of
Japhet:

"Mistress Ursula, pray be seated, for though you may contemn us for
rogue pirates and what not, yet are we Englishmen both and, once on a
time, were gentlemen, eh, Snaith?" The Captain merely laughed, bowing to
me with an odious exaggeration; and so seeing no help for it, I sat me
down betwixt them, and instantly began to wish myself dead (or very
nearly) for this vile man sprawled so near as to touch me with his
knee, his arm and shoulder, and presently seizing upon my hand, began to
fondle and toy with it.

"A gentleman!" he repeated wistfully. "Ay, faith, but that was long
since; to-day I am mere man and thou such woman as sure no man may long
resist,--not this man--eh, Ursula?" And here he lifts my hand to his
lips, yet ere he might kiss it, I snatched it away.

"Excellent!" quoth he, leering upon me. "Would God Japhet were here ...
except we take him soon, I must at thee. And talking o' Japhet, hath he
ever told thee how we were messmates on a time, sweetheart? How
now--will ye be dumb? Why, then, 'stead o' speech, let's kiss--come,
give me that red mouth o' thine--Ha', what the devil, Aldbourne!" he
exclaimed pettishly, for Mr. John had started up to stand peering aloft
at the dense thickets that crowned the bank above us. "What the devil
ails you, man?"

"Japhet!" cried Mr. John fiercely, his gaze still searching the leafage
above us. "Japhet, damn him! I tell you he's desperate, Snaith, and may
come down on us at any moment with his Indians and we sitting here a
fair mark for their shot."

"Well, but my lads are up and awake--"

"So were they last night and three died. Whiles your fools are
scattered, beating to and fro i' the woods yonder, these cursed Indians
shall steal through them and upon us, and we shall be dead, and Japhet
off with his wife, or ever your dull-witted fellows can fire a shot."

"'Sblood!" exclaimed the Captain, rising the better to peer about also.
"You grow mighty uneasy and suddenly too! Curse it, man, why this quick
alarm?"

"Now look you, Snaith--pah, forget the woman awhile and hark to
me!--Yonder somewhere in these cursed thickets creeps death for you and
me, for there cometh my damned cousin Japhet as stealthily, as quick and
deadly as any snake, ay, and as merciless. Well, shall he smite us
unseen as he hath done time and again?"

"Well," snarled the Captain, "what the plague would ye have me do?"

"Summon your company and let us march."

"Ay, and whither shall we march? I have rendezvous with Rogerson
hereabouts. In another hour 'twill be dark and what then? No, no, this
place is very well and here we camp, at the least I and my lady
Sweetlips; your lordship may camp where he will." So saying, he set a
whistle to his mouth and sounded a shrill note that was answered afar by
the bosun's twittering pipe; and after some while, with prodigious
rustle and scrambling amid the undergrowth, men appeared, twelve I
counted, and amongst these the little bosun, who approached the Captain,
knuckling an eyebrow.

"Bosun," said Snaith, glancing up and around, even as had Mr. John, "set
the lads to building me a lodge to shelter her ladyship's grace
to-night, and thereafter make camp and double the watch."

Obedient to the small bosun's hoarse roar, these ragged fellows stacked
their muskets and while some of them busied themselves cutting saplings
to constructing a hut, others set a fire a-going and I, seated beside
the brook, watched the stir and bustle about me, voicing silent prayers
for Japhet, his safety and my own deliverance; but even now, as I prayed
thus, came this Captain who, plucking me to my feet, set his arm about
me. Desperately I strove to free myself, only to feel his wicked arm
crushing the breath and strength from me; I struck at him passionately
but, laughing, he caught my wrist, turning and twisting my arm until I
nearly screamed with the pain of it.

"Come, weep!" said he gently. "Sigh, moan, plead, ye sweet vixen; pray
to me for mercy, beseech my kindness."

Dumbly I endured, looking wildly about for some one to aid me, but Mr.
John was nowhere in sight and such men as met my look leered or nodded,
chuckling. "Come, sweetheart," he laughed, "plead to be kissed--"

"The Innocent Blood! The Innocent Blood! 'Od rot ye for damned
murderer,--to hell, to hell, to hell!"

This dreadful screeching rang out so sudden, so loud and inhuman that
Captain Smith started, his cruel hold relaxed and then I was fleeing
towards the river, purposing in my extremity of despair to trust myself
to these death-infested waters rather than endure the unspeakable
abomination that threatened; but ere I might reach the river, mighty
arms seized and held me, whereat I screamed till merciless fingers
choked and dragged me back amid the undergrowth, and I looked up into
the black, grinning visage of the great Negro.

"Ay, so, Pompey lad," quoth Captain Snaith, leering down on me. "Choke
her squeaks and keep her out o' sight whiles I parley with whoso comes.
You, Tom and Pedro, stand by; we must have this canoe." So off he strode
riverwards, the two men lurking at his heels.

Now presently, though I could not see Doctor Swayne, I heard the beat of
his paddle drawing nearer and would have screamed a warning but for the
merciless fingers on my throat. And presently, sure enough, I heard
Doctor Swayne's voice (sounding very kindly familiar to poor me):

"Ashore there! What's to do?"

"Enough and to spare, sir," answered Snaith in his pleasant, hearty
tones. "But pray, who are you that asks, and in good English too?"

"Matthew Swayne am I, Brother, doctor o' medicine and surgery and friend
to all in need. But surely I heard a woman scream?"

"Ay, you did, sir, you did," answered Snaith, "a poor, distract creature
we found wandering solitary hereabouts and needeth your healing arts,
sir, as do certain o' my poor lads. So come ashore, my good sir; come
ashore and be right welcome."

Now presently, by the sounds ensuing, I guessed that good Doctor Swayne
was indeed coming ashore, and I would have shrieked him warning but this
monstrous Negro's cruel fingers cut off my breath, strangling me till
his rolling eyes, flashing teeth and great black visage loomed hugely on
my failing sight.

"Ha, will ye kill the wench, y' black spawn!" boomed a voice; then the
strangling fingers were gone and I upon my knees, gasping for very life.
And presently recovering somewhat, I saw the giant blackamoor crouched
and whimpering before the little fierce bosun; then I was up and running
for the river and thus suddenly beheld Master Swayne walking arm in arm
with Captain Snaith. At sight of me, the Doctor halted so suddenly that
the parrot on his shoulder fluttered his wings, to keep his balance.

"Lord of Mercy!" exclaimed Doctor Swayne and next moment I was in his
arms, gasping out my tale and beseeching his protection; nor did I cry
him in vain, for with one arm yet fast about me, he turned and fronted
Captain Snaith, looking from the smiling evil of him to the brutal faces
that hemmed us in; and his arm was strong about me and when he spoke,
his voice was loud and undismayed.

"Brothers," cried he, "shame not the women that bore ye; for sake o'
your own mothers harm not this woman. Brethren all, up aloft yonder
sitteth our God, very ware and watchful, to love or damn us, according
to our acts. So harm not this woman, lest Almighty God smite ye one and
all--death and damnation--Amen!"

Thus spoke this valiant Doctor Swayne, looking round upon these wild
fellows each and every and for a long moment was a strange hush; yea,
even Captain Snaith stood mute and then upon this awed silence rose the
parrot's screech:

"The Innocent Blood! The Innocent Blood! 'Od rot ye for damned murderer!
To hell, to hell, to hell!"

Scarce had this dreadful screaming died away than Captain Snaith
laughed.

"What then, bully lads," cried he, "shall silly bird preach us likewise?
Silence it, Pompey!"

The great blackamoor leapt to snatch, to twist at and wring the poor
fluttering creature in his cruel hands and, hurling it to earth, kicked
it to Doctor Swayne's feet; whereat Captain Snaith laughed:

"Come, doctor that, Master Surgeon, and cure it if you can."

Now looking down at this pitiful heap of broken feathers, "Well, now,"
sighed Doctor Swayne, "there lieth Conscience shall nevermore denounce
me--now what shall this portend?"

"No matter for this, sir," answered Snaith peremptorily, "there be
divers o' my bully lads do need your care--"

"This moment, Brother, if you'll show me where they lie."

"There be three lying i' the cave yonder. Black Pompey shall pilot
ye--and you can unhand young madam there; she and I are ripe for a
little pretty dalliance--" Doctor Swayne turned on the speaker so
suddenly that he blinked, but the evil smile on his bearded lips
widened.

"Come, Doctor," quoth he, "begone you to your surgery and leave this
luscious armful to me--"

"Never!" cried Doctor Swayne. "Never whiles I live. Oh, Iniquity--ha,
thou lewd beast ... oh, man, take heed what ye do, for this woman,
though she lie at thy mercy, is yet in the very hand o' the Lord, and
God is not mocked--"

"No more am I!" retorted Captain Snaith. "So be done wi' your babble;
loose me the woman and go. Well, do you obey, Master Swayne?"

"Yea, verily," he answered, raising clenched hand. "I humbly obey the
will o' God, which is to protect this Innocent whiles I live--"

"Pompey!" said the Captain softly, and made a small ugly gesture with
his thumb. I saw the great Negro crouch; I saw the glitter of steel, but
as he leapt, Doctor Swayne turned to front the menace, his protecting
arms above me wide-spread like a cross; I saw the flash of that
murderous steel, heard a slow-drawn, hissing breath and Doctor Swayne
sank slowly to his knees as if in prayer; then, swaying sidelong, lay
outstretched at my feet.

"God be praised ... my pilgrimage ... is ended," he gasped. "Fear
nothing, child, for--the Lord ... He watcheth thee--" The painful
whisper ended, the failing hands fumbled weakly and, knowing what they
sought, I opened the leathern bag at his girdle and, taking thence the
grisly thing it had hidden, set it in his grasp; and thus, with the
skull of his dead friend cherished to him, he smiled on me and so his
strange, brave spirit passed. And for a while (as it seemed) none of
that fierce company moved or spake, for I heard no sound, and no hand
touched me.

But this strange quiet was broken by the sudden report of firearms near
by and din of fierce shouting, but I, looking yet upon this good man so
suddenly dead, paid no heed till, roused by trampling feet and Captain
Snaith's voice upraised in shout of gloating triumph, I looked up and
thus beheld a crowd of men who cheered also and flourished swords and
muskets, and stumbling between them, his arms fast bound, his face
spattered with blood--my Japhet.




CHAPTER XLVII

SHOWETH HOW INDEED BLOOD IS THICKER THAN WATER


Crouched thus upon my knees, and now utterly despairing, I gazed up at
him and he (beholding me) seemed to despair also, for all heedless of
his own hurts, the fierce hands that dragged and wrenched at him so
cruelly and of Captain Snaith's beastly triumph, Japhet looked only at
me, uttering no word, but in his eyes I read such appeal, such agonized,
fearful question that rising to my feet:

"Japhet," said I, "my husband, I am yet thine own and with God's aid
will be so ever and always, or show thee now how an Englishwoman can
die--"

At this Snaith laughed very joyfully; cried he:

"Your wife, eh, Japhet? And a fine, proud piece, a right passionate
beauty; hast a true eye for womenkind, old shipmate, I mind. There was
yon raven-haired Spanish beauty, years agone, and now this golden Venus,
thy devoted wife. Watch now and see her kissed!"

But when he would have done so, I strove against him with such desperate
strength he must needs order them to tie my hands behind me; this done,
and I helpless, he took me in his arms and kissed me often and how he
would and indeed so shamefully that when at last he released me, I hung
my head nor dared so much as glance towards where stood Japhet so
dreadfully dumb and still.

By Captain Snaith's command we were brought where they had constructed
the little hut or lodge (as I have told) in remote part of the camp.

"Yon tree, lads," quoth the Captain, pointing, "seize him to yon tree and
lash him fast." And when the men had bound Japhet to this tree, at sign
from their Captain they left us, each and every, muttering together and
chuckling evilly,--only Pompey the great Negro remained.

"Well, Japhet, old shipmate," said the Captain in his hatefully jovial
voice, so soon as we were alone, "here's you that vowed my death and
hunted me so close; here's you fast by the heels to live awhile, ay,
long enough to see me tame this proud wife o' yours to greater kindness!
Look, Japhet man,--nay, damn ye, open your eyes and watch now or Pompey
shall cut off thine eyelids, old messmate--so open and watch, I say--"

"What, Snaith ... why, here's luck!" cried an exulting voice and forth
of the adjacent thickets stepped Mr. John. "By all that's marvellous,
'tis my damned cousin at last--his very self! Here's pure joy!" And upon
his face such look of hateful triumph as made me loathe and scorn him
even more than I did Captain Snaith (if this were possible). Having thus
spoken, he stepped where stood Japhet all helpless in his bonds, and
fetched him such buffet that I cried out on him; but all unheeding me:

"Ha, Japhet," he laughed, "what now of your damned arrogance and boasted
vengeance, eh, cousin--eh?"

"Enough, my lord, enough!" cried Captain Snaith. "Faith, you shall ha'
your way with our Japhet ere I end him, but for the present be so good
to leave us--"

"Eh--leave you, Snaith?" repeated Mr. John, "Why, how now; wherefore,
why, man, and to what purpose?"

"To most excellent and delightful purpose," laughed Captain Snaith,
setting his wicked arm about me. "Damme, Aldbourne, can't you see, man?
I and this fine lady would be alone with our watchful Japhet--three's
company, man, so off with ye awhile!" But here to my surprise, and most
thankful relief, Mr. John seated himself very deliberately and, looking
from Snaith to Japhet and back again, began to laugh. Now this laughter
seemed greatly to astonish Snaith (and no wonder), for he stood a moment
speechless and agape.

"Oh, perfect," gasps Mr. John, wiping his eyes. "Oh, most perfect!"

"Eh?" says Snaith, beginning to laugh also. "Eh, Aldbourne, you mean?
Nay, what a-plague do you mean?"

"That you have my envy, Snaith, and my admiration! That my damned cousin
must stand helpless to see his proud lady wife so used--here's that
shall sate even such hatred as mine--Snaith man, I salute you!" Here he
bowed very ceremoniously.

"Why, then," laughed Snaith, tightening merciless arms about me, for I
had begun to struggle against him, "help me bear this handsome rebel to
our love bower yonder--" And he began to drag me towards the little
lodge that stood over against Japhet's tree. But in this dreadful
moment, sick with despair, crying I know not what, I glanced towards
Japhet and beheld such miracle I misdoubted my very eyes for, even as I
cried upon him, his bonds fell away and, rubbing at numbed arms and
wrists, he spoke:

"Snaith," said he in dreadful, passionless voice, "let us make an end!
Here's death for you or me, Roger!"

Whirling me aside so fiercely that I stumbled and fell, Captain Snaith
turned at sound of these terrible words, but Japhet was on him or ever
he might shout--yet even so I heard a thin, strangling cry of: "Pompey!"

But this great Negro was crouched helpless on his knees before Mr. John,
staring wildly at the two long pistols that menaced him, for in Mr.
John's fierce eyes death glared ... and, beyond these two, Japhet and
Captain Snaith swayed, fast locked in furious grapple and naught to hear
but the muffled trampling of their feet.... I saw Snaith's features
contorted with a dire anguish, for Japhet's powerful fingers were about
his throat, choking him to silence, and on Japhet's face such hateful
look of joyous ferocity I covered my eyes not to see.... And presently,
though I scarce dared even glimpse them, they were down, their writhing
bodies twisted together and floundering and still that same ghastly
dumbness....

"Your knife, man!" cried Mr. John, in hoarse whisper, "quick, ere we're
surprised--the knife!"

"There's ... no ... need!"

I saw Mr. John's heavy pistol thwack down on Pompey's woolly crown, saw
his huge body sink beneath that vicious blow to lie all asprawl. Then my
hands were free and, with their arms about me, I was running between
them almost ere I knew it--running like one in a dream. And presently as
we sped thus, Mr. John gasped, questioning:

"Snaith? Dead? Is he?"

"I'll warrant ... him!" panted Japhet in answer. Then we had reached the
river, I was lifted into a canoe that shot out upon the waters all aglow
with sunset. And in this canoe I saw three or four muskets and, with
these, Japhet's own battleworn sword, the which I showed him, though he
did but nod his poor battered head at it and very listlessly and never a
word or look for me.

And now because I recognized this canoe (that it seemed was to prove our
salvation) for that same weather-beaten craft had borne Doctor Swayne so
many weary miles upon his Pilgrimage of Service, I bowed my head and
wept for him (though silently), whiles the sunset glory faded from the
wide waters about us and it was night.




CHAPTER XLVIII

WHICH IS A CHAPTER OF RECRIMINATION


So thus in Doctor Swayne's canoe (this ark of safety) we sped and all of
us very silent by reason (as I guess) of what had so lately befallen.

As for my poor trembling self, I lay huddled like one new awaking from
dreadful nightmare, for indeed to be translated thus suddenly from the
black abyss of despair to this blessed security and new joy of life had
bemused me quite beyond speech; thus, as I crouched silent betwixt these
two silent men, I could but think how God of His infinite mercy had
delivered me thus miraculously from shameful evils and a dreadful death
(and restored Japhet to me moreover) and thus, though my lips were dumb,
I poured out my very soul to God in a gratitude far beyond mere words.

I was yet rapt in this mute ecstasy of prayer when, to my shocked and
fearful amazement, Japhet brake forth to such fury of oaths and cursing
as struck and held me (for the moment) quite speechless; and, while I
yet sat thus dumb-struck, to my further wonderment Mr. John began to
laugh softly.

The moon was not up as yet and thus, glancing from him that had cursed
to him that laughed, I saw then no more than vague shapes against a
splendour of stars.

"In heaven's name," cried I, finding voice at last, "are you both gone
mad?" Here, finding they neither answered or so much as heeded me in the
least, I reproached them as methought they deserved:

"Think shame on yourselves," said I, looking from one dim shape to the
other, "to so curse and laugh when you should be crying your humble
thanks to God for this miracle He hath wrought to our so merciful
salvation!" Here, they proving yet dumb:

"But indeed," said I, turning towards Japhet, "I am still in very maze
of wonder how we are here thus all safe together again; indeed, 'tis
marvellous! For--oh, Japhet--one moment I saw you helpless and nigh
swooning in your cruel bonds and then you had snapped them asunder, were
free and had leapt to my deliverance. Ah, truly in that moment God must
have given you strength of giant--"

"Well--no, ma'am!" he answered in his hateful, sleepy voice, "I should
rather say 'twas our rogue Johnny's penknife."

"Oh!" gasped I, and then, "Oh, but I saw no knife--"

"Neither did Snaith, ma'm."

"John ... his knife?" I repeated. "Tell me how ... how?"

"'Twas when he struck and reviled me, ma'm, for while his left hand
smote, his right hand snicked my bound wrists asunder and into my
fingers slipped the knife."

"And 'twas Mr. John ... 'twas John did this?" cried I. "And now indeed I
mind how he kept the great blackamoor from you ... so 'twas Mr. John
that saved us--?"

"Ay, faith, ma'm; but for him, my wife would now be shamed to death and
myself dying by inches in torment ... but for Johnny! A woeful end to
both of us but for our damned Johnny! And there's the devilish irony of
it!"

Now at this I turned where Mr. John sat paddling, his dim form dimmer by
reason of my sudden tears.

"Oh, Mr. John," cried I, "oh, dear friend John, how cruelly I have
misjudged thee--"

"Never a whit!" snorted Japhet. "You judged him for rogue--"

"No, no!" cried I. "To-night, by perilling his life to our salvation a
new John is born and one that I must needs love and honour--"

"Honour, madam? 'Sdeath, shall five minutes or so offset and wipe out a
lifetime's black villainy then?"

"Yes!" quoth I fervently. "Despite all past hate and wrong, this John
saved thy life, Japhet, because he is in very truth a noble man. Have
you no kind word for him ... this John that saved me to thee, Japhet?"

"'Sdeath!" he broke in fiercely, "You harp on't! Johnny saved thee and
Johnny saved me! Johnny pours coals o' fire on my head, you pour fulsome
flatteries on his; ha, to the devil with Johnny--"

"Be silent!" cried I and then, leaning towards that speechless, dim-seen
figure in the bow:

"Mr. John," said I, "oh, John dear, for the cruel thoughts I have
harboured against thee, for all the harsh words I have ever spoken thee,
now do I humbly crave forgiveness--"

"Ha, damme!" exclaimed Japhet, "but you'll be for kissing him next."

"Why, so I will," I retorted, "if I may and when I may, for by heavens,
he shall be dear to me as a brother henceforth!"

Here Japhet seemed to choke and before he might grow articulate:

"And you," quoth I, "oh, Japhet, are you nowise grateful to him?"

"Ay, faith, ma'm," he snorted, "so passing grateful I could fetch him a
clout wi' my paddle very joyfully!" At this I was silent for very shame
of him (and he my husband!); then to shame was added hot anger that must
needs be spoken:

"So then," cried I, scornfully, "because your valiant cousin John dared
his life to save us from the dire evils your own foolhardy rashness
brought down on us, you, in your sullen pride and wicked hate, must
curse and swear and gibe at him instead of being humbly grateful to him
and--to our so merciful God!"

"Snoggers!" he exclaimed, in his coarse sailorman's voice, "So here's
our rogue Johnny in association with God, eh, ma'm! And lookee, my
poppet, all by reason of your own wilful folly and disobedience! 'Stead
of biding in safety, whiles Caripuna and I took toll o' yon rogues,
playing 'em Hell's delight, you must run yourself into Snaith's foul
clutches, whereupon I, be sure, must get myself rapped o' the sconce and
tied up like so much dunnage that Johnny may leap in and play Providence
to the helpless pair of us! And all, as I say, all by reason o' your own
curst wilfulness, ma'm!"

Here was a moment of silence and then, once again, I accosted that so
mute, dim-seen shape in the bow:

"Oh, John ... John my dear, pray you heed not this graceless Japhet
that, for all his manhood, showeth like sullen boy and yet is truly so
much better than he would have us think that, for my sake, John dear, I
humbly beg you'll forgive him!" Now this touched my sullen wretch on the
raw (as indeed I'd hoped it might) for he made such violent, furious
gesture as rocked the canoe.

"Forgive?" saith he, in strangling tone. "You plead rogue Johnny's
forgiveness ... on me?"

"Ay, most humbly!" said I. "And I now beg your silence that he may
speak, if he kindly will."

And presently, swaying easily to his paddle, John made answer, and in
his voice a wistfulness that touched me strangely:

"Ursula ... sweet child, your generous, loving thoughts of me are such
joy I must needs wish myself more worthy. As to your Japhet, he hath my
sympathy, for 'tis evident he feels as I felt when he hauled my
miserable, half-dead carcass out of the morass. To hate properly the
enemy that hath saved one's life is something awkward, as I know, and
the ready ability to express gratitude to one's approved enemy smacks
more of heaven than earth, and alas, Ursula, I am of the earth very
earthy and Japhet is--Japhet."

"Why then," said I and stopped suddenly as, from the dark mysteries
behind us, rose a distant shouting pierced by many shots in rapid
succession, a vague, wild hubbub that spoke of desperate strife.

"Yon should be Snaith's villains," said John, ceasing to paddle.

"Ay, so I think," answered Japhet, also ceasing to paddle. "Now what
shall ha' set them by the ears? Hark to the rogues ... death's busy
among 'em ... but how and why?"

"Hostile Indians mayhap," says John.

"And yet to my knowledge there are none such hereabouts."

"Oh, pray let us go on!" said I, for borne by the current that seemed to
be against us, we were drifting backward.

"Nay but," said Japhet, in his dogged fashion, "why should the rogues be
in such ploy--?"

"And hark to yon scream!" said John. "One surely died then, eh, Japhet?"

"Ay, like enough. And lookee, such lawless crew will quarrel because
they be drunk, or for women, or--Ursula, what o' your jewels?" Now at
this, I clapped hands to my bosom and cried out in dismay for, sure
enough, my doeskin bag with its treasure of gems was gone; as, nigh
weeping, I told him.

"Why, then all's explained, Ursula; your loss is death yonder."

"And pray," questions John, "what like are these jewels?"

"Diamonds, pearls and what not," answered Japhet, "gems she had of
Yupanaqui and worth a king's ransom, as the saying goes. Now had I but
my trusty Caripuna to my back, I'd go chance their recovery, for when
Roguery fights, Honesty may come by its own. But Caripuna should be at
Bartlemy's Bay by now, I reckon."

"Well, I am here," says John.

"You?" saith Japhet.

"Myself!" answers John.

"Hum!" quoth Japhet in musing voice; then up came the moon and these
two eyeing each other in its waxing radiance. "Wouldst adventure it,
John?"

"Ay, with all my heart!" Here again they viewed each other eye to eye in
the brilliant moonlight, and Japhet's poor swollen face all ghastly with
dried blood:

"Why then," says he at last, and with sudden, odd-sounding laugh, "'bout
ship, Johnny man, and let's to it." But now I cried out on them, vowing
all the jewels in the world were not worth such hazard; but to no
purpose, for saith Japhet:

"These jewels were thine, Ma'm Bly, and what's thine is mine, and 'tis
in my mind we shall sorely need such fortune one day. Also 'tis just
possible Snaith may be crawling yet, since such vermin do ever die
hard."

"This is madness!" cried I, for they had turned the canoe and now we
were speeding back and much faster than we had come. "And you are sick
with your hurts, Japhet!"

"Faith, I never felt heartier."

"Japhet, you rush upon destruction."

"This is as may be, ma'm, but for the nonce, sweet poppet, be seen and
not heard."

And now we went in silence save for the ripple of these moon-bright
waters, for the night was windless and very still; also the sounds of
distant fight had died all away. High above us rode a great moon and in
such splendour that all things showed very clear and marvellous
distinct.

After some while Japhet steered us close inshore where the moon's
radiant beams might not reach us, and in the shadow of mighty trees
crept we, and now with scarce a ripple. Presently rounding a bend I saw
again, though at some distance, that same little bay where Doctor Swayne
had died so nobly and I had endured so much, that now I trembled anew
and grew faint at mere sight of it, though it showed all deserted and no
sound to hear; then it was hidden from me and our canoe touched the
shore. So we landed, all three of us, and stood a long moment to listen,
scarce breathing, yet naught to hear save the soft rippling murmur of
these flowing waters. Then, having belted on his sword, Japhet caught up
two pistols from the canoe and glancing at their primings, spoke
low-voiced:

"Ursula, once again I bid you wait and stir not. And do you, John--"

"Well?" saith John, whispering.

"See to it she obeys." So saying, he took a step or so away from us,
hesitated and, coming back again, with sudden awkward gesture laid his
hand on his cousin's shoulder, peering him close in the eyes:

"She ... will be safe in thy care, Johnny man," he murmured and so was
presently gone and with never a sound. And when we had stood some while
listening in an ever-growing anxiety, looking great-eyed on one another
and round about:

"Oh, John," I whispered, slipping my hand within his arm, "to wait
thus--and wait! I grow sick with foreboding!... This dreadful place ..."

"And yet," said he softly and staring down at the pistol in his hand, "I
would be no other where."

"But there is evil here; I feel it all about us! Oh, Japhet is mad,
wicked to run such cruel, desperate chance!"

"And yet," murmured John, his gaze still bent upon the weapon he held,
"I would give all I possess, all that I am, to stand in Japhet's shoes."

"John," said I, shivering, "I think Death is very near us to-night and
so I had rather you stand beside my Japhet henceforth, until Death take
us,--his loved and trusty friend."

"Ah, sweet soul," sighed he, bowing his head, "can there ever be
friendship 'twixt such men as Japhet and I? Can such trespass as mine
ever be forgiven?"

"Oh, surely!" said I. "If it be truly repented ... and Death so very
nigh."

"Repentance, child? Remorse? These are but words, and regrets all vain
except a man live to prove himself and win remission; but for this I'd
be quit of life nor repine, since life hath so little to offer me--"

Then my heart leapt, as forth of the shadows stepped Japhet, who stood
looking at us silently a moment like one in troublous perplexity.

"John," says he, coming softly nearer and speaking below his breath,
"how many went in Snaith's company?"

"Seven that were able besides Snaith and myself, and three that lay sick
of their hurts; all that you and your Indians had left of them."

"Ten!" murmured Japhet, glancing this way and that. "Well, there be nine
of 'em dead yonder but on none of them the jewels and besides, which is
most damnable, Snaith's not among them."

"But zounds, Japhet, you made so sure of him."

"Ay, faith, Johnny, I did my best with him, but the devil protects his
own, they say, and villainy dies hard."

"Why, then he's there, Japhet, and you've missed him. Let's go see."

"Come then," said Japhet, drawing my hand within his arm. "And Ursula,
close your eyes when I bid, for these rogues that showed ill enough in
life look worse in death, my lass."

So went we, and very silently all three, until I saw again that little
lodge (that is such hateful yet unforgettable memory); and though Japhet
bade me shut my eyes, I needs must cast a horrified glance hither and
yon, where the bright moon revealed shapes asprawl or dreadfully
contorted with ghastly faces that stared wide-eyed on vacancy.

And in this moment I remembered Doctor Swayne's dying prophecy and
beholding thus its terrible fulfilment, I blenched and, turning aside,
sank down where kindly foliage screened these stark horrors from my
sight; while Japhet and John busied themselves in their hideous task.
But soon they were back and mighty gloomy.

"Nine, eh, Johnny? All here, excepting Snaith and one other, eh,
Johnny?"

"Snaith and the bosun, yes. 'Tis evident they've won off with your
treasure. And now what, Japhet?"

"You and Ursula to the canoe, whiles I make a last search."

At this I would have rebelled but seeing Japhet's grim ferocity of look,
I held my peace and went beside John, very meekly obedient.

Now scarce had we glimpsed the river, for the foliage was very dense
hereabouts, than I beheld dim shapes that flitted upon the marge.

"Oh, John--!" I gasped, for our canoe was taking the water; but even
while I cried his name, John leapt before me as came a roaring flash
from below, and thereafter Captain Snaith's hateful, mocking laugh; then
John was down and I, on my knees beside him, was aware of other shots,
hoarse cries, the clash of furious steel.

"Yonder!" gasped John. "Yonder--see, Japhet's at them and I useless as a
cursed log--"

But look I dared not, so instead I bent above John, striving to check
the blood that dabbled him. And presently beside me was Japhet.

"Leave him to me and take you this!" says he, and into my hands thrust
the bag of jewels but, with scarce a look, I set it by, all my eyes for
Japhet's quick, capable hands, and the pallid pain-contorted face of
this man that had made his body my shield.

"Is he badly hurt?" I whispered. "Oh, is he dead?"

"Alas ... no!" sighed John, with wry smile. "For egad my exit would
resolve many difficulties. Yet am I sufficiently the invalid ... to
claim ... the promised kiss ... I never had. Eh ... Japhet?" Forthwith I
knelt and stooped but when I would have kissed him indeed, he swooned
away.




CHAPTER XLIX

IN WHICH WE START ON THE LAST STAGE OF OUR JOURNEY


I had kindled a fire and boiled water for Japhet's surgery and was now
cooking supper, glancing very often towards that moonbright corner where
he was yet busied with our poor invalid; and now, what with our present
situation and all that had befallen me so lately, I could have wept for
very weariness; but, as I sat thus woeful, presently cometh Japhet and
his poor bruised face so worn and haggard, his air so strangely deject
that I straightway hid my own despondency, greeting him cheerfully as I
might, whereat he looked down on me with smile sadder than any tears.

"Oh, my dear," I murmured, reaching out my hand to him, "is it John?
Will he die?"

"No, no," he answered in his gentlest fashion. "John is well
enough--better than I dared hope; the ball took him just beneath the
shoulder, cleanly in and out, a pretty wound as such things go, for by
some miracle no bone is touched."

"Japhet, that same bullet was aimed at me but John saw--"

"What again, lass? The plaguey fellow must be for ever at it; saving the
life o' my spouse becometh a habit with him.... But as for me, I
suffered Roger Snaith to escape me and he's away to meet Rogerson and
bring him and his rogues down upon us, and what think you of this,
Ursula?"

"That God is merciful, Japhet, for thou art with me."

"I?" exclaimed he very bitterly, "I that brought thy sweet body into
such vile jeopardy! I that have to thank another man for thy salvation!
Canst yet have faith in this poor futile thing called Japhet?"

"Ah, my dear, never doubt it," said I, drawing him down to sit beside
me. But now, instead of setting masterful arm about me, he sits gazing
on the fire more haggardly woeful than ever.

"Ursula," says he, with a strange new diffidence, "I that never doubted
myself in all my troublous days am full of doubt.... I begin to know
myself for sorry failure and random fool.... I that would have played
Providence am become the merest slave of circumstance.... Ineptitude on
two legs am I!"

Now perceiving him thus so beyond nature humble (and this of all men!),
I knew not how to answer or comfort him, so gave him to eat instead. So
we began to sup together in a silent yet (to me) sweet communion.

"And your precious jewels, ma'm?" he questioned, after some while. "Hast
taken 'em to thy heart again? Nest they 'twixt those sweet--?"

"No!" I answered, shivering, "nor ever shall again. They are under the
tree yonder with John's sword and pistols."

"Zounds! And why there?"

"They are fouled with the blood of nine men."

"Ay, lass, and many others, like as not. Yet shall they twinkle as
prettily and fetch as good a price."

"Well, I'll have none of them, Japhet."

"Oh, ma'm? And because nine lie dead yonder and rogues all? However,
they saved one life to-night."

"You mean Captain Snaith?"

"Ay, I do, for when I might have dispatched him, 'stead of running sword
through him, I snatched from him your jewels. So the rascal lives and,
which is worse, lives but to win 'em back, for he knoweth their value
and such lure shall certainly bring him to his own death--or ours. Ay,
back he shall come, and with Rogerson and his rogues besides; they had
rendezvous hereabouts.... So hither shall they come, soon as they may,
to track and hunt us for these gems o' price--"

"Then let us leave them and go!" cried I, upstarting in panic.

"And the sooner the better!" saith he, rising also. "We must to the
heights yonder and bear away till we find some place apt for defence,
where we may lie close until Caripuna bring hither Barnaby and our
comrades."

"But ... oh, what of poor John?"

"Eh--John?" said he in hateful voice and scowling round on me. "Shall I
peril life and wife for sake of age-long enemy? Canst think me such
almighty fool, Ursula?"

Now for a moment I stood dumb; then I knew, and all my doubts were swept
clean away and my heart swelled with a great new gladness.

"Yes, Japhet," I answered, well-nigh weeping. "Oh, I do ... I do indeed.
I know thee at last, thou very man! And, sure am I thy so godlike folly
shall lift us to our paradise. It is to the arms of such noble fool I
would come home at last to lie secure ... a woman so blessed that ... my
Japhet ... I may not tell--" Then his arms were round me and mine about
his neck.

"Ursula," he murmured, "thou lovely thing, these arms be all unworthy to
hold thee ... but, my dear, thy gentle faith verily hath wrought in me
such miracle these same arms shall bear John to safety or never know
again the joy to hold thee close upon my heart." Now at this, be sure I
kissed him and all my heart and soul in it, as I have never kissed in
all my life, and for a while we forgot all else in the world until,
hearing a cough behind us, we turning stood amazed, for there beyond the
fire stood John armed and equipped for travel, and though he showed very
pale and leaned heavily on the long musket he clutched, he smiled on us
right cheerily.

"Well, Japhet," says he in hearty voice, "here am I ready to march
whenso you give the word."

"Eh--march?" quoth Japhet, frowning. "Why so you shall, Johnny, back to
bed. Art nowise fit for such hard travel and can't be yet awhile, wi'
that hole in your shoulder."

"Tut, man!" laughs John. "And again tut, tut! You shall find me able as
willing, and ready to prove it this very moment. I warned you how Snaith
told me he waited here for Rogerson; well let us not argue on our going
but incontinent be gone. And here, Ursula, thy treasure o' jewels. I
peeped at them, are such as roguery will slay and die for."

"And so, John," said I, recoiling, "I'll have none of them ... and my
pretty bag so hideously spoiled." Thus I refusing to touch the thing,
Japhet took and thrust it into the breast of his worn jerkin.

So after some while, John proving deaf to all argument and importuning
us to begone, Japhet chose such firearms as he needed from those dead
men whiles I, with John's assistance, collected store of provisions and,
with a great moon very bright above us, forth we set on this the last
part and most painful of our journey. And this indeed a journey that was
to bring us to our deaths or to safety at last; and for two of us a joy
I scarce dared think on lest it prove in the end no more than empty
dream.

Yet such dreams may verily inspire us to achievements almost beyond our
strength and impossible without them, as did this dream of mine, as you
shall now be told.




CHAPTER L

TELLETH OF A MIRACLE


Little heart have I or power of words to describe justly the pain and
travail and all we endured upon the last part of this journey; or how we
climbed precipitous slopes, fighting our way through dense and thorny
tangles with brief respites by reason of John's weakness or while Japhet
hewed us passage with his sword.

On and ever on went we, often reeling with weariness, faint with heat
and burning with the agonies of thirst, so that there were times I
yearned for somewhat to trip my aching feet that I might fall and lie,
to know a while the blessed surcease of all effort; and sometimes I
seemed half aswoon, stumbling blindly on (I scarce knew how) until came
Japhet's ready hand or powerful arm to aid me, with John's voice to gasp
me brave encouragement.

Now because all travail and suffering doth show us all (yea, each one of
us), for what we truly are, the latent strengths and foibles of our
characters, our hidden qualities good and evil, so we three poor
wayfarers learned to estimate and know each other passing well, and
beyond all doubting.

And the more we endured, the more I admired at these men my two
companions and loved them (though in different fashion, to be sure). For
now indeed my Japhet showed himself so truly gentle; and certain it is
that without his wisdom to guide us, we must have gone astray to perish
miserably in these trackless wilds, and without his resolute spirit to
hearten us and bodily strength to aid our own, we must have sunk down,
many's the time, in such agony of weariness that death (howso he came)
must have been welcome relief.

And as for John, this so patient, much-enduring John, courageous in his
pain, he uttered no word of dolour or complaint but rather made light of
it all, mocking at his own weakness, dubbing himself "Grandfather," "The
hoary Ancient!" and the like, and when strength failed him altogether so
that he fell, as was often the case, he would smile up at us from
pain-contorted face, to beg our forgiveness on an aged dodderer's
tottering limbs and presently be up again to drag his failing body on
and on until he would sink down once more and lie to gasp maledictions
on his "doddling legs." At the which times we would sit beside him if we
chanced to be sheltered from the sun's heatful glare (and I mighty
thankful); or, setting by the two muskets he carried, Japhet would
gather him in his arms, swing him to broad shoulder and bear him to rest
awhile in the cool shade.

Now to see Japhet stooped thus under him that had been his so hated
enemy, to hear poor, fainting John alternate feebly protestant, cursing
his weakness and murmuring his gratitude, and Japhet cheerily bidding
him to "Belay his jaw-tackle, stow his clack and avast,"--all this so
wrought on poor weary me that I forgot my own sick fatigue (or very
nearly).

For two days we had tramped thus and John, to my anxious eyes, showing
ever feebler, so that although at last Japhet had brought us to an
Indian track and our going now much easier, we made but small
progress ... a long, long day that is to me now but a blurred memory of
suffering ending in night of deathlike slumber.

So came the third day that I am never likely to forget. We had been
afoot since dawn and more than once, as we trudged so painfully and
slow, I had noticed how keenly Japhet seemed to be listening as for
distant sounds and how, often now, when we had laboured up some steep
ascent, he would bid us lie and rest whiles he would climb to some point
of vantage whence he might look back across the weary miles we had
traversed, or stare away at the now distant river lying small and far
below us. All this, be sure, waked in me an ever-growing dread, the
which I strove to dissemble and yet my Japhet saw for, beckoning me
beside him, whiles John took brief rest:

"My dear," says he, pointing me afar, "look now and tell me if you see
anything yonder."

"Only this dreadful wilderness!" I sighed. "What should I see?"

"Ay--what!" says he, with sigh like a groan and methought strangely
dismal in him.

"Do you mean ... oh, Japhet, are we followed?"

"Do we not expect to be?" says he grimly; then setting arm about me.
"Ursula," says he very tenderly, "art valiant soul and mine own trusty
comrade, so will I confess, this morning early I thought to see a flash
very far off yonder, a flash that came and was gone. Mayhap it was but
fancy and I--no, by God, 'tis there again--dost see it?"

"Yes!" I gasped, clinging to him in sudden dread. "Japhet what is it?

"Steel, my dear, a sword blade or musket barrel. Yonder is Snaith with
Rogerson and his rogues to hunt us down."

"Then yonder is death."

"Ay, beyond doubt; except John be suddenly healed, grow him wings, or
some other miracle befall."

"Why then," said I, "for such miracle I'll pray."

"Art very fearful, Ursula?"

"Not with you beside me," I answered boldly as I might; but seeing how I
trembled, he clasped me a little wildly then held me close in strange,
desperate fashion, and having kissed me:

"Come, lass ... sweet valiant comrade, let us march whiles we may."

So on we went again and I now, my weariness whelmed in such affright,
yearning to run. Thus trudged we speedily as we might, though poor
John's breath laboured painfully and he staggered ever and anon, despite
Japhet's ready arm; then all at once he groaned, stumbled and pitched
headlong, to lie like one at point of death, for he made no least effort
to rise. And looking up at us with haggard eyes, he yet contrived to
smile, speaking us in most pitiful gasps:

"Japhet ... here's the end! I'm done! Poor Grandad's legs can wag no
more.... And so Japhet for ... your sweet wife's sake waste no more time
for me ... off with ye now ... leave me a musket and ... brace of
pistols. I'll hold yon roguery in ploy a while and so for Ursula's
sake--go, man, go!"

"Go, is it?" quoth Japhet grimly. "Lord love thee, John, Ursula would
never leave thee so--'tis plaguey wilful spouse."

Now at this John turns to me, pleading so earnestly that I would be gone
that presently seeing all his arguments and passionate entreaties vain,
his poor eyes filled with tears and, taking my hand, he kissed it,
entreating me still; so that I must needs weep too and kissing his
haggard cheek:

"Hush thee now, John," said I, "hush thee like a good child," and so set
myself to make him as comfortable as I might.

Now the place where he had fallen was beneath a great rock that jutted
out above the track, and in this kindly shade I sat beside him and,
having eased him of his belt and cumbrous sword, was minded to bathe his
hands and face with some of our precious water, so called to Japhet who
carried our water bottle (and so much beside); and presently he
answered, but from somewhere high in the air above us; and then he hails
again, crying very joyfully:

"Ursula, Ursula, by heaven, here's your miracle!"

"Where?" cried I, starting to my feet. "Oh, where?"

"Bide a moment and you shall see." So back he comes, leads me out from
the shade of this great rock and, turning aside from the track, shows me
how this same huge crag towered mightily aloft, all clothed and clinged
about by bush and flowering vines to the very summit, amid which
trickled a little pretty fall of water right pleasant to see; and now,
pushing in amid these bushes, he begins to climb, bidding me follow. So
up I clambered easily enough and coming thus upon the very summit of
this great rock, beheld a small green plateau that trended down to a
little cave and hard beside this, upwelling from the rock itself, a
bubbling spring.

"So here's your miracle, sweetheart!" saith he, glad-eyed as any
care-free boy. "A cave to shelter us, abundance of sweet water and a
sure defence. Here's stronghold whence we may command the country round
about, a place we may defend 'gainst any odds till the crack o' doom--or
our food be done. So--item food ... flesh and fruits and plenty on't.
But first to get Johnny up aloft here...."

So down went we forthwith to tell of this God-sent refuge to John who,
instantly protesting himself able, got to his legs and would have fallen
but for our help. None the less he must essay the climb and, with
desperate effort, achieved the summit at last, only to sink half
swooning in Japhet's arms. But the sweet water revived him and when
Japhet had washed and dressed his hurt he must sit near by while we set
about clearing the little cave and making it habitable. This done, we
took stock of our resources and found them to be these; to wit:

A constant supply of spring water.

Enough meat (buccanned) to last us three days; but as Japhet said, great
plenty of fruits, as ocas, wild grapes, ananas and the like, growing
everywhere around us.

To our defence and further comfort:

    2 swords.
    2 muskets.
    4 pistols.
    104 bullets (assorted) in a bag.
    3 powder horns (replete).
    2 long belt knives.
    1 tinder box.
    1 gold-handled penknife (this I claimed and have now,
      since as hath been told it was the means, through John,
      of our escape).
    1 small looking glass in a case (very battered).
    1 ivory comb.
    1 small brush for the teeth.
    3 needles with hank of thread and a sailor's palm.
    A length of small cord.

A vast treasure of gems (and no manner of use to us).

These last mine and I very glad I had not thrown them away as often
tempted so to do.

These, then, were all our worldly possessions and we three poor
fugitives mightly content therewith; but indeed, to lie thus at ease so
hidden and secure, we were all uplift and wondrous cheerful, and in my
heart infinite gratitude to that merciful God had proved our saviour so
often of late.

"Well," says Japhet, lying outstretched beside John in cool shadow of
the little cave, "here are we, God be thanked!"

"Amen!" sighed John fervently. "And now what, Japhet?"

"Here shall we remain till Barnabas and our good comrades come to our
relief."

"How shall they find us in this vastness?"

"I shall signal them with smoke."

"'Tis marvellous hiding place, Japhet; yon rogues shall pass by--ay,
verily beneath us, all unsuspecting."

"True enough, John, except they have Indians to track us."

"Well and how then?"

"We must fight. For these Indians being wild creatures, Johnny, have
senses strung to finer pitch than ours ... the faintest smudge or reek
o' smoke, a broken twig, a stone newly displaced and 'tis enough." Here
was silence a while and we lying in a sweet beatitude of drowsiness, all
three.

"I'm wondering," says John suddenly, "pray, Japhet, how many Indians
fought for you in those deadly night attacks on Snaith's company?"

"A notable warrior, once a chief, called Caripuna."

"Eh--one man Japhet ... one only, sayst thou?"

"But this same one right cunning in Indian strategy, John, and
marvellous war-wise."

"Why then, Japhet, with one man shouldst defy all attacks on such place
as this, ay, even though this man be no better than hoary patriarch or
feeble as doddlish granddad."

"Ay," says Japhet, getting afoot with joyous laugh. "I'll warrant us,
John--thou and I." Now at this, I saw John's pale cheek flush and his
eyes shine as he gazed where stood Japhet busied repriming his musket.

"What now, Japhet?" I enquired.

"I'm off a-hunting to fill the pot, lass, or at the least gather store
of fruits to add to our stock, for we were wise to fit us 'gainst a
siege. Do you light a fire and cook supper against my return."

"A fire? But 'twill be seen."

"Not in this sheltered hollow, comrade. Besides, Snaith and his rogues
are too far away to trouble us this twelve hours, I judge. So to it,
lass, and with a will--a stew--ha? For zounds, ma'm, I'm famished, and
so art thou and Johnny, or should be." So saying, he slung his musket
about him, waved his hand to us and vanished down the steep.

Now whiles I busied myself about these duties, when John begged he might
aid me, I bade him lie still and talk to me instead; and so we held
communion on this wise:

     JOHN:    Well, Ursula, of late I have thought of myself as so much
              better dead, and this for divers reasons, that last night
              judging you and Japhet asleep, I would have rid you of my
              useless self and myself of this growing irksomeness called
              "life." But Japhet saw--the fellow must sleep with eyes and
              ears wide--reft from me the pistol and put me on my honour
              (mark that!) to endure my allotted span. So do I live--

     MYSELF:  Thank God!

     JOHN:    Nay, my dear soul, why such passion of gratitude? For,
              according to all rules canonic and ideas of justice
              romantical, I should have died repentant, with you to weep
              and Japhet to forgive. Or, better still, I should have made
              my final exodus out yonder, in fight against innumerable
              foes, passing to my account with flourish heroical,--yes,
              faith, this had been purely romantic--

     MYSELF:  Nay, John my dear, do not mock; thou art surely preserved
              thus alive to some good purpose.

     JOHN:    Ay, child, but--to what? The Almighty and Japhet alone do
              know.

     MYSELF:  And Japhet is changed, John, changed as greatly as you and
              I.

     JOHN:    Am I indeed so changed?

     MYSELF:  Oh, beyond belief; so are you henceforth my best-loved
              friend. Truly we are all of us changed, John, and no wonder,
              for here in the perils and hardships of this wild and cruel
              land, the Lord hath revealed Himself in the power of His
              might and infinite mercy, and I think hath touched our
              hearts, mine own at least.

Thus we talked until night was at hand and I growing anxious for Japhet,
when we heard his cheery hail and, peeping down from our eyrie, I saw
him heavy laden from his hunting.

"Heave me the line, messmate!" says he; the which I did.

"Now haul away!" cried he and I obeying, up came three birds he had
shot, two of them very large; and after these a small pig, so very
smooth and pink it daunted me; but as he told me, cut in strips and
cured in the sun, here was meat should last us our needs, or thereabout.

Supper done, he brings me where, from our lofty haven, we might look
across this vast expanse of country that stretched away and away, a
dim-seen mystery, for the moon had not risen as yet; suddenly as my
baffled gaze swept this wide emptiness, I espied a red spark, another
and then another, and knowing these for our pursuers' watchfires, stole
my hand into Japhet's firm clasp.

"They are a great way off," said I.

"Ay, but to-morrow," says he, lifting my hand to kiss it, "you shall see
them as far below us or ... twinkling all about us ... but my dearest,
however it be, I thank God for your sweet, strong faith and power of
prayer. Come now, get thee to bed, messmate, and--forget not thy
prayers."

And this night, lying within our little cave where I might see the glory
of stars and hear the drowsy murmurs of Japhet and John to one another,
despite this threat of shameful horror and death that was to come down
upon us on the morrow, I knew the bliss of sweet and dreamless sleep.




CHAPTER LI

HOW WITH THE THREAT OF DEATH CAME GREAT JOY


All next morning we were busied, I about my house-wifely duties, Japhet
and John with the cutting up and curing of their meat, etc. And here I
must needs set down how that, labouring thus, I felt a strange, new
gladness, for there was about this refuge of ours such feeling of home,
such sense of sweet intimacy and peace (after all our dangers past) that
(and despite all dangers to come) my heart was marvellous uplift; also I
heard Japhet, once or twice, fall a-singing his song of Yo-ho, and
methought more blithely than ever before.

Having despatched their business with the meat, he and John went to and
fro about our small demesne, talking and arguing together and taking
further means to our defence.

"Though faith, Johnny man," says he cheerily, "we can do no more than
Nature hath already. For, lookee, we can be secure from their shot, and
they can assail us but at two points, here by this rift above the path
and yonder by the spring. At none other place is any foothold or chance
of escalade, d'ye see--no, not even for an Indian, if Indians they have,
which God forbid."

Thus passed the morning of this so fateful day.

So came high noon and dinner, whereafter Japhet brings me into a
sheltered nook he called his armoury and here showed me how to charge,
ram and prime musket and pistol. And now it was that John called to us
softly, whence he stood watching the path; so to him sped we, my poor
heart beating double time, though indeed no eyes could possibly espy us
on this eminence (except eyes of bird) for the kindly rock itself made
us a natural rampire all round about and this thick grown with tangled
vines.

A steely glitter amid the boskage afar ... another and another. A vague
stir like gentlest wind amid leaves.

"Well," says Japhet, and I wondered to hear his voice so untroubled,
"yonder they come, Johnny man; art ready for 'em?"

"Never doubt me, Japhet."

"I don't, John, I don't! Though if it come to fighting, how you can use
that shoulder passes me."

"I'll contrive if needs must."

"To be sure, we've reduced the inflamation, John; it should be
easier--ha?"

"It is. Thou'rt no mean surgeon, Japhet."

"And thou'rt mighty responsive patient." Thus talked they while that
vague stir grew to hoarse, unlovely murmur.

Flash and flicker much nearer now and yet advancing so very leisurely I
wished with every throb of my heart they might hurry and our dreadful
suspense be the sooner ended.

"Stir not," said Japhet softly, "nor so much as cock musket, Johnny,
till needs must. The question now being--is there aught to betray us, or
shall they march on all unsuspecting? See how the crass fools straggle!
Ha, damme, but with twenty such as Caripuna, we might scatter and drive
'em to the devil!"

Jingle and clash with muffled tramp of many feet.... A hoarse
droning ... a harsh mutter swelling nearer, louder, shouts, laughter,
a snatch of song, a waxing hubbub.

And now we beheld them, a wild, unordered company, white, yellow and
black, ragged and travel-worn or dight in tarnished finery. On they came
up the narrow steep ascent towards us, a fierce company weary and spent
with hard going, with dreadful babblement of breathless cursing. And
foremost of all, one arm in a sling, his comely, evil face swathed in
bloody clout, strode Captain Snaith and beside him a swart, squat man
in wide-eaved feathered hat, a plump man who scowled and panted bitter
invective.

"I say a curse o' this plaguey land travel, Roger! I say we'm out of our
natural element, by Satan! We should ha' kept to the river and my boats,
damme, 'stead o' this hell-fire labour o' marching,--"

"You was ever a thick-pated fool, Rogerson my hearty!" retorted Snaith
in his clear, ringing tones. "How, i' the fiend's name, shall we achieve
that we would except we come up with Japhet? Damn him! And how come up
with him by water and he ashore, my poor lob-lolly lad and be damned?"

"Well, heave to, Roger, bring up in shade o' this rock. Ahoy, bosun,
pipe down." So saying, Rogerson and Snaith, with such of their fellows
as might, got them out of the heat into the shadow of our rock and
though we could thus see nothing of them, the hoarse mutter of their
voices came up to us.

Now all this time I had been counting these men as they advanced and had
already told seventy-nine when Japhet's touch arrested me and glancing
whither he directed, I saw, flitting amid these dense boskages to right
and left of the path, feathered heads and stealthy shapes of Indian
warriors; I caught but a glimpse of them ere they vanished amid the
thickets and, look how I would, saw no more of them, which put me in
great hope Japhet's estimate of their powers might prove wrong.

But now our enemies, halted thus, lay sprawled wearily, and all about us
the lewd clamour of them troubling the reverent hush of these primeval
solitudes most vilely. For some half hour as I guess (and this for me a
seeming eternity) they lay thus beneath and all around our refuge; then
a pipe shrilled, hoarse voices commanded, other voices shouted and
cursed, as with clash and jingle they mustered themselves and tramped
heavily on their way, and I watching them in joyous relief until the
forest had hidden the last of them. So I turned and stood appalled to
see a tall Indian come leaping at us, brandishing an axe; then Japhet,
knife in hand, had met him and, avoiding the axe's glittering sweep,
closed with him. But as they swayed fast grappled, from the Indian's
throat rose that same terrible, wavering battle scream that ended in
dreadful choking and he was down; then, o'erleaping his antagonist's
still form, Japhet was crouching at that point of danger beside the
bubbling spring and now, instead of knife, he grasped levelled pistol,
for the dead Indian's battle cry had been taken up by other such
outcries from below that shrilled upon the air all about me.

"Well, John, here's battle and sudden death!" cried Japhet. "So aim
true, Johnny, and aim low--" even as he spoke, his pistol gushed flame
and smoke, above which I glimpsed the contorted face of an Indian that
vanished as I looked. And now John's musket roared beside me and to us
came Japhet, very cheerfully serene to peer down over our rampire
(whereupon an arrow whizzed up past his head) and to clap John upon the
back.

"John," says he, "so long as we ha' strength to wield sword or pull
trigger, no man may reach us here and live."

"But the Indian," says I, "by the spring--"

"Ay, faith, dear soul, there fool Japhet was like to ha' failed thee;
'twas right damnable! I should have been on my post wary as John here."

"But, Japhet, it is so easy to climb."

"True enough, but no man may climb such steep and climbing fight.
Howbeit, I might contrive to close and secure it somewhat."

So saying, he goeth where lies his dead Indian and dragging the body to
that water-worn crevice, begins to wedge it therein very horridly, so
that I turned my back and taking up his discharged pistol, began to
reload it. In the midst of this business, I was alarmed by such
ferocious outcries, such jubilant cheering and triumphant fierce
halloo, my poor hands so shook I could scarce hold the pistol;
perceiving which, down sat Japhet to do this for me.

"Courage, lass," says he; "yon rogues shall pipe different tune anon.
And oh, Ma'm Bly," says he, murmuring, "if we win safe out o' this,--as
we shall, thy poor, meek Japhet shall so kiss thee, that vivid mouth,
thy deep, shy-sweet eyes, the smooth, soft whiteness of thee, he shall
forget all his meekness and humility awhile and teach thee thou'rt no
more than merest Ma'm Bly. So think on this and 'stead of trembling at
yon howling roguery, shiver for thy future self and Japhet, Madam Bly!"
While thus he spoke, the fearsome uproar had been growing louder and now
was added the rapid explosions of muskets and in the air above us the
hiss and whine of their shot. Then Japhet was afoot and, standing
shoulder to shoulder with John, they together began shooting in reply,
first their long muskets (that I must instantly recharge) then their
four pistols, and all with terrible effect, judging from the dire sounds
that reached me from below; for now I was too busy with powder and
bullets to so much as steal a look or wish so to do.

"See you aught o' Snaith, John?"

"Not a sign."

"Nor I, damn him! How many Indians have you reckoned?"

"No more than five or six."

"Ay, so I judge--"

"Aloft there!" roared a voice from below, and now the clamour subsiding,
I heard the rich, clear voice of Captain Snaith hailing:

"Japhet--ahoy! A parley ere we begin, a parley, Japhet!"

"Snaith," cried he in fierce answer, "you shall parley with the devil
ere all's done."

"Japhet, old messmate, we offer ye quarters; here's terms, Japhet. Heave
us down that you wot of, that same you stole from me--heave it to us,
old shipmate, and we'll cry quits, ay--we'll up and stand away
incontinent, and this we swear. How say ye, Japhet?"

Now here and before he might answer, I cried on Japhet bidding, nay,
entreating him to cast down the jewels and be done with them, since they
were fouled with blood and could do us no manner of good. "So yield them
for all our sakes, Japhet!" says I.

"Not I!" he answered very harshly. "Lord, ma'm, are ye fool so deluded
to think such vile fellow would keep faith? And, what's more, beside
these gems 'tis yourself he covets and my life--"

"Aloft there! Japhet, what's your answer?"

"This!" cried Japhet, discharging his musket; and almost immediately
John did likewise.

"And there's two more, Johnny, the which is sweet shooting!"

And thus commenced a battle, these two against the many, a conflict
beyond my power to describe (even if I would) for it is but a confused
and hateful memory, a horror of blood and wounds, the dolorous cries of
death-smitten men, of heart-breaking suspense, sudden alarms and wild
alternations of hope, fear and growing despair. Time and again they
assailed, the many against the two, striving desperately to clamber up
to us, only to go tumbling back before the deadly thrust of Japhet's
sword and John's blasting fire, so that towards sunset their fury of
effort languished, their firing dwindled, ceased, and so came peace a
while, and most blessed respite for us poor fugitives. So down sat we to
supper, but John and I so weary we might scarce eat; and looking from
his pale, comely face all smudged and blackened with powder, to Japhet
most dreadfully stained and spotted, I trembled and wondered to see them
yet alive and all unharmed, as I told them.

"Why, faith," says Japhet, shading his eyes to gaze on the distant
prospect, "we have proved our stronghold impregnable so far, thank God.
But soon it will be night--" Here he rose and began pacing to and fro,
his keen gaze now here, now there, now on the far distance again. "Ay,
night," he repeated, "and with darkness they shall attempt us again and
desperately ... no rest for us; 'twill be shot and steel all night long,
Johnny."

"Well," saith John, making his voice very cheerful, "we shall be ready."

"We must, John, we must. So now, while we may, have at that wound o'
thine." Saying which, and despite John's protests, he sets about the
business, frowning and shaking his head to see John's poor shoulder so
angry and inflamed. "Well, 'tis your left arm," says he, his deft
fingers dressing and rebandaging (and methought very gently); "use this
same arm little as possible or we shall have thee down with fever. Lie
you and rest, Johnny, sleep if you can against what's to do this night,
with a curse!"

"But, Japhet, 'fore heaven, I'm very well."

"Yet more so i' the cave--come, down with thee!"

Having settled John at ease in the cave, he begins to pace back and
forth again, pausing so often to stare on that same vasty distance that
I questioned him at last:

"My dear, what do you look for?"

"Barnaby and our comrades or their smoke signals," he answered, passing
hand across his furrowed brow with a weary gesture.

"Yea, but," said I, watching his poor, haggard face, "if your brave
Caripuna never won to Bartlemy's Bay, our friends may never come, or
reach us too late. Is this your thought, Japhet?"

Now at this, he was silent, glancing round about him in desperate sort
and with looks very woefully troubled.

"Oh, my dear," said I, slipping my hand within his arm, "hide nothing of
your trouble from me any more; I am beyond such thing as fear. So tell
me all your care that I may help you bear it, as true comrade should."

"Well," says he, in strange, muffled tone and keeping his face averted,
"by my reckoning, if Caripuna ever reached the coast, our friends should
have been in sight or hereabouts--yesterday morning."

"And so, Japhet, if Caripuna died before he could bring news of us, you
are as sure as I am that here we must die too. And this is your trouble,
poor man." Here he turned to look on me very wildly.

"Ay, it is! And may God forgive me!" he answered in groaning voice, and
in his eyes such agonizing despair I yearned to kiss and comfort him but
could not yet awhile.

"Well then, Japhet," said I, stealing my hand down into his, "if we must
die here soon or late, which I do think most like and little grieve for,
and naught to trouble us for a little space, is there naught you have to
tell me?"

"So much," he murmured brokenly, "so very much I ... I can find no
words...."

"Then let your heart speak me, Japhet!"

And in breathless, choking voice speak me he did:

"I love you, Ursula ... almost from the first I loved you, but now ...
ah, God ... 'tis grown so great I may never tell! And now to die ... in
death to lose each other ... this, this is my agony, Beloved ... I that
do so love thee ... have brought thee here ... to die...."

This and much beside he told me, words my ears of late had hungered for;
and now, with death so nigh upon us, I could think only how fast his
dear arms held me and how leapt my heart to the deep, strong beat of
his. Mute awhile, we clung together in such strange rapture as went far
beyond mere speech or even kisses.

"Oh, Japhet," said I at last, "my faith is this: that though indeed we
die, for us can be no parting; in death we shall find each other because
this love of ours is of heaven as well as earth and so may live for
ever. So do not let us grieve--"

But now the dear soul must kneel to me, his face so transfigured and on
his lips words I may never write but that are for me a memory sacred
beyond the telling.

So ended this day, and standing side by side we watched the great sun go
down in glory, this sun that with our mortal eyes we might never see
again; and with this thought in our hearts we clasped and clung and
kissed. And so came night.




CHAPTER LII

TELLETH HOW HELP CAME TO US


It was a stilly night, with no least breath of wind and very dark, for
the moon, said Japhet, would not be up for an hour or more.

Now as I walked with him to and fro on his ward (both of us silent now
that our ears might the better warn us), we went in such sweet communion
that, maugre the dark that menaced us with unseen, creeping dangers and
the long night that instead of blessed sleep was to being us turmoil,
peril and mayhap sharp death, I say despite all this, I went with mind
serene and undismayed, since in my heart was that which cast out fear
and made me resolute to endure unflinching whatsoever should betide us.

In the woods below we could see the flare of our besiegers' camp fires
where vague shapes moved and whence came ceaseless stir and hubbub; but
as we stood gazing down thus side by side, up went Japhet's head in that
staglike fashion of his and he questioned me, whispering:

"Dost hear aught?"

"No!" I murmured: so he brings me nearer the spring and then above its
soft bubbling I heard that which chilled me, a dreadful, stealthy
rustling, a soft scrambling and I saw the dull gleam of Japhet's
quick-drawn sword.

"Go you and warn John!" he whispered. Noiseless I sped to the cave and
breathing John's name, reached forth in the dark to touch him; but or
ever I might do so, he was afoot, had caught up his musket and crouched
for action.

Ensued a moment of breathless suspense. Then was ghastly flurry of
movement where Japhet fought, and a wild, screeching cry drowned in the
bellowing report of John's musket and instantly the night was hideous
with uproar of battle, desperate fury of attack and grimly resolute
defence, waves of fight that rolled up, were beaten back and lulled a
while.

"Hot work, Johnny, hot work! Is all ... well with thee?" gasped Japhet,
in one of these intervals. "Art well, John?"

"As flowers--of the May--" answered breathless John and very blithely,
but as I reached for his musket to recharge it, he sank to his knees; so
bringing water, I gave him to drink and bathed his face and head, and he
so humbly grateful therefor, I could have wept.

And now our first misfortune befell, for as I reloaded his musket, what
with the dark and my trembling haste, I fumbled the powder horn,
spilling broadcast much of our precious powder.

Up rose the moon at last and with it our second and far greater
misfortune, for as I turned to look at Japhet, I saw him lean out from
the parapet to take aim, then stagger back, his arm transfixed by an
Indian arrow, whereat I ran to aid him, crying I know not what.

"Easy, dear lass, easy!" says he, seeming nowise dismayed ... "Stand by
to snap off the barb." So, blenching for the pain I must cause him, I
grasped the shaft as he showed me and contrived to break away the cruel
barb, then, sweating with the anguish, he drew forth the shaft and
tossed it away. "Now, a handful o' moss to clap athwart it ... a strip
o' my shirt to secure it. So--well and good! Never look so tragic,
sweetheart; this came of my own heedlessness and it might have been a
musket ball through my fool's head. Now go you and watch our Johnny lest
he swoon again."

Since all things must have an end, so passed this age-long night until
was glimmer of dawn and I so spent with fatigue I might scarce stand or
go. Now presently, glancing down at our assailants, my heart failed me
at last and I cried in dismay to see they had felled and lopped a great
tree and now, with ropes and tackle and many hands, were endeavouring to
rear it up against this rock of our defence, whereby they might come up
and assault us at yet another point. Now looking from haggard,
blood-smeared Japhet to haggard, much-enduring John, I read for a moment
on the face of each such despair as almost matched mine own.

"Well, Johnny man, well," says Japhet hoarsely and avoiding my gaze,
"being only mortal, thou and I, we can do no more than poor humans
may ... and what's more, Johnny, our powder is nigh spent ... enough to
withstand every assault for--another hour or thereabouts, I reckon and
then, John ... a bullet apiece. Is't understood, comrade?"

"Very clearly, Japhet ... yes, cousin ... it is the only and ... very
proper end for us," croaked John.

"Ay, faith! Well, 'twas good fight, John and thou a ... notable good
comrade ... stout o' heart, d'ye see.... And death might come in worse
shape, eh, Johnny?"

"Verily and indeed, Japhet; for if death bring rest and blessed sleep
after such long night and fitful fever, it shall be kindly welcome....
But see, Japhet, the rogues muster out of range for another attack!"

"Ay, I see, John. Soon we shall be harder at it than ever and may not
find a chance to speak to each other again. So, John, now will I tell
thee ... had we won safe out o' this, it was my intent to--but no
matter, what I would say is this--" here he was silent a moment,
fidgeting and fumbling with his sword and when he spoke again it was in
manner very halting:

"Johnny man ... cousin John, hast proved thyself at the last such ...
very man, such spirit as ... I might have honoured ... hast wiped out
all past ills ... and so ... ha, damme, John man, give me thy fist."

So they took and gripped each other's hands and both alike dumb now, for
when John strove to speak, the words seemed to choke him; and seeing how
his poor face was all lined with his tears, though he still looked on
Japhet and kept fast hold of his hand, I turned away to watch the
dayspring. But as I gazed upon this ever-brightening dawn, I saw that
which bowed me to my knees in very ecstasy of gratitude, so that for a
moment I might utter no sound, then:

"Japhet!" I cried, sobbing and laughing like any poor mad wretch, "Oh,
John--look!" And I pointed them where, plain to see against the waxing
splendour of dawn, dark specks were going up to heaven that I knew for
puffs of smoke. "John ... oh, my Japhet!" cried I, reaching out a hand
to each of them, "Come--come and kneel to the God of our salvation!"

So we knelt three, side by side, gazing towards this promise of life
until these radiant heavens swam upon my failing sight, grew dim and
dimmer to an all engulfing blackness.




CHAPTER LIII

WHICH SHOWETH HOW I FELL TO STRANGE DREAM, AND WAKING DO HERE END MY
NARRATIVE


The bright sun was high risen when I waked to find myself lying in the
cave and very content to be there, for my head throbbed painfully and an
unwonted languor thralled me. But now I became aware that voices yet
shouted in fierce halloo and, starting feebly to an elbow in sick alarm,
I saw John outstretched near by, looking at me with eyes very large and
strangely soft in the pale oval of his poor thin face; but now and ere I
might speak, the uproar without swelled to such clamour of horrid yells
that I would have risen in growing panic.

"Oh, John," I gasped, "do they fight again and Japhet all alone?"

"No, no," he answered feebly, "content you, Ursula; yonder hideous
ferocity of shouting is verily Friendship's roar; our deliverers are
come at last. And thy Japhet was here a while since to tend me and hang
over thee, and himself I'll vow in scarce better case than either of us.
He went but to signal his friends. Go you out to him." Here I made to
rise but found this such labour as perfectly astonished me.

"Oh, John," sighed I, clasping my head, "I am very strangely weak!"

"And small wonder, my dear, considering all you have endured. Faith,
'tis marvel you are no worse."

"Was I long aswoon?"

"Three hours about. Take heed now lest you swoon again."

Getting with prodigious effort to my unwilling legs that seemed other
than mine own, I tottered forth into the sun glare and very nearly
tripped over Japhet, him outsprawled in sleep very like a swoon, his
poor face on the hard ground. So down sank I, be sure, and with no
little effort contrived to lift and pillow his weary head upon my lap
and he, in his deathlike slumber, all unconscious of it.

Now having him thus, I could not but touch his touzled hair and smooth
his lean cheek, all spiky with bristly beard; whereat he groaned,
snored, opened his eyes and smiled up at me.

"My dear," said I bending to him anxiously, "oh, my dear, how are you?"

"Very near to heaven!" he sighed. "Faint was I, ma'm, feeble, famished
and all foredone--yet now mightily content. Yea, here lieth poor Japhet
very nigh to paradise,--well now, doth it anyways pleasure thee to have
him so?"

"Can you doubt it, Japhet?"

"Nay, but," says he in his dogged fashion, "is thy pleasure little or
great (here he snuggles his head the closer); art thou but calmly
content or doth thy heart swell, thy pulse leap, thy sweet breath wax
short and all thy tender loveliness thrill and shiver and glow for very
happiness of it? Ay, lass, by heaven, it verily doth."

"Oh!" says I, avoiding his eyes. "And how are you so hatefully sure of
all this?"

"Woman, I see, hear, feel and sense it! At this moment and here in this
savage wild, being no more than merest woman, thy soul unfettered and
far from the world of conscious make-believe, thou art verily over those
dainty ears in love with thy Japhet, yearning to him, passioning for him
as tender spouse should. And deny this if you can, Ma'm Bly." At this I
merely twisted the wretch's hair until he moaned for it.

"But," he went on, when I had freed him, "how, ma'm, how when, lapped
again in ease and safety, you shall be no more than your own
niminy-piminy, mock-modest, purely-prudish fine-ladylike self,--how
then?"

"Lord!" quoth I. "What a mouthful of verbose futility! It is fool
question, for how, my poor silly man, how may I ever be again my own
self, when this same self is become, and becoming ever more so, your
very own--" Here, quite forgetting to be faint or feeble, up he sits to
clasp and cradle me across his knees.

"Ursula?" says he, and then in very tender whisper, "wife?"

Now when he spake (and so reverently) this word I had scarce ever heard
from his lips before, I cried out for pure gladness and twining my arms
about his neck, drew down this dear, hawk face (so marvellous tender
now) to kiss and kiss it in despite of its sharp bristle of beard; but
when I would have spoken more, my words were lost in sudden, jubilant
clamour from below.

"Japhet, ahoy! What Japhet man!"

"Oho, Cap'n, aloft there! Us be thy lads o' the old _Deliverance_! Cap'n
ahoy!"

So we arose and I, leaning from the cave, heard Japhet hailing in reply.
Then up came they clambering, one after another, but first of them all
Barnabas, showing more gigantic than ever in this small space. And glad
was I to see how they grasped and wrung each other's hands and hugged
and laughed and smote each other.

"How now, Barnaby, what o' the fight yonder?"

"Sharpish a while, Japhet; we've nine good fellows dead, poor Sol Troy
among 'em, alas! And old Lovepeace sore smitten and others too."

"And Ezekiel--what of Zeke?"

"In the very thick on't as usual and all untouched."

"And Snaith?"

"Duly tried and hanged along with Rogerson!"

"And this was Ezekiel's doing, I'll warrant!"

"Ay, Japhet, it was so. Zeke was their chief accuser, judge and hangman.
I left him praying very earnestly for their souls' salvation. A strange
man is our Zeke. But how of her ... Ursula?" At this I stepped from the
cave, whereat came Barnabas quick-striding to set his great arms about
me and kiss me heartily, like the good friend he was. And then appeared
Ezekiel himself, but so pale and dreadfully bespattered I thought indeed
he must be hurt and cried out to know.

"Nay, daughter," he answered in his sweet voice, "this is but the blood
of expiation; many of the unrighteous shall sin no more for mighty is
Jehovah--alleluia! Touch me not till I be purified." Nevertheless I ran
to him and his arms outstretched to welcome me, but, even then, I
tripped, fell headlong and crying with sharp pain, was plunged once more
into a dark forgetfulness.

Yet presently I fell a-dreaming of many things, a strange dream wherein
I heard voices and had visions amany, though oftenest of Japhet's face,
now very near me, now growing smaller, vague and dreadfully far, and I,
mightily distressed therefor, calling and beseeching him to come back,
striving to speak all my great love for him and weeping because it
seemed he could nowise hear me. I dreamed also of little Doctor
Crabtree's one eye glaring on me very balefully; I had dread visions of
trees and dead men that dangled in hideous fashion. I was aware of hands
that touched and arms that clasped me. Also in my dreaming were voices
sometimes terribly loud and painful to hear, then dying suddenly to
far-off whisper.

"Will she live, Crabtree, will she live?"

"We can hope, Japhet, ay, hope or demme! Our heart is strong ... our
body sweetly sound but mere temple of emptiness ... our mind is away,
flown off, lost in the infinite...."

"Then if she die, Crabtree, I'll follow her; ay, by God--'tis good-bye
life, with all my heart."

Japhet's face, and so agonized! I sought desperately to comfort him
though all in vain, for he could not hear ... the single sharp eye of
Doctor Crabtree peering at me.... The mighty form of Barnabas.... John's
voice crying on me in the dark:

"Ursula, Ursula, my love goeth with thee.... Oh, Ursula, come you back,
my dear, back to sweet life and thy Japhet, Ursula, come back!"

Sun and shadow. Gloom of forests. Glow of fires. The sea at last, and
ships, one very tall and stately, brave with new paint and gilding that
I knew for the _Deliverance_.... Deborah wringing her hands and wailing
over me and spattering my face with her so-plenteous tears.... A feather
bed ... cool, fragrant sheets.... Carved and gilded beams above me and a
great lanthorn ... and now all about me a peace ineffable.

Sunlight. Lamplight. Darkness and glory of sun and I crouched thus
'twixt death and life, awake and yet thralled in sleep until upon a day
Deborah, brushing my hair as was her wont morning and night, let fall
the heavy brush that smote down upon my poor head and, roused by the
shock and sudden pain of it, up I started from my pillows to berate her,
whereat she stared down on me as I had been a ghost.

"Oh, Deborah!" cried I, and knowing my long dream was ended at last,
reached forth my arms to her, "Oh, Deborah, you have awaked me! Oh--let
me kiss thee--"

But instead she gasps, screams out and runs sobbing from the cabin. Then
I heard quick speeding steps and Japhet was beside me on his knees, his
arms about me, his face hid against me and for a long moment both of us
speechless. At last, feeling his arms so fast about me, I bade him take
heed to his wound; whereat, folding me closer and keeping his face yet
hidden, he laughed, though very shakily.

"So, ma'm," says he, lifting his head to look on me, "so, ma'm, you've
thought better on 't, choosing rather the woes o' wedlock than the
persuasive peace of death ... back to thy husband's arms like dutiful
wife, to essay thy Japhet and make the best of him?"

Now, though he strove to be light, he looked on me through sparkle of
tears that I instantly set myself to kiss away, and thus we were silent
again. And then, before we might speak, in sped Doctor Crabtree, wig
awry and coat skirts flying, to feel my pulse, gaze on the hair brush,
examine my head, shake his own and exclaim:

"Demme! For nine days, mem, you have lain in a strange inappetency, a
_vis inertia_, an imperturbation of spirits."

"And now am myself again!" cried I, nestling to Japhet's arm, "and
yearning to be on deck again and feel the glad wind--"

"Why, so ye shall in a day or so, or demme!"

"A day or so!" quoth I indignantly; then was knock on the door and in
came these friends had grown so dear to me and foremost old Lovepeace,
limping on Ezekiel's arm, and all so rejoiced to see me well again I
scarce might behold them for my happy, grateful tears. Scarce were they
gone than out of bed leapt I, only to sink into Deborah's ready clasp by
reason of my poor feeble legs; so back to bed went I forthwith.

And presently, news of my recovery spreading among the company, what
must these kindly souls do but commence to fiddle and sing and come aft
in a body to cheer me, until I sent Deborah (and the vain thing in her
prettiest cap and apron) to thank them.

Now because of the heat, they had made me a bed hard beside that little
window the which (as I have told) opened upon the deck and this night,
lying there full of happy thoughts, I heard feet go pacing slowly to and
fro and two of these--feet that I should have known in a thousand. And
with these slow footsteps were voices plain to hear, for the
_Deliverance_ rode at her anchors and all very hushed and still.

"Japhet, I cannot do it, I will not. For in defrauding you still of your
heritage, I defraud Ursula also. She is your Countess and--"

"No, Johnny man, she is my--wife! And I hope and dare to think she may
be content with no higher title. So you will sail in Stukeley's ship
yonder--back to England."

"England, Japhet! The England she hath so longed, so yearned after."

"Ha, damme, but that's true enough, John. I do think she loves old
England best in all the world. Well, 'tis England or me, John, she must
choose."

"'Tis cruel choice, I think, Japhet man. Why not return and enjoy your
own--?"

"For divers and sufficing reasons, Johnny. And besides, you are more
truly earl-like earl and more courtly fine gentleman than I should ever
be. And moreover, my mind is quite determined on't. With this treasure
of gems, we shall do well enough, she and I--except her choice be
England!"

"And then, Japhet?"

"She may take the treasure and go. Come, let us turn in."

"But, Japhet, if she choose England,--what of yourself?"

"Well, there's the sea, Johnny man; there's ever and always the sea, God
be thanked." Then hearing how they went together, walking slowly and in
such amity, I smiled upon the dark.

All next day was great bustle and to-do by reason of Captain Stukeley's
imminent departure, with Japhet and most of our people busied in their
camp on shore or in Captain Stukeley's ship _Falcon_, a noble vessel
that lay anchored hard by us.

In the afternoon I got me up on deck for the first time and glad to see
our own splendid ship so neat and trim. But hardly was I on this lofty
poop than I was greeted by such cheer as set my heart athrob and
presently brought Japhet hasting up to me; but such very stately
gentleman in his velvets and laces and a great periwig that methought
set off his comely face to admiration.

Taking my hand, he brings me to the rail and gestures towards the
_Falcon_.

"Ursula, ere nightfall Stukeley's ship yonder stands away for England."

"My beloved England!" said I, sighing. "Oh, for the sweet security, the
comforts and sanity of my England. 'Twas there you vowed and promised to
bring me safe again."

"Ay, ma'm, and you've but to say the word. Stukeley's a prime seaman,
his _Falcon_ a stout ship, and you'll have our Johnny for company."

"John?" quoth I, as vastly astonished.

"The same, ma'm, John Christopher, Earl of Aldbourne--"

"But you are the Earl!"

"No, I'm Captain Japhet Bly of the _Deliverance_, poor Japhet that wed
him a wife hath been no wife nor ever shall, except she so desire,--ay,
and with such desire shall make her forego ease, comfort, pride o' rank
and all else in this world save--poor Japhet. And what says you to
this?"

"That you offer me no choice."

"Why, true it is very hard choice, the easeful security of your England
'gainst peril of seas and chance of wind with this same Japhet."

"Oh!" said I. "Silly man, here can be no possible choice for any poor
soul such as I that yearns and wearies to ... come home at last."

"Home?" he questioned, leaning nearer. "Home? Oh, my dear--?"

"Indeed," I answered gently, "long time since, it seems, I heard one
say, and in fashion most assured, Japhet, that a wife's proper home was
in the arms of her husband ... though not here, thou loved, impatient
man! Not on this lofty deck, where all or any may see ... besides,
yonder is John--!"

And John had seen, for being come up to us, he reached forth his hand,
smiling very wistfully.

"I do but come to take my leave," said he, looking from Japhet's face to
mine (and my cheeks all aflush), "to bid you farewell and wish you
joy ... and all that ... such as I may wish for ... such as you." Thus
for a moment he gazed on us, then turning very suddenly, hasted away or
ever I might speak; and presently we saw him being rowed across to the
_Falcon_ and though he waved his hand in farewell, he never once looked
back.

"There goeth ... noble gentleman!" said I.

"Ay, true," nodded Japhet, "the man John that gave us back to life and
to each other ... so needs must I ... love our Johnny!"

After this we were silent again, the night very dark about us for, being
in harbour, the great stern lanthorns were unlighted, and all about us a
wide solitude. And then Japhet's voice, hushed and wonderfully tender:

"Well, Madam Bly, it seems this wind of Fortune or Destiny hath blown to
some purpose for ... here's you and me in empty-seeming world....
Comrades in storm and stress that have looked Death in the eye ... man
and woman ... husband and wife that have scarce ever kissed as yet."

"No, Japhet, because I was weak and at thy mercy and thou very
strong ... very patient and ... my Japhet."

"But now," says he, as I had not spoken, "this, as I think, might and
should be amended,--how say you?"

"That I am here, Japhet, very meekly submissive and ... oh, my dear, how
I do love thee!"

"Glory!" he whispered, and catching me up, bare me away whither he
would.

       *       *       *       *       *

Now here, as I think, my narrative truly ends, for here have I writ down
all that I set out to tell (and at inordinate length).

But because the years have proved so kind to me, I am fain to add unto
these so many words others yet--a few.

Through the open lattice, whereby I sit writing the end of my narration,
I may behold this fair English garden and beyond, in the sunny distance,
the gentle swell of the Downs whereon this very week Japhet hath given
little Japhet John--his son (and mine)--lessons in the manage of his
first horse. But how and why it was that Japhet quit the Coast
Brotherhood and came back to his own lordship in this dear England is
story yet to tell.

And but yesterday it was that:

"Japhet," says I, "am I good wife to thee?"

"Ay, faith, and amazingly patient, all things considered, more
especially this!" And he gives my hair a little pull.

"And dost love me now as when we endured so much together in the
wilderness?"

Now at this he looked on me with his quirkish smile and 'stead of
answering, the wretch must fall a-singing his song of Yo-ho until I
kissed him into silence.

       *       *       *       *       *


_THE WORKS OF JEFFERY FARNOL_


    THE BROAD HIGHWAY
    THE MONEY MOON
    THE AMATEUR GENTLEMAN
    CHRONICLES OF THE IMP
    THE HONOURABLE MR. TAWNISH
    BELTANE THE SMITH
    THE DEFINITE OBJECT
    THE GESTE OF DUKE JOCELYN
    OUR ADMIRABLE BETTY
    BLACK BARTLEMY'S TREASURE
    MARTIN CONISBY'S VENGEANCE
    PEREGRINE'S PROGRESS
    SIR JOHN DERING
    THE LORING MYSTERY
    THE HIGH ADVENTURE
    THE QUEST OF YOUTH
    GYFFORD OF WEARE
    THE SHADOW
    EPICS OF THE FANCY
    ANOTHER DAY
    OVER THE HILLS
    THE JADE OF DESTINY
    CHARMIAN, LADY VIBART
    THE WAY BEYOND
    WINDS OF FORTUNE
    JOHN O' THE GREEN
    A PAGEANT OF VICTORY
    THE CROOKED FURROW
    A BOOK FOR JANE
    THE LONELY ROAD
    THE HAPPY HARVEST
    A NEW BOOK FOR JANE
    A MATTER OF BUSINESS
    ADAM PENFEATHER, BUCCANEER
    MURDER BY NAIL
    THE KING LIVETH
    THE "PIPING TIMES"
    HERITAGE PERILOUS
    MY LORD OF WRYBOURNE
    THE FOOL BELOVED
    THE NINTH EARL

       *       *       *       *       *

Transcriber's Notes:

Both curtsey and courtsey are used in this book.

Hyphen variations left as printed.




[End of Winds of Fortune, by Jeffery Farnol]
