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diff --git a/.gitattributes b/.gitattributes new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6833f05 --- /dev/null +++ b/.gitattributes @@ -0,0 +1,3 @@ +* text=auto +*.txt text +*.md text diff --git a/24335-8.txt b/24335-8.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..fde590e --- /dev/null +++ b/24335-8.txt @@ -0,0 +1,4411 @@ +The Project Gutenberg EBook of Margaret Tudor, by Annie T. Colcock + +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: Margaret Tudor + A Romance of Old St. Augustine + +Author: Annie T. Colcock + +Illustrator: W. B. Gilbert + +Release Date: January 17, 2008 [EBook #24335] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK MARGARET TUDOR *** + + + + +Produced by Suzanne Shell, Stephen Blundell and the Online +Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net + + + + + + +THE STORY OF MARGARET TUDOR + + + + +[Illustration: MARGARET TUDOR.] + + + + + MARGARET TUDOR + + _A Romance of Old St. Augustine_ + + By ANNIE T. COLCOCK + + + _Illustrated by_ + W. B. GILBERT + + + [Illustration] + + + NEW YORK · FREDERICK A. + STOKES COMPANY · PUBLISHERS + + + + + COPYRIGHT, 1901, + BY FREDERICK A. STOKES COMPANY + + _All rights reserved_ + + +Transcriber's Note: + + Minor typographical errors have been corrected without note. The oe + ligature is shown as [oe]. + + + + + "That thee is sent receive in buxomnesse, + The wrastling of this world asketh a fall, + Here is no home, here is but wildernesse, + . . . . . + Looke up on high, and thanké God of all!" + CHAUCER. + + + + +NOTE. + + +The names of Mr. John Rivers,--kinsman and agent of Lord Ashley,--Dr. +Wm. Scrivener and Margaret Tudor appear in the passenger list of the +_Carolina_, as given in the Shaftesbury Papers (Collections of the South +Carolina Historical Society, Vol. V, page 135). In the same (page 169) +may be found a brief account of the capture, at Santa Catalina, of Mr. +Rivers, Capt. Baulk, some seamen, _a woman, and a girl_; also (page 175) +mention of the unsuccessful embassy of Mr. Collins; and (page 204) the +Memorial to the Spanish Ambassador touching the delivery of the +prisoners, one of whom is alluded to as _Margaret_, presumably Margaret +Tudor. + +The names of the two Spaniards, Seņor de Colis and Don Pedro Melinza, +each appear once in the Shaftesbury Papers (pages 25 and 443): the +latter individual was evidently a person of some consequence in San +Augustin; the former, in the year 1663, was "Governour and +Captain-General, Cavallier, and Knight of the Order of St. James." + + ANNIE T. COLCOCK. + + + + +THE STORY OF MARGARET TUDOR + + + + +CHAPTER I. + + +San Augustin, this 29th of June, Anno Domini 1670. + +It is now more than a month since our captivity began, and there seems +scant likelihood that it will come to a speedy close,--altho', being in +good health myself, and of an age when hope dies slowly, I despair not +of recovering both liberty and friends. Yet, in the event of our further +detention, of sickness or any other evil that may befall me--and there +is one threatening--I write these pages of true history, praying that +they may some time reach the hand of my guardian and uncle, Dr. William +Scrivener, if he be still alive and dwelling in these parts. Should they +chance, instead, to meet the eyes of some friendly-disposed person of +English blood and Protestant faith, to whom the name of William +Scrivener is unknown, I beseech him to deliver them to any person +sailing with the sloop _Three Brothers_, which did set out from the +Island of Barbadoes on the 2nd of November last,--being in the hire of +Sir Thomas Colleton, and bearing freight and passengers for these +shores. + +If the sloop has suffered some misadventure (as I fear is not +unlikely,--either at the hands of the Spaniards, or else of the Indians +of these parts, who do show themselves most unfriendly to all +Englishmen, being set on to mischief by the Spanish friars), then I pray +that word may be forwarded to his Lordship, the Duke of Albemarle, and +others of the Lords Proprietors who did commission and furnish a fleet +of three vessels, to wit: the _Carolina_, the _Port Royal_, and the +_Albemarle_, which did weigh anchor at the Downs in August of last year, +and set forth to plant an English colony at Port Royal. + +In particular would I implore that word might reach Lord Ashley, seeing +that his kinsman, Mr. John Rivers, is here detained a prisoner in sorry +state, laden with chains in the dungeon of the Castle--for which may God +forgive me, I being in some degree to blame; and yet, since it hath +pleased Heaven to grant me the fair face that wrought the mischief, I +hold myself the less guilty and grieve the more bitterly, inasmuch as I +love him with a maid's true love and would willingly give my life to +spare him hurt. + +If it were so that I might give the true narrative of our present +plight, and how it fell about, without cumbering the tale with mention +of my own name, it would please me best; but as those who read it may be +strangers, I would better tell my story from the start. + +Of myself it is enough to say that my name is Margaret Tudor, and saving +my uncle, Dr. Scrivener, I am alone in the world and well-nigh +portionless--my father having spent his all, and life and liberty to +boot, in the service of King Charles, being one of those unfortunate +royalists who plotted for His Majesty's return in the year '55. For, as +Cromwell did discover their designs ere they were fully ripe, many were +taken prisoners, of whom some suffered death and others banishment. Of +these last was my father, who was torn from the arms of his young wife +and babe and sent in slavery to Barbadoes. We could learn nothing of his +after fate, though many inquiries were made in his behalf. + +And so it fell about that,--my mother having gone to her rest,--I did +take passage with my uncle, Dr. William Scrivener, on board the +_Carolina_, with intent to stop at Barbadoes and make some search for my +poor father in the hope that he yet lived. + +Among the passengers of the _Carolina_ was Lord Ashley's kinsman and +agent, Mr. John Rivers, of whom I can find naught to say that seems +fitting; for although it may hap that in this great world there are +other men of a countenance as fine, a mien as noble, and a heart as +brave and tender, it has not been my lot as yet to encounter them. + +Together we did sail for three months on the great deep, in danger of +pirates, in peril of tempests, and in long hours of golden calm when the +waters burned blue around us and the wide heaven shone pale and clear +over our heads. And in all that time we came to know one another passing +well; and Mr. Rivers heard my father's story and promised to aid us in +our search. + +It was October when we reached Barbadoes and landed. Of the news that we +obtained, and the strange chance that brought it to our ears, it is +needless here to speak. Let it suffice that my dear father did not +suffer long, as death soon freed him from his bondage. + +We had no further cause to detain us in Barbadoes, so we yielded to the +persuasions of Mr. Rivers that we should continue with the expedition to +Port Royal; and, in November, we set sail once more in the _Three +Brothers_, a sloop hired to replace the _Albemarle_, which, in +consequence of a broken cable, had been driven ashore in a gale and lost +upon the rocks. + +From now on, for the truth's sake, I must needs tell somewhat of my +intercourse with Mr. Rivers. It may seem I am lacking in a proper +modesty if I declare that, even then, there was more than friendship +betwixt us. But surely there were reasons enough and to spare. That I +should love him was no mystery--he being the gallant gentleman he is; +and, since there chanced to be no other maid upon the vessel of proper +age and gentle condition, I suppose it was in nature that he should make +the best of the little society he had. But nay, I would be false to my +own faith if I doubted that it was foreordained of Heaven that we should +come together and love one another. + +It is true that I did not make confession of this belief until I had +tormented my would-be lord with every teasing device that entered into +my brain. But though he was often cast down for hours together, he gave +me to understand that he could read my heart in my blue eyes. + +"An you were to swear upon your soul you hated me, dear lady, I'd not +believe it," he once said. "Mistress Margaret is too unversed in city +ways and shallow coquetries to play a part--and 'tis for that I love her +so." And though it angered me to have him praise my innocence and +country airs, I knew he spoke the truth, and that a time would come when +I would own my love for him. And so it did. + +A terrible storm had raged for eight-and-forty hours. There had been +wild, black, awful nights, and sullen days when the gray curtains of the +sky were torn asunder and whirled over us in inky folds, their tattered +fringes lashing up the seas, and whipping our frail bark till it skulked +and cowered, like a beaten cur that looks in vain for mercy. We had +drifted northward far from our course, our two consorts had disappeared, +and we had well-nigh given up hope, when with the dawning of the third +day the wind lulled, and through the ragged clouds we saw the blue arch +of heaven high above us. + +I had climbed out upon the deck alone; and from a sheltered corner I saw +the sun rise and gild a far-off strip of shore that lay to west of us. +It seemed a vision of a new heaven and a new earth, and I gave God +thanks. Then a hand touched mine, and a voice whispered my name--and +other words that need not be recorded here; and I could answer nothing +in denial, for the reason that my heart was too full. + + + + +CHAPTER II. + + +The land to west of us was Virginia, and we sought harbour at Nancemund, +and lay there some weeks for needful repairs on the sloop, which was +also provisioned afresh for her further voyage. + +It was then the month of February; we had been six months a-journeying, +and still the promised land was far away. + +This tale of mine, however, bids fair to spin itself at too great +length, so I must hasten on to the story of our captivity. + +In spite of fairly good weather on our way southward we somehow over +passed the latitude of Port Royal harbour; and of a Saturday in May--the +fifteenth day of the month--we did cast anchor at a little isle upon the +coast, in order to obtain wood and water for the sloop's needs. + +This island is within the territory of the Spaniards, who have named it +Santa Catalina. It lies some days' journey north of San Augustin,--the +exact latitude I know not, although I have heard it more times than +one; but there are some things that abide never in a woman's brain. + +Here appeared many Indians, who seemed at first not unfriendly, and +spoke words of welcome to us in the Spanish tongue. + +Much trading was done aboard the sloop, and the barbarians appeared +strangely content with strings of paltry beads and the cast-off garments +of the crew, giving in their stead good provender, and skins of the wild +deer dressed soft and fine. + +The second day of our stay, Mr. Rivers, with the ship's master and three +seamen, went ashore with such stuff as the Indians desire, to trade for +pork and other provisions; and it being a Monday morn, Dame Barbara did +crave leave to take her washing and go with them, in the hope of finding +a softer water to cleanse the linen. + +It was early morning; the breeze from the land blew sweet and fragrant, +and the woods beyond the sandy beach bourgeoned in new leafage, green +and tender. I longed for the scent of the warm earth, and the tuneful +courting of bird-lovers in the thicket; so I prayed my uncle to let me +go ashore with the dame. He acceded willingly enough; but Mr. Rivers, +who is always over-anxious where my safety is concerned, counselled me +earnestly not to leave the ship. + +I was ever a headstrong maid, and the sunshine and the scent of far-off +flowers had set me nearly wild with longing; so I chid him roundly for +his caution and merrily warned him to beware how he sought to clip the +wings of a free bird. Go I did, therefore, though he smiled and shook +his head at me; and when we all parted company at the watering-place he +seemed uneasy still, and, looking backward over his shoulder as I waved +farewell, entreated me to wander no farther from the shore. + +The little spring where they had left us welled up, cold and clear, at +the foot of a tall cypress-tree, and trickled thence in a tiny stream, a +mere thread of crystal, that tangled itself in the low bush and wound +its way helplessly through the level wooded country, as though seeking +for some gentle slope that would lead it to the sea. + +The dame rinsed her linen till it fairly shone, and spread it out to dry +in a sunny nook; while I lay prone on the warm earth and stirred up the +damp brown leaves that had drifted into a tiny hollow, and found beneath +them a wee green vine with little white star-flowers that blinked up at +the sun and me. And I dreamed of the new home we would make for +ourselves in this far country, and of the very good and docile wife I +would be to my dear love. Then at last,--because I grew aweary at the +prospect of my very great obedience in the future, and because, too, I +thought it was high time my gallant gentleman came back to ask me how I +did,--up from the ground I started, rousing the dame from a sweet nap. + +"Look, Barbara! the linen is dry; the sun is on its westering way, and +the shadows grow longer and longer.--'Tis very strange that Mr. Rivers +and the master have not returned!" + +"Mayhap they have clean forgot us and gone back to the ship alone," +moaned the old woman, rubbing her sleepy eyes and beginning at once to +croak misfortune, after the manner of her class. + +Such an idea was past belief and set me smiling. I laid my hollowed +palms behind my ears and listened. + +Master Wind, passing through the tree-tops, had set every leaf +a-whispering and nid-nodding to its gossips,--just as the peddler on his +way through the village at home stirs all the women-folk to chattering +about the latest news from the whole countryside. In the thicket beside +us a chorus of feathered singers were all a-twitter, each trying to +outdo his neighbour; but one saucy fellow piped the merriest tune of +all, mingling in a delicious medley the sweetest notes of all the rest. +Of a sudden, as I listened, there was a soft rustle in the undergrowth, +and out from a clump of myrtles bounced a little brown rabbit, who +cocked an astonished eye at me and disappeared again with a series of +soundless leaps and a terrified whisk of his little white tail. Upon +that the laugh in my throat bubbled over; I dropped my hands and turned +to the dame. + +"Gather up your linen, good Barbara, and let us explore the trail +ourselves. They are doubtless picnicking somewhere in the woods beyond, +and 'tis very discourteous not to bid us to the entertainment." + +She would have demurred at first: the linen was not to be left, and yet +was too weighty to carry; her back was aweary and she was fain to rest +in peace. But Mistress Margaret was minded to have her own way, and, +dividing the bundle in two, started on ahead with the larger share of +it; so that, will she, nill she, the dame must follow. + +I knew, of course, that I was disobeying Mr. Rivers's last injunction, +and 'twas that thought quite as much as the sweet woodland airs that +lured me on: I desired, above all things, to behold the countenance of +my gallant gentleman when he discovered my wilfulness. So I hastened +forward, pausing now and again to encourage the good dame and entice her +still farther with glowing descriptions of new beauties just coming into +view. + +It fell about, therefore, that I was some forty paces in advance of her +when I suddenly came upon the Indian settlement and saw there a sight +that made my heart stand still. + +I drew back hastily behind the trunk of a wide-branched oak, whence I +could look--unseen, I thought--upon the town. + +A great concourse of barbarians was assembled in the open space before +the chief building, which was of considerable size, built round after +the manner of a dove-house, and completely thatched with palmetto +leaves. Many smaller buildings surrounded it: one, in especial, I would +have done well to take note of; for it was doubtless a kind of sentinel +or watch-tower, being set on tall, upright timbers which gave it an +elevation much greater than any part of the surrounding country. + +I had eyes for naught, however, but one figure, that stood, with hands +and feet bound, at the foot of a great wooden cross planted opposite the +entrance of the chief building. It was my dear love--I knew him on the +instant by the proud poise of his head and shoulders. He was speaking in +his usual calm and courtly tones to the circle of half-naked savages, +who seemed to hear him with respectful consideration, though they made +no motion to loose his bonds. + +On the ground beside him lay the ship's master, old Captain Baulk, and +the three seamen, their arms securely pinioned. Near them was the bale +of goods which had been brought from the ship: it lay wide open, and was +being most unscrupulously rifled of its contents. + +For the moment I thought it was the sight of the gewgaws this bale +contained that had roused the cupidity of the barbarians; but now I +believe otherwise. The savages would have paid for them willingly, in +skins and such like, and then suffered our men to depart in peace, had +not that smooth-tongued hypocrite, Ignacio, been behind. But this, of +course, was unknown to me at the time. + +The idea came over me, like a flash, that we should go for help to the +ship; and I turned quickly and signalled the dame to be silent. It was +too late, however, for she had caught sight of the savages and of our +men bound in the midst of them; and turning to the right about with a +shrill scream, she cast away the bundle of linen and started back the +way we had come at a speed which 'tis likely she had never equalled in +her life before. After her I hastened, and implored her to be still, +lest the barbarians should hear and overtake us. My one thought was to +summon aid; for, though there seemed to be over two hundred of the +Indians, I believed that our handful of men, armed with muskets, swords, +and pikes, would be sufficient to strike terror into them at once. + +We had scarce run an hundred yards down the trail when four savages +stepped from a thicket and laid hands upon us. They had lain in wait, +there is no doubt, so 'twas evident we had been seen some while before. + +Barbara resisted them with much wild shrieking, but I submitted in +silence. 'Twas not that I was any braver than she, but simply that I +could not believe that they meant to do us any real harm; and all the +while I was possessed with the thought that there was some one stationed +in the thicket who was directing the actions of the savages. It appeared +to me that, as they fastened our arms behind us, their eyeballs rolled +ever toward a certain myrtle-bush, as if they were waiting for a cue. + +We were led back at once to the town, and I shall never forget the look +upon my dear love's face as he caught sight of me. + +"Margaret--you also! I had hoped you and the dame were safe!" he cried +out, as our captors led us to his side. + +"'Twas all my wilfulness--I came hither seeking you," I answered, and +hung my head. + +He looked at me dumbly, and then turned his face away; and I saw his +arms writhing in their bonds. A strange feeling came upon me, part shame +and sorrow that I should have grieved him so, and part exultation +that--whatever our fate--at least we would meet it side by side. Fear +had the least place in my thoughts as I waited, breathless, for the +outcome of this strange situation. My eyes wandered round the circle of +barbarians, and I noted with some wonderment that numbers of the men +wore their crowns shaven, after the manner of a priest's tonsure. + +One among them, who seemed of greater consequence than the rest, began +to speak; but I could make nothing of his discourse, although he used +many words that I thought had somewhat of a Spanish ring. + +Yet his meaning was fathomed by Mr. Rivers, who gave him the reply on +the instant, couched in the Spanish, and delivered with some heat and +indignation. + +There was a stir among the barbarians, and presently there appeared a +new figure on the scene. The shaven crown, the bare feet, the coarse +woollen robe fastened by a knotted cord about the waist, all denoted a +friar of the Franciscan order. + +"So," muttered Mr. Rivers, under his breath, "now we have the real chief +to deal with." + +Scarcely less swarthy than the Indians themselves was the dark face of +the Spanish friar. As he came forward into the open space, he raised his +eyes to the great cross at the foot of which we were standing, and +straightway bent the knee and crossed himself. Some few of the Indians +likewise made the sign upon their breasts, though the greater part +contained themselves with the same stolidity that had marked them from +the first. + +Mr. Rivers gave a low laugh, and turned to me with a curling lip. "These +be Christians," he said. + +The Spaniard caught the sneer, and a scowl gathered on his coarse face; +but he checked it suddenly and began in smooth tones to address us. + +Old Captain Baulk had raised himself to a sitting posture, and the +seamen all held themselves in attitudes of strained attention. + +"What says he?" I asked, in a whisper, of my dear love, when the friar +had ceased and turned away from us. + +"Naught but a tissue of lies," exclaimed Mr. Rivers, through his +clenched teeth. "He would have us believe that he is wholly +irresponsible for the doings of these 'banditos'; but he will exert what +influence he has among the believers of his flock to procure our +release,--I would we had fallen among infidels! These can have learned +naught of their teacher but deceit. They tricked us, on the plea of our +most mutual confidence, to lay aside our arms, and then fell instantly +upon us and made us captive." + +"I would to Heaven I could have gone back to the ship and given +warning," I sighed dolefully. "Yet perhaps some of them may come out to +search for us." + +"Now God forbid!" exclaimed Mr. Rivers, "for they would walk into a +trap. Some of these Indians have muskets and ammunition, and are +therefore as well armed as our men. If many more of us were taken there +would not be left able-bodied men enough to sail the sloop. 'Twould be +better if they held off and waited for the Indians to take the +initiative. My hope is that we will be able to treat with the savages +for ransom,--that is, if the friar bears us no real ill will. See, here +he comes again, with his oily tongue." + +The shifty eyes and full-lipped mouth of the man filled me with a +sudden loathing. Fear began to take hold of me at last, and a little sob +broke in my throat. + +My dear love turned to me with a quick, warm glance. + +"Cheer up, sweetheart," he whispered. "It is too soon to lose courage. +Come, where is my brave Margaret?" + +"Here!" I answered, and forced a smile on my quivering lips. + + + + +CHAPTER III. + + +The rest of the day passed by like a long nightmare. The friar had us +removed to a small but strongly built hut, containing two rooms, +separated by a thin partition of hides nailed to a row of upright studs. +These were of squared timber, as was the floor also, and the outer frame +and wall-plate. The roof and sides were overlaid with thatch; and there +was no window, only a square opening in the roof which admitted the +light, and also let out the smoke when a fire was built upon the floor. + +As dark came on, two young Indian girls entered the hut, where we sat, +bound, with our backs against the wall. + +They seemed kindly disposed and gentle-mannered, for all their +outlandish garb, which consisted of a petticoat of long gray moss, and +strings of little shells and beads of divers colours festooned about the +neck. + +They loosed Barbara and me, for which we were mightily grateful, as our +arms had grown numb and sore. We made signs that they should cut the +bonds of the men also, which they declined to do. Yet they touched us +with gentle hands, and stroked our shoulders in token of their good +will. + +After this they brought wet clay and spread it upon the floor, and on +this laid a fire and kindled it; going forth again, they returned with +food and set it before us, making signs that we who were free should +feed the rest. + +While I was serving my dear love--who made pitiable pretence of enjoying +my ministrations--the friar entered the hut, accompanied by two others +who were doubtless of mixed Spanish and Indian blood. + +They bore with them heavy manacles and chains, which they fastened upon +our men, cutting the leathern thongs which had held them until now. + +Mr. Rivers demanded to know by whose orders this was done. + +"For it would seem our true jailers are not the Indians. These fetters +are of Spanish forging. Is it to your nation, padre, we are indebted for +this urgent hospitality?" + +To this the friar made answer at great length, and what he said appeared +to enrage our men, who broke forth in a round volley of oaths as soon as +our jailers had left the hut. I turned to Mr. Rivers for explanation. + +"'Tis as I supposed," he said, "and the friar is at the bottom of it +all. He maintains now that in landing here and attempting to trade with +the Indians we have committed an offence against the sovereignty of +Santo Domingo, which claims all this coast as Spanish territory. These +Indians, he declares, are under the protection of his government, and +therefore are not free to dispose of any goods to us English, or to +receive any favours at our hands; as such dealings would be to the +prejudice of the Spanish rights and influence over this country. +Therefore he has claimed us from the Indians and proposes himself to +hold us prisoners, awaiting the decision of the Governor at San +Augustin." + +As I look back now, it seems to me that in those first hours of our +captivity I grew older by many years. That gladsome morning, with its +wilful moods and joyous daring, fell away back into the past, and seemed +as unreal as the day-dreams of my childhood. + +We slept that night, Dame Barbara and I, upon a soft and springy couch +of moss piled in the little inner room. That is to say, we lay there +silently; but I think I scarce closed my eyes. + +The wind, drifting through the gaping thatch, caught the loose corner of +a shrivelled strip of hide dangling on the rude partition wall, and +kept it swinging back and forth, with a faint tap-tap, tap-tap, the +whole night long. As it swung outward I could catch fleeting glimpses of +the little group huddled about the dying fire; and for hours I lay and +listened to the low murmur of their voices and the heavy clank and +rattle of their chains. + +Old Captain Baulk was in a garrulous mood, and he poured into the +sailors' ears a horrid tale of how the Spaniards had massacred the first +French settlers on this coast. + +"'Twas just about one hundred years ago," he droned in a gruesome +whisper. "Ribault's settlement was on the River May, somewhere in these +latitudes. There were about nine hundred of them in all, 'tis said, +counting the women and children; and not one of them escaped. The bodies +of dead and wounded were alike hung upon a tree for the crows----" + +"In God's name, hold your croaking tongue!" Mr. Rivers broke in angrily. +"'Tis bad enough for the women as things are, and if they overhear these +old wives' tales, think you it will make them rest easier?" + +"Not old wives' tales, Mr. Rivers, but the fact, sir,--the bloody fact." + +"Silence!" whispered my betrothed, in a voice that made me tremble,--for +he hath a hot temper when it is roused. "Unless thou canst hold that +ill-omened tongue of thine, there presently will be another bloody fact +between thy teeth!" + +A sudden silence fell. 'Twas broken finally by my dear love, whose +generous nature soon repented of a harshly spoken word. + +"I was over-hasty, my good Baulk; but I would not for the world have +Mistress Tudor hear aught of those horrors. And times have changed +greatly in an hundred years. But this inaction, this inaction! 'Tis +terrible upon a man!" + +A suppressed groan accompanied the exclamation, and my heart ached for +him. It must indeed be hard for men--who are used to carving their own +fates and wresting from fortune their desires--suddenly to be forced to +play the woman's part of patient waiting. + +The next day brought no relief. + +From the windowless hut we could see naught of what passed without; but +about an hour before noon we heard a drum beat in the village. The sound +grew ever fainter, as though receding; then came the distant report of +musketry, and we grew anxious for our people on the sloop. Hours passed +by, and again came the sound of heavy firing, which gradually died away +as before. + +Late in the afternoon we were joined by another prisoner, whom--from his +dress of skins--we mistook at first sight for a young Indian; but 'twas +no other than the lad Poole, who was in Mr. Rivers's service and most +loyally attached to his master. + +From him we learned that the Indians and some Spaniards had been +parleying with our men all day. He had swum ashore with a letter to the +friar, and had been received with kindness by the savages, who clad him +after their own fashion. The friar, however, vouchsafed him no reply; +and after a time gave a signal to his men to fire on the sloop. The +arrows of the Indians and the muskets of the Spaniards had finally +compelled the _Three Brothers_ to weigh anchor and put out to sea. + + + + +CHAPTER IV. + + +Day after day dragged by. We grew aweary of discussing the possibilities +of our escape and fell gradually into silence. + +It was on the first day of June that Don Pedro de Melinza arrived in the +galley from San Augustin, and our captivity took on a new phase. + +He is a handsome man, this Spanish Don, and he bears himself with the +airs of a courtier--when it so pleases him. As he stood that day at the +open door of our hut prison, in the full glow of the summer morning, he +was a goodly sight. His thick black hair was worn in a fringe of wavy +locks that rested lightly on his flaring collar. His leathern doublet +fitted close to his slight, strong figure, and through its slashed +sleeves there was a shimmer of fine silk. In his right hand he held his +plumed sombrero against his breast; his left rested carelessly on the +hilt of his sword. + +I could find no flaw in his courteous greetings; but I looked into his +countenance and liked it not. + +The nose was straight and high, the keen dark eyes set deep in the olive +face; but beneath the short, curled moustache projected a full, red +under lip. + +Show me, in a man, an open brow, a clear eye, a firm-set mouth, and a +chin that neither aims to meet the nose nor lags back upon the breast; +and I will dub him honest, and brave, and clean-minded. But if his +forehead skulks backward, his chin recedes, and his nether lip curls +over redly--though the other traits be handsome, and the figure full of +grace and strength controlled--trust that man I never could! Such an one +I saw once in my early childhood. My mother pointed him out to me and +bade me note him well. + +"That man," she said, "was once your father's friend and close comrade; +yet now he walks free and lives in ease, while my poor husband is in +slavery. Why is it thus? Because he over yonder was false to his oath, +to his friends, and to his king. He sold them all, like Esau, for a mess +of pottage. Mark him well, my child, and beware of his like; for in +these days they are not a few, and woe to any who trust in them!" + +I remembered those words of my mother when the Seņor Don Pedro de +Melinza y de Colis made his bow to us that summer's day. The meaning of +his courtly phrases was lost upon me; but I gathered from his manner +that he had come in the guise of a friend,--and I trembled at the +prospect of such friendship. + +Nevertheless I was right glad when the fetters were struck from my dear +love and his companions, and we were taken upon the Spanish galley and +served like Christians. + +At the earliest opportunity Mr. Rivers hastened to make things clear to +me. "Our deliverer"--so he termed him, whereat I marvelled +somewhat,--"our deliverer assures me that Padre Ignacio's action is +condemned greatly by his uncle, Seņor de Colis, the Governor and +Captain-General at San Augustin. Don Pedro has been sent to transport us +thither, where we will be entertained with some fitness until we can +communicate with our friends." + +"Says he so? 'Twill be well if he keeps his word; but to my thinking he +has not the face of an honest man." + +Mr. Rivers looked at me gravely. "That is a hard speech from such gentle +lips," he said. "Don Pedro is a Spanish gentleman of high lineage. His +uncle, Seņor de Colis, is a knight of the Order of St. James. Such hold +their honour dear. Until he gives us cause to distrust him, let us have +the grace to believe that he _is_ an honest man." + +I looked back into the frank gray eyes of my true and gallant love, and +I felt rebuked. 'Twas a woman's instinct, only, that made me doubt the +Spaniard; and this simple trust of a noble nature in the integrity of +his fellow man seemed a vastly finer instinct than my own. + +From that moment I laid by my suspicions, and met the courteous advances +of Seņor de Melinza with as much of graciousness as I knew how. But, as +we spoke for the most part in different tongues, little conversation was +possible to us. + +I marvelled at the ease with which Mr. Rivers conversed in both Spanish +and French. Of the latter I was not wholly ignorant myself,--although in +my quiet country life I had had little opportunity of putting my +knowledge to the test, seldom attempting to do more than "prick in some +flowers" of foreign speech upon the fabric of my mother tongue; so it +was with great timidity that I essayed at first to thread the mazes of +an unfamiliar language. + +The Spaniard, however, greeted my attempts with courteous comprehension, +and after a time I was emboldened to ask some questions concerning the +town of San Augustin, and to comment upon the vivid beauty of the skies +and the blue waves around us. Upon that he broke into rapturous praises +of his own land of Spain--"the fairest spot upon the earth!" As I +listened, smilingly, it seemed to me that I perceived a shadow gathering +upon the brow of my dear love. + +So far the galley had depended solely upon her oars--of which there were +six banks, of two oars each, on either side,--but now, the wind having +freshened, Don Pedro ordered her two small lateen sails to be hoisted. +While he was giving these directions and superintending their +fulfilment, Mr. Rivers drew closer to my side, saying, in a rapid +whisper: + +"You have somewhat misread me, sweetheart, in regard to your demeanour +toward our host. 'Tis surely needless for you to put yourself to the +pain of conversing with him at such length." + +Now it must be remembered that in the last few hours our situation had +greatly changed. I had left a dark and dirty hovel for a cushioned couch +upon a breezy deck. In the tiny cabin which had been placed at my +disposal, I had, with Barbara's aid, rearranged my tangled locks and my +disordered clothing; so that I was no longer ashamed of my untidy +appearance. With my outward transformation there had come a reaction in +my spirits, which bounded upward to their accustomed level. + +The salt air was fresh upon my cheek; the motion of our vessel, +careening gaily on the dancing waves, was joyous and inspiring. I forgot +that we were sailing southward, and that, if our English friends had +survived to begin their intended settlement, we were leaving them +farther and farther behind. My thoughts went back to the earlier days of +our journey over seas; and a flash of the wilful mischief, which I +thought had all died from my heart, rose suddenly within me. + +I leaned back upon my cushioned seat and looked with half-veiled eyes at +my gallant gentleman. + +"These nice distinctions, Mr. Rivers, are too difficult for me," I said. +"If this Spanish cavalier of high lineage and honest intentions is +worthy of any gratitude, methinks a few civil words can scarcely overpay +him." + +A heightened colour in the cheek of my betrothed testified to the warmth +of his feelings in the matter, as he replied: + +"You are wholly in the right, my dearest lady! If civil words can cancel +aught of our indebtedness I shall not be sparing of them. Nevertheless, +permit me, I entreat you, to assume the entire burden of our gratitude +and the whole payment thereof." + +"Not so," I rejoined, with some spirit. "Despite our beggared fortunes, +I trust no one has ever found a Tudor bankrupt in either courtesy or +gratitude; and--by your leave, sir--I will be no exception!" + +This I said, not because I was so mightily beholden to the Spaniard; +but--shame upon me!--because Mr. Rivers had chosen to reprove me, a +while since, for my uncharity. + +'Tis passing strange how we women can find pleasure in giving pain to +the man we love; while if he suffered from any other cause we would +gladly die to relieve him! 'Twould seem a cruel trait in a woman's +character--and I do trust that I am not cruel! But I must admit that +when I greeted Don Pedro, on his return, with added cordiality, it was +nothing in his dark, eager countenance that set my heart beating--but +rather the glimpse I had caught of a bitten lip, a knotted brow, and a +pair of woeful gray eyes gazing out to sea. + +Repentance came speedily, however. There was that in the Spaniard's +manner that aroused my sleeping doubts of him; and I soon fell silent +and sought to be alone. + +My gallant gentleman had withdrawn himself in a pique, and, in the +company of old Captain Baulk and the lad Poole, seemed to have wholly +forgotten my existence. + +I made Dame Barbara sit beside me, and, feigning headache, leaned my +head upon her shoulder and closed my eyes. The dame rocked herself +gently to and fro, and from time to time gave vent to smothered prayers +and doleful ejaculations that set my thoughts working upon my own +misdoings. + +Through my half-shut eyes I saw the sun go down behind the strip of +shore, and watched the blue skies pale to faintest green and richest +amber. A little flock of white cloudlets, swimming in the transparent +depths, caught fire suddenly and changed to pink flames, then glowed +darkly red like burning coals, and faded, finally to gray ashes in the +purpling west. + +"Lord, have mercy on our sinful hearts!" groaned Dame Barbara softly. + +"Amen!" I sighed, and wondered what ailed mine, that it could be so very +wicked as to add to the burden of anxiety that my dear love had to bear! +A few tears stole from under my half-closed lids, and I was very +miserable and forlorn, when suddenly I felt a hand laid upon mine. + +I looked up hastily, and saw the face of my gallant gentleman, very +grave and penitent, in the fast-deepening twilight. My heart gave a glad +leap within my bosom; but I puckered my lips woefully and heaved a +mighty sigh. + +"Thank you, dear Dame, for your kind nursing," I said to Barbara. +"Truly, I know not what I should do without your motherly comforting at +times." + +Mr. Rivers took my hand, and drew me gently away, saying: + +"See what a bright star hangs yonder, above the sombre shores!" + +I glanced at the glittering point of light, and then, over my shoulder, +at the shadowy decks. The Spaniard was not in sight, and only the bent +figure of the dame was very near. + +My dear love raised my fingers to his lips. "Forgive me, sweetheart, for +being so churlish--but you cannot know the fears that fill me when I see +that man's dark face gazing into yours, and realize that we are utterly +in his power." + +"Surely he would not harm me!" I said, hastily. + +"'Tis that he may learn to love you," said Mr. Rivers gravely. + +"He may spare himself the pain of it!" I cried. "Have you not told him +that we are betrothed?" + +"Aye, love--but he may lose his heart in spite of that. What wonder if +he does? The miracle would be if he could look upon your face unmoved." + +"Am I so wondrous pretty, then?" + +"Fairer than any woman living!" he declared. I knew well enough it was a +tender falsehood, but since he seemed to believe it himself it was every +whit as satisfactory as if it had been truth! + +"Be comforted," I whispered, reassuringly. "I know very well how to make +myself quite homely. I have only to pull all my curls back from my brow +and club them behind: straightway I will become so old and ugly that no +man would care to look me twice in the face. Wait till to-morrow, and +you will see!" + +A laugh broke from Mr. Rivers's lips, and then he sighed heavily. + +"Nay, sweetheart, if it be the head-dress you assumed one day some +months ago for my peculiar punishment, I pray you will not try its +efficacy on the Spaniard; for it serves but to make you the more +irresistible." + +But already I have dwelt longer upon myself and my own feelings than is +needful for the telling of my tale. I must hasten on to those +happenings that more nearly concerned Mr. Rivers. Yet, in looking +backward, I find it hard to tear my thoughts from the memory of that +last hour of quiet converse with my dear love, under the starlit +southern skies. How seldom we realize our moments of great happiness +until after they have slipped away! It seemed to me then that we were in +the shadow of a dark-winged host of fears; but now I know that it served +only to make our mutual faith burn the more brightly. + +I did not, thereafter, neglect Mr. Rivers's warning, and avoided the +Spaniard as much as possible. My dear love lingered always at my elbow, +and replied for me, in easy Spanish, to all the courteous speeches of +Don Pedro. + +Sometimes I think it would have been far better had he left me to follow +my own course. There are some men who need only a hint of rivalry to +spur them on where of their own choice they had never thought to +adventure. Melinza's attentions did not diminish, while his manner +toward Mr. Rivers lost in cordiality as time went on. + + + + +CHAPTER V. + + +Among the Spaniard's followers was a young mulatto whom he called +"Tomas." Very tall and slight of figure was he, yet sinewy and strong, +with corded muscles twining under the brown skin of his lean young +limbs. He wore a loose shirt, open at the throat, with sleeves uprolled +to the shoulder; and his short, full trousers reached barely to the +knee. + +I was admiring the agile grace of the lad as he bestirred himself upon +the deck the last morning of our voyage. With him young Poole (clothed +once more like a Christian, in borrowed garments) was engaged in the +task of shifting a great coil of rope; and the sturdy, fair-skinned +English youth was a pretty contrast to the other. + +Don Pedro was standing near to Mr. Rivers and myself, and his eyes took +the same direction as our own. + +"They are well matched in size," said he, pointing to the lads. "Let us +see which can bear off the palm for strength." He called out a few words +in Spanish to the young mulatto, who raised his dark head--curled over +with shiny rings of coal-black hair--and showed a gleaming row of white +teeth as he turned his smiling face toward his master. + +Mr. Rivers spoke a word to Poole, and the boy blushed from brow to neck, +and his blue eyes fell sheepishly; but he stood up against the other +with a right good will, and there was not a hair's difference in their +height. + +At a signal from Don Pedro the lads grappled with each other; the brown +and ruddy limbs were close entwined, and with bare feet gripping the +decks they swayed back and forth like twin saplings caught in a gale. + +In the first onset the mulatto had the best of it; his lithe dark limbs +coiled about his adversary with paralyzing force: but soon the greater +weight of the English youth began to tell; his young, well-knit figure +straightened and grew tense. + +I saw a sudden snarl upon the other's upturned face. His short, thick +upper lip curled back upon his teeth as a dog's will when in anger. He +rolled his eyes in the direction of his master, who threw him a +contemptuous curse. Stung into sudden rage, the mulatto thrust forth his +head and sank his sharp white teeth in the shoulder of young Poole. + +There was a startled cry, and the English youth loosened his grasp. In +another moment the two figures rolled upon the deck, and the flaxen head +was undermost. + +"Foul play!" cried Mr. Rivers, springing forward to tear the lads apart; +for now the mulatto's fingers were at his opponent's throat. + +Melinza's hand flew to his sword; with a volley of oaths he interposed +the shining blade between Mr. Rivers and the writhing figures on the +floor. Quick as thought another blade flashed from its sheath, and the +angerful gray eyes of my betrothed burned in indignant challenge. + +I had looked on in dumb amaze; but at the sight of the naked weapons I +screamed aloud. + +Instantly the two men seemed to recollect themselves. They drew back and +eyed each other coldly. + +"_Hasta conveniente ocasion, caballero!_" said the Spaniard, returning +his sword to its scabbard, and bowing low. + +"_A la disposicion de vuestra seņoria, Don Pedro_," replied my +betrothed, following his example. + +And I, listening, but knowing no word of the language, believed that an +apology had passed between them! + +The scuffle on the deck had ceased when the swords clashed forth, and +the lads had risen to their feet. Melinza turned now to young Tomas and +struck him a sharp blow on the cheek. + +"Away with you both!" said the gesture of his impatient arm; but I +believe his tongue uttered naught but curses. + +All of our English had appeared upon the deck, and when Melinza strode +past them with a scowl still upon his brow they exchanged meaning +glances. Captain Baulk shook his grizzled head as he approached us. + +"What have I always said, Mr. Rivers"----he began; but my betrothed +looked toward me and laid a finger on his lip. Afterward they drew apart +and conversed in whispers. What they said, I never knew; for when Mr. +Rivers returned to my side he spoke of naught but the dolphins sporting +in the blue waters, and the chances of our reaching San Augustin ere +nightfall. + +"So," I thought, "I am no longer to be a sharer in their discussions, in +their hopes or fears. I am but a very child, to be watched over and +amused, to be wiled away from danger with a sweetmeat or a toy! And +truly, I have deserved to be treated thus. But now 'tis time for me to +put away childish things and prove myself a woman." + +I had the wit, however, not to make known my resolutions, nor to insist +on sharing his confidence. I leaned over the vessel's side and watched +the silver flashing of the two long lines of oars as they cut the waves, +and I held my peace. But in my heart there was tumult. I had seen the +glitter of a sword held in my dear love's face!--and I grew cold at the +memory. I had coquetted with the man whose sword it was!--and that +thought sent hot surges over my whole body. I shut my eyes and wished +God had made them less blue; I bit my lip because it was so red. I had +not thought, till now, that my fair face might bring danger on my +beloved. + +He stood at my side, so handsome and so debonair; a goodly man to look +upon and a loyal heart to trust; not over-fervent in matters of +religion, yet never soiling his lips with a coarse oath, or his honour +with a lie! As I glanced up at him, and he bent down toward me, I +suddenly recalled the disloyal caution of our father Abraham when he +journeyed in the land of strangers; and I thought: "Surely must God +honour a man who is true to his love at any cost of danger!" + +So passed the day. + +It was evening when we crossed the bar and entered Matanzas Bay. The +setting sun cast a crimson glow over the waters; I thought of the blood +of the French martyrs that once stained these waves, and I shuddered. + +Outlined against the western sky was the town of San Augustin,--square +walls and low, flat roofs built along a low, green shore. The +watch-tower of the castle fort rose up in menace as we came nearer. + +Upon the deck of the Spanish galley, hand in hand, stood my love and I. + +"Yonder is----our destination," said Mr. Rivers. + +"Our prison, you would say," I answered him, "and so I think also. +Nevertheless, I would rather stand here, at your side, than anywhere +else in this wide world--_alone_!" + +He smiled and raised my fingers to his lips. "Verily, dear lady, so +would I also." + +There was a rattle of heavy chains, and a loud plash as the anchor +slipped down in the darkening waters. + + + + +CHAPTER VI. + + +We were received by the Spanish Governor immediately after our landing. + +I had already pictured him, in my thoughts, as a man of commanding +presence, with keen, dark eyes set in a stern countenance; crisp, +curling locks--such as Melinza's--but silvered lightly on the temples; +an air of potency, of fire, as though his bold spirit defied the heavy +hand of time. + +'Twas therefore a matter of great surprise to me--and some relief--when, +instead, I beheld advancing toward us a spare little figure with +snow-white hair and a pallid face. His small blue eyes blinked upon us +with a watery stare; his flabby cheeks were seamed with wrinkles, and +his tremulous lips twitched and writhed in the shadowy semblance of a +smile: there was naught about him to suggest either the soldier or the +man of parts. + +He was attired with some pretension, in a doublet of purple velvet with +sleeves of a lighter color. His short, full trousers were garnished at +the knee with immense roses; his shrunken nether limbs were cased in +silken hose of a pale lavender hue, and silver buckles fastened the +tufted purple ribbons on his shoes. On his breast was the red cross of +St. James--patent of nobility; had it not been for that and his fine +attire he might have passed for a blear-eyed and decrepit tailor from +Haberdashery Lane. + +I plucked up heart at the sight of this little manikin. + +"Can this be the Governor and Captain-General of San Augustin?" I +whispered in the ear of my betrothed. + +"'Tis not at the court of _our_ Charles only that kissing, or promotion, +goes by favour!" was his answer, in a quick aside. Then he met the +advancing dignitary and responded with grave punctilio to the suave +welcome that was accorded us. + +Melinza's part was that of master of ceremonies on this occasion. He +appeared to have laid aside his rancour, and his handsome olive +countenance was lightened with an expression of great benignance when he +presented me to the Governor as--"_the honourable and distinguished +seņorita Doņa Margarita de Tudor_." + +I looked up at Mr. Rivers with an involuntary smile. + +"My betrothed, your Excellency," he said simply, taking me by the hand. + +The blear-eyed Governor made me a compliment, with a wrinkled hand upon +his heart. I understood no word of it, and he spoke no French, so Mr. +Rivers relieved the situation with his usual ease. + +This audience had been held in the courtyard of the castle, which is a +place of great strength,--being, in effect, a square fort built of +stone, covering about an acre of ground, and garrisoned by more than +three hundred men. + +We stood in a little group beneath a dim lamp that hung in a carved +portico which appeared to be the entrance to a chapel. Captain Baulk and +the rest were a little aloof from us; and all around, at the open doors +of the casemates, lurked many of the swarthy soldiery. + +Suddenly light footsteps sounded on the flagged pavement of the chapel +in our rear, and a tall, graceful woman stepped forth and laid her hand +upon my shoulder. Through the delicate folds of black, filmy lace +veiling her head and shoulders gleamed a pair of luminous eyes that +burned me with their gaze. + +She waved aside the salutations of the two Spaniards and spoke directly +to me in a rich, low voice. The sight of a woman was so welcome to me +that I held out both hands in eager response; but she made no move to +take them: her bright eyes scanned the faces of our party, lingering on +that of my betrothed, to whom she next addressed herself, with a little +careless gesture of her white hand in my direction. + +Mr. Rivers bowed low, and said, in French: "Madame, I commend her to +your good care." Then to me: "Margaret, the Governor's lady offers you +the protection of her roof." + +His eyes bade me accept it, and I turned slowly to the imperious +stranger and murmured: "Madame, I thank you." + +"So!" she exclaimed, "you can speak, then? You are not dumb? I had +thought it was a pretty waxen effigy of Our Lady, for the padre here," +and she laughed mockingly, with a glance over her shoulder. + +Another had joined our group, but his bare feet had sounded no warning +tread. The sight of the coarse habit and the tonsured head struck a +chill through me. Two sombre eyes held mine for a moment, then their +owner turned silently away and re-entered the chapel door. + +Melinza was standing by, with a gathering frown on his forehead. + +"Such condescension on your part, Doņa Orosia, is needless. We can +provide accommodations for all our English guests here in the castle." + +"What! Would Don Pedro stoop to trick out a lady's boudoir?--Nay, she +would die of the horrors within these gloomy walls. Come with me, child, +I can furnish better entertainment." + +I turned hastily toward my dear love. + +"Go!" said his eyes to me. + +Then I thought of Barbara, and very timidly I asked leave to keep her by +me. + +"She may follow us," said the Governor's lady carelessly, and sharply +clapped her hands. Two runners appeared, bearing a closed chair, and set +it down before us. + +"Enter," said my self-elected guardian. "You are so slight there is room +for us both." + +In dazed fashion I obeyed her, and then she followed me. + +I thought I should be crushed in the narrow space, and the idea of being +thus suddenly torn away from my betrothed filled me with terror. I made +a desperate effort to spring out again; but a soft, strong hand gripped +my arm and held me still, and in a moment we were borne swiftly away +from the courtyard into the dark without. + +I wrung my hands bitterly, and burst into tears. + +"_O cielos!_ what have we here?" cried the rich voice, petulantly. "'Tis +not a waxen saint, after all, but a living fountain! Do not drown me, I +pray you. What is there to weep for? Art afraid, little fool? See, I am +but a woman, not an ogress." + +But 'twas not alone for myself that I feared: the thought of my dear +love in Melinza's power terrified me more than aught else,--yet I dared +not put my suspicions into words. I tried hard to control my voice as I +implored that I might be taken back to the fort and to Mr. Rivers. + +"Is it for the Englishman, or Melinza, that you are weeping?" demanded +my companion sharply. + +"Madame!" I retorted, with indignation, "Mr. Rivers is my betrothed +husband." + +"Good cause for affliction, doubtless," she replied, "but spare me your +lamentations. Nay, you may _not_ return to the fort. 'Tis no fit place +for an honest woman,--and you seem too much a fool to be aught else. +Here, we have arrived----" + +She pushed me out upon the unpaved street, then dragged me through an +open doorway, across a narrow court filled with blooming plants, and +into a lighted room furnished with rich hangings, and chairs, tables, +and cabinets of fine workmanship. + +I gazed around me in wonder and confusion of mind. + +"How does it please your pretty saintship? 'Tis something better than +either Padre Ignacio's hut or Melinza's galley, is it not? Are you +content to remain?" + +"Madame," I said desperately, "do with me what you will; only see, I +pray you, that my betrothed comes to no harm." + +"What should harm him?" she demanded. "Is he not the guest of my +husband?" + +"His guest, madame, or his prisoner?" + +She gave me a keen glance. "Whichever rôle he may have the wit--or the +folly--to play." + +I wrung my hands again. "Madame, madame, do not trifle with me!" + +"Child, what should make thee so afraid?" + +I hesitated, then exclaimed: "Seņor de Melinza bears him no good +will--he may strive to prejudice your husband!" + +The Governor's wife looked intently at me. "Why should Melinza have +aught against your Englishman?" + +I could not answer,--perhaps I had been a fool to speak. I dropped my +face in my hands, silently. + +Doņa Orosia leaned forward and took me by the wrists. "Look at me!" she +said. + +Timidly I raised my eyes, and she studied my countenance for a long +minute. + +"'Tis absurd," she said then, and pushed me aside. "'Tis impossible! And +yet----a new face, a new face and passably pretty. Oh, my God, these +men! are they worth one real heart pang? Tell me," she cried, fiercely, +and shook me roughly by the shoulder, "has Melinza made love to you +already?" + +"Never, madame, never!" I answered quickly, frightened by her vehemence. +"Indeed, their quarrel did not concern me. 'Twas about two lads that had +a wrestling-match upon the galley. And although they were both angered +at the time, there may be no ill feeling between them now. I was foolish +to speak of it. Forget my imprudence, I pray you!" + +But her face remained thoughtful. "Tell me the whole story," she said; +and when I had done so she was silent. + +I sat and watched her anxiously. She was a beautiful woman, with a +wealth of dark hair, a richly tinted cheek, glorious eyes, and a small, +soft, red-lipped, passionate mouth--folded close, at that moment, in a +scornful curve. + +Suddenly she rose and touched a bell. A young negress answered the +summons. Doņa Orosia spoke a few rapid words to her in Spanish, then +turned coldly to me. + +"Go with her; she will show you to your apartment, and your woman will +attend you there later on. You must be too weary to-night to join us at +a formal meal, and your wardrobe must be somewhat in need of +replenishing. To-morrow you shall have whatever you require. I bid you +goodnight!"--and she dismissed me with a haughty gesture of her white +hand. + +The chamber that had been assigned to me--which I was glad to share with +the good Dame Barbara--was long and narrow. There was a window at one +end that gave upon the sea; and through the heavy barred grating, set +strongly in the thick casement, I could look out upon the low sea-wall, +and, beyond that, at the smooth bosom of the dreaming ocean, heaving +softly in the quiet starlight, as though such a sorrow lay hidden in its +deep heart as troubled even its sleep with sighs. + +If I pressed my face close against the bars I could see, to the left of +me, the ramparts of the castle, where my dear love was. The slow tears +rose in my eyes as I thought that this night the same roof would not +shelter us, nor would there be the same swaying deck beneath our feet. + +While we had been together no very real sense of danger had oppressed +me; but from the first hour of our parting my heart grew heavier with +forebodings of the evil and sorrow which were yet to come. + + + + +CHAPTER VII. + + +At first all seemed to go well enough. The Governor's lady was fairly +gracious to me; old Seņor de Colis was profuse in his leering smiles and +wordy compliments, none of which I could understand; I saw Mr. Rivers +and Melinza from time to time, and they seemed upon good terms with each +other: but I did not believe this state of affairs could last,--and I +was right in my fears. + +One night ('twas the twenty-second of June, and the weather was sultry +and oppressive; the sea held its breath, and the round moon burned hot +in the hazy sky) the evening meal was served in the little courtyard of +the Governor's house, and both Mr. Rivers and Melinza were our guests. + +This was not the first occasion on which we had all broken bread at the +same board; but there was now an air of mockery in the civilities of +Melinza,--he passed the salt to my betrothed with a glance of veiled +hostility, and pledged him in a glass of wine with a smile that ill +concealed the angry curl of his sullen red lip. + +'Twas a strange meal; the memory of it is like a picture stamped upon my +brain. + +From the tall brass candlesticks upon the table, the unflickering tapers +shone down upon gleaming damask and glistening silver, and kindled +sparks amid the diamonds that caught up the folds of lace on the dark +head of Doņa Orosia, and that gemmed the white fingers clasping her +slow-moving fan. Hers was a beauty that boldly challenged men's +admiration and exacted tribute of their eyes. The white-haired Governor +paid it in full measure, with a fixed and watery gaze from beneath his +half-closed lids, and a senile smile lurking under his waxed moustache. +But whenever I glanced upward I met the eyes of Mr. Rivers and Don Pedro +turned upon me; and I felt a strange thrill made up, in part, of triumph +that my dear love was not to be won from his allegiance, and in part of +terror because there was that in the Spaniard's gaze that betokened a +nature ruled wholly by its hot passions and a will to win what it craved +by fair means or by foul. + +I could eat little for the heat and the pungent flavour of strange +sauces, so I dallied with my plate only as an excuse for lowered +eyes; and, although I listened all the while with strained attention, +the talk ran by too swiftly for me to grasp any of its meaning. + +[Illustration: "TO THE BRIGHTEST EYES AND THE LIPS MOST WORTHY OF +KISSES!"--_Page 55._] + +But Doņa Orosia was neither deaf nor blind; her keen black eyes had +noted every glance that passed her by. With a deeper flush on her olive +cheek, and a prouder poise of her haughty head, she made to me at last +the signal for withdrawal. + +The three gentlemen, glasses in hand, rose from their seats; and, as we +passed beneath the arched trellis that led away from the paved court +into the fragrant garden, Don Pedro lifted his glass to his lips with a +gesture in our direction, and exclaimed in French: + +"To the fairest face in San Augustin! To the brightest eyes and the lips +most worthy of kisses! May the light of those eyes never be withdrawn +from these old walls, nor the lips lack a Spanish blade to guard them +from all trespassers!" + +The Governor, who understood not the French words, lifted his glass in +courteous imitation of his nephew's gesture; but Mr. Rivers coloured +hotly and set down his upon the table. + +"I like not your toast, Seņor Melinza, whichever way I construe it. The +face I hold fairest here shall leave San Augustin the day that I +depart; and, since it is the face of my promised wife, it needs no other +sword than mine to fend off trespassers!" + +He, too, spoke in French; and as the words passed his lips I felt the +soft, strong hand of Doņa Orosia grasp my arm and drag me backward among +the screening vines, beyond the red light of the tapers, where we could +listen unseen. + +Melinza was laughing softly. "Seņor Rivers says he cannot construe my +toast to his liking; but perhaps if I give it him in the Spanish tongue +he may find the interpretation more to his taste!" Then he lifted his +glass again and slowly repeated the words in his own language, with a +meaning glance toward the Governor. + +The old man drained his goblet to the dregs, and then turned a flushed +face upon the Englishman and laid his hand upon his sword. + +My dear love had no thoughts of prudence left,--for Melinza's words had +been a direct charge of cowardice,--so for all answer he took the frail +goblet from the table and threw it in the younger Spaniard's face. + +There was a tinkle of broken glass upon the stone pavement, and Melinza +wiped the red wine from his cheek. Then he held up the stained kerchief +before the eyes of my dear love and spoke a few words in his softest +voice. + +An angry smile flickered over the countenance of my betrothed; he bowed +stiffly in response. + +The blear-eyed Governor broke in hotly, with his hand still upon his +sword; his dull eyes narrowed, and the blood mounted higher in his +wrinkled cheek: but his nephew laid a restraining hand upon his arm, +and, with another laughing speech and a profound bow to Mr. Rivers, +pointed toward the door. + +I saw the three of them depart through the passageway that led to the +street entrance. I heard the creak of the hinges, and the clang of the +bars as they fell back into place. Then a strong, sweet odour of crushed +blossoms turned me faint. I loosed my hold of the screening vines and +stepped backward with a sudden struggle for breath. + +The woman beside me caught my arm a second time and drew me still +farther away down the moonlit path. + +"Is he aught of a swordsman, this fine cavalier of thine?" she demanded, +grasping my shoulder tightly and scanning my face with her scornful +eyes. + +Then my senses came to me: I knew what had happened--what was bound to +follow; and I began to speak wildly and to pray her to prevent bloodshed +between them. + +I scarce know what I said; but the words poured from my lips, and for +very despair I checked them not. I told her of my orphan state--of that +lone grave in Barbadoes, and the sad young mother who had died of a +broken heart; I spoke of the long, long journey over seas, the love that +had come into my life, and the dreams and the hopes that had filled our +thoughts when we reached the fair, strange shores of this new country; +and I prayed her, as she was a woman and a wife, to let no harm come to +my dear love. + +"Ah! madame," I cried, "a face so fair as yours needs not the +championship of one English stranger, who holds already a preference for +blue eyes and yellow hair. I grant you that he has a sorry taste; but +oh! I pray you, stop this duel!" + +She loosed her hand from the clasp of mine, and looked at me a moment in +silence; then she laughed bitterly. + +"Thou little fool! Thou little blue-eyed fool! What do men see in that +face of thine to move them so? A painter might love thee for the gold of +thy hair, thy white brow, and thy blue eyes,--they would grace a +pictured saint above a shrine,--but for a man's kisses, and such love +as might tempt him to risk his very life for thee,--_cielos_! it is more +than passing strange." Then, as I stood dumb before her, she tapped me +lightly on the cheek. "Go to! Art such a fool as to think that _either_ +sword will be drawn for _my_ beauty's sake?" + + + + +CHAPTER VIII. + + +That night I had but little sleep. + +About an hour after midnight there was a great stir in the house and the +sound of opening doors and hurrying footsteps. The unwonted noises +terrified me. I leaned against the door, with a heart beating thickly, +and I listened. What evil tidings did those sounds portend? There was a +loud outcry in a woman's voice,--the voice of Doņa Orosia. + +I felt that I must know what havoc Fate had wrought in the last hours. I +looked at Barbara--she slumbered peacefully on her hard pallet; the +moonlight, streaming through the barred window, showed me her withered +face relaxed in almost childlike peacefulness. I would not rouse +her,--'twas a blessed thing to sleep and forget; but _I_ dared not +sleep, for I knew not what would be the horror of my waking. With my +cheek pressed close against the door I waited a moment longer. Perhaps +only those planks intervened 'twixt me and my life's tragedy! + +I laid my hand upon the latch. I feared to know the truth,--and yet, if +I did not hear it, I must die of dread. Slowly I turned the key and +raised the bars: the door swung open. + +I stepped out upon the balcony that overhung the court and I looked +over. There was no one in sight; the white moonlight lay over +everything, and a strong perfume floated up from the flowers in the +garden beyond. + +I crept down the stair and stood still in the centre of the empty court. +Voices sounded near me, but I knew not whence they came. Trembling +still, I moved toward the passage that led to the outer door, and I saw +that it was bright as day. The door stood ajar. Those who had last gone +out had been strangely forgetful--or greatly agitated. + +Scarce knowing what I did, I crossed the threshold and hurried down the +street in the direction of the fort. + +A group of three men stood upon the corner. At the sight of them I +paused and hid in the shadow of the wall; but, one of them turning his +face toward me, I recognized Captain Baulk, and, going quickly forward, +I laid my hand upon his arm. + +"How is he? Where have they taken him?" I whispered. + +"What! is't Mistress Tudor? Have they turned you adrift, then? Lor', +'tis a frail craft to be out o' harbour such foul weather!" + +"How is he?" I repeated, tightening my grasp upon his sleeve. + +"Dead as a pickled herring, poor lad!" + +My head struck heavily against the wall as I fell, but I made no outcry. + +"Sink me! but the poor lassie thought I meant Mr. Rivers!" I heard the +old sailor exclaim as he dropped on his knees beside me,--and the words +stayed my failing senses. + +"Whom did you mean?" I gasped. + +"Young Poole has been done to death, Mistress Margaret. As honest a lad +as ever lived, too,--more's the pity!" + +I struggled to raise myself, crying: "What do you tell me? Have they +killed the lad in pure spite against his master? And where is Mr. +Rivers?" + +They made me no answer. + +"He is dead, then! I knew it, my heart told me so!" + +"Eh! poor lass! 'Tis not so bad as that--yet bad enough. They've hung +chains enough upon him to anchor a man-o'-war, and moored him fast in +the dungeon of the fort. D--n 'em for a crew o' dastard furriners!--an' +he own cousin to an English earl!" + +"Can you not tell me a straight tale?" I cried. "What has he done to be +so ill served? And whose the enmity behind it all,--Melinza's, or the +Governor's?" + +"Lor'!" exclaimed one of the sailors, "the young Don is past revenge, +mistress. If he lives out the night 'tis more than I look to see." + +"Here, now, let me tell the tale, lad," the old captain interposed. +"'Twas a duel began it, Mistress Tudor. The young bloods were so keen +after fighting they could not wait for sunrise, but must needs have it +out by moonlight on the beach. 'Twas over yonder, in the lee of the +castle walls." + +"Mr. Rivers and Don Pedro?" + +"Aye, mistress. The Governor was not by,--'tis likely he knew naught of +it." + +"Not so!" I cried, "he had his share in the quarrel, and they left the +house in company." + +"Mayhap," said Captain Baulk, "I'd not gainsay it--for I trust no one o' +them; but he chose to go with his weather eye shut rather than take +precaution 'gainst the squall. So they had it out all by their +selves,--and none of us a whit the wiser, saving young Poole, who had +guessed somewhat was amiss and followed his master." + +"What then? Speak quickly! Was Mr. Rivers wounded?" + +"Not he! That's to say, not by any thrust of the Don's. Lor', but it +must ha' been a pretty fight! Pity no man saw it that lives to tell!" + +"In the name of mercy, sir, speak plainly!" + +"Aye, my young mistress, but give me time an' I will. Mr. Rivers ere +long did get in such a thrust that the Don went down before it as +suddenly as a ship with all her hull stove in. He lay stranded, with the +blood flowing away in a dark stream over the white sands. Our young +gentleman, gallant heart, did throw away his sword and fall down beside +the Spaniard and strive to staunch his wounds, crying aloud most lustily +for aid. Who should hear him but young Poole and that yellow devil of a +Tomas! They came from opposite quarters, and Poole was in the shadow, so +the other saw him not. The mulatto ran up alongside, and, seeing 'twas +the Don who had fallen, he whipped out a knife from his belt and struck +at our young master as he knelt there on the ground. Nay, now, do not +take on so! Did I not say he was but little hurt? Had the blow struck +him fairly in the back, as it was meant to do, doubtless it would have +put an end to him; but Poole was to the rescue, poor lad! He threw +himself on the mulatto in the nick o' time. The knife had barely grazed +Mr. Rivers on the shoulder; but young Tomas never let go his hold of it. +He and the faithful lad rolled together on the ground--and Poole never +rose again. His body was stabbed through in a dozen places. Mr. Rivers +had no time to interfere; ere he could rise from his knees, or even put +out a hand to take his sword, a dozen soldiers had laid hands on him. +That devil of a Tomas finished his evil work, and then picked himself up +and walked away; never a one laid a finger on him or cried shame on the +foul deed!" + +The old sailor paused, and each man of the group breathed a curse +through his clinched teeth. + +"They have taken Mr. Rivers to the dungeon of the fort?" I whispered. + +"Aye, so they tell us. None of us were there, which is perhaps for the +good of our necks,--yet I would we had had a chance to strike a blow in +defence of the poor lad." + +"And the Spaniard--Don Pedro?" + +"They carried him into the Governor's own house a while since. I think +his wound is mortal." + +"Then he has brought his death upon himself, for he forced Mr. Rivers +into the quarrel," I declared hastily. + +"'Twas bound to come," admitted Captain Baulk, "there has been bad +blood between them from the very first. But what are we to do with you, +mistress? Did they put you out in anger?" + +"Nay," I exclaimed, "I heard a great disturbance and hastened out to +seek the cause. The outer door was left unbarred." + +"Why then, mistress, we would best make for it again before 'tis shut! +This is no hour and no place for a young maid to be out alone." Taking +me by the hand he led me back the way I had come; but we were too late. +The entrance was closed and barred against us. + +"Now, what's to do?" exclaimed the old sailor in dismay. + +I had been too crushed and dazed by the ill news to think before of my +imprudence; but now I realized how very unwisely I had acted. I turned +hastily to the old captain. + +"Go and leave me, my good friend," I said. "Already there has been +enough trouble of my making. Do not let me have to answer for more. I +will wait here and call for some one to open for me. 'Tis better for me +to say what is the truth--that I wandered out in my anxiety. Go, I pray +you, and be discrete in your conduct, that they may have no just cause +to imprison you also." + +He saw the wisdom of it and went away out of sight, while I beat with +all my might upon the door. + +In a moment steps sounded within, the bars fell, and the door was drawn +back. It was the Governor himself who stood there. He looked at me in +astonishment as he drew aside for me to pass. + +I attempted no explanation; for I knew he could not understand me. +Doubtless he would tell his lady and she would hold me to account. +Slowly I mounted to the balcony above and pushed open the door of my +chamber. + +The dame still slept peacefully. I went softly to the window and knelt +down. My heart was sick for the faithful lad who had died in defending +Mr. Rivers. Poor boy! He had no mother--I wonder if there was a little +lass anywhere whom he loved? But no, he was young for that. I think his +love was all his master's. And to die for those whom we love best is not +so sad a fate as to live for their undoing! + +The hot tears ran down my face. I leaned my cheek against the bars and +set free my thoughts, which flew, as swift as homing pigeons, to my dear +love in his dungeon cell. + +Oh! I would that all the prayers I pray, and all the tender thoughts I +think of him, had wings in very truth; and that after they had flown +heavenward they might bear thence some balm, some essence of divinest +pity, to cheer him in his loneliness! If it were so, then there would be +in never-ending flight, up from the barred window where I kneel, and +downward to the narrow slit in his prison wall, two shining lines of +fluttering white wings coming and going all these long nights through! + + + + +CHAPTER IX. + + +Many days have passed since I began to write these pages. + +All the morning after that terrible night, with Barbara I waited +fearfully for some manifestation of Doņa Orosia's anger. But there was +none, nor were we summoned out that day. Food was brought to us, and we +remained like prisoners in our chamber. Don Pedro was very low, the +servant told us, and the Governor's lady was nursing him. + +A week went by,--the longest week I had ever known,--and then we heard +that Melinza would recover. However, it was not until he had lain ill a +fortnight that Doņa Orosia came to visit me. + +I was sitting by the window with my head upon my hand, and Barbara was +putting some stitches in the worn places in her gown, when the door +opened to admit my hostess. + +She came straight toward me with a glint of anger in her dark eyes. The +long nights of anxious watching had driven back the blood from her +smooth olive cheek, and the red lips showed the redder for her +unaccustomed pallor. She laid one hand on my head, tilting it backward. + +"You little white-faced fool! I would you had never set foot in this +town," she cried bitterly. + +"Ah! madame, I came not of my own free will," I answered her. "I and my +dear love would willingly go hence, an you gave us the means to do so!" + +"'Tis likely that we shall, truly," she replied. "'Tis likely that the +Governor of San Augustin will keep a galley to ply up and down the coast +for the convenience of you English intruders! There came two more of you +this morning, from the friar at Santa Catalina." + +"Two more English prisoners!" I exclaimed. "Who are they, madame?" + +"I know not, and I care not," she said. "I meddle not with things that +do not concern me. I come here now but to hear how you came to be on the +streets at midnight. Had I been in the Governor's place then, I would +have shut the door in your face." + +I told her the truth, as it had happened to me; and when she had heard +it her brow lightened somewhat. + +"Are you deceiving me? You did not leave here till _after_ the duel had +taken place?" + +"Madame," I said, "I have never yet told a lie, and I would not now were +it to save my life." + +Her lip curled slightly as she turned to go. "Stir not from this room, +then, until Don Pedro is well enough to leave the house," she said. "If +I could prevent it he should never look upon your face again." She +paused an instant, then added: "I _will_ prevent it!" + +"Amen to that!" I said, and I felt the blood burn warmly in my cheek. + +She turned and looked at me, and I met her gaze with defiant eyes. + +"Amen to that, madame!--for truly I hate him with all my heart!" + +She stood still, a slow crimson rising in her pale face, and I trembled +a little at my own daring. Then, to my surprise, she laughed at me. + +"You think that you hate him desperately?" she exclaimed. "Silly child, +it is not in thy power to hate that man as I do, as I have done for +years!" and with that she went away and left me wondering. + + + + +CHAPTER X. + + +July, the 16th day. + +Two things have happened recently to break the sad monotony of my life +within these walls. + +Doņa Orosia and Melinza have had a disagreement, which has resulted in +his removal hence--at his own demand. Although I know nothing of the +cause of their quarrel, Doņa Orosia's last words to me, the other day, +make it possible to understand the man's reluctance to remain here in +her care,--and yet they say it was her nursing that saved his life! I +would that I could understand it all! + +Since his departure I have had the freedom of the courtyard and garden; +and yesterday, by good chance, I had speech with one of the newly +arrived English prisoners. + +It had been a day of terrible heat, and just at nightfall I wandered out +into the garden all alone. There is a high wall to it, which so joins +the dwelling that together they form a hollow square. This wall is of +soft gray stone; it is of a good thickness, and about a man's height. +Along the top of it sharp spikes are set; and near one corner is a +wrought-iron gate of great strength, which is kept securely locked. + +It is not often that I venture near this gate, for it looks out upon the +street, and I care not to be seen by any Indian or half-breed Spaniard +who might go loitering by; but as I stood in the vine-covered arbour in +the centre of the garden I heard a man's voice from the direction of the +gate, humming a stave of a maritime air that I had heard sung oft and +again by the sailors on the sloop, in which some unknown fair one is +ardently invited to-- + + "--be the Captain's lady!" + +and I knew it must be a friend. So I made haste thither and peered out +into the street. + +Sure enough it was old Captain Baulk, and with him a gentleman whose +face, even in the twilight, was well known to me,--he being none other +than Mr. John Collins of Barbadoes (the same who had given us news of my +poor father's end, and one of our fellow passengers on the _Three +Brothers_). + +They both greeted me most kindly and inquired earnestly how I did and if +I was well treated. It seems that for days they had been trying to get +speech with me, but could find none to deliver a message; so for two +nights past they had hung about the gate, hoping that by chance I might +come out to them. + +Mr. Collins related to me how the sloop had been sent back to Santa +Catalina with letters to the friar and the Governor of San Augustin, +demanding our release on the ground that as peace was now subsisting +between the crowns of England and of Spain, and no act of hostility had +been committed by us, our capture was unwarrantable. But Padre Ignacio, +with his plausible tongue, had beguiled them ashore into his power. + +"The man is a very devil for fair words and smooth deceits," declared +Mr. Collins. "In spite of all the warnings we had received, some of us +landed without first demanding hostages of the Indians; and when we +would have departed two of us were forcibly detained on pretence of our +lacking proper credentials to prove our honesty. In sooth he charged us +with piratical intentions, though we had not so much as cracked a pistol +or inveigled one barbarian aboard. The sloop lingered for three days, +but finally made off, leaving us in the hands of the padre. He +despatched us here in canoes, under a guard of some twenty half-naked +savages, with shaven crowns, who are no more converted Christians than +the fiends in hell!" + +I asked, then, for news of my uncle, Dr. Scrivener, and Mr. Collins +assured me that he was most anxious for my safety, and would have come +back with them to demand us of the friar, but he had received a hurt in +the neck during the attack at Santa Catalina and was in no state to +travel, although the wound was healing well--for which God be thanked! + +So far, all the prisoners, except Mr. Rivers, have the freedom of the +town; but Captain Baulk declared he would as lief be confined within the +fort. + +"There be scarce two honest men--saving ourselves--in all San Augustin," +he said. "The lodging-house where we sleep is crowded with dirty, +thieving half-breeds, who would as willingly slit a man's throat as a +pig's. Though they hold us as guests against our will, we must e'en pay +our own score; and some fine night--you mark me!--we shall find +ourselves lacking our purses." + +"Then the Governor will be at the cost of our entertainment," said Mr. +Collins. + +"'Twill be prison fare, sir," grunted the old sailor, "and we'll be +lucky if he doesn't find it cheaper to heave us overboard and be done +with it!" + +"Tut! man,--hold your croaking tongue in the poor young lady's +presence," whispered Mr. Collins; but I heard what he said, and bade +him tell us our true case and what real hope there was of our +liberation. + +"There is every certainty," he said. "When word reaches their Lordships +in England, they will not fail to make complaint to the Spanish +Council,--and they have no just cause for refusing to set us free. But I +trust we shall not have to wait for that. If we had a Governor of +spirit, instead of a timorous old man like Sayle, he would have already +sent the frigate down here to demand us of the Spaniards. There are not +lacking men to carry out the enterprise: Captain Brayne could scarce be +restrained from swooping down on the whole garrison--as Rob Searle did, +not long ago, when he rescued Dr. Woodward out of their clutches." + +"Captain Brayne!--the frigate! Do you mean that the _Carolina_ has +arrived?" + +"Two months ahead of our sloop," declared Mr. Collins; "but Governor +Sayle has despatched her to Virginia for provisions, of which we were +beginning to run short. The _Port Royal_ has not been heard of, so 'tis +feared she went down in the storm." + +He went on to tell me of the new settlement which had been already laid +out at a place called Kiawah,--a very fair and fruitful country, which +Heaven grant I may one day see! + +In my turn I related all that had befallen me since we reached this +place. They heard me out very gravely, and promised to contrive some +means of communicating with me in case of need. + +Then, as it grew very late, we parted, promising to meet the following +night; and I crept softly back to the house and my little room, greatly +comforted that I now had a worthy gentleman like Mr. Collins with whom I +could advise; for with his knowledge of the Spanish tongue and his sound +judgment I hope he may influence the Governor in our favour. + + * * * * * + +The sun is setting now, I think, although I cannot see it from my +window; for all the sky without is faintly pink, and every ripple on the +bay turns a blushing cheek toward the west. I must lay by my pen and +watch for an opportunity to keep tryst at the gateway with my two good +friends.... + +Nine of the clock. + +God help me! I waited in the garden till I heard a whistle, and stole +down to the gate as before. + +A man put out his hand and caught at mine through the bars. It was that +vile Tomas--the wretch who would have murdered my dear love! I screamed +and fled, but he called after me in Spanish. The words were strange to +me--but the tones of his voice and the coarse laughter needed no +interpreter! + +As I flew across the garden, too frightened to attempt concealment, Doņa +Orosia stepped out into the courtyard and demanded an explanation. I +knew not what to say, for I could not divulge the motive that had sent +me out; but I told her that a man had called me from the gate, and when +I went near to see who it might be I recognized the servant of Melinza. + +She seemed to doubt me at first, till I described him closely; then she +was greatly angered and forbade me the garden altogether. + +"If I find you here alone again," she hissed, seizing my shoulder with +no gentle grasp, "if I find you here again, I will turn the key upon you +and keep you prisoner in your chamber." + +So now I dare not venture beyond the court and the balconies; and there +will be no chance of speaking with Mr. Collins unless he dares to come +under my window, and there is little hope of his doing that unseen, for +'tis in full view from the ramparts of the fort, where a sentry paces +day and night. + + + + +CHAPTER XI. + + +August, the 7th day. + +When I began this tale of our captivity it was with the hope that I +might find some means of sending it to friends, in this country or in +England, who would interest themselves in obtaining our release. +However, from what Mr. Collins told me, I feel assured that news of Mr. +Rivers's capture has already been sent to their Lordships the +proprietors, and this record of mine seems now but wasted labour. Yet +from time to time, for my own solace, I shall add to it; and perchance, +some day in safety and freedom, I and----another----may together read +its tear-stained pages. + +This day I have completed the seventeenth year of my age. It is a double +anniversary, for one year ago this night--it being the eve of our +departure from England--I first set eyes upon my dear love. + +Can it be possible that he, in his dolorous prison, has taken account of +the passing days and remembers that night--a year ago? 'Twould be liker +a man if he took no thought of the date till it was past,--yet I do +greatly wonder if he has forgotten. + +As for me, the memory has lived with me all these hours since I unclosed +my eyes at dawn. + +I can see now the brightly lighted cabin of the _Carolina_, where the +long supper-table was laid for the many passengers who were to set out +on the morrow for a new world. I had been somehow parted from my uncle, +Dr. Scrivener, and I stood in the cabin doorway half afraid to venture +in and meet the eyes of all the strangers present. I felt the colour +mounting warmly in my cheek, and my feet were very fain to run away, +when Captain Henry Brayne, the brave and cheery commander of the +frigate, caught sight of me, and, rising hastily, led me to a seat at +his own right hand. + +(I do recollect that I wore a new gown of fine blue cloth--a soft and +tender colour, that became me well.) + +As I took my place I glanced shyly round, and saw, at the farther end of +the long table, the gallantest gentleman I had ever set eyes upon in all +my sixteen years of life. He was looking directly at me, and presently +he lifted his glass and said: + +"Captain Brayne, I give you _the Carolina and every treasure she +contains_!" + +There was some laughter as the toast was drunk, and my uncle--who had +only that moment entered and taken his seat beside me--asked of me an +explanation. + +"Nay, Dr. Scrivener," said the jovial captain, "'tis not likely the +little lady was attending. But now I give you--_the health of Mistress +Tudor!_ (and it will not be the first time it has been proposed +to-night!)" + +And that was but a year ago. I would never have guessed that at +seventeen I could feel so very old. + + + + +CHAPTER XII. + + +San Augustin's Day--August, the 28th. + +Oh! but I have been angered this day! + +What? when my betrothed lies in prison, ill, perhaps, or fretting his +brave heart away, am I to be dragged forth to make part of a pageant for +the entertainment of his jailers? I would sooner have the lowest cell in +the dungeon--aye! and starve and stifle for lack of food and air, than +be forced to deck myself out in borrowed bravery, and sit mowing and +smiling in a gay pavilion, and clap hands in transport over the fine +cavalier airs of the man I hold most in abhorrence! + +Do they take me for so vapid a little fool that I may be compelled to +any course they choose? Nay, then, they have learned a lesson. Oh, but +it is good to be in a fair rage for once! + +I had grown so weary and sick at heart that the blood crawled sluggishly +in my veins; my eyes were dull and heavy; I had sat listlessly, with +idle hands, day after day, waiting--waiting for I knew not what! +Therefore it was that I had no will or courage to oppose the Governor's +wife when she came to me this morning and bade me wear the gown she +brought, and pin a flower in my hair, and sit with her in the Governor's +pavilion to see the fine parade go by. + +"This is a great day in San Augustin," she said, "being the +one-hundred-and-fifth anniversary of its founding by the Spanish." + +As the captives of olden times made part of the triumph of their +conquerors, 'twas very fit that I, forsooth, should lend what little I +possessed of youth and fairness to the making of a Spanish holiday! + +But I was too spiritless, then, to dare a refusal. I bowed my head +meekly enough while Chépa--the smiling, good-natured negress--gathered +up the rustling folds of the green silk petticoat and slipped it over my +shoulders. I made no demur while she looped and twisted the long tresses +of my yellow hair, fastening it high with a tall comb, and tying a knot +of black velvet riband upon each of the wilful little bunches of curls +that ever come tumbling about my ears. + +When all was finished, and the lace mantilla fastened to my comb and +draped about my shoulders, I was moved by Barbara's cries of admiration +to cast one glance upon the mirror. 'Twas an unfamiliar picture that I +saw there, and my pale face blushed with some mortification that it +should have lent itself so kindly to a foreign fashion. + +I would have thrown off all the braveries that minute; but just then +came a message from Doņa Orosia, bidding me hasten. + +"What matters anything to me now?" I thought wearily; and, slowly +descending to the courtyard, I took my place in the closed chair that +waited, and was borne after the Governor's lady to the Plaza, where, at +the western end facing upon the little open square, was the gay +pavilion. + +Its red and yellow banners shone gaudily in the hot sunlight of the +summer afternoon, and the fresh sea breeze kept the tassels and +streamers all a-flutter, like butterflies hovering over a bed of +flowers. + +Three sides of the Plaza were lined with spectators, but the eastern +end--which opened out toward the bay--was kept clear for the troops to +enter. + +Against the slight railing of the little pavilion leaned Doņa Orosia, +strangely fair in a gown of black lace and primrose yellow, that +transformed the soft contours of her throat and cheek from pale olive to +the purest pearl. She deigned to bestow but a single cold, unfriendly +glance upon me; then she bent forward as before, her lifted fan +shielding her eyes from the glare of the sun-kissed sea. + +Presently, with the blare of trumpets and the deep rolling of the drums, +the King's troops came in sight, three hundred strong. + +At the head of the little band, which marched afoot, rode Melinza and +the Governor. 'Twas the first time I had seen a horse in the town. + +Old Seņor de Colis was mounted on a handsome bay that pranced and +curvetted beneath him, to his most evident discomfort; but Melinza's +seat was superb. It was a dappled gray he rode, with flowing mane and +tail of silvery white; a crimson rosette was fastened to its crimped +forelock, and the long saddle-cloth was richly embroidered. + +As the little company swept round the square, the two horsemen saluted +our pavilion. Don Pedro lifted his plumed hat high, and I saw that his +face was pale from his recent wound, but the bold black eyes were as +bright as ever they had been before. + +I drew back hastily from the front of the pavilion and made no pretence +of returning his salute. Then, for the first time since I had taken my +seat beside her, Doņa Orosia spoke to me. + +"Why such scant courtesy?" she asked, with lifted brows. + +"Madame," I answered, "had my betrothed been here at my side, an +honoured guest, I would have had more graciousness at my command." + +"What!" she exclaimed, "have you not yet had time to forget your +quarrelsome cavalier?" + +"I will forget him, madame, when I cease to remember the treachery of +those who called themselves his entertainers." + +She flushed angrily. "Your tongue has more of spirit than your face. I +wonder that you have the courage to say this to me." + +"I dare, because I have nothing more to lose, madame!" + +"Say you so? Would you rather I gave you into Melinza's keeping?" + +"Nay!" I cried, "you could not--such unfaith would surpass the limits of +even Spanish treachery! And you would not--it would please you better +_if he never set eyes upon my face again_! I only wonder that you should +have brought me here to-day!" + +She opened her lips to speak; but the blare of the trumpets drowned the +words, and she turned away from me. + +The troops were drawn in line across the square: on the right, the +Spanish regulars of the garrison; on the left, the militia companies, +which had come up while we were speaking. These last were made up, for +the most part, of mulattoes and half-breed Indians,--a swarthy-faced, +ill-looking band that appeared fitter for savage warfare of stealth and +ambuscade and poisoned arrows than for valorous exploits and honest +sword-play. + +The various man[oe]uvres of the troops, under the skilled leadership of +Don Pedro, occupied our attention for upward of an hour, during all +which time my companion appeared quite unconscious of my presence. She +sat motionless save for the swaying of her fan. Only once did her face +express aught but fixed attention--and that was when a sudden fanfare of +the trumpets caused the Governor's horse to plunge, and the old man +lurched forward on the pommel of his saddle, his plumed hat slipping +down over his eyes. + +For an instant the swaying fan was still; a low laugh sounded in my ear, +and, turning, I saw the red lips of the Governor's lady take on a very +scornful curve. + +She received him graciously enough, however, when--the review being +over--he dismounted and joined us in the pavilion. + +Melinza had retired with the troops; but just as the last rank +disappeared from view he came galloping back at full speed, flung +himself from the saddle, and, throwing the reins to an attendant, +mounted the pavilion stair. + +I felt that Doņa Orosia's eyes were upon me, and I believed that she +liked me none the less for my hostility to the man. It may have been +this that gave me courage--I do not know--I think I would not have +touched his hand in any case. + +He flushed deeply when I put both of mine behind my back; then, with the +utmost effrontery, he leaned forward and plucked away one little black +rosette that had fallen loose from my curls and was slipping down upon +my shoulder. This he raised to his lips with a laugh, and then fastened +upon his breast. + +I was deeply angered, and I cast about for some means of retaliation +that would show him the scorn I held him in. + +At the foot of the pavilion stood the youth who was holding Melinza's +horse. + +I leaned over the railing, and, loosing quickly from my hair the fellow +to the rosette Don Pedro wore, I tossed it to the lad below, saying, in +almost the only Spanish words I knew,-- + +"It is a gift!" + +Melinza's face grew white with anger; he tore off the bit of riband and +ground it under his heel; then he strode down the stair, mounted his +horse, and rode away. + +The Governor's lady watched him till he was out of sight; then, with a +strange smile, she said to me,-- + +"I never knew before that blue eyes had so much of fire in them. I +think, my little saint, 'tis time I sent you back to your old duenna." + +"I would thank you for so much grace!" was my reply. And back to Barbara +I was despatched forthwith. + +But though I have been some hours in my chamber, my indignation has not +cooled. The very sight of that man's countenance is more than I can +endure! + +I am resolved that I will never set foot outside my door when there is +any chance of my encountering him, and so I shall inform the Governor's +wife when she returns.... + +She laughs at me! She declares I shall do whatever is her pleasure! And +what is my puny strength to hers? With all the will in the world to +resist her, I am as wax in her hands! + + + + +CHAPTER XIII. + + +The first day of March. + +For six months I have added nothing to this record; though time and +again I have taken up my pen to write, and then laid it by, with no mark +upon the fresh page. Can heartache be written down in words? Can +loneliness and longing,--the desolation of one who has no human creature +on whom to lavish love and care,--the dull misery that is known only to +those whose best beloved are suffering the worst woes of this woeful +life,--can all these be told? Ah, no! one can only feel them--bear +them--and be crushed by them. + +If it had not been for the good old dame, I know not what would have +become of me. Many a day and many a night I have clung to her for hours, +weeping--crying aloud, "I cannot bear it! I cannot!" What choice had I +but to bear it? And tears cannot flow forever; the calm of utter +weariness succeeds. + +'Tis not that I have been ill treated. I am well housed, and daintily +clothed and fed. Unless Melinza--or some other guest--is present, I sit +at the Governor's own table. His wife makes of me something between a +companion and a plaything: one moment I have to bear with her capricious +kindness; the next, I am teased or driven away from her with as little +courtesy as she shows to the noble hound that follows her like her own +shadow. + +Until lately I have seen little of Melinza. Early in the winter he went +away to the Habana and remained absent two months, during which time I +had more peace of mind than I have known since first we came here. But +since his return he has tried in various ways to force himself into my +presence; and Doņa Orosia,--who could so easily shield me if she +chose,--before she comes to my relief, permits him to annoy me until I +am roused to the point of passionate repulse. One could almost think she +loves to see me suffer--unless it is the sight of his discomfiture that +affords her such satisfaction. + +But all of this I could endure if only my dear love were free! I have +heard that he is ill. It may not be true,--God grant that it is not! +Still, though the rumour came to me by devious ways, and through old +Barbara's lips at last (and she is ever prone to think the worst), it is +more than possible! I, myself, have suffered somewhat from this long +confinement; and in how much worse case is he! + +I have tried to occupy myself, that I may keep my thoughts from dwelling +forever on our unhappy state. In the past six months I have so far +mastered the Spanish tongue that now I can converse in it with more ease +than in the French. The Governor declares that I have the true +intonation; and even Doņa Orosia admits that I have shown some aptitude. +I care nothing for it as a mere accomplishment; but I hope that the +knowledge may be of use if ever we attempt escape. (Though what chance +of escape is there when Mr. Rivers is within stone walls and I have no +means of even holding converse with Mr. Collins?) + +I have one other accomplishment that has won me more favour with the +Governor's wife than aught else. She discovered, one day, that I have +some skill with the lute, and a voice not lacking in sweetness; and now +she will have me sing to her by the hour until my throat is weary and I +have to plead for rest. + +I had, recently, a conversation with her that has haunted me every hour +since; for it showed me a side of her nature that I had not seen before, +and that leads me to think that under her caprice and petulance there is +a deep purpose hidden. + +I had exhausted my list of songs, and as she still demanded more I +bethought me of a curious old ballad I had heard many years ago. The air +eluded me for some while; but my fingers, straying over the strings, +fell suddenly into the plaintive melody; with it, the words too came +back to me. + + I bade my love fareweel, wi' tears; + He bade fareweel to me. + "How sall I pass the lang, lang years?" + "I maun be gane," quo' he. + + The tear-draps frae mine een did rin + Like water frae a spring; + But while I grat, my love gaed in + To feast and reveling! + + The tear-draps frae mine een did start + Salt as the briny tide: + Sae sair my grief, sae fu' my heart, + I wept a river wide. + + Adoon that stream my man did rove, + And crossed the tearfu' sea. + O whaur'll I get a leal true love + To bide at hame wi' me? + + The lang, lang years they winna pass; + My lord is still awa'. + Mayhap he loves a fairer lass-- + O wae the warst ava! + + How sall I wile my lover hame? + I'll drink the tearfu' seas! + My red mou' to their briny faem, + I'll drain them to the lees! + + Then gin he comes na hameward soon + His ain true love to wed, + I'll kilt my claes and don my shoon + And cross the sea's dry bed. + + "Oh in thine heart, my love, my lord, + Mak' room, mak' room for me; + Or at thy feet, by my true word, + Thy lady's grave sall be!" + +"A melancholy air, yet with somewhat of a pleasing sadness in its minor +cadences," commented Doņa Orosia when I had ceased. "Translate me the +words, an your Spanish is sufficient." + +"That it is not, I fear," was my reply, "and the task is beyond me for +the further reason that the song is not even English, but in a dialect +of the Scots. 'Tis only the plaint of a poor lady whose mind seems to +have gone astray in her long waiting for a faithless lover"--and I gave +her the sense of the verses as best I could. + +"Nay," said the Spanish woman, with a singular smile. "She hath more wit +than you credit her with. You mark me, the flood of a woman's tears will +bear a man further than a mighty river, and her sighs waft him away more +speedily than the strongest gale. And once he has gone, taking with him +such a memory of her, 'twould be far easier for her to drink the ocean +dry than to wile him home. For let a man but suspect that a woman +_could_ break her heart for him, and he----is more than content to let +her do it!" + +She paused; but I made no answer, having none upon my tongue. Presently +she added: "When once a woman has the folly to plead for herself, in +that moment she murders Love; and every tear she sheds thereafter +becomes another clod upon his grave. There remains but one thing for her +to do----" + +"Herself to die!" I murmured. + +"Nay, child! To live and be revenged!" She turned a flushed face toward +me; and, though the water stood in her eyes, they were hard and angry. +"To be revenged! To plot and to scheme; to bide her time patiently; to +study his heart's desire, and to foster it; and then----" + +"And then?" I questioned softly, with little shivers of repulsion +chilling me from head to foot. + +"_To rob him of it._" + +The words were spoken deliberately, in a voice that was resonant and +slow. 'Twas not like the outburst of a moment's impulse--the sudden +jangling of a harpstring rudely touched; it was rather with the fateful +emphasis of a clock striking the hour, heralded by a premonitory +quiver--a gathering together of inward forces that had waited through +long moments for this final utterance. + +What manner of woman was this? I caught my breath with a little +shuddering cry. + +Doņa Orosia turned quickly. + +"Go! Leave me!" she cried. "Do you linger? Can I never be rid of you? +Out of my sight! I would have a moment's respite from your great eyes +and your white face. Go!" + +And I obeyed her. + + + + +CHAPTER XIV. + + +March, the 9th day. + +Doņa Orosia sent for me at noon to-day. There was news to tell, and she +chose to be the one to tell it. + +I found her in her favourite seat,--a great soft couch, covered with +rich Moorish stuffs, and placed under the shadow of the balcony that +overlooks the sunny garden. Up each of the light pillars from which +spring the graceful arches that support this balcony climbs a mass of +blooming vines that weave their delicate tendrils round the railing +above and then trail downward again in festoons of swaying colour. +Behind, in the luminous shadow, she lay coiled and half asleep; with a +large fan of bronze turkey-feathers in one lazy hand, the other teasing +the tawny hound which was stretched out at her feet. + +She opened her great eyes as I came near. + +"Ah! the little blue-eyed Margarita, the little saint who frowns when +men worship at her shrine," she said slowly. "There is news for you. The +_Virgen de la Mar_ arrived last night from Habana, bringing the +commands of the Council of Spain that the English prisoners here +detained be liberated forthwith. For it seems that there has been +presented to the Council, through our ambassador to the English Court, a +memorial, which clearly proves that these persons have given no +provocation to any subject of his Catholic Majesty, Charles the Second +of Spain, and are therefore unlawfully imprisoned. How like you that?" +The waving fan was suddenly stilled, and the brilliant eyes half veiled. + +"Is this true?" I asked, for my heart misgave me. + +She laughed. "It is true that the _Virgen de la Mar_ has brought those +orders to the Governor of San Augustin--and that my husband has received +them." + +"Will he obey them, seņora?" + +"Will who obey them?" she asked; and there was a gleam of white teeth +under the red, curling lip. "My husband, or the Governor of San +Augustin?" + +"Are they not the same?" + +"If you think so, little fool," she cried, half rising from her couch; +"if you think so still, you would better go back to your chamber and +pray yourself and your lover out of prison!" + +I made no answer; I waited, without much hope, for what she would say +next. My heart was very full, but I would not pleasure her by weeping. + +"Child," she continued, sinking back among the cushions and speaking in +a slow, impressive manner, "there are _two_ Governors in San +Augustin--and they take their commands neither from the child-King, the +Queen-mother, nor any of the Spanish Council. My husband is not one; he +obeys them both by turns. His Excellency Don Pedro Melinza decrees that +these orders from Spain shall be carried out except in the case of one +Seņor Rivers, who will be held here to answer for an unprovoked assault +on one of his Majesty's subjects, whom he severely wounded; also for +inciting others of his fellow prisoners to break their parole, and for +various other offences against the peace of this garrison,--all of which +charges Melinza will swear to be true." + +"Is he so lost to honour? And will your husband uphold him in the lie?" + +"Hear me out," she continued in the same tone. "Melinza also decides +that these orders do not include the English seņorita, Doņa Margaret, +whom he intends to detain here for----for reasons best known to himself; +although the other Governor of San Augustin decrees"----she started up +from her nest of pillows and continued in a wholly different tone: "_I_ +say--_I_ say--that you shall quit this place with the other prisoners, +and my husband dares not oppose me! I am sick of your white face and +your saintly blue eyes; I am wearied to death of your company; but I +swear Melinza shall not have you! Therefore go you must, and speedily." + +"And leave my betrothed at Don Pedro's mercy?" + +"What is that to me? Let him rot in his dungeon. I care not--so I am rid +of your white face." + +She shut her eyes angrily and thrust out her slippered foot at the +sleeping hound. He lifted his great head and yawned; then, gathering up +his huge bulk from the ground, he drew closer to his mistress's side and +sniffed the air with solicitude, as though seeking a cause for her +displeasure. There was a dish of cakes beside her, and she took one in +her white fingers and threw it to the dog. He let it fall to the ground, +and nosed it doubtfully, putting forth an experimental tongue,--till, +finding it to his taste, he swallowed it at a gulp. His mistress +laughed, and tossed him another, which disappeared in his great jaws. A +third met the same fate; but the fourth she extended to him in her pink +palm, and, as he would have taken it she snatched the hand away. Again +and again the poor brute strove to seize the proffered morsel, but each +time it was lifted out of his reach; till finally his lithe body was +launched upward, and he snapped both the cake and the hand that teased +him. + +'Twas the merest scratch, and truly the dog meant it not in anger; but +on the instant Doņa Orosia flushed crimson to her very brow, and, +drawing up her silken skirt, she snatched a jewelled dagger from her +garter and plunged it to the hilt in the poor beast's throat. The red +blood spouted, and the huge body dropped in a tawny heap. + +I rushed forward and lifted the great head; but the eyes were glazed. + +"Seņora!" I cried, "seņora! the poor brute loved you!" + +She spurned the limp body with a careless foot, saying,-- + +"So did--once--the man who gave it me." + +Then she clapped her hands, and the negro servant came and at her +command dragged away the carcass, wiped the bloody floor, and brought a +basin of clear water and a linen cloth to bathe the scratch on her hand. +When he had gone she made me bind it up with her broidered kerchief and +stamped her foot because I drew the knot over-tight. + +"Doņa Orosia," I said, when I had done it to her liking. "If all you +care for, in this other matter, is to get rid of my white face, I pray +you kill me with your dagger and ask your lord to let my love go free." + +She looked up curiously. "Would you die for him?" she asked. + +"Most willingly, an it please you to make my death his ransom." + +Still she gazed at me and seemed strangely stirred. "Once I loved like +that," she said in musing tones. "I will tell thee a tale, child, for I +like not the reproach in those blue eyes. Five years ago, when I was as +young as thou art now, I lived with my parents in Valencia, where the +flowers are even sweeter and the skies bluer than here in sunny Florida. +I had a lover in those days, who followed me like my shadow, and, in +spite of my old duenna, found many a moment to pour his passion in my +ears. He was a brave man and a handsome, and he won my heart from me. +Though he had no great fortune I would have wed him willingly and +followed him over land and sea. I never doubted him for a day; and when +he came to my father's house with an old nobleman, his uncle and the +head of his family, I was well content; for my mother told me they had +asked for my hand and it had been promised. But when my father called me +in at last to see my future husband, it was the old man who met me with +a simper on his wrinkled face. I turned to the nephew; but he was gazing +out of the window----" + +She broke off with a fierce laugh and then added bitterly,--"And so I +came to marry my husband, the Governor of San Augustin!" + +"The other was Don Pedro?" + +"Has thy baby wit compassed that much? Yes, the other was Melinza." + +"But if you once loved him why should there be hate between you now?" + +"Why? thou little fool! Why?"--she put out one hand and drew me closer, +so that she could look deep into my eyes. "Why does a woman ever hate a +man? Canst tell me that?" + +We gazed at each other so until I saw--I scarce know what I saw! My head +swam, and of a sudden it came over me that when the angels fell from +heaven there must have been an awful beauty in their eyes! + + + + +CHAPTER XV. + + +I awoke this morning with a sense of horror haunting me,--and then I +recalled the scene of yesterday and the dumb appeal in the eyes of the +dying hound. The story the Spanish woman had told me of her own past +pleaded nothing in excuse. Hatred and cruelty seemed strange fruit for +love to bear. + +I thought of my own ill fortunes, and I said within me: True Love sits +at the door of the heart to guard it from all evil passions. Loss and +Pain may enter in, and Sorrow bear them company; but Revenge and +Cruelty, Untruth, and all their evil kin, must hide their shamed faces +and pass by! + +Secure in the thought of the pure affection that reigned in my own +bosom, I went forth and met Temptation, and straightway fell from the +high path in which I believed my feet to be so surely fixed! + +Doņa Orosia seemed to be in a strangely gentle mood. + +"Child, how pale thy face is! Didst thou not lie awake all night? Deny +it not, 'tis writ most plainly in the dark shadows round those great +blue eyes. Come, rest here beside me"--and she drew me down upon the +couch and slipped a soft pillow under my head. + +I was fairly dumfounded at this unwonted courtesy, and could find no +words to meet it with. But she appeared unconscious of my silence and +continued speaking. + +"'Tis the thought of the English lover that robs thee of sleep, +Margarita mia! Thou wouldst give thy very life to procure his freedom; +is it not so? Would any task be too hard for thee with this end in +view?" + +I could not answer; I clasped my hands and looked at her in silence. + +"I thought as much," she said, smiling, and laid a gentle finger on my +cheek. + +"Oh, seņora, you will aid me to save him! You will plead with the +Governor--you will set him free?" + +She drew back coldly. "You ask too much. I have told you that there are +two Governors in San Augustin--I divide the honours with Melinza; but I +plead with him for naught." + +I turned away to hide the quivering of my lip. + +"Listen to me," she added more kindly. "Between Pedro Melinza and Orosia +de Colis there is at present an armed peace; since each holds a +hostage. Not that I care anything for the Englishman, but my husband is +undesirous of defying the commands of the Council. Although he bears no +love to your nation, he maintains that it is not the policy of our +government, at present, to ignore openly the friendly relations that are +supposed to exist between the Crowns of England and of Spain. It seems +that the duplicate of the Council's orders has been sent to the Governor +of your new settlement on this coast; and if he sends hither to demand +the delivery of the prisoners, Seņor de Colis would rather choose to +yield up all, than to risk a reprimand from the authorities at home. + +"Dost thou understand all this? Well, let us now see the reverse of the +picture. + +"Melinza sets his own desires in the scale, and they outweigh all +politic scruples. He has sworn that so long as I stand between him and +you, so long will Seņor Rivers remain in the castle dungeon,--unless +Death steps kindly in to set your lover free." + +A little sob broke in my throat at these cruel words. Doņa Orosia laid +her hand on mine. + +"Poor little one!" she said. + +"You pity me, seņora! What is your pity worth?" I demanded, forcing back +the tears. + +"I have a way of escape to offer," she answered softly. + +"Escape for him? Or for me?" + +"For both. Now listen! There is but one way to relax Melinza's hold on +Seņor Rivers. He would exchange him willingly for you." + +"Better for us both to die!" I exclaimed indignantly. + +"I would sooner kill you with my own hands than give you up to him," +said Doņa Orosia, with a cold smile. + +"Then what do you mean, seņora?" + +"I mean, Margarita mia, that you should feign a tenderness for him and +let him think that it is I who would keep two loving souls apart." + +"What! when I have shown him naught but dislike in all these months? He +could never be so witless as to believe in such a sudden +transformation." + +"Such is the vanity of man," said Doņa Orosia, "that he would find it +easier to believe that you had feigned hatred all this while from fear +of me, than to doubt that you had eventually fallen a victim to his +fascinations." + +"What would it advantage me if I did deceive him?" + +"He would then cease to oppose the liberation of all the other +prisoners." + +"But what of my fate, seņora?" + +"Leave that in my hands, little one,--I am not powerless. I give thee my +word he shall never have thee. At the last moment we shall undeceive +him"--and she laughed a low laugh of triumph. + +I glanced up quickly. + +"So!" I exclaimed. "This will be your revenge! And you would bribe me, +with my dear love's freedom, to act a part in it! To lie for you; to +play at love where I feel only loathing; to sully my lips with feigned +caresses; and to make a mockery of the holiest thing in life!" + +"Is your Englishman not worth some sacrifice?" she asked, with lifted +brows. + +What could I say? I left her. I hastened to my little room, shut fast +the door, and bolted it on the inner side. Then I knelt at the barred +window and looked out at the sunlight and the sea. + +The blue waves danced happily, and the fresh wind kissed the sparkling +ripples till the foam curled over them--as white lids droop coyly over +laughing eyes. Two snowy gulls dipped and soared, flashing now against +the blue sky--now into the blue sea. I gazed at their white wings--and +thought of all the vain prayers I had sent up to Heaven. + +And then the dark hour of my life closed down on me. + +I bethought me of my father, that loyal gentleman whose only fault was +that he served his Prince too well,--a Prince whose gratitude had never +prompted him to inquire concerning that servant's fate, or to offer a +word of consolation to the wife who had lost her all. I bethought me of +my young mother, of her white, tear-stained face, of the long hours she +had spent upon her knees, and how at last she prayed: "Lord! only to +know that he is dead!"--yet she died ignorant. + +Then did the devil come to me and whisper: "Of what use is it to have +patience and faith? Does thy God bear thee in mind--or is his memory +like that of the Prince thy father served? Dost thou still believe that +He doeth all things well, and is there still trust in thy heart? Come, +make friends of those who would aid thee--never mind a little lie! +Wouldst be happy? Wouldst save thy dear love? Then cease thy vain +prayers and take thy fate in thine own hands." + +I rose up from my knees and looked out again upon the laughing +waters,--I would do this evil thing that good might come. I would act a +lying part, and soil my soul, so that I and my dear love might win +freedom and happiness. But I would pray no more--for I could not ask +God's blessing on a lie. + +Then I went slowly back to where my temptress waited. + +"Doņa Orosia," I said, "I take your offer. I am young--I would be happy; +and you--you would be revenged! I am not the little fool you think me: I +know you too well to believe that you would aid me out of love; I laugh +at your pity; but I trust your hate!" + +"_Bueno_," she said. "It is enough. We understand one another,--but I +must teach thee the part, or thou wilt fail." + +"I am not so simple, seņora, I can feign love--for love's sake." + +"Yet I would have thee set round with thorns, my sweet. The rose that is +too easy plucked is not worth wearing. And do thou give only promises +and never fulfil them,--I'd baulk him of every kiss he thinks to win!" + + + + +CHAPTER XVI. + + +A day went by, and though I had become even letter-perfect in my new +rôle I had not the chance to play it to my audience; but it came at +last. + +It was in the long, dreamy hour of the early afternoon, when sleep comes +easiest. Doņa Orosia had ordered her couch to be placed in the shadiest +part of the breezy garden, close against the gray stone wall. Designedly +she chose the corner nearest the iron gate, through which we could +command a portion of the sunny street; and here she lay and made me sing +to her all the songs I knew, the while she dozed and waked again, and +whiles teased her parrot into uttering discordant cries until for very +anger I would sing no more. + +Suddenly she laid aside her petulance, and with a quick, imperious +gesture bade me take up the lute again; then, falling back among her +pillows, she closed her eyes and let her bosom rise and fall with the +gentle breathings of a sleeping child. + +I hesitated in some astonishment; but again the sharp command hissed +from her softly parted lips,-- + +"Sing, little fool!--Melinza passes!" + +I touched the lute with shaking fingers and lifted my trembling voice. +The notes stuck in my throat and came forth huskily at first; but then I +thought on my dear love in his hateful prison, and I sung as I had never +sung before. + +Above the gray wall I saw Don Pedro's plumed hat passing by. He reached +the gate and halted, gazing in with eager eyes. His quick glance +compassed the green nook, passed over the sleeping figure, and fixed +itself upon my face. + +The song died away; I leaned forward, smiling, and laid a warning finger +on my lip. + +He made me a bow so courtly that the feather in his laced hat swept the +ground. + +"So, seņorita, the caged bird can sing?" + +"When her jailer wills it so, Don Pedro," I said softly, and smiled--and +sighed--and gave a half-fearful glance over my shoulder; then added, in +a lower whisper: "And when she wills otherwise, I must be silent." + +"How, would she even keep a lock upon your lips?" + +"Upon my lips--and my eyes also. Indeed, my very brows are under her +jurisdiction, and are oft constrained to frown, against their will!" + +"So!" he exclaimed; and I saw a sweet doubt creep over his face. "Must I +place to her account the many frowns you have bestowed on me?" + +"_Si, seņor_--and add to those some others that would not be coerced." + +The fire in his black eyes frightened me not a little as he whispered: + +"If that be true, then grant me the rose in your bosom, lady!" + +I lifted a trembling hand to the flower, and shot a frightened glance at +the seņora's quivering lashes. + +"Oh! I dare not!" I murmured, and let my hand fall against the lute upon +my knee. The jangling strings roused the pretended sleeper from her +dreams. + +She half rose, and, seizing a pillow from her couch, hurled it at me, +saying angrily: "Here is for such awkwardness!" + +The soft missile failed of its proper mark; but found another in the +green parrot, who was dangling, head downward, from his perch; and there +was an angry squawk from the insulted bird. + +I threw a timorous glance toward the gateway, motioning the intruder +away. He would have lingered, being to all appearances greatly angered +at the discourteous treatment of my lady warder; but prudence prevailed, +and he fell back out of sight, with a hand upon his heart, protesting +dumbly. + + * * * * * + +The comedy had just begun. Now it must be played through to the end. + +It is a strange thing to see the zest with which my gentle jailer +prepares, each day, an ambush for the unwary foe, and how he always +falls into the trap--to be assailed by me with smiles, and soft +complaints, piteous appeals for sympathy, and shy admissions of my +tender friendship; which are always cut short by some well-contrived +interruption or the sudden appearance of Doņa Orosia on the scene. +Though only a week has passed, already Don Pedro would take oath that I +love him well. + +Early this morning I heard him underneath my window; and I was right +glad of the chance to smile on him from behind the protecting bars. This +meeting had not been of Doņa Orosia's contriving, so I thought I would +use it for my own ends. + +I vowed to him that I was unhappy--which was true. I protested that I +was sick with longing for freedom--and that, too, was no lie. But to +that I added a whole tissue of falsehood, declaring that I had never +drawn a free breath since I came into the world; that my uncle had been +a tyrant, and the man to whom he had betrothed me was jealous and +exacting; that I had been brought across the seas against my will; and +that I dreaded the hardships of life in this new country. I said I had +no wish to rejoin the English settlers, and I denied, with tears, any +partiality for my dear love. Heaven forgive me! but I professed I loved +Don Pedro better than any man I had ever seen, and I entreated him to +take me away from these barbarous shores. + +I had not thought that I could move him, yet, strange to say, the man +seemed touched. I wondered as I listened to him, for I had thought him +all bad, and deemed his passion but a passing fancy. He was speaking now +of Habana, a city of some refinement, where, as his wife, I would enjoy +the companionship of other ladies of my own station. + +"I'd never suffer thee to live here, my fairest lady, where yon dark +devil of a woman could vent her spite on thee!" he whispered softly; and +my conscience smote me, for I was playing with a man's heart, of flesh +and blood. + +But I bethought me, if there was in truth any good in that heart, I +would dare appeal to it; for I mistrusted that at any time Doņa Orosia +would break her promised word. + +"Truly, Don Pedro, I would go gladly, for I hate the very sight of these +walls; but--if you love me--I would crave of your graciousness another +boon. Set free the English gentleman who was my promised husband, and +send him, with the other prisoners, back to his friends." + +There was no answer, and I feared I had overstepped the mark; but I +dared further. + +"Seņor de Melinza," I said, "it is true that I come of a race for which +you have no love, and that I hold a creed which you condemn; +nevertheless it must be remembered that we have our own code of +chivalry, and there have lived and died in England as brave knights and +true as even your valiant Cid. I would not have the man I am to wed +guilty of an unknightly act. Therefore be generous. You have been +mutually wounded; but it was in fair duello,"--this I said feigning +ignorance of the coward blow that so nearly reached my dear love's +heart,--"and now, Don Pedro, it would be the more honourable to set free +the countryman of your promised bride and send him in safety to his +friends." + +"Seņorita," said the Spaniard,--and there was a cloud upon his brow,--"I +would you had asked me any boon but this. Nevertheless I give you my +knightly word that the man shall go, and go unharmed." + +"I thank you, Don Pedro," I said, and fought down the cry of joy that +struggled to my lips. Then, because I could find no other words, and +feared to fail in the part I had to play, I took Dame Barbara's scissors +and cut off a long lock of my yellow hair, bound it with riband, and +threw it down to him as guerdon for the favour he had granted me. + +This noon, when I joined the Governor's wife as usual under the +vine-hung balcony, I boasted cheerfully of the promise I had wrung from +Melinza; and she demanded at once to hear all that had passed between +us,--then called me a fool for my pains! + +"Little marplot! Had you shown less concern for the fate of your +Englishman, it would have been vastly better. You do but cast obstacles +in my way. There is nothing for me to do now but hotly to oppose his +leaving! If needs must I will pretend a liking for the man myself, and +vow to hold him as my guest yet a while longer, for the sake of his +pretty wit and his gallant bearing,--any device to throw dust in their +eyes, so that we seem not to be of the same minds and putting up the +selfsame plea. Oh! little saint with the blue eyes, your _métier_ is not +diplomacy!" + +"In sooth, seņora, till you first taught me to dissemble I was +unlessoned in the art." + +She laughed then, and said that when I had less faith in others I could +more easily deceive. + +"If the little Margarita believed Melinza's pretty fable about Habana, +and the excellent company there which his _wife_ would enjoy, 'tis no +wonder that she made a tangle of her own little web." + +"But Doņa Orosia, think you he would deal unfairly with me? His words +rang so true--even a bad man may love honestly! And if I trifle with the +one saving virtue in his heart, will it not be a grievous sin?" + +The mocking smile died out of the Spaniard's eyes and left them +fathomless and sombre. + +I felt as one who--looking into an open window, and seeing the light of +a taper glancing and flickering within--draws back abashed, when +suddenly the flame is quenched, and only the hollow dark stares back at +his blinded gaze. + +"If he loves you," she said slowly, "it is but as he has loved before, +more times than one. He would skim the cream of passion, brush the dew +from the flower, crush the first sweetness from the myrtle-blooms,--and +leave the rest. You child, what do you know of men? It is only the +unattainable that is worth striving for. There is much of the brute +beast in their passions. Did you mark, the other day, how the dead hound +turned a scornful nozzle to the first sweet morsel that I pressed on his +acceptance? But afterward, the fear of losing it made him eager to the +leaping-point. Just so I shall trick his master--shall let him see thee, +_almost_ grasp and taste; then, when the moment of mad longing comes, +I'll stab him with the final loss of thee! Only so can I arouse a desire +that will outlive a day; for I know men's hearts to the core, thou +blue-eyed babe!" + +"Seņora," I cried, stung by her scornful words, "I cannot say I know +men's hearts; but I do know the heart of one true gentleman; and I +believe, when he had won from me the betrothal kiss, I was not less +desirable in his eyes!" + +"So you believe," she said, and shook her head. "_Bueno_, go on +believing--while you can. Woman's faith in man's fealty lives just so +long----" and she bent forward from her couch, plucked a fragile blossom +from the swaying vines, and cast it under foot. + +I would have spoken again of my trust in the leal true heart that +trusted me; but I saw the trembling of the laces on her bosom, I saw the +dark eyes growing more angerful, and a slow crimson rising in the rich +cheek. She was always "studying her revenge,"--this beautiful, unhappy +woman, "keeping her wounds green which otherwise might heal and do +well." + +As I watched her a great pity overcame me, so that I held my peace. + + + + +CHAPTER XVII. + + +The 20th of March--a day never to be forgot! + +I have seen Mr. Rivers. It is the first time since that night--nine +months ago. I have seen him and spoken with him in the presence of +Melinza, Doņa Orosia, and the Governor. + +Whatever may befall us now, nothing can take away the memory of this +last hour. If ever we leave these walls together and taste freedom +again, it will have been dearly bought. A maid's truth tarnished, and +the brave heart of a most loyal gentleman robbed of its faith! Dear God, +what a price to pay! + +'Twas noon when Doņa Orosia came herself to fetch me. + +"There is some deviltry afoot," she said. "I cannot fathom it as yet; +but, as you hope for freedom for yourself and your Englishman, don't +fail to play your part to the end. Come quickly! Melinza demands to see +you, and the Governor permits it. Don't blame me, child--I can do +nothing to prevent it. But, I warn you, act the part, whatever it may +cost you." + +I followed her, as in a dream, along the corridor, into the room where +the old Governor sat in his arm-chair beside a carved table, whereon +were a decanter of wine, glasses half drained, and a litter of +playing-cards. He drummed upon the table with his withered fingers, and +looked uneasily, first at his wife's flushed face as she entered the +door, and then at the determined countenance of Melinza, who was +standing before the heavy arras which divided that room from another in +the rear. + +"Doņa Margarita," said the Governor, clearing his throat nervously, "is +it so that you are detained within my house against your will?" + +"Your Excellency," I began, and was thankful I could speak truth, "I, +and all the other English, have been held here in San Augustin for many +a long month against our will." + +"Without the orders of the Spanish Council I could not liberate you, +seņorita; though now we purpose to do so, having authority. But +concerning yourself--Melinza assures me that you do not desire to be +sent with your countrymen." + +I felt my heart grow cold. Must I still cling to the lie? I looked at +Doņa Orosia, whose black eyes flashed a warning. + +"That is true, Seņor de Colis," I said, and my voice sounded far off and +strange. + +"You would wish to remain here as my guest and companion, Margarita," +said the Governor's wife in vehement tones. + +I looked at her in wonder. What did they desire between them? My head +swam, and I would have said Yes to her also; but her black eyes menaced +me again. I drew a deep breath and shook my head. "No, please your +Excellency." + +Melinza smiled a slow triumphant smile. "Doņa Orosia is unfortunate. I +trust I shall be more successful. You would rather go to Habana as _my_ +companion,--is it not so, Margarita mia?"--and he stepped forward and +held forth his hand to me. + +One day in the early spring Doņa Orosia had called me to see a new pet +which had been brought to her, a young crocodile, loathsome and hideous; +and she had forced me to touch the tethered monster as it crawled, the +length of its chain, over the floor. I do remember the cold disgust I +felt at the horrid contact; but it was as naught to the feeling that +passed over me when I let the Spaniard take my hand. + +He drew me toward him, laughing softly. "Who doubts that the lady goes +willingly?" and lifted his voice with a defiant question in its ringing +tones. + +"I do, seņor!"--and it was my dear love who pushed aside the arras and +came forward into the room,--my dear love, wasted by fever and long +imprisonment, white and gaunt and spectral, yet bearing himself with all +his olden dignity. + +The Spaniard turned to meet him, holding me still within the circle of +his arm. I gave one final glance at the Governor's wife and read my cue. +After that I could see nothing but my love's white face. + +"Have I lied to you, Seņor Englishman? Do you believe, now, that I hold +that golden tress as a pledge of future favours? The lady on whose faith +you were ready to stake your soul is here to answer for herself, and she +has thrown in her lot with me--with me, seņor." + +"Margaret--Margaret!" cried my dear love, "tell him he lies, +sweetheart!" + +I opened my lips, but the words died on my tongue. Again my poor love +cried to me, holding out his arms. I saw his white face grow paler +still, and he swayed uncertainly where he stood. Then, gathering all his +strength, he threw himself upon the Spaniard and would have torn us +apart, had not his weak limbs given way, so that he fell prone upon the +floor. + +Melinza's hand went to his sword; he drew the blade and held it to my +dear love's throat. + +[Illustration: "SPARE THE MAN, DON PEDRO! I LIKE NOT THE SIGHT OF +BLOOD."--_Page 125._] + +At last my voice came back to me; I laid my hand upon the Spaniard's +arm. "Spare the man, Don Pedro! I like not the sight of blood!" + +Then I saw mortal agony in a brave man's eyes. He made no move to rise, +but lay there at my feet and looked at me. + +"Margaret Tudor," he said, "do you love me still?" + +I looked down at him. If I spoke truth, Melinza's blade would soon cut +short his hearing of it. A wild laugh rose in my throat; I could not +hold it back, and it rang out, merrily mad, in the silent room. + +"Seņores," I said, "Seņores, I love a brave man, not a coward!" and that +was truth, though none in that room read me aright, save Doņa Orosia. + +The man at my side laughed with me, and he at my feet gave me one look +and swooned away. + +Melinza sheathed his sword, saying, "Your Excellency, the prisoner +appears convinced; so you can scarce doubt the evidence yourself." + +The Governor cleared his throat again, and glanced helplessly toward his +wife. She stepped forward with scornful composure and took my arm. + +"Things are come to a pretty pass, Seņor de Colis, when Don Pedro brings +his prisoners under this roof and your wife is made a witness to a +brawl. I crave your leave to withdraw; and I take this girl with me till +the question of her guardianship is settled." Then, still holding me by +the arm, she left the room; and neither of the two men ventured to stop +our progress. + +Arrived at my chamber Doņa Orosia opened the door and thrust me in, +bidding me draw the bolt securely. + +I was left alone with my thoughts. Such thoughts as they are! I cannot +weep; my eyes are hot and dry. There is no grief like unto this. Oh, my +mother! when your beloved clasped you to his heart in that last +farewell, there were between you thoughts of parting, of bodily pains to +be borne, of scourgings and fetters,--aye, and of death. But what were +those compared with what I have to bear, who am humbled in the sight of +my dear love? + + + + +CHAPTER XVIII. + + +After writing these words I cast aside my pen, and, throwing myself upon +the bed, buried my face in the pillow. I could feel the drumming pulses +in my ears, and my heart swelled till it was like to burst within my +bosom. Though I pressed my hot fingers against my close-shut eyes, I +still could see my poor love's white, set face, the great hollows in his +bearded cheeks, the blue veins on his thin temples, and the large eyes, +one moment all love-lighted, the next, stricken with horror at the sight +of my unfaith. + +How long I lay there I can scarcely tell. It was many hours after noon +when I heard heavy steps without my door, which suddenly began to shake +as though one beat upon it with frantic hands. + +"Who is there?" I cried, lifting my head. + +"Oh! Mistress Margaret! a God's mercy--undo the door!" + +I drew the bolt in haste, and Dame Barbara burst in and dropped down, +weeping, at my feet. + +"Lord love ye, Mistress Margaret! Lord help us both this day! They have +sent off all our men to meet the blessed English ship--and we two poor +women left behind!" + +I could not think it true. I seized the weeping dame by her heaving +shoulders and fairly dragged her to her feet, demanding what proof she +had that this was so. She pointed dumbly to the window, and fell +a-sobbing louder than before. + +Then I looked out. + +The _Carolina_ frigate stood off the bar of Matanzas Bay, and over the +waves, in the direction of the frigate, went a small boat impelled by +the brawny arms of six swarthy Spaniards. With them were the English +prisoners: I saw the honest face of Captain Baulk, and next him worthy +Master Collins; also the three seamen of the Barbadian sloop; and +another, whom I did not know, but guessed to be the second of the two +unlucky messengers; and--in the midst of all--my dear love. + +He lay full length, his white face resting against the good captain's +knees; and my first thought was one of terror lest he was dead: but I +saw him lift himself, and give one long look at the castle walls, then +fall back as before--and I knew, in that moment, he put me from his +heart for ever. + +They were gone, all gone. Doņa Orosia had played me false--God had +turned His face from me--and the man I loved would never love me more. + +I turned away from the window to the weeping dame, and I laughed, +laughed again as I had done in the face of my dear love that very morn. + +"The piece is near ended, dame," I said. "'Tis almost time to pray _God +save His Majesty_ and draw the curtain. But what strange tricks does +Fate play sometimes with her helpless puppets! She did cast us, long +ago, for a lightsome comedy, and lo! 'tis to be a tragedy instead! Think +you, dear Barbara, that death would come easier by means of yonder +bed-cord, or of those great scissors dangling at thy waist? Or, perhaps, +if thou couldst play Othello to my Desdemona, it might seem a gentler +prelude to the grave. How heavy is a lie, good dame? Think you it would +drag a soul to hell? If so, I need not to go alone; for if I lied to +Melinza, he also lied to me--and Doņa Orosia also"--then a strong +shudder shook my frame. "Barbara, Barbara, must I e'en have their +company for all eternity?" + +She ran to me, good soul, and hushed me like a child to her ample bosom. + +"Lord help ye, dear lamb! And He will--He will!" I heard her say over +and over; then everything turned dark before my eyes, and I thought +death had come to me indeed. + +When consciousness returned I lay upon my bed in a gray twilight, and +beside me were Dame Barbara and the Governor's wife. + +As my eyes fell upon Doņa Orosia, I cried out bitterly that I had been a +fool to trust even to her hate; for now she had grown weary of her +revenge, and would discard her tool without paying the price for it. + +She covered my mouth with her hand, laughing shortly. + +"Melinza thinks he has been too sharp for me. He despatched the +prisoners in great haste to the English ship without my knowledge. I +went to him just now and demanded to know if he dared to send away Seņor +Rivers without leave from me. + +"'Aye,' he said, and bowed to me. 'Since Doņa Orosia desired for some +reason to detain him here, I thought it best to be rid of him at once; +but the girl remains.' + +"'The girl remains in my guardianship,' said I. + +"'Until to-morrow,' Melinza answered. 'To-morrow the _Virgen de la Mar_ +returns to Habana, and with her go the English girl and your humble +servant.' + +"'The Governor,' I cried, 'will not permit it!' + +"'Will he not? Ask him,' said Melinza, 'ask his Excellency the Governor +of San Augustin!' Then he laughed at me--_Dios!_ he laughed at me!" + +She bit her red lip at the remembrance, and clenched her white hands. + +"And did you ask the Governor, seņora?" + +She nodded fiercely. "The old dotard! He did but shrug his shoulders and +offer me a diamond necklace in exchange for my pretty puppet of a +plaything. It is plain Melinza has some hold upon him, what it is I +cannot guess; but it is stronger than my wishes. He would sooner brave +my anger than oppose his nephew's schemes." + +I watched the dark shadow settling on her brow, and I thought all hope +was over. + +"Doņa Orosia," I said at last, "will you lend me your dagger?" + +"Not yet, child--not unless there is no other way to thwart them both. +Look--" she said, and threw a purse of gold pieces on the bed beside me. +"This is your purchase money, and 'twill serve to buy assistance. When I +could make no better terms, I was forced to take this and a kiss to +boot--Pah!" and she rubbed her cheek. "To-morrow, when the tide is +full, the _Virgen de la Mar_ will leave the harbour. Before then I must +contrive your escape." + +"And Barbara's," I added, for I could see the poor dame was in deep +anxiety. + +Doņa Orosia stared. "Upon my soul, we had all forgotten the old woman. +She might have gone well enough with the other prisoners; but how am I +to smuggle _two_ women from the town?" + +Then I besought her not to separate me from the dame, to whom I clung as +my last friend; and after a time she yielded me a grudging promise and +left me, bidding me make ready for the evening meal, at which I must +appear in order not to arouse the Governor's suspicions. + +My hands were cold and trembling; but with Barbara's aid I decked me out +in one of the gay gowns which had been given me by my protectress, and, +taking up a fan--with which I had learned the Spanish trick of screening +my face upon occasion--I joined the Governor and his beautiful spouse in +the brightly lighted _comedor_, where covers at table were laid for +three. I was thankful for Melinza's absence, for to play at love-making +that night would have been beyond my powers. + +At first I could eat nothing; but an urgent glance from Doņa Orosia, +and the thought of what need there would be for all my strength prompted +me to force some morsels, in spite of the convulsive swelling of my +throat. I made shift, also, to answer when addressed by either host or +hostess; but the Governor was in no great spirits himself and seemed to +stand in some awe of his lady's frown. + +Suddenly, without the door, sounded voices in altercation, and a servant +entered, protesting with many apologies that there was a reverend father +without who demanded to see his Excellency at once on a matter that +would brook no delay. + +The Governor leaned back in his chair with an air of great annoyance; +but Doņa Orosia said quickly, "Bid the father enter." + +A tall form in a friar's dark habit appeared on the threshold. I +recognized, under the cowl, the thin, sallow face and the sombre eyes. I +had seen them at the door of the chapel in the castle courtyard on the +night of our arrival, and many times since. They belonged to Padre +Felipe, the confessor of the Governor's wife, and her adviser, I +believed, in affairs temporal as well as spiritual. Something told me he +had come hither at her bidding, and I glanced at her for confirmation; +but Doņa Orosia leaned with one elbow on the table, her chin upon her +white hand, the other rounded arm outstretched with an almond in the +slim fingers for the delectation of the green parrot on his perch beside +her. Not a flicker of interest was visible on her beautiful, sullen +face; so I turned away with some disappointment to hear what the padre +was saying. + +His voice was low-pitched and husky, and I could scarce distinguish what +he said, save that it concerned someone who was ill--nay, _dead_, it +seemed, and needing instant burial. + +The Governor listened with a gathering scowl upon his face, till +suddenly he started up with such haste that his chair fell backward with +a noisy clatter. + +"_Santa Maria!_ Dead of the black vomit? And you come hither with the +vile contagion clinging to your very garments!" + +"Nay," said the friar's deep, hollow voice, as he lifted a reassuring +hand. "I have changed my robes. You and yours are in no danger, my son." + +"In no danger!" repeated the Governor, his face becoming purple and his +voice choked; "no danger, when the foul carcass lies unburied, tainting +the very air with death! Throw it over in the sea--nay, set fire to the +miserable hut in which it lies, and let all be consumed together!" + +"Who is it that is dead?" asked Doņa Orosia. She had risen, and stood +with one hand holding back her skirts, her full, red upper lip slightly +drawn, and her delicate nostrils dilated, as though the very mention of +the loathed disease filled her with disgust. + +"A wretched half-breed boy, some thieving member of the padre's flock," +exclaimed the Governor impatiently. "Set fire to the hut, I say!" + +But Doņa Orosia interrupted once again. "Padre, what is it that you +desire?" + +The sombre eyes were turned on her for the first time. "The boy was a +Christian, my daughter, and I would give him Christian burial." + +"Surely," said Doņa Orosia. "What is to prevent?" + +"Would you spread the infection through the town?" exclaimed the +Governor, white with fear. + +"Nay," said the friar, "I ask but a permit to take the body without the +gates. None but I and a few of my followers need be exposed to danger. +Let a bell be rung before us, to warn all in the streets to stand away; +and we will carry a vessel of strong incense before the bier. Those who +go out with me, I pledge you my word, shall not return for some days +till they are free of all taint themselves." + +"My plan is better,--to burn hut, corpse, and all," replied the +Governor. But Padre Felipe turned on him fiercely. + +"How shall I keep my hold upon my people, and they retain their faith in +consecrated things, if you treat a Christian's body as you would the +carcass of a dog?" + +"As you will," the Governor exclaimed; and, throwing himself into a +chair, he called for pen and paper. "Here," he added presently, "deliver +this to Don Pedro de Melinza, and bid him warn the sentries at the gate. +Say, furthermore, that if any one in the town comes within twenty paces +of the bier, out of the gate he shall go also." + +The friar received the permit silently, lifted his hand in benediction, +and left the apartment. + +As my glance returned from the doorway it met that of Doņa Orosia, and +in hers there was a passing flash of triumph. Soon after, she rose, and +together we withdrew. I felt her hand upon my arm tighten convulsively; +but I walked on with the same sense of unreality that had oppressed me +all the day. + +When we reached my chamber she bade me change my dress again for +something dark and warm; for the night air was damp and chill. As I did +so I slipped within my bosom the roll of closely written pages +containing these annals of my prisonment. Then I asked for Barbara, and +Doņa Orosia quietly replied,-- + +"She has gone upon an errand and will join us in due time." Then she +threw a mantle over my head, wrapped herself in another, and led me out +into the garden. + + + + +CHAPTER XIX. + + +It was a moonless night, and a haze of cloud obscured the stars. We +passed silently under the vine-covered arbour, across the garden, to the +gateway. Into the heavy lock Doņa Orosia slipped a great key; it turned +easily, the door swung open, and we stepped out. Locking it once more, +my companion took my arm and hurried me along the dark, deserted street. +We turned a corner, came upon an open square, and paused beside a huge +palmetto that grew near the centre. I heard the crisp rustle of its +leaves in the night wind, and I shivered with a nameless dread. + +Then, through the darkness, two dim forms approached us. My heart beat +quickly, and I drew the mantle closer round my face; but one of them +proved to be the friar, the other, my dear, dear Barbara. I sprang to +meet her with a quick cry; but Doņa Orosia laid a hand upon my lips and +hurried me on. Padre Felipe now led the way, and we followed him for +some moments more until he paused before a low doorway and motioned us +to enter. + +"Seņora," I whispered, "why do you come? I have no fear of the disease, +but why should you needlessly expose yourself?" + +"Little fool," she answered, pushing me gently on, "there is no fever, +no contagion here." + +Wondering still, I entered the narrow passage, and beyond it a dimly +lighted room. + +On the floor lay a long wooden stretcher covered with hide; at its foot +and head, fixed each in a rude socket, were two candles, still +unlighted. A brass pot with long chains, and a heap of dark cloth, lay +upon the floor; there was also a rough table on which stood a bottle of +water and a loaf of bread; otherwise, except for a dim lamp upon the +wall, the room was empty. Doņa Orosia looked around, with quick eyes +taking in every detail; then she turned to Padre Felipe. + +"Can you trust the bearers?" + +He bowed his head. + +"Then the only difficulty is this old woman. Better to leave her +behind." + +But again I pleaded most earnestly; and presently the friar left the +room and returned soon after with a dingy cloak, with which he enveloped +the poor dame from head to foot. + +"Let her follow behind," he said, "and if there is no trouble she may +pass out with us." He charged her, then, to keep her face hidden and to +stand well away from the light of the candles. + +After that there was a pause, and the Spanish woman and the friar looked +at each other. + +"See you do not fail!" she said. + +"And remember your word," he replied. + +"A solid silver service for the new mission chapel at San Juan,--I swear +it," was the quick response; "that is, if you succeed." + +The friar folded his arms silently. + +"Nay, then, in any case! only do your utmost," whispered Doņa Orosia +hurriedly. + +"The result is as God wills it," said Padre Felipe calmly, and, pointing +to the stretcher, he bade me lie down upon it. I did so, trembling in +every limb, and he would have covered me over with the wrappings when +the Governor's wife pushed him aside, knelt down herself, and slipped +into my hand a little dagger, whispering: + +"In case you are discovered." + +I hid it in my bosom, thanking her. "Farewell, seņora," I said, with +tears, "you have been kind to me and I am very grateful. Whether or not +I win freedom and friends, I believe you have done your utmost for me. I +cannot think"--and I lifted my head close to hers and whispered--"I +cannot think it is for revenge alone. There must be some pity prompting +it." + +"Thou little foolish one," she said, and laughed, pushing me back upon +the bier. Then suddenly I felt a hot tear drop upon my forehead. She +stooped lower and kissed me on the cheek. + +I gave a little cry and would have risen again; but she drew the dark +coverings over me and I could see no longer. As I felt her soft hands +tucking me in, as a mother would her babe, I could only weep silently +and pray God bless her. + +A pungent smoke of something burning filled the room and reached me even +through the coverings. I heard the padre lighting the tapers at my head +and feet. After a time the stretcher on which I lay was lifted up and +carried, foot foremost, from the room--out of the passage and into the +street. I heard the feet of my bearers pattering on the ground as we +moved onward at a swinging pace; I was conscious of the heavy smoke of +burning incense that enveloped us; I heard the sound of a bell going +before me, and a voice raised in a steady cry of warning; but I could +see nothing save a faint radiance through the wrappings, where the +candles burned. + +After a time there was a halt and I heard voices in dispute. My fingers +closed around the hilt of the seņora's dagger. If death must come, so +be it! I thought, and felt no fear, only regret that my dear love could +never understand, unless the spirit that quivered so wildly within my +still and shrouded form could speed to him in the first moment of its +freedom and whisper the truth to his heart! + +Another voice joined in. It was Melinza's own. + +"Stand back!" he called loudly. "Out of the way, slaves! Who dares +dispute the orders of his Excellency? If a man goes within twenty paces +of that leprous crew he may follow them to perdition; but there'll be no +longer any room for him within these walls!" + +A murmur rose, and died away in the distance. We moved on once more. +Then sounded the rattling clang of iron bars--but it came from behind +us. The bell had ceased to ring; but as we moved slowly on I heard the +voice of the padre chanting in a low and solemn key. Then utter silence +fell, except the unshod footfall of my bearers and a murmur as of +night-winds in the trees. Suddenly an owl hooted overhead, and then----I +must have fainted. + +I thought I was again in the Barbadian sloop, during the storm. Bound in +my narrow berth I rocked and swayed, while overhead the boisterous wind +howled in the rigging. The strained timbers creaked and groaned, and now +and then sounded the sharp snapping of some frail spar. A woman's +sobbing reached me through it all,--the low, gasping sobs of one whose +breath is spent. I pushed back the covers and looked around me. + +It was gray dawn in the forest. Through the tossing branches overhead I +saw the pale clouds scudding beneath an angry heaven. I looked toward my +feet and perceived the back of a strange man with dark head, bent +shoulders, and bare brown arms grasping the sides of my litter. Some one +was at my head also; turning quickly, I met his eyes looking into mine: +it was Padre Felipe. I sat up, with a sudden gasp. + +"Barbara!" I cried, "where are you, Barbara?" + +When only the weak sobs answered me I threw myself from the litter to +the ground, falling in an impotent heap with my feet entangled in the +wrappings. But I caught sight of my good dame staggering on behind, half +dragged, half carried by two Indian youths. Her clothing was torn and +draggled, her face pitiably scratched, while great tears chased each +other down her wrinkled cheeks. + +The litter had stopped. Padre Felipe helped me to my feet; but I turned +from him and threw my arms around Barbara's neck. She clung to me +desperately, her breath catching and her voice broken as she tried to +speak. + +The friar took her by the shoulder roughly. + +"She is worn out with tramping through the woods all night. It is no +wonder! But 'twas her own doing, for she would come; now she must keep +up or be left behind. We must reach shelter before the storm breaks in +earnest, for it will be no light one." + +A heavier gust passed while he was speaking; there was a louder moan in +the tree-tops, and a broken branch crashed down at our very feet. + +"Have we much farther to go?" I asked. He shook his head. + +"About a league, perhaps?" + +"Not more," was his reply. + +"Then put the poor dame in the litter, and I will walk." + +He looked intently at me. "Can you do it?" + +"Better than she. I feel faint here," I added, laying my hand upon my +bosom, "but my limbs are young and strong and unwearied." + +"You want food," was his brief comment; and, turning to the litter, he +drew out from a concealed pouch that was slung beneath it, a bottle of +water, and a loaf of bread, and gave me to drink and to eat. I took it +gladly, and Barbara did likewise. I thought, then, he would have taken +some himself; but he put by the remainder, saying he had no need of it, +and signed to the old woman to take her place in the litter, which was +then raised by two of his followers. The third went in advance to clear +away obstacles from the path, and we followed behind, I clinging to the +padre's arm. + +He said no more to me, but the touch of his hand was not ungentle. I +marked how he led me over the smoothest ground, choosing the briars +himself, though his feet were bare, and shielding me with his arm from +the sharp blades of the dwarf palmettos that hedged the way. + +As I walked beside him I could but marvel at the strange turns of Fate; +for now it seemed that I would owe my deliverance, in part, to one of +the very class I most hated as being the first cause of our captivity. +From time to time I glanced up at his dark, stern face, and wondered +whether, if I had not chanced to be his charge and under his sworn +protection, he could have found it in his heart to burn me for a +heretic! + + + + +CHAPTER XX. + + +The light grew ever stronger behind the hurrying clouds, but the deep +places in the forest held their shadows still. Tall cypress-trees reared +their heads amid the hollows and spread their branches like a wide +canopy over our heads; huge live-oaks crowned the hummocks; and here and +there great laurels lifted their pyramids of glossy, dark-green foliage. +Our passage was frequently obstructed by fallen logs, mossed over with +the growth of years; and tangles of vine, tough-stemmed and supple, +flung themselves from tree to tree across our path, resisting our +advance. All through the forest's higher corridors howled the riotous +wind; but along the tunneled ways we traveled it was scarce perceptible +at times. + +In spite of my fatigue I felt a greater strength rising within me. We +had come so far without pursuit! I began to hope as I had never done +before; for was not my dear love free, and my face also set toward +friends? + +As I mused thus we reached a higher level, and, through a rent in the +stormy sky a shaft of morning sunlight glanced across my shoulder and +plunged forward into the woods beyond. I looked back, startled, and for +a brief moment saw the sun's golden disc; then a black cloud effaced it +from the sky. + +"Padre!" I cried, "we are travelling westward!" + +"Yes," he said calmly. + +"Westward!" I exclaimed again. "Westward--and inland! when the English +settlement lies to the north of us, upon the coast!" + +He bowed again in silent acquiescence. Then my indignation broke forth, +and without stopping for further question I accused him bitterly of +breach of trust. + +"Did you not promise Doņa Orosia to deliver me to my friends?" I cried. + +"What cause have you to doubt my good faith?" he asked, turning his +sombre eyes toward me, but still speaking in the same calm tones. "Had I +a ship at San Augustin in which we could set sail? Or could such a ship +have left the harbour unperceived? Not even a canoe could have been +obtained there without danger of discovery. We have a long journey +before us,--could we set out upon it unprovisioned?" + +I hung my head, ashamed, of my doubts. Once it was not my nature to be +suspicious; but so much of trouble had come to me of late that I began +to fear I would never again feel the same confidence in my fellow +creatures, the same implicit trust in Heaven that I had held two years +ago. I had never been a stranger to trouble; but, as a child, I knew it +only as a formless cloud that cast its shadow sometimes on my path, +dimming the sunlight for a moment and hushing the song upon my lips. +Even when my mother died I was too young for more than a child's +grief--an April shower of tears; and although my earliest maidenhood was +often lonely, I had made me my own happiness with bright imaginings, and +prayed God to bring them to pass. So I awaited my future always with a +smile and never doubted that it would be fair. All that had gone by. +Trouble had shown its face to me, and I knew it for something terrible +and strong, ready to leap at my throat and crush life out of me. What +wonder, then, that I walked fearfully from hour to hour? + +Padre Felipe spoke again after a time. "The woods are thinning," he +said. "A few more steps and we shall come out on the shores of the San +Juan, near to a small village of the Yemassees, in which there are many +whose eyes have been opened to the truth. There we shall find shelter +from the storm, and means to pursue our journey when the clouds are +past. Let us hasten; the bearers with the litter are far ahead." + +He gave me his arm once more, and ere many minutes were past, we came in +sight of the bold stream of the San Juan and the crowded huts of an +Indian village. + +The settlement did not appear to be near so large as that at Santa +Catalina, nor did the buildings seem of as great size and +commodiousness. The most imposing edifice I took to be the mission +chapel, for before it was the great cross mounted aloft. It was circular +in shape, with mud walls, and a thatched roof rising to an apex. There +was a door in the side, of heavy planks battened strongly together; but +I could perceive no windows, only a few very small square apertures, +close under the eaves, for light and air. + +The clouds were beginning to spill great drops upon our heads, so we +quickened our steps into a run. The litter and its bearers had paused +beside the door of the chapel, and from the neighbouring huts several +Indians emerged and advanced to meet us. A young woman with a little +copper-coloured babe strapped to her back, its tiny head just visible +over her shoulder, peered at us from the low doorway of her mud-walled +dwelling, but meeting my eyes, drew back hastily out of sight. + +I was very weary, and Barbara, who had dismounted from the litter, +seemed unable to stand. The padre was holding converse with those of his +dark-skinned flock who had approached; so we two women crouched down +under the chapel eaves and gazed around us at the wind-tossed, +rain-blurred scene. + +Before us was a thick grove of trees; to the left we could catch +glimpses of the river, gray and angry like the sky, and all along its +banks the huddled dwellings of the poor barbarians, whose ideals of +architecture were no whit better than those of the wasp,--not near so +complex as those of the ant and the bee. + +Suddenly, while we waited there forlorn, my thoughts flew back to an +English home, with its ivied walls, its turreted roof, its long faįade +of warm red brick. I saw green slopes, broad terraces, a generous +portal, and a spacious hall; I thought of a room with an ample chimney +set round with painted tiles, and I pictured myself kneeling upon the +bearskin rug before a blazing fire, with my head upon my mother's knee +and her fingers toying with my hair. For that moment I forgot even my +dear love, and I would have given all the world just to be a little +child at home. + +The padre turned to us at last and motioned us to follow him. He led us +to the rear of the chapel, where, plastered against the wall, was a +semicircular excrescence,--a tiny cell, with a narrow door hewn from a +single plank and fastened with a heavy padlock. Drawing forth a key from +his belt he unlocked this and bade us enter. We did so, and he closed +the door behind us. + +Within, the hard earth floor was slightly raised and covered with mats +of woven palmetto-leaves. A narrow chink in the wall admitted a faint +ray of light, enabling us to perceive dimly the few objects which the +room contained. Apparently it was Padre Felipe's sleeping apartment and +the chapel vestry combined in one. There was a curtained doorway that +gave access to the chapel itself; pushing aside the hangings, we could +see the dim interior, empty except for the high altar set with tall +candles, and a carven crucifix upon the wall. + +As I caught sight of these emblems of a Christian faith I bethought me +of the bloody sacrifices that had been offered to a pitiful God in the +name of orthodoxy, and I wondered whether heretics like us would not be +safer out in the wild woods and the driving storm--aye, even at the +mercy of infidel barbarians; but suddenly I remembered the solid silver +service which was to be the gift of Doņa Orosia to this little new +mission, and I took courage. + +The rain was now pouring in torrents from the thatched roof, and the +wind, which blew from the northeast, dashed it back against the mud +walls of our refuge. I turned to Barbara and gave voice to an anxiety +that for some time, had been growing within me. + +"Dear dame," I said, "think you this storm is worse at sea?" + +"Aye, my lamb,'tis from an ugly quarter; but the _Carolina_ has +weathered harder blows, and haply she has found good anchorage in some +safe harbour." + +I tried to think the same; nevertheless, in the long hours that we sat +there, listening to the heavy gusts and beating rain, my heart went +faint at the possibility of this new danger to my beloved. + +It must have been past noon when the padre came to us again. He brought +food with him freshly cooked,--meat and fish, and broth of parched +corn-flour, not unpleasant to the taste. + +"The wind is abating," he declared, "and the clouds are breaking away. +When the rain ceases we may venture to pursue our journey." + +I begged to know how he purposed to convey us, for neither Barbara nor +I could go afoot much longer. + +Then he laid his plans before us. This wide river, the San Juan, flowing +by the settlement, continues northward for many miles and then curves +eastward and empties itself into the sea. We were to start in two swift +canoes--piraguas, he styled them--and, keeping at first under the lee of +the shore, follow the river to its mouth, then proceed up the coast +along the safe passage afforded by an outlying chain of islands. It +would be a journey of about ten days to the Indian settlement at Santa +Helena; the Indians there, he explained, were allies of our English +friends and would doubtless aid us to rejoin them. + +I asked if we must pass by Santa Catalina; and he said 'twas on our way, +but no one there would hinder us while we were under his protection. + +"Unless," he added, "the Governor of San Augustin sends out a ship to +intercept us there, or anywhere upon the way; in which case there will +be naught for me to do but give you up to him." + +Upon that I was in a fever to be gone; for I felt that the day could not +pass by without Melinza's discovering my flight, and I would endure any +hardship rather than risk his intercepting us. + + + + +CHAPTER XXI. + + +It was not until the rain-clouds had all passed by that the padre chose +to embark. The wind was still high, and our frail canoes were roughly +cradled on the river's turbulent bosom. + +Padre Felipe, Barbara, and I, with two Indians, filled the smaller of +the two piraguas; the other held five Indians and a store of provisions +for the journey. + +The afternoon sky was naught but windy gloom; white clouds rolled over +us in billowy folds, and tattered scarves of mist trailed lower still +and seemed almost to snare their fringes on the topmost branches of the +forest. Close under the protecting river-bank sped our light canoes, +cutting their way through the gray waters. The dark-skinned crews bent +to the paddle silently, with corded muscles tightening in their lean +brown arms, and still, impassive faces fixed upon the seething current +or the swiftly flying shores. + +The gloom deepened slowly with the coming of the night. The waters +darkened, the dun forest became black and vague. At last, to my eyes, +it seemed that the sailing shadows in the sky, the inky, swirling +stream, and the mysterious shores blended in one all-pervading +impenetrable midnight. I could not realize that we were moving; it +seemed, rather, that we alone were still, while over us and around us +the spirits of the night flew past. I felt the wind of unseen wings +lifting my hair; I heard the splash and gurgle of strange creatures +swimming by. With my hands close locked on Barbara's arm, and wide eyes +staring into nothingness, I waited for some human sound to break the +palpitating silence. + +Finally the padre spoke. He asked some question in the Indian tongue. +One of the rowers grunted in reply, and there was a sudden cessation of +the rapid paddle-strokes. Then a signal was given to the other canoe, +and after some further discussion I felt that we approached the shore. +There was a scraping, jarring sound, followed by the soft trampling of +feet upon a marshy bank; and then a hand drew me up and guided me to +land. + +"The tide is running too strongly against us," explained the voice of +Padre Felipe. "We will rest an hour or two and wait for it to turn." + +They kindled a fire somehow and spread a blanket upon the damp ground. +I remember that Barbara and I stretched ourselves upon it and I laid my +head against the dame's shoulder,--then weariness overcame me. + +It seemed the very next moment that I was roused; but the fire was out, +and in the sky glimmered a few dim stars. There was a strange calm +reigning as we re-embarked; for the wind had died and the whole aspect +of the night had changed. All around us a faintly luminous sky lifted +itself above the dense horizon line, and the broad bosom of the river +paled to the hue of molten lead. Still brighter grew the heavens; the +thin clouds drew aside, and the crescent of a waning moon spilled glory +over us. And now our dark piraguas sped over the surface of a silver +stream, and every paddle-blade dripped diamonds. + +It is a noble river, this San Juan, with its broad sweeps and curves. At +times it widens to a lake, and again thrusts itself into the shores as +though its waters filled the print of some giant hand that in ages past +had rested heavily with outspread fingers on the yielding soil. Aided by +the strong current we glided on as swiftly as the passing hours. Our +faces were set eastward now, and I waited, breathless, for the day to +wake. + +There was a slow parting of the filmy skies, as though Dawn's rosy +fingers brushed aside the curtains of her couch; then came a gleam of +golden hair that slid across her downy pillows. A long-drawn sigh +shivered across the silent world, and with a sudden dazzlement we saw-- + + --"the opening eyelids of the Morn." + +From the southwest a fresh wind arose and swept clean the blue heavens; +and, with the early sunbeams sparkling on the ripples of the tide, the +canoes darted on toward the river's mouth. A heron flew up from the +marshes suddenly, and sailed over our heads on its strong white wings. +As I watched it dip out of sight in the river far beyond us I caught +sight of another gleaming wing that slowly unfurled itself toward the +sky. + +Touching the padre's arm, I pointed to it. + +"A sail!" he said. + +Our canoes quickly sought the curve of the shore and crept with caution +toward the unknown vessel. + +"It can scarcely be the Habana ship," murmured the padre, "for the +_Virgen de la Mar_ was at anchor in the harbour when we left San +Augustin, and ere morning the storm had risen, so she would hardly have +ventured forth to sea." + +"There are other vessels carrying sail that ply between the fort and +these coast islands. We came from Santa Catalina aboard one of them," I +whispered. + +"Yes," said the padre, "but this is too large." He paused for some +moments, and then added: "Do you see the long, straight lines of her +hull, and the square stern? This is no Spanish galley, but a frigate of +English build." + +"'Tis the _Carolina_!" I exclaimed, "'tis the _Carolina_!" + +"Oh! the blessed, blessed English ship!" sobbed the good dame. + +Then all energies were bent to reach her, for it was plain that she was +making ready to leave her anchorage. + +"If we could only signal to those on board!" I cried. "Loose your +neck-kerchief, Barbara, and wave it--wave it in the sunlight!" + +"We are too close to the shore," the padre said. "She can scarce +distinguish us until we strike out into the open." + +"But how plainly we can perceive her crew! And see the stir upon the +decks--are they not drawing up the anchor? Oh, Padre Felipe!" I cried +piteously, "wave to them! signal them! or they will leave us after all!" + +The friar rose carefully to his feet; he, too, was heartily glad of this +chance to be rid of his charges, and in no mind to let it slip by. With +Barbara's white kerchief in his hand he was about to make another effort +to attract the notice of the _Carolina_, when suddenly he glanced over +his shoulder toward the land, his hand fell quickly to his side, and he +dropped back into his seat with an exclamation of dismay. + +One of the Indians rose immediately, and with shaded eyes gazed along +the beach as it stretched away southward to San Augustin. He gave a +grunt of acquiescence and sat down, and the motion of the paddles +ceased. + +"What have you seen?" I cried in agony, struggling also to my feet. + +We were so near the river's mouth--almost upon the blue waves of the +ocean rolling out to the shining east! Under the lee of the northern +shore lay the English ship; and south of us the coast spun out its +gleaming line of sandy beach away, away back to the prison we had left. +But what were those dark forms that swarmed the sands? + +"We are too late!" muttered the Spanish friar. "Discovering your flight, +they have not waited for calm weather to follow in a swift +sailing-vessel, as I had thought they would, but have sent out a +search-party afoot to overtake you at the outset." + +"But we must reach the _Carolina_ before they arrive, Padre!" + +"It can be done, easy enough," he answered, "but what shall I and my +followers do if we are seen? Girl, I have too much at stake! I choose +not to incur the Governor's anger. 'Tis not likely that they connect us +with your disappearance, for Doņa Orosia swore to shield me in the +matter. I have done all I could. It is thus far and no farther. But you +may yet escape; 'tis only a little distance to the ship; take up the +paddles and make your way thither." + +As he spoke he stepped from our canoe to the larger one which had closed +up with us, and the two Indians followed him. + +"Padre! oh, Padre! Do not leave me, do not desert me!" + +They paid no heed to my appeal save to give a mighty shove to our canoe +that sent it out toward midstream; then, seizing their paddles, with +swift strokes they sent their own piragua speeding up the river. + +It had all passed so quickly--so suddenly our hopes had been destroyed! +Barbara and I had been thrown forward by the impetus given to our frail +boat, and we cowered down in silence for a moment. The current was still +bearing us outward; but every second our motion slackened: we would +never reach the ship without some effort on our part. + +I seized a paddle and worked vigorously; but the light boat only swung +round and round. + +"Barbara!" I cried, "take the other paddle and work with me. I can do +nothing all alone!" + +The dame obeyed me, sobbing and praying under her breath; but we made +sorry work of it. + +I looked shoreward and could see our pursuers drawing closer and closer; +they had not yet perceived us, but in a moment more they could not fail +to do so. As they drew still nearer, riding on his dappled gray in the +midst of them, I recognized Melinza! With him were a troop of Spanish +soldiers--I saw the sunlight flashing on their arms--and some twenty +half-naked Indians, who might so easily swim out and drag us back to +land! + +"They see us! Mistress Margaret, they see us!" shouted Barbara. + +"Oh! not yet, dame, not yet!" I groaned, plying the paddle wildly. + +"The English, my lamb--the English see us! Look you, they are putting +put a boat from the ship!" + +It was true; but ere I could utter a "Thank God!" a yell from the shore +told us that those fiends had seen us also. Barbara would have dropped +her paddle in despair, but I ordered her sternly to make what play she +could. As for me, I dipped my blade now on one side, now on the other; +the trick of it had come to me like an inspiration; my fingers tightened +their hold, and my arms worked with the strength born of a great terror. + +Our pursuers had reached the river-shore, and a swarm of dark forms now +threw themselves into the stream. But the long-boat from the frigate +came toward us rapidly; I saw white English faces and heard shouts of +encouragement in my mother tongue. + +Then a volley of musketry rang out from the land. Instantly, the frigate +made response; her heavy guns thundered forth, and the white smoke +wreathed her like a cloud. But all the shots were falling short. + +[Illustration: "NEARER CAME THE LONG BOAT, YET NEARER WAS THE FOREMOST +SWIMMER."--_Page 162._] + +Nearer came the long-boat, yet nearer was the foremost swimmer. I saw +his brown arms cleaving the clear tide, I saw the white eyeballs +gleaming in his dark face. Friends and foes were now so close together +that from the shore it was impossible to distinguish them; so the shots +had ceased, and in their place rang out wild curses and savage yells. A +sinewy brown hand rose from the water and seized the edge of our +frail canoe, tilting it far over. The sudden jerk destroyed my balance, +and in a moment I felt the waters close over my head. + +Strong hands grasped me as I rose again and I battled fiercely; for I +thought the Indian had me in his hold, and I chose rather, to die. But +my weak strength was overcome, and I was lifted--aye, thank God!--lifted +into the English boat, and Master Collins wiped the water from my face. + +I saw them drag the dame in also, and then I closed my eyes. I did not +faint,--never in all my life had I been so very much alive; but the +sunlight and the blue sky were too bright for me. + +I cannot tell much of what followed. There were a few more shots, and +one of the English sailors dropped his oar and held up a bleeding hand. +I sought my kerchief to bind it up for him, but I could not find it. And +then, I looked up and saw the _Carolina_ close beside us. A ringing +cheer went up to heaven, and kind hands raised me to the deck. The +sunburnt face of Captain Brayne bent over me, and there were tears in +his honest eyes. + + + + +CHAPTER XXII. + + +There were other women on the ship, and one of them came forward and led +me away to her cabin and aided me to rid myself of my drenched garments, +lending me others in their stead. I learned from her that the _Carolina_ +had come direct from Barbadoes, bearing freight and some very few +passengers,--the noise of our treatment at the Spaniards' hands +deterring many who would else have ventured to throw in their lot with +the young colony. Captain Brayne bore also the duplicate of the orders +of the Spanish Council--which had been forwarded from England to +Barbadoes; and he had been instructed by their Lordships the +Proprietors, to stop at San Augustin and demand the prisoners. + +All this my new friend told me during her kindly ministrations. She +asked, also, many questions concerning my escape and the treatment I had +received during our long captivity; but I was too exhausted to answer +these at length, and begged that I might be left awhile to rest. She +went away then, to get me a soothing potion from the ship's surgeon; +and I made haste to unwrap the little packet that had lain hidden in my +bosom, in which was the written story of my prison life. As I smoothed +out the damp pages I thought of how I would place it in my dear love's +hand and leave him to read all that my tongue could never say to him! + +I slept for some hours and woke refreshed. Then came a message from the +captain, asking if I would see him. I was eager to be out, for many +reasons, the chief being my desire to see him from whom I had been so +long parted; it was his face I sought first among the many familiar ones +that crowded round me. Besides Captain Brayne I recognized other +officers of the _Carolina_ as the same with whom I had sailed from the +Downs nearly two years ago. All my fellow prisoners--save one--greeted +me joyfully and kindly. But that one missing face--where was it? + +It was on my tongue to ask for Mr. Rivers; then, of a sudden, it came +over me _how_ we had parted. So! and he still believed me--that thing +which I had shown myself. He had nursed his doubts for two whole days +and nights, and now he would not even come forward to touch my hand and +wish me joy of my escape. It seemed to me I caught glances of pity +passing between one and another of the lookers-on. Did they wait to see +how Margaret Tudor would bear her lover's apathy? A jilted maid! + +There was a mist before my eyes; but I smiled and said little gracious +words of thanks to each and all of them, and wished in my heart that I +was dead. Oh, my love! whatever doubts you may have had of me were paid +back that cruel moment in full measure. I recalled some of the hard +speeches I had heard from the embittered Spanish woman, and I thought +within myself, All men are made after the same pattern! + +Captain Brayne and Master Collins and good old Captain Baulk of the +_Three Brothers_ had been in earnest conversation for some moments; and +now the _Carolina's_ commander came to me and took me gently by the +hand, leading me aside. + +"Mistress Margaret," he said, "there is one aboard this ship to whom +your coming may mean life instead of death. He is very ill,--so ill that +we despaired of him till now,--and one name is ever on his lips. Are you +too weak and unstrung, my dear young lady, to go with me to his sick +bed?" + +That was how the truth came to me. I cannot write of what I felt. + +"Take me to him," I said. + +He lay in his berth; his large eyes were alight with fever, and he was +talking ceaselessly, now in broken whispers, now with a proud defiance +in his husky tones. + +"God knows what the devils did to him," murmured Henry Brayne. "He was +once a proper figure of a man; but starvation and ill usage have worn +him to a shadow!" + +Aye, but a shadow with a gnawing sorrow at its heart. + +"You may taunt me, Seņor de Melinza," whispered the broken voice, "you +may taunt me with my helplessness. I may not break these bonds, it is +true; but neither can you sever those that bind to me the love of a +true-hearted English maid.... That is a foul lie, Don Pedro, and I cast +it back into your teeth!... Strike a helpless prisoner? Do so, and you +add but another black deed to the long score that stands against the +name of Spaniard. Some day the reckoning will come, seņor--I dare stake +my soul on that!... I'll not believe it; no! not upon your oath, Don +Pedro!... Margaret, Margaret! Tell him he lies, dear lady!... In God's +name, speak, sweetheart!" And though I knelt beside him, and called his +name again and again, he was deaf to my voice and put me by with feeble +hands, crying ever: "Margaret! Margaret!" till I thought my heart would +break. + +Oh! the terror of this new jailer--dread Disease--that held him in its +grip while Death lurked grimly in the background! For no wiles or +blandishments of mine could move them or loose their hold upon the life +most dear to me. When there was but man to deal with, my faith failed me +and I ceased praying; now it was my punishment that only God's mercy +could set my dear love free,--and it might be his pleasure to loose him +in another world and leave me still on earth to mourn his loss. + +As, hour after hour, I listened to his ravings, a deeper understanding +of the horrors of his long captivity began to grow upon me. I could +scarce forbear crying out when I thought how I had touched the hand of +that vile Spaniard, and listened, smiling, when he spoke of love to me. + +How terrible a thing is hatred! Heaven pardon me, but I think there is +somewhat of it in my heart. Yet, now that the fever is abating, and my +beloved is coming back to me from the very brink of the grave, I do pray +that I may forgive mine enemy, even as God in His clemency has pardoned +me! + + * * * * * + +He knows me at last. It was some hours ago. I was bending over him, and +a light of recognition dawned in his eyes. + +"Margaret! _Margaret!_ is it _you_? I dreamed just now----that----that +you were untrue to me!" + +"Did you so, dear love?" I answered. "Forget it then, and rest; for now +the fever and the dreams are past." + +He smiled at me and fell asleep like a little child. + + * * * * * + +In the long hours that I have watched beside him I have written these +last pages of my story; and some time, when he is awake and strong +enough to bear the truth, I will put them all into his hand and leave +him here alone. And I think, when he has read them through to the end, +he will discern--between the lines--more of my heart than I have words +to tell. + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Margaret Tudor, by Annie T. 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Colcock + </title> + <style type="text/css"> +/*<![CDATA[ XML blockout */ +<!-- + p {margin-top: .75em; text-align: justify; margin-bottom: .75em;} + + h1,h2 {text-align: center; clear: both; font-weight: normal;} + + hr {width: 65%; margin: 2em auto; clear: both;} + .min {width: 45%; margin: 1em auto;} + + body {margin-left: 10%; margin-right: 10%;} + + .pagenum {position: absolute; left: 94%; font-size: small; + font-style: normal; text-align: right;} + + .block1 {margin-left: 20%; margin-right: 20%;} + + .smcap {font-variant: small-caps;} + + .figcenter {margin: 1em auto; text-align: center; font-size: small;} + + .figright {float: right; clear: right; margin-left: 1em; margin-bottom: 1em; + margin-top: 1em; margin-right: 0; padding: 0; text-align: center; font-size: small;} + + .figright img {border: double 3px;} + + .poem {width: 18em; margin: 0 auto; text-align: left;} + .poem br {display: none;} + .poem .stanza {margin: 1em 0em 1em 0em;} + .poem span.i0 {display: block; margin-left: 0em; padding-left: 3em; text-indent: -3em;} + .poem span.i2 {display: block; margin-left: 2em; padding-left: 3em; text-indent: -3em;} + .poem span.i10 {display: block; margin-left: 10em; padding-left: 3em; text-indent: -3em;} + + .trans1 {border: solid 1px; margin: 3em 15%; padding: .25em 1em; text-align: justify;} + .trnhd {text-align: center; font-size: large; font-weight: bold;} + + img {border: none;} + + a:link {text-decoration:none;} + a:visited {text-decoration:none;} + + ul {list-style-type: none; font-size: small;} + + .pub1 {font-size: small; text-align: center;} + .rgt {text-align: right; margin-right: 2em;} + + // --> + /* XML end ]]>*/ + </style> + </head> +<body> + + +<pre> + +The Project Gutenberg EBook of Margaret Tudor, by Annie T. Colcock + +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: Margaret Tudor + A Romance of Old St. Augustine + +Author: Annie T. Colcock + +Illustrator: W. B. Gilbert + +Release Date: January 17, 2008 [EBook #24335] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK MARGARET TUDOR *** + + + + +Produced by Suzanne Shell, Stephen Blundell and the Online +Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net + + + + + + +</pre> + + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 305px;"> +<a name="COVER" id="COVER"></a><img src="images/001.jpg" style="border: double 5px;" width="295" height="500" alt="" title="" /> +</div> + +<hr /> +<h1><small>THE STORY OF MARGARET TUDOR</small></h1> +<hr /> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 371px;"> +<a name="FRONT" id="FRONT"></a><img src="images/002.jpg" width="371" height="500" alt="" title="" /> +MARGARET TUDOR.</div> + +<hr /> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 292px;"> +<img src="images/003.png" style="border: double 5px;" width="282" height="500" alt="MARGARET TUDOR/ +A Romance of Old St. Augustine/ +By ANNIE T. COLCOCK/ +Illustrated by/ +W. B. GILBERT/ +NEW YORK . FREDERICK A./ +STOKES COMPANY . PUBLISHERS" title="" /> +</div> + +<hr /> + +<p class="pub1"><span class="smcap">Copyright, 1901,<br /> +By Frederick A. Stokes Company</span><br /> +<br /> +<i>All rights reserved</i></p> + +<div class="trans1"><p class="trnhd">Transcriber's Note</p> + +<p>Minor typographical errors have been corrected without note. A table of contents, though not present in the original publication, +has been provided below:</p> + +<ul><li><a href="#CHAPTER_I">CHAPTER I.</a></li> +<li><a href="#CHAPTER_II">CHAPTER II.</a></li> +<li><a href="#CHAPTER_III">CHAPTER III.</a></li> +<li><a href="#CHAPTER_IV">CHAPTER IV.</a></li> +<li><a href="#CHAPTER_V">CHAPTER V.</a></li> +<li><a href="#CHAPTER_VI">CHAPTER VI.</a></li> +<li><a href="#CHAPTER_VII">CHAPTER VII.</a></li> +<li><a href="#CHAPTER_VIII">CHAPTER VIII.</a></li> +<li><a href="#CHAPTER_IX">CHAPTER IX.</a></li> +<li><a href="#CHAPTER_X">CHAPTER X.</a></li> +<li><a href="#CHAPTER_XI">CHAPTER XI.</a></li> +<li><a href="#CHAPTER_XII">CHAPTER XII.</a></li> +<li><a href="#CHAPTER_XIII">CHAPTER XIII.</a></li> +<li><a href="#CHAPTER_XIV">CHAPTER XIV.</a></li> +<li><a href="#CHAPTER_XV">CHAPTER XV.</a></li> +<li><a href="#CHAPTER_XVI">CHAPTER XVI.</a></li> +<li><a href="#CHAPTER_XVII">CHAPTER XVII.</a></li> +<li><a href="#CHAPTER_XVIII">CHAPTER XVIII.</a></li> +<li><a href="#CHAPTER_XIX">CHAPTER XIX.</a></li> +<li><a href="#CHAPTER_XX">CHAPTER XX.</a></li> +<li><a href="#CHAPTER_XXI">CHAPTER XXI.</a></li> +<li><a href="#CHAPTER_XXII">CHAPTER XXII.</a></li></ul> +<p>Illustrations:</p> +<ul><li><a href="#COVER">FRONT COVER</a></li> +<li><a href="#FRONT">MARGARET TUDOR.</a></li> +<li><a href="#ILL1">"TO THE BRIGHTEST EYES AND THE LIPS MOST WORTHY OF KISSES!"</a></li> +<li><a href="#ILL2">"SPARE THE MAN, DON PEDRO! I LIKE NOT THE SIGHT OF BLOOD."</a></li> +<li><a href="#ILL3">"NEARER CAME THE LONG BOAT, YET NEARER WAS THE FOREMOST SWIMMER."</a></li></ul> +</div> + +<hr /> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">"That thee is sent receive in buxomnesse,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">The wrastling of this world asketh a fall,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Here is no home, here is but wildernesse,<br /></span> +<span class="i2">· · · · · · · <br /></span> +<span class="i0">Looke up on high, and thanké God of all!"<br /></span> +<span class="i10"><span class="smcap">Chaucer.</span><br /></span> +</div></div> + +<hr /> +<div class="block1"><h2>NOTE.</h2> + +<p>The names of Mr. John Rivers,—kinsman and agent of +Lord Ashley,—Dr. Wm. Scrivener and Margaret Tudor +appear in the passenger list of the <i>Carolina</i>, as given in +the Shaftesbury Papers (Collections of the South Carolina +Historical Society, Vol. V, page 135). In the same (page +169) may be found a brief account of the capture, at Santa +Catalina, of Mr. Rivers, Capt. Baulk, some seamen, <i>a +woman, and a girl</i>; also (page 175) mention of the unsuccessful +embassy of Mr. Collins; and (page 204) the +Memorial to the Spanish Ambassador touching the delivery +of the prisoners, one of whom is alluded to as <i>Margaret</i>, +presumably Margaret Tudor.</p> + +<p>The names of the two Spaniards, Señor de Colis and +Don Pedro Melinza, each appear once in the Shaftesbury +Papers (pages 25 and 443): the latter individual was +evidently a person of some consequence in San Augustin; +the former, in the year 1663, was "Governour and Captain-General, +Cavallier, and Knight of the Order of St. +James."</p> + +<p class="rgt"><span class="smcap">Annie T. Colcock.</span></p></div> + +<hr /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_1" id="Page_1">[1]</a></span></p> +<h1>THE STORY OF MARGARET TUDOR</h1> + +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_I" id="CHAPTER_I"></a>CHAPTER I.</h2> + +<p><span class="smcap">San Augustin</span>, this 29th of June, Anno +Domini 1670.</p> + +<p>It is now more than a month since our captivity +began, and there seems scant likelihood +that it will come to a speedy close,—altho', +being in good health myself, and of an age +when hope dies slowly, I despair not of recovering +both liberty and friends. Yet, in the +event of our further detention, of sickness or +any other evil that may befall me—and there is +one threatening—I write these pages of true history, +praying that they may some time reach +the hand of my guardian and uncle, Dr. William +Scrivener, if he be still alive and dwelling +in these parts. Should they chance, instead, to +meet the eyes of some friendly-disposed person +of English blood and Protestant faith, to whom +the name of William Scrivener is unknown, I +beseech him to deliver them to any person +sailing with the sloop <i>Three Brothers</i>, which +did set out from the Island of Barbadoes on +the 2nd of November last,—being in the hire of +Sir Thomas Colleton, and bearing freight and +passengers for these shores.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_2" id="Page_2">[2]</a></span></p> + +<p>If the sloop has suffered some misadventure +(as I fear is not unlikely,—either at the hands +of the Spaniards, or else of the Indians of these +parts, who do show themselves most unfriendly +to all Englishmen, being set on to mischief by +the Spanish friars), then I pray that word may +be forwarded to his Lordship, the Duke of +Albemarle, and others of the Lords Proprietors +who did commission and furnish a fleet of +three vessels, to wit: the <i>Carolina</i>, the <i>Port +Royal</i>, and the <i>Albemarle</i>, which did weigh +anchor at the Downs in August of last year, +and set forth to plant an English colony at +Port Royal.</p> + +<p>In particular would I implore that word +might reach Lord Ashley, seeing that his kinsman, +Mr. John Rivers, is here detained a prisoner +in sorry state, laden with chains in the +dungeon of the Castle—for which may God +forgive me, I being in some degree to blame; +and yet, since it hath pleased Heaven to grant +me the fair face that wrought the mischief, I +hold myself the less guilty and grieve the more +bitterly, inasmuch as I love him with a maid's +true love and would willingly give my life to +spare him hurt.</p> + +<p>If it were so that I might give the true narrative +of our present plight, and how it fell +about, without cumbering the tale with mention<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_3" id="Page_3">[3]</a></span> +of my own name, it would please me +best; but as those who read it may be strangers, +I would better tell my story from the +start.</p> + +<p>Of myself it is enough to say that my name +is Margaret Tudor, and saving my uncle, Dr. +Scrivener, I am alone in the world and well-nigh +portionless—my father having spent his +all, and life and liberty to boot, in the service +of King Charles, being one of those unfortunate +royalists who plotted for His Majesty's +return in the year '55. For, as Cromwell did +discover their designs ere they were fully ripe, +many were taken prisoners, of whom some +suffered death and others banishment. Of +these last was my father, who was torn from +the arms of his young wife and babe and sent +in slavery to Barbadoes. We could learn +nothing of his after fate, though many inquiries +were made in his behalf.</p> + +<p>And so it fell about that,—my mother having +gone to her rest,—I did take passage with my +uncle, Dr. William Scrivener, on board the +<i>Carolina</i>, with intent to stop at Barbadoes and +make some search for my poor father in the +hope that he yet lived.</p> + +<p>Among the passengers of the <i>Carolina</i> was +Lord Ashley's kinsman and agent, Mr. John +Rivers, of whom I can find naught to say that<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_4" id="Page_4">[4]</a></span> +seems fitting; for although it may hap that in +this great world there are other men of a +countenance as fine, a mien as noble, and +a heart as brave and tender, it has not been +my lot as yet to encounter them.</p> + +<p>Together we did sail for three months on +the great deep, in danger of pirates, in peril of +tempests, and in long hours of golden calm +when the waters burned blue around us and +the wide heaven shone pale and clear over our +heads. And in all that time we came to know +one another passing well; and Mr. Rivers +heard my father's story and promised to aid us +in our search.</p> + +<p>It was October when we reached Barbadoes +and landed. Of the news that we obtained, +and the strange chance that brought it to our +ears, it is needless here to speak. Let it suffice +that my dear father did not suffer long, as +death soon freed him from his bondage.</p> + +<p>We had no further cause to detain us in +Barbadoes, so we yielded to the persuasions of +Mr. Rivers that we should continue with the +expedition to Port Royal; and, in November, +we set sail once more in the <i>Three Brothers</i>, a +sloop hired to replace the <i>Albemarle</i>, which, +in consequence of a broken cable, had been +driven ashore in a gale and lost upon the +rocks.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_5" id="Page_5">[5]</a></span></p> + +<p>From now on, for the truth's sake, I must +needs tell somewhat of my intercourse with Mr. +Rivers. It may seem I am lacking in a proper +modesty if I declare that, even then, there was +more than friendship betwixt us. But surely +there were reasons enough and to spare. That +I should love him was no mystery—he being +the gallant gentleman he is; and, since there +chanced to be no other maid upon the vessel +of proper age and gentle condition, I suppose +it was in nature that he should make the best +of the little society he had. But nay, I +would be false to my own faith if I doubted +that it was foreordained of Heaven that we +should come together and love one another.</p> + +<p>It is true that I did not make confession of +this belief until I had tormented my would-be +lord with every teasing device that entered into +my brain. But though he was often cast down +for hours together, he gave me to understand +that he could read my heart in my blue eyes.</p> + +<p>"An you were to swear upon your soul you +hated me, dear lady, I'd not believe it," he once +said. "Mistress Margaret is too unversed in +city ways and shallow coquetries to play a part—and +'tis for that I love her so." And though +it angered me to have him praise my innocence +and country airs, I knew he spoke the truth, +and that a time would come when I would +own my love for him. And so it did.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_6" id="Page_6">[6]</a></span></p> + +<p>A terrible storm had raged for eight-and-forty +hours. There had been wild, black, awful +nights, and sullen days when the gray curtains +of the sky were torn asunder and whirled over +us in inky folds, their tattered fringes lashing +up the seas, and whipping our frail bark till it +skulked and cowered, like a beaten cur that +looks in vain for mercy. We had drifted northward +far from our course, our two consorts +had disappeared, and we had well-nigh given +up hope, when with the dawning of the third +day the wind lulled, and through the ragged +clouds we saw the blue arch of heaven high +above us.</p> + +<p>I had climbed out upon the deck alone; and +from a sheltered corner I saw the sun rise and +gild a far-off strip of shore that lay to west of +us. It seemed a vision of a new heaven and +a new earth, and I gave God thanks. Then a +hand touched mine, and a voice whispered my +name—and other words that need not be +recorded here; and I could answer nothing in +denial, for the reason that my heart was too +full.</p> + +<hr /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_7" id="Page_7">[7]</a></span></p> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_II" id="CHAPTER_II"></a>CHAPTER II.</h2> + +<p><span class="smcap">The</span> land to west of us was Virginia, and we +sought harbour at Nancemund, and lay there +some weeks for needful repairs on the sloop, +which was also provisioned afresh for her +further voyage.</p> + +<p>It was then the month of February; we had +been six months a-journeying, and still the +promised land was far away.</p> + +<p>This tale of mine, however, bids fair to spin +itself at too great length, so I must hasten on +to the story of our captivity.</p> + +<p>In spite of fairly good weather on our way +southward we somehow over passed the latitude +of Port Royal harbour; and of a Saturday +in May—the fifteenth day of the month—we +did cast anchor at a little isle upon the coast, in +order to obtain wood and water for the sloop's +needs.</p> + +<p>This island is within the territory of the +Spaniards, who have named it Santa Catalina. +It lies some days' journey north of San Augustin,—the +exact latitude I know not, although<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_8" id="Page_8">[8]</a></span> +I have heard it more times than one; but there +are some things that abide never in a woman's +brain.</p> + +<p>Here appeared many Indians, who seemed +at first not unfriendly, and spoke words of welcome +to us in the Spanish tongue.</p> + +<p>Much trading was done aboard the sloop, and +the barbarians appeared strangely content with +strings of paltry beads and the cast-off garments +of the crew, giving in their stead good +provender, and skins of the wild deer dressed +soft and fine.</p> + +<p>The second day of our stay, Mr. Rivers, with +the ship's master and three seamen, went +ashore with such stuff as the Indians desire, to +trade for pork and other provisions; and it +being a Monday morn, Dame Barbara did crave +leave to take her washing and go with them, in +the hope of finding a softer water to cleanse +the linen.</p> + +<p>It was early morning; the breeze from the +land blew sweet and fragrant, and the woods +beyond the sandy beach bourgeoned in new +leafage, green and tender. I longed for the +scent of the warm earth, and the tuneful courting +of bird-lovers in the thicket; so I prayed +my uncle to let me go ashore with the dame. +He acceded willingly enough; but Mr. Rivers, +who is always over-anxious where my safety is<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_9" id="Page_9">[9]</a></span> +concerned, counselled me earnestly not to +leave the ship.</p> + +<p>I was ever a headstrong maid, and the sunshine +and the scent of far-off flowers had set +me nearly wild with longing; so I chid him +roundly for his caution and merrily warned +him to beware how he sought to clip the wings +of a free bird. Go I did, therefore, though he +smiled and shook his head at me; and when +we all parted company at the watering-place +he seemed uneasy still, and, looking backward +over his shoulder as I waved farewell, entreated +me to wander no farther from the shore.</p> + +<p>The little spring where they had left us +welled up, cold and clear, at the foot of a tall +cypress-tree, and trickled thence in a tiny +stream, a mere thread of crystal, that tangled +itself in the low bush and wound its way helplessly +through the level wooded country, as +though seeking for some gentle slope that +would lead it to the sea.</p> + +<p>The dame rinsed her linen till it fairly shone, +and spread it out to dry in a sunny nook; while +I lay prone on the warm earth and stirred up +the damp brown leaves that had drifted into a +tiny hollow, and found beneath them a wee +green vine with little white star-flowers that +blinked up at the sun and me. And I dreamed +of the new home we would make for ourselves<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_10" id="Page_10">[10]</a></span> +in this far country, and of the very good and +docile wife I would be to my dear love. Then +at last,—because I grew aweary at the prospect +of my very great obedience in the future, and +because, too, I thought it was high time my +gallant gentleman came back to ask me how I +did,—up from the ground I started, rousing +the dame from a sweet nap.</p> + +<p>"Look, Barbara! the linen is dry; the sun is +on its westering way, and the shadows grow +longer and longer.—'Tis very strange that Mr. +Rivers and the master have not returned!"</p> + +<p>"Mayhap they have clean forgot us and +gone back to the ship alone," moaned the old +woman, rubbing her sleepy eyes and beginning +at once to croak misfortune, after the manner +of her class.</p> + +<p>Such an idea was past belief and set me +smiling. I laid my hollowed palms behind my +ears and listened.</p> + +<p>Master Wind, passing through the tree-tops, +had set every leaf a-whispering and nid-nodding +to its gossips,—just as the peddler on his +way through the village at home stirs all the +women-folk to chattering about the latest news +from the whole countryside. In the thicket +beside us a chorus of feathered singers were +all a-twitter, each trying to outdo his neighbour; +but one saucy fellow piped the merriest tune<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_11" id="Page_11">[11]</a></span> +of all, mingling in a delicious medley the +sweetest notes of all the rest. Of a sudden, +as I listened, there was a soft rustle in the +undergrowth, and out from a clump of myrtles +bounced a little brown rabbit, who cocked an +astonished eye at me and disappeared again +with a series of soundless leaps and a terrified +whisk of his little white tail. Upon that the +laugh in my throat bubbled over; I dropped +my hands and turned to the dame.</p> + +<p>"Gather up your linen, good Barbara, and +let us explore the trail ourselves. They are +doubtless picnicking somewhere in the woods +beyond, and 'tis very discourteous not to bid +us to the entertainment."</p> + +<p>She would have demurred at first: the linen +was not to be left, and yet was too weighty to +carry; her back was aweary and she was fain to +rest in peace. But Mistress Margaret was +minded to have her own way, and, dividing +the bundle in two, started on ahead with the +larger share of it; so that, will she, nill she, the +dame must follow.</p> + +<p>I knew, of course, that I was disobeying Mr. +Rivers's last injunction, and 'twas that thought +quite as much as the sweet woodland airs that +lured me on: I desired, above all things, to +behold the countenance of my gallant gentleman +when he discovered my wilfulness. So<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_12" id="Page_12">[12]</a></span> +I hastened forward, pausing now and again to +encourage the good dame and entice her still +farther with glowing descriptions of new beauties +just coming into view.</p> + +<p>It fell about, therefore, that I was some +forty paces in advance of her when I suddenly +came upon the Indian settlement and saw +there a sight that made my heart stand still.</p> + +<p>I drew back hastily behind the trunk of a +wide-branched oak, whence I could look—unseen, +I thought—upon the town.</p> + +<p>A great concourse of barbarians was assembled +in the open space before the chief building, +which was of considerable size, built round +after the manner of a dove-house, and completely +thatched with palmetto leaves. Many +smaller buildings surrounded it: one, in especial, +I would have done well to take note of; for it +was doubtless a kind of sentinel or watch-tower, +being set on tall, upright timbers which gave +it an elevation much greater than any part of +the surrounding country.</p> + +<p>I had eyes for naught, however, but one +figure, that stood, with hands and feet bound, +at the foot of a great wooden cross planted +opposite the entrance of the chief building. +It was my dear love—I knew him on the +instant by the proud poise of his head and +shoulders. He was speaking in his usual calm<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_13" id="Page_13">[13]</a></span> +and courtly tones to the circle of half-naked +savages, who seemed to hear him with respectful +consideration, though they made no motion +to loose his bonds.</p> + +<p>On the ground beside him lay the ship's +master, old Captain Baulk, and the three seamen, +their arms securely pinioned. Near +them was the bale of goods which had been +brought from the ship: it lay wide open, and +was being most unscrupulously rifled of its +contents.</p> + +<p>For the moment I thought it was the sight +of the gewgaws this bale contained that had +roused the cupidity of the barbarians; but now +I believe otherwise. The savages would have +paid for them willingly, in skins and such like, +and then suffered our men to depart in peace, +had not that smooth-tongued hypocrite, Ignacio, +been behind. But this, of course, was +unknown to me at the time.</p> + +<p>The idea came over me, like a flash, that we +should go for help to the ship; and I turned +quickly and signalled the dame to be silent. +It was too late, however, for she had caught +sight of the savages and of our men bound in +the midst of them; and turning to the right +about with a shrill scream, she cast away the +bundle of linen and started back the way we +had come at a speed which 'tis likely she had<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_14" id="Page_14">[14]</a></span> +never equalled in her life before. After her I +hastened, and implored her to be still, lest +the barbarians should hear and overtake us. +My one thought was to summon aid; for, +though there seemed to be over two hundred +of the Indians, I believed that our handful of +men, armed with muskets, swords, and pikes, +would be sufficient to strike terror into them +at once.</p> + +<p>We had scarce run an hundred yards down +the trail when four savages stepped from a +thicket and laid hands upon us. They had +lain in wait, there is no doubt, so 'twas evident +we had been seen some while before.</p> + +<p>Barbara resisted them with much wild +shrieking, but I submitted in silence. 'Twas +not that I was any braver than she, but simply +that I could not believe that they meant to do +us any real harm; and all the while I was possessed +with the thought that there was some +one stationed in the thicket who was directing +the actions of the savages. It appeared to +me that, as they fastened our arms behind +us, their eyeballs rolled ever toward a certain +myrtle-bush, as if they were waiting for a +cue.</p> + +<p>We were led back at once to the town, and +I shall never forget the look upon my dear +love's face as he caught sight of me.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_15" id="Page_15">[15]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Margaret—you also! I had hoped you +and the dame were safe!" he cried out, as +our captors led us to his side.</p> + +<p>"'Twas all my wilfulness—I came hither +seeking you," I answered, and hung my head.</p> + +<p>He looked at me dumbly, and then turned +his face away; and I saw his arms writhing in +their bonds. A strange feeling came upon +me, part shame and sorrow that I should have +grieved him so, and part exultation that—whatever +our fate—at least we would meet it +side by side. Fear had the least place in my +thoughts as I waited, breathless, for the outcome +of this strange situation. My eyes +wandered round the circle of barbarians, and +I noted with some wonderment that numbers +of the men wore their crowns shaven, +after the manner of a priest's tonsure.</p> + +<p>One among them, who seemed of greater +consequence than the rest, began to speak; +but I could make nothing of his discourse, +although he used many words that I thought +had somewhat of a Spanish ring.</p> + +<p>Yet his meaning was fathomed by Mr. +Rivers, who gave him the reply on the instant, +couched in the Spanish, and delivered with +some heat and indignation.</p> + +<p>There was a stir among the barbarians, and +presently there appeared a new figure on the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_16" id="Page_16">[16]</a></span> +scene. The shaven crown, the bare feet, the +coarse woollen robe fastened by a knotted +cord about the waist, all denoted a friar of +the Franciscan order.</p> + +<p>"So," muttered Mr. Rivers, under his breath, +"now we have the real chief to deal with."</p> + +<p>Scarcely less swarthy than the Indians +themselves was the dark face of the Spanish +friar. As he came forward into the open +space, he raised his eyes to the great cross at +the foot of which we were standing, and +straightway bent the knee and crossed himself. +Some few of the Indians likewise made the +sign upon their breasts, though the greater +part contained themselves with the same +stolidity that had marked them from the first.</p> + +<p>Mr. Rivers gave a low laugh, and turned to +me with a curling lip. "These be Christians," +he said.</p> + +<p>The Spaniard caught the sneer, and a scowl +gathered on his coarse face; but he checked +it suddenly and began in smooth tones to +address us.</p> + +<p>Old Captain Baulk had raised himself to a +sitting posture, and the seamen all held themselves +in attitudes of strained attention.</p> + +<p>"What says he?" I asked, in a whisper, of +my dear love, when the friar had ceased and +turned away from us.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_17" id="Page_17">[17]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Naught but a tissue of lies," exclaimed +Mr. Rivers, through his clenched teeth. "He +would have us believe that he is wholly irresponsible +for the doings of these 'banditos'; +but he will exert what influence he has among +the believers of his flock to procure our release,—I +would we had fallen among infidels! +These can have learned naught of their teacher +but deceit. They tricked us, on the plea of +our most mutual confidence, to lay aside our +arms, and then fell instantly upon us and +made us captive."</p> + +<p>"I would to Heaven I could have gone +back to the ship and given warning," I sighed +dolefully. "Yet perhaps some of them may +come out to search for us."</p> + +<p>"Now God forbid!" exclaimed Mr. Rivers, +"for they would walk into a trap. Some of +these Indians have muskets and ammunition, +and are therefore as well armed as our men. +If many more of us were taken there would +not be left able-bodied men enough to sail the +sloop. 'Twould be better if they held off and +waited for the Indians to take the initiative. +My hope is that we will be able to treat with +the savages for ransom,—that is, if the friar +bears us no real ill will. See, here he comes +again, with his oily tongue."</p> + +<p>The shifty eyes and full-lipped mouth of the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_18" id="Page_18">[18]</a></span> +man filled me with a sudden loathing. Fear +began to take hold of me at last, and a little +sob broke in my throat.</p> + +<p>My dear love turned to me with a quick, +warm glance.</p> + +<p>"Cheer up, sweetheart," he whispered. "It +is too soon to lose courage. Come, where is +my brave Margaret?"</p> + +<p>"Here!" I answered, and forced a smile on +my quivering lips.</p> + +<hr /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_19" id="Page_19">[19]</a></span></p> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_III" id="CHAPTER_III"></a>CHAPTER III.</h2> + +<p><span class="smcap">The</span> rest of the day passed by like a long +nightmare. The friar had us removed to a small +but strongly built hut, containing two rooms, +separated by a thin partition of hides nailed +to a row of upright studs. These were of +squared timber, as was the floor also, and the +outer frame and wall-plate. The roof and +sides were overlaid with thatch; and there +was no window, only a square opening in the +roof which admitted the light, and also let out +the smoke when a fire was built upon the +floor.</p> + +<p>As dark came on, two young Indian girls +entered the hut, where we sat, bound, with +our backs against the wall.</p> + +<p>They seemed kindly disposed and gentle-mannered, +for all their outlandish garb, which +consisted of a petticoat of long gray moss, and +strings of little shells and beads of divers +colours festooned about the neck.</p> + +<p>They loosed Barbara and me, for which we +were mightily grateful, as our arms had grown +numb and sore. We made signs that they<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_20" id="Page_20">[20]</a></span> +should cut the bonds of the men also, which +they declined to do. Yet they touched us +with gentle hands, and stroked our shoulders +in token of their good will.</p> + +<p>After this they brought wet clay and spread +it upon the floor, and on this laid a fire and +kindled it; going forth again, they returned +with food and set it before us, making signs +that we who were free should feed the rest.</p> + +<p>While I was serving my dear love—who +made pitiable pretence of enjoying my ministrations—the +friar entered the hut, accompanied +by two others who were doubtless of +mixed Spanish and Indian blood.</p> + +<p>They bore with them heavy manacles and +chains, which they fastened upon our men, +cutting the leathern thongs which had held +them until now.</p> + +<p>Mr. Rivers demanded to know by whose +orders this was done.</p> + +<p>"For it would seem our true jailers are not +the Indians. These fetters are of Spanish +forging. Is it to your nation, padre, we are +indebted for this urgent hospitality?"</p> + +<p>To this the friar made answer at great length, +and what he said appeared to enrage our men, +who broke forth in a round volley of oaths as +soon as our jailers had left the hut. I turned +to Mr. Rivers for explanation.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_21" id="Page_21">[21]</a></span></p> + +<p>"'Tis as I supposed," he said, "and the +friar is at the bottom of it all. He maintains +now that in landing here and attempting to +trade with the Indians we have committed an +offence against the sovereignty of Santo +Domingo, which claims all this coast as +Spanish territory. These Indians, he declares, +are under the protection of his government, +and therefore are not free to dispose of any +goods to us English, or to receive any favours +at our hands; as such dealings would be to +the prejudice of the Spanish rights and +influence over this country. Therefore he +has claimed us from the Indians and proposes +himself to hold us prisoners, awaiting the +decision of the Governor at San Augustin."</p> + +<p>As I look back now, it seems to me that in +those first hours of our captivity I grew older +by many years. That gladsome morning, with +its wilful moods and joyous daring, fell away +back into the past, and seemed as unreal as +the day-dreams of my childhood.</p> + +<p>We slept that night, Dame Barbara and I, +upon a soft and springy couch of moss piled +in the little inner room. That is to say, we +lay there silently; but I think I scarce closed +my eyes.</p> + +<p>The wind, drifting through the gaping +thatch, caught the loose corner of a shrivelled<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_22" id="Page_22">[22]</a></span> +strip of hide dangling on the rude partition +wall, and kept it swinging back and forth, with +a faint tap-tap, tap-tap, the whole night long. +As it swung outward I could catch fleeting +glimpses of the little group huddled about the +dying fire; and for hours I lay and listened to +the low murmur of their voices and the heavy +clank and rattle of their chains.</p> + +<p>Old Captain Baulk was in a garrulous mood, +and he poured into the sailors' ears a horrid +tale of how the Spaniards had massacred the +first French settlers on this coast.</p> + +<p>"'Twas just about one hundred years ago," +he droned in a gruesome whisper. "Ribault's +settlement was on the River May, somewhere +in these latitudes. There were about nine +hundred of them in all, 'tis said, counting the +women and children; and not one of them +escaped. The bodies of dead and wounded +were alike hung upon a tree for the crows——"</p> + +<p>"In God's name, hold your croaking +tongue!" Mr. Rivers broke in angrily. "'Tis +bad enough for the women as things are, and +if they overhear these old wives' tales, think +you it will make them rest easier?"</p> + +<p>"Not old wives' tales, Mr. Rivers, but the +fact, sir,—the bloody fact."</p> + +<p>"Silence!" whispered my betrothed, in a +voice that made me tremble,—for he hath a<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_23" id="Page_23">[23]</a></span> +hot temper when it is roused. "Unless thou +canst hold that ill-omened tongue of thine, +there presently will be another bloody fact +between thy teeth!"</p> + +<p>A sudden silence fell. 'Twas broken finally +by my dear love, whose generous nature soon +repented of a harshly spoken word.</p> + +<p>"I was over-hasty, my good Baulk; but I +would not for the world have Mistress Tudor +hear aught of those horrors. And times have +changed greatly in an hundred years. But +this inaction, this inaction! 'Tis terrible upon +a man!"</p> + +<p>A suppressed groan accompanied the exclamation, +and my heart ached for him. It +must indeed be hard for men—who are used +to carving their own fates and wresting from +fortune their desires—suddenly to be forced +to play the woman's part of patient waiting.</p> + +<p>The next day brought no relief.</p> + +<p>From the windowless hut we could see +naught of what passed without; but about an +hour before noon we heard a drum beat in the +village. The sound grew ever fainter, as +though receding; then came the distant report +of musketry, and we grew anxious for +our people on the sloop. Hours passed by, +and again came the sound of heavy firing, +which gradually died away as before.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_24" id="Page_24">[24]</a></span></p> + +<p>Late in the afternoon we were joined by +another prisoner, whom—from his dress of +skins—we mistook at first sight for a young +Indian; but 'twas no other than the lad Poole, +who was in Mr. Rivers's service and most +loyally attached to his master.</p> + +<p>From him we learned that the Indians and +some Spaniards had been parleying with our +men all day. He had swum ashore with a +letter to the friar, and had been received with +kindness by the savages, who clad him after +their own fashion. The friar, however, vouchsafed +him no reply; and after a time gave a +signal to his men to fire on the sloop. The +arrows of the Indians and the muskets of the +Spaniards had finally compelled the <i>Three +Brothers</i> to weigh anchor and put out to sea.</p> + +<hr /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_25" id="Page_25">[25]</a></span></p> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_IV" id="CHAPTER_IV"></a>CHAPTER IV.</h2> + +<p><span class="smcap">Day</span> after day dragged by. We grew +aweary of discussing the possibilities of our +escape and fell gradually into silence.</p> + +<p>It was on the first day of June that Don +Pedro de Melinza arrived in the galley from +San Augustin, and our captivity took on a new +phase.</p> + +<p>He is a handsome man, this Spanish Don, +and he bears himself with the airs of a courtier—when +it so pleases him. As he stood that +day at the open door of our hut prison, in the +full glow of the summer morning, he was a +goodly sight. His thick black hair was worn +in a fringe of wavy locks that rested lightly +on his flaring collar. His leathern doublet +fitted close to his slight, strong figure, and +through its slashed sleeves there was a shimmer +of fine silk. In his right hand he held his +plumed sombrero against his breast; his left +rested carelessly on the hilt of his sword.</p> + +<p>I could find no flaw in his courteous greetings; +but I looked into his countenance and +liked it not.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_26" id="Page_26">[26]</a></span></p> + +<p>The nose was straight and high, the keen +dark eyes set deep in the olive face; but beneath +the short, curled moustache projected +a full, red under lip.</p> + +<p>Show me, in a man, an open brow, a clear +eye, a firm-set mouth, and a chin that neither +aims to meet the nose nor lags back upon the +breast; and I will dub him honest, and brave, +and clean-minded. But if his forehead skulks +backward, his chin recedes, and his nether lip +curls over redly—though the other traits be +handsome, and the figure full of grace and +strength controlled—trust that man I never +could! Such an one I saw once in my early +childhood. My mother pointed him out to +me and bade me note him well.</p> + +<p>"That man," she said, "was once your +father's friend and close comrade; yet now he +walks free and lives in ease, while my poor +husband is in slavery. Why is it thus? Because +he over yonder was false to his oath, to +his friends, and to his king. He sold them +all, like Esau, for a mess of pottage. Mark +him well, my child, and beware of his like; for +in these days they are not a few, and woe to +any who trust in them!"</p> + +<p>I remembered those words of my mother +when the Señor Don Pedro de Melinza y de +Colis made his bow to us that summer's day.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_27" id="Page_27">[27]</a></span> +The meaning of his courtly phrases was lost +upon me; but I gathered from his manner +that he had come in the guise of a friend,—and +I trembled at the prospect of such friendship.</p> + +<p>Nevertheless I was right glad when the +fetters were struck from my dear love and his +companions, and we were taken upon the +Spanish galley and served like Christians.</p> + +<p>At the earliest opportunity Mr. Rivers +hastened to make things clear to me. "Our +deliverer"—so he termed him, whereat I +marvelled somewhat,—"our deliverer assures +me that Padre Ignacio's action is condemned +greatly by his uncle, Señor de Colis, the Governor +and Captain-General at San Augustin. +Don Pedro has been sent to transport us +thither, where we will be entertained with +some fitness until we can communicate with +our friends."</p> + +<p>"Says he so? 'Twill be well if he keeps his +word; but to my thinking he has not the +face of an honest man."</p> + +<p>Mr. Rivers looked at me gravely. "That +is a hard speech from such gentle lips," he +said. "Don Pedro is a Spanish gentleman of +high lineage. His uncle, Señor de Colis, is a +knight of the Order of St. James. Such hold +their honour dear. Until he gives us cause to<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_28" id="Page_28">[28]</a></span> +distrust him, let us have the grace to believe +that he <i>is</i> an honest man."</p> + +<p>I looked back into the frank gray eyes of +my true and gallant love, and I felt rebuked. +'Twas a woman's instinct, only, that made me +doubt the Spaniard; and this simple trust of +a noble nature in the integrity of his fellow +man seemed a vastly finer instinct than my +own.</p> + +<p>From that moment I laid by my suspicions, +and met the courteous advances of Señor de +Melinza with as much of graciousness as I +knew how. But, as we spoke for the most +part in different tongues, little conversation +was possible to us.</p> + +<p>I marvelled at the ease with which Mr. +Rivers conversed in both Spanish and French. +Of the latter I was not wholly ignorant myself,—although +in my quiet country life I had +had little opportunity of putting my knowledge +to the test, seldom attempting to do +more than "prick in some flowers" of foreign +speech upon the fabric of my mother tongue; +so it was with great timidity that I essayed at +first to thread the mazes of an unfamiliar +language.</p> + +<p>The Spaniard, however, greeted my attempts +with courteous comprehension, and +after a time I was emboldened to ask some<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_29" id="Page_29">[29]</a></span> +questions concerning the town of San Augustin, +and to comment upon the vivid beauty +of the skies and the blue waves around us. +Upon that he broke into rapturous praises of +his own land of Spain—"the fairest spot upon +the earth!" As I listened, smilingly, it +seemed to me that I perceived a shadow gathering +upon the brow of my dear love.</p> + +<p>So far the galley had depended solely upon +her oars—of which there were six banks, of +two oars each, on either side,—but now, the +wind having freshened, Don Pedro ordered +her two small lateen sails to be hoisted. +While he was giving these directions and +superintending their fulfilment, Mr. Rivers +drew closer to my side, saying, in a rapid +whisper:</p> + +<p>"You have somewhat misread me, sweetheart, +in regard to your demeanour toward +our host. 'Tis surely needless for you to put +yourself to the pain of conversing with him at +such length."</p> + +<p>Now it must be remembered that in the last +few hours our situation had greatly changed. +I had left a dark and dirty hovel for a cushioned +couch upon a breezy deck. In the tiny +cabin which had been placed at my disposal, I +had, with Barbara's aid, rearranged my tangled +locks and my disordered clothing; so that I<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_30" id="Page_30">[30]</a></span> +was no longer ashamed of my untidy appearance. +With my outward transformation there +had come a reaction in my spirits, which +bounded upward to their accustomed level.</p> + +<p>The salt air was fresh upon my cheek; the +motion of our vessel, careening gaily on the +dancing waves, was joyous and inspiring. I +forgot that we were sailing southward, and +that, if our English friends had survived to +begin their intended settlement, we were leaving +them farther and farther behind. My +thoughts went back to the earlier days of our +journey over seas; and a flash of the wilful +mischief, which I thought had all died from +my heart, rose suddenly within me.</p> + +<p>I leaned back upon my cushioned seat and +looked with half-veiled eyes at my gallant +gentleman.</p> + +<p>"These nice distinctions, Mr. Rivers, are +too difficult for me," I said. "If this Spanish +cavalier of high lineage and honest intentions +is worthy of any gratitude, methinks a few +civil words can scarcely overpay him."</p> + +<p>A heightened colour in the cheek of my betrothed +testified to the warmth of his feelings +in the matter, as he replied:</p> + +<p>"You are wholly in the right, my dearest +lady! If civil words can cancel aught of our +indebtedness I shall not be sparing of them.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_31" id="Page_31">[31]</a></span> +Nevertheless, permit me, I entreat you, to +assume the entire burden of our gratitude and +the whole payment thereof."</p> + +<p>"Not so," I rejoined, with some spirit. +"Despite our beggared fortunes, I trust no +one has ever found a Tudor bankrupt in either +courtesy or gratitude; and—by your leave, +sir—I will be no exception!"</p> + +<p>This I said, not because I was so mightily +beholden to the Spaniard; but—shame upon +me!—because Mr. Rivers had chosen to reprove +me, a while since, for my uncharity.</p> + +<p>'Tis passing strange how we women can +find pleasure in giving pain to the man we +love; while if he suffered from any other +cause we would gladly die to relieve him! +'Twould seem a cruel trait in a woman's character—and +I do trust that I am not cruel! +But I must admit that when I greeted Don +Pedro, on his return, with added cordiality, it +was nothing in his dark, eager countenance +that set my heart beating—but rather the +glimpse I had caught of a bitten lip, a knotted +brow, and a pair of woeful gray eyes gazing +out to sea.</p> + +<p>Repentance came speedily, however. There +was that in the Spaniard's manner that aroused +my sleeping doubts of him; and I soon fell +silent and sought to be alone.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_32" id="Page_32">[32]</a></span></p> + +<p>My gallant gentleman had withdrawn himself +in a pique, and, in the company of old +Captain Baulk and the lad Poole, seemed to +have wholly forgotten my existence.</p> + +<p>I made Dame Barbara sit beside me, and, +feigning headache, leaned my head upon her +shoulder and closed my eyes. The dame +rocked herself gently to and fro, and from +time to time gave vent to smothered prayers +and doleful ejaculations that set my thoughts +working upon my own misdoings.</p> + +<p>Through my half-shut eyes I saw the sun +go down behind the strip of shore, and +watched the blue skies pale to faintest green +and richest amber. A little flock of white +cloudlets, swimming in the transparent depths, +caught fire suddenly and changed to pink +flames, then glowed darkly red like burning +coals, and faded, finally to gray ashes in the +purpling west.</p> + +<p>"Lord, have mercy on our sinful hearts!" +groaned Dame Barbara softly.</p> + +<p>"Amen!" I sighed, and wondered what +ailed mine, that it could be so very wicked as +to add to the burden of anxiety that my dear +love had to bear! A few tears stole from under +my half-closed lids, and I was very miserable +and forlorn, when suddenly I felt a hand +laid upon mine.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_33" id="Page_33">[33]</a></span></p> + +<p>I looked up hastily, and saw the face of my +gallant gentleman, very grave and penitent, in +the fast-deepening twilight. My heart gave +a glad leap within my bosom; but I puckered +my lips woefully and heaved a mighty sigh.</p> + +<p>"Thank you, dear Dame, for your kind +nursing," I said to Barbara. "Truly, I know +not what I should do without your motherly +comforting at times."</p> + +<p>Mr. Rivers took my hand, and drew me +gently away, saying:</p> + +<p>"See what a bright star hangs yonder, above +the sombre shores!"</p> + +<p>I glanced at the glittering point of light, +and then, over my shoulder, at the shadowy +decks. The Spaniard was not in sight, and +only the bent figure of the dame was very +near.</p> + +<p>My dear love raised my fingers to his lips. +"Forgive me, sweetheart, for being so churlish—but +you cannot know the fears that fill +me when I see that man's dark face gazing +into yours, and realize that we are utterly in +his power."</p> + +<p>"Surely he would not harm me!" I said, +hastily.</p> + +<p>"'Tis that he may learn to love you," said +Mr. Rivers gravely.</p> + +<p>"He may spare himself the pain of it!" I<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_34" id="Page_34">[34]</a></span> +cried. "Have you not told him that we are +betrothed?"</p> + +<p>"Aye, love—but he may lose his heart in +spite of that. What wonder if he does? +The miracle would be if he could look upon +your face unmoved."</p> + +<p>"Am I so wondrous pretty, then?"</p> + +<p>"Fairer than any woman living!" he declared. +I knew well enough it was a tender +falsehood, but since he seemed to believe it +himself it was every whit as satisfactory as if +it had been truth!</p> + +<p>"Be comforted," I whispered, reassuringly. +"I know very well how to make myself quite +homely. I have only to pull all my curls back +from my brow and club them behind: straightway +I will become so old and ugly that no +man would care to look me twice in the face. +Wait till to-morrow, and you will see!"</p> + +<p>A laugh broke from Mr. Rivers's lips, and +then he sighed heavily.</p> + +<p>"Nay, sweetheart, if it be the head-dress +you assumed one day some months ago for +my peculiar punishment, I pray you will +not try its efficacy on the Spaniard; for it +serves but to make you the more irresistible."</p> + +<p>But already I have dwelt longer upon myself +and my own feelings than is needful for +the telling of my tale. I must hasten on to<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_35" id="Page_35">[35]</a></span> +those happenings that more nearly concerned +Mr. Rivers. Yet, in looking backward, I find +it hard to tear my thoughts from the memory +of that last hour of quiet converse with my +dear love, under the starlit southern skies. +How seldom we realize our moments of great +happiness until after they have slipped away! +It seemed to me then that we were in the +shadow of a dark-winged host of fears; but +now I know that it served only to make our +mutual faith burn the more brightly.</p> + +<p>I did not, thereafter, neglect Mr. Rivers's +warning, and avoided the Spaniard as much as +possible. My dear love lingered always at +my elbow, and replied for me, in easy Spanish, +to all the courteous speeches of Don Pedro.</p> + +<p>Sometimes I think it would have been far +better had he left me to follow my own course. +There are some men who need only a hint of +rivalry to spur them on where of their own +choice they had never thought to adventure. +Melinza's attentions did not diminish, while his +manner toward Mr. Rivers lost in cordiality as +time went on.</p> + +<hr /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_37" id="Page_37">[37]</a></span></p> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_V" id="CHAPTER_V"></a>CHAPTER V.</h2> + +<p><span class="smcap">Among</span> the Spaniard's followers was a +young mulatto whom he called "Tomas." +Very tall and slight of figure was he, yet +sinewy and strong, with corded muscles twining +under the brown skin of his lean young limbs. +He wore a loose shirt, open at the throat, +with sleeves uprolled to the shoulder; and +his short, full trousers reached barely to the +knee.</p> + +<p>I was admiring the agile grace of the lad +as he bestirred himself upon the deck the last +morning of our voyage. With him young +Poole (clothed once more like a Christian, in +borrowed garments) was engaged in the task +of shifting a great coil of rope; and the sturdy, +fair-skinned English youth was a pretty contrast +to the other.</p> + +<p>Don Pedro was standing near to Mr. Rivers +and myself, and his eyes took the same direction +as our own.</p> + +<p>"They are well matched in size," said he, +pointing to the lads. "Let us see which can +bear off the palm for strength." He called out a +few words in Spanish to the young mulatto, who<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_38" id="Page_38">[38]</a></span> +raised his dark head—curled over with shiny +rings of coal-black hair—and showed a gleaming +row of white teeth as he turned his smiling +face toward his master.</p> + +<p>Mr. Rivers spoke a word to Poole, and the +boy blushed from brow to neck, and his blue +eyes fell sheepishly; but he stood up against +the other with a right good will, and there +was not a hair's difference in their height.</p> + +<p>At a signal from Don Pedro the lads +grappled with each other; the brown and ruddy +limbs were close entwined, and with bare feet +gripping the decks they swayed back and +forth like twin saplings caught in a gale.</p> + +<p>In the first onset the mulatto had the best +of it; his lithe dark limbs coiled about his +adversary with paralyzing force: but soon +the greater weight of the English youth began +to tell; his young, well-knit figure straightened +and grew tense.</p> + +<p>I saw a sudden snarl upon the other's +upturned face. His short, thick upper lip +curled back upon his teeth as a dog's will +when in anger. He rolled his eyes in the +direction of his master, who threw him a contemptuous +curse. Stung into sudden rage, the +mulatto thrust forth his head and sank his +sharp white teeth in the shoulder of young +Poole.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_39" id="Page_39">[39]</a></span></p> + +<p>There was a startled cry, and the English +youth loosened his grasp. In another moment +the two figures rolled upon the deck, and the +flaxen head was undermost.</p> + +<p>"Foul play!" cried Mr. Rivers, springing +forward to tear the lads apart; for now the +mulatto's fingers were at his opponent's +throat.</p> + +<p>Melinza's hand flew to his sword; with a +volley of oaths he interposed the shining blade +between Mr. Rivers and the writhing figures +on the floor. Quick as thought another blade +flashed from its sheath, and the angerful gray +eyes of my betrothed burned in indignant +challenge.</p> + +<p>I had looked on in dumb amaze; but at the +sight of the naked weapons I screamed aloud.</p> + +<p>Instantly the two men seemed to recollect +themselves. They drew back and eyed each +other coldly.</p> + +<p>"<i>Hasta conveniente ocasion, caballero!</i>" +said the Spaniard, returning his sword to its +scabbard, and bowing low.</p> + +<p>"<i>A la disposicion de vuestra señoria, Don +Pedro</i>," replied my betrothed, following his +example.</p> + +<p>And I, listening, but knowing no word of +the language, believed that an apology had +passed between them!<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_40" id="Page_40">[40]</a></span></p> + +<p>The scuffle on the deck had ceased when +the swords clashed forth, and the lads had +risen to their feet. Melinza turned now to +young Tomas and struck him a sharp blow on +the cheek.</p> + +<p>"Away with you both!" said the gesture +of his impatient arm; but I believe his tongue +uttered naught but curses.</p> + +<p>All of our English had appeared upon the +deck, and when Melinza strode past them +with a scowl still upon his brow they exchanged +meaning glances. Captain Baulk +shook his grizzled head as he approached +us.</p> + +<p>"What have I always said, Mr. Rivers"——he +began; but my betrothed looked toward me +and laid a finger on his lip. Afterward they +drew apart and conversed in whispers. What +they said, I never knew; for when Mr. Rivers +returned to my side he spoke of naught but +the dolphins sporting in the blue waters, and +the chances of our reaching San Augustin ere +nightfall.</p> + +<p>"So," I thought, "I am no longer to be a +sharer in their discussions, in their hopes or +fears. I am but a very child, to be watched +over and amused, to be wiled away from +danger with a sweetmeat or a toy! And +truly, I have deserved to be treated thus. But<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_41" id="Page_41">[41]</a></span> +now 'tis time for me to put away childish +things and prove myself a woman."</p> + +<p>I had the wit, however, not to make known +my resolutions, nor to insist on sharing his +confidence. I leaned over the vessel's side +and watched the silver flashing of the two +long lines of oars as they cut the waves, and I +held my peace. But in my heart there was +tumult. I had seen the glitter of a sword +held in my dear love's face!—and I grew cold +at the memory. I had coquetted with the +man whose sword it was!—and that thought +sent hot surges over my whole body. I shut +my eyes and wished God had made them less +blue; I bit my lip because it was so red. I +had not thought, till now, that my fair face +might bring danger on my beloved.</p> + +<p>He stood at my side, so handsome and so +debonair; a goodly man to look upon and a +loyal heart to trust; not over-fervent in matters +of religion, yet never soiling his lips with +a coarse oath, or his honour with a lie! As I +glanced up at him, and he bent down toward +me, I suddenly recalled the disloyal caution of +our father Abraham when he journeyed in the +land of strangers; and I thought: "Surely +must God honour a man who is true to his love +at any cost of danger!"</p> + +<p>So passed the day.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_42" id="Page_42">[42]</a></span></p> + +<p>It was evening when we crossed the bar and +entered Matanzas Bay. The setting sun cast +a crimson glow over the waters; I thought of +the blood of the French martyrs that once +stained these waves, and I shuddered.</p> + +<p>Outlined against the western sky was the +town of San Augustin,—square walls and low, +flat roofs built along a low, green shore. The +watch-tower of the castle fort rose up in +menace as we came nearer.</p> + +<p>Upon the deck of the Spanish galley, hand +in hand, stood my love and I.</p> + +<p>"Yonder is——our destination," said Mr. +Rivers.</p> + +<p>"Our prison, you would say," I answered +him, "and so I think also. Nevertheless, I +would rather stand here, at your side, than +anywhere else in this wide world—<i>alone</i>!"</p> + +<p>He smiled and raised my fingers to his lips. +"Verily, dear lady, so would I also."</p> + +<p>There was a rattle of heavy chains, and a +loud plash as the anchor slipped down in the +darkening waters.</p> + +<hr /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_43" id="Page_43">[43]</a></span></p> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_VI" id="CHAPTER_VI"></a>CHAPTER VI.</h2> + +<p><span class="smcap">We</span> were received by the Spanish Governor +immediately after our landing.</p> + +<p>I had already pictured him, in my thoughts, +as a man of commanding presence, with keen, +dark eyes set in a stern countenance; crisp, +curling locks—such as Melinza's—but silvered +lightly on the temples; an air of potency, of +fire, as though his bold spirit defied the heavy +hand of time.</p> + +<p>'Twas therefore a matter of great surprise +to me—and some relief—when, instead, I +beheld advancing toward us a spare little +figure with snow-white hair and a pallid face. +His small blue eyes blinked upon us with a +watery stare; his flabby cheeks were seamed +with wrinkles, and his tremulous lips twitched +and writhed in the shadowy semblance of a +smile: there was naught about him to suggest +either the soldier or the man of parts.</p> + +<p>He was attired with some pretension, in a +doublet of purple velvet with sleeves of a +lighter color. His short, full trousers were +garnished at the knee with immense roses;<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_44" id="Page_44">[44]</a></span> +his shrunken nether limbs were cased in silken +hose of a pale lavender hue, and silver buckles +fastened the tufted purple ribbons on his +shoes. On his breast was the red cross of St. +James—patent of nobility; had it not been +for that and his fine attire he might have +passed for a blear-eyed and decrepit tailor +from Haberdashery Lane.</p> + +<p>I plucked up heart at the sight of this little +manikin.</p> + +<p>"Can this be the Governor and Captain-General +of San Augustin?" I whispered in the +ear of my betrothed.</p> + +<p>"'Tis not at the court of <i>our</i> Charles only +that kissing, or promotion, goes by favour!" +was his answer, in a quick aside. Then he met +the advancing dignitary and responded with +grave punctilio to the suave welcome that was +accorded us.</p> + +<p>Melinza's part was that of master of ceremonies +on this occasion. He appeared to +have laid aside his rancour, and his handsome +olive countenance was lightened with an expression +of great benignance when he presented +me to the Governor as—"<i>the honourable and +distinguished señorita Doña Margarita de +Tudor</i>."</p> + +<p>I looked up at Mr. Rivers with an involuntary +smile.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_45" id="Page_45">[45]</a></span></p> + +<p>"My betrothed, your Excellency," he said +simply, taking me by the hand.</p> + +<p>The blear-eyed Governor made me a compliment, +with a wrinkled hand upon his heart. I +understood no word of it, and he spoke no +French, so Mr. Rivers relieved the situation +with his usual ease.</p> + +<p>This audience had been held in the courtyard +of the castle, which is a place of great +strength,—being, in effect, a square fort built +of stone, covering about an acre of ground, +and garrisoned by more than three hundred +men.</p> + +<p>We stood in a little group beneath a dim +lamp that hung in a carved portico which +appeared to be the entrance to a chapel. +Captain Baulk and the rest were a little aloof +from us; and all around, at the open doors of +the casemates, lurked many of the swarthy +soldiery.</p> + +<p>Suddenly light footsteps sounded on the +flagged pavement of the chapel in our rear, and +a tall, graceful woman stepped forth and laid +her hand upon my shoulder. Through the +delicate folds of black, filmy lace veiling her +head and shoulders gleamed a pair of luminous +eyes that burned me with their gaze.</p> + +<p>She waved aside the salutations of the two +Spaniards and spoke directly to me in a rich,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_46" id="Page_46">[46]</a></span> +low voice. The sight of a woman was so +welcome to me that I held out both hands in +eager response; but she made no move to +take them: her bright eyes scanned the faces +of our party, lingering on that of my betrothed, +to whom she next addressed herself, +with a little careless gesture of her white hand +in my direction.</p> + +<p>Mr. Rivers bowed low, and said, in French: +"Madame, I commend her to your good care." +Then to me: "Margaret, the Governor's lady +offers you the protection of her roof."</p> + +<p>His eyes bade me accept it, and I turned +slowly to the imperious stranger and murmured: +"Madame, I thank you."</p> + +<p>"So!" she exclaimed, "you can speak, then? +You are not dumb? I had thought it was a +pretty waxen effigy of Our Lady, for the padre +here," and she laughed mockingly, with a glance +over her shoulder.</p> + +<p>Another had joined our group, but his bare +feet had sounded no warning tread. The sight +of the coarse habit and the tonsured head +struck a chill through me. Two sombre eyes +held mine for a moment, then their owner +turned silently away and re-entered the chapel +door.</p> + +<p>Melinza was standing by, with a gathering +frown on his forehead.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_47" id="Page_47">[47]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Such condescension on your part, Doña Orosia, +is needless. We can provide accommodations +for all our English guests here in the +castle."</p> + +<p>"What! Would Don Pedro stoop to trick +out a lady's boudoir?—Nay, she would die of +the horrors within these gloomy walls. Come +with me, child, I can furnish better entertainment."</p> + +<p>I turned hastily toward my dear love.</p> + +<p>"Go!" said his eyes to me.</p> + +<p>Then I thought of Barbara, and very timidly +I asked leave to keep her by me.</p> + +<p>"She may follow us," said the Governor's +lady carelessly, and sharply clapped her hands. +Two runners appeared, bearing a closed chair, +and set it down before us.</p> + +<p>"Enter," said my self-elected guardian. +"You are so slight there is room for us both."</p> + +<p>In dazed fashion I obeyed her, and then she +followed me.</p> + +<p>I thought I should be crushed in the narrow +space, and the idea of being thus suddenly +torn away from my betrothed filled me with +terror. I made a desperate effort to spring +out again; but a soft, strong hand gripped my +arm and held me still, and in a moment we +were borne swiftly away from the courtyard +into the dark without.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_48" id="Page_48">[48]</a></span></p> + +<p>I wrung my hands bitterly, and burst into +tears.</p> + +<p>"<i>O cielos!</i> what have we here?" cried the +rich voice, petulantly. "'Tis not a waxen +saint, after all, but a living fountain! Do not +drown me, I pray you. What is there to weep +for? Art afraid, little fool? See, I am but a +woman, not an ogress."</p> + +<p>But 'twas not alone for myself that I feared: +the thought of my dear love in Melinza's +power terrified me more than aught else,—yet +I dared not put my suspicions into words. I +tried hard to control my voice as I implored +that I might be taken back to the fort and to +Mr. Rivers.</p> + +<p>"Is it for the Englishman, or Melinza, that +you are weeping?" demanded my companion +sharply.</p> + +<p>"Madame!" I retorted, with indignation, +"Mr. Rivers is my betrothed husband."</p> + +<p>"Good cause for affliction, doubtless," she +replied, "but spare me your lamentations. +Nay, you may <i>not</i> return to the fort. 'Tis no +fit place for an honest woman,—and you seem +too much a fool to be aught else. Here, we +have arrived——"</p> + +<p>She pushed me out upon the unpaved street, +then dragged me through an open doorway, +across a narrow court filled with blooming<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_49" id="Page_49">[49]</a></span> +plants, and into a lighted room furnished with +rich hangings, and chairs, tables, and cabinets +of fine workmanship.</p> + +<p>I gazed around me in wonder and confusion +of mind.</p> + +<p>"How does it please your pretty saintship? +'Tis something better than either Padre Ignacio's +hut or Melinza's galley, is it not? Are +you content to remain?"</p> + +<p>"Madame," I said desperately, "do with me +what you will; only see, I pray you, that my +betrothed comes to no harm."</p> + +<p>"What should harm him?" she demanded. +"Is he not the guest of my husband?"</p> + +<p>"His guest, madame, or his prisoner?"</p> + +<p>She gave me a keen glance. "Whichever rôle +he may have the wit—or the folly—to play."</p> + +<p>I wrung my hands again. "Madame, +madame, do not trifle with me!"</p> + +<p>"Child, what should make thee so afraid?"</p> + +<p>I hesitated, then exclaimed: "Señor de Melinza +bears him no good will—he may strive to +prejudice your husband!"</p> + +<p>The Governor's wife looked intently at me. +"Why should Melinza have aught against your +Englishman?"</p> + +<p>I could not answer,—perhaps I had been a +fool to speak. I dropped my face in my hands, +silently.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_50" id="Page_50">[50]</a></span></p> + +<p>Doña Orosia leaned forward and took me by +the wrists. "Look at me!" she said.</p> + +<p>Timidly I raised my eyes, and she studied +my countenance for a long minute.</p> + +<p>"'Tis absurd," she said then, and pushed +me aside. "'Tis impossible! And yet——a +new face, a new face and passably pretty. +Oh, my God, these men! are they worth one +real heart pang? Tell me," she cried, fiercely, +and shook me roughly by the shoulder, "has +Melinza made love to you already?"</p> + +<p>"Never, madame, never!" I answered +quickly, frightened by her vehemence. "Indeed, +their quarrel did not concern me. 'Twas +about two lads that had a wrestling-match +upon the galley. And although they were +both angered at the time, there may be no ill +feeling between them now. I was foolish to +speak of it. Forget my imprudence, I pray +you!"</p> + +<p>But her face remained thoughtful. "Tell +me the whole story," she said; and when I +had done so she was silent.</p> + +<p>I sat and watched her anxiously. She was a +beautiful woman, with a wealth of dark hair, +a richly tinted cheek, glorious eyes, and a +small, soft, red-lipped, passionate mouth—folded +close, at that moment, in a scornful +curve.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_51" id="Page_51">[51]</a></span></p> + +<p>Suddenly she rose and touched a bell. A +young negress answered the summons. Doña +Orosia spoke a few rapid words to her in +Spanish, then turned coldly to me.</p> + +<p>"Go with her; she will show you to your +apartment, and your woman will attend you +there later on. You must be too weary to-night +to join us at a formal meal, and your +wardrobe must be somewhat in need of +replenishing. To-morrow you shall have whatever +you require. I bid you goodnight!"—and +she dismissed me with a haughty gesture +of her white hand.</p> + +<p>The chamber that had been assigned to me—which +I was glad to share with the good +Dame Barbara—was long and narrow. There +was a window at one end that gave upon the +sea; and through the heavy barred grating, +set strongly in the thick casement, I could look +out upon the low sea-wall, and, beyond that, +at the smooth bosom of the dreaming ocean, +heaving softly in the quiet starlight, as though +such a sorrow lay hidden in its deep heart as +troubled even its sleep with sighs.</p> + +<p>If I pressed my face close against the bars +I could see, to the left of me, the ramparts of +the castle, where my dear love was. The slow +tears rose in my eyes as I thought that this +night the same roof would not shelter us, nor<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_52" id="Page_52">[52]</a></span> +would there be the same swaying deck beneath +our feet.</p> + +<p>While we had been together no very real +sense of danger had oppressed me; but from +the first hour of our parting my heart grew +heavier with forebodings of the evil and +sorrow which were yet to come.</p> + +<hr /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_53" id="Page_53">[53]</a></span></p> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_VII" id="CHAPTER_VII"></a>CHAPTER VII.</h2> + +<p><span class="smcap">At</span> first all seemed to go well enough. +The Governor's lady was fairly gracious to +me; old Señor de Colis was profuse in his +leering smiles and wordy compliments, none +of which I could understand; I saw Mr. Rivers +and Melinza from time to time, and they +seemed upon good terms with each other: but +I did not believe this state of affairs could +last,—and I was right in my fears.</p> + +<p>One night ('twas the twenty-second of June, +and the weather was sultry and oppressive; +the sea held its breath, and the round moon +burned hot in the hazy sky) the evening meal +was served in the little courtyard of the +Governor's house, and both Mr. Rivers and +Melinza were our guests.</p> + +<p>This was not the first occasion on which we +had all broken bread at the same board; but +there was now an air of mockery in the +civilities of Melinza,—he passed the salt to +my betrothed with a glance of veiled hostility, +and pledged him in a glass of wine with a<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_54" id="Page_54">[54]</a></span> +smile that ill concealed the angry curl of his +sullen red lip.</p> + +<p>'Twas a strange meal; the memory of it is +like a picture stamped upon my brain.</p> + +<p>From the tall brass candlesticks upon the +table, the unflickering tapers shone down +upon gleaming damask and glistening silver, +and kindled sparks amid the diamonds that +caught up the folds of lace on the dark head +of Doña Orosia, and that gemmed the white +fingers clasping her slow-moving fan. Hers +was a beauty that boldly challenged men's admiration +and exacted tribute of their eyes. +The white-haired Governor paid it in full measure, +with a fixed and watery gaze from beneath +his half-closed lids, and a senile smile +lurking under his waxed moustache. But +whenever I glanced upward I met the eyes +of Mr. Rivers and Don Pedro turned upon +me; and I felt a strange thrill made up, in +part, of triumph that my dear love was not to +be won from his allegiance, and in part of terror +because there was that in the Spaniard's +gaze that betokened a nature ruled wholly by its +hot passions and a will to win what it craved +by fair means or by foul.</p> + +<p>I could eat little for the heat and the pungent +flavour of strange sauces, so I dallied +with my plate only as an excuse for lowered<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_55" id="Page_55">[55]</a></span> +eyes; and, although I listened all the while +with strained attention, the talk ran by too +swiftly for me to grasp any of its meaning.</p> + +<div class="figright" style="width: 315px;"> +<a name="ILL1" id="ILL1"></a><img src="images/004.jpg" width="309" height="500" alt="" title="" /> +"TO THE BRIGHTEST EYES AND THE LIPS MOST WORTHY +OF KISSES!"—<i>Page 55.</i></div> + +<p>But Doña Orosia was neither deaf nor +blind; her keen black eyes had noted every +glance that passed her by. With a deeper +flush on her olive cheek, and a prouder poise +of her haughty head, she made to me at last +the signal for withdrawal.</p> + +<p>The three gentlemen, glasses in hand, rose +from their seats; and, as we passed beneath +the arched trellis that led away from +the paved court into the fragrant garden, Don +Pedro lifted his glass to his lips with a gesture +in our direction, and exclaimed in +French:</p> + +<p>"To the fairest face in San Augustin! To +the brightest eyes and the lips most worthy of +kisses! May the light of those eyes never be +withdrawn from these old walls, nor the lips +lack a Spanish blade to guard them from all +trespassers!"</p> + +<p>The Governor, who understood not the +French words, lifted his glass in courteous +imitation of his nephew's gesture; but Mr. +Rivers coloured hotly and set down his upon +the table.</p> + +<p>"I like not your toast, Señor Melinza, +whichever way I construe it. The face I hold<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_56" id="Page_56">[56]</a></span> +fairest here shall leave San Augustin the day +that I depart; and, since it is the face of my +promised wife, it needs no other sword than +mine to fend off trespassers!"</p> + +<p>He, too, spoke in French; and as the words +passed his lips I felt the soft, strong hand of +Doña Orosia grasp my arm and drag me backward +among the screening vines, beyond the +red light of the tapers, where we could listen +unseen.</p> + +<p>Melinza was laughing softly. "Señor Rivers +says he cannot construe my toast to his +liking; but perhaps if I give it him in the +Spanish tongue he may find the interpretation +more to his taste!" Then he lifted his +glass again and slowly repeated the words in +his own language, with a meaning glance +toward the Governor.</p> + +<p>The old man drained his goblet to the dregs, +and then turned a flushed face upon the Englishman +and laid his hand upon his sword.</p> + +<p>My dear love had no thoughts of prudence +left,—for Melinza's words had been a direct +charge of cowardice,—so for all answer he +took the frail goblet from the table and threw +it in the younger Spaniard's face.</p> + +<p>There was a tinkle of broken glass upon the +stone pavement, and Melinza wiped the red +wine from his cheek. Then he held up the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_57" id="Page_57">[57]</a></span> +stained kerchief before the eyes of my dear +love and spoke a few words in his softest +voice.</p> + +<p>An angry smile flickered over the countenance +of my betrothed; he bowed stiffly in +response.</p> + +<p>The blear-eyed Governor broke in hotly, +with his hand still upon his sword; his dull +eyes narrowed, and the blood mounted higher +in his wrinkled cheek: but his nephew laid a +restraining hand upon his arm, and, with another +laughing speech and a profound bow to +Mr. Rivers, pointed toward the door.</p> + +<p>I saw the three of them depart through the +passageway that led to the street entrance. +I heard the creak of the hinges, and the clang +of the bars as they fell back into place. Then +a strong, sweet odour of crushed blossoms +turned me faint. I loosed my hold of the +screening vines and stepped backward with a +sudden struggle for breath.</p> + +<p>The woman beside me caught my arm a +second time and drew me still farther away +down the moonlit path.</p> + +<p>"Is he aught of a swordsman, this fine cavalier +of thine?" she demanded, grasping my +shoulder tightly and scanning my face with +her scornful eyes.</p> + +<p>Then my senses came to me: I knew what<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_58" id="Page_58">[58]</a></span> +had happened—what was bound to follow; +and I began to speak wildly and to pray her +to prevent bloodshed between them.</p> + +<p>I scarce know what I said; but the words +poured from my lips, and for very despair I +checked them not. I told her of my orphan +state—of that lone grave in Barbadoes, and +the sad young mother who had died of a +broken heart; I spoke of the long, long journey +over seas, the love that had come into my +life, and the dreams and the hopes that had +filled our thoughts when we reached the fair, +strange shores of this new country; and I +prayed her, as she was a woman and a wife, to +let no harm come to my dear love.</p> + +<p>"Ah! madame," I cried, "a face so fair as +yours needs not the championship of one +English stranger, who holds already a preference +for blue eyes and yellow hair. I grant +you that he has a sorry taste; but oh! I pray +you, stop this duel!"</p> + +<p>She loosed her hand from the clasp of mine, +and looked at me a moment in silence; then +she laughed bitterly.</p> + +<p>"Thou little fool! Thou little blue-eyed +fool! What do men see in that face of thine +to move them so? A painter might love thee +for the gold of thy hair, thy white brow, and +thy blue eyes,—they would grace a pictured<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_59" id="Page_59">[59]</a></span> +saint above a shrine,—but for a man's kisses, +and such love as might tempt him to risk his +very life for thee,—<i>cielos</i>! it is more than passing +strange." Then, as I stood dumb before +her, she tapped me lightly on the cheek. +"Go to! Art such a fool as to think that <i>either</i> +sword will be drawn for <i>my</i> beauty's sake?"</p> + +<hr /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_60" id="Page_60">[60]</a></span></p> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_VIII" id="CHAPTER_VIII"></a>CHAPTER VIII.</h2> + +<p><span class="smcap">That</span> night I had but little sleep.</p> + +<p>About an hour after midnight there was a +great stir in the house and the sound of opening +doors and hurrying footsteps. The unwonted +noises terrified me. I leaned against +the door, with a heart beating thickly, and I +listened. What evil tidings did those sounds +portend? There was a loud outcry in a +woman's voice,—the voice of Doña Orosia.</p> + +<p>I felt that I must know what havoc Fate +had wrought in the last hours. I looked at +Barbara—she slumbered peacefully on her +hard pallet; the moonlight, streaming through +the barred window, showed me her withered +face relaxed in almost childlike peacefulness. +I would not rouse her,—'twas a blessed thing +to sleep and forget; but <i>I</i> dared not sleep, for +I knew not what would be the horror of my +waking. With my cheek pressed close against +the door I waited a moment longer. Perhaps +only those planks intervened 'twixt me and +my life's tragedy!<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_61" id="Page_61">[61]</a></span></p> + +<p>I laid my hand upon the latch. I feared to +know the truth,—and yet, if I did not hear it, +I must die of dread. Slowly I turned the key +and raised the bars: the door swung open.</p> + +<p>I stepped out upon the balcony that overhung +the court and I looked over. There was +no one in sight; the white moonlight lay over +everything, and a strong perfume floated up +from the flowers in the garden beyond.</p> + +<p>I crept down the stair and stood still in the +centre of the empty court. Voices sounded +near me, but I knew not whence they came. +Trembling still, I moved toward the passage +that led to the outer door, and I saw that it +was bright as day. The door stood ajar. +Those who had last gone out had been +strangely forgetful—or greatly agitated.</p> + +<p>Scarce knowing what I did, I crossed the +threshold and hurried down the street in the +direction of the fort.</p> + +<p>A group of three men stood upon the corner. +At the sight of them I paused and hid +in the shadow of the wall; but, one of them +turning his face toward me, I recognized +Captain Baulk, and, going quickly forward, I +laid my hand upon his arm.</p> + +<p>"How is he? Where have they taken +him?" I whispered.</p> + +<p>"What! is't Mistress Tudor? Have they<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_62" id="Page_62">[62]</a></span> +turned you adrift, then? Lor', 'tis a frail craft +to be out o' harbour such foul weather!"</p> + +<p>"How is he?" I repeated, tightening my +grasp upon his sleeve.</p> + +<p>"Dead as a pickled herring, poor lad!"</p> + +<p>My head struck heavily against the wall as +I fell, but I made no outcry.</p> + +<p>"Sink me! but the poor lassie thought I +meant Mr. Rivers!" I heard the old sailor +exclaim as he dropped on his knees beside +me,—and the words stayed my failing senses.</p> + +<p>"Whom did you mean?" I gasped.</p> + +<p>"Young Poole has been done to death, +Mistress Margaret. As honest a lad as ever +lived, too,—more's the pity!"</p> + +<p>I struggled to raise myself, crying: "What +do you tell me? Have they killed the lad in +pure spite against his master? And where is +Mr. Rivers?"</p> + +<p>They made me no answer.</p> + +<p>"He is dead, then! I knew it, my heart +told me so!"</p> + +<p>"Eh! poor lass! 'Tis not so bad as that—yet +bad enough. They've hung chains enough +upon him to anchor a man-o'-war, and moored +him fast in the dungeon of the fort. D—n +'em for a crew o' dastard furriners!—an' he +own cousin to an English earl!"</p> + +<p>"Can you not tell me a straight tale?" I<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_63" id="Page_63">[63]</a></span> +cried. "What has he done to be so ill served? +And whose the enmity behind it all,—Melinza's, +or the Governor's?"</p> + +<p>"Lor'!" exclaimed one of the sailors, "the +young Don is past revenge, mistress. If he +lives out the night 'tis more than I look to +see."</p> + +<p>"Here, now, let me tell the tale, lad," the +old captain interposed. "'Twas a duel began +it, Mistress Tudor. The young bloods were +so keen after fighting they could not wait for +sunrise, but must needs have it out by moonlight +on the beach. 'Twas over yonder, in +the lee of the castle walls."</p> + +<p>"Mr. Rivers and Don Pedro?"</p> + +<p>"Aye, mistress. The Governor was not +by,—'tis likely he knew naught of it."</p> + +<p>"Not so!" I cried, "he had his share in the +quarrel, and they left the house in company."</p> + +<p>"Mayhap," said Captain Baulk, "I'd not +gainsay it—for I trust no one o' them; but +he chose to go with his weather eye shut +rather than take precaution 'gainst the squall. +So they had it out all by their selves,—and +none of us a whit the wiser, saving young +Poole, who had guessed somewhat was amiss +and followed his master."</p> + +<p>"What then? Speak quickly! Was Mr. +Rivers wounded?"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_64" id="Page_64">[64]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Not he! That's to say, not by any thrust +of the Don's. Lor', but it must ha' been a +pretty fight! Pity no man saw it that lives to +tell!"</p> + +<p>"In the name of mercy, sir, speak plainly!"</p> + +<p>"Aye, my young mistress, but give me time +an' I will. Mr. Rivers ere long did get in +such a thrust that the Don went down before +it as suddenly as a ship with all her hull stove +in. He lay stranded, with the blood flowing +away in a dark stream over the white sands. +Our young gentleman, gallant heart, did throw +away his sword and fall down beside the +Spaniard and strive to staunch his wounds, +crying aloud most lustily for aid. Who should +hear him but young Poole and that yellow +devil of a Tomas! They came from opposite +quarters, and Poole was in the shadow, so the +other saw him not. The mulatto ran up alongside, +and, seeing 'twas the Don who had fallen, +he whipped out a knife from his belt and +struck at our young master as he knelt there +on the ground. Nay, now, do not take on so! +Did I not say he was but little hurt? Had the +blow struck him fairly in the back, as it was +meant to do, doubtless it would have put an +end to him; but Poole was to the rescue, +poor lad! He threw himself on the mulatto +in the nick o' time. The knife had barely<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_65" id="Page_65">[65]</a></span> +grazed Mr. Rivers on the shoulder; but young +Tomas never let go his hold of it. He and +the faithful lad rolled together on the ground—and +Poole never rose again. His body was +stabbed through in a dozen places. Mr. +Rivers had no time to interfere; ere he could +rise from his knees, or even put out a hand to +take his sword, a dozen soldiers had laid hands +on him. That devil of a Tomas finished his +evil work, and then picked himself up and +walked away; never a one laid a finger on +him or cried shame on the foul deed!"</p> + +<p>The old sailor paused, and each man of the +group breathed a curse through his clinched +teeth.</p> + +<p>"They have taken Mr. Rivers to the dungeon +of the fort?" I whispered.</p> + +<p>"Aye, so they tell us. None of us were +there, which is perhaps for the good of our +necks,—yet I would we had had a chance to +strike a blow in defence of the poor lad."</p> + +<p>"And the Spaniard—Don Pedro?"</p> + +<p>"They carried him into the Governor's own +house a while since. I think his wound is +mortal."</p> + +<p>"Then he has brought his death upon himself, +for he forced Mr. Rivers into the quarrel," +I declared hastily.</p> + +<p>"'Twas bound to come," admitted Captain<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_66" id="Page_66">[66]</a></span> +Baulk, "there has been bad blood between +them from the very first. But what are we to +do with you, mistress? Did they put you +out in anger?"</p> + +<p>"Nay," I exclaimed, "I heard a great disturbance +and hastened out to seek the cause. +The outer door was left unbarred."</p> + +<p>"Why then, mistress, we would best make +for it again before 'tis shut! This is no hour +and no place for a young maid to be out alone." +Taking me by the hand he led me back the +way I had come; but we were too late. The +entrance was closed and barred against us.</p> + +<p>"Now, what's to do?" exclaimed the old +sailor in dismay.</p> + +<p>I had been too crushed and dazed by the +ill news to think before of my imprudence; +but now I realized how very unwisely I had +acted. I turned hastily to the old captain.</p> + +<p>"Go and leave me, my good friend," I said. +"Already there has been enough trouble of +my making. Do not let me have to answer +for more. I will wait here and call for some +one to open for me. 'Tis better for me to say +what is the truth—that I wandered out in my +anxiety. Go, I pray you, and be discrete in +your conduct, that they may have no just +cause to imprison you also."</p> + +<p>He saw the wisdom of it and went away<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_67" id="Page_67">[67]</a></span> +out of sight, while I beat with all my might +upon the door.</p> + +<p>In a moment steps sounded within, the bars +fell, and the door was drawn back. It was +the Governor himself who stood there. He +looked at me in astonishment as he drew aside +for me to pass.</p> + +<p>I attempted no explanation; for I knew he +could not understand me. Doubtless he +would tell his lady and she would hold me to +account. Slowly I mounted to the balcony +above and pushed open the door of my +chamber.</p> + +<p>The dame still slept peacefully. I went +softly to the window and knelt down. My +heart was sick for the faithful lad who had +died in defending Mr. Rivers. Poor boy! +He had no mother—I wonder if there was a +little lass anywhere whom he loved? But no, +he was young for that. I think his love was all +his master's. And to die for those whom we +love best is not so sad a fate as to live for +their undoing!</p> + +<p>The hot tears ran down my face. I leaned +my cheek against the bars and set free my +thoughts, which flew, as swift as homing +pigeons, to my dear love in his dungeon +cell.</p> + +<p>Oh! I would that all the prayers I pray,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_68" id="Page_68">[68]</a></span> +and all the tender thoughts I think of him, +had wings in very truth; and that after they +had flown heavenward they might bear +thence some balm, some essence of divinest +pity, to cheer him in his loneliness! If it were +so, then there would be in never-ending flight, +up from the barred window where I kneel, and +downward to the narrow slit in his prison wall, +two shining lines of fluttering white wings +coming and going all these long nights +through!</p> + +<hr /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_69" id="Page_69">[69]</a></span></p> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_IX" id="CHAPTER_IX"></a>CHAPTER IX.</h2> + +<p><span class="smcap">Many</span> days have passed since I began to +write these pages.</p> + +<p>All the morning after that terrible night, +with Barbara I waited fearfully for some manifestation +of Doña Orosia's anger. But there +was none, nor were we summoned out that +day. Food was brought to us, and we remained +like prisoners in our chamber. Don +Pedro was very low, the servant told us, and +the Governor's lady was nursing him.</p> + +<p>A week went by,—the longest week I had +ever known,—and then we heard that Melinza +would recover. However, it was not until he +had lain ill a fortnight that Doña Orosia came +to visit me.</p> + +<p>I was sitting by the window with my head +upon my hand, and Barbara was putting some +stitches in the worn places in her gown, when +the door opened to admit my hostess.</p> + +<p>She came straight toward me with a glint +of anger in her dark eyes. The long nights +of anxious watching had driven back the +blood from her smooth olive cheek, and the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_70" id="Page_70">[70]</a></span> +red lips showed the redder for her unaccustomed +pallor. She laid one hand on my head, +tilting it backward.</p> + +<p>"You little white-faced fool! I would you +had never set foot in this town," she cried +bitterly.</p> + +<p>"Ah! madame, I came not of my own free +will," I answered her. "I and my dear love +would willingly go hence, an you gave us the +means to do so!"</p> + +<p>"'Tis likely that we shall, truly," she replied. +"'Tis likely that the Governor of San Augustin +will keep a galley to ply up and down the +coast for the convenience of you English intruders! +There came two more of you this +morning, from the friar at Santa Catalina."</p> + +<p>"Two more English prisoners!" I exclaimed. +"Who are they, madame?"</p> + +<p>"I know not, and I care not," she said. "I +meddle not with things that do not concern +me. I come here now but to hear how you +came to be on the streets at midnight. Had +I been in the Governor's place then, I would +have shut the door in your face."</p> + +<p>I told her the truth, as it had happened to +me; and when she had heard it her brow lightened +somewhat.</p> + +<p>"Are you deceiving me? You did not leave +here till <i>after</i> the duel had taken place?"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_71" id="Page_71">[71]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Madame," I said, "I have never yet told a +lie, and I would not now were it to save my +life."</p> + +<p>Her lip curled slightly as she turned to go. +"Stir not from this room, then, until Don +Pedro is well enough to leave the house," she +said. "If I could prevent it he should never +look upon your face again." She paused an +instant, then added: "I <i>will</i> prevent it!"</p> + +<p>"Amen to that!" I said, and I felt the blood +burn warmly in my cheek.</p> + +<p>She turned and looked at me, and I met +her gaze with defiant eyes.</p> + +<p>"Amen to that, madame!—for truly I hate +him with all my heart!"</p> + +<p>She stood still, a slow crimson rising in her +pale face, and I trembled a little at my own +daring. Then, to my surprise, she laughed at +me.</p> + +<p>"You think that you hate him desperately?" +she exclaimed. "Silly child, it is not in thy +power to hate that man as I do, as I have done +for years!" and with that she went away and +left me wondering.</p> + +<hr /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_72" id="Page_72">[72]</a></span></p> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_X" id="CHAPTER_X"></a>CHAPTER X.</h2> + +<p><span class="smcap">July</span>, the 16th day.</p> + +<p>Two things have happened recently to break +the sad monotony of my life within these +walls.</p> + +<p>Doña Orosia and Melinza have had a disagreement, +which has resulted in his removal +hence—at his own demand. Although I know +nothing of the cause of their quarrel, Doña +Orosia's last words to me, the other day, make +it possible to understand the man's reluctance +to remain here in her care,—and yet they say +it was her nursing that saved his life! I would +that I could understand it all!</p> + +<p>Since his departure I have had the freedom +of the courtyard and garden; and yesterday, +by good chance, I had speech with one of the +newly arrived English prisoners.</p> + +<p>It had been a day of terrible heat, and just +at nightfall I wandered out into the garden +all alone. There is a high wall to it, which so +joins the dwelling that together they form a +hollow square. This wall is of soft gray stone; +it is of a good thickness, and about a man's<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_73" id="Page_73">[73]</a></span> +height. Along the top of it sharp spikes are +set; and near one corner is a wrought-iron gate +of great strength, which is kept securely +locked.</p> + +<p>It is not often that I venture near this gate, +for it looks out upon the street, and I care not +to be seen by any Indian or half-breed Spaniard +who might go loitering by; but as I stood +in the vine-covered arbour in the centre of the +garden I heard a man's voice from the direction +of the gate, humming a stave of a maritime +air that I had heard sung oft and again by +the sailors on the sloop, in which some unknown +fair one is ardently invited to—</p> + +<p class="pub1">"—be the Captain's lady!"</p> + +<p>and I knew it must be a friend. So I made +haste thither and peered out into the street.</p> + +<p>Sure enough it was old Captain Baulk, and +with him a gentleman whose face, even in the +twilight, was well known to me,—he being +none other than Mr. John Collins of Barbadoes +(the same who had given us news of my poor +father's end, and one of our fellow passengers +on the <i>Three Brothers</i>).</p> + +<p>They both greeted me most kindly and inquired +earnestly how I did and if I was well +treated. It seems that for days they had been +trying to get speech with me, but could find +none to deliver a message; so for two nights<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_74" id="Page_74">[74]</a></span> +past they had hung about the gate, hoping +that by chance I might come out to them.</p> + +<p>Mr. Collins related to me how the sloop had +been sent back to Santa Catalina with letters +to the friar and the Governor of San Augustin, +demanding our release on the ground that +as peace was now subsisting between the +crowns of England and of Spain, and no act +of hostility had been committed by us, our +capture was unwarrantable. But Padre Ignacio, +with his plausible tongue, had beguiled +them ashore into his power.</p> + +<p>"The man is a very devil for fair words and +smooth deceits," declared Mr. Collins. "In +spite of all the warnings we had received, some +of us landed without first demanding hostages +of the Indians; and when we would have departed +two of us were forcibly detained on +pretence of our lacking proper credentials to +prove our honesty. In sooth he charged us +with piratical intentions, though we had not +so much as cracked a pistol or inveigled one +barbarian aboard. The sloop lingered for +three days, but finally made off, leaving us in +the hands of the padre. He despatched us +here in canoes, under a guard of some twenty +half-naked savages, with shaven crowns, who +are no more converted Christians than the +fiends in hell!"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_75" id="Page_75">[75]</a></span></p> + +<p>I asked, then, for news of my uncle, Dr. +Scrivener, and Mr. Collins assured me that he +was most anxious for my safety, and would +have come back with them to demand us of +the friar, but he had received a hurt in the +neck during the attack at Santa Catalina and +was in no state to travel, although the wound +was healing well—for which God be thanked!</p> + +<p>So far, all the prisoners, except Mr. Rivers, +have the freedom of the town; but Captain +Baulk declared he would as lief be confined +within the fort.</p> + +<p>"There be scarce two honest men—saving +ourselves—in all San Augustin," he said. +"The lodging-house where we sleep is crowded +with dirty, thieving half-breeds, who would as +willingly slit a man's throat as a pig's. Though +they hold us as guests against our will, we +must e'en pay our own score; and some fine +night—you mark me!—we shall find ourselves +lacking our purses."</p> + +<p>"Then the Governor will be at the cost of +our entertainment," said Mr. Collins.</p> + +<p>"'Twill be prison fare, sir," grunted the old +sailor, "and we'll be lucky if he doesn't find it +cheaper to heave us overboard and be done +with it!"</p> + +<p>"Tut! man,—hold your croaking tongue in +the poor young lady's presence," whispered<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_76" id="Page_76">[76]</a></span> +Mr. Collins; but I heard what he said, and bade +him tell us our true case and what real hope +there was of our liberation.</p> + +<p>"There is every certainty," he said. "When +word reaches their Lordships in England, they +will not fail to make complaint to the Spanish +Council,—and they have no just cause for refusing +to set us free. But I trust we shall not +have to wait for that. If we had a Governor +of spirit, instead of a timorous old man like +Sayle, he would have already sent the frigate +down here to demand us of the Spaniards. +There are not lacking men to carry out the +enterprise: Captain Brayne could scarce be +restrained from swooping down on the whole +garrison—as Rob Searle did, not long ago, +when he rescued Dr. Woodward out of their +clutches."</p> + +<p>"Captain Brayne!—the frigate! Do you +mean that the <i>Carolina</i> has arrived?"</p> + +<p>"Two months ahead of our sloop," declared +Mr. Collins; "but Governor Sayle has despatched +her to Virginia for provisions, of which +we were beginning to run short. The <i>Port +Royal</i> has not been heard of, so 'tis feared she +went down in the storm."</p> + +<p>He went on to tell me of the new settlement +which had been already laid out at a place +called Kiawah,—a very fair and fruitful<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_77" id="Page_77">[77]</a></span> +country, which Heaven grant I may one day +see!</p> + +<p>In my turn I related all that had befallen me +since we reached this place. They heard me +out very gravely, and promised to contrive +some means of communicating with me in case +of need.</p> + +<p>Then, as it grew very late, we parted, promising +to meet the following night; and I crept +softly back to the house and my little room, +greatly comforted that I now had a worthy +gentleman like Mr. Collins with whom I could +advise; for with his knowledge of the Spanish +tongue and his sound judgment I hope he +may influence the Governor in our favour.</p> + +<hr class="min" /> + +<p>The sun is setting now, I think, although I +cannot see it from my window; for all the sky +without is faintly pink, and every ripple on +the bay turns a blushing cheek toward the +west. I must lay by my pen and watch for an +opportunity to keep tryst at the gateway with +my two good friends....</p> + +<p>Nine of the clock.</p> + +<p>God help me! I waited in the garden till I +heard a whistle, and stole down to the gate as +before.</p> + +<p>A man put out his hand and caught at mine +through the bars. It was that vile Tomas—the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_78" id="Page_78">[78]</a></span> +wretch who would have murdered my dear +love! I screamed and fled, but he called after +me in Spanish. The words were strange to me—but +the tones of his voice and the coarse +laughter needed no interpreter!</p> + +<p>As I flew across the garden, too frightened +to attempt concealment, Doña Orosia stepped +out into the courtyard and demanded an explanation. +I knew not what to say, for I +could not divulge the motive that had sent me +out; but I told her that a man had called me +from the gate, and when I went near to see +who it might be I recognized the servant of +Melinza.</p> + +<p>She seemed to doubt me at first, till I described +him closely; then she was greatly +angered and forbade me the garden altogether.</p> + +<p>"If I find you here alone again," she hissed, +seizing my shoulder with no gentle grasp, +"if I find you here again, I will turn the key +upon you and keep you prisoner in your +chamber."</p> + +<p>So now I dare not venture beyond the court +and the balconies; and there will be no chance +of speaking with Mr. Collins unless he dares +to come under my window, and there is little +hope of his doing that unseen, for 'tis in full +view from the ramparts of the fort, where a +sentry paces day and night.</p> + +<hr /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_79" id="Page_79">[79]</a></span></p> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XI" id="CHAPTER_XI"></a>CHAPTER XI.</h2> + +<p><span class="smcap">August</span>, the 7th day.</p> + +<p>When I began this tale of our captivity it +was with the hope that I might find some +means of sending it to friends, in this country +or in England, who would interest themselves +in obtaining our release. However, from what +Mr. Collins told me, I feel assured that news +of Mr. Rivers's capture has already been sent +to their Lordships the proprietors, and this +record of mine seems now but wasted labour. +Yet from time to time, for my own solace, I +shall add to it; and perchance, some day in +safety and freedom, I and——another——may +together read its tear-stained pages.</p> + +<p>This day I have completed the seventeenth +year of my age. It is a double anniversary, for +one year ago this night—it being the eve of our +departure from England—I first set eyes upon +my dear love.</p> + +<p>Can it be possible that he, in his dolorous +prison, has taken account of the passing days +and remembers that night—a year ago? +'Twould be liker a man if he took no thought of<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_80" id="Page_80">[80]</a></span> +the date till it was past,—yet I do greatly wonder +if he has forgotten.</p> + +<p>As for me, the memory has lived with me +all these hours since I unclosed my eyes at +dawn.</p> + +<p>I can see now the brightly lighted cabin of +the <i>Carolina</i>, where the long supper-table +was laid for the many passengers who were to +set out on the morrow for a new world. I had +been somehow parted from my uncle, Dr. Scrivener, +and I stood in the cabin doorway half +afraid to venture in and meet the eyes of all +the strangers present. I felt the colour mounting +warmly in my cheek, and my feet were +very fain to run away, when Captain Henry +Brayne, the brave and cheery commander of the +frigate, caught sight of me, and, rising hastily, +led me to a seat at his own right hand.</p> + +<p>(I do recollect that I wore a new gown of +fine blue cloth—a soft and tender colour, that +became me well.)</p> + +<p>As I took my place I glanced shyly round, +and saw, at the farther end of the long table, +the gallantest gentleman I had ever set eyes +upon in all my sixteen years of life. He was +looking directly at me, and presently he lifted +his glass and said:</p> + +<p>"Captain Brayne, I give you <i>the Carolina and +every treasure she contains</i>!"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_81" id="Page_81">[81]</a></span></p> + +<p>There was some laughter as the toast was +drunk, and my uncle—who had only that +moment entered and taken his seat beside me—asked +of me an explanation.</p> + +<p>"Nay, Dr. Scrivener," said the jovial captain, +"'tis not likely the little lady was attending. +But now I give you—<i>the health of Mistress Tudor!</i> +(and it will not be the first time it +has been proposed to-night!)"</p> + +<p>And that was but a year ago. I would never +have guessed that at seventeen I could feel so +very old.</p> + +<hr /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_82" id="Page_82">[82]</a></span></p> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XII" id="CHAPTER_XII"></a>CHAPTER XII.</h2> + +<p><span class="smcap">San Augustin's Day</span>—August, the 28th.</p> + +<p>Oh! but I have been angered this day!</p> + +<p>What? when my betrothed lies in prison, ill, +perhaps, or fretting his brave heart away, am I +to be dragged forth to make part of a pageant +for the entertainment of his jailers? I would +sooner have the lowest cell in the dungeon—aye! +and starve and stifle for lack of food and +air, than be forced to deck myself out in borrowed +bravery, and sit mowing and smiling in +a gay pavilion, and clap hands in transport +over the fine cavalier airs of the man I hold +most in abhorrence!</p> + +<p>Do they take me for so vapid a little fool +that I may be compelled to any course they +choose? Nay, then, they have learned a lesson. +Oh, but it is good to be in a fair rage for once!</p> + +<p>I had grown so weary and sick at heart that +the blood crawled sluggishly in my veins; my +eyes were dull and heavy; I had sat listlessly, +with idle hands, day after day, waiting—waiting +for I knew not what! Therefore it was +that I had no will or courage to oppose the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_83" id="Page_83">[83]</a></span> +Governor's wife when she came to me this +morning and bade me wear the gown she +brought, and pin a flower in my hair, and sit +with her in the Governor's pavilion to see the +fine parade go by.</p> + +<p>"This is a great day in San Augustin," she +said, "being the one-hundred-and-fifth anniversary +of its founding by the Spanish."</p> + +<p>As the captives of olden times made part +of the triumph of their conquerors, 'twas +very fit that I, forsooth, should lend what +little I possessed of youth and fairness to the +making of a Spanish holiday!</p> + +<p>But I was too spiritless, then, to dare a refusal. +I bowed my head meekly enough while +Chépa—the smiling, good-natured negress—gathered +up the rustling folds of the green +silk petticoat and slipped it over my shoulders. +I made no demur while she looped and +twisted the long tresses of my yellow hair, +fastening it high with a tall comb, and tying +a knot of black velvet riband upon each of the +wilful little bunches of curls that ever come +tumbling about my ears.</p> + +<p>When all was finished, and the lace mantilla +fastened to my comb and draped about my +shoulders, I was moved by Barbara's cries of +admiration to cast one glance upon the mirror. +'Twas an unfamiliar picture that I saw there,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_84" id="Page_84">[84]</a></span> +and my pale face blushed with some mortification +that it should have lent itself so kindly to +a foreign fashion.</p> + +<p>I would have thrown off all the braveries +that minute; but just then came a message +from Doña Orosia, bidding me hasten.</p> + +<p>"What matters anything to me now?" I +thought wearily; and, slowly descending to +the courtyard, I took my place in the closed +chair that waited, and was borne after the +Governor's lady to the Plaza, where, at the +western end facing upon the little open square, +was the gay pavilion.</p> + +<p>Its red and yellow banners shone gaudily in +the hot sunlight of the summer afternoon, and +the fresh sea breeze kept the tassels and +streamers all a-flutter, like butterflies hovering +over a bed of flowers.</p> + +<p>Three sides of the Plaza were lined with +spectators, but the eastern end—which opened +out toward the bay—was kept clear for the +troops to enter.</p> + +<p>Against the slight railing of the little pavilion +leaned Doña Orosia, strangely fair in a +gown of black lace and primrose yellow, that +transformed the soft contours of her throat +and cheek from pale olive to the purest pearl. +She deigned to bestow but a single cold, unfriendly +glance upon me; then she bent forward<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_85" id="Page_85">[85]</a></span> +as before, her lifted fan shielding her +eyes from the glare of the sun-kissed sea.</p> + +<p>Presently, with the blare of trumpets and +the deep rolling of the drums, the King's +troops came in sight, three hundred strong.</p> + +<p>At the head of the little band, which +marched afoot, rode Melinza and the Governor. +'Twas the first time I had seen a horse +in the town.</p> + +<p>Old Señor de Colis was mounted on a +handsome bay that pranced and curvetted +beneath him, to his most evident discomfort; +but Melinza's seat was superb. It was a dappled +gray he rode, with flowing mane and tail +of silvery white; a crimson rosette was fastened +to its crimped forelock, and the long +saddle-cloth was richly embroidered.</p> + +<p>As the little company swept round the +square, the two horsemen saluted our pavilion. +Don Pedro lifted his plumed hat high, and I +saw that his face was pale from his recent +wound, but the bold black eyes were as bright +as ever they had been before.</p> + +<p>I drew back hastily from the front of the +pavilion and made no pretence of returning +his salute. Then, for the first time since I +had taken my seat beside her, Doña Orosia +spoke to me.</p> + +<p>"Why such scant courtesy?" she asked, +with lifted brows.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_86" id="Page_86">[86]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Madame," I answered, "had my betrothed +been here at my side, an honoured guest, I +would have had more graciousness at my command."</p> + +<p>"What!" she exclaimed, "have you not +yet had time to forget your quarrelsome +cavalier?"</p> + +<p>"I will forget him, madame, when I cease +to remember the treachery of those who +called themselves his entertainers."</p> + +<p>She flushed angrily. "Your tongue has +more of spirit than your face. I wonder that +you have the courage to say this to me."</p> + +<p>"I dare, because I have nothing more to +lose, madame!"</p> + +<p>"Say you so? Would you rather I gave +you into Melinza's keeping?"</p> + +<p>"Nay!" I cried, "you could not—such +unfaith would surpass the limits of even +Spanish treachery! And you would not—it +would please you better <i>if he never set eyes upon +my face again</i>! I only wonder that you should +have brought me here to-day!"</p> + +<p>She opened her lips to speak; but the blare +of the trumpets drowned the words, and she +turned away from me.</p> + +<p>The troops were drawn in line across the +square: on the right, the Spanish regulars of +the garrison; on the left, the militia companies,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_87" id="Page_87">[87]</a></span> +which had come up while we were speaking. +These last were made up, for the most part, of +mulattoes and half-breed Indians,—a swarthy-faced, +ill-looking band that appeared fitter for +savage warfare of stealth and ambuscade and +poisoned arrows than for valorous exploits +and honest sword-play.</p> + +<p>The various manœuvres of the troops, under +the skilled leadership of Don Pedro, occupied +our attention for upward of an hour, during +all which time my companion appeared quite +unconscious of my presence. She sat motionless +save for the swaying of her fan. Only +once did her face express aught but fixed +attention—and that was when a sudden fanfare +of the trumpets caused the Governor's horse +to plunge, and the old man lurched forward +on the pommel of his saddle, his plumed hat +slipping down over his eyes.</p> + +<p>For an instant the swaying fan was still; +a low laugh sounded in my ear, and, turning, +I saw the red lips of the Governor's lady take +on a very scornful curve.</p> + +<p>She received him graciously enough, however, +when—the review being over—he dismounted +and joined us in the pavilion.</p> + +<p>Melinza had retired with the troops; but +just as the last rank disappeared from view +he came galloping back at full speed, flung<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_88" id="Page_88">[88]</a></span> +himself from the saddle, and, throwing the +reins to an attendant, mounted the pavilion +stair.</p> + +<p>I felt that Doña Orosia's eyes were upon +me, and I believed that she liked me none the +less for my hostility to the man. It may +have been this that gave me courage—I do not +know—I think I would not have touched his +hand in any case.</p> + +<p>He flushed deeply when I put both of mine +behind my back; then, with the utmost +effrontery, he leaned forward and plucked +away one little black rosette that had fallen +loose from my curls and was slipping down +upon my shoulder. This he raised to his lips +with a laugh, and then fastened upon his breast.</p> + +<p>I was deeply angered, and I cast about for +some means of retaliation that would show +him the scorn I held him in.</p> + +<p>At the foot of the pavilion stood the youth +who was holding Melinza's horse.</p> + +<p>I leaned over the railing, and, loosing quickly +from my hair the fellow to the rosette Don +Pedro wore, I tossed it to the lad below, +saying, in almost the only Spanish words I +knew,—</p> + +<p>"It is a gift!"</p> + +<p>Melinza's face grew white with anger; he +tore off the bit of riband and ground it under<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_89" id="Page_89">[89]</a></span> +his heel; then he strode down the stair, +mounted his horse, and rode away.</p> + +<p>The Governor's lady watched him till he +was out of sight; then, with a strange smile, +she said to me,—</p> + +<p>"I never knew before that blue eyes had so +much of fire in them. I think, my little saint, +'tis time I sent you back to your old duenna."</p> + +<p>"I would thank you for so much grace!" +was my reply. And back to Barbara I was +despatched forthwith.</p> + +<p>But though I have been some hours in my +chamber, my indignation has not cooled. +The very sight of that man's countenance is +more than I can endure!</p> + +<p>I am resolved that I will never set foot outside +my door when there is any chance of my +encountering him, and so I shall inform the +Governor's wife when she returns....</p> + +<p>She laughs at me! She declares I shall do +whatever is her pleasure! And what is my +puny strength to hers? With all the will in +the world to resist her, I am as wax in her +hands!</p> + +<hr /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_90" id="Page_90">[90]</a></span></p> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XIII" id="CHAPTER_XIII"></a>CHAPTER XIII.</h2> + +<p><span class="smcap">The</span> first day of March.</p> + +<p>For six months I have added nothing to +this record; though time and again I have +taken up my pen to write, and then laid it by, +with no mark upon the fresh page. Can heartache +be written down in words? Can loneliness +and longing,—the desolation of one +who has no human creature on whom to lavish +love and care,—the dull misery that is known +only to those whose best beloved are suffering +the worst woes of this woeful life,—can all +these be told? Ah, no! one can only feel +them—bear them—and be crushed by them.</p> + +<p>If it had not been for the good old dame, I +know not what would have become of me. +Many a day and many a night I have clung +to her for hours, weeping—crying aloud, "I +cannot bear it! I cannot!" What choice had +I but to bear it? And tears cannot flow forever; +the calm of utter weariness succeeds.</p> + +<p>'Tis not that I have been ill treated. I am +well housed, and daintily clothed and fed. +Unless Melinza—or some other guest—is<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_91" id="Page_91">[91]</a></span> +present, I sit at the Governor's own table. +His wife makes of me something between a +companion and a plaything: one moment I +have to bear with her capricious kindness; the +next, I am teased or driven away from her +with as little courtesy as she shows to the +noble hound that follows her like her own +shadow.</p> + +<p>Until lately I have seen little of Melinza. +Early in the winter he went away to the +Habana and remained absent two months, +during which time I had more peace of mind +than I have known since first we came here. +But since his return he has tried in various +ways to force himself into my presence; and +Doña Orosia,—who could so easily shield me +if she chose,—before she comes to my relief, +permits him to annoy me until I am roused to +the point of passionate repulse. One could +almost think she loves to see me suffer—unless +it is the sight of his discomfiture that affords +her such satisfaction.</p> + +<p>But all of this I could endure if only my +dear love were free! I have heard that he is +ill. It may not be true,—God grant that it is +not! Still, though the rumour came to me +by devious ways, and through old Barbara's +lips at last (and she is ever prone to think the +worst), it is more than possible! I, myself,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_92" id="Page_92">[92]</a></span> +have suffered somewhat from this long confinement; +and in how much worse case is he!</p> + +<p>I have tried to occupy myself, that I may +keep my thoughts from dwelling forever on +our unhappy state. In the past six months I +have so far mastered the Spanish tongue that +now I can converse in it with more ease than +in the French. The Governor declares that I +have the true intonation; and even Doña +Orosia admits that I have shown some aptitude. +I care nothing for it as a mere accomplishment; +but I hope that the knowledge may be of use +if ever we attempt escape. (Though what +chance of escape is there when Mr. Rivers is +within stone walls and I have no means of +even holding converse with Mr. Collins?)</p> + +<p>I have one other accomplishment that has +won me more favour with the Governor's wife +than aught else. She discovered, one day, +that I have some skill with the lute, and a +voice not lacking in sweetness; and now she +will have me sing to her by the hour until my +throat is weary and I have to plead for rest.</p> + +<p>I had, recently, a conversation with her that +has haunted me every hour since; for it +showed me a side of her nature that I had not +seen before, and that leads me to think that +under her caprice and petulance there is a +deep purpose hidden.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_93" id="Page_93">[93]</a></span></p> + +<p>I had exhausted my list of songs, and as +she still demanded more I bethought me of a +curious old ballad I had heard many years +ago. The air eluded me for some while; but +my fingers, straying over the strings, fell +suddenly into the plaintive melody; with it, +the words too came back to me.</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">I bade my love fareweel, wi' tears;<br /></span> +<span class="i2">He bade fareweel to me.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">"How sall I pass the lang, lang years?"<br /></span> +<span class="i2">"I maun be gane," quo' he.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">The tear-draps frae mine een did rin<br /></span> +<span class="i2">Like water frae a spring;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">But while I grat, my love gaed in<br /></span> +<span class="i2">To feast and reveling!<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">The tear-draps frae mine een did start<br /></span> +<span class="i2">Salt as the briny tide:<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Sae sair my grief, sae fu' my heart,<br /></span> +<span class="i2">I wept a river wide.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Adoon that stream my man did rove,<br /></span> +<span class="i2">And crossed the tearfu' sea.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">O whaur'll I get a leal true love<br /></span> +<span class="i2">To bide at hame wi' me?<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">The lang, lang years they winna pass;<br /></span> +<span class="i2">My lord is still awa'.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Mayhap he loves a fairer lass—<br /></span> +<span class="i2">O wae the warst ava!<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">How sall I wile my lover hame?<br /></span> +<span class="i2">I'll drink the tearfu' seas!<br /></span><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_94" id="Page_94">[94]</a></span> +<span class="i0">My red mou' to their briny faem,<br /></span> +<span class="i2">I'll drain them to the lees!<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Then gin he comes na hameward soon<br /></span> +<span class="i2">His ain true love to wed,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">I'll kilt my claes and don my shoon<br /></span> +<span class="i2">And cross the sea's dry bed.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">"Oh in thine heart, my love, my lord,<br /></span> +<span class="i2">Mak' room, mak' room for me;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Or at thy feet, by my true word,<br /></span> +<span class="i2">Thy lady's grave sall be!"<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p>"A melancholy air, yet with somewhat of a +pleasing sadness in its minor cadences," commented +Doña Orosia when I had ceased. +"Translate me the words, an your Spanish is +sufficient."</p> + +<p>"That it is not, I fear," was my reply, "and +the task is beyond me for the further reason +that the song is not even English, but in a dialect +of the Scots. 'Tis only the plaint of a +poor lady whose mind seems to have gone +astray in her long waiting for a faithless +lover"—and I gave her the sense of the verses +as best I could.</p> + +<p>"Nay," said the Spanish woman, with a +singular smile. "She hath more wit than you +credit her with. You mark me, the flood of a +woman's tears will bear a man further than a +mighty river, and her sighs waft him away +more speedily than the strongest gale. And<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_95" id="Page_95">[95]</a></span> +once he has gone, taking with him such a +memory of her, 'twould be far easier for her +to drink the ocean dry than to wile him home. +For let a man but suspect that a woman <i>could</i> +break her heart for him, and he——is more +than content to let her do it!"</p> + +<p>She paused; but I made no answer, having +none upon my tongue. Presently she added: +"When once a woman has the folly to plead +for herself, in that moment she murders Love; +and every tear she sheds thereafter becomes +another clod upon his grave. There remains +but one thing for her to do——"</p> + +<p>"Herself to die!" I murmured.</p> + +<p>"Nay, child! To live and be revenged!" +She turned a flushed face toward me; and, +though the water stood in her eyes, they were +hard and angry. "To be revenged! To plot +and to scheme; to bide her time patiently; to +study his heart's desire, and to foster it; and +then——"</p> + +<p>"And then?" I questioned softly, with little +shivers of repulsion chilling me from head +to foot.</p> + +<p>"<i>To rob him of it.</i>"</p> + +<p>The words were spoken deliberately, in a +voice that was resonant and slow. 'Twas not +like the outburst of a moment's impulse—the +sudden jangling of a harpstring rudely<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_96" id="Page_96">[96]</a></span> +touched; it was rather with the fateful emphasis +of a clock striking the hour, heralded by a +premonitory quiver—a gathering together of +inward forces that had waited through long +moments for this final utterance.</p> + +<p>What manner of woman was this? I +caught my breath with a little shuddering +cry.</p> + +<p>Doña Orosia turned quickly.</p> + +<p>"Go! Leave me!" she cried. "Do you +linger? Can I never be rid of you? Out of +my sight! I would have a moment's respite +from your great eyes and your white face. +Go!"</p> + +<p>And I obeyed her.</p> + +<hr /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_97" id="Page_97">[97]</a></span></p> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XIV" id="CHAPTER_XIV"></a>CHAPTER XIV.</h2> + +<p><span class="smcap">March</span>, the 9th day.</p> + +<p>Doña Orosia sent for me at noon to-day. +There was news to tell, and she chose to be +the one to tell it.</p> + +<p>I found her in her favourite seat,—a great +soft couch, covered with rich Moorish stuffs, +and placed under the shadow of the balcony +that overlooks the sunny garden. Up each of +the light pillars from which spring the graceful +arches that support this balcony climbs a +mass of blooming vines that weave their delicate +tendrils round the railing above and then +trail downward again in festoons of swaying +colour. Behind, in the luminous shadow, she +lay coiled and half asleep; with a large fan of +bronze turkey-feathers in one lazy hand, the +other teasing the tawny hound which was +stretched out at her feet.</p> + +<p>She opened her great eyes as I came near.</p> + +<p>"Ah! the little blue-eyed Margarita, the +little saint who frowns when men worship at +her shrine," she said slowly. "There is news +for you. The <i>Virgen de la Mar</i> arrived last<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_98" id="Page_98">[98]</a></span> +night from Habana, bringing the commands +of the Council of Spain that the English +prisoners here detained be liberated forthwith. +For it seems that there has been presented to +the Council, through our ambassador to the +English Court, a memorial, which clearly +proves that these persons have given no provocation +to any subject of his Catholic Majesty, +Charles the Second of Spain, and are therefore +unlawfully imprisoned. How like you that?" +The waving fan was suddenly stilled, and the +brilliant eyes half veiled.</p> + +<p>"Is this true?" I asked, for my heart misgave +me.</p> + +<p>She laughed. "It is true that the <i>Virgen de +la Mar</i> has brought those orders to the Governor +of San Augustin—and that my husband +has received them."</p> + +<p>"Will he obey them, señora?"</p> + +<p>"Will who obey them?" she asked; and +there was a gleam of white teeth under the red, +curling lip. "My husband, or the Governor +of San Augustin?"</p> + +<p>"Are they not the same?"</p> + +<p>"If you think so, little fool," she cried, +half rising from her couch; "if you think so +still, you would better go back to your chamber +and pray yourself and your lover out of +prison!"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_99" id="Page_99">[99]</a></span></p> + +<p>I made no answer; I waited, without much +hope, for what she would say next. My heart +was very full, but I would not pleasure her by +weeping.</p> + +<p>"Child," she continued, sinking back among +the cushions and speaking in a slow, impressive +manner, "there are <i>two</i> Governors in +San Augustin—and they take their commands +neither from the child-King, the Queen-mother, +nor any of the Spanish Council. My husband +is not one; he obeys them both by turns. +His Excellency Don Pedro Melinza decrees +that these orders from Spain shall be carried +out except in the case of one Señor Rivers, +who will be held here to answer for an unprovoked +assault on one of his Majesty's subjects, +whom he severely wounded; also for +inciting others of his fellow prisoners to break +their parole, and for various other offences +against the peace of this garrison,—all of which +charges Melinza will swear to be true."</p> + +<p>"Is he so lost to honour? And will your +husband uphold him in the lie?"</p> + +<p>"Hear me out," she continued in the same +tone. "Melinza also decides that these orders +do not include the English señorita, Doña +Margaret, whom he intends to detain here for——for +reasons best known to himself; although +the other Governor of San Augustin<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_100" id="Page_100">[100]</a></span> +decrees"——she started up from her nest of +pillows and continued in a wholly different +tone: "<i>I</i> say—<i>I</i> say—that you shall quit this +place with the other prisoners, and my husband +dares not oppose me! I am sick of your +white face and your saintly blue eyes; I am +wearied to death of your company; but I +swear Melinza shall not have you! Therefore +go you must, and speedily."</p> + +<p>"And leave my betrothed at Don Pedro's +mercy?"</p> + +<p>"What is that to me? Let him rot in his +dungeon. I care not—so I am rid of your +white face."</p> + +<p>She shut her eyes angrily and thrust out +her slippered foot at the sleeping hound. He +lifted his great head and yawned; then, gathering +up his huge bulk from the ground, he drew +closer to his mistress's side and sniffed the +air with solicitude, as though seeking a cause +for her displeasure. There was a dish of cakes +beside her, and she took one in her white fingers +and threw it to the dog. He let it fall to +the ground, and nosed it doubtfully, putting +forth an experimental tongue,—till, finding it +to his taste, he swallowed it at a gulp. His +mistress laughed, and tossed him another, +which disappeared in his great jaws. A third +met the same fate; but the fourth she extended<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_101" id="Page_101">[101]</a></span> +to him in her pink palm, and, as he would +have taken it she snatched the hand away. +Again and again the poor brute strove to seize +the proffered morsel, but each time it was +lifted out of his reach; till finally his lithe +body was launched upward, and he snapped +both the cake and the hand that teased him.</p> + +<p>'Twas the merest scratch, and truly the dog +meant it not in anger; but on the instant +Doña Orosia flushed crimson to her very brow, +and, drawing up her silken skirt, she snatched +a jewelled dagger from her garter and plunged +it to the hilt in the poor beast's throat. The +red blood spouted, and the huge body dropped +in a tawny heap.</p> + +<p>I rushed forward and lifted the great head; +but the eyes were glazed.</p> + +<p>"Señora!" I cried, "señora! the poor brute +loved you!"</p> + +<p>She spurned the limp body with a careless +foot, saying,—</p> + +<p>"So did—once—the man who gave it +me."</p> + +<p>Then she clapped her hands, and the negro +servant came and at her command dragged +away the carcass, wiped the bloody floor, and +brought a basin of clear water and a linen +cloth to bathe the scratch on her hand. +When he had gone she made me bind it up<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_102" id="Page_102">[102]</a></span> +with her broidered kerchief and stamped her +foot because I drew the knot over-tight.</p> + +<p>"Doña Orosia," I said, when I had done it +to her liking. "If all you care for, in this +other matter, is to get rid of my white face, I +pray you kill me with your dagger and ask +your lord to let my love go free."</p> + +<p>She looked up curiously. "Would you die +for him?" she asked.</p> + +<p>"Most willingly, an it please you to make +my death his ransom."</p> + +<p>Still she gazed at me and seemed strangely +stirred. "Once I loved like that," she said +in musing tones. "I will tell thee a tale, child, +for I like not the reproach in those blue eyes. +Five years ago, when I was as young as +thou art now, I lived with my parents in +Valencia, where the flowers are even sweeter +and the skies bluer than here in sunny Florida. +I had a lover in those days, who followed me +like my shadow, and, in spite of my old duenna, +found many a moment to pour his passion in +my ears. He was a brave man and a handsome, +and he won my heart from me. Though +he had no great fortune I would have wed +him willingly and followed him over land and +sea. I never doubted him for a day; and +when he came to my father's house with an +old nobleman, his uncle and the head of his<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_103" id="Page_103">[103]</a></span> +family, I was well content; for my mother +told me they had asked for my hand and it +had been promised. But when my father +called me in at last to see my future husband, +it was the old man who met me with a simper +on his wrinkled face. I turned to the nephew; +but he was gazing out of the window——"</p> + +<p>She broke off with a fierce laugh and then +added bitterly,—"And so I came to marry +my husband, the Governor of San Augustin!"</p> + +<p>"The other was Don Pedro?"</p> + +<p>"Has thy baby wit compassed that much? +Yes, the other was Melinza."</p> + +<p>"But if you once loved him why should +there be hate between you now?"</p> + +<p>"Why? thou little fool! Why?"—she put +out one hand and drew me closer, so that she +could look deep into my eyes. "Why does a +woman ever hate a man? Canst tell me +that?"</p> + +<p>We gazed at each other so until I saw—I +scarce know what I saw! My head swam, +and of a sudden it came over me that when +the angels fell from heaven there must have +been an awful beauty in their eyes!</p> + +<hr /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_104" id="Page_104">[104]</a></span></p> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XV" id="CHAPTER_XV"></a>CHAPTER XV.</h2> + +<p><span class="smcap">I awoke</span> this morning with a sense of +horror haunting me,—and then I recalled the +scene of yesterday and the dumb appeal in +the eyes of the dying hound. The story the +Spanish woman had told me of her own past +pleaded nothing in excuse. Hatred and +cruelty seemed strange fruit for love to bear.</p> + +<p>I thought of my own ill fortunes, and I said +within me: True Love sits at the door of the +heart to guard it from all evil passions. Loss +and Pain may enter in, and Sorrow bear them +company; but Revenge and Cruelty, Untruth, +and all their evil kin, must hide their shamed +faces and pass by!</p> + +<p>Secure in the thought of the pure affection +that reigned in my own bosom, I went forth +and met Temptation, and straightway fell +from the high path in which I believed my +feet to be so surely fixed!</p> + +<p>Doña Orosia seemed to be in a strangely +gentle mood.</p> + +<p>"Child, how pale thy face is! Didst thou +not lie awake all night? Deny it not, 'tis writ +most plainly in the dark shadows round those<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_105" id="Page_105">[105]</a></span> +great blue eyes. Come, rest here beside me"—and +she drew me down upon the couch and +slipped a soft pillow under my head.</p> + +<p>I was fairly dumfounded at this unwonted +courtesy, and could find no words to meet it +with. But she appeared unconscious of my +silence and continued speaking.</p> + +<p>"'Tis the thought of the English lover that +robs thee of sleep, Margarita mia! Thou +wouldst give thy very life to procure his freedom; +is it not so? Would any task be too +hard for thee with this end in view?"</p> + +<p>I could not answer; I clasped my hands +and looked at her in silence.</p> + +<p>"I thought as much," she said, smiling, and +laid a gentle finger on my cheek.</p> + +<p>"Oh, señora, you will aid me to save him! +You will plead with the Governor—you will +set him free?"</p> + +<p>She drew back coldly. "You ask too +much. I have told you that there are two +Governors in San Augustin—I divide the +honours with Melinza; but I plead with him +for naught."</p> + +<p>I turned away to hide the quivering of my +lip.</p> + +<p>"Listen to me," she added more kindly. +"Between Pedro Melinza and Orosia de Colis +there is at present an armed peace; since<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_106" id="Page_106">[106]</a></span> +each holds a hostage. Not that I care anything +for the Englishman, but my husband is +undesirous of defying the commands of the +Council. Although he bears no love to your +nation, he maintains that it is not the policy +of our government, at present, to ignore +openly the friendly relations that are supposed +to exist between the Crowns of England +and of Spain. It seems that the duplicate of +the Council's orders has been sent to the Governor +of your new settlement on this coast; +and if he sends hither to demand the delivery +of the prisoners, Señor de Colis would rather +choose to yield up all, than to risk a reprimand +from the authorities at home.</p> + +<p>"Dost thou understand all this? Well, let +us now see the reverse of the picture.</p> + +<p>"Melinza sets his own desires in the scale, +and they outweigh all politic scruples. He has +sworn that so long as I stand between him +and you, so long will Señor Rivers remain in +the castle dungeon,—unless Death steps kindly +in to set your lover free."</p> + +<p>A little sob broke in my throat at these +cruel words. Doña Orosia laid her hand on +mine.</p> + +<p>"Poor little one!" she said.</p> + +<p>"You pity me, señora! What is your pity +worth?" I demanded, forcing back the tears.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_107" id="Page_107">[107]</a></span></p> + +<p>"I have a way of escape to offer," she answered +softly.</p> + +<p>"Escape for him? Or for me?"</p> + +<p>"For both. Now listen! There is but one +way to relax Melinza's hold on Señor Rivers. +He would exchange him willingly for you."</p> + +<p>"Better for us both to die!" I exclaimed +indignantly.</p> + +<p>"I would sooner kill you with my own +hands than give you up to him," said Doña +Orosia, with a cold smile.</p> + +<p>"Then what do you mean, señora?"</p> + +<p>"I mean, Margarita mia, that you should +feign a tenderness for him and let him think +that it is I who would keep two loving souls +apart."</p> + +<p>"What! when I have shown him naught +but dislike in all these months? He could +never be so witless as to believe in such a +sudden transformation."</p> + +<p>"Such is the vanity of man," said Doña +Orosia, "that he would find it easier to believe +that you had feigned hatred all this while +from fear of me, than to doubt that you had +eventually fallen a victim to his fascinations."</p> + +<p>"What would it advantage me if I did deceive +him?"</p> + +<p>"He would then cease to oppose the liberation +of all the other prisoners."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_108" id="Page_108">[108]</a></span></p> + +<p>"But what of my fate, señora?"</p> + +<p>"Leave that in my hands, little one,—I am +not powerless. I give thee my word he shall +never have thee. At the last moment we +shall undeceive him"—and she laughed a +low laugh of triumph.</p> + +<p>I glanced up quickly.</p> + +<p>"So!" I exclaimed. "This will be your +revenge! And you would bribe me, with my +dear love's freedom, to act a part in it! To +lie for you; to play at love where I feel only +loathing; to sully my lips with feigned caresses; +and to make a mockery of the holiest +thing in life!"</p> + +<p>"Is your Englishman not worth some sacrifice?" +she asked, with lifted brows.</p> + +<p>What could I say? I left her. I hastened +to my little room, shut fast the door, and +bolted it on the inner side. Then I knelt at +the barred window and looked out at the sunlight +and the sea.</p> + +<p>The blue waves danced happily, and the +fresh wind kissed the sparkling ripples till the +foam curled over them—as white lids droop +coyly over laughing eyes. Two snowy gulls +dipped and soared, flashing now against the +blue sky—now into the blue sea. I gazed at +their white wings—and thought of all the vain +prayers I had sent up to Heaven.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_109" id="Page_109">[109]</a></span></p> + +<p>And then the dark hour of my life closed +down on me.</p> + +<p>I bethought me of my father, that loyal +gentleman whose only fault was that he served +his Prince too well,—a Prince whose gratitude +had never prompted him to inquire concerning +that servant's fate, or to offer a word of +consolation to the wife who had lost her all. +I bethought me of my young mother, of her +white, tear-stained face, of the long hours she +had spent upon her knees, and how at last +she prayed: "Lord! only to know that he is +dead!"—yet she died ignorant.</p> + +<p>Then did the devil come to me and whisper: +"Of what use is it to have patience and faith? +Does thy God bear thee in mind—or is his +memory like that of the Prince thy father +served? Dost thou still believe that He +doeth all things well, and is there still trust in +thy heart? Come, make friends of those +who would aid thee—never mind a little lie! +Wouldst be happy? Wouldst save thy dear +love? Then cease thy vain prayers and take +thy fate in thine own hands."</p> + +<p>I rose up from my knees and looked out +again upon the laughing waters,—I would do +this evil thing that good might come. I +would act a lying part, and soil my soul, so +that I and my dear love might win freedom<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_110" id="Page_110">[110]</a></span> +and happiness. But I would pray no more—for +I could not ask God's blessing on a lie.</p> + +<p>Then I went slowly back to where my +temptress waited.</p> + +<p>"Doña Orosia," I said, "I take your offer. +I am young—I would be happy; and you—you +would be revenged! I am not the little +fool you think me: I know you too well to +believe that you would aid me out of love; I +laugh at your pity; but I trust your hate!"</p> + +<p>"<i>Bueno</i>," she said. "It is enough. We +understand one another,—but I must teach +thee the part, or thou wilt fail."</p> + +<p>"I am not so simple, señora, I can feign +love—for love's sake."</p> + +<p>"Yet I would have thee set round with +thorns, my sweet. The rose that is too easy +plucked is not worth wearing. And do thou +give only promises and never fulfil them,—I'd +baulk him of every kiss he thinks to win!"</p> + +<hr /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_111" id="Page_111">[111]</a></span></p> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XVI" id="CHAPTER_XVI"></a>CHAPTER XVI.</h2> + +<p><span class="smcap">A day</span> went by, and though I had become +even letter-perfect in my new rôle I had not +the chance to play it to my audience; but it +came at last.</p> + +<p>It was in the long, dreamy hour of the early +afternoon, when sleep comes easiest. Doña +Orosia had ordered her couch to be placed in +the shadiest part of the breezy garden, close +against the gray stone wall. Designedly she +chose the corner nearest the iron gate, +through which we could command a portion +of the sunny street; and here she lay and +made me sing to her all the songs I knew, the +while she dozed and waked again, and whiles +teased her parrot into uttering discordant +cries until for very anger I would sing no +more.</p> + +<p>Suddenly she laid aside her petulance, and +with a quick, imperious gesture bade me take +up the lute again; then, falling back among +her pillows, she closed her eyes and let her +bosom rise and fall with the gentle breathings +of a sleeping child.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_112" id="Page_112">[112]</a></span></p> + +<p>I hesitated in some astonishment; but again +the sharp command hissed from her softly +parted lips,—</p> + +<p>"Sing, little fool!—Melinza passes!"</p> + +<p>I touched the lute with shaking fingers and +lifted my trembling voice. The notes stuck +in my throat and came forth huskily at first; +but then I thought on my dear love in his +hateful prison, and I sung as I had never sung +before.</p> + +<p>Above the gray wall I saw Don Pedro's +plumed hat passing by. He reached the gate +and halted, gazing in with eager eyes. His +quick glance compassed the green nook, passed +over the sleeping figure, and fixed itself upon +my face.</p> + +<p>The song died away; I leaned forward, +smiling, and laid a warning finger on my lip.</p> + +<p>He made me a bow so courtly that the +feather in his laced hat swept the ground.</p> + +<p>"So, señorita, the caged bird can sing?"</p> + +<p>"When her jailer wills it so, Don Pedro," I +said softly, and smiled—and sighed—and gave +a half-fearful glance over my shoulder; then +added, in a lower whisper: "And when she +wills otherwise, I must be silent."</p> + +<p>"How, would she even keep a lock upon your +lips?"</p> + +<p>"Upon my lips—and my eyes also. Indeed,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_113" id="Page_113">[113]</a></span> +my very brows are under her jurisdiction, and +are oft constrained to frown, against their +will!"</p> + +<p>"So!" he exclaimed; and I saw a sweet +doubt creep over his face. "Must I place to +her account the many frowns you have bestowed +on me?"</p> + +<p>"<i>Si, señor</i>—and add to those some others +that would not be coerced."</p> + +<p>The fire in his black eyes frightened me +not a little as he whispered:</p> + +<p>"If that be true, then grant me the rose in +your bosom, lady!"</p> + +<p>I lifted a trembling hand to the flower, and +shot a frightened glance at the señora's quivering +lashes.</p> + +<p>"Oh! I dare not!" I murmured, and let my +hand fall against the lute upon my knee. The +jangling strings roused the pretended sleeper +from her dreams.</p> + +<p>She half rose, and, seizing a pillow from her +couch, hurled it at me, saying angrily: "Here +is for such awkwardness!"</p> + +<p>The soft missile failed of its proper mark; +but found another in the green parrot, who +was dangling, head downward, from his perch; +and there was an angry squawk from the +insulted bird.</p> + +<p>I threw a timorous glance toward the gateway,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_114" id="Page_114">[114]</a></span> +motioning the intruder away. He would +have lingered, being to all appearances greatly +angered at the discourteous treatment of my +lady warder; but prudence prevailed, and he +fell back out of sight, with a hand upon his +heart, protesting dumbly.</p> + +<hr class="min" /> + +<p>The comedy had just begun. Now it +must be played through to the end.</p> + +<p>It is a strange thing to see the zest with +which my gentle jailer prepares, each day, an +ambush for the unwary foe, and how he always +falls into the trap—to be assailed by me with +smiles, and soft complaints, piteous appeals +for sympathy, and shy admissions of my tender +friendship; which are always cut short by some +well-contrived interruption or the sudden +appearance of Doña Orosia on the scene. +Though only a week has passed, already Don +Pedro would take oath that I love him well.</p> + +<p>Early this morning I heard him underneath +my window; and I was right glad of the chance +to smile on him from behind the protecting +bars. This meeting had not been of Doña +Orosia's contriving, so I thought I would use it +for my own ends.</p> + +<p>I vowed to him that I was unhappy—which +was true. I protested that I was sick with longing +for freedom—and that, too, was no lie.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_115" id="Page_115">[115]</a></span> +But to that I added a whole tissue of falsehood, +declaring that I had never drawn a free breath +since I came into the world; that my uncle had +been a tyrant, and the man to whom he had +betrothed me was jealous and exacting; that I +had been brought across the seas against my +will; and that I dreaded the hardships of life +in this new country. I said I had no wish to +rejoin the English settlers, and I denied, with +tears, any partiality for my dear love. Heaven +forgive me! but I professed I loved Don Pedro +better than any man I had ever seen, and I +entreated him to take me away from these barbarous +shores.</p> + +<p>I had not thought that I could move him, +yet, strange to say, the man seemed touched. +I wondered as I listened to him, for I had +thought him all bad, and deemed his passion +but a passing fancy. He was speaking now of +Habana, a city of some refinement, where, as +his wife, I would enjoy the companionship of +other ladies of my own station.</p> + +<p>"I'd never suffer thee to live here, my fairest +lady, where yon dark devil of a woman +could vent her spite on thee!" he whispered +softly; and my conscience smote me, for I was +playing with a man's heart, of flesh and blood.</p> + +<p>But I bethought me, if there was in truth +any good in that heart, I would dare appeal to<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_116" id="Page_116">[116]</a></span> +it; for I mistrusted that at any time Doña +Orosia would break her promised word.</p> + +<p>"Truly, Don Pedro, I would go gladly, for +I hate the very sight of these walls; but—if +you love me—I would crave of your graciousness +another boon. Set free the English gentleman +who was my promised husband, and +send him, with the other prisoners, back to his +friends."</p> + +<p>There was no answer, and I feared I had +overstepped the mark; but I dared further.</p> + +<p>"Señor de Melinza," I said, "it is true that +I come of a race for which you have no love, +and that I hold a creed which you condemn; +nevertheless it must be remembered that we +have our own code of chivalry, and there +have lived and died in England as brave knights +and true as even your valiant Cid. I would +not have the man I am to wed guilty of an +unknightly act. Therefore be generous. You +have been mutually wounded; but it was in +fair duello,"—this I said feigning ignorance of +the coward blow that so nearly reached my +dear love's heart,—"and now, Don Pedro, it +would be the more honourable to set free the +countryman of your promised bride and send +him in safety to his friends."</p> + +<p>"Señorita," said the Spaniard,—and there +was a cloud upon his brow,—"I would you<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_117" id="Page_117">[117]</a></span> +had asked me any boon but this. Nevertheless +I give you my knightly word that the +man shall go, and go unharmed."</p> + +<p>"I thank you, Don Pedro," I said, and +fought down the cry of joy that struggled to +my lips. Then, because I could find no other +words, and feared to fail in the part I had to +play, I took Dame Barbara's scissors and cut +off a long lock of my yellow hair, bound it +with riband, and threw it down to him as guerdon +for the favour he had granted me.</p> + +<p>This noon, when I joined the Governor's +wife as usual under the vine-hung balcony, I +boasted cheerfully of the promise I had wrung +from Melinza; and she demanded at once to +hear all that had passed between us,—then +called me a fool for my pains!</p> + +<p>"Little marplot! Had you shown less concern +for the fate of your Englishman, it would +have been vastly better. You do but cast obstacles +in my way. There is nothing for me +to do now but hotly to oppose his leaving! +If needs must I will pretend a liking for the +man myself, and vow to hold him as my guest +yet a while longer, for the sake of his pretty +wit and his gallant bearing,—any device to +throw dust in their eyes, so that we seem not +to be of the same minds and putting up the +selfsame plea. Oh! little saint with the blue +eyes, your <i>métier</i> is not diplomacy!"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_118" id="Page_118">[118]</a></span></p> + +<p>"In sooth, señora, till you first taught me +to dissemble I was unlessoned in the art."</p> + +<p>She laughed then, and said that when I had +less faith in others I could more easily deceive.</p> + +<p>"If the little Margarita believed Melinza's +pretty fable about Habana, and the excellent +company there which his <i>wife</i> would enjoy, +'tis no wonder that she made a tangle of her +own little web."</p> + +<p>"But Doña Orosia, think you he would deal +unfairly with me? His words rang so true—even +a bad man may love honestly! And if +I trifle with the one saving virtue in his heart, +will it not be a grievous sin?"</p> + +<p>The mocking smile died out of the Spaniard's +eyes and left them fathomless and sombre.</p> + +<p>I felt as one who—looking into an open +window, and seeing the light of a taper glancing +and flickering within—draws back abashed, +when suddenly the flame is quenched, and only +the hollow dark stares back at his blinded +gaze.</p> + +<p>"If he loves you," she said slowly, "it is +but as he has loved before, more times than +one. He would skim the cream of passion, +brush the dew from the flower, crush the first +sweetness from the myrtle-blooms,—and leave +the rest. You child, what do you know of +men? It is only the unattainable that is worth<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_119" id="Page_119">[119]</a></span> +striving for. There is much of the brute +beast in their passions. Did you mark, the +other day, how the dead hound turned a scornful +nozzle to the first sweet morsel that I pressed +on his acceptance? But afterward, the +fear of losing it made him eager to the leaping-point. +Just so I shall trick his master—shall +let him see thee, <i>almost</i> grasp and taste; then, +when the moment of mad longing comes, I'll +stab him with the final loss of thee! Only so +can I arouse a desire that will outlive a day; +for I know men's hearts to the core, thou blue-eyed +babe!"</p> + +<p>"Señora," I cried, stung by her scornful +words, "I cannot say I know men's hearts; +but I do know the heart of one true gentleman; +and I believe, when he had won from +me the betrothal kiss, I was not less desirable +in his eyes!"</p> + +<p>"So you believe," she said, and shook her +head. "<i>Bueno</i>, go on believing—while you +can. Woman's faith in man's fealty lives just +so long——" and she bent forward from her +couch, plucked a fragile blossom from the +swaying vines, and cast it under foot.</p> + +<p>I would have spoken again of my trust in +the leal true heart that trusted me; but +I saw the trembling of the laces on her bosom, I +saw the dark eyes growing more angerful, and<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_120" id="Page_120">[120]</a></span> +a slow crimson rising in the rich cheek. She +was always "studying her revenge,"—this +beautiful, unhappy woman, "keeping her +wounds green which otherwise might heal and +do well."</p> + +<p>As I watched her a great pity overcame me, +so that I held my peace.</p> + +<hr /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_121" id="Page_121">[121]</a></span></p> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XVII" id="CHAPTER_XVII"></a>CHAPTER XVII.</h2> + +<p><span class="smcap">The</span> 20th of March—a day never to be forgot!</p> + +<p>I have seen Mr. Rivers. It is the first time +since that night—nine months ago. I have +seen him and spoken with him in the presence +of Melinza, Doña Orosia, and the Governor.</p> + +<p>Whatever may befall us now, nothing can +take away the memory of this last hour. If +ever we leave these walls together and taste +freedom again, it will have been dearly bought. +A maid's truth tarnished, and the brave heart +of a most loyal gentleman robbed of its faith! +Dear God, what a price to pay!</p> + +<p>'Twas noon when Doña Orosia came herself +to fetch me.</p> + +<p>"There is some deviltry afoot," she said. +"I cannot fathom it as yet; but, as you hope +for freedom for yourself and your Englishman, +don't fail to play your part to the end. Come +quickly! Melinza demands to see you, and +the Governor permits it. Don't blame me, +child—I can do nothing to prevent it. But, +I warn you, act the part, whatever it may cost +you."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_122" id="Page_122">[122]</a></span></p> + +<p>I followed her, as in a dream, along the corridor, +into the room where the old Governor +sat in his arm-chair beside a carved table, +whereon were a decanter of wine, glasses half +drained, and a litter of playing-cards. He +drummed upon the table with his withered fingers, +and looked uneasily, first at his wife's +flushed face as she entered the door, and then +at the determined countenance of Melinza, +who was standing before the heavy arras which +divided that room from another in the rear.</p> + +<p>"Doña Margarita," said the Governor, clearing +his throat nervously, "is it so that you are +detained within my house against your will?"</p> + +<p>"Your Excellency," I began, and was thankful +I could speak truth, "I, and all the other +English, have been held here in San Augustin +for many a long month against our will."</p> + +<p>"Without the orders of the Spanish Council +I could not liberate you, señorita; though now +we purpose to do so, having authority. But +concerning yourself—Melinza assures me that +you do not desire to be sent with your countrymen."</p> + +<p>I felt my heart grow cold. Must I still cling +to the lie? I looked at Doña Orosia, whose +black eyes flashed a warning.</p> + +<p>"That is true, Señor de Colis," I said, and +my voice sounded far off and strange.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_123" id="Page_123">[123]</a></span></p> + +<p>"You would wish to remain here as my +guest and companion, Margarita," said the +Governor's wife in vehement tones.</p> + +<p>I looked at her in wonder. What did they +desire between them? My head swam, and I +would have said Yes to her also; but her black +eyes menaced me again. I drew a deep breath +and shook my head. "No, please your Excellency."</p> + +<p>Melinza smiled a slow triumphant smile. +"Doña Orosia is unfortunate. I trust I shall +be more successful. You would rather go to +Habana as <i>my</i> companion,—is it not so, Margarita +mia?"—and he stepped forward and +held forth his hand to me.</p> + +<p>One day in the early spring Doña Orosia +had called me to see a new pet which had been +brought to her, a young crocodile, loathsome +and hideous; and she had forced me to touch +the tethered monster as it crawled, the length +of its chain, over the floor. I do remember +the cold disgust I felt at the horrid contact; +but it was as naught to the feeling that passed +over me when I let the Spaniard take my hand.</p> + +<p>He drew me toward him, laughing softly. +"Who doubts that the lady goes willingly?" +and lifted his voice with a defiant question in +its ringing tones.</p> + +<p>"I do, señor!"—and it was my dear love<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_124" id="Page_124">[124]</a></span> +who pushed aside the arras and came forward +into the room,—my dear love, wasted by fever +and long imprisonment, white and gaunt and +spectral, yet bearing himself with all his olden +dignity.</p> + +<p>The Spaniard turned to meet him, holding +me still within the circle of his arm. I gave +one final glance at the Governor's wife and +read my cue. After that I could see nothing +but my love's white face.</p> + +<p>"Have I lied to you, Señor Englishman? +Do you believe, now, that I hold that golden +tress as a pledge of future favours? The lady +on whose faith you were ready to stake your +soul is here to answer for herself, and she has +thrown in her lot with me—with me, señor."</p> + +<p>"Margaret—Margaret!" cried my dear love, +"tell him he lies, sweetheart!"</p> + +<p>I opened my lips, but the words died on my +tongue. Again my poor love cried to me, +holding out his arms. I saw his white +face grow paler still, and he swayed uncertainly +where he stood. Then, gathering all his +strength, he threw himself upon the Spaniard +and would have torn us apart, had not his +weak limbs given way, so that he fell prone +upon the floor.</p> + +<p>Melinza's hand went to his sword; he drew +the blade and held it to my dear love's throat.</p> + +<div class="figright" style="width: 308px;"> +<a name="ILL2" id="ILL2"></a><img src="images/005.jpg" width="302" height="500" alt="" title="" /> +"SPARE THE MAN, DON PEDRO! I LIKE NOT THE +SIGHT OF BLOOD."—<i>Page 125.</i></div> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_125" id="Page_125">[125]</a></span>At last my voice came back to me; I laid +my hand upon the Spaniard's arm. "Spare +the man, Don Pedro! I like not the sight of +blood!"</p> + +<p>Then I saw mortal agony in a brave man's +eyes. He made no move to rise, but lay there +at my feet and looked at me.</p> + +<p>"Margaret Tudor," he said, "do you love +me still?"</p> + +<p>I looked down at him. If I spoke truth, +Melinza's blade would soon cut short his hearing +of it. A wild laugh rose in my throat; I +could not hold it back, and it rang out, merrily +mad, in the silent room.</p> + +<p>"Señores," I said, "Señores, I love a brave +man, not a coward!" and that was truth, +though none in that room read me aright, save +Doña Orosia.</p> + +<p>The man at my side laughed with me, and +he at my feet gave me one look and swooned +away.</p> + +<p>Melinza sheathed his sword, saying, "Your +Excellency, the prisoner appears convinced; +so you can scarce doubt the evidence yourself."</p> + +<p>The Governor cleared his throat again, and +glanced helplessly toward his wife. She +stepped forward with scornful composure and +took my arm.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_126" id="Page_126">[126]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Things are come to a pretty pass, Señor +de Colis, when Don Pedro brings his prisoners +under this roof and your wife is made a witness +to a brawl. I crave your leave to withdraw; +and I take this girl with me till the +question of her guardianship is settled." +Then, still holding me by the arm, she left the +room; and neither of the two men ventured +to stop our progress.</p> + +<p>Arrived at my chamber Doña Orosia opened +the door and thrust me in, bidding me draw the +bolt securely.</p> + +<p>I was left alone with my thoughts. Such +thoughts as they are! I cannot weep; my +eyes are hot and dry. There is no grief like +unto this. Oh, my mother! when your beloved +clasped you to his heart in that last +farewell, there were between you thoughts of +parting, of bodily pains to be borne, of scourgings +and fetters,—aye, and of death. But +what were those compared with what I have to +bear, who am humbled in the sight of my dear +love?</p> + +<hr /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_127" id="Page_127">[127]</a></span></p> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XVIII" id="CHAPTER_XVIII"></a>CHAPTER XVIII.</h2> + +<p><span class="smcap">After</span> writing these words I cast aside my +pen, and, throwing myself upon the bed, +buried my face in the pillow. I could feel the +drumming pulses in my ears, and my heart +swelled till it was like to burst within my +bosom. Though I pressed my hot fingers +against my close-shut eyes, I still could see +my poor love's white, set face, the great hollows +in his bearded cheeks, the blue veins on +his thin temples, and the large eyes, one moment +all love-lighted, the next, stricken with +horror at the sight of my unfaith.</p> + +<p>How long I lay there I can scarcely tell. It +was many hours after noon when I heard +heavy steps without my door, which suddenly +began to shake as though one beat upon it +with frantic hands.</p> + +<p>"Who is there?" I cried, lifting my head.</p> + +<p>"Oh! Mistress Margaret! a God's mercy—undo +the door!"</p> + +<p>I drew the bolt in haste, and Dame Barbara +burst in and dropped down, weeping, at my +feet.</p> + +<p>"Lord love ye, Mistress Margaret! Lord<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_128" id="Page_128">[128]</a></span> +help us both this day! They have sent off all +our men to meet the blessed English ship—and +we two poor women left behind!"</p> + +<p>I could not think it true. I seized the weeping +dame by her heaving shoulders and fairly +dragged her to her feet, demanding what proof +she had that this was so. She pointed dumbly +to the window, and fell a-sobbing louder than +before.</p> + +<p>Then I looked out.</p> + +<p>The <i>Carolina</i> frigate stood off the bar of +Matanzas Bay, and over the waves, in the direction +of the frigate, went a small boat impelled +by the brawny arms of six swarthy Spaniards. +With them were the English prisoners: I saw +the honest face of Captain Baulk, and next +him worthy Master Collins; also the three seamen +of the Barbadian sloop; and another, +whom I did not know, but guessed to be the +second of the two unlucky messengers; and—in +the midst of all—my dear love.</p> + +<p>He lay full length, his white face resting +against the good captain's knees; and my +first thought was one of terror lest he was +dead: but I saw him lift himself, and give one +long look at the castle walls, then fall back +as before—and I knew, in that moment, he +put me from his heart for ever.</p> + +<p>They were gone, all gone. Doña Orosia<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_129" id="Page_129">[129]</a></span> +had played me false—God had turned His face +from me—and the man I loved would never +love me more.</p> + +<p>I turned away from the window to the +weeping dame, and I laughed, laughed again +as I had done in the face of my dear love +that very morn.</p> + +<p>"The piece is near ended, dame," I said. +"'Tis almost time to pray <i>God save His +Majesty</i> and draw the curtain. But what +strange tricks does Fate play sometimes with +her helpless puppets! She did cast us, long +ago, for a lightsome comedy, and lo! 'tis +to be a tragedy instead! Think you, dear +Barbara, that death would come easier by +means of yonder bed-cord, or of those great +scissors dangling at thy waist? Or, perhaps, +if thou couldst play Othello to my Desdemona, +it might seem a gentler prelude to the grave. +How heavy is a lie, good dame? Think you +it would drag a soul to hell? If so, I need not +to go alone; for if I lied to Melinza, he also +lied to me—and Doña Orosia also"—then a +strong shudder shook my frame. "Barbara, +Barbara, must I e'en have their company for +all eternity?"</p> + +<p>She ran to me, good soul, and hushed me +like a child to her ample bosom.</p> + +<p>"Lord help ye, dear lamb! And He will—He will!"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_130" id="Page_130">[130]</a></span> +I heard her say over and over; then +everything turned dark before my eyes, and I +thought death had come to me indeed.</p> + +<p>When consciousness returned I lay upon +my bed in a gray twilight, and beside me were +Dame Barbara and the Governor's wife.</p> + +<p>As my eyes fell upon Doña Orosia, I cried +out bitterly that I had been a fool to trust +even to her hate; for now she had grown +weary of her revenge, and would discard her +tool without paying the price for it.</p> + +<p>She covered my mouth with her hand, +laughing shortly.</p> + +<p>"Melinza thinks he has been too sharp for +me. He despatched the prisoners in great +haste to the English ship without my knowledge. +I went to him just now and demanded +to know if he dared to send away Señor Rivers +without leave from me.</p> + +<p>"'Aye,' he said, and bowed to me. 'Since +Doña Orosia desired for some reason to detain +him here, I thought it best to be rid of him at +once; but the girl remains.'</p> + +<p>"'The girl remains in my guardianship,' +said I.</p> + +<p>"'Until to-morrow,' Melinza answered. +'To-morrow the <i>Virgen de la Mar</i> returns to +Habana, and with her go the English girl and +your humble servant.'<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_131" id="Page_131">[131]</a></span></p> + +<p>"'The Governor,' I cried, 'will not permit +it!'</p> + +<p>"'Will he not? Ask him,' said Melinza, +'ask his Excellency the Governor of San Augustin!' +Then he laughed at me—<i>Dios!</i> he +laughed at me!"</p> + +<p>She bit her red lip at the remembrance, and +clenched her white hands.</p> + +<p>"And did you ask the Governor, señora?"</p> + +<p>She nodded fiercely. "The old dotard! +He did but shrug his shoulders and offer me a +diamond necklace in exchange for my pretty +puppet of a plaything. It is plain Melinza +has some hold upon him, what it is I cannot +guess; but it is stronger than my wishes. He +would sooner brave my anger than oppose his +nephew's schemes."</p> + +<p>I watched the dark shadow settling on her +brow, and I thought all hope was over.</p> + +<p>"Doña Orosia," I said at last, "will you +lend me your dagger?"</p> + +<p>"Not yet, child—not unless there is no +other way to thwart them both. Look—" +she said, and threw a purse of gold pieces on +the bed beside me. "This is your purchase +money, and 'twill serve to buy assistance. +When I could make no better terms, I was +forced to take this and a kiss to boot—Pah!" +and she rubbed her cheek. "To-morrow,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_132" id="Page_132">[132]</a></span> +when the tide is full, the <i>Virgen de la Mar</i> +will leave the harbour. Before then I must +contrive your escape."</p> + +<p>"And Barbara's," I added, for I could see +the poor dame was in deep anxiety.</p> + +<p>Doña Orosia stared. "Upon my soul, we +had all forgotten the old woman. She might +have gone well enough with the other prisoners; +but how am I to smuggle <i>two</i> women from +the town?"</p> + +<p>Then I besought her not to separate me +from the dame, to whom I clung as my last +friend; and after a time she yielded me a +grudging promise and left me, bidding me +make ready for the evening meal, at which I +must appear in order not to arouse the Governor's +suspicions.</p> + +<p>My hands were cold and trembling; but +with Barbara's aid I decked me out in one of +the gay gowns which had been given me by +my protectress, and, taking up a fan—with +which I had learned the Spanish trick of +screening my face upon occasion—I joined the +Governor and his beautiful spouse in the +brightly lighted <i>comedor</i>, where covers at table +were laid for three. I was thankful for Melinza's +absence, for to play at love-making that +night would have been beyond my powers.</p> + +<p>At first I could eat nothing; but an urgent<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_133" id="Page_133">[133]</a></span> +glance from Doña Orosia, and the thought of +what need there would be for all my strength +prompted me to force some morsels, in spite +of the convulsive swelling of my throat. I +made shift, also, to answer when addressed by +either host or hostess; but the Governor was +in no great spirits himself and seemed to +stand in some awe of his lady's frown.</p> + +<p>Suddenly, without the door, sounded voices +in altercation, and a servant entered, protesting +with many apologies that there was a +reverend father without who demanded to see +his Excellency at once on a matter that would +brook no delay.</p> + +<p>The Governor leaned back in his chair with +an air of great annoyance; but Doña Orosia +said quickly, "Bid the father enter."</p> + +<p>A tall form in a friar's dark habit appeared +on the threshold. I recognized, under the +cowl, the thin, sallow face and the sombre +eyes. I had seen them at the door of the +chapel in the castle courtyard on the night +of our arrival, and many times since. They +belonged to Padre Felipe, the confessor of the +Governor's wife, and her adviser, I believed, in +affairs temporal as well as spiritual. Something +told me he had come hither at her bidding, +and I glanced at her for confirmation; +but Doña Orosia leaned with one elbow on the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_134" id="Page_134">[134]</a></span> +table, her chin upon her white hand, the other +rounded arm outstretched with an almond in +the slim fingers for the delectation of the +green parrot on his perch beside her. Not a +flicker of interest was visible on her beautiful, +sullen face; so I turned away with some disappointment +to hear what the padre was saying.</p> + +<p>His voice was low-pitched and husky, and I +could scarce distinguish what he said, save +that it concerned someone who was ill—nay, +<i>dead</i>, it seemed, and needing instant burial.</p> + +<p>The Governor listened with a gathering +scowl upon his face, till suddenly he started +up with such haste that his chair fell backward +with a noisy clatter.</p> + +<p>"<i>Santa Maria!</i> Dead of the black vomit? +And you come hither with the vile contagion +clinging to your very garments!"</p> + +<p>"Nay," said the friar's deep, hollow voice, +as he lifted a reassuring hand. "I have +changed my robes. You and yours are in no +danger, my son."</p> + +<p>"In no danger!" repeated the Governor, his +face becoming purple and his voice choked; +"no danger, when the foul carcass lies unburied, +tainting the very air with death! +Throw it over in the sea—nay, set fire to the +miserable hut in which it lies, and let all be +consumed together!"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_135" id="Page_135">[135]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Who is it that is dead?" asked Doña Orosia. +She had risen, and stood with one hand +holding back her skirts, her full, red upper lip +slightly drawn, and her delicate nostrils dilated, +as though the very mention of the loathed disease +filled her with disgust.</p> + +<p>"A wretched half-breed boy, some thieving +member of the padre's flock," exclaimed the +Governor impatiently. "Set fire to the hut, +I say!"</p> + +<p>But Doña Orosia interrupted once again. +"Padre, what is it that you desire?"</p> + +<p>The sombre eyes were turned on her for the +first time. "The boy was a Christian, my +daughter, and I would give him Christian +burial."</p> + +<p>"Surely," said Doña Orosia. "What is to +prevent?"</p> + +<p>"Would you spread the infection through +the town?" exclaimed the Governor, white +with fear.</p> + +<p>"Nay," said the friar, "I ask but a permit +to take the body without the gates. None +but I and a few of my followers need be +exposed to danger. Let a bell be rung +before us, to warn all in the streets to stand +away; and we will carry a vessel of strong +incense before the bier. Those who go out +with me, I pledge you my word, shall not<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_136" id="Page_136">[136]</a></span> +return for some days till they are free of all +taint themselves."</p> + +<p>"My plan is better,—to burn hut, corpse, +and all," replied the Governor. But Padre +Felipe turned on him fiercely.</p> + +<p>"How shall I keep my hold upon my people, +and they retain their faith in consecrated +things, if you treat a Christian's body as you +would the carcass of a dog?"</p> + +<p>"As you will," the Governor exclaimed; +and, throwing himself into a chair, he called +for pen and paper. "Here," he added presently, +"deliver this to Don Pedro de Melinza, +and bid him warn the sentries at the gate. +Say, furthermore, that if any one in the town +comes within twenty paces of the bier, out of +the gate he shall go also."</p> + +<p>The friar received the permit silently, lifted +his hand in benediction, and left the apartment.</p> + +<p>As my glance returned from the doorway +it met that of Doña Orosia, and in hers there +was a passing flash of triumph. Soon after, +she rose, and together we withdrew. I felt +her hand upon my arm tighten convulsively; +but I walked on with the same sense of unreality +that had oppressed me all the day.</p> + +<p>When we reached my chamber she bade +me change my dress again for something dark<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_137" id="Page_137">[137]</a></span> +and warm; for the night air was damp and +chill. As I did so I slipped within my +bosom the roll of closely written pages containing +these annals of my prisonment. Then +I asked for Barbara, and Doña Orosia quietly +replied,—</p> + +<p>"She has gone upon an errand and will +join us in due time." Then she threw a +mantle over my head, wrapped herself in +another, and led me out into the garden.</p> + +<hr /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_138" id="Page_138">[138]</a></span></p> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XIX" id="CHAPTER_XIX"></a>CHAPTER XIX.</h2> + +<p><span class="smcap">It</span> was a moonless night, and a haze of cloud +obscured the stars. We passed silently under +the vine-covered arbour, across the garden, to +the gateway. Into the heavy lock Doña +Orosia slipped a great key; it turned easily, +the door swung open, and we stepped out. +Locking it once more, my companion took +my arm and hurried me along the dark, deserted +street. We turned a corner, came upon +an open square, and paused beside a huge +palmetto that grew near the centre. I heard +the crisp rustle of its leaves in the night wind, +and I shivered with a nameless dread.</p> + +<p>Then, through the darkness, two dim forms +approached us. My heart beat quickly, and I +drew the mantle closer round my face; but +one of them proved to be the friar, the other, +my dear, dear Barbara. I sprang to meet her +with a quick cry; but Doña Orosia laid a +hand upon my lips and hurried me on. Padre +Felipe now led the way, and we followed him +for some moments more until he paused before +a low doorway and motioned us to enter.</p> + +<p>"Señora," I whispered, "why do you come?<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_139" id="Page_139">[139]</a></span> +I have no fear of the disease, but why should +you needlessly expose yourself?"</p> + +<p>"Little fool," she answered, pushing me +gently on, "there is no fever, no contagion +here."</p> + +<p>Wondering still, I entered the narrow passage, +and beyond it a dimly lighted room.</p> + +<p>On the floor lay a long wooden stretcher +covered with hide; at its foot and head, fixed +each in a rude socket, were two candles, still +unlighted. A brass pot with long chains, and +a heap of dark cloth, lay upon the floor; there +was also a rough table on which stood a bottle +of water and a loaf of bread; otherwise, +except for a dim lamp upon the wall, the room +was empty. Doña Orosia looked around, with +quick eyes taking in every detail; then she +turned to Padre Felipe.</p> + +<p>"Can you trust the bearers?"</p> + +<p>He bowed his head.</p> + +<p>"Then the only difficulty is this old woman. +Better to leave her behind."</p> + +<p>But again I pleaded most earnestly; and +presently the friar left the room and returned +soon after with a dingy cloak, with which he +enveloped the poor dame from head to foot.</p> + +<p>"Let her follow behind," he said, "and if +there is no trouble she may pass out with us." +He charged her, then, to keep her face hidden<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_140" id="Page_140">[140]</a></span> +and to stand well away from the light of the +candles.</p> + +<p>After that there was a pause, and the Spanish +woman and the friar looked at each other.</p> + +<p>"See you do not fail!" she said.</p> + +<p>"And remember your word," he replied.</p> + +<p>"A solid silver service for the new mission +chapel at San Juan,—I swear it," was the quick +response; "that is, if you succeed."</p> + +<p>The friar folded his arms silently.</p> + +<p>"Nay, then, in any case! only do your +utmost," whispered Doña Orosia hurriedly.</p> + +<p>"The result is as God wills it," said Padre +Felipe calmly, and, pointing to the stretcher, +he bade me lie down upon it. I did so, +trembling in every limb, and he would have +covered me over with the wrappings when +the Governor's wife pushed him aside, knelt +down herself, and slipped into my hand a little +dagger, whispering:</p> + +<p>"In case you are discovered."</p> + +<p>I hid it in my bosom, thanking her. "Farewell, +señora," I said, with tears, "you have +been kind to me and I am very grateful. +Whether or not I win freedom and friends, I +believe you have done your utmost for me. +I cannot think"—and I lifted my head close +to hers and whispered—"I cannot think it is +for revenge alone. There must be some pity +prompting it."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_141" id="Page_141">[141]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Thou little foolish one," she said, and +laughed, pushing me back upon the bier. +Then suddenly I felt a hot tear drop upon +my forehead. She stooped lower and kissed +me on the cheek.</p> + +<p>I gave a little cry and would have risen +again; but she drew the dark coverings over +me and I could see no longer. As I felt her +soft hands tucking me in, as a mother would +her babe, I could only weep silently and pray +God bless her.</p> + +<p>A pungent smoke of something burning filled +the room and reached me even through the coverings. +I heard the padre lighting the tapers at +my head and feet. After a time the stretcher +on which I lay was lifted up and carried, foot +foremost, from the room—out of the passage +and into the street. I heard the feet of my +bearers pattering on the ground as we moved +onward at a swinging pace; I was conscious +of the heavy smoke of burning incense that +enveloped us; I heard the sound of a bell going +before me, and a voice raised in a steady +cry of warning; but I could see nothing save +a faint radiance through the wrappings, where +the candles burned.</p> + +<p>After a time there was a halt and I heard +voices in dispute. My fingers closed around +the hilt of the señora's dagger. If death must<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_142" id="Page_142">[142]</a></span> +come, so be it! I thought, and felt no fear, +only regret that my dear love could never understand, +unless the spirit that quivered so +wildly within my still and shrouded form +could speed to him in the first moment of +its freedom and whisper the truth to his +heart!</p> + +<p>Another voice joined in. It was Melinza's +own.</p> + +<p>"Stand back!" he called loudly. "Out of +the way, slaves! Who dares dispute the orders +of his Excellency? If a man goes within +twenty paces of that leprous crew he may +follow them to perdition; but there'll be +no longer any room for him within these +walls!"</p> + +<p>A murmur rose, and died away in the distance. +We moved on once more. Then +sounded the rattling clang of iron bars—but +it came from behind us. The bell had ceased +to ring; but as we moved slowly on I heard +the voice of the padre chanting in a low and +solemn key. Then utter silence fell, except +the unshod footfall of my bearers and a murmur +as of night-winds in the trees. Suddenly +an owl hooted overhead, and then——I must +have fainted.</p> + +<p>I thought I was again in the Barbadian +sloop, during the storm. Bound in my narrow<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_143" id="Page_143">[143]</a></span> +berth I rocked and swayed, while overhead the +boisterous wind howled in the rigging. The +strained timbers creaked and groaned, and now +and then sounded the sharp snapping of some +frail spar. A woman's sobbing reached me +through it all,—the low, gasping sobs of one +whose breath is spent. I pushed back the covers +and looked around me.</p> + +<p>It was gray dawn in the forest. Through +the tossing branches overhead I saw the +pale clouds scudding beneath an angry heaven. +I looked toward my feet and perceived the +back of a strange man with dark head, bent +shoulders, and bare brown arms grasping the +sides of my litter. Some one was at my head +also; turning quickly, I met his eyes looking +into mine: it was Padre Felipe. I sat up, +with a sudden gasp.</p> + +<p>"Barbara!" I cried, "where are you, Barbara?"</p> + +<p>When only the weak sobs answered me I +threw myself from the litter to the ground, falling +in an impotent heap with my feet entangled +in the wrappings. But I caught sight of my +good dame staggering on behind, half dragged, +half carried by two Indian youths. Her clothing +was torn and draggled, her face pitiably +scratched, while great tears chased each other +down her wrinkled cheeks.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_144" id="Page_144">[144]</a></span></p> + +<p>The litter had stopped. Padre Felipe +helped me to my feet; but I turned from him +and threw my arms around Barbara's neck. +She clung to me desperately, her breath +catching and her voice broken as she tried to +speak.</p> + +<p>The friar took her by the shoulder roughly.</p> + +<p>"She is worn out with tramping through +the woods all night. It is no wonder! But +'twas her own doing, for she would come; now +she must keep up or be left behind. We +must reach shelter before the storm breaks in +earnest, for it will be no light one."</p> + +<p>A heavier gust passed while he was speaking; +there was a louder moan in the tree-tops, +and a broken branch crashed down at our very +feet.</p> + +<p>"Have we much farther to go?" I asked. +He shook his head.</p> + +<p>"About a league, perhaps?"</p> + +<p>"Not more," was his reply.</p> + +<p>"Then put the poor dame in the litter, and +I will walk."</p> + +<p>He looked intently at me. "Can you do +it?"</p> + +<p>"Better than she. I feel faint here," I +added, laying my hand upon my bosom, "but +my limbs are young and strong and unwearied."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_145" id="Page_145">[145]</a></span></p> + +<p>"You want food," was his brief comment; +and, turning to the litter, he drew out from a +concealed pouch that was slung beneath it, a +bottle of water, and a loaf of bread, and gave +me to drink and to eat. I took it gladly, and +Barbara did likewise. I thought, then, he +would have taken some himself; but he put by +the remainder, saying he had no need of it, and +signed to the old woman to take her place in +the litter, which was then raised by two of his +followers. The third went in advance to clear +away obstacles from the path, and we followed +behind, I clinging to the padre's arm.</p> + +<p>He said no more to me, but the touch of +his hand was not ungentle. I marked how he +led me over the smoothest ground, choosing +the briars himself, though his feet were bare, +and shielding me with his arm from the sharp +blades of the dwarf palmettos that hedged the +way.</p> + +<p>As I walked beside him I could but marvel +at the strange turns of Fate; for now it seemed +that I would owe my deliverance, in part, to +one of the very class I most hated as being +the first cause of our captivity. From time to +time I glanced up at his dark, stern face, and +wondered whether, if I had not chanced to +be his charge and under his sworn protection, +he could have found it in his heart to burn +me for a heretic!</p> + +<hr /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_146" id="Page_146">[146]</a></span></p> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XX" id="CHAPTER_XX"></a>CHAPTER XX.</h2> + +<p><span class="smcap">The</span> light grew ever stronger behind the +hurrying clouds, but the deep places in the +forest held their shadows still. Tall cypress-trees +reared their heads amid the hollows and +spread their branches like a wide canopy over +our heads; huge live-oaks crowned the hummocks; +and here and there great laurels +lifted their pyramids of glossy, dark-green +foliage. Our passage was frequently obstructed +by fallen logs, mossed over with the growth +of years; and tangles of vine, tough-stemmed +and supple, flung themselves from tree to tree +across our path, resisting our advance. All +through the forest's higher corridors howled +the riotous wind; but along the tunneled ways +we traveled it was scarce perceptible at times.</p> + +<p>In spite of my fatigue I felt a greater +strength rising within me. We had come so +far without pursuit! I began to hope as I had +never done before; for was not my dear love +free, and my face also set toward friends?</p> + +<p>As I mused thus we reached a higher level, +and, through a rent in the stormy sky a shaft +of morning sunlight glanced across my shoulder<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_147" id="Page_147">[147]</a></span> +and plunged forward into the woods beyond. +I looked back, startled, and for a brief moment +saw the sun's golden disc; then a black cloud +effaced it from the sky.</p> + +<p>"Padre!" I cried, "we are travelling westward!"</p> + +<p>"Yes," he said calmly.</p> + +<p>"Westward!" I exclaimed again. "Westward—and +inland! when the English settlement +lies to the north of us, upon the coast!"</p> + +<p>He bowed again in silent acquiescence. +Then my indignation broke forth, and without +stopping for further question I accused him +bitterly of breach of trust.</p> + +<p>"Did you not promise Doña Orosia to +deliver me to my friends?" I cried.</p> + +<p>"What cause have you to doubt my good +faith?" he asked, turning his sombre eyes +toward me, but still speaking in the same calm +tones. "Had I a ship at San Augustin in +which we could set sail? Or could such a ship +have left the harbour unperceived? Not even +a canoe could have been obtained there without +danger of discovery. We have a long +journey before us,—could we set out upon it +unprovisioned?"</p> + +<p>I hung my head, ashamed, of my doubts. +Once it was not my nature to be suspicious; +but so much of trouble had come to me of late<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_148" id="Page_148">[148]</a></span> +that I began to fear I would never again feel +the same confidence in my fellow creatures, +the same implicit trust in Heaven that I had +held two years ago. I had never been a +stranger to trouble; but, as a child, I knew it +only as a formless cloud that cast its shadow +sometimes on my path, dimming the sunlight +for a moment and hushing the song upon my +lips. Even when my mother died I was too +young for more than a child's grief—an April +shower of tears; and although my earliest +maidenhood was often lonely, I had made me +my own happiness with bright imaginings, +and prayed God to bring them to pass. So I +awaited my future always with a smile and +never doubted that it would be fair. All that +had gone by. Trouble had shown its face to +me, and I knew it for something terrible and +strong, ready to leap at my throat and crush +life out of me. What wonder, then, that I +walked fearfully from hour to hour?</p> + +<p>Padre Felipe spoke again after a time. +"The woods are thinning," he said. "A few +more steps and we shall come out on the +shores of the San Juan, near to a small village +of the Yemassees, in which there are many +whose eyes have been opened to the truth. +There we shall find shelter from the storm, +and means to pursue our journey when the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_149" id="Page_149">[149]</a></span> +clouds are past. Let us hasten; the bearers +with the litter are far ahead."</p> + +<p>He gave me his arm once more, and ere +many minutes were past, we came in sight of +the bold stream of the San Juan and the +crowded huts of an Indian village.</p> + +<p>The settlement did not appear to be near so +large as that at Santa Catalina, nor did the +buildings seem of as great size and commodiousness. +The most imposing edifice I took +to be the mission chapel, for before it was the +great cross mounted aloft. It was circular in +shape, with mud walls, and a thatched roof +rising to an apex. There was a door in the +side, of heavy planks battened strongly +together; but I could perceive no windows, +only a few very small square apertures, close +under the eaves, for light and air.</p> + +<p>The clouds were beginning to spill great +drops upon our heads, so we quickened our +steps into a run. The litter and its bearers +had paused beside the door of the chapel, and +from the neighbouring huts several Indians +emerged and advanced to meet us. A young +woman with a little copper-coloured babe +strapped to her back, its tiny head just visible +over her shoulder, peered at us from the low +doorway of her mud-walled dwelling, but meeting +my eyes, drew back hastily out of sight.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_150" id="Page_150">[150]</a></span></p> + +<p>I was very weary, and Barbara, who had +dismounted from the litter, seemed unable to +stand. The padre was holding converse with +those of his dark-skinned flock who had approached; +so we two women crouched down +under the chapel eaves and gazed around us at +the wind-tossed, rain-blurred scene.</p> + +<p>Before us was a thick grove of trees; to the +left we could catch glimpses of the river, gray +and angry like the sky, and all along its banks +the huddled dwellings of the poor barbarians, +whose ideals of architecture were no whit better +than those of the wasp,—not near so complex +as those of the ant and the bee.</p> + +<p>Suddenly, while we waited there forlorn, my +thoughts flew back to an English home, with +its ivied walls, its turreted roof, its long façade +of warm red brick. I saw green slopes, broad +terraces, a generous portal, and a spacious hall; +I thought of a room with an ample chimney +set round with painted tiles, and I pictured +myself kneeling upon the bearskin rug before +a blazing fire, with my head upon my mother's +knee and her fingers toying with my hair. +For that moment I forgot even my dear love, +and I would have given all the world just to +be a little child at home.</p> + +<p>The padre turned to us at last and motioned +us to follow him. He led us to the rear of the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_151" id="Page_151">[151]</a></span> +chapel, where, plastered against the wall, was +a semicircular excrescence,—a tiny cell, with a +narrow door hewn from a single plank and +fastened with a heavy padlock. Drawing +forth a key from his belt he unlocked this and +bade us enter. We did so, and he closed the +door behind us.</p> + +<p>Within, the hard earth floor was slightly +raised and covered with mats of woven palmetto-leaves. +A narrow chink in the wall +admitted a faint ray of light, enabling us to +perceive dimly the few objects which the +room contained. Apparently it was Padre +Felipe's sleeping apartment and the chapel +vestry combined in one. There was a curtained +doorway that gave access to the chapel itself; +pushing aside the hangings, we could see the +dim interior, empty except for the high altar +set with tall candles, and a carven crucifix +upon the wall.</p> + +<p>As I caught sight of these emblems of a +Christian faith I bethought me of the bloody +sacrifices that had been offered to a pitiful +God in the name of orthodoxy, and I wondered +whether heretics like us would not be safer +out in the wild woods and the driving storm—aye, +even at the mercy of infidel barbarians; +but suddenly I remembered the solid silver +service which was to be the gift of Doña Orosia<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_152" id="Page_152">[152]</a></span> +to this little new mission, and I took courage.</p> + +<p>The rain was now pouring in torrents from +the thatched roof, and the wind, which blew +from the northeast, dashed it back against the +mud walls of our refuge. I turned to Barbara +and gave voice to an anxiety that for some +time, had been growing within me.</p> + +<p>"Dear dame," I said, "think you this storm +is worse at sea?"</p> + +<p>"Aye, my lamb,'tis from an ugly quarter; +but the <i>Carolina</i> has weathered harder blows, +and haply she has found good anchorage in +some safe harbour."</p> + +<p>I tried to think the same; nevertheless, in +the long hours that we sat there, listening to +the heavy gusts and beating rain, my heart +went faint at the possibility of this new danger +to my beloved.</p> + +<p>It must have been past noon when the padre +came to us again. He brought food with him +freshly cooked,—meat and fish, and broth of +parched corn-flour, not unpleasant to the +taste.</p> + +<p>"The wind is abating," he declared, "and +the clouds are breaking away. When the +rain ceases we may venture to pursue our +journey."</p> + +<p>I begged to know how he purposed to convey<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_153" id="Page_153">[153]</a></span> +us, for neither Barbara nor I could go +afoot much longer.</p> + +<p>Then he laid his plans before us. This +wide river, the San Juan, flowing by the settlement, +continues northward for many miles +and then curves eastward and empties itself +into the sea. We were to start in two swift +canoes—piraguas, he styled them—and, keeping +at first under the lee of the shore, follow +the river to its mouth, then proceed up the +coast along the safe passage afforded by an +outlying chain of islands. It would be a journey +of about ten days to the Indian settlement +at Santa Helena; the Indians there, he explained, +were allies of our English friends and +would doubtless aid us to rejoin them.</p> + +<p>I asked if we must pass by Santa Catalina; +and he said 'twas on our way, but no one +there would hinder us while we were under +his protection.</p> + +<p>"Unless," he added, "the Governor of San +Augustin sends out a ship to intercept us +there, or anywhere upon the way; in which +case there will be naught for me to do but +give you up to him."</p> + +<p>Upon that I was in a fever to be gone; for +I felt that the day could not pass by without +Melinza's discovering my flight, and I would +endure any hardship rather than risk his intercepting +us.</p> + +<hr /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_154" id="Page_154">[154]</a></span></p> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XXI" id="CHAPTER_XXI"></a>CHAPTER XXI.</h2> + +<p><span class="smcap">It</span> was not until the rain-clouds had all +passed by that the padre chose to embark. +The wind was still high, and our frail canoes +were roughly cradled on the river's turbulent +bosom.</p> + +<p>Padre Felipe, Barbara, and I, with two Indians, +filled the smaller of the two piraguas; +the other held five Indians and a store of provisions +for the journey.</p> + +<p>The afternoon sky was naught but windy +gloom; white clouds rolled over us in billowy +folds, and tattered scarves of mist trailed +lower still and seemed almost to snare their +fringes on the topmost branches of the forest. +Close under the protecting river-bank sped our +light canoes, cutting their way through the +gray waters. The dark-skinned crews bent to +the paddle silently, with corded muscles +tightening in their lean brown arms, and still, +impassive faces fixed upon the seething current +or the swiftly flying shores.</p> + +<p>The gloom deepened slowly with the coming +of the night. The waters darkened, the +dun forest became black and vague. At last,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_155" id="Page_155">[155]</a></span> +to my eyes, it seemed that the sailing shadows +in the sky, the inky, swirling stream, and the +mysterious shores blended in one all-pervading +impenetrable midnight. I could not realize +that we were moving; it seemed, rather, that +we alone were still, while over us and around +us the spirits of the night flew past. I felt +the wind of unseen wings lifting my hair; I +heard the splash and gurgle of strange creatures +swimming by. With my hands close +locked on Barbara's arm, and wide eyes staring +into nothingness, I waited for some human +sound to break the palpitating silence.</p> + +<p>Finally the padre spoke. He asked some +question in the Indian tongue. One of the +rowers grunted in reply, and there was a sudden +cessation of the rapid paddle-strokes. +Then a signal was given to the other canoe, +and after some further discussion I felt that +we approached the shore. There was a +scraping, jarring sound, followed by the soft +trampling of feet upon a marshy bank; and +then a hand drew me up and guided me to +land.</p> + +<p>"The tide is running too strongly against +us," explained the voice of Padre Felipe. +"We will rest an hour or two and wait for it +to turn."</p> + +<p>They kindled a fire somehow and spread<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_156" id="Page_156">[156]</a></span> +a blanket upon the damp ground. I remember +that Barbara and I stretched ourselves upon +it and I laid my head against the dame's +shoulder,—then weariness overcame me.</p> + +<p>It seemed the very next moment that I +was roused; but the fire was out, and in the +sky glimmered a few dim stars. There was +a strange calm reigning as we re-embarked; +for the wind had died and the whole aspect +of the night had changed. All around us a +faintly luminous sky lifted itself above the +dense horizon line, and the broad bosom of +the river paled to the hue of molten lead. +Still brighter grew the heavens; the thin +clouds drew aside, and the crescent of a waning +moon spilled glory over us. And now our +dark piraguas sped over the surface of a silver +stream, and every paddle-blade dripped +diamonds.</p> + +<p>It is a noble river, this San Juan, with its +broad sweeps and curves. At times it widens +to a lake, and again thrusts itself into the +shores as though its waters filled the print of +some giant hand that in ages past had rested +heavily with outspread fingers on the yielding +soil. Aided by the strong current we glided +on as swiftly as the passing hours. Our +faces were set eastward now, and I waited, +breathless, for the day to wake.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_157" id="Page_157">[157]</a></span></p> + +<p>There was a slow parting of the filmy skies, +as though Dawn's rosy fingers brushed aside the +curtains of her couch; then came a gleam of +golden hair that slid across her downy pillows. +A long-drawn sigh shivered across the silent +world, and with a sudden dazzlement we saw—</p> + +<p class="pub1">—"the opening eyelids of the Morn."</p> + +<p>From the southwest a fresh wind arose and +swept clean the blue heavens; and, with the +early sunbeams sparkling on the ripples of +the tide, the canoes darted on toward the +river's mouth. A heron flew up from the +marshes suddenly, and sailed over our heads +on its strong white wings. As I watched it +dip out of sight in the river far beyond us I +caught sight of another gleaming wing that +slowly unfurled itself toward the sky.</p> + +<p>Touching the padre's arm, I pointed to it.</p> + +<p>"A sail!" he said.</p> + +<p>Our canoes quickly sought the curve of the +shore and crept with caution toward the unknown +vessel.</p> + +<p>"It can scarcely be the Habana ship," +murmured the padre, "for the <i>Virgen de la +Mar</i> was at anchor in the harbour when we +left San Augustin, and ere morning the storm +had risen, so she would hardly have ventured +forth to sea."</p> + +<p>"There are other vessels carrying sail that<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_158" id="Page_158">[158]</a></span> +ply between the fort and these coast islands. +We came from Santa Catalina aboard one of +them," I whispered.</p> + +<p>"Yes," said the padre, "but this is too +large." He paused for some moments, and +then added: "Do you see the long, straight +lines of her hull, and the square stern? This +is no Spanish galley, but a frigate of English +build."</p> + +<p>"'Tis the <i>Carolina</i>!" I exclaimed, "'tis the +<i>Carolina</i>!"</p> + +<p>"Oh! the blessed, blessed English ship!" +sobbed the good dame.</p> + +<p>Then all energies were bent to reach her, +for it was plain that she was making ready +to leave her anchorage.</p> + +<p>"If we could only signal to those on board!" +I cried. "Loose your neck-kerchief, Barbara, +and wave it—wave it in the sunlight!"</p> + +<p>"We are too close to the shore," the padre +said. "She can scarce distinguish us until we +strike out into the open."</p> + +<p>"But how plainly we can perceive her crew! +And see the stir upon the decks—are they +not drawing up the anchor? Oh, Padre +Felipe!" I cried piteously, "wave to them! +signal them! or they will leave us after all!"</p> + +<p>The friar rose carefully to his feet; he, too, +was heartily glad of this chance to be rid of<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_159" id="Page_159">[159]</a></span> +his charges, and in no mind to let it slip by. +With Barbara's white kerchief in his hand he +was about to make another effort to attract +the notice of the <i>Carolina</i>, when suddenly he +glanced over his shoulder toward the land, +his hand fell quickly to his side, and he +dropped back into his seat with an exclamation +of dismay.</p> + +<p>One of the Indians rose immediately, and +with shaded eyes gazed along the beach as it +stretched away southward to San Augustin. +He gave a grunt of acquiescence and sat down, +and the motion of the paddles ceased.</p> + +<p>"What have you seen?" I cried in agony, +struggling also to my feet.</p> + +<p>We were so near the river's mouth—almost +upon the blue waves of the ocean rolling out +to the shining east! Under the lee of the +northern shore lay the English ship; and south +of us the coast spun out its gleaming line of +sandy beach away, away back to the prison we +had left. But what were those dark forms +that swarmed the sands?</p> + +<p>"We are too late!" muttered the Spanish +friar. "Discovering your flight, they have not +waited for calm weather to follow in a swift +sailing-vessel, as I had thought they would, +but have sent out a search-party afoot to +overtake you at the outset."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_160" id="Page_160">[160]</a></span></p> + +<p>"But we must reach the <i>Carolina</i> before +they arrive, Padre!"</p> + +<p>"It can be done, easy enough," he answered, +"but what shall I and my followers do if we +are seen? Girl, I have too much at stake! I +choose not to incur the Governor's anger. +'Tis not likely that they connect us with your +disappearance, for Doña Orosia swore to shield +me in the matter. I have done all I could. +It is thus far and no farther. But you may +yet escape; 'tis only a little distance to the +ship; take up the paddles and make your way +thither."</p> + +<p>As he spoke he stepped from our canoe to +the larger one which had closed up with us, +and the two Indians followed him.</p> + +<p>"Padre! oh, Padre! Do not leave me, do +not desert me!"</p> + +<p>They paid no heed to my appeal save to +give a mighty shove to our canoe that sent it +out toward midstream; then, seizing their +paddles, with swift strokes they sent their own +piragua speeding up the river.</p> + +<p>It had all passed so quickly—so suddenly +our hopes had been destroyed! Barbara and I +had been thrown forward by the impetus +given to our frail boat, and we cowered down +in silence for a moment. The current was +still bearing us outward; but every second<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_161" id="Page_161">[161]</a></span> +our motion slackened: we would never reach +the ship without some effort on our part.</p> + +<p>I seized a paddle and worked vigorously; +but the light boat only swung round and +round.</p> + +<p>"Barbara!" I cried, "take the other paddle +and work with me. I can do nothing all +alone!"</p> + +<p>The dame obeyed me, sobbing and praying +under her breath; but we made sorry work of +it.</p> + +<p>I looked shoreward and could see our pursuers +drawing closer and closer; they had not +yet perceived us, but in a moment more they +could not fail to do so. As they drew still +nearer, riding on his dappled gray in the midst +of them, I recognized Melinza! With him +were a troop of Spanish soldiers—I saw the +sunlight flashing on their arms—and some +twenty half-naked Indians, who might so +easily swim out and drag us back to land!</p> + +<p>"They see us! Mistress Margaret, they see +us!" shouted Barbara.</p> + +<p>"Oh! not yet, dame, not yet!" I groaned, +plying the paddle wildly.</p> + +<p>"The English, my lamb—the English see us! +Look you, they are putting put a boat from +the ship!"</p> + +<p>It was true; but ere I could utter a "Thank<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_162" id="Page_162">[162]</a></span> +God!" a yell from the shore told us that those +fiends had seen us also. Barbara would have +dropped her paddle in despair, but I ordered +her sternly to make what play she could. +As for me, I dipped my blade now on one side, +now on the other; the trick of it had come to +me like an inspiration; my fingers tightened +their hold, and my arms worked with the +strength born of a great terror.</p> + +<div class="figright" style="width: 309px;"> +<a name="ILL3" id="ILL3"></a><img src="images/006.jpg" width="304" height="500" alt="" title="" /> +"NEARER CAME THE LONG BOAT, YET NEARER WAS THE +FOREMOST SWIMMER."—<i>Page 162.</i></div> + +<p>Our pursuers had reached the river-shore, +and a swarm of dark forms now threw themselves +into the stream. But the long-boat +from the frigate came toward us rapidly; I saw +white English faces and heard shouts of +encouragement in my mother tongue.</p> + +<p>Then a volley of musketry rang out from the +land. Instantly, the frigate made response; +her heavy guns thundered forth, and the +white smoke wreathed her like a cloud. But +all the shots were falling short.</p> + +<p>Nearer came the long-boat, yet nearer was +the foremost swimmer. I saw his brown arms +cleaving the clear tide, I saw the white eyeballs +gleaming in his dark face. Friends and foes +were now so close together that from the shore +it was impossible to distinguish them; so the +shots had ceased, and in their place rang out +wild curses and savage yells. A sinewy brown +hand rose from the water and seized the edge<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_163" id="Page_163">[163]</a></span> +of our frail canoe, tilting it far over. The sudden +jerk destroyed my balance, and in a moment +I felt the waters close over my head.</p> + +<p>Strong hands grasped me as I rose again +and I battled fiercely; for I thought the +Indian had me in his hold, and I chose rather, +to die. But my weak strength was overcome, +and I was lifted—aye, thank God!—lifted into +the English boat, and Master Collins wiped +the water from my face.</p> + +<p>I saw them drag the dame in also, and then +I closed my eyes. I did not faint,—never in +all my life had I been so very much alive; but +the sunlight and the blue sky were too bright +for me.</p> + +<p>I cannot tell much of what followed. There +were a few more shots, and one of the English +sailors dropped his oar and held up a +bleeding hand. I sought my kerchief to bind +it up for him, but I could not find it. And +then, I looked up and saw the <i>Carolina</i> close +beside us. A ringing cheer went up to heaven, +and kind hands raised me to the deck. The +sunburnt face of Captain Brayne bent over +me, and there were tears in his honest eyes.</p> + +<hr /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_164" id="Page_164">[164]</a></span></p> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XXII" id="CHAPTER_XXII"></a>CHAPTER XXII.</h2> + +<p><span class="smcap">There</span> were other women on the ship, and +one of them came forward and led me away +to her cabin and aided me to rid myself of my +drenched garments, lending me others in their +stead. I learned from her that the <i>Carolina</i> +had come direct from Barbadoes, bearing +freight and some very few passengers,—the +noise of our treatment at the Spaniards' hands +deterring many who would else have ventured +to throw in their lot with the young colony. +Captain Brayne bore also the duplicate of the +orders of the Spanish Council—which had been +forwarded from England to Barbadoes; and +he had been instructed by their Lordships +the Proprietors, to stop at San Augustin and +demand the prisoners.</p> + +<p>All this my new friend told me during her +kindly ministrations. She asked, also, many +questions concerning my escape and the treatment +I had received during our long captivity; +but I was too exhausted to answer these at +length, and begged that I might be left awhile +to rest. She went away then, to get me a soothing<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_165" id="Page_165">[165]</a></span> +potion from the ship's surgeon; and I made +haste to unwrap the little packet that had lain +hidden in my bosom, in which was the written +story of my prison life. As I smoothed out the +damp pages I thought of how I would place +it in my dear love's hand and leave him to +read all that my tongue could never say to +him!</p> + +<p>I slept for some hours and woke refreshed. +Then came a message from the captain, asking +if I would see him. I was eager to be out, +for many reasons, the chief being my desire +to see him from whom I had been so long +parted; it was his face I sought first among +the many familiar ones that crowded round +me. Besides Captain Brayne I recognized +other officers of the <i>Carolina</i> as the same with +whom I had sailed from the Downs nearly two +years ago. All my fellow prisoners—save +one—greeted me joyfully and kindly. But +that one missing face—where was it?</p> + +<p>It was on my tongue to ask for Mr. Rivers; +then, of a sudden, it came over me <i>how</i> we +had parted. So! and he still believed me—that +thing which I had shown myself. He +had nursed his doubts for two whole days and +nights, and now he would not even come forward +to touch my hand and wish me joy of +my escape. It seemed to me I caught glances<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_166" id="Page_166">[166]</a></span> +of pity passing between one and another of +the lookers-on. Did they wait to see how +Margaret Tudor would bear her lover's apathy? +A jilted maid!</p> + +<p>There was a mist before my eyes; but I +smiled and said little gracious words of thanks +to each and all of them, and wished in my +heart that I was dead. Oh, my love! whatever +doubts you may have had of me were +paid back that cruel moment in full measure. +I recalled some of the hard speeches I had +heard from the embittered Spanish woman, +and I thought within myself, All men are +made after the same pattern!</p> + +<p>Captain Brayne and Master Collins and good +old Captain Baulk of the <i>Three Brothers</i> had +been in earnest conversation for some moments; +and now the <i>Carolina's</i> commander came to +me and took me gently by the hand, leading +me aside.</p> + +<p>"Mistress Margaret," he said, "there is one +aboard this ship to whom your coming may +mean life instead of death. He is very ill,—so +ill that we despaired of him till now,—and one +name is ever on his lips. Are you too weak +and unstrung, my dear young lady, to go with +me to his sick bed?"</p> + +<p>That was how the truth came to me. I cannot +write of what I felt.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_167" id="Page_167">[167]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Take me to him," I said.</p> + +<p>He lay in his berth; his large eyes were +alight with fever, and he was talking ceaselessly, +now in broken whispers, now with a +proud defiance in his husky tones.</p> + +<p>"God knows what the devils did to him," +murmured Henry Brayne. "He was once a +proper figure of a man; but starvation and ill +usage have worn him to a shadow!"</p> + +<p>Aye, but a shadow with a gnawing sorrow +at its heart.</p> + +<p>"You may taunt me, Señor de Melinza," +whispered the broken voice, "you may taunt +me with my helplessness. I may not break +these bonds, it is true; but neither can you +sever those that bind to me the love of a true-hearted +English maid.... That is a foul lie, +Don Pedro, and I cast it back into your teeth!... +Strike a helpless prisoner? Do so, and +you add but another black deed to the long +score that stands against the name of Spaniard. +Some day the reckoning will come, señor—I +dare stake my soul on that!... I'll not believe +it; no! not upon your oath, Don Pedro!... +Margaret, Margaret! Tell him he lies, +dear lady!... In God's name, speak, sweetheart!" +And though I knelt beside him, and +called his name again and again, he was deaf +to my voice and put me by with feeble hands,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_168" id="Page_168">[168]</a></span> +crying ever: "Margaret! Margaret!" till I +thought my heart would break.</p> + +<p>Oh! the terror of this new jailer—dread +Disease—that held him in its grip while +Death lurked grimly in the background! +For no wiles or blandishments of mine could +move them or loose their hold upon the life +most dear to me. When there was but man +to deal with, my faith failed me and I ceased +praying; now it was my punishment that +only God's mercy could set my dear love free,—and +it might be his pleasure to loose him in +another world and leave me still on earth to +mourn his loss.</p> + +<p>As, hour after hour, I listened to his ravings, +a deeper understanding of the horrors of his +long captivity began to grow upon me. I +could scarce forbear crying out when I thought +how I had touched the hand of that vile +Spaniard, and listened, smiling, when he spoke +of love to me.</p> + +<p>How terrible a thing is hatred! Heaven +pardon me, but I think there is somewhat of +it in my heart. Yet, now that the fever is +abating, and my beloved is coming back to me +from the very brink of the grave, I do pray +that I may forgive mine enemy, even as God +in His clemency has pardoned me!</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_169" id="Page_169">[169]</a></span></p><hr class="min" /> + +<p>He knows me at last. It was some hours +ago. I was bending over him, and a light of +recognition dawned in his eyes.</p> + +<p>"Margaret! <i>Margaret!</i> is it <i>you</i>? I +dreamed just now——that——that you were +untrue to me!"</p> + +<p>"Did you so, dear love?" I answered. +"Forget it then, and rest; for now the fever +and the dreams are past."</p> + +<p>He smiled at me and fell asleep like a little +child.</p> + +<hr class="min" /> + +<p>In the long hours that I have watched beside +him I have written these last pages of +my story; and some time, when he is awake +and strong enough to bear the truth, I will +put them all into his hand and leave him here +alone. And I think, when he has read them +through to the end, he will discern—between +the lines—more of my heart than I have words +to tell.</p> + + + + + + + + +<pre> + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Margaret Tudor, by Annie T. Colcock + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK MARGARET TUDOR *** + +***** This file should be named 24335-h.htm or 24335-h.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + http://www.gutenberg.org/2/4/3/3/24335/ + +Produced by Suzanne Shell, Stephen Blundell and the Online +Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net + + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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Colcock + +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: Margaret Tudor + A Romance of Old St. Augustine + +Author: Annie T. Colcock + +Illustrator: W. B. Gilbert + +Release Date: January 17, 2008 [EBook #24335] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ASCII + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK MARGARET TUDOR *** + + + + +Produced by Suzanne Shell, Stephen Blundell and the Online +Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net + + + + + + +THE STORY OF MARGARET TUDOR + + + + +[Illustration: MARGARET TUDOR.] + + + + + MARGARET TUDOR + + _A Romance of Old St. Augustine_ + + By ANNIE T. COLCOCK + + + _Illustrated by_ + W. B. GILBERT + + + [Illustration] + + + NEW YORK . FREDERICK A. + STOKES COMPANY . PUBLISHERS + + + + + COPYRIGHT, 1901, + BY FREDERICK A. STOKES COMPANY + + _All rights reserved_ + + +Transcriber's Note: + + Minor typographical errors have been corrected without note. The oe + ligature is shown as [oe]. + + + + + "That thee is sent receive in buxomnesse, + The wrastling of this world asketh a fall, + Here is no home, here is but wildernesse, + . . . . . + Looke up on high, and thanke God of all!" + CHAUCER. + + + + +NOTE. + + +The names of Mr. John Rivers,--kinsman and agent of Lord Ashley,--Dr. +Wm. Scrivener and Margaret Tudor appear in the passenger list of the +_Carolina_, as given in the Shaftesbury Papers (Collections of the South +Carolina Historical Society, Vol. V, page 135). In the same (page 169) +may be found a brief account of the capture, at Santa Catalina, of Mr. +Rivers, Capt. Baulk, some seamen, _a woman, and a girl_; also (page 175) +mention of the unsuccessful embassy of Mr. Collins; and (page 204) the +Memorial to the Spanish Ambassador touching the delivery of the +prisoners, one of whom is alluded to as _Margaret_, presumably Margaret +Tudor. + +The names of the two Spaniards, Senor de Colis and Don Pedro Melinza, +each appear once in the Shaftesbury Papers (pages 25 and 443): the +latter individual was evidently a person of some consequence in San +Augustin; the former, in the year 1663, was "Governour and +Captain-General, Cavallier, and Knight of the Order of St. James." + + ANNIE T. COLCOCK. + + + + +THE STORY OF MARGARET TUDOR + + + + +CHAPTER I. + + +San Augustin, this 29th of June, Anno Domini 1670. + +It is now more than a month since our captivity began, and there seems +scant likelihood that it will come to a speedy close,--altho', being in +good health myself, and of an age when hope dies slowly, I despair not +of recovering both liberty and friends. Yet, in the event of our further +detention, of sickness or any other evil that may befall me--and there +is one threatening--I write these pages of true history, praying that +they may some time reach the hand of my guardian and uncle, Dr. William +Scrivener, if he be still alive and dwelling in these parts. Should they +chance, instead, to meet the eyes of some friendly-disposed person of +English blood and Protestant faith, to whom the name of William +Scrivener is unknown, I beseech him to deliver them to any person +sailing with the sloop _Three Brothers_, which did set out from the +Island of Barbadoes on the 2nd of November last,--being in the hire of +Sir Thomas Colleton, and bearing freight and passengers for these +shores. + +If the sloop has suffered some misadventure (as I fear is not +unlikely,--either at the hands of the Spaniards, or else of the Indians +of these parts, who do show themselves most unfriendly to all +Englishmen, being set on to mischief by the Spanish friars), then I pray +that word may be forwarded to his Lordship, the Duke of Albemarle, and +others of the Lords Proprietors who did commission and furnish a fleet +of three vessels, to wit: the _Carolina_, the _Port Royal_, and the +_Albemarle_, which did weigh anchor at the Downs in August of last year, +and set forth to plant an English colony at Port Royal. + +In particular would I implore that word might reach Lord Ashley, seeing +that his kinsman, Mr. John Rivers, is here detained a prisoner in sorry +state, laden with chains in the dungeon of the Castle--for which may God +forgive me, I being in some degree to blame; and yet, since it hath +pleased Heaven to grant me the fair face that wrought the mischief, I +hold myself the less guilty and grieve the more bitterly, inasmuch as I +love him with a maid's true love and would willingly give my life to +spare him hurt. + +If it were so that I might give the true narrative of our present +plight, and how it fell about, without cumbering the tale with mention +of my own name, it would please me best; but as those who read it may be +strangers, I would better tell my story from the start. + +Of myself it is enough to say that my name is Margaret Tudor, and saving +my uncle, Dr. Scrivener, I am alone in the world and well-nigh +portionless--my father having spent his all, and life and liberty to +boot, in the service of King Charles, being one of those unfortunate +royalists who plotted for His Majesty's return in the year '55. For, as +Cromwell did discover their designs ere they were fully ripe, many were +taken prisoners, of whom some suffered death and others banishment. Of +these last was my father, who was torn from the arms of his young wife +and babe and sent in slavery to Barbadoes. We could learn nothing of his +after fate, though many inquiries were made in his behalf. + +And so it fell about that,--my mother having gone to her rest,--I did +take passage with my uncle, Dr. William Scrivener, on board the +_Carolina_, with intent to stop at Barbadoes and make some search for my +poor father in the hope that he yet lived. + +Among the passengers of the _Carolina_ was Lord Ashley's kinsman and +agent, Mr. John Rivers, of whom I can find naught to say that seems +fitting; for although it may hap that in this great world there are +other men of a countenance as fine, a mien as noble, and a heart as +brave and tender, it has not been my lot as yet to encounter them. + +Together we did sail for three months on the great deep, in danger of +pirates, in peril of tempests, and in long hours of golden calm when the +waters burned blue around us and the wide heaven shone pale and clear +over our heads. And in all that time we came to know one another passing +well; and Mr. Rivers heard my father's story and promised to aid us in +our search. + +It was October when we reached Barbadoes and landed. Of the news that we +obtained, and the strange chance that brought it to our ears, it is +needless here to speak. Let it suffice that my dear father did not +suffer long, as death soon freed him from his bondage. + +We had no further cause to detain us in Barbadoes, so we yielded to the +persuasions of Mr. Rivers that we should continue with the expedition to +Port Royal; and, in November, we set sail once more in the _Three +Brothers_, a sloop hired to replace the _Albemarle_, which, in +consequence of a broken cable, had been driven ashore in a gale and lost +upon the rocks. + +From now on, for the truth's sake, I must needs tell somewhat of my +intercourse with Mr. Rivers. It may seem I am lacking in a proper +modesty if I declare that, even then, there was more than friendship +betwixt us. But surely there were reasons enough and to spare. That I +should love him was no mystery--he being the gallant gentleman he is; +and, since there chanced to be no other maid upon the vessel of proper +age and gentle condition, I suppose it was in nature that he should make +the best of the little society he had. But nay, I would be false to my +own faith if I doubted that it was foreordained of Heaven that we should +come together and love one another. + +It is true that I did not make confession of this belief until I had +tormented my would-be lord with every teasing device that entered into +my brain. But though he was often cast down for hours together, he gave +me to understand that he could read my heart in my blue eyes. + +"An you were to swear upon your soul you hated me, dear lady, I'd not +believe it," he once said. "Mistress Margaret is too unversed in city +ways and shallow coquetries to play a part--and 'tis for that I love her +so." And though it angered me to have him praise my innocence and +country airs, I knew he spoke the truth, and that a time would come when +I would own my love for him. And so it did. + +A terrible storm had raged for eight-and-forty hours. There had been +wild, black, awful nights, and sullen days when the gray curtains of the +sky were torn asunder and whirled over us in inky folds, their tattered +fringes lashing up the seas, and whipping our frail bark till it skulked +and cowered, like a beaten cur that looks in vain for mercy. We had +drifted northward far from our course, our two consorts had disappeared, +and we had well-nigh given up hope, when with the dawning of the third +day the wind lulled, and through the ragged clouds we saw the blue arch +of heaven high above us. + +I had climbed out upon the deck alone; and from a sheltered corner I saw +the sun rise and gild a far-off strip of shore that lay to west of us. +It seemed a vision of a new heaven and a new earth, and I gave God +thanks. Then a hand touched mine, and a voice whispered my name--and +other words that need not be recorded here; and I could answer nothing +in denial, for the reason that my heart was too full. + + + + +CHAPTER II. + + +The land to west of us was Virginia, and we sought harbour at Nancemund, +and lay there some weeks for needful repairs on the sloop, which was +also provisioned afresh for her further voyage. + +It was then the month of February; we had been six months a-journeying, +and still the promised land was far away. + +This tale of mine, however, bids fair to spin itself at too great +length, so I must hasten on to the story of our captivity. + +In spite of fairly good weather on our way southward we somehow over +passed the latitude of Port Royal harbour; and of a Saturday in May--the +fifteenth day of the month--we did cast anchor at a little isle upon the +coast, in order to obtain wood and water for the sloop's needs. + +This island is within the territory of the Spaniards, who have named it +Santa Catalina. It lies some days' journey north of San Augustin,--the +exact latitude I know not, although I have heard it more times than +one; but there are some things that abide never in a woman's brain. + +Here appeared many Indians, who seemed at first not unfriendly, and +spoke words of welcome to us in the Spanish tongue. + +Much trading was done aboard the sloop, and the barbarians appeared +strangely content with strings of paltry beads and the cast-off garments +of the crew, giving in their stead good provender, and skins of the wild +deer dressed soft and fine. + +The second day of our stay, Mr. Rivers, with the ship's master and three +seamen, went ashore with such stuff as the Indians desire, to trade for +pork and other provisions; and it being a Monday morn, Dame Barbara did +crave leave to take her washing and go with them, in the hope of finding +a softer water to cleanse the linen. + +It was early morning; the breeze from the land blew sweet and fragrant, +and the woods beyond the sandy beach bourgeoned in new leafage, green +and tender. I longed for the scent of the warm earth, and the tuneful +courting of bird-lovers in the thicket; so I prayed my uncle to let me +go ashore with the dame. He acceded willingly enough; but Mr. Rivers, +who is always over-anxious where my safety is concerned, counselled me +earnestly not to leave the ship. + +I was ever a headstrong maid, and the sunshine and the scent of far-off +flowers had set me nearly wild with longing; so I chid him roundly for +his caution and merrily warned him to beware how he sought to clip the +wings of a free bird. Go I did, therefore, though he smiled and shook +his head at me; and when we all parted company at the watering-place he +seemed uneasy still, and, looking backward over his shoulder as I waved +farewell, entreated me to wander no farther from the shore. + +The little spring where they had left us welled up, cold and clear, at +the foot of a tall cypress-tree, and trickled thence in a tiny stream, a +mere thread of crystal, that tangled itself in the low bush and wound +its way helplessly through the level wooded country, as though seeking +for some gentle slope that would lead it to the sea. + +The dame rinsed her linen till it fairly shone, and spread it out to dry +in a sunny nook; while I lay prone on the warm earth and stirred up the +damp brown leaves that had drifted into a tiny hollow, and found beneath +them a wee green vine with little white star-flowers that blinked up at +the sun and me. And I dreamed of the new home we would make for +ourselves in this far country, and of the very good and docile wife I +would be to my dear love. Then at last,--because I grew aweary at the +prospect of my very great obedience in the future, and because, too, I +thought it was high time my gallant gentleman came back to ask me how I +did,--up from the ground I started, rousing the dame from a sweet nap. + +"Look, Barbara! the linen is dry; the sun is on its westering way, and +the shadows grow longer and longer.--'Tis very strange that Mr. Rivers +and the master have not returned!" + +"Mayhap they have clean forgot us and gone back to the ship alone," +moaned the old woman, rubbing her sleepy eyes and beginning at once to +croak misfortune, after the manner of her class. + +Such an idea was past belief and set me smiling. I laid my hollowed +palms behind my ears and listened. + +Master Wind, passing through the tree-tops, had set every leaf +a-whispering and nid-nodding to its gossips,--just as the peddler on his +way through the village at home stirs all the women-folk to chattering +about the latest news from the whole countryside. In the thicket beside +us a chorus of feathered singers were all a-twitter, each trying to +outdo his neighbour; but one saucy fellow piped the merriest tune of +all, mingling in a delicious medley the sweetest notes of all the rest. +Of a sudden, as I listened, there was a soft rustle in the undergrowth, +and out from a clump of myrtles bounced a little brown rabbit, who +cocked an astonished eye at me and disappeared again with a series of +soundless leaps and a terrified whisk of his little white tail. Upon +that the laugh in my throat bubbled over; I dropped my hands and turned +to the dame. + +"Gather up your linen, good Barbara, and let us explore the trail +ourselves. They are doubtless picnicking somewhere in the woods beyond, +and 'tis very discourteous not to bid us to the entertainment." + +She would have demurred at first: the linen was not to be left, and yet +was too weighty to carry; her back was aweary and she was fain to rest +in peace. But Mistress Margaret was minded to have her own way, and, +dividing the bundle in two, started on ahead with the larger share of +it; so that, will she, nill she, the dame must follow. + +I knew, of course, that I was disobeying Mr. Rivers's last injunction, +and 'twas that thought quite as much as the sweet woodland airs that +lured me on: I desired, above all things, to behold the countenance of +my gallant gentleman when he discovered my wilfulness. So I hastened +forward, pausing now and again to encourage the good dame and entice her +still farther with glowing descriptions of new beauties just coming into +view. + +It fell about, therefore, that I was some forty paces in advance of her +when I suddenly came upon the Indian settlement and saw there a sight +that made my heart stand still. + +I drew back hastily behind the trunk of a wide-branched oak, whence I +could look--unseen, I thought--upon the town. + +A great concourse of barbarians was assembled in the open space before +the chief building, which was of considerable size, built round after +the manner of a dove-house, and completely thatched with palmetto +leaves. Many smaller buildings surrounded it: one, in especial, I would +have done well to take note of; for it was doubtless a kind of sentinel +or watch-tower, being set on tall, upright timbers which gave it an +elevation much greater than any part of the surrounding country. + +I had eyes for naught, however, but one figure, that stood, with hands +and feet bound, at the foot of a great wooden cross planted opposite the +entrance of the chief building. It was my dear love--I knew him on the +instant by the proud poise of his head and shoulders. He was speaking in +his usual calm and courtly tones to the circle of half-naked savages, +who seemed to hear him with respectful consideration, though they made +no motion to loose his bonds. + +On the ground beside him lay the ship's master, old Captain Baulk, and +the three seamen, their arms securely pinioned. Near them was the bale +of goods which had been brought from the ship: it lay wide open, and was +being most unscrupulously rifled of its contents. + +For the moment I thought it was the sight of the gewgaws this bale +contained that had roused the cupidity of the barbarians; but now I +believe otherwise. The savages would have paid for them willingly, in +skins and such like, and then suffered our men to depart in peace, had +not that smooth-tongued hypocrite, Ignacio, been behind. But this, of +course, was unknown to me at the time. + +The idea came over me, like a flash, that we should go for help to the +ship; and I turned quickly and signalled the dame to be silent. It was +too late, however, for she had caught sight of the savages and of our +men bound in the midst of them; and turning to the right about with a +shrill scream, she cast away the bundle of linen and started back the +way we had come at a speed which 'tis likely she had never equalled in +her life before. After her I hastened, and implored her to be still, +lest the barbarians should hear and overtake us. My one thought was to +summon aid; for, though there seemed to be over two hundred of the +Indians, I believed that our handful of men, armed with muskets, swords, +and pikes, would be sufficient to strike terror into them at once. + +We had scarce run an hundred yards down the trail when four savages +stepped from a thicket and laid hands upon us. They had lain in wait, +there is no doubt, so 'twas evident we had been seen some while before. + +Barbara resisted them with much wild shrieking, but I submitted in +silence. 'Twas not that I was any braver than she, but simply that I +could not believe that they meant to do us any real harm; and all the +while I was possessed with the thought that there was some one stationed +in the thicket who was directing the actions of the savages. It appeared +to me that, as they fastened our arms behind us, their eyeballs rolled +ever toward a certain myrtle-bush, as if they were waiting for a cue. + +We were led back at once to the town, and I shall never forget the look +upon my dear love's face as he caught sight of me. + +"Margaret--you also! I had hoped you and the dame were safe!" he cried +out, as our captors led us to his side. + +"'Twas all my wilfulness--I came hither seeking you," I answered, and +hung my head. + +He looked at me dumbly, and then turned his face away; and I saw his +arms writhing in their bonds. A strange feeling came upon me, part shame +and sorrow that I should have grieved him so, and part exultation +that--whatever our fate--at least we would meet it side by side. Fear +had the least place in my thoughts as I waited, breathless, for the +outcome of this strange situation. My eyes wandered round the circle of +barbarians, and I noted with some wonderment that numbers of the men +wore their crowns shaven, after the manner of a priest's tonsure. + +One among them, who seemed of greater consequence than the rest, began +to speak; but I could make nothing of his discourse, although he used +many words that I thought had somewhat of a Spanish ring. + +Yet his meaning was fathomed by Mr. Rivers, who gave him the reply on +the instant, couched in the Spanish, and delivered with some heat and +indignation. + +There was a stir among the barbarians, and presently there appeared a +new figure on the scene. The shaven crown, the bare feet, the coarse +woollen robe fastened by a knotted cord about the waist, all denoted a +friar of the Franciscan order. + +"So," muttered Mr. Rivers, under his breath, "now we have the real chief +to deal with." + +Scarcely less swarthy than the Indians themselves was the dark face of +the Spanish friar. As he came forward into the open space, he raised his +eyes to the great cross at the foot of which we were standing, and +straightway bent the knee and crossed himself. Some few of the Indians +likewise made the sign upon their breasts, though the greater part +contained themselves with the same stolidity that had marked them from +the first. + +Mr. Rivers gave a low laugh, and turned to me with a curling lip. "These +be Christians," he said. + +The Spaniard caught the sneer, and a scowl gathered on his coarse face; +but he checked it suddenly and began in smooth tones to address us. + +Old Captain Baulk had raised himself to a sitting posture, and the +seamen all held themselves in attitudes of strained attention. + +"What says he?" I asked, in a whisper, of my dear love, when the friar +had ceased and turned away from us. + +"Naught but a tissue of lies," exclaimed Mr. Rivers, through his +clenched teeth. "He would have us believe that he is wholly +irresponsible for the doings of these 'banditos'; but he will exert what +influence he has among the believers of his flock to procure our +release,--I would we had fallen among infidels! These can have learned +naught of their teacher but deceit. They tricked us, on the plea of our +most mutual confidence, to lay aside our arms, and then fell instantly +upon us and made us captive." + +"I would to Heaven I could have gone back to the ship and given +warning," I sighed dolefully. "Yet perhaps some of them may come out to +search for us." + +"Now God forbid!" exclaimed Mr. Rivers, "for they would walk into a +trap. Some of these Indians have muskets and ammunition, and are +therefore as well armed as our men. If many more of us were taken there +would not be left able-bodied men enough to sail the sloop. 'Twould be +better if they held off and waited for the Indians to take the +initiative. My hope is that we will be able to treat with the savages +for ransom,--that is, if the friar bears us no real ill will. See, here +he comes again, with his oily tongue." + +The shifty eyes and full-lipped mouth of the man filled me with a +sudden loathing. Fear began to take hold of me at last, and a little sob +broke in my throat. + +My dear love turned to me with a quick, warm glance. + +"Cheer up, sweetheart," he whispered. "It is too soon to lose courage. +Come, where is my brave Margaret?" + +"Here!" I answered, and forced a smile on my quivering lips. + + + + +CHAPTER III. + + +The rest of the day passed by like a long nightmare. The friar had us +removed to a small but strongly built hut, containing two rooms, +separated by a thin partition of hides nailed to a row of upright studs. +These were of squared timber, as was the floor also, and the outer frame +and wall-plate. The roof and sides were overlaid with thatch; and there +was no window, only a square opening in the roof which admitted the +light, and also let out the smoke when a fire was built upon the floor. + +As dark came on, two young Indian girls entered the hut, where we sat, +bound, with our backs against the wall. + +They seemed kindly disposed and gentle-mannered, for all their +outlandish garb, which consisted of a petticoat of long gray moss, and +strings of little shells and beads of divers colours festooned about the +neck. + +They loosed Barbara and me, for which we were mightily grateful, as our +arms had grown numb and sore. We made signs that they should cut the +bonds of the men also, which they declined to do. Yet they touched us +with gentle hands, and stroked our shoulders in token of their good +will. + +After this they brought wet clay and spread it upon the floor, and on +this laid a fire and kindled it; going forth again, they returned with +food and set it before us, making signs that we who were free should +feed the rest. + +While I was serving my dear love--who made pitiable pretence of enjoying +my ministrations--the friar entered the hut, accompanied by two others +who were doubtless of mixed Spanish and Indian blood. + +They bore with them heavy manacles and chains, which they fastened upon +our men, cutting the leathern thongs which had held them until now. + +Mr. Rivers demanded to know by whose orders this was done. + +"For it would seem our true jailers are not the Indians. These fetters +are of Spanish forging. Is it to your nation, padre, we are indebted for +this urgent hospitality?" + +To this the friar made answer at great length, and what he said appeared +to enrage our men, who broke forth in a round volley of oaths as soon as +our jailers had left the hut. I turned to Mr. Rivers for explanation. + +"'Tis as I supposed," he said, "and the friar is at the bottom of it +all. He maintains now that in landing here and attempting to trade with +the Indians we have committed an offence against the sovereignty of +Santo Domingo, which claims all this coast as Spanish territory. These +Indians, he declares, are under the protection of his government, and +therefore are not free to dispose of any goods to us English, or to +receive any favours at our hands; as such dealings would be to the +prejudice of the Spanish rights and influence over this country. +Therefore he has claimed us from the Indians and proposes himself to +hold us prisoners, awaiting the decision of the Governor at San +Augustin." + +As I look back now, it seems to me that in those first hours of our +captivity I grew older by many years. That gladsome morning, with its +wilful moods and joyous daring, fell away back into the past, and seemed +as unreal as the day-dreams of my childhood. + +We slept that night, Dame Barbara and I, upon a soft and springy couch +of moss piled in the little inner room. That is to say, we lay there +silently; but I think I scarce closed my eyes. + +The wind, drifting through the gaping thatch, caught the loose corner of +a shrivelled strip of hide dangling on the rude partition wall, and +kept it swinging back and forth, with a faint tap-tap, tap-tap, the +whole night long. As it swung outward I could catch fleeting glimpses of +the little group huddled about the dying fire; and for hours I lay and +listened to the low murmur of their voices and the heavy clank and +rattle of their chains. + +Old Captain Baulk was in a garrulous mood, and he poured into the +sailors' ears a horrid tale of how the Spaniards had massacred the first +French settlers on this coast. + +"'Twas just about one hundred years ago," he droned in a gruesome +whisper. "Ribault's settlement was on the River May, somewhere in these +latitudes. There were about nine hundred of them in all, 'tis said, +counting the women and children; and not one of them escaped. The bodies +of dead and wounded were alike hung upon a tree for the crows----" + +"In God's name, hold your croaking tongue!" Mr. Rivers broke in angrily. +"'Tis bad enough for the women as things are, and if they overhear these +old wives' tales, think you it will make them rest easier?" + +"Not old wives' tales, Mr. Rivers, but the fact, sir,--the bloody fact." + +"Silence!" whispered my betrothed, in a voice that made me tremble,--for +he hath a hot temper when it is roused. "Unless thou canst hold that +ill-omened tongue of thine, there presently will be another bloody fact +between thy teeth!" + +A sudden silence fell. 'Twas broken finally by my dear love, whose +generous nature soon repented of a harshly spoken word. + +"I was over-hasty, my good Baulk; but I would not for the world have +Mistress Tudor hear aught of those horrors. And times have changed +greatly in an hundred years. But this inaction, this inaction! 'Tis +terrible upon a man!" + +A suppressed groan accompanied the exclamation, and my heart ached for +him. It must indeed be hard for men--who are used to carving their own +fates and wresting from fortune their desires--suddenly to be forced to +play the woman's part of patient waiting. + +The next day brought no relief. + +From the windowless hut we could see naught of what passed without; but +about an hour before noon we heard a drum beat in the village. The sound +grew ever fainter, as though receding; then came the distant report of +musketry, and we grew anxious for our people on the sloop. Hours passed +by, and again came the sound of heavy firing, which gradually died away +as before. + +Late in the afternoon we were joined by another prisoner, whom--from his +dress of skins--we mistook at first sight for a young Indian; but 'twas +no other than the lad Poole, who was in Mr. Rivers's service and most +loyally attached to his master. + +From him we learned that the Indians and some Spaniards had been +parleying with our men all day. He had swum ashore with a letter to the +friar, and had been received with kindness by the savages, who clad him +after their own fashion. The friar, however, vouchsafed him no reply; +and after a time gave a signal to his men to fire on the sloop. The +arrows of the Indians and the muskets of the Spaniards had finally +compelled the _Three Brothers_ to weigh anchor and put out to sea. + + + + +CHAPTER IV. + + +Day after day dragged by. We grew aweary of discussing the possibilities +of our escape and fell gradually into silence. + +It was on the first day of June that Don Pedro de Melinza arrived in the +galley from San Augustin, and our captivity took on a new phase. + +He is a handsome man, this Spanish Don, and he bears himself with the +airs of a courtier--when it so pleases him. As he stood that day at the +open door of our hut prison, in the full glow of the summer morning, he +was a goodly sight. His thick black hair was worn in a fringe of wavy +locks that rested lightly on his flaring collar. His leathern doublet +fitted close to his slight, strong figure, and through its slashed +sleeves there was a shimmer of fine silk. In his right hand he held his +plumed sombrero against his breast; his left rested carelessly on the +hilt of his sword. + +I could find no flaw in his courteous greetings; but I looked into his +countenance and liked it not. + +The nose was straight and high, the keen dark eyes set deep in the olive +face; but beneath the short, curled moustache projected a full, red +under lip. + +Show me, in a man, an open brow, a clear eye, a firm-set mouth, and a +chin that neither aims to meet the nose nor lags back upon the breast; +and I will dub him honest, and brave, and clean-minded. But if his +forehead skulks backward, his chin recedes, and his nether lip curls +over redly--though the other traits be handsome, and the figure full of +grace and strength controlled--trust that man I never could! Such an one +I saw once in my early childhood. My mother pointed him out to me and +bade me note him well. + +"That man," she said, "was once your father's friend and close comrade; +yet now he walks free and lives in ease, while my poor husband is in +slavery. Why is it thus? Because he over yonder was false to his oath, +to his friends, and to his king. He sold them all, like Esau, for a mess +of pottage. Mark him well, my child, and beware of his like; for in +these days they are not a few, and woe to any who trust in them!" + +I remembered those words of my mother when the Senor Don Pedro de +Melinza y de Colis made his bow to us that summer's day. The meaning of +his courtly phrases was lost upon me; but I gathered from his manner +that he had come in the guise of a friend,--and I trembled at the +prospect of such friendship. + +Nevertheless I was right glad when the fetters were struck from my dear +love and his companions, and we were taken upon the Spanish galley and +served like Christians. + +At the earliest opportunity Mr. Rivers hastened to make things clear to +me. "Our deliverer"--so he termed him, whereat I marvelled +somewhat,--"our deliverer assures me that Padre Ignacio's action is +condemned greatly by his uncle, Senor de Colis, the Governor and +Captain-General at San Augustin. Don Pedro has been sent to transport us +thither, where we will be entertained with some fitness until we can +communicate with our friends." + +"Says he so? 'Twill be well if he keeps his word; but to my thinking he +has not the face of an honest man." + +Mr. Rivers looked at me gravely. "That is a hard speech from such gentle +lips," he said. "Don Pedro is a Spanish gentleman of high lineage. His +uncle, Senor de Colis, is a knight of the Order of St. James. Such hold +their honour dear. Until he gives us cause to distrust him, let us have +the grace to believe that he _is_ an honest man." + +I looked back into the frank gray eyes of my true and gallant love, and +I felt rebuked. 'Twas a woman's instinct, only, that made me doubt the +Spaniard; and this simple trust of a noble nature in the integrity of +his fellow man seemed a vastly finer instinct than my own. + +From that moment I laid by my suspicions, and met the courteous advances +of Senor de Melinza with as much of graciousness as I knew how. But, as +we spoke for the most part in different tongues, little conversation was +possible to us. + +I marvelled at the ease with which Mr. Rivers conversed in both Spanish +and French. Of the latter I was not wholly ignorant myself,--although in +my quiet country life I had had little opportunity of putting my +knowledge to the test, seldom attempting to do more than "prick in some +flowers" of foreign speech upon the fabric of my mother tongue; so it +was with great timidity that I essayed at first to thread the mazes of +an unfamiliar language. + +The Spaniard, however, greeted my attempts with courteous comprehension, +and after a time I was emboldened to ask some questions concerning the +town of San Augustin, and to comment upon the vivid beauty of the skies +and the blue waves around us. Upon that he broke into rapturous praises +of his own land of Spain--"the fairest spot upon the earth!" As I +listened, smilingly, it seemed to me that I perceived a shadow gathering +upon the brow of my dear love. + +So far the galley had depended solely upon her oars--of which there were +six banks, of two oars each, on either side,--but now, the wind having +freshened, Don Pedro ordered her two small lateen sails to be hoisted. +While he was giving these directions and superintending their +fulfilment, Mr. Rivers drew closer to my side, saying, in a rapid +whisper: + +"You have somewhat misread me, sweetheart, in regard to your demeanour +toward our host. 'Tis surely needless for you to put yourself to the +pain of conversing with him at such length." + +Now it must be remembered that in the last few hours our situation had +greatly changed. I had left a dark and dirty hovel for a cushioned couch +upon a breezy deck. In the tiny cabin which had been placed at my +disposal, I had, with Barbara's aid, rearranged my tangled locks and my +disordered clothing; so that I was no longer ashamed of my untidy +appearance. With my outward transformation there had come a reaction in +my spirits, which bounded upward to their accustomed level. + +The salt air was fresh upon my cheek; the motion of our vessel, +careening gaily on the dancing waves, was joyous and inspiring. I forgot +that we were sailing southward, and that, if our English friends had +survived to begin their intended settlement, we were leaving them +farther and farther behind. My thoughts went back to the earlier days of +our journey over seas; and a flash of the wilful mischief, which I +thought had all died from my heart, rose suddenly within me. + +I leaned back upon my cushioned seat and looked with half-veiled eyes at +my gallant gentleman. + +"These nice distinctions, Mr. Rivers, are too difficult for me," I said. +"If this Spanish cavalier of high lineage and honest intentions is +worthy of any gratitude, methinks a few civil words can scarcely overpay +him." + +A heightened colour in the cheek of my betrothed testified to the warmth +of his feelings in the matter, as he replied: + +"You are wholly in the right, my dearest lady! If civil words can cancel +aught of our indebtedness I shall not be sparing of them. Nevertheless, +permit me, I entreat you, to assume the entire burden of our gratitude +and the whole payment thereof." + +"Not so," I rejoined, with some spirit. "Despite our beggared fortunes, +I trust no one has ever found a Tudor bankrupt in either courtesy or +gratitude; and--by your leave, sir--I will be no exception!" + +This I said, not because I was so mightily beholden to the Spaniard; +but--shame upon me!--because Mr. Rivers had chosen to reprove me, a +while since, for my uncharity. + +'Tis passing strange how we women can find pleasure in giving pain to +the man we love; while if he suffered from any other cause we would +gladly die to relieve him! 'Twould seem a cruel trait in a woman's +character--and I do trust that I am not cruel! But I must admit that +when I greeted Don Pedro, on his return, with added cordiality, it was +nothing in his dark, eager countenance that set my heart beating--but +rather the glimpse I had caught of a bitten lip, a knotted brow, and a +pair of woeful gray eyes gazing out to sea. + +Repentance came speedily, however. There was that in the Spaniard's +manner that aroused my sleeping doubts of him; and I soon fell silent +and sought to be alone. + +My gallant gentleman had withdrawn himself in a pique, and, in the +company of old Captain Baulk and the lad Poole, seemed to have wholly +forgotten my existence. + +I made Dame Barbara sit beside me, and, feigning headache, leaned my +head upon her shoulder and closed my eyes. The dame rocked herself +gently to and fro, and from time to time gave vent to smothered prayers +and doleful ejaculations that set my thoughts working upon my own +misdoings. + +Through my half-shut eyes I saw the sun go down behind the strip of +shore, and watched the blue skies pale to faintest green and richest +amber. A little flock of white cloudlets, swimming in the transparent +depths, caught fire suddenly and changed to pink flames, then glowed +darkly red like burning coals, and faded, finally to gray ashes in the +purpling west. + +"Lord, have mercy on our sinful hearts!" groaned Dame Barbara softly. + +"Amen!" I sighed, and wondered what ailed mine, that it could be so very +wicked as to add to the burden of anxiety that my dear love had to bear! +A few tears stole from under my half-closed lids, and I was very +miserable and forlorn, when suddenly I felt a hand laid upon mine. + +I looked up hastily, and saw the face of my gallant gentleman, very +grave and penitent, in the fast-deepening twilight. My heart gave a glad +leap within my bosom; but I puckered my lips woefully and heaved a +mighty sigh. + +"Thank you, dear Dame, for your kind nursing," I said to Barbara. +"Truly, I know not what I should do without your motherly comforting at +times." + +Mr. Rivers took my hand, and drew me gently away, saying: + +"See what a bright star hangs yonder, above the sombre shores!" + +I glanced at the glittering point of light, and then, over my shoulder, +at the shadowy decks. The Spaniard was not in sight, and only the bent +figure of the dame was very near. + +My dear love raised my fingers to his lips. "Forgive me, sweetheart, for +being so churlish--but you cannot know the fears that fill me when I see +that man's dark face gazing into yours, and realize that we are utterly +in his power." + +"Surely he would not harm me!" I said, hastily. + +"'Tis that he may learn to love you," said Mr. Rivers gravely. + +"He may spare himself the pain of it!" I cried. "Have you not told him +that we are betrothed?" + +"Aye, love--but he may lose his heart in spite of that. What wonder if +he does? The miracle would be if he could look upon your face unmoved." + +"Am I so wondrous pretty, then?" + +"Fairer than any woman living!" he declared. I knew well enough it was a +tender falsehood, but since he seemed to believe it himself it was every +whit as satisfactory as if it had been truth! + +"Be comforted," I whispered, reassuringly. "I know very well how to make +myself quite homely. I have only to pull all my curls back from my brow +and club them behind: straightway I will become so old and ugly that no +man would care to look me twice in the face. Wait till to-morrow, and +you will see!" + +A laugh broke from Mr. Rivers's lips, and then he sighed heavily. + +"Nay, sweetheart, if it be the head-dress you assumed one day some +months ago for my peculiar punishment, I pray you will not try its +efficacy on the Spaniard; for it serves but to make you the more +irresistible." + +But already I have dwelt longer upon myself and my own feelings than is +needful for the telling of my tale. I must hasten on to those +happenings that more nearly concerned Mr. Rivers. Yet, in looking +backward, I find it hard to tear my thoughts from the memory of that +last hour of quiet converse with my dear love, under the starlit +southern skies. How seldom we realize our moments of great happiness +until after they have slipped away! It seemed to me then that we were in +the shadow of a dark-winged host of fears; but now I know that it served +only to make our mutual faith burn the more brightly. + +I did not, thereafter, neglect Mr. Rivers's warning, and avoided the +Spaniard as much as possible. My dear love lingered always at my elbow, +and replied for me, in easy Spanish, to all the courteous speeches of +Don Pedro. + +Sometimes I think it would have been far better had he left me to follow +my own course. There are some men who need only a hint of rivalry to +spur them on where of their own choice they had never thought to +adventure. Melinza's attentions did not diminish, while his manner +toward Mr. Rivers lost in cordiality as time went on. + + + + +CHAPTER V. + + +Among the Spaniard's followers was a young mulatto whom he called +"Tomas." Very tall and slight of figure was he, yet sinewy and strong, +with corded muscles twining under the brown skin of his lean young +limbs. He wore a loose shirt, open at the throat, with sleeves uprolled +to the shoulder; and his short, full trousers reached barely to the +knee. + +I was admiring the agile grace of the lad as he bestirred himself upon +the deck the last morning of our voyage. With him young Poole (clothed +once more like a Christian, in borrowed garments) was engaged in the +task of shifting a great coil of rope; and the sturdy, fair-skinned +English youth was a pretty contrast to the other. + +Don Pedro was standing near to Mr. Rivers and myself, and his eyes took +the same direction as our own. + +"They are well matched in size," said he, pointing to the lads. "Let us +see which can bear off the palm for strength." He called out a few words +in Spanish to the young mulatto, who raised his dark head--curled over +with shiny rings of coal-black hair--and showed a gleaming row of white +teeth as he turned his smiling face toward his master. + +Mr. Rivers spoke a word to Poole, and the boy blushed from brow to neck, +and his blue eyes fell sheepishly; but he stood up against the other +with a right good will, and there was not a hair's difference in their +height. + +At a signal from Don Pedro the lads grappled with each other; the brown +and ruddy limbs were close entwined, and with bare feet gripping the +decks they swayed back and forth like twin saplings caught in a gale. + +In the first onset the mulatto had the best of it; his lithe dark limbs +coiled about his adversary with paralyzing force: but soon the greater +weight of the English youth began to tell; his young, well-knit figure +straightened and grew tense. + +I saw a sudden snarl upon the other's upturned face. His short, thick +upper lip curled back upon his teeth as a dog's will when in anger. He +rolled his eyes in the direction of his master, who threw him a +contemptuous curse. Stung into sudden rage, the mulatto thrust forth his +head and sank his sharp white teeth in the shoulder of young Poole. + +There was a startled cry, and the English youth loosened his grasp. In +another moment the two figures rolled upon the deck, and the flaxen head +was undermost. + +"Foul play!" cried Mr. Rivers, springing forward to tear the lads apart; +for now the mulatto's fingers were at his opponent's throat. + +Melinza's hand flew to his sword; with a volley of oaths he interposed +the shining blade between Mr. Rivers and the writhing figures on the +floor. Quick as thought another blade flashed from its sheath, and the +angerful gray eyes of my betrothed burned in indignant challenge. + +I had looked on in dumb amaze; but at the sight of the naked weapons I +screamed aloud. + +Instantly the two men seemed to recollect themselves. They drew back and +eyed each other coldly. + +"_Hasta conveniente ocasion, caballero!_" said the Spaniard, returning +his sword to its scabbard, and bowing low. + +"_A la disposicion de vuestra senoria, Don Pedro_," replied my +betrothed, following his example. + +And I, listening, but knowing no word of the language, believed that an +apology had passed between them! + +The scuffle on the deck had ceased when the swords clashed forth, and +the lads had risen to their feet. Melinza turned now to young Tomas and +struck him a sharp blow on the cheek. + +"Away with you both!" said the gesture of his impatient arm; but I +believe his tongue uttered naught but curses. + +All of our English had appeared upon the deck, and when Melinza strode +past them with a scowl still upon his brow they exchanged meaning +glances. Captain Baulk shook his grizzled head as he approached us. + +"What have I always said, Mr. Rivers"----he began; but my betrothed +looked toward me and laid a finger on his lip. Afterward they drew apart +and conversed in whispers. What they said, I never knew; for when Mr. +Rivers returned to my side he spoke of naught but the dolphins sporting +in the blue waters, and the chances of our reaching San Augustin ere +nightfall. + +"So," I thought, "I am no longer to be a sharer in their discussions, in +their hopes or fears. I am but a very child, to be watched over and +amused, to be wiled away from danger with a sweetmeat or a toy! And +truly, I have deserved to be treated thus. But now 'tis time for me to +put away childish things and prove myself a woman." + +I had the wit, however, not to make known my resolutions, nor to insist +on sharing his confidence. I leaned over the vessel's side and watched +the silver flashing of the two long lines of oars as they cut the waves, +and I held my peace. But in my heart there was tumult. I had seen the +glitter of a sword held in my dear love's face!--and I grew cold at the +memory. I had coquetted with the man whose sword it was!--and that +thought sent hot surges over my whole body. I shut my eyes and wished +God had made them less blue; I bit my lip because it was so red. I had +not thought, till now, that my fair face might bring danger on my +beloved. + +He stood at my side, so handsome and so debonair; a goodly man to look +upon and a loyal heart to trust; not over-fervent in matters of +religion, yet never soiling his lips with a coarse oath, or his honour +with a lie! As I glanced up at him, and he bent down toward me, I +suddenly recalled the disloyal caution of our father Abraham when he +journeyed in the land of strangers; and I thought: "Surely must God +honour a man who is true to his love at any cost of danger!" + +So passed the day. + +It was evening when we crossed the bar and entered Matanzas Bay. The +setting sun cast a crimson glow over the waters; I thought of the blood +of the French martyrs that once stained these waves, and I shuddered. + +Outlined against the western sky was the town of San Augustin,--square +walls and low, flat roofs built along a low, green shore. The +watch-tower of the castle fort rose up in menace as we came nearer. + +Upon the deck of the Spanish galley, hand in hand, stood my love and I. + +"Yonder is----our destination," said Mr. Rivers. + +"Our prison, you would say," I answered him, "and so I think also. +Nevertheless, I would rather stand here, at your side, than anywhere +else in this wide world--_alone_!" + +He smiled and raised my fingers to his lips. "Verily, dear lady, so +would I also." + +There was a rattle of heavy chains, and a loud plash as the anchor +slipped down in the darkening waters. + + + + +CHAPTER VI. + + +We were received by the Spanish Governor immediately after our landing. + +I had already pictured him, in my thoughts, as a man of commanding +presence, with keen, dark eyes set in a stern countenance; crisp, +curling locks--such as Melinza's--but silvered lightly on the temples; +an air of potency, of fire, as though his bold spirit defied the heavy +hand of time. + +'Twas therefore a matter of great surprise to me--and some relief--when, +instead, I beheld advancing toward us a spare little figure with +snow-white hair and a pallid face. His small blue eyes blinked upon us +with a watery stare; his flabby cheeks were seamed with wrinkles, and +his tremulous lips twitched and writhed in the shadowy semblance of a +smile: there was naught about him to suggest either the soldier or the +man of parts. + +He was attired with some pretension, in a doublet of purple velvet with +sleeves of a lighter color. His short, full trousers were garnished at +the knee with immense roses; his shrunken nether limbs were cased in +silken hose of a pale lavender hue, and silver buckles fastened the +tufted purple ribbons on his shoes. On his breast was the red cross of +St. James--patent of nobility; had it not been for that and his fine +attire he might have passed for a blear-eyed and decrepit tailor from +Haberdashery Lane. + +I plucked up heart at the sight of this little manikin. + +"Can this be the Governor and Captain-General of San Augustin?" I +whispered in the ear of my betrothed. + +"'Tis not at the court of _our_ Charles only that kissing, or promotion, +goes by favour!" was his answer, in a quick aside. Then he met the +advancing dignitary and responded with grave punctilio to the suave +welcome that was accorded us. + +Melinza's part was that of master of ceremonies on this occasion. He +appeared to have laid aside his rancour, and his handsome olive +countenance was lightened with an expression of great benignance when he +presented me to the Governor as--"_the honourable and distinguished +senorita Dona Margarita de Tudor_." + +I looked up at Mr. Rivers with an involuntary smile. + +"My betrothed, your Excellency," he said simply, taking me by the hand. + +The blear-eyed Governor made me a compliment, with a wrinkled hand upon +his heart. I understood no word of it, and he spoke no French, so Mr. +Rivers relieved the situation with his usual ease. + +This audience had been held in the courtyard of the castle, which is a +place of great strength,--being, in effect, a square fort built of +stone, covering about an acre of ground, and garrisoned by more than +three hundred men. + +We stood in a little group beneath a dim lamp that hung in a carved +portico which appeared to be the entrance to a chapel. Captain Baulk and +the rest were a little aloof from us; and all around, at the open doors +of the casemates, lurked many of the swarthy soldiery. + +Suddenly light footsteps sounded on the flagged pavement of the chapel +in our rear, and a tall, graceful woman stepped forth and laid her hand +upon my shoulder. Through the delicate folds of black, filmy lace +veiling her head and shoulders gleamed a pair of luminous eyes that +burned me with their gaze. + +She waved aside the salutations of the two Spaniards and spoke directly +to me in a rich, low voice. The sight of a woman was so welcome to me +that I held out both hands in eager response; but she made no move to +take them: her bright eyes scanned the faces of our party, lingering on +that of my betrothed, to whom she next addressed herself, with a little +careless gesture of her white hand in my direction. + +Mr. Rivers bowed low, and said, in French: "Madame, I commend her to +your good care." Then to me: "Margaret, the Governor's lady offers you +the protection of her roof." + +His eyes bade me accept it, and I turned slowly to the imperious +stranger and murmured: "Madame, I thank you." + +"So!" she exclaimed, "you can speak, then? You are not dumb? I had +thought it was a pretty waxen effigy of Our Lady, for the padre here," +and she laughed mockingly, with a glance over her shoulder. + +Another had joined our group, but his bare feet had sounded no warning +tread. The sight of the coarse habit and the tonsured head struck a +chill through me. Two sombre eyes held mine for a moment, then their +owner turned silently away and re-entered the chapel door. + +Melinza was standing by, with a gathering frown on his forehead. + +"Such condescension on your part, Dona Orosia, is needless. We can +provide accommodations for all our English guests here in the castle." + +"What! Would Don Pedro stoop to trick out a lady's boudoir?--Nay, she +would die of the horrors within these gloomy walls. Come with me, child, +I can furnish better entertainment." + +I turned hastily toward my dear love. + +"Go!" said his eyes to me. + +Then I thought of Barbara, and very timidly I asked leave to keep her by +me. + +"She may follow us," said the Governor's lady carelessly, and sharply +clapped her hands. Two runners appeared, bearing a closed chair, and set +it down before us. + +"Enter," said my self-elected guardian. "You are so slight there is room +for us both." + +In dazed fashion I obeyed her, and then she followed me. + +I thought I should be crushed in the narrow space, and the idea of being +thus suddenly torn away from my betrothed filled me with terror. I made +a desperate effort to spring out again; but a soft, strong hand gripped +my arm and held me still, and in a moment we were borne swiftly away +from the courtyard into the dark without. + +I wrung my hands bitterly, and burst into tears. + +"_O cielos!_ what have we here?" cried the rich voice, petulantly. "'Tis +not a waxen saint, after all, but a living fountain! Do not drown me, I +pray you. What is there to weep for? Art afraid, little fool? See, I am +but a woman, not an ogress." + +But 'twas not alone for myself that I feared: the thought of my dear +love in Melinza's power terrified me more than aught else,--yet I dared +not put my suspicions into words. I tried hard to control my voice as I +implored that I might be taken back to the fort and to Mr. Rivers. + +"Is it for the Englishman, or Melinza, that you are weeping?" demanded +my companion sharply. + +"Madame!" I retorted, with indignation, "Mr. Rivers is my betrothed +husband." + +"Good cause for affliction, doubtless," she replied, "but spare me your +lamentations. Nay, you may _not_ return to the fort. 'Tis no fit place +for an honest woman,--and you seem too much a fool to be aught else. +Here, we have arrived----" + +She pushed me out upon the unpaved street, then dragged me through an +open doorway, across a narrow court filled with blooming plants, and +into a lighted room furnished with rich hangings, and chairs, tables, +and cabinets of fine workmanship. + +I gazed around me in wonder and confusion of mind. + +"How does it please your pretty saintship? 'Tis something better than +either Padre Ignacio's hut or Melinza's galley, is it not? Are you +content to remain?" + +"Madame," I said desperately, "do with me what you will; only see, I +pray you, that my betrothed comes to no harm." + +"What should harm him?" she demanded. "Is he not the guest of my +husband?" + +"His guest, madame, or his prisoner?" + +She gave me a keen glance. "Whichever role he may have the wit--or the +folly--to play." + +I wrung my hands again. "Madame, madame, do not trifle with me!" + +"Child, what should make thee so afraid?" + +I hesitated, then exclaimed: "Senor de Melinza bears him no good +will--he may strive to prejudice your husband!" + +The Governor's wife looked intently at me. "Why should Melinza have +aught against your Englishman?" + +I could not answer,--perhaps I had been a fool to speak. I dropped my +face in my hands, silently. + +Dona Orosia leaned forward and took me by the wrists. "Look at me!" she +said. + +Timidly I raised my eyes, and she studied my countenance for a long +minute. + +"'Tis absurd," she said then, and pushed me aside. "'Tis impossible! And +yet----a new face, a new face and passably pretty. Oh, my God, these +men! are they worth one real heart pang? Tell me," she cried, fiercely, +and shook me roughly by the shoulder, "has Melinza made love to you +already?" + +"Never, madame, never!" I answered quickly, frightened by her vehemence. +"Indeed, their quarrel did not concern me. 'Twas about two lads that had +a wrestling-match upon the galley. And although they were both angered +at the time, there may be no ill feeling between them now. I was foolish +to speak of it. Forget my imprudence, I pray you!" + +But her face remained thoughtful. "Tell me the whole story," she said; +and when I had done so she was silent. + +I sat and watched her anxiously. She was a beautiful woman, with a +wealth of dark hair, a richly tinted cheek, glorious eyes, and a small, +soft, red-lipped, passionate mouth--folded close, at that moment, in a +scornful curve. + +Suddenly she rose and touched a bell. A young negress answered the +summons. Dona Orosia spoke a few rapid words to her in Spanish, then +turned coldly to me. + +"Go with her; she will show you to your apartment, and your woman will +attend you there later on. You must be too weary to-night to join us at +a formal meal, and your wardrobe must be somewhat in need of +replenishing. To-morrow you shall have whatever you require. I bid you +goodnight!"--and she dismissed me with a haughty gesture of her white +hand. + +The chamber that had been assigned to me--which I was glad to share with +the good Dame Barbara--was long and narrow. There was a window at one +end that gave upon the sea; and through the heavy barred grating, set +strongly in the thick casement, I could look out upon the low sea-wall, +and, beyond that, at the smooth bosom of the dreaming ocean, heaving +softly in the quiet starlight, as though such a sorrow lay hidden in its +deep heart as troubled even its sleep with sighs. + +If I pressed my face close against the bars I could see, to the left of +me, the ramparts of the castle, where my dear love was. The slow tears +rose in my eyes as I thought that this night the same roof would not +shelter us, nor would there be the same swaying deck beneath our feet. + +While we had been together no very real sense of danger had oppressed +me; but from the first hour of our parting my heart grew heavier with +forebodings of the evil and sorrow which were yet to come. + + + + +CHAPTER VII. + + +At first all seemed to go well enough. The Governor's lady was fairly +gracious to me; old Senor de Colis was profuse in his leering smiles and +wordy compliments, none of which I could understand; I saw Mr. Rivers +and Melinza from time to time, and they seemed upon good terms with each +other: but I did not believe this state of affairs could last,--and I +was right in my fears. + +One night ('twas the twenty-second of June, and the weather was sultry +and oppressive; the sea held its breath, and the round moon burned hot +in the hazy sky) the evening meal was served in the little courtyard of +the Governor's house, and both Mr. Rivers and Melinza were our guests. + +This was not the first occasion on which we had all broken bread at the +same board; but there was now an air of mockery in the civilities of +Melinza,--he passed the salt to my betrothed with a glance of veiled +hostility, and pledged him in a glass of wine with a smile that ill +concealed the angry curl of his sullen red lip. + +'Twas a strange meal; the memory of it is like a picture stamped upon my +brain. + +From the tall brass candlesticks upon the table, the unflickering tapers +shone down upon gleaming damask and glistening silver, and kindled +sparks amid the diamonds that caught up the folds of lace on the dark +head of Dona Orosia, and that gemmed the white fingers clasping her +slow-moving fan. Hers was a beauty that boldly challenged men's +admiration and exacted tribute of their eyes. The white-haired Governor +paid it in full measure, with a fixed and watery gaze from beneath his +half-closed lids, and a senile smile lurking under his waxed moustache. +But whenever I glanced upward I met the eyes of Mr. Rivers and Don Pedro +turned upon me; and I felt a strange thrill made up, in part, of triumph +that my dear love was not to be won from his allegiance, and in part of +terror because there was that in the Spaniard's gaze that betokened a +nature ruled wholly by its hot passions and a will to win what it craved +by fair means or by foul. + +I could eat little for the heat and the pungent flavour of strange +sauces, so I dallied with my plate only as an excuse for lowered +eyes; and, although I listened all the while with strained attention, +the talk ran by too swiftly for me to grasp any of its meaning. + +[Illustration: "TO THE BRIGHTEST EYES AND THE LIPS MOST WORTHY OF +KISSES!"--_Page 55._] + +But Dona Orosia was neither deaf nor blind; her keen black eyes had +noted every glance that passed her by. With a deeper flush on her olive +cheek, and a prouder poise of her haughty head, she made to me at last +the signal for withdrawal. + +The three gentlemen, glasses in hand, rose from their seats; and, as we +passed beneath the arched trellis that led away from the paved court +into the fragrant garden, Don Pedro lifted his glass to his lips with a +gesture in our direction, and exclaimed in French: + +"To the fairest face in San Augustin! To the brightest eyes and the lips +most worthy of kisses! May the light of those eyes never be withdrawn +from these old walls, nor the lips lack a Spanish blade to guard them +from all trespassers!" + +The Governor, who understood not the French words, lifted his glass in +courteous imitation of his nephew's gesture; but Mr. Rivers coloured +hotly and set down his upon the table. + +"I like not your toast, Senor Melinza, whichever way I construe it. The +face I hold fairest here shall leave San Augustin the day that I +depart; and, since it is the face of my promised wife, it needs no other +sword than mine to fend off trespassers!" + +He, too, spoke in French; and as the words passed his lips I felt the +soft, strong hand of Dona Orosia grasp my arm and drag me backward among +the screening vines, beyond the red light of the tapers, where we could +listen unseen. + +Melinza was laughing softly. "Senor Rivers says he cannot construe my +toast to his liking; but perhaps if I give it him in the Spanish tongue +he may find the interpretation more to his taste!" Then he lifted his +glass again and slowly repeated the words in his own language, with a +meaning glance toward the Governor. + +The old man drained his goblet to the dregs, and then turned a flushed +face upon the Englishman and laid his hand upon his sword. + +My dear love had no thoughts of prudence left,--for Melinza's words had +been a direct charge of cowardice,--so for all answer he took the frail +goblet from the table and threw it in the younger Spaniard's face. + +There was a tinkle of broken glass upon the stone pavement, and Melinza +wiped the red wine from his cheek. Then he held up the stained kerchief +before the eyes of my dear love and spoke a few words in his softest +voice. + +An angry smile flickered over the countenance of my betrothed; he bowed +stiffly in response. + +The blear-eyed Governor broke in hotly, with his hand still upon his +sword; his dull eyes narrowed, and the blood mounted higher in his +wrinkled cheek: but his nephew laid a restraining hand upon his arm, +and, with another laughing speech and a profound bow to Mr. Rivers, +pointed toward the door. + +I saw the three of them depart through the passageway that led to the +street entrance. I heard the creak of the hinges, and the clang of the +bars as they fell back into place. Then a strong, sweet odour of crushed +blossoms turned me faint. I loosed my hold of the screening vines and +stepped backward with a sudden struggle for breath. + +The woman beside me caught my arm a second time and drew me still +farther away down the moonlit path. + +"Is he aught of a swordsman, this fine cavalier of thine?" she demanded, +grasping my shoulder tightly and scanning my face with her scornful +eyes. + +Then my senses came to me: I knew what had happened--what was bound to +follow; and I began to speak wildly and to pray her to prevent bloodshed +between them. + +I scarce know what I said; but the words poured from my lips, and for +very despair I checked them not. I told her of my orphan state--of that +lone grave in Barbadoes, and the sad young mother who had died of a +broken heart; I spoke of the long, long journey over seas, the love that +had come into my life, and the dreams and the hopes that had filled our +thoughts when we reached the fair, strange shores of this new country; +and I prayed her, as she was a woman and a wife, to let no harm come to +my dear love. + +"Ah! madame," I cried, "a face so fair as yours needs not the +championship of one English stranger, who holds already a preference for +blue eyes and yellow hair. I grant you that he has a sorry taste; but +oh! I pray you, stop this duel!" + +She loosed her hand from the clasp of mine, and looked at me a moment in +silence; then she laughed bitterly. + +"Thou little fool! Thou little blue-eyed fool! What do men see in that +face of thine to move them so? A painter might love thee for the gold of +thy hair, thy white brow, and thy blue eyes,--they would grace a +pictured saint above a shrine,--but for a man's kisses, and such love +as might tempt him to risk his very life for thee,--_cielos_! it is more +than passing strange." Then, as I stood dumb before her, she tapped me +lightly on the cheek. "Go to! Art such a fool as to think that _either_ +sword will be drawn for _my_ beauty's sake?" + + + + +CHAPTER VIII. + + +That night I had but little sleep. + +About an hour after midnight there was a great stir in the house and the +sound of opening doors and hurrying footsteps. The unwonted noises +terrified me. I leaned against the door, with a heart beating thickly, +and I listened. What evil tidings did those sounds portend? There was a +loud outcry in a woman's voice,--the voice of Dona Orosia. + +I felt that I must know what havoc Fate had wrought in the last hours. I +looked at Barbara--she slumbered peacefully on her hard pallet; the +moonlight, streaming through the barred window, showed me her withered +face relaxed in almost childlike peacefulness. I would not rouse +her,--'twas a blessed thing to sleep and forget; but _I_ dared not +sleep, for I knew not what would be the horror of my waking. With my +cheek pressed close against the door I waited a moment longer. Perhaps +only those planks intervened 'twixt me and my life's tragedy! + +I laid my hand upon the latch. I feared to know the truth,--and yet, if +I did not hear it, I must die of dread. Slowly I turned the key and +raised the bars: the door swung open. + +I stepped out upon the balcony that overhung the court and I looked +over. There was no one in sight; the white moonlight lay over +everything, and a strong perfume floated up from the flowers in the +garden beyond. + +I crept down the stair and stood still in the centre of the empty court. +Voices sounded near me, but I knew not whence they came. Trembling +still, I moved toward the passage that led to the outer door, and I saw +that it was bright as day. The door stood ajar. Those who had last gone +out had been strangely forgetful--or greatly agitated. + +Scarce knowing what I did, I crossed the threshold and hurried down the +street in the direction of the fort. + +A group of three men stood upon the corner. At the sight of them I +paused and hid in the shadow of the wall; but, one of them turning his +face toward me, I recognized Captain Baulk, and, going quickly forward, +I laid my hand upon his arm. + +"How is he? Where have they taken him?" I whispered. + +"What! is't Mistress Tudor? Have they turned you adrift, then? Lor', +'tis a frail craft to be out o' harbour such foul weather!" + +"How is he?" I repeated, tightening my grasp upon his sleeve. + +"Dead as a pickled herring, poor lad!" + +My head struck heavily against the wall as I fell, but I made no outcry. + +"Sink me! but the poor lassie thought I meant Mr. Rivers!" I heard the +old sailor exclaim as he dropped on his knees beside me,--and the words +stayed my failing senses. + +"Whom did you mean?" I gasped. + +"Young Poole has been done to death, Mistress Margaret. As honest a lad +as ever lived, too,--more's the pity!" + +I struggled to raise myself, crying: "What do you tell me? Have they +killed the lad in pure spite against his master? And where is Mr. +Rivers?" + +They made me no answer. + +"He is dead, then! I knew it, my heart told me so!" + +"Eh! poor lass! 'Tis not so bad as that--yet bad enough. They've hung +chains enough upon him to anchor a man-o'-war, and moored him fast in +the dungeon of the fort. D--n 'em for a crew o' dastard furriners!--an' +he own cousin to an English earl!" + +"Can you not tell me a straight tale?" I cried. "What has he done to be +so ill served? And whose the enmity behind it all,--Melinza's, or the +Governor's?" + +"Lor'!" exclaimed one of the sailors, "the young Don is past revenge, +mistress. If he lives out the night 'tis more than I look to see." + +"Here, now, let me tell the tale, lad," the old captain interposed. +"'Twas a duel began it, Mistress Tudor. The young bloods were so keen +after fighting they could not wait for sunrise, but must needs have it +out by moonlight on the beach. 'Twas over yonder, in the lee of the +castle walls." + +"Mr. Rivers and Don Pedro?" + +"Aye, mistress. The Governor was not by,--'tis likely he knew naught of +it." + +"Not so!" I cried, "he had his share in the quarrel, and they left the +house in company." + +"Mayhap," said Captain Baulk, "I'd not gainsay it--for I trust no one o' +them; but he chose to go with his weather eye shut rather than take +precaution 'gainst the squall. So they had it out all by their +selves,--and none of us a whit the wiser, saving young Poole, who had +guessed somewhat was amiss and followed his master." + +"What then? Speak quickly! Was Mr. Rivers wounded?" + +"Not he! That's to say, not by any thrust of the Don's. Lor', but it +must ha' been a pretty fight! Pity no man saw it that lives to tell!" + +"In the name of mercy, sir, speak plainly!" + +"Aye, my young mistress, but give me time an' I will. Mr. Rivers ere +long did get in such a thrust that the Don went down before it as +suddenly as a ship with all her hull stove in. He lay stranded, with the +blood flowing away in a dark stream over the white sands. Our young +gentleman, gallant heart, did throw away his sword and fall down beside +the Spaniard and strive to staunch his wounds, crying aloud most lustily +for aid. Who should hear him but young Poole and that yellow devil of a +Tomas! They came from opposite quarters, and Poole was in the shadow, so +the other saw him not. The mulatto ran up alongside, and, seeing 'twas +the Don who had fallen, he whipped out a knife from his belt and struck +at our young master as he knelt there on the ground. Nay, now, do not +take on so! Did I not say he was but little hurt? Had the blow struck +him fairly in the back, as it was meant to do, doubtless it would have +put an end to him; but Poole was to the rescue, poor lad! He threw +himself on the mulatto in the nick o' time. The knife had barely grazed +Mr. Rivers on the shoulder; but young Tomas never let go his hold of it. +He and the faithful lad rolled together on the ground--and Poole never +rose again. His body was stabbed through in a dozen places. Mr. Rivers +had no time to interfere; ere he could rise from his knees, or even put +out a hand to take his sword, a dozen soldiers had laid hands on him. +That devil of a Tomas finished his evil work, and then picked himself up +and walked away; never a one laid a finger on him or cried shame on the +foul deed!" + +The old sailor paused, and each man of the group breathed a curse +through his clinched teeth. + +"They have taken Mr. Rivers to the dungeon of the fort?" I whispered. + +"Aye, so they tell us. None of us were there, which is perhaps for the +good of our necks,--yet I would we had had a chance to strike a blow in +defence of the poor lad." + +"And the Spaniard--Don Pedro?" + +"They carried him into the Governor's own house a while since. I think +his wound is mortal." + +"Then he has brought his death upon himself, for he forced Mr. Rivers +into the quarrel," I declared hastily. + +"'Twas bound to come," admitted Captain Baulk, "there has been bad +blood between them from the very first. But what are we to do with you, +mistress? Did they put you out in anger?" + +"Nay," I exclaimed, "I heard a great disturbance and hastened out to +seek the cause. The outer door was left unbarred." + +"Why then, mistress, we would best make for it again before 'tis shut! +This is no hour and no place for a young maid to be out alone." Taking +me by the hand he led me back the way I had come; but we were too late. +The entrance was closed and barred against us. + +"Now, what's to do?" exclaimed the old sailor in dismay. + +I had been too crushed and dazed by the ill news to think before of my +imprudence; but now I realized how very unwisely I had acted. I turned +hastily to the old captain. + +"Go and leave me, my good friend," I said. "Already there has been +enough trouble of my making. Do not let me have to answer for more. I +will wait here and call for some one to open for me. 'Tis better for me +to say what is the truth--that I wandered out in my anxiety. Go, I pray +you, and be discrete in your conduct, that they may have no just cause +to imprison you also." + +He saw the wisdom of it and went away out of sight, while I beat with +all my might upon the door. + +In a moment steps sounded within, the bars fell, and the door was drawn +back. It was the Governor himself who stood there. He looked at me in +astonishment as he drew aside for me to pass. + +I attempted no explanation; for I knew he could not understand me. +Doubtless he would tell his lady and she would hold me to account. +Slowly I mounted to the balcony above and pushed open the door of my +chamber. + +The dame still slept peacefully. I went softly to the window and knelt +down. My heart was sick for the faithful lad who had died in defending +Mr. Rivers. Poor boy! He had no mother--I wonder if there was a little +lass anywhere whom he loved? But no, he was young for that. I think his +love was all his master's. And to die for those whom we love best is not +so sad a fate as to live for their undoing! + +The hot tears ran down my face. I leaned my cheek against the bars and +set free my thoughts, which flew, as swift as homing pigeons, to my dear +love in his dungeon cell. + +Oh! I would that all the prayers I pray, and all the tender thoughts I +think of him, had wings in very truth; and that after they had flown +heavenward they might bear thence some balm, some essence of divinest +pity, to cheer him in his loneliness! If it were so, then there would be +in never-ending flight, up from the barred window where I kneel, and +downward to the narrow slit in his prison wall, two shining lines of +fluttering white wings coming and going all these long nights through! + + + + +CHAPTER IX. + + +Many days have passed since I began to write these pages. + +All the morning after that terrible night, with Barbara I waited +fearfully for some manifestation of Dona Orosia's anger. But there was +none, nor were we summoned out that day. Food was brought to us, and we +remained like prisoners in our chamber. Don Pedro was very low, the +servant told us, and the Governor's lady was nursing him. + +A week went by,--the longest week I had ever known,--and then we heard +that Melinza would recover. However, it was not until he had lain ill a +fortnight that Dona Orosia came to visit me. + +I was sitting by the window with my head upon my hand, and Barbara was +putting some stitches in the worn places in her gown, when the door +opened to admit my hostess. + +She came straight toward me with a glint of anger in her dark eyes. The +long nights of anxious watching had driven back the blood from her +smooth olive cheek, and the red lips showed the redder for her +unaccustomed pallor. She laid one hand on my head, tilting it backward. + +"You little white-faced fool! I would you had never set foot in this +town," she cried bitterly. + +"Ah! madame, I came not of my own free will," I answered her. "I and my +dear love would willingly go hence, an you gave us the means to do so!" + +"'Tis likely that we shall, truly," she replied. "'Tis likely that the +Governor of San Augustin will keep a galley to ply up and down the coast +for the convenience of you English intruders! There came two more of you +this morning, from the friar at Santa Catalina." + +"Two more English prisoners!" I exclaimed. "Who are they, madame?" + +"I know not, and I care not," she said. "I meddle not with things that +do not concern me. I come here now but to hear how you came to be on the +streets at midnight. Had I been in the Governor's place then, I would +have shut the door in your face." + +I told her the truth, as it had happened to me; and when she had heard +it her brow lightened somewhat. + +"Are you deceiving me? You did not leave here till _after_ the duel had +taken place?" + +"Madame," I said, "I have never yet told a lie, and I would not now were +it to save my life." + +Her lip curled slightly as she turned to go. "Stir not from this room, +then, until Don Pedro is well enough to leave the house," she said. "If +I could prevent it he should never look upon your face again." She +paused an instant, then added: "I _will_ prevent it!" + +"Amen to that!" I said, and I felt the blood burn warmly in my cheek. + +She turned and looked at me, and I met her gaze with defiant eyes. + +"Amen to that, madame!--for truly I hate him with all my heart!" + +She stood still, a slow crimson rising in her pale face, and I trembled +a little at my own daring. Then, to my surprise, she laughed at me. + +"You think that you hate him desperately?" she exclaimed. "Silly child, +it is not in thy power to hate that man as I do, as I have done for +years!" and with that she went away and left me wondering. + + + + +CHAPTER X. + + +July, the 16th day. + +Two things have happened recently to break the sad monotony of my life +within these walls. + +Dona Orosia and Melinza have had a disagreement, which has resulted in +his removal hence--at his own demand. Although I know nothing of the +cause of their quarrel, Dona Orosia's last words to me, the other day, +make it possible to understand the man's reluctance to remain here in +her care,--and yet they say it was her nursing that saved his life! I +would that I could understand it all! + +Since his departure I have had the freedom of the courtyard and garden; +and yesterday, by good chance, I had speech with one of the newly +arrived English prisoners. + +It had been a day of terrible heat, and just at nightfall I wandered out +into the garden all alone. There is a high wall to it, which so joins +the dwelling that together they form a hollow square. This wall is of +soft gray stone; it is of a good thickness, and about a man's height. +Along the top of it sharp spikes are set; and near one corner is a +wrought-iron gate of great strength, which is kept securely locked. + +It is not often that I venture near this gate, for it looks out upon the +street, and I care not to be seen by any Indian or half-breed Spaniard +who might go loitering by; but as I stood in the vine-covered arbour in +the centre of the garden I heard a man's voice from the direction of the +gate, humming a stave of a maritime air that I had heard sung oft and +again by the sailors on the sloop, in which some unknown fair one is +ardently invited to-- + + "--be the Captain's lady!" + +and I knew it must be a friend. So I made haste thither and peered out +into the street. + +Sure enough it was old Captain Baulk, and with him a gentleman whose +face, even in the twilight, was well known to me,--he being none other +than Mr. John Collins of Barbadoes (the same who had given us news of my +poor father's end, and one of our fellow passengers on the _Three +Brothers_). + +They both greeted me most kindly and inquired earnestly how I did and if +I was well treated. It seems that for days they had been trying to get +speech with me, but could find none to deliver a message; so for two +nights past they had hung about the gate, hoping that by chance I might +come out to them. + +Mr. Collins related to me how the sloop had been sent back to Santa +Catalina with letters to the friar and the Governor of San Augustin, +demanding our release on the ground that as peace was now subsisting +between the crowns of England and of Spain, and no act of hostility had +been committed by us, our capture was unwarrantable. But Padre Ignacio, +with his plausible tongue, had beguiled them ashore into his power. + +"The man is a very devil for fair words and smooth deceits," declared +Mr. Collins. "In spite of all the warnings we had received, some of us +landed without first demanding hostages of the Indians; and when we +would have departed two of us were forcibly detained on pretence of our +lacking proper credentials to prove our honesty. In sooth he charged us +with piratical intentions, though we had not so much as cracked a pistol +or inveigled one barbarian aboard. The sloop lingered for three days, +but finally made off, leaving us in the hands of the padre. He +despatched us here in canoes, under a guard of some twenty half-naked +savages, with shaven crowns, who are no more converted Christians than +the fiends in hell!" + +I asked, then, for news of my uncle, Dr. Scrivener, and Mr. Collins +assured me that he was most anxious for my safety, and would have come +back with them to demand us of the friar, but he had received a hurt in +the neck during the attack at Santa Catalina and was in no state to +travel, although the wound was healing well--for which God be thanked! + +So far, all the prisoners, except Mr. Rivers, have the freedom of the +town; but Captain Baulk declared he would as lief be confined within the +fort. + +"There be scarce two honest men--saving ourselves--in all San Augustin," +he said. "The lodging-house where we sleep is crowded with dirty, +thieving half-breeds, who would as willingly slit a man's throat as a +pig's. Though they hold us as guests against our will, we must e'en pay +our own score; and some fine night--you mark me!--we shall find +ourselves lacking our purses." + +"Then the Governor will be at the cost of our entertainment," said Mr. +Collins. + +"'Twill be prison fare, sir," grunted the old sailor, "and we'll be +lucky if he doesn't find it cheaper to heave us overboard and be done +with it!" + +"Tut! man,--hold your croaking tongue in the poor young lady's +presence," whispered Mr. Collins; but I heard what he said, and bade +him tell us our true case and what real hope there was of our +liberation. + +"There is every certainty," he said. "When word reaches their Lordships +in England, they will not fail to make complaint to the Spanish +Council,--and they have no just cause for refusing to set us free. But I +trust we shall not have to wait for that. If we had a Governor of +spirit, instead of a timorous old man like Sayle, he would have already +sent the frigate down here to demand us of the Spaniards. There are not +lacking men to carry out the enterprise: Captain Brayne could scarce be +restrained from swooping down on the whole garrison--as Rob Searle did, +not long ago, when he rescued Dr. Woodward out of their clutches." + +"Captain Brayne!--the frigate! Do you mean that the _Carolina_ has +arrived?" + +"Two months ahead of our sloop," declared Mr. Collins; "but Governor +Sayle has despatched her to Virginia for provisions, of which we were +beginning to run short. The _Port Royal_ has not been heard of, so 'tis +feared she went down in the storm." + +He went on to tell me of the new settlement which had been already laid +out at a place called Kiawah,--a very fair and fruitful country, which +Heaven grant I may one day see! + +In my turn I related all that had befallen me since we reached this +place. They heard me out very gravely, and promised to contrive some +means of communicating with me in case of need. + +Then, as it grew very late, we parted, promising to meet the following +night; and I crept softly back to the house and my little room, greatly +comforted that I now had a worthy gentleman like Mr. Collins with whom I +could advise; for with his knowledge of the Spanish tongue and his sound +judgment I hope he may influence the Governor in our favour. + + * * * * * + +The sun is setting now, I think, although I cannot see it from my +window; for all the sky without is faintly pink, and every ripple on the +bay turns a blushing cheek toward the west. I must lay by my pen and +watch for an opportunity to keep tryst at the gateway with my two good +friends.... + +Nine of the clock. + +God help me! I waited in the garden till I heard a whistle, and stole +down to the gate as before. + +A man put out his hand and caught at mine through the bars. It was that +vile Tomas--the wretch who would have murdered my dear love! I screamed +and fled, but he called after me in Spanish. The words were strange to +me--but the tones of his voice and the coarse laughter needed no +interpreter! + +As I flew across the garden, too frightened to attempt concealment, Dona +Orosia stepped out into the courtyard and demanded an explanation. I +knew not what to say, for I could not divulge the motive that had sent +me out; but I told her that a man had called me from the gate, and when +I went near to see who it might be I recognized the servant of Melinza. + +She seemed to doubt me at first, till I described him closely; then she +was greatly angered and forbade me the garden altogether. + +"If I find you here alone again," she hissed, seizing my shoulder with +no gentle grasp, "if I find you here again, I will turn the key upon you +and keep you prisoner in your chamber." + +So now I dare not venture beyond the court and the balconies; and there +will be no chance of speaking with Mr. Collins unless he dares to come +under my window, and there is little hope of his doing that unseen, for +'tis in full view from the ramparts of the fort, where a sentry paces +day and night. + + + + +CHAPTER XI. + + +August, the 7th day. + +When I began this tale of our captivity it was with the hope that I +might find some means of sending it to friends, in this country or in +England, who would interest themselves in obtaining our release. +However, from what Mr. Collins told me, I feel assured that news of Mr. +Rivers's capture has already been sent to their Lordships the +proprietors, and this record of mine seems now but wasted labour. Yet +from time to time, for my own solace, I shall add to it; and perchance, +some day in safety and freedom, I and----another----may together read +its tear-stained pages. + +This day I have completed the seventeenth year of my age. It is a double +anniversary, for one year ago this night--it being the eve of our +departure from England--I first set eyes upon my dear love. + +Can it be possible that he, in his dolorous prison, has taken account of +the passing days and remembers that night--a year ago? 'Twould be liker +a man if he took no thought of the date till it was past,--yet I do +greatly wonder if he has forgotten. + +As for me, the memory has lived with me all these hours since I unclosed +my eyes at dawn. + +I can see now the brightly lighted cabin of the _Carolina_, where the +long supper-table was laid for the many passengers who were to set out +on the morrow for a new world. I had been somehow parted from my uncle, +Dr. Scrivener, and I stood in the cabin doorway half afraid to venture +in and meet the eyes of all the strangers present. I felt the colour +mounting warmly in my cheek, and my feet were very fain to run away, +when Captain Henry Brayne, the brave and cheery commander of the +frigate, caught sight of me, and, rising hastily, led me to a seat at +his own right hand. + +(I do recollect that I wore a new gown of fine blue cloth--a soft and +tender colour, that became me well.) + +As I took my place I glanced shyly round, and saw, at the farther end of +the long table, the gallantest gentleman I had ever set eyes upon in all +my sixteen years of life. He was looking directly at me, and presently +he lifted his glass and said: + +"Captain Brayne, I give you _the Carolina and every treasure she +contains_!" + +There was some laughter as the toast was drunk, and my uncle--who had +only that moment entered and taken his seat beside me--asked of me an +explanation. + +"Nay, Dr. Scrivener," said the jovial captain, "'tis not likely the +little lady was attending. But now I give you--_the health of Mistress +Tudor!_ (and it will not be the first time it has been proposed +to-night!)" + +And that was but a year ago. I would never have guessed that at +seventeen I could feel so very old. + + + + +CHAPTER XII. + + +San Augustin's Day--August, the 28th. + +Oh! but I have been angered this day! + +What? when my betrothed lies in prison, ill, perhaps, or fretting his +brave heart away, am I to be dragged forth to make part of a pageant for +the entertainment of his jailers? I would sooner have the lowest cell in +the dungeon--aye! and starve and stifle for lack of food and air, than +be forced to deck myself out in borrowed bravery, and sit mowing and +smiling in a gay pavilion, and clap hands in transport over the fine +cavalier airs of the man I hold most in abhorrence! + +Do they take me for so vapid a little fool that I may be compelled to +any course they choose? Nay, then, they have learned a lesson. Oh, but +it is good to be in a fair rage for once! + +I had grown so weary and sick at heart that the blood crawled sluggishly +in my veins; my eyes were dull and heavy; I had sat listlessly, with +idle hands, day after day, waiting--waiting for I knew not what! +Therefore it was that I had no will or courage to oppose the Governor's +wife when she came to me this morning and bade me wear the gown she +brought, and pin a flower in my hair, and sit with her in the Governor's +pavilion to see the fine parade go by. + +"This is a great day in San Augustin," she said, "being the +one-hundred-and-fifth anniversary of its founding by the Spanish." + +As the captives of olden times made part of the triumph of their +conquerors, 'twas very fit that I, forsooth, should lend what little I +possessed of youth and fairness to the making of a Spanish holiday! + +But I was too spiritless, then, to dare a refusal. I bowed my head +meekly enough while Chepa--the smiling, good-natured negress--gathered +up the rustling folds of the green silk petticoat and slipped it over my +shoulders. I made no demur while she looped and twisted the long tresses +of my yellow hair, fastening it high with a tall comb, and tying a knot +of black velvet riband upon each of the wilful little bunches of curls +that ever come tumbling about my ears. + +When all was finished, and the lace mantilla fastened to my comb and +draped about my shoulders, I was moved by Barbara's cries of admiration +to cast one glance upon the mirror. 'Twas an unfamiliar picture that I +saw there, and my pale face blushed with some mortification that it +should have lent itself so kindly to a foreign fashion. + +I would have thrown off all the braveries that minute; but just then +came a message from Dona Orosia, bidding me hasten. + +"What matters anything to me now?" I thought wearily; and, slowly +descending to the courtyard, I took my place in the closed chair that +waited, and was borne after the Governor's lady to the Plaza, where, at +the western end facing upon the little open square, was the gay +pavilion. + +Its red and yellow banners shone gaudily in the hot sunlight of the +summer afternoon, and the fresh sea breeze kept the tassels and +streamers all a-flutter, like butterflies hovering over a bed of +flowers. + +Three sides of the Plaza were lined with spectators, but the eastern +end--which opened out toward the bay--was kept clear for the troops to +enter. + +Against the slight railing of the little pavilion leaned Dona Orosia, +strangely fair in a gown of black lace and primrose yellow, that +transformed the soft contours of her throat and cheek from pale olive to +the purest pearl. She deigned to bestow but a single cold, unfriendly +glance upon me; then she bent forward as before, her lifted fan +shielding her eyes from the glare of the sun-kissed sea. + +Presently, with the blare of trumpets and the deep rolling of the drums, +the King's troops came in sight, three hundred strong. + +At the head of the little band, which marched afoot, rode Melinza and +the Governor. 'Twas the first time I had seen a horse in the town. + +Old Senor de Colis was mounted on a handsome bay that pranced and +curvetted beneath him, to his most evident discomfort; but Melinza's +seat was superb. It was a dappled gray he rode, with flowing mane and +tail of silvery white; a crimson rosette was fastened to its crimped +forelock, and the long saddle-cloth was richly embroidered. + +As the little company swept round the square, the two horsemen saluted +our pavilion. Don Pedro lifted his plumed hat high, and I saw that his +face was pale from his recent wound, but the bold black eyes were as +bright as ever they had been before. + +I drew back hastily from the front of the pavilion and made no pretence +of returning his salute. Then, for the first time since I had taken my +seat beside her, Dona Orosia spoke to me. + +"Why such scant courtesy?" she asked, with lifted brows. + +"Madame," I answered, "had my betrothed been here at my side, an +honoured guest, I would have had more graciousness at my command." + +"What!" she exclaimed, "have you not yet had time to forget your +quarrelsome cavalier?" + +"I will forget him, madame, when I cease to remember the treachery of +those who called themselves his entertainers." + +She flushed angrily. "Your tongue has more of spirit than your face. I +wonder that you have the courage to say this to me." + +"I dare, because I have nothing more to lose, madame!" + +"Say you so? Would you rather I gave you into Melinza's keeping?" + +"Nay!" I cried, "you could not--such unfaith would surpass the limits of +even Spanish treachery! And you would not--it would please you better +_if he never set eyes upon my face again_! I only wonder that you should +have brought me here to-day!" + +She opened her lips to speak; but the blare of the trumpets drowned the +words, and she turned away from me. + +The troops were drawn in line across the square: on the right, the +Spanish regulars of the garrison; on the left, the militia companies, +which had come up while we were speaking. These last were made up, for +the most part, of mulattoes and half-breed Indians,--a swarthy-faced, +ill-looking band that appeared fitter for savage warfare of stealth and +ambuscade and poisoned arrows than for valorous exploits and honest +sword-play. + +The various man[oe]uvres of the troops, under the skilled leadership of +Don Pedro, occupied our attention for upward of an hour, during all +which time my companion appeared quite unconscious of my presence. She +sat motionless save for the swaying of her fan. Only once did her face +express aught but fixed attention--and that was when a sudden fanfare of +the trumpets caused the Governor's horse to plunge, and the old man +lurched forward on the pommel of his saddle, his plumed hat slipping +down over his eyes. + +For an instant the swaying fan was still; a low laugh sounded in my ear, +and, turning, I saw the red lips of the Governor's lady take on a very +scornful curve. + +She received him graciously enough, however, when--the review being +over--he dismounted and joined us in the pavilion. + +Melinza had retired with the troops; but just as the last rank +disappeared from view he came galloping back at full speed, flung +himself from the saddle, and, throwing the reins to an attendant, +mounted the pavilion stair. + +I felt that Dona Orosia's eyes were upon me, and I believed that she +liked me none the less for my hostility to the man. It may have been +this that gave me courage--I do not know--I think I would not have +touched his hand in any case. + +He flushed deeply when I put both of mine behind my back; then, with the +utmost effrontery, he leaned forward and plucked away one little black +rosette that had fallen loose from my curls and was slipping down upon +my shoulder. This he raised to his lips with a laugh, and then fastened +upon his breast. + +I was deeply angered, and I cast about for some means of retaliation +that would show him the scorn I held him in. + +At the foot of the pavilion stood the youth who was holding Melinza's +horse. + +I leaned over the railing, and, loosing quickly from my hair the fellow +to the rosette Don Pedro wore, I tossed it to the lad below, saying, in +almost the only Spanish words I knew,-- + +"It is a gift!" + +Melinza's face grew white with anger; he tore off the bit of riband and +ground it under his heel; then he strode down the stair, mounted his +horse, and rode away. + +The Governor's lady watched him till he was out of sight; then, with a +strange smile, she said to me,-- + +"I never knew before that blue eyes had so much of fire in them. I +think, my little saint, 'tis time I sent you back to your old duenna." + +"I would thank you for so much grace!" was my reply. And back to Barbara +I was despatched forthwith. + +But though I have been some hours in my chamber, my indignation has not +cooled. The very sight of that man's countenance is more than I can +endure! + +I am resolved that I will never set foot outside my door when there is +any chance of my encountering him, and so I shall inform the Governor's +wife when she returns.... + +She laughs at me! She declares I shall do whatever is her pleasure! And +what is my puny strength to hers? With all the will in the world to +resist her, I am as wax in her hands! + + + + +CHAPTER XIII. + + +The first day of March. + +For six months I have added nothing to this record; though time and +again I have taken up my pen to write, and then laid it by, with no mark +upon the fresh page. Can heartache be written down in words? Can +loneliness and longing,--the desolation of one who has no human creature +on whom to lavish love and care,--the dull misery that is known only to +those whose best beloved are suffering the worst woes of this woeful +life,--can all these be told? Ah, no! one can only feel them--bear +them--and be crushed by them. + +If it had not been for the good old dame, I know not what would have +become of me. Many a day and many a night I have clung to her for hours, +weeping--crying aloud, "I cannot bear it! I cannot!" What choice had I +but to bear it? And tears cannot flow forever; the calm of utter +weariness succeeds. + +'Tis not that I have been ill treated. I am well housed, and daintily +clothed and fed. Unless Melinza--or some other guest--is present, I sit +at the Governor's own table. His wife makes of me something between a +companion and a plaything: one moment I have to bear with her capricious +kindness; the next, I am teased or driven away from her with as little +courtesy as she shows to the noble hound that follows her like her own +shadow. + +Until lately I have seen little of Melinza. Early in the winter he went +away to the Habana and remained absent two months, during which time I +had more peace of mind than I have known since first we came here. But +since his return he has tried in various ways to force himself into my +presence; and Dona Orosia,--who could so easily shield me if she +chose,--before she comes to my relief, permits him to annoy me until I +am roused to the point of passionate repulse. One could almost think she +loves to see me suffer--unless it is the sight of his discomfiture that +affords her such satisfaction. + +But all of this I could endure if only my dear love were free! I have +heard that he is ill. It may not be true,--God grant that it is not! +Still, though the rumour came to me by devious ways, and through old +Barbara's lips at last (and she is ever prone to think the worst), it is +more than possible! I, myself, have suffered somewhat from this long +confinement; and in how much worse case is he! + +I have tried to occupy myself, that I may keep my thoughts from dwelling +forever on our unhappy state. In the past six months I have so far +mastered the Spanish tongue that now I can converse in it with more ease +than in the French. The Governor declares that I have the true +intonation; and even Dona Orosia admits that I have shown some aptitude. +I care nothing for it as a mere accomplishment; but I hope that the +knowledge may be of use if ever we attempt escape. (Though what chance +of escape is there when Mr. Rivers is within stone walls and I have no +means of even holding converse with Mr. Collins?) + +I have one other accomplishment that has won me more favour with the +Governor's wife than aught else. She discovered, one day, that I have +some skill with the lute, and a voice not lacking in sweetness; and now +she will have me sing to her by the hour until my throat is weary and I +have to plead for rest. + +I had, recently, a conversation with her that has haunted me every hour +since; for it showed me a side of her nature that I had not seen before, +and that leads me to think that under her caprice and petulance there is +a deep purpose hidden. + +I had exhausted my list of songs, and as she still demanded more I +bethought me of a curious old ballad I had heard many years ago. The air +eluded me for some while; but my fingers, straying over the strings, +fell suddenly into the plaintive melody; with it, the words too came +back to me. + + I bade my love fareweel, wi' tears; + He bade fareweel to me. + "How sall I pass the lang, lang years?" + "I maun be gane," quo' he. + + The tear-draps frae mine een did rin + Like water frae a spring; + But while I grat, my love gaed in + To feast and reveling! + + The tear-draps frae mine een did start + Salt as the briny tide: + Sae sair my grief, sae fu' my heart, + I wept a river wide. + + Adoon that stream my man did rove, + And crossed the tearfu' sea. + O whaur'll I get a leal true love + To bide at hame wi' me? + + The lang, lang years they winna pass; + My lord is still awa'. + Mayhap he loves a fairer lass-- + O wae the warst ava! + + How sall I wile my lover hame? + I'll drink the tearfu' seas! + My red mou' to their briny faem, + I'll drain them to the lees! + + Then gin he comes na hameward soon + His ain true love to wed, + I'll kilt my claes and don my shoon + And cross the sea's dry bed. + + "Oh in thine heart, my love, my lord, + Mak' room, mak' room for me; + Or at thy feet, by my true word, + Thy lady's grave sall be!" + +"A melancholy air, yet with somewhat of a pleasing sadness in its minor +cadences," commented Dona Orosia when I had ceased. "Translate me the +words, an your Spanish is sufficient." + +"That it is not, I fear," was my reply, "and the task is beyond me for +the further reason that the song is not even English, but in a dialect +of the Scots. 'Tis only the plaint of a poor lady whose mind seems to +have gone astray in her long waiting for a faithless lover"--and I gave +her the sense of the verses as best I could. + +"Nay," said the Spanish woman, with a singular smile. "She hath more wit +than you credit her with. You mark me, the flood of a woman's tears will +bear a man further than a mighty river, and her sighs waft him away more +speedily than the strongest gale. And once he has gone, taking with him +such a memory of her, 'twould be far easier for her to drink the ocean +dry than to wile him home. For let a man but suspect that a woman +_could_ break her heart for him, and he----is more than content to let +her do it!" + +She paused; but I made no answer, having none upon my tongue. Presently +she added: "When once a woman has the folly to plead for herself, in +that moment she murders Love; and every tear she sheds thereafter +becomes another clod upon his grave. There remains but one thing for her +to do----" + +"Herself to die!" I murmured. + +"Nay, child! To live and be revenged!" She turned a flushed face toward +me; and, though the water stood in her eyes, they were hard and angry. +"To be revenged! To plot and to scheme; to bide her time patiently; to +study his heart's desire, and to foster it; and then----" + +"And then?" I questioned softly, with little shivers of repulsion +chilling me from head to foot. + +"_To rob him of it._" + +The words were spoken deliberately, in a voice that was resonant and +slow. 'Twas not like the outburst of a moment's impulse--the sudden +jangling of a harpstring rudely touched; it was rather with the fateful +emphasis of a clock striking the hour, heralded by a premonitory +quiver--a gathering together of inward forces that had waited through +long moments for this final utterance. + +What manner of woman was this? I caught my breath with a little +shuddering cry. + +Dona Orosia turned quickly. + +"Go! Leave me!" she cried. "Do you linger? Can I never be rid of you? +Out of my sight! I would have a moment's respite from your great eyes +and your white face. Go!" + +And I obeyed her. + + + + +CHAPTER XIV. + + +March, the 9th day. + +Dona Orosia sent for me at noon to-day. There was news to tell, and she +chose to be the one to tell it. + +I found her in her favourite seat,--a great soft couch, covered with +rich Moorish stuffs, and placed under the shadow of the balcony that +overlooks the sunny garden. Up each of the light pillars from which +spring the graceful arches that support this balcony climbs a mass of +blooming vines that weave their delicate tendrils round the railing +above and then trail downward again in festoons of swaying colour. +Behind, in the luminous shadow, she lay coiled and half asleep; with a +large fan of bronze turkey-feathers in one lazy hand, the other teasing +the tawny hound which was stretched out at her feet. + +She opened her great eyes as I came near. + +"Ah! the little blue-eyed Margarita, the little saint who frowns when +men worship at her shrine," she said slowly. "There is news for you. The +_Virgen de la Mar_ arrived last night from Habana, bringing the +commands of the Council of Spain that the English prisoners here +detained be liberated forthwith. For it seems that there has been +presented to the Council, through our ambassador to the English Court, a +memorial, which clearly proves that these persons have given no +provocation to any subject of his Catholic Majesty, Charles the Second +of Spain, and are therefore unlawfully imprisoned. How like you that?" +The waving fan was suddenly stilled, and the brilliant eyes half veiled. + +"Is this true?" I asked, for my heart misgave me. + +She laughed. "It is true that the _Virgen de la Mar_ has brought those +orders to the Governor of San Augustin--and that my husband has received +them." + +"Will he obey them, senora?" + +"Will who obey them?" she asked; and there was a gleam of white teeth +under the red, curling lip. "My husband, or the Governor of San +Augustin?" + +"Are they not the same?" + +"If you think so, little fool," she cried, half rising from her couch; +"if you think so still, you would better go back to your chamber and +pray yourself and your lover out of prison!" + +I made no answer; I waited, without much hope, for what she would say +next. My heart was very full, but I would not pleasure her by weeping. + +"Child," she continued, sinking back among the cushions and speaking in +a slow, impressive manner, "there are _two_ Governors in San +Augustin--and they take their commands neither from the child-King, the +Queen-mother, nor any of the Spanish Council. My husband is not one; he +obeys them both by turns. His Excellency Don Pedro Melinza decrees that +these orders from Spain shall be carried out except in the case of one +Senor Rivers, who will be held here to answer for an unprovoked assault +on one of his Majesty's subjects, whom he severely wounded; also for +inciting others of his fellow prisoners to break their parole, and for +various other offences against the peace of this garrison,--all of which +charges Melinza will swear to be true." + +"Is he so lost to honour? And will your husband uphold him in the lie?" + +"Hear me out," she continued in the same tone. "Melinza also decides +that these orders do not include the English senorita, Dona Margaret, +whom he intends to detain here for----for reasons best known to himself; +although the other Governor of San Augustin decrees"----she started up +from her nest of pillows and continued in a wholly different tone: "_I_ +say--_I_ say--that you shall quit this place with the other prisoners, +and my husband dares not oppose me! I am sick of your white face and +your saintly blue eyes; I am wearied to death of your company; but I +swear Melinza shall not have you! Therefore go you must, and speedily." + +"And leave my betrothed at Don Pedro's mercy?" + +"What is that to me? Let him rot in his dungeon. I care not--so I am rid +of your white face." + +She shut her eyes angrily and thrust out her slippered foot at the +sleeping hound. He lifted his great head and yawned; then, gathering up +his huge bulk from the ground, he drew closer to his mistress's side and +sniffed the air with solicitude, as though seeking a cause for her +displeasure. There was a dish of cakes beside her, and she took one in +her white fingers and threw it to the dog. He let it fall to the ground, +and nosed it doubtfully, putting forth an experimental tongue,--till, +finding it to his taste, he swallowed it at a gulp. His mistress +laughed, and tossed him another, which disappeared in his great jaws. A +third met the same fate; but the fourth she extended to him in her pink +palm, and, as he would have taken it she snatched the hand away. Again +and again the poor brute strove to seize the proffered morsel, but each +time it was lifted out of his reach; till finally his lithe body was +launched upward, and he snapped both the cake and the hand that teased +him. + +'Twas the merest scratch, and truly the dog meant it not in anger; but +on the instant Dona Orosia flushed crimson to her very brow, and, +drawing up her silken skirt, she snatched a jewelled dagger from her +garter and plunged it to the hilt in the poor beast's throat. The red +blood spouted, and the huge body dropped in a tawny heap. + +I rushed forward and lifted the great head; but the eyes were glazed. + +"Senora!" I cried, "senora! the poor brute loved you!" + +She spurned the limp body with a careless foot, saying,-- + +"So did--once--the man who gave it me." + +Then she clapped her hands, and the negro servant came and at her +command dragged away the carcass, wiped the bloody floor, and brought a +basin of clear water and a linen cloth to bathe the scratch on her hand. +When he had gone she made me bind it up with her broidered kerchief and +stamped her foot because I drew the knot over-tight. + +"Dona Orosia," I said, when I had done it to her liking. "If all you +care for, in this other matter, is to get rid of my white face, I pray +you kill me with your dagger and ask your lord to let my love go free." + +She looked up curiously. "Would you die for him?" she asked. + +"Most willingly, an it please you to make my death his ransom." + +Still she gazed at me and seemed strangely stirred. "Once I loved like +that," she said in musing tones. "I will tell thee a tale, child, for I +like not the reproach in those blue eyes. Five years ago, when I was as +young as thou art now, I lived with my parents in Valencia, where the +flowers are even sweeter and the skies bluer than here in sunny Florida. +I had a lover in those days, who followed me like my shadow, and, in +spite of my old duenna, found many a moment to pour his passion in my +ears. He was a brave man and a handsome, and he won my heart from me. +Though he had no great fortune I would have wed him willingly and +followed him over land and sea. I never doubted him for a day; and when +he came to my father's house with an old nobleman, his uncle and the +head of his family, I was well content; for my mother told me they had +asked for my hand and it had been promised. But when my father called me +in at last to see my future husband, it was the old man who met me with +a simper on his wrinkled face. I turned to the nephew; but he was gazing +out of the window----" + +She broke off with a fierce laugh and then added bitterly,--"And so I +came to marry my husband, the Governor of San Augustin!" + +"The other was Don Pedro?" + +"Has thy baby wit compassed that much? Yes, the other was Melinza." + +"But if you once loved him why should there be hate between you now?" + +"Why? thou little fool! Why?"--she put out one hand and drew me closer, +so that she could look deep into my eyes. "Why does a woman ever hate a +man? Canst tell me that?" + +We gazed at each other so until I saw--I scarce know what I saw! My head +swam, and of a sudden it came over me that when the angels fell from +heaven there must have been an awful beauty in their eyes! + + + + +CHAPTER XV. + + +I awoke this morning with a sense of horror haunting me,--and then I +recalled the scene of yesterday and the dumb appeal in the eyes of the +dying hound. The story the Spanish woman had told me of her own past +pleaded nothing in excuse. Hatred and cruelty seemed strange fruit for +love to bear. + +I thought of my own ill fortunes, and I said within me: True Love sits +at the door of the heart to guard it from all evil passions. Loss and +Pain may enter in, and Sorrow bear them company; but Revenge and +Cruelty, Untruth, and all their evil kin, must hide their shamed faces +and pass by! + +Secure in the thought of the pure affection that reigned in my own +bosom, I went forth and met Temptation, and straightway fell from the +high path in which I believed my feet to be so surely fixed! + +Dona Orosia seemed to be in a strangely gentle mood. + +"Child, how pale thy face is! Didst thou not lie awake all night? Deny +it not, 'tis writ most plainly in the dark shadows round those great +blue eyes. Come, rest here beside me"--and she drew me down upon the +couch and slipped a soft pillow under my head. + +I was fairly dumfounded at this unwonted courtesy, and could find no +words to meet it with. But she appeared unconscious of my silence and +continued speaking. + +"'Tis the thought of the English lover that robs thee of sleep, +Margarita mia! Thou wouldst give thy very life to procure his freedom; +is it not so? Would any task be too hard for thee with this end in +view?" + +I could not answer; I clasped my hands and looked at her in silence. + +"I thought as much," she said, smiling, and laid a gentle finger on my +cheek. + +"Oh, senora, you will aid me to save him! You will plead with the +Governor--you will set him free?" + +She drew back coldly. "You ask too much. I have told you that there are +two Governors in San Augustin--I divide the honours with Melinza; but I +plead with him for naught." + +I turned away to hide the quivering of my lip. + +"Listen to me," she added more kindly. "Between Pedro Melinza and Orosia +de Colis there is at present an armed peace; since each holds a +hostage. Not that I care anything for the Englishman, but my husband is +undesirous of defying the commands of the Council. Although he bears no +love to your nation, he maintains that it is not the policy of our +government, at present, to ignore openly the friendly relations that are +supposed to exist between the Crowns of England and of Spain. It seems +that the duplicate of the Council's orders has been sent to the Governor +of your new settlement on this coast; and if he sends hither to demand +the delivery of the prisoners, Senor de Colis would rather choose to +yield up all, than to risk a reprimand from the authorities at home. + +"Dost thou understand all this? Well, let us now see the reverse of the +picture. + +"Melinza sets his own desires in the scale, and they outweigh all +politic scruples. He has sworn that so long as I stand between him and +you, so long will Senor Rivers remain in the castle dungeon,--unless +Death steps kindly in to set your lover free." + +A little sob broke in my throat at these cruel words. Dona Orosia laid +her hand on mine. + +"Poor little one!" she said. + +"You pity me, senora! What is your pity worth?" I demanded, forcing back +the tears. + +"I have a way of escape to offer," she answered softly. + +"Escape for him? Or for me?" + +"For both. Now listen! There is but one way to relax Melinza's hold on +Senor Rivers. He would exchange him willingly for you." + +"Better for us both to die!" I exclaimed indignantly. + +"I would sooner kill you with my own hands than give you up to him," +said Dona Orosia, with a cold smile. + +"Then what do you mean, senora?" + +"I mean, Margarita mia, that you should feign a tenderness for him and +let him think that it is I who would keep two loving souls apart." + +"What! when I have shown him naught but dislike in all these months? He +could never be so witless as to believe in such a sudden +transformation." + +"Such is the vanity of man," said Dona Orosia, "that he would find it +easier to believe that you had feigned hatred all this while from fear +of me, than to doubt that you had eventually fallen a victim to his +fascinations." + +"What would it advantage me if I did deceive him?" + +"He would then cease to oppose the liberation of all the other +prisoners." + +"But what of my fate, senora?" + +"Leave that in my hands, little one,--I am not powerless. I give thee my +word he shall never have thee. At the last moment we shall undeceive +him"--and she laughed a low laugh of triumph. + +I glanced up quickly. + +"So!" I exclaimed. "This will be your revenge! And you would bribe me, +with my dear love's freedom, to act a part in it! To lie for you; to +play at love where I feel only loathing; to sully my lips with feigned +caresses; and to make a mockery of the holiest thing in life!" + +"Is your Englishman not worth some sacrifice?" she asked, with lifted +brows. + +What could I say? I left her. I hastened to my little room, shut fast +the door, and bolted it on the inner side. Then I knelt at the barred +window and looked out at the sunlight and the sea. + +The blue waves danced happily, and the fresh wind kissed the sparkling +ripples till the foam curled over them--as white lids droop coyly over +laughing eyes. Two snowy gulls dipped and soared, flashing now against +the blue sky--now into the blue sea. I gazed at their white wings--and +thought of all the vain prayers I had sent up to Heaven. + +And then the dark hour of my life closed down on me. + +I bethought me of my father, that loyal gentleman whose only fault was +that he served his Prince too well,--a Prince whose gratitude had never +prompted him to inquire concerning that servant's fate, or to offer a +word of consolation to the wife who had lost her all. I bethought me of +my young mother, of her white, tear-stained face, of the long hours she +had spent upon her knees, and how at last she prayed: "Lord! only to +know that he is dead!"--yet she died ignorant. + +Then did the devil come to me and whisper: "Of what use is it to have +patience and faith? Does thy God bear thee in mind--or is his memory +like that of the Prince thy father served? Dost thou still believe that +He doeth all things well, and is there still trust in thy heart? Come, +make friends of those who would aid thee--never mind a little lie! +Wouldst be happy? Wouldst save thy dear love? Then cease thy vain +prayers and take thy fate in thine own hands." + +I rose up from my knees and looked out again upon the laughing +waters,--I would do this evil thing that good might come. I would act a +lying part, and soil my soul, so that I and my dear love might win +freedom and happiness. But I would pray no more--for I could not ask +God's blessing on a lie. + +Then I went slowly back to where my temptress waited. + +"Dona Orosia," I said, "I take your offer. I am young--I would be happy; +and you--you would be revenged! I am not the little fool you think me: I +know you too well to believe that you would aid me out of love; I laugh +at your pity; but I trust your hate!" + +"_Bueno_," she said. "It is enough. We understand one another,--but I +must teach thee the part, or thou wilt fail." + +"I am not so simple, senora, I can feign love--for love's sake." + +"Yet I would have thee set round with thorns, my sweet. The rose that is +too easy plucked is not worth wearing. And do thou give only promises +and never fulfil them,--I'd baulk him of every kiss he thinks to win!" + + + + +CHAPTER XVI. + + +A day went by, and though I had become even letter-perfect in my new +role I had not the chance to play it to my audience; but it came at +last. + +It was in the long, dreamy hour of the early afternoon, when sleep comes +easiest. Dona Orosia had ordered her couch to be placed in the shadiest +part of the breezy garden, close against the gray stone wall. Designedly +she chose the corner nearest the iron gate, through which we could +command a portion of the sunny street; and here she lay and made me sing +to her all the songs I knew, the while she dozed and waked again, and +whiles teased her parrot into uttering discordant cries until for very +anger I would sing no more. + +Suddenly she laid aside her petulance, and with a quick, imperious +gesture bade me take up the lute again; then, falling back among her +pillows, she closed her eyes and let her bosom rise and fall with the +gentle breathings of a sleeping child. + +I hesitated in some astonishment; but again the sharp command hissed +from her softly parted lips,-- + +"Sing, little fool!--Melinza passes!" + +I touched the lute with shaking fingers and lifted my trembling voice. +The notes stuck in my throat and came forth huskily at first; but then I +thought on my dear love in his hateful prison, and I sung as I had never +sung before. + +Above the gray wall I saw Don Pedro's plumed hat passing by. He reached +the gate and halted, gazing in with eager eyes. His quick glance +compassed the green nook, passed over the sleeping figure, and fixed +itself upon my face. + +The song died away; I leaned forward, smiling, and laid a warning finger +on my lip. + +He made me a bow so courtly that the feather in his laced hat swept the +ground. + +"So, senorita, the caged bird can sing?" + +"When her jailer wills it so, Don Pedro," I said softly, and smiled--and +sighed--and gave a half-fearful glance over my shoulder; then added, in +a lower whisper: "And when she wills otherwise, I must be silent." + +"How, would she even keep a lock upon your lips?" + +"Upon my lips--and my eyes also. Indeed, my very brows are under her +jurisdiction, and are oft constrained to frown, against their will!" + +"So!" he exclaimed; and I saw a sweet doubt creep over his face. "Must I +place to her account the many frowns you have bestowed on me?" + +"_Si, senor_--and add to those some others that would not be coerced." + +The fire in his black eyes frightened me not a little as he whispered: + +"If that be true, then grant me the rose in your bosom, lady!" + +I lifted a trembling hand to the flower, and shot a frightened glance at +the senora's quivering lashes. + +"Oh! I dare not!" I murmured, and let my hand fall against the lute upon +my knee. The jangling strings roused the pretended sleeper from her +dreams. + +She half rose, and, seizing a pillow from her couch, hurled it at me, +saying angrily: "Here is for such awkwardness!" + +The soft missile failed of its proper mark; but found another in the +green parrot, who was dangling, head downward, from his perch; and there +was an angry squawk from the insulted bird. + +I threw a timorous glance toward the gateway, motioning the intruder +away. He would have lingered, being to all appearances greatly angered +at the discourteous treatment of my lady warder; but prudence prevailed, +and he fell back out of sight, with a hand upon his heart, protesting +dumbly. + + * * * * * + +The comedy had just begun. Now it must be played through to the end. + +It is a strange thing to see the zest with which my gentle jailer +prepares, each day, an ambush for the unwary foe, and how he always +falls into the trap--to be assailed by me with smiles, and soft +complaints, piteous appeals for sympathy, and shy admissions of my +tender friendship; which are always cut short by some well-contrived +interruption or the sudden appearance of Dona Orosia on the scene. +Though only a week has passed, already Don Pedro would take oath that I +love him well. + +Early this morning I heard him underneath my window; and I was right +glad of the chance to smile on him from behind the protecting bars. This +meeting had not been of Dona Orosia's contriving, so I thought I would +use it for my own ends. + +I vowed to him that I was unhappy--which was true. I protested that I +was sick with longing for freedom--and that, too, was no lie. But to +that I added a whole tissue of falsehood, declaring that I had never +drawn a free breath since I came into the world; that my uncle had been +a tyrant, and the man to whom he had betrothed me was jealous and +exacting; that I had been brought across the seas against my will; and +that I dreaded the hardships of life in this new country. I said I had +no wish to rejoin the English settlers, and I denied, with tears, any +partiality for my dear love. Heaven forgive me! but I professed I loved +Don Pedro better than any man I had ever seen, and I entreated him to +take me away from these barbarous shores. + +I had not thought that I could move him, yet, strange to say, the man +seemed touched. I wondered as I listened to him, for I had thought him +all bad, and deemed his passion but a passing fancy. He was speaking now +of Habana, a city of some refinement, where, as his wife, I would enjoy +the companionship of other ladies of my own station. + +"I'd never suffer thee to live here, my fairest lady, where yon dark +devil of a woman could vent her spite on thee!" he whispered softly; and +my conscience smote me, for I was playing with a man's heart, of flesh +and blood. + +But I bethought me, if there was in truth any good in that heart, I +would dare appeal to it; for I mistrusted that at any time Dona Orosia +would break her promised word. + +"Truly, Don Pedro, I would go gladly, for I hate the very sight of these +walls; but--if you love me--I would crave of your graciousness another +boon. Set free the English gentleman who was my promised husband, and +send him, with the other prisoners, back to his friends." + +There was no answer, and I feared I had overstepped the mark; but I +dared further. + +"Senor de Melinza," I said, "it is true that I come of a race for which +you have no love, and that I hold a creed which you condemn; +nevertheless it must be remembered that we have our own code of +chivalry, and there have lived and died in England as brave knights and +true as even your valiant Cid. I would not have the man I am to wed +guilty of an unknightly act. Therefore be generous. You have been +mutually wounded; but it was in fair duello,"--this I said feigning +ignorance of the coward blow that so nearly reached my dear love's +heart,--"and now, Don Pedro, it would be the more honourable to set free +the countryman of your promised bride and send him in safety to his +friends." + +"Senorita," said the Spaniard,--and there was a cloud upon his brow,--"I +would you had asked me any boon but this. Nevertheless I give you my +knightly word that the man shall go, and go unharmed." + +"I thank you, Don Pedro," I said, and fought down the cry of joy that +struggled to my lips. Then, because I could find no other words, and +feared to fail in the part I had to play, I took Dame Barbara's scissors +and cut off a long lock of my yellow hair, bound it with riband, and +threw it down to him as guerdon for the favour he had granted me. + +This noon, when I joined the Governor's wife as usual under the +vine-hung balcony, I boasted cheerfully of the promise I had wrung from +Melinza; and she demanded at once to hear all that had passed between +us,--then called me a fool for my pains! + +"Little marplot! Had you shown less concern for the fate of your +Englishman, it would have been vastly better. You do but cast obstacles +in my way. There is nothing for me to do now but hotly to oppose his +leaving! If needs must I will pretend a liking for the man myself, and +vow to hold him as my guest yet a while longer, for the sake of his +pretty wit and his gallant bearing,--any device to throw dust in their +eyes, so that we seem not to be of the same minds and putting up the +selfsame plea. Oh! little saint with the blue eyes, your _metier_ is not +diplomacy!" + +"In sooth, senora, till you first taught me to dissemble I was +unlessoned in the art." + +She laughed then, and said that when I had less faith in others I could +more easily deceive. + +"If the little Margarita believed Melinza's pretty fable about Habana, +and the excellent company there which his _wife_ would enjoy, 'tis no +wonder that she made a tangle of her own little web." + +"But Dona Orosia, think you he would deal unfairly with me? His words +rang so true--even a bad man may love honestly! And if I trifle with the +one saving virtue in his heart, will it not be a grievous sin?" + +The mocking smile died out of the Spaniard's eyes and left them +fathomless and sombre. + +I felt as one who--looking into an open window, and seeing the light of +a taper glancing and flickering within--draws back abashed, when +suddenly the flame is quenched, and only the hollow dark stares back at +his blinded gaze. + +"If he loves you," she said slowly, "it is but as he has loved before, +more times than one. He would skim the cream of passion, brush the dew +from the flower, crush the first sweetness from the myrtle-blooms,--and +leave the rest. You child, what do you know of men? It is only the +unattainable that is worth striving for. There is much of the brute +beast in their passions. Did you mark, the other day, how the dead hound +turned a scornful nozzle to the first sweet morsel that I pressed on his +acceptance? But afterward, the fear of losing it made him eager to the +leaping-point. Just so I shall trick his master--shall let him see thee, +_almost_ grasp and taste; then, when the moment of mad longing comes, +I'll stab him with the final loss of thee! Only so can I arouse a desire +that will outlive a day; for I know men's hearts to the core, thou +blue-eyed babe!" + +"Senora," I cried, stung by her scornful words, "I cannot say I know +men's hearts; but I do know the heart of one true gentleman; and I +believe, when he had won from me the betrothal kiss, I was not less +desirable in his eyes!" + +"So you believe," she said, and shook her head. "_Bueno_, go on +believing--while you can. Woman's faith in man's fealty lives just so +long----" and she bent forward from her couch, plucked a fragile blossom +from the swaying vines, and cast it under foot. + +I would have spoken again of my trust in the leal true heart that +trusted me; but I saw the trembling of the laces on her bosom, I saw the +dark eyes growing more angerful, and a slow crimson rising in the rich +cheek. She was always "studying her revenge,"--this beautiful, unhappy +woman, "keeping her wounds green which otherwise might heal and do +well." + +As I watched her a great pity overcame me, so that I held my peace. + + + + +CHAPTER XVII. + + +The 20th of March--a day never to be forgot! + +I have seen Mr. Rivers. It is the first time since that night--nine +months ago. I have seen him and spoken with him in the presence of +Melinza, Dona Orosia, and the Governor. + +Whatever may befall us now, nothing can take away the memory of this +last hour. If ever we leave these walls together and taste freedom +again, it will have been dearly bought. A maid's truth tarnished, and +the brave heart of a most loyal gentleman robbed of its faith! Dear God, +what a price to pay! + +'Twas noon when Dona Orosia came herself to fetch me. + +"There is some deviltry afoot," she said. "I cannot fathom it as yet; +but, as you hope for freedom for yourself and your Englishman, don't +fail to play your part to the end. Come quickly! Melinza demands to see +you, and the Governor permits it. Don't blame me, child--I can do +nothing to prevent it. But, I warn you, act the part, whatever it may +cost you." + +I followed her, as in a dream, along the corridor, into the room where +the old Governor sat in his arm-chair beside a carved table, whereon +were a decanter of wine, glasses half drained, and a litter of +playing-cards. He drummed upon the table with his withered fingers, and +looked uneasily, first at his wife's flushed face as she entered the +door, and then at the determined countenance of Melinza, who was +standing before the heavy arras which divided that room from another in +the rear. + +"Dona Margarita," said the Governor, clearing his throat nervously, "is +it so that you are detained within my house against your will?" + +"Your Excellency," I began, and was thankful I could speak truth, "I, +and all the other English, have been held here in San Augustin for many +a long month against our will." + +"Without the orders of the Spanish Council I could not liberate you, +senorita; though now we purpose to do so, having authority. But +concerning yourself--Melinza assures me that you do not desire to be +sent with your countrymen." + +I felt my heart grow cold. Must I still cling to the lie? I looked at +Dona Orosia, whose black eyes flashed a warning. + +"That is true, Senor de Colis," I said, and my voice sounded far off and +strange. + +"You would wish to remain here as my guest and companion, Margarita," +said the Governor's wife in vehement tones. + +I looked at her in wonder. What did they desire between them? My head +swam, and I would have said Yes to her also; but her black eyes menaced +me again. I drew a deep breath and shook my head. "No, please your +Excellency." + +Melinza smiled a slow triumphant smile. "Dona Orosia is unfortunate. I +trust I shall be more successful. You would rather go to Habana as _my_ +companion,--is it not so, Margarita mia?"--and he stepped forward and +held forth his hand to me. + +One day in the early spring Dona Orosia had called me to see a new pet +which had been brought to her, a young crocodile, loathsome and hideous; +and she had forced me to touch the tethered monster as it crawled, the +length of its chain, over the floor. I do remember the cold disgust I +felt at the horrid contact; but it was as naught to the feeling that +passed over me when I let the Spaniard take my hand. + +He drew me toward him, laughing softly. "Who doubts that the lady goes +willingly?" and lifted his voice with a defiant question in its ringing +tones. + +"I do, senor!"--and it was my dear love who pushed aside the arras and +came forward into the room,--my dear love, wasted by fever and long +imprisonment, white and gaunt and spectral, yet bearing himself with all +his olden dignity. + +The Spaniard turned to meet him, holding me still within the circle of +his arm. I gave one final glance at the Governor's wife and read my cue. +After that I could see nothing but my love's white face. + +"Have I lied to you, Senor Englishman? Do you believe, now, that I hold +that golden tress as a pledge of future favours? The lady on whose faith +you were ready to stake your soul is here to answer for herself, and she +has thrown in her lot with me--with me, senor." + +"Margaret--Margaret!" cried my dear love, "tell him he lies, +sweetheart!" + +I opened my lips, but the words died on my tongue. Again my poor love +cried to me, holding out his arms. I saw his white face grow paler +still, and he swayed uncertainly where he stood. Then, gathering all his +strength, he threw himself upon the Spaniard and would have torn us +apart, had not his weak limbs given way, so that he fell prone upon the +floor. + +Melinza's hand went to his sword; he drew the blade and held it to my +dear love's throat. + +[Illustration: "SPARE THE MAN, DON PEDRO! I LIKE NOT THE SIGHT OF +BLOOD."--_Page 125._] + +At last my voice came back to me; I laid my hand upon the Spaniard's +arm. "Spare the man, Don Pedro! I like not the sight of blood!" + +Then I saw mortal agony in a brave man's eyes. He made no move to rise, +but lay there at my feet and looked at me. + +"Margaret Tudor," he said, "do you love me still?" + +I looked down at him. If I spoke truth, Melinza's blade would soon cut +short his hearing of it. A wild laugh rose in my throat; I could not +hold it back, and it rang out, merrily mad, in the silent room. + +"Senores," I said, "Senores, I love a brave man, not a coward!" and that +was truth, though none in that room read me aright, save Dona Orosia. + +The man at my side laughed with me, and he at my feet gave me one look +and swooned away. + +Melinza sheathed his sword, saying, "Your Excellency, the prisoner +appears convinced; so you can scarce doubt the evidence yourself." + +The Governor cleared his throat again, and glanced helplessly toward his +wife. She stepped forward with scornful composure and took my arm. + +"Things are come to a pretty pass, Senor de Colis, when Don Pedro brings +his prisoners under this roof and your wife is made a witness to a +brawl. I crave your leave to withdraw; and I take this girl with me till +the question of her guardianship is settled." Then, still holding me by +the arm, she left the room; and neither of the two men ventured to stop +our progress. + +Arrived at my chamber Dona Orosia opened the door and thrust me in, +bidding me draw the bolt securely. + +I was left alone with my thoughts. Such thoughts as they are! I cannot +weep; my eyes are hot and dry. There is no grief like unto this. Oh, my +mother! when your beloved clasped you to his heart in that last +farewell, there were between you thoughts of parting, of bodily pains to +be borne, of scourgings and fetters,--aye, and of death. But what were +those compared with what I have to bear, who am humbled in the sight of +my dear love? + + + + +CHAPTER XVIII. + + +After writing these words I cast aside my pen, and, throwing myself upon +the bed, buried my face in the pillow. I could feel the drumming pulses +in my ears, and my heart swelled till it was like to burst within my +bosom. Though I pressed my hot fingers against my close-shut eyes, I +still could see my poor love's white, set face, the great hollows in his +bearded cheeks, the blue veins on his thin temples, and the large eyes, +one moment all love-lighted, the next, stricken with horror at the sight +of my unfaith. + +How long I lay there I can scarcely tell. It was many hours after noon +when I heard heavy steps without my door, which suddenly began to shake +as though one beat upon it with frantic hands. + +"Who is there?" I cried, lifting my head. + +"Oh! Mistress Margaret! a God's mercy--undo the door!" + +I drew the bolt in haste, and Dame Barbara burst in and dropped down, +weeping, at my feet. + +"Lord love ye, Mistress Margaret! Lord help us both this day! They have +sent off all our men to meet the blessed English ship--and we two poor +women left behind!" + +I could not think it true. I seized the weeping dame by her heaving +shoulders and fairly dragged her to her feet, demanding what proof she +had that this was so. She pointed dumbly to the window, and fell +a-sobbing louder than before. + +Then I looked out. + +The _Carolina_ frigate stood off the bar of Matanzas Bay, and over the +waves, in the direction of the frigate, went a small boat impelled by +the brawny arms of six swarthy Spaniards. With them were the English +prisoners: I saw the honest face of Captain Baulk, and next him worthy +Master Collins; also the three seamen of the Barbadian sloop; and +another, whom I did not know, but guessed to be the second of the two +unlucky messengers; and--in the midst of all--my dear love. + +He lay full length, his white face resting against the good captain's +knees; and my first thought was one of terror lest he was dead: but I +saw him lift himself, and give one long look at the castle walls, then +fall back as before--and I knew, in that moment, he put me from his +heart for ever. + +They were gone, all gone. Dona Orosia had played me false--God had +turned His face from me--and the man I loved would never love me more. + +I turned away from the window to the weeping dame, and I laughed, +laughed again as I had done in the face of my dear love that very morn. + +"The piece is near ended, dame," I said. "'Tis almost time to pray _God +save His Majesty_ and draw the curtain. But what strange tricks does +Fate play sometimes with her helpless puppets! She did cast us, long +ago, for a lightsome comedy, and lo! 'tis to be a tragedy instead! Think +you, dear Barbara, that death would come easier by means of yonder +bed-cord, or of those great scissors dangling at thy waist? Or, perhaps, +if thou couldst play Othello to my Desdemona, it might seem a gentler +prelude to the grave. How heavy is a lie, good dame? Think you it would +drag a soul to hell? If so, I need not to go alone; for if I lied to +Melinza, he also lied to me--and Dona Orosia also"--then a strong +shudder shook my frame. "Barbara, Barbara, must I e'en have their +company for all eternity?" + +She ran to me, good soul, and hushed me like a child to her ample bosom. + +"Lord help ye, dear lamb! And He will--He will!" I heard her say over +and over; then everything turned dark before my eyes, and I thought +death had come to me indeed. + +When consciousness returned I lay upon my bed in a gray twilight, and +beside me were Dame Barbara and the Governor's wife. + +As my eyes fell upon Dona Orosia, I cried out bitterly that I had been a +fool to trust even to her hate; for now she had grown weary of her +revenge, and would discard her tool without paying the price for it. + +She covered my mouth with her hand, laughing shortly. + +"Melinza thinks he has been too sharp for me. He despatched the +prisoners in great haste to the English ship without my knowledge. I +went to him just now and demanded to know if he dared to send away Senor +Rivers without leave from me. + +"'Aye,' he said, and bowed to me. 'Since Dona Orosia desired for some +reason to detain him here, I thought it best to be rid of him at once; +but the girl remains.' + +"'The girl remains in my guardianship,' said I. + +"'Until to-morrow,' Melinza answered. 'To-morrow the _Virgen de la Mar_ +returns to Habana, and with her go the English girl and your humble +servant.' + +"'The Governor,' I cried, 'will not permit it!' + +"'Will he not? Ask him,' said Melinza, 'ask his Excellency the Governor +of San Augustin!' Then he laughed at me--_Dios!_ he laughed at me!" + +She bit her red lip at the remembrance, and clenched her white hands. + +"And did you ask the Governor, senora?" + +She nodded fiercely. "The old dotard! He did but shrug his shoulders and +offer me a diamond necklace in exchange for my pretty puppet of a +plaything. It is plain Melinza has some hold upon him, what it is I +cannot guess; but it is stronger than my wishes. He would sooner brave +my anger than oppose his nephew's schemes." + +I watched the dark shadow settling on her brow, and I thought all hope +was over. + +"Dona Orosia," I said at last, "will you lend me your dagger?" + +"Not yet, child--not unless there is no other way to thwart them both. +Look--" she said, and threw a purse of gold pieces on the bed beside me. +"This is your purchase money, and 'twill serve to buy assistance. When I +could make no better terms, I was forced to take this and a kiss to +boot--Pah!" and she rubbed her cheek. "To-morrow, when the tide is +full, the _Virgen de la Mar_ will leave the harbour. Before then I must +contrive your escape." + +"And Barbara's," I added, for I could see the poor dame was in deep +anxiety. + +Dona Orosia stared. "Upon my soul, we had all forgotten the old woman. +She might have gone well enough with the other prisoners; but how am I +to smuggle _two_ women from the town?" + +Then I besought her not to separate me from the dame, to whom I clung as +my last friend; and after a time she yielded me a grudging promise and +left me, bidding me make ready for the evening meal, at which I must +appear in order not to arouse the Governor's suspicions. + +My hands were cold and trembling; but with Barbara's aid I decked me out +in one of the gay gowns which had been given me by my protectress, and, +taking up a fan--with which I had learned the Spanish trick of screening +my face upon occasion--I joined the Governor and his beautiful spouse in +the brightly lighted _comedor_, where covers at table were laid for +three. I was thankful for Melinza's absence, for to play at love-making +that night would have been beyond my powers. + +At first I could eat nothing; but an urgent glance from Dona Orosia, +and the thought of what need there would be for all my strength prompted +me to force some morsels, in spite of the convulsive swelling of my +throat. I made shift, also, to answer when addressed by either host or +hostess; but the Governor was in no great spirits himself and seemed to +stand in some awe of his lady's frown. + +Suddenly, without the door, sounded voices in altercation, and a servant +entered, protesting with many apologies that there was a reverend father +without who demanded to see his Excellency at once on a matter that +would brook no delay. + +The Governor leaned back in his chair with an air of great annoyance; +but Dona Orosia said quickly, "Bid the father enter." + +A tall form in a friar's dark habit appeared on the threshold. I +recognized, under the cowl, the thin, sallow face and the sombre eyes. I +had seen them at the door of the chapel in the castle courtyard on the +night of our arrival, and many times since. They belonged to Padre +Felipe, the confessor of the Governor's wife, and her adviser, I +believed, in affairs temporal as well as spiritual. Something told me he +had come hither at her bidding, and I glanced at her for confirmation; +but Dona Orosia leaned with one elbow on the table, her chin upon her +white hand, the other rounded arm outstretched with an almond in the +slim fingers for the delectation of the green parrot on his perch beside +her. Not a flicker of interest was visible on her beautiful, sullen +face; so I turned away with some disappointment to hear what the padre +was saying. + +His voice was low-pitched and husky, and I could scarce distinguish what +he said, save that it concerned someone who was ill--nay, _dead_, it +seemed, and needing instant burial. + +The Governor listened with a gathering scowl upon his face, till +suddenly he started up with such haste that his chair fell backward with +a noisy clatter. + +"_Santa Maria!_ Dead of the black vomit? And you come hither with the +vile contagion clinging to your very garments!" + +"Nay," said the friar's deep, hollow voice, as he lifted a reassuring +hand. "I have changed my robes. You and yours are in no danger, my son." + +"In no danger!" repeated the Governor, his face becoming purple and his +voice choked; "no danger, when the foul carcass lies unburied, tainting +the very air with death! Throw it over in the sea--nay, set fire to the +miserable hut in which it lies, and let all be consumed together!" + +"Who is it that is dead?" asked Dona Orosia. She had risen, and stood +with one hand holding back her skirts, her full, red upper lip slightly +drawn, and her delicate nostrils dilated, as though the very mention of +the loathed disease filled her with disgust. + +"A wretched half-breed boy, some thieving member of the padre's flock," +exclaimed the Governor impatiently. "Set fire to the hut, I say!" + +But Dona Orosia interrupted once again. "Padre, what is it that you +desire?" + +The sombre eyes were turned on her for the first time. "The boy was a +Christian, my daughter, and I would give him Christian burial." + +"Surely," said Dona Orosia. "What is to prevent?" + +"Would you spread the infection through the town?" exclaimed the +Governor, white with fear. + +"Nay," said the friar, "I ask but a permit to take the body without the +gates. None but I and a few of my followers need be exposed to danger. +Let a bell be rung before us, to warn all in the streets to stand away; +and we will carry a vessel of strong incense before the bier. Those who +go out with me, I pledge you my word, shall not return for some days +till they are free of all taint themselves." + +"My plan is better,--to burn hut, corpse, and all," replied the +Governor. But Padre Felipe turned on him fiercely. + +"How shall I keep my hold upon my people, and they retain their faith in +consecrated things, if you treat a Christian's body as you would the +carcass of a dog?" + +"As you will," the Governor exclaimed; and, throwing himself into a +chair, he called for pen and paper. "Here," he added presently, "deliver +this to Don Pedro de Melinza, and bid him warn the sentries at the gate. +Say, furthermore, that if any one in the town comes within twenty paces +of the bier, out of the gate he shall go also." + +The friar received the permit silently, lifted his hand in benediction, +and left the apartment. + +As my glance returned from the doorway it met that of Dona Orosia, and +in hers there was a passing flash of triumph. Soon after, she rose, and +together we withdrew. I felt her hand upon my arm tighten convulsively; +but I walked on with the same sense of unreality that had oppressed me +all the day. + +When we reached my chamber she bade me change my dress again for +something dark and warm; for the night air was damp and chill. As I did +so I slipped within my bosom the roll of closely written pages +containing these annals of my prisonment. Then I asked for Barbara, and +Dona Orosia quietly replied,-- + +"She has gone upon an errand and will join us in due time." Then she +threw a mantle over my head, wrapped herself in another, and led me out +into the garden. + + + + +CHAPTER XIX. + + +It was a moonless night, and a haze of cloud obscured the stars. We +passed silently under the vine-covered arbour, across the garden, to the +gateway. Into the heavy lock Dona Orosia slipped a great key; it turned +easily, the door swung open, and we stepped out. Locking it once more, +my companion took my arm and hurried me along the dark, deserted street. +We turned a corner, came upon an open square, and paused beside a huge +palmetto that grew near the centre. I heard the crisp rustle of its +leaves in the night wind, and I shivered with a nameless dread. + +Then, through the darkness, two dim forms approached us. My heart beat +quickly, and I drew the mantle closer round my face; but one of them +proved to be the friar, the other, my dear, dear Barbara. I sprang to +meet her with a quick cry; but Dona Orosia laid a hand upon my lips and +hurried me on. Padre Felipe now led the way, and we followed him for +some moments more until he paused before a low doorway and motioned us +to enter. + +"Senora," I whispered, "why do you come? I have no fear of the disease, +but why should you needlessly expose yourself?" + +"Little fool," she answered, pushing me gently on, "there is no fever, +no contagion here." + +Wondering still, I entered the narrow passage, and beyond it a dimly +lighted room. + +On the floor lay a long wooden stretcher covered with hide; at its foot +and head, fixed each in a rude socket, were two candles, still +unlighted. A brass pot with long chains, and a heap of dark cloth, lay +upon the floor; there was also a rough table on which stood a bottle of +water and a loaf of bread; otherwise, except for a dim lamp upon the +wall, the room was empty. Dona Orosia looked around, with quick eyes +taking in every detail; then she turned to Padre Felipe. + +"Can you trust the bearers?" + +He bowed his head. + +"Then the only difficulty is this old woman. Better to leave her +behind." + +But again I pleaded most earnestly; and presently the friar left the +room and returned soon after with a dingy cloak, with which he enveloped +the poor dame from head to foot. + +"Let her follow behind," he said, "and if there is no trouble she may +pass out with us." He charged her, then, to keep her face hidden and to +stand well away from the light of the candles. + +After that there was a pause, and the Spanish woman and the friar looked +at each other. + +"See you do not fail!" she said. + +"And remember your word," he replied. + +"A solid silver service for the new mission chapel at San Juan,--I swear +it," was the quick response; "that is, if you succeed." + +The friar folded his arms silently. + +"Nay, then, in any case! only do your utmost," whispered Dona Orosia +hurriedly. + +"The result is as God wills it," said Padre Felipe calmly, and, pointing +to the stretcher, he bade me lie down upon it. I did so, trembling in +every limb, and he would have covered me over with the wrappings when +the Governor's wife pushed him aside, knelt down herself, and slipped +into my hand a little dagger, whispering: + +"In case you are discovered." + +I hid it in my bosom, thanking her. "Farewell, senora," I said, with +tears, "you have been kind to me and I am very grateful. Whether or not +I win freedom and friends, I believe you have done your utmost for me. I +cannot think"--and I lifted my head close to hers and whispered--"I +cannot think it is for revenge alone. There must be some pity prompting +it." + +"Thou little foolish one," she said, and laughed, pushing me back upon +the bier. Then suddenly I felt a hot tear drop upon my forehead. She +stooped lower and kissed me on the cheek. + +I gave a little cry and would have risen again; but she drew the dark +coverings over me and I could see no longer. As I felt her soft hands +tucking me in, as a mother would her babe, I could only weep silently +and pray God bless her. + +A pungent smoke of something burning filled the room and reached me even +through the coverings. I heard the padre lighting the tapers at my head +and feet. After a time the stretcher on which I lay was lifted up and +carried, foot foremost, from the room--out of the passage and into the +street. I heard the feet of my bearers pattering on the ground as we +moved onward at a swinging pace; I was conscious of the heavy smoke of +burning incense that enveloped us; I heard the sound of a bell going +before me, and a voice raised in a steady cry of warning; but I could +see nothing save a faint radiance through the wrappings, where the +candles burned. + +After a time there was a halt and I heard voices in dispute. My fingers +closed around the hilt of the senora's dagger. If death must come, so +be it! I thought, and felt no fear, only regret that my dear love could +never understand, unless the spirit that quivered so wildly within my +still and shrouded form could speed to him in the first moment of its +freedom and whisper the truth to his heart! + +Another voice joined in. It was Melinza's own. + +"Stand back!" he called loudly. "Out of the way, slaves! Who dares +dispute the orders of his Excellency? If a man goes within twenty paces +of that leprous crew he may follow them to perdition; but there'll be no +longer any room for him within these walls!" + +A murmur rose, and died away in the distance. We moved on once more. +Then sounded the rattling clang of iron bars--but it came from behind +us. The bell had ceased to ring; but as we moved slowly on I heard the +voice of the padre chanting in a low and solemn key. Then utter silence +fell, except the unshod footfall of my bearers and a murmur as of +night-winds in the trees. Suddenly an owl hooted overhead, and then----I +must have fainted. + +I thought I was again in the Barbadian sloop, during the storm. Bound in +my narrow berth I rocked and swayed, while overhead the boisterous wind +howled in the rigging. The strained timbers creaked and groaned, and now +and then sounded the sharp snapping of some frail spar. A woman's +sobbing reached me through it all,--the low, gasping sobs of one whose +breath is spent. I pushed back the covers and looked around me. + +It was gray dawn in the forest. Through the tossing branches overhead I +saw the pale clouds scudding beneath an angry heaven. I looked toward my +feet and perceived the back of a strange man with dark head, bent +shoulders, and bare brown arms grasping the sides of my litter. Some one +was at my head also; turning quickly, I met his eyes looking into mine: +it was Padre Felipe. I sat up, with a sudden gasp. + +"Barbara!" I cried, "where are you, Barbara?" + +When only the weak sobs answered me I threw myself from the litter to +the ground, falling in an impotent heap with my feet entangled in the +wrappings. But I caught sight of my good dame staggering on behind, half +dragged, half carried by two Indian youths. Her clothing was torn and +draggled, her face pitiably scratched, while great tears chased each +other down her wrinkled cheeks. + +The litter had stopped. Padre Felipe helped me to my feet; but I turned +from him and threw my arms around Barbara's neck. She clung to me +desperately, her breath catching and her voice broken as she tried to +speak. + +The friar took her by the shoulder roughly. + +"She is worn out with tramping through the woods all night. It is no +wonder! But 'twas her own doing, for she would come; now she must keep +up or be left behind. We must reach shelter before the storm breaks in +earnest, for it will be no light one." + +A heavier gust passed while he was speaking; there was a louder moan in +the tree-tops, and a broken branch crashed down at our very feet. + +"Have we much farther to go?" I asked. He shook his head. + +"About a league, perhaps?" + +"Not more," was his reply. + +"Then put the poor dame in the litter, and I will walk." + +He looked intently at me. "Can you do it?" + +"Better than she. I feel faint here," I added, laying my hand upon my +bosom, "but my limbs are young and strong and unwearied." + +"You want food," was his brief comment; and, turning to the litter, he +drew out from a concealed pouch that was slung beneath it, a bottle of +water, and a loaf of bread, and gave me to drink and to eat. I took it +gladly, and Barbara did likewise. I thought, then, he would have taken +some himself; but he put by the remainder, saying he had no need of it, +and signed to the old woman to take her place in the litter, which was +then raised by two of his followers. The third went in advance to clear +away obstacles from the path, and we followed behind, I clinging to the +padre's arm. + +He said no more to me, but the touch of his hand was not ungentle. I +marked how he led me over the smoothest ground, choosing the briars +himself, though his feet were bare, and shielding me with his arm from +the sharp blades of the dwarf palmettos that hedged the way. + +As I walked beside him I could but marvel at the strange turns of Fate; +for now it seemed that I would owe my deliverance, in part, to one of +the very class I most hated as being the first cause of our captivity. +From time to time I glanced up at his dark, stern face, and wondered +whether, if I had not chanced to be his charge and under his sworn +protection, he could have found it in his heart to burn me for a +heretic! + + + + +CHAPTER XX. + + +The light grew ever stronger behind the hurrying clouds, but the deep +places in the forest held their shadows still. Tall cypress-trees reared +their heads amid the hollows and spread their branches like a wide +canopy over our heads; huge live-oaks crowned the hummocks; and here and +there great laurels lifted their pyramids of glossy, dark-green foliage. +Our passage was frequently obstructed by fallen logs, mossed over with +the growth of years; and tangles of vine, tough-stemmed and supple, +flung themselves from tree to tree across our path, resisting our +advance. All through the forest's higher corridors howled the riotous +wind; but along the tunneled ways we traveled it was scarce perceptible +at times. + +In spite of my fatigue I felt a greater strength rising within me. We +had come so far without pursuit! I began to hope as I had never done +before; for was not my dear love free, and my face also set toward +friends? + +As I mused thus we reached a higher level, and, through a rent in the +stormy sky a shaft of morning sunlight glanced across my shoulder and +plunged forward into the woods beyond. I looked back, startled, and for +a brief moment saw the sun's golden disc; then a black cloud effaced it +from the sky. + +"Padre!" I cried, "we are travelling westward!" + +"Yes," he said calmly. + +"Westward!" I exclaimed again. "Westward--and inland! when the English +settlement lies to the north of us, upon the coast!" + +He bowed again in silent acquiescence. Then my indignation broke forth, +and without stopping for further question I accused him bitterly of +breach of trust. + +"Did you not promise Dona Orosia to deliver me to my friends?" I cried. + +"What cause have you to doubt my good faith?" he asked, turning his +sombre eyes toward me, but still speaking in the same calm tones. "Had I +a ship at San Augustin in which we could set sail? Or could such a ship +have left the harbour unperceived? Not even a canoe could have been +obtained there without danger of discovery. We have a long journey +before us,--could we set out upon it unprovisioned?" + +I hung my head, ashamed, of my doubts. Once it was not my nature to be +suspicious; but so much of trouble had come to me of late that I began +to fear I would never again feel the same confidence in my fellow +creatures, the same implicit trust in Heaven that I had held two years +ago. I had never been a stranger to trouble; but, as a child, I knew it +only as a formless cloud that cast its shadow sometimes on my path, +dimming the sunlight for a moment and hushing the song upon my lips. +Even when my mother died I was too young for more than a child's +grief--an April shower of tears; and although my earliest maidenhood was +often lonely, I had made me my own happiness with bright imaginings, and +prayed God to bring them to pass. So I awaited my future always with a +smile and never doubted that it would be fair. All that had gone by. +Trouble had shown its face to me, and I knew it for something terrible +and strong, ready to leap at my throat and crush life out of me. What +wonder, then, that I walked fearfully from hour to hour? + +Padre Felipe spoke again after a time. "The woods are thinning," he +said. "A few more steps and we shall come out on the shores of the San +Juan, near to a small village of the Yemassees, in which there are many +whose eyes have been opened to the truth. There we shall find shelter +from the storm, and means to pursue our journey when the clouds are +past. Let us hasten; the bearers with the litter are far ahead." + +He gave me his arm once more, and ere many minutes were past, we came in +sight of the bold stream of the San Juan and the crowded huts of an +Indian village. + +The settlement did not appear to be near so large as that at Santa +Catalina, nor did the buildings seem of as great size and +commodiousness. The most imposing edifice I took to be the mission +chapel, for before it was the great cross mounted aloft. It was circular +in shape, with mud walls, and a thatched roof rising to an apex. There +was a door in the side, of heavy planks battened strongly together; but +I could perceive no windows, only a few very small square apertures, +close under the eaves, for light and air. + +The clouds were beginning to spill great drops upon our heads, so we +quickened our steps into a run. The litter and its bearers had paused +beside the door of the chapel, and from the neighbouring huts several +Indians emerged and advanced to meet us. A young woman with a little +copper-coloured babe strapped to her back, its tiny head just visible +over her shoulder, peered at us from the low doorway of her mud-walled +dwelling, but meeting my eyes, drew back hastily out of sight. + +I was very weary, and Barbara, who had dismounted from the litter, +seemed unable to stand. The padre was holding converse with those of his +dark-skinned flock who had approached; so we two women crouched down +under the chapel eaves and gazed around us at the wind-tossed, +rain-blurred scene. + +Before us was a thick grove of trees; to the left we could catch +glimpses of the river, gray and angry like the sky, and all along its +banks the huddled dwellings of the poor barbarians, whose ideals of +architecture were no whit better than those of the wasp,--not near so +complex as those of the ant and the bee. + +Suddenly, while we waited there forlorn, my thoughts flew back to an +English home, with its ivied walls, its turreted roof, its long facade +of warm red brick. I saw green slopes, broad terraces, a generous +portal, and a spacious hall; I thought of a room with an ample chimney +set round with painted tiles, and I pictured myself kneeling upon the +bearskin rug before a blazing fire, with my head upon my mother's knee +and her fingers toying with my hair. For that moment I forgot even my +dear love, and I would have given all the world just to be a little +child at home. + +The padre turned to us at last and motioned us to follow him. He led us +to the rear of the chapel, where, plastered against the wall, was a +semicircular excrescence,--a tiny cell, with a narrow door hewn from a +single plank and fastened with a heavy padlock. Drawing forth a key from +his belt he unlocked this and bade us enter. We did so, and he closed +the door behind us. + +Within, the hard earth floor was slightly raised and covered with mats +of woven palmetto-leaves. A narrow chink in the wall admitted a faint +ray of light, enabling us to perceive dimly the few objects which the +room contained. Apparently it was Padre Felipe's sleeping apartment and +the chapel vestry combined in one. There was a curtained doorway that +gave access to the chapel itself; pushing aside the hangings, we could +see the dim interior, empty except for the high altar set with tall +candles, and a carven crucifix upon the wall. + +As I caught sight of these emblems of a Christian faith I bethought me +of the bloody sacrifices that had been offered to a pitiful God in the +name of orthodoxy, and I wondered whether heretics like us would not be +safer out in the wild woods and the driving storm--aye, even at the +mercy of infidel barbarians; but suddenly I remembered the solid silver +service which was to be the gift of Dona Orosia to this little new +mission, and I took courage. + +The rain was now pouring in torrents from the thatched roof, and the +wind, which blew from the northeast, dashed it back against the mud +walls of our refuge. I turned to Barbara and gave voice to an anxiety +that for some time, had been growing within me. + +"Dear dame," I said, "think you this storm is worse at sea?" + +"Aye, my lamb,'tis from an ugly quarter; but the _Carolina_ has +weathered harder blows, and haply she has found good anchorage in some +safe harbour." + +I tried to think the same; nevertheless, in the long hours that we sat +there, listening to the heavy gusts and beating rain, my heart went +faint at the possibility of this new danger to my beloved. + +It must have been past noon when the padre came to us again. He brought +food with him freshly cooked,--meat and fish, and broth of parched +corn-flour, not unpleasant to the taste. + +"The wind is abating," he declared, "and the clouds are breaking away. +When the rain ceases we may venture to pursue our journey." + +I begged to know how he purposed to convey us, for neither Barbara nor +I could go afoot much longer. + +Then he laid his plans before us. This wide river, the San Juan, flowing +by the settlement, continues northward for many miles and then curves +eastward and empties itself into the sea. We were to start in two swift +canoes--piraguas, he styled them--and, keeping at first under the lee of +the shore, follow the river to its mouth, then proceed up the coast +along the safe passage afforded by an outlying chain of islands. It +would be a journey of about ten days to the Indian settlement at Santa +Helena; the Indians there, he explained, were allies of our English +friends and would doubtless aid us to rejoin them. + +I asked if we must pass by Santa Catalina; and he said 'twas on our way, +but no one there would hinder us while we were under his protection. + +"Unless," he added, "the Governor of San Augustin sends out a ship to +intercept us there, or anywhere upon the way; in which case there will +be naught for me to do but give you up to him." + +Upon that I was in a fever to be gone; for I felt that the day could not +pass by without Melinza's discovering my flight, and I would endure any +hardship rather than risk his intercepting us. + + + + +CHAPTER XXI. + + +It was not until the rain-clouds had all passed by that the padre chose +to embark. The wind was still high, and our frail canoes were roughly +cradled on the river's turbulent bosom. + +Padre Felipe, Barbara, and I, with two Indians, filled the smaller of +the two piraguas; the other held five Indians and a store of provisions +for the journey. + +The afternoon sky was naught but windy gloom; white clouds rolled over +us in billowy folds, and tattered scarves of mist trailed lower still +and seemed almost to snare their fringes on the topmost branches of the +forest. Close under the protecting river-bank sped our light canoes, +cutting their way through the gray waters. The dark-skinned crews bent +to the paddle silently, with corded muscles tightening in their lean +brown arms, and still, impassive faces fixed upon the seething current +or the swiftly flying shores. + +The gloom deepened slowly with the coming of the night. The waters +darkened, the dun forest became black and vague. At last, to my eyes, +it seemed that the sailing shadows in the sky, the inky, swirling +stream, and the mysterious shores blended in one all-pervading +impenetrable midnight. I could not realize that we were moving; it +seemed, rather, that we alone were still, while over us and around us +the spirits of the night flew past. I felt the wind of unseen wings +lifting my hair; I heard the splash and gurgle of strange creatures +swimming by. With my hands close locked on Barbara's arm, and wide eyes +staring into nothingness, I waited for some human sound to break the +palpitating silence. + +Finally the padre spoke. He asked some question in the Indian tongue. +One of the rowers grunted in reply, and there was a sudden cessation of +the rapid paddle-strokes. Then a signal was given to the other canoe, +and after some further discussion I felt that we approached the shore. +There was a scraping, jarring sound, followed by the soft trampling of +feet upon a marshy bank; and then a hand drew me up and guided me to +land. + +"The tide is running too strongly against us," explained the voice of +Padre Felipe. "We will rest an hour or two and wait for it to turn." + +They kindled a fire somehow and spread a blanket upon the damp ground. +I remember that Barbara and I stretched ourselves upon it and I laid my +head against the dame's shoulder,--then weariness overcame me. + +It seemed the very next moment that I was roused; but the fire was out, +and in the sky glimmered a few dim stars. There was a strange calm +reigning as we re-embarked; for the wind had died and the whole aspect +of the night had changed. All around us a faintly luminous sky lifted +itself above the dense horizon line, and the broad bosom of the river +paled to the hue of molten lead. Still brighter grew the heavens; the +thin clouds drew aside, and the crescent of a waning moon spilled glory +over us. And now our dark piraguas sped over the surface of a silver +stream, and every paddle-blade dripped diamonds. + +It is a noble river, this San Juan, with its broad sweeps and curves. At +times it widens to a lake, and again thrusts itself into the shores as +though its waters filled the print of some giant hand that in ages past +had rested heavily with outspread fingers on the yielding soil. Aided by +the strong current we glided on as swiftly as the passing hours. Our +faces were set eastward now, and I waited, breathless, for the day to +wake. + +There was a slow parting of the filmy skies, as though Dawn's rosy +fingers brushed aside the curtains of her couch; then came a gleam of +golden hair that slid across her downy pillows. A long-drawn sigh +shivered across the silent world, and with a sudden dazzlement we saw-- + + --"the opening eyelids of the Morn." + +From the southwest a fresh wind arose and swept clean the blue heavens; +and, with the early sunbeams sparkling on the ripples of the tide, the +canoes darted on toward the river's mouth. A heron flew up from the +marshes suddenly, and sailed over our heads on its strong white wings. +As I watched it dip out of sight in the river far beyond us I caught +sight of another gleaming wing that slowly unfurled itself toward the +sky. + +Touching the padre's arm, I pointed to it. + +"A sail!" he said. + +Our canoes quickly sought the curve of the shore and crept with caution +toward the unknown vessel. + +"It can scarcely be the Habana ship," murmured the padre, "for the +_Virgen de la Mar_ was at anchor in the harbour when we left San +Augustin, and ere morning the storm had risen, so she would hardly have +ventured forth to sea." + +"There are other vessels carrying sail that ply between the fort and +these coast islands. We came from Santa Catalina aboard one of them," I +whispered. + +"Yes," said the padre, "but this is too large." He paused for some +moments, and then added: "Do you see the long, straight lines of her +hull, and the square stern? This is no Spanish galley, but a frigate of +English build." + +"'Tis the _Carolina_!" I exclaimed, "'tis the _Carolina_!" + +"Oh! the blessed, blessed English ship!" sobbed the good dame. + +Then all energies were bent to reach her, for it was plain that she was +making ready to leave her anchorage. + +"If we could only signal to those on board!" I cried. "Loose your +neck-kerchief, Barbara, and wave it--wave it in the sunlight!" + +"We are too close to the shore," the padre said. "She can scarce +distinguish us until we strike out into the open." + +"But how plainly we can perceive her crew! And see the stir upon the +decks--are they not drawing up the anchor? Oh, Padre Felipe!" I cried +piteously, "wave to them! signal them! or they will leave us after all!" + +The friar rose carefully to his feet; he, too, was heartily glad of this +chance to be rid of his charges, and in no mind to let it slip by. With +Barbara's white kerchief in his hand he was about to make another effort +to attract the notice of the _Carolina_, when suddenly he glanced over +his shoulder toward the land, his hand fell quickly to his side, and he +dropped back into his seat with an exclamation of dismay. + +One of the Indians rose immediately, and with shaded eyes gazed along +the beach as it stretched away southward to San Augustin. He gave a +grunt of acquiescence and sat down, and the motion of the paddles +ceased. + +"What have you seen?" I cried in agony, struggling also to my feet. + +We were so near the river's mouth--almost upon the blue waves of the +ocean rolling out to the shining east! Under the lee of the northern +shore lay the English ship; and south of us the coast spun out its +gleaming line of sandy beach away, away back to the prison we had left. +But what were those dark forms that swarmed the sands? + +"We are too late!" muttered the Spanish friar. "Discovering your flight, +they have not waited for calm weather to follow in a swift +sailing-vessel, as I had thought they would, but have sent out a +search-party afoot to overtake you at the outset." + +"But we must reach the _Carolina_ before they arrive, Padre!" + +"It can be done, easy enough," he answered, "but what shall I and my +followers do if we are seen? Girl, I have too much at stake! I choose +not to incur the Governor's anger. 'Tis not likely that they connect us +with your disappearance, for Dona Orosia swore to shield me in the +matter. I have done all I could. It is thus far and no farther. But you +may yet escape; 'tis only a little distance to the ship; take up the +paddles and make your way thither." + +As he spoke he stepped from our canoe to the larger one which had closed +up with us, and the two Indians followed him. + +"Padre! oh, Padre! Do not leave me, do not desert me!" + +They paid no heed to my appeal save to give a mighty shove to our canoe +that sent it out toward midstream; then, seizing their paddles, with +swift strokes they sent their own piragua speeding up the river. + +It had all passed so quickly--so suddenly our hopes had been destroyed! +Barbara and I had been thrown forward by the impetus given to our frail +boat, and we cowered down in silence for a moment. The current was still +bearing us outward; but every second our motion slackened: we would +never reach the ship without some effort on our part. + +I seized a paddle and worked vigorously; but the light boat only swung +round and round. + +"Barbara!" I cried, "take the other paddle and work with me. I can do +nothing all alone!" + +The dame obeyed me, sobbing and praying under her breath; but we made +sorry work of it. + +I looked shoreward and could see our pursuers drawing closer and closer; +they had not yet perceived us, but in a moment more they could not fail +to do so. As they drew still nearer, riding on his dappled gray in the +midst of them, I recognized Melinza! With him were a troop of Spanish +soldiers--I saw the sunlight flashing on their arms--and some twenty +half-naked Indians, who might so easily swim out and drag us back to +land! + +"They see us! Mistress Margaret, they see us!" shouted Barbara. + +"Oh! not yet, dame, not yet!" I groaned, plying the paddle wildly. + +"The English, my lamb--the English see us! Look you, they are putting +put a boat from the ship!" + +It was true; but ere I could utter a "Thank God!" a yell from the shore +told us that those fiends had seen us also. Barbara would have dropped +her paddle in despair, but I ordered her sternly to make what play she +could. As for me, I dipped my blade now on one side, now on the other; +the trick of it had come to me like an inspiration; my fingers tightened +their hold, and my arms worked with the strength born of a great terror. + +Our pursuers had reached the river-shore, and a swarm of dark forms now +threw themselves into the stream. But the long-boat from the frigate +came toward us rapidly; I saw white English faces and heard shouts of +encouragement in my mother tongue. + +Then a volley of musketry rang out from the land. Instantly, the frigate +made response; her heavy guns thundered forth, and the white smoke +wreathed her like a cloud. But all the shots were falling short. + +[Illustration: "NEARER CAME THE LONG BOAT, YET NEARER WAS THE FOREMOST +SWIMMER."--_Page 162._] + +Nearer came the long-boat, yet nearer was the foremost swimmer. I saw +his brown arms cleaving the clear tide, I saw the white eyeballs +gleaming in his dark face. Friends and foes were now so close together +that from the shore it was impossible to distinguish them; so the shots +had ceased, and in their place rang out wild curses and savage yells. A +sinewy brown hand rose from the water and seized the edge of our +frail canoe, tilting it far over. The sudden jerk destroyed my balance, +and in a moment I felt the waters close over my head. + +Strong hands grasped me as I rose again and I battled fiercely; for I +thought the Indian had me in his hold, and I chose rather, to die. But +my weak strength was overcome, and I was lifted--aye, thank God!--lifted +into the English boat, and Master Collins wiped the water from my face. + +I saw them drag the dame in also, and then I closed my eyes. I did not +faint,--never in all my life had I been so very much alive; but the +sunlight and the blue sky were too bright for me. + +I cannot tell much of what followed. There were a few more shots, and +one of the English sailors dropped his oar and held up a bleeding hand. +I sought my kerchief to bind it up for him, but I could not find it. And +then, I looked up and saw the _Carolina_ close beside us. A ringing +cheer went up to heaven, and kind hands raised me to the deck. The +sunburnt face of Captain Brayne bent over me, and there were tears in +his honest eyes. + + + + +CHAPTER XXII. + + +There were other women on the ship, and one of them came forward and led +me away to her cabin and aided me to rid myself of my drenched garments, +lending me others in their stead. I learned from her that the _Carolina_ +had come direct from Barbadoes, bearing freight and some very few +passengers,--the noise of our treatment at the Spaniards' hands +deterring many who would else have ventured to throw in their lot with +the young colony. Captain Brayne bore also the duplicate of the orders +of the Spanish Council--which had been forwarded from England to +Barbadoes; and he had been instructed by their Lordships the +Proprietors, to stop at San Augustin and demand the prisoners. + +All this my new friend told me during her kindly ministrations. She +asked, also, many questions concerning my escape and the treatment I had +received during our long captivity; but I was too exhausted to answer +these at length, and begged that I might be left awhile to rest. She +went away then, to get me a soothing potion from the ship's surgeon; +and I made haste to unwrap the little packet that had lain hidden in my +bosom, in which was the written story of my prison life. As I smoothed +out the damp pages I thought of how I would place it in my dear love's +hand and leave him to read all that my tongue could never say to him! + +I slept for some hours and woke refreshed. Then came a message from the +captain, asking if I would see him. I was eager to be out, for many +reasons, the chief being my desire to see him from whom I had been so +long parted; it was his face I sought first among the many familiar ones +that crowded round me. Besides Captain Brayne I recognized other +officers of the _Carolina_ as the same with whom I had sailed from the +Downs nearly two years ago. All my fellow prisoners--save one--greeted +me joyfully and kindly. But that one missing face--where was it? + +It was on my tongue to ask for Mr. Rivers; then, of a sudden, it came +over me _how_ we had parted. So! and he still believed me--that thing +which I had shown myself. He had nursed his doubts for two whole days +and nights, and now he would not even come forward to touch my hand and +wish me joy of my escape. It seemed to me I caught glances of pity +passing between one and another of the lookers-on. Did they wait to see +how Margaret Tudor would bear her lover's apathy? A jilted maid! + +There was a mist before my eyes; but I smiled and said little gracious +words of thanks to each and all of them, and wished in my heart that I +was dead. Oh, my love! whatever doubts you may have had of me were paid +back that cruel moment in full measure. I recalled some of the hard +speeches I had heard from the embittered Spanish woman, and I thought +within myself, All men are made after the same pattern! + +Captain Brayne and Master Collins and good old Captain Baulk of the +_Three Brothers_ had been in earnest conversation for some moments; and +now the _Carolina's_ commander came to me and took me gently by the +hand, leading me aside. + +"Mistress Margaret," he said, "there is one aboard this ship to whom +your coming may mean life instead of death. He is very ill,--so ill that +we despaired of him till now,--and one name is ever on his lips. Are you +too weak and unstrung, my dear young lady, to go with me to his sick +bed?" + +That was how the truth came to me. I cannot write of what I felt. + +"Take me to him," I said. + +He lay in his berth; his large eyes were alight with fever, and he was +talking ceaselessly, now in broken whispers, now with a proud defiance +in his husky tones. + +"God knows what the devils did to him," murmured Henry Brayne. "He was +once a proper figure of a man; but starvation and ill usage have worn +him to a shadow!" + +Aye, but a shadow with a gnawing sorrow at its heart. + +"You may taunt me, Senor de Melinza," whispered the broken voice, "you +may taunt me with my helplessness. I may not break these bonds, it is +true; but neither can you sever those that bind to me the love of a +true-hearted English maid.... That is a foul lie, Don Pedro, and I cast +it back into your teeth!... Strike a helpless prisoner? Do so, and you +add but another black deed to the long score that stands against the +name of Spaniard. Some day the reckoning will come, senor--I dare stake +my soul on that!... I'll not believe it; no! not upon your oath, Don +Pedro!... Margaret, Margaret! Tell him he lies, dear lady!... In God's +name, speak, sweetheart!" And though I knelt beside him, and called his +name again and again, he was deaf to my voice and put me by with feeble +hands, crying ever: "Margaret! Margaret!" till I thought my heart would +break. + +Oh! the terror of this new jailer--dread Disease--that held him in its +grip while Death lurked grimly in the background! For no wiles or +blandishments of mine could move them or loose their hold upon the life +most dear to me. When there was but man to deal with, my faith failed me +and I ceased praying; now it was my punishment that only God's mercy +could set my dear love free,--and it might be his pleasure to loose him +in another world and leave me still on earth to mourn his loss. + +As, hour after hour, I listened to his ravings, a deeper understanding +of the horrors of his long captivity began to grow upon me. I could +scarce forbear crying out when I thought how I had touched the hand of +that vile Spaniard, and listened, smiling, when he spoke of love to me. + +How terrible a thing is hatred! Heaven pardon me, but I think there is +somewhat of it in my heart. Yet, now that the fever is abating, and my +beloved is coming back to me from the very brink of the grave, I do pray +that I may forgive mine enemy, even as God in His clemency has pardoned +me! + + * * * * * + +He knows me at last. It was some hours ago. I was bending over him, and +a light of recognition dawned in his eyes. + +"Margaret! _Margaret!_ is it _you_? I dreamed just now----that----that +you were untrue to me!" + +"Did you so, dear love?" I answered. "Forget it then, and rest; for now +the fever and the dreams are past." + +He smiled at me and fell asleep like a little child. + + * * * * * + +In the long hours that I have watched beside him I have written these +last pages of my story; and some time, when he is awake and strong +enough to bear the truth, I will put them all into his hand and leave +him here alone. And I think, when he has read them through to the end, +he will discern--between the lines--more of my heart than I have words +to tell. + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Margaret Tudor, by Annie T. 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