diff options
Diffstat (limited to '24335-h')
| -rw-r--r-- | 24335-h/24335-h.htm | 5998 | ||||
| -rw-r--r-- | 24335-h/images/001.jpg | bin | 0 -> 51956 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 24335-h/images/002.jpg | bin | 0 -> 59832 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 24335-h/images/003.png | bin | 0 -> 6481 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 24335-h/images/004.jpg | bin | 0 -> 63282 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 24335-h/images/005.jpg | bin | 0 -> 58395 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 24335-h/images/006.jpg | bin | 0 -> 46731 bytes |
7 files changed, 5998 insertions, 0 deletions
diff --git a/24335-h/24335-h.htm b/24335-h/24335-h.htm new file mode 100644 index 0000000..ce87071 --- /dev/null +++ b/24335-h/24335-h.htm @@ -0,0 +1,5998 @@ +<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Strict//EN" + "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-strict.dtd"> + +<html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"> + <head> + <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html;charset=iso-8859-1" /> + <title> + The Project Gutenberg eBook of Margaret Tudor, by Annie T. 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. Special rules, +set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to +copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to +protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project +Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you +charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you +do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the +rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose +such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and +research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do +practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is +subject to the trademark license, especially commercial +redistribution. + + + +*** START: FULL LICENSE *** + +THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE +PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK + +To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free +distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work +(or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project +Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project +Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at +http://gutenberg.org/license). + + +Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm +electronic works + +1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm +electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to +and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property +(trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all +the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy +all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. +If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project +Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the +terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or +entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. + +1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be +used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who +agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few +things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works +even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See +paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project +Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement +and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic +works. See paragraph 1.E below. + +1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" +or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project +Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the +collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an +individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are +located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from +copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative +works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg +are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project +Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by +freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of +this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with +the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by +keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project +Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. + +1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern +what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in +a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check +the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement +before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or +creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project +Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning +the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United +States. + +1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: + +1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate +access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently +whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the +phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project +Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, +copied or distributed: + +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 + +1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived +from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is +posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied +and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees +or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work +with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the +work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 +through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the +Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or +1.E.9. + +1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted +with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution +must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional +terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked +to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the +permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. + +1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm +License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this +work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. + +1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this +electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without +prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with +active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project +Gutenberg-tm License. + +1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, +compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any +word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or +distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than +"Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version +posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.org), +you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a +copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon +request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other +form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm +License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. + +1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, +performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works +unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. + +1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing +access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided +that + +- You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from + the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method + you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is + owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he + has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the + Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments + must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you + prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax + returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and + sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the + address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to + the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." + +- You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies + you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he + does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm + License. You must require such a user to return or + destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium + and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of + Project Gutenberg-tm works. + +- You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any + money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the + electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days + of receipt of the work. + +- You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free + distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. + +1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm +electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set +forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from +both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael +Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the +Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. + +1.F. + +1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable +effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread +public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm +collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic +works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain +"Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or +corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual +property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a +computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by +your equipment. + +1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right +of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project +Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project +Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project +Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all +liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal +fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT +LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE +PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH F3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE +TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE +LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR +INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH +DAMAGE. + +1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a +defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can +receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a +written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you +received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with +your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with +the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a +refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity +providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to +receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy +is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further +opportunities to fix the problem. + +1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth +in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER +WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO +WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. + +1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied +warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. +If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the +law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be +interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by +the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any +provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. + +1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the +trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone +providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance +with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, +promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, +harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, +that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do +or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm +work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any +Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. + + +Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm + +Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of +electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers +including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists +because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from +people in all walks of life. + +Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the +assistance they need, is critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's +goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will +remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project +Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure +and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. +To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation +and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 +and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. + + +Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive +Foundation + +The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit +501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the +state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal +Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification +number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at +http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg +Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent +permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. + +The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. +Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered +throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at +809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email +business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact +information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official +page at http://pglaf.org + +For additional contact information: + Dr. Gregory B. Newby + Chief Executive and Director + gbnewby@pglaf.org + + +Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg +Literary Archive Foundation + +Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide +spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of +increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be +freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest +array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations +($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt +status with the IRS. + +The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating +charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United +States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a +considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up +with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations +where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To +SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any +particular state visit http://pglaf.org + +While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we +have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition +against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who +approach us with offers to donate. + +International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make +any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from +outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. + +Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation +methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other +ways including checks, online payments and credit card donations. +To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate + + +Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic +works. + +Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm +concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared +with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project +Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. + + +Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed +editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. +unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily +keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. + + +Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: + + http://www.gutenberg.org + +This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, +including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary +Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to +subscribe to our email newsletter to hear about new eBooks. + + +</pre> + +</body> +</html> diff --git a/24335-h/images/001.jpg b/24335-h/images/001.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..510acaf --- /dev/null +++ b/24335-h/images/001.jpg diff --git a/24335-h/images/002.jpg b/24335-h/images/002.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..dfd6fb0 --- /dev/null +++ b/24335-h/images/002.jpg diff --git a/24335-h/images/003.png b/24335-h/images/003.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..a65fe42 --- /dev/null +++ b/24335-h/images/003.png diff --git a/24335-h/images/004.jpg b/24335-h/images/004.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..7a806bb --- /dev/null +++ b/24335-h/images/004.jpg diff --git a/24335-h/images/005.jpg b/24335-h/images/005.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..7f9afab --- /dev/null +++ b/24335-h/images/005.jpg diff --git a/24335-h/images/006.jpg b/24335-h/images/006.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..1b89102 --- /dev/null +++ b/24335-h/images/006.jpg |
