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diff --git a/21390.txt b/21390.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..2ee2b80 --- /dev/null +++ b/21390.txt @@ -0,0 +1,10741 @@ +The Project Gutenberg EBook of The Golden Grasshopper, by W.H.G. Kingston + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: The Golden Grasshopper + A story of the days of Sir Thomas Gresham + +Author: W.H.G. Kingston + +Release Date: May 8, 2007 [EBook #21390] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ASCII + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE GOLDEN GRASSHOPPER *** + + + + +Produced by Nick Hodson of London, England + + + + +The Golden Grasshopper; a story of the days of Sir Thomas Gresham, by +W.H.G. Kingston. + +________________________________________________________________________ + +This book was originally published in 1870, under the title of "The +Royal Merchant". As there were sundry things that needed changing, the +book was edited and re-issued under the title of "The Golden +Grasshopper". Kingston, the author, was in the last few months of his +life while this was being done, so the work was done by some of his +various ghosts, but with Kingston's approval. + +The tale is told through the eyes of a Dutch boy, Ernst Verner, whose +parents had been put to death in Holland for their Protestant faith. + +It was a difficult time in England, for, between the Protestant +sovereigns, Edward the Sixth, and Elizabeth, there were a few years +under the Catholic Queen, Mary, during which very many people were put +to death for their Protestantism. Most people did their best to pay lip +service to whoever was the current ruler, while keeping their own +beliefs to themselves. + +The boy, Ernst has a recommendation to the great Sir Thomas Gresham, a +merchant so important at the time that many of his initiatives persist +to this day. He is sent to Saint Paul's School, which still exists, +though not now in the centre of the City of London. + +He makes friends with another boy, A'Dale. From here on the story +becomes very convoluted, either because the boys are trying to do things +they have been ordered to do by Sir Thomas, or because they are being +pursued by a Romish priest, who had taken a major dislike to them as +they were not paying due attention while he was saying Mass at Saint +Paul's Cathedral. We realise what a major barrier the English Channel +was in those days, with the short distance sometimes taking but a few +hours, and at other times several days, perhaps even with loss of life. + +________________________________________________________________________ + +THE GOLDEN GRASSHOPPER, A STORY OF THE DAYS OF SIR THOMAS GRESHAM, BY +W.H.G. KINGSTON. + + + +CHAPTER ONE. + +PERSECUTION. + +In the year of Grace 1551, Antwerp was not only the chief city of the +Netherlands, but the commercial capital of the world. Its public +buildings were also celebrated for the elaborate carving of their +exteriors, for their richly-furnished interiors, and for their general +architectural beauty. + +In one of the principal streets of that city there stood a handsome +house, the property of that wealthy and highly-esteemed merchant--Jasper +Schetz. In a private room, the walls richly adorned with carving and +tapestry, sat at a dark oak writing table a gentleman in a black velvet +suit, having a black cap of the same material on his head. On a +high-backed chair near him hung his cloak and rapier, while at his side +he had a short dagger, with a jewelled hilt, ready for use. He was +still young, but his features were grave, and his brow full of thought. +His figure was tall and slight, though perhaps somewhat too stiff to be +graceful. He was evidently a person of note, one more accustomed to +guide men by his counsels, perhaps, than to command them in the field-- +rather a financier or diplomatist than a military commander. Another +person was in the room, standing at a high desk at a little distance. +He was a somewhat older man than the former, shorter in figure, and more +strongly built. His countenance also exhibited a considerable amount of +intelligence, as well as firmness and decision of character. + +"Write to their lordships, Master Clough, that I have secured a loan +from Lazarus Tucker of 10,000 pounds for six months, with interest at +the rate of 14 per cent, per annum. Acknowledge that the rate is +somewhat high, but the loan could not be procured for less. Say I have +paid over to our good friends Schetz Brothers the sum of 1,000 pounds, +according to the command of the King, as an acknowledgment to them for +the last loan which they obtained for his Majesty." + +The gentleman first described continued dictating to the latter, his +secretary, for some time, much in the same style. He then branched off +into other subjects, and gave a sketch of the political events which had +lately occurred in the Netherlands, then ruled by the Emperor Charles +the Fifth of Germany and King of Spain, his sister Queen Mary of Hungary +acting as Regent for him. He continued: "Protestant principles have +made great progress, even though the fatal Inquisition flourishes in the +country more actively than heretofore. The Emperor has just drawn up a +new set of instructions for the guidance of the Inquisitors. These men +are empowered to inquire, proceed against, and chastise all they call +heretics, or persons suspected even of heresy, and their protectors. It +is dreadful to think of the power placed in their hands. Already +thousands of the inhabitants of the Netherlands have been burned, or +drowned, or hung, or killed on the rack; those who can taking to flight, +till many parts are well-nigh depopulated. Nothing can be more dreadful +than the system of torture employed. The accused person is carried off +to prison, often without knowing the crime he is accused of, or his +accusers. He is tortured to make him confess. The torture takes place +at midnight in some gloomy dungeon, dimly-lighted by torches. The +victim, whether man, woman, or tender virgin, is stripped naked, and +stretched upon a wooden bench. Water, weights, fires, pulleys, screws, +all the apparatus by which the sinews can be strained without cracking, +the bones bruised without breaking, and the body racked without giving +up the ghost, is now put into operation. If the victim, to escape +further torture, confesses, he is at once carried off to execution; if +not, he is restored to prison to recover somewhat from the effects of +the torture, when he is again brought back to suffer, in the hopes of +extorting a confession. However, I have already spun out my letter to +too great a length, and I must bring it to a conclusion. Your lordships +will see how differently situated the Netherlands are at the present +time to our happy England, under the rule of our gentle sovereign, King +Edward." + +Master Clough having added some further remarks, closed the letter, and +sealed it carefully with the signet ring of his employer, the Worshipful +Master Thomas Gresham (the device on which was a grasshopper). + +Thomas Gresham at that time held the honourable post of Royal agent at +Antwerp. The letter being carefully done up with other papers in a silk +covering, Richard Clough took it out of the room, and delivered it into +the hands of a special messenger who was to convey it to England. He +soon returned, saying that a lady earnestly craved an audience. + +"I know her not," he added, "but she will in no wise receive a refusal. +She is a matron of comely appearance, though her cheeks are pale, and +her eyes betoken grief and anxiety. She is accompanied, too, by a young +boy, who appears to be her son, and stands holding her hand, trembling +as if lately put in great bodily fear." + +"Let her come up by all means, Master Clough," answered the merchant; +"if we can assist her in her distress, we are bound to do so. The Lady +Anne will, I doubt not, if she finds her worthy, be interested in her +case." + +"I will obey you, sir," said Richard Clough, hurrying out. In a short +time he returned with a lady, who although not young, yet retained many +traces of beauty. She led by the hand a boy apparently about nine years +of age, who, as Master Clough had remarked, looked completely +terrorstricken. The merchant rose, and with becoming courtesy placed a +chair for the lady opposite to where he sat. + +"Pray, madam, tell me how I can assist you," he said, "for I see at once +that you are in distress." + +"Indeed, indeed, I am, sir," she answered. "I come to pray a great boon +of you. I am your countrywoman, though married to a Netherlander. My +husband, Karl Van Verner, may not be unknown to you, as he is a wealthy +and highly honoured burgher of Antwerp. My maiden name was Bertram, and +my family, as well as that of my husband, have long been attached to the +Protestant faith. We had till lately worshipped God in private, +according to the way we considered most acceptable to Him, not +intruding, however, our opinions on our neighbours, but, alas! my +husband's wealth was coveted by those in power. Some secret enemy +informed against us, and only this morning the officers of the +Inquisition suddenly entered our house. We had just assembled for +morning prayer. As my young boy beheld them seize his father, he cried +out with terror, at the same time attempting to drag him out of their +hands. I could not help at first giving way to my grief and terror. In +vain my husband expostulated with them, and promised to accompany them +quietly if they would set him at liberty. He contrived, however, to +whisper to me, to place our boy in safety, and to endeavour to escape +myself. In spite of my tears and entreaties, my beloved husband was +then dragged off by the officers of the Inquisition, and I hastened away +to obey his directions. My husband's fate is, I fear, too certainly +sealed. The Bible was found in his hands. He had long been known to be +a consistent Protestant. What may be my fate, I know not, but my desire +and hope are to share his. Again, I ask you, sir, will you, in the +abundance of your compassion and charity, take charge of this boy--soon, +I verily believe, to be an orphan? Ernst is his Christian name. He +will, in return, I feel sure, serve you well, and prove true and +faithful." + +The merchant cast an eye of compassion on the boy. The mother saw the +look, and trusted that she had gained an advantage. + +"Oh! take him, sir, take him! I implore you!" she exclaimed, clasping +her hands. "Should he be deprived of his father and me, as I feel sure +he soon will be, though his life may be spared, he may be brought up by +the priests in the fearful errors of the Romish faith. I appeal to you +as a Protestant. Oh! save him from such a fate! I know no one else who +is able to protect him, but you can do so fully and completely. I ask +you not to bestow wealth on him. I will make over all we possess to +you, if I have the power. Let him only labour for you, and be brought +up in the Reformed faith." + +While the lady was speaking, the merchant had been considering how far +granting her request might imperil his own position, where his business +led him into constant intercourse with numerous Roman Catholics, and +sometimes even with the very ministers of the Emperor. Still his heart +leaned towards the side of compassion. His features gradually relaxed +as his feelings softened towards the distressed lady and her child. + +"Whatever the risk, I will befriend your boy, madam," he said. "Come +here, Ernst; your mother wishes you to trust to me. Lady, I would +gladly afford you also any assistance in my power," he continued, +interrupted, however, by Madame Verner, who poured out before him her +feelings of gratitude. + +"I am resolved to share the lot of my husband," she answered. "While he +lives I will not desert him." + +"You are a noble lady, and I would not interfere with your purpose," +said the merchant; "but consider that you will not be, able to aid your +husband, and you may only sacrifice your own life." + +"That I am prepared to do," said the lady, rising. "May God reward you, +as you protect my child!" + +She pressed the boy to her bosom, again uttered an expression of +gratitude to the merchant, and, not daring to trust herself with another +look at her child, hastened from the room. I was that little boy, Ernst +Verner. It was the last time I heard the voice of my beloved mother. I +saw her, yes, once, but oh! my heart sickens even now as I bring the +fearful vision to my sight. + + + +CHAPTER TWO. + +FAITHFUL UNTO DEATH. + +Master Gresham, leaving Richard Clough at his desk, took Ernst Verner by +the hand, and led him out of the room. They passed along a gallery with +a richly carved balustrade on one side, and portraits of burgomasters, +warriors, and stately dames, hanging from the wall on the other. +Opening a door, several female voices saluted them. + +At one end of the room sat a tall and graceful lady, young and handsome, +with an embroidery frame before her. Her head-dress was a small sort of +hood, richly ornamented, with a veil falling behind. She had a long +waist with an embroidered stomacher, and a handsome girdle which hung +down in front. Her gown was open, showing a richly-decorated petticoat +beneath, so long as completely to hide her feet when she stood up on the +entrance of her husband, Master Gresham. On either side of the room +were several damsels with spinning-wheels and distaffs by their sides, +or else actively plying their needles. A little boy, fair and +delicate--a year or two younger than Ernst, he appeared--was playing on +the ground near the couch on which the lady sat, with some of those +wonderful toys for which Holland was already celebrated. The lady +looked up as Master Gresham approached. + +"What child have you there, my dear lord?" she asked. + +"One in whom perchance you will take an interest, Lady Anne, when you +hear his history," answered Master Gresham; and he detailed in a few +words the visit of the boy's mother, and her petition that the child +might be taken care of. + +"We cannot refuse the charge which Heaven has sent us," answered the +lady. "He may be a companion and playmate to our little Richard, and I +doubt not a blessing to us, if we are faithful to our trust." + +From that day forward Ernst became one of the family of Master Thomas +Gresham. In the house he had many amusements; but his life was a +somewhat dull one notwithstanding, for he was never allowed to go +abroad, unless in the company of his patron. The reason of this did not +occur to him. Master Gresham, however, acted wisely. He knew that +those who had seized the child's parents might seize the boy also, and +though from his youth he might escape death, he would certainly be +brought up as a Romanist--a proceeding which the honest Protestant +Englishman greatly dreaded. There was no lack of company, however, in +the house. Often entertainments were given to various guests. Seldom +indeed was the merchant's hospitable board spread without several +visitors being present. + +Soon after Ernst had become an inmate of Master Gresham's house, a +personage arrived who was treated with great consideration. He had come +from the South, after having visited the Holy Land, and appeared to have +seen much of the world besides. Indeed, there were few countries about +which he had not something to say. There was nothing very remarkable +about his appearance. He was slightly built, and of middle size; but he +had that hardy, wiry look, which showed that he was capable of +undergoing great fatigue and enduring an excess of heat without +inconvenience, if not of cold. His ordinary dress was that of a simple +gentleman, with a flat cap, having a coif tying beneath the chin and +completely concealing his hair. His cloak, or gown, was of fine cloth, +trimmed with rich fur, and having long sleeves. Beneath it was a +closely-buttoned waistcoat, while he wore long hose, and puffed +breeches, reaching but a short way down the upper part of the leg. The +upper part of his shoes were pointed, a jewelled dagger hung to his +waist by a belt, in which were stuck his gloves when not in use, and +leathern purse also hanging to it. He was addressed by Master Gresham +as Sir John De Leigh, and was treated by him as a person of +consideration. A banquet was given in honour of his arrival, to which a +number of the principal merchants, magistrates, and other civil officers +of Antwerp were invited. It made a never-forgotten impression on Ernst, +young as he was. It took place in the grand hall on the ground floor of +the house. With interest he watched the placing of the tables and the +spreading of the cloths, while at one end the butler arranged on the +buffet the rich pieces of plate and other vessels, giving a magnificent +appearance to that part of the hall, and standing out well against the +dark tapestry hung up behind them. In the centre of the table was first +placed a silver vessel of large size, containing salt; and small round +cakes of bread were arranged where each guest was to sit. Drinking-cups +also, of glass, were placed along the table, with a plate and napkin for +each guest. + +About thirty persons had been summoned, among whom were a few dames to +bear the Lady Anne company. At the further end of the hall was a +gallery where the musicians were stationed; while cushioned chairs were +arranged on each side of the table and covered with handsome tapestry +work. + +When the guests began to arrive, the servitors came forward with basin, +ewers, and towels, that each might wash his hands before sitting down to +the meal. + +Master Gresham and Lady Anne received them with due courtesy, when each +guest was conducted to the place assigned to him at the table; Sir John +De Leigh and other personages of distinction being seated at the upper +part, while Master Clough and several other secretaries and attendants +took their seats at the further end below the salt-cellar. + +And now the musicians struck up a lively tune. The servitors entered +with the good cheer, which was, in due course, served round. + +It would be impossible to describe all the luxuries. Among them a +boar's head was seen, highly ornamented, while on either side were two +peacocks, the feathers of their tails spread out, while on their necks +hung two golden grasshoppers, the armorial bearings of the host. The +peacocks, which had been roasted, and covered with the yolk of eggs, +after having cooled, had been sewed into their skins, and thus looked +almost as if they were alive. There were two pair of cocks which had +been roasted, and then covered, one with gold, and the other with silver +foil. There was also venison, a swan boiled, roasted pheasant and +roasted bittern, with fish of various sorts--pike and perch. A variety +of ornaments, too, made their appearance, subtilties, they were called, +and ornamental devices in pastry. One was a lofty castle, covered with +silver, flags of gold waving on its summit. However, it would take up +too much space to describe the numberless dishes which appeared at this +banquet. + +The musicians at intervals played for the amusement of the guests, and +toward the end, lest they might have become weary of too many sweet +sounds, the doors of the hall opened, and a band of maskers entered +habited in various grotesque costumes. With a deep obeisance to the +master of the feast, as well as to the lady and their visitors, the +leader of the party commenced an oration the subject of which Ernst +Verner was too young at the time to note down, and has long since +forgotten. It was followed by the representation of a Morality, the +subject of which also, for the same reason, is not noted in this diary. +Ernst, with his young companion, little Richard Gresham, were running +about the hall hand in hand, watching the maskers, and amusing +themselves by observing the guests. One of the former, wearing a huge +cloak which completely concealed his form, during the performance +separated himself from his companions. His eye was fixed on the two +boys. It might have been that he supposed no one observed him; but, +even though attending to her guests, the mother's glance was following +her young Richard. With cautious steps the masker slowly moved up +towards where the little boys were standing, their attention occupied +with one of the most exciting portions of the mystery. At length the +masker stood close to the boys. And now the eyes of every one in the +hall were riveted on the performers. On a sudden, the cloak was thrown +round the boys. No cry was heard, and the masker glided rapidly towards +the door of the hall, still left open. So quick were his movements, +that he would have escaped unobserved had not Lady Anne's voice been +heard, exclaiming, "Stop him! Stop him! He has carried off the +children!" Richard Clough started from his seat, and drawing his +dagger, rushed after the abductor. The man, turning his head at the +cry, saw that he was pursued, and letting go one of the children--it was +the little Richard--fled more rapidly. Honest Master Clough, however, +with the excited feelings of a warm-hearted Welshman, pursued him. The +man had just reached the door, when Master Clough caught him by the +cloak, and would have struck his dagger into his neck, had he not +loosened the garment and let go the little Ernst, whose head had been so +muffled in a cloth that he had been unable to cry out. The man sprang +from the door before Master Clough could again seize him, exhibiting, +now deprived of his cloak, the dark dress of an ecclesiastic, though his +head, still concealed by his large mask, prevented his features being +visible. A number of persons were at the time passing, and the stranger +was thus able to make his escape. Indeed, honest Master Clough, having +gained his object of rescuing the children, probably considered that it +might be wise not to continue the pursuit in the open street, where +perchance he might have found more enemies than friends. + +As may be supposed, after this Master Gresham was chary of letting his +young charge go without his doors, unless with a strong escort. But one +day, having to pay a visit of ceremony to an important person at the +farther end of the city, he set forth on horseback, attended by Master +Clough, two of his other secretaries, and several attendants, all +well-armed. Ernst, as the Lady Anne thought, having suffered from being +deprived of the free air, was carried along with the party, being placed +on the saddle in front of one of the serving-men. Ernst gazed about +him, enjoying the free air and the warm sun, which shone down from the +blue sky. The scene in the streets, however, was at no time lively; the +dresses both of men and women being of a sombre hue, the latter wearing +the large dark cloaks with hoods which had been introduced from Spain, +while a gloomy expression sat generally on the countenances of the men. +The visit was paid, Ernst remaining in the hall with the attendants, +while Master Gresham with his secretaries proceeded into the audience +chamber of the great man. They were on their way back, when, +approaching the wide thoroughfare of the Mere, a crowd of persons was +seen proceeding in that direction. It was necessary for Master +Gresham's party to proceed through the Mere, or he would have turned +aside to avoid the throng. As they entered the place, a procession was +seen advancing down one of the streets which led into it. First came a +band of acolytes, swinging censers and chanting hymns to the honour of +the Virgin. Next to them marched on either side of the street a guard +of soldiers, having in their midst a large party of priests, between +whom were seen four persons with their hands fastened behind them, their +heads bare, and clothed in long coarse robes; blood-red banners were +borne aloft by some of the priests. Then came a brotherhood, also in +dark garments, with cowls on their heads and their faces masked. A +party of officials on horseback, magistrates, and others, with another +body of troops, brought up the rear. Slowly the procession wound its +way into the Square, on one side of which was now seen a scaffold with a +pulpit raised above it, and a booth or stand, covered with cloth, with +seats arranged within. At one end were two lofty gibbets; while below, +in the open space, two stout posts appeared fixed in the ground, with +iron chains hanging to them, and near at hand large piles of faggots. + +So completely closed round by the throng were the English party, that +they could neither move forward nor recede. The procession reached the +stage, when the prisoners were led up upon it, the magistrates and other +officials taking their places on either side, the brotherhoods forming a +dark line below the platform. The priests seemed to be exhorting the +prisoners, but the distance was too great to allow what was being said +to be heard. The preacher, lifting a crucifix in the air, waved it +round, and addressed the multitude below. He was met rather by glances +of hatred and fear than by looks of sympathy. Still he continued, now +in a loud voice thundering anathemas on the heads of heretics, and +threatening the vengeance of Heaven on those who sheltered them, or +refused to give them up into the hands of the Inquisitors. Sometimes +the crowd appeared to be violently agitated, and here and there persons +were seen moving among them, as if to urge them forward in an attempt to +rescue those about to suffer; but the stern looks of the well-trained +Spanish troops kept them in awe. The sermon--if a fierce harangue +composed of invectives against simple Christianity could so be called-- +was brought to a conclusion; and now, in a loud voice, the presiding +Inquisitor asked the accused for the last time whether they would recant +and make confession of their sins, promising them absolution and a sure +entrance into heaven, with a more easy death than the terrible one to +which they were condemned. The gag was removed from the mouth of the +chief prisoner that he might give his answer. + +"No, no!" he exclaimed, "I accept not such mercy as you offer. I hold +fast to a simple faith in Christ's meritorious death, and that alone is +sufficient to secure my salvation. I look upon the sacrifice of the +Mass as an act dishonouring Him. I believe that no human person has +power to absolve me from sin; that all must enter the kingdom of heaven +here who are to belong to it hereafter, and thus that masses for the +dead are a deceit and fraud; that Christ hears our prayers more +willingly than any human mediator or being who has once dwelt on earth; +that His mother was honoured among women, but not above women; that her +heart was less tender than His; and that she can no more hear prayers or +intercede with Him than can any other person of the seed of Adam +requiring, like all others, to be cleansed by His blood." + +"Off with him to the stake! to the stake!" shouted the priests as these +words were uttered. + +A female--a graceful lady--was next asked whether she would recant. + +"I hold to the opinion my dear husband has uttered," she answered. + +Master Gresham turned pale when he heard her speak, for he recognised +the features of one he had seen but a short time before. At that moment +the little boy, who had been eagerly watching the scene, uttered a loud +shriek. + +"Oh! my father! my dear mother!" he cried out; "let me go to them--let +me go to save them!" + +With difficulty the groom held him on his horse, for he struggled +desperately to be free. "There's kind Bertha, my nurse; and honest, +good Gunter too! Let me go, I say, that I may help them!" + +The English party were too far off to allow those on the stage to +observe them. Even the servants refused to recant, though promised +their lives and liberty if they would do so. + +Karl Van Verner and his wife were led down from the platform by the +steps towards the two stakes, which stood close to each other. And now +the members of the brotherhood on whom had been imposed the sad office +of executing the victims, rushed forward with faggots, which they piled +up round them. Two professional executioners, who had been summoned for +the purpose, secured the victims by the chains to the stakes. While +fire was set to the piles, the members of the brotherhood burst forth +into a melancholy _miserere_, which rose up even above the groans and +sighs of the people. + +Master Gresham ordered his attendants to try and force their way out of +the crowd. At length, many persons, unwilling to witness the suffering +of the victims, retired along the various streets leading into the Mere, +thus giving an opportunity to the English party to retreat. Once more +the young boy cast a terrified glance towards the horrible spectacle, +when the groom, in mercy, throwing a cloak round his head, pushed on +through the crowd, the whole party making their way as rapidly as they +could towards the royal merchant's residence. + +For days, for months, for years even, did that dreadful spectacle occur +again and again to the mind of the child. Thus perished his parents, +with their two faithful attendants, their only crime that of reading +God's Word, singing His praises, and holding together family prayer. + +Theirs was no solitary fate. Every week, every day almost, victims were +offered up to the papal Moloch by those who thus hoped to stamp out the +very existence of Protestantism from the land. Vain efforts! The seed +of religious truth, scattered far and wide, was springing up and bearing +fruit--sometimes bitter enough, it must be owned--but such as was not to +be destroyed by Roman Pontiff or Spanish King. + + + +CHAPTER THREE. + +NEWS FROM ENGLAND. + +For several days the young Ernst did not recover from the effects of the +dreadful scene he had witnessed. No smile ever beamed on his +countenance, his cheeks were pale, his eyes dim. His kind protectors +began to fear that he had received a blow which might cast a gloom over +his life, if it did not quickly shorten it. Even Sir John De Leigh, the +philosopher, the man of the world, who declared that no circumstances of +life, no human suffering, should produce any effect on the mind of a man +of sense, compassionated the orphan boy. He even condescended to call +the child to him, to tell him of the scenes he had witnessed in foreign +lands--how he had seen the Grand Bashaw and the Great Mogul,--the +splendour of their palaces, and the obedience of their subjects; how he +himself had ridden under a silken canopy on the back of a huge elephant, +and traversed the burning desert, placed between the humps of a swift +dromedary. By degrees he won back the boy to take an interest in what +was going on around him, though often little Ernst would start, and +burst forth again into bitter tears. + +The boy and his young companion were, for a large portion of each day, +with the Lady Anne, who took a pleasure in instructing him. Already he +could read without difficulty, and she now placed paper and pen in his +hand, and instructed him in the art of writing, an art very soon to +stand him in good stead, and to enable him to serve his generous patron, +Master Gresham. + +Of that kind patron some account ought now to be given. + +Master Thomas Gresham came, so Ernst believed, of a line of honourable +merchants. Sir Richard Gresham, his father, of whom he was the youngest +son, died some three years before this, having been some time Lord Mayor +of London. Sir Richard had a brother, Sir John Gresham, who was +employed as Royal agent to King Henry the Eighth in Flanders, a post to +which the patron of Ernst Verner afterwards succeeded. Sir Richard's +eldest son was named after his uncle, and became Sir John Gresham. Sir +Richard had two daughters, the eldest of whom married the wealthy Sir +John Thynne, of Longleat, in Wiltshire. + +Although it was not customary for merchants to send their sons to +college, so much talent was exhibited by Thomas Gresham, that his father +determined to give him the advantage of a University education. When +only three years old he was deprived of his mother's care, a loss he +ever bewailed. According to his father's purpose, he was sent to +Cambridge, and admitted a pensioner at Gonville and Caius College. He +there undoubtedly imbibed that attachment to the Protestant faith for +which he was ever afterwards conspicuous, and for which his Hall was at +that time distinguished. He there also gained a taste for literature, +and a respect for learned men, for which he was noted throughout life, +and which none of the subsequent cares of business were ever able to +extinguish in him. + +Expediency probably, rather than inclination, made him a merchant; at +the same time the advantages to be derived from foreign commerce were +then so considerable, that, with the splendid examples of his father and +of his uncle before him, it can be no matter of surprise, that he +forsook the quiet walk of life which his college might have afforded, +for one of honour and emolument. Before going to college he had been +bound apprentice to his uncle, Sir John Gresham, in consequence of which +he was, in 1543, admitted a member of the Mercers' Company, being then +in the twenty-fifth year of his age. + +He had at the time the event here described occurred, for some time been +holding the post of Royal agent at Antwerp, greatly to the satisfaction +of the King and their lordships. + +In consequence of the maritime position of Antwerp, it far surpassed, in +size and wealth, Brussels, and every other Flemish town. Its population +was estimated at 100,000 souls. Its internal splendour was unequalled, +the wealth of its merchants unsurpassed. They attracted hither traders +of all nations--English, French, Germans, Danes, Osterlings, Italians, +Spaniards and Portuguese. Of these the Spaniards were by far the most +numerous. For many years, the city exhibited the uncommon spectacle of +a multitude of nations, living together like one large family, where +each used its own customs, and spoke its own language. The inhabitants +were talented, and noted for their hospitality. The ladies were highly +educated: many of them could converse in several different languages; +while during most days of the week there was a constant succession of +gay assemblies, banquets, dances and nuptial parties, while music, +singing, and cheerful sounds might be heard by the passer-by in every +street. What a fearful change was in a few short years to be wrought in +this state of things! Shrieks of agony, cries of despair, hideous, +brutal slaughter, blood flowing down the doorsteps of every house, +flames bursting forth from amid those once festive halls! + +Ernst was sorry when Sir John De Leigh took his departure. The boy had +gained a powerful friend, though he was not aware of it. Little more +need be said for the present of Ernst Verner's life at that time. He +was treated with the greatest kindness and consideration by Master +Gresham and his lady. Indeed, there was no difference in the care they +bestowed on him and on their little Richard. More than one journey was +made by Master Gresham to England and back, while his family remained at +the house of Caspar Schetz. The Baron Grobbendonck, for that was his +title, who was at that time one of the greatest merchants of Antwerp, +and the chief supporter of the Bourse, was one of the four brothers who +formed an influential mercantile establishment. + +Once more Master Gresham returned to Antwerp. At length news came from +England. It was observed that he looked more serious than was his wont. + +The young Protestant King Edward the Sixth was very sick. There would +probably be disturbances in England, for he had set aside the devise of +Henry the Eighth to his daughters Mary and Elizabeth, and had given the +Crown to the heirs of the Lady Frances, the Duchess of Suffolk, she +herself being passed over. The Lady Jane Grey was the eldest of her +three daughters; she had no male heir. Fifteen Lords of the Council, +nine judges, and other officers had signed a paper, agreeing to maintain +the succession contained in the King's notes delivered to the judges. +Master Gresham observed that he feared greatly that this arrangement +would cause disturbances in England. Shortly after this, another +dispatch arrived. It contained the news that King Edward had died on +the 6th of July, twenty-two days after he had thus solemnly excluded his +sisters from the throne. + +He acted undoubtedly from right motives, believing this arrangement to +be the best, in order to secure a Protestant ruler and a Protestant +faith to England. + +Already had the Reformed faith made great progress. The last prayer of +the young King showed his earnest and abiding love of that faith: "O +Lord God! save Thy chosen people of England. O my Lord God! defend this +realm from papistry, and maintain Thy true religion!" were almost his +dying words. + +Master Gresham's anticipations of evil were too soon fulfilled. While +the Duke of Northumberland and his party supported Lady Jane and her +husband (the Earl of Dudley), the larger portion of the nation rallied +round Queen Mary, not because she was a Romanist, but because she was +considered to be the legitimate heiress to the Crown, while the +unfortunate Lady Jane was shut up in the Tower. Mary arrived in London, +and was triumphantly proclaimed as Queen on the 3rd of August, A.D. +1553. + +In a short time the estimation in which Master Gresham was held by the +new Romish sovereign of England was made manifest, as he was deprived of +his office and ordered to return home. The journey was performed on +horseback, the Lady Anne riding a horse alone, but each of her maidens +being placed behind a groom. Ernst and the little Richard were carried +in the same manner. They took the road to Bruges, from thence intending +to proceed on to Dunkirk and Calais, that Lady Anne might not be exposed +to a long sea-voyage. The journey was of necessity performed at a very +slow rate, many sumpter mules being required to carry the baggage and +bedding, and some of the inns at which they had to stop being without +any but the roughest accommodation. At Bruges they rested a day, that +the Lady Anne might see some of the churches and public buildings of +that fine city. The eyes of all the party were, however, grieved with a +spectacle which they would willingly have avoided, since they could not +prevent it. Ernst Verner was the first to apprehend what was about to +take place, and his cry of horror drew the attention of the rest of the +party to the scene. Just such a procession as he had beheld two years +before was passing through the streets. There were Spanish soldiers, +and priests in various coloured vestments, with boys waving censers and +banners borne above their heads. A vast crucifix, with the figure of +the Lord of light and life--that Holy One, full of love and mercy-- +nailed to it. How His heart must grieve, as looking down from heaven He +beholds the deeds of cruelty and injustice performed in His name. The +procession had just arrived at the place of execution, and soon, with +but little ceremony or form, five victims were chained to the stakes +there erected, and the flames burst up, consuming their bodies. The +people looked on, if not with indifference, at all events without +exhibiting their feelings, kept in awe by the Spanish troops, and their +dread of the power of the Emperor. Lady Anne entreated that they might +hasten from the city. + +"Alas! my wife, I fear, that though we proceed onwards, we may meet with +similar scenes till we are beyond the boundaries of the country. And +now we have a Popish sovereign on the throne of England, I know not what +events may there take place." + +"Surely the Princess Mary has herself not escaped suffering, and has +been so exemplary in her conduct, that she would not permit such deeds +to be done as we hear of in this country." + +"Her training has been that of the Emperor Charles. She has been +brought up, as he was, by the priests of Rome; and the same training +will in most instances produce the same results," answered the merchant. +"But let us be wise, my wife, and not speak of these things where any +eavesdropper may overhear them. Now that I have lost my firm friend and +patron, the Duke of Northumberland, I feel much uncertainty as to my own +position. There are those who hate me, both because I am a Protestant, +and because they are jealous of my success. The old Marquis of +Winchester has ever turned a green eye towards me, and is even now +plotting to do me ill. He, I doubt not, has been the chief cause of my +recall." + +Ernst heard these remarks, though he did not give much heed to them at +the time, but still it left the impression on his mind that his kind +patron was in danger. + +Calais was at length reached, and the party once more found themselves +under the protection of the British flag. While waiting for the rise of +the tide to float the vessel out of the river, Master Gresham took a +walk round the fortifications; and he saw enough to convince him that +they had been allowed to go to decay, and were not in a condition to +enable them to resist any sudden attack of the enemy. Although England +was at that time at peace with France, yet at any moment war might be +declared between the rival powers; and any simple man might know, as +well as the most experienced general, that Calais would be the first +place attacked. Master Gresham determined to make this important fact +known to the Queen's Council on his arrival in England. + +Ernst now for the first time saw the open sea rolling up through that +narrow passage, across which England and France can gaze on each other. +Ernst heard Master Gresham remark that, long time as they had taken to +accomplish the journey, it was his wont when riding post, with relays of +fleet horses along the road, to perform it in three days. + +The wind was fair, and the white cliffs of Dover, seen when leaving the +land, gradually rose up more distinctly before the eyes of the voyagers, +till the sloop coming to an anchor, they were conveyed on shore in a +small boat. Master Gresham's party, with his servants, who were all +well-armed, was a strong one. On the road they passed several +suspicious characters, who looked greatly inclined to examine the inside +of the leathern purses of the merchant and his attendants. But gold may +be bought too dearly, and the gentlemen, with glances of regret, allowed +the travellers to pass on. + +They had just crossed London Bridge on their way to Master Gresham's +house in Lombard Street, when a concourse of people was seen coming up +along the road from the west. There were troops with their halberds +glittering in the sun, banners waving, with trumpets sounding, horsemen +in rich armour, and horse soldiers with lances and streamers. Master +Gresham's party had to draw up on one side to allow the procession to +pass, and it was soon known that the Queen was coming on her way from +Westminster to the Tower. Soon she appeared in an open chariot, +ornamented with tissue of gold and silver, and drawn by six steeds. She +was dressed in a gown of blue velvet, furred with powdered ermine, while +on her head hung a cloth of tinsel, beset with pearls and precious +stones, and outside round her head was a circlet of gold, so richly +ornamented with jewels, that their weight compelled her to support her +head with her hands. Her small size was not perceived as she thus sat +in her chariot, though it was seen that her countenance was thin and +pale, betokening ill-health. + +"Will she visit the Lady Jane in the Tower, I wonder--she who might have +been Queen instead, had those who supported her proved faithful?" +whispered Lady Anne into her husband's ear. + +"Hush! hush, wife!" answered Master Gresham; "such words are dangerous. +We have seen many sad things done in the Netherlands. If we would be +safe, now we have come to England, we must hold our peace." + +The procession having moved onward towards the east, the travellers +proceeded on their way, and in a short time were comfortably lodged in +Master Gresham's own mansion in Lombard Street. Although English was +the native tongue of his mother, as yet young Ernst spoke it but +imperfectly. It was therefore deemed advisable by his kind patron that +he should be sent to school, where he might acquire a greater +acquaintance with the language, and other knowledge besides. + + + +CHAPTER FOUR. + +SAINT PAUL'S SCHOOL. + +Ernst Verner felt somewhat sad and lonely in London. Antwerp was a +large city, but London was far larger, and he was afraid to venture out +by himself, lest he should not find his way back again to Lombard +Street. Lady Anne too was very kind, but she was somewhat stately and +cold, and could not replace one whom he still remembered with tender +love. With Richard he was more at home, but Richard was delicate, and +did not seem inclined to enter into the sports for which Ernst sighed. +Master Gresham was as kind as Lady Anne, but he was at all hours engaged +in business, and often appeared not to take notice of the young boy +depending on him. He told Ernst that he was to go to school, but the +time passed by, and Ernst still remained at home, picking up such +knowledge as a worthy man, Master Dickson, who came every day to +instruct Richard, was willing to impart. + +At length, one evening when Master Gresham was seated before the +fireplace, in which blazed several logs, Ernst, who had been sitting +silently in one corner for some time, with his face over a book, +ventured to address him. Ernst was in no way afraid of his patron, +whose genial, easy manners had from the first put him at his ease. + +"Master Gresham," he said, "I now speak English well enough to go to an +English school. You said I was to go: when may that time be?" + +"Few boys are in a hurry to put themselves under the power of a +pedagogue's birch," answered Ernst's patron, looking down upon him. +"Have you thought on that subject, Ernst? The road to learning is not +always one of roses. You must be prepared for many things to which you +have not been accustomed, boy." + +"I do not expect to find many roses in this big city," answered Ernst; +"but yet I would lief get more learning than I at present possess." + +"Well, lad, you shall have your will. As soon as Saint Paul's School +opens again after the holidays, you shall go to it," answered Master +Gresham. "You have heard of it, may be. It was founded by a ripe +scholar--Dean Colet--and it is well able to turn out ripe scholars, I am +told. Dr Freeman, the head master, is a learned man, and a thorough +disciplinarian, and it is the fault of his pupils if they do not imitate +his example. The Honourable Company of Mercers, to which I belong, are +the trustees of the school, and although you are not native born, I +shall be able to obtain a nomination for you. In Dean Colet's trust he +especially declares, in the statutes of the school, that it shall be +open to the children of all nations and countries indifferently. Indeed +there is no doubt that while he limited the number of scholars to 153-- +so many fishes as were caught in the net by the apostles (John +twenty-one, verse 11), he wished the offspring of our foreign brethren +in the reformed doctrines to have a share in his benefits. No boys are, +however, to be admitted, but such as can say their Catechism, as well as +read and write competently; but as you can do that, Ernst, already, I +may promise you an admission." + +Ernst thanked his patron, for he had a desire to gain knowledge, though +he did not clearly understand what sort of place a school was. As he +was anxious to make a good appearance on entering, he attended with more +assiduity than ever to his studies at home, and thus he had made very +fair progress before the day of admission arrived. At that time there +was less difficulty than there had been previously in obtaining +admission to the school. Romanists would not send their children to it, +and Protestant parents were often afraid of doing so, lest they should +bring suspicion on themselves, or lest some day Bishop Gardiner should +insist on the pupils being brought up in the Romish doctrines. + +The day at length arrived for Ernst's admission. Master Gresham himself +was too much occupied to go with him. He therefore deputed Master +Elliot, his factor in Lombard Street, to perform the duty of introducing +the boy. It was a bitter cold morning, but Ernst was up betimes, and +having eaten his breakfast, he slung his new satchel, which Lady Anne +had procured for him, over his back. He had, too, thick shoes, with +bright red cloth hose, and a long blue coat, which kept his knees warm, +though it somewhat impeded his running. + +Master Elliot and his charge soon reached Saint Paul's, and turning to +the left, stood before the entrance of the school. Ernst looked up, and +thought the building a very fine one. There were none around to be +compared to it. + +On either side were two dwelling-houses, which Master Elliot told him +were the habitations of the masters. Passing under a fine porch, they +found themselves in the entrance-hall, where the younger pupils were +assembled, who were under the especial charge of the chaplain. In a +second large hall were boys of more advanced age, who were instructed by +the under master, while in a third division were the boys of the upper +forms, who were under the especial superintendence of the high master +himself. The last two divisions were separated only by a large curtain, +which could be drawn at will. Master Elliot passing on, stood before +the head master's chair at the further end of the hall. Dr Freeman +received his salute, and descending from his chair, inquired the name of +the boy he had brought. + +"Ah! yes," he said, on hearing Ernst's name, "a ward of the worshipful +Master Gresham--that _ditissimus mercator_, as my honoured friend Dr +Caius calls him. I am glad to have the youthful Verner under my charge. +I will presently see that he possesses the necessary qualifications for +entering, of which, however, I entertain no doubt, being fully +persuaded, from what Master Gresham wrote, that he is far more +proficient than many who come here." + +Ernst did not exactly understand all that the Doctor was saying; at the +same time he heard enough to give him courage, and with less anxiety and +alarm than might have been expected, he bade his friend the factor +farewell. + +"Keep thy wits about thee, my lad," whispered Master Elliot, "and do +credit to your name and country. There is nothing very difficult for +you to go through, depend on that, or those dull-headed boys we passed +as we entered would never have taken their places in the school." + +Ernst found his friend's remarks correct. + +His reading, in spite of his foreign accent, was considered fluent, and +his writing very good. To the questions put to him he answered in a way +to obtain the approbation of the Doctor, and he was forthwith sent to +take his place in the lower school. Ernst found that each class +contained sixteen boys. The one who was at the head of his class had a +little seat to mark his honourable position, arranged above the benches +on which the other boys were placed. + +As at that early hour lights were required, each boy had brought a wax +candle, it being against the rules laid down by Dean Colet that any +tallow candles should be used. As soon as the day became sufficiently +bright, the candles were immediately extinguished, to be ready again in +the evening. Ernst, by attending diligently to his studies, gained the +approbation of his masters, and, greatly to his surprise, was in a short +time promoted to the seat of honour at the head of the class. He +observed that when Master Elliot entered he laid down fourpence, which +he found was the fee for his admission into the school. This sum was +given to a certain poor scholar, who was engaged to attend to the +schoolrooms, swept them out, and also kept the seats and desks clean-- +John Tobin was his name. Ernst took a liking to the lad because he +seemed so humble and quiet, and ready to oblige. His cheeks were +somewhat hollow and his garments threadbare, for in truth the fourpence +he received, though not a sum to be despised, was not sufficient to +maintain him in much luxury. John Tobin had also a widowed mother, +already advancing in life, whom he did his utmost to support, and he +looked forward to the time when he should, by the result of his labours, +enable her to live in more comfort than she then could. Ernst, in +course of time, made friends with several of his schoolfellows, who will +be mentioned hereafter. He had to be up early every morning to take his +breakfast and be away to school, as the hours of study were from 7 to 11 +a.m., and from 1 to 5 p.m. + +On one side of the hall was a chapel, where the pupils assembled for +prayers on first collecting in the morning, as also at noon, and again +in the evening. Ernst, having been brought up a strict Calvinist, was +not altogether pleased at seeing, over the chair of the head master, an +image of the boy Jesus, albeit it was a beautiful work of art. + +It was in the gesture of teaching. All the scholars on going into the +hall, as also on departing, were taught to salute it with a hymn. Above +the figure there was a painting, intended to represent God the Father, +under which was written the words, "Hear ye Him!" These words were +placed there, Ernst heard, at the suggestion of the great Dutch scholar +Erasmus, who was a friend of Dean Colet, and who, some years before, had +visited London. Under the figure also were some lines in Latin, written +by the same learned person. Behind the school was a playground +surrounded by cloisters, where the pupils played in rainy weather. + +As is well-known, it was the custom for the elder boys in some schools, +and other youths, to assemble on stages at Barthelmy Fair, where they +held disputations on various subjects, much in the way as is done in the +Netherlands. The scholars at Dean Colet's school were, however, +interdicted from this amusement, he considering it as tending only to +idle jabbering. + +His great wish was that they all should learn pure and chaste Latin, and +he prohibited them from studying the later writers, after Sallust and +Cicero. Ernst found that there were very few holidays at the school, +Dean Colet holding that keeping the Saints' days, as had been the +custom, was a great cause of idleness and dissipation. He remarked that +those countries where the Saints were thus honoured were the poorest, +and most immoral in Christendom. The students were, however, allowed to +act plays, interludes, and moralities, and were trained by the head +master and others to speak their parts with correctness and grace; +indeed, so perfect did they become, that they at times exhibited their +talents before their Sovereign. + +Ernst's days were not altogether pleasant ones. He was jeered at by the +other boys on account of his foreign tongue. The discipline too of the +school was very strict. The ferule and the birch were constantly +employed. If he was perchance late at school, either in the morning or +afternoon, he had additional tasks and impositions, not that he often +suffered on that account. He attended with great assiduity to his +studies, anxious to improve himself, and to show that he was worthy of +the kind patronage of Master Gresham. He soon made himself acquainted +with Paul's _Accidents_, written by Dean Colet for the use of his +scholars, and consisting of the rudiments of grammar, with an abridgment +of the principles of religion. + +Ernst had mixed so little with other boys, that he was unaccustomed to +defend himself against the attacks of his companions. Thus at first +even very small boys dared to assail him, he looking upon them with +pity, or it may have been with contempt, just as a large mastiff, when +little dogs are barking at his heels, refrains from retaliating. This +gave them courage to continue their persecutions. One day, however, +several of the bigger boys thought fit to unite with them, mimicking +Ernst, and inquiring what had become of his parents, that they allowed +him thus to be sent to a foreign land. + +"They were burnt for their religion," answered Ernst at last; "because +they would not bow down to idols, or attend the Popish mass." + +"Oh! oh! young master, heretics were they!" exclaimed some of the boys; +for at this time, although the principles of the school existed as +before, Romanism was apparently in the ascendant. "Then you are a +heretic, I doubt not, and will some day come to the stake." + +A big boy was standing by whom Ernst had often seen, though never spoken +to. He listened eagerly to what Ernst was saying, as also to the +exclamations of the other boys. + +"I am ready to burn for the true faith," said Ernst. "It were well for +some of you to try and learn what that true faith is, instead of abusing +a foreigner sent among you." + +"Are you, young jackanapes, to teach us?" exclaimed several of the big +boys together; and the younger ones, set on by them, once more began to +attack Ernst, to pull his coat tails, and to give him cuffs on the head. +He stood it for some time in his usual way, till one of the big ones +began to treat him in the same manner. Instantly turning round, he +struck his new assailant a blow between the eyes, which sent him reeling +backwards. The boy, enraged, flew upon Ernst, and would have punished +him severely, had not at that moment the lad who, has been spoken of +sprung forward. + +"Fair play!" he exclaimed, "fair play! English boys, if you forget what +that is, I intend to see it carried out. Now as Ernst Verner is a +slight boy, and I am a stout one, whoever wants to attack him must +attack me first--who is ready? Come on! you all know me, Andrew A'Dale, +that I never flinch from a fight; and with a good cause to fight for, I +am not going to do so now." + +The boy who had been attacking Ernst, blinded with anger, flew at +A'Dale, who sent him back reeling among his companions. + +"Does anybody else want to attack Verner?" he exclaimed; "let him come +on now, or ever afterwards keep quiet." + +No one answered the challenge. The bigger boys walked off one by one +with looks of anger turned towards A'Dale, while the younger ones slunk +away, and Ernst was left standing near A'Dale. Ernst thanked A'Dale +warmly for the protection he had afforded him. + +"I never stood up for another more willingly," answered A'Dale. "You +are a foreigner, and without friends, and more than that you are a +Protestant, and your parents have suffered for a good cause. Both those +things would make me wish you well, but I like you for yourself, and for +the spirit you have shown, so say no more about it." + +From that day forward Ernst and Andrew A'Dale became firm friends. + +Soon after this the whole school went in procession, according to +custom, to attend the service of the Boy Bishop. He was one of the +choristers of the cathedral, one of whom every year was selected for +this office. He was habited in a bishop's full dress, though it cannot +be said that he looked altogether as dignified as might have been +desired. Still he managed to ape with tolerable accuracy the movements +and mode of proceeding of a full-grown bishop. One thing might truly be +said, that had he played many strange antics, he would scarcely have +out-done Bishop Bonner, albeit such a remark would have been dangerous +to make at that time. The boys of the school were arranged, as has been +said, in their seats, when the bishop, ascending the pulpit, and with +crozier in hand, delivered his address. His companions now and then +made signs to him which betokened no great amount of respect. As the +boys of Saint Paul's School, however, had the eyes of their masters +fixed on them, they behaved with sufficient decorum. A'Dale, however, +who disliked such mummeries as much as did Ernst, did not altogether +keep his countenance. He was in sight of the altar, where the priest +was about to perform the high mass. That ceremony was gone through in +the usual way, both A'Dale and Ernst, and some others may be, chafing +not a little at being obliged to be present at it. Ernst's quick sight +had detected the eyes of the priest fixed on him and A'Dale. He +whispered to his companion. + +"Yes, possibly we are marked," answered A'Dale; "but the priest can do +us little harm, I should think; and at all events we must brave it out." +The two boys, it must be owned, took little pains to conceal their +feelings. Before leaving the church each boy of the school had to take +up one penny, and present it to the Boy Bishop for his maintenance, and +thus every year he collected a goodly number of pennies. It may be +remarked that the Boy Bishop was chosen by the other choristers to +officiate from Saint Nicholas Day to the evening of Innocents' Day. +Should he die during that period, he was always buried in the habit of a +bishop. The following day Ernst and A'Dale saw, not without some +anxiety, the priest who had been officiating at the altar enter the +school. After speaking with the head master, he cast his eyes round the +classes and pointed to A'Dale and Ernst. + +"Some harm will come out of this," they thought; but they wisely said +nothing. Again the priest consulted with the head master, who seemed to +be expostulating with him, and finally took his departure, casting a +frowning glance on the two boys. Having reached the door he turned +round, as if to watch what the head master would do. Dr Freeman on +this called up A'Dale and Ernst, and spoke in a loud voice with great +severity to them, threatening them with condign punishment for their +irreverent behaviour. As, however, he did not proceed further than +words, they had reason to hope that he did not consider them guilty of +any very atrocious crime. As soon as the priest had taken his +departure, they were allowed to return to their seats, with an +admonition, that in future, whatever they might think of such matters, +not to express their thoughts by their gestures. + +It may be supposed, though, that the masters were not personally +favourable to the re-introduction of the Popish forms and ceremonies +which was then taking place throughout the country. There was more to +come out of this than the boys thought. + + + +CHAPTER FIVE. + +AN INSURRECTION. + +Queen Mary had been for some months seated on the throne. The nation +was becoming uneasy. The Protestant Bishop Latimer was committed to the +Tower on the 13th of November, and Archbishop Cranmer was sent there on +the 14th, while, at the same time, deprived Bishops, among whom were +Bonner, Bishop of London, and Gardiner, Bishop of Winchester, were +restored to their sees, both well-known for their virulent hatred of the +Reformation. And now the intended match of the Queen with Philip of +Spain, the son of Charles the Fifth, was openly talked of. It was known +in a short time that the Queen had herself selected him. This was +further confirmed by a statement, that on the 30th of October, having +sent for the Spanish Ambassador into her chamber, the Queen repeated the +_Veni Creator_, and kneeling before the host, gave him her sacred +promise that she would marry no other man than Philip. + +The Queen thus hoped, with a Popish husband, and with the aid of Spain, +that she might restore within the realm the faith of Rome to which she +clung. A secret agent had arrived from Rome--Francis Commendone by +name. At first he was unable to gain access to the Queen, but, being +well-known to Sir John De Leigh, the knight arranged his introduction. +To him the Queen expressed her desire to re-establish the Romish Church +in the country. She sent letters also by him to the Pope, which it is +said were so acceptable to Julius the Third, that he wept for joy, in +the belief that his pontificate would be honoured by the restoration of +England to its ancient obedience. These facts becoming known, and many +more statements being made which were untrue, the hatred of the people +to the proposed marriage increased. + +Ernst with many of his schoolfellows were in the street, when the report +was spread that a large body of Spaniards, being chiefly the retinue of +the Count and his harbingers, were riding through London. The dislike +which Ernst naturally entertained for the people of that nation, who +were so cruelly tyrannising over his native country, now blazed up, +"Let's treat these people as they deserve!" he cried out to his +companions. "Let us show them that though Englishmen love freedom and +free men, they hate tyranny and tyrants!" + +A loud hurrah was the response to this appeal. It was in the depth of +winter, and the snow was lying somewhat thickly in the streets. The +boys soon gathered snow-balls, with which each one loaded himself. As +they moved along their numbers increased, till Ernst and his companions +were almost lost sight of. They hurried on to a spot they knew the +Spaniards must pass. The Count's attendants were congratulating +themselves on their safe arrival in the country, and at the thoughts of +being soon comfortably housed after their long ride. + +"Now, boys, now!" shouted Ernst. "Give them a taste of our quality. +Let us show them we will have no Spaniards in this country to reign over +us. Give it them! give it them!" + +As he spoke, every hand was raised on high, and a shower of snow-balls +came flying about the ears of the astonished Spaniards. At first they +stopped, in the vain hope of catching their assailants. The boys flew +off, mocking them with their laughter. Again they moved on, when the +hardy crowd collected again, and sent rapidly flying round them a +complete storm of snow-balls. They were no soft or harmless missiles-- +some were hard as stone--masses of ice. Several of the cavaliers were +cut and bruised, two or three were nearly hurled from their horses. The +gay doublets of all were thoroughly bespattered with snow, and sometimes +with other materials mixed with it. Ernst was more eager even than the +rest, urging on his companions to continue the assault. The more angry +the Spaniards became, the more the boys laughed, especially when one or +two ecclesiastics among them got hit. The people who came out from +their houses, although taking no part in the sport, stood by, applauding +the boys, and laughing heartily. As Ernst was running here and there, +encouraging his companions, re-collecting them when they were dispersed, +and bringing them up again to the assault, he suddenly felt his arm +grasped by a man's hand. Looking up he saw a stranger. "What is it you +want of me?" he asked; "let me go, I wish to have another cast." + +"Stay, boy, stay, you are acting foolishly," answered the stranger. "I +know you, though you do not remember me. I was in search of you. Come +with me; I have something of importance to communicate." + +"I cannot! I cannot!" cried Ernst. "I must not desert my companions! +I must have another throw at the Spaniards. See! it was I who hit that +grim old gentleman in the eye. I think I could just catch the tip of +his long nose if I was to try again. Let me go, I say! Hurrah! boys, +shoot away! We will show the Dons what Englishmen think of them and +their Romish faith. We want no idolatry and masses and confessions, and +priests to play the tricks they used to do!" + +"Foolish lad! come with me!" again exclaimed the stranger. "Such +exclamations as these may cause you your life, and injure, not only +yourself, but those who have protected you." + +This last remark had more effect on Ernst Verner than any of the others. + +"Well," he said, "I will go with you, sir, and hear what you have got to +say. We have given the Spaniards a taste of our quality, and have made +them understand that they are no welcome visitors to the shores of Old +England." + +The last remark was made as the stranger led off Ernst down a narrow +street, or lane rather, such as branched off in every direction from the +thoroughfares of the City. They stopped under an archway where they +were free from observation. + +"What is it you would have with me?" asked Ernst, looking up at the +stranger, nothing daunted, though of course he was in the man's power, +and the stroke of a dagger might have left him lifeless on the pavement, +no one being witness to the deed, while his murderer would, to a +certainty, have escaped. + +"Listen to me, foolish boy," said the stranger. "I am in the service of +a certain worthy gentleman--a friend of your patron, Master Gresham. He +sent me to look for you, for it appears he holds you in more esteem than +were he acquainted with your proceedings to-day he would be inclined to +bestow on you. Now listen. He would not himself communicate directly +with Master Gresham, but he desires you, as you would wish to show your +gratitude to your patron, as well as to him, to hasten forth to Master +Gresham's house: tell him to boot and saddle, and to hie him with all +speed to his country house at Intwood. Danger threatens him. The fate +his old friend and patron has lately suffered may be his. After he +reaches it, let him make such arrangement of his affairs as he deems +necessary, and go into hiding. When the danger has blown over, he who +sends me will give him advice thereof; but if his enemies continue to +seek his life, he must remain concealed, or fly for safety to some +foreign land." + +"Pardon me for my vehemence and rudeness, sir," said Ernst, when the +stranger ceased speaking. "I will thankfully convey your message; I +understand it clearly. My only fear is, lest I may have been observed, +as one of those engaged in the attack on the Spaniards, and may be +impeded on my way." + +"I will take care of that," said the stranger. "I will watch you at a +distance, and, should you be stopped, will endeavour to obtain your +release. I may have more influence with the people in authority than +you may suppose. Now hasten away, you will not go so fast that I cannot +keep up with you; but remember that you must yourself deliver the +message to Master Gresham in person. Let it not pass through any other +hands. He will excuse you for your absence from school, and will +probably send a message to your master that may enable you to escape +punishment. Now hie thee away, lad. I will follow, and will go to thy +rescue, should any attempt to stop thee." + +Ernst, thus understanding that his patron was in danger, tucked up the +skirts of his long gown closely round his waist, and hurried away at the +top of his speed. The stranger must have had to keep up a rapid pace to +hold him in sight. Ernst sped on. His chief fear was that he might +meet some of his companions, who would inquire the cause of his haste. +On he went. He saw several of them at a distance; but, by turning down +one lane and running up another, he avoided them. He forgot that in so +doing he should probably get out of sight of the stranger, but he little +heeded that: he rather trusted to his own adroitness than to any +assistance which might be given him. Breathless he reached the door of +his patron's house. + +Hurriedly knocking, he was admitted. Master Gresham was out. He +hastened to the Lady Anne's apartments. With anxious looks she inquired +the cause of his coming. + +"It is better that you should endure some alarm than that my dear master +should suffer evil," said Ernst, as he delivered the message which he +had received. "It will be well to make preparations for his journey, +that the instant he returns he may be able to set forth." + +"Wisely spoken, lad," answered Lady Anne; "you have well repaid the care +we have taken of you. While I am seeing that such garments as my lord +may require are put up, do you go and tell the factor, John Elliot, to +have the horses in readiness; and let James Brocktrop know that he is to +ride with his lord. Tell him not where, but that he must be prepared +for a long journey." + +All these arrangements were made before the return of Master Gresham: he +had been presiding at a meeting of the Mercers' Company. Seldom had he +appeared so much out of spirits, even before he heard the account Ernst +had to give him. The merchants of London, he said, were universally +against this Spanish marriage. They were too well acquainted with the +affairs of Europe, and with the character of the Emperor and his son, +not to dread the worst consequences to England. The cruelties exercised +over the inhabitants of the Low Countries had driven numerous skilled +artisans to England; but if Philip was ruler here, they would be afraid +to come, dreading lest the same cruelties might be exercised upon them +in the land of their adoption. + +Lady Anne interrupted these remarks by bringing forward Ernst. The +merchant listened calmly to the account given him by the lad. + +"The warning is from a friend," he remarked; "it should not be +disregarded. Yet I have no fancy to fly away like a traitor or +criminal: I would rather remain and stand the brunt of any attack made +on me." + +"Oh, my dear lord, be not so rash!" exclaimed Lady Anne. "If the Queen +desires again to establish the Romish faith in England, surely she will +endeavour to remove all those who, from their rank or wealth and sound +Protestant principles, are likely to interfere with her project." + +Ernst added his entreaties to those of the Lady Anne, assuring his +patron that the man who had spoken to him had urged instant flight as +the only sure means of escaping the threatened danger. Master Gresham +at length yielded to the entreaties of his wife; and having put on his +riding-dress, and secured his arms round him, accompanied by his +faithful attendant James Brocktrop, he took his departure from his +house. He was soon clear of the City, riding along the pleasant lanes +and open fields towards the north of London. Ernst ran behind the +horses, keeping a little way off, for a considerable distance, till he +saw them safe out of the City, and then returned to make his report to +the Lady Anne, who failed not to pray that her lord might be protected +on his journey. Again she thanked Ernst for the benefit he had done her +lord. + +And now the boy returned, with his heart beating more proudly than it +had ever beaten before, back to school: a line from Lady Anne, +explaining that he had been employed by his patron, saved him from the +penalty which he might have had to suffer for his absence. + +Ernst got back to school: the master asked no questions. He might have +been aware that some of his boys had been out pelting the Spaniards with +snow-balls; but the crime, perchance, was not a great one in his eyes. + +The following day, the Earl of Devonshire and a large assemblage of +other lords and gentlemen went down to the Tower Wharf to receive the +Spanish Ambassador, who came to arrange the terms of the Queen's +marriage. He travelled in great state, attended by a number of nobles +and others. He was Flemish--the Count of Egmont; hereafter to be seen +by Ernst under very different circumstances. As he landed thus in great +state, the Earl of Devonshire gave him his right hand, and assisted him +to mount a richly-caparisoned steed standing ready to carry him. Thus +the cavalcade of nobles, in their furred cloaks, proceeded on through +Cheapside, and so forth to Westminster. As the Count looked round him, +he might have suspected that his master Philip was in no respect welcome +to the English. There were many people, notwithstanding the cold, in +the streets; but none of them shouted or waved their hats, but on the +contrary held down their heads and turned aside, well knowing that his +visit boded no good to their country. Still more hateful were the +thoughts of the marriage to the people when the terms of the treaty +became known. The boys at Saint Paul's School were the first to invent +a new game, one half calling themselves Spaniards, the other English. +Ernst would never consent to join the Spaniards. + +"No," he said; "they burned my father and my mother, and while I live I +will never unite with them. I tell you, boys, they will burn you and +your fathers and your mothers, and all you love, who dare to call +themselves Protestants, if they ever get power in this country of +England." + +Often the battle raged furiously in the playground between the two +parties. On no occasion would the English allow themselves to be +beaten: indeed, those who represented the Spaniards seemed to feel that +they had a bad cause; and whether they charged each other, or one party +pursued the other, the Spaniards invariably gave way. + +And now troublous times began in England. News was received that +various gentlemen and others were up in arms to resist the coming of the +King of Spain--Sir Thomas Carew in Devonshire and Sir Thomas Wyatt in +Kent. The Duke of Suffolk also caused proclamation to be made against +the Queen's marriage. News reached London that an army of insurgents +under Sir Thomas Wyatt was marching on the City. The boys from the +schools were sent to their friends, no one knowing what might occur. +Willingly the Lady Anne would have followed her lord into the country; +but she feared that by going thither she might betray the place of his +retreat. She therefore waited in London, hoping that she might receive +tidings of his safety. Day after day, however, passed by, and no news +reached her. Ernst endeavoured to console her, entreating that he might +be allowed to set off to visit Master Gresham. + +"That would cause almost as much risk as my going," she answered. "Your +foreign tongue, my boy, would betray you, and you might easily be +traced. No; we must put our trust in God that He will protect my lord +amid the dangers which surround him." + +Not many days after this the insurgents came to the south side of the +Thames. Those of the inhabitants of London who held to Queen Mary armed +themselves for her defence; and as the army of Sir Thomas Wyatt passed +on the Surrey side in sight of the Tower, the ordnance which was placed +thereon was discharged at them. Though the guns roared loudly, however, +no injury was inflicted. When they came to London Bridge they found the +gates shut and the drawbridge cut down. Onward they marched therefore +to Kingston, there being no other means of passing the Thames till they +could reach that place. Here also the bridge was broken down; but the +Queen's men being dispersed, the insurgents crossed in boats, and, +marching on, halted not till they had reached Knightsbridge. Ernst, +hearing of what was taking place, was eager to go out and join them, and +he failed not to find a number of companions who were willing to unite +with him in the expedition. They had no arms, but they arranged a plan +to obtain daggers and bows and arrows, and they hoped with these to +perform some mighty exploit, so as to prevent the hateful Spanish match. + +Ernst was captain of this youthful band, and Andrew A'Dale and the young +Richard Gresham lieutenants. They had full fifty others with them. +That they were not sent off to prison at once, with no small risk of +afterwards being hung up, as were many older men, was owing to the +prudence of Ernst Verner. He advised that, should any demand their +intentions, their replies should be that they were arming for the +protection of their country, and that as yet they had not decided on +their plan of operation. Thus, while the citizens were assembling in +the public places or marching here and there, they also were able to go +forth, no one doubting that they were prepared to defend the City +against the insurgents. It may have been, however, that some of those +of more advanced age had the same intentions, and that, had Sir Thomas +Wyatt been successful, they would gladly have joined him. And now there +was a great commotion, it being known that the insurgents were +approaching close to the west end of London. On this Queen Mary came +into the City, and arriving at Guildhall, where a large concourse of +people was assembled, made a vehement oration against Wyatt and his +followers, Bishop Gardiner exclaiming as she concluded, "How happy are +we, to whom God has given so wise and learned a Queen!" + +Not long after, however, when Wyatt drew still closer to the City, many +of the followers of the Queen went to her, crying out that all was lost, +and urged her to take boat, so that she might go down the river and +escape. Her women, too, were shrieking through terror, and endeavouring +to hide themselves away, thinking that the insurgents would speedily +come in and slay them. It might have been a happy thing for this +kingdom and people, if the advice of these timorous soldiers had been +followed. Some probably were only too glad at having an excuse for +persuading the Queen to leave the kingdom. She, however, refused to +move, declaring "that now she was Queen--Queen she would remain." One +thing certainly must be said of Queen Mary: she was a bold, brave woman, +determined in purpose, though all gentle feelings were completely +overcome by the influence of her bigotry and superstition; thus, having +once tasted of blood, her disposition seemed that of a veritable tiger. + +The sound of guns was now heard in the City. Ernst and his companions +were very eager to march forth, but obtaining no certain information, +they knew not in which direction to proceed. He, therefore, with one +faithful companion--Andrew A'Dale--agreed to set forth to gain +information. + +Poor Lady Anne was by this time in great agitation about her young +charges, they having strayed out unknown to her, and she being unable to +tell what had become of them. + +Ernst and Andrew, hiding their weapons, hurried along, passing through +Cheapside, and going on till they arrived at Ludgate. Joining an armed +band who were going forth, they slipped out through the gate. And now +they took their way along Fleet Street to Temple Bar. They had not gone +far before they saw a large body of armed men approaching. They guessed +rightly. They formed part of the army of Sir Thomas Wyatt. + +"We will join them," said Ernst; but A'Dale was cautious. "Let us draw +aside," he observed, "and see what they are about." + +On marched the insurgents. Some had fire-arms, but many had only long +pikes and scythes, and other hastily-formed weapons. Still as they +advanced, the people shouted, "A Wyatt! a Wyatt!" + +The boys now joined the band, which with loud shouts marched onward till +they arrived at Ludgate. The gate was, however, shut. Wyatt having +thus far been successful, hoped that he should have no difficulty in +entering the City; but when he knocked at the gate, Lord William Howard, +who was there commanding, shouted out: + +"Avaunt, traitor! Thou shalt not enter in here." + +In vain the insurgents thundered at the gate. They could by no means +force it. Some were slain in making the attempt. Two or three were +struck down by arrows close to where Ernst and his companion were +standing. + +"We shall do well to retreat," observed A'Dale, in a low voice; "we +shall gain no honour here. I fear that these men will not force the +gate." + +He spoke too truly. The order was given to retreat. The boys were now +hurried back by the crowd, from which it was impossible to extricate +themselves. + + + +CHAPTER SIX. + +IN FLEET PRISON. + +Ernst Verner and Andrew A'Dale began bitterly to repent their folly in +having come out of the City. Still more so did they when the insurgents +met a body of the Queen's troops near Temple Bar. Sir Thomas Wyatt's +men, though they for some time fought bravely, many losing their lives, +were at length put to flight, and a herald advancing, urged their leader +to yield himself a prisoner, and to submit to the Queen's clemency. The +friends around him, however, entreated him rather to fly than to trust +to one under such evil influences as was her Majesty, but in despair he +at length yielded himself up to Sir Maurice Berkley. It was a sad sight +to see poor Sir Thomas mounted on a horse behind Sir Maurice, and +carried off to Westminster. As this is not a record of public events, +it may briefly be said that the clemency afforded to Sir Thomas Wyatt +was that of death, he being some time afterwards executed. + +There can be no doubt that this insurrection hastened the execution of +the young and talented Lady Jane Grey, and of her husband, Lord Guilford +Dudley. The event just described took place on the 7th of February, +1554, and on the 12th Lord Guilford Dudley was led out of his prison to +die on Tower Hill. Ernst and A'Dale heard, as boys are apt to hear, +that some event of importance was about to take place, and together they +found their way to the spot, little knowing, however, what they were to +witness. The bell tolled slowly when the young nobleman was led forth +from the Tower to the scaffold. He gazed round him on that cold +winter's morning; yet colder seemed the hearts of those who were thus +putting him out of life. After a short time allowed him for prayer, he +laid his head on the block. The executioner held it up, and declared it +to be the head of a traitor. It was then wrapped in a cloth, and his +body was taken back in a cart to the Tower. The boys, with many other +persons, now made their way within the walls, supposing that they were +to witness the interment of the young lord, but shortly they found +themselves beneath the walls of the White Tower. There, on the green +open space, a scaffold appeared. While they were wondering why it was +there placed, a door at the foot of the Tower opened, and forthwith came +several guards and other persons. In their midst walked a lady, young +and lovely, moving with grace, and her countenance, though grave and +sad, yet beaming with a radiance which seemed to the boys angelic. + +Young indeed she was, for she had as yet numbered only seventeen +summers. She walked on with a firm step, not a tear appearing in her +eyes. In her hand she held a book, from which she read, praying as she +walked. Thus she came to the scaffold. There she knelt down and again +lifted up her heart in prayer to God. She was the Lady Jane Grey, thus +about cruelly to be put to death for no crime--no fault of hers. When +she rose, she handed her book from which she had been reading, to an +officer who stood by her side. He was Master Brydges, brother of the +Lieutenant of the Tower. In vain the priests who stood round +endeavoured to persuade her to die in the faith of Rome. She who had a +short time before uttered these memorable words, "I ground my faith upon +God's Word, and not upon the Church, for if the Church be a good Church, +the faith of the Church must be tried by God's Word, and not God's Word +by the Church," could not, while God's grace supported her, abandon the +pure Protestant truth she held. And now she was well prepared to die, +for she trusted in the risen Saviour, all-powerful to keep her to the +end. Tying the kerchief about her eyes, she felt for the block, and +said, in a sweet, low voice, "What shall I do? Where is it?" + +One of those standing by guided her to the block, on which she then laid +down her head as if on a pillow, and stretched forth her body, seemingly +about to rest, saying: "Lord, into Thy hands I commend my spirit." No +other word she spoke. The gleaming axe descended, and the life of that +young and virtuous and highly talented lady was thus cut short. Had +Ernst been alone he would have fallen to the ground, so faint and sick +at heart did he become at the spectacle he had witnessed. But A'Dale +was of somewhat firmer stuff, and taking his companion by the arm, led +him again out of the precincts of the Tower. The gates were once more +closed. + +Such was the commencement of horrors which the City of London was to +witness. + +On the following day, when morning broke, in all parts of London gallows +were found erected, from Billingsgate in the east to Hyde Park Corner in +the west, and in nineteen different places were these instruments of +death set up; and ere the close of that black day, forty-eight men had +been suspended on them, all accused of joining in the rebellion of Sir +Thomas Wyatt. Still the prisons were full of captives; and a few days +afterwards several leaders and twenty-two common rebels were marched out +of London under a strong escort to suffer death in Kent, there to strike +terror into the hearts of the inhabitants. + +It was melancholy at that time to walk about London, for in every +direction the sight of men hanging in gibbets met the eye. Ernst +declared that he would not again leave the house, and yet a feverish +curiosity compelled him, with A'Dale, often to traverse the streets. + +Still no news came of Master Gresham, and Lady Anne became very anxious +to hear of his safety. + +At length, one night, the wind blowing, and the rain pattering down on +the roof, a loud knocking was heard at the door, and after some time the +porter, being aroused, went to the watch-hole to see who was without. +As there was but a single horseman, the porter asked his business. + +"Don't you know me, knave?" asked the voice of James Brocktrop; "open +quickly! I have a message for our lady!" + +Saying this, as soon as the door was opened, he brought his horse into +the paved hall, and led it through to the back of the house, where the +stables were situated. + +"Now hie thee to bed, knave," he said to the porter. "I will get for +thee a cup of sack, that thou mayest sleep sounder after being thus +aroused." + +In a short time Ernst was summoned by Lady Anne, and directed to bring +James Brocktrop into her presence, to hear the news he had brought from +her lord. They spoke for a short time together, when both went down to +the hall, Lady Anne calling Ernst to her. The door was opened, and +James Brocktrop sallied forth, leaving Lady Anne and Ernst to watch at +the door. + +In a short time Brocktrop returned, accompanied by another person, with +a cloak wrapped closely round him which shaded his features. No sooner +was he inside than the door was again closed, and, without speaking a +word, Lady Anne led him along to the stairs, and together they ascended +to the upper part of the house. + +"Who is that?" asked Ernst of Brocktrop; "surely I know the figure of +the stranger." + +"It will be wise in you to know nothing about the matter, young master," +answered Brocktrop: "some knowledge is dangerous, especially in these +times." + +Ernst formed his own opinion on the subject. He had little doubt who +the stranger was. + +"Now hie thee to bed, lad, hie thee to bed," said Master Brocktrop, "and +forget, if thou canst, that thou hast been awakened out of thy sleep; +and if thou art cross-questioned at any time, thou wilt remember that +which has passed to-night is but an idle dream not to be spoken of." + +Ernst went back to his room, which he shared with the young Richard +Gresham, and was soon again fast asleep. + +After this, Lady Anne no longer spoke of her anxiety regarding the fate +of her husband; but she saw no guests, and those who called on business +were told that as soon as Master Gresham returned, and was able to see +them, he would willingly hear what they had to communicate. + +Master Gresham was not the only Protestant gentleman of repute who was +at this time anxious about himself. Many who had come prominently +forward during the reign of King Edward were now placed in great fear in +consequence of the proceedings of the Queen's ministers. A sermon, a +short time before preached by Gardiner, Bishop of Winchester, before the +Queen, greatly alarmed the minds of those who held Protestant +principles, in which he had entreated that, as before open rebellion and +conspiracy had sprung out of her leniency, she would now be merciful to +the body of the commonwealth and conservation thereof, which could not +be unless the rotten and hurtful members thereof were cut off and +consumed. In truth, it was well-known that she and her counsellors had +determined to carry through the matter of restoring the Popish faith by +fire and blood. Ernst especially trembled when he heard that Philip, +the son of the cruel persecutor of the Netherlands, had arrived in +England, and that he had been married to Queen Mary on the 25th of June, +the festival of Saint James, the Patron Saint of Spain, and that +henceforth he was to be called King of England. Gardiner, who performed +the ceremony, was treated with great respect, and at the banquet which +followed was the only person permitted to sit upon the dais with the +King and Queen. + +And now all the gibbets in London were taken down, so that the dead +bodies hanging thereon might not offend the sight of the King, who, +however, had been too much accustomed to see the subjects of his father +burned because they trusted in God's Word to have felt any great +repugnance to the spectacle. + +Everywhere the streets of London were filled with Spaniards, who walked +haughtily about with their cloaks over their shoulders and swords by +their sides, greatly to the displeasure of the citizens, who often +seemed disposed to place them all, with their Prince, on board the +vessels in the Thames, and send them forthwith again out of the country. +And now preparations were complete for the state visit of the King and +Queen to the City. + +Banners were hung out along the streets; all sorts of designs were +prepared, while all public spots which would allow of paintings were +ornamented with various devices; among others, the conduit in +Gracechurch Street was decorated with pictures of Henry the Eighth and +Edward the Sixth, and of the nine worthies. Henry was represented with +a Bible in his hand, on which was written, "Verbum Dei." + +Now the Queen and a vast number of nobles--English, Flemish, and +Spanish--rode through the City in great state; but few of the mob +cheered, or cried, "God save the King and Queen!" Many, indeed, uttered +very different exclamations, at which Mary, and Bishop Gardiner, were +very wroth, scarcely attempting to conceal their anger. Still more +angry was the Bishop when he arrived in Gracechurch Street, and saw the +representation of King Henry with a Bible in his hand. Immediately he +sent some one to call the painter before him, who, on his appearing, had +numerous foul words showered down on his head. + +"Thou art an accursed traitor!" he added. "Who bade thee thus paint the +good King with a book in his hand? Thou shalt be sent to the Fleet +because thou art a fool, if not a traitor." + +The poor painter humbly apologised, saying that he thought, as King +Henry had allowed the Bible to be read in all churches, it was right to +paint him in that manner. + +"No, no, knave!" answered the bishop. "Such a painting is against the +Queen's Catholic proceedings. She does not esteem the Bible as the vile +heretics do. Now go and paint out the book, or thy head will grace one +of the first fresh gibbets which will soon be erected in the City." + +The painter hastened off, and painting out the Bible, put in the King's +hands a pair of gloves in its stead. + +Ernst, as has been said, was watching the procession, but with a bitter +heart. He did not intend to make any sign of disrespect: he simply +avoided shouting, or showing that he was pleased at the arrival of the +Prince, when suddenly he found his arm seized by a person with a firm +grasp. + +"What want you with me?" he asked, looking up, and almost expecting to +see the person who had before warned him that Master Gresham was in +danger. + +"Thou art a young traitor, and must prepare to go with me to prison," +said the officer of justice. "I saw thee just now make signs of hatred +towards the Queen. For this alone thou deservest to die; we can have no +traitors in England." + +In vain Ernst pleaded that he had not done any wrong, and that though he +had not shouted, neither had the great mass of people standing round. +This seemed somewhat to stagger the officer. The man was about, indeed, +to let Ernst go, when a priest, who had been standing near, stepped +forward, and looking the boy earnestly in the face, exclaimed: "Oh! +young traitor, I saw thee when I was performing mass at Saint Mary +Overy, and the rebels under Wyatt attacked the church. Thou wert among +those who stripped the altar, and endeavoured to carry off the silver +candlesticks. Young heretic and traitor that thou art! Off to the +Fleet with him! I wot that his father and friends are as bad as he is; +and when they come to look for him they shall be secured likewise. I +can swear to his countenance. See! he trembles and turns pale. He is +guilty, there is no doubt of it." + +"Indeed I am not, master!" exclaimed Ernst. "At the time you speak of, +I was on the north side of the river. Only once, when I entered London, +did I ever cross London Bridge." + +"Thou wouldest swear to any falsehood, young traitor," answered the +priest. "Thy word is of no value." + +"But I can swear that he did not cross London Bridge on that day!" +exclaimed Andrew A'Dale, who had been at some little distance from Ernst +at the time, but, seeing him seized hold of by the guard, had hurried +up, and heard the last remarks of the priest. + +"Ah, ah!" exclaimed the priest, looking at Andrew, "why, of course thou +wilt swear anything for thy companion, for thou wert there thyself. Thy +nature is shown clearly enough, because thou didst not shout for the +good Queen Mary and her loving spouse. Seize him also: carry them both +away to the Fleet. They are a brace of traitors and heretics. Away +with them! Away with them!" + +On this both the lads were seized, and, in spite of all their +expostulations and assertions of their innocence, were being dragged off +by the officers of the so-called justice. At that instant, a +richly-dressed gentleman on horseback, who had for some reason remained +somewhat behind the royal party, was passing by in order to rejoin them. +Observing the youth struggling in the hands of the guards, he turned +his head aside. He gave a second glance at Ernst's countenance, and +after doing so stopped his horse, and made a sign to the guard to allow +the boys to approach. "What, my lad," he exclaimed, "have you been +breaking the peace? Of what crime are you accused?" + +Ernst looked up at the speaker, and recognised Sir John De Leigh. + +"I am wrongfully accused of having been, with other boys, at the church +of Saint Mary Overy when it was sacked; but to my knowledge I have never +been near the place, and during the whole of that day was on the north +side of the river." + +"I believe your words, my boy, and will see what can be done for you," +answered Sir John. + +He spoke to the guards, but they shook their heads. The boys had been +given into their charge by Father Overton, and they dared not let them +go free. In vain Sir John offered to be answerable for them. "The +father is in the service of Bishop Gardiner, and he is not one likely to +pardon us, should we allow the prisoners to escape." + +"Well, my lads, I am afraid you must submit to it," said Sir John, in a +kind voice. "But trust to me; I will see after you, and hope, if you +can prove yourselves innocent, to get you set free." + +"Thank you, sir," said Ernst; "but, in the meantime, I fear me much that +Lady Anne will be anxious at not hearing of me, and so will A'Dale's +friends; will you, therefore, send to her, and beg her also to let them +know what has become of him?" + +"You are a thoughtful boy," answered Sir John; "I will see to it;" and +slipping a purse into Ernst's hands, he rode on, whispering as he did +so, "You will require that to obtain some few necessaries in prison." + +Seeing there was no help for it, the boys walked on rapidly, +endeavouring to look as little like prisoners as possible. Their +guards, indeed, with their heavy arms, had some difficulty in keeping up +with them. Proceeding down Cheapside, they reached Ludgate, and then +turning to the north by the banks of the river Fleet, they arrived at +the entrance of the prison, surrounded by strong walls. On either side +of the entrance, which had a room overhead, were two low, tower-like +buildings facing a flight of steps leading down to the river. The +porter quickly opened the gate, and eagerly received his prisoners, well +pleased at the thoughts of the fees they might bring him. + +"Glad to see you, my young masters; we shall find you pleasant +apartments, I doubt not; and maybe you will occupy them to the end of +your days--or perchance until you go forth to grace one of the gibbets +with which our ancient city has of late been adorned." + +The guards, having received a proper acknowledgment from the warden of +the delivery of the prisoners, demanded a fee, that they might have the +honour of drinking their healths, and were evidently disappointed when +A'Dale stoutly refused to yield to their demands. The boys were now +carried before the governor of the prison, or sub-warden, as he was +called, who farmed the management from the warden, his chief business +being to wring, as much out of the prisoners as he possibly could, +either by threats, or barbarous treatment, or offers of favour to be +shown them. + +A'Dale, who was a well-practised London lad, and knew its ways +thoroughly, whispered to Ernst to produce only one of his coins at a +time, being very sure that the sub-warden would otherwise not grant them +any favour until he had possessed himself of the greater number. Ernst +accordingly at once placed a couple of marks in the warden's hands. + +"There, Master Warden," he said; "we are unjustly brought in here; but +we would desire, while we remain, to enjoy such conveniences as the +place can afford." + +"Of course, young masters, all who come hither consider themselves +brought here unjustly. You shall have an upper chamber, or at least a +portion of one, as perchance you may have companions, whence you can +enjoy a view of the Fleet river, and the barges passing up and down it. +Such bedding as many a dignitary of the Church has had to rest on, and +food from my own buttery. More, surely, you cannot desire; and, hark +you! these two marks are very well as a beginning, but I must see more +of them, or you will find your quarters and your fare changed pretty +speedily." The sub-warden having thus, as he said, examined his +prisoners, summoned the jailer to conduct them to the apartments he +indicated. + + + +CHAPTER SEVEN. + +DELIVERANCE. + +Ernst and A'Dale were led through many passages, in which the air was +close and heavy, and their nostrils were assailed with many foul odours. +At length the jailer unlocked a door at the end of a long passage, and, +pointing to the inside of the room, told them they might walk in. With +sinking hearts they entered, and the man, without more ado, turned the +lock upon them. + +The room was almost destitute of furniture, and dirty in the extreme, +evidently not having been cleaned out since its last occupant was +dismissed. In one corner was a truckle bed, covered with a cloth and a +pile of loose straw. There was a rickety table of rough boards, with +three legs, and a couple of stools of the same character. The window +was long and narrow, with bars across it; though a moderately stout man +could not have squeezed through, even had the bars been wanting. It was +only by standing on one of the stools they could look out of the window, +whence, as the warden had told them, they could see the muddy waters of +the Fleet flowing by, with Fleet Street beyond, winding its way to +Temple Bar. + +"This is a scurvy place to put us in," observed A'Dale, "we who are +innocent of any crime." + +"Better men have been placed in a worse situation," answered Ernst. "In +my country hundreds, nay thousands, of persons, for no crime but that of +worshipping God according to their consciences, have been not only +committed to prison and tortured, but burned, and otherwise put to +death." + +"Surely the people of England would never submit to such tyranny as +that!" exclaimed A'Dale. + +"I know not," observed Ernst; "may be they will have no choice. Had +there been more men of true heart among them, they would have rescued +that sweet Lady Jane Grey and her young and handsome husband. When I +found that the Queen had the heart to allow them to be put to death, I +felt sure that she would not hesitate to destroy all who might oppose +her will." + +"I hope we may escape from her power," observed A'Dale. "Who was the +gallant gentleman who spoke to you? Do you think he can help us?" + +Ernst told his friend. "I know little of him," he added; "but he seems +to be a man of influence, and kindly disposed towards me." + +The warden fulfilled his promise to the lads, though not exactly as they +desired. A mattress was brought them, and a coarse and not over-clean +covering; food also on a trencher, and a mug of ale was sent in, but the +food was badly cooked, and the ale was none of the best. There was, +however, a sufficiency to satisfy hunger and thirst; and they hoped for +little more than that. They had been on foot all day. They were glad, +when it grew dark, to throw themselves on their rough bed, and there in +a short time they forgot their anxiety in sleep. The next day they +waited anxiously for news from Sir John De Leigh, but none came. Ernst +hoped also that some messenger might arrive from Lady Anne, trusting +that Sir John had fulfilled his promise by informing her what had +happened to them. They were doomed, however, to be disappointed. +Towards evening, Master Babbington, the sub-warden, failed not to make +his appearance. + +"You remember my remark of yesterday evening, my young masters," he +observed. "I have to demand a further payment, or I must place another +person in this chamber instead of you, and remove you to one below, +which may not be so pleasant." + +"We are willing to pay yet further, Master Warden," answered Ernst; "but +I would beg you also to give us more liberty. We neither desire nor +have the power of quitting the prison, having reason to believe that our +friends will intercede in our behalf; but to be shut up all day in this +room is far from pleasant; and we will pass our words not to escape for +the next week, should we be confined as long." + +The warden laughed grimly. "That were a pretty way of looking after +prisoners," he observed. "However, on payment of another mark each, you +may perchance obtain the liberty of taking the air, on passing your word +that you will make no attempt to leave the prison." + +The money and the promise were at once given, and the boys were told +that at certain hours of the day they would have liberty to take the air +in the courtyard below. + +The very thought of this gave the boys considerable satisfaction. They +did not sleep soundly that night, and both were awoke, it might have +been about midnight, by hearing groans, as of a person in pain, +proceeding apparently from the chamber below them. They listened +attentively, and now they heard a human voice; it seemed lifted up in +prayer. Getting out of bed, and putting their ears to the floor, they +could distinguish the very words. Fervent and earnest was the prayer. +It was addressed neither to the Virgin nor to saints, but to One always +ready to hear prayer--to One who "so loved the world that He gave His +only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, +but have everlasting life." The voice was deep-toned and earnest. +Sometimes it trembled like that of a man advanced in life, or suffering +from great bodily sickness. The boys felt almost that they had no right +to listen to words which were spoken to God alone. Still they felt +their own spirits revive, and their courage strengthened. The speaker +seemed to think that the hour of his death was fast approaching, that he +might have to stand before a tribunal of his fellow-men, and he prayed +that strength might be given him to make a good confession, to hold fast +to the faith. At length the prayer ceased, and once more the boys lay +down in their beds, and were soon again asleep. + +The following day, at the hour of noon, the door of their ward opened, +and the red nose of Master Babbington appeared at it. + +"You may go forth, young masters," he observed; "but remember you are +watched, and if you are seen spying about, instead of the leniency you +have hitherto experienced, you will be treated with no small amount of +rigour." Saying this, the warden went on his way to visit other +prisoners. + +The boys, glad to find themselves in the enjoyment of even such limited +liberty as was given them, hastened from the room and found their way +into the courtyard. There were several other persons brought into the +prison, for slight offences probably. Most of them were engaged in +various games, some of ball or tennis, while others were content to walk +up and down, to stretch their legs and to inhale such air, close and +impure as it was, as they were allowed to breathe. + +As Ernst and A'Dale were on their way back to their chamber, the hour of +their liberty having expired, they met a venerable personage, +accompanied by a guard, proceeding along the passage. He stopped and +gazed at them with an air of commiseration, and inquired for what cause, +they, so young and innocent-looking, had been committed to prison. + +"On a false accusation, sir," answered Ernst; and in a few words he +explained what had happened to them. + +"There are many who are brought here on false accusations," observed the +venerable-looking stranger. "However, you are young, and may, I hope, +bear your imprisonment with less suffering than I do. Better far that +you should be brought here innocent than guilty; and yet, my young +friends, let me ask you--How do you stand before God, innocent or +guilty?" + +"Very guilty, I am afraid, sir," answered Ernst, looking up. + +"If you are judged by your own merits, yes," answered the stranger; "but +if by faith you have put on Christ's righteousness, you stand free and +guiltless in the sight of the Judge of all things." + +"Oh yes, sir! yes!" answered Ernst; "I know that the just shall live by +faith." + +"Well answered, my boy," replied the stranger. "Trust not to works, not +to ordinances, not to forms, not to creeds, but simply to the +all-sufficient merit of Christ. You must take Him as your own Saviour, +as He offers salvation, and rely on Him, and Him alone through faith. +It is an important truth; and happy are you that you have been brought +into this prison if you accept it." + +"Come, move on, move on!" exclaimed a rough voice. "We cannot let you +teach your heresy to these boys, albeit the fire will probably purge you +and them of it ere long." + +Ernst, looking round, saw the burly form of Master Babbington, the +warden of the prison, approaching. + +He and A'Dale, respectfully wishing the old man farewell, hurried on, +that they might avoid an encounter with the jailer. The stranger was no +other than the venerable John Hooper, late Bishop of Worcester and +Gloucester. Ernst afterwards learned much about him from one who wrote +the lives of many martyrs of the true faith. It was his prayer which +they had heard on the second night of their coming to the prison. The +room in which he was lodged was foul and damp; and there he was kept for +many months suffering from disease, till he was finally led forth and +carried to Gloucester, where he was cruelly put to death by fire, +holding to the true faith to the last moment of his life. + +Ernst and A'Dale, in consequence of their speaking to the good bishop, +were deprived of their liberty; but it mattered little, for in two days +officers arrived at the prison to carry up numerous persons to be +examined before the Bishop of Winchester. Among others, Ernst and +A'Dale were summoned. They went willingly, thinking that they could +surely with ease free themselves. + +Many of the prisoners as they were led forth looked sick and pale, as if +they had been kept in unwholesome wards, with scanty food. Some were +weeping, not knowing what might be the result of their trial. It was +rumoured, not without reason, that the Queen proposed to crush out the +Reformed religion with fire and sword; and they remembered that in King +Henry's time, that sweet young lady--Anne Askew--had been burned at +Smithfield; and it was evident that Queen Mary had much of the nature of +her father. The prisoners were led over London Bridge to the Church of +Saint Mary Overy--the very place in which the priest declared that Ernst +had been seen with other rioters attacking the altar. + +The Bishop of Winchester and other bishops, among whom was Bonner, +Bishop of London, were seated in great state, when the prisoners were +brought up before them. A few were faint-hearted, and when asked their +opinions on the supremacy of the Pope, on transubstantiation and other +points, declared themselves believers in the doctrine of Rome. Others, +however, boldly denied that the Pope had any authority in this realm of +England, while they as bravely asserted the Protestant doctrine for +which they had been cast into prison. Many of them, of all ranks, some +poor and illiterate, did in no wise shrink from the abuse heaped on them +by Gardiner and Bonner especially. + +And now the priest who had accused Ernst and A'Dale appeared in court. +He fixed his eyes sternly on them, as if he would frighten them into +submission, and pointing at them a finger of scorn, declared that they +were among the worst of those present, having committed sacrilege and +robbery, as he could clearly show. In vain the boys looked round for +any one to plead their cause. + +"Off with them to prison!" shouted Gardiner; "they are fit food for the +flames, which ere long they must be given to feed." + +The rest of the accused were sent back to their prison, King Philip +being still in the country, and the Queen not being, as yet, willing to +commence the burning of her loving subjects. It was not till she was +left alone, deserted by her husband, that she gave full way to the +spirit of bigotry which dwelt in her heart. + +"As for these lads," exclaimed the bishop, "let them be put in the +foulest dungeon in the Fleet, and that, I wot, is bad enough! In a few +days they will have the means of drying their clothes and limbs too, if +I mistake not." + +The hearts of the two boys, which had hitherto held up bravely, now sunk +very low; but just at that moment, as Ernst cast one more imploring +glance round the court, a gentleman in a rich suit entered, and at once +going up to the lads, led them before Gardiner, the Chancellor. He +exchanged a few words with him, and seemed, by his gestures and the +expression of his countenance, to be pleading hard in their favour. + +"Well, well, Sir John, you must have your way," answered the Bishop. +"If I mistake not, they will very soon be again within the power of the +court; and another time, remember, they will not escape so easily." The +priest, seeing that his victims were about to escape him, addressed the +Chancellor, but was quickly silenced; and Sir John De Leigh, in triumph, +led the boys out of the building. The priest scowled fiercely at them +as they passed. + +"I know that Father Overton--he will try to work you mischief," observed +Sir John; "but you must keep out of his way. These vultures, when once +they fix their talons on their prey, like not to have it torn away from +them, and will follow it eagerly, in the hopes of regaining it." + +Ernst and A'Dale found a horse in readiness, held by a groom, on which +Sir John told them to mount; and together they rode back over London +Bridge, between the row of houses which rose up above them on either +side. + +On their arrival at the house in Lombard Street, the Lady Anne hurried +downstairs, cordially welcoming Ernst, while little Richard followed, +and threw his arms round his neck in his joy at his recovery. + +"I cannot thank you enough, Sir John, for all you have done for us," she +said, as the knight saluted her. "My husband desires to see you, and to +thank you also. Our young friend here must also come up, though, as he +is older than Ernst, we cannot help being angry with him, believing that +he may have led his companion into mischief." + +"No, no, I led him!" exclaimed Ernst, quickly and boldly. "I am ready +to suffer punishment, but blame not him, for I deserve it more than he +does." + +"We will not talk of punishment," said Sir John, smiling. "Most people +would think that you had had enough, with a week's sojourn in the Fleet +Prison. I hope that you may never again in the course of your lives see +the inside of it. It is difficult in the present time for even honest +men to keep outside, if there are any who have a desire to put them in." + +These words were spoken as they were proceeding upstairs. Lady Anne +opened the door of the usual sitting-room, and there, reclining in a +chair, suffering apparently somewhat from sickness, they beheld Master +Gresham himself. He rose to welcome Sir John, and to thank him for the +favour which he had done him. It was no less, indeed, than having +procured his acquittal from the charges which Lord Winchester and others +had brought against him. Not only this, but the Queen's Council, +finding their affairs in the Netherlands greatly disordered, and it +being necessary to raise further loans, had looked about for a fit +person to fill the post of Royal agent, and none was found in whom all +could confide so completely as in Master Gresham. Instead, therefore, +of being committed to the Fleet, and perchance left to die there of +disease, he had received this honourable appointment, the notice of +which had only just before been sent him by Sir John De Leigh. + +Master Gresham received Ernst very kindly, but admonished him to be +careful in future, and on no account to allow himself to be led away by +his feelings, or to mingle in any popular disturbance. "Patience and +forbearance will, in the end, gain more than haste and violence," he +observed. "It is seldom that a short road can be found to any great +object--at least, if that object is to be secured permanently. I do not +say that there are not times and seasons when men must fight for objects +they hold dear, but in most cases those objects are most likely to be +secured with the sword sheathed--by perseverance and firm language." + +Ernst expected to be sent back to Saint Paul's School, to which A'Dale +had to return; but, by the advice of Sir John De Leigh, Master Gresham +agreed to take him back to Antwerp. + +"He will be no longer recognised there," observed the knight; "but that +priest, whom I know well, and who has accused him, will not rest till he +has again got him into trouble. Why he has thus marked him down I know +not, but that he has done so I am certain. Till you commence your +journey, I would advise that he remains in the house, or only goes forth +under your charge, and no one will now dare molest you. Had they not +required your services, I fear that my influence would have availed +little; but, being fully aware of your value, they are too wise to cut +down the tree from which they hope to pluck golden fruit. Now, +farewell, my friend; I must hie me back to court, there to attend on my +loving sovereign." The knight spoke in a somewhat satirical tone. + +"Remember, my good friend, that there are some persons from whom +faithful service obtains but a scant recompense," observed Master +Gresham. "As a tree, too, is known by its fruit, surely, judging by its +produce, the Church of Rome must be of a very bitter nature, and not +such as a man like you would desire to support." + +"I was brought up a faithful son of the Church of Rome; and as that +appears to have the upper hand at present, I see no reason why I should +quit it," answered the knight; "and if I did so, I should have little +chance of helping myself, much less my friends; so you, at all events, +should not advise me to take any such step." + +Master Gresham sighed. + +"Such principles as these will soon bring ruin on our country," he said +to himself; for he could not utter such thoughts aloud. The knight +seemed to divine them, however. + +"It is well that all people do not think as Bishops Gardiner and Bonner, +or, forsooth, as the Queen's majesty herself, or perchance there might +be as many burnings and hangings in fair England as there have been in +the Netherlands. We cannot stop the tide altogether, but we can help to +quell its fury. However, farewell, honest friend; I am glad to have +done thee a service." + +Saying this, the knight took a cordial farewell of Master Gresham and of +Lady Anne, giving Ernst a kind shake of the hand. + + + +CHAPTER EIGHT. + +A STORM AT SEA. + +The shades of evening had settled down over the great City, the only +lights being those of the lanterns of the costermongers' stalls +scattered up and down in various directions, and the occasional glare of +a link, as the citizens went to and fro from each other's houses. +Another knock was heard at Master Gresham's door. + +"A stranger desires to see you, sir," said the porter. "He declines +giving his name, but he says you know him, and will, he is sure, greet +him kindly." + +"What is he like?" asked Master Gresham. "I cannot admit strangers. +Beg him to write his name on this tablet; but do not tell him that I am +within till I hear who he is." + +This caution, as may be supposed, was not unnecessary in those dangerous +times; for though Master Gresham had had the assurance of Sir John Leigh +that he need no longer apprehend danger, he yet knew the treachery of +which Bishop Gardiner was capable, and that, did he wish to get rid of +him, he would not hesitate to do so, in spite of the support he might be +receiving from other friends. The tablet was soon brought back. + +"Admit him--admit him instantly," said Master Gresham, as soon as he saw +the name; and, rising from his seat as the stranger entered, he +stretched forth both his hands. + +"My dear friend, Master John Foxe, I greet you heartily," he said, +leading him to a chair. "My wife, here is one whom I have known from my +youth upwards--a true and bold champion of the faith. And what is your +pleasure, Master Foxe? it would be mine to aid you if I had the power." + +"In troth, Master Gresham, it is to advise me how I can best leave this +fair kingdom of England, and to help me in so doing," answered the +visitor. "I had hoped that a humble man like me might have escaped +persecution, but I have received notice that if I remain my life will +have to pay the penalty; so I am about to put the seas between myself +and our sovereign Lady and her fire-loving Bishop; for although I am +ready to burn, if called on to witness to the faith, yet I see no reason +why I should not fly from danger, if by so doing I may live to bear a +faithful testimony in after years." + +"You speak wisely, Master Foxe," said Master Gresham. "Even now I am +about to start for the Netherlands; and we will bear each other company. +The wind holds from the north, and I propose therefore taking ship from +Ipswich. We may thus speedily reach a port in Flanders, whence we can +travel on to Antwerp. You may there for a time as a foreigner be safe +from persecution under my protection, unless you take to public teaching +and preaching. In that case I should be unable to protect you." + +"Thank thee, my friend," answered Master Foxe. "I look to One for +protection from man's malice more powerful than man himself; but while I +am in your company I will follow your wishes, albeit it is hard when +occasion offers not to speak to our fellow-men of God's love and mercy +to man as shown in His Gospel. I would ask you to afford your +protection, not only to me, but to my wife and children; for I would not +leave them behind, lest they also become exposed to the malice of those +who hate the truth." + +Master Foxe had wisely sent his family on a day's stage beyond London, +having been greatly assisted by his friend the Duke of Norfolk. He had +rendered him all the aid in his power, and supplied all the articles for +his voyage. + +Master Gresham and his company set forth the next morning at an early +hour. They journeyed as usual on horseback, without making more show +than needful, each man, however, being well-armed with sword and +arquebuse, so that, should they be attacked by robbers, they might +defend themselves. No robbers appeared, but soon after they left London +two persons, on sleek, well-fed steeds, were seen riding at a distance +behind them. They wore long cloaks; their features concealed greatly by +their wide-topped hats and the coifs they wore beneath. When the +travellers stopped these men stopped also, and when they reached a +hostel the strangers took up their abode in the same, keeping at the +farther end of the table, where they, however, might hear what was +spoken by the guests. At other times no notice might have been taken of +them, but after the warning Master Foxe had received, he naturally began +to suspect that they had some object in view which might interfere with +his liberty. He therefore, like a wise man, kept his tongue mostly +silent when they were within hearing. The matter might have remained in +doubt, but Ernst, on one occasion slipping round where they sat talking, +so it seemed, earnestly to one another, had the means of observing the +countenance of one of them. Coming back, he whispered into the ear of +the Lady Anne, "I thought so from the first: it is Father Overton, the +very priest who brought the accusation against me and A'Dale. He is one +of Bishop Bonner's runners, that is clear. His presence bodes us no +good. It is well to know our enemies, to escape their malice, though we +should wish to do them no harm." + +"You have acted wisely, Ernst; keep silence, and do not stray from us, +though I suspect that the object of the priest in following us is to try +and lay hold of Master Foxe. He would prove more valuable game than you +are, my boy." + +Ernst said he would warn Master Foxe, and did so. The preacher thanked +him. + +"I thought as much," he said; "but One mighty to save watches over us. +We will go on fearlessly, trusting to Him." + +Ernst trembled at the thought of again getting into the power of the +priest, and kept carefully with his friends, lest by any chance he might +be carried off. + +The next day the priest and his companion were seen following as before, +not knowing, perchance, that their character had been discovered. +Master Gresham showed no little discomfort at seeing them; still, to +avoid them was impossible. He and his companions therefore travelled on +steadily, trying to heed them as little as possible, and saying nothing +which might give them an excuse for arresting any of the party. + +Master Gresham had already sent on to secure a vessel, which was in +readiness for their reception on their arrival. They were not alone, +however, for several other persons who had become conspicuous for their +Protestant principles during the reign of King Edward had either +received warning that their lives were in danger, or, knowing themselves +to have acted often in opposition to the principles of the new Queen, +had thought it wise to escape from her anger. Thus, a very large number +were collected on board the galley. Ere the sails were hoisted, Master +Foxe summoned them together, and entreated them to join him in prayer to +God that they might escape from the malice of their enemies, and find a +home whither they were going, where they could worship Him in spirit and +in truth. They failed not also to speak of their gratitude at having +escaped from the danger which threatened them. + +Then the seamen came on board, the heavy anchor was hove up, and the +vessel stood away from the shore. The weather, however, was +threatening; dark clouds flew rapidly across the sky. The wind, blowing +strong, was increasing. The danger to be found at sea was great; yet +the passengers entreated the captain to continue the voyage--they +dreaded having again to land. Already some of their friends had been +seized and cast into prison; they knew that such might be their fate +should they remain on shore. + +The arrival of the priest at Ipswich, even though he was disguised, had +become known, and it was suspected that his object was no good one. The +shores of England were rapidly fading from view, but the wind continued +to increase. The waves rose high on either side of the vessel, tipped +with foam, and threatening every moment to break down over her deck; +still she struggled on. The seamen made all secure, and prayed the +passengers to go below. Ernst, however, continued on deck, holding +firmly to the shrouds. There was another person near him who stood up, +securing himself in the same way: it was Master Foxe. Although the wind +howled in the rigging, the waves roared round on either side, and the +spray came dashing in thick showers over them; although the sky was +dark, and the waters around were troubled, the countenance of the +preacher was calm and undismayed. He gazed on the shores of England; it +was his native land, and he loved it well. Now he looked up at the +threatening sky, and along over the dark, foam-topped seas. He was +going forth an exile, perchance never to return, and yet he felt that +rather would he trust the threatening ocean than the tender mercies of +those who now had sway in England. + +The captain came to him at length. + +"You seem, good sir, a leading man among my passengers," he observed. +"I fear me much, that if we attempt to continue the voyage, my stout +ship may be overwhelmed, and we may together go with her to the bottom +of the ocean. I fear me, therefore, that we must return, and wait till +the gale has subsided." + +"I would pray you to continue on the voyage," answered Master Foxe. +"Let us trust to Him who rules the waves and winds. He will not allow +us to perish." + +"But we must trust to our own right judgment, sir," answered the +captain. "Now, as a seaman, I know that the peril of proceeding is very +fearful indeed, and therefore I opine that we should not tempt God by +exposing ourselves to it." + +"You speak justly, captain," answered Master Foxe. "As a good seaman, +knowing the danger, you are right not to expose those under your charge +to it. Still, I for one would rather trust myself into the hands of +God, during such a gale as this, than run back and put ourselves into +the power of such persons as now rule our fair land of England." + +"You speak too truly," answered the captain. "We will hold on yet a +little longer; but should the gale continue, we must, to save the vessel +and our lives, put back to shore; as an honest man I cannot act +otherwise." + +Not many minutes had passed, when a furious blast struck the vessel. +Over she heeled, the waters rushing in on one side, and seeming about to +overwhelm her. + +"Hold on for your lives!" shouted the captain. "Put up the helm! ease +away the after sheets!" + +Slowly the vessel came round, and ran before the blast. Before she had +been struggling with the seas, but now she fled before them, though even +then they hissed and bubbled up on either side, as if eager to hold her +in their grasp. On, on she flew, faster and faster. Once more the +shores of England appeared in sight. Anxiously the captain and his mate +looked out to try and distinguish the landmarks, that they might steer +the vessel so as to arrive at the entrance of the port of Harwich. The +shades of evening were, however, coming on, a mist hung over the land, +so as to render objects scarcely discernible. The passengers had begun +to gather on deck; for, feeling the movement of the vessel more easy, +they believed that the storm had abated, and that they were again in +safety. Various were their exclamations when they found the sea raging +as furiously as ever, and the dark clouds hanging over their heads. + +Among those who had come on deck was Master Gresham. He held little +Richard by the hand. Too often had he crossed the Channel to be +surprised at what he saw, and yet perhaps he, more than any one else +besides the captain, knew the dangerous position of the vessel. + +Calmly he consulted with him as to the best course to pursue. Another +person also stood calm and collected as Master Gresham: it was the +minister, Master Foxe. Ernst watched him with admiration, as even +amidst the roughest tossings of the ship a smile of confidence played +over his features. And yet as the vessel rose on the summit of a sea, +and then rushed down again into the hollow, the waters hissing and +foaming high above her bulwarks, it seemed indeed as if she would never +rise again, but must sink down, down, till she reached the depths of the +ocean. At this time many gave way, unable to refrain from showing their +fear by loud cries. Yet then the voice and look of Master Foxe would +reassure them. "Fear not, my friends," he exclaimed; "if ye are +Christ's, if ye have not only turned away from the idolatries of Rome, +but have given your hearts to Him, you are safe in His keeping. Dread +nothing therefore: He will, if He thinks fit, take you safely to land, +or if not, will call you to Himself, to be with Him where He is. Now is +the time to show your trust in the loving Saviour, all-powerful to save +you from temporal death as from death eternal." + +Thus the faithful minister continued speaking, till all who heard him +felt their faith and courage revive, and no longer did any give way to +expressions of fear. Still the danger continued to increase. In vain +the captain endeavoured to pierce the thick gloom. No land could he +discern; no beacon-fire burst forth to show of a friendly harbour. Lady +Anne remained below, and thither Master Gresham conveyed little Richard. + +"Should there be danger of the vessel striking, I will come for you," he +said: "wife, I will save you or perish with you. Ernst, to your charge +we commend our boy; you are a brave swimmer, and may be able to rescue +him." + +"Oh! my dear lord, do rather try and save our boy; leave me to my fate, +if the fearful danger you speak of arrives!" exclaimed Lady Anne. + +To this Master Gresham would not consent. + +"No," he said, "I cannot let you, my wife, perish; and our boy is as +safe in the keeping of Ernst as he would be in mine. I know that he +will save the boy, or lose his own life in the attempt." + +Ernst felt very proud on hearing these remarks, and gladly promised to +watch over his friend Richard. + +Onward rushed the vessel. At length it seemed to those who stood on +deck that the wind did not blow so furiously as before. A short time +passed, and it became evident that the gale was abating. Still, those +who were acquainted with the dangers of the sea knew full well that, +should the vessel be cast on the beach, how great would be the peril of +their lives. The hardy seamen were at their posts. The captain ordered +all to keep silence. One of the mates went forward, looking out for the +land. The captain stood near the helmsman. In a clear voice he issued +his orders. The sea as well as the wind had decreased. Now the sails +were taken in one by one. + +"Stand by with the anchor," cried the captain. "Let go!" + +A plunge was heard, and the hempen cable flew quickly out. The vessel +rode head to wind with her stern to the shore, not perceived by any but +the seamen, so hardly could a landsman's eye pierce the thick gloom +around. Still she plunged heavily into the seas which rolled towards +it. Now and then the captain shouted to his mates--"Does she hold?" + +The answer was satisfactory. Yet it seemed scarcely possible that iron +anchor and hempen cable could prevent a ship forced by those furious +billows from driving onward to the shore. Thus the night passed away. +No stars were seen; no moon to cheer the voyagers. Anxiously they +waited for the dawn. It came at last. Then, for the first time, they +saw the shore stretching out for some distance in the west--a long line, +on which the raging breakers burst furiously without a break. Once more +the anchor was lifted, the sails were set, and the vessel stood closer +in. + +A small creek appeared, into which the captain thought the boat could +run. Only a few, however, could be carried at a time. The boat was +lowered into the water, but not without difficulty could the passengers +be placed within it. The women and children were first lowered, and all +entreated that Master Foxe would accompany them. He was unwilling, +however, to quit the vessel; and not till warmly pressed by all round +him would he consent, believing that it might be for the common good. + +Ernst remained with his patron. Anxiously they watched the boat which +contained the Lady Anne and little Richard. Away it went, urged on by +the sturdy arms of the bold seamen. One of the mates, an experienced +mariner, steered the boat. Now she sank into the hollow of the sea, now +she was seen rising to the summit of the wave, the foam dancing round +her. Once more she was hid from sight. Now she rose again. Thus she +proceeded onward. As may be supposed, Master Foxe employed all his +powers to cheer and comfort those with him, for often it seemed to them, +as they saw the dark seas rushing after them, that their frail boat +would be overwhelmed; or when they looked towards the shore, and beheld +the white curling waves, they thought it impossible she could ever pass +through them in safety. Thus the boat rushed on. Now she rose on the +summit of a sea. The sturdy mate stood up to gaze around him. Firmly +he grasped the tiller. Sinking down again, the boat glided into the +very mouth of the little river, and arriving at a steep bank the mate +urged his passengers to land speedily, that he might return to bring +their companions to the shore. He had to make two other trips. Master +Gresham and Ernst were the last to leave the ship, the captain +promising, should he be able to weather out the gale, to return for +them. They also safely reached the shore. Not far from where they +landed a bridle road passed by, leading from the south. Master Gresham +instantly set forth with Ernst and others to seek for some farmhouse +where the party might be accommodated. They had not gone far when two +horsemen were perceived coming along the road. As they drew near, they +and the voyagers exchanged looks, and knew each other, even before they +had time to utter greetings, had they so desired. In an instant Master +Gresham recognised Father Overton, the priest, and his companion, who +had followed them to Ipswich. + + + +CHAPTER NINE. + +THE ABDICATION OF CHARLES THE FIFTH. + +Bishop Gardiner was not a person to allow his prey to escape him if he +could help it. Notice was brought to him that John Foxe was proceeding +to Ipswich, to embark thence for the Continent; he therefore had +despatched Father Overton and another priest on his track, hoping by +some means to entrap him. + +Great was the disappointment, therefore, of Father Overton, when he +found that Foxe was in the company of Master Gresham, whom he knew well +to be a prudent man; and still greater when, after all the trouble he +had taken, the whole party got safely on board and proceeded to sea. + +His satisfaction may be supposed when he found that they had again +landed. He now felt confident that by some means or other he should be +able to get them into his power. + +The only farmhouse in the neighbourhood where the voyagers could obtain +shelter was inhabited by Romanists. Indeed, a large number of the +country people were of that faith. Father Overton, guessing that they +would go there, rode off as fast at his steed could carry him, and +arrived first at the farmhouse. + +Farmer Hadden and his wife were at home. + +He speedily explained the object of his visit. + +"They are fearful heretics," he remarked, "endeavouring to escape the +vengeance of our just laws against such people, and it would be a holy +and pious work in you, my friends, if you will follow my directions and +endeavour to deliver them into my hands. Feed them well, and treat them +well, and afterwards profess that you are followers of the Church of +Rome; but express your desire to be informed of the Protestant tenets, +and show an inclination to leave your present Church. Inform me of all +that is said; or, better still, is there not some place in the house +where you can conceal me, so that I may overhear their words? Thus, +without doubt, we shall get these people into our power, and you will +have performed a meritorious act." + +Farmer Hadden and his dame listened to what was said. Now, although +they had not left the ancient faith, this was owing possibly to their +never having heard the Gospel preached. The proposal of the priest was +not, at all events, to their taste, and their hearts revolted at the +thought of the treachery they were required to undertake. + +Still, they were timid people, and dreaded to offend the priest. A +third person, however, was present. It was their daughter Margery. She +had on several occasions heard the preachers, in King Edward's time, +telling in simple language the truths of the Gospel. She had also, with +her savings, purchased a Bible, which she carefully treasured up, and +kept in her own room, bringing it down at times to read to her father +and mother. Thus they, too, also had a knowledge of God's Word. Father +Overton, finding that they did not willingly enter into his views, began +to threaten them, telling them how many people had already been cast +into prison, to be given ere long to the flames, and that unless they +showed their love to the mother Church they too might suffer the same +fate. Margery said nothing, but, with her eyes cast on the ground, kept +spinning away as if scarcely heeding the words which were spoken. + +At length the dame, fearing that the Father would put his threats into +execution, agreed to follow his wishes. Father Overton, therefore, +telling his companion to lead away their horses to a farm at some +distance, desired Farmer Hadden to place him in a cupboard whence he +could overhear all that was said by their guests. Margery well knew +that though he might hear he could not see. As soon, therefore, as he +was shut in, she, placing her spinning-wheel aside, threw her kerchief +over her head and hurried out to meet the voyagers. + +She speedily encountered Master Gresham with John Foxe and Ernst. Her +voice trembled with agitation as she told them what had occurred; "But +do not blame my parents," she exclaimed; "they are forced to act as they +are about to do, and they themselves hate the very notion of betraying +you, their guests. Only be cautious, therefore, and remember that +whatever is said will be heard by hostile ears." + +"Thank you, maiden; we will be cautious; but nevertheless we will speak +freely from God's Word. The fear of what man can do unto us should not +make us hold our tongues," replied Foxe. + +Margery having given her warning, hurried back to the farm. + +In a short time Master Gresham, with the preacher and Ernst, arrived, +and made arrangements with the farmer and his wife for the accommodation +of the whole party. Dame Hadden might have suspected that Margery had +warned her guests, but she said nothing, busily employing herself in +preparing provisions for them, aided by her daughter and serving-maid. +The fire was made up, pots put on to boil, and meat placed to roast, +while the farmer drew some flagons of his best beer. He resolved not to +show any lack of hospitality to those persecuted men, albeit they +differed from the Church to which he belonged. A blessing had been +asked by Master Foxe ere the feast began, and at its conclusion he rose +also to return thanks. He then from his pocket produced a copy of God's +Word, and spoke to all present of the love of God to perishing sinners. +"Could we but remember that `not a sparrow falls to the ground' but God +knoweth it, while `all the hairs of our heads are numbered,' surely we +should trust Him in all things, and understand how He is our loving +Father and Friend, and thus go to Him, trusting in the complete +salvation which Christ has wrought for us. We should go to Him on all +occasions direct for what we need, without any other mediator. Oh! +remember these words: `God so loved the world that He gave His only +begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but +have everlasting life.' Remember also these words, which Christ Himself +spoke: `Verily, verily, I say unto you, he that heareth My word, and +believeth on Him that sent Me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come +into condemnation, but is passed from death unto life. Verily, verily, +I say unto you, the hour is coming, and now is, when the dead shall hear +the voice of the Son of God, and they that hear shall live.' Yes, my +dear friends, many who are now dead in trespasses and sin, who have +never yet been born again, shall listen to the simple truth of the +Gospel, and gladly accept its life-giving offers." + +Thus in the same strain he continued for some time, showing forth God's +love to man, man's need of a Saviour, the perfect and complete salvation +wrought by that Saviour for all who accept it, even though, like the +thief on the cross, they are deeply sunk in sin, and have not, till the +last hour of their lives, heard the sound of the Gospel. Even Margery +was surprised to hear Master Foxe speak thus, knowing that he was aware +who was listening to his words. + +The day closed, and the visitors were shown to such sleeping chambers as +the house afforded. When all was quiet the farmer went to the cupboard +and released the priest. He came forth. + +"I pray you, sir, that you will not betray these good people. Surely +nothing that was said deserves death or punishment of any sort. But hie +thee away from hence, and let me entreat you to forget what thou hast +heard," whispered Farmer Hadden, in an imploring tone. + +"No, no," answered the priest; "I would not for much forget those words +spoken by Master Foxe. I knew not that such words were to be found in +the Scriptures. That they are there I am sure, or so learned a man as +he is would not have spoken them. Christ tells us that if we believe in +Him we have eternal life, and that is, I opine, glory and happiness +unspeakable. Not that we shall have, but that we have it; that we have +passed from death unto life. Christ Himself spoke those words. He does +not say that we have any works to do, any penances to perform, but +simply that we are to put faith in Him. The Church, I know, says +differently; but there is a sweet and gracious meaning in those words +which struck deep into my heart. I will stay and have more conversation +with Master Foxe." + +"I will summon him then," said the farmer; "I too would fain hear more +of these things from his lips." + +Most willingly the preacher rose from his couch, and sat himself down +with the farmer and Father Overton. The lamps were lighted, so that +God's Word might be read; and thus they sat till the grey light of +morning broke into the room: the minister explaining the simple plan of +salvation, drawing all his words from the fountain source. The sun rose +in a clear sky, and scarcely was the morning meal concluded, before one +of the shipmen came up to announce that the wind was fair, the sea calm, +and that they might all return quickly on board. Another passenger was +added to them. Father Overton desired to accompany the party abroad. +"My house, and all I possess, I will leave behind me," he observed; "and +no small amount of wealth, to gather which I was imperilling my soul. +If I went back, the fate I was designing for others would assuredly be +mine; and I would rather learn more of God's Word, and have my faith +increased, than go back yet ignorant, and perchance relapse again into +the fearful errors of Rome." + +In God's good providence the vessel arrived in two days at Newport in +Flanders, whence the party travelled to Antwerp. There, among the +Protestants of that city, most of the voyagers found refuge; Master Foxe +and his family being entertained by Master Gresham. After some time, +the preacher, finding that he had many enemies in Antwerp who might +deliver him up to the secular power as a heretic, proceeded with his +family to Frankfort. Thence he continued on up the Rhine till he +reached Basle in Switzerland, where were found great numbers of +Englishmen who had been driven from their homes by persecution. That +city was already famous for printing, and here Foxe began his +inestimable work, giving an account of the martyrs who had suffered for +the faith from the earliest times; but these matters Ernst Verner did +not hear for some time afterwards. + +With much sorrow Ernst Verner saw that true and faithful servant of +Christ take his departure from Master Gresham's house. He won the +hearts of all who knew him, and no one esteemed him more than did Master +Gresham and Lady Anne. Yet the lessons of wisdom he had given were +greatly interrupted by the life which the young lad was now called on to +live. A great and important ceremony was about to be performed at +Brussels; and Master Gresham, desiring to go there in proper state, took +Ernst with him to attend on him as his page. The sober citizen's gown +which the merchant generally wore was now exchanged for one of richer +materials, and cut according to the Spanish fashion of the times. Ernst +too was habited in a richer dress than he had ever before worn. + +All arrangements being made, Ernst and several servants set off in +attendance on Master Gresham for the capital city of the Netherlands. +It had been for some time known that the Emperor--Charles the Fifth-- +purposed to abdicate the throne in favour of his son Philip the Second, +now titular King of England, as well as of several small kingdoms and +provinces. The day fixed was the 25th of October of the year 1555. In +the magnificent hall of the residence of the Dukes of Brabant, the great +ceremony was to take place. At one end a spacious platform had been +erected, below which was a range of benches for the deputies of the +seventeen provinces, while upon the stage were rows of seats covered +with tapestry for the knights and guests of high distinction. In the +centre of the stage was a splendid canopy, decorated with the arms of +Burgundy, beneath which were placed three gilded armchairs. + +At an early hour the larger portion of the hall was filled with persons +whose magnificent dresses and general bearing showed that they belonged +to the upper orders. Vast as was the hall, only such as they could find +room. + +As the clock struck three, the Emperor entered--a decrepit man who, +although numbering only thirty-five years, looked much older. With one +arm he leaned on the shoulder of a tall and graceful youth, while his +other rested on a crutch. His hair was white, close-cropped, and +bristly, his beard grey and shaggy, his eye dark blue, his forehead +spacious, and his nose aquiline, but crooked; while his under lip was +heavy and hanging, the lower jaw projecting so far beyond the upper, +that he could with difficulty bring his shattered teeth together, so as +to speak with clearness. Behind him came his son Philip, and Queen Mary +of Hungary, the Archduke Maximilian, and other great personages +following, accompanied by a glittering throng of warriors, councillors, +lords and Knights of the Fleece. There was no lack of priests. The +Bishop of Arras was among them, serene and smiling, whatever might have +been passing in his heart. There, too, Ernst recognised one whom he had +seen in London--the Count of Egmont. His tall figure, delicate +features, and dark flowing hair, were not easily forgotten. His costume +was magnificent, unsurpassed by any. Near him stood the Count of Horn, +a brave admiral, but bold and quarrelsome--an unpopular man. Little did +they think that ere long they were to be betrayed by pretended friends, +and doomed to death by the sovereign whom they had faithfully served. +On the same platform were two other gallant men, the Marquis Berghen and +the Lord of Montigny--also doomed to suffer a cruel fate by their +treacherous master. Near Philip stood his favourite companion--a man +with a pallid face, coal-black hair, a slender and handsome figure--the +famous Ruy Gomez. Such were some of the many noted characters who had +assembled at the call of the Emperor. + +As that man of hideous countenance and tottering steps entered the hall, +all present rose to their feet. At a sign from him they again took +their seats. He then seated himself in the centre of three chairs--one +occupied by Queen Mary of Hungary, the other by his son. A long oration +was now delivered by Philibert de Bruxelles, setting forth the Emperor's +reasons for abdicating the throne, his boundless love for his subjects, +and the imperative necessity he felt of maintaining the Catholic +religion in its purity. The deed of cession was then read, by which +Philip received all the Emperor's Burgundian property, including the +seventeen Netherlands. + +Cries of admiration burst from the assembly as the address was +concluded. The Emperor then rose, and beckoning the Prince of Orange, +he leant as before on his shoulder, resting his other hand on his +crutch. The Prince had but recently returned from the camp on the +frontier, where, notwithstanding his youth, he had been appointed by the +Emperor to command his army against Admiral Coligny and the Duc de +Nevers. The Emperor spoke of his numerous expeditions and campaigns, as +also of eleven voyages by sea, his plans for the security of the Roman +Catholic religion, and his desire that his magnificent empire should be +governed by his son in a worthy manner, entreating the nation to render +obedience to their new sovereign, and above all things to preserve the +Catholic faith. Humbly he begged them also to pardon him for all errors +and offences he might have committed during his reign. The great +Emperor, sinking into his chair, wept like a child, while sobs were +heard throughout every portion of the hall. + +Even Philip appeared touched. Dropping on his knee, he kissed his +father's hand. Charles, placing his hands on his son's head, then +blessed him, and raising him, embraced him affectionately, while Philip +uttered a few words expressive of his duty to his father, and his +affection for his people. He expressed his regret that he could not +address them in either French or Flemish, deputing the Bishop of Arras +to act as his interpreter. This duty was performed by the prelate in +smooth, fluent, and well-turned common-places, being replied to by Jacob +Mass, member of the Council of Brabant, much in the same style. Queen +Mary of Hungary, who had long been acting as Regent of the Netherlands, +imitating her brother in language, also rose and resigned her office. + +After a few more orations the ceremony terminated, and the Emperor +slowly left the hall as he had entered. A stranger might have supposed +from what he had heard that the country had ever been happily and well +governed, and that there was every prospect of peace and prosperity for +the subjects of the new monarch. Alas! how different was the truth. +Ernst Verner, in spite of all that was said, could not forget the number +of innocent persons who had already been sacrificed on the altar of +bigotry and tyranny. Young as he then was, he knew full well the +meaning of those exhortations of the Emperor as to the necessity of +maintaining the Catholic religion in all its purity. It meant burn, +slay, destroy, or drive out of the realm, all who oppose the religion of +the priests of Rome--crush out with an iron heel every spark of liberty +of conscience, of freedom of thought, of Protestant principles. Ernst +found afterwards that Master Gresham's thoughts had agreed with his, and +that he anticipated fearful evils for the people of the Netherlands. + + + +CHAPTER TEN. + +ERNST VERNER BEGINS HIS JOURNAL. + +I, Ernst Verner, had by this time sufficiently mastered the art of +penmanship to enter the events of the day in my journal with facility, +which I seldom failed to do. My notes are, however, far too numerous to +be copied. I therefore write out only such as I deem most likely to be +interesting to my friends. + +On our return to Antwerp; Master Gresham busied himself greatly in the +business which had brought him to that city. We were all busily +employed from morning till night writing and making up accounts. Not +only were monetary transactions to a vast amount carried on, but large +purchases were made of arms and ammunitions of war. Bullion to a +considerable amount also was required in England; of this Master Gresham +possessed himself for the advantage of the Queen. + +We were also employed in purchasing gunpowder, military stores, and +other necessary tackle for the Queen's ships of war, which at that time +were greatly deficient in these articles. I consider that it was +greatly owing to this forethought of my kind patron that England was +afterwards in a condition to defeat the efforts of Spain to bring her +under subjection; but I am now referring to events which did not take +place for some time after the period of which I am speaking. + +It was with considerable regret that I heard that my kind patron was +directed once more to return to England, and that he purposed taking +Lady Anne and his family with him. + +On our arrival in London I was sent back to Saint Paul's School to +finish my education. I was received kindly by the masters, who had not +been changed, although they were compelled to be circumspect in their +conduct, lest they should be accused of heresy, of which they knew +themselves to be guilty, according to the ideas entertained by those of +the Romish Church. The times were very sad. On my first holiday I went +out in search of my old friend A'Dale, for he had left school. I found +that he had been apprenticed to a mercer in Cheapside. He had grown +into a big lad. As he had been somewhat daring and fond of excitement +as a boy, he was, as may be supposed, not unwilling to find himself in a +turmoil, where a pair of stout fists or a thick cudgel would serve him +in good stead. I had somewhat lost my taste for such things during the +courtly life I had lately led. He laughed at my effeminacy, and urged +me to arouse myself, and to practise the old English sports, which would +fit me for the rough life I might be destined to go through. He +promised to call for me whenever he could, and, as he had a good deal of +liberty, his visits were not unfrequent. + +A'Dale entertained as strong a dislike to the mass as I did, and we had +agreed that, in spite of the risk we ran of being accused of heresy, +nothing should compel us to attend it. One evening we were proceeding +through the streets, when we found ourselves pressed in by a crowd, +which was hurrying up to see a procession of priests pass along. There +walked Bishop Bonner under a golden canopy supported on poles by four +priests, all richly arrayed. A vast crucifix was carried before him, +and other priests bore banners with various devices. There came also a +priest, under another canopy, bearing the host, before which numbers +fell down, and worshipped as if it were some idol. Those who did not so +were frowned at by the priests. Some were buffeted and told that they +were heretics, and fit only for the fires of Smithfield. There were +also bands of men in various disguises, and there were figures of saints +and other devices, before which the people were made to bow, albeit the +saints, being badly carved, some of them looking most unsaintly and +unbeautiful, were jeered at, and laughed at by those at a distance, +those near being compelled to bow down as they did to the host. And +then followed bands of waits playing all sorts of instruments. On +either side marched men with burning torches, lighting up the streets as +if it were day. + +"Alas! there is no true worship here. The souls of these people, even +if they desire to be fed, are sent away empty," I said to myself. +A'Dale and I, who had been forced in with the crowd, now attempted to +make our escape. As we were doing so, I found a hand placed on my +shoulder. + +"What, my young friend, have you become a follower of the true faith? I +thought you had been a heretic," said a person, whose voice was that of +a stranger. + +I looked up. A friar, so it seemed by his dress, was standing near me. +For some moments I was at a loss to recollect who he was, till I +recognised him as the companion of Father Overton. I had the presence +of mind, however, to be silent till I could frame a wise answer. + +"Perchance you mistake me for some one else," I answered. "I am a young +man still under instruction; but, young as I am, I desire to follow the +true faith." + +"You are cautious in your speech," said the friar; "but go on--I find I +am not mistaken. I wish to have a word with you in private. I mean you +no harm. You can tell me of one in whom I am interested." + +Keeping hold of A'Dale's arm, I at length found myself again in the +street. We went down the hill towards Ludgate, and then turning along +the bank of the Fleet, soon found ourselves in a quiet spot, free from +observation. The friar had kept us in sight, and soon again joined us. + +"I thank you for this confidence, young sir," he said. "These are +dangerous times, and those who trust others may fare ill; but of you I +have no fear. I want to learn from you news of one whom you knew as +Father Overton. I have received several epistles from him, and by their +means I have been brought to hold very different doctrines to those I +had before believed were true; yet hitherto I have not dared to express +them, but I feel that I can keep silence no longer. My great desire is +to go forth and preach the great doctrine of justification by faith, +held by Luther and those true and pious bishops who have lately been +committed to the flames. Their deaths, testifying as they did to the +truth, were, with the exhortations of my friend Overton, the means of +turning me from the Church of Rome. I trust that you have not fallen +back into the errors of that Church." + +"No, indeed, I have not," I answered. "I rejoice to find that you, as +well as Father Overton, have deserted them. With regard to him, I saw +him several times at Antwerp, where he was supported by my patron, +Master Gresham, but suddenly he disappeared, and no one could tell what +had become of him. The fears were that he had been carried off by the +Inquisition." + +"We shall ere long meet again," said the friar, after we had exchanged a +few more words. "However tempted, my young friends, hold fast to the +faith. I never knew happiness till I embraced it. I am very sure that +bitter regret and misery will be the lot of those who have once known +and then deserted it." + +Thus saying, he pressed our hands, and hurried away along the banks of +the river. We slowly returned homewards, afraid of exchanging our +thoughts, lest we should be overheard. + +The next day was a holiday, for it was the festival of some saint in the +Romish Calendar. A'Dale and I were on foot early. Finding a large +concourse of people going in the direction of the northern part of the +City outside the gates, known as Smithfield, we followed them. On one +side were some high and ancient houses, but on the other the ground was +entirely open, with meadows and woods beyond. + +"It is to be the grandest burning we have had yet," I heard a person +remark. "There is a priest to be burnt, and two women, besides a knight +and two other laymen." + +My heart sickened when I heard this, for I had no wish to see the +burning, but A'Dale urged me on. "He liked to be in a crowd," he said, +"and we might come away before the fire was set to the piles." We found +that none of the prisoners had as yet passed. At length we saw them +coming along from Newgate, the Fleet, and other prisons. They walked on +with their hands bound, and a few guards only, and priests on either +side. I wondered that none of the crowd attempted to rescue them. It +might have been done with great ease, though, perchance, to escape +afterwards might have been more difficult. + +Occasionally the friends of the prisoners came up and spoke to them, and +received their farewells. Some, indeed, kept by their side the whole +way, the guards not interfering. Among them, nearly the last, walked a +lady. Her figure was tall and graceful, though she stooped somewhat, +bowed down by sickness or sorrow. Her features were deadly pale, their +whiteness increased by the black dress she wore, her raven hair flowing +over her shoulders, for her head was bare. People looked on her with a +pitying eye, but no one came up to her. She alone of all the victims +appeared to have no friends in that vast crowd. Yet every now and then +she lifted up her eyes, and glanced round as if in search of some one. +As she passed near where A'Dale and I were standing, it struck me she +looked earnestly at me. Fearless of consequences, I darted forward, and +took my place by her side. + +"Can I be of any service to you?" I said. + +She looked at me with an inquiring glance. Her lips opened. "Who are +you?" she asked. + +"My parents died for the truth at Antwerp, as you are about to die, +lady," I replied. "I would thankfully render you the aid which it was +denied me to offer them." + +"I will trust you," she said. "You will not deceive a dying woman." + +As she spoke, she hastily took a parchment from her bosom, and handed it +to me. + +"There! conceal it," she said, "ere it is perceived by others. It +contains the certificate of my marriage to my husband, now in foreign +lands, and the title-deed of an estate which should be my child's. I +have but one--a young girl. I know not to a certainty where she is; for +when I was seized I urged her to fly and to put herself under the +protection of some Protestant family, who, for the love of the faith, +would support her till the return of her father from abroad. I dared +not trust this paper into the hands of my cruel jailers; but I feel sure +I may confide it to you, and that you will, to the best of your power, +do as I desire." + +I promised the lady that I would faithfully obey her wishes; and so +interested did I feel in her fate, that I offered to continue by her +side to the last. + +"No, no! you will be watched, perchance, if you do, and bring the same +doom I suffer on your own head." + +Still I entreated her to allow me to remain; but she insisted upon my +quitting her, not only for my own sake, but lest I might run the risk of +losing the important document she had given me. + +While I was thus speaking to her as we moved slowly on through the +crowded streets, another person came up, whom I at once recognised as +the friar I had met on the previous day. He took no notice of me, +however, but at once addressed himself to the lady. At first, with +somewhat of a look of scorn, she desired him to depart; but after he had +whispered a few words in her ear her manner changed, and as they walked +along he continued addressing her. I guessed the purport of his +conversation. Her countenance even brightened as he spoke. Now and +then the priests with the other prisoners cast suspicious glances +towards him; but he continued to walk on, speaking so low that no one +else but the unhappy lady could hear him; and thus the band of prisoners +arrived at Smithfield. Here they were saluted by the ribald shouts of +the populace, who seemed to delight in hurling all sorts of abusive +epithets on their heads. A'Dale wanted to remain, but I kept to my +purpose. My chief interest was with the unhappy lady. I rejoiced, +however, to see that her countenance was calm and unmoved; indeed, a +serene joy seemed occasionally to play over it. I suspect, indeed, that +some of those who stood by thought that the friar had brought her an +offer of freedom, but it was not so; the only freedom she desired was to +be liberated from this state of care and pain, and to mount upwards to +be with her risen Lord. Onward marched the sad procession; but of all +those I saw, none appeared to tremble or to desire to escape the +dreadful fate awaiting them. + +A'Dale, taking me by the arm, endeavoured to drag me into the front +rank. "I want to judge how these people behave themselves at the +stake," he said. "You and I perhaps, Ernst, may one day have to go +through the same, and it may be well to take a lesson, so as to know how +to comport ourselves." + +I did not like his tone; it appeared more mocking than serious. It was +not so, however. His heart was really as grieved as mine, but more +indignant: such was his temper. Yet he really wished to see the +burning. + +"No, no," I answered. "Spare me, A'Dale, I cannot. I would be ready, +if called on, to burn, myself, but to see others suffer, willingly I +cannot. That poor lady, too, with a young child and a husband loving +her, thus to be separated from them. How glorious and firm must be her +faith to support her under such a trial; or rather, I should say, how +gracious is the Holy Spirit who gives her strength for her need! It is +that which supports her." + +Still A'Dale would have me accompany him; and, though I was unwilling, +he dragged me forward. I felt faint and sick and confused. The +recollections of the past crowded on me with such force that they almost +shut out, as it were, the scene before my eyes. I remember being in the +midst of a vast crowd, and seeing on a high platform the sheriffs and a +number of great officers in rich dresses, and below huge posts with +chains secured to them, and a number of guards and priests below the +platform, while other persons with their hands bound were in their +midst, and rude rough men carrying faggots to and fro and piling them up +near the posts; and then other persons were brought forward and secured +to the posts, and more words were spoken, and priests seemed to be +exhorting their prisoners, but none were released. And then the faggots +were thrown round them, and the flames ascended, but no exclamation of +fear burst from their breasts. I could gaze no more. Sick unto death, +I uttered a cry and fled from the spot, scarcely knowing where I went. + + + +CHAPTER ELEVEN. + +A MEETING WITH MASTER OVERTON. + +I left Smithfield far behind me, and found myself again amidst the +streets of the City, when, overcome by my feelings, I sank on one side +of the road, just within an archway. How long I remained there I know +not, when I heard a voice addressing me by name: + +"Rise, my boy; rise, Ernst Verner; I will conduct you to your home." + +I looked up and saw the friar whom I had met in the morning. + +"I am thankful I found you," he said, "or in your fainting state you +might have suffered injury from some of the thieves and cut-purses who +infest this City. What has happened to you?" + +I told him that I had fled from the burnings at Smithfield. + +"I do not wonder at that," he answered; "it was a fearful sight." + +"And the poor lady with whom I saw you on her way thither, has she +escaped?" I asked. + +"No; she was among those who suffered death. She witnessed a good +confession, and died, I believe, rejoicing, without feeling one pang of +pain." + +While the friar was speaking I gradually recovered. + +"We will now set forward," he said, "for I must leave this City, and +continue my search for my friend, who has, I believe, returned to +England. I did not say this to you before, but I do so now I know that +I may trust you. Should you by chance meet him, let him know that he +who was once Friar Roger is so no longer, and earnestly desires to see +him." + +I assured him that I should be ready to help him, as well as Master +Overton, and that I believed nothing would induce me to betray them. + +"Yes, I know that I can trust you," he said. "And now I have to ask +you, did not the lady give you a packet, desiring you to carry out the +wishes which are therein expressed?" + +"Yes," I answered, feeling in the bosom of my frock, in which I placed +it. "I have it here safe, and hope to do as she desired." + +"It might, however, be better if you were to give it to me," he +observed. "You are but a youth, and might lose it, or may be unable to +fulfil her request." + +I could not help looking at the speaker suspiciously as he said this. +Was his object to deprive me of the packet, that he might make use of it +for his own purposes? If such was the case, he might have done so while +I lay in a swoon. + +"You will pardon me, my friend," I answered, after a minute's +consideration; "that poor lady confided the packet to me, almost with +her dying breath, and I purpose, if I have the power, to carry out her +wishes." + +Friar Roger looked at me and smiled. + +"You act wisely," he answered. "You have not yet proved my fidelity, +and are right not to trust me; and, besides, I think you have a greater +prospect of remaining in this life than I have, for assuredly if my +heresy were discovered I should speedily be brought into the same state +as the poor people you saw this morning." + +We had not gone far when A'Dale came hurrying after me. He had not at +first missed me when I fled from Smithfield, but hearing some one remark +with a laugh that a lad had been frightened by the fires, and had taken +to flight, he concluded that I was the person spoken of. Friar Roger +expressed his satisfaction at the appearance of A'Dale, and, confiding +me to his charge, wished us farewell. + +At length I reached Master Gresham's house in Lombard Street. The Lady +Anne remarked upon my pale face and haggard features, and inquired what +had occurred. Knowing her kind disposition, I told her the occurrences +of the morning. + +"Alas! alas!" she answered. "We must commiserate their fate, though I +believe firmly that all of them are tasting the joys of heaven. But for +that poor lady you speak of I feel more particularly. Can you tell me +her name?" + +I bethought me of the packet, for to the Lady Anne I knew that I could +confide it properly. + +"That will tell us," I observed. + +We carefully opened the packet, which I drew from my bosom. Lady Anne +read it. + +"Alas! alas!" she said; "even while you were describing the poor lady I +had an idea that she might be one I knew well in my early days, and for +whom I had a warm affection. Even at that time I thought her opinions +dangerous. And, my sweet Barbara, has such been indeed your fate? I +would that I had the means of discovering her daughter; this document +gives but a slight clue, saying little more than she told you. She +believes that her child will be found among certain Flemish artisans +settled at Norwich. There are many in that city, and thus among them it +will be difficult to discover her. Still it must be done, and I will +consult my husband on his return." + +"Could I not go down to Norwich and search among the artisans there?" I +asked. "I have indeed a fellow-feeling for the poor young lady, and I +would thankfully be employed on such a service." + +"I will think about it," answered Lady Anne; "but Norwich is a long way +off, and you are young to undertake such a journey alone. If James +Brocktrop can be spared I will send him, though he might not undertake +the task with the zeal I should desire." + +"But could not I accompany him?" I asked. "The holidays will soon +begin, and if Master Gresham does not return, I shall be at liberty." + +"Have patience, my boy; I will consider it," repeated Lady Anne. + +When I told A'Dale, he was eager to accompany me. I knew I could trust +him. It wanted but two weeks to the holidays; and we agreed that if +Lady Anne could not then send Brocktrop, we ourselves, with her +permission and that of my patron, would set forth together. + +At length term time was over, and I was at liberty. + +"I have consulted my lord's factor, Master John Elliot, and he will send +James Brocktrop, for the purpose of inquiring into the trade and produce +of Norwich, where he is given to understand a considerable amount of +manufactures has been produced by the Flemish refugees settled in that +city," said Lady Anne. "You can accompany him, and you will thus have a +favourable opportunity of inquiring for the young girl." + +I was greatly pleased at this arrangement; it was so exactly what I +wished. A'Dale likewise obtained leave to make holiday and to accompany +us. Horses were provided for our journey, and with a change of clothes +and other necessaries packed in our valises and strapped before us, with +thick cloaks to guard us from the inclemency of the weather, our +equipment was complete. + +To enable us to defend ourselves, we each of us also had a brace of +pistolets, and an arquebus, which hung at the saddlebow. Thus well +provided, we set forth to the North. I found the roads very different +to those I had been accustomed to in the Low Countries. Instead of +affording a broad level way, they were full of ruts and inequalities. +Sometimes we had to pass through a wide extent of mud, and at other +times to pick our way amidst the boulders, rocks, and stones which lay +before us. This prevented us from proceeding as rapidly as we should +have desired. We could talk, however, as we rode along, and had many +subjects of conversation. + +At length we reached the ancient town of Norwich, standing on its ten +hills. In the late reign numerous Flemish families, driven out of the +Netherlands by dread of the Edicts and the Inquisition, had settled +here. + +Brocktrop had been supplied with a sufficient excuse for his visit, +being sent thither by the well-known mercer, Master Gresham, to examine +into the state of trade and make purchases accordingly, assisted by me; +while A'Dale had a similar commission from his employer. We were thus +able to go about through the town and to visit the houses of the +settlers for the purpose of examining the produce of their looms. Some +we found employed in the manufacture of lutestrings, brocades, +paduasoys, tabinets, and velvets, while a considerable number were +engaged in making cutlery, knives, daggers, swords, lancets and other +articles for the use of surgeons, as also clocks and watches. +Lace-making we also found carried on extensively. + +Still during our search we had not discovered the child of the martyred +lady. At last one day we entered a humble cottage where a man was +seated at a loom. His back was turned towards us. Even to my eye he +did not appear to be as expert as others we had visited. Still he +worked on diligently; the material he was producing being of a somewhat +rough character, Brocktrop turned away, seeing that the stuff would not +suit his purpose, when I apologised to the workman for intruding: on +him. He turned round as I did so, and I saw a countenance with the +features of which I was acquainted. Brocktrop and A'Dale had just gone +out of the door. The workman rose. + +"I would speak with you," he said. "Are those to be trusted?" + +"Yes, sir, I am sure they are," I answered; and I at once saw that the +person speaking to me was he whom I had first known as Father Overton. + +He greeted me cordially, and so I ran out and begged Brocktrop and +A'Dale to wait for me for a few minutes. + +"I have been anxious to hear of you since we parted at Antwerp," I said. +"John Foxe, too, in his letters has inquired of you, and we feared that +you had fallen into evil plight." + +"I left Antwerp secretly," he answered, "for I was in danger. Besides, +I had a longing to return to England, first to minister to these poor +refugees who had been driven by persecution from their native land, and +also to spread the truth among my own countrymen. Having learned the +art of weaving, I have remained here for some time in disguise; though I +believe I am already suspected, and perhaps may again have to seek for +safety in flight--though ready, if needs be, to suffer as a martyr for +the truth." + +I replied that I hoped he would yet escape till better times, which +might come, seeing that there was no prospect of the Queen's Majesty +having a son to succeed her. I then told him of the happy conversion of +Friar Roger, by means of the letters he had written from Antwerp, and +that he desired once more to meet with him. + +A gleam of satisfaction passed over the countenance of Overton. + +"I trust it is so," he answered; "and yet it may be prudent in me not to +place myself in his power until I am sure of his fidelity." He then +inquired what had brought me to Norwich. I at once told him the secret +object of our visit, mentioning the name of the unhappy lady who had +been put to death. + +"Barbara Radford, did you say? Alas! alas! has she been murdered by +these bloodthirsty bigots? Tell me how she looked; what she said. My +sister, my dear sister, you were ever true and faithful! It would have +rejoiced your heart to know that the brother you ever treated so +affectionately had been brought to a knowledge of the truth. But oh! +Ernst Verner, think what are my feelings when I tell you that it was I, +in my blindness and bigotry, who first brought the family of the +Radfords before the notice of the cruel Bonner as firm and +uncompromising Protestants. Yet I loved my sister as much as any priest +of Rome, imbued with its principles, can entertain love; but I thought +it right to crush all such feelings, for the sake of advancing the cause +I advocated. In what a different light do I now view such conduct!" + +"The great Apostle Paul was a fearful persecutor, and yet he became one +of the most mighty instruments in God's hands for spreading the truth," +I replied. + +"Yes, yes; but it becomes not me to liken myself to such a man," he +answered. "You say that you believe that my sister's child is even now +in this town? Then my heart did not deceive me. Not many days ago I +met a lovely little girl in the family of some poor Flemish weavers. +They told me that she was not their own child, but that they felt +themselves bound to support her as if she were, and would sacrifice all +that they possess rather than allow her to want. I made no further +inquiries then, for a stranger coming in they were silent. Yet I well +remember that while I spoke to her, a look came over her countenance +which reminded me of my once-loved sister. I thought it was fancy, and +banished it from my mind. I now feel sure that my feelings did not +mislead me. But I cannot leave my work. I owe my safety, I believe, to +never going forth during the day; for so well-known are my features, +that I might be recognised. When evening sets in, return hither, and I +will accompany you to the cottage where the family of Crugeot reside." + +I bade my friend farewell, and hurried after my companions. + +"Ask no questions," I said; "it will be the safest; but I have a clue at +length to the object of which we are in search, and I trust that we may +be able to carry out the Lady Anne's beneficent designs." + +Having concluded our rambles about the city, and James Brocktrop having +gained all the information he required, we returned to our hostelry. I +begged that I might go forth alone when it was dark. I had full +confidence in the faithfulness of Brocktrop, as well as in the +discretion of A'Dale; but yet I was sure that the fewer who knew +Overton's secret the better. One who like him had left the Church of +Rome, if discovered, would be sure to meet with no mercy. + +I accordingly set out by myself through the streets of Norwich. I had +noted the house where I had seen him, and fully believed that I should +find it again. There are, however, so many ups and downs in the city, +and the streets wind about so much, that it is no easy matter to find +the way, especially dark as it then was. Here and there only a light +gleamed forth from some artisan's workshop, making the obscurity in +other places still more dense. At last I recognised a building I had +seen in the morning, and knew that Master Overton's house was not far on +one side of it. I hastened on and knocked. A voice told me to come in, +and I saw him, as before, with a small lamp by his side, working away at +his loom. + +"I thank you very much, my young friend, for coming," he said; "I am +anxious, as you are, to try and discover my niece. I have no doubt, +however, that she will be found. We will soon go forth in search of the +worthy Flemings in whose company I saw her." + +Saying this, he threw a cloak round him such as was worn by the +Flemings, and taking me by the arm we together left the house, which he +locked carefully behind him. My eyes had now become accustomed to the +darkness of the streets, and I could without difficulty walk on by the +side of my companion. We had not gone far, when he stopped at the door +of a low cottage. We listened, for a sweet, low hymn was being sung by +some one within. It was one of Marot's, such as my own dear parents had +delighted in. The sound melted me almost to tears. Now another voice +joined in: it was that of a woman. And now a man's tones were heard, +full and rich. I would not for much have interrupted that hymn. +Perhaps the singers scarcely knew the risk they ran, for had any Romish +priests heard them they might have recognised the hymns as those of the +Protestant poet of France; he whose verses had afforded consolation to +many a persecuted Christian, to many an exile from his native land. At +length the hymn ceased. Overton knocked gently at the door. It was +opened by a woman, the light from within falling on her person, showing +by her costume that she was a Fleming. + +"I am a friend," said Overton; "you know me. I have come to see you, +and ask a few questions." + +"You are welcome, Master Holt," she said in broken English. "Come in, +for I know you to be a friend to the people of our faith." + +We entered. The woman looked at me. "He is trustworthy," said Overton. +"I saw a young girl in your company the other day," he continued; "I am +anxious to talk with her, for a strange communication has been made me, +and I think I know more about her than you may suppose." The woman +listened attentively. + +"She is in the back room," she said; "I will call her. I told you that +she is not my child, but I love her as if she were. I would not part +with her, unless it was greatly to her benefit." + +"If she is the child I believe her to be, she is my niece," answered +Overton, "and a lady of wealth and distinction is ready to take charge +of her. A sound Protestant, moreover. Would you not then yield her +up?" + +"I would not selfishly prevent the dear girl from doing anything which +would advance her interests. But you may be wrong; perhaps she is not +the child you seek. However, I will call her, and you can speak to her +yourself." + +The Flemish woman, opening a door, called, and in an instant a girl +eleven or twelve years old came bounding into the room. She was very +fair, with blue eyes, her countenance full of animation, her light-brown +hair long and silky. + +"Aveline," she said, "here is a worthy gentleman who wishes to speak +with you. He thinks he knew your dear mother. Will you describe her to +him, that he may judge whether he is right?" + +Aveline ran up to Overton, and taking his hand, exclaimed: + +"Oh yes! she was an angel, so sweet and loving and kind, and her figure +so tall and graceful." + +"Yes, yes," said Overton, looking eagerly in the child's face; "but her +name, what was her name?" + +"My dear father, before he went away, always called her Barbara." + +"Ah! yes," said Overton, "that was the name; but the surname; by what +name was your father known?" + +"My father's name was Radford--Captain Radford. He went away a long +time ago, in a big ship, belonging to some merchant adventurers, and he +has never since come back, and poor dear mamma was accused of reading +the Bible, and of loving God's people more than the ways of the world, +and some cruel men came and dragged her off to prison. They very nearly +took me, but she told me to fly away, and to get clear of them, and that +I must throw myself on the mercy of the first Protestant family I could +meet. I ran and ran on, wishing to obey my mother, and fearing that the +Queen's guards would be in pursuit of me, till I came upon an encampment +of travellers by the roadside. I stopped and listened; they were +singing a hymn. I knew that it was a Protestant hymn, and thus I knew +that I might trust them. They did not understand much I said, for they +had not been long in the country. Yet I made myself understood, and +when they heard my tale they undertook to afford me protection. In vain +I have since frequently begged that I might go forth and search for my +mother, but they always shook their heads, and said it was of no use. +Still I am sure that I shall meet her again. Do you not think so, sir?" + +"Yes, dear child; there is a place where all who are clothed in the +robes of the Lamb will assuredly meet, and there I trust that you will +meet with your mother." + +Aveline looked up in Overton's face with an inquiring glance. "What do +you mean?" she asked eagerly; and then in a deep low whisper, painfully +drawing her breath, she said, "Is she dead?" + +"The body in which you knew her has returned to dust, but she herself is +now rejoicing with a joy unspeakable. Do not mourn for her, my child. +Only accept the same gracious offer she accepted, and follow the course +she has followed, and assuredly you will be reunited to her." + +"Yes, yes, I will indeed!" exclaimed Aveline, clasping her hands and +looking upwards. + +Never had I seen a countenance more beautiful and radiant. Already an +angelic expression rested on it, such as I am sure it will wear when +glorified in heaven. + +The husband, Crugeot, now came forward, for before his wife had opened +the door he had concealed himself in the further room; even a humble +family, such as I have described, in those days lived in dread of +persecution. Yet even they would not altogether hold their tongues, but +desired to witness for the truth. + +We had interrupted, I found, their usual evening service, and on our +knocking they had scattered, not knowing who might be about to enter. + +Overton now explained to Aveline that he was her uncle, and asked her +whether she would go and reside with a rich lady who would be her +patroness. She looked at Dame Crugeot. + +"I cannot leave her," she said, "unless she wishes to part with me." + +"I do not wish to part with you, my child; but yet I would advise you to +accept the generous offer which has been made." + +"But will they talk to me as you have done, of the Saviour and of my +dear mother? I cannot go to people who will not do that," said the +little girl firmly. + +Her uncle explained that she could enjoy all the advantages of wealth; +but promised amusements and luxuries did not tempt her. Almost +unwillingly, however, at last, by the urgent advice of her uncle, she +consented to leave her Flemish friends. Hitherto I had said very +little. I merely again repeated Lady Anne's offer, and told her how +kind and generous a friend she had been to me, and that I was sure she +would prove the same to her. + +"But you will not take me to-morrow," she said; "let me have another day +with my kind nurse, or more than nurse--my second mother." + +I was sure that James Brocktrop would consent to remain another day; +indeed, our horses required a longer rest before they were fit for the +return journey. + + + +CHAPTER TWELVE. + +DISAPPEARANCE OF AVELINE. + +A'Dale and I felt very proud as we escorted Mistress Aveline Radford +towards London. Brocktrop had supplied her friends with money to +purchase proper attire suitable to her position, for she was in truth a +young lady in all respects, having been nurtured delicately, and well +instructed. I foresaw that she would quickly become a favourite with +the Lady Anne, for she was a damsel much suited to her taste. I +esteemed her greatly, and so did A'Dale: I soon saw that. She rode on a +pillion behind Master Brocktrop, whose horse was more suited to carry +her than were our steeds, which were much smaller; besides, he was well +accustomed to carry ladies, Lady Anne herself often thus going out. +A'Dale and I rode on either side, talking to her, and endeavouring to +keep up her spirits, for she was much cast down, at leaving her kind +friends, and more so at the thought of the sad fate her dear mother had +suffered. + +Master Overton would not quit Norwich for the present. He had there +work to do, and were he to venture into London, he would quickly be +recognised and put to death. We journeyed more slowly than we had done +when going north, as we were afraid of tiring the little lady. + +We reached Lombard Street without any adventure. Lady Anne stretched +out her arms towards Aveline when she saw her, almost as if she had been +her own child, and pressed her to her bosom. + +"I will be a mother to you," she said, gazing at her affectionately. +Truly Lady Anne had a tender heart. In a short time the little girl +recovered her spirits, though even in the midst of her play with young +Richard she would sometimes stop, and the tears would come into her +eyes. I knew then that she was thinking of her mother. + +Richard was a delicate boy. He had gone to school at first with me, but +was unable to bear the rough treatment there, and he accordingly +remained at home, his mother being well competent to teach him various +branches of learning, while certain masters came at times to impart +other knowledge. He and Aveline soon became great friends. He watched +over her as if she was his sister, and she regarded him in the light of +a brother. He was never weary of playing with her, albeit she now and +then gave herself not a few airs when he was inclined to humour her. +Yet she was in no degree wayward, but always obedient and affectionate +to the Lady Anne. + +Master Gresham returned from Spain, and proceeded again in the course of +a few days to Antwerp. + +I may say here, that I did not note down his comings and goings. +Sometimes he remained in England only four or five days, scarcely +sufficient to recruit his strength, and then once more returned about +the Queen's business to Antwerp. He came over while King Philip was in +England, and I heard him tell Lady Anne that he was greatly disconcerted +with the course events were taking; that a war with France would neither +be profitable nor honourable; but the King had set his mind on it; and +the Queen, from her foolish fondness, would carry out his wishes, even +though it might prove the destruction of her kingdom. + +A'Dale came to me one day about this time, and told me that he was +growing tired of the life of a mercer's apprentice, and that he was +minded to join the English forces who were going out to aid the Spanish +army on the Flemish frontier. It was to consist of seven thousand men: +four of infantry, one of cavalry, and two of pioneers. I had two strong +reasons to urge against this; one was that he would be united with +Romanists and supporting the cause of Rome and tyranny; and the other, +that being in an honourable position which must some day become +profitable to him, when he might marry and settle down as a citizen, he +would be wrong to abandon it for one where he might lose his life or +limbs, and, moreover, be employed in slaughtering his fellow-creatures. +He laughed at what he called my new ideas. I said that I was sure they +were right ideas, and that God never intended men to fight and destroy +one another. + +"But if our country were attacked by foes, would you not fight?" he +asked. + +"That is a different case," I said. "If I found myself a soldier, a +soldier I would remain, or if the country were attacked, I would become +one for the sake of defending it; but you have an honourable, peaceable +calling, and you propose quitting it without necessity for the sake of +going and fighting on the side of a people for whom you have no love, +against a nation many of whom are true Protestants and friendly disposed +to England." + +He replied that he would think over what I had said; but I was afraid I +had made but little impression on him. + +The army set forth without him, however. Some time after this I had +still greater difficulty in persuading him to remain at home, when news +came of the great battle fought on the banks of the Somme, near the town +of Saint Quentin. On one side were the Spanish, English, Flemish, and +German host, under the Duke of Savoy. The French were under Constable +Montmorency. They were beaten, with a dreadful loss. Never since the +fatal day of Agincourt had the French suffered a more disastrous defeat. +Six thousand were slain, and there were as many prisoners taken. The +Admiral Coligny bravely defended Saint Quentin to the last, but the +place was at length taken by storm, amidst horrors unspeakable. + +When we heard of them, I asked A'Dale whether he still could wish he had +been there. + +"No," he said; "honestly, I am thankful that I had not to take part in +such scenes." + +And now I must briefly run over the events I find noted in my diary. + +I bade farewell to school, and though Master Gresham talked of letting +me go to college, as he had gone, he afterwards altered his intentions, +since the Universities were under the complete control of Cardinal Pole +and his commissioners. "The object of going to college is to enlarge +the mind and gain knowledge; but while people such as these rule there, +I opine that neither one object nor the other is likely to be attained," +observed Master Gresham. "I will therefore keep you with me, Ernst; you +can serve in my shop, and there gain a knowledge of such business as may +be greatly useful to you." + +Master Gresham's house, I should have said, was one of the best in +Lombard Street, which was beyond doubt the handsomest street in London. + +Over the door was a crest--a large metal grasshopper, so that no +stranger had any difficulty in finding the house. As is well-known, +this street gained its name from the Italian merchants who came from +Genoa, Lucca, Florence, and Venice, and were known as Lombards. They +were very useful to the Italian clergy who had benefices in England, and +who were thus able to receive their incomes drawn from England without +difficulty. Thus the English supported a number of foreign priests, +from whom they received no benefit whatever. By degrees Englishmen +entered into the same business. + +As may be supposed, it would be difficult to describe the variety of +affairs in which my patron was engaged. Among others we bought and sold +plate, and foreign gold and silver coins. These we melted and culled. +Some were recoined at the Mint, and with the rest we supplied the +refiners, plate-workers, and merchants who required the precious metals. +Whenever we received money at usury, we gave a bond, and my patron was +always able to lend it out again, either to the Government or to others +at a still higher rate of usury. At times, the stranger from the +country might have supposed that all the gold and silver in England had +been collected in Lombard Street, for here were magnificent silver +vessels exposed for sale, and vast quantities of ancient and modern +coins. Gold chains, too, were seen hung up, and jewels of all sorts. +In truth, all articles of value might there be purchased or disposed of. +Master John Elliot was at this time factor and manager of the +establishment, my patron being seldom in England, or remaining, when he +did come, but a few days at a time. I was expecting every day to be +summoned to Antwerp. This would have been much to my sorrow, for I felt +unwilling to leave the Lady Anne, and still more so, I may confess, to +part from the little Aveline. My affection for her was that of a +brother for a sister--at least I thought so, and so it might have been. + +At length Master Gresham returned. I knew not why, but suspected it was +owing to some difference with the Council. For some time, therefore, he +attended to his own private affairs. It had been arranged that he, with +Lady Anne, was to go down to Osterley, whither he delighted to retire +from the the cares of business. + +I was one afternoon seated at my desk writing away rapidly, and intent +on my work, when the porter told me that a stranger wished to speak with +me. On going to the entrance, I found, standing in a recess where no +light fell, a person who, as I came up, uttered my name. + +"Ernst Verner," he said, and I at once recognised the voice of Master +Overton, "you have already conferred on me a great favour; will you +increase it? I wish to see my young niece. I am about again to leave +England, and even this night hope to embark. The search after me is, I +find, very hot, and had I not managed to mislead my pursuers, who +believe that I am gone to the North, I could not have ventured into +London, even though I am so disguised that few would discover me. Did I +think that there would be any risk to the girl, I would not ask the +favour; but she is the only being on earth now remaining to whom I am +allied by ties of blood. Her mother was my dearest sister, and she was +the last of several who had before her death left this world." + +The request seemed very simple, and I undertook to convey it to Lady +Anne, who would, I hoped, without difficulty grant it. A short way off +was an archway, beneath which I thought Overton could speak to his niece +unobserved, and I promised, should I obtain permission, to conduct her +there. Master Gresham was from home, and Lady Anne, when I told her of +Overton's request, had some hesitation as to allowing Aveline to go out +to meet him. The little girl, however, as soon as she heard the +invitation, entreated that she might bid farewell to her uncle. It had +become almost dark, but I assured Lady Anne this would make no +difference. At length, reluctantly, she gave Aveline permission to +visit the place appointed. I agreed to wait for her at a little +distance. This arrangement was safer, certainly, than allowing a +condemned priest to enter the house. + +Overton was at the spot appointed. "I have a few farewell words to +speak to my young niece," he said, "and in ten minutes I beg you to +return to escort her back." + +Scarcely had I retired, when I heard a cry, and through the gloom I saw +several persons crowding into the gateway. I ran towards it, wondering +what had occurred, but arrived in time only to catch a glimpse of +Overton and Aveline in the midst of a party who were hurrying them +along. I ran after them, but they heeded me not. One, however, +suddenly turned round and dealt me a blow which brought me to the +ground, almost senseless. When I recovered, they had disappeared, and I +knew not what road they had taken. I could not bring myself to go back +with the sad news to Lady Anne. I knew not in what direction to follow. +But I ran blindly on, hoping by some means I might overtake them. The +dreadful fear came over me that he was a traitor, and that all he had +said was but a cloak to cover his designs. + +At length, broken-hearted, I returned to Lombard Street. Lady Anne +received me with a look of grief, not unmixed with indignation, such as +I had never seen. + +"I have known you all your life, Ernst," she said at length, "or +otherwise I could not believe you innocent in this matter, so suspicious +an air does it wear. You must, though having no bad intentions, have +been most cruelly deceived by this man Overton; and yet what object +could he have had in carrying off the girl?" + +When Master Gresham returned, he also was very indignant against +Overton, declaring his belief that he was a hypocrite; though what could +have been his object in taking away his niece it was impossible to say. +My patron bethought him of going immediately to the Privy Council, and +getting a warrant for the apprehension of the stranger; but he himself +was so much out of favour at that time, that he believed no object would +thus be gained. He had been so interested with Aveline's history, +though he had seen little of her, that he was sincerely grieved at what +had occurred, and at my suggestion ordered out several servants with +torches, directing them to proceed to various parts of the City, in the +hopes of meeting with Overton and his niece, or with those who had +carried them off, should this have occurred without his connivance. I +eagerly set out, calling on A'Dale to join in the search. + +Such occurrences as I have described were too common to cause much +observation. People at that time were nightly dragged out of their beds +by the emissaries of Bishop Bonner, and hauled off to prison. At +length, as we were proceeding towards the river, we met a serving-man +with a torch, who was on his way to conduct his master back to his house +in that neighbourhood. He told us, in reply to our inquiries, that a +short time before he had met an armed band with a man, who seemed to be +a prisoner, and a young girl; that they had taken boat, and proceeded up +the Thames. I inquired whether he was sure that they had gone up, and +had not rather proceeded down the stream. He was certain, he said, that +they had gone upwards; that he had heard some one speak the word +"Lambeth," if that would prove any guidance to us. + +This convinced me that Overton had truly fallen into the power of the +cruel Bonner, and that Aveline, found in his company, had been carried +off with him. + +Once more I returned with the information we had gained to Lady Anne and +my patron. Never had I felt so great a sorrow. A'Dale and I devised +all sorts of plans for liberating Aveline; but, alas! one after the +other was thrown aside as hopeless. Master Gresham promised to exert +all his influence rather than allow her to suffer. + +"Surely her Majesty would not wish that an innocent young girl like +Aveline should suffer hurt," cried Lady Anne. + +"My dear wife, she who thinks she is doing God's service in burning +pious bishops and youths and maidens, such as some who have been brought +to the stake, would not hesitate to inflict the same doom on your +Aveline." + +Lady Anne burst into tears. She was not a lady given to weeping, and I +had never seen her so moved before. Indeed, I could have joined her, so +grieved was I for the loss of Aveline, if lost she was. + +Master Gresham began to chide, and told her not to weep. "I will see +what can be done for the damsel," he said. "I have seen so little of +her, that I knew not she had thus won upon your affections." + +As my patron said this, my hopes began to revive; for I thought him +all-powerful, and that anything he undertook he would most assuredly +accomplish. + +Some time passed by, and no tidings could be gained of Overton or his +niece. Meantime disastrous news came from the army in France, which did +not soften the disposition of Queen Mary nor of Bishop Bonner. Every +misfortune which occurred made her believe still more firmly than ever +that it was sent because she did not sufficiently support the Catholic +religion, and because so many of her subjects remained opposed to that +faith. To show her zeal and love for it, therefore, she resolved to +take further steps for the extirpation of what she called heresy. + + + +CHAPTER THIRTEEN. + +ACCESSION OF QUEEN ELIZABETH. + +Once again the fires at Smithfield, as well as in other parts of the +country, never long together extinguished, burned up brightly and +frequently. + +The people submitted, though with an ill grace. + +One day A'Dale came and told me there was to be another great burning. +We had heard that several persons--priests, laymen, and women--were +about to be committed to the flames. + +"The people have been murmuring more than ever, and would, I believe, if +led on by bold men, attempt to rescue the prisoners. What say you, +Verner? I am ready to risk my life if there is a prospect of success." + +"And I likewise," I answered, after a moment's thought. "Well then, +there is no time to be lost. Get your cloak and sword, and if there is +an opportunity we will not let it pass by." + +We hurried on. Large crowds were collecting from all quarters. It is +strange that human beings should desire to see the sufferings of their +fellow-creatures. Many, however, were going, we hoped, like ourselves, +to sympathise with the sufferers, or to afford them assistance. As we +went along, we judged from the words we heard uttered that we should not +lack support. + +I have had so often before to describe the scenes at Smithfield, that I +will not do so again. + +As we arrived at the place, we found the wide space entirely surrounded +by a dense crowd, while every window and other elevated spot in the +neighbourhood was thronged with people, who might gaze upon what was +going forward. There was the platform with the great officers who had +been directed to superintend the executions, and the pulpit for the +friars who were to preach, and the stakes with chains and piles of +faggots. + +We heard it again asserted by other bystanders that two priests were to +be burned, and some said there was a little girl. On hearing this, +A'Dale and I started, and inquired earnestly of the speaker if he knew +that what he said was true. + +"Too true, I fear me, young masters," he answered. "These people would +burn infants if they could get no others to burn." + +"Are men with hearts in their bosoms, and swords in their hands, to see +such things take place, and not attempt to prevent it?" exclaimed +A'Dale, in a determined voice. + +I seconded him; for at once the fearful suspicion came across me that +our little Aveline might be the child spoken of. We were rejoiced to +find that several bystanders echoed our sentiments. The feeling that +something should be done to rescue the prisoners spread through the +crowd. I wondered that such had not been done before: it might have +saved the lives of many innocent men; for those tyrant priests would +never have dared to inflict punishment on their victims if the nation +had boldly risen up against them. + +We were at too great a distance from the platform clearly to distinguish +the features of the prisoners; but when the guards opened out a little, +so as to expose them to view, we saw two persons in the dress of +priests, and in a group of women a young girl, whose figure was exactly +that of Aveline. My heart sank as I saw her, and then it seemed to rise +again and throb and boil with indignation. I felt capable of daring and +doing everything to save the dear little girl. Even should it not be +Aveline, I would do much; but I would risk liberty and life, and run +every prospect of suffering the same fate, for the sake of rescuing her. + +And now the priests were led up to the platform, where stood a Bishop-- +whom we supposed to be Bonner himself--with several other ecclesiastics +round him. These seized the unhappy priests, and tore their robes from +their backs, and then scraped on the crown of their heads and the tips +of their fingers: this being to signify that the oil of anointing was +scraped off. This operation occupied some time. It seemed as if the +Bishop and his vile myrmidons took pleasure in prolonging the torment of +their victims. Fierce words were spoken to the priests in loud tones. +Though we could not hear the words, we knew this by the gestures and by +the occasional sounds which reached our ears. + +At length, one by one, the martyrs were led down again from the platform +towards the stakes to which they were to be secured for burning. + +Again they were asked if they would recant. + +Their reply was a stern refusal to give up what they knew to be the +truth. Having stirred up the people round us, A'Dale and I, knowing +full well the risk we ran, worked our way up still nearer to the +platform, waiting here and there to ascertain the temper of the +multitude. As far as we could judge, they were all in the same mood; +all equally hating Rome and its fearful proceedings. As we got nearer, +we had no longer any doubts as to who were the intended victims. In one +of the priests I recognised my friend Overton; in the other, Friar +Roger, whom I had wrongfully suspected; and there too stood with the +females our little Aveline. She seemed perfectly undismayed. Her eyes +were cast upward, and, so it seemed to me, an angelic smile played over +her countenance. Could those demons in human shape have the heart to +burn so young and innocent a creature? A'Dale and I, seeing this, began +to speak more boldly to the people round us. We asked them if they were +men to submit to such tyranny. Would they wish to see their own +daughters, and wives, and sisters, burn before their eyes? + +"You see those innocent people about to be put to a cruel death!" +exclaimed A'Dale; "after burning them, the same men will proceed on to +burn those you love. Strike a brave blow now, and you will make them +quail before you." + +The people applauded us, but few seemed disposed to move. They had no +weapons except thick sticks, and the guards were well-armed. Whether +notice of the temper of the crowd reached the ears of the authorities, I +know not, but they seemed eager to hasten on with the executions. A +band of vile ruffians, who for wretched pay would commit any atrocity, +were engaged in surrounding each stake with faggots. In a few minutes +more, fire would be set to the piles. + +"There is no time to be lost!" I exclaimed to A'Dale; "we must make the +venture now, or it will avail nothing." + +"Men, Englishmen, countrymen, will you allow those innocent ones to +perish before your eyes, and not endeavour to save them?" exclaimed +A'Dale. "On, men, on!" but the crowd stood back. + +A few bold spirits joined us in urging on the rest; but unless a general +rush were made, nothing could be done. I felt as if my heart would +burst with indignation and dread--indignation that strong men should see +innocent ones suffer, dread lest our efforts might be unavailing. +A'Dale and I rushed among the crowd, calling on them to come on. Our +actions were perceived, though our words may not have been heard, by +those in authority. Guards were advancing towards us. The magistrates +ordered the executioners to proceed with their work. + +Already the victims were chained to the stakes, and the ruffian +assistants hurried forward with faggots. We shouted--we implored the +people to face the guards, and to rescue the prisoners. All our +efforts, we feared, would be in vain. The magistrates shouted to the +executioners to bring forward the torches. Happily they had been +forgotten, and no one was ready with a light. The Bishop and the +priests stormed and raged. At length some ruffians were seen in the +distance, waving torches and hurrying on towards the stakes, where the +victims were thus cruelly kept. But their hearts were lifted up in +prayer, their eyes turned towards heaven. They heeded not what was +taking place around them. The young Aveline knew that there her sainted +mother had yielded up her life, and she was sure that the pathway she +was about to tread would carry her in the same direction. + +And now there was a loud cry, and a man on horseback was seen galloping +towards the spot. We could not hear the words spoken, but there seemed +to be great agitation among the magistrates and priests. The crowd +swayed to and fro to let the horseman pass. + +"Stay the execution! Stay the execution!" he shouted, seeing that the +men with torches were about to cast them on the piles of faggots. "I +command you in the Queen's name. She will have no more burning in +Smithfield!" + +"This is an impostor!" exclaimed the Bishop. "Our good Queen would not +hinder so holy a work." + +"What Queen sends you?" asked the magistrate. + +"Queen Elizabeth!" cried the herald. "Queen Mary is dead! And by the +command of our new Queen, Sir William Cecil despatched me instantly to +put a stop to these murderous proceedings. Long live Queen Elizabeth!" + +The cry was taken up by the crowd, who, rushing forward, dragged away +the faggots from round the prisoners. The magistrates and the priests +fled, the guards dispersed. Those who had charge of the garments of the +prisoners brought them. A'Dale and I rushed forward to assist Aveline, +who threw herself, weeping, upon my shoulder. When the friars' garments +were brought to Overton and Roger Upton--such was his name--they put +them aside. + +"No, no; we will never again use those habits of the worst of +slaveries," they answered; and, on hearing this, some kind people in the +crowd brought them cloaks and hats, which they thankfully put on. Of +the other persons who were about to suffer death, I need not make +mention. They all had friends, who joyfully came forward to receive +them. The cruel cords which had bound Aveline's ankles and wrists to +the stake had so hurt her that she could with difficulty walk. A'Dale +and I were about to lead her off, though she was in a sad plight to pass +through the streets, when a female in the crowd stepped forward, and, in +a gentle voice, begged that her servants might be allowed to carry her. + +"I have a hand-litter close by; she is not fit to be taken to her home +in any other way." + +We were thankful to accept this offer. The lady was, from her +appearance, evidently of rank. Two men who attended her lifted Aveline +up, and carried her off amidst the crowd. Just as they were going, the +body of the guards returned, and seeing Overton and Upton still there, +took them again into custody. + +"We have no order for your release," they said; "and it will not do to +let all our prisoners escape us." + +"As you will, my masters," said Overton; "we would rather have had our +liberty, but we will not resist your authority." + +I heard that they were to be carried to the Fleet, and had just time to +bid them farewell, and hurry after Aveline. + +"You are right to be watchful over the young girl," said the lady, when +I overtook them, "as you cannot tell what treachery might be played her. +I came, however, to this terrible place in the hopes of being able to +assist some poor person who might perchance escape the flames. Many of +those I loved on earth have been cut off during the late unhappy reign, +and I have devoted myself to soothe and comfort those who are about to +suffer, or those who might escape death." + +The lady now asked me in what direction Aveline desired to go. I told +her to Master Gresham's house in Lombard Street. She seemed well +pleased at hearing this, and hastened onwards. I was in fear, however, +all the way lest those who had taken Overton and his companion into +custody might come in search also of Aveline. On what account they did +not seek her, I could not tell; but thankfully we reached Master +Gresham's house in safety. Lady Anne's joy on seeing Aveline was very +great, for news had been brought her of the fearful fate to which she +had been destined. On seeing the lady, she greeted her with much +respect, appearing to know her, although she did not address her by +name. The lady, after exchanging a few words with Lady Anne, took her +departure. + +"She desires not to be known," observed Lady Anne, when I inquired who +she was. + +Richard's delight on the recovery of Aveline was very great; he scarcely +liked to let her out of his sight. The young girl had suffered greatly, +and it was necessary to have a physician to attend on her. He ordered +that she should be kept perfectly quiet, and sent some cooling draughts, +by which her nerves might be quieted. Lady Anne wisely forbore +questioning her as to how she had been carried off, or what had +afterwards happened to her. + +Next morning, I went to the Fleet, where I was able without difficulty +to gain access to Overton. He told me that he had been seen by some of +Bonner's spies when he entered London, that he had been followed from +place to place, and that the most convenient opportunity of seizing him +had occurred when he was speaking to Aveline. His friend, Roger Upton, +had been seized at the same time, and very speedily condemned to death, +a fate to which Bishop Bonner had also doomed his young niece. + +The next day Master Gresham summoned me to attend him to Hatfield, where +he was about to pay his respects to her Majesty. We arrived there early +in the day, when my patron was at once admitted to an audience. He was +very cordially received by Queen Elizabeth, who promised to attend to +his interests. He did not fail also to give her Majesty wise counsel. +Among other things, she promised him that, when he was abroad on her +business, she would not only keep one ear shut to hear him on his +return, but also that should he do her even as much service as he had +done to King Edward and to Queen Mary, she would give him as much land +as they both had done. These two promises greatly inspirited my patron. +Before he took his departure, the Queen desired him to proceed +forthwith to Antwerp, where there was business of importance for him to +perform. As the journey was a hurried one, and he would not be long +absent, he did not on this occasion take me with him. + +In the meantime Aveline had recovered from the effects of her cruel +imprisonment, and the great terror of her life into which she had been +put. Through the intervention of Master Gresham, Overton and his +friends were liberated, he liberally offering them an asylum in his +house until they could obtain employment. + +Great was the happy change which the nation experienced. It was soon +known that Queen Elizabeth was no friend to the Romish customs. +Directly she came to the throne, she refused to attend mass. This was +on Christmas Day. The Queen had gone to the chapel as usual, and there +she sat while the Gospel was read; but as soon as it was concluded, +having seen a Bishop preparing himself by putting on his robes in the +old form, she and her nobles left the chapel and retired to her privy +chamber. Two days after this, a proclamation was issued, forbidding the +elevation of the host. It was also ordered that the Gospels and +Epistles, the Creed, and Lord's Prayer, the Ten Commandments, and the +Litany should be used in English. Her respect for the Bible, and her +desire to have it spread throughout her realms, was still more clearly +shown on the occasion of her progress from the Tower to Westminster, the +day before her coronation, on the 15th of January, 1559. + +I cannot describe the magnificent way in which the City was decorated, +nor the numerous pageants which were prepared to do her honour. From +one, a child--who was intended to represent Truth--let down, by a silk +lace, an English Bible, richly bound, before the Queen. She kissed both +her hands, with both her hands she received it, afterwards applying it +to her breast, and lastly, standing up and thanking the City for its +gifts, promised to be a diligent reader thereof. When any good wishes +were cast forth for her virtuous and religious government, she would +lift up her hands towards heaven, and desired the people to answer +"Amen." + +My patron was not long absent. I had been labouring in the shop that +day, and at supper had joined the family, my master, who had been absent +at court, having just returned, when Sir John Leigh came in. The +conversation turned on various matters abroad. News had just been +received that King Philip had actually quitted Flanders and gone to +reside for the future in Spain. The Queen's ministers had therefore +resolved to send an ambassador resident to his court. For this office +Sir Thomas Chaloner, who had hitherto been in Flanders, was appointed. + +"And I understand my friend Sir Thomas Gresham is to fill his place at +Brussels in the capacity of an ambassador," observed Sir John Leigh, +bowing to my patron. + +"What!" exclaimed Lady Anne. "You are not joking with my husband?" + +"No, assuredly," answered Sir John; "this very day he has received the +honour of knighthood, and as I came here I heard of the appointment I +have mentioned." + +"Sir John speaks the truth, my dear wife," said my patron, turning to +Lady Anne. "I have received that honour from the Queen's Majesty, but I +wished that another might tell you of it rather than myself. I am ready +to devote my powers to the service of our good Queen, and therefore +gladly accept the office she has put upon me, albeit it may be rather to +my loss than profit." + +I will not repeat the congratulations of Lady Anne, or of the guests who +were present. No time was to be lost, as the matter was pressing; and I +was well pleased to find that I was to accompany my patron in the +character rather of a secretary than a page. Truly he had been kind and +generous to me. + + + +CHAPTER FOURTEEN. + +EVENTS IN ANTWERP. + +Once more we were in Antwerp. We stayed there, however, but a short +time, to confer with Master Clough on various financial and commercial +matters. I should mention that an attempt was made by the Papists to +stir up enmity against the new Queen of England among the people of +Antwerp, in order, if possible, to prevent Sir Thomas Gresham from +obtaining the point he required. For this purpose a friar was engaged +to preach a sermon. He furiously attacked the Queen, abused her as a +heretic and a heathen, who cared not for God nor religion, and whose +great object was to make all her people heathens, telling his hearers +that any Catholic would be justified in putting her to death; not only +that, but he would thereby perform a meritorious work, highly pleasing +to the Church and to God. The indignation, however, of the people of +Antwerp on hearing this sermon was very great, for at that time there +were fully fifty thousand professed Protestants in that city, besides +many more who secretly approved of their principles. Had the friar +ventured abroad, there would have been little doubt that he would have +been well bastinadoed by the populace. He must have suspected that such +would be his fate if he showed himself. + +The following day Sir Thomas received a visit from Master Lazarus +Tucker. He came, he said, on the part of the friar to request that Sir +Thomas would throw his protection over him, to save him from the +treatment he was likely to receive. I had seldom seen my patron so +amused. + +"By my troth," he answered, "this is impudence! Here is a villainous +fellow who preaches black treason in the name of religion, and then +sends to me, the envoy of the Queen's Majesty, to protect him! No, no! +let him go forth if he lists, and if he is well bastinadoed by the +people, he will only obtain his desert." + +The friar, however, remained shut up in his house, but shortly +afterwards, through the aid of Cardinal Granvelle, secretly left the +city, and took refuge in Brussels. No man in authority was more hated +at that time in the Netherlands than was Cardinal Granvelle. When +Philip went to Spain, he had been left behind in Flanders. His ambition +had procured for him a cardinal's hat, and, by his insolent and +imperious bearing, he soon incurred such deep hatred, that the first +noblemen of the country conspired against him, and vowed to effect his +ruin. + +I was present on one occasion when the spirit which was abroad, even +among people of the highest rank, exhibited itself. When at Brussels, +our old friend Jasper Schetz, now Lord of Grobbendonck, invited Sir +Thomas to a banquet. A large party of Flemish nobles were collected, +among whom I felt myself a very humble person. The conversation turned +upon the thoroughly hated Cardinal Granvelle, his luxurious style of +living, and the air of haughty superciliousness with which he treated +all who approached him. As the wine circulated, the abuse of the +Cardinal became more vehement. His magnificent equipages, liveries, and +the arrangements of his household, excited their derision; the way he +lived, and the tinsel and glitter in which the prelate pranked himself, +were contrasted with the simple habits and garments of the nobles of +Germany. + +At length it was proposed that the plainest possible livery should be +adopted for the servants of all present, as unlike as possible to that +worn by the menials of the Cardinal. Some one also proposed that a +symbol should be added to the livery, to show the universal contempt for +Granvelle. By whom should it be designed? was the question. It was +agreed that the matter should be decided by lot. Dice were called for. +Count Egmont won. A few days afterwards his retainers appeared in +doublet and hose of the coarsest grey, long hanging sleeves, such as +were worn by the humblest classes, the only ornament being a monk's +cowl, or a fool's cap and bells, embroidered on the sleeves. The other +nobles, who had been present at the dinner, ordered all their servants +to appear in the same costume, which now became so popular, that all the +tailors in Brussels could scarcely furnish those in demand. Many of +them, indeed, wore in front of their dress a fool's head with a +cardinal's hat upon it. + +The Regent, Margaret of Parma, at first laughed with the rest at this +proceeding, as she had no love for Granvelle. She induced the nobles to +omit the fool's cap from the livery, and to substitute a bundle of +arrows, or a wheatsheaf. The Cardinal, who was soon after this +recalled, took care to avenge himself on those who had thus mocked him. +He represented to Philip, that though he could easily forgive the fools' +caps and cowls, yet the wheatsheaf and the bundle of arrows betokened +the existence of a conspiracy against the authority of the Prince +himself; and probably on that very occasion the death of Count Egmont +was determined on by Philip and the Cardinal. They had, however, to +abide their time. + +Fearful was the vengeance the Cardinal took, not only on the nobles, but +on all the people of this unhappy country. But I am anticipating. + +The most terrible and remorseless instrument employed for this purpose +was Peter Titelmann, Inquisitor General. Throughout the whole of +Flanders, Douay, and Tournay, the most populous portions of the +Netherlands, he proceeded at a rapid pace, spreading dismay far and +wide, dragging suspected persons from their firesides or beds, and +thrusting them into dismal dungeons: arresting, torturing, strangling, +burning, with hardly the shadow of warrant, information, or process. + +My heart sickens as I contemplate the dreadful scenes I was often +compelled to witness, and I think of the number of those simply accused +of reading the Bible who were hurried to the flames. Even the Roman +Catholics, who had hitherto looked on with indifference, were now +aroused, and representations were made to the Regent of the fearful +proceedings of Peter Titelmann, the Inquisitor. + +Still the Protestant faith was not put down, and Philip, maddened by the +opposition he met with, at length issued a decree condemning to death +the whole of his subjects who would not conform to the Church of Rome. +The Prince of Orange, a moderate man, and one who never spoke without +weighing his words, declared that, at this time, fifty thousand persons +in the provinces had been put to death in obedience to the edicts. + +Philip declared, that as his father had chastised his people with a +scourge, he would make them feel the effect of a whip of scorpions. The +edicts were enforced, therefore, with renewed vigour; and, as may be +supposed, all who could escape fled out of this doomed land as soon as +possible. The tide of commerce was completely changed, and whereas +formerly manufactures were sent from Antwerp to England, now every week +vessels came from Sandwich to Antwerp laden with silk, satin, and cloth +manufactured in England. + +My sagacious patron had long seen the course events were taking. I may +state now that, for some years past, he had been busily employed in +purchasing gunpowder, arquebuses, cannon, and all sorts of munitions of +war, as well as cordage, and all naval stores required for fitting out +ships. He had urged the English Government also to increase their +military forces, and to prepare and fit out as many large ships as could +possibly be built. He had agents in all parts of Europe, and by their +means had kept himself thoroughly well acquainted with all that was +going forward. The plots for the destruction of the life of the Queen +of England were soon made known to him, and by his means communicated to +Sir William Cecil. As long as King Philip hoped to gain the hand of +Queen Elizabeth, and thereby to recover an influence in England, he +pretended amity to the English. It was also Cecil's policy to remain at +peace, that he might be better prepared for war, when that inevitable +time should arrive. + +The great object of the Pope of Rome, and of all whom he could +influence, was to destroy England, because it was evident by this time +that England had become, in most part, a Protestant country, and would +never, while she remained free and independent, again yield to the Papal +power. Queen Mary by her burnings in Smithfield, and King Philip and +his father by the wholesale murders of their subjects in the +Netherlands--the latter thereby driving thousands of Protestants into +England--had done more to destroy the power of Romanism in that land +than all the cardinals and bishops and the most talented preachers could +ever repair. + +My patron, in writing to the Government at home, had to be very careful +in the expressions he used, lest his letters might be seen, and those he +employed brought into trouble. This shipment of warlike stores was +contrary to the laws of the Netherlands, consequently, when we were +shipping gunpowder, we always used the words _velvet_ and _silks_: +_damasks_ and _satins_ were employed to signify very different articles. +The authorities evidently suspected what was going forward, and gave +orders to the custom-house officers to search all ships loading for +England. However, as these custom-house officers were ill-paid by their +Government, there was no great difficulty in inducing them to close +their eyes during their searches, and to declare that certain casks on +board the vessels, however suspicious might have been their appearance, +contained the pieces of velvet mentioned in the bill of lading. + + + +CHAPTER FIFTEEN. + +A FIGHT WITH ROBBERS. + +Sir Thomas Gresham had been absent for some time, and his return to +Antwerp was daily expected. I was busily at work at my desk, when I +heard the sound of horses' hoofs coming along the street. I looked out, +and saw a party of travellers. Calling Master Clough, he and I, with +others, hurried to the door. Sir Thomas led the cavalcade, with a young +lady by his side. I had never, I thought, seen a more fair or graceful +girl, while I admired the perfect ease with which she managed the jennet +on which she rode. Who she was I scarcely dared to guess. She could +scarcely be the little Aveline from whom I had parted, and yet the +thought crossed me that it must be her. + +Two young men followed,--one a strong, stout, broad-shouldered man, +whose features were wonderfully like those of my old friend A'Dale, +although somewhat concealed by beard and whisker. He formed a strong +contrast to the slight, pale, sickly youth at his side. A second glance +convinced me that the latter was my former playmate and companion-- +Richard Gresham. He seemed very sick and ill, leaning forward in his +saddle, as if scarcely able to support his body. Master Clough hurried +out to assist Sir Thomas to dismount, while I hastened, with one of the +servants, to take the young lady's horse. The smile she gave me, as she +dropped lightly from her saddle, reminded me of Aveline. + +"You do not know me, Ernst Verner," she said; "am I so woefully changed +since we parted?" + +Her sweet voice sent a thrill through my heart. I had no longer any +doubt that she was Aveline. Meantime A'Dale had thrown himself from his +steed, and had helped Richard to the ground, giving him his arm to +support him. Sir Thomas greeted me kindly. + +"He has not borne the journey as well as we had hoped," he said, looking +at Richard; "but the doctors advised change of air and scene, and we +trusted that a short sea-voyage, and a visit to this busy city, might +benefit him. Aveline has kindly come to assist in caring for him, and I +have taken your old friend Andrew A'Dale into my service." + +Poor Richard looked kindly at me as he took my hand; but he scarcely had +strength, it seemed, to smile. A'Dale and I greeted each other +heartily, and together we assisted our young friend up the stairs. He +could not, indeed, without aid, drag himself along; but youth is +buoyant, and both he and we were soon talking of what we would do when +he had regained his strength. Aveline was committed to the charge of +our old housekeeper--Dorothea Lipman, with whom she had some difficulty +in holding conversation; Dorothea's only language being Flemish, of +which Aveline knew but little. + +After a night's rest, Richard had considerably recovered. Whenever he +came into the public room, I could not help observing the devoted +attention which Aveline paid him. She seemed to watch his every look, +and attend to his slightest want. He, indeed, I thought, expected her +to devote herself to him and to demand her services as a right, which +she willingly rendered. At first this seemed but natural after the +accounts Sir Thomas had given me; but I confess, when she appeared to +have scarcely any time to attend to me or to anybody else, a feeling of +jealousy stole over me. And yet why should I be jealous of that poor +sickly lad? indeed, what right had I to expect that she would regard me +in any other light than that of a humble secretary of her kind lady's +husband? I had a sincere affection, however, for Richard, and heartily +wished him to recover. Mistress Aveline had always treated me with +kindness, and I was not vain enough to mistake the way in which she +received any little attention I was able to pay her. + +Sir Thomas Gresham was constantly receiving visitors at his house. +Among them came at this time Master Thomas Cecil, the son of the great +minister, accompanied by his tutor, Master Windebank. He was a young, +pleasant-mannered, good-tempered youth, apparently somewhat +light-hearted, and inclined to amuse himself with whatever fell in his +way. + +During his stay he rode out on several occasions with Mistress Aveline, +and seemed highly pleased with her company. She, in return, seemed to +attend to what he said, even with more pleasure than she listened to +poor Richard, who was unable, while riding, to enter much into +conversation in consequence of his cough and short breathing. I +generally accompanied the party when they went out after our usual hours +of business. It was but natural that a gay young man should pay +attention to a sweet and lively girl like Aveline, and at first I did +not care so much for it; but after a time, when I thought she seemed +pleased with his attentions, I began heartily to wish that he would take +his departure. One thing I thought I had discovered--that her heart was +not given to Richard; but then I was convinced for the same reason that +she did not care for me. I was very glad when Sir Thomas, at the +minister's request, supplied young Cecil and his tutor with money to +enable them to continue their tour which they intended making through +Germany, and from thence passing on through Switzerland into Italy. + +We were, shortly after this, more busily employed than ever in +purchasing bow staves, as Sir Thomas urged the Government by writing +frequently, and, when he went home, personally, to make every +preparation for war. He had discovered the hatred which the Roman +Catholic sovereigns had for England, now that Queen Elizabeth had +declared herself so decidedly Protestant. At the same time, he deemed +it important to supply England with the precious metals, that she might, +in case of a war, have wherewith to pay her troops. + +As the bullion was purchased, it was shipped, as I have already +mentioned, on board vessels. At length, in consequence of the expected +scarcity of shipping, Sir Thomas resolved to make a large shipment on +board one particular vessel. The amount had been carefully done up +inside various packages, as I believe I have before described. + +"It is necessary that a trustworthy person should be on board, to see +that the goods are not tampered with," observed Sir Thomas to me. "You +and A'Dale will therefore go down and see them shipped, and you will +afterwards continue on board and proceed with the ship to England. As +soon as she is unloaded, you will return in her, and report to me all +that takes place, and all the news you can hear in London. You will go +to Lombard Street, and receive despatches from Master John Elliot to +bring with you." + +As a small portion of the goods only had been shipped when we reached +the vessel, the bulk not having arrived, A'Dale and I determined to +remain at the hostel instead of going on board to sleep. We were seated +in the public room, and talking together in English, when, in a pause in +the conversation, I heard three rough-looking persons speaking Flemish +at a little distance from me. I pricked up my ears as I heard one of +them remark: + +"Oh! they are only two English lads; they cannot, depend on it, +understand a word we say." + +This made me listen more carefully, though I continued speaking with +greater energy apparently than ever to A'Dale. + +I still kept my ears, however, open to hear everything my neighbours +said. I soon found that they were talking about our ship--the +_Diamond_. + +"She began to receive her goods to-day," said one; "and by to-morrow +evening she will probably be able to sail with the turn of the tide. We +must not let her escape us, as some of those English vessels of late +have done. The question is, whether we shall attack her before she gets +out of the Scheld, or wait till she reaches the broad seas." + +Some of the party were for waiting at the mouth of the river, hoping +thereby to make off with their prize with less risk of its being +retaken; others, however, considered that they might thereby lose it, +and that it would be more prudent to attack the ship while she lay at +anchor. + +This plan was at last, so I suppose, adopted. I looked as unconcerned +as possible, as if I had not heard anything of what was said. I feared, +however, that there was great danger of the _Diamond_ being taken, as +the pirates appeared to have a large force at their command. + +I did not like to leave the room as long as the men were talking, hoping +by staying to gain further information about their plans. It was +evident they were thoroughly well informed of all that was going +forward, and it became, therefore, very important that I should be +careful as to my proceedings. I had observed near me a sunburnt, +weather-beaten man, in the dress of a sea officer, who every now and +then glanced up at the pirates as they spoke. Once I caught his eye, +and, by the look he gave me, I felt sure that he knew I had been +listening. + +A'Dale and I, having finished our supper, got up, I proposing to take a +turn in the fresh air before going to bed. As we had been talking of +our voyage, I knew that the stranger, who must have overheard what we +said, was aware that our ship was bound for London. We stood outside +the door of the hostel for some minutes, before deciding which direction +we should take. Just as we were moving on, I felt a hand placed on my +shoulder. + +"Young master," said the stranger, "excuse my interruption. I heard you +remark that you were in the service of Sir Thomas Gresham, and about to +sail on board the _Diamond_. I heard, too, what was said by those other +men. You understand what they said, I think?" + +"Not I, indeed," answered A'Dale, who now for the first time heard of +the plot, for I had been unable before to tell him of it. "I do not +know what you mean." + +"I do, however, sir," I observed. "I would ask you whether you know +anything about these men, and whether they are likely to carry out their +project?" + +"I feel very sure they will carry it out. The only way that I can see, +is to be ready for them," answered the stranger. "I fear, however, that +the crew of the _Diamond_ is too small to defend her. My own vessel +lies at no great distance; and if you will accept it, I will render you +all the assistance in my power." + +"Thank you, friend!" exclaimed A'Dale; "though I doubt not we should be +able to beat back any marauders, yet a few more stout arms would be of +great assistance." + +But I was not quite so willing to accept the offer of the stranger. I +had learnt caution. It was a quality greatly inculcated on all his +inferiors by Sir Thomas Gresham. Perhaps, I thought, this very man is +only a confederate, and hopes thus to obtain quiet possession of the +vessel. + +"Thank you, my friend," I answered, turning to the stranger. "We will +communicate your offer to the captain; but we are only passengers on +board; we have no command over her, and without his sanction I cannot +venture to accept your offer." + +"I understand," answered the stranger, promptly; "I do not take your +remarks amiss. I mean you well; but you are very right not to accept +such an offer without consideration. My vessel, the _Falcon_, lies +rather lower down the river. Your captain will easily discover her; and +if, on consideration, he wishes to receive the assistance of an honest +man, who esteems his employer, and is well able to render aid, he can +summon me, and I will come with a boat's crew, or two may be, and fight +as I should were my own vessel attacked." + +Saying these words, the stranger shook our hands warmly, and disappeared +in the gloom. + +A'Dale and I continued our walk. He seemed to think that I had been +ungrateful in not accepting the assistance so freely offered. I +explained my reasons. He saw that I was right. It was then too late to +get a boat; indeed, so small was the amount of cargo as yet shipped--of +which the pirates were well aware--that there was no fear of their +attacking her that night. We agreed, therefore, that I should go aboard +the first thing in the morning to speak to the captain, leaving A'Dale +to look after the goods on shore. + +I also proposed engaging a few stout fellows, well-armed, in addition to +our own crew, and thus hoped to be able to repel any attack the pirates +might make upon us. + +The next morning, the instant the grey dawn streamed into our chamber, +we sprang out of bed. We wished to leave the house unobserved, in case +any of the sea-robbers or their confederates might be living there. To +prevent them from discovering what we were about, should any one observe +us, we took our way directly from the river; and then turning round +again through some narrow streets, once more hurried towards it. We +soon found a boat, and telling A'Dale to keep a bright look-out around +him, I pulled down in her towards the _Diamond_. + +Captain Davis, her commander, was surprised to see me thus early. I +told him the reason of my coming. He was inclined, I saw, to doubt that +the people whose conversation we had overheard were speaking about his +vessel. + +"If they had been speaking English, Master Verner, your ears might not +have deceived you; but as they were talking Flemish, it is very likely, +that being a foreign lingo, you may be mistaken." + +"But it is not a foreign lingo to me, Captain Davis," I answered, +laughing; "it is, I may say, my native tongue, and therefore I am not +likely to be mistaken." + +"That makes a difference, to be sure," he answered; "yet still the +chances are they were speaking of something else. If they had had a +plot in hand such as you suppose, they would have been more cautious." + +"When the wine is in, the wit is out, captain," I remarked. "At first, +I grant you, they said nothing to betray themselves; but when I tell you +that some of our chief nobles act just as indiscreetly, you may more +readily believe that such men as these might let out their secrets on +such an occasion." + +"Well, well, Master Verner, I am bound to believe you; and as night +comes on we will have the men armed and on the watch. Still, I rather +think it will come to nothing; but, as you observe, it is well to be +prepared." + +The crew were all Englishmen--twenty stout fellows; and, with +well-sharpened hangers in their hands and a supply of pikes, I hoped +they would have no difficulty in keeping any assailants out of the ship. +I told them that there might be a chance of that sort of thing, and +they all expressed their readiness to defend the ship to the last. I +mentioned to the captain what I had done. + +"Oh yes," he said, "my dogs will fight well; there is no fear of that. +We were once attacked near the Straits of Gibraltar by a Salee rover; +and although the villains outnumbered my crew as three to one, yet we +beat them off, even though many of them had already gained our deck. We +shall treat these fellows in the same way, depend on that, whoever they +are." + +A'Dale exerted himself so energetically, that before dark all the goods +were on board and safely stowed away. An officer of the Customs having +brought us our clearance papers, as soon as the tide served we were able +to sail. Having still some daylight, and hoping thus to avoid the +threatened attack, we immediately got under weigh, and dropped down the +river. The night, however, becoming cloudy and dark, and the wind being +contrary, we were once more obliged to bring up. + +"If the pirates come to look for us, they will find us gone," observed +Captain Davis, as we sat at supper round the cabin-table. + +"But if they intended to attack us, depend upon it they were on the +watch," observed A'Dale, "and know where we are as well as they did +before." + +I agreed with A'Dale that we ought to keep a strict watch, as we had +intended. Captain Davis, I observed, as sailors are too apt to do, made +light of the danger of which we had warned him. + +"They will think twice before they attack the _Diamond_, depend on that, +young masters," he answered to our remarks. + +As A'Dale and I had been up since daybreak, and actively engaged all the +time, both of us felt very sleepy. Yet we were far too anxious +willingly to go to sleep. Without taking off our clothes, therefore, we +threw ourselves down in our bedplaces in the after-cabin, hoping that we +should be awakened by the slightest noise. We kept our swords by our +sides, ready for instant action. The captain, however, laughed at us +for our anxiety. + +"Don't be alarmed, my young masters," he observed, in a somewhat +taunting tone; "if we are attacked, we shall be able to give a good +account of the villains, without having to call you up, so you might +have taken off your clothes and gone to sleep comfortably." + +He made some other remarks, much in the same strain; but as he continued +speaking, his words sounded less and less distinct to my ears, and +before he had concluded I was fast asleep. + +It seemed to me but a minute after I had shut my eyes that I was aroused +by a fearful uproar. Shouts and shrieks and cries of all sorts, the +report of fire-arms and the clashing of steel. I started up, hitting my +head, as I did so, against the beam above me, and sprang out of my +narrow bed. I called loudly to A'Dale. He was so fast asleep that the +first shout did not completely arouse him. The second, however, made +him spring to his feet. + +"What has happened?" he asked. + +"The pirates have come, there is little doubt of that," I answered; "we +must go and drive them back." + +As I said this, sword in hand, I sprang up the companion-ladder, and he +followed me. As we reached the deck, I saw a number of dark forms +clustering in the rigging, whilst others were attempting to get over the +sides. Our men were bravely endeavouring to drive them back with their +hangers and pikes, a few arquebuses also being brought into use. Some +were armed with cross-bows, but they had thrown them aside for the +purpose of doing more service with their sharp blades. Never had I +heard so fearful a din, for the object of the pirates seemed to be to +overwhelm us, and frighten us out of our wits by their numbers. Two or +three of our men lay wounded, dying on the deck. It seemed, indeed, +that the pirates were gaining the advantage. A'Dale, who was a stout +fellow and well accustomed to the use of his sword, laid about him +lustily, and assisted much in keeping them at bay. It was pretty +evident that the watch on deck had been taken by surprise, and that the +poor fellows who lay weltering in their blood had been cut down +unawares. The captain, however, to do him justice, was doing his best +to make amends for his want of caution, and was fighting bravely, +appearing now in one place, now in another, wherever the enemy were seen +climbing up the sides. Still they were determined fellows, and there +appeared too great a probability that they would take the ship. But at +length we drove most of them back into their boats; several of the +bravest being killed. Our men began to shout "Victory! victory!" rather +too soon. In another instant the enemy were again swarming up the +sides, urged on by their leaders. They were evidently a large and +well-organised body, and seemed determined to conquer or lose their +lives in their attempt to take the vessel. Once more they appeared +above the bulwarks, several following each other in quick succession, +and dropping down on our decks in spite of our utmost efforts to repel +them. Once having gained a footing, they were enabled to keep a clear +space, by which others entered. Our captain, seeing that a desperate +effort must be made to drive them back, called on A'Dale and me and +several of the men to attack them. We rushed forward, and a fiercer +combat ensued than had yet taken place. I felt a sharp pang in my +shoulder, and knew that I was wounded; but though the blood flowed +freely, I was yet able to wield my sword. Still the number of our +enemies increased, and inch by inch they drove us back, the larger +portion of our crew being compelled all this time to guard the sides +from the assaults of other parties who were endeavouring to climb up +them. I began to fear, as I saw the state of affairs, that the +_Diamond_ and her rich cargo would fall into the hands of the pirates. +They too seemed to consider themselves secure of victory, for with loud +shouts they encouraged each other to push on, calling at the same time +to their comrades, who were yet in the boats alongside, to come up and +secure their victory. Already some of our men began to cry out that all +was lost, and entreat for quarter. Just then a seaman, who had been on +the opposite side to that attacked by the pirates, came running up to +the captain to tell him that more enemies were coming. + +"Better die fighting like brave men than yield," answered Captain Davis. + +As he spoke, I looked on one side and saw the heads of people appearing +over the bulwarks. + +"To the rescue! a Gresham! a Gresham!" they shouted. I was afraid that +this was only to deceive us; I recognised, however, the voice of the +stranger who had offered his services. And now, before the pirates +could get over to attack them, some twenty well-armed men leaped down on +our decks, and springing to our side, with pikes and swords drove back +our assailants. In vain the pirates attempted to resist the attack. +Our friends were fresh, while our enemies had already exhausted +themselves in the efforts they had been making. The pirates asked for +no quarter: neither our supporters nor our crew were inclined to give +it. Several were cut down and killed on the deck, others saved their +lives by ignominiously jumping over the bulwarks; and so rapidly did the +fortune of war change, that in a few minutes not a live pirate was to be +seen on our decks. Several were hurled headlong into their boats +desperately wounded, others thrown overboard. + +The pirates' boats were now seen shoving off, and attempting to make +their escape. As soon as this was perceived by the stranger, he called +to his men, and they, returning to their boats, made chase. They were +not long in overtaking them, and in the midst of the gloom we could just +distinguish the boats apparently mingled together. Again we heard +shouts and cries, and the sharp report of arquebuses, with the clashing +of steel. Which party was gaining the victory, however, we could not +tell. At length the two boats of our friends appeared coming out of the +gloom, towing a third. They were soon alongside, and the stranger +captain appeared on our deck with three prisoners. They were all he had +been able to take. As lanterns were held to their countenances, they +appeared to be ruffian fellows, from whom but little information could +be obtained. They seemed also to be expecting instant death, abject +terror adding to the ill favour of their looks. + +Although the captain and other persons on board spoke Flemish, I, as +being the best linguist, was deputed to speak to the men. I told them +that now they were our prisoners we could do as we thought right, but we +had no wish to kill them, even though they might deserve death. I then +asked them at whose instigation they had attacked us. At length I +discovered that the band was composed of persons who had been driven +from their homes by the persecutions of the Spaniards; that some one +among them, of superior rank to the rest, had heard, by some means or +other, that the ship we sailed in had a large treasure on board, of +which they hoped to possess themselves. Captain Davis consulted with us +as to what we should do with our prisoners. We agreed that it might be +as well to show them the cargo of the ship, and to ask them whether they +thought it worth risking their lives to obtain it; and then to let them +go, hoping that they would persuade their comrades not further to pursue +us; for, although this first party had been driven back, we believed the +assertion of the men, that there were a vast number more, who might, +should the wind continue contrary, overtake us in their row-boats, and +carry out their original plan. + + + +CHAPTER SIXTEEN. + +CAPTAIN ROVER. + +We had to remain at anchor for some time, as, the tide and wind being +contrary, we could not proceed down the river. The information we +received made it very necessary for us to be on our guard; for although +we had driven back the pirates once, they would very probably again +attack us with increased numbers. We proposed to the stranger captain +the plan which had been suggested, and he agreed at once that it was a +good one. Much to the surprise of our prisoners, who had expected to be +run up at the yard-arm, or to be sent overboard with shot round their +feet, we promised them their liberty--provided they would do as we +directed them. They, of course, gladly consented, "We have done well," +observed the stranger captain, when he saw the prisoners rowing away; +"not that we can depend much upon those fellows. They may or may not +persuade their companions that your vessel is not worth attacking. +However, the sooner you sail away from this the better. I am also bound +for England, and will bear you company. My vessel lies not far from +you; and knowing what was likely to happen, I was on the watch, so that +the instant I heard the sounds of strife, I was able to come to your +assistance." + +Captain Davis thanked the stranger warmly. "But, friend," he said, "I +have not yet learned your name. I should like to know what to call you +when we meet again." + +"Oh! that is of little consequence," answered the stranger. "To confess +the honest truth, I have had more than one name. Call me Rover. I have +wandered not a little about the world, and it is a name you will not +easily forget." + +"But that is not your real name, surely?" observed A'Dale. + +"Young master, when you have lived longer in the world, you will know +that you should not ask such a question. A man, in my opinion, may have +a dozen names, and slip them off and on in these troublous times as +often as he lists. I beg you will remember me as Captain Rover, of the +_Falcon_. We shall see more of each other ere long, probably. I hope +that you will not lose sight of the _Falcon_, nor I of the _Diamond_, +till we are safe in the Thames." + +Saying this, Captain Rover ordered his men into their boats, and pulled +away down the stream. His advice was too important to be despised. We +continued to keep a bright look-out, knowing that at any moment we might +be attacked. We only hoped that his departure might not have been +discovered by our enemies. We soon lost sight of him, although we could +hear the oars of the boat some time afterwards, as they dipped at +intervals into the water, every moment growing fainter and fainter. + +I had begun to feel considerable pain from my wound, though the darkness +prevented my friends from observing what had happened. It was not till +I went down into the cabin with Captain Davis and A'Dale that they +perceived that I was hurt. The blood had stained my coat. I felt very +faint from the loss of blood, and should have sunk on the deck of the +cabin had not A'Dale caught me. + +"My dear Ernst," he exclaimed, "you are badly hurt! why did you not let +us know before?" I heard him say, though I was then unable to make a +reply. + +He and the captain lifted me into my berth. They then took off my +clothes, and the latter examined my wound, so I was afterwards told. He +had seen so many sword-cut wounds that he knew exactly what to do; and +he immediately, with lint and bandage, bound up my arm, and stopped the +flow of blood. In a short time I returned to consciousness, when I +found A'Dale sitting by me. At first I could not recollect where I was, +or what had happened. My first question, however, on coming to my +senses, was whether anything more had been seen of the pirates. + +"No," answered A'Dale; "but two or three boats have passed near us in +the dark, and the captain is afraid that they are still on the watch for +us. He proposes, therefore, directly the tide serves, to get under +weigh, and to drop farther down the river. Perhaps we shall fall in +with our friend Captain Rover, but if not, we must take care of +ourselves, and our fellows have shown that they are both willing and +able to fight." + +Soon after he had said this, we heard the sound of heaving up the +anchor, and other familiar noises showed us that the vessel was already +moving. A'Dale told me that he had left all the men on deck, with their +hangers buckled by their sides, and their pikes ready to their hands, to +repel any sudden assault. + +"I scarcely like to remain so long down here with you;" he added, "lest +they should think I am skulking." + +I begged him not to think of me, but to go on deck, if he thought fit. + +"Very well," he said; "but I must come and have a look at you +occasionally." + +He was as good as his word. I remember his coming down once, but I was +very sleepy, and soon dropped off, so that I was no longer aware of what +was taking place. + +The grey light of morning had found its way into the cabin when I awoke. +All was then quiet; the only sounds which reached my ears being the +heavy tread of the men on deck, the occasional creaking of a block, and +the ripple of the water against the sides of the vessel. By this I knew +that the vessel was under weigh. Feeling much better, I managed to get +out of my bed, and throwing a cloak over my shoulders, crawled up on +deck. We were standing down the Scheld, with all sail set, for the wind +had changed. The crew were still on deck, and, with the captain and +mates and A'Dale, were watching a large vessel which was following us. +So intent were they in watching the stranger that they did not observe +me. As soon, however, as Captain Davis's eyes rested on me, he +exclaimed: + +"Go down below, Master Verner, and turn into your berth again. You had +no business to come on deck, and run the chance of getting the cold into +your wound. I am your doctor, as well as the captain of this ship, and +in both characters have a right to command you." + +"I will obey you," I answered; "but pray tell me, what is that ship +astern?" + +"That question is one I have no means of answering," he replied; "but go +down, I say, and perhaps A'Dale will tell you all about it when he is +wiser than I am." + +A'Dale now came to the companion-hatch, and I was very glad to have his +assistance in going down again, and being helped into bed. He told me +that the captain was somewhat anxious about the vessel coming up astern; +that we had passed her in the early morning, and that soon afterwards +she was seen getting under weigh. We, however, having somewhat the +start of her, had hitherto kept ahead; but she was now fast coming up +with us, and if she was an enemy we might fare ill, however bravely our +men might fight. + +"But does not the captain suppose she may be Captain Rover's ship?" I +asked. "He told me that she was not tar off, and that he was bound for +England." + +"Captain Davis seemed rather to doubt that," he answered, as he went on +deck. + +He soon returned, however, saying that I was right; and in a short time +the _Falcon_ was almost abreast of us. Captain Davis had had not only +my wound to dress, but those of three of his men who had been hurt. Two +had been killed, and their bodies were now resting at the bottom of the +Scheld. + +Captain Rover hailed us through his speaking-trumpet, and expressed his +sorrow at hearing that I was hurt. The two captains agreed on the +course they were to steer, and promised to remain by each other, thus +being the better able to beat off those who might have been inclined to +attack us singly. + +When the air became warmed by the sun, Captain Davis allowed me to +return on deck, for I could not bear being kept below. The water was +smooth and the sky bright, and our bulging sails were filled with the +fresh breeze. It was pleasant to watch the tall ship as she sailed by +our side, with pennants flying, and the muzzles of her guns peering +through her ports, and to think of the far-distant lands she had +visited. I hoped to have another opportunity of meeting Captain Rover, +and of hearing an account of his adventures. Thus the voyage continued. +At night our lanterns were lighted, which we carried on the poops and +forecastles, so that we might not run the risk of losing sight of each +other. Several times strange vessels were seen, but we held on our way +without being molested. + +I still continued very weak, and I knew that such a wound as I had +received was not likely to be cured in a hurry. For my own sake, I was +very glad, therefore, when the shores of Essex on one side, and those of +Kent on the other, appeared in sight, and we glided slowly up over the +bosom of old Father Thames. The same breeze carried us along which had +brought us across from Flanders, and at length we cast anchor close to +the Tower. + +Here Master Elliot, Sir Thomas Gresham's factor, came on board, and we +delivered over to him the goods we had brought. They were at once +carefully transferred into boats, and carried into the Tower, where Sir +William Cecil had ordered them to be stored. Here, under the +superintendence of Master Elliot, the coin was taken out; neither A'Dale +nor I, however, saw anything of that. Master Elliot, when he heard that +I was wounded, sent a litter, and had me conveyed to Master Gresham's +new house in Bishopsgate Street, which had been built during my absence +from England. Lady Anne had just come up to London, and received me +with especial kindness. She had many inquiries to make, not only about +Sir Thomas, but about her son and Aveline. I was sorry that with a good +conscience I could not give a better account of Richard. She sighed as +she heard my report. + +"And my sweet Aveline, how is she?" she asked. + +She watched me, I thought, as I replied; and I was afraid of blushing, +and betraying certain feelings which had long been agitating my bosom. +I was soon sufficiently recovered to attend the dinner-table, at which +Master Elliot, in his employer's absence, presided. Among the guests, +much to my satisfaction, I found Captain Rover, as well as Captain Davis +who had brought us over. The latter told me that, after a few slight +repairs, he should be ready again to sail, and to convey A'Dale and me +back to Antwerp. I learnt also from Captain Rover somewhat about the +numerous countries he had visited. He had been, I found, many years +from England in command of his ship, which belonged to a company of +merchant adventurers, in which company Sir Thomas Gresham had a share. +He had been acquainted with Sir Thomas from his youth, having always +sailed in ships either belonging to him, or to those with whom he was +connected. + +On parting from Lady Anne, she gave me many charges with regard to her +son Richard. + +"And above all things," she said, "remember you bring him and Aveline +ere long back to me in safety." + +A'Dale joined me on board. He had been with his friends to the last +moment, and had a great deal to tell me about the wonders he had seen in +England, and the state of Queen Elizabeth, who had passed through the +City in a magnificent coach, all of gold and silver and silk. But the +grandest sight, according to A'Dale's idea, was the shooting for a great +wager of archery, in Finsbury Square, Lord Robert Dudley having been the +challenger. + +We proceeded for some distance down the Thames aided by the tide, but +afterwards were kept a week in the mouth of the Medway, waiting for a +fair wind. After this, when we got to sea, we encountered a heavy gale, +which drove us back again into harbour. Thus three weeks passed before +we arrived at the mouth of the Scheld. + +We had brought over a cargo of wool and hides, to be manufactured in the +Netherlands into numerous articles. + +Sir Thomas approved of all that we had done. He now for the first time +heard of the _Diamond_ having been attacked by pirates, and of the +assistance which Captain Rover had afforded us. + +"I hope that he will be here before long," he observed, "as I shall be +glad to offer him my best thanks, and perchance show him my gratitude in +a more substantial manner." + +Having delivered my despatches to Sir Thomas, I hastened in search of +Aveline and Richard. On entering the sitting-room, the noise of the +opening door aroused Aveline, who was busy over her work, absorbed in +thought, so it seemed to me. She started up, and, as I approached, took +my hand. + +"Why, Ernst!" she exclaimed, "what has happened? you look so pale and +ill." + +I told her of our ship having been attacked by pirates, and she listened +with deep interest, so it seemed to me, to my narrative. + +"And Richard," I asked, "how is he?" She pointed to a couch in a +recess, shaded by a curtain, and shook her head, while a sad look came +over her countenance. "He sleeps," she said. "He sleeps often now, and +a long time together, and every day grows weaker; but his father does +not observe it. I have not ventured to write to Lady Anne to tell her; +and I fear that her grief will be greatly increased when she hears of +what will, I am sure, ere long take place. I wish that he had never +been brought over here, and separated from her." + +I need not say what further conversation passed between Aveline and me. +It was some time before Richard awoke. He seemed pleased at seeing me, +but I soon observed that the account which Aveline had given of him was +too correct. After the day of my arrival, I saw both him and Aveline +only for a short time in the evenings, being engaged in the +counting-house from an early hour in the morning till late every day. +There was a large amount of work to be done, and as Sir Thomas and +Master Clough never spared themselves, so they required us, their +inferiors, to labour with a like assiduity. + +The state of the country was also becoming every day more and more +disordered. It is only surprising that this had not occurred at an +earlier period. Antwerp itself suffered, as well as other places. +Bands of ruffians went about the streets at night, attacking any unarmed +persons they met, and sometimes breaking into houses, when they carried +off whatever they could lay hands on, and had generally decamped before +the arrival of the watch or guard. At length the robbers so increased +in numbers, that the ordinary watch of the town could do nothing to +oppose them. + +The persecutions continued as fierce as ever, the Inquisitor, Titelmann, +daily citing before him persons of all ranks and callings, men and +women, and compelling them by force to say whatever it pleased him. +Often he did so in revenge for words which they were accused of having +uttered against him, although he always used the pretext of heresy. The +Government of the Regent--the Duchess of Parma--was also employed in +ruining the country, edicts being passed to prohibit the importation of +cloth and wool from England. Shortly after this, another edict was +passed, prohibiting the importation of any merchandise or goods of any +sort from England; while no Flemish goods were allowed to be exported on +board English ships. + +I was one evening seated at my desk at work, when the porter told me a +stranger wished to see me. I went down, and as the light fell on my +visitor's features, I recognised Captain Rover, who had rendered us such +essential service on board the _Diamond_. + +I put out my hand and shook his warmly. + +"I have come to have a few words with you, Master Verner," he said, "and +it maybe better that they should be in private." + +I led him into the room where Sir Thomas was accustomed to receive +casual visitors, and where what was said could not be overheard. + +"I have come on a matter of no little importance," he said. + +"A great danger threatens your friend and patron, Sir Thomas Gresham. +In my last passage from England, I brought over several persons of whom +I had some suspicions when they came on board; yet I did not show what I +thought, and they somewhat to my surprise, seemed inclined to take me +into their confidence. They were Romanists, I discovered; but as such +have perfect freedom to enter or leave the country, I had no wish to +molest them. One of them fell sick while on board, and, as his +companions neglected him, I did my best to attend to his wants. When we +arrived in harbour, I kept him on board some days, and then took him on +shore, and had him attended to till he recovered. He then, it appears, +joined his companions; but last night he came on board my ship, and +entreated me to take him back to his native land, saying that he could +have nothing more to do with those with whom he had joined himself. He +told me that a villain who goes by the name of Martin has laid a plot to +rob this house, and either to carry off Sir Thomas Gresham or to murder +him. As he is a cunning villain, it is too likely that he will carry +out his plans, if care is not taken to guard against them." + +I warmly thanked Captain Rover for this information, and begged that he +would allow me to bring him to Sir Thomas. He thanked me, but declined +seeing my patron. + +"I do not require any reward of him; and if you repeat what I have told +you, my object is gained," he answered. "Perchance, some day I may make +myself known to him; but at present I have no desire to meet those I +once knew. I have been deprived of all I cared for or loved on earth; +and, if I had the power, I would begin a new existence, so as to forget +the past." + +"But why not see my kind patron? he will surely not be ungrateful for +the important warning you have brought him; besides, he owes you a debt +of gratitude for the assistance you rendered us on board the _Diamond_. +I heard him say that, could he discover you, he would thankfully repay +you." + +"I am sure that he would, my young friend," answered Captain Rover. "He +is a just and liberal man; but I require no assistance at present; when +I do, I promise you I will ask for it. And now I must bid you farewell; +I have myself an important undertaking on hand. I have good reason to +hate the bigoted Spaniards and their fearful idolatries, and to befriend +those they persecute. I have therefore agreed to assist in the escape +of a number of families who dread the persecutions of the Inquisition. +Already the demon Titelmann has carried off some of their relatives to +imprisonment and slaughter, and they full well know that he will treat +them in the same way, if he can capture them." + +"I wish that I could help you!" I exclaimed. "If you can point out how +I can do so, after I have performed my duty to my employer, I will join +you at any place you may indicate." + +"I thank you, but you cannot do that," he answered; "I have my vessel +ready for sailing, and all I could do was to let the poor people know +that when they came alongside I would receive them on board. All my +crew are staunch, and I have no fear that they will betray any one. The +instant, therefore, the poor fugitives come alongside, they will be +hoisted on board and stowed away below, so that, should a Government +boat follow them, by the time the officers reach the ship there will be +no one to be seen. And now, Ernst Verner, farewell. We may meet, I +dare hope, again. I must hasten on board to be ready to receive the +fugitives." + + + +CHAPTER SEVENTEEN. + +A GALE. + +As soon as Captain Rover had left me, I hastened to Sir Thomas. He +received my information very calmly, and cross-questioned me as to all +Captain Rover had said. "I wished that you had stopped him," he +observed; "and yet I have no reason to doubt his information. I have +already received a warning to the same effect, but was in some doubts as +to the truth of the account given me. None, however, now remains on my +mind. I will, therefore, follow the only prudent course: I will take my +treasure and my family out of the country forthwith." + +My patron was prompt in all his actions. Captain Davis was in the +harbour. He instantly sent A'Dale on board to the captain, telling him +to get his vessel in readiness for his reception, and desired him at the +same time to send a dozen stout hands, well-armed, for the protection of +some goods which he proposed to ship forthwith. Litters were ordered +for Aveline and Richard. He, poor fellow, was unable to sit on +horseback; indeed, Sir Thomas could scarcely have been aware of his +dangerous condition, or he would not have attempted to move him, +especially at night, when the damp air was so likely to increase his +malady. Master Clough was not unmindful of the threatened attack on the +house, and secured several porters and other trusty men for its +protection. A similar body was also prepared to conduct the litters and +Sir Thomas down to the water-side. The men had been summoned up one by +one, and did not put on their harness till they were inside the house: +thus no one was aware of the preparations we were making. The tide +would not serve till an hour after midnight: we therefore waited till +nearly twelve o'clock before we set out. + +The horses were brought round for Sir Thomas, with four stout +men-at-arms, who had been engaged as his guards. A'Dale and I went on +foot; he taking care of Richard, while I walked by the side of Aveline's +litter. With our swords drawn, and our pistols in our belts, ready for +instant use, we proceeded along the streets. Several persons passed us, +but if they were robbers, they must have seen that we were too strong a +party to be attacked with impunity. Thus we reached the water-side in +safety. We there found, much to our surprise, a number of people, all +of them with boxes and bundles on their backs, or under their arms-- +quite a concourse they seemed in the gloom of night. As we entered our +boat, we saw that several other boats were ready, apparently for their +reception. There were old men and women and children, as well as many +young men. As the boats were filled, they rowed off down the river. We +could judge by their exclamations that they were in great haste, and +fearful of being overtaken. At length there was a cry, "The guard is +coming! the guard is coming!" + +The men faced about and drew their weapons, while the remainder of the +women and children were hurried into the boats. Then their protectors +slowly retreated. The soldiers rushed forward, as they saw the number +of the fugitives on shore decreasing. The latter defended themselves +bravely. We were, of course, shoved off forthwith, lest the soldiers +might fire on us, as we saw them doing upon the helpless people in the +other boats. We judged, as we pulled down the river, from the flashes +of fire-arms, that none of the fugitives were longer defending +themselves on shore, but that either they had thrown themselves into the +water, or had escaped in the boats, unless they had been taken +prisoners. From the number of people, and the boats which were rowing +down the river with us, we thought there must have been one hundred or +more fugitives escaping from the fearful persecution of the terrible +Inquisitor, Peter Titelmann. From what Captain Rover had told me, I +concluded that these people were attempting to reach his ship. I prayed +earnestly that they might do so in safety. We urged our boatmen to row +as fast as they could, for now numerous lights were seen on the shore, +and we feared that the emissaries of the Inquisitors were getting boats +ready in order to pursue the fugitives. I knew well the sort of man +with whom they would have to deal, if the latter were captured. + +Aveline became as much interested as I was, when I explained what was +taking place. + +"I wish that I could help the poor people," she exclaimed; "but I can, +at all events, pray for them!" + +She did not appear in any way to think of the dangerous position in +which we ourselves were placed, for there was no doubt that, should we +be overtaken, we should run a great risk of being cast into the prisons +of the Inquisitors. Although no building exclusively used for confining +those accused of heresy had been erected in the Netherlands, the +ordinary prisons were so completely under the command of the +Inquisitors, that they answered every purpose of those fearful edifices +which existed in Spain. + +Sir Thomas sat calmly in the boat supporting Richard in his arms, and +endeavouring with his cloak to protect him from the night air. As I +cast my eyes back toward the town we were leaving, the number of lights +increased, and some appeared to be close to the water, and moving +towards us. "If our pursuers have lights in their boats, it will be an +advantage to us," I thought, "as we shall be the better able to avoid +them." I did not, however, mention what I had observed to our crew, who +were already doing their utmost to reach the ship. At length, greatly +to our satisfaction, her signal lights were seen a short distance ahead, +and soon her high sides appeared rising up close before us. Aveline, +with her maiden and Richard, were soon lifted on board, followed by Sir +Thomas. The treasure was quickly hoisted up, and, as the breeze was +favourable, the ship was immediately got under weigh. Those only who +knew the river well could venture down it in the dark. Objects scarcely +visible to landsmen's eyes were seen by her pilot, and thus we were able +to avoid any risk of striking. + +We continued on till morning at length broke, when no boats were in +sight; but a short distance from us appeared a large vessel, which I had +little doubt was the _Falcon_, as, having watched her earnestly when I +had before crossed to England, I well remembered her appearance. + +It was satisfactory, I thought, to have her near us, in case we might +meet an enemy, as she was, I knew, well-armed; and I was very certain +that Captain Rover would do his best to support us. I had more of +Aveline's society than I had enjoyed for some time, for Sir Thomas was +greatly taken up with his son. Poor Richard was evidently the worse for +being out on the river at night, and his father, I think, now for the +first time saw his very great danger. Aveline watched the tall ship +which followed us with great interest, when I told her about the poor +people who, I believed, were on board, and gave her an account of the +singular man who commanded the vessel. + +At length we were at sea, but the wind was so light that we made but +little way. The night was very dark, and during it we lost sight of the +_Falcon_. After Aveline had retired to her cabin, I observed that the +captain called all the crew on deck, and ordered them to take in some of +the sails and to furl the rest. I inquired why he did this. + +"Because I don't like the look of the weather, Master Verner," he +answered. "I may be mistaken, and we may not have a breath of wind all +night, and if so, our sails will do us no good; whereas, if the gale +comes down upon us, it will be well they are all snugly furled." + +I agreed with him; and, with the expectation of what might occur, I +could not bring myself to lie down in my cabin. I consequently +continued walking the deck with him. Now he stopped and looked out over +the ship's side, peering, as it were, into the darkness; now, without +making any remark, he continued his walk. He was at no time very +communicative, being a man rather of action than of words. He was, +however, brave and true-hearted, and I felt satisfied that in no safer +hands could our lives be placed. We had not taken many turns when I +felt a strong, damp wind in my face, which rapidly increased. In a +short time the dark water was lighted up with the foam-crested seas, +which rose out of its hitherto mirror-like surface. The wind howled and +whistled through the rigging, the yards creaked, stray ropes lashed +about, and the foam began to fly over the decks. + +The vessel, like a horse to which the spur has been given, dashed +onwards, plunging and leaping, as it were, over the fast rising waves. +The noise I have described increased as the vessel began to plunge more +and more furiously. At first, only masses of spray broke over her; but +now the seas themselves dashed upwards and washed over our deck. I had +gone down below to put on my sea-coat, when I heard Sir Thomas's voice +inquiring what was occurring. Aveline also asked timidly if anything +serious was the matter. I could only reply that a gale had commenced, +which I hoped our stout ship would without difficulty ride out. Even +during the short time I had been below a change for the worse had taken +place. The wind howled more furiously; the water in greater volumes +burst over the vessel, and she seemed to pitch and roll more desperately +than before. The captain advised me to go below, urging that the sea +might wash over the deck, and perchance carry me overboard; but I begged +to remain on deck, saying that I could hold on to the rigging as well as +the crew. Few words were spoken; only occasionally the captain issued +some orders to the helmsman or to the rest of the crew, which were +quickly obeyed. At length, several heavy seas struck the ship; one came +roaring up, and carried away part of her bulwarks, and a breach having +thus been made, those which broke on board committed yet further damage. +After a time, I heard the captain order the carpenter to sound the +well. He spoke a few ominous words, on his return, to the captain. The +ship had sprung a leak. Orders were given to man the pumps. And now +the crew began working away with might and main. However bad the leak, +they might hope to keep the water under till the ship could reach a +port. Thus the night passed away. I begged that I might take my part, +and laboured with the rest. I was thankful indeed to see the grey dawn +slowly break upon the world of waters. On every side the dark green +seas were rolling and leaping up, thickly crested with masses of foam, +which flew off their tops, and danced from sea to sea. No other vessel +was in sight. The dark clouds hung down, as it were, covering the ocean +with a thick canopy. The leak would allow of no rest to the crew. As +soon as one party of men grew tired, others took their places. Several +times I threw myself down on the deck to regain my strength. + +I was thus lying down near the companion-hatch, when I saw a figure +standing close to me. It was Aveline. She gazed about her with a look +of astonishment and awe, but when her eyes fell on me, her countenance +exhibited an expression of consternation. "Oh! Ernst Verner, what has +happened? are you hurt?" she exclaimed. + +I rose as she spoke, assuring her that I had suffered no harm, and at +the same time entreating her to return to the cabin, lest one of the +furious seas which ever and anon swept over the deck might carry her +into the raging ocean. + +"But the same fate might befall you," she said. "Oh, Ernst, how +fearful!" + +I showed her that I was holding on to a ring-bolt in the deck, and that +the risk I ran when thus lying down was not so great as she had +supposed. As I was speaking, I saw a sea rising high above the bows of +the vessel. I had just time to grasp her in my arms, and to spring +under shelter of the companion-hatch, before it broke on board, and +rushed as others had done along our deck. Not without difficulty I +saved her from injury, and, descending the ladder, placed her in the +cabin, where her maiden was sitting crying bitterly with alarm. On the +other side was Sir Thomas, supporting poor Richard. He himself had been +too often at sea not to have been placed before in a like position, +though he seemed scarcely aware how furious was the gale then blowing, +nor had he been told, I found, how serious was the leak the vessel had +sprung. The crew continued working energetically at the pumps; and I +judged by the way the captain and mates urged them to persevere, +themselves working like the rest, that the water in the hold had in no +way been got under. The captain and his officers were brave men; but +their countenances grew pale with anxiety, and I saw them looking +constantly round the horizon in search of some vessel which might come +to our assistance. At length I asked Captain Davis what he thought of +our condition. + +"To be frank with you, I think very bad of it, Master Verner," he said. +"If the gale abates, the ship may be kept afloat; but if not, all our +efforts will be unavailing; and then, unless some vessel comes to our +assistance, drowning must be our lot!" + +My heart sank at these words, for I had not before realised our danger. +Should I go and tell those below to be prepared for death? I had not +the heart to do it. At that instant my post at the pumps was left by +another man. I rushed frantically at it, and worked away with might and +main. As long as I was in action, I could keep off the painful thoughts +which pressed on me. Was I prepared for death? Yes, I had settled that +matter as every man ought to settle it; if he does not, wretched is his +condition when the hour of trial arrives; but I thought of others,--my +kind patron, of his gentle son, but, more than all, of Aveline, so +young, so fair, thus to be summoned out of the world. Yet, surely there +must be hope. I looked at the boats. + +"We can be saved in them, captain," I said. + +"They would not live a moment in such a sea as this," he answered. + +"Then we can construct some rafts?" + +He shook his head. + +"The strongest man would quickly be washed off them. No, Ernst Verner, +we are in God's hands. If He orders the storm and seas, they will obey +Him. I know thus much about religion. We will make another effort to +get at the leak, but not for a moment can we desert the pumps. Already +the ship labours heavily, and a few more feet of water in her hold will +carry her to the bottom." + +The captain was as good as his word. A sail was got over the bows, and +hauled by ropes under the ship, where the leak was supposed to be. This +done, a party of men descended with bedding and clothes, and such loose +stuff as could be found, in order to ram it into the leak. It seemed +that these efforts were not altogether unavailing, for though the water +still increased, it did so less rapidly than before. Hour after hour +passed by, and I judged from the looks of the captain, and the way he +spoke, that he was still very anxious. + +"We can but prolong our lives," he remarked at length. "The men are now +almost worn-out, and cannot, I see, continue much longer at work." Even +as he spoke, several of the crew left their posts, and, throwing +themselves on the deck, declared that they could do no more. Others +murmured out that the ship was sinking. Some begged that spirits might +be given to them. + +At this juncture, as I was gazing round the horizon, my eye fell on a +white spot rising above the dancing seas. At first I thought it was but +a sea-gull's wing, or it might be the crest of a wave higher than those +near us. I called the attention of one of the mates, who was standing +near me, to it. He looked at it anxiously for some time. At length he +shouted, "A sail! a sail! Cheer up, lads!" + +The cry was taken up by the men. Those who had thrown themselves on the +deck leaped to their feet, and once more seized the handles of the +pumps. Nearer and nearer drew the ship. The wind too, I thought, was +also abating. + +"Cheer up, lads! cheer up!" shouted the captain ever and anon, as the +men appeared to be relaxing their efforts at the pumps. "You will see +your homes again, never fear, if you keep moving smartly!" Still, +although the crew worked on bravely, the water continued pouring in, and +rising higher and higher. It needed not now for any one to tell Sir +Thomas Gresham or his companions in the cabin of the danger we were in, +for already the water was rising to their feet. They now rushed with +scared looks on deck; Sir Thomas supporting his son in his arms, +followed by Aveline and her maiden. + +Seeing the way in which the men were working at the pumps, Sir Thomas, +placing Richard under shelter within the companion-hatch, seized a +handle, and began himself working away like the rest. + +"You should have told me of this before," he observed. "I had no right +to be excused labouring with others." + +His example had the effect of encouraging the crew, who even now had +begun to relax somewhat in their efforts. + +A signal of distress had been hoisted. It was seen by the approaching +vessel. I judged from her appearance that she was the _Falcon_, and +Captain Davis told me I was right. Night, however, was approaching, and +the difficulty of reaching her would be greatly increased by the +darkness. On she came, and by this time the sea had so much gone down, +that boats could be lowered from her without difficulty. Two were seen +let into the water, and, propelled by sturdy crews, they approached our +ship. Sir Thomas at that time thought little of the wealth on board the +_Diamond_. His desire was to save the lives of his son and those with +him, but Richard seemed to engross almost all his thoughts. He scarcely +regarded himself, so it seemed to me. Even though the boats were +approaching, the captain urged the crew to keep to the pumps. + +"Lads," he exclaimed, "it would be a base thing to let this fine ship +sink beneath our feet, if any exertion of ours can keep her afloat!" + +"Think not of the wealth on board, but rather run no risk of losing your +own life and that of your companions, Master Davis," said Sir Thomas. + +By this time the boats had come alongside. + +The first who leaped out of them on to the deck of the sinking ship was +Captain Rover. A glance showed him our condition, and he seemed to +recognise Sir Thomas, though he did not address him by name. + +"We will convey you safely on board my ship, sir," he said, "with those +who cannot work; but I never let a stout ship sink under me if I can +keep her afloat; and perchance a few fresh hands will help her to do +that, if my friend here, Captain Davis, will accept their services." + +Captain Davis's countenance brightened, and cordially thanking his +brother captain, he accepted his offer. + +"You shall have half a dozen of my men for those who are already knocked +up," said Captain Rover. + +Meantime Aveline and her maiden had been carefully lowered into one of +the boats. Sir Thomas and Richard followed. + +"Can I desert my charge?" I said to myself. "No; that were a disgrace +while I have strength. If Captain Davis remains, so will I." + +I did not forget Aveline when I came to this resolution. It was in +spite of the strong wish I had to accompany her. Yet she would be in +safety on board the _Falcon_, and I trusted that the _Diamond_ would yet +swim, and enter port at last. I therefore bade Sir Thomas farewell, +telling him that I would remain by the ship and her cargo, of which I +had charge. + +"You do well, Ernst," he exclaimed; "and your service shall not be +forgotten." + +I fancied, but it might have been vanity, that Aveline looked up at me +anxiously, as if she wished that I had accompanied her; but my resolve +was taken, I was doing my duty, and prepared for the consequences. + +Captain Rover, with our worn-out men and passengers, returned to the +_Falcon_; while we, once more making sail, stood on our course towards +the mouth of the Thames. The six fresh hands which had been left with +us soon reduced the depth of water in the hold. Yet as night came on +our anxiety returned. Though the wind had fallen, the sea was still +somewhat rough, and the night was dark, and we could with difficulty +keep the _Falcon_ in sight. As the wind fell, a fog came on, and at +last completely shut her out. Thus we were all alone on the dark ocean. +Now and then the men at the pumps would cheer and pass jokes to each +other, but those who had knocked off lay without speaking, resting from +their toil. The only other sound was the creaking of the yards against +the masts, and the splashing of the sea against the vessel's bows. I +had had no rest the previous night; at length, overcome with fatigue, I +descended to the cabin, and threw myself into my berth. I had scarcely +time to offer up a prayer before my eyelids closed in sleep. And yet, +while I asked for my own safety, more fervently did I petition for that +of Aveline. The cabin, and many of the articles which she had left +about in the hurried departure from the ship, brought her vividly to my +mind. Yet surely I did not require any visible things to recall her. I +knew full well that there were still many dangers to be encountered. +Another gale might arise. Even the _Falcon_ might spring a leak, or be +driven on rocks or quicksands, while there were many pirates cruising +about, some French and others Flemish, on the look-out for merchantmen +sailing without a convoy of men-of-war. + + + +CHAPTER EIGHTEEN. + +THE "BEGGARS." + +I do not think I shall ever get the sound of those clanging pumps out of +my ears. Daylight returned, but a thick mist hung over the sea, and +concealed all objects from sight. The ocean was now calm; we wished +indeed that there had been more wind, that we might with greater speed +finish our voyage. At length, as the sun rose higher in the sky, his +warm beams dispelled the mist, while a breeze from the south filled our +sails, and once more we glided rapidly through the water. We looked +round for the _Falcon_. No vessel answering her description was +visible, but in the south-west were two or three sail. The _Falcon_ was +not likely to have been in that position. We only hoped that, should +they draw near to us, they might prove friends. Now we set all the sail +the vessel could carry; indeed, every one on board was anxious to take +her home in safety, knowing the reward they would receive for so doing. +As the day advanced, two of the strangers drew nearer. They were tall +ships, their hulls being high out of the water, and their masts crowded +with sail, towering above them. Our captain regarded them attentively. + +"They may be friends," he observed; "but it is not impossible that they +are foes, and we shall do well to keep out of their way." + +The wind now favoured us, coming still more astern; and long yards were +rigged out on either side of the vessel, from which sails were hung +close down to the water. Active seamen went aloft and hoisted other +masts with yards and sails above those already set. To the extreme +yard-arm also spars were run out, from which more canvas was hung. +Thus, like some winged creature, we glided rapidly over the smooth sea. + +We watched the strangers. The more our captain looked at them, the more +he was convinced that they were French. It was doubtful at first +whether, with all our exertions, we were getting ahead of our pursuers. +If taken, we should not only lose the wealth committed to our charge, +but be ourselves placed in prison; and the French had a bad name for the +way in which they treated their prisoners. The more anxious we appeared +to be to escape, the more eager our pursuers evidently became to +overtake us. They also, as they got the wind astern, set fresh sails; +and it was evident that we no longer increased our distance from them, +rather at times we feared the contrary. We ran on, and, had the ship +been free of water, we might probably have distanced our pursuers. +Still hope kept us up. At night we might have a better prospect of +escaping, but night was still far-distant. On looking ahead, we +observed in the horizon another sail. After looking at her for some +time, we were convinced that she was standing the same way that we were; +therefore, even if a friend, she would not render us any assistance. + +We stood on, but every hour showed that our pursuers were gaining on us. +But we also were gaining on the vessel ahead. And now, as we looked, +another appeared. She, too, was a tall ship. Though we saw her, our +pursuers did not; and thus, as I before said, we continued to run on, +the chances of our escaping lessening every hour. At length, a flash +and a puff of smoke were seen, and the sound of a gun came rolling over +the water. + +"Your shot will not reach us yet, my friends!" exclaimed Captain Davis; +"and while you are inclined to play at long bowls, we need not fear +you." Another and another followed, till the enemy ceased firing, +seeing that their shot fell short. The sound, however, had the effect +of calling the attention of the vessels ahead, and we now saw them +coming round to the wind and standing toward us. There were two tall +ships, and a third much smaller. As they approached, our pursuers +seemed to think that they had followed us far enough. All their light +sails were taken in, and they now also hauled to the wind. The two tall +ships were evidently English men-of-war, while the third was, as I had +supposed, the _Falcon_. As she passed us, Captain Rover hailed, +desiring us to continue our course, saying that he would keep us +company, while the men-of-war would pursue the enemy. We had now a +friend near us; and although the leak gave us ample employment, we at +length safely entered the Thames. + +The wind continuing favourable, we ran up, and came to an anchor off the +Tower. + +The fugitives at once landed, and joined their countrymen who had +already settled in England. The Government of the Queen had wisely and +liberally made all possible arrangements for their accommodation; +abodes, and places of worship where they might hold their services +according to the Protestant form, being assigned to them. + +I proceeded at once on board the _Falcon_, and was amply repaid for the +risk I had run by the reception I met with from my kind patron. +Aveline's welcome also was abundantly gratifying. I was on this +occasion much struck by the way in which Captain Rover regarded the +young lady. + +"Yes," I heard him say to himself; "if it were not for the difference of +age, I could believe that one whom I know is now in heaven had returned +once more to earth. Strange! most strange!" + +He did not give me an opportunity of inquiring what he meant. Indeed, +it was said only as we were about to leave the ship, and to proceed to +Sir Thomas Gresham's new house in Bishopsgate Street. + +Lady Anne was at this time residing at Osterley. Sir Thomas therefore +remained at Gresham House only one day, in order that Richard's strength +might be somewhat recruited. We then proceeded to Osterley House, a +beautiful residence which Sir Thomas had lately purchased, ten miles out +of London. On the approach of our cavalcade, Lady Anne hurried down to +welcome her husband and son, as well as Aveline, with open arms. I saw +her countenance fall as her eyes rested on Richard. She, at a glance, +discovered, what his father had yet scarcely done, that he was greatly +altered; for he had become daily weaker since we left Antwerp. The best +physicians from London were called in, but they could give no hope to +the fond parents; and Sir Thomas became fully aware that he must be +prepared to lose his only son. The blow was a heavy one. My patron was +a strong-minded man, accustomed to deal with characters of all sorts; +but his diplomatic powers, his financial talents, could here avail him +nothing. He almost succumbed under the heavy sorrow. Even before he +expected, Richard breathed his last. He knew, however, that the same +Hand which had given him worldly prosperity had taken away his son, and +he submitted without murmuring. He said little, but he suffered none +the less. The pleasant house had become a house of mourning. Aveline, +with all a daughter's tenderness, endeavoured to soothe the sorrow of +her kind mistress; and when I next paid a visit to Osterley, I was +thankful to see that both my patron and his lady had regained their +usual tranquil manner. Sir Thomas had entertained the thought, common +to most men who have gained rank and honours, of building up a house. +The death of his son altered all his projects. He now began to speak to +me of the duty of public men, who have wealth at their command, +undertaking works for the general benefit of their countrymen. Numerous +projects passed through his mind. + +We had been one day in London, standing out in Lombard Street, where the +merchants were wont to meet to transact business, and had been exposed +to much damp and cold; the heavy rain frequently compelling us, with +other persons, to seek shelter in the shops near where we happened to be +standing, when, on our return to Gresham House, Sir Thomas exclaimed: + +"Why should not a great commercial city like London possess a Bourse +like that of Antwerp? It would be a great benefit to our merchants; and +yet I fear that unless some private person undertakes it, we may never +see such a building erected. The Government, provided they obtain the +money for their wants, can scarcely be expected to care how their +merchants are lodged." + +I, of course, agreed with Sir Thomas, that such a building was very +desirable; but that I scarcely expected that any one would be found +public-spirited enough to erect it at his own expense. + +"Nay," he said, "but if a man has the means, and the thought is put into +his heart, it is his duty to carry it out." + +To plan, with Sir Thomas, was in most cases to execute. At his +dictation, I wrote out a proposal, in which he offered to build a +Bourse, or Exchange, at his own expense, for the accommodation of the +merchants, provided a site should be found on which the edifice might be +conveniently erected. One of his principal clerks--Anthony Strynger-- +was directed the next day, the 4th of January, 1565, to make the +proposal in due form before the Court of Aldermen. At first it was +proposed to establish it in Leadenhall. But Sir Thomas wished to erect +his building in the close vicinity of Lombard Street, so that the +merchants might not be moved to any distance from their original place +of meeting. His magnificent offer was at once accepted, and a +subscription was entered into by the merchants for purchasing a piece of +ground in the position he indicated. Some time, however, passed before +the stone of the foundation was laid. The ceremony took place on the +7th of June, 1567; but so diligently did the workmen perform their task, +that the whole was finished by the end of November in the same year. I +should say that during the period I have mentioned I was sent over to +Antwerp--as was also one of my patron's apprentices, John Worrall--to +assist Master Clough in purchasing materials for the Bourse. The +architect of the building was Flemish--Master Henryke by name. We +shipped large quantities of stone, as also much of the woodwork, from +the Netherlands. All the wainscoting was made at Antwerp, as was also +the glass for the windows. It was adorned with numerous statues. Most +of them were executed in England; but Sir Thomas desired to have one, +superior to the rest, of the Queen's Majesty. This was executed in +Antwerp, and received great commendation. We shipped iron also, and the +slates with which the building was roofed. I now continued to reside in +Flanders, where Sir Thomas only occasionally paid a visit, as business +of importance demanded his presence. Master Clough, having become weary +of a single life, had gone to his native country--Wales--and had there +found an amiable lady to his taste, and with her he had lately returned +to Antwerp, there to resume his office as Sir Thomas Gresham's chief +factor. My old friend A'Dale had been residing there ever since the +time I last spoke of him, and frequently I had letters from him +describing events which had taken place. From these I have noted down +the more important points of interest by which my friends in after years +may be able to understand the state of the Low Countries at that time. + +Before I commence that brief narrative, however, I must say that Aveline +continued to reside with Lady Anne, and truly to act towards her the +part of a loving daughter. I had for some time entertained hopes that +the young lady was not altogether indifferent to me. That I myself +loved her I had long since discovered. I had, however, as yet not the +means of supporting her in that state to which, through the kindness of +our friends, she had been accustomed. I spoke, it may be remembered, of +a document which had been placed in my hands by her martyred mother. On +examination it was found that it related to an estate which was +rightfully the property of her father; but without his appearance to +claim it, she herself could not take possession of it. Sir Thomas had +expressed his readiness to endeavour to obtain it for her; but on +consulting the lawyers they decided that this could not be done. Her +father--Master Radford--had been outlawed in the reign of King Henry for +holding heretical opinions; and unless he should appear and obtain a +reversion of that outlawry, the estate would remain forfeited. By +petitioning the Queen's Majesty, however, there would be no difficulty +in obtaining this reversion. But Master Radford had not appeared; and +great doubts were entertained whether he was still in existence. + +Oftentimes I thought of expressing my wishes to Sir Thomas, and +entreating him to place me in some position where my means would be +sufficient for the maintenance of a wife; but yet, owing everything as I +did to him, I felt that I ought to wait until he should propose to +advance me, being sure that, had I patience, this he would certainly do +at some time. I may mention also that Captain Davis was continually +employed in the service of Sir Thomas, especially in bringing over the +materials for the Bourse. Of my friend Captain Rover, however, I in +vain attempted to gain tidings. He had again left England on a long +voyage; his ship, the _Falcon_, being employed by a company of merchant +adventurers. + +I have already spoken of the fearful persecutions to which the +inhabitants of the Netherlands were subjected by the officers of the +Inquisition. + +At length they could no longer submit to the tyranny under which they +groaned. Some of the principal nobles of the land resolved to oppose +the bloody edicts of King Philip. Among the chief was Philip de Marnix, +Lord of Sainte Aldegonde, a Protestant nobleman and a true patriot. He +having collected a number of other leading men of a similar character, +they drew up a document called "The Compromise," by which all the +signers bound themselves to oppose the Inquisition, and to defend each +other against all the consequences of such a resistance. At the same +time they professed allegiance to the King, pretending to suppose that +he was unacquainted with the tyranny exercised over his subjects. Among +those who first signed this document were Louis of Nassau, brother of +the Prince of Orange, Henry de Brederode, the Counts of Culembourg and +De Berg. De Brederode at the commencement took the leading part in this +movement. + +But all eyes were turned towards William of Nassau, Prince of Orange. +He was nominally a minister of the Regent, and Governor of the Provinces +of Holland and Zealand; but it was well-known that his heart was with +his fellow-countrymen. Some of the people, however, looked towards +Lamoral Count Egmont, who was considered the best soldier of his time; +and it was thought he would hasten to the relief of the country. Count +Horn, Admiral of the Seas, noted for his bravery, was also considered a +patriot likely to come forward in the cause of liberty. + +At length, the Compromise having been signed by a large number of +noblemen and gentlemen, it was resolved to present the petition to the +Regent, then holding her court at Brussels. Master Clough, hearing what +was about to take place, sent me over there to gain information. I +arrived on the 3rd of April, 1566. + +On the evening of that day notice was given that a cavalcade of noblemen +was entering the city, and I, with many thousands of the citizens, +hurried out to meet it. There were at least two hundred noblemen on +horseback, all magnificently dressed, with pistols in their holsters, +and swords by their sides. Count Brederode rode at their head--a tall, +stout man, with a soldier-like bearing and handsome features, his light +curling locks hanging down over his shoulders. Close to him rode Count +Louis of Nassau, one of the bravest and most gallant of knights. As the +cavalcade advanced, slowly making its way through the streets, it was +greeted from all sides with frequent demonstrations of applause. The +two Counts alighted at the house of the Prince of Orange, while the rest +of the company, with their numerous attendants, separated to other parts +of the city. The following day the Counts Culembourg and De Berg +entered the city with a hundred other cavaliers. The 5th of April was +the day fixed for presenting the petition. The confederates assembled +at the mansion of Count Culembourg, a short distance from the palace +where the Duchess Margaret was prepared to receive them. It was a brave +sight to see these three hundred young noblemen, arrayed in the most +magnificent costumes, walking arm in arm through the street. There was +little doubt of the risk they ran, but they had resolved to attempt the +deliverance of their country from Spanish tyranny. The daughter of +Charles the Fifth received them in the very hall where he had abdicated +his throne, many of the nobles who appeared on that occasion being +present. Among them were Orange and Egmont. Brederode, advancing, +addressed the Duchess, expressing his devotion both to her and to the +King, at the same time pointing out that the edicts and the Inquisition +would certainly produce a general rebellion if continued. He stated, +also, that there was not a man in the country, whatever his condition, +who was not liable at any moment to lose his life under the edicts; and +that the life and property of each individual were in the power of the +first man who desired to obtain his estate, and chose to denounce him to +an Inquisitor. He requested, therefore, that her Highness would +despatch an envoy to the King, and that in the meantime the Inquisitors +should be directed no longer to exercise their functions. Among those +who stood near the Duchess was the Baron Berlaymont, who, in a voice +stifled with passion, though still loud enough for the petitioners to +hear, exclaimed: + +"Is it possible that your Highness can entertain fears of these beggars +(gueux)? See! there is not one of them who has not outgrown his +estate!" + +The same remark was repeated in the hearing of some of the confederates. +On their meeting afterwards at a banquet prepared in the Culembourg +mansion, after the wine had freely circulated, Brederode rose. He well +knew the feelings which the remark I have mentioned had excited in the +breasts of the confederates. + +"They call us _beggars_!" he shouted, in a scornful tone. "The joke is +a good one. Let us accept the name; we will contend with the abominable +Inquisition till compelled to wear the beggar's sack in reality!" + +He then called one of his pages, who brought him a leathern wallet, such +as are worn by mendicants, and a large wooden bowl. + +Hanging the wallet round his neck, he filled the bowl with wine, and +lifting it with both hands, he drained it at a draught. + +"Long live the beggars!" he cried, as he wiped his beard and put the +bowl down. + +"Long live the beggars!" resounded through the hall. The bowl went +round, and each noble, pushing his golden goblet aside, and filling the +bowl to the brim, drank the same toast: "_Vivent les Gueux_!" + +The wine continued to flow fast. While the conviviality was at its +height, the Prince of Orange, with Counts Horn and Egmont, made their +appearance. Immediately they were surrounded by the now +half-intoxicated beggars, who compelled each of them to drink from the +bowl, amid shouts of "_Vivent le Roi et les Gueux_!" + + + +CHAPTER NINETEEN. + +IMAGE-BREAKING IN ANTWERP. + +From this time forward Antwerp was in a state of constant excitement and +commotion. Count Brederode took up his quarters in the city, and daily +entertained a crowd of nobles at his hotel, stirring them up to oppose +the Government. Count Meghem, the great enemy of the Reformers, also +came into the city; and it was supposed that he was laying a plan for +the introduction of a garrison, and for collecting a store of ammunition +to overawe the inhabitants. The chief people of the city, therefore, +resolved to send to the Prince of Orange, to request his presence, in +order to try and pacify all parties. He reached Antwerp on the 13th of +July. The inhabitants of the city were wild with enthusiasm at the +thought of his coming. Thousands, I may say tens of thousands, from all +parts of the city went forth from the gates to bid him welcome. A'Dale +and I were among the number. The road along which he was to pass for +miles was lined with human beings. The roofs of the houses--the +ramparts--every spot whence a sight of the street could be obtained, was +packed close with eager and expectant faces. A long cavalcade of +citizens, with Count Brederode and a number of confederates, rode forth +to escort him into the city. As soon as he appeared at the head of a +small body of gentlemen, his demeanour calm and unmoved, Brederode and +his companions fired a salute from their pistols. It was the signal for +loud and reiterated shouts from the assembled multitude, while again and +again the cry of "Long live the Beggars!" was repeated. In vain the +Prince entreated them not to utter that cry. + +"I have come," he said, "not to side with any party, but to endeavour to +restore tranquillity to the city." + +The general feeling was that he had both the power and ability to keep +his word. Day after day he was engaged in endeavouring to quiet the +public mind. All classes of the people were consulted. At length it +was agreed that the exercise of the Reformed religion should be excluded +from the city, but tolerated in the suburbs; and that an armed force of +the citizens should be kept in readiness to suppress insurrection. To +these arrangements the people agreed, and the Regent highly commended +the Prince for what he had done: King Philip pretended also to approve +of his conduct, but in reality took no steps to abolish the Inquisition +or to renounce persecution. He, as was suspected, only awaited his time +to destroy the Prince himself. + +Shortly after this the Prince was called away to Brussels, to attend a +council held by the Regent. About the same time a meeting of the +confederates had been held in Duffel, the result of which was that Louis +of Nassau, with twelve associates, laid before the Regent a statement of +their views. They declared that they were ever ready to mount and ride +against a foreign foe, but that they would never draw a sword to injure +their innocent countrymen. Their proposals were received with a very +bad grace by the Regent, whom they quitted, most of them feeling that +the only resource left was to draw the sword in defence of their +country. + +No sooner had the Prince of Orange left Antwerp than the city was once +more thrown into a state of commotion. I should mention that Antwerp +contains numerous fine and richly adorned churches: the largest is that +of Our Lady, which King Philip a short time before had converted into a +cathedral. + +Close to the chief entrance I had frequently seen an old woman--Barbara +Trond by name--who gained her livelihood by the sale of wax tapers, +little leaden ornaments of the Virgin and saints, and other Papistical +trickeries. She managed also to gain many a coin by the persuasive +powers of her tongue, which she wagged with considerable effect on all +occasions. When she pleased, nothing could be more smooth and oily; but +when angered, that tongue could utter oaths and abuse with unsurpassed +vehemence. One morning A'Dale and I were strolling beside the +cathedral, when a small party of idle boys and ragamuffins happened to +come that way intent on mischief, if they could possibly achieve it. +One of them with a grave air walked up to the old woman's table, and, +taking a taper in one hand and a saint in the other, inquired the price +of the articles. A loud laugh followed her reply. + +"What! your whole stock in trade is not worth a tenth of the sum. Your +saints if melted together would scarcely make one decent-sized bullet, +and all your candles would not afford light sufficient to an honest +weaver during the labours of one winter evening. Give up selling such +trash, Dame Trond; try and make a livelihood in some more respectable +calling!" + +Such and similar remarks quickly excited the ire of old Barbara. Her +replies were not such as to soothe the tempers of those who stood by +her. Gibes and shouts of laughter proceeded from every side, till the +old dame, giving way to the fury of her temper, seized the stool on +which she sat, and began to lay about her on every side. In an instant, +the mob charged the table on which her wares were spread for exhibition, +and trampled them on the ground. She retreating, and flourishing her +stool, entered the cathedral, where they with shouts of laughter +followed her. We should have been wise if we had kept out of the +church, but instead of that we could not resist the temptation of +following the old woman's pursuers, as did numbers of others who were +near at the time. Her courage was worthy of a better cause, not that +any one really attempted to injure her--though she, as she went up the +church, seized whatever came in her way, and hurled it at the heads of +her assailants. The shouts of the rabble attracted others from a +distance, and thus in a short time the cathedral was full of people; +some, like Barbara Trond's first assailants, inclined for mischief, but +a large number merely spectators, as we were. The mob began to shout +now one thing, now another. "Down with these Romish mummeries! down +with the idols!" were the cries we chiefly heard. The crowd surged to +and fro, but contented themselves with merely shouting, without +attempting to commit any mischief. It was evident, however, that to +this they would soon proceed, as several persons had already hurried off +to the Town House to give information of the outbreak to the +magistrates. In a short time a body of these dignitaries, in their +robes of state, were seen entering the cathedral, headed by the Margrave +of Antwerp--John Van Immerzeel--the two burgomasters walking on either +side of him, and the senators following. He stopped in the centre of +the church, and harangued the mob. By his persuasions those on the +outside agreed to take their departure, hoping that their example might +be followed by the rest. But the hour of evening service was +approaching, and the ragamuffin crew, who certainly cared very little +for masses or services of any sort, declared that they could not think +of leaving the church until they had enjoyed the benefit of that about +to be performed. In reply, they were told that no vespers would be held +that night, and were again entreated to disperse. + +"If we go, the people will follow," observed one of the burgomasters to +the Margrave. "Let all the doors be closed, except the one out of which +we go, and the people will swarm out like bees from their hive." + +Thankful to get out of the church with whole skins, the magistrates +marched forth in as dignified a manner as they could assume. The +Margrave, however, remained behind, endeavouring to persuade those who +were still in the church to retreat. But the rabble were not in a +humour to be persuaded. Something said by the Margrave offended them, +and, in spite of his threats and exhortations, they rushed on him and +sent him ignominiously flying out of the church. They instantly threw +open all the other portals, and the populace, who had been retiring like +an ebbing tide, now rushed back, and flowed into the building, raging +and foaming like an angry sea. + +A'Dale and I had remained at the further end of the church, unable, +without mixing with the crowd, to make our escape. Those who had charge +of the building made a vain attempt to carry off some of its more +precious possessions, but they had to retreat before the threatening +aspect of the crowd. Instead of the expected vespers, a hymn was raised +by the multitude who filled the church. At that moment, perhaps many +who joined in it hoped that it would have the effect of tranquillising +the multitude. Scarcely, however, had it concluded before a band of the +most ruffianly-looking of the assemblage united together, and, as if +with one accord, made a rush at the figure of the Virgin--the same idol +which had been carried about the city a few days previously. Before any +one could interfere, it was dragged from its pedestal and hurled to the +ground. It was immediately set upon, the rich robes were torn off it, +and with axes and hammers, wielded by brawny arms, the figure in a few +minutes was hewn into a thousand pieces, which were scattered over the +floor. A wild shout of triumph succeeded. All sorts of weapons of +destruction were now produced by the mob. Some had sledge-hammers in +their hands, others axes, and others bludgeons; while ladders, +handspikes, and ropes and blocks were brought into the church. +Immediately they went to work. The images which could be most easily +got at were hurled from their niches, and the pictures were torn from +the walls, and the painted windows shivered to atoms. Some of the men +were seen climbing up the carved work, striking with their hammers on +every side; others, placing ladders against the walls or columns, +ascended to dizzy heights, with ropes and blocks, and pulled down the +ornaments which were otherwise out of reach. The wax candles were +seized from the altars, and held by some of the party to light the +others in executing their task. Everything was done in the most +systematic manner. There were no less than seven chapels in the +cathedral, every one of which in succession was utterly spoilt. Chests +of treasure were broken open, and the gorgeous robes of the priests +dragged forth, many of the mob attiring themselves in them. Casks of +wine were broached and the liquor poured into the golden chalices, out +of which the despoilers quaffed huge draughts to the Beggars' health. +Splendid manuscripts were torn into sheds; and in a short time the +interior of the richest church in the Netherlands was an utter wreck. +But poor as were the despoilers, not a particle of gold or silver did +any of them carry off. The ground was literally strewn with cups and +ornaments of precious metals, and jewels, and embroidered garments, +broken, torn, and defaced, in every possible way, mingled with the +marble fragments of the images and the rich and elaborate carvings which +had been cast to the ground. + +Their work being complete, the band of image-breakers, each seizing a +burning torch, rushed forth from the cathedral, and, as they swept +through the streets, shouted with loud and hoarse voices, "Long live the +Beggars!" On they went. Every crucifix, every image of the Virgin or +other idol, every symbol of Romanism, was dashed to pieces. With sturdy +blows they burst open the doors of the next church they reached. In +they rushed with their ladders, and sledge-hammers, and other weapons, +and in a short time all the images, and all the ornaments were hurled to +the ground and broken in pieces. Church after church felt the effects +of their fury; none escaped. With wonderful rapidity the interiors were +completely gutted. + +Although by this time the streets were full of people, yet but a small +band--it was generally thought not more than one hundred men--performed +the whole of the work. They probably had many friends and supporters; +but it was strange that no one should have attempted to interfere with +them. + +The authorities were completely panic-struck, expecting that their own +Town Hall would be the next attacked. From the churches they went to +the convents, which they treated in the same way. All the altars, +statues, and pictures were utterly destroyed; and, to punish the monks, +they descended into the cellars, where they broached every cask they +found, pouring out the wine in one great flood, though abstaining from +drinking it themselves. The inmates of the nunneries fled, and in all +directions they were seen in the streets, rushing here and there, +shrieking and crying out as if they were pursued. Their terror, +however, was imaginary, for, savage as the image-breakers might have +appeared, they had but one object in view, and not a nun or monk was in +the slightest degree injured. In the prison of the Barefooted Monastery +they found an unhappy monk who had been shut up for twelve years for his +heretical opinions, and with loud shouts of joy they liberated him from +his dungeon. + +When morning dawned, it was found that the interiors of no less than +thirty churches inside the walls had been utterly destroyed. Not a +graven image, scarcely a picture, remained in any of them. + +We were out all night watching what was going forward. I, of course, +have given but a very brief account of all the events which took place. + +When we returned, Master Clough was not a little angry with us for +having gone without his leave, although he was willing enough to receive +the account we had to give him. He talked indeed of reporting us to Sir +Thomas as idle varlets, who did as little as they could for their pay. + +More came out of this matter, as might be expected, as I shall have +shortly to describe. + + + +CHAPTER TWENTY. + +ADVENTURE WITH A WITCH. + +Master Clough punished me for what he was pleased to call my idle +behaviour, during the time of the breaking of the images, by making me +copy out the whole of a long letter he wrote to Sir Thomas Gresham, +giving an account of the affair. He acknowledged that the mob, although +he called them ruffianly rascals, had evidently been influenced by one +sole motive, that was--to do away with all the symbols of Popery; that +neither man nor woman had been in the slightest degree injured, nor a +single article (great as was the value of many of them) appropriated by +the image-breakers. + +Shortly after this we were as usual seated at our desks working away, +for Master Clough kept us well employed, when a courier entered the +office. He brought the information that Sir Thomas Gresham had landed +at Ostend two days before from England, accompanied by a lady, and that +he hoped to arrive the following day at Antwerp. Preparations were +instantly made for his reception. A'Dale and I were not a little +interested in trying to guess who the lady could be. We +cross-questioned the courier, but all we could learn from him was that +the lady was not Lady Anne Gresham; indeed, he had supposed, from the +way Sir Thomas treated her, that she must be his daughter. She was +also, we discovered, young and fair. I had some hesitation in asking +the man these questions. Her name he did not know. I strongly +suspected that she must be Aveline Radford. + +Madam Clough, however, at all events seemed to know all about her, and +was preparing a room, though I must own that I did not venture to +inquire of that lady. I have said very little about Madam Clough +hitherto. She was a very good woman, but, in our estimation, not to be +compared to Lady Anne. She demanded far more attention and respect as +her due, and never allowed us the slightest approach to intimacy; +indeed, she seemed to consider that we were in all respects her +inferiors. Still she was, as I have said, a worthy woman, and knew how +to do her duty. She was inclined to be charitable, as far as helping +those who came to her in distress; and I have no doubt that in her own +place at Plasclough, in Denbighshire, where she and her husband resided +when making holiday, she acted the Lady Bountiful to perfection. + +It must be confessed that, after the news we had received, I felt a +strange trepidation at my heart, and made a variety of mistakes in the +letters I was inditing, for which I received due verbal castigation from +Master Clough. What other young lady could be coming besides Aveline? +A'Dale, I rather suspect, hoped, for his own sake, that she might be +some stranger; for though he admired Aveline, yet he was aware of my +feelings with regard to her, and he was too true a friend to wish to +interfere in the matter. + +I slept very little, it must be owned, that night. I was thinking of +Aveline--how she would appear; how she would treat me: whether, in the +light of an old friend, or, after having seen so many great and wealthy +people, be inclined to look upon me as her inferior. I kept twisting +and turning the subject in every possible way, till I made myself +perfectly miserable; and it was not till at last I thought that perhaps, +after all, the lady who was expected might not be Aveline, that I +dropped to sleep. + +A bright idea occurred to me in the morning. It would be but respectful +if A'Dale and I were to ride out to meet Sir Thomas Gresham as he +approached Antwerp. I suggested the same to Master Clough, and, having +got through all the work he required of us at an early hour, we were +perfectly ready to set forth. He threw no objection in the way. We +therefore ordered our horses, and as soon as we could with decency leave +the office, we rode forth by the northern gate from the city. We, I +must confess, had calculated, from the information gained from the +courier, that Sir Thomas would not arrive for at least two or three +hours after that time. We should thus have an opportunity of meeting +him and his companions at some distance from the city, and enjoy the +pleasure of riding back with them. We rode on for some distance, till +at length we began to hope that we might soon fall in with the expected +travellers. Every cloud of dust which appeared rising ahead of us gave +us hopes that they were coming. As we drew nearer, and figures appeared +through the cloud of dust, my heart beat quicker. A few minutes more +showed us a party of travelling merchants, with their packs on led +horses. + +"That must be them!" exclaimed A'Dale, as another cloud rose in front of +us. + +We pushed on eagerly. They were a band of a dozen or more horsemen. +The serviceable swords, with the hilts ready to their hands, which they +wore at their sides, the pistols in their belts, and the arquebuses +slung across their saddles, gave them a somewhat suspicious appearance. +They eyed us narrowly, but we put on a bold and independent look. It +struck me that the traders we had passed a short time before would not +have been well pleased to have fallen in with them, nor would, I +suspect, Sir Thomas Gresham and his companions. Thus we were doomed +several times to disappointment. At length we rode on for some distance +without meeting any one. The day was advancing, and we began to fear +that Sir Thomas had for some reason stopped on the way. + +"Well, then, all we have to do is to turn our horses and ride back +again," said A'Dale. + +As he spoke, however, I thought I saw another light cloud of dust. I +pointed it out to him. + +"We will go on for ten minutes more, and then, if Sir Thomas does not +appear, we will do as you propose," I said. + +As we rode on, I more than once stood up in my stirrups, eagerly looking +forward, for I felt convinced that another party of travellers were +approaching. I was not mistaken. The cloud of dust rose higher and +higher above the horizon, and beneath it, at length, horses and riders +were seen. We pushed on with more confidence. As we advanced, we could +distinguish a tall cavalier on a stout horse, and a lady riding a +palfrey by his side. About that there was no doubt. We felt sure it +must be Sir Thomas and his expected female companion. I thought I could +distinguish another female behind the first, and several other horsemen +and baggage animals. All doubts were set at rest directly afterwards, +as we distinguished the well-known features of our patron; but with +regard to the lady we were not so certain, as her face was concealed by +the veil which she wore to guard her from the dust. As we approached, +however, and saluted Sir Thomas Gresham, she drew it aside, and I beheld +a lovely face, though somewhat pale, which, I felt sure, from the +expression, must be that of Aveline. Of this she gave me assurance, as +she replied to my salutation, and a gentle blush came over her features. +In truth, I had no reason to be dissatisfied with the way she received +me. But I was grieved to find that she was not in the enjoyment of her +usual health. Of this also, Sir Thomas informed me, by observing that +she had accompanied him, by the invitation of Madam Clough, who had long +wished her to pay a visit to Antwerp, in the hope that the change of air +and scenery might benefit her. + +"Alas! however," observed Sir Thomas, "such a change has not always +proved as beneficial as we might have desired." + +I knew by his remark that he was thinking of his son Richard. I was +glad when Sir Thomas addressed A'Dale, who rode by his side, leaving me +to drop behind him with Aveline. We had much to speak about. She +assured me with a smile that there was no cause for alarm about her +health, but that she had been anxious to accept Madam Clough's +invitation, and that Lady Anne had kindly consented to spare her for a +few months. + +"I have brought over a new waiting-woman," she observed. "You remember +her, though. She is the daughter of Farmer Hadden, whose hospitality +you enjoyed when driven back on your voyage from Ipswich, of which you +have often told me. Her father and mother are dead, and she applied to +Lady Anne for employment as waiting-woman. She is very faithful and +loving, and, better still, is a true Christian." + +Among many private matters, interesting chiefly to ourselves, Aveline +described the improvements at Osterley which Sir Thomas had lately made, +as also the beautiful appearance of the Bourse, which was now nearly +completed. I, of course, had much to tell her, in return, of the events +which had lately occurred at Antwerp, especially of the image-breaking, +and the destruction of the beautiful interiors of so many of the +churches. + +"They were savage hands which performed the work," she observed; "yet we +should not regret the overthrow of idols, for idols they are, although +in appearance full of grace and beauty. I pray that nothing worse may +happen; but I fear much, that when King Philip hears of these doings, he +will take vengeance on the unhappy people who perpetrated them. I +cannot but grieve also that so much rich carving and beautiful +decoration should have been destroyed." + +I agreed with Aveline in that respect; at the same time I echoed her +remark with regard to the idols which had been pulled down. So quickly +passed the time, that the shades of evening stole on us unawares, and we +were quite surprised when we saw the towers and stout walls of Antwerp +looming through the gloom. It was almost dusk as we rode under the deep +gateway, on either side of which was the entrance to the narrow passage +between the two walls surrounding the city. The streets were more +crowded than usual, and we passed numerous groups of men talking eagerly +together. News had arrived, we found, that the example set in Antwerp +had been followed in many other cities; but of that I will speak anon. + +I was well pleased with the reception which Madam Clough gave Aveline. +Master Clough was thankful also to see Sir Thomas, for the difficulty of +obtaining money at that time was very great; and he knew that the +Queen's agent would be better able personally to make the required +arrangements than he could himself. One thing Sir Thomas saw--that +Antwerp would no longer be the city it formerly was for commerce with +England; and I may here remark, that he shortly afterwards wrote home, +advising that in such brabbling times as these were, some other city +should be fixed on, to which British manufactures might be sent. + +We had lately had a somewhat dull time in Master Clough's house. He was +out of spirits at the turn affairs were taking, not knowing what might +next happen, although, England and Spain, having hitherto been on +friendly terms, he was under no apprehension that the English would +suffer personally. We had occasionally official banquets, but they were +very dull compared to those to which we had formerly been accustomed, +while no maskers or mummers were allowed to present themselves. As may +be supposed, the arrival of Sir Thomas Gresham and Aveline Radford +produced a very pleasant change. As Aveline had been advised to take +horse exercise, she rode out, by the desire of Sir Thomas, every day; +and A'Dale and I were her constant attendants, Madam Clough occasionally +accompanying her, while Mistress Margery was always her companion. + +One bright morning Madam Clough had been tempted to ride forth; Sir +Thomas and Master Clough, having business of importance to transact, +deputed A'Dale and me as usual to escort the ladies. We had two +attendants, well-armed, while A'Dale and I carried pistols in our +holsters. We were both of us adepts in the use of the sword. A'Dale +was able to encounter any trooper, however skilful, with his favourite +weapon. Madam Clough was a good horsewoman, having learned the art in +Wales, where she had been accustomed to ride over her native mountains, +and on the summits of the dizzy precipices. She generally took the +lead, Aveline and I riding side by side. Margery often fell to the +share of A'Dale, for the damsel was in no way inclined to associate with +the serving-men, nor would she have been could she have understood their +language; indeed, she was in all respects superior to an ordinary +tire-woman. We had gone for some distance along the Mechlin road; soon +after passing the village of Berchem it was proposed that we should turn +off to the right, where we might enjoy a gallop over the open ground, it +being there higher and drier than the surrounding country. The fresh +air gave us all spirits, and we rode on rapidly, little thinking of the +distance we were going. I was not sorry when Madam Clough took the +lead, sitting her horse with an upright figure and stately air, +apparently regardless of Aveline and me, who followed out of ear-shot. +The rest of the party were still farther off. I enjoyed more than ever +being alone with Aveline; and she did not, so it seemed to me, object to +my society. There were many things we had to talk of, but I could not +yet bring myself to speak of one subject which was at my heart. I felt +myself still a dependant on the bounty of Sir Thomas Gresham. He +supported me, and supplied me liberally with the wherewithal to pay for +my clothes and other expenses, and to leave me an ample supply of +pocket-money. But as yet he had never spoken of paying me a fixed +salary; and with the possession of that alone should I feel justified in +proposing to marry Aveline. She was much in the same condition, for +although Lady Anne had carefully preserved the document given to me by +her mother, as yet it did not appear that she would benefit thereby. +Still I did not despair. I knew that Sir Thomas was generous, and that +he had a true regard both for Aveline and for me; and I hoped that, if I +put the matter before him, he would enable me to carry out my wishes. +Several times during this ride I was on the point of speaking to +Aveline, and asking her whether she could make up her mind to marry me; +but as often as the words rose to my lips, I let them fall back again +into my heart without utterance. There they remained, preventing me for +some minutes afterwards from again speaking. On each occasion Aveline +looked at me with an inquiring glance, wondering what had thus tied my +tongue. Perhaps she suspected the truth, when at length, growing +bolder, I approached nearer and nearer the subject, for I saw, or +fancied I saw, a blush suffuse her countenance. This gave me yet +further boldness, and summoning all my resolution, I was on the point of +telling her the wishes of my heart, when a cry from Madam Clough made us +hurry forward towards her. + +She had at that instant turned the corner of a wood. She pointed to a +spot a short distance from where she had reined in her horse, when we +saw spread out before us a large concourse of people. They were +surrounding a rough platform raised to the height of their heads. On it +stood a man, who, with arms stretched out, one hand holding a book, from +which he occasionally read, and the other at times lifted towards +heaven, was earnestly addressing them. The words did not reach us; but +so absorbed were the congregation in them, that for some time our +approach was not observed. At length several horsemen, with arquebuses +in their hands, galloped towards us. We without difficulty explained +who we were, and the horsemen, turning round, accompanied us. The rest +of our party coming up, we collected in the outer circle of the vast +multitude who were listening to the preacher. He was, we found, an +enthusiastic Protestant--Herman Modet by name. He was setting forth, in +clear and forcible language, the great truths of Christianity, as +opposed to the false teaching of Rome. He showed how the one must, when +received, elevate and ennoble the human mind; while the other was +calculated in every way to lower and debase it. He then, in eloquent +language, called upon his countrymen to unite in overthrowing that +fearful system, supported by the Pope and his cardinals, to which King +Philip had completely subjected himself. "He who is a slave to such a +system is unfit to rule his fellow-men!" he exclaimed. "Already he and +his father have brought the most fearful miseries upon our country. +What further trials is he not preparing for us? I would urge peace, +forbearance, and long-suffering; and yet I cannot believe that we are +called upon to submit without resistance to the horrible tyrannies to +which we have been subjected for so many years." + +After a time, one of the hymns of Marot, translated into Flemish, was +sung with wonderful enthusiasm. I thought that Madam Clough was warmed +up by it; I know Aveline and I were, and joined in it with all our +hearts. Margery, although she could not understand the words, was +carried away by the air, and still more so when A'Dale translated them +to her. + +Again the preacher continued his address. I would willingly have +remained to hear more of it; but Madam Clough, who did not understand +Flemish perfectly, made a sign to us to continue our ride. + +We soon left the camp-meeting far behind, continuing our course in the +direction we had previously been pursuing. I do not know whether the +discourse we had heard made any impression on Madam Clough, for she did +not allude to it; indeed, she went on in front as she had before been +doing, leaving Aveline and me to follow. A'Dale, I conclude, found the +conversation of Mistress Margery very much to his taste. Sometimes they +laughed long and loudly together, but at other times they spoke in a +more serious tone, as far as I could judge by the words I heard when we +were together. + +The two serving-men brought up the rear, wondering perhaps at the +unusually long ride their mistress was taking. At length I thought it +would be proper to advise her to return, for, looking behind me, I +observed that the horizon was already dark with a bank of clouds which +came rapidly rising out of the distant ocean. As, however, the sun +continued shining brightly, Madam Clough was not aware of the +approaching storm. As soon as I saw what was likely to occur, I pushed +on, and, overtaking her, pointed out the rising clouds. She seemed +somewhat astonished. + +"You should have told me of this before," she observed. + +I replied that I myself had not remarked the state of the sky, or I +would have done so. + +"Well, we shall perhaps be able to get back before it breaks," she +remarked, turning her horse round. + +I doubted this very much; however, there was no help for it, so putting +spurs to our steeds, we galloped back, in the hopes of regaining the +high road, in the neighbourhood of which we might possibly find shelter. +Where we then were, we could see no house or building of any sort which +would protect us from the fury of the storm. We had soon cause for +anxiety, for the bank of clouds rose higher and higher every instant, +and the sun became obscured, as it swept round towards the west. And +now it appeared directly overhead. The wind, before soft and balmy, +began to blow from the north, increasing every instant in strength, till +we found a chill and furious blast in our faces. It rapidly increased +in strength. The wind might be endured, but the air grew damper, and +more and more chilling. I dreaded the effect on Aveline, to whom such +air as was then blowing was especially dangerous. I again looked round +in vain for shelter, and in a few minutes the expected storm burst, and +the water rushed down from the clouds in heavy sheets. I took off my +own cloak, and placed it round Aveline, though she entreated me to wear +it. I replied that that would be impossible while she was exposed to so +pelting a storm, and that neither the wetting nor cold would have any +effect on me. Madam Clough was tolerably well guarded, so that I did +not concern myself about her; and I let A'Dale look after Mistress +Margery. + +The wind blew more furiously; the rain descended in torrents. +Notwithstanding the protection my cloak afforded Aveline, I was sure +that she would be wet through in a few minutes. + +As we were pushing on, I thought I saw on the side of a slight mound of +earth, at a little distance, the roof of a cottage: I pointed it out to +Madam Clough, and we pushed towards it. On a nearer approach, I saw +that the roof rose a very little way above the ground--that it was, in +fact, the covering of a sort of cave or hollow in the side of the hill, +such as perhaps some shepherd or cattle-keeper might have formed to +obtain protection during a similar storm to that which had overtaken us. +It was somewhat larger, however, than might have been expected for that +purpose; at all events, I welcomed the sight, as I was in hopes that the +ladies might find shelter within. As we got up to it, we saw that there +was a door to the hut, formed of rough planks. Helping the ladies from +their horses, we attempted to open it, but it resisted our efforts. + +"Who is there, who comes to disturb me in my retreat?" said a voice from +within, in harsh, croaking accents. + +It was that of a female, I thought. + +"Good mother," I said, wishing to speak her fair, "there are delicate +females here exposed to this raging storm--they entreat you to give them +shelter." + +"Let them go the way they came," answered the voice; "I shall treat +others as I myself have been treated. They would not allow me to enter +their gorgeous abodes; I now refuse them admittance into mine, albeit it +may not be of the most splendid character." + +"That were cruel, mother," I answered; "we should return good for evil; +and those for whom I plead have never wronged you--of that I am +certain." + +"Go away, go away, I tell you!" she again cried out; "you have had my +reply." + +"This will never do!" I exclaimed to A'Dale, for every instant the rain +was coming down heavier and heavier. + +The serving-men were holding our horses. Putting our shoulders against +the door, we gave a shove together, and it flew open. The hut was much +larger than we had expected to find it, and would afford, I saw at a +glance, not only shelter for the ladies but for all our party, and for +the horses also. At the farther end sat an old crone, her white locks +escaping from under her coif; and her bony arms, which were bare to the +elbow, extended over a large pan, beneath which were burning coals. She +glanced round at us with a look of anger. + +"I pray thee, dame, be not offended," I said, approaching her, while the +ladies stood at a little distance. "We have entered your abode with +scant ceremony, but have no desire to treat you with disrespect; gladly +will we pay, too, for the injury we may have done your door, though we +could not remain outside exposed to the pelting storm when shelter was +at hand. Had you admitted us without parley, the latch would have +remained uninjured, and our tempers would not have been aroused." + +To these remarks she made no reply, but seizing a wand, which lay by her +side, began to stir the contents of the pan. As our eyes got accustomed +to the gloom of the hut, numerous articles were seen about, which showed +us at once the character of the inmate. + +"I wish that we had braved the storm rather than have come in here," +whispered Madam Clough. "Perchance, indeed, it was summoned at the beck +of this old witch; and by her looks I fear she purposes to work us +evil." + +Nothing, could be more forbidding than the aspect of the old dame. +Whether witch or not, that she wished to be thought so was very evident. +I did not myself share the terror of Madam Clough, nor, I think, did +Aveline; still, when I asked the old woman to allow the ladies to +approach her fire, in order that they might dry their wet garments, they +all drew back, evidently not wishing to be nearer than they were to the +witch. She looked up, and uttered a low, croaking laugh, as she saw +their terror. + +"Ah! ah! ah!--your beauty and your wealth cannot guard you from the +power of a wretched old woman like me!" she cried out. "Well, well, +when the storm is over, you will ride away, and think no more of me; but +I can follow you wherever you go, and find out your thoughts, as I know +them now. You think, perhaps, that you are strangers to me--ah! ah! +ah!--but I know you well--whence you come, and your future fates. You +three fair dames were born in a foreign land, and so was one of you +gallant gentlemen, but the other first saw the light in this hapless +country. I speak true, do I not? answer me, lady!" she exclaimed, +looking towards Madam Clough. + +"Yes, indeed you do," said the latter; "but you might have judged by our +tongues that we were not Flemings." + +"Had you kept silence I should have known as well," said the old witch. +"And now would you like to know the future?" + +"If you can tell it to us, there may be no harm in so doing," said Madam +Clough. "Can you tell me my fate?" + +"Eh! that can I," answered the old woman. "Twice you have wedded, and +once been a widow; again a widow you will be, and once more wedded, till +the green turf on which you have been wont to trip so lightly lies heavy +above your head. Think of that as you step forth over the green sward, +when the air blows softly and the sun shines brightly--think what you +will ere long be." + +I saw that Madam Clough did not at all like these remarks, and, willing +to relieve her, I asked if she could tell the fortunes of the rest of +the party. + +"Ay! that will I," she answered, eyeing us keenly. "There are two fair +damsels here, who are ready to wed two bold youths; but danger and +trouble, and battle and tempest, will intervene ere their hopes will be +fulfilled. If their troubles are short, so may be their joys; but long +troubles may bring longer happiness. Choose you which you will, my +masters--I will read you a riddle; let me hear if you can answer it." + +"We want no riddles, mother," said A'Dale; "but if you are a true +sorceress, tell us plainly what is about to happen." + +"A true sorceress, indeed!" exclaimed the old woman. "If I was to tell +you what was about to occur, your hair would stand on end, and you would +rush forth shrieking with terror amid the raging tempest. The future I +see looming, and not far off. Bloodshed and destruction, fierce +conflagrations, war, famines and miseries unspeakable, the graveyard +overflowing, the country depopulated. All this, you Anabaptists, you +preachers of the new religion, you promulgators of strange doctrines, +are about to bring upon this country. Had matters been allowed to go on +as they were, had the Catholic faith been undisturbed, quiet, peace, and +prosperity would still have existed in the land." + +"As to that, mother, you are speaking of the past, not foretelling the +future!" exclaimed A'Dale. "I will not bandy words with you; and as I +knew not the country during the happy times you speak of, I cannot reply +to you; but it seems to me as much as saying that the man who is asleep +can do no harm. Therefore, as long as the country submitted to the +priests, the priests were not inclined to find fault with them." + +I must observe here that Margery did not understand a word that was +said; Aveline, indeed, scarcely comprehended the meaning of the old +woman's remarks. She, like most persons of her class, seeing two young +people together, at once pronounced them lovers. But I have an idea +that her words did not fall altogether unheeded on A'Dale's ears. +Whatever he might have been thinking of before, I suspected, from a +glance which I saw him give Mistress Margery, that from that time he +began to entertain affectionate feelings for her. The old woman had not +all this time offered us seats, or shown any inclination to treat us +with courtesy. It struck me, however, that the latter might probably be +purchased. I therefore, taking a piece of money from my leather purse, +approached her and said, "We must pay you, dame, for telling our +fortunes, or we cannot hope that they will come true. Let me cross your +palm with this piece of money, and we may have some expectation of +finding your predictions fulfilled." + +The expression of the old woman's countenance immediately changed, and, +rising from her seat, she drew forth a bench and some stools, on which +she begged we would rest ourselves. I saw, as she moved about, that she +was far more active than her appearance betokened; and, after a little +time I could not help thinking that I had seen her before. Suddenly it +struck me that she was no other than Barbara Trond--the old woman who +used to sell tapers and other Popish trickeries in front of the +cathedral. If so, as she had frequently seen us, I had no doubt that +from the first she knew who we were. I immediately guessed that, +finding her old calling valueless, she had betaken herself to her +present mode of life, in the hopes of preying on the superstition and +credulity of her fellow-creatures. And I found that I was correct in my +suspicions. + +The rain meantime continued pouring down with unabated violence, and we +began to fear that it would not hold up in time to allow us to return to +Antwerp before nightfall. Several times I went to the door of the hut +to look forth, but the heavens were still dark as at first, not a gleam +of light being visible in any direction. Finding the good effect of the +first piece of money, I bestowed a second of about the same value on the +old woman, telling her that, as we had occupied her abode so long, I +thought we were in duty bound to pay her rent. I saw that this second +gift had completely secured her services; and she now seemed as anxious +to please us as she had at first appeared surly and morose. + +"Listen to me, young sir," she said; "for you seem to understand my +language better than the rest of the party. Do not trust to +appearances. You think that the Reformers have gained the upper hand. +I know King Philip and his advisers too well not to be sure that they +will wreak a bitter vengeance on the cities in which the churches of the +faith they hold have been desecrated. He may appear indifferent for a +time, for the sake of lulling the people to sleep; but, depend upon it, +he only bides his time, and he will speedily spring forth like a tiger +of the Far East, to crush with his mighty paws all who have ventured to +oppose him." + +I was afraid the old woman spoke too truly, though it required no +prophet to say the same. Madam Clough seemed very little disposed to +talk with her, while Aveline could only partially understand what she +said. Thus the weight of the conversation fell on me; for A'Dale +thought fit to endeavour to entertain Mistress Margery, who, of course, +could not comprehend a single word that was spoken. I was very thankful +when at last the loud pattering sound, which had continued for so long, +ceased; and, looking forth, I found that it was no longer raining. +Wishing old Dame Trond farewell, we led the horses out of the hut, and, +quickly mounting, made the best of our way home. + + + +CHAPTER TWENTY ONE. + +A BATTLE OUTSIDE ANTWERP. + +An important event was about to occur in Antwerp. The Reformers were +triumphant. They had taken possession of three churches, and in each, +one of their principal preachers was to deliver an address, and offer up +prayer and praise. The magistrates were greatly alarmed, believing that +such a proceeding would draw down on the city the vengeance of the +Regent. In their alarm, the Pensionary, Vesembeck, was sent to entreat +the ministers to postpone their exercises. One of them, Taffen, a +famous Walloon preacher, agreed to do so; but the others were not so +easily persuaded to abandon what they believed to be the right course. +Herman Modet especially was very firm. He had come into the city on +purpose to preach in the cathedral, and he naturally longed for the +opportunity of making known the simple Gospel of salvation, where for so +many ages false teaching had alone been heard. Aveline had been very +anxious to listen to a Flemish sermon from a Protestant minister; and I +had promised, should Sir Thomas not object, to accompany her. On the +evening before the proposed sermons were to be delivered, a stranger +presented himself at the house, desiring to see Sir Thomas. He sent up +his name to the room where we were seated at supper. + +"Master Overton; he has come from Switzerland," said my patron. "Do I +remember that name?" + +"Yes, sir," I remarked; "it is the name of the priest who, abandoning +the Romish faith, came over with us from Ipswich." + +"Go and see, Ernst," said Sir Thomas. "If you are right, I shall be +truly glad to receive him." + +On going to the hall, I was glad to see my old acquaintance; and I +should have known him immediately, though his countenance wore a far +more happy expression than formerly, and he had altogether lost the +sallow complexion of a priest of Rome. I gladly ushered him into the +sitting-room, where he was cordially welcomed by Sir Thomas, and +introduced to Madam Clough and the rest of the party. He had been +ministering, he told us, in Switzerland for some time past to a small +congregation; but at length, being anxious to revisit England, and there +assist in spreading the truth among his countrymen, he had resigned his +post. Aveline had so grown since he last had seen her, that he +naturally did not recognise her. She now timidly approached him. + +"You are my uncle," she said, taking his hand; "indeed, I know of no +other relative I possess on earth." + +I need scarcely describe the satisfaction with which Master Overton +greeted his niece. + +I had never met a man whose whole heart was more given to the desire of +advancing the cause of his Saviour than was Master Overton. Scarcely +even did John Foxe surpass him. I have said little of that good +minister. He had now obtained, we heard, a church in Wiltshire; and +frequently Master Gresham used to send him money wherewith he might help +his poorer neighbours. When Master Overton heard of the proposed +preaching, he seconded Aveline's wish to be allowed to go and hear it. + +"I will accompany her myself," he said. + +Sir Thomas no longer objected; and it was arranged that we should set +out the following morning, in time to secure a place near the preacher +in the cathedral. Although Margery could not understand what was said, +she also begged leave to accompany her mistress. We thus formed a +considerable party when we entered the cathedral. We found Herman Modet +ready to ascend the pulpit, round which were piled up the various +articles which had been broken off the images. Already a considerable +number of people had collected within the building, and soon after we +entered, vast numbers kept pouring in, till the whole edifice was +crowded. Just then a body of magistrates appeared in their official +garments, headed by Vesembeck, who again appealed to the preacher to +abandon his intentions. Earnestly as he pleaded, warning the minister +of the danger which might occur, he did so without effect. All Herman +Modet would agree to was to shorten his address, and, supported by the +people, he refused to agree to any other arrangement. + +At length, completely discomfited, those of the magistrates who were +Roman Catholics withdrew, while the remainder stopped to listen to the +preacher. Ascending the pulpit, in a sonorous voice he gave forth a +psalm, the words and air of which were well-known to the vast assemblage +below. Hitherto a low murmur had alone been heard throughout the +building. But now, many thousand voices swelled up together to the +praise of Him who came on earth to die for man--the just for the unjust, +that all, by trusting in Him, might have everlasting life. I have not +space to give all the sermon, though I made notes of it at the time. It +was eloquent, fervent, and convincing. I cannot fancy that any +right-minded Romanists, inquiring for the truth, could have heard it and +yet not have yielded to its arguments. I should rather say, that it is +surprising that they could resist them. Yet there were, I know, many +Romanists there who, though perhaps moved at the moment, went away +retaining their former opinions. + +Herman Modet, though he had consented to preach for a short time, +carried away by his feelings, continued to pour forth his words of fire +hour after hour, no one wearying even by the length of his discourse. +Once again there rose a hymn of praise such as had never before been +heard within those walls--not to Mary, not to any of the saints, but to +the Lamb without spot or blemish, slain for the sins of the whole world, +that all who believe on Him might not perish, but have everlasting life. +No thoughts can be more pure and simple and holy, more full of Gospel +truth than are those found in the hymns of Marot. Although we had been +standing so long, we yet left the cathedral with regret. Several of our +party could only comprehend a very small portion of what they had heard. +Margery, indeed, did not understand a word, and yet there was that +power in the speaker's manner alone which riveted her attention, while +sometimes A'Dale, and sometimes I, explained to her the substance of the +discourse. + +Madam Clough, when we returned home, could scarcely believe that we had +been so long a time at the cathedral, or that we could have been as +interested as we professed with the discourse we had heard. + +I must now give a short account of the numerous public events of deep +interest which occurred after this. + +I have said that Master Overton proposed returning to England; but when +his presence in Antwerp was known, several Protestant Englishmen, as +well as Reformers of other nations in the place, earnestly requested him +to remain and minister to them. Sir Thomas Gresham also urging him to +do so, he consented to take the charge of a Reformed Church at Antwerp +till another should be found to supply his place. This was a great +advantage to Aveline especially, as she thus had a relative to whom she +could go for advice and instruction, which certainly her friend Madam +Clough was unable to afford. + +Similar scenes to those I have described in Antwerp took place in +numerous towns throughout the Netherlands. In Flanders alone, four +hundred churches were sacked, in Mechlin, in Tournay--a city +distinguished for its ecclesiastical splendour--in Ghent, and in +Valenciennes. In not one of them, however, was a single human being +injured. + +On the return of the Prince of Orange, he expressed his regret at what +had occurred. At the same time, he did not appear disposed to treat the +image-breakers with much severity. The Regent Margaret, however, on +hearing of the disturbances, was seized with the greatest alarm. When +the news reached Philip, he swore a deep oath that they should bitterly +pay for what they had done. Owing to the representations of the Prince +of Orange, in the meantime liberty of worship was granted in places +where it had already been established; and it seemed at first as if the +Reformers were about to obtain all they required. Bands of insurgents +appeared in various places. In the city of Valenciennes the Reformers +had completely gained the upper hand. But the city was declared by the +Regent in a state of siege; and a body of troops under the fierce Papist +Noircarmes was sent to invest it. Sad news shortly afterwards reached +us, that most of the Protestant bands had been cut to pieces by +Noircarmes and his troops. + +The Prince of Orange was governing Antwerp, with the brave young noble, +Hoogstraaten, under him, while Brederode was also in the city secretly +raising troops for the defence of the liberal cause. On two occasions I +attended Sir Thomas Gresham, when invited by the Prince of Orange to +dine with him. The Prince received my patron with great courtesy at a +magnificent banquet. From the conversation of the Prince, it was very +clear that he was anxious to ascertain from Sir Thomas Gresham the +disposition entertained by Queen Elizabeth and her ministers towards the +revolutionary party. + +"Do you think," he said, "that she will aid our noblemen and other +chiefs, as she did those in France, for the sake of their religion?" + +Sir Thomas, in reply, asked whether the noblemen to whom the Prince +alluded had demanded any help of her Majesty. He said that he could not +tell. Then said Sir Thomas, "I am myself no judge, nor can I interfere +in a matter of so much importance." + +Soon after this, Sir Thomas again returned to England. It was now that +some of the leading Protestants in Antwerp memorialised Sir Thomas +Gresham, explaining that the outbreaks which had lately occurred in the +city were greatly contrary to their wishes, and entreating him that he +would petition the Queen Elizabeth in their behalf, and that the ruin +with which the Low Countries were threatened might be averted. They +begged that she would address King Philip, in order that he might be +brought to accede to their reasonable request: that they might be +allowed liberty to worship God without molestation, asserting that they +were perfectly ready to "render to Caesar the things which are +Caesar's," should they be allowed to "render unto God the things which +are God's." + +I mentioned just now that Brederode was raising men in Antwerp. With +him was associated the brave and gallant young nobleman, Marnix of +Tholouse. He had left college in order that he might draw his sword in +the cause of religious liberty. + +The Prince of Orange at length thought it necessary to prohibit +Brederode's enlistments. He and his followers accordingly left the +city, and embarked on board several ships which they had seized. More +men having joined them, Brederode took his departure for Holland, where +he hoped to raise more troops. In the meantime Marnix of Tholouse, with +his newly collected force, sailing up the Scheld, landed and attacked +the little village called Ostrawell, about a mile from Antwerp. Here he +posted himself with considerable judgment. In his rear he had the +Scheld and its dikes, on his right and left the dikes and the village. +In front he threw up a breastwork and sunk a trench. On this spot might +truly be said to have been first hoisted the standard of liberty. +A'Dale and I paid a visit to the camp. Daily numbers of men flocked to +his standard, till he had collected fully 3,000 round him. If the +bravery of one man could have supported a great cause, the gallant young +student might have succeeded. His followers, however, had no +discipline, and consequently no dependence on each other. Brederode had +promised to join him shortly with a body of troops; and it was hoped +that he would himself infuse his own spirit into his men, and bring them +under discipline. + +As the ground was perfectly level between the city and his camp, we were +able from the ramparts to see all that was taking place within it. + +Although the Prince of Orange would not give his open support to the +patriot band, yet he did not feel himself called upon to interfere with +them; indeed, he had been fortunately furnished with no troops with +which he could have done so. Affairs in the city therefore went on +quietly. + +One morning, however, at early dawn the sound of firing from the +direction of Ostrawell called a vast number of the people of Antwerp to +that side of the ramparts. It soon became evident that Tholouse had +been suddenly attacked, and that a fierce battle was raging. No one +could tell by whom he was assailed. In a short time the roofs of the +houses, the towers of the churches, and the higher parts of the walls, +were covered with eager spectators. We were among them. We could hear +the sound of drums and trumpets, and the sharp rattle of musketry. Then +came the shouts of victory, the despairing cries of the vanquished. The +glitter of the helmets and spears, the bucklers and corslets of the +assailing party we could clearly see, while their standards--they were +those of Spain--showed their exact position. The young Count had +greatly won our admiration, on account of his youth, his gallant +bearing, his talents, and his bravery. He had become a staunch +Protestant, and for that cause was ready to lay down his life. A short +time before, he had married a very charming young lady, who shared his +enthusiastic desire to establish the liberty of their country. She was +now in the city, and we could not help thinking what must be her +feelings on finding that the camp had been attacked. We could see the +enemy approach the breastwork in front of the camp. Alas! it was +defended but for a short time: on came the assailants; now they entered +the fort. Onward they pressed, some shooting rapidly, while the swords +of others were kept in constant exercise. + +"What say you, Ernst; shall we go forth to their support?" exclaimed +A'Dale. "We shall find hundreds of brave fellows ready to accompany us; +and I for one cannot stand here and see our friends butchered by their +tyrants. See! see! the enemy are advancing; there is no time to lose, +if we are to give them any real help!" + +I was as willing as my friend on most occasions to rush into danger; but +it seemed to me that already the enemy had gained the day, and that our +assistance would come too late. They pressed on till we could see +hundreds of the patriots driven into the Scheld. On one side was a +farmhouse; round it for some time the battle raged furiously. Then the +flames were seen to burst forth. Again the assailants advanced. Small +bodies of the patriots who had escaped from the fight were rushing +towards the town. Soon the excitement became uncontrollable. It was +not surprising that the Calvinists within the city should have felt for +their brothers who were thus being destroyed. For a short time, from +every street and alley in the city, people were seen coming forth armed +with lance, pike, and arquebus; some bearing huge two-handed swords, +which had belonged to their fathers, others, battle-axes, and some +carried huge sledge-hammers over their shoulders. All were determined +to issue forth, in the hope of rescuing their friends ere the whole of +them were destroyed. Meantime the young bride of Tholouse was seen +flying from street to street, calling on the Calvinists to save their +brethren on the point of destruction. Fully 10,000 men were up in arms; +but the gates had been closed by order of the Prince of Orange, and they +found it impossible to force their way out. The whole city was in a +state of commotion. The Lutherans as well as the Calvinists had flown +to arms. Some of the fiercest proposed to avenge the death of the +patriots by the slaughter of the Roman Catholics. The latter also, in +consequence, in their own defence, had taken up arms. A most sanguinary +outbreak was, therefore, every moment expected. + +Had it begun, no one could say when it would end, or the number of lives +which would be sacrificed. While the dreadful scenes I have described +were going on, we hurried down from the walls to the open place near the +Red Gate, still hoping that there might be some time to render +assistance to the defeated patriots. At this moment the Prince, without +any guards or attendants, rode in among the crowd collected there. +Instead of the usual signs of respect with which he was greeted, he was +now received with howls of execration. A thousand hoarse voices called +him the Pope's servant, the minister of antichrist, a traitor to his +country. Some even proposed to cut him down on the spot. An arquebus +was pointed at him, but, ere it was discharged, a hand from the crowd +struck it away. Even before this the postern of the Red Gate had been +forced open, and a number of the Calvinists were issuing forth. + +The Prince sat calmly on his horse; then, lifting up his hand, he +addressed the multitude. As he spoke, every voice was hushed. He told +them that he came for their good, that the battle was over, that their +friends had been cut to pieces, and that the victorious enemy were +retiring; while, brave as those who heard him might be, should they go +forth, they would be unable to retrieve the fortunes of the day. He +pointed out to them that they were ill-armed and without discipline, and +that the same force which had captured the camp at Ostrawell might with +equal ease destroy them. + +The remarks of the Prince seemed so just, that I persuaded A'Dale to +give up his design of marching out to the relief of the remnants of the +patriot force. Some hundreds, however, still insisted on going forth. +Again and again the Prince and the Count Hoogstraaten, who had a short +time before arrived on the spot, entreated them to abandon their design, +warning them that their blood would be upon their own heads should they +persevere. + +Five hundred marched forth. The enemy were seen scattered about the +country pursuing the fugitives. On the appearance of the city force, +they were quickly again summoned together by the sound of the trumpet; +and now, in a compact mass, they advanced towards the city, with drums +beating and colours flying. Just before this a rapid firing was heard +in the rear of the enemy. We at the time little knew what it was. +Alas! the savages were shooting their prisoners, three hundred of whom +they had captured, intending to ransom them. When, however, they found +they had again to enter into a fresh battle, they shot the whole of the +unfortunate men. Thus, in reality, this unadvised sally of the citizens +was the cause of the death of a large number of their countrymen. The +citizens, finding themselves outnumbered, and not relishing the firm +bearing of the Spaniards, retreated rapidly into the city, the gates +being shut only just in time to prevent the entrance of the Romanist +force. The enemy, then advancing close to the city walls, planted the +banners of the unfortunate Tholouse on the margin of the moat, sounding +at the same time a trumpet of defiance. The Prince and his lieutenant +exerted themselves to prevent another sally, well knowing the thoroughly +trained force the citizens would have to encounter. In the opinion of +the Prince the time for fighting had not yet arrived. + +During the period I have been describing, the whole city continued in a +state of the fiercest commotion. The Calvinists in vast numbers had +taken possession of the Mere; it was here the market was held: it is a +long wide place, too wide almost to be called a street, with fine +buildings on either side--the streets which enter it communicating with +the Exchange and many other public edifices. This place had been +barricaded with paving stones, upturned waggons, and other articles +which came to hand. A large body of the people had forced their way +into the Arsenal, and obtained a supply of ammunition and several +field-pieces; these they planted at the entrance of every street and +passage. Another party stormed the city jail, and liberated the +prisoners with whom they were crowded. These eagerly took up arms, and +assembled in the Mere for its defence. + +A'Dale and I, standing well with the Calvinists, were able to go in +among them; but what we heard gave us great cause for anxiety. A large +number were sincere and devoted men, excited at that moment to the +highest pitch of religious enthusiasm. There were, however, no small +number of ruffians, eager to commit any crime which came in their way. +Some proposed pillaging the churches and the houses of the Romanists, +the images only having before been destroyed. + +"Let us collect all the wealth which has been so long hoarded up by +these wretched drones!" cried out some; others proposed even sacking the +whole of the city, and setting up a Republic of their own. + +The report of these proposals spread rapidly through the city: nothing +could exceed the terror and alarm of the rest of the inhabitants. It +was fearful to hear the cries of the women and children, who every +moment expected that the place would be given over to rapine and +bloodshed. + +Night was approaching: it was impossible to say what would take place +during the coming darkness. Meantime the Prince summoned the Board of +Ancients, the Deans of Guilds, and the Ward Masters, to consult with him +at the Council Room: he had also caused eight companies of Guards, which +had previously been enrolled, to be mustered on the square in front of +the City Hall for its protection. It was rapidly arranged, at his +suggestion, that terms should be offered to the insurgents; but who was +to carry the message? + +"I myself will go forth," he said; and listening to no remonstrances, he +threw himself on his horse, and rode down to the Mere. He was allowed +to pass by the guns, till he was once more in the centre of the fierce +mob. He told them that they must appoint eight deputies to treat with +him and the magistrates at the Town Hall. The deputies were soon +chosen, and accompanied him back. Six articles were drawn up, providing +that the keys of the city should remain in his possession; that the +watch should be held by burghers and soldiers together; that the +magistrates should permit the entrance of no garrison; and that the +citizens should be entrusted with the care of their own charters. The +deputies and the City Government at once gave their cordial assent to +these articles. When the deputies returned, their constituents were not +very well pleased with what had been done, declaring that they would not +submit to be locked up at the mercy of any man, nor would they trust to +mercenary troops for guarding their city. The Prince, hearing this, +agreed that the burghers, Calvinists, Lutherans, as well as Romanists, +should be employed to guard the city. + +These arrangements were not made till dark. A'Dale and I returned home. +I may say that not one of the household could be persuaded to go to +bed. Master Clough's anxiety was very great, especially on account of +his wife. A'Dale and I, therefore, willingly undertook to go forth +again and learn the news. As we approached the Mere, where an army of +not less than 15,000 Calvinists still remained encamped, with guns +loaded, and artillery pointed, we heard cries, "Long live the Beggars!" + +"Down with the Papists!" and similar shouts. We waited for some time: +again and again they were repeated, till we felt convinced that they +were about to march forth, and carry out the threats they had previously +uttered. Thus the night passed away. + +We were not the only people who kept awake. Few, I believe, slept; but +there was one who, with his associates, laboured hard the whole time-- +that was the Prince of Orange, so we afterwards heard. He was employing +every means he could devise to save the city. He had interviews with +the leaders of various parties; among others, he saw the ministers and +notable members of the Lutheran Churches, and induced them to persuade +their congregations to take up arms for the preservation of order. He +also engaged the assistance of the chiefs of the various foreign +mercantile associations--the English, Italian, Portuguese, and others-- +and ordered us to remain under arms at our respective factories, ready +to act at a moment's warning. The Romanists also were assembled, and +urged to unite with all those who wished to support order. As may be +supposed, they were eager enough to do so, as certainly they would be +the first to fall, should an outbreak take place. + +There were thus three parties in the city--the Calvinists, the +Lutherans, and the Romanists. In the two latter were generally found +the richest people of the community, though they were the least +numerous. They, therefore, would have suffered the most, had a battle +been fought in the city. Nothing could have been more horrible than +such an event--desolation and destruction would have been brought into +every house. Yet, strange as it may seem, all parties were willing and +eager to fight. Fresh articles were drawn up, and approved by those who +represented the Lutheran and Romanist parties. The Prince resolved +early in the morning to present them to the Calvinists; attended by +Hoogstraaten and a committee of the municipal authorities, with a guard +of a hundred troopers, he once more rode towards the Mere. It had been +arranged that all who were anxious to preserve order were to wear a red +scarf over their armour. Thus distinguished, he and his party +approached the camp. The Calvinists appeared fierce and threatening as +ever; but, notwithstanding, he was once more allowed to ride into the +middle of the square. It was a moment of the greatest anxiety. One of +the magistrates with a loud voice read the articles by the command of +the Prince. For some time it seemed doubtful whether they would be +accepted. But he in a few words expressed their meaning. + +"And now, my friends," he said, "let me entreat you, by the love you +bear your wives and children, by the love you bear your faith, by your +duty to your country and to your Maker, to agree to these terms. If you +do so, repeat the words with which I will conclude my address." + +There was a pause. Then he cried with a loud voice, "God save the +King!" + +Again there was a pause. The Calvinists were swayed by conflicting +emotions, but the calmness and gentleness of the Prince overcame all +other considerations. + +"_Vive le Roi_!" they shouted; and the cry was taken up throughout their +ranks. + +"I thank Heaven that it is so!" he again cried, when silence was once +more procured. "Now let me entreat you quietly to return to your homes, +and show that you bear your fellow-citizens no ill-will for what has +occurred." + +In a short time, those in charge of the artillery restored them to the +Arsenal, where all arms which had been taken were replaced. And now the +citizens of all classes were seen addressing each other in friendly +terms--the Calvinists, Lutherans, and even Romanists. The passions of +some fifty thousand armed men were appeased. The lives of numbers were +preserved, and the beautiful city of Antwerp was saved, by the wisdom +and courage of William of Orange. + + + +CHAPTER TWENTY TWO. + +THE DUKE OF ALVA. + +I was so deeply interested in the public events I have described, that I +found little space in my journal for an account of my own proceedings. +In truth, while at Antwerp, I was engaged the greater part of the day in +my official duties, and have therefore little to tell about myself. +Although order was restored in Antwerp, the city was full of mourning, +especially among the lower classes, so many had lost relatives in the +late fight. The person for whom I could not help feeling the most +compassion was the young widow of the brave Tholouse. For some days she +would not believe that he was among the slain, until one of the men who, +though desperately wounded, had escaped death, was brought before her. +He described how the young captain, though surrounded by foes, fought to +the last, till he was struck down and cut to pieces. After the enemy +had retired, we went out to the scene of the conflict. I had never +witnessed so sad and horrible a sight. The ground in the camp was +strewn with dead bodies. There was one pile of slain larger than the +rest. Within it was found the hilt of the broken sword of the young +hero, his helmet cleft in twain, and a corpse, covered with a hundred +wounds, which those who knew him best declared was his. This seemed but +a disastrous commencement of an attempt to establish liberty. Many +abandoned all hope of their country's freedom. But bolder spirits hoped +against hope; among them, even at that time, was William of Orange, or +the Silent William, as he was called. He could speak, however, as I +have already described. He gained the name, not so much because he was +silent, as far as words were concerned, but because he kept his more +important and deeper thoughts hidden in his own bosom. + +It became known at this time that the Duke of Alva, the most celebrated +general of his day, was marching with a Spanish army towards the +Netherlands; and by the middle of August he reached Thionville, on the +Luxembourg frontier. + +Count Egmont and several other nobles rode forth to meet the Duke. +Though at first Alva treated Egmont somewhat coldly, in a short time he +appeared to be on the most friendly terms with him, and the two were +seen riding side by side at the head of the forces. Of course the +Duchess Margaret was very indignant at the appearance of Alva, who had +come to supersede her. She at length consented to receive him without +any of his attendants. But when he appeared in the courtyard with his +body-guard, the archers of the Regent's household showed a disposition +to prevent their entrance, and a scene of bloodshed seemed on the point +of being enacted. At length he was allowed to pass, and the Duchess +received him standing in the centre of her reception-room with the most +chilling manner. Behind her stood the Count Egmont and other nobles. +Alva, however, must have known how completely they were all in his +power, and had thus less difficulty in suppressing his anger. It was +said that the Prince of Orange again and again warned Counts Egmont and +Horn, as well as several others, on no account to put themselves in the +power of Alva. He showed his opinion of the character of that person by +resigning all his offices, and retiring to his paternal estate of +Dillenburg. + +Alva having superseded the Regent, the country soon felt the effects of +his presence. He forthwith distributed his well-trained troops through +Brussels, Ghent, Antwerp, and other chief cities, and ordered the +municipalities to transfer their keys to his keeping. A deep gloom +settled down over the whole land. The day of vengeance with which they +had long been threatened was now to overtake them. The people +everywhere were oppressed with a feeling of hopeless dismay. They knew +that they had no power to resist the force which had arrived to keep +them down. Those who had a possibility of escaping made their way out +of the ill-fated land across the frontier. Foreign merchants deserted +the great marts, and the cities had the appearance of being stricken by +the plague. + +The Duke of Alva established a new court, for the trial of crimes +committed during the recent period of troubles. It was called the +Council of Troubles, but it soon acquired the terrible name of the Blood +Council. It superseded all other institutions. All other courts were +forbidden to give judgment on any case growing out of the late +disturbances. + +A reign of terror commenced, which exceeded anything that had before +taken place. The Blood Council made rapid work wherever they went. In +one day eighty-four of the inhabitants of Valenciennes were put to +death; on another, forty-six persons in Malines. Ninety-five people +collected from various towns were burned or strangled together at one +place. But I sicken as I write of the horrible cruelties practised by +Alva. He had come for the express purpose of destroying all the leaders +of the popular movement. In spite of their high rank and the service +they had rendered their King, they were condemned to death. Egmont had +proved himself too faithful in carrying out the wishes of Philip, by the +cruelties he exercised at Valenciennes and elsewhere, to deserve much +pity. + +It was at this juncture that William of Orange came forward. He +published a manifesto, clearing himself of all the accusations brought +against him, and declaring that he was about to make war, not against +the King, but against those who had usurped his power and authority in +the country. He immediately set to work to raise funds and troops. He +sold all his jewels, plate, tapestry, and every other possession of +value. Other nobles subscribed large sums. Count John of Nassau +pledged his estates to raise funds for the cause. + +The plan of the campaign was drawn out. The provinces were to be +attacked simultaneously in three places. An army of Huguenots was to +enter Artois on the frontier of France. A second, under Hoogstraaten, +was to operate between the Rhine and the Meuse; while Louis of Nassau +was to raise the standard of revolt in Freesland. A fourth force, under +the Seigneur de Cocqueville, consisting of 2,500 men, also entered +Artois. He was immediately attacked, and almost cut to pieces. All the +Netherlanders who were taken prisoners were given up to the Spaniards, +and, of course, hanged. A similar fate befel the force of Count +Hoogstraaten. Louis of Nassau, however, was more successful. + +His was the first victory gained by the patriot forces. It was seldom, +that, ill-equipped and ill-disciplined, they were able to compete +successfully with the well-trained troops of Spain. As yet, unhappily, +there seemed but little prospect of the cause of liberty being +triumphant. It was not man's arm which was to win the day. It was said +that Alva's rage was almost uncontrollable when he heard of the defeat +of his troops. In revenge, he immediately put to death eighteen +prisoners of distinction, including the two Barons Batenburg, Maximilian +Kock, Blois de Treslong, and others, who were executed in Brussels. +Soon afterwards, the pretended trial of Egmont and Horn being concluded, +those nobles were also executed in the same place. The events connected +with their death are too well-known to require repetition. Though they +did not die on account of their religion, for they were both staunch +Romanists, yet their execution contributed greatly to forward the cause +of the Protestants, as many other persons who might have remained true +to Philip were induced to side with the patriots, lest they should be +treated in a similar manner. + +Nothing could be more deplorable than the condition of the Netherlands +at this time. Every family was mourning for some of its dearest +relatives. The death-bell tolled hourly in every village, while the +survivors almost apathetically awaited the time when they themselves +might be called to suffer in the same way. + +Columns and stakes were to be seen in every street. The door-posts of +private houses, even the fences in the fields, and the trees in +orchards, were laden with human carcases, strangled, burnt, or beheaded. +New scaffolds, gallows, and stakes were erected everywhere, ready for +those devoted to destruction. All those who could escape had fled; and +had it not been for the strict way in which the gates were guarded, +nearly every town in the Netherlands would have been depopulated. In +Antwerp, as well as in other great manufacturing and mercantile towns, +once so full of industrial life, silence and despair now reigned. Poor +Antwerp! it was my native city. I had known it for the greater part of +my life. I had seen it once at the height of prosperity. Its commerce +and industry were now well-nigh destroyed. + + + +CHAPTER TWENTY THREE. + +PROTESTANTS IN ANTWERP. + +Master Overton continued in Antwerp; and as he gained a greater +knowledge of the language, he became a very popular preacher among all +classes. The arrival of Alva and his myrmidons had, however, put a stop +to all public preaching; all meetings for prayer, whether public or +private, were prohibited on pain of death. But this did not prevent +people from meeting regularly, in secret, to read the Scriptures, to +exhort each other, and to offer up prayer and praise together. There +were many such congregations in different parts of the city. The one we +attended was in a large upper room in a house not far from the Mere, +where Master Overton ministered. Two flights of stairs led up to the +storey on which the room was situated, besides which there was a narrow +winding stair inside the wall, with a concealed door on the top, which +led down to a small postern gate. The house belonged to a noble of the +privileged order, and no magistrates dare enter it without authority +from the Regent. + +We knew one Sunday evening that a service had been arranged, and that +Herman Modet was to preach. The weather was bad, the rain pouring down +in torrents, the wind blowing, and the lightning occasionally flashing +forth from the surcharged clouds. Still Aveline was very anxious to +attend the meeting, as was Mistress Margery. Madam Clough had wished to +go, but she dreaded the pelting storm. Master Overton was, of course, +to be present, to assist in the services. He had hoped that the mind of +Madam Clough had been somewhat awakened, and he pressed her to accompany +us. Still she refused, when listening at the window, we found that the +rain had ceased. This decided her, and the time having arrived, we set +forth with Master Overton. Guarded from the weather as well as we could +be, we sallied forth two and two, each taking a different road. Aveline +and I had agreed to take the longest one. As we were at some little +distance from the place of meeting, a flash of vivid lightning burst +from the sky, playing along the street, as if seeking for some object to +strike. Immediately afterwards our ears were almost stunned by a loud +rattling peal of thunder, and once again the rain came down with even +more force than before. I led Aveline under a porch, where we stood for +some time watching the rain descending, and the bright flashes of +lightning which came with unusual rapidity from the sky. I prayed that +none of them might strike the fair girl who was beside me. She only +seemed to regret being absent so long from the meeting. Once more the +rain ceased, and hurrying along, we in a short time reached the side +door of the building in which the meeting was being held. I having made +the usual sign, the door was cautiously opened by an unseen porter. The +light of a dim lamp enabled us to find our way upstairs, for no one +appeared. The room was already nearly full, the larger portion of the +people perhaps being Flemings who, even at the risk of their lives, had +thus met together to worship according to their consciences. The +preacher was at his desk, the congregation were engaged in singing in a +low voice one of the hymns of which I have before spoken. It ceased; +when the preacher burst forth into a fervent prayer. He prayed for all +present, but especially that his country might be set free from the +tyranny under which she groaned, and that all might be able to worship +God in the way He desires to be worshipped, in spirit and in truth. +Another hymn was sung, God's Word was read, and then the preacher began +a discourse which for clearness and eloquence I have never heard +surpassed. Every ear was intently listening to the words which dropped +from his lips. Except the breathing of his auditors, not a sound was +heard. Suddenly there was a loud cry: the report of fire-arms--the +trampling of feet--the clashing of swords. A desperate struggle was +going on close to us. The congregation sprang to their feet: those who +had weapons drew them. At that instant the door was burst open, and the +dead body of the man who kept it fell forward into the room. At the +entrance was seen a body of Spanish musketeers, with weapons pointed +ready to shoot down any who might oppose them. "Beloved brethren, +resistance is useless--it is sinful!" exclaimed the preacher, who, being +raised above the rest, had observed the strong body of men who guarded +the door. "We must yield to superior power. God will know how to +avenge His chosen ones." + +However, in spite of the exhortations of the preacher, several of the +men, who were accompanied by their wives and daughters, attempted to +defend them from the rough hands of the soldiery. + +"The heretics resist!--the heretics resist!" shouted the Spaniards. +"Fire! fire!" + +At the fatal word the musketoons were levelled, and sent their deadly +missiles whizzing through the air. The hall was filled with smoke-- +fearful shrieks and cries followed. The bullets had extinguished most +of the lights, increasing the gloom. During the wild confusion I led +Aveline to the secret door, close to which we were seated; it opened +with a spring, and before the smoke cleared away sufficiently for any of +the Spaniards to see us, we had passed through. Lifting her in my arms, +I bore her rapidly down the narrow stair. I heard footsteps above us; +they were those of friends who were endeavouring to escape by the same +way. We were in total darkness, but I knew my way. The door at the +bottom of the stair opened from within: I had some difficulty in +withdrawing the bolts, fearing to make a noise. By this time those who +were following had reached me; but I dared not speak to inquire who they +were. The door was at length opened, and again lifting Aveline up, I +bore her rapidly along the street. The rain had ceased, but the night +was unusually dark, and favoured our escape. I dared not stop to +ascertain who had escaped with us: I could only hope that they were our +friends. I hurried on. Aveline entreated that I would put her down, as +she felt fully able to accompany me on foot: I did so at length, and, +supporting her on my arm, we took our way towards our abode. The storm +had kept the citizens in their houses, so that we met no one; and even +the usual guards had been keeping under shelter. Had I not been well +acquainted with the city, it would have been impossible for us to find +our way; as it was, I had great difficulty in doing so. More than once +I feared that I had taken a wrong turning; and had I once become +bewildered in that dark night, we might have wandered about till +daylight without reaching the house. The porter, knowing that we were +from home, was on the watch for us; he opened the instant we rapped at +the door. He was a Protestant, and thoroughly trustworthy. He cast an +inquiring glance at Aveline's pale face. My looks, too, probably showed +that something terrible had occurred. I asked if the rest of the party +had returned, and was greatly alarmed to find that they had not. A +stranger, he told me, was with Master Clough. + +"Shall I wait a few minutes, and see whether they will arrive, before we +give the sad information to the factor?" I said to Aveline. She +thought we had better go in at once, as no time was to be lost, if +possible, in saving our friends from being carried off to prison. I +dreaded lest some of them might have been among those killed or wounded +by the cruel fire of the Spaniards. Aveline at once agreed to accompany +me into the sitting-room, where Master Clough and his visitor then were. +The porter assured us that he was an Englishman, and we supposed that +there would be no danger in describing what had happened in his +presence. I had always considered the factor a very strong-minded man; +but when I told him that the meeting had been surprised by the Spanish +musketeers, he was almost overcome. + +"And my wife!" he exclaimed; "where is she?--why did she not accompany +you?" + +I explained that Madam Clough was seated at some little distance from +me, and that had I waited to assist her in escaping, we should all, to a +certainty, have been captured together. "Mistress Radford and I were +seated close to the secret door, with which I was fortunately +acquainted, or we most certainly should not have escaped," I said. + +As I spoke, the stranger started and cast an inquiring glance at +Aveline. Till then I had not remarked his appearance, but the movement +he made induced me to examine his countenance more closely, and I then +recognised the captain of the _Falcon_. + +"Radford!" he exclaimed, starting up and walking towards Aveline. "Is +this young lady's name Radford?" + +"Yes, sir," said Aveline, lifting her eyes from the ground and looking +at him. "It was the name of my father--though, alas! since my infancy I +have never known him, nor even whether he is alive or dead." + +"And your mother?--can you tell me of her, young lady?" he asked. "Are +you her only child, or had she others?" + +"I was her only child," answered Aveline, "and, alas! I lost her when +very young. She died during the reign of cruel Queen Mary--put to death +at Smithfield, because she loved her Bible, and held to Protestant +truth." + +"And your name is Aveline?" exclaimed the stranger, taking both her +hands, and gazing earnestly in her face. "Then it was my beloved wife, +your mother, who was thus foully murdered; and you are my own sweet +child, for I was her husband! I am Captain Radford. I am your father, +Aveline!" + +Aveline put her hands on her father's neck as she received his kiss. + +"I believe it; I am sure you are," she answered; "for even now, though I +was so young when last I saw you, I remember your features, and your +voice strikes on my ear like an old familiar sound." + +While Captain Radford and Aveline were conversing together, Master +Clough made further inquiries concerning what had occurred, and begged +that I would accompany him to the place of meeting, to ascertain what +had become of the prisoners. Of course, though the risk was very great, +I consented immediately, and Captain Radford also desired to accompany +us. "My daughter will be safe here, and I cannot let you go alone, my +friend," he said. "As Englishmen, we shall not be interfered with." + +The two gentlemen put on their cloaks, and taking their swords, we all +three sallied out together, and made our way directly to the house I +have spoken of. As we approached it, we saw torches blazing up, and +found a guard of musketeers at the door. Pretending ignorance of what +had happened, we inquired why the guard was posted at the house. + +"Some Anabaptists or other heretics have been holding one of their +assemblies in this house, and have all been seized, and are about to be +carried off to prison," answered the sergeant of the guard. + +"Did they yield willingly, or was any resistance made?" I asked, +anxious to ascertain, if possible, who had been hurt. + +"Indeed there was, and four or five met their deaths in consequence. It +was through their own folly. However they have saved the executioner +some trouble," answered the soldier. + +Deeply grieved at these words, and anxious for the fate of our friends, +I inquired if we could see the dead people. + +"If it will please you, you are welcome," said the sergeant roughly; "it +will be a lesson to the heretics not to hold illegal meetings again. If +they wanted really to pray, there are the churches, and there is the +mass for them; what more can they desire, unless they are really +children of Satan?" + +Taking Master Clough's arm, Captain Radford and I led him upstairs after +the soldier. We entered a room near the hall. A ghastly sight met our +eyes. Thrown carelessly on the floor, in a row, were eight dead bodies, +just as they had been dragged out of the hall. Two were females, the +rest were men. There had been many more men than women in the room, +and, as might have been expected, a greater number of the former had +suffered. The scene was one that might have sent a cold shudder through +the hearts of people less interested than we were. Poor Master Clough +could scarcely force himself to look at the dead bodies. We had to move +one of the females to examine her countenance, as she had been thrown +down with her face to the ground. Master Clough breathed more freely +when he found that neither his wife nor Margery were among them. I was +deeply thankful also to find that my friend A'Dale had escaped, +dangerous as his position might be. This sad task performed, we +hastened below, to inquire of the Spanish sergeant what had become of +the prisoners. + +"Have you any friends among them?" he asked. + +"Yes, my friend, we have," answered Master Clough; "and we will +recompense you if you will enable us to see them." + +"You Englishmen have no lack of gold, and you will have no lack of +friends wherever you go," answered the sergeant. "For the present I +cannot leave my post; but I shall very likely be on guard at the prison +to-morrow, and then I will assist you, if you will make it worth my +while." + +"But in the meantime can you tell us where our friends are to be found?" +I asked. + +"I will send one of my men, and he will show you," whispered the +sergeant. "I am prohibited telling you, but you will understand." + +He gave a peculiarly knowing look as he spoke. I doubted much whether +the fellow was to be trusted; and yet we might obtain what we desired +through his assistance. It was important also to find a man so willing +to be bribed. By managing him properly, I saw that we might make him of +use. The sergeant, telling us to wait, called one of his men, and +whispered for some time in his ear. + +"It is all arranged," he said, at length; "and you will remember that I +consider you my debtors. I am pretty well able to look after my own +interests--you will understand that." + +We guessed clearly what he meant. However, as much depended upon the +amount of gold Master Clough was able to expend, we knew that we should +have little difficulty on that score. Should he bribe high enough, not +only would the prison doors be open, but the gates of the city likewise, +and not only our friends, but others in a like predicament, might be +able to make their escape. Antwerp had become every day less and less +fitted for our residence; and I knew that, as nearly all my patron's +affairs had been wound up, we should have no difficulty in quitting the +place at a very short notice. Following our guide, we passed through +several streets till we arrived at one of the many new jails which had +of late years been established in that unfortunate city. The soldier +knocked at the gate. A warder, armed to the teeth, opened it. + +"What, more prisoners?" he exclaimed. + +"No," answered the soldier, and whispered a few words. "They pay well, +though." + +I began rather to doubt whether some trick had not been intended, and +suggested to my companions that we should be cautious. + +"Have two English ladies and a gentleman been brought here?" asked +Master Clough. + +"We recognise in this place neither ladies nor gentlemen nor +nationalities. If we have here any prisoners you may desire to see, we +may perchance enable you to accomplish your wish, provided always that +you satisfy my just demands for any trouble you may give me." + +Knowing well what the man meant, we bestowed on him a gold piece, having +given a smaller one to the soldier, who immediately took his departure. +We described to the warder the prisoners we desired to see. + +"I will speak first to the governor of the jail," answered the man; "for +myself, you will understand I can do nothing." + +I saw by the leer in his eyes that he knew pretty well that he had us in +his power. + +"Well," I said, "we will not be ungrateful to the governor either, if he +allows us to communicate with our friends." + +In a short time the man returned, saying that the governor would speak +with us himself, and desired us to follow him. He showed the way +upstairs, through several passages, to a room, where, before a +well-spread board, at which stood several flagons of wine, we found that +functionary, seated in a well-stuffed high-back chair, a large napkin +being placed under his chin, and fastened over his shoulders. His +height was not great, but his size was prodigious; his cheeks swelling +out on either side, scarcely allowed his small grey eyes to be visible. +A large dish was on the table, from which he appeared to have helped +himself abundantly. We stood before him with our hats in our hands. + +"You want to see some prisoners?" he asked, in a somewhat inarticulate +voice. "You are all honest men. Well, then, to be frank with you, I +should like to see the value you set on them." + +At this, without further ado, Master Clough placed several pieces of +gold before the governor, who now smiled blandly. + +"I see you are sensible men," he observed. "Here, Gruginback, take +these people to the room where the last lot of prisoners were placed." + +The governor, anxious no longer to be interrupted in his supper, which, +for some reason, had been much later than usual, waved his hand, and we, +taking our leave of him, followed Gruginback out of the room. With his +lantern in his hand, the man led the way down numerous stairs and +various passages, till we arrived at the door at the end of a vaulted +corridor. + +"This is one of our best rooms," he said, as he selected a key from his +bunch and at length opened the door. + +It was filled almost to suffocation. Some of the people within were +lying down, leaning their backs against the walls. Others were sitting +in various postures, to occupy as little space as possible. A few were +standing up, although there was but little room for them to move. As we +entered, from one of the corners where a group of females was collected, +Madam Clough, uttering a cry of joy, hurried to meet her husband. She +was followed by Margery and A'Dale, who had been sitting near her. He, +I saw, was very pale, and from the blood on his arm and over one side of +his dress, I feared that he had been wounded. + +"Have you come to take us out of this horrid place?" exclaimed Madam +Clough. "How brave and loving an act!" + +Master Clough, of course, said that he hoped to do so ere long. After +comforting our friends as well as we could, Captain Radford and I, +accompanying Master Clough, set off to call on the Civil Governor of the +city, to obtain from him their liberation. That functionary--Vander +Vynck--a creature of Alva, received us with but little ceremony. He was +about retiring to bed, after his supper, and did not appear pleased at +being disturbed. + +"If people attend unlawful meetings, they must take the consequences," +he observed, when Master Clough made his report. + +"But the meeting was held by an Englishman, and those for whom I plead +are all English," answered Master Clough. + +"Yes, but natives attended, as can very well be proved," exclaimed the +governor. "The report has already reached me. It will go hard with +them, for they have no excuse to offer. If you English come into this +country, you must abide by its laws. For the security of our holy +religion, such meetings are prohibited, and it matters not whether they +are held by Englishmen or others. They will shortly be tried; and if, +as I doubt not, they are found guilty, they will probably lose their +lives. You have had my answer." + +Poor Master Clough could say nothing more. + +Greatly out of spirits at the ill success of our visit, we left the +governor's house. + +"We must unlock their prison doors with golden keys," at length said +Master Clough. "I have seldom found that fail; but I fear it will go +hard with the preacher. If our friend Overton cannot be liberated, +these people, who have executed so many others for less offences, will +shortly put him to death." + +"If we cannot bribe his guards, we must carry him off by force," said +Captain Radford. "I shall not lack support; and such a mode of +proceeding is more to my taste than bribing these villains." + +But the difficulty was to find out where Master Overton was shut up. It +might have been in the same prison as the rest of our friends, though it +was more probable that he had been carried to some securer jail. +Finding nothing more could be done that night, we turned our steps +homeward. On entering the house, we found the porter standing pale and +trembling, and wringing his hands, while the other servants came +hurrying into the hall in a state of the greatest trepidation and alarm. + +"What is the matter--what else has happened?" asked Master Clough. + +"They have carried her off! It was not our fault--they deceived us. +They have borne her away!" + +It was now my turn to be anxious. + +"Who? who?" I asked, scarcely able to utter the words. + +"It is the young lady--Mistress Radford," answered one of the servants. + +"Oh! my daughter! where have they borne her to?" cried Captain Radford. + +"We know not; we cannot tell," answered the servant. + +"Villains! knaves!" exclaimed Master Clough, his Welsh temper rising. +"How came you to allow any one to enter the house in my absence? This +is an Englishman's house; you should have kept it against all comers." + +"Oh! my lord, oh! master, we were deceived!" cried the porter. "The men +came pretending to seek you on important business. On finding you were +out, they forced their way upstairs, in spite of our opposition, with +drawn swords and fire-arms in their hands. We were unprepared, and +could not resist. Mistress Aveline was in her room when they rushed in. +While two of them stood guard over her, the rest searched the house, +pretending to look for fugitives from the meeting-house. But, as they +broke open all the chests and bureaux they could find, it was clear that +they were in search also of money. We are afraid that they carried away +no small amount of property, for each man appeared laden with as much as +he could carry, and then, placing the young lady between them, they +hastened away from the house." + +"Then did none of you think of following them?" exclaimed Master Clough. +"For the money I care little compared to the loss of the young lady. +Captain Radford, I feel for you; but even now we may discover where she +has been taken to. Villains! knaves!" again exclaimed Master Clough, +turning to the servants. "Why did not you follow and find out?" + +"Oh! good master, they would quickly have killed us if we had attempted +to do so; but immediately the strangers disappeared round the corner, +Jacob Naas slipped out, and being quick of foot, followed them rapidly. +Should he be unable to find them, he said he would return; but as he has +now been some time absent, there is no doubt that he has tracked their +footsteps, and will perchance ere long bring us tidings of the place +where they have bestowed the young lady." + +I cannot, even now, speak of my own feelings, nor can I well describe +those of Captain Radford, on hearing this alarming account. All we +could do was to wait patiently for the return of Jacob Naas. It made me +almost forget the dangerous position of our other friends, for the +Inquisitors were too apt to put their victims to death first, and to +make inquiries respecting them afterwards; and at this time, when people +were accused of heresy, a fair trial was never known to take place. + + + +CHAPTER TWENTY FOUR. + +A VISIT TO BARBARA TROND. + +We stood in the hall, anxiously waiting the return of Jacob Naas. +Several times I went out into the streets, hoping to meet him. At +length I saw a figure coming rapidly out of the gloom of night towards +me. + +"Jacob, is it you?" I asked, as he drew near. + +"Yes, Master Ernst; and I have almost lost my breath through fright and +running. I am little accustomed to that." + +"But have you found where they have carried her, good Jacob?" I asked +eagerly. + +"Yes, yes, I will tell you," was the reply; "but I am afraid even now I +am followed. We will go into the house before we attempt to speak." + +On entering the hall, a glass of wine restored the worthy Jacob's powers +of speech. + +"I hope they are not coming, though, for they would carry me off to +prison too, and perhaps burn me for living in the house of a heretic!" +exclaimed Jacob, who, though a Protestant at heart, had of late +conformed to the Romish system. + +"But say, my good friend, where they have taken Mistress Aveline!" cried +Captain Radford. + +"I will tell you, sir, if you will have patience," said Jacob. "I soon +overtook them after they left the house, but had to keep at a cautious +distance, lest I should be seen. They slackened their pace in a short +time, and I was then able to keep them easily in view. I judged, from +the direction they were taking, that they were making their way to the +Water Gate; and my great fear then was, that they might be going out of +the city altogether, and I might find it impossible to follow them. I +thought of you, Master Ernst, for I knew how grieved you would be. On +they went; now taking their way through the narrow streets and lanes in +that direction. I had to get nearer than was prudent, for fear of +missing them. Several times I was afraid that they would see me, but I +suppose they did not. At length I was greatly relieved when I saw the +party stop before a house a short distance from the Water Gate. The +door opened, and they all went in. I immediately hurried up to the +door, on one side of which I contrived with the point of my dagger to +make a mark which I am sure I shall know again. What the character of +the house is I know not. Just as I was coming away, the door again +opened, and I had to run to escape detection. I believe that I was +followed, but I soon distanced my pursuers, and for the sake of the +young lady I would gladly have run twice the risk I did." + +We all, of course, thanked Jacob for the service he had rendered. He +promised us that as soon as it was daylight he would gladly set out +again with either of us, to try and discover the house into which +Aveline had been carried. Master Clough was, however, in the meantime +thinking about his wife. We were also interested in the safety of the +preacher. Captain Radford longed once more to see him, as the brother +of his lost wife. + +The rest of the night was spent in a state of feverish anxiety, very +often in silence, for after we had discussed our plans for the +liberation of our friends, our minds were too much occupied to allow us +to speak. Captain Radford's was the boldest plan of all. He proposed +to bring the crew of his own ship and that of two or three others into +the town, by scaling the walls, which he thought might be done at night; +and while one party carried off Aveline from the house where she was +retained in captivity, others were to attack the prison in which Madam +Clough and her companions were shut up; and a third party was to +liberate Master Overton, if his place of imprisonment could be +discovered. As soon as morning broke, I called up Jacob, who had gone +to sleep, and he, keeping to his intention, accompanied me to try and +find out the house to which Aveline had been carried. We waited for +some time till people were about the streets, that we might not be +remarked, and then took our way hastily towards the Water Gate. + +"There is the house, Master Ernst, at the end of this street," said +Jacob, at length. "Let us pass by on the opposite side. I think I can +distinguish the mark without looking at it too earnestly." + +My heart beat quickly, for I thought that even then Aveline might be +looking out of the window and observe us, though too probably she would +be placed on the opposite side of the house. We went on. + +"We must be close up to the door now," observed Jacob, carelessly +glancing round. "Yes, there's the mark. Don't look too hard at it, +Master Ernst. Yes, I have no doubt about it. And the house--yes, I +see--it is one that belonged to Count Aremberg." + +I looked up. The door which Jacob indicated formed the side entrance of +the house. At one corner was a stout tower, and the whole of the +building was of a peculiarly massive construction. It was one of those +privileged abodes of the nobles into which no officer of the law could +enter without a special warrant from the sovereign himself, or his +representative. Count Aremberg, who had lately been killed, had left +the city some time before, and the house, it was supposed, was in the +hands of the Government. It was, too likely, then, they were turning it +into a prison of the Inquisition, or a place of incarceration for +particular prisoners. If so, the difficulty of enabling Aveline to +escape would be greatly increased. However, it was something to know +where she was shut up. We walked along as if we would have gone out at +the Water Gate, but at that hour it was closed against us. We therefore +returned, inspecting carefully the building in every direction, avoiding +as much as possible making ourselves conspicuous. Having accomplished +this undertaking, we returned homewards. We found Captain Radford and +Master Clough preparing to set out. But it was necessary to spend some +further time in consultation. The means of liberating our friends were +greatly curtailed by the audacious robbery which had taken place. +Master Clough, however, found that the robbers had not penetrated to one +of his strong boxes, in which the largest portion of his valuables was +kept. + +We had still to ascertain where the preacher was imprisoned. + +Should it be discovered that he had been a priest, there would be little +hope of his being liberated. We must therefore in his case employ +stratagem or force. I wished to set out with Master Clough, but he +directed me to remain at home and look after the house. + +Captain Radford meantime went off to his ship, that he might arrange his +plans with his own crew and the crews of some other ships in the +harbour. + +I felt the inaction I was doomed to endure very much. I would far +rather have been engaged in some way or other. I was pacing the room +with uneven steps, after my friends had gone, when Jacob Naas presented +himself. + +"I have been thinking, Master Verner, that we may perhaps get some help +from that old woman, Barbara Trond, whom we met out on the heath on the +day of the storm some time back. I saw her only a week ago in Antwerp. +Soon after the Duke Alva arrived, she returned to Antwerp; but, instead +of selling wax tapers and other Popish mummery, finding her calling of +sorceress and witch answer so well in the country, she now pursues it in +the city. Nothing takes place with which she is not acquainted. The +credulity of the Romanists is unbounded, and she finds it pay her well. +Now the gold pieces you bestowed on her when we took shelter in her hut +evidently won her heart, and it is my belief that if anybody can help us +she can; not that I would trust to her heart or her honesty, but far +rather to her avarice. If Master Clough will give me leave to go and +see her, and supply me with a dozen gold pieces, I have no doubt that, +properly bestowed, they will work wonders." + +I thought Jacob's plan a good one. I knew that old Barbara's public +position had enabled her to become acquainted with a number of people in +the city; and from her acuteness and intelligence I thought it likely +she would have turned this knowledge to good account. I knew she could +gain admittance into places where nobody else could find their way; and +if she was determined to carry out an object, she was not the person +likely to fail from any want of exertion or from over-delicacy. I +wished very much to accompany him, and proposed setting out at once, +without waiting for the return of Master Clough. He, however, urged +that we should first see the factor, and take his advice; perhaps he +might have some other means of liberating Aveline, as well as the +preacher, Overton. The time appeared very long while I waited for the +return of the factor. I could not help thinking that all sorts of +dreadful things might happen to Aveline--that she might be taken away +from Antwerp, or placed in the Inquisition and subjected to torture, to +try and make her condemn her friends. The last idea was too dreadful to +be entertained, and yet such things had been done day after day. + +At length Master Clough returned. I inquired eagerly of the success he +had had. He shook his head: + +"For our friend Overton I have very little hopes," he said. "For my +dear wife and her two young companions, I may possibly, by bribing high, +succeed, provided they immediately leave the country, undertaking never +to return; forsooth, the latter part of the arrangement would be no +great punishment, as I cannot conceive any one willingly remaining in a +land ruled by that despotic and boastful tyrant, Duke Alva. I was +permitted to see my wife, and I was thus able to keep up her spirits. +My belief is, that the authorities, who have got her in their power, +keep her there, in order to see how much they can draw from me. I am +now going forth to endeavour to raise the sum they require; at the same +time, I have threatened to make a formal complaint to the Court of Spain +of the robbery which has been committed in my house, and of the outrage +to my family by the carrying off of one of its members. Of Mistress +Aveline I have been unable to gain any information." + +I told Master Clough of Jacob's proposal, to which he agreed, and at +once placed a purse of gold in my hand, telling me to make the best use +of it I could. + +"Duke Alva will arrive here to-morrow, I find, for the purpose of being +present at the opening of the monument he has erected to himself. As he +at present, as far as I can learn, has no wish to quarrel with England, +I have hopes that a personal application to him may be successful. At +all events, we must leave no stone unturned to gain our object; and, +once out of this country, never will I set foot in it again." + +Master Clough having drawn out the papers he required for his proposed +transaction, set out for the Bourse; while I, disguised as one of his +serving-men, accompanied Jacob to the abode of the old fortune-teller. +Flemish being my native tongue, it must be remembered I had no +difficulty in passing for the character I had assumed; and I thought +that, probably, the Dame Barbara would not recognise me. + +We hurried on towards the part of the city where Jacob believed she +resided; but to find her abode when there among the numberless mean +houses which filled that part of Antwerp was not so easy. We had to ask +several people, and to go from house to house before we could discover +her. Some looked at us suspiciously. + +"You want the Witch of Antwerp," said one, at length. "It is dangerous +dealing with such as her. Maybe she has brought these miseries on our +country; and the people would do well to make her remove them, or to +sink her into the middle of the Scheld. However, if you desire to find +her, go on to the end of the lane, and then, turning to your right, +knock thrice at the first door you find. If she is disposed to admit +you, the door will open in as many minutes as the times you have +knocked; if not, you will hear her owl hooting from within--that is a +sign that you had better make the best of your way from the house, or +some evil will befall you." + +We thanked our informant--a hard-working artisan of the class which +mostly occupied that part of the city--and followed his direction. + +On reaching the door, I directed Jacob to knock. I almost expected to +hear the owl hoot, but scarcely two minutes had passed before the door +slowly opened. We entered, and found ourselves in a dimly-lighted +passage. The door closed behind us, without anybody being seen. We had +our swords and daggers, and Jacob carried a pistol in his belt, so that, +should we be suddenly attacked, we might defend ourselves. We advanced +quickly along the passage, till at the farther end we came to another +door. Jacob knocked three times with the hilt of his dagger, when the +door by unseen agency opened slowly, as the other had done, and we saw a +curtain hanging in front of us. On drawing it aside, we found ourselves +in a vaulted chamber of considerable size; several lamps hanging from +the roof gave sufficient light to show the various objects within. The +trade carried on by the old witch must have paid well, as the various +articles the chamber contained could not have been procured unless at a +considerable expense. There were stuffed animals and creatures of +various sorts: a huge crocodile, from the Nile; a vulture, with expanded +wings, and talons tearing its prey, at which its bloodshot eyes looked +down with an expression of life-like savageness. On one side there was +a human skeleton of gigantic proportions, with a club in its hand, in +the attitude of striking. Toads and lizards abounded. There were mummy +cases, with their lids off, exposing the dried remnants of mortality +within. In huge bottles were children, some with two heads, or three +arms, and other deformities, hideous and disgusting to look at. There +were also all sorts of incomprehensible instruments, but whether +constructed for any purpose, or merely for the sake of deception, I +could not ascertain. At the farther end of the chamber sat the old +witch, habited much as we had seen her in her abode on the heath, with a +few fantastic additions, which increased her weird appearance. Beyond +her was an open space, and on the ground was seen a fiery line forming a +circle. A mist seemed to fill the end of the vault, or else it was a +veil so cunningly devised as to represent a mist. Before her, on a +tripod, stood her magic cauldron, out of which deep red flames rose up, +casting a lurid glare around. + +I saw that Jacob looked very pale. He was not prepared for such a +scene. He perhaps thought that I, too, had lost my colour; or possibly +the nature of the light in the room added to the pallor of our +countenances. + +The witch took no notice of our approach, but continued her apparent +incantations. We advanced slowly between a row of hideous monsters, who +grinned down upon us from the pedestals on which they sat or stood. +They reminded me somewhat of the deities of an Indian temple, from which +possibly they may have been carried away by some Spanish or Portuguese +adventurers. + +As we drew close to the witch, she waved her wand, and in a low, +croaking voice ordered us to stop. + +"What seek you with me?" she asked, in the same harsh tone. + +"Your assistance, good mother," answered Jacob. + +"Good mother, quotha? People don't often call me good. As to whether +or not you will or will not obtain my assistance, time will show. We +have not met for the first time. I don't forget you, young sir, with a +liberal hand. Tell me, however, what you require, and I doubt not that +I shall have the power to obtain it for you." + +"The task is not an easy one that we desire you to perform, dame," I +answered. "I am ready to purchase your services on your own terms; and +perhaps, as the affair is altogether connected with this world, we can +dispense with your incantations on the occasion, and proceed at once to +business." + +The old woman uttered a harsh, cackling laugh: "I know not that," she +said; "but where work can be done by human means, I have no desire to +summon the spirits of the dead to my assistance. See yonder relic of +mortality. At my will I can clothe him with flesh and skin and +garments, and send him forth to accomplish my behests; but I tell you I +often have to pay dear to maintain my power, and therefore would I +rather trust to such means as my native wit affords me." + +She pointed as she spoke to the skeleton of the giant. I had no wish to +dispute the matter with her, however much I might have doubted the power +she possessed, though I had great confidence in her wit and knowledge of +what was going on in the city. I at once, therefore, explained what had +happened--how Master Clough's house had been attacked, and Aveline +carried off. I did not at first tell her that we were aware of the +place in which she was imprisoned, that I might judge whether she knew +anything of the matter. But she must have suspected that we knew more +than I told her, for she declared that she could do nothing unless she +knew the place in which Aveline was shut up. I accordingly told her +that we had discovered the house, and were eager to undertake any plan +she might suggest for rescuing her. + +"Well, sit down there on those stools," she said, pointing to some which +stood on the opposite side of the chamber, "Rest there, and meditate; I +must have time to consider the matter. Perchance I may have to consult +my familiar, and, if so, you must promise to remain quiet, and not to be +alarmed at my proceedings. Is there any other matter about which you +desire to consult me?" + +I told her of Master Overton's capture, and of our dread lest he might-- +as so many other Protestants had been--be led to the stake, in spite of +his being an Englishman. + +"He deserves to die for his folly!" she muttered. "Why not let people +remain in their ignorance? If they are once enlightened, they will +allow the priests and witches and wizards, and such-like persons, who +live on the credulity of their fellow-creatures, to starve and sink into +pauper's graves. However, if you pay me well--although I have no love +for the man, or such as he--I will honestly win my wages, by doing all I +can to obtain his liberation." + +"A sensible answer, dame," I replied, being more convinced than ever +that the old woman worked rather by art and cunning than by any power +she possessed over the spirits of the air or earth. + +"Well, young sir, let me hear what means you have at your disposal for +liberating the young lady. Can it best be accomplished by force or +fraud?" + +"That is the very question on which I would consult you," I answered, +not wishing to inform her of the plan I proposed, lest she should prove +treacherous--for even then I did not altogether confide in her. + +"Perchance it might be well to unite the two," she said. "If I can +manage to get the young lady to the street-door, think you that you +could protect her till you have her safely out of the city? for I warn +you that it would not be safe to conduct her back to Master Clough's +house." + +I did not answer immediately, though the plan she proposed was similar +to what I had from the first thought of. + +"I will try and find a few trusty friends who will help me in the +matter," I answered, "if you can manage to place the young lady in our +hands. It must be done, however, without delay." + +"You are right, young sir," she answered; "I have thought over the +matter. To-morrow our great Duke is to unveil before the eyes of his +admiring worshippers the mighty statue he has erected to his own honour. +Men's thoughts and tongues will wag different ways, I suspect, at the +spectacle; but all will be eager to show themselves present--magistrates +and people, soldiers and civilians. The streets will be empty, and many +a strong post left unguarded. It is a pity the Prince of Orange has not +a few thousand men ready to rush in on one side of the city while the +Spanish hero is singing his own praises on the other. However, it will +be some time before the Prince can recover his losses; though I tell +you, as long as any life remains in the land, he is the man who must +take the lead. Now, then, listen to my plan. You have marked the house +well, you say. Two hours after noon to-morrow, when the lieges of this +city are kneeling before the statue of their tyrant, do you come to the +door and knock thrice. I will be within; and if the young lady has not +in the meantime been removed, I will find the means of bringing her down +and delivering her into your hands. The rest must depend upon your +courage and resolution. The risk is great, and so must be my reward." + +Knowing well what she meant, I placed a portion of the gold I had +received in her hand, and promised her a yet further sum as soon as, +through her means, Aveline was rescued. + +"And now, dame," I said, recollecting the preacher and his too probable +fate, should he not be set at liberty, "what help can you render the +other prisoner I spoke of? will gold not find its way to his jailers' +hearts?" + +"That task would be a more difficult one even than the other," she +answered; "yet, could I find out where he is shut up, I might perchance +accomplish it." + +"Cannot your art help you?" I asked. + +She turned a quick glance round at me. + +"It is a matter in which I am not disposed to exercise it," she +answered. "Now go your ways, and make your arrangements for rescuing +the young lady. Come here again to-night at ten o'clock, and perhaps by +that time I may be able to give you further information." + +Having said this, the old woman, as if suddenly recollecting that she +had been too matter-of-fact in the way of dealing with us, went to her +cauldron, and poking up the fire, began to mutter various cabalistic +words, at the same time stirring its contents with her wand. + +Taking this as a sign that she wished our visit to terminate, without +further waste of words we returned by the way we had come, the doors +opening as before, without our touching the latch, while the last one +shut with a loud slam behind us, and we heard bars and bolts immediately +drawn across it, showing us that some person had been concealed close to +the door. Soon after we reached the house Captain Radford arrived. + + + +CHAPTER TWENTY FIVE. + +THE ESCAPE FROM PRISON. + +I need not describe the inquiries made by Captain Radford. I briefly +explained the plan I proposed for recovering Aveline; he approved of +what I had done. + +"I can bring a force of twenty seamen, who will fight to the death," he +observed; "but I have hopes that we may so manage it as to encounter no +opposition. The sea-wall can easily be scaled, and I propose, +therefore, to have ladders in readiness, so that, climbing over them, we +may avoid the gates. As the Spanish troops will be in the citadel in +attendance on Duke Alva, we may manage even in daylight to do so without +being observed. The boats will be in readiness to receive us, and we +may speedily get aboard my ship." + +I do not here mention all the details of our plan. Having arranged it +thoroughly, I then told him I had hopes that some means might be found +of rescuing Master Overton. For that also he was prepared. His idea +was, that if the prison could be found, to force the gates while the +troops were away in the citadel. He believed that many of the citizens +would unite in the attempt, in the expectation of rescuing their own +friends. Indeed, so great was the hatred felt by the great mass of the +population towards the Spaniards, that the instant they were removed, +without considering the consequences, the people were ready to rise, for +the sake of doing any mischief which might present itself. + +We found that Master Clough had returned, and once more gone out. We +now waited anxiously for his return, as we could do nothing till the +evening, when Captain Radford proposed once more going among his brother +captains, in order that he might obtain further assistance. We waited +and waited. Still he did not appear, and our anxiety increased. At +length, as it was growing dusk, and Jacob and I were about to prepare +for our expedition, a knock was heard at the door. + +"That's the master's!" exclaimed Jacob, hurrying down. + +We followed him, when the door opened, and Master Clough appeared with +his wife leaning on his arm, followed by A'Dale and Margery. Both were +agitated and trembling, and could with difficulty find words to explain +what had happened. Till the very moment of their liberation they had +believed that they were to share the fate of many of their +fellow-prisoners, who, it was reported, were to be carried forth and +executed outside the walls on the following day, in honour of the Duke +Alva's appearance in the city. How far the report was correct we could +not tell, but it had served very naturally to agitate them greatly. +They had no time, however, for giving way to their feelings; for the +condition of their liberation, Master Clough informed us, was, that they +were to leave the city that very evening. If found within the walls by +daybreak, they would run the risk of being again incarcerated, and +sharing the doom of the numberless Netherlanders put to death by the +Blood Council. A'Dale was anxious to hear what I had done; and, in +spite of the danger he would have to go through, he insisted on aiding +me in the undertaking. But our first care was to see Madam Clough and +Margery placed on board Captain Radford's ship. Some time was occupied +first in collecting all their jewels and other valuables, loaded with +which they bade a hurried adieu to the house they had so long inhabited, +and to their domestics. With as many men as could be spared from the +house, well-armed, we then set forth, lighted by torches, to the Water +Gate, where Captain Radford had his boat waiting. He had a pass ready, +so that the rest of the party had no difficulty in getting through the +gates. Jacob and I, having seen them thus far safely on their way, +turned back, in order to pay our promised visit to the old witch. As we +walked down to the gate, A'Dale told me that he had resolved to return +on shore again at all risks, if there was any work to be done. I +briefly told him the plans for rescuing Aveline. "That will just suit +my taste," he answered. "I would rather, if a blow is to be struck, be +ready to join in the fray." + +As soon as Jacob and I had seen my friends through the gates, we +returned into the city, and made the best of our way towards the abode +of Barbara Trond. The door opened as before, and we entered the vaulted +chamber. She was seated, as she had been at the first visit, before her +cauldron, as if busily employed in her incantations. There was, +however, the smell of a rich stew, and I saw a vessel steaming away on +one side of me from which it appeared to proceed. I had little doubt, +therefore, that the old woman was not unmindful of her creature +comforts. It was most likely that she had only put on her cauldron as +our knock was heard at the door. But she would probably be more useful +to us by the information she managed to pick up in the world than by her +sorceries. + +"I judge that you are my visitors," she said; and putting aside her +magic wand, she turned round, as if to discuss matters in a +matter-of-fact way. + +"Now, my young sir, do you think you possess sufficient courage and +nerve to enter one of the prisons of the Blood Council? If you do, I +may promise you the freedom of your friend. But recollect the risk you +run is a very fearful one. If you are captured, your life will pay the +penalty." + +I replied that I would run every risk for the sake of saving the life of +my friend, and asked what plan she proposed. + +"I have, you understand, assistants in every direction," she said. "I +have made it to be understood that the minister, Overton, would, if duly +instructed, be disposed to return to the old faith. I have therefore +suggested that a certain learned friar should be allowed to visit him, +who will bring forward such irresistible arguments that he will be +unable to withstand them. I have bribed the guards to shut their eyes, +should they observe anything suspicious, especially if two friars are +seen to go out instead of the one who might have entered. Now see!" + +As the old woman spoke, she rose and took from a chest on one side of +the room two bundles. + +"Here are two friars' dresses, with all things requisite," she observed. +"Do you dress in one of them, and conceal the other round your body +beneath your gown. I have a pass ready to admit you into the prison; +when there, I must leave the rest to your discretion and judgment. +To-morrow before noon will be the best time to visit the prison, when +the attention of the people will be drawn off towards the ceremony I was +describing to you. This will give you time to see your friend in +safety, and to assist in the rescue of the young lady." + +My spirits rose on hearing the plan of the old woman; and I should then +and there have given her the whole of the money with which I hoped to +bribe her, had I not thought it possible she might take the bribe and +neglect to perform her part of the contract. Having a great deal to do, +I took leave of her as soon as these arrangements were made, and +hastened back to Master Clough's house. + +Here I was engaged till daylight in seeing his property packed, which +was to be shipped in the morning, and in making arrangements with the +clerks and servants who were still to remain. At length, overcome, I +lay down for an hour on my bed, charging Jacob to call me in ample time +to prepare for my hazardous undertaking. When I arose again I need +scarcely say that I prayed earnestly for protection, that all those in +whom I was interested might escape from the dangers which surrounded us. +I had still much to do, so there was but little time for thought. My +chief consolation was, that should I fail and be captured--when I knew +that my death would be certain--I should leave Aveline under the +guardianship of her father. She would mourn for me, but would, I +trusted, in time, find a balm for her sorrow. + +Antwerp was full of prisons, many of the residences of the murdered +burghers and nobles having been converted for that purpose. Dame Trond +had, however, indicated clearly the one in which Overton was confined. +As the hour approached, accompanied by Jacob Naas, I took my way to a +spot near the city walls, where a deep archway existed. The +neighbourhood was little frequented, and we there hoped that I might be +able unperceived to put on the friar's dress. The change could very +quickly be made, so that there was not much risk of being interrupted, +while Jacob kept watch outside, to give due notice of the approach of +any intruder. I sallied forth, still in my servant's dress, with the +faithful Jacob. I did not for a moment conceal from myself the danger +of the undertaking. We hastened along, with two small valises +containing the dresses on our shoulders, like a couple of serving-men +carrying their master's property, looking as unconcerned as possible +when we met any passers-by. I encountered several persons who knew me, +and looked at me very hard; but the change of dress had so altered me, +that they evidently thought they must be mistaken. + +We hurried on through the streets till we approached the spot I have +described; then, stopping, we looked round, to ascertain whether any one +was observing us. Finding that the coast was clear, we again hastened +on, and, as we believed, gained the arch without being discovered. +Unpacking our valises, I immediately commenced rolling Overton's +disguise round my body, and fastened it securely. I then hurriedly put +on the dress arranged for myself, with a belt of rope round my waist, +and a large rosary of wood attached to it. As soon as I was dressed I +called Jacob. + +"You are the monk to perfection, Master Ernst," he said. "Surely no one +would hesitate to admit you, wherever you may desire to go; and if you +can persuade the minister to dress up in the same way, you will have no +difficulty in getting through the gates of the prison." + +These remarks encouraged me greatly, and, with more confidence than I +had expected to feel, I made my way by a circuitous route toward the +prison I have mentioned, while Jacob, putting one valise into the other, +returned homewards. + +As I passed along, many of the people I met bowed and saluted me, as +they are accustomed to treat their priests. I in return muttered a few +words such as are used by the friars on similar occasions. I was afraid +of walking fast, as my inclination prompted, lest I should betray +myself. The streets were already crowded with people in their holiday +attire, prepared to assemble at the festival, though their looks did not +wear a joyful aspect. Fear and doubt rather were visible on every +countenance. The name alone of the Duke and his murderous musketeers +kept them in awe. They had no leader in whom they could confide, even +should they have ventured to resist the tyrannical treatment to which +they were subjected. They knew themselves to be slaves; but at the same +time they were slaves panting to be free, and only waiting an +opportunity for striking a blow for liberty. I could distinguish, as I +walked along, the Protestants from the Romanists, by their looks, and +the way in which they regarded me. The Protestants cast a glance of +defiance as they passed, and made no sign of respect. The Romanists, on +the contrary, wore generally a look of stolid indifference, or made an +abject bow. + +Arrived at the prison door, I mustered up all my courage. I required it +to withstand the scrutiny of the jailer when I presented my pass. + +"You are the monk who has undertaken the conversion of the heretic +minister?" he observed. "It is well, though I should think half a dozen +will be required before he is brought to the truth. They are fearfully +tough subjects to convince. I have had five or six under my hands, and +one and all preferred going to the stake to recanting." + +"Perhaps two of us may work the desired change," I answered; "my +brother, Father Peter, and I hope to get the captive free from his +thraldom; and if we don't succeed to-day, we must try again." + +"When is Father Peter coming, then?" said the jailer. + +"What! has he not already arrived?" I inquired; "surely, I hoped that +he had been with the prisoner some time already." + +"If so, he must have come before I was on guard," answered the jailer. + +"Very likely," I replied; "he is always zealous, and would rather be +before than after his time. And was he not here yesterday?" + +"Not that I am aware of," answered the jailer. + +"I see how it is!" I exclaimed; "they wish to throw all the work upon +me. However, I must waste no longer time. Let a warder show me to the +prisoner, for unless he is brought to the truth very soon, it seems +probable that he will be sent to the stake." + +The jailer on this called one of the warders, and directed him to lead +me to the English minister's cell, and on no account to interrupt us. +By the glance the warder gave me, I hoped that he had already been +bribed by old Dame Trond, and that he would not interfere with our +proceedings. I therefore followed him with a light step, passing +through numerous passages to the room in which the prisoner was +confined. The house had been hurriedly fitted up as a prison, the lofty +rooms being divided into two storeys, and each room being again +subdivided by passages into cages, rather than cells, so that the +prisoners could be confined separately from each other. Many of them +had very little light, and still less air; and, as far as I could judge, +every cell almost had an occupant. It was fearful to contemplate what +would be the probable fate of all those human beings, for it was +well-known that of those imprisoned but a very small number escaped +death. + +"I conclude that Father Peter is already with the prisoner," I observed, +as I walked along. + +The man glanced quickly round at me. + +I showed him a gold piece in my hand. He immediately put out his to +receive it, nodding at the same time. + +"There," he said at length, as we reached the door of the cell; "I need +not look in, for I should not like to interrupt Father Peter, should he +be at his devotions with the poor heretic. Go in, and may you have +success in your undertaking." + +I observed that when he shut the door he did not again lock it or push +to the bolts. The minister was seated with his back to the door when I +entered. When at length he discovered that there was somebody in the +cell, he rose from his seat, and, turning round, confronted me. + +"I regret, sir, that you should have come," he said, in a courteous +voice. "You perhaps wish to make known to me the articles of your +faith; but let me say in return that I know them thoroughly, and have no +wish to embrace those which differ, I conceive, from the teaching of the +Gospel." + +"I see you do not know me, Master Overton," I said, in a low voice. "Do +not utter any exclamation of surprise; I have come in the hopes of +liberating you!" + +"Who--who is it?" he exclaimed, in an undertone. "Ernst Verner? No, +indeed, I should not have known you. But how do you expect to set me +free?" + +"You must assume the same disguise I wear," I answered; "I have it +prepared for you. They have allowed you, I see, a pallet-bed. You must +leave your clothes upon it, stuffed out as we can best arrange them; so +that, should the warder look in, he may suppose you to be asleep. +Quickly put on these monkish habiliments. I have already spoken to them +of having a companion; and I hope, before they expect any deception, we +may have got outside the prison gates." + +Master Overton quickly understood what was necessary to be done, and, +dressing himself in the friar's robes I had brought under mine, soon +appeared quite as respectable-looking a friar as I did. + +"We must frame an excuse for leaving the prison so soon," I observed. +"I must assert that the prisoner is too obdurate to be moved at present; +and that, unless he is subjected to a little more discipline, I fear +that we cannot hope to be successful." + +I now spoke loud enough, should the warder be passing, to let him +suppose that I was arguing with the prisoner. After some time my voice +rose higher and higher. At length I whispered to him, "It is time that +we should set forth." He was more agitated than I should have expected. + +"I cannot go in my own strength," he said. "Let us kneel down and +pray." + +We did so, and rose greatly refreshed. + +"Now," he said, "I am prepared." + +I had a staff such as friars were accustomed to use, and requested him +to take it. Pressing against the door, I gladly found it opened. I had +marked the way we came, and was thus able to go forth without +hesitation, till we reached the door where the jailer was stationed. + +"Father Peter and I have had hard work," I said, as I saw him, "and I am +afraid we have made but little way. However, we must not despair, and +hope to come again to-morrow." + +The jailer looked from me to the pretended Father Peter. It was a +critical moment. + +"We must not delay," I observed, "for we have several more heretics to +visit. Come along, Father Peter, come along!" + +The jailer, deceived by my coolness, and either believing or pretending +to believe that my companion had been admitted by his fellow, drew forth +the key of the door, and, pulling back the bolts, to my infinite +satisfaction opened it. I almost shoved the seeming Father Peter out of +the door in my eagerness to get him free, and, bestowing a blessing on +the jailer, I followed him into the street. But I did not consider that +we were clear of danger. In the first place, our flight might soon be +discovered by one of the warders who had not been bribed by Dame Trond; +and, should we be pursued, we were too likely to be recognised. I now +wished that we had made some arrangement for changing our dresses, but +it was too late to do that. Unwilling to return to Master Clough's +house, we agreed that our best plan was to make our way direct towards +the Water Gate, in which neighbourhood we hoped to fall in with Captain +Radford and his party. There were one or two spots in that +neighbourhood where I knew we might possibly have time to take off our +friars' dresses. Master Overton had been so long accustomed to wear a +similar costume, that he was perfectly at home in his; and, though it +was much against his will, he followed my example in making the usual +signs to the passers-by who saluted him. + +By this time people were proceeding in greater numbers towards the +citadel, literally leaving a considerable portion of the town +depopulated. At length we reached the part of the wall near the Water +Gate which Captain Radford had pointed out as most easy to scale. It +was about an equal distance from the towers, from which, although +sentries were generally placed in them, we hoped that, on this occasion, +they might be withdrawn. The wall, I think I said, was very thick, +there being a passage within it, running completely round the city, with +here and there openings in the inside, to afford light and air. At the +top also was a walk communicating with the various towers. There was +but little difficulty in scaling the wall from the inside to the upper +wall, as from the numerous buttresses and turrets, concealment might +easily be obtained. The risk was in descending on the outer side, where +it was far more open to view. The streets in this part of the city were +especially narrow, with numerous dark passages and archways. The +inhabitants, too, were nearly all Romanists, and they appeared mostly to +have gone out to welcome the Duke; so we had not much difficulty in +finding a secluded spot, where we could get rid of our friars' costume. +Master Overton had been dressed in his gown when taken. Under this he +had the dress of a civilian, which he usually wore. The gown he had +left in the prison when he put on the friar's dress. We both of us +therefore were sufficiently clothed, after getting rid of our friars' +robes, to appear in the streets. Scarce a minute was occupied in +throwing them off. Shoving them up into a dark corner, we again hurried +out, in the hopes of falling in with Captain Radford. It still wanted +several minutes to the time when I expected to meet them. We had taken +our station near the wall at a convenient spot whence we could watch it. +Great was our delight when we saw a rope ladder let over the wall, and, +one by one, a number of armed men descending by it. Among them I +recognised Captain Radford and A'Dale. We hurried forward to meet them. +The former Master Overton warmly embraced. + +"Brother of my sainted wife," said the captain; "I little expected thus +to meet you! We parted in anger: we meet as real brothers." + +There was no time for the exchange of further words, but the men forming +in close order, we marched steadily along the narrow streets. At +another time this would have been impossible; but there was, at present, +little risk of any one interfering with our proceedings. At length we +reached the door which Jacob Naas had marked, and, with an agitated +heart, at once stepped forward and gave the number of raps agreed on +with old Dame Trond. It was an anxious moment. I counted the seconds +as they passed by, dreading lest, after all, she might have played us +false, or have been unable to accomplish her purpose. Crowbars had been +brought by our party, and it was agreed that, should the door not be +opened, we should force our way in. I waited anxiously, drawing my +breath with an unusual quickness. I listened: I fancied I heard a bolt +withdrawn. Slowly the door opened. I sprang forward, and caught sight +of a figure in the doorway. Could it be Aveline? + +"Hush!" said a voice from within; "I will trust to you for my reward." + +In another instant Aveline herself fell almost fainting into my arms. +She quickly recovered herself. + +"Where is my father?" she asked. "Is he safe?" + +Captain Radford stepped forward, and, supporting Aveline, we all hurried +towards the walls. There was no time to hear who had carried Aveline +off, or by what means she had been set free. I only knew that it was by +the promised instrumentality of the old woman, and felt that she, at all +events, deserved the reward I had agreed to pay. Few words were +exchanged among us till we got safely back to the wall. This had now to +be scaled. As yet, as far as we could ascertain, we had been +undiscovered. Two of the seamen volunteered to mount the wall first, to +see that our road was clear, and to guard the top till the rest had +gained it. The first having mounted and made the signal that no one was +near, the rest of the men followed. Captain Radford then, taking +Aveline in his arms, mounted the ladder, Master Overton and I holding it +below. As he reached the top, she was safely lifted up. The rest of +the party quickly followed, when the ladder was once more drawn up, and +let down again on the other side. We had now to descend. While I stood +on the top, I could not help looking anxiously round, lest we might be +observed from any of the neighbouring towers. + +The place at which Captain Radford and his men had landed was upwards of +a mile from the part of the wall we had scaled. He had directed those +in charge of the boats to row some little way down the river, and not to +return till he should make a signal for them to do so. On our way +Aveline gave me a brief account of what had happened to her, more of +which I heard afterwards. She was on her knees, praying that those dear +to her might be protected from the dangers which threatened them, when +she was startled by hearing the footsteps of several persons approaching +the room. Before she had time to secure the door, they burst it open, +and one of them, throwing a cloak over her, bore her downstairs. In +vain she struggled--in vain she cried out. Overawing the servants, they +hurried her into the streets, and carried her rapidly along till they +reached the door of a large house which stood open. They entered, and +she was conveyed upstairs into a handsome room, when she was placed on a +sofa and left alone. Her sole attendant was a young girl who seemed to +be dumb, and, at all events, from her she could not obtain the slightest +information of any description. + +From the behaviour and language of the persons who had committed the +outrage, she was of opinion that they were far above the lower classes. +They had treated her with perfect respect; and it seemed that their +chief object in carrying her off was to obtain a ransom, under the +belief that she was the daughter of Master Clough or of Sir Thomas +Gresham. She added that, on the previous day, an old woman had come to +the house, and had had some conversation with its inmates. She had +visited her also, and told her to keep up her spirits, and to be +prepared to return to her friends within a few hours. True to her word, +she had appeared that morning, and, no one interfering, had, at the time +she had promised, led her downstairs. + +"She, however, made me undertake that you would carry the promised +reward to her house this afternoon, as soon as you had seen me in safety +on board." + +I, of course, told Aveline that I felt myself bound at all risks to +fulfil my promise to the old woman, and that I should do well to hasten +back at once and pay her the money; I should be able to do so and to +overtake them by the time they reached the boats. A'Dale insisted on +accompanying me. + +"I wish that some other means could be found for sending the old woman +her reward," said Captain Radford; "for I fear the risk to you will be +very great, should the part you have taken in liberating my dear +brother-in-law and daughter be discovered." + +I answered that I considered that, duty should be first thought of, and +that a promise, to whomsoever made, was a promise still, and that +therefore, at all risks, I would willingly undertake the task. + +Aveline was, I saw, very anxious on the subject; and I did my best to +console her by pointing out that I had passed through so many dangers, +that I had every reason to hope that I might be preserved as before. + +With the purse of gold, promised to Dame Trond, under my cloak, I once +more, with A'Dale, entered the ill-fated city of Antwerp. + + + +CHAPTER TWENTY SIX. + +A BRAVE DEFENCE. + +As we approached the northern gate, by which we purposed entering +Antwerp, we met some straggling parties of persons who had come out of +the city, slowly proceeding towards the river. They none of them +carried anything, neither baskets nor bundles, nor visible property of +any description. Yet there was something in their looks which made me +fancy that they were anxious to escape from the place. + +We hastened on to Dame Trond's house. As we passed through the streets, +loud salvos of artillery and the rattling sound of musketry reached our +ears, fired in honour of the ruler of the Netherlands or his statue; as +A'Dale remarked, it was hard to say which. On reaching the witch's +abode, I knocked as before at the door. We were speedily admitted. +People who come with gold in their purses are seldom denied. The old +dame was highly pleased, and promised us every possible good luck to the +end of our days. + +"You are fortunate, young sir," she said, "in being able to make your +escape from this city; for, from all I have seen and heard, by the study +of my art I perceive that ere long even worse days than the miserable +ones at present are coming upon it." + +"It needs no witch to tell us that, mother," observed A'Dale. "When +Duke Alva finds that he can so easily fill his coffers by murdering his +loving subjects, he is not likely to end his system, until he has no +more subjects worth murdering." + +The old woman gave a keen, quick glance up at A'Dale. + +"Those are dangerous words to speak, young master," she observed. "It +is well that my walls have no ears; but if a Netherlander were to utter +them, I would not answer for the consequences." + +I could not understand Dame Trond's character. That she was an impostor +I had no doubt. She certainly was not an adherent of the Church of +Rome, and still more certainly she had no knowledge of Christianity. I +am afraid she was like others, who found it profitable to impose on +their fellow-creatures in spite of all consequences. Yet she was +apparently kind-hearted, and possessed some of the milk of human nature, +though it might turn rather acid at times. When we bade her farewell, +she hobbled after us to the door, again thanking us for our liberality, +and praying that we might be protected from all dangers. + +Having thus far satisfactorily performed our mission, we turned once +more to the North Gate of the city. We were again surprised by the +number of persons we saw emerging from the gate; as we passed through +it, we observed the guard as usual standing at their posts, and not +seeming in any way disposed to interrupt them. I remarked, however, +among them two or three men I knew, and whom I had always felt sure were +strong Protestants. They saluted us as we passed. One of them, +stepping forward, whispered to me, "Hasten on without delay!" + +I thanked the man, and we took the hint, walking rapidly forward to the +place Captain Radford had appointed. I now became very anxious for him +and Aveline and Master Overton, fearing lest by waiting for us they +might become involved in the dangers to which the fugitives would too +likely be exposed. Shortly afterwards, as we looked back, we saw the +people behind us increasing their speed, and in a short time the very +guard we had left at the gate overtook us. Seeing the man who had +spoken to me, I asked him what had occurred. + +"Taking advantage of the absence of the soldiers in the citadel, we +surprised the Spanish guard at the gate," he answered, "and occupying +their post, allowed our friends to go through. We have left the +Spaniards bound in the guardroom. We have closed the gates behind us, +and are now hastening to get on board ship before our flight is +discovered A good reason then have we for making haste." + +We observed that not only the men who had formed the guard at the gate +were armed, but so also were a large number of the persons who +accompanied them. I remembered well the escape of fugitives I had many +years before witnessed, when the Romanists, without remorse, attacked +them. We were still some distance from the point of embarkation towards +which the fugitives were making their way, when a shout from those still +behind us reached our ears: + +"The Spaniards are coming! Fly, friends, fly! the Spaniards are +coming!" + +We looked over our shoulders, and saw a body of horsemen sweeping along +the road which led from one of the further gates of the city. They were +galloping furiously, and by the glitter of their leader's sword, which +was pointed towards us, we were left in no doubt as to their intentions. + +"Countrymen, we must stand and fight, and hold the ground till the women +and children have embarked! Who will rally round me?" cried one of the +fugitives. + +The speaker was a sturdy artisan--a master blacksmith of the city, +well-known for the valiant way in which he had, on more than one +occasion, wielded his double-handled sword. Others repeated his call, +and some fifty brave fellows collected together, forming a strong body +across the road. Happily, in consequence of the number of canals and +ditches, the horsemen were compelled to keep in the causeway, and were +thus unable to cut off the fugitives by making a circuit in any other +direction. We could not help answering to the brave blacksmith's call, +by joining those who rallied round him. The order was now given slowly +to retreat, that we might afford ourselves a better chance of escaping +after the women and children had embarked. The Spanish horse were +drawing nearer and nearer. They were well-trained ruffians, whose +swords had often been dyed in the blood of the unhappy Netherlanders, +and no sensation of pity was likely to prevent them from slaughtering +all they could now overtake. As they came within a hundred yards of us, +their commander ordered them to charge. + +"Slay! slay! cut down all your swords can reach!" we heard him shouting +out. + +We had a few pike-men with us, who, springing to the front, knelt down +to receive the horses. Those with pistols formed the second rank, while +those with arquebuses and musketoons drew up behind them. We thus +presented a formidable front, while a deep ditch on either side +prevented our being taken in flank. The Spaniards, nothing daunted, +however, galloped forward. We received them firmly. Several saddles +were emptied of their riders, and five or six of the leading horses +slain or badly wounded. The bodies of the animals encumbering the road, +prevented the advance of those in the rear, thus giving time to us to +reload our fire-arms, while the Spanish commander, seeing that he could +not break through our line, gave the order to his men to wheel about and +retire. Several others were shot as they fled, but their fleet horses +soon carried them out of reach of our fire-arms. On seeing this, our +brave leader gave the order to his followers to retreat towards the +boats. But before we had made good fifty yards, the Spaniards had once +more wheeled about, and came galloping at a furious pace towards us. +Again we threw ourselves into the same position as before. Thundering +over the ground came the Spanish horsemen, with the determination of +crushing us. The artisans of Antwerp, however, well-trained to arms, +were not men to be cut down without fighting hard, when given the +opportunity of resisting in a body. Still the Spaniards charged +courageously, and several of the front rank were cut down, while others +were killed or wounded by the discharge of their musketoons. The places +of those who were killed were instantly supplied by others from the +rear, and once more the cavalry had to retreat. At that instant a man +came running up from the bank of the river, which was elevated +considerably above the ground on which we stood, with the alarming +intelligence that a body of musketeers was seen in the distance +advancing towards us. Those dreaded musketeers! even the bravest well +knew that we could not hope to withstand them! The possibility that +Aveline might be among those we saw on the banks gave courage to my arm, +and made me resolve to fight to the last, in order to stop the progress +of the hated Spaniards. Once among that crowd of helpless women and +children and old men, I knew too well the fearful havoc they would +commit. The atrocities which they had been guilty of at Valenciennes +and many other places were still too fresh in our memory not to be +thought of. Once more, therefore, we retreated, facing the foe, who +again galloped towards us. + +On looking round as we approached the river's bank, my worst +apprehensions were realised, for there I recognised Captain Radford, +though his back was turned towards me as he waved to a boat coming up +the river to hasten onward. Our retreat had now become almost a flight, +for our pike-men, not daring to kneel to receive the horsemen, were +unable as before to drive them back. Headed by the blacksmith, however, +the bravest of the party stood their ground, giving blow for blow as the +horsemen rode among them. The latter must have been aware that the +musketeers were advancing to their support, and this for very shame made +them eager to finish the fight with the half-armed citizens with whom +they were contending. The horsemen were approaching the spot where +Captain Radford and his companions stood. Neither he nor Aveline, +engaged in watching the progress of the boat, were aware of the near +approach of danger. Though I shouted to them, amid the din of battle +they did not hear my voice. Calling on A'Dale, therefore, I could no +longer withstand the temptation of springing forward at all events to be +by the side of Aveline, should the horsemen reach her, although our +doing so might appear as if we were taking to flight. The moment was a +fearful one. It seemed scarcely possible that any human power could +save us. Although several of the troopers had been killed, still they +were a strong body, and, rendered furious by their previous defeats, +fought desperately, slashing on every side, and cutting down all their +swords could meet. At a quick march the formidable musketeers were +advancing towards us. The boats, by which alone we could escape, were +not to be seen from where I stood. I could only hope, therefore, that +they might be approaching. Still the brave blacksmith, surrounded by +several of his workmen, stood his ground, not only defending himself +with his formidable double-handled sword, but cutting down many of his +opponents. This enabled A'Dale and me to rush up the bank. I called +out Aveline's name. She sprang towards me. + +"I'll fight for you to the last," I said, pointing to the Spaniards. + +Then, for the first time, I saw that the _Falcon's_ boats were only a +short distance from the bank. A'Dale joined me, armed with an arquebus +which he had taken from one of the Spaniards who had been shot. He had +also provided himself with the man's ammunition-pouch and belt. + +"I'll stand by you, Verner," he said, "to keep the Spaniards at bay, +while you retreat with Mistress Aveline." + +I thankfully followed his suggestion, and, lifting Aveline from the +ground, bore her down the bank towards the first boat which approached +the shore. Scarcely had the stern touched the ground before a number of +the unhappy fugitives rushed towards it, and attempted to force their +way on board. It seemed cruel to prevent them, and yet there was not +room for all. Keeping Aveline out of the water, I waded in and +deposited her safely in the stern of the boat; then shouting to Captain +Radford, I entreated him also to come on board. The _Falcons_ crew had +meantime driven back their assailants, and taking the opportunity, +before the Spaniards again rode at them, they hurried down the bank and +gained the boats, already half full of fugitives. It was a sore trial +to Captain Radford when he had to insist on many of the unfortunate +people again landing; but there was no help for it. The boats would +have sunk had he allowed all to remain. As it was, they were already +too deeply laden for safety. The sailors had literally to lift out +those who had last got in, and to place them on the shore, ere we shoved +off into deep water. It was heartrending to see the whole shore lined +with fugitives: some rushing into boats which had already come up, some +waving frantically to other boats which were approaching. Here, Spanish +troopers charging the unhappy people with lances, or sabring them as +they attempted to fly into the water. Here and there were knots of +brave men struggling with their foes. Several of the unfortunate +citizens were swimming off, either to overtake the retiring boats or to +get on board those they saw approaching. Now and then a shriek was +heard ere the unhappy fugitive sunk below the surface. + +We rowed away as fast as the crowded state of our boats would allow. I +could not withdraw my eye from the shore. Simultaneously a cry arose +from the hapless fugitives who had not yet reached the boats, and at +that instant the heads of the musketeers, with their glittering arms, +appeared above the bank, forming a deadly line--and instantly their +weapons were levelled at the ill-fated people. There was a general rush +into the river. Even those who could not swim trusted rather to the +waters of the Scheld than to the mercy of their fellow-creatures. In +spite of the hot fire opened upon them, the brave boatmen rowed here and +there, receiving all they could, though often a man, woman, or child was +taken on board immediately afterwards to be slain by the murderous +bullets of the Spaniards. Even at the distance we had already gained, +several bullets reached us. Two or three of the _Falcon's_ men, and +some of those we had rescued, were struck. Now we saw the Spaniards +hurrying along the banks, evidently hoping to get possession of some +boats in which to pursue us. + +"Were we not overloaded, they would find us rough customers to deal with +on our own element," observed Captain Radford. "As it is, if they come +near us, we will give them a warmer reception than they expect." In +vain the Spaniards shouted to the people on board some of the boats, +which had as yet got to no great distance, to return. They, happily, +would not trust themselves to their tender mercies. We meantime +continued to row away towards the _Falcon_. The mate, who had been left +on board, seeing us coming, had already loosened sails, ready to get +under weigh directly we should reach her. There was no time to be lost, +for several Spanish horsemen, each taking a foot soldier behind him, had +galloped along the banks till they reached some boats which had been +moored there. Unfortunately, as it appeared, the crews of several were +in the neighbourhood, and at the sword's point were forced to man them. +This I heard afterwards. With the musketeers on board, they rowed +rapidly down the Scheld in pursuit of the fugitives. Although the +latter had a considerable start, some of the boats were heavy, and the +crews of others were severely wounded, so that they could make but slow +progress. Our hearts burned with sorrow and indignation as we saw one +after another taken, and the unfortunate people in them mercilessly +butchered. The delay, however, enabled us to keep ahead of them, as it +allowed also other boats to escape. + +Close to the _Falcon_ lay two vessels which had been prepared for the +reception of the fugitives. Their crews, with arms in their hands, +received on board all who could reach them; and, waiting till the last +boat-load of the survivors had got alongside, they cut their cables and +made sail just at the time that we did. + +There was, happily, a strong and favourable breeze. The Spaniards +continued pursuing us, firing their muskets as long as we remained +within their reach. No one was hit on board our vessel, although the +others more or less suffered. We returned their fire, every now and +then sending a shot from our great guns, in the hopes of sinking their +boats. This we did not succeed in doing, but I suspect we somewhat +damped their ardour, and at length they ceased rowing, and, firing a +parting volley at us, turned their boats' heads up the river. + +We had yet many dangers to encounter. There were forts on either side +of the river, and should intelligence of what had occurred reach them, +they would undoubtedly attempt with their guns to stop our progress. +But night was now approaching, and we might possibly pass them in the +dark. At all events the risk must be run. We communicated with the +other vessels, Captain Radford promising to lead, and urging them to +follow closely in his wake. + +"There would be no use firing in return," he observed; "our shot would +only knock off a few pieces of their stone walls, and would in no way +assist us to escape." + +The wind was fair, and there was enough of it to fill our sails, so that +we glided steadily down the stream. We felt a considerable amount of +anxiety as we approached the first fort; but, hoisting our colours, we +stood on, as if we had no reason to dread their power. All the women +and children on board had been sent below, as were most of the men, lest +their numbers should excite suspicion. The crew only were allowed to +appear, and they were placed at their proper posts, or directed to walk +unconcernedly up and down the deck while we remained in sight of the +fort. We observed the gunners at their stations in the castle, and +every instant we expected to see a cloud of smoke with its attendant +flash, followed by a round shot, issue from the muzzles of the guns. +Slowly we glided by, dipping our flag, in mark of respect, as we passed +that of Spain waving on the fort. All on board breathed more freely as +we found ourselves getting past, though we still looked with anxiety to +see how our consorts would be treated. They likewise sailed by with +impunity. + +The first great danger had now been escaped. There was still another +fort to pass on the same bank of the Scheld as Antwerp. We stood on, +however, under all sail, hoping that news of our flight might not have +reached it. Gradually we drew near. Just then we saw through the +thickening gloom of evening a horseman galloping at full speed along the +causeway which led to the fort. We guessed too well his errand, but we +had no means of avoiding the danger. Keeping our colours flying, +therefore, as before, we stood on. Happily, at that moment the breeze +increased, and we ran on more rapidly. The tide, too, was in our +favour. Still the fort had numerous guns, and the deep water was very +close to their muzzles. + +The horseman was yet at some distance. We watched him anxiously, hoping +that horse and rider might come to the ground, or that some other +accident might happen before he could deliver his message. Providence +favoured us more than we could have dared to hope, for one of the +seamen, noted for his sharp sight, and whose eye had been kept on the +horseman, exclaimed: + +"He has rolled over the bank!" + +The crew could scarcely refrain from giving a shout of satisfaction. A +dark object, supposed to be the horseman, was seen directly afterwards +climbing up the bank and making his way towards the fort, though the +thickening gloom prevented our distinguishing who he really was. On we +went. We could see lights, which made us fear that the gunners were +preparing their slow-matches, but it was now too dark to distinguish any +objects beyond the outline of the fort. The navigation of the river was +so well-known to Captain Radford, that without hesitation he stood +boldly on. + +We calculated that the horseman would not be long in reaching his +destination, and every instant we were expecting to have a shot sent +between our masts or into our hull. Already we were under the guns, a +discharge from which, well directed, would quickly have sunk us. I held +my breath in my anxiety, looking intently towards the embrasures, out of +which I knew the guns were protruding. How anxiously we marked the line +of bristling cannon as we passed along in front of it! At length, we +had but a few more guns to pass. Suddenly there was a loud shouting in +the fort. Lights were seen moving rapidly along. In an instant +afterwards we could distinguish the small sparks of the slow-matches in +the hands of the gunners. + +"Fire! fire quickly!" + +The words were heard distinctly as they were uttered by the commandant +of the fort. + + + +CHAPTER TWENTY SEVEN. + +CAPTURED BY SPANIARDS. + +We expected the next instant to be sent to the bottom of the Scheld, +when a sudden blast filled our sails, almost tearing them from the +bolt-ropes, and sending us gliding rapidly through the water. The guns +aimed at our vessel sent their shot astern of us, two or three only +passing through our mizzen, but doing no further damage. The next +vessel could not have escaped so well, but we saw her still standing +close to us through the gloom. The other was following, and we feared +she must have received greater harm than either of us. But by the +flashes of the guns, we saw her sails close astern of her consort. We +flew on over the tide, but it required all Captain Radford's skill to +steer his vessel through the intricate navigation of the river. The +shores were so low that they could with difficulty be discerned, and +there were numerous banks on either side of us. To run against one of +them, at the rate we were going, might have proved the destruction of +the ship. Still there was no help for it. The Spaniards had vessels, +we knew, up the river, which would be soon sent in pursuit, and, should +they find us aground, we could not hope by any possibility to escape. +They were, however, not likely to venture down in the dark; and therein +lay our chief prospect of safety. The wind, which had so favoured us +when passing the fort, again fell, and, with loosened sails, we +proceeded slowly and more securely down the stream. Daylight found us a +considerable distance on our way; but just as we were about to get clear +of the mouth of the river, the tide setting in, the wind fell, so that +we were compelled to anchor. + +A'Dale and I took the opportunity of visiting the other vessels, to +ascertain the fate of the relatives of some of the unfortunate people +who had escaped on board our ship. Sad indeed were the scenes we +witnessed. Several of the poor people were severely wounded, and many +more were mourning for relatives whom they had lost. We had, however, +the happiness to restore a wife to her husband, and, in another case, a +daughter to her mother, though the men of the family had lost their +lives. I was glad to find that our sturdy friend the blacksmith--I +forget his name--had escaped. As our vessel was somewhat overcrowded, +and the others had prepared for many more refugees than had escaped, we +conveyed some of our passengers to them, while they bestowed some +provisions on us, of which we were in great need. + +All arrangements being made, and the wind coming fair again, we +continued our course towards the Thames, thankful that we had escaped +thus far. But we knew very well that we were not yet safe. Several of +the Duke of Alva's ships or other Spanish craft were sailing about in +all directions in search of prey, and, we heard, were not at all +particular what vessels they captured; certainly they would not scruple +to capture us. In spite of this we kept up our spirits, thankful for +having already escaped so many dangers. + +I should have been blind indeed had I not seen by this time what +Aveline's feelings were towards me. I was sitting by her side on deck, +our eyes wandering over the blue ocean, which now sparkled in the bright +sunlight. The air was soft and balmy, and the sky undimmed by a cloud. + +"Aveline," I said, "you have now a father whose permission I should wish +to ask, and if he grants it, will you consent to be my wife?" + +"Yes, I will," she answered. "I am sure I could never consent to be the +wife of anybody else." + +I pressed her hand. I had felt almost sure that she had understood my +feelings, and yet, without pointedly asking her, I had no right to be +quite sure. + +"I have no fears," she said, "about my father giving me leave to marry +you. I am sure he regards you already as a son. I only wish that I had +a dower to bring you." + +"You have one," I answered, just then recollecting the document in Lady +Anne's hands. I told her of it, and added: + +"And, now your father has appeared, I have little doubt it will enable +him to obtain possession of the estate of which it speaks. And yet I +almost wish that you had it not, as I would rather feel that I were +labouring for your support; and I am sure that my patron will place me +in a position by which I may obtain sufficient means for that object." + +We agreed that I should speak forthwith to Captain Radford on the +subject. I did so. He smiled when I asked his permission to marry +Aveline. + +"You have very fairly won her, young sir," he said; "and in truth I feel +that I have no right to withhold her from you, or rather that you have a +greater right to her than I have. I saw from the first how matters +stood; and I need scarcely tell you that I feel great satisfaction in +the knowledge that she has obtained one I believe well able and willing +to protect and support her through life." + +No lover could have desired a more satisfactory answer, and indeed I +hoped that in our case the course of true love was about to run +smoothly. To be sure, we had gone through many dangers, and I knew very +well that we were not free from them yet altogether. + +When, afterwards, Aveline had retired to her cabin, and I told A'Dale +what had occurred: "It is time, then," said he, "to confess that I have +been talking on the same subject to Margery. My good father and mother +would, I fancy, not object to my marrying her; and, as she has no +parents whose leave she need ask, I had an idea there would be no +difficulty; but, somehow or other, there is. She says that she cannot +make up her mind--that she had not thought of marrying--that she cannot +leave Mistress Aveline or Lady Anne--in truth, she, against all my +expectations, will not do as I ask her. My only hope is that the jade +may change her mind when we land on the shores of Old England." + +"We are not in sight of them yet, A'Dale," I answered. "I thank you for +your congratulations, but remember the old proverb, `There's many a slip +between the cup and the lip.' We must not be too sanguine." + +I said this in joke, not thinking at the time, so buoyed up was I with +hope, that there was any risk of the saying coming true. That evening, +the wind, which had been light all day, shifted, and blew directly in +our teeth, driving us back again towards the coast of Flanders. All +night long we lay closely hugging the wind, in the hopes of again +working our way off shore. When morning broke, a man went to the +mast-head, to look out and ascertain whether the coast was in sight. He +had not been long there when he shouted out: + +"Several sail of ships to the southward, standing towards us." + +The announcement was alarming. They could scarcely be friends, and if +they were Spaniards or Flemings in the service of Alva, we were likely +to be sufferers. We announced the fact to our consorts, who had, +indeed, discovered the same themselves. The wind having somewhat +fallen, the captains of the other ships came on board; and it was +agreed, in order that we might have a better chance of escaping, that we +should steer in different directions. Thus the enemy would probably, +not wishing themselves to separate, steer after only one of us. With +earnest prayers that we might all providentially escape, our friends +returned to their vessels; we continuing to steer as before to the west, +while they stood away on the opposite tack. The plan seemed to be +giving our friends a chance of escaping, though we judged, from the way +the strange ships were sailing, that they were standing towards us. As, +however, the _Falcon_ was a fast ship, we still hoped to distance them. + +Our hopes soon appeared likely to be vain. As the sun rose we saw the +strangers had gained upon us--the wind apparently favouring them more +than it did us. It had again begun to fall, and in a short time we were +becalmed, while they still stood on with their sails full. From some +reason, for which we could not account, several of them stood back again +towards the land, three only continuing the pursuit of us. But they +were fast vessels, and though we soon again got the wind, they continued +gaining on us. At length the breeze once more became favourable, and +with our sails spread, we stood away across the Channel, hotly pursued +by the strangers. Although they gained upon us, yet it was evident that +the chase would be a long one; and we hoped in the meantime that +something would happen in our favour. It was satisfactory also to +believe that our consorts, with the unhappy fugitives on board, had +escaped; for it was very certain that, had they been captured, the lives +of all would have been sacrificed. We trembled for the fate of the poor +people with us, for so barbarous were the orders issued by Alva, that +the commanders of any of his ships finding refugees on board, might, +without ceremony, either hang them to the yard-arms, or cast them into +the sea with weights round their feet, or shoot them as they floated +when thrown into the water. + +Whether our captors, should we be overtaken, would venture to treat the +English on board the _Falcon_ in the same manner was doubtful; at the +same time, it was too probable that they would do so first and apologise +afterwards. + +As to offering any resistance, that would certainly be useless. Master +Clough especially entreated that they would not. He, however, was far +from contented with the prospect of what was too likely to occur, as +even, should his life be spared, they would not scruple to take +possession of all his property, of which he had contrived to get a +considerable amount safe on board the _Falcon_. + +Hour after hour we watched the strangers, calculating how much they had +gained upon us during the time. Every particle of canvas we could set +was spread, but all we could do would not drive her at a greater speed +through the water. If we could keep ahead during the whole of the day, +we might still, as we had before done, escape during the darkness. But +this was not probable. Long before that we should be within range of +the enemy's guns. It was a time of great trial to all of us, to the +unhappy refugees especially; yet we could do nothing but hope. Captain +Radford not only maintained his own serenity, but did his best to keep +up the courage of all on board. + +Although we had little appetite, our meals were taken as usual. We had +gone below for that purpose, and were seated in the cabin, when the +sound of a gun was heard, and a sharp cry reached our ears from the +deck. A'Dale hurried up to inquire what was the matter. + +"The enemy have fired, and one of our poor fellows has been hit," he +answered, coming back. "To escape is no longer possible. The captain +has, therefore, ordered the sails to be lowered, but advises that all +the passengers should remain below, lest when the enemy first come on +board they may be inclined to treat them roughly." + +Although Captain Radford had shown that he had submitted, the enemy +continued firing as they approached, and not till they had got close to +us, and had hove to, did they cease attempting to injure us. Several +more of our people were hit, and two poor fellows killed outright. We +had no barber or surgeon on board, and it was sad to see the poor +fellows who were injured suffering without the means of helping them. +Some of the women did their best, however, having attended to their +friends wounded on different occasions by the Spaniards. A'Dale and I +could not resist going up on deck to ascertain how matters were +proceeding. Three boats from the leading ship of the enemy were +approaching us. The crews sprang on board, their officers demanding in +fierce tones why we had attempted to escape. + +Captain Radford answered that his object was to make as quick a voyage +as he could to England, having British subjects on board, who desired to +reach their native land without delay. + +"Let me see them immediately," answered the officer; and Master Clough +and the rest of his attendants were summoned on deck. + +"They are returning to England, having received orders to quit the +Netherlands," observed Captain Radford, as he introduced them. + +"But you have many more passengers: who are they?" inquired the officer. + +"They are poor people desiring to settle in England," said Captain +Radford. "They came on board my ship, requesting a passage, and I saw +no reason to refuse them." + +"In other words, they are rebels, escaping from the laws and justice of +their country!" exclaimed the officer. "I understand it all. It is +fortunate for you that you are an Englishman, and that our countries are +at peace, or you would very speedily be dangling at your yard-arm. As +it is, you will accompany us back to the nearest port in Flanders we can +make, where all your Flemish passengers must be landed, and such +property as belongs to them; and your ship will be confiscated, and you +yourself will have to undergo your trial for breaking the laws. If you +escape with your life, you will be fortunate; but I doubt it. Duke Alva +is determined to put a stop to the flight of King Philip's subjects from +his paternal sway." + +We were very certain, from the way the officer spoke, that these threats +would be carried out. Worse, however, was to come. While he walked +aft, to speak to the next ship which was coming up, his men, I felt very +sure, with his full knowledge, dispersed themselves about the decks, +disarming our crew, and taking all articles which seemed to please them. +Drawing pistols from their belts, they placed them at the heads of our +people, and threatened to blow their brains out unless they gave up all +the money they possessed. Dreading what would next occur, A'Dale and I +hastened to the cabin, that we might protect the ladies from insult. +Our enemies having taken all the coin they could find on their +prisoners, now approached the cabin door, which we had bolted on the +inside. Thundering at it, they demanded admission. I replied from +within that it was the cabin devoted to the ladies, and that no +intruders could be admitted. + +"Withdraw the bolts!" cried a voice from without, "or we will burst open +the door." + +"Do so at your peril!" I answered. "The first person who makes his +appearance will meet his death." + +Scarcely had I ceased speaking before some thundering blows were +inflicted on the door by handspikes. Fortunately the door was a strong +one, and resisted the efforts of those who were trying to break it open. + +"Bring a crowbar, or a stout spar," I heard some one cry out; "we shall +then soon be able to force open the door!" + +"I have told you, you will do so at your peril!" I shouted again. + +The men outside laughed hoarsely at this threat. I felt indeed how +little we could do to oppose them. Our anxiety was yet further +increased by the shrieks and cries which came from other parts of the +ship. It was evident that the savages were ill-treating their +unfortunate prisoners. We could scarcely hope to meet with a better +fate. At length the laughter and the shouting outside the cabin door +increased. A'Dale and I stood with our drawn swords ready to attack any +who might approach. Some thundering blows on the door followed. It +creaked and groaned on its hinges, the panels gave way, and with a loud +crash it was burst open. Two seamen with savage looks were the first to +attempt to enter. Feeling sure that we should receive no mercy, +whatever we did, we at once ran them through with our swords, and they +fell at the entrance of the cabin. The others, seeing their fate, drew +back for an instant. We followed up our advantage. + +"If any others wish to share the fate of these ruffians, let them come +on!" we cried out boldly. + +Our assailants soon recovered from their surprise, and several shots +were fired into the cabin, filling it with smoke, under cover of which +they attempted again to force their way. The next two were treated as +had been the first. The shrieks and cries of Madam Clough and the poor +women within nearly unnerved us. However, we had resolved, if we could +not save them, to sell our lives dearly. We therefore stood at our +posts, prepared for the worst. Again our enemies pushed forward, led by +their boatswain, with a huge battle-axe in his hand. Fortunately he was +not able to wield it with due effect in the confined space of the cabin +entrance. A'Dale's sword, as he attempted to keep the ruffian at bay, +was struck down, and the man, again lifting his axe, was about to bring +it down with terrific force on A'Dale's head, when, springing forward, I +plunged my sword into his bosom. The fall of their leader seemed to +enrage the rest of the men, and with terrific execrations they again +made an attempt to force their way into the cabin. + + + +CHAPTER TWENTY EIGHT. + +THE BEGGARS OF THE SEA. + +At the moment I have described, when we felt that all hope of escape had +gone--for we could scarcely expect ourselves to resist the numbers who +were rushing down with cries of vengeance to force their way in--a voice +of authority was heard, ordering them to desist. At first they seemed +in no way inclined to obey. One who appeared by his rich costume to be +an officer of authority made his appearance. He spoke with a Spanish +accent: + +"Hold! men, hold! what are you about to do? We come not to war against +helpless women. On deck, all of you; or expect the punishment of +mutineers!" + +He spoke with a tone of authority not to be disobeyed. Our enraged +assailants quickly retired, without attempting any further violence. +The officer started back with surprise when he found the dead bodies at +the entrance of the cabin. + +"You have defended yourselves well, gentlemen," he said, addressing +A'Dale and me, as we still stood with our swords in our hands, and at +our posts. "These men met their deserts. I do not therefore blame you; +on the contrary, I may compliment you on your gallantry. Here!" he +exclaimed, "some of you come down and convey these dead bodies away, and +throw them overboard. If a few more of you had been treated in the same +way, the loss would not have been great." + +The bodies having been dragged away by some of our late assailants, who +obeyed the order, the officer entered the cabin. He bowed with all the +grace of a Spaniard to the ladies, and expressed his regret that they +had been caused so much anxiety and terror. We found that he was Don +Alfonzo de la Fuente, the commander of the squadron, and though obeying +his master, Philip, in carrying out his laws, yet he did so with a +feeling of commiseration for the unfortunate victims of his cruelty. + +"I will send for an officer I can trust," he said, "who will remain on +board your ship, and protect you from the lawless violence of the prize +crew. All I can I will do to make amends for your disappointment. If +you will permit me, I will write an order, and send to my ship, and will +not leave you till the officer arrives; for I regret to say there are +not many in whom I can confide, who will treat you as I should desire." + +We supplied Don Alfonzo with writing materials, and he summoning some of +the men, a boat was despatched to his ship, which it appeared was the +last of the squadron. On going on deck with him, I found that the wind +had again greatly fallen, and Captain Radford told me that he believed +it would soon be a perfect calm. In a short time the officer who had +been sent for arrived, and Don Alfonzo took his departure, giving him +directions how he was to behave. + +The officer, who, though young, had an expression of firmness and +courage in his countenance, which was at the same time very pleasing, +introduced himself as Don Rodrigo Ruiz. He spoke Flemish but slightly, +but I was able to understand his Spanish sufficiently to carry on a +conversation with him, and to interpret to the rest. I soon judged from +his expressions, although he spoke with caution, that he was not +unfavourable to the Protestants. I could not help suggesting to him +that he should endeavour to come over to England, where he might not +only declare his principles, but worship in public according to his +conscience. At length, urged by Don Rodrigo, I retired to the cabin, +where, rolling myself in my cloak, I lay down to sleep. He observed +that he must remain on deck to keep watch over his men. + +I was awoke by the sound of voices on deck, apparently shouting to one +of the other ships. Hurrying up, I saw the crews busily engaged in +setting sail, though as yet there was but little wind to fill them. +Bowing to Don Rodrigo, who was on deck issuing his orders, he pointed +towards the east, where I saw, scarcely three miles off, the sails of +numerous vessels, the sun rising behind them, throwing them into the +shade, and making them stand out in bold relief against the sky. + +"What are they?" I asked, turning to the young officer. + +"That remains to be discovered," he answered; "but our Admiral evidently +believes that they are not friends, and has ordered us to set all sail, +and to do our utmost to escape." + +"But who do you think they are?" I again asked. + +"The much-dreaded Gueux--the Beggars of the Sea," he answered. "They +are known to have a large squadron afloat, under the command of that +fierce captain, De la Marck--the descendant of the Wild Boar of +Ardennes. If they come up with us, the tables will indeed be turned; +and it will go hard, I suspect, with our men. The hatred between the +two races is so great, that I fear little mercy will be shown to any of +us." + +"I am glad, then, that you are on board this ship," I replied; "for, +after the courtesy you have shown us, I trust that you will escape +injury." + +"I have no great confidence on that score," he answered. "Though you, I +am sure, will do your best to save my life, the Beggars of the Sea are +not likely in the heat of battle to listen to your wishes." + +"But surely your Admiral will not attempt to fight with such a superior +force as there appears to be approaching us?" + +"It will matter little whether we fight or not," answered the officer. +"To the Spaniards, at all events, among our crews, no mercy will be +shown, though the lives of the native Flemings may be spared, if they +agree to join the Gueux; and probably very few will refuse to do so." + +The Beggars of the Sea--for such there was no doubt were the strangers-- +came on with a fresh breeze, rapidly approaching the Spanish squadron. +In vain every sail which the Spanish ships could carry was set to woo +the breeze. Their enemies came up rapidly with them. Seeing this, the +Admiral ordered Don Rodrigo to alter his course, and to do his utmost to +escape, directing him to return to the first Flemish port he could +reach. + +"There may be some who will dispute that matter with him," whispered +Captain Radford to me. "Does the Don fancy we should submit to be +carried off prisoners when we more than equal in number our captors?" + +"Certainly," I said; "but I trust, whatever is done, the young Spanish +officer may not be injured. Pray let us do our best to save his life." + +We now once more stood out from among the Spanish squadron. The +_Falcon_ being a fast vessel, and having all the sail she could set now +put on her, gradually distanced them. In the meantime, however, the +Beggars of the Sea came up at a rapid rate, and soon got the Spaniards +within reach of their guns. We watched them with great interest. Our +fate might possibly depend upon the result of the action. The Beggars +far outnumbered the Spaniards both in ships and men, although the latter +had larger vessels and carried more guns. As the Gueux came up, they +opened their fire hotly on the Spaniards, who, to do them justice, +showed every inclination to defend their ships. Three of the largest of +the Beggars' ships attacked the Admiral, the others tackled his +consorts, the two squadrons running on together. The Admiral's was the +leading ship. One of the Gueux was stationed on her broadside, another +rather more on her bows, and a third hung on her quarter. The breeze +blew away the smoke every now and then, so as to allow us a clear view +of the fight. Never had I seen shots exchanged with so much rapidity. +Both our crew and our captors were looking on with intense anxiety at +what was going forward. At length our men uttered a loud shout as the +foremast of the Spanish Admiral went by the board. Still the other +masts stood, but the Gueux seemed to be redoubling their efforts, and +kept pouring broadside upon broadside into the ship. Hearing what was +going forward, all our passengers assembled on deck, the Spaniards in no +way attempting to prevent them. We had by this time got out of the line +of shot, keeping somewhat ahead of the combatants. At length another +shout burst from the throats of our men as the mainmast of the Spanish +Admiral was seen to sway first on one side and then on the other, and at +length, with its streamers and flags flying, to fall forward over the +wreck of the other mast. The other ships seemed to be suffering in the +same way; first one mast and then another went. And now the Gueux were +seen to be crowding round the ships, the masts and spars of which were +one by one shot away. + +I observed, meantime, Captain Radford going about the decks, and +speaking to the crew. Don Rodrigo did not see him. I guessed Captain +Radford's intentions; but he, having observed the terms I was on with +the young officer, evidently did not wish to ask me to act a treacherous +part towards him. The Beggars' ships which had come up after the others +were engaged, their services not being required, were now seen standing +after us. But it was a question, being evidently slower ships, whether +they would overtake us; indeed, I judged that they would not, when we +both had an equal amount of wind. I could fancy, more than actually +see, the scenes which were taking place on board the captured ships. +They and the Gueux appeared locked together in a deadly embrace. The +crews of the latter were evidently swarming on board, and, after so hot +a fight, there was no hope that blood would be spared. Still, from the +flashes of pistols and arquebuses, it was evident that the fight +continued, and that a desperate resistance was being made. Suddenly +flames burst forth in the midst of the combatants. The Gueux vainly +endeavoured to extricate themselves from their almost conquered +antagonist. In another instant there was a loud explosion. The +remaining mast of the Admiral's ship was seen to shoot up into the air, +while her deck and broken spars and everything on it rose up many feet. +There was a roar like thunder, and flames and smoke ascended with +terrific fury, high above which were seen burning fragments of the wreck +spreading far and wide, which again came down upon the decks of the +conquerors, and fell hissing all around into the ocean. The next moment +the Spanish ship had disappeared; but flames were bursting out from +those of the Beggars which had been in contact with her. They, however, +were at length extinguished. I heard a sigh escape the bosom of the +young officer, near whom I was standing. + +"He was my friend and guardian," he said. "Alas! he deserved a better +fate!" + +At that instant there was a cry from the Spaniards, and though I turned +round instantly, I saw that every one of them had been tackled by one of +the English seamen, aided by the Flemish passengers. Several had been +cut down, but others had been captured without bloodshed. + +"I must ask you for your sword, sir," said Captain Radford, holding a +pistol to the young officer, who turned round, but had not time to draw +his weapon. "You are our prisoner, and resistance will be useless!" + +The capture of the Spaniards had not been accomplished a minute too +soon, for the Beggars' ships were almost within gunshot, and would have +opened their fire upon us. Instantly the Spanish ensign was hauled +down, and that of England hoisted. The officer, seeing that he could do +nothing, at once, with a bow, handed his sword to Captain Radford. + +"Pray keep it, and promise that you will not use it against us," said +the captain, handing it him back. + +Our sails were on this furled, and a boat, by Captain Radford's orders, +was lowered. + +"To prevent mistakes, I must go on board the Beggars' ships, or they may +perchance open their fire without inquiring who we are. They are not +very scrupulous in that matter." + +This precaution of Captain Radford I believe saved us. He quickly +reached the headmost of the two vessels, and explained how matters stood +to the officer in command--the gallant Treslong. + +I need not describe the joy of the poor Flemings at this happy turn of +affairs. Instead of prisoners, they were now at liberty, and warmly +congratulated by their countrymen who came on board. It would have +fared but ill with Don Rodrigo and his men had they not already been +made prisoners, and had we not interfered in their favour. When the +officer from the Beggars' squadron came on board, we at once explained +how he had behaved towards us, and begged that he might be treated with +courtesy and consideration, of which he was certainly well worthy. +Finding that the heart of the Beggar officer was still unmoved, I +whispered to him that I felt sure he was himself a Protestant, and +served the King Philip very much against his will. This seemed to have +very great weight with the officer, and he only advised that he should +remain with our party, promising that he should receive neither insult +nor injury. + +A'Dale and I were anxious to visit our late captors, as well as some of +the Beggars' squadron. The two captured vessels lay together, almost +wrecks, and it was evident, from the way the pumps were going, that they +could with difficulty be kept afloat. We went up the side of one of +them. I had witnessed several sad scenes, but my heart sickened when I +beheld the perfect shambles the deck had in a short time become. It +seemed as if the whole of her crew must have been shot down by the guns +of the Beggars! + +"These scenes," I exclaimed, "will sicken me for war for the rest of my +days!" + +"I cannot say that it has that effect on me," said A'Dale. "It is very +horrible, but people fight to kill, and know that they run the risk of +being killed. Now I am rather weary of the merchant's desk, and if some +of these gallant captains will receive me as an officer on board their +ships, I propose joining them." + +"You an officer, A'Dale?" I said; "you know but little of nautical +affairs." + +"But I can soon learn," he answered. "Very few of them knew much about +the sea a few months ago. Besides, I have a fancy for a rover's life on +the ocean." + +"But what is to become of Mistress Margery?" I asked, in a low voice. + +"Ah! there's the rub," he answered. "I will tell you about it +by-and-by. It is not that I do not love her, or that she does not +return my affection. Do not suppose that; but this is not the place to +talk about it." + +We had returned to our boat when he said this, and were pulling towards +one of the Beggars' ships which lay between us and the _Falcon_. On +stepping on board, the commander received us very courteously. I found +that he was a well-known noble, William de Blois, of Treslong. Fearing, +notwithstanding the promise of the first officer who had visited us, +that Don Rodrigo's life would be endangered, we begged Captain Treslong +to interfere in his favour, explaining who he was, and the generous way +he had behaved towards us. He promised faithfully to do so; and our +minds were thus greatly relieved with regard to Don Rodrigo. I proposed +returning to the _Falcon_; but, to my surprise and regret, A'Dale there +and then tendered his services to Captain Treslong, who accepted his +offer. + +"You must not expect any high rank given to you at first," he said; "but +you will fight your way up to that in time, I doubt not, from the +account you give of yourself; and I fully believe you will be a credit +to the cause. You had better go back to your ship and see your friends, +and come on board before we part company. We shall probably see you +safe in sight of the English coast. By the bye, your captain must not +expect to escape without paying salvage. Our men are disappointed at +having lost the Spaniard's large ship; and they will be in no good +humour unless they collect a little prize money." + +With this not very satisfactory message, we pulled back towards the +_Falcon_. I asked A'Dale again on our way how he could bring himself to +give up little Margery. + +"I do not give her up," he answered; "but I hope to collect a good sum +with which to set up house, far more rapidly than I have any chance of +doing with Sir Thomas Gresham. He has treated me very kindly, and made +good use of me; but I have no great hopes that he will place me in a +position where I can obtain a sufficient income to support a wife, for a +long time to come, at all events." + +I felt really sorry for Mistress Margery that A'Dale had come to this +resolution. I did my best, however, to persuade him to alter his mind; +but the more I urged, the stronger appeared his determination of joining +the Gueux. At length, by the great exertions of the rovers' crews, the +two Spanish ships were got into a condition for again making sail, and +then, with the whole of the fleet, we steered a course for England. + +Once more the shores of Old England appeared in sight, and, rounding the +Goodwin Sands, we came to an anchor in the Downs. Glad as we English +were to see our native land, the joy of the unhappy refugees seemed far +to surpass ours. As they gazed on the land of freedom, they fell down +on their knees on deck, and together joined in a hymn of praise and +thanksgiving. Eagerly they packed up the few articles which they had +been able to bring away. Master Clough having paid a handsome sum out +of the property he had brought off to the Beggars, the rest was landed, +and under an escort of soldiers, whom he engaged for that purpose, he +prepared to send it off to London. + +I will not describe the parting of Mistress Margery and A'Dale. He +commended her to Aveline's care--who promised to look after her rather +as a sister than a dependant, and, shaking me warmly by the hand, +returned on board Captain Treslong's ship. We assisted, with the +_Falcons_ boats, in landing the emigrants. They were received, on +setting foot on the English shore, with the greatest kindness by the +inhabitants of Dover and other places. Their destitute condition +becoming known, subscriptions were raised for their support, houses +found, and a place of worship allowed them. + +Master Clough kindly invited Don Rodrigo to accompany him to London--an +offer which our Spanish friend was glad to accept; while his men, many +of whom were Flemings, volunteered on board the Beggars' fleet. + +Two or three Spaniards were put on shore to find their way back to their +country by the first vessel under the Spanish flag which might visit +Dover. We then all set forward for London, with the escort in charge of +Master Clough's chests of gold. + + + +CHAPTER TWENTY NINE. + +ROMISH PLOTS. + +On reaching Gresham House we were received by Sir Thomas and Lady Anne +with their usual kindness. Aveline was especially welcomed. Master +Clough and his lady were also gladly received. They did not remain +long, being anxious to set forth for Wales, in order to visit their +relatives, and to see the new house they had a short time before caused +to be erected. Sir Thomas was somewhat vexed on finding that A'Dale had +quitted his service and joined the Beggars of the Sea. + +"Not that I object to their cause," he observed; "that is a right noble +one, though they carry it on in a rough and somewhat barbarous manner. +But I consider that mercantile pursuits are among the most honourable in +which a young man can engage, and A'Dale, had he persevered, had every +prospect of success." + +I saw poor Margery, who was present, look very sad and uncomfortable +when these remarks were made, so much so that Lady Anne observed her. + +"What have you to say to this matter, Mistress Margery?" she asked. +"Are you the cause in any way of the young man's joining the Sea +Rovers?" + +Poor Margery burst into tears. + +"I had far rather he had returned home than have done so," she answered; +"but he told me that he could not expect to make a fortune sufficient to +marry me, and to live as we ought to do, for a long time, if he followed +commerce; but that he hoped by some lucky stroke to gain enough in a +short time to come home and settle comfortably." + +"He is more likely to gain a broken head, the silly lad," observed Sir +Thomas; "but we must not have you weeping. Mistress Margery, about the +matter. I will send to him and induce him to return. I had purposed +considerably increasing his pay, or obtaining some post for him in which +he would enjoy a good income." + +Margery, drying her tears, thanked Sir Thomas for his kind intentions, +and was not in any way chary of her abuse of poor A'Dale for his +conduct. + +"You say he is on board the Captain de Treslong's ship, do you, Ernst?" +he asked, turning to me. "You shall forthwith write a letter to him, +which I will sign, and despatch it without delay. Perchance it may +reach him before the ship leaves the English coast; if not, it may be +some time before it overtakes these roving gentry." + +I had purposed waiting the arrival of Captain Radford before I told Sir +Thomas and Lady Anne of my engagement to Aveline. Seeing my patron, +however, in so kind a mood, and believing that he would not be less +inclined to obtain a post for me than he was to find one for A'Dale, I +mustered up courage to confess to him that the chief object of my heart +was to marry Aveline. + +"Eh! is it so?" said Sir Thomas, turning to her. + +A blush rose to her cheeks as she confessed that she had resolved to +marry no one else, having also, she added, her father's permission; and +she then narrated the way in which she had discovered her father at +Master Clough's house. Sir Thomas was not a little surprised to find +that he was the Captain Rover whom he had for so long known, who was +employed in the service of the merchant adventurers. Still more +surprised was he when I introduced the minister, Overton, and told him +how we had again met each other. + +"He will, then, be glad to meet a friend who is in the house--that most +excellent divine, Master John Foxe," he observed. "He lately came up to +London from his living in Wiltshire, which he has for some time held. +Happy is the parish which enjoys his ministrations; for not only does he +preach the word of truth from the pulpit, but he carries the Gospel from +door to door, and ministers both to the temporal and spiritual wants of +his people. He is indeed a true shepherd of sheep, and spends his life +in imitation of the blessed example set by our Lord and Master." + +While he was speaking, Master John Foxe entered the room. He looked +considerably older and somewhat thinner than when I last had seen him, +but the same pleasing smile lighted up his countenance. He welcomed +Master Overton and me warmly, knowing us both immediately. + +"And now, my friend," he said, turning to Master Overton, "you will +continue in this country, I trust, to preach the Word, as I hear you +have been doing in Antwerp; and that you may have the means of so doing, +I will forthwith endeavour to obtain a cure for you." + +Master Overton warmly thanked the minister, saying that it was his wish +to devote himself as heretofore to the work of the Lord. That first +evening we spent at Gresham House, after our arrival, was one not easily +to be forgotten. We all had so many adventures to relate. John Foxe +narrated the circumstances which occurred while he resided in +Switzerland; Master Overton described his wanderings, and his numberless +escapes. Master Clough had to give an account of many events, +especially of those which had taken place in the Netherlands since he +last wrote. + +Two days after Master Clough and his lady had taken their departure, +Captain Radford arrived. Aveline had promised that, should he not +object to it, she would be mine as soon as arrangements could be made +for our marriage. I had not forgotten the packet in the possession of +Lady Anne, though of the contents I had no distinct recollection. We +now applied for it. Great was Captain Radford's satisfaction when it +was delivered to him. After examining it, he rose up and kissed his +daughter. + +"There can be little doubt," he said, "that you will become possessed +ere long, through means of these papers, of considerable property. I am +not sorry for it, being assured that you will have one well able to +manage it, and to be your true protector as long as you two remain in +this life." + +"The course of true love does continue to run smooth," I whispered to +Aveline. + +"I pray it may; but we are not married yet," she answered. + +I do not deem that the matters concerning the estate in question will +prove interesting to my readers. I will, therefore, merely state that, +being placed before the law authorities, it was finally decided that she +was its rightful possessor. It consisted of upwards of five hundred +acres; and, greatly to my satisfaction, I found that it was situated in +the same parish in which Master Foxe ministered. Still our marriage was +not to take place just yet. Lady Anne insisted that she could not, +after so long a separation, be again parted from her young attendant; +besides which, Sir Thomas had received notice that a certain lady of +rank was to be committed to his charge--of whom more anon. It was +necessary that Lady Anne should have a younger and more active lady than +herself to assist in taking charge of the said personage. + +Shortly after this, Sir Thomas received notice that a foreigner of rank +and consideration had arrived at Dover, and also a request from Cecil-- +the Queen's minister--that he would receive him into his house. The +stranger was the Cardinal Chastillon, as he was still called, the +brother of the famous French Admiral, Gaspard de Coligny. He had been +educated for the Church, in which he was placed in his childhood; and, +from the powerful influence of his family, he had been appointed to the +Deanery of Marseilles, as also to the dignity of Cardinal. When only +thirteen years of age, he was promoted to the Bishopric of Beauveax; and +by the time he was twenty-two, he had been made Archbishop of Toulouse. +It might have been supposed that so great a number of honours, bestowed +on so young a man, would have bound him to the Church from which they +had proceeded; but, instead of that, the abominable system which could +produce such a result struck him forcibly. Having thus seen some of the +abuses of Romanism, he did not fail to discover many more; and, at the +age of twenty-eight, he had openly embraced Protestant opinions, and +threw in all his support to the cause of the Lutherans. + +The house in Bishopsgate Street having been got ready for his reception, +I, with Sir Thomas Gresham, rode down to Tower Wharf, where the Cardinal +arrived at three o'clock in the afternoon. Here other persons of +distinction joined us, to do honour to the illustrious stranger, and, +together, we all accompanied him to Gresham House. He was a remarkably +handsome, courteous man, excessively insinuating in his manners, at the +same time with a firm and determined look. He was said to be a refined +courtier and a consummate politician. Probably the Romanists had no +more watchful enemy. His eagle eye was everywhere, and his great aim +was to counteract all their plots and machinations, at this time +especially so rife in England for the destruction of Queen Elizabeth and +all who desired to support Protestant truth. Though people still called +him a Cardinal, he wore the dress of an ordinary gentleman, with a short +cloak over his shoulders and a rapier by his side. Soon after he +arrived, the French Ambassador came to pay his respects, whom Sir Thomas +invited to stop to supper. It was very evident that there was no great +friendship between the two, and that the Ambassador's object was rather +to act as a spy on Chastillon--of which fact the latter was well aware. +In the train of the Cardinal, among other noblemen, came the Bishop of +Aries, who, I concluded, had embraced Protestant principles. + +The Cardinal remained at Gresham House for a week, during which time +banquets were given to him, and every respect shown. Sir Thomas had the +pleasure of exhibiting to him his new Bourse. We then rode on to Saint +Paul's Church, and came back to dinner--having first, I should have +said, attended the Protestant service in the French Church. Meantime +the Queen had directed Zion House to be prepared for the Cardinal's +residence. Here, at the end of that time, he went with his attendants. +The Queen was greatly pleased with him, it is said, and bestowed on him +much favour. Her minister, Cecil, too, held him in high estimation; +indeed, the Cardinal afforded him the greatest assistance with regard to +the unravelling of Popish plots. + +I had by this time many friends in London. Among the principal, and +certainly the oldest, was Sir John Leigh, who resided in a handsome +house in the Strand. I frequently paid him a visit, and was now sorry +to see that his health was breaking, and that he was becoming gradually +weaker and weaker. Still he was as vivacious and full of anecdote as +ever, while he took a keen interest in public affairs. + +"Ernst," he said one day, soon after I came in, "see to the door, that +no one is near. I have a matter of great importance which I know I can +entrust to you. You always supposed that I was a Romanist; and so I +was, as far as I could be said to have any religion; but the things I +have witnessed in England, and which are now going forward in the +Netherlands, in France, and in Spain, and which are, I have undoubted +proof, encouraged in every possible way by the head of the Romish +Church, have made me inquire into the claims and authority of that +Church. I find that the Pope has no ground whatever on which to support +his claim to be head of the Christian Church, and that the religion he +promulgates is rather a system organised by Satan for leading souls to +destruction than one for teaching them the way to attain to happiness in +another life. I say this, that you may understand why I have taken the +part I have done in an important matter. You are well aware that the +Romanists consider any means lawful to attain their ends. They are +resolved to re-establish their faith in England; and I, as a patriot, +consider that no greater curse could happen to the country. Every +effort has been made to induce the Queen to accept a Popish husband. +They think possibly that, if they could get rid of Cecil, they might +succeed in inducing the Queen to marry as they have proposed; but if +not, I know to a certainty that they will not scruple to use violence, +even to the taking away of her life. I have thoroughly fathomed the +plot to ruin Sir William Cecil, aided by the information I have received +from Cardinal Chastillon, who is himself well acquainted with it. I +wish you to communicate faithfully to Sir Thomas Gresham the matters of +which I shall speak to you, and he will then take such steps as he +judges best for informing Sir William. There is now residing in London +a Florentine gentleman, Roberto Ridolfi, who pretends to be a merchant. +He by some means became acquainted with Lords Arundel and Lumley, to +whom he offered the loan of a sum of money. Now this Ridolfi is an +agent of the Pope, and receives express instructions from Rome on all +occasions how to act. When meeting the two lords I have mentioned on +the business of the loan, he managed to win them over to support the +plot he had arranged. They agreed readily, and undertook to gain over +the Duke of Norfolk. Many other nobles averse to the Protestant faith +have joined them; among the most influential of whom are the Earls of +Northumberland, Derby, Shrewsbury, Pembroke, and Leicester. They hope +to accomplish their object, as I have said, without bloodshed or +confusion. Sir William has, I doubt not, been greatly surprised at the +way in which they have absented themselves from the Queen's Council. +`To be forewarned is to be forearmed.' A man of Cecil's judgment and +discretion, when once he has a right clue to their conduct, will know +how to act; but let both him and the Queen beware of foes of every +description, and especially--I scarcely like to speak it aloud, Ernst-- +of poison. There are those who are fully capable of using it, if they +think their ends can be accomplished by no other means. Not only does a +good understanding subsist between them and the Pope, but they have +secured the Duke of Alva. They have also opened a negotiation with the +Kings of France and Spain. They have traitorously suggested that the +former should issue an edict forbidding all commerce with England; and, +more than that they have urged the Pope to send his troops which have +lately come out of Italy to the coast of Normandy and Picardy, in order +to give the English Roman Catholics courage to proceed; so that, should +matters come to extremities, they would have the support of a Papal army +of mercenaries. That fact, my young friend, as much as any other +circumstance, has made me, as a patriotic Englishman, feel not only a +repugnance for their scheme, but a hatred and disdain of principles +which can so blind their eyes, and induce them thus to act. Should the +plot be successful, one of the first things which Alva would do would be +to make a descent on the English coast; thus, as he would hope, +preventing the English from aiding the Prince of Orange. + +"Ernst Verner, our beloved country is at the present moment in a very +dangerous position. On one side we have, as I have shown you, France +and Spain, urged by the Pope, wanting nothing but ability to attack us. +By Alva's designs our commerce in the Low Countries has been crippled. +In Scotland there is a strong Roman Catholic party, who are doing their +utmost to subvert the throne of Elizabeth, and to substitute Mary Stuart +in her place. The disaffected, whether in religion or politics, make +that unhappy lady their rallying-point. Ireland is in a state of +rebellion; and, as if this were not enough, there are those traitors of +whom I have spoken to you, and many more at home, seeking again to +introduce the despotism of Rome, and to keep the nation in that state of +ignorance and superstition which the Papal power finds to best answer +its purpose." + +These remarks, as may be supposed, made a deep impression on me; and, +after some further conversation with my old friend, I bade him farewell, +promising faithfully to convey the warning given, through Sir Thomas, to +the Secretary. I felt eager to be of service in the cause, and saw the +importance of every man of intelligence and influence rallying round the +statesman who alone appeared capable of counteracting the numerous evil +influences associated for the destruction of the State. Though only +half an Englishman, as a true Protestant all my sympathies were now +enlisted on behalf of my adopted country. + + + +CHAPTER THIRTY. + +DAME TROND'S TREACHERY. + +On leaving Sir John Leigh, I hastened back to Gresham House, where I +found Sir Thomas. He listened attentively to my account. "The +traitors! the unhappy bigots!" he exclaimed more than once as I +proceeded with it. "Order my horse and four attendants; I will set +forth immediately and visit the Secretary, and inform him of this +matter. Every hour may be of consequence." + +On his return, Sir Thomas told me that Sir William Cecil had received +the information with great calmness, fully believing, however, the whole +account. + +"He will not forget you, Ernst, depend on that," he said, "should you +prefer any other calling to that in which you are engaged." + +It was evident that the object of the other ministers in absenting +themselves from the Queen's Council was, should anything go wrong, to +throw all the blame on Sir William Cecil. The wise way, however, in +which the Queen acted, by affording him her utmost support, showed that +she was well aware of their purpose, and that she was resolved to take +the responsibility on her own shoulders. Thus it was by the wisdom and +firmness of these two illustrious persons that that fearful storm was +weathered, and England saved from Papal tyranny. + +Soon after this, news reached us of the illness of Master Richard +Clough, and in another week came the sad intelligence of his death. He +had ever been a faithful servant of Sir Thomas Gresham, and one of +those, who had enabled him to build up his fortunes. + +His last will and testament was sent over from Hamburg. It was to the +effect, that having made all his money in the service of Sir Thomas +Gresham, he freely gave to his said master all his moveable goods, his +lands only excepted, that Sir Thomas might do his pleasure therewith, +adding that he would leave it to him whether he would suffer his wife, +children, and friends to enjoy them or any parcel thereof, according to +his previous will and testament. The paper concluded with the following +words: + + "Oh! my master, do unto my poor wife and children as you would I + should do unto yours, if you were in the same place, for they have no + one to trust to but to you; and therefore I bid you and my lady + farewell, till it please God to bid us a meeting. + + "Your old servant-- + + "Richard Clough." + +I suspect that this letter was written in order that our friend Richard +Clough might show his confidence in his old master. It was not +misplaced, as Sir Thomas renounced the power given to him, when the +earlier will was proved. I should say that Sir Richard Clough, to show +his love of his native town, Denbigh, sought to bestow on its future +inhabitants the blessing of education, by leaving 100 pounds towards the +founding of a free school--a very considerable sum, let it be +understood. + +I was now very anxious no longer to delay my marriage with Aveline, +especially as Captain Radford was in England, and purposed shortly +making another voyage to some distant part of the world. The spirit of +adventure had increased on him, and he could with difficulty remain +quietly in England without employment. I expressed my wishes to Sir +Thomas. + +"I am sorry to hear this," he said, "because I was about to propose to +you to go to Antwerp on important business. There is no one I would so +willingly employ in it as yourself; and you will be conferring a favour +on me if you will postpone your marriage to Mistress Aveline for another +month or so. We will do our best to entertain Captain Radford in the +meantime, and on your return I will invite that excellent minister, +Master John Foxe, to leave his books and his parish for a time, and come +up and perform the ceremony. Her uncle Overton must also be drawn forth +from his quiet parish for a few days to assist in the ceremony." + +I, of course, could not decline so flattering an offer as that now made +to me by my patron, though my dear Aveline, I must own, pouted her lips +and looked about to cry when I told her of it. + +"If I had you here, I should not so much mind," she said; "but to let +you go forth into that land where the cruel Duke practises his +barbarities, and may perchance seize you and cast you into prison, I +cannot bear to think of it!" and again she burst into tears. + +I tried to console her, believing that her fears were vain, and that, +under the protection of Sir Thomas Gresham and the English Government, +no harm could possibly happen to me. + +I travelled down on horseback to Harwich, and from thence crossed in a +frigate, sailing for Ostend. From that city I travelled post, as Sir +Thomas himself had often done, at a rapid rate to Antwerp. Here I took +up my abode in the house of my patron's old servant, Jacob Naas, who had +been left in comfortable circumstances by the liberality of his master. +He had held to his former principles of conforming outwardly to the +Romish faith. I talked with him for some time before he knew who I was. +He then received me most cordially, and gave me the best entertainment +his house could afford. He shook his head when I asked how things went +on at Antwerp. "Oh! Master Verner," he said, "they are bad times. Our +artisans have fled, the commerce of the place is ruined, grass is +growing in many of our streets, springing up from the blood of the +citizens shed on them. And then look at that frowning fortress. While +that remains, how can we ever hope to regain our lost liberties? It is +refreshing to be able to speak to you of these matters, but I dare not +utter them aloud." + +I asked after many of my old acquaintances. Again he shook his head +with a sorrowful look. Some were dead--broken-hearted; many had been +executed; others had fled, and the rest were living in poverty. A few +only were flourishing, and they were among those who had abandoned the +Protestant faith. + +"Then I suppose that that is a proof that they have acted wisely and +rightly," I observed. + +"No, no, Master Verner, you do not think that," he answered: "I know +enough of the truth to know that it is not always those who flourish in +this world who are most favoured by God. Look at me, Master Verner, I +am not happy; and when I pass them, and observe their countenances, +there is little contentment and cheerfulness to be seen in them." + +"And Dame Trond," I asked, "is she still alive?" + +"Ah, that she is," he answered, "and drives a more flourishing trade +than ever. People of all ranks go and consult her, and believe that she +can work all sorts of miracles, and has numberless familiar spirits at +her command." + +"She is a strange woman," I observed; "but I ought to feel grateful to +her for the assistance she afforded us in helping our friends to +escape." + +"Ah! but still I am afraid she is a _very_ wicked old woman," said +Jacob. "I cannot tell you how many bad things I believe she has done; +and she will do many more, I suspect. I, for one, would not trust her." + +"I have no wish to do so," I said, "and, indeed, doubt how far I should +be right in obtaining her services, now that we know more of her +character." + +Finding that there was a considerable amount of ill-feeling towards the +English among the Spaniards and the Flemings who adhered to Alva, I went +very little abroad while at Antwerp, except when I was compelled to call +on the merchants and others with whom I had business. I found, however, +that it was absolutely necessary for me to proceed to Brussels. I was +there going into the lion's den; but yet, as the English Government had +an envoy at the Duke's court, I considered that I had no cause for fear. +I accordingly went with Jacob Naas, who earnestly begged that he might +accompany me. + +At this time the Duke of Alva was endeavouring to force upon the +provinces a tax which was known as the Tenth Penny. Expostulations had +been sent to King Philip; but, though the tax was not formally +confirmed, the King did not distinctly disavow his intention of +inflicting it. The citizens in every town throughout the country were +therefore in open revolt against the tax; and, in order that it should +not be levied on every sale of goods, they took the only remedy in their +power, and a very effectual one that was--namely, not to sell any goods +at all. Thus, not only was the wholesale commerce of the provinces +suspended, but even the minute and indispensable traffic of every-day +life was at a standstill. + +Every shop was shut. The brewers refused to brew, the bakers to bake, +the tapsters to tap. Thus multitudes were thrown out of employment, and +every city swarmed with beggars. The soldiers were furious for their +pay, which Alva was unable to furnish. The citizens, maddened by +outrage, became more and more obstinate in their resistance; while the +Duke seemed to regard the ruin he had caused with a malignant spirit +scarcely human. In truth, the aspect of Brussels at this time was that +of a city stricken by a plague. Articles of absolute necessity could +not be obtained. It was impossible even to buy bread, meat, or beer. + +My stay in Brussels was short, and I was thankful to leave the city, +albeit Antwerp was scarcely in a better condition. I purposed remaining +only two days at that place, intending to return home by the way I had +come. + +The day after my return, just as I got to my lodgings, having transacted +some business with one of the few remaining correspondents in the city, +Jacob came to me with a look of alarm. + +"I was passing through the Mere, close to the hall where the Blood +Council hold their sittings, when who should I see hobbling away but old +Dame Trond! She cast a suspicious glance at me, which I could not help +feeling meant mischief. I have a relative who is employed as a porter +in the hall. He has no love for his post, but he cannot help himself, +so he says. I bethought myself that I would go and see him, and try to +learn why Dame Trond had paid this visit to the Council. `It is curious +that you have come in,' he whispered; `for I was wishing to come to you. +You have a guest in your house who has come here as an Englishman, but +is, as you should know, a Netherlander born, and a heretic. You are +aware of the penalty of harbouring such; and, as he is supposed to be +wealthy, the person informing against him will obtain a rich reward, +being entitled to a large share of his property. The old witch Barbara +Trond has found this out, I doubt not, by consulting her familiar, and +she just now came here to lay information against him before the Blood +Council. Now, Jacob, if you are a wise man, you will do as I intended +to advise you. Go at once before the Blood Council, and say that you +have just discovered that your guest is a heretic whom you received +ignorantly, and thus obtain the reward yourself.' I did not dare to +tell my relative what I felt when he said this; but, thanking him for +his advice, I concealed my feelings, and hurried back, Master Verner, to +tell you, and to urge you to make your escape without a moment's delay +from the city. The Government are too much in want of funds to allow +you to escape, if they can by any possibility lay their hands upon the +property of which you have charge; and especially, if it is believed +that it belongs to Sir Thomas Gresham, they will be the more ready to +appropriate it, in revenge for the advice he is known to have given the +English Government sometime back with regard to the treasure seized in +the Spanish ships." + +I saw at once that prompt action was necessary. + +Instantly, therefore, with the aid of Jacob, putting on the guise of a +courier, I hastened out to the stables, at which I engaged horses for my +journey. Mounting, and followed by my English servant, I rode rapidly +forth from the gates of the city. + +I had got to some distance, when, turning my head, I saw a horseman +galloping after me. I could not help fearing that he was some officer +sent by the Blood Council for my arrest; and I doubted whether I should +endeavour to defend myself and refuse to return, or to yield myself a +prisoner. As he drew nearer, however, I saw that he was my faithful +friend Jacob. + +"Ah! Master Verner," he said; "I could not resist the temptation of +following you, and endeavouring to assist in your escape. It would be +sad to think what would happen if you were taken. I should never +forgive myself, if I had not done all I could to preserve you." + +Thanking Jacob for his kindness and generosity, I yet thought it my duty +to expostulate with him, and show him the danger he was running in +accompanying me. + +"To be honest with you, Master Ernst," he said, "I think it will not be +greater than it would be if I were to remain; for when it becomes known +that I warned you and assisted in your escape, I am very well assured +that the Blood Council would condemn me to death." + +On this, of course I no longer urged Jacob to return, though well +assured that his regard for me was his principal motive. As we +increased our distance from Antwerp, I began to hope that we should +escape from the country without further danger. Instead of riding to +Ostend, however, we took a different direction, towards Zealand. We had +passed through Breda beyond which we proceeded a couple of stages, +where, the night overtaking us, on the second day of our journey, we +were compelled to stop and rest. Wearied by my ride, and the anxiety I +had gone through, I slept soundly. How long my slumbers had lasted I +know not, when I felt a rough hand on my shoulder. I started up, +wondering what was about to happen. + + + +CHAPTER THIRTY ONE. + +IN PRISON AT BRILL. + +As I have before mentioned, I was aroused out of my sleep by a heavy +hand on my shoulder. "Your name is Ernst Verner," said a voice. "You +were born in the Netherlands, and your father was a Netherlander?" + +Scarcely having yet gained my senses after being awoke out of my heavy +slumbers, I answered immediately: "Of course. You are perfectly right +in what you say, whoever you are." Directly afterwards I regretted +having thus spoken, but it was too late. + +"He acknowledges who he is!" cried the same voice; and by the light of a +lantern which another man held up before my face, I saw that several +armed persons were in the room. "Get up and dress yourself immediately; +you will accompany us!" said the man who had first spoken. + +I now too clearly guessed what had happened: I was in the hands of +Alva's officers, and had no means of escape. Jacob had been taken in a +like manner, as was also my servant John, who, however, being an +Englishman, was in less danger than we were. + +Immediately we were dressed we were ordered downstairs, where we found +our horses, and, being compelled to mount, we set forth immediately, two +men going before with torches to light us on our way. We proceeded for +some hours in the dark, our guards refusing to give us any information. +We stopped for a short time only for meals, and, after crossing several +ferries, we found ourselves entering a fortified town. Neither Jacob +nor I knew the place; but I guessed from its position that it was Brill, +on the river Meuse. Why we were carried there I could not tell, except, +perchance, that it was considered necessary, in order to keep the +inhabitants in recollection of what they would suffer should they show +any signs of rebellion, that we were there doomed to be sacrificed. It +was not a pleasant thought, yet it seemed too probable. It might have +been considered a more suitable place than Rotterdam for our +imprisonment. Be that as it might, we were conducted to the jail, and +there cast together into a loathsome dungeon, cold and damp, into which +but a single ray of light penetrated. That ray came through a small +grated aperture on one side of the arched roof. Although I had had some +experience of a prison in England, I scarcely thought it possible that +human beings could be confined in a dungeon so horrible as the one in +which we found ourselves. My two companions seemed inclined to give way +to despair. + +Honest Jacob, however, thought more of me than of himself. + +"And you told me, Master Verner, that you were about to be married to +that sweet young lady, Mistress Aveline; and oh! if they hang you, she +will surely break her heart! My good dame is laid in her grave, that's +one comfort. There is nobody to mourn for me and poor English John +here. They will scarcely kill him--though I do not know; for it seems +to me that the Spaniards and those who serve them have a delight in +destroying their fellow-creatures. They will probably kill us first, +and then bring us to trial." + +I felt that it was my duty to try and keep up the courage of my +companions. Fortunately, John could not understand the remarks made by +Jacob. I told him to be of good cheer, and that I hoped we might still +by some means make our escape with our lives. My valise, containing a +large amount of valuables, had been taken by our captors; but I still +retained a considerable portion of jewels about me, besides several +rolls of gold which I had concealed in my dress. This had escaped +observation, our captors being delighted with the rich booty they had +found in the valise, which they probably supposed was all I possessed. +I hoped by bribing our jailer to induce him to help us to escape, or, at +all events, to send off a letter, which might be transmitted to Sir +Thomas Gresham. I told John also, what I knew would be some consolation +to him, that we might possibly be able to procure a larger amount of +provisions than the prison fare, which was likely to be scanty enough. +Before, however, I in any way committed myself by showing that I had any +money in my possession, I determined to try the temper of the jailer. + +We were allowed to remain alone for several hours. At length the door +opened, and a ruffianly-looking fellow appeared carrying a jug of water +and a loaf of coarse bread--for coarse it seemed, even by the light of +the dim lantern which he bore in his hand. + +"This is but poor fare for prisoners uncondemned," I observed. "Could +you not, friend, obtain us something better?" + +"Good enough for men who have only a few days to live," he answered, in +a gruff voice. + +"They will not venture to execute Englishmen, or those under English +protection," I answered, in as bold a voice as I could muster; "so you +will not frighten us out of our appetites, friend." + +"Caged birds don't often crow as loudly as you do," observed the jailer. +"However, it is as well to enjoy your life while you have it; so I will +not try further to put you out of humour." + +Hoping that I had by degrees softened the jailer's feelings I took from +my pocket a single piece of gold, which I placed in his hand. As he +looked at it, his countenance brightened. + +"Ah! now we understand each other," he observed. "And what is it you +want me to do for this?" + +"To bring us better food," I answered; "and let me know what is going +forward without the walls. The man who would help us to escape would +find it to his advantage; for, although the British Government would +desire to protect us, Duke Alva is occasionally apt to execute his +prisoners first and then to apologise afterwards, when he has found out +that they were guiltless." + +"We must not speak against the authorities from whom we take our bread," +answered the jailer; but he still lingered, willing apparently to hear +what more I had to say. I, however, thought that I had said enough to +show him what were our wishes and intentions. At last he took his +departure, looking far more pleasantly at us than he had done when he +entered. We were left, therefore, alone to discuss our rough fare. As +we had been kept without food for some time, we were glad to eat it, +coarse as it was. + +We had no other visitor after this till the next morning. We employed +the time in examining our cell, to ascertain if there was any possible +means of getting out. Jacob said that he had heard of men burrowing +under the walls, others had got out the iron bars in the windows, or +worked their way through a hole which they managed to form in the roof. +But there appeared very little chance of our getting out that way. Our +only hopes lay in the assistance the jailer might afford us. I cannot +say that we slept very pleasantly, for our beds were composed of heaps +of half-rotten straw; and though we could not find any way of getting +out of our dungeon, rats and other vermin found their way in, and +continued running about the floor, and frequently jumping over us during +the dark hours of the night. + +The next morning the jailer again made his appearance, with a basket, in +addition to the usual prison fare, containing some white bread and +pastry, and several other articles of food. Without hesitation I paid +the price demanded for it, and then asked him if he had any news. + +"Not much," he said. "Three men going to be hung, two to be burned; the +latter for attempting to assist a heretic prisoner to escape, the other, +who had been a priest, for preaching heretical doctrines." He looked at +me very hard as he spoke. + +"That may be," I answered. "It is the fortune of war; we must all run +risks if we are to achieve any important object." + +"Ay, ay, I see you know the world, young sir," he answered. + +I again plied him with questions about the prospect of escaping, but he +only shook his head, repeating: "You would not ask me if you had seen +the poor fellow burned yesterday." + +His argument was a powerful one. Though I did not like the thoughts of +bringing the man into such fearful danger, I still could not resist the +temptation of trying to induce him to help us in getting free. "If we +escape, you will escape with us," I observed; "so that the risk will not +be greater to you than to us." + +Still the man shook his head, answering: "I have no fancy for burning!" + +Once more we were left alone. The hours appeared very long. Though I +had my two companions to talk to, they were so unhappy that they were +little able to speak on any pleasant subject. At length the silence +which had hitherto reigned in our prison was broken by loud shouts and +cries, which proceeded from the streets beyond us. That something +extraordinary was taking place we had little doubt, yet what it was we +of course could not divine. At length at the usual hour the jailer made +his appearance with our provisions, which were, as he had promised, far +better than the usual prison fare. The man's countenance also showed us +that something had happened. I eagerly put the question to him. + +"I don't know what to say; I don't know what to say," he answered; "but +I am not quite certain whether you will be outside this dungeon and I in +before the day is over." + +"It is honest in you to say that, my friend," I answered; "but how can +that be?" + +"Why, to confess the truth," answered the man, "this morning at daybreak +a strange fleet was seen coming up the river Meuse. No one could tell +whence it came. Some thought it was a fleet of merchant vessels for +Rotterdam: but the question was soon set at rest by my friend Peter +Kopplestock, the ferryman, who, going on board one of the ships, found +them to be no others than those fearful desperadoes and pirates--the +Water Beggars. They sent him back to tell the magistrates that two +hours would be allowed them to decide whether or not they would +surrender the town, and accept the authority of De la Marck as Admiral +of the Prince of Orange. That if they will do so, their lives will be +spared; but if not, every man who attempts to resist will be put to the +sword. Our Burgomaster is a mighty brave fellow, and so are our chief +burghers, but they know very well what a desperate fellow the Admiral De +la Marck is; and he has got some five or six thousand men, so Peter +says, on board the fleet; and what can our citizens do to resist them? +He says that he comes simply to free the land from the Tenth Penny, and +to overthrow the tyranny of Duke Alva and his Spaniards. The +magistrates, it seems to me, do not much like to face Admiral De la +Marck, and so they have been busily employed in packing up ever since, +and making their way out of the town." + +While the jailer was still speaking, the sound of musketry was heard, +and shouts and cries proceeding from our side of the town. "I must go +and see what it is all about!" exclaimed the jailer, rushing out. We +thought he had left the door open behind him, but, greatly to our +disappointment, we found that, even though frightened, by instinct +rather than intention he had bolted it. + +The noise increased, and we felt almost certain, by the shouts and cries +we heard, that the patriots had forced an entrance into the town. We +thought, indeed it was no delusion, that we heard a voice proclaiming +liberty to the Netherlands, and the cry of "Long live the Prince of +Orange! long live our noble Stadtholder!" Again loud noises reached our +ears, and thundering blows echoed through the building. There could be +little doubt that the jail was being forced. Then came crashing sounds, +as if doors were burst open. We endeavoured to force open our own door, +for we knew not what might happen. Directly afterwards, a stifling +smell of smoke found its way through the crevices of the door. + +"We shall be baked alive!" exclaimed Jacob Naas. "We must force the +door, even should we break our shoulders in the attempt! Here, you +English John, dash at it with your head, if that is the hardest part of +you." We all shoved at the door together, but in vain. It resisted all +our attempts. The smoke grew thicker and thicker. We could with +difficulty breathe. Again and again we dashed at the door frantically. +We were giving way to despair, when voices were heard. It seemed as if +a body of men were rushing along the gallery, breaking open the doors of +the cells. + +We thought they were going to pass us by. We shouted--we shrieked-- + +"Here! here! my brave Beggars, my daring rovers, here are men shut up in +this corner! Bring crowbars, or we and they shall be burnt together!" + +The words, though spoken in Flemish, were uttered, I was certain, by an +Englishman, and I thought I knew the voice. At that instant the door, +which had so long resisted our efforts, gave way, and we rushed out, +being seized instantly by the men who had come to our rescue; though, in +the thick wreaths of smoke which curled round us, it was impossible to +recognise their countenances. Confused, and almost stifled by the +smoke, we did not see where we were going till we found ourselves in the +open street, where the fresh air quickly revived us. + +In the centre of the square, near the prison, stood on an elevated spot, +a fierce-looking warrior, with a black casque, and a lofty plume on his +head, a huge red beard projecting from his chin and covering his breast, +his shaggy locks hanging down over his shoulders, and his moustache +almost hiding his mouth. He rested on a huge richly-gilt double-edged +sword. His very look was calculated to inspire terror. I asked some of +the men round us who he was. + +"That is our Admiral, De la Marck," was the answer. + +His appearance was just then more terrible than the words he was +uttering. Indeed, he was assuring the people that no harm would be done +them if they would yield willing obedience to the commands he might +issue in the name of their Prince. A grim look of pleasure lighted up +his countenance when at that instant the governor of the city was +brought before him, having been taken just as he was endeavouring to +make his escape. While I was looking about me, my eye fell on the +officer who had led the party to our rescue from the burning prison. He +turned round at the same moment; I was not quite certain, yet I thought +I could not be mistaken when, in the well-bearded, huge-whiskered, +long-haired seaman I saw before me, I recognised my old friend A'Dale. + +"A'Dale!" I shouted. + +He sprang towards me, and almost wrung my hands off as he shook them in +his joy at seeing me. "And you are the fellow we got out of the +prison?" he exclaimed. "I little knew who I was saving: however, all is +well that ends well. You shall tell me all about yourself by-and-by, +for we have something to do to keep these citizens in order. The honest +truth is, we have taken the place with scarcely three hundred men--they +thinking that they were attacked by five thousand or so. However, when +they find we wish to treat them well, we shall have plenty on our side, +for few of them have love for Alva and his Tenth Penny." + +Before sunset the whole city was brought into obedience to De la Marck. +The gates were again closed, and guards set, to prevent any enemies +entering; and A'Dale and I took possession of a remarkably comfortable +residence, stored with all sorts of good things. The next day De la +Marck employed himself in appointing fresh magistrates, and establishing +a regular government in the name of the Prince. + +It is very remarkable that, while the Duke of Alva was negotiating with +Queen Elizabeth, and inducing her to compel the Sea Beggars to quit the +shores of England, hoping certainly in the end to deceive her, the +result of his devices should have been their establishment on the +mainland, and the commencement of that power which was ultimately to +produce his own overthrow and the success of that very cause which it +was his great aim to destroy. + + + +CHAPTER THIRTY TWO. + +CONCLUSION. + +I was very eager to return to England, and happily found a merchant +vessel at the mouth of the Meuse on the point of sailing. I did my best +to persuade A'Dale to accompany me. He confessed that the life he led +on board the rover fleet was not altogether to his taste. They had on +several occasions been very nearly starved, as they were when they +arrived before Brill. He had, however, collected a considerable amount +of booty, and, being a prudent man, he had not gambled it away, as some +of his companions had done. He could now also, without dishonour, +retire. We both of us visited Captain Treslong, and I explained that I +was in the service of Sir Thomas Gresham, whom he well knew, and that +probably A'Dale would be again employed if he returned to him. I truly +rejoiced when the captain gave him leave to retire and go with me and my +two attendants on board the vessel I spoke of. + +We had a quick passage; and my dear Aveline received me as she ever had +done, with true affection. We were married immediately afterwards, for +I was determined to allow no considerations any longer to put off that +event. + +Margery blushed somewhat when she saw A'Dale, and though she thought +that he ought to be punished for his continued absence, yet she speedily +relented, and their marriage took place on the same day as mine. I will +not describe it. We were honoured by the presence of Sir Thomas Gresham +and Lady Anne, and a large number of persons of consideration. + +My bride and I took up our residence in Lombard Street, where we had +very pleasant apartments not far from A'Dale, who went into the service +of his old master. + +My noble patron, after the experience of a long life, had arrived at the +simple conclusion that the cultivation of the understanding, and the +education of the heart, gave birth to the purest pleasures, as well as +the noblest aspirations, and that the best gifts which the State has in +its power to bestow on its youthful members are sound learning and +religious principles. He had long contemplated the establishment of a +college for the accomplishment of this object. Indeed, while building +Gresham House I feel very sure he had this in view. The building itself +has a collegiate air. Within there is a great reading hall, while the +distribution of its apartments are susceptible of every purpose of a +college. He now openly expressed his intention, though I am sorry to +say the University of Cambridge endeavoured to divert him from his +purpose, being jealous that London should have a college, the +authorities wishing that he should rather endow another hall in their +University. By his will, which he now drew up, he ordained that Lady +Anne Gresham should enjoy his mansion house, as well as the rent arising +from the Royal Exchange, during her life, in case she survived him; but +after her death both these properties were to be vested in the hands of +the Corporation of London and the Mercers' Company. These public bodies +were jointly to nominate seven professors, who should lecture +successively, one on every day of the week, on the seven sciences of +Divinity, Astronomy, Music, Geometry, Law, Medicine, and Rhetoric. The +salaries of the lecturers were defrayed by the profits arising from the +Royal Exchange, and were very liberal. The wisdom of my patron is shown +by the sciences he directed should be taught. He considered Divinity to +be the most important, and after that, holding as I know he did in great +contempt the foolish art of astrology, he desired that the noble and +soul-elevating science of astronomy should be chiefly cultivated. On +music, too, he set high value, while geometry he considered did not only +help forward astronomy, but is a fine exercise of the mental faculties. +The great Copernicus has written on astronomy, but his work is little +known in England; indeed, the science is but slightly cultivated or +respected. + +Sir Thomas also, some time before this, constructed eight almshouses, +immediately behind his mansion, in the parish of Saint Peter the Poor, +and in his will he provided liberally for the inmates. This, however, +was only one of many charities which he established. + +My wife and I frequently paid visits to our kind friends at their new +mansion of Osterley; and while we were there in May, 1576, they had the +honour of receiving a visit from the Queen's Majesty. I have not space +to describe the magnificent arrangements which were made for the +reception of her Majesty, or the numerous entertainments prepared to +render her stay agreeable. I may mention, however, that a play was +represented, written by my patron's old friend, Thomas Churchyard, as +also a pageant, "The Devises of War." Her Majesty was greatly pleased +with all she saw, but she found fault with the courtyard as too great, +affirming that it would appear more handsome if divided with a wall in +the middle. Scarcely had the words been spoken than Sir Thomas slipped +away and sent off for workmen to London, who, in the night time, so +speedily and silently laboured, that the next morning discovered the +court double which the night had left single. It is questionable +whether the Queen next day was more contented with the conformity to her +fancy, or more pleased with the surprise and sudden alteration when the +courtiers disported themselves with their expressions, avowing that it +was no wonder he who could build a _change_, could _change_ a building. +I have, I am afraid, given but a very imperfect idea of the character of +my kind and noble patron. I had met him in the afternoon at the +Exchange on the 21st of November, 1579, being Saturday. Parting from +him, I returned to Lombard Street. While sitting with my wife and +children about seven o'clock in the evening, a serving-lad came running +to say that Sir Thomas had suddenly fallen down in the kitchen soon +after he came home, and was then speechless. I hastened off. When I +arrived, I found my kind friend laid on a bed. A glance at his +countenance told me too truly what had happened. I felt his pulse: it +had ceased to beat. Thus, at the age of sixty, after having served the +State for nearly thirty years with unsullied honour and integrity, Sir +Thomas Gresham was taken to his rest. Surely the annals of the City of +London can boast of no more illustrious name. He greatly raised the +credit of the Crown in foreign parts by the skill with which he +contrived to manage the exchange with foreign countries. He laid the +foundation of England's commercial greatness. He elevated the character +of the English merchant, and dignified the pursuits of trade by showing +that they are far from being incompatible with the taste for learning; +while a large portion of the fortune he had acquired in the service of +the State he restored to it by numberless acts of public munificence and +private charity. The funeral was more splendid that that of any +nobleman I have ever seen. Could he have known what was going forward, +I think he would have been more pleased by seeing the tears shed by +several of the two hundred poor men and women, clothed in black gowns, +who, according to the directions given in his will, followed the body to +the grave. + +England has had trying times since then. The Pope, not content with the +massacre of Saint Bartholomew in France, when tens of thousands of +Protestants were murdered by night, seemed resolved to take the life of +our Protestant Queen. A large body of Jesuits were introduced, under +various disguises, into England, hoping to re-convert its Protestant +inhabitants to the Romish faith. Their great object, however, was to +destroy the Queen. Of these plots, Sir John Leigh, as I have before +mentioned, gave me warning. + +At length King Philip, finding that he could not succeed by treachery, +resolved to invade England with a mighty army in a vast fleet, which he +called his Invincible Armada. We were for a long time in expectation of +its coming, and all classes of her Majesty's subjects united for the +defence of her kingdom. Even the Roman Catholics, who had no desire to +have the Pope place his foot on their necks, as he had done on the +people of the Netherlands, willingly came forward for the protection of +the Queen. Philip boasted that in a few months he would bring back all +England to the Catholic faith, and several of his ships had large +quantities of books on board abusing the Queen, and full of the foulest +falsehoods. Besides this there was a large force of priests and friars, +and all sorts of instruments of torture--racks and thumb-screws, and +every device for inflicting agony on the bodies of people, in order to +induce them to conform to what the Spaniards called the true faith. The +mighty fleet of Spain sailed up the Channel, Philip's generals and +officers boasting of the great victory they were about to achieve. +Elizabeth and her people had done their best for the defence of the +country and their liberty; but the Queen trusted not alone to an arm of +flesh. She offered up a prayer to God for the protection of her realm, +and sent it to her General at Plymouth, that he might in the same terms +pray for victory:-- + +"Most Omnipotent and Guider of all our world's mass, that only searchest +and fathomest the bottom of all hearts' conceits, and in them seest the +true original of all actions intended, how no malice, revenge, nor +quittance of injury, nor desire of bloodshed, nor greediness of lucre, +hath bred the resolution of our now set-out army, but a heedful care and +wary watch that no neglect of foes nor over-surety of harm might breed +either danger to us or glory to them. Thou that didst inspire the mind, +we humbly beseech with bended knees prosper the work, and with the best +fore-winds guide the journey, speed the victory, and make the return the +advancement of Thy glory, the triumph of Thy fame, the surety of the +realm, with the least loss of English blood. To these devout petitions, +Lord, give Thou Thy blessed grant! Amen." + +The very day on which that prayer was being offered up, it was said that +Don Bernadins de Mendoza, the Spanish Ambassador, rushed into the Church +of Notre Dame in Paris, flourishing his rapier, and exclaiming in a loud +voice, "Victoria!" by which it was supposed that the English were +vanquished. + +Up Channel the mighty Armada steered in the shape of a half-moon, with +the wind from the south-west, on the 21st of July of that year. While +Lord Howard began the battle by attacking in his own ship, called the +_Ark Royal_, one of the large ships of the Armada, Drake, Hawkins, and +Frobisher soon joined him, for two days pursuing and attacking the enemy +with the greatest fury, joined by Sir Walter Raleigh and other brave +commanders. For one day, the 24th, there was a rest; but on the +following, Hawkins, in the _Victory_, attacked a great galleon, which +yielded herself up; but now came on another desperate battle, till at +length the Spaniards anchored before Calais. Here, after a week of +furious fighting, they expected to find rest, but that was not given to +them. Again the English attacked with fire-ships, by which many more of +the Spaniards were destroyed. Then they cut their cables and ran up +Channel, many, however, going ashore on the Flemish coast, Drake, +Fenner, Hawkins, and other captains pursuing them. Other fierce battles +were fought and numberless single combats, when the English never failed +to come away victorious. Some escaped round the north of Scotland, +pursued to the last by the English fleet; many foundered; others were +cast on shore by a mighty storm which arose. A small and shattered +remnant only of the mighty Armada returned to Spain, eighty-one ships of +the expedition having been lost, and upwards of 13,500 soldiers. + +On the 24th of November the Queen went to Saint Paul's, to return thanks +for the victory graciously given. The streets were hung with blue +cloth, and the City Companies ranged themselves on either side in +appropriate order. The great captains who had fought so bravely, +surrounded the Queen. The trophies they had won were carried in +procession. A solemn thanksgiving was offered up, and the glory +ascribed to God only: while, in every other church in the land, public +thanks were given to God for the favour thus mercifully bestowed upon +England. + +Although Philip had been thus signally defeated, he still persisted in +his belief that he should finally conquer England, and destroy the +Protestant institutions which had been established there. May God bring +to nought his attempts, and the efforts of all the enemies of the holy +and blessed Gospel! This is the earnest prayer of ERNST VERNER. + + + + + + +End of Project Gutenberg's The Golden Grasshopper, by W.H.G. 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